I read your insight to the daf and the vilna gaon. I just want to know the source so I can read it inside. I want to know how the gaon learns out the three ways from a source.

>>INSIGHTS TO THE DAF- BERACHOS 31

1) THE CORRECT FRAME OF MIND FOR PRAYER

QUESTION: The Mishnah (30b) states that one should pray Shemoneh Esreh only with "Koved Rosh" (humility). The first Beraisa in the Gemara (31a) states that one should pray only after studying a "Halachah Pesukah" (a Halachah that does not require deep thought, which may cause a person to be distracted from proper concentration on his prayers, as Rashi explains). The second Beraisa states that one should pray only with "Simchah Shel Mitzvah," the joy that comes from performing a Mitzvah.

Are the two Beraisos and the Mishnah arguing with one another? Are these three different opinions?

ANSWER: The VILNA GA'ON explains that these three sources do not disagree. Rather, they complement each other.

(a) If one was learning Torah when the time for prayer arrived, he should learn a Halachah Pesukah before he prays, rather than begin his prayers with the complicated Halachos that he was just learning on his mind. This is the intention of the first Beraisa.

(b) If one was not learning when the time for prayer arrived, then there is a difference between Shemoneh Esreh and Keri'as Shema. Keri'as Shema should be recited following "Simchah Shel Mitzvah," because the Shema is an expression of the love of Hash-m, and thus it should be said with Simchah .

(c) Shemoneh Esreh should be said with Koved Rosh, because in Shemoneh Esreh we express our fear of Hash-m, and thus humility, not joy, is appropriate. The Mishnah is referring to Shemoneh Esreh, and the second Beraisa is referring to the Shema. (Rav Ashi, who "followed the ruling of the Beraisa," was reciting the Shema.)<<

Elie Samet, Jerusalem, Israel