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- ב"ה - Today in Judaism - Today is Sunday, 4 Tishrei, 5778 · September 24, 2017 - Fast of Gedaliah (postponed)
Torah Reading:
Fast: Exodus 32:11-14; Exodus 34:1-10
Fast Day - Minchah: Isaiah 55:6 - 56:8
Fast: Exodus 32:11 Moshe pleaded with Adonai his God. He said, “Adonai, why must your anger blaze against your own people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a strong hand? 12 Why let the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intentions that he led them out, to slaughter them in the hills and wipe them off the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce anger! Relent! Don’t bring such disaster on your people! 13 Remember Avraham, Yitz’chak and Isra’el, your servants, to whom you swore by your very self. You promised them, ‘I will make your descendants as many as the stars in the sky; and I will give all this land I have spoken about to your descendants; and they will possess it forever.’” 14 Adonai then changed his mind about the disaster he had planned for his people.; Exodus 34:1 (v) Adonai said to Moshe, “Cut yourself two tablets of stone like the first ones; and I will inscribe on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. 2 Be ready by morning; in the morning you are to ascend Mount Sinai and present yourself to me on the top of the mountain. 3 No one is to come up with you, and no one is to be seen anywhere on the mountain; don’t even let the flocks or herds feed in front of this mountain.” 4 Moshe cut two stone tablets like the first. Then he got up early in the morning and, with the two stone tablets in his hands, ascended Mount Sinai, as Adonai had ordered him to do.
5 Adonai descended in the cloud, stood with him there and pronounced the name of Adonai. 6 Adonai passed before him and proclaimed: “YUD-HEH-VAV-HEH!!! Yud-Heh-Vav-Heh [Adonai] is God, merciful and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in grace and truth; 7 showing grace to the thousandth generation, forgiving offenses, crimes and sins; yet not exonerating the guilty, but causing the negative effects of the parents’ offenses to be experienced by their children and grandchildren, and even by the third and fourth generations.” 8 At once Moshe bowed his head to the ground, prostrated himself 9 and said, “If I have now found favor in your view, Adonai, then please let Adonai go with us, even though they are a stiffnecked people; and pardon our offenses and our sin; and take us as your possession.”
(vi) 10 He said, “Here, I am making a covenant; in front of all your people I will do wonders such as have not been created anywhere on earth or in any nation. All the people around you will see the work of Adonai. What I am going to do through you will be awesome!
Fast Day - Minchah: Isaiah 55:6 Seek Adonai while he is available,
call on him while he is still nearby.
7 Let the wicked person abandon his way
and the evil person his thoughts;
let him return to Adonai,
and he will have mercy on him;
let him return to our God,
for he will freely forgive.
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
and your ways are not my ways,” says Adonai.
9 “As high as the sky is above the earth
are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 For just as rain and snow fall from the sky
and do not return there, but water the earth,
causing it to bud and produce,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth —
it will not return to me unfulfilled;
but it will accomplish what I intend,
and cause to succeed what I sent it to do.”
12 Yes, you will go out with joy,
you will be led forth in peace.
As you come, the mountains and hills
will burst out into song,
and all the trees in the countryside
will clap their hands.
13 Cypresses will grow in place of thorns,
myrtles will grow instead of briars.
This will bring fame to Adonai
as an eternal, imperishable sign.
56:1 Here is what Adonai says:
“Observe justice, do what is right,
for my salvation is close to coming,
my righteousness to being revealed.”
2 Happy is the person who does this,
anyone who grasps it firmly,
who keeps Shabbat and does not profane it,
and keeps himself from doing any evil.
3 A foreigner joining Adonai should not say,
“Adonai will separate me from his people”;
likewise the eunuch should not say,
“I am only a dried-up tree.”
4 For here is what Adonai says:
“As for the eunuchs who keep my Shabbats,
who choose what pleases me
and hold fast to my covenant:
5 in my house, within my walls,
I will give them power and a name
greater than sons and daughters;
I will give him an everlasting name
that will not be cut off.
6 “And the foreigners who join themselves to Adonai
to serve him, to love the name of Adonai,
and to be his workers,
all who keep Shabbat and do not profane it,
and hold fast to my covenant,
7 I will bring them to my holy mountain
and make them joyful in my house of prayer;
their burnt offerings and sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar;
for my house will be called
a house of prayer for all peoples.”
8 Adonai Elohim says,
he who gathers Isra’el’s exiles:
“There are yet others I will gather,
besides those gathered already.”
Today's Laws & Customs:
• Fast Day
Mourning the killing of Gedaliah (see "Today in Jewish History"), we abstain from food and drink from dawn to nightfall; selichot prayers are included in the morning prayer.
• Ten Days of RepentanceThe 10-day period beginning on Rosh Hashanah and ending on Yom Kippur is known as the "Ten Days of Repentance"; this is the period, say the sages, of which the prophet speaks when he proclaims (Isaiah 55:6) "Seek G-d when He is to be found; call on Him when He is near." Psalm 130, Avinu Malkeinu and other special inserts and additions are included in our daily prayers during these days.
The Baal Shem Tov instituted the custom of reciting three additional chapters ofPsalms each day, from the 1st of Elul until Yom Kippur (on Yom Kippur the remaining 36 chapters are recited, thereby completing the entire book of Psalms). Click below for today's three Psalms.
Chapter 97 Chapter 98 Chapter 99
Psalms Chapter 97:1. When the Lord will reveal His kingship, the earth will exult; the multitudes of islands will rejoice.
2. Clouds and dense darkness will surround Him; justice and mercy will be the foundation of His throne.
3. Fire will go before Him and consume His foes all around.
4. His lightnings will illuminate the world; the earth will see and tremble.
5. The mountains will melt like wax before the Lord, before the Master of all the earth.
6. The heavens will declare His justice, and all the nations will behold His glory.
7. All who worship graven images, who take pride in idols, will be ashamed; all idol worshippers will prostrate themselves before Him.
8. Zion will hear and rejoice, the towns of Judah will exult, because of Your judgments, O Lord.
9. For You, Lord, transcend all the earth; You are exceedingly exalted above all the supernal beings.
10. You who love the Lord, hate evil; He watches over the souls of His pious ones, He saves them from the hand of the wicked.
11. Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
12. Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and extol His holy Name. Chapter 98:1. A psalm. Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has performed wonders; His right hand and holy arm have wrought deliverance for Him.
2. The Lord has made known His salvation; He has revealed His justice before the eyes of the nations.
3. He has remembered His kindness and faithfulness to the House of Israel; all, from the farthest corners of the earth, witnessed the deliverance by our God.
4. Raise your voices in jubilation to the Lord, all the earth; burst into joyous song and chanting.
5. Sing to the Lord with a harp, with a harp and the sound of song.
6. With trumpets and the sound of the shofar, jubilate before the King, the Lord.
7. The sea and its fullness will roar in joy, the earth and its inhabitants.
8. The rivers will clap their hands, the mountains will sing together.
9. [They will rejoice] before the Lord, for He has come to judge the earth; He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with righteousness. Chapter 99:1. When the Lord will reveal His kingship, the nations will tremble; the earth will quake before Him Who is enthroned upon the cherubim,
2. [before] the Lord Who is in Zion, Who is great and exalted above all the peoples.
3. They will extol Your Name which is great, awesome and holy.
4. And [they will praise] the might of the King Who loves justice. You have established uprightness; You have made [the laws of] justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5. Exalt the Lord our God, and bow down at His footstool; He is holy.
6. Moses and Aaron among His priests, and Samuel among those who invoke His Name, would call upon the Lord and He would answer them.
7. He would speak to them from a pillar of cloud; they observed His testimonies and the decrees which He gave them.
8. Lord our God, You have answered them; You were a forgiving God for their sake, yet bringing retribution for their own misdeeds.
9. Exalt the Lord our God, and bow down at His holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy.
Links: About the Ten Days of teshuvah; Voicemail; more on teshuvah
Today in Jewish History:
• Assassination of Gedaliah (423 BCE)Today is a fast day mourning the assassination of the Jewish royal Gedaliah ben Achikam, governor of the Land of Israel for a short period following the destruction of the First Temple. Gedaliah's killing spelled the end of the small remnant of a Jewish community that remained in the Holy Land after the destruction, which fled to Egypt. (According to many opinions, the assassination of Gedaliah actually occurred on Rosh Hashanah, but the commemoration of the event is postponed to the day after the festival; when the day after Rosh Hashanah is a Shabbat -- as it is this year -- the fast is postponed to Tishrei 4.)
Link: About Gedaliah
Daily Quote:
Contemplate three things, and you will not come to the hands of transgression: Know what is above from you: a seeing eye, a listening ear, and all your deeds being inscribed in a book (Ethics of the Fathers 2:1)
Daily Torah Study:
Chumash: Vezot Hab'rachah, 1st Portion Deuteronomy 33:1-33:7 with Rashi
• English / Hebrew Linear Translation
• Video Class
• Daily Wisdom (short insight)
Deuteronomy Chapter 33
1And this is the blessing with which Moses, the man of God, blessed the children of Israel [just] before his death. אוְזֹ֣את הַבְּרָכָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר בֵּרַ֥ךְ משֶׁ֛ה אִ֥ישׁ הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל לִפְנֵ֖י מוֹתֽוֹ:
And this is the blessing… [just] before his death: Very close to the time of his death. — [see Sifrei 33: 1] “For, if not now, when?”
וזאת הברכה, לפני מותו: סמוך למיתתו שאם לא עכשיו אימתי:
2He said: "The Lord came from Sinai and shone forth from Seir to them; He appeared from Mount Paran and came with some of the holy myriads; from His right hand was a fiery Law for them. בוַיֹּאמַ֗ר יְהֹוָ֞ה מִסִּינַ֥י בָּא֙ וְזָרַ֤ח מִשֵּׂעִיר֙ לָ֔מוֹ הוֹפִ֨יעַ֙ מֵהַ֣ר פָּארָ֔ן וְאָתָ֖ה מֵרִֽבְבֹ֣ת קֹ֑דֶשׁ מִֽימִינ֕וֹ אֵ֥שׁ דָּ֖ת לָֽמוֹ:
He said: The Lord came from Sinai: Moses initiated his blessing by praising the Omnipresent, and then he addressed the needs of Israel. — [Sifrei 33:2] The praise with which Moses commenced, mentions the merit of Israel. All this was a way of conciliation, as if to say, “These people are worthy that a blessing should rest upon them.”
ויאמר ה' מסיני בא: פתח תחלה בשבחו של מקום ואחר כך פתח בצרכיהם של ישראל. ובשבח שפתח בו יש בו הזכרת זכות לישראל וכל זה דרך ריצוי הוא, כלומר כדאי הם אלו שתחול עליהם ברכה:
came from Sinai: He came out toward them when they came to stand at the foot of the mountain, as a bridegroom goes forth to greet his bride, as it is said, “[And Moses brought the people forth] toward God” (Exod. 19:17). We learn from this, that God came out toward them (Mechilta 19:17).
מסיני בא: יצא לקראתם כשבאו להתיצב בתחתית ההר כחתן היוצא להקביל פני כלה, שנאמר (שמות יט, יז) לקראת האלהים, למדנו שיצא כנגדם:
and shone forth from Seir to them: [Why did He come from Seir?] Because God first offered the children of Esau [who dwelled in Seir] that they accept the Torah, but they did not want [to accept it].
וזרח משעיר למו: שפתח לבני עשו שיקבלו את התורה ולא רצו:
He appeared: to them [Israel]
הופיע: להם:
from Mount Paran: [Why did God then come from Paran?] Because He went there and offered the children of Ishmael [who dwelled in Paran] to accept the Torah, but they [also] did not want [to accept it]. — [A.Z. 2b]
מהר פארן: שהלך שם ופתח לבני ישמעאל שיקבלוה, ולא רצו:
and came: to Israel.
ואתה: לישראל
with some holy myriads: With God were only some of the myriads of His holy angels, but not all of them, nor [even] most of them. This is unlike the manner of a mortal, who displays all the splendor of his riches and his glory on his wedding day. — [Sifrei 33:2]
מרבבת קדש: ועמו מקצת רבבות מלאכי קדש, ולא כולם ולא רובם, ולא כדרך בשר ודם שמראה כל כבוד עשרו ותפארתו ביום חופתו:
a fiery law for them: It was originally written before God in [letters of] black fire upon [a background of] white fire. — [Tanchuma Bereishith 1] He gave it to them on tablets, inscribed, [as it were,] by His right hand [thus it is said here, “from His right hand”]. Another explanation of אֵשׁ דָּת : As the Targum renders it, that He gave it to them from amidst the fire.
אש דת: שהיתה כתובה מאז לפניו באש שחורה על גב אש לבנה, נתן להם בלוחות כתב יד ימינו. דבר אחר אש דת כתרגומו, שנתנה להם מתוך האש:
3Indeed, You showed love for peoples; all his holy ones are in Your hand, for they let themselves be centered at Your feet, bearing Your utterances. גאַ֚ף חֹבֵ֣ב עַמִּ֔ים כָּל־קְדשָׁ֖יו בְּיָדֶ֑ךָ וְהֵם֙ תֻּכּ֣וּ לְרַגְלֶ֔ךָ יִשָּׂ֖א מִדַּבְּרֹתֶֽיךָ:
Indeed, You showed love for peoples: [God] also displayed great affection to the tribes, each one of whom were known as a people, for only Benjamin was destined to be born when the Holy One, blessed is He, said to Jacob, “A nation and a multitude of nations shall come into existence from you” (Genesis 35:11). [Thus we see that Benjamin alone was called “a nation.” “A multitude of nations” refers to Ephraim and Manasseh. See Rashi on Gen. 35:11, 48:4.]- [Gen. Rabbah 82:4]
אף חבב עמים: גם חבה יתירה חבב את השבטים. כל אחד ואחד קרוי עם, שהרי בנימין לבדו היה עתיד להוולד כשאמר הקב"ה ליעקב (בראשית לה, יא) גוי וקהל גוים יהיה ממך:
all his holy ones are in Your hand: [This refers to] the souls of the righteous, which are hidden away with God, as it is said, “But my lord’s soul shall be bound up in the bundle of life, with the Lord, your God” (I Sam. 25:29). - [Sifrei 33:3]
כל קדשיו בידך: נפשות הצדיקים הגנוזות אתו, כענין שנאמר (שמואל א' כה, כט) והיתה נפש אדוני צרורה בצרור החיים את ה' אלהיך:
for they […] be centered at Your feet: And Israel is indeed worthy of this [privilege to have their souls hidden away with God], because they placed themselves right in the middle (תּוֹךְ) of the bottom of the mountain at Your feet [figuratively speaking] at Sinai. The word תֻּכּוּ is in the passive conjugation, which has the meaning: הִתְוַכּוּ, “They [allowed themselves] to be placed right in the middle (תּוֹךְ)” [of the underside of the mountain], between Your feet.
