1)

(a)Rebbi Yirmiyah's problem with regard to the B'rachah Achronah that Rebbi Yochanan recited over the salted olive was - that after removing the pit, the olive no longer has the Shi'ur k'Zayis (in which case it does not require a B'rachah Achronah).

(b)Rebbi Zeira resolved - by pointing that the olive that Rebbi Yochanan ate was a large one, whereas the Shi'ur of k'Zayis is a medium-size one.

(c)And he proves it from a Mishnah in Keilim, which states that - the Shi'ur k'Zayis rerfers neither to a small olive nor to a large one ...

(d)... but to a 'Zayis Aguri' - which is what a middle-size olive is called.

(e)Rebbi Avahu explains that Its real name is 'Avruti' or'Samrusi', and the reason they call it 'Aguri' - is because its oil is gathered inside it (ready to be easily extracted).

2)

(a)Based on an episode that occurred with two Talmidim of bar Kapara before whom they placed Durmaskin (mountain spinach) and Pargiyos (young birds), we suggest that the B'rachah over Shelakos is a Machlokes Tana'im. When bar Kapara gave permission to eat, one of the Talmidim recite a B'rachah over - the Pargiyos.

(b)The other Talmid ...

1. ... reacted - by mocking him ...

2. ... bar Kapara - by getting angry.

(c)Bar Kapara ...

1. ... initially explained that he was angry with the second Talmid - for mocking his colleague (even if the latter did behave greedily).

2. ... subsequently explained that he was angry with the first Talmid - for not consulting him (since, seven if they not consider a Chacham, he was certainly an elder).

(d)Both Talmidim - died that year.

3)

(a)We initially interpret the Machlokes between the two Talmidim as being - whether one recites over Shelakos 'Shehakol' (the first Talmid) or 'Borei P'ri ha'Adamah' (the second Talmid).

(b)The reason that ...

1. ... the first one recited a B'rachah over the birds was - because he liked them most (and Chaviv Adif [what one likes best takes precedence).

2. ... his friend then mocked him was - because 'Borei P'ri ha'Adamah' takes precedence over 'Shehakol' (since it is more specific).

(c)We conclude however, that both Talmidim held that the B'rachah over Shelakos is 'Shehakol', and the reason that second Talmid mock his friend was - because species of cabbages take precedence over other foods, since they satisfy.

(d)In hindsight, Durmaskin cannot mean 'plums', as some suggest - because then there would be no reason for the first Talmid to have given precedence to the birds.

4)

(a)Rebbi Zeira relates how, when they were guests of Rav Huna, he would differentiate (B'rachah-wise) between heads of turnips - that were cut up into large pieces ('Borei P'ri ha'Adamah') and those that were cut up into small pieces - (Shehakol') ...

(b)... since in the latter case, the turnips had lost their identity.

(c)When they were of Rav Yehudah, he told them to - recite 'Borei P'ri ha'Adamah' over the latter too ...

(d)... since the reason that they cut them fine was in order to bring out the sweetness.

5)

(a)In similar fashion, Rav Ashi relates how Rav Kahana initially differentiated between the B'rachah that one recites over a dish consisting of cooked beets - ('Shehakol') and one consisting of cooked turnips - 'Borei Miynei Mezonos' ...

(b)... because they used to add flour to the latter.

(c)He changed his mind however - when he realized that they added flour (not for taste, but) to bind the food.

6)

(a)Rav Chisda describes a dish of cooked spinach as being good for the heart and for the eyes - and certainly for the intestines.

(b)Abaye adds - that it must on the stove and extremely well-cooked for it to be effective.

(c)Rav Papa states that the B'rachah over the juice of ...

1. ... cooked beets and of cooked turnips, indeed of all ...

2. ... other cooked vegetables - is 'Borei P'ri ha'Adamah.'.

7)

(a)Rav Papa asks what the Din will be regarding the juice of mint (of which one only places a little in the pot), which will be 'Borei P'ri ha'Adamah', assuming it is meant to sweeten the dish in which it is cooked. The correct B'rachah will be be 'Shehakol' however - if it is meant merely remove the scum from the pot.

(b)We resolve the She'eilah based on a Beraisa, which states that once mint has given taste to the pot ...

1. ... it is no longer subject to T'rumah or to ...

2. ... Tum'as Ochlin.

(c)We prove from there - that the purpose of the mint is to add taste to the food.

