Commentary for Berakhot 122:18

M.: The School of R. Jose of Galilee taught.

By "heart" is to be understood "the evil impulses of the heart."

"Them that judge [i.e. control] his soul," in the plural, indicating two impulses.

If a man like Raba describes himself as "average," what can ordinary people be !

For the former, this world because they have no share in the world to come ; for the latter, the world to come because they usually have to endure sufferings here.

M.: Raba also said.

Who possessed abundant gold and silver ; see I Kings xx. 3.

His poverty was proverbial ; cf. above fol. 17 b, p. 113.

By "might" is understood "wealth."

I.e. with thy very self, thy body.

I.e. thy life to prove thy love of God.

Some edd. read "Grecian" because of the Censor. Rome is meant.

I.e. continued the recital of the Shema'.

Although suffering such agonies, you still say the Shema'!

"One" in "Hear, O Israel," etc.

I.e. is this the fate due to such a man? He should have met his death at Thy hand and not at the hands of torturers.

M. omits : in the name of Rab.

See p. 317 n. 8. Past Mt Scopus, one has no view of the Temple.

M.: R. Abbahu in the name of Rabina b. Hiyya b. Abba in the name of R. Abba in the name of R. Johanan.

I.e. the Temple is still in existence.

So as not to expose himself towards the Temple.

Why, then, is their opinion mentioned separately?

Viz. the side of Judea and Galilee which is not in a line with the Temple. The first Tanna prohibits it even in these localities, whereas the Sages permit it.

'Akiba takes the stricter view and extends the prohibition beyond Palestine.

M.: Raba. He lived in Babylon.

So that he faced N. or S.

To find out whether he adhered to R. 'Akiba's opinion.