Today's Laws & Customs:
• Hakafot
It is the practice of many communities -- and such is the Chabad custom -- to conduct "hakafot" and dance with the Torah scrolls also on the eve of Shemini Atzeret. (See entry fortomorrow, "Simchat Torah".)
• Rain Prayer
In today's musaf prayer we begin to insert the phrase mashiv haruach umorid hageshem ("who makes the wind blow and brings down the rain") in our daily prayers (as we'll continue to do through the winter, until the 1st day of Passover). Special hymns on rain and water are added to musaf in honor of the occasion.
Link: Souls in the Rain
• Yizkor
Yizkor, the remembrance prayer for departed parents, is recited today after the morning reading of the Torah.
Links:
The Yizkor Prayer
Honor Due to Parents
On Breavement and Mourning
• Eat in Sukkah
The festival of Sukkot, commemorating G-d's enveloping protection of the Children of Israel during their 40-year journey through the desert (1313-1273 BCE), is celebrated for seven days, beginning from the eve of Tishrei 15. During this time, we are commanded to "dwell" in asukkah -- a hut of temporary construction, with a roof covering of raw, unfinished vegetable matter (branches, reeds, bamboo, etc.) -- signifying the temporality and fragily of human habitation and man-made shelter and our utter dependence upon G-d's protection and providence.
Outside of Israel, we eat in the sukkah an additional day, on the holiday of Shemini Atzeret (see Why are holidays celebrated an extra day in the Diaspora?) The special blessing recitied when eating in the sukkah is not recited today.
Note: In certain communities it is customary to eat some or all of this day's meals out of the sukkah.
Links: The Big Sukkah; The Temporary Dwelling; The Easy Mitzvah
• Last Day In Sukkah
Today is the last day when we eat in the sukkah (although the blessing on the sukkah, recited before eating a meal, is not recited today). Shortly before sunset, many have the custom to enjoy a last snack in the sukkah, thus "bidding the sukkah farewell" until the following year.
Note: In certain communities it is customary to eat some or all of this day's meals out of the sukkah.
Today in Jewish History:
• Lubavitcher Rebbe Suffers Massive Heart Attack (1977)
While celebrating the joyous holiday hakafot with thousands of chassidim in the central Chabad-Lubavitch synagogue in Brooklyn, NY, the Rebbe suffered a massive heart attack. In spite of the tremendous pain, the Rebbe remained calm and insisted on continuing the hakafot, and only after they concluded did he depart the synagogue.
On the following day, the Rebbe requested that the chassidim celebrate the Simchat Torah festivities with the same joy and fervor as all other years, and so it was.
After the holiday ended, the Rebbe addressed and reassured the anxious chassidim from his office (which was hastily converted into a cutting-edge cardiac unit) via a public address system.
The Rebbe remained in his office in Lubavitch World Headquarters under medical supervision for several weeks. He returned home five weeks later on the 1st of Kislev, a day designated by chassidim for celebration and thanksgiving.
Daily Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Vezot Hab'rachah, 2nd Portion Deuteronomy 33:8-33:12 with Rashi
• Chapter 2
4These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, on the day that the Lord God made earth and heaven. דאֵלֶּה תוֹלְדוֹת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְהָאָרֶץ בְּהִבָּרְאָם בְּיוֹם עֲשׂוֹת יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהִים אֶרֶץ וְשָׁמָיִם:
These: mentioned above. אלה: האמורים למעלה:
when they were created, on the day that the Lord…made: This teaches you that they were all created on the first day (Gen. Rabbah 12:4). Another explanation of the word בְּהִבָּרְאָם He created them with the letter “hey,” as it is written (Isa. 26:4): “for in Yah (יָהּ), the Lord, is the Rock of eternity.” With these two letters [“yud” and “hey”] of the Name, He fashioned two worlds, and it teaches you here that this world was created with a “hey” (Men. 29b). (Other editions: It intimates that just as the “hey” is open at the bottom, so is the world open for the repentant. The World to Come was created with a “yud,” to tell you that the righteous at that [future] time, will be few as a “yud,” which is the smallest of the letters.) This intimates that the wicked will descend below to see the netherworld, like the [letter] “hey,” which is closed on all sides and open at the bottom, for them [the wicked] to descend through there. — [from Gen. Rabbah 12:10] תולדות השמים והארץ בהבראם ביום עשות ה':למדך שכלם נבראו ביום ראשון. דבר אחר בהבראם, בה' בראם שנאמר (ישעיה כו ד) ביה ה' צור עולמים בשני אותיות הללו של השם יצר שני עולמים, ולמדך כאן שהעולם הזה נברא בה"א (רמז כמו שה"א פתוחה למטה, כך העולם פתוח לשבים בתשובה. ועולם הבא נברא ביו"ד לומר שצדיקים שבאותו זמן מועטים כמו י' שהיא קטנה באותיות). רמז שירדו הרשעים למטה לראות שחת כה"א זאת שסתומה מכל צדדים ופתוחה למטה לרדת דרך שם:
5Now no tree of the field was yet on the earth, neither did any herb of the field yet grow, because the Lord God had not brought rain upon the earth, and there was no man to work the soil. הוְכֹל | שִׂיחַ הַשָּׂדֶה טֶרֶם יִהְיֶה בָאָרֶץ וְכָל עֵשֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶה טֶרֶם יִצְמָח כִּי לֹא הִמְטִיר יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהִים עַל הָאָרֶץ וְאָדָם אַיִן לַעֲבֹד אֶת הָאֲדָמָה:
was yet on the earth: Every טֶרֶם in Scripture has the meaning of “not yet,” and it does not mean“before,” and it cannot be made into a verb form, to say הִטְרִים, as one says הִקְדִּים This verse proves this, as well as another verse (Exod. 9:30): “כִּי טֶרֶם תִּירְאוּן, You will not yet fear.” This verse too should be explained to mean that [no tree] was yet on the earth (Targum Onkelos) when the creation of the world was completed on the sixth day, before man was created. טרם יהיה בארץ: כל טרם שבמקרא לשון עד לא הוא, ואינו לשון קודם, ואינו נפעל לומר הטרים כאשר יאמר הקדים, וזה מוכיח, ועוד אחר (שמות ט ל) כי טרם תיראון, עדיין לא תיראון. ואף זה תפרש עדיין לא היה בארץ כשנגמרה בריאת העולם בששי קודם שנברא אדם:
neither did any herb of the field yet grow: [I.e.,] had not yet grown. And on the third [day], where it is written: “Let the earth bring forth,” they [the plants] had not yet emerged, but they stood at the entrance of the ground until the sixth day. And why? וכל עשב השדה טרם יצמח: עדיין לא צמח, ובשלישי שכתוב ותוצא הארץ, על פתח הקרקע עמדו עד יום ששי:
Because… not caused it to rain: Because there was no man to work the soil, and no one recognized the benefit of rain, but when man came and understood that they were essential to the world, he prayed for them, and they fell, and the trees and the herbs sprouted. — [from Chul. 60b] כי לא המטיר: ומה טעם לא המטיר, לפי שאדם אין לעבוד את האדמה ואין מכיר בטובתם של גשמים, וכשבא אדם וידע שהם צורך לעולם התפלל עליהם וירדו, וצמחו האילנות והדשאים:
the Lord God: יהוה is His name. אֱלֹהִים [means] that He is the Ruler and Judge over the entire world, and so is this defined everywhere according to its simple meaning: the Lord (יהוה ), Who is Ruler and Judge (אֱלֹהִים). ה' א-להים: ה' הוא שמו, א-להים שהוא שופט ושליט על כל, וכן פירוש זה בכל מקום לפי פשוטו, ה' שהוא א-להים:
6And a mist ascended from the earth and watered the entire surface of the ground. ווְאֵד יַעֲלֶה מִן הָאָרֶץ וְהִשְׁקָה אֶת כָּל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה:
And a mist ascended: Concerning the creation of man, He brought up the [waters of the] deep and watered the clouds to soak the earth, and man was created; like the baker, who puts water [into the flour] and afterwards kneads the dough. Here too, “He watered,” and afterwards, “He formed” [man]. — [from Exod. Rabbah 30:113; Pirkei d’Rabbi Eliezer, ch. 5] ואד יעלה: לענין בריאתו של אדם, העלה את התהום והשקה העננים לשרות העפר ונברא אדם, כגבל זה שנותן מים ואחר כך לש את העיסה, אף כאן והשקה ואחר כך וייצר:
7And the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and He breathed into his nostrils the soul of life, and man became a living soul. זוַיִּיצֶר יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהִים אֶת הָאָדָם עָפָר מִן הָאֲדָמָה וַיִּפַּח בְּאַפָּיו נִשְׁמַת חַיִּים וַיְהִי הָאָדָם לְנֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה:
formed: [וַיִּיצֶר, with two “yuds,” hints at] two creations, a creation for this world and a creation for the [time of the] resurrection of the dead, but in connection with the animals, which do not stand in judgment, two“yuds” are not written in [the word וַיִּצֶר describing their creation. — [from Tan. Tazria 1] וייצר: שתי יצירות, יצירה לעולם הזה ויצירה לתחיית המתים, אבל בבהמה שאינה עומדת לדין לא נכתב ביצירה שני יודי"ן:
dust from the ground: He gathered dust from the entire earth, from the four directions, so that wherever he [man] would die, it [the earth] would accept him for burial (Tan. Pekudei 3). Another explanation: He took his dust from the place of which it is said (Exod. 20:21): “You shall make Me an altar of earth.” If only it would be an atonement for him, so that he might endure! (Gen. Rabbah 14:8) עפר מן האדמה: צבר עפרו מכל האדמה מארבע רוחות, שכל מקום שימות שם תהא קולטתו לקבורה. דבר אחר נטל עפרו ממקום שנאמר בו (שמות כ כא) מזבח אדמה תעשה לי, אמר הלואי תהיה לו כפרה ויוכל לעמוד:
