More Discussions for this daf
1. Humble waters 2. Caesar's daughter's question to Rebbi Yehoshuah 3. Rashi - Malkos
4. Rav Avahu 5. Rebbi Zeira Too Weak To Teach 6. Metzah Ishah Zonah
7. 3 Liquids That Can Only Be Held in Earthenware 8. Beauty as a positive or negative?
DAF DISCUSSIONS - TA'ANIS 7

binyamin lebovits asked:

Rashi says that he was being facetious in his response and advice. However, it sounds like he was trying to teach her a lesson, was paying her back, and using medah kineged midah. Is that a legitimate interpretation?

Thanks.

binyamin lebovits, chicago,il,USA

The Kollel replies:

It could be that when Rashi says that Rebbi Yehoshua said this "Derech Sechok," Rashi means that Rebbi Yehoshua did not think she would actually implement his suggestion, and merely replied in this fashion so she should understand his response. This fits Rebbi Yehoshua's known ability to be skilled in talking in hints with royalty, and with the upper class in general (see Bechoros 8b at length). I don't think Rashi explained that he "was paying her back and using Midah k'Neged Midah" as he probably did not take the insult personally to a point where he wanted to make her suffer a loss.

All the best,

Yaakov Montrose