Gemara Test 6 questions

According to the sources, what does the phrase "יהרג ועל יעבור" mean?

It means "die and not violate" or "die rather than violate".

According to the sources, how many specific prohibitions fall under the rule of "יהרג ועל יעבור," meaning one must choose death rather than violate them?

Three.

Name the three prohibitions that require "יהרג ועל יעבור" according to the sources.

Avodah azara (idol worship), גילוי עריות (adultery/ forbidden sexual relations), and Murder.

What is the general rule for most commandments when faced with a threat of death, according to the sources?

Normally violate and not die.

What principle is the general rule of "Normally violate and not die" based on, according to the sources?

The principle of "וחי בהם", meaning "you should live and not die" by the Torah.

What specific logic is given in the sources for why one must die rather than commit murder when threatened?

The logic is "who says your blood is redder than his", implying one cannot choose their life over the life of another in that situation.

The sources make a direct comparison between which two prohibitions concerning the requirement of "יהרג ועל יעבור"?

Murder and גילוי עריות.

In the context of Sanhedrin צב, the prophet יחזקאל (Ezekiel) brings which group back to life, according to the sources?

The dry bones.

According to the sources, what do the dry bones brought back to life by יחזקאל (Ezekiel) represent?

They represent the Jewish people.

Name two of the potential identities suggested in the sources for "who are they (the bones)" that יחזקאל brought back to life.

Possibilities include: אפרים (people who left Egypt early), People who denied תחיית המתים (resurrection of the dead), People whose religion had dried up, or People who did avodah azara (idol worship) in the Beit Hamikdash.

What are the two differing views presented in the sources regarding what happened to the dry bones after they were brought back to life?

One view is they came back, sang, and died again (described as a משל, parable, that never happened). The other view is they came back & had full lives.

What powerful sign did the enemy see in the Beit Hamikdash after killing the prophet זכריה (Zechariah), according to the sources in the section זכריה?

His blood was boiling on the floor.

What did the boiling blood of זכריה (Zechariah) show, according to the sources?

It shows God's anger at his death.

What action did the Babylonian general take after witnessing the miracle of זכריה’s (Zechariah's) boiling blood and attempting to stop it by killing many Jews?

He decided to convert.

In the context of the discussion about זכריה (Zechariah), the sources mention a surprising fact about the descendants of the Jewish people's enemy from the Purim story. Who is mentioned and what were they doing?

המן’s grandchildren are mentioned, and they taught Torah.

According to the sources discussing the generation of משיח (Mashiach), what will the face of the generation be like?

The face of the generation will be like the face of a dog.

Name one of the signs mentioned in the sources that will occur in the 7 years before משיח (Mashiach) comes.

Possible answers include: Some cities will get rain & some won’t, Hunger will start, Massive hunger, Things will get better (Massive prosperity), A Lot of noise, or War.

What are the two ways משיח (Mashiach) will come, according to the sources?

Either we do Teshuvah on our own, or we are so bad that Hashem forces us to do Teshuvah.

Which Rabbi is mentioned as saying that there is no more משיח because the opportunity was missed during the time of King Chizkiyahu?

Rabbi Hillel.

How does the Gemara refute Rabbi Hillel's view that the chance for משיח was missed during Chizkiyahu's time?

The Gemara provides proof that זכריה (Zechariah) talks about משיח, and he lived after Chizkiyahu.

Where did the Rabbi find משיח (Mashiach) when Eliyahu directed him to ask Mashiach directly, according to the story in the sources?

Sitting with poor people in the front of the city.

What was משיח’s (Mashiach's) initial answer to the Rabbi who asked, "When are you coming?" according to the story?

"I am coming today."

How did Eliyahu explain Mashiach's answer of "I am coming today" to the Rabbi?

Eliyahu explained that he meant if you deserve it, he’ll come today.

According to the sources, Hashem offered King ירבעם (Yeravam) a place in גן עדן (Gan Eden) together with whom, if he would do teshuvah?

Together with Hashem and דוד (David).

Why did ירבעם (Yeravam) refuse Hashem's offer of a place in גן עדן (Gan Eden)?

He asked "Who will be in front?" and when told דוד (David) would be in front, he said "No thanks".

Which King, initially listed as not getting עולם הבא (Olam Haba), visited ר אבהו (Rabbi Abahu) in a dream?

מנשה (Menashe).

What surprising thing did ר אבהו (Rabbi Abahu) learn about מנשה (Menashe) from the dream?

He learned that מנשה was very learned and knew a halacha that the Rabbi didn't know.

According to the story, where did רשב״י (Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai) hide from the Romans?

In a cave.

What sustained רשב״י (Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai) and his son while they were in the cave for 12 years?

A carob tree & stream of water.

What did רשב״י (Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai) and his son wear only for davening while in the cave?

Clothes.

What happened when רשב״י (Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai) and his son first came out of the cave after 12 years and saw people working?

They reacted by judging them ("how could they not be learning") and their "laser eyes" caused things to burst into flames.

How many total years did רשב״י (Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai) spend in the cave after the incident with his "laser eyes"?

13 years (12 initially, then another 12 months).

When רשב״י (Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai) and his son left the cave after 13 years, what did they see an old man holding for Shabbos?

2 flowers.

What did the two flowers the old man was holding for Shabbos represent, according to רשב״י’s (Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai's) explanation?

1 for זכור (Zachor) and 1 for שמור (Shamor) (related to keeping Shabbos).

According to the sources, what happened to Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Natan in the beis (presumably the Beit Midrash/Sanhedrin)?

They got kicked out.

Why did the Nasi (רשב״ג) change the rule about standing up when Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Natan entered?

Because he felt that he wasn't special if people stood up for both the Rabbis and him, as the Nasi is higher.

What was Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Natan's plan after the Nasi changed the rule about standing?

They planned to have students ask the Nasi about עוקצים (Uketzim), knowing he wouldn't know the answer.

How did another Rabbi foil Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Natan's plan to embarrass the Nasi?

He sat near the Nasi and learned עוקצים (Uketzim) out loud so the Nasi would review it.

After being kicked out, how did people communicate questions to Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Natan, and how did they respond?

People would write questions and send them, and they would write back.

What did Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Natan say after being kicked out, indicating their view on where the Torah was found?

They said, "Torah is outside, we're inside".

According to the sources, when it says "others" in quoting a view, who is it referring to?

Rabbi Meir.

According to the sources, when it says "some say" in quoting a view, who is it referring to?

Rabbi Natan.

What happened in a dream that told both Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Natan they should apologize to the Nasi?

They were told to go make nice to the Nasi.

Who was ריש לקיש (Reish Lakish) before he became a big Rabbi, according to the sources?

He used to be a robber. (Note: Source just indicates Rabbi Yochanan saw him and commented on his strength).

How did ריש לקיש (Reish Lakish) become a student and eventually a big Rabbi, according to the story with ר' יוחנן (Rabbi Yochanan)?

ר' יוחנן (Rabbi Yochanan) offered his sister in marriage to ריש לקיש (Reish Lakish) if he would learn Torah.

What happened to ריש לקיש (Reish Lakish) because ר' יוחנן (Rabbi Yochanan) was so upset with him during an argument?

G

After ריש לקיש (Reish Lakish) died, why was ר' יוחנן (Rabbi Yochanan) still unhappy even when other Rabbis tried to give him support?

Because he missed how ריש לקיש would challenge him, which helped them get to the truth.