Light Holiday Candles after nightfall ––:––
Torah Reading
Bamidbar: Numbers 1:1 Adonai spoke to Moshe in the Sinai Desert, in the tent of meeting, on the first day of the second month of the second year after they had left the land of Egypt. He said, 2 “Take a census of the entire assembly of the people of Isra’el, by clans and families. Record the names of all the men 3 twenty years old and over who are subject to military service in Isra’el. You and Aharon are to enumerate them company by company.
4 Take with you from each tribe someone who is head of a clan. 5 These are the men to take with you:
From Re’uven, Elitzur the son of Sh’de’ur;
6 From Shim‘on, Shlumi’el the son of Tzurishaddai;
7 From Y’hudah, Nachshon the son of ‘Amminadav;
8 From Yissakhar, N’tan’el the son of Tzu‘ar;
9 From Z’vulun, Eli’av the son of Helon.
10 Of the children of Yosef:
From Efrayim, Elishama the son of ‘Ammihud;
From M’nasheh, Gamli’el the son of P’dahtzur.
11 From Binyamin, Avidan the son of Gid‘oni;
12 From Dan, Achi‘ezer the son of ‘Ammishaddai;
13 From Asher, Pag‘i’el the son of ‘Okhran;
14 From Gad, Elyasaf the son of De‘u’el;
15 From Naftali, Achira the son of ‘Enan.”
16 These were the ones called from the assembly, the chiefs of their fathers’ clans and heads of thousands in Isra’el. 17 So Moshe and Aharon took these men who had been designated by name; 18 and, on the first day of the second month, they gathered the whole assembly to state their genealogies by families and clans and recorded the names of all those twenty years old and over, as well as their total numbers. 19 Moshe counted them in the Sinai Desert, just as Adonai had ordered him.
(ii) 20 The men twenty years old and over who were subject to military service were recorded by name, family and clan, starting with the descendants of Re’uven, Isra’el’s firstborn. Here are the totals:
21 Descendants of Re’uven 46,500
22-23 Descendants of Shim‘on 59,300
24-25 Descendants of Gad 45,650
26-27 Descendants of Y’hudah 74,600
28-29 Descendants of Yissakhar 54,400
30-31 Descendants of Z’vulun 57,400
32-33 Descendants of Efrayim 40,500
34-35 Descendants of M’nasheh 32,200
36-37 Descendants of Binyamin 35,400
38-39 Descendants of Dan 62,700
40-41 Descendants of Asher 41,500
42-43 Descendants of Naftali 53,400
44 Moshe, Aharon and the twelve leaders of Isra’el, each from a clan, 45 counted the people of Isra’el by their clans, those twenty years old and over, eligible for military service in Isra’el; 46 and the grand total came to 603,550.
47 But those who were L’vi’im, according to the clan of their fathers, were not counted in this census; 48 because Adonai had told Moshe, 49 “Do not include the clan of Levi when you take the census of the people of Isra’el. 50 Instead, give the L’vi’im charge over the tabernacle of the testimony, its equipment and everything else connected with it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its equipment, serve in it and set up their camp around it. 51 When the tabernacle is to be moved onward, it is the L’vi’im who are to take it down and set it up in the new location; anyone else who involves himself is to be put to death. 52 The rest of Isra’el are to set up camp, company by company, each man with his own banner. 53 But the L’vi’im are to camp around the tabernacle of the testimony, so that no anger will come upon the assembly of the people of Isra’el. The L’vi’im are to be in charge of the tabernacle of the testimony.”
54 This is what the people of Isra’el did — they did everything that Adonai had ordered Moshe.
2:1 (iii) Adonai said to Moshe and Aharon, 2 “The people of Isra’el are to set up camp by clans, each man with his own banner and under his clan’s symbol; they are to camp around the tent of meeting, but at a distance.
3-9 “Those camping on the east side toward the sunrise are to be under the banner of the camp of Y’hudah; they are to camp according to companies; by tribe and leader they are as follows:
Tribe Chief Number
Y’hudah Nachshon the son of ‘Amminadav 74,600
Yissakhar N’tan’el the son of Tzu‘ar 54,400
Z’vulun Eli’av the son of Helon 57,400
Total 186,400
“This group is to set out first.
10-16 “Those camping on the south are to be under the banner of the camp of Re’uven; they are to camp according to companies; by tribe and leader they are as follows:
Tribe Chief Number
Re’uven Elitzur the son of Sh’de’ur 46,500
Shim‘on Shlumi’el the son of Tzurishaddai 59,300
Gad Elyasaf the son of Re‘u’el 45,650
Total 151,450
“This group is to set out second.
17 “Then the tent of meeting, with the camp of the L’vi’im, will set out, with the other camps in front and behind. They will go in the same order as their camps are set up — each man will go forward in his position, under his banner.
18-24 “Those camping on the west are to be under the banner of the camp of Efrayim; they are to camp according to companies; by tribe and leader they are as follows:
Tribe Chief Number
Efrayim Elishama the son of ‘Ammihud 40,500
M’nasheh Gamli’el the son of P’dahtzur 32,200
Binyamin Avidan the son of Gid‘oni 35,400
Total 108,100
“This group is to set out third.
25-31 “Those camping on the north are to be under the banner of the camp of Dan; they are to camp according to companies; by tribe and leader they are as follows:
Tribe Chief Number
Dan Achi‘ezer the son of ‘Ammishaddai 62,700
Asher Pag‘i’el the son of ‘Okhran 41,500
Naftali Achira the son of ‘Enan 53,400
Total 157,600
“This group is to set out last with their banners.”
32 These are the ones counted from the people of Isra’el by clans; the total number recorded in the camps, company by company, was 603,550. 33 But, as Adonai ordered Moshe, the L’vi’im were not counted with the rest of Isra’el.
34 The people of Isra’el did everything Adonai had ordered Moshe: they set up camp under their banners, and they set out, each according to his family and clan.
3:1 (iv) These are the descendants of Aharon and Moshe as of the day when Adonai spoke with Moshe on Mount Sinai. 2 The names of the sons of Aharon are: Nadav the firstborn, Avihu, El‘azar and Itamar. 3 These were the names of the sons of Aharon the cohen, whom he anointed and ordained as cohanim. 4 But Nadav and Avihu died in the presence of Adonai when they offered unauthorized fire before Adonai in the Sinai Desert, and they had no children; El‘azar and Itamar served as cohanim in the presence of Aharon their father.
5 Adonai said to Moshe, 6 “Summon the tribe of Levi, and assign them to Aharon the cohen, so that they can help him. 7 They are to carry out his duties and the duties of the whole community before the tent of meeting in performing the service of the tabernacle. 8 They are to be in charge of all the furnishings of the tent of meeting and to carry out all the duties of the people of Isra’el connected with the service of the tabernacle. 9 Assign the L’vi’im to Aharon and his sons; their one responsibility in regard to the people of Isra’el is to serve him. 10 You are to appoint Aharon and his sons to carry out the duties of cohanim; anyone else who involves himself is to be put to death.”
11 Adonai said to Moshe, 12 “I have taken the L’vi’im from among the people of Isra’el in lieu of every firstborn male that is first from the womb among the people of Isra’el; the L’vi’im are to be mine. 13 All the firstborn males belong to me, because on the day that I killed all the firstborn males in the land of Egypt, I separated for myself all the firstborn males in Isra’el, both human and animal. They are mine; I am Adonai.”
(v) 14 Adonai said to Moshe in the Sinai Desert, 15 “Take a census of the tribe of Levi by clans and families. Count every male a month old or over.” 16 Moshe counted them in the manner Adonai had said, as he had been ordered. 17 The names of the sons of Levi were Gershon, K’hat and M’rari. 18 The names of the sons of Gershon were Livni and Shim‘i; they fathered their respective clans; 19 likewise the sons of K’hat — ‘Amram,Yitz’har, Hevron and ‘Uzi’el — 20 and the sons of M’rari — Machli and Mushi. These fathered the clans of the L’vi’im.
21 Gershon fathered the clans of Livni and Shim‘i; these were the Gershon clans. 22 Of them, 7,500 males a month old and over were counted. 23 The Gershon clans were to camp behind the tabernacle, toward the west. 24 The chief of the Gershon clan was Elyasaf, the son of La’el. 25 In connection with the tent of meeting, the descendants of Gershon were to be in charge of the following: the tabernacle itself, its inner and outer coverings, the screen for the entrance of the tent of meeting, 26 the curtains surrounding the courtyard, the screen for the entrance of the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and the altar, all the fixtures and ropes for these items, and their maintenance.
27 K’hat fathered the clans of ‘Amram, Yitz’har, Hevron and ‘Uzi’el; these were the K’hat clans. 28 Of them, 8,600 males a month old and over were counted; they were in charge of the Holy Place. 29 The K’hat clans were to camp next to the tabernacle, toward the south. 30 The chief of the K’hat clan was Elitzafan the son of ‘Uzi’el. 31 They were responsible for the ark, the table, the menorah, the altars, the utensils the cohanim use when they serve in the Holy Place, the curtain, and everything involved with the maintenance of these things. 32 El‘azar the son of Aharon the cohen was first among the chiefs of the L’vi’im and supervised those in charge of the Holy Place.
33 M’rari fathered the clans of Machli and Mushi; these were the M’rari clans. 34 Of them, 6,200 males a month old and over were counted. 35 The chief of the M’rari clan was Tzuri’el the son of Avichayil. They were to camp next to the tabernacle, toward the north. 36 The M’rari clans were assigned responsibility for the frames of the tabernacle, along with its crossbars, posts, sockets and fittings, together with their maintenance; 37 also the posts of the surrounding courtyard, with their sockets, pegs and ropes.
38 Those who were to camp in front of the tabernacle on the east, in front of the tent of meeting toward the sunrise, were Moshe, Aharon and his sons who were in charge of the Holy Place. They carried out their responsibility on behalf of the people of Isra’el, and anyone else who involved himself was to be put to death.
39 The total number of L’vi’im whom Moshe and Aharon counted by their clans, all the males a month old and over, was 22,000.
(vi) 40 Adonai said to Moshe, “Register all the firstborn males of the people of Isra’el a month old and over, and determine how many there are. 41 Then you are to take the L’vi’im for me, Adonai, in place of all the firstborn among the people of Isra’el, and the cattle of the L’vi’im in place of the firstborn of the cattle belonging to the people of Isra’el.” 42 Moshe counted, as Adonai had ordered him, all the firstborn among the people of Isra’el. 43 The total number of firstborn males registered, a month old and over, of those who were counted, was 22,273.
44 Adonai said to Moshe, 45 “Take the L’vi’im in place of all the firstborn among the people of Isra’el, and the cattle of the L’vi’im in place of their cattle; the L’vi’im are to belong to me, Adonai. 46 Since there were 273 more firstborn males from Isra’el than male L’vi’im, in order to redeem them, 47 you are to take five shekels [two ounces] for each of these (use the sanctuary shekel, which is equal to twenty gerahs). 48 Give the redemption money for these extra people to Aharon and his sons.” 49 Moshe took the redemption money from those who were over and above those redeemed by the L’vi’im; 50 the amount of money he took from the firstborn of the people of Isra’el was 1,365 shekels, using the sanctuary shekel. 51 Moshe gave the redemption-money to Aharon and his sons, in keeping with what Adonai had said, as Adonai had ordered Moshe.
4:1 (vii) Adonai said to Moshe and Aharon, 2 “Take a census of the descendants of K’hat, who are among the descendants of Levi, by clans and families, 3 all those from thirty to fifty years old; these will enter the corps doing the work in the tent of meeting.
4 “Here is how the descendants of K’hat are to serve in the tent of meeting and deal with the especially holy things: 5 when the time comes to break camp, Aharon is to go in with his sons, take down the curtain which serves as a screen, and cover the ark of the testimony with it. 6 On that they are to place a covering of fine leather, and on top of that spread an all-blue cloth. Then they are to insert the carrying-poles. 7 On the table of showbread they are to spread a blue cloth and place on it the dishes, incense pans, offering bowls and pitchers. The perpetual bread is to remain on the table. 8 They are to spread on these things a scarlet cloth, cover them with a covering of fine leather and insert the poles. 9 They are to take a blue cloth and cover the menorah for the light, its lamps, its tongs, its trays and the jars used to add oil to it. 10 They are to wrap it and all its accessories in fine leather and place them on a carrying-frame. 11 On the gold altar they are to spread a blue cloth, cover it with a covering of fine leather and insert its carrying-poles. 12 They are to take all the utensils they use when serving in the sanctuary and put them in a blue cloth, cover them with fine leather and place them on a carrying-frame. 13 After removing the greasy ashes from the altar, they are to spread a purple cloth over it 14 and place on it all the utensils required for their altar service — the fire pans, meat-hooks, shovels, basins and other utensils for the altar. Then they are to spread over it a fine leather covering and insert its carrying-poles. 15 When Aharon and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings and all the holy utensils, when the camp is about to move forward, then the descendants of K’hat are to come and carry them. But they are not to touch the holy things, so that they won’t die. These things are the responsibility of the descendants of K’hat in the tent of meeting.
16 “El‘azar the son of Aharon the cohen is to be responsible for the oil for the light, the fragrant incense, the continuing grain offering and the anointing oil. He is to be in charge of the entire tabernacle and everything in it, including the sanctuary and its furnishings.”
(Maftir) 17 Adonai said to Moshe and Aharon, 18 “Do not cut off the clan of K’hat from among the L’vi’im; 19 rather, do this for them, so that they will live and not die: when they approach the especially holy things, Aharon and his sons are to go in — and you are to assign each one his task; 20 but the descendants of K’hat are not to go in and look at the holy things as they are being covered; if they do, they will die.”
Hosea 2:1 (1:10) “Nevertheless, the people of Isra’el will number as many as the grains of sand by the sea, which cannot be measured or counted; so that the time will come when, instead of being told, ‘You are not my people,’ it will be said to them, ‘You are the children of the living God.’ 2 (1:11) Then the people of Y’hudah and the people of Isra’el will be gathered together; they will appoint for themselves one leader; and they will go up out of the land; for that will be a great day, [the day] of Yizre‘el.
3 (1) “Say to your brothers, ‘Ammi [My People]!’
and to your sisters, ‘Ruchamah [Pitied]!’
4 (2) Rebuke your mother, rebuke her;
for she isn’t my wife, and I’m not her husband.
She must remove her whoring from her face,
and her adulteries from between her breasts.
5 (3) Otherwise, I will strip her naked
and place her as she was the day she was born,
make her like a desert, place her like a dry land
and kill her with thirst.
6 (4) I will have no pity on her children,
for they are children of whoring —
7 (5) their mother prostituted herself,
she who conceived them behaved shamelessly;
she said, ‘I will pursue my lovers,
who give me my food and water,
wool, flax, olive oil and wine.’
8 (6) Therefore, I will block her way with thorns
and put up a hedge so she can’t find her paths.
9 (7) She will pursue her lovers but not catch them.
She will seek them but won’t find them.
Then she will say, ‘I will go
and return to my first husband;
because things were better for me then
than they are now.’
10 (8) For she doesn’t know it was I who gave her
the grain, the wine and the oil;
I who increased her silver and gold,
which they used for Ba‘al.
11 (9) So I will take back my grain at harvest-time
and my wine in its season;
I will snatch away my wool and flax,
given to cover her naked body.
12 (10) Now I will uncover her shame,
while her lovers watch;
and no one will save her from me.
13 (11) I will end her happiness,
her festivals, Rosh-Hodesh, and shabbats,
and all her designated times.
14 (12) I will ravage her vines and fig trees,
of which she says, ‘These are my wages
that my lovers have given me.’
But I will turn them into a forest,
and wild animals will eat them.
15 (13) I will punish her for offering incense
on the feast days of the ba‘alim,
when she decked herself with her earrings and jewels,
pursuing her lovers and forgetting me,” says Adonai.
16 (14) “But now I am going to woo her —
I will bring her out to the desert
and I will speak to her heart.
17 (15) I will give her her vineyards from there
and the Akhor Valley as a gateway to hope.
She will respond there as she did when young,
as she did when she came up from Egypt.
18 (16) “On that day,” says Adonai
“you will call me Ishi [My Husband];
you will no longer call me Ba‘ali [My Master].
19 (17) For I will remove the names
of the ba‘alim from her mouth;
they will never again be mentioned by name.
20 (18) When that day comes, I will make
a covenant for them
with the wild animals, the birds in the air
and the creeping things of the earth.
I will break bow and sword,
sweep battle from the land,
and make them lie down securely.
21 (19) I will betroth you to me forever;
yes, I will betroth you to me
in righteousness, in justice,
in grace and in compassion;
22 (20) I will betroth you to me in faithfulness,
and you will know Adonai.
Today's Laws & Customs:
• Ethics of the Fathers: Chapter 6 In preparation for the festival of Shavuot, we study one of the six chapters of the Talmud'sEthics of the Fathers ("Avot") on the afternoon of each of the six Shabbatot between Passover and Shavuot; this Shabbat being the Shabbat before Shhavuot, we study Chapter Six. (In many communities -- and such is the Chabad custom -- the study cycle is repeated through the summer, until the Shabbat before Rosh Hashanah.)
Link: Ethics of the Fathers, Chapter 6
• All-Night Learning
The Talmud relates that when G-d came to give the Torah to the People of Israel in the early morning of Sivan 6 (see "Today in Jewish History" for tomorrow), He found them sleeping. (The Chassidic masters explain that this was an attempt to connect to their subconscious, transcendent self in preparation for their reception of the divine wisdom.) To rectify this lapse, we spend the entire first night of Shavuot (which begins at nightfall tonight) studying Torah. The traditional Tikkun Leil Shavout ("Rectification for Shavuot Night") study program includes the opening and closing verses of each book of the Written Torah (Tanach), as well as of each Parshah; the entire Book of Ruth (see "Laws and Customs" for tomorrow); the opening and closing sections of each tractate of the Talmud; a list of the 613 mitzvot; and selected readings from the Zohar and other Kabbalistic works.
• More on Shavuot
Visit our Shavuot megasite
Today in Jewish History:
• Reuben Finds Mandrakes (1568 BCE)
The incident involving the mandrakes (dudaim) which Reuben, the eldest son of Jacob, found in the field "during the time of the wheat harvest"--recounted in Genesis 30:14-18--occurred on the fifth of Sivan of the year 2197 from creation (1568 BCE).
• Jews Accept Torah (1313 BCE)
On this day, Moses made a covenant with the Jewish people at the foot of Mount Sinai at which the people declared, "All that G-d has spoken, we shall do and hear" (Exodus 24:7) committing themselves to observe the Torah's commandments ("do") and strive to comprehend them ("hear"), while pledging to "do" also before they "hear."
Links:
• Rabbis Burnt at Stake (1728)
On this day Rabbis Chayim and Yehoshua Reitzes were tortured and burned in Lvov, Poland after they were accused of having attempted to convince an apostate to return to Judaism.
Daily Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Bamidbar, 7th Portion Numbers 4:1-4:20 with Rashi
• English / Hebrew Linear Translation | Video Class• Numbers Chapter 4
1The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron saying: אוַיְדַבֵּ֣ר יְהוָֹ֔ה אֶל־משֶׁ֥ה וְאֶל־אַֽהֲרֹ֖ן לֵאמֹֽר:
2Make a count of the sons of Kohath from among the children of Levi by their families, according to their fathers' houses. בנָשׂ֗א אֶת־רֹאשׁ֙ בְּנֵ֣י קְהָ֔ת מִתּ֖וֹךְ בְּנֵ֣י לֵוִ֑י לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם לְבֵ֥ית אֲבֹתָֽם:
Make a count: Count those among them who are fit for the service of carrying, and are from the age of thirty until the age of fifty. One under thirty has not reached the peak of his strength; from this our Sages said, “At thirty for [full] strength” (Avoth 5:21). Over the age of fifty, one’s strength begins to wane.
נשא את ראש וגו': מנה מהם את הראויין לעבודת משא, והם מבן שלשים ועד בן חמשים שנה, והפחות משלשים לא נתמלא כחו. מכאן אמרו בן שלשים לכח, והיותר על בן חמשים כחו מכחיש מעתה:
3From the age of thirty until the age of fifty, all who enter the service, to do work in the Tent of Meeting. גמִבֶּ֨ן שְׁלשִׁ֤ים שָׁנָה֙ וָמַ֔עְלָה וְעַ֖ד בֶּן־חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה כָּל־בָּא֙ לַצָּבָ֔א לַֽעֲשׂ֥וֹת מְלָאכָ֖ה בְּאֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד:
4The following is the service of the sons of Kohath in the Tent of Meeting-the Holy of Holies. דזֹ֛את עֲבֹדַ֥ת בְּנֵֽי־קְהָ֖ת בְּאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד קֹ֖דֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִֽׁים:
The Holy of Holies: The holiest of all-the ark, the table, the menorah, the altars, the dividing curtain, and the service utensils.
קדש הקדשים: המקודש שבכולן הארון והשלחן והמנורה והמזבחות והפרוכת וכלי שרת:
5When the camp is about to travel, Aaron and his sons shall come and take down the dividing screen; with it, they shall cover the Ark of the Testimony. הוּבָ֨א אַֽהֲרֹ֤ן וּבָנָיו֙ בִּנְסֹ֣עַ הַמַּֽחֲנֶ֔ה וְהוֹרִ֕דוּ אֵ֖ת פָּרֹ֣כֶת הַמָּסָ֑ךְ וְכִ֨סּוּ־בָ֔הּ אֵ֖ת אֲרֹ֥ן הָֽעֵדֻֽת:
Aaron and his sons shall come: They shall put each vessel into its holder specified for it in this section. The Levite sons of Kohath need only carry them.
ובא אהרן ובניו וגו': יכניסו כל כלי וכלי לנרתקו המפורש לו בפרשה זו, ולא יצטרכו הלוים בני קהת אלא לשאת:
When the camp is about to travel: When the cloud withdraws, they know that they are to travel.
בנסוע המחנה: כשהענן מסתלק הם יודעין שיסעו:
6They shall place upon it a covering of tachash skin and on top of that they shall spread a cloth of pure blue wool. Then they shall put its poles in place. ווְנָֽתְנ֣וּ עָלָ֗יו כְּסוּי֙ ע֣וֹר תַּ֔חַשׁ וּפָֽרְשׂ֧וּ בֶֽגֶד־כְּלִ֛יל תְּכֵ֖לֶת מִלְמָ֑עְלָה וְשָׂמ֖וּ בַּדָּֽיו:
7They shall spread a cloth of blue wool on the Show Table and they shall place on it the forms, spoons, supports, and covering frames; the continual bread can then be placed upon it. זוְעַ֣ל | שֻׁלְחַ֣ן הַפָּנִ֗ים יִפְרְשׂוּ֘ בֶּ֣גֶד תְּכֵ֒לֶת֒ וְנָֽתְנ֣וּ עָ֠לָ֠יו אֶת־הַקְּעָרֹ֤ת וְאֶת־הַכַּפֹּת֙ וְאֶת־הַמְּנַקִּיֹּ֔ת וְאֵ֖ת קְשׂ֣וֹת הַנָּ֑סֶךְ וְלֶ֥חֶם הַתָּמִ֖יד עָלָ֥יו יִֽהְיֶֽה:
forms, spoons, supports, and covering frames: I have already described [these] in [the chapter dealing with] the work of the Mishkan (Ex. 25).
קערות וכפות קשות ומנקיות: כבר פירשתי במלאכת המשכן:
covering: Heb. הַנָּסֶךְ, from the term מָסָךְ [a screen] as it is written, with which they are covered (יֻסַּךְ)" (Ex. 25:29).
הנסך: הכסוי לשון מסך, כדכתיב (שמות כה כט) אשר יוסך בהם:
8They shall spread upon them a cloth of crimson wool and cover that with a covering of tachash skin. Then they shall put its poles into place. חוּפָֽרְשׂ֣וּ עֲלֵיהֶ֗ם בֶּ֚גֶד תּוֹלַ֣עַת שָׁנִ֔י וְכִסּ֣וּ אֹת֔וֹ בְּמִכְסֵ֖ה ע֣וֹר תָּ֑חַשׁ וְשָׂמ֖וּ אֶת־בַּדָּֽיו:
9They shall take a blue cloth and cover the menorah for lighting and its lamps, its tongs, and its scoops, and all its oil vessels used in performing its service. טוְלָֽקְח֣וּ | בֶּ֣גֶד תְּכֵ֗לֶת וְכִסּ֞וּ אֶת־מְנֹרַ֤ת הַמָּאוֹר֙ וְאֶת־נֵ֣רֹתֶ֔יהָ וְאֶת־מַלְקָחֶ֖יהָ וְאֶת־מַחְתֹּתֶ֑יהָ וְאֵת֙ כָּל־כְּלֵ֣י שַׁמְנָ֔הּ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יְשָֽׁרְתוּ־לָ֖הּ בָּהֶֽם:
its tongs: A type of tweezers with which the wick was drawn to the desired direction.
מלקחיה: כמין צבת שמושך בה את הפתילה לכל צד שירצה:
its scoops: Heb. מַחְתֹּתֶיהָ, a sort of small spoon, with a level bottom, not rounded. It had no wall in the front, only at its sides, and he uses it to rake the ashes from the [menorah] lamps when he cleans them.
מחתתיה: כמין כף קטנה ושוליה פשוטין ולא סגלגלים, ואין לה מחיצה לפניה אלא מצדיה, וחותה בה את דשן הנרות כשמטיבן:
its lamps: Heb. נֵרֹתֶיהָ, loces in Old French, in which the oil and wicks are placed.
נרתיה: לוצי"ש בלע"ז [מנורות] שנותנים בהן השמן והפתילות:
10They shall put it and its vessels into a covering of tachash skin and place it on a pole. יוְנָֽתְנ֤וּ אֹתָהּ֙ וְאֶת־כָּל־כֵּלֶ֔יהָ אֶל־מִכְסֵ֖ה ע֣וֹר תָּ֑חַשׁ וְנָֽתְנ֖וּ עַל־הַמּֽוֹט:
into a covering of tachash skin: A type of [large] sack.
אל מכסה עור תחש: כמין מרצוף:
11They shall spread a cloth of blue wool over the golden altar and cover it with a covering of tachash skin, and then set its poles in place. יאוְעַ֣ל | מִזְבַּ֣ח הַזָּהָ֗ב יִפְרְשׂוּ֙ בֶּ֣גֶד תְּכֵ֔לֶת וְכִסּ֣וּ אֹת֔וֹ בְּמִכְסֵ֖ה ע֣וֹר תָּ֑חַשׁ וְשָׂמ֖וּ אֶת־בַּדָּֽיו:
12They shall then take all the vessels used in the Holy, put them into a cloth of blue wool, cover them with a covering of tachash skin, and put them onto a pole. יבוְלָֽקְחוּ֩ אֶת־כָּל־כְּלֵ֨י הַשָּׁרֵ֜ת אֲשֶׁ֧ר יְשָֽׁרְתוּ־בָ֣ם בַּקֹּ֗דֶשׁ וְנָֽתְנוּ֙ אֶל־בֶּ֣גֶד תְּכֵ֔לֶת וְכִסּ֣וּ אוֹתָ֔ם בְּמִכְסֵ֖ה ע֣וֹר תָּ֑חַשׁ וְנָֽתְנ֖וּ עַל־הַמּֽוֹט:
all the vessels used in the Holy: That is, within the Mishkan [as opposed to the courtyard], which is holy. These are the incense vessels with which they ministered on the inner altar.
את כל כלי השרת אשר ישרתו בם בקדש: בתוך המשכן שהוא קדש, והן כלי הקטרת שמשרתין בהם במזבח הפנימי:
13They shall remove the ashes from the altar and spread a cloth of purple wool over it. יגוְדִשְּׁנ֖וּ אֶת־הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ וּפָֽרְשׂ֣וּ עָלָ֔יו בֶּ֖גֶד אַרְגָּמָֽן:
They shall remove the ashes from the altar: The copper altar.
ודשנו את המזבח: מזבח הנחשת:
They shall remove: remove the ashes from upon [the altar].
ודשנו: יטלו את הדשן מעליו:
and spread a purple cloth over it: The fire that descended from heaven crouched under the cloth like a lion during their travels, but it did not burn it because they covered it with a large copper pot.
ופרשו עליו בגד ארגמן: ואש שירדה מן השמים רבוצה תחת הבגד כארי בשעת המסעות, ואינה שורפתו, שהיו כופין עליה פסכתר של נחשת:
14They shall place on it all the utensils with which they minister upon it: the scoops, the forks, the shovels, and the basins-all the implements of the altar. Then they shall spread over it a covering of tachash skin and set its poles into place. ידוְנָֽתְנ֣וּ עָ֠לָ֠יו אֶת־כָּל־כֵּלָ֞יו אֲשֶׁ֣ר יְשָֽׁרְת֧וּ עָלָ֣יו בָּהֶ֗ם אֶת־הַמַּחְתֹּ֤ת אֶת־הַמִּזְלָגֹת֙ וְאֶת־הַיָּעִ֣ים וְאֶת־הַמִּזְרָקֹ֔ת כֹּ֖ל כְּלֵ֣י הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ וּפָֽרְשׂ֣וּ עָלָ֗יו כְּס֛וּי ע֥וֹר תַּ֖חַשׁ וְשָׂמ֥וּ בַדָּֽיו:
scoops: Heb. מַחְתֹּת, with which they raked (חוֹתִין) the coals during the separation of the ashes. It was shaped like a three-sided pan, and the coals were gathered up with its front end.
מחתת: שבהן חותים גחלים לתרומת הדשן, שעשויה כמין מחבת שאין לה אלא שלש מחיצות, ומלפניה שואבת את הגחלים:
forks: Heb. מִזְלָגֹת, copper hooks used to prod the limbs on the altar and turn them over, so they would be consumed properly and quickly.
מזלגות: צנוריות של נחשת שבהן מכין באברים שעל המזבח להפכן כדי שיתעכלו יפה ומהר:
shovels: Heb. יָעִים. These were shovels, in Old French, videl , which were made of copper and used to sweep the ashes off the altar.
יעים: הם מגרפות ובלע"ז ודי"ל [מגרפה] והן של נחושת ובהן מכבדין את הדשן מעל המזבח:
15Aaron and his sons shall finish covering the Holy and all the vessels of the Holy when the camp is set to travel, and following that, the sons of Kohath shall come to carry [them], but they shall not touch the sacred objects for [then] they will die. These are the burden of the sons of Kohath for the Tent of Meeting. טווְכִלָּ֣ה אַֽהֲרֹן־וּ֠בָנָ֠יו לְכַסֹּ֨ת אֶת־הַקֹּ֜דֶשׁ וְאֶת־כָּל־כְּלֵ֣י הַקֹּ֘דֶשׁ֘ בִּנְסֹ֣עַ הַמַּֽחֲנֶה֒ וְאַֽחֲרֵי־כֵ֗ן יָבֹ֤אוּ בְנֵֽי־קְהָת֙ לָשֵׂ֔את וְלֹֽא־יִגְּע֥וּ אֶל־הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ וָמֵ֑תוּ אֵ֛לֶּה מַשָּׂ֥א בְנֵֽי־קְהָ֖ת בְּאֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד:
the covering of the Holy: The ark and the altar.
לכסת את הקדש: הארון והמזבח:
vessels of the Holy: The menorah and the service utensils.
ואת כל כלי הקדש: המנורה וכלי שרת:
they will die: If they touch [the sacred objects] they are punishable by death at the hands of heaven.
ומתו: שאם יגעו חייבין מיתה בידי שמים:
16The charge of Eleazar the son of Aaron the kohen: oil for lighting, the incense of spices, the continual [daily] meal offering, and the anointing oil; the charge for the entire Mishkan and all that is in it, of the Holy and its furnishings. טזוּפְקֻדַּ֞ת אֶלְעָזָ֣ר | בֶּן־אַֽהֲרֹ֣ן הַכֹּהֵ֗ן שֶׁ֤מֶן הַמָּאוֹר֙ וּקְטֹ֣רֶת הַסַּמִּ֔ים וּמִנְחַ֥ת הַתָּמִ֖יד וְשֶׁ֣מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָ֑ה פְּקֻדַּ֗ת כָּל־הַמִּשְׁכָּן֙ וְכָל־אֲשֶׁר־בּ֔וֹ בְּקֹ֖דֶשׁ וּבְכֵלָֽיו:
The charge of Eleazar: who was assigned to carry them: the oil, the incense, and the anointing oil.
ופקדת אלעזר: שהוא ממונה עליהם לשאת אותם, שמן וקטרת ושמן המשחה:
the continual [daily] meal offering: His duty was to issue orders, to urge [the other workers] so that it be sacrificed at the time of their encampment.
ומנחת התמיד: עליו מוטל לצוות ולזרז ולהקריב בעת חנייתן:
the charge for the entire Mishkan: He was also appointed over the load [assigned to] the children of Kohath, to direct each man as to his task and burden, and this is [what the verse means when it says] “the… Mishkan and all that is in it” - all the items mentioned above, in this section. But the burden of the sons of Gershon and Merari, which did not consist of the Holy of Holies, was by order of Ithamar, as written in the portion of Naso.
פקדת כל המשכן: ועוד היה ממונה על משא בני קהת לצוות איש איש על עבודתו ועל משאו, והוא המשכן וכל אשר בו, כל הסדורים למעלה בפרשה זו, אבל משא בני גרשון ומררי שאינן מקדש הקדשים, על פי איתמר היה, כמו שכתוב בפרשת נשא (פסוק כח):
17The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron saying: יזוַיְדַבֵּ֣ר יְהוָֹ֔ה אֶל־משֶׁ֥ה וְאֶל־אַֽהֲרֹ֖ן לֵאמֹֽר:
18Do not cause the tribe of the families of Kohath to be cut off from among the Levites. יחאַל־תַּכְרִ֕יתוּ אֶת־שֵׁ֖בֶט מִשְׁפְּחֹ֣ת הַקְּהָתִ֑י מִתּ֖וֹךְ הַֽלְוִיִּֽם:
Do not cause… to be cut off: Do not cause them to die.
אל תכריתו: אל תגרמו להם שימותו:
19Do this for them, so they should live and not die, when they approach the Holy of Holies. Aaron and his sons shall first come and appoint each man individually to his task and his load. יטוְזֹ֣את | עֲשׂ֣וּ לָהֶ֗ם וְחָיוּ֙ וְלֹ֣א יָמֻ֔תוּ בְּגִשְׁתָּ֖ם אֶת־קֹ֣דֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁ֑ים אַֽהֲרֹ֤ן וּבָנָיו֙ יָבֹ֔אוּ וְשָׂמ֣וּ אוֹתָ֗ם אִ֥ישׁ אִ֛ישׁ עַל־עֲבֹֽדָת֖וֹ וְאֶל־מַשָּׂאֽוֹ:
20They shall not come in to see when the holy [vessels] are being wrapped up, lest they die. כוְלֹֽא־יָבֹ֧אוּ לִרְא֛וֹת כְּבַלַּ֥ע אֶת־הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ וָמֵֽתוּ:
They shall not come in to see when the holy [vessels] are being wrapped up: In their covering, as I explained above in this section: They shall spread such and such a cloth over it, and cover it with such and such a cover. The wrapping up of it [mentioned here] is identical with the covering [mentioned above].
ולא יבאו לראות כבלע את הקדש: לתוך נרתק שלו, כמו שפירשתי למעלה (פסוק ה) בפרשה זו, ופרשו עליו בגד פלוני וכסו אותו במכסה פלוני, ובלוע שלו הוא כסויו:
Daily Tehillim: Chapters 29 - 34• Hebrew text
• English text• Chapter 29
The Name of God appears eighteen times in this psalm, corresponding to which our Sages established eighteen blessings-the Amidah. The entire psalm can be interpreted as referring to the giving of the Torah and the ingathering of the exiles.
1. A psalm by David. Render to the Lord, children of the mighty, render to the Lord honor and strength.
2. Render to the Lord the honor due to His Name; bow down to the Lord in resplendent holiness.
3. The voice of the Lord is over the waters, the God of glory thunders; the Lord is over mighty waters.
4. The voice of the Lord resounds with might; the voice of the Lord resounds with majesty.
5. The voice of the Lord breaks cedars; the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon.
6. He makes them leap like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7. The voice of the Lord strikes flames of fire.
8. The voice of the Lord makes the desert tremble; the Lord causes the desert of Kadesh to tremble.
9. The voice of the Lord causes the does to calve, and strips the forests bare; and in His Sanctuary all proclaim His glory.
10. The Lord sat [as King] at the Flood; the Lord will sit as King forever.
11. The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.
Chapter 30
This psalm teaches one not to be distressed if God visits suffering upon him in this world, for only through suffering can one enter the World to Come. Even one of great spiritual stature should realize that his stability is not guaranteed, but that all is in the hands of God.
1. A psalm, a song of dedication of the House, by David.
2. I exalt You, Lord, for You have uplifted me, and did not allow my enemies to rejoice over me.
3. Lord, my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me.
4. Lord, You have brought up my soul from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not descend to the pit.
5. Sing to the Lord, you His pious ones, and praise His holy Name.
6. For His wrath endures but for a moment, when He is conciliated there is [long] life; when one retires at night weeping, joy will come in the morning.
7. In my security I thought, "I shall never falter.”
8. Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong; when You concealed Your countenance I was alarmed.
9. I called to You, O Lord, and I made supplication to my Lord:
10. What profit is there in my death, in my going down to the grave? Can dust praise You? Can it proclaim Your truth
11. Lord, hear and be gracious to me; Lord, be a help to me.
12. You have turned my mourning into dancing; You have undone my sackcloth and girded me with joy.
13. Therefore my soul shall sing to You, and not be silent; Lord my God, I will praise You forever.
Chapter 31
Composed by a destitute and oppressed David, running from Saul while placing his trust in God, this psalm instructs man to put his trust in God alone.
1. For the Conductor, a psalm by David.
2. In You I have taken shelter, O Lord, I shall never be shamed; rescue me in Your righteousness.
3. Turn Your ear to me, save me quickly; be to me a rock of refuge, a fortress to deliver me.
4. For You are my rock and my fortress; for the sake of Your Name, direct me and lead me.
5. Remove me from the net they planted for me, for You are my stronghold.
6. I entrust my spirit into Your hand; You will redeem me, Lord, God of truth.
7. I despise those who anticipate worthless vanities; but I trust in the Lord.
8. I will rejoice and delight in Your kindness, for You have seen my affliction; You know the troubles of my soul.
9. You have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet on spacious ground.
10. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from vexation-my soul and my stomach.
11. For my life is spent in sorrow, my years in sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones are wasted away.
12. Because of my adversaries I have become a disgrace-exceedingly to my neighbors, and a dread to my friends; those who see me outside flee from me.
13. Like a dead man, I was forgotten from the heart; I became like a lost vessel.
14. For I have heard the slander of many, terror on every side, when they assembled together against me and plotted to take my life.
15. But I trusted in You, O Lord; I said, "You are my God.”
16. My times are in Your hand; save me from the hands of my enemies and pursuers.
17. Shine Your countenance upon Your servant; deliver me in Your kindness.
18. O Lord, let me not be ashamed, for I have called You; let the wicked be shamed, let them be silent to the grave.
19. Let the lips of falsehood-which speak insolently against the righteous, with arrogance and contempt-be struck dumb.
20. How abundant is Your good that You have hidden for those who fear You; in the presence of man, You have acted for those who take refuge in You.
21. Conceal them from the haughtiness of man, in the shelter of Your countenance; hide them in a shelter from the strife of tongues.
22. Blessed is the Lord, for He has been wondrous in His kindness to me in a besieged city.
23. I said in my panic, "I am cut off from before Your eyes!" But in truth, You heard the voice of my pleas when I cried to You.
24. Love the Lord, all His pious ones! The Lord preserves the faithful, and repays with exactness those who act haughtily.
25. Be strong and fortify your hearts, all who put their hope in the Lord!
Chapter 32
This psalm speaks of forgiveness of sin, and of the good fortune of one who repents and confesses to God wholeheartedly.
1. By David, a maskil.1Fortunate is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2. Fortunate is the man to whom the Lord does not reckon his sin, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3. When I was silent, my limbs wore away through my wailing all day long.
4. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my marrow became [dry] as the droughts of summer, Selah.
5. My sin I made known to You, my iniquity I did not cover. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord," and You have forgiven the iniquity of my transgression forever.
6. For this let every pious man pray to You, at a time when You may be found; indeed, the flood of many waters will not reach him.
7. You are a refuge to me; protect me from distress; surround me with songs of deliverance forever.
8. I will enlighten you and educate you in the path you should go; I will advise you with what I have seen.
9. Be not like a horse, like a mule, senseless, that must be muzzled with bit and bridle when being adorned, so that it not come near you.
10. Many are the agonies of the wicked, but he who trusts in the Lord is surrounded by kindness.
11. Rejoice in the Lord and exult, you righteous ones! Sing joyously, all you upright of heart!
FOOTNOTES
1.A psalm intended to enlighten and impart knowledge(Metzudot).
Chapter 33
This psalm teaches the righteous and upright to praise God. For the more one knows of the Torah's wisdom, the more should he praise God, for he knows and understands His greatness.
1. Sing joyously to the Lord, you righteous ones; it is fitting for the upright to offer praise.
2. Extol the Lord with a harp; sing to Him with a ten-stringed lyre.
3. Sing to Him a new song; play well with sounds of jubilation.
4. For the word of the Lord is just; all His deeds are done in faithfulness.
5. He loves righteousness and justice; the kindness of the Lord fills the earth.
6. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their hosts.
7. He gathers the waters of the sea like a mound; He places the deep waters in vaults.
8. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world tremble before Him.
9. For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it endured.
10. The Lord has annulled the counsel of nations; He has foiled the schemes of peoples.
11. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of His heart throughout all generations.
12. Fortunate is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose as a heritage for Himself.
13. The Lord looks down from heaven; He beholds all mankind.
14. From His dwelling-place He looks intently upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
15. It is He Who fashions the hearts of them all, Who perceives all their actions.
16. The king is not saved by a great army, nor a warrior rescued by great might.
17. The horse is a false guarantee for victory; with all its great strength it offers no escape.
18. But the eye of the Lord is directed toward those who fear Him, toward those who hope for His kindness,
19. to save their soul from death and to sustain them during famine.
20. Our soul yearns for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.
21. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, for we have put our trust in His Holy Name.
22. May Your kindness, Lord, be upon us, as we have placed our hope in You.
Chapter 34
This psalm tells of when David was in grave danger while at the palace of Achish, brother of Goliath. David acted like a madman, letting spittle run down his beard, and writing on the doors: "Achish, king of Gath, owes me one hundred thousand gold coins," leading Achish to eject him from the palace. In his joy, David composed this psalm in alphabetical sequence.
1. By David, when he feigned insanity before Avimelech,1 who then drove him away, and he left.
2. I bless the Lord at all times; His praise is always in my mouth.
3. My soul glories in the Lord; let the humble hear it and rejoice.
4. Exalt the Lord with me, and let us extol His Name together.
5. I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.
6. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never humiliated.
7. This poor man called, and the Lord heard; He delivered him from all his tribulations.
8. The angel of the Lord camps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.
9. Taste and see that the Lord is good; fortunate is the man who trusts in Him.
10. Fear the Lord, you His holy ones, for those who fear Him suffer no want.
11. Young lions may want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.
12. Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
13. Who is the man who desires life, who loves long life wherein to see goodness?
14. Guard your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.
15. Turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it.
16. The eyes of the Lord are directed toward the righteous, and His ears toward their cry.
17. The wrath of the Lord is upon the evildoers, to excise their memory from the earth.
18. But when they [repent and] cry out, the Lord hears, and saves them from all their troubles.
19. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted, and saves those with a crushed spirit.
20. Many are the afflictions of a righteous person, but the Lord rescues him from them all.
21. He protects all his bones; not one of them is broken.
22. Evil brings death upon the wicked, and the enemies of the righteous are condemned.
23. The Lord redeems the soul of His servants; all who take shelter in Him are not condemned.
FOOTNOTES
1.All Philistine kings are referred to by the name Avimelech (Rashi).
Tanya: Likutei Amarim, end of Chapter 53• Lessons in Tanya• English Text
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• Shabbat, Sivan 5, 5776 · June 11, 2016
• Likutei Amarim, end of Chapter 53
• The Alter Rebbe now concludes what he began to elucidate (in ch. 51) concerning the statement of the Yenuka in theZohar — that the light of the Shechinah which shines above the head of a person needs oil. The Yenuka concludes, “...and these are good deeds” — the oil is the performance of the mitzvot.
Rambam:
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In chassidic literature, however, oil traditionally refers to wisdom. What is the connection between the performance ofmitzvot — and wisdom, which is called oil?
The Alter Rebbe explains that the light of the Shechinah must garb itself in wisdom, which is oil. For (as previously explained) wisdom, or intellect, is the vessel and “garment” for the light of the Shechinah, which is — Chochmah as it is garbed in Torah.
Yet, in order to draw down the light of the Shechinah so that it will shine upon the divine soul of the Jew, more than oil is necessary; one must also have a wick. Oil is transformed into light through the medium of a wick. It is the wick, which itself is burned, which keeps the fire from being extinguished.
In spiritual terms the wick refers to the vivifying soul which provides the person with physical life. This wick is burned through Torah and mitzvot. Just as the physical wick burns and is annihilated by the fire, so do the garments of thought, speech and action of the vivifying soul become burned in the light of the Shechinah through the Torah and mitzvot which a Jew studies and performs.
It is for this reason that the oil must also consist of “good deeds,” mitzvot, which have their source in G‑d’s wisdom; Torah alone (even though it is itself wisdom) does not suffice. For only through the action required by the mitzvot will the light of the Shechinah be drawn down into the wick — the vivifying soul. This is accomplished when the vivifying soul is burned thoroughly in the light of the Shechinah which shines on one’s head.
וזה שאמר הינוקא, דנהורא עילאה דאדליק על רישיה, היא שכינתא, איצטריך למשחא
And this is what the Yenuka in Zohar, quoted in ch. 35, meant when he said that “the Supernal light that is kindled on his (the Jew’s) head, namely, the Shechinah, requires oil,”
פירוש: להתלבש בחכמה, הנקראת שמן משחת קדש, כמו שכתוב בזהר
that is, to be clothed in wisdom, which is called “the oil of the holy anointing” — and “holy” signifiesChochmah, or wisdom, as is explained in the Zohar,
Thus, the light of the Shechinah which is upon one’s head is in need of oil, i.e., it must be garbed in Chochmah, for that is the vessel for the light of the Shechinah. The Zohar then quotes the conclusion of the statement of the Yenuka:
ואינון עובדין טבין, הן תרי״ג מצות, הנמשכות מחכמתו יתברך
“and these are the good deeds,” namely, the 613 commandments, which derive from His wisdom.
Torah, which is itself oil, does not suffice; there must also be good deeds — the performance of the mitzvot, although they are only drawn down from wisdom.
כדי לאחוז אור השכינה בפתילה, היא נפש החיונית שבגוף, הנקראת פתילה על דרך משל, כי כמו שבנר הגשמי האור מאיר על ידי כליון ושריפת הפתילה הנהפכת לאש, כך אור השכינה שורה על נפש האלקית
Thereby the light of the Shechinah can cling to the wick, i.e., the vivifying soul in the body, which is metaphorically called a “wick”. For just as in the case of a material candle, the light shines by virtue of the annihilation and burning of the wick turning to fire, so does the light of the Shechinah rest on the divine soul, which is the candle (“The soul of man is the candle of the L‑rd”),
על ידי כליון נפש הבהמית והתהפכותה מחשוכא לנהורא וממרירו למתקא, בצדיקים
as a result of the annihilation of the animal soul and its transformation from darkness of kelipah to light of holiness, and from bitterness of kelipat nogah to sweetness of holiness, in the case of the righteous — fortzaddikim (as mentioned in ch. 10) are those who transform the essence of the animal soul, its intellect and emotion, from evil into goodness and holiness,
או לפחות על ידי כליון לבושיה, שהן מחשבה דבור ומעשה
or at least through the destruction of its garments, which are thought, speech and action — which previously were garments of the vivifying soul, which is a soul of kelipah,
והתהפכותן מחשך הקליפות לאור ה׳ אין סוף ברוך הוא, המלובש ומיוחד במחשבה דבור ומעשה של תרי״ג מצות התורה, בבינונים
and their transformation from the darkness of the kelipot to the Divine light of the Ein Sof, which is clothed and united in the thought, speech and action of the 613 commandments of the Torah, in the case of the Beinonim.
Beinonim, as explained in ch. 12, do not transform the essence of the vivifying soul into goodness and holiness. Only the soul-garments of thought, speech and action are transformed to goodness through being utilized for the thought, speech and action of the Torah and the mitzvot. In this sense the wick of the vivifying soul is annihilated, and is transformed into the light of holiness.
כי על ידי התהפכות נפש הבהמית, הבאה מקליפת נוגה, מחשוכא לנהורא וכו׳, נעשה בחינת העלאת מ״ן
For as a result of the transformation of the animal soul, originating from kelipat nogah, from the darknessof kelipot, to the light of holiness, and so forth, there is brought about the so-called “ascent of the feminine waters” — the spiritual awakening on the initiative of the recipient, which in turn causes an arousal Above,
להמשיך אור השכינה, היא בחינת גילוי אור אין סוף ברוך הוא, על נפשו האלקית שבמוחין שבראשו
to draw down the light of the Shechinah (not only like the oil of Chochmah and Torah which is but a vessel for receiving the light of the Shechinah, but actually drawing down the light of the Shechinah), i.e., revealed light of theEin Sof, over one’s divine soul principally dwelling in the brain of the head.
This is why the Yenuka says, “The Supernal light that is kindled over one’s head requires oil,” for the light that is over one’s head and “intelligence” is in need of the oil of the “good deeds.”
ובזה יובן היטב מה שכתוב: כי ה׳ אלקיך אש אוכלה הוא
Thereby one may clearly understand the text,1 “For the L‑rd Your G‑d is a consuming fire,”
Just as fire can only catch on an object when that object is being consumed by it, so, too, regarding the light of theShechinah. In order for G‑d to become “your G‑d,” illuminating the Jew’s soul, there must be consumption by fire — burning and annihilating the wick of the vivifying soul, so that this soul of kelipah be transformed into the fire of holiness.
וכמו שכתוב במקום אחר
as is explained elsewhere2 — that only when a Jew succeeds in nullifying himself to G‑d in a manner where he ceases to exist as an independent entity, and is consumed in the flames of G‑dliness, — only then will he draw down upon himself the light of the Shechinah.
נשלם חלק ראשון בעזרת ה׳ יתברך ויתעלה
CONCLUSION OF THE FIRST PART, WITH THE HELP OF G-D, MAY HE BE BLESSED AND EXALTED
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. | Devarim 4:24. |
| 2. | Note of the Rebbe: “This possibly refers to what appears in Likkutei Torah, beginning of Acharei.” |
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• Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
Important Message Regarding This Lesson
The Daily Mitzvah schedule runs parallel to the daily study of 3 chapters of Maimonides' 14-volume code. There are instances when the Mitzvah is repeated a few days consecutively while the exploration of the same Mitzvah continues in the in-depth track.
Positive Commandment 108
The Purifying Waters of the Red Heifer
We are commanded regarding the laws of the Mei Nidah [the waters in which the ashes of the Red Heifer have been mixed]; the conditions under which they purify [one who is ritually impure as a result of contact with a corpse] and the conditions under which they cause ritual impurity [to the one who handles them].
Full text of this Mitzvah »
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
Important Message Regarding This Lesson
The Daily Mitzvah schedule runs parallel to the daily study of 3 chapters of Maimonides' 14-volume code. There are instances when the Mitzvah is repeated a few days consecutively while the exploration of the same Mitzvah continues in the in-depth track.
Positive Commandment 108
The Purifying Waters of the Red Heifer
We are commanded regarding the laws of the Mei Nidah [the waters in which the ashes of the Red Heifer have been mixed]; the conditions under which they purify [one who is ritually impure as a result of contact with a corpse] and the conditions under which they cause ritual impurity [to the one who handles them].
Full text of this Mitzvah »
• The Purifying Waters of the Red Heifer
Positive Commandment 108
Translated by Berel Bell
The 108th mitzvah is that we are commanded to follow the laws regarding mei niddah:1 that in some cases it will make [something which was previously tameh] tahor, and in other cases make [something which was previously tahor] tameh, as explained in the section dealing with this mitzvah.2
You should be aware that the 13 forms of tumah listed above3 — namely, neveilah, sheratzim, foods, niddah, a woman who has given birth, a leprous person, a leprous garment, a leprous house, zav, zavah, semen, a deadly body, and mei niddah — as well as the purification procedure for each, are all explicitly stated in Scripture. Each mitzvah contains numerous verses, laws and conditions, as written in the Torah portions Vay'hi BaYom HaShemini,4 Ishah Ki Tazriah,5 Zos Tihiyeh,6 and Vayik'chu Eilechah Parah Adumah.7 These four Torah portions contain all the verses which speak of the forms of tumah.
However, the laws governing these forms of tumah in general, and the details regarding each one in particular are all found in Seder Taharos. Some categories are covered in particular tractates, such as tractate Taharos, Machshirim and Uktzin. These three tractates deal solely with, and were written to explain the tumah of foods. Any mention of other forms of tumah is incidental. Tractate Niddah includes the laws of tumas niddah, zavah, and a woman who has given birth. Tractate Kerisus also contains some laws of a woman who has given birth. Tractate Negaim contains the laws of leprous people, garments and houses. Tractate Zavim contains the laws regarding a zav, zavah and semen. Tractate Ohalos contains the laws of tumas meis. Tractate Parah contains the laws of mei niddah — when it conveys tumah and when taharah.
The tumah of neveilah and sheretz, however, are not limited to any particular tractates. Their laws are scattered throughout this Seder [i.e. Taharos], mostly and primarily in Keilim and Taharos. Tractate Ediyos also deals with many questions of this sort.
We have already written a commentary on this entire Sefer, i.e. Taharos,8 that makes it unnecessary to consult any other book for anything related to tumah and taharah.
FOOTNOTES
1.Well water which has the ashes of the red heifer mixed in. See P113.
2.See Hilchos Parah Adumah, Ch. 15. In general, when sprinkled on a person who is tameh, it will make him tahor. If the person was tahor, and the water was not yet used, it will make him tameh.
3.In the order of Sefer HaMitzvos, this mitzvah is the last among the forms of tumah (P96 — P108). In general, the Rambam writes by each mitzvah where in the Mishneh or Gemara it is discussed. Here, the Rambam lists the sources for all 13 mitzvos together.
4.Lev. 11.
5.Ibid., 12-13.
6.Ibid., 14-15.
7.Num. 19.
8.I.e. the Rambam's commentary to the Mishneh.
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Halacha 1
A person who breaks a bone in a pure Paschal sacrifice is liable for lashes, as Exodus 12:46 states: "You shall not break a bone in it." And with regard to the second Paschal sacrifice, Numbers 9:12 states: "He shall not break a bone in it."
When, however, the Paschal sacrifice is brought in a state of impurity, one is not liable for lashes. According to the Oral Tradition, it was taught: "You shall not break in it," i.e., in a pure sacrifice, not an impure one.
Whether one breaks a bone of the Paschal sacrifice on the night of the fifteenth of Nisan, while it is still day on the fourteenth, or even after several days, he is liable for lashes.
Halacha 2
For this reason, the bones of the Paschal sacrifice are burnt with the remainder of its meat so that they will not cause misfortune.
Halacha 3
One is liable only for breaking a bone upon which there was an olive-sized portion of meat or which contains marrow. If, by contrast, a bone does not contain marrow and there is not an olive-sized portion of meat upon it, one is not liable for breaking it. If there was an olive-sized portion of meat on a bone, but one broke it in a place where they is no meat, he is liable, even though there is no meat where he broke the bone.
Halacha 4
When one breaks a bone that is already broken, he is liable for lashes.
Halacha 5
When one burns the bones of a Paschal sacrifice or cuts its sinews, he is not liable for breaking a bone.
Halacha 6
When a Paschal sacrifice was lightly roasted or cooked and one broke a bone, he is liable for lashes. Even if it was disqualified because it contracted impurity, it was taken out of the home where it is being eaten, or the like, the prohibition against breaking its bones applies.
When does the above apply? When there was a time the Paschal sacrifice was acceptable and it was disqualified. If, however, there was never a time when it was acceptable, e.g., it became piggul or was brought with a disqualifying intent concerning time or with a disqualifying intent concerning the type of sacrifice, the prohibition against breaking a bone does not apply.
Halacha 7
If one breaks the bone of the fat-tail, he is not liable, because it is not fit to be eaten.
Halacha 8
Cartilage which is like soft bones are permitted to be eaten.
Halacha 9
If the Paschal sacrifice was a small and tender kid goat whose bones are soft, they may not be eaten, because that is considered as breaking a bone. If one partakes of them he is liable for lashes, for the liability applies equally whether one breaks a firm bone or a soft bone,
This is the general principle: Whatever could be eaten in a large ox after it has been cooked may be eaten in a tender kid after it has been roasted, e.g., the cartilage around the joints and similar types of body tissue.
Halacha 10
Soft sinews that will ultimately become firm, even though they are fit to be eaten at the time and may be eaten from the Paschal sacrifice, they are not considered when enumerating people on the sacrifice. Persons may be enumerated because of the brain in the head, because it is possible to remove it without breaking a bone. One may not be enumerated on the marrow in the hip bone - it is bone closed on both sides - because it is impossible to remove the marrow without breaking a bone.
Halacha 11
When a person partakes of the Paschal sacrifice, he should cut off the meat and partake of it. He may cut off the bones at the joints and separate them if he desires.
When he reaches the sciatic nerve, he should remove it and place it with the remainder of sinews, bones, and membranes which are removed at the time of eating. It is not removed previously, as is done with regard to other meat.
The Paschal sacrifice should not be cut into pieces before it is roasted. Instead, it is roasted whole. If it was cut into pieces, it is acceptable, provided it is not lacking a limb.
A person should endeavor that none of the meat of the Paschal sacrifice remain until the morning, as Exodus 12:10 states: "Do not leave over any of it until the morning." Similarly, with regard to the second Paschal sacrifice,Numbers 9:12 states: "Do not have any of it remain until the morning." If one left some over, whether from the first Paschal sacrifice or the second, he violates a negative commandment. He is not liable for lashes for this commandment, because it can be corrected by a positive commandment,asExodus 12:10 states: "What remains from it, you shall burn in fire."
Halacha 12
When the first Paschal sacrifice is offered, a peace-offering is sacrificed with it on the fourteenth of Nissan from cattle or from sheep, whether a large animal or a small one, like all other peace-offerings. It is called the festive-offering of the fourteenth. This is the intent of the Torah's statementDeuteronomy 16:2: "And you bring a Paschal offering to God your Lord from sheep and from cattle."
When is this festive-offering brought? When the Paschal sacrifice is offered during the week, in a state of ritual purity, and when there is a lack of Paschal sacrifices.If, however, the fourteenth of Nisan falls on the Sabbath,it is offered in a state of ritual impurity, or there are ample offerings, the festive offering is not brought with it. Instead, only the Paschal sacrifices are brought.
Halacha 13
The festive offering brought on the fourteenth is a voluntary matter; it is not an obligation. It may be eaten for two days and one night like all other peace-offerings. It is forbidden to leave over the meat of the festive offering of the fourteenth until the third day, as Deuteronomy 16:4 states: "Do not leave any of the meat that you will sacrifice in the evening for the first day until the morning."According to the Oral Tradition, it was taught that this is a warning for a person who leaves over the meat of the festive offering of the fourteenth until the sixteenth. The term "until the morning" means until the morning of the second day. One who leaves over the meat is not liable for lashes. Instead, he should burn the left over meat in the same manner as meat left over from other sacrifices is burnt.
Halacha 14
The meat of the festive offering that was served on the table with the Paschal sacrifice and similarly, the other cooked dishes served with it should be burnt with it. They may only be eaten until midnight like the Paschal sacrifice itself. This is a decree lest a mixture occur.
