1)

(a)Rebbi Yossi b'Rebbi Chanina learns from the Pasuk in Yeshayah "Koh Amar Hash-m be'Eis Ratzon Anisicha", and Rebbi Acha b'Rebbi Chanina from the Pasuk in Iyov "Hein Keil Kabir ve'Lo Yim'as" and from the Pasuk in Tehilim "Padah ve'Shalom Nafshi Mikrav li, ki be'Rabim Hayu Imadi" - that it is a Mitzvah to daven at the same time as the Tzibur (corroborating Rebbi Yochanan's previous statement.

(b)And Rebbi Nasan in a Beraisa learns from ...

1. ... the same two Pesukim - the same as Rebbi Acha b'Rebbi Chanina just learned.

2. ... the words "Padah ve'Shalom Nafshi" that any person who learns Torah, indulges in Gemilus Chasadim and Davens with the Tzibur - is considered as if he redeemed Hash-m and his children from Galus.

(c)In connection with a Pasuk in Yirmyah, Resh Lakish labels - anyone who does declines to enter the local Shul 'a bad neighbor'.

(d)Moreover, based on the same Pasuk "Hin'ni Nos'sham me'al Admasam ... !" - he will ultimately cause himself as well as his children to go into Galus.

2)

(a)When they informed Rebbi Yochanan that there were old men in Bavel, he quoted in surprise the Pasuk in Eikev - "Lema'an Yirbu Yemeichem vi'Yemei Veneichem al ha'Adamah ... " (implying that it is only in Eretz Yisrael that one merits ripe old age).

(b)His surprise dissipated however - when they attended Shul early each morning and stayed late every evening.

(c)This is based on a statement of Rebbi Yehoshua ben Levi, who told his sons that if they Davened each morning and evening in Shul - they would live long lives.

(d)Rav Acha b'Rebbi Chanina supports this statement with the Pasuk in Mishlei "Ashrei Adam Shome'a Li Lish'kod al Dalsosai Yom Yom Lishmor Mezuzos Pesachai ... " which continues - "ki Motz'i Matza Chayim ... ".

3)

(a)The problem with Rav Chisda's ruling 'Le'olam Yikanes Adam Sh'nei Pesachim be'Veis ha'Kenesses' - is withe regard to the significance of the two entrances (and what if the Shul has only one entrance?)

(b)What Rav Chisda must therefore have meant is - that one should avoid standing by the entrance and find a place at least eight Amos away from the door before Davening (if possible) ...

(c)... because otherwise it conveys the impression that he is waiting to leave the Shul as quickly as possible.

4)

(a)Based on the Pasuk in Mishlei "Matza Ishah, Matza Tov", Rebbi Chanina explains the Pasuk in Tehilim "Al Zos, Yispalel Kol Chasid Eilecha le'Eis Metzo" to mean - that every Chasid should Daven to Hash-m for a good wife.

(b)In the same vein, the B'nei Eretz Yisrael would say to a Chasan on the day of his wedding - 'What is it going to be "Matza" or "Motzei" ' ...

(c)... "Matza" with reference to the above Pasuk in Mishlei, "Motzei", with reference to the Pasuk in Koheles "u'Motzei Ani Mar mi'Maves, es ha'Ishah"?

5)

(a)Based on the Pasuk in Tehilim "ki Motza'i Matza Chayim", Rebbi Nasan interprets "le'Eis M'tzo" with reference to Torah, and Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak, based on the Pasuk there "la'Maves Totza'os" - with regard to meriting a 'good' (painless) death.

(b)The Beraisa corroborates this explanation, based on the Gematriyah of "Totza'os" - which is 903, equivalent to the number of (natural) deaths that Hash-m created.

(c)The most painful of these is Askara, the most painless - Neshikah (a kiss from Hash-m).

6)

(a)'Askara' is - croup.

(b)Some compare the pain of Askara to a piece of wool that is caught in brambles and that rips off as one tries to separate it. Others compare it to - a knotted rope that one pulls through a hole that is narrower than the knot.

(c)The Tana compares Neshikah to - drawing a hair out of a bowl of milk.

(d)Based on the Pasuk in Iyov cited by Rebbi Chanina "ha'Semeichim Eilai, Gil Yasisu, ki Yimtze'u Kaver"? Rebbi Yochanan interprets "le'Eis M'tzo" - as meriting burial

(e)Based on Rebbi Yochanan's interpretation,Rabah bar Rav Shilo states that one should keep Davening for that 'ad Zibula Basraisa' - (up until the last spade-full of earth).