and He breathed into his nostrils: He made him of earthly matter and of heavenly matter: the body of earthly matter the soul of heavenly matter. Because on the first day, heaven and earth were created. On the second day, He created the firmament for the heavenly beings; on the third day [He commanded], “and let the dry land appear,” for the earthly beings; on the fourth day, He created luminaries for the heavenly beings; on the fifth day, [He commanded],“Let the waters swarm,” for the earthly beings; on the sixth day, it became necessary to create for both the heavenly and the earthly beings, for if not, there would be jealousy in the Creation, for these would exceed those by the creation of one day. — [from Gen. Rabbah 12:8] ויפח באפיו: עשאו מן התחתונים ומן העליונים, גוף מן התחתונים ונשמה מן העליונים, לפי שביום ראשון נבראו שמים וארץ. בשני ברא רקיע לעליונים. בשלישי תראה היבשה לתחתונים. ברביעי ברא מאורות לעליונים. בחמישי ישרצו המים לתחתונים, הוזקק הששי לבראות בו בעליונים ובתחתונים, ואם לאו יש קנאה במעשה בראשית, שיהיו אלו רבים על אלו בבריאת יום אחד:
a living soul: Cattle and beasts were also called living souls, but this one of man is the most alive of them all, because he was additionally given intelligence and speech. לנפש חיה: אף בהמה וחיה נקראו נפש חיה, אך זו של אדם חיה שבכולן, שנתוסף בו דעה ודבור:
8And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden from the east, and He placed there the man whom He had formed. חוַיִּטַּע יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהִים גַּן בְּעֵדֶן מִקֶּדֶם וַיָּשֶׂם שָׁם אֶת הָאָדָם אֲשֶׁר יָצָר:
from the east: Heb. מִקֶּדֶם. In the east of Eden, He planted the garden (Midrash Konen). Now if you ask: It has already been stated (above 1:27): “And He created man, etc.!” I saw in the Baraitha of Rabbi Eliezer the son of Rabbi Jose the Galilean concerning the thirty-two principles by which the Torah is expounded, and this is one of them [method 13]: A general statement followed by a specific act, the latter constitutes a specific [clarification] of the first [general statement]. “And He created man.” This is a general statement. It left obscure whence he was created, and it left His deeds obscure [i.e., how God created man]. The text repeats and explains: “And the Lord God formed, etc.,” and He made the Garden of Eden grow for him, and He placed him in the Garden of Eden, and He caused a deep sleep to fall upon him. The listener may think that this is another story, but it is only the detailed account of the former. Likewise, in the case of the animal, Scripture repeats and writes (below verse 19): “And the Lord God formed from the ground all the beasts of the field,” in order to explain, “and He brought [them] to man” to name them, and to teach about the fowl, that they were created from the mud. מקדם: במזרחו של עדן נטע את הגן. ואם תאמר הרי כבר כתב (לעיל א כז) ויברא א-להים את האדם וגו'. ראיתי בברייתא של ר' אליעזר בנו של ר' יוסי הגלילי משלושים ושתים מדות שהתורה נדרשת, וזו אחת מהן כלל שלאחריו מעשה הוא פרטו של ראשון. ויברא את האדם זהו כלל, סתם בריאתו מהיכן וסתם מעשיו, חזר ופירש וייצר ה' א-להים וגו', ויצמח לו גן עדן, ויניחהו בגן עדן, ויפל עליו תרדמה, השומע סבור שהוא מעשה אחר, ואינו אלא פרטו של ראשון. וכן אצל הבהמה חזר וכתב ויצר ה' א-להים מן האדמה כל חית השדה (ב יט), כדי לפרש ויבא אל האדם לקרות שם, וללמד על העופות שנבראו מן הרקק:
9And the Lord God caused to sprout from the ground every tree pleasant to see and good to eat, and the Tree of Life in the midst of the garden, and the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil. טוַיַּצְמַח יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהִים מִן הָאֲדָמָה כָּל עֵץ נֶחְמָד לְמַרְאֶה וְטוֹב לְמַאֲכָל וְעֵץ הַחַיִּים בְּתוֹךְ הַגָּן וְעֵץ הַדַּעַת טוֹב וָרָע:
And…caused to sprout: Scripture speaks about the Garden. — [from Gen. Rabbah 13:1] ויצמח: לענין הגן הכתוב מדבר:
in the midst of the garden: i.e., in the middle of the Garden. — [from Targumim] בתוך הגן: באמצע:
10And a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it separated and became four heads. יוְנָהָר יֹצֵא מֵעֵדֶן לְהַשְׁקוֹת אֶת הַגָּן וּמִשָּׁם יִפָּרֵד וְהָיָה לְאַרְבָּעָה רָאשִׁים:
11The name of one is Pishon; that is the one that encompasses all the land of Havilah, where there is gold. יאשֵׁם הָאֶחָד פִּישׁוֹן הוּא הַסֹּבֵב אֵת כָּל אֶרֶץ הַחֲוִילָה אֲשֶׁר שָׁם הַזָּהָב:
Pishon: This is the Nile, the river of Egypt, and because its waters are blessed, and they rise and water the land, it is called Pishon, like (Hab. 1:8):“and their riders shall increase (וּפָשׁוּ) .” (Unknown midrash, quoted by Zeror Hamor, below 41:1, Letters of Rabbi Akiva). Another explanation: [It is called] Pishon because it causes flax (פִשְׁתָן) to grow, as is stated in reference to Egypt (Isa. 19:9):“And those who work at flax (פִּשְׁתִּים)…shall be ashamed” (Gen. Rabbah 16:2). פישון: הוא נילוס נהר מצרים ועל שם שמימיו מתברכין ועולין ומשקין את הארץ נקרא פישון, כמו ופשו פרשיו. דבר אחר פישון שהוא מגדל פשתן שנאמר על מצרים (ישעיה יט ט) ובושו עובדי פשתים:
12And the gold of that land is good; there is the crystal and the onyx stone. יבוּזֲהַב הָאָרֶץ הַהִוא טוֹב שָׁם הַבְּדֹלַח וְאֶבֶן הַשֹּׁהַם:
13And the name of the second river is Gihon; that is the one that encompasses all the land of Cush. יגוְשֵׁם הַנָּהָר הַשֵּׁנִי גִּיחוֹן הוּא הַסּוֹבֵב אֵת כָּל אֶרֶץ כּוּשׁ:
Gihon: [It is named thus because] it flowed and roared, and its roaring was very great, like (Exod. 21: 28):“If an [ox] gore (יִגַח),” for he gores and goes along and roars. גיחון: שהיה הולך והומה והמייתו גדולה מאד, כמו (שמות כא כח) כי יגח, שמנגח והולך והומה:
14And the name of the third river is Tigris; that is the one that flows to the east of Assyria, and the fourth river that is the Euphrates. ידוְשֵׁם הַנָּהָר הַשְּׁלִישִׁי חִדֶּקֶל הוּא הַהֹלֵךְ קִדְמַת אַשּׁוּר וְהַנָּהָר הָרְבִיעִי הוּא פְרָת:
Tigris: Heb. חִדֶּקֶל, [thus called] because its waters are sharp (חַד) and light (קַל). - [from Ber. 59b.] חדקל: שמימיו חדין וקלין:
Euphrates: Heb. פְרָת [thus called] because its waters are fruitful (פָרִין) and increase abundantly, and make people healthy (Bech. 55b, Keth. 77b). פרת: שמימיו פרין ורבין ומברין את האדם:
Cush and Assyria: These did not exist as yet, and Scripture wrote [their names] based on [the fact that they will exist in] the future. — [from Keth. 10b] כוש ואשור: עדיין לא היו, וכתב המקרא על שם העתיד:
to the east of Assyria: Heb. קִדְמַת To the east of Assyria. — [from Targum Onkelos] קדמת אשור: למזרחה של אשור:
that is the Euphrates: The most important of all [the rivers] (Gen. Rabbah 16:3), [because it is] mentioned in conjunction with the Land of Israel (Shev. 47b). הוא פרת: החשוב על כולם, הנזכר על שם ארץ ישראל:
15Now the Lord God took the man, and He placed him in the Garden of Eden to work it and to guard it. טווַיִּקַּח יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהִים אֶת הָאָדָם וַיַּנִּחֵהוּ בְגַן עֵדֶן לְעָבְדָהּ וּלְשָׁמְרָהּ:
took: He took him with pleasant words and enticed him to enter. — [Gen. Rabbah 16:5] ויקח: לקחו בדברים נאים ופתהו ליכנס:
16And the Lord God commanded man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat. טזוַיְצַו יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהִים עַל הָאָדָם לֵאמֹר מִכֹּל עֵץ הַגָּן אָכֹל תֹּאכֵל:
17But of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat of it, for on the day that you eat thereof, you shall surely die." יזוּמֵעֵץ הַדַּעַת טוֹב וָרָע לֹא תֹאכַל מִמֶּנּוּ כִּי בְּיוֹם אֲכָלְךָ מִמֶּנּוּ מוֹת תָּמוּת:
18And the Lord God said, "It is not good that man is alone; I shall make him a helpmate opposite him." יחוַיֹּאמֶר יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהִים לֹא טוֹב הֱיוֹת הָאָדָם לְבַדּוֹ אֶעֱשֶׂה לּוֹ עֵזֶר כְּנֶגְדּוֹ:
It is not good, etc.: [Gen. Rabbah] Lest they [people] say, “There are two dominions: the Holy One, blessed be He, is alone among the heavenly beings, and He has no mate, and this one [man] among the earthly creatures, has no mate.” לא טוב היות וגו': שלא יאמרו שתי רשויות הן הקב"ה יחיד בעליונים ואין לו זוג, וזה יחיד בתחתונים ואין לו זוג:
a helpmate opposite him: If he is worthy, she will be a helpmate. If he is not worthy, she will be against him, to fight him. — [from Gen. Rabbah 17:3, Pirkei d’Rabbi Eliezer , ch. 12. See also Yev. 63a] עזר כנגדו: זכה עזר, לא זכה כנגדו להלחם:
19And the Lord God formed from the earth every beast of the field and every fowl of the heavens, and He brought [it] to man to see what he would call it, and whatever the man called each living thing, that was its name. יטוַיִּצֶר יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהִים מִן הָאֲדָמָה כָּל חַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה וְאֵת כָּל עוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם וַיָּבֵא אֶל הָאָדָם לִרְאוֹת מַה יִּקְרָא לוֹ וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר יִקְרָא לוֹ הָאָדָם נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה הוּא שְׁמוֹ:
