Sotah 39b

סוטה ל״ט ע״ב

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

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Topic

Rules of order and respect for ברכת כהנים, the Torah reading and the הפטרה, and the פסוקים the people say during ברכת כהנים.

Overview

This amud finishes the short prayer the כהנים say after ברכת כהנים, ending with the פסוק 'השקיפה'. רב חסדא, partly through רבי זירא, then gives timing rules. The כהנים keep their fingers spread until they turn away. The caller, the כהנים and the ציבור each wait for the one before to finish, and the כהנים turn and leave only around שים שלום. The same waiting order applies to the ברכה, the אמן, each פסוק and the תרגום at the Torah reading. Next, רבי תנחום in the name of רבי יהושע בן לוי gives rules about the הפטרה, uncovering the ark, and when the ציבור may leave after the reading. שמואל's view on leaving seems to differ, but the גמרא shows the two rulings fit shuls with and without a second exit. רבא gives the source from 'אחרי ה׳ אלהיכם תלכו'. Finally, the גמרא lists the פסוקים the people say during ברכת כהנים on a regular day, at מוסף of שבת, and at מנחה of a תענית.

Opening lines

The steps (20)

1. StatementEnd of the כהנים's prayer after the blessing
2. Statementכהנים keep their fingers spread until they turn away
3. StatementEach person waits for the previous one to finish
4. StatementWhen the כהנים may turn away and leave
5. StatementWaiting order during the Torah reading
6. StatementThe one who reads the הפטרה must first read from the Torah
7. StatementThe הפטרה waits until the ספר תורה is rolled closed
8. StatementThe שליח ציבור should not prepare the ark in front of everyone
9. StatementThe congregation stays until the ספר תורה is put away
10. Statementשמואל: stay until the ספר תורה goes out
11. ResolutionThe two opinions fit different shuls
12. ProofThe source for walking after the ספר תורה
13. QuestionWhat do the people say during ברכת כהנים?
14. ResponseThree 'ברכו' פסוקים from תהלים
15. QuestionWhat do they say at מוסף of שבת?
16. ResponseThe פסוקים for מוסף of שבת
17. ChallengeWhy not say the very next פסוק?
18. ResolutionStart by blessing ה׳, end by blessing ה׳
19. QuestionWhat do the people say at מנחה on a fast day?
20. ResponseThree פסוקים of pleading from ירמיהו