פירוש על ברכות 21:11

If, as Bet Hillel say, "When thou liest down and risest up" means the time when people lie down and rise up.

Gemara: "Like that which is taught "in your sitting, in your house" comes to exclude one who is involved with a mitzvah, "and in your walking on the road" comes to exclude a groom. From here they say [that one] who has relations with a virgin is exempt [from other mitzvot], and [one who has relations with a widow] is obligated [in other mitzvot]...if so, one who has relations with a widow is also occupied [with this mitzvah], [and yet we say he] is not occupied."

M. applies the bridegroom to "when thou sittest in thy house" ; but the reference to "way" later on is against this reading.

That one engaged upon a religious duty is exempt from reading the Shema'.

One has the choice of which road he will take ; similarly he can choose to engage himself in the fulfilment of a religious duty and consequently be freed from the obligation of the Shema'.

The Bible ordains that we should "speak of them" when walking by the way; does this not mean even when on the way to perform a religious duty?

To marry, whether a widow or a virgin, is a religious duty. Why, then, the distinction in the matter of reading the Shema'?

Whether she has signs of virginity, an important matter in the Orient. See Deut, xxii. 13 ff., Burckhardt, Arabic Proverbs (2nd ed.), p. 140.

An example of one labouring under mental anguish.

What explanation do they offer of "When thou walkest" as distinct from "when walking"? Bet Shammai had explained "when thou walkest" as excluding one occupied with a religious duty; but, according to the Gemara, "when walking" implies that.

For instance, the couriers of the Sanhedrin who, while not actually engaged in a religious duty, are for all that occupied with a task of religions import. According to Bet Shammai they need not interrupt their journey to read the Shema'.

What is their opinion of such messengers with reference to the Shema' ?

Acting according to Bet Shammai; but why did R. Ishmael sit up?

A compliment in the East ; cf. Lane, p. 29.

So Rashi. Another possible rendering is : "It is only in opposition to those who destroy [their beard by shaving]." Cf. T.A. i. p. 648 n. 858. The point of the parable is perverseness in doing the opposite of what is expected.

Out of deference to R. Ishmael.

That we both read the Shema' reclining.

During the Feast of Tabernacles when the Israelite is commanded to dwell in a booth.

Bet Shammai replied.

See Singer, p. 37, "Blessed... Who formest light" and p. 39, "With abounding love"; and p. 42, "True and firm."

See Singer, p. 96, "Blessed... Who at Thy word" and "With everlasting love"; and p. 98, "True and trustworthy" and p. 99, "Cause us...to lie down."

I.e. to conclude with the formula "Blessed art Thou, O Lord...."

M. : R. Jacob b. Iddi.