SANHEDRIN 98 (25 Adar 5785) - Today's learning has been dedicated by Nosson Noach Pesach Fishman of Halifax, Nova Scotia, l'Iluy Nishmas his father, Mordechai b'Reb Aharon, whose Yahrzeit is on 25 Adar II.
1)
(a)
What does Rebbi Aba say about the Pasuk in Yechezkel "ve'Atem Harei Yisrael, Anafchem Titnu u'Ferichem Titnu le'Amei ha'Aretz"?
(b)
Rebbi Elazar says virtually the opposite, based on a Pasuk in Zecharyah. What does the Pasuk in Zecharyah say about S'char Adam and S'char Beheimah?
(c)
How does Rav explain the conclusion of the Pasuk ...
1.
... "u'le'Yotzei u'le'Va Ein Shalom ... "?
2.
... " ... min ha'Tzar"?
(d)
Shmuel explains 'Ad she'Yih'yu Kol ha'She'arim Shekulim'. What does he mean?
1)
(a)
Rebbi Aba, based on the Pasuk in Yechezkel "ve'Atem Harei Yisrael, Anafchem Titnu u'Ferichem Titnu le'Amei ha'Aretz", says that - when Eretz Yisrael produces a bountiful fruit harvest, that is the surest sign that the Galus is coming to an end.
(b)
Rebbi Elazar says virtually the opposite, based on the Pasuk in Zecharyah, which says that - when S'char Adam and S'char Beheimah are non-existent (people are not earning and the work of the farm-animals is unproductive) it is a sign of the times of Mashi'ach.
(c)
Rav explains the conclusion of the Pasuk ...
1.
... "u'le'Yotzei u'le'Va Ein Shalom ... " to meanthat - even the Talmidei-Chachamim (about whom it is written "Shalom Rav le'Ohavei Sorasecha") know no peace ...
2.
... " ... min ha'Tzar" - either from the current troubles or from the Yeitzer-ha'Ra.
(d)
Shmuel explains 'Ad she'Yih'yu Kol ha'She'arim Shekulim', by which he means that - Mashi'ach will only come when all the market prices are equal, meaning either that the prices of all commodities are low (like we learned earlier regarding the fifth year of the Sh'mitah), or that they are all high.
2)
(a)
What does Rebbi Chanina say about fish that will bring Mashi'ach (ben David)?
(b)
What do Rebbi Chama b'Rebbi Chanina, Ze'iri Amar Rebbi Chanina and Rebbi Elazar b'Rebbi Shimon, respectively, learn from the juxtaposition of the Pesukim in ...
What does Ula learn from the Pasuk there "Tziyon ba'Mishpat Tipadeh, ve'Shavehah bi'Tzedakah"?
(d)
And what does Rav Papa mean when he says ...
1.
... 'I Batli Yehiri Batli Amgushi'?
2.
... 'I Batli Dayni Batli Gezirfti'?
2)
(a)
Rebbi Chanina says that - ben David will only come when they cannot even find a fish for a sick person (see Ya'avetz).
(b)
From the juxtaposition of the Pesukim in ...
1.
... Yeshayah "ve'Charas ha'Zalzalim bi'Mezamros ... ba'Eis ha'Hi Yuval Shai la'Hashem Tzevakos" Rebbi Chama b'Rebbi Chanina learns that - Mashi'ach will only come when Yisrael is stripped of every vestige of sovereignty.
2.
... Tzefanyah "Ki Az Asir mi'Kirb'cha Alizei Ga'avascha ... ve'Hish'arti be'Kirb'cha Ani ve'Dal ve'Chasu be'Shem Hash-m", Ze'iri Amar Rebbi Chanina learns that - Mashi'ach will only come when there are no more conceited people in Yisrael.
3.
... Yeshayah "ve'Ashivah Yadi Alayich ve'Etzroch ka'Bor Sigayich ... ve'Ashivah Shoftayich" Rebbi Elazar b'Rebbi Shimon learns that - Mashi'ach will only come when there are no more judges or policemen in Yisrael.
(c)
Ula learns from the Pasuk there "Tziyon ba'Mishpat Tipadeh, ve'Shavehah bi'Tzedakah" that - Yerushalayim (or Yisrael) will be redeemed on the merit of Tzedakah.
(d)
And when Rav Papa says ...
1.
... 'I Batli Yehiri Batli Amgushi', he means that - when there are no longer any vain people in Yisrael, there will not be any witchcraft (which detracts from the fear of G-d) either.
