Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Skip to content

Today's Daf Yomi

February 2, 2020 | ื–ืณ ื‘ืฉื‘ื˜ ืชืฉืดืค

  • This month's learning is sponsored by Sami Groff in honor of Shoshana Keats Jaskoll and Chochmat Nashim.

Berakhot 30

When do we say tefillat haderech – the wayfarer’s prayer? What are the differences between the prayer havinenu and the short prayer one says in place of shmone esreh if one is in a place of danger. In what direction does one pray? One who is leaving early in the morning – what does one do regarding prayer and shema if it is before the time that one can say those prayers? Does one pray musaf if one in not part of a community? What are the different opinions? If one forgot to add yaale v’yavo – the prayer for Rosh Chodesh – does one have to repeat shmone esreh? On what does it depend? One needs to pray with the proper frame of mind. The early chassidim would meditate an hour before prayer for this reason. From where can we derive the importance of prayer with the proper frame of mind? What is the meaning of the phrase “be happy with trepidation”?

 

ืชื•ื›ืŸ ื–ื” ืชื•ืจื’ื ื’ื ืœ: ืขื‘ืจื™ืช

ืœื™ืฉืชืฃ ืื™ื ืฉ ื ืคืฉื™ื” ื‘ื”ื“ื™ ืฆื‘ื•ืจื ื”ื™ื›ื™ ื ื™ืžื ื™ื”ื™ ืจืฆื•ืŸ ืžืœืคื ื™ืš ื”ืณ ืืœื”ื™ื ื• ืฉืชื•ืœื™ื›ื ื• ืœืฉืœื•ื ื•ื›ื•ืณ


a person should associate himself with the congregation and should not pray for himself alone. How should he say it? May it be Your will, Lord our God, that You lead us to peace, etc., in the plural.


ืื™ืžืช ืžืฆืœื™ ืืžืจ ืจื‘ื™ ื™ืขืงื‘ ืืžืจ ืจื‘ ื—ืกื“ื ืžืฉืขื” ืฉืžื”ืœืš ื‘ื“ืจืš ืขื“ ื›ืžื” ืืžืจ ืจื‘ื™ ื™ืขืงื‘ ืืžืจ ืจื‘ ื—ืกื“ื ืขื“ ืคืจืกื” ื•ื”ื™ื›ื™ ืžืฆืœื™ ืœื” ืจื‘ ื—ืกื“ื ืืžืจ ืžืขื•ืžื“ ืจื‘ ืฉืฉืช ืืžืจ ืืคื™ืœื• ืžื”ืœืš


The Gemara discusses specific details pertaining to this prayer. When does one pray? Rabbi Yaโ€™akov said that Rav แธคisda said: From when one sets out on his journey, and not before. How long must oneโ€™s planned journey be in order to require him to recite this prayer (Baโ€™al Halakhot Gedolot)? Rabbi Yaโ€™akov said that Rav แธคisda said: At least a parasang. How does he recite this prayer? Rav แธคisda said: Only while standing in one place. Rav Sheshet said: Even walking or sitting.


ืจื‘ ื—ืกื“ื ื•ืจื‘ ืฉืฉืช ื”ื•ื• ืงืื–ืœื™ ื‘ืื•ืจื—ื ืงื ืจื‘ ื—ืกื“ื ื•ืงื ืžืฆืœื™ ืืžืจ ืœื™ื” ืจื‘ ืฉืฉืช ืœืฉืžืขื™ื” ืžืื™ ืงื ืขื‘ื™ื“ ืจื‘ ื—ืกื“ื ืืžืจ ืœื™ื” ืงืื™ ื•ืžืฆืœื™ ืืžืจ ืœื™ื” ืื•ืงืžืŸ ื ืžื™ ืœื“ื™ื“ื™ ื•ืืฆืœื™ ืžื”ื™ื•ืช ื˜ื•ื‘ ืืœ ืชืงืจื ืจืข


The Gemara relates: Rav แธคisda and Rav Sheshet were walking along the path, Rav แธคisda stood and recited the travelerโ€™s prayer. Since he was blind and did not see his colleague, Rav Sheshet asked his servant: What is Rav แธคisda doing now? His servant said to him: He is standing and praying. Rav Sheshet said to his servant: Stand me up as well and I will pray. Even though Rav Sheshet held that there is no need to stand during this prayer, nevertheless: From being good, do not be called wicked. In other words, one should do better if he is able. Rav Sheshet said that one is not required to stop and stand. He did not say that it is preferable to walk or sit. Since standing in this case required no special effort on his part, as Rav แธคisda had stopped to stand and pray anyway, why insist on sitting?


ืžืื™ ืื™ื›ื ื‘ื™ืŸ ื”ื‘ื™ื ื ื• ืœืชืคืœื” ืงืฆืจื” ื”ื‘ื™ื ื ื• ื‘ืขื™ ืœืฆืœื•ื™ื™ ืฉืœืฉ ืงืžื™ื™ืชื ื•ืฉืœืฉ ื‘ืชืจื™ื™ืชื ื•ื›ื™ ืžื˜ื™ ืœื‘ื™ืชื™ื” ืœื ื‘ืขื™ ืœืžื”ื“ืจ ืœืฆืœื•ื™ื™ ื‘ืชืคืœื” ืงืฆืจื” ืœื ื‘ืขื™ ืœืฆืœื•ื™ื™ ืœื ืฉืœืฉ ืงืžื™ื™ืชื ื•ืœื ืฉืœืฉ ื‘ืชืจื™ื™ืชื ื•ื›ื™ ืžื˜ื™ ืœื‘ื™ืชื™ื” ื‘ืขื™ ืœืžื”ื“ืจ ืœืฆืœื•ื™ื™


The mishna mentioned both a brief prayer recited in times of danger and an abridged prayer, with regard to which there was a dispute between the tannaโ€™im. The Gemara asks: What is the practical halakhic difference between the abridged prayer: Grant us understanding and the brief prayer recited in times of danger? The Gemara answers: One who recites: Grant us understanding is required to recite the first three blessings and the last three blessings of the Amida prayer, and when he reaches his home, he need not pray again. One who recites the brief prayer, however, need recite neither the first three blessings nor the last three blessings of the Amida prayer. However, when he reaches his home, he must pray again. Grant us understanding has the legal status of the Amida prayer, despite its brevity, while the brief prayer is merely recited in place of the Amida prayer in exigent circumstances.


ื•ื”ืœื›ืชื ื”ื‘ื™ื ื ื• ืžืขื•ืžื“ ืชืคืœื” ืงืฆืจื” ื‘ื™ืŸ ืžืขื•ืžื“ ื‘ื™ืŸ ืžื”ืœืš:


The halakha is: Grant us understanding, as mentioned above, has the legal status of the Amida prayer, and must therefore be recited while standing. The brief prayer, since it does not have that status, may be recited whether one is standing or whether one is walking.


ื”ื™ื” ืจื•ื›ื‘ ืขืœ ื”ื—ืžื•ืจ ื•ื›ื•ืณ: ืชื ื• ืจื‘ื ืŸ ื”ื™ื” ืจื•ื›ื‘ ืขืœ ื”ื—ืžื•ืจ ื•ื”ื’ื™ืข ื–ืžืŸ ืชืคืœื” ืื ื™ืฉ ืœื• ืžื™ ืฉื™ืื—ื– ืืช ื—ืžื•ืจื• ื™ืจื“ ืœืžื˜ื” ื•ื™ืชืคืœืœ ื•ืื ืœืื• ื™ืฉื‘ ื‘ืžืงื•ืžื• ื•ื™ืชืคืœืœ ืจื‘ื™ ืื•ืžืจ ื‘ื™ืŸ ื›ืš ื•ื‘ื™ืŸ ื›ืš ื™ืฉื‘ ื‘ืžืงื•ืžื• ื•ื™ืชืคืœืœ ืœืคื™ ืฉืื™ืŸ ื“ืขืชื• ืžื™ื•ืฉื‘ืช ืขืœื™ื•


We learned in the mishna: One who was riding on a donkey should dismount and pray. Only in exigent circumstances may he pray while riding, focusing his heart toward Jerusalem and the Holy of Holies. The Sages taught in a Tosefta: One who was riding on a donkey and the time for prayer arrived, if he has someone to hold onto the donkey, he should dismount and pray. If not, he should sit in his place atop the donkey and pray. Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi says: In any case, whether or not there is someone to hold onto the donkey, he should sit in his place atop the donkey and pray, as his mind will not be calm. Since he is hurrying to arrive at his destination, the need to dismount the donkey, stand in prayer, and remount the donkey would delay his journey, and the delay is likely to interfere with his concentration during prayer.


ืืžืจ ืจื‘ื ื•ืื™ืชื™ืžื ืจื‘ื™ ื™ื”ื•ืฉืข ื‘ืŸ ืœื•ื™ ื”ืœื›ื” ื›ืจื‘ื™:


Rava, and some say Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi, said: The halakha here is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi.


ืชื ื• ืจื‘ื ืŸ ืกื•ืžื ื•ืžื™ ืฉืื™ื ื• ื™ื›ื•ืœ ืœื›ื•ื™ืŸ ืืช ื”ืจื•ื—ื•ืช ื™ื›ื•ื™ืŸ ืœื‘ื• ื›ื ื’ื“ ืื‘ื™ื• ืฉื‘ืฉืžื™ื ืฉื ืืžืจ ื•ื”ืชืคืœืœื• ืืœ ื”ืณ


The Sages taught in a Tosefta: A blind person and one who is unable to approximate the directions and, therefore, is unable to face Jerusalem in order to pray, may focus his heart towards his Father in Heaven, as it is stated: โ€œAnd they shall pray to the Lordโ€ (I Kings 8:44).


ื”ื™ื” ืขื•ืžื“ ื‘ื—ื•ืฅ ืœืืจืฅ ื™ื›ื•ื™ืŸ ืืช ืœื‘ื• ื›ื ื’ื“ ืืจืฅ ื™ืฉืจืืœ ืฉื ืืžืจ ื•ื”ืชืคืœืœื• ืืœื™ืš ื“ืจืš ืืจืฆื ื”ื™ื” ืขื•ืžื“ ื‘ืืจืฅ ื™ืฉืจืืœ ื™ื›ื•ื™ืŸ ืืช ืœื‘ื• ื›ื ื’ื“ ื™ืจื•ืฉืœื™ื ืฉื ืืžืจ ื•ื”ืชืคืœืœื• ืืœ ื”ืณ ื“ืจืš ื”ืขื™ืจ ืืฉืจ ื‘ื—ืจืช ื”ื™ื” ืขื•ืžื“ ื‘ื™ืจื•ืฉืœื™ื ื™ื›ื•ื™ืŸ ืืช ืœื‘ื• ื›ื ื’ื“ ื‘ื™ืช ื”ืžืงื“ืฉ ืฉื ืืžืจ ื•ื”ืชืคืœืœื• ืืœ ื”ื‘ื™ืช ื”ื–ื” ื”ื™ื” ืขื•ืžื“ ื‘ื‘ื™ืช ื”ืžืงื“ืฉ ื™ื›ื•ื™ืŸ ืืช ืœื‘ื• ื›ื ื’ื“ ื‘ื™ืช ืงื“ืฉื™ ื”ืงื“ืฉื™ื ืฉื ืืžืจ ื•ื”ืชืคืœืœื• ืืœ ื”ืžืงื•ื ื”ื–ื” ื”ื™ื” ืขื•ืžื“ ื‘ื‘ื™ืช ืงื“ืฉื™ ื”ืงื“ืฉื™ื ื™ื›ื•ื™ืŸ ืืช ืœื‘ื• ื›ื ื’ื“ ื‘ื™ืช ื”ื›ืคื•ืจืช ื”ื™ื” ืขื•ืžื“ ืื—ื•ืจื™ ื‘ื™ืช ื”ื›ืคื•ืจืช ื™ืจืื” ืขืฆืžื• ื›ืื™ืœื• ืœืคื ื™ ื”ื›ืคื•ืจืช ื ืžืฆื ืขื•ืžื“ ื‘ืžื–ืจื— ืžื—ื–ื™ืจ ืคื ื™ื• ืœืžืขืจื‘ ื‘ืžืขืจื‘ ืžื—ื–ื™ืจ ืคื ื™ื• ืœืžื–ืจื— ื‘ื“ืจื•ื ืžื—ื–ื™ืจ ืคื ื™ื• ืœืฆืคื•ืŸ ื‘ืฆืคื•ืŸ ืžื—ื–ื™ืจ ืคื ื™ื• ืœื“ืจื•ื ื ืžืฆืื• ื›ืœ ื™ืฉืจืืœ ืžื›ื•ื•ื ื™ืŸ ืืช ืœื‘ื ืœืžืงื•ื ืื—ื“


