shema

R. Eleazar said : what means that which is written, "So will I bless Thee as long as I live ; in Thy name will I lift up my hands" (Ps. Ixiii. 5)? "So will I bless Thee as long as I live" refers to the reading of the Shema' ; "in Thy name will I lift up my hands" refers to Tefillah. If one act thus, of him the text saith, "My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness" (ibid. v. 6) ; and not only that, but he will inherit two worlds, this world and the world to come, as it is said, "And my mouth will praise Thee with joyful lips" (ibid.).

If a bridegroom wishes to read the Shema', etc.

It is to be inferred that Rabban Simeon b. Gamaliel is concerned lest a charge of presumption [be brought against a bridegroom who reads the Shema' on the first night of his marriage and therefore forbids it], whereas the Rabbis have no such concern [and permit it]. But we understood just the opposite of them ! For there is a Mishnaic teaching : In a place where they are accustomed to work on the ninth of Ab, we may work ; but in a place where they are not accustomed to work, we may not. Disciples of the wise must cease work in every place. Rabban Simeon b. Gamaliel says : Everyone should regard himself as a disciple of the wise.

R. Johanan said : The statement must be reversed; but Rab Shesha b. Rab Iddi said : Thou hast surely no need to reverse the statement, because the Rabbis do not here contradict themselves. In the case of the reading of the Shema' which everybody reads, if [the bridegroom] also reads it, it would not seem presumptuous ; but in the latter instance, since everybody works [on the ninth of Ab] and he does not, it would appear presumptuous.

Likewise, Rabban Simeon b. Gamaliel does not contradict himself. In the case of the reading of the Shema', its validity depends on Kawwanah, and we testify that [the bridegroom] would not be able to concentrate his mind ; but here, if one saw [a man not working on the ninth of Ab] he would merely say "He has no work to do." Go out and see how many idle men there are in the street.

MISHNAH He whose dead is lying before him [unburied] is exempt from the reading of the Shema', from Tefillah, Tefillin and all the commandments mentioned in the Torah.

Having buried the dead and returned [from the grave], if they have sufficient time to begin and finish [the Shema'] before arriving at the row, they should commence it ; but if they have not sufficient time, they should not commence it.

nor do others say Grace on his behalf or include him for Zimmun. He is likewise exempt from the reading of the Shema', from Tefillah, Tefillin, and all the commandments mentioned in the Torah. On the Sabbath, however, he may recline at his meal, eat meat and drink wine, say Grace and arrange Zimmun, and others may say Grace on his behalf and include him for Zimmun ; and he is under the obligation of reading the Shema' and Tefillah, and all the commandments mentioned in the Torah. Rabban Simeon b. Gamaliel says : Since he is under the obligation of these, he has obviously the obligation of them all !

nor do others say Grace on his behalf or include him for Zimmun. He is likewise exempt from the reading of the Shema', from Tefillah, Tefillin, and all the commandments mentioned in the Torah. On the Sabbath, however, he may recline at his meal, eat meat and drink wine, say Grace and arrange Zimmun, and others may say Grace on his behalf and include him for Zimmun ; and he is under the obligation of reading the Shema' and Tefillah, and all the commandments mentioned in the Torah. Rabban Simeon b. Gamaliel says : Since he is under the obligation of these, he has obviously the obligation of them all !

It is here at any rate taught that [the mourner, although he is not in the same room as the body,] is exempt from reading the Shema', from Tefillah, Tefillin, and all the commandments mentioned in the Torah ! Rab Pappa replied : [The Baraita] is to be interpreted as referring to one who turns his face from the body and eats. Rab Ashe said : Since the duty of burying rests upon him, it is to be regarded as though the body was lying before him; as it is said, "And Abraham rose up from before his dead" (Gen. xxiii. 3) and it is said "That I may bury my dead from before me" (ibid. v. 4), i.e. so long as the duty of burial rested upon him, it was as though the body was actually before him.

Who watches the body, although it is not his dead, is exempt from reading the Shema', from Tefillah, Tefillin, and all the commandments mentioned in the Torah ! "Who watches the body, although it is not his dead" [so stated the Baraita ; therefore it is to be inferred] if it is his dead, although he does not watch the body, [he is exempt].

