Today in Jewish History:
• Lubavitcher Rebbe Arrives in US (1941)
After escaping Nazi-occupied Paris, and many perilous months in Vichy France, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902-1994), and his wife, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushkah(1901-1988), boarded the SS Serpa Pinto in Lisbon, Portugal. On Monday, June 23--Sivan 28 on the Jewish calendar--at 10:30 A.M., they arrived in New York.
Shortly after his arrival, the Rebbe's father-in-law, the then Lubavitcher Rebbe Rabbi Yoseph Yitzchak Schneersohn (who had been rescued from Nazi-occupied Warsaw in 1940), appointed him to head the social and educational outreachprograms of Chabad-Lubavitch. Thus the Rebbe began his decades-long revolutionary work to revitalize Jewish life in the Western Hemisphere, which spread, by means of the emissaries("shluchim") he dispatched from his New York headquarters, toevery part of the world.
Links:
Inspiring the Jewish American Revolution
World Jewry Thrives Seven Decades After Rebbe’s U.S. Arrival
Daily Quote:
Rabbi [Judah HaNassi] would say: Which is the right path for man to choose for himself? Whatever is harmonious for the one who does it, and harmonious for mankind[Ethics of the Fathers 2:1]
Daily Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: with Rashi
• Chapter 16
14You have not even brought us to a land flowing with milk and honey, nor have you given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Even if you gouge out the eyes of those men, we will not go up." ידאַף לֹא אֶל אֶרֶץ זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבַשׁ הֲבִיאֹתָנוּ וַתִּתֶּן לָנוּ נַחֲלַת שָׂדֶה וָכָרֶם הַעֵינֵי הָאֲנָשִׁים הָהֵם תְּנַקֵּר לֹא נַעֲלֶה:
nor have you given us: This statement refers to the word “not” stated above; meaning, You have not brought us up, and You have not given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. You said to us, “I will bring you up from the affliction of Egypt to a good land…” (Exod. 3:10). You did bring us out of there, but you have not brought us to a land flowing with milk and honey. Instead, you have decreed upon us to kill us in the desert, as you said to us,“your corpses shall fall in this desert” (14:29). ותתן לנו: הדבר מוסב על לא האמור למעלה, כלומר לא הביאותנו ולא נתת לנו נחלת שדה וכרם, אמרת לנו (שמות ג, יז) אעלה אתכם מעני מצרים אל ארץ וגו', משם הוצאתנו ולא אל ארץ זבת חלב ודבש הביאותנו, אלא גזרת עלינו להמיתנו במדבר, שאמרת לנו (במדבר יד, כט) במדבר הזה יפלו פגריכם:
Even if you gouge out the eyes of those men…: Even if you send [messengers] to gouge out our eyes if we do not go up to you, we will not go up. העיני האנשים ההם תנקר וגו': אפילו אתה שולח לנקר את עינינו אם לא נעלה אליך, לא נעלה:
those men: Like a person who attributes his own curse to his fellow. האנשים ההם: כאדם התולה קללתו בחבירו:
15Moses was exceedingly distressed, and he said to the Lord, "Do not accept their offering. I have not taken a donkey from a single one of them, and I have not harmed a single one of them." טווַיִּחַר לְמשֶׁה מְאֹד וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל יְהֹוָה אַל תֵּפֶן אֶל מִנְחָתָם לֹא חֲמוֹר אֶחָד מֵהֶם נָשָׂאתִי וְלֹא הֲרֵעֹתִי אֶת אַחַד מֵהֶם:
Moses was exceedingly distressed: Heb. וַיִּחַר לְמשֶׁה מְאֹד, he was very grieved, [not that he was angry]. ויחר למשה מאד: נצטער עד למאוד:
Do not accept their offering: According to its simple meaning, [Moses said,] Do not accept the incense that they will sacrifice before You tomorrow. According to its Midrashic interpretation, he said: I know that they have a portion in the daily communal offerings. Let their portions not be accepted favorably before You. Let the fire leave it and not consume it. - [Midrash Tanchuma Korach 7, Num. Rabbah 10] אל תפן אל מנחתם: לפי פשוטו הקטרת שהם מקריבים לפניך מחר אל תפן אליהם. והמדרש אומר יודע אני שיש להם חלק בתמידי צבור, אף חלקם לא יקובל לפניך לרצון, תניחנו האש ולא תאכלנו:
I have not taken a donkey from a single one of them: I did not take a donkey from any one of them. Even when I went from Midian to Egypt, and I placed my wife and sons on a donkey to ride, and I should have taken that donkey from their property, I took only from my own property (Tanchuma Korach 7, Num. Rabbah 10). Onkelos renders it as שְׁחָרִית, ‘expropriated.’ In Aramaic, the king’s service is called שַׁחְוַור. לא חמור אחד מהם נשאתי: לא חמורו של אחד מהם נטלתי. אפילו כשהלכתי ממדין למצרים והרכבתי את אשתי ואת בני על החמור, והיה לי ליטול אותו החמור משלהם, לא נטלתי אלא משלי. ותרגום אנקלוס, שחרית, לשון ארמי, כך נקראת אנגריא של מלך שחוור:
16Moses said to Korah, "You and your entire congregation should be before the Lord you, they, and Aaron tomorrow. טזוַיֹּאמֶר משֶׁה אֶל קֹרַח אַתָּה וְכָל עֲדָתְךָ הֱיוּ לִפְנֵי יְהֹוָה אַתָּה וָהֵם וְאַהֲרֹן מָחָר:
they: Your company. והם: עדתך:
17Let each man take his censer and place incense upon it, and let each man present his censer before the Lord; [there will thus be] two hundred and fifty censers, and let you and Aaron each [take] his censer. יזוּקְחוּ | אִישׁ מַחְתָּתוֹ וּנְתַתֶּם עֲלֵיהֶם קְטֹרֶת וְהִקְרַבְתֶּם לִפְנֵי יְהֹוָה אִישׁ מַחְתָּתוֹ חֲמִשִּׁים וּמָאתַיִם מַחְתֹּת וְאַתָּה וְאַהֲרֹן אִישׁ מַחְתָּתוֹ:
and let each man present his censer before the Lord…: The two hundred and fifty men among you. והקרבתם וגו' איש מחתתו: החמשים ומאתים איש שבכם:
18So each man took his censer, and they put fire upon it and placed incense upon it, and they stood at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting with Moses and Aaron. יחוַיִּקְחוּ אִישׁ מַחְתָּתוֹ וַיִּתְּנוּ עֲלֵיהֶם אֵשׁ וַיָּשִׂימוּ עֲלֵיהֶם קְטֹרֶת וַיַּעַמְדוּ פֶּתַח אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד וּמשֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹן:
19Korah assembled all the congregation against them at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the Lord appeared before the entire congregation. יטוַיַּקְהֵל עֲלֵיהֶם קֹרַח אֶת כָּל הָעֵדָה אֶל פֶּתַח אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד וַיֵּרָא כְבוֹד יְהֹוָה אֶל כָּל הָעֵדָה:
Korah assembled… against them: with words of mockery. All that night, he went to the tribes and enticed them [saying,] “Do you think I care only for myself? I care for all of you. These [people] come and take all the high positions: the kingship for himself and the kehunah for his brother,” until they were all enticed. - [Midrash Tanchuma Korach 7, Num. Rabbah 10] ויקהל עליהם קרח: בדברי ליצנות. כל הלילה ההוא הלך אצל השבטים ופתה אותם כסבורין אתם שעלי לבדי אני מקפיד, איני מקפיד אלא בשביל כלכם. אלו באין ונוטלין כל הגדולות, לו המלכות ולאחיו הכהונה, עד שנתפתו כלם:
and the glory of the Lord appeared: He came in a pillar of cloud. וירא כבוד ה': בא בעמוד ענן:
Daily Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 135 - 139
• Chapter 135
1. Praise the Lord! Praise the Name of the Lord; offer praise, you servants of the Lord-
2. who stand in the House of the Lord, in the courtyards of the House of our God.
3. Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to His Name, for He is pleasant.
4. For God has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel as His beloved treasure.
5. For I know that the Lord is great, our Master is greater than all supernal beings.
6. All that the Lord desired He has done, in the heavens and on earth, in the seas and the depths.
7. He causes mists to rise from the ends of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain; He brings forth the wind from His vaults.
