Commentary for Berakhot 31:14
ת"ר הפועלים שהיו עושין מלאכה אצל בעל הבית קורין ק"ש ומברכין לפניה ולאחריה ואוכלין פתן ומברכין לפניה ולאחריה ומתפללין תפלה של שמונה עשרה אבל אין יורדין לפני התיבה ואין נושאין כפיהם
Our Rabbis have taught: Labourers who are working for an employer should read the Shema', say the benedictions before and after, eat their meal with Grace before and after, and then pray the Eighteen Benedictions; but they cannot descend before the Ark nor raise their hands.
Abraham Cohen Footnotes to the English Translation of Masechet Berakhot
Singer, pp. 44 ff.
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Abraham Cohen Footnotes to the English Translation of Masechet Berakhot
To act as Precentor, because this would interfere with their duty to their employer.
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Abraham Cohen Footnotes to the English Translation of Masechet Berakhot
A Kohen (see Glossary, s.v.) has the privilege to "raise his hands" in the course of the Service to pronounce the priestly benediction (Num. vi. 24-26) ; but if a labourer, he must not do so. In Talmudical times, this was done daily ; but now it is usually reserved for Festivals only, the Precentor pronouncing the benediction in the daily Service (Singer, p. 53). Cf. J. E. III. p. 244.
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