daf bit intermission: Purim

In honor of Purim on Saturday night/Sunday, a talmudic teaching on the book of Esther:

His disciples asked Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai: why was Israel of the generation of Esther doomed to be exterminated? Because they bowed down to the graven image placed by Nebuchadnezzar. Well then, they asked, did God show undue favor to them in sparing them? R. Shimon said: as the Jews only pretended to worship the graven image (to protect themselves), so too God only pretended to exterminate them, as it is written: for He afflicted not from his heart. (Megillah 12a)

Last week we finished Zevachim, 120 pages on (mostly) the performance of the animal offerings. The next tractate changes subject only slightly; we will join Menachot, on the performance of the grain offerings, in progress next week, assuming I have the fortitude for it. :-) (Today's daf is Menachot 8.)