Yevamot 16: How to Solve Problems Respectfully; The Real Issue with Converts

What a daf!  This is one of those days that I wish I could take the time to detail every word; to wonder on this page about the numerous possible implications of the text.  Alas, not enough time.  An outline instead:

·   The great rabbis gather together to question Dosa ben Harkinas, a Sage well over 100 years old who ruled with Beit Shammai that rival wives were permitted.

·   Details on how to approach such a scholar, how to introduce their questions, are beautiful.  Use common practices of respect, speak first of other halachot, ask his opinion in general on rival wives, and only then inquire about his ruling

·   Dosa explains that he brother, a son of satan, made this ruling

·   The rabbis speak with Dosa’s brother who shares intricate arguments and then insults Akiva’s knowledge and lineage

·   Akiva agrees that he is as unworthy as a shepherd

We could all learn a great deal from these interactions.

Dosa then shares three learnings of Haggai, one of which affirms Beit Hillel’s view on rival wives.  These opinions, one about the poor man’s tithe and the other about converts from Karduyin and Tarmodim, are discussed throughout the remainder of today’s daf.

Some interesting notes about converts:  the Sages are concerned about converts – not because of sincerity or even the ritual purity of gentiles (which is not an issue at all), but because of lineage.  It seems that in both cities, there are concerns regarding the intermarriage and/or rape of Jewish women.  And not because of the violation of these women, but because their children would be classified as mamzerim and thus only able to marry other mamzerim.*  Our notes clarify that the lineage of converts are no longer of issue now that all peoples have intermingled.

A final note: Psalms (37:25) was quoted earlier.  Was this actually written by David or was it written by G-d?? Or was it written by the Head of Ministering Angels?  The rabbis are clear that of those three options, it could not have been written by David as David was not “old”; he died at age 70.  More information about life expectation!

*Even under less stringent rules, girls born of these intermarriages were not permitted to marry priests in antiquity.