TODAY IN JUDAISM: Tammuz 7, 5777 - Shabbat, July 1, 2017 - Chabad.org in New York, New York, United States - - ב"ה - Today in Judaism - Today is Shabbat, Tammuz 7, 5777 · July 1, 2017 - Shavuot 2nd Day

ב"ה

Today in Judaism

TODAY IN JUDAISM: Tammuz 7, 5777 - Shabbat, July 1, 2017 - Chabad.org in New York, New York, United States -  - ב"ה - Today in Judaism - Today is Shabbat, Tammuz 7, 5777 · July 1, 2017 - Shavuot 2nd Day
Torah Reading
Shavuot Day 2: Deuteronomy 15:19 - 16:17

Deuteronomy 15:(vii) 19 “All the firstborn males in your herd of cattle and in your flock you are to set aside for Adonai your God; you are not to do any work with a firstborn from your herd or shear a firstborn sheep. 20 Each year you and your household are to eat it in the presence of Adonai your God in the place which Adonai will choose. 21 But if it has a defect, is lame or blind, or has some other kind of fault, you are not to sacrifice it to Adonai your God; 22 rather, eat it on your own property; the unclean and the clean alike may eat it, like the gazelle or the deer. 23 Just don’t eat its blood, but pour it out on the ground like water.

16:1 “Observe the month of Aviv, and keep Pesach to Adonai your God; for in the month of Aviv, Adonai your God brought you out of Egypt at night. 2 You are to sacrifice the Pesach offering from flock and herd to Adonai your God in the place where Adonai will choose to have his name live. 3 You are not to eat any hametz with it; for seven days you are to eat with it matzah, the bread of affliction; for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste. Thus you will remember the day you left the land of Egypt as long as you live. 4 No leaven is to be seen with you anywhere in your territory for seven days. None of the meat from your sacrifice on the first day in the evening is to remain all night until morning. 5 You may not sacrifice the Pesach offering in just any of the towns that Adonai your God is giving you; 6 but at the place where Adonai your God will choose to have his name live — there is where you are to sacrifice the Pesach offering, in the evening, when the sun sets, at the time of year that you came out of Egypt. 7 You are to roast it and eat it in the place Adonai your God will choose; in the morning you will return and go to your tents. 8 For six days you are to eat matzah; on the seventh day there is to be a festive assembly for Adonai your God; do not do any kind of work.

9 “You are to count seven weeks; you are to begin counting seven weeks from the time you first put your sickle to the standing grain. 10 You are to observe the festival of Shavu‘ot [weeks] for Adonai your God with a voluntary offering, which you are to give in accordance with the degree to which Adonai your God has prospered you. 11 You are to rejoice in the presence of Adonai your God — you, your sons and daughters, your male and female slaves, the L’vi’im living in your towns, and the foreigners, orphans and widows living among you — in the place where Adonai your God will choose to have his name live. 12 Remember that you were a slave in Egypt; then you will keep and obey these laws.

(Maftir) 13 “You are to keep the festival of Sukkot for seven days after you have gathered the produce of your threshing-floor and winepress. 14 Rejoice at your festival — you, your sons and daughters, your male and female slaves, the L’vi’im, and the foreigners, orphans and widows living among you. 15 Seven days you are to keep the festival for Adonai your God in the place Adonai your God will choose, because Adonai your God will bless you in all your crops and in all your work, so you are to be full of joy!

16 “Three times a year all your men are to appear in the presence of Adonai your God in the place which he will choose — at the festival of matzah, at the festival of Shavu‘ot and at the festival of Sukkot. They are not to show up before Adonai empty-handed, 17 but every man is to give what he can, in accordance with the blessing Adonai your God has given you.

Haftarah Re’eh: Yesha‘yahu 

Shavuot Day 2: Numbers 28:26-31

Numbers 28:26 “‘On the day of the firstfruits, when you bring a new grain offering to Adonai in your feast of Shavu‘ot, you are to have a holy convocation; do not do any kind of ordinary work; 27 but present a burnt offering as a fragrant aroma for Adonai, consisting of two young bulls, one ram, seven male lambs in their first year, 28 and their grain offering — fine flour mixed with olive oil, six quarts for each bull, four quarts for the one ram, 29 and two quarts for each of the seven lambs — 30 plus a male goat to make atonement for you. 31 You are to offer these in addition to the regular burnt offering and its grain offering (they are to be without defect for you), with their drink offerings.
Shavuot Day 2: Habakkuk 2:20 - 3:19
Habakkuk 2:20 But Adonai is in his holy temple;

let all the earth be silent before him.

3:1 This is a prayer of Havakuk the prophet about mistakes:

2 Adonai, I have heard the report about you.

Adonai, I am awed by your deeds.

Bring your work to life in our own age,

make it known in our own time;

but in anger, remember compassion.

3 God comes from Teman,

the Holy One from Mount Pa’ran. (Selah)

His splendor covers the sky,

and his praise fills the earth.

4 His brightness is like the sun,

rays come forth from his hand —

that is where his power is concealed.

5 Before him goes pestilence,

and close behind, the plague.

6 When he stands up, the earth shakes;

when he looks, the nations tremble,

the eternal mountains are smashed to pieces,

the ancient hills sink down;

the ancient paths are his.

7 I saw trouble in the tents of Kushan

and the tent hangings shaking in the land of Midyan.

8 Adonai, is it against the rivers,

against the rivers that your anger is inflamed?

Is your fury directed at the sea?

Is that why you ride on your horses,

and drive your chariots to victory?

9 You brandish your naked bow

and order it filled with arrows. (Selah)

You split the earth with rivers.

10 The mountains see you and tremble;

a torrent of water streams by;

the deep thunders forth,

as it raises enormous waves.

11 The sun and moon stand still in the sky

at the light of your arrows speeding by,

at the gleam of your glittering spear.

12 In fury you stride across the land,

in anger you trample the nations.

13 You come out to save your people,

to save your anointed one;

you crush the head of the house of the wicked,

uncovering its foundation all the way to the neck.

14 With their own rods you pierce the head of their warriors,

who come like a whirlwind to scatter us,

who rejoice at the prospect

of devouring the poor in secret.

15 You tread down the sea with your horses,

churning up the mighty waters.

16 When I heard, my whole body trembled,

my lips shook at the sound;

weakness overcame my limbs,

my legs gave way beneath me.

But I wait calmly for the day of trouble,

when it comes upon our assailants.

17 For even if the fig tree doesn’t blossom,

and no fruit is on the vines,

even if the olive tree fails to produce,

and the fields yield no food at all,

even if the sheep vanish from the sheep pen,

and there are no cows in the stalls;

18 still, I will rejoice in Adonai,

I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

19 Elohim Adonai is my strength!

He makes me swift and sure-footed as a deer

and enables me to stride over my high places.

For the leader. With my stringed instruments.

Today's Laws & Customs:

• Ethics of the Fathers: Chapter 5
During the summer months, from the Shabbat after Passover until the Shabbat before Rosh Hashahah, we study a weekly chapter of the Talmud's Ethics of the Fathers("Avot") each Shabbat afternoon; this week we study Chapter Five.
Link: Ethics of the Fathers, Chapter 5
• Sanctification of the MoonOnce a month, as the moon waxes in the sky, we recite a special blessing called Kiddush Levanah, "the sanctification of the moon," praising the Creator for His wondrous work we call astronomy.
Kiddush Levanah is recited after nightfall, usually on Saturday night. The blessing is concluded with songs and dancing, because our nation is likened to the moon—as it waxes and wanes, so have we throughout history. When we bless the moon, we renew our trust that very soon, the light of G‑d's presence will fill all the earth and our people will be redeemed from exile.
Though Kiddush Levanah can be recited as early as three days after the moon's rebirth, the kabbalah tells us it is best to wait a full week, till the seventh of the month. Once 15 days have passed, the moon begins to wane once more and the season for saying the blessing has passed.
Links:
Brief Guide to Kiddush Levanah: Thank G‑d for the Moon!
More articles on Kiddush Levanah from our knowledgebase.
Today in Jewish History:
• Passing of Rabbi Pinchas Horowitz (1805)Rabbi Pinchas HaLevi Horowitz of Nikelsburg (1730-1805) was the rabbi of Frankfurt and the author of Sefer Hafla'ah and Sefer HaMikneh -- commentaries on the Talmud -- and Panim Yafot, an exegesis on the Torah. Rabbi Pinchas and his brother Rabbi Shmuel Shmelke were students of the Mezritcher Maggid. They were amongst the first adherents to the Chassidic movement to hold rabbinic posts in Germany. The famed Rabbi Moshe Sofer, known as the Chatam Sofer, considered Rabbi Pinchas to be one of his main teachers.
Link: The Rabbi and the Ox
Daily Torah Study:

Chumash: Chukat, 7th Portion Numbers 21:21-22:1 with Rashi
• English / Hebrew Linear Translation
• Video Class
• Daily Wisdom (short insight)

Numbers Chapter 21

21Israel sent messengers to Sihon the king of the Amorites, saying: כאוַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ מַלְאָכִ֔ים אֶל־סִיחֹ֥ן מֶֽלֶךְ־הָֽאֱמֹרִ֖י לֵאמֹֽר:

Israel sent messengers: Elsewhere, the sending [of messengers] is ascribed to Moses, as it says, “So I sent messengers from the desert of Kedemoth” (Deut. 2:26). Similarly, “Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom…” (above. 20: 14), but concerning Jephthah it says, “Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom…” (Jud. 11:17). These verses supplement each other; one holds back [information by not informing us who authorized the sending of the messengers] and the other reveals [that Moses sent them]. Moses is Israel, and Israel is Moses, to teach you that the leader of the generation is equal to the entire generation, because the leader is everything. — [Midrash Tanchuma Chukkath 23, Num. Rabbah 19:28]

וישלח ישראל מלאכים: ובמקום אחר תולה השליחות במשה, שנאמר (דברים ב, כו) ואשלח מלאכים ממדבר קדמות, וכן (במדבר כ, יד) וישלח משה מלאכים מקדש אל מלך אדום, וביפתח הוא אומר (שופטים יא, יז) וישלח ישראל מלאכים אל מלך אדום וגו', הכתובים הללו צריכים זה לזה, זה נועל וזה פותח, שמשה הוא ישראל וישראל הם משה, לומר לך שנשיא הדור הוא ככל הדור, כי הנשיא הוא הכל:

22"Let me pass through your land. We will not turn into fields or vineyards, nor drink well water. We shall walk along the king's road, until we have passed through your territory." כבאֶעְבְּרָ֣ה בְאַרְצֶ֗ךָ לֹ֤א נִטֶּה֙ בְּשָׂדֶ֣ה וּבְכֶ֔רֶם לֹ֥א נִשְׁתֶּ֖ה מֵ֣י בְאֵ֑ר בְּדֶ֤רֶךְ הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ נֵלֵ֔ךְ עַ֥ד אֲשֶׁר־נַֽעֲבֹ֖ר גְּבֻלֶֽךָ:

Let me pass through your land: Even though they were not commanded to offer them peace, they nevertheless sought peace from them. — [Midrash Tanchuma Chukkath 22, Num. Rabbah 19:27]

אעברה בארצך: אף על פי שלא נצטוו לפתוח להם בשלום בקשו מהם שלום:

23But Sihon did not permit Israel to pass through his territory, and Sihon gathered all his people and went out to the desert toward Israel. He arrived at Jahaz and fought against Israel. כגוְלֹֽא־נָתַ֨ן סִיחֹ֥ן אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵל֘ עֲבֹ֣ר בִּגְבֻלוֹ֒ וַיֶּֽאֱסֹ֨ף סִיחֹ֜ן אֶת־כָּל־עַמּ֗וֹ וַיֵּצֵ֞א לִקְרַ֤את יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ הַמִּדְבָּ֔רָה וַיָּבֹ֖א יָ֑הְצָה וַיִּלָּ֖חֶם בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל:

But Sihon did not permit: Since all the Canaanite kings paid him tribute for protecting them against marauding armies, when Israel said to him, “Let me pass through your land,” he said to them, “My very presence is only to protect them from you, so how can you suggest such a thing?” - [Midrash Tanchuma Chukkath 23, Num. Rabbah 19:29]

