1)

(a)Rebbi Chaviva and Rebbi Yanai used to greet Shabbos on Erev Shabbos, dressed in their Shabbos clothes: the one would say 'Bo'u ve'Neitzei Likras Shabbos ha'Malka'! the other, 'Bo'i Chalah, Bo'i Chalah'!

(b)When Raba bar Rav Huna arrived at the house of Rabah bar Rav Nachman for Shabbos, the latter's family surprised him by spontaneously serving him three Sa'ah of wafer-loaves smeared in the juice of a fat-tail (or in oil) - even though he had not informed them of his arrival.

(c)When he asked how they knew that he was coming, they replied - that there was no reason to assume that he was any more important than Shabbos, for whose arrival they had prepared.

2)

(a)Rebbi Aba purchased thirteen cuts of meat for Shabbos, from thirteen different butchers - in order to ensure that, at some stage on Shabbos, he would taste of the best in honor of Shabbos.

(b)They cost him thirteen Astiri, one Astira each. How much is an Astira?

(c)The moment he arrived home with them, he announced 'Ishur Hiya'. Assuming he was talking to ...

1. ... the butchers who brought him the cuts of meat (and whom he was now paying) he meant - that they should go from strength to strength in their reliability, and immediately sell more meat in honor of the Shabbos.

2. ... the servants who prepared his Shabbos meals, he meant - that they should quickly start to prepare them in honor of Shabbos.

(d)'u'Mashlim l'hu a'Tzinora de'Dasha' means, in the former case - that he hurried to bring the outstanding money to the front door, before they arrived with the cuts; according to the latter case - that he instructed them to quickly prepare the one piece that he brought to the threshold of the house, as he went to fetch the next one.

3)

(a)Rebbi Avahu was a wealthy man. As he fanned the fire le'Chavod Shabbos - he would sit on an ivory chair.

(b)Rav Anan wore black clothes to show that on Erev Shabbos, when one prepares for Shabbos, one does not wear one's best clothes, and he learned this from a statement of Tana de'Bei Rebbi Yishmael, who said - that a servant should not pour out the wine for his master wearing the same clothes with which he cooked for him.

(c)Among the many Amora'im who tended to help with the Shabbos preparations, Rava used to salt the fish; Rav Huna, to kindle the lights; Rav Papa, to twist the wicks and Rebbi Zeira, to make fires. They opted to do these things themselves, rather than to order their servants to do them - because, as the Gemara says in Kidushin, it is preferable to perform a Mitzvah oneself than to do it through a Sheli'ach.

(d)Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak (or Rebbi Ami and Rebbi Asi) used to go in and out, schlepping the vessels, clothes and food that were needed for Shabbos. He (they) justified such demeaning behavior on the basis of the fact that if Rebbi Ami and Rebbi Asi (his Rebbes, or Rebbi Yochanan, their Rebbe) would pay him a visit, he (they) would do the same thing'.

4)

(a)Yosef Mokir Shabi - was a man who honored the Shabbos (as his name suggests) by always buying things li'Chavod Shabbos, at any price, at any time - and also by personally preparing the fish for Shabbos.

(b)The soothsayers told that wealthy gentile - that all his possessions were destined to go to Yosef Mokir Shabi.

(c)To upset their predictions, he sold all of his possessions, and with the money, he purchased a jewel, which he fixed in his hat.

(d)Shabbos subsequently repaid Yosef Mokir Shabi - when the gentile's hat blew into the river, and the fish that swallowed the jewel was caught and, late on Friday afternoon, it ended up in the market where Yosef Mokir Shabi shopped. The fisherman did not think that anybody would be interested in buying a fish so close to Shabbos, until someone advised him to ask Yosef Mokir Shabi. He did, and Yosef Mokir Shabi bought the fish 'le'Chavod Shabbos Kodesh'. Upon cutting the fish open, he discovered the jewel, which was priced at thirteen attics of golden Dinrim (though this sum is exaggerated).

(e)That old man (who some say, was Eliyahu ha'Navi) said to Yosef Mokir Shabi - 'Shabbos always repays the one who honors it'.

5)

(a)When they asked Rebbi Yishmael b'Rebbi Yossi to explain how the wealthy Jews living in Eretz Yisrael gained their wealth - he quoted the Pasuk in Re'ei "Aser te'Aser" (which the Chachamim Darshen 'Aser bi'Sh'vil she'Tis'asher' to mean that someone who gives Ma'asros properly, will become wealthy).

(b)Then they asked him the same question concerning the wealthy Jews who lived ...

1. ... in Bavel (where there were no Ma'asros), he replied - by honoring the Torah (Talmidei-Chachamim).

2. ... in others countries (where there were no Talmidei-Chachamim either), he replied - by honoring Shabbos.

