Translation:Mishnah/Seder Zeraim/Tractate Berakhot/Chapter 1/1/Translation

From when may one recite the Shema in the evening?

From the time when the kohanim go in to eat their terumah.

Until the end of the first watch – the words of Rabbi Eliezer.

And the [other] Sages say: Until midnight.

Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the break of dawn.

It once happened that [Rabban Gamaliel’s] sons came from a house of feasting.

They said to [Rabban Gamaliel]: "We have not recited the Shema."

He said to them: "If dawn has not broken, you are obligated to recite it."

“[This is true] not only in this case; rather, in all cases where the Sages said that [some precept can be performed only] until midnight — the precept is [still in force] until the break of dawn.

“[For example:] Burning the fats and organs [of the sacrifices, on the Temple altar] — this precept [can be performed] until the break of dawn.

“[Another example:] All [sacrifices] which may be eaten for one day — the precept [of eating them can be performed] until the break of dawn.

If that is so, why did the Sages say, "until midnight"?

To distance a person from transgression.