ברכות לג

ברכות לג

מַחֲזִיר לוֹ?! אָמַר לוֹ: לָאו. וְאִם הָיִיתָ מַחֲזִיר לוֹ, מָה הָיוּ עוֹשִׂים לְךָ? אָמַר לוֹ: הָיוּ חוֹתְכִים אֶת רֹאשִׁי בְּסַיִיף. אָמַר לוֹ: וַהֲלֹא דְּבָרִים קַל וָחוֹמֶר, וּמָה אַתָּה שֶׁהָיִיתָ עוֹמֵד לִפְנֵי מֶלֶךְ בָּשָׂר וָדָם, שֶׁהַיּוֹם כָּאן וּמָחָר בַּקֶּבֶר — כָּךְ אֲנִי שֶׁהָיִיתִי עוֹמֵד לִפְנֵי מֶלֶךְ מַלְכֵי הַמְּלָכִים הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, שֶׁהוּא חַי וְקַיָּים לָעַד וּלְעוֹלְמֵי עוֹלָמִים — עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה.

The officer said to him: No.
The pious man continued: And if you would greet him, what would they do to you?
The officer said to him: They would cut off my head with a sword.
The pious man said to him: Isn’t this matter an a fortiori inference?
You who were standing before a king of flesh and blood,
of whom your fear is limited because today he is here but tomorrow he is in the grave,
would have reacted in that way;
I, who was standing and praying before the Supreme King of kings, the Holy One, Blessed be He,
Who lives and endures for all eternity,
all the more so that I could not pause to respond to someone’s greeting.

מִיָּד נִתְפַּיֵּיס אוֹתוֹ הֶגְמוֹן, וְנִפְטַר אוֹתוֹ חָסִיד לְבֵיתוֹ לְשָׁלוֹם.

When he heard this, the officer was immediately appeased and the pious man returned home in peace.

אֲפִילּוּ נָחָשׁ כָּרוּךְ עַל עֲקֵבוֹ, לֹא יַפְסִיק. אָמַר רַב שֵׁשֶׁת: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא נָחָשׁ. אֲבָל עַקְרָב — פּוֹסֵק.

We learned in the mishna that even if a snake is wrapped around his heel, he may not interrupt his prayer. In limiting application of this principle, Rav Sheshet said: They only taught this mishna with regard to a snake, as if one does not attack the snake it will not bite him. But if a scorpion approaches an individual while he is praying, he stops, as the scorpion is liable to sting him even if he does not disturb it.

מֵיתִיבִי: נָפַל לְגוֹב אֲרָיוֹת — אֵין מְעִידִין עָלָיו שֶׁמֵּת. נָפַל לַחֲפִירָה מְלֵאָה נְחָשִׁים וְעַקְרַבִּים — מְעִידִין עָלָיו שֶׁמֵּת!

The Gemara raises an objection based on what was taught in a Tosefta: Those who saw one fall into a lions’ den but did not see what happened to him thereafter, do not testify that he died. Their testimony is not accepted by the court as proof that he has died as it is possible that the lions did not eat him. However, those who saw one fall into a pit of snakes and scorpions, testify that he died as surely the snakes bit him.

שָׁאנֵי הָתָם, דְּאַגַּב אִיצְצָא מַזְּקִי.

The Gemara responds: This is not difficult. There, in the case of one who falls into a pit of snakes, it is different, as due to the pressure of his falling on top of them, the snakes will harm him, but a snake who is not touched will not bite.

אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: רָאָה שְׁוָורִים — פּוֹסֵק. דְּתָנֵי רַב הוֹשַׁעְיָה: מַרְחִיקִין מִשּׁוֹר תָּם חֲמִשִּׁים אַמָּה, וּמִשּׁוֹר מוּעָד — כִּמְלוֹא עֵינָיו.

The Gemara cites another halakha stating that he must interrupt his prayer in a case of certain danger. Rabbi Yitzḥak said: One who saw oxen coming toward him, he interrupts his prayer, as Rav Hoshaya taught: One distances himself fifty cubits from an innocuous ox [shor tam], an ox with no history of causing damage with the intent to injure, and from a forewarned ox [shor muad], an ox whose owner was forewarned because his ox has gored three times already, one distances himself until it is beyond eyeshot.

תָּנָא מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי מֵאִיר: רֵישׁ תּוֹרָא בְּדִקּוּלָא — סְלֵיק לְאַגְרָא וּשְׁדִי דַּרְגָּא מִתּוּתָךְ. אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: הָנֵי מִילֵּי בְּשׁוֹר שָׁחוֹר וּבְיוֹמֵי נִיסָן, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהַשָּׂטָן מְרַקֵּד לוֹ בֵּין קַרְנָיו.

It was taught in the name of Rabbi Meir: While the head of the ox is still in the basket and he is busy eating, go up on the roof and kick the ladder out from underneath you. Shmuel said: This applies only with regard to a black ox, and during the days of Nisan, because that species of ox is particularly dangerous, and during that time of year Satan dances between its horns.

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: מַעֲשֶׂה בְּמָקוֹם אֶחָד שֶׁהָיָה עַרְוָד, וְהָיָה מַזִּיק אֶת הַבְּרִיּוֹת. בָּאוּ וְהוֹדִיעוּ לוֹ לְרַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן דּוֹסָא. אָמַר לָהֶם: הַרְאוּ לִי אֶת חוֹרוֹ! הֶרְאוּהוּ אֶת חוֹרוֹ. נָתַן עֲקֵבוֹ עַל פִּי הַחוֹר, יָצָא וּנְשָׁכוֹ — וּמֵת אוֹתוֹ עַרְוָד.

With regard to the praise for one who prays and need not fear even a snake, the Sages taught: There was an incident in one place where an arvad was harming the people. They came and told Rabbi Ḥanina ben Dosa and asked for his help. He told them: Show me the hole of the arvad. They showed him its hole. He placed his heel over the mouth of the hole and the arvad came out and bit him, and died.

