The Six Seasons

Daf Hashavua

Bava Metzia 106b

רשב"ג משום ר"מ אומר -- חצי תשרי מרחשון וחצי כסליו, זרע

There are six seasons in the year, each lasting for two months.

The first season of Zera starts in Chatzi (15) Tishrei.

My father a"h said, on the famous Midrash ,

ולקחתם לכם ביום הראשון"- Rishon L'cheshbon

Avonos. Perhaps the orignal girsa was עונות

instead of עוונות (difference in spelling only one vav)

Seasons instead of sins.

The first day of Sukkos (15 Tishrei ) is the first day of the

first season” Zera”.

The Gemoro says that the Na'anuim (shaking of the Lulav)

rids the world,from harmful winds and dew. TheTorah said

the Lulav should be taken on the first day of  זרע

to rid the planting season from harmful weather.

The Gemoro Bava Basra 100b says to make seven מעמדות

when coming back from a Levaya. ( They walk and stop

seven times. We have a similar Minhag. We do it with the

Mitah before the Kevurah) The reason to stop seven times

is because the seven times in Koheles הבל הבלים   

2x  הבלים (plural) = 4 + 3x הבל 

The נימוקי יוסף  adds an additional reason for the 7 מעמדות

It represents the seven periods in a life cycle, six seasons 

and a 24hour day.

Lies And Lies

Daf Hashavua

Bava Metzia 87a

גדול שלום שאפילו הקב"ה שינה- ואדוני זקן/ואני זקנתי

The Mogen Avraham 157 quotes The Sefer Chasidim 

who writes when Chazal said “you may say non truths 

for the sake of peace, " it only applies to the past and 

not for the future.

 The Sefer Chasidim explains this halacha :

Reuvain has the money but doesn’t want to lend it to  Shimon because he doesn’t trust him.

1)  Shimon asks Reuvain to lend him money. Reuvain may not lie and say he doesn’t have any money. (future)

2)  Shimon asks Reuvain How come last week when I asked you for money, you didn’t lend  me. Reuvain may answer falsely and say "I didn’t have any money." (past) 

Reuvain may do so because if he lies, there will be peace between  them but If he says the truth (I don’t trust you) then Shimon will be upset & angry.

The obvious question is:

If you may  lie for the sake of peace , why should there be a difference between past & future?

Mori V'Rabi Harav Hagaon Reb Shlomo Miller Shlita explained the reason for the  difference:

 "In case # 2) there are only two options  

a) lie – will be peace   

b) truth – will be upset & angry, therefore you may lie for peace.

In case #1)  there are three options  

a) lie,(don't have)    

b)  truth,(don't trust you)    

c) lend him the money.

The only time that you may lie is when lying is the only option for peace.

When you have another option to keep the peace   (lend the money)then you may not lie. You may lie only when the only alternative for peace is to lie".