(Mishnah): At three times, Kohanim lift their hands (give Birkas Kohanim at every Tefilah, and at one of these times, it is) four times in a day - at Shacharis, Musaf, Minchah and Ne'ilas She'arim. [The three times are] on fasts, Ma'amados and Yom Kipur.

(Gemara) Inference: We learn three things from [our Mishnah] - we fast at Ma'amados (if not, we would not have Birkas Kohanim at Minchah, lest a Kohen be drunk), and we pray four Tefilos (at all three times), and there is no Birkas Kohanim at night, only during the day. (If not, we would have five times in a day.)

Question: [What is the source that we pray four Tefilos? Perhaps] he gives Birkas Kohanim without Tefilah!

Answer: We find Tefilah without Birkas Kohanim, but we do not find Birkas Kohanim without Tefilah.

(Beraisa): This is R. Meir's opinion. (R. Yosi holds that there is no Birkas Kohanim at Minchah, and R. Yehudah holds that also Ne'ilah does not have Birkas Kohanim.

(R. Ze'irah citing R. Yochanan): In Eruvin (R. Meir requires both Eruvei Chatzeros and Shituf in the Mavuy) and [Birkas Kohanim on a] Ta'anis Tzibur, everyone conducts like R. Meir

(R. Yakov bar Acha citing R. Yochanan): Also regarding Megilas Esther everyone conducts like R. Meir [who requires reading the entire Megilah].

(R. Ze'irah citing R. Chiyah citing R. Yehoshua ben Levi citing Bar Padyah): Why did the Torah write Parshas Nazir next to Birkas Kohanim? This teaches that just like a Nazir is forbidden wine, also [one who will give] Birkas Kohanim is forbidden wine.

Question: Just like a Nazir is forbidden grape pits and peels, also [one who will give] Birkas Kohanim should be forbidden grape pits and peels!

R. Yonah: Yeshu'a bar Gezurah and R. Ze'irah - one of them learns [that one who will give Birkas Kohanim is forbidden wine] from Nazir, and one of them learns from Avodah [in the Mikdash]. I do not know who learns from Nazir, and learns from Avodah.

The one who learns from Nazir, just like a Nazir is forbidden grape pits and peels, also [one who will give] Birkas Kohanim is forbidden grape pits and peels. The one who learns from Avodah, just like a Ba'al Mum may not do Avodah, a Ba'al Mum may not give Birkas Kohanim.

Question (Beraisa): If [a Ba'al Mum] was regular (known) in his city, he may [give Birkas Kohanim. If a Hekesh forbids, this is even if he is known!]

This is like R. Naftali. His finger was crooked. He asked R. Mana [whether or not he may give Birkas Kohanim]. He said, since you are known in your city, it is permitted.

R. Chunah prevented [from giving Birkas Kohanim] one whose eyes constantly shed tears.

Question (Beraisa): If [a Ba'al Mum] was known in is city, he is permitted!

Answer (R. Mana): His legs were short. [R. Chunah] prevented him lest people say that a minor gives Birkas Kohanim.

Inference (R. Yosah): (A Mishnah (Megilah 4:8) says that one whose hands are dyed may not give Birkas Kohanim, because people look at him.) This teaches that one may not look at Kohanim when they bless. (Starting with R. Chunah, we explained like SHA'AREI TORAS ERETZ YISRAEL.)

R. Chagai: They forbade looking [at Kohanim when they bless] lest one divert his mind from the Brachah. Moshe (i.e. R. Yosah, you are the greatest in our generation, like Moshe) - I can look and not divert my mind!

What is the source for Birkas Kohanim? "Ko Sevarchu Es Bnei Yisrael.''

This teaches about Shacharis (blessing once a day. What is the source at) Musaf? "Va'Yisa Aharon Es Yadav El ha'Am'' (this is written after offering other Korbanos of the day).

Implied question: This verse is out of order! It should have said rather "va'Yered ha'Chatas veha'Olah veha'Shelamim'', and afterwards "va'Yisa Aharon Es Yadav...'' (Why is va'Yisa... written first in the verse?)

