Pesachim 119a

פסחים קי״ט ע״א

Learn Pesachim 119a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Pesachim 119a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Aggadic teachings on פסוקים (ישעיה, למנצח, יחזקאל), the journey of יוסף's treasure, קרח's wealth, and the speakers of the closing verses of הלל

Overview

This amud opens by finishing the גמרא's reading of the פסוק in ישעיה about 'those who sit before ה'' and 'למכסה עתיק'. The person who sits before ה' is someone who is in the ישיבה so often that he knows his friend's seat or greets his friend there. 'למכסה עתיק' is read two ways: hiding סתרי תורה, or revealing טעמי תורה. Next come teachings in the name of רבי ישמעאל ברבי יוסי. The first says 'למנצח' praises God, who is happy when משה 'defeats' Him to save the Jews. The second says God's hand is spread under the wings of the חיות to receive בעלי תשובה. שמואל then traces the world's silver and gold from יוסף in מצרים, out with the Jews, and through many kings and empires until it reaches רומי. רבי חמא בר חנינא adds that יוסף hid three treasures, and the גמרא describes קרח's enormous wealth, which harmed him. The גמרא then returns to הלל and assigns each verse from אודך to the end of תהלים קיח to דוד, ישי, דוד's brothers, שמואל, or all of them together. Finally it begins quoting a משנה from סוכה about local custom in saying הלל, which continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (28)

1. StatementOne who knows his friend's seat in the ישיבה
2. StatementSecond version: one who greets his friend in the ישיבה
3. QuestionWhat does 'stately clothing' mean?
4. ResponseOne who keeps hidden what God hid: the secrets of Torah
5. ResponseSecond version: one who reveals what God hid, the reasons of Torah
6. Statement'למנצח': sing to the One who is happy when defeated
7. StatementGod is unlike people: defeat makes Him happy
8. ProofProof from משה standing in the breach
9. StatementA new teaching opens on a verse about the angels' hands
10. ResponseIt is God's hand, spread out to receive people doing תשובה
11. Statementיוסף gathered all the world's silver and gold into מצרים
12. QuestionWhat about money from other countries?
13. ResponseAll the lands came to מצרים
14. StatementThe Jews took the treasure out of מצרים
15. Statementרב אסי: מצרים became like a trap with no grain
16. Statementרבי שמעון: מצרים became like deep water with no fish
17. StatementThe treasure stayed until רחבעם, then שישק took it
18. ProofThe verse about שישק taking the treasures
19. Statementזרח king of כוש took it from שישק
20. StatementThe treasure passes from אסא to יהושפט
21. StatementThe treasure travels from אחז all the way to רומי
22. Statementיוסף hid three treasures in מצרים
23. StatementRiches kept to his hurt means קרח's wealth
24. StatementA person's money stands him on his feet
25. Statementקרח's treasury keys filled 300 mules
26. StatementWho said the first four verses starting from אודך
27. StatementWho said the remaining verses until the end of the chapter
28. StatementQuoting a משנה about local custom in saying הלל