יום ג Date: 14 Cheshvan, 5776 (11/15/16) – Bava Metzia Daf 50 ~ Eliezer Guterman

CATEGORICAL COMMANDMENTS

[50b top] R’ Tarfon and the Rabbis argue about the parameters of Ona’ah (the prohibition of over/under charging).
RambaN: The prohibition of Ona’ah even applies to non-Jews, within their seven Noachide laws [specifically of Dinim (setting up court systems)], since the seven are actually general categories under which many other commandments fall within.
R’ Moshe Feinstein: Additionally, non-Jews are even required to pray to G-d during difficult times. When someone is especially sick or there is a national calamity, if one does not turn to G-d in those intense moments, it demonstrates a major lack of belief in G-d (another main category of the Noachide laws).

D-E-ep Thoughts: “There are no atheists in foxholes.” This aphorism is used to argue that in times of extreme stress or fear, such as during war (“in foxholes”), all people will believe in, or hope for, a higher power. Deep down inside, we all ‘know’ the trueness of G-d and His Oneness. Instead of waiting for him to draw it out from us, we search search to find and connect to Him in the regular and especially good times. We should thank and converse with Hashem on a daily basis (for even non-Jews are required to do so when in trouble). This way we will avoid unnecessary troubles and be filled with infinite continual joy.