Siman - Shabbos Daf 119
- יוסף מוקיר שבי
The Gemara relates a story of a gentile who was told by astrologers that all his possessions would eventually end up going to יוסף מוקיר שבי, Yosef, who honors Shabbos. To prevent that from happening, he sold everything he had, purchased an extremely valuable pearl, and placed it in a hat. A wind came along and blew off the hat into the water, where a fish consumed the pearl and then was caught in the afternoon erev Shabbos. The fishermen didn’t know who would buy the fish so late in the day. They were told to bring it to Yosef Mokir Shabbos since he buys anything that comes his way to honor Shabbos. Sure enough, the pearl was discovered which lead to his great wealth.
A certain elder said to Yosef Mokir Shabbos, מאן דיזיף שבתא פרעיה שבתא, - “He who borrows for the sake of Shabbos, Shabbos repays him.”
- The Shabbos spice
The Gemara relates that Caesar once asked Rebbe Yehoshua ben Levi “Why is it that Shabbos food has such a great aroma? Rebbe Yehoshua answered him, “We have this one spice called Shabbos which we throw into the Shabbos food, which gives it it’s great aroma.” When Caesar asked for the spice, Rebbe Yehoshua answered, “To one who is shomer Shabbos, the spice is effective, but for one that is not shomer Shabbos, it is not effective.”
- Value of responding Amen
The Gemara brings a number of teachings about saying Amen.
• Rebbe Yehoshua ben Levi said, כל העונה אמן יהא שמיה רבא מברך בכל כחו קורעין לו גזר דינו – Anyone who responds to Kaddish with one’s full concentration, the evil decree made in judgment against him is torn up.
• Rebbe Chiya bar Abba said, אפילו יש בו שמץ של עבודה זרה מוחלין לו – Even if there is a trace of idolatry in him, he is forgiven.
• Reish Lakish said, כל העונה אמן בכל כחו פותחין לו שערי גן עדן – Anyone who responds to a beracha by answering “Amen” will his full concentration, the gates of the Gan Eden are opened for him.
• Rebbe Chaninah taught that “Amen” is an acronym for קל מלך נאמן, - G-d, trustworthy King.