One who was standing in prayer in the Diaspora should focus his heart toward Eretz Yisrael, as it is stated: โ€œAnd they shall pray to You by way of their land which You have given to their fathersโ€ (I Kings 8:48).
One who was standing in Eretz Yisrael should focus his heart toward Jerusalem, as it is stated: โ€œAnd they shall pray to the Lord by way of the city that You have chosenโ€ (I Kings 8:44).
One who was standing in Jerusalem should focus his heart toward the Temple, as it is stated: โ€œAnd they shall pray toward this houseโ€ (II Chronicles 6:32).
One who was standing in the Temple should focus his heart toward the Holy of Holies, as it is stated: โ€œAnd they shall pray toward this placeโ€ (I Kings 8:35).
One who was standing in the Holy of Holies should focus his heart toward the seat of the ark-cover [kapporet], atop the ark, the dwelling place of Godโ€™s glory.
One who was standing behind the seat of the ark-cover should visualize himself as if standing before the ark-cover and turn toward it.
Consequently, one standing in prayer in the East turns to face west, and one standing in the West turns to face east. One standing in the South turns to face north, and one standing in the North turns to face south; Consequently, all of the people of Israel focus themselves focusing their hearts toward one place, the Holy of Holies in the Temple.


ืืžืจ ืจื‘ื™ ืื‘ื™ืŸ ื•ืื™ืชื™ืžื ืจื‘ื™ ืื‘ื™ื ื ืžืื™ ืงืจืื” ื›ืžื’ื“ืœ ื“ื•ื™ื“ ืฆื•ืืจืš ื‘ื ื•ื™ ืœืชืœืคื™ื•ืช ืชืœ ืฉื›ืœ ืคื™ื•ืช ืคื•ื ื™ื ื‘ื•:


An allusion to this is found in what Rabbi Avin, and some say Rabbi Avina, said: What verse alludes to this? โ€œYour neck is like the Tower of David, built with turrets [talpiyyot], one thousand shields hang from it, all of the armor of the mightyโ€ (Song of Songs 4:4). He interprets the word talpiyyot as the hill [tel] toward which all mouths [piyyot] turn, i.e., the Temple Mount.


ืื‘ื•ื” ื“ืฉืžื•ืืœ ื•ืœื•ื™ ื›ื™ ื”ื•ื• ื‘ืขื• ืœืžื™ืคืง ืœืื•ืจื—ื ื”ื•ื• ืžืงื“ืžื™ ื•ืžืฆืœื™ ื•ื›ื™ ื”ื•ื” ืžื˜ื™ ื–ืžืŸ ืงืจื™ืืช ืฉืžืข ืงืจื•


With regard to prayer while traveling, the Gemara relates: When Shmuelโ€™s father and Levi wanted to set out on a journey in the morning, they would pray early before sunrise. When, during their journey, the time to recite Shema would arrive, they recited it.


ื›ืžืืŸ ื›ื™ ื”ืื™ ืชื ื ื“ืชื ื™ื ื”ืฉื›ื™ื ืœืฆืืช ืœื“ืจืš ืžื‘ื™ืื™ืŸ ืœื• ืฉื•ืคืจ ื•ืชื•ืงืข ืœื•ืœื‘ ื•ืžื ืขื ืข ืžื’ื™ืœื” ื•ืงื•ืจื ื‘ื” ื•ื›ืฉื™ื’ื™ืข ื–ืžืŸ ืงืจื™ืืช ืฉืžืข ืงื•ืจื ื”ืฉื›ื™ื ืœื™ืฉื‘ ื‘ืงืจื•ืŸ ืื• ื‘ืกืคื™ื ื” ืžืชืคืœืœ ื•ื›ืฉื™ื’ื™ืข ื–ืžืŸ ืงืจื™ืืช ืฉืžืข ืงื•ืจื


The Gemara asks: In accordance with whose opinion did they do this? In accordance with this tanna, as it was taught in the Tosefta: One who rose early to set out on his path before the time to recite Shema arrives, they bring him a shofar and he sounds it, if it was Rosh HaShana; a lulav and he takes it on Sukkot; a megilla, the Scroll of Esther, and he reads it on Purim; and when the time comes to recite Shema, he recites it. So too, one who rose early to sit in a wagon or in a boat prays, and when the time comes to recite Shema, he recites it.


ืจื‘ื™ ืฉืžืขื•ืŸ ื‘ืŸ ืืœืขื–ืจ ืื•ืžืจ ื‘ื™ืŸ ื›ืš ื•ื‘ื™ืŸ ื›ืš ืงื•ืจื ืงืจื™ืืช ืฉืžืข ื•ืžืชืคืœืœ ื›ื“ื™ ืฉื™ืกืžื•ืš ื’ืื•ืœื” ืœืชืคืœื”


Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar, says: In either case, it is preferable to recite Shema and then pray the Amida prayer in the wagon so that he will juxtapose redemption and prayer.


ื‘ืžืื™ ืงืžื™ืคืœื’ื™ ืžืจ ืกื‘ืจ ืชืคืœื” ืžืขื•ืžื“ ืขื“ื™ืฃ ื•ืžืจ ืกื‘ืจ ืžืกืžืš ื’ืื•ืœื” ืœืชืคืœื” ืขื“ื™ืฃ


The Gemara explains: Regarding what do they disagree? The Gemara answers: This Sage, the first tanna, holds that prayer while standing is preferable. Therefore, one should pray earlier, at home, while standing. This Sage, Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar, holds that the juxtaposition of redemption and prayer is preferable, even if in doing so one is unable to stand while praying.


ืžืจื™ืžืจ ื•ืžืจ ื–ื•ื˜ืจื ื”ื•ื• ืžื›ื ืคื™ ื‘ื™ ืขืฉืจื” ื‘ืฉื‘ืชื ื“ืจื’ืœื ื•ืžืฆืœื• ื•ื”ื“ืจ ื ืคืงื™ ืœืคืจืงื


On a similar note, the Gemara cites additional circumstances where Sages were forced to make exceptional arrangements to pray. Mareimar and Mar Zutra would gather ten people on the Shabbat of the festival and pray, and set out to deliver their lecture [pirka]. Due to the crowds that gathered to hear the lectures of the Sages on the festival, they were unable to pray at the proper time, so they were forced to pray earlier.


ืจื‘ ืืฉื™ ืžืฆืœื™ ื‘ื”ื“ื™ ืฆื‘ื•ืจื ื‘ื™ื—ื™ื“ ืžื™ื•ืฉื‘ ื›ื™ ื”ื•ื” ืืชื™ ืœื‘ื™ืชื™ื” ื”ื“ืจ ื•ืžืฆืœื™ ืžืขื•ืžื“ ืืžืจื™ ืœื™ื” ืจื‘ื ืŸ ื•ืœืขื‘ื™ื“ ืžืจ ื›ืžืจื™ืžืจ ื•ืžืจ ื–ื•ื˜ืจื ืืžืจ ืœื”ื• ื˜ืจื™ื—ื ืœื™ ืžืœืชื ื•ืœืขื‘ื™ื“ ืžืจ ื›ืื‘ื•ื” ื“ืฉืžื•ืืœ ื•ืœื•ื™ ืืžืจ ืœื”ื• ืœื ื—ื–ื™ื ื ืœื”ื• ืœืจื‘ื ืŸ ืงืฉื™ืฉื™ ืžื™ื ืŸ ื“ืขื‘ื“ื™ ื”ื›ื™:


In similar circumstances, Rav Ashi would pray with the congregation individually while seated, so that they would not notice that he was praying. Afterwards, when he would come to his house, he would pray again while standing in order to pray without distraction. The Sages said to him: The Master should do as Mareimar and Mar Zutra do, i.e., gather a prayer quorum at home to pray before the lecture. He said to them: It is burdensome to me to delay the lecture so much. The Sages said to him: The Master should do as Shmuelโ€™s father and Levi did and pray before sunrise. He said to them: I have not seen Sages older than us do that, indicating that this is not the accepted halakha.


ืžืชื ื™ืณ ืจื‘ื™ ืืœืขื–ืจ ื‘ืŸ ืขื–ืจื™ื” ืื•ืžืจ ืื™ืŸ ืชืคืœืช ื”ืžื•ืกืคื™ืŸ ืืœื ื‘ื—ื‘ืจ ืขื™ืจ ื•ื—ื›ืžื™ื ืื•ืžืจื™ื ื‘ื—ื‘ืจ ืขื™ืจ ื•ืฉืœื ื‘ื—ื‘ืจ ืขื™ืจ ืจื‘ื™ ื™ื”ื•ื“ื” ืื•ืžืจ ืžืฉืžื• ื›ืœ ืžืงื•ื ืฉื™ืฉ ืฉื ื—ื‘ืจ ืขื™ืจ ื™ื—ื™ื“ ืคื˜ื•ืจ ืžืชืคืœืช ื”ืžื•ืกืคื™ืŸ:


MISHNA: Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya says: The additional prayer is only recited in a city where there is a quorum of ten [แธฅever ir]. The Rabbis say: One may recite the additional prayer with a แธฅever ir or without a แธฅever ir. Rabbi Yehuda says another opinion in his name, the name of Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya: Any place where there is a แธฅever ir, an individual is completely exempt from reciting the additional prayer.


ื’ืžืณ ืจื‘ื™ ื™ื”ื•ื“ื” ื”ื™ื™ื ื• ืชื ื ืงืžื ืื™ื›ื ื‘ื™ื ื™ื™ื”ื• ื™ื—ื™ื“ ืฉืœื ื‘ื—ื‘ืจ ืขื™ืจ ืชื ื ืงืžื ืกื‘ืจ ืคื˜ื•ืจ ื•ืจื‘ื™ ื™ื”ื•ื“ื” ืกื‘ืจ ื—ื™ื™ื‘


GEMARA: There is no apparent difference between the opinion of Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya and the opinion cited in his name by Rabbi Yehuda. The Gemara asks: Rabbi Yehudaโ€™s opinion is identical to the opinion of Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya cited by the first tanna. The Gemara answers: There is a practical halakhic difference between them: The case of an individual who is not in a place where there is a แธฅever ir. In other words, in a place where there is not a prayer quorum of ten people, the first tanna holds that Rabbi Elazar ben Azaryaโ€™s opinion is that the individual is exempt from reciting the additional prayer, as it was only instituted to be recited with a quorum. And Rabbi Yehuda holds that Rabbi Elazar ben Azaryaโ€™s opinion is that the individual is obligated to recite the additional prayer, as he is only exempt in a place where there is a prayer quorum, and, therefore, a communal prayer leader fulfills his obligation.