8. It was He who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, of man and beast.
9. He sent signs and wonders into the midst of Egypt, on Pharaoh and on all his servants.
10. It was He who struck down many nations, and slew mighty kings:
11. Sichon, king of the Amorites; Og, king of Bashan; and all the kingdoms of Canaan.
12. And He gave their lands as a heritage, a heritage to His people Israel.
13. Lord, Your Name is forever; Lord, Your remembrance is throughout all generations.
14. Indeed, the Lord will judge on behalf of His people, and have compassion on His servants.
15. The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the product of human hands.
16. They have a mouth, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see;
17. they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouth.
18. Like them will their makers become-all who trust in them.
19. House of Israel, bless the Lord; House of Aaron, bless the Lord;
20. House of Levi, bless the Lord; you who fear the Lord, bless the Lord.
21. Blessed is the Lord from Zion, who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!
Chapter 136
This psalm contains twenty-six verses, corresponding to the twenty-six generations between the creation of the world and the giving of the Torah.
1. Praise the Lord for He is good, for His kindness is forever.
2. Praise the God of the supernal beings, for His kindness is forever.
3. Praise the Master of the heavenly hosts, for His kindness is forever.
4. Who alone performs great wonders, for His kindness is forever.
5. Who makes the heavens with understanding, for His kindness is forever.
6. Who spreads forth the earth above the waters, for His kindness is forever.
7. Who makes the great lights, for His kindness is forever.
8. The sun to rule by day, for His kindness is forever.
9. The moon and stars to rule by night, for His kindness is forever.
10. Who struck Egypt through its firstborn, for His kindness is forever.
11. And brought Israel out of their midst, for His kindness is forever.
12. With a strong hand and with an outstretched arm, for His kindness is forever.
13. Who split the Sea of Reeds into sections, for His kindness is forever.
14. And brought Israel across it, for His kindness is forever.
15. And cast Pharaoh and his army into the Sea of Reeds, for His kindness is forever.
16. Who led His people through the desert, for His kindness is forever;
17. Who struck down great kings, for His kindness is forever.
18. And slew mighty kings, for His kindness is forever.
19. Sichon, king of the Amorites, for His kindness is forever.
20. And Og, king of Bashan, for His kindness is forever.
21. And gave their land as a heritage, for His kindness is forever.
22. A heritage to Israel His servant, for His kindness is forever.
23. Who remembered us in our humiliation, for His kindness is forever.
24. And redeemed us from our oppressors, for His kindness is forever.
25. Who gives food to all flesh, for His kindness is forever.
26. Praise the God of heaven, for His kindness is forever.
Chapter 137
Referring to the time of the destruction of the Temple, this psalm tells of when Nebuchadnezzar would ask the Levites to sing in captivity as they had in the Temple, to which they would reply, "How can we sing the song of God upon alien soil?" They were then comforted by Divine inspiration.
1. By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept as we remembered Zion.
2. There, upon the willows, we hung our harps.
3. For there our captors demanded of us songs, and those who scorned us-rejoicing, [saying,] "Sing to us of the songs of Zion.”
4. How can we sing the song of the Lord on alien soil?
5. If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget [its dexterity].
6. Let my tongue cleave to my palate if I will not remember you, if I will not bring to mind Jerusalem during my greatest joy!
7. Remember, O Lord, against the Edomites the day of [the destruction of] Jerusalem, when they said, "Raze it, raze it to its very foundation!”
8. O Babylon, who is destined to be laid waste, happy is he who will repay you in retribution for what you have inflicted on us.
9. Happy is he who will seize and crush your infants against the rock!
Chapter 138
David offers awesome praises to God for His kindness to him, and for fulfilling His promise to grant him kingship.
1. By David. I will thank You with all my heart, in the presence of princes I shall praise You.
2. I will bow toward Your Holy Sanctuary, and praise Your Name for Your kindness and for Your truth; for You have exalted Your word above all Your Names.
3. On the day that I called out You answered me, You emboldened me, [You put] strength in my soul.
4. Lord, all the kings of the land will give thanks to You when they hear the words of Your mouth.
5. And they will sing of the Lord's ways, for the glory of the Lord is great.
6. For though the Lord is exalted, He sees the lowly; the High One castigates from afar.
7. If I walk in the midst of distress, keep me alive; against the wrath of my enemies stretch out Your hand, and let Your right hand deliver me.
8. Lord, complete [Your kindness] on my behalf. Lord, Your kindness is forever, do not forsake the work of Your hands.
Chapter 139
A most prominent psalm that guides man in the ways of God as no other in all of the five books of Tehillim. Fortunate is he who recites it daily.
1. For the Conductor, by David, a psalm. O Lord, You have probed me, and You know.
2. You know my sitting down and my standing up; You perceive my thought from afar.
3. You encircle my going about and my lying down; You are familiar with all my paths.
4. For there was not yet a word on my tongue-and behold, Lord, You knew it all.
5. You have besieged me front and back, You have laid Your hand upon me.
6. Knowledge [to escape You] is beyond me; it is exalted, I cannot know it.
7. Where can I go [to escape] Your spirit? And where can I flee from Your presence?
8. If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the grave, behold, You are there.
9. Were I to take up wings as the dawn and dwell in the furthest part of the sea,
10. there, too, Your hand would guide me; Your right hand would hold me.
11. Were I to say, "Surely the darkness will shadow me," then the night would be as light around me.
12. Even the darkness obscures nothing from You; and the night shines like the day-the darkness is as light.
13. For You created my mind; You covered me in my mother's womb.
14. I will thank You, for I was formed in an awesome and wondrous way; unfathomable are Your works, though my soul perceives much.
15. My essence was not hidden from You even while I was born in concealment, formed in the depths of the earth.
16. Your eyes beheld my raw form; all [happenings] are inscribed in Your book, even those to be formed in future days-to Him they are the same.
17. How precious are Your thoughts to me, O God! How overwhelming, [even] their beginnings!
18. Were I to count them, they would outnumber the sand, even if I were to remain awake and always with You.
19. O that You would slay the wicked, O God, and men of blood [to whom I say], "Depart from me!”
20. They exalt You for wicked schemes, Your enemies raise [You] for falsehood.
21. Indeed, I hate those who hate You, Lord; I contend with those who rise up against You.
22. I hate them with the utmost hatred; I regard them as my own enemies.
23. Search me, Lord, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts.
24. See if there is a vexing way in me, then lead me in the way of the world.
Tanya: Shaar Hayichud Vehaemunah, beginning of Chapter 9• Lessons in Tanya
• Monday, Sivan 28, 5775 · June 15, 2015
Today's Tanya Lesson
Shaar Hayichud Vehaemunah, beginning of Chapter 9
אבל לגבי הקב״ה, מדרגת החכמה שהיא תחלת מחשבה וראשיתה, היא סוף מעשה אצלו
In regard to the Holy One, blessed be He, however, the level of wisdom — which [in all created beings] is the beginning of thought and its genesis — is to Him the final stage of action;
דהיינו שנחשבת כאילו היא בחינת ומדרגת עשייה לגבי הקב״ה
i.e., in relation to the Holy One, blessed be He, [wisdom] is considered as if it were the quality and level of action,
כדכתיב: כולם בחכמה עשית
as it is written,1 “You have made them all with wisdom.”
At first glance, it would seem more appropriate for the verse to have said something such as “You have ‘intellected’ them all.” Why instead does it state, “You have made...,” when speaking of wisdom?
והיינו לומר, שכערך החיות שבעשיה גופנית וגשמיית לערך חיות החכמה
That is to say that [wisdom relative to Him] is as the quality of the life-force in physical and material action is in relation to the quality of the life-force of wisdom,
שהיא ראשית ומקור החיות באדם וכל הברואים גשמיים
[wisdom being] the beginning and source of the life-force in man and all the physical creatures.
I.e., the life-force of physicality is incomparably lower than wisdom, which is the source of all life-force.