Answer: Rather, this teaches that when he descended from the Mizbe'ach, he lifted his hands. "Va'Yvarchem'' - [he blessed them] while standing.

Suggestion: Perhaps [Birkas Kohanim] is not [necessarily] while standing!

Rejection: "Ki Vam Bachar Hash-m Elokecha Lesharso u'Levarech bi'Shmo'' equates Brachah to Sherus (Avodah). Just like Sherus is while standing, also Brachah is while standing.

Support: It says "va'Yakumu ha'Kohanim ha'Leviyim vi'Varchu Es ha'Am [va'Yishama b'Kolam]...''

The verse [va'Yishama b'Kolam] discusses the generation of Chizkiyah, that they exerted in Torah. However, later generations, which served idolatry, it says about them "uv'Farsechem Kapeichem Alim Einai Mikem.''

"Va'Yvarchem'' - an unspecified Brachah. We do not know which Brachah it is, until the Torah specified "Yevarechecha Hash-m v'Yishmerecha; Ya'er Hash-m Panav Elecha vi'Chunecha; Yisa Hash-m Panav Elecha v'Yasem Lecha Shalom.''

Question: What is the source [for Tefilas] Ne'ilah? (The other Tefilos correspond to Korbanos.)

Answer (R. Levi): "Gam Ki Sarbu Tefilah Eineni Shome'a'' - this teaches that [normally, e.g. without this decree], anyone who prays much is answered.

Contradiction: R. Levi taught oppositely elsewhere! There, R. Aba brei d'R. Papi cited R. Yehoshua of Sichni citing R. Levi to say "b'Chol Etzev Yihyeh Mosar u'Dvar Sefasayim Ach l'Machsor'' - since Chanah prayed at length, this shortened Shmuel's life;

[She said] "v'Yashav Sham Ad Olam.'' (She said this to her husband; she explained what she vowed in her Tefilah - OHR LI'YESHARIM.)

Question: The "Olam'' of a Levi is 50 years - "umi'Ben Chamishim Shanah Yashuv mi'Tzva ha'Avodah'', and [Shmuel] lived to be 52!

Answer (R. Yosi bei R. Bun): [He nursed for] two [years] and she weaned him [and brought him to the Mishkan, and he lived 50 years from then].

Summation of Contradiction: [There, R. Levi said that it is not good to pray much], and here he says so [that anyone who prays much is answered]!

Resolution: This refers to an individual (one should not pray much), and this refers to a Tzibur (through much prayer, they are answered).

(R. Chiyah citing R. Yochanan citing R. Shimon ben Chalfusa citing R. Meir): "V'Hayah Ki Hirbesah Lehispalel'' - this teaches that anyone who prays much is answered.

Question: Until when is Tefilas Ne'ilah?

Answer (Rabanan of Kisarin): Rav and R. Yochanan argue about this. Rav said that it is locking of gates of Shamayim. R. Yochanan said that it is locking of gates of the Heichal.

(R. Yudan Antundriya): Our Mishnah supports R. Yochanan! At three times, Kohanim lift their hands four times in a day - at Shacharis, Musaf, Minchah and Ne'ilas Sha'arim. Can you say that Ne'ilas Sha'arei Shamayim is during the day?! (Birkas Kohanim is only during the day. SHE'ELAS YA'AVETZ (1:51) says that Rav holds that the Hekesh of Brachah to Avodah is a mere Asmachta; it is only for what it was taught (to forbid drinking wine beforehand). Also, Avodah of the day we may finish it at night; likewise, even if Ne'ilah finishes at night, it is considered a Tefilah of the day.)

The brother of Rav Ada's father would guard Rav's Talis on Yom Kipur. [Rav] told him, when you see the sun at the top of the date trees, bring to me my Talis, to pray Ne'ilas Sha'arim.

