- The incident of Rebbe Tarfon taking figs after the trimming knives are folded
The Gemara records several incidents of Tannaim utilizing the permit that after the trimming knives (for harvesting figs) are folded for storage, the figs are hefker and permitted to be taken, and are also exempt from ma’aser. When Rebbe Tarfon did so, someone discovered him, and put him into a sack and carried him to a river to throw him in. Rebbe Tarfon cried out, “Woe is Tarfon, that this one is killing him!” The man realized who he was and fled. The Gemara relates that Rebbe Tarfon was pained by this incident for the rest of his life, saying, “Woe is me, for I used the crown of Torah for my benefit!” and Rebbe Yochanan said, כל המשתמש בכתרה של תורה נעקר מן העולם – anyone who uses the crown of Torah for personal benefit is uprooted from the world. The Gemara explains that although the figs were hefker, the man’s grapes had been stolen throughout the year, and he suspected Rebbe Tarfon to be the culprit. Although Rebbe Tarfon should have been entitled to reveal his identity as a Torah scholar (because placating the man from a year’s losses may have required a large sum of money), the Gemara explains that since Rebbe Tarfon was very wealthy, he should have placated the man and paid for the stolen grapes rather than utilize his reputation as a Torah scholar.
- Not learning Torah for personal benefit
It was taught in a Baraisa: When the Torah states: "לאהבה את ה' אלקיך לשמע בקלו ולדבקה בו" - “To love Hashem your G-d, to listen to His voice and cleave to Him,” it teaches that a person should not say: אקרא שיקראוני חכם – I will learn Torah so they will call me a chochom, אשנה שיקראוני רבי – I will learn Mishnah so they will call me a Rabbi, אשנן שאהיה זקן ואשב בישיבה – I will learn Gemara so I will be considered an elder and sit in the Yeshivah, אלא למד מאהבה וסוף הכבוד לבא – rather, learn out of love, and the honor will eventually come. Rebbe Elazar bar Rebbi Tzadok said: עשה דברים לשם פעלם – Perform the Torah’s words for the sake of their Maker, ודבר בהם לשמם – and speak about them for the sake of Heaven,אל תעשם עטרה להתגדל בהם – do not make them a crown to be glorified from them, ואל תעשם קורדום להיות עודר בו – and do not make them a spade to dig with.
- Rava’s allowances for Torah scholars
Rava made four statements allowing Torah scholars to claim certain privileges:
שרי ליה לאיניש לאודועי נפשיה באתרא דלא ידעי ליה – It is permitted for a man to inform others of his status as a Torah scholar in a place where they do not know him. He furthermore permitted a Torah scholar to say the following:
· צורבא מרבנן אנא שרו לי תיגראי ברישא – “I am a Torah scholar; resolve my dispute first.” Rava demonstrated that he has the same right as a Kohen to have his claims in court settled first.
· לא יהיבנא אכרגא – “I will not pay the head-tax,” because it can be shown in the Torah that they are exempted.
· עבדא דנורא אנא לא יהיבנא אכרגא – “I am a servant of a priest of the fire-worshippers, so I will not pay the head-tax.” Although it is ordinarily forbidden to identify oneself as an idol-worshipper, here it is permitted because it is readily apparent that he is doing so only to avoid the tax. The Ran adds that this permit applies to all Jews, and Rava’s point was to teach that even a Torah scholar can do so.
