Siman - Berachos Daf 31
- Breaking the glass at a chuppah
The Gemara recounts several incidents where the Rabbis tempered joyous events with seriousness when they felt their peers were overly cheerful. This is the reason (Tosafos) for breaking the glass at a wedding:
-Mar the son of Ravina broke a precious glass worth four hundred zuz in the presence of the Rabbanan
-Rav Ashi broke a white glass in their presence
- Proper state of mind for tefillah
The Rabbis taught in a Baraisa that one should not daven Shemoneh Esrei amidst a state of sorrow (עצבות), slothfulness(עצלות) , laughter(שחוק) , silly chatter(שיחה) , light headedness (קלות ראש) or idle words(דבירם בטלים) . Rather one should daven amidst the joy associated with a mitzvah, (שמחה של מצוה).
- Halachos and concepts learned from Chanah's tefillos
A large part of this Daf details the many halachos and concepts related to tefillah learned from Chanah’s tefillos and her conversation with Eli. A few examples include:
-One must direct their heart to G-d.
-One must pronounce the words with his lips.
-It is forbidden to raise one’s voice to the degree that others can hear.
-It is forbidden to sit within four amos of one who is davening.
