הכי נמי מסתברא דאי ס"ד לזמן זמן כל שבעה מי איכא הא לא קשיא דאי לא מברך האידנא מברך למחר וליום אוחרא
[that the reference is] to the benediction on the season [the objection could be advanced:] Is [the benediction on] the season recited<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'there is'.');"><sup>31</sup></span> all the seven [days of the festival]?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Of course not. The reference of 'seven', therefore, cannot be to that benediction.');"><sup>32</sup></span> - This is really no objection, since a person who did not recite the benediction on the proper day<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'at present', 'today'.');"><sup>33</sup></span> must do so on the following or any subsequent day [of the festival].<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Hence it was quite proper to include all the seven days in the reference to the benediction on the season.');"><sup>34</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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