Megillah 17b

מגילה י״ז ע״ב

Learn Megillah 17b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Megillah 17b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

The language of קריאת שמע (רבי vs. רבנן), and the source and reasons for the fixed order of the blessings of שמונה עשרה.

Overview

This amud finishes the מחלוקת about the language of קריאת שמע. רבי learns from ״וְהָיוּ״ that שמע must be said in לשון הקודש, and רבנן learn from ״שְׁמַע״ that any language you understand is allowed. Each side then explains its use of the other side's word. For רבי, ״שְׁמַע״ teaches השמע לאזניך. For רבנן, ״וְהָיוּ״ teaches not to read למפרע, and רבי learns that rule from ״הַדְּבָרִים״ instead. The גמרא tries to learn each side's view about reading the whole Torah in other languages, and rejects both attempts. Then it turns to תפלה: the eighteen blessings were set ״עַל הַסֵּדֶר״, by שמעון הפקולי and by the 120 elders. A long ברייתא then explains, mostly from פסוקים, why each blessing of שמונה עשרה stands where it does, from אבות through בונה ירושלים. The amud ends as it begins the reason that את צמח דוד follows, and that reason continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (43)

1. Responseרבי's source: the word ״וְהָיוּ״ means the words stay as they are
2. QuestionWhat is רבנן's reason?
3. Responseרבנן's source: ״שְׁמַע״ means hear in any language you understand
4. ChallengeChallenge: רבי also has the word 'שמע'
5. Resolutionרבי uses 'שמע' to require saying it audibly
6. Resolutionרבנן hold you are יוצא even without hearing yourself
7. ChallengeChallenge: רבנן also have the word ״וְהָיוּ״
8. Resolutionרבנן use ״וְהָיוּ״ to forbid reading out of order
9. QuestionWhere does רבי learn the rule against reading out of order?
10. Responseרבי learns it from 'the words' instead of 'words'
11. Responseרבנן do not expound the extra 'the'
12. QuestionProposal: does רבי hold the whole Torah may be read in any language?
13. Rejectionרבי needed וְהָיוּ to block a mistaken reading of שְׁמַע
14. QuestionDo רבנן hold the whole Torah must be read in Hebrew?
15. Rejectionרבנן needed שְׁמַע to block a mistaken reading of וְהָיוּ
16. QuestionWhat is the source that תפלה must be said in order?
17. Responseשמעון הפקולי arranged the eighteen blessings in order
18. ProofThe 120 elders set the eighteen blessings in order
19. StatementSources for the first three blessings
20. StatementWhy understanding comes after holiness
21. StatementWhy repentance comes after understanding
22. ChallengeThen healing should come after repentance
23. ResolutionA different verse puts forgiveness after repentance
24. ChallengeWhy rely on this verse and not the other?
25. ResolutionA third verse puts healing after forgiveness
26. ChallengeBut the verse still says 'return and be healed'
27. ResolutionThat 'healing' means forgiveness
28. QuestionWhy is redemption the seventh blessing?
29. Responseרבא: the redemption will come in the seventh year
30. ChallengeChallenge: משיח comes only after the seventh year
31. ResolutionThe wars are already the start of redemption
32. QuestionWhy is healing the eighth blessing?
33. Responseרבי אחא: מילה on the eighth day needs healing
34. QuestionWhy is the blessing of the years ninth?
35. Responseרבי אלכסנדרי: against price gougers, from the ninth psalm
36. QuestionWhy does ingathering of exiles follow the blessing of the years?
37. Responseיחזקאל: the land gives fruit, then the people return
38. StatementAfter the ingathering comes judgment and restored judges
39. StatementWhy the blessing against heretics follows the blessing of judges
40. StatementWhy the blessing of the righteous follows the blessing against heretics
41. StatementRighteous converts are included with the righteous
42. StatementThe righteous are raised in ירושלים, so rebuilding ירושלים comes next
43. StatementOnce ירושלים is rebuilt, דוד comes