שהוא כאין לגבי חיות שבאותיות הדבור, שהוא כאין לגבי חיות שבאותיות המחשבה
[For the life-force of physicality] is as nothing in comparison with the life-force in the letters of speech, which [in turn] is as nothing compared to the life-force in the letters of thought,
שהוא כאין לגבי חיות ומעלת המדות שמהן נמשכה מחשבה זו
which [in turn] is as nothing in comparison to the life-force and level of the emotive attributes from which this thought is derived,
For, as explained earlier, all letters of thought emanate from some emotion which brings them into being, so that the individual concerned should think these particular letters. Clearly, the life-force of these letters of thought bears no comparison to the life-force of the emotions from whence these letters emanate.
שהוא כאין לגבי חיות ומעלת ומדרגת החכמה בינה ודעת, מקור המדות
which [in turn] is as nothing in comparison to the life-force and level and degree of wisdom, understanding and knowledge, the source of the emotive attributes.
Thus, from the level of action to the lofty level of wisdom in the World of Atzilut there are but five levels, each of which is of no account in comparison to the level above it. Clearly, then, the lowest level of action is surely of absolutely no account in comparison to the highest level, which is the level of wisdom in the World of Atzilut. And just as action is infinitely distant from the wisdom of Atzilut, —
כן ממש ערך מדרגת ומעלת החכמה, שהיא ראשית ומקור החיות שבכל העולמות
Exactly so is the quality and level of wisdom, the beginning and source of the life-force in all the worlds,
For we are speaking here of the Sefirah of Chochmah of the World of Atzilut, which is the source of the entire World of Atzilut, the highest of all the worlds. As such it is also the source of all the worlds below it. Now this level of wisdom is as nothing —
לגבי הקב״ה בכבודו ובעצמו
in relation to the Holy One, blessed be He, in His Glory and Essence,
המרומם והמתנשא ריבוא רבבות מדרגות רוממות יותר מרוממות מדרגתהחכמה על בחינת חיות שבעשיה
Who is elevated and exalted by myriads of degrees of elevation more than the quality of wisdom is elevated over the quality of the life-force in action,
שהיא רוממות חמש מדרגות לבד, שהן מדרגות בחינות עשיה ודבור ומחשבה ומדות ושכל
for this is an elevation of only five degrees, namely, the levels of action, speech, thought, the emotive attributes, and intellect.
אבל הקב״ה רם ומתנשא ממדרגת החכמה רבבות מדרגות כאלו עד אין ק׳
The Holy One, blessed be He, however, is “high and exalted” above the level of wisdom by infinite myriads of such degrees.
This being so, why do we compare the distance of wisdom from G‑d to the distance of action from wisdom, when in actuality wisdom is infinitely more distant from Him?
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. | Tehillim 104:24. |
• Sefer Hamitzvos:Monday, Sivan 28, 5775 · June 15, 2015
Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
Positive Commandment 54
Rejoicing on the Festivals
"And you shall rejoice on your festival"—Deuteronomy 16:14.
The primary element of this mitzvah is the obligation to bring a Peace Offering (in addition to the Chagigah Peace Offering), known as the Simchah Peace Offering.
Also included in this mitzvah is the obligation to rejoice in a variety of ways. This includes eating meat, drinking wine (which is a paramount obligation), wearing new clothing, giving fruits and sweets to the women and children, and the Simchat Beit Hashoevah ("the Celebration of the Water Drawing") in the Temple that featured music and dancing.
The Torah requires us to include in our rejoicing the needy, the poor and the converts.
This is one of the three mitzvot associated with the festivals; the other two are Pilgrimage and offering the Festival Offering.
Rejoicing on the Festivals
Rejoicing on the Festivals
Positive Commandment 54
Translated by Berel Bell
And the 54th mitzvah is that we are commanded to rejoice on the festivals.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "You shall rejoice on your festival."
It is the third of the commandments which are fulfilled on the festivals.2
The first obligation3 that is hinted to in this commandment is the obligation to bring a peace offering. These peace offerings are in addition to the Chagigah peace offerings. The Talmud4 calls them simchah peace offerings. It is regarding these peace offering that our Sages said,5 "Women are obligated in rejoicing."
Scripture states,6 "You shall sacrifice peace offerings and eat there, rejoicing before G‑d."
The details of this mitzvah too are explained in Tractate Chagigah.
Included in G‑d's statement,7 "You shall rejoice on your festival," are the instructions of our Sages,8 "You shall rejoice with all types of joy," including eating meat on the festivals, drinking wine, wearing new clothing, giving fruits and sweets to the women and children, and Simchas Beis HaShoevah, i.e. the rejoicing with musical instruments and dancing in the Temple [on Sukkos]. All the above are included in the commandment, "You shall rejoice on your festival."
The strictest obligation among them is drinking wine, since it is unique in [causing] joy. In the words of tractate Pesachim,9 "A man must bring joy to his children and household on the festival. How does he bring them joy? With wine." Our Sages also say there, "We learned, Rabbi Yehudah ben Beteira says, 'When the Temple was standing, the only way to fulfill the commandment of rejoicing was with meat [of the offerings], as it is written,10 "You shall sacrifice peace offerings." Today, the only way to fulfill the commandment is with wine, as it is written,11 "Wine rejoices the heart of man." ' " Our Sages also say, "Men [rejoice] in what is appropriate for them, and women [rejoice] in what is appropriate for them."12
Scripture requires that one include in this rejoicing also the needy,13 the poor and converts, as G‑d said,14 "[You shall rejoice on your festival, you...] and the Levite, the convert, the orphan, and the widow."
FOOTNOTES
1.Deut. 16:14.
2.In addition to chagigah and re'iyah (P52, P53 above).
3.In addition to those enumerated below.
4.Chagigah 7b.
5.Ibid., 6a.
6.Deut. 27:7.
7.Ibid., 16:14.
8.Chagigah 8b.
9.109a.
10.Deut. 27:7.
11.Psalms 104:15.
12.Therefore the wine is what brings joy to the men, not the children.
13.This term comes to include the Levites. See Kapach 5731, note 8.
14.Deut. 16:14.
Negative Commandment 156
Arriving in Jerusalem Empty-Handed
"And none shall appear before Me empty"—Exodus 23:15.
It is forbidden to arrive in Jerusalem for the festival pilgrimage without sacrifices to offer in the Temple. At the very least, one must bring a Burnt Offering and a Festival Offering.
Arriving in Jerusalem Empty-Handed
Negative Commandment 156
Translated by Berel Bell
And the 156th prohibition is that we are forbidden from going to the Temple to celebrate a festival without having a sacrifice to bring.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "Do not appear before Me empty-handed." It is obligatory that one has a burnt offering2 and peace offerings.3
The details of this mitzvah are explained in tractate Chagigah. This commandment does not apply to women.4
FOOTNOTES
1.Ex. 23:15.
2.Olas re'iyah (see P53)
3.I.e. chagigah peace offerings (see P52). See, however, Hilchos Chagigah, 1:1, which only mentions the burnt offerings.
4.Although women are obligated in all prohibitions, here they are exempt, since they are anyway exempt from these two offerings. See sources quoted in Kapach, 5731, note 80 for further discussion.
Negative Commandment 229
Neglecting the Levite
"Be careful not to forsake the Levite"—Deuteronomy 12:19.
We are enjoined not to neglect the Levites, not to refrain from giving them the gifts due to them, and to invite them to join our celebration of the festivals.
Neglecting the Levite
Negative Commandment 229
Translated by Berel Bell
And the 229th prohibition is that we are forbidden from abandoning the Levites by not giving them their complete portions and not bringing them joy on the festivals.1
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement,2 "You must be careful lest you abandon the Levite all your days." The Sifri says, "The expression, 'you must be careful,' indicates a negative commandment. The expression, 'lest,' indicates a negative commandment."
FOOTNOTES
1."It is the greatest mitzvah to invite a Levite, because he has no portion, no inheritance and no gifts of meat [as the priest does]. One must invite Levites to one's table and to bring them joy or to give them gifts of meat together with their ma'aser in order that they have everything they need." Hilchos Chagigah 2:14.
2.Deut. 12:19.
Positive Commandment 16
Assembling the Jewish People
"Gather the people together, men, women, and children"—Deuteronomy 31:12.
On the second day of Sukkot on the year following the Sabbatical Year, it is a mitzvah for the entire nation to be gathered, and that verses from the Book of Deuteronomy be read before them.
