Talmud sur Berakhot 4:9

“At 52, the death of the prophet Saul¹⁴Error for “Samuel”, found uncorrected in ms. and the editio princeps. The tradition is from Seder ‘Olam 13 (cf. the author’s edition, Northvale N.J. 1998, pp. 129–135) and is reported in the Babli Ta‘anit 5b, Mo‘ed Qaṭan 28a. The material is Tannaïtic in Seder ‘Olam and the Babli, a further argument that Seder ‘Olam is a compilation of the Babylonian academies. Samuel at his retirement describes himself (1S. 12:2) as “old and white-haired”..” Rebbi Abba the son of Rebbi Pappai in¹⁵An Amora of the fifth Galilean generation, usually reporting sayings of R. Levi. the name of Rebbi Levi; Rebbi Joshua from Sikhnin in the name of Rebbi Joshua ben Levi (Prov. 14:23): “From all toil there will be gain but from talk of lips only want.” Hannah, because she prayed too much, shortened Samuel’s life, since she said (1S. 1:22): “He shall dwell there forever.¹⁶However, this statement is not part of Hannah’s prayer but her argument to her husband. Samuel was a Levite from the family of Gersom (1Chr. 6:13).” But the “forever” of a Levite is only 50 years, as it is written (Num. 8:25): “At the age of 50 years he shall retire from the workforce.¹⁷In verse 8:26 it is stated that the retired Levite may continue as a watchman.” But this one lived 52 years? Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun said, two years until she weaned him.

From where the lifting of hands? So you shall bless the Children of Israel²²Num. 6:22.. So far during the morning prayers²³Since in the Temple the priestly blessing was recited at the time of the morning sacrifice, the inspiration for the morning prayer service.. At musaf? Aaron lifted his hands for the people²⁴Lev. 9:22, description of the special inauguration service of the Tabernacle.. Is not this verse distorted? Should it not read: he descended from making the purification sacrifice, and the elevation sacrifice, and the well-being sacrifice, and after this, Aaron lifted his hands for the people? But it teaches²⁵The verse mentioning blessing before descent. that while descending from the altar he lifted his hands and blessed the people. ²⁶Babli Sotah38a.And he blessed them, standing. I could think, not while standing. The verse says²⁷Deut. 21:5., the Eternal, your God, selected them to serve Him and to bless in His Name. It combines blessing with service. Since service is done standing, also blessing is done standing. And so it says²⁸2Chr. 30:27., the Levitic Cohanim rose and blessed the people. The verse speaks of the generation of Ezechias, when they toiled in the Torah. But in other generations, when they were serving foreign worship, what does it say? When you spread your hands my eyes shall disregard you²⁹Is. 1:15.. ²²Num. 6:22.And he blessed them, any blessing. But we did not hear which it was until the verse came and explained it³⁰Num. 6:24–26.: The Eternal shall bless you and guard you. The Eternal shall enlighten His presence to you and show you favor. The Eternal shall turn His presence to you and give you peace.

¹³⁷This is from Berakhot 6:2, Notes 117–118. Rebbi Jehudah treats trees like straws. There, we have stated: “If he pronounced the benediction ‘Creator of the fruit of the soil’ on fruits of the tree, he has fulfilled his obligation.” Rebbi Ḥizqiah in the name of Rebbi Jacob bar Aḥa: This is Rebbi Yehuda’s since Rebbi Jehudah treats trees like straws. Rebbi Yose said, it is everybody’s opinion since fruits of a tree are also fruits of the soil but fruits of the soil are not fruits of the tree.

HALAKHAH: ^194*This Halakhah and the next are repeated in Megillah 1:5 (מ). The Mishnah is Rebbi Meïr’s, since Rebbi Meïr said, “not to eulogize” one is forbidden to fast, “not to fast” one is permitted to eulogize¹⁹⁵“To eulogize”, to eulogize a deceased person either on his funeral or on a formal occasion in his remembrance. Both are incompatible with a holiday spirit. In the Babli, the attribution to R. Meïr is affirmed in Roš Haššanah and denied in Ta`anit 18a.. “Not to” unspecified<sup>196</sup>A day mentioned in the Scroll without indication of any restriction. is as “not to fast.” Rebbi Jonah said, “these are the days not to eulogize <fast> on them, and partially not to fast <eulogize> on them.<sup>197</sup>The introductory statement to Megillat Ta`anit. All sources of Megillat Ta`anit support the version in Megillah, here given in <braces>, that days of fast are fewer than days of no eulogies.” Rabban Simeon ben Gamliel said, why does it say “on them” twice? To teach that the night is permitted but the day forbidden<sup>198</sup>No restrictions apply to the night of the day mentioned in the Scroll.. As it was stated<sup>199</sup>Megillat Ta`anit, end of Month of Adar., “therefore a person who takes it on himself has to forbid himself in prayer.” Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun said, that he must mention it on the preceding evening²⁰⁰If a person intends to fast on a day where this is prohibited by Megillat Ta`anit, he has to start in the evening and mention his fast in the prayer. Then he has to fast as a vow which is a biblical obligation which cannot be annulled by rabbinical festive days.. This comes following what Rebbi Ze`ira said in the name of Rav Huna: Similar to Friday night and Sabbath day.