Continuing their discussion of the when an entire city might be destroyed, the rabbis speak of a mezuzah. If even one mezuzah is found, they argue, the city cannot be destroyed. This is not necessarily because there is one person who has kept the mitzvah regarding mezuzah. Instead, it is because such a wayward city should be destroyed by fire. A mezuzah cannot be destroyed by fire.
The rabbis consider other potential 'spoils' of a city. What about trees? We learn that if a tree is attached to the ground or if a tree has been detached. The rabbis say that people can derive benefit from trees still attached to the ground. A detached tree should not leave the city as spoils. So what should be done with that land and its trees? The rabbis argue that constructing gardens and orchards is permissible.
The Gemara assumes that a story about Elijah solving a problem in I Kings is based on the city of Jericho.
Today's daf marks the end of Masechet Sanhedrin. At the very end of our daf, the rabbis share some words of wisdom. They teach that when a wicked person comes into the world, wrath comes into the world, based on Proverbs (18:3). When a wicked person is eliminated from the world, good enters the world (Proverbs 11:10). When a righteous person passes from this world, evil enters the world (Isaiah 57:1). Then again, Genesis (5:29) teaches that when a righteous person comes into this world, good enters the world as well.
It makes sense that the rabbis wished to end our masechet with thoughts about the balance between what is good and what is bad. The past many dapim have been devoted to the execution of justice; how we should measure and deal with good and evil. At the very end of our daf, we the rabbis leave us with a sense of hope, particularly regarding those who are righteous. The lesson? Strive for and encourage righteousness.
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