Monday, June 19, 2017

TODAY IN JUDISAM: Tuesday, 20 June 2017 - chabad.org in New York, New York, United States - Today is Tuesday, 26 Sivan, 5777- 20 June 2017


Chabad.org
ב"ה

TODAY IN JUDISAM: Tuesday, 20 June 2017 - chabad.org in New York, New York, United States - Today is Tuesday, 26 Sivan, 5777- 20 June 2017

Daily Quote:

What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. This is the entire Torah; the rest is the commentary -- go and learn [Hillel the Elder, to a would-be convert to Judaism who asked to be taught the entire Torah 'on one foot' (Talmud, Shabbat 31a)]
Daily Study:
Chumash:
Parshat Korach, 3rd Portion (Numbers 16:20-17:8)

Numbers Chapter 16

20The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron saying,כוַיְדַבֵּ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה אֶל־משֶׁ֥ה וְאֶל־אַֽהֲרֹ֖ן לֵאמֹֽר:
21"Dissociate yourselves from this congregation, and I will consume them in an instant.כאהִבָּ֣דְל֔וּ מִתּ֖וֹךְ הָֽעֵדָ֣ה הַזֹּ֑את וַֽאֲכַלֶּ֥ה אֹתָ֖ם כְּרָֽגַע:
22They fell on their faces and said, "O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, if one man sins, shall You be angry with the whole congregation?"כבוַיִּפְּל֤וּ עַל־פְּנֵיהֶם֙ וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ אֵ֕ל אֱלֹהֵ֥י הָֽרוּחֹ֖ת לְכָל־בָּשָׂ֑ר הָאִ֤ישׁ אֶחָד֙ יֶֽחֱטָ֔א וְעַ֥ל כָּל־הָֽעֵדָ֖ה תִּקְצֹֽף:
O God, the God of the spirits: [God Who] knows the thoughts [of every man]. Your attributes are not like those of earthly beings. A mortal king against whom part of his country transgresses does not know who the sinner is, and, therefore, when he is angry, he metes out punishment upon them all. But as for You, all thoughts are revealed before You, and You know who the sinner is. - [Midrash Tanchuma Korach 7, Num. Rabbah 11]אל אלהי הרוחות: יודע מחשבות. אין מדתך כמדת בשר ודם, מלך בשר ודם שסרחה עליו מקצת מדינה אינו יודע מי החוטא, לפיכך כשהוא כועס נפרע מכולם, אבל אתה לפניך גלויות כל המחשבות ויודע אתה מי החוטא:
if one man: [If one man] is the sinner, shall You be angry with the whole congregation? The Holy One, blessed be He, said,“You have spoken well. I know and will make known who sinned and who did not sin.” - [Midrash Tanchuma Korach 7, Num. Rabbah 11]האיש אחד: הוא החוטא ואתה על כל העדה תקצוף. אמר הקב"ה יפה אמרת, אני יודע ומודיע מי חטא ומי לא חטא:
23The Lord spoke to Moses saying,כגוַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־משֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר:
24"Speak to the congregation saying, 'Withdraw from the dwelling of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.'"כדדַּבֵּ֥ר אֶל־הָֽעֵדָ֖ה לֵאמֹ֑ר הֵֽעָלוּ֙ מִסָּבִ֔יב לְמִשְׁכַּן־קֹ֖רַח דָּתָ֥ן וַֽאֲבִירָֽם:
Withdraw: Heb. הֵעָלוּ, as the Targum [Onkelos] renders: Withdraw from around Korah’s tent.העלו וגו': כתרגומו הסתלקו מסביבות משכן קרח:
25Moses arose and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him.כהוַיָּ֣קָם משֶׁ֔ה וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ אֶל־דָּתָ֣ן וַֽאֲבִירָ֑ם וַיֵּֽלְכ֥וּ אַֽחֲרָ֖יו זִקְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל:
Moses arose: He thought they would show him respect, but they did not. - [Midrash Tanchuma Korach 8, Num. Rabbah 12]ויקם משה: כסבור שישאו לו פנים ולא עשו:
26He spoke to the congregation saying, "Please get away from the tents of these wicked men, and do not touch anything of theirs, lest you perish because of all their sins.כווַיְדַבֵּ֨ר אֶל־הָֽעֵדָ֜ה לֵאמֹ֗ר ס֣וּרוּ נָ֡א מֵעַל֩ אָֽהֳלֵ֨י הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֤ים הָֽרְשָׁעִים֙ הָאֵ֔לֶּה וְאַל־תִּגְּע֖וּ בְּכָל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר לָהֶ֑ם פֶּן־תִּסָּפ֖וּ בְּכָל־חַטֹּאתָֽם:
27So they withdrew from around the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, and Dathan and Abiram went out standing upright at the entrance of their tents together with their wives, their children, and their infants.כזוַיֵּֽעָל֗וּ מֵעַ֧ל מִשְׁכַּן־קֹ֛רַח דָּתָ֥ן וַֽאֲבִירָ֖ם מִסָּבִ֑יב וְדָתָ֨ן וַֽאֲבִירָ֜ם יָֽצְא֣וּ נִצָּבִ֗ים פֶּ֚תַח אָֽהֳלֵיהֶ֔ם וּנְשֵׁיהֶ֥ם וּבְנֵיהֶ֖ם וְטַפָּֽם:
went out standing upright: Heb. נִצָּבִים, with a haughty bearing, to curse and to blaspheme, as in,“he stationed himself (וַיּתְיַצֵּב) [in an arrogant manner] for forty days” (I Sam. 17:16), said in reference to Goliath. - [Mid. Tanchuma Korach 3, 8, Num. Rabbah 12]יצאו נצבים: בקומה זקופה לחרף ולגדף, כמו (שמואל א' יז, טז) ויתיצב ארבעים יום דגלית:
their wives, their children, and their infants: Come and see the severity of dispute. The earthly courts do not punish until [an accused] has two [pubic] hairs, and the heavenly court does not punish until one reaches the age of twenty, but here even nursing babes were punished. - [Midrash Tanchuma Korach 3]ונשיהם ובניהם וטפם: בא וראה כמה קשה המחלוקת, שהרי בית דין של מטה אין עונשין אלא עד שיביא שתי שערות, וב"ד של מעלה עד עשרים שנה, וכאן אבדו אף יונקי שדים:
28Moses said, "With this you shall know that the Lord sent me to do all these deeds, for I did not devise them myself.כחוַיֹּ֘אמֶר֘ משֶׁה֒ בְּזֹאת֙ תֵּֽדְע֔וּן כִּֽי־יְהֹוָ֣ה שְׁלָחַ֔נִי לַֽעֲשׂ֕וֹת אֵ֥ת כָּל־הַמַּֽעֲשִׂ֖ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה כִּי־לֹ֖א מִלִּבִּֽי:
to do all these deeds: That I did by the word of God: to give Aaron the kehunah gedolah , his sons the deputy kehunah, and Elizaphan the chieftainship of the Kohathites.לעשות את כל המעשים האלה: שעשיתי על פי הדבור לתת לאהרן כהונה גדולה ובניו סגני כהונה ואליצפן נשיא הקהתי:
29If these men die as all men die and the fate of all men will be visited upon them, then the Lord has not sent me.כטאִם־כְּמ֤וֹת כָּל־הָֽאָדָם֙ יְמֻת֣וּן אֵ֔לֶּה וּפְקֻדַּת֙ כָּל־הָ֣אָדָ֔ם יִפָּקֵ֖ד עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם לֹ֥א יְהֹוָ֖ה שְׁלָחָֽנִי:
the Lord has not sent me: But I did everything on my own, and he [Korah] is in the right for opposing me. - [Mid. Tanchuma Korach 8, Num. Rabbah 12]לא ה' שלחני: אלא אני עשיתי הכל מדעתי ובדין הוא חולק עלי:
30But if the Lord creates a creation, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them and all that is theirs, and they descend alive into the grave, you will know that these men have provoked the Lord."לוְאִם־בְּרִיאָ֞ה יִבְרָ֣א יְהֹוָ֗ה וּפָֽצְתָ֨ה הָֽאֲדָמָ֤ה אֶת־פִּ֨יהָ֙ וּבָֽלְעָ֤ה אֹתָם֙ וְאֶת־כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר לָהֶ֔ם וְיָֽרְד֥וּ חַיִּ֖ים שְׁאֹ֑לָה וִֽידַעְתֶּ֕ם כִּ֧י נִֽאֲצ֛וּ הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה אֶת־יְהֹוָֽה:
But if… a creation: A new one.ואם בריאה: חדשה:
the Lord creates: to kill them through a death by which no man has died until now. And what is this creation? “And the earth will open its mouth and swallow them up.” Then you will know that they have provoked the Holy One, blessed is He, and I [Moses] have spoken by Divine word. Our Rabbis interpret it: If there was a mouth already created to the earth from the time of the six days of Creation, well and good, but if not, let God create [one now]. - [Mid. Tanchuma Korach, Sanh. 110a]יברא ה': להמית אותם במיתה שלא מת בה אדם עד הנה, ומה היא הבריאה, ופצתה האדמה את פיה ותבלעם, אז וידעתם כי נאצו הם את ה', ואני מפי הגבורה אמרתי. ורבותינו פירשו אם בריאה - פה לארץ מששת ימי בראשית מוטב, ואם לאו יברא ה':
31As soon as he finished speaking all these words, the earth beneath them split open.לאוַֽיְהִי֙ כְּכַלֹּת֔וֹ לְדַבֵּ֕ר אֵ֥ת כָּל־הַדְּבָרִ֖ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה וַתִּבָּקַ֥ע הָֽאֲדָמָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר תַּחְתֵּיהֶֽם:
32The earth beneath them opened its mouth and swallowed them and their houses, and all the men who were with Korah and all the property.לבוַתִּפְתַּ֤ח הָאָ֨רֶץ֙ אֶת־פִּ֔יהָ וַתִּבְלַ֥ע אֹתָ֖ם וְאֶת־בָּֽתֵּיהֶ֑ם וְאֵ֤ת כָּל־הָֽאָדָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לְקֹ֔רַח וְאֵ֖ת כָּל־הָֽרְכֽוּשׁ:
33They, and all they possessed, descended alive into the grave; the earth covered them up, and they were lost to the assembly.לגוַיֵּ֨רְד֜וּ הֵ֣ם וְכָל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר לָהֶ֛ם חַיִּ֖ים שְׁאֹ֑לָה וַתְּכַ֤ס עֲלֵיהֶם֙ הָאָ֔רֶץ וַיֹּֽאבְד֖וּ מִתּ֥וֹךְ הַקָּהָֽל:
34All Israel who were around them fled from their cries, for they said, "Lest the earth swallow us up [too]!"לדוְכָל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אֲשֶׁ֛ר סְבִיבֹֽתֵיהֶ֖ם נָ֣סוּ לְקֹלָ֑ם כִּ֣י אָֽמְר֔וּ פֶּן־תִּבְלָעֵ֖נוּ הָאָֽרֶץ:
fled from their cries: Because of the sound that emanated when they were swallowed up.נסו לקולם: בשביל הקול היוצא על בליעתן:
35A fire came forth from the Lord and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who had offered up the incense.להוְאֵ֥שׁ יָֽצְאָ֖ה מֵאֵ֣ת יְהֹוָ֑ה וַתֹּ֗אכַל אֵ֣ת הַֽחֲמִשִּׁ֤ים וּמָאתַ֨יִם֙ אִ֔ישׁ מַקְרִיבֵ֖י הַקְּטֹֽרֶת:

Numbers Chapter 17

1The Lord spoke to Moses saying:אוַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־משֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר:
2Say to Eleazar the son of Aaron the kohen that he should pick up the censers from the burned area (but throw the fire away), because they have become sanctified,באֱמֹ֨ר אֶל־אֶלְעָזָ֜ר בֶּן־אַֽהֲרֹ֣ן הַכֹּהֵ֗ן וְיָרֵ֤ם אֶת־הַמַּחְתֹּת֙ מִבֵּ֣ין הַשְּׂרֵפָ֔ה וְאֶת־הָאֵ֖שׁ זְרֵה־הָ֑לְאָה כִּ֖י קָדֵֽשׁוּ:
but… the fire: that is in the censers.ואת האש: שבתוך המחתות:
throw… away: [the fire] on the ground, off the censers.זרה הלאה: לארץ מעל המחתות:
because they have become sanctified: I.e., the censers [have become sanctified], and it is forbidden to derive personal benefit from them since they made them into service vessels.כי קדשו: המחתות ואסורין בהנאה, שהרי עשאום כלי שרת:
3the censers of these who sinned at the cost of their lives, and they shall make them into flattened out plates as an overlay for the altar, for they brought them before the Lord, and have [therefore] become sanctified, and they shall be as a reminder for the children of Israel.גאֵ֡ת מַחְתּוֹת֩ הַֽחַטָּאִ֨ים הָאֵ֜לֶּה בְּנַפְשֹׁתָ֗ם וְעָשׂ֨וּ אֹתָ֜ם רִקֻּעֵ֤י פַחִים֙ צִפּ֣וּי לַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ כִּֽי־הִקְרִיבֻ֥ם לִפְנֵֽי־יְהֹוָ֖ה וַיִּקְדָּ֑שׁוּ וְיִֽהְי֥וּ לְא֖וֹת לִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל:
these who sinned at the cost of their lives: They have become willful sinners against their own lives for they opposed the Holy One, blessed is He.החטאים האלה בנפשותם: שנעשו פושעים בנפשותם, שנחלקו על הקב"ה:
flattened out: Heb. רִקֻּעֵי, thinned out.רקעי: רדידין:
plates: metal sheets beaten flat; in old French, tenves, thinned out, flattened.פחים: טסין מרודדין טינבי"ש בלע"ז [מרוקעים]:
an overlay for the altar: For the copper altar.צפוי למזבח: למזבח הנחושת:
and they shall be as a reminder: A remembrance so that people will say, “These [plates] are from those who disputed the kehunah and were burnt.”ויהיו לאות: לזכרון, שיאמרו אלו היו מאותן שנחלקו על הכהונה ונשרפו:
4So Eleazar the kohen took the copper censers which the fire victims had brought, and they hammered them out as an overlay for the altar,דוַיִּקַּ֞ח אֶלְעָזָ֣ר הַכֹּהֵ֗ן אֵ֚ת מַחְתּ֣וֹת הַנְּח֔שֶׁת אֲשֶׁ֥ר הִקְרִ֖יבוּ הַשְּׂרֻפִ֑ים וַיְרַקְּע֖וּם צִפּ֥וּי לַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ:
and they beat them out: In Old French, estendre, to extend, to spread, [in modern French étendre].וירקעום: אטינבירנ"ט בלע"ז [רקעום]:
5as a reminder for the children of Israel, so that no outsider, who is not of the seed of Aaron, shall approach to burn incense before the Lord, so as not to be like Korah and his company, as the Lord spoke regarding him through the hand of Moses.הזִכָּר֞וֹן לִבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל לְ֠מַ֠עַן אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־יִקְרַ֜ב אִ֣ישׁ זָ֗ר אֲ֠שֶׁ֠ר לֹ֣א מִזֶּ֤רַע אַֽהֲרֹן֙ ה֔וּא לְהַקְטִ֥יר קְטֹ֖רֶת לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וְלֹא־יִֽהְיֶ֤ה כְקֹ֨רַח֙ וְכַ֣עֲדָת֔וֹ כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּ֧ר יְהֹוָ֛ה בְּיַד־משֶׁ֖ה לֽוֹ:
so as not to be like Korah: Heb. וְלֹא יִהְיֶה כְקֹרַח, lit. and there shall not be like Korach. In order that there shall not be like Korah.ולא יהיה כקרח: כדי שלא יהיה כקרח:
as the Lord spoke regarding him through the hand of Moses: [The word לוֹ literally means ‘to him.’ Here it] means ‘about him,’ that is, about Aaron, He spoke to Moses that he and his sons would be kohanim. Therefore, no outsider, who is not of the seed of Aaron, shall draw near…. Similarly, every time it says לִי or לוֹ or לָהֶם in connection with the verb דִּבּוּר, ‘speech,’ it means ‘regarding.’ Its Midrashic interpretation is that לוֹ refers to Korah. So what is [the meaning of] “by the hand of Moses”? Why not just simply “to Moses”? It alludes to those who rebel against the kehunah . They are stricken with tzara’ath , as it says, “and he [Moses] took it out, and behold, his hand was ‘leprous,’ like snow” (Exod. 4:6). For this reason, Uzziah was stricken with tzara’ath. — [Midrash Tanchuma Tzav 11]כאשר דבר ה' ביד משה לו: כמו עליו, על אהרן דבר אל משה, שיהיה הוא ובניו כהנים, לפיכך לא יקרב איש זר אשר לא מזרע אהרן וגו', וכן כל לי ולו ולהם הסמוכים אצל דבור פתרונם כמו על. ומדרשו על קרח. ומהו ביד משה ולא כתב אל משה, רמז לחולקים על הכהונה שלוקין בצרעת, כמו שלקה משה בידו שנאמר (שמות ד, ו) ויוציאה והנה ידו מצורעת כשלג, ועל כן לקה עוזיה בצרעת:
6The following day, the entire congregation of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron saying, "You have killed the people of the Lord."ווַיִּלֹּ֜נוּ כָּל־עֲדַ֤ת בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ מִמָּ֣חֳרָ֔ת עַל־משֶׁ֥ה וְעַל־אַֽהֲרֹ֖ן לֵאמֹ֑ר אַתֶּ֥ם הֲמִתֶּ֖ם אֶת־עַ֥ם יְהֹוָֽה:
7It came to pass while the congregation were assembled against Moses and Aaron, that they turned to the Tent of Meeting, and behold, the cloud had covered it, and the glory of the Lord appeared.זוַיְהִ֗י בְּהִקָּהֵ֤ל הָֽעֵדָה֙ עַל־משֶׁ֣ה וְעַל־אַֽהֲרֹ֔ן וַיִּפְנוּ֙ אֶל־אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֔ד וְהִנֵּ֥ה כִסָּ֖הוּ הֶֽעָנָ֑ן וַיֵּרָ֖א כְּב֥וֹד יְהֹוָֽה:
8Moses and Aaron came to the front of the Tent of Meeting.חוַיָּבֹ֤א משֶׁה֙ וְאַֽהֲרֹ֔ן אֶל־פְּנֵ֖י אֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד:
Tehillim: Psalms
Chapter 119, Verses 97-176
Verses 97-176
97. O how I love Your Torah! All day it is my discussion.
98. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me.
99. From all my teachers I have gained wisdom, for Your testimonies are my discussion.
100. I will be more perceptive than elders, because I have guarded Your precepts.
101. I have restrained my feet from every evil path, that I might keep Your word.
102. I have not turned away from Your judgments, for You have instructed me.
103. How sweet are Your words to my palate, [sweeter] than honey to my mouth!
104. From Your precepts I gain understanding, therefore I hate every path of falsehood.
105. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
106. I have sworn-and I will fulfill it-to keep Your righteous judgments.
107. I am afflicted to the extreme; grant me life, O Lord, according to Your promise.
108. Accept with favor, O Lord, the offerings of my lips, and teach me Your laws.
109. My soul is in danger always, yet I have not forgotten Your Torah.
110. The wicked laid a snare for me, yet I have not strayed from Your precepts.
111. I have taken Your testimonies as an eternal heritage, for they are the joy of my heart.
112. I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes, forever, to the last.
113. I despise vain thoughts, but I love Your Torah.
114. You are my refuge and my shield; I place hope in Your promise.
115. Turn away from me, you evildoers, and I will keep the commandments of my God.
116. Support me according to Your promise, and I will live; let me not be shamed because of my hope.
117. Sustain me, and I will be saved, and I will be engrossed in Your statutes always.
118. You trample all who stray from Your statutes, for their ploy is a lie.
119. You have purged all the wicked of the earth like dross, therefore I love Your testimonies.
120. My flesh bristles from fear of You, and I am in awe of Your judgments.
121. I practiced justice and righteousness; leave me not to my oppressors.
122. Guarantee Your servant goodness; let not the wicked exploit me.
123. My eyes long for Your salvation, and for the word of Your righteousness.
124. Treat Your servant according to Your kindness, and teach me Your statutes.
125. I am Your servant; grant me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies.
126. It is time to act for the Lord; they have abrogated Your Torah.
127. Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, even fine gold.
128. Therefore I affirmed all Your precepts; I have hated every path of falsehood.
129. Your testimonies are wondrous, therefore does my soul guard them.
130. Your opening words illuminate, enlightening the simple.
131. I opened my mouth and swallowed, because I craved Your commandments.
132. Turn to me and favor me, as is [Your] law for those who love Your Name.
133. Set my steps in Your word, and let no iniquity rule over me.
134. Deliver me from the oppression of man, and I will keep Your precepts.
135. Let Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes.
136. My eyes shed streams of water, because they do not keep Your Torah.
137. Righteous are you, O Lord, and Your judgments are upright.
138. You commanded Your testimonies in righteousness and great faithfulness.
139. My zeal consumes me, because my enemies have forgotten Your words.
140. Your word is very pure, and Your servant cherishes it.
141. I am young and despised, yet I do not forget Your precepts.
142. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your Torah is truth.
143. Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me, yet Your commandments are my delight.
144. Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding, that I may live.
145. I call out with all my heart; answer me, O Lord; I will keep Your statutes.
146. I call out to You; save me, and I will observe Your testimonies.
147. I rose before dawn and cried out; my hope is in Your word.
148. My eyes preceded the night watches, that I may discuss Your word.
149. Hear my voice in keeping with Your kindness; O Lord, grant me life as is Your practice.
150. Those who pursue mischief draw near; they are far from Your Torah.
151. You are near, O Lord, and all Your commandments are truth.
152. From the beginning I discerned from Your testimonies that You had established them forever.
153. Behold my affliction and deliver me, for I have not forgotten Your Torah.
154. Wage my battle and redeem me; grant me life for the sake of Your word.
155. Salvation is far from the wicked, for they seek not Your statutes.
156. Your mercies are great, O Lord; grant me life as is Your practice.
157. My pursuers and my enemies are many, yet I did not turn away from Your testimonies.
158. I saw traitors and I quarreled with them, because they do not keep Your words.
159. Behold how I love Your precepts; grant me life, O Lord, according to Your kindness.
160. The beginning of Your word is truth, and forever are all Your righteous judgements.
161. Princes have pursued me without cause, but it is Your word my heart fears.
162. I rejoice at Your word, like one who finds abundant spoil.
163. I hate falsehood and abhor it, but Your Torah I love.
164. Seven times a day I praise You, because of Your righteous judgments.
165. There is abundant peace for those who love Your Torah, and there is no stumbling for them.
166. I hoped for Your salvation, O Lord, and I performed Your commandments.
167. My soul has kept Your testimonies, and I love them intensely.
168. I have kept Your precepts and Your testimonies, for all my ways are before You
169. Let my prayer approach Your presence, O Lord; grant me understanding according to Your word.
170. Let my supplication come before You; save me according to Your promise.
171. My lips will utter praise, for You have taught me Your statutes.
172. My tongue will echo Your word, for all Your commandments are just.
173. Let Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts.
174. I long for Your salvation, O Lord, and Your Torah is my delight.
175. Let my soul live, and it will praise You, and let Your judgment help me.
176. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek out Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commandments.
Tanya: Shaar Hayichud Vehaemunah, beginning of Chapter 8
English Text (Lessons in Tanya)
Hebrew Text
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Tuesday, 26 Sivan 5777 - June 20, 2017

