The Weekly Daf #39 Bava Basra 16-22 Week of 27 Cheshvan - 4 Kislev 5755 / 1-7 November 1994 By Rabbi Mendel Weinbach, Dean, Ohr Somayach Institutions =========================================================================== Two Tips to Teachers The great sage Rav offered these bits of advice to the renowned Torah teacher of children, Rabbi Shmuel bar Shilas: "Don't accept a pupil for regular studies until he has reached his sixth year (what we call a five-year-old) and from then on stuff him with Torah learning just as you would put a yoke on an ox without regard to whether the ox wants to work." "When you strike a problematic pupil do so gently with a shoestring so that you do not cause him any physical damage. If he still shows no interest in his studies you need not forcefully prod him any more nor remove him from the class. Just allow him to remain in the company of the other pupils and he will eventually come around to also paying attention." Bava Basra 21a =========================================================================== The Secret Antidote Iyov, says the Sage Rava, attempted to excuse everyone from heavenly judgment by putting forth this argument to Hashem: "You determined who will be righteous by creating the yetzer tov (good inclination) and who will be a sinner by creating the yetzer hara (evil inclination). The helpless sinner is therefore not responsible, for how can he combat an irresistible force which You have created?" The refutation of this argument was presented by Iyov's companions speaking in the name of Hashem: "It is true that I created the yetzer hara but I also created the antidote of Torah study." Rashi thus explains their response: Torah study eliminates thoughts of sin, as the Talmud in Masechta Kiddushin (30b) states: "If this monstrosity (the yetzer hara) encounters you, drag him into the Beis Medrish where you will destroy him." You are therefore not considered helpless and are responsible for your actions. Bava Basra 16a =========================================================================== Spend this coming Winter Break in Israel for as little as $599 -> JLE Israel Winter Seminar '94/'95 <- 3 weeks of study and touring, optional Ulpan, and structured encounters with Israeli Dignitaries Departure December 22 Optional free week Jan 8-15 For Jewish men between the ages of 19 and 30 with demonstrated academic achievment and a sincere motivation to explore their roots. Minimum scholarship price: $599 Covers round trip ticket, room, board, tuition and tours Undergraduates attending college anywhere in North America who PERMANENTLY reside in New York City (Kings, Queens, New York, Bronx and Richmond counties), Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk counties) or Westchester County may qualify for a FULL SCHOLARSHIP _ an ALL EXPENSE paid trip to ISRAEL! For information: o send E-Mail to Rabbi Zalman Corlin o in the U.S. call toll-free 800-431-2272 (212-344-2000) o Outside N. America, send E-Mail to: newman@jerusalem1.datasrv.co.il =========================================================================== This publication is available via FAX within Israel. For information, please send E-Mail to newman@jerusalem1.datasrv.co.il or send a fax to 972-2-812890 with your name & fax number. =========================================================================== DID YOU KNOW? ALL Ohr Somayach publications are available on Compuserve! Almost 200 files are waiting for you to download. Just GO RELIGION and search for account 100274,1057 in the Judaism Library =========================================================================== Dedication opportunities are available for The Weekly Daf Please contact us for details. =========================================================================== Jewish L EEEEEEEE Prepared by Ohr Somayach Institutions J L E 22 Shimon Hatzadik Street, POB 18103 J L Exchange Jerusalem 91180, Israel J J L E Tel: 02-810315 Fax: 02-812890 JJJJ Learning EEEEEEEE Internet: newman@jerusalem1.datasrv.co.il =========================================================================== (C) 1994 Ohr Somayach International - All rights reserved. This publication may be distributed to another person intact without prior permission. We also encourage you to include this material in other publications, such as synagogue newsletters. However, we ask that you contact us beforehand for permission.