In this latter case, within four cubits [of the grave] it is forbidden, but beyond that limit, he is under the obligation ; for the teacher has said : A dead body affects four cubits with regard to the reading of the Shema'. But here [in the case of a mourner or watcher], even beyond the limit of four cubits he is exempt.

It was stated above [in the Baraita] : "Who watches the body, although it is not his dead, is exempt from reading the Shema', from Tefillah, Tefillin, and all the commandments mentioned in the Torah." Should there be two [watchers], they take it in turn to watch and read. Ben Azzai says : Should they be bringing the body in a boat, they place it in one corner and they both pray in another corner !

The bearers of the bier and they who relieve them. Our Rabbis have taught : We should not carry out a body [for burial] near the time of reading the Shema' ; but if they have commenced to do so, we should not stop them. But it is not so ' For lo, Rab Joseph was borne out near the time of reading the Shema' ! With a highly esteemed man it is different

The bearers of the bier and they who relieve them. Our Rabbis have taught : We should not carry out a body [for burial] near the time of reading the Shema' ; but if they have commenced to do so, we should not stop them. But it is not so ' For lo, Rab Joseph was borne out near the time of reading the Shema' ! With a highly esteemed man it is different

Such as are before the bier and stich as are behind it. Our Rabbis have taught : Those who are occupied with the funeral oration at the time when the body is lying before them should slip away one by one and read the Shema'; but if the body is not present, they sit and read the Shema' and the orator sits in silence ; they stand and say the Tefillah, and he justifies the divine decree, saying : "Lord of the Universe, I have often sinned before Thee, and Thou hast not exacted punishment from me for one in a thousand. May it be Thy will, O Lord our God, to repair our breaches and the breaches of all Thy people, the house of Israel, in mercy."

Such as are before the bier and stich as are behind it. Our Rabbis have taught : Those who are occupied with the funeral oration at the time when the body is lying before them should slip away one by one and read the Shema'; but if the body is not present, they sit and read the Shema' and the orator sits in silence ; they stand and say the Tefillah, and he justifies the divine decree, saying : "Lord of the Universe, I have often sinned before Thee, and Thou hast not exacted punishment from me for one in a thousand. May it be Thy will, O Lord our God, to repair our breaches and the breaches of all Thy people, the house of Israel, in mercy."

As for those who stand in the row, etc. Our Rabbis have taught : The row which looks upon the inner space is exempt [from reading the Shema']; but the row which does not look upon the inner space is under the obligation. R. Judah says : Those who come out of regard for the mourner are exempt ; but those who come on their own account are under the obligation.

MISHNAH Women, slaves and minors are exempt from reading the Shema'

GEMARA Why are the reading of the Shema' and Tefillin different [from the others] ? Because they are commands the observance of which depends upon a certain point of time, and women are exempt from all commands of this class. Tefillah, Mezuzah and Grace after meals, being commands the observance of which does not depend upon a certain point of time, are obligatory upon women. That the reading of the Shema' [is not obligatory upon women] is self-evident, because it is a command the observance of which depends upon a certain point of time, and women are exempt from all commands of this class!

GEMARA Why are the reading of the Shema' and Tefillin different [from the others] ? Because they are commands the observance of which depends upon a certain point of time, and women are exempt from all commands of this class. Tefillah, Mezuzah and Grace after meals, being commands the observance of which does not depend upon a certain point of time, are obligatory upon women. That the reading of the Shema' [is not obligatory upon women] is self-evident, because it is a command the observance of which depends upon a certain point of time, and women are exempt from all commands of this class!

MISHNAH A Ba'al Keri meditates upon [the wording of the Shema'] in his heart and says neither the benediction before nor after. At his meal, he says the Grace after [in his heart] but not the Grace before. R. Judah declares : He says Grace before and after.

How is it then ? Meditation is not the equivalent of speech. Why, then, should he meditate? R. Eleazar said : So that the whole world should not be engaged upon the reading of the Shema', whereas he sits idle.

