Translation:Mishnah/Seder Zeraim/Tractate Berakhot/Chapter 2

Mishnah 1

If one was reading [the Shema] in the Torah, and it came time to recite [the Shema]:

If he directed his heart [and intended to fulfill his obligation to recite the Shema as he read it], he has fulfilled his obligation.

And if not, he has not fulfilled his obligation.

At the breaks [between sections of the Shema], one may greet another out of honor and return a greeting,

And in the middle [of a section], one may greet out of fear and return a greeting.

These are the words of Rabbi Meir.

Rabbi Yehuda says:

In the middle, one may greet out of fear and return a greeting out of honor,

And at the breaks, one may greet out of honor and return a greeting to any person.

Mishnah 2

These are the section breaks:

Between the first and second blessings,

Between the second blessing and Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4),

Between Shema and V'hayah im shamoa ("If you truly listen")(Deuteronomy 11:13),

Between V'hayah im shamoa and Vayomer ("[God] said")(Numbers 15:37),

Between Vayomer and Emet v'yatziv ("True and enduring").

Rabbi Yehuda says:

Between Vayomer and Emet v'yatziv -- one may not pause.

Rabbi Yehoshua ben Korchah said:

Why does Shema precede V'hayah im shamoa?

So that one may accept the yoke of the kingdom of heaven first,

And after that accept the yoke of the commandments.

And [why does] V'hayah im shamoa [precede] Vayomer?

Because V'hayah im shamoa applies during the day and at night,

And Vayomer only applies during the day.

Mishnah 3

One who recites Shema but doesn't make it audible to his ear - has fulfilled his obligation.

Rabbi Yosei says: Has not fulfilled his obligation.

One who recites but does not articulate each letter:

Rabbi Yosei says: Has fulfilled his obligation.

Rabbi Yehuda says: Has not fulfilled his obligation.

One who recites out of order - has not fulfilled his obligation.

One who recites and makes a mistake - should return to the place where he made the mistake.

Mishnah 4

Workers can recite [Shema] on top of a tree or on top of a wall of stones,

which they are not permitted to do for tefillah [prayer].

Mishnah 5

A groom is exempt from reciting Shema on the first night, until Saturday night

if he has not done the deed.

A story about Rabban Gamliel

who recited [Shema] on the first night that he got married.

His students said to him:

Didn't you teach us, our teacher, that a groom is exempt from reciting Shema on the first night?

He said to them:

I will not listen to you, to remove the kingdom of heaven from me for even one hour.

Mishnah 6

[Rabban Gamliel] washed on the first night after his wife died.

His students said to him:

Didn't you teach us, our teacher, that a mourner is forbidden to wash?

He said to them:

I am not like other people.

I am delicate.

Mishnah 7

And when [Rabban Gamliel's] slave Tavi died,

He received words of comfort for him.

His students said to him:

Didn't you teach us, our teacher, that one does not receive words of comfort for slaves?

He said to them:

My slave Tavi was not like other slaves.

He was kasher.

Mishnah 8

If a groom wants to recite Shema on the first night, he may recite [it].

Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel says:

Not everyone who wants to take on a name may take it on.