1)

(a)Rebbi Elazar also compares a V'lad in it's mother's womb to an Egoz (a nut) in a bowl of water in that - wherever one presses one's finger on it, that is where it will sink (see Seifer ben Yehoyada).

(b)The Beraisa describes how the fetus moves from one part of the womb to the other during the various stages of pregnancy. During ...

1. ... the first three months, it lives - in the lower region.

2. ... the second three months - it moves to the middle region.

3. ... the last three months - it moves to the upper region.

(c)The difference between the position of a girl and that of boy at birth is that - the former emerges face upwards, the latter, face downwards (each one in the same position as it lies during Tashmish).

(d)The more acute birth-pangs for a girl than for a boy - are therefore the result of the fact that she needs to turn round before birth (since during pregnancy, they both lie face downwards).

2)

(a)The Tana in a Beraisa states that during the first three months of pregnancy Tashmish is harmful for both the mother and the V'lad; during ...

1. ...the second three months it is harmful for the mother, but beneficial for the V'lad, whereas during ...

2. ... the last three months - it is beneficial for both of them.

(b)The Tashmish is beneficial for the V'lad during the last two periods - because the Zera cleans and strengthens it (see also Maharatz Chayos).

(c)Abaye objects to the Tana's statement that Tashmish on the ninetieth day (one third of the pregnancy) is akin to murder - inasmuch as one does not generally know the exact date of conception (so there is no way of avoiding endangering the baby).

(d)He therefore suggests that - one ignores the Beraisa's statement and relies on the Pasuk in Tehilim "ve'Shomer Pesayim Hash-m" ...

(e)... which means that ... 'Hashem looks after the fools' [people who unavoidably do foolish things]).

3)

(a)The three partners in the birth of a baby are - Hash-m, the baby's father and his mother.

(b)His father produces the white - from which five parts of a person are created, and his mother the red - from which another five parts are created; whilst - Hash-m creates ten parts, as we will now explain.

(c)Besides ...

1. ... the bones, the sinews and the nails, the father also creates - the marrow in the head (which flows down the spinal cord to become Zera) and the white of the eye.

2. ... the skin, the flesh and the blood, the mother also creates - the hair and the black of the eyes.

3. ... the Ru'ach, the Neshamah, the shape of face, sight and hearing, Hash-m also creates - the speech, the ability to walk, De'ah, Binah and Haskel (knowledge, the ability to reason and common sense).

(d)When the time arrives for a person to leave this world - Hash-m takes back the ten things that He supplied, leaving the ten things that his parents supplied before them.

4)

(a)In the current connection, Rav Papa cites a common saying 'Shake off the salt, and throw the meat to the dogs', meaning that - just as meat with the salt shaken off is prone to become putrid (and is inedible to humans), so too, does a body stand to become putrid when the Neshamah has been removed (and has no more use).

(b)According to Rebbi Chanina bar Papa, the wonders in the Pasuk in Iyov "Oseh Gedolos ad Ein Cheiker ... " concern a fetus in its mother's womb, making it more wondrous than something that is placed ...

1. ... inside a wrapped flask - in that the latter's safety is still not assured, whereas, despite the fact that the womb's opening is uncovered and faces downwards, the parts of the former are safeguarded.

2. ... on a scale - inasmuch as the heavier the article that one places on the latter, the more the scale weighs down, whereas the former (for the sake of its own health) moves steadily upwards even as it gains weight (as we explained earlier).

(c)In the same vein, Rebbi Yossi ha'Gelili, based on the Pasuk in Tehilim "Odcha ... Nifla'im Ma'asecha Me'od", distinguishes between a fetus and ...

1. ... seeds sown in a patch of earth in that - whereas each of the latter seeds grows individually, it is the seed of the man and that of the woman combined that create the former.

2. ... various dyes boiling in a caldron inasmuch as - whereas the latter combine to create one color, each of the former creates its own independent features in the baby.

(d)Rav Yosef explains the Pasuk in Yeshayah "Odcha Hash-m ki Anafta bi, Yashuv Apcha u'Senachameni", in connection with two friends who left for overseas on business - and when the one got a splinter in his foot, which he was unable to extract, and which caused him to miss the boat (whilst his friend arrived at the port on time and caught it), he began ranting and raving. When however, he later discovered that the boat on which his friend was traveling had sunk, his curses turned into thanks and praises of Hash-m, his consolation complete, for he realized that what he originally thought was Hash-m's anger was really His mercy at work.

