Into two parties of three, so that each arranges Zimmun.
Ten should not be divided up, because ten are required for the addition of "our God" to the formula.
If the six are divided into two parties of three, there will not be four for the formula "Bless ye."
Viz. that in our Mishnah, the phrase "Bless ye" means "Bless ye also."
Because both phrases include the speaker.
On the word נוקרן, see Krauss, p. 357, and Low's note in loc.
Because "from" implies only part of the Divine goodness, as though we were not entirely dependent upon His goodness.
We must be humble in asking for the Divine blessing and not, as it were, demand the whole of it ; therefore the use of "from" is justifiable. But in the Grace we make a declaration, and so "from" is out of place.
In asking for the Divine blessing, i.e. ask for much and there is no need to be humble in petitioning God.
This request is for spiritual things, not material good.
According to Neubauer, p. 395, it is a contraction of Nahr Bull, a Babylonian town on the river Divalah. Wiesner, p. 109, identifies it with Nahr Obolla, a tributary of the Euphrates near ancient Basra.
Their objection to "we live" was that it excluded the rest of mankind, whereas "they" means humanity generally.
Because this formula might be referred to the host, not God.
M. omits : b. Raba.
In the Passover Ritual.
By specifying "food," it might be thought that he is referring to the host ; but we have to thank God for much else beside food.
With ten the formula is "Blessed be our God" ; therefore it cannot possibly be understood of the host.
Here "food" is mentioned ; but no exception can be taken because the Deity is explicitly referred to.
For the purpose of the Zimmun formula.
Meaning everybody present, without exception, even the unborn babes.
R. Jose, whence does he derive this teaching, since he uses "full assemblies" as in the Mishnah ?
As implying the womb.
So that ten or ten myriads have the same formula.
The assembly being very large and the meal prolonged, when three who sit together finish, they say Grace quietly between themselves.
So as to add "our God" to the formula.
If they had said Grace in parties of ten, it would have been more conspicuous and a louder tone of voice would have been required. The Exilarch might then have noticed what they were doing and regard it as a slight that they had not waited for him to say Grace.
And include one who has already said Grace.
M.: Gobar. An uncertain locality. Wiesner, p. 110, conjectures that it is Edessa on the ground that its ruler had the title of Abgar.
Uncomely scholar (Jastrow).
E.g., if there were five in each party, they could add "our God" to the formula.
It was also the practice of the Greeks and Romans to dilute their wine. See D.C.A. pp. 384 f.
In the first sentence of Mishnah lV.
See fol. 45 a, p. 291.
M.: Raba.
I.e. three parties which have had the meal but not yet said Grace.
Consequently the three who have come together were originally under the obligation of Zimmun.