והם תכו לרגלך: והם ראוים לכך, שהרי תכו עצמן לתוך תחתית ההר לרגלך בסיני. תכו לשון פועלו, הותווכו לתוך מרגלותיך:
bearing Your utterances: They bore upon themselves the yoke of Your Torah. — [Sifrei 33:3]
ישא מדברתיך: נשאו עליהם עול תורתך:
Your Torah: Heb. מִדַּבְּרֹתֶיךָ. The mem in it [i.e., in this word] is somewhat of a root letter [rather than a prefix], as in “And he heard the voice speaking (מִדַּבֵּר) to him” (Num. 7:89); and “And I heard what was being spoken (מִדַּבֵּר) to me” (Ezek. 2:2). This form is similar to מִתְדַּבֵּר אֵלַי, [speaking to Himself for me to hear, see Rashi on Num. 7:89]. This too, namely, the word מִדַּבְּרֹתֶיךָ, means: “what You were speaking to let me know what to tell the children of Israel.” Tes porparledurs in Old French. Onkelos, however, renders [the phrase יִשָּׂא מִדַּבְּרֹתֶיךָ as: “they traveled (יִשָּׂא like יִסַּע) according to Your commands (דַּבְּרֹתֶיךָ).” Thus, the mem is a servile prefix, with the meaning of מִן, from. [Thus, according to Onkelos, the word מִדַּבְּרֹתֶיךָ literally means, from Your utterances.] Another explanation [of this verse is as follows]: Indeed, You showed love for peoples — even when You displayed Your affection towards the nations of the world, showing them a smiling [friendly] face, and You delivered Israel into their hands,
מדברתיך: המ"ם בו קרוב ליסוד, כמו (במדבר ז, פט) וישמע את הקול מדבר אליו, (יחזקאל ב, ב) ואשמע את קול מדבר אלי, כמו מתדבר אלי, אף זה מדברותיך מה שהיית מדבר להשמיעני לאמר להם. טיי"ש פורפרלידורי"ש בלע"ז [דיבורך]. ואונקלוס תרגם שהיו נוסעים על פי דבריך, והמ"ם בו שמוש משמשת לשון מן. דבר אחר אף חבב עמים אף בשעת חבתם של אומות העולם שהראית להם פנים שוחקות ומסרת את ישראל בידם:
all his holy ones are in Your hand: All Israel’s righteous and good people clung to You; they did not turn away from You, and You guarded them. — [B.B. 8a)]
כל קדשיו בידך: כל צדיקיהם וטוביהם דבקו בך ולא משו מאחריך ואתה שומרם:
for they let themselves be centered at your feet: And they placed themselves right in the middle of, and entered beneath Your [protective] shadow;
והם תכו לרגלך: והם מתמצעים ומתכנסים לתחת צלך:
bearing your utterances: And they gladly accepted Your decrees and Your laws. — [see Tanchuma 5] And these were their words:
ישא מדברתיך: מקבלים גזרותיך ודתותיך בשמחה. ואלה דבריהם:
4The Torah that Moses commanded us is a legacy for the congregation of Jacob. דתּוֹרָ֥ה צִוָּה־לָ֖נוּ משֶׁ֑ה מֽוֹרָשָׁ֖ה קְהִלַּ֥ת יַֽעֲקֹֽב:
The Torah that Moses commanded us is a legacy for the congregation of Jacob: We have taken hold of it, and we will not forsake it!
תורה: אשר צוה לנו משה מורשה היא לקהלת יעקב, אחזנוה ולא נעזבנה:
5And He was King in Jeshurun, whenever the sum total of the people were gathered, and the tribes of Israel were together, הוַיְהִ֥י בִֽישֻׁר֖וּן מֶ֑לֶךְ בְּהִתְאַסֵּף֙ רָ֣אשֵׁי עָ֔ם יַ֖חַד שִׁבְטֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל:
And He was: i.e., the Holy One, blessed is He,
ויהי: הקב"ה:
was King in Jeshurun: i.e., the yoke of God’s sovereignty was always upon them.
בישרון מלך: תמיד עול מלכותו עליהם:
whenever the sum total of the people were gathered: At every gathering of רָאשֵׁי - meaning, whenever their number is gathered. רָאשֵׁי as in the verse,“When you take the count (רֹאשׁ) of the children of Israel” (Exod. 30:12). These people are worthy that I should bless them. Another explanation: When Israel is gathered together in a unified group, and there is peace among them, God is their King-but not when there is strife among them. — [Sifrei 33:5]
בהתאסף: בכל התאסף ראשי חשבון אסיפתם. ראשי, כמו (שמות ל, יב) כי תשא את ראש, ראויין אלו שאברכם. דבר אחר, בהתאסף, בהתאספם יחד באגודה אחת ושלום ביניהם הוא מלכם, ולא כשיש מחלוקת ביניהם:
6May Reuben live and not die, and may his people be counted in the number. ויְחִ֥י רְאוּבֵ֖ן וְאַל־יָמֹ֑ת וִיהִ֥י מְתָ֖יו מִסְפָּֽר:
May Reuben live: in this world,
יחי ראובן: בעולם הזה:
and not die: in the world-to-come, that the incident involving Bilhah not be remembered against him. — [see Rashi Gen. 35:22; Sifrei 33:6]
ואל ימות: לעולם הבא, שלא יזכר לו מעשה בלהה:
and may his people be counted in the number: May Reuben be counted along with the enumeration of the rest of his brothers. This [matter, that the incident involving Bilhah should not exclude Reuben from being counted together with his brothers] is similar to what is said: “[And Reuben went] and lay with Bilhah… and Jacob’s sons were twelve” (Gen. 35:22), [indicating] that he was not excluded from the number [of Jacob’s sons, on account of this incident].
ויהי מתיו מספר: נמנין במנין שאר אחיו, דוגמא היא זו כענין שנאמר (בראשית לה, כב) וישכב את בלהה ויהיו בני יעקב שנים עשר, שלא יצא מן המנין:
7May this [also be] for Judah." And he [Moses] said, "O Lord, hearken to Judah's voice and bring him to his people; may his hands do battle for him, and may You be a help against his adversaries." זוְזֹ֣את לִֽיהוּדָה֘ וַיֹּאמַר֒ שְׁמַ֤ע יְהֹוָה֙ ק֣וֹל יְהוּדָ֔ה וְאֶל־עַמּ֖וֹ תְּבִיאֶ֑נּוּ יָדָיו֙ רָ֣ב ל֔וֹ וְעֵ֥זֶר מִצָּרָ֖יו תִּֽהְיֶֽה:
May this [also be] for Judah: He juxtaposed Judah to Reuben, because they both confessed to the wrong they had done, as it is said, “that wise men have told… to them alone… and no stranger passed between them” (Job 15:18-19). [This verse alludes to the confession of Reuben and Judah (“that wise men have told”), and how they were consequently blessed here together (“them alone”); although Levi was next in line chronologically to Reuben, nevertheless here, in the context of this blessing, Levi did not come between them (“no stranger came between them”), but rather, he was blessed immediately afterwards (verses 8-11).]- [see Rashi, Job 15:19] Our Rabbis further explained that during the entire forty years that Israel was in the desert, Judah’s bones were rolling in his coffin, because of the excommunication which he had accepted upon himself [when he took responsibility for Benjamin], as it is said, “If I will not bring him to you… then I have sinned against you all of the days” (Gen. 43:9). [So], Moses said, “Who caused Reuben to [publicly] confess his sin? It was Judah…” (see Sotah 7b) [and thus, by placing Judah together with Reuben, Moses alluded to this merit of Judah, and, in effect, “May the Lord listen to Judah’s voice,” is a prayer that Judah’s bones would finally come to rest].
וזאת ליהודה: סמך יהודה לראובן, מפני ששניהם הודו על קלקול שבידם, שנאמר (איוב טו, יח - יט) אשר חכמים יגידו וגו' להם לבדם וגו' ולא עבר זר בתוכם. ועוד פירשו רבותינו, שכל ארבעים שנה שהיו ישראל במדבר היו עצמות יהודה מתגלגלים בארון מפני נדוי שקבל עליו, שנאמר (בראשית מד, לב) וחטאתי לאבי כל הימים, אמר משה מי גרם לראובן שיודה יהודה וכו':
O Lord, hearken to Judah’s voice: [I.e., Also, hear the prayer of Judah’s descendants:] The prayer of David and Solomon, and the prayer of Asa because of the Ethiopians, and that of Jehoshaphat on account of the Ammonites, and that of Hezekiah because of Sennacherib. — [see Sifrei 33:7]
שמע ה' קול יהודה: תפלת דוד ושלמה ואסא מפני הכושים, ויהושפט מפני העמונים, וחזקיה מפני סנחריב:
and bring him to his people: in peace, from war.
ואל עמו תביאנו: לשלום מפני המלחמה:
his hands will do battle for him: May his hands fight his battle (רִיבוֹ), and may they exact his vengeance.
ידיו רב לו: יריבו ריבו וינקמו נקמתו:
and may You be a help against his adversaries: [Moses here] was praying for [Judah’s descendant] Jehoshaphat, concerning the battle of Ramoth Gilead, [as Scripture states,] “Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him (עֲזָרוֹ)” (II Chron. 18:31). Another explanation:
ועזר מצריו תהיה: על יהושפט התפלל על מלחמת רמות גלעד, (דה"ב יח, לא) ויזעק יהושפט וה' עזרו. דבר אחר ...
O Lord, hearken to Judah’s voice: Here, included within Judah’s blessing, Moses alluded to [and incorporated] a blessing for Simeon [the allusion being in the word שְׁמַע, the very root of שִׁמְעוֹן]. Also [in accordance with this incorporation of Simeon within Judah], when they divided Eretz Israel [among the tribes], Simeon received [his portion] out of the lot of Judah, as Scripture states, “Out of the lot of the children of Judah was the inheritance of the children of Simeon” (Josh. 19:9). - [Sifrei 33:7] Now why did Moses not devote a separate blessing for him? Because he held against him what he had done in Shittim [referring to the sin of Zimri the son of Salu, a leader of the tribe of Simeon (see Num. 25:1-14)]. So it is written in the Aggadah of Psalms. — [Shocher Tov 90]
שמע ה' קול יהודה: כאן רמז ברכה לשמעון מתוך ברכותיו של יהודה, ואף כשחלקו ארץ ישראל נטל שמעון מתוך גורלו של יהודה שנאמר (יהושע יט, ט) מחבל בני יהודה נחלת בני שמעון. ומפני מה לא ייחד לו ברכה בפני עצמו, שהיה בלבו עליו על מה שעשה בשטים, כן כתוב באגדת תהלים:
Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 23 - 28
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• English text
Special Custom for the Month of Elul and High Holidays
The Baal Shem Tov instituted a custom of reciting three additional chapters of Psalms each day, from the 1st of Elul until Yom Kippur (on Yom Kippur the remaining 36 chapters are recited, thereby completing the entire book of Psalms).
See below for today's additional chapters.
Chapter 23
When King David was in the forest of Cheret and nearly died of starvation, God provided nourishment for him with a taste of the World to Come. David then composed this psalm, describing the magnitude of his trust in God.
1. A psalm by David. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall lack nothing.
2. He lays me down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters.
3. He revives my soul; He directs me in paths of righteousness for the sake of His Name.
4. Though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff-they will comfort me.
5. You will prepare a table for me before my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup is full.
6. Only goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the House of the Lord for many long years.
Chapter 24
If the fulfillment of one's prayer would result in the sanctification of God's Name, he should pray that God act for the sake of the holiness of His Name. One should also invoke the merit of his ancestors, for we know that "the righteous are greater in death than in life"
1. By David, a psalm. The earth and all therein is the Lord's; the world and its inhabitants.
2. For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers.
3. Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord, and who may stand in His holy place?
4. He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not used My Name in vain or sworn falsely.
5. He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, and kindness from God, his deliverer.
6. Such is the generation of those who search for Him, [the children of] Jacob who seek Your countenance forever.
7. Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, eternal doors, so the glorious King may enter.
8. Who is the glorious King? The Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord, mighty in battle.
9. Lift up your heads, O gates; lift them up, eternal doors, so the glorious King may enter.
10. Who is the glorious King? The Lord of Hosts, He is the glorious King for all eternity.
Chapter 25
The verses in this psalm are arranged according to the alphabet, excluding the letters Bet, Vav, and Kuf, which together equal the numerical value of Gehenom (purgatory). One who recites this psalm daily will not see the face of purgatory.
1. By David. To You, Lord, I lift my soul.
2. My God, I have put my trust in You. May I not be put to shame; may my enemies not gloat over me.
3. Indeed, may all who hope in You not be put to shame; let those who act treacherously without reason be shamed.
4. O Lord, make Your ways known to me; teach me Your paths.
5. Train me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; I yearn for You all day.
6. O Lord, remember Your mercies and Your kindnesses, for they have existed for all time.
7. Do not recall the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; remember me in accordance with Your kindness, because of Your goodness, O Lord.
8. Good and upright is the Lord, therefore He directs sinners along the way.
9. He guides the humble with justice, and teaches the humble His way.
10. All the paths of the Lord are kindness and truth for those who observe His covenant and testimonies.
11. For the sake of Your Name, O Lord, pardon my iniquity, for it is great.
12. Whoever is a God-fearing man, him will He teach the path that he should choose.
13. His soul will abide in well-being, and his descendants will inherit the earth.
14. The secret of the Lord is to those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them.
15. My eyes are always turned to the Lord, for He releases my feet from the snare.
16. Turn to me and be compassionate to me, for I am alone and afflicted.
17. The sufferings of my heart have increased; deliver me from my hardships.
18. Behold my affliction and suffering, and forgive all my sins.
19. See how numerous my enemies have become; they hate me with a violent hatred.
20. Guard my soul and deliver me; may I not be put to shame, for I place my trust in You.
21. Let integrity and uprightness guard me, for my hope is in You.
22. Redeem Israel, O God, from all its afflictions.
Chapter 26
In this psalm King David inundates God with prayers and acts of piety, because he envies those who are his spiritual superiors, saying, "If only I were on their level of piety and virtue!"
1. By David. Judge me, O Lord, for in my innocence I have walked, and in the Lord I have trusted-I shall not falter.
2. Try me, O Lord, and test me; refine my mind and heart.
3. For Your kindness is before my eyes, and I have walked constantly in Your truth.
4. I did not sit with men of falsehood, and with hypocrites I will not mingle.
5. I detested the company of evildoers, and with the wicked I will not sit.
6. I wash my hands in purity, and circle Your altar, O Lord,
7. to give voice to thanks, and to recount all Your wonders.
8. I love the shelter of Your House, O Lord, and the place where Your glory resides.
9. Gather not in my soul with sinners, nor my life with men of bloodshed,
10. In whose hands are schemes, and whose right hand is filled with bribes.
11. But I walk in my innocence; redeem me and show me favor.
12. My foot stands on level ground; in assemblies I will bless the Lord.
Chapter 27
King David acknowledges and praises God, placing his trust in Him because of his victories in war. "Nevertheless, it is not wars that I desire, for I cannot gain perfection with them. Only one thing do I ask: to abide day and night in the study hall studying Torah, to gain perfection so that my soul may merit the life of the World to Come."
