What was the answer 'there are fatter birds in Midbar Azah'?

Rashi: Midbar Azah is in Eretz Yisrael. The question was why birds of Bavel are fatter than those of Eretz Yisrael.

Maharsha: We must say that the birds were not exiled from there. Azah is in Eretz Yisrael [but not from the land of the seven Kena'ani nations] - it is in Eretz Pelishtim.

How does 'because they are poor' answer why Bnei Bavel are so happy on the festivals?

Rashi: This is the only time they cease working and enjoy good food.

Maharsha: Man's primary Simchah during the Regel is with wine (Pesachim 109a). Wine was found in Eretz Yisrael the entire year, but not in Bavel.

Iyun Yakov: Even though there is a Torah Mitzvah of Simchah during the Regel, Yisrael were cursed "v'Hishbati Kol Mesosah..." We are thinking that this applies to all of Yisrael. If it is because they are poor, also this Simchah is bad for them. Sefer Ben Sira says, all an Oni's days are bad, even Shabbos and Yom Tov - change in diet causes intestinal illness! R. Yochanan answered that this curse did not apply to Bavel.

How are Chachamim of Bavel distinguished?

Rashi: They wear special clothing.

Are Chachmei Bavel not Bnei Torah?!

Rashi: They are below Chachmei Eretz Yisrael, who are honored for their Torah.

Ben Yehoyada: When three consecutive generations in a family are Chachamim, they become known. This was found in Eretz Yisrael, but not in Bavel.

Rav Elyashiv: Commoners in Bavel are not Bnei Torah, and do not honor Chachamim for their Chochmah, therefore Chachamim need special clothing to be honored.

Until now, R. Chiya bar Aba praised Bavel, and R. Asi replied that Eretz Yisrael is better. What is the relevance of 'why do Nochrim reek'? Also, R. Yochanan rejected only R. Asi's answers - why did he say 'Dardekei' (he called both of them children)?

Rav Elyashiv: The text of Ein Yakov says, he asked why Bavliyim reek. It seems that R. Asi asked this, and R. Chiya bar Aba answered. However, perhaps there is no difference between Nochrim in different places. He said Bavel, for Nochrim are not common in Eretz Yisrael.

What is the significance of "Emor la'Chachmah Achosi At"?

Maharal: Achosi is an expression of Ichuy (sewing, connecting). You should be totally connected to Chochmah, like Achvah (brotherhood). This is when it is totally clarified to him.

Rav Elyashiv: Even if something is clear from reasoning - a sister must be permitted, due to "Olam Chesed Yibaneh" (Sanhedrin 58b), a verse is needed. We find that the Torah forbade!

Rav Elyashiv: From here we learn even in worldly matters (not Halachah), one should speak only if he is sure.

What was the answer 'birds of Bavel are fat because they were not exiled'?

Rashi: The verse "uva'Goleh Lo Halach" continues "Al Ken Amad Tam'o Vo" - the taste and fatness endured.

Maharal: Something in its place, it lasts. What is exiled from its place, it has no strength. The root of Makom (place) is Kum, for this is its Kiyum; the Mem is extra. Hash-m is the strength and endurance of everything; He is the Makom of the world. Even though the birds now are not the one that were exiled, the species is weaker. Also people in Eretz Yisrael are not as strong as before they were exiled. The decree that birds be exiled was on the species, and not on individuals. Individual birds died, but the decree remained on the species. Animals are not exiled, only birds are - "k'Tzipor Nodedes Min Kinah Ken Ish Noded mi'Mekomo." They have a nest - it is their place. They and Yisrael returned, but they are not settled in their places.

Why do we expound the Gematriya of "Behemah"?

Rashi: We find that there were 52 years from the Churban and Galus Tzidkiyah until Koresh authorized to begin building Bayis Sheni. That was [interrupted; it was] 18 years before Daryavesh authorized them to finish building it, 70 years after the Churban (Megilah 11b).

Tosfos: The Gematriya is a mere Asmachta. We know 52 years even without it, like Rashi explained.

Maharsha: The word is extra, for Behemah is included in "Mikneh" (earlier in the verse). Also, everywhere else Behemah comes before Ohf, e.g. "Zos Toras ha'Behemah veha'Of." Therefore, we expound "Ad Behemah" - until its Gematriya (52).

Etz Yosef citing Rif (on the Ein Yakov) Yoma 54a: Behemah should have been written right after Mikneh. Since Ohf was written in between, this hints that "Ad Behemah" was not written for the simple meaning, rather, to teach when the exile ended.

Why were even animals and birds exiled?

Etz Yosef #1: There was no food for them in Eretz Yisrael - "Gafris va'Melach Sereifah Kol Artzah."