And God formed from the earth: This “forming” is identical with the “making” mentioned above (1:25): “And God made the beasts of the earth, etc.” But it comes here to explain that the fowl were created from the mud, because it stated above that they were created from the water, and here it states that they were created from the earth (Chul. 27b). It also teaches you here that at the time of their forming, immediately on that day, He brought them to man to name them (Avoth d’Rabbi Nathan, ch. 1). And in the words of the Aggadah [Gen. Rabbah 17:4], this יְצִירה has the meaning of domination and conquest, like (Deut. 20:19):“When you besiege (תָצוּר) a city,” meaning that He subjugated them under man’s dominion. ויצר וגו' מן האדמה: היא יצירה היא עשייה האמורה למעלה (לעיל א כה) ויעש א-להים את חית הארץ וגו', אלא בא ופירש שהעופות מן הרקק נבראו, לפי שאמר למעלה מן המים נבראו וכאן אמר מן הארץ נבראו. ועוד למדך כאן שבשעת יצירתן מיד בו ביום הביאם אל האדם לקרות להם שם. ובדברי אגדה יצירה זו לשון רידוי וכבוש, כמו (דברים כ יט) כי תצור אל עיר, שכבשן תחת ידו של אדם:
and whatever the man called each living thing.: Transpose it and explain it: Every living creature to which man would give a name-that was to be its name forever. וכל אשר יקרא לו האדם נפש חיה וגו': סרסהו ופרשהו כל נפש חיה אשר יקרא לו האדם שם הוא שמו לעולם:
Daily Tehillim: Chapters 106 - 107
• Chapter 106
The psalmist continues the theme of the previous psalm, praising God for performing other miracles not mentioned previously, for "who can recount the mighty acts of God?" Were we to try, we could not mention them all!
1. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord for He is good, for His kindness is everlasting.
2. Who can recount the mighty acts of the Lord, or proclaim all His praises?
3. Fortunate are those who preserve justice, who perform deeds of righteousness all the time.
4. Remember me, Lord, when You find favor with Your people; be mindful of me with Your deliverance;
5. to behold the prosperity of Your chosen, to rejoice in the joy of Your nation, to glory with Your inheritance.
6. We have sinned as did our fathers, we have acted perversely and wickedly.
7. Our fathers in Egypt did not contemplate Your wonders, they did not remember Your abundant kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, at the Sea of Reeds.
8. Yet He delivered them for the sake of His Name, to make His strength known.
9. He roared at the Sea of Reeds and it dried up; He led them through the depths, as through a desert.
10. He saved them from the hand of the enemy, and redeemed them from the hand of the foe.
11. The waters engulfed their adversaries; not one of them remained.
12. Then they believed in His words, they sang His praise.
13. They quickly forgot His deeds, they did not wait for His counsel;
14. and they lusted a craving in the desert, they tested God in the wilderness.
15. And He gave them their request, but sent emaciation into their souls.
16. They angered Moses in the camp, and Aaron, the Lord's holy one.
17. The earth opened and swallowed Dathan, and engulfed the company of Abiram;
18. and a fire burned in their assembly, a flame set the wicked ablaze.
19. They made a calf in Horeb, and bowed down to a molten image.
20. They exchanged their Glory for the likeness of a grass-eating ox.
21. They forgot God, their savior, Who had performed great deeds in Egypt,
22. wonders in the land of Ham, awesome things at the Sea of Reeds.
23. He said that He would destroy them-had not Moses His chosen one stood in the breach before Him, to turn away His wrath from destroying.
24. They despised the desirable land, they did not believe His word.
25. And they murmured in their tents, they did not heed the voice of the Lord.
26. So He raised His hand [in oath] against them, to cast them down in the wilderness,
27. to throw down their progeny among the nations, and to scatter them among the lands.
28. They joined themselves to [the idol] Baal Peor, and ate of the sacrifices to the dead;
29. they provoked Him with their doings, and a plague broke out in their midst.
30. Then Phineas arose and executed judgement, and the plague was stayed;
31. it was accounted for him as a righteous deed, through all generations, forever.
32. They angered Him at the waters of Merivah, and Moses suffered on their account;
33. for they defied His spirit, and He pronounced [an oath] with His lips.
34. They did not destroy the nations as the Lord had instructed them;
35. rather, they mingled with the nations and learned their deeds.
36. They worshipped their idols, and they became a snare for them.
37. They sacrificed their sons and daughters to demons.
38. They spilled innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; and the land became guilty with blood.
39. They were defiled by their deeds, and went astray by their actions.
40. And the Lord's wrath blazed against His people, and He abhorred His inheritance;
41. so He delivered them into the hands of nations, and their enemies ruled them.
42. Their enemies oppressed them, and they were subdued under their hand.
43. Many times did He save them, yet they were rebellious in their counsel and were impoverished by their sins.
44. But He saw their distress, when He heard their prayer;
45. and He remembered for them His covenant and He relented, in keeping with His abounding kindness,
46. and He caused them to be treated mercifully by all their captors.
47. Deliver us, Lord our God; gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to Your Holy Name and glory in Your praise.
48. Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, forever and ever. And let all the people say, "Amen! Praise the Lord!"
Chapter 107
This psalm speaks of those who are saved from four specific perilous situations(imprisonment, sickness, desert travel, and sea travel) and must thank God, for their sins caused their troubles, and only by the kindness of God were they saved. It is therefore appropriate that they praise God and tell of their salvation to all.
1. Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His kindness is everlasting.
2. So shall say those redeemed by the Lord, those whom He redeemed from the hand of the oppressor.
3. He gathered them from the lands-from east and from west, from north and from the sea.
4. They lost their way in the wilderness, in the wasteland; they found no inhabited city.
5. Both hungry and thirsty, their soul languished within them.
6. They cried out to the Lord in their distress; He delivered them from their afflictions.
7. He guided them in the right path to reach an inhabited city.
8. Let them give thanks to the Lord, and [proclaim] His wonders to the children of man,
9. for He has satiated a thirsting soul, and filled a hungry soul with goodness.
10. Those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, bound in misery and chains of iron,
11. for they defied the words of God and spurned the counsel of the Most High-
12. He humbled their heart through suffering; they stumbled and there was none to help.
13. They cried out to the Lord in their distress; He saved them from their afflictions.
14. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and sundered their bonds.
15. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His kindness, and [proclaim] His wonders to the children of man,
16. for He broke the brass gates and smashed the iron bars.
17. Foolish sinners are afflicted because of their sinful ways and their wrongdoings.
18. Their soul loathes all food, and they reach the gates of death.
19. They cried out to the Lord in their distress; He saved them from their afflictions.
20. He sent forth His command and healed them; He delivered them from their graves.
21. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His kindness, and [proclaim] His wonders to the children of man.
22. Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and joyfully recount His deeds.
23. Those who go down to the sea in ships, who perform tasks in mighty waters;
24. they saw the works of the Lord and His wonders in the deep.
25. He spoke and caused the stormy wind to rise, and it lifted up the waves.
26. They rise to the sky, plunge to the depths; their soul melts in distress.
27. They reel and stagger like a drunkard, all their skill is to no avail.
28. They cried out to the Lord in their distress, and He brought them out from their calamity.
29. He transformed the storm into stillness, and the waves were quieted.
30. They rejoiced when they were silenced, and He led them to their destination.
31. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His kindness, and [proclaim] His wonders to the children of man.
32. Let them exalt Him in the congregation of the people, and praise Him in the assembly of the elders.
33. He turns rivers into desert, springs of water into parched land,
34. a fruitful land into a salt-marsh, because of the wickedness of those who inhabit it.
