Berachos 36a

ברכות ל״ו ע״א

Berakhot 36a

Learn Berachos 36a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Berachos 36a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Which ברכה to make on processed or unusual foods (oil, flour, heart of palm), and the caper-bush under ערלה outside ארץ ישראל

Overview

The amud opens by finishing the previous amud's discussion of oil drunk in אניגרון, a vegetable broth. The גמרא asks why the oil is not just a side ingredient (טפל) to the broth. It answers that the case is a person with a sore throat, for whom the oil is the main thing, and that he makes a ברכה because he enjoys it even though it is medicine. Next, רב יהודה and רב נחמן argue whether plain wheat flour gets בורא פרי האדמה or שהכל. The גמרא concludes that both wheat and barley flour get שהכל, and that even harmful barley flour needs a ברכה because a person enjoys it. Then רב יהודה and שמואל argue about קורא (heart of palm). The הלכה follows שמואל that it gets שהכל, because nobody plants a palm tree for its קורא. Finally, the גמרא discusses רב's ruling that for an ערלה caper-bush outside ארץ ישראל one throws away the berries but eats the buds, following the lenient view of רבי עקיבא. רבינא challenges מר בר רב אשי for not following בית שמאי, who are even more lenient, and that argument continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (35)

1. StatementFinishing the definition of the vegetable broths
2. ChallengeChallenge: the broth should be the main food, not the oil
3. ResolutionAnswer: the case is a person with a sore throat
4. ProofA ברייתא shows people drink oil in broth for sore throats
5. ChallengeChallenge: isn't it obvious he makes a ברכה?
6. ResolutionAnswer: medicine still needs a ברכה if you enjoy it
7. StatementDispute over the blessing on wheat flour
8. Proofרבא supports רב יהודה from the ברכה on olive oil
9. RejectionOlive oil and flour are not comparable
10. ChallengeChallenge from שמואל's ruling on barley flour
11. ResolutionWheat flour also gets שהכל
12. ChallengeWhy not mention wheat, which would teach barley automatically?
13. ResolutionBarley had to be mentioned, or we would think it gets no ברכה
14. ChallengeCould barley flour be worse than salt?
15. ResolutionBarley flour is harmful, but any enjoyment requires a ברכה
16. StatementDispute over the blessing on heart of palm
17. StatementThe reasons behind each opinion
18. Proofשמואל praises רב יהודה with a radish argument
19. RejectionThe גמרא rejects the radish comparison
20. ChallengeChallenge from the caper-bush
21. ResolutionCaper-bushes are planted for their shoots, palms are not planted for קורא
22. ConclusionThe הלכה follows שמואל
23. StatementWith an ערלה caper-bush outside ארץ ישראל, throw away the berries but eat the buds
24. ChallengeA משנה treats caper buds as fruit of the tree
25. Resolutionרב follows רבי עקיבא, who says only the berries are fruit
26. ChallengeWhy didn't רב just say the הלכה follows רבי עקיבא?
27. ResolutionA lenient view in ערלה applies only outside ארץ ישראל
28. ChallengeWhy not use the general rule about lenient opinions outside the land?
29. ResolutionThe general rule might have been limited to tree tithes
30. Statementמר בר רב אשי acts on רב's ruling
31. ChallengeWhy not follow בית שמאי, who are even more lenient?
32. ProofThe משנה showing בית שמאי's view on the caper-bush
33. ChallengeThe משנה seems to contradict itself
34. Resolutionבית שמאי are unsure, so they are strict both ways
35. ChallengeFor בית שמאי the caper is only doubtful ערלה, which is permitted outside the land