1. By David. The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life-whom shall I dread?
2. When evildoers approached me to devour my flesh, my oppressors and my foes, they stumbled and fell.
3. If an army were to beleaguer me, my heart would not fear; if war were to arise against me, in this I trust1
4. One thing I have asked of the Lord, this I seek: that I may dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the pleasantness of the Lord, and to visit His Sanctuary.
5. For He will hide me in His tabernacle on a day of adversity; He will conceal me in the hidden places of His tent; He will lift me upon a rock.
6. And then my head will be raised above my enemies around me, and I will offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of jubilation; I will sing and chant to the Lord.
7. Lord, hear my voice as I call; be gracious to me and answer me.
8. In Your behalf my heart says, "Seek My countenance"; Your countenance, Lord, I seek.
9. Do not conceal Your countenance from me; do not cast aside Your servant in wrath. You have been my help; do not abandon me nor forsake me, God of my deliverance.
10. Though my father and mother have forsaken me, the Lord has taken me in.
11. Lord, teach me Your way and lead me in the path of righteousness, because of my watchful enemies.
12. Do not give me over to the will of my oppressors, for there have risen against me false witnesses, and they speak evil.
13. [They would have crushed me] had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
14. Hope in the Lord, be strong and let your heart be valiant, and hope in the Lord.
FOOTNOTES
1.I trust that “the lord is my light and salvation” etc. (Rashi)
Chapter 28
A prayer for every individual, entreating God to assist him in walking the good path, to prevent him from walking with the wicked doers of evil, and that He repay the wicked for their wickedness and the righteous for their righteousness.
1. By David. I call to You, O Lord; my Strength, do not be deaf to me; for should You be silent to me, I will be like those who descend to the pit.
2. Hear the sound of my pleas when I cry out to You, when I raise my hands toward Your holy Sanctuary.
3. Do not draw me along with the wicked, with evildoers who speak of peace with their companions, though evil is in their heart.
4. Give them according to their deeds, and the evil of their endeavors; give them according to their handiwork, render to them their just desserts.
5. For they pay no heed to the acts of the Lord, nor to the work of His hands; may He destroy them and not rebuild them.
6. Blessed is the Lord, for He has heard the voice of my pleas.
7. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusted and I was helped; my heart exulted, and with my song I praised Him.
8. The Lord is a strength to them; He is a stronghold of deliverance to His anointed.
9. Grant salvation to Your people and bless Your heritage; tend them and exalt them forever.
Additional Three Chapters
The Baal Shem Tov instituted a custom of reciting three additional chapters of Psalms each day, from the 1st of Elul until Yom Kippur (on Yom Kippur the remaining 36 chapters are recited, thereby completing the entire book of Psalms).
Today's Chapters are 97, 98 and 99.
Chapter 97
1. When the Lord will reveal His kingship, the earth will exult; the multitudes of islands will rejoice.
2. Clouds and dense darkness will surround Him; justice and mercy will be the foundation of His throne.
3. Fire will go before Him and consume His foes all around.
4. His lightnings will illuminate the world; the earth will see and tremble.
5. The mountains will melt like wax before the Lord, before the Master of all the earth.
6. The heavens will declare His justice, and all the nations will behold His glory.
7. All who worship graven images, who take pride in idols, will be ashamed; all idol worshippers will prostrate themselves before Him.
8. Zion will hear and rejoice, the towns of Judah will exult, because of Your judgments, O Lord.
9. For You, Lord, transcend all the earth; You are exceedingly exalted above all the supernal beings.
10. You who love the Lord, hate evil; He watches over the souls of His pious ones, He saves them from the hand of the wicked.
11. Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
12. Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and extol His holy Name.
Chapter 98
This psalm describes how Israel will praise God for the Redemption.
1. A psalm. Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has performed wonders; His right hand and holy arm have wrought deliverance for Him.
2. The Lord has made known His salvation; He has revealed His justice before the eyes of the nations.
3. He has remembered His kindness and faithfulness to the House of Israel; all, from the farthest corners of the earth, witnessed the deliverance by our God.
4. Raise your voices in jubilation to the Lord, all the earth; burst into joyous song and chanting.
5. Sing to the Lord with a harp, with a harp and the sound of song.
6. With trumpets and the sound of the shofar, jubilate before the King, the Lord.
7. The sea and its fullness will roar in joy, the earth and its inhabitants.
8. The rivers will clap their hands, the mountains will sing together.
9. [They will rejoice] before the Lord, for He has come to judge the earth; He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with righteousness.
Chapter 99
This psalm refers to the wars of Gog and Magog, which will precede the Redemption.
1. When the Lord will reveal His kingship, the nations will tremble; the earth will quake before Him Who is enthroned upon the cherubim,
2. [before] the Lord Who is in Zion, Who is great and exalted above all the peoples.
3. They will extol Your Name which is great, awesome and holy.
4. And [they will praise] the might of the King Who loves justice. You have established uprightness; You have made [the laws of] justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5. Exalt the Lord our God, and bow down at His footstool; He is holy.
6. Moses and Aaron among His priests, and Samuel among those who invoke His Name, would call upon the Lord and He would answer them.
7. He would speak to them from a pillar of cloud; they observed His testimonies and the decrees which He gave them.
8. Lord our God, You have answered them; You were a forgiving God for their sake, yet bringing retribution for their own misdeeds.
9. Exalt the Lord our God, and bow down at His holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy.
Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, beginning of Epistle 20
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Sunday, Tishrei 4, 5778 · September 24, 2017
Today's Tanya Lesson
Iggeret HaKodesh, beginning of Epistle 20
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The present Epistle deals with a subject that has not been touched upon in the Tanya until now. Though it is one of the most profound and abstract principles of Chassidut, it has a practical application.
Rambam:
• Sefer Hamitzvot:
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Today's Mitzvah
Sunday, Tishrei 4, 5778 · September 24, 2017
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
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Positive Commandment 187
Destroying the Seven Canaanite Nations
"For you shall utterly destroy them"—Deuteronomy 20:17.
We are commanded to kill the members of the Seven Canaanite Nations—to utterly eradicate them. This because they were the original source of idolatry and its prime practitioners. In many places the Torah encourages and urges us to observe this mitzvah, and explains the reason for this mitzvah: so that we should not learn from these nations' heretical ways. The battle against the Canaanite nations is considered a "mitzvah battle."
This mitzvah was fully completed by King David, who killed the remaining members of these nations that had survived till his day, besides for a few who scattered and were absorbed into other nations.
[Translator's Note: In the Laws of Kings, Maimonides explains that the killing of the Seven Nations was a last resort, only done if the nations refused to evacuate the Holy Land, or to remain, but reject idolatry and accept upon themselves Jewish sovereignty.]
Full text of this Mitzvah »
Destroying the Seven Canaanite Nations
Positive Commandment 187
Translated by Berel Bell
The 187th mitzvah is that we are commanded to kill and destroy the seven nations [of Canaan]1 because they are the prime worshippers and original source of idolatry.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement2 (exalted be He), "You must wipe them out completely." [Scripture3] explains the reason for this commandment is to keep us from learning from their heresy. Many verses encourage and urge that they be killed, and waging war against them is a milchemes mitzvah [mandatory war].
Since these seven nations no longer exist4 a person could think that this commandment is not noheg l'doros [for all generations5]. But only someone who does not understand the concept of noheg l'doros would think such a thing. A command that can be fulfilled without being limited to a certain time is considered noheg l'doros, because if the act would become possible in any generation, the mitzvah would apply. When G‑d will totally destroy the descendants of Amalek and remove them for all time — as will be speedily in our days, as G‑d (exalted be He) promised,6 "I will wipe out the memory of Amalek" — will we say that the mitzvah to wipe out the memory of Amalek7 was not noheg l'doros? This is not true, for in any generation when one finds a descendant of Amalek, he must be killed. The same applies to this mitzvah of killing all descendants of the seven nations, which is a milchemes mitzvah. In every generation we are required to uproot them and search after them down to the last individual. We did this until King David destroyed them completely, with the survivors being scattered and assimilated among the nations until they disappeared.
But although they no longer exist, the mitzvah to kill them is still considered noheg l'doros, just as the mitzvah to wage war against Amalek is considered noheg l'doros even after their destruction. This is because it is not dependant on a certain time or place, such as in Egypt8 or in the desert.9 The mitzvah is dependant solely upon the object of the mitzvah: whenever they are found, the mitzvah must be fulfilled.
The general rule is that you must understand and contemplate upon the difference between the commandment itself10 and this that the commandment deals with.11 There are mitzvos where the object of the commandment has ceased to exist in a certain generation,12 but this does not render the mitzvah not noheg l'doros, since the commandment itself applies forever.
For a commandment to be considered not noheg l'doros, the opposite would be true. The specific object in the specific state does exist; but the obligation to perform the specific act or follow the certain law only applies at a certain time. Today, even though the object exists, the commandment does not. An example of this would be an elderly Levite, who was not allowed to serve [in the Mishkan] in the desert, but is allowed today, as we explained in the proper place.13 Be sure you understand this and keep it in mind.
FOOTNOTES
1.Chitti, Emori, Canaani, Prizi, Chivi, Yevusi and Girgashi — Deut. 7:1.
2.Deut. 20:17.
3.Ibid., 20:18.
4.See Hilchos Melachim 5:4.
5.In the Third Introductory Principle, the Rambam explains that in order to be counted among the 613 mitzvos, the commandment must apply for all generations. Since the seven nations no longer exist, it would therefore seem that this commandment shouldn't be counted.
6.Ex. 17:14.
7.Deut. 25:19; P188 below.
8.E.g. those associated with the special Pesach sacrifice in Egypt. See Ex. 12:23.
9.E.g. those associated with transporting the Mishkan [Tabernacle]. See the Third Introductory Principle.
10.[10]. In our case, killing the seven nations.
11.In our case, the seven nations.
12.See N53.
13."Today," refers to the Levite serving in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. A Levite was disqualified from serving in the desert after he reached the age of fifty; in the Holy Temple, however, he was allowed. See Hilchos Klei HaMikdash 3:8; Chullin 24a; Third Introductory Principle.
Negative Commandment 49
Sparing the Seven Canaanite Nations
"You shall not leave a soul alive"—Deuteronomy 20:16.
We may not allow even one individual from the Seven Canaanite Nations to live, for they would have a negative effect on the Jewish inhabitants of the land and influence them to worship idols.
[For more on this mitzvah, see Positive Commandment 187.]
Full text of this Mitzvah »
Sparing the Seven Canaanite Nations
Negative Commandment 49
Translated by Berel Bell
The 49th prohibition is that we are forbidden from allowing any individual from the seven nations to live. [This is commanded] in order that they not ruin other people and cause them to err by following idolatry.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "Do not allow a single soul to live."
Killing them is a positive commandment, as we explained in P187. One who had the opportunity to kill one of them, and did not do so, transgresses a prohibition.
FOOTNOTES
1.Deut. 20:16.
Positive Commandment 188
Destroying Amalek
"You shall erase the memory of Amalek"—Deuteronomy 25:19.
We are commanded to wipe out the descendants of Amalek, men and women, old and young.
This is one of the three mitzvot the Jews were commanded upon entering the land—the other two were appointing a king and building the Holy Temple.
Full text of this Mitzvah »
Destroying Amalek
Positive Commandment 188
Translated by Berel Bell
The 188th mitzvah is that we are commanded to wipe out — from among all the descendants of Esav — the descendants of Amalek, male and female, young and old.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "Wipe out the memory of Amalek."
We have mentioned previously2 the statement of our Sages,3 "The Jewish people were commanded three mitzvos upon entering the Land of Israel: to appoint a king, to build the Beis HaMikdash, and to destroy the descendants of Amalek."
Waging war against Amalek is also a milchemes mitzvah [obligatory war].4
The details of this mitzvah are explained in the eighth chapter of tractate Sotah.
FOOTNOTES
1.Ex. 17:14.
2.P20; P173.
3.Sanhedrin 20b; Sifri, Deut. 12:10. From the expression, "three mitzvos," the Rambam derives that all three are counted as mitzvos among the 613.
4.Just as the war against the seven nations, P187 above.
Positive Commandment 189
Remembering Amalek's Deed
"Remember what Amalek did to you"—Deuteronomy 25:17.
We are enjoined to remember that which Amalek did to us, that they were the first to "greet" us [after we left Egypt] with evil [i.e., battle]. We must verbally recall this at all times, and awaken our souls to battle them. We must call upon people to hate them, so that the matter not be forgotten, and the hate should not abate with the passage of time.
Full text of this Mitzvah »
Remembering Amalek's Deed
Positive Commandment 189
Translated by Berel Bell
The 189th mitzvah is that we are commanded to constantly1 remember what Amalek did to us, i.e. to be the first to attack us [after we were redeemed from Egypt]; and to speak of it constantly; to arouse people to wage war against them and hate them, in order that it not be forgotten or the hatred towards them lessened with the passage of time.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement2 (exalted be He), "Remember what Amalek did to you. [Do not forget.]"
The Sifri3 says, "The phrase, 'Remember what Amalek did to you,' refers to doing so verbally. The phrase, 'Do not forget,' means in one's heart." This means that one should say verbally words that cause people to keep this hatred in their hearts. The Sifra4 says, "From the verse, 'Remember what Amalek did to you,' you might think it means in your heart. But when it says, 'Do not forget,' that means in your heart! How do we explain the commandment to 'remember?' It means to speak about it verbally." You can see how the Prophet Shmuel went about fulfilling this commandment: first he remembered them [verbally] and then commanded that they be killed. This was done when he said,5 "I remember what Amalek did to the Jewish people when they came up from Egypt."
FOOTNOTES
1.See Kapach, 5731, footnote 59, that this is the type of remembrance meant by the Arabic word b'tad'kar.
2.Deut. 25:17.
3.End of Ki Seitzei.
4.Beginning of Parshas Bechukosai.
5.Shmuel I, 15:2.
Negative Commandment 59
Forgetting Amalek's Deed
"You must not forget"—Deuteronomy 25:19.
We are enjoined to never forget that which Amalek did to us, that they were the first to "greet" us [after we left Egypt] with evil [i.e., battle]. We must never allow the hate from Amalek to be forgotten from our hearts.
Full text of this Mitzvah »
Forgetting Amalek's Deed
Negative Commandment 59
Translated by Berel Bell
The 59th prohibition is that we are forbidden from forgetting what the descendants of Amalek did to us, i.e. to be the first to attack us [after we were redeemed from Egypt].
In P189 we explained that remembering what the descendants of Amalek did to us and constantly renewing our hatred towards them is a positive commandment. Similarly, we are forbidden from ignoring it and forgetting about it, and it is an actual prohibition.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement,1 "Do not forget."
The Sifri2 says, " 'Remember,' means verbally. 'Do not forget,' means in one's heart." This means that you should not ignore hating him, nor remove it from your heart.
FOOTNOTES
1.Deut. 25:19.
2.End of Ki Seitzei.
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• 1 Chapter A Day: Melachim uMilchamot Melachim uMilchamot - Chapter 10
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Melachim uMilchamot - Chapter 10
1
A gentile who inadvertently violates one of his commandments is exempt from all punishment with the exception of a person who kills inadvertently. In such an instance, the redeemer of the blood is not executed for slaying the killer, nor may the latter seek asylum in a city of refuge. However, the court will not execute him.
