Berachos 53a

ברכות נ״ג ע״א

Berakhot 53a

Learn Berachos 53a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Which fire and spices qualify for the ברכות of הבדלה: a flame that 'rested', flames of a גוי, fire and scents of unknown source, and fire or spices not used for light or fragrance

Overview

This amud is about which fire and which spices may be used for the ברכות of הבדלה. First the גמרא defines a נר ששבת: a flame is disqualified only if it was tied to forbidden work (מלאכת עבירה) on שבת, not if it was used for a permitted need like a חולה. Next it explains why a Jew may bless on a flame lit from a גוי's fire but not on one a גוי lit from a גוי. The Jew blesses on the permitted addition, and the גוי-from-גוי case is banned by a גזירה. Then come cases of fire seen outside a city: follow the town's majority, check a child holding a torch, and require a fire as big as a furnace opening. A series of contradictions about furnace, oven, and בית הכנסת lights all resolve the same way: you bless only on fire whose light is actually being used. After a מחלוקת between בית שמאי and בית הלל on whether a group blesses together, the גמרא explains the משנה that the candle and spices of the dead get no ברכה. It ends with rules for spices: no ברכה on a scent not made to be smelled, and choosing to smell the incense of עבודה זרה is a sin.

Opening lines

The steps (44)

1. ChallengeDoes 'did not rest' mean any work at all?
2. Resolution'Rested' means rested from forbidden work
3. ProofSupport: a lamp that burned all of שבת
4. StatementFlames passed between a גוי and a Jew
5. QuestionWhy is a גוי lighting from a גוי invalid?
6. ChallengeThen a Jew lighting from a גוי should also be invalid
7. ResolutionSuggestion: the Jew's flame is a brand-new flame
8. RejectionRejection: carrying a flame on שבת proves it is one object
9. ResolutionThe blessing is on the permitted addition to the flame
10. ChallengeThen a גוי lighting from a גוי should also work
11. ResolutionA rabbinic decree because of the first גוי and first flame
12. StatementFire seen outside a city: follow the majority
13. ChallengeThe two halves of the ברייתא seem to contradict each other
14. ResolutionA half-and-half city does get a ברכה; the wording just matches
15. StatementA child carrying a torch: check who he is
16. ChallengeWhy mention a child? An adult needs the same check
17. ResolutionThe case is right after sunset, so an adult is obviously a non-Jew
18. StatementA fire as thick as a furnace opening gets a blessing
19. ChallengeTwo teachings disagree about blessing on furnace fire
20. ResolutionNo blessing at the start of the furnace, but yes at the end
21. ChallengeTwo teachings disagree about blessing over an oven or stove fire
22. ResolutionBeginning versus end of the oven's use
23. ChallengeTwo teachings disagree about blessing over the light in a synagogue or study hall
24. ResolutionIt depends on whether an important person is present
25. ResolutionSecond answer: a caretaker who uses the light
26. ResolutionThird answer: whether there is moonlight
27. StatementShould each person bless on the fire, or one for everyone?
28. QuestionWhat is בית שמאי's reason?
29. Responseבית שמאי worry about interrupting learning
30. Proofרבן גמליאל's household did not say מרפא in the בית המדרש
31. StatementThe משנה: no blessing on the candle or spices of the dead
32. QuestionWhy is there no blessing?
33. ResponseThe candle is for honor, the spices are to hide the smell
34. StatementHow to tell if the candle is for honor or for light
35. StatementNo blessing on spices or oil used to remove bad smells
36. QuestionIs this a general rule about smells not made for fragrance?
37. ChallengeChallenge from the perfume shop
38. ResolutionThe shop's smell is also made for fragrance
39. StatementSmelling a scent outside a city
40. Statementרבי יוסי: even in a Jewish majority there is no ברכה
41. ChallengeDo all of them burn incense for witchcraft?
42. ResolutionTwo minorities make a majority
43. StatementIn טבריא and ציפורי, street scents are assumed to be for perfuming clothes
44. StatementChoosing to smell idolatrous incense is a sin