יום ו Date: 17 Cheshvan, 5776 (11/18/16) – Bava Metzia Daf 53 ~ Eliezer Guterman

ATTRACTIVE ANTIPODES

[53a bottom] Gemarah: Biblical and Rabbinic ma’aser (tithes) cannot combine.
Ran: In order for something to become Bitul (nullified) there has to be a clash of items [ie: milk falling into more than 60 times its amount of chicken soup]. Since the smaller amount is defined as Halachically insignificant, it gets overpowered and redefined as the majority state. But if there is no clash with two like items, there is no concept of Bitul (since they coexist) [ie: R’ Yehudah: two different types of animal bloods mixed together still maintain separate identities].

D-E-ep Thoughts#1 (based on Ran & R’ Rosner): Things that are similar to each other strengthen instead of weakening. Like positive friends/groups helps like positive individuals (since they emit commonality). But, if people are good and hang out with too many opposite individuals, they may (Heaven forbid) get ‘swallowed up’ and become nullified to them.

D-E-ep Thoughts#2: However, in a marriage and with Chavrusas (learning partners) we strive for clashing and opposites in order to produce greatness. We are tasked with nullifying our own egos to build and grow in relationships. Here, if people are too similar, there will be no common net result (and they will remain separate units instead of bonding). This is why we look for people who will help challenge us and not be simply satisfied with yes-men.