ืืžืจ ืจื‘ ื”ื•ื ื ื‘ืจ ื—ื™ื ื ื ืืžืจ ืจื‘ ื—ื™ื™ื ื‘ืจ ืจื‘ ื”ืœื›ื” ื›ืจื‘ื™ ื™ื”ื•ื“ื” ืฉืืžืจ ืžืฉื•ื ืจื‘ื™ ืืœืขื–ืจ ื‘ืŸ ืขื–ืจื™ื” ืืžืจ ืœื™ื” ืจื‘ ื—ื™ื™ื ื‘ืจ ืื‘ื™ืŸ ืฉืคื™ืจ ืงืืžืจืช ื“ืืžืจ ืฉืžื•ืืœ ืžื™ืžื™ ืœื ืžืฆืœื™ื ื ืฆืœื•ืชื ื“ืžื•ืกืคื™ืŸ ื‘ื™ื—ื™ื“


Rav Huna bar แธคinnana said that แธคiyya bar Rav said: The halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda, who said it in the name of his mentor, Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya. Rav แธคiyya bar Avin said to him: You have spoken well, as proven by what Shmuel said: In all my days I have never prayed the additional prayer as an individual


ื‘ื ื”ืจื“ืขื ืœื‘ืจ ืžื”ื”ื•ื ื™ื•ืžื ื“ืืชื ืคื•ืœืžื•ืกื ื“ืžืœื›ื ืœืžืชื ื•ืื˜ืจื™ื“ื• ืจื‘ื ืŸ ื•ืœื ืฆืœื• ื•ืฆืœื™ ืœื™ ื‘ื™ื—ื™ื“ ื•ื”ื•ืื™ ื™ื—ื™ื“ ืฉืœื ื‘ื—ื‘ืจ ืขื™ืจ


in Nehardeโ€™a, where there is always a prayer quorum, except for the day when the kingโ€™s army [pulmusa] came to the city, and the Sages were preoccupied and did not pray communally, and I prayed as an individual, and I was an individual who was not praying in a prayer quorum. Shmuelโ€™s conduct was in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda in this matter.


ื™ืชื™ื‘ ืจื‘ื™ ื—ื ื™ื ื ืงืจื ืงืžื™ื” ื“ืจื‘ื™ ื™ื ืื™ ื•ื™ืชื™ื‘ ื•ืงืืžืจ ื”ืœื›ื” ื›ืจื‘ื™ ื™ื”ื•ื“ื” ืฉืืžืจ ืžืฉื•ื ืจื‘ื™ ืืœืขื–ืจ ื‘ืŸ ืขื–ืจื™ื” ืืžืจ ืœื™ื” ืคื•ืง ืงืจื ืงืจืื™ืš ืœื‘ืจื ื“ืื™ืŸ ื”ืœื›ื” ื›ืจื‘ื™ ื™ื”ื•ื“ื” ืฉืืžืจ ืžืฉื•ื ืจื‘ื™ ืืœืขื–ืจ ื‘ืŸ ืขื–ืจื™ื”


Yet this opinion was not universally accepted. The Gemara relates: Rabbi แธคanina Kara, the Bible expert, sat before Rabbi Yannai, and he sat and he said: The halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda who said it in the name of Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya. Rabbi Yannai said to him: Go and read your verses outside, as that halakha is not accepted by the Sages in the study hall, and it belongs outside, as the halakha is not in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda who said it in the name of Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya.


ืืžืจ ืจื‘ื™ ื™ื•ื—ื ืŸ ืื ื™ ืจืื™ืชื™ ืืช ืจื‘ื™ ื™ื ืื™ ื“ืฆืœื™ ื•ื”ื“ืจ ืฆืœื™ ืืžืจ ืœื™ื” ืจื‘ื™ ื™ืจืžื™ื” ืœืจื‘ื™ ื–ื™ืจื ื•ื“ื™ืœืžื ืžืขื™ืงืจื ืœื ื›ื•ื•ืŸ ื“ืขืชื™ื” ื•ืœื‘ืกื•ืฃ ื›ื•ื•ืŸ ื“ืขืชื™ื” ืืžืจ ืœื™ื” ื—ื–ื™ ืžืืŸ ื’ื‘ืจื ืจื‘ื” ื“ืงืžืกื”ื™ื“ ืขืœื™ื”:


Rabbi Yoแธฅanan said: I saw Rabbi Yannai, who prayed and then prayed again. Presumably, his first prayer was the morning prayer and his second prayer was the additional prayer. Apparently, he does not hold in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya. Rather, he holds that even when not part of a prayer quorum, an individual must recite the additional prayer. Later on, when this story was related in the study hall, Rabbi Yirmeya said to his teacher, Rabbi Zeira: What proof is there that the second prayer was the additional prayer? Perhaps initially he did not focus his mind on his prayer and ultimately he focused his mind, i.e., he repeated the morning prayer in order to do so with proper concentration. Rabbi Zeira said to him: Look at who the great man is who is testifying about him. Rabbi Yoแธฅanan certainly observed carefully before relating what he witnessed.


ืจื‘ื™ ืืžื™ ื•ืจื‘ื™ ืืกื™ ืืฃ ืขืœ ื’ื‘ ื“ื”ื•ื• ืœื”ื• ืชืœื™ืกืจ ื‘ื™ ื›ื ื™ืฉืชื ื‘ื˜ื‘ืจื™ื ืœื ื”ื•ื• ืžืฆืœื• ืืœื ื‘ื™ื ื™ ืขืžื•ื“ื™ ื”ื™ื›ื ื“ื”ื•ื• ื’ืจืกื™


Regarding prayers of the Sages, the Gemara further relates that, although there were thirteen synagogues in Tiberias, Rabbi Ami and Rabbi Asi would only pray between the columns where they studied, as prayer is beloved in the eyes of God, specifically in a place of Torah.


ืื™ืชืžืจ ืจื‘ ื™ืฆื—ืง ื‘ืจ ืื‘ื“ื™ืžื™ ืžืฉื•ื ืจื‘ื™ื ื• ืืžืจ ื”ืœื›ื” ื›ืจื‘ื™ ื™ื”ื•ื“ื” ืฉืืžืจ ืžืฉื•ื ืจื‘ื™ ืืœืขื–ืจ ื‘ืŸ ืขื–ืจื™ื” ืจื‘ื™ ื—ื™ื™ื ื‘ืจ ืื‘ื ืฆืœื™ ื•ื”ื“ืจ ืฆืœื™ ืืžืจ ืœื™ื” ืจื‘ื™ ื–ื™ืจื ืžืื™ ื˜ืขืžื ืขื‘ื™ื“ ืžืจ ื”ื›ื™ ืื™ืœื™ืžื ืžืฉื•ื ื“ืœื ื›ื•ื•ืŸ ืžืจ ื“ืขืชื™ื” ื•ื”ืืžืจ ืจื‘ื™ ืืœื™ืขื–ืจ ืœืขื•ืœื ื™ืžื•ื“ ืื“ื ืืช ืขืฆืžื• ืื ื™ื›ื•ืœ ืœื›ื•ื™ืŸ ืืช ืœื‘ื• ื™ืชืคืœืœ ื•ืื ืœืื• ืืœ ื™ืชืคืœืœ ืืœื ื“ืœื ืื“ื›ืจ ืžืจ ื“ืจื™ืฉ ื™ืจื—ื


It was stated: Rav Yitzแธฅak bar Avdimi in the name of Rabbeinu, Rav, said: The halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda who said it in the name of Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya. The Gemara relates: Rabbi แธคiyya bar Abba prayed and then prayed again. Rav Zeira said to him: Why did the Master do this? If you say because the Master did not focus his mind the first time, didnโ€™t Rabbi Eliezer say: One must always evaluate himself before he prays? If he is able to focus his heart on prayer, he should pray, but if not, if he is unable to do so, he should not pray. Apparently, that was not the reason that he prayed twice. Rather, because my Master did not mention the New Moon in his prayer, so he prayed again.


ื•ื”ืชื ื™ื ื˜ืขื” ื•ืœื ื”ื–ื›ื™ืจ ืฉืœ ืจืืฉ ื—ื“ืฉ ื‘ืขืจื‘ื™ืช ืื™ืŸ ืžื—ื–ื™ืจื™ืŸ ืื•ืชื• ืžืคื ื™ ืฉื™ื›ื•ืœ ืœืื•ืžืจื” ื‘ืฉื—ืจื™ืช ื‘ืฉื—ืจื™ืช ืื™ืŸ ืžื—ื–ื™ืจื™ืŸ ืื•ืชื• ืžืคื ื™ ืฉื™ื›ื•ืœ ืœืื•ืžืจื” ื‘ืžื•ืกืคื™ืŸ ื‘ืžื•ืกืคื™ืŸ ืื™ืŸ ืžื—ื–ื™ืจื™ืŸ ืื•ืชื• ืžืคื ื™ ืฉื™ื›ื•ืœ ืœืื•ืžืจื” ื‘ืžื ื—ื”


The Gemara asks: Wasnโ€™t it taught in a baraita: One who erred and did not mention the New Moon in the evening prayer, we do not require him to return to the beginning of the prayer and repeat it, because he can recite it in the morning prayer. One who erred and did not mention the New Moon in the morning prayer, we do not require him to return to the beginning of the prayer and repeat it, because he can recite it in the additional prayer. One who erred and did not mention the New Moon in the additional prayer, we do not require him to return to the beginning of the prayer and repeat it, because he can recite it in the afternoon prayer? Omitting mention of the New Moon does not require one to repeat the Amida prayer. Consequently, that was not the reason that Rabbi แธคiyya bar Abba prayed a second time.


ืืžืจ ืœื™ื” ืœืื• ืื™ืชืžืจ ืขืœื” ืืžืจ ืจื‘ื™ ื™ื•ื—ื ืŸ ื‘ืฆื‘ื•ืจ ืฉื ื•:


Rabbi แธคiyya bar Abba said to him: Wasnโ€™t it stated about that baraita that Rabbi Yoแธฅanan said: They taught this baraita specifically with regard to prayer in a communal framework? However, an individual who fails to mention the New Moon is required to pray again? That is why Rabbi แธคiyya bar Abba prayed twice.


ื›ืžื” ื™ืฉื”ื” ื‘ื™ืŸ ืชืคืœื” ืœืชืคืœื” ืจื‘ ื”ื•ื ื ื•ืจื‘ ื—ืกื“ื ื—ื“ ืืžืจ ื›ื“ื™ ืฉืชืชื—ื•ื ืŸ ื“ืขืชื• ืขืœื™ื• ื•ื—ื“ ืืžืจ ื›ื“ื™ ืฉืชืชื—ื•ืœืœ ื“ืขืชื• ืขืœื™ื•


Stemming from the discussion about individuals who recite two prayers consecutively, the Gemara asks: How long should one wait between the first prayer and the second prayer? Rav Huna and Rav แธคisda agreed about this in principle, but they formulated their opinions differently (Rashi). One said that an individual must wait long enough so that his mind will be in a pleading mode [titแธฅonen], enabling him to recite the second prayer as a plea. One of them said: Long enough so that his mind will be in a beseeching mode [titแธฅolel], enabling him to beseech God in his second prayer.


