Uno no hace la bendición sobre la vela o las especias de los idólatras [No sobre la vela, porque no "descansó", pues el idólatra trabajó por su luz; y está prohibido hacer una bendición sobre una vela que no descansa, ya que ha cometido una transgresión. Y no sobre las especias de los idólatras. La referencia es a las especias utilizadas en una reunión festiva de idólatras. Y esta es la intención de la última parte de la Mishná: "Y no sobre la vela y no sobre las especias antes de la idolatría", es decir, ¿por qué uno no hace una bendición sobre las especias de los idólatras? Porque se puede suponer que una reunión festiva de idólatras es para propuestas idólatras y está prohibido hacer una bendición sobre las especias utilizadas para la idolatría.] Y no sobre la vela y las especias utilizadas para los muertos, [la vela (para los muertos ) se utiliza con fines honoríficos, y las especias se utilizan para disipar el olor.] Y no sobre la vela y no sobre las especias antes de la idolatría. Uno no bendice la vela hasta que se beneficia de ella [por su luz. No es que él se beneficie, per se, sino que esté lo suficientemente cerca como para beneficiarse si lo desea.]
Bartenura on Mishnah Berakhot
לא על הנר ולא על הבשמים – of an idolater. The [Havdalah] Candle because he [the idolater] did not rest on the Sabbath and did work by its candles, and we hold that light that did not “rest,” should not have blessing recited on it, since it was used in [acts of] transgression; and the spices of gentiles – we are speaking about the spices that are used at the dining parties of idolaters and constellation worshippers who are guests at them and since it is taught at the conclusion of the Mishnah “and not on the [Havdalah] candle and not on the Spices that are before the gods of the idolaters and constellation worshippers – what is the reason that it is said? What is the reason that we do not make a blessing on the spices of idolaters and constellation worshippers? Because it is considered a mere idolatrous dinner party for their god, and we don’t recite a blessing on the spices of those who are idolaters and constellation worshippers.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Berakhot
Introduction
This mishnah teaches some laws concerning the candles and spices.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Berakhot
ולא על הנר של מתים –that we should make use their light even for mere honor.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Berakhot
They do not bless over the candles or the spices of non-Jews; A Jew cannot use a candle that was lit on Shabbat by a non-Jew because the candle has to cease being used during the Shabbat for it to be used at Havdalah. It too has to have a Shabbat. He can’t use the spices of non-Jews because we fear that they may have been used for idolatry.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Berakhot
ולא על בשמים של מתים – That we would use it to remove the odor.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Berakhot
Or over the candles or the spices of the dead; This section refers to candles that were lit to honor the dead or spices that were used to mask the odor of a dead body. Since these were intended to be used for the dead, they cannot be used for Havdalah.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Berakhot
ולא על נר ובשמים – of idolaters and constellation worshippers , since it is forbidden to derive benefit from them.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Berakhot
Or over the candles or the spices of idolatry; It is forbidden to derive benefit from anything used for idolatry and hence it is forbidden to use the candle for light or the spices for smell.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Berakhot
עד שיאותו לאורו – That they would benefit from its light, but not benefit in actuality, but it is so close to it, that one could benefit if one desired.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Berakhot
And a blessing is not said over the light until they benefit from its light. It is not enough to light the candle, one must actually use it as well. This is why people put their hands up to the candle today when doing Havdalah.