7)

(a)The last interpretation of "le'Eis M'tzo" is that of Mar Zutra - who establishes it with regard to finding a suitable location to serve as a bathroom.

(b)They said in Eretz Yisrael - that Mar Zutra's interpretation was the best of all.

8)

(a)When Rava asked Rafram bar Papa to tell him a Chidush in the name of Rav Chisda concerning Shuls, he quoted him the Pasuk "Oheiv Hash-m Sha'arei Tzion mi'Kol Mishk'nos Ya'akov" from which Rav Chisda learned - that Hash-m loves the 'Gates which excel in Halachah' (i.e. the Yeshivos where Halachos are studied) more even than all the Shuls and the Batei Medrash.

(b)Based on Rav Chisda's Chidush, Rebbi Chiya bar Ami stated - that, following the destruction of the Beis ha'Mikdash - all Hash-m has in this world is the four Amos of Halachah.

(c)When Abaye, who used to learn at home and Daven in Shul, heard that - he began to - Daven in the same place where he learned (according to some commentaries, even without a Minyan).

(d)Rebbi Ami and Asi too, would make a point of Davening 'between the pillars' where they learned. They resided - in Teverya ...

(e)... which housed thirteen Shuls.

9)

(a)The Pasuk in Tehilim writes "Ashrei Ish Yerei es Hash-m". How does a similar Pasuk there "Yegi'a Kapecha ki Sochel" ends - "Ashrecha ve'Tov lach" ...

(b)... implying - "Ashrecha" in this world, "ve'Tov lach", in the world to come.

(c)Rebbi Chiya bar Ami quoting Ula learns from the contrast between the two Pesukim - that someone who benefits from the toil of his hands (who enjoys his learning) is greater than someone who fears Hash-m (but who does not enjoy his learning - G'ra).

10)

(a)Shim'i ben Geira - was Sh'lomoh Hamelech's Rebbe.

(b)As long as he was alive, Shlomoh refrained from marrying the Par'oh's daughter (who was later responsible for Sh'lomoh's 'sinning').

(c)Rebbi Chiya bar Ami quoting Ula learns from there - that a person should always make a point of living in the vicinity of his Rebbe, as his Rebbe's presence and words of Musar will prevent him from sinning.

(d)To reconcile this with the Beraisa, which rules that one should not live in the vicinity as one's Rebbe - we establish the latter with regard to someone whose Yeitzer Hara is so strong that his Rebbe's presence and Musar will not have any effect on him.

(e)Then it is preferable for him to go and live elsewhere, since it is better to be a Shogeg than a Meizid.

11)

(a)Rav Huna bar Yehudah ... Amar Rebbi Ami learns from the Pasuk in Yeshayah "ve'Ozvei Hash-m Yeichalu" - that someone who leaves Shul during Leining will perish.

(b)Rebbi Avahu nevertheless used to leave - between one Parshah and the next.

(c)Rav Papa asked whether one is permitted to leave between one Pasuk and the next - and the answer he received was 'Teiku' (Tishbi Yetaretz Kushyos ve'Ibayos'..

(d)Rav Sheishes used to face the opposite direction during Leining andlearn, saying - 'Let them do their thing, we will do our's!' (See Tosfos).

12)

(a)Rav Huna ... Amar Rebbi Ami discusses being 'Mashlim Parshiyosav Im ha'Tzibur', by which he means - reading the Parshah each week ...

(b)... twice from the text and once from Targum Unk'lus ...

(c)... even Pesukim such as "Ataros ve'Divon ... " - on which there is no Targum Unk'lus and which one therefore Leins a third time instead.

(d)The reward for fulfilling this Mitzvah is - long life.

13)

(a)Rav Bibi bar Abaye initially intended to learn all the Parshiyos - on Erev Yom Kipur.

(b)Until Chiya bar Rav from Difti, citing a Beraisa, based on the Pasuk in Emor "Ve'inisem es Nafshoseichem be'Tish'ah la'Chodesh ba'Erev", pointed out to him - that whoever eats a lot on Erev Yom Kipur, it is as if he has fasted on the ninth and on the tenth of Tishri.

(c)The Pasuk cannot be understood literally - since there is no Mitzvah to fast on the ninth of Tishri.

(d)When he then planned to finish all the Parshiyos on one or two Shabbasos at the beginning of the year - that old man quoted him a Beraisa which specifically states 'Provided he does not fulfill the Mitzvah too early or too late (only week by week).

14)

(a)The old man also told Rav Bibi to be careful with the Varidin - 'the two large blood vessels in the neck', like Rebbi Yehudah

(b)What he meant was - that, when Shechting ,which they tended to subsequently to roast whole, they should be careful to followthe opinion of Rebbi Yehudah, and to cut them, to drain the large amount of blood that they contained.

