Today in Judaism: Today is: Monday, Adar I 10, 5774 · February 10, 2014 & Today is: Tuesday, Adar I 11, 5774 · February 11, 2014
Daily Quote:
In these times, we are allowed and duty-bound to reveal this wisdom--Rabbi Isaac Luria ("The Ari" 1534-1572) regarding the "secrets of the Torah"--the Kabbalah
Daily Quote:
You shall have no other gods before Me.--Exodus 20:3
Daily Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Ki Tisa, 2nd Portion Exodus 31:18-33:11 with Rashi
• Chapter 31
18. When He had finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses the two tablets of the testimony, stone tablets, written with the finger of God. יח. וַיִּתֵּן אֶל משֶׁה כְּכַלֹּתוֹ לְדַבֵּר אִתּוֹ בְּהַר סִינַי שְׁנֵי לֻחֹת הָעֵדֻת לֻחֹת אֶבֶן כְּתֻבִים בְּאֶצְבַּע אֱלֹהִים:
He gave Moses: In the Torah, chronological order is not adhered to. The episode of the calf took place long before the command of the work of the Mishkan. For on the seventeenth of Tammuz the tablets were broken, and on Yom Kippur the Holy One, blessed is He, was reconciled to Israel. On the morrow [i.e., on the eleventh of Tishri], they commenced with the donation for the Mishkan, and it [the Mishkan] was erected on the first of Nissan. -[from Midrash Tanchuma, Ki Thissa 31]
ויתן אל משה וגו': אין מוקדם ומאוחר בתורה. מעשה העגל קודם לצווי מלאכת המשכן ימים רבים היה, שהרי בשבעה עשר בתמוז נשתברו הלוחות, וביום הכפורים נתרצה הקב"ה לישראל, ולמחרת התחילו בנדבת המשכן והוקם באחד בניסן:
When He had finished: Heb. כְּכַלֹתוֹ. [This word should be spelled כְּכַלּוֹתוֹ. Here, however,] it is spelled defectively [without the first “vav”], as if to be read: כְּכַלָּתוֹ, [meaning] like his bride, for the Torah was delivered to him [Moses] as a gift, as a bride [is given] to a bridegroom, because [otherwise] he could not have learnt it all in such a short time (Tanchuma, Ki Thissa 18). Another explanation: Just as a bride is adorned with twenty-four ornaments [i.e.,] the ones listed in the book of Isaiah (3:18-22), so too must a Torah scholar be adorned with the twenty-four books [of the Scriptures, i.e., possess the knowledge of the entire Scriptures] (Tanchuma, Ki Thissa 16).
ככלתו: ככלתו כתיב חסר, שנמסרה לו תורה במתנה ככלה לחתן, שלא היה יכול ללמוד כולה בזמן מועט כזה. דבר אחר מה כלה מתקשטת בעשרים וארבעה קשוטין, הן האמורים בספר ישעיה (ישעיה ג יח - כד) אף תלמיד חכם צריך להיות בקי בעשרים וארבעה ספרים:
speaking with him: the statutes and the ordinances in the section entitled: “And these are the ordinances” (Exod. 21-23) [i.e., in parshath Mishpatim].
לדבר אתו: החקים והמשפטים שבואלה המשפטים:
speaking with him: [The word “with”] teaches [us] that Moses would hear [the laws] from God and then they would both repeat the halachah together. -[from Exod. Rabbah 41:5]
לדבר אתו: מלמד שהיה משה שומע מפי הגבורה וחוזרין ושונין את ההלכה שניהם יחד:
tablets: Heb. לֻחֹת. It is spelled לֻחֹת [without the “vav” of the plural, as if to be read לֻחַת, the singular form,] because they were both the same [size]. -[from Exod. Rabbah 41:6]
לחת: לחת כתיב שהיו שתיהם שוות:
Chapter 32
1. When the people saw that Moses was late in coming down from the mountain, the people gathered against Aaron, and they said to him: "Come on! Make us gods that will go before us, because this man Moses, who brought us up from the land of Egypt we don't know what has become of him." א. וַיַּרְא הָעָם כִּי בשֵׁשׁ משֶׁה לָרֶדֶת מִן הָהָר וַיִּקָּהֵל הָעָם עַל אַהֲרֹן וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֵלָיו קוּם | עֲשֵׂה לָנוּ אֱלֹהִים אֲשֶׁר יֵלְכוּ לְפָנֵינוּ כִּי זֶה | משֶׁה הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר הֶעֱלָנוּ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם לֹא יָדַעְנוּ מֶה הָיָה לוֹ:
that Moses was late: Heb. בשֵׁשׁ, as the Targum [Onkelos] renders אוֹחַר, an expression for lateness. Likewise, [in the verse] “is his chariot late (בֹּשֵׁשׁ) ” (Jud. 5:28); “and they waited until it was late (בּוֹשׁ) ” (Jud. 3:25). When Moses went up the mountain, he said to them [the Israelites], “At the end of forty days I will come, within six hours” [from sunrise of the fortieth day]. They thought that the day he went up was included in the number [of the forty days], but [in fact] he had said to them, “forty days,” [meaning] complete [days], including the night. But the day of his ascent did not have its night included with it [because Moses ascended in the morning], for on the seventh of Sivan he ascended. Thus, the fortieth day [of Moses’ absence] was the seventeenth of Tammuz. On the sixteenth [of Tammuz], Satan came and brought confusion into the world and showed a semblance of darkness, [even] pitch darkness, and confusion, [as if] indicating [that] Moses had surely died and therefore, confusion had come upon the world. He [Satan] said to them, “Moses has died, for six [additional] hours have already passed, and he has not come, etc.,” as is found in tractate Shabbath (89a). We cannot say that their [the Israelites’] only error was that on a cloudy day [they were confused] between before noon and after noon, because Moses did not descend until the next day, as it is said: “On the next day, they arose early, offered up burnt offerings…” (verse 6).
כי בשש משה: כתרגומו, לשון איחור, וכן בשש רכבו, (שופטים ה כח), ויחילו עד בוש (שם ג כה) כי כשעלה משה להר אמר להם לסוף ארבעים יום אני בא בתוך שש שעות. כסבורים הם, שאותו יום שעלה מן המנין הוא, והוא אמר להם שלימים, ארבעים יום ולילו עמו, ויום עלייתו אין לילו עמו, שהרי בשבעה בסיון עלה, נמצא יום ארבעים בשבעה עשר בתמוז. בששה עשר בא השטן וערבב את העולם והראה דמות חשך ואפילה וערבוביא לומר ודאי מת משה, לכך בא ערבוביא לעולם. אמר להם מת משה, שכבר באו שש שעות ולא בא וכו', כדאיתא במסכת שבת (דף פט). ואי אפשר לומר שלא טעו אלא ביום המעונן בין קודם חצות בין לאחר חצות, שהרי לא ירד משה עד יום המחרת, שנאמר וישכימו ממחרת ויעלו עולות:
that will go before us: אִשֶׁר יֵלְכוּ לְפָנֵינוּ [The word יֵלְכוּ is in the plural form.] They desired many deities for themselves. -[from Sanh. 63a]
אשר ילכו לפנינו: אלהות הרבה איוו להם:
because this man Moses: Satan showed them something resembling Moses, being carried in the air, high above in the sky. -[from Shab. 89a, Midrash Tanchuma 19]
כי זה משה האיש: כמין דמות משה הראה להם השטן, שנושאים אותו באויר רקיע השמים:
who brought us up from the land of Egypt: And directed us the way we should go up [from Egypt]. Now we need gods who will go before us [instead of Moses].
אשר העלנו מארץ מצרים: והיה מורה לנו דרך, אשר נעלה בה, עתה צריכין אנו לאלהות, אשר ילכו לפנינו:
2. Aaron said to them, "Remove the golden earrings that are on the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters and bring them [those earrings] to me." ב. וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵהֶם אַהֲרֹן פָּרְקוּ נִזְמֵי הַזָּהָב אֲשֶׁר בְּאָזְנֵי נְשֵׁיכֶם בְּנֵיכֶם וּבְנֹתֵיכֶם וְהָבִיאוּ אֵלָי:
that are on the ears of your wives…: Aaron said to himself, “The women and children are fond of their jewelry. Perhaps the matter will be delayed, and in the meantime, Moses will arrive.” But they did not wait [for their wives and children to give them their earrings], and they took off their own [earrings]. -[from Midrash Tanchuma 21]
באזני נשיכם: אמר אהרן בלבו הנשים והילדים חסים על תכשיטיהן, שמא יתעכב הדבר, ובתוך כך יבא משה, והם לא המתינו ופרקו מעל עצמן:
Remove: Heb. פָּרְקוּ, an imperative expression, from the same root as פָּרֵק in the singular. [This is] like בָּרְכוּ, bless, [which is] from the same root as בָּרֵ.
פרקו: לשון צווי, מגזרת פרק ליחיד, כמו ברכו, מגזרת ברך:
3. And all the people stripped themselves of the golden earrings that were on their ears and brought them to Aaron. ג. וַיִּתְפָּרְקוּ כָּל הָעָם אֶת נִזְמֵי הַזָּהָב אֲשֶׁר בְּאָזְנֵיהֶם וַיָּבִיאוּ אֶל אַהֲרֹן:
stripped themselves: Heb. וַיִתְפָּרְקוּ, an expression [used for] unloading a burden. When they removed them [the earrings] from their ears, they were found to be unloaded of their earrings, descharyer in Old French [decharger in modern French], to unload.
ויתפרקו: לשון פריקת משא, כשנטלום מאזניהם נמצאו הם מפורקים מנזמיהם, דישקריי"ר בלעז (לפרוק):
of the golden earrings: Heb. אֶת-נִזְמֵי, like מִנַּזְמֵי, similar to “When I leave the city (אֶת-הָעִיר) ” (Exod. 9:29), [like] מִן-הָעִיר, [lit., when I go out of the city].
את נזמי: כמו מנזמי, כמו (שמות ט כט) כצאתי את העיר, מן העיר:
4. He took [them] from their hand[s], fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made it into a molten calf, upon which they said: "These are your gods, O Israel, who have brought you up from the land of Egypt!" ד. וַיִּקַּח מִיָּדָם וַיָּצַר אֹתוֹ בַּחֶרֶט וַיַּעֲשֵׂהוּ עֵגֶל מַסֵּכָה וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֵלֶּה אֱלֹהֶיךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר הֶעֱלוּךָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם:
fashioned it with an engraving tool: Heb. וַיָּצַר אֹתוֹ בַּחֶרֶט. This [clause] can be rendered in two ways: One is [that] וַיָָּצַר is an expression of tying, and בַּחֶרֶט is an expression meaning a kerchief, similar to “and the tablecloths and the purses (וְהַחִרִיטִים) ” (Isa. 3:22); “and he tied two talents of silver in two purses (חִרִטִים) ” (II Kings 5:23). The second [way of rendering it] is [that] וַיָּצַר is an expression meaning a form, and בַּחֶרֶט is the tool of the smiths, with which they cut out and engrave (חוֹרְטִין) forms in gold. [The tool is] like a scribe’s stylus, which engraves letters on tablets and wax-covered tablets, as “and inscribe on it with a common pen (בְּחֶרֶט אֱנוֹשׁ) ” (Isa. 8:1). This [second interpretation] is what Onkelos rendered: וְצַר יָתֵיהּ בְּזִיפָא, an expression of זִיוּף, a tool with which people engrave letters and designs, known in French as nielle, niello work. With it, signets are engraved.
ויצר אותו בחרט: יש לתרגמו בשני פנים האחד, ויצר לשון קשירה, בחרט לשון סודר, כמו (ישעיה ג כא) והמטפחות והחריטים, (מלכים ב ה כג) ויצר ככרים כסף בשני חריטים. והשני, ויצר לשון צורה, בחרט כלי אומנות הצורפין, שחורצין וחורטין בו צורות בזהב כעט סופר החורט אותיות בלוחות ופנקסין, כמו (ישעיה ח א) וכתוב עליו בחרט אנוש. וזהו שתרגם אונקלוס וצר יתיה בזיפא, לשון זיוף הוא כלי אומנות שחורצין בו בזהב אותיות ושקדים, שקורין בלעז ניאי"ל [תצריב שחור] ומזייפין על ידו חותמות:
a molten calf -: As soon as they had cast it into the fire of the crucible, the sorcerers of the mixed multitude who had gone up with them from Egypt came and made it with sorcery. [See commentary on Exod. 12:38.] Others say that Micah was there, who had emerged from the layer of the building where he had been crushed in Egypt. (Sanh. 101b). In his hand was a plate upon which Moses had inscribed “Ascend, O ox; ascend, O ox,” to [miraculously] bring up Joseph’s coffin from the Nile. They cast it [the plate] into the crucible, and the calf emerged. -[from Midrash Tanchuma 19]
עגל מסכה: כיון שהשליכו לכור, באו מכשפי ערב רב שעלו עמהם ממצרים ועשאוהו בכשפים ויש אומרים מיכה היה שם שיצא מתוך דמוסי בנין שנתמעך בו במצרים, והיה בידו שם, וטס שכתב בו משה עלה שור, עלה שור, להעלות ארונו של יוסף מתוך נילוס, והשליכו לתוך הכור ויצא העגל:
molten: Heb. מַסֵּכָה, an expression related to מַךְתֶּכֶת, metal, [both derived from roots meaning to pour]. Another interpretation: One hundred and twenty-five centenaria of gold were in it, like the gematria of מַסֵּכָה. 40= מ, 60= ס, 20= כ, 5= ה, totaling 125] -[from Midrash Tanchuma 19]
מסכה: לשון מתכת. דבר אחר מאה עשרים וחמשה קנטרין זהב היה בו, כגימטריא של מסכה:
These are your gods: But it does not say, “These are our gods.” -[from here [we learn] that the mixed multitude who had come up from Egypt were the ones who gathered against Aaron, and they were the ones who made it [the calf]. Afterwards, they caused the Israelites to stray after it. -[from Midrash Tanchuma 19]
אלה אלהיך: ולא נאמר אלה אלהינו, מכאן שערב רב שעלו ממצרים, הם שנקהלו על אהרן, והם שעשאוהו, ואחר כך הטעו את ישראל אחריו:
5. When Aaron saw [this], he built an altar in front of it, and Aaron proclaimed and said: "Tomorrow shall be a festival to the Lord." ה. וַיַּרְא אַהֲרֹן וַיִּבֶן מִזְבֵּחַ לְפָנָיו וַיִּקְרָא אַהֲרֹן וַיֹּאמַר חַג לַיהֹוָה מָחָר:
When Aaron saw: that it was alive, as it is said: “for the likeness of an ox eating grass” (Ps. 106:20), and he saw that Satan’s work had succeeded, and he had no words to stall them completely [i.e., to keep the Israelites from worshipping the calf, so then]
וירא אהרן: שהיה בו רוח חיים, שנאמר (תהלים קו כ) בתבנית שור אוכל עשב, וראה שהצליח מעשה שטן, ולא היה לו פה לדחותם לגמרי:
he built an altar: to stall them.
ויבן מזבח: לדחותם:
and said: “Tomorrow shall be a festival to the Lord.”: But [it will] not [be] today. Perhaps Moses would come before they would worship it. This is its simple meaning. Its midrashic meaning in Leviticus Rabbah (10:3) is [as follows]: Aaron saw many things. He saw his sister’s son Hur, who had reproved them [the Israelites], and they assassinated him. That is [the meaning of] וַיִּבֶן, [an expression of בִּינָה, understanding]. מִזְבֵּח לְפָנָיו [should be understood as if it were written] וַיִבֶן מִזָָּבוּחַ לְפָנָיו, [meaning] he understood from the slaughtered one in front of him. Moreover, he saw [the situation] and said, “Better I should be blamed and not they.” He also “saw” another thing and said, “If they build the altar [themselves], one will bring pebbles and [another] one will bring a stone. Thus, their work will be done all at once. Since I will build it, and I will neglect my work, in the meantime Moses will arrive.”
ויאמר חג לה' מחר: ולא היום, שמא יבא משה קודם שיעבדוהו, זהו פשוטו. ומדרשו בויקרא רבה (ה /י/, ג) דברים הרבה ראה אהרן, ראה חור בן אחותו, שהיה מוכיחם והרגוהו, וזהו ויבן מזבח לפניו - ויבן מזבוח לפניו. ועוד ראה ואמר מוטב שיתלה בי הסירחון ולא בהם, ועוד ראה ואמר אם הם בונים אותו המזבח, זה מביא צרור וזה מביא אבן, ונמצאת מלאכתן נעשית בבת אחת, מתוך שאני בונה אותו ומתעצל במלאכתי, בין כך ובין כך משה בא:
a festival to the Lord: In his heart, he meant Heaven. He was confident that Moses would come, and they would worship the Omnipresent. -[from Lev. Rabbah 10:3]
חג לה': בלבו היה לשמים, בטוח היה שיבא משה, ויעבדו את המקום:
6. On the next day they arose early, offered up burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings, and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and they got up to make merry. ו. וַיַּשְׁכִּימוּ מִמָּחֳרָת וַיַּעֲלוּ עֹלֹת וַיַּגִּשׁוּ שְׁלָמִים וַיֵּשֶׁב הָעָם לֶאֱכֹל וְשָׁתוֹ וַיָּקֻמוּ לְצַחֵק:
they arose early: Satan roused them so that they would sin.
וישכימו: השטן זרזם כדי שיחטאו:
to make merry: Heb. לְצַחֵק. In this word, there is [also] a connotation of sexual immorality, as it is said: “to mock (לְצַחֶק) me” (Gen. 39:17), and bloodshed, as it is said: “Let the boys get up now and play (וִישַׂחִקוּ) before us” (II Sam. 2:14). Here too, Hur was slain. -[from Midrash Tanchuma 20]
לצחק: יש במשמע הזה גלוי עריות, כמו שנאמר (בראשית לט יז) לצחק בי, ושפיכות דמים, כמו שנאמר (שמואל ב' ב יד) יקומו נא הנערים וישחקו לפנינו, אף כאן נהרג חור:
7. And the Lord said to Moses: "Go, descend, for your people that you have brought up from the land of Egypt have acted corruptly. ז. וַיְדַבֵּר יְהֹוָה אֶל משֶׁה לֶךְ רֵד כִּי שִׁחֵת עַמְּךָ אֲשֶׁר הֶעֱלֵיתָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם:
And…said: Heb. וַיְדַבֵּר. [This is] an expression of harshness, like “and he spoke (וַיְדַבֵּר) to them harshly” (Gen. 42:7).
וידבר: לשון קושי הוא, כמו (בראשית מב ז) וידבר אתם קשות:
Go, descend: Descend from your high position. I gave you this high position only for their sake (Ber. 32a). At that time, Moses was banished by a decree of the heavenly tribunal (Midrash Tanchuma 22, Exod. Rabbah 42:3).
לך רד: מגדולתך, לא נתתי לך גדולה אלא בשבילם. באותה שעה נתנדה משה מפי בית דין של מעלה:
your people…have acted corruptly: Heb. שִׁחֵתעַמְ. It does not say, “The people have acted corruptly,” but “your people.” Those are the mixed multitude whom you accepted on your own initiative, and whom you converted without consulting Me. You said, “It is good that converts cleave to the Shechinah.” They have acted corruptly and have corrupted [others]. -[from Exod. Rabbah 42:6]
שחת עמך: שחת העם לא נאמר אלא עמך, ערב רב שקבלת מעצמך וגיירתם ולא נמלכת בי, ואמרת טוב שידבקו גרים בשכינה, הם שחתו והשחיתו:
8. They have quickly turned away from the path that I have commanded them; they have made themselves a molten calf! And they have prostrated themselves before it, slaughtered sacrifices to it, and said: 'These are your gods, O Israel, who have brought you up from the land of Egypt.' " ח. סָרוּ מַהֵר מִן הַדֶּרֶךְ אֲשֶׁר צִוִּיתִם עָשׂוּ לָהֶם עֵגֶל מַסֵּכָה וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲווּ לוֹ וַיִּזְבְּחוּ לוֹ וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֵלֶּה אֱלֹהֶיךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר הֶעֱלוּךָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם:
9. And the Lord said to Moses: "I have seen this people and behold! they are a stiff necked people. ט. וַיֹּאמֶר יְהֹוָה אֶל משֶׁה רָאִיתִי אֶת הָעָם הַזֶּה וְהִנֵּה עַם קְשֵׁה עֹרֶף הוּא:
stiff-necked: Heb. קְשֵׁה-עֹרֶף. [This is a description of stubbornness, meaning] they turned the hardness of the backs of their necks toward those who reproved them, and they refused to listen.
קשה ערף: מחזרין קשי ערפם לנגד מוכיחיהם, וממאנים לשמוע:
10. Now leave Me alone, and My anger will be kindled against them so that I will annihilate them, and I will make you into a great nation." י. וְעַתָּה הַנִּיחָה לִּי וְיִחַר אַפִּי בָהֶם וַאֲכַלֵּם וְאֶעֱשֶׂה אוֹתְךָ לְגוֹי גָּדוֹל:
leave Me alone: [It is unclear why God is saying this-which implies that Moses has made a demand-since] we have not yet heard that Moses prayed for them, and yet He [God] said, “Leave Me alone” ? But here, He opened a door for him and informed him that the matter [indeed] depended upon him [Moses], that if he [Moses] would pray for them, He [God] would not destroy them. [Therefore, God implores Moses to leave Him alone so that He can destroy Israel.] -[from Exod. Rabbah 42:9]
הניחה לי: עדיין לא שמענו, שהתפלל משה עליהם, והוא אומר הניחה לי, אלא כאן פתח לו פתח והודיעו, שהדבר תלוי בו, שאם יתפלל עליהם לא יכלם:
11. Moses pleaded before the Lord, his God, and said: "Why, O Lord, should Your anger be kindled against Your people whom You have brought up from the land of Egypt with great power and with a strong hand? יא. וַיְחַל משֶׁה אֶת פְּנֵי יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהָיו וַיֹּאמֶר לָמָה יְהֹוָה יֶחֱרֶה אַפְּךָ בְּעַמֶּךָ אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם בְּכֹחַ גָּדוֹל וּבְיָד חֲזָקָה:
Why, O Lord: Is anyone jealous of another, except a wise man of a wise man, or a strong man of a strong man? -[from Exod. Rabbah 43:6]
למה ה' יחרה אפך: כלום מתקנא אלא חכם בחכם, גבור בגבור:
12. Why should the Egyptians say: 'He brought them out with evil [intent] to kill them in the mountains and to annihilate them from upon the face of the earth'? Retreat from the heat of Your anger and reconsider the evil [intended] for Your people. יב. לָמָּה יֹאמְרוּ מִצְרַיִם לֵאמֹר בְּרָעָה הוֹצִיאָם לַהֲרֹג אֹתָם בֶּהָרִים וּלְכַלֹּתָם מֵעַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה שׁוּב מֵחֲרוֹן אַפֶּךָ וְהִנָּחֵם עַל הָרָעָה לְעַמֶּךָ:
and reconsider: Heb. וְהִנָּחֵם, [i.e.,] formulate another thought to do good to them.
והנחם: התעשת מחשבה אחרת להטיב להם:
the evil: that You thought for them.
