Daf Yomi - Megillah 31 - Highlights

The Mishna states: On Pesach we read from the passages of the festivals in Vayikra. On Shavuos we read Seven weeks. On Rosh Hashanah we read On the seventh month, on the first day of the month. On Yom Kippur we read After the death. On the first day of Sukkos we read from the passages of the Festivals in Vayikra. On the other days of Sukkos we read from the passages dealing with the sacrifices of the festival. On Chanukah we read from the portion dealing with the korbanos offered by the princes. On Purim we read Then came Amalek. On Roshei Chodashim w read And on your new moons. On the Ma'amados we read regarding the Creation. On the fast days we read the blessings and the curses. The curses cannot be interrupted; rather one person gets called to the Torah and reads all of them. On Mondays and on Thursdays and on Shabbos Mincha we read from the regular Torah reading of the upcoming week. These verses must be repeated again on the following Shabbos.

The Mishna concludes with the verse [Vayikra 23:44]: And Moshe declared to the Children of Israel the festivals of Hashem. This teaches us that there is an obligation to read each festival section in its proper time. (30b – 31a)

The Gemora cites a braisa which teaches us the Torah reading for the festivals not mentioned in our Mishna.

On Pesach we read the portions referring to this festival, and the haftorah from the Prophets should be from Yehoshua pertaining to the Pesach of Gilgul. Presently, that we are in exile, and we observe two days, the first day should be about Gilgul and the second day from Melachim pertaining to the Pesach of Yoshiahu. On the remaining days of Pesach we read from selected small portions in which the Torah mentions Pesach. On the last days of Pesach we read And it came to pass when Pharaoh sent, and the haftorah from the Prophets should be from Shmuel And David spoke. On the eighth day (in exile) we should read All the first-born males, and the haftorah from the Prophets, in Isaiah, As yet to-day will he remain at Nob.

On Shavuos we read Seven weeks and the haftorah from the Prophets in Chavakkuk. Others say that we read In the third month and the haftorah from the Prophets should be from Yechezkel dealing with the Divine Chariot. Presently, that we are in exile, and we observe two days, we follow both opinion but we reverse it.

On Rosh Hashanah we read In the seventh month, and the haftorah from the Prophets Is not Ephraim a dear son. Others say that we read And Hashem visited Sarah and the haftorah from the Prophets regarding Chanah. Presently, that we are in exile, and we observe two days, we read as the others said and on the second day we read Hashem tested Avraham and the haftorah from the Prophets Is not Ephraim a dear son.

On Yom Kippur we read After the death and the haftorah from the Prophets For so says the Exalted and the Uplifted One. During Mincha we read about the laws of the forbidden marriages and the haftorah from the Prophets regarding Yonah. (31a)

Rabbi Yochanan said: Wherever you find Hashem’s greatness, there you will find His humility. The Gemora cites Scriptural references to this. (31a)

The braisa continues: On the first day of Sukkos we read from the passages of the Festivals in Vayikra and the haftorah from the Prophets Behold, Hashem’s awaited day is coming. Presently, that we are in exile, and we observe two days, we read on the second day the same as on the first, but the haftorah from the Prophets is And all the men of Israel assembled. (31a)

The Mishna stated: On the other days of Sukkos we read from the passages dealing with the sacrifices of the festival. On the last day of Sukkos (Shmini Atzeres) we read Any firstborn which is preceded by mitzvos and laws regarding the Sukkos season and the haftorah from the Prophets is And when Shlomo had concluded. On the next day (Simchas Torah, to those that are in exile) we read the last section of the Torah, which is V’zos Habrocha and we read the haftorah from the Prophets And Shlomo stood. (31a)

Rav Huna says in the name of Rav: Shabbos of the Intermediary Days, whether Pesach or Sukkos we read Look, you and on Pesach the haftorah from the Prophets is Dry bones and Sukkos On the day that Gog comes. (31a)

The Gemora discusses other readings of the Torah and other haftoros from the Prophets. (31a – 31b)

The Mishna had stated that some of the Israelites assigned to the mishmar would stay in their cities and read from the Torah portions pertaining to Creation. The Gemora wonders as to what is the connection between the ma’amados and Creation. It was said in the name of Rav Ashi that if not for the ma’amados (korbanos), the heavens and the earth would not be in existence. The Gemora states that Avraham Avinu asked the Ribbono shel Olam by the Bris Bein Habesarim "Perhaps Klal Yisroel will sin before You and You will do to them like You did to the Generation of the Flood?" The Ribbono shel Olam responded that He will not. Avraham asked as to what will be the method for Klal Yisroel to atone for their sins. Hashem responded that it will be with the bringing of korbanos. Hashem told Avraham Avinu that even after the destruction of the Beis Hamikdosh, at whenever Klal Yisroel will read the Torah portions pertaining to the korbanos, it will be regarded as if they brought korbanos and their sins will be forgiven. (31b)

The Mishna had stated: The curses cannot be interrupted; rather one person gets called to the Torah and reads all of them. The Gemora cites a Scriptural source for this. Rish Lakish says that it is because a blessing cannot be recited on a curse. The Gemora explains that the reader begins with a verse preceding the curses and concludes with a verse that follows the curses. (31b)