Gemara Clarity

Sotah 38a

סוטה ל״ח ע״א

Learn Sotah 38a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Sotah 38a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

ברכת כהנים: the end of the משנה and the ברייתות that teach how, where, and to whom the כהנים bless

Overview

This amud opens at the end of a משנה. In the מקדש the כהנים say ה׳'s Name as it is written and raise their hands above their heads. Outside the מקדש they use a substitute name and raise their hands only to shoulder height. The משנה and רבי יהודה disagree about whether the כהן גדול raises his hands above the ציץ. The גמרא then brings a series of ברייתות, each learning a rule of ברכת כהנים from the words "כה תברכו": it is said in לשון הקודש, standing, with raised hands, and with the שם המפורש, which is used only in the בית המקדש. Along the way רבי יהודה, רבי נתן and רבי יאשיה offer other sources, and רבי נתן answers רבי יונתן's challenge to the proof from אהרן. From "אמור להם" the ברייתות learn that every Jew receives the blessing, and that the כהנים face the people and speak out loud. The amud ends with traditions from אביי and רב חסדא about calling the כהנים up to bless. רב חסדא's explanation continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

כִּכְתָבוֹ,

as it is written,

וּבַמְּדִינָה בְּכִינּוּיוֹ.

and in the country, with its substitute name.

בַּמְּדִינָה כֹּהֲנִים נוֹשְׂאִים אֶת יְדֵיהֶן

In the country, the priests lift their hands

כְּנֶגֶד כִּתְפֵיהֶן,

opposite their shoulders,

The steps (34)

  1. StatementHow the Name is said: in the Temple vs. outside
  2. StatementHow high the priests lift their hands
  3. Statementרבי יהודה: even the High Priest raises his hands high
  4. StatementA ברייתא: the blessing must be in the holy tongue
  5. QuestionMaybe any language works?
  6. ResponseProof from the blessings at Mount Gerizim
  7. Statementרבי יהודה: the word "כה" already teaches it
  8. StatementAnother ברייתא: the blessing is said standing
  9. QuestionMaybe sitting is also fine?
  10. ResponseProof: "These shall stand to bless"
  11. Statementרבי נתן: standing is learned from Temple service
  12. QuestionHow do we know Temple service is done standing?
  13. ResponseThe verse says 'to stand to minister'
  14. StatementAnother teaching: the blessing needs raised hands
  15. QuestionMust the hands really be raised?
  16. ResponseLearning raised hands from אהרן's blessing
  17. Challengeרבי יונתן: then copy all the details of אהרן's blessing
  18. Resolutionרבי נתן: אהרן's sons are compared to him
  19. Resolution'All the days': not only on special days
  20. ResolutionBlessing is linked to service
  21. StatementAnother teaching: the blessing uses the explicit Name
  22. QuestionMaybe a substitute Name is enough
  23. Response'My Name' means the Name unique to ה׳
  24. QuestionMaybe the special Name is used outside the Temple too
  25. ResponseA word link limits the special Name to the Temple
  26. Statementרבי יאשיה offers a different source
  27. ChallengeSurely not 'every place'
  28. ResolutionReorder the verse: the Name is mentioned where ה׳ comes
  29. QuestionWho is included in the blessing?
  30. Response'Say to them' means everyone
  31. StatementThe כהנים must face the people
  32. StatementThe ברכה must be said out loud
  33. Statement"כהנים" is called out only for two or more
  34. StatementOnly a כהן calls out "כהנים"