Gittin 56a

AI summary (may contain mistakes)

How did Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai try to save something from the Churban? The Gemara tells of the famine the biryonim brought on Yerushalayim, of Marta bas Baisus and Rabbi Tzadok's figs, and of Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai's escape in a coffin to Vespasian. He asked for small things only. Keeping the talmidei chachamim and the line of the Nasi meant Klal Yisrael could be rebuilt.

Key points

• The Gemara says Rabbi Tzadok fasted forty years so Yerushalayim would not be destroyed.
• Only his closest talmidim carried the coffin, since a living body is lighter than a dead one.
• Rashi says Levanon means the Beis HaMikdash because it makes our aveiros white.
• Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai asked small, reasoning that a full rescue would never be granted.
• With talmidei chachamim and the Nasi saved, Klal Yisrael could be rebuilt even after destruction.

In this shiur

1. 0:00Marta bas Baisus and the famine
2. 1:43Rabbi Tzadok's forty-year fast
3. 4:21Abba Sikra and the escape plan
4. 10:20Meeting Vespasian outside the city
5. 14:48Mashal of the snake and honey jar
6. 17:40News from Rome and the shoe
7. 21:22Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai's three requests
8. 26:08Titus in the Kodesh HaKodashim

Topics

• Churban
• Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai
• Beis HaMikdash
• Aggadah