Gittin 47: Resh Lakish's Last Day among the Gladiators
Talking Talmud - A podcast by Yardaena Osband & Anne Gordon
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If one sells oneself and one's children to non-Jews, the children can be redeemed after the father dies, which leads into a famous story about Resh Lakish and his origins as what is often translated as a gladiator, perhaps a brigand. And how he came to be a great chavruta/bar plugta (regular arguing partners) with R. Yochanan. Plus, the way Resh Lakish died basically destitute. Also, a new mishnah: when one sells his field in the land of Israel to a non-Jew, which invalidates the agricultural mitzvot, for example. Plus, a discussion of the sanctity of the land - what biblical verses attest to God's holy ownership of the land that lead to the obligation of those mitzvot.