8)

(a)According to Rav Chiya bar Ashi, one recites 'ha'Motzi' over 'Pas he'Tzenumah bi'Ke'arah' - small pieces of dry bread that one places in a dish of water to soak.

(b)This clashes with a statement of Rebbi Chiya however - who rules - that one must conclude 'ha'Motzi' - as one finishes cutting the slice of bread from the loaf.

(c)The problem with Rav Chiya bar Ashi's ruling according to Rebbi Chiya is that 'Pas ha'Tzenumah ... ' is already in pieces before one recites the B'rachah (See also Tosfos DH 'Pas ... '.

(d)The B'rachah that one therefore recites over 'Pas ha'Tzenumah ... ' according to Rebbi Chiya - is 'Shehakol'.

9)

(a)Rava queries Rebbi Chiya - that if one proceeds to recite the B'rachah whilst cutting the bread, one will conclude the B'rachah over a piece (just like one does regarding 'Pas ha'Tzenumah ... '?

(b)Rava therefore rules - that one only begins to cut the bread after concluding the B'rachah of 'ha'Motzi'.

(c)The Neherda'i did like Rebbi Chiya, the Rabbanan - like Rava.

(d)Ravina quoting his mother, repeats the Machlokes. She told him that his father used to do - like Rebbi Chiya.

(e)The Halachah is - like Rava (See Tosfos).

10)

(a)Rav Huna rules that if there are both whole loaves and pieces of bread lying on the table, one is permitted to recite the B'rachah over the pieces. It is even obligatory to do so - if the cut slices are larger than the loaves.

(b)Rebbi Yochanan - gives precedence to the whole loaves.

(c)He concedes however that one recites the B'rachah over the pieces - if they are made from wheat and the loaves, from barley.

11)

(a)Rebbi Yirmiyah bar Aba suggests that the latter ruling is a Machlokes Tana'im, who argue in a Beraisa, over someone who has small complete onions and large pieces of onion that need to be Ma'asered. The Tana Kama gives precedence to the former, Rebbi Yehudah - to the latter.

(b)Rebbi Yirmiyah bar Aba now suggests - that Rebbi Yehudah holds that Chashuv takes precedence (like the previous ruling), whereas the Chachamim hold that Shalem takes precedence (even over Chashuv).

(c)Refuting his suggestion however, we conclude that everyone agrees that the B'rachah over Chashuv takes precedence, and the reason that the Chachamim say, in the case of T'rumah, that one Ma'asers the Shalem is - because it is speaking where there is no Kohen available, in which case it is better to Ma'aser the Shalem, which lasts longer (until a Kohen is found).

(d)This is based on their opinion in a Mishnah in T'rumos. Rebbi Yehudah says there - that one gives Ma'asers the nicest one (Chashuv), even though it does not last as long.

12)

(a)Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak says, regarding the initial Machlokes between Rav Huna and Rebbi Yochanan (Pesisin v Shalem), that - a G-d-fearing person should fulfill both opinions by reciting the B'rachah whilst holding both the piece ...

(b)... and either cutting them both or the loaf.

(c)He mentioned Mar b'rei de'Revina - as an example of a G-d-fearing person ...

(d)... who used to do that.

13)

(a)When Rav Shalman cited a Beraisa bearing out the previous ruling, Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak asked - his name.

(b)When he heard what it was he commented - 'You are Shalom, and your 'Mishnah' is Shalem (complete) because you made peace between the Talmidim!'

14)

(a)Similarly, Rav Papa stated - that on Pesach, one should take the broken together with the complete Matzah, and recite a B'rachah over the two together.

(b)According to Rebbi Aba, on a regular Shabbos - one recites 'ha'Motzi over two complete Challos.

(c)The Pasuk that serves as the basis for ...

1. ... the former ruling is - "Lechem Oni" (Re'ei).

2. ... the latter ruling is - "Lechem Mishneh" (Beshalach).

15)

(a)When Rav Kahana made 'Motzi' on Shabbos, Rav Ashi saw him - take two Challos in his hands but cut only one.

(b)Regarding Rebbi Zeira's custom to cut off a chunk that was large enough for the entire meal on Shabbos, Ravina asked Rav Ashi - that this looked like greed.

(c)The latter replied - that, since he did not do that during the week, nobody wold accuse him of that.

16)

(a)When Rav Ami and Rav Asi came across bread that had been used for Eruv Chatzeros - they would use it for ha'Motzi' ...

(b)... 'because', they said, 'having performed one Mitzvah with it, we may as well perform another one'.