Shabbat

and according to Beth  Hillel, usury too.  If so, the same applies to his sons and household? — As for his sons and household, this is the reason, as Rab Judah [said] in Rab's name. For Rab Judah said in Rab's name: One may lend to his sons and household on interest, in order to give them experience thereof.  If so, a large portion [set off] against a small portion [should be permitted] too? — That indeed is so, and there is a lacuna, while it is thus taught: 'A MAN MAY CAST LOTS FOR HIS SONS AND HOUSEHOLD FOR THE TABLE, even [setting] a large portion against a small portion'. What is the reason? — As Rab Judah['s dictum] in Rab's name. Yet only for his sons and household, but not for strangers. What is the reason? — As Rab Judah['s dictum] in Samuel's name. [Further, 'setting] A LARGE PORTION AGAINST A SMALL PORTION is forbidden even on weekdays in the case of strangers'. What is the reason? — On account of gambling. AND [PRIESTS] MAY CAST LOTS FOR, etc. What does BUT NOT FOR THE PORTIONS mean? — Said R. Jacob the son of the daughter of Jacob: But [one must not cast lots] for the portions of weekday [sacrifices] on the Festivals. That is obvious? You might argue, since it is written, for thy people are like the Priests that quarrel,  even the portions of weekdays too:  therefore he informs us [that it is not so]. R. Jacob son of Jacob's daughter also said: He through whom his neighbour is punished is not permitted to enter within the barrier [precincts] of the Holy One, blessed be He. How do we know this? Shall we say, because it is written, And the Lord said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one said on this manner; and another said on that manner. And there came forth a spirit and stood before the Lord, and said, I will persuade him. And he said, I will go forth and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his Prophets. And he [the Lord] said, Thou shalt entice him, and shalt prevail also: go forth, and do so.  Now we discussed, What spirit is meant? And R. Johanan answered: The spirit of Naboth the Jezreelite.  And what does 'go forth' mean? Said Rab, Go forth from within My precincts!  But perhaps there this is the reason, [viz.,] because it is written, He that speaketh falsehood shall not be established before mine eyes?  Again, [if] it is derived from here: Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and be as one uncircumcised, etc.;  and it is maintained: 'Thou art filled with shame for glory' refers to Nebuchadnezzar: [whilst] 'drink thou also and be as one uncircumcised', refers to Zedekiah,  — one [objection] is that the whole verse is written in reference to Nebuchadnezzar;  and further, what could the righteous Zedekiah have done to him, for Rab Judah said in Rab's name: When that wicked man [Nebuchadnezzar] wished to do thus to that righteous man [Zedekiah]. etc.?  Rather [it follows] from this: Also to punish the righteous is not good.  Now, 'is not good' can mean nought but [that he is] evil,  and it is written, For thou art a God that hath no pleasure in wickedness, evil shall not sojourn with thee, [which means,] Thou art righteous, therefore evil shall not sojourn in thy habitation. How is it implied that HALASHIM  connotes lots? — Because it is written, How art thou fallen from heaven, O day star, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground thou holesh [who didst cast lots]  over the nations, etc.  Rabbah son of R. Huna said: This teaches that he [Nebuchadnezzar] cast lots over the royal chiefs  to ascertain whose turn  it was for pederasty. And it is written, All the kings of the nations, all of them, [sleep in glory. etc.].  R. Johanan said: That means that they rested from pederasty. R. Johanan also said: As long as that wicked man lived mirth was never heard  in the mouth of any living being, for it is written, the whole world is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing:  whence it follows that hitherto  there was no singing. R. Isaac also said in R. Johanan's name: One may not stand in that wicked man's palace, for it is said, and satyrs shall dance there. Rab Judah said in Rab's name: When that wicked man [Nebuchadnezzar] wished to treat that righteous one [Zedekiah] thus,  his membrum was extended three hundred cubits and wagged in front of the whole company [of captive kings]. for it is said, Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and be as one uncircumcised [he'orel]: the numerical value of 'orel' is three hundred. Rab Judah also said in Rab's name: When that wicked man descended to Gehenna,  all who had [previously] descended thither trembled, saying, Does he come to rule over us, or to be as weak as we [are], for it is said, Art thou also become weak as we? or art thou to rule over us?  A Heavenly Echo went forth and declared, Whom dost thou pass in beauty? go down with, and be thou laid with the uncircumcised. How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city [madhebah] ceased.  Rab Judah said in Rab's name: This people hath ceased, that demanded,