Gemara Clarity

Berachos 5a

ברכות ה׳ ע״א

Berakhot 5a

Learn Berachos 5a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Berachos 5a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Bedtime קריאת שמע, the protective power of תורה, and the meaning of suffering (יסורין של אהבה)

Overview

The amud opens by finishing a teaching about saying קריאת שמע on your bed: a תלמיד חכם is exempt, but אביי says even he should say one verse of mercy, such as בידך אפקיד רוחי. Next come teachings of ריש לקיש: a four-step plan for beating the יצר הרע, and a reading of a פסוק showing that every part of תורה was given at סיני. רבי יצחק teaches that bedtime שמע is like a double-edged sword and keeps מזיקין away. ריש לקיש reads the same פסוק as saying that learning תורה keeps suffering away. רבי יוחנן objects that even children know this, and teaches instead that someone who can learn and does not is struck with ugly suffering. The גמרא then gives a guide for a person who suffers: check your deeds, then consider בטול תורה, and if neither fits, these are יסורין של אהבה. The אמוראים argue over how to define יסורין של אהבה. The גמרא proves that suffering cleanses sin, from a slave's tooth and eye and from the covenant of salt. רבי שמעון בן יוחי teaches that תורה, ארץ ישראל and עולם הבא all come through suffering. A new ברייתא about someone busy with תורה and kindness begins and continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

אִם תַּלְמִיד חָכָם הוּא —

If he is a Torah scholar,

אֵין צָרִיךְ.

he does not need to.

אָמַר אַבָּיֵי:

Abaye said:

אַף תַּלְמִיד חָכָם מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ

Even a Torah scholar needs

The steps (30)

  1. StatementA Torah scholar is exempt from bedtime שמע
  2. Statementאביי: even a scholar says one verse of mercy
  3. StatementFour steps for defeating the evil inclination
  4. StatementEvery part of תורה was given to משה at סיני
  5. StatementBedtime שמע is like a double-edged sword
  6. QuestionHow does the verse show this?
  7. ResponseThe verse before mentions beds
  8. StatementBedtime שמע keeps harmful spirits away
  9. StatementLearning תורה keeps suffering away
  10. ChallengeEven small children already know this
  11. StatementWhoever could learn and does not is struck with ugly suffering
  12. StatementUnlike a human seller, ה׳ was happy to give the תורה
  13. StatementWhen suffering comes, first check your actions, then consider neglect of Torah
  14. StatementIf no cause is found, these are sufferings of love
  15. Statementה׳ brings suffering on those He delights in
  16. QuestionDoes this apply even if he doesn't accept the suffering with love?
  17. ResponseSuffering must be accepted willingly, like a guilt-offering
  18. StatementThe reward for accepting suffering with love
  19. StatementFirst view: suffering that does not stop Torah learning
  20. StatementSecond view: suffering that does not stop תפלה
  21. Statementרבי יוחנן: both kinds are sufferings of love
  22. QuestionWhat does 'from Your Torah You teach him' add?
  23. ResponseRead it as 'You teach us'
  24. ProofThe proof from a slave's tooth and eye
  25. Statementריש לקיש: suffering is a covenant, like salt
  26. StatementThree gifts that come only through suffering
  27. ProofProof that Torah comes through suffering
  28. ProofProof that ארץ ישראל comes through suffering
  29. ProofProof that the World to Come comes through suffering
  30. StatementA new teaching about Torah and kindness begins