1)

(a)We learned in the Mishnah in Sanhedrin that someone who denies that Torah is min ha'Shamayim or that Techi'as ha'Meisim is mentioned in the Torah, receives no portion in Olam ha'Ba. Aba Shaul adds to that - someone who pronounces the Name of Hash-m the way it is written.

(b)We reconcile Rebbi Chanina ben T'radyon (who did in fact do that) with the Mishnah, by citing a Beraisa. The Tana learns from the Pasuk (in connection with the various practices of the Nochrim) "Lo Silmad La'asos ... " - that the prohibition is confined to learning the things mentioned there in order to put them into practice, but does not apply to someone who learns them in order to put them to use in court (in order to sentence those who practice them to death).

(c)Rebbi Chanina may nevertheless have been punished because he pronounced Hash-m's Holy Name in public. Alternatively, he was punished for applying the above Pasuk to mentioning Hash-m's Name, when in reality, it is written in connection with witchcraft (and Hash-m tends to be strict with Tzadikim [See Tosfoa, 18a, DH 'Lehislamed Avad']).

(d)According to the alternative explanation, the practical ramifications of the D'rashah "Lo Silmad La'asos ... ", 'Aval Atah Lameid Lehavin u'Lehoros' are - for example, that members of the Sanhedrin are permitted to learn Kishuf (black magic [in order to sentence transgressors]) and to draw pictures of the moon (for the purpose of Kidush Levanah).

2)

(a)Resh Lakish explained the Pasuk in Tehilim "Avon Akeivai Yesubeini" to mean - that one will be taken to task even for the steps that one takes (like the daughter of Rebbi Chanina ben T'radyon) or for those (seemingly) minor infractions which people trample underfoot.

(b)With regard to the current episode, it was ...

1. ... Rebbi Chanina himself who quoted "ha'Tzur Tamim Pa'alo ki Chol D'rachav

2. ... his wife who quoted "Keil Emunah ve'Ein Avel" (see Agados Maharsha) ...

(c)... his daughter who quoted the Pasuk in Yirmiyahu "Gadol ha'Eitzah ve'Rav ha'Aliliyah asher Einecha Pekuchos al Kol Darkei Ish" (acknowledging that Hash-m takes note even of the steps that one takes).

(d)Rav commented - on the righteousness of these three Tzadikim, who recited the ideal quotations of Tziduk ha'Din at the appropriate moment.

3)

(a)When Rebbi Yossi ben Kisma was sick, Rebbi Chanina ben T'radyon went to visit him. The former ...

1. ... criticized the latter's public Torah teaching - on the grounds that Hash-m appointed the Romans as the ruling power, and gave them jurisdiction over K'lal Yisrael. They had destroyed His Beis-Hamikdash, burned His Heichal, killed His pious ones and destroyed the Tzadikim, Consequently, they were obligated to accept their decrees and not publicly flaunt their orders.

2. ... rebuked Rebbi Chanina for stating that Hash-m would have mercy on him (meaningless words), in reply to his meaningful statement.

(b)He foresaw - that they would burn him together with the Seifer-Torah that he was holding.

(c)When Rebbi Chanina's asked him whether he would go to Olam ha'Ba, he replied by asking him whether any good deeds had come his way.

(d)In reply, Rebbi Chanina related - how his own Purim-money once became mixed up with the money in the Kupah shel Tzedakah, and he gave it all to the poor, prompting Rebbi Yossi ben Kisma to reply 'me'Chelk'cha Yehei Chelki ... (May my lot be like yours!')

4)

(a)When Rebbi Yossi ben Kisma died - all the Roman dignitaries attended his Levayah and even eulogized him.

(b)Upon their return, they found Rebbi Chanina ben T'radyon, with a Seifer-Torah in his bosom - initiating large gatherings to teach them Torah

(c)They wrapped him in his Seifer-Torah - and burned them together (see end of previous Amud).

(d)To ensure that he died a slow, painful death - they soaked wads of cotton-wool in water and placed them on his heart.

5)

(a)When ...

1. ... his daughter expressed pain in seeing him that way - Rebbi Chanina replied that it would indeed have been hard to bear had he been burned alone. But now that he was being burned together with the Seifer-Torah, the One who would avenge the Seifer-Torah's honor, would avenge his honor too.

2. ... his Talmidim asked him what he saw, he replied that he saw the parchment being burned, and the letters flying in the air (a hint that one can destroy the body of Yisrael but not their Soul).