ולא נתן סיחון וגו': לפי שכל מלכי כנען היו מעלין לו מס שהיה שומרם שלא יעברו עליהם גייסות, כיון שאמרו לו ישראל אעברה בארצך אמר להם כל עצמי איני יושב כאן אלא לשמרם מפניכם ואתם אומרים כך:

went out… toward Israel: Had Heshbon been full of gnats, no creature could have conquered it, and had Sihon been [living in] a weak village, no man could have conquered it. How much more so [was it invincible] since he [Sihon] was in Heshbon. The Holy One, blessed is He, said, “Why should I trouble My children to besiege every city?” He gave all the warriors the idea to leave the cities, and they all gathered in one place, where they were slain. From there Israel proceeded to the cities, where there met with no opposition, since only women and children were [left] there. — [Midrash Tanchuma Chukkath 23, Num. Rabbah 19:29]

ויצא לקראת ישראל: אילו היתה חשבון מלאה יתושין, אין כל בריה יכולה לכבשה, ואם היה סיחון בכפר חלש אין כל אדם יכול לכבשו, וכל שכן אלו שהיה בחשבון. אמר הקב"ה מה אני מטריח על בני כל זאת לצור על כל עיר ועיר, נתן בלב כל אנשי המלחמה לצאת מן העיירות ונתקבצו כולם למקום אחד, ושם נפלו. ומשם הלכו ישראל אל הערים ואין עומד לנגדם כי אין שם איש, אלא נשים וטף:

24Israel smote him with the sword, and took possession of his land from Arnon to Jabbok, as far as the children of Ammon, for the border of the children of Ammon was strong. כדוַיַּכֵּ֥הוּ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לְפִי־חָ֑רֶב וַיִּירַ֨שׁ אֶת־אַרְצ֜וֹ מֵֽאַרְנֹ֗ן עַד־יַבֹּק֙ עַד־בְּנֵ֣י עַמּ֔וֹן כִּ֣י עַ֔ז גְּב֖וּל בְּנֵ֥י עַמּֽוֹן:

for…strong: What was its strength? The warning of the Holy One, blessed is He, Who said to them [Israel],“neither distress them [Ammon]” (Deut. 2:19). - [Mid. Aggadah]

כי עז: ומהו חזקו, התראתו של הקב"ה, שאמר להם (דברים ב, יט) אל תצורם וגו':

25Israel took all these cities, and the Israelites dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon and all its villages. כהוַיִּקַּח֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֵ֥ת כָּל־הֶֽעָרִ֖ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה וַיֵּ֤שֶׁב יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ בְּכָל־עָרֵ֣י הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י בְּחֶשְׁבּ֖וֹן וּבְכָל־בְּנֹתֶֽיהָ:

its villages: Heb. בְּנֹתֶיהָ, lit. her daughters, the villages near it.

בנתיה: כפרים הסמוכים לה:

26For Heshbon was the city of Sihon, king of the Amorites, and he had fought against the first king of Moab, taking all his land from his possession, as far as Arnon. כוכִּ֣י חֶשְׁבּ֔וֹן עִ֗יר סִיחֹ֛ן מֶ֥לֶךְ הָֽאֱמֹרִ֖י הִ֑וא וְה֣וּא נִלְחַ֗ם בְּמֶ֤לֶךְ מוֹאָב֙ הָֽרִאשׁ֔וֹן וַיִּקַּ֧ח אֶת־כָּל־אַרְצ֛וֹ מִיָּד֖וֹ עַד־אַרְנֹֽן:

and he had fought: Why was it necessary to write this? For it says,“Do not distress the Moabites” (Deut. 2:9), and Heshbon belonged to Moab, Scripture writes that Sihon had taken it from them, and through him it was made permissible for Israel. — [Chul. 60b]

והוא נלחם: למה הוצרך להכתב, לפי שנאמר (דברים ב, ט) אל תצר את מואב, וחשבון משל מואב היתה, כתב לנו שסיחון לקחה מהם ועל ידו טהרה לישראל:

from his possession: Heb. מִיָּדוֹ, lit. from his hand, [meaning] from his possession. — [B.M. 56b]

מידו: מרשותו:

27Concerning this, those who speak in parables say, "Come to Heshbon, may it be built and established as the city of Sihon. כזעַל־כֵּ֛ן יֹֽאמְר֥וּ הַמּֽשְׁלִ֖ים בֹּ֣אוּ חֶשְׁבּ֑וֹן תִּבָּנֶ֥ה וְתִכּוֹנֵ֖ן עִ֥יר סִיחֽוֹן:

Concerning this: Concerning that war, which Sihon waged against Moab.

על כן: על אותה מלחמה שנלחם סיחון במואב:

those who speak in parables say: [This refers to] Balaam, about whom it says, “He took up his parable” (23:7).

יאמרו המשלים: בלעם, שנאמר בו (במדבר כג, ז) וישא משלו:

those who tell parables: Balaam and [his father] Beor. They said…. — [Midrash Tanchuma Chukkath 24, Num. Rabbah 19:30]

המשלים: בלעם ובעור. והם אמרו:

Come to Heshbon: because Sihon could not conquer it. So he went and hired Balaam to curse it. This is what Balak [meant when he] said to him,“For I know that whoever you bless is blessed” (22:6). - [Midrash Tanchuma Chukkath 24, Balak 4, Num. Rabbah 19:30, 20:7, Mid. Aggadah]

באו חשבון: שלא היה סיחון יכול לכבשה והלך ושכר את בלעם לקללו, וזהו שאמר לו בלק (שם כב, ו) כי ידעתי את אשר תברך מבורך וגו':

built and established: Heshbon under the name of Sihon, to be his city.

תבנה ותכונן: חשבון בשם סיחון להיות עירו:

28For fire went forth from Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon; it consumed Ar of Moab, the masters of the high places of Arnon. כחכִּי־אֵשׁ֙ יָֽצְאָ֣ה מֵֽחֶשְׁבּ֔וֹן לֶֽהָבָ֖ה מִקִּרְיַ֣ת סִיחֹ֑ן אָֽכְלָה֙ עָ֣ר מוֹאָ֔ב בַּֽעֲלֵ֖י בָּמ֥וֹת אַרְנֹֽן:

For a fire went forth from Heshbon: After Sihon had conquered it.

כי אש יצאה מחשבון: משכבשה סיחון:

it consumed Ar of Moab: The name of that country was called Ar in Hebrew, and Lechayath in Aramaic. — [Onkelos]

אכלה ער מואב: שם אותה המדינה קרוי ער בלשון עברי, ולחיית בלשון ארמי:

Ar of Moab: Heb. עָר מוֹאָב, Ar, which belonged to Moab. — [Onkelos]

ער מואב: ער של מואב:

29Woe is to you, Moab; you are lost, people of Chemosh. His sons he has given over as refugees and his daughters into captivity, to Sihon, king of the Amorites. כטאֽוֹי־לְךָ֣ מוֹאָ֔ב אָבַ֖דְתָּ עַם־כְּמ֑וֹשׁ נָתַ֨ן בָּנָ֤יו פְּלֵיטִם֙ וּבְנֹתָ֣יו בַּשְּׁבִ֔ית לְמֶ֥לֶךְ אֱמֹרִ֖י סִיחֽוֹן:

Woe is to you, Moab: [Meaning] that they cursed Moab that it be delivered into his hand. — [Midrash Tanchuma Chukkath 24, Num. Rabbah 19:30]

אוי לך מואב: שקללו את מואב שימסרו בידו:

Chemosh: The name of Moab’s god. — [I Kings 11:7]

כמוש: שם אלהי מואב:

He has given over: The one who has given over his sons, that is, [not his own sons but] the sons of Moab.

נתן: הנותן את בניו של מואב:

refugees: who flee and escape the sword, and his daughters into captivity, etc.

פליטם: נסים ופליטים מחרב ואת בנותיו בשבית וגו':

30Their kingdom is destroyed from Heshbon; it has been removed from Dibon; we laid them waste as far as Nophah which is near Medeba." לוַנִּירָ֛ם אָבַ֥ד חֶשְׁבּ֖וֹן עַד־דִּיבֹ֑ן וַנַּשִּׁ֣ים עַד־נֹ֔פַח אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַד־מֵֽידְבָֽא:

Their kingdom: Heb. וַנִּירָם, their kingdom.

ונירם: מלכות שלהם:

is destroyed from Heshbon, it has been removed from Dibon: The kingdom and dominion that Moab had over Heshbon terminated from there. Similarly, עַד דִּיבֹן -the Targum of סַר ‘removed’ is עַד, that is to say, the kingdom was removed from Dibon. [The word] נִיר is a term denoting kingship and dominion [resulting from] the rule of man, as in “so that there be dominion for David My servant” (I Kings 11:36). - [Onkelos]

אבד חשבון עד דיבון: מלכות ועול שהיה למואב בחשבון אבד משם, וכן עד דיבון. תרגום של סר עד, כלומר סר ניר מדיבון. ניר לשון מלכות ועול וממשלת איש, כמו (מלכים א' יא, לו) למען היות ניר לדוד עבדי:

we laid them waste: Heb. וַנַּשִּׁים. The [letter] Heb. שׁ is punctuated with a dagesh [thus indicating a missing “mem,”], denoting ‘waste’ Heb. (שְׁמָמָה). Thus say those who tell parables: וַנַּשִּׁים אוֹתָם עַד נֹפַח, “we laid them waste as far as Nophah.”

ונשים: שי"ן דגושה לשון שממה, כך יאמר המושלים ונשים אותם:

31Israel settled in the land of the Amorites. לאוַיֵּ֨שֶׁב֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּאֶ֖רֶץ הָֽאֱמֹרִֽי:

32Moses sent [men] to spy out Jaazer and they captured its villages, driving out the Amorites who lived there. לבוַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח משֶׁה֙ לְרַגֵּ֣ל אֶת־יַעְזֵ֔ר וַיִּלְכְּד֖וּ בְּנֹתֶ֑יהָ וַיּ֖וֹרֶשׁ (כתיב ויירש) אֶת־הָֽאֱמֹרִ֥י אֲשֶׁר־שָֽׁם:

Moses sent [men] to spy out Jaazer: The spies captured it. They said, We shall not do like the first group. We have [such] confidence in the power of Moses’ prayer that we are able to do battle. — [Midrash Tanchuma Chukkath 24, Num. Rabbah 19:31]

וישלח משה לרגל את יעזר: המרגלים לכדוה. אמרו לא נעשה כראשונים, בטוחים אנו בכח תפלתו של משה להלחם:

33Then they turned and headed north toward the Bashan. Og, the king of Bashan, came out toward them with all his people, to wage war at Edrei. לגוַיִּפְנוּ֙ וַיַּֽעֲל֔וּ דֶּ֖רֶךְ הַבָּשָׁ֑ן וַיֵּצֵ֣א עוֹג֩ מֶֽלֶךְ־הַבָּשָׁ֨ן לִקְרָאתָ֜ם ה֧וּא וְכָל־עַמּ֛וֹ לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה אֶדְרֶֽעִי:

34The Lord said to Moses, "Do not fear him, for I have delivered him, his people, and his land into your hand. You shall do to him as you did to Sihon the king of the Amorites who dwells in Heshbon. לדוַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֤ה אֶל־משֶׁה֙ אַל־תִּירָ֣א אֹת֔וֹ כִּ֣י בְיָֽדְךָ֞ נָתַ֧תִּי אֹת֛וֹ וְאֶת־כָּל־עַמּ֖וֹ וְאֶת־אַרְצ֑וֹ וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ לּ֔וֹ כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשִׂ֗יתָ לְסִיחֹן֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר יוֹשֵׁ֖ב בְּחֶשְׁבּֽוֹן:

Do not fear him: Moses was afraid to fight [against him] lest the merit of Abraham advocate for him, as it says, “The refugee came” (Gen. 14:13) -this was Og who had escaped from the Rephaim, who were smitten by Chedorlaomer and his allies at Ashteroth Karnaim, as it says, “only Og, the king of Bashan, was left of the remnant of the Rephaim” (Deut. 3:11). - [Midrash Tanchuma Chukkath 24, Num. Rabbah 19:32]

אל תירא אותו: שהיה משה ירא להלחם, שמא תעמוד לו זכותו של אברהם, שנאמר (בראשית יד, יג) ויבא הפליט, הוא עוג, שפלט מן הרפאים שהכו כדרלעומר וחביריו בעשתרות קרנים, שנאמר (דברים ג, יא) כי רק עוג מלך הבשן נשאר מיתר הרפאים:

35They smote him, his sons and all his people, until there was no survivor, and they took possession of his land. להוַיַּכּ֨וּ אֹת֤וֹ וְאֶת־בָּנָיו֙ וְאֶת־כָּל־עַמּ֔וֹ עַד־בִּלְתִּ֥י הִשְׁאִֽיר־ל֖וֹ שָׂרִ֑יד וַיִּֽירְשׁ֖וּ אֶת־אַרְצֽוֹ:

They smote him: Moses slew him, as it says in [Tractate] Berachoth, in [the chapter beginning] Haroeh (54b): He uprooted a mountain of three parasangs [intending to throw it at the Israelites and crush them]….

