Berachos 51b

ברכות נ״א ע״ב

Berakhot 51b

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

Open Berachos 51b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Finishing the laws of the כוס של ברכה and closing the chapter, then the משנה of meal disputes between בית שמאי and בית הלל, starting with קידוש.

Overview

This amud finishes the list of things said about the כוס של ברכה. It rules that we act strictly and do not let the left hand help the right. It then explains three more items: lifting the cup a טפח (based on 'כוס ישועות אשא'), keeping your eyes on it, and sending it to your household so your wife is blessed. A story follows: עולא will not send the cup to ילתא, because רבי יוחנן taught that a wife is blessed through her husband, and a ברייתא of רבי נתן supports this. ילתא answers him angrily. רב אסי then adds two rules: do not talk over the כוס של ברכה, and do not bless over a 'cup of punishment', meaning a second cup that makes a pair. The chapter closes with the הלכה that you always sit for ברכת המזון. A new chapter opens with a משנה listing meal disputes between בית שמאי and בית הלל: קידוש, washing hands, the drying cloth, sweeping, הבדלה, forgetting ברכת המזון, a single cup of wine, and answering אמן. The גמרא begins with a ברייתא giving the reasons for the קידוש dispute. It explains why בית הלל give a second reason, and it asks why the ברייתא needs to rule like בית הלל when a בת קול already did. The second answer to that question continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (37)

1. ConclusionClosing the left-hand question: we act strictly
2. StatementNext item: lifting the cup a handbreadth
3. ProofVerse source for lifting the cup
4. StatementKeeping one's eyes on the cup
5. StatementSending the cup to the household so his wife is blessed
6. Statementעולא visits רב נחמן and is asked to send the cup to ילתא
7. Responseעולא says the wife is blessed through her husband
8. ProofA ברייתא of רבי נתן supports the same teaching
9. Statementילתא breaks wine barrels, and עולא sends a message
10. Rejectionילתא's sharp reply to עולא
11. Statementרב אסי: no talking over the כוס של ברכה
12. Statementרב אסי: no ברכה over a כוס של פורענות
13. QuestionWhat is a cup of punishment?
14. Responseרב נחמן בר יצחק: a second cup
15. ProofA baraita: one who drinks in pairs should not bless
16. StatementBless in a more settled position than you ate in
17. ConclusionFinal ruling: always sit for ברכת המזון
18. ConclusionHadran — Closing the chapter of שלשה שאכלו
19. StatementNew chapter: the order of blessings in קידוש
20. StatementWash hands first or mix the cup first
21. StatementWhere to put the cloth after drying your hands
22. StatementSweep the floor first or wash hands first
23. StatementThe order of blessings when a meal runs past the end of שבת
24. StatementThe wording of the blessing over the flame
25. StatementFire and spices that do not get a blessing
26. StatementYou must use the light before blessing on it
27. StatementForgot ברכת המזון: go back or bless where you are
28. StatementThe time limit for ברכת המזון
29. StatementOne cup of wine: which blessing comes first
30. StatementAnswering אמן after a Jew and after a כותי
31. StatementThe ברייתא opens: בית שמאי bless the day first
32. Statementבית הלל Bless the Wine First, and the Halacha Follows Them
33. QuestionWhy Did בית הלל Need a Second Reason?
34. ResponseSo בית הלל Would Have Two Reasons Too
35. ChallengeWhy Rule Like בית הלל When a בת קול Already Did?
36. ResolutionFirst answer: the ruling was taught before the heavenly voice
37. ResolutionSecond answer begins: the ruling was taught after the heavenly voice