Two fascinating statements to end the massechet: Torah scholars are protected from the fire of gehenom, which in itself is perhaps not surprising, although what follows may be: the sinners in Israel are also protected from the fire. The two types are protected for different reasons of course: Torah scholars because their bodies are made of fire, and sinners because, despite their sins, they are as filled with mitzvot as a pomegranate with seeds.
It is interesting to see these two groups paired together in this way: are the rabbis suggesting that they are just two sides of the same coin? Probably not, but I like the notion at any rate. Being aflame with Torah, having your body be made of fire, so to speak, does not protect one from becoming a sinner, and indeed, such passion may in fact make sinning (in the name of God or God's word) more likely. The line is fine. And that, my friends, is as good a message to end on as any.
Chag Sameach.
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After so much discussion that separated Jews from one another -- ie Haverim from Ammay Ha-aretz - it is nice that this gemara ends on a note of unity. Both Torah Scholars (the elite) and the sinners of Israel (the masses) are protected from the fires of Gehinom. While this of course is not to say that Torah scholars can't be sinners -- we know all too well that they can be -- I like the notion that it instead addresses the bookends of Israel. In the end, regardless of your observance, you have a free pass out of Gehinom. So what is the point of living the Torah scholarly life? Take a look at Tosafot -- they try and reread the text to show the perks for Torah scholars and the consequences of Jewish sinners. But, form the peshat of the gemara, it's nice to see that simple member has its benefits...
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