The Eddie Abisat edition, an audio series of the Talmud Bavli, Masechet Megillah, has been dedicated by our good friend Mr. Stephen and his wife Gila Israel, a charter member of our Daf Yomi Shiur, for the success of both sets of parents, and of course their dear children. Hashem yishmorem viyachyeyem and bezrat Hashem, they should have continued success, hatzlacha veharvacha bechol maaseh yadeihem. This masechet has also been dedicated by Stephen and his wife for the elevation of the soul of Adele bat Roza and the elevation of the soul of Sara bat Adele. Ruach Hashem tenicham began eden hen vechol benot Yisrael hashachavot imahem bechol harachamim vehaslichot venomar amen. Today’s daf is being studied for the elevation of the soul of Avraham ben Ester. Ruach Hashem tenichenu began eden amen. Today’s daf has been dedicated by one of our loyal sponsors, Mr. David Meyer, from Rio de Janeiro, formerly from Australia, in honor of his wife Ilana’s twenty-first birthday. We begin today’s daf on Hey Amud Bet on the bottom line.
As Rabbi Yochanan said: “When I was a young man, I would tell you a chiddush, but I asked the older rabbis, and it came out like me.” This means a certain subject that the older rabbis said was indeed correct, and I was aligned with this subject. The term Chamat refers to a place called Teveria. Why is it called Chamat? Because it has the Tiberias hot springs, the chamei Teveria. Thus, Chamat is Teveria, as the hot springs are significant items. Furthermore, Rekat is also known as Tzippori. This city is referred to as Rekat because it is elevated like the banks of a river, which are higher than the river itself. Rashi explains that the banks of the river are higher than the river, and likewise, Tzippori is situated on a mountain.
Continuing, Kinneret is the same as Ginnosar. The city called Kinneret is truly the city of Ginnosar. Why is it called Kinneret? Because the fruits of this place are very sweet, like the sound of a kinnor. Therefore, Kinneret is derived from the word kinnor due to the sweetness of its fruits. The Siftei Chachamim notes that if they are calling Teveria Chamat, it must mean that the chamei Teveria are a significant item, not merely a hot spring. Additionally, calling Tzippori Rekat indicates there is a benefit to being in the mountains, as the air is much better there. The air is crisper and fresher, which is another reason for the name.
Now, regarding Ginnosar, it is named for its fruitful bounty, which is particularly beneficial. Rashi mentions that Ginnosar means Gan Sar, referring to the gardens of the aristocrats, as the fruits are exceptionally good. The Aruch explains that when it mentions sweet fruits, it refers to fruits sweet like the sound of a kinnor. He also states that kinnor refers to a type of tree that produces very sweet fruit. Thus, Kinneret is named for its fruits, which are sweet like those of the Kinrei tree. The sweetness is such that even mentioning the name of the tree evokes a sweet taste.
The Gemara continues with Rabbi Rava questioning whether there is an opinion that states Rekat is not Teveria. The Gemara references the eulogies given when a Talmid Chacham passed away in Bavel. In Israel, they would eulogize the deceased as “a great man in Sheshach.” This term refers to Bavel in a coded manner. They would say that this individual was renowned, and his reputation reached all the way to Rekat. When the body of a Talmid Chacham was transported from Bavel to Eretz Yisrael, the eulogizers would announce that those who love the Talmidei Chachamim of Teveria should come out to receive the one who was slain in the valley, as Bavel is considered a low-lying area.
When Rabbi Zeira passed away, he had initially lived in Bavel but later moved to Eretz Yisrael. At his funeral, the eulogizer remarked on how Eretz Shinar bore and raised him, while Eretz Tzvi nurtured him. The city of Rekat mourned, stating that it lost its treasured item. This indicates that Rekat is indeed a reference to Teveria. Therefore, Rabbi Rava concludes that Chamat refers to the hot springs of Chamei Gerar, not Teveria, while Rekat is Teveria and Kinneret is Ginnosar.
Why is Teveria also called Rekat? Because even the empty ones in Teveria are filled with mitzvot like a pomegranate. This is derived from the verse in Shir Hashirim, which states, “like a pomegranate, your rakatech.” The Gemara emphasizes that even the empty ones have many mitzvot, indicating the spiritual richness of the people of Teveria.
Rabbi Chaim Volozhin notes that when a Talmid Chacham passes away, the phrase “ki nach nafshei” signifies that until death, a person's soul is in constant turmoil due to the struggle against the yetzer hara. Only upon death does the soul find rest. The Maharsha elaborates on the three types of eulogies for rabbis: one buried in Bavel, one whose body is transported to Eretz Yisrael, and one who lived and died in Eretz Yisrael. The first is for one who did not merit to be buried in Eretz Yisrael, while the second acknowledges the honor of being buried in the holy land.
The Gemara further explores the significance of the term “Rekat,” indicating that even the empty ones in Teveria are filled with mitzvot, akin to a pomegranate. This highlights the spiritual stature of the inhabitants of Teveria, reinforcing their importance in the Jewish community.
As the discussion progresses, the Gemara transitions to the laws surrounding the reading of the megillah during leap years, emphasizing the necessity of reading it in the second month if the leap year is declared after the first month. The only difference between the two months is related to the reading of the megillah and the giving of matanot la-evyonim. The Gemara clarifies that the four parashiyot read before Pesach are equal in both months, highlighting the ongoing significance of these readings.
Ultimately, the Gemara concludes that the author of the Mishna aligns with the view that the megillah must be read in the second month, emphasizing the continuity and significance of Jewish traditions and laws across the calendar.