How do we perform zimmun? When there are three, he says: ‘‘Let us bless.’’ When there are three besides him, he says: ‘‘Bless.’’ When there are ten, he says: ‘‘Let us bless our God.’’ When there are ten besides him, he says: ‘‘Bless.’’ [It is all] one [formula] whether there are ten or ten myriads. When there are a hundred, he says: ‘‘Let us bless Hashem, our God.’’ When there are a hundred besides him, he says: ‘‘Bless.’’ When there are a thousand he says: ‘‘Let us bless Hashem our God, the God of Israel.’’ When there are a thousand besides him, he says: ‘‘Bless.’’ When there are ten thousand, he says: ‘‘Let us bless Hashem our God, the God of Israel, the Lord of Hosts, Who dwells by the Cherubim, for the food that we have eaten.’’ When there are ten thousand besides himself, he says: ‘‘Bless.’’ In the same manner in which he makes the blessing so do they respond after him: ‘‘Blessed is Hashem our God, the God of Israel, the Lord of Hosts, Who dwells by the Cherubim, for the food we have eaten.’’ R’ Yose HaGlili says: They recite the blessing in accordance with the size of the assemblage as it is stated (Psalms 68:27): ‘‘In assemblages, bless God, Hashem, from the source of Israel.’’ R’ Akiva says: What do we find in the synagogue? Whether many or few, he says: ‘‘Bless Hashem.’’ R’ Yishmael says: ‘‘Bless Hashem, the blessed One.’’

Three who ate together are not permitted to separate. And so too for four, and so too for five. Six may separate, up to ten. But ten may not separate, up to twenty.

[If] two groups were eating in one house: When some of them can see each other, they may combine for a collective blessing; but if not, these conduct a collective blessing by themselves, and these conduct a collective blessing by themselves. We do not recite a blessing over wine until water is added it; [these are] the words of R’ Eliezer. But the Sag-es say: We recite the blessing.

These are matters [of dispute] between Beis Shammai and Beis Hillel [with respect to] meals. Beis Shammai say: One recites the blessing over the [sanctity of] the day [first], and recites the blessing over the wine afterwards. But Beis Hillel say: One recites the blessing over the wine [first], and recites the blessing over [the sanctity of] the day after-wards.

Beis Shammai say: We wash [our] hands [first], and pour the cup [of wine] afterwards. But Beis Hillel say: We pour the cup [first], and wash [our] hands afterwards.

Beis Shammai say: He wipes his hands with the cloth and [then] places it on the table. But Beis Hillel say: On the cushion.

Beis Shammai say: We [first] sweep the house, and afterwards we wash [our] hands. But Beis Hillel say: We [first] wash [our] hands, and afterwards we clean the house.

Beis Shammai say: [The blessing over] the flame [is first, followed by] Bircas HaMazon, [the blessing over] fragrant spices, and [then] Havdalah. But Beis Hillel say: [The blessing over] the flame [is first, followed by the blessing over] fragrant spices, Bircas HaMazon, and [then] Havdalah. Beis Shammai say: [The blessing is worded] ‘‘. . . Who created the illumination of fire.’’ But Beis Hillel say: [It is worded] ‘‘. . . Who creates the illuminations of fire.’’

We do not recite the blessings over the flame or over the fragrant spices of idolaters, nor over the flame or fragrant spices of the dead, nor over the flame or fragrant spices [placed] before an idol. We do not recite the blessing over the flame until benefit is derived from its light.

One who ate, and forgot and did not recite Bircas HaMazon, Beis Shammai say: He should return to his place and recite Bircas HaMazon. But Beis Hillel say: He may recite Bircas HaMazon in the place where he remembered. Until when can he recite Bircas HaMazon? Until the food in his stomach has been digested.

[If] wine was brought to them after the meal, and there is no other [wine] there but that cup, Beis Shammai say: He [first] recites the blessing over the wine, and then recites Bircas HaMazon afterwards. But Beis Hillel say: He [first] recites Bircas HaMazon for the food, and then recites the blessing over the wine afterwards. One answers ‘‘Amen’’ after the blessing of an Israelite, but one does not answer ‘‘Amen’’ after the blessing of a Cuthean unless he hears the entire blessing.

[If] one sees a place where miracles were performed on behalf of Israel, he says: ‘‘Blessed . . . Who performed miracles for our forefathers at this place.’’ [If one sees] a place from which idolatry was uprooted, he says: ‘‘Blessed . . . Who uprooted idolatry from our land.’’

Upon [seeing] meteors, and earthquakes, and lightning, and thunder, and tempests one says: ‘‘Blessed . . . Whose strength and might fill the world.’’ Upon [seeing] mountains, and hills, and seas, and rivers, and deserts, one says: ‘‘Blessed . . . Who makes the work of Creation.’’ R’ Yehudah says: [If] one sees the Great Sea he says: ‘‘Blessed . . . Who made the Great Sea.’’ [But only] when he sees it at intervals. On rains and on [hearing] good tidings, one says: ‘‘Blessed . . . Who is good and does good.’’ And on [hearing] bad tidings, one says: ‘‘Blessed . . . the true Judge.’’