על הרעה: אשר חשבת להם:
13. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants, to whom You swore by Your very Self, and to whom You said: 'I will multiply your seed like the stars of the heavens, and all this land which I said that I would give to your seed, they shall keep it as their possession forever.' " יג. זְכֹר לְאַבְרָהָם לְיִצְחָק וּלְיִשְׂרָאֵל עֲבָדֶיךָ אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּעְתָּ לָהֶם בָּךְ וַתְּדַבֵּר אֲלֵהֶם אַרְבֶּה אֶת זַרְעֲכֶם כְּכוֹכְבֵי הַשָּׁמָיִם וְכָל הָאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת אֲשֶׁר אָמַרְתִּי אֶתֵּן לְזַרְעֲכֶם וְנָחֲלוּ לְעֹלָם:
Remember Abraham: If [You argue that] they have transgressed the Ten Commandments, [let me remind You that] their [fore]father Abraham was tested with ten tests and has not yet received his reward. Give this [reward] to him [Abraham] so that the ten will cancel out the ten. -[from Midrash Tanchuma 24, Exod. Rabbah 44:4]
זכר לאברהם: אם עברו על עשרת הדברות, אברהם אביהם נתנסה בעשרה נסיונות ועדיין לא קבל שכרו, תנהו לו, ויצאו עשרה בעשרה:
Abraham, Isaac, and Israel: If they are condemned to be burnt [in a fire], remember Abraham, who gave himself over to be burned for Your sake in Ur of the Chaldees; if they are condemned to be killed by the sword, remember Isaac, who stretched out his neck when he was bound; if they are condemned to exile, remember Jacob, who was exiled to Haran (Midrash Tanchuma 24, Exod. Rabbah 44:5). If they [the children of Israel] will not be saved in their [the Patriarchs’] merit, why do You say to me, “and I will make you into a great nation” ? If a chair with three legs cannot stand up before You when You are angry, how much less will a chair with one leg (Ber. 32a) ?
לאברהם ליצחק ולישראל: אם לשרפה הם, זכור לאברהם שמסר עצמו לישרף עליך באור כשדים. אם להריגה, זכור ליצחק שפשט צוארו לעקידה. אם לגלות, זכור ליעקב שגלה לחרן, ואם אינן נצולין בזכותן, מה אתה אומר לי (פסוק י) ואעשה אותך לגוי גדול, ואם כסא של שלוש רגלים אינו עומד לפניך בשעת כעסך, קל וחומר לכסא של רגל אחת:
to whom You swore by Your very Self: You did not swear to them by something finite-not by the heavens and not by the earth, not by the mountains and not by the hills, but by Your very Self [You swore], for You exist, and Your oath exists forever, as it was said [to Abraham]: “By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord” (Gen. 22:16). To Isaac was said: “and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham, your father” (Gen. 26:3). To Jacob was said: “I am the Almighty God; be fruitful and multiply” (Gen. 35:11). Here He swore to him [Jacob] by the [Name] Almighty God. -[from Ber. 32a, Midrash Tanchuma 24, Exod. Rabbah 44:10]
אשר נשבעת להם בך: לא נשבעת להם בדבר שהוא כלה, לא בשמים ולא בארץ לא בהרים ולא בגבעות, אלא בך, שאתה קיים ושבעותך קיימת לעולם, שנאמר (בראשית כב טז) בי נשבעתי נאם ה', וליצחק נאמר (שם כו ג) והקימותי את השבועה אשר נשבעתי לאברהם אביך, וליעקב נאמר (שם לה יא) אני אל שדי פרה ורבה, נשבע לו באל שדי:
14. The Lord [then] reconsidered the evil He had said He would do to His people. יד. וַיִּנָּחֶם יְהֹוָה עַל הָרָעָה אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר לַעֲשׂוֹת לְעַמּוֹ:
15. Now Moses turned and went down from the mountain [bearing] the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, tablets inscribed from both their sides; on one side and on the other side they were inscribed. טו. וַיִּפֶן וַיֵּרֶד משֶׁה מִן הָהָר וּשְׁנֵי לֻחֹת הָעֵדֻת בְּיָדוֹ לֻחֹת כְּתֻבִים מִשְּׁנֵי עֶבְרֵיהֶם מִזֶּה וּמִזֶּה הֵם כְּתֻבִים:
from both their sides: the letters could be read. This was a miraculous phenomenon. -[from Shab. 104a, Meg. 2b]
משני עבריהם: היו האותיות נקראות, ומעשה נסים היה:
16. Now the tablets were God's work, and the inscription was God's inscription, engraved on the tablets. טז. וְהַלֻּחֹת מַעֲשֵׂה אֱלֹהִים הֵמָּה וְהַמִּכְתָּב מִכְתַּב אֱלֹהִים הוּא חָרוּת עַל הַלֻּחֹת:
were God’s work: This is to be interpreted according to its apparent meaning, [i.e.,] that He personally made them. Another interpretation: Like a person who says to his friend, “All so-and-so’s activities are in such-and-such [a kind of] work.” So too, all the delight of the Holy One, blessed is He, is with the Torah. -[from Midrash Tanchuma 16]
מעשה א-להים המה: כמשמעו הוא בכבודו עשאן. דבר אחר כאדם האומר לחבירו כל עסקיו של פלוני במלאכת פלונית, כך כל שעשועיו של הקב"ה בתורה:
engraved: Heb. חָרוּת. The terms חָרֹת and חָרֹט are one [and the same]. Both are an expression of engraving, entalyer in Old French, [entailler in modern French, meaning] to engrave.
חרות: לשון חרת וחרט אחד הוא, שניהם לשון חיקוק אנטייליי"ר בלעז [לחתוך]:
17. When Joshua heard the voice of the people in their shouting, he said to Moses: "There is a voice of battle in the camp!" יז. וַיִּשְׁמַע יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אֶת קוֹל הָעָם בְּרֵעֹה וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל משֶׁה קוֹל מִלְחָמָה בַּמַּחֲנֶה:
in their shouting: Heb. בְּרֵעֹה, in their shouting, for they were shouting, rejoicing, and laughing.[The Israelites were so loud that they could be heard even from a distance.]
ברעה: בהריעו, שהיו מריעים ושמחים וצוחקים:
18. But [Moses] said: "[It is] neither a voice shouting victory, nor a voice shouting defeat; a voice of blasphemy I hear." יח. וַיֹּאמֶר אֵין קוֹל עֲנוֹת גְּבוּרָה וְאֵין קוֹל עֲנוֹת חֲלוּשָׁה קוֹל עַנּוֹת אָנֹכִי שֹׁמֵעַ:
[It is] neither a voice shouting victory: This voice does not appear to be a voice of the shouting of heroes crying “Victory!” or the voice of weak [soldiers] crying “Woe!” or “Flee!”
אין קול ענות גבורה: אין הקול הזה נראה קול עניית גבורים הצועקים נצחון ולא קול חלשים שצועקים וי או ניסה:
a voice of blasphemy: Heb. קוֹל עָנּוֹת. A voice of blasphemy and reviling, which distresses (הַמְעַנִין) the soul of the one who hears them when they are said to him.
קול ענות: קול חרופין וגדופין המענין את נפש שומען כשנאמרין לו:
19. Now it came to pass when he drew closer to the camp and saw the calf and the dances, that Moses' anger was kindled, and he flung the tablets from his hands, shattering them at the foot of the mountain. יט. וַיְהִי כַּאֲשֶׁר קָרַב אֶל הַמַּחֲנֶה וַיַּרְא אֶת הָעֵגֶל וּמְחֹלֹת וַיִּחַר אַף משֶׁה וַיַּשְׁלֵךְ מִיָּדָו אֶת הַלֻּחֹת וַיְשַׁבֵּר אֹתָם תַּחַת הָהָר:
and he flung… from his hands: He said [to himself]: If [in regard to] the Passover sacrifice, which is [merely] one of the commandments, the Torah said: “No estranged one may partake of it” (Exod. 12:43), [now that] the entire Torah is here [i.e., the Ten Commandments includes the whole Torah], and all the Israelites are apostates, shall I give it to them? -[from Shab. 87a]
וישלך מידיו וגו': אמר מה פסח שהיא אחת מן המצות, אמרה תורה (שמות יב מג) כל בן נכר לא יאכל בו, התורה כלה כאן, וכל ישראל משומדים ואתננה להם:
at the foot of the mountain: Heb. ךְתַּחַתהָהָר, lit., under the mountain, [meaning:] at the foot of the mountain.
תחת ההר: לרגלי ההר:
20. Then he took the calf they had made, burned it in fire, ground it to fine powder, scattered [it] upon the surface of the water, and gave [it to] the children of Israel to drink. כ. וַיִּקַּח אֶת הָעֵגֶל אֲשֶׁר עָשׂוּ וַיִּשְׂרֹף בָּאֵשׁ וַיִּטְחַן עַד אֲשֶׁר דָּק וַיִּזֶר עַל פְּנֵי הַמַּיִם וַיַּשְׁק אֶת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל:
scattered: Heb. וַיִּזֶר, an expression of scattering. Similarly, “Brimstone shall be scattered (יְזֹרֶה) on his dwelling” (Job 18:15), and similarly, “For the net is scattered (מְזֹרָה) without cause” (Prov. 1:17), for they scatter corn and beans on it [the net].
ויזר: לשון נפוץ, וכן (איוב יח טו) יזרה על נוהו גפרית, וכן (משלי א יז) כי חנם מזורה הרשת, שזורין בה דגן וקטנית:וישק את בני ישראל נתכוין לבדקן כסוטות. שלש מיתות נדונו שם אם יש עדים והתראה בסייף, כמשפט אנשי עיר הנדחת שהן מרובים, עדים בלא התראה במגפה, שנאמר (פסוק לה) ויגוף ה' את העם, לא עדים ולא התראה בהדרוקן, שבדקום המים וצבו בטניהם:
and gave [it to] the children of Israel to drink: He intended to test them like women suspected of adultery [are tested, as prescribed in Num. 5:11-31] (A.Z. 44a). Three [different] death penalties were meted out there: (1) If there were witnesses [to the worship] and warning [had been issued to the sinners, they were punished] by the sword, according to the law (Deut. 13:13-18) that applies to the people of a city that has been led astray who are many [people involved]. (2) [Those who practiced idolatry with] witnesses but without warning [died] from a plague, as it is said: “Then the Lord struck the people with a plague” (verse 35). (3) [Those who practiced idolatry both] without witnesses and without warning [died] from dropsy, for the water tested them and their stomachs swelled up (Yoma 66b).
:
21. Moses said to Aaron: "What did this people do to you that you brought [such] a grave sin upon them?" כא. וַיֹּאמֶר משֶׁה אֶל אַהֲרֹן מֶה עָשָׂה לְךָ הָעָם הַזֶּה כִּי הֵבֵאתָ עָלָיו חֲטָאָה גְדֹלָה:
What did this people do to you: How many tortures did you [Aaron] endure, that they tortured you until you brought this sin upon them?
מה עשה לך העם הזה: כמה יסורים (סבלת) שיסרוך [סבלת], עד שלא תביא עליהם חטא זה:
22. Aaron replied: "Let not my lord's anger grow hot! You know the people, that they are disposed toward evil. כב. וַיֹּאמֶר אַהֲרֹן אַל יִחַר אַף אֲדֹנִי אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ אֶת הָעָם כִּי בְרָע הוּא:
that they are disposed toward evil: They are always going in a bad direction and testing the Omnipresent.
כי ברע הוא: בדרך רע הם הולכין תמיד ובנסיונות לפני המקום:
23. They said to me, 'Make us gods who will go before us, because this man Moses, who brought us up from the land of Egypt we do not know what has become of him.' כג. וַיֹּאמְרוּ לִי עֲשֵׂה לָנוּ אֱלֹהִים אֲשֶׁר יֵלְכוּ לְפָנֵינוּ כִּי זֶה | משֶׁה הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר הֶעֱלָנוּ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם לֹא יָדַעְנוּ מֶה הָיָה לוֹ:
24. I said to them, 'Who has gold?' So they took it [the gold] off and gave it to me; I threw it into the fire and out came this calf." כד. וָאֹמַר לָהֶם לְמִי זָהָב הִתְפָּרָקוּ וַיִּתְּנוּ לִי וָאַשְׁלִכֵהוּ בָאֵשׁ וַיֵּצֵא הָעֵגֶל הַזֶּה:
I said to them: one word only: “Who has gold?” [and not “give me your gold”], but they hurried and stripped themselves and gave it to me.
ואמר להם: אמרתי להם דבר אחד למי זהב לבד, והם מהרו והתפרקו ויתנו לי:
I threw it into the fire: I did not know that this calf would come out, but out it came.
ואשלכהו באש: ולא ידעתי שיצא העגל הזה ויצא:
25. And Moses saw the people, that they were exposed, for Aaron had exposed them to be disgraced before their adversaries. כה. וַיַּרְא משֶׁה אֶת הָעָם כִּי פָרֻעַ הוּא כִּי פְרָעֹה אַהֲרֹן לְשִׁמְצָה בְּקָמֵיהֶם:
exposed: Heb. פָרֻעַ, uncovered. Their shame and disgrace was revealed, as in “and he shall uncover (וּפָרַע) the woman’s head” (Num. 5:18).
פרוע: מגולה, נתגלה שמצו וקלונו, כמו (במדבר ה יח) ופרע את ראש האשה:
to be disgraced before their adversaries: Heb. לְשִׁמְצָה בְּקָמֵיהֶם, that this thing should be a disgrace for them in the mouths of all who rise up against them.
לשמצה בקמיהם: להיות להם הדבר הזה לגנות בפי כל הקמים עליהם:
26. So Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said: "Whoever is for the Lord, [let him come] to me!" And all the sons of Levi gathered around him. כו. וַיַּעֲמֹד משֶׁה בְּשַׁעַר הַמַּחֲנֶה וַיֹּאמֶר מִי לַיהֹוָה אֵלָי וַיֵּאָסְפוּ אֵלָיו כָּל בְּנֵי לֵוִי:
“Whoever is for the Lord… to me!”: Let him come to me.
מי לה' אלי: יבא אלי:כל בני לוי מכאן שכל השבט כשר:
all the sons of Levi: From here [we learn] that the entire tribe was righteous. -[from Yoma 66b]
:
27. He said to them: "So said the Lord, the God of Israel: 'Let every man place his sword upon his thigh and pass back and forth from one gate to the other in the camp, and let every man kill his brother, every man his friend, every man his kinsman.' " כז. וַיֹּאמֶר לָהֶם כֹּה אָמַר יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל שִׂימוּ אִישׁ חַרְבּוֹ עַל יְרֵכוֹ עִבְרוּ וָשׁוּבוּ מִשַּׁעַר לָשַׁעַר בַּמַּחֲנֶה וְהִרְגוּ אִישׁ אֶת אָחִיו וְאִישׁ אֶת רֵעֵהוּ וְאִישׁ אֶת קְרֹבוֹ:
So said the Lord, the God of Israel: Now, where did He say [this]? “He who slaughters [a sacrifice] to the gods shall be destroyed” (Exod. 22:19). So it was taught in the Mechilta.
כה אמר וגו': והיכן אמר, (שמות כב יט) זובח לא-להים יחרם, כך שנויה במכילתא:
his brother: [i.e.,] from his mother, who was an [ordinary] Israelite [and not a Levite]. -[from Yoma 66b]
אחיו: מאמו והוא מישראל:
28. The sons of Levi did according to Moses' word; on that day some three thousand men fell from among the people. כח. וַיַּעֲשׂוּ בְנֵי לֵוִי כִּדְבַר משֶׁה וַיִּפֹּל מִן הָעָם בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא כִּשְׁלשֶׁת אַלְפֵי אִישׁ:
29. And Moses said: "Initiate yourselves today for the Lord for each man with his son and with his brother so that He may bestow a blessing upon you this day. " כט. וַיֹּאמֶר משֶׁה מִלְאוּ יֶדְכֶם הַיּוֹם לַיהֹוָה כִּי אִישׁ בִּבְנוֹ וּבְאָחִיו וְלָתֵת עֲלֵיכֶם הַיּוֹם בְּרָכָה:
Initiate yourselves: You who kill them, with this thing [act] you will initiate yourselves to be servants [i.e., kohanim] of the Omnipresent.
מלאו ידכם: אתם ההורגים אותם, בדבר זה תתחנכו להיות כהנים למקום:
for each man: Among you will initiate himself through his son and through his brother.
כי איש: מכם ימלא ידו בבנו ובאחיו:
30. It came to pass on the next day that Moses said to the people: "You have committed a grave sin. And now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I will obtain atonement for your sin." ל. וַיְהִי מִמָּחֳרָת וַיֹּאמֶר משֶׁה אֶל הָעָם אַתֶּם חֲטָאתֶם חֲטָאָה גְדֹלָה וְעַתָּה אֶעֱלֶה אֶל יְהֹוָה אוּלַי אֲכַפְּרָה בְּעַד חַטַּאתְכֶם:
I will obtain atonement for your sin: Heb. אִכַפְּרָה בְּעַד חַטַּאתְכֶם. [This means] I will place a cleansing, a wiping away, and a barrier opposite your sin to separate you from your sin.
אכפרה בעד חטאתכם: אשים כופר וקנוח וסתימה לנגד חטאתכם, להבדיל ביניכם ובין החטא:
31. And Moses returned to the Lord and said: "Please! This people has committed a grave sin. They have made themselves a god of gold. לא. וַיָּשָׁב משֶׁה אֶל יְהֹוָה וַיֹּאמַר אָנָּא חָטָא הָעָם הַזֶּה חֲטָאָה גְדֹלָה וַיַּעֲשׂוּ לָהֶם אֱלֹהֵי זָהָב:
a god of gold: [Moses is saying to God:] It was You Who caused them [to sin], for You lavished upon them gold and whatever they desired. What should they have done so as not to sin? [This may be illustrated by] a parable of a king who gave his son to eat and drink, dressed him up, hung a coin purse on his neck, and stationed him at the entrance of a brothel. What can the son do so as not to sin? -[from Ber. 32a]
אלהי זהב: אתה הוא שגרמת להם שהשפעת להם זהב וכל חפצם מה יעשו שלא יחטאו? משל למלך שהיה מאכיל ומשקה את בנו ומקשטו,ותולה לו כיס בצוארו,ומעמידו בפתח בית זונות,מה יעשה הבן שלא יחטא?:
32. And now, if You forgive their sin But if not, erase me now from Your book, which You have written." לב. וְעַתָּה אִם תִּשָּׂא חַטָּאתָם וְאִם אַיִן מְחֵנִי נָא מִסִּפְרְךָ אֲשֶׁר כָּתָבְתָּ:
And now, if You forgive their sin…: good, I will not ask You to erase me, but if not, erase me. This is an elliptical verse, and there are many like it.
ועתה אם תשא חטאתם: הרי טוב, איני אומר לך מחני. ואם אין, מחני, וזה מקרא קצר, וכן הרבה:מספרך מכל התורה כולה, שלא יאמרו עלי, שלא הייתי כדאי לבקש עליהם רחמים:
from Your book: From the entire Torah, so that they will not say about me that I was unworthy to beg mercy for them [the Israelites].
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33. And the Lord said to Moses: "Whoever has sinned against Me, him I will erase from My book!" לג. וַיֹּאמֶר יְהֹוָה אֶל משֶׁה מִי אֲשֶׁר חָטָא לִי אֶמְחֶנּוּ מִסִּפְרִי:
34. And now go, lead the people to [the place] of which I have spoken to you. Behold My angel will go before you. But on the day I make an accounting [of sins upon them], I will bring their sin to account against them." לד. וְעַתָּה לֵךְ | נְחֵה אֶת הָעָם אֶל אֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְתִּי לָךְ הִנֵּה מַלְאָכִי יֵלֵךְ לְפָנֶיךָ וּבְיוֹם פָּקְדִי וּפָקַדְתִּי עֲלֵהֶם חַטָּאתָם:
to [the place] of which I have spoken to you: Heb. דִּבַּרְךְתִּי לָ Here [we find] לָ [used] along with דִּבּוּר, speech, instead of אֵלֶי. Similarly [in the verse] “to speak to him (לְדַבֶּר לוֹ) for Adoniahu” (I Kings 2:19).
אל אשר דברתי לך: יש כאן לך אצל דבור במקום אליך, וכן (מלכים א ב יט) לדבר לו על אדוניהו:
Behold My angel: But not I.
הנה מלאכי: ולא אני:
But on the day I make an accounting, etc.: Now I have listened to you not to destroy them all at once, but always, always, when I take an accounting of their sins, I will also account a little of this sin with the other sins. [This means that] no punishment befalls Israel in which there is not part of the punishment for the sin of the [golden] calf. -[from Sanh. 102a]
וביום פקדי וגו': עתה שמעתי אליך מלכלותם יחד, ותמיד תמיד כשאפקוד עליהם עונותיהם ופקדתי עליהם מעט מן העון הזה עם שאר העונות, ואין פורענות באה על ישראל שאין בה קצת מפרעון עון העגל:
35. Then the Lord struck the people with a plague, because they had made the calf that Aaron had made. לה. וַיִּגֹּף יְהֹוָה אֶת הָעָם עַל אֲשֶׁר עָשׂוּ אֶת הָעֵגֶל אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה אַהֲרֹן:
Then the Lord struck the people with a plague: [This was] death by the hands of Heaven for [those who sinned in the presence of] witnesses without warning. -[from Yoma 66b. See commentary above on verse 20.]
ויגף ה' את העם: מיתה בידי שמים, לעדים בלא התראה:
Chapter 33
1. The Lord spoke to Moses: "Go, ascend from here, you and the people you have brought up from the land of Egypt, to the land that I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying: 'I will give it to your descendants.' א. וַיְדַבֵּר יְהֹוָה אֶל משֶׁה לֵךְ עֲלֵה מִזֶּה אַתָּה וְהָעָם אֲשֶׁר הֶעֱלִיתָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם אֶל הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי לְאַבְרָהָם לְיִצְחָק וּלְיַעֲקֹב לֵאמֹר לְזַרְעֲךָ אֶתְּנֶנָּה:
Go, ascend from here: The land of Israel is higher than all [other] lands (Zev. 54b). That is why it says: “ascend.” Another explanation: [This is] in contrast to what He said to him [Moses] in time of anger, “Go, descend,” (Exod. 32:7). In time of good will He said to him, Go, ascend (Midrash Tanchuma 26).
לך עלה מזה: ארץ ישראל גבוהה מכל הארצות, לכך נאמר עלה, דבר אחר כלפי שאמר לו בשעת הכעס (שמות לב ז) לך רד, אמר לו בשעת רצון לך עלה:
you and the people: Here He did not say “Your people” [as He had said previously in Exod. 32:7 “for your people… have acted corruptly”].
אתה והעם: כאן לא נאמר ועמך:
2. I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivvites, and the Jebusites ב. וְשָׁלַחְתִּי לְפָנֶיךָ מַלְאָךְ וְגֵרַשְׁתִּי אֶת הַכְּנַעֲנִי הָאֱמֹרִי וְהַחִתִּי וְהַפְּרִזִּי הַחִוִּי וְהַיְבוּסִי:
and I will drive out the Canaanites: They are six nations [listed here, although seven nations were mentioned in Gen. 15], and [this is because] the Girgashites got up and emigrated because of them [the Israelites] of their own accord. -[from Lev. Rabbah 17:6, Yerushalmi Shevi’ith 6:1].
