[68a - 54 lines; 68b - 52 lines]
1)[line 1]איגניב לן כסא דכספאIGNIV LAN KASA D'CHASPA- he stole from us a goblet of silver
2)[line 1]בהדי דקא מעייני ואתיBAHADEI D'KA ME'AINEI V'ASEI- while they were searching for it
3)[line 4]טעמא דחיוראTA'AMA D'CHIVRA- the taste of leprous (diseased) flesh
4)[line 6]בדקו בדוכתיהBIDKU B'DUCHTEI- check in its place (the area of the hide of the animal from which this piece of meat was taken)
5)[line 7]אוכמא בחיוראUCHMA B'CHIVRA- a black spot on a white animal
6)[line 7]לקותא היאLEKUSA HI- is an affliction
7)[line 8]כרו ליה ביראKARU LEI BEIRA- they dug for him a pit
8)[line 9]ושדו ליה ציפתא עילויהV'SHADU LEI TZIPESA ILAVEI- and they threw a mat of reeds on top of it
9)[line 10]ליתי מר לינחLEISI MAR LEINACH- let the master (Rav Sheshes) come and rest
10)[line 10]נחר ליה רב חסדא מאחוריהNACHAR LEI RAV CHISDA ME'ACHOREI- Rav Chisda snorted to him (Rav Sheshes) from behind him (as a warning to him)
11)[line 11]אמר ליה לינוקאAMAR LEI L'YENUKA- he said to a child
12)[line 11]פסוק לי פסוקיךPESOK LI PESUKEICH- recite to me the verse that you have just learned
13)[line 12]"ויאמר לו אבנר נטה לך על ימינך או על שמאלך ואחז לך אחד מהנערים וקח לך את חלצתו ולא אבה עשהאל לסור מאחריו""VA'YOMER LO AVNER, 'NETEH LECHA AL YEMINCHA O AL SEMOLCHA, VE'ECHOZ LECHA ECHAD MEHA'NE'ARIM, V'KACH LECHA ES CHALITZASO'; V'LO AVAH ASAH'EL LASUR ME'ACHARAV." - "And Avner said to him (Asah'el), 'Turn to your right or to your left and seize one of the youths and take his shirt (weapon) for yourself'; but Asah'el would not agree to turn away from him." (Shmuel II 2:21) (AVNER AND ASAH'EL)
(a)This incident took place shortly after the death of Shaul ha'Melech, when David, who had already been crowned, was destined to reign over the whole of Yisrael. However, Avner ben Ner, who had been captain of Shaul's army, took the son of Shaul, Ish-Boshes, and crowned him king over Yisrael. For two years Ish-Boshes reigned over Yisrael, while the tribe of Yehudah followed David. In fact, this was in fulfillment of the prophecy that was said to Yakov, " ... and kings will come out from your loins" (Bereishis 35:11), a prophecy that two descendants of Binyamin (the only son of Yakov who had not yet been born) were destined to sit on the throne.
(b)Meanwhile, Avner ben Ner led the army of Ish-Boshes from Machanayim to Giv'on, where he met Yo'av ben Tzeruyah at the head of David's army. After a "friendly" duel, in which a number of soldiers from each camp, who were supposed to merely spar with each other to determine who was the stronger, killed each other, the battle began in earnest.
(c)On the side of David were the three sons of Tzeruyah - Yo'av, Avishai, and Asah'el who was as swift-footed as a deer. For some reason, Asah'el took it upon himself to pursue the veteran warrior Avner. Avner once again pleaded with Asah'el to go and look for spoil elsewhere, because, as he himself explained, he did not relish facing his brother, the formidable Yo'av (who did eventually avenge Asah'el's death). It was only after Asah'el persisted that Avner killed him by piercing him in the fifth rib (which lies next to the heart).
(d)Following this incident, Yo'av and Avishai pursued Avner. The men of Binyamin rallied round their captain, and dusk found Avner and the men of Binyamin on a hilltop ready for the next round of fighting. At that point, Avner called across to Yo'av, suggesting that they terminate hostilities, a proposal which Yo'av accepted.