ืžืืŸ ื“ืืžืจ ื›ื“ื™ ืฉืชืชื—ื•ื ืŸ ื“ืขืชื• ืขืœื™ื• ื“ื›ืชื™ื‘ ื•ืืชื—ื ืŸ ืืœ ื”ืณ ื•ืžืืŸ ื“ืืžืจ ื›ื“ื™ ืฉืชืชื—ื•ืœืœ ื“ืขืชื• ืขืœื™ื• ื“ื›ืชื™ื‘ ื•ื™ื—ืœ ืžืฉื”


The Gemara points out that both Rav Huna and Rav แธคisda based their positions on the prayers of Moses. The one who said: So that his mind will be in a pleading mode [titแธฅonen], as it is written: โ€œAnd I pleaded [vaโ€™etแธฅanan] before the Lordโ€ (Deuteronomy 3:23). And the one who said: So that his mind will be in a beseeching mode [titแธฅolel] as it is written: โ€œAnd Moses besought [vayeแธฅal] the Lordโ€ (Exodus 32:11).


ืืžืจ ืจื‘ ืขื ืŸ ืืžืจ ืจื‘ ื˜ืขื” ื•ืœื ื”ื–ื›ื™ืจ ืฉืœ ืจืืฉ ื—ื“ืฉ ืขืจื‘ื™ืช ืื™ืŸ ืžื—ื–ื™ืจื™ืŸ ืื•ืชื• ืœืคื™ ืฉืื™ืŸ ื‘ื™ืช ื“ื™ืŸ ืžืงื“ืฉื™ืŸ ืืช ื”ื—ื“ืฉ ืืœื ื‘ื™ื•ื


The Gemara resumes the above discussion with regard to omission of the mention of the New Moon in the Amida prayer. Rav Anan said that Rav said: One who erred and did not mention the New Moon in the evening prayer, we do not require him to return to the beginning of the prayer and repeat it, because the court only sanctifies the new month by day, and the prayer of the New Moon, which parallels the courtโ€™s sanctification of the new month, belongs in the daytime prayer.


ืืžืจ ืืžื™ืžืจ ืžืกืชื‘ืจื ืžื™ืœืชื ื“ืจื‘ ื‘ื—ื“ืฉ ืžืœื ืื‘ืœ ื‘ื—ื“ืฉ ื—ืกืจ ืžื—ื–ื™ืจื™ืŸ ืื•ืชื•


Ameimar said: Ravโ€™s statement is reasonable in a full month, i.e., a month in which there are two potential days of the New Moon, the thirtieth day of the previous month and the first day of the new month. If one neglected to mention the New Moon on the night of the thirtieth, we do not require him to return to the beginning of the prayer and repeat it, because he can mention it the next night, which is the night of the first of the new month, which is the primary day of the New Moon. But in a short month of twenty-nine days, followed by one day of the New Moon, we require him to return to the beginning of the prayer and repeat it, even in the evening prayer.


ืืžืจ ืœื™ื” ืจื‘ ืืฉื™ ืœืืžื™ืžืจ ืžื›ื“ื™ ืจื‘ ื˜ืขืžื ืงืืžืจ ืžื” ืœื™ ื—ืกืจ ื•ืžื” ืœื™ ืžืœื ืืœื ืœื ืฉื ื:


Rav Ashi said to Ameimar: Since Rav states a reason for his statement, what difference is there to me if the month is short, and what difference is there to me if it is full? Rather, there is no difference. Rav based his opinion on the parallel drawn between the sanctification of the month and the mention of the New Moon in the Amida prayer; the sanctification of the month is not relevant at night.


ื”ื“ืจืŸ ืขืœืš ืชืคืœืช ื”ืฉื—ืจ


May we return unto thee : The morning Tefillah !


ืžืชื ื™ืณ ืื™ืŸ ืขื•ืžื“ื™ืŸ ืœื”ืชืคืœืœ ืืœื ืžืชื•ืš ื›ื•ื‘ื“ ืจืืฉ ื—ืกื™ื“ื™ื ื”ืจืืฉื•ื ื™ื ื”ื™ื• ืฉื•ื”ื™ืŸ ืฉืขื” ืื—ืช ื•ืžืชืคืœืœื™ืŸ ื›ื“ื™ ืฉื™ื›ื•ื•ื ื• ืœื‘ื ืœืื‘ื™ื”ื ืฉื‘ืฉืžื™ื ืืคื™ืœื• ื”ืžืœืš ืฉื•ืืœ ื‘ืฉืœื•ืžื• ืœื ื™ืฉื™ื‘ื ื• ื•ืืคื™ืœื• ื ื—ืฉ ื›ืจื•ืš ืขืœ ืขืงื‘ื• ืœื ื™ืคืกื™ืง:


MISHNA: One may only stand and begin to pray from an approach of gravity and submission. There is a tradition that the early generations of pious men would wait one hour, in order to reach the solemn frame of mind appropriate for prayer, and then pray, so that they would focus their hearts toward their Father in Heaven. Standing in prayer is standing before God and, as such, even if the king greets him, he should not respond to him; and even if a snake is wrapped on his heel, he should not interrupt his prayer.


ื’ืžืณ ืžื ื ื”ื ื™ ืžื™ืœื™ ืืžืจ ืจื‘ื™ ืืœืขื–ืจ ื“ืืžืจ ืงืจื ื•ื”ื™ื ืžืจืช ื ืคืฉ


GEMARA: We learned in the mishna that prayer should be undertaken in an atmosphere of gravity. The Gemara asks: From where are these matters derived? Rabbi Elazar said: They are derived from the verses describing the prayer of Hannah, mother of Samuel, as the verse states: โ€œAnd she felt bitterness of soul, and she prayed to the Lord and she wept and weptโ€ (I Samuel 1:10).


ืžืžืื™ ื“ื™ืœืžื ื—ื ื” ืฉืื ื™ ื“ื”ื•ืช ืžืจื™ืจื ืœื‘ื ื˜ื•ื‘ื


The Gemara rejects this proof: From what does that conclusion ensue? Perhaps Hannah is different, as her heart was extremely embittered, her prayer was embittered as well. This does not prove that everyone must pray in that frame of mind.


ืืœื ืืžืจ ืจื‘ื™ ื™ื•ืกื™ ื‘ืจื‘ื™ ื—ื ื™ื ื ืžื”ื›ื ื•ืื ื™ ื‘ืจื‘ ื—ืกื“ืš ืื‘ื•ื ื‘ื™ืชืš ืืฉืชื—ื•ื” ืืœ ื”ื™ื›ืœ ืงื“ืฉืš ื‘ื™ืจืืชืš


Rather, Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi แธคanina, said, it can be proved from here, as David said: โ€œBut as for me, by Your abundant loving-kindness I will enter Your house, at Your Holy Temple I will bow in reverence for Youโ€ (Psalms 5:8). Entering into prayer like entering the Holy Temple must be performed reverentially.


ืžืžืื™ ื“ื™ืœืžื ื“ื•ื“ ืฉืื ื™ ื“ื”ื•ื” ืžืฆืขืจ ื ืคืฉื™ื” ื‘ืจื—ืžื™ ื˜ื•ื‘ื ืืœื ืืžืจ ืจื‘ื™ ื™ื”ื•ืฉืข ื‘ืŸ ืœื•ื™ ืžื”ื›ื ื”ืฉืชื—ื•ื• ืœื”ืณ ื‘ื”ื“ืจืช ืงื“ืฉ ืืœ ืชืงืจื™ ื‘ื”ื“ืจืช ืืœื ื‘ื—ืจื“ืช


The Gemara rejects this proof as well: From what does that conclusion ensue? Perhaps David is different, as he would excessively afflict himself in prayer in order to atone for his transgression with Bathsheba. Consequently, his cannot serve as a paradigm for proper conduct in prayer. Rather, Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said, it can be derived from here, from this verse that David said, not about his own worship, but about worship of God in general: โ€œGive, unto the Lord, the honor of His name, bow to the Lord in the beauty of holiness [behadrat kodesh]โ€ (Psalms 29:2). Do not read: In the beauty of [behadrat] holiness. Rather read: In trembling of [beแธฅerdat] holiness; one must enter into prayer from an atmosphere of gravity engendered by sanctity.


ืžืžืื™ ื“ื™ืœืžื ืœืขื•ืœื ืื™ืžื ืœืš ื”ื“ืจืช ืžืžืฉ ื›ื™ ื”ื ื“ืจื‘ ื™ื”ื•ื“ื” ื”ื•ื” ืžืฆื™ื™ืŸ ื ืคืฉื™ื” ื•ื”ื“ืจ ืžืฆืœื™ ืืœื ืืžืจ ืจื‘ ื ื—ืžืŸ ื‘ืจ ื™ืฆื—ืง ืžื”ื›ื ืขื‘ื“ื• ืืช ื”ืณ ื‘ื™ืจืื” ื•ื’ื™ืœื• ื‘ืจืขื“ื”


The Gemara rejects this too: From what does that conclusion ensue? Perhaps, actually I would say to you that it should be read as it is written: Specifically, โ€œin the beauty,โ€ and it means that one should pray in beautiful clothing, as in the case of Rav Yehuda who would adorn himself and then pray. Rav Yehuda believed that one who comes before the King must wear his most beautiful clothing. The Gemara has yet to find a source for the halakha that one must approach prayer from an atmosphere of gravity. Rather, Rav Naแธฅman bar Yitzแธฅak said it can be derived from here, from this verse: โ€œServe the Lord in fear and rejoice with tremblingโ€ (Psalms 2:11).


ืžืื™ ื•ื’ื™ืœื• ื‘ืจืขื“ื” ืืžืจ ืจื‘ ืื“ื ื‘ืจ ืžืชื ื ืืžืจ ืจื‘ื” ื‘ืžืงื•ื ื’ื™ืœื” ืฉื ืชื”ื ืจืขื“ื”


Having cited this verse from Psalms, the Gemara asks: What is the meaning of rejoice with trembling? Rav Adda bar Mattana said that Rabba said: One may not experience unbridled joy; even where there is rejoicing, there should be trembling.


ืื‘ื™ื™ ื”ื•ื” ื™ืชื™ื‘ ืงืžื™ื” ื“ืจื‘ื” ื—ื–ื™ื™ื” ื“ื”ื•ื” ืงื ื‘ื“ื— ื˜ื•ื‘ื ืืžืจ ื•ื’ื™ืœื• ื‘ืจืขื“ื” ื›ืชื™ื‘


On that note, the Gemara relates: Abaye was sitting before his teacher Rabba, and Rabba saw that he was excessively joyful. He said to Abaye: It is written: Rejoice with trembling, oneโ€™s joy should not be unrestrained.


ืืžืจ ืœื™ื” ืื ื ืชืคื™ืœื™ืŸ ืžื ื—ื ื


Abaye said to him: It is permissible for me because I am donning phylacteries now and as long as they are upon me they ensure that the fear of God is upon me.


ืจื‘ื™ ื™ืจืžื™ื” ื”ื•ื” ื™ืชื™ื‘ ืงืžื™ื” ื“ืจื‘ื™ ื–ื™ืจื ื—ื–ื™ื™ื” ื“ื”ื•ื” ืงื ื‘ื“ื— ื˜ื•ื‘ื ืืžืจ ืœื™ื” ื‘ื›ืœ ืขืฆื‘ ื™ื”ื™ื” ืžื•ืชืจ ื›ืชื™ื‘


Similarly, the Gemara relates that Rabbi Yirmeya was sitting before Rabbi Zeira. He saw that Rabbi Yirmeya was excessively joyful. He said to him: It is written: โ€œIn all sorrow there is profitโ€ (Proverbs 14:23); sorrow is appropriate, not excessive joy.


ืืžืจ ืœื™ื” ืื ื ืชืคื™ืœื™ืŸ ืžื ื—ื ื


Rabbi Yirmeya said to him: It is permissible for me because I am donning phylacteries.


