Siman - Berachos Daf 35
- ברכה ראשונה is based on reason
After concluding that there is no Torah source for the concept of a ברכה ראשונה (blessing before eating), the Gemara teaches that the obligation to do so is based on reason:
- אסור לו לאדם שיהנה מן העולם הזה בלא ברכה – It is forbidden for a person to derive benefit from this world without first reciting a blessing.
- Since one derives pleasure from the world, he should thank the Creator of those pleasures.
The Gemara lists implications of eating without a berachah:
- כל הנהנה מן העולם הזה בלא ברכה מעל – Whoever derives benefit from the world without first reciting a berachah has committed an act of me’ilah (misappropriation of Temple property).
- כל הנהנה מן העולם הזה בלא ברכה כאילו גוזל להקבה וכנסת ישראל - Whoever derives benefit from the world without first reciting a berachah is regarded as if he robs from Hashem and the Assembly of Israel.
- ואספת דגנך
There is a machlokes over how to understand the words in Krias Shema, ואספת דגנך, you shall gather in your grain:
- R’ Yishmael understands it as a general directive that Torah study should be combined with earning a living.
- R’ Shimon bar Yochai argues that preoccupation with earning a living would leave no time for Torah study, so he interprets the verse as referring to a time when the nation does not fulfill Hashem’s will. At such a time, they will not only have to do their own work, gathering their own grain, but even have to do the work of others. But when they do fulfill Hashem’s will, the work of gathering in their grain will be done for them by others.
- Why wine has a special beracha
The Gemara concludes that the reason that wine—unlike olive oil—merits having a unique berachah of its own ((הגפן, is because wine satiates (סעיד) and olive oil does not.