Shaar Hayichud Vehaemunah, beginning of Chapter 8

Creation effected absolutely no change in the Creator, neither in His Unity nor in His knowledge. This we learn from the verse, “I, Havayah, have not changed,” as the Alter Rebbe explained in the preceding chapter. Though one might assume that by bringing created beings into existence G‑d’s knowledge was supplemented — in that only after their creation did he become aware of them, so to speak — this in fact is not so, for G‑d’s knowledge is wholly one with G‑d Himself.
G‑d’s knowledge is thus entirely unlike man’s. Acquired knowledge constitutes an addition to a mortal soul, which is a compound, not a simple and perfect unity. G‑d’s Unity, by contrast, is perfect, without any superaddition. Accordingly, His unique manner of knowledge is such that by knowing Himself He knows all of creation, which derives from Him.
This knowledge of self existed before G‑d brought created beings into existence. By knowing them, therefore, nothing at all was added to His previous knowledge. And such a manner of knowledge, concluded the Alter Rebbe, is beyond the comprehension of man.
In the chapter before us, the Alter Rebbe goes on to explain that Maimonides‘ statement that “He is the Knowledge” applies not only to G‑d’s knowledge, but also to all His other attributes and Names, including His Chochmah and will. They are all completely united with G‑d Himself.
והנה מה שכתב הרמב״ם ז״ל, שהקב״ה, מהותו ועצמותו ודעתו, הכל אחד ממש, אחדות פשוטה ולא מורכבת כלל
Now, what Maimonides (of blessed memory) has said1 — that the Holy One, blessed be He, His Essence and Being, and His knowledge are completely one, a perfect unity and not a composite at all, —
כן הענין ממש בכל מדותיו של הקב״ה, ובכל שמותיו הקדושים, והכנויים שכינו לו הנביאים וחז״ל, כגון: חנון ורחום וחסיד וכיוצא בהן
this applies equally to all the attributes of the Holy One, blessed be He, and to all His holy Names, and the designations which the Prophets and Sages, of blessed memory have ascribed to Him, such as Gracious, Merciful, Beneficent, and the like.
וכן מה שנקרא חכם, דכתיב: וגם הוא חכם וגו׳
This is also true with respect to His being called Wise, as it is written,2 “And He is also wise,...”;
וכן רצונו: כי רוצה ה׳ את יראיו, וחפץ חסד הוא, ורוצה בתשובתם של רשעים ואינו חפץ במיתתם וברשעתם, וטהור עינים מראות ברע
and likewise with respect to His will, [as it is written,3] “G‑d desires those who fear Him,” and4 “He wishes to do kindness,” and5 “He desires the repentance of the wicked and does not desire their death and wickedness,” — thus we have verses indicating both what He finds desirable and undesirable; [so, too,6] “Your eyes are too pure to behold evil” — yet another thing that He does not desire.
From the above verses, then, we see that emotions, wisdom and will are all ascribed to G‑d. Nevertheless:
אין רצונו וחכמתו ומדת חסדו ורחמנותו ושאר מדותיו מוסיפים בו ריבוי והרכבה חס ושלום במהותו ועצמותו
His will and His wisdom and His attribute of kindness and His mercy and His other attributes do not add plurality and composition (G‑d forbid) to His Essence and Being,
אלא עצמותו ומהותו ורצונו וחכמתו ובינתו ודעתו, ומדת חסדו וגבורתו ורחמנותו ותפארתו הכלולה מחסדו וגבורתו
but His Being and Essence and His will and wisdom and understanding and knowledge, and His attribute of kindness and His might and mercy and beauty, [the last of] which is composed of His kindness and might,
וכן שאר מדותיו הקדושות, הכל אחדות פשוטה ממש, שהיא היא עצמותו ומהותו
and likewise His other holy attributes, — all the above, comprising his Being and Essence, and his will, and the Sefirot of ChaBaD and the middot, constitute an absolutely perfect unity, which is His very Being and Essence.
וכמו שכתב הרמב״ם ז״ל, שדבר זה אין כח בפה לאמרו, ולא באזן לשמעו, ולא בלב האדם להכירו על בוריו
And as Maimonides (of blessed memory) stated,7 “This [form of unity] wherein G‑d’s knowledge and so on is one with G‑d Himself is beyond the capacity of the mouth to express, beyond the capacity of the ear to hear, and beyond the capacity of the heart of man to apprehend clearly.”
כי האדם מצייר בשכלו כל המושכלות שרוצה להשכיל ולהבין, הכל כמות שהם בו
For man visualizes in his mind all the concepts which he wishes to conceive and understand — all as they are within himself.
כגון שרוצה לצייר בשכלו מהות הרצון, או מהות חכמה או בינה או דעת, או מהות מדת חסד ורחמים, וכיוצא בהן
For instance, if he wishes to envisage the essence of will, or the essence of wisdom or of understanding or of knowledge, or the essence of the attribute of kindness and mercy and the like,
הוא מצייר כולן כמות שהן בו
he visualizes them all as they are within himself.
Just as this is so with regard to envisaging one’s own intellect and emotions, so, too, regarding an individual’s desire to apprehend Divine Intellect and emotions: he endeavors to do so by envisaging intellect and emotion as they are found within himself.
אבל באמת, הקב״ה הוא רם ונשא וקדוש שמו
But in truth, the Holy One, blessed be He, is8 “high and exalted” and “holy is His Name”; i.e., His Name, too, is “holy” and set apart (for this is implied by the root קדש ).
כלומר, שהוא קדוש ומובדל ריבוא רבבות עד אין קץ ותכלית מדרגות הבדלות למעלה מעלה מערך וסוג ומין כל התשבחות והמעלות שיוכלו הנבראים להשיג ולצייר בשכלם
That is to say, He is Holy and separated many myriads of degrees of separations ad infinitum, above the quality, type or kind of praises and exaltation which creatures could grasp and conceive in their minds.
It is for this reason that G‑d is called the Holy One, blessed be He, for the degree to which He transcends the created universe defies mortal conception.
  Footnotes
1.Yad HaChazakah, Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah, 2:10.
2.Yeshayahu 31:2.
3.Tehillim 147:11.
4.Michah 7:18.
5.Cf. Yechezkel 18:23; Liturgy, Neilah.
6.Chavakuk 1:13.
7.Loc. cit.
8.Liturgy, Morning Prayer.
Rambam
• Sefer Hamitzvot:
Tuesday, 26 Sivan 5777 - June 20, 2017
Important Message Regarding This Lesson
The Daily Mitzvah schedule runs parallel to the daily study of 3 chapters of Maimonides' 14-volume code. There are instances when the Mitzvah is repeated a few days consecutively while the exploration of the same Mitzvah continues in the in-depth track.
Positive Commandment 109 (Digest)
Immersing in a Mikvah (Ritual Pool)
"He shall bathe all his body in water"Leviticus 15:16.
A person who chooses to become cleansed of any ritual impurity is commanded to immerse in a mikvah [a natural pool of water]. According to the tradition of the Oral Law, for a mikvah to be kosher it must contain enough water for [an average] person to submerge himself within them—unless it is a moving stream of water, in which case even the smallest amount of water suffices [for a smaller than average individual, or for immersing a ritually impure utensil].
Some details:
  • Of all the types of ritually impure people, only the zav requires immersion in a moving stream of water.
  • This mitzvah is not obligatory. As long as an individual has no intention of entering the Temple Mount, he may remain in his ritually impure state.
  • An individual's purification process is not finalized until the sun sets on the day he immerses.
  • There may not be anything separating between the person's body and the waters of the mikvah.
The 109th mitzvah is that we are commanded to immerse in the waters of a mikvah and thereby be purified from whichever form of tumah previously existed.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "He must immerse his entire body in water." The Oral Tradition2 explains that [the phrase "his entire body" also teaches that] there must be enough water to cover his entire body.3 This is the minimum size of a mikvah unless the water is from a spring, in which case there is no minimum amount,4 as explained in the laws which deal with this mitzvah.
Among the conditions [governing the mikvah] is that only in the case of a zav is spring water required,5 as the verse6 states, "mayim chaim."
When we say that immersion is a mitzvah, this does not mean that any person who is tameh is required to immerse himself — as one who wears a four-cornered garment must put tzitzis on it, or that anyone with a house must build a fence around the roof. [When I say, "it is a mitzvah,"] I refer to the laws of immersion — that we are commanded that anyone who wants purification from tumah can do so only through immersion in water, after which he becomes tahor.
The Sifra7 says, "One might think that the phrase8 'He must immerse in water' is a Divine decree [and that it is an absolute requirement to immerse]. The verse therefore says, 'then he can return to the camp' [after being purified] from tumah." This hints to the principle I just explained, i.e. that the mitzvah is just the law, i.e. that one who wants to be purified should take certain steps. This law is itself the mitzvah. This does not mean however, that there is an independent requirement to immerse — should he want to remain tameh and not enter the machaneh Shechinah9 for any period of time, he may do so.
The Book of Truth (i.e. the Torah) explains that even though after the person immerses he becomes tahor, his purification is incomplete until sunset.10 The Oral Tradition also explains that during immersion he must be naked and that his entire body must come in contact with the water. As our Sages put it,11 "The phrase, 'his entire body' teaches that there can be nothing intervening between his body and the water."
We have therefore explained that this mitzvah of immersion includes the laws of mikvah, of intervening substances, and t'vul yom.12 This mitzvah is explained in tractates Mikva'os and T'vul Yom.
Rabbi Berel Bell is a well-known educator, author and lecturer. He and his family reside in Montreal, Canada.
From "Sefer Hamitzvot in English," published by Sichos in English.
Footnotes
1.Lev. 15:16.
2.Sifra.
3.This is 40 se'ah of water.
4.In practice, even a mikvah of spring water must contain 40 se'ah.
5.In other cases, even for a zavah, rain water is sufficient.
6.Lev. 15:13.
7.Ibid., 16:26.
8.Ibid., 14:8.
9.Corresponding to the Temple courtyard.
10.See Lev. 22:6. A person in this state is called a t'vul yom.
11.Eruvin 4b.
12.One who has immersed and is awaiting sunset, as mentioned above.
Rambam • 1 Chapter A Day: To`en veNit`an To`en veNit`an - Chapter 10