ืžืจ ื‘ืจื™ื” ื“ืจื‘ื™ื ื ืขื‘ื“ ื”ื™ืœื•ืœื ืœื‘ืจื™ื” ื—ื–ื ื”ื• ืœืจื‘ื ืŸ ื“ื”ื•ื• ืงื‘ื“ื—ื™ ื˜ื•ื‘ื


On a similar note, the Gemara relates: Mar, son of Ravina, made a wedding feast for his son and he saw the Sages, who were excessively joyous.


  • This month's learning is sponsored by Sami Groff in honor of Shoshana Keats Jaskoll and Chochmat Nashim.

Want to explore more about the Daf?

See insights from our partners, contributors and community of women learners

talking talmud_square

Kavanah, Kavanah, Kavanah!

In which we begin with location, we continue to constituency, and close with context - the many factors that are...

Berakhot 30

The William Davidson Talmud | Powered by Sefaria

Berakhot 30

ืœื™ืฉืชืฃ ืื™ื ืฉ ื ืคืฉื™ื” ื‘ื”ื“ื™ ืฆื‘ื•ืจื ื”ื™ื›ื™ ื ื™ืžื ื™ื”ื™ ืจืฆื•ืŸ ืžืœืคื ื™ืš ื”ืณ ืืœื”ื™ื ื• ืฉืชื•ืœื™ื›ื ื• ืœืฉืœื•ื ื•ื›ื•ืณ


a person should associate himself with the congregation and should not pray for himself alone. How should he say it? May it be Your will, Lord our God, that You lead us to peace, etc., in the plural.


ืื™ืžืช ืžืฆืœื™ ืืžืจ ืจื‘ื™ ื™ืขืงื‘ ืืžืจ ืจื‘ ื—ืกื“ื ืžืฉืขื” ืฉืžื”ืœืš ื‘ื“ืจืš ืขื“ ื›ืžื” ืืžืจ ืจื‘ื™ ื™ืขืงื‘ ืืžืจ ืจื‘ ื—ืกื“ื ืขื“ ืคืจืกื” ื•ื”ื™ื›ื™ ืžืฆืœื™ ืœื” ืจื‘ ื—ืกื“ื ืืžืจ ืžืขื•ืžื“ ืจื‘ ืฉืฉืช ืืžืจ ืืคื™ืœื• ืžื”ืœืš


The Gemara discusses specific details pertaining to this prayer. When does one pray? Rabbi Yaโ€™akov said that Rav แธคisda said: From when one sets out on his journey, and not before. How long must oneโ€™s planned journey be in order to require him to recite this prayer (Baโ€™al Halakhot Gedolot)? Rabbi Yaโ€™akov said that Rav แธคisda said: At least a parasang. How does he recite this prayer? Rav แธคisda said: Only while standing in one place. Rav Sheshet said: Even walking or sitting.


ืจื‘ ื—ืกื“ื ื•ืจื‘ ืฉืฉืช ื”ื•ื• ืงืื–ืœื™ ื‘ืื•ืจื—ื ืงื ืจื‘ ื—ืกื“ื ื•ืงื ืžืฆืœื™ ืืžืจ ืœื™ื” ืจื‘ ืฉืฉืช ืœืฉืžืขื™ื” ืžืื™ ืงื ืขื‘ื™ื“ ืจื‘ ื—ืกื“ื ืืžืจ ืœื™ื” ืงืื™ ื•ืžืฆืœื™ ืืžืจ ืœื™ื” ืื•ืงืžืŸ ื ืžื™ ืœื“ื™ื“ื™ ื•ืืฆืœื™ ืžื”ื™ื•ืช ื˜ื•ื‘ ืืœ ืชืงืจื ืจืข


The Gemara relates: Rav แธคisda and Rav Sheshet were walking along the path, Rav แธคisda stood and recited the travelerโ€™s prayer. Since he was blind and did not see his colleague, Rav Sheshet asked his servant: What is Rav แธคisda doing now? His servant said to him: He is standing and praying. Rav Sheshet said to his servant: Stand me up as well and I will pray. Even though Rav Sheshet held that there is no need to stand during this prayer, nevertheless: From being good, do not be called wicked. In other words, one should do better if he is able. Rav Sheshet said that one is not required to stop and stand. He did not say that it is preferable to walk or sit. Since standing in this case required no special effort on his part, as Rav แธคisda had stopped to stand and pray anyway, why insist on sitting?


ืžืื™ ืื™ื›ื ื‘ื™ืŸ ื”ื‘ื™ื ื ื• ืœืชืคืœื” ืงืฆืจื” ื”ื‘ื™ื ื ื• ื‘ืขื™ ืœืฆืœื•ื™ื™ ืฉืœืฉ ืงืžื™ื™ืชื ื•ืฉืœืฉ ื‘ืชืจื™ื™ืชื ื•ื›ื™ ืžื˜ื™ ืœื‘ื™ืชื™ื” ืœื ื‘ืขื™ ืœืžื”ื“ืจ ืœืฆืœื•ื™ื™ ื‘ืชืคืœื” ืงืฆืจื” ืœื ื‘ืขื™ ืœืฆืœื•ื™ื™ ืœื ืฉืœืฉ ืงืžื™ื™ืชื ื•ืœื ืฉืœืฉ ื‘ืชืจื™ื™ืชื ื•ื›ื™ ืžื˜ื™ ืœื‘ื™ืชื™ื” ื‘ืขื™ ืœืžื”ื“ืจ ืœืฆืœื•ื™ื™


The mishna mentioned both a brief prayer recited in times of danger and an abridged prayer, with regard to which there was a dispute between the tannaโ€™im. The Gemara asks: What is the practical halakhic difference between the abridged prayer: Grant us understanding and the brief prayer recited in times of danger? The Gemara answers: One who recites: Grant us understanding is required to recite the first three blessings and the last three blessings of the Amida prayer, and when he reaches his home, he need not pray again. One who recites the brief prayer, however, need recite neither the first three blessings nor the last three blessings of the Amida prayer. However, when he reaches his home, he must pray again. Grant us understanding has the legal status of the Amida prayer, despite its brevity, while the brief prayer is merely recited in place of the Amida prayer in exigent circumstances.


ื•ื”ืœื›ืชื ื”ื‘ื™ื ื ื• ืžืขื•ืžื“ ืชืคืœื” ืงืฆืจื” ื‘ื™ืŸ ืžืขื•ืžื“ ื‘ื™ืŸ ืžื”ืœืš:


The halakha is: Grant us understanding, as mentioned above, has the legal status of the Amida prayer, and must therefore be recited while standing. The brief prayer, since it does not have that status, may be recited whether one is standing or whether one is walking.


ื”ื™ื” ืจื•ื›ื‘ ืขืœ ื”ื—ืžื•ืจ ื•ื›ื•ืณ: ืชื ื• ืจื‘ื ืŸ ื”ื™ื” ืจื•ื›ื‘ ืขืœ ื”ื—ืžื•ืจ ื•ื”ื’ื™ืข ื–ืžืŸ ืชืคืœื” ืื ื™ืฉ ืœื• ืžื™ ืฉื™ืื—ื– ืืช ื—ืžื•ืจื• ื™ืจื“ ืœืžื˜ื” ื•ื™ืชืคืœืœ ื•ืื ืœืื• ื™ืฉื‘ ื‘ืžืงื•ืžื• ื•ื™ืชืคืœืœ ืจื‘ื™ ืื•ืžืจ ื‘ื™ืŸ ื›ืš ื•ื‘ื™ืŸ ื›ืš ื™ืฉื‘ ื‘ืžืงื•ืžื• ื•ื™ืชืคืœืœ ืœืคื™ ืฉืื™ืŸ ื“ืขืชื• ืžื™ื•ืฉื‘ืช ืขืœื™ื•


We learned in the mishna: One who was riding on a donkey should dismount and pray. Only in exigent circumstances may he pray while riding, focusing his heart toward Jerusalem and the Holy of Holies. The Sages taught in a Tosefta: One who was riding on a donkey and the time for prayer arrived, if he has someone to hold onto the donkey, he should dismount and pray. If not, he should sit in his place atop the donkey and pray. Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi says: In any case, whether or not there is someone to hold onto the donkey, he should sit in his place atop the donkey and pray, as his mind will not be calm. Since he is hurrying to arrive at his destination, the need to dismount the donkey, stand in prayer, and remount the donkey would delay his journey, and the delay is likely to interfere with his concentration during prayer.


ืืžืจ ืจื‘ื ื•ืื™ืชื™ืžื ืจื‘ื™ ื™ื”ื•ืฉืข ื‘ืŸ ืœื•ื™ ื”ืœื›ื” ื›ืจื‘ื™:


Rava, and some say Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi, said: The halakha here is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi.


ืชื ื• ืจื‘ื ืŸ ืกื•ืžื ื•ืžื™ ืฉืื™ื ื• ื™ื›ื•ืœ ืœื›ื•ื™ืŸ ืืช ื”ืจื•ื—ื•ืช ื™ื›ื•ื™ืŸ ืœื‘ื• ื›ื ื’ื“ ืื‘ื™ื• ืฉื‘ืฉืžื™ื ืฉื ืืžืจ ื•ื”ืชืคืœืœื• ืืœ ื”ืณ


The Sages taught in a Tosefta: A blind person and one who is unable to approximate the directions and, therefore, is unable to face Jerusalem in order to pray, may focus his heart towards his Father in Heaven, as it is stated: โ€œAnd they shall pray to the Lordโ€ (I Kings 8:44).


ื”ื™ื” ืขื•ืžื“ ื‘ื—ื•ืฅ ืœืืจืฅ ื™ื›ื•ื™ืŸ ืืช ืœื‘ื• ื›ื ื’ื“ ืืจืฅ ื™ืฉืจืืœ ืฉื ืืžืจ ื•ื”ืชืคืœืœื• ืืœื™ืš ื“ืจืš ืืจืฆื ื”ื™ื” ืขื•ืžื“ ื‘ืืจืฅ ื™ืฉืจืืœ ื™ื›ื•ื™ืŸ ืืช ืœื‘ื• ื›ื ื’ื“ ื™ืจื•ืฉืœื™ื ืฉื ืืžืจ ื•ื”ืชืคืœืœื• ืืœ ื”ืณ ื“ืจืš ื”ืขื™ืจ ืืฉืจ ื‘ื—ืจืช ื”ื™ื” ืขื•ืžื“ ื‘ื™ืจื•ืฉืœื™ื ื™ื›ื•ื™ืŸ ืืช ืœื‘ื• ื›ื ื’ื“ ื‘ื™ืช ื”ืžืงื“ืฉ ืฉื ืืžืจ ื•ื”ืชืคืœืœื• ืืœ ื”ื‘ื™ืช ื”ื–ื” ื”ื™ื” ืขื•ืžื“ ื‘ื‘ื™ืช ื”ืžืงื“ืฉ ื™ื›ื•ื™ืŸ ืืช ืœื‘ื• ื›ื ื’ื“ ื‘ื™ืช ืงื“ืฉื™ ื”ืงื“ืฉื™ื ืฉื ืืžืจ ื•ื”ืชืคืœืœื• ืืœ ื”ืžืงื•ื ื”ื–ื” ื”ื™ื” ืขื•ืžื“ ื‘ื‘ื™ืช ืงื“ืฉื™ ื”ืงื“ืฉื™ื ื™ื›ื•ื™ืŸ ืืช ืœื‘ื• ื›ื ื’ื“ ื‘ื™ืช ื”ื›ืคื•ืจืช ื”ื™ื” ืขื•ืžื“ ืื—ื•ืจื™ ื‘ื™ืช ื”ื›ืคื•ืจืช ื™ืจืื” ืขืฆืžื• ื›ืื™ืœื• ืœืคื ื™ ื”ื›ืคื•ืจืช ื ืžืฆื ืขื•ืžื“ ื‘ืžื–ืจื— ืžื—ื–ื™ืจ ืคื ื™ื• ืœืžืขืจื‘ ื‘ืžืขืจื‘ ืžื—ื–ื™ืจ ืคื ื™ื• ืœืžื–ืจื— ื‘ื“ืจื•ื ืžื—ื–ื™ืจ ืคื ื™ื• ืœืฆืคื•ืŸ ื‘ืฆืคื•ืŸ ืžื—ื–ื™ืจ ืคื ื™ื• ืœื“ืจื•ื ื ืžืฆืื• ื›ืœ ื™ืฉืจืืœ ืžื›ื•ื•ื ื™ืŸ ืืช ืœื‘ื ืœืžืงื•ื ืื—ื“


