Study Bava Metzia folio 87A with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
“And he urged them greatly” (Genesis 19:3), only after which they acquiesced? R' Elazar says: From here we learn that one may decline the request of a lesser man, but one may not decline the request of a great man.
The Talmud continues analyzing the same passage. It is written: “And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and satisfy your heart” (Genesis 18:5), and it is written: “And Abraham ran to the herd, and fetched a calf tender and good” (Genesis 18:7). R' Elazar said: From here we learn that the righteous sa
From where do we derive this principle that the wicked say much and do not do even a little? We derive it from Ephron. Initially, it is written that Ephron said to Abraham: “A piece of land worth 400 shekels of silver, what is that between me and you?” (Genesis 23:15). And ultimately it is written:
The verse states: “Make ready quickly 3 measures of flour, fine flour” (Genesis 18:6). The Talmud questions the apparent redundancy. It is written: “Flour,” and it is also written: “Fine flour.” R' Yitzḥak says: From here we learn that a woman is more stingy with guests than a man. Sarah wanted to
The Talmud continues its analysis of the verses. It is written: “Knead it, and make cakes” (Genesis 18:6), and two verses later it is written: “And he took curd, and milk, and the calf which he prepared” (Genesis 18:8). Abraham served these items to the guests, and yet he did not bring bread before