Today in Jewish History:
• War on Benjamin (1188 BCE) Armies of the Tribes of Israel converged upon the tribe of Benjamin in the aftermath of the "Concubine at Givah" incident, in a war which nearly brought about the extinction of the Benjaminites (as related in the Book of Judges, chapters 19-21).
Daily Quote:
Just as wisdom is not something you can feel with your hands, so G-dliness is not something you can grasp with your mind[Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi]
Today's Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Mishpatim, 1st Portion Exodus 21:1-21:19 with Rashi
• Exodus Chapter 21
1And these are the ordinances that you shall set before them. אוְאֵ֨לֶּה֙ הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר תָּשִׂ֖ים לִפְנֵיהֶֽם:
And these are the ordinances: Wherever it says, “these” [in the Torah,] it [(this word) is used to] separate from what has been stated previously. [Where it says,] “And these,” [it means that] it is adding to what has been previously stated (Tanchuma Mishpatim 3). [Thus] just as what has been previously stated [namely the Ten Commandments,] were from Sinai, these too were from Sinai. Now why was the section dealing with laws juxtaposed to the section dealing with the altar? To tell you that you shall place the Sanhedrin adjacent to the Beth Hamikdash (other editions: the altar). — [From Mechilta] ואלה המשפטים: כל מקום שנאמר אלה פסל את הראשונים, ואלה מוסיף על הראשונים, מה הראשונים מסיני, אף אלו מסיני. ולמה נסמכה פרשת דינין לפרשת מזבח, לומר לך שתשים סנהדרין אצל המקדש [המזבח]:
that you shall set before them: The Holy One, blessed is He, said to Moses: Do not think of saying, “I will teach them the chapter or the law [both terms seemingly refer to the Oral Torah] two or three times until they know it well, as it was taught, but I will not trouble myself to enable them to understand the reasons for the matter and its explanation.” Therefore, it is said: “you shall set before them,” like a table, set [with food] and prepared to eat from, [placed] before someone. — [From Mechilta, Eruvin 54b] אשר תשים לפניהם: אמר לו הקב"ה למשה לא תעלה על דעתך לומר אשנה להם הפרק וההלכה ב' או ג' פעמים עד שתהא סדורה בפיהם כמשנתה, ואיני מטריח עצמי להבינם טעמי הדבר ופירושו, לכך נאמר אשר תשים לפניהם, כשלחן הערוך ומוכן לאכול לפני האדם:
before them: But not before gentiles. Even if you know that they [gentiles] judge a certain law similarly to the laws of Israel, do not bring it to their courts, for one who brings Jewish lawsuits before gentiles profanes the [Divine] Name and honors the name of idols to praise them (other editions: to give them importance), as it is said: “For not like our Rock [God] is their rock, but [yet] our enemies judge [us]” (Deut. 32:31). When [we let] our enemies judge [us], this is testimony to [our] esteem of their deity. — [From Tanchuma 3] לפניהם: ולא לפני גוים, ואפילו ידעת בדין אחד שהם דנין אותו כדיני ישראל, אל תביאהו בערכאות שלהם, שהמביא דיני ישראל לפני גוים מחלל את השם ומיקר שם עבודה זרה להחשיבה, שנאמר (דברים לב לא) כי לא כצורנו צורם ואויבינו פלילים, כשאויבינו פלילים זהו עדות לעלוי יראתם:
2Should you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall work [for] six years, and in the seventh [year], he shall go out to freedom without charge. בכִּ֤י תִקְנֶה֙ עֶ֣בֶד עִבְרִ֔י שֵׁ֥שׁ שָׁנִ֖ים יַֽעֲבֹ֑ד וּבַ֨שְּׁבִעִ֔ת יֵצֵ֥א לַֽחָפְשִׁ֖י חִנָּֽם:
Should you buy a Hebrew slave: A slave who is himself a Hebrew. Or perhaps it means only a slave of a Hebrew, a Canaanite [servant] whom you bought from a Hebrew. And concerning him, he [the Torah] says, “he shall work [for] six years.” How [then] can I apply the [law in the following] verse, “and you shall bequeath them” (Lev. 25:46) ? [Does this verse apply] concerning one [a servant] purchased from a non-Jew, but one [a servant] purchased from an Israelite goes free after six years? Therefore, the Torah states: “Should your brother, a Hebrew man… be sold to you, [he shall serve you for six years]” (Deut. 15:12). [This is the clarification that] I [God] said this only regarding your brother. — [From Mechilta] כי תקנה עבד עברי: עבד שהוא עברי, או אינו אלא עבדו של עברי, עבד כנעני שלקחתו מישראל, ועליו הוא אומר שש שנים יעבוד, ומה אני מקיים (ויקרא כה מו) והתנחלתם אתם, בלקוח מן הגוי, אבל בלקוח מישראל יצא בשש, תלמוד לומר (דברים טו יב) כי ימכר לך אחיך העברי, לא אמרתי אלא באחיך:
Should you buy: from the hand of the court, who sold him [into servitude] because of his theft, as it is said: “If he has no [money], he shall be sold for his theft” (Exod. 22:2). Or perhaps it refers only to one who sold oneself [into servitude] because of poverty, but if the court sold him, he does not go free after six [years]? When he [the Torah] says: “And if your brother becomes impoverished beside you and is sold to you” (Lev. 25:39), one who sells oneself because of poverty is mentioned [here]. So [to avoid repetition,] how do I apply “Should you buy” ? [By understanding that this is] concerning one sold by the court. כי תקנה: מיד בית דין שמכרוהו בגנבתו כמו שנאמר (שמות כב ב) אם אין לו ונמכר בגנבתו. או אינו אלא במוכר עצמו מפני דוחקו, אבל מכרוהו בית דין לא יצא בשש, כשהוא אומר (ויקרא כה לט) וכי ימוך אחיך עמך ונמכר לך, הרי מוכר עצמו מפני דוחקו אמור, ומה אני מקיים כי תקנה, בנמכר בבית דין:
to freedom: Heb. לַחָפְשִׁי, to freedom. לחפשי: לחירות:
3If he comes [in] alone, he shall go out alone; if he is a married man, his wife shall go out with him. גאִם־בְּגַפּ֥וֹ יָבֹ֖א בְּגַפּ֣וֹ יֵצֵ֑א אִם־בַּ֤עַל אִשָּׁה֙ ה֔וּא וְיָֽצְאָ֥ה אִשְׁתּ֖וֹ עִמּֽוֹ:
If he comes [in] alone: Heb. בְּגַפּוֹ, meaning that he was not married, as the Targum renders: אִם בִּלְחוֹדוֹהִי. The expression בְּגַפּוֹ means “with his skirt,” [i.e., the skirt of his cloak, meaning] that he came only as he was, alone within his clothing, in the skirt of his garment. אם בגפו יבא: שלא היה נשוי אשה כתרגומו אם בלחודוהי. ולשון בגפו בכנפו, שלא בא אלא כמות שהוא, יחידי, בתוך לבושו בכנף בגדו:
he shall go out alone: [This] tells [us] that if he was not married at first, his master may not give him a Canaanite maidservant from whom to beget slaves. — [From Kid. 20a] [ בגפו יצא: מגיד שאם לא היה נשוי מתחלה, אין רבו מוסר לו שפחה כנענית להוליד ממנה עבדים:
if he is a married man: [Lit., if he is someone’s husband, meaning] an Israelite [woman]. — [From Mechilta] אם בעל אשה הוא: ישראלית:
his wife shall go out with him: Now who brought her in that she should go out? Rather, the text informs us that whoever purchases a Hebrew slave is [also] responsible for supporting his wife and his children. [From Mechilta, Kid. 22a] ויצאה אשתו עמו: וכי מי הכניסה שתצא, אלא מגיד הכתוב, שהקונה עבד עברי חייב במזונות אשתו ובניו:
4If his master gives him a wife, and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and he shall go out alone. דאִם־אֲדֹנָיו֙ יִתֶּן־ל֣וֹ אִשָּׁ֔ה וְיָֽלְדָה־לּ֥וֹ בָנִ֖ים א֣וֹ בָנ֑וֹת הָֽאִשָּׁ֣ה וִֽילָדֶ֗יהָ תִּֽהְיֶה֙ לַֽאדֹנֶ֔יהָ וְה֖וּא יֵצֵ֥א בְגַפּֽוֹ:
If his master gives him a wife: From here we deduce that his master has the option to give him [the slave] a Canaanite maidservant [in order] to beget slaves from her. Or, perhaps this means only an Israelite woman? Therefore, Scripture says: “The woman and her children shall belong to her master.” Thus, He is speaking only about a Canaanite woman, for a Hebrew woman she, too, goes free after six [years], and even before six [years], when she develops signs [of puberty], she goes free, as it is said: “your brother, a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman [that one shall serve you for six years]” (Deut. 15:12). [This] teaches [us] that a Hebrew [maidservant] also goes free after six [years]. — [From Mechilta, Kid. 14b] אם א-דניו יתן לו אשה: מכאן שהרשות ביד רבו למסור לו שפחה כנענית להוליד ממנה עבדים. או אינו אלא בישראלית, תלמוד לומר האשה וילדיה תהיה לאדוניה, הא אינו מדבר אלא בכנענית, שהרי העבריה אף היא יוצאה בשש, ואפילו לפני שש אם הביאה סימנין יוצאה, שנאמר (דברים טו יב) אחיך העברי או העבריה, מלמד, שאף העבריה יוצאה בשש:
5But if the slave says, "I love my master, my wife, and my children. I will not go free," הוְאִם־אָמֹ֤ר יֹאמַר֙ הָעֶ֔בֶד אָהַ֨בְתִּי֙ אֶת־אֲדֹנִ֔י אֶת־אִשְׁתִּ֖י וְאֶת־בָּנָ֑י לֹ֥א אֵצֵ֖א חָפְשִֽׁי:
my wife: [This refers to] the maidservant. את אשתי: השפחה:
6his master shall bring him to the judges, and he shall bring him to the door or to the doorpost, and his master shall bore his ear with an awl, and he shall serve him forever. ווְהִגִּישׁ֤וֹ אֲדֹנָיו֙ אֶל־הָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔ים וְהִגִּישׁוֹ֙ אֶל־הַדֶּ֔לֶת א֖וֹ אֶל־הַמְּזוּזָ֑ה וְרָצַ֨ע אֲדֹנָ֤יו אֶת־אָזְנוֹ֙ בַּמַּרְצֵ֔עַ וַֽעֲבָד֖וֹ לְעֹלָֽם:
to the judges: Heb. אֶל-הָאֱלֹהִים, to the court to consult his sellers, for they sold him [the slave] to him [to his master]. — [From Mechilta] אל הא-להים: לבית דין, צריך שימלך במוכריו שמכרוהו לו:
to the door or to the doorpost: I might think that the doorpost is [a] qualified [place] on which to bore [the servant’s ear]. Therefore, Scripture says: “and you shall thrust it into his ear and into the door” (Deut. 15:17), [meaning] “into the door,” but not “into the doorpost.” What then does or to the doorpost mean? [The text is] comparing the door to the doorpost. Just as the doorpost is upright [i.e., attached to the house; otherwise it is not called a doorpost], so is the door upright. [A detached door may not be used for the ritual of ear boring.]-[From Mechilta, Kid. 22b] אל הדלת או אל המזוזה: יכול שתהא המזוזה כשרה לרצוע עליה, תלמוד לומר (דברים טו יז) ונתתה באזנו ובדלת, בדלת ולא במזוזה, הא מה תלמוד לומר או אל המזוזה, הקיש דלת למזוזה מה מזוזה מעומד אף דלת מעומד:
and his master shall bore his ear: [I.e.,] the right [ear]. Or perhaps it means the left one? Therefore, the Torah states אֹזֶן “ear,” here and אֹזֶן [elsewhere] for [the purpose of making] a גְזֵרָה שָׁוָה, [which means two places having similar wording, which indicates that the rulings pertaining to one situation also apply to the other]. It is stated here: “and his master shall bore his ear,” and it is stated regarding the mezora [person with the disease of zara’ath]: “the cartilage of the right ear of the one who is becoming pure” (Lev. 14:14). Just as there the right [ear] is specified, here too the right [ear] is meant. Now, why was the ear chosen to be bored out of all the organs of the body? Rabban Jochanan ben Zakkai said: The ear that heard on Mount Sinai, “You shall not steal” (Exod. 20:13) and [then] went and stole, shall be bored. And if [the text is referring to] one who sold himself [into servitude, the reason is that] the ear that heard, “For the children of Israel are slaves to Me” (Lev. 25:55) and [then] went and acquired a master for himself, [this ear] shall be bored. Rabbi Shimon used to interpret this verse [in a beautiful manner] like a bundle of pearls [or a great amount of perfume in this way:]-why were the door and the doorpost singled out from all the fixtures in the house? The Holy One, blessed is He, said: The door and the doorpost were witnesses in Egypt when I passed over the lintel and the two doorposts, and I said, “For the children of Israel are slaves to Me; they are My slaves,” but [they are] not slaves to slaves, and [yet] this one went and acquired for himself a master-[his ear] shall be bored before them [for everyone to see]. — [From Kid. 22b] ורצע א-דניו את אזנו במרצע: הימנית. או אינו אלא של שמאל, תלמוד לומר אזן, אזן לגזרה שוה נאמר כאן ורצע אדוניו את אזנו, ונאמר במצורע (ויקרא יד יד) תנוך אזן המטהר הימנית, מה להלן הימנית, אף כאן הימנית. ומה ראה אזן להרצע מכל שאר אברים שבגוף, אמר רבי יוחנן בן זכאי (קדושין כב ע"ב) אזן זאת ששמעה על הר סיני לא תגנוב, והלך וגנב, תרצע. ואם מוכר עצמו, אזן ששמעה על הר סיני (ויקרא כה נה) כי לי בני ישראל עבדים, והלך וקנה אדון לעצמו, תרצע. ר' שמעון היה דורש מקרא זה כמין חומר מה נשתנו דלת ומזוזה מכל כלים שבבית, אמר הקב"ה דלת ומזוזה שהיו עדים במצרים כשפסחתי על המשקוף ועל שתי המזוזות ואמרתי כי לי בני ישראל עבדים, עבדי הם ולא עבדים לעבדים, והלך זה וקנה אדון לעצמו, ירצע בפניהם:
and he shall serve him forever: Heb. לְעֹלָם, until the Jubilee year [the fiftieth year of the cycle]. Or perhaps it means literally forever, as its apparent meaning? Therefore, the Torah states [in reference to the Jubilee year]: “and each man to his family you shall return” (Lev. 25:10). [This] informs [us] that fifty years are called עֹלָם. But [this does] not [mean] that he must serve him [his master] the entire fifty years, but he must serve him until the Jubilee year, regardless of whether it is near or far off. — [From Mechilta, Kid. 15a] ועבדו לעלם: עד היובל. או אינו אלא לעולם כמשמעו, תלמוד לומר (ויקרא כה י) ואיש אל משפחתו תשובו, מגיד שחמישים שנה קרוים עולם, ולא שיהא עובדו כל חמשים שנה, אלא עובדו עד היובל בין סמוך בין מופלג:
7Now if a man sells his daughter as a maidservant, she shall not go free as the slaves go free. זוְכִֽי־יִמְכֹּ֥ר אִ֛ישׁ אֶת־בִּתּ֖וֹ לְאָמָ֑ה לֹ֥א תֵצֵ֖א כְּצֵ֥את הָֽעֲבָדִֽים:
Now if a man sells his daughter as a maidservant: Scripture is referring [here] to a minor girl. I might think that even if she develops signs [of initial puberty, the father may sell her]. [But] you must agree that a kal vachomer [the inference of a major rule from a minor rule] applies here namely if she who is already sold goes free with signs [that is, when she has signs of initial puberty], as it is written: “she shall go out for nothing, without money” (Exod. 21:11), which we interpret as referring to the signs of initial puberty, does it not make sense that she who is not sold [and has initial signs of puberty] should not be sold [at all]? -[From Mechilta, Arachin 29a] [At the moment when a female has two pubic hairs, usually when she is twelve years old, she is no longer considered a minor. She is then called נַעִרָה. She is, however, still under her father’s jurisdiction until six months later, when her breasts have developed to a certain stage. Then she is called בּוֹגֶרֶת, a mature girl. In the case of a Hebrew maidservant, the father may sell her only when she is a minor, not after she has become a נַעִרָה וכי ימכר איש את בתו לאמה: בקטנה הכתוב מדבר. יכול אפילו הביאה סימנים. אמרת קל וחומר ומה מכורה קודם לכן יוצאה בסימנין, כמו שנאמר (פסוק יא) ויצאה חנם אין כסף, שאנו דורשים אותן לסימני נערות, שאינה מכורה אינו דין שלא תמכר:
she shall not go free as the slaves go free: [I.e.,]-like the emancipation of Canaanite slaves, who go free because of [the loss of] a tooth or an eye. [See below, verses 26, 27.] This one [a Hebrew maidservant], however, will not go free because of [the loss of] a tooth or an eye, but she will work for [her complete] six years or until the Jubilee year or until she develops signs [of initial puberty]. Whichever comes first will be the first [event] to effect her emancipation, and [her master] will reimburse her for the value of her eye or the value of her tooth. Or perhaps this is not so [i.e., the intention of the verse], but “she shall not go free as the [male] slaves go free” [meaning] after six years or in the Jubilee year? Therefore, the Torah states: “Should your brother, a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman, be sold to you…” (Deut. 15:12). This compares the Hebrew woman to the Hebrew man in regard to all the ways he can be emancipated: just as a Hebrew man goes free following six years [of service] or in the Jubilee year, so too does a Hebrew woman go free following six years [of service] or in the Jubilee year. What then is the meaning of “she shall not go free as the slaves go free” ? [This means] she shall not go free with [the loss of] the tips of her limbs, as do the Canaanite slaves. I might think [then] that [only a Hebrew maidservant does not go free due to the loss of the tips of her limbs, but] a Hebrew man does go free with [the loss of] the tips of his limbs. [Therefore, the Torah] compares the Hebrew man to the Hebrew woman: just as the Hebrew woman does not go free with [the loss of] the tips of her limbs, neither does the Hebrew man go free with [the loss of] the tips of his limbs. — [From Mechilta] לא תצא כצאת העבדים: כיציאת עבדים כנענים שיוצאים בשן ועין, אבל זו לא תצא בשן ועין, אלא עובדת שש או עד היובל, או עד שתביא סימנין, וכל הקודם קודם לחירותה ונותן לה דמי עינה או דמי שינה, או אינו אלא לא תצא כצאת העבדים בשש וביובל, תלמוד לומר (דברים טו יב) כי ימכר לך אחיך העברי או העבריה. מקיש עבריה לעברי לכל יציאותיו מה עברי יוצא בשש וביובל, אף עבריה יוצאה בשש וביובל, ומהו לא תצא כצאת העבדים, לא תצא בראשי אברים כעבדים כנענים. יכול העברי יוצא בראשי אברים, תלמוד לומר העברי או העבריה, מקיש עברי לעבריה מה העבריה אינה יוצאה בראשי אברים, אף הוא אינו יוצא בראשי אברים:
8If she is displeasing to her master, who did not designate her [for himself], then he shall enable her to be redeemed; he shall not rule over her to sell her to another person, when he betrays her. חאִם־רָעָ֞ה בְּעֵינֵ֧י אֲדֹנֶ֛יהָ אֲשֶׁר־ל֥וֹ (כתיב אשר־לא)יְעָדָ֖הּ וְהֶפְדָּ֑הּ לְעַ֥ם נָכְרִ֛י לֹֽא־יִמְשֹׁ֥ל לְמָכְרָ֖הּ בְּבִגְדוֹ־בָֽהּ:
If she is displeasing to her master: [Meaning] that she does not please him to the extent that he would [want to] marry her. — [From Mechilta] אם רעה בעיני א-דניה: שלא נשאה חן בעיניו לכונסה:
who did not designate her: For he should have designated her and married her, and the money paid for her purchase is the money of her betrothal. Here Scripture hints that it is a mitzvah [for the master] to perform יִעוּד, designation for marriage, [with the maidservant] and it hints that she would not require any other betrothal. [I.e., neither money nor articles of value would have to be given to the girl’s father in order to marry her. The money the father originally received for selling his daughter now would become the money of betrothal from her master.]-[From Kid. 19b] אשר לא יעדה: שהיה לו ליעדה ולהכניסה לו לאשה, וכסף קנייתה הוא כסף קידושיה. כאן רמז לך הכתוב שמצוה ביעוד ורמז לך שאינה צריכה קדושין אחרים:
he shall enable her to be redeemed: [This means] he [the master] should give her the opportunity to be redeemed and go free, for he too assists in her redemption. Now what is this opportunity that he gives her? That he deducts from her redemption, according to the number of years that she worked for him, as if she had been hired by him [and was not a slave]. How so? Let us say that he bought her for a maneh [one hundred zuz], and she worked for him for two years. We say to him, “You knew that she would ultimately leave at the end of six years. This means that you bought each year’s work for one-sixth of a maneh, and she has worked for you for two years, which equals one-third of a maneh. Accept two-thirds of a maneh [from her, to pay for the remaining four years] and let her leave you.” -[from Kid. 14b] והפדה: יתן לה מקום להפדות ולצאת, שאף הוא מסייע בפדיונה ומה הוא מקום שנותן לה, שמגרע מפדיונה כמספר השנים שעשתה אצלו, כאלו היא שכורה אצלו. כיצד, הרי שקנאה במנה ועשתה אצלו שתי שנים אומרים לו יודע היית שעתידה לצאת לסוף שש, נמצא שקנית עבודת כל שנה ושנה בששית המנה, ועשתה אצלך שתי שנים, הרי שלישית המנה, טול שתי שלישיות המנה ותצא מאצלך:
to another person: Heb. לְעַם נָכְרִי. [Meaning] that neither the master nor the father has the right to sell her to anyone else. — [from Kid. 18a] לעם נכרי לא ימשל למכרה: אינו רשאי למכרה לאחר, לא האדון ולא האב:
when he betrays her: If he [the master] comes to betray her and not fulfill the commandment of designation, and the father, too, since he betrayed her and sold her to this one. בבגדו בה: אם בא לבגוד בה, שלא לקיים בה מצות ייעוד, וכן אביה, מאחר שבגד בה ומכרה לזה:
9And if he designates her for his son, he shall deal with her according to the law of the daughters [of Israel]. טוְאִם־לִבְנ֖וֹ יִֽיעָדֶ֑נָּה כְּמִשְׁפַּ֥ט הַבָּנ֖וֹת יַֽעֲשֶׂה־לָּֽהּ:
And if he designates her for his son: [I.e., if] the master [chooses her as a wife for his son]. [This] teaches [us] that his son also stands in his [the master’s] place to designate her if his father so desires, and he does not require another betrothal, but he [can] say to her, “Behold, you are designated to me with the money your father received [originally] for your value.” -[From Kid. 18b] ואם לבנו ייעדנה: האדון. מלמד, שאף בנו קם תחתיו ליעדה, אם ירצה אביו, ואינו צריך לקדשה קידושין אחרים. אלא אומר לה הרי את מיועדת לי בכסף שקיבל אביך בדמיך:
according to the law of the daughters [of Israel]: Meaning sustenance, clothing, and marital relations. — [From Mechilta] כמשפט הבנות: שאר, כסות ועונה:
10If he takes another [wife] for himself, he shall not diminish her sustenance, her clothing, or her marital relations. יאִם־אַחֶ֖רֶת יִקַּח־ל֑וֹ שְׁאֵרָ֛הּ כְּסוּתָ֥הּ וְעֹֽנָתָ֖הּ לֹ֥א יִגְרָֽע:
If he takes another [wife] for himself: in addition to her. — [From Mechilta] אם אחרת יקח לו: עליה:
he shall not diminish her sustenance, her clothing, or her marital relations: from the maidservant whom he had already designated. — [From Mechilta] שארה כסותה וענתה לא יגרע: מן האמה שיעד לו כבר:
her sustenance: Heb. שְׁאֵרָהּ, [referring to] food. — [From Mechilta, Keth. 47b] שארה: מזונות:
her clothing: Heb. כְּסוּתָה, lit., her covering As its apparent meaning [namely her clothing]. כסותה: כמשמעו:
her marital relations: Heb. עֹנָתָה, [meaning physical] intimacy. — [From Mechilta, Keth. 47b] ענתה: תשמיש:
11And if he does not do these three things for her, she shall go free without charge, without [payment of] money. יאוְאִ֨ם־שְׁלָשׁ־אֵ֔לֶּה לֹ֥א יַֽעֲשֶׂ֖ה לָ֑הּ וְיָֽצְאָ֥ה חִנָּ֖ם אֵ֥ין כָּֽסֶף:
And if he does not do these three things for her: If he does not do any one of these three things for her. Now what are these three things? He should designate her for himself or for his son [as a wife], or he should deduct from the money of her redemption and allow her to go free. But this one [master] designated her neither for himself nor for his son, and she could not afford to redeem herself [even after the deduction]. — [From Mechilta] ואם שלש אלה לא יעשה לה: אם אחת משלש אלה לא יעשה לה, ומה הן השלש, ייעדנה לו, או לבנו, או יגרע מפדיונה ותצא, וזה לא ייעדה לא לו ולא לבנו, והיא לא היה בידה לפדות את עצמה:
she shall go free without charge: [The text] adds [another means of] emancipation for this [maidservant] beyond what it provided for male slaves. Now what is this [means of] emancipation? וְיָצְאָה חִנָם informs you that she goes free when she shows [initial] signs [of puberty], and she must stay with him until she develops [these] signs. If six years pass before the appearance of these signs, we have already learned that she goes free, as it is said: “Should your brother, a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman [be sold to you, that one] shall serve you for six years” (Deut. 15: 12). What then is the meaning of “she shall go out without charge” ? If the signs [of puberty] precede the [end of] six years, she shall go free because of them. Or perhaps it means only that she goes out when she reaches maturity [i.e., at twelve and a half years]? Therefore, Scripture says: “without [payment of] money,” to include her emancipation at maturity. If both of them [i.e., that she goes free “without charge” and “without money”] were not stated, [and “she shall go out without charge” was stated,] I would say that “she shall go out without charge” refers to [her being freed at] maturity. Therefore, both of them were stated, so that the disputant has no opportunity to differ. -[From Mechilta, Kid. 4a] ויצאה חנם: ריבה לה יציאה לזו יותר ממה שריבה לעבדים, ומה היא היציאה, ללמדך שתצא בסימנין ותשהה עמו עד שתביא סימנין. ואם הגיעו שש שנים קודם סימנין, כבר למדנו שתצא, שנאמר (דברים טו יב) העברי או העבריה ועבדך שש שנים, ומהו האמור כאן ויצאה חנם, שאם קדמו סימנים לשש שנים תצא בהן, או אינו אומר שתצא אלא בבגרות תלמוד לומר אין כסף לרבות יציאת בגרות ואם לא נאמרו שניהם הייתי אומר ויצאה חנם זו בגרות, לכך נאמרו שניהם, שלא ליתן פתחון פה לבעל הדין לחלוק:
12One who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death. יבמַכֵּ֥ה אִ֛ישׁ וָמֵ֖ת מ֥וֹת יוּמָֽת:
One who strikes a man so that he dies: Several verses have been written in the section dealing with murderers, and I will explain what I am able to explain [about] why they [these verses] are needed. מכה איש ומת: כמה כתובים נאמרו בפרשת [במיתת] רוצחין, ומה שבידי לפרש למה באו כולם, אפרש:
One who strikes a man so that he dies: Why was this said? Because it says: “And if a man strikes down any human being, he shall surely be put to death” (Lev. 24:17), I understand [that even if he deals him] a blow without death. Therefore, the Torah says: “He who strikes a man and he dies,” meaning that he is liable only for a blow causing death. If it said: “He who strikes a man,” and it did not say, “And if a man strikes down any human being,” I would say that one is liable only if one strikes a man. If one strikes a woman or a minor, how do we know [that one is liable]? Therefore, the Torah says: “if [a man] strikes down any human being,” referring even to a minor or even a woman. Also, if it said: “He who strikes a man,” I would understand that even a minor who struck and killed [someone] would be liable. Therefore, the Torah [specifically] says: “if a man strikes down,” but not a minor who strikes [someone] down. Also, “if… strikes down any human being” implies even a nonviable infant. Therefore, the Torah [here] says: “He who strikes a man,” implying one is liable only if one strikes a viable infant, one [who is] capable of becoming a man [i.e., an adult]. -[From Mechilta] מכה איש ומת: למה נאמר, לפי שנאמר (ויקרא כד יז) ואיש כי יכה כל נפש אדם מות יומת, שומע אני בהכאה בלא מיתה, תלמוד לומר מכה איש ומת, אינו חייב אלא בהכאה של מיתה. ואם נאמר מכה איש, ולא נאמר ואיש כי יכה, הייתי אומר אינו חייב עד שיכה איש, היכה את האשה ואת הקטן מנין, תלמוד לומר כי יכה כל נפש אדם, אפילו קטן ואפילו אשה. ועוד אלו נאמר מכה איש, שומע אני, אפילו קטן שהכה והרג יהא חייב, תלמוד לומר ואיש כי יכה, ולא קטן שהכה. ועוד, כי יכה כל נפש אדם, אפילו נפלים במשמע, תלמוד לומר מכה איש, אינו חייב עד שיכה בן קיימא ראוי להיות איש:
13But one who did not stalk [him], but God brought [it] about into his hand, I will make a place for you to which he shall flee. יגוַֽאֲשֶׁר֙ לֹ֣א צָדָ֔ה וְהָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים אִנָּ֣ה לְיָד֑וֹ וְשַׂמְתִּ֤י לְךָ֙ מָק֔וֹם אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָנ֖וּס שָֽׁמָּה:
But one who did not stalk [him]: He did not lie in wait for him, and he did not intend [to kill him]. -[From Sifrei, Num. 35:22] ואשר לא צדה: לא ארב לו ולא נתכוין:
stalk: Heb. צָדָה, an expression meaning “lie in wait.” And so does Scripture say: “but you are stalking (צֹדֶה) my soul to take it” (I Sam. 24:12). It is, however, impossible to say that צָדָה is an expression [that is] related to [hunting animals as in the following verse:] “the one who hunted game צַיִד) (הַצָּד ” (Gen. 27:33) [and to render: he did not hunt him down], because in [the expression of] hunting beasts, there is no “hey” in its verb, and the noun related to it is צַיִד, whereas the noun in this case is צְדִיָּה (Num. 35:20), and its verb is צוֹדֶה, but the verb of this one [namely hunting] is צָּד. I say, [therefore,] that this is to be interpreted as the Targum [Onkelos] renders: But he who did not stalk [him]. Menachem, however, classified it (Machbereth Menachem, p. 148) in the grouping along with הַצָּד צַיִד, but I disagree with him. If it is at all possible to classify it in one of the groupings of צד [enumerated by Menachem], we may classify it in the grouping of “on the side (צַד) you shall be borne” (Isa. 66:12); “I shall shoot to the side (צִדָּה) ” (I Sam. 20:20); “And he will speak words against [lit., to the side of] (לְצַד) the Most High” (Dan. 7:25). Here, too, אִשֶׁר לֹא צָדָה means that he did not look sideways (צִדֵּד) to find for him some occasion [lit., side] to kill him. This [interpretation] too is questionable. In any case, it is an expression of stalking. [ צדה: לשון ארב, וכן הוא אומר (שמואל א כד יא) ואתה צודה את נפשי לקחתה, ולא יתכן לומר צדה לשון הצד ציד (בראשית כז לג), שצידת חיות אין נופל ה"א בפועל שלה, ושם דבר בה ציד, וזה שם דבר בו צדיה ופועל שלו צודה, וזה פועל שלו צד. ואומר אני פתרונו כתרגומו ודלא כמן ליה. ומנחם חברו בחלק צד ציד, ואין אני מודה לו. ואם יש לחברו באחת ממחלוקת של צד, נחברנו בחלק (ישעיה סו יב) על צד תנשאו, צדה אורה (שמואל א' כ כ), ומלין לצד עלאה ימלל (דניאל ז כה). אף כאן אשר לא צדה לא צדד למצוא לו שום צד מיתה, ואף זה יש להרהר עליו, סוף דבר לשון אורב הוא:
but God brought [it] about into his hand: Heb. אִנָּה, made it ready for his hand, an expression similar to “No harm will be prepared (תְאוּנֶּה) for you” (Ps. 91:10); No wrong shall be prepared (יְאוּנֶּה) (Prov. 12:21); [and] “he is preparing himself (מִתְאַנֶה) against me” (II Kings 5:7), [meaning that] he is preparing himself to find a pretext against me.. והא-להים אנה לידו: זימן לידו, לשון לא תאונה אליך רעה (תהלים צא י), לא יאונה לצדיק כל און (משלי יב כא), מתאנה הוא לי (מלכים ב' ה ז), מזדמן למצוא לי עילה:
but God brought [it] about into his hand: Now why should this go out from before Him? That is what David said, “As the proverb of the Ancient One says, ‘From the wicked comes forth wickedness’” (I Sam. 24:14). The proverb of the Ancient One is the Torah, which is the proverb of the Holy One, blessed is He, Who is the Ancient One of the world. Now where did the Torah say, “From the wicked comes forth wickedness” ? [This refers to:] “but God brought [it] about into his hand.” To what is the text referring? To two people, one who killed unintentionally and one who killed intentionally, but there were no witnesses who would testify to the matter. This one [who killed intentionally] was not executed, and that one [who killed unintentionally] was not exiled [to the refuge cities]. So the Holy One, blessed is He, brings them [both] to one inn. The one who killed intentionally sits under a ladder, and the one who killed unintentionally is ascending the ladder, and he falls on the one who had killed intentionally and kills him, and witnesses testify about him and sentence him to exile. The result is that the one who killed unintentionally is exiled, and the one who killed intentionally was killed. -[From Mechilta, Makkoth 10b] והא-להים אנה לידו: ולמה תצא זאת מלפניו, הוא שאמר דוד (שמואל א' כד יג) כאשר יאמר משל הקדמוני מרשעים יצא רשע, ומשל הקדמוני היא התורה, שהיא משל הקב"ה שהוא קדמונו של עולם. והיכן אמרה תורה מרשעים יצא רשע, והא-להים אנה לידו. במה הכתוב מדבר, בשני בני אדם, אחד הרג שוגג ואחד הרג מזיד, ולא היו עדים בדבר שיעידו, זה לא נהרג וזה לא גלה, והקב"ה מזמנן לפונדק אחד, זה שהרג במזיד יושב תחת הסולם, וזה שהרג שוגג עולה בסולם ונופל על זה שהרג במזיד והורגו, ועדים מעידים עליו ומחייבים אותו לגלות, נמצא זה שהרג בשוגג גולה, וזה שהרג במזיד נהרג:
I will make a place for you: Even in the desert, where he [the man who has murdered] shall flee, and what place affords him asylum? This is the camp of the Levites. -[From Mechilta, Mak. 12b] ושמתי לך מקום: אף במדבר, שינוס שמה, ואיזה מקום קולטו, זה מחנה לויה:
14But if a man plots deliberately against his friend to slay him with cunning, [even] from My altar you shall take him to die. ידוְכִֽי־יָזִ֥ד אִ֛ישׁ עַל־רֵעֵ֖הוּ לְהָרְג֣וֹ בְעָרְמָ֑ה מֵעִ֣ם מִזְבְּחִ֔י תִּקָּחֶ֖נּוּ לָמֽוּת:
But if… plots deliberately: Why was this said? Because it said: “One who strikes [a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death]” (verse 12), I [may] understand [this to apply to] a physician [who killed a patient], the agent of the court who killed by [administering] forty lashes, the father who strikes his son, the teacher who disciplines his pupil, and the unintentional [killer]. Therefore, the Torah states: “But if [a man] plots deliberately,” but not the unintentional [killer]; “to slay him with cunning,” but not the agent of the court, the physician, or the one who disciplines his son or his pupil, for although they are intentional [in striking], they do not act with cunning. -[From Mechilta] וכי יזיד: למה נאמר, לפי שנאמר מכה איש וגו' שומע אני אפילו גוי, והרופא שהרג ושליח בית דין שהמית במלקות ארבעים, והאב המכה את בנו, והרב הרודה את תלמידו, והשוגג, תלמוד לומר וכי יזיד ולא שוגג על רעהו ולא על גוי. להרגו בערמה - ולא שליח בית דין והרופא והרודה את בנו ותלמידו, שאף על פי שהם מזידין אין מערימין:
[even] from My altar: if he were a kohen and wanted to perform the [sacrificial] service, you shall take him to die. [From Mechilta, Yoma 85a] מעם מזבחי: אם היה כהן ורוצה לעבוד עבודה, תקחנו למות:
15And one who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. טווּמַכֵּ֥ה אָבִ֛יו וְאִמּ֖וֹ מ֥וֹת יוּמָֽת:
And one who strikes his father or his mother: Since we learned that one who strikes one’s fellow is liable to make monetary compensation (Exod. 21:18, 19, 24, 25), but he is not liable to death, the text had to state that one who strikes his father is liable to the death penalty, but he is not liable except for a blow that causes a wound. -[From Mechilta, Sanh. 84b] ומכה אביו ואמו: לפי שלמדנו על החובל בחבירו שהוא בתשלומין ולא במיתה, הוצרך לומר על החובל באביו שהוא במיתה, ואינו חייב אלא בהכאה שיש בה חבורה:
his father or his mother: Either this one or that one. -[From Mechilta, Sanh. 85b] אביו ואמו: או זה או זה:
shall surely be put to death: by strangulation. -[From Mechilta, Sanh. 85b] מות יומת: בחנק:
16And whoever kidnaps a man, and he is found in his possession, shall surely be put to death. טזוְגֹנֵ֨ב אִ֧ישׁ וּמְכָר֛וֹ וְנִמְצָ֥א בְיָד֖וֹ מ֥וֹת יוּמָֽת:
And whoever kidnaps a man: Why was this said [here since the law of kidnapping is mentioned elsewhere (Ho’il Moshe)]? Since it says (Deut. 24:7): “Should a man be found stealing a person from among his brothers” [meaning from the children of Israel, and he has worked with him and sold him, that thief shall die, and you shall clear away the evil from your midst]. [From here] I know only [that] a man who kidnapped a person [is liable to death]. How do I know if a woman, one of indeterminate sex, or a hermaphrodite kidnap [a person, that they too are liable to death]? Therefore, the Torah states: “And whoever kidnaps a man and sells him…” And since it says here: “And whoever kidnaps a man,” I know only that one who kidnaps a man [is liable to death]. How do I know that if one kidnaps a woman [he is also liable… to death]? Therefore, the Torah states (Deut. 24: 7): “stealing a person.” Therefore, both of them [both verses] were needed; what one [verse] left out the other [verse] filled in [lit., revealed]. -[From Mechilta, Sanh. 85b] וגנב איש ומכרו: למה נאמר, לפי שנאמר (דברים כד ז) כי ימצא איש גונב נפש מאחיו, אין לי אלא איש שגנב נפש, אשה או טומטום או אנדרוגינוס שגנבו מנין, תלמוד לומר וגונב איש ומכרו. ולפי שנאמר כאן וגונב איש, אין לי אלא גונב איש, גונב אשה מנין, תלמוד לומר (שם) גונב נפש, לכך הוצרכו שניהם, מה שחסר זה גלה זה:
and he is found in his possession: [I.e., this means] that witnesses saw him that he kidnapped him and sold him, and he [the kidnapped man] was found in his hand prior to the sale. -[From Mechilta] ונמצא בידו: שראוהו עדים שגנבו ומכרו ונמצא בידו כבר קודם מכירה:
shall surely be put to death: By strangulation. Every death penalty mentioned in the Torah without qualification is strangulation (Mechilta, Sanh. 84b). [God] interrupts the subject [of discussing sins against parents] and writes, “and whoever kidnaps a man” between [the verses] “one who strikes his father or his mother” and “one who curses his father or his mother.” It appears to me that that is [the underlying reason for] the controversy [found in Sanh. 85], that one Tannaic master believes that we are comparing striking [someone] to cursing [i.e., just as one is liable only if one curses a person who keeps the commandments as befits a Jew (see Exod. 22:27), so too is one liable only for striking a person who keeps the commandments, but not for striking a Cuthite], and the other master believes that we do not compare cursing to striking [and thus one would be liable for striking a Cuthite even though he does not keep the commandments]. -[Rashi, referring to Sanh. 85b] מות יומת: בחנק, כל מיתה האמורה בתורה סתם חנק היא. [והפסיק הענין וכתב וגונב איש, בין מכה אביו ואמו למקלל אביו ואמו, ונראה לי היינו פלוגתא, דמר סבר מקשינן הכאה לקללה, ומר סבר לא מקשינן]:
17And one who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. יזוּמְקַלֵּ֥ל אָבִ֛יו וְאִמּ֖וֹ מ֥וֹת יוּמָֽת:
And one who curses his father or his mother: Why was this said? Since [Scripture] says: “any man, any man who curses his father [or his mother shall surely be put to death]” (Lev. 20:9). [From there] I know only that if a man curses his father [he is liable to death]. How do I know that if a woman curses her father [she too is liable to death]? Therefore, Scripture says [here]: “And one who curses his father or his mother….” It makes an unqualified statement, meaning whether it is a man or a woman. If so, why does it say, “any man who curses” ? [In order] to exclude a minor. -[From Mechilta] ומקלל אביו ואמו: למה נאמר, לפי שהוא אומר (ויקרא כ ט) איש איש אשר יקלל את אביו, אין לי אלא איש שקלל את אביו, אשה שקללה את אביה מנין, תלמוד לומר ומקלל אביו ואמו סתם בין איש ובין אשה. אם כן למה נאמר איש אשר יקלל, להוציא את הקטן:
shall surely be put to death: By stoning. Wherever it says: “his blood is upon him,” [it means that he is to be put to death] by stoning. The model for all of them is “with rocks they shall stone them; their blood is upon them” (Lev. 20:27). Regarding the one who curses his father, it says: “his blood is upon him” (Lev. 20:9). -[From Mechilta; Sanh. 66a; Sifra, end of Kedoshim] מות יומת: בסקילה, וכל מקום שנאמר דמיו בו, בסקילה ובנין אב לכולם (ויקרא כ כז) באבן ירגמו אותם דמיהם בם, ובמקלל אביו ואמו נאמר דמיו בו (ויקרא כ ט):
18And if men quarrel, and one strikes the other with a stone or with a fist, and he does not die but is confined to [his] bed, יחוְכִֽי־יְרִיבֻ֣ן אֲנָשִׁ֔ים וְהִכָּה־אִישׁ֙ אֶת־רֵעֵ֔הוּ בְּאֶ֖בֶן א֣וֹ בְאֶגְרֹ֑ף וְלֹ֥א יָמ֖וּת וְנָפַ֥ל לְמִשְׁכָּֽב:
And if men quarrel: Why was this said? Since it says: “An eye for an eye” (Exod. 21:24), we learn only [that if one assaults his fellow, he must pay] the value of his limbs [which he amputated or rendered permanently useless], but [payment for] idleness and healing we have not [yet] learned. Therefore, this section, [which delineates those payments,] was stated. -[From Mechilta] וכי יריבן אנשים: למה נאמר, לפי שנאמר (פסוק כד) עין תחת עין, לא למדנו אלא דמי איבריו, אבל שבת ורפוי לא למדנו, לכך נאמרה פרשה זו:
but is confined to [his] bed: Heb. וְנָפַל לְמִשְׁכָּב, as the Targum [Onkelos] renders: לְבוּטְלָן, and he falls into idleness, [meaning] into an illness that prevents him from working. ונפל למשכב: כתרגומו ויפול לבוטלן, לחולי שמבטלו ממלאכתו:
19if he gets up and walks about outside on his support, the assailant shall be cleared; he shall give only [payment] for his [enforced] idleness, and he shall provide for his cure. יטאִם־יָק֞וּם וְהִתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ בַּח֛וּץ עַל־מִשְׁעַנְתּ֖וֹ וְנִקָּ֣ה הַמַּכֶּ֑ה רַ֥ק שִׁבְתּ֛וֹ יִתֵּ֖ן וְרַפֹּ֥א יְרַפֵּֽא:
on his support: Heb. עַל-מִשְׁעַנְךְתּוֹ, with his health and his strength. -[From Mechilta]. על משענתו: על בוריו וכחו:
the assailant shall be cleared: Now would it enter your mind that one who did not kill should be killed? But rather, [the Torah] teaches you here that they imprison him until it becomes apparent whether this one [the victim] will get well, and this is its meaning: When this one gets up and walks on his support, then the assailant shall be cleared, but before this one [the victim] gets up, the assailant shall not be cleared. -[From Keth. 33b] ונקה המכה: וכי תעלה על דעתך שיהרג זה שלא הרג, אלא למדך כאן שחובשים אותו, עד שנראה אם יתרפא זה, וכן משמעו כשקם זה והולך על משענתו אז נקה המכה, אבל עד שלא יקום זה לא נקה המכה:
only [payment] for his [enforced] idleness: Heb. שִׁבְךְתּוֹ, the [enforced] idleness from his work due to the illness. If he cut off his hand or his foot, we assess [payment for] the idleness as if he were a watchman of a cucumber field, because even after [recovery from] the illness, he is not fit for work that requires a hand or foot, and he [the assailant] already gave him as payment for his damage the value of his hand and his foot, as it is said: “a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot” (Exod. 21:24). -[From B.K. 83b, 85b, Tosefta B.K. 9:1] רק שבתו: בטול מלאכתו מחמת החולי, אם קטע ידו או רגלו, רואין בטול מלאכתו מחמת החולי כאילו הוא שומר קשואין, שהרי אף לאחר החולי אינו ראוי למלאכת יד ורגל, והוא כבר נתן לו מחמת נזקו דמי ידו ורגלו, שנאמר (פסוק כד) יד תחת יד רגל תחת רגל:
and he shall provide for his cure: As the Targum [Onkelos] renders: and he shall pay the physician’s fee. ורפא ירפא: כתרגומו, ישלם שכר הרופא:
• Daily Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 108 - 112
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• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• War on Benjamin (1188 BCE) Armies of the Tribes of Israel converged upon the tribe of Benjamin in the aftermath of the "Concubine at Givah" incident, in a war which nearly brought about the extinction of the Benjaminites (as related in the Book of Judges, chapters 19-21).
