Today's Laws & Customs:
• "Nine Days'
During the “Nine Days" from Av 1st to the Ninth of Av, we mourn the destruction of the Holy Temple. We abstain from meat and wine, music, haircutting, bathing for pleasure, and other joyous (and dangerous) activities. (The particular mourning customs vary from community to community, so consult a competent halachic authority for details.)
Consumption of meat and wine is permitted on Shabbat, or at a seudat mitzvah (obligatory festive meal celebrating the fulfillment of certain mitzvot) such as a brit (circumcision), or asiyum celebrating the completion of a course of Torah study (i.e., a complete Talmudic tractate). The Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory initiated the custom of conducting or participating in a siyum on each of the Nine Days (even if one does not avail oneself of the dispensation to eat meat).
Citing the verse "Zion shall be redeemed with mishpat [Torah] and its returnees with tzedakah," (Isaiah 1:27) the Rebbe urged that we increase in Torah study (particularly the study of the laws of the Holy Temple) and charity during this period.
Links:
Daily Quote:
Among the religions of the world there are various customs, and they do not all gather in the same house [of worship]. We, however, have but one G-d, one Torah, one law, one Kohen Gadol and one Sanctuary; yet you, two hundred and fifty men, all desire the High Priesthood! I, too, desire it![Moses to Korach and his followers (Midrash Tanchuma on Numbers 16:10)]Daily Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Parshat Devarim, 1st Portion Deuteronomy 1:1-1:11 with Rashi
• Deuteronomy Chapter 1
1These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel on that side of the Jordan in the desert, in the plain opposite the Red Sea, between Paran and Tofel and Lavan and Hazeroth and Di Zahav. אאֵ֣לֶּה הַדְּבָרִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּ֤ר משֶׁה֙ אֶל־כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּעֵ֖בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן בַּמִּדְבָּ֡ר בָּֽעֲרָבָה֩ מ֨וֹל ס֜וּף בֵּֽין־פָּארָ֧ן וּבֵֽין־תֹּ֛פֶל וְלָבָ֥ן וַֽחֲצֵרֹ֖ת וְדִ֥י זָהָֽב:
These are the words: Since these are words of rebuke and he [Moses] enumerates here all the places where they angered the Omnipresent, therefore it makes no explicit mention of the incidents [in which they transgressed], but rather merely alludes to them, [by mentioning the names of the places] out of respect for Israel (cf. Sifrei). אלה הדברים: לפי שהן דברי תוכחות ומנה כאן כל המקומות שהכעיסו לפני המקום בהן, לפיכך סתם את הדברים והזכירם ברמז מפני כבודן של ישראל:
to all Israel: If he had rebuked only some of them, those who were in the marketplace [i.e., absent] might have said, “You heard from [Moses] the son of Amram, and did not answer a single word regarding this and that; had we been there, we would have answered him!” Therefore, he assembled all of them, and said to them, “See, you are all here; if anyone has an answer, let him answer!” - [from Sifrei] אל כל ישראל: אילו הוכיח מקצתן, היו אלו שבשוק אומרים, אתם הייתם שומעים מבן עמרם ולא השיבותם דבר מכך וכך, אילו היינו שם היינו משיבים אותו, לכך כנסם כולם ואמר להם הרי כולכם כאן כל מי שיש לו תשובה ישיב:
in the desert: [At that time]they were not in the desert, but in the plains of Moab. [Accordingly,] what is [the meaning of] בַּמִּדְבָּר, in the desert? It means that he rebuked them for their having angered Him in the desert by saying, “If only we had died [by the hand of God]” (Exod. 16:3). במדבר: לא במדבר היו אלא בערבות מואב, ומהו במדבר, אלא בשביל מה שהכעיסוהו במדבר שאמרו (שמות טז ג) מי יתן מותנו וגו':
in the plain: in the plain [He rebuked them] regarding the plain, for they had sinned with [the worship of] Baal-Peor at Shittim in the plains of Moab (Num. 25:1-9). [from Sifrei] בערבה: בשביל הערבה שחטאו בבעל פעור בשטים בערבות מואב:
opposite the Red Sea: [He rebuked] them regarding their rebellion at the Red Sea. When they arrived at the Red Sea, they said, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt [that you have taken us to die in the desert?]” (Exod. 14:11) Likewise, [they sinned] when they traveled from the midst of the sea, as it is said,“and they were rebellious by the sea, by the Red Sea” (Ps. 106:7), as is found in Arachin (15a). מול סוף: על מה שהמרו בים סוף בבואם לים סוף שאמרו (שם יד יא) המבלי אין קברים במצרים, וכן בנסעם מתוך הים, שנאמר (תהלים קו ז) וימרו על ים בים סוף, כדאיתא בערכין (טו א):
Between Paran and Tofel and Lavan: Rabbi Yochanan said: We have reviewed the entire Bible, but we have found no place named Tofel or Lavan! However, [the explanation is that] he rebuked them because of the foolish things they had said (תָּפְלוּ) about the manna, which was white (לָבָן) , saying “And our soul loathes this light bread” (Num. 21:5), and because of what they had done in the desert of Paran through the spies. [from Eileh Hadevarim Rabbah , Lieberman] בין פארן ובין תפל ולבן: אמר רבי יוחנן [רשב"י] חזרנו על כל המקרא ולא מצינו מקום ששמו תופל ולבן, אלא הוכיחן על הדברים שתפלו על המן שהוא לבן, שאמרו (במדבר כא ה) ונפשנו קצה בלחם הקלוקל ועל מה שעשו במדבר פארן על ידי המרגלים:
and Hazeroth: Concerning the insurrection of Korach [which took place in Hazeroth] (Eileh Hadevarim Rabbah , Lieberman). Another explanation: He said to them, “You should have learned from what I did to Miriam at Hazeroth because of slander; [nevertheless,] you spoke against the Omnipresent” (Sifrei). וחצרות: במחלוקתו של קרח. דבר אחר אמר להם, היה לכם ללמוד ממה שעשיתי למרים בחצרות בשביל לשון הרע, ואתם נדברתם במקום:
and Di-Zahav: (lit., enough gold). He rebuked them for the calf they had made as a result of their abundance of gold, as it is said: “and I gave her much silver and gold, but they made it for Baal” (Hosea 2:10). (cf. Sifrei ; Ber. 32a, Eileh Hadevarim Rabbah , Lieberman). ודי זהב: הוכיחן על העגל שעשו בשביל רוב זהב שהיה להם, שנאמר (הושע ב י) וכסף הרביתי לה וזהב עשו לבעל:
2"It is eleven days' journey from Horeb by way of Mount Seir to Kadesh Barnea." באַחַ֨ד עָשָׂ֥ר יוֹם֙ מֵֽחֹרֵ֔ב דֶּ֖רֶךְ הַר־שֵׂעִ֑יר עַ֖ד קָדֵ֥שׁ בַּרְנֵֽעַ:
It is eleven days journey from Horeb: Moses said to them: “See what you caused! There is no shorter route from Horeb to Kadesh-Barnea than the way through Mount Seir, and even that is a journey of eleven days. But you traversed it in three days!” For they traveled from Horeb on the twentieth of lyar, as it is said, “And it came to pass in the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth of the month [… the children of Israel traveled…]” (Num. 10:11-12). And on the twenty-ninth of Sivan, they sent out the spies from Kadesh Barnea, (an interval of 40 days; cf. Ta’anith 29a). Subtract from them the thirty days they spent at Kivroth Hataavah (Num. 11:34), where they ate the meat a “month of days,” and the seven days they spent at Hazeroth for Miriam to be confined [as a mezora’ath] (Num. 12:15); we find therefore, that this entire journey [from Horeb to Kadesh-Barnea] took [only] three days. And to such an extent did the Shechinah exert itself to hasten your arrival to the land of Canaan, but because you sinned, He made you travel around Mount Seir for forty years. [from Sifrei] אחד עשר יום מחורב: אמר להם משה ראו מה גרמתם, אין לכם דרך קצרה מחורב לקדש ברנע כדרך הר שעיר ואף הוא מהלך אחד עשר יום, ואתם הלכתם אותו בשלשה ימים, שהרי בעשרים באייר נסעו מחורב שנאמר (במדבר י יא) ויהי בשנה השנית בחדש השני בעשרים בחדש וגו' ובכ"ט בסיון שלחו את המרגלים מקדש ברנע, צא מהם שלושים יום שעשו בקברות התאוה, שאכלו הבשר חדש ימים, ושבעה ימים שעשו בחצרות להסגר שם מרים, נמצא בשלשה ימים הלכו כל אותו הדרך, וכל כך היתה שכינה מתלבטת בשבילכם למהר ביאתכם לארץ, ובשביל שקלקלתם הסב אתכם סביבות הר שעיר ארבעים שנה:
3It came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first of the month, that Moses spoke to the children of Israel according to all that the Lord had commanded him regarding them; גוַֽיְהִי֙ בְּאַרְבָּעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה בְּעַשְׁתֵּֽי־עָשָׂ֥ר חֹ֖דֶשׁ בְּאֶחָ֣ד לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ דִּבֶּ֤ר משֶׁה֙ אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל כְּ֠כֹ֠ל אֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֧ה יְהֹוָ֛ה אֹת֖וֹ אֲלֵהֶֽם:
And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first of the month [… Moses spoke]: This teaches us that he rebuked them only a short while before his death. From whom did he learn [to do] this? From Jacob, who rebuked his sons only a short while before his death. He said, “Reuben, my son, I will tell you why I have not reproved you [for your shortcomings] during all these years: So that you would not leave me and join my brother, Esau.” And for four reasons, one should not reprimand a person except shortly before one’s death: So that one should not rebuke and again have to rebuke him, so as not to cause his friend to feel ashamed when he sees him; etc. These appear in Sifrei . And similarly, Joshua rebuked Israel only shortly before his death (cf. Joshua 24:1-29), and so, Samuel, as it is said, “Behold, testify against me” (I Sam. 12:3) and so, also, David rebuked his son Solomon only shortly before his death (see I Kings 2:1-10). ויהי בארבעים שנה בעשתי עשר חדש באחד לחדש:מלמד שלא הוכיחן אלא סמוך למיתה. ממי למד, מיעקב שלא הוכיח את בניו אלא סמוך למיתה. אמר, ראובן בני, אני אומר לך מפני מה לא הוכחתיך כל השנים הללו, כדי שלא תניחני ותלך ותדבק בעשו אחי. ומפני ארבעה דברים אין מוכיחין את האדם אלא סמוך למיתה, כדי שלא יהא מוכיחו וחוזר ומוכיחו, ושלא יהא חבירו רואהו ומתבייש ממנו וכו' כדאיתא בספרי. וכן יהושע לא הוכיח את ישראל אלא סמוך למיתה, וכן שמואל, שנאמר (ש"א יב, ג) הנני ענו בי. וכן דוד את שלמה בנו:
4After he had smitten Sihon, king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, and Og, king of the Bashan, who dwelt in Ashtaroth in Edrei. דאַֽחֲרֵ֣י הַכֹּת֗וֹ אֵ֚ת סִיחֹן֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר יוֹשֵׁ֖ב בְּחֶשְׁבּ֑וֹן וְאֵ֗ת ע֚וֹג מֶ֣לֶךְ הַבָּשָׁ֔ן אֲשֶׁר־יוֹשֵׁ֥ב בְּעַשְׁתָּרֹ֖ת בְּאֶדְרֶֽעִי:
After He had smitten [Sihon]: Moses said: If I rebuke them before they enter [at least] part of the land, they will say, “What [claim] has this [man] on us? What good has he ever done for us? He has come only to vex us and to find some pretext, for he does not have the power to bring us into the land.” Therefore he [Moses]waited until he had defeated Sihon and Og before them and had given them possession of their land, and [only] afterwards did he rebuke them. [Sifrei] אחרי הכותו: אמר משה אם אני מוכיחם קודם שיכנסו לקצת הארץ, יאמרו מה לזה עלינו, מה היטיב לנו, אינו בא אלא לקנתר ולמצוא עילה שאין בו כח להכניסנו לארץ, לפיכך המתין עד שהפיל סיחון ועוג לפניהם והורישם את ארצם ואחר כך הוכיחן:
Sihon… who dwelt in Heshbon: “Even if Sihon himself had not been powerful, but had dwelt in Heshbon, he would have [nevertheless] been powerful because the city was a powerful one; and even had it been another city, and Sihon had dwelt in it, it would have [also] been powerful because the king was powerful. How much more so now, since both the king and the city were powerful!” [Sifrei] סיחון וגו' אשר יושב וגו': אילו לא היה סיחון קשה והיה שרוי בחשבון, היה קשה, שהמדינה קשה, ואילו היתה עיר אחרת וסיחון שרוי בתוכה היתה קשה, שהמלך קשה, על אחת כמה וכמה שהמלך קשה והמדינה קשה:
[And Og…] who dwelt in Ashtaroth: [Here, too,] the king was powerful, and the city was powerful. [Sifrei] אשר יושב בעשתרות: המלך קשה והמדינה קשה:
Ashtaroth: This is an expression denoting sharp cliffs and strength, just as “Ashteroth-karnaim” (Gen. 14:5) [the hard rocks of Karnaim]. And the Ashtaroth [referred to here] is indeed that same Ashteroth-karnaim where the Rephaim [the giants] were, whom Amraphel smote, as it is said, “And they smote the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim ” (Gen. 14:5). And Og escaped from them, and that is the meaning of that which is stated, “And the fugitive came” (Gen. 14:13), and Scripture states (further, 3:11)“For only Og, king of the Bashan, remained from the remnant of the Rephaim.” עשתרות: הוא לשון צוקין וקושי כמו (בראשית יד, ה) עשתרות קרנים, ועשתרות זה הוא עשתרות קרנים שהיו שם רפאים שהכה אמרפל, שנאמר (בראשית יד ה) ויכו את רפאים בעשתרות קרנים, ועוג נמלט מהם והוא שנאמר (שם יד יג) ויבא הפליט, ואומר (דברים ג יא) כי רק עוג מלך הבשן נשאר מיתר הרפאים:
in Edrei: the name of the kingdom. [Sifrei] באדרעי: שם המלכות:
5On that side of the Jordan, in the land of Moab, Moses commenced [and] explained this Law, saying, הבְּעֵ֥בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מוֹאָ֑ב הוֹאִ֣יל משֶׁ֔ה בֵּאֵ֛ר אֶת־הַתּוֹרָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את לֵאמֹֽר:
commenced: , Heb. הוֹאִיל, he commenced, just as“Behold, now I have commenced (הוֹאַלְתִּי)” (Gen. 18:27). [based on Sifrei] הואיל: התחיל כמו (בראשית יח, כז) הנה נא הואלתי:
explained this Law: He explained it to them in seventy languages. [from Midrash Tanchuma 2; Gen. Rabbah 49; see Sotah 32a). Hakethav Vehakabbalah explains this to mean that Moses gave them seventy interpretations to every passage. באר את התורה: בשבעים לשון פירשה להם:
6"The Lord our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying, 'You have dwelt long enough at this mountain. ויְהֹוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ דִּבֶּ֥ר אֵלֵ֖ינוּ בְּחֹרֵ֣ב לֵאמֹ֑ר רַב־לָכֶ֥ם שֶׁ֖בֶת בָּהָ֥ר הַזֶּֽה:
You have dwelt long enough [at this mountain]: [This is to be interpreted] according to its simple meaning. But there also is an Aggadic explanation: I have given you much greatness and reward for your having dwelt at this mountain: you made the Mishkan , the menorah, and the [other] furnishings; you received the Torah; you appointed a Sanhedrin for yourselves, and captains over thousands and captains over hundreds. [Sifrei] רב לכם שבת: כפשוטו. ויש מדרש אגדה הרבה לכם גדולה ושכר על ישיבתכם בהר הזה, עשיתם משכן מנורה וכלים, קבלתם תורה, מניתם לכם סנהדרין, שרי אלפים ושרי מאות:
7Turn and journey, and come to the mountain of the Amorites and to all its neighboring places, in the plain, on the mountain, and in the lowland, and in the south and by the seashore, the land of the Canaanites, and the Lebanon, until the great river, the Euphrates River. זפְּנ֣וּ | וּסְע֣וּ לָכֶ֗ם וּבֹ֨אוּ הַ֥ר הָֽאֱמֹרִי֘ וְאֶל־כָּל־שְׁכֵנָיו֒ בָּֽעֲרָבָ֥ה בָהָ֛ר וּבַשְּׁפֵלָ֥ה וּבַנֶּ֖גֶב וּבְח֣וֹף הַיָּ֑ם אֶ֤רֶץ הַכְּנַֽעֲנִי֙ וְהַלְּבָנ֔וֹן עַד־הַנָּהָ֥ר הַגָּדֹ֖ל נְהַר־פְּרָֽת:
Turn and journey: This is the way to Arad and Hormah. פנו וסעו לכם: זו דרך ערד וחרמה:
and come to the mountain of the Amorites: This is to be understood literally. ובאו הר האמרי: כמשמעו:
and to all its neighboring places: Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir. ואל כל שכניו: עמון ומואב והר שעיר:
in the plain: This refers to the forested plain. בערבה: זה מישור של יער:
on the mountain: This is the king’s mountain. בהר: זה הר המלך:
and in the lowland: This is the southern lowland. ובשפלה: זו שפלת דרום:
and in the south, and by the seashore: [This refers to] Ashkelon, Gaza and Caesarea, etc., as is stated in Sifrei . ובנגב ובחוף הים: אשקלון ועזה וקסרי וכו' כדאיתא בספרי:
until the great river [the Euphrates]: Since it [the Euphrates] is mentioned [in association] with the Land of Israel it is referred to as “great.” A popular parable says: A king’s servant is a king. Associate yourself with the ruler, and [people] will bow down to you; attach yourself to an person anointed [with oil] and you will become anointed [with oil yourself] (Shevuoth 47b). עד הנהר הגדול: מפני שנזכר עם ארץ ישראל, קראו גדול. משל הדיוט אומר עבד מלך מלך, הדבק לשחוור וישתחוו לך, קרב לגבי דהינא ואידהן:
8See, I have set the land before you; come and possess the land which the Lord swore to your forefathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them and their descendants after them. חרְאֵ֛ה נָתַ֥תִּי לִפְנֵיכֶ֖ם אֶת־הָאָ֑רֶץ בֹּ֚אוּ וּרְשׁ֣וּ אֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נִשְׁבַּ֣ע יְ֠הֹוָ֠ה לַֽאֲבֹ֨תֵיכֶ֜ם לְאַבְרָהָ֨ם לְיִצְחָ֤ק וּלְיַֽעֲקֹב֙ לָתֵ֣ת לָהֶ֔ם וּלְזַרְעָ֖ם אַחֲרֵיהֶֽם:
Behold! I have set [the land before you]: With your own eyes you can see [this]: I do not tell you this from guessing or hearsay (Sifrei). ראה נתתי: בעיניכם אתם רואים. איני אומר לכם מאומד ומשמועה:
Go in and possess [the land]: No one will contest the matter, and you will not need to go to war. If they [the Israelites] had not sent the spies, [but had trusted God] they would not have needed weapons of war (Sifrei). באו ורשו: אין מערער בדבר ואינכם צריכים למלחמה, אלו לא שלחו מרגלים לא היו צריכים לכלי זיין:
to your forefathers: Why does he [Moses] further mention Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob [when the reference“your forefathers” clearly indicates them]? [Their names are mentioned to show that] Abraham is worthy [of God’s oath] by himself, Isaac is worthy by himself, [and] Jacob is worthy by himself (Sifrei). לאבתיכם: למה הזכיר שוב לאברהם ליצחק וליעקב, אלא אברהם כדאי לעצמו, יצחק כדאי לעצמו, יעקב כדאי לעצמו:
9And I said to you at that time, saying, 'I cannot carry you alone. טוָֽאֹמַ֣ר אֲלֵכֶ֔ם בָּעֵ֥ת הַהִ֖וא לֵאמֹ֑ר לֹֽא־אוּכַ֥ל לְבַדִּ֖י שְׂאֵ֥ת אֶתְכֶֽם:
And I said to you at that time, saying: Heb. לֵאמֹר. What is the meaning of לֵאמֹר ? Moses said to them, "Not by my own accord do I speak to you [and tell you that I cannot carry you alone] but by the command of the Holy One, blessed is He (Sifrei). ואמר אליכם בעת ההוא לאמר: מהו לאמר, אמר להם משה, לא מעצמי אני אומר לכם, אלא מפי הקב"ה:
I cannot alone: Is it possible that Moses could not judge Israel? The man who brought them out of Egypt, split the sea for them, brought down the manna, and caused the quails to fly, could not judge them? Rather, he said to them: “The Lord, your God, has multiplied you”- [i.e.,] He has made you superior and elevated you higher than your judges. He took the punishment away from you and imposed it upon the judges [in cases where they could have prevented your wrongdoing and did not]. Solomon made a similar statement: “For who is able to judge Your great people?” (I Kings 3:9) Is it possible that he [i. e., Solomon] of whom it is said (I Kings 5:11), “He was wiser than all men,” could say, “Who is able to judge?” But this is what Solomon meant: The judges of this people are not like the judges of other peoples, for if [one of the judges of other nations] gives judgment and sentences a person to death, to lashes, or to strangulation, or perverts judgment and robs him, it means nothing; if, however, I cause a person to pay unjustly, I am liable with my life, as it is said (Proverbs 22:23), “And He robs the life of those who rob them” (Sifrei , San. 7a). לא אוכל לבדי וגו': אפשר שלא היה משה יכול לדון את ישראל, אדם שהוציאם ממצרים וקרע להם את הים והוריד את המן והגיז את השליו לא היה יכול לדונם, אלא כך אמר להם, ה' אלהיכם הרבה אתכם, הגדיל והרים אתכם על דייניכם נטל את העונש מכם ונתנו על הדיינין. וכן אמר שלמה (מלכים א' ג, ט) כי מי יוכל לשפוט את עמך הכבד הזה, אפשר מי שכתוב בו (שם ה, יא) ויחכם מכל האדם, אומר מי יוכל לשפוט, אלא כך אמר שלמה אין דייני אומה זו כדייני שאר האומות, שאם דן והורג ומכה וחונק ומטה את דינו וגוזל אין בכך כלום, אני אם חייבתי ממון שלא כדין נפשות אני נתבע, שנאמר (משלי כב, כג) וקבע את קובעיהם נפש:
10The Lord, your God, has multiplied you, and behold, you are today as the stars of the heavens in abundance. ייְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֖ם הִרְבָּ֣ה אֶתְכֶ֑ם וְהִנְּכֶ֣ם הַיּ֔וֹם כְּכֽוֹכְבֵ֥י הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם לָרֹֽב:
And, behold, you are today as the stars of the heavens: But were they [the Israelites] on that day as [many as] the stars of the heavens? Were they not only six hundred thousand? What, then, is [the meaning of] “And, behold, you are today…?” [It means]-Behold, you are compared to the sun, [signifying that you will] exist forever as do the sun, the moon, and the stars (cf. Sifrei). והנכם היום ככוכבי השמים: וכי ככוכבי השמים היו באותו היום, והלא לא היו אלא שישים רבוא, מהו והנכם היום, הנכם משולים כיום, קיימים כחמה וכלבנה וככוכבים:
11May the Lord God of your forefathers add to you a thousandfold as many as you are, and may He bless you, as He spoke concerning you! יאיְהֹוָ֞ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֲבֽוֹתֵכֶ֗ם יֹסֵ֧ף עֲלֵיכֶ֛ם כָּכֶ֖ם אֶ֣לֶף פְּעָמִ֑ים וִֽיבָרֵ֣ךְ אֶתְכֶ֔ם כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֥ר לָכֶֽם:
May… add to you a thousandfold as many as you are: What is [the purpose of] repeating further [in the verse]: “And He will bless you, as He has spoken concerning you?” They [the Israelites] said to him, “Moses, you are limiting our blessings [i.e., our numbers being multiplied only a thousandfold]. The Holy One, blessed is He, already promised to Abraham (Gen. 13:16), 'so that if a man will be able to count [the dust of the earth, so will your seed be counted]!’” [Moses] replied to them: “This [blessing of a thousandfold] is mine, but He will bless you as He spoke concerning you!” (Sifrei) יוסף עליכם ככם אלף פעמים: מהו שוב ויברך אתכם כאשר דבר לכם, אלא אמרו לו משה אתה נותן קצבה לברכתינו, כבר הבטיח הקב"ה את אברהם (בראשית יג, טז) אשר אם יוכל איש למנות וגו', אמר להם זו משלי היא, אבל הוא יברך אתכם כאשר דבר לכם:
Daily Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 18 - 22
• Chapter 18
If one merits a public miracle, he should offer a song to God, including in his song all the miracles that have occurred since the day the world was created, as well as the good that God wrought for Israel at the giving of the Torah. And he should say: "He Who has performed these miracles, may He do with me likewise."
1. For the Conductor. By the servant of the Lord, by David, who chanted the words of this song to the Lord on the day the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul.
2. He said, "I love You, Lord, my strength.
3. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my rescuer. My God is my strength in Whom I take shelter, my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
4. With praises I call upon the Lord, and I am saved from my enemies.
5. For the pangs of death surrounded me, and torrents of evil people terrified me.
6. Pangs of the grave encompassed me; snares of death confronted me.
7. In my distress I called upon the Lord, I cried out to my God; and from His Sanctuary He heard my voice, and my supplication before Him reached His ears.
8. The earth trembled and quaked; the foundations of the mountains shook-they trembled when His wrath flared.
9. Smoke rose in His nostrils, devouring fire blazed from His mouth, and burning coals flamed forth from Him.
10. He inclined the heavens and descended, a thick cloud was beneath His feet.
11. He rode on a cherub and flew; He soared on the wings of the wind.
12. He made darkness His concealment, His surroundings His shelter-of the dense clouds with their dark waters.
13. Out of the brightness before Him, His clouds passed over, with hailstones and fiery coals.
14. The Lord thundered in heaven, the Most High gave forth His voice-hailstones and fiery coals.
15. He sent forth His arrows and scattered them; many lightnings, and confounded them.
16. The channels of water became visible, the foundations of the world were exposed-at Your rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.
17. He sent from heaven and took me; He brought me out of surging waters.
18. He rescued me from my fierce enemy, and from my foes when they had become too strong for me.
19. They confronted me on the day of my misfortune, but the Lord was my support.
20. He brought me into spaciousness; He delivered me because He desires me.
21. The Lord rewar-ded me in accordance with my righteousness; He repaid me according to the cleanliness of my hands.
22. For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not transgressed against my God;
23. for all His laws are before me, I have not removed His statutes from me.
24. I was perfect with Him, and have guarded myself from sin.
25. The Lord repaid me in accordance with my righteousness, according to the cleanliness of my hands before His eyes.
26. With the kindhearted You act kindly, with the upright man You act uprightly.
27. With the pure You act purely, but with the crooked You act cun- ningly.
28. For the destitute nation You save, but haughty eyes You humble.
29. Indeed, You light my lamp; the Lord, my God, illuminates my darkness.
30. For with You I run against a troop; with my God I scale a wall.
31. The way of God is perfect; the word of the Lord is pure; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
32. For who is God except the Lord, and who is a rock except our God!
33. The God Who girds me with strength, and makes my path perfect.
34. He makes my feet like deers', and stands me firmly on my high places.
35. He trains my hands for battle, my arms to bend a bow of bronze.
36. You have given me the shield of Your deliverance, Your right hand upheld me; Your humility made me great.
37. You have widened my steps beneath me, and my knees have not faltered.
38. I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back until I destroyed them.
39. I crushed them so that they were unable to rise; they are fallen beneath my feet.
40. You have girded me with strength for battle; You have subdued my adversaries beneath me.
41. You have made my enemies turn their backs to me, and my foes I cut down.
42. They cried out, but there was none to deliver them; to the Lord, but He did not answer them.
43. I ground them as the dust before the wind, I poured them out like the mud in the streets.
44. You have rescued me from the quarrelsome ones of the people, You have made me the head of nations; a nation I did not know became subservient to me.
45. As soon as they hear of me they obey me; strangers deny to me [their disloyalty].
46. Strangers wither away, they are terrified in their strongholds.
47. The Lord lives; blessed is my Rock; exalted is the God of my deliverance.
48. You are the God Who executes retribution for me, and subjugates nations under me.
49. Who rescues me from my enemies, Who exalts me above my adversaries, Who delivers me from the man of violence.
50. Therefore I will laud You, Lord, among the nations, and sing to Your Name.
51. He grants His king great salvations, and bestows kindness upon His anointed, to David and his descendants forever."
Chapter 19
To behold God's might one should look to the heavens, to the sun, and to the Torah, from which awesome miracles and wonders can be perceived--wonders that lead the creations to tell of God's glory.
1. For the Conductor, a psalm by David.
2. The heavens recount the glory of the Almighty; the sky proclaims His handiwork.
3. Day to day speech streams forth; night to night expresses knowledge.
4. There is no utterance, there are no words; their voice is inaudible.
5. Their arc extends throughout the world; their message to the end of the earth. He set in them [the heavens] a tent for the sun,
6. which is like a groom coming forth from his bridal canopy, like a strong man rejoicing to run the course.
7. Its rising is at one end of the heavens, and its orbit encompasses the other ends; nothing is hidden from its heat.
8. The Torah of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making wise the simpleton.
9. The precepts of the Lord are just, rejoicing the heart; the command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes.
10. The fear of the Lord is pure, abiding forever; the judgments of the Lord are true, they are all righteous together.
11. They are more desirable than gold, than much fine gold; sweeter than honey or the drippings of honeycomb.
12. Indeed, Your servant is scrupulous with them; in observing them there is abundant reward.
13. Yet who can discern inadvertent wrongs? Purge me of hidden sins.
14. Also hold back Your servant from willful sins; let them not prevail over me; then I will be unblemished and keep myself clean of gross transgression.
15. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable before You, Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer.
Chapter 20
If a loved one or relative is suffering-even in a distant place, where one is unable to help-offer this prayer on their behalf.
1. For the Conductor, a psalm by David.
2. May the Lord answer you on the day of distress; may the Name of the God of Jacob fortify you.
3. May He send your help from the Sanctuary, and support you from Zion.
4. May He remember all your offerings, and always accept favorably your sacrifices.
5. May He grant you your heart's desire, and fulfill your every counsel.
6. We will rejoice in your deliverance, and raise our banners in the name of our God; may the Lord fulfill all your wishes.
7. Now I know that the Lord has delivered His anointed one, answering him from His holy heavens with the mighty saving power of His right hand.
8. Some [rely] upon chariots and some upon horses, but we [rely upon and] invoke the Name of the Lord our God.
9. They bend and fall, but we rise and stand firm.
10. Lord, deliver us; may the King answer us on the day we call.
One who is endowed with prosperity, and whose every desire is granted, ought not be ungrateful. He should praise and thank God, recognize Him as the cause of his prosperity, and trust in Him. For everything comes from the kindness of the One Above.
1. For the Conductor, a psalm by David.
2. The king rejoices in Your strength, Lord; how greatly he exults in Your deliverance!
3. You have given him his heart's desire, and You have never withheld the utterance of his lips.
4. You preceded him with blessings of good; You placed a crown of pure gold on his head.
5. He asked of You life, You gave it to him-long life, forever and ever.
6. His glory is great in Your deliverance; You have placed majesty and splendor upon him.
7. For You make him a blessing forever; You gladden him with the joy of Your countenance.
8. For the king trusts in the Lord, and in the kindness of the Most High-that he will not falter.
9. Your hand will suffice for all Your enemies; Your right hand will find those who hate You.
10. You will make them as a fiery furnace at the time of Your anger. May the Lord consume them in His wrath; let a fire devour them.
11. Destroy their offspring from the earth, their descendants from mankind.
12. For they intended evil against You, they devised evil plans which they cannot execute.
13. For You will set them as a portion apart; with Your bowstring You will aim at their faces.
14. Be exalted, O Lord, in Your strength; we will sing and chant the praise of Your might.
Chapter 22
Every person should pray in agony over the length of the exile, and our fall from prestige to lowliness. One should also take vows (for self-improvement) in his distress.
1. For the Conductor, on the ayelet hashachar, a psalm by David.
2. My God, my God, why have You forsaken me! So far from saving me, from the words of my outcry?
3. My God, I call out by day, and You do not answer; at night-but there is no respite for me.
4. Yet You, Holy One, are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.
5. In You our fathers trusted; they trusted and You saved them.
6. They cried to You and were rescued; they trusted in You and were not shamed.
7. And I am a worm and not a man; scorn of men, contempt of nations.
8. All who see me mock me; they open their lips, they shake their heads.
9. But one that casts [his burden] upon the Lord-He will save him; He will rescue him, for He desires him.
10. For You took me out of the womb, and made me secure on my mother's breasts.
11. I have been thrown upon You from birth; from my mother's womb You have been my God.
12. Be not distant from me, for trouble is near, for there is none to help.
13. Many bulls surround me, the mighty bulls of Bashan encircle me.
14. They open their mouths against me, like a lion that ravages and roars.
15. I am poured out like water, all my bones are disjointed; my heart has become like wax, melted within my innards.
16. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue cleaves to my palate; You set me in the dust of death.
17. For dogs surround me, a pack of evildoers enclose me; my hands and feet are like a lion's prey.
18. I count all my limbs, while they watch and gloat over me.
19. They divide my garments amongst them; they cast lots upon my clothing.
20. But You, Lord, do not be distant; my Strength, hurry to my aid!
21. Save my life from the sword, my soul from the grip of dogs.
22. Save me from the lion's mouth, as You have answered me from the horns of wild beasts.
23. I will recount [the praises of] Your Name to my brothers; I will extol You amidst the congregation.
24. You that fear the Lord, praise Him! Glorify Him, all you progeny of Jacob! Stand in awe of Him, all you progeny of Israel!
25. For He has not despised nor abhorred the entreaty of the poor, nor has He concealed His face from him; rather He heard when he cried to Him.
26. My praise comes from You, in the great congregation; I will pay my vows before those that fear Him.
27. Let the humble eat and be satisfied; let those who seek the Lord praise Him-may your hearts live forever!
28. All the ends of the earth will remember and return to the Lord; all families of nations will bow down before You.
29. For sovereignty is the Lord's, and He rules over the nations.
30. All the fat ones of the earth will eat and bow down, all who descend to the dust shall kneel before Him, but He will not revive their soul.
31. The progeny of those who serve Him will tell of the Lord to the latter generations.
32. They will come and relate His righteousness-all that He has done-to a newborn nation.
Tanya: Igeret HaTeshuva , beginning of Chapter 11
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Sunday, 3 AV , 5776 · 7 August 2016
• Igeret HaTeshuva , beginning of Chapter 11
• The Alter Rebbe stated in the previous chapter that since prayer is an expression of teshuvah ila'ah, the higher level of return, it must be preceded by the humility and contrition of teshuvah tata'ah, the lower level of return. This is attained by spiritual stocktaking and by arousing Divine compassion upon one's soul, in keeping with the Mishnaic dictum that “one should embark on worship only in an earnest frame of mind,” which is explained by Rashi to mean “humility”.
At the same time, the Alter Rebbe continued, we are also taught that “one should embark on worship only with joy.” Since nowadays most people are incapable of instantly turning their hearts from one extreme to the other, the Alter Rebbe advised that the time for the humbled heart of teshuvah tata'ah be advanced to the Tikkun Chatzot of the preceding midnight, so that when the time for prayer arrives the worshiper will be in a state of joy.
In the present chapter the Alter Rebbe goes on to say that difficulties notwithstanding, it is possible for the heart to simultaneously harbor two opposite emotions — the anguished soul of teshuvah tata'ah and the joy that immediately precedes and accompanies prayer.
ואמנם להיות בלבו ההכנעה, היא בחינת תשובה תתאה הנ"ל וגם השמחה בה' שתיהן ביחד
This subject, simultaneously harboring contrite humility in the heart — the state of teshuvah tata'ah, as explained — and the above — mentioned [contrary emotion of] joy in G‑d, that is also necessary for the service of prayer,
כבר מילתא אמורה בלקוטי אמרים, סוף פרק ל"ד
has already been discussed in Likutei Amarim, at the end of chapter 34.
The Alter Rebbe explained there that these two emotions are not mutually exclusive, since one's contriteness is occasioned by his body and animal soul, while his joy stems from his Divine soul and the G‑dly spark that it houses. Having two distinct causes, the two emotions can lodge together.
The Alter Rebbe now goes on to quote the Zohar to this effect:
כמו שכתוב בזוהר הקדוש: חדוה תקיעא בלבאי מסטרא דא וכו'
This is as stated in the Zohar:1 “Weeping is lodged in one side of my heart [and joy is lodged in the other side of my heart].”
This statement was made by R. Elazar ben R. Shimon. Hearing from his father Kabbalistic insights into the Destruction of the Holy Temple, he was at one and the same time heartbroken from his renewed recognition of the enormity of the Destruction — and joyful to be inducted into the mysteries of the Torah. We thus see from the Zohar that two opposite emotions can coexist when they result from two different causes.
ובצירוף עוד האמונה והבטחון, להיות נכון לבו בטוח בה' כי חפץ חסד הוא
Joined to this is faith and confidence, the heart being firm and certain in G‑d — that2 “He delights in kindness,”
וחנון ורחום ורב לסלוח, תיכף ומיד שמבקש מחילה וסליחה מאתו יתברך
and is3 “gracious and merciful” and abundantly forgiving the instant one entreats Him for forgiveness and atonement.
(כרוב רחמיך מחה פשעי
כבסני, טהרני
or:6 “Cleanse me, purify me”;
וכל עוונותי מחה וכו')
or:7 “Erase all my sins……”)
בלי שום ספק וספק ספיקא בעולם
[The worshiper offers supplications such as the above] without the faintest vestige of doubt.
וכמו שאנו מברכין בכל תפלת שמונה עשרה: תיכף שמבקשים סלח לנו כו', ברוך אתה ה' חנון המרבה לסלוח
For this reason, in every Shemoneh Esreh, the moment we plead, “Pardon us ……,” [we conclude,] “Blessed are You, O G‑d, gracious One Who pardons abundantly.”
והרי ספק ברכות להקל, משום חשש ברכה לבטלה
Now we are forbidden to recite a blessing of doubtful obligation, for fear that it be pronounced in vain.8
Thus, were there even the slightest doubt as to whether G‑d forgives the sinner, we would never have been commanded to recite the above blessing.
אלא אין כאן שום ספק כלל
But there is no doubt here whatsoever,
מאחר שבקשנו: סלח לנו, מחל לנו
for we have asked, “Pardon us, forgive us.”
ואילו לא היינו חוזרים וחוטאים, היינו נגאלין מיד
Furthermore, were we not to repeat our transgressions we would be immediately redeemed,
כמו שאנו מברכין: ברוך אתה ה' גואל ישראל
in accordance with the blessing we recite immediately afterwards, “Blessed are You, O G‑d, Who redeems Israel.”
As the order of the blessings indicates, forgiveness leads to redemption — if not for our relapses.
והרי אפילו במדת בשר ודם כן, שצריך האדם למחול תיכף ומיד שמבקשים ממנו מחילה
Even by human standards [this certainty of pardon is legitimate, for] one must forgive as soon as he is asked for pardon.
ולא יהא אכזרי מלמחול
He must not cruelly withhold his forgiveness
ואפילו בקוטע יד חבירו
even if one were to cut off his hand,
כדאיתא בגמרא, בסוף פרק ח' דבבא קמא
as we find in the Gemara, at the end of chapter 8 of Bava Kama.9
ואם ביקש ממנו ג פעמים ולא מחל לו, שוב אינו צריך לבקש ממנו
So, too, if one has asked his fellow for forgiveness three times and has been rebuffed, he need not apologize further.
והגבעונים, שביקש דוד המלך עליו השלום מהם מחילה בעד שאול, שהמית את הגבעונים, ולא רצו למחול
When King David asked the Gibeonites10 to forgive King Saul who had killed their people and they refused to do so,
גזר דוד עליהם שלא יבאו בקהל ה', שהם רחמנים וכו'
David decreed that they should not enter the congregation of G‑d, i.e., they would never be allowed to convert and thereby join the Jewish people, who are merciful ……,
כדאיתא בפרק ח' דיבמות
as we have learned in Yevamot, end of chapter 8. 11
ובמדת הקב"ה על אחת כמה וכמה לאין קץ
As a Divine trait, how much more certain is it — nay, infinitely more certain — [that forgiveness is swift].
Now if mere mortals are also expected to forgive instantly, what kind of praise is it that we offer the Infinite One inShemoneh Esreh (the Amidah) by ascribing a like attribute to Him? This is the question that the Alter Rebbe now anticipates:
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. | III, 75a. |
| 2. | Micah 7:18. |
| 3. | Tehillim 145:8. |
| 4. | Parentheses are in the original text. |
| 5. | Tehillim 51:3 |
| 6. | Cf. loc. cit., v. 4. |
| 7. | Loc. cit., v. 11. |
| 8. | Berachot 33a. |
| 9. | 92a. |
| 10. | II Shmuel 21. |
| 11. | 78b ff. |
Rambam:
• Sefer Hamitzvos:
• Sunday, 3 AV , 5776 · 7 August 2016
• Sefer Hamitzvos:
• Sunday, 3 AV , 5776 · 7 August 2016
• Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
Positive Commandment 245
Translated by Berel Bell
The 245th mitzvah is that we are commanded regarding the laws of buying and selling, i.e. the ways in which purchases and sales between the buyers and the sellers become legally binding.
The Torah taught about one method in G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "When you sell something to your neighbor, [or buy something from your neighbor's hand...]" Our Sages said,2 "[The word 'hand' teaches that the sale] refers to something which can pass from one hand to another," i.e. meshichah [physically moving the object].
It is explained that in Biblical law, transfer of money is sufficient to complete the transaction, and meshichah is necessary only by Rabbinic decree, as is mesirah [giving the vehicle of control, e.g. the reins of a horse, to the buyer] and hagba'ah [lifting the object].
The Gemara3 explicitly says, "Just as our Sages enacted a requirement of meshichah in order for a sale to be valid, so too they required meshichah in order for a watchman relationship to become valid." It is therefore clear that the requirement of meshichah in buying and selling is of Rabbinic origin, as explained in the relevant place.
However, other methods of acquiring land, etc., i.e. by means of a document or chazakah4 are traced5 to Biblical verses [and are therefore of Biblical, not Rabbinic, origin].
The details of this mitzvah — i.e. the manners of finalizing a sale in each category — are explained in the 1st chapter of tractate Kiddushin, the 4th and 8th chapters of Bava Metzia, and the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th chapters of Bava Basra.
FOOTNOTES
1.Lev. 25:14.
2.Bava Metzia 47b.
3.Ibid., 99a.
4.Such as building something on the land.
5.See Kiddushin 26a.
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
Positive Commandment 245
Transactions
"And if you sell something to your neighbor..."—Leviticus 25:14.
We are commanded regarding the various methods that effect transactions, i.e., the ways to transfer property from one individual to another (or, in the case of a guardian of an object, the transfer of jurisdiction).
Full text of this Mitzvah »
• TransactionsTransactions
"And if you sell something to your neighbor..."—Leviticus 25:14.
We are commanded regarding the various methods that effect transactions, i.e., the ways to transfer property from one individual to another (or, in the case of a guardian of an object, the transfer of jurisdiction).
Full text of this Mitzvah »
Positive Commandment 245
Translated by Berel Bell
The 245th mitzvah is that we are commanded regarding the laws of buying and selling, i.e. the ways in which purchases and sales between the buyers and the sellers become legally binding.
The Torah taught about one method in G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "When you sell something to your neighbor, [or buy something from your neighbor's hand...]" Our Sages said,2 "[The word 'hand' teaches that the sale] refers to something which can pass from one hand to another," i.e. meshichah [physically moving the object].
It is explained that in Biblical law, transfer of money is sufficient to complete the transaction, and meshichah is necessary only by Rabbinic decree, as is mesirah [giving the vehicle of control, e.g. the reins of a horse, to the buyer] and hagba'ah [lifting the object].
The Gemara3 explicitly says, "Just as our Sages enacted a requirement of meshichah in order for a sale to be valid, so too they required meshichah in order for a watchman relationship to become valid." It is therefore clear that the requirement of meshichah in buying and selling is of Rabbinic origin, as explained in the relevant place.
However, other methods of acquiring land, etc., i.e. by means of a document or chazakah4 are traced5 to Biblical verses [and are therefore of Biblical, not Rabbinic, origin].
The details of this mitzvah — i.e. the manners of finalizing a sale in each category — are explained in the 1st chapter of tractate Kiddushin, the 4th and 8th chapters of Bava Metzia, and the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th chapters of Bava Basra.
FOOTNOTES
1.Lev. 25:14.
2.Bava Metzia 47b.
3.Ibid., 99a.
4.Such as building something on the land.
5.See Kiddushin 26a.
• Rambam - 1 Chapter: Tum'at Met Tum'at Met - Chapter 22
• Tum'at Met - Chapter 22
• Tum'at Met - Chapter 22
1
The handles of a large earthenware container, the bulges at the bottom of such a container, and the back of its walls do not protect their contents when sealed close in a tent where a corpse is located. If one cut them off, planed them, and made them into containers, they protect their contents if sealed close. The rationale is that the concept of sealing something close applies only to containers.
א
שולי המחצין ושולי קרקעות והכלים ודפנותיהן מאחוריהן אין מצילין בצמיד פתיל באהל המת קרסמן ושפן ועשאן כלים מצילין בצמיד פתיל שאין מציל בצמיד פתיל אלא כלים:
2
When clay is put into an earthenware container and filled half of it, it does not nullify it from being considered as a container. If keilim are sunk in that clay and the container is sealed close, the contents are protected from impurity.
ב
כלי חרש שנתן בו טיט עד חציו לא ביטלו ואם השקיע בו את הכלים מציל:
3
An earthenware container protects its contents from impurity when sealed close unless it is perforated with a hole large enough for a pomegranate to fall through. If it is large, the majority of it must be damaged and open for it to be disqualified.
What is implied? If there was a large container and half was damaged, it was sealed close, including the damaged portion, it protects its contents from impurity even though it is not considered a utensil with regard to impurity. If, however, a container that was sealed close had a hole or a crack and the hole was not closed, it becomes impure and does not protect its contents.
How large must the hole be to disqualify the container? If the container was used for foods, the measure is a hole large enough for olives to fall through. If it was used for liquids, its measure is that the hole must be large enough to enable liquids to seep in when the container is placed in them. If it is used for both these purposes, we rule stringently and if a hole was made that was large enough for liquids to seep in, it does not protect its contents until the hole is closed or reduced in size.
ג
כלי חרש מציל בצמיד פתיל עד שינקב במוציא רמון ובגדול עד שיפחת רובו כיצד כלי גדול שנפחת [חציו] והקיפו צמיד פתיל וסתם מקום הפחת בצמיד פתיל הרי זה מציל אע"פ שאינו חשוב כלי לענין טומאה אבל כלי המוקף צמיד פתיל שהיה נקוב או סדוק ולא סתם הנקב נטמא ואינו מציל וכמה יהיה בנקב אם היה כלי העשוי לאוכלים שיעורו במוציא זיתים היה עשוי למשקה שיעורו בכונס משקה העשוי לכך ולכך מטילין אותו לחומרא ומשינקב בכונס משקה אינו מציל עד שיסתום הנקב או עד שימעטנו:
4
The following rules apply when there was an oven in an ohelwhere a corpse was located. The oven had a covering upon it, it was sealed close, but it was cracked. If the crack was as wide as the opening of the rod of a plow which is a handbreadth in circumference, the oven is impure even though the rod could not be inserted into the oven through the hole, but the hole was equal to its size. If the hole was smaller than this, the oven is pure.
If the covering was cracked to the extent that the rod of a plow could enter, it is impure. If it is less, it protects its contents with a sealed covering. If the crack is round, we do not consider it as if it was long. Instead, the measure is dependent on whether the opening of the rod of a plow could be inserted.
ד
תנור שהיתה סרידא על פיו ומוקף צמיד פתיל ונתון באהל המת ונסדק התנור אם היה הסדק מלא פי מרדע שהוא היקף טפח נטמא התנור ואף על פי שאין המרדע יכול להכנס בסדק אלא הרי הוא כמותו בשוה פחות מכאן התנור טהור נסדקה הסרידא שעל פיו כמלא פי מרדע נכנס הרי זה טמא פחות מכאן ניצל בצמיד פתיל היה הסדק עגול אין רואין אותו ארוך אלא שיעורו כמלא פי מרדע נכנס:
5
The following rules apply when an oven that is sealed close has an eye that was partially closed with clay. If the hole was large enough for a reed to be inserted and taken out while it was burning, the contents of the oven are impure. If the hole is smaller than this, the contents are protected.
ה
תנור המוקף צמיד פתיל שניקב נקב בעינו של תנור הטוחה אם היה הנקב מלא כוש נכנס ויוצא כשהוא דולק ה"ז נטמא ואם היה הנקב פחות מזה ניצל:
6
When an oven has a hole at its side, the size of the hole that causes it to not to be considered as sealed is enough space for a reed to be inserted and taken out even when it was not burning. Similarly, when the clay seal of a jug was perforated, the measure is space for the second joint of a rye stalk to be inserted in the hole. Similarly, when large casks were perforated, the measure is space for the second joint of a reed to be inserted. If they are less than this, they are pure.
When does the above apply? When they were made to store wine. If, however, they were made to store other liquids, a hole of even the slightest size causes them to contract impurity and the fact that they are sealed close is not effective unless the hole was closed. Moreover, even if they were made for wine, the above applies only when they were not perforated by human hands. If, however, they were perforated by human hands, even the slightest hole causes them to contract impurity and they are not protected unless the hole is closed.
ו
ניקב התנור מצדו שיעורו מלא כוש נכנס ויוצא שלא דולק וכן מגופת החבית שניקבה שיעורה כדי שתכנס מיצה שנייה של שיפון בנקב וחצבים גדולים שניקבו שיעורן כדי שתכנס מיצה שנייה של קנה פחות מכאן טהורין במה דברים אמורים בזמן שנעשו ליין אבל אם נעשו לשאר המשקין אפילו ניקבו בכל שהן נטמאו ואין הצמיד פתיל מועיל להם עד שיסתום הנקב ואף בזמן שנעשו ליין לא אמרו אלא שניקבו שלא בידי אדם אבל אם נעשו בידי אדם אפילו כל שהן טמאים ואינן ניצלין עד שיסתם הנקב:
7
When a jug that is filled with pure liquids has an earthenware tube in it, it is considered as sealed close. If it is located in anohel where a corpse is found, the jug and the liquid are pure. The tube is impure, because one end of it is in the jug which is sealed close and the second end is open in the ohel where the corpse is found and it is not closed. Even though it is crooked, this does not cause it to be considered as closed.
ז
חבית שהיא מלאה משקין טהורין ומניקת של חרס בתוכה והחבית מוקפת צמיד פתיל ונתונה באהל המת החבית והמשקין טהורין והמניקת טמאה מפני שקצתה האחת בתוך החבית המוקפת והקצה השני פתוח לאהל המת ואינו סתום אע"פ שהיא עקומה אין העקום כסתום:
8
When a jug that was sealed close had a hole on its side, but that hole was closed by wine dregs, it protects its contents from impurity. If the owner plugged half the hole and the dregs closed the other half, there is an unresolved question whether the contents are protected or not.
If one plugged the hole with a twig, it is not considered as closed unless one smears clay around the sides. If one closed it with two slivers of wood, one must smear clay from the sides and between one sliver and the other. Similarly, if a board was placed over the opening to an oven and one smeared clay at the sides, it is protected from impurity. If there were two boards, one must smear clay from the sides and between one board and the other. If, however, one joined the boards together with wooden pegs or the like or with cork, it is not necessary to smear clay in the middle.
With what can a jug be sealed close? With lime, clay, gypsum, pitch, wax, mud, filth, mortar, or any substance that can be smeared. We do not seal with tin or lead, because it will not be a seal, nor will it close the container tightly. A plump fig that was not prepared to contract ritual impurity may be used as a seal. This also applies with regard to a dough that was kneaded with fruit juice so that it will not become impure. These qualifications are necessary, because an impure object cannot intervene in the face of impurity.
ח
חבית המוקפת צמיד פתיל שניקבה מצדה וסתמו שמרים את הנקב הציל אגף חצי הנקב וסתם חציו ה"ז ספק אם הציל אם לא הציל סתם את הנקב בזמורה עד שימרח מן הצדדין סתמו בב' קסמים עד שימרח מן הצדדין ובין זמורה לחבירתה וכן נסר שנתון על פי התנור ומירח מן הצדדין [הציל היו שתי נסרים עד שימרח מן הצדדין ובין] נסר לחבירו חיבר את שני נסרים במסמרים של עץ וכיוצא בהן או שלפף עליהן שוגמין א"צ למרח מן האמצע במה מקיפין בסיד ובחרסית ובגפסין בזפת ובשעוה בטיט ובצואה ובחמר ובכל דבר המתמרח ואין מקיפין לא בבעץ ולא בעופרת מפני שהוא פתיל ואינו צמיד ומקיפין בדבילה שמנה שלא הוכשרה ובבצק שנילושה במי פירות כדי שלא יטמא שדבר טמא אינו חוצץ:
9
When the covering of a jug has become loose, even when it does not slip off, it no longer protects the contents, for it is not considered as sealed.
When a rubber ball or strands tied together were placed on a jug and clay was smeared at the sides, it does not protect the contents unless clay was smeared on the entire ball or collection of strands from below upward. Similar concepts apply with regard to a patch of cloth that was tied to a container. If a covering of paper or leather was tied over a container with string, it protects the contents if one merely smeared clay at the sides.
ט
מגופת החבית שנתחלחלה אף על פי שאינה נשמטת אינה מצלת שהרי נתרעע הצמיד הכדור והבקעת של גמי שנתן ע"פ החבית ומירח מן הצדדין לא תציל עד שימרח על כל הכדור ועל כל הבקעת ממטה למעלה וכן במטלת של בגד שקשרה ע"פ הכלי היתה של נייר או של עור וקשרה במשיחה אם מירח מן הצדדין הציל:
10
When a jug was enwrapped in a container made from the skin of a fish or from paper and it was tied close from below, the contents are protected. If it was not tied, it does not protect the contents, even if clay was smeared at the sides.
י
חמת של עור הדג או הנייר שהלביש בהן את החבית וצררה מלמטה ה"ז מצלת ואם לא צררה אף ע"פ שמירח מן הצדדין לא תציל:
11
The following rules apply when there was a jug that was covered with pitch from the inside and then a portion of the clay of the jug was peeled off, but the pitch remained standing. If one placed a covering on the pitch and pressed it down until it became attached to the pitch and thus the pitch was standing between the covering and the based of the jug, its contents are protected.
Similar concepts apply with regard to a container used for fish brine or the like. If one of the substances that is smeared as insulation for the container was standing between the covering and the container like a border, since everything was attached together, the contents are protected.
יא
חבית זפותה שנתקלף החרס מלמעלה והזפת שלה עומד ונתן הכיסוי על הזפת ודחקו עד שידבק בזפת ונמצא הזפת עומד בין הכיסוי ובין קרקע החבית הרי זה מציל וכן בכלי המורייס וכיוצא בהן מדברים המתמרחין שהיה המתמרח בין הכיסוי ובין הכלי כמו זר הואיל והכל דבוקין ה"ז מציל:
• Rambam - 3 Chapters: Mechirah Mechirah - Chapter One, Mechirah Mechirah - Chapter Two, Mechirah Mechirah - Chapter Three
• Mechirah - Chapter One
'In the name of the Lord, eternal God'
"The beginning of wisdom: Acquire wisdom; with all your resources, gain understanding" (Proverbs 4:7)
THE TWELFTH BOOK
SEFER KINYAN The Book of Acquisition
This book contains five halachot, which are arranged in the following order:
Hilchot Mechirah - The Laws of Selling
Hilchot Zechiyah UMatanah - The Laws of Acquisition and Gifts
Hilchot Sh'chenim - The Laws Governing Relations Between Neighbors
Hilchot Sh'luchin V'Shutafin - The Laws Governing Relations with Agents
and Partners
Hilchot Avadim - The Laws Governing Servants
1
An article is not acquired merely through a verbal agreement. This applies even when witnesses testify that the principals have reached an agreement.
What is implied? A person says: "I am selling you this house," "I am selling you this wine," or "I am selling you this servant," and a price is fixed. The purchaser agrees and says: "I have purchased it," the seller says: "I have sold it," and they tell witnesses: "Serve as witnesses that so and so has sold and so and so has purchased", their words are of no consequence. It is as if they had never spoken to each other at all. The same applies with regard to a person who gives a gift and its recipient.
א
המקח אינו נקנה בדברים ואפילו העידו עליהם עדים כיצד בית זה אני מוכר לך יין זה אני מוכר לך עבד זה אני מוכר לך ופסקו הדמים ורצה הלוקח ואמר קניתי ורצה המוכר ואמר מכרתי ואמרו לעדים הוו עלינו עדים שמכר זה ושלקח זה הרי זה אינו כלום וכאילו לא היו ביניהם דברים מעולם וכן בנותן מתנה ומקבלה:
2
If, however, the purchase is completed through one of the media by which property is transferred, the purchaser acquires the object. There is no need for witnesses; neither the seller or the purchaser may retract.
ב
אבל אם נקנה המקח באחד מהדברים שהוא נקנה בהם קנה הלוקח ואינן צריכין לעדים כלל ואין אחד מהן יכול לחזור בו:
3
How is an acquisition made? Landed property can be acquired in one of three ways: a) through the transfer of money, b) through the transfer of a deed of sale, or c) through chazakah(manifesting one's ownership).
ג
ובמה יקנה המקח הקרקעות באחד משלשה דברים בכסף או בשטר או בחזקה:
4
How is property acquired through the transfer of money? If one person sold another person a house or a field, and the purchaser gave him the money agreed upon, he acquires it. When does the above apply? In a place where it is not customary to write a deed of sale. In a place where it is customary to write a deed of sale, however, the purchaser does not acquire the property until a deed is composed.
Landed property cannot be acquired for less than a p'rutah's worth.
ד
כיצד בכסף מכר לו בית מכר לו שדה ונתן לו הדמים קנה בד"א במקום שאין כותבין את השטר אבל במקום שדרכן לכתוב שטר מכר לא קנה עד שיכתוב את השטר ואין קרקע נקנית בפחות משוה פרוטה:
5
If the purchaser makes the following stipulation: "If I desire, I will acquire it through the transfer of money, or if I desire I will acquire it through the transfer of a deed of sale," and gives money on the basis of this stipulation, it is established as a binding condition. Once the money has been paid, the seller cannot retract, because of the stipulation. The purchaser can, however, retract until the deed of sale is written.
Similar laws apply if the seller makes such a condition.
ה
התנה הלוקח ואמר אם רציתי אקנה בכסף או אקנה בשטר ונתן הכסף על תנאי זה הרי זה קיים ואין המוכר יכול לחזור בו מפני התנאי והלוקח יכול לחזור בו עד שיכתוב את השטר וכן אם התנה המוכר כזה:
6
When a person tells a colleague: "Give so and so a manehand you will acquire my house," once the colleague makes the payment, he acquires the house. This is an extension of the laws applying to a guarantor.
ו
האומר לחבירו תן מנה לפלוני ויקנה ביתי לך כיון שנתן קנה הבית מדין ערב:
7
How is property acquired through the transfer of a deed of sale? The seller writes for the purchaser on a piece of paper, on a shard or on a leaf. "My field is given to you," or "My field is sold to you." Once the deed reaches the purchaser's hand, he acquires the field, even though there are no witnesses at all, and despite the fact that the document itself is of no financial value. When does the above apply? When a person sells his field because it is undesirable. With regard to other landed property, by contrast, even though the deed of sale reaches the purchaser's hand and is signed by witnesses, the purchaser does not acquire the property until he pays its price.
ז
כיצד בשטר כתב לו על הנייר או על החרס או על העלה שדי נתונה לך שדי מכורה לך כיון שהגיע השטר לידו קנה אע"פ שאין שם עדים כלל ואף על פי שאין השטר שוה כלום במה דברים אמורים במוכר שדה מפני רעתה אבל בשאר קרקעות אע"פ שהגיע שטר של מכר לידו ואפילו היו בו עדים לא קנה עד שיתן את הדמים:
8
How is property acquired through the manifestation of ownership? If a person sold a colleague a house or a field or gave him such properties as a gift, the purchaser or the recipient acquires the property when he locks the entrance to the property, encloses the property with even the slightest portion of a fence or breaks through even the slightest portion of one of the walls surrounding the property, provided his deeds bring him benefit.
When does the above apply? When the person manifests his ownership in the presence of the seller or the one who gives the gift. If, however, he does so outside the presence of the seller or the one who gives the gift, the seller or the giver must tell him: "Go, manifest possession over it and acquire it." If this statement is made, and afterwards the purchaser or the recipient manifests possession, he acquires the property even if he acts outside the presence of the previous owner.
ח
כיצד בחזקה מכר לו בית מכר לו שדה או שנתן אותה במתנה כיון שנעל או גדר או פרץ כל שהוא והוא שיועיל במעשיו הרי זה קנה בד"א כשהחזיק בפני המוכר או הנותן אבל שלא בפני המוכר או הנותן צריך שיאמר לו לך חזק וקנה ואח"כ אם החזיק קנה אף על פי שאינו בפני הבעלים:
9
When a person sells a house to a colleague and gives him the key, it is as if he told him: "Go, manifest possession over it and acquire it." Similarly, if a person sells a colleague a cistern, once he gives him its bucket it is as if he told him: "Go, manifest possession over it and acquire it." When he manifests his possession, he acquires it.
ט
המוכר בית לחבירו ומסר לו את המפתח הרי זה כמי שאמר לו לך חזק וקנה וכן המוכר את הבור כיון שמסר לו דליו הרי זה כמי שאמר לו לך חזק וקנה וכשהחזיק יקנה:
10
What is meant by saying that one who locks a property acquires it? For example, when a person sells a house or a courtyard whose entrance was open, and the purchaser locked the entrance and then opened it; the purchaser is considered to have acquired it, for he used it in a way that brings benefit.'
י
כיצד המחזיק בנעילה קנה כגון שמכר בית או חצר והיה הפתח פתוח ונעל הלוקח את הפתח וחזר ופתחו הרי זה החזיק וקנה שהרי נשתמש בה שימוש המועיל:
11
What is meant by saying that one who encloses the property with even the slightest portion of a fence acquires it? For example, there was a fence that people could climb over easily, and the purchaser added a small portion to its height, making it ten handbreadths high thus causing it to be difficult to climb over. His deeds are of benefit and he acquires the property.
Similarly, if there was an opening in the fence that allowed people to enter only with difficulty, and the purchaser widened it even slightly, allowing people to enter easily, his deeds are of benefit and he acquires the property.
יא
כיצד המחזיק בגדירה כל שהוא קנה כגון שהיה שם גדר והיו עולין בנחת והוסיף עליו כל שהוא והשלימו לעשרה ונמצא שאין עולין אלא בדוחק הרי זה הועיל וקנה וכן אם היתה שם פרצה והיו נכנסים בה בדוחק והרחיב הוא בה כל שהוא עד שנמצא נכנס בריוח הרי הועיל וקנה:
12
If the purchaser placed down a rock in a way that causes benefit - e.g., he completed an irrigation channel that brought water to the field - or he removed a rock in a way that causes benefit - e.g., he opened a dammed irrigation ditch and let water flow into the field - he acquires it. The same applies in all analogous situations.
יב
נתן צרור והועיל כגון שחבר בו המים לשדה או נטל צרור והועיל כגון שפתח בנטילתו המים לשדה הרי זה קנה וכן כל כיוצא בזה:
13
The following rules apply when a person sells a colleague a field that is located next to one of that colleague's fields, or gives him such a field as a gift. Once the colleague breaks down the partition that separates the two fields from each other and makes them one large field, he acquires it.
If, however, he merely walks the length and breadth of the new property, this walking serves no benefit and it therefore does not serve as a manifestation of his ownership. When he sells him a path for vineyards, however, the purchaser does acquire it by walking, for that is its purpose.
יג
המוכר שדה לחבירו בצד שדהו או שנתנה לו במתנה כיון שדש את המצר שבין שתי השדות ונעשו שתיהן כשדה אחת קנה אבל אם הלך בה לארכה ולרחבה אין הילוך זה מועיל כלום ואם שביל של כרמים מכר לו הואיל ונעשה להילוך קנה בהילוך:
14
How wide is the path that a person acquires by walking? If it is defined by barriers, he acquires an area at least large enough to enable him to lift one foot up and place the other next to it. If it is not defined by barriers, he acquires a width sufficient to allow him to walk carrying a package of twigs on his head and turn around with it.
יד
וכמה שיעור רוחב הדרך שיקנה בהילוכו אם היה מסויים במחיצות קנה כדי שיגביה רגל ויניח רגל בצדה ואם אין שם מחיצות קנה ברוחב כדי שתהיה על ראשו חבילה של שריגים ויסוב בה:
15
If the property being sold is a rocky patch that cannot be enclosed with a fence and an entrance, nor can it be sowed, the way in which a person manifests his ownership and acquires it is to spread produce upon it, to have an animal stand there, or to use it in another way.
טו
היתה הקרקע צחיח סלע שאין בה לא גדר ולא פרצה ואינה בת זריעה הרי החזקה שקונה אותה שטיחת פירות או העמדת בהמה שם וכיוצא בזה משאר התשמיש:
16
When a person sells a field to a colleague, and the colleague enters and sows it, plows it and leaves it fallow, collects its produce, prunes it or the like, he acquires it, for he has manifested his ownership. Neither of them may retract.
Similarly, if the seller collects a basket of produce and gives it to the purchaser, the purchaser acquires the field. This is considered manifestation of ownership, for the seller revealed his intent of transferring ownership of the field to the purchaser in an outright way, so that its produce would be his.
טז
המוכר שדה לחבירו ונכנס בה הלוקח וזרעה או נרה או שאסף פירות האילן או זמרו וכל כיוצא בדברים אלו הרי זה קנה שהרי החזיק ואין אחד מהן יכול לחזור בו וכן אם אסף המוכר סל של פירות ונתן ללוקח קנה לוקח מיד בחזקה שהרי גילה דעתו שהקנה לו שדה זו קניין גמור ונעשו פירותיה שלו:
17
A gentile cannot acquire property by manifesting his ownership over it. He can acquire a property only through the transfer of a legal documentafter money has been paid. A Jew who comes on account of a gentile is considered like a gentile and can acquire property only through the transfer of a legal document.
Any entity that is attached to landed property is considered like landed property and can be acquired through the transfer of money, the transfer of a deed of sale or through chazakah.
If, however, the produce no longer needs the nurture of the land - e.g., grapes that are ready to be picked - it is considered movable property with regard to the laws of acquisition. And like movable property, the laws of deception apply with regard to their sale.
יז
העכו"ם אינו קונה בחזקה אלא בשטר הוא שקונה עם נתינת הכסף וישראל הבא מחמת העכו"ם הרי הוא כעכו"ם ואינו קונה אלא בשטר:
כל המחובר לקרקע הרי הוא כקרקע ונקנה או בכסף או בשטר או בחזקה ואם אינו צריך לקרקע כגון ענבים העומדות ליבצר הרי זה כמטלטלין לקניין ויש להן אונאה:
18
Just as landed property itself is acquired through the transfer of money, the transfer of a deed of sale orchazakah, so too, the rental of land is finalized through the transfer of money alone, the transfer of a deed of sale alone, or chazakah,and neither party can retract.
יח
כשם שהקרקע נקנה בכסף בשטר ובחזקה כך שכירות הקרקע נקנה בכסף לבדו או בשטר לבדו או בחזקה ואין אחד מהן יכול לחזור בו:
19
When a person sells a colleague ten fields in ten different countries, the purchaser acquires them all by manifesting his ownership over one of them. Even if one of the fields was located on a high mountain and another in a valley - and thus the manner in which one is tilled differs from the other -nevertheless, by manifesting his ownership over one of them, the purchaser acquires them all.
יט
המוכר לחבירו עשר שדות בעשר מדינות כיון שהחזיק באחת מהן קנה כולן ואפילו היתה אחת מהן הר גבוה והשנית מצולה שהרי תשמיש של זו אינה תשמיש של זו אע"פ כן כיון שהחזיק באחת מהן קנה השאר:
20
When does the above apply? When he pays for all of them. If, however, he does not pay for all of them, he acquires only a measure of property equal to the money that he pays. Therefore, if all the fields were given as a gift, he acquires them all.
Similarly, with regard to the rental of landed property, if a person manifests ownership over one of the properties he is renting, he acquires them all for the entire duration of the rental period.'
If a person is purchasing some properties and renting others, once he manifests his ownership over one property, whether that property be purchased or rented, he acquires them all.
כ
במה דברים אמורים שנתן דמי כולן אבל אם לא נתן דמי כולן לא קנה אלא כנגד מעותיו לפיכך אם היו הכל במתנה קנה כולן וכן בשכירות כיון שהחזיק באחת מהן קנה כולן כל זמן השכירות היו מקצת הקרקעות במכר ומקצתן בשכירות כיון שהחזיק בין במכירה בין בשכירות קנה הכל:
Mechirah - Chapter Two
1
A Canaanite servant is considered as landed property with regard to the laws of acquisition, and can be acquired through the transfer of money and a deed of sale, or through chazakah?
א
עבד כנעני הרי הוא כקרקע לקנייה ונקנה בכסף ובשטר או בחזקה:
2
What manifestation of ownership is effective in acquiring a servant? Making use of him as one makes use of a servant in the presence of his previous master.
What is implied? If the servant unties his new master's shoe, puts on his shoe, carries his articles to the bathhouse, undresses him, anoints him, combs his skin, dresses him or lifts him up, the master acquires the servant.
Similarly, if the master lifts up the servant, he acquires him.
ב
ומה היא החזקה בקניין עבדים שישתמש בהן כדרך שמשתמשין בעבדים בפני רבו כיצד התיר לו מנעלו או שהנעיל לו מנעלו או שהוליך כליו לבית המרחץ או שהפשיטו או סכו או גרדו או הלבישו או הגביה את רבו קנה וכן אם הגביה הרב את העבד קנה:
3
If the new owner pushes the servant and brings him close to him, he acquires him, for a Canaanite servant can be acquired through meshichah in this manner. If, however, he called the servant and he came to him, or the servant's previous owner told him to go to the purchaser, and he followed those instructions, the new owner does not acquire himuntil he pushes him or until he makes use of him in the manner described above.
If the new owner manifests his ownership over the servant outside the presence of the previous owner, the previous owner must tell him: "Go, manifest your ownership and acquire him" for the kinyanto be effective.
ג
תקפו והביאו אצלו קנה שהעבדים נקנין במשיכה כזו אבל אם קרא לעבד ובא אצלו או שאמר לו רבו הראשון לך אצל הלוקח והלך אצלו לא קנה עד שימשכנו בתקיפה או שישתמש בו כמו שביארנו ואם החזיק בו שלא בפני הרב צריך שיאמר לו לך חזק וקנה:
4
A servant below the age of majority is considered like an animal and can be acquired through both the processes by which an animal is acquired and those by which servants are acquired. Therefore, he can be acquired by meshichah even though the new owner did not push him.
ד
עבד קטן הרי הוא כבהמה וקונין אותו בדברים שקונין בהן הבהמה ובדברים שקונין בהן העבדים לפיכך נקנה במשיכה אף על פי שלא תקפו:
5
Livestock, whether light or heavy, can be acquired throughmeshichah. When lifting an animal is possible, it need not be lifted, because it may receive a blow when placed back on the earth. If a person lifts it up, he acquires it.
Lifting up an object serves as a kinyan in all places, whilemeshichah is effective as a kinyan only in a corner off the public domain, or in a courtyard whose ownership the buyer and the seller both share. Meshichah is not effective as a kinyan in the public domain or in a courtyard whose ownership is not shared by both the seller and the purchaser.
ה
הבהמה בין דקה בין גסה נקנית במשיכה אע"פ שאפשר להגביה אותה לא הצריכוהו להגביה מפני שמתחבטת בארץ ואם הגביה קנה וההגבהה קונה בכל מקום אבל המשיכה אין קונין בה אלא בסימטא או בחצר של שניהם ואין קונין בה ברשות הרבים ולא בחצר שאינה של שניהם:
6
How is an animal acquired through meshichah? Needless to say, the transaction is completed if the purchaser pulls the animal and it walks after him, or he rides upon it and causes it to walk. The transaction is effective even if he calls it and it comes, or he swats it with a stick and causes it to run. When the animal lifts both a forefoot and a hind foot, the purchaser acquires it.
The above applies provided the purchaser performs meshichah in the presence of the previous owner. If he performs meshichahoutside the presence of the previous owner, that person must tell the purchaser before he performs meshichah, "Go, performmeshichah and acquire it."
ו
כיצד קונין את הבהמה במשיכה אין צריך לומר אם משכה והלכה או שרכב עליה והלכה בו שקנה אלא אפילו קרא לה ובאה או שהכישה במקל ורצה בפניו כיון שעקרה יד ורגל קנאה והוא שימשוך בפני הבעלים אבל אם משך שלא בפני הבעלים צריך שיאמר לו קודם שימשוך לך משוך וקנה:
7
When a person sells a herd to a colleague or gives it to him as a gift, if he gives him the mashkuchit - i.e., the animal that leads the herd, that all the others follow - he does not have to tell him, "Perform meshichah and acquire it." For giving him this animal is tantamount to saying: "Go, perform meshichah and acquire it." Thus, once the purchaser or the recipient performs meshichah with the herd, he acquires it, even if he performs meshichah outside the presence of the previous owner.
ז
המוכר עדר לחבירו או שנתן לו במתנה כיון שמסר לו משכוכית היא הבהמה המהלכת בראש העדר והכל נמשכים אחריה אין צריך לומר לו משוך וקנה שמסירת בהמה זו כמי שאמר לו לך משוך וקנה וכיון שמשך לו העדר קנה ואף על פי שמשך שלא בפניו:
8
When a person tells a purchaser or a recipient of a gift: "Perform meshichah over an animal and then you will acquire it," or "Perform chazakah over property and then you will acquire it," he does not acquire it if he performs meshichah or chazakah.For the expression "you will acquire it" is in the future tense and implies that he has not transferred ownership to him yet.
Instead, the seller or the giver of the gift must say: "Go, performchazakah and acquire it," "Go, perform meshichah and acquire it," or the like, using an expression that implies that he will acquire it at the time he performs meshichah or chazakah.
ח
האומר לחבירו משוך ותקנה או חזק ותקנה וכיוצא בדברים אלו והלך ומשך או שהחזיק לא קנה שמשמע תקנה להבא ועדיין לא הקנה לו אלא צריך המוכר או הנותן לומר לו לך חזק וקנה או משוך וקנה וכיוצא בדברים אלו שמשמען שיקנה עתה בעת שימשוך או יחזיק:
9
When a person tells a colleague: "Perform meshichah with an animal and you will acquire it after 30 days," and he performsmeshichah, he does not acquire it.
If he told him "...acquire it now and after 30 days," he acquires it, even if it is standing in a swamp on the thirtieth day. For this resembles a situation in which an acquisition was made in the present, conditional on a stipulation, in which instance, when the stipulation is met, the transaction becomes effective.
Whenever a person uses the expression "with the intent that...," it is as if he said that the transaction would take effect from the present.
ט
האומר לחבירו משוך פרה זו ולא תקנה אלא לאחר שלשים יום ומשך לא קנה ואם אמר לו קנה מעכשיו ולאחר שלשים יום קנה ואפילו היתה עומדת באגם ביום שלשים שזה כמי שהקנה אותו מעתה על תנאי נעשה התנאי נתקיים הקניין וכל האומר על מנת כאומר מעכשיו דמי:
10
The following rules apply when a person sells an animal to a purchaser or gives it as a gift and tells the purchaser or the recipient: "Acquire it in the manner in which people normally acquire it." If he performs meshichah or hagbahah, he acquires it. If, however, he rides upon it a distinction is made: If this is done in the field, he acquires it. If it is done in the city, he does not acquire it, for it is not common for people to ride in a city.
For this reason, if the purchaser or recipient is an important person - who is accustomed to riding in a city, a very base person - who is not concerned about riding through the city, e.g., a person who raises animals or servants, or a woman, or if the animal is in the public domain where many walk, it can be acquired by riding, provided the rider causes the animal to proceed.
י
המוכר בהמה לחבירו או נתנה לו במתנה ואמר קנה אותה כדרך שבני אדם קונין אם משך או הגביהה קנה אבל אם רכב עליה אם בשדה קנה ואם בעיר לא קנה לפי שאין דרך בני אדם לרכוב בעיר לפיכך אם היה אדם חשוב שדרכו לרכוב בעיר או אדם מזולזל ביותר שאינו מקפיד על הילוכו בעיר רוכב כגון המטפלין בגידול הבהמות או העבדים או שהיתה אשה או שהיה ברשות הרבים שהרבים דורסין שם הרי זה קונה ברכיבה והוא שתהלך בו:
Mechirah - Chapter Three
1
According to Scriptural Law, both livestock and other movable property are acquired by the payment of money. Once the purchaser pays money, neither he nor the seller can retract. Our Sages, however, ordained that movable property should be acquired only through lifting up the article(hagbahah) or pulling(meshichah) an article that is not commonly lifted up.
א
אחד הבהמה ואחד שאר המטלטלין נקנין במעות דין תורה ומשנתן את המעות קנה ואין אחד מהן יוכל לחזור בו אבל חכמים תקנו שלא יקנו המטלטלין אלא בהגבהה או במשיכת דבר שאין דרכו להגביה:
2
What is implied? When a person gathers together a heavy load of wood, flax or the like that cannot be lifted up, this load cannot be acquired through meshichah, for it can be unbound, and each individual piece of wood can be lifted up. The same principle applies in other similar situations.
In contrast, a large load of nuts, peppers, almonds or the like that no one person could lift up, can be acquired through meshichah.For if one untied the load and separated it, lifting each individual item would involve great difficulty. The same principle applies in other similar situations.
ב
כיצד המקבץ עצים או פשתן וכיוצא בהן ועשה מהן טעון גדול שאי אפשר להגביהו אינו נקנה במשיכה שהרי אפשר להתיר האגד ולהגביהו עץ עץ וכן כל כיוצא בזה אבל אם היה טעון של אגוזים או של פלפלין או של שקדים וכיוצא בהן והיה גדול שאין אחד יוכל להגביהו הרי זה נקנה במשיכה שאם יתירו יתפרד ויהיה לו בו טורח גדול וכן כל כיוצא בזה:
3
With regard to a ship: since it is impossible to lift it up, and it is very difficult to pull it - this is possible only when many are involved - our Sages did not require meshichah. Rather, they ruled that it can be acquired through being handed over (mesirah). The same principles apply in all similar situations.
If the seller tells the purchaser, "Go, perform meshichah and acquire the ship," the ship cannot be acquired until one pulls it after oneself, shifting its position entirely, moving it from the place where it had been resting. For the seller had specified that it be acquired solely through meshichah.
ג
הספינה הואיל ואי אפשר להגביהה ויש במשיכתה טורח גדול ואינה נמשכת אלא לרבים לא הצריכוה משיכה אלא נקנית במסירה וכן כל כיוצא בזה ואם אמר לו המוכר לך משוך וקנה אינו קונה הספינה עד שימשכנה כולה ויוציאנה מכל המקום שהיתה בו שהרי הקפיד המוכר שלא יקנה זה אלא במשיכה:
4
From the above, one may conclude that a person who purchases movable property may retract, even though he has paid for his purchase. Similarly, the seller can retract until the purchaser lifts up the object of sale or performs meshichah on an article that is not usually lifted up, or the seller gives the purchaser an article that is not usually pulled.
When, however, the purchaser lifts up the object of sale, performsmeshichah on an article that is not usually lifted up, or is given an article that is that is not usually pulled, he acquires it. Neither party can retract, and the purchaser is compelled to pay if he has not done so already.
ד
נמצאת למד שהלוקח מטלטלין אע"פ שנתן כל הדמים יכול לחזור בו וכן המוכר יכול לחזור בו עד שיגביה או ימשוך דבר שאין בו הגבהה או ימסור המוכר ללוקח דבר שאין דרכו להמשיך ומשהגביה או משך דבר שאין דרכו להגביה או נמסר לו דבר שאין דרכו להמשיך קנה ואין אחד משניהם יכול לחזור בו וכופין את הלוקח ליתן את הדמים:
5
Why did our Sages make such an ordinance with regard to movable property? This is a decree, enacted lest a purchaser pay for an article and before he takes possession of it, it be destroyed by factors beyond his control - e.g., a fire breaks out and burns it, or thieves come and take it. If the article is considered as in the possession of the purchaser, the seller may hesitate and not endeavor to save it.
For this reason, our Sages ordained that the article remain within the possession of the seller, so that he will attempt to save it. For if it is destroyed, he is obligated to pay.
ה
ולמה תקנו חכמים דבר זה במטלטלין גזרה שמא יתן הלוקח דמי החפץ וקודם שיקחנו יאבד באונס וכגון שנפלה דליקה ונשרף או באו ליסטים ונטלוהו אם יהיה ברשות הלוקח יתמהמה המוכר ולא יצילהו לפיכך העמידוהו חכמים ברשות המוכר כדי שישתדל ויציל החפץ שאם אבד חייב לשלם:
6
Thus, if a purchaser paid for an article and it was destroyed by forces beyond his control before he took it, the purchaser may tell the seller: "Give me the article I purchased or return my money." Even though there are witnesses who saw that the article was destroyed by forces beyond control, the seller could not save it, and he was not lazy regarding the matter, the seller must return the money. For our Sages ordained that a kinyan is finalized through meshichah.
For this reason, if the purchaser owned the house in which the article that was sold was held, and he was renting it to the seller, our Sages did not ordain that the article must be acquired throughmeshichah. For the article that was sold is in the domain of the purchaser. In this instance, once he pays the money, the sale is concluded, and neither can retract.
ו
נמצאת אומר שאם נתן דמי המקח ונאנס קודם שיקחנו ואמר לו הלוקח תן לי מקחי או החזר לי את מעותי ואף על פי שיש עדים שאבד באונס ולא היה במוכר כח להצילו ולא נתרשל בדבר הרי זה מחזיר את הדמים שהרי תקנו חכמים משיכה לפיכך אם היה ביתו של לוקח שיש בו החפץ שנמכר מושכר למוכר לא תקנו לו חכמים משיכה שהרי המקח ברשות הלוקח ומשנתן את הדמים נקנה המקח ואין אחד מהן יכול לחזור בו:
7
Similarly, if a person rented the place where the movable property that was sold was stored, he acquires the movable property, and neither can retract, even though he did not lift up the object of sale, perform meshichah on it or have it given him. For the object has entered his domain. As we have already explained, the rental of landed property is finalized through the transfer of money, the transfer of a rental contract or through chazakah.
ז
וכן השוכר המקום שאותן המטלטלין הנמכרין מונחין בו קנה ואין אחד מהן יכול לחזור בו ואע"פ שלא הגביה ולא משך ולא נמסרו לו שהרי נעשה ברשותו וכבר ביארנו ששכירות קרקע נקנה בכסף או בשטר או בחזקה:
8
When a person transfers ownership of landed property and movable property simultaneously, once the purchaser or the recipient acquires the landed property through the transfer of money, the transfer of a deed of sale or through a chazakah, he acquires the movable property together with it.
This applies whether he sold both types of property, gave them both as gifts, sold the movable property and gave the landed property as a gift or sold the landed property and gave the movable property as a gift. When the purchaser or the recipient acquires the landed property, he acquires the movable property.
ח
המקנה קרקע ומטלטלין כאחד כיון שקנה קרקע בכסף או בשטר או בחזקה נקנו המטלטלין עמהם בין שהיו שניהם במכר או במתנה בין שמכר מטלטלין ונתן קרקע בין שמכר הקרקע ונתן המטלטלין כיון שקנה קרקע קנה מטלטלין:
9
When does the above apply? When the movable property was collected within the landed property. If, however, it was in another place, it is necessary for the seller to tell the purchaser: "Acquire the movable property by virtue of your acquisition of the immovable property."
Even when the movable property is in another country, and the seller tells the purchaser: "Acquire the movable property by virtue of your acquisition of this landed property," once the purchaser acquires the landed property, he acquires the movable property together with it, even though the movable property was not collected within the landed property.
If the seller did not tell the purchaser: "Acquire the movable property by virtue of your acquisition of this landed property," the purchaser does not acquire the movable property.
Even the smallest amount of landed property is sufficient to be used to acquire any movable property one desires by virtue of its acquisition.
ט
בד"א כשהיו אותן המטלטלין צבורין באותה קרקע אבל אם היו במקום אחר צריך שיאמר לו קנה מטלטלין אגב קרקע אפילו היו המטלטלין במדינה אחרת ואמר לו קנה אותם על גבי קרקע פלונית כיון שקנה הקרקע נקנו המטלטלין אף על פי שאינן צבורין בתוכה ואם לא אמר קנה אגב קרקע לא קנה וקרקע כל שהיא קונין על גבה כל מטלטלין שירצה:
10
Different rules apply when a person transfers ownership of a field to one person and movable property to another person, even though he tells the latter: "Acquire the movable property by virtue of your colleague's acquisition of this landed property."
Although the recipient manifests ownership over the landed property, the other does not acquire the movable property. If, however, this person seizes possession of it after the seller desires to retract, it should not be removed from his possession, for he took possession of it after his colleague acquired the landed property by virtue of whose acquisition this movable property was to be acquired.
י
הקנה השדה לאחד והמטלטלין לאחר אע"פ שאמר לו קנה המטלטלין על גבי קרקע והחזיק האחד בקרקע לא קנה השני המטלטלין ואם תפשן אחר שחזר בו המקנה אין מוציאין מידו שהרי תפשן אחר שקנה חבירו הקרקע שנקנו אלו על גבו:
11
When a person desires to transfer ownership over servants and landed property at the same time, although he manifests ownership over the servants, he does not acquire the landed property. Similarly, although he manifests ownership over the landed property, he does not acquire the servants unless they are standing within the landed property. Even though the seller tells the purchaser: "Acquire the servants by virtue of your acquisition of this landed property," the purchaser does not acquire the servants unless the servants are within the landed property. The rationale is that a servant goes from place to place on his own volition.
יא
המקנה עבדים וקרקעות כאחד החזיק בעבדים לא קנה הקרקעות החזיק בקרקעות לא קנה עבדים עד שיהיו עומדין בתוך הקרקע ואף על פי שאמר לו קנה עבדים על גבי קרקע לא קנה עד שיהיו בתוכה שהעבד מהלך לדעת עצמו:
12
When a person transfers ownership of servants and movable property at the same time, the purchaser does not acquire the servants by performing meshichah on the movable property. If he manifested his ownership over the servants, he did not acquire the movable property, unless the servant was carrying the movable property. Moreover, the servant must be bound, so that he cannot walk.
יב
המקנה עבדים ומטלטלין כאחד משך המטלטלין לא קנה העבדים החזיק בעבדים לא קנה המטלטלין אא"כ היו המטלטלין על גב העבד והוא שיהיה כפות שהרי אינו יכול להלך:
13
The following laws apply when a person transfers ownership of both an animal and the articles it was bearing at the same time. Although he performs meshichah of the animal and acquires it - he does not acquire the articles it was bearing until he lifts up or performs meshichah on the articles themselves, if it is not customary to lift them up. The rationale is that an animal is like a walking courtyard, and thus, what it bears is not acquired by its owner. Therefore, if the animal was bound, by performingmeshichah on it, one also acquires the articles it was bearing.
יג
המקנה בהמה וכלים שעל גבה כאחד אף על פי שמשך הבהמה וקנאה לא קנה הכלים שעליה עד שיגביה או ימשוך הכלים עצמן אם אין דרכן להגביהן שהבהמה כחצר המתהלכת היא ואין מה שבתוכה קנוי לבעלה לפיכך אם היתה הבהמה כפותה קנה אף כלים שעליה:
14
When the seller tells the purchaser, "Perform meshichahover this animal in order to acquire the articles on it," since he does not transfer ownership of the animal itself - even if the purchaser performs meshichah on the animal while it is bound - he does not acquire the articles on it, unless he performs meshichahon those articles themselves.
יד
אמר לו המקנה משוך בהמה וקנה כלים שעליה הואיל ולא הקנה לו גוף הבהמה אע"פ שמשכה והיא כפותה לא קנה כלים שעליה עד שימשוך הכלים עצמן:
15
The following rules apply when a flowerpot with a hole was owned by one person, and the plants growing in it by another person. If the ownership of the flowerpot was transferred to the owner of the plants, he acquires it when he performsmeshichah, If the ownership of the plants was transferred to the owner of the flowerpot, he does not acquire it until he manifests his ownership over the plants themselves.
טו
היה עציץ נקוב לאחד והיו הזרעים שבו לאחר הקנה העציץ לבעל הזרעים כיון שמשך קנה הקנה הזרעים לבעל העציץ לא קנה עד שיחזיק בזרעים עצמן:
16
The following rules apply when both a flowerpot with a hole and the plants growing in it were owned by one person, and he desired to transfer ownership of the entire entity to another person. If that person manifests his ownership over the flowerpot with the intent of acquiring the plants, he does not even acquire the flowerpot. If he manifests his ownership over the plants with the intent of acquiring both them and the flowerpot, he acquires the flowerpot.
This is implied by the teaching: Property that is not on lien to the seller's obligations can be acquired together with property that is on lien to the seller's obligations. For the plants in the flowerpot with a hole are considered as if they are planted in the earth. And whenever an entity is attached to the ground, it is considered to be landed property, as we have explained.
טז
היה העציץ והזרעים שבו לאחד והקנה הכל לאחר והחזיק בעציץ לקנות הזרעים אף העציץ לא קנה החזיק בזרעים קנה העציץ וזהו ששנינו נכסים שאין להן אחריות נקנים עם נכסים שיש להן אחריות שהזרעים שבעציץ נקוב זרועים הם בארץ וכל המחובר לקרקע הרי הוא כקרקע כמו שביארנו:
17
As we have already explained, produce that is ready to be harvested is considered as though it has already been harvested, and can be acquired only through hagbahah or other procedures by which movable property is acquired.
יז
כבר ביארנו שכל העומד ליבצר כבצור דמי ואינו נקנה אלא בהגבהה או בשאר דברים שנקנים בהן המטלטלים:
18
The following laws apply when flax is attached to the earth, but is dry and no longer needs the nurture of the earth. If the owner tells another person: "Clean the smallest portion of this land for me, and acquire it as a rental property together with all the flax on the entire surrounding field, once he uproots even the slightest amount, the renter acquires the entire quantity, on the basis of this stipulation.
If, however, the original owner transferred ownership over the flax through a sale or a gift, the recipient acquires only what he uproots, for that is what he has lifted up. The same principles apply in other analogous situations.
יח
פשתן כשהוא מחובר לקרקע ויבש שאינו צריך לקרקע ואמר לו יפה לי קרקע כל שהוא וקנה כל מה שעליה כיון שתלש כל שהוא קנה הכל מפני התנאי הזה אבל אם (אמר לו) הקנה לו הפשתן הזה במכר או במתנה לא קנה אלא מה שתלש שהרי הגביהו וכן כל כיוצא בזה:
Hayom Yom: Today's Hayom Yom
• Sunday, 3 AV , 5776 · 7 August 2016
• "Today's Day"
• Wednesday, Menachem Av 3, 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: Devarim, Revi'i with Rashi.
Tehillim: 18-22.
Tanya: Ch. 11. This subject (p. 379) ...infinitely more so. (p. 381).
From my father's sichot: When Mashiach will come (speedily in our time, amein), then we shall really long for the days of the exile. Then we will truly feel distress at our having neglected working at avoda; then will we indeed feel the deep pain caused by our lack of avoda. These days of exile are the days of avoda, to prepare ourselves for the coming of Mashiach, speedily in our time, amein.
• Daily Thought:
Unnecessary Evil
There are times when a stern word is necessary, when a child needs a firm reminder, when social justice demands harsh measures.
Of their own, these acts are unwholesome—only their context redeems them.
Think of them as toxic medicines, to be administered with great care. Once they are no longer necessary or can be replaced with more wholesome means, they are no longer medicine, but poison.[Likkutei Sichot, vol. 15, p. 390.]
Torah lessons: Chumash: Devarim, Revi'i with Rashi.
Tehillim: 18-22.
Tanya: Ch. 11. This subject (p. 379) ...infinitely more so. (p. 381).
From my father's sichot: When Mashiach will come (speedily in our time, amein), then we shall really long for the days of the exile. Then we will truly feel distress at our having neglected working at avoda; then will we indeed feel the deep pain caused by our lack of avoda. These days of exile are the days of avoda, to prepare ourselves for the coming of Mashiach, speedily in our time, amein.
• Daily Thought:
Unnecessary Evil
There are times when a stern word is necessary, when a child needs a firm reminder, when social justice demands harsh measures.
Of their own, these acts are unwholesome—only their context redeems them.
Think of them as toxic medicines, to be administered with great care. Once they are no longer necessary or can be replaced with more wholesome means, they are no longer medicine, but poison.[Likkutei Sichot, vol. 15, p. 390.]
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