It is different with Tefillah, because it contains no reference to the Kingdom of Heaven. But in the Grace after meals there is also no reference to the Kingdom of Heaven, and yet our Mishnah declares : At his meal, he says the Grace after but not the Grace before ! Quite so ; but the reading of the Shema' and the Grace after meals are ordained by the Torah, whereas Tefillah is ordained by the Rabbis.

Rab Judah said : If one is in doubt whether he has read the Shema' or not, he does not repeat it ; if he is in doubt whether he said "True and firm" or not, he does repeat it. What is the reason ? Because the reading of the Shema' is ordained by the Rabbis, but saying "True and firm" by the Torah.

Rab Judah said : If one is in doubt whether he has read the Shema' or not, he does not repeat it ; if he is in doubt whether he said "True and firm" or not, he does repeat it. What is the reason ? Because the reading of the Shema' is ordained by the Rabbis, but saying "True and firm" by the Torah.

We have a teaching in our Mishnah : A Ba'al Keri meditates upon [the wording of the Shema'] in his heart and says neither the benediction before nor after. At his meal, he says the Grace after [in his heart] but not the Grace before.

But if it enter thy mind that "True and firm" is ordained by the Torah, then he should say the benediction after the Shema' !

And for what reason should he say this benediction ? If because it contains a reference to the Exodus from Egypt, he has already mentioned that in the Shema' !

Then let him say this benediction and there will be no necessity for the other ! The reading of the Shema' is more important because it contains two things.

R. Eleazar said : If one is in doubt whether he has read the Shema' or not, he should repeat it ; but if he is in doubt whether he has said the Tefillah or not, he need not repeat it. But R. Johanan said: Would that a man could pray all day.

But does R. Judah hold that meditation [is sufficient] ? For lo, there is a teaching : A Ba'al Keri who has no water in which to bathe should read the Shema', but without the benediction before and after ; and he eats his meal with Grace after but not before, but he meditates [upon the Grace before meals] in his heart without uttering it with his lips. These are the words of R. Meir ; but R. Judah says : He should utter them both!

If he had gone down to bathe, should he have time to ascend, clothe himself and read [the Shema'] before sunrise, he must ascend, clothe himself and read ; but if not, he should immerse his body in the water and read. He may not immerse himself in evil-smelling water, nor water of soaking, until he has poured [fresh] water therein. To what distance must he remoce himself from it and excrement [if he wishes to read the Shema'] ? Four cubits.

If he had gone down to bathe, should he have time to ascend, clothe himself and read [the Shema'] before sunrise, he must ascend, clothe himself and read ; but if not, he should immerse his body in the water and read. He may not immerse himself in evil-smelling water, nor water of soaking, until he has poured [fresh] water therein. To what distance must he remoce himself from it and excrement [if he wishes to read the Shema'] ? Four cubits.

Rab Joseph b. Rab Nehunyah asked Rab Judah : How is it when two sleep in one bed — does one turn his face away and read the Shema' and the other act likewise? He answered : Thus said Samuel : [That is so] even if his wife is with him.

It is quoted in objection: If two sleep in one bed, one turns his face away and reads [the Shema'] and the other acts likewise. But there is another teaching: One who sleeps in a bed with his children or members of his household by his side should not read the Shema' unless a sheet separates between them ; but if his children or the members of his household are minors, then he is permitted [to read the Shema' without such separation]!

It is quoted in objection: If two sleep in one bed, one turns his face away and reads [the Shema'] and the other acts likewise. But there is another teaching: One who sleeps in a bed with his children or members of his household by his side should not read the Shema' unless a sheet separates between them ; but if his children or the members of his household are minors, then he is permitted [to read the Shema' without such separation]!

It is quoted in objection: If two sleep in one bed, one turns his face away and reads [the Shema'] and the other acts likewise. But there is another teaching: One who sleeps in a bed with his children or members of his household by his side should not read the Shema' unless a sheet separates between them ; but if his children or the members of his household are minors, then he is permitted [to read the Shema' without such separation]!