3. ... they advised him to open his mouth and let in the flames, so that he would die more quickly, he replied that - it was preferable to allow the One who placed his Neshamah inside him to take it back.

(b)The executioner asked him ...

1. ... initially - whether, if he were to add fuel to increase the flames and remove the wads of cotton-wool from Rebbi Chanina's heart, he would bring him to Olam ha'Ba.

2. ... after he had already replied in the affirmative - to swear to that effect (which he did).

(c)Rebbi Chanina ben T'radyon died soon afterwards. The executioner - jumped into the flames and died together with him.

(d)After the bas-Kol announced that both Rebbi Chanina and the executioner were ready to go to Olam ha'Ba immediately, Rebbi wept, and declared that - some people acquire their Olam ha'Ba in a flash, whilst for others it takes many years to reach that atage.

6)

(a)Rebbi Meir's wife B'ruryah was particularly concerned about the shameful situation of Rebbi Chanina's daughter - because she happened to be her sister.

(b)To free her sister - she enlisted the help of her husband, by simply telling him about her concern.

(c)Rebbi Meir paid his sister-in-law a visit in the brothel, in disguise. When he ...

1. ... accosted her - she feigned being a Nidah.

2. ... told her that he was willing to wait for her - she dissuaded him on the grounds that there were plenty of women available who were more beautiful than her.

(d)He drew the conclusion that - she had obviously retained her purity (because what she had said to him, she obviously said to any other man who accosted her).

(e)Rebbi Meir's motive for doing that was - because he knew that only if she was free of sin, then she would be worthy of the miracle that was about to occur.

7)

(a)He then approached the guard. When, initially, the latter refused to allow Rebbi Chanina's daughter to go with him, Rebbi Meir produced three Kav of golden Dinrim - which he offered him as a bribe, one Kav for himself, and the other two, to give the authorities (when they began their investigations).

(b)He advised him, that when the money ran out - he should say 'Elaka de'Meir Aneini!'

(c)The guard was naturally skeptical about that, until Rebbi Meir proved to him however, that those words were really effective - by inciting some wild killer dogs by throwing clods of earth at them, and then, when they attacked him, he declared 'Elaka de'Meir Aneini'. At which point, the dogs left placidly.

(d)Subsequently - the authorities got to hear what had happened, and sent the guard to the gallows. He repeated the words 'Elaka de'Meir Aneini!' as instructed by Rebbi Meir, and the hangman was unable to hang him.

8)

(a)When the guard divulged all that had transpired, the authorities put up a wanted notice at the gate of Rome - in the form of a bust of Rebbi Meir, with orders that whoever sees the man who resembles the bust should hand him over to them.

(b)When one day, he was spotted, and the chase was on, he put off his pursuers - by running into a brothel, the last place where anyone would expect such a Tzadik to enter.

(c)Alternatively, he began to eat Bishul Akum - at least, he pretended to, by dipping one finger into the food, and another finger into his mouth.

(d)According to others, he met Eliyahu - disguised as a harlot, whom he began to embrace (quickly dispelling the notion that he was Rebbi Meir).

9)

(a)According to some, it was a result of this episode that Rebbi Meir fled to Bavel. According to others. he moved to Bavel following the episode - where he instructed one of his Talmidim to try and entice B'ruryah. After much effort, the Talmid succeeded in convincing her to agree to commit adultery with him.

(b)When she realized that she had failed her husband's test - she committed suicide.

(c)Rebbi Meir proved with that that - 'Nashim Da'atan Kalos' (Women are weak-willed).

(d)He saw fit to do that - when she scoffed upon hearing the mantra.

(e)He then moved to Bavel - out of embarrassment.

10)

(a)The Beraisa talks about someone who goes to watch the bull-fights described in our Mishnah, or Karkom. 'Karkom' - is a besieging army, which employs artists who entertain the troops.

(b)The Tana applies the title 'Moshav Leitzim' to those who watch ...

1. ...the Nachshim and Chabarim (entertainers who perform there different forms of witchcraft concerning animals).

2. ... Bukyon, Mukyon, Mulyon and Lulyon B'lurin and Sagurin - a kind of variety show with different kinds of jesters and jokers. Note; some opinions forbid watching the Itztadin anyway, because it constitutes murder (see Rabeinu Chananel).

(c)The source for the prohibition of watching these forms of entertainment is - the opening Pasuk in Tehilim - "Ashrei ha'Ish asher Lo Halach ... u've'Moshav Leitzim Lo Yashav ... ".

