יום ו Date: 3 Adar I, 5776 (2/12/16) – Gittin Daf 61 {Eliezer}

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TRAWLING TRAPS

[61a top] Gemarah: There is a debate if fish are stuck on various types of hooks/traps (owned by someone) and another person comes along and takes them, what type of stealing it is considered [ie: outright thievery or just Rabbinically ordained ‘for the sake of peace’].
R’ Rosner explaining Gra quoting Medrish Plia: Bilaam complained, “I cannot say anything small or big.” Hashem used both types of traps on Bilaam. One prevents a tongue from going out while another causes pressure and forces the tongue out. In one case, when Bilaam tried to bring judgment on the Jews through G-d’s longer name of אלקים, He cut him off and made just the shorter name of  א–ל come out (embodying the trait of mercy). In the other case, Bilaam wanted to use the shorter name of י&ה for cursing through strict judgement but Hashem forced more letters to come out and made him speak the longer name of,  י&ה with ו&ה (signifying mercy).

D-E-ep Thoughts: We always have to make calculated decisions for when we should force ourselves to say something and when to force ourselves not to say anything. Many times, we feel urges to blab Lashon Hara and interject when our opinions are not wanted. Other times, when we have true helpful advice, we might be too hesitant or embarrassed to speak up. We should all recognize that our actions should be done through the Torah’s guidelines while putting too much selfishness/humility on the sidelines (when warranted).