14)[line 13]ציפיתא דשדיאTZIPISA D'SHADYA- a mat of reeds thrown down [on the ground]
15)[line 14]הדר מינהHADAR MINAH- turn away from it
16)[line 17]"עשיתי לי שרים ושרות ותענוגות בני האדם שדה ושדות""ASISI LI SHARIM V'SHAROS V'SA'ANUGOS BNEI HA'ADAM SHIDAH V'SHIDOS"- "I acquired for myself musical instruments to accompany male singers and musical instruments to accompany female singers, and pleasures of man, and decorated carriages." (Koheles 2:8)
17)[line 20]בריכותBEREICHOS- pools
18)[line 20]ומרחצאותMERCHATZA'OS- bathhouses
19a)[line 21]שידהSHIDA- male demons
b)[line 21]ושידתיןSHIDTIN- female demons
20)[line 22]שידתאSHEDTA- chariots for women and nobility
21)[line 23]בשיחיןSHICHIN- the name of a town which had many pits ("Shi'ach") (YAAVETZ)
22)[line 23]ושידה עצמה איני יודע מה היאV'SHIDAH ATZMAH EINI YODE'A MAH HI- and the [actual make-up of a] demon itself I know not what it is
23)[line 26]"והבית בהבנתו אבן שלמה מסע נבנה [ומקבות והגרזן כל כלי ברזל לא נשמע בבית בהבנתו]""VEHA'BAYIS B'HIBANOSO, EVEN SHELEMAH, MASA NIVNAH [U'MAKAVOS VEHA'GARZEN, KOL KLI VARZEL, LO NISHMA BA'BAYIS B'HIBANOSO]"- "When the House (the Beis ha'Mikdash) was being built, it was built of complete hewn stone, and hammers and the ax - any iron tools - were not heard in the House (the Beis ha'Mikdash) when it was being built." (Melachim I 6:7)
24)[line 28]איכא שמיראIKA SHAMIRA- there is the Shamir. This refers to the special Shamir worm that is the size of a barley seed (Sotah 48b) and that is able to cut through stone
25)[line 29]היכא אישתכחHEICHA ISHTAKACH- where is it found?
26)[line 30]כבשינהו אהדדיKAVSHINHU A'HADADI- pressure them
27)[line 31]ומגלו לךU'MEGALU LACH- and they will reveal to you
28)[line 34]בטורא פלןB'TURA PELAN- in such-and-such mountain
29)[line 35]ומיכסיא בטינראU'MICHASYA B'TINARA- and he covers it with stone
30)[line 35]וחתמיה בגושפנקיהU'CHASMEI B'GUSHPANKA- and he seals it with his signet ring
31a)[line 36]וגמר מתיבתא דרקיעאV'GAMAR MESIVTA D'REKI'A- and he studies in the Yeshiva of the heavens
b)[line 37]וגמר מתיבתא דארעאV'GAMAR MESIVTA D'AR'A- and he studies in the Yeshiva of the earth
32)[line 38]סייר ליהSAYAR LEI- he checks it
33)[line 39]ומגלי ליהU'MEGALI LEI- and he opens it (the pit)
34)[line 40]שושילתא דחקיק עלה שםSHOSHILTA D'CHAKIK ALEI SHEM- a chain on which is engraved the Name [of HaSh-m]
35)[line 41]ועזקתאIZKESA- a ring
36)[line 42]וגבבי דעמראGAVEVEI D'AMRA- balls of wool
37)[line 42]וזיקי דחמראZIKEI D'CHAMRA- flasks of wine
38)[line 43]כרא בירא מתתאיKARA BEIRA MI'TATA'EI- he dug a pit below [Ashmadai's pit]
39)[line 43]ושפינהו למיאSHAFINHU L'MAYA- he drained out the water
40)[line 44]מעילאיME'ILA'EI- above [Ashmadai's pit]
41)[line 45]טמינהוTAMINHU- he filled in [both new pits with earth]
42)[line 47]"לץ היין הומה שכר וכל שוגה בו לא יחכם""LETZ HA'YAYIN, HOMEH SHECHAR, V'CHOL SHOGEH BO LO YECHKAM"- "Mockery comes about through wine, insanity through intoxicated beverage, and all who errs in it will not become wise" (Mishlei 20:1)
43)[line 49]כי צחי לא סגיא ליהKI TZACHI LO SAGYA LEI- when he became thirsty, he could not resist
44)[line 49]רוהRAVAH- he became intoxicated
45)[line 50]וגנאGANA- he slept
46)[line 51]מיפרזלMIPARZEL- he thrashed (in an attempt to free himself)
47)[line 52]שמא דמרך עלךSHEMA D'MARA ALACH- the Name of the Master (HaSh-m) is upon you
48)[line 53]מטא דיקלאMATA DIKLA- they came to a date-palm tree
49)[line 53]חף ביה שדייהCHAF BEI SHADYEI- he rubbed against it and threw it down
50)[last line]כובא דההיא ארמלתאKUVA DEHA'HI ARMALTA- the hut of a certain widow
68b----------------------------------------68b
51)[line 1]איחננא ליהICHANENA LEI- she beseeched of him to have mercy