When does the above apply? When he inadvertently violates a command without sinful intention; for example, a person who engages in relations with his colleague's wife under the impression that she is his own wife or unmarried.
If, however, one knew that she was his colleague's wife, but did not know that she was forbidden to him or it occurred to him that this act was permitted or one killed without knowing that it is forbidden to kill, he is considered close to having sinned intentionally and is executed. This is not considered as an inadvertent violation. For he should have learned the obligations incumbent upon him and did not.
א
בן נח ששגג באחת ממצותיו פטור מכלום חוץ מרוצח בשגגה שאם הרגו גואל הדם אינו נהרג עליו ואין לו עיר מקלט אבל בתי דיניהן אין ממיתין אותו במה דברים אמורים בשגג באחת ממצות ועבר בלא כוונה כגון שבעל אשת חבירו ודמה שהיא אשתו או פנויה אבל אם ידע שהוא אשת חבירו ולא ידע שהיא אסורה עליו אלא עלה על לבו שדבר זה מותר לו וכן אם הרג והוא לא ידע שאסור להרוג הרי זה קרוב למזיד ונהרג ולא תחשב זו להם שגגה מפני שהיה לו ללמוד ולא למד:
2
A gentile who is forced by another person to violate one of his commandments is permitted to transgress. Even if he is forced to worship false gods, he may worship them. For gentiles are not commanded to sanctify God's name.
A gentile minor, deaf-mute, or fool is never given punishment for they are not bound by any commandments.
ב
בן נח שאנסו אנס לעבור על אחת ממצותיו מותר לו לעבור אפילו נאנס לעבוד ע"ז עובד לפי שאינן מצווין על קדוש השם ולעולם אין עונשין מהן לא קטן ולא חרש ולא שוטה לפי שאינן בני מצות:
3
A gentile who converted, was circumcised, and immersed in the mikveh, and, afterwards, decided to forsake God and revert to his previous status as a resident alien is not granted permission to do so. Rather, he must remain as an Israelite in all matters or be executed.
If he was a minor and immersed by the court, he may repudiate his conversion when he attains majority and assume the status of a resident alien alone. However, if he does not object as soon as he attains majority, he is no longer given the opportunity to object and his status is that of a righteous convert.
Therefore, if a Jew has relations with a girl below the age of majority who was immersed in the mikveh by a court, the money due her as payment of her ketubah or as a fine for raping her or seducing her is placed in the custody of the court until she attains majority and does not repudiate her conversion. This step is taken lest she take the money, attain majority, and then, repudiate her conversion. Thus, she would derive benefit as a gentile from monies to which she is only entitled according to Jewish law.
ג
בן נח שנתגייר ומל וטבל ואח"כ רצה לחזור מאחרי ה' ולהיות גר תושב בלבד כשהיה מקודם אין שומעין לו אלא יהיה כישראל לכל דבר או יהרג ואם היה קטן כשהטבילוהו בית דין יכול למחות בשעה שיגדיל ויהיה גר תושב בלבד וכיון שלא מיחה בשעתו שוב אינו מוחה אלא הרי הוא גר צדק לפיכך אם בא ישראל על קטנה שהטבילוה בית דין כסף כתובתה או קנס אונס או מפתה יהיה הכל תחת יד בית דין עד שתגדיל ולא תמחה בגירות שמא תטול ותגדיל ותמחה ונמצאת זו אוכלת בגיותה מעות שאין לה זכות בהן אלא בדיני ישראל:
4
A gentile who converts after cursing God's name, worshipping false gods, engaging in relations with a colleague's wife, or killing a fellow gentile is exempt from punishment.
In contrast, if he converted after killing a Jew or having relations with a Jew's wife, he is liable. He is decapitated for killing the Jew and strangled to death for engaging in relations with a Jew's wife. He is given the latter punishment because the laws governing him have changed.
ד
בן נח שבירך את השם או שעבד ע"ז או שבא על אשת חבירו או שהרג חבירו ונתגייר פטור הרג בן ישראל או שבא על אשת ישראל ונתגייר חייב והורגין אותו על בן ישראל וחונקין אותו על אשת ישראל שבעל שהרי נשתנה דינו:
5
It has already been explained that gentiles are always executed by decapitation except in cases when one engages in relations with the wife of a Jew or a consecrated maiden. In the latter instance, he is stoned to death.
If he engaged in relations with a Jew's wife after they married, but before they ever engaged in relations, he is executed by strangulation.
ה
כבר ביארנו שכל מיתת בני נח בסייף אלא אם בעל אשת ישראל או נערה מאורסה יסקל ואם בעלה אחר שנכנסה לחופה קודם שתבעל יחנק:
6
According to the Oral Tradition, gentiles are forbidden to cross-breed animals and graft different species of trees together. However, they are not executed for violating this prohibition.
A gentile who gave a Jew a blow is liable to die for causing even the most minimal damage. Nevertheless, he is not executed.
ו
מפי הקבלה שבני נח אסורין בהרבעת בהמה ובהרכבת אילן בלבד ואין נהרגין עליהן ועכו"ם שהכה ישראל אפילו חבל בו כל שהוא אף על פי שהוא חייב מיתה אינו נהרג:
7
Only Abraham and his descendants were commanded regarding circumcision as Genesis 17:9-10 states: 'Keep My covenant, you and your offspring... circumcise every male.'
The descendants of Ishmael are excluded as implied by Genesis 21:12: 'It is through Isaac, that your offspring will be called.' Esau's descendants are also excluded, for Isaac told Jacob Genesis 28:4: 'May God grant Abraham's blessing to you and your descendants,' implying that only he is the true offspring of Abraham who maintains his faith and his upright behavior. Thus, they alone are obligated in circumcision.
ז
המילה נצטוה בה אברהם וזרעו בלבד שנאמר אתה וזרעך אחריך יצא זרעו של ישמעאל שנאמר כי ביצחק יקרא לך זרע ויצא עשו שהרי יצחק אמר ליעקב ויתן לך את ברכת אברהם לך ולזרעך מכלל שהוא לבדו זרעו של אברהם המחזיק בדתו ובדרכו הישרה והם המחוייבין במילה:
8
Our Sages related that the descendants of Keturah who are the offspring of Abraham that came after Isaac and Ishmael are also obligated in circumcision. Since, at present, the descendants of Ishmael have become intermingled with the descendants of Keturah, they are all obligated to be circumcised on the eighth day. However, they are not executed for failure to perform this mitzvah.
ח
אמרו חכמים שבני קטורה שהם זרעו של אברהם שבא אחר ישמעאל ויצחק חייבין במילה והואיל ונתערבו היום בני ישמעאל בבני קטורה יתחייבו הכל במילה בשמיני ואין נהרגין עליה:
9
A gentile who studies the Torah is obligated to die. They should only be involved in the study of their seven mitzvot.
Similarly, a gentile who rests, even on a weekday, observing that day as a Sabbath, is obligated to die. Needless to say, he is obligated for that punishment if he creates a festival for himself.
The general principle governing these matters is: They are not to be allowed to originate a new religion or create mitzvot for themselves based on their own decisions. They may either become righteous converts and accept all the mitzvot or retain their statutes without adding or detracting from them.
If a gentile studies the Torah, makes a Sabbath, or creates a religious practice, a Jewish court should beat him, punish him, and inform him that he is obligated to die. However, he is not to be executed.
ט
עכו"ם שעסק בתורה חייב מיתה לא יעסוק אלא בשבע מצות שלהן בלבד וכן עכו"ם ששבת אפילו ביום מימות החול אם עשאהו לעצמו כמו שבת חייב מיתה ואין צריך לומר אם עשה מועד לעצמו כללו של דבר אין מניחין אותן לחדש דת ולעשות מצות לעצמן מדעתן אלא או יהיה גר צדק ויקבל כל המצות או יעמוד בתורתו ולא יוסיף ולא יגרע ואם עסק בתורה או שבת או חדש דבר מכין אותו ועונשין אותו ומודיעין אותו שהוא חייב מיתה על זה אבל אינו נהרג:
10
We should not prevent a gentile who desires to perform one of the Torah's mitzvot in order to receive reward from doing so, provided he performs it as required. If he brings an animal to be sacrificed as a burnt offering, we should receive it.
If a gentile who observes the seven mitzvot gives charity, we should accept it from him. It appears to me that it should be given to the Jewish poor for the gentile may derive his sustenance from the Jews and they are commanded to support him if necessary. In contrast, if an idolater gives charity, we should accept it from him and give it to the gentile poor.
י
בן נח שרצה לעשות מצוה משאר מצות התורה כדי לקבל שכר אין מונעין אותו לעשותה כהלכתה ואם הביא עולה מקבלין ממנו נתן צדקה מקבלין ממנו ויראה לי שנותנין אותה לעניי ישראל הואיל והוא ניזון מישראל ומצוה עליהם להחיותו אבל העכו"ם שנתן צדקה מקבלין ממנו ונותנין אותה לעניי עכו"ם:
11
The Jewish court is obligated to appoint judges for these resident aliens to judge them according to these statutes so that the world will not become decadent.
If the court sees fit to appoint the judges from the resident aliens themselves, they may. If it sees fit to appoint them from among the Jews, they may.
יא
חייבין בית דין של ישראל להעמיד שופטים לאלו הגרים התושבים לדון להן על פי המשפטים אלו כדי שלא ישחת העולם אם ראו בית דין שיעמידו שופטיהם מהן מעמידין ואם ראו שיעמידו להן מישראל מעמידין:
12
Should two idolaters come before you to have their dispute judged according to Jewish law. If they both desire to be judged according to Torah law, they should be judged accordingly. If one desires to be judged according to Torah law and the other does not, they are only forced to be judged according to their own laws.
If there is a dispute between a Jew and an idolater: If the Jew will fare better according to their laws, they are judged according to their laws. When the judgement is rendered, the judges explain: 'Your law obligates this judgement.' If the Jew will fare better according to our laws, they are judged according to Torah law. When the judgement is rendered, the judges explain: 'Our law obligates this judgement.' It appears to me that this approach is not followed in regard to a resident alien. Rather, he is always judged according to their laws.
Similarly, it appears to me that in regard to respect and honor and also, in regard to charity, a resident alien is to be treated as a Jew for behold, we are commanded to sustain them as Deuteronomy 14:21 states: 'You may not eat any animal that has not been properly slaughtered... give it to the resident alien in your gates that he may eat it.' Though our Sages counseled against repeating a greeting to them, that statement applies to idolaters and not resident aliens.
However, our Sages commanded us to visit the gentiles when ill, to bury their dead in addition to the Jewish dead, and support their poor in addition to the Jewish poor for the sake of peace. Behold, Psalms 145:9 states: 'God is good to all and His mercies extend over all His works' and Proverbs 3:17 states: 'The Torah's ways are pleasant ways and all its paths are peace.'
יב
שני עכו"ם שבאו לפניך לדון בדיני ישראל ורצו שניהן לדון דין תורה דנין האחד רוצה והאחד אינו רוצה אין כופין אותו לדון אלא בדיניהן היה ישראל ועכו"ם אם יש זכות לישראל בדיניהן דנין לו בדיניהם ואומרים לו כך דיניכם ואם יש זכות לישראל בדינינו דנין לו דין תורה ואומרים לו כך דינינו ויראה לי שאין עושין כן לגר תושב אלא לעולם דנין לו בדיניהם וכן יראה לי שנוהגין עם גרי תושב בדרך ארץ וגמילות חסדים כישראל שהרי אנו מצווין להחיותן שנאמר לגר אשר בשעריך תתננה ואכלה וזה שאמרו חכמים אין כופלין להן שלום בעכו"ם לא בגר תושב אפילו העכו"ם צוו חכמים לבקר חוליהם ולקבור מתיהם עם מתי ישראל ולפרנס ענייהם בכלל עניי ישראל מפני דרכי שלום הרי נאמר טוב ה' לכל ורחמיו על כל מעשיו ונאמר דרכיה דרכי נועם וכל נתיבותיה שלום:
Rambam:
• 3 Chapters A Day: Melachim uMilchamot Melachim uMilchamot - Chapter 4, Melachim uMilchamot Melachim uMilchamot - Chapter 5, Melachim uMilchamot Melachim uMilchamot - Chapter 6
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Melachim uMilchamot - Chapter 4
1
The king is granted license to levy taxes upon the nation for his needs or for the purpose of war. He may also fix a duty on merchandise. It is forbidden to avoid paying this duty. The king has the right to decree that if someone does not pay these duties, his property will be seized or he will be killed.
These laws are derived as follows: I Samuel 8:17 states: 'You will be servants to him, the king.' Previously, Deuteronomy 20:11 states: 'They shall be subject to your levy and they shall serve you.' From this association, it is derived that the king may levy taxes and fix duties.
The statutes that he establishes in these and related matters are accepted as law for all the matters mentioned in the Biblical passage concerning the king are rights to which the king is entitled.
א
רשות יש למלך ליתן מס על העם לצרכיו או לצורך המלחמות וקוצב לו מכס ואסור להבריח מן המכס שיש לו לגזור שכל מי שיגנוב המכס ילקח ממונו או יהרג שנאמר ואתם תהיו לו לעבדים ולהלן הוא אומר יהיו לך למס ועבדוך מכאן שנותן מס וקוצב מכס ודיניו בכל אלו הדברים וכיוצא בהן דין שכל האמור בפרשת מלך מלך זוכה בו:
2
He may also send throughout the territory of Eretz Yisrael and take from the nation valiant men and men of war and employ them as soldiers for his chariot and cavalry. Similarly, he may appoint them as his body guard and as footmen to run before him as I Samuel 8:11 states: 'He shall place them among his charioteers and his horsemen and they shall run before his chariot.' He may also take the choicest of them to be his servants and attendants as ibid.:16 states: 'He shall take... your finest young men... to do his work.'
ב
ושולח בכל גבול ישראל ולוקח מן העם הגבורים ואנשי חיל ועושה מהן חיל למרכבתו ובפרשיו ומעמיד מהן עומדים לפניו ומעמיד מהן אנשים לרוץ לפניו שנאמר ושם לו במרכבתו ופרשיו ורצו לפני מרכבתו ולוקח מן היפים שבהם להיות שמשים ועומדים לפניו שנאמר ואת בחוריכם הטובים יקח ועשה למלאכתו:
3
Similarly, he may take all those that are necessary for him from the nation's craftsmen and employ them to do his work. He must pay their wages. He may also take all the beasts, servants, and maids that are necessary for his tasks. He must pay their hire or their value as ibid.:12-16 states: 'He will set them to plough his ground and to reap his harvest, to make instruments of war, and gear for his chariots.... He will take your servants, your maids, your finest young men, and your donkeys to do his work.'
