This surname is uncertain. M. reads Sakkaah, perhaps "the sack-maker"; and there are other variants quoted by D. S., "of Ctesiphon" and "of Circesium."
M. omits : in the name of R. Johanan.
I.e. when saying the benediction, the mouth should (if possible) not contain food.
Referring to Grace before meals or the benediction over wine.
I.e. having done one wrong (not saying the benediction) shall he commit another (omit it altogether) ?
The cause of the immersion being impurity; and one may not say a benediction when in a condition of defilement.
The Greek word ἀσπάραγοϛ, which is not identical in meaning with what is now called "asparagus." It is the name given to the young shoots of various plants (see Krauss, pp. 93 f.). Brecher, Das Transcendentale...im Talmud, p. 181 n. 127, connects the word with the Latin purgans and renders "Purgiertrank" ; but this is improbable. The beverage referred to here is the "heart" of the cabbage brewed with wine or beer. By "beer" is intended a brew of figs or dates.
At least three years old (Rashi).
That we are here dealing with asparagus brewed with wine, not beer.
Viz. from a full cup.
I.e. if it is brewed with beer made from figs, he should only eat figs ; if from dates, he should only eat dates.
Because the duty to preserve the body in a healthy condition is more important than the honouring of a king.
M. : Simeon b. Eleazar. But see what is related of the supernatural communication to Ishmael b. Elisha on fol. 7 a, p. 35.
M. omits the name.
But take it thyself.
M.: seven.
M. adds here ; Return [the cup of] asparagus-beverage only to him who handed it to thee ; do not enter alone a Synagogue in which children are not being taught, because I store my weapon there ; when any [disturbance] is happening in the city, do not walk in the middle of the road but on the side ; when there is peace in the city do not walk along the side of the public road but in the middle.
Since death entered the world through woman, the angel of death accompanies her (Wunsche, p. 63 n.).
M. reads : let him stand behind it, turn his face to the wall and say.
These terms vill be explained in the next paragraph.
Viz. if he is lying on cushions or a low couch and the food is placed on the floor ; otherwise he raises it a handbreadth from the table.
To his wife to drink, who would not be dining with her husband when visitors were present.
I.e. make them sit round about the cup.
To make the cup of benediction conspicuous.
The word for "and with undiluted wine" seems out of place and yields no sense. The commentators find it difficult to explain. M. omits it, reading : R. Hanan said in the name of Rab Sheshet.
The wine must remain undiluted up to that point in the Grace, and then water is added.
The words in brackets are added by M.
M.: Ashe.
I.e. for a holy purpose — the benediction. R.V. "to the Sanctuary."