Study Rosh Hashanah folio 29B with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
Text Excerpt
ברכת הלחם של מצה, וברכת היין של קידוש היום, מהו? כיון דחובה הוא — מפיק, או דלמא: ברכה לאו חובה היא.
With regard to the blessing over bread that is recited before eating matza at the Passover seder and the blessing over wine recited as part of the sanctification of the day of Shabbat or a Festival, what is the halakha? The Talmud analyzes the question: Do we say that since there is an obligation to recite these blessings due to the mitzva involved, therefore one can discharge the obligation for others, even if he himself has already fulfilled his obligation? Or perhaps we say that the blessing itself is not an obligation, but rather the obligation lies in the eating and drinking, and the blessing is recited over one’s physical enjoyment; therefore, if he already fulfilled his own obligation, he cannot recite the blessing for others, as he derives no pleasure at this time.
תא שמע, דאמר רב אשי: כי הוינן בי רב פפי, הוה מקדש לן. וכי הוה אתי אריסיה מדברא, הוה מקדש להו.
The Talmud answers: Come and hear an answer to this question from what Rav Ashi said: When we were studying in the school of Rav Pappi, he would recite kiddush for us, and when his tenants would arrive from the field he would recite kiddush once again on their behalf. Therefore, it is clear that one may recite kiddush on behalf of others, including the blessing that is recited over the wine, even if he himself has already fulfilled his own obligation.
תנו רבנן: לא יפרוס אדם פרוסה לאורחין אלא אם כן אוכל עמהם, אבל פורס הוא לבניו ולבני ביתו כדי לחנכן במצות. ובהלל ובמגילה, אף על פי שיצא — מוציא.
A baraita states: One should not break bread and recite a blessing for guests unless he is eating with them, so that he is obligated to recite a blessing for himself. But he may break bread for his children and for the other members of his household and recite the blessing, in order to educate them to perform the mitzvot, so that they know how to recite a blessing. And with regard to hallel and the Scroll of Esther, the halakha is that even if he already fulfilled his obligation, he can still discharge the obligation of others.