Kiddushin 30b

קידושין ל׳ ע״ב

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Topic

Torah as the remedy for the יצר הרע, a father's duties to his son, and honoring and fearing parents

Overview

This עמוד of קידושין begins by finishing a chain of פסוקים showing that Torah should be sharp and ready in a person's mouth. Study partners who argue fiercely, even a father and son, end up loving each other. A ברייתא then calls Torah a סם חיים: הקדוש ברוך הוא created the יצר הרע and created Torah as its remedy. Several teachings follow on how strong the יצר הרע is, and they end with the advice to drag it into the בית המדרש. The גמרא then returns to the ברייתא's list of a father's duties: marrying off his children, teaching his son a trade, and, according to some, teaching him to swim. Next it explains the משנה: both sons and daughters must honor and fear their parents, though a married woman is limited by her duties to her husband. A ברייתא compares honoring, fearing and cursing parents to the same acts toward הקדוש ברוך הוא, since all three are partners in a person. The עמוד ends with רבי beginning to explain why a son naturally honors his mother more, and the reason continues on the next עמוד.

Opening lines

The steps (42)

1. ProofA chain of verses about sharp, ready Torah knowledge
2. QuestionWhat are 'enemies in the gate'?
3. ResponseStudy partners argue like enemies but end as friends
4. ProofA verse hints that love comes at the end
5. StatementTorah is compared to a medicine of life
6. StatementThe parable of the father and the bandage
7. StatementTorah is the remedy for the יצר הרע
8. ProofA verse from בראשית as proof
9. ProofWithout Torah, you are handed over to the evil inclination
10. ProofThe evil inclination focuses on you, but you can rule over it
11. StatementEven its Creator calls the evil inclination evil
12. StatementThe evil inclination renews itself every day
13. StatementThe evil inclination tries to kill a person daily, and only ה׳'s help saves him
14. StatementDrag the evil inclination into the study hall, where Torah breaks it
15. ProofProof that Torah melts the stone: water wears away stones
16. QuestionWhere do we learn that a father must marry off his son?
17. ResponseThe source: ירמיהו tells parents to marry off their children
18. ChallengeHow can a father make his daughter get married?
19. ResolutionGive her a dowry and dress her well
20. QuestionWhere do we learn that a father must teach his son a trade?
21. Responseחזקיה: 'See life with the woman you love'
22. QuestionSome say: teach him to swim, but why?
23. ResponseSwimming can save his life
24. Statementרבי יהודה: no trade means teaching banditry
25. ChallengeCan he really be teaching banditry?
26. ResolutionIt is as if he taught him banditry
27. QuestionWhat is the difference between the two opinions?
28. ResponseThe difference: teaching him business
29. QuestionWhat does 'all מצוות of the father on the son' mean?
30. ChallengeWomen aren't obligated in מילה and פדיון
31. Resolutionרב יהודה: מצוות a child owes to his father
32. ProofAlready taught: 'You shall fear' includes women
33. ChallengeThen why does the verse say 'man'?
34. ResolutionA man is always free to act; a married woman is not
35. StatementA divorced woman is equal to a son
36. StatementHonoring parents is compared to honoring the הקב"ה
37. StatementFearing parents is compared to fearing the הקב"ה
38. StatementCursing parents is compared to cursing the הקב"ה
39. ConclusionStriking cannot be compared
40. StatementThe reason for the comparison: three partners
41. ProofThe three partners in a person
42. Statementרבי: a son naturally honors his mother more