Torah Reading
Simchat Torah: Deuteronomy 33:1 This is the blessing that Moshe, the man of God, spoke over the people of Isra’el before his death:
2 “Adonai came from Sinai;
from Se‘ir he dawned on his people,
shone forth from Mount Pa’ran;
and with him were myriads of holy ones;
at his right hand
was a fiery law for them.
3 He truly loves the peoples —
all his holy ones are in your hand;
sitting at your feet,
they receive your instruction,
4 the Torah Moshe commanded us
as an inheritance for the community of Ya‘akov.
5 Then a king arose in Yeshurun
when the leaders of the people were gathered,
all the tribes of Isra’el together.
6 “Let Re’uven live and not die out,
even though his numbers grow few.”
7 Of Y’hudah he said:
“Hear, Adonai, the cry of Y’hudah!
Bring him in to his people,
let his own hands defend him;
but you, help him against his enemies.”
(ii) 8 Of Levi he said:
“Let your tumim and urim
be with your pious one,
whom you tested at Massah,
with whom you struggled at M’rivah Spring.
9 Of his father and mother he said, ‘I don’t know them’;
he didn’t acknowledge his brothers or children.
For he observed your word,
and he kept your covenant.
10 They will teach Ya‘akov your rulings,
Isra’el your Torah.
They will set incense before you
and whole burnt offerings on your altar.
11 Adonai, bless his possessions,
accept the work he does;
but crush his enemies hip and thigh;
may those who hate him rise no more.”
12 Of Binyamin he said:
“Adonai’s beloved lives securely.
He protects him day after day.
He lives between his shoulders.”
(iii) 13 Of Yosef he said:
“May Adonai bless his land
with the best from the sky, for the dew,
and for what comes from the deep beneath,
14 with the best of what the sun makes grow,
with the best of what comes up each month,
15 with the best from the mountains of old,
with the best from the eternal hills,
16 with the best from the earth and all that fills it,
and the favor of him who lived in the [burning] bush.
May blessing come on the head of Yosef,
on the brow of the prince among his brothers.
17 His firstborn bull — glory is his;
his horns are those of a wild ox;
With them he will gore the peoples,
all of them, to the ends of the earth.
These are the myriads of Efrayim;
these are the thousands of M’nasheh.”
(iv) 18 Of Z’vulun he said:
“Rejoice, Z’vulun, as you go forth,
and you, Yissakhar, in your tents.
19 They will summon peoples to the mountain
and there offer righteous sacrifices;
for they will draw from the abundance of the seas
and from the hidden treasures of the sand.”
20 Of Gad he said:
“Blessed is he who makes Gad so large;
he lies there like a lion,
tearing arm and scalp.
21 He chose the best for himself
when the princely portion was assigned.
When the leaders of the people came,
he carried out Adonai’s justice
and his rulings concerning Isra’el.”
(v) 22 Of Dan he said:
“Dan is a lion cub
leaping forth from Bashan.”
23 Of Naftali he said:
“You, Naftali, satisfied with favor
and full of blessing from Adonai,
take possession of the sea and the south.”
24 Of Asher he said:
“May Asher be most blessed of sons,
may he be the favorite among his brothers
and bathe his feet in oil.
25 May your bolts be of iron and bronze
and your strength last as long as you live.
26 “Yeshurun, there is no one like God,
riding through the heavens to help you,
riding on the clouds in his majesty.
(vi) 27 The God of old is a dwelling-place,
with everlasting arms beneath.
He expelled the enemy before you
and he said, ‘Destroy!’
28 So Isra’el lives in security;
the fountain of Ya‘akov is alone
in a land of grain and new wine,
where the skies drip with dew.
29 Happy are you, Isra’el!
“Who is like you, a people saved by Adonai,
your defender helping you
and your sword of triumph?
Your enemies will cringe before you,
but you will trample down their high places.”
34:1 (vii) Moshe ascended from the plains of Mo’av to Mount N’vo, to the summit of Pisgah, across from Yericho. There Adonai showed him all the land — Gil‘ad as far as Dan, 2 all Naftali, the land of Efrayim and M’nasheh, the land of Y’hudah all the way to the sea beyond, 3 the Negev, and the ‘Aravah, including the valley where Yericho, the City of Date-Palms, as far away as Tzo‘ar. 4 Adonai said to him, “This is the land concerning which I swore to Avraham, Yitz’chak and Ya‘akov, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over there.”
5 So Moshe, the servant of Adonai, died there in the land of Mo’av, as Adonai had said. 6 He was buried in the valley across from Beit-P‘or in the land of Mo’av, but to this day no one knows where his grave is.
7 Moshe was 120 years old when he died, with eyes undimmed and vigor undiminished. 8 The people of Isra’el mourned Moshe on the plains of Mo’av for thirty days; after this, the days of crying and mourning for Moshe ended.
9 Y’hoshua the son of Nun was full of the Spirit of wisdom, for Moshe had laid his hands on him, and the people of Isra’el heeded him and did what Adonai had ordered Moshe.
10 Since that time there has not arisen in Isra’el a prophet like Moshe, whom Adonai knew face to face. 11 What signs and wonders Adonai sent him to perform in the land of Egypt upon Pharaoh, all his servants and all his land! 12 What might was in his hand! What great terror he evoked before the eyes of all Isra’el!
Be strong, be strong, and let us be strengthened!
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was unformed and void, darkness was on the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God hovered over the surface of the water. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. So there was evening, and there was morning, one day.
6 God said, “Let there be a dome in the middle of the water; let it divide the water from the water.” 7 God made the dome and divided the water under the dome from the water above the dome; that is how it was, 8 and God called the dome Sky. So there was evening, and there was morning, a second day.
9 God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let dry land appear,” and that is how it was. 10 God called the dry land Earth, the gathering together of the water he called Seas, and God saw that it was good.
11 God said, “Let the earth put forth grass, seed-producing plants, and fruit trees, each yielding its own kind of seed-bearing fruit, on the earth”; and that is how it was. 12 The earth brought forth grass, plants each yielding its own kind of seed, and trees each producing its own kind of seed-bearing fruit; and God saw that it was good. 13 So there was evening, and there was morning, a third day.
(A: ii) 14 God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to divide the day from the night; let them be for signs, seasons, days and years; 15 and let them be for lights in the dome of the sky to give light to the earth”; and that is how it was. 16 God made the two great lights — the larger light to rule the day and the smaller light to rule the night — and the stars. 17 God put them in the dome of the sky to give light to the earth, 18 to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good. 19 So there was evening, and there was morning, a fourth day.
20 God said, “Let the water swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open dome of the sky.” 21 God created the great sea creatures and every living thing that creeps, so that the water swarmed with all kinds of them, and there was every kind of winged bird; and God saw that it was good. 22 Then God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful, multiply and fill the water of the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 So there was evening, and there was morning, a fifth day.
(A: iii) 24 God said, “Let the earth bring forth each kind of living creature — each kind of livestock, crawling animal and wild beast”; and that is how it was. 25 God made each kind of wild beast, each kind of livestock and every kind of animal that crawls along the ground; and God saw that it was good.
26 Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, in the likeness of ourselves; and let them rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the animals, and over all the earth, and over every crawling creature that crawls on the earth.”
27 So God created humankind in his own image;
in the image of God he created him:
male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them: God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the air and every living creature that crawls on the earth.” 29 Then God said, “Here! Throughout the whole earth I am giving you as food every seed-bearing plant and every tree with seed-bearing fruit. 30 And to every wild animal, bird in the air and creature crawling on the earth, in which there is a living soul, I am giving as food every kind of green plant.” And that is how it was. 31 God saw everything that he had made, and indeed it was very good. So there was evening, and there was morning, a sixth day.
2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, along with everything in them. 2 On the seventh day God was finished with his work which he had made, so he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3 God blessed the seventh day and separated it as holy; because on that day God rested from all his work which he had created, so that it itself could produce.
Simchat Torah: Numbers 29:(Maftir) 35 “‘On the eighth day you are to have a festive assembly: you are not to do any kind of ordinary work; 36 but you are to present a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, giving a fragrant aroma to Adonai — one bull, one ram, seven male lambs in their first year, without defect; 37 with the grain and drink offerings for the bull, the ram and the lambs, according to their number, in keeping with the rule; 38 also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings.
39 “‘You are to offer these to Adonai at your designated times in addition to your vows and voluntary offerings — whether these are your burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings or peace offerings.’”
30:1 (29:40) Moshe told the people of Isra’el everything, just as Adonai had ordered Moshe.
Simchat Torah: Joshua 1:1 After the death of Moshe the servant of Adonai, Adonai said to Y’hoshua the son of Nun, Moshe’s assistant, 2 “Moshe my servant is dead. So now, get up and cross over this Yarden, you and all the people, to the land I am giving to them, the people of Isra’el. 3 I am giving you every place you will step on with the sole of your foot, as I said to Moshe. 4 All the land from the desert and the L’vanon to the great river, the Euphrates River — all the land of the Hitti — and on to the Great Sea in the west will be your territory. 5 No one will be able to withstand you as long as you live. Just as I was with Moshe, so I will be with you. I will neither fail you nor abandon you.
6 “Be strong, be bold; for you will cause this people to inherit the land I swore to their fathers I would give them. 7 Only be strong and very bold in taking care to follow all the Torah which Moshe my servant ordered you to follow; do not turn from it either to the right or to the left; then you will succeed wherever you go. 8 Yes, keep this book of the Torah on your lips, and meditate on it day and night, so that you will take care to act according to everything written in it. Then your undertakings will prosper, and you will succeed. 9 Haven’t I ordered you, ‘Be strong, be bold’? So don’t be afraid or downhearted, because Adonai your God is with you wherever you go.”
10 Y’hoshua instructed the officials of the people 11 to go through the camp and order the people, “Prepare provisions, because in three days you will cross this Yarden to go in and take possession of the land Adonai your God is giving you.”
12 To the Re’uveni, the Gadi and the half-tribe of M’nasheh Y’hoshua said, 13 “Remember what Moshe the servant of Adonai ordered you: ‘Adonai your God has let you rest and will give you this land.’ 14 Your wives, your little ones and your livestock will stay in the land Moshe gave you on the east side of the Yarden; but you are to cross over armed as a fighting force ahead of your brothers, to help them; 15 until Adonai allows your brothers to rest, as he has allowed you; and they too have taken possession of the land Adonai your God is giving them. At that point, you will return to the land which is yours and possess it, the land Moshe the servant of Adonai gave you in ‘Ever-HaYarden to the east, toward the sunrise.”
16 They answered Y’hoshua, “We will do everything you have ordered us to do, and we will go wherever you send us. 17 Just as we listened to everything Moshe said, so will we listen to you. Only may Adonai your God be with you as he was with Moshe. 18 If anyone rebels against your order and doesn’t heed what you say in every detail of your order, he will be put to death. Just be strong, be bold!”
Today's Laws & Customs:
• Completing, beginning, and rejoicing with the Torah ("Hakafot")
Today is Simchat Torah ("Rejoicing of the Torah"), on which we conclude, and begin anew, the annual Torah reading cycle. The event is marked with great rejoicing, and the "hakafot" procession, held both on the eve and morning of Simchat Torah, in which we march and dance with Torah scrolls around the reading table in the synagogue. In the words of the Chassidic saying, "On Simchat Torah, we rejoice in the Torah, and the Torah rejoices in us; the Torah, too, wants to dance, so we become the Torah's dancing feet."
During today's Torah reading, everyone, including children under the age of Bar Mitzvah, is called up to the Torah; thus the reading is read numerous times, and each aliyah is given collectively to many individuals, so that everyone should recite the blessing over the Torah on this day.
Links: Torah in the Winter; Dancing with the Torah; Love, Marriage and Hakafot; A Crown of Slippers
• Torah Reading
Vzot Haberachah (Deuteronomy 33-34)
(Deuteronomy 33:1 This is the blessing that Moshe, the man of God, spoke over the people of Isra’el before his death:
2 “Adonai came from Sinai;
from Se‘ir he dawned on his people,
shone forth from Mount Pa’ran;
and with him were myriads of holy ones;
at his right hand
was a fiery law for them.
3 He truly loves the peoples —
all his holy ones are in your hand;
sitting at your feet,
they receive your instruction,
4 the Torah Moshe commanded us
as an inheritance for the community of Ya‘akov.
5 Then a king arose in Yeshurun
when the leaders of the people were gathered,
all the tribes of Isra’el together.
6 “Let Re’uven live and not die out,
even though his numbers grow few.”
7 Of Y’hudah he said:
“Hear, Adonai, the cry of Y’hudah!
Bring him in to his people,
let his own hands defend him;
but you, help him against his enemies.”
(ii) 8 Of Levi he said:
“Let your tumim and urim
be with your pious one,
whom you tested at Massah,
with whom you struggled at M’rivah Spring.
9 Of his father and mother he said, ‘I don’t know them’;
he didn’t acknowledge his brothers or children.
For he observed your word,
and he kept your covenant.
10 They will teach Ya‘akov your rulings,
Isra’el your Torah.
They will set incense before you
and whole burnt offerings on your altar.
11 Adonai, bless his possessions,
accept the work he does;
but crush his enemies hip and thigh;
may those who hate him rise no more.”
12 Of Binyamin he said:
“Adonai’s beloved lives securely.
He protects him day after day.
He lives between his shoulders.”
(iii) 13 Of Yosef he said:
“May Adonai bless his land
with the best from the sky, for the dew,
and for what comes from the deep beneath,
14 with the best of what the sun makes grow,
with the best of what comes up each month,
15 with the best from the mountains of old,
with the best from the eternal hills,
16 with the best from the earth and all that fills it,
and the favor of him who lived in the [burning] bush.
May blessing come on the head of Yosef,
on the brow of the prince among his brothers.
17 His firstborn bull — glory is his;
his horns are those of a wild ox;
With them he will gore the peoples,
all of them, to the ends of the earth.
These are the myriads of Efrayim;
these are the thousands of M’nasheh.”
(iv) 18 Of Z’vulun he said:
“Rejoice, Z’vulun, as you go forth,
and you, Yissakhar, in your tents.
19 They will summon peoples to the mountain
and there offer righteous sacrifices;
for they will draw from the abundance of the seas
and from the hidden treasures of the sand.”
20 Of Gad he said:
“Blessed is he who makes Gad so large;
he lies there like a lion,
tearing arm and scalp.
21 He chose the best for himself
when the princely portion was assigned.
When the leaders of the people came,
he carried out Adonai’s justice
and his rulings concerning Isra’el.”
(v) 22 Of Dan he said:
“Dan is a lion cub
leaping forth from Bashan.”
23 Of Naftali he said:
“You, Naftali, satisfied with favor
and full of blessing from Adonai,
take possession of the sea and the south.”
24 Of Asher he said:
“May Asher be most blessed of sons,
may he be the favorite among his brothers
and bathe his feet in oil.
25 May your bolts be of iron and bronze
and your strength last as long as you live.
26 “Yeshurun, there is no one like God,
riding through the heavens to help you,
riding on the clouds in his majesty.
(vi) 27 The God of old is a dwelling-place,
with everlasting arms beneath.
He expelled the enemy before you
and he said, ‘Destroy!’
28 So Isra’el lives in security;
the fountain of Ya‘akov is alone
in a land of grain and new wine,
where the skies drip with dew.
29 Happy are you, Isra’el!
“Who is like you, a people saved by Adonai,
your defender helping you
and your sword of triumph?
Your enemies will cringe before you,
but you will trample down their high places.”
34:1 (vii) Moshe ascended from the plains of Mo’av to Mount N’vo, to the summit of Pisgah, across from Yericho. There Adonai showed him all the land — Gil‘ad as far as Dan, 2 all Naftali, the land of Efrayim and M’nasheh, the land of Y’hudah all the way to the sea beyond, 3 the Negev, and the ‘Aravah, including the valley where Yericho, the City of Date-Palms, as far away as Tzo‘ar. 4 Adonai said to him, “This is the land concerning which I swore to Avraham, Yitz’chak and Ya‘akov, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over there.”
5 So Moshe, the servant of Adonai, died there in the land of Mo’av, as Adonai had said. 6 He was buried in the valley across from Beit-P‘or in the land of Mo’av, but to this day no one knows where his grave is.
7 Moshe was 120 years old when he died, with eyes undimmed and vigor undiminished. 8 The people of Isra’el mourned Moshe on the plains of Mo’av for thirty days; after this, the days of crying and mourning for Moshe ended.
9 Y’hoshua the son of Nun was full of the Spirit of wisdom, for Moshe had laid his hands on him, and the people of Isra’el heeded him and did what Adonai had ordered Moshe.
10 Since that time there has not arisen in Isra’el a prophet like Moshe, whom Adonai knew face to face. 11 What signs and wonders Adonai sent him to perform in the land of Egypt upon Pharaoh, all his servants and all his land! 12 What might was in his hand! What great terror he evoked before the eyes of all Isra’el!)
Today's Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Bereishit, 3rd Portion Genesis 2:20-3:21 with Rashi
• Genesis Chapter 2
20And man named all the cattle and the fowl of the heavens and all the beasts of the field, but for man, he did not find a helpmate opposite him. כוַיִּקְרָ֨א הָֽאָדָ֜ם שֵׁמ֗וֹת לְכָל־הַבְּהֵמָה֙ וּלְע֣וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וּלְכֹ֖ל חַיַּ֣ת הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה וּלְאָדָ֕ם לֹֽא־מָצָ֥א עֵ֖זֶר כְּנֶגְדּֽוֹ:
21And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon man, and he slept, and He took one of his sides, and He closed the flesh in its place. כאוַיַּפֵּל֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֧ים | תַּרְדֵּמָ֛ה עַל־הָֽאָדָ֖ם וַיִּישָׁ֑ן וַיִּקַּ֗ח אַחַת֙ מִצַּלְעֹתָ֔יו וַיִּסְגֹּ֥ר בָּשָׂ֖ר תַּחְתֶּֽנָּה:
And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall: [Gen. Rabbah 17:4] When He brought them [the animals], He brought before him of every species, male and female. He (Adam) said, “Everyone has a mate, but I have no mate.” Immediately,“And God caused to fall.” ולאדם לא מצא עזר. ויפל ה' א-להים תרדמה:כשהביאן הביאן לפניו כל מין ומין זכר ונקבה, אמר לכלם יש בן זוג ולי אין בן זוג, מיד ויפל:
of his sides: Heb. מִצַּלְעֹתיו, of his sides, like (Exod. 26:20):“And for the side (וּלְצֶלַע) of the Tabernacle.” This coincides with what they [the Rabbis] said: They were created with two faces. — [from Gen. Rabbah 8:1] See also Eruvin 18a, Ber. 61a. מצלעותיו: מסטריו, כמו (שמות כו כ) ולצלע המשכן, זהו שאמרו שני פרצופים נבראו:
and He closed: the place of the incision. — [from Ber. 61a, Eruv. 18a] ויסגר: מקום החתך:
and he slept, and He took: So that he should not see the piece of flesh from which she was created, lest she be repulsive to him. — [from Sanh. 39a] ויישן ויקח: שלא יראה חתיכת הבשר שממנו נבראת ותתבזה עליו:
22And the Lord God built the side that He had taken from man into a woman, and He brought her to man. כבוַיִּ֩בֶן֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֧ים | אֶת־הַצֵּלָ֛ע אֲשֶׁר־לָקַ֥ח מִן־הָֽאָדָ֖ם לְאִשָּׁ֑ה וַיְבִאֶ֖הָ אֶל־הָֽאָדָֽם:
[And He] built: [He made her] like a building, broad at the bottom and narrow at the top, so that she can carry a fetus, like a storehouse of wheat, which is broad at the bottom and narrow on top, so that its burden should not weigh on its walls. — [from Ber. 61a, Eruv. 18a] ויבן: כבנין, רחבה מלמטה וקצרה מלמעלה לקבל הולד, כאוצר של חטים שהוא רחב מלמטה וקצר מלמעלה, שלא יכביד משאו על קירותיו:
[And He] built the side…into a woman: lit. to a woman, to become a woman, like (Jud. 8:27):“and Gideon made it into an ephod,” to be an ephod. ויבן וגו' את הצלע וגו' לאשה: להיות אשה, כמו (שופטים ח כז) ויעש אותו גדעון לאפוד, להיות אפוד:
23And man said, "This time, it is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. This one shall be called ishah (woman) because this one was taken from ish (man)." כגוַיֹּ֘אמֶר֘ הָֽאָדָם֒ זֹ֣את הַפַּ֗עַם עֶ֚צֶם מֵֽעֲצָמַ֔י וּבָשָׂ֖ר מִבְּשָׂרִ֑י לְזֹאת֙ יִקָּרֵ֣א אִשָּׁ֔ה כִּ֥י מֵאִ֖ישׁ לֻֽקֳחָה־זֹּֽאת:
This time: This teaches us that Adam came to all the animals and the beasts [in search of a mate], but he was not satisfied until he found Eve. — [from Yev. 63a] זאת הפעם: מלמד שבא אדם על כל בהמה וחיה ולא נתקררה דעתו בהם עד שבא על חוה:
This one shall be called ishah because, from ish: One expression coincides with the other [i. e., the words אִישׁ and words אִשָּׁה have the same root]. From here is derived that the world was created with the Holy Tongue. — [from Gen. Rabbah 18:4] לזאת יקרא אשה כי מאיש וגו': לשון נופל על לשון, מכאן שנברא העולם בלשון הקדש:
24Therefore, a man shall leave his father and his mother, and cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. כדעַל־כֵּן֙ יַֽעֲזָב־אִ֔ישׁ אֶת־אָבִ֖יו וְאֶת־אִמּ֑וֹ וְדָבַ֣ק בְּאִשְׁתּ֔וֹ וְהָי֖וּ לְבָשָׂ֥ר אֶחָֽד:
Therefore, a man shall leave: The Divine Spirit says this, to prohibit forbidden unions to the Noahides. — [from Sanh. 58a] על כן יעזב איש: רוח הקודש אומרת כן, לאסור על בני נח את העריות:
one flesh: The fetus is formed by them both, and there [in the child] their flesh becomes one. — [from Sanh. 58a] לבשר אחד: הולד נוצר על ידי שניהם, ושם נעשה בשרם אחד:
25Now they were both naked, the man and his wife, but they were not ashamed. כהוַיִּֽהְי֤וּ שְׁנֵיהֶם֙ עֲרוּמִּ֔ים הָֽאָדָ֖ם וְאִשְׁתּ֑וֹ וְלֹ֖א יִתְבּשָֽׁשׁוּ:
but they were not ashamed: for they did not know the way of modesty, to distinguish between good and evil (Gen. Rabbah) (Targum Yerushalmi), and even though knowledge was granted him to call [all the creatures] names, he was not imbued with the evil inclination until he ate of the tree, and the evil inclination entered into him, and he knew the difference between good and evil (Gen. Rabbah) (Zohar, vol. 1, 36b; Mid. Tadshei 7). ולא יתבוששו: שלא היו יודעים דרך צניעות להבחין בין טוב לרע, ואף על פי שנתנה בו דעה לקרות שמות, לא נתן בו יצר הרע עד אכלו מן העץ ונכנס בו יצר הרע וידע מה בין טוב לרע:
Genesis Chapter 3
1Now the serpent was cunning, more than all the beasts of the field that the Lord God had made, and it said to the woman, "Did God indeed say, 'You shall not eat of any of the trees of the garden?'" אוְהַנָּחָשׁ֙ הָיָ֣ה עָר֔וּם מִכֹּל֙ חַיַּ֣ת הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֖ה יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֑ים וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ אֶל־הָ֣אִשָּׁ֔ה אַ֚ף כִּֽי־אָמַ֣ר אֱלֹהִ֔ים לֹ֣א תֹֽאכְל֔וּ מִכֹּ֖ל עֵ֥ץ הַגָּֽן:
Now the serpent was cunning: What is the connection of this matter here? Scripture should have juxtaposed (below verse 21): “And He made for Adam and for his wife shirts of skin, and He dressed them.” But it teaches you as a result of what plan the serpent thrust himself upon them. He saw them naked and engaging in intercourse before everyone’s eyes, and he desired her. — [from Gen. Rabbah 18:6] והנחש היה ערום: מה ענין זה לכאן היה לו לסמוך (פסוק כא) ויעש לאדם ולאשתו כתנות עור וילבישם. אלא למדך מאיזו עילה קפץ הנחש עליהם, ראה אותם ערומים ועוסקים בתשמיש לעין כל ונתאוה לה:
cunning, more than all: Commensurate with its cunning and its greatness, was its downfall- [it was] cunning, more than all, [and it was] cursed, more than all. — [from Gen. Rabbah 19:1] ערום מכל: לפי ערמתו וגדולתו היתה מפלתו, ערום מכל, ארור מכל:
Did…indeed say, etc.: Did He say to you, “You shall not eat of any, etc.?” Even though he saw them eating of the other fruits, he spoke to her at length in order that she answer him and come to speak of that tree. — [from Pirkei d’Rabbi Eliezer , ed. Horowitz, ch. 13; Avoth d’Rabbi Nathan , ch. 1] אף כי אמר וגו': שמא אמר לכם לא תאכלו מכל וגו' - ואף על פי שראה אותם אוכלים משאר פירות, הרבה עליה דברים כדי שתשיבנו ויבא לדבר באותו העץ:
2And the woman said to the serpent, "Of the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat. בוַתֹּ֥אמֶר הָֽאִשָּׁ֖ה אֶל־הַנָּחָ֑שׁ מִפְּרִ֥י עֵֽץ־הַגָּ֖ן נֹאכֵֽל:
3But of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, God said, "You shall not eat of it, and you shall not touch it, lest you die.'" גוּמִפְּרִ֣י הָעֵץ֘ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּתֽוֹךְ־הַגָּן֒ אָמַ֣ר אֱלֹהִ֗ים לֹ֤א תֹֽאכְלוּ֙ מִמֶּ֔נּוּ וְלֹ֥א תִגְּע֖וּ בּ֑וֹ פֶּן־תְּמֻתֽוּן:
and you shall not touch it: She added to the command; therefore, she came to diminish it. That is what is stated (Prov. 30:6): “Do not add to His words.” - [from Sanh. 29a] ולא תגעו בו: הוסיפה על הצווי, לפיכך באה לידי גרעון, הוא שנאמר (משלי ל ו) אל תוסף על דבריו:
4And the serpent said to the woman, "You will surely not die. דוַיֹּ֥אמֶר הַנָּחָ֖שׁ אֶל־הָֽאִשָּׁ֑ה לֹא־מ֖וֹת תְּמֻתֽוּן:
You will surely not die: He pushed her until she touched it. He said to her, “Just as there is no death in touching, so is there no death in eating” (Gen. Rabbah 19:3). לא מות תמתון: דחפה עד שנגעה בו, אמר לה כשם שאין מיתה בנגיעה כך אין מיתה באכילה:
5For God knows that on the day that you eat thereof, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like angels, knowing good and evil." הכִּ֚י יֹדֵ֣עַ אֱלֹהִ֔ים כִּ֗י בְּיוֹם֙ אֲכָלְכֶ֣ם מִמֶּ֔נּוּ וְנִפְקְח֖וּ עֵֽינֵיכֶ֑ם וִֽהְיִיתֶם֙ כֵּֽאלֹהִ֔ים יֹֽדְעֵ֖י ט֥וֹב וָרָֽע:
For God knows: Every craftsman hates his fellow craftsmen. He [God] ate of the tree and created the world (Gen. Rabbah 19:4). כי יודע: כל אומן שונא את בני אומנתו, מן העץ אכל וברא את העולם:
and you will be like angels: Creators of worlds. — [from Pirkei d’Rabbi Eliezer , ch. 13] והייתם כא-להים: יוצרי עולמות:
6And the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was a delight to the eyes, and the tree was desirable to make one wise; so she took of its fruit, and she ate, and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. ווַתֵּ֣רֶא הָֽאִשָּׁ֡ה כִּ֣י טוֹב֩ הָעֵ֨ץ לְמַֽאֲכָ֜ל וְכִ֧י תַֽאֲוָה־ה֣וּא לָֽעֵינַ֗יִם וְנֶחְמָ֤ד הָעֵץ֙ לְהַשְׂכִּ֔יל וַתִּקַּ֥ח מִפִּרְי֖וֹ וַתֹּאכַ֑ל וַתִּתֵּ֧ן גַּם־לְאִישָׁ֛הּ עִמָּ֖הּ וַיֹּאכַֽל:
And the woman saw: She understood the words of the serpent and they appealed to her; so she believed him (Gen. Rabbah 19:4). ותרא האשה: ראתה דבריו של נחש והנאו לה והאמינתו:
that the tree was good: to [cause them to] be like angels. כי טוב העץ: להיות כא-להים:
and that it was a delight to the eyes: As he had said to her, “and your eyes will be opened.” וכי תאוה הוא לעינים: כמו שאמר לה ונפקחו עיניכם:
and that the tree was desirable to make one wise: As he said to her, “knowing good and evil.” ונחמד להשכיל: כמו שאמר לה יודעי טוב ורע:
and she gave also to her husband: lest she die and he live and marry someone else. — [from Pirkei d’Rabbi Eliezer , ch. 13] ותתן גם לאשה עמה: שלא תמות היא ויחיה הוא, וישא אשה אחרת:
also: to include the cattle and beasts - [from Gen. Rabbah 19:5]. גם: לרבות כל בהמה וחיה:
7And the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked, and they sewed fig leaves and made themselves girdles. זוַתִּפָּקַ֨חְנָה֙ עֵינֵ֣י שְׁנֵיהֶ֔ם וַיֵּ֣דְע֔וּ כִּ֥י עֵֽירֻמִּ֖ם הֵ֑ם וַיִּתְפְּרוּ֙ עֲלֵ֣ה תְאֵנָ֔ה וַיַּֽעֲשׂ֥וּ לָהֶ֖ם חֲגֹרֹֽת:
And…were opened: Scripture is referring to wisdom, and not to actual vision, and the end of the verse proves this. — [from Gen. Rabbah 19:7] ותפקחנה עיני שניהם: לענין החכמה דבר הכתוב ולא לענין ראיה ממש, וסוף המקרא מוכיח:
and they knew that they were naked: Even a blind man knows when he is naked! What then is the meaning of “and they knew that they were naked” ? They had one commandment in their possession, and they became denuded of it. וידעו כי ערומים הם: אף הסומא יודע כשהוא ערום, אלא מהו וידעו כי עירומים הם, מצוה אחת היתה בידם ונתערטלו הימנה:
fig leaves: That is the tree of which they had eaten. With that which they had sinned, they were rectified, but the other trees prevented them from taking their leaves. — [from Ber. 40a, Sanh. 70b] Now why was the tree not identified? Because the Holy One, blessed be He, does not wish to grieve any creature, so that [others] should not put it to shame and say, “This is [the tree] because of which the world suffered.” (Midrash of Rabbi Tanchuma, Vayera 14, Buber 32). עלה תאנה: הוא העץ שאכלו ממנו, בדבר שנתקלקלו בו נתקנו, אבל שאר העצים מנעום מליטול עליהם. ומפני מה לא נתפרסם העץ, שאין הקב"ה חפץ להונות בריה, שלא יכלימוהו ויאמרו זהו שלקה העולם על ידו. מדרש רבי תנחומא (וירא יד):
8And they heard the voice of the Lord God going in the garden to the direction of the sun, and the man and his wife hid from before the Lord God in the midst of the trees of the garden. חוַיִּשְׁמְע֞וּ אֶת־ק֨וֹל יְהֹוָ֧ה אֱלֹהִ֛ים מִתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ בַּגָּ֖ן לְר֣וּחַ הַיּ֑וֹם וַיִּתְחַבֵּ֨א הָֽאָדָ֜ם וְאִשְׁתּ֗וֹ מִפְּנֵי֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֔ים בְּת֖וֹךְ עֵ֥ץ הַגָּֽן:
And they heard: There are many Aggadic midrashim, and our Sages already arranged them in their proper order in Genesis Rabbah and in other midrashim, but I have come only [to teach] the simple meaning of the Scripture and such Aggadah that clarifies the words of the verses, each word in its proper way. וישמעו: יש מדרשי אגדה רבים וכבר סדרום רבותינו על מכונם בבראשית רבה (יט ו) ובשאר מדרשות ואני לא באתי אלא לפשוטו של מקרא ולאגדה המישבת דברי המקרא דבר דבור על אופניו:
And they heard: What did they hear? They heard the voice of the Holy One, blessed be He, which was going in the garden. — [from Gen. Rabbah 19:7] וישמעו: מה שמעו, שמעו את קול הקב"ה שהיה מתהלך בגן:
to the direction of the sun: To that direction in which the sun sets, and this is the west, for toward evening, the sun is in the west, and they sinned in the tenth [hour]. — [from Gen. Rabbah 19:8, Sanh. 38b] לרוח היום: לאותו רוח שהשמש באה משם וזו היא מערבית, שלפנות ערב חמה במערב, והם סרחו בעשירית:
9And the Lord God called to man, and He said to him, "Where are you?" טוַיִּקְרָ֛א יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶל־הָֽאָדָ֑ם וַיֹּ֥אמֶר ל֖וֹ אַיֶּֽכָּה:
Where are you: He knew where he was, but [He asked him this] in order to enter into conversation with him, lest he be frightened to answer if He should punish him suddenly (Tanchuma Tazria 9). So with Cain, He said to him (below 4:9): “Where is your brother Abel?” And so with Balaam (Num. 22:9): “Who are these men with you?” for the purpose of entering a conversation with them, and so with Hezekiah, in regard to the emissaries of Merodach Baladan (Isa. 39:3) (Gen. Rabbah 19:11). איכה: יודע היה היכן הוא, אלא ליכנס עמו בדברים, שלא יהא נבהל להשיב אם יענישהו פתאום. וכן בקין (בראשית ד ט) אמר לו אי הבל אחיך, וכן בבלעם (במדבר כב ט) מי האנשים האלה עמך, ליכנס עמהם בדברים, וכן בחזקיה בשלוחי (אויל) מרודך בלאדן (ישעיה לט ג):
10And he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I am naked; so I hid." יוַיֹּ֕אמֶר אֶת־קֹֽלְךָ֥ שָׁמַ֖עְתִּי בַּגָּ֑ן וָֽאִירָ֛א כִּֽי־עֵירֹ֥ם אָנֹ֖כִי וָאֵֽחָבֵֽא:
11And He said, "Who told you that you are naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?" יאוַיֹּ֕אמֶר מִ֚י הִגִּ֣יד לְךָ֔ כִּ֥י עֵירֹ֖ם אָ֑תָּה הֲמִן־הָעֵ֗ץ אֲשֶׁ֧ר צִוִּיתִ֛יךָ לְבִלְתִּ֥י אֲכָל־מִמֶּ֖נּוּ אָכָֽלְתָּ:
Who told you: From where do you know what shame there is in standing naked? מי הגיד לך: מאין לך לדעת מה בשת יש בעומד ערום:
from the tree?: Heb. הֲמִן. This is in the interrogative sense. המן העץ: בתמיה:
12And the man said, "The woman whom You gave [to be] with me she gave me of the tree; so I ate." יבוַיֹּ֖אמֶר הָֽאָדָ֑ם הָֽאִשָּׁה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נָתַ֣תָּה עִמָּדִ֔י הִ֛וא נָֽתְנָה־לִּ֥י מִן־הָעֵ֖ץ וָֽאֹכֵֽל:
whom You gave [to be] with me: Here he [Adam] showed his ingratitude. — [from Avodah Zarah 5b] אשר נתת עמדי: כאן כפר בטובה:
13And the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" And the woman said, "The serpent enticed me, and I ate." יגוַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֧ה אֱלֹהִ֛ים לָֽאִשָּׁ֖ה מַה־זֹּ֣את עָשִׂ֑ית וַתֹּ֨אמֶר֙ הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה הַנָּחָ֥שׁ הִשִּׁיאַ֖נִי וָֽאֹכֵֽל:
enticed me: Heb. הִשִּׁיאַנִי, deceived me, like (II Chron. 32:15): “Let Hezekiah not deceive (יַשִּׁיא) you.” - [from Gen. Rabbah 19:2] השיאני: הטעני כמו (דה"י ב' לב טו) אל ישיא אתכם חזקיהו:
14And the Lord God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, cursed be you more than all the cattle and more than all the beasts of the field; you shall walk on your belly, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. ידוַיֹּ֩אמֶר֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֥ים | אֶל־הַנָּחָשׁ֘ כִּ֣י עָשִׂ֣יתָ זֹּאת֒ אָר֤וּר אַתָּה֙ מִכָּל־הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה וּמִכֹּ֖ל חַיַּ֣ת הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה עַל־גְּחֹֽנְךָ֣ תֵלֵ֔ךְ וְעָפָ֥ר תֹּאכַ֖ל כָּל־יְמֵ֥י חַיֶּֽיךָ:
Because you have done this: From here [we learn] that we may not intercede in favor of one who entices people [to idolatry], for had He asked him, “Why did you do this?” he could have answered, “The words of the master and the words of the pupil-whose words do we obey?” [i.e., Adam and Eve should have obeyed God rather than the serpent!]- [from Sanh. 29a] כי עשית זאת: מכאן שאין מהפכים בזכותו של מסית, שאילו שאלו למה עשית זאת, היה לו להשיב דברי הרב ודברי התלמיד דברי מי שומעין:
more than all the cattle and more than all the beasts of the field: If he was cursed more than the cattle [whose gestation period is long], he was surely cursed more than the beasts [whose gestation period is comparatively shorter]. Our Rabbis established this midrash in Tractate Bechoroth (8a) to teach that the gestation period of a serpent is seven years. מכל הבהמה ומכל חית השדה: אם מבהמה נתקלל מחיה לא כל שכן, העמידו רבותינו מדרש זה במסכת בכורות (דף ח א) ללמד שימי עיבורו של נחש שבע שנים:
you shall walk on your belly: It had legs, but they were cut off. — [from Gen. Rabbah 20:5] על גחונך תלך: רגלים היו לו ונקצצו:
15And I shall place hatred between you and between the woman, and between your seed and between her seed. He will crush your head, and you will bite his heel." טווְאֵיבָ֣ה | אָשִׁ֗ית בֵּֽינְךָ֙ וּבֵ֣ין הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה וּבֵ֥ין זַֽרְעֲךָ֖ וּבֵ֣ין זַרְעָ֑הּ ה֚וּא יְשֽׁוּפְךָ֣ רֹ֔אשׁ וְאַתָּ֖ה תְּשׁוּפֶ֥נּוּ עָקֵֽב:
And I shall place hatred: You intended that the man should die when he would eat first, and you would marry Eve, and you came to Eve first only because women are easily enticed, and they know how to entice their husbands. Therefore, “I shall place hatred.” ואיבה אשית: אתה לא נתכוונת אלא שימות אדם כשיאכל הוא תחלה ותשא את חוה, ולא באת לדבר אל חוה תחלה אלא לפי שהנשים קלות להתפתות ויודעות לפתות את בעליהן, לפיכך ואיבה אשית:
He will crush your head: יְשׁוּפְךָ רֹאשׁ, lit. he will crush you the head. He will crush you, like (Deut. 9:21): “And I crushed it,” which is translated by the Targum as וְשָׁפִית יָתֵיהּ ישופך: יכתתך, כמו (דברים ט כא) ואכות אותו, ותרגומו ושפית יתיה:
and you will bite his heel: Heb. תְּשׁוּפֶנוּ. You will not stand upright and you will bite him on the heel, and even from there you will kill him. The expression תְּשׁוּפֶנוּ is like (Isa. 40:24): “He blew (נָשַׁף) on them.” When a snake comes to bite, it blows with a sort of hiss, and since the two expressions coincide [i.e., they sound alike], Scripture used the expression of נְשִׁיפָה in both cases. ואתה תשופנו עקב: לא יהא לך קומה ותשכנו בעקבו, ואף משם תמיתנו. ולשון תשופנו כמו (ישעיה מ כד) נשף בהם, כשהנחש בא לנשוך הוא נושף כמין שריקה, ולפי שהלשון נופל על הלשון כתב לשון נשיפה בשניהם:
16To the woman He said, "I shall surely increase your sorrow and your pregnancy; in pain you shall bear children. And to your husband will be your desire, and he will rule over you." טזאֶל־הָֽאִשָּׁ֣ה אָמַ֗ר הַרְבָּ֤ה אַרְבֶּה֙ עִצְּבוֹנֵ֣ךְ וְהֵֽרֹנֵ֔ךְ בְּעֶ֖צֶב תֵּֽלְדִ֣י בָנִ֑ים וְאֶל־אִישֵׁךְ֙ תְּשׁ֣וּקָתֵ֔ךְ וְה֖וּא יִמְשָׁל־בָּֽךְ:
your sorrow: This refers to the pain of child rearing. — [from Eruv. 100b] עצבונך: זה צער גידול בנים:
and your pregnancy: This refers to the pain of pregnancy. — [from above source] והרנך: זה צער העבור:
in pain you shall bear children: This refers to the pain of childbirth. — [from Gen. Rabbah 20:6] בעצב תלדי בנים: זה צער הלידה:
And to your husband will be your desire: for intimacy, but, nevertheless, you will not have the audacity to demand it of him with your mouth, but he will rule over you. Everything is from him and not from you. — [from Eruv. ad loc.] ואל אשך תשוקתך: לתשמיש ואף על פי כן אין לך מצח לתובעו בפה אלא הוא ימשול בך, הכל ממנו ולא ממך:
your desire: Heb. תְּשׁוּקָתֵךְ, your desire, like: (Isa. 29:8): “a yearning (שׁוֹקֵקָה) soul.” - [after Targum Onkelos] תשוקתך: תאותך, כמו (ישעיה כט ח) ונפשו שוקקה:
17And to man He said, "Because you listened to your wife, and you ate from the tree from which I commanded you saying, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed be the ground for your sake; with toil shall you eat of it all the days of your life. יזוּלְאָדָ֣ם אָמַ֗ר כִּ֣י שָׁמַ֘עְתָּ֘ לְק֣וֹל אִשְׁתֶּ֒ךָ֒ וַתֹּ֨אכַל֙ מִן־הָעֵ֔ץ אֲשֶׁ֤ר צִוִּיתִ֨יךָ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לֹ֥א תֹאכַ֖ל מִמֶּ֑נּוּ אֲרוּרָ֤ה הָֽאֲדָמָה֙ בַּֽעֲבוּרֶ֔ךָ בְּעִצָּבוֹן֙ תֹּֽאכֲלֶ֔נָּה כֹּ֖ל יְמֵ֥י חַיֶּֽיךָ:
cursed be the ground for your sake: It will bring up cursed things for you, such as flies, fleas, and ants. This can be compared to one who falls into evil ways, and people curse the breasts from which he suckled. — [from Gen. Rabbah 20: 8] ארורה האדמה בעבורך: מעלה לך דברים ארורים כגון זבובים ופרעושים ונמלים, משל ליוצא לתרבות רעה והבריות מקללות שדים שינק מהם:
18And it will cause thorns and thistles to grow for you, and you shall eat the herbs of the field. יחוְק֥וֹץ וְדַרְדַּ֖ר תַּצְמִ֣יחַ לָ֑ךְ וְאָֽכַלְתָּ֖ אֶת־עֵ֥שֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶֽה:
And it will cause thorns and thistles to grow for you: The earth-when you sow it with various species of seeds-will sprout thorns and thistles, artichokes and cardoons, which are edible only after preparation. — [from Gen. Rabbah 20:10. See also Beizah 34a] וקוץ ודרדר תצמיח לך: הארץ כשתזרענה מיני זרעים תצמיח קוץ ודרדר קונדס ועכביות, והן נאכלים על ידי תקון:
“and you shall eat the herbs of the field”: Now what [kind of] curse is this? Was it not said to him in the blessing (above 1:29): “Behold I have given you every seed-bearing herb, etc? But what is stated here [refers to] the beginning of the section: ”Cursed be the ground for your sake; with toil shall you eat of it,“ and after the toil, ”And it will cause thorns and thistles to grow for you." When you sow it with legumes or garden vegetables, it will cause thorns and thistles and other grasses of the field, to grow for you, and you shall have no choice but to eat them. ואכלת את עשב השדה: ומה קללה היא זו, והלא בברכה נאמר לו (לעיל א כט) הנה נתתי לכם את כל עשב זורע זרע וגו'. אלא מה אמור כאן בראש הענין (פסוק יז) ארורה האדמה בעבורך בעצבון תאכלנה, ואחר העצבון וקוץ ודרדר תצמיח לך, כשתזרענה קטניות או ירקות גנה היא תצמיח לך קוצים ודרדרים ושאר עשבי שדה, ועל כרחך תאכלם:
19With the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, until you return to the ground, for you were taken therefrom, for dust you are, and to dust you will return." יטבְּזֵעַ֤ת אַפֶּ֨יךָ֙ תֹּ֣אכַל לֶ֔חֶם עַ֤ד שֽׁוּבְךָ֙ אֶל־הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה כִּ֥י מִמֶּ֖נָּה לֻקָּ֑חְתָּ כִּֽי־עָפָ֣ר אַ֔תָּה וְאֶל־עָפָ֖ר תָּשֽׁוּב:
With the sweat of your face: After you toil with it very much. — [Mid. Tadshei, Otzar Midrashim] בזעת אפיך: לאחר שתטרח בו הרבה:
20And the man named his wife Eve, because she was the mother of all life. כוַיִּקְרָ֧א הָֽאָדָ֛ם שֵׁ֥ם אִשְׁתּ֖וֹ חַוָּ֑ה כִּ֛י הִ֥וא הָֽיְתָ֖ה אֵ֥ם כָּל־חָֽי:
And the man named: Scripture returns to its previous topic (2:20): “And the man named,” and it interrupted only to teach you that through the giving of names, Eve was mated to him, as it is written (above 2:20): “but for man, he did not find a helpmate opposite him.” Therefore, (ibid. 21): “And He caused a deep sleep to fall,” and since Scripture wrote, (ibid. 25):“And they were naked,” it juxtaposed the section of the serpent, to let you know that because he saw her naked and saw them engaging in intercourse, he desired her and came upon them with a design and with guile. ויקרא האדם: חזר הכתוב לענינו הראשון ויקרא האדם שמות, ולא הפסיק אלא ללמדך שעל ידי קריאת שמות נזדווגה לו חוה, כמו שכתוב (לעיל ב כ) ולאדם לא מצא עזר כנגדו, לפיכך ויפל תרדמה, ועל ידי שכתב (שם פסוק כה) ויהיו שניהם ערומים, סמך לו פרשת הנחש, להודיעך שמתוך שראה ערותה וראה אותם עסוקים בתשמיש נתאוה לה ובא עליהם במחשבה ובמרמה:
Eve: Heb. חַוָּה. This coincides with the expression of חַיָה, living, because she gives life to her offspring, as you say, (Ecc. 2:22):“For what does a man have (הֹוֶה) ?” with the expression“being” (הֹוֶה) . [i.e., The “vav” and the “yud” are interchangeable.] חוה: נופל על לשון חיה, שמחיה את ולדותיה, כאשר תאמר (קהלת ב כב) מה הוה לאדם, בלשון היה:
21And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife shirts of skin, and He dressed them. כאוַיַּ֩עַשׂ֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֜ים לְאָדָ֧ם וּלְאִשְׁתּ֛וֹ כָּתְנ֥וֹת ע֖וֹר וַיַּלְבִּשֵֽׁם:
shirts of skin: Some Aggadic works say that they were as smooth as fingernails, fastened over their skin (Gen. Rabbah 20:12), and others say that they were a material that comes from the skin, like the wool of rabbits, which is soft and warm, and He made them shirts from it (Gen. Rabbah ad loc., Sotah 14a). כתנות עור: יש דברי אגדה אומרים חלקים כצפורן היו מדובקים על עורן. ויש אומרים דבר הבא מן העור, כגון צמר הארנבים שהוא רך וחם ועשה להם כתנות ממנו:
Daily Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 108 - 112
• Chapter 108
1. A song, a psalm by David.
2. My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and chant praises even with my soul.
3. Awake, O lyre and harp; I shall awaken the dawn.
4. I will thank You among the nations, Lord; I will sing praises to You among the peoples.
5. Indeed, Your kindness reaches above the heavens; Your truth reaches to the skies.
6. Be exalted upon the heavens, O God, [show] Your glory upon all the earth.
7. That Your beloved ones may be delivered, help with Your right hand and answer me.
8. God spoke in His holiness that I would exult, I would divide portions [of the enemies' land], I would measure the Valley of Succot.
9. Mine is Gilead, mine is Manasseh, and Ephraim is the stronghold of my head, Judah is my prince.
10. Moab is my washbasin, I will cast my shoe upon Edom, I will shout over Philistia.
11. Who brings me to the fortified city? Who led me unto Edom?
12. Is it not God, Who has [until now] forsaken us, and did not go forth, O God, with our armies?
13. Give us help against the adversary; futile is the help of man.
14. Through God we will do valiantly, and He will trample our oppressors.
Chapter 109
David composed this psalm while fleeing from Saul. At that time he faced many enemies who, despite acting friendly in his presence, spoke only evil of him; he therefore curses them bitterly.
1. For the Conductor, by David, a psalm. O God of my praise, be not silent.
2. For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful have opened against me; they spoke to me with a false tongue.
3. They have surrounded me with words of hate, and attacked me without cause.
4. In return for my love they hate me; still, I am [a man of] prayer.
5. They placed harm upon me in return for my favor, and hatred in return for my love.
6. Appoint a wicked man over him; let an adversary stand at his right.
7. When he is judged may he go out condemned; may his prayer be considered a sin.
8. May his days be few; may another take his position.
9. May his children be orphans and his wife a widow.
10. May his children wander about and beg; may they seek charity from amid their ruins.
11. May the creditor seize all that he has, and may strangers plunder [the fruits of] his labor.
12. May he have none who extends him kindness, and may none be gracious to his orphans.
13. May his posterity be cut off; may their name be erased in a later generation.
14. May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered by the Lord, and the sin of his mother not be erased.
15. May they be before the Lord always, and may He cut off their memory from the earth.
16. Because he did not remember to do kindness, and he pursued the poor and destitute man and the broken-hearted, to kill [him].
17. He loved the curse and it has come upon him; he did not desire blessing, and it has remained far from him.
18. He donned the curse like his garment, and it came like water into his innards, like oil into his bones.
19. May it be to him like a cloak in which he wraps himself, as a belt with which he girds himself always.
20. This is from the Lord for the deeds of my enemies, and [for] those who speak evil against my soul.
21. And You, God, my Lord, do [kindness] with me for the sake of Your Name; for Your kindness is good, rescue me!
22. For I am poor and destitute, and my heart has died within me.
23. Like the fleeting shadow I am banished, I am tossed about like the locust.
24. My knees totter from fasting, and my flesh is lean without fat.
25. And I became a disgrace to them; they see me and shake their heads.
26. Help me, Lord, my God, deliver me according to Your kindness.
27. Let them know that this is Your hand, that You, Lord, have done it.
28. Let them curse, but You will bless; they arose, but they will be shamed, and Your servant will rejoice.
29. May my adversaries be clothed in humiliation; may they wrap themselves in their shame as in a cloak.
30. I will thank the Lord profusely with my mouth, and amid the multitude I will praise Him,
31. when He stands at the right of the destitute one to deliver him from the condemners of his soul.
Chapter 110
This psalm records the response of Eliezer, servant of Abraham (to those who asked how Abraham managed to defeat the four kings). He tells of Abraham killing the mighty kings and their armies. Read, and you will discover that the entire psalm refers to Abraham, who merited prominence for recognizing God in his youth.
1. By David, a psalm. The Lord said to my master, "Sit at My right, until I make your enemies a stool for your feet.”
2. The staff of your strength the Lord will send from Zion, to rule amid your enemies.
3. Your people [will come] willingly on the day of your campaign; because of your splendid sanctity from when you emerged from the womb, you still possess the dew of your youth.
4. The Lord has sworn and will not regret: "You shall be a priest forever, just as Melchizedek!”
5. My Lord is at your right; He has crushed kings on the day of His fury.
6. He will render judgement upon the nations, and they will be filled with corpses; He will crush heads over a vast land.
7. He will drink from the stream on the way, and so will hold his head high.
Chapter 111
This psalm is written in alphabetical sequence, each verse containing two letters, save the last two verses which contain three letters each. The psalm is short yet prominent, speaking of the works of God and their greatness.
1. Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart, in the counsel of the upright and the congregation.
2. Great are the works of the Lord, [yet] available to all who desire them.
3. Majesty and splendor are His work, and His righteousness endures forever.
4. He established a memorial for His wonders, for the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
5. He gave food to those who fear Him; He remembered His covenant always.
6. He has declared the power of His deeds to His people, to give them the inheritance of nations.
7. The works of His hands are true and just; all His mandates are faithful.
8. They are steadfast for ever and ever, for they are made with truth and uprightness.
9. He sent redemption to His people, [by] commanding His covenant forever; holy and awesome is His Name.
10. The beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord; sound wisdom for all who practice it-His praise endures forever.
Chapter 112
This psalm, too, follows alphabetical sequence, each verse containing two letters, save the last two which contain three letters each. It speaks of the good traits man should choose, and of how to give charity-the reward for which is never having to rely on others.
1. Praise the Lord! Fortunate is the man who fears the Lord, and desires His commandments intensely.
2. His descendants will be mighty on the earth; he will be blessed with an upright generation.
3. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.
4. Even in darkness light shines for the upright, for [He is] Compassionate, Merciful, and Just.
5. Good is the man who is compassionate and lends, [but] provides for his own needs with discretion.
6. For he will never falter; the righteous man will be an eternal remembrance.
7. He will not be afraid of a bad tiding; his heart is steadfast, secure in the Lord.
8. His heart is steadfast, he does not fear, until he sees his oppressors [destroyed].
9. He has distributed [his wealth], giving to the needy. His righteousness will endure forever; his might will be uplifted in honor.
10. The wicked man will see and be angry; he will gnash his teeth and melt away; the wish of the wicked will be ruined.
Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, beginning of Epistle 24
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Tuesday, 23 Tishrei, 5777 · 25 October 2016
• Iggeret HaKodesh, beginning of Epistle 24
•
• Rambam: Sefer Hamitzvos:
• Genesis Chapter 2
20And man named all the cattle and the fowl of the heavens and all the beasts of the field, but for man, he did not find a helpmate opposite him. כוַיִּקְרָ֨א הָֽאָדָ֜ם שֵׁמ֗וֹת לְכָל־הַבְּהֵמָה֙ וּלְע֣וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וּלְכֹ֖ל חַיַּ֣ת הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה וּלְאָדָ֕ם לֹֽא־מָצָ֥א עֵ֖זֶר כְּנֶגְדּֽוֹ:
21And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon man, and he slept, and He took one of his sides, and He closed the flesh in its place. כאוַיַּפֵּל֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֧ים | תַּרְדֵּמָ֛ה עַל־הָֽאָדָ֖ם וַיִּישָׁ֑ן וַיִּקַּ֗ח אַחַת֙ מִצַּלְעֹתָ֔יו וַיִּסְגֹּ֥ר בָּשָׂ֖ר תַּחְתֶּֽנָּה:
And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall: [Gen. Rabbah 17:4] When He brought them [the animals], He brought before him of every species, male and female. He (Adam) said, “Everyone has a mate, but I have no mate.” Immediately,“And God caused to fall.” ולאדם לא מצא עזר. ויפל ה' א-להים תרדמה:כשהביאן הביאן לפניו כל מין ומין זכר ונקבה, אמר לכלם יש בן זוג ולי אין בן זוג, מיד ויפל:
of his sides: Heb. מִצַּלְעֹתיו, of his sides, like (Exod. 26:20):“And for the side (וּלְצֶלַע) of the Tabernacle.” This coincides with what they [the Rabbis] said: They were created with two faces. — [from Gen. Rabbah 8:1] See also Eruvin 18a, Ber. 61a. מצלעותיו: מסטריו, כמו (שמות כו כ) ולצלע המשכן, זהו שאמרו שני פרצופים נבראו:
and He closed: the place of the incision. — [from Ber. 61a, Eruv. 18a] ויסגר: מקום החתך:
and he slept, and He took: So that he should not see the piece of flesh from which she was created, lest she be repulsive to him. — [from Sanh. 39a] ויישן ויקח: שלא יראה חתיכת הבשר שממנו נבראת ותתבזה עליו:
22And the Lord God built the side that He had taken from man into a woman, and He brought her to man. כבוַיִּ֩בֶן֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֧ים | אֶת־הַצֵּלָ֛ע אֲשֶׁר־לָקַ֥ח מִן־הָֽאָדָ֖ם לְאִשָּׁ֑ה וַיְבִאֶ֖הָ אֶל־הָֽאָדָֽם:
[And He] built: [He made her] like a building, broad at the bottom and narrow at the top, so that she can carry a fetus, like a storehouse of wheat, which is broad at the bottom and narrow on top, so that its burden should not weigh on its walls. — [from Ber. 61a, Eruv. 18a] ויבן: כבנין, רחבה מלמטה וקצרה מלמעלה לקבל הולד, כאוצר של חטים שהוא רחב מלמטה וקצר מלמעלה, שלא יכביד משאו על קירותיו:
[And He] built the side…into a woman: lit. to a woman, to become a woman, like (Jud. 8:27):“and Gideon made it into an ephod,” to be an ephod. ויבן וגו' את הצלע וגו' לאשה: להיות אשה, כמו (שופטים ח כז) ויעש אותו גדעון לאפוד, להיות אפוד:
23And man said, "This time, it is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. This one shall be called ishah (woman) because this one was taken from ish (man)." כגוַיֹּ֘אמֶר֘ הָֽאָדָם֒ זֹ֣את הַפַּ֗עַם עֶ֚צֶם מֵֽעֲצָמַ֔י וּבָשָׂ֖ר מִבְּשָׂרִ֑י לְזֹאת֙ יִקָּרֵ֣א אִשָּׁ֔ה כִּ֥י מֵאִ֖ישׁ לֻֽקֳחָה־זֹּֽאת:
This time: This teaches us that Adam came to all the animals and the beasts [in search of a mate], but he was not satisfied until he found Eve. — [from Yev. 63a] זאת הפעם: מלמד שבא אדם על כל בהמה וחיה ולא נתקררה דעתו בהם עד שבא על חוה:
This one shall be called ishah because, from ish: One expression coincides with the other [i. e., the words אִישׁ and words אִשָּׁה have the same root]. From here is derived that the world was created with the Holy Tongue. — [from Gen. Rabbah 18:4] לזאת יקרא אשה כי מאיש וגו': לשון נופל על לשון, מכאן שנברא העולם בלשון הקדש:
24Therefore, a man shall leave his father and his mother, and cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. כדעַל־כֵּן֙ יַֽעֲזָב־אִ֔ישׁ אֶת־אָבִ֖יו וְאֶת־אִמּ֑וֹ וְדָבַ֣ק בְּאִשְׁתּ֔וֹ וְהָי֖וּ לְבָשָׂ֥ר אֶחָֽד:
Therefore, a man shall leave: The Divine Spirit says this, to prohibit forbidden unions to the Noahides. — [from Sanh. 58a] על כן יעזב איש: רוח הקודש אומרת כן, לאסור על בני נח את העריות:
one flesh: The fetus is formed by them both, and there [in the child] their flesh becomes one. — [from Sanh. 58a] לבשר אחד: הולד נוצר על ידי שניהם, ושם נעשה בשרם אחד:
25Now they were both naked, the man and his wife, but they were not ashamed. כהוַיִּֽהְי֤וּ שְׁנֵיהֶם֙ עֲרוּמִּ֔ים הָֽאָדָ֖ם וְאִשְׁתּ֑וֹ וְלֹ֖א יִתְבּשָֽׁשׁוּ:
but they were not ashamed: for they did not know the way of modesty, to distinguish between good and evil (Gen. Rabbah) (Targum Yerushalmi), and even though knowledge was granted him to call [all the creatures] names, he was not imbued with the evil inclination until he ate of the tree, and the evil inclination entered into him, and he knew the difference between good and evil (Gen. Rabbah) (Zohar, vol. 1, 36b; Mid. Tadshei 7). ולא יתבוששו: שלא היו יודעים דרך צניעות להבחין בין טוב לרע, ואף על פי שנתנה בו דעה לקרות שמות, לא נתן בו יצר הרע עד אכלו מן העץ ונכנס בו יצר הרע וידע מה בין טוב לרע:
Genesis Chapter 3
1Now the serpent was cunning, more than all the beasts of the field that the Lord God had made, and it said to the woman, "Did God indeed say, 'You shall not eat of any of the trees of the garden?'" אוְהַנָּחָשׁ֙ הָיָ֣ה עָר֔וּם מִכֹּל֙ חַיַּ֣ת הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֖ה יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֑ים וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ אֶל־הָ֣אִשָּׁ֔ה אַ֚ף כִּֽי־אָמַ֣ר אֱלֹהִ֔ים לֹ֣א תֹֽאכְל֔וּ מִכֹּ֖ל עֵ֥ץ הַגָּֽן:
Now the serpent was cunning: What is the connection of this matter here? Scripture should have juxtaposed (below verse 21): “And He made for Adam and for his wife shirts of skin, and He dressed them.” But it teaches you as a result of what plan the serpent thrust himself upon them. He saw them naked and engaging in intercourse before everyone’s eyes, and he desired her. — [from Gen. Rabbah 18:6] והנחש היה ערום: מה ענין זה לכאן היה לו לסמוך (פסוק כא) ויעש לאדם ולאשתו כתנות עור וילבישם. אלא למדך מאיזו עילה קפץ הנחש עליהם, ראה אותם ערומים ועוסקים בתשמיש לעין כל ונתאוה לה:
cunning, more than all: Commensurate with its cunning and its greatness, was its downfall- [it was] cunning, more than all, [and it was] cursed, more than all. — [from Gen. Rabbah 19:1] ערום מכל: לפי ערמתו וגדולתו היתה מפלתו, ערום מכל, ארור מכל:
Did…indeed say, etc.: Did He say to you, “You shall not eat of any, etc.?” Even though he saw them eating of the other fruits, he spoke to her at length in order that she answer him and come to speak of that tree. — [from Pirkei d’Rabbi Eliezer , ed. Horowitz, ch. 13; Avoth d’Rabbi Nathan , ch. 1] אף כי אמר וגו': שמא אמר לכם לא תאכלו מכל וגו' - ואף על פי שראה אותם אוכלים משאר פירות, הרבה עליה דברים כדי שתשיבנו ויבא לדבר באותו העץ:
2And the woman said to the serpent, "Of the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat. בוַתֹּ֥אמֶר הָֽאִשָּׁ֖ה אֶל־הַנָּחָ֑שׁ מִפְּרִ֥י עֵֽץ־הַגָּ֖ן נֹאכֵֽל:
3But of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, God said, "You shall not eat of it, and you shall not touch it, lest you die.'" גוּמִפְּרִ֣י הָעֵץ֘ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּתֽוֹךְ־הַגָּן֒ אָמַ֣ר אֱלֹהִ֗ים לֹ֤א תֹֽאכְלוּ֙ מִמֶּ֔נּוּ וְלֹ֥א תִגְּע֖וּ בּ֑וֹ פֶּן־תְּמֻתֽוּן:
and you shall not touch it: She added to the command; therefore, she came to diminish it. That is what is stated (Prov. 30:6): “Do not add to His words.” - [from Sanh. 29a] ולא תגעו בו: הוסיפה על הצווי, לפיכך באה לידי גרעון, הוא שנאמר (משלי ל ו) אל תוסף על דבריו:
4And the serpent said to the woman, "You will surely not die. דוַיֹּ֥אמֶר הַנָּחָ֖שׁ אֶל־הָֽאִשָּׁ֑ה לֹא־מ֖וֹת תְּמֻתֽוּן:
You will surely not die: He pushed her until she touched it. He said to her, “Just as there is no death in touching, so is there no death in eating” (Gen. Rabbah 19:3). לא מות תמתון: דחפה עד שנגעה בו, אמר לה כשם שאין מיתה בנגיעה כך אין מיתה באכילה:
5For God knows that on the day that you eat thereof, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like angels, knowing good and evil." הכִּ֚י יֹדֵ֣עַ אֱלֹהִ֔ים כִּ֗י בְּיוֹם֙ אֲכָלְכֶ֣ם מִמֶּ֔נּוּ וְנִפְקְח֖וּ עֵֽינֵיכֶ֑ם וִֽהְיִיתֶם֙ כֵּֽאלֹהִ֔ים יֹֽדְעֵ֖י ט֥וֹב וָרָֽע:
For God knows: Every craftsman hates his fellow craftsmen. He [God] ate of the tree and created the world (Gen. Rabbah 19:4). כי יודע: כל אומן שונא את בני אומנתו, מן העץ אכל וברא את העולם:
and you will be like angels: Creators of worlds. — [from Pirkei d’Rabbi Eliezer , ch. 13] והייתם כא-להים: יוצרי עולמות:
6And the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was a delight to the eyes, and the tree was desirable to make one wise; so she took of its fruit, and she ate, and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. ווַתֵּ֣רֶא הָֽאִשָּׁ֡ה כִּ֣י טוֹב֩ הָעֵ֨ץ לְמַֽאֲכָ֜ל וְכִ֧י תַֽאֲוָה־ה֣וּא לָֽעֵינַ֗יִם וְנֶחְמָ֤ד הָעֵץ֙ לְהַשְׂכִּ֔יל וַתִּקַּ֥ח מִפִּרְי֖וֹ וַתֹּאכַ֑ל וַתִּתֵּ֧ן גַּם־לְאִישָׁ֛הּ עִמָּ֖הּ וַיֹּאכַֽל:
And the woman saw: She understood the words of the serpent and they appealed to her; so she believed him (Gen. Rabbah 19:4). ותרא האשה: ראתה דבריו של נחש והנאו לה והאמינתו:
that the tree was good: to [cause them to] be like angels. כי טוב העץ: להיות כא-להים:
and that it was a delight to the eyes: As he had said to her, “and your eyes will be opened.” וכי תאוה הוא לעינים: כמו שאמר לה ונפקחו עיניכם:
and that the tree was desirable to make one wise: As he said to her, “knowing good and evil.” ונחמד להשכיל: כמו שאמר לה יודעי טוב ורע:
and she gave also to her husband: lest she die and he live and marry someone else. — [from Pirkei d’Rabbi Eliezer , ch. 13] ותתן גם לאשה עמה: שלא תמות היא ויחיה הוא, וישא אשה אחרת:
also: to include the cattle and beasts - [from Gen. Rabbah 19:5]. גם: לרבות כל בהמה וחיה:
7And the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked, and they sewed fig leaves and made themselves girdles. זוַתִּפָּקַ֨חְנָה֙ עֵינֵ֣י שְׁנֵיהֶ֔ם וַיֵּ֣דְע֔וּ כִּ֥י עֵֽירֻמִּ֖ם הֵ֑ם וַיִּתְפְּרוּ֙ עֲלֵ֣ה תְאֵנָ֔ה וַיַּֽעֲשׂ֥וּ לָהֶ֖ם חֲגֹרֹֽת:
And…were opened: Scripture is referring to wisdom, and not to actual vision, and the end of the verse proves this. — [from Gen. Rabbah 19:7] ותפקחנה עיני שניהם: לענין החכמה דבר הכתוב ולא לענין ראיה ממש, וסוף המקרא מוכיח:
and they knew that they were naked: Even a blind man knows when he is naked! What then is the meaning of “and they knew that they were naked” ? They had one commandment in their possession, and they became denuded of it. וידעו כי ערומים הם: אף הסומא יודע כשהוא ערום, אלא מהו וידעו כי עירומים הם, מצוה אחת היתה בידם ונתערטלו הימנה:
fig leaves: That is the tree of which they had eaten. With that which they had sinned, they were rectified, but the other trees prevented them from taking their leaves. — [from Ber. 40a, Sanh. 70b] Now why was the tree not identified? Because the Holy One, blessed be He, does not wish to grieve any creature, so that [others] should not put it to shame and say, “This is [the tree] because of which the world suffered.” (Midrash of Rabbi Tanchuma, Vayera 14, Buber 32). עלה תאנה: הוא העץ שאכלו ממנו, בדבר שנתקלקלו בו נתקנו, אבל שאר העצים מנעום מליטול עליהם. ומפני מה לא נתפרסם העץ, שאין הקב"ה חפץ להונות בריה, שלא יכלימוהו ויאמרו זהו שלקה העולם על ידו. מדרש רבי תנחומא (וירא יד):
8And they heard the voice of the Lord God going in the garden to the direction of the sun, and the man and his wife hid from before the Lord God in the midst of the trees of the garden. חוַיִּשְׁמְע֞וּ אֶת־ק֨וֹל יְהֹוָ֧ה אֱלֹהִ֛ים מִתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ בַּגָּ֖ן לְר֣וּחַ הַיּ֑וֹם וַיִּתְחַבֵּ֨א הָֽאָדָ֜ם וְאִשְׁתּ֗וֹ מִפְּנֵי֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֔ים בְּת֖וֹךְ עֵ֥ץ הַגָּֽן:
And they heard: There are many Aggadic midrashim, and our Sages already arranged them in their proper order in Genesis Rabbah and in other midrashim, but I have come only [to teach] the simple meaning of the Scripture and such Aggadah that clarifies the words of the verses, each word in its proper way. וישמעו: יש מדרשי אגדה רבים וכבר סדרום רבותינו על מכונם בבראשית רבה (יט ו) ובשאר מדרשות ואני לא באתי אלא לפשוטו של מקרא ולאגדה המישבת דברי המקרא דבר דבור על אופניו:
And they heard: What did they hear? They heard the voice of the Holy One, blessed be He, which was going in the garden. — [from Gen. Rabbah 19:7] וישמעו: מה שמעו, שמעו את קול הקב"ה שהיה מתהלך בגן:
to the direction of the sun: To that direction in which the sun sets, and this is the west, for toward evening, the sun is in the west, and they sinned in the tenth [hour]. — [from Gen. Rabbah 19:8, Sanh. 38b] לרוח היום: לאותו רוח שהשמש באה משם וזו היא מערבית, שלפנות ערב חמה במערב, והם סרחו בעשירית:
9And the Lord God called to man, and He said to him, "Where are you?" טוַיִּקְרָ֛א יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶל־הָֽאָדָ֑ם וַיֹּ֥אמֶר ל֖וֹ אַיֶּֽכָּה:
Where are you: He knew where he was, but [He asked him this] in order to enter into conversation with him, lest he be frightened to answer if He should punish him suddenly (Tanchuma Tazria 9). So with Cain, He said to him (below 4:9): “Where is your brother Abel?” And so with Balaam (Num. 22:9): “Who are these men with you?” for the purpose of entering a conversation with them, and so with Hezekiah, in regard to the emissaries of Merodach Baladan (Isa. 39:3) (Gen. Rabbah 19:11). איכה: יודע היה היכן הוא, אלא ליכנס עמו בדברים, שלא יהא נבהל להשיב אם יענישהו פתאום. וכן בקין (בראשית ד ט) אמר לו אי הבל אחיך, וכן בבלעם (במדבר כב ט) מי האנשים האלה עמך, ליכנס עמהם בדברים, וכן בחזקיה בשלוחי (אויל) מרודך בלאדן (ישעיה לט ג):
10And he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I am naked; so I hid." יוַיֹּ֕אמֶר אֶת־קֹֽלְךָ֥ שָׁמַ֖עְתִּי בַּגָּ֑ן וָֽאִירָ֛א כִּֽי־עֵירֹ֥ם אָנֹ֖כִי וָאֵֽחָבֵֽא:
11And He said, "Who told you that you are naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?" יאוַיֹּ֕אמֶר מִ֚י הִגִּ֣יד לְךָ֔ כִּ֥י עֵירֹ֖ם אָ֑תָּה הֲמִן־הָעֵ֗ץ אֲשֶׁ֧ר צִוִּיתִ֛יךָ לְבִלְתִּ֥י אֲכָל־מִמֶּ֖נּוּ אָכָֽלְתָּ:
Who told you: From where do you know what shame there is in standing naked? מי הגיד לך: מאין לך לדעת מה בשת יש בעומד ערום:
from the tree?: Heb. הֲמִן. This is in the interrogative sense. המן העץ: בתמיה:
12And the man said, "The woman whom You gave [to be] with me she gave me of the tree; so I ate." יבוַיֹּ֖אמֶר הָֽאָדָ֑ם הָֽאִשָּׁה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נָתַ֣תָּה עִמָּדִ֔י הִ֛וא נָֽתְנָה־לִּ֥י מִן־הָעֵ֖ץ וָֽאֹכֵֽל:
whom You gave [to be] with me: Here he [Adam] showed his ingratitude. — [from Avodah Zarah 5b] אשר נתת עמדי: כאן כפר בטובה:
13And the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" And the woman said, "The serpent enticed me, and I ate." יגוַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֧ה אֱלֹהִ֛ים לָֽאִשָּׁ֖ה מַה־זֹּ֣את עָשִׂ֑ית וַתֹּ֨אמֶר֙ הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה הַנָּחָ֥שׁ הִשִּׁיאַ֖נִי וָֽאֹכֵֽל:
enticed me: Heb. הִשִּׁיאַנִי, deceived me, like (II Chron. 32:15): “Let Hezekiah not deceive (יַשִּׁיא) you.” - [from Gen. Rabbah 19:2] השיאני: הטעני כמו (דה"י ב' לב טו) אל ישיא אתכם חזקיהו:
14And the Lord God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, cursed be you more than all the cattle and more than all the beasts of the field; you shall walk on your belly, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. ידוַיֹּ֩אמֶר֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֥ים | אֶל־הַנָּחָשׁ֘ כִּ֣י עָשִׂ֣יתָ זֹּאת֒ אָר֤וּר אַתָּה֙ מִכָּל־הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה וּמִכֹּ֖ל חַיַּ֣ת הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה עַל־גְּחֹֽנְךָ֣ תֵלֵ֔ךְ וְעָפָ֥ר תֹּאכַ֖ל כָּל־יְמֵ֥י חַיֶּֽיךָ:
Because you have done this: From here [we learn] that we may not intercede in favor of one who entices people [to idolatry], for had He asked him, “Why did you do this?” he could have answered, “The words of the master and the words of the pupil-whose words do we obey?” [i.e., Adam and Eve should have obeyed God rather than the serpent!]- [from Sanh. 29a] כי עשית זאת: מכאן שאין מהפכים בזכותו של מסית, שאילו שאלו למה עשית זאת, היה לו להשיב דברי הרב ודברי התלמיד דברי מי שומעין:
more than all the cattle and more than all the beasts of the field: If he was cursed more than the cattle [whose gestation period is long], he was surely cursed more than the beasts [whose gestation period is comparatively shorter]. Our Rabbis established this midrash in Tractate Bechoroth (8a) to teach that the gestation period of a serpent is seven years. מכל הבהמה ומכל חית השדה: אם מבהמה נתקלל מחיה לא כל שכן, העמידו רבותינו מדרש זה במסכת בכורות (דף ח א) ללמד שימי עיבורו של נחש שבע שנים:
you shall walk on your belly: It had legs, but they were cut off. — [from Gen. Rabbah 20:5] על גחונך תלך: רגלים היו לו ונקצצו:
15And I shall place hatred between you and between the woman, and between your seed and between her seed. He will crush your head, and you will bite his heel." טווְאֵיבָ֣ה | אָשִׁ֗ית בֵּֽינְךָ֙ וּבֵ֣ין הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה וּבֵ֥ין זַֽרְעֲךָ֖ וּבֵ֣ין זַרְעָ֑הּ ה֚וּא יְשֽׁוּפְךָ֣ רֹ֔אשׁ וְאַתָּ֖ה תְּשׁוּפֶ֥נּוּ עָקֵֽב:
And I shall place hatred: You intended that the man should die when he would eat first, and you would marry Eve, and you came to Eve first only because women are easily enticed, and they know how to entice their husbands. Therefore, “I shall place hatred.” ואיבה אשית: אתה לא נתכוונת אלא שימות אדם כשיאכל הוא תחלה ותשא את חוה, ולא באת לדבר אל חוה תחלה אלא לפי שהנשים קלות להתפתות ויודעות לפתות את בעליהן, לפיכך ואיבה אשית:
He will crush your head: יְשׁוּפְךָ רֹאשׁ, lit. he will crush you the head. He will crush you, like (Deut. 9:21): “And I crushed it,” which is translated by the Targum as וְשָׁפִית יָתֵיהּ ישופך: יכתתך, כמו (דברים ט כא) ואכות אותו, ותרגומו ושפית יתיה:
and you will bite his heel: Heb. תְּשׁוּפֶנוּ. You will not stand upright and you will bite him on the heel, and even from there you will kill him. The expression תְּשׁוּפֶנוּ is like (Isa. 40:24): “He blew (נָשַׁף) on them.” When a snake comes to bite, it blows with a sort of hiss, and since the two expressions coincide [i.e., they sound alike], Scripture used the expression of נְשִׁיפָה in both cases. ואתה תשופנו עקב: לא יהא לך קומה ותשכנו בעקבו, ואף משם תמיתנו. ולשון תשופנו כמו (ישעיה מ כד) נשף בהם, כשהנחש בא לנשוך הוא נושף כמין שריקה, ולפי שהלשון נופל על הלשון כתב לשון נשיפה בשניהם:
16To the woman He said, "I shall surely increase your sorrow and your pregnancy; in pain you shall bear children. And to your husband will be your desire, and he will rule over you." טזאֶל־הָֽאִשָּׁ֣ה אָמַ֗ר הַרְבָּ֤ה אַרְבֶּה֙ עִצְּבוֹנֵ֣ךְ וְהֵֽרֹנֵ֔ךְ בְּעֶ֖צֶב תֵּֽלְדִ֣י בָנִ֑ים וְאֶל־אִישֵׁךְ֙ תְּשׁ֣וּקָתֵ֔ךְ וְה֖וּא יִמְשָׁל־בָּֽךְ:
your sorrow: This refers to the pain of child rearing. — [from Eruv. 100b] עצבונך: זה צער גידול בנים:
and your pregnancy: This refers to the pain of pregnancy. — [from above source] והרנך: זה צער העבור:
in pain you shall bear children: This refers to the pain of childbirth. — [from Gen. Rabbah 20:6] בעצב תלדי בנים: זה צער הלידה:
And to your husband will be your desire: for intimacy, but, nevertheless, you will not have the audacity to demand it of him with your mouth, but he will rule over you. Everything is from him and not from you. — [from Eruv. ad loc.] ואל אשך תשוקתך: לתשמיש ואף על פי כן אין לך מצח לתובעו בפה אלא הוא ימשול בך, הכל ממנו ולא ממך:
your desire: Heb. תְּשׁוּקָתֵךְ, your desire, like: (Isa. 29:8): “a yearning (שׁוֹקֵקָה) soul.” - [after Targum Onkelos] תשוקתך: תאותך, כמו (ישעיה כט ח) ונפשו שוקקה:
17And to man He said, "Because you listened to your wife, and you ate from the tree from which I commanded you saying, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed be the ground for your sake; with toil shall you eat of it all the days of your life. יזוּלְאָדָ֣ם אָמַ֗ר כִּ֣י שָׁמַ֘עְתָּ֘ לְק֣וֹל אִשְׁתֶּ֒ךָ֒ וַתֹּ֨אכַל֙ מִן־הָעֵ֔ץ אֲשֶׁ֤ר צִוִּיתִ֨יךָ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לֹ֥א תֹאכַ֖ל מִמֶּ֑נּוּ אֲרוּרָ֤ה הָֽאֲדָמָה֙ בַּֽעֲבוּרֶ֔ךָ בְּעִצָּבוֹן֙ תֹּֽאכֲלֶ֔נָּה כֹּ֖ל יְמֵ֥י חַיֶּֽיךָ:
cursed be the ground for your sake: It will bring up cursed things for you, such as flies, fleas, and ants. This can be compared to one who falls into evil ways, and people curse the breasts from which he suckled. — [from Gen. Rabbah 20: 8] ארורה האדמה בעבורך: מעלה לך דברים ארורים כגון זבובים ופרעושים ונמלים, משל ליוצא לתרבות רעה והבריות מקללות שדים שינק מהם:
18And it will cause thorns and thistles to grow for you, and you shall eat the herbs of the field. יחוְק֥וֹץ וְדַרְדַּ֖ר תַּצְמִ֣יחַ לָ֑ךְ וְאָֽכַלְתָּ֖ אֶת־עֵ֥שֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶֽה:
And it will cause thorns and thistles to grow for you: The earth-when you sow it with various species of seeds-will sprout thorns and thistles, artichokes and cardoons, which are edible only after preparation. — [from Gen. Rabbah 20:10. See also Beizah 34a] וקוץ ודרדר תצמיח לך: הארץ כשתזרענה מיני זרעים תצמיח קוץ ודרדר קונדס ועכביות, והן נאכלים על ידי תקון:
“and you shall eat the herbs of the field”: Now what [kind of] curse is this? Was it not said to him in the blessing (above 1:29): “Behold I have given you every seed-bearing herb, etc? But what is stated here [refers to] the beginning of the section: ”Cursed be the ground for your sake; with toil shall you eat of it,“ and after the toil, ”And it will cause thorns and thistles to grow for you." When you sow it with legumes or garden vegetables, it will cause thorns and thistles and other grasses of the field, to grow for you, and you shall have no choice but to eat them. ואכלת את עשב השדה: ומה קללה היא זו, והלא בברכה נאמר לו (לעיל א כט) הנה נתתי לכם את כל עשב זורע זרע וגו'. אלא מה אמור כאן בראש הענין (פסוק יז) ארורה האדמה בעבורך בעצבון תאכלנה, ואחר העצבון וקוץ ודרדר תצמיח לך, כשתזרענה קטניות או ירקות גנה היא תצמיח לך קוצים ודרדרים ושאר עשבי שדה, ועל כרחך תאכלם:
19With the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, until you return to the ground, for you were taken therefrom, for dust you are, and to dust you will return." יטבְּזֵעַ֤ת אַפֶּ֨יךָ֙ תֹּ֣אכַל לֶ֔חֶם עַ֤ד שֽׁוּבְךָ֙ אֶל־הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה כִּ֥י מִמֶּ֖נָּה לֻקָּ֑חְתָּ כִּֽי־עָפָ֣ר אַ֔תָּה וְאֶל־עָפָ֖ר תָּשֽׁוּב:
With the sweat of your face: After you toil with it very much. — [Mid. Tadshei, Otzar Midrashim] בזעת אפיך: לאחר שתטרח בו הרבה:
20And the man named his wife Eve, because she was the mother of all life. כוַיִּקְרָ֧א הָֽאָדָ֛ם שֵׁ֥ם אִשְׁתּ֖וֹ חַוָּ֑ה כִּ֛י הִ֥וא הָֽיְתָ֖ה אֵ֥ם כָּל־חָֽי:
And the man named: Scripture returns to its previous topic (2:20): “And the man named,” and it interrupted only to teach you that through the giving of names, Eve was mated to him, as it is written (above 2:20): “but for man, he did not find a helpmate opposite him.” Therefore, (ibid. 21): “And He caused a deep sleep to fall,” and since Scripture wrote, (ibid. 25):“And they were naked,” it juxtaposed the section of the serpent, to let you know that because he saw her naked and saw them engaging in intercourse, he desired her and came upon them with a design and with guile. ויקרא האדם: חזר הכתוב לענינו הראשון ויקרא האדם שמות, ולא הפסיק אלא ללמדך שעל ידי קריאת שמות נזדווגה לו חוה, כמו שכתוב (לעיל ב כ) ולאדם לא מצא עזר כנגדו, לפיכך ויפל תרדמה, ועל ידי שכתב (שם פסוק כה) ויהיו שניהם ערומים, סמך לו פרשת הנחש, להודיעך שמתוך שראה ערותה וראה אותם עסוקים בתשמיש נתאוה לה ובא עליהם במחשבה ובמרמה:
Eve: Heb. חַוָּה. This coincides with the expression of חַיָה, living, because she gives life to her offspring, as you say, (Ecc. 2:22):“For what does a man have (הֹוֶה) ?” with the expression“being” (הֹוֶה) . [i.e., The “vav” and the “yud” are interchangeable.] חוה: נופל על לשון חיה, שמחיה את ולדותיה, כאשר תאמר (קהלת ב כב) מה הוה לאדם, בלשון היה:
21And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife shirts of skin, and He dressed them. כאוַיַּ֩עַשׂ֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֜ים לְאָדָ֧ם וּלְאִשְׁתּ֛וֹ כָּתְנ֥וֹת ע֖וֹר וַיַּלְבִּשֵֽׁם:
shirts of skin: Some Aggadic works say that they were as smooth as fingernails, fastened over their skin (Gen. Rabbah 20:12), and others say that they were a material that comes from the skin, like the wool of rabbits, which is soft and warm, and He made them shirts from it (Gen. Rabbah ad loc., Sotah 14a). כתנות עור: יש דברי אגדה אומרים חלקים כצפורן היו מדובקים על עורן. ויש אומרים דבר הבא מן העור, כגון צמר הארנבים שהוא רך וחם ועשה להם כתנות ממנו:
Daily Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 108 - 112
• Chapter 108
1. A song, a psalm by David.
2. My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and chant praises even with my soul.
3. Awake, O lyre and harp; I shall awaken the dawn.
4. I will thank You among the nations, Lord; I will sing praises to You among the peoples.
5. Indeed, Your kindness reaches above the heavens; Your truth reaches to the skies.
6. Be exalted upon the heavens, O God, [show] Your glory upon all the earth.
7. That Your beloved ones may be delivered, help with Your right hand and answer me.
8. God spoke in His holiness that I would exult, I would divide portions [of the enemies' land], I would measure the Valley of Succot.
9. Mine is Gilead, mine is Manasseh, and Ephraim is the stronghold of my head, Judah is my prince.
10. Moab is my washbasin, I will cast my shoe upon Edom, I will shout over Philistia.
11. Who brings me to the fortified city? Who led me unto Edom?
12. Is it not God, Who has [until now] forsaken us, and did not go forth, O God, with our armies?
13. Give us help against the adversary; futile is the help of man.
14. Through God we will do valiantly, and He will trample our oppressors.
Chapter 109
David composed this psalm while fleeing from Saul. At that time he faced many enemies who, despite acting friendly in his presence, spoke only evil of him; he therefore curses them bitterly.
1. For the Conductor, by David, a psalm. O God of my praise, be not silent.
2. For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful have opened against me; they spoke to me with a false tongue.
3. They have surrounded me with words of hate, and attacked me without cause.
4. In return for my love they hate me; still, I am [a man of] prayer.
5. They placed harm upon me in return for my favor, and hatred in return for my love.
6. Appoint a wicked man over him; let an adversary stand at his right.
7. When he is judged may he go out condemned; may his prayer be considered a sin.
8. May his days be few; may another take his position.
9. May his children be orphans and his wife a widow.
10. May his children wander about and beg; may they seek charity from amid their ruins.
11. May the creditor seize all that he has, and may strangers plunder [the fruits of] his labor.
12. May he have none who extends him kindness, and may none be gracious to his orphans.
13. May his posterity be cut off; may their name be erased in a later generation.
14. May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered by the Lord, and the sin of his mother not be erased.
15. May they be before the Lord always, and may He cut off their memory from the earth.
16. Because he did not remember to do kindness, and he pursued the poor and destitute man and the broken-hearted, to kill [him].
17. He loved the curse and it has come upon him; he did not desire blessing, and it has remained far from him.
18. He donned the curse like his garment, and it came like water into his innards, like oil into his bones.
19. May it be to him like a cloak in which he wraps himself, as a belt with which he girds himself always.
20. This is from the Lord for the deeds of my enemies, and [for] those who speak evil against my soul.
21. And You, God, my Lord, do [kindness] with me for the sake of Your Name; for Your kindness is good, rescue me!
22. For I am poor and destitute, and my heart has died within me.
23. Like the fleeting shadow I am banished, I am tossed about like the locust.
24. My knees totter from fasting, and my flesh is lean without fat.
25. And I became a disgrace to them; they see me and shake their heads.
26. Help me, Lord, my God, deliver me according to Your kindness.
27. Let them know that this is Your hand, that You, Lord, have done it.
28. Let them curse, but You will bless; they arose, but they will be shamed, and Your servant will rejoice.
29. May my adversaries be clothed in humiliation; may they wrap themselves in their shame as in a cloak.
30. I will thank the Lord profusely with my mouth, and amid the multitude I will praise Him,
31. when He stands at the right of the destitute one to deliver him from the condemners of his soul.
Chapter 110
This psalm records the response of Eliezer, servant of Abraham (to those who asked how Abraham managed to defeat the four kings). He tells of Abraham killing the mighty kings and their armies. Read, and you will discover that the entire psalm refers to Abraham, who merited prominence for recognizing God in his youth.
1. By David, a psalm. The Lord said to my master, "Sit at My right, until I make your enemies a stool for your feet.”
2. The staff of your strength the Lord will send from Zion, to rule amid your enemies.
3. Your people [will come] willingly on the day of your campaign; because of your splendid sanctity from when you emerged from the womb, you still possess the dew of your youth.
4. The Lord has sworn and will not regret: "You shall be a priest forever, just as Melchizedek!”
5. My Lord is at your right; He has crushed kings on the day of His fury.
6. He will render judgement upon the nations, and they will be filled with corpses; He will crush heads over a vast land.
7. He will drink from the stream on the way, and so will hold his head high.
Chapter 111
This psalm is written in alphabetical sequence, each verse containing two letters, save the last two verses which contain three letters each. The psalm is short yet prominent, speaking of the works of God and their greatness.
1. Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart, in the counsel of the upright and the congregation.
2. Great are the works of the Lord, [yet] available to all who desire them.
3. Majesty and splendor are His work, and His righteousness endures forever.
4. He established a memorial for His wonders, for the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
5. He gave food to those who fear Him; He remembered His covenant always.
6. He has declared the power of His deeds to His people, to give them the inheritance of nations.
7. The works of His hands are true and just; all His mandates are faithful.
8. They are steadfast for ever and ever, for they are made with truth and uprightness.
9. He sent redemption to His people, [by] commanding His covenant forever; holy and awesome is His Name.
10. The beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord; sound wisdom for all who practice it-His praise endures forever.
Chapter 112
This psalm, too, follows alphabetical sequence, each verse containing two letters, save the last two which contain three letters each. It speaks of the good traits man should choose, and of how to give charity-the reward for which is never having to rely on others.
1. Praise the Lord! Fortunate is the man who fears the Lord, and desires His commandments intensely.
2. His descendants will be mighty on the earth; he will be blessed with an upright generation.
3. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.
4. Even in darkness light shines for the upright, for [He is] Compassionate, Merciful, and Just.
5. Good is the man who is compassionate and lends, [but] provides for his own needs with discretion.
6. For he will never falter; the righteous man will be an eternal remembrance.
7. He will not be afraid of a bad tiding; his heart is steadfast, secure in the Lord.
8. His heart is steadfast, he does not fear, until he sees his oppressors [destroyed].
9. He has distributed [his wealth], giving to the needy. His righteousness will endure forever; his might will be uplifted in honor.
10. The wicked man will see and be angry; he will gnash his teeth and melt away; the wish of the wicked will be ruined.
Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, beginning of Epistle 24
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Tuesday, 23 Tishrei, 5777 · 25 October 2016
• Iggeret HaKodesh, beginning of Epistle 24
•
• Rambam: Sefer Hamitzvos:
• Tuesday, 23 Tishrei, 5777 · 25 October 2016
• Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
•
• Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
•
• Rambam - 1 Chapter: Tum'at Okhalin Tum'at Okhalin - Chapter 12
•
• Rambam - 3 Chapters: Negative Commandments Part 1, Negative Commandments Part 2, Negative Commandments Part 3
•
• Hayom Yom: Today's Hayom Yom
• Hayom Yom: Today's Hayom Yom
• Tuesday, 23 Tishrei, 5777 · 25 October 2016
• "Today's Day"
• Shabbat, Tishrei 24, Issru Chag, 5704
Bless Rosh Chodesh Marcheshvan. Say the entire Tehillim in the early morning. Day of farbrengen.
Haftora: Ko amar - v'yadir.
Torah lessons: Chumash: Entire Torah-portion of Bereishit with Rashi.
Tehillim: 113-118.
Tanya: Our sages, (p. 533) ...in their hearts. (p. 533).
A public farbrengen in general, and on Shabbat or motzo'ei Shabbat1 in particular, is one of the foundations in the ways of chassidim and Chassidus. It is an opening and entry-way to the fundamental Mitzva of ahavat Yisrael.
At the great majority of farbrengens, the principle speakers demand of the participants to improve their conduct and practices, to designate times for the study of Chassidus and keep those times diligently, and that their study be directed to learning and fulfillment.
(The general concept and method of reproving another is well explained in the maamar V'im ruach hamosheil (Kuntres 30).2 Every chassid would do well to learn it thoroughly and take it deeply to heart.)
But this reproving at a farbrengen is only for such matters that will not cause any embarrassment whatsoever. This has been the way since the earliest days - one reproved another with love and deep affection.
FOOTNOTES
1.Saturday night.
2.Sefer Hamaamarim Kuntreisim; Vol. 2, p. 358b.
• Daily Thought:• "Today's Day"
• Shabbat, Tishrei 24, Issru Chag, 5704
Bless Rosh Chodesh Marcheshvan. Say the entire Tehillim in the early morning. Day of farbrengen.
Haftora: Ko amar - v'yadir.
Torah lessons: Chumash: Entire Torah-portion of Bereishit with Rashi.
Tehillim: 113-118.
Tanya: Our sages, (p. 533) ...in their hearts. (p. 533).
A public farbrengen in general, and on Shabbat or motzo'ei Shabbat1 in particular, is one of the foundations in the ways of chassidim and Chassidus. It is an opening and entry-way to the fundamental Mitzva of ahavat Yisrael.
At the great majority of farbrengens, the principle speakers demand of the participants to improve their conduct and practices, to designate times for the study of Chassidus and keep those times diligently, and that their study be directed to learning and fulfillment.
(The general concept and method of reproving another is well explained in the maamar V'im ruach hamosheil (Kuntres 30).2 Every chassid would do well to learn it thoroughly and take it deeply to heart.)
But this reproving at a farbrengen is only for such matters that will not cause any embarrassment whatsoever. This has been the way since the earliest days - one reproved another with love and deep affection.
FOOTNOTES
1.Saturday night.
2.Sefer Hamaamarim Kuntreisim; Vol. 2, p. 358b.
Two Scripts
“I am so small, and I make such stupid messes that even if the Creator of this magnificent universe had some plan for me, by now He must have given up. So I do too.”
Or:
“I am so small, and I make such stupid messes, yet nevertheless the Creator of this magnificent universe will not let go of His belief in me.”
“And so neither will I.”[Torat Menachem 5742, vol. 3, pg. 1522. Ibid 5747 vol. 4 pg. 261.]
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CHABAD - TODAY IN JUDAISM: Monday, 24 October 2016 - Today is: Monday, 22 Tishrei, 5777 · 24 October 2016 - Shemini Atzeret - Candle Lighting
Light Holiday Candles after nightfall ––:––.
Torah Reading
Shemini Atzeret: Deuteronomy 14:(v) 22 “Every year you must take one tenth of everything your seed produces in the field, 23 and eat it in the presence of Adonai your God. In the place where he chooses to have his name live you will eat the tenth of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the firstborn of your cattle and sheep, so that you will learn to fear Adonai your God always. 24 But if the distance is too great for you, so that you are unable to transport it, because the place where Adonai chooses to put his name is too far away from you; then, when Adonai your God prospers you, 25 you are to convert it into money, take the money with you, go to the place which Adonai your God will choose, 26 and exchange the money for anything you want — cattle, sheep, wine, other intoxicating liquor, or anything you please — and you are to eat there in the presence of Adonai your God, and enjoy yourselves, you and your household.
27 “But don’t neglect the Levi staying with you, because he has no share or inheritance like yours. 28 At the end of every three years you are to take all the tenths of your produce from that year and store it in your towns. 29 Then the Levi, because he has no share or inheritance like yours, along with the foreigner, the orphan and the widow living in your towns, will come, eat and be satisfied — so that Adonai your God will bless you in everything your hands produce.
15:1 (vi) “At the end of every seven years you are to have a sh’mittah. 2 Here is how the sh’mittah is to be done: every creditor is to give up what he has loaned to his fellow member of the community — he is not to force his neighbor or relative to repay it, because Adonai’s time of remission has been proclaimed. 3 You may demand that a foreigner repay his debt, but you are to release your claim on whatever your brother owes you. 4 In spite of this, there will be no one needy among you; because Adonai will certainly bless you in the land which Adonai your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess — 5 if only you will listen carefully to what Adonai your God says and take care to obey all these mitzvot I am giving you today. 6 Yes, Adonai your God will bless you, as he promised you — you will lend money to many nations without having to borrow, and you will rule over many nations without their ruling over you.
7 “If someone among you is needy, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in your land which Adonai your God is giving you, you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from giving to your needy brother. 8 No, you must open your hand to him and lend him enough to meet his need and enable him to obtain what he wants. 9 Guard yourself against allowing your heart to entertain the mean-spirited thought that because the seventh year, the year of sh’mittah is at hand, you would be stingy toward your needy brother and not give him anything; for then he may cry out to Adonai against you, and it will be your sin. 10 Rather, you must give to him; and you are not to be grudging when you give to him. If you do this, Adonai your God will bless you in all your work, in everything you undertake — 11 for there will always be poor people in the land. That is why I am giving you this order, ‘You must open your hand to your poor and needy brother in your land.’
12 “If your kinsman, a Hebrew man or woman, is sold to you, he is to serve you for six years; but in the seventh year, you are to set him free. 13 Moreover, when you set him free, don’t let him leave empty-handed; 14 but supply him generously from your flock, threshing-floor and winepress; from what Adonai your God has blessed you with, you are to give to him. 15 Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and Adonai your God redeemed you; that is why I am giving you this order today. 16 But if he says to you, ‘I don’t want to leave you,’ because he loves you and your household, and because his life with you is a good one; 17 then take an awl, and pierce his ear through, right into the door; and he will be your slave forever. Do the same with your female slave. 18 Don’t resent it when you set him free, since during his six years of service he has been worth twice as much as a hired employee. Then Adonai your God will bless you in everything you do.
(vii) 19 “All the firstborn males in your herd of cattle and in your flock you are to set aside for Adonai your God; you are not to do any work with a firstborn from your herd or shear a firstborn sheep. 20 Each year you and your household are to eat it in the presence of Adonai your God in the place which Adonai will choose. 21 But if it has a defect, is lame or blind, or has some other kind of fault, you are not to sacrifice it to Adonai your God; 22 rather, eat it on your own property; the unclean and the clean alike may eat it, like the gazelle or the deer. 23 Just don’t eat its blood, but pour it out on the ground like water.
16:1 “Observe the month of Aviv, and keep Pesach to Adonai your God; for in the month of Aviv, Adonai your God brought you out of Egypt at night. 2 You are to sacrifice the Pesach offering from flock and herd to Adonai your God in the place where Adonai will choose to have his name live. 3 You are not to eat any hametz with it; for seven days you are to eat with it matzah, the bread of affliction; for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste. Thus you will remember the day you left the land of Egypt as long as you live. 4 No leaven is to be seen with you anywhere in your territory for seven days. None of the meat from your sacrifice on the first day in the evening is to remain all night until morning. 5 You may not sacrifice the Pesach offering in just any of the towns that Adonai your God is giving you; 6 but at the place where Adonai your God will choose to have his name live — there is where you are to sacrifice the Pesach offering, in the evening, when the sun sets, at the time of year that you came out of Egypt. 7 You are to roast it and eat it in the place Adonai your God will choose; in the morning you will return and go to your tents. 8 For six days you are to eat matzah; on the seventh day there is to be a festive assembly for Adonai your God; do not do any kind of work.
9 “You are to count seven weeks; you are to begin counting seven weeks from the time you first put your sickle to the standing grain. 10 You are to observe the festival of Shavu‘ot [weeks] for Adonai your God with a voluntary offering, which you are to give in accordance with the degree to which Adonai your God has prospered you. 11 You are to rejoice in the presence of Adonai your God — you, your sons and daughters, your male and female slaves, the L’vi’im living in your towns, and the foreigners, orphans and widows living among you — in the place where Adonai your God will choose to have his name live. 12 Remember that you were a slave in Egypt; then you will keep and obey these laws.
(Maftir) 13 “You are to keep the festival of Sukkot for seven days after you have gathered the produce of your threshing-floor and winepress. 14 Rejoice at your festival — you, your sons and daughters, your male and female slaves, the L’vi’im, and the foreigners, orphans and widows living among you. 15 Seven days you are to keep the festival for Adonai your God in the place Adonai your God will choose, because Adonai your God will bless you in all your crops and in all your work, so you are to be full of joy!
16 “Three times a year all your men are to appear in the presence of Adonai your God in the place which he will choose — at the festival of matzah, at the festival of Shavu‘ot and at the festival of Sukkot. They are not to show up before Adonai empty-handed, 17 but every man is to give what he can, in accordance with the blessing Adonai your God has given you.
Shemini Atzeret: Numbers 29:Maftir) 35 “‘On the eighth day you are to have a festive assembly: you are not to do any kind of ordinary work; 36 but you are to present a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, giving a fragrant aroma to Adonai — one bull, one ram, seven male lambs in their first year, without defect; 37 with the grain and drink offerings for the bull, the ram and the lambs, according to their number, in keeping with the rule; 38 also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings.
39 “‘You are to offer these to Adonai at your designated times in addition to your vows and voluntary offerings — whether these are your burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings or peace offerings.’”
30:1 (29:40) Moshe told the people of Isra’el everything, just as Adonai had ordered Moshe.
Shemini Atzeret: I Kings 8:54 When Shlomo had finished praying all this prayer and plea to Adonai, he got up from in front of the altar of Adonai, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven, 55 stood up, and raised his voice to bless the whole community of Isra’el. He said, 56 “Blessed be Adonai, who has given rest to his people Isra’el, in accordance with everything he promised. Not one word has failed of his good promise, which he made through Moshe his servant. 57 May Adonai our God be with us, as he was with our ancestors. May he never leave us or abandon us. 58 In this way he will incline our hearts toward him, so that we will live according to his ways and observe his mitzvot, laws and rulings which he ordered our fathers to obey. 59 May these words of mine, which I have used in my plea before Adonai, be present with Adonai our God day and night, so that he will uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Isra’el day by day. 60 Then all the peoples of the earth will know that Adonai is God; there is no other. 61 So be wholehearted with Adonai our God, living by his laws and observing his mitzvot, as you are doing today.”
62 Then the king, together with all Isra’el, offered sacrifices before Adonai. 63 For the sacrifice of peace offerings which Shlomo offered to Adonai, he offered 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. Thus the king and all the people of Isra’el dedicated the house of Adonai.
64 The same day, the king consecrated the center of the courtyard in front of the house of Adonai, because he had to offer the burnt offering, the grain offering and the fat of the peace offerings there. For the bronze altar before Adonai was too small to receive the burnt offering, the grain offering and the fat of the peace offerings.
65 So Shlomo celebrated the festival at that time. All Isra’el, a huge gathering [that had come all the way] from the entrance of Hamat to the Vadi [of Egypt], celebrated with him before Adonai our God for seven days and then for seven more days — fourteen days in all. 66 On the eighth day he sent the people away. They blessed the king and returned to their tents full of joy and glad of heart for all the goodness Adonai had shown to David his servant and to Isra’el his people.
Today's Laws & Customs:
• Hakafot
It is the practice of many communities -- and such is the Chabad custom -- to conduct "hakafot" and dance with the Torah scrolls also on the eve of Shemini Atzeret. (See entry for tomorrow, "Simchat Torah".)
• Rain Prayer
In today's musaf prayer we begin to insert the phrase mashiv haruach umorid hageshem ("who makes the wind blow and brings down the rain") in our daily prayers (as we'll continue to do through the winter, until the 1st day of Passover). Special hymns on rain and water are added to musaf in honor of the occasion.
Link: Souls in the Rain
• Yizkor
Yizkor, the remembrance prayer for departed parents, is recited today after the morning reading of the Torah.
Links:
The Yizkor Prayer
Honor Due to Parents
On Breavement and Mourning
• Eat in Sukkah
The festival of Sukkot, commemorating G-d's enveloping protection of the Children of Israel during their 40-year journey through the desert (1313-1273 BCE), is celebrated for seven days, beginning from the eve of Tishrei 15. During this time, we are commanded to "dwell" in a sukkah -- a hut of temporary construction, with a roof covering of raw, unfinished vegetable matter (branches, reeds, bamboo, etc.) -- signifying the temporality and fragily of human habitation and man-made shelter and our utter dependence upon G-d's protection and providence.
Outside of Israel, we eat in the sukkah an additional day, on the holiday of Shemini Atzeret (see Why are holidays celebrated an extra day in the Diaspora?) The special blessing recitied when eating in the sukkah is not recited today.
Note: In certain communities it is customary to eat some or all of this day's meals out of the sukkah.
Links: The Big Sukkah; The Temporary Dwelling; The Easy Mitzvah
• Last Day In Sukkah
Today is the last day when we eat in the sukkah (although the blessing on the sukkah, recited before eating a meal, is not recited today). Shortly before sunset, many have the custom to enjoy a last snack in the sukkah, thus "bidding the sukkah farewell" until the following year.
Note: In certain communities it is customary to eat some or all of this day's meals out of the sukkah.
Today in Jewish History:
• Lubavitcher Rebbe Suffers Massive Heart Attack (1977)
While celebrating the joyous holiday hakafot with thousands of chassidim in the central Chabad-Lubavitch synagogue in Brooklyn, NY, the Rebbe suffered a massive heart attack. In spite of the tremendous pain, the Rebbe remained calm and insisted on continuing the hakafot, and only after they concluded did he depart the synagogue.
On the following day, the Rebbe requested that the chassidim celebrate the Simchat Torah festivities with the same joy and fervor as all other years, and so it was.
After the holiday ended, the Rebbe addressed and reassured the anxious chassidim from his office (which was hastily converted into a cutting-edge cardiac unit) via a public address system.
The Rebbe remained in his office in Lubavitch World Headquarters under medical supervision for several weeks. He returned home five weeks later on the 1st of Kislev, a day designated by chassidim for celebration and thanksgiving.
Today's Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Vezot Hab'rachah, 2nd Portion Deuteronomy 33:8-33:12 with Rashi
• Deuteronomy Chapter 33
8And of Levi he said: "Your Tummim and Urim belong to Your pious man, whom You tested at Massah and whom You tried at the waters of Meribah, חוּלְלֵוִ֣י אָמַ֔ר תֻּמֶּ֥יךָ וְאוּרֶ֖יךָ לְאִ֣ישׁ חֲסִידֶ֑ךָ אֲשֶׁ֤ר נִסִּיתוֹ֙ בְּמַסָּ֔ה תְּרִיבֵ֖הוּ עַל־מֵ֥י מְרִיבָֽה:
And of Levi he said: Heb. וּלְלֵוִי אָמַר, And of Levi, he said…. וללוי אמר: ועל לוי אמר:
Your Tummim and Urim: Here, Moses is addressing the Shechinah . תמיך ואוריך: כלפי שכינה הוא מדבר:
whom You tested at Massah: [spoken in praise of the Levites,] for they did not complain with the others who complained. אשר נסיתו במסה: שלא נתלוננו עם שאר המלינים:
and whom You tried…: [This is to be understood] as the Targum renders it [namely, “You tested him (Levi) at the Waters of Meribah, and he came out faithful”]. Another explanation: “whom you tried at the waters of Meribah” — You made false accusations against him [Levi], for if Moses [was punished with death and not permitted to enter the Land of Israel because he] said to Israel, “Listen now, you rebels!” (see Num. 20:10), then [how do we understand why] Aaron and Miriam [were also punished with death and were not permitted to enter the Land of Israel] — what did they do [to deserve this]?- [Sifrei 33:8] תריבהו וגו': כתרגומו. דבר אחר תריבהו על מי מריבה נסתקפת לו לבוא בעלילה, אם משה אמר (במדבר כ, י) שמעו נא המורים, אהרן ומרים מה עשו:
9who said of his father and his mother, 'I do not see him'; neither did he recognize his brothers, nor did he know his children, for they observed Your word and kept Your covenant. טהָֽאֹמֵ֞ר לְאָבִ֤יו וּלְאִמּוֹ֙ לֹ֣א רְאִיתִ֔יו וְאֶת־אֶחָיו֙ לֹ֣א הִכִּ֔יר וְאֶת־בָּנָ֖ו לֹ֣א יָדָ֑ע כִּ֤י שָֽׁמְרוּ֙ אִמְרָתֶ֔ךָ וּבְרִֽיתְךָ֖ יִנְצֹֽרוּ:
who said of his father and his mother, 'I do not see him…’: [Moses says:] When they [Israel] sinned with the calf, and I said, “Whoever is for the Lord, come to me!” (Exod. 32:26), all the sons of Levi assembled to me, and I ordered them to kill [those guilty of worshipping the golden calf, even] one’s mother’s father, if he was an [ordinary] Israelite [and not a Levite], or his brother from his mother [if his brother’s father was not a Levite], or the son of his daughter [whose husband was not a Levite], and they did so. It is, however, impossible to explain [that it means literally his father and his brother from his father, and likewise, literally his sons, because all these were Levites, and not one of the tribe of Levi sinned, as it is said, “and all the sons of Levi [gathered to him]” (Exod. 32:26). - [Sifrei 33:9] האומר לאביו ולאמו לא ראיתיו: כשחטאו בעגל ואמרתי (שמות לב, כו) מי לה' אלי, נאספו אלי כל בני לוי וצויתים להרוג את אבי אמו והוא מישראל, או את אחיו מאמו, או את בן בתו, וכן עשו. ואי אפשר לפרש אביו ממש ואחיו מאביו וכן בניו ממש, שהרי לוים הם ומשבט לוי לא חטא אחד מהם שנאמר כל בני לוי:
for they observed Your word: namely,“You shall have no other gods [before Me]” (Exod. 20:3). - [Sifrei 33:9] כי שמרו אמרתך: (שמות כ, ב) לא יהיה לך אלהים אחרים:
and kept Your covenant: namely, the covenant of circumcision. — [Sifrei 33:9] For the [ordinary] Israelites who were born in the desert did not circumcise their sons, whereas the Levites were [not only] circumcised themselves, [but they] also circumcised their sons. — [Sifrei Bemidbar 9:18] ובריתך ינצרו: ברית מילה, שאותם שנולדו במדבר של ישראל לא מלו את בניהם והם היו מולין ומלין את בניהם:
10They shall teach Your ordinances to Jacob, and Your Torah to Israel; they shall place incense before You, and burnt offerings upon Your altar. ייוֹר֤וּ מִשְׁפָּטֶ֨יךָ֙ לְיַֽעֲקֹ֔ב וְתוֹרָֽתְךָ֖ לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יָשִׂ֤ימוּ קְטוֹרָה֙ בְּאַפֶּ֔ךָ וְכָלִ֖יל עַל־מִזְבְּחֶֽךָ:
They shall teach Your ordinances: [because] they are worthy of doing this. יורו משפטיך: ראויין אלו לכך:
and burnt-offerings: Heb. וְכָלִיל, a burnt-offering [which is completely (כָּלִיל) consumed on the altar]. — [Yoma 26a] וכליל: עולה:
11May the Lord bless his army and favorably accept the work of his hands; strike the loins of those who rise up against him and his enemies, so that they will not recover." יאבָּרֵ֤ךְ יְהֹוָה֙ חֵיל֔וֹ וּפֹ֥עַל יָדָ֖יו תִּרְצֶ֑ה מְחַ֨ץ מָתְנַ֧יִם קָמָ֛יו וּמְשַׂנְאָ֖יו מִן־יְקוּמֽוּן:
strike the loins of those who rise up against him: Strike those who rise up against him, in the loins. This is similar to what is said, “Constantly cause their loins to slip” (Ps. 69:24). Here, Moses was referring to those who contested the priesthood. — [Sifrei 33:11] Another explanation: Moses saw [prophetically] that the Hasmonean and his sons were destined to wage war with the Greeks. He therefore prayed for them, because they were few in number, namely, the twelve sons of the Hasmonean and Eleazar, against many myriads [of the enemy]. Hence, Moses said here:“May the Lord bless his army (חֵילוֹ) and favorably accept the work of his hands.” - [See Tanchuma Vayechi 14; Gen. Rabbah 99:2; Otzar Midrashim, Ma’aseh Hanukkah second version, p. 191; Midrash LaHanukkah , p. 193] מחץ מתנים קמיו: מחץ קמיו מכת מתנים, כענין שנאמר (תהלים סט, כד) ומתניהם תמיד המעד, ועל המעוררין על הכהונה אמר כן. דבר אחר ראה שעתידין חשמונאי ובניו להלחם עם היונים והתפלל עליהם לפי שהיו מועטים י"ב בני חשמונאי ואלעזר כנגד כמה רבבות, לכך נאמר ברך ה' חילו ופועל ידיו תרצה:
and his enemies so that they will not recover: Strike the loins of those who rise up against him and of his enemies, so that they will have no recovery. ומשנאיו מן יקומון: מחץ קמיו ומשנאיו מהיות להם תקומה:
12And of Benjamin he said, "The Lord's beloved one shall dwell securely beside Him; He protects him all day long, and He dwells between his shoulders." יבלְבִנְיָמִ֣ן אָמַ֔ר יְדִ֣יד יְהֹוָ֔ה יִשְׁכֹּ֥ן לָבֶ֖טַח עָלָ֑יו חֹפֵ֤ף עָלָיו֙ כָּל־הַיּ֔וֹם וּבֵ֥ין כְּתֵפָ֖יו שָׁכֵֽן:
And of Benjamin he said: Since Levi’s blessing pertains to the sacrificial service, and Benjamin’s blessing pertains to building the Holy Temple within his territory, Moses juxtaposed one to the other. He then juxtaposes Joseph immediately after him [Benjamin] because Joseph too [had a sanctuary built within his territory, namely] the Mishkan of Shiloh was erected in his territory, as is said:“He rejected the tent of Joseph” (Ps. 78:67). And because the Holy Temple is dearer [to God] than [the Mishkan of] Shiloh, he mentioned [the blessing of] Benjamin before [that of] Joseph [even though Joseph was older.]. לבנימן אמר: לפי שברכת לוי בעבודת הקרבנות ושל בנימין בבנין בית המקדש בחלקו סמכן זה לזה וסמך יוסף אחריו, שאף הוא משכן שילה היה בנוי בחלקו, שנאמר (שם עח, סז) וימאס באהל יוסף וגו'. ולפי שבית עולמים חביב משילה לכך הקדים בנימין ליוסף:
He protects him: Heb. חֹפֵף, covers him and protects him. חפף עליו: מכסה אותו ומגין עליו:
all day long: i.e., forever. Since [the time] Jerusalem was chosen [for the building of the Holy Temple], the Divine Presence has never dwelt elsewhere. — [Mechilta 12:4] כל היום: לעולם משנבחרה ירושלים לא שרתה שכינה במקום אחר:
and dwells between his shoulders: The Holy Temple was built on the highest point of his [Benjamin’s] land, except that it was twenty-three cubits below the Eitam Well (see Yoma 31a). Now, it was David’s intention to build it there [at the level of the Eitam Well], as is taught in Shechitath Kodashim [Zev. 54b]: [However,] they said to David:“Let us build it a little lower, for Scripture states, ‘and He dwells between his shoulders’ [which are lower than the head]-and there is no part of an ox more beautiful than its shoulders.” ובין כתפיו שכן: בגובה ארצו היה, בית המקדש בנוי אלא שנמוך עשרים ושלש אמה מעין עיטם ושם היה דעתו של דוד לבנותו, כדאיתא בשחיטת קדשים (זבחים נד ב) אמרי נחתי ביה פורתא משום דכתיב ובין כתפיו שכן אין לך נאה בשור יותר מכתפיו:
Daily Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 106 - 107
• Chapter 106
The psalmist continues the theme of the previous psalm, praising God for performing other miracles not mentioned previously, for "who can recount the mighty acts of God?" Were we to try, we could not mention them all!
1. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord for He is good, for His kindness is everlasting.
2. Who can recount the mighty acts of the Lord, or proclaim all His praises?
3. Fortunate are those who preserve justice, who perform deeds of righteousness all the time.
4. Remember me, Lord, when You find favor with Your people; be mindful of me with Your deliverance;
5. to behold the prosperity of Your chosen, to rejoice in the joy of Your nation, to glory with Your inheritance.
6. We have sinned as did our fathers, we have acted perversely and wickedly.
7. Our fathers in Egypt did not contemplate Your wonders, they did not remember Your abundant kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, at the Sea of Reeds.
8. Yet He delivered them for the sake of His Name, to make His strength known.
9. He roared at the Sea of Reeds and it dried up; He led them through the depths, as through a desert.
10. He saved them from the hand of the enemy, and redeemed them from the hand of the foe.
11. The waters engulfed their adversaries; not one of them remained.
12. Then they believed in His words, they sang His praise.
13. They quickly forgot His deeds, they did not wait for His counsel;
14. and they lusted a craving in the desert, they tested God in the wilderness.
15. And He gave them their request, but sent emaciation into their souls.
16. They angered Moses in the camp, and Aaron, the Lord's holy one.
17. The earth opened and swallowed Dathan, and engulfed the company of Abiram;
18. and a fire burned in their assembly, a flame set the wicked ablaze.
19. They made a calf in Horeb, and bowed down to a molten image.
20. They exchanged their Glory for the likeness of a grass-eating ox.
21. They forgot God, their savior, Who had performed great deeds in Egypt,
22. wonders in the land of Ham, awesome things at the Sea of Reeds.
23. He said that He would destroy them-had not Moses His chosen one stood in the breach before Him, to turn away His wrath from destroying.
24. They despised the desirable land, they did not believe His word.
25. And they murmured in their tents, they did not heed the voice of the Lord.
26. So He raised His hand [in oath] against them, to cast them down in the wilderness,
27. to throw down their progeny among the nations, and to scatter them among the lands.
28. They joined themselves to [the idol] Baal Peor, and ate of the sacrifices to the dead;
29. they provoked Him with their doings, and a plague broke out in their midst.
30. Then Phineas arose and executed judgement, and the plague was stayed;
31. it was accounted for him as a righteous deed, through all generations, forever.
32. They angered Him at the waters of Merivah, and Moses suffered on their account;
33. for they defied His spirit, and He pronounced [an oath] with His lips.
34. They did not destroy the nations as the Lord had instructed them;
35. rather, they mingled with the nations and learned their deeds.
36. They worshipped their idols, and they became a snare for them.
37. They sacrificed their sons and daughters to demons.
38. They spilled innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; and the land became guilty with blood.
39. They were defiled by their deeds, and went astray by their actions.
40. And the Lord's wrath blazed against His people, and He abhorred His inheritance;
41. so He delivered them into the hands of nations, and their enemies ruled them.
42. Their enemies oppressed them, and they were subdued under their hand.
43. Many times did He save them, yet they were rebellious in their counsel and were impoverished by their sins.
44. But He saw their distress, when He heard their prayer;
45. and He remembered for them His covenant and He relented, in keeping with His abounding kindness,
46. and He caused them to be treated mercifully by all their captors.
47. Deliver us, Lord our God; gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to Your Holy Name and glory in Your praise.
48. Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, forever and ever. And let all the people say, "Amen! Praise the Lord!"
Chapter 107
This psalm speaks of those who are saved from four specific perilous situations(imprisonment, sickness, desert travel, and sea travel) and must thank God, for their sins caused their troubles, and only by the kindness of God were they saved. It is therefore appropriate that they praise God and tell of their salvation to all.
1. Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His kindness is everlasting.
2. So shall say those redeemed by the Lord, those whom He redeemed from the hand of the oppressor.
3. He gathered them from the lands-from east and from west, from north and from the sea.
4. They lost their way in the wilderness, in the wasteland; they found no inhabited city.
5. Both hungry and thirsty, their soul languished within them.
6. They cried out to the Lord in their distress; He delivered them from their afflictions.
7. He guided them in the right path to reach an inhabited city.
8. Let them give thanks to the Lord, and [proclaim] His wonders to the children of man,
9. for He has satiated a thirsting soul, and filled a hungry soul with goodness.
10. Those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, bound in misery and chains of iron,
11. for they defied the words of God and spurned the counsel of the Most High-
12. He humbled their heart through suffering; they stumbled and there was none to help.
13. They cried out to the Lord in their distress; He saved them from their afflictions.
14. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and sundered their bonds.
15. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His kindness, and [proclaim] His wonders to the children of man,
16. for He broke the brass gates and smashed the iron bars.
17. Foolish sinners are afflicted because of their sinful ways and their wrongdoings.
18. Their soul loathes all food, and they reach the gates of death.
19. They cried out to the Lord in their distress; He saved them from their afflictions.
20. He sent forth His command and healed them; He delivered them from their graves.
21. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His kindness, and [proclaim] His wonders to the children of man.
22. Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and joyfully recount His deeds.
23. Those who go down to the sea in ships, who perform tasks in mighty waters;
24. they saw the works of the Lord and His wonders in the deep.
25. He spoke and caused the stormy wind to rise, and it lifted up the waves.
26. They rise to the sky, plunge to the depths; their soul melts in distress.
27. They reel and stagger like a drunkard, all their skill is to no avail.
28. They cried out to the Lord in their distress, and He brought them out from their calamity.
29. He transformed the storm into stillness, and the waves were quieted.
30. They rejoiced when they were silenced, and He led them to their destination.
31. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His kindness, and [proclaim] His wonders to the children of man.
32. Let them exalt Him in the congregation of the people, and praise Him in the assembly of the elders.
33. He turns rivers into desert, springs of water into parched land,
34. a fruitful land into a salt-marsh, because of the wickedness of those who inhabit it.
35. He turns a desert into a lake, and parched land into springs of water.
36. He settles the hungry there, and they establish a city of habitation.
37. They sow fields and plant vineyards which yield fruit and wheat.
38. He blesses them and they multiply greatly, and He does not decrease their cattle.
39. [If they sin,] they are diminished and cast down through oppression, misery, and sorrow.
40. He pours contempt upon distinguished men, and causes them to stray in a pathless wilderness.
41. He raises the needy from distress, and makes their families [as numerous] as flocks.
42. The upright observe this and rejoice, and all the wicked close their mouth.
43. Let him who is wise bear these in mind, and then the benevolent acts of the Lord will be understood.
Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, end of Epistle 23
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Monday, 22 Tishrei, 5777 · 24 October 2016
• Iggeret HaKodesh, end of Epistle 23
• ובשבת קדש, בעלות המנחה, יעסקו בהלכות שבת, כי הלכתא רבתי לשבתא
• Rambam: Sefer Hamitzvos:
• Deuteronomy Chapter 33
8And of Levi he said: "Your Tummim and Urim belong to Your pious man, whom You tested at Massah and whom You tried at the waters of Meribah, חוּלְלֵוִ֣י אָמַ֔ר תֻּמֶּ֥יךָ וְאוּרֶ֖יךָ לְאִ֣ישׁ חֲסִידֶ֑ךָ אֲשֶׁ֤ר נִסִּיתוֹ֙ בְּמַסָּ֔ה תְּרִיבֵ֖הוּ עַל־מֵ֥י מְרִיבָֽה:
And of Levi he said: Heb. וּלְלֵוִי אָמַר, And of Levi, he said…. וללוי אמר: ועל לוי אמר:
Your Tummim and Urim: Here, Moses is addressing the Shechinah . תמיך ואוריך: כלפי שכינה הוא מדבר:
whom You tested at Massah: [spoken in praise of the Levites,] for they did not complain with the others who complained. אשר נסיתו במסה: שלא נתלוננו עם שאר המלינים:
and whom You tried…: [This is to be understood] as the Targum renders it [namely, “You tested him (Levi) at the Waters of Meribah, and he came out faithful”]. Another explanation: “whom you tried at the waters of Meribah” — You made false accusations against him [Levi], for if Moses [was punished with death and not permitted to enter the Land of Israel because he] said to Israel, “Listen now, you rebels!” (see Num. 20:10), then [how do we understand why] Aaron and Miriam [were also punished with death and were not permitted to enter the Land of Israel] — what did they do [to deserve this]?- [Sifrei 33:8] תריבהו וגו': כתרגומו. דבר אחר תריבהו על מי מריבה נסתקפת לו לבוא בעלילה, אם משה אמר (במדבר כ, י) שמעו נא המורים, אהרן ומרים מה עשו:
9who said of his father and his mother, 'I do not see him'; neither did he recognize his brothers, nor did he know his children, for they observed Your word and kept Your covenant. טהָֽאֹמֵ֞ר לְאָבִ֤יו וּלְאִמּוֹ֙ לֹ֣א רְאִיתִ֔יו וְאֶת־אֶחָיו֙ לֹ֣א הִכִּ֔יר וְאֶת־בָּנָ֖ו לֹ֣א יָדָ֑ע כִּ֤י שָֽׁמְרוּ֙ אִמְרָתֶ֔ךָ וּבְרִֽיתְךָ֖ יִנְצֹֽרוּ:
who said of his father and his mother, 'I do not see him…’: [Moses says:] When they [Israel] sinned with the calf, and I said, “Whoever is for the Lord, come to me!” (Exod. 32:26), all the sons of Levi assembled to me, and I ordered them to kill [those guilty of worshipping the golden calf, even] one’s mother’s father, if he was an [ordinary] Israelite [and not a Levite], or his brother from his mother [if his brother’s father was not a Levite], or the son of his daughter [whose husband was not a Levite], and they did so. It is, however, impossible to explain [that it means literally his father and his brother from his father, and likewise, literally his sons, because all these were Levites, and not one of the tribe of Levi sinned, as it is said, “and all the sons of Levi [gathered to him]” (Exod. 32:26). - [Sifrei 33:9] האומר לאביו ולאמו לא ראיתיו: כשחטאו בעגל ואמרתי (שמות לב, כו) מי לה' אלי, נאספו אלי כל בני לוי וצויתים להרוג את אבי אמו והוא מישראל, או את אחיו מאמו, או את בן בתו, וכן עשו. ואי אפשר לפרש אביו ממש ואחיו מאביו וכן בניו ממש, שהרי לוים הם ומשבט לוי לא חטא אחד מהם שנאמר כל בני לוי:
for they observed Your word: namely,“You shall have no other gods [before Me]” (Exod. 20:3). - [Sifrei 33:9] כי שמרו אמרתך: (שמות כ, ב) לא יהיה לך אלהים אחרים:
and kept Your covenant: namely, the covenant of circumcision. — [Sifrei 33:9] For the [ordinary] Israelites who were born in the desert did not circumcise their sons, whereas the Levites were [not only] circumcised themselves, [but they] also circumcised their sons. — [Sifrei Bemidbar 9:18] ובריתך ינצרו: ברית מילה, שאותם שנולדו במדבר של ישראל לא מלו את בניהם והם היו מולין ומלין את בניהם:
10They shall teach Your ordinances to Jacob, and Your Torah to Israel; they shall place incense before You, and burnt offerings upon Your altar. ייוֹר֤וּ מִשְׁפָּטֶ֨יךָ֙ לְיַֽעֲקֹ֔ב וְתוֹרָֽתְךָ֖ לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יָשִׂ֤ימוּ קְטוֹרָה֙ בְּאַפֶּ֔ךָ וְכָלִ֖יל עַל־מִזְבְּחֶֽךָ:
They shall teach Your ordinances: [because] they are worthy of doing this. יורו משפטיך: ראויין אלו לכך:
and burnt-offerings: Heb. וְכָלִיל, a burnt-offering [which is completely (כָּלִיל) consumed on the altar]. — [Yoma 26a] וכליל: עולה:
11May the Lord bless his army and favorably accept the work of his hands; strike the loins of those who rise up against him and his enemies, so that they will not recover." יאבָּרֵ֤ךְ יְהֹוָה֙ חֵיל֔וֹ וּפֹ֥עַל יָדָ֖יו תִּרְצֶ֑ה מְחַ֨ץ מָתְנַ֧יִם קָמָ֛יו וּמְשַׂנְאָ֖יו מִן־יְקוּמֽוּן:
strike the loins of those who rise up against him: Strike those who rise up against him, in the loins. This is similar to what is said, “Constantly cause their loins to slip” (Ps. 69:24). Here, Moses was referring to those who contested the priesthood. — [Sifrei 33:11] Another explanation: Moses saw [prophetically] that the Hasmonean and his sons were destined to wage war with the Greeks. He therefore prayed for them, because they were few in number, namely, the twelve sons of the Hasmonean and Eleazar, against many myriads [of the enemy]. Hence, Moses said here:“May the Lord bless his army (חֵילוֹ) and favorably accept the work of his hands.” - [See Tanchuma Vayechi 14; Gen. Rabbah 99:2; Otzar Midrashim, Ma’aseh Hanukkah second version, p. 191; Midrash LaHanukkah , p. 193] מחץ מתנים קמיו: מחץ קמיו מכת מתנים, כענין שנאמר (תהלים סט, כד) ומתניהם תמיד המעד, ועל המעוררין על הכהונה אמר כן. דבר אחר ראה שעתידין חשמונאי ובניו להלחם עם היונים והתפלל עליהם לפי שהיו מועטים י"ב בני חשמונאי ואלעזר כנגד כמה רבבות, לכך נאמר ברך ה' חילו ופועל ידיו תרצה:
and his enemies so that they will not recover: Strike the loins of those who rise up against him and of his enemies, so that they will have no recovery. ומשנאיו מן יקומון: מחץ קמיו ומשנאיו מהיות להם תקומה:
12And of Benjamin he said, "The Lord's beloved one shall dwell securely beside Him; He protects him all day long, and He dwells between his shoulders." יבלְבִנְיָמִ֣ן אָמַ֔ר יְדִ֣יד יְהֹוָ֔ה יִשְׁכֹּ֥ן לָבֶ֖טַח עָלָ֑יו חֹפֵ֤ף עָלָיו֙ כָּל־הַיּ֔וֹם וּבֵ֥ין כְּתֵפָ֖יו שָׁכֵֽן:
And of Benjamin he said: Since Levi’s blessing pertains to the sacrificial service, and Benjamin’s blessing pertains to building the Holy Temple within his territory, Moses juxtaposed one to the other. He then juxtaposes Joseph immediately after him [Benjamin] because Joseph too [had a sanctuary built within his territory, namely] the Mishkan of Shiloh was erected in his territory, as is said:“He rejected the tent of Joseph” (Ps. 78:67). And because the Holy Temple is dearer [to God] than [the Mishkan of] Shiloh, he mentioned [the blessing of] Benjamin before [that of] Joseph [even though Joseph was older.]. לבנימן אמר: לפי שברכת לוי בעבודת הקרבנות ושל בנימין בבנין בית המקדש בחלקו סמכן זה לזה וסמך יוסף אחריו, שאף הוא משכן שילה היה בנוי בחלקו, שנאמר (שם עח, סז) וימאס באהל יוסף וגו'. ולפי שבית עולמים חביב משילה לכך הקדים בנימין ליוסף:
He protects him: Heb. חֹפֵף, covers him and protects him. חפף עליו: מכסה אותו ומגין עליו:
all day long: i.e., forever. Since [the time] Jerusalem was chosen [for the building of the Holy Temple], the Divine Presence has never dwelt elsewhere. — [Mechilta 12:4] כל היום: לעולם משנבחרה ירושלים לא שרתה שכינה במקום אחר:
and dwells between his shoulders: The Holy Temple was built on the highest point of his [Benjamin’s] land, except that it was twenty-three cubits below the Eitam Well (see Yoma 31a). Now, it was David’s intention to build it there [at the level of the Eitam Well], as is taught in Shechitath Kodashim [Zev. 54b]: [However,] they said to David:“Let us build it a little lower, for Scripture states, ‘and He dwells between his shoulders’ [which are lower than the head]-and there is no part of an ox more beautiful than its shoulders.” ובין כתפיו שכן: בגובה ארצו היה, בית המקדש בנוי אלא שנמוך עשרים ושלש אמה מעין עיטם ושם היה דעתו של דוד לבנותו, כדאיתא בשחיטת קדשים (זבחים נד ב) אמרי נחתי ביה פורתא משום דכתיב ובין כתפיו שכן אין לך נאה בשור יותר מכתפיו:
Daily Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 106 - 107
• Chapter 106
The psalmist continues the theme of the previous psalm, praising God for performing other miracles not mentioned previously, for "who can recount the mighty acts of God?" Were we to try, we could not mention them all!
1. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord for He is good, for His kindness is everlasting.
2. Who can recount the mighty acts of the Lord, or proclaim all His praises?
3. Fortunate are those who preserve justice, who perform deeds of righteousness all the time.
4. Remember me, Lord, when You find favor with Your people; be mindful of me with Your deliverance;
5. to behold the prosperity of Your chosen, to rejoice in the joy of Your nation, to glory with Your inheritance.
6. We have sinned as did our fathers, we have acted perversely and wickedly.
7. Our fathers in Egypt did not contemplate Your wonders, they did not remember Your abundant kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, at the Sea of Reeds.
8. Yet He delivered them for the sake of His Name, to make His strength known.
9. He roared at the Sea of Reeds and it dried up; He led them through the depths, as through a desert.
10. He saved them from the hand of the enemy, and redeemed them from the hand of the foe.
11. The waters engulfed their adversaries; not one of them remained.
12. Then they believed in His words, they sang His praise.
13. They quickly forgot His deeds, they did not wait for His counsel;
14. and they lusted a craving in the desert, they tested God in the wilderness.
15. And He gave them their request, but sent emaciation into their souls.
16. They angered Moses in the camp, and Aaron, the Lord's holy one.
17. The earth opened and swallowed Dathan, and engulfed the company of Abiram;
18. and a fire burned in their assembly, a flame set the wicked ablaze.
19. They made a calf in Horeb, and bowed down to a molten image.
20. They exchanged their Glory for the likeness of a grass-eating ox.
21. They forgot God, their savior, Who had performed great deeds in Egypt,
22. wonders in the land of Ham, awesome things at the Sea of Reeds.
23. He said that He would destroy them-had not Moses His chosen one stood in the breach before Him, to turn away His wrath from destroying.
24. They despised the desirable land, they did not believe His word.
25. And they murmured in their tents, they did not heed the voice of the Lord.
26. So He raised His hand [in oath] against them, to cast them down in the wilderness,
27. to throw down their progeny among the nations, and to scatter them among the lands.
28. They joined themselves to [the idol] Baal Peor, and ate of the sacrifices to the dead;
29. they provoked Him with their doings, and a plague broke out in their midst.
30. Then Phineas arose and executed judgement, and the plague was stayed;
31. it was accounted for him as a righteous deed, through all generations, forever.
32. They angered Him at the waters of Merivah, and Moses suffered on their account;
33. for they defied His spirit, and He pronounced [an oath] with His lips.
34. They did not destroy the nations as the Lord had instructed them;
35. rather, they mingled with the nations and learned their deeds.
36. They worshipped their idols, and they became a snare for them.
37. They sacrificed their sons and daughters to demons.
38. They spilled innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; and the land became guilty with blood.
39. They were defiled by their deeds, and went astray by their actions.
40. And the Lord's wrath blazed against His people, and He abhorred His inheritance;
41. so He delivered them into the hands of nations, and their enemies ruled them.
42. Their enemies oppressed them, and they were subdued under their hand.
43. Many times did He save them, yet they were rebellious in their counsel and were impoverished by their sins.
44. But He saw their distress, when He heard their prayer;
45. and He remembered for them His covenant and He relented, in keeping with His abounding kindness,
46. and He caused them to be treated mercifully by all their captors.
47. Deliver us, Lord our God; gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to Your Holy Name and glory in Your praise.
48. Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, forever and ever. And let all the people say, "Amen! Praise the Lord!"
Chapter 107
This psalm speaks of those who are saved from four specific perilous situations(imprisonment, sickness, desert travel, and sea travel) and must thank God, for their sins caused their troubles, and only by the kindness of God were they saved. It is therefore appropriate that they praise God and tell of their salvation to all.
1. Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His kindness is everlasting.
2. So shall say those redeemed by the Lord, those whom He redeemed from the hand of the oppressor.
3. He gathered them from the lands-from east and from west, from north and from the sea.
4. They lost their way in the wilderness, in the wasteland; they found no inhabited city.
5. Both hungry and thirsty, their soul languished within them.
6. They cried out to the Lord in their distress; He delivered them from their afflictions.
7. He guided them in the right path to reach an inhabited city.
8. Let them give thanks to the Lord, and [proclaim] His wonders to the children of man,
9. for He has satiated a thirsting soul, and filled a hungry soul with goodness.
10. Those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, bound in misery and chains of iron,
11. for they defied the words of God and spurned the counsel of the Most High-
12. He humbled their heart through suffering; they stumbled and there was none to help.
13. They cried out to the Lord in their distress; He saved them from their afflictions.
14. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and sundered their bonds.
15. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His kindness, and [proclaim] His wonders to the children of man,
16. for He broke the brass gates and smashed the iron bars.
17. Foolish sinners are afflicted because of their sinful ways and their wrongdoings.
18. Their soul loathes all food, and they reach the gates of death.
19. They cried out to the Lord in their distress; He saved them from their afflictions.
20. He sent forth His command and healed them; He delivered them from their graves.
21. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His kindness, and [proclaim] His wonders to the children of man.
22. Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and joyfully recount His deeds.
23. Those who go down to the sea in ships, who perform tasks in mighty waters;
24. they saw the works of the Lord and His wonders in the deep.
25. He spoke and caused the stormy wind to rise, and it lifted up the waves.
26. They rise to the sky, plunge to the depths; their soul melts in distress.
27. They reel and stagger like a drunkard, all their skill is to no avail.
28. They cried out to the Lord in their distress, and He brought them out from their calamity.
29. He transformed the storm into stillness, and the waves were quieted.
30. They rejoiced when they were silenced, and He led them to their destination.
31. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His kindness, and [proclaim] His wonders to the children of man.
32. Let them exalt Him in the congregation of the people, and praise Him in the assembly of the elders.
33. He turns rivers into desert, springs of water into parched land,
34. a fruitful land into a salt-marsh, because of the wickedness of those who inhabit it.
35. He turns a desert into a lake, and parched land into springs of water.
36. He settles the hungry there, and they establish a city of habitation.
37. They sow fields and plant vineyards which yield fruit and wheat.
38. He blesses them and they multiply greatly, and He does not decrease their cattle.
39. [If they sin,] they are diminished and cast down through oppression, misery, and sorrow.
40. He pours contempt upon distinguished men, and causes them to stray in a pathless wilderness.
41. He raises the needy from distress, and makes their families [as numerous] as flocks.
42. The upright observe this and rejoice, and all the wicked close their mouth.
43. Let him who is wise bear these in mind, and then the benevolent acts of the Lord will be understood.
Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, end of Epistle 23
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Monday, 22 Tishrei, 5777 · 24 October 2016
• Iggeret HaKodesh, end of Epistle 23
• ובשבת קדש, בעלות המנחה, יעסקו בהלכות שבת, כי הלכתא רבתי לשבתא
On the holy Sabbath, moreover, towards the time of Minchah, [people] should occupy themselves with the laws of the Sabbath. For1 “the law of Sabbath is a weighty law,” with many details to be mastered.
ובקל יכול האדם ליכשל בה, חס ושלום, אפילו באיסור כרת וסקילה, מחסרון ידיעה
A person can easily stumble in it, heaven forfend, even in a prohibition punishable by extirpation or stoning, because of ignorance [of these laws],
ושגגת תלמוד עולה זדון, חס ושלום
and2 “an unwitting error in [observance due to insufficient] study is accounted as an intentional transgression,” heaven forfend.
ואין צריך לומר באיסורי דברי סופרים, שרבו כמו רבו למעלה, ובפרט באיסורי מוקצה, דשכיחי טובא
It goes without saying [that the same applies to] the Rabbinic injunctions which are ever so numerous, and especially so with respect to the prohibitions of muktzeh that occur frequently;
וחמורים דברי סופרים יותר מדברי תורה
and3 “[infringements of] the words of the Sofrim (i.e., the Rabbinic injunctions) are more serious than [infringements of] the words of the Torah (i.e., explicit Scriptural commandments).”
כמו שאמרו רז״ל: שכל העובר על דברי חכמים, אפילו באיסור קל של דבריהם, כמו האוכל קודם ערבית וכהאי גונא, חייב מיתה, כעובר על חמורות שבתורה
As our Sages, of blessed memory, said:4 “Whoever transgresses the words of the Sages,” even a minor prohibition of theirs — as, for instance, he who eats before the evening prayer, and the like — “is liable to the death penalty,” just like one who transgresses grave prohibitions [explicit] in the Torah.5
At any rate, since we see from the above that it is vital that one study and know the laws of the Sabbath, they should be studied in public as the time for Minchah draws near.
וכל יחיד אל יפרוש עצמו מן הציבור, אפילו ללמוד ענין אחר
And let no individual separate himself from the congregation, when they are studying Ein Yaakov, Shulchan Aruchand the like, even in order to study something else;
כי אם בדבר שהציבור עסוקים בו
rather, [every individual should participate only] in whatever the congregation is busy with.
ואין צריך לומר שלא יצא החוצה, אם לא יהיו עשרה מבלעדו
It goes without saying that one should not leave if there are not ten without him;
ועליו אני קורא הפסוק: ועוזבי ה׳ יכלו כו׳
to him [who does leave] I apply the verse,6 “And those who forsake G‑d (i.e., who forsake the study of His Torah) shall be consumed...,”
כמו שאמרו רז״ל על כל דבר שבקדושה
as our Sages, of blessed memory, have said7 with respect to every sacred matter.
כי אין קדושה כקדושת התורה
For there is no holiness like the holiness of the Torah,
דאורייתא וקודשא בריך הוא, כולא חד
since8 “the Torah and the Holy One, blessed be He, are entirely one.”
Strictly speaking, our Sages applied the above verse (“And those who forsake G‑d shall be consumed”) only to a person whose leaving bars the congregational recital of a davar shebikedushah, a text involving the sanctification of G‑d’s Name, which cannot be done without a quorum of ten. By contrast, though the quality of Torah study is enhanced by a quorum of ten, this is not a prerequisite condition.
Nevertheless, the fact remains that there is “no holiness like the holiness of the Torah”: when ten Jews study together they draw down a most exalted degree of holiness and an intense indwelling of the Shechinah, as explained above. In this sense, then, an individual whose leaving disrupts a study group of ten may be likened to one whose leaving prevents a minyan from reciting Kedushah or the like.
וכל הפורש מן הציבור כו׳
Moreover,9 “Whoever separates himself from the community [will not merit to witness (and participate in)the community’s consolation].”
ושומע לי ישכון בטח, ובימיו ובימינו תושע יהודה, וירושלים תשכון לבטח
The Alter Rebbe concludes:10 “But he who listens to me shall dwell securely,” and11 in his days and in ours, Judah shall be saved and Jerusalem shall dwell securely.12
אמן, כן יהי רצון
Amen, may this be His will.
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. | Shabbat 12a, and Rashi there. |
| 2. | Avot 4:13. |
| 3. | Yerushalmi, Berachot 4:2. |
| 4. | Berachot 4:2. |
| 5. | Note of the Rebbe: “At first glance [the question arises], what is the Alter Rebbe letting us know [that is novel]? The answer: He is clearly expressing his dissent from the opinions that this statement is intended to be taken as mere hyperbole. See the Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch 63:5; Sdei Chemed, Klalim, p. 386; Pe’at HaSadeh 8:15 (at length); Encyclopedia Talmudit, Vol. XIV, p. 599ff.” |
| 6. | Yeshayahu 1:28. |
| 7. | Berachot 8a; Yerushalmi, Megillah 4:4. |
| 8. | Zohar II, 90b; see also II, 60a, and III, 73a. |
| 9. | Semachot 2:10. But there the text reads, “from the ways of the congregation.” See also Rambam, Hilchot Evel 1:10. |
| 10. | Mishlei 1:33. |
| 11. | Cf. Yirmeyahu 23:6 and 33:16. |
| 12. | Note of the Rebbe: “The relevance here [of this verse] is perhaps the teaching in Taanit 11a, that he who shares the pain of the community will merit to witness the consolation of the community. Note also beginning of Berachot 30a.” |
• Monday, 22 Tishrei, 5777 · 24 October 2016
• Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
• Principle 1
• Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
• Principle 1
Do not count Rabbinic Commandments in this list. E.g. lighting Chanukah candles or reciting the Hallel.
Indeed, this seems obvious, for the Talmud says that 613 mitzvot "were given to Moses at Sinai," and rabbinic mitzvot were not instituted until later dates. But in truth, we follow rabbinic rulings because of a biblical mandate: "You shall not divert from the word they tell you, either right or left" (Deuteronomy17:11); and as such, before performing a rabbinic mitzvah, we say a blessing in which we thank G‑d for "sanctifying us with His commandments and commanding us to..." Nevertheless, the individual rabbinic precepts are not counted as part of the 613 (and, are considered "rabbinic," a classification that has certain halachic implications).
Indeed, this seems obvious, for the Talmud says that 613 mitzvot "were given to Moses at Sinai," and rabbinic mitzvot were not instituted until later dates. But in truth, we follow rabbinic rulings because of a biblical mandate: "You shall not divert from the word they tell you, either right or left" (Deuteronomy17:11); and as such, before performing a rabbinic mitzvah, we say a blessing in which we thank G‑d for "sanctifying us with His commandments and commanding us to..." Nevertheless, the individual rabbinic precepts are not counted as part of the 613 (and, are considered "rabbinic," a classification that has certain halachic implications).
Principle 2
Do not include laws which are derived from one of the Thirteen Principles of Torah Exegesis.
Every word and letter in the Torah is exact, and the Sages extrapolated many laws from an extra (or missing) word or letter, or a particular sequence which the Torah chooses to use (click here for more on this topic). Nevertheless, unless the Sages explicitly say that a particular law that they derived is categorized as biblical, it is not counted as part of the 613.
An example of this is the obligation to accord honor to parents-in-law, a precept derived from an extra word ("et") in a verse. Though the Torah alludes to the concept, it is not considered a biblical command.
Every word and letter in the Torah is exact, and the Sages extrapolated many laws from an extra (or missing) word or letter, or a particular sequence which the Torah chooses to use (click here for more on this topic). Nevertheless, unless the Sages explicitly say that a particular law that they derived is categorized as biblical, it is not counted as part of the 613.
An example of this is the obligation to accord honor to parents-in-law, a precept derived from an extra word ("et") in a verse. Though the Torah alludes to the concept, it is not considered a biblical command.
Principle 3
Do not count mitzvot which are not binding on all generations. E.g. the laws regarding the disassembly of the Tabernacle, or the prohibition against waging war on Amon and Moab, which only applied to the Israelites in the desert.
• Rambam - 1 Chapter: Tum'at Okhalin Tum'at Okhalin - Chapter 11
• Tum'at Okhalin - Chapter 11
• Rambam - 3 Chapters: Positive Commandments Part 1, Positive Commandments Part 2, Positive Commandments Part 3
1
When one harvests grapes to sell in the marketplace or dry, they do not become susceptible to impurity unless they come into contact with liquids when the owner desires that they do, as other foods.
If, by contrast, one harvests grapes to crush them and make wine, they become susceptible to impurity even if they had no contact with liquids at all. If they were touched by an impure object, they contract impurity. This a decree of Rabbinic origin.
Why did the Sages decree that when one harvests grapes for the wine press, they become susceptible to impurity? For there are times when a person enters into his vineyard to see if the grapes are ready to harvest. He will squeeze a cluster of grapes to check them and then cast it on the grapes that have already been harvested, for all of the grapes are prepared to be crushed for their juice. Moreover, he is not careful regarding the cluster and will allow it to be pressed by the other grapes, causing its liquid to flow out. He is careful concerning the liquid, desiring that it not flow out on the ground. Thus all the grapes will become susceptible to impurity because of it. Therefore our Sages decreed that when anyone harvests grapes for the wine press, they become susceptible to ritual impurity.
א
הבוצר ענבים למכור בשוק או לייבשן לא הוכשרו לטומאה עד שיפלו עליהן משקין לרצונו כשאר האוכלין אבל הבוצר לדרוך הוכשר לטומאה ואע"פ שלא נפלו משקין על הבציר כלל ואם נגעה בו טומאה נטמא ודבר זה גזירה מדברי סופרים ומפני מה גזרו על הבוצר לגת שהוא מוכשר שפעמים שאדם נכנס לכרמו לידע אם הגיע להבצר וסוחט אשכול של ענבים לבדוק בו ומזלפו ע"ג הענבים הבצורות שהרי הכל לדריכה עומד ועוד מפני שאינו מקפיד עליו הרי הוא מתמעך ויצאו מימיו והרי הוא מקפיד עליהן שלא יזובו בקרקע ונמצא מוכשר בהן לפיכך גזרו שהבוצר לגת הוכשר:
2
When a person harvests grapes with the intent that, if he will not find purchasers for them, he will bring them back to the wine press, they do not become susceptible to ritual impurity until they are brought into the wine press. Similarly, olives that are brought into the olive press become susceptible to impurity, as will be explained.
ב
הבוצר ענבים שאם לא מצא להם שוק מחזירן לגת לא הוכשרו עד שיבואו לרשות הגת וכן הזיתים שבאו לרשות הבד הוכשרו כמו שיתבאר:
3
When a person harvests grapes and places them in a storage pit or spreads them out on leaves, they become susceptible to impurity because of the liquids that are released by them, since he is concerned with the liquids. That is the reason he placed them on leaves or in a storage pit that is like a cistern. Therefore, if someone who was impure or merely whose hands were impure takes some of them, he imparts impurity to them.
If, however, he harvested the grapes and placed them in baskets or spread them out on the earth, they do not become susceptible to impurity, because he is not concerned with the liquid they release. Therefore an impure person may take them and partake of them. Even though they have split open and juice is dripping from them into the wine press, the grapes in the wine press are pure, because the grapes from which the liquid dripped were not made susceptible to impurity and were harvested for the purpose of consumption.
A similar ruling applies in the following instance. A person took the grapes from the baskets or from the earth where they were spread out and partook of them, leaving over a se'ah or two which he cast into the winepress. Even though the juice is sprinkled over the grapes in the wine press, they are not made susceptible to ritual impurity.
ג
הבוצר ענבים ונתנם בעביט או ששטחן על גבי העלין הוכשרו במשקין היוצאין מהן שהרי דעתו על המשקין ולפיכך שטח על העלין או נתן לתוך העביט שהוא כמו בור לפיכך אם נטל מהן טמא או מי שידיו טמאות טימאן בצר ונתן לסלים או במשטיח של אדמה לא הוכשרו שהרי אינו מקפיד על המשקה היוצא מהן לפיכך נוטל הטמא מהן ואוכל ואף ע"פ שהן מבוקעות ומנטפות לגת הרי הגת טהורה שהרי לא הוכשרו והרי נבצרו לאכילה וכן הנוטל מן הסלים ומן המשטיח של אדמה ואכל והותיר כסאה וכסאתים וזרקן לגת ואע"פ שהיין מנתז על הענבים לא הוכשרו:
4
When one takes grapes that were in baskets or spread out on the earth to crush for wine, they become susceptible to ritual impurity. Hence they must be taken with pure hands, lest an impure person take from them and impart impurity to them.
ד
ענבים שהיו בסלים או במשטיח של אדמה ולקח מהן לדורכן הוכשרו לפיכך צריך ליקח מהן בידים טהורות כדי שלא יקח מהן הטמא ויטמאן:
5
When a vineyard grows in a beit hapras and one harvests the grapes for the wine press, they are not considered as susceptible to impurity as long as they are in the beit hapras. The rationale is that since the impurity of a beit hapras is a Rabbinic decree and the concept that when a person harvests grapes for the wine press they become susceptible to ritual impurity is a Rabbinic decree, the Sages were lenient regarding this decree in this instance and did not consider the grapes as susceptible to ritual impurity until they were taken out of the beit hapras.
Accordingly, a person who desires to harvest grapes growing in a beit hapras for the wine press in a state of ritual purity must do the following. He must purify the harvesters and the utensils, having the ashes of the red heifer sprinkled upon them on the third and seventh day. They must wait until nightfall of the seventh day so that it is obvious that leniency is being taken with the impurity of a beit hapras, only because it is a doubtful situation. Afterwards, they enter, harvest the grapes, and take them outside the beit hapras. Other pure porters receive the grapes from them and take them to the wine press. If the harvesters touch the porters, the porters contract ritual impurity and make the grapes impure. For the people in the beit hapras are impure and they impart impurity to those outside, causing them to be considered as primary derivatives of impurity. They then impart impurity to the grapes, for they became susceptible to ritual impurity when they were taken out of the beit hapras.
ה
כרם שהוא עומד בבית הפרס הבוצר אותו לגת אינו מוכשר כל זמן שהוא בבית הפרס הואיל וטומאת בית הפרס מדבריהם והבוצר לגת הוכשר מדבריהם הקלו בגזירה זו ולא גזרו עליו שיהיה מוכשר עד שיצא מבית הפרס לפיכך הרוצה לבצור בבית הפרס לגת בטהרה מטהר את הבוצרים ואת הכלים ומזה עליהם שלישי ושביעי ומעריב שמשן כדי להכיר שאין מקילין בטומאת בית הפרס אלא מפני שהוא ספק ואח"כ נכנסין ובוצרין ומוציאין חוץ לבית הפרס ואחרים טהורים מקבלין מהן ומוליכין לגת ואם נגעו אלו באלו טמאין מטמאין את הענבים שהאנשים שבבית הפרס טמאין ומטמאין לאותן שבחוץ ועושין אותו ראשון והן מטמאין את הענבים שהרי הוכשרו משיצאו חוץ לבית הפרס:
6
When a person harvests olives with the intent of pickling them or selling them on the market place, they do not become susceptible to ritual impurity unless they come into contact with liquids as desired by their owner, as is the law with regard to other foods. Similarly, when a person harvests olives to crush in an olive press, they do not become susceptible to ritual impurity until the work required to prepare them for pressing is complete.
Why are olives susceptible to ritual impurity when the work required to prepare them for pressing is complete? Because it can be assumed that they became susceptible to impurity because of contact with the fluid of the olives, for the owner desires it so that the olives will soften and be easier to crush. Before the work required to prepare them for pressing is complete, the fluid released by the olives does not make them susceptible to ritual impurity, because it is not desired.
Accordingly, when the work required to prepare olives for pressing has not been completed and impure liquids fall upon them, only the places touched by the liquids contract impurity, as is the law regarding all foods that have not become susceptible to impurity. When impure liquids fall upon them after the work required to prepare them for pressing has been completed, all the olives contract impurity. The rationale is that the impure liquids impart impurity to the fluid that flows from them and that fluid imparts impurity to all of them, for the fluid that is released by them after the work required to prepare them for pressing has been completed is considered as a liquid in the context of the laws of impurity and makes foods susceptible to impurity and imparts impurity to them.
ו
המוסק את זיתיו לכבשן או למוכרן בשוק לא הוכשרו עד שיפלו עליהן משקין ברצון כשאר האוכלין וכן המוסק זיתיו לדרוך בבית הבד לא הוכשרו עד שתגמר מלאכתן ומפני מה יוכשרו הזיתים שנגמרה מלאכתן שחזקתן שהוכשרו במוהל שלהן שהרי רוצה בקיומו כדי שיהיו נוחין לדרוך אבל קודם שתגמר מלאכתן אין המוהל היוצא מהן מכשיר מפני שאינו רוצה בקיומו לפיכך זיתים שלא נגמרה מלאכתן שנפלו עליהן משקין טמאין אין טמא אלא מקום מגעם ככל האוכלים שלא הוכשרו נפלו עליהן משקין טמאין אחר שנגמרה מלאכתן נטמאו כולן שהמשקין הטמאין מטמאים את המוהל שבהן והמוהל מטמא את כולן שהמוהל שיצא מהן אחר גמר מלאכתן חשוב משקה ומתטמא ומכשיר:
7
When there is a jug of olives that are salted and pressed together, it is necessary to make a hole in the jug so that that fluid will drain off. If he does not make such a hole, the olives become susceptible to ritual impurity. If he made a hole for the liquid to drain off, but it became plugged by olive dregs and thus the olives became saturated with this fluid, they are not susceptible to impurity for their exposure to liquids was not desired by the owner, as indicated by his making the hole.
ז
חבית של זיתים מגולגלים צריך לנקוב החבית כדי שיצא המוהל ואם לא ניקב הרי אלו מוכשרין נקבה וסתמוה שמרים והנם בלולים במוהל אינם מכשירין מפני שאינן ברצונו שהרי נקבה:
8
When is the work to prepare olives for pressing considered to be completed? When the entire harvest has been completed and they are deposited in one place, prepared to be pressed. Even though liquids did not fall upon them and liquids did not emerge from them, since the work necessary to prepare them was completed, they become susceptible to ritual impurity. Before the work necessary to prepare them was completed, by contrast, even though they were crushed, secreted liquids, and became stuck together because of the liquids, they do not become susceptible to impurity.
If one completed harvesting his olives, but intended to purchase other olives in the future and add them to them, even if only a kabor two kabbim, they are not susceptible to ritual impurity. If, however, he acts with guile, they become susceptible to ritual impurity.
If he completed his purchase of olives, but intended to borrow money and purchase more, but he was prevented by forces beyond his control or he became involved in a celebration and therefore did not add more, it is still considered as if the work necessary to prepare the olives for pressing was not completed and the olives are not susceptible to ritual impurity. Even though zavim and zavot tread upon them, they remain pure.
ח
זיתים שמסקן לדריכה מאימתי גמר מלאכתן משתגמר מסיקתן ויהיו מונחים ומוכנים לדריכה אף על פי שלא נפלו עליהן משקין ולא יצאו מהן משקין הואיל ונגמרה מלאכתן הוכשרו אבל קודם שנגמרה מלאכתן אע"פ שנתמעכו והזיעו ונתחברו במשקיהן אינן מוכשרין גמר מלמסוק זיתיו אבל עתיד ליקח זיתים אחרים להוסיף עליהם אפילו אינו עתיד להוסיף אלא או קב או קביים לא הוכשרו ואם הערים הרי אלו מוכשרין גמר מליקח אבל עתיד ללוות ולהוסיף ואירעו אונס או נתעסק במשתה ולא הוסיף עדיין לא נגמרה מלאכתן ואינן מקבלין טומאה ואפילו זבים וזבות מהלכין עליהם טהורים:
9
When a person stores his olives in two olive presses, when he completes loading one of them, the olives in that press become susceptible to ritual impurity.
ט
העוטן זיתיו בשני בדים כיון שגמר אחת מהן הוכשרו לקבל טומאה:
10
When a person harvests his olives in the Upper Galilee and he has the intent to bring them to the Lower Galilee in the future, they do not become susceptible to ritual impurity until he brings them there. This applies provided he had this intent before he harvested them. If he does not have this intent until after he harvests them, his intent is of no consequence and they become susceptible to impurity. If he completed storing his olives, but had the intent of selling them in the future, they do not become susceptible to impurity. If he had the intent of covering them with leaves, they become susceptible to impurity.
י
המסיק זיתיו בגליל העליון ועתיד להורידם לגליל התחתון אין מקבלין טומאה עד שיורידם לשם והוא שחישב עליהן קודם שימסוק אבל אחר שימסוק אין המחשבה מועלת אלא הוכשרו גמר את זיתיו ועתיד למוכרן לא הוכשרו עתיד לחפותן בעלין הוכשרו ומקבלין טומאה:
11
The following law applies when a person purchases a storage vat of olives from a gentile. Even if there are olives to harvest on the earth, he should process the olives in a state of impurity, for it can be assumed that the gentile completed the harvest of that vat.
The word of an unlearned person is accepted when he says: "I did not complete storing olives in this vat."
יא
הלוקח מעטן זיתים מן העכו"ם אם יש מוסק על פני האדמה יעשו בטומאה שזה בחזקת שגמר ונאמן עם הארץ לומר מעטן זה לא גמרתיו:
12
When a person wishes to take and crush for oil some olives from a storage vat that has not been completely filled, he may take them while ritually impure, bring them to the olive press in a state of ritual impurity, and cover the olives remaining in the storage vat in a state of ritual impurity, because the olives in the storage vat had not become susceptible to impurity.
יב
הרוצה ליטול מזיתים שלא נגמר מלאכתן ולדרוך ה"ז נוטל מהן בטומאה ומוליך לבית הבד בטומאה ומכסה השאר בטומאה ואינו חושש שהרי לא הוכשרו כדי שיקבלו טומאה:
13
When a person places his olives in an olive press, so that they will soften and be easy to crush, they become susceptible to ritual impurity. If he left them to soften, so that he will salt them after they soften, they do not become susceptible to ritual impurity, for his intent is to pickle them.
יג
המניח את זיתיו בכותש כדי שימתינו ויהיו נוחים להכתש הרי אלו מוכשרין הניחן שימתינו ושימלחם אחר שימתינו אינן מוכשרין שהרי דעתו עליהן לכבשן:
14
When a person rubs or breaks apart olives that are terumah with impure hands, he disqualifies them, because breaking them open completes the work associated with them. If, however, he broke open the olives with the intent of salting them, they do not become susceptible to impurity. Similarly, if he broke them open in order to check them to see whether they have oil and are ready to be harvested, they do not become susceptible to impurity.
יד
הפוצע זיתים של תרומה בידים טמאות פסלן שפציעתן היא גמר מלאכתן פצען לסופגן במלח לא הוכשרו וכן אם פצען לידע אם יש בהן שמן והגיעו להמסק לא הוכשרו:
15
When a person leaves olives on a roof for them to desiccate and dry out, they do not become susceptible to impurity even if they are cubit high. If he brought them into the house to spoil some even though he will take them to the roof in the future or he brought them to the roof in a mound to spoil, even though he will break it open and spread them out to dry in the future, they become susceptible to ritual impurity. If he brought them into his house until he will make his roof fit for them or until he takes them to another place, they do not become susceptible to ritual impurity, because the work involved in their preparation has not been completed.
טו
המניח זיתים בגת לגרגרן ולייבשן אפילו הם רום אמה אינן מוכשרין נתנן בבית שילקו אף על פי שעתיד להעלותן לגג או שנתנן בגג שילקו אף ע"פ שעתיד לפתחם ויפריס אותן הרי אלו מוכשרים נתנן בבית עד שישמור את גגו או עד שיוליכם למקום אחר אינן מוכשרים שעדיין לא נגמרה מלאכתן:
16
When a person stores his olives in a domain belonging to an unlearned person, and locks and seals the door, he need not suspect that the unlearned person has another key and seal. Even if he discovers the seal broken and the lock open, the olives are pure. The seal mentioned could be even a stone or a sliver of wood.
If there were holes and cracks in the storeroom, he need not suspect that the unlearned person inserted a rod and moved the olives. If there are windows four handbreadths by four handbreadths, they are considered as an entrance.
טז
העוטן זיתיו ברשות ע"ה ונעל וחתם אינו חושש שמא יש לו מפתח אחר וחותם אחר אע"פ שמצא חותם מקולקל ומפתח פתוח הרי אלו טהורין וחותם שאמרו אפילו צרור או קיסם היו שם חורין וסדקין אינו חושש שמא מכניס קנה ומסיטן היו שם חלונות של ארבעה טפחים נידונות כפתחין:
17
How should a person who crushed his olives in a state of impurity and, afterwards, sought to purify the utensils in the olive-press and the borders from the impure liquids that were absorbed in them act?
Keilim made of wood or stone should be washed thoroughly. If they are from reeds or the like, they should be dried. If they are from resinous cane, they should be left for twelve months, exposed to hot water or water in which olives were cooked, or placed under a drainpipe of running water or into a stream of flowing water for 12 hours.
Afterwards, he should immerse in a mikveh those keilim that require immersion and use them in a state of purity.
יז
הדורך בטומאה ורצה לטהר כלי בית הבד והעקל מן המשקין הטמאין שנבלעו בהן כיצד יעשה כלי של עץ ושל אבנים מדיח ושל נסרים וכיוצא בהן מנגבן ושל גמי מיישנן כל י"ב חדש או חולטן בחמין או במי זיתים או מניחן תחת צינור שמימיו מקלחין או לתוך מעיין שמימיו רודפין שתים עשרה שעות ואחר כך מטביל את הכלים שצריכין טבילה ומשתמש בהן בטהרה:
• Part 1
• Hayom Yom: Today's Hayom Yom
1
The first of the positive commandments is the mitzvah to know that there is a God, as [Exodus 20:2] states: "I am God, your Lord."
א
מצוה ראשונה ממצוות עשה, לידע שיש שם אלוה, שנאמר "אנוכי ה' אלוהיך" (שמות כ,ב; דברים ה,ו).
2
To unify Him, as [Deuteronomy 6:4] states: "God is our Lord, God is one."
ב
לייחדו, שנאמר "ה' אלוהינו, ה' אחד" (דברים ו,ד).
3
To love Him, as [Deuteronomy 6:5] states: "And you shall love God, your Lord."
ג
לאוהבו, שנאמר "ואהבת, את ה' אלוהיך" (דברים ו,ה; דברים יא,א).
4
To fear Him, as [Deuteronomy 6:13] states: "Fear God, your Lord."
ד
ליראה ממנו, שנאמר "את ה' אלוהיך תירא" (דברים ו,יג; דברים י,כ).
5
To pray, as [Exodus 23:25] states: "And you shall serve God, your Lord." This service is prayer.a
ה
להתפלל, שנאמר "ועבדתם, את ה' אלוהיכם" (שמות כג,כה); עבודה זו תפילה.
6
To cling to Him, as [Deuteronomy 10:2] states: "And you shall cling to Him."
ו
לדובקה בו, שנאמר "ובו תדבק" (דברים י,כ).
7
To swear in His name, as [Deuteronomy 10:20] states: "And you shall swear in His name."a,b
ז
להישבע בשמו, שנאמר "ובשמו, תישבע" (דברים ו,יג; דברים י,כ).
8
To emulate His good and just ways, as [Deuteronomy 28:9] states: "And you shall walk in His ways."
ח
להידמות בדרכיו הטובים והישרים, שנאמר "והלכת, בדרכיו" (דברים כח,ט).
9
To sanctify His name, as [Leviticus 22:32] states: "And I shall be sanctified amidst the children of Israel."
ט
לקדש את שמו, שנאמר "ונקדשתי, בתוך בני ישראל" (ויקרא כב,לב).
10
To recite the Shema twice daily, as [Deuteronomy 6:2] states: "And you shall speak of them when you lie down and when you arise."
י
לקרות קרית שמע פעמיים בכל יום, שנאמר "ודיברת בם . . . בשוכבך ובקומך" (דברים ו,ז).
11
To study Torah and to teach it [to others], as [Deuteronomy 6:2] states: "And you shall teach them to your children."
יא
ללמוד תורה וללמדה, שנאמר "ושיננתם לבניך" (דברים ו,ז).
12
To tie tefillin upon our heads, as [Deuteronomy 6:8] states: "And they shall be an emblem between your eyes."
יב
לקשור תפילין בראש, שנאמר "והיו לטוטפות, בין עיניך" (דברים ו,ח).
13
To tie tefillin upon our arms, as [Deuteronomy 6:8] states: "And you shall tie them for a sign upon your arms."
יג
לקשור תפילין ביד, שנאמר "וקשרתם לאות, על ידך" (דברים ו,ח).
14
To make tzitzit, as [Numbers 15:38] states: "And you shall make tzitzit for them."
יד
לעשות ציצית, שנאמר "ועשו להם ציצית" (במדבר טו,לח).
15
To affix a mezuzah, as [Deuteronomy 6:9] states: "And you shall write them on the doorposts of your home."
טו
לקבוע מזוזה, שנאמר "וכתבתם על מזוזות ביתך" (דברים ו,ט; דברים יא,כ).
16
To collect the people to hear the Torah [being read] in the year following the shemitah year, as [Deuteronomy 31:12] states: "Gather together the people."
טז
להקהיל את העם לשמוע התורה במוצאי שביעית, שנאמר "הקהל את העם" (דברים לא,יב).
17
For each man to write a Torah scroll for himself, as [Deuteronomy 31:19] states: "Write down this song."
יז
לכתוב כל איש ספר תורה לעצמו, שנאמר "כתבו לכם את השירה הזאת" (דברים לא,יט).
18
For the king to write a second Torah scroll for himself in addition to the one which [he is required to write to fulfill the mitzvah incumbent upon] every man. Thus, he will have two Torah scrolls, as [Deuteronomy 17:19] states: "And he shall write for himself a copy of this Torah."
יח
לכתוב המלך ספר תורה לעצמו, יתר על האחד של כל אדם, עד שיהיה לו שתי תורות, שנאמר "וכתב לו את משנה התורה הזאת" (דברים יז,יח).
19
To bless [God] after eating, as [Deuteronomy 8:10] states: "[After] you eat and are satisfied, you shall bless God, your Lord."
יט
לברך אחר המזון, שנאמר "ואכלת, ושבעת--ובירכת את ה' אלוהיך" (דברים ח,י).
20
To build [God's] chosen house, [the Temple,] as [Exodus 25:8] states: "And you shall make a sanctuary for Me."b
כ
לבנות בית הבחירה, שנאמר "ועשו לי, מקדש" (שמות כה,ח).
21
To revere this house, as [Leviticus 19:30] states: "And revere My sanctuary."
כא
ליראה מבית זה, שנאמר "ומקדשי תיראו" (ויקרא יט,ל; ויקרא כו,ב).
22
To keep watch over this house continuously, as [Numbers 18:2,4] states: "And you and- your descendants before the Tent of Testimony.... [And they shall keep the watch....]"
כב
לשמור בית זה תמיד, שנאמר "ואתה ובניך איתך, לפני אוהל העדות" (במדבר יח,ב).
23
For the Levites to serve in the sanctuary, as [Numbers 18:23] states: "And the Levite shall serve...."
כג
להיות הלוי עובד במקדש, שנאמר "ועבד הלוי הוא" (במדבר יח,כג).
24
For a priest to sanctify his hands and feet at the time of service [in the Temple], as [Exodus 30:19] states: "And Aaron and his sons will wash...."
כד
לקדש הכוהן ידיו ורגליו בשעת העבודה, שנאמר "ורחצו אהרון ובניו" (שמות ל,יט).
25
To prepare the candles of the Sanctuary, as [Exodus 27:21] states: "Aaron and his sons shall prepare it."
כה
לערוך נרות במקדש, שנאמר "יערוך אותו אהרון ובניו" (שמות כז,כא).
26
For the priests to bless the Jews, as [Numbers 6:23] states: "In this manner, you shall bless the children of Israel."
כו
לברך הכוהנים את ישראל, שנאמר "כה תברכו את בני ישראל" (במדבר ו,כג).
27
To arrange bread and frankincense before God [in the Temple] on every Sabbath, as [Exodus 25:30] states: "And you shall place the showbread on the table."b
כז
להסדיר לחם ולבונה לפני ה' בכל שבת, שנאמר "ונתת על השולחן לחם פנים" (שמות כה,ל).
28
To burn a spice offering twice [each] day, as [Exodus 30:7] states: "And Aaron shall burn incense upon it...."
כח
להקטיר קטורת פעמיים ביום, שנאמר "והקטיר עליו אהרון, קטורת סמים" (שמות ל,ז).
29
To keep a fire burning on the altar for burnt offerings continually, as [Leviticus 6:6] states: "And you shall keep a fire burning continuously on the altar."
כט
להבעיר אש במזבח העולה תמיד, שנאמר "אש, תמיד תוקד על המזבח" (ויקרא ו,ו).
30
To remove the ashes from the altar, as [Leviticus 6:3] states: "And he shall remove the ashes...."
ל
להרים את הדשן מעל המזבח, שנאמר "והרים את הדשן" (ויקרא ו,ג).
31
To send impure people out from the camp of the Divine Presence - i.e., the sanctuary - as [Numbers 5:2] states: "And you shall send from the camp all the leprous, any zav, and anyone who has contracted impurity because of a corpse."
לא
לשלח טמאים ממחנה שכינה שהוא המקדש, שנאמר "וישלחו מן המחנה, כל צרוע וכל זב; וכול, טמא לנפש" (במדבר ה,ב).
32
To show honor to Aaron's descendants and to give them priority regarding all holy matters, as [Leviticus 21:8] states: "And you shall sanctify him."
לב
לחלוק כבוד לזרעו של אהרון ולהקדימו לכל דבר שבקדושה, שנאמר "וקידשתו" (ויקרא כא,ח).
33
To clothe the priests with the priestly garments for service [in the Temple], as [Exodus 28:2] states: "And you shall make holy garments...."a
לג
להלביש הכוהנים לעבודה בגדי כהונה, שנאמר "ועשית בגדי קודש" (שמות כח,ב).
34
To carry the ark upon our shoulders when it is to be carried, as [Numbers 7:9] states: "And they shall carry it on their shoulders."
לד
לשאת את הארון על הכתף כשנושאים אותו, שנאמר "בכתף יישאו" (במדבר ז,ט).
35
To anoint the High Priests and kings with the anointing oil, as [Exodus 30:30-31] states: "[Anoint Aaron....] This shall be sacred anointing oil."
לה
למשוח כוהנים גדולים ומלכים בשמן המשחה, שנאמר "שמן משחת קודש יהיה זה" (שמות ל,לא).
36
For the priests to serve in the sanctuary in individual watches; and for them to all serve as one on the festivals, as [Deuteronomy 18:6-8] states: "When the Levite shall come... [he can serve]...with the exception of that which is theirs by ancestral right."a
לו
להיות הכוהנים עובדים במקדש משמרות משמרות, ובמועדים עובדים כאחד, שנאמר "וכי יבוא הלוי" (דברים יח,ו) "לבד ממכריו, על האבות" (דברים יח,ח).
37
For the priests to become ritually impure and mourn for their relatives in the same manner as other Jews who are commanded to mourn, as [Leviticus 21:3] states: "He shall become impure for her."
לז
להיות הכוהנים מיטמאים לקרוביהן ומתאבלין עליהן כשאר ישראל שהן מצווין להתאבל, שנאמר "לה, ייטמא" (ויקרא כא,ג).
38
For a High Priest to marry a virgin, as [Leviti‑cus 21:13] states: "And he shall marry a woman who is a virgin."
לח
להיות כוהן גדול נושא בתולה, שנאמר "והוא, אישה בבתוליה ייקח" (ויקרא כא,יג).
39
To offer the tamid offerings each day, as [Numbers 28:3] states: "[This is the fire offering...] two each day continuously."
לט
להקריב תמידין בכל יום, שנאמר "שניים ליום, עולה תמיד" (במדבר כח,ג).
40
For the High Priest to offer a meal offering each day, as [Leviticus 6:13] states: "This is the sacrifice of Aaron and his descendants."
מ
להקריב כוהן גדול מנחה בכל יום, שנאמר "זה קרבן אהרון ובניו" (ויקרא ו,יג).
41
To offer an additional sacrifice every Sabbath, as [Numbers 28:9] states: "On the Sabbath day, two lambs...."
מא
להוסיף קרבן אחר בכל שבת, שנאמר "וביום, השבת--שני כבשים" (במדבר כח,ט).
42
To offer an additional sacrifice every Rosh Chodesh, as [Numbers 28:11] states: "On your Rashei Chodashim...."
מב
להוסיף קרבן בכל ראש חודש וחודש, שנאמר "ובראשי, חודשיכם" (במדבר כח,יא).
43
To offer an additional sacrifice on Pesach, as [Leviticus 23:36] states: "For seven days, you will bring a fire offering unto God...."1
מג
להוסיף קרבן בחג הפסח, שנאמר "שבעת ימים, תקריבו אישה לה'" (ויקרא כג,לו).
44
To bring the meal offering of the omer on the day after the first day of Pesach together with a single lamb, as [Leviticus 23:10] states: "And you shall bring the omer...."
מד
להקריב מנחת העומר ממוחרת יום ראשון של פסח עם כבש אחד, שנאמר "והבאתם את עומר ראשית קצירכם, אל הכוהן" (ויקרא כג,י).
45
To offer an additional sacrifice on Shavuot, as [Numbers 28:26] states: "On the day of the first fruits [Bikkurim]...."
מה
להוסיף קרבן ביום עצרת, שנאמר "וביום הביכורים . . ." (במדבר כח,כו).
46
To bring two loaves and the sacrifices which accompany the loaves on Shavuot, as [Leviticus 23:17] states: "From your dwellings, bring bread as a wave offering. And you shall offer upon the bread...."
מו
להביא שתי הלחם עם הקרבנות הקרבים בגלל הלחם ביום עצרת, שנאמר "ממושבותיכם תביאו לחם תנופה" (ויקרא כג,יז) "והקרבתם על הלחם" (ויקרא כג,יח).
47
To offer an additional sacrifice on Rosh HaShanah, as [Numbers 29:1] states: "And in the seventh month, on the first of the month...."
מז
להוסיף קרבן בראש השנה, שנאמר "ובחודש השביעי באחד לחודש" (במדבר כט,א).
48
To offer an additional sacrifice on the fast [of Yom Kippur], as [Numbers 29:7] states: "On the tenth of the seventh month...."
מח
להוסיף קרבן ביום הצום, שנאמר "ובעשור לחודש השביעי" (במדבר כט,ז).
49
To carry out the service of the fast [of Yom Kippur], as [Leviticus 16:3] states: "In this manner, Aaron will enter the [inner] sanctuary, with a young bull...." All the [particulars of] this service are stated in the parashah of Acharei Mot.
מט
לעשות עבודת היום ביום הצום, שנאמר "בזאת יבוא אהרון, אל הקודש:. בפר בן בקר" (ויקרא טז,ג), וכל העבודה הכתובה בפרשת אחרי מות.
50
To offer an additional sacrifice on the holiday of Sukkot, as [Numbers 29:13] states: "And you shall present a burnt offering as a pleasing fragrance...."
נ
להוסיף קרבן בחג הסוכות, שנאמר "והקרבתם עולה אישה ריח ניחוח" (במדבר כט,יג).
51
To offer an additional sacrifice on Shemini Atzeret, for it is a festival in its own right, as [Numbers 29:35] states: "And on the eighth day....
נא
להוסיף קרבן ביום שמיני עצרת, כי רגל בפני עצמו הוא, שנאמר "ביום, השמיני" (במדבר כט,לה).
52
To celebrate on the festivals, as [Exodus 23:14] states: "And you shall celebrate three festivals for Me."
נב
לחוג ברגלים, שנאמר "שלוש רגלים, תחוג לי" (שמות כג,יד).
53
To appear [before God in the Temple] on the festivals, as [Deuteronomy 16:16] states: "On three occasions during the year, all your males shall appear...."
נג
להיראות ברגלים, שנאמר "שלוש פעמים, בשנה--ייראה, כל זכורך" (שמות כג,יז; שמות לד,כג; דברים טז,טז).
54
To rejoice on the festivals, as [Deuteronomy 16:14] states: "And you shall rejoice on your festivals."
נד
לשמוח ברגלים, שנאמר "ושמחת, בחגך" (דברים טז,יד).
55
To slaughter the Paschal lamb, as [Exodus 12:6] states: "And the entire congregation shall slaughter it...."
נה
לשחוט כבש הפסח, שנאמר "ושחטו אותו, כול קהל . . ." (שמות יב,ו).
56
To eat the meat of the Paschal sacrifice roasted on the night of the fifteenth of Nisan, as [Exodus 12:8] states: "And they shall eat the meat...."
נו
לאכול בשר הפסח צלי בלילי חמישה עשר מניסן, שנאמר "ואכלו את הבשר" (שמות יב,ח).
57
To offer the second Paschal sacrifice, as [Numbers 9:11] states: "In the second month, on the fourteenth of the month...."
נז
לעשות פסח שני, שנאמר "בחודש השני בארבעה עשר" (במדבר ט,יא).
58
To eat the meat of the second Paschal offering together with matzot and bitter herbs, as [Numbers 9:11] states: "And you shall eat it with matzot and bitter herbs."
נח
לאכול את בשר פסח שני על מצה ומרור, שנאמר "על מצות ומרורים, יאכלוהו" (במדבר ט,יא).
59
To sound the trumpets when the sacrifices [are offered] and in times of difficulty, as [Numbers 10:10] states: "And you shall sound the trumpets...."
נט
לתקוע בחצוצרות על הקרבנות ובשעת הצרות, שנאמר "ותקעתם בחצוצרות" (במדבר י,י).
60
For all animals to be sacrificed after their eighth day [of life], as [Leviticus 22:27] states: "And on the eighth day and afterwards...."b
ס
להיות כל קרבנות בהמה מיום שמיני והלאה, שנאמר "מיום השמיני, והלאה" (ויקרא כב,כז).
61
For all animal offerings to be unblemished, as [Leviticus 22:21] states: "[When it is] unblemished, it will be desirable...."
סא
להיות כל קרבן בהמה תמים, שנאמר "תמים יהיה לרצון" (ויקרא כב,כא).
62
To salt all the sacrifices, as [Leviticus 2:13] states: "Offer salt on all your sacrifices."
סב
למלוח כל קרבן, שנאמר "על כל קרבנך, תקריב מלח" (ויקרא ב,יג).
63
The burnt offering, as [Leviticus 1:3] states:"If his is a burnt offering...."
סג
מעשה העולה, שנאמר "אם עולה קרבנו" (ויקרא א,ג).
64
The sin offering, as [Leviticus 6:18] states: "These are the laws of the sin offering...."
סד
מעשה חטאת, שנאמר "זאת תורת החטאת" (ויקרא ו,יח).
65
The guilt offering, as [Leviticus 7:1] states: "These are the laws of the guilt offering...."
סה
מעשה האשם, שנאמר "זאת תורת, האשם" (ויקרא ז,א).
66
The peace offering, as [Leviticus 7:11] states: "These are the laws of the peace offering...."
סו
מעשה זבח השלמים, שנאמר "וזאת תורת, זבח השלמים" (ויקרא ז,יא).
67
The meal offering, as [Leviticus 2:1] states: "When a person presents a meal offering...."
סז
מעשה המנחה, שנאמר "ונפש, כי תקריב קרבן מנחה" (ויקרא ב,א).
68
For the [High] Court to offer a sacrifice if it renders an erroneous decision, as [Leviticus 4:13] states: "If the entire congregation of Israel shall err...."
סח
להקריב בית דין קרבן אם טעו בהוראה, שנאמר "ואם כל עדת ישראל, ישגו" (ויקרא ד,יג).
69
For each individual to offer a sin offering if he unintentionally violates a negative commandment punishable by karet2, as [Leviticus 5:1] states: "When a person sins...."3
סט
להקריב היחיד קרבן חטאת אם שגג במצות לא תעשה שחייבים עליה כרת, שנאמר "ונפש כי תחטא" (ויקרא ה,א).
70
For an individual to offer a sacrifice if he is in doubt whether or not he transgressed a prohibition for which he would be liable for a sin offering, as [Leviticus 5:17-18] states: "If he does not know, he still bears responsibility...and he shall bring his guilt offering." This is referred to as "the conditional guilt offering."
ע
להקריב היחיד קרבן אם נסתפק לו אם חטא חטא שחייבים עליו חטאת או לא חטא, שנאמר "ולא ידע ואשם . . . והביא את אשמו" (ראה ויקרא ה,יז-יח); וזה הוא נקרא אשם תלוי.
71
For [the following individuals:] a person who unknowingly used sacred property, a person who sinned by stealing, one [who had relations with] a maidservant designated for another person, or one who denied possession of an entrusted object and took a [false] oath, to bring a guilt offering. This is referred to as "the unconditional guilt offering."4
עא
להקריב השוגג במעילה, או החוטא בגזילה, או בשפחה חרופה, או שכפר בפיקדון ונשבע; מביא קרבן אשם, וזה הוא הנקרא אשם ודאי.
72
To offer "the adjustable guilt offering" [as atonement for the violation of certain transgressions], as [Leviticus 5:1,11] states: "If his means are not sufficient.... If his means do not suffice...."
עב
להקריב קרבן עולה ויורד, שנאמר "ואם לא תגיע ידו" (ויקרא ה,ז), "ואם לא תשיג ידו" (ויקרא ה,יא).
73
For a person to confess before God for any sin which he has committed. [This applies] when he brings a sacrifice [for atonement] and when he does not bring a sacrifice, as [Numbers 5:6] states: "And they shall confess the sins that they committed."5
עג
להתוודות לפני ה' מכל חטא שיעשה האדם, בשעת הקרבן ושלא בשעת הקרבן, שנאמר "והתוודו, את חטאתם אשר עשו" (במדבר ה,ז).
74
For a zav to offer a sacrifice when he becomes purified [after his affliction], as [Leviticus 15:13] states: "When a zavwill become pure...."
עד
להקריב הזב קרבן אחר שיטהר, שנאמר "וכי יטהר הזב, מזובו" (ויקרא טו,יג).
75
For a zavah to offer a sacrifice when she be-comes purified [after her affliction], as [Leviticus 15:28] states: "When she becomes pure from [the condition] of zavah...."
עה
להקריב הזבה קרבן אחר שתטהר, שנאמר "ואם טהרה, מזובה" (ויקרא טו,כח).
76
For a person afflicted with tzara’at to offer a sacrifice after he becomes purified, as [Leviticus 14:1] states: "On the eighth day, he shall take...."
עו
להקריב היולדת קרבן אחר שתטהר, שנאמר "ובמלאות ימי טוהרה" (ויקרא יב,ו).
77
For a woman who gave birth to offer a sacrifice after she becomes purified, as [Leviticus 12:6] states: "And after the conclusion of her pure days...."
עז
להקריב המצורע קרבן אחר שיטהר, שנאמר "וביום השמיני ייקח" (ויקרא יד,י).
78
To tithe one's herds, as [Leviticus 27:32] states: "And all the tithes of your cattle and sheep...."
עח
לעשר הבהמה, שנאמר "וכל מעשר בקר וצאן" (ויקרא כז,לב).
79
To sanctify the firstborn of a kosher animal and offer it as a sacrifice, as [Deuteronomy 15:19] states: "Every firstling which shall be born...."
עט
לקדש בכור הבהמה הטהורה ולהקריבו, שנאמר "כל הבכור אשר ייוולד" (דברים טו,יט).
80
To redeem firstborn sons, as [Numbers 18:15] states: "However, you must surely redeem first-born humans."
פ
לפדות בכור אדם, שנאמר "אך פדה תפדה, את בכור האדם" (במדבר יח,טו).
81
To redeem a firstling donkey, as [Exodus 34:20] states: "Redeem a firstling donkey with a sheep."
פא
לפדות פטר חמור, שנאמר "ופטר חמור תפדה בשה" (שמות לד,כ).
82
To decapitate a firstling donkey [which is not redeemed], as [Exodus 34:20] states: "If you do not redeem it, you must decapitate it."
פב
לערוף פטר חמור, שנאמר "ואם לא תפדה וערפתו" (שמות יג,יג; שמות לד,כ).
83
For a person to bring all the sacrifices for which he is liable, be they obligatory or voluntary offerings, on the first pilgrimage festival that occurs, as [Deuteronomy 12:5-6] states: "And you shall come there... and you shall bring there...."
פג
להביא כל הקרבנות שיש על האדם בחובה או בנדבה ברגל ראשון שפגע בו, שנאמר "ובאת שמה" (דברים יב,ה), "והבאתם שמה" (דברים יב,ו).
Note: We have marked with the letter “a” those mitzvot concerning which the Ramban (Nachmanides) differs with the Rambam in his Hasagot to Sefer HaMitzvot, and with the letter “b,” those mitzvot concerning which the Ra'avad, in his gloss to the Mishneh Torah, differs with the Rambam.
FOOTNOTES
1.
There is a slight difficulty with the Rambam's statements: The verse cited refers to the sacrifices offered on Sukkot, and not those offered on Pesach. Perhaps the intended prooftext is Leviticus 23:8: "And you shall offer a burnt offering for God for seven days."
2.
Karet refers to premature death at the hand of God, the death of one's children, and a severe spiritual punishment for the soul. (See Hilchot Teshuvah 8:1.)
3.
. Though this prooftext is quoted in the printed editions of the Mishneh Torah, it appears to be an error, for the passage it introduces deals with the adjustable guilt offering (Positive Mitzvah 72). The verse which introduces the laws of the sin offerings is Leviticus 4:27: "If one person sins...."
4.
. Perhaps the Rambam does not cite a specific prooftext for this mitzvah because there is a different passage in the Torah which deals with each of the guilt offerings which he mentions.
5.
. Note that in Hilchot Teshuvah, the Rambam defines this mitzvah as return to God and repentance, a more encompassing service, of which confession is only one facet.(See Hilchot Teshuvah 2:2.)
Part 2
84
To sacrifice all the offerings in [God's] chosen house, [i.e., the Temple,], as [Deuteronomy 12:14] states: "There, you will perform all that I command you."
פד
להקריב כל הקרבנות בבית הבחירה, שנאמר "ושם תעשה, כול אשר אנוכי מצווך" (דברים יב,יד).
85
To tend to all the offerings from the Diaspora and bring them to Eretz [Yisrael], to [God's] chosen house, [i.e., the Temple,] as [Deuteronomy 12:26] states: "Take the sacred offerings which you possess, and your pledges, and come [to the place that God will choose]." Based on the oral tradition, we have learned that this applies to sacred offerings from the Diaspora.
פה
להיטפל בהבאת הקרבנות מחוצה לארץ לבית הבחירה, שנאמר "רק קודשיך אשר יהיו לך, ונדריך, תישא ובאת" (דברים יב,כו); מפי השמועה למדו שאינו מדבר אלא בקודשי חוצה לארץ.
86
To redeem sacred offerings that have becoming blemished, and thus have them to be permitted [for mundane use], as [Deuteronomy 12:15] states: "But whenever you desire, you may slaughter...." Based on the oral tradition, we have learned that this refers only to sacred offerings which have become disqualified and have been redeemed.
פו
לפדות קודשים בעלי מומים ויהיו מותרים באכילה, שנאמר "רק בכל אוות נפשך תזבח ואכלת בשר" (דברים יב,טו); מפי השמועה למדו שאינו מדבר אלא בפסולי המוקדשין שייפדו.
87
That an animal substituted for a sacred offering be regarded as sacred, as [Leviticus 27:33] states: "Both [the original animal] and the one substituted for it shall be consecrated."
פז
להיות התמורה קודש, שנאמר "והיה הוא ותמורתו יהיה קודש" (ויקרא כז,י; ויקרא כז,לג).
88
To eat the remains of the meal offerings, as [Leviticus 6:9] states: "Aaron and his sons will eat the remainder of it."
פח
לאכול שיירי מנחות, שנאמר "והנותרת ממנה, יאכלו אהרון ובניו" (ויקרא ו,ט).
89
To eat the flesh of the sin and guilt offerings,1 as [Exodus 29:33] states: "And they shall eat [the sacrifices] with which atonement was made for them."
פט
לאכול בשר חטאת ואשם, שנאמר "ואכלו אותם אשר כופר בהם" (שמות כט,לג).
90
To burn sacred meat which became impure, as [Leviticus 7:19] states: "And the flesh which touches anything impure... [shall be burnt]."
צ
לשרוף בשר קודש שנטמא, שנאמר "והבשר אשר ייגע בכל טמא" (ויקרא ז,יט).
91
To burn the leftovers [from the sacrifices], as [Leviticus 7:17] states: "The leftovers from the flesh of the sacrifice shall be burnt with fire on the third day."
צא
לשרוף הנותר, שנאמר "והנותר, מבשר הזבח--ביום, השלישי, באש, יישרף" (ויקרא ז,יז).
92
For a Nazirite to grow his hair long, as [Numbers 6:5] states: "He shall let the hair of his head grow without cutting it."
צב
לגדל הנזיר שיערו, שנאמר "גדל פרע, שיער ראשו" (במדבר ו,ה).
93
For a Nazarite to shave his hair when bringing his sacrifices at the conclusion of his term as a Nazirite, or during his Nazirite term if he becomes impure, as [Numbers 6:9] states: "Should a person die in his presence,... [he must shave....]"
צג
לגלח הנזיר שיערו על קרבנותיו במלאות ימי נזרו, או בתוך ימי נזרו אם נטמא, שנאמר "וכי ימות מת עליו" (במדבר ו,ט).
94
For a person to fulfill any [promise] which he utters, be it a sacrifice, [a gift to] charity, or the like, as [Deuteronomy 23:24] states: "What you have spoken, take heed to fulfill...."a
צד
לקיים אדם כל מה שהוציא בשפתיו, מקרבן או צדקה וכיוצא בהם, שנאמר "מוצא שפתיך, תשמור ועשית" (דברים כג,כד).
95
To carry out the laws regarding the nullification of vows, as mentioned in the Torah.
צה
לדון בהפרת נדרים בכל הדינים האמורין בפרשה.
96
For everyone who comes in contact with the corpse of an animal to become impure, as [Leviticus 11:39] states: "Should an animal die...."
צו
להיות כל נוגע בנבילה טמא, שנאמר "וכי ימות מן הבהמה" (ויקרא יא,לט).
97
For the [dead bodies of] the eight species of crawling animals [mentioned in the Torah] to impart ritual impurity, as [Leviticus 11:19] states: "These shall be impure for you...."
צז
להיות שמונה שרצים מטמאין, שנאמר "וזה לכם הטמא" (ויקרא יא,כט).
98
For [certain] foods to impart impurity, as [Leviticus 11:34] states: "From all the food which you will eat...."
צח
להיות האוכלין מיטמאין, שנאמר "מכל האוכל אשר ייאכל" (ויקרא יא,לד).
99
For [a woman in the] niddah state to be impure and to impart impurity to others.
צט
להיות הנידה טמאה ומטמאה לאחרים.
100
For [a woman] who gives birth to be impure [like a woman] in the niddah state.
ק
להיות היולדת טמאה כנידה.
101
For a person afflicted with tzara’at to be impure and to impart impurity.
קא
להיות המצורע טמא ומטמא.
102
For a garment afflicted with tzara’at to be impure and to impart impurity.
קב
להיות בגד מנוגע טמא ומטמא.
103
For a house afflicted with tzara’at to impart impurity.
קג
להיות בית מנוגע מטמא.
104
For a zav to impart impurity.
קד
להיות הזב מטמא.
105
For semen to impart impurity.
קה
להיות שכבת זרע מטמאה.
106
For a zavah to impart impurity.
קו
להיות זבה מטמאה.
107
For a corpse to impart impurity.
קז
להיות המת מטמא.
108
For the sprinkling water [used for the purification process involving the red heifer] to impart impurity to a person who is ritually pure, and to impart ritual purity to a person who is ritually impure solely because of contact with a human corpse.b All the laws dealing with these different types of impurity and the majority of the judgments regarding all types of ritual purity and impurity are explained explicitly in the Written Law.2
קח
להיות מי נידה מטמאין לאדם טהור, ומטהרין מטומאת מת בלבד.. וכל אלו הדינין של טומאות אלו, רוב משפט כל טומאה וטומאה מהן מבואר בתורה שבכתב.
109
For the process of purification from all types of ritual impurity to involve immersion in the waters of a mikveh, as [Leviticus 15:16] states: "And he shall wash all his flesh in water." Based on the oral tradition, we have learned that this washing [involves immersion in a body of] water in which one's entire body can immerse at one time.
קט
להיות הטהרה מכל הטמאות בטבילה במי מקוה, שנאמר "ורחץ במים את כל בשרו" (ויקרא טו,טז); למדו מפי השמועה שרחיצה זו במים שכל גופו עולה בהן בבת אחת.
110
For the process of purification from tzara’at, be it a person afflicted with tzara’at or a house afflicted with tzara’at, [to involve] a staff of cedar, a hyssop, the crimson wool, two birds, and spring water, as [Leviticus 14:2] states: "This shall be the purification process for the person afflicted with tzara’at...."
קי
להיות הטהרה מן הצרעת בין צרעת אדם בין צרעת בית בעץ ארז ואיזוב ושני תולעת ושתי ציפורים ומים חיים, שנאמר "זאת תהיה תורת המצורע" (ויקרא יד,ב).
111
For a person afflicted with tzara’at to shave all of his hair, as [Leviticus 14:9] states: "And it shall be on the seventh day, he shall shave all his hair."
קיא
להיות המצורע מגלח כל שיערו, שנאמר "והיה ביום השביעי יגלח את כל שיערו" (ויקרא יד,ט).
112
For a person afflicted with tzara’at to make known his condition to all others, according to the instructions mentioned in [Leviticus 13:45]: "His garments shall be torn, his hair shall grow uncut, he shall cover his face to the lip, and he shall cry out: `Impure! Impure!"' Similarly, all others who are ritually impure must make known their condition.
קיב
להיות המצורע ידוע לכול בדברים האמורים בו, "בגדיו יהיו פרומים וראשו יהיה פרוע, ועל שפם, יעטה; וטמא טמא, יקרא" (ויקרא יג,מה).. וכן כל שאר הטמאים צריכין להודיע את עצמן.
113
To prepare the red heifer so that its ashes will be ready, as [Numbers 19:9] states: "And it will be a keepsake for the congregation of Israel."
קיג
לעשות פרה אדומה להיות אפרה מוכן, שנאמר "והייתה לעדת בני ישראל" (במדבר יט,ט).
114
For a person who makes an endowment valuation to give the specific amount of money stated in the [Torah] portion, as [Leviticus 27:2] states: "When a person expresses a vow...."
קיד
להיות מעריך אדם נותן דמים הקצובין בפרשה, שנאמר "איש, כי יפליא נדר" (ויקרא כז,ב).
115
For a person who makes an endowment valuation concerning a non-kosher animal to give [the required amount of] money, as [Leviticus 27:11] states: "And he shall cause the animal to stand...."
קטו
להיות מעריך בהמה טמאה נותן דמיה, שנאמר "והעמיד את הבהמה" (ויקרא כז,יא).
116
For a person who makes an endowment valuation concerning his home to give the value determined by the priest, as [Leviticus 27:14] states: "And the priest shall determine its value."
קטז
להיות מעריך ביתו נותן כערך הכוהן, שנאמר "ואיש, כי יקדיש" (ויקרא כז,יד).
117
For a person who consecrates his field to give the fixed amount determined by the [Torah], as [Leviticus 27:16] states: "And the value you attach to it shall be according to the amount of seed."
קיז
להיות מקדיש שדהו נותן בערך הקצוב בפרשה, שנאמר "והיה ערכך, כפי זרעו" (ראה ויקרא כז,טז).
118
For a person who unintentionally makes use of a sacred object to make restitution for what he misused [when] sinning against God, and for him to add one fifth of its value, as [Leviticus 5:17] states: "For that which he sinned, [using something] sacred, he shall pay...."
קיח
לשלם השוגג במעילה מה שמעל לה' ולהוסיף חומש, שנאמר "ואת אשר חטא מן הקודש ישלם" (ויקרא ה,טז).
119
For the produce of the fourth year to be sacred, as [Leviticus 19:24] states: "Its produce shall be sacred, [an object of] praise to God...."
קיט
להיות נטע רבעי קודש, שנאמר "יהיה, כל פרייו--קודש הילולים" (ויקרא יט,כד).
120
To leave pe'ah.
קכ
להניח פיאה.
121
To leave leket.
קכא
להניח לקט.
122
To leave a forgotten sheaf.
קכב
להניח עומר השכחה.
123
To leave the incompletely formed grape clusters.
קכג
להניח עוללות בכרם.
124
To leave the individual fallen grapes. With regard to all these [five mitzvot], [Leviticus 19:10] states: "Leave them for the poor and the stranger." This [verse states] the positive commandment for all these.3
קכד
להניח פרט הכרם.. לפי שבכל אלו נאמר "לעני ולגר תעזוב אותם" (ויקרא יט,י; ויקרא כג,כב); וזו היא מצות עשה שלהם.
125
To bring the first fruits to God's chosen house, [the Temple,], as [Exodus 23:19] states: "The first fruits of your land...."
קכה
להביא ביכורים לבית הבחירה, שנאמר "ראשית, ביכורי אדמתך" (שמות כג,יט; שמות לד,כו).
126
To separate the greater terumah [and give it] to the priest, as [Deuteronomy 18:4] states: "Give him the first of your grain."
קכו
להפריש תרומה גדולה לכוהן, שנאמר "ראשית דגנך . . . תיתן לו" (דברים יח,ד).
127
To separate a tithe of grain [and give it] to the Levites, as [Leviticus 27:30] states: "All the land's tithes...."
קכז
להפריש מעשר דגן ללויים, שנאמר "כל מעשר הארץ . . ." (ויקרא כז,ל).
128
To separate the second tithe so that it can be eaten by its owners in Jerusalem, as [Deuteronomy 14:22] states: "You shall surely tithe...." According to the oral tradition, we learn that this refers to the second tithe.
קכח
להפריש מעשר שני להיאכל לבעליו בירושלים, שנאמר "עשר תעשר" (דברים יד,כב); מפי השמועה למדו שזה הוא מעשר שני.
129
For the Levites to separate a tenth from the tenth which they took from the Israelites and give it to the priests, as [Numbers 18:27] states: "Speak to the Levites:...."
קכט
להיות הלויים מפרישין מעשר מן המעשר שלקחו מישראל ונותנין אותו לכוהנים, שנאמר "ואל הלויים תדבר" (במדבר יח,כו).
130
To separate the tithe for the poor instead of the second tithe in the third and sixth years of the seven-year [agricultural cycle], as [Deuteronomy 14:28] states: "At the end of three years, remove a tithe of all your crops...."
קל
להפריש מעשר עני תחת מעשר שני בשלישית ובשישית בשבוע, שנאמר "מקצה שלוש שנים, תוציא את כל מעשר תבואתך" (דברים יד,כח).
131
To give thanks, [reciting] the declaration concerning the tithes, as [Deuteronomy 26:13] states: "And you shall declare before God, your Lord, `I have removed the sacred [foods]...."'
קלא
להתוודות וידוי מעשר, שנאמר "ואמרת לפני ה' אלוהיך ביערתי הקודש" (דברים כו,יג).
132
To read the statement [acknowledging thanks] for the first fruits, as [Deuteronomy 26:5] states: "And you shall respond and say before God, your Lord:...."
קלב
לקרות על הביכורים, שנאמר "וענית ואמרת לפני ה' אלוהיך" (דברים כו,ה).
133
To separate challah [and give it] to the priest, as [Numbers 15:20] states: "The first of your dough, the challah, you shall separate as an offering...."
קלג
להפריש חלה לכוהן, שנאמר "ראשית, עריסותיכם--חלה, תרימו תרומה" (במדבר טו,כ).
134
To let the land lie fallow [in the seventh year], as [Exodus 23:11] states: "In the seventh year, you shall let it lie fallow and withdraw from it."
קלד
להשמיט קרקע, שנאמר "והשביעית תשמטנה ונטשתה" (שמות כג,יא).
135
To refrain from agricultural work [in the seventh year], as [Exodus 34:21] states: "From plowing and harvesting, you shall rest."
קלה
לשבות מעבודת הארץ, שנאמר "בחריש ובקציר, תשבות" (שמות לד,כא).
136
To sanctify the Jubilee year by refraining [from agricultural work], as is done in the shemitah, as [Leviticus 25:10] states: "And you shall sanctify the fiftieth year...."
קלו
לקדש שנת יובל בשביתה כשמיטה, שנאמר "וקידשתם, את שנת החמישים" (ויקרא כה,י).
137
To sound the shofar in the Jubilee year, as [Leviticus 25:9] states: "And you shall sound the shofar blasts."
קלז
לתקוע בשופר בשנת היובל, שנאמר "והעברת שופר תרועה" (ויקרא כה,ט).
138
To free all land in the Jubilee year, as [Leviticus 25:24] states: "For all your ancestral lands, there will be redemption for the land."
קלח
ליתן גאולה לארץ בשנת היובל, שנאמר "ובכול, ארץ אחוזתכם, גאולה, תיתנו לארץ" (ויקרא כה,כד).
139
To allow houses in a walled city to be redeemed within a year, as [Leviticus 25:29] states: "If a person shall sell a residential house in a walled city...."
קלט
להיות גאולה בבתי ערי חומה עד שנה, שנאמר "ואיש, כי ימכור בית מושב" (ויקרא כה,כט).
140
To count the years of the Jubilee year and the shemitahyears within it, as [Leviticus 25:8] states: "And you shall count seven shemitah years."
קמ
למנות שני יובל שנים ושמיטים, שנאמר "וספרת לך, שבע . . ." (ויקרא כה,ח).
141
To remit all financial [obligations] in the seventh year, as [Deuteronomy 15:2] states: "Every creditor must remit...."
קמא
להשמיט כספים בשביעית, שנאמר "שמוט כל בעל משה ידו" (דברים טו,ב).
142
To seek to collect [a debt] from a gentile [in the seventh year], as [Deuteronomy 15:3] states: "Seek to collect [a debt] from a gentile. However, what your brother owes you must remit...."
קמב
לנגוש לנוכרי, שנאמר "את הנוכרי, תיגוש; ואשר יהיה לך" (דברים טו,ג).
143
To give a priest the shankbone, the jaw, and the maw from an animal [which is slaughtered], as [Deuteronomy 18:3] states: "And you shall give the priest the shankbone...."
קמג
ליתן מן הבהמה לכוהן הזרוע והלחיים והקיבה, שנאמר "ונתן, לכוהן, הזרוע" (דברים יח,ג).
144
To give the first portion of the fleece to a priest, as [Deuteronomy 18:4] states: "Give him the first portion of the shearing of your sheep."
קמד
ליתן ראשית הגז לכוהן, שנאמר "וראשית גז צאנך--תיתן לו" (דברים יח,ד).
145
To render judgment with regard to property which is dedicated, whether dedicated to God or dedicated to the priests, as [Leviticus 27:28] states: "However, any dedication that will be made...."
קמה
לדון בדיני חרמים, מהם לה' ומהם לכוהן, שנאמר "אך כל חרם אשר יחרים" (ויקרא כז,כח).
146
To slaughter an animal, beast, or fowl and afterwards to eat their meat, as [Deuteronomy 12:21] states: "And you shall slaughter your cattle and your sheep."b
קמו
לשחוט בהמה חיה ועוף ואחר כך יאכל בשרם, שנאמר "וזבחת מבקרך ומצאנך" (דברים יב,כא).
147
To cover the blood of beasts and fowl [which are slaughtered], as [Leviticus 17:13] states: "And you shall pour out its blood and cover it with dust."
קמז
לכסות דם חיה ועוף, שנאמר "ושפך, את דמו, וכיסהו, בעפר" (ויקרא יז,יג).
148
To send away the mother bird from the nest [when taking the young], as [Deuteronomy 22:7] states: "You shall surely send away the mother."
קמח
לשלח הקן, שנאמר "שלח תשלח את האם ואת הבנים תיקח לך" (דברים כב,ז).
149
To check the signs [with which] animals [are identified], as kosher, as [Leviticus 11:2] states: "These are the animals which you may eat...."
קמט
לבדוק בסימני בהמה, שנאמר "זאת החיה אשר תאכלו" (ויקרא יא,ב).
150
To check the signs of fowl in order to differentiate between one which is kosher and one which is not kosher, as [Deuteronomy 14:11] states: "All birds which...."
קנ
לבדוק בסימני העוף עד שיבדיל בין טמא לטהור, שנאמר "כל ציפור טהורה, תאכלו" (דברים יד,יא).
151
To check the signs of grasshoppers in order to know which is kosher and which is not kosher, as [Leviticus 11:21] states: "Those which possess walking legs...."
קנא
לבדוק בסימני חגבים לידע טהור מן הטמא, שנאמר "אשר לו כרעיים" (ויקרא יא,כא).
152
To check the signs [with which] fish [are identified as kosher], as [Leviticus 11:9] states: "These are the animals which you may eat from all that is found in water...."
קנב
לבדוק בסימני דגים, שנאמר "את זה, תאכלו, מכול, אשר במים" (ויקרא יא,ט; דברים יד,ט).
153
To sanctify the months and to calculate the years and months. [This mitzvah is incumbent on] the court alone, as [Exodus 12:2] states: "This month will be for you the first of the months."
קנג
לקדש חודשים ולחשב שנים וחודשים בבית דין בלבד, שנאמר "החודש הזה לכם, ראש חודשים" (שמות יב,ב).
154
To rest on the Sabbath, as [Exodus 23:12] states: "Rest on the seventh day...."
קנד
לשבות בשבת, שנאמר "וביום השביעי תשבות" (שמות כג,יב; שמות לד,כא).
155
To sanctify the Sabbath, as [Exodus 20:8] states: "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy."
קנה
לקדש שבת, שנאמר "זכור את יום השבת, לקדשו" (שמות כ,ז).
156
To destroy chametz [before Pesach], as [Exodus 12:15] states: "On the day before [the holiday], obliterate chametz from your homes."
קנו
לבער חמץ, שנאמר "ביום הראשון, תשביתו שאור מבתיכם" (שמות יב,טו).
157
To relate the narrative of the exodus of Egypt on the first night of the Feast of Matzot, as [Exodus 13:8] states: "And you shall tell your son on that day,...."
קנז
לספר ביציאת מצריים בלילה הראשון של חג המצות, שנאמר "והגדת לבנך" (שמות יג,ח).
158
To eat matzah on this night, as [Exodus 12:18] states: "In the evening, you shall eat matzot."
קנח
לאכול מצה בליל זה, שנאמר "בערב, תאכלו, מצות" (שמות יב,יח).
159
To rest on the first day of Pesach, as [Exodus 12:16] states: "And on the first day, it shall be a sacred holiday."
קנט
לשבות בראשון של פסח, שנאמר "וביום הראשון, מקרא קודש" (שמות יב,טז).
160
To rest on the seventh day [of the festival], as [Exodus 12:16] states: "On the seventh day, there will be a sacred holiday."
קס
לשבות בשביעי בו, שנאמר "וביום השביעי, מקרא קודש" (שמות יב,טז; במדבר כח,כה).
161
To count 49 days from the harvesting of the omer, as [Leviticus 23:15] states: "And you shall count from the day following the day of rest...."
קסא
לספור מקצירת העומר תשעה וארבעים יום, שנאמר "וספרתם לכם, ממוחרת השבת" (ויקרא כג,טו).
162
To rest on the fiftieth day [after Pesach], as [Leviticus 23:21] states: "And you shall proclaim a sacred holiday on that selfsame day."
קסב
לשבות ביום חמישים, שנאמר "וקראתם בעצם היום הזה, מקרא קודש" (ויקרא כג,כא).
163
To rest on the first day of the seventh month, as [Leviticus 23:24] states: "On the first day of [this] month, you shall have a day of rest."
קסג
לשבות בראשון של חודש השביעי, שנאמר "באחד לחודש, יהיה לכם שבתון" (ויקרא כג,כד).
164
To fast on the tenth [of this month, Yom Kippur,] as [Leviticus 15:29] states: "On the tenth of the month, you shall afflict your souls."
קסד
להתענות בעשירי בו, שנאמר "ובעשור לחודש תענו את נפשותיכם" (ראה ויקרא טז,כט; במדבר כט,ז).
165
To rest on [this] fast day, as [Leviticus 16:31] states: "It shall be a Sabbath of Sabbaths...."
קסה
לשבות ביום הצום, שנאמר "שבת שבתון" (ויקרא טז,לא; ויקרא כג,לב).
166
To rest on the first day of the festival of Sukkot, as [Leviticus 23:35] states: "On the first day, there shall be a sacred holiday."
קסו
לשבות בראשון של חג הסוכות, שנאמר "ביום הראשון, מקרא קודש" (ויקרא כג,לה).
FOOTNOTES
1.
. In Sefer HaMitzvot, the Rambam includes eating other sacrifices and sacred foods in the scope of this mitzvah.
2.
. It is somewhat curious that although the Rambam makes this statement, he does not cite prooftexts for these mitzvot.
3.
. In Sefer HaMitzvot, the Rambam notes that the command to leave a forgotten sheaf in the field is derived, not from this verse, but from Deuteronomy 24:19, which states: "When you reap your harvest... and forget a sheaf in the field..., it shall be for the stranger..."
Part 3
167
To rest on the eighth day of the festival of Sukkot, as [Leviticus 23:36] states: "On the eighth day, there shall be a sacred holiday."
קסז
לשבות בשמיני של חג, שנאמר "וביום השמיני מקרא קודש" (ראה ויקרא כג,לו).
168
To dwell in a sukkah for seven days, as [Leviticus 23:42] states: "And you shall dwell in sukkot for seven days."
קסח
לישב בסוכה שבעת ימים, שנאמר "בסוכות תשבו, שבעת ימים" (ויקרא כג,מב).
169
To take the lulav [and the other three species on Sukkot], as [Leviticus 23:40] states: "And you shall take for yourselves on the first day, the fruit of a beautiful tree, a palm branch,...."
קסט
ליטול לולב, שנאמר "ולקחתם לכם ביום הראשון, פרי עץ הדר כפות תמרים" (ויקרא כג,מ).
170
To hear the sound of the shofar on Rosh HaShanah, as [Numbers 29:1] states: "It will be a day of [shofar] blasts for you."
קע
לשמוע קול שופר בראש השנה, שנאמר "יום תרועה, יהיה לכם" (במדבר כט,א).
171
To give a half-shekel each year, as [Exodus 30:13] states: "This shall be given by all those included in the census...."
קעא
ליתן מחצית השקל בכל שנה ושנה, שנאמר "זה ייתנו, כל העובר על הפקודים" (שמות ל,יג).
172
To listen to any prophet who will arise in any era, provided he does not add or detract [from the Torah's commandments], as [Deuteronomy 18:15] states: "You shall listen to him."
קעב
לשמוע מכל נביא שיהיה בכל דור ודור אם לא יוסיף ולא יגרע, שנאמר "אליו, תשמעון" (דברים יח,טו).
173
To appoint a king, as [Deuteronomy 17:15] states: "You shall surely set a king upon yourselves."
קעג
למנות מלך, שנאמר "שום תשים עליך מלך" (דברים יז,טו).
174
To obey the High Court regarding all [the ordinances] they establish for Israel, as [Deuteronomy 17:11] states: "Carry out the judgment which they render for you."
קעד
לשמוע מכל בית דין הגדול שיעמדו להם לישראל, שנאמר "ועל המשפט אשר יאמרו לך--תעשה" (דברים יז,יא).
175
To follow the majority if there is a difference of opinion in the Sanhedrin concerning a law, as [Exodus 23:2] states: "Follow after the majority."
קעה
לנטות אחרי רבים אם תהיה מחלוקת בין הסנהדרין בדינין, שנאמר "אחרי רבים--להטות" (שמות כג,ב).
176
To appoint judges and court officers in each and every Jewish community, as [Deuteronomy 16:18] states: "Appoint judges and court officers...."
קעו
למנות שופטים ושוטרים בכל קהל וקהל מישראל, שנאמר "שופטים ושוטרים, תיתן לך" (דברים טז,יח).
177
To treat litigants equally when they appear [in court] to be judged, as [Leviticus 19:15] states: "Judge your fellow man with righteousness."
קעז
להשוות בין בעלי דינין בשעה שעומדין בדין, שנאמר "בצדק, תשפוט עמיתך" (ויקרא יט,טו).
178
For anyone who has evidence to testify in court, as [Leviticus 5:1] states: "If he was a witness, saw, or knew...."
קעח
להעיד בבית דין למי שיש לו עדות, שנאמר "והוא עד, או ראה או ידע" (ויקרא ה,א).
179
To cross-examine the witnesses thoroughly, as [Deuteronomy 13:15] states: "You must investigate and probe, making careful enquiry."
קעט
לחקור העדים הרבה, שנאמר "ודרשת וחקרת ושאלת, היטב" (דברים יג,טו).
180
To [punish] false witnesses [by] giving them the same penalty that they wish to have imposed [on the defendant], as [Deuteronomy 19:19] states: "And you shall do to him what he plotted to do to his brother."
קפ
לעשות לעדים זוממין כמו שזמו לעשות, שנאמר "ועשיתם לו, כאשר זמם" (דברים יט,יט).
181
To decapitate the calf [brought as atonement for an unsolved murder] as required, as [Deuteronomy 21:4] states: "You shall decapitate the calf there in the river."
קפא
לערוף את העגלה כמצותה, שנאמר "וערפו שם את העגלה, בנחל" (דברים כא,ד).
182
To prepare six refuge cities, as [Deuteronomy 19:3] states: "Prepare the way and divide into three [the boundary]...."
קפב
להכין שש ערי מקלט, שנאמר "תכין לך, הדרך, ושילשת" (דברים יט,ג).
183
To give the Levites cities in which to dwell - they also serve as refuge centers - as [Numbers 35:2] states: "And you shall give cities to the Levites...."
קפג
לתת ללויים ערים לשבת, וגם הן קולטות, שנאמר "ונתנו ללויים . . . ערים" (במדבר לה,ב).
184
To construct a guard rail, as [Deuteronomy 22:8] states: "And you shall construct a guard rail for your roof."
קפד
לעשות מעקה, שנאמר "ועשית מעקה לגגך" (דברים כב,ח).
185
To destroy false gods and all their objects of worship, as [Deuteronomy 12:2] states: "You shall surely destroy...."
קפה
לאבד עבודה זרה וכל משמשיה, שנאמר "אבד תאבדון את כל המקומות" (דברים יב,ב).
186
To slay the inhabitants of an apostate city and burn the city, as [Deuteronomy 13:17] states: "And you shall burn the city and all its spoil with fire."
קפו
להרוג אנשי עיר הנידחת ולשרוף את העיר, שנאמר "ושרפת באש את . . . כל שללה" (דברים יג,יז).
187
To destroy the seven nations [that dwelled in] Eretz Yisrael, as [Deuteronomy 20:17] states: "You shall utterly destroy them."
קפז
לאבד שבעה עממים מארץ ישראל, שנאמר "החרם תחרימם" (דברים כ,יז).
188
To exterminate the seed of Amalek, as [Deuteronomy 25:19] states: "Blot out the memory of Amalek."
קפח
להכרית זרעו של עמלק, שנאמר "תמחה את זכר עמלק" (דברים כה,יט).
189
To constantly remember what Amalek did to us, as [Deuteronomy 25:17] states: "Remember what Amalek did to you."
קפט
לזכור מה שעשה לנו עמלק תדיר, שנאמר "זכור, את אשר עשה לך עמלק" (דברים כה,יז).
190
To wage a voluntary war according to the laws prescribed by the Torah, as [Deuteronomy 20:10] states: "When you approach the city...."
קצ
לעשות במלחמת הרשות כמשפט הכתוב בתורה, שנאמר "כי תקרב אל עיר" (דברים כ,י).
191
To anoint a priest [who will address the people before] battle, as [Deuteronomy 20:2] states: "And it shall come to pass, when you approach the battle, the priest will come forward and speak to the people...."
קצא
למשוח כוהן למלחמה, שנאמר "והיה, כקורבכם אל המלחמה; וניגש הכוהן" (דברים כ,ב).
192
To prepare a place [outside] the [army] camp [for use as a latrine], as [Deuteronomy 23:13] states: "Prepare a place for yourselves outside the camp."
קצב
להתקין יד במחנה, שנאמר "ויד תהיה לך, מחוץ למחנה" (דברים כג,יג).
193
To prepare a shovel [to cover one's excrement], as [Deuteronomy 23:14] states: "You shall have a shovel in addition to your weapons."
קצג
להתקין יתד, שנאמר "ויתד תהיה לך, על אזנך" (דברים כג,יד).
194
To return a stolen object, as [Leviticus 5:23] states: "And he shall return the object which he stole."
קצד
להשיב את הגזל, שנאמר "והשיב את הגזילה אשר גזל" (ויקרא ה,כג).
195
To give charity, as [Deuteronomy 15:8] states: "You shall surely open your hand [to your poor brother]."
קצה
ליתן צדקה, שנאמר "פתוח תפתח את ידך" (דברים טו,ח; דברים טו,יא).
196
To give a severance gift to a Hebrew servant, as [Deuteronomy 15:14] states: "You shall surely give him gifts...." Similarly, [this gift is given] to a Hebrew maidservant.
קצו
להעניק לעבד עברי, שנאמר "הענק תעניק, לו" (דברים טו,יד); וכן אמה עברייה.
197
To lend to the poor, as [Exodus 22:24] states: "If you will lend money to my people...." In this instance, the word "if" does not refer to a matter left to one's volition, but to a commandment, as [Deuteronomy 15:8] states: "You shall surely lend him."
קצז
להלוות לעני, שנאמר "אם כסף תלווה את עמי" (שמות כב,כד); "אם" זה אינו רשות אלא מצוה, שנאמר "והעבט, תעביטנו" (דברים טו,ח).
198
To lend to a gentile at interest, as [Deuteronomy 23:21] states: "Take interest from a gentile." Based on the oral tradition, we have learned that this is a positive commandment.b
קצח
להלוות לנוכרי בריבית, שנאמר "לנוכרי תשיך" (דברים כג,כא); מפי השמועה למדו שזו מצות עשה.
199
To return security to its owner, as [Deuteronomy 24:13] states: "You shall surely return the security to him."
קצט
להשיב המשכון לבעליו, שנאמר "השב תשיב לו את העבוט" (דברים כד,יג).
200
To pay a worker his wage on time, as [Deuteronomy 24:15] states: "Pay him his wage on the day it is due."
ר
ליתן שכר שכיר בזמנו, שנאמר "ביומו תיתן שכרו" (דברים כד,טו).
201
For a hired worker to be allowed to eat [from produce] while he is working with it, as [Deuteronomy 23:25-26] states: "When you enter your neighbor's vineyard... When you enter your neighbor's standing grain...."
רא
להיות השכיר אוכל בזמן שכירותו, שנאמר "כי תבוא בכרם ריעך" (דברים כג,כה), "כי תבוא בקמת ריעך" (דברים כג,כו).
202
To assist a colleague in unloading a burden which he or his beast [is carrying], as [Exodus 23:5] states: "You shall surely help him."b
רב
לעזוב מעל חברו או מעל בהמתו, שנאמר "עזוב תעזוב, עימו" (שמות כג,ה).
203
To [help a colleague] load a burden unto a beast, as [Deuteronomy 22:4] states: " You shall lift it up with him."
רג
להקים המשא על הבהמה, שנאמר "הקם תקים, עימו" (דברים כב,ד).
204
To return a lost object, as [Deuteronomy 22:1] states: "You shall surely return them to your brother."
רד
להשיב האבידה, שנאמר "השב תשיבם, לאחיך" (דברים כב,א).
205
To rebuke a person who sins, as [Leviticus 19:17] states: "You shall surely rebuke your fellow men."
רה
להוכיח החוטא, שנאמר "הוכח תוכיח את עמיתך" (ויקרא יט,יז).
206
To love every member of our people, as [Leviticus 19:18] states: "And you shall love your neighbor as yourself."
רו
לאהוב כל בני אדם מבני ברית, שנאמר "ואהבת לריעך כמוך" (ויקרא יט,יח).
207
To love a convert, as [Deuteronomy 10:19] states: "And you shall love a convert."
רז
לאהוב את הגר, שנאמר "ואהבתם, את הגר" (דברים י,יט).
208
To balance scales with correct weights, as [Leviticus 19:36] states: "You shall have correct scales, with correct weights."
רח
לצדק מאזניים עם המשקלות, שנאמר "מאזני צדק אבני צדק" (ויקרא יט,לו).
209
To honor the Sages, as [Leviticus 19:32] states: "Rise before an elder."
רט
לכבד החכמים, שנאמר "מפני שיבה תקום" (ויקרא יט,לב).
210
To honor one's father and mother, as [Exodus 20:12] states: "Honor your father and mother."
רי
לכבד אב ואם, שנאמר "כבד את אביך, ואת אימך" (שמות כ,יא; דברים ה,טו).
211
To fear one's father and mother, as [Leviticus 19:3] states: "A person must fear his mother and his father."
ריא
ליראה מאב ואם, שנאמר "איש אימו ואביו תיראו" (ויקרא יט,ג).
212
To be fruitful and multiply, as [Genesis 9:7] states: "Be fruitful and multiply."
ריב
לפרות ולרבות, שנאמר "פרו ורבו" (בראשית ט,ז).
213
To have sexual relations [only within] marriage, as [Deuteronomy 24:1] states: "If a man takes a woman [as a wife]...."
ריג
לבעול בקידושין, שנאמר "כי ייקח איש, אישה; ובא אליה" (דברים כב,יג; וראה דברים כד,א).
214
For a groom to rejoice together with his wife for a year, as [Deuteronomy 24:5] states: "He shall be free for his home for one year."
ריד
לשמח חתן את אשתו שנה, שנאמר "נקי יהיה לביתו, שנה אחת . . ." (דברים כד,ה).
215
To circumcise a son, as [Leviticus 12:3] states: "On the eighth day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised."1
רטו
למול את הבן, שנאמר "וביום, השמיני, יימול, בשר עורלתו" (ויקרא יב,ג).
216
To marry the widow of one's brother who died childless, as [Deuteronomy 25:5] states: "Her yavam shall come unto her."
רטז
לייבם אשת אח, שנאמר "יבמה יבוא עליה" (דברים כה,ה).
217
To remove the yavam's shoe [if he does not marry his brother's widow], as [Deuteronomy 25:9] states: "And she shall remove his shoe from his foot."
ריז
לחלוץ ליבם, שנאמר "וחלצה נעלו מעל רגלו" (דברים כה,ט).
218
For a rapist to marry the woman he raped, as [Deuteronomy 22:29] states: "She shall become his wife."
ריח
לישא אונס את אנוסתו, שנאמר "ולו תהיה לאישה" (דברים כב,כט).
219
For a person who made defamatory remarks about his wife to remain married to her for his entire life, as [Deuteronomy 22:19] states: "She shall become his wife. He may not send her away for his entire life."
ריט
לישב מוציא שם רע עם אשתו כל ימיו, שנאמר "ולו תהיה לאישה" (דברים כב,יט).
220
To carry out the judgment concerning a seducer, fining him fifty shekels and carrying out the other laws regarding this matter, as [Exodus 22:15] states: "If a person will seduce...."
רכ
לדון במפתה בחמישים שקל עם שאר דינין, שנאמר "כי יפתה איש" (שמות כב,טו).
221
To carry out the procedure [the Torah] prescribes for a yefat to'ar, as [Deuteronomy 21:11] states: "And if you see a beautiful woman among the captives...."
רכא
לעשות ליפת תואר ככתוב, שנאמר "וראית, בשביה, אשת, יפת תואר" (דברים כא,יא).
222
To divorce with a get, as [Deuteronomy 24:1] states: "And he shall write a bill of divorce for her and place it in her hand."
רכב
לגרש בשטר, שנאמר "וכתב לה ספר כריתות ונתן בידה" (דברים כד,א; דברים כד,ג).
223
To carry out the [procedure] prescribed for a sotah, as [Numbers 8:30] states: "And the priests will carry out all these laws for her."
רכג
לעשות לסוטה כתורה, שנאמר "ועשה לה הכוהן, את כל התורה הזאת" (במדבר ה,ל).
224
To whip the wicked, as [Deuteronomy 25:2] states: "The judge will cast him down and beat him."
רכד
להלקות הרשעים, שנאמר "והפילו השופט והכהו" (דברים כה,ב).
225
To exile a person who accidentally kills a person, as [Numbers 35:25] states: "And he shall dwell there until the High Priest dies...."
רכה
להגלות רוצח בשגגה, שנאמר "וישב בה, עד מות הכוהן" (במדבר לה,כה).
226
For a court to execute by decapitation, as [Exodus 21:20] states: "Revenge shall surely be taken."
רכו
להיות בית דין הורגין בסיף, שנאמר "נקום, יינקם" (שמות כא,כ).
227
For a court to execute by strangulation, as [Leviticus 20:10] states: "The adulterer and the adulteress shall die."
רכז
להיות בית דין הורגין בחנק, שנאמר "מות יומת הנואף, והנואפת" (ויקרא כ,י).
228
For a court to execute by burning [the condemned] with fire, as [Leviticus 20:14] states: "They shall burn him and them with fire."
רכח
להיות בית דין שורפין באש, שנאמר "באש ישרפו אותו, ואתהן" (ויקרא כ,יד).
229
For a court to execute by stoning [the condemned] with stones, as [Deuteronomy 22:24] states: "And you shall stone them."
רכט
להיות בית דין סוקלין באבנים, שנאמר "וסקלתם אותם" (דברים כב,כד).
230
To hang [the corpses] of those liable for hanging, as [Deuteronomy 21:22] states: "And you shall hang them on a gallows."
רל
לתלות מי שנתחייב תלייה, שנאמר "ותלית אותו, על עץ" (דברים כא,כב).
231
To bury [the body of] an executed person on the day of his execution, as [Deuteronomy 21:22] states: "For you shall surely bury him on that day."
רלא
לקבור הנהרג ביומו, שנאמר "כי קבור תקברנו ביום ההוא" (דברים כא,כג).
232
To carry out the laws concerning a Hebrew servant, as [Exodus 21:2] states: "When you purchase a Hebrew servant...."
רלב
לדון בעבד עברי כהלכותיו, שנאמר "כי תקנה עבד עברי" (שמות כא,ב).
233
To marry a Hebrew maidservant, as [Exodus 21:8] states: "Who has designated her for himself... and she will be redeemed."
רלג
לייעד אמה עברייה, שנאמר "אשר לו יעדה" (שמות כא,ח), "ואם לבנו, ייעדנה" (שמות כא,ט).
234
To redeem a Hebrew maidservant, as [Exodus, ibid.] states: "And she will be redeemed."
רלד
לפדות אמה עברייה, שנאמר "והפדה" (שמות כא,ח).
235
To have a Canaanite servant serve forever, as [Leviticus 25:46] states: "You shall have them serve you forever."a
רלה
לעבוד בעבד כנעני לעולם, שנאמר "לעולם, בהם תעבודו" (ויקרא כה,מו).
236
For a person who injures [a colleague] to pay him damages, as [Exodus 21:18] states: "If men will quarrel and one man will strike [his colleague]...."
רלו
להיות החובל משלם ממון, שנאמר "וכי יריבון אנשים--והכה איש" (שמות כא,יח).
237
To judge regarding the damages caused by an ox, as [Exodus 21:33] states: "If an ox belonging to one person gores an ox belonging to a colleague...."
רלז
לדון בנזקי בהמה, שנאמר "וכי ייגוף שור איש את שור ריעהו" (שמות כא,לה).
238
To judge regarding the damages caused by a pit, as [Exodus 21:33] states: If a person will open a pit...."
רלח
לדון בנזקי הבור, שנאמר "כי יפתח איש בור" (שמות כא,לג).
239
To judge a thief, obligating him for payment or execution, as [Exodus 21:37] states: "Should a theft be perpetrated," as [Exodus 22:1] states: "If when breaking in," and, as [Exodus 21:16] states: "If one kidnaps a person and sells him,…. "2
רלט
לדון לגנב בתשלומין או במיתה, שנאמר "וכי יגנוב" (ראה שמות כא,לז), "אם במחתרת" (שמות כב,א), "וגונב איש ומכרו" (שמות כא,טז).
240
To judge regarding the damages caused by grazing, as [Exodus 22:4] states: "If a person will graze [his animals] in a field or vineyard...."
רמ
לדון בנזקי הבער, שנאמר "כי יבער איש, שדה או כרם" (שמות כב,ד).
241
To judge regarding the damages caused by fire, as [Exodus 22:5] states: "If fire will break out and catch in thorns...."
רמא
לדון בנזקי האש, שנאמר "כי תצא אש ומצאה קוצים" (שמות כב,ה).
242
To render judgment [in questions] regarding an unpaid watchman, as [Exodus 22:6] states: "If a person will give a colleague money or utensils [to watch]...."
רמב
לדון בדין שומר חינם, שנאמר "כי ייתן איש אל ריעהו כסף או כלים" (שמות כב,ו).
243
To render judgment [in questions] regarding a paid watchman, as [Exodus 22:9] states: "Should a person give a donkey or an ox...."
רמג
לדון בדין נושא שכר ושוכר, שנאמר "כי ייתן איש אל ריעהו חמור או שור" (שמות כב,ט).
244
To render judgment [in questions] regarding a borrower, as [Exodus 22:13] states: "If a person will borrow from a colleague...."
רמד
לדון בדין השואל, שנאמר "וכי ישאל איש מעם ריעהו" (שמות כב,יג).
245
To render judgment [in questions] regarding business transactions, as [Leviticus 22:14] states: "If you sell merchandise to your colleague...."
רמה
לדון בדין מקח וממכר, שנאמר "וכי תמכרו ממכר לעמיתך" (ויקרא כה,יד).
246
To render judgment [in questions] regarding claims made by one person against another, as [Exodus 22:8] states: "For every matter of trespass, concerning an ox, concerning a donkey, or concerning a sheep...."
רמו
לדון בדין טוען וכופר, שנאמר "על כל דבר פשע" (שמות כב,ח).
247
To save a person who is being pursued even if it is necessary to kill the pursuer, as [Deuteronomy 25:12] states: "And you shall cut off her hand...."
רמז
להציל הנרדף ואפילו בנפש הרודף, שנאמר "וקצותה, את כפה" (דברים כה,יב).
248
To render judgment [in questions] regarding inheritances as [Numbers 27:8] states: "If a person dies without having a son...."
רמח
לדון בדיני נחלות, שנאמר "איש כי ימות, ובן אין לו" (במדבר כז,ח).
FOOTNOTES
1.
The Rambam cites this verse, rather than a verse from Genesis, Chapter 17, which describes the circumcision of Abraham, because he prefers to cite a prooftext that was given after the giving of the Torah. Nevertheless, we also learn some particulars regarding this mitzvah from the passage from Genesis. (See also the Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah, Chulin 7:6.)
2.
. The Rambam cites these different verses because each involves a different punishment. (See also Negative Mitzvot 243 and 244.)
• Monday, 22 Tishrei, 5777 · 24 October 2016
• "Today's Day"
• Friday, Tishrei 23, Simchat Torah, 5704
We do not read the Torah at night. Blessing by the kohanim at Shacharit. We do not have the custom to spread a tallit over the heads of the chatan Torah and chatan Bereishit. The one called to the Torah also1 says chazak chazak venitchazeik.
Torah lessons: Chumash: B'racha, Shishi and Shevi'i with Rashi.
Tehillim: 108-112.
Tanya: XXIV. My beloved, (p. 531) ...apparent to all. (p. 533).
On Simchat Torah 5540 (1779) the Alter Rebbe said:
It is a tree of life for those who hold fast to it - this refers to people of intellect who study Torah. ...and those who support it are fortunate2 - these are the people of avoda (davening) who occupy themselves with Torah.
They are fortunate (me'ushar) as the Zohar (III 53b) interprets: Do not read the word as me'ushar but (through a transposition of letters) as meirosho, "from his head." Through their avoda they call forth (the spiritual level of) "His head," the inwardness of the En Sof.
This is similar to the unique quality of the foot which provides the support of the head.
FOOTNOTES
1.I.e. in addition to all the congregants.
2.Mishlei 3:18.
• Daily Thought:• "Today's Day"
• Friday, Tishrei 23, Simchat Torah, 5704
We do not read the Torah at night. Blessing by the kohanim at Shacharit. We do not have the custom to spread a tallit over the heads of the chatan Torah and chatan Bereishit. The one called to the Torah also1 says chazak chazak venitchazeik.
Torah lessons: Chumash: B'racha, Shishi and Shevi'i with Rashi.
Tehillim: 108-112.
Tanya: XXIV. My beloved, (p. 531) ...apparent to all. (p. 533).
On Simchat Torah 5540 (1779) the Alter Rebbe said:
It is a tree of life for those who hold fast to it - this refers to people of intellect who study Torah. ...and those who support it are fortunate2 - these are the people of avoda (davening) who occupy themselves with Torah.
They are fortunate (me'ushar) as the Zohar (III 53b) interprets: Do not read the word as me'ushar but (through a transposition of letters) as meirosho, "from his head." Through their avoda they call forth (the spiritual level of) "His head," the inwardness of the En Sof.
This is similar to the unique quality of the foot which provides the support of the head.
FOOTNOTES
1.I.e. in addition to all the congregants.
2.Mishlei 3:18.
Two Scripts
“I am so small, and I make such stupid messes that even if the Creator of this magnificent universe had some plan for me, by now He must have given up. So I do too.”
Or:
“I am so small, and I make such stupid messes, yet nevertheless the Creator of this magnificent universe will not let go of His belief in me.”
“And so neither will I.”[Torat Menachem 5742, vol. 3, pg. 1522. Ibid 5747 vol. 4 pg. 261.]
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CHABAD - TODAY IN JUDAISM: Sunday, 23 October 2016 - Today is: Sunday, 21 Tishrei, 5777 · 23 October 2016 - Hoshana Rabbah (Chol Hamoed Sukkot) - Candle Lighting
Light Holiday Candles before sunset ––:––.
Torah Reading
Hosha'ana Rabba: Numbers 29:26 “‘On the fifth day nine bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs in their first year, without defect; 27 with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams and lambs, according to their number, in keeping with the rule; 28 also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings.
29 “‘On the sixth day eight bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs in their first year, without defect; 30 with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams and lambs, according to their number, in keeping with the rule; 31 also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings.
32 “‘On the seventh day seven bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs in their first year, without defect; 33 with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams and lambs, according to their number, in keeping with the rule; 34 also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offerings.
Numbers 29:29 “‘On the sixth day eight bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs in their first year, without defect; 30 with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams and lambs, according to their number, in keeping with the rule; 31 also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings.
32 “‘On the seventh day seven bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs in their first year, without defect; 33 with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams and lambs, according to their number, in keeping with the rule; 34 also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offerings.
Today's Laws & Customs:
• Hoshana Rabbah
The seventh day of Sukkot is called "Hoshana Rabbah" and is considered the final day of the divine "judgment" in which the fate of the new year is determined. The Psalm L'David Hashem Ori, which has been added to our daily prayer since the 1st of Elul, is recited for the last time today. Other Hoshanah Rabbah observances include:
• Night Learning
It is customary to remain awake on the night preceding Hoshanah Rabbah and study Torah. We recite the entire Book of Deuteronomy and the Book of Psalms. In some congregations it is a custom for the Gabbai (synagogue manager) to distribute apples (signifying a "sweet year") to the congregants.
• Willow and Hoshaanot
In addition to the Four Kinds taken every day of Sukkot, it is a "Rabbinical Mitzvah", dating back to the times of the Prophets, to take an additional aravah, or willow, on the 7th day of Sukkot. In the Holy Temple, large, 18-foot willow branches were set around the altar. Today, when we take the Four Kinds and carry them around the reading table in the synagogue during the "Hoshaanot" prayers, we make seven circuits around the table (instead of the daily one), and recited a lengthier prayer. At the conclusion of the Hoshaanot we strike the ground five times with a bundle of five willows, symbolizing the "tempering of the five measures of harshness."
Link: The Willow (on the deeper significance of the mitzvah of aravah).
• Festive Meal
A festive meal is eaten in the Sukkah. We dip the bread in honey (as we did in each festive meal since Rosh Hashanah) for the last time. Today is also the last occasion on which we recite the special blessing for eating in the sukkah, since the biblical commandment to dwell in the sukkah is only for seven days (though it is the practice of many communities -- and such is the Chabad custom -- that, outside of the Land of Israel, we eat in the sukkah also on the 8th day, Shemini Atzeret).
• Eat in Sukkah (7 days)
The festival of Sukkot, commemorating G-d's enveloping protection of the Children of Israel during their 40-year journey through the desert (1313-1273 BCE), is celebrated for seven days, beginning from the eve of Tishrei 15. During this time, we are commanded to "dwell" in a sukkah -- a hut of temporary construction, with a roof covering of raw, unfinished vegetable matter (branches, reeds, bamboo, etc.) -- signifying the temporality and fragily of human habitation and man-made shelter and our utter dependence upon G-d's protection and providence. "How [does one fulfill] the mitzvah of dwelling in the sukkah? One should eat, drink, and live in the sukkah, both day and night, as one lives in one's house on the other days of the year: for seven days a person should make his home his temporary dwelling, and his sukkah his permanent dwelling" (Code of Jewish Law, Orach Chaim 639:1).
At least one k'zayit (approx. 1 oz.) of bread should be eaten in the sukkah on the first evening of the festival, between nightfall and midnight. A special blessing, Leishiv BaSukkah, is recited. For the rest of the festival, all meals must be eaten in the sukkah (see the Code of Jewish Lawor consult a Halachic authority as to what constitutes a "meal"). Chabad custom is to refrain from eating or drinking anything outside of the sukkah, even a glass of water.
Also see: the Ushpizin
Links: The Big Sukkah; The Temporary Dwelling; The Easy Mitzvah
• The "Four Kinds" (6 days)
"And you shall take for yourself on the first day," instructs the Torah in Leviticus "the splendid fruit of a tree, fronds of dates, the branch of the thick-leafed tree and aravot of the river." Torah SheBaal Peh (the oral tradition given to Moses at Sinai and handed through the generations, and later documented in the Mishnah and Talmud) identifies the four kinds as the etrog (citron), lulav (unopened palm branch), hadass (myrtle twig, of which three are taken) and aravah (willow, two twigs). The palm branch, three myrtle twigs and two willow twigs are bound together (with rings made from palm leaves).
Each day of Sukkot -- except Shabbat -- we take the lulav in hand, recite a blessing over it, take hold of the etrog, hold the "Four Kinds" together, and move them back and forth in all directions (right, left, forward, up, down and back). An additional blessing, shehecheyanu, is recited the first time that the Four Kinds are taken during the festival. We also hold the Four Kinds during the Hallel prayer (moving them as above in specified places in the text) and the Hoshaanot prayers (during which we march around the reading table in the synagogue) which are included in the daily service each day of Sukkot.
Link: The Four Mysteries of King Solomon
• "Water Drawing" Celebrations (7 nights)
When the Holy Temple stood in Jerusalem, one of the special Sukkot observances was to pour water on the Altar. The drawing of water for this purpose was preceded by all-night celebrations in the Temple courtyard; on the 15 steps leading to the azarah (inner courtyard) stood Levites while playing a variety of musical instruments, sages danced and juggled burning torches, and huge oil-burning lamps illuminated the entire city. The singing and dancing went on until daybreak, when a procession would make its way to the Shiloach Spring which flowed in a valley below the Temple to "draw water with joy." "One who did not see the joy of the water-drawing celebrations," declared the sages of the Talmud, "has not seen joy in his life."
While water was poured each day of the fetival, the special celebrations were held only on Chol Hamoed since many of the elements of the celebration (e.g., the playing of musical instruments) are forbidden on Yom Tov.
Today, we commemorate these joyous celebrations by holding Simchat Beit HaShoeivah ("joy of the water drawing") events in the streets, with music and dancing. The Lubavitcher Rebbe initiated the custom of holding such celebrations on Shabbat and Yom Tov as well -- without musical instruments of course. The fact that we cannot celebrate as we did in the Temple, said the Rebbe, means that we are free to celebrate the joy of Sukkot with singing and dancing every day of the festival.
Link: The Taste of Water
• Chol Hamoed
The seven days of the festival of Sukkot consist of two days of "Yom Tov", followed by five days of "Chol Hamoed" ("weekdays of the festival"; also called "the intermediate days"). In the Land of Israel, there is only one day of Yom Tov, followed by six days of Chol Hamoed.
On Yom Tov all creative work is forbidden as on Shabbat, except for the tasks involved in food preparation (e.g., lighting a fire from a pre-existing flame, cooking, carrying "from domain to domain"); on Chol Hamoed, work whose avoidance would result in "significant loss" is permitted. Otherwise, all the mitzvot and customs of Sukkot apply: eating in the sukkah, taking the "four kinds", etc. The "Yaale V'yavo" prayer is included in all prayers and Grace After Meals. Hallel, Hoshaanot and Musaf are recited following the Shacharit (morning) prayers.
It is the Chabad custom not to put on tefillin during Chol Hamoed, as on Shabbat and the festivals.
Click here for a more detailed treatment of the laws of Chol Hamoed.
Daily Quote:Much wisdom comes through much grief[Ecclesiastes 1:18]
Today's Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Vezot Hab'rachah, 1st Portion Deuteronomy 33:1-33:7 with Rashi
• Deuteronomy Chapter 33
1And this is the blessing with which Moses, the man of God, blessed the children of Israel [just] before his death. אוְזֹ֣את הַבְּרָכָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר בֵּרַ֥ךְ משֶׁ֛ה אִ֥ישׁ הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל לִפְנֵ֖י מוֹתֽוֹ:
And this is the blessing… [just] before his death: Very close to the time of his death. — [see Sifrei 33: 1] “For, if not now, when?” וזאת הברכה, לפני מותו: סמוך למיתתו שאם לא עכשיו אימתי:
2He said: "The Lord came from Sinai and shone forth from Seir to them; He appeared from Mount Paran and came with some of the holy myriads; from His right hand was a fiery Law for them. בוַיֹּאמַ֗ר יְהֹוָ֞ה מִסִּינַ֥י בָּא֙ וְזָרַ֤ח מִשֵּׂעִיר֙ לָ֔מוֹ הוֹפִ֨יעַ֙ מֵהַ֣ר פָּארָ֔ן וְאָתָ֖ה מֵרִֽבְבֹ֣ת קֹ֑דֶשׁ מִֽימִינ֕וֹ אֵ֥שׁ דָּ֖ת לָֽמוֹ:
He said: The Lord came from Sinai: Moses initiated his blessing by praising the Omnipresent, and then he addressed the needs of Israel. — [Sifrei 33:2] The praise with which Moses commenced, mentions the merit of Israel. All this was a way of conciliation, as if to say, “These people are worthy that a blessing should rest upon them.” ויאמר ה' מסיני בא: פתח תחלה בשבחו של מקום ואחר כך פתח בצרכיהם של ישראל. ובשבח שפתח בו יש בו הזכרת זכות לישראל וכל זה דרך ריצוי הוא, כלומר כדאי הם אלו שתחול עליהם ברכה:
came from Sinai: He came out toward them when they came to stand at the foot of the mountain, as a bridegroom goes forth to greet his bride, as it is said, “[And Moses brought the people forth] toward God” (Exod. 19:17). We learn from this, that God came out toward them (Mechilta 19:17). מסיני בא: יצא לקראתם כשבאו להתיצב בתחתית ההר כחתן היוצא להקביל פני כלה, שנאמר (שמות יט, יז) לקראת האלהים, למדנו שיצא כנגדם:
and shone forth from Seir to them: [Why did He come from Seir?] Because God first offered the children of Esau [who dwelled in Seir] that they accept the Torah, but they did not want [to accept it]. וזרח משעיר למו: שפתח לבני עשו שיקבלו את התורה ולא רצו:
He appeared: to them [Israel] הופיע: להם:
from Mount Paran: [Why did God then come from Paran?] Because He went there and offered the children of Ishmael [who dwelled in Paran] to accept the Torah, but they [also] did not want [to accept it]. — [A.Z. 2b] מהר פארן: שהלך שם ופתח לבני ישמעאל שיקבלוה, ולא רצו:
and came: to Israel. ואתה: לישראל
with some holy myriads: With God were only some of the myriads of His holy angels, but not all of them, nor [even] most of them. This is unlike the manner of a mortal, who displays all the splendor of his riches and his glory on his wedding day. — [Sifrei 33:2] מרבבת קדש: ועמו מקצת רבבות מלאכי קדש, ולא כולם ולא רובם, ולא כדרך בשר ודם שמראה כל כבוד עשרו ותפארתו ביום חופתו:
a fiery law for them: It was originally written before God in [letters of] black fire upon [a background of] white fire. — [Tanchuma Bereishith 1] He gave it to them on tablets, inscribed, [as it were,] by His right hand [thus it is said here, “from His right hand”]. Another explanation of אֵשׁ דָּת : As the Targum renders it, that He gave it to them from amidst the fire. אש דת: שהיתה כתובה מאז לפניו באש שחורה על גב אש לבנה, נתן להם בלוחות כתב יד ימינו. דבר אחר אש דת כתרגומו, שנתנה להם מתוך האש:
3Indeed, You showed love for peoples; all his holy ones are in Your hand, for they let themselves be centered at Your feet, bearing Your utterances. גאַ֚ף חֹבֵ֣ב עַמִּ֔ים כָּל־קְדשָׁ֖יו בְּיָדֶ֑ךָ וְהֵם֙ תֻּכּ֣וּ לְרַגְלֶ֔ךָ יִשָּׂ֖א מִדַּבְּרֹתֶֽיךָ:
Indeed, You showed love for peoples: [God] also displayed great affection to the tribes, each one of whom were known as a people, for only Benjamin was destined to be born when the Holy One, blessed is He, said to Jacob, “A nation and a multitude of nations shall come into existence from you” (Genesis 35:11). [Thus we see that Benjamin alone was called “a nation.” “A multitude of nations” refers to Ephraim and Manasseh. See Rashi on Gen. 35:11, 48:4.]- [Gen. Rabbah 82:4] אף חבב עמים: גם חבה יתירה חבב את השבטים. כל אחד ואחד קרוי עם, שהרי בנימין לבדו היה עתיד להוולד כשאמר הקב"ה ליעקב (בראשית לה, יא) גוי וקהל גוים יהיה ממך:
all his holy ones are in Your hand: [This refers to] the souls of the righteous, which are hidden away with God, as it is said, “But my lord’s soul shall be bound up in the bundle of life, with the Lord, your God” (I Sam. 25:29). - [Sifrei 33:3] כל קדשיו בידך: נפשות הצדיקים הגנוזות אתו, כענין שנאמר (שמואל א' כה, כט) והיתה נפש אדוני צרורה בצרור החיים את ה' אלהיך:
for they […] be centered at Your feet: And Israel is indeed worthy of this [privilege to have their souls hidden away with God], because they placed themselves right in the middle (תּוֹךְ) of the bottom of the mountain at Your feet [figuratively speaking] at Sinai. The word תֻּכּוּ is in the passive conjugation, which has the meaning: הִתְוַכּוּ, “They [allowed themselves] to be placed right in the middle (תּוֹךְ)” [of the underside of the mountain], between Your feet. והם תכו לרגלך: והם ראוים לכך, שהרי תכו עצמן לתוך תחתית ההר לרגלך בסיני. תכו לשון פועלו, הותווכו לתוך מרגלותיך:
bearing Your utterances: They bore upon themselves the yoke of Your Torah. — [Sifrei 33:3] ישא מדברתיך: נשאו עליהם עול תורתך:
Your Torah: Heb. מִדַּבְּרֹתֶיךָ. The mem in it [i.e., in this word] is somewhat of a root letter [rather than a prefix], as in “And he heard the voice speaking (מִדַּבֵּר) to him” (Num. 7:89); and “And I heard what was being spoken (מִדַּבֵּר) to me” (Ezek. 2:2). This form is similar to מִתְדַּבֵּר אֵלַי, [speaking to Himself for me to hear, see Rashi on Num. 7:89]. This too, namely, the word מִדַּבְּרֹתֶיךָ, means: “what You were speaking to let me know what to tell the children of Israel.” Tes porparledurs in Old French. Onkelos, however, renders [the phrase יִשָּׂא מִדַּבְּרֹתֶיךָ as: “they traveled (יִשָּׂא like יִסַּע) according to Your commands (דַּבְּרֹתֶיךָ).” Thus, the mem is a servile prefix, with the meaning of מִן, from. [Thus, according to Onkelos, the word מִדַּבְּרֹתֶיךָ literally means, from Your utterances.] Another explanation [of this verse is as follows]: Indeed, You showed love for peoples — even when You displayed Your affection towards the nations of the world, showing them a smiling [friendly] face, and You delivered Israel into their hands, מדברתיך: המ"ם בו קרוב ליסוד, כמו (במדבר ז, פט) וישמע את הקול מדבר אליו, (יחזקאל ב, ב) ואשמע את קול מדבר אלי, כמו מתדבר אלי, אף זה מדברותיך מה שהיית מדבר להשמיעני לאמר להם. טיי"ש פורפרלידורי"ש בלע"ז [דיבורך]. ואונקלוס תרגם שהיו נוסעים על פי דבריך, והמ"ם בו שמוש משמשת לשון מן. דבר אחר אף חבב עמים אף בשעת חבתם של אומות העולם שהראית להם פנים שוחקות ומסרת את ישראל בידם:
all his holy ones are in Your hand: All Israel’s righteous and good people clung to You; they did not turn away from You, and You guarded them. — [B.B. 8a)] כל קדשיו בידך: כל צדיקיהם וטוביהם דבקו בך ולא משו מאחריך ואתה שומרם:
for they let themselves be centered at your feet: And they placed themselves right in the middle of, and entered beneath Your [protective] shadow; והם תכו לרגלך: והם מתמצעים ומתכנסים לתחת צלך:
bearing your utterances: And they gladly accepted Your decrees and Your laws. — [see Tanchuma 5] And these were their words: ישא מדברתיך: מקבלים גזרותיך ודתותיך בשמחה. ואלה דבריהם:
4The Torah that Moses commanded us is a legacy for the congregation of Jacob. דתּוֹרָ֥ה צִוָּה־לָ֖נוּ משֶׁ֑ה מֽוֹרָשָׁ֖ה קְהִלַּ֥ת יַֽעֲקֹֽב:
The Torah that Moses commanded us is a legacy for the congregation of Jacob: We have taken hold of it, and we will not forsake it! תורה: אשר צוה לנו משה מורשה היא לקהלת יעקב, אחזנוה ולא נעזבנה:
5And He was King in Jeshurun, whenever the sum total of the people were gathered, and the tribes of Israel were together, הוַיְהִ֥י בִֽישֻׁר֖וּן מֶ֑לֶךְ בְּהִתְאַסֵּף֙ רָ֣אשֵׁי עָ֔ם יַ֖חַד שִׁבְטֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל:
And He was: i.e., the Holy One, blessed is He, ויהי: הקב"ה:
was King in Jeshurun: i.e., the yoke of God’s sovereignty was always upon them. בישרון מלך: תמיד עול מלכותו עליהם:
whenever the sum total of the people were gathered: At every gathering of רָאשֵׁי - meaning, whenever their number is gathered. רָאשֵׁי as in the verse,“When you take the count (רֹאשׁ) of the children of Israel” (Exod. 30:12). These people are worthy that I should bless them. Another explanation: When Israel is gathered together in a unified group, and there is peace among them, God is their King-but not when there is strife among them. — [Sifrei 33:5] בהתאסף: בכל התאסף ראשי חשבון אסיפתם. ראשי, כמו (שמות ל, יב) כי תשא את ראש, ראויין אלו שאברכם. דבר אחר, בהתאסף, בהתאספם יחד באגודה אחת ושלום ביניהם הוא מלכם, ולא כשיש מחלוקת ביניהם:
6May Reuben live and not die, and may his people be counted in the number. ויְחִ֥י רְאוּבֵ֖ן וְאַל־יָמֹ֑ת וִיהִ֥י מְתָ֖יו מִסְפָּֽר:
May Reuben live: in this world, יחי ראובן: בעולם הזה:
and not die: in the world-to-come, that the incident involving Bilhah not be remembered against him. — [see Rashi Gen. 35:22; Sifrei 33:6] ואל ימות: לעולם הבא, שלא יזכר לו מעשה בלהה:
and may his people be counted in the number: May Reuben be counted along with the enumeration of the rest of his brothers. This [matter, that the incident involving Bilhah should not exclude Reuben from being counted together with his brothers] is similar to what is said: “[And Reuben went] and lay with Bilhah… and Jacob’s sons were twelve” (Gen. 35:22), [indicating] that he was not excluded from the number [of Jacob’s sons, on account of this incident]. ויהי מתיו מספר: נמנין במנין שאר אחיו, דוגמא היא זו כענין שנאמר (בראשית לה, כב) וישכב את בלהה ויהיו בני יעקב שנים עשר, שלא יצא מן המנין:
7May this [also be] for Judah." And he [Moses] said, "O Lord, hearken to Judah's voice and bring him to his people; may his hands do battle for him, and may You be a help against his adversaries." זוְזֹ֣את לִֽיהוּדָה֘ וַיֹּאמַר֒ שְׁמַ֤ע יְהֹוָה֙ ק֣וֹל יְהוּדָ֔ה וְאֶל־עַמּ֖וֹ תְּבִיאֶ֑נּוּ יָדָיו֙ רָ֣ב ל֔וֹ וְעֵ֥זֶר מִצָּרָ֖יו תִּֽהְיֶֽה:
May this [also be] for Judah: He juxtaposed Judah to Reuben, because they both confessed to the wrong they had done, as it is said, “that wise men have told… to them alone… and no stranger passed between them” (Job 15:18-19). [This verse alludes to the confession of Reuben and Judah (“that wise men have told”), and how they were consequently blessed here together (“them alone”); although Levi was next in line chronologically to Reuben, nevertheless here, in the context of this blessing, Levi did not come between them (“no stranger came between them”), but rather, he was blessed immediately afterwards (verses 8-11).]- [see Rashi, Job 15:19] Our Rabbis further explained that during the entire forty years that Israel was in the desert, Judah’s bones were rolling in his coffin, because of the excommunication which he had accepted upon himself [when he took responsibility for Benjamin], as it is said, “If I will not bring him to you… then I have sinned against you all of the days” (Gen. 43:9). [So], Moses said, “Who caused Reuben to [publicly] confess his sin? It was Judah…” (see Sotah 7b) [and thus, by placing Judah together with Reuben, Moses alluded to this merit of Judah, and, in effect, “May the Lord listen to Judah’s voice,” is a prayer that Judah’s bones would finally come to rest]. וזאת ליהודה: סמך יהודה לראובן, מפני ששניהם הודו על קלקול שבידם, שנאמר (איוב טו, יח - יט) אשר חכמים יגידו וגו' להם לבדם וגו' ולא עבר זר בתוכם. ועוד פירשו רבותינו, שכל ארבעים שנה שהיו ישראל במדבר היו עצמות יהודה מתגלגלים בארון מפני נדוי שקבל עליו, שנאמר (בראשית מד, לב) וחטאתי לאבי כל הימים, אמר משה מי גרם לראובן שיודה יהודה וכו':
O Lord, hearken to Judah’s voice: [I.e., Also, hear the prayer of Judah’s descendants:] The prayer of David and Solomon, and the prayer of Asa because of the Ethiopians, and that of Jehoshaphat on account of the Ammonites, and that of Hezekiah because of Sennacherib. — [see Sifrei 33:7] שמע ה' קול יהודה: תפלת דוד ושלמה ואסא מפני הכושים, ויהושפט מפני העמונים, וחזקיה מפני סנחריב:
and bring him to his people: in peace, from war. ואל עמו תביאנו: לשלום מפני המלחמה:
his hands will do battle for him: May his hands fight his battle (רִיבוֹ), and may they exact his vengeance. ידיו רב לו: יריבו ריבו וינקמו נקמתו:
and may You be a help against his adversaries: [Moses here] was praying for [Judah’s descendant] Jehoshaphat, concerning the battle of Ramoth Gilead, [as Scripture states,] “Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him (עֲזָרוֹ)” (II Chron. 18:31). Another explanation: ועזר מצריו תהיה: על יהושפט התפלל על מלחמת רמות גלעד, (דה"ב יח, לא) ויזעק יהושפט וה' עזרו. דבר אחר ...
O Lord, hearken to Judah’s voice: Here, included within Judah’s blessing, Moses alluded to [and incorporated] a blessing for Simeon [the allusion being in the word שְׁמַע, the very root of שִׁמְעוֹן]. Also [in accordance with this incorporation of Simeon within Judah], when they divided Eretz Israel [among the tribes], Simeon received [his portion] out of the lot of Judah, as Scripture states, “Out of the lot of the children of Judah was the inheritance of the children of Simeon” (Josh. 19:9). - [Sifrei 33:7] Now why did Moses not devote a separate blessing for him? Because he held against him what he had done in Shittim [referring to the sin of Zimri the son of Salu, a leader of the tribe of Simeon (see Num. 25:1-14)]. So it is written in the Aggadah of Psalms. — [Shocher Tov 90] שמע ה' קול יהודה: כאן רמז ברכה לשמעון מתוך ברכותיו של יהודה, ואף כשחלקו ארץ ישראל נטל שמעון מתוך גורלו של יהודה שנאמר (יהושע יט, ט) מחבל בני יהודה נחלת בני שמעון. ומפני מה לא ייחד לו ברכה בפני עצמו, שהיה בלבו עליו על מה שעשה בשטים, כן כתוב באגדת תהלים:
Daily Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 104 - 105
• Chapter 104
This psalm tells of the beauty of creation, describing that which was created on each of the six days of creation. It proclaims the awesomeness of God Who sustains it all-from the horns of the wild ox to the eggs of the louse.
1. My soul, bless the Lord! Lord my God, You are greatly exalted; You have garbed Yourself with majesty and splendor.
2. You enwrap [Yourself] with light as with a garment; You spread the heavens as a curtain.
3. He roofs His heavens with water; He makes the clouds His chariot, He moves [them] on the wings of the wind.
4. He makes the winds His messengers, the blazing fire His servants.
5. He established the earth on its foundations, that it shall never falter.
6. The depths covered it as a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.
7. At Your exhortation they fled; at the sound of Your thunder they rushed away.
8. They ascended mountains, they flowed down valleys, to the place which You have assigned for them.
9. You set a boundary which they may not cross, so that they should not return to engulf the earth.
10. He sends forth springs into streams; they flow between the mountains.
11. They give drink to all the beasts of the field; the wild animals quench their thirst.
12. The birds of the heavens dwell beside them; they raise their voice from among the foliage.
13. He irrigates the mountains from His clouds above; the earth is satiated from the fruit of Your works.
14. He makes grass grow for the cattle, and vegetation requiring the labor of man to bring forth food from the earth;
15. and wine that gladdens man's heart, oil that makes the face shine, and bread that sustains man's heart.
16. The trees of the Lord drink their fill, the cedars of Lebanon which He planted,
17. wherein birds build their nests; the stork has her home in the cypress.
18. The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the rabbits.
19. He made the moon to calculate the festivals; the sun knows its time of setting.
20. You bring on darkness and it is night, when all the beasts of the forest creep forth.
21. The young lions roar for prey, and seek their food from God.
22. When the sun rises, they return and lie down in their dens.
23. Then man goes out to his work, to his labor until evening.
24. How manifold are Your works, O Lord! You have made them all with wisdom; the earth is full of Your possessions.
25. This sea, vast and wide, where there are countless creeping creatures, living things small and great;
26. there ships travel, there is the Leviathan that You created to frolic therein.
27. They all look expectantly to You to give them their food at the proper time.
28. When You give it to them, they gather it; when You open Your hand, they are satiated with goodness.
29. When You conceal Your countenance, they are terrified; when You take back their spirit, they perish and return to their dust.
30. When You will send forth Your spirit they will be created anew, and You will renew the face of the earth.
31. May the glory of the Lord be forever; may the Lord find delight in His works.
32. He looks at the earth, and it trembles; He touches the mountains, and they smoke.
33. I will sing to the Lord with my soul; I will chant praise to my God with my [entire] being.
34. May my prayer be pleasant to Him; I will rejoice in the Lord.
35. May sinners cease from the earth, and the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord!
Chapter 105
When David brought the Holy Ark up to the City of David, he composed this psalm and sang it before the Ark. He recounts all the miracles that God performed for the Jews in Egypt: sending before them Joseph, who was imprisoned, only to be liberated by God, eventually attaining the status of one who could imprison the princes of Egypt without consulting Pharaoh.
1. Offer praise to the Lord, proclaim His Name; make His deeds known among the nations.
2. Sing to Him, chant praises to Him, speak of all His wonders.
3. Glory in His holy Name; may the heart of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
4. Search for the Lord and His might; seek His countenance always.
5. Remember the wonders that He has wrought, His miracles, and the judgements of His mouth.
6. O descendants of Abraham His servant, children of Jacob, His chosen ones:
7. He is the Lord our God; His judgements extend over the entire earth.
8. He remembers His covenant forever, the word which He has commanded to a thousand generations;
9. the covenant which He made with Abraham, and His oath to Isaac.
10. He established it for Jacob as a statute, for Israel as an everlasting covenant,
11. stating, "To you I shall give the land of Canaan"-the portion of your inheritance,
12. when they were but few, very few, and strangers in it.
13. They wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people.
14. He permitted no one to wrong them, and admonished kings for their sake:
15. "Do not touch My anointed ones, and do not harm My prophets.”
16. He called for a famine upon the land; He broke every source of bread.
17. He sent a man before them; Joseph was sold as a slave.
18. They afflicted his foot with chains, his soul was put into iron;
19. until the time that His words came, the decree of the Lord purified him.
20. The king sent [word] and released him, the ruler of nations set him free.
21. He appointed him master of his house and ruler of all his possessions,
22. to imprison his princes at will, and to enlighten his elders.
23. Thus Israel came to Egypt, and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham (Egypt).
24. He multiplied His nation greatly, and made it mightier than its adversaries.
25. He turned their hearts to hate His nation, to conspire against His servants.
26. He sent Moses, His servant; Aaron, whom He had chosen.
27. They placed among them the words of His signs, miracles in the land of Ham.
28. He sent darkness and made it dark, and they did not defy His word.
29. He transformed their waters to blood, and killed their fish.
30. Their land swarmed with frogs in the chambers of their kings.
31. He spoke, and hordes of wild beasts came, and lice throughout their borders.
32. He turned their rains to hail, flaming fire in their land;
33. it struck their vine and fig tree, it broke the trees of their borders.
34. He spoke, and grasshoppers came, locusts without number;
35. and it consumed all grass in their land, it ate the fruit of their soil.
36. Then He smote every firstborn in their land, the first of all their potency.
37. And He took them out with silver and gold, and none among His tribes stumbled.
38. Egypt rejoiced at their leaving, for the fear [of Israel] had fallen upon them.
39. He spread out a cloud for shelter, and a fire to illuminate the night.
40. [Israel] asked, and He brought quail, and with the bread of heaven He satisfied them.
41. He opened a rock and waters flowed; they streamed through dry places like a river,
42. for He remembered His holy word to Abraham His servant.
43. And He brought out His nation with joy, His chosen ones with song.
44. He gave them the lands of nations, they inherited the toil of peoples,
45. so that they might keep His statutes and observe His laws. Praise the Lord!
Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, middle of Epistle 23
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Sunday, 21 Tishrei, 5777 · 23 October 2016
• Iggeret HaKodesh, middle of Epistle 23
• על כן, אהובי אחיי ורעיי, אל נא תרעו הרעה הגדולה הזאת
• Rambam: Sefer Hamitzvos:
• Deuteronomy Chapter 33
1And this is the blessing with which Moses, the man of God, blessed the children of Israel [just] before his death. אוְזֹ֣את הַבְּרָכָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר בֵּרַ֥ךְ משֶׁ֛ה אִ֥ישׁ הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל לִפְנֵ֖י מוֹתֽוֹ:
And this is the blessing… [just] before his death: Very close to the time of his death. — [see Sifrei 33: 1] “For, if not now, when?” וזאת הברכה, לפני מותו: סמוך למיתתו שאם לא עכשיו אימתי:
2He said: "The Lord came from Sinai and shone forth from Seir to them; He appeared from Mount Paran and came with some of the holy myriads; from His right hand was a fiery Law for them. בוַיֹּאמַ֗ר יְהֹוָ֞ה מִסִּינַ֥י בָּא֙ וְזָרַ֤ח מִשֵּׂעִיר֙ לָ֔מוֹ הוֹפִ֨יעַ֙ מֵהַ֣ר פָּארָ֔ן וְאָתָ֖ה מֵרִֽבְבֹ֣ת קֹ֑דֶשׁ מִֽימִינ֕וֹ אֵ֥שׁ דָּ֖ת לָֽמוֹ:
He said: The Lord came from Sinai: Moses initiated his blessing by praising the Omnipresent, and then he addressed the needs of Israel. — [Sifrei 33:2] The praise with which Moses commenced, mentions the merit of Israel. All this was a way of conciliation, as if to say, “These people are worthy that a blessing should rest upon them.” ויאמר ה' מסיני בא: פתח תחלה בשבחו של מקום ואחר כך פתח בצרכיהם של ישראל. ובשבח שפתח בו יש בו הזכרת זכות לישראל וכל זה דרך ריצוי הוא, כלומר כדאי הם אלו שתחול עליהם ברכה:
came from Sinai: He came out toward them when they came to stand at the foot of the mountain, as a bridegroom goes forth to greet his bride, as it is said, “[And Moses brought the people forth] toward God” (Exod. 19:17). We learn from this, that God came out toward them (Mechilta 19:17). מסיני בא: יצא לקראתם כשבאו להתיצב בתחתית ההר כחתן היוצא להקביל פני כלה, שנאמר (שמות יט, יז) לקראת האלהים, למדנו שיצא כנגדם:
and shone forth from Seir to them: [Why did He come from Seir?] Because God first offered the children of Esau [who dwelled in Seir] that they accept the Torah, but they did not want [to accept it]. וזרח משעיר למו: שפתח לבני עשו שיקבלו את התורה ולא רצו:
He appeared: to them [Israel] הופיע: להם:
from Mount Paran: [Why did God then come from Paran?] Because He went there and offered the children of Ishmael [who dwelled in Paran] to accept the Torah, but they [also] did not want [to accept it]. — [A.Z. 2b] מהר פארן: שהלך שם ופתח לבני ישמעאל שיקבלוה, ולא רצו:
and came: to Israel. ואתה: לישראל
with some holy myriads: With God were only some of the myriads of His holy angels, but not all of them, nor [even] most of them. This is unlike the manner of a mortal, who displays all the splendor of his riches and his glory on his wedding day. — [Sifrei 33:2] מרבבת קדש: ועמו מקצת רבבות מלאכי קדש, ולא כולם ולא רובם, ולא כדרך בשר ודם שמראה כל כבוד עשרו ותפארתו ביום חופתו:
a fiery law for them: It was originally written before God in [letters of] black fire upon [a background of] white fire. — [Tanchuma Bereishith 1] He gave it to them on tablets, inscribed, [as it were,] by His right hand [thus it is said here, “from His right hand”]. Another explanation of אֵשׁ דָּת : As the Targum renders it, that He gave it to them from amidst the fire. אש דת: שהיתה כתובה מאז לפניו באש שחורה על גב אש לבנה, נתן להם בלוחות כתב יד ימינו. דבר אחר אש דת כתרגומו, שנתנה להם מתוך האש:
3Indeed, You showed love for peoples; all his holy ones are in Your hand, for they let themselves be centered at Your feet, bearing Your utterances. גאַ֚ף חֹבֵ֣ב עַמִּ֔ים כָּל־קְדשָׁ֖יו בְּיָדֶ֑ךָ וְהֵם֙ תֻּכּ֣וּ לְרַגְלֶ֔ךָ יִשָּׂ֖א מִדַּבְּרֹתֶֽיךָ:
Indeed, You showed love for peoples: [God] also displayed great affection to the tribes, each one of whom were known as a people, for only Benjamin was destined to be born when the Holy One, blessed is He, said to Jacob, “A nation and a multitude of nations shall come into existence from you” (Genesis 35:11). [Thus we see that Benjamin alone was called “a nation.” “A multitude of nations” refers to Ephraim and Manasseh. See Rashi on Gen. 35:11, 48:4.]- [Gen. Rabbah 82:4] אף חבב עמים: גם חבה יתירה חבב את השבטים. כל אחד ואחד קרוי עם, שהרי בנימין לבדו היה עתיד להוולד כשאמר הקב"ה ליעקב (בראשית לה, יא) גוי וקהל גוים יהיה ממך:
all his holy ones are in Your hand: [This refers to] the souls of the righteous, which are hidden away with God, as it is said, “But my lord’s soul shall be bound up in the bundle of life, with the Lord, your God” (I Sam. 25:29). - [Sifrei 33:3] כל קדשיו בידך: נפשות הצדיקים הגנוזות אתו, כענין שנאמר (שמואל א' כה, כט) והיתה נפש אדוני צרורה בצרור החיים את ה' אלהיך:
for they […] be centered at Your feet: And Israel is indeed worthy of this [privilege to have their souls hidden away with God], because they placed themselves right in the middle (תּוֹךְ) of the bottom of the mountain at Your feet [figuratively speaking] at Sinai. The word תֻּכּוּ is in the passive conjugation, which has the meaning: הִתְוַכּוּ, “They [allowed themselves] to be placed right in the middle (תּוֹךְ)” [of the underside of the mountain], between Your feet. והם תכו לרגלך: והם ראוים לכך, שהרי תכו עצמן לתוך תחתית ההר לרגלך בסיני. תכו לשון פועלו, הותווכו לתוך מרגלותיך:
bearing Your utterances: They bore upon themselves the yoke of Your Torah. — [Sifrei 33:3] ישא מדברתיך: נשאו עליהם עול תורתך:
Your Torah: Heb. מִדַּבְּרֹתֶיךָ. The mem in it [i.e., in this word] is somewhat of a root letter [rather than a prefix], as in “And he heard the voice speaking (מִדַּבֵּר) to him” (Num. 7:89); and “And I heard what was being spoken (מִדַּבֵּר) to me” (Ezek. 2:2). This form is similar to מִתְדַּבֵּר אֵלַי, [speaking to Himself for me to hear, see Rashi on Num. 7:89]. This too, namely, the word מִדַּבְּרֹתֶיךָ, means: “what You were speaking to let me know what to tell the children of Israel.” Tes porparledurs in Old French. Onkelos, however, renders [the phrase יִשָּׂא מִדַּבְּרֹתֶיךָ as: “they traveled (יִשָּׂא like יִסַּע) according to Your commands (דַּבְּרֹתֶיךָ).” Thus, the mem is a servile prefix, with the meaning of מִן, from. [Thus, according to Onkelos, the word מִדַּבְּרֹתֶיךָ literally means, from Your utterances.] Another explanation [of this verse is as follows]: Indeed, You showed love for peoples — even when You displayed Your affection towards the nations of the world, showing them a smiling [friendly] face, and You delivered Israel into their hands, מדברתיך: המ"ם בו קרוב ליסוד, כמו (במדבר ז, פט) וישמע את הקול מדבר אליו, (יחזקאל ב, ב) ואשמע את קול מדבר אלי, כמו מתדבר אלי, אף זה מדברותיך מה שהיית מדבר להשמיעני לאמר להם. טיי"ש פורפרלידורי"ש בלע"ז [דיבורך]. ואונקלוס תרגם שהיו נוסעים על פי דבריך, והמ"ם בו שמוש משמשת לשון מן. דבר אחר אף חבב עמים אף בשעת חבתם של אומות העולם שהראית להם פנים שוחקות ומסרת את ישראל בידם:
all his holy ones are in Your hand: All Israel’s righteous and good people clung to You; they did not turn away from You, and You guarded them. — [B.B. 8a)] כל קדשיו בידך: כל צדיקיהם וטוביהם דבקו בך ולא משו מאחריך ואתה שומרם:
for they let themselves be centered at your feet: And they placed themselves right in the middle of, and entered beneath Your [protective] shadow; והם תכו לרגלך: והם מתמצעים ומתכנסים לתחת צלך:
bearing your utterances: And they gladly accepted Your decrees and Your laws. — [see Tanchuma 5] And these were their words: ישא מדברתיך: מקבלים גזרותיך ודתותיך בשמחה. ואלה דבריהם:
4The Torah that Moses commanded us is a legacy for the congregation of Jacob. דתּוֹרָ֥ה צִוָּה־לָ֖נוּ משֶׁ֑ה מֽוֹרָשָׁ֖ה קְהִלַּ֥ת יַֽעֲקֹֽב:
The Torah that Moses commanded us is a legacy for the congregation of Jacob: We have taken hold of it, and we will not forsake it! תורה: אשר צוה לנו משה מורשה היא לקהלת יעקב, אחזנוה ולא נעזבנה:
5And He was King in Jeshurun, whenever the sum total of the people were gathered, and the tribes of Israel were together, הוַיְהִ֥י בִֽישֻׁר֖וּן מֶ֑לֶךְ בְּהִתְאַסֵּף֙ רָ֣אשֵׁי עָ֔ם יַ֖חַד שִׁבְטֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל:
And He was: i.e., the Holy One, blessed is He, ויהי: הקב"ה:
was King in Jeshurun: i.e., the yoke of God’s sovereignty was always upon them. בישרון מלך: תמיד עול מלכותו עליהם:
whenever the sum total of the people were gathered: At every gathering of רָאשֵׁי - meaning, whenever their number is gathered. רָאשֵׁי as in the verse,“When you take the count (רֹאשׁ) of the children of Israel” (Exod. 30:12). These people are worthy that I should bless them. Another explanation: When Israel is gathered together in a unified group, and there is peace among them, God is their King-but not when there is strife among them. — [Sifrei 33:5] בהתאסף: בכל התאסף ראשי חשבון אסיפתם. ראשי, כמו (שמות ל, יב) כי תשא את ראש, ראויין אלו שאברכם. דבר אחר, בהתאסף, בהתאספם יחד באגודה אחת ושלום ביניהם הוא מלכם, ולא כשיש מחלוקת ביניהם:
6May Reuben live and not die, and may his people be counted in the number. ויְחִ֥י רְאוּבֵ֖ן וְאַל־יָמֹ֑ת וִיהִ֥י מְתָ֖יו מִסְפָּֽר:
May Reuben live: in this world, יחי ראובן: בעולם הזה:
and not die: in the world-to-come, that the incident involving Bilhah not be remembered against him. — [see Rashi Gen. 35:22; Sifrei 33:6] ואל ימות: לעולם הבא, שלא יזכר לו מעשה בלהה:
and may his people be counted in the number: May Reuben be counted along with the enumeration of the rest of his brothers. This [matter, that the incident involving Bilhah should not exclude Reuben from being counted together with his brothers] is similar to what is said: “[And Reuben went] and lay with Bilhah… and Jacob’s sons were twelve” (Gen. 35:22), [indicating] that he was not excluded from the number [of Jacob’s sons, on account of this incident]. ויהי מתיו מספר: נמנין במנין שאר אחיו, דוגמא היא זו כענין שנאמר (בראשית לה, כב) וישכב את בלהה ויהיו בני יעקב שנים עשר, שלא יצא מן המנין:
7May this [also be] for Judah." And he [Moses] said, "O Lord, hearken to Judah's voice and bring him to his people; may his hands do battle for him, and may You be a help against his adversaries." זוְזֹ֣את לִֽיהוּדָה֘ וַיֹּאמַר֒ שְׁמַ֤ע יְהֹוָה֙ ק֣וֹל יְהוּדָ֔ה וְאֶל־עַמּ֖וֹ תְּבִיאֶ֑נּוּ יָדָיו֙ רָ֣ב ל֔וֹ וְעֵ֥זֶר מִצָּרָ֖יו תִּֽהְיֶֽה:
May this [also be] for Judah: He juxtaposed Judah to Reuben, because they both confessed to the wrong they had done, as it is said, “that wise men have told… to them alone… and no stranger passed between them” (Job 15:18-19). [This verse alludes to the confession of Reuben and Judah (“that wise men have told”), and how they were consequently blessed here together (“them alone”); although Levi was next in line chronologically to Reuben, nevertheless here, in the context of this blessing, Levi did not come between them (“no stranger came between them”), but rather, he was blessed immediately afterwards (verses 8-11).]- [see Rashi, Job 15:19] Our Rabbis further explained that during the entire forty years that Israel was in the desert, Judah’s bones were rolling in his coffin, because of the excommunication which he had accepted upon himself [when he took responsibility for Benjamin], as it is said, “If I will not bring him to you… then I have sinned against you all of the days” (Gen. 43:9). [So], Moses said, “Who caused Reuben to [publicly] confess his sin? It was Judah…” (see Sotah 7b) [and thus, by placing Judah together with Reuben, Moses alluded to this merit of Judah, and, in effect, “May the Lord listen to Judah’s voice,” is a prayer that Judah’s bones would finally come to rest]. וזאת ליהודה: סמך יהודה לראובן, מפני ששניהם הודו על קלקול שבידם, שנאמר (איוב טו, יח - יט) אשר חכמים יגידו וגו' להם לבדם וגו' ולא עבר זר בתוכם. ועוד פירשו רבותינו, שכל ארבעים שנה שהיו ישראל במדבר היו עצמות יהודה מתגלגלים בארון מפני נדוי שקבל עליו, שנאמר (בראשית מד, לב) וחטאתי לאבי כל הימים, אמר משה מי גרם לראובן שיודה יהודה וכו':
O Lord, hearken to Judah’s voice: [I.e., Also, hear the prayer of Judah’s descendants:] The prayer of David and Solomon, and the prayer of Asa because of the Ethiopians, and that of Jehoshaphat on account of the Ammonites, and that of Hezekiah because of Sennacherib. — [see Sifrei 33:7] שמע ה' קול יהודה: תפלת דוד ושלמה ואסא מפני הכושים, ויהושפט מפני העמונים, וחזקיה מפני סנחריב:
and bring him to his people: in peace, from war. ואל עמו תביאנו: לשלום מפני המלחמה:
his hands will do battle for him: May his hands fight his battle (רִיבוֹ), and may they exact his vengeance. ידיו רב לו: יריבו ריבו וינקמו נקמתו:
and may You be a help against his adversaries: [Moses here] was praying for [Judah’s descendant] Jehoshaphat, concerning the battle of Ramoth Gilead, [as Scripture states,] “Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him (עֲזָרוֹ)” (II Chron. 18:31). Another explanation: ועזר מצריו תהיה: על יהושפט התפלל על מלחמת רמות גלעד, (דה"ב יח, לא) ויזעק יהושפט וה' עזרו. דבר אחר ...
O Lord, hearken to Judah’s voice: Here, included within Judah’s blessing, Moses alluded to [and incorporated] a blessing for Simeon [the allusion being in the word שְׁמַע, the very root of שִׁמְעוֹן]. Also [in accordance with this incorporation of Simeon within Judah], when they divided Eretz Israel [among the tribes], Simeon received [his portion] out of the lot of Judah, as Scripture states, “Out of the lot of the children of Judah was the inheritance of the children of Simeon” (Josh. 19:9). - [Sifrei 33:7] Now why did Moses not devote a separate blessing for him? Because he held against him what he had done in Shittim [referring to the sin of Zimri the son of Salu, a leader of the tribe of Simeon (see Num. 25:1-14)]. So it is written in the Aggadah of Psalms. — [Shocher Tov 90] שמע ה' קול יהודה: כאן רמז ברכה לשמעון מתוך ברכותיו של יהודה, ואף כשחלקו ארץ ישראל נטל שמעון מתוך גורלו של יהודה שנאמר (יהושע יט, ט) מחבל בני יהודה נחלת בני שמעון. ומפני מה לא ייחד לו ברכה בפני עצמו, שהיה בלבו עליו על מה שעשה בשטים, כן כתוב באגדת תהלים:
Daily Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 104 - 105
• Chapter 104
This psalm tells of the beauty of creation, describing that which was created on each of the six days of creation. It proclaims the awesomeness of God Who sustains it all-from the horns of the wild ox to the eggs of the louse.
1. My soul, bless the Lord! Lord my God, You are greatly exalted; You have garbed Yourself with majesty and splendor.
2. You enwrap [Yourself] with light as with a garment; You spread the heavens as a curtain.
3. He roofs His heavens with water; He makes the clouds His chariot, He moves [them] on the wings of the wind.
4. He makes the winds His messengers, the blazing fire His servants.
5. He established the earth on its foundations, that it shall never falter.
6. The depths covered it as a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.
7. At Your exhortation they fled; at the sound of Your thunder they rushed away.
8. They ascended mountains, they flowed down valleys, to the place which You have assigned for them.
9. You set a boundary which they may not cross, so that they should not return to engulf the earth.
10. He sends forth springs into streams; they flow between the mountains.
11. They give drink to all the beasts of the field; the wild animals quench their thirst.
12. The birds of the heavens dwell beside them; they raise their voice from among the foliage.
13. He irrigates the mountains from His clouds above; the earth is satiated from the fruit of Your works.
14. He makes grass grow for the cattle, and vegetation requiring the labor of man to bring forth food from the earth;
15. and wine that gladdens man's heart, oil that makes the face shine, and bread that sustains man's heart.
16. The trees of the Lord drink their fill, the cedars of Lebanon which He planted,
17. wherein birds build their nests; the stork has her home in the cypress.
18. The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the rabbits.
19. He made the moon to calculate the festivals; the sun knows its time of setting.
20. You bring on darkness and it is night, when all the beasts of the forest creep forth.
21. The young lions roar for prey, and seek their food from God.
22. When the sun rises, they return and lie down in their dens.
23. Then man goes out to his work, to his labor until evening.
24. How manifold are Your works, O Lord! You have made them all with wisdom; the earth is full of Your possessions.
25. This sea, vast and wide, where there are countless creeping creatures, living things small and great;
26. there ships travel, there is the Leviathan that You created to frolic therein.
27. They all look expectantly to You to give them their food at the proper time.
28. When You give it to them, they gather it; when You open Your hand, they are satiated with goodness.
29. When You conceal Your countenance, they are terrified; when You take back their spirit, they perish and return to their dust.
30. When You will send forth Your spirit they will be created anew, and You will renew the face of the earth.
31. May the glory of the Lord be forever; may the Lord find delight in His works.
32. He looks at the earth, and it trembles; He touches the mountains, and they smoke.
33. I will sing to the Lord with my soul; I will chant praise to my God with my [entire] being.
34. May my prayer be pleasant to Him; I will rejoice in the Lord.
35. May sinners cease from the earth, and the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord!
Chapter 105
When David brought the Holy Ark up to the City of David, he composed this psalm and sang it before the Ark. He recounts all the miracles that God performed for the Jews in Egypt: sending before them Joseph, who was imprisoned, only to be liberated by God, eventually attaining the status of one who could imprison the princes of Egypt without consulting Pharaoh.
1. Offer praise to the Lord, proclaim His Name; make His deeds known among the nations.
2. Sing to Him, chant praises to Him, speak of all His wonders.
3. Glory in His holy Name; may the heart of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
4. Search for the Lord and His might; seek His countenance always.
5. Remember the wonders that He has wrought, His miracles, and the judgements of His mouth.
6. O descendants of Abraham His servant, children of Jacob, His chosen ones:
7. He is the Lord our God; His judgements extend over the entire earth.
8. He remembers His covenant forever, the word which He has commanded to a thousand generations;
9. the covenant which He made with Abraham, and His oath to Isaac.
10. He established it for Jacob as a statute, for Israel as an everlasting covenant,
11. stating, "To you I shall give the land of Canaan"-the portion of your inheritance,
12. when they were but few, very few, and strangers in it.
13. They wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people.
14. He permitted no one to wrong them, and admonished kings for their sake:
15. "Do not touch My anointed ones, and do not harm My prophets.”
16. He called for a famine upon the land; He broke every source of bread.
17. He sent a man before them; Joseph was sold as a slave.
18. They afflicted his foot with chains, his soul was put into iron;
19. until the time that His words came, the decree of the Lord purified him.
20. The king sent [word] and released him, the ruler of nations set him free.
21. He appointed him master of his house and ruler of all his possessions,
22. to imprison his princes at will, and to enlighten his elders.
23. Thus Israel came to Egypt, and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham (Egypt).
24. He multiplied His nation greatly, and made it mightier than its adversaries.
25. He turned their hearts to hate His nation, to conspire against His servants.
26. He sent Moses, His servant; Aaron, whom He had chosen.
27. They placed among them the words of His signs, miracles in the land of Ham.
28. He sent darkness and made it dark, and they did not defy His word.
29. He transformed their waters to blood, and killed their fish.
30. Their land swarmed with frogs in the chambers of their kings.
31. He spoke, and hordes of wild beasts came, and lice throughout their borders.
32. He turned their rains to hail, flaming fire in their land;
33. it struck their vine and fig tree, it broke the trees of their borders.
34. He spoke, and grasshoppers came, locusts without number;
35. and it consumed all grass in their land, it ate the fruit of their soil.
36. Then He smote every firstborn in their land, the first of all their potency.
37. And He took them out with silver and gold, and none among His tribes stumbled.
38. Egypt rejoiced at their leaving, for the fear [of Israel] had fallen upon them.
39. He spread out a cloud for shelter, and a fire to illuminate the night.
40. [Israel] asked, and He brought quail, and with the bread of heaven He satisfied them.
41. He opened a rock and waters flowed; they streamed through dry places like a river,
42. for He remembered His holy word to Abraham His servant.
43. And He brought out His nation with joy, His chosen ones with song.
44. He gave them the lands of nations, they inherited the toil of peoples,
45. so that they might keep His statutes and observe His laws. Praise the Lord!
Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, middle of Epistle 23
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Sunday, 21 Tishrei, 5777 · 23 October 2016
• Iggeret HaKodesh, middle of Epistle 23
• על כן, אהובי אחיי ורעיי, אל נא תרעו הרעה הגדולה הזאת
Therefore, my beloved ones, my brethren and friends: do not commit this great evil — of turning a gathering of worshipers before or after prayers into a “company of scoffers,”
ותנו כבוד לה׳ אלקיכם בטרם יחשך, דהיינו בין מנחה למעריב כל ימות החול
and1 “give glory unto the L‑rd your G‑d before it grows dark,” i.e., between Minchah and Maariv every weekday,2
ללמוד בעשרה פנימיות התורה, שהיא אגדה שבספר עין יעקב
by studying in groups of [at least] ten the innermost (i.e., the mystical) dimension of the Torah, i.e., the Aggadah contained in Ein Yaakov.
שרוב סודות התורה גנוזין בה
For most of the secrets of the Torah are concealed in it (i.e., in the Aggadah);
ומכפרת עונותיו של אדם
moreover, it atones man’s sins,
כמבואר בכתבי האריז״ל
as explained in the writings of R. Isaac Luria, of blessed memory.3
והנגלות שבה
As to the revealed (non-mystical) passages in [the Aggadah],
הן דרכי ה׳ שילך בהם האדם
these are the ways of G‑d in which a man ought to walk,
וישית עצות בנפשו במילי דשמיא ובמילי דעלמא, וכידוע לכל חכמי לב
and [they enable him] to take counsel in his soul in heavenly matters (such as Torah and mitzvot) and in worldly matters, as is known to all the wise of heart.
וגם ללמוד מעט בשלחן ערוך, אורח חיים, הלכות הצריכות לכל אדם
In addition, between Minchah and Maariv, [people] should study a little — out of the Shulchan Aruch, in [the section called] Orach Chayim — the laws that are essential for every person to know.
ועל זה אמרו רז״ל: כל השונה הלכות בכל יום כו׳
Of this our Sages, of blessed memory, said:4 “Whoever studies Torah laws (halachot) every day [is assured of life in the World to Come].”
שהן הלכות ברורות ופסוקות, הלכה למעשה
This refers to clear and definitive rulings that are of practical relevance,
כמבואר בפירוש רש״י ז״ל שם
as explained in the commentary of Rashi, ad loc.5 — that the term halachot refers to final rulings, without the surrounding debates and argumentation.
This is actually explained by Rashi a little earlier in Tractate Megillah, not on the teaching about “Whoever studies halachot...,” but in connection with a eulogy for someone who used to “study halachot.”
In Tractate Niddah, commenting on this teaching, Rashi states that the term halachot refers to Mishnayot, Beraitot and Halachah leMoshe miSinai, none of which include the discussions of the Gemara. This is also the case with regard to the Shulchan Aruch.
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. | Cf. Yirmeyahu 13:16. |
| 2. | Note of the Rebbe: “It could be suggested that the reason the Alter Rebbe does not begin by relating to Shacharit, the first prayer of the day, is that an explicit law in the Shulchan Aruch (sec. 89:4) forbids one to engage in one’s personal affairs before prayer; likewise (sec. 155:1), the morning prayers must be followed by group study of the Torah (‘from the House of Prayer [directly] to the House of Study’).” |
| 3. | See the Alter Rebbe’s Hilchot Talmud Torah 2:2 and sources cited there (in the Kehot edition); see also the Introduction of the Ramban to Shir HaShirim. |
| 4. | Megillah 28b; Niddah 73a. |
| 5. | See Taz, Yoreh Deah 246:2. |
• Sunday, 21 Tishrei, 5777 · 23 October 2016
• Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
• Maimonides' Introduction to Sefer Hamitzvot
In Maimonides' introduction to the Sefer Hamitzvot ("The Book of Commandments"), he states the goal he set to accomplish with authoring this work.
The Talmud (end of Tractate Makkot) tells us that there are 613 biblical precepts—248 of which are "positive commandments," i.e., mitzvot that require an action on our part, and 365 "negative commandments," i.e., prohibitions. The 248 positive commandments correspond to the 248 limbs in the human body, each limb, as it were, demanding the observance of one commandment. The 365 negative commandments correspond to the 365 days of the solar year, each day enjoining us not to transgress a certain prohibition.
While the Talmud gives us these precise numbers, it does not list the 248 positive commandments or the 365 negative ones. Thus, numerous "mitzvah counters" have arisen throughout the generations – many who preceded Maimonides – each one attempting to provide a comprehensive listing of the mitzvot, each one's list differing slightly from all others'.
Maimonides prefaces his Sefer Hamitzvot with fourteen guiding principles that allow us to determine which Torah precepts are included in the count, and which are not. He then references these principles throughout the work, and thus arrives at precisely 248 positive commandments and 365 negative ones.
Maimonides explains in his introduction that the objective of the Sefer Hamitzvot is not to explain or elaborate upon the commandments. In an instance where he does speak about the details of a particular mitzvah, the intention is simply to identify which mitzvah he is referring to. The only goal of this work is to enumerate the biblical commandments and to provide explanation as to why certain precepts are counted while others are not.
The following are the fourteen principles (they will be explained at length in the following chapter):
• Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
• Maimonides' Introduction to Sefer Hamitzvot
In Maimonides' introduction to the Sefer Hamitzvot ("The Book of Commandments"), he states the goal he set to accomplish with authoring this work.
The Talmud (end of Tractate Makkot) tells us that there are 613 biblical precepts—248 of which are "positive commandments," i.e., mitzvot that require an action on our part, and 365 "negative commandments," i.e., prohibitions. The 248 positive commandments correspond to the 248 limbs in the human body, each limb, as it were, demanding the observance of one commandment. The 365 negative commandments correspond to the 365 days of the solar year, each day enjoining us not to transgress a certain prohibition.
While the Talmud gives us these precise numbers, it does not list the 248 positive commandments or the 365 negative ones. Thus, numerous "mitzvah counters" have arisen throughout the generations – many who preceded Maimonides – each one attempting to provide a comprehensive listing of the mitzvot, each one's list differing slightly from all others'.
Maimonides prefaces his Sefer Hamitzvot with fourteen guiding principles that allow us to determine which Torah precepts are included in the count, and which are not. He then references these principles throughout the work, and thus arrives at precisely 248 positive commandments and 365 negative ones.
Maimonides explains in his introduction that the objective of the Sefer Hamitzvot is not to explain or elaborate upon the commandments. In an instance where he does speak about the details of a particular mitzvah, the intention is simply to identify which mitzvah he is referring to. The only goal of this work is to enumerate the biblical commandments and to provide explanation as to why certain precepts are counted while others are not.
The following are the fourteen principles (they will be explained at length in the following chapter):
- Do not count Rabbinic Commandments in this list.
- Do not include laws which are derived from one of the Thirteen Principles of Torah Exegesis.
- Do not count mitzvot which are not binding on all generations.
- We do not include "encompassing" directives in the count.
- The reason for a mitzvah is not counted on its own.
- A mitzvah that has both negative and positive components is counted as two.
- The different applications of a mitzvah are not individually counted.
- Do not count a negative statement amongst the prohibitions.
- Do not count the number of times a commandment is mentioned in the Torah, only the act which is prohibited or commanded.
- Do not count a preparatory act as an independent mitzvah.
- If a mitzvah is comprised of a number of elements, do not count them separately.
- When commanded to do a certain action, do not count each part of the action separately.
- We do not count the amount of days a mitzvah is performed.
- We do not count the punishment administered for each transgression.
• Rambam - 1 Chapter: Tum'at Okhalin Tum'at Okhalin - Chapter 10
• Tum'at Okhalin - Chapter 10
• Rambam - 3 Chapters: Introduction to Mishneh Torah Part 1, Introduction to Mishneh Torah Part 2, Introduction to Mishneh Torah Part 3
1
We already explained that there are only seven liquids that contract impurity and make foods susceptible to impurity. Other liquids are referred to as fruit juices and they neither contract impurity, nor make foods susceptible to impurity. The derivatives of the seven liquids that we mentioned are governed by the same laws as they are.
א
כבר ביארנו שהשבעה משקין בלבד הן שמתטמאין או מכשירין והשאר קרויין מי פירות ואינם מתטמאין ולא מכשירין ושבעה משקין שמנינו תולדותיהם כיוצא בהם:
2
The derivatives of water are: fluids secreted by the eye, the ear, the nose, and the mouth, and human urine whether from adults or minors. Anything excreted by man is considered as a liquid whether it was excreted consciously or unconsciously. The urine of animals and salt that was liquefied are considered as fruit juices. They neither contract impurity, nor make substances susceptible to impurity.
ב
תולדות המים הם היוצא מן העין ומן האוזן ומן החוטם ומן הפה ומי רגלי בני אדם בין גדולים בין קטנים כל אלו היוצאין מן האדם משקין הן בין שיצאו לדעתו של אדם בין שיצאו שלא לדעתו אבל מי רגלי בהמה והמלח שנמחת הרי הן כמי פירות לא מתטמאין ולא מכשירין:
3
The blood that is counted as a liquid is the blood that flows from a kosher domesticated or undomesticated animal or fowl at the end of its slaughter. Blood that flows at the beginning of the slaughter, by contrast, does not make food susceptible to ritual impurity, because the animal is still alive. It resembles the blood of a wound or blood that is let.
When a person slaughters an animal and its blood sputters on to food, but that blood is cleaned between the slitting of one of the signs and the other, there is a doubt concerning the matter. Therefore the ruling is held in abeyance. The food is neither eaten, nor is it burnt.
A derivative of blood is blood let by a human being that was released with the intent of it being drunk. If, however, it was released as a medical treatment, it is pure and it does not make foods susceptible to impurity. Similarly, the blood released during the slaughter of non-kosher domesticated or undomesticated animal or fowl, the blood that is released with mucous or with feces, or the blood of boils, blisters, and blood concentrated in flesh, all neither contract impurity, nor make substances susceptible to impurity. Instead, they are like other fruit juices.
The blood of a crawling animal is like its flesh, it imparts impurity, but does not make foods susceptible to impurity. There are no entities analogous to it.
ג
הדם המנוי מן המשקין הוא הדם השותת בשעת שחיטה מן הבהמה והחיה והעופות הטהורין אבל דם הקילוח אינו מכשיר שעדיין חיים הן והרי הוא דומה לדם מכה או לדם הקזה השוחט ונתז דם על האוכלין ונתקנח הדם בין סימן לסימן הרי זה ספק לפיכך תולין עליו לא אוכלין ולא שורפין תולדות הדם דם הקזה של אדם שהוציאו לשתייה אבל אם הוציאו לרפואה טהור ואינו מכשיר וכן דם שחיטה בבהמה ובחיה ובעופות הטמאין והדם היוצא עם הליחה ועם הרעי ודם השחין והאבעבועות ותמצית הבשר כל אלו אינן מתטמאין ולא מכשירין אלא הרי הן כשאר מי פירות ודם השרץ כבשרו מטמא ואינו מכשיר ואין לנו כיוצא בו:
4
Whey is considered like milk. Human milk that is not needed is not placed in the halachic category of a liquid. It does not make foods susceptible to impurity, nor does it contract impurity. Therefore, milk excreted by a male is not placed in the halachic category of a liquid. This also applies to the milk of a domesticated or undomesticated animal that was released without human intent, e.g., it flowed out from the animal's teats spontaneously or it was milked without intent. The milk of a woman, whether it was released intentionally or unintentionally, is generally placed in the halachic category of a liquid. It makes foods susceptible to impurity and it can contract impurity, because it is fit to be drunk by an infant.
ד
מי החלב הרי הן כחלב וחלב האדם שאינו צריך לו אינו משקה לא מכשיר ולא מתטמא לפיכך חלב הזכר אינו משקה וכן חלב בהמה וחיה שיצא שלא לרצון כגון שזב מהדד מאליו או שחלבו כמתעסק אבל חלב האשה בין שיצא לרצון בין שיצא שלא לרצון סתמו משקה ומתטמא או מכשיר מפני שהוא ראוי לתינוק:
5
Liquids released by those impure people whose impurity causes these liquids to be considered as a primary source of impurity, impart impurity even though the foods had not been made susceptible to ritual impurity beforehand. For the food's susceptibility to impurity and that impurity come simultaneously. They are: the secretion of a zav, his semen, and his urine, a revi'itof blood from a human corpse, and the blood of a nidah.
Similarly, the blood of the wound of a zav and others like him, the milk of such a woman, their tears and the other derivatives of water that they release impart impurity like impure liquids which impart impurity without any specific intent. For impure liquids impart impurity when they are brought into contact with food intentionally or when they come into contact unintentionally. Accordingly, if milk drips from the breast of a nidah or a zavah into the inner space of an oven, the oven and all its contents contract impurity.
ה
המשקין שיוצאין מאותן הטמאין שאותן המשקין אבות טומאה מטמאים בלא הכשר שהטומאה וההכשר באין כאחת ואלו הן: זוב הזב ושכבת זרעו ומימי רגליו ורביעית דם מן המת ודם הנדה וכן דם מגפתו של זב וחביריו וחלב של אשה ודמעת עינים עם שאר תולדות המים היוצאין מהן מטמאין כמשקין טמאין שמטמאין בלא כוונה שמשקין טמאין מטמאין לרצון ושלא לרצון לפיכך נדה או זבה שנטף חלב מדדיה לאויר התנור נטמא התנור וכל מה שבתוכו:
6
We have already explained that the liquids released by a person who immersed that day do not impart impurity. Therefore, even if they fall on a loaf of bread that is terumah, it does not become susceptible to impurity unless they fall on it intentionally, as is the law regarding other pure liquids which do not make food susceptible to impurity unless they fall on it intentionally.
ו
כבר ביארנו שהמשקין היוצאין מטבול יום אינם טמאים לפיכך אם נפלו אפילו על ככר של תרומה אינו מוכשר עד שיפלו לרצון כשאר המשקין הטהורין שאינן מכשירין אלא לרצון:
7
Sweat, pus or vomit, feces, the liquids released by a fetus born in the eighth month, the diarrhea of a person who drank the waters of the hot springs of Tiberias or the like, even if it is clear, are all not placed in the halachic category of liquids. They do not contract impurity, nor do they make foods susceptible to impurity.
ז
הזיעה והליחה הסרוחה והרעי והמשקין היוצאין מבן שמונה חדשים והשותה מי טבריה וכיוצא בהן אף על פי שיוצאין נקיים כל אלו אינן חשובין משקה ולא מתטמאין ולא מכשירין:
8
When a person drinks other liquids and releases them, they are considered liquids as they were previously, for other liquids do not regain purity in a person's body.
What is implied? If one drank impure water and then regurgitated it, it is still impure. It did not become purified when released. If one drank impure water, immersed in a mikveh and then regurgitated it, or it became loathsome and then he regurgitated it, or it was released as urine, even if he did not immerse himself, it is pure.
If one drank other impure liquids or ate other impure foods, even though he immersed and then regurgitated them, they are still impure. They do not become purified in a person's body. If they became loathsome or were released as urine or as feces, they are pure.
ח
השותה שאר משקין ויצאו הרי הן משקין כשהיו שאין שאר המשקין טהורין בגוף כיצד שתה מים טמאין והקיאן הרי אלו טמאין מפני שלא טהרו ביציאתן שתה מים טמאים וטבל ואחר כך הקיאן [או שנסרחו ואח"כ הקיאן] או שיצאו מלמטה אע"פ שלא טבל הרי הן טהורין שתה שאר משקין טמאין או שאר אוכלין טמאין אף על פי שטבל ואחר כך הקיאן טמאין לפי שאינן טהורין בגוף נסרחו או שיצאו מלמטה הרי הן טהורין:
9
We already explained that sweat is not placed in the halachic category of liquids. Even if a person drank impure liquids and excreted them by sweating, his sweat is pure. If, however, a person bathes in drawn water and then sweated, his sweat is impure. If he dried himself from the water and then sweated, his sweat is pure.
ט
כבר ביארנו שהזיעה אינה משקה אפילו שתה משקין טמאין והזיע זיעתו טהורה אבל הבא במים שאובין והזיע זיעתו טמאה ואם נסתפג מן המים השאובין ואחר כך הזיע זיעתו טהורה:
10
Moisture that collects on the walls of homes, trenches, caves, and cisterns is not placed in the halachic category of liquids. Even if the house is impure, the moisture that collects is pure. The moisture that collects in a bathhouse, by contrast, is considered as water. If water in the bathhouse was impure, the moisture that collects there is also impure. If one brought produce into such a house and moisture collects upon it, it becomes susceptible to impurity. If he brings containers there and moisture collects upon them, the moisture is considered as separated intentionally and it makes foods susceptible to impurity.
י
זיעת בתים שיחין ומערות ובורות אינן משקה ואפילו הן טמאין זיעתן טהורה אבל זיעת המרחץ במים אם היתה המרחץ טמאה זיעתה טמאה ואם היתה טהורה והכניס בה פירות הוכשרו הכניסו לה כלים הרי המים שעליהן כתלושין ברצון ומכשירין:
11
When there is a pool in a house and moisture collects on the walls of the house because of it, if the pool contains impure water, all the moisture that collects in the house because of it is impure.
יא
הבריכה שבבית והבית מזיע מחמתה אם היתה הבריכה טמאה זיעת כל הבית שמחמתה טמאה:
12
When there are two pools in a house, one containing impure water and one containing pure water, if moisture collects close to the impure pool, it is impure. If it collects close to the pure one, it is pure. If it is equidistant from the two of them, it is impure.
יב
שתי בריכות בבית אחת טמאה ואחת טהורה המזיע קרוב לטומאה טמא קרוב לטהורה טהור מחצה למחצה טמא:
13
The black liquid that flows from olives without their being pressed is considered like oil. The liquid that drips from the baskets of olives and grapes when they are harvested is not placed in the halachic category of liquids. It does not contract impurity, nor does it make foods susceptible to impurity unless it is collected in a container.
יג
המוהל כשמן משקין המנטפין מסלי זיתים וענבים אינו משקה ולא מתטמאין ולא מכשירין עד שיכניסם בכלי:
14
When a person weighs grapes in a weighing pan, the wine left in the weighing pan is not placed in the halachic category of liquids unless it is poured into a container. It resembles the liquid that drips from the baskets of olives and grapes mentioned in the previous halachah.
יד
השוקל ענבים בכף מאזנים היין שבכף אינו משקה עד שיערנו לתוך הכלי וה"ז דומה לסלי זיתים וענבים שמנטפין:
15
When a person pushes grapes that are terumah into a jug, even though the wine flows over his hands, everything is pure.
טו
הדורס ענבים של תרומה בחבית אף על פי שהיין צף על גבי ידיו הרי הכל טהור:
16
The liquids that flow in the butchering area in the Temple Courtyard, i.e., the blood of the sacrificial animals and the water used to clean them, are always considered as pure. They do not contract impurity, nor do they make foods susceptible to ritual impurity. This matter is a halachah conveyed by the Oral Tradition. Therefore all the blood of the sacrificial animals is not susceptible to ritual impurity, nor does it make foods susceptible to ritual impurity.
Since the blood of the sacrificial animals does not make food susceptible to ritual impurity, the sacrificial animals that were slaughtered in the Temple Courtyard were not made susceptible to ritual impurity through the blood of their slaughter. The meat of these sacrificial animals does not become susceptible to ritual impurity unless liquids other than those of the butchering area of the Temple come into contact with them.
טז
משקה בית מטבחיים שבעזרה והוא דם הקדשים והמים שמשתמשין בהן שם טהורין לעולם ואינן מתטמאין ולא מכשירין ודבר זה הלכה מפי הקבלה לפיכך כל דמי הזבחים אינו מקבל טומאה ואינו מכשיר והואיל ודם הקדשים אינו מכשיר קדשים שנשחטו בעזרה לא הוכשרו בדם שחיטה ואין לבשר הקדשים הכשר אלא במשקין שיפלו על הבשר חוץ במשקה בית המטבחיים:
17
When a cow that was consecrated as a sacrificial animal was made to cross a river and was then slaughtered while it still had tangible moisture on it, it has become susceptible to impurity. Therefore, if an impure pin was found in its flesh, the meat is impure.
Similarly, if the cow's mouth was sealed closed outside of Jerusalem, even though the status of the pin found in its meat is unknown, the meat is impure. The rationale is that it touched implements outside of Jerusalem. If the pin was found in its wastes, the meat is pure. In either instance, the hands of the people involved in cutting up the animal are pure, because the decree involving the impurity of hands does not apply in the Temple, as we explained. In which context does the above apply? For the meat to be considered impure according to Scriptural Law. To incur impurity of Rabbinic origin, by contrast, consecrated food does not require exposure to liquids to make it susceptible to ritual impurity. Instead, the cherished nature of consecrated foods itself makes the meat susceptible to impurity. If any impurity, whether minor or severe, touches it, it becomes disqualified, even though it was not exposed to liquids, as we explained.
יז
פרת קדשים שהעבירה בנהר ושחטה ועדיין משקה טופח עליה ה"ז מוכשרת לפיכך אם נמצאת מחט טמאה בבשרה הרי הבשר טמא וכן אם היתה הפרה חסומה מחוץ לירושלים אע"פ שאין המחט ידועה הרי הבשר טמא מפני שנגע בכלים הנמצאין מחוץ לירושלים נמצאת המחט בפרש הבשר טהור ובין כך ובין כך הידים טהורות שאין טומאת ידים במקדש כמו שביארנו במה דברים אמורים להיות הבשר טמא בדין תורה אבל להתטמא מדבריהן אין הקדש צריך הכשר אלא חיבת הקדש מכשרת הבשר ואם נגע בה טומאה בין קלה בין חמורה נפסלה אף על פי שלא הוכשר במשקה כמו שביארנו:
• Part 1
• Hayom Yom: Today's Hayom Yom
The Rambam's Introduction1 to the Mishneh Torah
"In the name of God, Lord of the world"2 (Genesis 21:33)
"Then I will not be ashamed when I gaze at all Your mitzvot"3(Psalms 119:6).
הקדמת הרמב"ם ז"ל בשם ה' א-ל עולם אז לא אבוש בהביטי אל כל מצותיך.
The mitzvot given to Moses at Mount Sinai were all given together with their explanations,4 as implied by [Exodus 24:12]: "And I will give you the tablets of stone, the Torah, and the mitzvah."
"The Torah" refers to the Written Law; "the mitzvah," to its explanation. [God] commanded us to fulfill "the Torah" according to [the instructions of] "the mitzvah."5 "The mitzvah" is called the Oral Law.
כל המצות שניתנו לו למשה בסיני בפירושן ניתנו. שנאמר ואתנה לך את לוחות האבן והתורה והמצוה. תורה זו תורה שבכתב. והמצוה זו פירושה. וצונו לעשות התורה על פי המצוה. ומצוה זו היא הנקראת תורה שבעל פה.
Moses, our teacher, personally transcribed the entire Torah before he died. He gave a Torah scroll to each tribe and placed another scroll in the ark as a testimonial, as [Deuteronomy 31:26] states: "Take this Torah scroll and place it [beside the ark…] and it will be there as a testimonial."
כל התורה כתבה משה רבינו קודם שימות בכתב ידו. ונתן ספר לכל שבט ושבט וספר אחד נתנהו בארון לעד. שנאמר לקוח את ספר התורה הזה ושמתם אותו וגו'.
"The mitzvah" - i.e., the explanation of the Torah - he did not transcribe.6 Instead, he commanded it [verbally] to the elders, to Joshua, and to the totality of Israel,7 as [Deuteronomy 13:1] states: "Be careful to observe everything that I prescribe to you." For this reason, it is called the Oral Law.
והמצוה שהיא פירוש התורה לא כתבה אלא צוה בה לזקנים וליהושע ולשאר כל ישראל. שנאמר את כל הדבר אשר אנכי מצוה אתכם אותו תשמרו לעשות וגו'. ומפני זה נקראת תורה שבעל פה.
Even though the Oral Law was not transcribed, Moses, our teacher, taught it in its entirety in his court to the seventy elders. Elazar, Pinchas, and Joshua received the tradition from Moses.
אף על פי שלא נכתבה תורה שבעל פה למדה משה רבינו כולה בבית דינו לשבעים זקנים. ואלעזר ופנחס ויהושע שלשתן קבלו ממשה.
[In particular, Moses] transmitted the Oral Law to Joshua, who was his [primary] disciple, and instructed him regarding it.8
Similarly, throughout his life Joshua taught the Oral Law. Many elders received the tradition from him.9 Eli received the tradition from the elders and from Pinchas. Samuel received the tradition from Eli and his court. David received the tradition from Samuel and his court.
Achiah of Shiloh was one of those who experienced the exodus from Egypt.10 He was a Levite and heard [teachings] from Moses. He was, however, of low stature in Moses' age. Afterwards, he received the tradition from David and his court.
וליהושע שהוא תלמידו של משה רבינו מסר תורה שבעל פה וצוהו עליה. וכן יהושע כל ימי חייו למד על פה. וזקנים רבים קבלו מיהושע. וקבל עלי מן הזקנים ומפינחס. ושמואל קיבל מעלי ובית דינו. ודוד קיבל משמואל ובית דינו. 25 ואחיה השילוני מיוצאי מצרים היה ולוי היה ושמע ממשה והיה קטן בימי משה והוא קיבל מדוד ובית דינו.
Elijah received the tradition from Achiah of Shiloh and his court. Elisha received the tradition from Elijah and his court.
Yehoyada, the priest, received the tradition from Elisha and his court. Zechariah received the tradition from Yehoyada and his court. Hoshea received the tradition from Zechariah and his court. Amos received the tradition from Hoshea and his court. Isaiah received the tradition from Amos and his court. Michah received the tradition from Isaiah and his court. Yoel received the tradition from Michah and his court. Nachum received the tradition from Yoel and his court. Chabbakuk received the tradition from Nachum and his court. Tzefaniah received the tradition from Chabbakuk and his court.
Jeremiah received the tradition from Tzefaniah and his court. Baruch ben Neriyah11 received the tradition from Jeremiah and his court. Ezra and his court received the tradition from Baruch and his court.
ואליהו קיבל מאחיה השילוני ובית דינו. ואלישע קיבל מאליהו ובית דינו. ויהוידע הכהן קיבל מאלישע ובית דינו. וזכריה קיבל מיהוידע ובית דינו. והושע קיבל מזכריה ובית דינו. ועמוס קיבל מהושע ובית דינו. וישעיה קבל מעמוס ובית דינו. ומיכה קיבל מישעיה ובית דינו. ויואל קיבל ממיכה ובית דינו. ונחום קיבל מיואל ובית דינו. וחבקוק קיבל מנחום ובית דינו. וצפניה קיבל מחבקוק ובית דינו. וירמיה קיבל מצפניה ובית דינו. וברוך בן נריה קיבל מירמיה ובית דינו. ועזרא ובית דינו קיבלו מברוך בן נריה ובית דינו.
[The members of] Ezra's court are referred to as Anshei K'nesset Hagedolah (the men of the great assembly). They included Chaggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Daniel, Chananiah, Mishael, Azariah, Nechemiah ben Chakaliah, Mordechai the linguist, Zerubavel and many other sages - 120 elders in all.12
The last [surviving] member of this group was Shimon the Just. He was included among the 120 elders and received the Oral Law from all of them. He served as the High Priest after Ezra.
בית דינו של עזרא הם הנקראים אנשי כנסת הגדולה והם חגי זכריה ומלאכי דניאל וחנניה ומישאל ועזריה ונחמיה בן חכליה ומרדכי בלשן וזרובבל והרבה חכמים עמהם תשלום מאה ועשרים זקנים. האחרון מהם הוא שמעון הצדיק והוא היה מכלל המאה ועשרים. וקיבל תורה שבעל פה מכולם והוא היה כהן גדול אחר עזרא.
Antignos of Socho and his court received the tradition from Shimon the Just and his court.
Yosse ben Yo'ezer of Tzreidah and Yosef ben Yochanan of Jerusalem13 and their court received the tradition from Antignos and his court. Yehoshua ben Perachiah and Nittai of Arbel and their court received the tradition from Yosse ben Yo'ezer and Yosef ben Perachiah and their court. Yehudah ben Tabbai and Shimon ben Shatach and their court received the tradition from Yehoshua ben Perachiah and Nittai of Arbel and their court. Shemayah and Avtalion, who were righteous converts,14 and their court received the tradition from Yehudah and Shimon and their court.
Hillel and Shammai and their court received the tradition from Shemayah and Avtalion and their court. Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai and Rabbi Shimon, the son of Hillel the elder, received the tradition from Hillel [and Shammai] and his [their] court[s].15
אנטיגנוס איש סוכו ובית דינו קיבלו משמעון הצדיק ובית דינו. ויוסי בן יועזר איש צרידה ויוסף בן יוחנן איש ירושלים ובית דינם קיבלו מאנטיגנוס ובית דינו. ויהושע בן פרחיה ונתאי הארבלי ובית דינם קבלו מיוסי בן יועזר ויוסף בן יוחנן ובית דינם. ויהודה בן טבאי ושמעון בן שטח ובית דינם קבלו מיהושע בן פרחיה ונתאי הארבלי ובית דינם. שמעיה ואבטליון גרי הצדיק /הצדק/ ובית דינם קבלו מיהודה ושמעון ובית דינם. הלל ושמאי ובית דינם קבלו משמעיה ואבטליון ובית דינם. ורבן יוחנן בן זכאי ורבן שמעון בנו של הלל הזקן קבלו מהלל [ושמאי] וב"ד.
Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai had five students [who were] great sages and received the tradition from him. They were: Rabbi Eleazar the great, Rabbi Yehoshua, Rabbi Yosse the priest, Rabbi Shimon ben Netanel and Rabbi Elazar ben Arach. Rabbi Akiva ben Yosef received from Rabbi Eleazar the great. Yosef, his father, was a righteous convert.
Rabbi Yishmael and Rabbi Meir, a son of righteous converts, received the tradition from Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Meir and his colleagues also received the tradition from Rabbi Yishmael.
חמשה תלמידים היו לו לרבן יוחנן בן זכאי והם גדולי החכמים שקיבלו ממנו ואלו הם. ר' אליעזר הגדול ור' יהושע ור' יוסי הכהן ור' שמעון בן נתנאל ור' אלעזר בן ערך. ור' עקיבא בן יוסף קיבל מר' אליעזר הגדול ויוסף אביו גר צדק היה. ור' ישמעאל ור' מאיר בן גר צדק קבלו מר' עקיבא וגם קיבל ר' מאיר וחבריו מר' ישמעאל.
The colleagues of Rabbi Meir include Rabbi Yehudah, Rabbi Yosse, Rabbi Shimon, Rabbi Nechemiah, Rabbi Elazar ben Shamu'a, Rabbi Yochanan the shoemaker, Shimon ben Azzai, and Rabbi Chananiah ben Teradion.16
Similarly, Rabbi Akiva's colleagues also received the tradition from Rabbi Eleazar the great. Rabbi Akiva's colleagues include Rabbi Tarfon - the teacher of Rabbi Yosse of the Galil - Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar, and Rabbi Yochanan ben Nuri.
חביריו של ר' מאיר הם ר' יהודה ור' יוסי ור' שמעון ור' נחמיה ור' אלעזר בן שמוע ור' יוחנן הסנדלר ושמעון בן עזאי ור' חנניה בן תרדיון. וכן קיבלו חביריו של ר' עקיבא מר' אליעזר הגדול. וחביריו של רבי עקיבא הם רבי טרפון רבו של רבי יוסי הגלילי ורבי שמעון בן אלעזר ורבי יוחנן בן נורי.
Rabban Gamliel the elder received the tradition from Rabban Shimon, his father - the son of Hillel the elder. Rabban Shimon, his son, received the tradition from him. Rabban Gamliel, his son, received the tradition from him and Rabban Shimon, his son, received the tradition from him.
Rabbi Yehudah, the son of Rabban Shimon and referred to as Rabbenu Hakadosh ("our saintly teacher"),17 received the tradition from his father, from Rabbi Elazar ben Shamu'a, and from Rabban Shimon and his colleagues.
רבן גמליאל הזקן קיבל מרבן שמעון אביו בנו של הלל הזקן. ורבן שמעון בנו קבל ממנו ורבן גמליאל בנו קבל ממנו ורבן שמעון בנו קיבל ממנו ור' יהודה בנו של רבן שמעון זהו הנקרא רבינו הקדוש והוא קיבל מאביו ומר' אלעזר בן שמוע ומר' שמעון חביריו.
Rabbenu Hakadosh composed the Mishnah. From the days of Moses, our teacher, until Rabbenu Hakadosh, no one had composed a text for the purpose of teaching the Oral Law in public. Instead, in each generation, the head of the court or the prophet of that generation would take notes of the teachings which he received from his masters for himself, and teach them verbally in public. Similarly, according to his own potential, each individual would write notes for himself of what he heard regarding the explanation of the Torah, its laws, and the new concepts that were deduced in each generation concerning laws that were not communicated by the oral tradition, but rather deduced using one of the thirteen principles of Biblical exegesis and accepted by the high court.
רבינו הקדוש חיבר המשנה. ומימות משה רבינו ועד רבינו הקדוש לא חיברו חבור שמלמדין אותו ברבים בתורה שבעל פה. אלא בכל דור ודור ראש בית דין או נביא שהיה באותו הדור כותב לעצמו זכרון השמועות ששמע מרבותיו והוא מלמד על פה ברבים. וכן כל אחד ואחד כותב לעצמו כפי כחו מביאור התורה ומהלכותיה כמו ששמע. ומדברים שנתחדשו בכל דור ודור בדינים שלא למדום מפי השמועה אלא במדה משלש עשרה מדות והסכימו עליהם בית דין הגדול.
This situation continued until [the age of] Rabbenu Hakadosh. He collected all the teachings, all the laws, and all the explanations and commentaries that were heard from Moses, our teacher, and which were taught by the courts in each generation concerning the entire Torah. From all these, he composed the text of the Mishnah. He taught it to the Sages in public and revealed it to the Jewish people, who all wrote it down. They spread it in all places so that the Oral Law would not be forgotten by the Jewish people.
וכן היה הדבר תמיד עד רבינו הקדוש והוא קיבץ כל השמועות וכל הדינים וכל הביאורים והפירושים ששמעו ממשה רבינו ושלמדו בית דין שבכל דור ודור בכל התורה כולה וחיבר מהכל ספר המשנה. ושננו לחכמים ברבים ונגלה לכל ישראל וכתבוהו כולם. ורבצו בכל מקום. כדי שלא תשתכח תורה שבעל פה מישראל.
Why did Rabbenu Hakadosh make [such an innovation] instead of perpetuating the status quo? Because he saw the students becoming fewer, new difficulties constantly arising, the Roman Empire18 spreading itself throughout the world and becoming more powerful, and the Jewish people wandering and becoming dispersed to the far ends of the world. [Therefore,] he composed a single text that would be available to everyone, so that it could be studied quickly and would not be forgotten.19 Throughout his entire life, he and his court taught the Mishnah to the masses.
ולמה עשה רבינו הקדוש כך ולא הניח הדבר כמות שהיה. לפי שראה שתלמידים מתמעטין והולכין והצרות מתחדשות ובאות ומלכות רומי פושטת בעולם ומתגברת. וישראל מתגלגלין והולכין לקצוות. חיבר חיבור אחד להיות ביד כולם כדי שילמדוהו במהרה ולא ישכח. וישב כל ימיו הוא ובית דינו ולמדו המשנה ברבים.
These are the great Sages who were part of the court of Rabbenu Hakadosh and who received the tradition from him: His sons, Shimon and Gamliel, Rabbi Effess, Rabbi Chanina ben Chama, Rabbi Chiyya, Rav, Rabbi Yannai, bar Kafra, Shemuel, Rabbi Yochanan, Rabbi Hoshaia. Thousands and myriads of other sages received the tradition from [Rabbenu Hakadosh] together with these great sages.
ואלו הם גדולי החכמים שהיו בבית דינו של רבינו הקדוש וקיבלו ממנו. שמעון וגמליאל בניו. ורבי אפס. ור' חנינא בן חמא. ור' חייא ורב ורבי ינאי ובר קפרא 26 ושמואל ור' יוחנן ור' הושעיא. ואלו הם גדולי החכמים שקיבלו ממנו ועמהם אלפים ורבבות משאר החכמים. אע"פ שאלו הי"א קיבלו ממנו ועמהם אלפים ורבבות משאר החכמים.
Even though all of the eleven sages mentioned above received the tradition from Rabbenu Hakadosh and attended his study sessions, [there are differences between them. At that time,] Rabbi Yochanan was of lesser stature. Afterwards, he became a disciple of Rabbi Yannai and received instruction from him. Similarly, Rav received the tradition from Rabbi Yannai, and Shemuel received the tradition from Rabbi Chanina ben Chama.20
Rav composed the Sifra and the Sifre to explain the sources for the Mishnah. Rabbi Chiyya composed the Tosefta21 to explain the subjects [discussed in] the Mishnah. Rabbi Hoshaia and bar Kafra composed baraitot to explain the matters [discussed in] the Mishnah. Rabbi Yochanan composed the Jerusalem Talmud in Eretz Yisrael approximately three hundred years after the destruction of the Temple.22
רב חיבר ספרא וספרי לבאר ולהודיע עיקרי המשנה. ור' חייא חיבר התוספתא לבאר עניני המשנה. וכן ר' הושעיא ובר קפרא חיברו ברייתות לבאר דברי המשנה. ור' יוחנן חיבר הגמרא הירושלמית בארץ ישראל אחר חרבן הבית בקרוב שלש מאות שנה.
Among the great sages who received the tradition from Rav and Shemuel were:23 Rav Huna, Rav Yehudah, Rav Nachman, and Rav Kahana. Among the great sages who received the tradition from Rabbi Yochanan24 were: Ravvah bar bar Channah, Rav Ami, Rav Assi, Rav Dimi, and Rav Avin.
ומגדולי החכמים שקיבלו מרב ושמואל רב הונא ורב יהודה ורב נחמן ורב כהנא. ומגדולי החכמים שקיבלו מר' יוחנן 29 רבה בר בר חנה ור' אמי ור' אסי ורב דימי ור' אבין.
Among the Sages who received the tradition from Rav Huna and Rav Yehudah were Rabbah and Rav Yosef. Among the sages who received the tradition from Rabbah and Rav Yosef were Abbaye and Ravva. Both of them also received the tradition from Rav Nachman. Among the Sages who received the tradition from Ravva were Rav Ashi and Ravina. Mar bar Rav Ashi received the tradition from Rav Ashi, his father, and from Ravina.
ומכלל החכמים שקיבלו מרב הונא ומרב יהודה 30 רבה ורב יוסף. ומכלל החכמים שקיבלו מרבה ורב יוסף אביי ורבא. ושניהם קיבלו גם מרב נחמן. ומכלל החכמים שקיבלו מרבא רב אשי ורבינא. ומר בר רב אשי קיבל מאביו רב אשי ומרבינא:
Thus, there were forty generations from Rav Ashi back to Moses, our teacher, of blessed memory. They were:
1) Rav Ashi [received the tradition] from Ravva.
2) Ravva [received the tradition] from Rabbah.
3) Rabbah [received the tradition] from Rav Huna.
4) Rav Huna [received the tradition] from Rabbi Yochanan, Rav, and Shemuel.
5) Rabbi Yochanan, Rav, and Shemuel [received the tradition] from Rabbenu Hakadosh.
6) Rabbenu Hakadosh [received the tradition] from Rabbi Shimon, his father.
7) Rabbi Shimon [received the tradition] from Rabban Gamliel, his father.
8) Rabban Gamliel [received the tradition] from Rabban Shimon, his father.
9) Rabban Shimon [received the tradition] from Rabban Gamliel, the elder, his father.
10) Rabban Gamliel, the elder, [received the tradition] from Rabban Shimon, his father.
11) Rabban Shimon [received the Tradition] from Hillel, his father, and Shammai.
12) Hillel and Shammai [received the tradition] from Shemayah and Avtalion.
13) Shemayah and Avtalion [received the tradition] from Yehudah and Shimon [ben Shatach].
14) Yehudah and Shimon [received the tradition] from Yehoshua ben Perachiah and Nittai of Arbel.
15) Yehoshua and Nittai [received the tradition] from Yosse ben Yo'ezer and Yosef ben Yochanan.
16) Yosse ben Yo'ezer and Yosef ben Yochanan [received the tradition] from Antignos.
17) Antignos [received the tradition] from Shimon the Just.
18) Shimon the Just [received the tradition] from Ezra.
19) Ezra [received the tradition] from Baruch.
20) Baruch [received the tradition] from Jeremiah.
21) Jeremiah [received the tradition] from Tzefaniah.
22) Tzefaniah [received the tradition] from Chabbakuk.
23) Chabbakuk [received the tradition] from Nachum.
24) Nachum [received the tradition] from Yoel.
25) Yoel [received the tradition] from Michah.
26) Michah [received the tradition] from Isaiah.
27) Isaiah [received the tradition] from Amos.
28) Amos [received the tradition] from Hoshea.
29) Hoshea [received the tradition] from Zechariah.
30) Zechariah [received the tradition] from Yehoyada.
31) Yehoyada [received the tradition] from Elisha.
32) Elisha [received the tradition] from Elijah.
33) Elijah [received the tradition] from Achiah.
34) Achiah [received the tradition] from David.
35) David [received the tradition] from Shemuel.
36) Shemuel [received the tradition] from Eli.
37) Eli [received the tradition] from Pinchas.
38) Pinchas [received the tradition] from Joshua.
39) Joshua [received the tradition] from Moses, our teacher.
40) Moses, our teacher, [received the tradition] from the Almighty.
Thus, [the source of] all these people's knowledge is God, the Lord of Israel.
נמצא מרב אשי עד משה רבינו עליו השלום ארבעים דורות ואלו הן: א) רב אשי מרבא. ב) ורבא מרבה. ג) ורבה מרב הונא. ד) ורב הונא מר' יוחנן ורב ושמואל. ה) ורבי יוחנן ורב ושמואל מרבינו הקדוש. ו) ורבינו הקדוש מרבי שמעון אביו. ז) ורבי שמעון [מרבן גמליאל אביו. ח) ורבן גמליאל מרבן שמעון אביו ט) ורבן שמעון] מרבן גמליאל הזקן אביו. י) ורבן גמליאל הזקן מרבן שמעון אביו. יא) ור' שמעון מהלל אביו ושמאי. יב) והלל ושמאי משמעיה ואבטליון. יג) ושמעיה ואבטליון מיהודה ושמעון. יד) ויהודה ושמעון מיהושע בן פרחיה ונתאי הארבלי. טו) ויהושע ונתאי מיוסי בן יועזר ויוסף בן יוחנן. טז) ויוסי בן יועזר ויוסף בן יוחנן מאנטיגנוס. יז) ואנטיגנוס משמעון הצדיק. יח) ושמעון הצדיק מעזרא. יט) ועזרא מברוך. כ) וברוך מירמיה. כא) וירמיה מצפניה. כב) וצפניה מחבקוק. כג) וחבקוק מנחום. כד) ונחום מיואל. כה) ויואל ממיכה. כו) ומיכה מישעיה. כז) וישעיה מעמוס. כח) ועמוס מהושע. כט) והושע מזכריה. ל) וזכריה מיהוידע. לא) ויהוידע מאלישע. לב) ואלישע מאליהו. לג) ואליהו מאחיה. לד) ואחיה מדוד. לה) ודוד משמואל. לו) ושמואל מעלי. לז) ועלי מפנחס. לח) ופנחס מיהושע. לט) ויהושע ממשה רבינו. מ) ומשה רבינו מפי הגבורה. נמצא שכולם מה' אלהי ישראל:
FOOTNOTES
1.
The heading "Introduction" is not found in any of the manuscript editions of the Mishneh Torah and appears to be a printer's addition. Note Hilchot Shechitah 1:4, where the Rambam refers to "...the Oral Law, which is called `the mitzvah,' as we explained in the beginning of this text."
By referring to these passages as "the beginning" of the text and not "the introduction to the text," the Rambam implies that the subject matter contained in these passages is an essential part of the Mishneh Torah and not merely an author's preamble.
2.
Though this verse is omitted by many printed editions of the Mishneh Torah, it is included in the manuscript editions. It is also found at the beginning of the Rambam's other works, the Commentary on the Mishnah, Sefer HaMitzvot, and the Guide to the Perplexed. The Rambam's intention is to clarify that he does not see this work as an expression of his individual efforts alone, but that it was composed "In the name of God, the Lord of the world."
3.
The Rambam introduces every one of the books of the Mishneh Torah by quoting an appropriate verse from the Bible. It is possible to explain that he chose this verse for the introduction to the entire text in reply to objections he knew would arise to the Mishneh Torah. The Rambam's conception of his work as "a compilation of the entire Oral Law" would not be acceptable to many. Therefore, he begins by emphasizing that his actions were not presumptuous. There is no need for him to be "ashamed" at taking such a step. Since he can "gaze at all Your mitzvot" - i.e., has the knowledge of the entire Oral Law - he is obligated to try to communicate that knowledge to others, as stated in Hilchot Talmud Torah 5:4 (Yayin Malchut).
4.
By emphasizing that, at the revelation at Sinai, the mitzvot were given "together with their explanations," the Rambam stresses that the Written and Oral Laws cannot be viewed as two separate entities, but rather as two dimensions of a single whole. See also the Rambam's Introduction to his Commentary on the Mishnah, where he elaborates on the same concept.
5.
See Emunah V'De'ot (Discourse 3, Chapter 3), where Rav Sa'adiah Gaon explains at length how the oral tradition is necessary to understand how to fulfill the mitzvot
6.
Note Gittin 60b, which prohibits writing down the teachings of the Oral Law. Nevertheless, from the Rambam's statements here and in the Introduction to his Commentary on the Mishnah, it appears that the prohibition only applies to the composition of a text from which to teach, and not writing down notes for one's personal study.
7.
See the Rambam's Introduction to his Commentary on the Mishnah, where he quotes Eruvin 54b which describes the order in which Moses would teach Aharon, his sons, the elders, and then the entire Jewish people.
9.
By listing the entire chain of tradition, the Rambam demonstrates how the Oral Law was transmitted in a continuous chain and was not the invention of the later Sages. However, beyond this obvious intent, the Rambam had another goal in mind. In his Introduction to Sefer HaMitzvot (where he outlines some of his deliberations about the composition of the Mishneh Torah), the Rambam writes:
I chose to omit the supports and proofs [for the laws], and instead mention the major figures who transmitted the tradition. Thus, I will not say "These are the words of Rabbi ---," or "Rabbi --- says such and such" regarding each particular matter. Instead, I will mention all the sages of the Mishnah and the Talmud, of blessed memory, in general at the beginning of the text. I will state that all the judgments of the Torah - i.e., the Oral Law - were received and transmitted from so and so to so and so, until Ezra and until Moses. I will mention together with [the leading sage of the generation], who received the tradition, the other well-known personalities in his generation whose position in the chain of tradition is equivalent to his. All this [will be done] out of a desire for brevity.
The Rambam's willingness to sacrifice the mention of the sources for his decisions in favor of a brief and clear text became a major issue with regard to the acceptance of the Mishneh Torah by other rabbis. The Ra'avad writes:
This author abandoned the practice of all the previous authors, who would bring supports for their statements and quote them in the name of their sources. This was of great benefit because, at times, a judge would presume to forbid or permit [something] based on a specific source. If he knew that a greater authority holds a different opinion, he would retract his. However, in this instance, I do not know why I should retract from the tradition I received and my sources because of [the statements] in this work by this author.
Afterwards, the Rambam himself regretted his original decision. In a responsum, he wrote that he desired to add the sources on which the decisions of the Mishneh Torah were based. Unfortunately, the Rambam himself never succeeded in composing such a text, and the task of discovering these sources has been left to the sages of subsequent generations.
11.
Jeremiah and Baruch witnessed the destruction of the First Temple. After Jeremiah's death, Baruch went to Babylon and taught Torah to the exiles there.
12.
The Anshei K'nesset Hagedolah presided over the return to Zion at the beginning of the Second Temple period and set the foundations for the reconstruction of the nation.
13.
These two sages begin the line of zugot(pairs) mentioned in the first chapter of Avot. The first of the sages mentioned was the nasi (head of the academy), and the second the av beit din (head of the court).
14.
See Eduyot 1:3 and Gittin ,57b. It is difficult to understand why the Rambam mentions Shemayah and Avtalion's ancestry. On the contrary, the fact that they were converts raises serious questions as to why they were allowed to serve as nasi and av beit din. (See Hilchot Melachim 1:4 and the commentary in the Moznaim edition of that Halachah.)
15.
Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai witnessed the destruction of the Second Temple. Before the fall of Jerusalem, he escaped with his students to Yavneh and laid a new foundation for our people's spiritual growth.
16.
The commentaries have noted some apparent contradictions between the Rambam's statements here and those in the Introduction to his Commentary on the Mishnah. For example, in the Introduction to his Commentary on the Mishnah, the Rambam states that Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Nechemiah were different names for the same person, while here he mentions them as separate individuals. Similarly, in the Introduction to his Commentary on the Mishnah, the Rambam places Rabbi Chananiah ben Teradion in the first generation of sages following the Temple's destruction, while here he places him in the third generation.
The Mishneh Torah is a later work, and it is possible that the Rambam changed his thinking on these particulars before its composition.
17.
In the Introduction to his Commentary on the Mishnah, the Rambam explains that Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi merited the title Rabbenu Hakadosh (our saintly teacher), because "he possessed all the desired and good qualities."
18.
The Roman Empire systematically attempted to suppress the study of Torah in all the lands under its control.
19.
Though Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi's composition of the Mishnah is a monumental achievement in its own right, perhaps the Rambam elaborates in his description of it because of the parallels to his own composition of the Mishneh Torah.
20.
Rav and Shemuel represent the first generation of Amoraim, the age in which the center of Torah study shifted from Eretz Yisrael to Babylonia.
21.
In the Introduction to his Commentary on the Mishnah, the Rambam explains Rabbi Chiyya's contribution as follows:
He followed his master's [Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi's] footsteps [in composing a text for the public] to explain the matters he saw to be confusing in his master's work.
This was called the Tosefta. Its intent was to explain the Mishnah and expound upon concepts that would require much effort to be derived from the Mishnah… to show how these ideas could be developed and deduced from the Mishnah.
22.
Thus, according to the Rambam, the approximate date of the composition of the
Jerusalem Talmud was the year 4025 (365 C.E.).
The commentaries have not found an explicit source supporting the Rambam's contention that Rabbi Yochanan composed the Jerusalem Talmud. Indeed, it appears that the final text of that work was composed by Rabbi Mannah and Rabbi Yosse ben Rabbi Bun approximately one hundred years after Rabbi Yochanan's death. Some commentaries explain that Rabbi Yochanan laid the foundation for the text that was completed by the later sages.
26.
ושמואל ורבי יוחנן וכו'. א"א לא היה שמואל ור' יוחנן ור' הושעיא ור' ינאי ובר קפרא מבית דינו של רבי. אבל לוי ור' ביסא ור' חמא בנו ור' ישמעאל ב"ר יוסי ור' יוסי בר לקוניא הם היו מבית דינו. וזה המאסף אסף מדעתו ולא ידע על מה:
Part 2
All the sages who were mentioned were the leaders of the generations. Among them were heads of academies, heads of the exile, and members of the great Sanhedrin. Together with them in each generation, there were thousands and myriads that heard their [teachings].
Ravina and Rav Ashi were the final generation of the Sages of the Talmud.
כל אלו החכמים הנזכרים הם גדולי הדורות. מהם ראשי ישיבות ומהם ראשי גליות ומהם סנהדרי גדולה. ועמהם בכל דור ודור אלפים ורבבות ששמעו מהם ועמהם. רבינא ורב אשי הם סוף חכמי הגמרא.
Rav Ashi composed the Babylonian Talmud in Shin'ar approximately one hundred years after Rabbi Yochanan composed the Jerusalem Talmud.1 The intent of both the Talmuds is to elucidate the words of the Mishnah, to explain its deeper points, and [to relate] the new matters that were developed by each court from the era of Rabbenu Hakadosh until the composition of the Talmud.
From the entire [body of knowledge stemming from] the two Talmuds, the Tosefta, the Sifra, and the Sifre, can be derived the forbidden and the permitted, the impure and the pure, the liable and those who are free of liability, the invalid and the valid as was received [in tradition], one person from another, [in a chain extending back] to Moses at Mount Sinai.
ורב אשי הוא שחיבר הגמרא הבבלית בארץ שנער אחר שחיבר ר' יוחנן הגמרא ירושלמית בכמו מאה שנה. וענין שני הגמרות הוא פירוש דברי המשניות וביאור עמקותיה ודברים שנתחדשו בכל בית דין ובית דין מימות רבינו הקדוש ועד חיבור הגמרא. ומשני הגמרות ומן התוספתות ומספרא וספרי (ומן התוספות) מכולם יתבאר האסור והמותר הטמא והטהור החיוב והפטור הפסול והכשר כמו שהעתיקו איש מפי איש מפי משה רבינו מסיני:
Also, [the sources mentioned above] relate those matters which were decreed by the sages and prophets in each generation in order to "build a fence around the Torah." We were explicitly taught about [this practice] by Moses, as [implied by Leviticus 18:30]: "And you shall observe My precepts," [which can be interpreted to mean]: "Make safeguards for My precepts."2
Similarly, it includes the customs and ordinances that were ordained or practiced in each generation according to [the judgment of] the governing court of that generation.3 It is forbidden to deviate from [these decisions], as [implied by Deuteronomy 17:11]: "Do not deviate from the instructions that they will give you, left or right."
It also includes marvelous judgments and laws which were not received from Moses, but rather were derived by the courts of the [later] generations based on the principles of Biblical exegesis. The elders of those generations made these decisions and concluded that this was the law. Rav Ashi included in the Talmud this entire [body of knowledge, stemming] from the era of Moses, our teacher, until his [own] era.
The Sages of the Mishnah also composed other texts to explain the words of the Torah. Rabbi Hoshaia, the disciple of Rabbenu Hakadosh, composed an explanation of the book of Genesis.4Rabbi Yishmael [composed] an explanation beginning at "These are the names" [the beginning of the book of Exodus,] until the conclusion of the Torah. This is called the Mechilta. Rabbi Akiva also composed a Mechilta.5 Other Sages of the following generations composed other [collections of the] interpretations [of verses] (Medrashim). All of these works were composed before the Babylonian Talmud.
גם יתבאר מהם דברים שגזרו חכמים ונביאים שבכל דור ודור לעשות סייג לתורה כמו ששמעו ממשה בפירוש. שנאמר ושמרתם את משמרתי עשו משמרת למשמרתי. וכן יתבאר מהם המנהגות והתקנות שהתקינו או שנהגו בכל דור ודור כמו שראו בית דין של אותו הדור. לפי שאסור לסור מהם שנאמר לא תסור מן הדבר אשר יגידו לך ימין ושמאל. וכן משפטים ודינים מופלאים שלא קיבלום ממשה ודנו בהם בית דין של אותו הדור במדות שהתורה נדרשת בהן. ופסקו אותם הזקנים וגמרו שהדין כך הוא. הכל חיבר רב אשי בגמרא מימות משה ועד ימיו. וחברו חכמי המשנה חיבורים אחרים לפרש דברי התורה. רבי הושעיא תלמידו של רבינו הקדוש חיבר ביאור ספר בראשית. ורבי ישמעאל פירש מאלה שמות עד סוף התורה והוא הנקרא מכילתא. וכן ר' עקיבא חיבר מכילתא. וחכמים אחרים אחריהם חיברו מדרשות.והכל חובר קודם הגמרא הבבלית:
Thus, Ravina, Rav Ashi, and their colleagues represent the final era of the great Sages of Israel who transmitted the Oral Law. They passed decrees, ordained practices, and put into effect customs. These decrees, ordinances, and customs spread out among the entire Jewish people in all the places where they lived.6
After the court of Rav Ashi composed the Talmud and completed it in the time of his son, the Jewish people became further dispersed throughout all the lands, reaching the distant extremes and the far removed islands. Strife sprung up throughout the world, and the paths of travel became endangered by troops. Torah study decreased and the Jews ceased entering their yeshivot in the thousands and myriads, as was customary previously.
Instead, individuals, the remnants whom God called, would gather in each city and country, occupy themselves in Torah study, and [devote themselves] to understanding the texts of the Sages and learning the path of judgment from them.
נמצא רבינא ורב אשי וחבריהם. סוף גדולי חכמי ישראל המעתיקים תורה שבעל פה. ושגזרו גזירות והתקינו התקנות והנהיגו מנהגות ופשטה גזירתם ותקנתם ומנהגותם בכל ישראל בכל מקומות מושבותם. ואחר בית דין של רב אשי שחבר הגמרא וגמרו בימי בנו נתפזרו ישראל בכל הארצות פיזור יתר והגיעו לקצוות ואיים הרחוקים ורבתה קטטה בעולם ונשתבשו הדרכים בגייסות ונתמעט תלמוד תורה ולא נכנסו ישראל ללמוד בישיבותיהם אלפים ורבבות כמו שהיו מקודם אלא מתקבצים יחידים השרידים אשר ה' קורא בכל עיר ועיר ובכל מדינה ומדינה ועוסקין בתורה ומבינים בחיבורי החכמים כולם ויודעים מהם דרך המשפט היאך הוא.
Every court that was established after the conclusion of the Talmud, regardless of the country in which it was established, issued decrees, enacted ordinances, and established customs for the people of that country - or those of several countries. These practices, however, were not accepted throughout the Jewish people, because of the distance between [their different] settlements and the disruption of communication [between them].
Since each of these courts were considered to be individuals - and the High Court of 71 judges had been defunct for many years before the composition of the Talmud - people in one country could not be compelled to follow the practices of another country, nor is one court required to sanction decrees which another court had declared in its locale. Similarly, if one of the Geonim interpreted the path of judgment in a certain way, while the court which arose afterward interpreted the proper approach to the matter in a different way, the [opinion of the] first [need] not be adhered to [absolutely]. Rather, whichever [position] appears to be correct - whether the first or the last - is accepted.
וכל בית דין שעמד אחר הגמרא בכל מדינה ומדינה וגזר או התקין או הנהיג לבני מדינתו או לבני מדינות רבות לא פשטו מעשיו בכל ישראל מפני רחוק מושבותיהם ושבוש הדרכים. והיות בית דין של אותה המדינה יחידים ובית דין הגדול של שבעים ואחד בטל מכמה שנים קודם חיבור הגמרא. לפיכך אין כופין אנשי מדינה זו לנהוג כמנהג מדינה האחרת. ואין אומרים לבית דין זה לגזור גזירה שגזרה בית דין אחר במדינתו. וכן אם למד אחד מהגאונים שדרך המשפט כך הוא ונתבאר לבית דין אחר שעמד אחריו שאין זה דרך המשפט הכתוב בגמרא, אין שומעין לראשון אלא למי שהדעת נוטה לדבריו בין ראשון בין אחרון:
FOOTNOTES
1.
Thus, according to the Rambam, the approximate date of the composition of the Babylonian Talmud was 4125 (465 C.E.).
The commentaries point to Bava Metzia86a, which relates that "Rav Ashi and Ravina were the final authorities with regard to instruction," as the source for the Rambam's statements. From the Rambam's later statements, it appears that in this instance as well, Rav Ashi laid the foundation for the Talmud. However, the composition of the text was completed by Ravina Zuta, Mar bar Rav Ashi, and Rav Yosse more than seventy years after Rav Ashi's death.
The commentaries point to Bava Metzia86a, which relates that "Rav Ashi and Ravina were the final authorities with regard to instruction," as the source for the Rambam's statements. From the Rambam's later statements, it appears that in this instance as well, Rav Ashi laid the foundation for the Talmud. However, the composition of the text was completed by Ravina Zuta, Mar bar Rav Ashi, and Rav Yosse more than seventy years after Rav Ashi's death.
2.
In the Introduction to his Commentary on the Mishnah, the Rambam deals with this subject at length, citing as examples, the prohibition of eating fowl together with milk and the eighteen decrees passed by the School of Hillel and the School of Shammai.
3.
In the Introduction to his Commentary on the Mishnah, the Rambam also mentions these two categories, describing them as:
Laws that were established after meditation on the proper structure for interpersonal relations, without adding or detracting from the words of the Torah, or matters that [were instituted] for the spiritual betterment of mankind.
Among the examples of such laws he cites are: Hillel's institution of the Pruzbul and the ordinances of Ushia, which require a father to support his children. The Rambam also discusses these three categories of Rabbinic decrees in Hilchot Mamrim,Chapters 1 and 2.
Laws that were established after meditation on the proper structure for interpersonal relations, without adding or detracting from the words of the Torah, or matters that [were instituted] for the spiritual betterment of mankind.
Among the examples of such laws he cites are: Hillel's institution of the Pruzbul and the ordinances of Ushia, which require a father to support his children. The Rambam also discusses these three categories of Rabbinic decrees in Hilchot Mamrim,Chapters 1 and 2.
6.
Because these ordinances were universally accepted by the Jewish people, their observance became mandatory, as the Rambam explains further on.
Part 3
These [principles apply regarding] the judgments, decrees, ordinances, and customs which were established after the conclusion of the Talmud. However, all the matters mentioned by the Babylonian1 Talmud are incumbent on the entire Jewish people to follow. We must compel each and every city and each country to accept all the customs that were put into practice by the Sages of the Talmud, to pass decrees parallelling their decrees, and to observe their ordinances, since all the matters in the Babylonian Talmud were accepted by the entire Jewish people.
ודברים הללו בדינים גזירות ותקנות ומנהגות שנתחדשו אחר חיבור הגמרא. אבל כל הדברים שבגמרא הבבלי חייבין כל ישראל ללכת בהם וכופין כל עיר ועיר וכל מדינה ומדינה לנהוג בכל המנהגות שנהגו חכמי הגמרא ולגזור גזירותם וללכת בתקנותם. הואיל וכל אותם הדברים שבגמרא הסכימו עליהם כל ישראל.
The [Talmudic] Sages who established ordinances and decrees, put customs into practice, arrived at legal decisions, and taught [the people] concerning certain judgments represented the totality of the Sages of Israel or, at least, the majority of them. They received the tradition regarding the fundamental aspects of the Torah in its entirety, generation after generation, [in a chain beginning with] Moses, our teacher.
All the Sages who arose after the conclusion of the Talmud and comprehended its [wisdom] and whose prowess gained them a reputation are called the Geonim.
ואותם החכמים שהתקינו או שגזרו או שהנהיגו או שדנו דין ולמדו שהמשפט כך הוא, הם כל חכמי ישראל או רובם והם ששמעו הקבלה בעקרי התורה כולה דור אחר דור עד משה רבינו עליו השלום. וכל החכמים שעמדו אחר חיבור הגמרא ובנו בו ויצא להם שם בחכמתם הם הנקראים גאונים.
All these Geonim that arose in Eretz Yisrael, Babylonia, Spain, and France taught the approach of the Talmud, revealing its hidden secrets and explaining its points, since [the Talmud's] manner of expression is very deep. Furthermore, it is composed in Aramaic, with a mixture of other tongues. This language was understood by the people of Babylonia in the era when the Talmud was composed.
וכל אלו הגאונים שעמדו בארץ ישראל ובארץ שנער ובספרד ובצרפת למדו דרך הגמרא והוציאו לאור תעלומותיו וביארו עניניו, לפי שדרך עמוקה דרכו עד למאוד. ועוד שהוא בלשון ארמי מעורב עם לשונות אחרות לפי שאותה הלשון היתה ברורה לכל אנשי שנער בעת שחוברה הגמרא.
However, in other places, and even in Babylonia in the era of the Geonim, a person cannot understand this language unless he has studied it.2
The inhabitants of each city would ask many questions of each Gaon who lived in their age, to explain the difficult matters that existed in the Talmud. They would reply to them according to their wisdom. The people who had asked the questions would collect the replies and make texts from them, so that they could consider them in depth.3 Also, the Geonim of each generation composed texts to explain the Talmud. Some of the them explained only certain halachot. Others explained selected chapters that had created difficulty in their age. Still others explained entire tractates and orders.
אבל בשאר מקומות וכן בשנער בימי הגאונים אין אדם מכיר אותה הלשון עד שמלמדים אותו. ושאלות רבות שואלין אנשי כל עיר ועיר לכל גאון אשר היה בימיהם לפרש להם דברים קשים שבגמרא. והם משיבים להם כפי חכמתם. ואותם השואלים מקבצים התשובות ועושין מהם ספרים להבין מהם. גם חיברו הגאונים שבכל דור ודור חיבורים לבאר הגמרא. מהם מי שפירש הלכות יחידות. ומהם שפירש פרקים יחידים שנתקשו בימיו. ומהם מי שפירש מסכתות וסדרים.
Also, [the Geonim] composed [texts recording] the decisions of Torah law regarding what is permitted and what is forbidden, when one is liable and when one is free of liability, with regard to subjects that were necessary at the time, so that they would be accessible to the grasp of a person who could not comprehend the depths of the Talmud.4 This is the work of God, which was performed by all the Geonim of Israel from the completion of the Talmud until the present date, 1108 years after the destruction of the Temple, 4937 years after the creation of the world.5
ועוד חיברו הלכות פסוקות בענין איסור והיתר וחיוב ופטור בדברים שהשעה צריכה להם כדי שיהיו קרובים למדע מי שאינו יכול לירד לעומקה של גמרא. וזו היא מלאכת ה' שעשו בה כל גאוני ישראל מיום שחוברה הגמרא ועד זמן זה שהיא שנה שמינית אחר מאה ואלף לחרבן הבית, והיא שנת ארבעת אלפים ותשע מאות ושלשים ושבע לבריאת עולם:
At this time, we have been beset by additional difficulties, everyone feels [financial] pressure, the wisdom of our Sages has become lost, and the comprehension of our men of understanding has become hidden. Therefore, those explanations, laws, and replies which the Geonim composed and considered to be fully explained material have become difficult to grasp in our age, and only a select few comprehend these matters in the proper way.
ובזמן הזה תקפו הצרות יתירות ודחקה השעה את הכל ואבדה חכמת חכמינו ובינת נבונינו נסתרה. לפיכך אותם הפירושים וההלכות והתשובות שחברו הגאונים וראו שהם דברים מבוארים נתקשו בימינו ואין מבין עניניהם כראוי אלא מעט במספר.
Needless to say, [there is confusion] with regard to the Talmud itself - both the Jerusalem and Babylonian Talmuds - the Sifra, the Sifre,and the Tosefta, for they require a breadth of knowledge, a spirit of wisdom, and much time, for appreciating the proper path regarding what is permitted and forbidden, and the other laws of the Torah.
Therefore, I girded my loins - I, Moses, the son of Maimon, of Spain.6 I relied upon the Rock, blessed be He. I contemplated all these texts and sought to compose [a work which would include the conclusions] derived from all these texts regarding the forbidden and the permitted, the impure and the pure, and the remainder of the Torah's laws, all in clear and concise terms, so that the entire Oral Law could be organized in each person's mouth without questions or objections.
Instead of [arguments], this one claiming such and another such, [this text will allow for] clear and correct statements based on the judgments that result from all the texts and explanations mentioned above, from the days of Rabbenu Hakadosh until the present. [This will make it possible] for all the laws to be revealed to both those of lesser stature and those of greater stature, regarding every single mitzvah, and also all the practices that were ordained by the Sages and the Prophets.
To summarize: [The intent of this text is] that a person will not need another text at all with regard to any Jewish law. Rather, this text will be a compilation of the entire Oral Law, including also the ordinances, customs, and decrees that were enacted from the time of Moses, our teacher, until the completion of the Talmud,7 as were explained by the Geonim in the texts they composed after the Talmud.
ואין צריך לומר הגמרא עצמה הבבלית והירושלמית וספרא וספרי והתוספתא שהם צריכין דעת רחבה ונפש חכמה וזמן ארוך ואחר כך יודע מהם הדרך הנכוחה בדברים האסורים והמותרים ושאר דיני התורה היאך הוא. ומפני זה נערתי חצני אני משה בן מיימון הספרדי ונשענתי על הצור ברוך הוא ובינותי בכל אלו הספרים וראיתי לחבר דברים המתבררים מכל אלו החיבורים בענין האסור והמותר הטמא והטהור עם שאר דיני התורה. כולם בלשון ברורה ודרך קצרה עד שתהא תורה שבעל פה כולה סדורה בפי הכל בלא קושיא ולא פירוק. לא זה אומר בכה וזה בכה. אלא דברים ברורים קרובים נכונים על פי המשפט אשר יתבאר מכל אלו החיבורים והפירושים הנמצאים מימות רבינו הקדוש ועד עכשיו. עד שיהיו כל הדינין גלויין לקטן ולגדול בדין כל מצוה ומצוה ובדין כל הדברים שתיקנו חכמים ונביאים. כללו של דבר כדי שלא יהא אדם צריך לחיבור אחר בעולם בדין מדיני ישראל אלא יהא חיבור זה מקבץ לתורה שבעל פה כולה עם התקנות והמנהגות והגזירות שנעשו מימות משה רבינו ועד חבור הגמרא וכמו שפירשו לנו הגאונים בכל חיבוריהם שחיברו אחר הגמרא.
Therefore, I have called this text, Mishneh Torah ["the second to the Torah,"8 with the intent that] a person should first study the Written Law, and then study this text9 and comprehend the entire Oral Law from it, without having to study any other text between the two.
I saw fit to divide this text into [separate] halachot10 pertaining to each [particular] subject, and, within the context of a single subject, to divide those halachot into chapters. Each and every chapter is divided into smaller halachot so that they can be ordered in one's memory.
לפיכך קראתי שם חיבור זה משנה תורה. לפי שאדם קורא בתורה שבכתב תחלה ואחר כך קורא בזה 15 ויודע ממנו תורה שבעל פה כולה ואינו צריך לקרות ספר אחר ביניהם. וראיתי לחלק חיבור זה הלכות הלכות בכל ענין וענין. ואחלק ההלכות לפרקים שבאותו ענין. וכל פרק ופרק אחלק אותו להלכות קטנות כדי שיהיו סדורים על פה.
[Regarding] the halachot which pertain to specific subjects: Some of the halachot contain the laws governing only one mitzvah, this being a mitzvah that has many matters of the tradition [associated with it] and is a subject in its own right. Other halachot contain the laws governing many mitzvot, since they deal with the same subject matter, for I have divided this text according to topics, not according to the number of mitzvot, as will become clear to the reader.11
אלו ההלכות שבכל ענין וענין יש מהם הלכות שהם משפטי מצוה אחת בלבד. והיא המצוה שיש בה דברי קבלה הרבה והוא ענין בפני עצמו. ויש מהם הלכות שהם כוללים משפטי מצות הרבה אם יהיו אותן המצות כולם בענין אחד. מפני שחילוק חיבור זה לפי הענינים לא לפי מנין המצות כמו שיתבאר לקורא בו. ומנין מצות התורה הנוהגות לדורות שש מאות ושלש עשרה מצות. מהם מצות עשה מאתים וארבעים ושמנה סימן להם מנין אבריו של אדם. ומהם מצות לא תעשה שלש מאות וששים וחמש סימן להם מנין ימי שנת החמה:
FOOTNOTES
1.
Perhaps by specifying "the Babylonian Talmud," the Rambam is alluding to the halachic principle that whenever there is a difference between the decisions of the Babylonian and the Jerusalem Talmuds, those of the Babylonian Talmud are followed.
2.
In his Introduction to Sefer HaMitzvot, the Rambam explains that he chose to compose the Mishneh Torah in Mishnaic Hebrew rather than in Aramaic in order to make it more accessible to the common man.
3.
33.the Rambam is referring to the body of responsa (She'elot UTshuvot) which began to accumulate from the many questions circulated among the different Jewish communities in the diaspora.
4.
In the Introduction to his Commentary on the Mishnah, the Rambam mentions some of these texts: Halachot Gedolot, Halachot Pesukot, the She'iltot of Rav Achai Gaon, and the Halachot of Rav Yitzchak Alfasi.
5.
This corresponds to the year 1177 C.E. Apparently, the Rambam composed the Mishneh Torah over a number of years, constantly revising his work. Thus, in Hilchot Kiddush HaChodesh 11:16, he mentions the date of the composition of the text as 4938, one year later, and in Hilchot Shemitot V'Yovalot, he mentions the date 4936, one year earlier.
6.
Though the Rambam mentions his nationality when stating his name in some of his other works as well (see Iggeret HaShmad), it is possible that he had a specific intention in doing so here. Despite his desire and intention for the Mishneh Torah to be universally accepted, he knew that other customs were followed in the Ashkenazic community. By mentioning his country of origin, he could be alluding to the fact that some of the customs he mentioned were specific to Jews of that background (Yayin Maichut).
8.
As mentioned above, there were many rabbis who considered the Rambam's intention in the composition of this text and, in particular, the name he chose for it, as presumptuous. Indeed, for that reason the name Mishneh Torah is rarely used. Instead, the text is commonly referred to as the YadHaChazakah ("The Strong Hand") [so called because the Hebrew is numerically equivalent to fourteen, the number of books in the Mishneh Torah], or simply "the Rambam."
9.
The Rambam's statements imply that he desired the Mishneh Torah to be studied in the order in which it was composed, so that a reader can receive a full picture of the Oral Law.
11.
In his Introduction to Sefer HaMitzvot, the Rambam explains that he chose to structure the text in this manner in order to make the subject matter more accessible to the reader.
12.
For there are some commandments - e.g., the requirement to dedicate the spoil taken from Midian (see Numbers, Chapter 31) - that were recorded in the Torah, but applied only in those specific circumstances.
13.
In Sefer HaMitzvot, the Rambam quotes the Midrash Tanchumah (Ki Tetzei), which states that it is as if each limb of the body is saying, "Do a mitzvah with me."
14.
Thus, it is as if each day of the year is saying, "Do not commit a transgression on me" (ibid.).
15.
ויודע ממנו וכו'. א"א סבר לתקן ולא תיקן כי הוא עזב דרך כל המחברים אשר היו לפניו כי הם הביאו ראיה לדבריהם וכתבו הדברים בשם אומרם והיה לו בזה תועלת גדולה כי פעמים רבות יעלה על לב הדיין לאסור או להתיר וראייתו ממקום אחד ואילו ידע כי יש גדול ממנו הפליג שמועתו לדעת אחרת היה חוזר בו. ועתה לא אדע למה אחזור מקבלתי ומראייתי בשביל חבורו של זה המחבר. אם החולק עלי גדול ממני הרי טוב ואם אני גדול ממנו למה אבטל דעתי מפני דעתו. ועוד כי יש דברים שהגאונים חולקים זה על זה וזה המחבר בירר דברי האחד וכתבם בחיבורו ולמה אסמוך אני על ברירתו והיא לא נראית בעיני ולא אדע החולק עמו אם הוא ראוי לחלוק אם לא. אין זה אלא כל קבל די רוח יתירא ביה:
• Sunday, 21 Tishrei, 5777 · 23 October 2016
• "Today's Day"
• Thursday, Tishrei 22, Sh'mini Atzeret, 5704
Torah lessons: Chumash: B'racha, Chamishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 106-107.
Tanya: On the holy Sabbath (p. 529) ...be (His) will. (p. 529).
One makes kiddush and eats and drinks in the suka, both by night and during the (following) day.
Hakafot on Sh'mini Atzeret night. Haftora: Vay'hi k'chalot until ul'yisrael amo.
We do not say the (specially designated prayer) Yehi ratzon upon leaving the suka.
Sh'mini Atzeret and Rosh Hashana are parallel in many of the kavanot1 and higher yichudim.2 On Rosh Hashana, though, these are in a mode of elevation and on Sh'mini Atzeret in a mode of elicitation from On High downward. On Rosh Hashana man's avoda is with supplication, submission and intense bitterness; on Sh'mini Atzeret it is with joy.
FOOTNOTES
1.Mystic devotions.
2."Unification" of different supernal elements attained by the individual during (and by) his mystical devotions.
• Daily Thought:• "Today's Day"
• Thursday, Tishrei 22, Sh'mini Atzeret, 5704
Torah lessons: Chumash: B'racha, Chamishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 106-107.
Tanya: On the holy Sabbath (p. 529) ...be (His) will. (p. 529).
One makes kiddush and eats and drinks in the suka, both by night and during the (following) day.
Hakafot on Sh'mini Atzeret night. Haftora: Vay'hi k'chalot until ul'yisrael amo.
We do not say the (specially designated prayer) Yehi ratzon upon leaving the suka.
Sh'mini Atzeret and Rosh Hashana are parallel in many of the kavanot1 and higher yichudim.2 On Rosh Hashana, though, these are in a mode of elevation and on Sh'mini Atzeret in a mode of elicitation from On High downward. On Rosh Hashana man's avoda is with supplication, submission and intense bitterness; on Sh'mini Atzeret it is with joy.
FOOTNOTES
1.Mystic devotions.
2."Unification" of different supernal elements attained by the individual during (and by) his mystical devotions.
Celebrating No Matter What
Others celebrate that, as unworthy as they are, they have a G‑d who answers their cries.
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