ויכו אותו: משה הרגו, כדאיתא בברכות בהרואה (דף נד ב) עקר טורא בת תלתא פרסי וכו':

Numbers Chapter 22

1The children of Israel journeyed and encamped in the plains of Moab, across the Jordan from Jericho. אוַיִּסְע֖וּ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיַּֽחֲנוּ֙ בְּעַרְב֣וֹת מוֹאָ֔ב מֵעֵ֖בֶר לְיַרְדֵּ֥ן יְרֵחֽוֹ:

Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 39 - 43
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Chapter 39

David's prayer bewailing his suffering. But it is not suffering itself that pains him, rather he is saddened by its disturbing his Torah study. For man's days are few, "and if not now, when (will he study)?" for he may die, today or tomorrow. He therefore requests that his suffering be removed, to enable him to study Torah and acquire a place in the World to Come.

1. For the Conductor, for yedutun,1 a psalm by David.

2. I said that I would guard my ways from sinning with my tongue; I would guard my mouth with a muzzle, [even] while the wicked one is before me.

3. I became mute with stillness, I was silent [even] from the good, though my pain was crippling.

4. My heart grew hot within me, a fire blazed in my utterance, as I spoke with my tongue.

5. O Lord, let me know my end and what is the measure of my days, that I may know when I will cease.

6. Behold, like handbreadths You set my days; my lifetime is as naught before You. But all is futility, all mankind's existence, Selah.

7. Only in darkness does man walk, seeking only futility; he amasses riches and knows not who will reap them.

8. And now, what is my hope, my Lord? My longing is to You.

9. Rescue me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of the degenerate.

10. I am mute, I do not open my mouth, for You have caused [my suffering].

11. Remove Your affliction from me; I am devastated by the attack of Your hand.

12. In reproach for sin You chastened man; like a moth, You wore away that which is precious to him. All mankind is nothing but futility, forever.

13. Hear my prayer, O Lord, listen to my cry; do not be silent to my tears, for I am a stranger with You, a sojourner like all my forefathers.

14. Turn from me, that I may recover my strength, before I depart and I am no more.

FOOTNOTES

1.A musical instrument (Metzudot).

Chapter 40

The psalmist speaks of the numerous wonders that God wrought for the Jewish people, asking: "Who can articulate His might? I would relate and speak of them, but they are too numerous to recount!" He created the world and split the sea for the sake of Israel, [yet] He desires no sacrifices, only that we listen to His voice.

1. For the Conductor, a psalm by David.

2. I put my hope in the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.

3. He raised me from the turbulent pit, from the slimy mud, and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps.

4. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn to our God; multitudes will see and fear, and will trust in the Lord.

5. Fortunate is the man who has made the Lord his trust, and did not turn to the haughty, nor to those who stray after falsehood.

6. You have done much, O You, Lord my God-Your wonders and thoughts are for us; none can compare to You; should I relate or speak of them, they are too numerous to recount!

7. You desired neither sacrifice nor meal-offering, but [obedient] ears You opened for me; You requested neither burnt-offering nor sin-offering.

8. Then I said, "Behold, I come with a Scroll of the Book written for me."1

9. I desire to fulfill Your will, my God; and Your Torah is in my innards.

10. I proclaimed [Your] righteousness in a vast congregation; behold I will not restrain my lips-O Lord, You know!

11. I did not conceal Your righteousness within my heart; I declared Your faithfulness and deliverance; I did not hide Your kindness and truth from the vast congregation.

12. May You, Lord, not withhold Your mercies from me; may Your kindness and truth constantly guard me.

13. For countless evils surround me; my sins have overtaken me and I cannot see; they outnumber the hairs of my head, and my heart has abandoned me.

14. May it please You, Lord, to save me; O Lord, hurry to my aid.

15. Let those who seek my life, to end it, be shamed and humiliated together; let those who desire my harm retreat and be disgraced.

16. Let those who say about me, "Aha! Aha!" be desolate, in return for their shaming [me].

17. Let all those who seek You exult and rejoice in You; let those who love Your deliverance always say, "Be exalted, O Lord!”

18. As for me, I am poor and needy; my Lord will think of me. You are my help and my rescuer; my God, do not delay!

FOOTNOTES

1.Upon recovery, David expresses thanks, not through sacrifices, by dedicating himself to Torah (Radak).

Chapter 41

This psalm teaches many good character traits, and inspires one to be thoughtful and conscientious in giving charity-knowing to whom to give first. Fortunate is he who is thoughtful of the sick one, providing him with his needs.

1. For the Conductor, a psalm by David.

2. Fortunate is he who is thoughtful of the poor, [for] the Lord will save him on the day of evil.

3. The Lord will guard him and keep him alive; he will be praised throughout the land; You will not deliver him to the desires of his enemies.

4. The Lord will support him on the bed of illness; You will turn him over in his bed all throughout his sickness.

5. I said, "Lord, be gracious to me! Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You!”

6. My foes say that evil [awaits] me: "When will he die, and his name perish?”

7. And if one comes to see [me], he speaks insincerely, for his heart gathers iniquity for himself, and when he goes out he speaks of it.

8. Together they whisper against me-all my enemies; against me they devise my harm, [saying]:

9. "Let his wickedness pour into him; now that he lies down, he shall rise no more.”

10. Even my ally in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has raised his heel over me.

11. But you, Lord, be gracious to me and raise me up, and I will repay them.

12. With this I shall know that You desire me, when my enemies will not shout gleefully over me.

13. And I, because of my integrity, You upheld me; You set me before You forever.

14. Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, to all eternity, Amen and Amen.

Chapter 42

This psalm awakens the hearts of the Children of Israel who do not feel the immense ruin, loss, and bad fortune in their being exiled from their Father's table. Were they wise, they would appreciate their past good fortune in coming thrice yearly, with joy and great awe, to behold God during the festivals, free of adversary and harm. May God place mercy before us from now to eternity, Amen Selah.

1. For the Conductor, a maskil1 by the sons of Korach.

2. As the deer cries longingly for brooks of water, so my soul cries longingly for You, O God!

3. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When will I come and behold the countenance of God?

4. My tears have been my bread day and night, when they say to me all day, "Where is your God?”

5. These do I recall, and pour out my soul from within me: how I traveled [to Jerusalem] in covered wagons; I would walk leisurely with them up to the House of God, amid the sound of rejoicing and thanksgiving, the celebrating multitude.

6. Why are you downcast, my soul, and why do you wail within me? Hope to God, for I will yet thank Him for the deliverances of His countenance.

7. My God! My soul is downcast upon me, because I remember You from the land of Jordan and Hermon's peaks, from Mount Mitzar.2

8. Deep calls to deep3 at the roar of Your channels; all Your breakers and waves have swept over me.

9. By day the Lord ordains His kindness, and at night His song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.

10. I say to God, my rock, "Why have You forgotten me? Why must I walk in gloom under the oppression of the enemy?”

11. Like a sword in my bones, my adversaries disgrace me, when they say to me all day, "Where is your God?”

12. Why are you downcast, my soul, and why do you wail within me? Hope to God, for I will yet thank Him; He is my deliverance, [the light of] my countenance, and my God.

FOOTNOTES

1.A psalm intended to enlighten and impart knowledge. (Metzudot)

2.My heart aches when I remember the pilgrims from lands east of Jordan, and those from distant Hermon and Mitzar, who would travel to Jerusalem for the festivals (Radak)

3.Before one misfortune has ended, another is already upon us; as if one calls the other to come (Metzudot).

Chapter 43

A significant prayer concerning the magnitude of the troubles we have suffered at the hands of the impious nations. May it be God's will to send Moshiach and Elijah the Prophet, who will lead us to the Holy Temple to offer sacrifices as in days of old.

1. Avenge me, O God, and champion my cause against an impious nation; rescue me from the man of deceit and iniquity.

2. For You are the God of my strength; why have You abandoned me? Why must I walk in gloom under the oppression of the enemy?

3. Send Your light and Your truth, they will guide me; they will bring me to Your holy mountain and to your sanctuaries.

4. Then I will come to the altar of God-to God, the joy of my delight-and praise You on the lyre, O God, my God.

5. Why are you downcast, my soul, and why do you wail within me? Hope to God, for I will yet thank Him; He is my deliverance, [the light of] my countenance, and my God.

Tanya: Igeret HaTeshuva , beginning of Chapter 1
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Shabbat, Tammuz 7, 5777 · July 1, 2017

Igeret HaTeshuva , beginning of Chapter 1

Introduction

By way of introduction to Iggeret HaTeshuvah it should be noted that the Alter Rebbe is known as1 “Master of the Tanya and Shulchan Aruch.” The Rebbe once remarked that “Master of the Tanya” means that the Alter Rebbe is2 an arbiter in the esoteric dimension of the Torah, and “Master of the Shulchan Aruch” signifies that3 his halachic rulings are authoritative.

Furthermore, the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe once stated in a public address4 that the four parts of Tanya correspond to the four sections of the Shulchan Aruch. In this connection the Rebbe gives an explanation — both according to Chassidut and according to the revealed strata of the Torah — of the relation between the third part of Tanya, Iggeret HaTeshuvah, and the third section of the Shulchan Aruch, Even HaEzer.

According to Chassidut the relation between the two is clarified by a statement in ch. 4 of Iggeret HaTeshuvah — that the lower and higher levels of teshuvah (which together encompass all the degrees of repentance) are respectively indicated by the lower and higher letters hei of the ineffable Name of G‑d. In terms of their spiritual personality, so to speak, these two letters are feminine: both are receptors, the higher hei (representing the level of Binah) being impregnated by Chochmah, and the lower hei (representing Malchut) being impregnated by the six emotive Sefirot. This feminine element connects Iggeret HaTeshuvah with Even HaEzer, which codifies the laws involving women.

As to the revealed plane of the Torah, we find that the Talmudic Tractate Gittin, which deals with the laws of divorce, precedes Tractate Kiddushin, which deals with the laws of marriage. In the introduction to his commentary on the Mishnah, Maimonides explains this order by quoting the verse,5 “When she leaves his house she may go and marry another man”; here, too, divorce precedes marriage. Historically, as well, the Midrash6 points out that the root of the word used by the Torah to say that G‑d7 banished Adam from the Garden of Eden ( ויגרש ) is the same as the root of the word for divorce ( גרושין). Accordingly, the Sages compare his state to that of “a Jewish divorcee,” who is permitted to remarry her former husband. And indeed, when G‑d later gave the Torah to the Jewish people he8 “sanctified us ( קדשנו) with His commands.” In the Holy Tongue this verb shares a common root with the word for marriage, or betrothal ( קדושין). In this connection the Alter Rebbe said above9 that G‑d’s having “sanctified us with His commands” parallels what a man declares when betrothing a wife: “You are hereby consecrated unto me.”

This dynamic — marriage in the wake of divorce — is echoed in the spiritual use of these terms. The connection to teshuvah is thus readily apparent: A “marriage” is conceivable after a state of “divorce” only when there was teshuvah in the interim. For as the Alter Rebbe stated earlier on,10 “Indeed, it is impossible for the wicked to begin to serve G‑d without first repenting for their past.”

In Scripture, too, we find repentance depicted as the reconcilement of a divorced couple, culminating in remarriage. For sin banishes the Shechinah, the Divine Presence, the Mother of all souls. In the words of the prophet,11 ובפשעיכם שלחה אמכם — “Because of your transgressions was your Mother sent away.” This is the selfsame verb that the Torah uses for divorce:12 ושלחה מביתו — “And he will send her away from his house.” And it is repentance that undoes this spiritual divorce, to the point that G‑d can ask His people the rhetorical question:13 “Where is your mother’s bill of divorce?” — for as a result of His people’s repentance, the divorce is annulled.

