shabbat 63

the importance of chains, links and connections....
but the page can be a battleground.
when two minds meet the space in-between can be as fragrant as a garden of spices or as deadly as a snake....

(debate if weapons are to be considered ornamental. leads to linking biblical verses that describe Torah learning in combative terms. Reish Lakish describes the perfect chavrutah, and R.Yirmeya wakes up and confirms R.Yohanan's ruling about ankle-chains. According to R.Yohanan - slightly strange theory - women can break their hymen by taking too large strides, so ankle-chains have a purpose and aren't just decorative. Strong chains prevent bloodshed... for english translation of this talmud page, see here)