More Discussions for this daf
1. The powers of evil 2. Hashgachah 3. Bechirah Chofshis
4. Chesed
DAF DISCUSSIONS - CHULIN 7

Fabian Jaim asked:

Shalom ubracha! I thanks you by replying so fast!. I have another question:

It is known that there are some agadot in the talmud that are not correct to be understand(binah) in a literal - or like a physic-way.

For example: The case of the Yatush of Titus, Shlomo Hamelej and Ashmeday...(masechet gitin)see Beer HaGola from the Maharal.

Now, i have read an insight to the masechet Chulin 7a, about the case of Rebbi Pinchas Ben Yair.

1) Does a river has jofesh bejira? if it has not got, so, how could it has the choice in replying(talking?) whether to split the water or not?.

2) So; was this case related on the talmud, a history event? or just an agadah?

3) Now i remember a case related in parashat Noach, that RaSHI said the ark(teva) itself could make difference between which animal could enter to the ark, and which not. Question: Has an ark jofesh bejira?

4) Is the human being the only creation with jofesh bejira?

Shavua tov.

Chaim

The Kollel replies:

1) It was the angel appointed over river-flow that talked or Rebbi Pinchas ben Yair himself presented the river's possible arguments (see Tosfos there 7a).

2) It sounds like an event - although the observer might not have seen it the same way as the Talmud saw it.

3) Again, an angel was behind that or the Ark itself acted on the command of Hash-m (becoming an "angel").

4) Yes. Angels simply represent the will of Hash-m but do not have Bechirah in the sense that man does.

Best wishes for your continued Torah growth,

Mordecai Kornfeld

Kollel Iyun Hadaf