Study Sotah folio 42B with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
Hear my words, the regulations of war, and consider who is fit to participate in the battle. And return home, all of you who are exempt from combat. What does he say on the battlefield? “Let not your heart faint; fear not, nor be alarmed, and do not be terrified of them” (Deuteronomy 20:3). These 4
The Mishnah recorded the particulars of the priest’s address: The Philistines came championed by Goliath. The Talmud describes the battle between David and Goliath. What is implied by the name Goliath? R' Yoḥanan says: The verse indicates that he stood before God with brazenness [gilui panim], as
R' Yoḥanan said in the name of R' Meir: In 3 instances, his own mouth ensnared that wicked one and unwittingly foretold his own downfall. One time he said: “Choose yourselves a man, and let him come down to me,” describing himself at the bottom. And another time, he said: “If he is able to fight wi
The verse says: “And the Philistine drew near morning and evening” (I Samuel 17:16). R' Yoḥanan says: He did this specifically in order to prevent them from completing the recitation of Shema in the required times of morning and evening. “And Goliath presented himself 40 days” (I Samuel 17:16). R'
The verse introduces Goliath: “And a champion [ish habeinayim] went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath” (I Samuel 17:4). The Talmud asks: What is indicated by the term beinayim? Rav said: The word is related to the root beit, nun, heh, meaning build, and means that he is built [mu