וגרשתי את הכנעני וגו': שש אומות הן, והגרגשי עמד ופנה מפניהם מאליו:
3. to a land flowing with milk and honey; because I will not go up in your midst since you are a stiff necked people, lest I destroy you on the way." ג. אֶל אֶרֶץ זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבָשׁ כִּי לֹא אֶעֱלֶה בְּקִרְבְּךָ כִּי עַם קְשֵׁה עֹרֶף אַתָּה פֶּן אֲכֶלְךָ בַּדָּרֶךְ:
to a land flowing with milk and honey: I tell you to take them [the Israelites] up.
אל ארץ זבת חלב ודבש: אני אומר לך להעלותם:
because I will not go up in your midst: Therefore, I tell you, “I will send an angel before you.”
כי לא אעלה בקרבך: לכך אני אומר לך ושלחתי לפניך מלאך:
since you are a stiff-necked people: And when My Shechinah is in your midst and you rebel against Me, I will increase My fury against you.
כי עם קשה ערף אתה: וכששכינתי בקרבכם ואתם ממרים בי מרבה אני עליכם זעם:
I destroy you: Heb. אִכֶלְ, an expression of destruction (כִּלָיוֹן).
אכלך: לשון כליון:
4. [When] the people heard this bad news, they mourned, and no one put on his finery. ד. וַיִּשְׁמַע הָעָם אֶת הַדָּבָר הָרָע הַזֶּה וַיִּתְאַבָּלוּ וְלֹא שָׁתוּ אִישׁ עֶדְיוֹ עָלָיו:
this bad news: that the Shechinah would not rest [upon them] or go with them.
הדבר הרע: שאין השכינה שורה ומהלכת עמם:איש עדיו כתרים שניתנו להם בחורב, כשאמרו נעשה ונשמע:
and no one… his finery: [I.e.,] the crowns given to them in Horeb when they said, “…we will do and we will hear” (Exod. 24:7) (Shab. 88a).
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5. And the Lord said to Moses: "Say to the children of Israel: 'You are a stiff necked people; if I go up into your midst for one moment, I will destroy you; but now, leave off your finery, and I will know what to do to you.' " ה. וַיֹּאמֶר יְהֹוָה אֶל משֶׁה אֱמֹר אֶל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אַתֶּם עַם קְשֵׁה עֹרֶף רֶגַע אֶחָד אֶעֱלֶה בְקִרְבְּךָ וְכִלִּיתִיךָ וְעַתָּה הוֹרֵד עֶדְיְךָ מֵעָלֶיךָ וְאֵדְעָה מָה אֶעֱשֶׂה לָּךְ:
if I go up into your midst for one moment, I will destroy you: If I go up into your midst and you rebel against Me with stubbornness [again], I will be furious with you for one moment, which is the measure of My wrath (Ber. 7a), as it is said: “Hide for but a moment until the wrath passes” (Isa. 26: 20), and I will destroy you. Therefore, it is better for you that I send an angel [in My place].
רגע אחד אעלה בקרבך וכליתיך: אם אעלה בקרבך, ואתם ממרים בי בקשיות ערפכם, אזעום עליכם רגע אחד, שהוא שיעור זעמו, שנאמר (ישעיה כו כ) חבי כמעט רגע עד יעבור זעם, ואכלה אתכם, לפיכך טוב לכם שאשלח מלאך:
but now: this punishment you will suffer immediately, that you shall take off your finery.
ועתה: פורענות זו תלקו מיד, שתורידו עדיכם מעליכם:
and I will know what to do to you: with the visitation of the rest of the sin. I know what is in My heart to do to you.
ואדעה מה אעשה לך: בפקודת שאר העון. אני יודע מה שבלבי לעשות לך:
6. So the children of Israel divested themselves of their finery from Mount Horeb. ו. וַיִּתְנַצְּלוּ בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת עֶדְיָם מֵהַר חוֹרֵב:
their finery from Mount Horeb: The finery that was in their possession from Mount Horeb. -[from Shab. 88a]
את עדים מהר חורב: את העדי שהיה בידם מהר חורב:
7. And Moses took the tent and pitched it for himself outside the camp, distancing [it] from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting, and it would be that anyone seeking the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp. ז. וּמשֶׁה יִקַּח אֶת הָאֹהֶל וְנָטָה לוֹ | מִחוּץ לַמַּחֲנֶה הַרְחֵק מִן הַמַּחֲנֶה וְקָרָא לוֹ אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד וְהָיָה כָּל מְבַקֵּשׁ יְהֹוָה יֵצֵא אֶל אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד אֲשֶׁר מִחוּץ לַמַּחֲנֶה:
And Moses: from [the moment of] that sin [and] on.
ומשה: מאותו עון והלאה:
took the tent: Heb. יִקַּח. This is a present tense, [meaning that] he would take his tent and pitch it outside the camp. He said, “One who is banished from the master is banished from the disciple.” -[from Tanchuma 27]
יקח את האהל: לשון הווה הוא, לוקח אהלו ונוטהו מחוץ למחנה, אמר מנודה לרב, מנודה לתלמיד:
distancing [it]: two thousand cubits, like the matter that is stated: “But there shall be a distance between you and it just two thousand cubits by measure” (Josh. 3:4). -[from Midrash Tanchuma 27]
הרחק: אלפים אמה, כענין שנאמר (יהושע ג ד) אך רחוק יהיה ביניכם וביניו כאלפים אמה במדה:
and he called it: And he would call it the tent of meeting. That is the meeting house of those seeking the Torah.
וקרא לו: והיה קורא לו אהל מועד, הוא בית ועד למבקשי תורה:
anyone seeking the Lord: From here [we deduce] that one who seeks the presence of a sage is tantamount to one who seeks the presence of the Shechinah. -[from Tanchuma 27]
כל מבקש ה': מכאן למבקש פני זקן כמקבל פני השכינה:
would go out to the tent of meeting: Heb. יֵצֵא, lit., will go out, like יוֹצֵא, would go out. Another interpretation: and it would be that anyone seeking the Lord-even the ministering angels-when they would ask for the place of the Shechinah, their companions would say to them, “Behold, it is in Moses’ tent” -[from Tanchuma 27]
יצא אל אהל מועד: כמו יוצא. דבר אחר והיה כל מבקש ה' אפילו מלאכי השרת כשהיו שואלים מקום שכינה, חבריהם אומרים להם הרי הוא באהלו של משה:
8. And it would be that when Moses would go out to the tent, all the people would rise and stand, each one at the entrance of his tent, and they would gaze after Moses until he went into the tent. ח. וְהָיָה כְּצֵאת משֶׁה אֶל הָאֹהֶל יָקוּמוּ כָּל הָעָם וְנִצְּבוּ אִישׁ פֶּתַח אָהֳלוֹ וְהִבִּיטוּ אַחֲרֵי משֶׁה עַד בֹּאוֹ הָאֹהֱלָה:
And it would be: Heb. וְהָיָה, a present tense.
והיה: לשון הווה:
when Moses would go out: of the camp to go to the tent.
כצאת משה מן המחנה: ללכת אל האהל:
all the people would rise: They would stand before him and not sit down until he was concealed from them.
יקומו כל העם: עומדים מפניו ואין יושבין עד שנתכסה מהם:
and they would gaze after Moses: in admiration. [They would say,] “Fortunate is one born of woman who is so assured [by God] that the Shechinah follows him to the entrance of his tent.” -[from Kid. 33b, Shekalim 5:2. See also Tanchuma 27, Exod. Rabbah 45:4, 51:6]
והביטו אחרי משה: לשבח, אשרי ילוד אשה שכך מובטח, שהשכינה תכנס אחריו לפתח אהלו:
9. And it would be that when Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and He would speak with Moses. ט. וְהָיָה כְּבֹא משֶׁה הָאֹהֱלָה יֵרֵד עַמּוּד הֶעָנָן וְעָמַד פֶּתַח הָאֹהֶל וְדִבֶּר עִם משֶׁה:
and He would speak with Moses: Heb. וְדִבֶּר, like וּמְדַבֵּר, and He would speak [in the present tense]. Its Aramaic translation is וּמִתְמַלֵל עִם משֶׁה, and He would speak to Himself with Moses, which is [denoting] respect for the Shechinah, like [in the verse] “he heard the voice speaking (מְדַּבֵּר) to him” (Num. 7: 89), but one does not read וּמְדַבֵּר אֵלָיו. When one reads מְדַּבֵּר, it means that the voice would speak to itself and the commoner would hear by himself. But when one reads מְדַבֵּר, it means that the king speaks with the commoner.
ודבר עם משה: כמו ומדבר עם משה. תרגומו ומתמלל עם משה שהוא כבוד שכינה, כמו (במדבר ז פט) וישמע את הקול מדבר אליו, ואינו קורא מדבר אליו. כשהוא קורא מדבר פתרונו הקול מדבר בינו לבין עצמו, וההדיוט שומע מאליו, וכשהוא קורא מדבר משמע שהמלך מדבר עם ההדיוט:
10. When all the people would see the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise and prostrate themselves, each one at the entrance of his tent. י. וְרָאָה כָל הָעָם אֶת עַמּוּד הֶעָנָן עֹמֵד פֶּתַח הָאֹהֶל וְקָם כָּל הָעָם וְהִשְׁתַּחֲווּ אִישׁ פֶּתַח אָהֳלוֹ:
and prostrate themselves: to the Shechinah.
והשתחוו: לשכינה:
11. Then the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man would speak to his companion, and he would return to the camp, but his attendant, Joshua, the son of Nun, a lad, would not depart from the tent. יא. וְדִבֶּר יְהֹוָה אֶל משֶׁה פָּנִים אֶל פָּנִים כַּאֲשֶׁר יְדַבֵּר אִישׁ אֶל רֵעֵהוּ וְשָׁב אֶל הַמַּחֲנֶה וּמְשָׁרְתוֹ יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בִּן נוּן נַעַר לֹא יָמִישׁ מִתּוֹךְ הָאֹהֶל:
Then the Lord would speak to Moses face to face: [The targumim render:] וּמִתְמַלֵּל עִם משֶׁה, [as explained on verse 9].
ודבר ה' אל משה פנים אל פנים: ומתמלל עם משה:
and he would return to the camp: After He spoke with him, Moses would return to the camp and teach the elders what he had learned. Moses conducted himself in this way from Yom Kippur until the Mishkan was erected, but no more [than that]. For on the seventeenth of Tammuz the tablets were broken, and on the eighteenth he burned the calf and judged the sinners, and on the nineteenth he went up [Mount Sinai], as it is said: “It came to pass on the next day that Moses said to the people, etc.” (Exod. 32:30). He spent forty days there and begged for mercy, as it is said: “And I cast myself down before the Lord, etc.” (Deut. 9:18). On Rosh Chodesh Elul it was said to him, “And in the morning you shall ascend Mount Sinai” (Exod. 34:2) to receive the second tablets, and he spent forty days there, as it is said concerning them, “And I remained upon the mountain just as the first days” (Deut. 10:10). Just as the first ones [days] were with good will [from the seventh of Sivan to the seventeenth of Tammuz], so were the last ones [days] with good will. [We may] deduce from this that the intermediate ones were with wrath. On the tenth of Tishri the Holy One, blessed is He, was appeased to Israel joyfully and wholeheartedly, and He said to Moses, “I have forgiven, as you have spoken.” He [God] gave over to him the second tablets, and he [Moses] descended, and He [God] began commanding him concerning the work of the Mishkan. They constructed it until the first of Nissan, and once it was erected, He no longer spoke with him except from the Tent of Meeting. -[from Midrash Tanchuma 31, Seder Olam ch. 6]
ושב אל המחנה: לאחר שנדבר עמו, היה משה שב אל המחנה ומלמד לזקנים מה שלמד. והדבר הזה נהג משה מיום הכפורים עד שהוקם המשכן ולא יותר, שהרי בשבעה עשר בתמוז נשתברו הלוחות, ובשמונה עשר שרף את העגל ודן את החוטאים, ובתשעה עשר עלה, שנאמר (שמות לב ל) ויהי ממחרת ויאמר משה אל העם וגו', עשה שם ארבעים יום ובקש רחמים, שנאמר (דברים ט יח) ואתנפל לפני ה' וגו', ובראש חדש אלול נאמר לו (שמות לד ב) ועלית בבקר אל הר סיני, לקבל לוחות האחרונות, ועשה שם ארבעים יום, שנאמר בהם (דברים י י) ואנכי עמדתי בהר כימים הראשונים וגו', מה הראשונים ברצון אף האחרונים ברצון, אמור מעתה אמצעיים היו בכעס. בעשרה בתשרי נתרצה הקב"ה לישראל בשמחה ובלב שלם, ואמר לו למשה סלחתי כדברך, ומסר לו לוחות אחרונות. וירד והתחיל לצוותם על מלאכת המשכן ועשאוהו עד אחד בניסן, ומשהוקם לא נדבר עמו עוד אלא מאהל מועד:
and he would return to the camp: Its Aramaic translation is וְתָב לְמַשְׁרִיתָא [meaning] and he would return to the camp, because it is the present tense, and so is [the Aramaic translation of] the entire section: “all the people would see (וְרָאָה)” (verse 10) - וַחִזַן; and [they would] stand (וְנִצְּבוּ) (verse 8) - קַיְּימִין “and they [would] gaze (וְהִבִּיטוּ) ” (verse 8) וּמִסְךְתַּכְּלִין and [they would] prostrate themselves (וְהִשְׁךְתַּחִווּ) (verse 10) - וְסַגְדִין. [This is the simple meaning of the verses, which depict Moses’ usual conduct from after Yom Kippur until the Mishkan was erected.] Its midrashic interpretation, however, is: And the Lord spoke to Moses [saying] that he should return to the camp. He [the Lord] said to him, “I am angry, and you are angry. Who then will bring them near [to Me]?” (Midrash Tanchuma 27).
ושב אל המחנה: תרגומו ותב למשריתא, לפי שהוא לשון הווה, וכן כל הענין וראה כל העם - וחזן, ונצבו - וקיימין, והביטו - ומסתכלין, והשתחוו - וסגדין. ומדרשו ודבר ה' אל משה שישוב אל המחנה, אמר לו אני בכעס ואתה בכעס, אם כן מי יקרבם:
Chumash: Ki Tisa, 3rd Portion Exodus 33:12-33:16 with Rashi
• Chapter 33
12. Moses said to the Lord: "Look, You say to me: 'Bring this people up!' But You have not informed me whom You will send with me. And You said: 'I have known you by name and you have also found favor in My eyes.' יב. וַיֹּאמֶר משֶׁה אֶל יְהֹוָה רְאֵה אַתָּה אֹמֵר אֵלַי הַעַל אֶת הָעָם הַזֶּה וְאַתָּה לֹא הוֹדַעְתַּנִי אֵת אֲשֶׁר תִּשְׁלַח עִמִּי וְאַתָּה אָמַרְתָּ יְדַעְתִּיךָ בְשֵׁם וְגַם מָצָאתָ חֵן בְּעֵינָי:
Look, You say to me: Heb. רְאֵה, lit., see. רְאֵה means: Direct Your eyes and Your heart on Your words. [I.e., think about what You are saying!] You say to me [“Lead”] but You have not informed me [who will come with us]. You said to me, “Behold, I am sending an angel” (Exod. 23:20), [yet] this is not considered informing because I do not want it [to occur this way]. [Reggio edition: I do not want him.] -[See Exod. Rabbah 45:4]
ראה אתה אומר אלי: ראה, תן עיניך ולבך על דבריך. אתה אומר אלי וגו' ואתה לא הודעתני וגו', ואשר אמרת לי (שמות כג כ) הנה אנכי שולח מלאך, אין זו הודעה, שאין אני חפץ בה:
And You said: ‘I have known you by name’: [which means that God is saying:] I have recognized you from other people with a name of importance. For [God] said to me [Moses]: “Behold, I am coming to you in the thickness of the cloud… and they will also believe in you forever” (Exod. 19:9).
ואתה אמרת ידעתיך בשם: הכרתיך משאר בני אדם בשם חשיבות, שהרי אמרת לי (שמות יט ט) הנה אנכי בא אליך בעב הענן וגו' וגם בך יאמינו לעולם:
13. And now, if I have indeed found favor in Your eyes, pray let me know Your ways, so that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your eyes; and consider that this nation is Your people." יג. וְעַתָּה אִם נָא מָצָאתִי חֵן בְּעֵינֶיךָ הוֹדִעֵנִי נָא אֶת דְּרָכֶךָ וְאֵדָעֲךָ לְמַעַן אֶמְצָא חֵן בְּעֵינֶיךָ וּרְאֵה כִּי עַמְּךָ הַגּוֹי הַזֶּה:
And now: If it is true that I have found favor in Your eyes, pray let me know Your ways, [i.e.,] what reward You give to those who find favor in Your eyes.
ועתה: אם אמת שמצאתי חן בעיניך הודיעני נא את דרכך, מה שכר אתה נותן למוצאי חן בעיניך:
so that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your eyes: And with this I will know the standard of Your recompense, [i.e.,] what constitutes finding favor, since I have found favor in Your eyes. The explanation of “so that I may find favor” means: in order that I may recognize how great the reward of finding favor [with You] is.
ואדעך למען אמצא חן בעיניך: ואדע בזו מדת תגמולך מה היא מציאת חן שמצאתי בעיניך, ופתרון למען אמצא חן, למען אכיר כמה שכר מציאת החן:
and consider that this nation is Your people: That You should not say, “and I will make you into a great nation” and [then] forsake these [people]. See [i.e., remember] that they are Your people from long ago, and if You reject them, I would not rely on [only] those descendants who come from my loins to survive; make known to me [now] the payment of my reward through this people. Although our Rabbis expounded on this in tractate Berachoth (7a), I have come to reconcile the verses according to their context and their sequence.
וראה כי עמך הגוי הזה: שלא תאמר ואעשה אותך לגוי גדול, ואת אלה תעזוב, ראה כי עמך הם מקדם, ואם בהם תמאס, איני סומך על היוצאים מחלצי שיתקיימו, ואת תשלום השכר שלי בעם הזה תודיעני, ורבותינו דרשוהו במסכת ברכות (דף ז א) ואני ליישב המקראות על אופניהם ועל סדרם באתי:
14. So He said, "My Presence will go, and I will give you rest." יד. וַיֹּאמַר פָּנַי יֵלֵכוּ וַהֲנִחֹתִי לָךְ:
So He said, “My Presence will go…”: Heb. פָּנַי יֵלֵכוּ, lit., My countenance will go. [This is to be understood] as the Targum [Onkelos] renders: [שְׁכִנְךְתִּי תְהַ], I will no longer send an angel; I Myself will go, similar to [the verse:] “and you personally go (הֹלְכִים וּפָנֶי) to battle” (II Sam. 17:11).
ויאמר פני ילכו: כתרגומו, לא אשלח עוד מלאך, אני בעצמי אלך, כמו (שמואל ב' יז יא) ופניך הולכים בקרב:
15. And he said to Him, "If Your Presence does not go [with us], do not take us up from here. טו. וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו אִם אֵין פָּנֶיךָ הֹלְכִים אַל תַּעֲלֵנוּ מִזֶּה:
And he said to Him: This is what I want, because [I] do not [want you to] take us up from here [if it is] through an angel.
ויאמר אליו: בזו אני חפץ, כי על ידי מלאך אל תעלנו מזה:
16. For how then will it be known that I have found favor in Your eyes, I and Your people? Is it not in that You will go with us? Then I and Your people will be distinguished from every [other] nation on the face of the earth." טז. וּבַמֶּה | יִוָּדַע אֵפוֹא כִּי מָצָאתִי חֵן בְּעֵינֶיךָ אֲנִי וְעַמֶּךָ הֲלוֹא בְּלֶכְתְּךָ עִמָּנוּ וְנִפְלִינוּ אֲנִי וְעַמְּךָ מִכָּל הָעָם אֲשֶׁר עַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה:
For how then will it be known: [I.e., how] will the finding of favor be known? Is it not in that You will go with us? One other thing I ask of You [I ask] that Your Shechinah shall no longer rest upon heathen nations. -[from Ber. 7a]
ובמה יודע אפוא: יודע מציאות החן, הלא בלכתך עמנו. ועוד דבר אחר אני שואל ממך שלא תשרה שכינתך [עוד] על אומות העולם:
Then I and Your people will be distinguished: Heb. וְנִפְלִינוּ. In this respect, we will be separated from every [other] nation, like “And the Lord will make a separation (וְהִפְלָה) …between the livestock of Egypt” (Exod. 9:4).
ונפלינו אני ועמך: ונהיה מובדלים בדבר הזה מכל העם, כמו (שמות ט ד) והפלה ה' בין מקנה ישראל וגו':
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Tehillim: Chapters 55 - 59
• Chapter 55
David composed this psalm upon escaping from Jerusalem in the face of the slanderers, Doeg and Achitofel, who had declared him deserving of death. David had considered Achitofel a friend and accorded him the utmost honor, but Achitofel betrayed him and breached their covenant. David curses all his enemies, so that all generations should "know, and sin no more."
1. For the Conductor, with instrumental music, a maskil by David.
2. Listen to my prayer, O God, do not hide from my pleas.
3. Pay heed to me and answer me, as I lament in my distress and moan -
4. because of the shout of the enemy and the oppression of the wicked; for they accuse me of evil and hate me passionately.
5. My heart shudders within me, and the terrors of death have descended upon me.
6. Fear and trembling penetrate me, and I am enveloped with horror.
7. And I said, "If only I had wings like the dove! I would fly off and find rest.
8. Behold, I would wander afar, and lodge in the wilderness forever.
9. I would hurry to find shelter for myself from the stormy wind, from the tempest.”
10. Consume, O Lord, confuse their tongue; for I have seen violence and strife in the city.1
11. Day and night they encircle her upon her walls, and iniquity and vice are in her midst.
12. Treachery is within her; fraud and deceit never depart from her square.
13. For it is not the enemy who taunts me-that I could bear; nor my foe who raises himself against me, that I could hide from him.
14. But it is you, a man of my equal, my guide and my intimate.
15. Together we took sweet counsel; we walked with the throng to the house of God.
16. May He incite death upon them, let them descend to the pit alive; for there is evil in their dwelling, within them.
17. As for me, I call to God, and the Lord will save me.
18. Evening, morning and noon, I lament and moan-and He hears my voice.
19. He redeemed my soul in peace from battles against me, because of the many who were with me.
20. May God-He who is enthroned from the days of old, Selah-hear and humble those in whom there is no change, and who do not fear God.
21. He extended his hands against his allies, he profaned his covenant.
22. Smoother than butter are the words of his mouth, but war is in his heart; his words are softer than oil, yet they are curses.
23. Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous man falter.
24. And You, O God, will bring them down to the nethermost pit; bloodthirsty and treacherous men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in You.
Chapter 56
David composed this psalm while in mortal danger at the palace of Achish, brother of Goliath. In his distress David accepts vows upon himself.
