Sanhedrin 98a

סנהדרין צ״ח ע״א

Learn Sanhedrin 98a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

When and how the משיח will come: the fixed time versus merit, signs of the קץ, and stories about the גאולה.

Overview

The amud opens at the end of the debate between רבי אליעזר, who ties the גאולה to תשובה, and רבי יהושע, who says it has a fixed time. רבי יהושע's proof from the oath in דניאל leaves רבי אליעזר silent. The גמרא then lists signs of the קץ. These include fruit returning to ארץ ישראל, hard times with no wages and no peace, no fish even for a sick person, and the end of the lowly kingdom, the arrogant, and the current judges. עולא and רב פפא add that ירושלים is redeemed through צדקה, and that fixing arrogance and corrupt judges removes the foreign oppressors. רבי יוחנן teaches that a shrinking or troubled generation should expect the משיח, and that he comes to a generation that is all righteous or all guilty. רבי יהושע בן לוי resolves two contradictions with one idea: if ישראל merit, the גאולה comes early and gloriously; if not, it comes in its time and humbly. Stories follow: שמואל answers King שבור, רבי יהושע בן לוי meets אליהו and the משיח, who says he will come 'today, if you listen to His voice', and רבי יוסי בן קיסמא's prediction is confirmed by a sign. The amud ends with his deathbed request to bury his coffin deep, and the reason comes on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (41)

1. ProofEnd of רבי יהושע's proof that kings will bow without תשובה
2. Proofרבי אליעזר answers with 'Return, Israel'
3. Proofרבי יהושע brings the sworn time from דניאל
4. Conclusionרבי אליעזר is silent
5. Statementרבי אבא: fruit growing on Israel's mountains is the clearest sign
6. Statementרבי אליעזר: no wages and no peace are also a sign
7. QuestionWhat does 'no peace for the one going out and coming in' mean?
8. Responseרב: even תלמידי חכמים will have no peace
9. Responseשמואל: until all prices are equal
10. StatementNo fish to be found even for a sick person
11. StatementThe lowly kingdom must end its rule over ישראל
12. StatementArrogant people must disappear from ישראל
13. StatementAll judges and officers must disappear from ישראל
14. Statementירושלים is redeemed only through צדקה
15. StatementWhen arrogance and corrupt judges end, the oppressors end too
16. Proofרב פפא's verses for both parts
17. StatementA shrinking generation: wait for the משיח
18. StatementA generation flooded with troubles: wait for the משיח
19. Statementמשיח comes to a generation that is all innocent or all guilty
20. ChallengeOne verse says 'in its time' and also 'I will hasten it'
21. ResolutionIf they merit, it is hastened; if not, it comes in its time
22. ChallengeClouds of heaven or a poor man on a donkey?
23. ResolutionIt depends on whether ישראל are worthy
24. ChallengeKing שבור mocks the idea of a donkey
25. Resolutionשמואל: Do you have a horse of many colors?
26. Questionרבי יהושע בן לוי meets אליהו and asks about עולם הבא
27. Response'If this Master wants': a third presence
28. QuestionWhen will משיח come?
29. ResponseGo ask משיח himself, at the gate of רומי
30. ResponseHow to recognize משיח: one bandage at a time
31. QuestionGreeting משיח and asking when he will come
32. Responseמשיח answers: Today
33. Questionאליהו asks what משיח said
34. ResponseThe greeting promised עולם הבא
35. ChallengeComplaint: משיח said today and did not come
36. ResolutionToday, if you listen to His voice
37. QuestionStudents ask רבי יוסי בן קיסמא when בן דוד will come
38. ResponseThe gate that falls three times
39. QuestionThe students ask for a sign after all
40. ResponseThe waters of פמייס turn to blood
41. StatementOn his deathbed, he asks for his coffin to be buried deep