In the plainly manifest levels of the Torah as well, there is explicit evidence in the Gemara that repentance resembles remarriage following divorce. R. Yochanan teaches14 that repentance overrides a prohibition stated in the Torah, and cites the following verse:15 “If a man sends away his wife and she leaves him for another man, will he return to her again?.... Yet though you have strayed..., return to Me!” Thus, argues R. Yochanan, G‑d is saying here that repentance overrides the prohibition that16 “her first husband...may not remarry her” [if she married another man in the interim]. Here too, then, remarriage following divorce is a paradigm of repentance.

Thus, there is a clear correspondence between the third part of Tanya, Iggeret HaTeshuvah, and the third section of the Shulchan Aruch, Even HaEzer, which deals with the laws involving women.

תניא בסוף יומא: שלשה חלוקי כפרה הם

It has been taught in a Beraita at the end of Tractate Yoma:17 There are three types of atonement, varying according to the different categories of transgression,

ותשובה עם כל אחד

and repentance [necessarily] accompanies each of them.

עבר על מצות עשה ושב, אינו זז משם עד שמוחלין לו

If one failed to fulfill a positive commandment and repented, he is forgiven forthwith.

עבר על מצות לא תעשה ושב, תשובה תולה ויום הכפורים מכפר

If one violated a prohibitive commandment and repented, his repentance is tentative, and Yom Kippur atones.

In this instance repentance alone does not suffice to secure complete forgiveness; it only guarantees that he will not be punished until the arrival of Yom Kippur, at which time he is completely forgiven.

(פירוש: דאף על גב דלענין קיום, מצות עשה גדולה, שדוחה את לא תעשה

(18This means that though, in terms of fulfillment, a positive commandment is superior, for which reason it supersedes19 a prohibitive commandment,

When positive and negative commands conflict, the positive command takes precedence and overrides the prohibition. (For example: the wearing of tzitzit made of an admixture of wool and linen, despite the prohibition of kilayim, or shaatnez.) Since observing a positive command thus appears to be of more value than observing a prohibition, why do we say that if one transgresses a positive command repentance alone suffices, whereas if one transgresses a prohibition forgiveness cannot be secured by repentance alone, and one must await the advent of Yom Kippur?

The Alter Rebbe will now address himself to this question. His answer will also enable us to understand the spiritual effects of the performance of a positive command and the spiritual blemish that results from transgressing a negative command. Insight into the mitzvot from this perspective will in turn enable us to understand why a positive command supersedes a negative command, and why it is nevertheless more difficult to attain atonement for transgressing a negative command.

Briefly, the answer is as follows: When one performs a positive command he not only fulfills G‑d’s Will, but also draws down a flow of Divine light into the higher spiritual realms and upon his own soul. The reason: each positive command is likened to a bodily organ. (Note of the Rebbe: “As our Sages, of blessed memory, have said:20 ‘The 248 organs correspond to the 248 positive commands.’”)

This means to say that just as a bodily organ is a receptacle for the life-force which it elicits from the soul, so, too, is each positive commandment a vessel that draws down Divine effluence and vitality from the infinite Ein Sof-light. Moreover, just as the life-force of the soul is enclothed within the various limbs, so, too, does the life-force drawn down through the performance of a positive command become enclothed (i.e., internalized) within the worlds.

Fulfilling a negative command — by not committing the transgression — is also a fulfillment of the Divine Will. As our Sages, of blessed memory, have said:21 “If one passively refrains all his days from sin, he is rewarded (Note of the Rebbe: ‘but only’) as though he had actively performed a command.” However, since such performance does not result from any action on his part as in the case of a positive command — he merely fulfills G‑d’s Will by not transgressing — its result is of lesser spiritual value. For the purpose of Torah and mitzvot is to draw down Divine illumination through the performance of the 248 positive commands, and to dispel the spirit of impurity through the observance of the 365 prohibitions (as explained earlier in Part I, ch. 37, p. 492-3).

Thus, in a situation where positive and negative precepts clash and the question is which one is to be set aside, the positive command supersedes the negative. For it is impossible that doing the prohibited deed will impart a spirit of impurity, inasmuch as its prohibition is being overruled because the Torah so dictates. Conversely, (even) if the Torah were to direct that one should neglect the positive command, the action that would draw down Divine illumination would still be lacking.

For this reason a positive command supersedes a prohibition: the deficiency normally wrought by transgressing a prohibition does not result when the Torah commands that it be set aside, while the dividend gained by fulfilling a positive command — the drawing down of the Divine light — is realized.

However, in light of the above, it would seem that the same reasoning should apply with regard to transgressions: a higher degree of repentance should be necessary for violating a positive command than for transgressing a negative command — yet according to the above quotation from the Gemara in Yoma the opposite is true.

The explanation is as follows. The advantage of the positive command — the G‑dly light that it draws into the soul — cannot be won through repentance in any event; all that repentance can now secure is forgiveness for the transgression. Not so with regard to transgressing a prohibition, where repentance can rectify the misdeed entirely. Furthermore, since the misdeed actively blemished the individual’s soul and the celestial realms as well, mere repentance does not suffice: only Yom Kippur can completely obliterate the blemish that it brought about.

This is what the Alter Rebbe now goes on to say:

היינו משום שעל ידי קיום מצות עשה, ממשיך אור ושפע בעולמות עליונים מהארת אור אין סוף ברוך הוא

this superiority of the positive command that makes it supersede a negative command is so because by performing a positive command one precipitates an illumination and flow into the higher worlds from the reflected [infinite] Ein Sof-light

(כמו שכתוב בזהר: דרמ״ח פיקודין, אינון רמ״ח אברין דמלכא)

(22as we find in the Zohar:23 “The 248 positive commandments are the 248 ‘organs of the King’ ”),

The 248 positive commands are equated with the emotive attributes of Atzilut which are collectively termed “the King”. Just as an organ serves as a vessel to the soul-faculty enclothed within it, so, too, is each positive command an organ and vessel for a particular effluence of the emotive attributes of Atzilut that are drawn down through the performance of that particular commandment. Thus, through performing positive commands one draws down G‑dliness into the higher worlds.

וגם על נפשו האלקית

and also through the performance of a positive command one draws G‑dliness on to his Divine soul,

כמו שאומרים: אשר קדשנו במצותיו

as we say in the blessings that precede the performance of many mitzvot, “…Who has hallowed us with His commandments.”

I.e., fulfilling a positive command has the effect of drawing down Divine light and holiness upon the soul, for which reason it surpasses and supersedes conformity to a negative command.

אבל לענין תשובה

But concerning repentance, which would seek to rectify the transgression of a positive command,

אף שמוחלין לו העונש על שמרד במלכותו יתברך, ולא עשה מאמר המלך

though through repentance the punishment for rebelling against G‑d’s rule and not fulfilling the King’s word is commuted,

מכל מקום האור נעדר וכו׳

nonetheless, the illumination which would have been drawn down through the performance of the positive command is lacking — even after repentance, so that the sin remains only partially rectified.

וכמאמר רז״ל על פסוק: מעות לא יוכל לתקן, זה שביטל קריאת שמע של ערבית או וכו׳

On the verse,24 “A crookedness that cannot be corrected,” i.e., even through repentance, our Sages accordingly comment:25 “This relates to one who neglected the evening [or morning] reading of Shema, or [the evening or morning prayer].”

דאף שנזהר מעתה לקרות קריאת שמע של ערבית ושחרית לעולם

For though he be scrupulous henceforth about reading the morning and evening Shema forevermore, thereby demonstrating his regret,

אין תשובתו מועלת לתקן מה שביטל פעם אחת

his repentance is ineffectual in correcting what he once neglected.

For after all is said and done, the world will forever be lacking the unique gift of Divine light that he could have drawn down through reading the Shema on that particular occasion. Thus, all that repentance can accomplish he is now able to accomplish through repentance alone. No other steps can secure him any further atonement.

So much for him who transgressed a positive precept.

והעובר על מצות לא תעשה, על ידי שנדבק הרע בנפשו, עושה פגם למעלה בשרשה ומקור חוצבה

If one violates a prohibition in thought, speech or action, since thereby evil cleaves to his soul, he [also] impairs its Supernal root and source

(בלבושים די׳ ספירות דעשיה, כמו שכתוב בתקוני זהר: לבושין תקינת לון, דמינייהו פרחין נשמתין לבני נשא וכו׳)

(26in the garbs of the Ten Sefirot of Asiyah; as Tikkunei Zohar writes,27 “You have fashioned garbs for [the Sefirot], from which fly forth souls for man...”).

We thus see from Tikkunei Zohar that it is from the “garments”of the Sefirot that souls emanate; when a soul is blemished through sin, these garments are blemished as well.

לכך אין כפרה לנפשו, ולא למעלה, עד יום הכפורים

Therefore there is no atonement for his own soul nor Above until Yom Kippur,

As will be explained a little later, “atonement” means cleansing that which was blemished. This requires not only repentance, but in addition Yom Kippur:

כמו שכתוב: וכפר על הקדש מטומאות בני ישראל ומפשעיהם וגו׳, לפני ה׳ תטהרו

concerning which it is written,28 “He shall atone for the holy place because of the impurities of the Children of Israel and because of their sins...; before Havayah shall you be purified.”

לפני ה׳ דייקא

“Before G‑d” is stressed.

I.e., the purification granted by Yom Kippur emanates from a level that transcends the Divine Name Havayah, and can even atone for a blemish that resulted from transgressing a prohibitive command.

At any rate, we have seen that in certain respects transgressing a positive command has more serious consequences than transgressing a negative command.

ולכן אין ללמוד מכאן שום קולא, חס ושלום, במצוות עשה

Hence, one should not (G‑d forbid) infer any leniency in the positive commandments from this Beraita which states that one is immediately forgiven after repenting for having transgressed a positive command, while transgressing a negative command requires in addition the atonement of Yom Kippur;

ובפרט בתלמוד תורה

particularly ought one not infer any leniency in Torah study.

ואדרבה אמרו רז״ל: ויתר הקב״ה על עבודה זרה וכו׳, אף שהן כריתות ומיתות בית דין, ולא ויתר על ביטול תלמוד תורה)

On the contrary, our Sages assert,29 “G‑d has in certain instances glossed over [even] idolatry, [incest and murder], though excision and capital punishment are involved, but did not excuse the neglect of Torah study.”)30

The Beraita with which this chapter opened is now resumed:

עבר על כריתות ומיתות בית דין, תשובה ויום הכפורים תולין, ויסורים ממרקין

If one commits a sin [punishable by] excision or execution, repentance and Yom Kippur are tentative, so that the individual is not punished, and sufferings scour

(פירוש: גומרין הכפרה, והוא מלשון מריקה ושטיפה, לצחצח הנפש

(31i.e., they complete the atonement. [The verb] memarkin denotes the final stage, namely, scouring and rinsing, in order to “polish” the soul,

כי כפרה היא לשון קינוח, שמקנח לכלוך החטא)

for kaparah (“atonement”) is the term for the preceding stage of cleaning, removing the uncleanness of the sin),

Sins punishable by excision or execution are not cleaned away through repentance and Yom Kippur alone: the soul must also be scoured and rinsed through suffering, heaven forfend.

שנאמר: ופקדתי בשבט פשעם, ובנגעים עונם

as it is written,32 “With a rod shall I remember their sin, and with afflictions their iniquity.”

עד כאן לשון הברייתא

Thus far the Beraita with which this chapter opened.

FOOTNOTES

1.“Master of the Tanya” is the literal translation of the Heb. term, Baal HaTanya, meaning “author of the Tanya.”

2.An arbiter...Torah: In the original, א פוסק אין פנימיות התורה.

3.His halachic...authoritative: In the original, א פוסק אין נגלה דתורה.

4.Sefer HaSichot 5701, p. 142ff.

5.Devarim 24:2.

6.Bereishit Rabbah 21:8.

7.Bereishit 3:24.

8.From the liturgy, passim.

9.Ch. 46; this is further explained in ch. 10, below.

10.Ch. 17.

11.Yeshayahu 50:3.

12.Devarim 24:3.

13.Yeshayahu, loc. cit.

14.Yoma 86b.

15.Yirmeyahu 3:1.

16.Devarim 24:2.

17.Cf. 86a.

18.Parentheses are in the original text.

19.Yevamot 3b.

20.Makkot 23b.

21.Makkot 3:15.

22.Parentheses are in the original text.

23.Tikkunei Zohar 30.

24.Kohelet 1:15.

25.Cf. Berachot 26a.

26.Parentheses are in the original text.

27.Introduction.

28.Vayikra 16:16 and 16:30.

29.Yerushalmi, Chagigah 1:7.

