1)

FEAR OF THE KINGDOM

תנן התם שער המזרח עליו שושן הבירה צורה מ"ט רב חסדא ורב יצחק בר אבדימי חד אמר כדי שידעו מהיכן באו וחד אמר כדי שתהא אימת מלכות עליהן א"ר ינאי לעולם תהא אימת מלכות עליך שנא' (שמות יא) וירדו כל עבדיך אלה אלי והשתחוו לי לאמר ואילו לדידיה לא קא"ל ר' יוחנן אמר מהכא שנא' (מ"א יח) ויד ה' היתה אל אליהו וישנס מתניו וירץ לפני אחאב עד באכה יזרעאלה: (יחזקאל מז) ועלהו לתרופה רב חסדא ורב יצחק בר אבדימי חד אמר להתיר פה שלמעלה וחד אמר להתיר פה שלמטה]:
Translation: Our Mishnah taught that there was a picture of Shushan ha'Birah on top of the eastern gate. What is the reason? Rav Chisda or R. Yitzchak bar Avodimi said, it was to remind Yisrael from where they came. The other of Rav Chisda and R. Yitzchak bar Avodimi said, it was to put the fear of the kingdom upon them. R. Yanai said, one should fear the kingdom. Moshe told Paro "v'Yardu Chol Avadecha Eleh Elai v'Hishtachavu Li." R. Yochanan said, we can learn from "...Eliyahu va'Yshanes Masnav va'Yaratz Lifnei Ach'av." What is the meaning of "v'Alehu li'Srufah"? R. Yitzchak bar Avodimi or Rav Chisda said, it is LehaTiR PeH. The other of R. Yitzchak bar Avodimi and Rav Chisda, and also Bar Kapara, said that it opens the lower mouth. Chizkiyah said, it cures muteness.
(a)

Which is the eastern gate?

1.

Rashi: It is the eastern gate of the Azarah.

2.

R. Shimshon: It is the eastern gate of the Ezras Nashim

3.

Rashash (Pesachim 86a): Midos 1:3 says that there was a picture of Shushan ha'Birah on top of the eastern gate. of Har ha'Bayis. How can anyone explain that it is a different gate?!

(b)

What is the reason to remind Yisrael from where they came?

1.

R. Gershom, Rashi (according to some versions): To make them grateful to Hash-m for redeeming them.

2.

Maharsha: At the time of man's grandeur, he should remember his prior lowliness. This is like remembering Yetzi'as Mitzrayim!

3.

Eizehu Mekoman citing R. Chananel (Pesachim 86a): They should remember that due to their sins they were exiled to Bavel, and tell their children.

(c)

What is the reason to put the fear of the kingdom upon them?

1.

Rashi: They should fear the Persian kingdom, and not rebel.

(d)

How does "v'Yardu Chol Avadecha Eleh Elai v'Hishtachavu Li" teach that one should fear the kingdom?

1.

Rashi: Moshe did not say that Paro himself would come and bow. (Rather, he euphemistically attributed this to Paro's servants.)

(e)

How do we learn from "Eliyahu va'Yshanes Masnav va'Yaratz Lifnei Ach'av"?

1.

Rashi: Eliyahu ran in front of Achav, for it is not honorable for a king to be unattended.

(f)

What does "v'Alehu li'Srufah" discuss?

1.

Rashi: It discusses the spring that will come from the Kodesh ha'Kodoshim.

(g)

What is LehaTiR PeH?

1.

Rashi: It is to open the mouth, i.e. cure muteness.

2.

Aruch: It gives appetite to eat.

(h)

What is opening the lower mouth?

1.

Rashi: It opens the womb, i.e. cures barren women.

(i)

Chizkiyah and Bar Kapara said, it cures muteness. Rashi explained that this was the first answer!

1.

Rashi: They explain the first answer.