35. He turns a desert into a lake, and parched land into springs of water.
36. He settles the hungry there, and they establish a city of habitation.
37. They sow fields and plant vineyards which yield fruit and wheat.
38. He blesses them and they multiply greatly, and He does not decrease their cattle.
39. [If they sin,] they are diminished and cast down through oppression, misery, and sorrow.
40. He pours contempt upon distinguished men, and causes them to stray in a pathless wilderness.
41. He raises the needy from distress, and makes their families [as numerous] as flocks.
42. The upright observe this and rejoice, and all the wicked close their mouth.
43. Let him who is wise bear these in mind, and then the benevolent acts of the Lord will be understood.
Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, middle of Epistle 23• Lessons in Tanya
• Monday, Tishrei 22, 5776 · October 5, 2015
Today's Tanya Lesson
Iggeret HaKodesh, middle of Epistle 23
ועל כן רע בעיני המעשה אשר נעשה תחת השמש בכלל
Therefore, evil in my eyes is1 “the conduct that takes place under the sun” in general,
The Alter Rebbe is referring here to those who engage in business or labor — temporal occupations that are “under the sun,” in contrast to Torah, that is “above the sun.” To them, too, his forthcoming words of rebuke are addressed, and he finds it “evil in his eyes” that before or after prayer they devote their time to lightminded talk instead of to Torah study.
ובפרט בין אחיי ורעיי הנגשים אל ה׳, הגשה זו תפלה
especially among my brethren and friends who draw near to G‑d2 — and3 “drawing near means prayer,” for prayer, particularly when accompanied by the avodah of measured meditation, constitutes a “drawing near” to G‑d,
ואחר תפלה או לפניה, נעשה מושב לצים, רחמנא ליצלן
when after prayer or before it, [the gathering] becomes a “company of scoffers,” heaven forfend.
כמו שאמרו רז״ל: שנים שיושבים, ואין ביניהם דברי תורה כו׳
As our Sages, of blessed memory, said,4 “If two people sit together and no words of Torah are exchanged between them, [this is a company of scoffers].”
ואם נעשה מושב לצים בעשרה, דשכינתא שריא עלייהו, אין לך עלבונא וקלנא דשכינתא גדול מזה, רחמנא ליצלן
Now if a “company of scoffers” is constituted by ten people, over whom the Shechinah abides, there is no greater insult and shaming of the Shechinah than that, heaven forfend.
ואם אמרו רז״ל על העובר עבירה בסתר, שדוחק רגלי השכינה, חס ושלום
And if our Sages, of blessed memory, said5 of him who commits a transgression in secret that “he repulses the feet of the Shechinah,” heaven forfend,
העובר עבירה ברבים דוחק כל שיעור קומה של יוצר בראשית, כביכול
then he who commits a transgression in public repulses the whole measure of the stature of the Creator, as it were.6
כמו שאמרו רז״ל: אין אני והוא וכו׳
As our Sages, of blessed memory, said,7 “It is impossible for Me and him [to live together in the world].”
But repulsing the Shechinah does not mean that the actions of the transgressor cause it to be utterly absent, for the above passage speaks of shaming the Shechinah while it is present.
אלא שמלך אסור ברהטים כו׳
Rather,8 “The King is held captive in the gutters”9 [“of the mind”10] — shackled in the channels of people’s unworthy thoughts which, like gushing currents, flash fleetingly through the mind. This is indeed a humiliation of theShechinah.
אבל ווי למאן דדחקין לשכינתא, כד יוקים לה קודשא בריך הוא, ויימא לה: התנערי מעפר קומי וגו׳
But11 woe unto those who repulse the Shechinah, when G‑d will raise her (the Shechinah) and say to her,12“Awake, arise from the dust....”
ועל תלת מילין מתעכבי ישראל בגלותא: על דדחקין לשכינתא, ועל דעבדין קלנא בשכינתא וכו׳, כמו שכתוב בזוהר הקדוש
So, too, “On account of three things are the Jewish people detained in exile — because they repulse theShechinah, and because they shame the Shechinah,” and so on, as stated in the sacred Zohar.13
* * *
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. | Note of the Rebbe: “A paraphrase of Kohelet 2:17.” |
| 2. | Note of the Rebbe: “See commentary of Rashi on Yitro, [Shmot] 19:22 [which refers to sacrifices] — and the prayers were ordained in place of the offerings [Berachot 26b].” |
| 3. | Note of the Rebbe: “Bereishit Rabbah, sec. 49; commentary of Rashi on the verse [referred to above].” |
| 4. | Avot 3:2, citing Tehillim 1:1. |
| 5. | Kiddushin 31a. |
| 6. | Note of the Rebbe: “See Etz Chayim, Shaar HaSheimot, ch. 7; Yahel Or, p. 573ff.” |
| 7. | Sotah 5a. |
| 8. | Shir HaShirim 7:6. |
| 9. | Note of the Rebbe: “Cf. beginning of ch. 7 of Iggeret HaTeshuvah.” |
| 10. | Addenda to Tikkunei Zohar, Tikkun Vav. |
| 11. | Cf. Zohar II, 7a. |
| 12. | Yeshayahu 52:2. |
| 13. | III, 75b. |
• Sefer Hamitzvos:Full text of this Mitzvah »
| Today's Mitzvah Tishrei 22, 5776 · October 5, 2015 A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot" Positive Commandment 197 Lending Money "If you lend money to My people, the poor among you"—Exodus 22:24. We are commanded to lend money to the impoverished, in order to help relieve them and ease their burden. This mitzvah is even greater than that of giving charity; for one who has already reached the point where he has to openly ask people for money is less bothered and pained by [having to ask for assistance] than one who has not yet reached this level. He therefore needs assistance to keep his situation from being known and reaching such a level. | Lending Money | Positive Commandment 197 | Translated by Berel Bell | The 197th mitzvah is that we are commanded to lend money to a poor person, in order to help him and to ease his burden. This mitzvah is even greater and of more magnitude than that of giving charity; for one who has already reached the point where he has to openly ask people for money is less bothered and pained by this [having to ask for assistance] than one who has not yet reached this level. He therefore needs assistance to keep his situation from being known and reaching such a level. | The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "When you lend money to My people, to the poor man among you..." | In the words of the Mechilta: "Every time the Torah uses the word im ['if' or 'when'], it indicates an optional mitzvah [i.e. 'if'] except for three" — one of the three being this verse, "When you lend money to My people, to the poor man among you...." | Our Sages also said, "The verse 'When you lend money' constitutes an obligatory commandment. [The question is asked:] You said its obligatory, but perhaps it is only optional? The Torah therefore said,2 'Extend to him any credit he needs.' This indicates that it is an obligation, not just an option." | The details of this mitzvah are explained in many passages in tractate Kesuvos3 and in Bava Basra.4 | FOOTNOTES | 1. | Ex. 22:24. | 2. | Deut. 15:8. | 3. | 48a. | 4. | 8a. |
Negative Commandment 234
Demanding Payment of a Loan from a Destitute Borrower
"You shall not be to him as a creditor"—Exodus 22:24.
It is forbidden to demand payment of a debt from a borrower if the lender is aware that the borrower has not the means to repay. It is even forbidden for the lender to pass before the borrower [lest his presence, and therefore the acute awareness that he owes him money, shame him].
Demanding repayment of a debt that includes interest is also included in this prohibition.
Demanding Payment of a Loan from a Destitute Borrower
Negative Commandment 234
Translated by Berel Bell
The 234th prohibition is that we are forbidden from demanding repayment of a loan when we know that the borrower is unable to pay.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "["When you lend money to My people, to the poor man among you,] do not behave like a creditor toward him."
Our Sages said in tractate Bava Metzia:2 "What is the source for the law that when someone owes you a maneh and you know that he does not have the money to repay you, that you are not even allowed to walk in front of him? It is the verse, 'do not behave like a creditor toward him.' " The Mechilta says: "The verse, 'do not behave like a creditor toward him' teaches that you should not constantly be visible to him."
You should be aware that this prohibition includes asking for repayment of an interest-bearing loan. Our Sages therefore said,3 "One who lends money with interest also transgresses G‑d's statement (exalted be He), 'do not behave like a creditor toward him,' as explained below.4
FOOTNOTES
1.Ex. 22:24.
2.75b.
3.Bava Metzia 5:11.
4.See N237.
Full text of this Mitzvah »Ma'achalot Assurot - Chapter 14
Halacha 1
The minimum measure for which one is liable for partaking of any of the forbidden foods in the Torah is [the size of] an average olive.1 [This applies] whether for lashes, kerait, 2 or death at the hand of heaven.3We already explained4 that anyone who is liable for kerait or death at the hand of heaven for [partaking of] forbidden food, should receive lashes.
Halacha 2
This measure, as all the other measurements, is a halachah conveyed by Moses from Sinai. It is forbidden by Scriptural Law to eat even the slightest amount of a forbidden substance. Nevertheless, one receives lashes only for an olive-sized portion. If one partakes of any amount less than this measure, he is given stripes for rebellious conduct.5
Halacha 3
The measure of "the size of an olive" that we mentioned does not include what is between one's teeth.6 What is between one's gums,7 however, is included in what one swallows, for his palate benefited from an olive-sized portion of food.
Even if one ate half of an olive-sized portion, vomited it, and then ate the same portion that was half the size of an olive that he vomited, he is liable.8 For the liability is for the benefit one's palate receives from a forbidden substance.