Assembling the Jewish People
Positive Commandment 16
Translated by Berel Bell
And the 16th mitzvah is that we are commanded to gather the entire nation on the second day of Sukkos following each Shemittah year, and to read before them certain verses from the Book of Deuteronomy.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "You must gather together the people: the men, women, and children." This is the mitzvah of Hakhel.
In the beginning of Kiddushin2 our Sages say, "Women are exempt from all positive commandments which are time-bound." The Talmud then asks, "But Hakhel is a time-bound positive commandment,3 and women are obligated?!" The conclusion at the end of the discussion is, "One cannot learn from general principles."4
The details of this mitzvah, i.e. how one reads, who reads and what is read, are explained in the seventh chapter of tractate Sotah.5
FOOTNOTES
1.Ibid., 31:12.
2.34a.
3.From here we see that Hakhel counts as a positive commandment.
4.Because sometimes there are exceptions (Rashi, ibid.). See Encyclopedia Talmudis, Vol. 1, p. 633.
5.41a. There it is explained that the King reads from a wooden podium in the women's courtyard of the Temple. He reads Deuteronomy 1:1-6:9, 11:13-21, 14:22-28:69
Positive Commandment 79
Sanctifying Kosher Firstborn Animals
"Sanctify to Me every firstborn, every one that opens the womb among the children of Israel among man and among animals"—Exodus 13:2.
We are commanded to sanctify all male firstborn kosher cattle and livestock – i.e., to separate and designate them to do with them as commanded in the Torah.
The kosher firstborn is given to the priest. The animal is sacrificed in the Temple, its blood sprinkled on the altar, its fats offered thereon, and its flesh consumed by the priests.
Only a firstborn in the land of Israel can be brought as a sacrifice. Outside of Israel, the animal is still holy, but can only be eaten by a priest if it becomes blemished [as it is unfit for sacrifice].
Levites are exempt from this mitzvah.
Sanctifying Kosher Firstborn Animals
Positive Commandment 79
Translated by Berel Bell
And the 79th mitzvah is that we are commanded to sanctify the firstborn, i.e. to separate them and set them aside for whatever we are obligated to do with them.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "Sanctify to Me every firstborn that opens the womb among the Jewish people; among both man and animal." Scripture dictates that the "animal," referred to includes only cattle, sheep and donkeys. The commandment is repeated regarding the firstborn of kosher species, which is the commandment we are talking about now, in G‑d's statement,2 "You must consecrate to G‑d every firstborn male born among your cattle and sheep."
The law regarding this firstborn kosher animal is that it must be given to the priests, who sacrifice the fat and blood and consume the remaining meat.
The details of this mitzvah have been completely explained in tractate Bechoros.
It is explained at the end of tractate Challah3 that this commandment applies only in Israel. In the words of the Sifri,4 "One might think that a person is obligated to bring his firstborn [animals] from outside Israel to Israel. The Torah therefore says, 'You must eat before G‑d your L‑rd...the [second] tithe of your grain, wine, and oil, as well as the firstborn of your cattle and sheep.'5 [Only] from the place you bring the [second] tithe of your grain do you bring your firstborn. But from outside Israel, from where you do not bring the [second] tithe of your grain, you do not bring [from there] your firstborn."
It has been explained to you that this commandment applies only in Israel, but a firstborn animal born outside Israel is not sacrificed. However, it remains holy until it acquires a blemish and then may be eaten. This applies both when the Temple was standing and as it is now [i.e. after its destruction], just like the [second] tithe of grain.
(Levites are exempt from this commandment.)6
FOOTNOTES
1.Ex. 13:2.
2.Deut. 15:19.
3.4:11.
4.Deut. 14:23.
5.Ibid.
6.Kapach, 5731 places this in parentheses, claiming that it is a transcription error, and belongs at the end of the next mitzvah, N80. In Hilchos Bechoros 1:7, Rambam in fact writes that Levites are obligated.
Kiddush HaChodesh - Chapter Five
Halacha 1
All the statements made previously regarding the [prerogative to] sanctify Rosh Chodesh because of the sighting of the moon, and [to] establish a leap year to reconcile the calendar or because of a necessity, apply to the Sanhedrin inEretz Yisrael. [For it is they] alone, or a court of judges possessing semichahthat holds sessions in Eretz Yisrael and that was granted authority by theSanhedrin, [who may authorize these decisions].1
[This concept is derived] from the command given Moses and Aaron [Exodus 12:2]: "This month shall be for you the first of months" The Oral Tradition as passed down, teacher to student, from Moses our teacher [throughout the generations, explains that] the verse is interpreted as follows:2 This testimony is entrusted to you and those [sages] who arise after you and who function in your position.3
When, however, there is no Sanhedrin in Eretz Yisrael, we establish the monthly calendar and institute leap years solely according to the fixed calendar that is followed now.
Halacha 2
This concept is a halachah communicated to Moses on [Mount] Sinai:4 When there is a Sanhedrin, the monthly calendar is established according to the sighting of the moon. When there is no Sanhedrin, the monthly calendar is established according to the fixed calendar that we follow now, and the sighting of the moon is of no consequence.
When the fixed calendar is followed, there are times when the day established [as Rosh Chodesh] will be the day on which the moon is sighted, and there are times when the sighting will either precede or follow it by a day.5 It is, however, an extremely extraordinary phenomenon for [the day established as Rosh Chodesh] to be a day after the sighting [of the moon], [and this is possible only] in the lands that are west of Eretz Yisrael.6
Halacha 3
When did the entire Jewish people begin using this calendar? At the conclusion of the Talmudic period, when Eretz Yisrael was in ruin, and an established court no longer remained there.7 In the era of the Sages of the Mishnah, and in the era of the Sages of the Gemara until the time of Abbaye and Ravvah,8 [the people] would rely on the establishment [of the calendar] in Eretz Yisrael.9
Halacha 4
When the Sanhedrin functioned and the calendar was established based on the sighting [of the moon], the inhabitants of Eretz Yisrael and, [similarly, the inhabitants of] all the places where the messengers of Tishrei10 would arrive, would celebrate the holidays for one day only.
The inhabitants of the distant places that were not reached by the messengers of Tishrei would celebrate two days because of the doubt involved. For they did not know the day that the inhabitants of Eretz Yisrael established as [the beginning of] the new month.
Halacha 5
In the present era, when the Sanhedrin no longer exists, and the court of Eretz Yisrael establishes [the months] according to the [fixed] calendar,11 according to law, it would be appropriate for [Jews] throughout the world to celebrate the holidays for one day alone.12 For [the inhabitants of] the distant regions of the diaspora and the inhabitants of Eretz Yisrael rely on the same [fixed] calendar and establish [the festivals] accordingly. Nevertheless, the Sages ordained [that the inhabitants of the diaspora] retain the custom of their ancestors.13
Halacha 6
Therefore, [the inhabitants of] all the places that the messengers of Tishrei would not reach in the era when the messengers were sent out should celebrate two days even in the present era, just as they did when the inhabitants of Eretz Yisrael established [the calendar] according to the sighting of the moon.
Halacha 7
[Even] when the calendar was established based on the sighting of the moon, the majority of the inhabitants of Eretz Yisrael would celebrate Rosh HaShanah for two days, because of the doubt involved.16 They would not know the day on which the court established the new month, because the messengers would not depart on the holiday.17
Halacha 8
Moreover, even in Jerusalem, where the court would hold session, there were many times when the holiday of Rosh HaShanah was celebrated for two days. For if witnesses did not arrive on the thirtieth day [following Rosh Chodesh Elul], the day on which they had awaited [the arrival of] witnesses would be regarded as holy,18and the following day would be regarded as holy.19
Since [there were times when] they would observe [Rosh HaShanah for] two days even when they sanctified the months according to the sighting [of the moon], [our Sages] ordained that even the inhabitants of Eretz Yisrael20 should always celebrate [Rosh HaShanah] for two days in the present era, when [the holidays] are established based on the fixed calendar. Thus, even [the observance of] the second day of Rosh HaShanah in the present era is a Rabbinic ordinance.
Halacha 9
The celebration of the holidays for one or two days is not dependent on geographic distance [alone]. What is implied?
