## Berakhot Daf 61b

###### Berakhot 61b:1
[Berakhot 61b:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Berakhot/r/61b:1)

רֵיאָה שׁוֹאֶבֶת כׇּל מִינֵי מַשְׁקִין, כָּבֵד כּוֹעֵס, מָרָה זוֹרֶקֶת בּוֹ טִפָּה וּמְנִיחָתוֹ, טְחוֹל שׂוֹחֵק, קֻרְקְבָן טוֹחֵן, קֵיבָה יְשֵׁנָה, אַף נֵעוֹר. נֵעוֹר הַיָּשֵׁן יָשֵׁן הַנֵּעוֹר — נִמּוֹק וְהוֹלֵךְ לוֹ. תָּנָא: אִם שְׁנֵיהֶם יְשֵׁנִים אוֹ שְׁנֵיהֶם נֵעוֹרִים — מִיָּד מֵת.

**Tractate Berakot by A. Cohen, Cambridge University Press, 1921:**
and the **lungs draw all kinds of liquids,** the **liver becomes angry,** the **gall** bladder **injects a drop** of gall **into** the liver and **allays** anger, the **spleen laughs,** the **maw grinds** the food, and the **stomach** brings **sleep,** and the **nose awakens.** If they reversed roles such that **the** organ which brings on **sleep** were to **awaken,** or **the** organ which **awakens** were to bring on **sleep,** the individual **would gradually deteriorate. It was taught: If both** bring on **sleep or both awaken,** the person **immediately dies.**


###### Berakhot 61b:2
[Berakhot 61b:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Berakhot/r/61b:2)

תַּנְיָא רַבִּי יוֹסֵי הַגְּלִילִי אוֹמֵר: צַדִּיקִים יֵצֶר טוֹב שׁוֹפְטָן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְלִבִּי חָלַל בְּקִרְבִּי״. רְשָׁעִים יֵצֶר רַע שׁוֹפְטָן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״נְאֻם פֶּשַׁע לָרָשָׁע בְּקֶרֶב לִבִּי אֵין פַּחַד אֱלֹהִים לְנֶגֶד עֵינָיו״. בֵּינוֹנִים — זֶה וָזֶה שׁוֹפְטָן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יַעֲמֹד לִימִין אֶבְיוֹן לְהוֹשִׁיעַ מִשֹּׁפְטֵי נַפְשׁוֹ״.

**Tractate Berakot by A. Cohen, Cambridge University Press, 1921:**
With regard to one’s inclinations, **it was taught** in a *baraita* that **Rabbi Yosei HaGelili says: The good inclination rules the righteous, as it is stated: “And my heart is dead within me”** (Psalms 109:22); the evil inclination has been completely banished from his heart. The **evil inclination rules the wicked, as it is stated: “Transgression speaks to the wicked, there is no fear of God before his eyes”** (Psalms 36:2). **Middling people are ruled by both** the good and evil inclinations, **as it is stated: “Because He stands at the right hand of the needy, to save him from them that rule his soul”** (Psalms 109:31).


###### Berakhot 61b:3
[Berakhot 61b:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Berakhot/r/61b:3)

אָמַר רַבָּה: כְּגוֹן אָנוּ בֵּינוֹנִים. אָמַר לֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי: לָא שָׁבֵיק מָר חַיֵּי לְכׇל בְּרִיָּה?

**Tractate Berakot by A. Cohen, Cambridge University Press, 1921:**
**Rabba said:** People **like us** are **middling. Abaye,** his student and nephew, **said to him:** If **the Master** claims that he is merely middling, he **does not leave** room for **any creature to live.** If a person like you is middling, what of the rest of us?


