Berachos 3b

ברכות ג׳ ע״ב

Berakhot 3b

Learn Berachos 3b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Berachos 3b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Why a ruin is forbidden for three reasons, the number of watches in the night, and the stories of דוד rising at midnight.

Overview

The amud opens by finishing a question about a ברייתא. The ברייתא gives three reasons not to enter a חורבה (ruin): חשד (suspicion), מפולת (collapse) and מזיקין (demons). The גמרא shows that each reason is needed, by finding a case where only that one applies. Then a new ברייתא brings an argument: רבי says the night has four watches, and רבי נתן says three. Each side brings פסוקים and explains away the other side's proof, many of them about דוד rising at midnight. Along the way comes a law in the name of רבי יהושע בן לוי about what one may say in front of a dead person. The גמרא then asks how דוד could rise at midnight if a פסוק says he rose at נשף, and רבא explains that נשף can mean either evening or morning. Finally, the גמרא asks how דוד knew the exact moment of midnight when even משה did not. It answers with the story of the כנור over his bed, and how דוד's advisers prepared for war.

Opening lines

The steps (42)

1. ResolutionSuspicion is needed for a new ruin
2. ChallengeWhy not just use the danger of demons?
3. ResolutionTwo people entering together
4. ChallengeWith two people there is no suspicion either
5. ResolutionTwo people known to be immoral
6. ChallengeWhy is the danger of collapse needed?
7. ResolutionCollapse is needed when two decent people enter together
8. ChallengeWhy mention demons if suspicion and collapse are enough
9. ResolutionA new ruin with two decent people
10. ChallengeWith two people there are no demons either
11. ResolutionIn a place known for demons, even two must worry
12. ResolutionAnother answer: one person in a new ruin out in the field
13. StatementHow many watches does the night have: four or three?
14. QuestionWhat is רבי נתן's reason?
15. ProofThe פסוק about גדעון and the 'middle watch'
16. RejectionHow רבי reads 'middle'
17. Rejectionרבי נתן defends his reading of 'the middle watch'
18. QuestionWhat is רבי's source for four watches?
19. ResponseTwo פסוקים about דוד show four watches
20. Resolutionרבי נתן counts until the kings wake up
21. ResolutionA watch and a half can be called 'watches'
22. StatementIn front of the dead, speak only about the dead
23. StatementFirst version: the rule applies only to Torah talk
24. StatementSecond version: even Torah talk, and surely everyday talk
25. ChallengeDid דוד get up at midnight or in the evening?
26. ProofProof that נשף means evening
27. ResolutionMidnight never passed while דוד was asleep
28. ResolutionDozing like a horse, then strong like a lion
29. ResolutionTorah until midnight, songs of praise after
30. ChallengeDoesn't נשף mean morning?
31. RejectionNo: from evening to evening
32. ChallengeWhy would the verse switch words?
33. Resolutionרבא: נשף can mean two different times
34. ChallengeHow could דוד know exactly when midnight was?
35. QuestionWho said 'about midnight'?
36. Responseמשה was the one who was unsure
37. Resolutionדוד had a sign: the כנור that played at midnight
38. StatementAt dawn the חכמים ask דוד for the people's livelihood
39. StatementThe חכמים say that is not enough, and דוד sends them to war
40. StatementBefore going to war: אחיתופל, the סנהדרין, and the אורים ותומים
41. Proofרב יוסף brings the verse behind the story
42. Proofאחיתופל is the adviser