(Mishnah): Women, [Kena'ani] slaves and minors are exempt from Keri'as Shma and Tefilin. They are obligated in Tefilah, Mezuzah and Birkas ha'Mazon.

(Gemara) Question: What is the source that women [are exempt]?

Answer: "V'Limadtem Osam Es Beneichem" - your sons, and not your daughters. (R. SHLOMO SIRILIYO - this teaches that they are exempt from Talmud Torah. Tefilin and Keri'as Shma are equated to Torah.)

Question: What is the source that slaves [are exempt]?

Answer: "Shma Yisrael Hash-m Elokeinu Hash-m Echad" - one whose only Master is Hash-m. This excludes a slave, who has another master.

(Gemara) Question: What is the source that minors [are exempt]?

Answer: "L'Ma'an Tihyeh Toras Hash-m b'Ficha" - when it is constant in it. (I.e. Tefilin applies to one whose mouth is constantly saying Divrei Torah (PF). We equated Talmud Torah to Keri'as Shma and to Tefilin - MAHARA FULDA.)

[Women] are obligated in Tefilah, in order that everyone request mercy for himself.

[They are obligated] in Mezuzah, for it says "u'Chsavtam Al Mezuzas Beisecha uvi'Sh'arecha" (it is obligatory on whoever lives in the house - MAHARA FULDA).

[They are obligated] in Birkas ha'Mazon, for it says "v'Achalta v'Savata u'Verachta Es Hash-m Elokecha." (Anyone who ate, he must bless.)

(Mishnah): Every Mitzvas Aseh sheha'Zman Gerama, men are obligated and women are exempt. Every Mitzvas Aseh she'Lo ha'Zman Gerama, both men and women are obligated.

What is Mitzvas Aseh sheha'Zman Gerama? It is like Sukah, Lulav, Shofar and Tefilin. What is Mitzvas Aseh she'Lo ha'Zman Gerama? It is like [Hashavas] Aveidah, Shilu'ach ha'Kan , Ma'akah, and Tzitzis.

R. Shimon exempts women from Tzitzis, for it is Mitzvas Aseh sheha'Zman Gerama, for a night garment is exempt from Tzitzis.

(R. Liya): The reason for Rabanan [to say that it is not Zman Gerama] is because if it was special for day and night, it is obligated in Tzitzis.

(Beraisa): All Mitzvos that one is exempt from (i.e. he already fulfilled) them, he can exempt the Rabim from their obligation, except for Birkas ha'Mazon.

Question (Mishnah): Anyone who is not obligated in a matter, he cannot exempt the Rabim from their obligation;

Inference: If he was obligated, even if he fulfilled it, he can exempt [others, even for Birkas ha'Mazon]!

Answer (R. Liya): Birkas ha'Mazon is different, for it says "v'Achalta v'Savata u'Verachta Es Hash-m Elokecha" - one who ate, he blesses. (If he already blessed, it is as if he did not eat.)

R. Yosi and R. Yudah were sitting. They said, is it not reasonable that for Keri'as Shma, everyone say it with his mouth? Is it not reasonable that for Tefilah, everyone request mercy for himself?

Question: What is the difference between Sukah and Lulav? Sukah needs a Brachah only on the first night of Yom Tov, and Lulav needs a Brachah each of the seven days!

Answer: R. Yosi and R. Acha were sitting, and said 'what is the difference between Sukah and Lulav? Sukah applies at night and during the day (the Mitzvah never ceased), and Lulav applies only during the day.

Question (R. Yakov of the south): Talmud Torah applies at night and during the day (and we bless on it every day)! What can we answer [why it is unlike Sukah]?

Answer: Sukah, it is possible for him not to Batel [from the Mitzvah; he can stay in the Sukah the entire festival]. Talmud Torah, it is impossible that he will not be Batel (he must sleep! We explained this like R. SHLOMO SIRILIYO.)

(Beraisa): However, they said that a woman can bless [Birkas ha'Mazon] for her husband, and a slave can bless for his master, and a minor for his father...

Interjection: Didn't R. Acha say in the name of R. Yosi bei Rebbi Nehurai, all [places] that they said that a minor [is obligated in Mitzvos] is [only] in order to train him! (It is not a Torah Mitzvah for him. How can he exempt his father?!)

Answer: The case is, [his father] answers Amen after him;

This is like a Mishnah teaches, if a slave, woman or minor was reciting [Hallel] for him [for he does not know it], he answers after them, what they say, and he will be cursed [for needing them to help him say Hallel].

Continuation of (Beraisa): However, they said that a curse will come upon a man of 20 who needs a 10-year old [to say Birkas ha'Mazon for him. We explained this based on CHAREDIM.]