1. For the Conductor, of the mute dove1 far away. By David, a michtam, 2 when the Philistines seized him in Gath.
2. Favor me, O God, for man longs to swallow me; the warrior oppresses me every day.
3. My watchful enemies long to swallow me every day, for many battle me, O Most High!
4. On the day I am afraid, I trust in You.
5. [I trust] in God and praise His word; in God I trust, I do not fear-what can [man of] flesh do to me?
6. Every day they make my words sorrowful; all their thoughts about me are for evil.
7. They gather and hide, they watch my steps, when they hope [to capture] my soul.
8. Should escape be theirs in reward for their iniquity? Cast down the nations in anger, O God!
9. You have counted my wanderings; place my tears in Your flask-are they not in Your record?
10. When my enemies will retreat on the day I cry out, with this I will know that God is with me.
11. When God deals strictly, I praise His word; when the Lord deals mercifully, I praise His word.
12. In God I trust, I do not fear-what can man do to me?
13. My vows to You are upon me, O God; I will repay with thanksgiving offerings to You.
14. For You saved my soul from death-even my feet from stumbling-to walk before God in the light of life.
Chapter 57
David composed this psalm while hiding from Saul in a cave, facing grave danger. Like Jacob did when confronted with Esau, David prayed that he neither be killed nor be forced to kill. In the merit of his trust in God, God wrought wonders to save him.
1. For the Conductor, a plea to be spared destruction. By David, a michtam, when he fled from Saul in the cave.
2. Favor me, O God, favor me, for in You my soul took refuge, and in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge until the disaster passes.
3. I will call to God the Most High; to the Almighty Who fulfills [His promise] to me.
4. He will send from heaven, and save me from the humiliation of those who long to swallow me, Selah; God will send forth His kindness and truth.
5. My soul is in the midst of lions, I lie among fiery men; their teeth are spears and arrows, their tongue a sharp sword.
6. Be exalted above the heavens, O God; let Your glory be upon all the earth.
7. They laid a trap for my steps, they bent down my soul; they dug a pit before me, [but] they themselves fell into it, Selah.
8. My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and chant praise.
9. Awake, my soul! Awake, O harp and lyre! I shall awaken the dawn.
10. I will thank You among the nations, my Lord; I will praise You among the peoples.
11. For Your kindness reaches till the heavens, Your truth till the skies.
12. Be exalted above the heavens, O God; let Your glory be over all the earth.
Chapter 58
David expresses the anguish caused him by Avner and his other enemies, who justified Saul's pursuit of him.
1. For the Conductor, a plea to be spared destruction; by David, a michtam.
2. Is it true that you are mute [instead of] speaking justice? [Instead of] judging men with fairness?
3. Even with your heart you wreak injustice upon the land; you justify the violence of your hands.
4. The wicked are estranged from the womb; from birth do the speakers of falsehood stray.
5. Their venom is like the venom of a snake; like the deaf viper that closes its ear
6. so as not to hear the voice of charmers, [even] the most skillful caster of spells.
7. O God, smash their teeth in their mouth; shatter the fangs of the young lions, O Lord.
8. Let them melt like water and disappear; when He aims His arrows, may they crumble.
9. Like the snail that melts as it goes along, like the stillbirth of a woman-they never see the sun.
10. Before your tender shoots know [to become] hardened thorns, He will blast them away, as one [uprooting] with vigor and wrath.
11. The righteous one will rejoice when he sees revenge; he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked.
12. And man will say, "There is indeed reward for the righteous; indeed there is a God Who judges in the land."
Chapter 59
This psalm speaks of the great miracle David experienced when he eluded danger by escaping through a window, unnoticed by the guards at the door. The prayers, supplications, and entreaties he offered then are recorded here.
1. For the Conductor, a plea to be spared destruction, By David, a michtam, when Saul dispatched [men], and they guarded the house in order to kill him.
2. Rescue me from my enemies, my God; raise me above those who rise against me.
3. Rescue me from evildoers, save me from men of bloodshed.
4. For behold they lie in ambush for my soul, mighty ones gather against me-not because of my sin nor my transgression, O Lord.
5. Without iniquity [on my part,] they run and prepare-awaken towards me and see!
6. And You, Lord, God of Hosts, God of Israel, wake up to remember all the nations; do not grant favor to any of the iniquitous traitors, Selah.
7. They return toward evening, they howl like the dog and circle the city.
8. Behold, they spew with their mouths, swords are in their lips, for [they say], "Who hears?”
9. But You, Lord, You laugh at them; You mock all nations.
10. [Because of] his might, I wait for You, for God is my stronghold.
11. The God of my kindness will anticipate my [need]; God will show me [the downfall] of my watchful foes.
12. Do not kill them, lest my nation forget; drive them about with Your might and impoverish them, O our Shield, my Master,
13. [for] the sin of their mouth, the word of their lips; let them be trapped by their arrogance. At the sight of their accursed state and deterioration, [people] will recount.
14. Consume them in wrath, consume them and they will be no more; and they will know that God rules in Jacob, to the ends of the earth, Selah.
15. And they will return toward evening, they will howl like the dog and circle the city.
16. They will wander about to eat; when they will not be sated they will groan.
17. As for me, I shall sing of Your might, and sing joyously of Your kindness toward morning, for You have been a stronghold to me, a refuge on the day of my distress.
18. [You are] my strength, to You I will sing, for God is my stronghold, the God of my kindness.
Tehillim: Chapters 60 - 65
• Chapter 60
This psalm tells of when Joab, David's general, came to Aram Naharayim for war and was asked by the people: "Are you not from the children of Jacob? What of the pact he made with Laban?" Not knowing what to answer, Joab asked the Sanhedrin. The psalm includes David's prayer for success in this war.
1. For the Conductor, on the shushan eidut. A michtam by David, to instruct,
2. when he battled with Aram Naharayim and Aram Tzovah, and Joab returned and smote Edom in the Valley of Salt, twelve thousand [men].
3. O God, You forsook us, You have breached us! You grew furious-restore us!
4. You made the earth quake, You split it apart-heal its fragments, for it totters!
5. You showed Your nation harshness, You gave us benumbing wine to drink.
6. [Now] give those who fear You a banner to raise themselves, for the sake of truth, Selah.
7. That Your beloved ones may be delivered, help with Your right hand and answer me.
8. God said with His Holy [Spirit] that I would exult; I would divide Shechem, and measure out the Valley of Succot.
9. Mine is Gilead, mine is Menasseh, and Ephraim is the stronghold of my head; Judah is my prince.
10. Moab is my washbasin, and upon Edom I will cast my shoe; for me, Philistia will sound a blast [of coronation].
11. Who will bring me into the fortified city? Who will lead me unto Edom?
12. Is it not You, God, Who has [until now] forsaken us, and did not go forth with our legions?
13. Grant us relief from the oppressor; futile is the salvation of man.
14. With God we will do valiantly, and He will trample our oppressors.
Chapter 61
David composed this prayer while fleeing from Saul. The object of all his thoughts and his entreaty is that God grant him long life-not for the sake of pursuing the pleasures of the world, but rather to serve God in awe, all of his days.
1. For the Conductor, on the neginat, by David.
2. Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer.
3. From the end of the earth I call to You, when my heart is faint [with trouble]: Lead me upon the rock that surpasses me!
4. For You have been a refuge for me, a tower of strength in the face of the enemy.
5. I will dwell in Your tent forever; I will take refuge in the shelter of Your wings, Selah.
6. For You, God, heard my vows; You granted the inheritance of those who fear Your Name.
7. Add days to the days of the king; may his years equal those of every generation.
8. May he sit always before God; appoint kindness and truth to preserve him.
9. Thus will I sing the praise of Your Name forever, as I fulfill my vows each day.
Chapter 62
David prays for the downfall of his enemies. He also exhorts his generation that their faith should not rest in riches, telling them that the accumulation of wealth is utter futility.
1. For the Conductor, on the yedutun,1 a psalm by David.
2. To God alone does my soul hope; my salvation is from Him.
3. He alone is my rock and salvation, my stronghold; I shall not falter greatly.
4. Until when will you plot disaster for man? May you all be killed-like a leaning wall, a toppled fence.
5. Out of their arrogance alone they scheme to topple me, they favor falsehood; with their mouths they bless, and in their hearts they curse, Selah.
6. To God alone does my soul hope, for my hope is from Him.
7. He alone is my rock and salvation, my stronghold; I shall not falter.
8. My salvation and honor is upon God; the rock of my strength-my refuge is in God.
9. Trust in Him at all times, O nation, pour out your hearts before Him; God is a refuge for us forever.
10. Men are but vanity; people [but] transients. Were they to be raised upon the scale, they would be lighter than vanity.
11. Put not your trust in exploitation, nor place futile hope in robbery. If [corrupt] wealth flourishes, pay it no heed.
12. God spoke one thing, from which I perceived two: That strength belongs to God;
13. and that Yours, my Lord, is kindness. For You repay each man according to his deeds.
Chapter 63
Hiding from Saul, and yearning to approach the place of the Holy Ark like one thirsting for water, David composed this prayer on his behalf and against his enemy.
1. A psalm by David, when he was in the Judean desert.
2. O God, You are my Almighty, I seek You! My soul thirsts for You, my flesh longs for You; [like one] in a desolate and dry land, without water,
3. so [I thirst] to see You in the Sanctuary, to behold Your might and glory.
4. For Your kindness is better than life; my lips shall praise You.
5. Thus will I bless you all my life, in Your Name I will raise my hands [in prayer].
6. As with fat and abundance my soul is sated, when my mouth offers praise with expressions of joy.
7. Indeed, I remember You upon my bed; during the watches of the night I meditate upon You.
8. For You were a help for me; I sing in the shadow of Your wings.
9. My soul cleaved to You; Your right hand supported me.
10. But they seek desolation for my soul; they will enter the depths of the earth.
11. They will drag them by the sword; they will be the portion of foxes.
12. And the king will rejoice in God, and all who swear by Him will take pride, when the mouths of liars are blocked up.
Chapter 64
The masters of homiletics interpret this psalm as alluding to Daniel, who was thrown into the lion's den. With divine inspiration, David foresaw the event and prayed for him. Daniel was a descendant of David, as can be inferred from God's statement to Hezekiah (himself of Davidic lineage), "And from your children, who will issue forth from you, they will take, and they (referring to, amongst others, Daniel) will be minesters in the palace of the king of Babylon."
1. For the Conductor, a psalm by David.
2. Hear my voice, O God, as I recount [my woes]; preserve my life from the terror of the enemy.
3. Shelter me from the schemes of the wicked, from the conspiracy of evildoers,
4. who have sharpened their tongue like the sword, aimed their arrow-a bitter word-
5. to shoot at the innocent from hidden places; suddenly they shoot at him, they are not afraid.
6. They encourage themselves in an evil thing, they speak of laying traps; they say: "Who will see them?”
7. They sought pretexts; [and when] they completed a diligent search, each man [kept the plot] inside, deep in the heart.
8. But God shot at them; [like] a sudden arrow were their blows.
9. Their own tongues caused them to stumble; all who see them shake their heads [derisively].
10. Then all men feared, and recounted the work of God; they perceived His deed.
11. Let the righteous one rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in Him, and let them take pride-all upright of heart.
Chapter 65
This psalm contains awe-inspiring and glorious praises to God, as well as entreaties and prayers concerning our sins. It declares it impossible to recount God's greatness, for who can recount His mighty acts? Hence, silence is His praise.
1. For the Conductor, a psalm by David, a song.
2. Silence is praise for You, O God [Who dwells in] Zion; and to You vows will be paid.
3. O Heeder of prayer, to You does all flesh come.
4. Matters of sin overwhelm me; You will pardon our transgressions.
5. Fortunate is [the nation] whom You choose and draw near, to dwell in Your courtyards; may we be sated with the goodness of Your House, with the holiness of Your Sanctuary.
6. Answer us with awesome deeds as befits Your righteousness, O God of our salvation, the security of all [who inhabit] the ends of the earth and distant seas.
7. With His strength He prepares [rain for] the mountains; He is girded with might.
8. He quiets the roar of the seas, the roar of their waves and the tumult of nations.
9. Those who inhabit the ends [of the earth] fear [You] because of Your signs; the emergences of morning and evening cause [man] to sing praise.
10. You remember the earth and water it, you enrich it abundantly [from] God's stream filled with water. You prepare their grain, for so do You prepare it.
11. You saturate its furrows, gratifying its legions; with showers You soften it and bless its growth.
12. You crown the year of Your goodness [with rain], and Your clouds drip abundance.
13. They drip on pastures of wilderness, and the hills gird themselves with joy.
14. The meadows don sheep, and the valleys cloak themselves with grain; they sound blasts, indeed they sing.
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Tanya: Likutei Amarim, middle of Chapter 29
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
Adar I 10, 5774 · February 10, 2014
Likutei Amarim, middle of Chapter 29
והסיבה היא גסות הקליפה, שמגביה עצמה על אור קדושת נפש האלקית, ומסתרת ומחשיכה אורה
The cause of this deficiency is the arrogance of the kelipah of the animal soul, which exalts itself above the holiness of the light of the divine soul, so that it obscures and darkens its light.
ולזאת צריך לבטשה ולהשפילה לעפר
Therefore, one must crush it and cast it down to the ground, just as in the previously quoted analogy the beam is splintered so that it will catch fire.
The Alter Rebbe now proceeds to explain how this is accomplished. He points out that the personality of the Beinoni is his animal soul. (When a Beinoni says “I,” he is referring to his animal soul.) Thus, by crushing his own spirit, he crushes the sitra achra, and thereby enables the light of the soul and intellect to penetrate himself.
דהיינו לקבוע עתים להשפיל עצמו, להיות נבזה בעיניו נמאס, ככתוב
This means that one must crush the sitra achra and cast it to the ground by setting aside appointed times for humbling oneself and considering himself1 “despicable and contemptible,” as it is written.
ולב נשבר רוח נשברה היא הסטרא אחרא, שהיא היא האדם עצמו בבינונים
Now2 “A broken heart [leads to] a broken spirit,” the “spirit” being the sitra achra which, in the case of Beinonim, is the very man himself.
שנפש החיונית המחיה הגוף היא בתקפה כתולדתה בלבו, נמצא היא היא האדם עצמו
For in his heart the vital soul which animates the body is in its full strength as it was at birth; hence it is indeed the very man himself.
ועל נפש האלקית שבו, נאמר: נשמה שנתת בי טהורה היא, שנתת בי דייקא, מכלל שהאדם עצמו איננו הנשמה הטהורה, כי אם בצדיקים
With regard to the divine soul within him it is said: 3 “The soul which You gave within me is pure.” The word “(within) me” cannot be understood as referring to the body alone: the body cannot speak for itself as a complete man. Thus, it must refer also to the (animating) soul. Therefore, the words “(which You gave) within me” imply that the man himself who is saying these words is not identified with the “pure soul”; i.e., the divine soul is a thing apart, which has been “placed within” this “me” — the body and animal soul — except in the case of tzaddikim.
שבהם הוא להפך: שנשמה הטהורה שהיא נפש האלקית הוא האדם, וגופם נקרא בשר אדם
With them the contrary is true: the man himself is the “pure soul,” i.e, the divine soul, while their body is called “the flesh of man” i.e., secondary to the man himself — the divine soul.
FOOTNOTES
1. A play [on words] in Tehillim 15:4.
2. Cf. Tehillim 51:19.
3. Morning liturgy; Berachot 60b.
Tanya: Likutei Amarim, middle of Chapter 29
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
Adar I 11, 5774 · February 11, 2014
Likutei Amarim, middle of Chapter 29
וכמאמר הלל הזקן לתלמידיו, כשהיה הולך לאכול היה אומר שהוא הולך לגמול חסד עם העלובה ועניה, הוא גופו, כי כמו זר נחשב אצלו, ולכן אמר שהוא גומל חסד עמו במה שמאכילו, כי הוא עצמו אינו רק נפש האלקית לבד, כי היא לבדה מחיה גופו ובשרו, שהרע שהיה בנפש החיונית המלובשת בדמו ובשרו נתהפך לטוב, ונכלל בקדושת נפש האלקית ממש בצדיקים
It was in this sense that Hillel the Elder would say to his disciples when he went to eat that he was going to do a favor to the1 “lowly and poor creature,” meaning his body. He regarded his body as a foreign thing, and therefore used this expression — that he was doing it a favor by giving it food. For he himself was nothing other than the divine soul. It alone animated his body and flesh, inasmuch as in tzaddikim the evil that was in the vital soul pervading their blood and flesh has been transformed into good and completely absorbed into the holiness of the divine soul, and thus, the divine soul is the man himself.
אבל בבינוני, מאחר שמהותה ועצמותה של נפש החיונית הבהמית שמסטרא אחרא המלובשת בדמו ובשרו לא נהפך לטוב, הרי היא היא האדם עצמו
With a Beinoni, however, since the substance and essence of the vitalizing, animal soul (stemming from the sitra achra) which pervades his blood and flesh has not been transformed into good, it indeed constitutes the man himself, and therefore, by crushing his own spirit the Beinoni actually crushes the sitra achra.
The Alter Rebbe now proceeds to suggest various lines of reasoning that the Beinoni may use in order to humble and crush his spirit — and thereby the sitra achra of his animal soul. The first of these follows from the point just concluded, that the personality of the Beinoni is, in fact, an expression of the sitra achra — the animal soul.
FOOTNOTES
1. Vayikra Rabbah 34:3.
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Rambam:
• Sefer Hamitzvos:
Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
Listen Online | MP3 Download
Important Message Regarding This Lesson
The Daily Mitzvah schedule runs parallel to the daily study of 3 chapters of Maimonides' 14-volume code. There are instances when the Mitzvah is repeated a few days consecutively while the exploration of the same Mitzvah continues in the in-depth track.
Positive Commandment 19
Grace after Meals
"And you will eat and be sated then you will bless G‑d"—Deuteronomy 8:10.
We are commanded to express gratitude to G‑d after every meal.
The 19th mitzvah is that we are commanded to thank G‑d (exalted be He) after each time we eat.1
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement,2 "When you have eaten and are satiated, You shall bless G‑d your L‑rd."
The Tosefta3 says, "Reciting the blessing after eating is a mitzvah of the Torah, as the verse says, 'When you have eaten and are satiated, you shall bless G‑d your L‑rd.' "
The details of this mitzvah are explained in many places in the tractate Berachos.4
FOOTNOTES
1. This speaks primarily of bread made from the five grains. After eating other types of food, one is required to recite a blessing by Rabbinic ordinance.
2. Deut. 8:10.
3. Berachos, beginning of Chapter 6.
4. The Rambam usually explains whether or not a particular mitzvah is obligatory on women. However, in Hilchos Berachos, Chapter 5, Halacha 1, he rules that it is halachically doubtful whether they are obligated by Torah or Rabbinic law.
• Sefer Hamitzvos:
Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
Important Message Regarding This Lesson
The Daily Mitzvah schedule runs parallel to the daily study of 3 chapters of Maimonides' 14-volume code. There are instances when the Mitzvah is repeated a few days consecutively while the exploration of the same Mitzvah continues in the in-depth track.
Positive Commandment 19
Grace after Meals
"And you will eat and be sated then you will bless G‑d"—Deuteronomy 8:10.
We are commanded to express gratitude to G‑d after every meal.
The 19th mitzvah is that we are commanded to thank G‑d (exalted be He) after each time we eat.1
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement,2 "When you have eaten and are satiated, You shall bless G‑d your L‑rd."
The Tosefta3 says, "Reciting the blessing after eating is a mitzvah of the Torah, as the verse says, 'When you have eaten and are satiated, you shall bless G‑d your L‑rd.' "
The details of this mitzvah are explained in many places in the tractate Berachos.4
FOOTNOTES
1. This speaks primarily of bread made from the five grains. After eating other types of food, one is required to recite a blessing by Rabbinic ordinance.
2. Deut. 8:10.
3. Berachos, beginning of Chapter 6.
4. The Rambam usually explains whether or not a particular mitzvah is obligatory on women. However, in Hilchos Berachos, Chapter 5, Halacha 1, he rules that it is halachically doubtful whether they are obligated by Torah or Rabbinic law.
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• 1 Chapter: Kelim Chapter 25
Chapter 25
Halacha 1
All flat wooden implements made to sit, lie, or ride upon are susceptible to midras impurity, e.g., a bed, a chair, or the like.
Halacha 2
The bier, the pillow, and the cushion of a corpse, the chair of a bride, the birthing chair of a woman in childbirth, the chair of a launderer on which he washes clothes, and the chair of a child that has legs, even though it is not a handbreadth high, are all susceptible to midras impurity.
Halacha 3
An iron seat covered with leather that is used in a lavatory is susceptible to midras impurity and to other types of impurity. If the leather covering was removed, that leather is susceptible to midras impurity. The metal seat is susceptible to other types of impurity, but not to midras impurity.
Halacha 4
A small basket made from reeds or the like that is covered with leather is susceptible to midras impurity and to other types of impurity. If the leather covering was removed, that leather is susceptible to midras impurity, but the basket is entirely pure, for it is considered like other broken keilim.
Halacha 5
When the two legs of benches in a bathhouse are made of wood, they are susceptible to midras impurity. If one was made of wood and the other of marble, it is not susceptible to impurity.
Halacha 6
When boards of a bathhouse were covered with cork, they are not susceptible to impurity, for they are not made to be sat upon, but so that the water will flow under them.
Halacha 7
When a large basket or wicker holder was filled with straw or fragments of cloth, even though they were adapted to be sat upon, they are not susceptible to midras impurity, because they are not fit to be sat upon. If they were laced with reeds or string over their opening, they are susceptible to midras impurity.
Halacha 8
When one made a seat on one of the ends of a beam of an olive press, it is not susceptible to midras impurity, for if a person were to sit there, he would be told: "Stand up and let us do our work." If, however, a chair was affixed to the beam of an olive press, the chair is susceptible to midras impurity. Nevertheless, if a zav trod on the beam, the chair does not contract impurity.
Similarly, if one affixed a chair to a large beam or made a chair at the end of a large beam, only the place of the chair itself is susceptible to impurity. The remainder of the beam is pure. The same law applies to a chair that is affixed to a kneading trough; it is pure.
Halacha 9
When a stonecutter prepares the edge of a beam to sit upon, the place where he sits is susceptible to midras impurity. The place where a person sits in the back of a carriage is not susceptible to impurity, because it is uncomfortable to sit there.
Halacha 10
The tops of beams on which craftsmen sit and smooth stones or the like are pure. Similarly, a piece hewn from a date palm upon which one sits is pure even if it is a handbreadth high. The rationale is that this is not a k'li. Similarly, a lump of wood, even if it was colored red or saffron and made part of the façade of a gateway or the like, is not considered a k'li, nor is it susceptible to impurity unless one engraves decorative designs in the wood.
Halacha 11
The following laws apply to heads of beams that have been hewn out. If they were hewn out with the intent that one sit upon them, they are susceptible to midras impurity. If one intended to sit upon them, they are susceptible to impurity from this time onward. If a deaf-mute, an intellectually or emotionally challenged person, a minor or a person to whom they did not belong intended to sit upon them, they are pure. For the only intent that is effective in changing the status of an entity vis-à-vis ritual impurity is the intent of the owner who is sound of mind.
Halacha 12
When a person makes a mound from dried yeast and designates it as a seat, it is nullified as a food and susceptible to midras impurity, for it serves the purpose of a wooden article.
