For the source text click/tap here: Megillah 3
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Our Daf asks: Is the Temple service more important than Torah study? does this affect the priority of Megillah reading over Torah learning? and how do we derive that?
The Gemora relates a conversation between Yehoshua bin Nun and an angel, proving that Torah study is regarded as being stricter than the service in the Beis Hamikdosh (which is inconsistent with that which was previously learned). Yehoshua bin Nun, during the night between two days of battle, had a vision of the Heavenly Warrior Angel. The verse states that Yehoshua prostrated himself before the Angel.(Josh 5)
As for the angel’s mission, the Gemara explains that the angel said to Joshua: Yesterday, i.e., during the afternoon, you neglected the afternoon daily offering due to the impending battle, and now, at night, you have neglected Torah study, and I have come to rebuke you. Joshua said to him: For which of these sins have you come? He said to him: I have come now, indicating that neglecting Torah study is more severe than neglecting to sacrifice the daily offering. Joshua immediately determined to rectify the matter.
We explore another case of mortal combat with an angel... that of Rebbe Yehoshua ben Levi on his last day immortalized by the Longfellow poem.