The Tractate Berakoth ('Benedictions') consists of nine chapters of which only the last four are concerned with benedictions proper. The first three contain the rules for the recital of the shema' (Chapter one, Chapter two, Chapter three), the next two those for the recital of the tefillah (Chapter four, Chapter five). The Tractate first lays down the hours within which the shema' must be recited first in the evening and then in the morning - preferably...