Commentary for Pesachim 106:14

קרי עליה רב יוסף (משלי כ, ה) מים עמוקים עצה בלב איש

AND WE LIGHT [LAMPS] IN SYNAGOGUES, SCHOOL-HOUSES, AND DARK ALLEYS, AND FOR THE SAKE OF INVALIDS. <big><b>GEMARA: </b></big>It was taught: Whether they maintained that we should light [lamps] or they maintained that we should not light [them], both intended [it] for the same purpose.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' viz., to curb their desire for sexual indulgence. The former argued that this would be the better effected by the presence of a lamp, because darkness is generally required; while the latter held that a lamp would strengthen his desire, as he could see his wife by the light.');">¹⁷</span> R'Joshua said, Raba lectured: Thy people also shall all be righteous, they shall inherit the land for ever: etc.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Isa. LX, 21.');">¹⁸</span> whether they maintained that we should light [lamps] or they maintained that we should not light [them], both intended nought but the same purpose. Rab Judah said in Samuel's name: We do not recite a blessing over light except at the termination of the Sabbath, since it was then created for the first time.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'that was the beginning of its creation' on the evening of the first day.');">¹⁹</span> Said a certain old man to him-others state, Rabbah B'Bar Hanah - 'Well spoken! and thus [too] did R'Johanan say.' Ulla was going along, riding an ass, while R'Abba proceeded at his right and Rabbah B'Bar Hanah at his left. Said R'Abba to 'Ulla: Do you indeed say in R'Johanan's name: We do not recite a blessing over light except at the termination of the Sabbath, since it was then created for the first time? 'Ulla turned round and looked at Rabbah B'Bar Hanah with displeasure.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' For misrepresenting R. Johanan's view.');">²⁰</span> Said he to him, I said it not in reference to that but in reference to this.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' [MS. M.: I did not say this but that.]');">²¹</span> For a tanna recited before R'Johanan, R'Simeon B'Eleazar said: When the Day of Atonement falls on the Sabbath, even where they maintain that we must not light [a lamp], we do light [it] in honour of the Sabbath; which R'Johanan followed with the remark,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'and R. Johanan answered after him'.');">²²</span> But the Sages forbid it. Said he to him, Let it be this.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I admit this to be right.');">²³</span> R'Jose applied to this the verse, Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water';

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