BSD
Shkolim 7a (2)
25 Adar I, 5784. 03/05/2024
Many topics covered. Here are some short notes:
1- Our גמרא relates a story of Reb Yochanan when walking along notices that Reb Eliezer, a student of his, going out of his way to hide himself so not meet Reb Yochanan.
Reb Yochanan expresses his sharp displeasure on the conduct of this Babylonian student who does not greet him with a שלום עליך רבי and additionally, hides himself from his רבי.
Some of his students try to calm down Reb Yochanan but that irks Reb Yochanan even more.
He continues: ‘This Reb Eliezer also goes around in the בית מדרש and says הלכות that he heard from me and does not give me credit’. Pure plagiarism.
2- We discussed the noticeable difference as this story is in our גמרא – which is in ירושלמי versus how this same story is quotes in בבלי.
In בבלי, only the second part of Reb Yochanan’s complaint against Reb Eliezer, of not attributing הלכות to his teacher, is stated. The first part about the not greeting and hiding is omitted.
As per the רא”ש this difference is crucial as to what the הלכה is when a students encounters his רבי.
Does a student greet his teacher with a “Hello רבי” or not?
According to the ירושלמי – it is a definite no!
The בבלי, however, omits that part of the story, and with good reason says the רא”ש. For how can you say that greeting a רבי is not honorable and respectful when we find in multiple places in ש”ס the concepts of תוך כדי דיבור, which is a measurement of time in regards to many Halachik rules.
How long is תוך כדי דיבור? As long as it takes to say שלום עליך רבי!
3- Practically- what is the הלכה למעשה?
See here in Shulchan Aruch. YD 242, 16
The הלכה and the מנהג in indeed to great one’s teacher in a humble and respectable fashion.
The Ram”o quotes our ירושלמי which is of a different opinion; not to greet one’s teacher at all!
3 – The story continues. The גמרא explains why Reb Yochanan insisted that his תורה should be cited in his name.
‘When a person’s Torah is recited in his name (after he passes away) his lips speak these words in his grave’.
שפתותיו דובבות בקבר
Thus Reb Yochanan was adamant for his students to quote his Torah always citing him as the source. He wanted ‘his lips’ to move forever!
4- We briefly mentioned some of the explanation of this מאמר חז”ל
whether this is בגשמיות or in a spiritual realm? מהרש”א ביבמות שם.
In addition to the above
A – שפתותיו דובבות בקבר, there are two other topics when citing the source.
B – כל האומר דבר בשם אומרו מביא גאולה לעולם.
C – the איסור גזילה when one plagiarizes.
מגן אברהם קנו, ב.
See at length the Sicha of the Rebbe in LS 36 Ki Siso 2.
5 – So here is the obvious question. If the idea of repeating someone’s Torah after he passes away is to cause the reaction of שפתותיו דובבות בקבר, why is there a need to give him credit?
In other words, even if someone would repeat this Torah without the proper attribution to the originator, כלפי שמיא גליא that this originated with the originator. And thus it would still result in שפתותיו דובבות בקבר.
So why would Reb Yochanon insist that his students always give him credit when repeating what they heard from him?
6 – We began to discuss the letter of the Rebbe on this topic. Will continue next week BL”N and post it here.