Study Pesachim folio 119A with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
זה המכיר מקום חבירו בישיבה. איכא דאמרי, אמר רבי אלעזר: זה המקבל פני חבירו בישיבה.
This is one who recognizes his colleague’s place in the yeshiva, as he is there often enough to know where everyone sits. Some say that R' Elazar said a different explanation: This is one who greets his colleague in the yeshiva, as he is always there to meet him.
מאי ״למכסה עתיק״ — זה המכסה דברים שכיסה עתיק יומין, ומאי נינהו? סתרי תורה. ואיכא דאמרי: זה המגלה דברים שכיסה עתיק יומין, מאי נינהו? טעמי תורה.
The Talmud asks: What is the meaning of the continuation of this verse: “For stately clothing [limekhaseh atik]” This is one who conceals [mekhaseh] matters that the Ancient of Days [atik yomin], i.e., God, concealed. And what are these? These are the secrets of the Torah, the esoteric Act of Creation and the Act of the Divine Chariot, which should remain hidden. And some say: This verse is referring to one who reveals matters that the Ancient of Days concealed. And what are these? These are the reasons for different mitzvot in the Torah, which should be kept secret.
אמר רב כהנא משום רבי ישמעאל ברבי יוסי, מאי דכתיב: ״למנצח מזמור לדוד״ — זמרו למי שנוצחין אותו ושמח.
The Talmud cites another statement attributed to R' Yishmael, son of R' Yosei. Rav Kahana said, citing R' Yishmael, son of R' Yosei: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Lamenatzeaḥ a psalm of David” (e.g., Psalms 13:1)? It means: Sing to the One who rejoices when conquered [shenotzḥin oto].
בא וראה שלא כמדת הקדוש ברוך הוא מדת בשר ודם. בשר ודם — מנצחין אותו ועצב, אבל הקדוש ברוך הוא — נוצחין אותו ושמח, שנאמר: ״ויאמר להשמידם לולי משה בחירו עמד בפרץ לפניו״.
Come and see how the characteristics of God are unlike the characteristics of flesh and blood: When a flesh and blood person is conquered, he is sad; however, when God is conquered, He rejoices, as it is stated: “Therefore He said that He would destroy them, had not Moses His chosen stood before Him in the breach, to turn back His anger lest He should destroy them” (Psalms 106:23). In this verse Moses is called “His chosen,” although he defeated God, as it were, by preventing Him from destroying the Jewish people.
Text data via Sefaria: William Davidson Edition - English and William Davidson Edition - Vocalized Aramaic, CC-BY-NC; edition provenance: Koren. Display terminology has been modernized for readability.