What is the source that Hash-m did not create anything for naught?

Maharal: Everything was created for man, so every creation must serve man. Had man not sinned, wolves and lions would have served him - "u'Mora'achem v'Chitechem Yihyeh Al Kol Chayas ha'Sadeh."

Maharsha: We do not come to give the reason for all creations - if so, why were hornets, boils, and scorpions created? Rather, these species - Shablul, fly, mosquito, and Semamis are small, weak creations. It seems that there is no need for them; we refute this. They cure from damagers. We need not explain why hornets, snakes, boils and scorpions were created - surely they were created to damage and afflict creations!

Rav Elyashiv: Even though snakes were created to punish sinners, we teach that there is also benefit from them. Also mosquitoes punish (Gitin 56b)! That was a miracle; normally, it does not pay up from Resha'im, so we teach their benefit. (NOTE: Sanhedrin 59b says that snakes should have been man's servants; this was lost due to their curse. Do mosquitoes not punish? There is no greater need of the Mo'ed than killing flies and mosquitoes that bother him (Mishnah Berurah 533:20, from Radvaz)! Even if one put wanted to take three coins from his wallet, but only two came up, this is affliction (Erchin 16b)! - PF)

Iyun Yakov: "Arurah ha'Adamah Ba'avurecha" (Bereishis 3:17) - Rashi explained there that it will raise for you cursed matters, like flies and mosquitoes. Do not say that they were created then. Rather, had he not sinned, even these creations would have been in the world to serve man, but they would not be found so much in settled places to pain people. Due to Adam's sin, the land was cursed, and they will pain people. This is why Rashi said 'it will raise for you.' Our Gemara teaches that one may kill these species for these cures, even if the species are not paining him, for these cures are tested. One should not refrain due to Tza'ar Ba'alei Chayim.

What are Shablul and Kasis?

Rashi: Shablul is a snail (or slug); it is put on Kasis (a wound).

Etz Yosef citing the Aruch: It is put on an abscess.

Rav Elyashiv: We teach the benefit of Shablul, for "Shablul Temes Yahaloch" implies that it dissolves immediately, and there is no benefit from it.

How was a fly created for a hornet?

Rashi: One puts a crushed fly on the sting, to heal it.

What is Chafafis?

Rashi: It is a boil.

Etz Yosef citing the Aruch: One who has it needs to constantly scratch and Chofef (rub) it - "va'Yikach Lo Cheres Lehisgared" (Iyov 2:8).

How does a snake help for a boil?

Etz Yosef citing the Aruch: One boils the snake in olive oil, and rubs it on the boil.

What is Semamis, and how does it help for a scorpion?

Rashi: It is a kind of spider; one puts a crushed Semamis on the bite of a scorpion.

Etz Yosef: One rubs it on the bite.

What is the significance of the five cases in which the strong fears the weak?

Maharal: These five living beings are fiercer or stronger than is proper. Anything that exceeds the proper limit is easily nullified. "Ha'Mavlig Shod Al Az" - Shod (being plundered) and breakage applies to anything exceedingly brazen. All fear Hash-m; He does not fear anything. If these five did not fear something, they would resemble Hash-m, Heaven forbid. Hash-m puts on them fear of something weak, to lower the high. So is His Midah. There are five, for fear depends on the letter Hei of Hash-m's name. (NOTE: Rashi (Shemos 19:4, from Mechilta ba'Chodesh 2) says, the eagle fears only man's arrow. Perhaps it does not truly fear man. Its nature is to carry its young on its back, as if to say, I prefer that the arrow strike me, and not my children. - PF)

Maharsha: This teaches that man should not rely on his strength and level, and think that he will not be punished. Hash-m has many messengers. Five small weak creations - the Mafgi'a, mosquito, Semamis, swallow and Kilbis, do not think that they are useless. They are Hash-m's messengers [to put fear] on the strong.

