Not for children only TB Baba Kama 40

On daf TB Baba Kama 40 Rava praises Rav Aḥa bar Ya’akov to Rav Naḥman; consequently, Rav Naḥman wants to meet him. “Rava was praising Rav Aḥa bar Ya’akov before Rav Naḥman, saying that he is a great man. Rav Naḥman said to him: When he happens to come to you, bring him to visit me.” (Sefaria.org translation)

Eventually Rav Aḥa bar Ya’akov visits Rava and is introduced to Rav Naḥman. Rav Aḥa bar Ya’akov overwhelms Rav Naḥman with questions he cannot answer.

“When Rav Aḥa bar Ya’akov eventually came to him, Rav Naḥman said to him: Ask me something. Rav Aḥa bar Ya’akov asked him: If an ox belonging to two partners kills a person, how do they pay the ransom? If this partner pays the ransom in full and that partner also pays the ransom in full, it would seem incorrect, as the Merciful One states that one ransom shall be paid, but not two ransoms. If this partner pays half the ransom and that partner pays half the ransom, it would also seem incorrect, as the Merciful One states that a full ransom shall be paid, but not half a ransom.

“While Rav Naḥman was sitting and pondering this question, Rav Aḥa bar Ya’akov asked him another question. He said to him: We learned in a mishna: The court repossesses property from those liable to pay their valuations who are delaying their payments. But the court does not repossess property from those liable to bring sin-offerings and guilt-offerings; they are relied upon to bring their offerings of their own initiative, as it is assumed they want to atone for their transgressions (Arakhin 21a). In light of this mishna, what is the halakha with regard to those liable to pay ransom?

“Should it be reasoned that since it is atonement, it is similar to the cases of a sin-offering and a guilt-offering, which a person treats seriously, as it is in his interest to achieve atonement, and therefore the court does not need to repossess property from him? Or perhaps it should be reasoned that since he is required to give the ransom to another person, he considers it a financial liability and does not consider it an obligation toward the Most High, and consequently he does not treat it seriously enough; and therefore the court needs to repossess property from him, as he might not pay it.  Alternatively, it could be reasoned that since he himself did not sin but rather it is his property, i.e., his ox, that caused the damage, he does not treat the matter seriously enough, and therefore the court needs to repossess property from him to ensure payment.

“Rav Naḥman said to him: Leave me alone. I am still stuck on the first question and have no solution, so you must not raise further difficult questions.” (Sefaria.org translation)

 Too often we relegate only to our Jewish education to our children. Consequently when our children become a bar/bat mitzvah, 13 years old,  and they believe they have reached Jewish adulthood, they drop out religious school and don’t attend any further Jewish education. We adults have become negative role models. Rav Aḥa bar Ya’akov’s life can serve as a corrective for us.

How did Rav Aḥa bar Ya’akov become a great Torah scholar? The following story shows that he knew how important adult Jewish education is. “Rav Ya’akov the son of Rav Aḥa bar Ya’akov was sent by his father to study with Abaye. When his father came to observe, he saw that his son was not learning well. He said, ‘I can do better than you. Return home, and I will take your place.’” (TB Kiddushin 29b)

Rav Aḥa bar Ya’akov knew the importance of Jewish education and if his son wasn’t going to take advantage of this opportunity to study Torah, he was. Can you imagine the positive impact this would have on our children, if they see us engaged in Torah study on a weekly basis? We will become their positive role models and inspire them to continue their Jewish educational journey.