(d)... which is forbidden because it causes Bitul Torah, as the Pasuk continues "Ki im be'Soras Hashm Chsftzo".

(e)Another Beraisa permits attending ...

1. ... Itztadin - because sometimes it is possible to plead with the authorities and save Jewish captives fighting with the bulls.

2. ... 'Karkom' - where one is able to help one's fellow-Jews in the town under siege.

11)

(a)We reconcile the two Beraisos regarding Karkom, by establishing the former Beraisa where he is not 'Mis'chashev Imahen' - where he does nothing to assist or encourage the besieging army (see also Tosfos DH 'she'Lo Yis'chashev').

(b)Whereas the discrepancy regarding Itztadin we resolve by establishing the second Beraisa like Rebbi Nasan, who permits attending a session of bull-fighting - in order to permit the wives of Jewish victims who die to remarry, by testifying that their husbands have been killed.

12)

(a)In another Beraisa, Rebbi Meir forbids attending 'theaters' and 'circuses' because these occasions were used to arrange the needs of Avodah-Zarah and collect donations on its behalf (see also Tosfos DH 'she'Mezavlin Sham'). According to the Chachamim - even when they are not, it is forbidden because it is a Moshav Leitzim (a gathering of mockers).

(b)Despite the fact that both opinions forbid it anyway, Rebbi Chanina from Sura explains the ramifications of the Machlokes - there where one did business there, in which case, it is Asur be'Hana'ah according to Rebbi Meir (since they definitely use the proceeds for Avodah-Zarah, but Mutar be'Hana'ah according to the Chachamim (since it is only forbidden due o a suspicion or because of Letzanus).

(c)The problem with the opening Pasuk in Tehilim "Ashrei ha'Ish asher Lo Halach ba'Atzas Resha'im, u've'Derech Chata'im Lo Halach, u've'Moshav Leitzim Lo Yashav" is that - if one hasn't gone, how can one stand, and how can one then sit?

(d)Rebbi Shimon ben Pazi resolves the problem - by interpreting the Pasuk as a warning, inasmuch as someone who merely passes by, will be tempted to stop and watch, and from there, sitting and participating is but one short step away. Consequently, the Pasuk praises one who does not set the process in motion by not going there in the first place.

(e)When the Pasuk in Mishlei says "Im Chakamta Chakamta l'cha, ve'Latzta Levad'cha Tisa" (see Agados Maharsha) - it means that it is only in one's own mind that Letzanus contains Chochmah, and that consequently one will have to suffer the consequences alone for having indulged in it.

13)

(a)Rebbi Elazar learns from the Pasuk in Yeshayah "ve'Atah Al Tislotzetzu Pen Yechezku Moserchem" that - someone who indulges in Letzanus will suffer Yisurin ...

(b)... which is why Rava implored his Talmidim not to indulge in Letzanus.

(c)According to Rav Ketina, Letzim are destined to go short of food. Resh Lakish explains the Pasuk "Zeid Yahir Letz Sh'mo, Oseh be'Evras Zadon", to mean that - whoever indulges in Letzanus will end up in Gehinom (which the Pasuk refers to as "Evrah").

(d)Rebbi Oshaya explains the Pasuk in the same way, but in connection with the "Zeid Yahir" mentioned there - a Ba'al Ga'avah (someone who is conceited).

14)

(a)In the opinion of Rebbi Chanila'i (or Rebbi Tanchum bar Chanila'i), the repercussions of Letzanus are more disastrous still. According to him - Letzanus brings destruction to the entire world.

(b)According to Rebbi Elazar - Letzanus begins with Yisurin and (if one persists, it) ends with destruction.

(c)Rebbi Shimon ben Pazi Darshens the above Pasuk in Tehilim ("Ashrei ha'Ish asher Lo Halach ... ") with reference to the Nochri's 'theaters' and 'circuses' and "u've'Derech Chata'im Lo Amad", to 'K'nigyon' - hunting wild animals.

(d)We know that even if one one conforms with these instructions by lying under one's covers and sleeping one is still deficient - from the continuation of the Pasuk "Ki Im be'Soras Hash-m Cheftzo, u've'Soraso Yehegeh Yomam va'Laylah" ...

(e)... because, as we learned earlier, the main reason for all these prohibitions is Bitul Torah. Consequently, the main purpose of avoiding them is in order to learn more Torah and not in order to sleep longer hours.