Etz Yosef #2: Since all of Yisrael were exiled to Bavel, also the animals were, for Yisrael's sustenance.

What is included in 'all of them returned'?

Rashi: The animals, birds and fish, except for tuna. "Ad Behemah" implies that everything in the verse was exiled until this time; we explain why tuna are excluded.

Maharal: Because the individual tunas could not return via the inclines, also the species did not, even though it could have returned in other ways.

Maharsha: The verse did not say that fish were exiled! Perhaps we infer so, for we do not find tuna in Eretz Yisrael.

What is Ein Eitam, and how do inclines of Bavel return water to it?

Rashi: It is the highest place in Eretz Yisrael. A spring exudes from there to the Mikdash; the Kohen Gadol immerses in it on Yom Kipur. Underground inclines of Bavel return water to there.

How were the fish exiled?

Etz Yosef: At the end of the Pesichah of Eichah Rabasi, it says via the Tehom (depth), and so they returned. Tuna could not return, for its spine is not hard, and Eretz Yisrael is the highest land.

Daf Al ha'Daf: Avos d'R. Nasan (40) says that a Ben Aniyim who learned much Torah, but he lacks Da'as, is called a Tamei fish. A Ben Ashirim who learned much Torah, and he has Da'as, is called a Tahor fish. Yeshurun (1 p.345) explains, a Tamei fish has no spine, so it cannot live in rapid currents (Avodah Zarah 39a). Tuna's spine is not hard, so it cannot ascend [via the inclines to return to Eretz Yisrael]. A Chacham with Da'as is like a fish with a spine - it can swim against the current. A Chacham without Da'as is like a fish without a spine - it cannot swim against the current. It is dragged after the current.

R. Yochanan says that festivals are very happy in Bavel because it was not subject to the curse "v'Hishbati Kol Mesosah Chagah Chadshah Shabatah v'Chol Mo'adah." The verse includes Rosh Chodesh and Shabbos. Also they should be extra joyous in Bavel!

Maharsha: "Kol Mesosah" implies only what is written next to it - Chagah. The Torah mentions Simchah during the Chag! "V'Hishbati" applies to Chadshah and Shabatah (they will cease).

Why does Hash-m hate "Chadsheichem u'Mo'adeichem"?

Maharsha: It says "Eleh Mo'adei Hash-m" - the Simchah should be la'Shem, l'Shem Shamayim. You rejoice on them Lo l'Shem Shamayim, only to fulfill your desires.

Is it a toil for Hash-m to decide what decrees to put on them?!

Ben Yehoyada: He must inform them what decrees He put on them, lest they pray and partially nullify them.

Why do plundering troops come to Tzipori every festival?

Rashi: The curse causes them to damper Yisrael's Simchah.

Maharsha: The Simchah on them should have been l'Shem Shamayim. It was not, therefore Hash-m decreed that the king's troops will take their food and nullify their Simchah.

Why do we need two verses, "v'Hishbati Kol Mesosah..." and "Chodsheichem u'Mo'adeichem San'ah Nafshi Hayu Alai la'Torach"?

Rif (on the Ein Yakov): The first verse implies that Hash-m will nullify the Mo'adim - Yisrael will not be able to rest on them. The latter verse teaches that even when they will have Mo'adim, they will not rejoice on them.

How is not being in their place a reason to wear special clothing?

Rashi: They are not in Eretz Yisrael, so they need special clothing to be distinguished.

Maharal: Even though they have a fixed residence in Bavel, it is not considered their place, since Torah is not fixed there. Kavod pertains to another; one can honor himself. Therefore, their honor is via their clothing. In Eretz Yisrael, the place of Torah, they need not pursue honor [via clothing].

Why do we bring Rav Yosef's Drashah "ha'Ba'im Yashresh Yakov..."?

Rashi: This supports R. Yochanan. Chachmei Bavel make blossoms and flowers for Torah. They are Bnei Torah! Rather, they wear special clothing, because they are not in their place.

Maharal: Chachmei Bavel were not in Bavel. They came there, and were Nishrash (rooted) there - "ha'Ba'im Yashresh Yakov." Then, they beget and blossom. Also their Torah blossoms.

Maharsha: Those of Yakov who came to Bavel, their roots were in Torah. Hash-m did Tzedakah... He exiled Yisrael to Bavel when Galus Yechanyah was there - "ha'Cheresh veha'Masger." When they open, all others are like deaf-mutes (unable to challenge their words). "Masger" - when they finish, no one opens (questions their conclusion - Gitin 88a).

Etz Yosef citing Iyei ha'Yam: Yakov, the commoners, they fulfill the roots of Torah and Mitzvos. The higher people (Yisrael) make blossoms and flowers, in addition to fulfilling the roots.