Question: Rav contradicts himself! There he says that [that the time is at] Ne'ilas Sha'arei Shamayim, and here he says [before sunset, i.e.] Ne'ilas Sha'arei Heichal!

Resolution (R. Matanyah): Since he used to pray at great length, it lasted until close to Ne'ilas Sha'arei Shamayim.

Question: Can Ne'ilah exempt [one from praying Ma'ariv, i.e. the Tefilah] of the night?

Answer (R. Ba citing R. Chunah citing Rav): Ne'ilah exempts Ma'ariv.

Question #1 (R. Ba, to R. Chunah): Where does he mention Havdalah [in Ne'ilah]?!

Question #2 (R. Yonah, to R. Ba): [How can Rav say that Ne'ilah, which has only] seven [Brachos], exempts [Ma'ariv of Motza'ei Yom Kipur, which has] 18?

R. Ba: Was [Rav] not already refuted [through my question? Why do you need to ask another question?]

R. Yonah: Due to [your seeming] refutation, [are Rav's words] Batel?! (Perhaps one can answer your question. Therefore, I need to ask my question!)

Answer (to Question #2 - R. Yosah): R. Ba's question is a proper question, but R. Yonah's question is not difficult. [Chachamim] were lenient for one due to his fast (he is in pain, and needs to eat) to say that seven [Brachos] exempt [the need to say] 18.

(R. Ba bar Mamal, to Talmidim): From all my Rebbeyim, I heard that Ne'ilah does not exempt Ma'ariv.

(R. Simon citing R. Levi): Ne'ilah does not exempt Ma'ariv.

Support (R. Yosi bei R. Bun): R. Chiyah taught so, that every day one prays 18 [Brachos] - on Motza'ei Shabbos, Motza'ei Yom Kipur and Motza'ei Ta'anis Tzibur. (This shows that Ne'ilah does not exempt Ma'ariv.)

(R. Yitzchak bar Nachman citing R. Yehoshua ben Levi): If Yom Kipur falls on Shabbos, even though there is no Ne'ilah on [a regular] Shabbos, he mentions Shabbos in Ne'ilah.

(R. Simon citing R. Yehoshua ben Levi): Shabbos that falls during Chanukah, even though there is no Musaf on [a regular day of] Chanukah, he mentions Chanukah in Musaf.

They added to this - Rosh Chodesh that falls on a Ta'anis, even though there is no Ne'ilah on Rosh Chodesh, he mentions Rosh Chodesh in Ne'ilah.

Question: When Rosh Chodesh is a Ta'anis, where does [the Shali'ach Tzibur] mention the fast in Musaf? (An individual mentions it in Avodah, like all requests for the future.)

Answer #1 (R. Ze'irah): [He mentions it] in Hoda'ah (Modim).

Answer #2 (R. Ba bar Mamal): [He mentions it] in Avodah (Retzei).

Answer #3 (R. Avina): He says it for [a Brachah by itself, i.e.] the fourth Brachah.

Support (R. Ba): We find that everywhere, he says it for the fourth Brachah (i.e. by itself; "fourth'' is not precise), also here it is the fourth Brachah. (We explained the question and answers like the Ritva, Bavli 13b DH Adberei).

[They concluded that] in practice, we do like R. Ba.

Question: What do we read [in the Torah on a fast on Rosh Chodesh]?

Answer #1 (R. Yosi): We read the Brachos and curses [in Ki Savo].

Question (R. Mana): Is this in order to inform them that it is a fast?! They fall on their faces (in Tachanun, when a fast is on Rosh Chodesh), and they do not know that it is a fast [so we must read Brachos and curses to inform them]?!

Answer (R. Yosi): [It is not to inform them that it is a fast. I came] to inform you that [the proper Kri'as ha'Torah is] Brachos and curses. (We explained this like PNEI MOSHE.)

Answer #2 (R. Yudan Kapudkiya citing R. Yudah bar Pazi, in front of R. Yosi): They read [the normal reading for] Rosh Chodesh.

