The Tales of Rabbah Bar Bar Chanah

Bava Basra 73a-74a

These (15) tales of Rabbah bar Chanah demonstrate the wondrous works of HaShem. Some stories relate about gigantic animals, birds or fish. Other stories tell of the rewards that await Tzadikim in the World to Come.

One must know that even the trivial words of Chazal require careful study (Rashbam).

These stories are tales of astonishing and incomprehensible incidents. Some commentators maintain that at least some of the events actually happened, but sometimes the Gemara using hyperbole in its account. Other incidents involve dreams or are parables. However, these stories convey meaningful messages.

These tales are explained by the Vilna Gaon (expounded in English in “The Juggler and the King) and in Olelos Ephraim (author of the Kli Yakar on Chumash) among others.

FIRST STORY:

Those that go down to the sea told me that the wave which sinks a ship appears to have a fringe of white fire at its tip. But when one strikes it with a club upon which is engraved with (the three names of HaShem) “Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh” (which only occurs once in Shmos 3,14), “Kah” and “HaShem Tzevaos” and “Amen, Amen, Selah” it subsides.

The metaphors of the story:

• The sea is the world presenting physical and spiritual hazards;
• The ship is man’s body;
• The passenger is one’s soul;
• The waves are tribulations of the world;
• The fire is the inclination to evil attempting to destroy the human potential;
• The color white is its attempt to whiten iniquity masquerading as an emissary of pure intentions;
• The club is a promise from HaShem that evil will not prevail;
• The first name written on the club is “Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh” denotes that the Divine Presence accompanies us in Exile and even when we are enslaved by the nations, He provides the necessary spiritual nourishment to survive;
• The second name “Kah” denotes His constant war with Amalek;
• The third name “HaShem Tzevaos” denotes the promise of HaShem that his army (us) will not be permanently subjected by human rulers;
• The first Amen denotes the merit that evokes the Divine Presence, a pattern of accepting and affirming the will of HaShem;
• And the Amen Selah denotes the merit that evokes our redemption.

The Homily of the story:

According to the Gra: The passage of the soul through this world is like a voyage across the sea. The passage through the sea is temporary only in order to collect profitable or beneficial items to bring home. The body (like the ship) transports the soul through the waves (turbulence) of the world. The waves (the inclination to evil) seek to overcome the body and soul. Only the fulfillment of the Divine promises (like a club) allows us to beat back the waves. This fulfillment of the Divine promises are triggered by the merits of the Jews as emphasized by the effective saying of Amen. These allows us to overcome the adverse circumstances of the exile (in body and in soul) and achieve our purpose in Redemption.