Samuel could reply to thee: Is it right according to Rab Joseph's opinion? For lo, there is a teaching : If a man sleeps in a bed with his children or the members of his household, he may not read the Shema' unless a sheet separates between them ! What, then, is there for thee to say ? There are Tannaim [who are at variance] on Rab Joseph's view of the question of the wife, and there are also Tannaim [who are at variance] on my view.

The master said, "He turns his face away and reads the Shema'" — but their buttocks will be in contact ! This supports the opinion of Rab Huna who said that with buttocks there is no concern on the score of nakedness. It is possible to say that the following teaching is a support of Rab Huna's opinion, viz. : A woman may sit and cut off the Hallah while she is naked, because she is able to cover her nakedness with the ground; but it is not so with a man.

Nay, [the statement of R. Isaac refers] to his wife and for the purpose of reading the Shema'.

Our Rabbis have taught : If one is sleeping in his cloak and is unable to put forth his head because of the cold, he makes a sort of partition with his cloak around his neck and reads the Shema'. Others declare [that he makes the partition] by his heart.

But according to the first Tanna, the heart sees the nakedness [during prayer] ! He holds that when the heart sees the nakedness, it is permitted [to read the Shema'].

Rab Huna said in the name of R. Johanan: If one is walking in filthy courtways [and the time for reading the Shema' arrives], he should place his hand over his mouth and read the Shema'. Rab Hisda said to him, "By God ! if R. Johanan had told me that himself, I would not have listened to him !"

Rab Huna said in the name of R. Johanan: If one is walking in filthy courtways [and the time for reading the Shema' arrives], he should place his hand over his mouth and read the Shema'. Rab Hisda said to him, "By God ! if R. Johanan had told me that himself, I would not have listened to him !"

Another version is : Rabbah b. Bar Hannah said in the name of R. Joshua b. Levi : If one is walking in filthy courtways, he should place his hand over his mouth and read the Shema'. Rab Hisda said to him, "By God ! if R. Joshua b. Levi had told me that himself, I would not have listened to him !"

And did R. Johanan really say what is attributed to him? For lo, Rabbah b. Bar Hannah has said in the name of R. Johanan : One is permitted to meditate anywhere upon words of Torah except the bath-house and privy ! And shouldest thou urge that here also one refers to standing and the other to walking, it cannot be so ; because R. Abbahu once followed R. Johanan and he was reading the Shema', but when he reached the filthy courtways he lapsed into silence. He said to R. Johanan, "Where should I resume [my prayer] ?" He replied, "If thou hast waited sufficient time to finish the whole, return to the commencement" !

This is what R. Johanan meant to say to him, "As for me, I do not hold [that the reading of the Shema' should be interrupted] ; but as for thee, since thou dost hold that view, if thou hast waited sufficient time to finish the whole, return to the commencement."

There is a teaching in agreement with Rab Huna and a teaching in agreement with Rab Hisda. There is a teaching in agreement with Rab Huna : If he was walking in filthy courtways, he should place his hand over his mouth and read the Shema'. There is a teaching in agreement with Rab Hisda : If he was walking in filthy courtways, he should not read the Shema' ; and not only so, but if he was reading it and entered [such a place], he should stop.

There is a teaching in agreement with Rab Huna and a teaching in agreement with Rab Hisda. There is a teaching in agreement with Rab Huna : If he was walking in filthy courtways, he should place his hand over his mouth and read the Shema'. There is a teaching in agreement with Rab Hisda : If he was walking in filthy courtways, he should not read the Shema' ; and not only so, but if he was reading it and entered [such a place], he should stop.

Rab Huna said : If his cloak was girded about his loins, he is permitted to read the Shema'. There is a teaching to the same effect : If his cloak of stuff, or skin, or sackcloth was girded about his loins, he is permitted to read the Shema' ;

Rab Huna said : If his cloak was girded about his loins, he is permitted to read the Shema'. There is a teaching to the same effect : If his cloak of stuff, or skin, or sackcloth was girded about his loins, he is permitted to read the Shema' ;

It has been reported : If there be filth upon his body, or his hand is placed within a privy, Rab Huna said : It is permitted to read the Shema' ; Rab Hisda said : It is forbidden to read it. Raba asked : What is Rab Huna's reason ? Because it is written, "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord" (Ps. el. 6).