Rav Elyashiv: Also there are people without any power, and they make great noise in the media, and people fear them and think that they have power.

Iyun Yakov: This hints to Yisrael - if they guard the five Chumashim, even though they are weak and few compared to the 70 nations, the nations will fear them, in the merit of their Torah and Mitzvos. All five Chumashim show this. Bereishis - Avraham struck the four kings. Shemos - "Tipol Aleihem Eimah va'Fachad." Vayikra - "v'Radfu Mikem Chamishah Me'ah." Bamidbar - Milchemes Sichon and Og. Devarim - "u'Fachdechem u'Mora'achem Yihyeh Al Kol ha'Amim."

What is Mafgi'a?

Rashi: It is a small animal that makes noise like a large animal; the lion hears it, and flees.

Etz Yosef: It screams from between the lion's legs.

Daf Al ha'Daf citing Sefas Emes: According to Rashi, why must we say that it fears because it sounds like a big animal?

Daf Al ha'Daf citing Ben Yehoyada: It is Nitz in Arabic - a Chayah like a cat. On each paw it has 30 nails sharper than knives. When it sees a lion, it jumps on its shoulders, ascends to its skull, digs its nails in, punctures the skull and eats the brain. When it rides on a lion, the lion throws itself to the ground to trample it. It cannot; the Nitz goes to the other side, and quickly finishes puncturing the skull. People testified that they saw this.

Daf Al ha'Daf: The Targum of "[Gur Aryeh Yehudah...] uch'Lavi Mi Yekimenu" is 'v'Leis Malchu di'Szaze'inei'. Also Ibn Ezra and Seforno say [that nothing scares a lion]. (NOTE: The Targum said that no kingdom will scare Yehudah. - PF) This is unlike our Gemara! Rashi (Berachos 12b) says that Hash-m guards Yisrael at night, and they lie down serenely, "uch'Lavi Mi Yekimenu." However, we can say that normally, a lion is serene; the Mafgi'a is rarely found.

Why does an elephant fear the mosquito?

Rashi: It fears lest it enter its nose.

Anaf Yosef: The Chacham Partzipal wrote that in the island Tzeitlain, there is a kind of mosquito that enters an elephant's tusk and pains it greatly until it goes crazy, and sometimes dies from this.

Why does the scorpion fear the Semamis?

Rashi: It fears lest it enter its ear.

Why does the eagle fear the swallow?

Rashi: It fears lest it enter under its wing.

What is Kilbis, and why does the Livyasan fears it?

Rashi: It is a small Sheretz; the Livyasan fears lest it enter its ear.

Anaf Yosef citing the Aruch: It is a small Tamei fish; it enters the Livyasan's mouth. R' M"L says that it is a kind of mouse. Early Chachamim said that [here] Livyasan is a crocodile.

What does Rav Yehudah learn from "ha'Mavlig Shod Al Az"?

Rashi: Hash-m strengthens Shadud (plundered, i.e. the weak) over the strong.

Maharsha: Yisrael should not rely on their strength.

What are Kol Chalelei Alma?

Rashi: Matters done anywhere in the world.

Can we understand these matters (e.g. why do goats go at the front...) simply?

Rav Elyashiv: All Agados are hard to understand. However, other Agados have a simple meaning. This Agadah cannot be understood simply. All words of the Gemara are Kodesh Kodoshim - they cannot discuss simple matters of nature! Even if we do not understand the depth of the matter, Mitzvas Talmud Torah applies to everything written in the Gemara. However, if one can understand it simply, there is no Mitzvah to learn without understanding. It is better that he say Tehilim. There is a Mitzvah of Tefilah even without understanding (Magen Avraham 50:2). Shulchan Aruch ha'Rav (Talmud Torah 2:13) - there is a Mitzvah of learning Mikra (but not oral Torah) even without understanding.

What was the answer 'darkness preceded light'?

Rashi: Usually, goats are black and sheep are white.

