Commentary for Berakhot 27:25

"Or the Megillah" is added by M.

The Hallel proclaims the miracle of the Red Sea, and the Megillah the miracle of the frustration of Haman's plan to destroy the Jews.

M. : Raba.

In Tosafot it is pointed out that there is no cause to stress the "individual," the rule holding good also of a Congregation.

On the New Moon and the last six days of Passover; see Singer, p. 220.

So M. correctly. Edd : Rab b. Shaba.

M. : the School (or house) of Rabina.

M. omits "not"; but its inclusion emphasises the objection.

M. : R. Isaac b. Ashyan.

A voluntary fast is here meant. On a statutory fast there is no question that tasting (e.g. food that is being cooked) is forbidden.

According to one interpretation, the Tefillah is here intended; otherwise it is contradicted by the passage quoted by Rab Sheshet from the Mishnah, which permits one to offer greeting between the sections of the Shema' — which is recited before the Tefillah. But R. Abba interprets the phrase "before he prays" quite generally.

On the Bamah was offered what should have been brought to the Temple. Similarly to greet a man before praying is to give him what is due to God.

To pay him honour instead of God.

I.e. translate "for as an idolatrous altar is he to be accounted" if honour is paid to him first.

Interpreting the latter part of the verse as it is written, without reading Bamah for bammeh.

M.: Rab Nahmnn b. Isaac.

See p. 82.

To greet him, intentionally paying him the first honour. Should he meet him casually, he may salute him prior to praying.

Exception was taken to the exaggeration in applying the word Bamah to such a case. The reply is that to attend to one's personal affairs before offering prayer in the morning is as prohibited as the erection of a Bamah.

The verse is made to refer to man, not God. "Righteousness" is understood as the morning devotions.

To be vouchsafed a dream was considered evidence of spiritual grace (cf. Joel iii. 1), and to be without a dream was accordingly deemed to be the consequence of gross, materialistic living.

Translating thus : He who abides seven [nights] without being visited [by a dream] is evil.

So M. correctly. Edd.: Aha.

M: Hiyya b. Abba.

Retaining the reading sabea' in Prov. xix. 23.

Between the end of the third paragraph of the Shema' and the beginning of the benediction which follows; Singer, p. 42.