Berachos 32b

ברכות ל״ב ע״ב

Berakhot 32b

Learn Berachos 32b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Berachos 32b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

The power of תפלה: רבי אלעזר's teachings, long and repeated prayer, ה׳ not forgetting Israel, and the משנה's rules on preparing for תפלה and not interrupting it.

Overview

This amud is full of teachings about the power of תפלה. רבי אלעזר says תפלה is greater than good deeds and greater than קרבנות, and that a תענית is greater than צדקה. He also teaches that since the חורבן the gates of prayer are locked, but the gates of tears are still open. The גמרא praises long prayer and explains that it brings heartache only when a person expects an answer because he prayed long. Someone who was not answered should pray again, and a ברייתא lists four things that need constant strengthening: תורה, good deeds, תפלה and one's work. A midrash on ישעיהו shows ה׳ comforting ציון: He forgets the sin of the עגל but never forgets סיני. The גמרא then returns to the משנה, discussing the early חסידים who waited an hour before and after davening, and the rule not to stop even for a king's greeting. The amud ends with a story of a חסיד who ignored an officer's greeting, and his answer continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (48)

1. StatementPrayer is greater than good deeds
2. ProofThe verses showing משה was answered through prayer
3. StatementFasting is greater than charity
4. QuestionAsking for the reason
5. ResponseBody versus money
6. StatementPrayer is greater than sacrifices
7. ProofProof from the order of verses in ישעיהו
8. StatementA priest who killed may not bless the people
9. StatementSince the Temple was destroyed, the gates of prayer are locked
10. StatementBut the gates of tears are never locked
11. Statementרבא would not declare a fast on a cloudy day
12. StatementSince the Temple was destroyed, an iron wall separates us from ה׳
13. StatementA long prayer never comes back empty
14. QuestionWhere do we learn this?
15. ResponseThe proof from משה רבינו's long prayer
16. ChallengeLong prayer can lead to heartache
17. StatementThe fix for heartache is learning Torah
18. ResolutionExpecting an answer versus not expecting one
19. StatementIf not answered, pray again
20. StatementFour things need strengthening
21. QuestionAsking for the source for Torah and good deeds
22. ResponseBe strong in תורה, brave in good deeds
23. ResponseThe Source That Prayer Needs Strengthening
24. ResponseThe Source That One's Work Needs Strengthening
25. ChallengeWhy Does the Verse Say Both 'Left' and 'Forgotten'?
26. ResolutionBeing Forgotten Is Worse Than Being Left
27. Statementה׳ Answers: I Created the Whole Heavens for You
28. Statementה׳ has not forgotten Israel's offerings
29. ChallengeIf ה׳ never forgets, what about the Golden Calf?
30. ResolutionThe Calf will be forgotten
31. ChallengeIf ה׳ can forget, what about סיני?
32. Resolutionסיני will never be forgotten
33. Proofרבי אלעזר's teaching supports this reading
34. StatementBack to the משנה: the early pious ones waited an hour
35. QuestionWhere does the rule of waiting before davening come from?
36. ResponseThe source: those who sit in Your House
37. StatementWaiting one hour after davening too
38. ProofA ברייתא supports both teachings
39. StatementThe early חסידים spent three hours on each תפלה
40. ChallengeHow did they have time to learn and work?
41. ResolutionTheir piety protected their learning and their work
42. StatementBack to the משנה: don't answer even a king
43. Statementרב יוסף: only Jewish kings, not non-Jewish kings
44. ChallengeChallenge: even when a violent person comes, you don't stop
45. ResolutionShorten if possible, stop if not
46. StatementA pious man ignores an officer's greeting
47. ChallengeThe officer's angry complaint
48. ResolutionThe pious man begins his explanation