And Rab Hisda said : It is forbidden to read the Shema' [in such circumstances] — what is the reason ? Because it is written, "All my bones shall say, Lord who is like unto Thee" (ibid. xxxv. 10).

It has been reported : If there is a foul odour for which there is a cause [present], Rab Huna said : A man should remove himself a distance of four cubits and read the Shema'. Rab Hisda said: He should remove himself a distance of four cubits from the place where the odour ceases and read the Shema'.

It has been reported : If there is a foul odour for which there is a cause [present], Rab Huna said : A man should remove himself a distance of four cubits and read the Shema'. Rab Hisda said: He should remove himself a distance of four cubits from the place where the odour ceases and read the Shema'.

There is a teaching in agreement with Rab Hisda : A man should not read the Shema' opposite the excrement of a human being, or of dogs, or pigs, or poultry ; nor opposite the filth of a dunghill which gives forth a bad odour. If there be a place ten cubits higher or lower, he sits down at the side and reads the Shema'; but if not, he removes himself as far as he can see it. The same rule applies to the Tefillah. "If there is a foul odour for which there is a cause [present], he removes himself a distance of four cubits from the place of the odour and reads the Shema'."

There is a teaching in agreement with Rab Hisda : A man should not read the Shema' opposite the excrement of a human being, or of dogs, or pigs, or poultry ; nor opposite the filth of a dunghill which gives forth a bad odour. If there be a place ten cubits higher or lower, he sits down at the side and reads the Shema'; but if not, he removes himself as far as he can see it. The same rule applies to the Tefillah. "If there is a foul odour for which there is a cause [present], he removes himself a distance of four cubits from the place of the odour and reads the Shema'."

There is a teaching in agreement with Rab Hisda : A man should not read the Shema' opposite the excrement of a human being, or of dogs, or pigs, or poultry ; nor opposite the filth of a dunghill which gives forth a bad odour. If there be a place ten cubits higher or lower, he sits down at the side and reads the Shema'; but if not, he removes himself as far as he can see it. The same rule applies to the Tefillah. "If there is a foul odour for which there is a cause [present], he removes himself a distance of four cubits from the place of the odour and reads the Shema'."

Raba said : The Halakah is not in agreement with this teaching in all these cases, but according to the following teaching : A man should not read the Shema' opposite the excrement of human beings, nor opposite that of pigs or dogs when he has placed skins therein.

Rab Sheshet was asked : How is it with a foul odour which has no [material] cause? He replied : Come and behold the mats in the school of Rab, on which some are sleeping while others are studying. But this refers only to words of Torah, not to the reading of the Shema'. And even of words of Torah this is not said except [when the bad odour is caused] by another ; but if he himself is the cause, he must not [even study until the odour has passed off].

It has been reported : If manure is being carried past a person, Abbai said : It is permitted to read the Shema' ; Raba said : It is prohibited to read it.

Rab Pappa said : A pig's snout is to be regarded as passing manure [for the purpose of reading the Shema']. That is obvious! No; it is necessary [to mention it], because even if it just came up out of the river [it is to be so considered].

Rab Judah said : If one is uncertain whether excrement is present, it is forbidden [to read the Shema']. If one is uncertain whether urine is present, it is permitted. Another version is : Rab Judah said : If one is uncertain whether excrement is in the room, it is permitted [to read it], but by an ash-heap it is forbidden. If one is uncertain whether urine is present, even by an ash-heap it is permitted.

His opinion agrees with that of Rab Hamnuna who said : The Torah only forbids [the Shema' to be read] by fecal matter. He is also in agreement with

how is this? The latter verse refers to the major natural function, the former to the minor. Infer, then, that the Torah forbids [the Shema' to be read] near to urine only when it is by fecal matter ; but if it has fallen upon the ground, it is permitted [by the Torah], but the Rabbis have decreed against it. Have the Rabbis decreed against it ? When it is certain [that urine is there] ; but if there is a doubt, they do not decree against it.

