Skip to content

Parallel

כתובות 50:1

Soncino English Talmud · Berean Standard Bible

and I compelled them to maintain him'. Now if it be conceded that this  was not [in accordance with the strict] law one can well understand why he had to compel them,  but if it be contended that this  is the law, would it have been necessary for him [it may be objected] to compel them? R. Elai stated: It was ordained at Usha  that if a man wishes to spend liberally  he should not spend more than a fifth.  So it was also taught: If a man desires to spend liberally  he should not spend more than a fifth,  [since by spending more] he might himself come to be in need [of the help] of people.  It once happened that a man wished to spend  more than a fifth  but his friend did not allow him. Who was it?  — R. Yeshebab. Others say [that the man who wished to spend was] R. Yeshebab, but his friend did not allow him. And who was it?  R. Akiba. R. Nahman, or as some say, R. Aha b. Jacob, said: What [is the proof from] Scripture?  — And of all that Thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth  into thee. But the second tenth,  surely, is not like the first one? — R. Ashi replied: I will … give a tenth of it  [implies 'I will make] the second like the first'. Said R. Shimi b. Ashi: [The number of those who report] these traditions  steadily diminishes,  and your mnemonic  is 'The young  assigned in writing  and spend liberally'. R. Isaac stated: It was ordained at Usha  that a man must bear  with his son until [he is] twelve years [of age]. From that age  onwards he may threaten  his life.  But could this be correct?  Did not Rab, in fact, say to R. Samuel b. Shilath,  'Do not accept [a pupil] under the age of six; a pupil of the age of six you shall accept and stuff him like an ox'?  — Yes, 'stuff him like an ox', but he may not 'threaten him'  until after [he has reached the age of] twelve years. And if you prefer I may say: This  is no difficulty, since one may have referred  to Scripture  and the other to Mishnah; for Abaye stated: Nurse  told me that a child of six [is ripe] for Scripture; one of ten, for Mishnah; one of thirteen,  for a full twenty-four hours'  fast,  and, in the case of a girl,  [one who is of] the age of twelve. Abaye stated, Nurse  told me: A child of the age of six whom a scorpion has bitten on the day on which he has completed his sixth year does not survive [as a rule].  What is his remedy? — The gall of a white stork  in beer. This should be rubbed into the wound [and the patient] be made to drink it. A child of the age of one year whom a bee has stung on the day he has completed his first year does not survive [as a rule].  What is his remedy? — The creepers of a palm-tree in water. This should be rubbed in and [the patient] be made to drink it. Said R. Kattina: Whosoever brings his son [to school] under the age of six will run after hint but never overtake him.  Others say: His fellows will run after him but will never overtake him.  Both statements, however, are correct:  He is feeble but learned. If you prefer I might say: The former  applies to one  who is emaciated; the latter, to one  who is in good health. R. Jose b. Hanina stated:  At Usha  it was ordained that if a woman had sold usufruct property  during the lifetime of her husband and then died, the husband  may seize it from the buyers.  R. Isaac b. Joseph found R. Abbahu standing among a crowd of people.  'Who', he said to hint, 'is the author of the traditions of Usha?' — 'R. Jose b. Hanina', the other informed him. He learned this from him forty times and then it appeared to him as if he had it safely in his bag.  Happy are they that keep justice, that do righteousness at all times.  Is it possible to do righteousness at all times? — This, explained our Rabbis of Jabneh  (or, as others say. R. Eliezer), refers to a man who maintains his sons and daughters  while they are young.  R. Samuel b. Nahmani said: This  refers to a man who brings up an orphan boy or orphan girl in his house and enables them to marry. Wealth and riches are in his house; and his merit endureth for ever.  R. Huna and R. Hisda [expounded the text in different ways]. One said: It applies to a man who studies the Torah  and teaches it to others;  and the other said: It applies to a man who writes the Pentateuch, the Prophets and the Hagiographa and lends them to others.  And see thy children's children,' peace be upon Israel.  R. Joshua b. Levy said: As soon as your children have children there will be peace upon Israel; for they will not be subject to halizah  or levirate marriage.  R. Samuel b. Nahmani said: As soon as your children have children  there will be peace for the judges of Israel, for [doubtful claimants] will not come to quarrels. THIS EXPOSITION WAS MADE BY R. ELEAZAR B. AZARIAH  IN THE PRESENCE OF THE SAGES etc.