Wednesday, October 04, 2017

Chanaiah Mishael Azariah results of passing test

Daf 93a (Art Scroll 93a2 discusses the three options regarding what happened to Chananiah, Mishael, and Azariah after Hashem saved them from the furnace.

Rav says they died through the "evil eye".

Note 14 discusses the idea of ayin hara based on the Chazon Ish, Maharal, Rabbi Dessler in Michtav MeEliyahu, and Rabbi Avigdor Miller. The basic idea is that the evil results can be triggered by good things that cause anguish to other people. This means that

Sanhedrin daf 93 a (Art Scroll 93a2) discusses the fate of Chananiah Mishael and Azariah after they were saved from the furnace.
Rebbi Eliezer (tanna) and Rav (amora) say they died from ayin hara.

 Note 14 discusses the idea of ayin hara based on the Chazon Ish, Maharal, Rabbi Dessler in Michtav MeEliyahu, and Rabbi Avigdor Miller. The basic idea is that the evil results can be triggered by good things that cause anguish to other people. This means that when the people saw that the test could be surmounted the anger and grief that they felt for failing was turned on the three of them, This is what we see nowadays in those who resent the fact that "orthodox" Jews actually follow the torah and Hashem as well as those who push the BDS and ant-semitic and anti-Israel agenda while claiming to be "Jewish". This is like what Rabbi Akiva said about his attitude towards talmidei chachamim (scholars) when he was still an am ha'aretz (ignorant).

A modern story (I think about Rabbi Twerski) is told that he was once sitting next to a not (yet) religious Jew who castigated him for his dress and beard and following the old fashioned customs and behaviors of Judaism. When he turned and said *I am Amish*, the person fell all over himself saying what respect he has for the Amish because they maintain their traditions.

Rebbi Yehoshua (tanna) and Shmuel (amora) say "they drowned in spittle" (as explained in note 15). Earlier the daf explains that when the three came out of the furnace unharmed, the goyim spit on Bnai Yisrael, saying how could you have bowed to the idol when you have such a powerful G0d. This shows the reaction of those not subject to the test when seeing people fail it. The humiliation of this was felt by the three of them because they felt it as if it was their humiliation and injury. Nowadays, it is like those who have contempt for the non-religious and anti-religious Jews. Indeed, it is the left who show their anti-Semitism and contempt for the Jews who try to deny their Judaism and join them in their activities.


The chachamim (tannaim) and Rav Yochanan (amora) say that they went to Eretz Yisrael, married, and raised their families. This is from the viewpoint of the heroes themselves. They did not regard themselves as having done anything extraordinary, but just did what they were required to do. As a result, they continued their lives in the same way, raising their children to continue in the same way. This is like the bracha Hashem gave Avraham when he said that Avraham would continue and teach his children how to live. It is why the Bnai Yisrael at Sinai are described as everyone who would be born in the future is treated as having accepted the torah. It is the way the "orthodox" built frum communities after World War II and are continuing in our current day.

This is what we see in the shuls and yeshivahs of the current day and the way that the "Orthodox" are increasing while the non-religious and anti-religious groups are dwindling.