Berachos 53b

ברכות נ״ג ע״ב

Berakhot 53b

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

Open Berachos 53b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

The flame blessing at הבדלה, returning to bentch, the time limit for ברכת המזון, answering אמן, and washing and oil before ברכת המזון

Overview

This amud finishes פרק אלו דברים. It first explains the משנה's rule that one blesses over the הבדלה flame only when one can benefit from its light. רב says potential benefit is enough, even from a distance, and the גמרא defends him against a ברייתא by explaining that 'seeing without using' means a fading flame. A ברייתא then rules that glowing coals qualify but dimming coals, עוממות, do not. רבא disagrees with רב and requires actual benefit, measured by telling coins or weights apart. Each אמורא acted on his own view, and we learn that one need not search for a flame. Next the גמרא limits the dispute about returning to bentch to someone who forgot, and adds stories of reward for going back. It then sets the time limit for bentching by digestion and discusses answering אמן, including whether blessing or answering is greater and whether to answer schoolchildren. The chapter closes with oil and washing the hands before ברכת המזון.

Opening lines

The steps (47)

1. StatementThe משנה: No blessing over the candle until one benefits from it
2. Statementרב: Potential benefit is enough, even from a distance
3. Statementרב אשי agrees: The משנה includes a distant viewer
4. ChallengeA ברייתא requires both seeing the flame and using its light
5. ChallengeHow can one see a flame without using it? Only from far away
6. ResolutionSeeing without using means a fading flame, not distance
7. StatementGlowing coals qualify for the blessing, dying coals do not
8. QuestionWhat counts as glowing coals?
9. ResponseThe wood chip test
10. QuestionIs the word spelled with an א or an ע?
11. ResponseA פסוק shows the word is spelled with an ע
12. Statementרבא: you must actually benefit from the light
13. QuestionHow close counts as benefiting?
14. Responseעולא: close enough to tell two coins apart
15. Responseחזקיה: close enough to tell two city weights apart
16. StatementHow the אמוראים actually blessed on light
17. StatementNo need to chase after a flame
18. Conclusionרבי זירא changed his practice
19. StatementThe dispute is only when he forgot, not when he skipped on purpose
20. ChallengeIsn't this obvious? The משנה says 'forgot'
21. ResolutionWithout רב זביד, we might think 'forgot' was there to show how strict בית שמאי are
22. Challengeבית הלל challenge בית שמאי: must he climb all the way back up?
23. Resolutionבית שמאי answer: you would climb back for your wallet, so surely for Heaven's honor
24. StatementTwo students: one rewarded, one punished
25. Statementרבה בר בר חנה and the golden dove
26. QuestionWhy specifically a dove?
27. ResponseIsrael is compared to a dove, saved by its wings
28. StatementQuoting the next phrase of the משנה: until when
29. QuestionHow long does digestion last?
30. ResponseNot hungry again, or still thirsty from the meal
31. Challengeריש לקיש is quoted elsewhere as saying four מיל
32. ResolutionA big meal versus a small meal
33. StatementThe next line of the משנה: wine came to them
34. ChallengeHow can someone fulfill his obligation without hearing the whole blessing?
35. ResolutionThe case is someone who did not eat with the group
36. Statementרב and רב הונא tell their sons to grab the chance to bless
37. ChallengeIs blessing really greater than answering אמן?
38. Proofרבי נהוראי supports רבי יוסי with a battle comparison
39. ResolutionIt Is a Dispute Among תנאים
40. Questionשמואל Asks About Answering אמן to Schoolchildren
41. Responseרב: Not After Children Who Are Practicing
42. StatementWhen Children Bless for Real, We Answer
43. StatementDoes Lacking Oil Hold Back the Blessing?
44. Statementרבי זוהמאי: Dirty Hands Cannot Bless
45. Statementרב נחמן בר יצחק Prefers a Known Source
46. ProofThe Verse: Waters, Oil and the Blessing
47. Conclusionהדרן: Closing פרק אלו דברים