Sunday, April 29, 2007

Daf Yomi - Chagigah 22 - AVOIDING STRIFE

There are numerous places throughout Chazal, where the sages permitted various things (that should have been prohibited) because otherwise it would crate animosity amongst each other. Here, in brief, are some of these situations.

*** If a Kohen Gadol became unfit on Yom Kippur and we appointed another Kohen Gadol to replace him for that day; the first one returns to his position and the second one cannot serve as a Kohen Gadol or as a Kohen Hedyot (common Kohen). He cannot serve as a regular Kohen because of the principle that one can ascend in matters of sanctity but one cannot descend in matters of sanctity. He cannot serve as a Kohen Gadol because this would create animosity between him and the original Kohen Gadol. There is an opinion that disagrees and allows the substitute Kohen Gadol to serve as a Kohen Gadol. (Yoma 12a)

*** Even according to the opinion mentioned above that we allow the substitute Kohen Gadol to serve as a Kohen Gadol, that is only by a similar type of Kohen Gadol; however, we do not allow the Kohen Gadol who was appointed to lead the battle to serve in the Bais HaMikdosh together with the other Kohen Gadol; this would create certain animosity.

*** We do not anoint two Kohanim Gedolim simultaneously because it will create animosity. (Yerushalmi Yoma 1:1)

*** One who makes a vow that his friend should eat with him (otherwise, he will be forbidden to derive benefit from him) and the friend does not trust the one who took the oath in regards to maaser; he is permitted to eat by him the first Shabbos (a marital feast) because otherwise it would create animosity. (D’mai 4:2)

*** One who is particular not to eat bread baked by a non-Jew is permitted to eat the bread if he is eating at the same table along with those that are not particular on this stringency. This is because otherwise, it would create animosity. He is not permitted to eat the butter of a gentile because it is not considered the primary part of the meal and he could say that he is not interested in eating butter now. (Beis Yosef in the name of Rabbeinu Simcha Y”D 112)

*** We are required to make Eruvei Chatzeros with a full loaf of bread and not with pieces since this will lead to strife among the partners; those who give full loaves might resent those who give pieces. (Eruvin 81a)

*** We should not have festivities for two brides in the same city unless there are enough people to bring about joy to each of them. Rabbi Shimon ben Elozar says: Even in that case it’s forbidden because one might be pretty and the other not; they might bestow more honor on one than the other and this will lead to animosity.

*** The Mishna in Taanis ruled that if it still did not rain after the seven fasts, they should conduct less business. They should not become involved with building, planting, marrying or greeting their friends. They should conduct their lives as if they were condemned by Hashem.

The Gemora elaborates on the ruling of the Mishna that one should not greet his friend. The Gemora states that Torah scholars should not greet each other at all. If an unlearned man greets a Torah scholar, he should respond in a low tone and in a somber manner because otherwise it would lead to strife amongst them.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

So I suppose the question would then become why is there so much strife?

Avromi said...

Can you imagine what it would look like without these protections?

I also think that in certain areas nowadays, this is getting better - the problem is that the extremists make the most noise and have the biggest publicity.