To`en veNit`an - Chapter 10

1 We do not presume that an animal or a beast that is not kept in an enclosed place, but instead roams freely and pastures everywhere, belongs to the person who seizes it if the animal is known to have a prior owner.
What is implied? When a plaintiff brings witnesses who testify that a certain animal is known to belong to him, and the person maintaining possession of the animal claims: "You gave it to me" or "You sold it to me," the defendant's word is not accepted. The fact that the animal is in his possession is not considered proof of ownership, because it is possible that it roamed and entered his domain by itself. Therefore, if the defendant does not bring proof of his acquisition of the animal, it should be returned to its owner. The owner must, however, reinforce his claim by taking an oath.
אבהמה או חיה שאינה שמורה אלא מהלכת בכל מקום ורועה, אינה בחזקת זה שתפסה מאחר שהיא ידועה לבעלים, כיצד הביא התובע עדים שהבהמה הזאת ידועה לו וזה התופס טוען אתה נתתה לי אתה מכרתה לי אינו נאמן, שאין היותה תחת ידו ראיה שהרי היא הלכה מעצמה ונכנסה ברשותו, לפיכך אם לא הביא ראיה תחזור הבהמה לבעליה וישבע היסת על טענה זו.
2 If it was usual for an animal to be kept in an enclosed place or entrusted to a shepherd, we assume that it belongs to the person in whose possession it is found. This applies even if the plaintiff brings witnesses who testify that it belonged to him. Thus, if the person who holds the animal in his possession claims: "You sold it to me" or "You gave it to me," he is required to take a sh'vu'at hesset that it belongs to him, and then he is released of all obligations.בהיתה הבהמה שמורה או מסורה לרועה אף על פי שהביא זה עדים שהיא שלו הרי היא בחזקת זה שהיא תחת ידו ואם טען אתה מכרתה או נתתה לי ישבע התופס היסת שהיא שלו ויפטר.
3 Therefore, the following rules are applied when a person seizes possession of an animal belonging to a colleague that had been kept in an enclosed place or entrusted to a shepherd. If the owner claims: "The animal went out and came to you on its own initiative," "It was entrusted to you for safekeeping," or "It was lent to you," and the person who seized it agrees, saying: "It is not mine, but you owe me this-and-this much," "You gave it to me as security for this-and-this much," or "You owe me such-and-such for damages that you caused my property," his word is accepted if he claims the value of the animal or less. The rationale is that since he could claim that he purchased it, his word is accepted if he lodges another plausible claim. He must, however, take an oath holding a sacred article. Then he may collect his claim.גלפיכך מי שתפס בהמת חבירו שהיתה שמורה או ביד רועה, והבעלים טוענין היא יצאת מעצמה ובאה אצלך או פקדון היא בידך או שאולה היא לך, והתופס אומר כן הוא אינה שלי אבל אתה חייב לי כך וכך או אתה משכנתה בידי על כך וכך או הזקת אותי נזק שאתה חייב לשלם כך וכך יכול לטעון עד כדי דמיה מתוך שיכול לומר לקוחה היא בידי וישבע בנקיטת חפץ ויטול.
4 Similar laws apply with regard to servants. Since they can walk independently, the fact that they are in the physical possession of a person is not presumed to be a sign of ownership. Instead, if the plaintiff brings witnesses who testify that it is known that this servant belonged to the plaintiff, the defendant's word is not accepted if he claims: "You sold him to me" or "You gave him to me as a present." Instead, the servant should be returned to its owner. He must, however, take an oath that he did not sell the servant or give him away as a present.
Different rules apply if the defendant who was asserted to have seized possession of the servant brought witnesses who testified that the servant was in his possession, day after day, for three consecutive years, and that the defendant would have him serve him as servants serve their masters. Since the original owner did not raise objections throughout all these years, the defendant's word is accepted. We allow him to maintain possession after he takes a sh'vu 'at hesset that he purchased the servant from the original owner or the owner gave the servant to him as a present.
These rules do not apply to a servant who is a young child and cannot walk on his legs because of his youth. He is considered as other types of movable property. We presume that he is owned by the person in whose domain he is located, and we follow the principle: When a person seeks to expropriate property from a colleague, the burden of proof is upon him.
דוכן העבדים שיכולין להלך אינן בחזקת זה שהן תחת ידו אלא כיון שהביא הטוען עדים שזה ידוע שהוא עבדו והלה טוען אתה מכרתו לי אתה נתתו לי במתנה אינו נאמן ויחזור העבד לבעליו וישבע הטוען שלא מכר ולא נתן, הביא זה הנטען שתפס העבד עדים שיש לזה העבד אצלו שלש שנים רצופות מיום ליום והוא משתמש בו כדרך שהעבדים משמשין את רבן הואיל ולא מיחה בו בכל אלו השנים הרי זה נאמן ומעמידין אותו בידו אחר שישבע היסת שלקחו ממנו או נתנו לו במתנה, אבל עבד קטן שאינו יכול להלך על רגליו מפני קטנותו הרי הוא כשאר המטלטלין וכל מי שיהיה ברשותו הרי הוא בחזקתו והמוציא מחבירו עליו הראיה.
5 As we explained, a plaintiff can alter his statements and offer another claim if it is plausible. To apply that concept to the issues at hand: A person issued a claim against a colleague, stating: "This garment...", "This animal...", or "This servant that is in your possession belongs to me. It was lent to you," "... it is stolen," "... I entrusted it to you," or "... I rented it to you."
The defendant claimed, "No. It is my money. I inherited it." The plaintiff then brought witnesses who testified that they know that this article, servant, or animal is known to belong to the plaintiff. The defendant then countered and replied: "Yes. It was yours, but you gave it to me..." or "... you sold it to me. I said: 'I inherited it,' not because I inherited it from my father, but that my ownership is so strong that it is as if I inherited it." The defendant's claim is accepted provided that he supports it by taking a sh'vu 'at hesset.
ההטוען את חבירו ואמר בגד או בהמה או עבד זה שבידך שלי הוא או שאול או גזול או הפקדתיו אצלך או שכור לך, והנטען אמר לא כי אלא זה ממוני וירושתי והביא הטוען עדים שהעידו שהן יודעין שזה החפץ או העבד או הבהמה ידועה שהיא היתה לזה, חזר הנטען ואמר כן היה שלך אבל אתה נתתו לי או מכרתו לי וזה שאמרתי ירושתי לא שירשתיו מאבותי אלא שהיא שלי כאילו ירשתיו הרי זה נאמן ונשבע היסת שכבר ביארנו שיש לטוען לחזור לטעון דבר הנשמע.
6 The following laws apply when two people are contending with regard to a boat or the like, each claiming: "It belongs entirely to me." If they come to the court and one asks the court: "Take possession of it until I bring witnesses to support my claim," the court should not take possession of it.
If the court took possession of it, that person went and did not find witnesses, and returned and asked: "Leave it for us as before, and whoever will overcome the other will acquire it, as was the law before," it does not heed the request. Instead, the court does not release it from its possession until a claimant brings witnesses who support his claim, one acknowledges the truth of the other's claim, or they willingly agree to divide it after taking an oath, as we have explained.
וספינה וכיוצא בה שהיו שנים נחלקין עליה זה אומר כולה שלי וזה אומר כולה שלי ובאו לבית דין ואמר אחד תפסוה עד שאביא עדים אין תופסין אותה, ואם תפסוה בית דין והלך ולא מצא עדים ואמר הניחוה בינינו וכל המתגבר יטול כשהיה דינה מקדם אין שומעין להן ואין מוציאין אותה בית דין מידן עד שיביאו עדים או עד שיודו זה לזה או יחלקו ברצונם ובשבועה כמו שביארנו.
Rambam • 3 Chapters A Day: Mikvaot Mikvaot - Chapter 8, Mikvaot Mikvaot - Chapter 9, Mikvaot Mikvaot - Chapter 10

Mikvaot - Chapter 8

1 Any body of water that is in contact with a mikveh, is considered as the mikveh itself and it can be used for immersion. When cavities that are next to the opening of a mikveh or the footprints left by animals share a point of contact with the water of the mikveh that is as large as the mouthpiece of a drinking pouch, they may be used for immersion.אכל המעורב למקוה הרי הוא כמקוה ומטבילין בו גומות הסמוכות לפי המקוה ומקום רגלי פרסות בהמה שהיו בהן מים מעורבין עם מי המקוה כשפופרת הנוד מטבילין בהן:
2 Cavities at the side of the mikveh or crevices at the side of mikveh may be used for immersion even if they have only the slightest point of contact with the water of the mikveh.בחורי המערה וסדקי המערה מטבילין בהן אע"פ שאין המים שבהן מעורבין עם מי המקוה אלא בכל שהוא:
3 When a needle was placed on the steps leading to a mikveh, one may move his hand back and forth in the water to create waves. Once the wave passes over the needle, it regains purity.גמחט שהיתה נתונה על מעלות המקוה והיה מוליך ומביא במים כיון שעבר עליה הגל טהורה:
4 The following laws apply to a hidden reservoir in a mikveh: If the ground that separates between the mikveh and the reservoir is sturdy and capable of remaining over the course of time, one may not use the water in the reservoir for immersion unless it shares a point of contact with the mikveh as large as the mouthpiece of a drinking pouch. If it is not capable of remaining for an extended period, one may immerse in its water as long as it shares any contact whatsoever with the water of the mikveh.דעוקה שבתוך מקוה אם היתה הקרקע המבדלת בין העוקה והמקוה בריאה ויכולה להעמיד את עצמה אין מטבילין במים שבעוקה עד שיהיו מעורבין עם המקוה כשפופרת הנוד ואם אינה יכולה להעמיד את עצמה אפילו אינן מעורבין אלא בכל שהוא מטבילין בהן:
5 When the wall between two mikveot is cracked in half, the two mikveot are considered as joined. If together they contain 40 se'ah, either of them may be used for immersion. If the wall is cracked horizontally, they are not considered as joined unless there is a point of contact the size of the mouthpiece of a drinking pouch. If the water is joined above the wall, they are considered as joined provided there is a layer of water even as thin as a garlic peel connecting them over the width of a space the size of the mouthpiece of a drinking pouch.הכותל שבין ב' מקואות שנסדק לשנים מצטרפין ואם היה בשניהן מ' סאה מטבילין בכל אחד מהן ואם נסדק לערב אין מצטרפין עד שיהיה במקום אחד כשפופרת הנוד נפרף הכותל מלמעלה אם נתערבו המים למעלה מן הכותל כקליפת השום על רוחב שפופרת הנוד מצטרפין:
6 How large is the measure of a hole the size of the mouthpiece of a drinking pouch? A circle with a diameter the width sufficient to enable two average-sized fingers of an ordinary person to rotate within it. The fingers mentioned do not refer to the thumb, but to the first two of the four on the palm of one's hand.
Any entity present in the hole the size of the mouthpiece of a drinking pouch reduces that measure. This applies even to entities that were created from the water.
If there is a doubt whether a hole is the size of the mouthpiece of a drinking pouch or not, the mikveot are not considered as joined. The rationale is that the primary obligation to immerse is Scriptural. And whenever the primary obligation is Scriptural, even when the measure stated is conveyed by the Oral Tradition, we rule stringently when there is an unresolved doubt regarding its measure.
וכמה הוא שיעור הנקב שהוא כשפופרת הנוד ברוחב שתי אצבעות בינוניות של כל אדם וחוזרות בו ואינן בגודל אלא שתי אצבעות ראשונות מן הד' שבפס היד כל שיעמוד כשפופרת הנוד ממעט ואפילו בדברים שהן מברייתו של מים ספק יש בנקב כשפופרת הנוד ספק אין בו אין מצטרפין מפני שעיקר הטבילה מן התורה וכל שעיקרו מן התורה אף ע"פ ששיעורו הלכה ספק שיעורו להחמיר:
7 Mikveot may be purified from each other, an upper mikveh from a lower one and a far-away mikveh from one that is close.
What is implied? An earthenware or lead pipe - for pipes do not disqualify a mikveh - is brought and inserted into the acceptable mikveh. One places his hand under it until it becomes full and then takes it and connects it so that the water in the pipe will become intermingled with the water of the other mikveh. Even if the point where they become intermingled is only a hairsbreadth, it is sufficient. Then the two mikveot connected by the pipe are considered as one.
זמטהרין את המקואות העליון מן התחתון והרחוק מן הקרוב כיצד מביאין סילון של חרס או של אבר וכיוצא בהן שאין הסילונות פוסלין את המקוה ומניח את ידיו תחתיו עד שיתמלא מים ומושכו ומשיקו עד שיתערב המים שבסילון עם מי המקוה כאחד אפילו כשערה דיו והרי שני המקואות שהסילון ביניהן כמקוה אחד:
8 The following rules apply when there are three cavities in a wadi, the higher one and the lower one contain only 20 se'ah, the middle one contains 40 se'ah, and a current of rain water flows through the wadi. Although the current of water flows into the cavities and out of them, it does not join the cavities as one. Hence, only the middle one is acceptable for immersion. The rationale is that water that is flowing does not join mikveot unless it collects in one place.חג' גומות שבנחל התחתונה והעליונה של כ' סאה והאמצעית של מ' ושטף של גשמים עובר בתוך הנחל אע"פ שהוא נכנס לתוכן ויוצא מתוכן אין זה עירוב ואין מטבילין אלא באמצעית שאין המים הנזחלין מערבין אלא אם כן עמדו:
9 Soft mud from which a cow drinks may be measured as part of a mikveh. If it is so thick that a cow would not drink from it, it should not be measured as part of it.טטיט רך שהפרה שוחה ושותה ממנו ה"ז נמדד עם המקוה היה עבה עד שאין הפרה שוחה ושותה אינו נמדד עמו:
10 When a mikveh contains 40 se'ah of water and mud, one may immerse in both the mud and the water. In which mud may one immerse? In soft mud over which water collects. If the water was on one side and the soft mud on the other side, one may immerse in the water, but not in the mud.ימקוה שיש בו מ' סאה מים וטיט מטבילין בטיט ובמים כאי זה טיט מטבילין בטיט הרך שהמים צפין על גביו היו המים מצד אחד והטיט הרך מצד אחר מטבילין במים ולא בטיט:
11 Any substance that was created from the water, e.g., red worms, is acceptable for immersion. One may immerse in the eye of a giant fish.יאכל שתחילת ברייתו מן המים כגון יבחושין אדומין מטבילין בו ומטבילין בעינו של דג:
12 When a mikveh contains exactly 40 se'ah of water and two people descended and immersed, one after the other, the first is pure and the second remains impure. The rationale is that some of water contained in the original 40 se'ah was removed. This stringency applies even in the feet of the first person were still in the water when the second immerses.
If one immersed a thick sponge or the like in such a mikveh and lifted it up, as long as part of the sponge is touching the water, one who immerses afterwards is pure. The rationale is that all of the water is considered as intermingled.
When one immerses a bed or the like, even though he pushed its legs into the thick mud on the bottom of the mikveh until the water covers it from above, it is pure. The rationale is that it does not become sunk in the water until it becomes immersed in the water first.
When one immerses a large pot in a mikveh with a limited amount of water, it is impure, as it was beforehand, because the water will splash out of the mikveh. Thus the mikveh will be less than 40 se'ah. What should he do? He should lower it via its opening, turn it over in the mikveh, immerse it, and lift it up by its base, so that the water inside will not become "drawn," and return to the mikveh and disqualify it.
יבמקוה שיש בו מ' סאה מכוונות וירדו שנים וטבלו זה אחר זה אף ע"פ שרגליו של ראשון נוגעות במים הראשון טהור והשני בטומאתו שהרי חסרו המים ממ' סאה הטביל בו תחילה סגוס עבה וכיוצא בו והגביהו אם היתה מקצת הסגוס נוגעת במים הרי הטובל באחרונה טהור שהרי המים כולן מעורבין הטביל בו את המטה וכיוצא בה אף על פי שדחק רגלי המטה בטיט עבה שבקרקע המקוה עד שצפו המים עליה למעלה הרי זו טהורה שהרי לא נטבעו בטיט עד שטבלו במים תחלה הטביל בו יורה גדולה הרי זו טמאה כשהיתה מפני שהמים ניתזין ויוצאין חוץ למקוה ונמצא חסר ממ' כיצד יעשה מורידה דרך פיה והופכה במקוה ומטבילה ומעלה אותה דרך שוליה כדי שלא יהיו המים שבתוכה שאובים ויחזרו למקוה ויפסלוהו:
13 When the water in a mikveh is dispersed, one may press even bundles of straw and bundles of reeds into the water from the sides until the water level will rise and one can descend and immerse within.יגמקוה שמימיו מרודדין כובש אפילו חבילי קש וחבילי קנים בתוך המים ומן הצדדין עד שיערמו המים למעלה ויורד וטובל לתוכן:

Mikvaot - Chapter 9

1 There are six categories of mikveot, one superior to another. The first is the water of pit, cisterns, storage trenches, storage caverns, and the like, where water is collected on the earth. Even though the water was "drawn" and even though there were less than 40 se'ah, since the water only contracts impurity through willful activity, as we explained, the prevailing assumption is that it is pure. It is fit to use such water to make dough from which challah must be separated or to wash one's hands, provided he washes his hands with a container, as we explained.אשש מעלות במקואות זו למעלה מזו הראשון מי גבאים ומי בורות שיחין ומערות וכיוצא בהן ממים המכונסין בקרקע אף ע"פ שהן שאובין ואף ע"פ שאין בהן מ' סאה הואיל ואינו מתטמא אלא לרצון כמו שביארנו הרי הן בחזקת טהורין וכשירין לעשות מהן עיסה הטבולה לחלה וליטול מהן לידים והוא שיטול מהן בכלי כמו שביארנו:
2 On a superior level is rainwater that has not ceased flowing, i.e., the rain is still descending and the mountains are still gushing with water and that water flows down and collects on the ground. It is not "drawn;" however, there are not 40 se'ah. Such water is acceptable for terumah, for the washing of hands, and for the immersion of water that became impure.
If the rains ceased descending, but the water was still flowing from the mountains, such water is still considered in this category. If water is no longer flowing from mountains and they are not gushing, it is considered as water collected in a pit.
בלמעלה מהן מי תמצית שלא פסקו אלא עדיין הגשמים יורדין וההרים בוצצין והן נמשכין ונקוין ואינן שאובין אבל אין בהן מ' סאה הרי הן כשרין לתרומה וליטול מהן לידים ומטביל בהן את המים שנטמאו פסקו הגשמים ולא פסקו ההרים מלהזחיל עדיין הן מי תמצית פסקו ההרים ואינן בוצצין הרי אלו כמי גבאין:
3 When one digs at the side of the sea, a river, or a swamp, and water from these bodies flows into the pit that was dug, the water is considered like water that has not ceased flowing.גהחופר בצד הים ובצד הנהר ובמקום הבצין הרי הן כמי תמצית שלא פסקו:
4 When one digs at the side of a spring, as long as the water emerges because of the spring, even though at times, its flow is interrupted, but then it flows again, it is considered as a spring. If it ceased flowing entirely, it is considered as water collected in a pit.דהחופר בצד המעיין כל זמן שהיו באין מחמת המעיין אף על פי שפוסקין וחוזרין ומושכין הרי הן כמי מעיין פסקו מלהיות מושכין הרי הן כמי גבאין:
5 On a superior level is a mikveh that contains 40 se'ah of water that was not drawn. Every person can immerse in such a mikveh to regain purity except a male zav. All impure keilim and hands that must be immersed to touch sacrificial foods are immersed in such a mikveh, as we explained.הלמעלה מהן מקוה שיש בו מ' סאה מים שאינם שאובין שבו טובל כל אדם טמא חוץ מן הזב הזכר ובו מטבילין את כל הכלים הטמאים ואת הידים שמטביליו לקדש כמו שביארנו:
6 On a superior level is a natural spring whose water is minimal and drawn water was added to it. The laws governing it resemble those governing a mikveh in that it does not impart purity through immersion in the water that flows from it, only in water that is collected and stationary in a reservoir. And they resemble those governing a natural spring in that even the smallest amount of its water imparts purity. For there is no minimum measure required for the water of a natural spring. Even the slightest amount can impart purity.ולמעלה מזה המעיין שמימיו מועטין והרבו עליו מים שאובין שוה למקוה שאין מטהרין במים הנמשכין ממנו אלא במים הנקוין ועומדין באשבורן ושוה למעיין שהוא מטהר בכל שהוא שהמעיין אין למימיו שיעור אפילו כל שהן מטהרין:
7 On a superior level is a natural spring in which drawn water was not mixed, but its water was spoiled; it was bitter or salty. It imparts purity when its water is flowing, i.e., the water emerges and streams forth from the spring.זלמעלה מזה המעיין שלא נתערב בו מים שאובין אבל מימיו מוכים כגון שהיו מימיו מרים או מלוחים שהרי הוא מטהר בזוחלים והן המים הנגררים ונמשכין מן המעיין:
8 On a superior level is a natural spring whose water is "living water." In such springs alone may male zavim immerse and from them alone water may be taken for the purification of a person afflicted with tzara'at and for the sanctification of the water used for the ashes of the red heifer.
What are the differences between the laws governing a natural spring and a mikveh? A mikveh does not impart purity unless it contains 40 se'ah of water, while even the smallest amount of water from a natural spring imparts purity. And the water of a mikveh imparts purity only if it is collected in a reservoir. Any water flowing out from it does not impart purity. The water of a natural spring, by contrast, imparts purity when flowing. Also, immersion in a mikveh is not effective for zavim, while a zav may immerse in a natural spring of "living water."
חלמעלה מזה המעיין שמימיו מים חיים שבהן בלבד טובלים בו הזבים הזכרים ולוקחין מהן לטהרת המצורע ולקדש מי חטאת מה בין מעיין למקוה המקוה אינו מטהר אלא במ' סאה והמעיין מטהר בכל שהוא המקוה אינו מטהר אלא באשבורן והמים הנזחלים ממנו אינן מטהרין והמעיין מטהר בזוחלים המקוה לא תעלה בו טבילה לזבים והמעיין אם היו מימיו מים חיים הזב טובל בהן:
9 When the waters of a spring flow outward and into a receptacle in a stone and afterwards emerge from the receptacle and flow further, all of the water in the receptacle and all that flowed out of it is unacceptable for immersion. If some of the water from the spring - even the slightest amount - was flowing over the edge of the receptacle, the water outside the receptacle is acceptable for immersion. The rationale is that a natural spring purifies water as long as it shares even the slightest amount of contact with it.
When water from a natural spring was flowing into a pool that was filled with water and collects there, that pool is considered as a mikveh. If the water flows outside the pool, that water is not acceptable for the purification of zavim and those afflicted with tzara'at or for the sanctification of the water for the ashes of the red heifer until one is certain that all of the collected water that was originally in the pool has flowed out.