Daily Quote:
Just as wisdom is not something you can feel with your hands, so G-dliness is not something you can grasp with your mind[Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi]
Today's Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Mishpatim, 1st Portion Exodus 21:1-21:19 with Rashi
• Exodus Chapter 21
1And these are the ordinances that you shall set before them. אוְאֵ֨לֶּה֙ הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר תָּשִׂ֖ים לִפְנֵיהֶֽם:
And these are the ordinances: Wherever it says, “these” [in the Torah,] it [(this word) is used to] separate from what has been stated previously. [Where it says,] “And these,” [it means that] it is adding to what has been previously stated (Tanchuma Mishpatim 3). [Thus] just as what has been previously stated [namely the Ten Commandments,] were from Sinai, these too were from Sinai. Now why was the section dealing with laws juxtaposed to the section dealing with the altar? To tell you that you shall place the Sanhedrin adjacent to the Beth Hamikdash (other editions: the altar). — [From Mechilta] ואלה המשפטים: כל מקום שנאמר אלה פסל את הראשונים, ואלה מוסיף על הראשונים, מה הראשונים מסיני, אף אלו מסיני. ולמה נסמכה פרשת דינין לפרשת מזבח, לומר לך שתשים סנהדרין אצל המקדש [המזבח]:
that you shall set before them: The Holy One, blessed is He, said to Moses: Do not think of saying, “I will teach them the chapter or the law [both terms seemingly refer to the Oral Torah] two or three times until they know it well, as it was taught, but I will not trouble myself to enable them to understand the reasons for the matter and its explanation.” Therefore, it is said: “you shall set before them,” like a table, set [with food] and prepared to eat from, [placed] before someone. — [From Mechilta, Eruvin 54b] אשר תשים לפניהם: אמר לו הקב"ה למשה לא תעלה על דעתך לומר אשנה להם הפרק וההלכה ב' או ג' פעמים עד שתהא סדורה בפיהם כמשנתה, ואיני מטריח עצמי להבינם טעמי הדבר ופירושו, לכך נאמר אשר תשים לפניהם, כשלחן הערוך ומוכן לאכול לפני האדם:
before them: But not before gentiles. Even if you know that they [gentiles] judge a certain law similarly to the laws of Israel, do not bring it to their courts, for one who brings Jewish lawsuits before gentiles profanes the [Divine] Name and honors the name of idols to praise them (other editions: to give them importance), as it is said: “For not like our Rock [God] is their rock, but [yet] our enemies judge [us]” (Deut. 32:31). When [we let] our enemies judge [us], this is testimony to [our] esteem of their deity. — [From Tanchuma 3] לפניהם: ולא לפני גוים, ואפילו ידעת בדין אחד שהם דנין אותו כדיני ישראל, אל תביאהו בערכאות שלהם, שהמביא דיני ישראל לפני גוים מחלל את השם ומיקר שם עבודה זרה להחשיבה, שנאמר (דברים לב לא) כי לא כצורנו צורם ואויבינו פלילים, כשאויבינו פלילים זהו עדות לעלוי יראתם:
2Should you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall work [for] six years, and in the seventh [year], he shall go out to freedom without charge. בכִּ֤י תִקְנֶה֙ עֶ֣בֶד עִבְרִ֔י שֵׁ֥שׁ שָׁנִ֖ים יַֽעֲבֹ֑ד וּבַ֨שְּׁבִעִ֔ת יֵצֵ֥א לַֽחָפְשִׁ֖י חִנָּֽם:
Should you buy a Hebrew slave: A slave who is himself a Hebrew. Or perhaps it means only a slave of a Hebrew, a Canaanite [servant] whom you bought from a Hebrew. And concerning him, he [the Torah] says, “he shall work [for] six years.” How [then] can I apply the [law in the following] verse, “and you shall bequeath them” (Lev. 25:46) ? [Does this verse apply] concerning one [a servant] purchased from a non-Jew, but one [a servant] purchased from an Israelite goes free after six years? Therefore, the Torah states: “Should your brother, a Hebrew man… be sold to you, [he shall serve you for six years]” (Deut. 15:12). [This is the clarification that] I [God] said this only regarding your brother. — [From Mechilta] כי תקנה עבד עברי: עבד שהוא עברי, או אינו אלא עבדו של עברי, עבד כנעני שלקחתו מישראל, ועליו הוא אומר שש שנים יעבוד, ומה אני מקיים (ויקרא כה מו) והתנחלתם אתם, בלקוח מן הגוי, אבל בלקוח מישראל יצא בשש, תלמוד לומר (דברים טו יב) כי ימכר לך אחיך העברי, לא אמרתי אלא באחיך:
Should you buy: from the hand of the court, who sold him [into servitude] because of his theft, as it is said: “If he has no [money], he shall be sold for his theft” (Exod. 22:2). Or perhaps it refers only to one who sold oneself [into servitude] because of poverty, but if the court sold him, he does not go free after six [years]? When he [the Torah] says: “And if your brother becomes impoverished beside you and is sold to you” (Lev. 25:39), one who sells oneself because of poverty is mentioned [here]. So [to avoid repetition,] how do I apply “Should you buy” ? [By understanding that this is] concerning one sold by the court. כי תקנה: מיד בית דין שמכרוהו בגנבתו כמו שנאמר (שמות כב ב) אם אין לו ונמכר בגנבתו. או אינו אלא במוכר עצמו מפני דוחקו, אבל מכרוהו בית דין לא יצא בשש, כשהוא אומר (ויקרא כה לט) וכי ימוך אחיך עמך ונמכר לך, הרי מוכר עצמו מפני דוחקו אמור, ומה אני מקיים כי תקנה, בנמכר בבית דין:
to freedom: Heb. לַחָפְשִׁי, to freedom. לחפשי: לחירות:
3If he comes [in] alone, he shall go out alone; if he is a married man, his wife shall go out with him. גאִם־בְּגַפּ֥וֹ יָבֹ֖א בְּגַפּ֣וֹ יֵצֵ֑א אִם־בַּ֤עַל אִשָּׁה֙ ה֔וּא וְיָֽצְאָ֥ה אִשְׁתּ֖וֹ עִמּֽוֹ:
If he comes [in] alone: Heb. בְּגַפּוֹ, meaning that he was not married, as the Targum renders: אִם בִּלְחוֹדוֹהִי. The expression בְּגַפּוֹ means “with his skirt,” [i.e., the skirt of his cloak, meaning] that he came only as he was, alone within his clothing, in the skirt of his garment. אם בגפו יבא: שלא היה נשוי אשה כתרגומו אם בלחודוהי. ולשון בגפו בכנפו, שלא בא אלא כמות שהוא, יחידי, בתוך לבושו בכנף בגדו:
he shall go out alone: [This] tells [us] that if he was not married at first, his master may not give him a Canaanite maidservant from whom to beget slaves. — [From Kid. 20a] [ בגפו יצא: מגיד שאם לא היה נשוי מתחלה, אין רבו מוסר לו שפחה כנענית להוליד ממנה עבדים:
if he is a married man: [Lit., if he is someone’s husband, meaning] an Israelite [woman]. — [From Mechilta] אם בעל אשה הוא: ישראלית:
his wife shall go out with him: Now who brought her in that she should go out? Rather, the text informs us that whoever purchases a Hebrew slave is [also] responsible for supporting his wife and his children. [From Mechilta, Kid. 22a] ויצאה אשתו עמו: וכי מי הכניסה שתצא, אלא מגיד הכתוב, שהקונה עבד עברי חייב במזונות אשתו ובניו:
4If his master gives him a wife, and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and he shall go out alone. דאִם־אֲדֹנָיו֙ יִתֶּן־ל֣וֹ אִשָּׁ֔ה וְיָֽלְדָה־לּ֥וֹ בָנִ֖ים א֣וֹ בָנ֑וֹת הָֽאִשָּׁ֣ה וִֽילָדֶ֗יהָ תִּֽהְיֶה֙ לַֽאדֹנֶ֔יהָ וְה֖וּא יֵצֵ֥א בְגַפּֽוֹ:
If his master gives him a wife: From here we deduce that his master has the option to give him [the slave] a Canaanite maidservant [in order] to beget slaves from her. Or, perhaps this means only an Israelite woman? Therefore, Scripture says: “The woman and her children shall belong to her master.” Thus, He is speaking only about a Canaanite woman, for a Hebrew woman she, too, goes free after six [years], and even before six [years], when she develops signs [of puberty], she goes free, as it is said: “your brother, a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman [that one shall serve you for six years]” (Deut. 15:12). [This] teaches [us] that a Hebrew [maidservant] also goes free after six [years]. — [From Mechilta, Kid. 14b] אם א-דניו יתן לו אשה: מכאן שהרשות ביד רבו למסור לו שפחה כנענית להוליד ממנה עבדים. או אינו אלא בישראלית, תלמוד לומר האשה וילדיה תהיה לאדוניה, הא אינו מדבר אלא בכנענית, שהרי העבריה אף היא יוצאה בשש, ואפילו לפני שש אם הביאה סימנין יוצאה, שנאמר (דברים טו יב) אחיך העברי או העבריה, מלמד, שאף העבריה יוצאה בשש:
5But if the slave says, "I love my master, my wife, and my children. I will not go free," הוְאִם־אָמֹ֤ר יֹאמַר֙ הָעֶ֔בֶד אָהַ֨בְתִּי֙ אֶת־אֲדֹנִ֔י אֶת־אִשְׁתִּ֖י וְאֶת־בָּנָ֑י לֹ֥א אֵצֵ֖א חָפְשִֽׁי:
my wife: [This refers to] the maidservant. את אשתי: השפחה:
6his master shall bring him to the judges, and he shall bring him to the door or to the doorpost, and his master shall bore his ear with an awl, and he shall serve him forever. ווְהִגִּישׁ֤וֹ אֲדֹנָיו֙ אֶל־הָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔ים וְהִגִּישׁוֹ֙ אֶל־הַדֶּ֔לֶת א֖וֹ אֶל־הַמְּזוּזָ֑ה וְרָצַ֨ע אֲדֹנָ֤יו אֶת־אָזְנוֹ֙ בַּמַּרְצֵ֔עַ וַֽעֲבָד֖וֹ לְעֹלָֽם:
to the judges: Heb. אֶל-הָאֱלֹהִים, to the court to consult his sellers, for they sold him [the slave] to him [to his master]. — [From Mechilta] אל הא-להים: לבית דין, צריך שימלך במוכריו שמכרוהו לו:
to the door or to the doorpost: I might think that the doorpost is [a] qualified [place] on which to bore [the servant’s ear]. Therefore, Scripture says: “and you shall thrust it into his ear and into the door” (Deut. 15:17), [meaning] “into the door,” but not “into the doorpost.” What then does or to the doorpost mean? [The text is] comparing the door to the doorpost. Just as the doorpost is upright [i.e., attached to the house; otherwise it is not called a doorpost], so is the door upright. [A detached door may not be used for the ritual of ear boring.]-[From Mechilta, Kid. 22b] אל הדלת או אל המזוזה: יכול שתהא המזוזה כשרה לרצוע עליה, תלמוד לומר (דברים טו יז) ונתתה באזנו ובדלת, בדלת ולא במזוזה, הא מה תלמוד לומר או אל המזוזה, הקיש דלת למזוזה מה מזוזה מעומד אף דלת מעומד:
and his master shall bore his ear: [I.e.,] the right [ear]. Or perhaps it means the left one? Therefore, the Torah states אֹזֶן “ear,” here and אֹזֶן [elsewhere] for [the purpose of making] a גְזֵרָה שָׁוָה, [which means two places having similar wording, which indicates that the rulings pertaining to one situation also apply to the other]. It is stated here: “and his master shall bore his ear,” and it is stated regarding the mezora [person with the disease of zara’ath]: “the cartilage of the right ear of the one who is becoming pure” (Lev. 14:14). Just as there the right [ear] is specified, here too the right [ear] is meant. Now, why was the ear chosen to be bored out of all the organs of the body? Rabban Jochanan ben Zakkai said: The ear that heard on Mount Sinai, “You shall not steal” (Exod. 20:13) and [then] went and stole, shall be bored. And if [the text is referring to] one who sold himself [into servitude, the reason is that] the ear that heard, “For the children of Israel are slaves to Me” (Lev. 25:55) and [then] went and acquired a master for himself, [this ear] shall be bored. Rabbi Shimon used to interpret this verse [in a beautiful manner] like a bundle of pearls [or a great amount of perfume in this way:]-why were the door and the doorpost singled out from all the fixtures in the house? The Holy One, blessed is He, said: The door and the doorpost were witnesses in Egypt when I passed over the lintel and the two doorposts, and I said, “For the children of Israel are slaves to Me; they are My slaves,” but [they are] not slaves to slaves, and [yet] this one went and acquired for himself a master-[his ear] shall be bored before them [for everyone to see]. — [From Kid. 22b] ורצע א-דניו את אזנו במרצע: הימנית. או אינו אלא של שמאל, תלמוד לומר אזן, אזן לגזרה שוה נאמר כאן ורצע אדוניו את אזנו, ונאמר במצורע (ויקרא יד יד) תנוך אזן המטהר הימנית, מה להלן הימנית, אף כאן הימנית. ומה ראה אזן להרצע מכל שאר אברים שבגוף, אמר רבי יוחנן בן זכאי (קדושין כב ע"ב) אזן זאת ששמעה על הר סיני לא תגנוב, והלך וגנב, תרצע. ואם מוכר עצמו, אזן ששמעה על הר סיני (ויקרא כה נה) כי לי בני ישראל עבדים, והלך וקנה אדון לעצמו, תרצע. ר' שמעון היה דורש מקרא זה כמין חומר מה נשתנו דלת ומזוזה מכל כלים שבבית, אמר הקב"ה דלת ומזוזה שהיו עדים במצרים כשפסחתי על המשקוף ועל שתי המזוזות ואמרתי כי לי בני ישראל עבדים, עבדי הם ולא עבדים לעבדים, והלך זה וקנה אדון לעצמו, ירצע בפניהם:
and he shall serve him forever: Heb. לְעֹלָם, until the Jubilee year [the fiftieth year of the cycle]. Or perhaps it means literally forever, as its apparent meaning? Therefore, the Torah states [in reference to the Jubilee year]: “and each man to his family you shall return” (Lev. 25:10). [This] informs [us] that fifty years are called עֹלָם. But [this does] not [mean] that he must serve him [his master] the entire fifty years, but he must serve him until the Jubilee year, regardless of whether it is near or far off. — [From Mechilta, Kid. 15a] ועבדו לעלם: עד היובל. או אינו אלא לעולם כמשמעו, תלמוד לומר (ויקרא כה י) ואיש אל משפחתו תשובו, מגיד שחמישים שנה קרוים עולם, ולא שיהא עובדו כל חמשים שנה, אלא עובדו עד היובל בין סמוך בין מופלג:
7Now if a man sells his daughter as a maidservant, she shall not go free as the slaves go free. זוְכִֽי־יִמְכֹּ֥ר אִ֛ישׁ אֶת־בִּתּ֖וֹ לְאָמָ֑ה לֹ֥א תֵצֵ֖א כְּצֵ֥את הָֽעֲבָדִֽים:
Now if a man sells his daughter as a maidservant: Scripture is referring [here] to a minor girl. I might think that even if she develops signs [of initial puberty, the father may sell her]. [But] you must agree that a kal vachomer [the inference of a major rule from a minor rule] applies here namely if she who is already sold goes free with signs [that is, when she has signs of initial puberty], as it is written: “she shall go out for nothing, without money” (Exod. 21:11), which we interpret as referring to the signs of initial puberty, does it not make sense that she who is not sold [and has initial signs of puberty] should not be sold [at all]? -[From Mechilta, Arachin 29a] [At the moment when a female has two pubic hairs, usually when she is twelve years old, she is no longer considered a minor. She is then called נַעִרָה. She is, however, still under her father’s jurisdiction until six months later, when her breasts have developed to a certain stage. Then she is called בּוֹגֶרֶת, a mature girl. In the case of a Hebrew maidservant, the father may sell her only when she is a minor, not after she has become a נַעִרָה וכי ימכר איש את בתו לאמה: בקטנה הכתוב מדבר. יכול אפילו הביאה סימנים. אמרת קל וחומר ומה מכורה קודם לכן יוצאה בסימנין, כמו שנאמר (פסוק יא) ויצאה חנם אין כסף, שאנו דורשים אותן לסימני נערות, שאינה מכורה אינו דין שלא תמכר:
she shall not go free as the slaves go free: [I.e.,]-like the emancipation of Canaanite slaves, who go free because of [the loss of] a tooth or an eye. [See below, verses 26, 27.] This one [a Hebrew maidservant], however, will not go free because of [the loss of] a tooth or an eye, but she will work for [her complete] six years or until the Jubilee year or until she develops signs [of initial puberty]. Whichever comes first will be the first [event] to effect her emancipation, and [her master] will reimburse her for the value of her eye or the value of her tooth. Or perhaps this is not so [i.e., the intention of the verse], but “she shall not go free as the [male] slaves go free” [meaning] after six years or in the Jubilee year? Therefore, the Torah states: “Should your brother, a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman, be sold to you…” (Deut. 15:12). This compares the Hebrew woman to the Hebrew man in regard to all the ways he can be emancipated: just as a Hebrew man goes free following six years [of service] or in the Jubilee year, so too does a Hebrew woman go free following six years [of service] or in the Jubilee year. What then is the meaning of “she shall not go free as the slaves go free” ? [This means] she shall not go free with [the loss of] the tips of her limbs, as do the Canaanite slaves. I might think [then] that [only a Hebrew maidservant does not go free due to the loss of the tips of her limbs, but] a Hebrew man does go free with [the loss of] the tips of his limbs. [Therefore, the Torah] compares the Hebrew man to the Hebrew woman: just as the Hebrew woman does not go free with [the loss of] the tips of her limbs, neither does the Hebrew man go free with [the loss of] the tips of his limbs. — [From Mechilta] לא תצא כצאת העבדים: כיציאת עבדים כנענים שיוצאים בשן ועין, אבל זו לא תצא בשן ועין, אלא עובדת שש או עד היובל, או עד שתביא סימנין, וכל הקודם קודם לחירותה ונותן לה דמי עינה או דמי שינה, או אינו אלא לא תצא כצאת העבדים בשש וביובל, תלמוד לומר (דברים טו יב) כי ימכר לך אחיך העברי או העבריה. מקיש עבריה לעברי לכל יציאותיו מה עברי יוצא בשש וביובל, אף עבריה יוצאה בשש וביובל, ומהו לא תצא כצאת העבדים, לא תצא בראשי אברים כעבדים כנענים. יכול העברי יוצא בראשי אברים, תלמוד לומר העברי או העבריה, מקיש עברי לעבריה מה העבריה אינה יוצאה בראשי אברים, אף הוא אינו יוצא בראשי אברים:
8If she is displeasing to her master, who did not designate her [for himself], then he shall enable her to be redeemed; he shall not rule over her to sell her to another person, when he betrays her. חאִם־רָעָ֞ה בְּעֵינֵ֧י אֲדֹנֶ֛יהָ אֲשֶׁר־ל֥וֹ (כתיב אשר־לא)יְעָדָ֖הּ וְהֶפְדָּ֑הּ לְעַ֥ם נָכְרִ֛י לֹֽא־יִמְשֹׁ֥ל לְמָכְרָ֖הּ בְּבִגְדוֹ־בָֽהּ:
If she is displeasing to her master: [Meaning] that she does not please him to the extent that he would [want to] marry her. — [From Mechilta] אם רעה בעיני א-דניה: שלא נשאה חן בעיניו לכונסה:
who did not designate her: For he should have designated her and married her, and the money paid for her purchase is the money of her betrothal. Here Scripture hints that it is a mitzvah [for the master] to perform יִעוּד, designation for marriage, [with the maidservant] and it hints that she would not require any other betrothal. [I.e., neither money nor articles of value would have to be given to the girl’s father in order to marry her. The money the father originally received for selling his daughter now would become the money of betrothal from her master.]-[From Kid. 19b] אשר לא יעדה: שהיה לו ליעדה ולהכניסה לו לאשה, וכסף קנייתה הוא כסף קידושיה. כאן רמז לך הכתוב שמצוה ביעוד ורמז לך שאינה צריכה קדושין אחרים:
he shall enable her to be redeemed: [This means] he [the master] should give her the opportunity to be redeemed and go free, for he too assists in her redemption. Now what is this opportunity that he gives her? That he deducts from her redemption, according to the number of years that she worked for him, as if she had been hired by him [and was not a slave]. How so? Let us say that he bought her for a maneh [one hundred zuz], and she worked for him for two years. We say to him, “You knew that she would ultimately leave at the end of six years. This means that you bought each year’s work for one-sixth of a maneh, and she has worked for you for two years, which equals one-third of a maneh. Accept two-thirds of a maneh [from her, to pay for the remaining four years] and let her leave you.” -[from Kid. 14b] והפדה: יתן לה מקום להפדות ולצאת, שאף הוא מסייע בפדיונה ומה הוא מקום שנותן לה, שמגרע מפדיונה כמספר השנים שעשתה אצלו, כאלו היא שכורה אצלו. כיצד, הרי שקנאה במנה ועשתה אצלו שתי שנים אומרים לו יודע היית שעתידה לצאת לסוף שש, נמצא שקנית עבודת כל שנה ושנה בששית המנה, ועשתה אצלך שתי שנים, הרי שלישית המנה, טול שתי שלישיות המנה ותצא מאצלך:
to another person: Heb. לְעַם נָכְרִי. [Meaning] that neither the master nor the father has the right to sell her to anyone else. — [from Kid. 18a] לעם נכרי לא ימשל למכרה: אינו רשאי למכרה לאחר, לא האדון ולא האב:
when he betrays her: If he [the master] comes to betray her and not fulfill the commandment of designation, and the father, too, since he betrayed her and sold her to this one. בבגדו בה: אם בא לבגוד בה, שלא לקיים בה מצות ייעוד, וכן אביה, מאחר שבגד בה ומכרה לזה:
9And if he designates her for his son, he shall deal with her according to the law of the daughters [of Israel]. טוְאִם־לִבְנ֖וֹ יִֽיעָדֶ֑נָּה כְּמִשְׁפַּ֥ט הַבָּנ֖וֹת יַֽעֲשֶׂה־לָּֽהּ:
And if he designates her for his son: [I.e., if] the master [chooses her as a wife for his son]. [This] teaches [us] that his son also stands in his [the master’s] place to designate her if his father so desires, and he does not require another betrothal, but he [can] say to her, “Behold, you are designated to me with the money your father received [originally] for your value.” -[From Kid. 18b] ואם לבנו ייעדנה: האדון. מלמד, שאף בנו קם תחתיו ליעדה, אם ירצה אביו, ואינו צריך לקדשה קידושין אחרים. אלא אומר לה הרי את מיועדת לי בכסף שקיבל אביך בדמיך:
according to the law of the daughters [of Israel]: Meaning sustenance, clothing, and marital relations. — [From Mechilta] כמשפט הבנות: שאר, כסות ועונה:
10If he takes another [wife] for himself, he shall not diminish her sustenance, her clothing, or her marital relations. יאִם־אַחֶ֖רֶת יִקַּח־ל֑וֹ שְׁאֵרָ֛הּ כְּסוּתָ֥הּ וְעֹֽנָתָ֖הּ לֹ֥א יִגְרָֽע:
If he takes another [wife] for himself: in addition to her. — [From Mechilta] אם אחרת יקח לו: עליה:
