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Learn Talmud – Berachot #54 Daf 21a Part 1 (Koren Talmud Bavli) [Doubts About Having Recited Shema]

Our lessons in Tractate Brachot continue. On Daf 21a we continue the discussion of the Mishnah that related to the permissibility and prohibition of reciting certain things due to Ezra’s decree concerning a man who has had a seminal emission.

Learn Talmud – Berachot #53 Daf 20b Part 2 (Koren Talmud Bavli) [Ezra the Scribe’s Decree]

After a quick recap of our Mishnah which discusses various Mitzvot that women, slaves and minors are exempt from, we continue with the theme of obligations in Mitzvot.

Learn Talmud – Berachot #52 Daf 20a Part 2 / 20b Part 1 (Koren Talmud Bavli) [Conception In Purity]

The Talmud tells us of two sages who involved themselves in the same thing – which by today’s standards may seem quite inappropriate.

Learn Talmud – Berachot #51 Daf 19b (Koren Talmud Bavli) [Human Dignity Can Override Torah]

The Mishnah had instructed us with regards to the laws of reciting the Shema when taking part in a funeral. Here the Gemara continues to explain in further detail the relevant laws as to who is obligated and who is exempt from reciting the Shema.

Learn Talmud – Berachot #50 Daf 19a (Koren Talmud Bavli) [Never Open One’s Mouth To The Satan]

Our page is jam packed with a number of different topics. As is the way of Gemara – to jump from one theme to another in an apparently totally random order – our page is no different!

Learn Talmud – Berachot #49 Daf 18b Part 2 (Koren Talmud Bavli) [Do the Dead Wear Cosmetics?]

Our Gemara picks up from our last lesson regarding the story of a pious man who had chosen to spend the eve of Rosh HaShanah sleeping in a cemetery – after an argument with his wife.

Learn Talmud – Berachot #48 Daf 18a & 18b Part 1 (Koren Talmud Bavli) [Do the Dead Know Anything?]

One who transports the bones of a dead person should not do so in a disrespectful manner by simply placing them in a type of double bag attachment added to a donkey and then ride on it that way. But if one is afraid of robbers or the like, one may do so. We even learn that if it comes down to it and the only way of transporting a Sefer Torah in a type of disrespectful that even then one may do so – but only under extreme circumstances.

We learn about the importance of accompanying the deceased to their place of rest if one should find oneself in a cemetery at the time that the deceased is being interred.

We hear about a story concerning a rabbi who had let is Tzitzit hang out as it dragged along the graves of those buried there and how his fellow had rebuked him. It was not respectful to them – as he said, because it makes a mockery of those who can no longer fulfill Mitzvot (while we in this world can still perform Mitzvot).

The Talmud then goes into an exciting discussion as to whether or not the dead are aware of things that occur in this world. In

When the sons of Rabbi Chiya were out one day they become disheartened that they had forgot their Torah learning and the one brother asked his brother if he thought that maybe their deceased father had felt their pain over the matter. Now the Talmud turns to the discussion about whether the dead may know about what happens to us in this world or not. We will continue this subject in our next lesson.

The Talmud tells us of a story about a man who gave charity before Rosh HaShanah – but when his wife found out, she was mad at him! He went to sleep in the cemetery to get away from the fighting and heard some spirits talking amongst themselves. They wanted to find out what would be in store for the physical world in the coming year. Knowing well how things would play out, the man followed the discussion in practice and met with success in his harvest that year – while the rest of the world was set with troubles!

Our Gemara will continue in the next lesson as we find out more about this exciting story!

Learn Talmud – Berachot #47 Daf 17a (End) 17b (Koren Talmud Bavli) [Obligations To The Deceased]

We conclude 17a with a verse from the book of Tehillim (Psalms), “Our leaders are laden, there is no breach and no going forth and no outcry in our open places.” (Psalms 144:14) where the Gemara goes into detail describing the different parts of the verse and what each part means.

Learn Talmud – Berachot #46 Daf 17a Part 2 (Koren Talmud Bavli) [Whether a Lot or a Little]

We continue from our previous lesson where certain rabbis have been teaching us some beautiful sayings they would say. “Margela BePumeihu” – “So and so were/was accustomed to say”. In Aramaic, the word “Margela” also means a jewel, and indeed, all these sayings that we are learning are jewels!

Learn Talmud – Berachot #45 Daf 17a Part 1 (Koren Talmud Bavli) [Meaningful Prayers From the Heart]

Continuing from our previous lesson, various Rabbis are quoted concerning the ending they would add upon completing their Amidah prayers.