Study Berakhot folio 32B with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
Text Excerpt
אמר רבי אלעזר: גדולה תפלה יותר ממעשים טובים, שאין לך גדול במעשים טובים יותר ממשה רבינו, אף על פי כן לא נענה אלא בתפלה. שנאמר: ״אל תוסף דבר אלי״ וסמיך ליה: ״עלה ראש הפסגה״.
R' Elazar said: This story proves that prayer is greater than good deeds without prayer (Tosafot), as there was none greater in the performance of good deeds than Moses our teacher; nevertheless, his request was granted, albeit in a limited manner, in his request to enter Eretz Yisrael, only through prayer, when God permitted him to climb the mountain and look out over the land. As, initially it is stated: “Speak no more to Me,” juxtaposed to which is: “Go up to the summit of the mountain.”
ואמר רבי אלעזר: גדולה תענית יותר מן הצדקה. מאי טעמא — זה בגופו, וזה בממונו.
After comparing and contrasting prayer and good deeds, the Talmud explores another comparison. R' Elazar said: A fast is greater than charity. What is the reason that fasting is greater? Because a fast is a mitzva performed with one’s body as he afflicts himself, while charity is performed only with one’s money.
ואמר רבי אלעזר: גדולה תפלה יותר מן הקרבנות, שנאמר ״למה לי רב זבחיכם״, וכתיב: ״ובפרשכם כפיכם״.
In another comparison, R' Elazar said: Prayer is greater than sacrifices, as it is stated: “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me, says YHWH. I am full of the burnt-offerings of rams and the fat of fed animals; I do not desire the blood of bulls and sheep and goats” (Isaiah 1:11). And several verses later it is written: “And when you spread forth your hands I will hide My eyes from you, and even if you increase your prayer, I will not hear; your hands are full of blood” (Isaiah 1:15). Not only Israel’s sacrifices, but even their prayers, which are on a higher spiritual level, will not be accepted.