Halacha 4
Halacha 5
We already explained14 that all of the forbidden substances in the Torah are not combined with each other to reach the minimum measure of the size of an olive with the exception of the meat of a nevelah and the meat of a trefe15 and the prohibitions involving a nazirite,16 as explained in the appropriate places. The five types of grain,17 their flour, and the dough made from them all can be combined with each other to reach the minimum measure of the size of an olive with regard to the prohibition against leaven on Pesach, the prohibition against partaking of chadash before the offering of the omer,18 and the prohibitions involving the second tithe and the terumot.
Halacha 6
It appears to me that all [produce] from which we are required to separateterumah and tithes can be combined to reach the minimum measure of the size of an olive with regard to [the prohibition against] tevel because a single prohibition is involved. To what can the matter be compared? To [meat from] the corpse of an ox, the corpse of a sheep, and the corpse of a deer which can be combined to reach the minimum measure of the size of an olive as we explained.19
Halacha 7
When a person partakes of a large amount of food from a forbidden substance, he is not liable for lashes or kerait for every olive-sized portion he eats. Instead, he is liable once for all he ate.20 If, however, the witness gave him a warning for every olive-sized portion, he is liable for every warning even though he ate it in one sitting, without interruption.21
Halacha 8
[The following rules apply when] a person partakes of a barley-corn or mustard-seed-sized portion of any forbidden food, waits, and then partakes of another mustard-seed-sized portion whether inadvertently or intentionally. If he waited from the beginning to the end the time it takes to eat a portion of bread with relish the size of three eggs22 [or less], everything [he ate] is combined.23 He is liable for kerait, lashes, or a sacrifice as if he ate an olive-sized portion at one time. If he waits a longer time from the beginning to the end, [the small portions] are not combined. Since he completed the olive-sized portion only in a longer time than k'dei achilat p'ras, he is not liable even if he did not wait at all, but continued eating mustard-seed-sized portion after mustard-seed-sized portion.
Halacha 9
Similar [laws apply when] a person who drinks a revi'it24of ordinary gentile wine little by little, swallows liquefied leaven on Pesach or fat little by little, or drinks blood25 little by little. If he waits from the beginning until the end the time it takes to drink a revi'it, [all of the sipping] is combined.26 If not, it is not combined.27
Halacha 10
One is not liable for partaking of any of the prohibited foods unless one partakes of them in a manner in which one derives satisfaction with the exception of a mixture of meat and milk and mixed species grown in a vineyard. [The rationale is that with regard to these prohibitions, the Torah] does not use the term "eating,"28but instead conveys the prohibition against partaking of them in other terms. [With regard to meat and milk, it uses] the term "cooking" and [with regard to mixed species grown in a vineyard, it uses the term] "become hallowed."29 [This implies] that they are forbidden even when one does not derive satisfaction.
Halacha 11
What is implied? When one liquefied fat and swallowed it when it was so hot that his throat was burned from it, he eat raw fat,30 mixed bitter substances like gall or wormwood into wine31 or into a pot [where meat from] a nevelah [is cooking] and he partook of it while they were bitter,32 or he ate a forbidden foot after it became decayed, spoiled, and unfit for human consumption, he is not liable.33 If, by contrast, he mixed a bitter substance into a a pot [where meat and milk are cooking] or into wine from a vineyard where mixed species are growing and partook of it, he is liable.
Halacha 12
When a person partakes of one of the forbidden food in a frivolous manner or as one who is acting purposelessly, he is liable. Even though he did not intend to actually partake of the food, since he derived pleasure, it is considered as if he intended to actually partake of the food.34 When, [by contrast,] a person is forced to derive [forbidden] pleasure, if he focuses his intent on it, he is liable. If he does not, it is permitted.35
Halacha 13
Halacha 14
When a pregnant woman smells a forbidden food [and is overcome by desire for it],38 e.g., consecrated meat or ham, she should be given some of the gravy. If her mind becomes settled, that is commendable. If not, we feed her less than the forbidden measure39 [of the meat itself]. If her mind does not become settled, we feed her until her mind becomes settled.
Halacha 15
Similarly, when a sick person smells food that contains vinegar or the like, [i.e.,] substances that arouse a soul's [desire], he is governed by the same laws that apply to a pregnant woman.40
Halacha 16
When a person is overcome by severe hunger,41 he may be fed forbidden food immediately until his eyesight clears. We do not seek permitted food. Instead, we hurry to feed him what is available.42
We feed him substances bound by more lenient prohibitions first. If his sight clears, that is sufficient. If not, we feed him the substances bound by the more severe prohibitions.
Halacha 17
What is implied? If there is tevel43 and a nevelah, we feed him the nevelah first. {The rationale is] that [partaking of] tevel is punishable by death [at the hand of heaven].44If [the choice is between] a nevelah and produce that grows on its own during the Sabbatical year, we feed him the produce, for it is forbidden [only] by Rabbinic decree, as will be explained in Hilchot Shemitah.45
If [the choice is between] tevel and produce grown during the Sabbatical year,46we feed him the produce grown during the Sabbatical year.47 If [the choice is between] tevel and terumah, if it is impossible to make the tevel acceptable,48we feed him the tevel. [The rationale is] that it is not sanctified as terumah is. Similar laws apply in all analogous situations.
Halacha 18
We have already explained49 that one prohibition does not take effect when another prohibition is in effect unless both of the prohibitions take effect at the same time,50 the latter prohibition forbids additional entities,51 or the [latter] prohibition encompasses other entities.52
Accordingly, [it is possible] for there to be a person who eats one olive-sized portion of forbidden food and yet, he will be liable for five [sets of] lashes for it, provided he was warned for all five prohibitions that accumulated.
What is implied? For example, on Yom Kippur, a person who was ritually impure ate an olive-sized portion of forbidden fat from a consecrated animal that remained after its prescribed time.53He is liable for lashes because he partook of forbidden fat, notar, because he ate on Yom Kippur,54 because he partook of consecrated food while ritually impure, and because he derived benefit from consecrated food, thus [violating the prohibition of] me'ilah.
Halacha 19
Why do these prohibitions fall on each other? Because although it was forbidden to partake of the fat of this animal, it was permitted to benefit from it. Once he consecrated it, it became forbidden to benefit from the fat. Since the prohibition to benefit from it was added to it, the prohibition against [benefiting from] consecrated articles became added to it.
Although this fat was forbidden to an ordinary person, it was still permitted to be offered to the One on High. When it became notar, since it became forbidden to the One on High, [that] prohibition was added to an ordinary person.
This person was permitted to partake of the meat of the animal,55 although he was forbidden to partake of its fat. When he became impure, since its meat became forbidden an additional prohibition was added to its fat. When Yom Kippur commenced, all food became included [in the prohibition], since this prohibition affects non-consecrated food, it adds a prohibition to this fat. Similar laws apply in all analogous situations.
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. |
The measure of "the size of an olive" cannot be determined by measuring an average olive today. Instead, this refers to a measure established by our Sages and is the subject of debate by later Rabbinic authorities. The Pri Chadash (Orach Chayim 486) states that the Rambam considers an olive as one-third the size of an egg with its shell (17.3 grams according to Shiurei Torah 3:13, 24 grams according to Chazon Ish). Tosafot, Chullin 103a, differs and defines an olive as one-half the size of a shelled egg (25.6 grams according to Shiurei Torah 3:12, 36 grams according toChazon Ish). In practice, with regard to questions of Scriptural Law, the more stringent opinion should be followed. With regard to questions of Rabbinic Law, one may rely on the more lenient view.
|
| 2. |
Literally, the soul's being cut off. This involves premature death in this world (before the age of 50,Mo'ed Kattan 28a) and the soul not meriting a portion in the world to come (Hilchot Teshuvah 8:1).
|
| 3. |
Premature death before the age of 60 (Mo'ed Kattan, loc. cit.).
|
| 4. |
See Hilchot Issurei Bi'ah 1:7.
|
| 5. |
The punishment given for the violation of Rabbinic commandments or Scriptural Laws for which there is no specific punishment outlined.
|
| 6. |
Shiurei Torah suggests including slightly more than 3 grams in the measure of an olive-sized portion to compensate for this factor.
|
| 7. |
Even though it was not swallowed.
|
| 8. |
This refers to a situation in which the person ate the vomited food a second time shortly after he ate it the first time. To explain: For a person to be liable, he must eat not only a specific amount (an olive-sized portion), but he must eat it in a specific time: k'dai achilas p'ras, as explained in Halachah 8.
|
| 9. |
A sacrifice which the priest thought to have its blood or limbs offered on the altar after the time when they should be offered or have its meat eaten after the time it should be eaten (Hilchot Pesulei HaMukdashim 13:1).
|
| 10. |
Sacrificial meat that remained after the time when it is required to be eaten (op cit. 13:3).
|
| 11. |
As Menachot 54b states, the size of a portion of food at the time one partakes of it determines whether he is liable or not.
|
| 12. |
For, at the outset, it was the size of an olive.
|
| 13. |
For its natural size is not an olive.
|
| 14. |
Chapter 4, Halachot 16 and 17.
|
| 15. |
For a trefe is the beginning of a nevelah, as stated there.
|
| 16. |
For they are all grape products, as stated in Hilchot Nazirut 5:3.
|
| 17. |
Wheat, barley, rye, oats, and spelt. Since they are all grain, they are combined to reach the minimum measure.
|
| 18. |
See Chapter 10 for a definition of this prohibition.
|
| 19. |
Chapter 4, Halachah 7.