If a place is located within a five-day - or less - journey from Jerusalem, and thus it was surely possible for the messengers to reach them, we do not postulate that the inhabitants celebrate only one day. For we have no way of knowing whether or not the messengers [of the High Court] would journey to this place.21 Perhaps the messengers did not journey to this place because it was not populated by Jews at that time. [And if] it became populated by Jews after it [had become customary] to establish [the festivals] according to the fixed calendar, they [would be] obligated to celebrate two days.
Alternatively, [perhaps the messengers did not reach there,] because there was a blockade on the way, as existed between Jerusalem and the Galilee during the time of the Mishnah,22 or perhaps the Samaritans would prevent the messengers from passing through their [territory].
Halacha 10
If the matter were dependent on geographic distance alone, all the inhabitants of Egypt would observe the holidays for only one day, for it is possible for the messengers of Tishrei to reach them. The distance between Jerusalem and Egypt via Ashkelon is a journey of eight days or less. Similar concepts apply regarding the majority of Syria. One thus can conclude that the matter is not dependent solely on geographic distance.
Halacha 11
Thus, the principles governing this matter can be summarized as follows: Whenever the distance between Jerusalem and a particular place exceeds a ten-day journey, the inhabitants should observe [the holidays] for two days, as was their previous custom. For the messengers sent out for Tishrei [cannot be guaranteed] to reach places other than those within a ten-day journey from Jerusalem.23
[T he following rules apply when, by contrast,] places are a ten-day journey or less from Jerusalem, and thus it is possible that the messengers could have reached them: We see whether that place is [located in the portions of] Eretz Yisrael that were inhabited by Jews during the time the calendar was established on the basis of the sighting [of the moon] during the second conquest [of the land] - e.g., Usha, Shefaram, Luz, Yavneh, Nov, Tiberias, and the like. [The inhabitants of these places] should celebrate only one day.
Halacha 12
When a place is located within a journey of ten days or less from Jerusalem, and it is part of Syria or the diaspora, and [its inhabitants] have no [established] custom conveyed [from previous generations], they should celebrate two days, as is customary in the world at large. [The same rules apply to] a city that was created in the desert of Eretz Yisrael, or a city first populated by Jews in the present era.26
[At present,] the celebration of the second day of a holiday is always a Rabbinic institution. This applies even to the celebration of the second day of Rosh HaShanah, which is observed by all Jews in the present era.
Halacha 13
The calculations that we follow in the present era, every individual in his community, to ascertain which day is Rosh Chodesh and which day is Rosh HaShanah, do not determine [the calendar], nor do we rely on these calculations. For we do not institute leap years or establish the monthly calendar in the diaspora. We rely on the calculations of the inhabitants of Eretz Yisrael and their establishment of the calendar.
The reason we make calculations is merely for the sake of information. For we know that the inhabitants of Eretz Yisrael rely on the same calendar. Thus, our calculations are intended to determine the day that the inhabitants of Eretz Yisrael establish as Rosh Chodesh or a festival. For it is the establishment of the calendar by the inhabitants of Eretz Yisrael that establishes a day as Rosh Chodesh or a festival, not our calculations of the calendar.27
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. |
The Ramban [in his gloss on Sefer HaMitzvot (Positive Commandment 153)] differs and explains that although it was necessary for the judges who established the calendar to have semichah, there was no necessity that this function be carried out by the Sanhedrin or a court deputized by it.
|
| 2. |
This explanation was recorded for posterity in Rosh HaShanah 21b.
|
| 3. |
I.e., to the Sages of the Sanhedrin, who preserve the tradition of the Jewish court as initiated by Moses and Aaron.
|
| 4. |
In the Introduction to his Commentary on the Mishnah, the Rambam defines a halachah communicated to Moses on [Mount] Sinai as a law that is neither explicitly stated nor alluded to in the Written Law, but communicated through the Oral Tradition.
See also the statements of the Ramban (loc. cit.), who objects to the Rambam's statements, and asks which source states that this is a halachah communicated to Moses on Mount Sinai.
|
| 5. |
As explained in Chapter 6, the fixed calendar is based on the mean motion of the sun and the moon - i.e., their average rate of progress in the heavens. As explained in Chapter 11 onwards, the progress of the sun, and to an even greater extent that of the moon, deviates from this mean from time to time. Although ultimately these deviations will balance out, at any given time the day established as Rosh Chodesh may be before or after the day on which the moon can be sighted.
|
| 6. |
As explained in Chapter 18, Halachah 13, in the lands west of Eretz Yisrael the moon is sighted earlier than in Eretz Yisrael.
|
| 7. |
Based on the Rambam's statements in Sefer HaMitzvot (loc. cit.), the Chatam Sofer (Yoreh De'ah, Responsum 234) explains that the Rambam's intent is that, from that time onward, a formal court no longer held sessions in Eretz Yisrael; the land, however, remained populated by Jews. (See the notes on Halachah 5.)
|
| 8. |
This concept is derived from Rosh HaShanah 21a, which states that Ravvah fasted two days on Yom Kippur, because he did not know which day was established by the court in Eretz Yisrael.
|
| 9. |
This refers to the establishment of the fixed calendar by Rabbi Hillel (Hillel II), approximately two generations after the composition of the Jerusalem Talmud.
Most commentaries assume that the Rambam's intent is that until the time of Rabbi Hillel (not Hillel the Great, but a descendant of his, who lived several hundred years afterwards), the court sanctifiede moon based on the testimony of witnesses. Rav Kapach objects to this interpretation, noting that the sanctification of the moon required judges with semichah, and it appears that the practice of semichah had been nullified prior to this time.
Noting the precise words used by the Rambam, "[The people] would rely on the establishment [of the calendar] in Eretz Yisrael," Rav Kapach explains that the sanctification of the moon based on the testimony of witnesses had ended several generations previously, with the cessation of the practice of semichah. Nevertheless, the international Jewish community would look to the court inEretz Yisrael for the establishment of the calendar. For the family of the Nesi'im had a private tradition regarding the calculation of the calendar. Nevertheless, at the time of Rabbi Hillel, this practice was also discontinued, and a fixed calendar was established that did not require the authority of any particular court.
|
| 10. |
See Chapter 3, Halachot 11-13.
|
| 11. |
Implicit in the Rambam's words is a concept explained in greater detail in Halachah 13: The determination of the calendar depends on the establishment of the calendar by the court in Eretz Yisrael.
|
| 12. |
As prescribed by the Torah. Once the date on which the festivals should be celebrated could be universally known because of the fixed calendar, the safeguard of celebrating the holidays for two days was no longer necessary.
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| 13. |
Beitzah 4b explains that this rule was ordained lest the gentile authorities oppress the Jewish people and prevent the inhabitants of the diaspora from communicating the tradition of the calendar to their descendants. They would then have to rely on information conveyed from Eretz Yisrael again.
|
| 14. |
See, however, Halachot 11 and 12.
|
| 15. |
I.e., originally, the second day of the holidays was observed because of the doubt of the day on which to observe the Torah's commandment. In the present era there is no longer any doubt, and the observance of the second day of a holiday has the status of a Rabbinic ordinance.
|
| 16. |
To explain: Generally, the court would endeavor to structure the calendar so that the moon would be sighted on the thirtieth night of Elul. In expectation of the probability that the following day would be declared Rosh HaShanah, the people would observe all the holiday prohibitions and sound the shofar on the thirtieth day. Nevertheless, since it was possible that the moon had not been sighted, the people outside the immediate surroundings of Jerusalem would observe the following day as well.
See the Jerusalem Talmud (Eruvin 3:9) which states that the observance of Rosh HaShanah for two days was ordained by "the prophets of the earlier generations." Sotah 48b states that this term refers to the prophets of the First Temple era.
|
| 17. |
See Chapter 3, Halachah 8.
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| 18. |
As mentioned above, except for the offering of the Rosh HaShanah sacrifices, the thirtieth day following Rosh Chodesh Elul was always observed as Rosh HaShanah in expectation of the arrival of witnesses.
|
| 19. |
For it would actually be observed as Rosh HaShanah.
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| 20. |
Including even the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
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| 21. |
As the Rambam continues to explain, the determining factor is not the geographic distance of a place from Jerusalem, but rather the custom followed in this place at the time when the High Court sent out messengers.
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| 22. |
See Bava Batra 38a and Ketubot 17b, which tell of a time when a blockade prevented communication between Jerusalem and the Galilee.
