Sacred Texts  Judaism  Index  Previous  Next 

Tractate Berakoth, by , by A. Lukyn Williams, [1921], at sacred-texts.com

Who may be invited to partake in the Benediction alter Meals.

. M.VII. 1. Three persons who have eaten together are bound to give an invitation. 1 But [in the case of him who eats] Dmai 2 and First Tithes from which their Contribution has been taken, 3 and Second Tithes 4 and consecrated things 5 which have been redeemed, 6 and the attendant who eats as much as an olive, and the Cuthæan (Samaritan)—one gives no such invitation 7 with respect to them.

2 (1). But as for him who eats Tebel, 8 and First Tithes from which their priests’ share has not been taken, and Second Tithes and consecrated things

p. 60

M.which have not been redeemed, also if the attendant eats less than as much as an olive, and the stranger 1—one gives no invitation with respect to them.

T. V. 10. If one is acting as servant to two, behold, he eats with them: 2 if to three, he does not eat with them until they give him permission. 3

Footnotes

59:1 to give an invitation. One of those present must invite the other two to join with him in a Benediction at the end of a meal. SA, p. 279, with Abrahams' note; vide supra, p. 50.

59:2 Dmai. Literally, "suspicion" or "talk." Fruits about which there is a suspicion whether they have been tithed or not. The third treatise of the Mishna deals with this subject, and is so called. For the duty of tithing see Lev. 2730.

59:3 First Tithes from which their Contribution has been taken. For the Contribution see Num. 1519-21, and Driver's note on Deut. 126. It is said to have varied from the sixtieth to the fortieth part of the whole untithed produce. The remainder was tithed.

59:4 Second Tithes, Num. 1826. The Second Tithe was taken from the remainder after the First Tithe.

59:5 consecrated things. As for example, Firstlings, Lev. 2726 sq.

59:6 which have been redeemed. This refers to the two last cases, for only if they were redeemed could they be eaten. Redemption was made by giving the value of the thing plus a fifth of that value, Lev. 2713, 31.

59:7 one gives no such invitation. B omits the negative, and rightly, in view of the next clause.

59:8 Tebel. Food from which no Contribution or Tithe has been taken.

60:1 the stranger. Neither Jew nor Samaritan.

60:2 he eats with them. He makes a third person, enabling the formal invitation to be given. It is understood that he is a Jew.

60:3 until they give him permission. For his presence is not necessary.

Next: M VIII. 3; T. V. 14-20, 11-13. Women Slaves and Children excluded. The Quantity of Food over which Grace must be said