נְטָלוֹ עַל כְּתֵפוֹ וֶהֱבִיאוֹ לְבֵית הַמִּדְרָשׁ. אָמַר לָהֶם: רְאוּ בָּנַי, אֵין עַרְוָד מֵמִית, אֶלָּא הַחֵטְא מֵמִית.

Rabbi Ḥanina ben Dosa placed the arvad over his shoulder and brought it to the study hall. He said to those assembled there: See, my sons, it is not the arvad that kills a person, rather transgression kills a person. The arvad has no power over one who is free of transgression.

בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה אָמְרוּ: אוֹי לוֹ לָאָדָם שֶׁפָּגַע בּוֹ עַרְוָד, וְאוֹי לוֹ לָעַרְוָד שֶׁפָּגַע בּוֹ רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן דּוֹסָא.

At that moment the Sages said: Woe unto the person who was attacked by an arvad and woe unto the arvad that was attacked by Rabbi Ḥanina ben Dosa.

מַתְנִי׳ מַזְכִּירִין גְּבוּרוֹת גְּשָׁמִים בִּתְחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים, וּשְׁאֵלָה בְּבִרְכַּת הַשָּׁנִים, וְהַבְדָּלָה בְּחוֹנֵן הַדָּעַת. רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אוֹמֵר: אוֹמְרָהּ בְּרָכָה רְבִיעִית בִּפְנֵי עַצְמָהּ. רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: בַּהוֹדָאָה.

MISHNA: This mishna speaks of additions to the standard formula of the Amida prayer and the blessings in which they are incorporated. One mentions the might of the rains and recites: He makes the wind blow and the rain fall, in the second blessing of the Amida prayer, the blessing of the revival of the dead. And the request for rain: And grant dew and rain as a blessing, in the ninth blessing of the Amida prayer, the blessing of the years. And the prayer of distinction [havdala], between the holy and the profane recited in the evening prayer following Shabbat and festivals, in the fourth blessing of the Amida prayer: Who graciously grants knowledge. Rabbi Akiva says: Havdala is recited as an independent fourth blessing. Rabbi Eliezer says that it is recited in the seventeenth blessing of the Amida prayer, the blessing of thanksgiving.

גְּמָ׳ מַזְכִּירִין גְּבוּרוֹת גְּשָׁמִים: מַאי טַעְמָא?

GEMARA: We learned in the mishna that one mentions the might of the rains in the second blessing of the Amida prayer, the blessing of the revival of the dead. The Gemara asks: What is the reason that the might of the rains is mentioned specifically in that blessing?

אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: מִתּוֹךְ שֶׁשְּׁקוּלָה כִּתְחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים לְפִיכָךְ קְבָעוּהָ בִּתְחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים.

Rav Yosef said: Because the might of the rains is equivalent to the resurrection of the dead, as rain revives new life in the plant world (Jerusalem Talmud), therefore it was inserted in the blessing of the revival of the dead.

וּשְׁאֵלָה בְּבִרְכַּת הַשָּׁנִים: מַאי טַעְמָא?

And we also learned in the mishna that the request for rain is added to the blessing of the years. Here, too, the Gemara asks: What is the reason that the request for rain is recited specifically in that blessing?

אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: מִתּוֹךְ שֶׁהִיא פַּרְנָסָה, לְפִיכָךְ קְבָעוּהָ בְּבִרְכַּת פַּרְנָסָה.

Rav Yosef said: Because rain is a component of sustenance, therefore it was inserted in the blessing of sustenance as part of our request for bountiful sustenance.

הַבְדָּלָה בְּ״חוֹנֵן הַדָּעַת״: מַאי טַעְמָא?

We also learned in the mishna that havdala, distinguishing between Shabbat and the weekdays, is added in the blessing of: Who graciously grants knowledge. Here too the Gemara asks: What is the reason that havdala is recited specifically in that blessing?

אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: מִתּוֹךְ שֶׁהִיא חָכְמָה, קְבָעוּהָ בְּבִרְכַּת חָכְמָה. וְרַבָּנַן אָמְרִי: מִתּוֹךְ שֶׁהִיא חוֹל, לְפִיכָךְ קְבָעוּהָ בְּבִרְכַּת חוֹל.

Rav Yosef said: Havdala is recited in that blessing because it requires wisdom to distinguish between two entities, they established it in the blessing of wisdom. The Rabbis say a different reason: Because havdala is the distinction between the sacred and the profane, the Sages established it in the blessing of weekdays. The first three blessings of the Amida prayer are recited both on weekdays and on Shabbat and Festivals. The blessing: Who graciously grants knowledge, is the first of the blessings recited exclusively during the week.

אָמַר רַב אַמֵּי: גְּדוֹלָה דֵּעָה, שֶׁנִּתְּנָה בִּתְחִלַּת בְּרָכָה שֶׁל חוֹל.

Having mentioned the blessing of wisdom, the Gemara cites that which Rav Ami said with regard to knowledge: Great is knowledge that was placed at the beginning of the weekday blessings; an indication of its significance.

וְאָמַר רַב אַמֵּי: גְּדוֹלָה דֵּעָה, שֶׁנִּתְּנָה בֵּין שְׁתֵּי אוֹתִיּוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״כִּי אֵל דֵּעוֹת ה׳״. וְכׇל מִי שֶׁאֵין בּוֹ דֵּעָה — אָסוּר לְרַחֵם עָלָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי לֹא עַם בִּינוֹת הוּא עַל כֵּן לֹא יְרַחֲמֶנּוּ עוֹשֵׂהוּ״.

And Rav Ami said in praise of knowledge: Great is knowledge that was placed between two letters, two names of God, as it is stated: “For God of knowledge is the Lord” (I Samuel 2:3). And since knowledge is regarded so highly, anyone without knowledge, it is forbidden to have compassion upon him, as it is stated: “For they are a people of no wisdom, so their Creator will have no compassion upon them and their Creator will not be gracious unto them” (Isaiah 27:11). If God shows no mercy for those who lack wisdom, all the more so should people refrain from doing so.

אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: גָּדוֹל מִקְדָּשׁ שֶׁנִּתַּן בֵּין שְׁתֵּי אוֹתִיּוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״פָּעַלְתָּ ה׳ מִקְּדָשׁ ה׳״.

Similarly, Rabbi Elazar said: Great is the Holy Temple, as it too was placed between two letters, two names of God, as it is stated: “The place in which to dwell which You have made, Lord, the Temple, Lord, which Your hands have prepared” (Exodus 15:17).

וְאָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: כׇּל אָדָם שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ דֵּעָה כְּאִילּוּ נִבְנָה בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ בְּיָמָיו. דֵּעָה נִתְּנָה בֵּין שְׁתֵּי אוֹתִיּוֹת, מִקְדָּשׁ נִתַּן בֵּין שְׁתֵּי אוֹתִיּוֹת.

Noting the parallel between these two ideas, Rabbi Elazar added and said: Anyone with knowledge, it is as if the Holy Temple was built in his days; knowledge was placed between two letters and the Temple was placed between two letters, signifying that they stand together.

מַתְקִיף לַהּ רַב אַחָא קַרְחִינָאָה: אֶלָּא מֵעַתָּה, גְּדוֹלָה נְקָמָה שֶׁנִּתְּנָה בֵּין שְׁתֵּי אוֹתִיּוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״אֵל נְקָמוֹת ה׳״!

Rav Aḥa Karḥina’a strongly objects to this approach that being placed between two names of God accords significance: However, if so, the same should hold true for vengeance. Great is revenge that was placed between two letters, as it is stated: “God of vengeance, Lord, God of vengeance shine forth” (Psalms 94:1).

אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִין, בְּמִילְּתַהּ מִיהָא גְּדוֹלָה הִיא. וְהַיְינוּ דְּאָמַר עוּלָּא שְׁתֵּי נְקָמוֹת הַלָּלוּ לָמָּה? אַחַת לְטוֹבָה, וְאַחַת לְרָעָה. לְטוֹבָה — דִּכְתִיב: ״הוֹפִיעַ מֵהַר פָּארָן״. לְרָעָה — דִּכְתִיב: ״אֵל נְקָמוֹת ה׳ אֵל נְקָמוֹת הוֹפִיעַ״.

He said to him: Yes. At least in its place, in the appropriate context, it is great. At times it is necessary. That is that which Ulla said: Why are these two vengeances mentioned in a single verse? One for good and one for evil. Vengeance for good, as it is written: “He shined forth from Mount Paran” (Deuteronomy 33:2) with regard to God’s vengeance against the wicked; vengeance for evil, as it is written: “God of vengeance, Lord, God of vengeance shine forth” with regard to the punishment of Israel.

רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אוֹמֵר: אוֹמְרָהּ בְּרָכָה רְבִיעִית כּוּ׳.

A tannaitic dispute is cited in the mishna with regard to the appropriate blessing in which to recite havdala within the Amida prayer. Rabbi Akiva says: Havdala is recited as an independent fourth blessing. Rabbi Eliezer says that it is recited in the seventeenth blessing of the Amida prayer, the blessing of thanksgiving. The first tanna says that it is recited in the fourth blessing of the Amida prayer: Who graciously grants knowledge.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב שֶׁמֶן בַּר אַבָּא לְרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מִכְּדִי אַנְשֵׁי כְּנֶסֶת הַגְּדוֹלָה תִּקְּנוּ לָהֶם לְיִשְׂרָאֵל בְּרָכוֹת וּתְפִלּוֹת, קְדוּשּׁוֹת וְהַבְדָּלוֹת. נֶחְזֵי הֵיכָן תַּקּוּן.

Regarding this, Rav Shemen, Shimon, bar Abba said to Rabbi Yoḥanan: Now, since the eighteen blessings of the Amida prayer and the other prayer formulas for prayer were instituted for Israel by the members of the Great Assembly just like all the other blessings and prayers, sanctifications and havdalot; let us see where in the Amida prayer the members of the Great Assembly instituted to recite havdala.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ: בַּתְּחִילָּה קְבָעוּהָ בַּתְּפִלָּה. הֶעֱשִׁירוּ — קְבָעוּהָ עַל הַכּוֹס. הֶעֱנוּ — חָזְרוּ וּקְבָעוּהָ בַּתְּפִלָּה. וְהֵם אָמְרוּ: הַמַּבְדִּיל בַּתְּפִלָּה צָרִיךְ שֶׁיַּבְדִּיל עַל הַכּוֹס.

Rabbi Yoḥanan replied that that would be impossible, as the customs associated with havdala went through several stages. He said to him: Initially, during the difficult, early years of the Second Temple, they established that havdala is to be recited in the Amida prayer. Subsequently, when the people became wealthy, they established that havdala is to be recited over the cup of wine. When the people became impoverished, they again established that it was to be recited in the Amida prayer. And they said: One who recites havdala in the Amida prayer must, if he is able (Shitta Mekubbetzet, Me’iri), recite havdala over the cup of wine as well. Due to all these changes, it was not clear when exactly havdala was to be recited.

אִיתְּמַר נָמֵי: אָמַר רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: אַנְשֵׁי כְּנֶסֶת הַגְּדוֹלָה תִּקְּנוּ לָהֶם לְיִשְׂרָאֵל בְּרָכוֹת וּתְפִלּוֹת, קְדוּשּׁוֹת וְהַבְדָּלוֹת. בַּתְּחִלָּה קְבָעוּהָ בַּתְּפִלָּה. הֶעֱשִׁירוּ — קְבָעוּהָ עַל הַכּוֹס. חָזְרוּ וְהֶעֱנוּ — קְבָעוּהָ בַּתְּפִלָּה. וְהֵם אָמְרוּ: הַמַּבְדִּיל בַּתְּפִלָּה — צָרִיךְ שֶׁיַּבְדִּיל עַל הַכּוֹס.