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| 23. |
For the messengers were forbidden to travel on Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur, and the two Sabbaths between Rosh HaShanah and Sukkot. In the years when Rosh HaShanah is observed on the Sabbath, the messengers could proceed a further day. Nevertheless, since this is not so in the majority of the years, a ten-day journey is accepted as the standard measure.
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| 24. |
Note Hilchot Terumah 1:3, which defines Syria as referring to lands conquered by King David before the entire territory of Eretz Yisrael proper had been conquered. Therefore, it was not considered part of the Holy Land with regard to most ritual questions according to the Torah itself. Nevertheless, the Rabbis extended many of the laws applying to Eretz Yisrael to this territory as well.
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| 25. |
The inclusion of Ashkelon, which is located to the southwest of Eretz Yisrael, in Syria clearly indicates that the Rambam is referring to the halachic conception of the latter term, and not the geographic one, since Syria is to the northeast of Eretz Yisrael.
There is, however, a slight difficulty with the Rambam's statements: In Hilchot Terumah 1:9, he describes Ashkelon as being part of the diaspora.
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| 26. |
Based on this halachah, according to the Rambam, most Jews living in Eretz Yisrael today should celebrate the holidays for two days. Indeed, the Eretz Tzvi, a text that documents the prevailing customs in Eretz Yisrael before the waves of European immigration, states that in cities like Ramlah, that did not have an existing custom dating back to the Talmudic period, the holidays would be celebrated for two days, as the Rambam states.
It was not until the resettlement of Eretz Yisrael in the present era that such cities began observing the holidays for only one day. The source for this practice is the commentary of the Ritba (Rosh HaShanah 16b), who states that, in the present era, it is the geographic definitions ofEretz Yisrael and the diaspora that determine whether or not one should celebrate one day.
[It must be emphasized that even according to the Ritba, it is questionable whether the inhabitants of areas of the Negev below Beersheba should celebrate the holidays for only one day. For these places are also beyond the geographic limits of Eretz Yisrael of the Talmudic period.]
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| 27. |
The Rambam's statements in this halachah are a reiteration of the principles he expresses inSefer HaMitzvot, loc. cit. Citing Isaiah 2:3, "Out of Zion shall come forth the Torah," the Rambam emphasizes that the determination of the calendar is solely the province of the inhabitants of Eretz Yisrael.
Until the time of Rabbi Hillel, the court of Eretz Yisrael determined the calendar through their independent calculations. Even after the court ceased to function and the fixed calendar was adopted, the determination of the calendar still depends on the establishment of the calendar inEretz Yisrael. The only difference is that from the time of Rabbi Hillel onward, instead of determining the calendar independently, the inhabitants of Eretz Yisrael would rely on the fixed calendar.
For this reason, the Rambam points to a Divine covenant insuring that there will always be Jews living in our Holy Land. For were there not to be any Jews living in Eretz Yisrael, heaven forbid, we would not be able to determine the calendar. (See Chatam Sofer, Yoreh De'ah, Responsum 234).
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Chagigah - Perek 2
Halacha 1
Women and servants are exempt from the obligation to appear before God on festivals. All men are obligated to appear with the exception of a deaf person, a mute, one who is emotionally or intellectually incapable of controlling himself, a minor, a blind person, one who is limp, one who is impure, one who is uncircumcised, and similarly, one who is old, sick, very dainty and spoiled to the extent they cannot ascend by foot. All of these eleven persons are exempt. All other men are obligated to appear before God.
To explain these categories in greater detail: A deaf person is exempt even if he can speak. Even if he is deaf in only one ear, he is exempt from appearing. Similarly, one who is blind in one eye or limp in one leg, is exempt. A mute even though he hears is exempt. A tumtum and an androgynus are exempt, because there is a doubt whether they are female. A person who is half-servant and half-free is exempt, because of the side of him that is a servant.
What is the source that all the above are exempt from appearing before God?Exodus 23:17 states: "All of your males shall appear"; this excludes women. And any positive commandment for which women are not obligated, servants are not obligated. Moreover, Deuteronomy 31:11 "When all Israel come to appear"; this excludes servants.
The phrase "When all Israel come to appear" implies that just as they come to appear before God, so too, they come to see the glory of His holiness and the house where His presence rests. Thus it excludes a blind person who cannot see; he is exempt even if only one eye is blinded, because his sight is not perfect.
That passage continues: "So that they will hear." This excludes one whose hearing is not perfect. And it states: "So that they will learn." This excludes one who does not speak, because everyone who is obligated to learn is also obligated to teach.
Exodus 34:24 states: "When you ascend to appear before the presence of God." The command is directed to one who can ascend by foot and thus excludes one who is limp, old, sick, or very dainty. And we have already explained in Hilchot Bi'at HaMikdash that a person who is impure is not fit to enter the Temple. And one is uncircumcised is loathsome like one who is impure.
Halacha 2
A scraper, i.e., one whose task is to gather the excrement of dogs and the like to use for the processing of hides or for medicinal purposes, one who quarries copper in its mine, and a leatherworker, even though they are loathsome because of their profession, should purify their bodies and their garments and ascend to Jerusalem together with the Jewish people as a whole to appear before God.
Halacha 3
Whenever a child can hold his father's hand and ascend from Jerusalem to the Temple Mount, his father is obligated to have him ascend and appear before God to train him in the observance of the mitzvot, as implied by the phrase: "All your males shall appear."
If the minor was limp, blind, or deaf, even in one of his organs, his father is not obligated to train him, even if his infirmity could be healed. The rationale is that if he was in this state when he was past majority, he would be exempt, as we explained.
Halacha 4
Everyone who is obligated to appear before God is obligated to bring a festive offering. Everyone who is exempt from appearing is exempt from bringing a festive offering. They are all obligated in the celebratory peace-sacrifices with the exception of a deafmute, a mentally or emotionally incapable individual, a minor, an uncircumcised person, and one who is impure.
A deafmute, a mentally or emotionally incapable individual, and a minor are exempt, because they are not fit to be given any responsibility and they are exempt from all the mitzvot stated in the Torah. An uncircumcised person and one who is impure are exempt, because they may not partake of sacred foods and are not fit to enter the Temple, as explained in Hilchot Biat HaMikdash andHilchot Ma'aseh HaKorbanot.
Halacha 5
If one was limp or blind on the first day of a festival and was healed on the second day, he is exempt from appearing before God and bringing the festive offering, because all of the remaining days of the festival are compensation for the first day, as we explained. Similarly, if he became impure on the night of the first day of a festival, he is exempt, even though he purifies himself on the following day. If, however, he became impure on the first day of the festival, he is obligated to bring his festive offering and the burnt-offering brought when appearing before God during the remaining days of the festival when he regains ritual purity.
Halacha 6
One who enters the Temple Courtyard during the days of a festival is not obligated to bring a burnt-offering whenever he enters, for the charge, "You shall not appear in My presence empty-handed," applies only on the fundamental celebration of the festival, the first day or the day which compensates for the first day. If he brings such a sacrifice at any time, we accept it, and offer it as a burnt-offering brought when appearing before God, for there is no limit to these offerings.
Halacha 7
When a person set aside ten animals for his festive offering, sacrificed some of them on the first day, and made an interruption, he should not offer the others, for he left them over. If he did not make an interruption, but instead, the day was pressing and he was not able to offer them all that day, he should offer the remainder on the following day.
Halacha 8
The burnt-offering brought when appearing before God may be brought only from ordinary funds like other sacrifices for which a person is obligated.The festive peace-offerings, by contrast, may be brought from funds from the second tithethat are intermingled with ordinary funds. He may purchase an animal with the intermingled funds and offer it as a festive peace-offering, provided that the minimum measure which one must eat first could be purchased with the ordinary funds. The rationale is that the festive peace-offerings are an obligation and any obligation must be satisfied with ordinary funds.
Halacha 9
A person may fulfill his obligation for festive peace-offering with animals designated as tithe-offerings. He should not, however, bring such an offering on the holiday. This is a decree, lest he tithe on the holiday.