Maharal: Goats are from Midas ha'Din, which is the Midah of night. It preceded day. Midas ha'Din rushes to be carried out due to the strength of the Midah. Goats go at the head due to their quick action, which they receive from Midas ha'Din.

Maharsha: Also scientists gave reasons for everything's form. Sometimes the Gemara gives reasons - the entire ear is hard, but the lobe is soft, and why the fingers are like pegs (if one hears something improper, he can stick his fingers in his ears, or fold the lobe over the ear - Kesuvos 5b). Here, the simple meaning of the reasons given is difficult. It seems that Chazal gave a Mashal for matters that pertain to Torah. Goats represent the Yevanim, like "u'Tzfir ha'Izim Higdil" (Daniel 8:8). Yisrael are compared to sheep - "Seh Fezurah Yisrael." We asked why Yavan's kings, i.e. Alexandrus Mukdon and those who followed him, ruled in Bayis Sheni before those of Yisrael, i.e. Malchei Chashmona'i and Hordus. We answered that so was creation - darkness preceded light. Bereishis Rabah (44) expounds "v'Choshech Al Pnei Sehom" is Yavan, who darkened their eyes; "Yehi Ohr" is Malchus Chashmona'im, who reigned via the miracle of Neros of Chanukah.

Rav Elyashiv: Also Edom are compared to Se'ir. One should not think that Yisrael are subservient to Edom - this is temporary. After the darkness, light will come!

How are sheep covered, and goats are exposed?

Rashi: Female sheep have a thick tail that covers their Ervah; goats do not.

Maharal: Because sheep have the Midah of modesty - via them, man is covered - therefore, their tails cover [their Ervah]. Goats lack this Midah, so they are exposed. They go at the front - the Midah of exposure. Sheep go in back, hidden.

Maharsha: We asked why the [length of the] exile following Churban Bayis Sheni was hidden, whereas the exile following Churban Bayis Rishon was known (through prophecy, it would be 70 years? The sin of [Anshei] Bayis Sheni was hidden [Sin'as Chinam], therefore their Galus was hidden; the sins of Bayis Rishon were open (idolatry, Arayos and murder), so their Galus was revealed.

What are Kisi, and how does eating them explain why camels have short tails?

Rashi: Kisi are thorns. If camels had long tails, thorns would cling to them.

Maharal: Hash-m created matters in the best way [so we should be able to find reasons for their forms].

Maharsha: Zenav (tail) refers to lowliness. "Es ha'Gamal" (the camel) is Malchus Bavel - "Ashrei she'Yeshalem Lecha Es Gemulcha: (Vayikra Rabah 13). Hash-m does not judge Yisrael like the Nochrim. Regarding Nochrim, "Avah Avah..." (He repays them at once for all their sins). For Yisrael, He punishes b'Fido, bit by bit, like a pecking hen. A lender collects from his friend bit by bit. He collects from his enemy all at once (Avodah Zarah 4a). The question was why Bavel fell suddenly. "Belshatzar... made a great feast... he was killed that night, and Daryavesh ha'Midi received his kingship." It is because he ate Kisi - "Ki Achal Es Yakov." An ox has a long tail - this is Malchus Yisrael, which is called on Yosef's name - "Bechor Shoro..." Why were they punished so slowly (over 200 years)? All the kings served idolatry! They live in swamps, so they need long tails to chase away mosquitoes. This refers to sins - "Zevuvei Maves." Hash-m does not join their sins [to a great amount], rather, He takes payment bit by bit, each sin by itself.

What is Kamtza?

Rashi (based on others): It is a locust.

Rashi: I say that is an ant.

