Talmud Bavli
Talmud Bavli

Commentary for Sanhedrin 77:5

אמר ליה כופר לרבן גמליאל כתיב (תהלים קמז, ד) מונה מספר לכוכבים מאי רבותיה אנא מצינא למימנא כוכבי אייתי חבושי שדינהו בארבילא וקא מהדר להו אמר ליה מנינהו א"ל אוקמינהו א"ל רקיע נמי הכי הדרא

The Emperor also said to Rabban Gamaliel: I know what your God is doing, and where He is seated. Rabban Gamaliel became, [as it were] overcome and sighed, and on being asked the reason, answered. 'I have a son in one of the cities of the sea, and I yearn for him. Pray tell me about him.'<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'show him to me.' ');"><sup>13</sup></span> 'Do I then know where he is,' he replied. 'You do not know what is on earth, and yet [claim to] know what is in heaven!' he retorted. Again the Emperor said to Rabban Gamaliel: 'It is written, He counteth the number of the stars etc.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Ps. CXLVII, 4. ');"><sup>14</sup></span>

Explore commentary for Sanhedrin 77:5. In-depth commentary and analysis from classical Jewish sources.

Previous VerseFull ChapterNext Verse