2.
... 'I Batli Dayni Batli Gezirfti', he means that - when wicked judges cease to operate in Yisrael, Hash-m will remove Nochri judges (who judge using physical force) from their midst.
3)
(a)
What does Rebbi Yochanan learn from the Pasuk in ...
... Yeshayah "ve'Amech Kulam Tzadikim le'Olam Yirshu Aretz", and "va'Yar ki Ein Ish va'Yishtomem ki Ein Mafgi'a ... le'Ma'ani E'eseh"?
(b)
How does Rebbi Alexandri, quoting Rebbi Yehoshua ben Levi, resolve the Pasuk in ...
1.
... Yeshayah "be'Itah" (in its time) with the next word "Achishenah" (quickly, implying before its time)?
2.
... Daniel "ve'Aru im Ananei Shemaya ke'Bar Inash Asi" (implying that Mashi'ach will come quickly) with the Pasuk in Zecharyah "Ani ve'Rochev al ha'Chamor" (implying that he will take his time even when he comes)?
3)
(a)
Rebbi Yochanan learns from the Pasuk in ...
1.
... Shmuel "ve'es Am Ani Toshi'a" that - Mashi'ach will come in a generation whose financial situation is on the decline.
2.
... Yeshayah "Ki Yavo ke'Nahar Tzar Ru'ach Hash-m Nos'sah bo ... u'Va le'Tziyon Go'el" that - Mashi'ach will come in a generation whose Tzaros are constantly on the increase (where even Hash-m seems to seek their destruction).
3.
... Yeshayah "ve'Amech Kulam Tzadikim le'Olam Yirshu Aretz", and "va'Yar ki Ein Ish va'Yishtomem ki Ein Mafgi'a ... le'Ma'ani E'eseh" - that Mashi'ach will come in a generation which is either all good or all bad.
(b)
Rebbi Alexandri, quoting Rebbi Yehoshua ben Levi, resolves the Pasuk in ...
1.
... Yeshayah "be'Itah" (in its time) with the next word "Achishenah" (quickly, implying before its time) by explaining - 'Zachu, "Achishenah"; Lo Zachu, "be'Itah" ('If they are deserving, before its time; If they are not, in its time').
2.
... Daniel "ve'Aru im Ananei Shemaya ke'Bar Inash Asi" (implying that Mashi'ach will come quickly) with the Pasuk "Ani ve'Rochev al ha'Chamor" (implying that he will take his time even when he comes) - by likewise saying 'Zachu, "im Ananei Shemaya"; Lo Zachu, "Ani ve'Rochev al ha'Chamor".
4)
(a)
What did Shmuel reply, when Shavur Malka (King of Persia) offered to send Mashi'ach a fine horse to ride on when he comes?
(b)
What strange answer did Eliyahu ha'Navi give when Rebbi Yehoshua ben Levi asked him whether he was destined to go to Olam ha'Ba? To whom was he referring?
(c)
Where was Eliyahu ha'Navi standing at the time?
(d)
What did Rebbi Yehoshua ben Levi mean when he said that he saw two but heard three?
4)
(a)
When Shavur Malka (King of Persia) offered to send Mashi'ach a fine horse to ride on when he comes, Shmuel (not wanting to reveal the true reason) explained to him - that he certainly did not possess a horse as beautifully white as Mashi'ach's donkey (see Agados Maharsha).
(b)
And when Rebbi Shimon bar Yochai asked Eliyahu ha'Navi whether he was destined to go to Olam ha'Ba, he replied - (referring to Hash-m, who was standing beside him) 'If this Master so wishes'!
(c)
Eliyahu ha'Navi was standing - at the entrance of the cave (where Rebbi Shimon was hiding from the Romans).
(d)
When Rebbi Yehoshua ben Levi said that he saw two - he was referring to Eliyahu ha'Navi and himself, and when he added that he heard three - he meant the Voice of Hash-m (see Agados Maharsha).
5)
(a)
And what did Eliyahu answer, when Rebbi Yehoshua ben Levi asked him ...
1.
... when Mashi'ach will come?
2.
... where he can find him?
(b)
He told him that Mashi'ach will be tying bandages. What is the significance of those bandages? Why does he need to suffer?
(c)
How would Rebbi Yehoshua ben Levi recognize him? What will distinguish him from all the other lepers?