ג
וכן לוקח מן בעלי האומניות כל מה שהוא צריך ועושין לו מלאכתו ונותן שכרן ולוקח כל הבהמות והעבדים והשפחות למלאכתו ונותן שכרן או דמיהן שנאמר ולחרוש חרישו ולקצור קצירו ולעשות כלי מלחמתו וכלי רכבו ואת עבדיכם ואת שפחותיכם ואת בחוריכם הטובים ואת חמוריכם יקח ועשה למלאכתו:
4
Similarly, he may take wives and concubines from the entire territory of Eretz Yisrael. The term 'wives' implies women who were married with A ketubah and kiddushin; concubines, women who were not given A ketubah and kiddushin. With the act of yichud alone, the king acquires her and relations with her are permitted him.
A commoner is forbidden to have a concubine. The only similar relationship is the union with a Hebrew maid servant after she has been designated by her master.
The king may make the concubines which he takes to his palace cooks, bakers, and perfumers as ibid.:13 states: 'He will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers.
ד
וכן לוקח מכל גבול ישראל נשים ופלגשים נשים בכתובה וקדושין ופלגשים בלא כתובה ובלא קידושין אלא ביחוד בלבד קונה אותה ומותרת לו אבל ההדיוט אסור בפילגש אלא באמה העבריה בלבד אחר ייעוד ויש לו [רשות] לעשות הפילגשים שלוקח לארמונו טבחות ואופות ורקחות שנאמר ואת בנותיכם יקח לרקחות ולטבחות ולאופות:
5
He may force those who are fit to serve as officers, appointing them as leaders of thousands and leaders of fifties as ibid.:12 states: 'He shall appoint them as leaders of thousands and leaders of fifties for himself.'
ה
וכן כופה את הראויין להיות שרים וממנה אותם שרי אלפים ושרי חמשים שנאמר ולשום לו שרי אלפים ושרי חמשים:
6
He may take fields, olive groves, and vineyards for his servants when they go to war and allow them to commandeer these places if they have no source of nurture other than them. He must pay for what is taken. This is stated in ibid.:14: 'He shall take your good fields, vineyards, and olive groves and give them to his servants.
ו
ולוקח השדות והזיתים והכרמים לעבדיו כשילכו למלחמה ויפשטו על מקומות אלו אם אין להם מה יאכלו אלא משם ונותן דמיהן שנאמר ואת שדותיכם ואת כרמיכם וזיתיכם הטובים יקח ונתן לעבדיו:
7
He is entitled to a tenth of the produce of the seed and the orchards and the newborn beasts as ibid.:16-17 states: 'He will take a tenth of your seed and your vineyards...He shall take a tenth of your sheep.'
ז
ויש לו מעשר מן הזרעים ומן האילנות ומן הבהמה שנאמר וזרעיכם וכרמיכם יעשור וגו' צאנכם יעשור:
8
The Messianic king may take a thirteenth portion of all the lands conquered by Israel as his own. This will be an allotment for him and his descendants forever.
ח
המלך המשיח נוטל מכל הארצות שכובשין ישראל חלק אחד משלשה עשר ודבר זה חק לו ולבניו עד עולם:
9
The property of all those executed by the king, belongs to the king. Similarly, all the treasures belonging to the kings of the kingdoms which he conquers become the property of the king.
In regard to the other spoil which is taken. The soldiers may take spoil. Afterwards, they must bring it to the king. He is entitled to one half of the spoil. He takes this portion first.
The second half of the spoil is divided between the combat soldiers and the people who remained in camp to guard the baggage. An equal division is made between them as I Samuel 30:24 relates: 'The portion of those who go down to the battle will be as the portion of those who stay with the baggage. They shall divide equally.'
ט
כל הרוגי המלך ממונן למלך וכל הממלכות שכובש הרי אוצרות המלכים למלך ושאר הבזה שבוזזין בוזזין ונותנין לפניו והוא נוטל מחצה בראש ומחצית הבזה חולקין אותה כל אנשי הצבא ביחד עם העם היושבין על הכלים במחנה לשמרם חולקין בשוה שנאמר כי כחלק היורד במלחמה וכחלק היושב על הכלים יחדיו יחלוקו:
10
All the lands that he conquers belong to him. He may apportion them to his servants and soldiers as he desires and keep the remainder for himself. In all these matters, the judgement he makes is binding.
In all matters, his deeds shall be for the sake of heaven. His purpose and intent shall be to elevate the true faith and fill the world with justice, destroying the power of the wicked and waging the wars of God. For the entire purpose of appointing a king is to execute justice and wage wars as I Samuel 8:20 states: 'Our king shall judge us, go out before us, and wage our wars.'
י
כל הארץ שכובש הרי היא שלו ונותן לעבדיו ולאנשי המלחמה כפי מה שירצה ומניח לעצמו כפי מה שירצה ובכל אלו הדברים דינו דין ובכל יהיו מעשיו לשם שמים ותהיה מגמתו ומחשבתו להרים דת האמת ולמלאות העולם צדק ולשבור זרוע הרשעים ולהלחם מלחמות ה' שאין ממליכין מלך תחלה אלא לעשות משפט ומלחמות שנאמר ושפטנו מלכנו ויצא לפנינו ונלחם את מלחמותינו:
Melachim uMilchamot - Chapter 5
1
A king should not wage other wars before a milchemet mitzvah. What is considered as milchemet mitzvah? The war against the seven nations who occupied Eretz Yisrael, the war against Amalek, and a war fought to assist Israel from an enemy which attacks them.
Afterwards, he may wage a milchemet hareshut, i.e. a war fought with other nations in order to expand the borders of Israel or magnify its greatness and reputation.
א
אין המלך נלחם תחלה אלא מלחמת מצוה ואי זו היא מלחמת מצוה זו מלחמת שבעה עממים ומלחמת עמלק ועזרת ישראל מיד צר שבא עליהם ואחר כך נלחם במלחמת הרשות והיא המלחמה שנלחם עם שאר העמים כדי להרחיב גבול ישראל ולהרבות בגדולתו ושמעו:
2
There is no need to seek the permission of the court to wage a milchemet mitzvah. Rather, he may go out on his own volition and force the nation to go out with him. In contrast, he may not lead the nation out to wage a milchemat hareshut unless the court of seventy one judges approves.
ב
מלחמת מצוה אינו צריך ליטול בה רשות בית דין אלא יוצא מעצמו בכל עת וכופה העם לצאת אבל מלחמת הרשות אינו מוציא העם בה אלא על פי בית דין של שבעים ואחד:
3
The king may burst through the fences surrounding fields or vineyards to make a road and no one can take issue with him.
There is no limit to the road the king may make. Rather, it may be as wide as necessary. He need not make his road crooked because of an individual's vineyard or field. Rather, he may proceed on a straight path and carry out his war.
ג
ופורץ לעשות לו דרך ואין ממחין בידו ודרך המלך אין לה שיעור אלא כפי מה שהוא צריך אינו מעקם הדרכים מפני כרמו של זה או מפני שדהו של זה אלא הולך בשוה ועושה מלחמתו:
4
It is a positive commandment to annihilate the seven nations who dwelled in Eretz Yisrael as Deuteronomy 20:17 states: 'You shall utterly destroy them.'
Anyone who chances upon one of them and does not kill him violates a negative commandment as ibid.:16 states: 'Do not allow a soul to live.' The memory of them has already been obliterated.
ד
מצות עשה להחרים שבעה עממין שנאמר החרם תחרימם וכל שבא לידו אחד מהן ולא הרגו עובר בלא תעשה שנאמר לא תחיה כל נשמה וכבר אבד זכרם:
5
Similarly, it is a positive commandment to destroy the memory of Amalek, as Deuteronomy 25:19 states: 'Obliterate the memory of Amalek.
It is also a positive commandment to constantly remember their evil deeds and their ambush of Israel to arouse our hatred of them, as ibid.:17 states: 'Remember what Amalek did to you.' The Oral Tradition teaches: ...Remember' - with your mouths; ...Do not forget' - in your hearts.' For it is forbidden to forget our hatred and enmity for them.
ה
וכן מצות עשה לאבד זכר עמלק שנאמר תמחה את זכר עמלק ומצות עשה לזכור תמיד מעשיו הרעים ואריבתו כדי לעורר איבתו שנאמר זכור את אשר עשה לך עמלק מפי השמועה למדו זכור בפה לא תשכח בלב שאסור לשכוח איבתו ושנאתו:
6
All the lands which Israel conquers in wars led by a king and approved by the court are considered as conquered by the people at large. Thus, they have the same status as Eretz Yisrael which was conquered by Joshua in every regard. This only applies if they were conquered after the conquest of Eretz Yisrael as described in the Torah.
ו
כל הארצות שכובשין ישראל במלך על פי בית דין הרי זה כבוש רבים והרי היא כארץ ישראל שכבש יהושע לכל דבר והוא שכבשו אחר כבוש כל ארץ ישראל האמורה בתורה:
7
It is permitted to dwell anywhere in the entire world with the exception of the land of Egypt. Its territory includes a square of 400 parsah by 400 parsah from the Mediterranean Sea proceeding westward, bordering on the land of Kush and the desert. It is forbidden to dwell in this entire territory.
In three places, the Torah warned against returning to Egypt:
a) 'God has told you, you must never again return on that path' (Deuteronomy 17:16);
b) 'You shall not see it again' (Deuteronomy 28:68);
c) 'You shall never see them again forever' (Exodus 14:13).
Alexandria is included in this prohibition.
ז
ומותר לשכון בכל העולם חוץ מארץ מצרים מן הים הגדול ועד המערב ארבע מאות פרסה על ארבע מאות פרסה כנגד ארץ כוש וכנגד המדבר הכל אסור להתישב בה בשלשה מקומות הזהירה תורה שלא לשוב למצרים שנאמר לא תוסיפין לשוב בדרך הזה עוד לא תוסיף עוד לראותה לא תוסיפו לראותם עוד עד עולם ואלכסנדריאה בכלל האיסור:
8
It is permitted to return to Egypt for the purpose of trade and commerce and to pass through while conquering other nations. The prohibition consists of settling there.
Lashes are not given as punishment for the violation of this prohibition because at the time one enters, there is no prohibition. Should he decide to settle there, there is no deed involved.
It appears to me that if a king of Israel would conquer the land of Egypt with the approval of the court, it would be permissible to settle there. The prohibition against returning was only given to individuals or to dwell there while it is under the rule of the gentiles for their behavior is more depraved than that of the peoples of other lands as can be inferred from Leviticus 18:3: 'Do not follow the ways of Egypt....'
ח
מותר לחזור לארץ מצרים לסחורה ולפרקמטיא ולכבוש ארצות אחרות ואין אסור אלא להשתקע שם ואין לוקין על לאו זה שבעת הכניסה מותר הוא ואם יחשב לישב ולהשתקע שם אין בו מעשה ויראה לי שאם כבש ארץ מצרים מלך ישראל על פי בית דין שהיא מותרת ולא הזהירה אלא לשוב לה יחידים או לשכון בה והיא ביד עכו"ם מפני שמעשיה מקולקלין יותר מכל הארצות שנאמר כמעשה ארץ מצרים:
9
It is forbidden to leave Eretz Yisrael for the Diaspora at all times except:
to study Torah;
to marry; or
to save one's property from the gentiles.
After accomplishing these objectives, one must return to Eretz Yisrael.
Similarly, one may leave Eretz Yisrael to conduct commercial enterprises. However, it is forbidden to leave with the intent of settling permanently in the Diaspora unless the famine in Eretz Yisrael is so severe that a dinar's worth of wheat is sold at two dinarim.
When do these conditions apply? When one possesses financial resources and food is expensive. However, if food is inexpensive, but a person cannot find financial resources or employment and has no money available, he may leave and go to any place where he can find relief.
Though it is permitted to leave Eretz Yisrael under these circumstances, it is not pious behavior. Behold, Machlon and Kilyon were two of the great men of the generation and they left Eretz Yisrael only out of great distress. Nevertheless, they were found worthy of death by God.
ט
אסור לצאת מארץ ישראל לחוצה לארץ לעולם אלא ללמוד תורה או לישא אשה או להציל מן העכו"ם ויחזור לארץ וכן יוצא הוא לסחורה אבל לשכון בחוצה לארץ אסור אא"כ חזק שם הרעב עד שנעשה שוה דינר חטין בשני דינרין במה דברים אמורים כשהיו המעות מצויות והפירות ביוקר אבל אם הפירות בזול ולא ימצא מעות ולא במה ישתכר ואבדה פרוטה מן הכיס יצא לכל מקום שימצא בו ריוח ואף על פי שמותר לצאת אינה מדת חסידות שהרי מחלון וכליון שני גדולי הדור היו ומפני צרה גדולה יצאו ונתחייבו כלייה למקום:
10
Great sages would kiss the borders of Eretz Yisrael, kiss its stones, and roll in its dust. Similarly, Psalms 102:15 declares: 'Behold, your servants hold her stones dear and cherish her dust.'
י
גדולי החכמים היו מנשקין על תחומי ארץ ישראל ומנשקין אבניה ומתגלגלין על עפרה וכן הוא אומר כי רצו עבדיך את אבניה ואת עפרה יחוננו:
11
The Sages commented: 'Whoever dwells in Eretz Yisrael will have his sins forgiven as Isaiah 33:24 states: 'The inhabitant shall not say 'I am sick.' The people who dwell there shall be forgiven their sins.'
Even one who walks four cubits there will merit the world to come and one who is buried there receives atonement as if the place in which he is buried is an altar of atonement as Deuteronomy 32:43 states: 'His land will atone for His people.' In contrast, the prophet, Amos [7:17, used the expression] 'You shall die in an impure land' as a prophecy of retribution.
There is no comparison between the merit of a person who lives in Eretz Yisrael and ultimately, is buried there and one whose body is brought there after his death. Nevertheless, great Sages would bring their dead there. Take an example, from our Patriarch, Jacob, and Joseph, the righteous.
יא
אמרו חכמים כל השוכן בארץ ישראל עונותיו מחולין שנאמר וכל יאמר שכן חליתי העם היושב בה נשוא עון אפילו הלך בה ארבע אמות זוכה לחיי העולם הבא וכן הקבור בה נתכפר לו וכאילו המקום שהוא בו מזבח כפרה שנאמר וכפר אדמתו עמו ובפורענות הוא אומר על אדמה טמאה תמות ואינו דומה קולטתו מחיים לקולטתו אחר מותו ואעפ"כ גדולי החכמים היו מוליכים מתיהם לשם צא ולמד מיעקב אבינו ויוסף הצדיק:
12
At all times, a person should dwell in Eretz Yisrael even in a city whose population is primarily gentile, rather than dwell in the Diaspora, even in a city whose population is primarily Jewish.
This applies because whoever leaves Eretz Yisrael for the Diaspora is considered as if he worships idols as I Samuel 26:19 states 'They have driven me out today from dwelling in the heritage of God, saying 'Go, serve other gods.' Similarly, Ezekiel's (13:9) prophecies of retribution state: 'They shall not come to the land of Israel.'
Just as it is forbidden to leave the chosen land for the Diaspora, it is also forbidden to leave Babylon for other lands as Jeremiah 27:22 states: 'They shall be brought to Babylon and there they shall be until I take heed of them... and restore them to this place.'