One who was standing in prayer in the Diaspora should focus his heart toward Eretz Yisrael, as it is stated: โ€œAnd they shall pray to You by way of their land which You have given to their fathersโ€ (I Kings 8:48).
One who was standing in Eretz Yisrael should focus his heart toward Jerusalem, as it is stated: โ€œAnd they shall pray to the Lord by way of the city that You have chosenโ€ (I Kings 8:44).
One who was standing in Jerusalem should focus his heart toward the Temple, as it is stated: โ€œAnd they shall pray toward this houseโ€ (II Chronicles 6:32).
One who was standing in the Temple should focus his heart toward the Holy of Holies, as it is stated: โ€œAnd they shall pray toward this placeโ€ (I Kings 8:35).
One who was standing in the Holy of Holies should focus his heart toward the seat of the ark-cover [kapporet], atop the ark, the dwelling place of Godโ€™s glory.
One who was standing behind the seat of the ark-cover should visualize himself as if standing before the ark-cover and turn toward it.
Consequently, one standing in prayer in the East turns to face west, and one standing in the West turns to face east. One standing in the South turns to face north, and one standing in the North turns to face south; Consequently, all of the people of Israel focus themselves focusing their hearts toward one place, the Holy of Holies in the Temple.


ืืžืจ ืจื‘ื™ ืื‘ื™ืŸ ื•ืื™ืชื™ืžื ืจื‘ื™ ืื‘ื™ื ื ืžืื™ ืงืจืื” ื›ืžื’ื“ืœ ื“ื•ื™ื“ ืฆื•ืืจืš ื‘ื ื•ื™ ืœืชืœืคื™ื•ืช ืชืœ ืฉื›ืœ ืคื™ื•ืช ืคื•ื ื™ื ื‘ื•:


An allusion to this is found in what Rabbi Avin, and some say Rabbi Avina, said: What verse alludes to this? โ€œYour neck is like the Tower of David, built with turrets [talpiyyot], one thousand shields hang from it, all of the armor of the mightyโ€ (Song of Songs 4:4). He interprets the word talpiyyot as the hill [tel] toward which all mouths [piyyot] turn, i.e., the Temple Mount.


ืื‘ื•ื” ื“ืฉืžื•ืืœ ื•ืœื•ื™ ื›ื™ ื”ื•ื• ื‘ืขื• ืœืžื™ืคืง ืœืื•ืจื—ื ื”ื•ื• ืžืงื“ืžื™ ื•ืžืฆืœื™ ื•ื›ื™ ื”ื•ื” ืžื˜ื™ ื–ืžืŸ ืงืจื™ืืช ืฉืžืข ืงืจื•


With regard to prayer while traveling, the Gemara relates: When Shmuelโ€™s father and Levi wanted to set out on a journey in the morning, they would pray early before sunrise. When, during their journey, the time to recite Shema would arrive, they recited it.


ื›ืžืืŸ ื›ื™ ื”ืื™ ืชื ื ื“ืชื ื™ื ื”ืฉื›ื™ื ืœืฆืืช ืœื“ืจืš ืžื‘ื™ืื™ืŸ ืœื• ืฉื•ืคืจ ื•ืชื•ืงืข ืœื•ืœื‘ ื•ืžื ืขื ืข ืžื’ื™ืœื” ื•ืงื•ืจื ื‘ื” ื•ื›ืฉื™ื’ื™ืข ื–ืžืŸ ืงืจื™ืืช ืฉืžืข ืงื•ืจื ื”ืฉื›ื™ื ืœื™ืฉื‘ ื‘ืงืจื•ืŸ ืื• ื‘ืกืคื™ื ื” ืžืชืคืœืœ ื•ื›ืฉื™ื’ื™ืข ื–ืžืŸ ืงืจื™ืืช ืฉืžืข ืงื•ืจื


The Gemara asks: In accordance with whose opinion did they do this? In accordance with this tanna, as it was taught in the Tosefta: One who rose early to set out on his path before the time to recite Shema arrives, they bring him a shofar and he sounds it, if it was Rosh HaShana; a lulav and he takes it on Sukkot; a megilla, the Scroll of Esther, and he reads it on Purim; and when the time comes to recite Shema, he recites it. So too, one who rose early to sit in a wagon or in a boat prays, and when the time comes to recite Shema, he recites it.


ืจื‘ื™ ืฉืžืขื•ืŸ ื‘ืŸ ืืœืขื–ืจ ืื•ืžืจ ื‘ื™ืŸ ื›ืš ื•ื‘ื™ืŸ ื›ืš ืงื•ืจื ืงืจื™ืืช ืฉืžืข ื•ืžืชืคืœืœ ื›ื“ื™ ืฉื™ืกืžื•ืš ื’ืื•ืœื” ืœืชืคืœื”


Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar, says: In either case, it is preferable to recite Shema and then pray the Amida prayer in the wagon so that he will juxtapose redemption and prayer.


ื‘ืžืื™ ืงืžื™ืคืœื’ื™ ืžืจ ืกื‘ืจ ืชืคืœื” ืžืขื•ืžื“ ืขื“ื™ืฃ ื•ืžืจ ืกื‘ืจ ืžืกืžืš ื’ืื•ืœื” ืœืชืคืœื” ืขื“ื™ืฃ


The Gemara explains: Regarding what do they disagree? The Gemara answers: This Sage, the first tanna, holds that prayer while standing is preferable. Therefore, one should pray earlier, at home, while standing. This Sage, Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar, holds that the juxtaposition of redemption and prayer is preferable, even if in doing so one is unable to stand while praying.


ืžืจื™ืžืจ ื•ืžืจ ื–ื•ื˜ืจื ื”ื•ื• ืžื›ื ืคื™ ื‘ื™ ืขืฉืจื” ื‘ืฉื‘ืชื ื“ืจื’ืœื ื•ืžืฆืœื• ื•ื”ื“ืจ ื ืคืงื™ ืœืคืจืงื


On a similar note, the Gemara cites additional circumstances where Sages were forced to make exceptional arrangements to pray. Mareimar and Mar Zutra would gather ten people on the Shabbat of the festival and pray, and set out to deliver their lecture [pirka]. Due to the crowds that gathered to hear the lectures of the Sages on the festival, they were unable to pray at the proper time, so they were forced to pray earlier.


ืจื‘ ืืฉื™ ืžืฆืœื™ ื‘ื”ื“ื™ ืฆื‘ื•ืจื ื‘ื™ื—ื™ื“ ืžื™ื•ืฉื‘ ื›ื™ ื”ื•ื” ืืชื™ ืœื‘ื™ืชื™ื” ื”ื“ืจ ื•ืžืฆืœื™ ืžืขื•ืžื“ ืืžืจื™ ืœื™ื” ืจื‘ื ืŸ ื•ืœืขื‘ื™ื“ ืžืจ ื›ืžืจื™ืžืจ ื•ืžืจ ื–ื•ื˜ืจื ืืžืจ ืœื”ื• ื˜ืจื™ื—ื ืœื™ ืžืœืชื ื•ืœืขื‘ื™ื“ ืžืจ ื›ืื‘ื•ื” ื“ืฉืžื•ืืœ ื•ืœื•ื™ ืืžืจ ืœื”ื• ืœื ื—ื–ื™ื ื ืœื”ื• ืœืจื‘ื ืŸ ืงืฉื™ืฉื™ ืžื™ื ืŸ ื“ืขื‘ื“ื™ ื”ื›ื™:


In similar circumstances, Rav Ashi would pray with the congregation individually while seated, so that they would not notice that he was praying. Afterwards, when he would come to his house, he would pray again while standing in order to pray without distraction. The Sages said to him: The Master should do as Mareimar and Mar Zutra do, i.e., gather a prayer quorum at home to pray before the lecture. He said to them: It is burdensome to me to delay the lecture so much. The Sages said to him: The Master should do as Shmuelโ€™s father and Levi did and pray before sunrise. He said to them: I have not seen Sages older than us do that, indicating that this is not the accepted halakha.


ืžืชื ื™ืณ ืจื‘ื™ ืืœืขื–ืจ ื‘ืŸ ืขื–ืจื™ื” ืื•ืžืจ ืื™ืŸ ืชืคืœืช ื”ืžื•ืกืคื™ืŸ ืืœื ื‘ื—ื‘ืจ ืขื™ืจ ื•ื—ื›ืžื™ื ืื•ืžืจื™ื ื‘ื—ื‘ืจ ืขื™ืจ ื•ืฉืœื ื‘ื—ื‘ืจ ืขื™ืจ ืจื‘ื™ ื™ื”ื•ื“ื” ืื•ืžืจ ืžืฉืžื• ื›ืœ ืžืงื•ื ืฉื™ืฉ ืฉื ื—ื‘ืจ ืขื™ืจ ื™ื—ื™ื“ ืคื˜ื•ืจ ืžืชืคืœืช ื”ืžื•ืกืคื™ืŸ:


MISHNA: Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya says: The additional prayer is only recited in a city where there is a quorum of ten [แธฅever ir]. The Rabbis say: One may recite the additional prayer with a แธฅever ir or without a แธฅever ir. Rabbi Yehuda says another opinion in his name, the name of Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya: Any place where there is a แธฅever ir, an individual is completely exempt from reciting the additional prayer.


ื’ืžืณ ืจื‘ื™ ื™ื”ื•ื“ื” ื”ื™ื™ื ื• ืชื ื ืงืžื ืื™ื›ื ื‘ื™ื ื™ื™ื”ื• ื™ื—ื™ื“ ืฉืœื ื‘ื—ื‘ืจ ืขื™ืจ ืชื ื ืงืžื ืกื‘ืจ ืคื˜ื•ืจ ื•ืจื‘ื™ ื™ื”ื•ื“ื” ืกื‘ืจ ื—ื™ื™ื‘


GEMARA: There is no apparent difference between the opinion of Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya and the opinion cited in his name by Rabbi Yehuda. The Gemara asks: Rabbi Yehudaโ€™s opinion is identical to the opinion of Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya cited by the first tanna. The Gemara answers: There is a practical halakhic difference between them: The case of an individual who is not in a place where there is a แธฅever ir. In other words, in a place where there is not a prayer quorum of ten people, the first tanna holds that Rabbi Elazar ben Azaryaโ€™s opinion is that the individual is exempt from reciting the additional prayer, as it was only instituted to be recited with a quorum. And Rabbi Yehuda holds that Rabbi Elazar ben Azaryaโ€™s opinion is that the individual is obligated to recite the additional prayer, as he is only exempt in a place where there is a prayer quorum, and, therefore, a communal prayer leader fulfills his obligation.