52)[line 1]כפא לקומתיה מיניהKAFA L'KOMASEI MINEI- he bent the height of his body away from it (the widow's hut)
53)[line 1]איתבר ביה גרמאITVAR BEI GARMA- a bone of his was broken
54)[line 2]"ולשון רכה תשבר גרם""... V'LASHON RAKAH TISHBOR GAREM"- "... and soft speech will break a bone." (Mishlei 25:15)
55)[line 3]חזא סמיאCHAZA SAMYA- he saw a blind person
56)[line 4]אסקיה לאורחיהASKEI L'ORCHEI- he straightened him out on his path
57)[line 4]חזא רויאCHAZA RAVYA- he saw a drunkard
58)[line 6]חדוותאCHEDVASA- a joyful celebration [of a wedding]
59)[line 7]לאושכפאUSHKEFA- a shoemaker
60)[line 8]מסאניMESANEI- shoes
61)[line 8]לשב שניL'SHEV SHNEI- for seven years
62)[line 8]אחיךACHICH- he laughed
63)[line 8]קסמאKESAMA- sorcerer
64)[line 12]אנסיה מישתיאANSEI MISHTEYA- his drinking (of intoxicating beverage) has overcome him
65)[line 12]לבינתאLEVEINASA- a brick
66)[line 14]הכי אמר לכו הדור אשקיוהHACHI AMAR LECHU, HADUR ASHKEYUHA- this is what he was saying to him: give him more to drink
67)[line 18]נגידו מיניה מיכליהNEGIDU MINEI MEICHLEI- withhold from him food (except for a little (Rashi))
68)[line 19]שקל קניאSHAKAL KANYA- he took hold of a reed
69)[line 19]ומשח ארבעה גרמידיU'MASHACH ARBA'AH GARMIDEI- and he measured four Amos [of the reed]
70)[line 20]ושדא קמיהV'SHADA KAMEI- and he (Ashmadai) threw it (the reed) in front of him (Shlomo)
71)[line 22]כבשתיהKEVASHTEI- you have conquered
72)[line 24]קא בעינא מינך מידיKA BA'INA MINACH MIDI- [I do not] want anything from you
73)[line 26]לא מסיר ליLO MASIR LI- it has not been given to me
74)[line 26]לשרא דימא מסיר ליהL'SARA D'YAMA MASIR LEI- to the officer of the sea it has been given
75)[line 26]לתרנגולא בראL'TARNEGOLA BERA- to the wild hen; i.e. the hoopoe
76)[line 26]דמהימן ליה אשבועתיהD'MEMEIMAN LEI A'SHEVU'ASEI- who is trusted to him to uphold his oath
77)[line 27]אשינא דטוראA'SHINA D'TURA- on the sharp peak of a mountain
78)[line 27]ופקע טוראU'PAKA TURA- and it cracks open the mountain
79)[line 27]ומנקיט מייתי ביזרני מאילניU'MANKIT MAISI BIZRANEI ME'ILANEI- and it collects and brings seeds from trees
80)[line 28]חפויה לקיניה זוגיתא חיורתיCHAFYEI L'KINEI ZUGISA CHIVARTEI- they covered its nest with clear glass
81)[line 29]רמא ביה קלא שדייהRAMA BEI KOLA, SHADYEI- he yelled at it, and it dropped it (the Shamir)
82)[line 29]שקליהSHAKLEI- he took it
83)[line 30]חנק נפשיה אשבועתיהCHANAK NAFSHEI A'SHEVU'ASEI- it strangled itself [to death] for having violated its oath
84)[line 34]ובעיא מינטר ליבם קטןU'VA'AYA MINTAR L'YAVAM KATAN (YAVAM KATAN) - and she will have to wait for the minor brother [of her deceased husband] to do Yibum
(a)If a married man dies childless, his widow must undergo Yibum (the marriage of a dead man's brother with his wife), as it states in Devarim 25:5-10. Chazal learn from the verses that there is a preference for the oldest brother to perform Yibum.
(b)If the brother chooses not to marry her, he must perform Chalitzah (a procedure in Beis Din that absolves her of the Mitzvah of Yibum). He appears before a Beis Din of three and states, "I do not want to marry her," after which his sister-in-law approaches him before the elders, takes off his right sandal and spits in front of him. She then declares, "This is what shall be done to the man who will not build up a family for his brother," and she is then free to marry whomever she wants (Devarim ibid.).
(c)The connection of the brother to the dead man's wife, which obligates one of the two, is called Zikah. It is comparable to the state of Eirusin (betrothal) before a marriage. The Tana of the Mishnah in Yevamos rules that the Zikah "connects" the Yevamah with all of the brothers, not only the oldest. While the Yevamah is waiting for Yibum or Chalitzah, she is called a Shomeres Yavam.
