(Mishnah - R. Shimon ben Gamliel citing R. Yehoshua): After the Mikdash was destroyed, every day has a curse, dew does not descend for a Berachah, and fruits lost their taste;

R. Yosi says, even the fat of fruits was lost.

R. Shimon ben Elazar says, Taharah [when it ceased] took away the smell [of Peros]. When Ma'asros ceased, the fat of grain was lost.

Zenus and witchcraft caused everything to perish.

(Gemara): It says "v'Kel Zo'em b'Chol Yom" - [therefore every day has a curse. While the Mikdash stood, Korbanos removed the anger from Yisrael.]

(R. Ze'ira): The first curses endure.

Question: What cancels [these curses, and enables us to endure? We explained this like ALEI TAMAR.]

Answer (R. Avin citing R. Acha): Birkas Kohanim cancels [them].

(R. Shimon ben Gamliel): You know that dew was cursed - initially, a city with much dew, its Peros were great. Nowadays, a city with much dew, its Peros are few!

Initially dew would descend on straw, and it would whiten. Nowadays, it descends on straw, and it blackens!

(Beraisa - R. Shimon ben Elazar): Taharah took away the taste and smell [of Peros]. Ma'asros took the fat of grain.

Question: From which was it taken more (which was struck worse)?

Answer (R. Levi bar Chisa): We learn from the following - "mi'Hyosam Ba El Aremas Esrim v'Haysah Asarah Ba El ha'Yekev Lachsof Chamishim Purah v'Haysah Esrim" - it does not say 'and it was 25', rather, 'and it was 20'! (This shows that Peros were struck worse than grain.)

(Mishnah - Chachamim): Zenus and witchcraft caused everything to perish.

(Mishnah): During the siege of Aspanyanus, Chachamim decreed against grooms' crowns and Eirus (this will be explained);

During the siege of Titus, they decreed against brides' crowns and that a person should not teach his son Yevanis (Greek).

During the last siege, they decreed that bride not go out in a canopy in the city.

Rabboseinu permitted a bride to go out in a canopy in the city.

(Gemara): "Naflah Ateres Rosheinu" - these were grooms' crowns. This is a [Talis] dyed red, with gold plates fixed in it.

(R. Ba citing Rav): [The crowns] are made from salt crystals illustrated with sulfur.

(R. Yirmeyah citing Rav): They are from salt and olive leaves.

(Rav Nachman bar Yakov): Even of sedge (a reed that grows in water, is forbidden).

R. Yirmeyah cut twigs and wore a crown [of myrtle branches - GILYONEI HA'SHAS]. Shmuel heard, and said 'it would have been better that his head be lifted off him (he die), and he not do so!'

This was like an error that came out from the [mouth of] the officer. (Shmuel did not intent that R. Yirmeyah die, but even so, his words were fulfilled.)

(The Tosefta (15:9) says that Chachamim decreed against canopies of Chasanim.) These are Chupos Chasanim - illustrated sheets, and gold kerchiefs hang from them.

(Beraisa): However, one may make a dome of wooden rings, and hang any species he wants from it.

Our Mishnah [says that they decreed against] Eirus - this is a drum.

Brides' crowns are Ir Shel Zahav (a gold head-plate with a picture of Yerushalayim on it).

R. Akiva made Ir Shel Zahav for his wife; R. Gamliel's wife was jealous of her [that her husband did not make for her].

R. Gamliel (to his wife): Did you do what she did? She sold her hair and gave to him, in order that he could engage in Torah!

Question (to R. Yehoshua): May one teach his son Yevanis?

Answer #1 (R. Yehoshua): He may teach him at a time that is not day and not night, for it says "v'Hagisa Bo Yomam va'Laylah" (day and night, one must learn Torah).

Objection: If so, one may not teach his son a trade, for it says "v'Hagisa Bo Yomam va'Laylah" - but R. Yishmael taught "u'Vacharta ba'Chayim" - this is a trade!

Answer #2 (R. Ba brei d'R. Chiyah bar Rav citing R. Yochanan): [He may not teach his son Yevanis,] due to Mesoros (lest his son come to inform on Yisrael to the kingdom - PNEI MOSHE).

(R. Avahu citing R. Yochanan): One may teach his daughter Yevanis, for it is an ornament for her.

Shimon bar Ba heard this, and said 'because R. Avahu wants to teach his daughter [Yevanis], he attributes [a Heter for this] to R. Yochanan?!

R. Avahu: [Punishments] should come upon me if I did not hear this from R. Yochanan!

Question: (Rabboseinu permitted a bride to go out in a canopy in the city, which was a latter decree.) Who permitted the first decrees (crowns of brides? The custom was that brides wore them.)

Answer (R. Yosi bei R. Bun): The one (Rabboseinu) who permits these, he permits these;

This is like the Reish Galusa, who sent and asked Rav Chisdai, what is the meaning of "Ko Amar Hash-m [Elokim] Hasir ha'Mitznefes v'Harim ha'Atarah"?

Answer (Rav Chisdai): When the Mitznefes (Kohen Gadol's turban) is removed (i.e. after the Churban), the crown is lifted (removed from all people. This teaches only about men, similar to the Kohen Gadol. We explained this like YEFE MAR'EH.)