(e)And Rebbi Elazar explains the word "Levado" (in the Pasuk in Tehilim "Oseh Nifla'os Levado, u'Varuch Shem Kevodo Le'olam") to mean that - there are times when Hash-m's miracles are so hidden that only He knows about them, whilst even the recipient remains unaware of their having taken place.

5)

(a)Given that the word "Zeirisa" (in the Pasuk in Tehilim "Orchi ve'Riv'i Zeirisa") means 'selected', Rebbi Chanina bar Papa explains the Pasuk to mean that - Hash-m selects the best part of the Zera with which to form a baby.

(b)Tana de'bei Rebbi Yishmael compares it to a man who winnows in the granary - so that only the wheat kernels are used as food, and not the chaff (only Hash-m doesn't require a process).

(c)Based on this interpretation of "Zeirisa", Rebbi Avahu explains the Pasuk (said by David in Shmuel) "va'Tazreni Chayil" (which does not contain an 'Alef') - with reference to David's formation as a fetus, and the Pasuk (in Tehilim) "ha'Keil ha'Me'azreni Chayil" (which does) to mean that - Hash-m subsequently girded him with strength.

6)

(a)Rebbi Avahu explains the Pasuk in Balak (said by Bilam) "Mi Manah Afar Ya'akov, u'Mispar es Rova Yisrael" to mean that - Hash-m sits and counts the drops of Zera in anticipation of those from which Tzadikim will be formed ...

(b)... causing Bilam to go blind in one eye - when he expressed surprise that Hash-m, who is pure and holy, and whose servants are pure and holy, should involve Himself in such matters.

(c)We learn from the Pasuk "Ne'um ha'Gever Sh'sum ha'Ayin (which means 'whose eye is closed')" that - Bilam became blind in one eye.

(d)In the same vein, Rebbi Yochanan explains the Pasuk ...

1. ... in Vayeitzei "Vayishkav imah ba'Laylah Hu" - (which, missing a 'Hey', is a Name of Hash-m) as a hint that Hash-m involved Himself in that union, which resulted in the birth of Yisachar (which later became the tribe of great Torah-scholars).

2. ... in Vayechi "Yisachar Chamor Garem" to mean that - a donkey caused Yisachar to be conceived (since it was the braying of the donkey (as Ya'akov returning from the field) that led Leah outside to inform Ya'akov that he would spend the night with her instead of with Rachel).

7)

(a)Rebbi Yitzchak Amar Rebbi Ami learns from the Pasuk in Tazri'a "Ishah ki Sazri'a ve'Yaldah Zachar" that - if the woman seeds first, then the baby will be a boy, and vice-versa ...

(b)... and Rebbi Tzadok in a Beraisa learns the same thing from the Pasuk in Vayigash "Eileh B'nei Leah asher Yaldah le'Ya'akov be'Fadan Aram, ve'es Dinah Bito".

8)

(a)The problem with the Pasuk in Divrei Hayamim (in connection with the children of Ulam) "u'Marbim Banim u'Venei Banim" is - how it is possible for anyone to choose to increase sons, seeing as the sex of a child is not in his power to choose.

(b)And we solve the problem - by pointing out that it is, inasmuch as if the husband holds back from 'seeding' allowing his wife to precede him, then he will conceive a son.

(c)Rav Ketina therefore claimed that - he could ensure that all his children would be boys.

(d)Rava advises someone who wants to have sons - to perform Tashmish twice (so that he arouses his wife's desire, thereby ensuring that the second time, she will seed first).

9)

(a)According to Rebbi Yitzchak Amar Rebbi Ami, the most likely time for a woman to become pregnant - is just before her Veses.

(b)He learns this from the Pasuk in Tehilim "Hein ba'Avon Cholalti" - which he translates as 'Behold I was formed with the blood of Nidus (which leads to sin), from which the baby is created.

(c)Based on the continuation of the Pasuk "u've'Chet Yechemasni Imi", Rebbi Yochanan learns that - it is (also, see Agados Maharsha) formed immediately after Tevilah ...

(d)... because he translates "Chet" as purity ...

(e)... which he learns from the word "ve'Chitei" (in the Pasuk in Tazri'a "ve'Chitei es ha'Bayis") or from the word "Techat'eini"(in the Pasuk in Tehilim "Techat'eini be'Eizov ve'Et'har").

10)

(a)Rebbi Yitzchak Amar Rebbi Ami states that ...

