Sotah 39a

סוטה ל״ט ע״א

Learn Sotah 39a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Sotah 39a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Sides count as 'in front' (from הזאה); silence when the ספר תורה is opened; washing hands and the ברכה and prayers of the כהנים at נשיאת כפים

Overview

This amud opens at the end of a ברייתא about sprinkling (הזאה). It shows that sprinkling toward the sides in front of a person still counts as sprinkling 'forward,' so the sides are treated as 'in front.' רבא בר רב הונא then rules that once a ספר תורה is opened, one may not talk, even about הלכה. רבי זירא, in the name of רב חסדא, brings a different פסוק for the same rule. רבי יהושע בן לוי rules that a כהן must wash his hands before נשיאת כפים. רבי אלעזר בן שמוע tells his students that three habits of respect earned him a long life, one of which was always saying a ברכה before blessing the people. The גמרא then gives the words the כהן says at three moments: the ברכה before blessing, a prayer as he starts walking up, and a prayer when he turns away at the end. That last prayer continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (12)

1. ProofSprinkling to the front sides still counts as forward
2. StatementNo talking once the Torah scroll is opened
3. StatementA different verse for the same rule
4. StatementA כהן must wash his hands before blessing
5. QuestionStudents ask how their teacher lived so long
6. ResponseThree habits of respect
7. QuestionWhat is the ברכה before blessing the people?
8. ResponseThe wording of the ברכה before נשיאת כפים
9. QuestionWhat does the כהן say when he starts walking up?
10. ResponseA prayer that the blessing will have no mistake
11. QuestionWhat does the כהן say when he turns away at the end?
12. ResponseWe did what You asked, now You do your part