Greetings. I do not understand why the gemara would bother to introduce a braisa about the four reasons for a solar eclipse without providing any explanation at all about the meaning for some reasons, especially when as a Aruch Laner and Maharal have pointed out, the eclipses are necessary for calculating the months. Furthermore, despite attempts to explain them, Rashi himself admits that he doesn't know the reason for those four examples. Is it possible that the braisa was introduced merely because of a tradition, but in fact it should best be ignored since it is rather meaningless?? It reminds me of the casual statement about the miracle of the oil on Chanukah which is never expanded upon (which one would think deserves alot of attention given that it was said to have been a miracle). The reasons of the eclipse seem to attract very little attention from meforshim (even the Maharsha). Thanks.
David Goldman, USA
Rav Yonasan Eibeshitz zt'l writes (in Ye'aros Devash, vol. 2, p. 67b, DH Aval, cited here in Otzar Mefarshei ha'Talmud, p. 988, note 61) that the Gemara here is not referring to an eclipse. Rather, it is referring to the phenomenon, which occasionally happens, where, for instance, black spots cover over a part of the sun or moon and reduce the light emanating from that part. This is not something which can be known about in advance through calculations.
Below is what Kollel Iyun Hadaf wrote on the matter.
Kesivah v'Chasimah Tovah,
Dovid Bloom
SUN DIMINUTIONS
QUESTION: The Gemara discusses the prognostic properties of sun diminutions ("Likuy Chamah") as well as those of the moon and other celestial bodies. "Likuy Chamah" seem to refer to solar and lunar eclipses.
RAV YONASAN EIBESHITZ (Ya'aros Devash, volume 2, p. 67b) asks that an eclipse is a natural phenomenon that occurs according to a set astronomical pattern. How can a natural phenomenon be a harbinger of inauspicious times, if it occurs according to a predictable schedule?
ANSWERS:
(a) RAV YONASAN EIBESHITZ explains that the Gemara here does not refer to eclipses, because an eclipse is not called a "diminution" ("Likuy") of the heavenly bodies. Eclipses are merely shadows that are cast when the light of the sun is blocked by another celestial body from reaching the earth. Rather, the Gemara refers to sunspots and similar phenomena which occur on the moon (such as transient lunar phenomena).
(b) The ARUCH LA'NER says that the Gemara indeed refers to eclipses, and the question of Rav Yonasan Eibshitz is not problematic for the following reason. RASHI in Bereishis (1:14) writes that the fourth day of the week (Wednesday) is predisposed to certain illnesses. Even though the day occurs on a natural calendrical cycle, it is still associated with tribulations. Similarly, the Chachamim knew that the set times that Hash-m arranges for eclipses to occur are times of judgment for the world. Therefore, it is possible for an eclipse to be both a natural phenomenon and an ominous omen.
How, though, does this approach explain the Gemara's statement that "the sun is diminished due to four types of sins"? If eclipses (the "diminishing" of the sun) occur according to a natural pattern, they how can they occur as a result of the sins of man? The Aruch la'Ner answers that the Gemara does not mean that such sins must be committed in order for there to be an eclipse. Rather, the Gemara means that during the period that follows an eclipse, Hash-m passes judgment on those who have committed these particular sins.
The Aruch la'Ner proves that the Chachamim understood the mechanics of an eclipse. He points out that the Gemara repeatedly refers to an eclipse as "during the time (bi'Zeman) that an eclipse occurs." These words imply that an eclipse happens at an established, known time.
The Aruch la'Ner explains further that the sins associated with a lunar eclipse are all sins that harm the sinner himself as much it harms others: 1. One who writes lies about others reveals his own faults, because "he who finds fault in others suffers from the same fault" (Kidushin 70a). 2. One who bears false witness loses the respect and trust of the very people who hired him (Sanhedrin 31a). 3. When one allows his animals to graze in the fields of others, others will allow their animals to graze in his fields. 4. One who cuts down a fruit tree will suffer from the loss of the fruit as much as anyone else.
RASHI (DH Bishvil) writes that he does not know why these specific sins are associated with eclipses of the moon. The Aruch la'Ner suggests that perhaps the very mechanism of a lunar eclipse symbolizes the nature of these sins. When the earth blocks the light of the sun from reaching the moon and thereby causes a lunar eclipse, it gives the impression as though it is trying to "harm" the moon by blocking its light. However, it is the earth itself that suffers by losing its moonlight during the eclipse.