It was also stated: Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: The members of the Great Assembly established for Israel blessings and prayers, sanctifications and havdalot. Initially, they established that havdala is to be recited in the Amida prayer. Subsequently, when the people became wealthy, they established that havdala is to be recited over the cup of wine. When the people again became impoverished, they established that it was to be recited in the Amida prayer. And they said: One who recites havdala in the Amida prayer must recite havdala over the cup of wine as well.

אִיתְּמַר נָמֵי: רַבָּה וְרַב יוֹסֵף דְּאָמְרִי תַּרְוַיְיהוּ: הַמַּבְדִּיל בַּתְּפִלָּה — צָרִיךְ שֶׁיַּבְדִּיל עַל הַכּוֹס.

It was also stated: Rabba and Rav Yosef who both said: One who recites havdala in the Amida prayer must recite havdala over the cup of wine as well.

אָמַר רָבָא, וּמוֹתְבִינַן אַשְּׁמַעְתִּין: טָעָה וְלֹא הִזְכִּיר גְּבוּרוֹת גְּשָׁמִים בִּתְחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים וּשְׁאֵלָה בְּבִרְכַּת הַשָּׁנִים — מַחֲזִירִין אוֹתוֹ, וְהַבְדָּלָה בְּ״חוֹנֵן הַדָּעַת״ — אֵין מַחֲזִירִין אוֹתוֹ, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁיָּכוֹל לְאוֹמְרָהּ עַל הַכּוֹס.

Rava said: We raise an objection to our halakha based on what was taught in a Tosefta: One who erred and did not mention the might of the rains in the second blessing in the Amida, the blessing on the revival of the dead, and one who erred and failed to recite the request for rain in the ninth blessing of the Amida, the blessing of the years, we require him to return to the beginning of the prayer and repeat it. However, one who erred and failed to recite havdala in the blessing: Who graciously grants knowledge, we do not require him to return to the beginning of the prayer and repeat it, as he can recite havdala over the cup of wine. Apparently, havdala over the cup of wine is optional, not obligatory, at it says because he can recite and not that he must.

לָא תֵּימָא: ״מִפְּנֵי שֶׁיָּכוֹל לְאוֹמְרָהּ עַל הַכּוֹס״, אֶלָּא אֵימָא: ״מִפְּנֵי שֶׁאוֹמְרָהּ עַל הַכּוֹס״.

The Gemara answers: Do not say as it appears in the Tosefta: Because he can recite havdala over the cup of wine. Rather, say: Because he recites havdala over the cup of wine.

אִיתְּמַר נָמֵי, אָמַר רַבִּי בִּנְיָמִין בַּר יֶפֶת: שָׁאַל רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אֶת רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן בְּצַיְדָּן, וְאָמְרִי לַהּ רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יַעֲקֹב דְּמִן צוֹר אֶת רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן, וַאֲנָא שְׁמַעִית: הַמַּבְדִּיל בַּתְּפִלָּה, צָרִיךְ שֶׁיַּבְדִּיל עַל הַכּוֹס, אוֹ לֹא? וַאֲמַר לֵיהּ: צָרִיךְ שֶׁיַּבְדִּיל עַל הַכּוֹס.

Proof that one must recite havdala over the cup of wine as well as in the Amida prayer was also stated: Rabbi Binyamin bar Yefet said that Rabbi Yosei asked Rabbi Yoḥanan in Sidon, and some say that Rabbi Shimon ben Ya’akov from the city of Tyre asked Rabbi Yoḥanan, and I, Binyamin bar Yefet, heard: One who already recited havdala in the Amida prayer, must he recite havdala over the cup of wine or not? And Rabbi Yoḥanan said to him: He must recite havdala over the cup.

אִיבַּעְיָא לְהוּ: הַמַּבְדִּיל עַל הַכּוֹס, מַהוּ שֶׁיַּבְדִּיל בַּתְּפִלָּה?

Having clarified the question whether one who recited havdala during the Amida prayer must also recite havdala over the cup of wine, a dilemma was raised before the Sages: One who already recited havdala over the cup of wine, what is the ruling as far as his obligation to recite havdala in the Amida prayer is concerned?

אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק: קַל וָחוֹמֶר מִתְּפִלָּה. וּמָה תְפִלָּה דְּעִיקַּר תַּקַּנְתָּא הִיא, אָמְרִי: הַמַּבְדִּיל בַּתְּפִלָּה — צָרִיךְ שֶׁיַּבְדִּיל עַל הַכּוֹס. הַמַּבְדִּיל עַל הַכּוֹס, דְּלָאו עִיקַּר תַּקַּנְתָּא הִיא — לֹא כׇּל שֶׁכֵּן!

Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said: This can be derived a fortiori from the established halakha regarding havdala in the Amida prayer. Just as havdala in the Amida prayer, which is where the principal ordinance to recite havdala was instituted, the Sages said that it is not sufficient and one who recited havdala in the Amida prayer must recite havdala over the cup of wine as well, all the more so that one who recited havdala over the cup of wine, which is not where the principal ordinance to recite havdala was instituted, but was merely a later addition, did not fulfill his obligation and must recite havdala in the Amida prayer.

תָּנֵי רַב אַחָא אֲרִיכָא קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַב חִינָּנָא: הַמַּבְדִּיל בַּתְּפִלָּה מְשׁוּבָּח יוֹתֵר מִמִּי שֶׁיַּבְדִּיל עַל הַכּוֹס. וְאִם הִבְדִּיל בְּזוֹ וּבָזוֹ — יָנוּחוּ לוֹ בְּרָכוֹת עַל רֹאשׁוֹ.

Rabbi Aḥa Arikha, the tall, taught a baraita before Rav Ḥinnana: One who recited havdala in the Amida prayer is more praiseworthy than one who recites it over the cup of wine, and if he recited havdala in this, the Amida prayer, and that, over the cup of wine, may blessings rest upon his head.