###### Berakhot 61b:4
[Berakhot 61b:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Berakhot/r/61b:4)

וְאָמַר רָבָא: לָא אִיבְּרִי עָלְמָא אֶלָּא לְרַשִּׁיעֵי גְּמוּרֵי אוֹ לְצַדִּיקֵי גְּמוּרֵי. אָמַר רָבָא: לִידַּע אִינָשׁ בְּנַפְשֵׁיהּ אִם צַדִּיק גָּמוּר הוּא אִם לָאו. אָמַר רַב: לָא אִיבְּרִי עָלְמָא אֶלָּא לְאַחְאָב בֶּן עָמְרִי וּלְרַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן דּוֹסָא. לְאַחְאָב בֶּן עָמְרִי — הָעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, וּלְרַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן דּוֹסָא — הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא.

**Tractate Berakot by A. Cohen, Cambridge University Press, 1921:**
**And Rava said: The world was created only for** the sake of **the full-fledged wicked or the full-fledged righteous;** others do not live complete lives in either world. **Rava said: One should know of himself whether or not he is completely righteous,** as if he is not completely righteous, he knows that his life will be a life of suffering. **Rav said: The world was created only for** the wicked **Ahab ben Omri and for Rabbi Ḥanina ben Dosa.** The Gemara explains: For **Ahab ben Omri, this world** was created, as he has no place in the World-to-Come, **and** for **Rabbi Ḥanina ben Dosa, the World-to-Come** was created.


###### Berakhot 61b:5
[Berakhot 61b:5](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Berakhot/r/61b:5)

״וְאָהַבְתָּ אֵת ה׳ אֱלֹהֶיךָ״. תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: אִם נֶאֱמַר ״בְּכָל נַפְשְׁךָ״, לָמָּה נֶאֱמַר ״בְּכָל מְאֹדֶךָ״?, וְאִם נֶאֱמַר ״בְּכָל מְאֹדֶךָ״, לָמָּה נֶאֱמַר ״בְּכָל נַפְשְׁךָ״? אֶלָּא אִם יֵשׁ לְךָ אָדָם שֶׁגּוּפוֹ חָבִיב עָלָיו מִמָּמוֹנוֹ — לְכָךְ נֶאֱמַר ״בְּכָל נַפְשְׁךָ״. וְאִם יֵשׁ לָךְ אָדָם שֶׁמָּמוֹנוֹ חָבִיב עָלָיו מִגּוּפוֹ — לְכָךְ נֶאֱמַר ״בְּכָל מְאֹדֶךָ״. רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אוֹמֵר: ״בְּכָל נַפְשְׁךָ״ אֲפִילּוּ נוֹטֵל אֶת נַפְשְׁךָ.

**Tractate Berakot by A. Cohen, Cambridge University Press, 1921:**
We learned in our mishna the explanation of the verse: **“And you shall love the Lord your God** with all your heart and all your soul and all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). This was elaborated upon when **it was taught** in a *baraita*: **Rabbi Eliezer says: If it is stated: “With all your soul,” why does it state: “With all your might”?** Conversely, **if it stated: “With all your might,” why does it state: “With all your soul”? Rather,** this means that **if one’s body is dearer to him than his property, therefore it is stated: “With all your soul”;** one must give his soul in sanctification of God. **And if one’s money is dearer to him than his body, therefore it is stated: “With all your might”;** with all your assets. **Rabbi Akiva says: “With all your soul”** means: **Even if** God **takes your soul.**


###### Berakhot 61b:6
[Berakhot 61b:6](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Berakhot/r/61b:6)

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: פַּעַם אַחַת גָּזְרָה מַלְכוּת הָרְשָׁעָה שֶׁלֹּא יַעַסְקוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל בַּתּוֹרָה. בָּא פַּפּוּס בֶּן יְהוּדָה וּמְצָאוֹ לְרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא שֶׁהָיָה מַקְהִיל קְהִלּוֹת בָּרַבִּים וְעוֹסֵק בַּתּוֹרָה. אָמַר לוֹ: עֲקִיבָא אִי אַתָּה מִתְיָרֵא מִפְּנֵי מַלְכוּת?