R. Yosah (to R. Yudah bar Pazi): Did you hear this from your father?

R. Yudah bar Pazi: My father said so only in Einei Tav (where they are Mekadesh Rosh Chodesh), they know [Vadai] that it is Rosh Chodesh, they read of Rosh Chodesh [to publicize the matter]. All other places read Brachos and curses.

Question (Yirmeyah Safra to R. Yirmeyah): When Rosh Chodesh is on Shabbos, what do we read? (A Mishnah in Megilah says that we interrupt. Does this refer to Kri'as ha'Torah, or the Haftorah?)

Answer (R. Yirmeyah): We read [all seven Aliyos in Parshas Musaf] Rosh Chodesh.

Support - R. Chelbo (to R. Imi - Mishnah): We interrupt for everything - for Rosh Chodesh, Chanukah, Purim, Ta'anis and Ma'amados.

Question (Yitzchak Sechorah, to R. Yitzchak): When Rosh Chodesh is on Chanukah, what do we read?

Answer #1 (R. Yitzchak): Three read in Rosh Chodesh, and one reads in [Chanukas ha'Mizbe'ach, for] Chanukah.

Answer #2 (R. Pinchas citing R. Simon citing R. Aba bar Zamina, and some say in the name of Rav Avodima of Chaifah): Three read in Chanukah and one reads in Rosh Chodesh, to inform that the fourth reads only due to Rosh Chodesh.

Question (Bar Shalmiya Safra, to R. Mana): Exert yourself [and you will find the answer]! If Rosh Chodesh of Chanukah fell on Shabbos, don't seven read? Can you say that the fourth comes only due to Rosh Chodesh?! (There is no way to inform people of this. Likewise, we need not inform them when it falls on a weekday!)

R. Mana: This is a question about which there is a great Safek!

Rebbi commanded Avdan his translator (who broadcasted Rebbi's words) to announce in front of the Tzibur that one who wants to pray Ma'ariv may pray during the day.

R. Chiya bar Ba commanded his translator to announce in front of them that one who wants to pray Ma'ariv may pray during the day.

R. Chaninah: R. Yishmael bei Rebbi Yosi took me to an inn, and told me "here my father prayed Ma'ariv of Shabbos [during the day] on Erev Shabbos.''

R. Imi: R. Yochanan disagrees. (He holds that one may not do so.)

Objection #1: He should not disagree, for we add from Chol to Kodesh (accept Kedushas Shabbos before Shabbos)!

Objection #2: Donkey-drivers came from Arev to Tziporin, and said that R. Chanina ben Dosa already accepted Shabbos [and prayed Ma'ariv] in his city. (One may accept Shabbos early, for elsewhere it is already dark.)

Retraction: What [did R. Yochanan disagree about]? R. Chaninah said that R. Yishmael bei Rebbi Yosi took me to an inn, and told me "here my father prayed [Ma'ariv] of Motza'ei Shabbos on Shabbos.''

Objection: Even about this [R. Yochanan] should not disagree, for Rebbi commanded Avdan his translator to announce in front of them that one who wants to pray Ma'ariv may pray during the day, and R. Chiya bar Ba commanded his translator to announce in front of them that one who wants to pray Ma'ariv may pray during the day!

The house of R. Yanai says, if a person went to his bed [to sleep and he did not pray Ma'ariv], we do not exert him to descend [and pray, for Ma'ariv is optional].

R. Ze'irah: Every time I did so (did not pray Ma'ariv, for I already went to my bed) I was afraid the entire night.

[If you want to go to sleep before night,] you should do only like Rebbi commanded Avdan his translator to announce in front of them, that one who wants to pray Ma'ariv may pray during the day. R. Chiya bar Ba commanded his translator to announce in front of them that one who wants to pray Ma'ariv may pray during the day.

(R. Yakov bar Acha): It was taught there, what is [the status of] Tefilas Ma'ariv? R. Gamliel says that it is obligatory, and R. Yehoshua says that it is optional.