(d)
Why was he doing that?
5)
(a)
When Rebbi Yehoshua ben Levi asked Eliyahu ...
1.
... when Mashi'ach will come, he suggested that - he ask Mashi'ach himself that question.
2.
... where he can find him he replied - by the gates of Rome (see Agados Maharsha) sitting among the lepers.
(b)
He told him that Mashi'ach will be tying bandages - because he too, will be stricken with leprosy, which he has to suffer because of our sins ...
(c)
... and that he would recognize him by the fact that, as opposed to all the other lepers, who first untie all their bandages before cleansing the wounds and rearranging them - he would be untying and tying them one by one ...
(d)
... just in case he was called suddenly to appear before K'lal Yisrael.
6)
(a)
What did Mashi'ach reply when Rebbi Yehoshua ben Levi ...
1.
... greeted him ('Shalom alach, Mori ve'Rebbi!')?
2.
... asked him when he is coming?
(b)
When Rebbi Yehoshua ben Levi reported back to Eliyahu ha'Navi what Mashi'ach had said, what prompted Eliyahu to inform him that ...
1.
... he was assured of a place in Olam ha'Ba? What had Mashi'ach said that indicated it.
2.
... his father was assured of a place too?
(c)
And what did he reply when Rebbi Yehoshua ben Levi told him that Mashi'ach had promised to come 'today', but hadn't?
(d)
What did Rebbi Yossi ben Kisma reply to his Talmidim ...
1.
... initially, when they asked him when Mashi'ach is due to come?
2.
... after they assured him that they would not demand a sign?
3.
... when they pressed him for a sign in spite of their promise?
(e)
What is the significance of the Cave of Pamayas?
6)
(a)
Mashi'ach response to Rebbi Yehoshua ben Levi's ...
1.
... greeting ('Shalom alach, Mori ve'Rebbi!') was - 'Shalom alach bar Leva'i!'
2.
... asked him when he is coming was - 'Today!'
(b)
When Rebbi Yehoshua ben Levi reported back to Eliyahu ha'Navi what Mashi'ach had said, what prompted Eliyahu to inform him that ...
1.
... he was assured of a place in Olam ha'Ba - because Mashi'ach had returned his greeting (something that he only does to someone who is a ben Olam ha'Ba).
2.
... his father was assured of a place too - because he had referred to him by his father's name ('bar Leva'i').
(c)
And when Rebbi Yehoshua ben Levi told him that Mashi'ach had promised that he would come 'today', but hadn't, he replied that - he was referring to the Pasuk in the Sh'ma "Today, if you will listen to My voice' (in effect, turning his words into a potential answer, but not a factual one).
(d)
Rebbi Yossi ben Kisma replied to his Talmidim ...
1.
... initially, when they asked him when Mashi'ach is due to come that - he was afraid that they might press him for a sign.
2.
... after they assured him that they would not do so that - Mashi'ach would come when the gate (of Rome by which they were standing) would fall twice and be rebuilt twice, before falling a third time without being rebuilt.
3.
... when, in spite of their promise, they pressed him for a sign (see Agados Maharsha) that - he would come when the water of the cave of Pamayas will turn into blood.
(e)
The Cave of Pamayas - is the source of the River Yarden.
7)
(a)
Why, on his death-bed, did Rebbi Yossi ben Kisma instruct the people to dig his grave deep down in the ground?
(b)
And what did he say about ...
1.
... the date-palms of Bavel?
2.
... the cupboards of Bavel?
7)
(a)
On his death-bed, Rebbi Yossi ben Kisma instructed the people to dig his grave deep down in the ground - because, in the war of Gog and Magog, they will dig up all the coffins to use as feeding-troughs for their animals.
(b)
And he also said that, when Bavel would be overrun by the hordes of Persians and Medians - there will be so many horses, that there will not be a single ...
1.
... date-palm in the entire country without a Persian horse will be tied to it.
2.
... cupboard with a Median horse eating straw from it.
98b----------------------------------------98b
8)
(a)
How long, according to Rav, will the ruling power (Malchus Edom)'s influence have to spread over Yisrael (i.e. the entire world, where Yisrael are exiled) before Mashi'ach will come?
(b)
On what condition did Ula and Rabah want Mashi'ach to come?
(c)
What did Rav Yosef say?
8)
(a)
According to Rav, the ruling power (Malchus Edom)'s influence will have to spread over Yisrael (the entire world, where Yisrael are exiled) - for nine months, before Mashi'ach will come.