**Tractate Berakot by A. Cohen, Cambridge University Press, 1921:**
The Gemara relates at length how Rabbi Akiva fulfilled these directives. **The Sages taught: One time,** after the bar Kokheva rebellion, **the evil empire** of Rome **decreed that Israel may not engage in** the study and practice of **Torah. Pappos ben Yehuda came and found Rabbi Akiva, who was convening assemblies in public and engaging in Torah** study. Pappos **said to him: Akiva, are you not afraid of the empire?**


###### Berakhot 61b:7
[Berakhot 61b:7](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Berakhot/r/61b:7)

אָמַר לוֹ: אֶמְשׁוֹל לְךָ מָשָׁל, לְמָה הַדָּבָר דּוֹמֶה — לְשׁוּעָל שֶׁהָיָה מְהַלֵּךְ עַל גַּב הַנָּהָר, וְרָאָה דָּגִים שֶׁהָיוּ מִתְקַבְּצִים מִמָּקוֹם לְמָקוֹם. אָמַר לָהֶם: מִפְּנֵי מָה אַתֶּם בּוֹרְחִים? אָמְרוּ לוֹ: מִפְּנֵי רְשָׁתוֹת שֶׁמְּבִיאִין עָלֵינוּ בְּנֵי אָדָם. אָמַר לָהֶם: רְצוֹנְכֶם שֶׁתַּעֲלוּ לַיַּבָּשָׁה, וְנָדוּר אֲנִי וְאַתֶּם, כְּשֵׁם שֶׁדָּרוּ אֲבוֹתַי עִם אֲבוֹתֵיכֶם? אָמְרוּ לוֹ: אַתָּה הוּא שֶׁאוֹמְרִים עָלֶיךָ פִּקֵּחַ שֶׁבַּחַיּוֹת?! לֹא פִּקֵּחַ אַתָּה, אֶלָּא טִפֵּשׁ אַתָּה! וּמָה בִּמְקוֹם חִיּוּתֵנוּ, אָנוּ מִתְיָרְאִין, בִּמְקוֹם מִיתָתֵנוּ — עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה. אַף אֲנַחְנוּ עַכְשָׁיו שֶׁאָנוּ יוֹשְׁבִים וְעוֹסְקִים בַּתּוֹרָה, שֶׁכָּתוּב בָּהּ: ״כִּי הוּא חַיֶּיךָ וְאֹרֶךְ יָמֶיךָ״, כָּךְ, אִם אָנוּ הוֹלְכִים וּמְבַטְּלִים מִמֶּנָּה — עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה!

**Tractate Berakot by A. Cohen, Cambridge University Press, 1921:**
Rabbi Akiva **answered him: I will relate a parable. To what can this be compared?** It is like **a fox walking along a riverbank when he sees fish gathering** and fleeing **from place to place.** 
The fox **said to them: From what are you fleeing?** 
**They said to him:** We are fleeing **from the nets that people cast upon us.** 
**He said to them: Do you wish to come up onto dry land, and we will reside together just as my ancestors resided with your ancestors?** 
The fish **said to him: You are the one of whom they say, he is the cleverest of animals? You are not clever; you are a fool. If we are afraid in** the water, **our** natural **habitat** which gives us **life,** then **in a habitat** that causes our **death, all the more so.** 
The moral is: **So too, we** Jews, **now that we sit and engage in Torah** study, **about which it is written: “For that is your life, and the length of your days”** (Deuteronomy 30:20), we fear the empire **to this extent; if we proceed to** sit **idle from its** study, as its abandonment is the habitat that causes our death, **all the more so** will we fear the empire.


