The Exiles Who Debated Torah in Chains

This last point is further bolstered by a beraisa from Seder Olam quoted by Rashi in Sukkah (44a). Rebbe Yochanan expressed amazement at the level of Torah scholarship achieved in Bavel. He was hitherto under the impression that the scholars in Eretz Yisrael were superior. Rebbe Yochanan explained that the Torah scholarship in Bavel must be due to the sages who were included in the first group of Jews to be led in chains to Bavel. The verse describes these sages as “mighty warriors, experienced in war.”

Seder Olam wonders how it is appropriate to label the exiles being led in chains as warriors. They were in captivity, in chains! The beraisa in Seder Olam concludes that it must be referring to “mighty warriors in the give-and-take of Torah learning.”

The Minchas Elazar asks, how did the beraisa answer its question? Was there any learning accomplished while they were being led in chains? How is appropriate to call them Torah warriors? It must be that in fact they were learning even while in chains. Not just superficial discussions; they engaged in animated debate about the finer points of Torah. The description was appropriate because even at the saddest, most degrading, and worst part of their lives, they didn’t forsake their deep commitment to Torah learning.