אמר רבי זירא שאני ר"ח מתוך שכולל לשחרית וערבית כולל נמי במוספין
- R'Zera replied: The New Moon is different [from a festival] -<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' A special benediction is required for the latter but not for the former, though the mention thereof is to be included in the prayers.');"><sup>1</sup></span> Since [its mention] is included [in the benediction on the sanctity of the day] in the morning and evening prayers<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' If the New Moon falls, for instance, on a Sabbath the benediction concludes with 'Who sanctifies the Sabbath and Israel and the New Moons'.');"><sup>2</sup></span> it is also included in that of th additional prayer.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Even on the New Year; the conclusion of the prayer being 'Who sanctifies Israel and the Day of Memorial and the New Moons'. The total number of benedictions is, therefore, no more than ten.');"><sup>3</sup></span> But do Beth Shammai uphold [the view that the mention of the New Moon<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' In the additional prayer when the New Moon and the Sabbath fall on the same day.');"><sup>4</sup></span>
Tosefta Berakhot
Just like the Torah established a set time to read the Shema, so too the Sages established a set time for [the] prayer [of Shemoneh Esreh]. Why did they say [that] the morning prayer [of Shmoneh Esreh can be prayed only] until noon? Because the morning Tamid (daily offering) [sacrifice] could be brought [only] until noon. Rebbi Yehudah says, “[The morning prayer of Shmoneh Esreh can be prayed only] until [the end of the first] four hours [of the day].” And why did they say that the Mincha (afternoon) prayer [of Shemoneh Esreh can only be prayed] until the evening? Because the afternoon Tamid [sacrifice] could be brought [only] until the evening. Rebbi Yehudah says, “[The Mincha prayer of Shmoneh Esreh can be prayed only] until Plag Hamincha.” And when is Plag Hamincha? Eleven minus one quarter hours [of the day] (i.e. 10 ¾ hours). And why did they say that the evening prayer [of Shmoneh Esreh] does not have a set time? Because the limbs and fats [of the sacrifices] could be brought the whole night. And why did they say that the Mussaf prayer [of Shmoneh Esreh can be prayed] the whole day? Because the Mussaf (additional offering) sacrifice could be brought the whole day. Rebbi Yehudah says, “[The Mussaf prayer can be prayed] until [the end of the first] seven hours [of the day].”
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