Halacha 10
An Israelite fulfills his obligation for celebratory peace-offerings with vowed and pledged offerings and with tithe-offerings. Priests may also do so with their portions from the sin-offerings and the guilt-offerings, a firstborn offering, and the breast and fore-leg from a peace-offering. For this mitzvah involves rejoicing by eating sacrificial meat in God's presence and he has done that. Priests cannot fulfill their obligation by partaking of sin-offerings of fowl or of meal-offerings. For they are not meat that brings joy.
We already explained in the laws of the Paschal sacrifice, that the festive offering brought on the fourteenth of Nisan is a matter of choice. Therefore he does not fulfill his obligation for the festive offering with it. He does, however, fulfill his obligation for the celebratory peace-offering.
Halacha 11
When a person who had peace-offerings which he vowed or pledged to bring, slaughtered them on the day before a festival, even though he partakes of them on the festival, he does not fulfill his obligation for the festive offering, because it may only be brought from ordinary animals. He may, however, fulfill his obligation for celebratory peace-offerings with them. Even though he slaughtered them before the festival, since he partakes of them on the festival, he may fulfill his obligation with them, for he does not need to slaughter the celebratory peace-offerings at the time of celebration.
Halacha 12
A person should not bring a thanksgiving offering on the day of the fourteenth of Nisan, because of the leaven it includes, for we do not cause sacred foods to be disqualified. If one brought such an offering, he may fulfill his obligation for celebratory peace-offerings through it, as explained.
Halacha 13
If one says: "I vow to bring a thanksgiving through which I can fulfill my obligation to bring a festive offering," he is obligated to bring a thanksgiving offering, but he does not fulfill his obligation for the festive offering. For a festive offering must be brought from ordinary funds.
When a person sacrifices festive and celebratory peace-offerings, he should not eat while secluded, together with his children and his wife and think he is performing a perfect mitzvah. Instead, he is obligated to bring joy to the poor and unfortunate. Thus Deuteronomy 16:14 mentions: "the Levite, the stranger, the orphan, and the widow." One should grant them food and drink according to his wealth. If one partook of his sacrifices and did not bring joy to these together with him, to him are applied the words of censure, Hoshea 9:4: "Their sacrifices will be like the bread of those aggrieved for them, of which all who partake of it become impure. Instead, let their bread be for themselves."
The mitzvah is to give the Levite takes precedence over all the others, because he is not granted a portion and an ancestral heritage, nor is he given portions of the sacrificial meat. Therefore one must invite Levites to one's table and have them celebrate or give them presents of meat together with the tithes that are given to them, so that all their needs are met. Whoever forsakes a Levite, refrains from bringing him joy, and delays giving him the tithes during the festivals violates a negative commandment, as Deuteronomy 12:19 states: "Beware lest you abandon the Levite."
Chagigah - Perek 3
Halacha 1
It is a positive commandment to gather together the entire Jewish people - men, women, and children - after every Sabbatical year when they ascend for the pilgrimage holiday and to read so that they hear passages from the Torah that encourage them to perfom mitzvot and strengthem them in the true faith, as Deuteronomy 31:10-12 states: "At the end of a seven-year period, at the time of the Sabbatial year on the Sukkot holiday when all Israel come to appear... gather the nation, the men, the women, the children, and your stranger in your gates...."
Halacha 2
All of those who are exempt from the mitzvah of appearing before God are exempt from the mitzvah of hakhel with the exception of women, children, and those uncircumcised. One who is ritually impure is, by contrast, exempt from the mitzvah of Hakhel, as implied by the phrase "When all Israel come...," for such a person is not fit to come to the Temple. It is clear that a tumtum and anandrogynus are obligated, for women are obligated.
Halacha 3
When would they read? On the day following the first day of the holiday of Sukkot which is the first day of Chol HaMoed of the eighth year. The kingwould read so the people would hear. The reading was held in the Women's Courtyard. He would read while seated. If he read while standing, it is praiseworthy.
From which passages in the Torah should he read? He starts from the beginning of the chumash: "These are the words..." until the end of the passageShema. He then skips to the passage Vehayah Im Shamoa,and then skips to the passage asair te'asair. He then reads from that passage in order until the end of the blessing and curses, i.e., until the phrase: "besides the covenant He established with them in Choreb where he concludes.
Halacha 4
How is the reading conducted? Trumpets are sounded throughout Jerusalem to gather the people. A large wooden platform is brought and set up in the center of the Women's Courtyard. The king ascends and sits on it so that they will be able to hear his reading. All of the Jewish people who made the festive pilgrimage gather around him. The attendant of the synagogue would take the Torah scroll and give it to the head of the synagogue. He would give it to thesegen, who would give it to the High Priest, who would give it to the king. The transfer involved many people as an expression of respect.
The king accepts the scroll while standing. If he desires, he may sit when reading. He opens it, looks at it, and recites the blessings like anyone who is reading the Torah in a synagogue. He reads the passages mentioned in the previous halachah until he completes them. He rolls the scroll closed and recites the blessing afterwards as it is done in synagogues. He adds seven blessings which are:
"Grant favor, God, our Lord, to Your people Israel...."
"We thankfully acknowledge You...."
"You chose us from all the nations..." until "Who sanctifies Israel and the festive seasons," as one recites in prayer. Thus there are three blessings with set texts.
For the fourth blessing, he prays for the Temple, that it should remain standing and concludes: "Blessed are You, God, Who dwells in Zion."
For the fifth, he prays for the Jewish people, that their kingdom prevail, and concludes: "...Who chooses Israel."
For the sixth, he prays for the priests, that God should desire their service and concludes: "Blessed are You, God, Who sanctifies the priests."
For the seventh, he offers supplication and prays according to his ability and concludes: "God, deliver Your nation Israel, for Your nation Israel is in need of salvation. Blessed are You, God, Who heeds prayer."
Halacha 5
The reading and the blessings are in the Holy Tongue, as implied byDeuteronomy 31:11: "Read this Torah," i.e., in its wording. This applies even though foreigners are present.
Halacha 6
Converts who do not understand are obligated to concentrate their attention and direct their hearing, listening with reverence and awe, rejoicing while trembling as on the day the Torah was given at Sinai. Even great Sages who know the entire Torah are obligated to listen with exceedingly great concentration. One who is unable to hearshould focus his attention on this reading, for Scripture established it solely to strengthen the true faith. He should see himself as if he was just now commanded regarding the Torah and heard it from the Almighty. For the king is an agent to make known the word of God.
Halacha 7
If the day of Hakhel falls on the Sabbath, the gathering is delayed until after the Sabbath, because of the sounding of the trumpets and the supplications which do not supersede the Sabbath restrictions.
Bechorot - Perek 1
Halacha 1
It is a positive commandment to set aside all the male first issues of the womb, whether among humans, kosher animals, and donkeys. This applies whether the animals are healthy or treifot. Thus Exodus 13:2 states: "Consecrate unto Me all firstborn, the first issue of the womb among the children of Israel, in humans and in animals." All of the above are given to the priests."
Halacha 2
Firstborn humans and firstborn donkeys are redeemed and the redemption is given to the priests. A firstborn kosher animal should be slaughtered in the Temple like other sacrifices of a lesser degree of sanctity. Its blood is cast on the altar and its fats and organs are burnt on the altar's pyre, as explained inHilchot Ma'aseh HaKorbanot.
The remainder of the meat is eaten by the priests, as Numbers 18:15-18 states: "You shall surely redeem firstborn humans and you shall redeem firstborn non-kosher animals, but firstborn oxen... you shall not redeem. They are holy.... Their flesh will be for you."
Halacha 3
When a firstborn kosher animal is blemished - whether it was born blemished or contracted a blemish after being born unblemished - it should be given to a priest. If he desires, he may eat it anywhere, or sell it or feed to whoever he desires, even a gentile, because it is ordinary property, as Deuteronomy 15:21-22 states: "If it has a blemish - lameness or blindness... the pure and the impure shall partake of it, like a deer or a hart." It is the priest's private property.
Halacha 4
It is a mitzvah to sanctify a firstborn kosher animal and say: "Behold, this is holy," as Deuteronomy 15:19 states: "Every firstborn shall you sanctify unto God your Lord." Even if the owner did not sanctify it, it is sanctified as a matter of course. It is sanctified upon its emergence from the womb.