טמעיין שמימיו יוצאין ונמשכין לתוך השוקת ואחר כך יוצאין מן השוקת ונזחלין הרי כל המים שבשוקת ושחוץ לו פסולין היו מקצתן נמשכין על שפת השוקת אפילו כל שהוא הרי המים שחוץ לשוקת כשרים שהמעיין מטהר בכל שהוא היו מימיו נמשכין לתוך בריכה שהיא מים ונקוין שם הרי אותה הבריכה כמקוה היה יוצא חוץ לבריכה ה"ז פסול לזבים ולמצורעים ולקדש מי חטאת עד שידע שיצאו כל מי המקוה שהיו בתוך הבריכה:
10 When the waters of a spring flow over articles that do not have a receptacle, e.g., a table, a bench, or the like, the water is considered as a mikveh, provided one does not immerse above the articles themselves.ימעיין שמימיו נמשכין ע"ג כלים שאין להן בית קיבול כגון שלחן וספסל וכיוצא בהן ה"ז כמקוה ובלבד שלא יטביל על גבי הכלים:
11 When there was a natural spring with small irrigation ditches flowing out from it and one poured water into the spring so that the water in the ditches would increase and flow powerfully, the water is considered as a spring in all regards.
If the water of the spring was stationary and not flowing and one added water until it flowed into the irrigation ditches, the water that flows into those ditches is comparable to a mikveh in that it imparts purity only when collected in a reservoir and it is comparable to a spring in that even the slightest amount imparts purity.
יאמעיין שהיו אמות קטנות נמשכות ממנו ורבה עליו מים שאובין לתוך המעיין עד שגברו המים שבאמות ושטפו הרי הן כמעיין לכל דבר היו מימי המעיין עומדים ואינן נמשכין ורבה עליו מים עד שמשכו ממנו אמות המים הרי המים שמשוכין שוין למקוה לטהר באשבורן בלבד ושוין למעיין לטהר בכל שהוא:
12 All of the seas impart purity despite the fact that their water is flowing, but they are invalid for the purification of zavim and persons afflicted with tzara'at and for the sanctification of the water used for the ashes of the red heifer.יבכל הימים מטהרין בזוחלין ופסולין לזבים ולמצורעים ולקדש בהן מי חטאת:
13 Water that flows from a natural spring is considered as an extension of the spring in all contexts. Water that drips from a spring, even though the dripping is continuous, is considered only as a mikveh and does not impart purity unless there are 40 se'ah standing in one place. Such water is not acceptable for the purification of zavim and those afflicted with tzara'at or for the sanctification of the water for the ashes of the red heifer.
If the water flowing from the spring becomes mixed with water dripping from it, it is considered like a stream in all respects. If, however, the amount of the water of the stream that was dripping was greater than that which was flowing, or if an amount of rainwater greater than the water in a river flowed into it, the water does not impart purity when flowing, only when in a reservoir. Therefore one must use a mat or the like to surround the portion of the river where the water is mixed until the water will be gathered in a single place so that one can immerse in it.
יגהמים הזוחלין מן המעיין הרי הם כמעיין לכל דבר והמנטפין מן המעיין אע"פ שהן טורדין הרי הם כמקוה ואין מטהרין אלא בארבעים סאה עומדין ופסולין לזבים ולמצורעים ולקדש בהן מי חטאת היו הזוחלין מן המעיין מתערבין עם הנוטפין [ממנו אם רבו הזוחלין על הנוטפין] הרי הכל כמעיין לכל דבר ואם רבו הנוטפים על הזוחלין וכן אם רבו מי גשמים על מי הנהר אינן מטהרין בזוחלין אלא באשבורן לפיכך צריך להקיף מפץ וכיוצא בו באותו הנהר המעורב עד שיקוו המים ויטבול בהן:
14 When one caused water that was dripping to flow, e.g., one placed a smooth earthenware tablet next to a mikveh whose water was dripping and thus the water was flowing as it descended down the tablet, it is acceptable. Any article that is susceptible to impurity, even by Rabbinic decree, should not be used as a conduit for water.ידנוטפין שעשאן זוחלין כגון שסמך למקוה המנטף טבלא של חרס חלקה והרי המים נזחלין ויורדין עליה הרי הן כשרין וכל דבר שמקבל טומאה ואפילו מד"ס אין מזחילין בו:
15 When one uses the external green shell of a nut to change the direction of the flow of water the water is acceptable as water from a spring, as it was before. It is not disqualified, because a fresh nut shell which imparts color is not considered as a container.טוזוחלין שקלחן בעלי אגוז כשרים כשהיו שאין עלי האגוז הלח שהוא צובע חשוב ככלים:
16 When rainwater is cascading down a hill, flowing as it descends, even though there are more than 40 se'ah of water from the beginning of the torrent to its end, it is not acceptable for immersion while it is flowing. It must be collected in a reservoir containing 40 se'ah. If one surrounded the water with containers, having them serve as partitions, i.e., walls for a body of water to collect, and 40 se'ah of rainwater flowed into it and collected there, it is acceptable for immersion. The containers with which one surrounded the water are not considered to have been immersed.טזמי גשמים הבאין מן המדרון והנם נזחלין ויורדין אף על פי שהיו מתחילתן ועד סופן מ' סאה אין מטבילין בהן כשהן נזחלין עד שיקוו וינוחו באשבורן מ' סאה הרי שהקיף כלים ועשה מהן מחיצות עד שנתקבץ ביניהן מ' סאה ממים הנזחלין מן הגשמים ה"ז טובל בהן וכלים שעשה מהן הגדר לא עלתה להן טבילה:
17 When a wave becomes separated from the sea and falls on a person or on keilim, they are pure for ordinary purposes, provided the wave contains 40 se'ah, for a person who immerses does not have to have a specific intent, as we explained in Hilchot Sha'ar Avot HaTum'ah. If the person focused his intent on purifying himself for a specific level of purity, and was waiting in anticipation of the wave falling upon him, he is considered to have purified himself for the activity for which he desired to purify himself.יזגל שנתלש מן הים ונפל על האדם או על הכלים אם יש בו מ' סאה הרי אלו טהורין לחולין שאין הטובל לחולין צריך כוונה כמו שביארנו בהלכות שאר אבות הטומאות ואם נתכוון והיה יושב ומצפה עד שיפול עליו הגל עלתה לו טבילה לדבר שנתכוון לו:
18 One may not immerse in a wave when it is in the air before it falls on the earth even if it contains 40 se'ah of water. The rationale is that just as we do not immerse in water that is flowing, how much more so do we not immerse in water that is in the air. When the two ends of a wave are touching the earth, we can immerse in it. We do not, however, immerse in its crest, because that water is in the air.יחאין מטבילין בגל כשהוא באויר קודם שיפול על הארץ ואע"פ שיש בו ארבעים סאה לפי שאין מטבילין בזוחלים קל וחומר באויר היו שני ראשי הגל נוגעין בארץ מטבילין בו ואין מטבילין בכיפה שלו מפני שהוא אויר:

Mikvaot - Chapter 10

1 What is meant by an unresolved doubt regarding drawn water that our Sages ruled as pure? A mikveh about which one was unsure whether drawn water fell into it. Or even if one was certain that drawn water fell into it, but was in doubt whether there were three lugim or not. Or even when one was certain that there were three lugim of drawn water, but there was a doubt whether the mikveh into which the water fell contained 40 se'ah or not. In all instances, the mikveh is acceptable.אספק מים שאובין שטהרו חכמים כיצד מקוה שנסתפק לו אם נפלו לתוכו מים שאובים או לא ואפילו ידע בודאי שנפלו ספק יש בהן שלשת לוגין ספק אין בהן ואפילו ידע בודאי שיש בהן שלשת לוגין ספק שהיה במקוה שנפלו בו ארבעים סאה ספק לא היה הרי זה כשר:
2 The following law applies when there are two mikveot, one containing 40 se'ah and one containing a lesser amount. Three lugim of drawn water fell into one of them, but it is not known into which they fell. Because of the doubt, we rule that the acceptable mikveh is pure, because there is a factor on which one can rely.
If they both contained less than 40 se'ah and three lugim fell into one of them, they are both disqualified, because there is no factor on which one can rely. If the drawn water fell into one, it would be disqualified and if it fell into the other, it would be disqualified.
בשני מקואות אחד יש בו ארבעים סאה ואחד אין בו נפלו שלשת לוגין מים שאובין לאחד מהן ואין ידוע לאיזה מהן נפלו ספיקו טהור מפני שיש לו במה יתלה היו שניהן פחותין מארבעים סאה ונפלו לאחד מהן ואין ידוע לאיזה מהן כל אחד משניהן פסול שאין לו במה יתלה אם לזה נפלו נפסל ואם לזה נפלו נפסל:
3 When one left a mikveh empty, and returned and found it full, it is acceptable, for there is an unresolved doubt whether the water for this mikveh was drawn.גמקוה שהניחו ריקן ובא ומצאו מלא כשר מפני שזה ספק מים שאובין למקוה זה:
4 When a pipe carried water into a mikveh, but there is a mill next to it, if there is a doubt whether water flowed into the mikveh from the pipe or from the mill, it is unacceptable, because the disqualifying factor is evident. If, however, the mikveh contains a majority of acceptable water, it is acceptable because the doubt involves drawn water and there is an acceptable mikveh whose presence had been established.דצינור שמקלח למקוה והמכתשת נתונה בצדו ספק מן הצינור למקוה ספק מן המכתשת למקוה הרי זה פסול מפני שהפסול מוכח ואם יש במקוה רובו מים כשרים הרי זה כשר שזה ספק מים שאובים הוא שהרי יש שם מקוה כשר קבוע:
5 All of the mikveot found in the lands of the nations are invalid for immersion, for we operate under the presumption that the water is drawn. All of the mikveot found in Eretz Yisrael, in the cities, within the gates are assumed to be invalid, because the inhabitants of the cities wash their garments in them and pour drawn water into them at all times. All of the mikveot found in Eretz Yisrael outside the gates of a city are presumed to be pure. For it is assumed that they came from rainwater.הכל המקואות הנמצאים בארץ העמים פסולין שחזקתן שאובין וכל המקואות הנמצאים בארץ ישראל במדינות לפנים מן המפתח בחזקת פסולין שאנשי המדינה מכבסים בהן ומטילין לתוכן מים שאובים תמיד וכל המקואות הנמצאים בארץ ישראל חוץ למפתח בחזקת טהרה שחזקתן מן הגשמים:
6 In all the following situations, when an impure person descends to purify himself and:
a) there is a doubt whether he immersed or did not immerse,
b) even if it was known that he immersed, but there is a doubt whether the mikveh contained 40 se'ah or not, or
c) there were two mikveot, one containing 40 se'ah and one that did not contain 40 se'ah, he immersed in one of them and did not know in which one he immersed, he is impure because of the doubt. The rationale is that we presume that the impure person is impure until it is certain that he immersed in the proper manner.
Similarly, if a mikveh was measured and it was discovered that it did not contain the required amount of water, whether the mikveh was located in the public domain or a private domain, all of the pure articles that were immersed in it are considered as impure retroactively until a time when it was measured and it was complete.
When does the above apply? When the immersion was intended to purify the person or the article from severe impurity. When, however, the immersion was because of a light impurity, e.g., one ate impure foods or drank impure beverages, his head and the majority of his body entered drawn water, or three lugim of drawn water fell on his head and on the majority of his body, since the primary aspect of these types of impurity are Rabbinical in origin, he is pure despite the doubt, as we explained. Even though the person is in doubt whether he immersed or not, the mikveh in which he immersed was discovered to be lacking afterwards, or other doubts of this nature arise, he is pure.
והטמא שירד לטבול ספק טבל ספק לא טבל ואפילו טבל ספק יש בו ארבעים סאה ספק אין בו שני מקואות אחד יש בו ארבעים סאה ואחד אין בו וטבל באחד מהן ואין ידוע באיזה מהן טבל ספיקו טמא לפי שהטמא בחזקתו עד שיוודע שטבל כראוי וכן מקוה שנמדד ונמצא חסר בין שהיה המקוה ברה"ר בין שהיה ברה"י כל הטהרות שנעשו על גביו למפרע טמאות עד שיודע זמן שנמדד בו והיה שלם במה דברים אמורים כשהיתה הטבילה מטומאה חמורה אבל אם טבל מטומאה קלה כגון שאכל אוכלין טמאין או שתה משקין טמאין או בא ראשו ורובו במים שאובין או שנפלו על ראשו ועל רובו שלשת לוגין מים שאובין הואיל ועיקר דברים אלו מדבריהן הרי ספיקו טהור כמו שביארנו ואף על פי שנסתפק לו אם טבל או לא טבל או שנמצא המקוה חסר לאחר זמן וכיוצא בספיקות אלו ה"ז טהור:
7 When there were two mikveot, one kosher and one unacceptable, a person immersed in one to purify himself from a severe type of impurity, and touched pure foods, their status is questionable. If he immersed in the second mikveh as well and touched pure foods, the status of the first remains questionable as before and the second ones are pure. If these two batches of foods touch each other, the status of the first remain questionable and the second should be consigned to fire. This ruling also applies if in the interim he contracted impurity from a light source of impurity, as we explained, immersed in the second mikveh and touched pure foods.
If, however, he immersed in one of the mikveot because of a light impurity and then touched pure foods and then contracted a severe type of impurity, immersed in the second, and then touched pure foods, the first batch are pure and the status of the second is questionable. If these two batches of foods touch each other, the first should be consigned to fire and the status of the second remains the same as before.
The following rules apply if one of two mikveot contained 40 se'ah of acceptable water and the other was filled entirely with drawn water and two people immersed in them without knowing which one immersed in the acceptable mikveh and which immersed in the unacceptable one. One of the two had contracted a severe type of impurity and one had contracted a light type of impurity. They both touched pure foods. The status of the foods touched by the one who immersed because of a severe type of impurity is questionable, but those touched by the one who immersed because of the light type of impurity are pure.
In the situation described in the above clause, if one person was impure and descended to immerse and the other was pure and descended merely to cool off, pure foods touched by the one who descended to immerse in one of them are of questionable status, as we explained. And the one who descended to cool off is pure as he was previously. The rationale is that this is a doubt concerning drawn water, for the question is: perhaps he immersed in the pool of drawn water when he cooled off and thus contracted impurity.
זשני מקואות אחד כשר ואחד פסול וטבל באחד מהן מטומאה חמורה ועשה טהרות הרי אלו תלויות טבל בשני ועשה טהרות הראשונות תלויות כשהיו והשניות טהורות ואם נגעו אלו באלו ראשונות תלויות ושניות ישרפו וכן אם נטמא באמצע טומאה קלה שביארנו וטבל בשני ועשה טהרות אבל אם טבל באחד מהן מטומאה קלה ועשה טהרות ונטמא טומאה חמורה וטבל בשני ועשה טהרות הראשונות טהורות והשניות תלויות ואם נגעו אלו באלו ראשונות ישרפו והשניות תלויות כשהיו היה באחד מהן ארבעים סאה ואחד כולו שאוב וטבלו בהן שנים אחד מטומאה חמורה ואחד מטומאה קלה ועשו טהרות הטובל מטומאה חמורה טהרותיו תלויות והטובל מטומאה קלה טהרותיו טהורות היה אחד טמא וירד לטבול והשני ירד להקר זה שירד לטבול באחד מהן טהרותיו תלויות כמו שביארנו וזה שירד להקר טהור כשהיה שזה ספק מים שאובין הוא שמא בשאוב טבל כשהקר ונטמא:
8 The following rules apply when there are two mikveot, each containing 20 se'ah, one of drawn water and one of acceptable water. If a person cooled off in one of them and then touched pure foods, they are considered pure. If afterwards, he cooled off in the second and touched pure foods, they should be consigned to fire. For his head and the larger greater of his body certainly entered drawn water, as we explained.חשני מקואות של עשרים עשרים סאה אחד שאוב ואחד כשר הקר באחד מהן ועשה טהרות הרי אלו טהורות הקר בשני ועשה טהרות הרי אלו ישרפו שהרי ודאי בא ראשו ורובו במים שאובין כמו שביארנו:
Hayom Yom
Today's Hayom Yom

English Text | Video Class
Tuesday, 26 Sivan 5777 - June 20, 2017

Tuesday, Sivan 265703
Torah lessons:Chumash: Korach, Shlishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 119, 97 to end.
Tanya: And this is also (p. 315)...in actual reality. (p. 317).
"They went down to the pit alive"1 - even in the grave they think they are alive.
There is a blessing contained in "They went down to the pit alive," as with "the sons of Korach did not die,"2 - "a place was established for them3 and they repented." For teshuva, repentance, is effective only while one is still alive. This, then, is the blessing - that even in the pit they will live, and they will be able to effect teshuva.
Compiled and arranged by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory, in 5703 (1943) from the talks and letters of the sixth Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, of righteous memory.

Footnotes
2.Ibid. 26:11.
3.In Gehinom ("the pit," Purgatory for the soul); Megilla 14a. See Supplementary Footnotes.
Daily Thought:Joseph “There came a day, and Joseph went to do his work . . .” [Genesis 39:11]
Joseph went to review his accounting books.[Targum Onkelos]
Joseph was a soul from the World of Atzilut—a divine world of pure light entirely beyond any physical or spiritual reality. A world one with its Emanator.
For Joseph, even as he lived within a body within this world, there was no world, because the light of his soul shone so brightly, nothing of this world could exist.
And yet, here Joseph is going to do his work, to review his accounting books.
It is one thing to be beyond the world. But to be so far beyond and yet occupied with it, both at once—that is something absolutely wondrous!
[Maamar V’Niglah K’vod Havayah 5715.]

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