Daf Yomi - Yevamos 63 - Highlights

Rabbi Elozar said: A man that does not have a wife is not a complete man, as it is written [Breishis 5:2]: He created them male and female… and He called their name Man.

Rabbi Elozar also said: A man who does not own land is not a complete man, as it is written [Tehillim 115:16]: The heavens are the heavens of Hashem; but the earth He has given to man.

Rabbi Elozar also said: What is the meaning of the following verse [Breishis 2:18]: I will make him a helpmate opposite him? If a man is worthy, his wife will help him; if he is not worthy, she will be against him.

The Gemora cites an incident: Rabbi Yosi found Eliyahu; he said to him: It is written [ibid]: I will make him a helpmate. How does the wife help a man? He answered him: A man brings wheat. Does he chew the wheat in its raw state? If he brings home flax, does he wear the flax in its unprocessed state? (Obviously not; the wife prepares it for him.) Does she not therefore light his eyes and stand him up on his feet?

Rabbi Elozar also said: What is the meaning of the following verse [Breishis 2:22]: And the man said: “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh”? This teaches us that Adam cohabited with all the animals, and he was not appeased until he cohabited with Chavah.

Rabbi Elozar also said: What is the meaning of the following verse [Breishis 12:3]: And in you shall all the families of the earth be blessed? Hashem said to Avraham, “I have two good shoots to graft into you: Rus the Moabitess and Naamah the Ammonitess. All the families of the earth teaches us that even all the families who live in the earth will only be blessed on account of Israel. The verse [Breishis 18:18]: And all the nations of the earth is also teaching us that even the ships that journey between Galya and Spain will only be blessed on account of Israel.

Rabbi Elozar also said: In the future (times of Mashiach), all the craftsmen will become farmers, as it is written [Yechezkel 27:29]: And all that handle the oar, the mariners, and all the pilots of the sea, shall come down from their ships, they shall stand upon the land.

Rabbi Elozar also said: There is no form of livelihood lower than a farmer, as it is written (ibid): They shall come down (they will become poor). (63a)

The Gemora cites a related incident: Rabbi Elozar saw a piece of land that had cabbage planted widthwise. He said (to the land): “Even if you would have been planted lengthwise (the proper method), buying and selling would be more profitable than you.”

The Gemora relates a similar incident that occurred with Rav.

Rava said: If a person has one hundred zuz invested in business transactions, he will enjoy meat and wine every day. However, if has one hundred zuz invested in land, he will be forced to eat green sprouts of grain with salt. Furthermore, he will be compelled to lie down on the ground (to watch his grain) and fight with people regarding ownership issues.

The Gemora continues offering advice on financial matters and finding a suitable marriage partner. (63a)

Rabbi Elozar bar Avina said: Punishment comes to the world only because of Israel (in order that they should see and repent). (63a)

Rav was leaving Rabbi Chiya, and Rabbi Chiya said to him, “May Hashem save you from something that is worse than death.” Rav asked, “Is there actually something worse than death?” He went out and he found it: It is written [Koheles 7:26]: And I have found more bitter than death the woman etc.

The Gemora cites a related incident: Rav’s wife would constantly torment him. When he would ask her to cook him lentils, she would make him legumes, and when he asked for legumes, she would make him lentils. When his son, Chiya grew up, he reversed his father's requests, and the father would receive what he wanted. Once, his father said to him, “Your mother has improved.” Chiya replied, “It is I who has been switching what you requested.” Rav responded, “This is what people say, ‘Your child teach you wisdom.’ But you should not do so, for it is written [Yirmiyah 9:4]: They have trained their tongues to speak falsely.”

The Gemora cites a related incident: Rabbi Chiya’s wife would constantly torment him. Nevertheless, when he would find something, he would wrap it in a shawl and give it to her as a gift. Rav asked him: “Doesn’t she bother you?” Rabbi Chiya responded: “It is enough that they raise our children, and protect us from sinning.” (63a – 63b)

Rav Yehudah read the following verse to Rav Yitzchak, his son: And I have found more bitter than death the woman etc. Rav Yitzchak asked his father: “Who is such a woman?” Rav Yehudah replied, “Your mother.”