Maharsha: The question was, why are Yisrael in Galus compared to ants and a worm? Their strength is only in their mouths. We say that Og put a mountain on his head, and Kamtzei (Rashi - ants) ate and made a hole (Berachos 54b). Also in Yisrael's Galus, they have the horn of authority of kingship. "Lo Yasir Shevet mi'Yehudah" - this is the Reish Galusa in Bavel and the Nasi in Eretz Yisrael. Why do they have soft horns (they are submissive in their Galus)? We say that one should be soft like a reed, and not hard like a cedar. Because they are among willows (an evil kingdom), if they were hard and proud, they would be transient in Galus, and not last among the Resha'im, and their eyes would be blinded.

Daf Al ha'Daf: Rashash (Berachos 54b) asked that always, Kamtzei are locusts, e.g. the Targum of "va'Nhi v'Eineinu ka'Chagavim" - k'Kamtzin. Aruch l'Ner (Yevamos 121b) asks that the Aruch explains Kamtza to be ants, but in Erech Katzatz, he says that they are locusts. In Vayikra 11:22, the Targum of "he'Chagav" is Chagva, and not Kamtza (like in Bamidbar).

What was the answer 'hens live on boards - if the bottom lid did not go up to keep out smoke, they would be blinded'?

Maharsha: Yisrael are compared to a hen, like we say in Avodah Zarah (4a), Hash-m punishes Yisrael b'Fido, bit by bit, like a pecking hen. Some say that one's eyes should be raised in prayer (Yevamos 105b). This is in Galus, when the Shechinah departed from the land and ascended back to Shamayim. All agree that while the Mikdash stands, one's eyes and heart should face down - "Einai v'Libi Sham Kol ha'Yamim"; the Yerushalmi says so. The question was, why do Yisrael look up in prayer? It says "Einai v'Libi Sham" - they should look down! We answer, they dwell on boards - in a place where they are in danger of falling in Galus. They need extra mercy, so they face up - now the Shechinah is above. If not, the smoke, i.e. Galus ("Tanur Ashan v'Lapid..." - Hash-m showed to Avraham Gehinom and Galus (Bereishis Rabah 44)) would blind them.

Why do we explain the significance of these words?

Maharal: Linguists think that language is based on people's consent; matters could be called differently. They err. Also language, which Hash-m gave to man, is based on intellect. A door is called Dasha, like Derech Sham; a ladder is called Darga, like Derech Gag. We cannot explain everything, e.g. why the path is called Derech. It suffices to show several examples. Hash-m did not create anything for naught, not in creations, nor in language.

Maharsha: Arame'ic is close to Leshon ha'Kodesh. We show that these Arame'ic words are abbreviations of Leshon ha'Kodesh, e.g. Dasha - Derech Sham; Darga - Derech Gag.

Iyun Yakov: Man should learn from his Creator. Hash-m did everything with Chochmah, both among the creations (above, Rav Yehudah gave reasons for many things seen in nature), and even in language. One should speak even light matters in a clear, clean way, e.g. Dasha - Derech Sham. Even secular talk of Chachamim, one may learn from it!

What is Maskulisa, and what is the meaning of Masai Tichleh Da?

Rashi: It is a dip, e.g. Kutach, or another accompaniment [for bread. Some explain,] when this will finish, what we will eat? I expound, when will this finish? It takes much time to finish, for one eats a small amount at a time.

Rav Elyashiv: Because it lasts so long, it repulses him, and he asks when it will finish.

Etz Yosef citing Rav Hai Gaon: It is a woven garment. The custom is, when people begin a task, they say 'when will this task finish?'

What is Biksa?

Rashi: It is Bei Aksa (a narrow house), and small.

What is Kufsa?

Rashi #1: It is a mortar.

Rashi #2: It is a measure of wheat.

Rashi: I say, it is a piece of wood to sit on, like 'Kofes Se'or that was designating to sit on' (Pesachim 45b).

Maharsha citing the Aruch: It is a Kli with a receptacle.

Etz Yosef citing Mosif ha'Aruch: It is a Kli made to guard something.

What is the meaning of Kof v'Siv?

Rashi: Turn it over and sit [on it].

What is the meaning of li'Vnei Bani?

