Talmud Teasers: Staying Safe

The coronavirus pandemic has made us sensitive to the risks we take in our day-to-day living, and helped us become aware of the different ways we can protect ourselves from exposure to danger. The Talmud offers tips and insights to prevention, safe conduct, and healing.  

A

When the Talmudic sage Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua, fell ill, his colleague Rav Papa told Rav Huna’s family that he would not survive the illness. But Rav Huna recovered, and Rav Papa was then embarrassed by his failed prediction. Some time later, when the two of them met up, Rav Huna told his colleague that he had been, in fact, on the brink of death, but was saved miraculously because of his:

1. Devotion to Torah study
2. Forgiving nature
3. Fervent prayer 
4. Charity giving

B

The Talmud states that in order to minimize their danger, Jews who are living under antisemitic regimes ought to:

1. Pray for divine intervention
2. Avoid lighting the Chanukah menorah by the door, where it is visible to the outside
3. Protest and rally against the government’s policies
4. Disguise their Jewish identity

C

The Talmud encourages us to avoid unhealthy eating habits and lists several examples. Which of these is not mentioned among them?

1. Eating fish and meat together
2. Combining fish and milk
3. Talking during the meal
4. Eating while standing

D

Which of these statements in the Talmud expresses how seriously it objects to exposing oneself to even a low risk of danger?

1. Saving a life trumps Shabbat observance
2. We do not rely on miracles
3. Taking even a small chance with danger is worse than taking a small chance that would entail violating a possible prohibition
4. One violates Torah commandments (all but three) rather than be killed for keeping them

E

The Talmud teaches that a sage who falls ill can be healed if:

1. His students recite the entire Book of Psalms
2. People give charity to the poor in his merit
3. His students visit him daily
4. His students study Torah outside his door