הָא גוּפָא קַשְׁיָא: אָמְרַתְּ הַמַּבְדִּיל בַּתְּפִלָּה מְשׁוּבָּח יוֹתֵר מִמִּי שֶׁיַּבְדִּיל עַל הַכּוֹס, אַלְמָא תְּפִלָּה לְחוּדַהּ סַגִּי. וַהֲדַר תָּנֵי אִם הִבְדִּיל בְּזוֹ וּבָזוֹ — יָנוּחוּ לוֹ בְּרָכוֹת עַל רֹאשׁוֹ. וְכֵיוָן דְּנָפֵיק לֵיהּ בַּחֲדָא — אִפְּטַר, וְהָוְיָא בְּרָכָה שֶׁאֵינָהּ צְרִיכָה, וְאָמַר רַב וְאִיתֵּימָא רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ, וְאָמְרִי לַהּ רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן וְרֵישׁ לָקִישׁ דְּאָמְרִי תַּרְוַיְיהוּ: כׇּל הַמְבָרֵךְ בְּרָכָה שֶׁאֵינָהּ צְרִיכָה — עוֹבֵר מִשּׁוּם ״לֹא תִשָּׂא״!

This baraita is apparently self-contradictory. On the one hand, you said that one who recites havdala in the Amida prayer is more praiseworthy than one who recites havdala over the cup of wine, indicating that reciting havdala in the Amida prayer alone is sufficient. And then it is taught: If one recited havdala in this, the Amida prayer, and that, over the cup of wine, may blessings rest upon his head. And since he fulfilled his obligation to recite havdala with one, he is exempt, and the additional recitation of havdala over the cup of wine is an unnecessary blessing. And Rav, and some say Reish Lakish, and still others say Rabbi Yoḥanan and Reish Lakish both said: Anyone who recites an unnecessary blessing violates the biblical prohibition: “Do not take the name of the Lord your God in vain” (Exodus 20:7).

אֶלָּא, אֵימָא הָכִי: אִם הִבְדִּיל בְּזוֹ וְלֹא הִבְדִּיל בָּזוֹ — יָנוּחוּ לוֹ בְּרָכוֹת עַל רֹאשׁוֹ.

Rather, emend this baraita and say as follows: If one recited havdala in this and not in that, may blessings rest upon his head.

בְּעָא מִינֵּיהּ רַב חִסְדָּא מֵרַב שֵׁשֶׁת: טָעָה בְּזוֹ וּבָזוֹ, מַהוּ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: טָעָה בְּזוֹ וּבָזוֹ — חוֹזֵר לָרֹאשׁ.

Rav Ḥisda asked Rav Sheshet with regard to these blessings: If one erred in havdala both in this and in that, what is the ruling? Rav Sheshet said to him: One who erred in this, the Amida prayer, and that, over the cup of wine, returns to the beginning of both the Amida prayer and the havdala over the cup of wine.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ רָבִינָא לְרָבָא: הִלְכְתָא מַאי? אֲמַר לֵיהּ, כִּי קִידּוּשׁ: מָה קִידּוּשׁ אַף עַל גַּב דִּמְקַדֵּשׁ בִּצְלוֹתָא מְקַדֵּשׁ אַכָּסָא, אַף הַבְדָּלָה נָמֵי, אַף עַל גַּב דְּמַבְדֵּיל בִּצְלוֹתָא מַבְדֵּיל אַכָּסָא.

There are conflicting opinions with regard to reciting havdala over the cup of wine after reciting it in the Amida prayer. One opinion holds that it is appropriate to recite havdala a second time, while the other holds that it is prohibited. Ravina said to Rava: What is the halakha? Rava said to him: The halakha in the case of havdala is like the halakha in the case of kiddush. Just as in the case of kiddush, although one recited kiddush in the Amida prayer he must, nevertheless, recite kiddush again over the cup of wine, so too with havdala, although one recited havdala in the Amida prayer he must recite havdala again over the cup of wine.

רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: בְּ״הוֹדָאָה״.

The mishna states that Rabbi Eliezer says: It is recited in the seventeenth blessing of the Amida prayer, the blessing of thanksgiving.

רַבִּי זֵירָא הֲוָה רְכִיב חֲמָרָא, הֲוָה קָא שָׁקֵיל וְאָזֵיל רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אָבִין בָּתְרֵיהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: וַדַּאי דְּאָמְרִיתוּ מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן, הֲלָכָה כְּרַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בְּיוֹם טוֹב שֶׁחָל לִהְיוֹת אַחַר הַשַּׁבָּת? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִין.

The Gemara cites the conclusion with regard to this halakha by relating a story: Rabbi Zeira was riding a donkey while Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Avin was coming and walking after him. He said to him: Is it true that you said in the name of Rabbi Yoḥanan that the halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Eliezer in the case of a Festival that occurs directly after Shabbat? Since in that case, one cannot recite havdala in the blessing of Who graciously grants knowledge, as it is not included in the Amida prayer on the Festival, there is no alternative but to adopt Rabbi Eliezer’s ruling. He said to him: Yes.

הֲלָכָה — מִכְלָל דִּפְלִיגִי?

The Gemara wonders: Saying that the halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Eliezer, indicates that his peers dispute his opinion. Where do we find that dispute?

וְלָא פְּלִיגִי? וְהָא פְּלִיגִי רַבָּנַן.

The Gemara rejects this: And don’t they dispute his opinion? Don’t the Rabbis dispute his opinion, as, in their opinion the blessing of havdala is recited in the blessing: Who graciously grants knowledge?

אֵימַר דִּפְלִיגִי רַבָּנַן בִּשְׁאָר יְמוֹת הַשָּׁנָה, בְּיוֹם טוֹב שֶׁחָל לִהְיוֹת אַחַר הַשַּׁבָּת מִי פְּלִיגִי?

