To life! To Life! Lchayim! TB Shabbat 67

Today we finish the sixth chapter of massechet Shabbat with daf 67. The daf teaches incantations that work and incantations that are forbidden because they are superstitious rites of the surrounding people, דרכי אמורי. A couple incantations are even classified as idolatrous practices and are absolutely forbidden.

I’ll share with you the two incantations that are permitted albeit with the proviso that you first employ the Heimlich maneuver.

Rav Huna taught “One who has a bone in his throat brings a bone from the same species as the bone that is stuck in his throat, and places it on his skull, and says as follows: One by one descend and be swallowed, swallow and descend one by one. That does not contain an element of the prohibition against following the ways of the Amorite.” (Sefaria.org translation)

The chapter ends with another permissible incantation; however, I understand it more of a toast.

“One who says while drinking: Wine and life to the mouth of the Sages, this does not fall into the category of the ways of the Amorite. There was an incident with Rabbi Akiva who made a banquet for his son, and over each and every cup he brought he said: Wine and life to the mouth of the Sages, wine and life to the mouth of the Sages and to the mouth of their students.” (Sefaria.org translation)

Could this be the origin of our toast when we raise a couple wine and say lchayim?! Besides citing our Gemara, Rabbi Johnny Hughes, Associate Rabbi at Hendon United Synagogue provides several more possible reasons why we say lchayim before a toast.  Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD4BL6-JQTU