פירוש על ברכות 31:6

The word אהלים may be pointed to mean "aloes" (so R.V. here) or "tents." In the preceding verse, "thy tents" has the same letters ; they are consequently given the same meaning here. By "tents" the Rabbis frequently understand "houses of study"; e.g. "And Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents" (Gen. xxv. 27) is explained (cf. the Targum): attending schools of learning.

"For it is written" etc. is a later addition to the text; cf. A.P.A.i.p.451 n. 4.

Occurring in the first and second paragraphs respectively.

And there is no need to repeat from the beginning.

M. : Hast thou not taught us... the Shema' on the first night?

Because these have numerous branches, and the workmen have less fear of falling to disturb their mind ; so Rashi. The reason J. T. gives is because the fatigue of getting down from these trees is very great.

Through fear of falling. The law is stricter with him, because his time is his own.

Her name was Rachel. The son is not called by his father's name, which was Isur (Bab. Bat. 149 a), because his mother became pregnant while a prisoner of war; and although the father embraced Judaism before the child was born, his name is omitted. See Ketubot 23 a.

M. adds : R. Simeon b. Johai says.

With "Hear, O Israel," i.e. the Shema*, since the word "hear" is common to both.

M. : Hiyya b. Abba in the name of R. Johanan.

Singer, pp. 44 ff.

To act as Precentor, because this would interfere with their duty to their employer.

A Kohen (see Glossary, s.v.) has the privilege to "raise his hands" in the course of the Service to pronounce the priestly benediction (Num. vi. 24-26) ; but if a labourer, he must not do so. In Talmudical times, this was done daily ; but now it is usually reserved for Festivals only, the Precentor pronouncing the benediction in the daily Service (Singer, p. 53). Cf. J. E. III. p. 244.

The prayer "Give us understanding"; Singer, p. 55.

Cf. below fol. 28 b, p. 188 where Rabban Gamaliel requires the Eighteen Benedictions to be said daily, whereas R. Joshua declares an abstract sufficient.

If he said it in its entirety, it might interfere unduly with his work.

The Grace before meals is not a Pentateuchal ordinance, but the Grace after meals is. Cf. fol. 48 b.

What are the two benedictions?

Singer, p. 280, "Blessed art Thou. ..Who givest food unto all."

Ibid. "We thank Thee" and p. 282 "And rebuild Jerusalem." These two benedictions are to be condensed into one.

There would then be no opportunity for the labourers to waste time under the pretext of saying the entire Grace.

See p. 67 n. 5. The remainder of this Gemara is repeated from fol. 11 a, p. 68.