[131] As to the merits of Public Service, see above, p. 284. Ten male persons of thirteen years and upwards constitute a congregation, צבור (or מנין “number” or “quorum”), and their united devotions form Public Service (תפלה בצבור), into which the additions enumerated above are introduced. [↑]
[132] Before meals we wash our hands, say the blessing, על נטילת ידים, and eat a piece of bread after having said the berachah, המוציא.—Some wash their hands a second time (מים אחרונים) before Grace. See Shulchan-aruch, Orach-chayyim clxxxi. [↑]
[133] Comp. Babyl. Talm., Berachoth, p. 48b. [↑]
[134] בריך רחמנא מריה דהאי פיתא or ברוך שאכלנו משלו. [↑]
[135] מתוך שלא לשמה בא לשמה. [↑]
[136] The Reader must be שליח צבור the real representative of, and acceptable to the congregants (Shulchan-aruch I. liii. 4). [↑]
[137] See above, page 417. [↑]
[138] E.g., גשם and טל in the Musaph of the first day of Pesach and the eighth day of Succoth are based on the climatic conditions of Palestine. [↑]
[139] Those who fear that the seemingly harsh expressions might imply or suggest ideas and feelings of a baser kind can easily modify them and remove the sting.—Similarly, expressions contrary to our taste and sense of propriety ought to be removed. [↑]
[140] I.e., of the new corn. This law of חדש applied to the corn sown during the year preceding the festival of Passover and beginning with the previous Passover (Babyl. Talm., Menachoth 69). [↑]