Sotah 77

Chapter 77

א והזה לאחריו לאחריו הזה לפניו הזאתו פסולה לפניו והזה על צדדין שבפניו הזאתו כשרה
1 and he sprinkled behind him, or vice versa, the sprinkling is invalid; [but if he intended to sprinkle] in front of him and did so on the sides in front of him, his sprinkling is valid.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Consequently those standing on the side are within the scope of the benediction. ');"><sup>1</sup></span> Raba son of R. Huna said: When the Torah-scroll is unrolled<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' For the lection in the Synagogue. ');"><sup>2</sup></span>
ב אמר רבא בר רב הונא כיון שנפתח ספר תורה אסור לספר אפילו בדבר הלכה שנאמר (נחמיה ח, ה) ובפתחו עמדו כל העם ואין עמידה אלא שתיקה שנא' (איוב לב, טז) והוחלתי כי לא ידברו כי עמדו לא ענו עוד ר' זירא אמר רב חסדא מהכא (נחמיה ח, ג) ואזני כל העם אל ספר התורה
2 it is forbidden to converse even on matters concerning the law; as it is said: And when he opened it all the people stood up,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Neh. VIII, 3, describing the reading of the Torah to the assembly. ');"><sup>3</sup></span> and standing up signifies nothing else than silence, as it is said: And I wait because they speak not, because they stand still and answer no more.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Job XXXII, 16. ');"><sup>4</sup></span>
ג ואמר ר' יהושע בן לוי כל כהן שלא נטל ידיו לא ישא את כפיו שנאמר (תהלים קלד, ב) שאו ידיכם קדש וברכו את ה'
3 R. Zera said in the name of R. Hisda: [It may be derived] from this passage, And the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Neh. VIII, 3. ');"><sup>5</sup></span> R. Joshua b. Levi also said: Any kohen who has not washed his hands may not lift them up [to pronounce the benediction]; as it is said: Lift up your hands in holiness and bless ye the Lord.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Ps. CXXXIV, 2. ');"><sup>6</sup></span>
ד שאלו תלמידיו את ר' אלעזר בן שמוע במה הארכת ימים אמר להן מימי לא עשיתי בית הכנסת קפנדריא ולא פסעתי על ראשי עם קודש ולא נשאתי כפי בלא ברכה
4 His disciples asked R. Eleazar b. Shammua, 'How have you prolonged your life?' He replied: 'Never have I made use of a Synagogue as a short cut,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' In Ber. 62b it is stated: If one enters a Synagogue not for the purpose of making it a short cut, he may use it in that manner. But R. Eleazar took a stricter view. ');"><sup>7</sup></span> nor stepped over the heads of the holy people,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., made his way to his seat by passing through the students who sat on the floor. He either arrived first or sat on the outside. ');"><sup>8</sup></span>
ה מאי מברך אמר רבי זירא אמר רב חסדא אשר קדשנו בקדושתו של אהרן וצונו לברך את עמו ישראל באהבה
5 nor lifted up my hands [as a kohen] without first uttering a benediction.' What benediction did he utter? — R. Zera said in the name of R. Hisda: '[Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe] Who hast commanded us with the sanctity of Aaron and hast commanded us to bless Thy people Israel in love'.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' This formula has been adopted in the ritual; P.S. p. 238a. [Cf. Rashi, Num. VI, 23 (quoting from Midrash): Ye shall not bless them hurriedly and hastily but devoutly and with a perfect heart.] ');"><sup>9</sup></span> When he [the priest] moves his feet [to ascend the platform] what does he say? — 'May it be pleasing before Thee, O Lord our God, that this benediction wherewith Thou hast commanded us to bless Thy people Israel may be free from stumbling and iniquity.' When he turns his face from the Congregation [to the ark after pronouncing the benediction] what does he say? — R. Hisda led R. 'Ukba forward<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' [ [H] Rashi (Bezah. 29a), 'took him out for a walk'; R. Hananeel (a.l.): 'put the words in his mouth' — i.e., prepared the exposition for him. R. 'Ukba was Exilarch and had his public discourses prepared by R. Hisda.] ');"><sup>10</sup></span>
ו כי עקר כרעיה מאי אמר יהי רצון מלפניך ה' אלהינו שתהא ברכה זו שצויתנו לברך את עמך ישראל לא יהא בה מכשול ועון וכי מהדר אפיה מציבורא מאי אמר אדבריה רב חסדא לרב עוקבא ודרש רבונו של עולם עשינו מה שגזרת עלינו עשה עמנו
6 and the latter explained [that what he says is], 'Lord of the Universe, we have performed what Thou hast decreed upon us;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' [I.e., although we are not worthy to bless; v. Tikkin Tefillah., Ozar ha- Tefilloth, (Wilna, 1923) p. 941.] ');"><sup>11</sup></span> fulfil with us
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