בבא קמא סב

Two men appeared before a דיין to rule on their dispute. When the opportunity arose to speak with the דיין privately, the defendant whispered that he would bring him two geese the next day. After hearing the testimony, the דיין said the הלכה is uncertain and needs further analysis and thus, they should return the following day. When they returned, the plaintiff seized the opportunity to whisper to the דיין that he would bring him a pair of stuffed turkeys in appreciation of the efforts he expended. The דיין again postponed ruling, saying the matter needs further study. Understanding what was happening, the plaintiff said to the דיין: “I had always wondered why in reference to מכת בכורות the תורה says: לכל בני ישראל לא יחרץ כלב לשונו. Why were the dogs silent דווקא at that time of crisis for their masters? Now, I understand it. The גמרא says: כלבים בוכים – מלאך המוות בא לעיר; כלבים שוחקים – אליהו הנביא בא לעיר. The night of מכת בכורות, the dogs could neither cry nor laugh. They couldn’t cry because אליהו came to proclaim the redemption of בני ישראל. They couldn’t laugh because the מלאך המוות came to kill the בכורות. So what did they do? Like you, they just kept their mouths shut.”

06/10/2021