The Gemara replies: Say that the Rabbis dispute Rabbi Eliezer’s opinion during the rest of the days of the year, when the option to recite havdala in the blessing: Who graciously grants knowledge exists, but in the case of a Festival that occurs directly after Shabbat, do they dispute his opinion? The Rabbis would agree with him in that case.

וְהָא פְּלִיג רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא!

The Gemara continues: Doesn’t Rabbi Akiva dispute his opinion? He holds that havdala is recited as an independent fourth blessing, in which case there is a dispute.

אַטּוּ כׇּל הַשָּׁנָה כּוּלָּהּ מִי עָבְדִינַן כְּרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא, דְּהַשְׁתָּא נֵיקוּ וְנַעֲבֵיד כְּווֹתֵיהּ?! כׇּל הַשָּׁנָה כּוּלָּהּ מַאי טַעְמָא לָא עָבְדִינַן כְּרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא — דְּתַמְנֵי סְרֵי תַּקּוּן, תְּשַׁסְרֵי לָא תַּקּוּן. הָכָא נָמֵי, שָׁב תַּקּוּן תַּמְנֵי לָא תַּקּוּן.

The Gemara responds: Is that to say that throughout the entire year we act in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Akiva in this matter, so that now, on a Festival that occurs directly after Shabbat, we will stand and act in accordance with his opinion? What is the reason that throughout the whole, entire year, we do not act in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Akiva? Because the Sages instituted eighteen blessings, they did not institute nineteen blessings. Here, too, the Sages instituted seven blessings, they did not institute eight blessings. Therefore, Rabbi Akiva’s opinion is not taken into consideration in this case.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לָאו ״הֲלָכָה״ אִתְּמַר, אֶלָּא ״מַטִּין״ אִתְּמַר.

In response to these questions, Rabbi Zeira said to him that it was not that the halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Eliezer that was stated in the name of Rabbi Yoḥanan, from which one could infer that there was in fact a dispute; rather it was that one is inclined to favor the opinion of Rabbi Eliezer that was stated in the name of Rabbi Yoḥanan.

דְּאִתְּמַר, רַבִּי יִצְחָק בַּר אַבְדִּימִי אָמַר מִשּׁוּם רַבֵּנוּ: הֲלָכָה, וְאָמְרִי לַהּ: מַטִּין.

As indeed it was stated that there is a dispute among the Sages in this matter. Rav Yitzḥak bar Avdimi said in the name of Rabbeinu, Rav: The halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Eliezer. And some say this statement: One is inclined to favor the opinion of Rabbi Eliezer.

רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: מוֹדִים. וְרַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא אָמַר: נִרְאִין.

Rabbi Yoḥanan said that there is no dispute here, and the Rabbis agree with Rabbi Eliezer. And Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said that it was established that Rabbi Eliezer’s opinion appears to be correct.

אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: נְקוֹט דְּרַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא בִּידָךְ, דְּדָיֵיק וְגָמַר שְׁמַעְתָּא מִפּוּמָּא דְמָרַהּ שַׁפִּיר כְּרַחֲבָא דְפוּמְבְּדִיתָא.

With regard to this difference of opinion Rabbi Zeira said: Take this statement of Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba in your hand, as he is scrupulous and he learned the halakha well from the mouth of its originator, like the Sage Raḥava from the city Pumbedita. Raḥava was famous for the precision with which he would transmit material that he learned from his teacher.

דְּאָמַר רַחֲבָא אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוּדָה: הַר הַבַּיִת סְטָיו כָּפוּל הָיָה, וְהָיָה סְטָיו לְפָנִים מִסְּטָיו.

The Gemara cites an example: Raḥava said that Rabbi Yehuda said: The Temple Mount was a double stav, and there was a stav within a stav. Here Raḥava used his Rabbi’s language in describing the structure of the Temple and the rows of columns it contained, a row within a row; but he did not employ the common term itzteba, portico, but rather stav, as he heard it from his Rabbi.

אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: אֲנָא לָא הַאי יָדַעְנָא וְלָא הַאי יָדַעְנָא, אֶלָּא מִדְּרַב וּשְׁמוּאֵל יָדַעְנָא, דְּתַקִּינוּ לַן מַרְגָּנִיתָא בְּבָבֶל.

Rav Yosef said the conclusive halakha on this topic: I don’t know this and I don’t know that, but I do know from the statements of Rav and Shmuel they have instituted a pearl for us in Babylonia. They established a version that combines the first blessing of the Festival with the formula of havdala, parallel to the opinion of the Rabbis who include havdala in the first blessing that follows the first three blessings. They instituted to recite:

״וַתּוֹדִיעֵנוּ ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ אֶת מִשְׁפְּטֵי צִדְקֶךָ וַתְּלַמְּדֵנוּ לַעֲשׂוֹת חֻקֵּי רְצוֹנֶךָ, וַתַּנְחִילֵנוּ זְמַנֵּי שָׂשׂוֹן וְחַגֵּי נְדָבָה, וַתּוֹרִישֵׁנוּ קְדוּשַּׁת שַׁבָּת וּכְבוֹד מוֹעֵד וַחֲגִיגַת הָרֶגֶל. בֵּין קְדוּשַּׁת שַׁבָּת לִקְדוּשַּׁת יוֹם טוֹב הִבְדַּלְתָּ, וְאֶת יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מִשֵּׁשֶׁת יְמֵי הַמַּעֲשֶׂה קִדַּשְׁתָּ. הִבְדַּלְתָּ וְקִדַּשְׁתָּ אֶת עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל בִּקְדוּשָּׁתֶךָ. וַתִּתֶּן לָנוּ וְכוּ׳״.

You have made known to us, Lord our God, Your righteous laws,
and taught us to perform Your will’s decrees.
You have given us as our heritage seasons of joy and Festivals of voluntary offerings.
You have given us as our heritage the holiness of Shabbat, the glory of the festival and the festive offerings of the Pilgrim Festivals.
You have distinguished between the holiness of Shabbat and the holiness of the Festival,
and have made the seventh day holy over the six days of work.
You have distinguished and sanctified Your people Israel with Your holiness,
And You have given us, etc.