(c)And he also instructed him to treat an old man who has forgotten his learning - (be'Oneis, as opposed to someone who forgot it because he did not revise his learning) with respect.

(d)He learned this - from the fact that the broken Luchos were placed together with the new Luchos in the Aron.

15)

(a)Rava instructed his sons not to cut meat on the back of their hands, according to some, because of the obvious danger involved. Others say - in case they cut themselves, even slightly, and the blood renders the meat disgusting for the otherparticipants.

(b)He also instructed them not to sit on the bed of a Nochris or to pass behind a Shul whilst the Tzibur were Davening. There are two figurative explanations to this ruling. One is not to go to sleep without reciting the Sh'ma (like a Nochris does). The other - not to marry a Giyoris (since they are generally lax in Mitzvos.

16)

(a)The literal meaning of this unusual command is based on an episode that occurred with Rav Papa, who visited a Nochris - to claim a debt.

(b)When she offered him a seat on a bed, he declined to sit down on it, until she lifted it up.

(c)When she complied, he discovered - the corpse of a dead Nochri child underneath it.

(d)The purpose of this intended blood libel was - in order to free herself from having to pay her debt (See Mesores ha'Shas).

17)

(a)Rava's instruction not to go past the door of a Shul whilst Tefilah is in progress corroborates a statement of Rebbi Yehoshua ben Levi, who said - exactly the same thing many years before Rava.

(b)Abaye adds five qualifications to the current ruling. In a case where there is either another entrance to the Shul or there is another Shul in town - he permits it, because people will say that he entered the other entrance or the other Shul.

(c)He also permits it if one is carrying a load, running - or wearing Tefilin.

18)

(a)Rebbi Akiva, in a Beraisa, admired the Medians because they were careful to cut meat on the table rather than whilst holding it in their hands, and because they would kiss each other on the back of the hand, rather than on the mouth - which is unhygienic, on account of the spit that will pass from one to the other.

(b)He also admired them because they would consult (secret matters) with one another in the field. Rav Ada bar Ahavah quotes the Pasuk in Vayeitzei - "Vayishlach Ya'akov Vayikra le'Rachel u'le'Leah ha'Sadeh" as the source for this concept.

(c)In another Beraisa, Raban Shimon ben Gamliel explained how he loved the Persians because they were discreet in three areas: because of the modest way in which they ate, in which they behaved in the bathroom - and in which they were intimate with their wives.

(d)Rav Yosef quoting a Beraisa explained the Pasuk in Yeshayah "I commanded My 'holy ones' to mean - that Hash-m commanded the Persians, who were designated for Gehinom ...

(e)... to destroy Bavel.

19)

(a)Rav Yehudah Amar Rav rules - like Raban Gamliel - that one is permitted to recite Keri'as Sh'ma shel Arvis up until Amud ha'Shachar.

(b)Rebbi Shimon bar Yochai in a Beraisa states that it is possible to read the Sh'ma twice at night-time, once before Amud ha'Shachar - (i.e. Keri'as Sh'ma shel Arvis), and once after it - (i.e. Keri'as Sh'ma shel Shachris).

(c)The problem with the fact that he refers to after Amud ha'Shachar as 'night-time' is - how can one then be Yotzei Keri'as Sh'ma shel Yom during that period?

(d)We answer that, although it is in fact night-time (See Tosfos), it is nevertheless considered day concerning K'ri'as Sh'ma shel Yom - since people get up at that time, and it is Z'man Kimah.

20)

(a)Rebbi Shimon bar Yochai quoting Rebbi Akiva, says in the second Lashon, that one can recite the Shema twice by day, once before sunrise (i.e. the Keri'as Sh'ma shel Arvis), and once, after sunrise (the Keri'as Sh'ma shel Shachris).

(b)The problem with that, based on the fact that the Tana refers to before Hanetz ha'Chamah as 'daytime' is - how one can then be Yotzei with Keri'as Sh'ma shel Arvis during that period?

(c)We answer that it is in fact day-time (See Tosfos), and the Tana only calls it nighttime concerning Keri'as Sh'ma shel Arvis - since some people are still sleeping at that time.

21)

(a)Rebbi Acha b'Rebbi Chanina Amar Rebbi Yehoshua ben Levi - rules like Rebbi Shimon in the name of Rebbi Akiva.

(b)Provided, says Rebbi Zeira, one omits 'Hashkiveinu' ...

(c)... according to the first Lashon (See Tosfos DH 'u'Bilevad').