Question:
What does the Talmudic phrase “Sharei Lei Marei” mean?
Answer:
The Aramaic expression “Sharei Lei Marei” (שָׁרֵי לֵיהּ מָרֵיהּ) literally means “May his Master forgive him,” referring to Hashem.
This phrase is used in the Gemara and rabbinic literature when a sage strongly disagrees with a statement that was made and considers it erroneous. Rather than directly condemning the speaker, he expresses his disagreement in a respectful manner by saying, “May Hashem forgive him for saying such a thing.”
Thus, the phrase serves as a respectful but sharp expression of dissent, similar to saying, “This statement is mistaken,” while still maintaining honor towards the individual who made it.
A famous example appears in Sanhedrin 99a, where Rav Yosef responded to a statement of Rabbi Hillel by saying: “Sharei Lei Marei L’Rabbi Hillel”—“May his Master forgive Rabbi Hillel.”
Rashi explains the phrase as:
“ימחול לו הקב”ה”
“May the Holy One, blessed be He, forgive him.”
Sources:
Sanhedrin 99a; Brachos 25a; Yuma 86a; Sukkah 32b; Moed Katan 28a; Igros Kodesh 13:266