פירוש על ברכות 123:20

The Moslems have a similar practice, and do not touch food with the left hand. Cf . Lane, p. 150 n. 2.

Rab's name.

I.e. Rab behaved as though it were an entirely new experience to him.

"Die alten kannten die Pruderie nicht und verhandelten uber eheliche Pflichten mit dem grossten Freimut"; T. A. II. p. 466 n. 366.

M. adds: in the name of R. Johanan.

I.e. it is used for conveying food to the mouth ; see Lane, p. 148.

When reading from the Scroll.

The Moslems also believe that evil spirits haunt such places, and offer a prayer before entering ; cf. Lane, p. 229.

See p. 46 n. 6.

Read with Jastrow kible "charm" instead of kabbalah "a tradition."

As a protection against evil spirits.

The evil spirits often assume the form of a goat. The word "satyrs" in Is. xiii. 21 is literally "he-goats." See R.V. marg.

Raba's wife.

When he went into the privy, to frighten away the evil spirits. Cf. Frazer, Folklore in the Old Testament, III. pp. 446 ff.

As a more effective protection, because owing to his exalted position he was particularly liable to attack.

Even if people are about.

Lit. valley ; where there is no fence.

The more correct reading is Assi b. Nathan ; see D. S. ad loc.

Those who are appointed to supervise the production of olive-oil and see that it does not contract defilement in the process.

So that they may not be long absent from their watch.

This contradicts Issi b. Nathan who requires him to be out of sight in an open place.

Who attribute to the dead virtues tbey do not possess.

He is careful, even at night, to retire to a secluded spot.

I.e. before dawn and after dusk.

I.e. he observes the rules laid down in fol. 23 b, pp. 152 f.

"Same place" accordingly means "the same kind of place," viz. where there is privacy.

A place-name used in the Talmud to express extreme distance. It denotes several different places ; cf. Krauss, pp. 90 f.

Sc. may their spells come.

Obscure words of doubtful meaning. Rashi explains them to be the name of the magic practices.

I.e. not all their spells nor part of them. Another possible translation is : May they have no use or effect, neither the charms of a sorcerer nor the charms of a sorceress.