###### Berakhot 61b:8
[Berakhot 61b:8](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Berakhot/r/61b:8)

אָמְרוּ: לֹא הָיוּ יָמִים מוּעָטִים, עַד שֶׁתְּפָסוּהוּ לְרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא וַחֲבָשׁוּהוּ בְּבֵית הָאֲסוּרִים, וְתָפְסוּ לְפַפּוּס בֶּן יְהוּדָה וַחֲבָשׁוּהוּ אֶצְלוֹ. אָמַר לוֹ: פַּפּוּס, מִי הֲבִיאֲךָ לְכָאן? אָמַר לוֹ: אַשְׁרֶיךָ רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא שֶׁנִּתְפַּסְתָּ עַל דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה. אוֹי לוֹ לְפַפּוּס שֶׁנִּתְפַּס עַל דְּבָרִים בְּטֵלִים.

**Tractate Berakot by A. Cohen, Cambridge University Press, 1921:**
The Sages **said: Not a few days passed until they seized Rabbi Akiva and incarcerated him in prison, and seized Pappos ben Yehuda and incarcerated him alongside him.** Rabbi Akiva **said to him: Pappos, who brought you here?** Pappos **replied: Happy are you, Rabbi Akiva, for you were arrested on** the charge of engaging in **Torah** study. **Woe unto Pappos who was seized on** the charge of engaging in **idle matters.**


###### Berakhot 61b:9
[Berakhot 61b:9](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Berakhot/r/61b:9)

בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁהוֹצִיאוּ אֶת רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא לַהֲרִיגָה זְמַן קְרִיאַת שְׁמַע הָיָה, וְהָיוּ סוֹרְקִים אֶת בְּשָׂרוֹ בְּמַסְרְקוֹת שֶׁל בַּרְזֶל, וְהָיָה מְקַבֵּל עָלָיו עוֹל מַלְכוּת שָׁמַיִם. אָמְרוּ לוֹ תַּלְמִידָיו: רַבֵּינוּ, עַד כָּאן?! אָמַר לָהֶם: כׇּל יָמַי הָיִיתִי מִצְטַעֵר עַל פָּסוּק זֶה ״בְּכָל נַפְשְׁךָ״ אֲפִילּוּ נוֹטֵל אֶת נִשְׁמָתְךָ. אָמַרְתִּי: מָתַי יָבֹא לְיָדִי וַאֲקַיְּימֶנּוּ, וְעַכְשָׁיו שֶׁבָּא לְיָדִי, לֹא אֲקַיְּימֶנּוּ? הָיָה מַאֲרִיךְ בְּ״אֶחָד״, עַד שֶׁיָּצְתָה נִשְׁמָתוֹ בְּ״אֶחָד״. יָצְתָה בַּת קוֹל וְאָמְרָה: ״אַשְׁרֶיךָ רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא שֶׁיָּצְאָה נִשְׁמָתְךָ בְּאֶחָד״.

**Tractate Berakot by A. Cohen, Cambridge University Press, 1921:**
The Gemara relates: **When they took Rabbi Akiva out to be executed, it was time for the recitation of *Shema*. And they were raking his flesh with iron combs, and he was** reciting *Shema*, thereby **accepting upon himself the yoke of Heaven. His students said to him: Our teacher, even now,** as you suffer, you recite *Shema*? **He said to them: All my days I have been troubled by the verse: With all your soul,** meaning: **Even if God takes your soul. I said** to myself: **When will the** opportunity **be afforded me to fulfill this** verse? **Now that it has been afforded me, shall I not fulfill it? He prolonged** his uttering of the word: **One, until his soul left** his body as he uttered his final word: **One. A voice descended** from heaven **and said: Happy are you, Rabbi Akiva, that your soul left** your body **as** you uttered: **One.**


###### Berakhot 61b:10
[Berakhot 61b:10](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Berakhot/r/61b:10)

אָמְרוּ מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: זוֹ תּוֹרָה וְזוֹ שְׂכָרָהּ? ״מִמְתִים יָדְךָ ה׳ מִמְתִים וְגוֹ׳״! אָמַר לָהֶם: ״חֶלְקָם בַּחַיִּים״. יָצְתָה בַּת קוֹל וְאָמְרָה: ״אַשְׁרֶיךָ רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא שֶׁאַתָּה מְזוּמָּן לְחַיֵּי הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא״.