(R. Chinena): These Tana'im argue like those Tana'im argue. The one who says that Ma'ariv is obligatory holds that Ne'ilah does not exempt Ma'ariv. The one who says that Ma'ariv is optional holds that Ne'ilah exempts Ma'ariv.

A case occurred in which a Talmid asked R. Yehoshua about Ma'ariv, and he said that it is Reshus. He came and asked R. Gamliel, who said that it is Chovah.

The Talmid: R. Yehoshua told me that it is Reshus!

R. Gamliel: Tomorrow, when I enter the Beis Midrash, stand and ask this Halachah. The Talmid asked R. Gamliel "what is Ma'ariv'', and he said "it is Chovah.''

The Talmid: R. Yehoshua says that it is Reshus!

R. Gamliel (to R. Yehoshua): Do you say that it is Reshus? He said "no.'' R. Gamliel said, stand up, and they will testify about you (what you said)!

R. Gamliel was sitting and expounding, and R. Yehoshua was standing, until everyone was murmuring. (Some Chachamim decided to depose R. Gamliel, but not in public.) They told Chutzpis the translator [to stop,] to make people leave. They told Zunin the overseer [of the Beis ha'Keneses] to say "begin to leave.'' He said, and they began [leaving].

Everyone stood up and said to [R. Gamliel] "Ki Al Mi Lo Avrah Ra'ascha Tamid'' (you constantly disgrace Chachamim)?!

Immediately they went and appointed R. Elazar ben Azaryah [to head] the Yeshivah. He was 16 years old, and his entire head became full of white hairs.

R. Akiva sat and was pained [that he was not appointed, He thought, perhaps there is a shortcoming in me! He retracted and] he said it is not that he is a greater Chacham than me, rather, he descends from Gedolim more than I. Fortunate is one whose ancestors merited for him! Fortunate is one who has a peg to hang from!

What was the peg of R. Elazar ben Azaryah? He was a 10th generation descendant of Ezra.

Question: How many benches were [added to accommodate the additional Talmidim] there? (R. Gamliel did not allow Talmidim to enter until they were investigated. R. Elazar ben Azaryah allowed Talmidim to enter without investigation.)

Answer #1 (R. Yakov bar Sisi): There were 80 benches of Talmidei Chachamim there, excluding those who stood in back of the fence.

Answer #2 (R. Yosi bei R. Bun): There were 300 benches of Talmidei Chachamim there, excluding those who stood in back of the fence.

This is like it was taught "on the day that they appointed R. Elazar ben Azaryah [to head] the Yeshivah.''

Question: A Mishnah teaches "R. Elazar ben Azaryah expounded this Drashah in front of Chachamim in Kerem b'Yavneh.'' Was it a vineyard?!

Answer: Rather, these are Talmidei Chachamim, who were in rows like a vineyard.

Immediately, R. Gamliel went to everyone in [that person's] house to appease him. He came to R. Yehoshua, and found him making needles. He said, from this you support yourself?!

R. Yehoshua: Until now, you did not know [how Chachamim support themselves with pain]?! Woe to the generation that you are its leader!

R. Gamliel: I spoke against you [more than was proper. Pardon me.]

They sent to R. Elazar ben Azaryah a launderer, and some say that it was R. Akiva. He said to [R. Elazar], one who is a Mazeh (a Kohen, who sprinkles Mei Chatas) will sprinkle. One who is not a Mazeh, and not the son of a Mazeh, will he tell a Mazeh, the son of a Mazeh, your water is cave water, and your ashes are oven ashes (they are not Metaher?! I.e. those who deposed R. Gamliel have no connection to being Nasi. They had no authority to appoint you in place of him. Do not feel bad that he will return to be Nasi - MASA D'YERUSHALAYIM.)

[R. Elazar ben Azaryah] said to them, you are appeased? I and you will go to the door of R. Gamliel (to reinstate him).

Even so, they did not [totally] remove [R. Elazar ben Azaryah] from his greatness. Rather, they appointed him Av Beis Din.