he shall not diminish her sustenance, her clothing, or her marital relations: from the maidservant whom he had already designated. — [From Mechilta] שארה כסותה וענתה לא יגרע: מן האמה שיעד לו כבר:
her sustenance: Heb. שְׁאֵרָהּ, [referring to] food. — [From Mechilta, Keth. 47b] שארה: מזונות:
her clothing: Heb. כְּסוּתָה, lit., her covering As its apparent meaning [namely her clothing]. כסותה: כמשמעו:
her marital relations: Heb. עֹנָתָה, [meaning physical] intimacy. — [From Mechilta, Keth. 47b] ענתה: תשמיש:
11And if he does not do these three things for her, she shall go free without charge, without [payment of] money. יאוְאִ֨ם־שְׁלָשׁ־אֵ֔לֶּה לֹ֥א יַֽעֲשֶׂ֖ה לָ֑הּ וְיָֽצְאָ֥ה חִנָּ֖ם אֵ֥ין כָּֽסֶף:
And if he does not do these three things for her: If he does not do any one of these three things for her. Now what are these three things? He should designate her for himself or for his son [as a wife], or he should deduct from the money of her redemption and allow her to go free. But this one [master] designated her neither for himself nor for his son, and she could not afford to redeem herself [even after the deduction]. — [From Mechilta] ואם שלש אלה לא יעשה לה: אם אחת משלש אלה לא יעשה לה, ומה הן השלש, ייעדנה לו, או לבנו, או יגרע מפדיונה ותצא, וזה לא ייעדה לא לו ולא לבנו, והיא לא היה בידה לפדות את עצמה:
she shall go free without charge: [The text] adds [another means of] emancipation for this [maidservant] beyond what it provided for male slaves. Now what is this [means of] emancipation? וְיָצְאָה חִנָם informs you that she goes free when she shows [initial] signs [of puberty], and she must stay with him until she develops [these] signs. If six years pass before the appearance of these signs, we have already learned that she goes free, as it is said: “Should your brother, a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman [be sold to you, that one] shall serve you for six years” (Deut. 15: 12). What then is the meaning of “she shall go out without charge” ? If the signs [of puberty] precede the [end of] six years, she shall go free because of them. Or perhaps it means only that she goes out when she reaches maturity [i.e., at twelve and a half years]? Therefore, Scripture says: “without [payment of] money,” to include her emancipation at maturity. If both of them [i.e., that she goes free “without charge” and “without money”] were not stated, [and “she shall go out without charge” was stated,] I would say that “she shall go out without charge” refers to [her being freed at] maturity. Therefore, both of them were stated, so that the disputant has no opportunity to differ. -[From Mechilta, Kid. 4a] ויצאה חנם: ריבה לה יציאה לזו יותר ממה שריבה לעבדים, ומה היא היציאה, ללמדך שתצא בסימנין ותשהה עמו עד שתביא סימנין. ואם הגיעו שש שנים קודם סימנין, כבר למדנו שתצא, שנאמר (דברים טו יב) העברי או העבריה ועבדך שש שנים, ומהו האמור כאן ויצאה חנם, שאם קדמו סימנים לשש שנים תצא בהן, או אינו אומר שתצא אלא בבגרות תלמוד לומר אין כסף לרבות יציאת בגרות ואם לא נאמרו שניהם הייתי אומר ויצאה חנם זו בגרות, לכך נאמרו שניהם, שלא ליתן פתחון פה לבעל הדין לחלוק:
12One who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death. יבמַכֵּ֥ה אִ֛ישׁ וָמֵ֖ת מ֥וֹת יוּמָֽת:
One who strikes a man so that he dies: Several verses have been written in the section dealing with murderers, and I will explain what I am able to explain [about] why they [these verses] are needed. מכה איש ומת: כמה כתובים נאמרו בפרשת [במיתת] רוצחין, ומה שבידי לפרש למה באו כולם, אפרש:
One who strikes a man so that he dies: Why was this said? Because it says: “And if a man strikes down any human being, he shall surely be put to death” (Lev. 24:17), I understand [that even if he deals him] a blow without death. Therefore, the Torah says: “He who strikes a man and he dies,” meaning that he is liable only for a blow causing death. If it said: “He who strikes a man,” and it did not say, “And if a man strikes down any human being,” I would say that one is liable only if one strikes a man. If one strikes a woman or a minor, how do we know [that one is liable]? Therefore, the Torah says: “if [a man] strikes down any human being,” referring even to a minor or even a woman. Also, if it said: “He who strikes a man,” I would understand that even a minor who struck and killed [someone] would be liable. Therefore, the Torah [specifically] says: “if a man strikes down,” but not a minor who strikes [someone] down. Also, “if… strikes down any human being” implies even a nonviable infant. Therefore, the Torah [here] says: “He who strikes a man,” implying one is liable only if one strikes a viable infant, one [who is] capable of becoming a man [i.e., an adult]. -[From Mechilta] מכה איש ומת: למה נאמר, לפי שנאמר (ויקרא כד יז) ואיש כי יכה כל נפש אדם מות יומת, שומע אני בהכאה בלא מיתה, תלמוד לומר מכה איש ומת, אינו חייב אלא בהכאה של מיתה. ואם נאמר מכה איש, ולא נאמר ואיש כי יכה, הייתי אומר אינו חייב עד שיכה איש, היכה את האשה ואת הקטן מנין, תלמוד לומר כי יכה כל נפש אדם, אפילו קטן ואפילו אשה. ועוד אלו נאמר מכה איש, שומע אני, אפילו קטן שהכה והרג יהא חייב, תלמוד לומר ואיש כי יכה, ולא קטן שהכה. ועוד, כי יכה כל נפש אדם, אפילו נפלים במשמע, תלמוד לומר מכה איש, אינו חייב עד שיכה בן קיימא ראוי להיות איש:
13But one who did not stalk [him], but God brought [it] about into his hand, I will make a place for you to which he shall flee. יגוַֽאֲשֶׁר֙ לֹ֣א צָדָ֔ה וְהָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים אִנָּ֣ה לְיָד֑וֹ וְשַׂמְתִּ֤י לְךָ֙ מָק֔וֹם אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָנ֖וּס שָֽׁמָּה:
But one who did not stalk [him]: He did not lie in wait for him, and he did not intend [to kill him]. -[From Sifrei, Num. 35:22] ואשר לא צדה: לא ארב לו ולא נתכוין:
stalk: Heb. צָדָה, an expression meaning “lie in wait.” And so does Scripture say: “but you are stalking (צֹדֶה) my soul to take it” (I Sam. 24:12). It is, however, impossible to say that צָדָה is an expression [that is] related to [hunting animals as in the following verse:] “the one who hunted game צַיִד) (הַצָּד ” (Gen. 27:33) [and to render: he did not hunt him down], because in [the expression of] hunting beasts, there is no “hey” in its verb, and the noun related to it is צַיִד, whereas the noun in this case is צְדִיָּה (Num. 35:20), and its verb is צוֹדֶה, but the verb of this one [namely hunting] is צָּד. I say, [therefore,] that this is to be interpreted as the Targum [Onkelos] renders: But he who did not stalk [him]. Menachem, however, classified it (Machbereth Menachem, p. 148) in the grouping along with הַצָּד צַיִד, but I disagree with him. If it is at all possible to classify it in one of the groupings of צד [enumerated by Menachem], we may classify it in the grouping of “on the side (צַד) you shall be borne” (Isa. 66:12); “I shall shoot to the side (צִדָּה) ” (I Sam. 20:20); “And he will speak words against [lit., to the side of] (לְצַד) the Most High” (Dan. 7:25). Here, too, אִשֶׁר לֹא צָדָה means that he did not look sideways (צִדֵּד) to find for him some occasion [lit., side] to kill him. This [interpretation] too is questionable. In any case, it is an expression of stalking. [ צדה: לשון ארב, וכן הוא אומר (שמואל א כד יא) ואתה צודה את נפשי לקחתה, ולא יתכן לומר צדה לשון הצד ציד (בראשית כז לג), שצידת חיות אין נופל ה"א בפועל שלה, ושם דבר בה ציד, וזה שם דבר בו צדיה ופועל שלו צודה, וזה פועל שלו צד. ואומר אני פתרונו כתרגומו ודלא כמן ליה. ומנחם חברו בחלק צד ציד, ואין אני מודה לו. ואם יש לחברו באחת ממחלוקת של צד, נחברנו בחלק (ישעיה סו יב) על צד תנשאו, צדה אורה (שמואל א' כ כ), ומלין לצד עלאה ימלל (דניאל ז כה). אף כאן אשר לא צדה לא צדד למצוא לו שום צד מיתה, ואף זה יש להרהר עליו, סוף דבר לשון אורב הוא:
but God brought [it] about into his hand: Heb. אִנָּה, made it ready for his hand, an expression similar to “No harm will be prepared (תְאוּנֶּה) for you” (Ps. 91:10); No wrong shall be prepared (יְאוּנֶּה) (Prov. 12:21); [and] “he is preparing himself (מִתְאַנֶה) against me” (II Kings 5:7), [meaning that] he is preparing himself to find a pretext against me.. והא-להים אנה לידו: זימן לידו, לשון לא תאונה אליך רעה (תהלים צא י), לא יאונה לצדיק כל און (משלי יב כא), מתאנה הוא לי (מלכים ב' ה ז), מזדמן למצוא לי עילה:
but God brought [it] about into his hand: Now why should this go out from before Him? That is what David said, “As the proverb of the Ancient One says, ‘From the wicked comes forth wickedness’” (I Sam. 24:14). The proverb of the Ancient One is the Torah, which is the proverb of the Holy One, blessed is He, Who is the Ancient One of the world. Now where did the Torah say, “From the wicked comes forth wickedness” ? [This refers to:] “but God brought [it] about into his hand.” To what is the text referring? To two people, one who killed unintentionally and one who killed intentionally, but there were no witnesses who would testify to the matter. This one [who killed intentionally] was not executed, and that one [who killed unintentionally] was not exiled [to the refuge cities]. So the Holy One, blessed is He, brings them [both] to one inn. The one who killed intentionally sits under a ladder, and the one who killed unintentionally is ascending the ladder, and he falls on the one who had killed intentionally and kills him, and witnesses testify about him and sentence him to exile. The result is that the one who killed unintentionally is exiled, and the one who killed intentionally was killed. -[From Mechilta, Makkoth 10b] והא-להים אנה לידו: ולמה תצא זאת מלפניו, הוא שאמר דוד (שמואל א' כד יג) כאשר יאמר משל הקדמוני מרשעים יצא רשע, ומשל הקדמוני היא התורה, שהיא משל הקב"ה שהוא קדמונו של עולם. והיכן אמרה תורה מרשעים יצא רשע, והא-להים אנה לידו. במה הכתוב מדבר, בשני בני אדם, אחד הרג שוגג ואחד הרג מזיד, ולא היו עדים בדבר שיעידו, זה לא נהרג וזה לא גלה, והקב"ה מזמנן לפונדק אחד, זה שהרג במזיד יושב תחת הסולם, וזה שהרג שוגג עולה בסולם ונופל על זה שהרג במזיד והורגו, ועדים מעידים עליו ומחייבים אותו לגלות, נמצא זה שהרג בשוגג גולה, וזה שהרג במזיד נהרג:
I will make a place for you: Even in the desert, where he [the man who has murdered] shall flee, and what place affords him asylum? This is the camp of the Levites. -[From Mechilta, Mak. 12b] ושמתי לך מקום: אף במדבר, שינוס שמה, ואיזה מקום קולטו, זה מחנה לויה:
14But if a man plots deliberately against his friend to slay him with cunning, [even] from My altar you shall take him to die. ידוְכִֽי־יָזִ֥ד אִ֛ישׁ עַל־רֵעֵ֖הוּ לְהָרְג֣וֹ בְעָרְמָ֑ה מֵעִ֣ם מִזְבְּחִ֔י תִּקָּחֶ֖נּוּ לָמֽוּת:
But if… plots deliberately: Why was this said? Because it said: “One who strikes [a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death]” (verse 12), I [may] understand [this to apply to] a physician [who killed a patient], the agent of the court who killed by [administering] forty lashes, the father who strikes his son, the teacher who disciplines his pupil, and the unintentional [killer]. Therefore, the Torah states: “But if [a man] plots deliberately,” but not the unintentional [killer]; “to slay him with cunning,” but not the agent of the court, the physician, or the one who disciplines his son or his pupil, for although they are intentional [in striking], they do not act with cunning. -[From Mechilta] וכי יזיד: למה נאמר, לפי שנאמר מכה איש וגו' שומע אני אפילו גוי, והרופא שהרג ושליח בית דין שהמית במלקות ארבעים, והאב המכה את בנו, והרב הרודה את תלמידו, והשוגג, תלמוד לומר וכי יזיד ולא שוגג על רעהו ולא על גוי. להרגו בערמה - ולא שליח בית דין והרופא והרודה את בנו ותלמידו, שאף על פי שהם מזידין אין מערימין:
[even] from My altar: if he were a kohen and wanted to perform the [sacrificial] service, you shall take him to die. [From Mechilta, Yoma 85a] מעם מזבחי: אם היה כהן ורוצה לעבוד עבודה, תקחנו למות:
15And one who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. טווּמַכֵּ֥ה אָבִ֛יו וְאִמּ֖וֹ מ֥וֹת יוּמָֽת:
And one who strikes his father or his mother: Since we learned that one who strikes one’s fellow is liable to make monetary compensation (Exod. 21:18, 19, 24, 25), but he is not liable to death, the text had to state that one who strikes his father is liable to the death penalty, but he is not liable except for a blow that causes a wound. -[From Mechilta, Sanh. 84b] ומכה אביו ואמו: לפי שלמדנו על החובל בחבירו שהוא בתשלומין ולא במיתה, הוצרך לומר על החובל באביו שהוא במיתה, ואינו חייב אלא בהכאה שיש בה חבורה:
his father or his mother: Either this one or that one. -[From Mechilta, Sanh. 85b] אביו ואמו: או זה או זה:
shall surely be put to death: by strangulation. -[From Mechilta, Sanh. 85b] מות יומת: בחנק:
16And whoever kidnaps a man, and he is found in his possession, shall surely be put to death. טזוְגֹנֵ֨ב אִ֧ישׁ וּמְכָר֛וֹ וְנִמְצָ֥א בְיָד֖וֹ מ֥וֹת יוּמָֽת:
And whoever kidnaps a man: Why was this said [here since the law of kidnapping is mentioned elsewhere (Ho’il Moshe)]? Since it says (Deut. 24:7): “Should a man be found stealing a person from among his brothers” [meaning from the children of Israel, and he has worked with him and sold him, that thief shall die, and you shall clear away the evil from your midst]. [From here] I know only [that] a man who kidnapped a person [is liable to death]. How do I know if a woman, one of indeterminate sex, or a hermaphrodite kidnap [a person, that they too are liable to death]? Therefore, the Torah states: “And whoever kidnaps a man and sells him…” And since it says here: “And whoever kidnaps a man,” I know only that one who kidnaps a man [is liable to death]. How do I know that if one kidnaps a woman [he is also liable… to death]? Therefore, the Torah states (Deut. 24: 7): “stealing a person.” Therefore, both of them [both verses] were needed; what one [verse] left out the other [verse] filled in [lit., revealed]. -[From Mechilta, Sanh. 85b] וגנב איש ומכרו: למה נאמר, לפי שנאמר (דברים כד ז) כי ימצא איש גונב נפש מאחיו, אין לי אלא איש שגנב נפש, אשה או טומטום או אנדרוגינוס שגנבו מנין, תלמוד לומר וגונב איש ומכרו. ולפי שנאמר כאן וגונב איש, אין לי אלא גונב איש, גונב אשה מנין, תלמוד לומר (שם) גונב נפש, לכך הוצרכו שניהם, מה שחסר זה גלה זה:
and he is found in his possession: [I.e., this means] that witnesses saw him that he kidnapped him and sold him, and he [the kidnapped man] was found in his hand prior to the sale. -[From Mechilta] ונמצא בידו: שראוהו עדים שגנבו ומכרו ונמצא בידו כבר קודם מכירה:
shall surely be put to death: By strangulation. Every death penalty mentioned in the Torah without qualification is strangulation (Mechilta, Sanh. 84b). [God] interrupts the subject [of discussing sins against parents] and writes, “and whoever kidnaps a man” between [the verses] “one who strikes his father or his mother” and “one who curses his father or his mother.” It appears to me that that is [the underlying reason for] the controversy [found in Sanh. 85], that one Tannaic master believes that we are comparing striking [someone] to cursing [i.e., just as one is liable only if one curses a person who keeps the commandments as befits a Jew (see Exod. 22:27), so too is one liable only for striking a person who keeps the commandments, but not for striking a Cuthite], and the other master believes that we do not compare cursing to striking [and thus one would be liable for striking a Cuthite even though he does not keep the commandments]. -[Rashi, referring to Sanh. 85b] מות יומת: בחנק, כל מיתה האמורה בתורה סתם חנק היא. [והפסיק הענין וכתב וגונב איש, בין מכה אביו ואמו למקלל אביו ואמו, ונראה לי היינו פלוגתא, דמר סבר מקשינן הכאה לקללה, ומר סבר לא מקשינן]:
17And one who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. יזוּמְקַלֵּ֥ל אָבִ֛יו וְאִמּ֖וֹ מ֥וֹת יוּמָֽת:
And one who curses his father or his mother: Why was this said? Since [Scripture] says: “any man, any man who curses his father [or his mother shall surely be put to death]” (Lev. 20:9). [From there] I know only that if a man curses his father [he is liable to death]. How do I know that if a woman curses her father [she too is liable to death]? Therefore, Scripture says [here]: “And one who curses his father or his mother….” It makes an unqualified statement, meaning whether it is a man or a woman. If so, why does it say, “any man who curses” ? [In order] to exclude a minor. -[From Mechilta] ומקלל אביו ואמו: למה נאמר, לפי שהוא אומר (ויקרא כ ט) איש איש אשר יקלל את אביו, אין לי אלא איש שקלל את אביו, אשה שקללה את אביה מנין, תלמוד לומר ומקלל אביו ואמו סתם בין איש ובין אשה. אם כן למה נאמר איש אשר יקלל, להוציא את הקטן:
shall surely be put to death: By stoning. Wherever it says: “his blood is upon him,” [it means that he is to be put to death] by stoning. The model for all of them is “with rocks they shall stone them; their blood is upon them” (Lev. 20:27). Regarding the one who curses his father, it says: “his blood is upon him” (Lev. 20:9). -[From Mechilta; Sanh. 66a; Sifra, end of Kedoshim] מות יומת: בסקילה, וכל מקום שנאמר דמיו בו, בסקילה ובנין אב לכולם (ויקרא כ כז) באבן ירגמו אותם דמיהם בם, ובמקלל אביו ואמו נאמר דמיו בו (ויקרא כ ט):
18And if men quarrel, and one strikes the other with a stone or with a fist, and he does not die but is confined to [his] bed, יחוְכִֽי־יְרִיבֻ֣ן אֲנָשִׁ֔ים וְהִכָּה־אִישׁ֙ אֶת־רֵעֵ֔הוּ בְּאֶ֖בֶן א֣וֹ בְאֶגְרֹ֑ף וְלֹ֥א יָמ֖וּת וְנָפַ֥ל לְמִשְׁכָּֽב:
And if men quarrel: Why was this said? Since it says: “An eye for an eye” (Exod. 21:24), we learn only [that if one assaults his fellow, he must pay] the value of his limbs [which he amputated or rendered permanently useless], but [payment for] idleness and healing we have not [yet] learned. Therefore, this section, [which delineates those payments,] was stated. -[From Mechilta] וכי יריבן אנשים: למה נאמר, לפי שנאמר (פסוק כד) עין תחת עין, לא למדנו אלא דמי איבריו, אבל שבת ורפוי לא למדנו, לכך נאמרה פרשה זו:
but is confined to [his] bed: Heb. וְנָפַל לְמִשְׁכָּב, as the Targum [Onkelos] renders: לְבוּטְלָן, and he falls into idleness, [meaning] into an illness that prevents him from working. ונפל למשכב: כתרגומו ויפול לבוטלן, לחולי שמבטלו ממלאכתו:
19if he gets up and walks about outside on his support, the assailant shall be cleared; he shall give only [payment] for his [enforced] idleness, and he shall provide for his cure. יטאִם־יָק֞וּם וְהִתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ בַּח֛וּץ עַל־מִשְׁעַנְתּ֖וֹ וְנִקָּ֣ה הַמַּכֶּ֑ה רַ֥ק שִׁבְתּ֛וֹ יִתֵּ֖ן וְרַפֹּ֥א יְרַפֵּֽא:
on his support: Heb. עַל-מִשְׁעַנְךְתּוֹ, with his health and his strength. -[From Mechilta]. על משענתו: על בוריו וכחו:
the assailant shall be cleared: Now would it enter your mind that one who did not kill should be killed? But rather, [the Torah] teaches you here that they imprison him until it becomes apparent whether this one [the victim] will get well, and this is its meaning: When this one gets up and walks on his support, then the assailant shall be cleared, but before this one [the victim] gets up, the assailant shall not be cleared. -[From Keth. 33b] ונקה המכה: וכי תעלה על דעתך שיהרג זה שלא הרג, אלא למדך כאן שחובשים אותו, עד שנראה אם יתרפא זה, וכן משמעו כשקם זה והולך על משענתו אז נקה המכה, אבל עד שלא יקום זה לא נקה המכה:
only [payment] for his [enforced] idleness: Heb. שִׁבְךְתּוֹ, the [enforced] idleness from his work due to the illness. If he cut off his hand or his foot, we assess [payment for] the idleness as if he were a watchman of a cucumber field, because even after [recovery from] the illness, he is not fit for work that requires a hand or foot, and he [the assailant] already gave him as payment for his damage the value of his hand and his foot, as it is said: “a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot” (Exod. 21:24). -[From B.K. 83b, 85b, Tosefta B.K. 9:1] רק שבתו: בטול מלאכתו מחמת החולי, אם קטע ידו או רגלו, רואין בטול מלאכתו מחמת החולי כאילו הוא שומר קשואין, שהרי אף לאחר החולי אינו ראוי למלאכת יד ורגל, והוא כבר נתן לו מחמת נזקו דמי ידו ורגלו, שנאמר (פסוק כד) יד תחת יד רגל תחת רגל:
and he shall provide for his cure: As the Targum [Onkelos] renders: and he shall pay the physician’s fee. ורפא ירפא: כתרגומו, ישלם שכר הרופא:
• 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: Likutei Amarim, beginning of Chapter 27• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Sunday, 23 Shevat, 5777 · 19 February 2017
• Likutei Amarim, beginning of Chapter 27
• In the previous chapter the Alter Rebbe stated that sadness hinders one’s service of G‑d in general, and his battle with the Yetzer Hara in particular. He therefore discussed means of overcoming sadness caused by material concerns, and by anxiety over one’s sins.
