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Why does Bava Basra 60b consider forbidding marriage when Rome prevents bris milah and pidyon haben, seemingly contradicting the mitzvah (מצוה) of pru u'rvu? The shiur reveals that pru u'rvu is not about biological reproduction but about granting children nitzchiyus - eternal connection to Hashem (ה׳). When persecution blocks the ceremonies that establish this spiritual identity, the fundamental purpose of having children is defeated.
This shiur analyzes a complex Gemara (גמרא) in Bava Basra 60b that discusses whether Jews should decree upon themselves not to marry or have children during periods when the malchus harasha (wicked kingdom - Rome) prevents them from performing Torah (תורה) and mitzvos, bris milah, and pidyon haben. The Gemara concludes that while ideally such a decree would make sense, it's better not to make it because people wouldn't be able to withstand it anyway - "mutav sheyi'hyu shogegin v'al yi'hyu mezidin." Rabbi Zweig addresses several difficulties in understanding this Gemara, particularly the apparent conflict with the Torah commandment of pru u'rvu. He brings supporting evidence from other Gemaras, including the story of Chizkiyahu HaMelech who refused to have children because he foresaw through ruach hakodesh that his descendants would be wicked, and Yeshaya HaNavi's response that one must fulfill their obligations regardless of divine secrets. Similarly, he discusses the Gemara in Sotah about Amram divorcing his wife during the Egyptian persecution until his daughter Miriam convinced him that his decree was worse than Pharaoh's.
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How long must Hashem tolerate the Jewish people's rebellious behavior? A Midrash compares this to the halachic question of carrying a child holding muktze on Shabbos. The analysis reveals that rejecting Eretz Yisrael represents a deeper spiritual corruption than individual acts of avoda zara.
Bava Basra 60b
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What did Dovid mean when he reduced the 613 mitzvos to twelve principles? The Gemara reveals that mitzvos have two dimensions: fulfilling the obligation and achieving personal completion (hashlomah). Dovid identified twelve core principles that encapsulate the essential character development aspect of all mitzvos.
