פירוש על ברכות 79:21

M.: Rabina.

It is forbidden to speak between the benediction and the performance of the act for which it had been said. But in this case, the words are not considered an interruption to render the benediction invalid.

Because the spoken words were connected with the breaking of the bread, salt being used with the bread over which the benediction is said as salt was required with the meal-offering. Cf. Lev. ii. 13.

The correct reading is probably Rabbah b. Samuel... Hiyya b. Abba; cf, Hyman, ii. p. 438 b.

The lay head of the Jewish Community in Babylon.

Not waiting for salt.

Being fresh and tasty.

This last word is rendered by Rashi and others "delay" (sc. for salt). But Jastrow establishes the meaning "condiment."

Rashi explains : When standing, he fears his clothes will be splashed and consequently he restrains himself.

M. omits these words here and inserts them after "even when standing."

There is then no cause for this fear, the loose earth absorbing the urine.

Through illness.

I.e. he drinks a large quantity of water at his meal.

That he should not eat lentils every day.

Lit. cause it to be fruitful and multiply, i.e. stimulate sexual vigour.

The west wind will carry the odour to him with fatal results.

She allowed the flavour of the cumin to penetrate into the bread, but would not permit it to remain because the smell was injurious.

M. omits this sentence.

That he requires a special benediction for vegetables and not merely "...Who createst the fruit of the ground."

I.e. a special form of praise for the Sabbath, Passover, etc.

The ignorant.

See Bacher, A. P. A. ii. p. 518 n. 3 who compares Matt xiii. 12 "For whosoever hath, to him shall be given."

Referring to Torah.

Add to thy knowledge.

Because according to the Mishnah, the benediction "...Who createst the fruit of the ground" is allowed over fruits of the tree.

So that the field lost its fertility.

See Deut. xxvi. 5-10. The declaration concludes with "And now, behold, I have brought the first of the fruit of the land which Thou, O Lord, hast given me." But since the water-supply has ceased or the tree which grew the fruit been cut down, the land will no longer yield him fruits and therefore the declaration ought not to be made.

Since the land remains, he requires the declaration to be made ; accordingly he holds that the ground is the main feature of the tree.

A child reaches the age when it eats bread before it can speak. This is intended to explain the name "tree of knowledge" (Gen. ii. 17).