When the Benediction must not be said

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

Parenthesis: When the Benediction must not be said.

7 (6). They do not say a Benediction over the lamp nor over the spices that belong to heathen; ³ nor over the lamp nor over the spices that are for the dead; ⁴ not over the lamp nor over the spices that belong to idol-worship. ⁵ They do not say a Benediction over the lamp until they enjoy its light.

T. VI. 7. If one has a lamp (nêr) hidden in his bosom, ⁶ or within a lantern and sees the flame

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without using its light, or uses its light without seeing the flame—we do not say the Benediction ¹ over it until he sees the flame and uses its light. If it be a lantern with glass, one says the Benediction over it, although it is not extinguished. ²

In the case of a lamp belonging to a Gentile we do not say the Benediction over it. An Israelite who lights [his lamp] from a Gentile's, and a Gentile who lights [his lamp] from an Israelite's—we say the Benediction over it [in each case].

At what time does a man begin to say the Benediction? As soon as it becomes dark. If he has not said it as soon as it becomes dark, he says it at any time during the night. If he has not said it during all the night, he may not say it later.

Fire ³ and hybrids ⁴ were not [made in] the six days of creation. But they were thought of ⁵ in the six days of creation. R. Judah says: The fire of Gehinnom which was created on the second day of creation is never extinguished. For it is said: "And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against Me: [for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched]." ⁶

8. In the case of the fire and spices of a bath, ⁷ one does not say the Benediction over them. If one is standing in a spice—shop all the day one says the Benediction only once. If one enters and goes out repeatedly, one says the Benediction each single time.

Footnotes

70:3 heathen. Their light or fire might have been kindled on sabbath, or even their spices used for idolatry.

70:4 that are for the dead. The lamp is therefore not used for light, but for the honour of the dead, and lends itself to superstition. Similarly the burning of spices over the dead may be only for health's sake, or from superstitious motives.

70:5 idol-worship. The "heathen" are mentioned above as regards possession; this phrase refers to the use of lamp or spices although the exact ownership is not known.

70:6 in his bosom (chêqo). One MS. of T. J., Berakoth VIII. 7 (12^b), edited by M. Lehmann, 1875, reads tiqo, "his case" (θήκη), and this is preferred by Laible.

71:1 the Benediction, over the sabbath light kindled just before the entrance of sabbath.

71:2 It has been burning before sabbath, and will continue to burn.

71:3 Fire. Introducing the fire of Gehenna, which burns continually.

71:4 hybrids. These are discussed in the parallel passage, T. J. VIII. 6 (12^b).

71:5 thought of. So plainly in T.J.

71:6 Isa. 66²⁴.

71:7 the fire and spices of a bath. They do not properly belong to the idea of a sabbath.