M. VII. 7; T. V. 19. Companies, how to be divided

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

Companies, how to be divided.

7. (4 cont.). Three who have eaten together are not allowed to separate. ⁶ So also with four or

p. 64

M.five. If there are six they may be divided, and so up to ten. ¹ But not ten until there be twenty.

T. V. 19. In the case of twenty persons they are divided [into two groups], provided that there be none among them who separated himself from the invitation. ²

Footnotes

63:1 B. adds: "In the case of a thousand besides the speaker, he says, Bless ye. In the case of a myriad one says, Let us bless the Loan our God, the God of Israel, the God of hosts, who dwelleth between the cherubim, over the meal that we have eaten."

63:2 According to the wording of his blessing. C has, literally, "According to the subject which he says, blesses" (sic).

63:3 Ps. 68²⁶.

63:4 in the synagogue. Where people are going and coming, so that their number is not known, in contrast to a private meal, where it is. Aqiba implies that the practice in the synagogue should guide that elsewhere. Cf. p. 69.

63:5 The Halaka (Rule) follows R. Ishmael (Bartenora).

63:6 to separate. Into two or more divisions, to say the Grace after the meal. For three is the lowest number for a religious company. Therefore four or five may not be divided. Cf. p. 50.

64:1 ten. For ten also is a company. Therefore also the numbers from eleven to nineteen may not be divided.

64:2 from the invitation. By having already said the Benediction for himself.