• Rambam - Sunday, 23 Shevat, 5777 · 19 February 2017
• Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
• Negative Commandment 216
Planting Vegetables or Grain in a Vineyard
"You shall not sow your vineyard with different seeds"—Deuteronomy 22:9.
It is forbidden to plant vegetables or grain in a vineyard.
This biblical prohibition pertains only to the Land of Israel. The Sages, however, extended it to also include fields in the Diaspora.
Full text of this Mitzvah »
• Planting Vegetables or Grain in a Vineyard
Negative Commandment 216
Translated by Berel Bell
The 216th prohibition is that we are forbidden from planting grain or vegetables in a vineyard. This type of mixture is called kilai ha'kerem (kilayim in a vineyard).
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement,1 "Do not plant your vineyard with kilayim."
In the words of the Sifri: "Why do we need the verse, 'Do not plant your vineyard with kilayim'? It already is written, 'Do not plant your field with kilayim,' which certainly includes both [kilayim in] a vineyard and a field!"
They answer, "This verse comes to teach that anyone who allows kilayim in a vineyard transgresses two prohibitions."2
You should be aware that kilai ha'kerem is prohibited by Torah law only in Eretz Yisroel. One who plants wheat, barley, and grapes in the same handful, and in Eretz Yisroel, is punished by lashes.
Outside Eretz Yisroel, this planting is forbidden by Rabbinic law and one who plants wheat, barley, and grapes in the same handful receives lashes by Rabbinic decree.
Grafting together trees [of different species], however, is [prohibited by Torah law and] punishable by lashes everywhere [‑both in Eretz Yisroel and outside Eretz Yisroel]. This prohibition is included in the general statement, "Do not plant your field with kilayim."3
The details of this mitzvah are also explained in tractate Kilayim.
FOOTNOTES
1.Dev. 22:9.
2.Therefore we see that this counts as a separate prohibition in the count of 613.
3.This verse includes grafting different species of trees, but does not include planting different species of seeds (see N215, above). In Hilchos Kilayim, 1:3, the Rambam explains that we know this from the Oral Tradition. See Kapach, 5731, note 47.
• Rambam - 1 Chapter: Mechirah Mechirah - Chapter Twelve
• Mechirah - Chapter Twelve
• Kilaayim - Chapter 3
• Sunday, 23 Shevat, 5777 · 19 February 2017
• "Today's Day"
• Friday, Sh'vat 23, 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: Yitro, Shishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 108-112.
Tanya: From this the intelligent (p.97)...as will be explained later. (p. 99).
Once, as the Alter Rebbe stepped out of his room, he overheard his wife remarking to several women, "Mine1 says..."
The Rebbe said: "With one mitzva I am yours; with how many are we G-d's!" With these words he fell onto the doorpost in dveikut.2 On "awakening" from the dveikut he said: "Go out and see"3 - to step out of self and perceive the Divine, comes from (the following words in that verse) "daughters of Zion," Malchut arousing z'a.4 The Future will bring the fulfillment of "A valorous woman is her husband's crown."5
FOOTNOTES
1."Mine" is understood in Yiddish to refer to one's husband or wife.
2.Profound concentration, a communion with the Divine that removes one from physical awareness.
3.Shir Hashirim 3:11.
4.Malchut (lit. "royalty") is the tenth attribute, for which the moon is a metaphor, having no light of its own but reflecting (see "Tzemach Tzedek and Haskala Movement" p. 110, Note 3). Malchut then, is a "feminine" attribute, receiving. Z'a or z'er anpin, the "minor visage," represents the earlier six attributes, starting with chessed, gevura, (kindness, severity) etc. The six act through malchut which makes them effective. The "stepping out of self," negation of ego, and the resultant "perceiving the Divine" are elicited by the "daughters of Zion," the "feminine" aspect, malchut.
5.Mishlei 12:4. While apparently the feminine attribute is recipient, its true status will in the future be revealed as Crown, transcendent, higher than the highest attributes of intellect, as the crown encompasses the head.
• Daily Thought:
Be Quiet
There are questions to which G-d says to be quiet, to be still, to cease to ask.
The quietness, the stillness, the abandonment of being, that itself is an answer.[Tetzeh 5725:4.]
• Likutei Amarim, beginning of Chapter 27
• In the previous chapter the Alter Rebbe stated that sadness hinders one’s service of G‑d in general, and his battle with the Yetzer Hara in particular. He therefore discussed means of overcoming sadness caused by material concerns, and by anxiety over one’s sins.
In this chapter and the next, he will discuss another type of melancholy, that caused by concern over one’s sinful thoughts and desires. This category itself may be further subdivided into two: (1) Where these thoughts occur while one is occupied with his material affairs, and (2) Where these thoughts disturb his service of G‑d in Torah study, prayer and the like.
In this chapter the Alter Rebbe discusses the first situation. He states that not only are these thoughts no cause for sadness, but on the contrary, they ought to give rise to joy.
ואם העצבות אינה מדאגת עונות, אלא מהרהורים רעים ותאוות רעות שנופלות במחשבתו
If, however, his sadness does not stem from anxiety over sins that he has committed, but from the fact that sinful thoughts and desires enter his mind, then:
הנה אם נופלות לו שלא בשעת העבודה, אלא בעת עסקו בעסקיו ודרך ארץ וכהאי גוונא
If these thoughts occur to him not during his service of G‑d, but while he is occupied with his own affairs and with mundane matters and the like,
אדרבה יש לו לשמוח בחלקו, שאף שנופלות לו במחשבתו הוא מסיח דעתו מהם
he should, on the contrary, be happy in his lot; for although these sinful thoughts enter his mind, he averts his attention from them.
It is clear that here we are speaking of one who does not wilfully dwell on sinful thoughts, for if he does so he is a sinner, and the previous chapter has already dealt with sadness arising from sins.
לקיים מה שנאמר: ולא תתורו אחרי לבבכם ואחרי עיניכם אשר אתם זונים אחריהם
By averting his mind from sinful thoughts he fulfills the injunction, 1 “You shall not follow after your heart and after your eyes, by which you go astray.”
Only when sinful thoughts enter one’s mind can he fulfill this command. For the intention of the verse is not that one be at a level where such thoughts would not occur to him: this is the level of tzaddikim, who have eradicated all evil from their hearts. Surely, then this verse is not addressed to tzaddikim. The verse refers rather to one who does have such thoughts, and he is commanded to banish them — as the Alter Rebbe continues:
ואין הכתוב מדבר בצדיקים לקראם זונים, חס ושלום
The above verse surely does not speak of tzaddikim, referring to them (G‑d forbid) as “going astray,”
אלא בבינונים כיוצא בו שנופלים לו הרהורי ניאוף במחשבתו, בין בהיתר כו׳
but of Beinonim like himself, in whose mind there do enter erotic thoughts, whether of an innocent nature [or otherwise],
וכשמסיח דעתו, מקיים לאו זה
and when he averts his mind from them, he fulfills this injunction.
ואמרו רז״ל: ישב ולא עבר עבירה, נותנים לו שכר כאילו עשה מצוה
Our Sages have said: 2 “When one passively abstains from sin, he is rewarded as though he had actively performed a mitzvah.”
ועל כן צריך לשמוח בקיום הלאו כמו בקיום מצות עשה ממש
Consequently, he should rejoice in his compliance with the injunction just as he does when performing an actual positive precept.
Thus not only should the occurence of these thoughts not grieve him, but it ought to bring him joy, for only thereby is he able to fulfill this commandment.
ואדרבה, העצבות היא מגסות הרוח
On the contrary, such sadness is due to conceit.
שאינו מכיר מקומו, ועל כן ירע לבבו על שאינו במדרגת צדיק
For he does not know his place, and that is why he is distressed because he has not attained the level of a tzaddik,
שלצדיקים בודאי אין נופלים להם הרהורי שטות כאלו
to whom such foolish thoughts surely do not occur.
כי אילו הי׳ מכיר מקומו, שהוא רחוק מאד ממדרגת צדיק
For were he to recognize his station, that he is very far from the rank of tzaddik,
והלואי היה בינוני ולא רשע כל ימיו אפילו שעה אחת
and would that he be a Beinoni and not a rasha for even a single moment throughout his life (i.e., this is what he should be striving for at present, rather than vainly desiring to be a tzaddik),
הרי זאת היא מדת הבינונים ועבודתם
then surely, this is the due measure of the Beinonim and their task:
לכבוש היצר וההרהור העולה מהלב למוח, ולהסיח דעתו לגמרי ממנו ולדחותו בשתי ידים, כנ״ל
To subdue the evil impulse and the thought that rises from the heart to the mind, and to completely avert his mind from it, repulsing it as it were with both hands, as explained above in ch. 12.
The Alter Rebbe explained there that the evil in the soul of the Beinoni remains vigorous; his task is to prevent it from expressing itself in thought, speech, and action. Thus, he has no control over the occurence of evil thoughts in his mind, but only over his acceptance or rejection of these thoughts.
ובכל דחיה ודחיה שמדחהו ממחשבתו, אתכפיא סטרא אחרא לתתא
With every repulsion of this thought from his mind, the sitra achra is suppressed here below in This World,
ובאתערותא דלתתא אתערותא דלעילא
and, since “the arousal from below (in our case, the initiative of the Beinoni in suppressing the sitra achra) produces a corresponding arousal above,”
ואתכפיא סטרא אחרא דלעילא המגביה עצמה כנשר
the sitra achra above in the supernal worlds (the root of the sitra achra of this world) which soars like an eagle, is also suppressed,
לקיים מה שכתוב: אם תגביה כנשר וגו׳ משם אורידך נאם ה׳
thus realizing the verse, 3 “Though you soar aloft like the eagle…I will yet bring you down from there, says G‑d.”
וכמו שהפליג בזהר פרשת תרומה דף קכח בגודל נחת רוח לפניו יתברך כד אתכפיא סטרא אחרא לתתא
Indeed the Zohar, in Parshat Terumah (p. 128), extolls the Divine satisfaction that occurs when the sitra achra is subdued here below,
דאסתלק יקרא דקודשא בריך הוא לעילא על כולא יתיר משבחא אחרא, ואסתלקותא דא יתיר מכולא וכו׳
for “thereby G‑d’s glory rises above all, more than by any other praise, and this ascent its greater than all else, etc.”
Thus, it is the evil thoughts which enter the mind of the Beinoni that enable him to fulfill G‑d’s command in averting his attention from them, thereby subduing the sitra achra.
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. | Bamidbar 15:39. |
| 2. | Cf. Kiddushin 39b. |
| 3. | Ovadiah 1:4. |
• Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
• Negative Commandment 216
Planting Vegetables or Grain in a Vineyard
"You shall not sow your vineyard with different seeds"—Deuteronomy 22:9.
It is forbidden to plant vegetables or grain in a vineyard.
This biblical prohibition pertains only to the Land of Israel. The Sages, however, extended it to also include fields in the Diaspora.
Full text of this Mitzvah »
• Planting Vegetables or Grain in a Vineyard
Negative Commandment 216
Translated by Berel Bell
The 216th prohibition is that we are forbidden from planting grain or vegetables in a vineyard. This type of mixture is called kilai ha'kerem (kilayim in a vineyard).
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement,1 "Do not plant your vineyard with kilayim."
In the words of the Sifri: "Why do we need the verse, 'Do not plant your vineyard with kilayim'? It already is written, 'Do not plant your field with kilayim,' which certainly includes both [kilayim in] a vineyard and a field!"
They answer, "This verse comes to teach that anyone who allows kilayim in a vineyard transgresses two prohibitions."2
You should be aware that kilai ha'kerem is prohibited by Torah law only in Eretz Yisroel. One who plants wheat, barley, and grapes in the same handful, and in Eretz Yisroel, is punished by lashes.
Outside Eretz Yisroel, this planting is forbidden by Rabbinic law and one who plants wheat, barley, and grapes in the same handful receives lashes by Rabbinic decree.
Grafting together trees [of different species], however, is [prohibited by Torah law and] punishable by lashes everywhere [‑both in Eretz Yisroel and outside Eretz Yisroel]. This prohibition is included in the general statement, "Do not plant your field with kilayim."3
The details of this mitzvah are also explained in tractate Kilayim.
FOOTNOTES
1.Dev. 22:9.
2.Therefore we see that this counts as a separate prohibition in the count of 613.
3.This verse includes grafting different species of trees, but does not include planting different species of seeds (see N215, above). In Hilchos Kilayim, 1:3, the Rambam explains that we know this from the Oral Tradition. See Kapach, 5731, note 47.
• Rambam - 1 Chapter: Mechirah Mechirah - Chapter Twelve
• Mechirah - Chapter Twelve
1
It is forbidden for a seller or a purchaser to take unfair advantage of a colleague, as Leviticus 25:14 states: "When you sell an entity to your colleague or purchase an entity from a colleague, one man should not take unfair advantage of his brother."
Even though such a person transgresses a negative commandment, he is not punished by lashes, because the funds can be returned. Whether the person intentionally deceived his colleague or did not know that this transaction involved taking unfair advantage, he is obligated to pay the unwarranted gain.
א
אסור למוכר או לקונה להונות את חבירו שנאמר וכי תמכרו ממכר לעמיתך או קנה מיד עמיתך אל תונו ואף על פי שהוא עובר בלא תעשה אינו לוקה מפני שניתן להשבון ובין שהונה במזיד בין שלא ידע שיש במכר זה הונייה חייב לשלם:
2
How much unfair gain must there be in a transaction for the one who profits to be required to return it? An even sixth.
What is implied? If a person sold an article worth six zuz for five, or for seven, or one worth five zuz for six, or one worth seven zuz for six, it is considered to be unfair gain. The transaction is completed, and the person who profited is required to return the entire amount of unfair gain to the one who suffered the loss.
ב
וכמה תהא הונייה ויהיה חייב להשיב שתות בשוה כיצד הרי שמכר שוה שש בחמש או שוה שבע בשש או שוה חמש בשש או שוה שש בשבע הרי זה הונייה ונקנה המקח וחייב המאנה לשלם את ההונייה ולהחזירה כולה למתאנה:
3
If the unfair gain was even the slightest amount less than that - e.g., the person sold an article worth sixty dinarim for fifty dinarim and a p'rutah, he is not required to return anything. For it is common for people to waive any loss less than one sixth of the article's value.
ג
היתה ההונייה פחות מזה בכל שהוא כגון שמכר שוה ששים דינר בחמשים ופרוטה אינו חייב להחזיר כלום שכל פחות משתות דרך הכל למחול בו:
4
If the unfair gain was even the slightest amount more than one sixth - e.g., one sold an object worth 60 dinarim for 50 minus a p'rutah, the transaction is nullified. The purchaser may return the object without the transaction being completed at all.
The person who took the unfair gain, however, is not entitled to retract if the purchaser desires and seeks to maintain possession of the article, even though the transaction is nullified. The person who received the unfair gain is not obligated to return it unless the unfair gain exceeds a p'rutah. If the unfair gain was exactly a p'rutah], he is not obligated to return it, because the laws of ona'ah do not apply with regard to a p'rutah.
ד
היתה ההונייה יתירה על השתות בכל שהוא כגון שמכר שוה ששים בחמשים פחות פרוטה בטל מקח והמתאנה יכול להחזיר החפץ ולא יקנה כלל אבל המאנה אותו אינו יכול לחזור אם רצה זה וקבל ואע"פ שבטל המקח אין המאנה חייב להחזיר עד שתהיה ההונייה יתר על פרוטה היתה פרוטה בשוה אינו מחזיר שאין הונייה לפרוטות:
5
Until when does the purchaser have the right to demand the return of the unfair gain or the nullification of the transaction? Until he has time to show the article to a merchant or to a relative. If he waits longer, even if he purchased an article worth 100 zuz for 200, he may not nullify the transaction.
ה
עד מתי יהיה לו לחזור ולתבוע ההונייה או לבטל המקח עד כדי שיראה לתגר או לקרובו ואם שהה יותר מזה אפילו לקח שוה מאה במאתים אינו חוזר:
6
With regard to whom does the above apply? To a purchaser. For the article he purchased is in his possession, and it is common for him to show it to others.
The seller, by contrast, always has the opportunity to demand the return of the unfair gain. Needless to say, this applies with regard to the nullification of the sale. For he does not know the correct price of the article he sold until he sees a comparable article being sold. Accordingly, if the merchandise was a standard article that does not vary -e.g., peppers, or the like - he is given merely the time it takes to check the current market price.
ו
במה דברים אמורים בלוקח שהרי המקח בידו ומראהו אבל המוכר חוזר בהונייה לעולם ואין צריך לומר בבטול מקח שאינו יודע דמי זה שמכר עד שיראה כמותו שנמכר בשוק לפיכך אם היה המקח דבר שאין במינו שנוי והוא כולו שוה כגון פלפלין וכיוצא בהן הרי זה אינו חוזר אלא עד כדי שישאל על שער שבשוק בלבד:
7
Similarly, if it is known that an article comparable to the one he sold came into the seller's possession, he realized that he had erred regarding the initial sale, but he did not protest, he can no longer protest, for he has already waived his claim.
ז
וכן אם נודע שבא לידו כממכרו וידע שטעה ולא תבע אינו יוכל לחזור ולתבוע שהרי מחל:
8
Just as the laws of ona'ah apply with regard to an ordinary person, so too, they apply with regard to a merchant, although he is knowledgeable concerning prices.
Just as the laws of ona'ah apply with regard to produce and animals, so too, they apply with regard to coins.
ח
כשם שהונייה להדיוט כך הונייה לתגר אף על פי שהוא בקי וכשם שהונייה בפירות ובבהמה כך יש דין הונייה במטבעות:
9
What is implied? If a golden dinar was valued at 24 silver dinarim, and it was exchanged for 20 dinarim or 28 dinarim, the unfair gain must be returned. If the unfair gain was more than that, the exchange is nullified. If it is less than that, it is considered as if the other party waived his right to that money.
ט
כיצד הרי שהיה דינר של זהב בעשרים וארבעה דינר של כסף וצרפה בעשרים דינר או בעשרים ושמונה הרי זה מחזיר את ההונייה היה יתר על זה בטל הצירוף פחות מכאן מחילה:
10
Similarly, if a sela was lacking a sixth of its weight, and sela'im were being exchanged by number, rather than by weight, the unfair gain should be returned.
י
וכן אם היה הסלע חסרה שתות והיו מוציאין הסלעים במניין ולא במשקל מחזיר ההונייה:
11
Until when is the recipient obligated to return a dinar or a sela'im large cities, the amount of time necessary to show the coin to a money-changer. In villages, where a money-changer is not frequently found, until the end of the week. The rationale is that only a money-changer recognizes sela'im, whether they are lacking, and their worth.
Similar concepts apply with regard to sellers of books, and sellers of gems and pearls. The purchaser has the right to retract if the seller took unfair advantage of him until he has time to show the article he purchased to a merchant who is expert in such matters, wherever such an expert may be found. For not everyone is expert in the appraisal of such matters.
Therefore, if there was no expert available in that country, and after a considerable amount of time the purchaser took the object to another place, or an expert came and stated that the price was in error, the purchaser may retract.