Where it is certain [that urine is present], how long [must one wait before it is allowed to read the Shema' there] ? Rab Judah said in the name of Samuel : As long as the ground is sufficiently wet to moisten. The same reply is given by Rabbah b. Bar Hannah in the name of R. Johanan [As long as the ground is sufficiently wet to moisten] and by 'Ulla. [As long as the ground is sufficiently wet to moisten] Geniba said in the name of Rab : As long as the trace thereof can be recognised.

Rab Judah [Rab Josef] said : May his teacher forgive Geniba; since in the case of excrement Rab Judah said in the name of Rab : When the surface has hardened it is permitted [to read the Shema' thereby], how much more so with urine !

Abbai said to him : What seest thou that thou reliest upon this; rely upon that which Rabbah b. Rab Huna said in the name of Rab : It is forbidden [to read the Shema' near] excrement even when it is like earthenware.

It is quoted in objection : With urine, so long as the ground is wet enough to moisten it is forbidden ; but if it has been absorbed [in the soil] or dried up, it is permitted. But is not soaking into the soil like drying up by the sun? [No ;] for as when it dries up, no trace can be recognised, so when it has penetrated into the soil, there must be no trace visible; but if there be such a trace, it is forbidden [to read the Shema' thereby] even though the ground be not sufficiently wet to moisten !

is like [the following discussion of] the Tannaim : It is forbidden to read the Shema' by a vessel from which urine has been poured; but with urine which has been poured out, if it has been absorbed it is permitted, if it has not been absorbed it is forbidden. R. Jose says : So long as the earth is sufficiently wet to moisten [it is forbidden].

If he had gone down to bathe, should he have time to ascend, clothe himself and read [the Shema'] before sunrise, he must ascend, clothe himself and read. It is possible to say that the Mishnah states the law anonymously in agreement with R. Eliezer who declares: He may finish it any time until sunrise. Thou mayest even say that it is in agreement with R. Joshua and perhaps it is here like the Wetikin ;

Our Rabbis have taught : With clear water, he must sit immersed up to his neck and read [the Shema'], while others declare he should stir up the water with his foot. But according to the first Tanna his heart sees his nakedness!

It has been reported : If his heel sees his nakedness, it is permitted [to read the Shema']. If the heel touches, Abbai says : It is forbidden [to read] ; Raba says : It is permitted. So Rab Zebid taught this subject. Rab Hinnana b. Rab Ika, however, taught it thus : If the heel touches, all agree that it is forbidden [to read] ; but if the heel sees [the nakedness], Abbai says : It is forbidden ; Raba says : It is permitted, because the Torah was not given to the ministering angels. The Halakah is : If the heel touches, it is forbidden ; if it sees, it is permitted.

Raba said : If there be excrement in a transparent vessel, it is permitted to read the Shema' thereby ; if nakedness be in a transparent vessel, it is forbidden to read the Shema' thereby. "If there be excrement in a transparent vessel, it is permitted to read the Shema' thereby" ; because with excrement the criterion is whether it is covered : and behold it is covered. "If nakedness be in a transparent vessel, it is forbidden to read the Shema' thereby" ; because the All-merciful declared, "That He see no unseemly thing in thee" (Deut. xxiii. 15), and behold it is visible.

Raba said : If there be excrement in a transparent vessel, it is permitted to read the Shema' thereby ; if nakedness be in a transparent vessel, it is forbidden to read the Shema' thereby. "If there be excrement in a transparent vessel, it is permitted to read the Shema' thereby" ; because with excrement the criterion is whether it is covered : and behold it is covered. "If nakedness be in a transparent vessel, it is forbidden to read the Shema' thereby" ; because the All-merciful declared, "That He see no unseemly thing in thee" (Deut. xxiii. 15), and behold it is visible.

Raba said : If there be excrement in a transparent vessel, it is permitted to read the Shema' thereby ; if nakedness be in a transparent vessel, it is forbidden to read the Shema' thereby. "If there be excrement in a transparent vessel, it is permitted to read the Shema' thereby" ; because with excrement the criterion is whether it is covered : and behold it is covered. "If nakedness be in a transparent vessel, it is forbidden to read the Shema' thereby" ; because the All-merciful declared, "That He see no unseemly thing in thee" (Deut. xxiii. 15), and behold it is visible.