The Ra'avad qualifies the Rambam's statement, maintaining that it applies only when the types of produce consumed have a similar taste. The Radbaz, however, justifies the Rambam's view.
|
| 20. |
In his Commentary to the Mishnah (Nazir 6:4), the Rambam states that this leniency applies only with regard to an earthly court. God, however, holds the person liable for each forbidden measure he eats.
|
| 21. |
For the warnings create a distinction between the food eaten before and afterwards.
|
| 22. |
Our translation is based on Hilchot Tumat Tzara'at 16:6.
|
| 23. |
This is one of the fundamental concepts with regard to the mitzvot and prohibitions concerning eating. Just as there is a minimum amount, a k'zayit (an olive-sized portion), which one must eat for the mitzvah or prohibition to be fulfilled; so, too, there is a minimum measure of time, k'dei achilat p'ras, in which that amount of food must be eaten. If one takes a longer time to eat the prohibited food, his eating is not significant, like one who eats less than the minimum amount.
Rashi (Pesachim 44a ) offers a different view and maintains that this measure is defined as the time it takes to eat four eggs. Shiurei Torah mentions several different opinions from between four minutes until nine minutes for this figure.
|
| 24. |
The standard liquid measure that applies with regard to the Torah's mitzvot and prohibitions.
|
| 25. |
The commentaries have noted that in Chapter 6, Halachah 1, the Rambam mentioned that the minimum measure for which one is liable for partaking of blood is an olive-sized portion and question why in this context, a revi'it is mentioned. It is possible to explain that here the subjects are slightly different, for we are not speaking about the minimum amount for which one is liable, but rather the minimum time period. The commentaries, however, do not see this as a significant enough point.
|
| 26. |
For if one prolongs his drinking over a longer period, his deed is not considered significant.
|
| 27. |
The Radbaz and the Kessef Mishneh note that other authorities do not accept the concept of "the time it takes to drink a revi'it" and even with regard to prohibitions that involve drinking speak ofk'dei achilat p'ras. Indeed, the Rambam himself mentions that measure with regard to drinking within the context of the laws of ritual purity (Hilchot Sha'ar Avot HaTumah.
The Radbaz explains the Rambam's ruling here, stating that with regard to the prohibitions against eating, what is important is that one feel significant satisfaction. If he prolongs his drinking longer than that, he will not feel satisfaction from it. See also the gloss of the Maggid Mishneh to Hilchot Shivitat Esor 2:4 which discusses this issue.
|
| 28. |
When, however, the Torah uses the term "eating," that implies that one derives satisfaction in the ordinary manner one derives benefit from food (see the gloss of the Maggid Mishneh to Chapter 8, Halachah 16). Only then is one liable. Needless to say, it is forbidden by Rabbinic Law to partake of a forbidden substance even if one does not derive benefit.
|
| 29. |
As explained in Chapter 10, Halachah 6, "becom[ing] hallowed" means being "set apart and forbidden."
|
| 30. |
Which does not have a pleasant taste.
|
| 31. |
This concept also applies with regard to wine used as a libation, for, Deuteronomy 32:38, the prooftext from which this prohibition is derived, also mentions "eating" [Minchat Chinuch (mitzvah 111)].
|
| 32. |
I.e., even if the unappetizing element of the food is not dependent on them, but on a foreign substance.
|
| 33. |
This refers to the concept referred to as notein taam lifgam, giving an unfavorable taste. Our Rabbis extend this concept further, explaining that any pot which has not been used for non-kosher food for a day no longer causes the pot to be forbidden according to Scriptural Law, because the forbidden food has already lost its flavor [Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 103:5)]. See also Chapter 15, Halachot 28-31.
|
| 34. |
Generally, a person who violates a transgression without intent is not liable (Shabbat 22a). Here, however, an exception is made, because the person is deriving physical benefit.
|
| 35. |
Even though he derived pleasure, since he did not act voluntarily and did not desire the forbidden pleasure, he is not held liable.
|
| 36. |
Although either his desire or hunger causes him pain, he is not considered as if he was compelled to partake of the forbidden food.
|
| 37. |
As stated in Hilchot Yesodei Torah 5:6, all prohibitions are superceded by danger to life without the exception of idolatry, murder, and forbidden sexual relations.
|
| 38. |
A pregnant woman may have severe cravings for food with an attractive aroma. Our Sages feared that if she were not given some of the food she desired, she might miscarry and perhaps even her own life would be endangered. See Yoma 82b.
|
| 39. |
I.e., less than an olive-sized portion as stated in Halachah 1. Since one is not liable unless one partakes of an olive-sized portion within k'dei achilat pras (see Halachah 8), if we do not fear the situation is overly dangerous, the woman can be fed this minimal amount in intervals. See Hilchot Sh'vitat Asor 2:9, Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 617:2).
|
| 40. |
Since he is sick, his condition is precarious and we are concerned that his craving may place his life in danger. See Ketubot 61a.
|
| 41. |
This refers to a state of infirmity that overcomes a person because of lack of nourishment. He becomes dizzy, faint, and unable to focus his eyes.
|
| 42. |
Out of fear that the delay may be crucial to his life. Similarly, we do not try first giving him the gravy and then smaller portions as in the previous halachot (Kessef Mishneh). Needless to say, if kosher food is available, there is no reason to give him non-kosher food.
|
| 43. |
Produce from which terumah and the tithes have not been separated.
|
| 44. |
This applies when the terumot have not been separated from the produce. If the terumot have been separated, but the tithes have not been separated, the prohibition is of the same degree of severity as partaking of a nevelah. See Chapter 10, Halachot 19-20.
|
| 45. |
Hilchot Shemitah ViYovel 4:2.
|
| 46. |
I.e., produce grown in the Sabbatical year that remains after the time when it is supposed to be disposed of (Rashi, Yoma 83a).
|
| 47. |
For the prohibition against eating produce cultivated in the Sabbatical year stems from a positive commandment. This is considered as more lenient than a prohibition stemming from a negative commandment, because there is no punishment involved.
|
| 48. |
Some interpret this as referring to a situation where there is no one who knows how to separate the terumot present. Rashi (loc. cit.) interprets this as referring to a situation where the sick person must eat the entire amount of produce available. It is preferable not to separate theterumot. For even though he will be eating less of a forbidden substance, the prohibition will be more severe because terumah is sanctified.
|
| 49. |
Hilchot Issurei Bi'ah 17:8-9.
|
| 50. |
Chapter 5, Halachah 5, gives an example of this concept. When a person rips a limb from a living animal which causes the animal to become trefe, he is considered to have transgressed two prohibitions: the prohibition against eating flesh from a living animal and the prohibition against partaking of an animal that is trefe, for both prohibitions take effect at the same time.
|
| 51. |
This concept is exemplified in this and the following halachah. See also Chapter 7, Halachah 2, and Hilchot Issurei Bi'ah 17:9-10.
|
| 52. |
This concept is exemplified in Chapter 8, Halachah 6: A person who partakes of a gid hanesheh, a sciatic nerve, of an animal which is trefe is liable for two transgressions. Since when the animal became trefe, its entire body became encompassed in the prohibition, that prohibition also encompasses the gid even though it was prohibited beforehand.
|
| 53. |
Every sacrifice of which we are allowed to partake has a certain time span - a day and a night or two days and a night - in which we are allowed to partake of it. After that time span, it becomes forbidden because of the prohibition referred to as notar (Hilchot Pesulei HaMukdashim 18:10.
|
| 54. |
The Rambam also states this concept in Hilchot Shegagot 6:4. There he emphasizes that to be liable for eating on Yom Kippur, one must add another small portion of food. For one is not liable for eating on Yom Kippur unless he consumes a date-sized portion. That additional portion, however, need not involve all these different prohibitions.
|
| 55. |
Before it became notar.
|
Malveh veLoveh - Chapter 1
HILCHOT MALVEH V'LOVEH
THE LAWS PERTAINING TO LENDERS AND BORROWERS
They contain twelve mitzvot: four positive commandments and eight negative commandments. They are:
1) to lend to a poor and destitute person;
2) not to press him for collection;
3) to press a gentile for collection of a debt he owes;
4) not to forcibly take collateral from a borrower;
e to return collateral to its owner when he requires it;
5) not to delay giving the collateral to the poor man who owns it when he requires it;
6) not to take collateral from a widow;
7) not to take utensils used to prepare food as collateral;
8) that a lender should not loan at interest;
9) that a borrower should not take a loan given at interest;
10) that no one should be involved with the lender and the borrower of a loan given at interest - not to serve as a witness between them, not to draw up a promissory note, nor to serve as a guarantor;
11) to borrow and lend money to a gentile at interest.
These mitzvot are explained in the following chapters.
Halacha 1
It is a positive commandment to lend money to the poor among Israel, asExodus 23:24 states: "If you will lend money to My nation, to the poor among you." Lest one think that this is a matter left to the person's choice, it is also stated Deuteronomy 15:8: "You shall certainly loan to him."
This mitzvah surpasses the mitzvah of charity given to a poor person who asks for alms. For the latter person had already been compelled to ask, and this one has not yet sunk that low. Indeed, the Torah is very severe with regard to a person who does not lend money to a poor person, stating Ibid.:9: "Beware lest there be a defiant thought in your heart... and you look badly upon your poor brother and you not give him."
