Workers may recite [the Shema] on top of a tree or on top of a wall, which they are not permitted to do with regard to prayer.

A bridegroom is exempt from the Shema recital on the first night [of his marriage] until [the night following] the departure of the [ensuing] Sabbath, if he did not [yet] perform the act [of consummating the marriage]. It happened that Rabban Gamliel recited [the Shema] on the first night [after] he married. His students said to him: Did you not teach us, our master, that a bridegroom is exempt from the Shema recital on the first night [of his marriage]? He said to them: I will not listen to you to abrogate from myself [the acceptance of the sovereignty of] the kingdom of heaven for even one moment.

[Rabban Gamliel] washed on the first night that his wife died. His students said to him: Did you not teach us, our master, that a mourner is forbidden to wash? He said to them: I am not like all other people; I am a delicate individual.

And when Tavi his slave died, he accepted condolences for him. His students said to him: Did you not teach us, our master, that we do not accept condolences for slaves? He said to them: Tavi my slave is not like all other slaves; he was a worthy [person].