Live by Them: Mishneh Torah Hilchot Shabat 2:

It is permitted to violate the sabbath in order to save a life. Maimonides, himself a physician, has a lovely comment on this.

It is forbidden to hesitate before transgressing the Sabbath [laws] on behalf of a person who is dangerously ill, as is reflected in Leviticus 18:5,] "[The laws] which a person shall perform to live through them; " one must live through them, and not die because of them. This teaches that the judgments of the Torah are only sustained through mercy, kindness, and peace in the world.

The Highest Praise: Pesachim 117a

Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Levi said: The book of Psalms was recited using ten words of praise... and Hallelu-yah is greater than the rest, for it simultaneously includes praise and G-d's name.

Where Does the Divine Dwell? Pesachim 117a

The Divine Presence does not dwell in the midst of laziness, nor sadness, nor sillness, nor a lack of seriousness, nor in the midst of things that are a waste of time. The Divine Presence only dwells in the the midst of words of joy in divine service... Rav Yehuda said in the name of Rav - 'The Divine Presence also dwells in words of Jewish Law.' Rav Nachman said, 'Also in good dreams.'

"Group" sex: Pesachim 112a

When a divorced man marries a divorced woman, there are four opinions in the bed.

The danger of pairs: Pesachim 110b

I learned part of an extremely long section on superstitions regarding pairs. Things in twos (for example, having two beers rather than one or three) was considered dangerous. It made you vulnerable to both demons and witchcraft. That's right, the Rabbis of the Talmud believed in both.

I found the length and detail of this section a bit tedious (and, well, embarassing), but found it worthwhile when I came upon this statement. 'The general rule is, anyone who is strict [about the superstitions related to pairs], they [the demons and witches] will be strict with him. For anyone who is not strict, they [the demons and witches] with not be strict with him.' Essentially, these things have only the power you give them, or as a someone I know used to say, you live in the world you create.

Havdalah, the Expanded Version: Pesachim 104a

Here is an expanded version of the Havdalah prayer said at the end of the sabbath. I was excited to read this last sabbath, because I was already planning to propose to J., my fiance, right after Havdalah that evening. I felt like reading this was a little 'thumbs up' from the Gemara. Departures from the standard text are bolded.

The order of Havdalah is as follows: "[Praised are you G-d, King of the Universe] who distinguishes between holiness and unholiness, light and darkness, Israel and other nations, the Seventh Day and the six days of creation, purity and impurity, the sea and dry land, the upper water and lower water, between the family of Cohenim, the tribe of Levi, and the rest of Israel. Praised are you G-d, who orders nature." Others close the prayer with, "who forms creation."

Staying Faithful: Pesachim 100A

There is a moment in the story of Esther when Haman, the evil villian, knows he is doomed. The moment takes place in Queen Esther's quarters. Queen Esther has just revealed to the King that Haman's evil plan to destroy the Jews would doom both Esther and her entire family. The King, in a fury, stepped out into the garden. Haman threw himself on Esther's bed to beg for mercy. The King returned, spotted Haman on the bed, and thinks Haman's intention while lying on Esther's bed is less than honorable. The King says, "Does he [Haman] want to conquer the Queen, and with me here in the palace!"

Rabbi Yose, generations later, re-used the King's statement in a rather different context. Before we get to the re-use, here is some background: Rabbi Yose and Rabbi Yehuda had a disagreement over whether, in the case when one is eating a meal on Friday afternoon and the beginning of the sabbath occurs while the meal is ongoing, whether one must stop, cover the bread on the table and make kiddush. Rabbi Yose thought this unnecessary, while Rabbi Yehuda thought it obligatory to do so.

One day, in Acco, Rabban Shimon Ben Gamiliel and Rabbi Yose were having a meal on Friday afternoon, and the beggining of the sabbath arrived. Rabban Shimon Ben Gamliel asked Rabbi Yose, "Shall we interrupt our meal and make thereby respect the words of our colleague Rabbi Yehuda?" Rabbi Yose replied, "Each and every day you prefer my position on questions of Jewish law to that of Rabbi Yehuda. Now you want to prefer Rabbi Yehuda's position on this issue? Will you try to conquer the Queen while I am in the house!"