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1) THE FUTURE EULOGY IN ZECHARIAH

(a) Question: What death are the people mourning?
(b) Answer (Machlokes R. Dosa and Rabanan): Mashiach ben Yosef or the Yetzer Hara.
(c) Question: What is there to weep over the death of the Yetzer Hara!?
(d) Answer: As R. Yehudah expounded, the Tzadikim will cry in disbelief that they overcame this mountain while the Reshaim will cry in their dismay over not overcoming this tiny force.
(e) HaShem will be amazed with them (proof text).

(a) (R. Asi) The Yetzer Hara appears first as a gossamer thread and ends up as the rope for oxen (proof text).

1. Mashiach ben Dovid is allowed any request of HaShem (proof text) and asks for life (given the recent death of Mashiach ben Yosef).
2. HaShem tells him that life has previously been granted to him (proof text).

(b) There are seven names for the Yetzer Hara (as listed).
(c) The prophecy of Yoel teaches the punishment which will be meted out to the Yetzer Hara for destroying the first and second Batei Mikdash and their scholars and for allowing the nations to oppress Israel
(d) (Abaye) He oppresses the Torah scholars more than anyone, as in the reported incident wherein Abaye marvels at the chastity of a young couple in a moment of temptation.
(e) An elderly person then explained to Abaye that he who is greater has a greater Yetzer.
(f) (R. Yitzhok) One's Yetzer overwhelms the person daily (proof text).

(g) (Resh Lakish) It also seeks to kill him daily (proof text) and if HaShem would not aid the person, the Yetzer would succeed (proof text).
(h) (R. Yishmael) When he confronts you, drag the Yetzer to the Beis HaMedrash where the Torah will cause this 'stone' to crumble or this 'metal' to burst (proof texts).
(i) (R. Shmuel b. Nachmani citing R. Yochanan) The Yetzer entices the person in this world and then testifies against him in the next (proof text regarding one who pampers his servant who later becomes Manon).

1. Question: Whence that Manon means witness?
2. Answer: It means witness in ATB"CH of R. Chiya.

(j) Question (R. Huna): One Pasuk refers to succumbing to the Yetzer simply as an error, and one Pasuk speaks of an internal success in distorting the person.
(k) Answer: At first it is an error and in the end it takes root in the person.
(l) (Rava) The Yetzer appears first as wayfarer, then as a guest and finally as the Ba'al HaBayis (proof text).
(m) (R. Yochanan) The small part of a man's body when left hungry is full, and when filled is left hungry (proof text).

(a) (R. Chana b. Acha citing Bei Rav) HaShem indicated regret over the creation of Galus, Kasdim, Yishmaelim and the Yetzer Hara (proof texts).
(b) (R. Yochanan) But for the three Pesukim in which HaShem "takes blame" for the Yetzer and for correcting its effect on our hearts, we would have no hope.
(c) R. Papa adds a fourth Pasuk, referring to Acharis HaYamim.

(a) (R. Chana b. Bizna citing R. Shimon Chasida) The four Charashim-craftsmen are...

1. Question (R. Sheshes): Then why does the Pasuk refer to these as scatterers when we know them to be gatherers?
2. Answer (R. Chana): Read the end of the Pasuk and you will see that the scatterers are the nations whom the four shepherds attack.
3. (R. Sheshes, to himself) It is a losing proposition to start up with R. Chana in matters of Agadeta.

(b) The seven shepherds (Michah 5) are...
(c) The eight princes are...

(a) Question: Did each young Kohen bring up 120 Lug, or were they divided 30 Lug by each of four Kohanim?
(b) Answer (Beraisa): 30 Lug each.
(c) (Beraisa) These were even more choice men than the son of Marsa bas Beisus.

1. The son of Marsa bas Beisus was able to carry two sides of oxen while walking slowly up the Kevesh.
2. The other Kohanim did not let him carry them alone in order to fulfil b'Rov Am Hadras Melech.
3. Question: In what way were these Kohanim superior?

i. Answer: They carried heavier burdens.
ii. Question: Not heavier than sides of an ox!

4. Answer: They carried their load up a ladder, not up a ramp.