**Tractate Berakot by A. Cohen, Cambridge University Press, 1921:**
**The ministering angels said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: This is Torah and this its reward?** As it is stated: **“From death, by Your hand, O Lord, from death** of the world” (Psalms 17:14); Your hand, God, kills and does not save. God **said** the end of the verse **to** the ministering angels: **“Whose portion is in this life.”** And then **a Divine Voice emerged and said: Happy are you, Rabbi Akiva, as you are destined for life in the World-to-Come,** as your portion is already in eternal life.


###### Berakhot 61b:11
[Berakhot 61b:11](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Berakhot/r/61b:11)

לֹא יָקֵל אָדָם אֶת רֹאשׁוֹ כְּנֶגֶד שַׁעַר הַמִּזְרָח שֶׁהוּא מְכוּוָּן כְּנֶגֶד בֵּית קׇדְשֵׁי הַקֳּדָשִׁים וְכוּ׳. אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: לֹא אָמְרוּ אֶלָּא מִן הַצּוֹפִים וְלִפְנִים, וּבְרוֹאֶה. אִיתְּמַר נָמֵי: אָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא, הָכִי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: לֹא אָמְרוּ אֶלָּא מִן הַצּוֹפִים וְלִפְנִים, וּבְרוֹאֶה וּבְשֶׁאֵין גָּדֵר, וּבִזְמַן שֶׁהַשְּׁכִינָה שׁוֹרָה.

**Tractate Berakot by A. Cohen, Cambridge University Press, 1921:**
We learned in the mishna that **one may not act irreverently opposite the Eastern Gate, which is aligned with the Holy of Holies.** Limiting this *halakha*, **Rav Yehuda said** that **Rav said: They only said** this *halakha* with regard to irreverent behavior **from** Mount **Scopus [*Tzofim*] and within, and** specifically areas from where **one can see** the Temple. **It is also stated: Rabbi Abba, son of Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba, said: Rabbi Yoḥanan said the following: They only said** this *halakha* with regard to Mount **Scopus and within,** when **one can see, and when there is no fence** obstructing his view, **and when the Divine Presence is resting** there, i.e., when the Temple is standing.


###### Berakhot 61b:12
[Berakhot 61b:12](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Berakhot/r/61b:12)

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: הַנִּפְנֶה בִּיהוּדָה, לֹא יִפָּנֶה מִזְרָח וּמַעֲרָב, אֶלָּא צָפוֹן וְדָרוֹם. וּבַגָּלִיל לֹא יִפָּנֶה אֶלָּא מִזְרָח וּמַעֲרָב. וְרַבִּי יוֹסֵי מַתִּיר. שֶׁהָיָה רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר: לֹא אָסְרוּ אֶלָּא בְּרוֹאֶה, וּבְמָקוֹם שֶׁאֵין שָׁם גָּדֵר, וּבִזְמַן שֶׁהַשְּׁכִינָה שׁוֹרָה. וַחֲכָמִים אוֹסְרִים.

**Tractate Berakot by A. Cohen, Cambridge University Press, 1921:**
In this context, **the Sages taught: One who defecates in Judea should not defecate** when facing **east and west,** for then he is facing Jerusalem; **rather** he should do so **facing north and south. But in the Galilee** which is north of Jerusalem, **one should only defecate** facing **east and west. Rabbi Yosei permits** doing so, **as Rabbi Yosei was wont to say: They only prohibited** doing so when **one can see** the Temple, **where there is no fence, and when the Divine Presence is resting** there. **And the Rabbis prohibit** doing so.


###### Berakhot 61b:13
[Berakhot 61b:13](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Berakhot/r/61b:13)

חֲכָמִים הַיְינוּ תַּנָּא קַמָּא! אִיכָּא בֵּינַיְיהוּ צְדָדִין.