יב
לעולם ידור אדם בארץ ישראל אפילו בעיר שרובה עכו"ם ואל ידור בחוצה לארץ ואפילו בעיר שרובה ישראל שכל היוצא לחוצה לארץ כאילו עובד ע"ז שנאמר כי גרשוני היום מהסתפח בנחלת ה' לאמר לך עבוד אלהים אחרים ובפורעניות הוא אומר ואל אדמת ישראל לא יבאו כשם שאסור לצאת מהארץ לחוצה לארץ כך אסור לצאת מבבל לשאר הארצות שנאמר בבלה יובאו ושמה יהיו:
Melachim uMilchamot - Chapter 6
1
War, neither a milchemet hareshut or a milchemet mitzvah, should not be waged against anyone until they are offered the opportunity of peace as Deuteronomy 20:10 states: 'When you approach a city to wage war against it, you should propose a peaceful settlement.'
If the enemy accepts the offer of peace and commits itself to the fulfillment of the seven mitzvot that were commanded to Noah's descendents, none of them should be killed. Rather, they should be subjugated as ibid.:11 states: 'They shall be your subjects and serve you.'
If they agree to tribute, but do not accept subjugation or if they accept subjugation, but do not agree to tribute, their offer should not be heeded. They must accept both.
The subjugation they must accept consists of being on a lower level, scorned and humble. They must never raise their heads against Israel, but must remain subjugated under their rule. They may never be appointed over a Jew in any matter whatsoever.
The tribute they must accept consists of being prepared to support the king's service with their money and with their persons; for example, the building of walls, strengthening the fortresses, building the king's palace, and the like as I Kings 9:15-22) relates: "This is the tribute which Solomon raised to build the House of God, his own palace, the Milo, the wall of Jerusalem,... and all the store-cities which Solomon had... All the people that remained from the Amorites... upon them did Solomon lay a tribute of bondservice until this day."
In contrast, Solomon did not make bondsmen out of the children of Israel. They were men of war, his personal servants, his princes, his captains, the officers of his chariots, and his horsemen.
א
אין עושין מלחמה עם אדם בעולם עד שקוראין לו שלום אחד מלחמת הרשות ואחד מלחמת מצוה שנאמר כי תקרב אל עיר להלחם עליה וקראת אליה לשלום אם השלימו וקבלו שבע מצות שנצטוו בני נח עליהן אין הורגין מהן נשמה והרי הן למס שנאמר יהיו לך למס ועבדוך קבלו עליהן המס ולא קבלו העבדות או שקבלו העבדות ולא קבלו המס אין שומעין להם עד שיקבלו שניהם והעבדות שיקבלו הוא שיהיו נבזים ושפלים למטה ולא ירימו ראש בישראל אלא יהיו כבושים תחת ידם ולא יתמנו על ישראל לשום דבר שבעולם והמס שיקבלו שיהיו מוכנים לעבודת המלך בגופם וממונם כגון בנין החומות וחוזק המצודות ובנין ארמון המלך וכיוצא בו שנאמר וזה דבר המס אשר העלה המלך שלמה לבנות את בית ה' ואת ביתו ואת המלוא ואת חומת ירושלים ואת כל ערי המסכנות אשר היו לשלמה כל העם הנותר מן האמורי ויעלם שלמה למס עובד עד היום הזה ומבני ישראל לא נתן שלמה עבד כי הם אנשי המלחמה ועבדיו ושריו ושלישיו ושרי רכבו ופרשיו:
2
In the settlement he offers, the king may propose that he is entitled to take half their financial resources. Or he may propose to take all their landed property and leave them their movable property; or to take all their movable property and leave their land.
ב
ויש למלך להתנות עמהם שיקח חצי ממונם או הקרקעות ויניח כל המטלטלין או המטלטלים ויניח הקרקעות כפי מה שיתנה:
3
It is forbidden to lie when making such a covenant or to be untruthful to them after they have made peace and accepted the seven mitzvot.
ג
ואסור לשקר בבריתם ולכזב להם אחר שהשלימו וקבלו שבע מצות:
4
If they do not agree to a peaceful settlement, or if they agree to a peaceful settlement, but refuse to accept the seven mitzvot, war should be waged against them.
All males past majority should be killed. Their money and their children should be taken as spoil, but neither women or children should be killed, as Deuteronomy 20:14 states: 'But the women and the children... take as spoil." 'The children' refer to males below the age of majority.
The above applies to a milchemet hareshut fought with other nations. However, if either the seven nations or Amalek refuse to accept a peaceful settlement, not one soul of them may be left alive as ibid. 20:15-16 states: 'Do this to all the cities that ... are not the cities of these nations. However, from the cities of these nations,... do not leave a soul alive.' Similarly, in regard to Amalek, Deuteronomy 25:19 states: 'Obliterate the memory of Amalek.'
How do we know that these commands are only referring to those who did not accept a peaceful settlement? Joshua 11:19-20 states: 'There was no city which accepted a peaceful settlement with the children of Israel except the Chivites who lived in Gibeon. All the rest, they conquered in battle. This was inspired by God, Who strengthened their hearts to engage in battle against Israel so that they would be destroyed.' From these statements, we can infer that a peaceful settlement was offered, but they did not accept it.
ד
ואם לא השלימו או שהשלימו ולא קבלו שבע מצות עושין עמהם מלחמה והורגין כל הזכרים הגדולים ובוזזין כל ממונם וטפם ואין הורגין אשה ולא קטן שנאמר והנשים והטף זה טף של זכרים במה דברים אמורים במלחמת הרשות שהוא עם שאר האומות אבל שבעה עממין ועמלק שלא השלימו אין מניחין מהם נשמה שנאמר כן תעשה לכל וגו' רק מערי העמים לא תחיה כל נשמה וכן הוא אומר בעמלק תמחה את זכר עמלק ומנין שאינו מדבר אלא באלו שלא השלימו שנאמר לא היתה עיר אשר השלימה אל בני ישראל בלתי החוי יושבי גבעון את הכל לקחו במלחמה כי מאת ה' היתה לחזק את לבם לקראת המלחמה את ישראל למען החרימם מכלל ששלחו להם לשלום ולא קבלו:
5
Joshua sent three letters to the Canaanites before entering the promised land: At first, he sent them: 'Whoever desires to flee, should flee.'
Afterwards, he sent a second message: 'Whoever desires to accept a peaceful settlement, should make peace.'
Then, he sent again: 'Whoever desires war, should do battle.'
If so, why did the inhabitants of Gibeon employ a ruse? Because originally, when he sent the message to them as part of all the Canaanite nations, they did not accept. They were not aware of the laws of Israel and thought that they would never be offered a peaceful settlement again.
Why was the matter difficult for the princes of Israel to accept to the point that they desired to slay the Gibeonites by the sword were it not for the oath they had taken? Because they made a covenant with them and Deuteronomy 7:2 states 'Do not make a covenant with them.' Rather, the laws governing their status would have prescribed that they be subjugated as servants.
Since the oath was given to them under false pretenses, it would have been just to slay them for misleading them, were it not for the dishonor to God's name which would have been caused.
ה
שלשה כתבים שלח יהושע עד שלא נכנס לארץ הראשון שלח להם מי שרוצה לברוח יברח וחזר ושלח מי שרוצה להשלים ישלים וחזר ושלח מי שרוצה לעשות מלחמה יעשה אם כן מפני מה הערימו יושבי גבעון לפי ששלח להם בכלל ולא קבלו ולא ידעו משפט ישראל ודימו ששוב אין פותחין להם לשלום ולמה קשה הדבר לנשיאים וראו שראוי להכותם לפי חרב לולי השבועה מפני שכרתו להם ברית והרי הוא אומר לא תכרות להם ברית אלא היה דינם שיהיו למס עבדים והואיל ובטעות נשבעו להן בדין היה שיהרגו על שהטעום לולי חלול השם:
6
No offer of a peaceful settlement should be made to Ammon and Moav, as Deuteronomy 23:7 states: 'Do not seek their peace and welfare for all your days.' Our Sages declared: Although it is written: 'Offer a peaceful settlement,' does this apply to Ammon and Moab? The Torah states: 'Do not seek their peace and welfare.'
Although it is written Deuteronomy 23:17: 'He must be allowed to live alongside you in you midst,' does this apply to Ammon and Moav? No, the Torah also forbids 'their welfare.'
Even though we should not offer them a peaceful settlement, if they sue for peace themselves, we may accept their offer.
ו
עמון ומואב אין שולחין להם לשלום שנאמר לא תדרוש שלומם וטובתם כל ימיך אמרו חכמים לפי שנאמר וקראת אליה לשלום יכול עמון ומואב כן תלמוד לומר לא תדרוש שלומם וטובתם לפי שנאמר עמך ישב בקרבך בטוב לו לא תוננו יכול עמון ומואב כן תלמוד לומר וטובתם ואע"פשאין שואלים בשלומם אם השלימו מעצמם תחלה מקבלין אותן:
7
When a siege is placed around a city to conquer it, it should not be surrounded on all four sides, only on three. A place should be left for the inhabitants to flee and for all those who desire, to escape with their lives, as it is written Numbers 31:7: 'And they besieged Midian as God commanded Moses.' According to tradition, He commanded them to array the siege as described.
ז
כשצרין על עיר לתפשה אין מקיפין אותה מארבע רוחותיה אלא משלש רוחותיה ומניחין מקום לבורח ולכל מי שירצה להמלט על נפשו שנאמר ויצבאו על מדין כאשר צוה ה' את משה מפי השמועה למדו שבכך צוהו:
8
We should not cut down fruit trees outside a city nor prevent an irrigation ditch from bringing water to them so that they dry up, as Deuteronomy 20:19 states: 'Do not destroy its trees.' Anyone who cuts down such a tree should be lashed.
This does not apply only in a siege, but in all situations. Anyone who cuts down a fruit tree with a destructive intent, should be lashed.
Nevertheless, a fruit tree may be cut down if it causes damage to other trees or to fields belonging to others, or if a high price could be received for its wood. The Torah only prohibited cutting down a tree with a destructive intent.
ח
אין קוצצין אילני מאכל שחוץ למדינה ואין מונעין מהם אמת המים כדי שייבשו שנאמר לא תשחית את עצה וכל הקוצץ לוקה ולא במצור בלבד אלא בכ"מ כל הקוצץ אילן מאכל דרך השחתה לוקה אבל קוצצין אותו אם היה מזיק אילנות אחרים או מפני שמזיק בשדה אחרים או מפני שדמיו יקרים לא אסרה תורה אלא דרך השחתה:
9
It is permissible to cut down any non-fruit bearing tree, even if one has no need for it. Similarly, one may cut down a fruit bearing tree that has become old and produces only a slight yield which does not warrant the effort required to care for it.
What is the yield that an olive tree must produce to warrant that it should not be cut down? A quarter of a kav of olives. Similarly, a date palm which yields a kav of dates should not be cut down.
ט
כל אילן סרק מותר לקוץ אותו ואפילו אינו צריך לו וכן אילן מאכל שהזקין ואינו עושה אלא דבר מועט שאינו ראוי לטרוח בו מותר לקוץ אותו וכמה יהא הזית עושה ולא יקוצנו רובע הקב זיתים ודקל שהוא עושה קב תמרים לא יקוצנו:
10
This prohibition does not apply to trees alone. Rather, anyone who breaks utensils, tears garments, destroys buildings, stops up a spring, or ruins food with a destructive intent transgresses the command 'Do not destroy.' However, he is not lashed. Instead, he receives stripes for rebellious conductas instituted by the Sages.
י
ולא האילנות בלבד אלא כל המשבר כלים וקורע בגדים והורס בנין וסותם מעין ומאבד מאכלות דרך השחתה עובר בלא תשחית ואינו לוקה אלא מכת מרדות מדבריהם:
11
We should lay siege to the gentiles' cities at least three days before the Sabbath. We may engage in battle with them every day, even on the Sabbath, as Deuteronomy 20:20 states: 'against the city waging war with you until you subjugate it.' Our Sages explain: this implies 'even on the Sabbath.' This applies to both a milchemet mitzvah and a milchemet hareshut.
יא
צרין על עיירות של עכו"ם שלשה ימים קודם השבת ועושין עמהם מלחמה בכל יום ויום ואפילו בשבת שנאמר עד רדתה ואפילו בשבת בין מלחמת מצוה בין מלחמת רשות:
12
The army may camp anywhere.
A person killed in the war should be buried where he falls. He acquires that place in the same manner as a meit mitzvah acquires his.
יב
כשחונין חונין בכל מקום ומי שנהרג במלחמה במקום שיפול שם יקבר קונה מקומו כמת מצוה:
13
Four leniencies are permitted in an army camp:
a) Demai may be eaten.
b) There is no requirement to wash one's hands before eating bread.
c) Wood may be gathered from anywhere. Even if one finds wood that has been cut down and dried, there is no objection to taking it for an army camp.
d) There is no obligation to make an eruv chatzeirot for an army camp. Rather, one may carry from tent to tent and from booth to booth.
The latter is only permitted when the entire camp is surrounded by a barrier at least ten handbreadths high, for as explained in Hilchot Shabbat, a barrier must be at least ten handbreadths high.
Just as these leniencies apply when the army goes out to war, they apply when it returns.
יג
ארבעה דברים פטרו במחנה: אוכלים הדמאי ופטורים מרחיצת ידים בתחלה ומביאין עצים מכל מקום ואפילו מצאן תלושים ויבשים אין מקפידין על כך במחנה וכן פטורין מלערב עירובי חצירות במחנה אלא מטלטלין מאהל לאהל ומסוכה לסוכה והוא שיקיפו כל המחנה מחיצה גבוהה עשרה טפחים כדי שתהיה רשות יחיד כמו שנתבאר בהלכות שבת ואין מחיצה פחותה מעשרה וכשם שפטורין מכל אלו בהליכתן כך פטורין בחזרתן:
14
It is forbidden to defecate in an army camp or in an open field anywhere. Rather, it is a positive commandment to establish comfort facilities for the soldiers to defecate as Deuteronomy 23:13 commands: 'Designate a place outside the camp to use as a lavatory.'
יד
ואסור להפנות בתוך המחנה או על פני השדה בכ"מ אלא מצות עשה לתקן שם דרך מיוחדת להפנות בה שנאמר ויד תהיה לך מחוץ למחנה:
15
Similarly, it is a positive commandment for every single soldier to have a spike hanging together with his weapons. When he goes out and uses those comfort facilities, he should dig with it, relieve himself, and cover his excrement as ibid.:14 states 'You must keep a spike among your weapons.'
They must follow these practices at all times, whether the ark accompanies them or not, as ibid.:15 states: 'God walks among your camp,... therefore, your camp shall be holy.'
טו
וכן מצות עשה להיות יתד לכל אחד ואחד תלויה עם כלי מלחמתו ויצא באותה הדרך ויחפור בה ויפנה ויכסה שנאמר ויתד תהיה לך על אזניך וגו' ובין שיש עמהן ארון ובין שאין עמהן ארון כך הם עושים תמיד שנאמר והיה מחניך קדוש:
Hayom Yom:
• English Text | Video Class
Today's Laws & Customs:
• Fast Day
Mourning the killing of Gedaliah (see "Today in Jewish History"), we abstain from food and drink from dawn to nightfall; selichot prayers are included in the morning prayer.
