Commentary for Berakhot 31:16
אי ר' יהושע מאי איריא פועלים אפילו כל אדם נמי
If it be R. Joshua's view, why does he mention labourers specially, since it holds good of anybody ?
Abraham Cohen Footnotes to the English Translation of Masechet Berakhot
The word אהלים may be pointed to mean "aloes" (so R.V. here) or "tents." In the preceding verse, "thy tents" has the same letters ; they are consequently given the same meaning here. By "tents" the Rabbis frequently understand "houses of study"; e.g. "And Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents" (Gen. xxv. 27) is explained (cf. the Targum): attending schools of learning.
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Abraham Cohen Footnotes to the English Translation of Masechet Berakhot
"For it is written" etc. is a later addition to the text; cf. A.P.A.i.p.451 n. 4.
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Abraham Cohen Footnotes to the English Translation of Masechet Berakhot
Occurring in the first and second paragraphs respectively.
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Abraham Cohen Footnotes to the English Translation of Masechet Berakhot
And there is no need to repeat from the beginning.
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Abraham Cohen Footnotes to the English Translation of Masechet Berakhot
M. : Hast thou not taught us... the Shema' on the first night?
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Abraham Cohen Footnotes to the English Translation of Masechet Berakhot
Because these have numerous branches, and the workmen have less fear of falling to disturb their mind ; so Rashi. The reason J. T. gives is because the fatigue of getting down from these trees is very great.
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Abraham Cohen Footnotes to the English Translation of Masechet Berakhot
Through fear of falling. The law is stricter with him, because his time is his own.
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Abraham Cohen Footnotes to the English Translation of Masechet Berakhot
Her name was Rachel. The son is not called by his father's name, which was Isur (Bab. Bat. 149 a), because his mother became pregnant while a prisoner of war; and although the father embraced Judaism before the child was born, his name is omitted. See Ketubot 23 a.
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Abraham Cohen Footnotes to the English Translation of Masechet Berakhot
M. adds : R. Simeon b. Johai says.
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Abraham Cohen Footnotes to the English Translation of Masechet Berakhot
With "Hear, O Israel," i.e. the Shema*, since the word "hear" is common to both.
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Abraham Cohen Footnotes to the English Translation of Masechet Berakhot
M. : Hiyya b. Abba in the name of R. Johanan.
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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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Abraham Cohen Footnotes to the English Translation of Masechet Berakhot
The prayer "Give us understanding"; Singer, p. 55.
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Abraham Cohen Footnotes to the English Translation of Masechet Berakhot
Cf. below fol. 28 b, p. 188 where Rabban Gamaliel requires the Eighteen Benedictions to be said daily, whereas R. Joshua declares an abstract sufficient.
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Abraham Cohen Footnotes to the English Translation of Masechet Berakhot
If he said it in its entirety, it might interfere unduly with his work.
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Abraham Cohen Footnotes to the English Translation of Masechet Berakhot
The Grace before meals is not a Pentateuchal ordinance, but the Grace after meals is. Cf. fol. 48 b.
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Abraham Cohen Footnotes to the English Translation of Masechet Berakhot
What are the two benedictions?
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Abraham Cohen Footnotes to the English Translation of Masechet Berakhot
Singer, p. 280, "Blessed art Thou. ..Who givest food unto all."
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Abraham Cohen Footnotes to the English Translation of Masechet Berakhot
Ibid. "We thank Thee" and p. 282 "And rebuild Jerusalem." These two benedictions are to be condensed into one.
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Abraham Cohen Footnotes to the English Translation of Masechet Berakhot
There would then be no opportunity for the labourers to waste time under the pretext of saying the entire Grace.
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Abraham Cohen Footnotes to the English Translation of Masechet Berakhot
See p. 67 n. 5. The remainder of this Gemara is repeated from fol. 11 a, p. 68.
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