מַתְנִי׳ הָאוֹמֵר: ״עַל קַן צִיפּוֹר יַגִּיעוּ רַחֲמֶיךָ״, וְ״עַל טוֹב יִזָּכֵר שְׁמֶךָ״, ״מוֹדִים, מוֹדִים״ — מְשַׁתְּקִין אוֹתוֹ.

MISHNA: Concluding the laws of prayer in this tractate, the mishna raises several prayer-related matters. This mishna speaks of certain innovations in the prayer formula that warrant the silencing of a communal prayer leader who attempts to introduce them in his prayers, as their content tends toward heresy. One who recites in his supplication: Just as Your mercy is extended to a bird’s nest, as You have commanded us to send away the mother before taking her chicks or eggs (Deuteronomy 22:6–7), so too extend Your mercy to us; and one who recites: May Your name be mentioned with the good or one who recites: We give thanks, we give thanks twice, they silence him.

גְּמָ׳ בִּשְׁלָמָא, ״מוֹדִים, מוֹדִים״ מְשַׁתְּקִין אוֹתוֹ — מִשּׁוּם דְּמֶיחְזֵי כִּשְׁתֵּי רָשׁוּיוֹת. וְ״עַל טוֹב יִזָּכֵר שְׁמֶךָ״ נָמֵי, מַשְׁמַע עַל הַטּוֹבָה וְלֹא עַל הָרָעָה, וּתְנַן: חַיָּיב אָדָם לְבָרֵךְ עַל הָרָעָה כְּשֵׁם שֶׁמְּבָרֵךְ עַל הַטּוֹבָה. אֶלָּא ״עַל קַן צִפּוֹר יַגִּיעוּ רַחֲמֶיךָ״ מַאי טַעְמָא?

GEMARA: Our mishna cited three instances where the communal prayer leader is silenced. The Gemara clarifies: Granted, they silence one who repeats: We give thanks, we give thanks, as it appears like he is acknowledging and praying to two authorities. And granted that they also silence one who says: May Your name be mentioned with the good, as clearly he is thanking God only for the good and not for the bad, and we learned in a mishna: One is required to bless God for the bad just as he blesses Him for the good. However, in the case of one who recites: Just as Your mercy is extended to a bird’s nest, why do they silence him?

פְּלִיגִי בַּהּ תְּרֵי אָמוֹרָאֵי בְּמַעְרְבָא, רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בַּר אָבִין וְרַבִּי יוֹסֵי בַּר זְבִידָא: חַד אָמַר: מִפְּנֵי שֶׁמֵּטִיל קִנְאָה בְּמַעֲשֵׂה בְּרֵאשִׁית. וְחַד אָמַר: מִפְּנֵי שֶׁעוֹשֶׂה מִדּוֹתָיו שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא רַחֲמִים, וְאֵינָן אֶלָּא גְּזֵרוֹת.

Two amora’im in Eretz Yisrael disputed this question; Rabbi Yosei bar Avin and Rabbi Yosei bar Zevida; one said that this was because he engenders jealousy among God’s creations, as it appears as though he is protesting the fact that the Lord favored one creature over all others. And one said that this was because he transforms the attributes of the Holy One, Blessed be He, into expressions of mercy, when they are nothing but decrees of the King that must be fulfilled without inquiring into the reasons behind them.

הַהוּא דִּנְחֵית קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַבָּה וַאֲמַר: אַתָּה חַסְתָּ עַל קַן צִפּוֹר, אַתָּה חוּס וְרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ. אֲמַר רַבָּה: כַּמָּה יָדַע הַאי צוּרְבָּא מֵרַבָּנָן לְרַצּוֹיֵי לְמָרֵיהּ! אֲמַר לֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי: וְהָא מְשַׁתְּקִין אוֹתוֹ תְּנַן!

The Gemara relates that a particular individual descended before the ark as prayer leader in the presence of Rabba, and said in his prayers: You have shown mercy to the bird’s nest, now have mercy and pity upon us. Rabba said: How much does this Torah scholar know to appease the Lord, his Master. Abaye said to him: Didn’t we learn in a mishna that they silence him?

וְרַבָּה נָמֵי, לְחַדּוֹדֵי אַבָּיֵי הוּא דְּבָעֵי.

The Gemara explains: And Rabba too held in accordance with this mishna but merely acted this way because he wanted to hone Abaye’s intellect. Rabba did not make his statement to praise the scholar, but simply to test his nephew, Abaye, and to encourage him to articulate what he knows about that mishna.

הַהוּא דִּנְחֵית קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַבִּי חֲנִינָא, אֲמַר ״הָאֵל הַגָּדוֹל הַגִּבּוֹר וְהַנּוֹרָא וְהָאַדִּיר וְהָעִזּוּז וְהַיָּראוּי, הֶחָזָק וְהָאַמִּיץ וְהַוַּדַּאי וְהַנִּכְבָּד״.

With regard to additions to prayers formulated by the Sages, The Gemara relates that a particular individual descended before the ark as prayer leader in the presence of Rabbi Ḥanina. He extended his prayer and said: God, the great, mighty, awesome, powerful, mighty, awe-inspiring, strong, fearless, steadfast and honored.

הִמְתִּין לוֹ עַד דְּסַיֵּים. כִּי סַיֵּים אֲמַר לֵיהּ: סַיֵּימְתִּינְהוּ לְכוּלְּהוּ שִׁבְחֵי דְמָרָךְ?! לְמָה לִי כּוּלֵּי הַאי? אֲנַן, הָנֵי תְּלָת דְּאָמְרִינַן אִי לָאו דְּאַמְרִינְהוּ מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ בְּאוֹרָיְיתָא, וַאֲתוֹ אַנְשֵׁי כְּנֶסֶת הַגְּדוֹלָה וְתַקְּנִינְהוּ בִּתְפִלָּה — לָא הֲוֵינַן יְכוֹלִין לְמֵימַר לְהוּ, וְאַתְּ אָמְרַתְּ כּוּלֵּי הַאי וְאָזְלַתְּ! מָשָׁל לְמֶלֶךְ בָּשָׂר וָדָם שֶׁהָיוּ לוֹ אֶלֶף אֲלָפִים דִּינְרֵי זָהָב, וְהָיוּ מְקַלְּסִין אוֹתוֹ בְּשֶׁל כֶּסֶף. וַהֲלֹא גְּנַאי הוּא לוֹ!