Halacha 13
A straw mat is susceptible to midras impurity. One made of reeds or grass is pure, because they are not fit to serve as supports. With regard to other types of mats, if they were made to lie on, they are susceptible to impurity, if they were made to give shade, they are pure. If they were made without any specific intent, the ruling is dependent on its size. If they are large, it can be assumed that they were made for shade. If they are small, it can be assumed that they were made to lie upon.
Halacha 14
If reeds were attached to a mat lengthwise for reinforcement, it is susceptible to midras impurity, because it is still fit to lie upon. If they were attached in the form of the Greek letter chi, it is pure. If the reeds were attached widthwise and there were less than four handbreadths between them, it is pure.
A mat that was divided across its width is still susceptible to impurity. If it was divided across its length, different rules apply. If three bonds of six handbreadths remain, it is still fit to use as a support and is susceptible to impurity. If a smaller portion remains, it is pure. Similarly, if one released the bonds, the mat is pure.
A mat will not become susceptible even to midras impurity until the work involved with its fashioning is completed and its edges are trimmed, as we explained.
Halacha 15
A chest that opens from above is pure with regard to midras impurity, because it is not fit to sit upon. It is, however, susceptible to other types of impurity. If it opens from its side, it is susceptible to midras impurity and other types of impurity.
Halacha 16
The carriage of a child is susceptible to midras impurity, because he will lean upon it.
Halacha 17
A walking stick used by an old man is absolutely pure, because it is only an aid.
Halacha 18
A sandal used by limeworkers - which is made of wood - is susceptible to midras impurity, because, at times, a limeworker will wear it while walking until he reaches his home.
Halacha 19
A prosthetic leg of a person whose leg was amputated that has a receptacle for the remnants of his flesh is susceptible to other types of impurity, because of the receptacle and is susceptible to midras impurity, because he leans upon it.
Halacha 20
These items are susceptible to impurity, because they are surfaces upon which one rides: the saddle-blanket of a donkey, the saddle of a horse, the cushion for a camel, the saddle of a female camel, and the like.
The boards that are placed on a donkey, after which, a burden is placed upon them, are pure. If it is fit to be used as a saddle, it is susceptible to impurity.
• 1 Chapter: Kelim Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Halacha 1
The following rules apply to wooden keilim that are fit to serve as supports that were permanently affixed to a wall in a building. If they were fixed in a wall, but nothing was built upon them or something was built upon them, but they were not permanently attached to the wall, they are still susceptible to midras impurity, as before. If they were affixed to the wall with nails and then one built over them, they are pure.
Similarly, when a mat was placed over beams, if it was affixed there, but a ceiling was not built over it or a ceiling was built over it, but it was not affixed, it is still susceptible to midras impurity. If it was affixed and a ceiling was built over it, it is pure.
Halacha 2
When one of the legs of a bench was removed, it is still susceptible to midras impurity. If the other leg is also removed, it is pure. If, however, it is a handbreadth high, it is susceptible to midras impurity.
Halacha 3
When the ornamental coating of a bride's chair was removed, it is pure. If the coating of a chair did not project outward and was removed, the chair is still susceptible to midras impurity, because it is the ordinary practice to turn it on its side and sit on it.
Halacha 4
When the coating of a chair was removed and it is still fit to be sat upon, it is susceptible to impurity. If two of its coatings, one next to the other, were removed, it is pure.
Halacha 5
When the upper portion of a closet is removed, it is still impure because of the lower portion, because that portion is fit to use as a support. If the bottom portion was removed, it is impure because of the upper portion. If they were both removed, the side frames are pure.
Halacha 6
When a chest is broken open at its side, it is susceptible to midras impurity and other types of impurity, because it is still fit to sit on, and indeed everyone sits on it. If it was broken open from above, it is pure with regard to midras impurity, for it is no longer fit to sit on. It is, however, susceptible to other impurities, because it is still a receptacle. If it is broken open from below, it is pure from all types of impurity. The rationale is that even though it is still possible to sit on it like a chair, since its fundamental purpose was to serve as a receptacle and that fundamental purpose has been nullified, its secondary purpose is not considered significant. Its drawers are subject to impurity and are not considered as joined to it.
Similarly, a basket that serves as a dispenser which is broken open to the extent that it cannot hold pomegranates is entirely pure even though it is still fit to serve as a support. The rationale is that its fundamental purpose was to serve as a receptacle and since that fundamental purpose has been nullified, the secondary purpose is also nullified.
Halacha 7
A mixing trough made from wood in which building materials and gypsum are mixed is not susceptible to midras impurity even though it is susceptible to other forms of impurity.
When a kneading trough used to knead dough that holds between two luggin and nine kabbin has been cracked to the extent that one cannot wash even one foot in it because of the crack, it is susceptible to midras impurity. The rationale is that mostly likely it will be turned upside down and sat upon, because of its size and because of its crack.
If the cracked kneading trough was left in the rain until its wood swelled and the crack closed, it is no longer susceptible to midras impurity, for in its present state, it is fit to knead dough and, initially, that was its purpose. It is susceptible to other types of impurity. If, afterwards, one left it exposed to the east wind, and the crack opened, it becomes susceptible to midras impurity again and is pure with regard to other types of impurity.
Halacha 8
When a large kneading trough that can hold more than nine kabbin that was damaged and cannot hold pomegranates was prepared to be sat upon, it is pure even from midras impurity until the corners were trimmed. The rationale is that one's intent does not have an effect on the status of a large kneading trough that was damaged unless one performs a deed to make it fit for that purpose. If he made it a feeding trough for animals, it is susceptible to all types of impurity even if it was affixed to a wall.
Halacha 9
When the two long sideboards of a bed were removed after it contracted impurity and new sideboards were made for it, but the holes used to attach the sideboards to the headboards were not changed, the bed, including the new sideboards remains impure. Even if the new sideboards are broken, the bed is still impure. If the old sideboards are broken, it is pure, because the status of the entire bed depends on the old sideboards.
Halacha 10
When a bed had contracted midras impurity and a short board and its two legs were removed, it is still impure, because it still has the form of a bed. If one of the sideboards and its two legs were removed, it is pure.
Halacha 11
If one cut off two of the cornerposts of a bed on a diagonal, cut off two of the bedposts by a handbreadth by a handbreadth on a diagonal, or reduced their size to less than a handbreadth, the bed is considered as broken and it is pure.
If one of the sideboards were broken and fixed, the bed is still considered as a primary source of impurity, as it was before. If also the second sideboard was broken and fixed, it is free of midras impurity. It is, however, impure because it touched a support to which a zav imparted impurity. If one was not able to fix the first before the second was broken, the bed is pure.
Halacha 12
When a bed had contracted midras impurity or other types of impurity and then half of it was stolen or lost, or brothers or partners divided it, it is pure. It is like a broken k'li. If it was put back together, it is susceptible to impurity in the future. It is like someone who made a k'li from the broken pieces of impure keilim. The new k'li is pure and is susceptible to impurity in the future.
Halacha 13
The following laws apply when the components of a bed were taken apart. If one sideboard and two bedposts or one headboard or footboard and two bedposts were broken, it is still impure, because it can be propped against a wall and slept upon.
Halacha 14
Even when an entire bed contracted impurity, if it was immersed component by component, it is pure.
Halacha 15
When one takes a bed apart to immerse it, a person who touches its cords, is pure.
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• 3 Chapters: Berachot Chapter Four, Berachot Chapter Five, Berachot Chapter Six
Chapter Four
Halacha 1
Everyone who recites grace or the single blessing that includes the three [blessings of grace] should recite these blessings in the place where he ate. If he ate while walking, he should sit down where he concluded eating and recite the blessings. If he ate while standing, he should sit down in his place and recite grace.
If a person forgets to recite grace and remembers before his food becomes digested, he may recite grace in the place where he remembers. If he intentionally [did not recite grace in the place where he ate], he should return to his place and recite grace. Should he recite grace in the place where he remembers, he fulfills his obligation.
Similarly, a person who recites grace while standing or while walking fulfills his obligation. Nevertheless, at the outset, a person should not recite grace or the single blessing which includes the three [blessings of grace] except when he is seated in the place where he ate.
Halacha 2
A person who is in doubt whether he recited the blessing hamotzi or not should not repeat the blessing, because it is not required by the Torah.
A person who forgets to recite hamotzi should recite the blessing if he remembers before he completes his meal. If he remembers after he completed his meal, he should not recite the blessing.
Halacha 3
[The following rules apply when] a person was eating in one house, interrupted his meal, and went to another house, or when a friend called to him and he went out the doorway of his house to speak to him: When he returns, he is required to recite grace after what he originally ate, and to recite hamotzi again because he changed his place. [Only] after this, may he complete his meal.
Halacha 4
[The following rules apply when] friends joined to eat a meal together and [interrupted their meal to] go out to greet a groom or a bride: If they left an old man or a sick person [in the place where they ate], they may return to their place and complete their meal without having to recite a second blessing.
If they did not leave an old man or a sick person [in the place where they ate], when they depart they are required to recite a blessing after eating. When they return, they must recite a blessing before [beginning to eat again].
Halacha 5
Similar laws apply when people drink together as a group or eat fruits together. Whenever one changes one's place, it is considered as if he interrupted his eating. Therefore, he must recite a blessing after what he ate and must recite a second blessing before partaking of any other foods.
A person who changes his place from one corner to another in the same room need not recite another blessing. In contrast, a person who ate on the east side of a fig tree and goes to eat on the west side of the fig tree must recite another blessing.
Halacha 6
When a person recites a blessing on bread, it also includes the appetizers eaten together with bread - e.g., cooked food or fruit. Reciting a blessing on these foods, however, does not include bread.
Reciting a blessing on cooked grains includes cooked food. Reciting a blessing on cooked food, however, does not include cooked grains.
Halacha 7
A person who decides not to continue eating or drinking, and afterwards changes his mind and [desires to] eat or drink, must recite another blessing although he has not changed his place. If he did not decide [to cease] eating or drinking and had in mind to continue - even if he made an interruption for the entire day - he is not required to recite a second blessing.
Halacha 8
When people who are sitting together and drinking say "Let us recite grace," or "Let us recite kiddush," they are forbidden to continue drinking until they recite grace or kiddush. Should they desire to drink more - although they are not permitted to do so - before reciting grace or kiddush, they are required to recite the blessing borey pri hagafen before drinking. In contrast, should they say, "Let us recite havdalah," they are not required to recite a blessing [should they continue drinking].
Halacha 9
When a company who gathered together to drink wine were served another type of wine - e.g., they were drinking red wine and black wine was brought, or they were drinking fresh wine and aged wine was brought - they need not recite a second blessing over wine. They should, however, recite the following blessing: "Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, who is good and does good."
Halacha 10
A person should not recite a blessing over any food or drink until it is brought before him. If he recited a blessing, and then the food was brought before him, he must recite a second blessing.
When a person took food in his hand and recited a blessing, but [before he could eat it] it fell from his hand and was burned or washed away by a river, he should take other food and recite another blessing. [This applies] even when the food is of the same species. He should also say, "Blessed be the Name of Him whose glorious kingdom is forever and ever" for the first blessing, so that he will not be considered to have recited a blessing in vain.
A person may stand over a stream of water, recite a blessing, and drink. Although the water that was before him at the time he recited the blessing is not the water he drinks, this was his original intention.
Halacha 11
Foods that are eaten within the meal, because of the meal, do not require a blessing beforehand or afterward. Rather, the blessing hamotzi that is recited in the beginning and the grace recited afterward include everything, because everything is secondary to the meal.
Foods that are eaten within the meal, but do not come because of the meal, require a blessing before partaking of them, but do not require a blessing afterward.
Foods that are eaten after the meal, whether because of the meal or independent of the meal, require a blessing beforehand and afterward.
Halacha 12
On Sabbaths, on festivals, at the meal after one lets blood or leaves the bath, and the like, when a person makes wine a primary element of his meal, if he recites a blessing on wine before eating his meal, that blessing includes the wine that he drinks after the meal, before he recites grace. In contrast, on other days, a person should recite another blessing on wine that is drunk after the meal.
If wine is served to a company in the midst of the meal, each person should recite a blessing by himself, because one's mouth may not be empty to recite Amen. [This blessing] does not include the wine that is drunk after the meal.
Commentary Halacha 6
When a person recites a blessing on bread, it also includes - This halachah has raised questions among the commentaries. TheKessef Mishneh, the Lechem Mishneh, and others interpret this halachah as referring to the blessings before eating. Thus, with regard to bread, it is to a large part analogous to Halachah 11.
In this context, the Kessef Mishneh asks why the Rambam did not mention these laws in the context of Chapter 3, Halachot 5-7, which state the rule that the blessing on primary foods includes secondary foods. The Kessef Mishneh answers that those halachot describe a situation where the person has no desire to eat the secondary food in its own right and eats it only because of the primary food. In this halachah, the Rambam is speaking about an instance in which one desires to eat the other foods; nevertheless, they are included in the blessing recited over bread because bread includes all other foods.
The Rishon LeTzion offers a different interpretation, which appears more appropriate to the context in which the laws are discussed. Here, the Rambam is speaking only about the blessing recited after eating.
the appetizers - In his Commentary on the Mishnah,Berachot 6:5 (the source for this halachah), the Rambam defines the term פרפרת as לפתן, which is generally translated as "relish." Note the Tur and the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 176:1), which offer a different interpretation of the term פרפרת.
eaten together with bread - This does not refer only to instances when these foods are eaten while placed on bread, but also to times when they are eaten at a meal at which bread is served.
e.g., cooked food or fruit. - Because the main element of a meal is considered to be bread, reciting a blessing upon it - either before or after partaking of it - includes the other foods that are eaten together with it.
Reciting a blessing on these foods, however, does not include bread. - The commentaries question why this clause is necessary according to the Rambam's definition of פרפרת. It is obvious that bread would not be considered secondary to any other foods.
Reciting a blessing on cooked grains - Our translation is based on the Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah (loc. cit.) and on Chapter 3, Halachah 4.
includes cooked food. - Since the cooked grains are considered "sustaining food" and have been granted a special blessing which includes (in synopsis) all the blessings of grace, reciting a blessing over them includes other cooked dishes eaten with them.
The Rishon LeTzion emphasizes that this applies to cooked foods that are eaten together with the grains. Otherwise, it would be difficult to understand how the blessing for the grains could cover foods that require other blessings. Note also the Kessef Mishneh, which offers an alternate explanation.
Reciting a blessing on cooked food, however, does not include cooked grains. - Since these cooked foods are not as satisfying as grains, the blessing recited over them cannot include grains.
Several commentaries have raised the question that from Berachot 42b, it appears that the Rambam's decision follows the School of Shammai and not the School of Hillel. The clearest resolution of the difficulty is offered by the Rishon LeTzion, who explains that the Rambam's decision is based on the Jerusalem Talmud (Berachot 6:5). When the passage from the Babylonian Talmud is studied in the light of the passage from the Jerusalem Talmud, the Rambam's ruling is no longer difficult.
This relates to a concept frequently discussed by students of the Rambam: Does the Rambam accept the principle that when there is a difference of opinion between the Babylonian Talmud and the Jerusalem Talmud, the Halachah follows the Babylonian Talmud, or not?
Commentary Halacha 7
A person who decides not to continue eating or drinking - The Kessef Mishneh cites Pesachim 103b, which states that once a person diverts his attention from drinking wine, he must recite another blessing when he begins drinking again.
The Ra'avad notes that the passage from Pesachim (loc. cit.) mentions only drinking and does not discuss eating, and on that basis protests against the Rambam's equation of the two. From Berachot 42a, however, it appears that similar principles apply with regard to eating.
and afterwards changes his mind and [desires to] eat or drink, must recite another blessing - before partaking of the food or drink. He is not, however, required to recite a blessing after the first food or drink. Rather, he is required to recite only a single blessing after he completes eating.
although he has not changed his place. - As mentioned in Halachot 3-5, a person who changes his place while eating must recite both a blessing after the food he has eaten previously and a blessing over the food he plans to eat in his new place.
Many authorities do not accept the Rambam's decision with regard to a meal that includes bread. When a person sits down to such a meal, he is considered to have fixed his attention on eating. People frequently become drawn into eating more than they originally intended at such meals. Thus, a person's decision not to continue eating is not considered final, since it is quite possible that he will change his mind and decide to eat again. (See Shulchan Aruch HaRav 179:1).
Based on these principles, the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 179:1) rules that, although once a person has decided to cease eating or drinking a new blessing is generally required, when partaking of a meal it is not sufficient to make a mental decision, and a person must wash before grace to be considered to have ceased eating.
If he - remained in the place in which he ate originally, and
did not decide [to cease] eating or drinking and had in mind to continue - eating at a later time
even if he made an interruption for the entire day - The Rambam's terminology appears to be a stylistic exaggeration. If a person waits long enough for the food he has eaten to digest, it would appear that he is required to recite another blessing before beginning to eat again (Kin’at Eliyahu).
he is not required to recite a second blessing - before partaking of more food or drink.
Commentary Halacha 8
When people who are sitting together - after having completed a meal
and drinking say - This refers to a consensus agreed to by all the participants, and not a mere suggestion raised by a single individual.
"Let us recite grace," or "Let us recite kiddush," - i.e., they were eating on Friday afternoon or the afternoon before a festival. From sunset onward, it is forbidden to continue eating until one recites kiddush. It is, however, possible to recite kiddush early (see Hilchot Shabbat 29:11). Once the people agree to recite kiddush, they may no longer continue their meal (Kessef Mishneh).
they are - considered to have diverted their attention from drinking, as mentioned in the previous halachah. Hence, they are
forbidden to continue drinking until they recite grace or kiddush. - The Turei Zahav 179:2 states that, according to the authorities who differ with the Rambam on the previous halachah, if one's desire to drink stems from having eaten, one may continue to drink at this point.
Should they desire to drink more - although they are not permitted to do so - i.e., they are obligated to recite grace orkiddush before drinking. Should they desire to ignore that obligation and drink immediately,
before reciting grace or kiddush, they are required to recite the blessing borey pri hagafen before drinking - because, as mentioned in the previous halachah, the blessing they recited originally does not cover any drink consumed after they concluded drinking.
In contrast, should they say, "Let us recite havdalah," they are not required to recite a blessing [should they continue drinking]. - The difference between kiddush and havdalah is that kiddush initiates the Sabbath. Accordingly, the respect due to the Sabbath adds importance to the diversion of our attention from drinking implied by the statement, "Let us recite kiddush." In contrast, havdalah marks the beginning of the week, which we are not required to treat with such distinction. Thus, as Hilchot Shabbat 29:12 states, a person is not required to interrupt his meal at nightfall on Saturday, but may continue and recite havdalah when he concludes eating (Radbaz).
24. Berachot 59b emphasizes that this blessing is recited only when one drinks in a company. When one drinks alone, this blessing should not be recited, because it praises God for "being good" - i.e., to me - and "doing good" - for others (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 175:4).
25. Tosafot, Berachot (loc. cit.) notes that the Sages instituted this blessing only for different types of wine and not for different types of bread or meat, since wine has two positive qualities: It satisfies a person's appetite and lifts his spirits.
26. Rashi, Berachot (loc. cit.), states that this blessing should be recited only when the second type of wine is better than the first. If the first type of wine is better, no blessing should be recited. The commentaries maintain that the Rambam differs and maintains that the blessing should be recited whenever one changes types of wine. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 175:2-3) rules that if one knows that the second type of wine is of a lesser quality than the first, the blessing should not be recited.
Commentary Halacha 10
A person should not recite a blessing over any food or drink until it is brought before him. - The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 206:4) states that a person should hold the food in his right hand before reciting the blessing for it.
If he - ignored the above directive and
recited a blessing, and then the food was brought before him - The blessing is considered to be in vain, and before partaking of the food,
he must recite a second blessing. - There are some authorities who maintain that even though the food was not before one at the time the blessing was recited, if one was absolutely sure that it would be brought before him immediately, he can rely on that blessing (Mishneh Berurah 206:19).
When a person took food in his hand and recited a blessing, but [before he could eat it] it fell from his hand and was burned or washed away by a river - or in any other way became inedible
he should take other food and recite another blessing - i.e., the first blessing is no longer in effect ,and a second blessing must be recited before eating.
[This applies] even when the food is of the same species. - The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 206:6) adds, "and even if the other fruit was before him when he recited the blessing originally." The Ramah (based on the Hagahot Maimoniot) differs, and maintains that if he originally intended to partake of the other fruit as well, it is included in the first blessing and he should eat it without hesitation so that the blessing will not have to be repeated.
He should also say, "Blessed be the Name of Him whose glorious kingdom is forever and ever" for the first blessing, so that he will not be considered to have recited a blessing in vain. - See Chapter 1, Halachah 15, which discusses the seriousness of reciting a blessing in vain. See also Hilchot Sh'vuot 12:9-11, where the Rambam discusses related concepts, concluding:
The Torah has adjured us "to fear [His] glorious and awesome name." Included in this fear is that it should not be mentioned in vain. If, because of a slip of the tongue, one mentioned God's name in vain, one should immediately praise and laud... it.
A person may stand over a stream of water, recite a blessing, and drink. - The Jerusalem Talmud (Berachot 6:1) mentions this instance as a contrast to the previous law.
Although the water that was before him at the time he recited the blessing is not the water he drinks, this was his original intention. - He knew that the water would continue to flow. When he recited the blessing on the water, his intent was on water from the stream and not on the particular water before him at the time he recited the blessing.
Commentary Halacha 11
Foods that are eaten within the meal, because of the meal. - The Rambam's statements are quoted, with slight changes, from Berachot 41b. In his commentary on this passage, Rashi defines this first category of foods as relishes eaten with bread. He explains that other foods - e.g., cereals or vegetables - although they are eaten as part of a meal, require an independent blessing.
Tosafot differs, and maintains that any food that is eaten as part of a meal - e.g., the foods mentioned by Rashi, meat or fish - is included in this category. Even if they are not eaten with bread, merely at the same meal, they
do not require a blessing beforehand or afterward. - The commentaries question whether the Rambam's position follows that of Rashi or Tosafot. The following sentence (which is the Rambam's addition to Berachot, loc. cit.) sheds light on the question.
Rather, the blessing hamotzi that is recited in the beginning and the grace recited afterward include everything, because everything is secondary to the meal. - This sentence explains the rationale for this ruling. These foods are not eaten casually during the day, but rather are eaten only as part of a meal, with the intent of satiating one's appetite. Accordingly, they are considered as secondary to bread, which is the primary element of the meal (Shulchan Aruch HaRav 177:1). Accordingly, we follow the ruling mentioned in Chapter 3, Halachah 5, that the blessing on primary foods includes secondary foods.
This explanation appears to indicate that the Rambam followsTosafot's interpretation. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 171:1) also rules accordingly. The Magen Avraham 177:1, however, postulates that it is logical to assume that this ruling applies only when bread is eaten throughout the meal. If only a small amount of bread is eaten at the beginning of a meal, and no bread is eaten while the main course is being eaten, it is questionable whether the blessing over the bread covers these foods.