Halacha 2
Whenever a person presses a poor person for payment when he knows that he does not have the means to repay the debt, he transgresses a negative commandment, as Exodus 22:24 states: "Do not act as a creditor toward him." It is, by contrast, a positive mitzvah to press a gentile for payment and to cause him exasperation, as Deuteronomy 15:3 states: "Press a gentile for payment." According to the Oral Tradition, we have learned that this is a positive commandment.
Halacha 3
It is forbidden for one to appear before a person who owes him money when he knows that the debtor does not have the means to repay the debt. It is even forbidden to pass before him, lest one frighten him or embarrass him, even though one does not demand payment. Needless to say, this applies if he demands payment.
Just as it is forbidden for a creditor to demand payment; so, too, it is forbidden for a lender to withhold money that he possesses due a colleague, telling him: "Go and return," as Proverbs 3:28 states: "Do not tell your colleague: 'Go and return.'"
Similarly, it is forbidden for a lender to take a loan and use it when it is unnecessary and lose it, leaving his creditor without a source to collect the debt. This applies even if the owner is very wealthy. A person who acts in this way is wicked, as Psalms 37:21 states: "A wicked man borrows and does not pay." Our Sages commanded: "Treat money belonging to your colleague as dearly as your own."
Halacha 4
When a lender demands payment of a loan - even if he is wealthy and the borrower is in a pressing situation and struggles to support his family - we are not merciful in judgment. Instead, we expropriate all the movable property" that the person owns to pay the last penny of the debt. If the movable property he owns is not sufficient, we expropriate the landed property after issuing a ban of ostracism against any person who possesses movable property or knows of movable property he possesses and does not bring it to court.
We expropriate all the landed property the borrower possesses, even if it is on lien to the ketubah of the borrower's wife or to another creditor with a prior lien. We expropriate it for this creditor. If ultimately, the person with the prior lien will come to claim the property, he may expropriate it from the creditor to whom it was given.
If the lender claims that the movable property in his domain does not belong to him, but instead was entrusted to him, rented by him, or lent to him, we do not heed his words. He must prove his statements or the property will be expropriated by the creditor.
Halacha 5
A creditor may not collect his due by expropriating the wardrobe of the debtor's wife or his sons, not from colored garments that were dyed for them even though they have not worn them yet, nor from new sandals that were purchased for them. These belong to the wife and the children themselves. When does the above apply? With regard to their weekday garments. The creditor may, by contrast, expropriate their Sabbath and festival garments. Needless to say, if they own rings or golden or silver ornaments, they must all be given to the creditor.
Halacha 6
The following rules apply when a borrower owned movable property or landed property, but also had outstanding promissory notes owed to gentiles. If he says: "All of my property is on lien to gentiles; if Jews take the property as payment for their debts, the gentiles will imprison me because of the debts I owe them, and I will be in captivity," my teachers have ruled that his words are not heeded, and the Jews are granted the right to expropriate his property. If the gentiles come and imprison him, all of Israel is commanded to redeem him.
Halacha 7
We allow a debtor consideration in the same manner that consideration is granted to a person who makes a pledge to the Temple treasury and is unable to pay it.
What is implied? The court tells the borrower: "Bring all the movable property that you own; don't leave anything, not even a needle."
After he brings his possessions, we give him from everything that he has brought:
a) food for 30 days;
b) clothing for 12 months that is appropriate for him - he should not wear silk clothes or a hat crowned with gold; instead, such garments are taken away from him and he is given appropriate garments for 12 months;
c) a couch to sit on and a bed and a mattress to sleep on; if he is a poor man, he is given a bed and a straw mattress to sleep on. These articles are not given to his wife or to his children, despite the fact that he is obligated to provide them with sustenance.
The borrower is also given his sandals and his tefillin. If he is a craftsman, he is given two of the tools of his craft of every type necessary. For example, if he is a carpenter, he is given two awls and two planes. If he has many types of one utensil and only one of another, he is granted two of the utensil of which he possesses many, and all that he owns of that he possesses one. We do not purchase other tools for him from the sale of those many tools.
Although the borrower is a farmer or a donkey driver, we do not grant him his team of oxen or his donkey. Similarly, if he is a sailor, we do not give him his ship, even though these are his only sources of livelihood. The rationale is that these articles are not considered utensils, but rather property. They should be sold with the other movable property in court and the proceeds given to the creditor.
Halacha 8
The following law applies when a creditor comes to expropriate payment outside the presence of the borrower - e.g., the borrower journeyed to a distant country. If the borrower's wife seized possession of movable property belonging to her husband to sell so that she could derive her livelihood from it, it is expropriated from her and given to the creditor. The rationale is that even if her husband were present, he would not be entitled to provide for the sustenance of his wife and sons until he paid his debt in its entirety.
Malveh veLoveh - Chapter 2
Halacha 1
According to Scriptural Law, when a creditor demands payment of his debt, and the debtor possesses some property, consideration is granted to the debtor and the remainder of the possessions are granted to the creditor, as explained.
If no property belonging to the debtor is found or only those items that are granted to him in consideration are found, the debtor is enabled to go free.
We do not imprison him, nor do we tell him: "Bring proof that you are poor." We do not require him to take an oath that he has no possessions as the gentile legal process does. All of the above is included in the prohibition (Exodus 22:24): "Do not act as a creditor toward him." Instead, we tell the creditor: "If you know that this person who owes you money possesses property, go and seize it."
Halacha 2
If the creditor claims that the debtor possesses property, but is hiding it, and it is present within his home, according to law it is not proper for either the creditor or an agent of the court to enter his home to seize the property. Indeed, the Torah warned concerning this saying Deuteronomy 24:11: "Stand outside." We do, however, issue a ban of ostracism against anyone who owns property and does not give it to his creditor.
When, however, the Geonim of the early generations who arose after the compilation of the Talmud saw that the number of deceitful people had increased and the possibility of obtaining loans was diminishing, they ordained that a debtor who claims bankruptcy should be required to take a severe oath, comparable to a Scriptural oath, administered while he is holding a sacred article, that he does not possess any property aside from what he is given in consideration, that he has not hidden his property in the hands of others, or given the property to others as a present with the intent that it be returned.
He should include in the oath that any profit he makes and everything that comes into his possession or domain which he acquires, he will not use to provide sustenance, clothing, or care for his wife or children, that he will not give any person in the world a present. Instead, he will take from everything that he earns food for 30 days and clothing for 12 months that is appropriate for him - not the food of gluttons or drunkards, nor that enjoyed by the sons of royalty, and not the garments of the officers of the royal court, but food and clothing that is commonplace for him." Anything beyond his needs, he should give to his creditor little by little until he pays his entire debt. Before the oath is administered, a ban of ostracism is issued against anyone who knows that so and so possesses property that is either revealed or hidden and does not inform the court.
Even after this oath was ordained, neither a creditor nor an agent of the court is allowed to enter the house of the debtor. For an ordinance was not instituted to uproot the Torah's laws themselves. Instead, the debtor himself must bring out his utensils or say: "This and this is what I possess." We leave him what is appropriate for him, expropriate the rest and have him take the oath ordained as described above. This is the legal process among the Jewish community in all places.
If the debtor was seen with property after having taken this oath, and he tries to excuse himself, claiming that it belongs to others or that it was given to him as an investment, we do not accept his statements unless he brings proof. My teachers ruled in this manner.
Halacha 3
When a person takes this oath that he is bankrupt and all that he earns will be given to his creditors, he may not be required to take this same oath by all of his creditors. Instead, one oath applies to all the creditors. The rationale is that this is an ordinance instituted by the later sages, and we are not precise in applying it stringently. On the contrary, we are lenient.
Halacha 4
An exception to the above practice is made with regard to a person who has established a reputation for being poor and virtuous, and conducts himself in a trustworthy manner, and this is known to the judges and the majority of the people. If a creditor comes and seeks to make this person take the oath mentioned above, and it can be presumed that the plaintiff has no doubt about the debtor's state of poverty, but instead wishes to cause him exasperation with this oath, to torment him and to embarrass him publicly, to take revenge upon him or to force him to borrow money from gentiles or take property belonging to his wife to pay this creditor and absolve himself from taking this oath, it appears to me that it is forbidden for a God-fearing judge to have this oath administered. If he does administer this oath, he violates the Scriptural prohibition: "Do not act as a creditor toward him."
Moreover, the judge should reproach the creditor and castigate him, for he is bearing a grudge and acting according to the reckless whims of his heart. Our Sages instituted this ordinance only because of deceitful people, as implied byDeuteronomy 22:2: "Until your brother seeks it out," which can be interpreted to mean: Seek out whether your brother is deceitful or not. In this instance, since it is established knowledge that this person is poor and that he is not deceitful, it is forbidden to require him to take this oath.
Similarly, when it is established knowledge that a person is deceitful and he deals corruptly in financial matters, we presume that he possesses financial resources although he claims to be bankrupt, and he is eager to take this oath. I maintain that it is not appropriate to require him to take the oath. Instead, if it is possible for the judge to compel him to make restitution to his creditor or to place him under a ban of ostracism until he makes restitution, he should do so. The rationale is that he is presumed to possess financial resources, and paying a creditor is a mitzvah.
The general principle is: Whenever a judge performs one of these activities with the sole intent of pursuing justice, as we have been commanded to, without intending to favor either of the litigants in judgment, he has that authority, and he will receive a reward for his efforts, provided that they are carried out for the sake of heaven.