Rabbi Ḥanina waited for him until he completed his prayer. When he finished, Rabbi Ḥanina asked him: Have you concluded all of the praises of your Master? Why do I need all of this superfluous praise? Even these three praises that we recite: The great, mighty and awesome, had Moses our teacher not said them in the Torah and had the members of the Great Assembly not come and incorporated them into the Amida prayer, we would not be permitted to recite them. And you went on and recited all of these. It is comparable to a king who possessed many thousands of golden dinars, yet they were praising him for silver ones. Isn’t that deprecatory? All of the praises we could possibly lavish upon the Lord are nothing but a few silver dinars relative to many thousands of gold dinars. Reciting a litany of praise does not enhance God’s honor.

וְאָמַר רַבִּי חֲנִינָא: הַכֹּל בִּידֵי שָׁמַיִם, חוּץ מִיִּרְאַת שָׁמַיִם. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְעַתָּה יִשְׂרָאֵל מָה ה׳ אֱלֹהֶיךָ שׁוֹאֵל מֵעִמָּךְ כִּי אִם לְיִרְאָה״.

Tangentially, the Gemara cites an additional statement by Rabbi Ḥanina concerning principles of faith. And Rabbi Ḥanina said: Everything is in the hands of Heaven, except for fear of Heaven. Man has free will to serve God or not, as it is stated: “And now Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you other than to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all of His ways, to love Him and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deuteronomy 10:12). The Lord asks man to perform these matters because ultimately, the choice is in his hands.

אַטּוּ יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם מִילְּתָא זוּטַרְתָּא הִיא? וְהָאָמַר רַבִּי חֲנִינָא מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַי: אֵין לוֹ לְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא בְּבֵית גְּנָזָיו אֶלָּא אוֹצָר שֶׁל יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״יִרְאַת ה׳ הִיא אוֹצָרוֹ״.

The verse says: What does the Lord your God ask of you other than to fear the Lord your God. The Gemara asks: Is fear of Heaven a minor matter that it can be presented as if God is not asking anything significant? Didn’t Rabbi Ḥanina say in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai: The Holy One, Blessed be He, has nothing in his treasury other than a treasure of fear of Heaven, as it is stated: “Fear of the Lord is his treasure” (Isaiah 33:6). The Lord values and treasures fear of Heaven over all else.

אִין, לְגַבֵּי מֹשֶׁה מִילְּתָא זוּטַרְתָּא הִיא. דְּאָמַר רַבִּי חֲנִינָא: מָשָׁל לְאָדָם שֶׁמְבַקְּשִׁים מִמֶּנּוּ כְּלִי גָּדוֹל, וְיֵשׁ לוֹ — דּוֹמֶה עָלָיו כִּכְלִי קָטָן. קָטָן, וְאֵין לוֹ — דּוֹמֶה עָלָיו כִּכְלִי גָּדוֹל.

The Gemara responds: Indeed, for Moses fear of Heaven is a minor matter. As Rabbi Ḥanina stated: It is comparable to one who is asked for a large vessel and he has one, it seems to him like a small vessel because he owns it. However, one who is asked for just a small vessel and he does not have one, it seems to him like a large vessel. Therefore, Moses could say: What does the Lord your God ask of you other than to fear, because in his eyes it was a minor matter.

״מוֹדִים מוֹדִים״ מְשַׁתְּקִין אוֹתוֹ.

We learned in the mishna if one repeats: We give thanks, we give thanks, they silence him.

אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: כׇּל הָאוֹמֵר ״שְׁמַע שְׁמַע״ — כְּאוֹמֵר ״מוֹדִים מוֹדִים״ דָּמֵי.

Rabbi Zeira said: One who repeats himself while reciting Shema and says: Listen Israel, Listen Israel is like one who says: We give thanks, we give thanks.

מֵיתִיבִי: הַקּוֹרֵא אֶת שְׁמַע וְכוֹפְלָהּ — הֲרֵי זֶה מְגוּנֶּה. מְגוּנֶּה הוּא דְּהָוֵי, שַׁתּוֹקֵי לָא מְשַׁתְּקִינַן לֵיהּ!

The Gemara raises an objection: It was taught in a baraita: One who recites Shema and repeats it, it is reprehensible. One may infer: It is reprehensible, but they do not silence him.

לָא קַשְׁיָא: הָא, דְּאָמַר מִילְּתָא מִילְּתָא וְתָנֵי לַהּ. וְהָא, דְּאָמַר פְּסוּקָא פְּסוּקָא וְתָנֵי לֵיהּ.

The Gemara answers: This is not difficult; this case, where although it is reprehensible when one repeats Shema, they do not silence him, is referring to one who recites and repeats each individual word as he says it. In so doing he ruins the recitation of Shema. However, this case, where Rabbi Zeira holds that one who repeats Shema they silence him, refers to one who recites and repeats an entire verse, as it appears that he is worshiping separate authorities.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב פָּפָּא לְאַבָּיֵי: וְדִילְמָא מֵעִיקָּרָא לָא כַּוֵּון דַּעְתֵּיהּ, וּלְבַסּוֹף כַּוֵּון דַּעְתֵּיהּ?

Rav Pappa said to Abaye with regard to this halakha: And perhaps initially he did not focus his attention on the recitation of Shema, so he repeated it and ultimately he focused his attention as he recited it the second time?

אֲמַר לֵיהּ:

Abaye said to him: