Megillah 16b

מגילה ט״ז ע״ב

Learn Megillah 16b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Lessons from the יוסף story, verses near the end of מגילת אסתר (including the ten sons of המן), and the greatness of תלמוד תורה.

Overview

This עמוד finishes the גמרא's lessons from the יוסף story and then returns to explaining the last chapters of מגילת אסתר. First, יוסף's extra garments for בנימין are explained as a hint to מרדכי's five royal garments, not favoritism. The tears at the brothers' reunion hint at the destruction of the two בתי מקדש and משכן שילה. Several verses then show יוסף reassuring his brothers and honoring his father, along with the saying 'bow to the fox in its hour.' Back in the מגילה, רב יהודה reads 'אורה ושמחה וששון ויקר' as תורה, יום טוב, מילה and תפילין. The גמרא gives rules for the ten sons of המן: they are read in one breath, the ו of ויזתא is written long, and their list is laid out like a falling wall. More verses are explained: the מלאך who slapped אחשורוש, אסתר's request, שרטוט for a מגילה, and the fasts sharing in establishing פורים. The עמוד ends with statements that תלמוד תורה is greater than saving lives, building the בית המקדש, and honoring parents. The last proof continues on the next עמוד.

Opening lines

The steps (31)

1. ChallengeWhy would יוסף repeat the mistake of favoritism?
2. ResolutionThe five garments hinted at מרדכי
3. QuestionWhy does the verse say בנימין's 'necks'?
4. Responseיוסף wept over the two בתי מקדש
5. Statementבנימין wept over שילה
6. Statementיוסף holds no grudge, just as with בנימין
7. StatementMy mouth matches my heart
8. QuestionWhat were 'the good things of מצרים'?
9. ResponseOld wine for the elderly father
10. StatementThe brothers bow to יוסף: 'When the fox has its hour, bow to it'
11. ChallengeWhy call יוסף a fox compared to his brothers?
12. ResolutionThe saying really refers to יעקב bowing to יוסף
13. Statementיוסף comforts his brothers: ten lights and one light
14. StatementBack to the מגילה: light, gladness, and joy mean תורה, יום טוב, and מילה
15. StatementHonor means תפילין
16. Proofרבי אליעזר says it means the head-tefillin
17. StatementThe ten sons of המן are read in one breath
18. StatementThe ו of ויזתא is written long
19. StatementHow songs in תנ״ך are normally laid out
20. Statementהמן's sons and the kings of כנען are written like a falling wall
21. StatementAn angel slapped the king on his mouth
22. ChallengeWhy does the verse say 'he said' instead of 'she said'?
23. Resolutionאסתר asked that the letter also be spoken aloud
24. StatementA מגילה needs scored lines like a ספר תורה
25. ChallengeDid only אסתר's decree establish פורים, and not the fasts?
26. ResolutionRead the two verses as one
27. Statementמרדכי was accepted by most of his brothers, not all
28. Statementרב יוסף: Torah study is greater than saving lives
29. ProofThe two lists of leaders from עזרא and נחמיה
30. Statementתלמוד תורה is greater than building the בית המקדש
31. StatementTorah study is greater than honoring parents