30.The opening counterpart of this closing parenthesis appeared at the very beginning of the chapter: “(This means....”

31.Parentheses are in the original text.

32.Tehillim 89:33.

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Today's Mitzvah
Shabbat, Tammuz 7, 5777 · July 1, 2017
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Negative Commandment 265
Plotting to Acquire a Coveted Item
"You shall not covet your neighbor's house"—Exodus 20:17.
It is forbidden to devise plots in pursuit of acquiring a fellow's property or possession [that he is reluctant to part with. E.g., by harassing the owner of the item to sell it, or retaining friends to go and talk him into selling it].
One who does so and ends up acquiring the item, even if he pays much money for it, has transgressed this biblical prohibition.
Full text of this Mitzvah »

Plotting to Acquire a Coveted Item

Negative Commandment 265

Translated by Berel Bell

The 265th prohibition is that we are forbidden from using our thought to think up schemes of how to acquire something that belongs to our brother.

The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "Do not envy (lo sach'mod) your neighbor's house."

The Mechilta says, "From the phrase 'Do not envy,' I might think the prohibition applies even if you just feel envy. But another verse2 says, 'Do not be envious of the gold and silver on them [i.e. idolatrous statues] and take it for yourselves.' Just as in that case the prohibition applies only when [because of his envy] he does an action, so too here it applies only when he does an action." This shows that the prohibition forbids carrying out schemes to acquire for ourselves one of our brother's belongings that we desire.

Even buying it at a high price is included in the transgression "Do not envy."

FOOTNOTES

1.Ex. 20:14.

2.Deut. 7:25.

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• 1 Chapter A Day: Nachalot Nachalot - Chapter 5
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Nachalot - Chapter 5

1The following principles apply with regard to questions concerning the right of inheritance: Whenever there are two prospective heirs, one who is definitely an heir and one whose right to inherit is a matter of question, the person whose right is in doubt does not receive anything. If there are two claimants whose rights are a matter of question, perhaps this one is an heir or perhaps the other is an heir, they divide the estate equally.

Accordingly, if a person died and left a son and a tumtuni or an androgynous? the son inherits the entire estate. For the status of the tumtum or the androgynous is a matter of question. If he left daughters and a tumtum or an androgynous, they share equally in the inheritance. The tumtum or androgynous is considered as one of the daughters.

א

זה הכלל ביורשין, כל שני יורשין שאחד מהן יורש ודאי והשני ספק אין לספק כלום, ואם היו שניהם ספק שמא זהו היורש או שמא זה היורש חולקין בשוה, לפיכך מי שמת והניח בן וטומטום או אנדרוגינוס הרי הבן יורש את הכל שהטומטום והאנדרוגינוס ספק, הניח בנות וטומטום ואנדרוגינוס יורשות בשוה והרי הוא כאחת מן הבנות.

2In Hilchot Ishut, we explained the laws pertaining to the portions of an estate given to daughters from the sons' share to provide for the daughters' sustenance? and for their livelihood. There' we explained that the sustenance of the daughters is one of the provisions of the ketubah.

When the estate is ample," the daughters receive only their sustenance. The sons inherit everything, and they should give dowries to the daughters of a tenth of the estate each so that men will desire to marry them as husbands. When the estate is limited, the sons do not receive anything. Instead, everything is set aside for the daughters' sustenance.

Accordingly, the following rules apply when a person died and left sons, daughters and a tumtum or an androgynous. If the estate is ample, the sons inherit the estate and compel the tumtum to be treated as one of the daughters. He is given only his sustenance as they are. If the estate is limited, the daughters compel the tumtum to be treated as one of the sons. They tell him: "You are a male and hence you are not entitled to receive your sustenance as we are."

ב

כבר ביארנו בהלכות אישות דין הבנות עם הבנים במזונותיהן ובפרנסתן ושם בארנו שהמזונות מתנאי כתובה, בזמן שהנכסים מרובין אין לבנות אלא מזונותיהן והבנים יירשו הכל ויתפרנסו הבנות בעשור נכסים כדי שינשאו בו לבעליהן, ובזמן שהנכסים מועטין אין לבנים כלום אלא הכל למזון הבנות, לפיכך מי שמת והניח בנים ובנות וטומטום או אנדרוגינוס, בזמן שהנכסים מרובין הבנים יורשין ודוחין הטומטום אצל הבנות ונזון כמותן, ובזמן שהנכסין מועטין הבנות דוחות את הטומטום אצל הבנים ואומרות לו זכר אתה ואין לך עמנו מזונות.

3The following rules apply when a woman did not wait three months after parting from her husband, but instead, married within that time and gave birth to a son. We do not know if the son was born after nine months and is her first husband's child or was born after seven months and was her second husband's son.

This son does not inherit the estate of either father, because his claim is doubtful. If this son dies, both of them inherit his estate, sharing it equally, because both of their claims are doubtful. Maybe this one is his father? Or maybe the other one?

ג

מי שלא שהתה אחר בעלה שלשה חדשים ונשאת וילדה בן ואין ידוע אם בן תשעה לראשון או בן שבעה לאחרון אין זה הבן יורש את אחד משניהם מפני שהוא ספק, ואם מת הבן שניהן יורשין אותו וחולקין בשוה מפני ששניהם ספק שמא זה אביו או זה אביו.

4The following laws apply when a childless widow did not wait three months after her first husband's death, married her husband's brother and bore a son. We do not know if the son was born after nine months and is her first husband's child, or was born after seven months and was her second husband's son.

With regard to the inheritance of the estate of the woman's first husband, the son whose parentage is doubtful says: "Perhaps I am the son of the deceased, in which instance I would inherit my father's entire estate. You would not be fit to marry my mother, for she would not be required to perform the rite of yibbumP

The brother who married her says: "Perhaps you are my son and thus your mother was required to perform the rite of yibbwn. You have no right to my brother's estate."

Since not only the status of the "son," but also that of the brother who married the widow is doubtful, they share the estate equally. The same laws apply when this "son" whose status is doubtful and the other sons of the brother who married the widow come to divide the estate of the brother whose widow was married. They divide the estate equally. The "son" whose status is doubtful receives half, and the other sons of the brother who married the widow receive half.

If the brother who married the widow died after dividing the estate of his deceased brother with the son whose status is doubtful, the sons of that brother who are fit to inherit his estate are granted it. The son whose status is doubtful may feel entitled to claim: "If I am your brother, give me a share in this estate. And if I am not your brother, return to me the half of my father's estate that your father took." This claim is not accepted. Instead, the son whose status is doubtful is not given any share in the estate of the brother who married the widow; he does not expropriate property from them.

ד

יבמה שלא שהתה שלשה חדשים ונתיבמה בתוך שלשה חדשים וילדה בן ואין ידוע אם בן תשעה לראשון או בן שבעה לאחרון, זה הספק אומר שמא בן המת אני ואירש את נכסי אבי כולן ואין אתה ראוי ליבם אותה שאין אמי בת יבום והיבם אומר שמא בני אתה ואמך ראויה ליבם ואין לך בנכסי אחי כלום, הואיל וגם זה היבם ספק שמא יבם הוא או אינו יבם חולקין בשוה, וכן דין זה הספק עם בני היבם בנכסי המת שנתיבמה אשתו חולקין בשוה הספק נוטל מחצה ובני היבם מחצה, מת היבם אחר שחלק עם זה הספק ובאו בני היבם הראויים לירש אביהם אע"פ שיש לזה הספק לומר אם אחיכם אני תנו לי חלק בירושה זו ואם איני אחיכם החזירו לי החצי שלקח אביכם אין לזה הספק בנכסי אביהן עמהן כלום ואין מוציא מידן.

5The following rules apply when the son whose status is doubtful and the brother who married the widow come to divide the estate of the father of the family. The brother who married the widow is definitely an heir. In this instance as well, there is a question concerning the rights of the son whose status is doubtful. If he is the son of the deceased brother, he receives half; if he is the son of the brother who married the widow, he does not receive anything. Therefore, the estate should be given to the brother and the son whose status is doubtful should be overlooked.

The following principles apply with regard to the inheritance of the grandfather's estate if the brother who married the widow left two sons whose lineage is definite and died. The son whose status is doubtful claims: "I am the son of the deceased brother. Hence, I should receive half and you two should receive half."

The two sons say: "You are our brother and the son of the brother who married the widow. Hence, you deserve only one third of the estate of our grandfather." ?

The two sons receive the half that the son whose status is doubtful acknowledges as belonging to them. The third that they acknowledge as belonging to him is given to him, and the remaining sixth is divided equally: he receives half of it and they receive half of it. ?

If the son whose status is doubtful dies, the brother who married the widow may claim: "Perhaps he is my son and I have the right to inherit his estate." His father may say: "Perhaps he is the son of my deceased son and I have the right to inherit his estate." In such a situation, they should divide the estate equally.

(If the son who married the widow died, the son whose status is doubtful may claim: "He is my father and I have the right to inherit his estate." His father may say: "Perhaps you are the son of my other son and this is your father's brother. Thus, I have the right to inherit his estate." In such a situation, they should divide the estate equally.)

ה

ספק והיבם שבאו לחלוק בנכסי האב הרי היבם יורש ודאי וזה הספק אם הוא בן המת יש לו חצי הממון ולזה היבם חצי, ואם הוא בן היבם אין לו כלום, לפיכך היבם יורש וידחה הספק, הניח היבם שני בנים ודאין ואחר כך מת היבם הרי הספק אומר אני בן המת ויש לי מחצה ולשניכם מחצה והשנים אומרים אתה אחינו ובן היבם אתה ואין לך אלא שליש בנכסי הזקן החצי שמודה להם בו נוטלין והשליש שמודין הן לו נוטל והשתות הנשאר חולקים אותו בשוה הוא נוטל חציו ושניהם חציו, מת הספק הרי היבם אומר שמא בני הוא ואני אירשנו ואבי היבם אומר שמא בן בני המת הוא ואני אירשנו חולקין בשוה (מת היבם הספק אומר בנו אני ואירשנו ואבי היבם אומר שמא בן בני האחר אתה וזה אחי אביך הוא ואני אירשנו חולקין בשוה).

6The following rules apply when a house fell on a person and his wife and they both died. It is not known if the woman died first, in which instance the heirs of her husband inherit her entire estate, or the husband died first, and the woman's heirs inherit her estate.

How is the issue resolved? We consider the nichsei m'log to be in the possession of the woman's heirs. The money due her by virtue of her ketubah - both the essential obligation and the additional amount - are considered to be in the possession of her husband's heirs. Her nichsei tzon barzel are divided, half are given to the woman's heirs and half to the husband's heirs.

If a house fell on a person and his mother, the estate of the mother may be retained by her heirs from her father's household, for they are definitely heirs. The status of the heirs of the son, by contrast, is doubtful. For if the son died first, his paternal brothers do not have a share in the inheritance of his mother, as we have explained.

ו

מי שנפל הבית עליו ועל אשתו ואין ידוע אם האשה מתה תחלה ונמצאו יורשי הבעל יורשין כל נכסיה או הבעל מת תחלה ונמצאו יורשי האשה יורשין כל נכסיה כיצד דינם מעמידין נכסי מלוג בחזקת יורשי האשה והכתובה עיקר והתוספת בחזקת יורשי הבעל וחולקין בנכסי צאן ברזל יורשי האשה נוטלין חציין ויורשי הבעל חציין, אבל אם נפל הבית עליו ועל אמו מעמידין נכסי האם בחזקת יורשי האם שהם יורשין ודאין אבל יורשי הבן ספק הם שאם מת הבן תחלה אין לאחיו מאביו בנכסי אמן כלום כמו שביארנו.

7The following rules apply if a house fell on a person and his daughter's son. If the father died first, his daughter's son would inherit his estate, and thus the estate would be given to the son's heirs. If his daughter's son died first, the son does not inherit his mother's estate after his death as we have explained. Thus, the estate would be given to the father's heirs. Since we do not know who died first, the father's heirs should divide his estate with the heirs of his daughter's son.

Similar rules apply if the father was taken captive and died while in captivity, and his daughter's son died in his city, or conversely, the son was taken captive and died while in captivity and his mother's father died in his city. Since we do not know who died first, the father's heirs should divide his estate with the heirs of his daughter's son.

