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If grapes are included in the shivas haminim requiring brachos acharonos, why does the Gemara (גמרא) need a separate derivation from neta revai? The shiur resolves this through a machlokes Rishonim: Rashbam holds that shivas haminim covers wine while neta revai teaches about grapes, while Rashi (רש"י) reverses this. This distinction affects whether brachos on grapes versus wine are Torah (תורה) or rabbinic obligations.
This shiur provides a detailed examination of Brachos 35a, focusing on the Gemara (גמרא)'s derivation of the obligation to make after-blessings (brachos acharonos) on grapes from the biblical laws of neta revai (fourth-year fruit plantings). The analysis begins with the Mishna's teaching about making brachos on vegetables and legumes, establishing two categories: kitniyos (legumes) and yerakos (greens). Rabbi Zweig explores the fundamental question of how we derive the obligation for brachos from the Torah (תורה), noting that while logic might dictate a bracha rishona (before eating), the requirement for bracha achrona (after eating) requires explicit textual derivation. The Gemara derives brachos acharonos from the Torah's discussion of neta revai, where the word 'hilulim' appears twice, interpreted as 'kodesh hilulim.' One instance teaches the procedural requirement to redeem the fruit before eating it (podin v'achar kach ochlin), while the second teaches the obligation for brachos. However, this creates a fundamental difficulty: if we already know from the shivas haminim passage ('v'achalta v'savata u'verachta') that there's a Torah obligation for brachos acharonos on grapes (as part of the seven species), why do we need an additional derivation from neta revai?
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Brachos 35a
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Should one learn Torah full-time trusting in Divine providence, or combine learning with work? The shiur distinguishes between Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai's approach of complete separation from worldly concerns versus Rabbi Shmuel's view that proper work itself becomes part of Torah. The key insight: true emunah means learning without demanding sustenance from either Hashem or community, unlike having a 'contract' expecting payment for learning.