(b)
Ula and Rabah wanted Mashi'ach to come - provided they did not see it (they were no longer alive).
(c)
Rav Yosef - was willing to sit beside the shade of his donkey's manure, if that would enable him to witness the coming of Mashi'ach.
9)
(a)
Abaye queried Rabah from a statement by Rebbi Elazar. What advice did Rebbi Elazar ben Shamu'a give his Talmidim on how to escape the pangs of Mashi'ach?
(b)
What did Abaye therefore ask Rabah?
(c)
To which Rabah replied that, based on a statement by Rav Ya'akov bar Idi, he was worried that other sins might detract from that merit. What did Rav Ya'akov bar Idi say to explain Ya'akov's fear of Eisav, even though Hash-m had promised to look after him?
(d)
And we support this concept with a Beraisa. How does the Tana explain the Pasuk in the Shirah "ad Ya'avor Amcha Hash-m, ad Ya'avor Am Zu Kanisa"?
(e)
So why did it not materialize?
9)
(a)
Abaye queried Rabah from a statement by Rebbi Elaza ben Shamu'a, who advised his Talmidim that, to escape the pangs of Mashi'ach - one needs to study Torah and indulge in Gemilus Chasadim.
(b)
Abaye therefore asked Rabah what he was worried about - seeing as he had fulfilled both.
(c)
To which Rabah replied that, based on a statement by Rav Ya'akov bar Idi, he was worried that other sins might detract from that merit. Rav Ya'akov bar Idi explained that, even though Hash-m had promised to look after him, Ya'akov was afraid because 'Shema Yigrom ha'Chet' (maybe his sins would cause Hash-m to rescind His promise).
(d)
And we support this concept with a Beraisa. Commenting on the Pasuk in the Shirah "ad Ya'avor Amcha Hash-m, ad Ya'avor Am Zu Kanisa", the Tana explains that - the Pasuk is coming to compare the second entry into Eretz Yisrael (after Galus Bavel) to the first one (following Galus Mitzrayim), in which case, Yisrael should have witnessed miracles similar to those that took place in Egypt ...
(e)
... and the reason that they did not was - because 'Garam ha'Chet'.
10)
(a)
At first, when Rebbi Yochanan (like Ula and Rabah) said 'Yeisei ve'Lo Achmineih', Resh Lakish ascribed this to a Pasuk in Amos. What does the Navi say about someone who runs away from a lion and bumps into a bear? What danger did he subsequently encounter after escaping from the bear and entering his house?
(b)
What is a 'Senter'? What 'danger' does he present?
(c)
In the Mashal Resh Lakish cited Rebbi Yochanan, what danger confronts a person who enters ...
1.
... the city from the field, having escaped the Senter?
2.
... his house, having escaped the Gabai?
(d)
Bearing in mind that the Pasuk in Amos is referring to the pangs of Mashi'ach, what is Resh Lakish therefore saying?
10)
(a)
At first, when Rebbi Yochanan (like Ula and Rabah) said 'Yeisei ve'Lo Achmineih', Resh Lakish ascribed this to the Pasuk in Amos, where the Navi refers to someone who runs away from a lion and bumps into a bear, then when he escapes from the bear and enters his house - he places his hand on the wall and is bitten by a snake (see Agados Maharsha).
(b)
A 'Senter' is - a land (property)-expert, who is empowered to take land from one person and give it to somebody else (a 'danger' that one is faced with whenever one meets him).
(c)
Resh Lakish cited Rebbi Yochanan a Mashal. When a person enters ...
1.
...the city from the field, having escaped the Senter - there is a danger that he will meet the Gabai, who will demand taxes on behalf of the king.
2.
... his house, having escaped the Gabai - there is a danger that he will find his children suffering from starvation.
(d)
Bearing in mind that the Pasuk in Amos is referring to the pangs of Mashi'ach, Resh Lakish is therefore saying that - that cannot be Rebbi Yochanan's reason to wish not to witness the coming of Mashi'ach, since the same sort of dangers, following a similar pattern, already exist in this world, and if one can live with them now, one should also be able to live with them when Mashi'ach comes.
11)
(a)
Resh Lakish therefore concludes that Rebbi Yochanan's reason must have been based on the Pasuk in Yirmiyah. The Navi there, describing the pangs of Mashi'ach, writes "Sha'alu Na u'Re'u Im Yoled Zachar Madu'a Ra'isi Kol Gever Yadav al Chalatzav ka'Yoleidah ... ". How does ...