ז

נפל הבית עליו ועל בן בתו אם האב מת תחלה בן בתו יירשנו ונמצאו הנכסים של יורשי הבן, ואם בן בתו מת תחלה אין הבן יורש את אמו בקבר כמו שביארנו ונמצאו הנכסים של יורשי האב, לפיכך יחלקו יורשי האב עם יורשי בן הבת, וכן אם [נשבה] האב ומת בן בתו במדינה או שנשבה הבן ומת אבי אמו במדינה יחלקו יורשי האב עם יורשי בן הבת.

8The following rules apply if a house fell on a person and his father or on other person whose estates he would acquire, and the son was responsible for the money due his wife by virtue of her ketubah and other debts. The father's heirs claim that the son died first without leaving an estate. Hence, the debts will remain unpaid. The creditors maintain that the father died first, and thus the son acquired the inheritance. Hence, they have a source from which they can collect the debts owed them. The estate is considered to be in the possession of the heirs. The son's wife or the creditors must prove that the father died first, or they must depart without receiving anything.

ח

נפל עליו הבית ועל אביו או שאר מורישין ועליו כתובת אשה ובעלי חוב, יורשי האב אומרין מת הבן תחלה ולא הניח כלום ואבד החוב ובעלי חובות אומרים האב מת תחלה וזכה הבן בירושתו ויש לנו לגבות מחלקו, הרי הנכסים בחזקת היורשין ועל האשה ובעלי חובות להביא ראיה או ילכו להם בלא כלום.

9The same laws apply to people who die in a landslide, were drowned at sea, fell into a fire, or died on the same day in different countries. For in all these and other analogous situations, we do not know who died first.

ט

דין אלו שמתו תחת המפולת, או שטבעו בים, או שנפלו לאש, או שמתו ביום אחד וזה במדינה זו והאחר במדינה אחרת דין אחד הוא שבכל אלו וכיוצא בהן אין יודעין מי הוא שמת תחלה.

Rambam:
• 3 Chapters A Day: Gezelah va'Avedah Gezelah va'Avedah - Chapter Seven, Gezelah va'Avedah Gezelah va'Avedah - Chapter Eight, Gezelah va'Avedah Gezelah va'Avedah - Chapter Nine
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Gezelah va'Avedah - Chapter Seven

1Whenever a person becomes financially obligated to a fellow Jew, denies that obligation and takes a false oath to support his denial, should he later admit his obligation he is liable to return the principal that he denied plus a surcharge of one fifth of the new total. He is also liable to bring a sacrifice, which is called a guilt offering, for robbery.

א

כל מי שנתחייב ממון לחבירו הישראל וכפר בו ונשבע על שקר הרי זה חייב להחזיר לו הקרן שכפר בו והוספות חומש. וחייב בקרבן והוא הנקרא אשם גזלות:

2The above applies to any of the following: one who robbed, one who withheld money due a colleague, one who stole, one who took a loan, one who was given an entrusted article, one who discovered a lost article and denied it, a partner with whom money belonging to the partnership remained, and an employer for whom a worker performed work, but was not paid.

To state the general principle: Whenever a person who admitted the obligation would be obligated by law to pay, he must pay the principal and a fifth if he denies his obligation, as Leviticus 5:21 says: "If he denies his colleague's claim regarding an entrusted object...."

ב

אחד הגוזל או העושק או הגונב או שהלוהו או שהפקיד אצלו או מצא אבדה וכחש בה או שהיתה ביניהן שותפות ונשאר לו אצלו ממון או שעשה לו מלאכה ולא נתן לו שכרו כללו של דבר כל שאילו הודה חייב לשלם בדין וכפר ונשבע משלם קרן וחומש שנאמר וכחש בעמיתו בפקדון:

3When does the above apply? When the person is obligated to pay because of his own actions. When, however, he is liable because of his father, he is not liable for the additional fifth.

What is implied? If one's father robbed or stole or was in debt to others, and the son knew of the matter, and after the father's death the son denied the claim, took an oath and afterwards admitted his liability, he need pay only the principal. For Leviticus 5:23 states: "that he obtained by robbery," implying that one is liable for an additional fifth for one's own robbery, but not for robbery committed by one's father.

ג

במה דברים אמורים כשהיה חייב לשלם מחמת עצמו אבל אם היה חייב לשלם מחמת אביו אינו משלם חומש. כיצד כגון שגזל אביו או גנב או שהיה חייב לאחרים והבן יודע וכפר הבן ונשבע ואחר כך הודה משלם הקרן בלבד שנאמר אשר גזל על גזלו הוא מוסיף חומש ואינו מוסיף חומש על גזל אביו:

4When does the above apply? When the object obtained by robbery no longer exists. Different laws apply however, when a person's father obtained an object by robbery and then died, and the object still exists. If the heir denies his obligation, takes an oath to that effect and then admits his liability, he is liable for the principal and the addition of a fifth.

ד

במה דברים אמורים בשאין הגזלה קיימת אבל אם גזל אביו ומת והגזלה קיימת וכפר היורש ונשבע ואחר כך הודה משלם קרן וחומש:

5If the father committed robbery, took a false oath, admitted his guilt and then died, his heir must pay the principal and the addition of a fifth.

ה

גזל האב ונשבע האב והודה ואחר כך מת הרי היורש משלם קרן וחומש:

6If the father committed robbery, took a false oath and then died, and the heir admitted the father's guilt, the heir is liable to pay only the principal.

In either instance, the heir is not obligated to bring the guilt offering.

ו

גזל ונשבע ומת והודה היורש משלם הקרן בלבד ובין כך ובין כך היורש פטור מן האשם:

7A person who takes a false oath in response to the claim of a gentile and later admits his guilt is obligated to pay the principal, but not the additional fifth, for Leviticus 5:21 speaks of one who "denies his colleague's claim."

Similarly, a person who takes less than the worth of a p'rutah by robbery, denies the charge and takes a false oath to that effectis not liable to pay an additional fifth, for anything less than a p'rutah's worth is not considered a significant financial responsibility.

What is meant by an additional fifth? One fourth of the principal. For example, if a person obtained four zuz by robbery and took a false oath, he must pay five. If the object obtained by robbery itself still exists, it must be returned and a fourth of its value added.

ז

הנשבע לעכו"ם משלם את הקרן ואינו חייב בחומש שנאמר וכחש בעמיתו. וכן הגוזל פחות משוה פרוטה וכפר ונשבע אינו חייב בחומש שאין פחות משוה פרוטה ממון. כמה הוא החומש. אחד מארבעה בקרן שאם גזל שוה ארבעה ונשבע משלם חמשה. ואם היתה הגזלה קיימת מחזיר אותה ונותן דמי רביע שלה:

8A person who takes a false oath denying a financial claim is not liable to pay an additional fifth unless he himself admits his guilt. If, however, witnesses come and despite his continued denial establish his guilt through their testimony, he is liable to pay only the principal, but not the additional fifth.

The rationale is that the additional fifth and the sacrifice were instituted for the sake of atonement. Therefore, he is obligated for them only when it is his admission that makes him liable.

ח

אין הנשבע על כפירת ממון משלם חומש עד שיודה מעצמו. אבל אם באו עדים והוא עומד בכפירתו משלם הקרן בלבד על פי עדים ואינו משלם את החומש. שהחומש עם הקרבן לכפרה הם באים ואינו מביאם אלא על פי עצמו:

9When a person robs from a colleague, even if he denied the robbery - as long as he did not take a false oath - if he afterwards admits his guilt he is not liable to seek out the owner to return the money in his possession. Instead, it may remain in the possession of the robber until the owners come and take his due.

If, however, he took a false oath concerning property worth a p'rutah or more, he is obligated to seek out the owner to return the money to him even if he is on far removed islands. The rationale is that once the robber took a false oath, the owner has despaired of the return of his property and will not demand it again.

ט

הגוזל את חבירו אע"פ שכפר בו הואיל ולא נשבע אם חזר והודה אינו חייב לרדוף אחר הבעלים עד שיחזיר להם ממון שבידו אלא יהא ביד הגזלן עד שיבאו הבעלים ויטלו שלהן. אבל אם נשבע על שוה פרוטה ומעלה חייב [א] לרדוף אחר הבעלים עד שיחזיר להם אפילו הם באיי הים. מפני שכבר נתייאשו מאחר שנשבע ואינן באין עוד לתבעו:

10Even if a robber returned the entire worth of the object obtained by robbery with the exception of a p'rutah, he is obligated to bring it to the original owner. He may not give the p'rutah to the owner's son or agent unless the owner appointed an agent for this purpose in the presence of witnesses.

If the robber brings the principal and the additional fifth to the Rabbinic court in his city, he may bring a guilt offering and gain atonement thereby. The court will then ensure that the object obtained by robbery will reach its original owner. Similarly, the robber may give the article to an agent of the court. Whenever a person returns an object obtained by robbery or the like to a Rabbinic court, he has fulfilled his obligation to return it.

י

אפילו החזיר הגזלה כולה חוץ משוה פרוטה חייב להוליכה אחר הנגזל. ד ולא יתן לא לבנו של נגזל ולא [ב] לשלוחו אלא אם כן עשה הנגזל השליח בעדים. ואם הביא את הגזלה ואת החומש לבית דין שבעירו הרי זה מביא אשם ומתכפר לו ובית דין מטפלין בה עד שתגיע לבעלה. וכן נותן הוא לשליח בית דין. וכל הנותן הגזלה וכיוצא בו לבית דין יצא:

11When the robber gave the original owner the principal, but not the additional fifth, the owner waived payment of the principal but not of the additional fifth, or he waived payment of both with the exception of less than a p'rutah's worth of the principal, the robber does not have to seek out the owner. Instead, when the owner comes he will take the remainder of what is due him.

This ruling is followed when the owner waives payment of everything but less than a p'rutah's worth of the principal even when the object obtained by robbery itself exists. We do not suspect that perhaps the value of the article will increase, and thus the portion remaining will become worth a p'rutah.

If, however, the robber gave the owner the additional fifth, but did not give him the principal, or if the owner waived payment of the additional fifth but not of the principal, or he waived payment of both with the exception of a p'rutah's worth of the principal, the robber must seek out the owner or give the money to the Rabbinic court in his town, as explained in the previous halachot.

יא

נתן לו את הקרן ולא נתן לו את החומש או שמחל לו את הקרן ולא מחל לו על החומש או שמחל לו על זה ועל זה חוץ מפחות שוה פרוטה בקרן אינו צריך להוליך אחריו אלא יבא הנגזל ויטול את השאר ואע"פ שהגזלה עצמה קיימת אין חוששין שמא תתייקר ונמצא הנשאר שוה פרוטה. אבל אם נתן לו את החומש ולא נתן לו את הקרן או שמחל לו על החומש ולא מחל לו על הקרן או שמחל לו על זה ועל זה חוץ משוה פרוטה בקרן חייב להוליכו אחריו או לתת לבית דין שבעירו כמו שביארנו:

12If the robber returned the principal to the owner after denying his claim and taking a false oath and then denied owing him the additional fifth and took a false oath concerning this, the additional fifth is considered as part of the principal with regard to all matters, and the robber must pay another fifth because of it.

This is derived from Leviticus 5:24, which states: "And he shall add its fifths." The use of the plural teaches that he must add a fifth to a fifth if he continues to take false oaths until the fifth that he denies - and concerning which he takes a false oath - is worth less than a p'rutah.

יב

המחזיר את הקרן לבעלים וכפר פעם שניה בחומש ונשבע עליו נעשה החומש כקרן לכל דבר ומשלם עליו חומש אחר שנאמר וחמישיתיו יוסף עליו מלמד שהוא מוסיף חומש על חומש עד שיתמעט החומש שיכפור בו ונשבע עליו משוה פרוטה:

13The following rule applies with regard to a person who had been entrusted with an object for safekeeping and who repeatedly took false oaths concerning the entrusted article. For example, the watchman claimed that the article was lost, took a false oath to support his claim and then admitted that it was in his possession. He then claimed it was lost and took a second false oath and then admitted it was in his possession. He must pay an additional fifth for every false oath, plus the principal.

This is derived from the phrase cited above: "And he shall add its fifths." The use of the plural teaches that he must pay several fifths for one principal.

יג

מי שהיה אצלו פקדון וטען שאבד ונשבע וחזר והודה שהוא אצלו. וחזר וטען שאבד ונשבע וחזר והודה שהוא אצלו משלם חומש לכל שבועה ושבועה עם הקרן האחד שנאמר וחמישיתיו יוסף עליו מלמד שהוא משלם כמה חומשין על קרן אחד:

Gezelah va'Avedah - Chapter Eight

1When a person robs a colleague and then the person whom he robbed dies, he must return the object obtained by robbery to his heirs. If the object became lost or underwent a change, he must pay them its value. If the robber originally denied the robbery and took a false oath to that effect, he must pay the heirs the principal and an additional fifth.