Foods that are eaten within the meal, but do not come because of the meal - This refers to fruits and the like, which are not satisfying food and are eaten throughout the day, frequently outside the context of a meal, but at times within the context of a meal. This indicates that they are not necessarily connected with the meal and, therefore, are not included in the blessing hamotzi. Accordingly, they
require a blessing before partaking of them, but do not require a blessing afterward. - Since they are eaten within the meal, they also satisfy a person's appetite. Accordingly, they are included in the blessing that is required by the commandment, "When you have eaten and are satiated, you shall bless...."
The Shulchan Aruch (loc. cit.:1,3, based on Rabbenu Asher's commentary on Berachot, loc. cit.) mentions two instances when fruit is included in the blessing hamotzi:
a) When the fruits are eaten on bread itself,
b) When one eats a meal of fruit - i.e., the fruit is served to satiate one's appetite.
Foods that are eaten after the meal, whether because of the meal - i.e., foods served to satiate one's appetite
or independent of the meal -fruits, desserts, or drinks
require a blessing beforehand and afterward. - Tosafot (Berachot, loc. cit.) states that this law does not apply at present. Our eating habits have changed, and bread is constantly before us during a meal, and it is customary to partake of it at all times.
The Shulchan Aruch (loc. cit.:2) accepts Tosafot's position. The Magen Avraham 177:7 adds that even at large feasts, when it is customary to eat desert without eating bread, a new blessing is not required because, in Talmudic times, bread and the main course were served on a small table, which was then removed, and dessert was served on a new table. Thus, the dessert appeared as a separate meal and required separate blessings. In contrast, at present, desert is served on the same table on which the bread was served. Hence, it is still considered a continuation of the same meal and does not require a separate blessing.
Chapter Five
Halacha 1
Women and slaves are obligated to recite grace. There is a doubt whether their obligation stems from the Torah, since [this is a positive mitzvah] that is not linked to a specific time, or whether their obligation does not stem from the Torah. Therefore, they should not fulfill the obligation of grace on behalf of others. Children, however, are obligated to recite grace by virtue of Rabbinic decree, in order to educate them to perform mitzvot.
Halacha 2
When three people eat [a meal including] bread together, they are obligated to recite the blessing of zimmun before grace.
What is the blessing of zimmun? If there were between three and ten participants in a meal, one recites the blessing, saying, "Let us bless Him of whose [bounty] we have eaten."
Everyone responds: "Blessed be He of whose [bounty] we have eaten and by whose goodness we live." The one [reciting the blessing] then repeats: "Blessed be He of whose [bounty] we have eaten and by whose goodness we live."
Halacha 3
Afterwards, he recites, "Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, who sustains the entire world in His goodness..." until he completes the four blessings [of grace]. The others answer Amen after each blessing.
Halacha 4
If ten or more people eat together, the zimmun should be recited with God's name. What is implied? The one reciting the blessing declares, "Let us bless to our God of whose [bounty] we have eaten."
The others respond: "Blessed be our God of whose [bounty] we have eaten and by whose goodness we live." The one [reciting the blessing] then repeats: "Blessed be our God of whose [bounty] we have eaten and by whose goodness we live." He then begins reciting grace.
Halacha 5
When eating in the home of a bridegroom from the time when the preparations for the wedding feast have begun until 30 days after the wedding, the one reciting the blessings should say, "Let us bless Him in whose abode is joy, of whose bounty we have eaten," and the others respond, "Blessed be He in whose abode is joy, of whose bounty we have eaten...."
If ten people are present, he says, "Let us bless our God in whose abode is joy, of whose bounty we have eaten..." and the others respond, "Blessed be our God in whose abode is joy, of whose bounty we have eaten...." Similarly, whenever a feast is held because of the wedding for twelve months after the wedding, one should include the phrase, "in whose abode is joy."
Halacha 6
All men are obligated in the blessing of the zimmun as they are obligated in grace, even priests who partook of sacrifices of the most sacred order in the Temple Courtyard. Similarly, priests and Israelites who ate together are required to recite the zimmun as they are required to recite grace, although the priests partook of terumah and the Israelites ordinary food.
Halacha 7
Women, servants, and children are not included in azimmun. They may, however, make a zimmun among themselves. Nevertheless, for the sake of modesty, there should not be a company that consists of women, servants, and children [together]. Instead, women may make a zimmun alone, as may servants and as may children. They should not, however, mention God's name.
An androgynous may make a zimmun among his own kind, but should not be included among a zimmun either of men or of women. A tumtum should not be included in a zimmun at all.
A child who understands Whom is being blessed may be included in a zimmun, although he is merely seven or eight years old. He may be counted among either a group of three or a group of ten for the purpose of zimmun. A gentile may not be included in a zimmun.
Halacha 8
Only those who ate at least an amount of bread equal to the size of an olive should be included in a zimmun.
When seven people partake of bread and three eat vegetables or brine and the like with them, the latter may be included in the zimmun, so that God's name may be mentioned, provided the one reciting the blessings partook of bread. In contrast, should six people partake of bread and four eat vegetables, the latter may not be included. There has to be a distinct majority of people who partook of bread.
When does the above apply? With regard to [a zimmun of] ten. Regarding three, however, they should not recite the zimmun unless each one of them eats a portion of bread the size of an olive.
Halacha 9
[The following rule applies when] two people eat together and complete their meal, and afterward, a third person comes and eats. If the others can eat any food [- they need not partake of bread -] together with him, he should be included [in the zimmun] with them.
The sage of the greatest stature among those dining should recite grace, although he arrived at the end of the meal.
Halacha 10
When three people eat together, they may not separate [and recite grace without a zimmun]. The same applies to four and five people. Between six and ten people may separate [and recite grace in two groups].
If more then ten people are present, they may not separate until [their number reaches] twenty. [The governing principle is that a group may separate only if] the blessing of the zimmun will be the same for both groups if they separate.
Halacha 11
When three people who each came from a different group of three [join together], they should not separate [without reciting grace with a zimmun]. If each of them already participated in a zimmun, they may separate. They are not obligated to participate in a zimmun again, because a zimmun was already recited including them.
When three people sit down [together] to eat bread, they may not separate even though each person eats from his own food.
Halacha 12
[The following rules apply when] two groups eat together in the same building: When part of one group can see part of the other group, they may join together in a single zimmun. If not, they should each recite a zimmun separately.
If there is a single attendant who serves both of these groups, they may join in a single zimmun, even though none of the people in the two groups see each other, provided both groups can clearly hear the words of the person reciting the blessings.
Halacha 13
When three people ate together and one went out to the marketplace, he should be called to pay attention to what they are saying. He may be included in the zimmun while he is at the marketplace, and thus fulfill his obligation. Afterwards, when he returns to his house, he should recite grace alone. In contrast, when ten people eat together and one goes out to the market place, the zimmun may not be recited until he returns to his place.
Halacha 14
When three people eat together and one recites grace alone before the others, the zimmun can be recited with him and the other two fulfill their obligation. He, however, is not considered to have fulfilled his obligation, because the zimmun cannot be fulfilled retroactively.
Halacha 15
When two people eat together, each person should recite grace by himself. If one knows [how to recite grace] and the other does not, the one who knows should recite the grace out loud, and the other person should recite Amen after each blessing. In this manner, he fulfills his obligation.
A son may recite grace for his father, a servant for his master, and a woman for her husband - and thus enable the person to fulfill his obligation. Nevertheless, our Sages said, "May a curse come on a person whose wife or children recite grace for him."
Halacha 16
When do the statements that [it is possible to] fulfill one's obligation [in this manner] apply? When they have not eaten to the point of satiation. Therefore, their obligation is only Rabbinic in origin, and can be fulfilled by [listening to] a minor, a servant, or a woman.
If, however, they ate to the point of satisfaction, and thus are obligated according to the Torah itself to recite grace, they cannot fulfill their obligation by [listening to] either a woman, a minor, or a servant. Anyone who is obligated according to the Torah to perform a mitzvah can have his obligation fulfilled only by another person who is also obligated from the Torah [to fulfill this mitzvah] as he is.
Halacha 17
[The following rules apply when] a person enters [a room where] others are reciting the blessing of zimmun]: If he [enters when] the person reciting the blessings says, "Let us recite grace," he should respond, "Blessed is He, and may He be blessed." If he [enters when] the others reply, he should say Amen afterward.
Commentary Halacha 1
Women and slaves - whose Torah obligations are equivalent (Chagigah 4a)
are obligated to recite grace. - There are opinions that state that a woman does not have to recite the part of grace that blesses God for "Your covenant that You have sealed in our flesh, and for Your Torah that You have taught us," since women are not obligated to fulfill these mitzvot. Nevertheless, in practice, it is agreed that women should mention both these mitzvot, because the ultimate fulfillment of the creation of both men and women is when they marry. Therefore, a man and his wife are considered a single unit (Shulchan Aruch HaRav 187:7).
There is a doubt whether their obligation stems from the Torah, since [this is a positive mitzvah] that is not linked to a specific time - Women are not obligated to fulfill such mitzvot. See Kiddushin (1:7). Since the obligation to recite grace is constant, whether one eats during the day or at night, it would appear that women are obligated. Some commentaries point to Sefer HaMitzvot (Positive Commandment 19) and the Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah (Berachot 3:3 and Kiddushin, loc. cit.) as indications that the Rambam supports the view that a woman's obligation for grace stems from the Torah.
or whether their obligation does not stem from the Torah. -Berachot 20b explains this hypothesis: Since Deuteronomy 8:10, the proof-text requiring us to recite grace, states: "You shall bless God, your Lord, for the good land that He gave you," one might think that only those who were given an inheritance in Eretz Yisrael are required to recite grace, thus excluding women who were not given an inheritance.
Therefore - i.e., because of this doubt
they should not - endeavor to
fulfill the obligation of grace on behalf of others. - Since, as stated in Chapter 1, Halachah 11, a person can only recite a blessing on behalf of another person if he shares an equal obligation himself.
Children - Boys below thirteen and girls below twelve, or individuals above that age who have not demonstrated signs of physical maturity.
however, are obligated to recite grace - This expression appears to indicate that the Sages placed the obligation on the child himself. See also Hilchot Sukkah 6:1 and Hilchot Lulav 7:19, where the Rambam uses similar expressions. (In Hilchot Tefillin 4:13 and Hilchot Chagigah 2:3, however, the Rambam states that the obligation to train a child to fulfill these mitzvot lies on the father.)
The hypothesis that the obligation lies on the child is supported by Halachah 16, which states that a child may fulfill the obligation of grace for a person who did not eat to the point of satisfaction (and, therefore, is obligated to recite grace only by Rabbinic decree). Were the Sages to have placed the obligation to educate the child on his father and not on the child himself, the child would not be able to fulfill the mitzvah on behalf of another person.
Nevertheless, it is possible to explain that the Sages placed the obligation on the father. This obligation, however, encompasses the child and, hence, causes him to be considered as obligated in the mitzvah (Likkutei Sichot, Vol. 17).
by virtue of Rabbinic decree - until a child reaches intellectual maturity, the Torah itself places no obligations upon him (Pesachim 116a).
in order to educate them to perform mitzvot.
1. Zimmun is related to the word להזדמן, which means "to come together" (Rashi, Berachot 45a).
2. Berachot (loc. cit.) derives this obligation from Psalms 34:4: "Exalt God with me, and let us extol His name together." Rashi notes that the use of the plural form of the word "exalt" implies the presence of at least two people and the expression, "with me," the presence of a third.
3. The Magen Avraham 192:1 cites the Zohar (Vol. III, 186b), which states that the person reciting grace should call the attention of the participants in the meal. Therefore, it is customary for him to begin, "Gentlemen, let us recite grace," and for the others to reply, "May the name of God be blessed forever and ever."
4. The Tur (Orach Chayim 192) states that between zimmun and grace, the participants say, "Blessed be He and blessed be His name." This is the custom in many Ashkenazic communities.
5. The person who recites the zimmun should recite grace with the intention of fulfilling the obligation on behalf of the others, and they should have the intention of fulfilling the mitzvah by listening to his blessings. (See the commentary on Halachah 15.)
At present, it is customary for each person to recite grace by himself after hearing the zimmun (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 183:7). It is feared that one will lose concentration in the midst of the blessings (Shulchan Aruch HaRav 183:10).
6. This enhances the importance of the blessings.
7. The Rambam's text states, לא-להינו, which is a direct quote from Berachot 7:3. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 192:1) states that the ל should be omitted, because it is not proper usage.
8. There are several differences between the rules governing this addition and those governing the recitation of the wedding blessings. (See Chapter 2, Halachot 9-11.) First, the addition, "in whose abode is joy," is recited both before and after the time when the wedding blessings are recited. Secondly, there is no need for "new faces."
At present, the Shulchan Aruch (Even HaEzer 62:7) writes that a marriage feast is not unique compared to other celebrations. Therefore, this addition is made only in the seven days of the wedding celebrations.
9. Rav David Avudraham explains that this refers to the angels in heaven, who recite songs of praise. This heavenly rejoicing is mentioned at the time of a wedding, one of the most significant worldly celebrations.
10. The Chelkat Mechokeik 62:7 states that the addition of "in whose abode is joy" is made only in an instance when when others join the wedding party and not when only the immediate family are present.
11. Our translation is based on Arachin 4a, which interprets the word הכל as referring to priests, Levites, and Israelites.
12. Arachin (loc. cit.) explains that since the priests partake of the sacrifices in order that the people who bring them should receive atonement and not because they desire to eat a meal, one might think that they would not be required to recite this blessing.
13. Arachin (loc. cit.) explains that since the Israelites are not allowed to partake of the terumah eaten by the priests, one might think that it would not be considered as if they ate together as a group. This law has ramifications in the present age in situations when people eating a fleishig meal join others eating a milchig meal at the same table (See Shulchan Aruch HaRav 196:7).
Commentary Halacha 7
Women, servants, and - very young
children are not included in a zimmun. - i.e., if there are two adult males and one of these three types of individuals, it is impossible to make a zimmun. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 199:7) states that when women eat together with men who make a zimmun, they are obligated to answer.
They may, however, make a zimmun among themselves. Nevertheless, for the sake of modesty - If any two of these three categories of people eat together, there is a possibility of undesirable results. In order not to encourage such meals, the Sages did not impose the obligation of zimmun.
The Rambam mentions modesty only as a reason why women and servants should not join in a zimmun. Significantly, other authorities explain that it is for reasons of modesty that women should not be counted in a zimmun together with men.
there should not be a company that consists of women, servants, and children [together]. - Nor should a company consist of two of these three categories.
Instead, women may make a zimmun alone - There is, however, no obligation for them to do so (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 199:7). Rabbenu Asher considers them as obligated to make azimmun. Nevertheless, even among the Ashkenazic community, most authorities do not accept his ruling.
as may servants and as may children. They should not, however, mention God's name. - The mention of God's name causes the recitation of grace to be considered "a holy matter." As stated in Hilchot Tefillah 8:6, prayers of this nature can be recited only when a quorum of ten adult males is present (Kessef Mishneh).
An androgynous - A person who possesses both male and female sexual organs
may make a zimmun among his own kind, but should not be included among a zimmun either of men or of women - since he is not a member of either sex.
A tumtum - a person who has flesh covering his genitalia, making it impossible to determine whether he is a male or a female
should not be included in a zimmun at all. - He should not be counted among men or women, because we are unsure of his sex. Furthermore, unlike androgynouses a group of tumtumim cannot make a zimmun of their own.
In the case of an androgynous, the doubt is how to define his halachic status properly. Hence, they are considered a separate category. In contrast, a tumtum is either a male or a female, and it is his physical condition that prevents us from determining his sex. Thus, a group of tumtumim may include both males and females, and hence they are not allowed to be counted in a zimmun at all (Kessef Mishneh).
A child - The Magen Avraham 199:6 states that this applies to only one child, but not two or more.
who understands Whom is being blessed may be included in a zimmun, although he is merely seven or eight years old. - Rav Yitzchak Alfasi mentions an age of nine or ten. The Beit Yosef (Orach Chayim 199) states that all authorities agree that a child below the age of six may not be counted in a zimmun.
He may be counted among either a group of three - to recite the zimmun together with two adult males
or a group of ten - to include the mention of God's name together with nine adults
for the purpose of zimmun. - The Magen Avraham, loc. cit., explains why such a decision is granted with regard to a zimmun and not with regard to kaddish, barchu, kedushah, and the like. The latter prayers are obligations incumbent on a person each day, and may be fulfilled only with a quorum of adult men. In contrast, since each person may fulfill his obligation to recite grace without a zimmun, leniencies were granted in counting the people included.
Rabbenu Asher and the Ramah (Orach Chayim 199:10) do not accept this distinction, and rule that a child may not be counted in a zimun until he is thirteen years of age and has exhibited signs of physical maturity.
A gentile may not be included in a zimun - even when we are certain that he will bless God.
In his Commentary on the Mishnah (Berachot 7:1, based on Berachot 47b), the Rambam states that this refers to a gentile who has already made a decision to convert and has been circumcised for that reason. Nevertheless, if he has not immersed himself in the mikveh, he is not considered a Jew, and may not be included in a zimmun.
14. This ruling is not accepted by many other authorities, including Rabbenu Yitzchak Alfasi and Rabbenu Asher. Because of the difference of opinion, the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 197:3) rules that, at the outset, an attempt should be made to follow the Rambam's decision. If, however, the third person does not desire to eat bread, he may be included in the zimmun as long as he partook of ak'zayit of other foods.
15. The commentaries note that the Rambam does not quote Berachot 48a (the source for this halachah) exactly. The Talmud states "dipped his food in brine with them." The Rambam's choice of phraseology is particularly difficult since, as the Rambam himself writes in Hilchot Sh'vitat Asor 2:5, brine is generally not eaten alone as a food.
16. The commentaries have noted the apparent redundancy in the Rambam's expressions. The Kol ben Levi offers a possible resolution, explaining that, in the opening clause, the Rambam states that these people are not required to make a zimmun. In the final clause, he states that they are not allowed to do so.
17. Tosafot, Berachot 47a, writes that if they have already decided to recite grace, the third person may not be included in azimmun with them. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 197:1) accepts this ruling.
18. According to the Rambam's opinion mentioned in the previous halachah, the third person must partake of bread. According to the other opinions mentioned above, if the third person partakes of other foods, the first two may include him in a zimmun.
19. Berachot 47a relates that Rav Simai bar Chiyya joined Rav and Shemuel in a meal after the latter had completed eating. They ate another side dish together with him, and then recited the zimmun.
20. Note the Be'ur Halachah 197, which states that they are obligated to recite the zimmun.
21. He may, however, convey this privilege on another person if he desires (Tosafot, loc. cit.; Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 201:1).
The Shulchan Aruch (loc. cit.) mentions that if a guest is present, he should be given the privilege of reciting thezimmun, so that he will be able to recite a blessing for the host, as mentioned in Chapter 2, Halachah 7.
The Shulchan Aruch (loc. cit.:2) also mentions that a priest who is a Torah sage should be given the privilege of reciting the zimmun. (See Hilchot Klei HaMikdash 4:2 and Hilchot Tefillah 12:18.)
22. Although a sufficient number of people to recite grace with azimmun will remain, each individual is personally obligated to participate in the zimmun and may not recite grace alone.
23. Enough people remain in each group to allow them both to recite grace with a zimmun. There is, however, no obligation to separate. If the people desire, they may recite grace in a single group (Ramah, Orach Chayim 193:1).
24. Until there are twenty people, separation will prevent - at the very least - the people who separate from reciting grace with God's name.
The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 193:1, based onBerachot 50a) states that, at a meal attended by many people, if there is a difficulty or inconvenience preventing an individual from participating in the zimmun in which God's name is mentioned, he may recite grace with a zimmun of three.
Commentary Halacha 11
When three people who each came - It is possible to explain that this is referring to three individuals who each began eating with a separate group in the same large room. Afterwards, they joined together and ate at the same table.
Alternatively, the halachah is speaking about three groups that ate on the same table, and one remained from each group (Merchevat HaMishneh), or the three individuals came from different groups, but left their original group inadvertently or because of forces beyond their control (Mishnah Berurah 193:25).
from a different group of three - and thus were each personally obligated to participate in a zimmun (Rashi, Berachot 50a)
[join together], - even when they themselves do not eat together (loc. cit.). According to the Kessef Mishneh, this applies when they eat together. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 193:5) states that, in either instance, the following law applies.
they should not separate [without reciting grace with a zimmun]. - Ideally, they should not have separated from their first company. See the Rishon LeTzion; Ramah, Orach Chayim 193:6). After the fact, since they all have still not recited grace and are all obligated to participate in a zimmun, they should do so.
If each of them already participated in a zimmun - i.e., although they desired to continue eating, they responded to thezimmun and listened to the first blessing of grace (Tosafot, Berachot, loc. cit.; Ramah, Orach Chayim 200:1)
they may separate. They are not obligated - The Shulchan Aruch (193:5) states, "They cannot..."; i.e., it is forbidden for them to participate in a zimmun again.
to participate in a zimmun again - Even if the latter group of three eat together, since they did not begin their meal with the intention of eating as a company, they are not obligated to recite grace with a zimmun.
because a zimmun was already recited including them. - This expression implies a different concept. If a fourth person joined the two remaining in the original group and a zimmun was recited, the obligation of a zimmun is no longer incumbent on the person who left the group. Therefore, a zimmun may not be recited in the new group of three (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 193:6).
If the three people in the new group eat together as a company, they may recite a zimmun (Mishnah Berurah 193:33).
When three people sit down [together] to eat bread, they may not separate - even though one of the three desires to recite grace before the others, they must recite the zimmun as a group (Mishnah Berurah 193:28).
even though each person eats from his own food. - It is the intent to sit down together at a single table that establishes them as a company, and not the fact that they share food.
25. This halachah describes a large feast, at which many people eat at different tables. Nevertheless, they all came together for the same purpose, and thus are considered a single group. (See the Jerusalem Talmud, Berachot 7:5; and Shulchan Aruch HaRav 195:2).
In contrast, in a restaurant, although many people eat in the same room, since they did not come with the intention of eating together, they are considered as a single group. 26. The Rambam is quoting the Mishnah (Berachot 7:5). Rabbenu Asher and the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 195:1) state that the same principles apply if the feast is held in two separate rooms (or houses), as long as they are not separated by a street.
27. Similarly, if a single group is large enough to prevent the words of the blessings from being heard, people should recite the zimmun in smaller groups (Kessef Mishneh; Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 193:1).
28. He must also respond (Berachot 45b; Mishnah Berurah 194:6).
29. He fulfills his obligation for zimmun, but not for grace.
30. It is only proper that God's name be mentioned when the ten people are in the same room (Berachot, loc. cit.).
31. If, however, two people from a group of three recite grace alone, a zimmun may not be recited (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 194:1).
32. The Ramah (Orach Chayim 194:1) states that this law only applies when the individual has not answered to a zimmun previously. If, however, he answered to the zimmun of a previous group, he may not be included in this zimmun.
33. He should respond as usual.
34. Zimmun should precede grace. Once a person has recited grace, he can no longer fulfill his obligation for zimmun
Chapter Six
Halacha 1
Anyone who eats bread over which the blessing hamotzi is recited must wash his hands before and after partaking of it.This applies even when the bread one eats is not sacred food.
Although a person's hands are not dirty, nor is he aware that they have contracted any type of ritual impurity, he should not eat until he washes both his hands. Similarly, before [partaking of] any food dipped in liquid, one must wash one's hands.