6)

(a)Rebbi Chiya bar Aba illustrated the latter statement with the story of a wealthy Balabos in Ludki with whom he once stayed. The gigantic golden table that they brought before him adorned with silver chains, and an massive array of silver crockery was bedecked - with every kind of conceivable food, deserts and spices.

(b)He recited "la'Hashem ha'Aretz u'Melo'ah" (when they brought in the table) - to stress that one is not permitted to benefit of Hash-m's food before one has recited a B'rachah over it, and "ha'Shamayim Shamayim la'Hashem, ve'ha'Aretz ... " (when they took it out) - to point out that everything that one owns is but a gift from Hash-m.

(c)In reply to Rebbi Chiya bar Aba's question, what he had done to deserve such wealth - the rich man explained how he had originally been a butcher, and that he had gained his wealth on the merit of designating every nice animal that he found le'Chavod Shabbos.

(d)At which, Rebbi Chiya bar Aba declared - that he fully deserved his wealth, and blessed be Hash-m for granting it to him.

7)

(a)When the Emperor of Rome asked Rebbi Yehoshua to explain why the Shabbos had such a delicious aroma - he ascribed it to a special spice called Shabbos.

(b)When the Emperor then asked him for some - he explained that it was only those who keep Shabbos, who can actually appreciate its taste.

8)

(a)Having already written "ve'Karasa la'Shabbos Oneg", Yeshayah cannot have been referring to Shabbos, when he wrote "ve'li'Kedosh Hash-m Mechubad". Rav Hamnuna therefore told the Resh Galusa - that he was referring to Yom Kippur, and what he meant was - that since one neither eats nor drinks on Yom Kippur, one honors it with nice clothes (and, some add, with extra lights).

(b)Rav interprets the Pasuk there "ve'Chibadto" to mean that one eats one's Shabbos meal earlier than usual; Shmuel - that one eats it later, since by postponing the meal, one works up a better appetite - and more appetite means more Oneg Shabbos.

(c)Rav Papa instructed Rav Papa bar Aba's sons - that, since they were extremely wealthy and accustomed to eating meat every day, if they usually ate early, they should postpone their Shabbos meal, and eat late (like Rav); whereas if they normally ate late, they should bring their Shabbos meal forward, and eat early (like Shmuel).

(d)Rav Sheshes, worried that he would force the Chachamim to remain at his Derashah for too long on Shabbos, and deprive them of the Mitzvah of Oneg Shabbos - would seat them in a spot where the hot sun in the summer and the cool shade in the winter would force them to get up and leave, when the time to eat arrived.

(e)He could not simply end his Derashah on time - because he was blind, and could not tell the time.

9)

(a)Rebbi Zeira would implore pairs of Talmidei-Chachamim not to desecrate the Mitzvah of Oneg Shabbos - by continued Torah-discussion, once the time to eat Se'udas Shabbos fell due.

(b)Rava (or Rebbi Yehoshua ben Levi) obligates even an individual who Davens Kabalas Shabbos - to recite "Vayechulu".

(c)Rav Hamnuna learns from the fact that the word "Vayechulu" (in the Pasuk "Vayechulu" ha'Shamayim ve'ha'Aretz ve'Chol Tzeva'am") is missing a 'Vav' - that whoever recites "Vayechulu" on Erev Shabbos (a declaration that one believes in the creation), it is as if he became a partner with Hash-m in the work of the creation.

(d)Rebbi Elazar learns from the Pasuk "be'Devar Hash-m Shamayim Na'asu" - that (there are times when) words are akin to actions.

(e)And Rav Chisda Amar Mar Ukva says - that the two angels that accompany a person at all times will place their hands on the head of anyone who recites "va'Yechulu" in Ma'ariv of Kabalas Shabbos and say "ve'Sar Avonecha ve'Chatascha Techupar" (i.e. that his sins are all forgiven).

10)

(a)Rebbi Yossi b'Rebbi Yehudah in a Beraisa describes one's arrival home from Shul on Friday night, accompanied by two angels - one 'good' angel, and one 'bad' one.

(b)The three things that determine which angel will take over the proceedings are - that 1 the Shabbos lights are burning, 2 the table is laid and the beds are made.

(c)Assuming, for example, they find the three things in order, the good angel says - 'May it be Hash-m's Will that so it shall be every week' ...

(d)The second angel's response is - 'Amen' (whether he likes it or not).

11)

(a)Someone who is not hungry ...

1. ... on Friday night - should nevertheless lay the table and eat a meal, even though he could make do with a k'Zayis of bread (Rebbi Elazar).

2. ... on Motzei Shabbos - should do the same (Rebbi Chanina), since it is also Kavod Shabbos to accompany the king as he takes his leave.

(b)'Chamin be'Motzei Shabbos, Melugma' - means that it is healthy to eat something hot on Motzei Shabbos, and to wash in warm water.

(c)It is also healthy - to eat fresh bread on Motzei Shabbos.