Raba said : If there be excrement in a transparent vessel, it is permitted to read the Shema' thereby ; if nakedness be in a transparent vessel, it is forbidden to read the Shema' thereby. "If there be excrement in a transparent vessel, it is permitted to read the Shema' thereby" ; because with excrement the criterion is whether it is covered : and behold it is covered. "If nakedness be in a transparent vessel, it is forbidden to read the Shema' thereby" ; because the All-merciful declared, "That He see no unseemly thing in thee" (Deut. xxiii. 15), and behold it is visible.

Abbai said : Should the excrement be but a minute quantity, one can nullify it [by covering it] with spittle. Raba said : It must be with thick spittle. Raba said : If excrement be in a hole, he may place his sandal over it and read the Shema'. Mar b. Rabina asked : How is it if excrement adheres to his sandal ? The question remained unanswered.

Rab Judah said : It is forbidden to read the Shema' in the presence of a naked gentile. Why is a gentile specified ? Even by a naked Israelite it is likewise [forbidden] ! [That it is forbidden with an Israelite is obvious] ; but it was necessary to specify the case of a gentile. For thou mightest have said : Since it is written with reference to the gentiles, "Whose flesh is as the flesh of asses" (Ezek. xxiii. 20), argue that [in this matter the naked gentile is to be considered] only like an ass ; therefore he informs us that to them also [when exposed] is "nakedness" attributed ; for it is written, "And they saw not their father's nakedness" (Gen. ix. 23).

He may not immerse himself in evil-smelling water, nor water of soaking, until he has poured [fresh] water therein. How much water must he proceed to add? Nay, the Mishnah must be read thus: He may not immerse himself at all in evil-smelling water, nor in water of soaking ; nor [may he read the Shema' by a vessel containing] urine, until he has poured [fresh] water therein, and then he may read it.

Our Rabbis have taught : It is forbidden to read the Shema' by a bed-pan for excrement or urine, although empty; also by urine until he has poured water therein. How much water should he pour therein ? Any small quantity. R. Zakkai says : A fourth [of a Log], whether it be before or behind the bed. Rabban Simeon b. Gamaliel says : If it be behind the bed, he may read it ; if it be before the bed he may not, but he removes himself a distance of four cubits and reads. R. Simeon b. Eleazar says : Even if the room be the size of a hundred cubits, he may not read until he has removed it or placed it under the bed.

To what distance must he remove himself from it and excrement [if he wishes to read the Shema'] ? Four cubits. Raba said in the name of Rab Sahorah in the name of Rab Huna : This teaching applies only to [excrement which is behind him ; but if it is in front of him, he must remove himself as far as the eye can see it. Similarly is it with the Tefillah.

GEMARA I quote against the Mishnah : The obligation [of the Shema'] is at sunrise, so as to unite the Ge'ullah and the Tefillah, and consequently one says the Tefillah in the day-time!

It is quoted in objection, "That which is crooked cannot be made straight, and that which is wanting cannot be numbered" (Eccles. i. 15) — "that which is crooked cannot be made straight," i.e. one who has omitted the Shema' of the evening or morning, or the Tefillah of the evening or morning; "and that which is wanting cannot be numbered," i.e. his companions were numbered for the purpose of a religious duty, and he was not numbered among them!

R. Isaac said in the name of R. Johanan: With whom are we here dealing? With one who intentionally omitted [the Shema' or Tefillah].

R. Hillel, the son of R. Samuel b. Nahmani, said : They correspond to the eighteen times the Divine Name [JHWH] is mentioned by David in the Psalm "Ascribe unto the Lord, O ye sons of might" (Ps.xxix). Rab Joseph said : They correspond to the eighteen times the Divine Name is mentioned in the Shema'. R. Tanhum said in the name of R. Joshua b. Levi : They correspond to the eighteen vertebrae in the spinal column.

