Beitzah 25

Two gems! One, a brief piece of ettiquett, the other, a different take on why God gave the Torah to the Jews:

The Sages teach proper manners unconnected to any prohibition, as it is taught in a baraita: A person should not eat garlic or onions from the side of its head, i.e., its roots, but rather from the side of its leaves. And if he did eat in that manner, he gives the appearance of being a glutton. Similarly, a person should not drink his cup of wine all at once, and if he did drink in this manner, he gives the appearance of being a drinker. The Sages taught in this regard: One who drinks his cup all at once is a drinker; if he does so in two swallows, this is proper etiquette; in three swallows, he is of haughty spirit, as he presents himself as overly delicate and refined.

Hahahaha – I love this. Yes, if you’re drinking your alcohol in one gulp (shots anyone?) then you look like you have a drinking problem. I love the “haughty” person on the other extreme who is slowly and pretentiously sipping their drink. The rabbis say we should drink our drinks in two swallows. I am sure they are not imagining drinks as big as we are served today, but I love that they are concerned with etiquette.

Our second gem: It is taught in a baraita in the name of Rabbi Meir: For what reason was the Torah given to the Jewish people? It is because they are stubborn. A Sage of the school of Rabbi Yishmael taught the following with regard to the verse: “From His right hand went a fiery law for them” (Deuteronomy 33:2); The Holy One, Blessed be He, said: Based on their nature and character, these people, the Jews, are fit to be given a fiery law, a hard and scorching faith. Some say a different version of this baraita: The ways and nature of these people, the Jews, are like fire, as, were it not for the fact that the Torah was given to the Jewish people, whose study and observance restrains them, no nation or tongue could withstand them.

And this is the same as what Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: There are three stubborn ones: The Jewish people among the nations; the dog among animals; and the rooster among birds. And some say: Also the goat among small cattle. And some say: Also the caper bush among trees.

So, why did we need Torah? Not because we accepted it on faith before reading it, not because we didn’t ask what was in it, not because we are the most precious of God’s children – because we’re stubborn and impudent and, in a word, need it.

Shabbat Shalom, remember that you need this day of rest, and if you enjoy wine on this holy day, think of the Talmud as you sip.