ืืžืจ ืจื‘ ื”ื•ื ื ื‘ืจ ื—ื™ื ื ื ืืžืจ ืจื‘ ื—ื™ื™ื ื‘ืจ ืจื‘ ื”ืœื›ื” ื›ืจื‘ื™ ื™ื”ื•ื“ื” ืฉืืžืจ ืžืฉื•ื ืจื‘ื™ ืืœืขื–ืจ ื‘ืŸ ืขื–ืจื™ื” ืืžืจ ืœื™ื” ืจื‘ ื—ื™ื™ื ื‘ืจ ืื‘ื™ืŸ ืฉืคื™ืจ ืงืืžืจืช ื“ืืžืจ ืฉืžื•ืืœ ืžื™ืžื™ ืœื ืžืฆืœื™ื ื ืฆืœื•ืชื ื“ืžื•ืกืคื™ืŸ ื‘ื™ื—ื™ื“


Rav Huna bar แธคinnana said that แธคiyya bar Rav said: The halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda, who said it in the name of his mentor, Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya. Rav แธคiyya bar Avin said to him: You have spoken well, as proven by what Shmuel said: In all my days I have never prayed the additional prayer as an individual


ื‘ื ื”ืจื“ืขื ืœื‘ืจ ืžื”ื”ื•ื ื™ื•ืžื ื“ืืชื ืคื•ืœืžื•ืกื ื“ืžืœื›ื ืœืžืชื ื•ืื˜ืจื™ื“ื• ืจื‘ื ืŸ ื•ืœื ืฆืœื• ื•ืฆืœื™ ืœื™ ื‘ื™ื—ื™ื“ ื•ื”ื•ืื™ ื™ื—ื™ื“ ืฉืœื ื‘ื—ื‘ืจ ืขื™ืจ


in Nehardeโ€™a, where there is always a prayer quorum, except for the day when the kingโ€™s army [pulmusa] came to the city, and the Sages were preoccupied and did not pray communally, and I prayed as an individual, and I was an individual who was not praying in a prayer quorum. Shmuelโ€™s conduct was in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda in this matter.


ื™ืชื™ื‘ ืจื‘ื™ ื—ื ื™ื ื ืงืจื ืงืžื™ื” ื“ืจื‘ื™ ื™ื ืื™ ื•ื™ืชื™ื‘ ื•ืงืืžืจ ื”ืœื›ื” ื›ืจื‘ื™ ื™ื”ื•ื“ื” ืฉืืžืจ ืžืฉื•ื ืจื‘ื™ ืืœืขื–ืจ ื‘ืŸ ืขื–ืจื™ื” ืืžืจ ืœื™ื” ืคื•ืง ืงืจื ืงืจืื™ืš ืœื‘ืจื ื“ืื™ืŸ ื”ืœื›ื” ื›ืจื‘ื™ ื™ื”ื•ื“ื” ืฉืืžืจ ืžืฉื•ื ืจื‘ื™ ืืœืขื–ืจ ื‘ืŸ ืขื–ืจื™ื”


Yet this opinion was not universally accepted. The Gemara relates: Rabbi แธคanina Kara, the Bible expert, sat before Rabbi Yannai, and he sat and he said: The halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda who said it in the name of Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya. Rabbi Yannai said to him: Go and read your verses outside, as that halakha is not accepted by the Sages in the study hall, and it belongs outside, as the halakha is not in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda who said it in the name of Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya.


ืืžืจ ืจื‘ื™ ื™ื•ื—ื ืŸ ืื ื™ ืจืื™ืชื™ ืืช ืจื‘ื™ ื™ื ืื™ ื“ืฆืœื™ ื•ื”ื“ืจ ืฆืœื™ ืืžืจ ืœื™ื” ืจื‘ื™ ื™ืจืžื™ื” ืœืจื‘ื™ ื–ื™ืจื ื•ื“ื™ืœืžื ืžืขื™ืงืจื ืœื ื›ื•ื•ืŸ ื“ืขืชื™ื” ื•ืœื‘ืกื•ืฃ ื›ื•ื•ืŸ ื“ืขืชื™ื” ืืžืจ ืœื™ื” ื—ื–ื™ ืžืืŸ ื’ื‘ืจื ืจื‘ื” ื“ืงืžืกื”ื™ื“ ืขืœื™ื”:


Rabbi Yoแธฅanan said: I saw Rabbi Yannai, who prayed and then prayed again. Presumably, his first prayer was the morning prayer and his second prayer was the additional prayer. Apparently, he does not hold in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya. Rather, he holds that even when not part of a prayer quorum, an individual must recite the additional prayer. Later on, when this story was related in the study hall, Rabbi Yirmeya said to his teacher, Rabbi Zeira: What proof is there that the second prayer was the additional prayer? Perhaps initially he did not focus his mind on his prayer and ultimately he focused his mind, i.e., he repeated the morning prayer in order to do so with proper concentration. Rabbi Zeira said to him: Look at who the great man is who is testifying about him. Rabbi Yoแธฅanan certainly observed carefully before relating what he witnessed.


ืจื‘ื™ ืืžื™ ื•ืจื‘ื™ ืืกื™ ืืฃ ืขืœ ื’ื‘ ื“ื”ื•ื• ืœื”ื• ืชืœื™ืกืจ ื‘ื™ ื›ื ื™ืฉืชื ื‘ื˜ื‘ืจื™ื ืœื ื”ื•ื• ืžืฆืœื• ืืœื ื‘ื™ื ื™ ืขืžื•ื“ื™ ื”ื™ื›ื ื“ื”ื•ื• ื’ืจืกื™


Regarding prayers of the Sages, the Gemara further relates that, although there were thirteen synagogues in Tiberias, Rabbi Ami and Rabbi Asi would only pray between the columns where they studied, as prayer is beloved in the eyes of God, specifically in a place of Torah.


ืื™ืชืžืจ ืจื‘ ื™ืฆื—ืง ื‘ืจ ืื‘ื“ื™ืžื™ ืžืฉื•ื ืจื‘ื™ื ื• ืืžืจ ื”ืœื›ื” ื›ืจื‘ื™ ื™ื”ื•ื“ื” ืฉืืžืจ ืžืฉื•ื ืจื‘ื™ ืืœืขื–ืจ ื‘ืŸ ืขื–ืจื™ื” ืจื‘ื™ ื—ื™ื™ื ื‘ืจ ืื‘ื ืฆืœื™ ื•ื”ื“ืจ ืฆืœื™ ืืžืจ ืœื™ื” ืจื‘ื™ ื–ื™ืจื ืžืื™ ื˜ืขืžื ืขื‘ื™ื“ ืžืจ ื”ื›ื™ ืื™ืœื™ืžื ืžืฉื•ื ื“ืœื ื›ื•ื•ืŸ ืžืจ ื“ืขืชื™ื” ื•ื”ืืžืจ ืจื‘ื™ ืืœื™ืขื–ืจ ืœืขื•ืœื ื™ืžื•ื“ ืื“ื ืืช ืขืฆืžื• ืื ื™ื›ื•ืœ ืœื›ื•ื™ืŸ ืืช ืœื‘ื• ื™ืชืคืœืœ ื•ืื ืœืื• ืืœ ื™ืชืคืœืœ ืืœื ื“ืœื ืื“ื›ืจ ืžืจ ื“ืจื™ืฉ ื™ืจื—ื


It was stated: Rav Yitzแธฅak bar Avdimi in the name of Rabbeinu, Rav, said: The halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda who said it in the name of Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya. The Gemara relates: Rabbi แธคiyya bar Abba prayed and then prayed again. Rav Zeira said to him: Why did the Master do this? If you say because the Master did not focus his mind the first time, didnโ€™t Rabbi Eliezer say: One must always evaluate himself before he prays? If he is able to focus his heart on prayer, he should pray, but if not, if he is unable to do so, he should not pray. Apparently, that was not the reason that he prayed twice. Rather, because my Master did not mention the New Moon in his prayer, so he prayed again.


ื•ื”ืชื ื™ื ื˜ืขื” ื•ืœื ื”ื–ื›ื™ืจ ืฉืœ ืจืืฉ ื—ื“ืฉ ื‘ืขืจื‘ื™ืช ืื™ืŸ ืžื—ื–ื™ืจื™ืŸ ืื•ืชื• ืžืคื ื™ ืฉื™ื›ื•ืœ ืœืื•ืžืจื” ื‘ืฉื—ืจื™ืช ื‘ืฉื—ืจื™ืช ืื™ืŸ ืžื—ื–ื™ืจื™ืŸ ืื•ืชื• ืžืคื ื™ ืฉื™ื›ื•ืœ ืœืื•ืžืจื” ื‘ืžื•ืกืคื™ืŸ ื‘ืžื•ืกืคื™ืŸ ืื™ืŸ ืžื—ื–ื™ืจื™ืŸ ืื•ืชื• ืžืคื ื™ ืฉื™ื›ื•ืœ ืœืื•ืžืจื” ื‘ืžื ื—ื”


The Gemara asks: Wasnโ€™t it taught in a baraita: One who erred and did not mention the New Moon in the evening prayer, we do not require him to return to the beginning of the prayer and repeat it, because he can recite it in the morning prayer. One who erred and did not mention the New Moon in the morning prayer, we do not require him to return to the beginning of the prayer and repeat it, because he can recite it in the additional prayer. One who erred and did not mention the New Moon in the additional prayer, we do not require him to return to the beginning of the prayer and repeat it, because he can recite it in the afternoon prayer? Omitting mention of the New Moon does not require one to repeat the Amida prayer. Consequently, that was not the reason that Rabbi แธคiyya bar Abba prayed a second time.


ืืžืจ ืœื™ื” ืœืื• ืื™ืชืžืจ ืขืœื” ืืžืจ ืจื‘ื™ ื™ื•ื—ื ืŸ ื‘ืฆื‘ื•ืจ ืฉื ื•:


Rabbi แธคiyya bar Abba said to him: Wasnโ€™t it stated about that baraita that Rabbi Yoแธฅanan said: They taught this baraita specifically with regard to prayer in a communal framework? However, an individual who fails to mention the New Moon is required to pray again? That is why Rabbi แธคiyya bar Abba prayed twice.


ื›ืžื” ื™ืฉื”ื” ื‘ื™ืŸ ืชืคืœื” ืœืชืคืœื” ืจื‘ ื”ื•ื ื ื•ืจื‘ ื—ืกื“ื ื—ื“ ืืžืจ ื›ื“ื™ ืฉืชืชื—ื•ื ืŸ ื“ืขืชื• ืขืœื™ื• ื•ื—ื“ ืืžืจ ื›ื“ื™ ืฉืชืชื—ื•ืœืœ ื“ืขืชื• ืขืœื™ื•


Stemming from the discussion about individuals who recite two prayers consecutively, the Gemara asks: How long should one wait between the first prayer and the second prayer? Rav Huna and Rav แธคisda agreed about this in principle, but they formulated their opinions differently (Rashi). One said that an individual must wait long enough so that his mind will be in a pleading mode [titแธฅonen], enabling him to recite the second prayer as a plea. One of them said: Long enough so that his mind will be in a beseeching mode [titแธฅolel], enabling him to beseech God in his second prayer.


ืžืืŸ ื“ืืžืจ ื›ื“ื™ ืฉืชืชื—ื•ื ืŸ ื“ืขืชื• ืขืœื™ื• ื“ื›ืชื™ื‘ ื•ืืชื—ื ืŸ ืืœ ื”ืณ ื•ืžืืŸ ื“ืืžืจ ื›ื“ื™ ืฉืชืชื—ื•ืœืœ ื“ืขืชื• ืขืœื™ื• ื“ื›ืชื™ื‘ ื•ื™ื—ืœ ืžืฉื”


The Gemara points out that both Rav Huna and Rav แธคisda based their positions on the prayers of Moses. The one who said: So that his mind will be in a pleading mode [titแธฅonen], as it is written: โ€œAnd I pleaded [vaโ€™etแธฅanan] before the Lordโ€ (Deuteronomy 3:23). And the one who said: So that his mind will be in a beseeching mode [titแธฅolel] as it is written: โ€œAnd Moses besought [vayeแธฅal] the Lordโ€ (Exodus 32:11).


