Study Berakhot folio 15B with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
Perhaps it is in accordance with the opinion of R' Yehuda, and although ab initio a deaf-mute may not read, after the fact his reading is valid?
The Talmud responds: This could not enter your mind, as it was taught: A deaf-mute, an imbecile, and a minor, in one phrase in our Mishnah; to teach that a deaf-mute is similar to an imbecile and a minor. Just as in the case of an imbecile and a minor, even after the fact, their reading is not val
The Talmud rejects this assertion based on their appearance in a common list: And perhaps this case is as it is and that case is as it is; although listed together, the circumstances of each case may be different, and no definite proof can be drawn from their juxtaposition.
The Talmud objects from a different perspective: And can you really establish that the first clause in the Mishnah is in accordance with the opinion of R' Yehuda? But from what was taught in the latter clause of the Mishnah: And R' Yehuda deems a minor fit to read the Megilla, this proves by inferen
The Talmud rejects this challenge as well: And perhaps the entire Mishnah is in accordance with the opinion of R' Yehuda, and there are two types of minors, and the Mishnah is incomplete and it teaches as follows: All are fit to read the Megilla except a deaf-mute, an imbecile, and a minor. In what