More Discussions for this daf
1. The rich people of Mechuza 2. Nivul Peh 3. Rav Shimon Bar Yochai Burning People
4. Reb Shimon bar Yochai 5. Bitul Torah 6. Yaakov - "Vayichon Es Pnei ha'Ir"
7. Punishment Order for Not Taking Ma'asar 8. Sechar v'Onesh 9. גלות בא לעולם
DAF DISCUSSIONS - SHABBOS 33

simcha cohen asks:

Typically we say that the reason why the goyim & children and adult Jews all get punished in similar fashions is in order to retain bechira. This does not seem to fit well with the gemara on 33B. The gemara asks these questions and gives a different answer. Any thoughts other than to day that the gemara could have said that answer as well?

Simcha Cohen

The Kollel replies:

Hash-m does not need to change the punishments received by individuals in order to maintain Bechirah. For example, certain cancers affect certain specific populations, and the same is true of Tay-Sachs and many other disorders. Yet this has not led those particular groups to soul-searching. Similarly, if Askarah (croup) affected only men, it would not eradicate Bechirah since they could still choose to see it as a genetic predisposition and not a divine punishment. There are also diseases which affect Jews and not Nochrim and this does not curtail Bechirah.

Thus, the Gemara still may ask why a specific disease affects women if it is due to Bitul Torah. The fact that it would affect men only would not be related to Bitul Torah by non-believers as they would say it is genetic to men.

Yoel Domb