Sanhedrin 106: Balaam, Doeg, Ahithophel

The Gemara continues its discussion of those who certainly will not have a share of the World-to-Come.  In their thoughts about Balaam, the rabbis share a number of stories.  For example, we learn that:

• ·      one who hinders G-d by harming the Jewish people is like one who attempts to put a sheet between two lions as they are mating
• ·      Balaam is said to have taught Balak how to anger G-d against the Jewish people. Jews buy linen clothing.  First lure them to buy linens by placing an old woman outside of an enclosed space offering a fair price.  When the Jew is enticed inside by the price, have a young woman offer a very cheap price.  Do this a few times and then have the young woman offer alcohol.  The Jew will drink and then the evil inclination will take hold.  He will ask for intercourse and she will insist that he worship her idol.  She will explain that it means nothing to him to defacate before the idol - and he will not know that he is honouring her god.  She will insist that she stay with him until he decry Judaism, and when they return to his land they will be shunned.

The Gemara turns to Doeg, another person barred from the World-to-Come.   First they examine the etymology of his name, which of course destine him to wickedness.  About Doeg, we learn an number of things, including:

• ·      his Torah learning was weak and he did not engage in many mitzvot
• ·      Rabbis, Sages and others argued about whether or not Doeg should be permitted to enter the World-to-Come
• ·      one argument in favour of Doeg's favourable outcome is that his children and children's children will be permitted to learn Torah and eventually enter the World-to-Come as well
• ·      The secret of the Lord is with those who fear him
• ·      it is said that Doeg died when he had forgotten his Torah learning and when he had leprosy, suggesting that one who does not serve G-d is put away from the people
• ·      Doeg is compared with Ahithophel, who also died before the age of 40, but in different generations thus they never met (Doeg lived at the time of Saul; Ahithophel lived at the end of David's life)

It is simple to read from these commentaries that the rabbis are eager to understand how to live our lives.  They determine through their interpretive skill that we must follow the mitzvot and learn Torah.  These last dapim that have been devoted to "what we should not do" seem to be transparent to that end.  The stories and interpretations are quite interesting, but difficult to grasp as 'truth'.  Some of the rabbis' interpretations are quite jarring.