A heavenly sign, but not what they thought TB Baba Metzia 20

When I was a rabbinical student, we joked that Rabbi Eleazar funniest one-liner in the Talmud.  “Rabbi Elazar said that Rabbi Ḥanina said: Torah scholars increase peace in the world, as it is said: “And all your children [banayikh] shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children” (Isaiah 54:13). If all the children of Israel are taught of the Lord, there will be peace for all.

“The Sages interpreted this verse homiletically: Do not read your children [banayikh], but your builders [bonayikh]. Torah scholars are those who build peace for their generation.” (TB Barakhot 64a, Sefaria.org translation)

Peace? Every page of whole Talmud cite all the disagreements and arguments amongst the sages. The story on today’s daf TB Baba Metzia 20 shows that the sages did not respond appropriately to each other.

“The Gemara relates: There was a certain bill of divorce that was found in the court of Rav Huna, in which it was written that the bill of divorce was written in Sheviri City, which is located on the Rakhis River. Rav Huna said about this: We are concerned for the possibility that there are two cities named Sheviri, and that this bill of divorce may belong to someone else who lives in the other Sheviri, and therefore it should not be returned. Rav Ḥisda said to Rabba: Go out and examine this halakha, as in the evening Rav Huna will ask you about it. He went out, examined it, and discovered a relevant source, as we learned in the mishna: With regard to any court enactment, the one who found it must return it to its presumed owner. Since this bill of divorce was found in court, it belongs to this category and should be returned.

“Rav Amram said to Rabba: How can the Master resolve the halakha in the case of a bill of divorce, which is a ritual matter, from the mishna, which discusses monetary matters? Rabba said to him: Fool, we learned in the mishna that this halakha applies in the case of documents of ḥalitza and documents of refusal as well, which are ritual matters. “

At that point, the supporting cedar beam of the study hall dislodged. One Sage said: It was due to my fortune that it dislodged, as you spoke to me offensively, and the other Sage said: It was due to my fortune that it dislodged, as it was you who spoke to me offensively.” (Sefaria.org translation)

As you can see each rabbi saw the cracked beam as a sign from heaven that his honor was disparaged. I understand that heavenly sign differently. I think God was displeased with both of them. Just reading the text one can’t hear Rav Amram’s tone of voice. However, judging by Rabba’s response I can hear either a condescending or disparaging tone of voice. That’s not how we hold a civil conversation. On the other hand, Rabba escalated the argument by name-calling. He should have responded and disagreed respectfully.

In our polarized country we need to learn how to speak and disagree with others respectfully if we truly want peace.