1.
Barry Epstein asked:
If 40 golden dinars= 5 years' living expenses, why would Rebbi offer him this much to get him to skip the birkat?
Barry Epstein, Dallas, USA
2.
The Kollel replies:
Tosfos writes that since his guest was a Tzeduki, he did not want him to recite the blessings on the behalf of others (see Insights). Rebbi was willing to forego this amount of money in order to live by his principles. Besides, as is well known, Rebbi was extremely wealthy.
D. Zupnik