R. Levi said : According to R. Hillel, the son of R. Samuel b. Nahmani, it corresponds to "The God [el] of glory thundereth" (Ps. xxix. 3) ; according to Rab Joseph, it corresponds to "One" in the Shema; according to R. Tanhum in the name of R. Joshua b. Levi, it corresponds to the small vertebra in the spinal column.

Samuel's father and Levi, when they wished to set out on a journey, used to rise up early and say the Tefillah; and when the time arrived for reading the Shema'

they read it then. In accord with whose opinion is this ? That of the Tanna of the teaching : If one rises early to set out on a journey, they may bring him a Shofar which he blows, a Lulab which he shakes, a Megillah in which he reads ; and when the time arrives for reading the Shema' he reads it. If he rose early to sit in a travelling coach or ship, he may say the Tefillah, and when the time arrives for reading the Shema' he reads it.

they read it then. In accord with whose opinion is this ? That of the Tanna of the teaching : If one rises early to set out on a journey, they may bring him a Shofar which he blows, a Lulab which he shakes, a Megillah in which he reads ; and when the time arrives for reading the Shema' he reads it. If he rose early to sit in a travelling coach or ship, he may say the Tefillah, and when the time arrives for reading the Shema' he reads it.

R. Simeon b. Eleazar says : In all circumstances, he reads the Shema' and then says the Tefillah in order to unite it with the Ge'ullah.

R. Zera said : Whoever says Shema', Shema' is like him who says "We give thanks, we give thanks" [and is to be silenced].

R. Zera said : Whoever says Shema', Shema' is like him who says "We give thanks, we give thanks" [and is to be silenced].

Against this is quoted : He who reads the Shema' and repeats the words is to be reprimanded. He is to be reprimanded, but not silenced !

The portion of the Sotah, the declaration concerning the tithe, the Shema', Tefillah and the Grace after meals! [Nevertheless Rab's statement] was necessary ; for it might have entered thy mind to say that this only applies when one utters the benediction in a non-holy language exactly as the Rabbis ordained it in the holy tongue ; but should he not say it in the non-holy language exactly as the Rabbis ordained it in the holy tongue, I am to declare that he has not [complied]. Therefore he informs us [that the benediction is valid even when the wording does not exactly conform to the Hebrew original].

Rab Isaac b. Samuel b. Marta said in the name of Rab : Thou mayest know that "Who art kind and dealest kindly" is not ordained by the Torah, because it opens with "Blessed" and does not conclude with "Blessed"; according to the teaching: One commences all benedictions with "Blessed" and concludes them with "Blessed," excepting the benediction over fruits, commandments, one benediction which follows immediately on another, and the last benediction of the reading of the Shema'. In some of these instances one opens with "Blessed" but does not conclude with it ;

Our Rabbis have taught : Who is an 'Am ha'ares? Whoever does not read the Shema' evening and morning — these are the words of R. Eliezer; but R. Joshua says : Whoever does not lay Tefillin. Ben 'Azzai says : Whoever has no Sisit on his garment. R. Nathan says : Whoever has no Mezuzah on his door. R. Nathan b. Joseph says : Whoever has sons and does not rear them to the study of Torah. Others declare : Even if one has studied Torah and Mishnah but has not ministered to the disciples of the wise, he is an 'Am ha'ares. Rab Huna said : The Halakah is in accord with the last mentioned.

[Who dreams] that he makes the response "May His great name be blessed" is assured that he is a son of the world to come. [Who dreams] that he recites the Shema' is meet that the Shekinah should rest upon him, but his generation is not worthy of it.

When they brought R. 'Akiba out to execution, it was the time for reading the Shema' ; and though they were combing his flesh with iron combs, he kept receiving upon himself the yoke of the Kingdom of Heaven. His disciples said to him, "Our master, thus far!" He answered them, "Throughout my life I have been troubled about this verse, '[And thou shalt love the Lord thy God...] and with all thy soul' which means : Even if He take thy life. For said I, 'When will it be in my power to fulfil it?' But now that the opportunity is mine, shall I not fulfil if?" He prolonged the word ehad until his soul left [the body] with the word ehad [on his lips]. A Bat Kol issued forth and announced, "Happy art thou, R. 'Akiba, that thy soul went out with the word ehad!"