יום ב Date: 13 Cheshvan, 5776 (11/14/16) – Bava Metzia Daf 49 ~ Eliezer Guterman

MAGNIFICENT MEALS

[49a middle] R’ Yochanan ben Masya’s son hired workers for his father and made a commitment to feed them. His father said, “My son, even if you prepare a meal for them like (the great and rich) King Shlomo’s banquets, you will still not have fulfilled your duty towards them, for they are the children of Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov.” His son was therefore instructed to go back and tell them, before they started working, that he is only obliged to give them simple bread and beans alone.
Rashi: Avraham is mentioned here since the huge feast prepared by him for his guests was even greater than Shlomo’s. Tosephos Yontif: Yitzchak and Yaakov are also additionally mentioned here to exclude all other children [ie: Yishmael and Esav] who descended from Avraham for being included in the blessings of great meals and guaranteed wealth/livelihood.

D-E-ep Thoughts: The sons that were included in their father’s blessings were given these ‘rights’ for they followed properly in their parents’ footsteps. There is so much we can glean and learn from our parents, teachers, friends, and general surroundings. We must learn how to take the good and implement it into our lives while sifting out the unwanted evil.