א

הגוזל א את חבירו ומת הנגזל יחזיר הגזילה ליורשים. ואם אבדה או נשתנית נותן להם דמיה. ואם נשבע לו ואחר כך מת נותן ליורשים הקרן והחומש:

2The following laws apply when a person robs his father and takes a false oath, and then the father dies. If the object obtained by robbery no longer exists, or it has undergone a change, he should make a reckoning with his brothers with regard to the principal and the additional fifth. If the object obtained by robbery exists, he is obligated to remove it from his possession. Therefore, he must give the object and the additional fifth to his brothers, and they must make a reckoning with him.

ב

הגוזל את אביו ונשבע לו ומת האב. אם אין הגזילה קיימת או נשתנית עושה חשבון עם אחיו על הקרן ועל החומש. ואם הגזילה קיימת חייב להוציא הגזלה עצמה מתחת ידו. לפיכך נותן את הגזלה ואת החומש לאחיו ועושה עמהן ב חשבון:

3If the robber does not have any brothers, and he is thus the only heir, he must still remove the object obtained by robbery from his possession by giving it to his children.

If this son who robbed his father does not have children, he may give it to his creditor, give it as a loan or give it to charity. In such instances, since he has removed the object itself from his possession, he is no longer under obligation, even though he gave it as a present or repaid his debt with it. He must, however, tell the recipient: "This article was obtained by robbery from my father."

ג

אם אין לו אחין שנמצא זה הגזלן לבדו הוא היורש מוציא הגזלה מתחת ידו לבניו ואם אין בנים לזה הבן הגזלן נותנה לבעל חובו או בהלואתו או לצדקה הואיל ויצאה גזלה עצמה מתחת ידו נפטר אע"פ שנתנה מתנה או פרעה בחובו והוא שיודיעם ג ויאמר זה גזל אבא:

4Similar laws apply in the following instance. A person robs a convert, takes a false oath in response to his claim and then admits the robbery to him, and the convert considers the entire obligation a debt. If afterwards the convert dies, the robber acquires the object obtained by robbery as his own. He nevertheless is obligated to remove it from his possession.

ד

וכן הגוזל את הגר ונשבע לו וחזר והודה לו וזקף עליו הכל מלוה ואחר כך מת הגר אף על פי שזכה בגזילה חייב להוציאה [א] מתחת ידו:

5When does the above apply? When he admitted the robbery to the convert in the interim. If, however, he robbed a convert who did not have any heirs and took a false oath to him, and the convert died, he is obligated to pay the principal and the additional fifth to the priests of the watch serving in the Temple that week. He then brings a guilt offering and thus achieves atonement.

ה

במה דברים אמורים כשהודה בינתים אבל אם גזל את הגר שאין לו יורשים ונשבע לו ומת הגר הרי זה חייב לשלם הקרן וחומש לכהנים של אותו משמר ומביא אשמו ואחר כך יתכפר בו:

6Based on the Oral Tradition, it was taught that the verse in the Torah Numbers 5:8: "If a person does not have a redeemer..." refers to a convert who died without leaving heirs. The guilt offering the verse refers to is the object obtained by robbery or its worth.

For this reason, a person who returns an object that had been obtained by robbing a convert to the priests at night does not fulfill his obligation. For the verse describes this return as a guilt offering, and sacrifices are not offered at night.

The priests may not divide one object obtained by robbing a convert together with another object obtained by robbing a convert, just as they are not permitted to divide the meat of one guilt offering together with the meat of another guilt offering.

ו

מפי השמועה למדו שזה שנאמר בתורה ואם אין לאיש גואל בגר שמת ואין לו יורשים הכתוב מדבר ואשם זה האמור כאן הוא הגזילה או דמיה. לפיכך המחזיר גזל הגר בלילה לא יצא. שהרי אשם קראו הכתוב ואין מקריבין בלילה. ואין הכהנים חולקין גזל הגר כנגד גזל הגר כדרך שאין חולקין בשר אשם נגד בשר אשם אחר:

7Whenever the value of an object obtained by robbing a convert is not sufficient to give every priest from the watch of that week at least a p'rutah's worth, the robber who returns it does not fulfill his obligation. This is implied by Numbers, ibid., which states "it should be returned to God, to the priest," implying that a significant value must be returned to each priest.

Why does the verse referring to the robbery of a convert use the term "a man"? To teach that if the convert has attained majority, we must research the matter to determine whether or not he has heirs. If, however, the convert is a minor, there is no need to research the matter, for we can assume that he does not have heirs.

ז

כל גזל הגר שאין בו שוה פרוטה לכל כהן וכהן מאנשי משמר לא יצא המחזירו ידי השבה שנאמר המושב לה' לכהן עד שתהיה השבה לכל כהן. ולמה נאמר בגזל הגר איש שהאיש אתה צריך לחקור ולחזר עליו אם יש לו יורשים או אם אין לו אבל אם היה הגר [ב] קטן אי אתה צריך לחזר עליו אלא חזקתו שאין לו יורשים:

8With regard to the repayment of property obtained by robbing a convert, the priests are considered as recipients of presents. Therefore, when a person robs chametz from a convert who dies without heirs and maintains possession of the chametz that he obtained by robbery during Pesach, he is obligated to pay the priests its value at the time of the robbery. For if he gave it to them at the present time, it would not be considered to be a gift, for one is forbidden to benefit from it. If, however, the convert himself were still alive, he could tell him: "Here is your article," as we have explained.

ח

הכהנים בגזל הגר כמקבלי מתנות הן. לפיכך הגוזל חמץ מן הגר שאין לו יורשים ועבר עליו הפסח חייב ליתן לכהנים את דמיו כשעת הגזלה. שאם יתנהו להן עכשיו אינה מתנה שהרי הוא אסור בהנאה ואילו היה הגר קיים היה אומר לו הרי שלך לפניך כמו שביארנו:

9When a priest robs from a convert who has no heirs, takes a false oath to him, and then the convert dies before the object obtained by robbery is returned to him, the priest does not acquire the object in his possession. Instead, he must give it to his brethren, the priests of the watch serving in the Temple that week.

ט

כהן שגזל גר שאין לו יורשים ונשבע לו ומת הגר לא זכה זה בגזלו שתחת ידו אלא יוציא מתחת ידו לכל אחיו הכהנים בני המשמורת:

10The following rules apply when a person robs from a convert, takes a false oath to him, the convert dies, the robber sets aside his guilt offering and the object obtained by robbery with the intent of bringing them to the priests, but dies before he could gain atonement. The robber's sons inherit the money set aside to pay for the object obtained by robbery or the object itself. The animal set aside for the guilt offering should pasture until it receives a disqualifying blemish, as has been explained in the appropriate place.

י

הגוזל את הגר ונשבע לו ומת הגר והפריש אשמו וגזלתו להעלותן לכהנים ומת הגזלן קודם כפרה הרי בני הגזלן יורשים את כסף הגזלה או הגזלה עצמה והאשם ירעה עד שיפול בו מום כמו שביארנו במקומו:

11If the robber gave the money to the priests of the watch, but died before the sacrifice that brings him atonement could be offered, the robber's heirs may not expropriate the money from the priests.

This is derived from Numbers 5:10: "When a man gives it to the priest, it shall be his." Even when the robber is a child who does not have the halachic capacity to give his property away as a present, his heirs cannot have the property expropriated from the priests.

יא

נתן הגזלן את הכסף לאנשי משמר [ג] ומת קודם כפרה אין יורשי הגזלן יכולין להוציא מיד הכהנים שנאמר איש אשר יתן לכהן לו יהיה. ואפילו היה הגזלן קטן שאין מתנתו מתנה אין יורשים מוציאין מיד הכהנים:

12If the robber gave the money to priests from a watch that was not serving in the Temple at that time, and the animal to be sacrificed as the guilt offering to the priests of the watch serving in the Temple that week, the money should be given to the priests of the appropriate watch. For a watch that took money at a time other than its week did not acquire it, and it may be expropriated from the members of that watch.

יב

נתן את הכסף לאחת מן המשמרות ואת האשם למשמרה זו שהיא שבתה יחזיר הכסף אצל האשם לאנשי המשמרה הקבועה שהמשמרה שלקחה כסף בלא שבתה לא זכתה ומוציאין מידה:

13The guilt offering should not be sacrificed until the robber returns the principal to its owner, or to the priests if it was a convert without heirs who was robbed.

If the robber gave the owner the principal but not the additional fifth and had the guilt offering sacrificed, he is granted atonement, for the additional fifth does not prevent atonement from being granted. He is, however, obligated to give the owner the additional fifth after receiving atonement.

יג

אין מקריבין את האשם עד שיחזיר הגזלן הקרן לבעלים או לכהנים אם היה גזל גר שאין לו יורשים. נתן את הקרן והקריב אשמו נתכפר לו ואין החומש מעכב הכפרה וחייב ליתן את החומש אחר כפרה:

14The obligation to pay an additional fifth does not apply with regard to the robbery of Canaanite servants, promissory notes and landed property. This is derived from Leviticus 5:21, which states: "If he denies his colleague's claim regarding an entrusted object...." All the subjects mentioned in the verse are movable property that itself has financial worth. Thus, it excludes landed property - and servants, for they are equated with landed property - and promissory notes, for they themselves are not of financial worth.

Similarly, if these articles were obtained by robbing a convert who has no heirs, there is no obligation to give them to the priests.

Moreover, landed property never becomes the property of a robber, but rather it always remains the property of its rightful owner. Even if it were to be sold to a thousand people in succession and the owner were to despair of its return, it must be returned to its rightful owner without charge.

The person from whom it was expropriated should then sue the person who sold it to him. Each person in turn should sue the one who sold it to him, until the person who purchases it from the robber should sue the robber and collect from him, as will be explained in the following chapter.

יד

העבדים והשטרות והקרקעות אין בהן תוספת חומש שנאמר וכחש בעמיתו בפקדון כל האמור בענין מטלטלין הוא וגופן ממון יצאו קרקעות ועבדים שהוקשו לקרקעות ויצאו שטרות שאין גופן ממון. וכן אם היו גזל גר שאין לו יורשים אינן חוזרים לכהנים. א וכן הקרקע [ד] אינה נקנית לעולם לגזלן אלא ברשות בעליה עומדת. ואפילו נמכרה לאלף זה אחר זה ונתייאשו הבעלים הרי זו חוזרת לנגזל בלא דמים. וכל מי שיצאה מתחת ידו חוזרת על זה שמכרה לו וחוזר המוכר השני על המוכר הראשון עד שיחזור הלוקח מן הגזלן על הגזלן ויטול ממנו כמו שיתבאר:

Gezelah va'Avedah - Chapter Nine

1The following rules apply when a person robs a colleague of property and depreciates its value - e.g., he digs cisterns, trenches or caverns in it, or he cuts down trees, spoils springs or destroys a building - he is obligated to return the house or the field in its original condition, or to pay the owner for the depreciation of value.

If, however, the property depreciats in value as a result of natural phenomena - e.g., the flooding of a river or a fire that came as a result of lightning - the robber can tell the owner: "Here is your property." For landed property remains in the possession of its owner at all times, and the robber is not responsible for its decrease in value. Therefore, he is responsible only when he personally causes the damages. This is not the case with regard to movable property, as has been explained.

א

הגוזל קרקע מחבירו והפסידה. כגון שחפר בה בורות שיחין ומערות או שקצץ את האילנות ושחת את המעיינות והרס הבנין חייב להעמיד לו בית או שדה כשהיו בשעת הגזלה או ישלם דמי מה שהפסיד. אבל אם נשחתה מאליה כגון ששטפה נהר או נשרפה באש שירדה מן השמים אומר לו הרי שלך לפניך שהקרקע בחזקת בעלים קיימת ואין אחריות הפסדה עליו אלא אם כן הפסיד בידו מה שאין הדין כן במטלטלין כמו שביארנו:

2The following rules apply when a person robs a colleague of a field and it was in turn taken from him by robbery and seized by brigands in the name of the king. If this is a condition that plagues the land as a whole - e.g., the king has confiscated the fields or homes of all the land's inhabitants - the robber can tell the owner: "Here is your property." If, however, it was confiscated because of the robber, the robber is obligated to provide the owner with another field.

