Berachos 51a

ברכות נ״א ע״א

Berakhot 51a

Learn Berachos 51a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Berachos 51a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Missed ברכות, the drink אספרגוס, angelic warnings, and the ten laws of the כוס של ברכה

Overview

The amud opens by explaining why food must be spat out before a ברכה: 'יִמָּלֵא פִי תְּהִלָּתֶךָ' teaches that the whole mouth should be free for praise. Next, רב חסדא rules with a garlic משל that someone who began eating without a ברכה should bless now rather than keep eating. רבינא tries to extend this to after the meal, using the ברכה on טבילה as proof, but the גמרא rejects him: since the eater could have blessed beforehand, once he missed it, הואיל ואידחי אידחי. The גמרא then turns to אספרגוס, a morning drink usually made of wine. It discusses the drink's health effects, six rules for drinking it, and several contradictions, which are solved by aged versus new wine and by wine-based versus beer-based kinds. Three warnings from סוריאל and from the מלאך המות follow, along with remedies for someone who meets women returning from a funeral. Finally, the גמרא lists ten things said about the כוס של ברכה, notes that רבי יוחנן keeps only four, praises a full cup, and explains עיטור, עיטוף, and holding the cup with both hands. The amud ends with an unresolved question about whether the left hand may help the right, and רב אשי's practical ruling on it continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (37)

1. ChallengeWhy not just move non-disgusting food aside?
2. ResolutionA blessing needs a full mouth
3. QuestionAte without a blessing: can he still bless?
4. ResponseThe garlic משל: don't make it worse
5. Statementרבינא: even after the meal, bless
6. ProofProof from the blessing on immersion
7. RejectionRejection: immersion is a different case
8. StatementThe health benefits and dangers of אספרגוס
9. ChallengeWine is supposed to be bad for the intestines
10. ResolutionThe benefit applies to aged wine
11. ProofProof from a vow against wine
12. StatementSix rules for drinking אספרגוס
13. ChallengeAnother ברייתא says to follow it only with bread
14. ResolutionWine-based versus beer-based אספרגוס
15. ChallengeContradiction about which body parts it helps
16. ResolutionAgain, wine-based versus beer-based
17. ChallengeContradiction about spitting afterward
18. ResolutionOnce more, wine-based versus beer-based
19. ConclusionOne may spit even before the king
20. Statementסוריאל's three warnings to רבי ישמעאל בן אלישע
21. StatementThe reason: harmful forces wait for these moments
22. StatementThe מלאך המות's three warnings to רבי יהושע בן לוי
23. QuestionWhat if he meets them anyway?
24. ResponseThe remedies: move away, cross, hide, or recite a verse
25. StatementTen things said about the cup of blessing
26. StatementSome add: sending the cup to his household
27. Statementרבי יוחנן keeps only four of the ten
28. StatementRinsing is inside, washing is outside
29. StatementA full cup earns a boundless inheritance
30. StatementHe inherits two worlds
31. StatementHow the cup was adorned
32. Statementרבי חנן adds: with undiluted wine
33. Statementרב ששת: at the blessing of the land
34. StatementHow the leader wrapped himself
35. StatementA verse as the source for lifting the cup with both hands
36. QuestionMay the left hand help the right in holding the cup?
37. Conclusionרב אשי begins a ruling based on the unresolved question