יא
עד מתי חייב להחזיר הדינר או הסלע בכרכים עד כדי שיראה לשולחני בכפרים שאין השולחני מצוי שם יש לו להחזיר עד ערבי שבתות שאין מכיר הסלע וחסרונה ודמיה אלא השולחני והוא הדין למוכר ספרים אבנים טובות ומרגליות שיש ללוקח לחזור עד שיראה אותם לתגרים הבריאים בהן בכ"מ שהן שאין הכל בקיאים בדברים אלו לפיכך אם לא היה מכיר באותה מדינה והוליך המקח למקום אחר או שבא הבקי לאחר זמן מרובה והודיעו שטעה הרי זה חוזר:
12
The following rules apply when a person gives a sela that is lacking in weight to a colleague. Should he be able to identify it, even after twelve months, the recipient may return it. If it will be accepted as currency, albeit with difficulty, the recipient may not return it after a lengthy time has passed, unless the giver accepts it as an expression of commitment beyond the measure of the law.
יב
הנותן סלע חסרה לחבירו אם היה מכירה אפילו לאחר שנים עשר חדש הרי זה מחזירה ואם היה אפשר להוציאה על ידי הדחק אינו יכול להחזירה לאחר זמן אלא אם כן קבלה ממנו במדת חסידות:
13
The following rules apply in a situation where a person sold a colleague an article worth four zuz for five. As mentioned above, ordinarily, the transaction would be nullified. In this instance, however, before the purchaser had the opportunity to show the article to a merchant or to a relative, its price rose to seven zuz. The purchaser has the right to retract, and not the seller. For the purchaser will tell the seller: "If you had not taken unfair advantage of me, you would not have the right to retract. Now, because you have taken unfair advantage, do you think you should have the right to retract? Should a sinner receive reward?"
יג
המוכר לחבירו שוה ארבע בחמש שהרי המקח בטל כמו שביארנו ולא הספיק להראות לתגר או לקרובו עד שהוקר ועמד בשבע לוקח יכול לחזור בו ולא המוכר שהרי הלוקח אומר למוכר אילו הוניתני לא היית יכול לחזור ועתה שהוניתני תחזור היאך יהיה החוטא נשכר:
14
Similarly, if one sold an object worth five zuz for four, and then its value decreased to three, the seller has the right to retract and not the purchaser. For the seller will tell the purchaser: "By deceiving me, you did not gain the right to retract."
יד
וכן מוכר שמכר שוה חמש בארבע וזל ועמד בשלש מוכר יכול לחזור בו ולא לוקח שהרי אומר לו המוכר ללוקח לא מפני שהוניתני תחזור בך:
15
If a person sold an article worth five zuz for six, and before the purchaser had the opportunity to show the article to a merchant, its value increased to eight, the seller is obligated to return the zuz of unfair gain. For the transaction is completed and the seller is obligated to reimburse the purchaser for the unfair gain. When the article increased in value afterwards, it increased in value while in the possession of the purchaser.
Similarly, if a person sold an article worth six zuz for five and its value decreased to three, the purchaser is obligated to return the zuz of unfair gain. For the transaction is completed, and the article decreased in value while in the possession of the purchaser.
טו
המוכר שוה חמש בשש ולא הספיק להראותו עד שהוקר ועמד בשמונה הרי המוכר חייב להחזיר האחת של הונייה שהרי נקנה המקח וחייב להחזיר וכשהוקיר ברשות לוקח הוקיר וכן אם מכר שוה שש בחמש והוזלו ועמדו על שלש הרי הלוקח חייב להחזיר סלע אחת של הונייה שהרי נקנה המקח וברשות הלוקח הוזל:
• Kilaayim - Chapter 3
1
There are certain species of plants which will divide into separate forms because of the difference in the place [where they grow] and the differences in the manner in which the earth is cultivated until they appear as two species. Nevertheless, since they are one species, they are not considered as kilayim with each other.
א
יש מינין בזרעין שיהיה המין האחד נפרד לצורות הרבה מפני שינוי מקומות והעבודה שעובדין הארץ עד שיראה כשני מינין ואע"פ שאין דומין זה לזה הואיל והן מין אחד אינן כלאים זה בזה:
2
And there are species of plants that resemble each other and whose form is close to being the same. Nevertheless, because they are two species, it is forbidden [to grow] them together.
ב
ויש בזרעים שני מינין שהן דומין זה לזה וצורת שניהן קרובה להיות צורה אחת ואעפ"כ הואיל והן שני מינין הרי אלו אסורים זה עם זה:
3
What is implied? Lettuce with wavy lettuce,1 endives and wild endives, leek and wild leek, coriander and mountain coriander, mustard and Egyptian mustard, Egyptian squash and squash of ashes,2 are not considered as kilayim with each other. Similarly, wheat and undomesticated wheat, barley and oats, rye and spelt, beans and white peas, fabaceae and leguminosaea,3 white beans with azuki beans, zucchini and cucumbers, cabbage and cauliflower, beets and sorrel are not kilayim with each other. But radishes and Israeli radishes,4 mustard and bitter cabbage, Greek squash and Egyptian squash, or and squash of ashes, although they resemble each other are kilayim with each other.
ג
כיצד החזרת עם חזרת גלים והעולשין עם עולשי שדה והכרישין עם כרישי שדה הכסבר עם כסבר הרים וחרדל עם חרדל מצרי ודלעת המצרית עם דלעת הרמוצה אינן כלאים זה בזה וכן החטין עם הזונין והשעורים עם שבולת שועל והכוסמין עם השיפון והפול עם הספיר והפורקדן עם הטופח ופול לבן עם השעועים והקשות עם המלפפון והכרוב עם התרובתור והתרדין עם הלעונין אינן כלאים זה עם זה אבל הצנון עם הנפוסין והחרדל עם הלפסן ודלעת יונית עם דלעת מצרית או עם דלעת הרמוצה אף על פי שדומים זה לזה הרי אלו כלאים זה בזה:
4
Similarly, with regard to trees, there are species which resemble each other with regard to their leaves or their fruit, but since they are separate species, they are kilayim. What is implied? Apples and crabapples, peaches and almonds, prunes and Arabian jujube, although they resemble each other are kilayim with each other. But apricots and white plums and quince and lavallei are not kilayim with each other.
ד
וכן באילן שיש שני מינין שדומין זה לזה בעלין או בפירות הואיל והן שני מינין הרי אלו כלאים כיצד התפוח עם החזרד והפרסקין עם השקדים והשזפין עם הרימין אע"פ שדומין זה לזה הרי הן כלאים זה בזה אבל האגסים עם הקרוסטמלים והפרישים עם העוזרדין אינן כלאים זה בזה:
5
Similarly, there are other plants and trees which [our Sages] did not classify as kilayim although they are inherently two different species, because the leaves of one resemble the leaves of the other or the fruit of one resembles the fruit of the other very closely to the extent that they appear as different shades of the same species. [The rationale is that] with regard to kilayim we follow the appearance alone.5
ה
וכן אם יש שם זרעים ואילנות אחרות אף על פי שהן שני מינין בטבען הואיל ועלין של זה דומין לעלין של זה או פרי של זה דומה לפרי של זה דמיון גדול עד שיראו כשני גוונין ממין אחד לא חששו להן לכלאים זה עם זה שאין הולכין בכלאים אלא אחר מראית העין:
6
What is implied? Turnips and radishes are not kilayim with each other because their fruits are similar.6 Turnips and Israeli radishes are not kilayim with each other, because their leaves resemble each other. But radishes and Israeli radishes are kilayim even though their fruits resembles each other and their leaves resemble each other, because the taste of the fruits are drastically different from each other.
ו
כיצד הלפת עם הצנון אינן כלאים זה בזה מפני שפרייהן שוין והלפת עם הנפוס אינן כלאים זה בזה מפני שהעלין שלהן שוין אבל צנון עם הנפוס אע"פ שהעלין דומין זה לזה והפרי דומה לפרי הרי אלו כלאים הואיל וטעם פרי זה רחוק מטעם פרי זה ביותר וכן כל כיוצא באלו:
7
How much is it necessary to separate between two species of plants so that they will not be considered as kilayim [when planting them in the same field]? So that [the two species] will look distinct from each other. If, however, they appear as if they were sown together, this is forbidden.7
ז
כמה מרחיקין בין שני מיני זרעים שהן כלאים זה עם זה כדי שיהיו נראים מובדלין זה מזה אבל אם נראין שנזרעו בערבוביא הרי זה אסור:
8
There are many different measures given with regard to the distance required to make this distinction. Everything depends on the size of the field that is being sown and the proliferation of leaves [the plants have] and the extent to which their branches spread out.
ח
ושיעורין רבים יש בהרחקה הזאת הכל לפי גודל השדה הנזרעת ולפי רוב העלין ושלוח היונקות:
9
What is implied? If a person had sown a species of grain in his field and he sought to sow another species of grain in another field at its side, he must make a separation the size of the area in which one can sow a quarter of a kav between the two. This is approximately8 ten and one fifth cubits by ten and one fifth by approximately ten and one fifth cubits. [This applies] whether [the space left empty ceases] in the midst [of these fields] or [continues along their entire] side.9 If there is less than this space between them, sowing [these crops] are forbidden, but he is not liable for lashes unless they are six handbreadths [or less] close to each other.10
ט
כיצד שדהו שהיתה זרועה מין תבואה ובקש לזרוע בצדה מין תבואה אחרת בשדה אחת מרחיק ביניהן בית רובע והוא כעשר אמות וחומש אמה על עשר אמות וחומש אמה מרובע בין מן האמצע בין מן הצד ואם לא היה ביניהן כשיעור הזה אסור ואינו לוקה עד שיהיו קרובין בתוך ששה טפחים:
10
If his field was sown with vegetables and he desired to sow another species of vegetables - even squash11 - in another field at its side, he must make a separation of a square six handbreadths by six handbreadths between the two whether [the space left empty ceases] in the midst [of these fields] or [continues along their entire] side. If there is less than this space between them, sowing [these crops] are forbidden, but he is not liable for lashes unless they are within a handbreadth of each other.12
י
היתה שדהו זרועה ירק ובקש לזרוע בצדה שדה ירק אחר אפילו דלעת מרחיק בין שתי השדות ששה טפחים על ששה טפחים מרובע בין מן הצד בין מן האמצע ופחות משיעור זה זה אסור ואינו לוקה עד שיהיו קרובין בתוך טפח:
11
If there was grain sown in one of two fields and vegetables or squash sown in the other, one must make a separation the size of the area in which one can sow a quarter of a kav between the two.13
יא
היתה אחת משתי השדות זרועה תבואה והשניה שבצדה ירק או דלעת מרחיק ביניהן בית רובע:
12
When does the need to make a distinction of the size mentioned above apply? Between two fields.14 If, however, he had sowed vegetables in his field and he desires to sow a row of another species of vegetables at their side,15 it is sufficient for him to leave a trench six handbreadths long16 with its width the same as its depth17 between the row and the field.
יב
בד"א שצריך להרחקה בשיעורין הללו בין שתי שדות אבל אם היתה שדהו זרועה ירק ורצה לזרוע בצדה שורה של ירק ממין אחר דיו לעשות בין השדה ובין השורה תלם אחד ארכו ששה טפחים בלבד ורחבו כעומקו:
13
When a field is sown with grain and a person desires to sow a row of vegetables - even squash whose leaves are long and become tangled - in its midst, he must leave a distance of six handbreadths between them.18 If the leaves of the squash became extended and entered into [the portion where] the grain [was sown] and became entangled with it, he should uproot enough of the grain in front of the squash so that the leaves will not become tangled.19 Needless to say, if he sowed one row of one species and another row of another species, it is sufficient for there to be one trench between them, as will be explained.20
יג
היתה שדהו זרועה תבואה ורצה לזרוע בתוכה שורה של ירק אפילו שורה של דלועין שעלין שלהן ארוכים ומסתבכין מרחיק ביניהן ששה טפחים ואם נמשכו העלים של דלעת ונכנסו לתבואה ונסתבכו בה יעקור מן התבואה שלפני הדלעת עד שלא יתערבו העלין ואין צריך לומר שאם זרע שורה ממין זה ושורה ממין אחר שדיו להיות ביניהן תלם אחד כמו שיתבאר:
14
If he made an appropriate separation between the two species, but one of the species became draped upon the other one - whether the grain became draped upon other grain, a vegetable upon another vegetable, a vegetable upon grain, or grain upon a vegetable - everything is permitted, for he made a separation of the appropriate measure. [There is one] exception, Greek squash, because it becomes extended very far. Therefore if it becomes draped upon [another species], one should uproot the species in front of it,21 as explained [in the previous halachah].
יד
הרחיק בין שני המינין הרחקה הראויה להן והיה מין זה נוטה על גבי מין זה בין שנטתה תבואה על התבואה או ירק על גבי ירק או ירק על התבואה או תבואה על הירק הכל מותר שהרי הרחיק כשיעור חוץ מדלעת יונית שהיא נמשכת הרבה לפיכך אם נטתה יעקר מלפניה כמו שבארנו:
15
If between two species there were [any of the following] - a cistern,22a plowed field left fallow, a stone fence, a path,23 a wooden fence that is ten handbreadths high, a trench that is ten handbreadths deep and four handbreadths wide, a tree whose branches hang to the earth,24 or a rock that is ten handbreadths high and four [handbreadths] wide - it is permissible to place the one species on one side of [the divider] and the other species on the other side [of the divider]. Since one of the above is separating between them, they appear distinct from each other.
טו
היה בין שני המינים בור או ניר או גפה או דרך או גדר שהוא גבוה עשרה טפחים או חריץ שהוא עמוק עשרה טפחים ורחב ארבעה או אילן שהוא מיסך על הארץ או סלע שהוא גבוה עשרה טפחים ורחב ארבעה הרי זה מותר לסמוך המין האחד לצד אחד מאלו והמין האחר לצד השני הואיל ואחד מכל אלו מבדיל ביניהן הרי הן נראים מובדלין זה מזה:
16
When is it necessary for there to be such a separation or a divider? When one is sowing [the two species] in his own field. If, however, one person sowed wheat in his field, his colleague is permitted to sow barley in a bordering [field], as [implied by] Leviticus 19:19]: "Do not sow mixed species in your field." The prohibition applies only to sowing mixed species in one's own field. For the Torah does not say: "Mixed species shall not be sown on the earth."25
Moreover, even if one planted barley in his own field next to wheat and extended the barley until it was adjacent to the field of his colleague which was planted with barley, it is permitted. [The rationale is that] the barley in his own field appears to be the end of his colleague's field.26
טז
במה דברים אמורים שצריך הרחקה או דבר המבדיל בשזרע בתוך שדהו אבל אם היתה שדהו זרועה חטים מותר לחבירו לזרוע בצדה שעורים שנאמר שדך לא תזרע כלאים אין האיסור אלא שיזרע שדהו כלאים שלא נאמר הארץ לא תזרע כלאים ולא עוד אלא אפילו זרע בתוך שדהו שעורים סמוך לחטים ומשך זרע השעורים עד שסמכו לשדה חבירו שהיא זרועה שעורים הרי זה מותר מפני שנראו השעורים שבתוך שדהו שהן סוף שדה חבירו:
17
If his field was planted with wheat and a colleague's field adjoining it was planted with wheat, he is permitted to sow one row of flax at the side of his wheat adjoining his colleague's field.27 [The rationale is that] an observer knows that it is not the common practice to sow only one row of flax and this person is merely testing his field to see if it is fit to plant flax or not. Thus he is sowing the seed with the intent of destroying it.28 Therefore,29 it is forbidden to sow another species30 between these two fields31that are planted with one species until he makes a distinction [between the two species] within his own property.
יז
היתה שדהו זרועה חטים ושדה חבירו בצדה זרועה חטים מותר לו לזרוע תלם אחד של פשתן בצד חטים שלו סמוך לשדה חבירו שהרואה יודע שאין דרך העם לזרוע תלם אחד של פשתן ולא נתכוון זה אלא לבדוק שדהו אם ראויה היא לזרוע פשתן אם לא ונמצא כזורע להשחתה לפיכך אסור לזרוע מין אחר בין שתי שורות אלו שהן ממין אחד עד שירחיק בתוך שלו:
18
When a person's field and a colleague's field were sown with two [different] types of grain,32 he should not sow even one row of mustard seed or safflower seed, because it is customary to sow one row of these.33 If, however, there were two fields planted with different species of vegetables, it is permitted to sow mustard seed or safflower seed between them. For it is permitted to bring any species close to mustard seed or safflower seed with the exception of grain.34 [There is a stringency in the latter instance, because the mustard seed or safflower seed] do not have a harmful effect on [grain].
Similarly, if a corner [of a portion] of one's field [sown] with one species touches a block [of the field sown] with another species, it is permitted, because they appear separate from each other.35Needless to say, if the corner [of a portion of one's field sown] with one species touches a corner [of the field sown] with another species, it is permitted without setting them apart or making a distinction as we explained,36because it appears that it is the end of one field that touched the end of another field.
יח
היתה שדהו ושדה חבירו שבצדה זרועין שני מיני תבואה לא יזרע ביניהם חרדל וחריע אפילו תלם אחד מפני שהעם זורעים מאלו תלם אחד אבל אם היו שתי השדות זרועין שני מיני ירקות מותר לזרוע ביניהן חרדל או חריע שמותר להקיף חרדל או חריע לכל מין חוץ מן התבואה מפני שאינן מזיקין אותה וכן אם היתה זוית של זרע זה נוגעת בצלע של זרע האחר בתוך שדהו הרי זה מותר מפני שהן נראין מובדלין זה מזה ואין צריך לומר אם היתה זוית של זרע זה נוגעת בזוית של זרע האחר מפני שהן נראין כסוף שדה שנגע בסוף שדה שהוא מותר בלא הרחקה ולא הבדלה כמו שבארנו:
FOOTNOTES
1.
In his Commentary to the Mishnah (Kilayim 1:2), the Rambam defines this as "mountain lettuce." The examples cited by the Rambam in this and following halachot are all taken from Kilayim, ch. 1. Our translation is largely dependent on the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah and Rav Kappach's notes to that text.
2.
This squash has a bitter taste and is made edible only by putting it in a remetz, a pit filled with smoldering ashes (ibid.).
3.
Two types of wild beans.
4.
See Halachah 6.
5.
The Rambam also states this principle in his Commentary to the Mishnah (Kilayim 3:1). According to his understanding, it is our perception which determines whether one is mixing species or not. Their biological nature is a secondary factor.
6.
The Ra'avad differs on the principle explained by the Rambam and considers these species as kilayim.
7.
The Rambam is stating a general principle with which he introduces the coming halachot.
8.
I.e., slightly more than that sum (Kessef Mishneh).
9.
Our translation is based on the gloss of the Kessef Mishneh who cites the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Kilayim 3:3) as a source.
The Radbaz and the Kessef Mishneh cite the Jerusalem Talmud (Kilayim 2:7) which states that if one species surrounds the other on all four sides, such a separation is not sufficient. They say that one could understand the Rambam as alluding to that view. The Aruch HaShulchan 297:32, however, explains that the Rambam differs.
10.
I.e., unless it is less than the smaller figure, it is not forbidden by Scriptural Law. Nevertheless, as a safeguard, our Sages required an even greater separation.
11.
Whose leaves spread very far (see Halachah 13).
12.
Although the Ra'avad rules stringently, stating that the measures mentioned in the previous halachah apply in this instance as well, the Radbaz and the Kessef Mishneh justify the Rambam's approach.
13.
Since there is grain involved, we rule stringently (Radbaz).
14.
Here the Rambam does not define what constitutes a field. In Hilchot Matanot Aniyim 3:4, he states that a small field is 50 cubits by 2 cubits and in Hilchot Shechenim 1:4, he defines a field as a place that is fit to sow nine kabbim. In his Commentary to the Mishnah (Bava Basra 1:6), he defines that as being 3750 sq. cubits.
15.
If he wants to sow this row in the middle of the field, he must leave such a trench on either side (Radbaz).
16.
For a separation this size is sufficient to set the row apart as a distinct entity [the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Kilayim 3:3)].
17.
The trench must be at least a handbreadth deep.
The Ra'avad differs with the Rambam's interpretation of this concept, but the Radbaz and the Kessef Mishneh substantiate the Rambam's understanding.
18.
See Chapter 4, Halachah 3, and notes.
19.
The Radbaz explains that he could also cut off the extensions of the squash plants, but apparently, he would suffer a greater loss from doing that than from uprooting the grain. Hence, the Rambam is simply giving him good advice.
20.
The Radbaz mentions that this also refers to the concepts mentioned in the previous halachah. It is, nevertheless, placed here to teach that even though there is grain involved (see Halachah 9), since we are speaking only of one row, there is no need for additional stringency.
21.
Even though there is an appropriate separation, the species appear to be mixed [the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Kilayim 3:11)].
22.
Our translation follows the gloss of the Radbaz. Others interpret the term bor as referring to an unplowed field.
23.
Which is four cubits wide (see Hilchot Matanot Aniyim 3:3).
24.
And thus it appears as a tent [the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Kilayim 3:11)].
25.
This ruling is an outgrowth of the rationale for the prohibition against mixed species: not to intermingle the different spiritual powers that give energy to the various crops (see the commentary of Rabbenu Bachaye to Leviticus 19:19). If the properties belong to two different people - even though the land on which the different crops grow are adjacent - the two spiritual mediums of nurture will not be intermingled (Yayin Malchut).
The Ra'avad does not accept the Rambam's ruling. He accepts the following clause - for it is an explicit mishnah (Kilayim 2:7) - but maintains that the sowing of the two species next to each other are acceptable in that instance, because at the outset, there was a clear distinction. In this instance, by contrast, there is no distinction at the outset, and it appears that a prohibition was violated. The Radbaz justifies the Rambam's ruling, stating that if one is allowed to sow mixed species in his own field, because it appears to be an extension of his colleague's field, certainly, his colleague is allowed to plant a different species in his own field.
26.
And thus they will not appear as mixed species to an onlooker.
27.
Despite the fact that the two fields appear to be one continuous field of wheat, planting the one row of flax is permitted for the rationale explained by the Rambam (Radbaz).
28.
I.e., he is not intending to reap any benefit from planting this flax. For this reason, the prohibition against kilayim does not apply.
29.
I.e., since the reason for the leniency is that everyone can see that he has no benefit from the row of flax, when that rationale does not apply, the leniency is not granted.
30.
I.e., a species other than flax that people might commonly sow only one row of.
31.
Our text is based on authoritative manuscripts of the Mishneh Torah. The version in the standard printed text is slightly different.
32.
Needless to say, this applies when the fields are sown with the same species (Radbaz).
33.
I.e., these are crops for which there is a benefit in sowing a single row. Hence, in contrast to the flax mentioned in the previous halachah, a prohibition exists.
