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Tamid 32a

תמיד ל״ב ע״א

Learn Tamid 32a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

אלכסנדרוס מוקדון questions the זקני הנגב about creation, wisdom and life, then sets out for אפריקי.

Overview

This amud continues the story of אלכסנדרוס מוקדון questioning the זקני הנגב. First he asks whether the sky is higher than the world is wide. The elders say east to west is farther. חכמים say the two distances are equal, based on a פסוק in תהלים. Next he asks about the order of creation. The elders answer that the heavens came first, but they refuse to say whether light or darkness came first, so that he will not go on to ask about forbidden topics. He then asks who is truly wise, mighty and rich, how to live, and how to win people's favor. On that last question he offers his own answer. After a tense exchange in which he threatens the elders, he honors them instead. Finally they advise him how to cross the Mountains of Darkness. He reaches a town of women, who talk him out of fighting and serve him bread of gold. The story continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם לָאָרֶץ רָחוֹק,

Is it farther from the heavens to the earth,

אוֹ מִמִּזְרָח לַמַּעֲרָב?

or from east to west?

אָמְרוּ לוֹ: מִמִּזְרָח לַמַּעֲרָב.

They said to him: from east to west.

תֵּדַע, שֶׁהֲרֵי חַמָּה בַּמִּזְרָח –

Know that this is so, for when the sun is in the east,

The steps (43)

  1. QuestionWhich distance is greater?
  2. ResponseEast to west is farther, proven from the sun
  3. Statementחכמים say both distances are equal
  4. ProofHow the verse proves they are equal
  5. ChallengeThen why can't we look at the overhead sun?
  6. ResolutionThe overhead sun is uncovered
  7. QuestionHeaven or earth: which was created first?
  8. ResponseThe heavens came first
  9. QuestionLight or darkness: which was created first?
  10. ResponseThe elders say there is no answer
  11. ChallengeWhy not say darkness came first?
  12. ResolutionThe elders feared forbidden follow-up questions
  13. ChallengeThen why did they answer about heaven?
  14. ResolutionA single question seemed harmless; a repeat question was a warning sign
  15. QuestionWho is called wise?
  16. ResponseThe wise person sees what is coming
  17. QuestionWho is called mighty?
  18. ResponseThe mighty person controls his desires
  19. QuestionWho is called rich?
  20. ResponseThe rich person is happy with what he has
  21. QuestionWhat should a person do to live?
  22. ResponseTo live, a person must 'kill himself'
  23. QuestionWhat should a person do to die?
  24. ResponseSpoiling oneself leads to death
  25. QuestionHow can a person be liked by people?
  26. ResponseThe elders: stay away from rulers
  27. RejectionThe king offers a better answer
  28. QuestionBetter to live at sea or on land?
  29. ResponseDry land is better, since sailors are never at ease
  30. QuestionWhich of you is the wisest?
  31. ResponseWe are all equal, because we answer as one
  32. ChallengeWhy do you stand against me?
  33. ResolutionEven the שטן sometimes wins
  34. ChallengeThe king threatens to execute them
  35. ResolutionYou have the power, but a king must not lie
  36. ConclusionThe king honors them with purple robes and gold chains
  37. QuestionThe king wants to go to אפריקי
  38. ResponseYou can't go, because the Mountains of Darkness block the way
  39. QuestionI must go, so tell me how
  40. ResponseThe elders' advice: donkeys that see in the dark, and ropes for the way back
  41. StatementThe king travels and reaches a town of women
  42. ChallengeThe women show that fighting them is a lose-lose
  43. StatementThe king asks for bread and receives bread of gold