Halacha 2
Whenever a person washes his hands - whether before eating, before the recitation of the Shema, or before prayer - he should recite the following blessing beforehand: "[Blessed are You...] who sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us concerning the washing of hands."
This is a Rabbinic mitzvah that we have been commanded by the Torah to follow, as [Deuteronomy 17:11] states: "[Do not stray...] from all the laws that they direct you." A blessing should not, however, be recited before washing after eating, for this was instituted only as a protective measure. This rationale, however, obligates a person to be more careful in the observance of this practice.
Halacha 3
Washing hands between one course and another is a matter of choice. If one desires, one may wash; if not, one need not.
There is no obligation to wash before partaking of unconsecrated fruit, whether before eating or afterward. [On the contrary,] whoever washes his hands before partaking of fruit is considered among the haughty.
Whenever bread [is eaten] with salt, it is necessary to wash one's hands afterward, lest it contain Sodomite salt or salt that resembles Sodomite salt, and [after eating,] one [inadvertently] pass one's hands over one's eyes and blind them. This - [the possibility of acrid] salt - is the reason why we are obligated to wash after eating.
In an army camp, [the soldiers] are not obligated to wash before eating, because they are involved in the war. They are, however, obligated to wash afterwards because of the danger involved.
Halacha 4
To what point should one's hands be washed? To the wrist. How much water should be used? A [minimum of a] revi'it for each pair of hands.
Anything that is considered an intervening substance [and thus invalidates] a ritual immersion is also considered an intervening substance with regard to washing hands. All liquids that may be included in the measure of a mikveh may be included in the measure of the revi'it [necessary for the washing of hands].
Halacha 5
Whoever had to wash his hands and [instead] immersed them in the water of a mikveh need not do anything else. If he immersed them in a body of water that does not have the required measure of a mikveh, or in water that has been poured onto the ground, he has not accomplished anything. Water that is poured [by man] can purify hands only when it is poured over them.
Halacha 6
Everyone who washes his hands must show concern for four matters:
the water itself - that it not be unacceptable for washing hands,
its measure - that there be a revi'it for each pair of hands,
the container - that one wash from a container,
the individual pouring - that the water come from the power of a person who pours it.
Halacha 7
There are four matters that render water unacceptable: a change in its color, its being left open, its having been used for work, and its becoming spoiled to the point that an animal would not drink from it.
What is implied? Water whose color changes becomes unacceptable whether it is contained [in a pool] in the ground or in a container, or whether it changed because of something that fell into it or because of the place where it is contained.
Similarly, if the water was left uncovered in a manner that causes it to become forbidden to be drunken, it is unacceptable for washing hands.
Halacha 8
Any water that was used for a task is considered as sewage water and is unfit to use for washing hands. What is implied? Water that has been drawn from its source, which was used to wash utensils, to dip one's bread in, or the like, whether [it was stored] in a container or [in a pool] in the ground, becomes unacceptable for washing hands.
If one uses the water to wash clean utensils or new ones, it does not becomes unacceptable. Water in which a baker dips crackers is unacceptable. In contrast, water from which [he removes some] to baste the dough when kneading it is acceptable. It is the water that he removes that was used for a task; the water from which he removed it remains acceptable [as before].
Halacha 9
All water that becomes unfit for a dog to drink - e.g., bitter [water], salty [water], very murky [water], foul-smelling [water] - which is contained in a vessel may not be used for washing hands. If [such water] is [contained in a pool] in the ground, one may immerse one's hands in it.
[The following rules apply to] the hot springs of Tiberias. In their [natural] place, one may immerse one's hands in them. If, however, one removed them with a container or diverted a stream of them into another place, they may not be used for either the first or the final washing of the hands, because they are not fit for an animal to drink.
Halacha 10
One may pour water over one's hands a little at a time until one has poured out the entire amount. If, however, one poured out the entire revi'it at one time, it is acceptable.
Four or five people may wash with a single pouring while they are standing next to each other or with their hands above each other's, provided:
a) they leave space between their hands for the water to enter, and
b) there is enough water in that pouring to provide each one with a revi'it.
Halacha 11
One may not use the following to wash one's hands: the sides of vessels, the base of a samovar, pieces of earthenware, or the covering of a jug. Should one modify such a covering to use for washing, it is acceptable. Similarly, a wine-pouch that was modified may be used for the washing of hands.
In contrast, a sack or a basket - [although] they have been modified - may not be used to wash hands. One may not hold water in one's hands and pour it over a colleague's [hands], because one's hands are not a vessel.
Vessels that have been broken to the extent that the laws of ritual impurity no longer apply to them may not be used to wash hands, because they are considered to be broken vessels.
Halacha 12
All vessels, even those made from cow dung or earth, may be used to wash hands, provided they are whole.
A vessel that cannot contain a revi'it or a vessel that does not contain a revi'it may not be used for the washing of hands.
Halacha 13
All people are acceptable to pour water over one's hands, even a deaf-mute, a mentally incapable person, or a minor. If no one else is present, one should hold the vessel between one's knees, and thus pour it out over one's hands; lean a jug over so that the water will fall out over one's hands; or pour the water over each of one's hands individually.
It is acceptable if a monkey pours water over one's hands.
Halacha 14
When a person pours water into a trough by hand or by using a pulley, and afterwards the water flows out from it through an irrigation channel that brings the water to vegetables or to animals, it is not acceptable for one to place one's hands in the trough and have the water pass over them, because the water is not coming from "the power of a giver." If one's hands were close to the place where the bucket is poured out so that the water passes over one's hands because of the power of a human being, the washing is acceptable.
Halacha 15
When there is a doubt with regard to the water [used to wash one's hands] - e.g., whether it had been used for other tasks or not, whether it contained the required quantity or not, whether it [the water itself] is ritually pure or not, and, similarly, when a person has a doubt whether he washed his hands or not, [in all these instances,] his hands are considered to be pure. In all instances where doubt arises concerning the ritual purity of hands, the hands are considered to be pure.
Halacha 16
When washing before eating, a person should raise his hands upward so that that water will not flow past the wrist, and then return and make the hands impure. In contrast, when washing after eating, a person should hold his hands downward so that all the power of the salt should be rinsed away off one's hands.
Before eating, one may wash into a container or onto the ground. After eating, one should wash only into a container. Before eating, one may wash with hot water or with cold water. After eating, one should not wash with hot water - i.e., water that will scald one's hands. It will not [serve the purpose of] removing filth, because one cannot rub one's hands together with it. If the water is merely warm, it may be used for washing after eating.
Halacha 17
A person may wash his hands in the morning and stipulate that [the washing will be effective] for the entire day. Thus, he will not have to wash before each time he eats. [This rule applies] only when he does not divert his attention from his hands. If, however, he diverts his attention from them, he must wash them whenever it is required.
Halacha 18
A person may wrap his hands in a cloth and eat bread or food dipped in liquid although he did not wash his hands.
A person who feeds others need not wash his hands. The person who eats, however, must wash his hands, although another person puts food into his mouth and he does not touch the food at all. Similarly, a person who eats with a fork must wash his hands.
Halacha 19
It is forbidden to feed someone who did not wash his hands even if one puts the food directly into his mouth.
It is forbidden to treat the washing of hands with disdain. Our Sages have authored many commands and warnings about this manner. Even when one has a minimum amount of water to drink, one should wash one's hands with a portion, eat, and drink the remainder.
Halacha 20
[After washing,] a person must dry his hands before eating. Anyone who eats without drying his hands is considered to have eaten impure bread.
Similarly, whenever a person washes his hands after eating, he should dry them and then recite grace. One should recite grace directly after washing one's hands. No interruptions should be made. It is even forbidden to drink water after washing one's hands after eating until one recites grace.
Commentary Halacha 1
Anyone who eats bread over which the blessing hamotzi is recited - The commentaries explain that the modifying clause is added to include two types of grain products mentioned in Chapter 3, Halachah 9, that resemble bread, but do not require the blessing hamotzi unless they are eaten as the basis for an entire meal. When the blessing hamotzi is recited over them, the ritual washing of the hands is also required. Otherwise, it is not (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 158:1).
must wash his hands - This washing is not intended for the purpose of cleanliness. Indeed, as explained in the commentary on Halachah 4, one's hands must be clean before washing them. Rather, it is a ritual matter and, therefore, requires adherence to all the particular laws mentioned in this chapter.
before - Shabbat 14b, 15a states that the washing of the hands before partaking of sacrificial offerings was instituted by King Solomon. Hillel and Shammai extended the practice to include terumah, and Rabbi Eleazar ben Arach widened its scope to include even unconsecrated foods (Chulin 106a).
The latter decree was also intended to remind the priests to keep their hands ritually pure while partaking of terumah. It was, however, instituted not only for the priests, but for the nation as a whole (even though non-priests may not partake of terumah), so that it would be a universally accepted practice.
Even after the destruction of the Temple, when it was no longer possible to practice ritual purity, this mitzvah was continued in the hope that the Temple will soon be rebuilt, and the priests will resume continue their previous obligations (Shulchan Aruch HaRav 158:1; Mishnah Berurah 158:1).
and after partaking of it. - This washing, referred to asmayim acharonim, is discussed in Halachot 2 and 3.
This applies even when the bread one eats is not sacred food. - terumah or sacrificial offerings.
Although a person's hands are not dirty - See the commentary, Halachah 4.
nor is he aware that they have contracted any type of ritual impurity - Note the Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah (Tohorot 7:8), where the Rambam explains that "'hands are busy' - i.e., frequently touching [objects] - and it is possible that one touched an impure substance without realizing it." See also Chapter 7, Note 17.
he should not eat until he washes both his hands.
Similarly, before [partaking of] any food dipped - or washed (Mishnah Berurah 158:12). This requirement applies whether one dips food into liquid while eating, or whether it was dipped into liquid beforehand and left undried. If, however, it was dipped in liquid and the liquid dried, there is no need to wash before partaking of it.
in liquid - Liquid in this instance refers to wine, honey, olive oil, milk, dew, and water. It does not include fruit juices or other oils (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 158:4).
one must wash one's hands. - This practice was instituted in respect for the terumah separated from olive oil and wine. It was extended to all liquids because the laws governing the contraction of ritual impurity by liquids are more severe than those involving other foods (Rabbenu Yonah, Levush, Orach Chayim 158:3).
Tosafot, Pesachim 115b, explains that after the destruction of the Temple, the practice of washing before partaking of fruits dipped in liquid was discontinued because we are all ritually impure. Although most authorities do not accept this position, they respect it to the extent that they state that a blessing should not be made before such a washing. In practice, however, there are many who are not precise in washing in these circumstances. There is, nevertheless, one instance when this practice is observed universally. At the Pesach seder, we wash before dipping the karpas in salt water.
Commentary Halacha 2
Whenever a person washes his hands - whether before eating - The Rambam requires that a blessing be recited in both the instances mentioned in the previous halachah. As mentioned in the commentary, our practice is to recite a blessing only before partaking of bread, and not before partaking of foods dipped in liquids.
before the recitation of the Shema - See Hilchot Kri'at Shema 3:1.
or before prayer - See Hilchot Tefillah 4:2-3.
The Radbaz (Vol. IV, Responsum 1365) states that although the Rambam requires that we wash before the afternoon and evening services, a blessing should be recited only when washing before the morning service. This opinion is reinforced by the fact that, when counting the hundred blessings recited each day (Hilchot Tefillah 7:14), the Rambam enumerates only one blessing for washing for prayer.
he should recite the following blessing beforehand - Rabbenu Manoach notes that the Rambam's phraseology implies that the blessing should be recited before washing one's hands. This is also indicated by Chapter 11, Halachah 7, which states:
There is no mitzvah for which the blessing is recited after its fulfillment except the immersion of a convert.
The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 158:11, based onTosafot, Berachot 51a) states that it is not customary to recite the blessing before washing, lest one's hands be dirty. At present, Ashkenazic custom (see Shulchan Aruch HaRav 158:16; Mishnah Berurah 158:41) is to recite the blessing after washing, but before drying one's hands.
"[Blessed are You...] who sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us concerning the washing of hands." - The word "washing" is not a precise translation of the Hebrew נטילת. Rabbenu Asher (Berachot, Chapter 9) explains that this term was used because in Talmudic times, the utensil with which it was customary to wash one's hands was called נטלא. The Sages phrased the blessing in this manner to emphasize that the mere rinsing of one's hands is insufficient and one must use such a utensil.
This - With the following sentence, the Rambam is explaining why a blessing is recited, despite the fact that this commandment was instituted by the Sages and not by God, Himself.
is a Rabbinic mitzvah that we have been commanded by the Torah to follow - In Chapter 11, Halachah 3, the Rambam interprets the blessing recited over Rabbinic commandments as follows: "who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to follow the instructions of the Sages who commanded us concerning...."
as [Deuteronomy 17:11] states: "[Do not stray...] from all the laws that they direct you." - Note the explanation of this proof-text in Hilchot Mamrim 1:1-2.
A blessing should not, however, be recited before washing after eating - Although the Ra'avad protests strongly the Rambam's ruling, it is accepted by the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 181:7). (The difference between the Ra'avad and the Rambam revolves around the rationale for this washing. See Note 3 below.)
for this was instituted only as a protective measure. - as mentioned in the following halachah. (See also Chapter 11, Halachah 4.)
This rationale, however, obligates a person to be more careful in the observance of this practice - for as Chulin 10a states, "Danger is more serious than a prohibition."
1. This washing, referred to as mayim emtzayim, is mentioned in Chulin 105a,b and the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim, Chapter 173). At present, this practice is generally not followed.
2. There are no fruits that are eaten as terumah according to Torah law. (It is wine and oil, not grapes and olives, which carry such an obligation.) Therefore, the Sages did not impose an obligation to wash before eating from such food if it was not consecrated (Rabbenu Yonah, Berachot 8).
3. The Tur (Orach Chayim 181:1), the Ra'avad, and others offer a different rationale for this washing, quoting Berachot 53a's interpretation of Leviticus 11:44: "'Make yourselves holy,' this refers to the first washing; 'And you shall be holy,' this refers to the second washing." They explain that this washing is necessary as a token of respect to clean one's hands before reciting grace.
4. Note Hilchot Melachim 6:13, which mentions other Rabbinic prohibitions that are relaxed in wartime.
See also Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 158:8) which draws parallels to these laws and frees a person in a desert or in another dangerous situation from the obligation to wash his hands.
Commentary Halacha 4
To what point should one's hands be washed? To the wrist. - Although Rabbenu Asher maintains that it is only necessary to wash to the point of connection between the fingers and the hand, the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 161:4) accepts the Rambam's decision. Nevertheless, when a person has only a limited supply of water, he may rely on Rabbenu Asher's opinion (Shulchan Aruch HaRav 161:8; Mishnah Berurah 161:22).
How much water should be used? A [minimum of - It is preferable to pour a generous quantity of water over one's hands (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 158:10). Rav Chisda would say: "I wash with a full handful of water and [God] grants me a full handful of goodness" (Shabbat 62b).
a] revi'it - one fourth of a larger measure known as a log. In contemporary measure, a revi'it is equivalent to 86.6 cc according to Shiurei Torah, and 150 cc according to the Chazon Ish.
A revi'it is significant in this context because immersion in a revi'it of water is enough to restore ritual purity to a utensil according to Torah law. The Rabbis, however, obligated the use of a mikveh of 40 se'ah for all ritual immersions.
for each pair of hands. - The Rambam's decision differs from that of the Ra'avad, Rashi, the Rashba, and many other authorities. The other authorities maintain that as long as the vessel from which the water is poured contains a revi'it, two people may have their hands washed from it. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 160:13) accepts the latter view.
Significantly, the Rambam mentions washing the hands only once before partaking of food. In Hilchot Mikveot 11:3, where he mentions the washing of the hands within the context of ritual purity, he mentions the need to wash hands twice: once to purify the hands, and once to wash off the water used to purify them. (See Halachah 10 and commentary.) In these halachot, he makes no mention of a second washing, seeming to imply that it is unnecessary to do so. (Rav Kapach adds that it is customary in certain Yemenite groups to wash only once before meals, and bases this practice on the Rambam's decision.)
The Shulchan Aruch and the Ramah (Orach Chayim 162:2) mention washing the hands two or three times before partaking of a meal. This is the accepted practice in almost all communities at present.
Anything that is considered an intervening substance [and thus invalidates] a ritual immersion - In Hilchot Mikveot 1:12, the Rambam provides this general rule:
Any substance that intervenes [between one's flesh and the water] and disturbs one nullifies the immersion, even if it covers only a minor portion of one's flesh.... Any substance that covers the major portion of one's flesh nullifies the immersion, even though it does not disturb one.
In Chapter 2 of those halachot, the Rambam mentions a long list of particular substances that nullify immersions, including filth, mud, and dough.
is also considered an intervening substance with regard to washing hands. - This implies that one should clean one's hands before washing them for this ritual purpose. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim, 161) discusses the particular laws regarding intervening substances.
All liquids that may be included in the measure of a mikveh - This includes substances like ice and snow, which can be used to make up the measure of a mikveh (Hilchot Mikveot 7:3).
may be included in the measure of the revi'it [necessary for washing hands]. - Note the Shulchan Aruch and the Ramah (Orach Chayim 160:12), which discuss the use of wine, beer, and fruit juices for washing hands.
5. I.e., whether before a meal or in preparation for prayer.
6. The Kessef Mishneh explains that this expression indicates that it is not necessary to wash one's hands a second time (see the commentary on the previous halachah) or to dry them before partaking of the food. When washing one's hands for food, this is required because the water used for the first washing that remains on the hands becomes ritually impure. In contrast, the water that remains on one's hands after immersion in a mikveh is pure. (See Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 159:19.)
7. A mikveh must have at least 40 se'ah of water that has flowed into it by natural means. In contemporary measurements, 331 liters according to Shiurei Torah, and 648 liters according to the Chazon Ish.
The Kessef Mishneh notes that this applies only to water that does not emanate from a natural spring. When a person immerses his hands in such a spring, all that is necessary is that there be sufficient water to cover his hands. (See also Hilchot Mikveot 9:8.)
Significantly, Rabbenu Yonah maintains that it is acceptable to immerse one's hands in a mikveh containing even less than 40 se'ah. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 159:14) accepts this view, although the Ramah favors the Rambam's position.
8. The Ra'avad objects to the Rambam's ruling, and maintains that one may immerse one's hands in water poured into a pool in the ground. He supports his position by referring to the immersion of a ba'al keri (see Hilchot Tefillah 4:4-5), which is acceptable even in such pool. (See the Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah (Mikveot 8:1.) Nevertheless, most authorities accept the Rambam's decision. (See Shulchan Aruch HaRav 159:23; Be'ur Halachah 159.)
9. See Halachot 7-9.
10. See Halachot 4 and 10.
11. See Halachot 11-12. The Rashba quotes the Halachot Gedolot as explaining that it is necessary to wash with a vessel, because the washing of hands is derived from the sanctification of the priest's hands in the Temple.
12. See Halachot 13-14.
13. The Beit Yosef (Orach Chayim 160) states that this concept is derived from the laws of the ki'or (the basin in the Temple from which the priests washed their hands). If its water changed color, it could no longer be used.
14. E.g., ink or another coloring fell into it.
15. It became rusty from a metal container. Note, however, Shulchan Aruch HaRav 160:1 and the Mishnah Berurah 160:22, which state that water that has become murky from mud or dirt is acceptable, because even this is often the color of natural stream water.
If after water was disqualified because of an abnormal color, its color reverts to the norm, it can be used to wash one's hands (Shulchan Aruch HaRav 160:1; Mishnah Berurah 160:5).
16. See Hilchot Rotzeach USh'mirat HaNefesh 11:6-16, which discusseshe prohibition of water left uncovered. This prohibition was enacted out of fear of the possibility that a poisonous snake or the like released venom into the water.
17. Avodah Zarah 30b states that washing with such water could be dangerous lest the venom seep into cuts or sores or even through the body's pores. The Tur (Orach Chayim 160) notes that since the presence of poisonous snakes and the like is no longer widespread, the prohibition against drinking - and hence, washing with - such water need not be observed at present. This ruling is accepted by the later authorities.
18. The Rambam is implying that the water in a mikveh or in a natural stream remains acceptable for washing although it was used for other tasks (Kessef Mishneh).
19. If, however, the bread fell into the water accidentally, the water is not disqualified (Shulchan Aruch HaRav 160:2; Mishnah Berurah 160:8).
20. The Ramah (Orach Chayim 160:2) states that even if the baker washed his hands in the water, the water does not become unacceptable. The Turei Zahav (160:3) refutes this ruling. His opinion is accepted by the later authorities.
21. Slightly murky water is acceptable, as mentioned above. The determining factor is whether or not a dog will drink from the water.
22. Since a mikveh containing such water is acceptable for the immersion of one's entire body, it is surely acceptable for the immersion of hands, which is only a Rabbinic commandment.
23. These hot springs have a high mineral content and are very bitter.
24. The Kessef Mishneh interprets this as referring to a stream that was diverted into a trench that does not contain forty se'ah. Although logically, this would be acceptable for the immersion of hands, the Sages forbade using such water, lest one also immerse one's hands in a container of water. Significantly, in his Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 160:7), Rav Yosef Karo adds a further point, that the water was cut off from its source.
25. I.e., the washing before partaking of bread.
26. I.e., the washing after the meal (see Halachah 17); alternatively, the second pouring of water over one's hands, as mentioned in the commentary on Halachah 4. Note the explanation of the Kessef Mishneh.
27. In both instances, one must pour at least a revi'it of water over one's hands in a single pouring. In the first instance, while the water is being poured one gradually moves one's hands under the water, while in the second instance, one pours hurriedly, but forcefully, over the entire hand at once.
28. I.e., several people stand with their hands outstretched, and a person passes in front of them pouring water over their hands.
29. Although the water first passes over the hands of one person, it is still acceptable for the person whose hands are held below, because as long as it contains the required quantity and comes in one continuous stream, it does not become impure.
Nevertheless, Shulchan Aruch HaRav 160:16 and the Mishnah Berurah 160:68,72 state that the two people must originally have the intention to wash their hands as one, and must hold their hands close together. Otherwise, it is considered as if the second person washed with the water that was rendered impure by the first person's washing.
30. Note the difference of opinion on this issue between the Rambam and the other Halachic authorities mentioned in the commentary on Halachah 4.
Commentary Halacha 11
This halachah revolves around the third rule mentioned in Halachah 6, that one must wash one's hands from a vessel.
One may not use the following to wash one's hands - because they are not vessels and were not made with the intent of containing water (Kessef Mishneh):
the sides of vessels - Broken shards of an earthenware container that are still capable of holding water. The Tur (Orach Chayim 159) states that if a broken vessel can still hold a revi'it when it stands unsupported, it is not disqualified for use. The later authorities (see Shulchan Aruch HaRav 159:6; Mishnah Berurah 159:12) favor the Rambam's ruling.
the base of a samovar - Our translation is based on Rav Kapach's interpretation of the Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah (Yadayim 1:2 which is the source for this halachah).
pieces of earthenware - Although some commentaries state that this also refers to shards, others, to avoid redundancy, state that it is referring to unshaped pieces of earthenware.
or the covering of a jug. - These usually contain a handle on their top, and thus cannot stand erect when turned upside down.