Halacha 5
The mitzvah of the firstborn kosher animal is observed in Eretz Yisrael and in the Diaspora. Firstborn animals from the Diaspora should not be brought toEretz Yisrael. This is derived from ibid. 14:23: "And you shall eat before God your Lord... the tithes of your grain, your wine, your oil, the firstborn of your herds and your sheep." Implied is that from the place where you bring "the tithes of your grain," you should bring firstborn cattle and sheep. From where you do not bring "the tithes of your grain," you should not bring firstborn cattle and sheep. Instead, those firstborn animals are like ordinary property and should be eaten after they become blemished. If one brings firstborn animals from the Diaspora to Jerusalem, they should not be accepted, nor should they be sacrificed. Instead, they should be eaten after they become blemished.
Halacha 6
This mitzvah is observed whether the Temple is standing or not, like the tithes of grain. It does not apply to the offspring of consecrated animals - whether consecrated to be offered on the altar or consecrated for the Temple treasury - while they remain consecrated before they are redeemed.
Halacha 7
Everyone is obligated in the mitzvah of setting aside a firstborn issue of a kosher animal: priests, Levites, and Israelites. Even though a firstborn issue is given to a priest, if a firstborn issue is born to a priest, he must offer its blood and fats and organs, as stated. And he must eat the remainder of the meat according to the laws pertaining to a firstborn, as Deuteronomy 15:19 states: "Every firstborn that is born in your herds and your cattle, you shall sanctify." The priests and the Levites are, however, exempt with regard to the mitzvot applying to the firstborn of humans and the firstborn of non-kosher animals, as we explained in Hilchot Matanot Kehunah.
Halacha 8
A firstborn animal should be eaten within the first year of its life, whether it is unblemished or blemished, as ibid.:20-22 states: "Eat it before God your Lord, year after year.... If it has a blemish,... eat it in your gates."
From when is the year calculated? If it is unblemished, it should be calculated from the eighth day of its life, for then it is fit to be offered as a sacrifice. If it was born blemished, the year should be calculated from the day of its birth, because it could be eaten on that day, provided it was born after a full-term pregnancy. If, however, it is not known whether it was born after a full-term pregnancy, the year should be calculated from the eighth day.
Halacha 9
If a firstborn animal contracts a blemish in the midst of its year, it is permitted to keep it for twelve months. If it contracts a blemish at the end of its year, it is permitted to keep it for thirty days from the day it contracted the blemish, even though this delays eating it after its year.
What is implied? For example, it contracted a blemish on the fifteenth day before the end of its year, it is granted another fifteen days after its year. If it contracted a blemish after its year, he may not keep it more than 30 days. Afterwards, it must be eaten.
Halacha 10
In the present age, a firstborn animal should be left until it contracts a blemish and then eaten.
Halacha 11
If a blemish did not appear so that it could be shown to a sage, one may keep the animal for two or three years. Should a blemish appear so that it could be shown to a sage, if the blemish is contracted within a year, it is permitted to be kept for an entire twelve month period. If it contracts a blemish after its first year, one may maintain it for thirty days.
Halacha 12
The year of a firstborn animal is a full lunar year, twelve months from day to day. If it was a leap year, it benefits from the addition and it is granted thirteen months.
If two lambs were born to a person, one on the fifteenth of the first Adar and one on the first day of the second Adar, when the first day of Adar in the following year arrives, the second lamb is considered to have its year completed. The one born in the middle of the first Adar, by contrast, is not considered to have its year completed until the middle of the Adar in the following year. Since it was born in the extra month, it is counted for it.
Halacha 13
If a person transgressed and kept a firstborn animal for more than a year, although he violates a negative commandment, it is not disqualified from being brought as an offering if it is unblemished. If it is blemished, it may be slaughtered anywhere as evident from the prooftext that states: "the tithes of your grain, your wine, your oil, the firstborn of your herds and your sheep." An association is made between the firstborn animal and the tithes. Just as the tithes are not disqualified from one year to the next, so too, a firstborn animal is not disqualified from one year to the next.41
14. A firstborn animal should not be given to a priest directly after it was born, for this is not respectful to the priest. Instead, the owner of the animal should care for it until it matures lightly. Then he should give it to the priest.
For how long is an Israelite obligated to care for a firstborn animal? For a small animal, for 30 days. For a large animal, 50 days.
If a priest tells him: "Give it to me in the midst of this time and I will tend to it myself," he is not allowed to give it to him, for this is like a priest helping in order to receive his presents. We already explained in Hilchot Terumotthat priests who assist in the granaries, the butcher shops, and among the shepherds should not be given their presents as wages.
Halacha 15
If the firstborn animal was blemished and a priest told the owner in the interval mentioned above: "Give it to me so that I can partake of it now," or if it was unblemished and he told him: "Give it to me in this interval so that I can offer it now," he may give it to him.
It appears to me that a person may give a firstborn animal to any priest that he desires.
Halacha 16
When a priest eats an olive-sized portion of an unblemished firstborn animal outside of Jerusalem, he is liable for lashes according to Scriptural Law, asDeuteronomy 12:17 states: "You may not eat the tithes of your grain, your wine, your oil, the firstborn of your herds and your sheep... in your gates."
Similarly, a non-priest who partakes of an olive-sized portion of a firstborn animal whether before its blood was poured on the altar or afterwards is liable for lashes. According to the Oral Tradition, it was taught that this admonition applies also to a non-priest who partakes of a firstborn, whether before its blood was poured on the altar or afterwards.
Halacha 17
A firstborn kosher animal should not be redeemed, as Numbers 18:17 states: "But the firstborn of an ox, the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat should not be redeemed. Similarly, it should not be sold if it is unblemished. The rationale is that since the animal is intended as a sacrifice, the priest does not have the right to sell it.
In the present age, when there is no Temple, since the firstborn is intended to be eaten, it is permitted to sell it, even though it is presently unblemished. It may be sold either to a priest or to an Israelite.
Halacha 18
A priest may sell a blemished firstborn animal, in every age, whether the Temple is standing, whether it is not standing, whether it is alive, whether it has been slaughtered.
When one sells a blemished firstborn, he should sell it at home, but not in the market-place, as we explained in Hilchot Issurei Mizbeiach. The meat of an unblemished firstborn animal, by contrast, should not be sold, because it is consecrated meat. Priests who are partners in the ownership of a firstborn animal are permitted to weigh one portion against another.
Halacha 19
When a person skins a blemished firstborn animal, he is permitted to skin it in any manner he desires. If he desires to employ the technique called riggul,he may. The same applies to other consecrated animals that were disqualified.If he desired to skin it from the foot up, he may skin it in that manner.
• Monday, Sivan 28, 5775 · 15 June 2015
"Today's Day"
Thursday Sivan 28* 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: Korach, Chamishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 135-139.
Tanya: For the source (p. 317)...are His attributes. (p. 319).
The Tzemach Tzedek once told his son, my grandfather, an incident1 in his experience, and concluded: For helping someone in his livelihood, even to earn just 70 kopeks (a small, low-value Russian coin) on a calf, all the gates to the Heavenly Chambers are open for him.
Years later my grandfather told this to my father and added: One should really know the route to the Heavenly Chambers, but actually it is not crucial. You only need the main thing - to help another wholeheartedly, with sensitivity, to take pleasure in doing a kindness to another.
FOOTNOTES
*. On this day in 5701 (1941) the Rebbe of righteous memory arrived in the U.S.A. together with his wife, the Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, of blessed memory.
1. The Tzemach Tzedek was on the way to shul when someone asked him for a loan, it being a market day and he could then buy and sell and earn something. The Rebbe asked him to come back after the davening, and continued on toshul. In shul he suddenly realized that the poor fellow needed this loan now, so the Rebbe returned home, got some money, sought out the fellow with great difficulty, gave him the money and then went on to daven. The Alter Rebbe then appeared in a vision to the Tzemach Tzedek, beaming, and lauded him for his thoughtfulness. The Alter Rebbe had not appeared to him for quite some time before this incident; it was the favor to another that merited the appearance of the Alter Rebbe.
Daily Thought:
Plugged In
Good deeds, like light bulbs, need electricity.
Good deeds, like limbs of a living body, need life.
Good deeds, like a human being, require a mind and a heart.
A good deed has to connect you to your source above. If it is connected, it glows with life.[Torat Menachem, vol. 34 (Likkutei Sichot, vol. 4), Parshat Korach.]
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