Halacha 15
What are the differences between the first Paschal sacrifice and the second Paschal sacrifice? At the time of the first, chametz is forbidden to be seen or possessed in one's domain. It may not be slaughtered while one is in possession of chametz. Its meat may not be removed from the company in which it was designated to be eaten. The Hallel must be recited when it is eaten. A festive offering is brought with it. It may be brought in a state of impurity if the majority of the people are impure because of contact with a human corpse, as we explained.
With regard to the second Paschal sacrifice, by contrast, both chametz andmatzah may be possessed by the person at home. Hallel is not recited while partaking of it. It may be taken out of the company in which it was designated to be eaten. A festive offering is not brought with it and it may not be brought in a state of impurity.
Both are alike in that offering them supersedes the Sabbath prohibitions. Hallelis recited when they are offered. They are eaten roastedin one house together with matzah and bitter herbs. In neither instance may their meat be left over until the next morning, nor may their bones may be broken.
Why does the second Paschal sacrifice not resemble the first in all matters, as might be expected since Numbers 9:12 states with regard to the second Paschal sacrifice: "It shall be offered according to all the statutes of the Paschal sacrifice"? Because some of the statutes of the Paschal sacrifice are explicitly mentioned with regard to it. This teaches that it is analogous to the first only in those matters which are stated explicitly regarding it. They are the mitzvot that concern the body of the sacrifice. They are "the statutes of the Paschal sacrifice" included in the general category.
The statements regarding the offering of the Paschal sacrifice in Egypt: that it should be set aside on the tenth of the month, that its blood should be applied to the lintel and the two doorposts with a bunch of hyssop, and that it should be eaten with haste, are not practices that are followed in future generations. They were observed only with regard to the Paschal sacrifice offered in Egypt.
Blessed be the Merciful One Who grants assistance.
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Halacha 1
How is a person who is impure because of contact with a human corpse purified by the water of sprinkling? A person who is pure takes three stalks of hyssop and binds them with one bond. Each stalk should have at least one bud. He should dip the top of the buds in the sprinkling water while it is in a container, focus his intent, and sprinkle it on the impure person or utensil on the third and seventh days after sunrise. If one sprinkled after dawn, it is acceptable. After the water has been sprinkled on a person on the seventh day, he should immerse in a mikveh during the day, wait until nightfall, and then, in the evening, he is pure.
If one dipped the hyssop [in the water] at night and sprinkled it during the day or dipped it [into the water] during the day and sprinkled it at night, the sprinkling is invalid. Moreover, the water imparts impurity just as the water of the ashes of the red heifer does, as will be explained.1 [The sprinkling is not valid] unless the hyssop is dipped in the water and it is sprinkled from it on the third and seventh days after sunrise. If one transgressed and performed [these activities] after dawn, it is acceptable, as explained [above].
Halacha 2
When a person became impure due to a corpse and remained several days without having the water sprinkled upon him, when he comes to have the water sprinkled upon him, he should count three days in our presence. The water is sprinkled upon him on the third and seventh days. He immerses in amikveh on the seventh day and waits until nightfall.
To whom does the above apply? To a common person who comes to have the water sprinkled upon him. Even if he says that this is the third day after he contracted impurity, his word is not accepted, for perhaps he became impure on this day. Therefore, he must count the days in our presence. If, by contrast, a chaver comes to have the water sprinkled upon him, it may be sprinkled on him and his implements immediately.
When such water was sprinkled on a person on the third day, but it was not sprinkled upon him on the seventh day, he may immerse in a mikvehwhenever he desires after the seventh day, whether during the night or during the day and the water should be sprinkled on him during the day, whether before immersion or after immersion. Even if he immersed on the night of the ninth day or the night of the tenth day, the water may be sprinkled on him on the following day after sunrise.
Halacha 3
It is acceptable for all of those who are impure to have this water sprinkled upon them. What is implied? The water may be sprinkled on zavim, zavot, women in the niddah state, women impure because of childbirth, on the third and seventh days after they contract the ritual impurity connected with a human corpse. After the sprinkling, they are purified from that impurity although they are still impure because of another type of impurity, as implied by Numbers 19:19: "And the pure person shall sprinkle on the impure," i.e., one may derive that the sprinkling is effective for him even though he is impure.
Similarly, a person who is uncircumcised may have this water sprinkled upon him. What is implied? If an uncircumcised person contracted the impurity connected with a corpse and had the water sprinkled upon him on the third and seventh days, he is pure from this impurity. When he is circumcised, he must immerse himself and may eat sacrificial foods in the evening.
Halacha 4
The optimum way of fulfilling the mitzvah of the hyssop is to use three stalks and for each stalk to have one bud. If at first there were three buds and then only two remained or if one took two at first and bound them together, it is acceptable. Should the buds open and the leaves fall off, even if only the slightest portion of each remain, it is acceptable, because as long as the smallest amount remains from a hyssop, it is acceptable.
When a stalk has three buds, one should separate one from the other and afterwards, bind them together, for the mitzvah is for them to be bound, even though this is not explicitly stated in the Torah. If one separated them, but did not bind them, or bound them without separating them, or used them for sprinkling without separating them or binding them, the sprinklingis valid.
When a hyssop is short, one should bind it with a string on a weaving needle or the like, dip it into the water, lift it up, and then hold the hyssop in one's hand and sprinkle with it. If he did not do so, but instead, sprinkled with it while bound to the needle and he was uncertain whether he sprinkled from the string, from the needle, or from the bud, the sprinkling is invalid.
Halacha 5
One should not sprinkle with underdeveloped stalks of hyssop, nor with the seed pods, but with stalks. This is what is meant by underdeveloped stalks: stalks which have not reached maturity. Nevertheless, if the water of the ashes of the red heifer was sprinkled on a person with an underdeveloped hyssop and that person entered the Temple, he is not liable.
From which point should a hyssop be used for sprinkling? From the time it buds. When a hyssop has been used for the sprinkling this water, it may be used to purify a person afflicted by tzara'at.
Whenever a hyssop is described by an additional term, it is not acceptable. The hyssop that is called a hyssop alone is the one which is acceptable. It is the hyssop that is eaten domestically. The species which are called Greek hyssop, red hyssop, desert hyssop, or Roman hyssop are invalid.
Halacha 6
A hyssop that was worshiped as an asherah, came from a city that was led astray, belonged to a false deity, or came from impure terumah, is invalid. If it comes from pure terumah, as an initial preference, one should not sprinkle with it. If one did, the sprinkling is acceptable.
Halacha 7
When a hyssop was gathered to be used for kindling and liquids fell upon it, one may dry it, and it will remain acceptable for sprinkling. If it was reaped for use as food, even if the water was dried, it is unacceptable, because it is considered as impure for sprinkling. For all liquids, foods, and implements are considered as impure with regard to the purification process using the water of the ashes of the red heifer, as will be explained. If a hyssop was reaped to use for the purification process, it is as if it was reaped for kindling. Thus if a liquid fell on it, it may be dried and used for sprinkling.
FOOTNOTES
1.
As indicated by Chapter 15, Halachah 1, the water from an invalid sprinkling imparts impurity.
Parah Adummah - Chapter 12
Halacha 1
When the water of the ashes of the red heifer was sprinkled on a person who became impure due to contact with a human corpse, if even the slightest amount of the water touches any portion of the body of the impure person, the sprinkling is effective. This applies even if the sprinkling fell on the tips of his fingers or on the tip of his lips. If, however, the water touched his tongue, it is of no consequence. Even though the tongue is considered as a revealed organ with regard to contracting ritual impurity, as we explained, it is not considered as one of the revealed organs with regard to sprinkling and immersion.
Similarly, when an k'li contracted impurity from a corpse and the water was sprinkled on it, if even the slightest amount of the sprinkling water touches the body of the k'li, the sprinkling is effective.
Halacha 2
When one intended to sprinkle on two keilim or two people at the same time and one sprinkled water on one of them and then it dripped from the first to the second, the second remains impure until water falls upon him from the sprinkling and not from the concentration of water in another place.
If one sprinkled on two keilim and one was in doubt whether he sprinkled on both at once or the water dripped from one to the other, the sprinkling is invalid.
Halacha 3
When a needle was placed on a shard and one intended to sprinkle water on it, but a doubt arouse whether he sprinkled on the needle or the water dripped on it from the shard, the sprinkling is invalid.
Halacha 4
The following laws apply when there are keilim that have several parts which are connected to each other with nails, e.g., a scissors that comes apart, the blade of a plane, or the like. At the time of work, they are considered as joined, with regard to both impurity and sprinkling. When work is not being performed with them, neither is considered as joined to the other.
What is meant by saying that they are considered as joined, with regard to both impurity and sprinkling? That if one of the parts contracts impurity at the time work is being performed, the second also contracts impurity. Conversely, if water was sprinkled on one while work was being performed with them, the sprinkling is also effective with regard to the other and it is as if they are a single entity.
What is meant by saying that they are not considered as joined, with regard to both impurity and sprinkling? That if one contracts impurity while work is not being performed with it, the other does not contract impurity. And if both had contracted impurity and one sprinkled the water on one at a time when work was not being performed, the other does not become pure, even though they were joined together at that time.
This is the Scriptural Law. According to Rabbinic Law, however, it was decreed that they should be considered as joined with regard to impurity even at a time when work was not being performed. This decree was instituted as a safeguard for the law applying when work was being performed. Whenever impurity touches one of them, the other also becomes impure.
They also decreed that they should not be considered as joined with regard to sprinkling, even at a time when work was being performed. This decree was instituted as a safeguard for the law applying when work was not being performed. Whenever one sprinkles the water on one of them, the other does not regain purity until the water is also sprinkled on the other. From this, it can be inferred that whenever it is mentioned that two entities are considered as joined with regard to impurity, but not with regard to sprinkling, this is merely a Rabbinic decree, following the pattern explained above.
Halacha 5
When two articles are joined together to the extent that they are considered as a single entity, e.g., one sewed together two garments or two parchments, they are considered as joined for both impurity and sprinkling, because they are a single entity.
Halacha 6
A launderer's sewing and a garment that is sewn with a forbidden mixture of fabrics that are about to be separated are not considered as joined with regard to sprinkling, but are considered as joined with regard to impurity.