ืืžืจ ืจื‘ ืขื ืŸ ืืžืจ ืจื‘ ื˜ืขื” ื•ืœื ื”ื–ื›ื™ืจ ืฉืœ ืจืืฉ ื—ื“ืฉ ืขืจื‘ื™ืช ืื™ืŸ ืžื—ื–ื™ืจื™ืŸ ืื•ืชื• ืœืคื™ ืฉืื™ืŸ ื‘ื™ืช ื“ื™ืŸ ืžืงื“ืฉื™ืŸ ืืช ื”ื—ื“ืฉ ืืœื ื‘ื™ื•ื


The Gemara resumes the above discussion with regard to omission of the mention of the New Moon in the Amida prayer. Rav Anan said that Rav said: One who erred and did not mention the New Moon in the evening prayer, we do not require him to return to the beginning of the prayer and repeat it, because the court only sanctifies the new month by day, and the prayer of the New Moon, which parallels the courtโ€™s sanctification of the new month, belongs in the daytime prayer.


ืืžืจ ืืžื™ืžืจ ืžืกืชื‘ืจื ืžื™ืœืชื ื“ืจื‘ ื‘ื—ื“ืฉ ืžืœื ืื‘ืœ ื‘ื—ื“ืฉ ื—ืกืจ ืžื—ื–ื™ืจื™ืŸ ืื•ืชื•


Ameimar said: Ravโ€™s statement is reasonable in a full month, i.e., a month in which there are two potential days of the New Moon, the thirtieth day of the previous month and the first day of the new month. If one neglected to mention the New Moon on the night of the thirtieth, we do not require him to return to the beginning of the prayer and repeat it, because he can mention it the next night, which is the night of the first of the new month, which is the primary day of the New Moon. But in a short month of twenty-nine days, followed by one day of the New Moon, we require him to return to the beginning of the prayer and repeat it, even in the evening prayer.


ืืžืจ ืœื™ื” ืจื‘ ืืฉื™ ืœืืžื™ืžืจ ืžื›ื“ื™ ืจื‘ ื˜ืขืžื ืงืืžืจ ืžื” ืœื™ ื—ืกืจ ื•ืžื” ืœื™ ืžืœื ืืœื ืœื ืฉื ื:


Rav Ashi said to Ameimar: Since Rav states a reason for his statement, what difference is there to me if the month is short, and what difference is there to me if it is full? Rather, there is no difference. Rav based his opinion on the parallel drawn between the sanctification of the month and the mention of the New Moon in the Amida prayer; the sanctification of the month is not relevant at night.


ื”ื“ืจืŸ ืขืœืš ืชืคืœืช ื”ืฉื—ืจ


May we return unto thee : The morning Tefillah !


ืžืชื ื™ืณ ืื™ืŸ ืขื•ืžื“ื™ืŸ ืœื”ืชืคืœืœ ืืœื ืžืชื•ืš ื›ื•ื‘ื“ ืจืืฉ ื—ืกื™ื“ื™ื ื”ืจืืฉื•ื ื™ื ื”ื™ื• ืฉื•ื”ื™ืŸ ืฉืขื” ืื—ืช ื•ืžืชืคืœืœื™ืŸ ื›ื“ื™ ืฉื™ื›ื•ื•ื ื• ืœื‘ื ืœืื‘ื™ื”ื ืฉื‘ืฉืžื™ื ืืคื™ืœื• ื”ืžืœืš ืฉื•ืืœ ื‘ืฉืœื•ืžื• ืœื ื™ืฉื™ื‘ื ื• ื•ืืคื™ืœื• ื ื—ืฉ ื›ืจื•ืš ืขืœ ืขืงื‘ื• ืœื ื™ืคืกื™ืง:


MISHNA: One may only stand and begin to pray from an approach of gravity and submission. There is a tradition that the early generations of pious men would wait one hour, in order to reach the solemn frame of mind appropriate for prayer, and then pray, so that they would focus their hearts toward their Father in Heaven. Standing in prayer is standing before God and, as such, even if the king greets him, he should not respond to him; and even if a snake is wrapped on his heel, he should not interrupt his prayer.


ื’ืžืณ ืžื ื ื”ื ื™ ืžื™ืœื™ ืืžืจ ืจื‘ื™ ืืœืขื–ืจ ื“ืืžืจ ืงืจื ื•ื”ื™ื ืžืจืช ื ืคืฉ


GEMARA: We learned in the mishna that prayer should be undertaken in an atmosphere of gravity. The Gemara asks: From where are these matters derived? Rabbi Elazar said: They are derived from the verses describing the prayer of Hannah, mother of Samuel, as the verse states: โ€œAnd she felt bitterness of soul, and she prayed to the Lord and she wept and weptโ€ (I Samuel 1:10).


ืžืžืื™ ื“ื™ืœืžื ื—ื ื” ืฉืื ื™ ื“ื”ื•ืช ืžืจื™ืจื ืœื‘ื ื˜ื•ื‘ื


The Gemara rejects this proof: From what does that conclusion ensue? Perhaps Hannah is different, as her heart was extremely embittered, her prayer was embittered as well. This does not prove that everyone must pray in that frame of mind.


ืืœื ืืžืจ ืจื‘ื™ ื™ื•ืกื™ ื‘ืจื‘ื™ ื—ื ื™ื ื ืžื”ื›ื ื•ืื ื™ ื‘ืจื‘ ื—ืกื“ืš ืื‘ื•ื ื‘ื™ืชืš ืืฉืชื—ื•ื” ืืœ ื”ื™ื›ืœ ืงื“ืฉืš ื‘ื™ืจืืชืš


Rather, Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi แธคanina, said, it can be proved from here, as David said: โ€œBut as for me, by Your abundant loving-kindness I will enter Your house, at Your Holy Temple I will bow in reverence for Youโ€ (Psalms 5:8). Entering into prayer like entering the Holy Temple must be performed reverentially.


ืžืžืื™ ื“ื™ืœืžื ื“ื•ื“ ืฉืื ื™ ื“ื”ื•ื” ืžืฆืขืจ ื ืคืฉื™ื” ื‘ืจื—ืžื™ ื˜ื•ื‘ื ืืœื ืืžืจ ืจื‘ื™ ื™ื”ื•ืฉืข ื‘ืŸ ืœื•ื™ ืžื”ื›ื ื”ืฉืชื—ื•ื• ืœื”ืณ ื‘ื”ื“ืจืช ืงื“ืฉ ืืœ ืชืงืจื™ ื‘ื”ื“ืจืช ืืœื ื‘ื—ืจื“ืช


The Gemara rejects this proof as well: From what does that conclusion ensue? Perhaps David is different, as he would excessively afflict himself in prayer in order to atone for his transgression with Bathsheba. Consequently, his cannot serve as a paradigm for proper conduct in prayer. Rather, Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said, it can be derived from here, from this verse that David said, not about his own worship, but about worship of God in general: โ€œGive, unto the Lord, the honor of His name, bow to the Lord in the beauty of holiness [behadrat kodesh]โ€ (Psalms 29:2). Do not read: In the beauty of [behadrat] holiness. Rather read: In trembling of [beแธฅerdat] holiness; one must enter into prayer from an atmosphere of gravity engendered by sanctity.


ืžืžืื™ ื“ื™ืœืžื ืœืขื•ืœื ืื™ืžื ืœืš ื”ื“ืจืช ืžืžืฉ ื›ื™ ื”ื ื“ืจื‘ ื™ื”ื•ื“ื” ื”ื•ื” ืžืฆื™ื™ืŸ ื ืคืฉื™ื” ื•ื”ื“ืจ ืžืฆืœื™ ืืœื ืืžืจ ืจื‘ ื ื—ืžืŸ ื‘ืจ ื™ืฆื—ืง ืžื”ื›ื ืขื‘ื“ื• ืืช ื”ืณ ื‘ื™ืจืื” ื•ื’ื™ืœื• ื‘ืจืขื“ื”


The Gemara rejects this too: From what does that conclusion ensue? Perhaps, actually I would say to you that it should be read as it is written: Specifically, โ€œin the beauty,โ€ and it means that one should pray in beautiful clothing, as in the case of Rav Yehuda who would adorn himself and then pray. Rav Yehuda believed that one who comes before the King must wear his most beautiful clothing. The Gemara has yet to find a source for the halakha that one must approach prayer from an atmosphere of gravity. Rather, Rav Naแธฅman bar Yitzแธฅak said it can be derived from here, from this verse: โ€œServe the Lord in fear and rejoice with tremblingโ€ (Psalms 2:11).


ืžืื™ ื•ื’ื™ืœื• ื‘ืจืขื“ื” ืืžืจ ืจื‘ ืื“ื ื‘ืจ ืžืชื ื ืืžืจ ืจื‘ื” ื‘ืžืงื•ื ื’ื™ืœื” ืฉื ืชื”ื ืจืขื“ื”


Having cited this verse from Psalms, the Gemara asks: What is the meaning of rejoice with trembling? Rav Adda bar Mattana said that Rabba said: One may not experience unbridled joy; even where there is rejoicing, there should be trembling.


ืื‘ื™ื™ ื”ื•ื” ื™ืชื™ื‘ ืงืžื™ื” ื“ืจื‘ื” ื—ื–ื™ื™ื” ื“ื”ื•ื” ืงื ื‘ื“ื— ื˜ื•ื‘ื ืืžืจ ื•ื’ื™ืœื• ื‘ืจืขื“ื” ื›ืชื™ื‘


On that note, the Gemara relates: Abaye was sitting before his teacher Rabba, and Rabba saw that he was excessively joyful. He said to Abaye: It is written: Rejoice with trembling, oneโ€™s joy should not be unrestrained.


ืืžืจ ืœื™ื” ืื ื ืชืคื™ืœื™ืŸ ืžื ื—ื ื


Abaye said to him: It is permissible for me because I am donning phylacteries now and as long as they are upon me they ensure that the fear of God is upon me.


ืจื‘ื™ ื™ืจืžื™ื” ื”ื•ื” ื™ืชื™ื‘ ืงืžื™ื” ื“ืจื‘ื™ ื–ื™ืจื ื—ื–ื™ื™ื” ื“ื”ื•ื” ืงื ื‘ื“ื— ื˜ื•ื‘ื ืืžืจ ืœื™ื” ื‘ื›ืœ ืขืฆื‘ ื™ื”ื™ื” ืžื•ืชืจ ื›ืชื™ื‘


Similarly, the Gemara relates that Rabbi Yirmeya was sitting before Rabbi Zeira. He saw that Rabbi Yirmeya was excessively joyful. He said to him: It is written: โ€œIn all sorrow there is profitโ€ (Proverbs 14:23); sorrow is appropriate, not excessive joy.


ืืžืจ ืœื™ื” ืื ื ืชืคื™ืœื™ืŸ ืžื ื—ื ื


Rabbi Yirmeya said to him: It is permissible for me because I am donning phylacteries.


ืžืจ ื‘ืจื™ื” ื“ืจื‘ื™ื ื ืขื‘ื“ ื”ื™ืœื•ืœื ืœื‘ืจื™ื” ื—ื–ื ื”ื• ืœืจื‘ื ืŸ ื“ื”ื•ื• ืงื‘ื“ื—ื™ ื˜ื•ื‘ื


On a similar note, the Gemara relates: Mar, son of Ravina, made a wedding feast for his son and he saw the Sages, who were excessively joyous.


Scroll To Top