Berachos 1:5 - 2:1

מזכירין יציאת מצרים בלילות – The section of Tzizit (Ritual Fringes – the third paragraph of the Shema: Numbers 15:37-41) is said during the Recitation of the Shema at night, and even though the night time is not the time [for the wearing of] Tzizit, as it says, “look at it (and recall all the commandments of the LORD and observe them…)” to the exclusion of nighttime clothing, we recite it (Numbers 15:37-41) at night because of [the mention of] the Exodus of Egypt which is in it.

כבן שבעים שנה – as I appeared old and not actually old, but because [the locks of] his hair had turned white on the day when he was appointed to be the Nasi/head of [the Sanhedrin] in order that he would look “old” and appropriate for the “presidency.” And on that self-same day, Ben Zoma expounded upon this Biblical verse.

ולא זכיתי – I did win over by Sages and similar to this in the Talmud [is the episode] found in the chapter “B’not Kuttim” (chapter four of Tractate Niddah 38b), in that Rabbi Eleazar defeated the Rabbis, that is to say, he won out against them.

היה קורא בתורה – The portion(s) of the Shema (i.e. Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Deuteronomy 11:13-21 and/or Numbers 15:37-41) [from the Torah scroll].

והגיע זמן – [the time for the] recitation of the Shema [had arrived].

אם כיון לבו יצא – According the words of [the opinion] which states: [The performance of] the commandments requires spiritual intentionality, one must explain if he indeed intended that to fulfill his religious obligation . [And according to the opinion] which states that [the performance of] the commandments does not require spiritual intentionality, he explains – if he intended to read as it is properly pronounced and according to Jewish law, excluding someone who reads to correct/amend the text – who is not reading the words as they are pronounced, but rather reading them as they are written to understand those things which are missing or additional, for in such a reading, one does not fulfill one’s religious obligation. And we hold like the opinion that teaches that [the performance of] the commandments requires religious intentionality (see Tractate Rosh Hashanah, Chapter 3, Mishnah 7 concerning the sounding of the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah and the reading of Megillat Esther on Purim which also deals with the question of “spiritual intentionality”).

בפרקים –Further on, our Mishnah will explain what is meant by the term הפרקים/intervals.

שואל מפני הכבוד – Ask of the welfare of someone who is honored and [for whom] it is appropriate to extend a greeting [first] – such as one’s father or one’s teacher or someone’s whose wisdom is greater than yours.

ומשיב – And we do not have to say [that he may respond] to them if they greet you first.

ובאמצע – [in the middle] of the chapter/section.

שואל מפני היראה – A person whom one fears lest he may kill you, and surely you don’t have to say, that you may respond to a peaceful greeting [from him] but not out of one’s honor for that individual.

רבי יהודה אומר באמצע – In the middle of the chapter/section, one may ask of the welfare of someone one fears, and respond peacefully to anyone whom one must [demonstrate] honor/respect.

ומשיב שלום לכל אדם – If he greeted you first, and the law follows like Rabbi Yehuda and in all matters where it is prohibited to interrupt, so it Is also forbidden to speak in Hebrew as it would be in other languages.