Rashi: [Bricks] endure for many generations.

What is Hotza, and what is the connection to Chatzitzah?

Rashi: It is a fence of thorny shrubs. It is a mere Chatzitzah (interruption, blockage; it is not a proper wall).

What is Kuza, and what is the connection to ka'Zeh?

Rashi: It is a small earthenware cup. All I request is like this [small cup, that you fill ir with wine]!'

Maharsha: All small flasks mentioned in various places are like this.

What is Shutisa, and what is the connection to folly?

Rashi: It is myrtle held while dancing in front of a bride. The dancer looks like a fool.

What is Mashichla, and what is the meaning of Mashi Kula?

Rashi: It is a big bucket; everyone washes their hands and feet from it.

What is Mashichlesa, and what is the meaning of Mashya Kalasa?

Rashi: It is a small elegant bucket; a bride or distinguished woman washes from it.

What is the connection of a mortar to Chaserta?

Rashi: It is Chaser (lacking) the part that was hollowed out, into which one pounds.

Maharsha: The Aruch's text is Chasidta, it receives blows like a Chasid that is insulted [and does not respond].

What is Buchna?

Rashi: It is a pestle used to crush.

What is Levushah, and how does it avert Bushah (shame)?

Rashi: It is an outer garment. It averts shame, i.e. if the inner garments are torn.

How is a cloak like a Golem?

Rashi: It has no delineation of limbs.

Etz Yosef citing the Aruch: This is like Golmei (unfinished) Klei Matchos.

Maharsha citing the Aruch: When he sits [idly] wrapped in it, he looks like one who does not know how to do anything - the opposite [of a Chacham's Midos] are found in a Golem (Avos 5:7).

What is Gulsa, and what is the meaning of Gali v'Siv?

Rashi: It is a nice mantle. Gali v'Siv - he exposes himself before sitting, for he does not want to sit on top of it, lest it get soiled, or rub on the ground, and its fur will come off, of it will be torn or wear out.

What is Bor Zinka, and how is it clean?

Rashi: It is a pit [for water] that dried up. It is clean, i.e. empty.

What is the connection of Sudra to Sod Hash-m li'Yre'av?

Rashi: It is the way of Chachamim to wear a Sudra (turban).

Maharsha: Man's garments hint to his Midos - "b'Chol Es Yihyu Begadecha Levanim." Fear is the peak of Midos. A Sudar hints to this - it is special for Yir'ei Hash-m.

What is Afdana, and what is the connection of a'Pischa Dein?

Rashi: It is a palace; everyone comes to this doorway, for judgment or to serve the king.

Etz Yosef citing the Aruch: It is a Chatzer. Mosif ha'Aruch says, this is like "v'Yita Ahalei Apadno."

What is the significance that three get stronger as they age?

Maharal: Doctors say that man gets weaker with age; this is natural. There is a reason for this - it is because he is close to his end. His strength is in the middle of his life, for his bodily composition is intermediate. These three are extreme, and not intermediate. Fish is a water creation. It leans to water - water and fire are opposites on the extremes. A snake has the power of fire - it is called Saraf. Ten measures of plagues descended to the world, and pigs received nine of them (Kidushin 49b). One with a plague, he departs from the proper blend. Pigs eat repulsive things and excrement, so it goes to the extreme. These three, as they approach the end, they get stronger, for their creation is extremal, just like man's strength is in his middle, for he is intermediate.

Iyun Yakov: This comes to teach people not to avidly pursue desire for many choice foods to increase his strength for his old age. These three eat and drink the lowliest matters in the world! A fish's strength is from the water, a snake eats earth, and a pig gnaws in the wasteheap, and they get stronger in old age!

Rav Elyashiv: In Avodah Zarah (30b), we learned that venom of an old snake floats on top (it is weaker, and less dense). We asked from our Gemara, and answered that snakes get stronger with age, but their venom gets weaker.