(d)Rebbi Avahu used to prepare a third (born) calf on Motzei Shabbos, from which he used to eat only its kidney. One day, when his son Avimi grew up, he suggested that it would be cheaper for him to reserve the kidney from the calf that he prepared for Shabbos for Motzei Shabbos.

(e)He followed his son's advice - but a lion came and ate the kidney, leaving him without.

12)

(a)Based on the Pasuk "bi'Fero'a Pera'os be'Yisrael ... Barchu Hash-m", Rebbi Yehoshua ben Levi states that when someone who answers "Amen, Yehei Shemei Raba" with all his Ko'ach - Hash-m tears up any evil decree that has already been written ...

(b)... even, Rebbi Chiya bar Aba Amar Rebbi Yochanan adds - if his sins include a little bit of idolatry.

(c)We learn from the Pasuk "Pischu She'arim, ve'Yavo Goy, Shomer Emunim" - that if someone answers Amen with full Kavanah, the gates of Gan Eden are opened for him (Shomer Emunim = Shomer Ameinim').

(d)As the acronym of 'Amen', Rebbi Chanina gives - 'Keil Melech Ne'eman'.

13)

(a)According to Rebbi Yehudah b'rei de'Rav Shmuel citing Rav, the most common cause of fires - is Chilul Shabbos.

(b)This is derived from the Pasuk in Yirmiyah "ve'Im Lo Sishme'u Eilai Lekadesh es Yom ha'Shabbos ... ", which concludes with the words "Lo Sichbeh", which means, says Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak - that the fires will occur (on Shabbos) at a time when nobody is permitted to extinguish them.

(c)According to Abaye, based on the Pasuk in Yechezkel "u'mi'Shabsosai He'elimu Eineihem" - Chilul Shabbos results in the destruction of Yerushalayim.

(d)The Churban Beis Hamikdash also came about because they canceled the Mitzvah of Keri'as Shema (Rebbi Avahu), because they stopped the children from learning Torah (Rav Hamnuna), because they had no shame (Ula) and because they had no respect for seniority (Rebbi Yitzchak). When ...

1. ... Rebbi Chanina cites a Pasuk which compares Yisrael of that generation to rams who found no pasture - he is referring to the characteristic of following one another blindly, symbolical of the generation of the Churban Beis ha'Mikdash, who would turn a blind eye to each other's sins (in other words, they failed to rebuke each other).

2. ... Rebbi Yehudah quotes the Pasuk "Vayih'yu Mal'ivim be'Mal'achei Elokim u'Bozin Devarav ... " - he means that they were treated Talmidei-Chachamim with gross disrespect.

(e)Rav Yehudah Amar Rav learn from the final words in this Pasuk "Ad Ein Marpei" - that any punishment that results from the above sin is incurable.

14)

(a)We learn from ...

1. ... "Al Tig'u bi'Meshichai" - that one should not interfere with the full-time studies of the Tinokos shel Beis Raban (the small children who study Torah, who are referred to by the name ('Meshichai') because they used to anoint the small children with oil;

2. ... "u'vi'Nevi'ai Al Tarei'u" - that one should not antagonize the Talmidei-Chachamim (who are referred to in Tehilim as Nevi'im).

(b)The entire world exists - only on the breath of the young children who study Torah.

(c)The Torah studied by the little children is more worthy than the Torah of people of the caliber of Abaye and Rav Papa - because whereas the former are free of sin, the latter are not, as Abaye told Rav Papa.

(d)Resh Lakish citing Rebbi Yehudah Nesi'ah said - that one may not stop the children from learning Torah, even to build the Beis-ha'Mikdash.

15)

(a)Resh Lakish told Rebbi Yehudah Nesi'ah - that a town with no Tinokos shel Beis Raban will be destroyed ('Machrivin Osah').

(b)Ravina amends it to 'Machrimin Osah' - which implies that there will be a remnant.

(c)Rava explains - that it is because Anshei Amanah (men of integrity) ceased in Yerushalayim, that the Beis ha'Mikdash was destroyed.

16)

(a)We query Rava from a statement by Rav Ketina, who discusses the Pasuk in Yeshayah. When the people suggested ...

1. ... "ha'Michshalah ha'Zos Tachas Yadcha" - they meant that the people they were talking to seemed to be conversant in Divrei Torah (which only become clear after one has stumbled over them two or three times.

2. ... "Katzin Tachas Yih'yeh Lanu" - they were offering them the mantle of leadership.

(b)When the latter responded with ...

1. ... "Lo Eh'yeh Chovesh"?

2. ... "u've'Veisi Ein Lechem", they meant - that they were unlearned and therefore unfit to lead.

(c)We know that their answer was a matter of integrity and not due to the fact that had they lied, they would have been caught out - because they could always have replied that they knew the answer but that of late, they had forgotten it.

(d)To reconcile Rava's statement with Rav Ketina - we differentiate between integrity in business matters (Rava) and in Divrei Torah (Rav Ketina).