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REVIEW QUESTIONS ON GEMARA AND RASHI

prepared by Rabbi Eliezer Chrysler
Kollel Iyun Hadaf, Jerusalem

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Berachos 46

1)

(a) Why did Rebbi Avahu make a party for the Rabbanan?

(b) Why did Rebbi Zeira decline to recite, first the Berachah Rishonah, and then the Berachah Acharonah?

(c) Why then, did Rebbi Avahu offer the Bensching to Rebbi Zeira, and what is the reason for this ruling?

(d) In what context is 'Nechasav Kerovav la'Ir' quoted, and what is its significance?

2)
(a) What are the ramifications of the Machlokes whether Birchas ha'Zimun goes only to 'Nevarech she'Achalnu mi'Shelo' or whether it extends to 'ha'Zan es ha'Kol'?
One Beraisa says 'Birchas ha'Mazon Shetayim ve'Shalosh', whilst another says 'Shalosh ve'Arba'.
(b) Assuming that Birchas ha'Tov ve'ha'Meitiv is not d'Oraysa, how does the Gemara attempt to establish the Machlokes?
The Gemara rejects this contention, on the grounds that both Rav Nachman (who holds that Birchas ha'Zimun goes as far as 'Nevarech) and Rav Sheishes (in whose opinion, it extends to 'ha'Zan es ha'Kol') follow their own reasoning.
(c) How does each one explain the two Beraisos?
3)
(a) Which two proofs (based on unanimous statements) does the Gemara bring that 'ha'Tov ve'ha'Meitiv' is not d'Oraysa'?

(b) Which proof does it then bring from Rebbi Akiva's opinion in the Dinim of Aveil?

(c) Why did Chazal add 'ha'Tov ve'ha'Meitiv' to the three Berachos d'Oraysa?

4) A Berachah should really begin with a Berachah and end with one.
(a) Why do Birchos ha'Peiros and Birchos ha'Mitzvos not end with a Berachah.

(b) Why does the Berachah of 'Emes ve'Yatziv not begin with a Berachah?

(c) If someone interrupts his meal in order to answer Mezuman, from where must he start Bensching when he concludes his meal (according to Rav Sheishes, who holds that Mezuman extends to 'ha'Zan es ha'Kol')?

Answers to questions

46b---------------------------------------46b

5)

(a) Why did Rav Sheishes query the Persian custom of the second most distinguished person reclining above the most distinguished?

(b) And how did the Chief Rabbi justify that custom?

Nor did Rav Sheishes like their custom that the most distinguished person present washes 'Netilas Yadayim' first, because it is disrespectful to make him wait so long in silence.
(c) How did the Chief Rabbi justify that?
He furthermore disagreed with their custom to wash Mayim Acharonim from the least important and upwards.
(d) On what grounds did he object, and how did the Chief Rabbi defend the custom?
6)
(a) According to the Beraisa quoted by Rav Sheishes, where does the most distinguished person recline, when they are two people?

(b) How do they recline when they are three and why, and why do we not place the most distinguished person at the head, so that he is also able to converse with the one who is second to him?

(c) And what is the order of precedence by Mayim Acharonim, when there are a lot of people?

(d) How would someone know that he is expected to Bensch Mezuman?

7)
(a) What is the meaning of 'Ein Mechabdin bi'Derachim, ve'Lo bi'Gesharim'?

(b) What was Ravin, a Talmid of Rebbi Yochanan, doing in Bavel with Abaye?

(c) Why did Abaye accuse Ravin of arrogance?

(d) Why did Ravin honor Abaye when they enterred the doorway of a Shul, although it had no Mezuzah (since a Shul does not require a Mezuzah - see Tosfos quoted by Mesoras ha'Shas), and we have learnt that one only needs to give deference to a great person by a doorway which has a Mezuzah?

Answers to questions

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