1. ... Shalom comes to the world with the birth of a Zachar.

2. ... a Zachar brings with him - his bread (based on the acronym of 'Zachar' ['Zeh Kar']).

(b)And he derives this from the Pasuk in Yeshayah "Shilchu Kar Moshel ba'Aretz" - which means 'Send gifts (based on the word 'Kikar', loaf) to the ruler of the land'.

(c)This Pasuk also serves as the source for his previous statement - because sending gifts creates peace.

(d)And he proves from the Pasuk in Melachim "va'Yichreh lahem Keirah Gedolah, va'Yochlu va'Yishtu" that - "Kirah" means a loaf (a gift).

11)

(a)Rebbi Yitzchak Amar Rebbi Ami Darshen the word 'Nekeivah' - as empty handed (like the acronym of the word ['Nekiyah Ba'ah']).

(b)She is called by this title - because until she issues a request, she possesses nothing.

(c)And he reinforces this with the Pasuk in Vayeitzei "Nakvah Secharcha alai ve'Eteinah" - where Lavan asked Ya'akov to specify what he wants.

12)

(a)Rebbi Shimon bar Yochai's Talmidim asked him why a Yoledes is obligated to bring a Korban, to which he replied - because when she braces herself to give birth, she swears that she will never be intimate with her husband again (and this is a Shevu'as Bituy in vain), since she is Meshubad to her husband).

(b)Rav Yosef asked two Kashyos on that, one of them that she is Meizid, whereas the Korban for a Shevu'as Bituy comes only be'Shogeg. To atone for her sin, she shouild therefore - nullify her Shevu'ah through a Chacham.

(c)The other Kashya is - why she then brings a Korban Of and not the regular lamb or goat that one is Chayav for a Shevu'as Bituy.

(d)And when they asked Rebbi Shimon why ...

1. ... she brings the Korban after seven days for a Zachar and only after fourteen for a Nekeivah, he replied that - since everyone is happy after the birth of a boy but sad after the birth of a girl, her remorse for having sinned occurs sooner after a boy (because she wants another one) than after a girl.

2. ... the Mitzvah of B'ris Milah takes place on the eighth day, he replied - that since the mother (who is Tamei for seven days) is forbidden to her husband, it would be unfair to make the B'ris earlier, at a time when everybody else rejoices, and the baby's father and mother are sad.

13)

(a)Rebbi Meir explained the concept of the seven-day Nidus period each month - to give the relationship (which would otherwise go stale), a chance to start afresh each month, so that their feelings for each other revert to what they were when they entered the Chupah.

(b)And when Rebbi Dustai b'Rebbi Yanai's Talmidim asked him why ...

1. ... it is the man who looks for a wife and not the other way round, he answered that - it is he after all, who lost a rib, and it is the owner of a lost article who goes looking for it and not the other way round.

2. ... during Tashmish, the man faces downwards and the woman upwards, he replied that - each one looks in the direction of where he came from (Adam from the ground; Chavah, from Adam's rib).

3. ... a man is easier to placate than a woman, he answered that - each one takes on the nature of what he was created from, since earth (when mixed with water) is soft, whereas bones are hard.

4. ... a woman has a sweeter voice than a man - for the same reason (for when one strikes a bone it emits a clear sound, whereas earth does not.

(c)The Pasuk we cite as support for the latter statement is - "ki Kolech Areiv ... " (Shir ha'Shirim [see Tosfos DH 'ki Kolech Areiv').

14)

(a)Our Mishnah declares the daughters of the Kutim, Nidos - from the cot (from the time they are born.

(b)The Tana rules that the Kutim themselves are Metamei Tachton ke'Elyon (the garment upon which they lie becomes a Rishon le'Tum'ah like a garment that they carry) - because they are all Bo'alei Nidos ...

(c)... because they are Machmir on themselves to consider all sightings Tamei, whatever the color. Consequently, if after seeing yellow blood, they sighted red, they would count Nidus from the first sighting instead of from the second.

(d)The Tana rules that in the case where ...

1. ... someone wears or covers himself with such a garment and enters the Mikdash - he is Patur from bringing a Korban.

2. ... such a Beged touches Terumah - it is Tamei mi'Safek, but is not burned ...

(e)... because min ha'Torah, their Tum'ah is only a Safek - and the fact that the Mishnah declares them Vaday Tamei is a Gezeirah de'Rabbanan.