Should one modify such a covering - by breaking the handle so that it could stand erect
to use for washing, it is acceptable. - Although the covering was not originally made to contain liquid, since it was modified with that intention and, in its present state, it can contain a revi'it without being supported, it is acceptable.
Similarly, a wine-pouch that was modified - by having a stand erected for it (Sefer Mitzvot Gadol)
may be used for the washing of hands. - The Bayit Chadash (Orach Chayim 159) questions why any modification is necessary for a wine-pouch, since it is also originally made with the intention of containing liquids. It explains that generally, if left uncovered, without a stand, a pouch will not be able to contain water. Hence, unless a stand is made for it, it is unacceptable.
In contrast, a sack or a basket - [although] they have been modified - and the holes in them filled with tar to prevent water from flowing out
may not be used to wash hands. - The Bayit Chadash (loc. cit.) explains the difference between these and the former two instances:
The purpose for which a covering of a jug and a wine pouch are made is related to the containing of liquids. Accordingly, although without modification they cannot serve that purpose in a manner acceptable for use in washing hands, once they are modified they are acceptable. In contrast, a sack or a basket is never used to contain liquids. Therefore, even after modification, it is unacceptable.
One may not hold water in one's hands and pour it over a colleague's [hands], because one's hands are not a vessel. - See Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 159:6).
Vessels that have been broken to the extent that the laws of ritual impurity no longer apply to them - Hilchot Keilim, Chapters 6, 11, and 19, relates the following general principle: Once a vessel is broken to the point that it can no longer serve its original purpose, it is no longer considered a vessel and can no longer contract ritual impurity.
Chulin 107a mentions that a vessel that is used for containing liquids becomes disqualified when it contains a hole large enough to allow liquids to enter when the vessel is placed within them.
may not be used to wash hands, because they are considered to be broken vessels. - In his Kessef Mishneh, Rav Yosef Karo states that the Rambam would consider a vessel acceptable if the hole is on the side and the portion of the vessel below the hole contains more than a revi'it of liquid.
In contrast, in his Beit Yosef (Orach Chayim 159), he explains that the Rambam would disqualify such a utensil because even though it can still contain a sufficient amount of liquid, it is a broken vessel and, as such, unsuitable for use for this mitzvah. In his Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 159:1), he rules that a hole on the side disqualifies a vessel unless one is able to pour water through the hole.
Commentary Halacha 12
All vessels, even those made from cow dung or earth - e.g., utensils made from mud without being fired in a kiln
may be used to wash hands - Although utensils made from these substances are not categorized as "vessels" with regard to the laws of ritual impurity, they are acceptable for this purpose.
provided they are whole. - as mentioned in the previous halachah.
A vessel that cannot contain a revi'it - i.e., is too small to contain this amount of water
or a vessel that - is of sufficient size to contain this amount, but at the present time
does not contain a revi'it may not be used for the washing of hands. - This refers to pouring the first amount of water over one's hands. According to our custom of pouring water twice (or three times) over our hands, the second pouring need not contain a revi'it. (See Hilchot Mikveot 11:8.)
• 3 Chapters: Berachot Chapter Seven, Berachot Chapter Eight, Berachot Chapter Nine
Chapter Seven
Halacha 1
The Sages of Israel were wont to follow many customs at meals. All these are included in the realm of mannered behavior. Among them:
When entering for a meal, the man of greatest stature should wash his hands first. Afterwards, all should enter enter and sit down, reclining on couches. The man of greatest stature reclines at the head of the company, and the person who is second in prominence reclines below him. If there are three couches, the man of greatest stature reclines at the head of the company, the person who is second in prominence reclines above him, and the person who is third in prominence reclines below him.
Halacha 2
The host should recite the blessing hamotzi. When he completes the blessing, he should break bread. A guest should recite grace, so that he will bless the host. If they are all members of the household, the person of greatest stature should break bread and recite grace.
Halacha 3
The person breaking bread is not permitted to do so until salt or relishes have been brought before each individual, unless their intention was to eat bread by itself.
One should not break off a small piece, lest one appear stingy, nor a piece larger than the size of an egg, lest one appear like a glutton. On the Sabbath, however, one may break off a large piece. One should break the bread at the place that it has been baked thoroughly.
Halacha 4
The most preferable way to perform the mitzvah is to break open a whole loaf. When one possesses a whole loaf of barley bread and a sliced loaf of wheat bread, one should put the sliced loaf together with the whole loaf, so that one will break open both a loaf of wheat and a whole loaf.
On Sabbaths and on festivals, one is obligated to break bread on two whole loaves. One should hold both in one's hands [when reciting the blessing] and break open one.
Halacha 5
The person who breaks bread should give a slice of bread to each individual, ¼the latter« should each pick up the piece with his hand. The person who breaks bread should not place the bread in the hand of a person who is eating unless the latter is a mourner.
The person who breaks bread should take the bread first and eat. Those assembled may not eat until the person who recites the blessing tastes [from the bread]. The person reciting the blessing may not taste [from the bread] until those assembled complete the recitation of Amen. Should the person breaking bread desire to honor his teacher or a scholar of greater stature than he by allowing him to take the bread before he does, he may.
Halacha 6
Two people should wait for each other when [eating from the same] dish. When three people are [eating from the same dish], it is not [necessary] to wait. When two have completed eating, the third should also cease. If, however, one completes eating, the other two need not cease.
One should not talk during a meal lest a dangerous situation arise. For this reason, if wine is brought in the midst of the meal, each person should recite the blessing alone. Were one to recite the blessing and another to answer Amen while he is swallowing, a dangerous situation might arise.
One should not look at the face of a person who is eating or at his portion, lest he become embarrassed.
Halacha 7
An attendant who stands before those dining should not eat together with them. As an act of mercy, one should allow him to taste each dish to satisfy his desire. If the assembled give him wine, he should recite a blessing over each cup, because his drinking is dependent on their desire, not his own.
Halacha 8
Should one of the assembled go out to urinate, he need wash only one hand [before] entering. Should he speak with a friend and thus remain outside for an extended period of time, he should wash both his hands [before] entering.
If [the company] was sitting and drinking, he should enter, sit in his place, wash his hands [with his back turned], and then turn to face the guests. Why should he wash in his place? So that the others will not say that he did not wash his hands because bread is not being served.
Halacha 9
Raw meat should not be placed on bread, nor should a full cup be passed over bread. Similarly, bread should not be used as a support for a plate, nor should it be thrown. The same applies to pieces [of meat or fish] and other foods that do not have shells - e.g., berries, grapes, and figs - because they will become disgusting.
It is permissible to cause wine to flow through pipes in the halls of bridegrooms, and roasted grains and nuts may be tossed at the bridegrooms in summer. This is not permitted in the winter, however, because they will become disgusting.
We should not wash our hands with wine, whether it has been mixed with water or not. Similarly, we may not spoil any other food or beverage in a contemptuous and derisive manner.
Halacha 10
It is forbidden for guests to take any of [the food] that they have been served and give it to the sons or the daughters of the host. Perhaps the host will become embarrassed because all he had was what he had served and that will have been taken away by the children.
A person should not send a friend a cask of wine with oil floating on its surface, lest one send a friend a cask that is [almost] entirely wine with only [a small amount] of oil on its surface. The recipient may be [unaware of the cask's contents,] invite guests [with the intention of serving them oil,] and become embarrassed [at his inability to do so]. Similarly, any other activity that may cause a person who holds a feast to become embarrassed is forbidden.
Halacha 11
After [everyone] finishes eating, the tables should be removed and the place where they ate should be swept. Afterwards, [those assembled] should wash their hands [as mentioned above].
[This practice should be followed] lest pieces [of bread] the size of an olive be found on the floor. It is forbidden to walk or wash over [pieces of this size]. If, however, the pieces are smaller than an olive, it is permissible to destroy them intentionally.
Halacha 12
When water is brought to wash, the one who recites grace washes his hands first, so that the person of greatest stature will not sit with dirty hands while others are washing. The remainder of the people eating wash one after another.
Honor is not paid to anyone with regard to [the order of washing], because honor is not extended with regard to dirty hands, crossing bridges, or on the roads, with the exception of an entrance that is fit to have a mezuzah, and even then only with regard to entering.
Halacha 13
After [the assembled] finish washing their hands, drying their hands, and reciting grace, the person who recited grace should recite the blessing over the incense when the incense burner is brought in. Everyone should answer Amen.
Halacha 14
If wine is available, [grace should be recited over a cup of wine]. We bring a cup that contains a revi'it or more and spices. [The person reciting grace] should hold the wine in his right hand and the spices in his left hand while reciting grace. Afterwards, he should recite the blessing on the wine, and then the blessing on the spices.
If the spices were fragrant oil or the like, he should spread them on the head of the attendant afterwards. If the attendant was a Torah sage, he should spread it on the wall so that he will not be going out to the marketplace with perfume.
Halacha 15
Although grace does not require wine, should one recite grace over wine according to the custom we have mentioned, [several conditions must be met:]
One should wash out the cup over which the blessing is recited on the inside and rinse its outside.
It should be filled with undiluted wine. When one reaches the blessing for Eretz Yisrael, one should add a small amount of water so that it will be pleasant to drink.
Conversation should not be made over the cup over which grace is recited. Rather, everyone should remain silent until grace and the blessing of the wine is concluded, and then they should drink.
Chapter Eight
Halacha 1
[When partaking of] all fruit that grows on trees, we recite the blessing borey pri ha'etz beforehand, and borey nefashot rabbot... afterward. An exception is made regarding the five species of fruit mentioned in the Torah: grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates. The single blessing that includes the three [blessings of grace] is recited after them.
[When partaking of] fruit that grows from the earth and vegetables, we recite the blessing borey pri ha'adamah beforehand and borey nefashot rabbot afterward.
[When partaking of] foods that do not grow from the earth - e.g., meat, cheese, fish, eggs, water, milk, honey, and the like - we recite the blessing, shehakol beforehand and borey nefashot rabbot afterward.
When a person drinks water for an intention other than fulfilling his thirst, it is not necessary for him to recite a blessing beforehand or afterward.
Halacha 2
When a person squeezes fruit - with the exception of grapes and olives - to extract its juices, he should recite the blessings shehakol beforehand and borey nefashot afterward.
Over wine, he should recite the blessing borey pri hagafen beforehand and the single blessing that includes the three [blessings of grace] afterward. Over oil, he should recite the blessing borey pri ha'etz beforehand.
When does the above apply? When he has a sore throat and drinks the oil together with the sauce of cooked [vegetables] and the like, for he benefited by drinking. If, however, a person drank oil alone or did not have a sore throat, he should recite the blessing shehakol, because he did not benefit from the taste of the oil.
Halacha 3
When fruits and vegetables that are usually eaten raw are cooked or stewed, one should recite the blessings shehakol beforehand and borey nefashot afterward.
[Conversely,] when one eats vegetables that are usually eaten cooked - e.g., cabbage or turnips - raw, one should recite the blessings shehakol beforehand and borey nefashot afterward. When one eats them cooked or stewed, one should recite the blessings borey pri ha'adamah beforehand and borey nefashot afterward.
When foods are commonly eaten both raw and cooked, regardless of whether one eats them raw or cooked, one should recite the blessing appropriate for them: i.e., if they are fruit that grows on trees, borey pri ha'etz; if they are fruits that grow from the ground or vegetables, borey pri ha'adamah.
Halacha 4
When one stews vegetables that are frequently stewed, one should recite the blessing borey pri ha'adamah on the soup produced, because the soup produced by stewing is equivalent to [the vegetables] that are stewed if it is common custom to stew them. This applies only when one stews them to drink the soup.
The blessing shehakol is recited over date-honey. Nevertheless, when one crushes dates by hand, removes their pits, and makes them into a substance resembling a dough, one should recite the blessing borey pri ha'etz beforehand and the single blessing that includes the three [blessings of grace] afterward.
Halacha 5
Regarding sugar cane whose sap is extracted and cooked until it crystallizes like salt: The overwhelming majority of the Geonim require that the blessing borey pri ha'adamah is recited upon it. Others say that the blessing borey pri ha'etz should be recited upon it.
Similarly, they say that one who sucks sugar cane should recite the blessing borey pri ha'adamah. I say that this is not a fruit, and the blessing shehakol should be recited upon it. The "honey" produced by these canes that has been altered by fire should not be given greater prominence than date honey, which is not changed by fire, and yet the blessing shehakol is recited upon it.
Halacha 6
[When partaking of] the top stalk of the palm tree [hearts of palm], which is like white wood, one should recite the blessingshehakol.[When partaking of] petals from [the flowers of] the caper bush, one should recite the blessing borey pri ha'adamah, because they are not fruit. Caper berries - the fruit of this bush which looks like small dates - require the blessing borey pri ha'etz.
Halacha 7
[When partaking of] fresh peppers and ginger, one should recite the blessing borey pri ha'adamah. When these products are dry, they do not require any blessing, neither beforehand nor afterward, because they are considered spices and not food.
Similarly, foods that are not fit to be eaten and beverages that are not fit to be drunk do not require any blessing, neither beforehand nor afterward.
Halacha 8
The blessing shehakol is recited over bread that has become moldy, wine on which a film has risen, food that has spoiled, windfall fruit that is underdeveloped, beer, vinegar, locusts, salt, truffles, and mushrooms.
Whenever shehakol is recited before partaking of a food, the blessing borey nefashot is recited afterwards. Whenever a food requires a blessing afterwards, it also requires a blessing beforehand.
Halacha 9
When one pours three measures [of water] over [wine] dregs and receives four measures of liquid, one should recite the blessing borey pri hagafen upon it, for it is considered to be diluted wine. If one receives less than four measures of liquid, one should recite the blessing shehakol even when the liquid tastes like wine.
Halacha 10
A person who recited the blessing borey pri ha'adamah over fruits that grow on trees fulfills his obligation. Conversely, one who recited the blessing borey pri ha'etz over fruits that grow from the ground does not fulfill his obligation. One who recites the blessing shehakol over any food fulfills his obligation. [This applies even in regard] to bread and wine.
Halacha 11
Should a person take a cup of beer in his hand and begin reciting a blessing with the intention of saying shehakol..., and instead err and say borey pri hagafen, he is not compelled to repeat [the blessing].
Similarly, if fruits that grow from the earth were placed before him, and he began reciting a blessing with the intention of saying borey pri ha'adamah, and instead erred and said borey pri ha'etz, he is not compelled to repeat [the blessing].
By the same token, if a cooked dish of grain was placed before him and he began reciting a blessing with the intention of saying borey minei mezonot, and instead erred and said hamotzi..., he fulfills his obligation.
[These decisions were rendered] because at the time when he mentioned God's name and His sovereignty, which are the essence of this blessing, he had the intention of reciting the appropriate blessing for this food. Therefore, since the essence of the blessing was not recited in error, he is considered to have fulfilled his obligation and need not repeat it, although he erred at its conclusion.
Halacha 12
With regard to all these blessings, if a doubt arises whether one recited the blessing or not, one should not repeat the blessing, neither before eating or afterwards, because [the blessings] were instituted by the Sages.
[The following rules apply when] a person forgets and places food in his mouth without reciting a blessing: with regard to beverages, he should swallow them and recite a blessing afterwards. If they were fruit which would become disgusting if he would remove them [from his mouth] - e.g., berries or grapes - he should push them to the side [of his mouth], recite the blessing and swallow them afterwards. If they would not become disgusting - e.g., beans or peas - he should remove them, so that his mouth will be free to recite the blessing and eat them afterwards.
Halacha 13
[The following rules apply when] several types of food are placed before a person [at the same time]: If the same blessing applies to all of them, one should recite the blessing on one, and thus fulfill one's obligation regarding the others. If the same blessing does not apply to all of them, one should recite the blessing that is appropriate for each one individually. The order of precedence depends on one's desires.
When there is no one type of food that one desires more than the others, [the order of precedence is as follows:] If among the foods there are foods from the seven species [for which Eretz Yisrael was praised], the blessing should be recited over them first. The species that are mentioned first in the verse receive precedence with regard to the blessing.
The seven species are those mentioned in the following verse, [Deuteronomy 8:8:] "A land of wheat, barley, vines, figs, and pomegranates, a land of olives that produce oil and honey." Honey refers to date-honey.
Dates are given precedence over grapes because dates were mentioned second in proximity to the word "land," and grapes were mentioned third in proximity to that word.
Halacha 14
The single blessing that includes the three blessings [of grace] recited over the five species of fruit and over wine is the same as that recited over grain products, except that for fruit, one should say [at the beginning]: "for the trees, for the fruit of the trees and for the produce of the field, and for the precious land..." and for wine, one should say [at the beginning]: "for the vines and for the fruit of the vine...."
For both [wine and fruit], one should conclude: "for the land and for the fruits." A person in Eretz Yisrael should conclude: "for the land and for its fruits."
There are some who add the following phrase before the conclusion of this blessing: "For You, God, are good and do good," for it reflects the fourth blessing [of grace]. There is, however, an opinion that states that the fourth blessing was instituted for grace alone.
Halacha 15
Should a person drink wine, eat dates, and also eat cooked food made from the five species of grain, he should recite [a single] blessing afterwards: "Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, for the life-giving and the sustaining [food], for the vines and the fruit of the vine, for the trees and for the fruit of the trees and for the produce of the field, and for the precious land...." He should conclude, "Blessed are You, God, for the land and for the sustenance and for the fruits."
Halacha 16
If, however, a person ate meat and drank wine, he should recite a separate blessing afterwards for each food. Nevertheless, if he ate figs or grapes with apples, pears, and the like, he should recite the single blessing that includes the three blessings [of grace] afterwards. It includes everything that he ate, since all the foods are "fruit of the trees." The same principles apply in other similar situations.
Chapter Nine
Halacha 1
Just as it is forbidden to benefit from food or drink before reciting a blessing, so too, it is forbidden to benefit from a pleasant fragrance before reciting a blessing.
What blessings should be recited over pleasant fragrance? If the fragrant substance is a tree or the product of a tree, one should recite the blessing "[Blessed...] who created fragrant trees." If the fragrant substance is an herb or the product of an herb, one should recite the blessing "[Blessed...] who created fragrant herbs."
If it is not from a tree or an herb - e.g., musk, which comes from an animal - one should recite the blessing "[Blessed...] who created various kinds of spices." If it is a fruit that is fit to eat - e.g., an etrog or an apple - one should recite the blessing "[Blessed...] who endowed fruits with pleasant fragrance."
Should one recite the blessing "[Blessed...] who created various kinds of spices," on any fragrance, one fulfills one's obligation.
Halacha 2
A blessing should not be recited on incense until a cloud of smoke rises up.
What blessing should be recited over it? If the incense comes from a tree, one should recite the blessing "[Blessed...] who created fragrant trees." If it comes from an herb, [one should recite] "... who created fragrant herbs." If it came from an animal or the like, [one should recite] "... who created various kinds of spices."
Halacha 3
Balsam oil and the like require the blessing "... who created pleasant oil." If, however, one pressed or soaked olives until they produced oil with a pleasant fragrance, one should recite the blessing "...who created fragrant trees." Oil in which spices were mixed, as was done for the anointing oil, requires the blessing "...who created various kinds of spices."
If one brought both oil and a myrtle to a person, he should recite the blessing on the myrtle and include the oil, because the same blessing, "...who created fragrant trees," applies to both of them.
Halacha 4
When one has both a fragrant spice from a tree and a fragrant spice from an herb, a single blessing should not be recited to include both of them. Rather, a blessing should be recited for each one individually.
When wine and fragrant oil are brought before a person, he should hold the wine in his right hand and the oil in his left hand, recite the blessing over the wine and drink it, and then recite the blessing over the oil, smell it, and then, spread it on the attendant's head. If the attendant is a Torah scholar, he should spread it on the wall.
Halacha 5
If there is a doubt whether a spice requires the blessing "...who created fragrant trees" or the blessing "...who created fragrant herbs," one should recite the blessing "...who created various kinds of spices." Similarly, one should recite the blessing "...who created various kinds of spices" over a mixture of spices prepared by a perfumer.
When a person enters a perfumery, he should recite the blessing "...who created various kinds of spices." If he spends the entire day there, he should recite only one blessing. If he enters and leaves several times, he should recite a blessing each time he enters.
Halacha 6
Anemones and lavender require the blessing "...who created fragrant trees." Lilies that are raised in a garden require the blessing "...who created fragrant trees"; those that grow in the field require the blessing "...who created fragrant herbs."
Roses, rose water, frankincense, and rock roses require the blessing "...who created fragrant trees."
Halacha 7
There are types of pleasant fragrances over which blessings should not be recited: a pleasant fragrance that is forbidden, a pleasant fragrance used as a deodorant, and a pleasant fragrance that was not prepared with the intent that it be smelled itself.
Halacha 8
What is implied? One should not recite a blessing over perfumes of false gods or over perfumes of women with whom sexual relations are forbidden, because it is forbidden to smell them.
Blessings should not be recited over perfumes placed by the dead, perfumes placed in toilets, or an oil used to remove filth, because they are intended to remove a foul odor.
A blessing is not recited when incense is burned to perfume utensils or clothes, because the incense was not prepared with the intent that it be smelled itself. Similarly, a blessing should not be recited on clothes that were perfumed in this manner, because the fragrant substance itself is not present; there is merely a fragrance without any substance.
Halacha 9
A blessing should not be recited on spices used at a gentile party, because we assume that a gentile party is dedicated to idol worship.
[The following rules apply when] a person smelled a pleasant fragrance while walking outside a city: If the majority of the city are gentiles, he should not recite a blessing. If the majority of the city are Jewish, he should. If a fragrance for which a blessing should be recited becomes mixed with a fragrance for which a blessing should not be recited, the ruling depends on the majority.
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Hayom Yom:
• Today's Day"
Adar I 10, 5774 · 10 February 2014
Monday 10 Adar I 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: Tetzaveh, Sheini with Rashi.
Tehillim: 55-59.
Tanya: The cause being (p. 125)..."The flesh of man." (p. 125).
At birkat hamazon, before washing the fingers,1 say al naharot bavel, lamnatzei'ach bin'ginot, avarcha, zeh cheilek (p. 88).
When tachanun is not said, say shir hamaalot b'shuv, livnei korach, avarcha, zeh cheilek.
After washing the fingers say vay'dabeir eilai (p. 89).
FOOTNOTES
1. See Kislev 4.
Hayom Yom:
• "Today's Day"
Adar I 11, 5774 · 11 February 2014
Tuesday 11 Adar I 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: Tetzaveh, Shlishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 60-65.
Tanya: Compare the (p. 125)...the man himself. (p. 125).
The following is well-known and is a tradition, regarding the kavanot (mystical "intentions") in davening: For those intellectually incapable of meditating on those kavanot (either because they lack knowledge, or because they cannot remember the specific kavanot during prayer) it is sufficient that they keep one general kavana in mind: That his prayer be heard by G-d, with all the kavanot described in the Kabala literature.
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Daily Thought:
Inseparable Souls
It is our nature that each one of us finds it impossible to knowingly separate himself from our G‑d.
Never Distant
To someone who wrote that he was “bringing close those who are distant,” the Rebbe responded:
Who is to decide who is close and who is distant? Instead, approach each one as though you were an emissary of the King of kings of kings, sent to speak with His only child, a prince or princess!
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