(d)The Yavam must be a Halachic adult (age thirteen or over) in order to perform Yibum or Chalitzah.
85)[line 36]אבי גזא דמלכאA'BEI GAZA D'MALKA- to the king's treasury
86)[line 36]לקסום מאי דאיכא תותיהLIKSOM MAI D'IKA TUSEI- he should use his sorcery for what is right there underneath him
87)[line 37]תרחיה גביהTARCHEI GABEI- he (Shlomo) detained him (Ashmadai) with him
88)[line 37]"[קל מוציאו ממצרים] כתועפת ראם לו""[E-L MOTZI'AM MI'MITZRAYIM] K'SO'AFOS RE'EM LO"- "HaSh-m brought them out of Mitzrayim, to Him is like the greatness of the wild ox" (Bamidbar 24:8). The Gemara interprets "k'So'afos" and "Re'em" to refer to two separate things: "k'So'afos" ("those that fly") refers to the ministering angels, and "Re'em" ("the high") refers to the demons.
89)[line 38]מאי רבותייכו מינןMAI REVUSAICHU MINAN- what is your superiority over us?
90)[line 39]בלעיהBAL'EI- he (Ashmadai) swallowed him (Shlomo)
91)[line 39]אותביה לחד גפיה ברקיעא ולחד גפיה בארעאOSVEI L'CHAD GAPEI BI'REKI'A UL'CHAD GAPEI B'AR'A- he (Ashmadai) place one wing of his in the sky and one wing of his on the earth
92)[line 40]פתקיהPASKEI- and he (Ashmadai) threw him (Shlomo)
93)[line 41]גונדוGONDO- his cloak (Rashi; Rashi cites Rav Hai whose text reads "Kudo," which means his earthenware cup for drinking water)
94)[line 42]כל היכא דמטאKOL HEICHA D'MATA- wherever he came
95)[line 43]שוטה בחדא מילתא לא סריךSHOTEH B'CHADA MILSA LO SARICH- a Shoteh (deranged person) does not get stuck on one foolish statement
96)[line 44]שלחו להו למלכוותאSHALCHU LEHU L'MALKEVASA- they (the Sages) sent to them, to the queens (the wives of Shlomo)
97)[line 44]בידקו בכרעיהBIDKU B'CHAR'EI- check his feet
98)[line 45]במוקי קאתיB'MUKEI KA'ASI- (O.F. chalcon) he comes with woolen socks on slippers
99)[line 46]הוה ליה ביעתותא מיניהHAVAH LEI BI'ASUSA MINEI- he (Shlomo) always had fear of him (Ashmadai)
100)[line 47]מלך והדיוטMELECH V'HEDYOT- King Shlomo was a king and then became a commoner
101)[line 48]לדמא דרישאL'DAMA D'REISHA- for blood of the head (an illness involving a headache caused by the blood (high blood pressure?), RASHI)
102)[line 48]שורבינאSHURVINA- a type of cedar wood
103)[line 48]ובינאBINA- a willow
104)[line 48]ואסא דראASA DARA- a moist myrtle
105)[line 49]וחילפאCHILFA (O.F. poplier)- poplar; a tall, narrow tree similar to the willow
106)[line 49]וחילפי דימאCHILFEI D'YAMA- (O.F. girofle) a clove; dried flower bud of tropical tree, used as a spice
107)[line 49]ויבלאYIVLA- a type of grass
108)[line 49]ולישלוקינהו בהדי הדדיV'LISHLUKINHU BAHADEI HADADEI- and boil them together
109)[line 50]ורדא חיוראVARDA CHIVRA- a white rose
110)[line 50]דקאי בחדדראD 'KAI B'CHAD DARA- [the leaves of which] all stand in one row (on one side of the stem, RASHI)
111)[line 51]לצליחתאLI'TZELICHASA- for a headache of half of the head (migraine headache)
112)[line 51]ולישחטיה בזוזא חיוראV'LISHCHATEI B'ZUZA CHIVRA- and slaughter it with a pure silver Zuz
113)[line 51]אההוא גיסא דכייב ליהAHA'HU GISA D'CHAYIV LEI- on the side [of his head] that hurts
114)[last line]ונזדהר מדמיהV'NIZDAHER MI'DEMEI- and be cautious of its blood
115)[last line]דלא לסמינהו לעיניהD'LO LISMINHUY L'EINEI- that it not [go into and] blind his eyes
116)[last line]וליתלייה בסיפא דבבאV'LISLEYEI B'SIPA D'VAVA- and hang it (the hen) on the doorposts
117)[last line]דכי עייל חייף ביהD'CHI AYIL CHAYIF BEI- so that when he goes up [into the house] he will rub against it