The Gemora asks: Didn’t Rav Yehudah teach his son elsewhere that a man finds gratification only with his first wife, and Rav Yitzchak asked him: “who is such a woman?” Rav Yehudah replied, “Your mother.”

The Gemora answers: She would get angry fast, but she was easily appeased. (63b)

The Gemora asks: What is the definition of a bad wife? Abaye answers: She prepares the table for him, but curses him until he eats. Rava said: She prepares the table for him, but then turns away from him. (63b)

In the West (Eretz Yisroel), they had the following custom: When a man would get married, they would ask of him: “Matza or motze?” The Gemora explains their inquiry. “Matza” is referring to a good wife; as it is written He who has found (matza) a wife has found goodness. “Motze” is referring to a bad wife; as it is written And I have found (u’motze) more bitter than death the woman. (63b)

Rava said: if one is married to a bad wife, it is a mitzvah to divorce her. (63b)

Rava also said: If one is married to a bad wife, and her kesuvah is excessive, he should marry another wife (this will entice the first wife to improve her ways). (63b)

It is written [Devarim 28:32]: Your sons and daughters will be given to another people. Rav Chanan bar Rava interpreted this verse in the name of Rav: This is referring to a stepmother. (63b)

It is written [Devarim 32:31]: With a vile nation, I shall anger them. Rav Chanan bar Rava interpreted this verse in the name of Rav: This is referring to a bad wife, and her kesuvah is excessive. Rabbi Eliezer said: This is referring to the heretics. We learned in a braisa: This is referring to the men of Barbary and Mauritania, who walk naked in the market. There is not a viler and revolting thing before Hashem than one who walks naked in the marketplace. Rabbi Yochanan said: This is referring to the Chabarim (evil Persians, who did not respect the Jewish people). (63b)

It is written in the Book of Ben Sira (This is an ancient work, part of the Apocrypha, written approximately 320 BCE. According to tradition, Ben Sira was a son of the prophet Yirmiyah.): “A good woman is a wonderful gift; she will be placed in the bosom of a God-fearing man. A bad wife is leprosy to her husband. What remedy does he have? Let him divorce her, and be healed from his leprosy.”

“A beautiful wife; fortunate is her husband; the number of his days will be doubled.”

“Turn away your eyes from your neighbors’ charming wife lest you be caught in her net. Do not turn to her husband to mingle with him, and drink wine and strong drink, for, through the form of a beautiful woman, many were destroyed, and her victims are many.”

“Many were the wounds of the spice-peddler, which lead him on to lewdness like a spark that lights the coal. As a coop is full of birds, so are (the harlots’) houses full of deceit.”

“Do not worry about tomorrow's trouble, for you know not what the day may beget. Tomorrow may come and you will be no more, and so you will have worried about a world which is not yours.”

“Keep away many from your house; and do not bring everyone into your house.” (63b)

Rav Assi said: “The son of David will not come until all the souls are vacated from guf.” (There exists a chamber in heaven that contains the souls created during the six days of creation. The mitzvah of procreation is to bring the souls out of guf and advance the coming of Mashiach. One who has children fulfills this obligation even if they subsequently die.)

It was taught in a braisa: Rabbi Eliezer said: Whoever does not occupy himself with the mitzvah of procreation is considered like a murderer.

Rabbi Yaakov said: It is as if he diminished the Divine Image.

Ben Azzai said: It is considered like a murderer and as if he diminished the Divine Image.

They asked Ben Azzai: “there are those that teach well, and perform well; there are others who perform well, but do not teach well. You, however, teach well, but do not perform well (for Ben Azzai died as a bachelor and childless).” Ben Azzai replied to them: “What should I do? My soul desires the Torah. The world can survive through other people.” (63b)

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