• Ten Days of RepentanceThe 10-day period beginning on Rosh Hashanah and ending on Yom Kippur is known as the "Ten Days of Repentance"; this is the period, say the sages, of which the prophet speaks when he proclaims (Isaiah 55:6) "Seek G-d when He is to be found; call on Him when He is near." Psalm 130, Avinu Malkeinu and other special inserts and additions are included in our daily prayers during these days.
The Baal Shem Tov instituted the custom of reciting three additional chapters ofPsalms each day, from the 1st of Elul until Yom Kippur (on Yom Kippur the remaining 36 chapters are recited, thereby completing the entire book of Psalms). Click below for today's three Psalms.
Chapter 97 Chapter 98 Chapter 99
Psalms Chapter 97:1. When the Lord will reveal His kingship, the earth will exult; the multitudes of islands will rejoice.
2. Clouds and dense darkness will surround Him; justice and mercy will be the foundation of His throne.
3. Fire will go before Him and consume His foes all around.
4. His lightnings will illuminate the world; the earth will see and tremble.
5. The mountains will melt like wax before the Lord, before the Master of all the earth.
6. The heavens will declare His justice, and all the nations will behold His glory.
7. All who worship graven images, who take pride in idols, will be ashamed; all idol worshippers will prostrate themselves before Him.
8. Zion will hear and rejoice, the towns of Judah will exult, because of Your judgments, O Lord.
9. For You, Lord, transcend all the earth; You are exceedingly exalted above all the supernal beings.
10. You who love the Lord, hate evil; He watches over the souls of His pious ones, He saves them from the hand of the wicked.
11. Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
12. Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and extol His holy Name. Chapter 98:1. A psalm. Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has performed wonders; His right hand and holy arm have wrought deliverance for Him.
2. The Lord has made known His salvation; He has revealed His justice before the eyes of the nations.
3. He has remembered His kindness and faithfulness to the House of Israel; all, from the farthest corners of the earth, witnessed the deliverance by our God.
4. Raise your voices in jubilation to the Lord, all the earth; burst into joyous song and chanting.
5. Sing to the Lord with a harp, with a harp and the sound of song.
6. With trumpets and the sound of the shofar, jubilate before the King, the Lord.
7. The sea and its fullness will roar in joy, the earth and its inhabitants.
8. The rivers will clap their hands, the mountains will sing together.
9. [They will rejoice] before the Lord, for He has come to judge the earth; He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with righteousness. Chapter 99:1. When the Lord will reveal His kingship, the nations will tremble; the earth will quake before Him Who is enthroned upon the cherubim,
2. [before] the Lord Who is in Zion, Who is great and exalted above all the peoples.
3. They will extol Your Name which is great, awesome and holy.
4. And [they will praise] the might of the King Who loves justice. You have established uprightness; You have made [the laws of] justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5. Exalt the Lord our God, and bow down at His footstool; He is holy.
6. Moses and Aaron among His priests, and Samuel among those who invoke His Name, would call upon the Lord and He would answer them.
7. He would speak to them from a pillar of cloud; they observed His testimonies and the decrees which He gave them.
8. Lord our God, You have answered them; You were a forgiving God for their sake, yet bringing retribution for their own misdeeds.
9. Exalt the Lord our God, and bow down at His holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy.
Links: About the Ten Days of teshuvah; Voicemail; more on teshuvah
Today in Jewish History:
• Assassination of Gedaliah (423 BCE)Today is a fast day mourning the assassination of the Jewish royal Gedaliah ben Achikam, governor of the Land of Israel for a short period following the destruction of the First Temple. Gedaliah's killing spelled the end of the small remnant of a Jewish community that remained in the Holy Land after the destruction, which fled to Egypt. (According to many opinions, the assassination of Gedaliah actually occurred on Rosh Hashanah, but the commemoration of the event is postponed to the day after the festival; when the day after Rosh Hashanah is a Shabbat -- as it is this year -- the fast is postponed to Tishrei 4.)
Link: About Gedaliah
Daily Quote:
Contemplate three things, and you will not come to the hands of transgression: Know what is above from you: a seeing eye, a listening ear, and all your deeds being inscribed in a book (Ethics of the Fathers 2:1)
Daily Torah Study:
Chumash: Vezot Hab'rachah, 1st Portion Deuteronomy 33:1-33:7 with Rashi
• English / Hebrew Linear Translation
• Video Class
• Daily Wisdom (short insight)
Deuteronomy Chapter 33
1And this is the blessing with which Moses, the man of God, blessed the children of Israel [just] before his death. אוְזֹ֣את הַבְּרָכָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר בֵּרַ֥ךְ משֶׁ֛ה אִ֥ישׁ הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל לִפְנֵ֖י מוֹתֽוֹ:
And this is the blessing… [just] before his death: Very close to the time of his death. — [see Sifrei 33: 1] “For, if not now, when?”
וזאת הברכה, לפני מותו: סמוך למיתתו שאם לא עכשיו אימתי:
2He said: "The Lord came from Sinai and shone forth from Seir to them; He appeared from Mount Paran and came with some of the holy myriads; from His right hand was a fiery Law for them. בוַיֹּאמַ֗ר יְהֹוָ֞ה מִסִּינַ֥י בָּא֙ וְזָרַ֤ח מִשֵּׂעִיר֙ לָ֔מוֹ הוֹפִ֨יעַ֙ מֵהַ֣ר פָּארָ֔ן וְאָתָ֖ה מֵרִֽבְבֹ֣ת קֹ֑דֶשׁ מִֽימִינ֕וֹ אֵ֥שׁ דָּ֖ת לָֽמוֹ:
He said: The Lord came from Sinai: Moses initiated his blessing by praising the Omnipresent, and then he addressed the needs of Israel. — [Sifrei 33:2] The praise with which Moses commenced, mentions the merit of Israel. All this was a way of conciliation, as if to say, “These people are worthy that a blessing should rest upon them.”
ויאמר ה' מסיני בא: פתח תחלה בשבחו של מקום ואחר כך פתח בצרכיהם של ישראל. ובשבח שפתח בו יש בו הזכרת זכות לישראל וכל זה דרך ריצוי הוא, כלומר כדאי הם אלו שתחול עליהם ברכה:
came from Sinai: He came out toward them when they came to stand at the foot of the mountain, as a bridegroom goes forth to greet his bride, as it is said, “[And Moses brought the people forth] toward God” (Exod. 19:17). We learn from this, that God came out toward them (Mechilta 19:17).
מסיני בא: יצא לקראתם כשבאו להתיצב בתחתית ההר כחתן היוצא להקביל פני כלה, שנאמר (שמות יט, יז) לקראת האלהים, למדנו שיצא כנגדם:
and shone forth from Seir to them: [Why did He come from Seir?] Because God first offered the children of Esau [who dwelled in Seir] that they accept the Torah, but they did not want [to accept it].
וזרח משעיר למו: שפתח לבני עשו שיקבלו את התורה ולא רצו:
He appeared: to them [Israel]
הופיע: להם:
from Mount Paran: [Why did God then come from Paran?] Because He went there and offered the children of Ishmael [who dwelled in Paran] to accept the Torah, but they [also] did not want [to accept it]. — [A.Z. 2b]
מהר פארן: שהלך שם ופתח לבני ישמעאל שיקבלוה, ולא רצו:
and came: to Israel.
ואתה: לישראל
with some holy myriads: With God were only some of the myriads of His holy angels, but not all of them, nor [even] most of them. This is unlike the manner of a mortal, who displays all the splendor of his riches and his glory on his wedding day. — [Sifrei 33:2]
מרבבת קדש: ועמו מקצת רבבות מלאכי קדש, ולא כולם ולא רובם, ולא כדרך בשר ודם שמראה כל כבוד עשרו ותפארתו ביום חופתו:
a fiery law for them: It was originally written before God in [letters of] black fire upon [a background of] white fire. — [Tanchuma Bereishith 1] He gave it to them on tablets, inscribed, [as it were,] by His right hand [thus it is said here, “from His right hand”]. Another explanation of אֵשׁ דָּת : As the Targum renders it, that He gave it to them from amidst the fire.
אש דת: שהיתה כתובה מאז לפניו באש שחורה על גב אש לבנה, נתן להם בלוחות כתב יד ימינו. דבר אחר אש דת כתרגומו, שנתנה להם מתוך האש:
3Indeed, You showed love for peoples; all his holy ones are in Your hand, for they let themselves be centered at Your feet, bearing Your utterances. גאַ֚ף חֹבֵ֣ב עַמִּ֔ים כָּל־קְדשָׁ֖יו בְּיָדֶ֑ךָ וְהֵם֙ תֻּכּ֣וּ לְרַגְלֶ֔ךָ יִשָּׂ֖א מִדַּבְּרֹתֶֽיךָ:
Indeed, You showed love for peoples: [God] also displayed great affection to the tribes, each one of whom were known as a people, for only Benjamin was destined to be born when the Holy One, blessed is He, said to Jacob, “A nation and a multitude of nations shall come into existence from you” (Genesis 35:11). [Thus we see that Benjamin alone was called “a nation.” “A multitude of nations” refers to Ephraim and Manasseh. See Rashi on Gen. 35:11, 48:4.]- [Gen. Rabbah 82:4]
אף חבב עמים: גם חבה יתירה חבב את השבטים. כל אחד ואחד קרוי עם, שהרי בנימין לבדו היה עתיד להוולד כשאמר הקב"ה ליעקב (בראשית לה, יא) גוי וקהל גוים יהיה ממך:
all his holy ones are in Your hand: [This refers to] the souls of the righteous, which are hidden away with God, as it is said, “But my lord’s soul shall be bound up in the bundle of life, with the Lord, your God” (I Sam. 25:29). - [Sifrei 33:3]
כל קדשיו בידך: נפשות הצדיקים הגנוזות אתו, כענין שנאמר (שמואל א' כה, כט) והיתה נפש אדוני צרורה בצרור החיים את ה' אלהיך:
for they […] be centered at Your feet: And Israel is indeed worthy of this [privilege to have their souls hidden away with God], because they placed themselves right in the middle (תּוֹךְ) of the bottom of the mountain at Your feet [figuratively speaking] at Sinai. The word תֻּכּוּ is in the passive conjugation, which has the meaning: הִתְוַכּוּ, “They [allowed themselves] to be placed right in the middle (תּוֹךְ)” [of the underside of the mountain], between Your feet.
והם תכו לרגלך: והם ראוים לכך, שהרי תכו עצמן לתוך תחתית ההר לרגלך בסיני. תכו לשון פועלו, הותווכו לתוך מרגלותיך:
bearing Your utterances: They bore upon themselves the yoke of Your Torah. — [Sifrei 33:3]
ישא מדברתיך: נשאו עליהם עול תורתך:
Your Torah: Heb. מִדַּבְּרֹתֶיךָ. The mem in it [i.e., in this word] is somewhat of a root letter [rather than a prefix], as in “And he heard the voice speaking (מִדַּבֵּר) to him” (Num. 7:89); and “And I heard what was being spoken (מִדַּבֵּר) to me” (Ezek. 2:2). This form is similar to מִתְדַּבֵּר אֵלַי, [speaking to Himself for me to hear, see Rashi on Num. 7:89]. This too, namely, the word מִדַּבְּרֹתֶיךָ, means: “what You were speaking to let me know what to tell the children of Israel.” Tes porparledurs in Old French. Onkelos, however, renders [the phrase יִשָּׂא מִדַּבְּרֹתֶיךָ as: “they traveled (יִשָּׂא like יִסַּע) according to Your commands (דַּבְּרֹתֶיךָ).” Thus, the mem is a servile prefix, with the meaning of מִן, from. [Thus, according to Onkelos, the word מִדַּבְּרֹתֶיךָ literally means, from Your utterances.] Another explanation [of this verse is as follows]: Indeed, You showed love for peoples — even when You displayed Your affection towards the nations of the world, showing them a smiling [friendly] face, and You delivered Israel into their hands,
מדברתיך: המ"ם בו קרוב ליסוד, כמו (במדבר ז, פט) וישמע את הקול מדבר אליו, (יחזקאל ב, ב) ואשמע את קול מדבר אלי, כמו מתדבר אלי, אף זה מדברותיך מה שהיית מדבר להשמיעני לאמר להם. טיי"ש פורפרלידורי"ש בלע"ז [דיבורך]. ואונקלוס תרגם שהיו נוסעים על פי דבריך, והמ"ם בו שמוש משמשת לשון מן. דבר אחר אף חבב עמים אף בשעת חבתם של אומות העולם שהראית להם פנים שוחקות ומסרת את ישראל בידם:
all his holy ones are in Your hand: All Israel’s righteous and good people clung to You; they did not turn away from You, and You guarded them. — [B.B. 8a)]
כל קדשיו בידך: כל צדיקיהם וטוביהם דבקו בך ולא משו מאחריך ואתה שומרם:
for they let themselves be centered at your feet: And they placed themselves right in the middle of, and entered beneath Your [protective] shadow;
והם תכו לרגלך: והם מתמצעים ומתכנסים לתחת צלך:
bearing your utterances: And they gladly accepted Your decrees and Your laws. — [see Tanchuma 5] And these were their words:
ישא מדברתיך: מקבלים גזרותיך ודתותיך בשמחה. ואלה דבריהם:
4The Torah that Moses commanded us is a legacy for the congregation of Jacob. דתּוֹרָ֥ה צִוָּה־לָ֖נוּ משֶׁ֑ה מֽוֹרָשָׁ֖ה קְהִלַּ֥ת יַֽעֲקֹֽב:
The Torah that Moses commanded us is a legacy for the congregation of Jacob: We have taken hold of it, and we will not forsake it!
תורה: אשר צוה לנו משה מורשה היא לקהלת יעקב, אחזנוה ולא נעזבנה:
5And He was King in Jeshurun, whenever the sum total of the people were gathered, and the tribes of Israel were together, הוַיְהִ֥י בִֽישֻׁר֖וּן מֶ֑לֶךְ בְּהִתְאַסֵּף֙ רָ֣אשֵׁי עָ֔ם יַ֖חַד שִׁבְטֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל:
And He was: i.e., the Holy One, blessed is He,
ויהי: הקב"ה:
was King in Jeshurun: i.e., the yoke of God’s sovereignty was always upon them.