ב

גזל שדה ונגזלה ממנו ונטלוה מציקים בכח המלך. אם מכת מדינה היא כגון שלקח המלך שדות או בתים של כל אנשי המדינה אומר לו הרי שלך לפניך ואם מחמת הגזלן נלקחה חייב להעמיד לו שדה אחרת:

3If the king compelled the robber to show him all the property he owned, and the robber showed him the field that he obtained by robbery together with his other fields, and the king confiscated it, the robber is obligated to provide the owner with another field comparable to the one taken, or to pay its value.

ג

אנס המלך את הגזלן [א] ואמר לו הראה לנו כל מה שיש לך והראה שדה זו שגזל בכלל שדותיו ונטלה המלך. חייב להעמיד לו שדה אחרת כמותה או נותן דמיה:

4When a person obtains a field by robbery and damages it by his actions, the owner of the field is entitled to collect the damages only from the property in the robber's possession; his obligation is equivalent to that of a loan supported by a verbal commitment.

If the robber was called to court and obligated to pay for the damage to the property obtained by robbery, and afterwards sells other property that he owned, the rightful owner of the property taken by robbery may collect his due from properties that the robber has already sold.

ד

גזל שדה והפסידה בידו כשבעל השדה גובה את דמי מה שהפסיד הגזלן גובה אותן מנכסים בני חורין מפני שהיא כמלוה על פה. ואם עמד הגזלן בדין ונתחייב לשלם ואחר כך מכר גובה מנכסים משועבדין:

5If a person obtains property by robbery and benefits from its produce, he must pay for all the produce that he consumed from the property in his possession.

When a person obtains landed property by robbery and increases its worth, the increase should be evaluated. The robber is placed at a disadvantage. If the increase in the property's value is greater than the expenses he undertook, the owner is required to reimburse him only for the expenses. If the expenses he undertook are greater than the increase in the property's value, he receives reimbursement for the expenses only to the extent of the increase in value.

ה

גזל שדה ואכל פירותיה משלם כל הפירות שאכל מנכסים בני חורין. גזל והשביח שמין לו וידו על התחתונה אם השבח יתר על ההוצאה נוטל ההוצאה בלבד מן הנגזל ואם ההוצאה יתירה על השבח אין לו מן ההוצאה אלא שיעור השבח:

6The following rules apply when a person obtains a field by robbery and sells it, and the purchaser causes its value to increase. If the increase in value is greater than the purchaser's expenses, he should be reimbursed for his expenses by the owner. He should collect the principal and the remainder of the increase in value from the robber.

ו

גזל שדה ומכרה והשביחה הלוקח [ב] אם השבח יתר על ההוצאה נוטל ההוצאה מבעל השדה והקרן נוטל עם שאר השבח מן הגזלן:

7The purchaser may collect the principal even from encumbered property that the robber had sold. By contrast, he may collect the remainder of the increase in the property's value only from property presently in the robber's possession.

If the purchaser was aware that the field had been obtained by robbery when he purchased it, he is entitled to collect only the principal. He forfeits the increase in the property's value that exceeds his expense.

If his expense was greater than the increase in value, regardless of whether or not he recognized that the field was obtained by robbery, he receives reimbursement for the expenses only to the extent of the increase in value. This he collects from the owner of the field. He collects the principal from the robber, even from encumbered property that the robber had sold.

ז

הקרן גובה מנכסים משועבדים ושאר השבח מנכסים בני חורין. ואם הכיר בה שהיא גזולה כשלקחה אינו נוטל מן הגזלן אלא הקרן בלבד ומפסיד שאר השבח היתר על ההוצאה. היתה ההוצאה יתירה על השבח בין שהכיר בה שהיא גזולה בין שלא הכיר אין לו מן ההוצאה אלא שיעור השבח נוטל מבעל השדה והקרן נוטל מן הגזלן מנכסים משועבדין:

8The following rules apply when a person obtains a field by robbery, sells it, and the purchaser derives benefit from its produce. He should calculate the value of the produce that he consumed and pay that to the owner of the field. He should collect this money from the property in the possession of robber.

If he was aware that it was obtained by robbery, he is not entitled to reimbursement for the produce, and may collect only the principal from the robber.

ח

הגוזל שדה ומכרה ואכל הלוקח פירותיה מחשבין עליו כל הפירות שאכל ומשלם לבעל השדה וחוזר וגובה אותן מן הגזלן מנכסים בני חורין. ואם הכיר בה שגזולה היא אין לו פירות ואינו גובה מן הגזלן אלא הקרן בלבד:

9When a person sells a field that does not belong to him, the sale is not binding and the purchaser does not acquire anything, as we have explained. If, however, after selling the field, the robber purchased the field from its rightful owner, the sale to the purchaser is binding.

Even if the robber gave the field obtained by robbery away as a present and then purchased it from its rightful owner, the present is binding, because the thief took the trouble to purchase it so that he will have acted in good faith.

ט

המוכר שדה שאינה שלו אין ממכרן ממכר ולא קנה לוקח כלום כמו שביארנו. חזר הגזלן אחר שמכרה ולקחה מבעליה נתקיימה ביד [ג] הלוקח מן הגזלן. ואפילו נתנה לו הגזלן מתנה כשהיתה גזולה בידו כיון שחזר ולקחה נתקיימה ביד זה שקבל המתנה שמפני זה טרח הגזלן עד שקנאה כדי [ד] לעמוד בנאמנותו:

10For this reason, if the purchaser sued the robber for selling him a field that did not belong to him, the robber was obligated to pay, the court ordered that an announcement be made regarding the sale of the robber's property in order to pay the purchaser, and the robber purchased the field from its rightful owner after the announcement was made, the original sale to the purchaser is not binding.

Since a public announcement was made to expropriate his property, it was revealed that the robber had not acted in good faith. We thus conclude that he did not purchase the field from its rightful owner in order to establish the validity of the original sale.

י

לפיכך אם תבע הלוקח את הגזלן מפני שמכר לו שדה שאינה שלו ונתחייב לשלם והתחיל [ה] בית דין להכריז על נכסי הגזלן כדי להגבות מהן ללוקח ואחר שהתחילו ההכרזה לקחה הגזלן מן הבעלים לא נתקיימה ביד הלוקח. שמאחר שהכריזו על נכסיו נתגלה שאינו נאמן ולא לקחה מן הבעלים כדי להעמידה ביד הלוקח:

11If after selling the field he obtained by robbery, the robber purchased it from its rightful owner, but then sold it again, gave it away as a present or endowed it as an inheritance to another person, he has indicated that his intent in purchasing the field was not to establish the validity of the sale to the person who bought it after it was obtained by robbery.

Similarly, if the robber acquired the property as an inheritance, the validity of the original sale is not established.

יא

לקחה הגזלן מן הבעלים אחר שמכרה כשהיא גזולה וחזר ומכרה לאחר או נתנה במתנה או הורישה. הרי גילה דעתו שאינו רוצה להעמידה ביד זה שלקחה ממנו כשהיתה גזולה. וכן אם נפלה לגזלן בירושה לא נתקיימה ביד הלוקח:

12The following principles apply if the robber expropriated from its owner the property that he had sold as payment for a debt. If the owner had property other than this, and the robber told him: "I want to collect this," we assume that his intent was to establish the validity of his sale. If, however, the owner had no other property besides this, his intent could have been solely to collect his debt.

יב

גבאה הגזלן בחובו. אם יש לנגזל קרקע אחרת ואמר לו הגזלן זו אני גובה בחובי הרי זה מתכוין להעמידה ביד הלוקח. ואם אין לנגזל קרקע אלא זו לגבות חובו הוא שנתכוון:

13If the original owner gave the property to the robber later as a present, the purchaser acquires it. The rationale is that if the robber had not exerted himself on behalf of the owner, he would not have given him a present. Why then did he exert himself on behalf of the owner? So that the owner would give him the property and then he could act in good faith and establish the validity of his original sale.

יג

נתנוה הבעלים ה לגזלן מתנה קנאה הלוקח שאילו לא טרח לבעלים לא היו נותנים לו במתנה ומפני זה טרח כדי שיזכה בה בדין ויעמוד בנאמנותו ותתקיים ביד הלוקח:

14The following rules apply when a person obtains a field by robbery, and after it was established that his intent was to take it by robbery, he then purchases it from the original owner. If the original owner claims: "I was acting under coercion at the time that I sold it to him. I sold it to him against my will, because he was a robber," the robber does not acquire the field, even though there are witnesses that he purchased the field in their presence. Instead, the field should be restored to its original owner, and the robber should be given back the money that he paid.

יד

הגוזל שדה ואחר שגזלה והוחזק גזלן עליה חזר ולקחה מבעלים הראשונים וטען הנגזל ואמר אנוס הייתי בשעה שמכרתיה לו ושלא לדעתי מכרתי מחמת גזלנותו לא זכה הגזלן אע"פ שיש לו עדים שבפניהם לקחה ותחזור השדה לבעלים ומחזירין לגזלן הדמים שנתן:

15When is the money returned to the robber? When the witnesses testify that he counted out the money in their presence.

If, however, the witnesses testify that the owner of the land sold the robber the field and acknowledged that he gave him such and such an amount of money in their presence, and the owner claims that he never received the money and acknowledged this only because of his fear of the robber, then the robber is not given anything. Instead, the field is expropriated from him without payment. Since it has been established that the field was taken by robbery, we believe the owner's claim that he acknowledged the payment only out of fear.

טו

במה דברים אמורים כשהעידו העדים שמנה בפניהם את המעות. אבל אם העידו שבעל הקרקע מכר לגזלן והודה לו בפניהם שנתן לו דמים כך וכך והנגזל טוען שלא נתן לו דמים ומחמת יראה הודה לו אין לגזלן כלום אלא מוציאין ממנו השדה בלא דמים מפני שלא הודה לו אלא מפני הפחד כשטען הואיל והוחזק גזלן עליה:

16The owner of the field does not have to issue a protest over the sale in such an instance, for it has been established that the field was taken by robbery, and any proof of ownership brought by the robber is not accepted. For this reason, he need not issue a protest.

The laws pertaining to a robber are not the same as those that apply when a person coerces a colleague and inflicts physical harm upon him until he sells the property to him. For the person who applies coercion intends to rob, but as yet has not robbed. Therefore, in that instance, if the owner does not issue a protest, the sale is binding.

טז

אין בעל השדה צריך לעשות [ו] מודעה על מכר זה הואיל והוחזק זה גזלן על שדה זו ואין ראייתו בה ראיה ואין צריך למסור מודעה. ואין דין גזלן כדין האונס את חבירו ותלה אותו עד שימכור לו. שזה האונס אינו רוצה לגזול ולא גזלו עדיין כלום לפיכך אם לא מסר המוכר האנוס מודעא ממכרו קיים:

Hayom Yom:
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Shabbat, Tammuz 7, 5777 · 01 July 2017

"Today's Day"

Shabbat, Tamuz 7, 5703

Torah lessons: Chumash: Chukat, Shevi'i with Rashi.

Tehillim: 39-43.

Tanya: Ch. 11. The Ten (p. 333) ...in his heart. (p. 335).

My father said: In Chassidus the "beginning is wedged into the end and the end is wedged into the beginning."1 This is the state of igulim, "circles," without beginning or end. Nonetheless, order and system are crucial.

The Baal Shem Tov was systematic and orderly. The Maggid, his successor, insisted on order. And my great-grandfather - the Alter Rebbe - taught chassidim to be orderly. We see this in his maamarim, letters and melodies. Chassidim who had set times to come to the Rebbe in Lyozna - and later to Liadi - were not permitted to change this schedule without permission from the Rebbe.2 Any request for a change had to be justified with a reason.

The Rebbe had a special committee headed by his brother, R. Yehuda Leib, charged with overseeing order among chassidim. Another committee, under the Miteler Rebbe, directed the younger chassidim.

FOOTNOTES

1.See 16 Adar I.

2.See Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi p. 109 (Kehot).

Daily Thought:

Begin with Alef

At Sinai, He said, “Let us bond together. Let us embrace in these mitzvahs, commune in this Torah, and in them we will be one.”

But He is an infinite, unknowable G‑d. If we cannot know Him, how can we bond with Him?

And so, when He came to us in His Torah at Mount Sinai, He began with an alef. And when we begin to learn, we begin with an alef.

In that first, infinitesimal point of not knowing, in that is contained all wisdom. [Leil Simchat Torah 5736:16.]

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