R. Yochanan heard, and said 'his name is Chisdai, and his words are full of Chesed (pleasant)!

(Mishnah): After R. Yochanan ben Zakai died, the radiance of Chachmah ceased.

After R. Gamliel ha'Zaken died, the honor of the Torah ceased, and Taharah and Perishus (distancing from sin) died.

After R. Yishmael ben Pavi died, the radiance of Kehunah ceased;

After Rebbi died, humility and fear of sin ceased.

After R. Meir died, there was no one who could give parables;

After R. Akiva died, the expounders ceased;

After ben Azai died, there was no one who learned unceasingly;

After ben Zoma died, the Talmidim ceased;

After R. Yehoshua died, good ceased from the world;

After R. Elazar ben Azaryah died, wealth ceased from Chachamim;

After R. Gamliel died, locusts came and afflictions increased;

After R. Chanina ben Dosa and Yosi ben Kitunta died, Chasidus (saintliness) ceased;

Why was he called Yosi ben Kitunta? It is because he was the root of Chasidim (the root is small).

R. Pinchas ben Ya'ir says, after the Mikdash was destroyed, the pious and people of lineage were ashamed and their heads were covered. People of deeds were lowered, and the forceful people and talebearers overpowered;

No one pursues [the return of Yisrael and no one requests [mercy for us]. On whom can we rely? On our Father in Heaven!

R. Eliezer says, after the Mikdash was destroyed, Chachamim started to descend to be like teachers of children. Teachers of children became like heads of the Beis ha'Keneses; heads of the Beis ha'Keneses became like commoners; and commoners keep descending.

And no one pursues [the return of Yisrael], and no one requests. On whom can we rely? On our Father in Heaven! (We explained this like MELECHES SHLOMO on the Mishnah.)

Before Mashi'ach comes, brazenness will be rampant. Everyone will pursue honor (PNEI MOSHE. Even though) the vine will yield grapes, wine will be expensive. The Nochri kingdom will transform to heresy, and there is no rebuke;

The house of learning will be used for Zenus. The Galil will be destroyed, the Gavlan will be desolate, those who lived on the border will roam from city to city without rest;

The Chachmah of Chachamim will spoil, and those who fear sin will be despised. Truth will be hidden, youths will embarrass elders, and elders will stand in front of the small;

A son will disgrace his father, a daughter will stand up against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man's enemies are his household;

The face (leaders) of the generation is like the face of a dog. A son is not ashamed of his father.

On whom can we rely? On our Father in Heaven!

(Gemara): After R. Eliezer died, the Sefer of Chachmah was hidden;

After R. Yehoshua died, good counsel and good thoughts ceased from Yisrael;

After R. Akiva died, the wellsprings of Chachmah ceased;

After R. Elazar ben Azaryah died, wealth ceased from Chachamim;

After R. Yosi died, understanding ceased;

After ben Azai died, those who learned diligently ceased;

After ben Zoma died, the expounders ceased;

After R. Chanina ben Dosa died, people of [great] deeds ceased;

After R. Yosi Chasida and R. Yosi Kitunta died, men of Chasidus ceased;

Why was he called Kitunta? It is because he was the root of Tzadikim and Chasidim.

After R. Gamliel died, locusts came and afflictions increased;

After Rebbi died, afflictions multiplied.

(R. Yakov bar Idi citing R. Yehoshua ben Levi): When R. Yochanan ben Zakai was about to die, he commanded and said 'clear the Chatzer [from Kelim] due to Tum'ah (lest they become Tamei), and prepare a chair for Chizkiyah Melech Yehudah [who is coming to escort me].'

R. Eliezer, the Talmid [of R. Yochanan ben Zakai], when he was about to die, he commanded and said 'clear the Chatzer due to Tum'ah, and prepare a chair for R. Yochanan ben Zakai;

Some say that the one (Chizkiyah Melech Yehudah) who saw [R. Eliezer's] Rebbi [when he died], he [came and] saw him (R. Eliezer, at his death).

Someone from the house of Pazi, the Nasi's house wanted him to marry into their family, but he did not accept. He said, they should not be embarrassed due to him;

When he was about to die, he commanded and said 'clear the Chatzer due to Tum'ah, and prepare a chair for Yehoshafat Melech Yehudah. They said, [it is proper that this one (Yehoshafat), who ran to honor [Chachamim], should come after (go to honor) this one, who fled from honor.

(R. Yakov bar Idi citing R. Yehoshua ben Levi): A case occurred in which Chachamim entered the Aliyah Beis Gadya in Yericho, and a Bas Kol went out and told them 'there are among you two proper for Ru'ach ha'Kodesh, and Hillel ha'Zaken is one of them.' They looked at Shmuel ha'Katan.

Another time, Chachamim entered an Aliyah (upper story) in Yavneh, and a Bas Kol went out and told them 'there are among you two proper for Ru'ach ha'Kodesh, and Shmuel ha'Katan is one of them.' They looked at R. Eliezer ben Hurkenus, and they were happy that they concurred with Hash-m's intent (the previous time, they knew that Shmuel ha'Katan was the other one).