The commentaries note that the Rambam's statements here appear to contradict his statement in Chapter 1, Halachah 9, in which he states that it is customary to sow entire fields of mustard seed. They are, however, reinforced by his statements in Hilchot Matnot Aniyim 3:11.
34.
Since mustard seed and safflower seed have a harmful effect on other crops, there is no prohibition. Significantly, in his Commentary on the Mishnah (Kilayim 2:8), the Rambam writes the direct opposite that mustard seed and safflower seed have a harmful effect on grain, but not on other crops.
Rav Yosef Corcus notes that from the previous halachah, one might think that it is permitted to plant only a row of flax, but not of other species, because only flax is planted as an experiment. And from this halachah, one might think only mustard seed and safflower seed are forbidden, for otherwise, there would be no reason to single them out individually, but other species are permitted. In resolution, he explains that here the emphasis is on mustard seed and flax seed individually. Since they are permitted next to other species, one might think that they are also permitted next to grain. Hence, it is necessary to emphasize that this is not so.
35.
Even though they are adjacent, the manner in which they are planted makes a clear distinction.
36.
In Halachah 16.
Kilaayim - Chapter 4
1
It is permitted to sow two rows of zucchini next to each other, next to them two rows of squash, next to them two rows of Egyptian beans, [provided] there is a trench1 between each species.2 One should not, however, sow one row of zucchini, one row of squash, and one row of Egyptian beans, even though there is a trench separating between each species, because the leaves of these species grow long and become extended and tangled. If they are sown one row next to another, everything will become intermingled and it will appear that he sowed [the crops] as a mixture.
א
מותר לזרוע שתי שורות זו בצד זו של קשואין ושתי שורות בצידן של דלועין ושתי שורות של פול המצרי ותלם בין כל מין ומין אבל לא יזרע שורה אחת של קשואין ושורה אחת של דלועין ושורה אחת של פול המצרי אף על פי שהתלם מבדיל בין כל מין ומין מפני שמינין אלו עלים שלהן ארוכין ונמשכין ומסתבכין ואם זרען שורה בצד שורה יתערב הכל ונראו כנזרעין בערבוביא:
2
If a person's field was planted with types of vegetables and he desired to plant several rows of squash3 in it, [he must do the following]: Rip up from the vegetables a place where he will plant a row of squash and separate between it and the vegetables with a trench. He then leaves a twelve cubit section of vegetables and plants a second row of squash, dividing between it and the vegetables with a trench. Similarly, [he should follow this pattern] until [he reaches] the place he desires. Thus there will be twelve cubits between each two rows of squash.4 If there is less than this measure, it is forbidden, because the leaves will become tangled with the vegetables between them on either side and it will appear that he sowed [the crops] as a mixture.
ב
היתה שדהו זרועה מין ממיני ירקות ובקש לזרוע בתוכה שורות שורות של דלועין עוקר מן הירק מקום שזורע בו שורה של דלועין ומבדיל בינה ובין הירק בתלם ומניח מן הירק רוחב שתים עשרה אמה ועושה שורה שניה של דלועין ומבדיל בינה ובין הירק בתלם וכן עד מקום שירצה שנמצא בין כל שתי שורות של דלועין שתים עשרה אמה אבל פחות מיכן אסור מפני העלין שמסתבכין מיכן ומיכן בירק שביניהם ונראה הכל כאילו נזרע בערבוביא:
3
When [a person has] a row of squash sown or even one squash [plant] and desires to plant grain next to it, he must [leave empty a portion] large enough to sow a fourth [of a kav],5 for [the squash plants'] leaves have become extended and are considered to have taken possession of a large area.6 Any entity, e.g., a grave, a rock,7 or the like, that exists within [the area] large enough to sow a fourth [of a kav] that is left empty as a separation between these two species is considered as part of the measure.
ג
היתה שורה של דלעת זרועה אפילו דלעת יחידית ובא לזרוע בצדה תבואה מרחיק בית רובע שהרי נמשכו עליה והחזיקה מקום גדול וכל דבר שיהיה בתוך בית רובע שמרחיקין בין שני המינין עולה מן המדה כגון הקבר והסלע וכיוצא בהן:
4
ד
התלם או אמת המים שהן עמוקים טפח זורעין לתוכו שלשה מיני זרעים אחד על שפת התלם מיכן ואחד מיכן ואחד באמצע:
5
It is permitted to sow two species in one pit - even zucchini and squash10 - provided that one is leaning above one side of the pit and the other leans above the other side and thus they appear separate from each other.11 Similarly, if one planted four species in a pit and pointed them to each of the four directions, it is permitted.
ה
ומותר לנטוע שני מינין בתוך גומא אחת ואפילו קישות ודלעת והוא שיהיה מין זה נוטה מעל שפת הגומא לכאן והמין האחר נוטה לצד השני ויראו נבדלין זה מזה וכן אם נטע ארבעה מינין בתוך הגומא והפכן לארבע רוחותיה הרי זה מותר:
6
When a person desires to sow his field in many long rows of different species, he should make a separation of two cubits by two cubits [at the beginning of the rows]. He may then continually reduce the width of the empty space until at the end of the rows, there is only the slightest amount of empty space between them. [This is permitted,] because they do not look like they have been sown as a mixture.12
ו
הרוצה לזרוע שדהו משר משר מכל מין ומין מרחיק בין כל משר ומשר שתי אמות על שתי אמות ומיצר והולך עד שלא ישאר ביניהן בסוף המשר אלא כל שהוא שהרי הן נראין שלא נזרעו בערבוביא:
7
If a person wants to plant his field in squares13 of different species, he should not plant more than nine squares in a field large enough to sow a se'ah. Each square should be large enough to sow a quarter of a kav.14 Thus there will be approximately ten cubits minus a fourth of a cubit between each square, for the area in which a se'ah can be sown is fifty [cubits] by fifty [cubits].
ז
רצה לעשות שדהו קרחת קרחת מכל מין ומין לא יעשה בתוך כל בית סאה יתר על תשע קרחות כל קרחת מהן בית רובע ונמצא רחוק בין קרחת וקרחת קרוב לעשר אמות פחות רביע שכל בית סאה חמשים על חמשים:
8
What is the difference between the terms meishar and karachat?15 The former is long and the latter is square.
ח
ומה בין המשר לקרחת שהמשר ארוך והקרחת מרובעת:
9
[The following principle applies with regard to] species of vegetables that it is not customary for a person to sow in large amounts as we explained.16 It is permitted to sow even five types of these vegetables in one row that is six handbreadths by six handbreadths, provided he sows four species at the four sides17 of the row and one in the middle, leaving a handbreadth and a half between each species so that they will not derive nurture from each other.18 One should not, however, sow more than five species [in a row] even if he makes an appropriate separation, because it appears that they are sown as a mixture.
ט
מיני ירקות שאין דרך בני אדם לזרוע מהם אלא מעט מעט כמו שבארנו מותר לזרוע מהם אפילו חמשה מינין בתוך ערוגה אחת שהיא ששה טפחים על ששה טפחים והוא שיזרע ארבעה מינין בארבע רוחות הערוגה ואחד באמצע וירחיק בין מין ומין כמו טפח ומחצה כדי שלא יינקו זה מזה אבל יותר על חמשה מינין לא יזרע אף על פי שמרחיק ביניהם לפי שמינין הרבה בערוגה כזו הרי הן כנטועין בערבוביא:
10
When does the above apply? To a row planted in a ruin where there are no crops outside it. If, however, a row is planted among other rows [of produce], it is forbidden to sow five [different] species. For if he will sow all four sides of one row and all the sides of the rows around it, everything will appear as a mixture.19
If he caused the leaves of one row to lean to one side and those of the other row to lean to the other side so they appear distinct [from each other], it is permitted. Similarly, if he makes a trench between each row, it is permitted.20
י
בד"א בערוגה שהיא בחורבה ואין שם זרע חוצה לה אבל ערוגה בין ערוגות אסור לזרוע בה חמשה מינין שאם יזרע בכל רוח מערוגה זו ובכל רוח מערוגותיה שסביבותיה יראה הכל כמעורב ואם הטה עלין שבערוגה זו לכאן ועלין שבערוגה שבצדה מכאן עד שיראו מובדלים מותר וכן אם עשה תלם בין כל ערוגה וערוגה מותר:
11
It is forbidden to sow outside this row without a trench or without leaning [the plants to the side]. [This applies] even opposite the corners of the row in which there are no plants. This is a decree, [enacted] lest one sow the four species in the four corners of the row21 and sow other species outside of it, opposite the corners, and thus, everything would appear mixed.
יא
ואסור לזרוע חוץ לערוגה בלא תלם ובלא נטייה ואפילו כנגד הקרנות של ערוגה שאין בהן זרע גזירה שמא יזרע ארבעת המינין בארבע זויות ערוגה ויזרע מינין אחרים חוצה לה כנגד הזויות ונמצא הכל כמעורב:
12
If the row was six handbreadths by six handbreadths and it had a barrier a handbreadth high and a handbreadth wide around it, it is permitted to sow even eighteen species within it: three on each barrier22 and six in the middle. One must separate a handbreadth and a half between each species. One should not sow a turnip in the midst of the barrier, lest it fill it.23 He should not sow more than that.24
יב
היתה הערוגה ששה על ששה והיה לה גבול גבוה טפח ורחב טפח סביב מותר לזרוע בה אפילו שמנה עשר מינין שלשה על כל גבול וגבול וששה באמצע וירחיק בין כל מין ומין טפח ומחצה ולא יזרע ראש הלפת בתוך הגבול שמא ימלאהו יותר על זה לא יזרע:
13
יג
ואסור לזרוע בערוגה מיני זרעים בענין זה מפני שהן נראין כלאים אבל מיני ירקות הואיל ואין דרך בני אדם לזרוע מהן אלא מעט מעט הרי זה מותר כמו שבארנו:
14
יד
גבול שהיה גבוה טפח וזרעו בו מינין הרבה כמו שבארנו ונתמעט מטפח מאחר שנזרע בו כשר שהיה כשר מתחלתו:
15
When a person desires to fill his entire garden with different types of vegetables without making a separation between them, he should divide the entire garden into square rows, even six handbreadths by six handbreadths. He should then make five circles in every row, four for the four corners and one in the center. He may sow a species [of vegetables] in each circle and one in the center and he may sow four other species in the four corners.30Thus there are nine species in each row and yet they appear separate from each other. He leaves empty only what is between the circles. This is left fallow so that the circles will appear distinct from the corners and distinct from each other.31
If he desires not to leave any empty space at all, he should do the following: If [the crops in] the circles are sown vertically, he should sow [crops in the space left] between them horizontally. If they are sown horizontally, he should sow [in the space] between them vertically so that they will appear distinct from each other.
טו
הרוצה למלאות כל גנתו מיני ירקות רבים ולא ירחיק ביניהם עושה כל הגנה ערוגות מרובעות אפילו ששה על ששה ועושה בכל ערוגה חמשה עיגולין ארבעה בארבע רוחותיה ואחד באמצע וזורע מין בכל עיגול וזורע ארבעה מינים אחרים בארבעה קרנות ערוגה נמצאו תשעה מינין בכל ערוגה והן נראין מובדלין זה מזה ואינו מפסיד אלא מה שבין העיגולין בלבד שהוא מניחו חרב כדי שיראו העיגולין מובדלין מן הקרנות ומובדלין זה מזה ואם רצה שלא יפסיד כלום אם היו העיגולין זרועים שתי זורע מה שביניהן ערב ואם היו זרועין ערב זורע מה שביניהן שתי כדי שיראו מובדלין:
16
From all of the above, the following principles become apparent for you. When there is sufficient space32 between two species so that they will not derive nurture, we are not concerned with the appearance as we explained.33 And when they appear separate from each other, we are not concerned with the fact that they derive nurture from each other, even if they are next to each other as we just explained.
טז
מכל אלו הדברים נתבאר לך שבזמן שיש בין שני המינין הרחקה הראויה להם כדי שלא יינקו זה מזה אין חוששין למראית העין כמו שבארנו ובזמן שיראו מובדלים זה מזה אין חוששים ליניקתן אפילו הן זה בצד זה כמו שנתבאר עתה:
FOOTNOTES
1.
Chapter 3, Halachah 12, states that these trenches must be as wide as they are deep. The Aruch HaShulchan writes that the trench must be at least four handbreadths wide.
2.
Although these species are considered as kilayim, sowing them in this manner is permitted, because of the precautions that are taken. For each block of a particular crop appears as a separate field [the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Kilayim 3:4)].
Although in the following halachah, a twelve cubit stretch of each crop is required, that is because one is sowing only one row of the squash. Hence, it does not look like a field of squash and sowing a larger stretch of vegetables is required (Radbaz).
3.
In his Commentary to the Mishnah (ibid.:6), the Rambam writes that a row of squash is four cubits wide.
4.
In such an instance, each block of vegetables appears as a separate field, as stated above (Radbaz).
The width of the trench is not counted because it does not have a specific measure, nor must it extend over the entire length of the field (Rav Yosef Corcus).
5.
10 and one fifth cubits by 10 and one fifth cubits. This stringency is required because the laws governing grain are stricter than those governing vegetables.
6.
The Radbaz notes that in Chapter 3, Halachah 13, the Rambam speaks of making a separation of six handbreadths between grain and squash and here, he requires a much larger figure. He explains that here we are speaking about a situation in which the squash has already grown and its leaves are extended, while there we are speaking of squash that is just beginning to grow.
7.
I.e., a rock that is less the ten handbreadths high and four handbreadths wide. If it is of the latter size, it alone is considered a sufficient divider, as stated in Chapter 3, Halachah 15.
8.
If they are not this deep, they are considered to be flush with the earth and the leniency mentioned in this halachah does not apply.
9.
For each type of plant appears distinct.
10.
Whose leaves spread and become entangled [the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Kilayim 3:5)].
11.
And the foundation of the prohibition of Kilayim is the impression created (ibid.).
12.
I.e., the separation made initially is sufficient to distinguish the crops sown throughout the field.
13.
The Ra'avad notes that the Rambam uses the term karachat which usually means "bald patch" to refer, not to the area of the field that is left empty, but the area which is planted.
14.
Ten and one fifth cubits, as stated in Chapter 3, Halachah 10.
15.
The Hebrew terms used in the two preceding halachot.
16.
Chapter 1, Halachah 9.
17.
Note the accompanying diagrams, taken from the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Kilayim 3:1).
18.
This is the measure in which plants derive nurture from the earth (ibid.). The Rambam, however, does not always focus on this point, because he views the impression created of equal significance, as stated at the conclusion of the chapter.
19.
Even if he does not fill up the borders, it is forbidden as a decree, lest he come to do so (Kessef Mishneh).
20.
For the trench appears as a distinction.
21.
See the accompanying diagram, taken from the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah.
22.
I.e. since the species are sown on the barrier, they are distinct from those sown within the trench. Note the following diagram, taken from the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah.
23.
I.e., lest the turnip grow large and fill up the empty space on the border.
24.
For it will be cluttered and appear as a mixture (Radbaz).
25.
E.g., mustard or smooth peas (Kilayim 3:2).
26.
It is customary to sow larger plots of these crops. Hence if one sows a row of the above size with different species of these crops, it will appear to be a mixture of species.
27.
Halachah 12.
28.
I.e., some of its earth was taken away.
29.
It is, however, forbidden to sow crops on the side of the barrier until its height is restored [the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Kilayim 3:2)]. There, however, the Rambam interprets the barrier as referring to a divider between two types of crops, not a barrier around a row.
30.
I.e., the area between the circles and the perimeter of the square.
31.
The Ra'avad objects to this ruling. The Rambam's rationale depends on the principle explained in the following halachah: that when crops appear distinct, we are not concerned that they derive nurture from each other.
32.
A handbreadth and a half.
33.
Halachah 9.
Kilaayim - Chapter 5
1
When a person sows two types of grain or two types of vegetables1 together with [grape] seeds, he is liable for two sets of lashes:2 one for [violating the prohibition (Leviticus 19:19)]: "You shall not sow your field with mixed species,"3 and one for [violating the prohibition (Deuteronomy 22:9)]:4"You shall not sow your vineyard with mixed species."
א
הזורע שני מיני תבואה או שני מיני ירקות עם זרע הכרם הרי זה לוקה שתים אחת משום שדך לא תזרע כלאים ואחת משום לא תזרע כרמך כלאים:
2
A person does not receive lashes for sowing kilayim in a vineyard unless he sows a handful of wheat, barley,5 and grape seed in Eretz Yisrael.6 Similarly, one who covers such seeds with earth is worthy of lashes. And one who sows two types of vegetable seeds or a vegetable seed, a grain seed, and a grape seed from one hand is worthy of lashes.
ב
ואינו לוקה משום זורע כלאי הכרם עד שיזרע בארץ ישראל חטה ושעורה וחרצן במפולת יד וכן אם חפה אותם בעפר לוקה וכן אם זרע שני מיני ירק וחרצן או זרע אחד ירק וזרע אחד מין תבואה וחרצן במפולת יד הרי זה לוקה:
3
He is not liable according to Scriptural Law unless [he sows] hemp and wild onions or the like from seeds that will mature together with the produce of the vineyard.7 Other types of seeds are forbidden according to Rabbinic decree. Similarly, according to Rabbinic decree, it is forbidden to sow kilayim in a vineyard in the Diaspora.
ג
ואינו חייב מן התורה אלא על קנבוס ולוף וכיוצא בהן מזרעים שנגמרים עם תבואת הכרם אבל שאר הזרעים אסורים מדבריהם וכן אסור מדבריהם לזרוע כלאי הכרם בחוצה לארץ:
4
Why did [the Sages] forbid planting mixed species in a vineyard in the Diaspora, but not mixed species in a field?8Because [the prohibition against] mixed species in a vineyard is more severe. For if they were to be sown in Eretz Yisrael, it would be forbidden to benefit from them.9 Since it is forbidden to benefit from them in Eretz Yisrael, it is forbidden to sow them in the Diaspora.
ד
ולמה אסרו כלאי הכרם [בחוצה לארץ ולא אסרו כלאי זרעים] מפני שכלאי הכרם חמורין הם שאם נזרעו בארץ ישראל הרי הן אסורין בהנאה וכיון שהן אסורין בהנאה בארץ אסרו לזרען בחוצה לארץ:
5
ה
ואין עודרין עם הנכרי בכלאים אבל עוקרין עמו כדי למעט התיפלה:
6
ו
אין אסור משום כלאי הכרם אלא מיני תבואה ומיני ירקות בלבד אבל שאר מיני זרעים מותר לזרעם בכרם ואין צריך לומר שאר אילנות:
7
It is forbidden to sow vegetables or grain next to vines or to plant a vine next to vegetables or grain.15 If one does this, although he is not liable for lashes,16[the produce] is hallowed and it is forbidden to benefit from both the grain or vegetables and the vines.17 They must both be burnt, as [Deuteronomy 22:9] states: "Lest the fullness of the seed... become hallowed."
ז
אסור לזרוע ירקות או תבואה בצד הגפנים או ליטע גפן בצד הירק או תבואה ואם עשה כן אע"פ שאינו לוקה הרי זה קדש ונאסרו שניהם בהנאה הירק או התבואה או הגפנים ושורפין את שניהן שנאמר פן תקדש המלאה הזרע ואפילו הקש של תבואה והעצים של גפנים האלו אסורין בהנאה ושורפין אותם ולא יסיק בהן תנור וכירים ולא יבשל בהם בעת שריפתן:
8
[The prohibition applies equally] whether one plants or maintains kilayim; i.e., one saw that mixed substances grew in his vineyard and he left them [to grow], they become hallowed.20
A person may not hallow an article that is not his.21 Therefore if a person draped his vine over grain belonging to a colleague, he causes his vine to be hallowed, but not the grain. If he draped a vine belonging to a colleague over his grain, he causes his grain to be hallowed, but not his colleague's vine. If he draped a vine belonging to a colleague over grain belonging to a colleague, he does not cause either of them to become hallowed. For this reason, when a person sows [kilayim] in his vineyard in the Sabbatical year, he does not cause it to be hallowed.22
ח
אחד הנוטע ואחד המקיים כיון שראה כלאים צמחו בכרמו והניחם הרי זה קדש ואין אדם מקדש דבר שאינו שלו לפיכך המסכך גפנו על גבי תבואתו של חבירו קדש גפנו ולא נתקדשה התבואה סכך גפן חבירו על תבואתו קדש תבואה ולא קדש גפן חבירו סכך גפן חבירו על תבואת חבירו לא קדש אחד מהן ומפני זה הזורע כרמו בשביעית לא קדש:
9
When a person23 sees mixed species [growing] in a vineyard belonging to a colleague and maintained them, that observer is forbidden to benefit from them. Every other person is permitted. Were the owner of the vineyard to have maintained them, they would be hallowed for all people as explained.
ט
הרואה כלאים בכרם חבירו וקיימן הרי זה הרואה אסור בהנייתן וכל אדם מותרין בהן ואילו קיימן בעל הכרם היה מקדש אותן לכל אדם כמו שבארנו:
10
[The following laws apply when] a man of force24 sowed kilayim in a vineyard belonging to another person. If the owner hides out of fear,25 even though he does not despair over [ultimately receiving his property], [the produce] becomes hallowed according to Scriptural Law.26 If he does not hide, even though he does despair [the produce] becomes hallowed only according to Rabbinic Law.
י
האנס שזרע כלאים בכרם חבירו אם נשתקעו הבעלים אף על פי שלא נתייאשו הרי זה קדש מן התורה ואם לא נשתקעו הבעלים אע"פ שנתייאשו אינו מקדש אלא מדברי סופרים:
11
יא
הרוח שעקרה פארות הגפן ושלחה אותן על התבואה יגדוד אותן מיד ואם אירעו אונס ולא סילקן הרי אלו מותרין ולא נתקדשו:
12
[The following laws apply when] a man of force30 sowed [kilayim] in a vineyard [and then departed, leaving the vineyard to its original owner]. When the man of force departs, [the owner] should harvest the crops immediately,31even during Chol HaMoed.32 If one cannot find workers, he should add even a third to their wages.33 If they demanded more than that or was unable to find workers, he may continue searching without pressure and harvest [the produce]. If the produce remained until it reached the point that it hallows [the vineyard],34 it is hallowed and both species are forbidden.
יב
אנס שזרע הכרם כשיצא האנס יקצור הזרע מיד ואפילו בחולו של מועד ואם לא מצא פועלין יוסיף להן עד שליש בשכרן בקשו ממנו יותר מיכן או שלא מצא פועלים הרי זה מבקש בנחת וקוצר ואם נשתהא הזרע עד שהגיע לעונת שיקדש הרי זה יקדש ויאסרו שניהם:
13
When do grain or vegetables become hallowed? When [the plants] develop roots. [When do] grapes? When they reach the size of a white bean, as [implied by Deuteronomy 22:9]: "Lest the fullness of the seed which you sowed and the produce of the vineyard become hallowed;" [i.e., the prohibition applies when] one sows this35and this36 becomes produce. If, however, the grain37has already dried to the degree necessary or grapes had matured to their full extent, they do not become hallowed.38
What is implied? When grain has already dried to the degree necessary and then one planted a vine in their midst or grapes had matured to their full extent and one planted grain or a vegetable next to them, although this is forbidden, they do not become hallowed.
יג
מאימתי תבואה או ירק מתקדשין משישרישו ענבים משיעשו כפול הלבן שנאמר המלאה הזרע אשר תזרע ותבואת הכרם עד שיזרע זה ויהיה זה תבואה אבל תבואה שיבשה כל צורכה וענבים שבשלו כל צורכן אינן מתקדשות [כיצד תבואה שיבשה כל צרכה ובא ונטע גפן בתוכה וכן ענבים שבשלו כל צרכן וזרע תבואה או ירק בצדן אע"פ שזה אסור אינן מתקדשות]:
14
[The following rules apply in] a vineyard whose grapes have not grown to the size of a white bean, but are still underdeveloped. If one sowed vegetables or grain there and they took root, they are not hallowed.39 Nevertheless, he is penalized and we forbid the growths.40 The underdeveloped grapes, by contrast, are permitted.41 If one uprooted the growths before the grapes became the size of a white bean, it is permitted to benefit from them.42
If some of [the grapes] have reached that size and some have not, those which have are hallowed and those which have not are not.43
יד
כרם שלא הגיעו ענביו להיות כפול הלבן אלא עדיין הן בוסר וזרע בתוכו ירק או תבואה והשרישו הרי זה לא קדש ואעפ"כ קונסין אותו ואוסרין הזרע אבל הבוסר מותר ואם עקר הזרע קודם שיעשו הענבים כפול הלבן הרי זה מותר בהנייה מקצתן נעשו כפול הלבן ומקצתן לא נעשו את שנעשו נתקדשו ואת שלא נעשו מותרין:
15
When grapes have grown to the size of a white bean and one planted grain or types of vegetables at their side and reaped the growths before they became rooted, it is permitted to benefit from them.44 If they became rooted, it is forbidden.
טו
ענבים שנעשו כפול הלבן וזרע בצדן תבואה או מיני ירקות ולקט הזרע קודם שישריש הרי זה מותר בהנאה ואם השריש אסור:
16
When a vine has dried out and its leaves have fallen as is frequent in the winter,45 it is forbidden to sow vegetables or grain next to it. If one sows them there, they do not become hallowed. Similarly, if one sows these species in a flowerpot that does not have a hole which is located in a vineyard, the produce is not hallowed.46 He, however, should be given stripes for rebellious conduct.47If, however, the flowerpot has a hole, it is [as if he sowed] in the ground.48
טז
גפן שיבשו העלין שלה ונפלו כדרך שתיבש הגפן בימי הקור אסור לזרוע בצדה ירק או תבואה ואם זרע לא קדשו וכן הזורע בעציץ שאינו נקוב המונח בכרם לא קדש ומכין אותו מכת מרדות אבל עציץ נקוב הרי הוא כארץ:
17
[The following rules apply when a person] was passing through a vineyard and seeds fell from him49 or they were brought [into a field] with fertilizer or water, or one was sowing or winnowing in a field of grain and the wind carried the seeds behind him and the seeds fell into a vineyard and sprouted, they do not become hallowed. [This is derived from the prooftext cited above] which states "which you sowed," and this was not sowed.50 He is, [nevertheless,] obligated to uproot it when he sees it. If he maintains it, it becomes hallowed.51
If the wind carried the seeds before him and he saw them fall into the vineyard, he is considered to have sown them. What should he do if their grasses grow? He should turn them over with a plow; this is sufficient. If he discovered that they have already ripened,52 he should crush the portion that ripened,53 for it is forbidden to benefit from the entire54 [plant].55 If he discovers that grain has already sprouted,56 it must be burnt. If he saw it and maintained it, it must be burnt together with the vines adjacent to it.
יז
היה עובר בכרם ונפלו ממנו זרעים או שיצאו עם הזבלים או עם המים או שהיה זורע או זורה בשדה לבן וסערתו הרוח לאחוריו ונפלו הזרעים בכרם וצמחו הרי זה לא נתקדש שנאמר אשר תזרע וזה לא זרע וחייב לעקור כשיראה ואם קיימן הרי זה קדש סערתו הרוח לפניו ורואה הזרעים שנפלו לכרם הרי זה כזורע וכיצד יעשה אם צמחו העשבים יהפכם במחרישה ודיו ואם מצאן שנעשו אביב ינפץ אותו אביב כדי להשחיתו שהכל אסור בהנאה ואם מצאה שנעשית דגן הרי זו תשרף ואם ראה אותן וקיימן הרי אלו ישרפו עם הגפנים הסמוכות להן:
18
When a person sees an herb that [most] people would not plant [growing] in a vineyard, it does not become hallowed57 even though he desires that it be maintained [so that he will use it] for animal [fodder]58 or for medicinal purposes unless most people in that locale59 would maintain such a plant. What is implied? [When] a person maintains brush [growing] in his vineyard in Arabia, it becomes hallowed, [because there most people] desire the brush for their camels.
יח
הרואה בכרם עשב שאין דרך בני אדם לזורעו אף על פי שהוא רוצה בקיומו לבהמה או לרפואה הרי זה לא קדש עד שיקיים דבר שכמוהו מקיימין רוב העם באותו מקום כיצד המקיים קוצים בכרם בערב שרוצים בקוצים לגמליהם הרי זה קדש:
19
Mint, ivy, the king's lily, and other [similar] plants are not considered as kilayim in a vineyard. Hemp, artichokes,60and cotton, are considered like other types of vegetables and they become hallowed in a vineyard. Similarly, all types of herbs that grow on their own accord in a field become hallowed in a vineyard. An Egyptian bean is considered as a plant and does not become hallowed. Bamboo, roses, and thornbushes are considered as species of trees and are not kilayim in a vineyard.61
יט
הארוס והקיסוס ושושנת המלך ושאר מיני זרעים אינן כלאים בכרם הקנבוס והקנרס וצמר גפן הרי הן כשאר מיני ירקות ומקדשים בכרם וכן כל מיני דשאים שעולין מאיליהן בשדה הרי הן מקדשין בכרם ופול המצרי מין זרעים הוא ואינו מקדש הקנים והוורד והאטדין מיני אילן הן ואינן כלאים בכרם:
20
כ
זה הכלל כל המוציא עלין מעיקרו הרי זה ירק וכל שאינו מוציא עלין הרי זה אילן והצלף אילן לכל דבר:
21
כא
הרואה ירק בכרם ואמר כשאגיע לו אלקטנו מותר הגיע לו ועבר מעליו ואמר כשאחזור לו אלקטנו אם שהה עד שהוסיף אחד ממאתים הרי זה קדש:
22
How can we measure this degree [of growth]? We see how long it would take for this vegetable or grain to dry if its connection with the earth were severed.66 Let us say that it would take 100 hours to dry to the point that it retained no moisture. Thus if it remained in the ground for half an hour after he reached it, it will have added 1/200th [to its size] and it is forbidden. If he waited less than half an hour, it is permitted.
כב
וכיצד משערין שיעור זה רואין אם נחתך ירק זה או מין תבואה זה מן הארץ בכמה זמן ייבש הגע בעצמך שיבש עד שלא תשאר בו לחה במאה שעה אם נשתהה בארץ משהגיע לו חצי שעה הרי הוסיף במאתים לאסור ואם שהה פחות מחצי שעה מותר:
23
כג
אסור לעבור בעציץ נקוב שזרוע בו ירק בתוך הכרם ואם הניחו תחת הגפן ונשתהה שם בארץ כדי להוסיף אחד ממאתים הרי זה קידש:
24
[The following law applies when one] sowed an onion in a vineyard,69 the vineyard was uprooted afterwards,70 and then the onions grew from the roots that were already planted. Even though the growths are more than 200 times the size of the root,71 the root remains forbidden, for the permitted growths cannot change the status of the forbidden root.72
כד
בצל שנטעו בכרם ואחר כך נעקר הכרם ואח"כ צמחו בצלים מן העיקר הנטוע אף על פי שרבו הגידולים על עיקרו במאתים הרי אותו העיקר באיסורו שאין גידולי היתר מעלין את העיקר האסור:
FOOTNOTES
1.
The wording of the prooftext implies that one is sowing mixed species - i.e., two species that are themselves kilayim - in a vineyard, i.e., together with grape seeds (Radbaz).
2.
Provided he is given a warning for each of the prohibitions (ibid.).
3.
As explained in Chapter 1.
4.
I.e., he transgresses a negative commandment, included as one of the 365 negative commandments by Sefer HaMitzvot (negative commandment 216) and Sefer HaChinuch (mitzvah 548).
5.
Not only wheat and barley, but all five species of grain are considered as mixed species when sown with grapes and forbidden according to Scriptural Law.
6.
For the only concept of kilayim that applies with regard to crops in the Diaspora is the prohibition against grafting different species of trees. The prohibition against mixed crops, like all the other laws concerning the crops of Eretz Yisrael, do not apply in the Diaspora.
7.
These species, like grapes, require three years before their produce appears. For the prohibition against mixed species to apply, the produce must resemble that of the grape vine.
In his Commentary to the Mishnah (Kilayim 2:5), the Rambam writes that he does not see how it is possible for there to be a vegetable plant that does not produce fruit for three years. That is a common phenomenon for trees and vines, but not for vegetables. He writes that these species of vegetables do remain in the ground for several years and continue to produce fruit and that appears to be the Rambam's intent.
8.
As stated in Chapter 1, Halachah 3.
9.
As mentioned in Hilchot Ma'achalot Assurot 10:6, Deuteronomy 22:9 states: ...Lest the fullness of the seed which you sowed and the produce of the vineyard become hallowed.' ['Becom[ing] hallowed'] means being set apart and forbidden."
In contrast, mixed species in the field are forbidden to be eaten, but it is permitted to benefit from them, as stated in Chapter 1, Halachah 7.
10.
This applies even on land belonging to a gentile. The Radbaz maintains that, according to the Rambam, this prohibition applies even on land belonging to a gentile in the Diaspora. Since it is forbidden for a Jew to plant such crops there according to Rabbinic Law, it is forbidden to help a gentile.
11.
With the intent of destroying it.
12.
The Radbaz asks: Since mixed substances that grow on a gentile's land are not prohibited, why are they referred to as undesirable substances? He explains that since they are forbidden when growing on a Jew's land, they are considered as undesirable even when growing on a gentile's land.
13.
I.e., plants that do not produce edible produce. This applies even according to Rabbinic Law (Kessef Mishneh). See Halachah 19 for illustrations of this principle.
14.
I.e., all types of trees may be planted in a vineyard.
15.
The Beit Yosef (Yoreh De'ah 296) states that the Rambam's wording implies that only one species of vegetable or grain is present. Although Halachah 1 states that to be liable for lashes, he must sow two mixed species together, a prohibition is involved when even one is present.
16.
For as stated in Halachah 2, he is not liable for lashes unless he sows the mixed species together.
17.
From the Rambam's wording, it is clear that he does not consider this as a Rabbinic safeguard, but rather the violation of a Scriptural prohibition.
18.
I.e., the prohibition does not apply only to the produce, but to the plants themselves. See the gloss of the Radbaz.
19.
Moreover, if a new oven is fired with them, it is forbidden to benefit from the oven itself. For firing a new oven completes it (Pesachim 26a).
20.
The owner of the field is not, however, liable for lashes, because he did not perform a deed.
21.
We find this principle in several other contexts (e.g., Hilchot Nazirut 9:9; Hilchot Arachin 4:26). Nevertheless, in those instances, the consecration of the article does not reflect a physical change in its state, but rather its designation as being holy. It is logical to conceive that only the owner of an article can make such a designation. In the present instance, by contrast, the different species of produce become hallowed because of the fact that they grow together. Seemingly, it makes no difference why they grow together, whether they were planted by the owner or by another person. Indeed, if a person puts milk into a pot cooking with meat belonging to his colleague, the food becomes prohibited.
For this reason, although the Rambam accepts the above principle in other contexts. He found it problematic with regard to kilayim. Thus in his Commentary to the Mishnah (Kilayim 7:4), he originally favored the opinions which maintain that the above principle does not apply in this instance. Only later in life did he change his view and rule, as above, that it does apply. According to Rav Kappach, at that time, he also amended his Commentary to the Mishnah.
22.
For in the Sabbatical year, the field is not his own. Instead, it is ownerless. As above, in this instance as well, the Rambam deviated from his original ruling in his Commentary to the Mishnah (loc. cit.:5).
The Radbaz notes that the above ruling applies to the produce, but not the wood growing in the vineyard, because the wood does not become ownerless. Therefore it is forbidden.
23.
The Ra'avad (based on the Jerusalem Talmud, Kilayim 7:5) interprets this as referring to a situation where the person is working for the owner of the field. Otherwise, he maintains there is no reason to rule that he should be forbidden to benefit. Rav Yosef Corcus and the Radbaz explain the Rambam's ruling. Rav Yosef Corcus states that it applies to a person who has the right to enter his colleague's field even thought he is not working there (see also Turei Zahav 296:3). Otherwise, he would not have any effect on it, even for himself. The Radbaz states that the Rambam's ruling applies even to a person at large. Since he did not notify the owner about the problem, it is as if he took a vow to personally consider the produce as forbidden.
24.
In the time of the Roman occupation, it was common for landed property to be taken by force. Our Sages addressed the possible halachic problems that arise in such a situation.
25.
Our translation is based on the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Kilayim 7:6). Others interpret the term as meaning that the land is no longer referred to as belonging to the original owner.
26.
The Radbaz explains that since the owner is forced to hide, even though in his own heart, he hopes to have the land returned, it is as if he has already given up hope (Radbaz). Although generally, we follow the ruling that land cannot be stolen (Hilchot Gezeilah 8:14), but instead, is always considered as belonging to the original owner, in this instance, because of the severity of the prohibition against kilayim, we rule stringently.
27.
Our translation is based on authentic manuscripts and early printings of the Mishneh Torah. It also follows the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (according to Rav Kappach's version). The standard printed text of the Mishneh Torah - and also that followed by the Kessef Mishneh - follows a different version. In all cases, the basic intent remains the same.
28.
I.e., and in the time he did not remove them, they grew 1/200th, as stated in Halachah 22.
29.
For, as evident from Halachah 21, a person does not cause produce to be considered kilayim unless he willfully allows the mixed species to grow.
30.
In the time of the Roman occupation, it was common for landed property to be taken by force. Our Sages addressed the possible halachic problems that arise in such a situation.
31.
Lest he be liable for maintaining kilayim.
32.
The intermediate days of a festival, when there are restrictions against performing work in one's fields (see Hilchot Sh'vitat Yom Tov, ch. 7). Nevertheless, in this instance, he is required to do so, to avoid the violation of the prohibition against kilayim.
33.
In his Commentary to the Mishnah (Kilayim 7:6), the Rambam gives an example. If the worker's wage was normally three zuz a day, he should be paid four.
34.
I.e., it grows 1/200th.
35.
Wheat or vegetables.
36.
The grapes.
37.
Before grain is ready to be harvested, the kernels dry out and harden.
38.
In his Commentary to the Mishnah (ibid.:7), the Rambam explains that the prooftext describing the prohibition speaks of "the seed" and "the produce." The Hebrew terms imply produce that is in the process of developing and not produce that has already developed fully and is ready to be harvested.
39.
I.e., according to Scriptural Law, neither the vines, nor the grain or the vegetables are forbidden.
40.
According to Rabbinic decree. Not only may one not partake of them, it is forbidden to benefit from them.
41.
The Ra'avad states that it is permitted to benefit from the produce of the vine, implying that it is forbidden to partake of it. The Radbaz and the Kessef Mishneh, however, differ and maintain that it is permitted even to partake of it.
42.
The Radbaz and the Kessef Mishneh state that this ruling appears to contradict the Rambam's statements made previously, that "he is penalized and we forbid the growths," implying that it is forbidden to benefit from them. They each suggest possible resolutions of the issue.
43.
This is speaking about a situation where the grain or the vegetables have taken root. The grain or the vegetables are forbidden, as above.
44.
It appears that, according to the Rambam, it is forbidden to partake of their produce immediately. The Ra'avad permits one to partake of it. His rationale is that since they did not take root, it is as if they were never planted. The Radbaz explains that the prohibition against partaking of the produce is a Rabbinic safeguard.
45.
In his Commentary to the Mishnah (Kilayim 7:2), the Rambam emphasizes that we are speaking about a vine that is alive and will produce grapes in the future and not one that has dried out entirely. If the vine is totally dried out, it is permissible to sow other species near it (Radbaz, Kessef Mishneh, commenting on the gloss of the Ra'avad).
46.
As indicated by Chapter 1, Halachah 2, this reflects a general principle applicable in many contexts of agricultural law: If a flowerpot has a hole at its bottom, it is considered as being a part of the field, because it derives nurture there. If it does not have such a hole, it is considered as a separate entity.
47.
The punishment administered for the violation of a Rabbinic commandment.
48.
For it derives nurture from the ground through the hole. See the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Demai 5:10).
49.
Without his knowledge.
50.
On the contrary, they fell in the vineyard against his will [ibid. (Kilayim 5:7)].
51.
For whenever mixed species are maintained in a vineyard, they become hallowed, as stated in Halachah 8.
52.
But had not seen them beforehand.
53.
Although generally, kilayim should be destroyed by fire, an exception is made in this instance, because - since the newly grown crops are moist and not appropriate to be burnt.
54.
I.e., even its straw (Radbaz, Kessef Mishneh; this ruling appears to contradict the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (loc. cit.).
55.
The grain is forbidden from the time it becomes rooted in the ground. The vines are not forbidden unless they grow 1/200th of their size. Alternatively, since he did not purposely plant the grain, even if the vines grew that much, they are not forbidden as long as the person did not willfully maintain the mixed species (Radbaz).
56.
For whenever mixed species are maintained in a vineyard, they become hallowed, as stated in Halachah 8.
57.
In his Commentary to the Mishnah (Kilayim 5:8), the Rambam explains that this is also derived from the prooftext cited above. "Which you sowed" implies "what is customary for you to sow."
58.
Compare to Chapter 1, Halachah 4.
59.
I.e., everything depends on the prevailing local practice. What the person thinks individually is not of consequence.
60.
Our translation is taken from Rav Kappach's notes to the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Uktzin 1:6).
61.
As stated in Halachah 6, all types of trees may be planted in a vineyard.
62.
In such an instance, each year, the trunk changes.
63.
Compare to Hilchot Ma'aser Sheni 1:7. See also Hilchot Berachot 8:6.
64.
I.e., he need not hurry to uproot it immediately, but may proceed at his ordinary pace, provided he does not delay.
65.
He has transgressed, because he has maintained mixed produce in a vineyard.
66.
As the Jerusalem Talmud (Kilayim 5:6) explains, a plant will grow at the same rate that it will dry out. (As the Radbaz points out, this applies over the entire span. The particular phases of its growth and drying will vary.)
67.
As stated in the notes to Halachah 16, when such a flowerpot is left on the ground, it is considered as if the pot is connected to the earth and it as if the plants growing in it are part of the vineyard. As a safeguard, our Rabbis forbade even carrying such a flowerpot through a vineyard.
68.
According to the Rambam, however, the produce growing in it does not become hallowed.
69.
And thus it became forbidden as kilayim.
70.
But the forbidden onion plant was left in the ground.
71.
And mixed species are nullified in a mixture 200 times the size of the original amount.
72.
Instead, despite the growth of the onion plant, the root remains forbidden. Rabbi Akiva Eiger notes that the Rambam rules in this manner in Hilchot Neta Reva'i 10:16. In Hilchot Terumah 11:22, he rules otherwise.
The Rambam's wording could be interpreted as implying that the plant that grows from the root is permitted. This is the conclusion of Rav Yosef Corcus. There are other Rishonim who maintain that the entire plant is forbidden. Kin'at Eliyahu notes that in Hilchot Nedarim 5:15, the Rambam rules: "If it was an entity whose seed does not decompose, even the produce that grows from the produce that grows from them is forbidden." Seemingly, the same principles would apply here.
• Sunday, 23 Shevat, 5777 · 19 February 2017
• "Today's Day"
• Friday, Sh'vat 23, 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: Yitro, Shishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 108-112.
Tanya: From this the intelligent (p.97)...as will be explained later. (p. 99).
Once, as the Alter Rebbe stepped out of his room, he overheard his wife remarking to several women, "Mine1 says..."
The Rebbe said: "With one mitzva I am yours; with how many are we G-d's!" With these words he fell onto the doorpost in dveikut.2 On "awakening" from the dveikut he said: "Go out and see"3 - to step out of self and perceive the Divine, comes from (the following words in that verse) "daughters of Zion," Malchut arousing z'a.4 The Future will bring the fulfillment of "A valorous woman is her husband's crown."5
FOOTNOTES
1."Mine" is understood in Yiddish to refer to one's husband or wife.
2.Profound concentration, a communion with the Divine that removes one from physical awareness.
3.Shir Hashirim 3:11.
4.Malchut (lit. "royalty") is the tenth attribute, for which the moon is a metaphor, having no light of its own but reflecting (see "Tzemach Tzedek and Haskala Movement" p. 110, Note 3). Malchut then, is a "feminine" attribute, receiving. Z'a or z'er anpin, the "minor visage," represents the earlier six attributes, starting with chessed, gevura, (kindness, severity) etc. The six act through malchut which makes them effective. The "stepping out of self," negation of ego, and the resultant "perceiving the Divine" are elicited by the "daughters of Zion," the "feminine" aspect, malchut.
5.Mishlei 12:4. While apparently the feminine attribute is recipient, its true status will in the future be revealed as Crown, transcendent, higher than the highest attributes of intellect, as the crown encompasses the head.
• Daily Thought:
Be Quiet
There are questions to which G-d says to be quiet, to be still, to cease to ask.
The quietness, the stillness, the abandonment of being, that itself is an answer.[Tetzeh 5725:4.]
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