**Tractate Berakot by A. Cohen, Cambridge University Press, 1921:**
The Gemara argues: But the opinion of the **Rabbis,** who prohibit this, **is** identical to that of the **first** anonymous ***tanna,*** who also prohibits doing so. The Gemara replies: The practical difference **between them is** with regard to **the sides,** i.e., a place in Judea that is not directly east or west of Jerusalem, or a place in the Galilee that is not directly north of Jerusalem. According to the first *tanna*, it is prohibited; according to the Rabbis, it is permitted.


###### Berakhot 61b:14
[Berakhot 61b:14](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Berakhot/r/61b:14)

תַּנְיָא אִידַּךְ: הַנִּפְנֶה בִּיהוּדָה — לֹא יִפָּנֶה מִזְרָח וּמַעֲרָב אֶלָּא צָפוֹן וְדָרוֹם. וּבַגָּלִיל, צָפוֹן וְדָרוֹם — אָסוּר, מִזְרָח וּמַעֲרָב — מוּתָּר. וְרַבִּי יוֹסֵי מַתִּיר. שֶׁהָיָה רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר: לֹא אָסְרוּ אֶלָּא בְּרוֹאֶה. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: בִּזְמַן שֶׁבֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ קַיָּים — אָסוּר, בִּזְמַן שֶׁאֵין בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ קַיָּים — מוּתָּר. רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אוֹסֵר בְּכָל מָקוֹם.

**Tractate Berakot by A. Cohen, Cambridge University Press, 1921:**
**It was taught** in **another** *baraita*: **One who defecates in Judea should not defecate** when facing **east and west; rather,** he should only do so facing **north and south. And in the Galilee,** defecating while facing **north and south is prohibited,** while **east and west is permitted. And Rabbi Yosei permitted** doing so, **as Rabbi Yosei was wont to say: They only prohibited** doing so when **one can see** the Temple. **Rabbi Yehuda says: When the Temple is standing, it is prohibited,** but **when the Temple is not standing, it is permitted.** The Gemara adds that **Rabbi Akiva prohibits** defecating **anywhere** while facing east and west.


###### Berakhot 61b:15
[Berakhot 61b:15](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Berakhot/r/61b:15)

רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא הַיְינוּ תַּנָּא קַמָּא! אִיכָּא בֵּינַיְיהוּ חוּץ לָאָרֶץ.

**Tractate Berakot by A. Cohen, Cambridge University Press, 1921:**
The Gemara challenges this: **Rabbi Akiva’s** position **is identical to** that of **the first,** anonymous ***tanna*,** who also prohibits doing so. The Gemara responds: The practical difference **between them** is with regard to places **outside of Eretz** Yisrael**,** as according to Rabbi Akiva, even outside of Eretz Yisrael, defecating while facing east and west is prohibited.


###### Berakhot 61b:16
[Berakhot 61b:16](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Berakhot/r/61b:16)

רַבָּה הֲווֹ שַׁדְיָין לֵיהּ לִבְנֵי מִזְרָח וּמַעֲרָב. אֲזַל אַבָּיֵי שְׁדַנְהוּ צְפוֹן וְדָרוֹם, עָל רַבָּה תָּרְצַנְהוּ. אֲמַר: מַאן הַאי דְּקָמְצַעַר לִי? אֲנָא כְּרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא סְבִירָא לִי דְּאָמַר: בְּכָל מָקוֹם אָסוּר.

**Tractate Berakot by A. Cohen, Cambridge University Press, 1921:**
The Gemara relates that in **Rabba’s** bathroom, **the bricks were placed east and west** in order to ensure that he would defecate facing north and south. **Abaye went** and **placed them north and south,** to test if Rabba was particular about their direction or if they had simply been placed east and west incidentally. **Rabba entered** and **fixed them. He said: Who is the one that is upsetting me? I hold in accordance with** the opinion of **Rabbi Akiva,** who **said: It is prohibited everywhere.**