1.
... Rava bar Yitzchak Amar Rav (see Marg'lis ha'Yam]) interpret "Kol Gever"?
2.
... Rebbi Yochanan interpret the continuation of the Pasuk "ve'Nehefchu Kol Panim le'Yerakon"?
(b)
What Mashal does Rav Papa give to a sick ox and a horse?
(c)
What objection does Rav Yosef raise to Rav Gidal Amar Rav's Chidush that Yisrael will enjoy the bounty that Mashi'ach will bring in his wake?
(d)
And we reply that Rav Gidal is coming to preclude the opinion of Rebbi Hillel. What did Rebbi Hillel say in this regard?
11)
(a)
Resh Lakish therefore concludes that Rebbi Yochanan's reason must have been based on the Pasuk in Yirmiyah. The Navi there, describing the pangs of Mashi'ach, writes "Sha'alu Na u'Re'u Im Yoled Zachar Madu'a Ra'isi Kol Gever Yadav al Chalatzav ka'Yoleidah ... ". To interpret ...
1.
... "Kol Giver", Rava bar Yitzchak Amar Rav (see Marg'lis ha'Yam]) explains - that not even the strongest warrior will be able to stand up to the might of Gog and Magog.
2.
... the continuation of the Pasuk "ve'Nehefchu Kol Panim le'Yerakon" - Rebbi Yochanan explains that - both the celestial hosts and the hosts on earth agree that once Hash-m gives even a Rasha power, it is difficult to take it away from him.
(b)
And Rav Papa gives a Mashal - to a sick ox which one reluctantly replaces with a horse. Yet when the ox recovers, one is equally reluctant to reinstate it, having become attached to the horse.
(c)
Rav Yosef objects to Rav Gidal Amar Rav's Chidush that Yisrael will enjoy the bounty that will accompany Mashi'ach - because it is obvious. If Yisrael do not enjoy it, he claims, then who will? Perhaps Chilak and Bilak!
(d)
And we reply that Rav Gidal is coming to preclude the opinion of Rebbi Hillel - in whose opinion, Yisrael already experienced Mashi'ach in the days of Chizkiyah Hamelech (and all the relevant prophesies concerning the bounty of Mashi'ach's time that are mentioned there already materialized then).
12)
(a)
If Rav maintains that the world was created for the sake of David David ha'Melech, and Shmuel, that it was created for the sake of Moshe Rabeinu, what does Rebbi Yochanan say?
(b)
In the Beis-Hamidrash of Rebbi Shiloh (based on the Pasuk in Vay'chi "Ad ki Yavo Shiloh"), they declared Mashi'ach's name to be 'Shiloh'. What did they say in the Beis-Hamidrash of ...
1.
... Rebbi Yanai?
2.
... Rebbi Chanina?
(c)
If the Rabbanan, based on a Pasuk in Yeshayah, declare his name to be 'Chivra' (white) (meaning a leper, as we learned earlier), what do Yesh Omrim call him, based on the Pasuk in Eichah "Ki Rachak mimeni Menachem"?
(d)
What was the name of Menachem's father?
12)
(a)
Rav maintains that the world was created for the sake of David ha'Melech, and Shmuel, that it was created for the sake of Moshe Rabeinu. Rebbi Yochanan holds that the world was created - for the sake of Mashi'ach.
(b)
In the Beis-Hamidrash of Rebbi Shiloh (based on the Pasuk in Vay'chi "Ad ki Yavo Shiloh"), they declared Mashi'ach's name to be 'Shiloh'. In the Beis-Hamedrash of ...
1.
... Rebbi Yanai, they said that his name was - 'Yinon' (based on the Pasuk in Tehilim "Y'hi Sh'mo Le'olam Lifnei Shemesh Yinon Sh'mo").
2.
... Rebbi Chanina, they declared it to be 'Chanina' (based on the Pasuk in Yirmiyah "Asher Lo Etein lachem Chanina").
(c)
If the Rabbanan, based on a Pasuk in Yeshayah, declare his name to be 'Chivra' (white), meaning a leper, as we learned earlier, Yesh Omrim, based on the Pasuk in Eichah "Ki Rachak mimeni Menachem") - call him 'Menachem'.
(d)
The name of Menachem's father was - Chizkiyah.
