Class Four Study Guide

Talmud Brachot - Study Guide #4
Page 5a: Afflictions of Love

Vocabulary
• Baraisa (or Baraita) = text from the Tannaitic period (200-300 CE), but not found
in the Mishnah

Assignment

1. Begin on page 5a1 on the bottom right hand side of the page where it says, “The Gemara returns to the topic of the bedtime Shema.” Read through page 5a3. Discuss questions 1 – 4.

2. Now skip to page 5a5 and begin at the second paragraph on the left, where it says, “The Gemara cites a Baraisa that also deals with this topic.” Read through the second paragraph on the right side ending with “…and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.” Discuss question 5.

3. Now skip to page 5b1 at the bottom right where it says, “The Gemara now seeks to clarify the second part of R’ Yochanan’s statement…” and read through the second paragraph on 5b2 where it says, “…is where one had children and they died in his lifetime.” Discuss questions 6-8.

4. Lastly, read the next few paragraphs, from “The Gemara records several incidents in which the sages were afflicted with suffering” through “R’ Elazar gave him his hand and R’ Yochanan revived him.” Discuss questions 9-10.

Study Questions

1. In what way might saying Shema bring protection?

2. Why from these things, specifically?

3. Why do you think that G-d punishes those who do not study with afflictions and again, why these afflictions, specifically?

4. Up until now, affliction has been thought of as a punishment. Before reading on, try to imagine how they could logically flip this conclusion and decide that afflictions can be a sign of Hashem’s love?

5. Volumes could be written on this idea, but try to think of just one example from your own life for each of the “gifts given through suffering.”

6. Why do you think loss of children is considered an affliction of love?

7. Why would Hashem reserve this affliction only for the most righteous?

8. What do you think of this explanation for this particular kind of suffering?

9. Rabbi Yochanan is a healer, but he cannot heal himself. Why?

10. In each case, they ask, “Are these afflictions dear to you?” Can you imagine a case in which suffering/affliction might be dear to you? When?