We continue our study of the Mishna in Masechet Berachot 20b, and the machlokes between Ravina & Rav Chisda as recorded in the sugya. Our focus is on the status of the בעל קרי vis-a-vis Torah & Tefilla and the great debate over the status of הרהור. Is thought considered as speech? May one fulfill the mitzva of krias Shema with thought alone? The Mishna would seem to allow it, leading us to conclude that הרהור כדיבור דמי. But Rav Chisda rejects this interpretation; if it were correct, then why shouldn't the Mishna go one step further permitting the בעל קרי to recite the Shema and enunciate its words? Why stop at הרהור? We will analyze the distinction between Shema as a DeOraisa & Berachos as DeRabanan, and the unique status of Birchos Shema.
To contact us with any comments, suggestions or requests, please click here
YUTorah ® Online is made possible by the generosity of Marcos and Adina Katz and is coordinated by Yeshiva University's Center for the Jewish Future . It offers more than 240,000 shiurim via webcast in audio, video and text formats by our Roshei Yeshiva and other YU luminaries. The opinions and views expressed are solely those of the author or lecturer and should not be attributed to Yeshiva University.
0 comments Leave a Comment