13)
(a)
Why did Rav Nachman declare that if Mashi'ach was already alive, then, based on the Pasuk in Yirmiyah "ve'Hayah Adiro mimenu u'Moshlo mi'Kirbo Yeitzei", it would be him (see Agados Maharsha)?
(b)
That would also incorporate Rav's example of Rebbi. Why else might Rav have named Rebbi as the living Mashi'ach?
(c)
Whom did he name as Mashi'ach, assuming that Mashi'ach was no longer alive?
(d)
What else might he have meant when he said 'K'gon Rabeinu ha'Kadosh' and 'K'gon Daniel Ish Chamudos'?
13)
(a)
Rav Nachman declared that if Mashi'ach was already alive then, based on the Pasuk "ve'Hayah Adiro mimenu u'Moshlo mi'Kirbo Yeitzei", it would be him (see Agados Maharsha) - because the Pasuk implies that Mashi'ach is from someone who is both from the family of David and who ruled in Galus, and Rav Nachman was the son-in-law of the Resh Galusa (who was a descendant of David [perhaps he himself was a descendant of David, too]), as well as being the Rosh Yeshivah.
(b)
That would also incorporate Rav's example of Rebbi. He might also have named Rebbi as the living Mashi'ach - because he was the Nasi, and, besides being a genuine Chasid, he also suffered much physical pain (even though he was not actually a leper).
(c)
Assuming that Mashi'ach was no longer alive, he named him - Daniel (who was also a genuine Chasid as well as having suffered [when he was thrown to the lions]).
(d)
When he said 'K'gon Rabeinu ha'Kadosh' and 'K'gon Daniel Ish Chamudos', he might also have meant that - they were examples of what Mashi'ach would look like, but not necessarily that either of them was actually Mashi'ach.
14)
(a)
What does Rav Yehudah Amar Rav extrapolate from the word "Akim" (in the Pasuk in Yirmiyah "ve'Avdu es Hash-m ... ve'es David Malkam asher Akim lahem")?
(b)
How does Rav reconcile this with the Pasuk "ve'David Avdi Nasi lahem le'Olam"?
(c)
How is this answer even inherent in the latter Pasuk itself?
14)
(a)
Rav Yehudah Amar Rav extrapolates from the word "Akim" (in the Pasuk in Yirmiyah "ve'Avdu es Hash-m ... ve'es David Malkam asher Akim lahem")that - Hash-m would set up a different David than the original one (since the Pasuk writes "Akim" [in the future] and not "Heikim" [in the past).
(b)
Rav reconciles this with the Pasuk "ve'David Avdi Nasi lahem le'Olam" - by introducing the concept of 'Keisar u'Palgi Keisar', meaning that the new David will be king, whereas David ha'Melech will be viceroy.
(c)
This answer is even inherent in the (latter) Pasuk itself - which refers to David as 'Nasi', and not 'Melech'.
15)
(a)
What does the Pasuk in Amos mean when it writes "Hoy ha'Mis'avim es Yom Hash-m, Lamah Zeh lachem Yom Hash-m, hu Choshech ve'Lo Or"?
(b)
What did the rooster say to the bat?
(c)
Based on the Pasuk in Yeshayah "Ki Hinei ha'Choshech Yechaseh Eretz ... ve'Alayich Yizrach Hash-m ... ", what did Rebbi Avahu answer the heretic who asked him when Mashi'ach was destined to come?
(d)
What did Rebbi Avahu reply when the heretic asked him whether he was coming to curse him?
15)
(a)
When the Pasuk in Amos writes "Hoy ha'Mis'avim es Yom Hash-m, Lamah Zeh lachem Yom Hash-m, hu Choshech ve'Lo Or" it means that - the Resha'im long for Mashi'ach, without realizing that for them, Mashi'ach will be a source of darkness, and not light.
(b)
In similar vein, the rooster asked the bat - why he was looking forward to the light of day, since he was blind, and light is meaningless to him.
(c)
Based on the Pasuk in Yeshayah "Ki Hinei ha'Choshech Yechaseh Eretz ... ve'Alayich Yizrach Hash-m ... ", Rebbi Avahu answered the heretic who asked him when Mashi'ach was destined to come that - he would come when simultaneously, he (the heretic), will be covered by darkness.
(d)
And when the heretic asked him whether he was coming to curse him, he replied - by citing the Pasuk, which clearly indicated the curse's source, which had nothing to do with him.
