Sanhedrin 94b

סנהדרין צ״ד ע״ב

Learn Sanhedrin 94b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

סנחריב's insult, his campaign against ירושלים, and how חזקיה's תורה-learning generation was saved

Overview

This amud is all about סנחריב, the king of Assyria who attacked ירושלים in the days of חזקיה. It starts by finishing a rule from the previous daf: פרעה insulted God himself and was punished by God Himself, while סנחריב insulted God through messengers and was punished through a messenger, an angel. The גמרא explains סנחריב's boast to destroy God's dwelling below and above. It also explains why his messenger רבשקה claimed God had sent him: he had heard ישעיהו's prophecy about the king of Assyria. The גמרא then asks why סנחריב was punished, and answers that he went beyond the prophecy by aiming at ירושלים, a city protected by its people's hard work in תורה. Next it praises חזקיה's generation, where even children knew the laws of טומאה and טהרה, and explains that God swore ahead of time to hand סנחריב's army over as spoils. The prophet tells the people that each may keep the spoils he takes, even Jewish property the enemy had captured. Finally, רב הונא says סנחריב marched ten stages in one day, and the גמרא begins explaining the place names in the פסוק, an explanation that continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (32)

1. StatementPunished through a messenger, just as he insulted through a messenger
2. ProofPharaoh insulted God himself and God punished him Himself
3. ProofSennacherib insulted God through messengers and was punished through an angel
4. ChallengeTwo verses describe Sennacherib's boast differently
5. ResolutionHe planned to destroy the dwelling below and then the dwelling above
6. QuestionWhat did Rabshakeh mean by 'God told me to destroy this land'?
7. ResponseHe had heard Isaiah's prophecy
8. StatementThe Aramaic translation explains the verse
9. StatementA cursed house and a blessed house
10. ProofThe rest of the prophecy: the king of אשור floods in
11. ChallengeIf God sent him, why was he punished?
12. ResolutionHe went beyond what the prophecy allowed
13. StatementA nation tired from תורה is not handed to its oppressor
14. StatementThe generation that made תורה heavy deserves a miracle
15. ChallengeIs an invasion the reward for חזקיה's faithfulness?
16. ResolutionGod first swore to hand סנחריב over to חזקיה
17. ProofThe verse that records God's oath
18. Statementסנחריב's army becomes a feeding trough for חזקיה
19. StatementThe yoke breaks because of חזקיה's oil
20. Statementחזקיה puts a sword at the study hall door
21. StatementEven children knew the laws of purity
22. ProofVerses describing that learning generation
23. StatementThe prophet tells Israel to gather the spoils
24. QuestionGrab for yourself or share?
25. ResponseLike locusts: each one for himself
26. ChallengeIsn't some of the spoil stolen from the ten tribes?
27. ResolutionLike pools that purify, the property is 'purified'
28. ProofSupport from רב פפא: Ammon and Moab purified through סיחון
29. Statementרב הונא: סנחריב made ten journeys in one day
30. ChallengeBut the verse lists more than ten places
31. ResolutionSome phrases are the prophet speaking to כנסת ישראל
32. QuestionOpening the next question about the verse