Baskets joined as a carrier, a threshing utensil, the feet of a bed, drinking horns of travelers, and a chain of keys, are considered as joined with regard to impurity, but are not considered as joined with regard to sprinkling. Instead, the water that is sprinkled must reach each individual basket, each individual key, each individual horn, and every beam of the bed that is assembled.
Halacha 7
When a person joins three blankets of linen or six of wool or three sheets or twelve keys, they are considered as joined with regard both to impurity and sprinkling. Any more than the above quantities are considered as joined with regard to impurity, but are not considered as joined with regard to sprinkling. One cloak, one garment, and one klubkerin, are considered as joined with regard to impurity and sprinkling, even if they are very long or very wide, no matter how large they are.
What is a klubkerin? Two garments are taken. Cotton is placed between them as a lining and then they are sewn together as one and worn as an outer garment for the winter.
Halacha 8
When the covering of a samovar is connected by chains, when one sprinkles on the samovar, everything is purified. If one sprinkled on the cover, one did not purify the samovar. It is necessary to sprinkle on it directly.
Halacha 9
A bell and its clanger are considered as joined with regard both to impurity and sprinkling. If one sprinkled on one of them, they both regain their purity.
Halacha 10
A spindle on which flax is spun or ropes are made is composed of three parts: a) the rod around which the thread is wound; it is called a kush;
b) the copper or iron hook at the top of the rod with which one spins and makes threads; it is called a tzinorah;
c) the ball that is in the center of the rod; it is called the pika.
When the spindle on which ropes are wound becomes impure, one should not sprinkle on the pika or the kush, only on the tzinora. After the fact, if one sprinkled on one of the three, everything is purified. If a spindle is used for flax, one may sprinkle on any of the three as an initial preference, for the three are joined together.
Halacha 11
A piece of leather used to cover a cradle that is connected by buttons is considered as joined with regard both to impurity and sprinkling. The wooden frame placed on top of a bed is not considered as joined, neither with regard to impurity, nor with regard to sprinkling.
Halacha 12
All of the hollow handles of keilim - e.g., a knife handle and the like, i.e., the handle has an opening and the iron shaft enters it - are considered as joined with regard both to impurity and sprinkling. All protruding handles - e.g., the handle of a javelin in which a portion of the wood is inserted into the iron shaft - are not considered as joined with regard to sprinkling.
Parah Adummah - Chapter 13
Halacha 1
Exra stringencies were instituted with regard to the purification process involving the ashes of the red heifer. A person who was pure - even if he immersed himself in a mikveh for the sake of sacrificial service and stood and served on the altar - is not pure with regard to the purification process involving the ashes of the red heifer, nor with regard to the burning of the red heifer, drawing its water, sanctifying it, or sprinkling it unless he immerses himself for the sake of the purification process involving the ashes of the red heifer. Afterwards, he is considered pure for that purpose.
Similarly, keilim - even a receptacle taken from the Temple Courtyard - are not considered as pure with regard to the purification process involving the ashes of the red heifer unless they were immersed for that purpose. Similarly, all foods and liquids - even if they are pure - are considered as impure in this context.
Halacha 2
Any entity that is fit to lie on or sit on, even though it is pure with regard to sacrificial foods is considered like an entity to which a zav imparted impurity with regard to the purification process involving the ashes of the red heifer until it was immersed with that intent in mind. Yochanan ben Gudgada would always eat according to the strictures of ritual purity required for sacrificial foods. Yet his head cloth was like an entity to which a zav imparted impurity with regard to the purification process involving the ashes of the red heifer.
Halacha 3
A derivative of impurity does not impart impurity to a person or to an k'li, even with regard to sacrificial articles, as we explained. Nevertheless, it imparts impurity to persons and keilim with regard to the purification process involving the ashes of the red heifer. Therefore it was said that a person who sanctifies the water used for the purification process should not wear a sandal, lest liquids fall on the sandal and the sandal contract impurity. The rationale is that all liquids are considered as impure with regard to the purification process involving the ashes of the red heifer. Then the person sanctifying the water will contract impurity by touching the sandal and thus the purifying water will become impure.
Halacha 4
When only a person's hands become impure due to causes that render hands impure, e.g., he touched foods or liquids or the like, although he is considered as pure with regard to sacrificial food, and all that is necessary is that he wash his hands as will be explained, with regard to the purification process involving the ashes of the red heifer, his entire body is considered to have contracted impurity and he must immerse in a mikveh. Even if only one hand contracted impurity, it is as if his entire body contracted impurity. He is considered as impure to the first degree.
Halacha 5
Any person who is required to be immersed in a mikveh, whether according to Scriptural Law or Rabbinic Law, imparts impurity to the water sanctified with the ashes of the red heifer, the ashes themselves, and the one who sprinkles them, through touching or carrying them. Similarly, he imparts impurity to a hyssop that has been made fit to contract impurity, water that has been drawn for this process but has not yet been sanctified, and an empty container that has been purified for this purification process. The latter three entities contract impurity only through touch, but not through being carried.
When an impure person touches a small portion of ashes of the red heifer, it is considered as if he touched all of them.
Halacha 6
Primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of impurity are not counted with regard to the purification process involving the ashes of the red heifer as are counted with regard to terumah and sacrificial foods.
What is implied? If there were ten persons who immersed themselves for the sake of this purification process and one became impure, even if he became impure only with regard to this purification process, e.g., his hands became impure, should he touch a colleague and that colleague touch another, and that one another, even if there are 100, they all become impure with regard to this purification process.
Similarly, when there are keilim that were purified for this purification process and one of them contracted impurity - even if only its outside contracted impurity for this purification process, e.g., liquids touched its outside - and thisk'li touched a second k'li and the second touched a third, all of the keilim, even if there are 100, become impure with regard to this purification process.
Halacha 7
Whenever an article that is fit to contract impurity if it would support a zav - even though it is pure with regard to sacrificial foods - was moved by a person who purified himself for the sake of this purification process, he contracts impurity, even though he did not touch it.
Similarly, when a person who purified himself for the sake of this purification process moves a person who is not pure in this context or he moves the spittle or the urine of the latter person, he becomes impure, even though he did not touch him. An k'li that is not fit to contract impurity if it would support azav, by contrast, does not impart impurity to a person who has purified himself for the sake of this purification process unless he touches it.
Halacha 8
If an k'li that is impure because of contact with a human corpse is moved by a person who has purified himself for the purification process involving the ashes of the red heifer, he becomes impure even though he did not touch it and even though generally an article that is impure because of contact with a corpse does not impart impurity when carried, as we explained.
What is implied? There was a key that was impure due to contact with a corpse that was hanging from a door. A person who purified himself for this purification process closed the door. Since he moved the key which was impure, he himself contracts impurity. Similarly, if he moves the carcass of a crawling animal or semen, he becomes impure with regard to this purification process even though generally these do not impart impurity when carried, as will be explained.
Halacha 9
When a person who purified himself for this purification process touches articles that were above a zav or the like, these are called madaf, he is considered impure with regard to this purification process, even though he is pure with regard to sacrificial foods. Similarly, when an k'li that was purified for this purification process touches a madaf, it contracts impurity with regard to this purification process.
Halacha 10
The following laws apply when a person who purified himself for this purification process touches foods or liquids, whether impure or pure. No distinction is made between them, because there are no foods or liquids that are considered as pure with regard to this purification process.
If a person touches foods or liquids with his hands, his entire body becomes impure, as we explained. If he touches them with his foot or other portions of his body, or moves them with his hands without touching them, he remains pure. Similarly, if, with his hands, he touched an oven or the like, i.e., other articles that were not purified for the sake of this purification process, his entire body contracts impurity. If, however, he touches such articles with his feet, his status of purity remains unchanged, even with regard to this purification process.
Halacha 11
When a person who purified himself for this purification process inserted his head and the majority of his body into water that was drawn for the sake of this purification process, he contracts impurity, because the water has been drawn. For it is a Rabbinical decree that anyone who inserts his head and the majority of his body into water that was drawn contracts impurity, as will be explained.
Halacha 12
Everyone's word is accepted with regard to the ritual purity of articles and persons involved in this purification process, even that of the common people. The rationale is that because of all the stringencies and extra measures applied to it, everyone is careful with regard to it. This is alluded to in the Torah which states Numbers 19:9: "And it will be for the congregation of Israel for safekeeping." Implied is that all of Israel are fit for its safekeeping.
Therefore if a common person brings an earthenware container from his home and says: "This container is pure for the purification process involving the ashes of the red heifer," it is considered as pure. Water may be sanctified in it and sprinkled from it even though this container would be considered as impure for sacrificial foods and for terumah. Similarly, if a common person says: "I have purified myself for the purification process involving the ashes of the red heifer" or the water for this process was in his possession and he says that it is pure, his word is accepted. For no Jewish person treats this purification process lightly.
• English Text | Video Class• Shabbat, Sivan 5, 5776 · June 11, 2016• "Today's Day"
Tuesday Sivan 5, Erev Shavuot, 49th day of the omer 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: Nasso, Shlishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 29-34.
Tanya: And this is (p. 279)...BLESSED AND EXALTED. (p. 281).
On the eve of Shavuot 5557 (1797) the Alter Rebbe taught:
Sanctify them today and tomorrow and they shall cleanse their garments.1 "Sanctify them today and tomorrow," is done from Above, but "they shall cleanse their garments" - one must do himself. This was the entire teaching.
The Tzemach Tzedek elaborated: "Sanctify them" was said by G-d to Moshe. The extension of Moshe is in every generation2 and they3 are able to sanctify the "today" and the "tomorrow"; but for this is needed "..and they shall cleanse their garments" - the garments of thought, speech and deed. This must be done by each person on his own.
FOOTNOTES
1.Sh'mot 19:10.
2.Tikunei Zohar, Tikun 69.
3.I.e. the Moshe in each generation.
• Daily Thought:
The Autograph
When He had finished His world, complete and whole, each thing in its place, the earth below and the heavens beyond,
. . . it was then that the Artist signed His holy name, with a vacuum in time, a motionless vortex to the constant change, a hollow through which the Infinite Light could enter within and kiss the finite world. And He called it Shabbat.
In each thing there is a Shabbat, an opening that allows life to enter, a desire to receive from Beyond. In each being there is a sense of wonder, of knowing that there is something greater. A something it will never know.
And through that opening it receives life. With that wonder, it opens itself to the Infinite.
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