In one of the most bizarre Talmudic stories (Megilah 7b), two of the greatest Talmudic sages feast on Purim together. They are inebriated and one of them slaughters his friend. The next day he brings him back to life. The following year he invites his colleague for another Purim meal.
In 1985, on the Shabbos after Purim, “770” was stunned when the Rebbe began addressing the story in Gemarah about Rabah slaughtering Reb Zeira by the Purim Feast.
“You can hear a pin-drop in the entire 770, as the Rebbe spoke of the story,” Rabbi Jacobson recalls. “How is it possible that a Sage should murder another human being on Purim because he was drunk?!”
The Rebbe, over the next 45 minutes, re-invented the meaning of the story, and shared three unusual stories to illustrate the idea. Watch the class by Rabbi Jacobson, reviewing and explaining this talk of the Rebbe.
VIDEO:
why 1983?
it was the shabbos after purim 5744 =1984
Thank you for posting.
Facinating.
I happened to be in a “Sviva” (environment) that was not welcoming (for lack of a better word), to Lubavich. And being able to use the excuse of “Ad deloy Yade” (a bit too much to drink), became a bit disrespectful.
So I asked politely, why the need to discuss the differences, when we can discuss the similarities. I gave a synopsis of Rabbi YYJ’s talk.
The fellow (fellows) became sober quiet quickly….I got a kiss on my forehead….and now you know the rest of the story.
GRAA
1983.
not 1985