Study Berakhot folio 8A with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
What is the meaning of that which is written: “But as for me, let my prayer be unto You, Lord, in a time of favor; O God, in the abundance of Your mercy, answer me with the truth of Your salvation” (Psalms 69:14)? It appears that the individual is praying that his prayers will coincide with a speci
R' Yosei, son of R' Ḥanina, said that the unique quality of communal prayer is derived from here: “Thus said YHWH, in a time of acceptance I have answered you and on a day of salvation I have aided you” (Isaiah 49:8).
R' Aḥa, son of R' Ḥanina, said that it is derived from here: “Behold, God is mighty, He despises no one” (Job 36:5). He adopts an alternative reading of the verse: “Behold, God will not despise” the prayer of “the mighty,” i.e., the community. And it is written: “He has redeemed my soul in peace so
That last proof was also taught in a baraita. R' Natan says: From where do we know that God does not despise the prayer of the masses? As it is stated: “Behold, God does not despise the mighty,” and it is written: “He has redeemed my soul in peace so that none came upon me; for there were many with
Continuing to extol communal prayer, Reish Lakish said: One who has a synagogue nearby in his city but does not enter to pray there is called an evil neighbor, as it is stated: “Thus said YHWH: As for all My evil neighbors who touch My inheritance which I have caused My people Israel to inherit, be