01
The story
בקשו ממנו חכמים אבנים לאפוד בששים ריבוא שכר, ורב כהנא מתני בשמונים ריבוא, והיה מפתח מונח תחת מראשותיו של אביו, ולא ציערו.
Dama gave up the transaction rather than disturb his sleeping father.
- 1Identify the question “How far?”
- 2Read what prevented opening the treasury
- 3Distinguish the action from the discussion of its reward
The Gemara asks “How far does honoring parents go?” and tells of Dama ben Netina of Ashkelon: the Sages wanted to buy stones for the ephod at great profit, but the key lay under his sleeping father's head. He did not wake his father and gave up the profit.
Insight
The next year a red heifer was born in his herd - his reward.
Raya
The story illustrates the extent of honor and then supports comparison between commanded and uncommanded action.