Commentary for Sotah 78:13

במנחתא דתעניתא מאי אמרי אמר רב אחא בר יעקב (ירמיהו יד, ז) אם עונינו ענו בנו ה' עשה למען שמך (ירמיהו יד, ח) מקוה ישראל מושיעו בעת צרה למה תהיה כגר בארץ וגו' למה תהיה כאיש נדהם כגבור לא יוכל להושיע וגו'

R. Tanhum also said in the name of R. Joshua b. Levi: The congregation is not permitted to depart until the Torah-scroll is removed<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' [From the ark. The Scroll was removed from the synagogue after service for safe custody. The words, 'and deposited in its place' are difficult to explain. Rashi does not appear to have had them, nor do they occur in MS.M.] ');">⁹</span> and deposited in its place. Samuel said: [They may not depart] until [the Pre centor] has gone out.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' He used to carry the Scroll with him to his house for safe custody. ');">¹⁰</span> There is no variance between them; the former refers to when there is another exit,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' [In which case the congregation can depart through the other exit as soon as the Scroll is removed, even before it leaves the synagogue (Rashi).] ');">¹¹</span> the latter to when there is not another exit. Raba said: Bar Ahina explained to me [that the Scriptural basis for this regulation is], Ye shall walk after the Lord your God.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Deut. XIII, 5. ');">¹²</span> While the kohanim are blessing the people<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' On week-days according to the old usage. ');">¹³</span> what do the latter say? — R. Zera declared in the name of R. Hisda: Bless the Lord, ye angels of His, ye mighty in strength&nbsp;… Bless the Lord, all ye His hosts, ye ministers of His that do His pleasure. Bless the Lord, all ye His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Ps. CIII, 20ff. Each of the Scriptural selections consists of three verses, one for each part of the priestly benediction. ');">¹⁴</span> What do they say [during the benediction] in the additional service of the Sabbath?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' According to modern usage the kohanim do not utter the benediction on the Sabbath, with the exception of the Day of Atonement which falls on a Sabbath. ');">¹⁵</span> — R. Assi declared: A Song of Ascents, Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord&nbsp;… Lift up your hands in holiness and bless ye the Lord.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Ibid. CXXXIV, If. ');">¹⁶</span> Blessed be the Lord Out of Zion, Who dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the Lord.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Ibid. CXXXV, 21. ');">¹⁷</span> But they should also say: The Lord bless thee out of Zion<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Ibid. CXXXIV, 3. ');">¹⁸</span> which occurs in that context! — Judah the son of R. Simeon b. Pazzi answered: Since he commenced with the blessings of the Holy One, blessed be He, he should conclude with His blessings. What do they say in the afternoon — service of a fast-day?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' This is not the modern practice. ');">¹⁹</span> — R. Aha b. Jacob declared: Though our iniquities testify against us, work Thou for Thy name's sake&nbsp;… O Thou hope of Israel, the Saviour thereof in the time of trouble, why shouldest Thou be as a sojourner in the land&nbsp;… Why shouldest Thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? etc.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Jer. XIV, 7ff. ');">²⁰</span>

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