For the source text click/tap here: Bava Batra 147
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The Gemara on our daf brings a series of amora’im, all of whom claim that the law of matnat shekhiv mera is of biblical origin.
Among the sources that are offered to support this claim are two stories in navi –
When King Ḥizkiyahu was on his deathbed, the navi Yeshayahu told him that he was destined to die and suggested to him that he command his house (see II Melakhim 20:1).
When Aḥitophel realized that his support of Avshalom’s rebellion against King David was doomed to failure, he returned home, commanded his house, and committed suicide.
In contrast, Rava quotes Rav Naḥman as teaching that the law of matnat shekhiv mera is of rabbinic origin, shema titraf da’ato alav – lest he become insane.
We explore the history and textual problems of dating King Hezekiah’s reign.