Gemara Clarity

Berachos 43b

ברכות מ״ג ע״ב

Berakhot 43b

Learn Berachos 43b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Berachos 43b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

ברכות over fragrance, the sayings of רב זוטרא בר טוביה, the order of blessings over oil, myrtle and wine, and conduct unbecoming a תלמיד חכם

Overview

The amud opens by listing which ברכה to say over different fragrances. Woody plants get בורא עצי בשמים, soft plants get בורא עשבי בשמים, and fragrant fruits like an אתרוג get הנותן ריח טוב בפירות. It also brings רב יהודה's ברכה over blossoming trees in ניסן, and רב's source for blessing over scent: 'כל הנשמה תהלל יה', because scent is the pleasure of the נשמה. A series of sayings from רב זוטרא בר טוביה follows. They include the future fragrance of the young men of ישראל, each person loving his own trade, and a torch counting like two people and the moon like three, including the walker. The series ends with the teaching that it is better to be thrown into a furnace than to shame someone in public, learned from תמר. Next, ברייתות discuss the order of ברכות over oil and myrtle, where the הלכה follows רבן גמליאל and oil comes first, and over oil and wine. Finally, a ברייתא lists things unbecoming for a תלמיד חכם, and the גמרא explains and limits each one.

Opening lines

אָמַר רַב גִּידֵּל אָמַר רַב:

Rav Giddel said in the name of Rav:

הַאי סִמְלָק —

This jasmine —

מְבָרְכִין עִלָּוֵיהּ ״בּוֹרֵא עֲצֵי בְּשָׂמִים״.

we recite over it: 'Who creates fragrant trees.'

אָמַר רַב חֲנַנְאֵל אָמַר רַב:

Rav Chananel said in the name of Rav:

The steps (52)

  1. StatementJasmine gets the blessing for fragrant trees
  2. StatementSeaside spikenard also gets the blessing for fragrant trees
  3. ProofA verse shows that soft stalks can be called trees
  4. StatementGarden daffodil versus wild daffodil
  5. StatementViolets get the blessing for fragrant plants
  6. StatementSmelling an אתרוג or quince gets the fruit blessing
  7. StatementThe blessing over blossoming trees in ניסן
  8. QuestionWhat is the source for blessing over scent?
  9. ResponseScent is what the soul enjoys and the body does not
  10. StatementThe young men of ישראל will give off a fragrance like the לבנון
  11. StatementEveryone is made to love his own trade
  12. ProofA folk saying that matches the teaching
  13. StatementA torch counts like two, and the moon like three
  14. QuestionDoes 'two' include the person himself?
  15. ProofProof from the moon: four would be pointless
  16. ConclusionConclusion: the count includes the person
  17. StatementBetter a fiery furnace than shaming someone in public
  18. QuestionWhere do we learn this?
  19. ResponseThe source is תמר
  20. StatementOil and myrtle: which blessing comes first
  21. Statementרבן גמליאל decides for oil
  22. ConclusionThe הלכה follows the decider
  23. Statementרב פפא blesses on the myrtle first
  24. Challengeרב הונא challenges רב פפא
  25. Resolutionרב פפא cites רבא
  26. Rejectionרב פפא was only getting out of an awkward spot
  27. StatementOil and wine according to בית שמאי
  28. StatementOil and wine according to בית הלל
  29. StatementIf the servant is a Torah scholar
  30. StatementSix things unbecoming for a Torah scholar
  31. StatementSome add two more improper behaviors
  32. StatementGoing out perfumed applies only where people are suspected of immorality
  33. StatementPerfume on clothing is a problem, but perfume on the body is not
  34. StatementIs hair like clothing or like the body?
  35. StatementNot going out alone at night, because of suspicion
  36. StatementA scholar with a fixed study time may go out at night
  37. ProofThe patched shoes rule supports רבי חייא בר אבא
  38. ChallengeBut רבי חייא בר אבא himself wore patched shoes
  39. ResolutionThe disgrace is only a patch on top of a patch
  40. StatementOnly patches on the upper part of the shoe count
  41. StatementOnly on the road, not at home
  42. StatementOnly in the summer, not in the rainy season
  43. StatementNo talking with a woman in the marketplace, even his wife
  44. ProofA ברייתא supports רב חסדא and adds daughter and sister
  45. QuestionWhy not eat with ignorant people?
  46. ResponseHe might be drawn after them
  47. StatementDo not be the last one into the study hall
  48. StatementSome say: no long strides, because they harm eyesight
  49. QuestionWhat fixes the damage?
  50. Responseקידוש wine on Friday night restores it
  51. StatementDo not walk with a proud, upright posture
  52. ProofVerse: the whole world is full of His glory