Halacha 5
Whenever a person is obligated to take this oath because of a promissory note that he is liable for, he admitted owing money to other people, and he was able to amass more property than the minimum amount allotted to him, this extra amount should be given only to the creditors who possess promissory notes. The rationale is that we suspect that the debtor may be conspiring to perpetrate deception by making an admission of a debt concerning this property.
Halacha 6
When Reuven owes Shimon 100 zuz and Levi owes Reuven 100 zuz, we should expropriate the money from Levi and give it to Shimon.
Therefore, if Reuven does not possess any property, but has promissory notes owed to him by Levi, those promissory notes are given to Shimon to collect. Accordingly, if Levi claims that the promissory note was given on faith or that it had already been paid, even though Reuven acknowledges the truth of Levi's statement, his admission is of no consequence. The rationale is that we fear that they may be conspiring to perpetrate deception to cause Shimon to lose his right to the money owed by Levi. Instead, Shimon may take an oath and expropriate the money from Levi. This is the law that applies to anyone who expropriates property; he may do so only after taking an oath.
Similarly, the following law applies to any person against whom there is an outstanding promissory note, who admits owing money to another person on his own initiative. If he does not possess enough property to pay both debts, the person with the promissory note alone is entitled to collect his due. This is ordained, because we suspect that they may be conspiring to perpetrate deception to undermine the power of the person's promissory note.
Halacha 7
It is forbidden for one to lend money - even to a Torah scholar - without having witnesses observe the transaction unless the lender receives an article as collateral. It is even more commendable to have the loan supported by a promissory note.
Whenever a person gives a loan without having witnesses observe the transaction, he transgresses the prohibition (Leviticus 19:14): "Do not place a stumbling block before the blind" and brings a curse upon himself.
Halacha 8
When a master borrows money from his servant and afterwards frees him, he is not liable to him at all. The same laws apply when a husband borrows from his wife. The rationales are that everything that a servant acquires becomes acquired by his master, and any money that is in a woman's possession is assumed to belong to her husband, unless she brings proof that it comes from her dowry.
Malveh veLoveh - Chapter 3
Halacha 1
Collateral may not be taken from a widow, whether she is rich or poor, whether it is taken at the time the loan is given, or after the time the loan is given, asDeuteronomy 24:17 states: "You shall not take the garment of a widow as collateral." This prohibition applies even when the court would supervise the matter.
If a creditor takes such collateral, it must be returned, even against his will. If the widow admits the debt, she must pay. If she denies its existence, she must take an oath. If the security the creditor took became lost or was consumed by fire before he returns it, he is punished by lashes.
Halacha 2
Similarly, whenever a person lends money to a colleague - whether he offers the loan in exchange for collateral, he takes collateral after the loan was given, or the collateral was given him by the court - he should not take utensils that are used for making food - e.g., a mill, kneading troughs, large cooking pots, a knife used for ritual slaughter or the like - as Deuteronomy 24:6 says: "Do not take as collateral... for one is taking a life as collateral."
If a creditor takes such collateral, it must be returned, even against his will. If the security he took became lost or was consumed by fire before the creditor returns it, he is punished by lashes.
Halacha 3
When a person takes several utensils that are used to produce food - e.g., he took a kneading trough, a pot and a knife - he is liable for each utensil independently. Even if he took two utensils that are used for the same activity, he is liable for taking two utensils and is given lashes for taking each of them.
This is implied by the,verse cited above, which mentions taking "a lower millstone and an upper millstone." This indicates that he is liable for each of the millstones independently. Just as the upper millstone and the lower millstone are two utensils that serve a single purpose, and the person is liable for each one independently; so, too, a person is liable for any other two utensils independently even though they serve the same purpose. Similarly, if he takes as collateral a yoke for oxen that plow, he is liable for two transgressions.
Halacha 4
When a person gives a loan to a colleague - whether the borrower is rich or poor - he should not take security himself. Instead, he should charge the court with this responsibility.
Moreover, even an agent of the court who comes to collect security should not enter the borrower's house to collect the security. Instead, he should stand outside. The borrower should go into his own house and bring out the security for him, as Deuteronomy 24:11 states: "You shall stand outside." 3
If so, one might ask: What is the difference between the creditor himself and the agent of the court? The agent of the court may take the security from the borrower by force and give it to the lender. The creditor himself, by contrast, may not take the security unless it is willingly given him by the borrower.
If the creditor transgressed and entered the house of the borrower and took security, or took collateral away from him by force, he is not punished by lashes. The rationale is that the prohibition can be corrected by the performance of a positive commandment, as Ibid.: 13 states: "You shall certainly return the security to him before the setting of the sun."
If he did not fulfill the positive commandment concerning it - e.g., the collateral became lost or was consumed by fire - he is punished by lashes. In such an instance, the creditor should calculate the value of the collateral, subtract it from the debt, and lodge a suit for the remainder.
Halacha 5
When a person takes collateral from a colleague, whether through the medium of the court, or he personally takes it from him either by force or by consent of the lender he is not always entitled to maintain possession. If the borrower is poor and the creditor took as collateral an article that the borrower needs, he is commanded to return the collateral to the borrower at the time that the borrower needs it. For example, he should return a pillow at night for him to sleep on it and a plow during the day for him to work with. This is implied byDeuteronomy 24:13: "You must certainly return the collateral."
If the creditor transgressed and did not return to him a utensil to be used by day during the day, or a utensil to be used at night during the night, he transgresses a negative commandment, as ibid.:12 states: "Do not sleep with his collateral." This means: "Do not go to sleep while his collateral is in your possession"; this refers to a garment worn at night. With regard to articles that he wears or uses to perform work during the day, Exodus 22:25 states: "Until the setting of the sun, return it to him" - this teaches that he must return it to him throughout the day.
If the creditor must return the collateral to the debtor when he needs it, and may take it only when he does not need it, of what benefit is the collateral to him?
a) So that the debt will not be nullified in the Sabbatical year;
b) So that the collateral will not be considered part of the movable property inherited by the debtor's sons. Instead, the creditor may take payment from the collateral after the borrower dies.
Thus, a person who takes an object as collateral from a poor person who needs it and fails to return it at the appropriate time violates three commandments: "You shall not enter his house," "You must certainly return the collateral," and "Do not sleep with his collateral."
When does the above apply? When he took the collateral at a time other than the time the loan was given. If, however, he took the collateral from the debtor at the time the loan was given, he does not transgress these prohibitions.
Halacha 6
An agent of the court who comes to take collateral should not take articles that a person cannot give as collateral - e.g., the garment he is wearing, the utensils with which he eats, or the like. He should leave a bed and a mattress for a rich man, or a bed and a straw mattress for a poor man. Whatever possessions the debtor has besides these should be taken as collateral. The creditor will then return to him an article used by day during the day, and an article used at night during the night.
If the debtor has two of a particular article, the creditor may take one, but must return the other.
Until when is the creditor obligated to return the collateral and then take it again? Forever. If, however, the collateral was an article that the debtor did not need, nor an article that is left for a debtor, the creditor must keep it for 30 days. Afterwards, he may sell the collateral in a court of law.
If the debtor dies, the creditor is not required to return the collateral to his sons. If the debtor dies after the collateral was returned to him, the creditor may pull it away from his sons and does not have to return it to them.
Halacha 7
A creditor may take collateral from a guarantors" by force. He may enter the guarantor's house and take the collateral, as Proverbs 20:16 states: "Take his garment, because he guaranteed a stranger."
Similarly, a person who is owed a fee by a colleague - whether it be his own wages, a fee for his animal or his utensils, or rent for his house - may take collateral without consulting the court. He may enter his home and take collateral in lieu of his fee. If, however, he considered the fee as a loan, this is forbidden, as implied by Deuteronomy 24:10: "When you extend a loan of any type...."
Halacha 8
The following rules apply with regard to a person who has in his possession collateral belonging to a poor person. If the fee for the rental of that article is more than the depreciation of the collateral - e.g., an ax, a large saw, or the like - it is permitted for him to rent it out and continually deduct the money he receives as its fee. This is like returning a lost object to its owner. He need not ask the owner for permission.
• Monday, Tishrei 22, 5776 · 05 October 2015
"Today's Day"
Thursday Tishrei 22, Sh'mini Atzeret 5704
Torah lessons: Chumash: B'racha, Chamishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 106-107.
Tanya: On the holy Sabbath (p. 529) ...be (His) will. (p. 529).
One makes kiddush and eats and drinks in the suka, both by night and during the (following) day.
Hakafot on Sh'mini Atzeret night. Haftora: Vay'hi k'chalot until ul'yisrael amo.
We do not say the (specially designated prayer) Yehi ratzon upon leaving the suka.
Sh'mini Atzeret and Rosh Hashana are parallel in many of the kavanot1 and higher yichudim.2 On Rosh Hashana, though, these are in a mode of elevation and on Sh'mini Atzeret in a mode of elicitation from On High downward. On Rosh Hashana man's avoda is with supplication, submission and intense bitterness; on Sh'mini Atzeret it is with joy.
FOOTNOTES
1. Mystic devotions.
2. "Unification" of different supernal elements attained by the individual during (and by) his mystical devotions.
Daily Thought:
Unconscious Joy
Beyond the personality you have defined for yourself lies unlimited potential. Open up that place and you can change everything.
And there is a simple way to release it. Just begin to celebrate that it is there.
With unbounded joy you tap the unbounded you.
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