בישרון מלך: תמיד עול מלכותו עליהם:
whenever the sum total of the people were gathered: At every gathering of רָאשֵׁי - meaning, whenever their number is gathered. רָאשֵׁי as in the verse,“When you take the count (רֹאשׁ) of the children of Israel” (Exod. 30:12). These people are worthy that I should bless them. Another explanation: When Israel is gathered together in a unified group, and there is peace among them, God is their King-but not when there is strife among them. — [Sifrei 33:5]
בהתאסף: בכל התאסף ראשי חשבון אסיפתם. ראשי, כמו (שמות ל, יב) כי תשא את ראש, ראויין אלו שאברכם. דבר אחר, בהתאסף, בהתאספם יחד באגודה אחת ושלום ביניהם הוא מלכם, ולא כשיש מחלוקת ביניהם:
6May Reuben live and not die, and may his people be counted in the number. ויְחִ֥י רְאוּבֵ֖ן וְאַל־יָמֹ֑ת וִיהִ֥י מְתָ֖יו מִסְפָּֽר:
May Reuben live: in this world,
יחי ראובן: בעולם הזה:
and not die: in the world-to-come, that the incident involving Bilhah not be remembered against him. — [see Rashi Gen. 35:22; Sifrei 33:6]
ואל ימות: לעולם הבא, שלא יזכר לו מעשה בלהה:
and may his people be counted in the number: May Reuben be counted along with the enumeration of the rest of his brothers. This [matter, that the incident involving Bilhah should not exclude Reuben from being counted together with his brothers] is similar to what is said: “[And Reuben went] and lay with Bilhah… and Jacob’s sons were twelve” (Gen. 35:22), [indicating] that he was not excluded from the number [of Jacob’s sons, on account of this incident].
ויהי מתיו מספר: נמנין במנין שאר אחיו, דוגמא היא זו כענין שנאמר (בראשית לה, כב) וישכב את בלהה ויהיו בני יעקב שנים עשר, שלא יצא מן המנין:
7May this [also be] for Judah." And he [Moses] said, "O Lord, hearken to Judah's voice and bring him to his people; may his hands do battle for him, and may You be a help against his adversaries." זוְזֹ֣את לִֽיהוּדָה֘ וַיֹּאמַר֒ שְׁמַ֤ע יְהֹוָה֙ ק֣וֹל יְהוּדָ֔ה וְאֶל־עַמּ֖וֹ תְּבִיאֶ֑נּוּ יָדָיו֙ רָ֣ב ל֔וֹ וְעֵ֥זֶר מִצָּרָ֖יו תִּֽהְיֶֽה:
May this [also be] for Judah: He juxtaposed Judah to Reuben, because they both confessed to the wrong they had done, as it is said, “that wise men have told… to them alone… and no stranger passed between them” (Job 15:18-19). [This verse alludes to the confession of Reuben and Judah (“that wise men have told”), and how they were consequently blessed here together (“them alone”); although Levi was next in line chronologically to Reuben, nevertheless here, in the context of this blessing, Levi did not come between them (“no stranger came between them”), but rather, he was blessed immediately afterwards (verses 8-11).]- [see Rashi, Job 15:19] Our Rabbis further explained that during the entire forty years that Israel was in the desert, Judah’s bones were rolling in his coffin, because of the excommunication which he had accepted upon himself [when he took responsibility for Benjamin], as it is said, “If I will not bring him to you… then I have sinned against you all of the days” (Gen. 43:9). [So], Moses said, “Who caused Reuben to [publicly] confess his sin? It was Judah…” (see Sotah 7b) [and thus, by placing Judah together with Reuben, Moses alluded to this merit of Judah, and, in effect, “May the Lord listen to Judah’s voice,” is a prayer that Judah’s bones would finally come to rest].
וזאת ליהודה: סמך יהודה לראובן, מפני ששניהם הודו על קלקול שבידם, שנאמר (איוב טו, יח - יט) אשר חכמים יגידו וגו' להם לבדם וגו' ולא עבר זר בתוכם. ועוד פירשו רבותינו, שכל ארבעים שנה שהיו ישראל במדבר היו עצמות יהודה מתגלגלים בארון מפני נדוי שקבל עליו, שנאמר (בראשית מד, לב) וחטאתי לאבי כל הימים, אמר משה מי גרם לראובן שיודה יהודה וכו':
O Lord, hearken to Judah’s voice: [I.e., Also, hear the prayer of Judah’s descendants:] The prayer of David and Solomon, and the prayer of Asa because of the Ethiopians, and that of Jehoshaphat on account of the Ammonites, and that of Hezekiah because of Sennacherib. — [see Sifrei 33:7]
שמע ה' קול יהודה: תפלת דוד ושלמה ואסא מפני הכושים, ויהושפט מפני העמונים, וחזקיה מפני סנחריב:
and bring him to his people: in peace, from war.
ואל עמו תביאנו: לשלום מפני המלחמה:
his hands will do battle for him: May his hands fight his battle (רִיבוֹ), and may they exact his vengeance.
ידיו רב לו: יריבו ריבו וינקמו נקמתו:
and may You be a help against his adversaries: [Moses here] was praying for [Judah’s descendant] Jehoshaphat, concerning the battle of Ramoth Gilead, [as Scripture states,] “Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him (עֲזָרוֹ)” (II Chron. 18:31). Another explanation:
ועזר מצריו תהיה: על יהושפט התפלל על מלחמת רמות גלעד, (דה"ב יח, לא) ויזעק יהושפט וה' עזרו. דבר אחר ...
O Lord, hearken to Judah’s voice: Here, included within Judah’s blessing, Moses alluded to [and incorporated] a blessing for Simeon [the allusion being in the word שְׁמַע, the very root of שִׁמְעוֹן]. Also [in accordance with this incorporation of Simeon within Judah], when they divided Eretz Israel [among the tribes], Simeon received [his portion] out of the lot of Judah, as Scripture states, “Out of the lot of the children of Judah was the inheritance of the children of Simeon” (Josh. 19:9). - [Sifrei 33:7] Now why did Moses not devote a separate blessing for him? Because he held against him what he had done in Shittim [referring to the sin of Zimri the son of Salu, a leader of the tribe of Simeon (see Num. 25:1-14)]. So it is written in the Aggadah of Psalms. — [Shocher Tov 90]
שמע ה' קול יהודה: כאן רמז ברכה לשמעון מתוך ברכותיו של יהודה, ואף כשחלקו ארץ ישראל נטל שמעון מתוך גורלו של יהודה שנאמר (יהושע יט, ט) מחבל בני יהודה נחלת בני שמעון. ומפני מה לא ייחד לו ברכה בפני עצמו, שהיה בלבו עליו על מה שעשה בשטים, כן כתוב באגדת תהלים:
Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 23 - 28
• Hebrew text
• English text
Special Custom for the Month of Elul and High Holidays
The Baal Shem Tov instituted a custom of reciting three additional chapters of Psalms each day, from the 1st of Elul until Yom Kippur (on Yom Kippur the remaining 36 chapters are recited, thereby completing the entire book of Psalms).
See below for today's additional chapters.
Chapter 23
When King David was in the forest of Cheret and nearly died of starvation, God provided nourishment for him with a taste of the World to Come. David then composed this psalm, describing the magnitude of his trust in God.
1. A psalm by David. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall lack nothing.
2. He lays me down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters.
3. He revives my soul; He directs me in paths of righteousness for the sake of His Name.
4. Though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff-they will comfort me.
5. You will prepare a table for me before my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup is full.
6. Only goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the House of the Lord for many long years.
Chapter 24
If the fulfillment of one's prayer would result in the sanctification of God's Name, he should pray that God act for the sake of the holiness of His Name. One should also invoke the merit of his ancestors, for we know that "the righteous are greater in death than in life"
1. By David, a psalm. The earth and all therein is the Lord's; the world and its inhabitants.
2. For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers.
3. Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord, and who may stand in His holy place?
4. He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not used My Name in vain or sworn falsely.
5. He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, and kindness from God, his deliverer.
6. Such is the generation of those who search for Him, [the children of] Jacob who seek Your countenance forever.
7. Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, eternal doors, so the glorious King may enter.
8. Who is the glorious King? The Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord, mighty in battle.
9. Lift up your heads, O gates; lift them up, eternal doors, so the glorious King may enter.
10. Who is the glorious King? The Lord of Hosts, He is the glorious King for all eternity.
Chapter 25
The verses in this psalm are arranged according to the alphabet, excluding the letters Bet, Vav, and Kuf, which together equal the numerical value of Gehenom (purgatory). One who recites this psalm daily will not see the face of purgatory.
1. By David. To You, Lord, I lift my soul.
2. My God, I have put my trust in You. May I not be put to shame; may my enemies not gloat over me.
3. Indeed, may all who hope in You not be put to shame; let those who act treacherously without reason be shamed.
4. O Lord, make Your ways known to me; teach me Your paths.
5. Train me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; I yearn for You all day.
6. O Lord, remember Your mercies and Your kindnesses, for they have existed for all time.
7. Do not recall the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; remember me in accordance with Your kindness, because of Your goodness, O Lord.
8. Good and upright is the Lord, therefore He directs sinners along the way.
9. He guides the humble with justice, and teaches the humble His way.
10. All the paths of the Lord are kindness and truth for those who observe His covenant and testimonies.
11. For the sake of Your Name, O Lord, pardon my iniquity, for it is great.
12. Whoever is a God-fearing man, him will He teach the path that he should choose.
13. His soul will abide in well-being, and his descendants will inherit the earth.
14. The secret of the Lord is to those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them.
15. My eyes are always turned to the Lord, for He releases my feet from the snare.
16. Turn to me and be compassionate to me, for I am alone and afflicted.
17. The sufferings of my heart have increased; deliver me from my hardships.
18. Behold my affliction and suffering, and forgive all my sins.
19. See how numerous my enemies have become; they hate me with a violent hatred.
20. Guard my soul and deliver me; may I not be put to shame, for I place my trust in You.
21. Let integrity and uprightness guard me, for my hope is in You.
22. Redeem Israel, O God, from all its afflictions.
Chapter 26
In this psalm King David inundates God with prayers and acts of piety, because he envies those who are his spiritual superiors, saying, "If only I were on their level of piety and virtue!"
1. By David. Judge me, O Lord, for in my innocence I have walked, and in the Lord I have trusted-I shall not falter.
2. Try me, O Lord, and test me; refine my mind and heart.
3. For Your kindness is before my eyes, and I have walked constantly in Your truth.
4. I did not sit with men of falsehood, and with hypocrites I will not mingle.
5. I detested the company of evildoers, and with the wicked I will not sit.
6. I wash my hands in purity, and circle Your altar, O Lord,
7. to give voice to thanks, and to recount all Your wonders.
8. I love the shelter of Your House, O Lord, and the place where Your glory resides.
9. Gather not in my soul with sinners, nor my life with men of bloodshed,
10. In whose hands are schemes, and whose right hand is filled with bribes.
11. But I walk in my innocence; redeem me and show me favor.
12. My foot stands on level ground; in assemblies I will bless the Lord.
Chapter 27
King David acknowledges and praises God, placing his trust in Him because of his victories in war. "Nevertheless, it is not wars that I desire, for I cannot gain perfection with them. Only one thing do I ask: to abide day and night in the study hall studying Torah, to gain perfection so that my soul may merit the life of the World to Come."
1. By David. The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life-whom shall I dread?
2. When evildoers approached me to devour my flesh, my oppressors and my foes, they stumbled and fell.
3. If an army were to beleaguer me, my heart would not fear; if war were to arise against me, in this I trust1
4. One thing I have asked of the Lord, this I seek: that I may dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the pleasantness of the Lord, and to visit His Sanctuary.
5. For He will hide me in His tabernacle on a day of adversity; He will conceal me in the hidden places of His tent; He will lift me upon a rock.
6. And then my head will be raised above my enemies around me, and I will offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of jubilation; I will sing and chant to the Lord.
7. Lord, hear my voice as I call; be gracious to me and answer me.
8. In Your behalf my heart says, "Seek My countenance"; Your countenance, Lord, I seek.
9. Do not conceal Your countenance from me; do not cast aside Your servant in wrath. You have been my help; do not abandon me nor forsake me, God of my deliverance.
10. Though my father and mother have forsaken me, the Lord has taken me in.
11. Lord, teach me Your way and lead me in the path of righteousness, because of my watchful enemies.
12. Do not give me over to the will of my oppressors, for there have risen against me false witnesses, and they speak evil.
13. [They would have crushed me] had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
14. Hope in the Lord, be strong and let your heart be valiant, and hope in the Lord.
FOOTNOTES
1.I trust that “the lord is my light and salvation” etc. (Rashi)
Chapter 28
A prayer for every individual, entreating God to assist him in walking the good path, to prevent him from walking with the wicked doers of evil, and that He repay the wicked for their wickedness and the righteous for their righteousness.
1. By David. I call to You, O Lord; my Strength, do not be deaf to me; for should You be silent to me, I will be like those who descend to the pit.
2. Hear the sound of my pleas when I cry out to You, when I raise my hands toward Your holy Sanctuary.
3. Do not draw me along with the wicked, with evildoers who speak of peace with their companions, though evil is in their heart.
4. Give them according to their deeds, and the evil of their endeavors; give them according to their handiwork, render to them their just desserts.
5. For they pay no heed to the acts of the Lord, nor to the work of His hands; may He destroy them and not rebuild them.
6. Blessed is the Lord, for He has heard the voice of my pleas.
7. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusted and I was helped; my heart exulted, and with my song I praised Him.
8. The Lord is a strength to them; He is a stronghold of deliverance to His anointed.
9. Grant salvation to Your people and bless Your heritage; tend them and exalt them forever.
Additional Three Chapters
The Baal Shem Tov instituted a custom of reciting three additional chapters of Psalms each day, from the 1st of Elul until Yom Kippur (on Yom Kippur the remaining 36 chapters are recited, thereby completing the entire book of Psalms).
Today's Chapters are 97, 98 and 99.
Chapter 97
1. When the Lord will reveal His kingship, the earth will exult; the multitudes of islands will rejoice.
2. Clouds and dense darkness will surround Him; justice and mercy will be the foundation of His throne.
3. Fire will go before Him and consume His foes all around.
4. His lightnings will illuminate the world; the earth will see and tremble.
5. The mountains will melt like wax before the Lord, before the Master of all the earth.
6. The heavens will declare His justice, and all the nations will behold His glory.
7. All who worship graven images, who take pride in idols, will be ashamed; all idol worshippers will prostrate themselves before Him.
8. Zion will hear and rejoice, the towns of Judah will exult, because of Your judgments, O Lord.
9. For You, Lord, transcend all the earth; You are exceedingly exalted above all the supernal beings.
10. You who love the Lord, hate evil; He watches over the souls of His pious ones, He saves them from the hand of the wicked.
11. Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
12. Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and extol His holy Name.
Chapter 98
This psalm describes how Israel will praise God for the Redemption.
1. A psalm. Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has performed wonders; His right hand and holy arm have wrought deliverance for Him.
2. The Lord has made known His salvation; He has revealed His justice before the eyes of the nations.
3. He has remembered His kindness and faithfulness to the House of Israel; all, from the farthest corners of the earth, witnessed the deliverance by our God.
4. Raise your voices in jubilation to the Lord, all the earth; burst into joyous song and chanting.
5. Sing to the Lord with a harp, with a harp and the sound of song.
6. With trumpets and the sound of the shofar, jubilate before the King, the Lord.
7. The sea and its fullness will roar in joy, the earth and its inhabitants.
8. The rivers will clap their hands, the mountains will sing together.
9. [They will rejoice] before the Lord, for He has come to judge the earth; He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with righteousness.
Chapter 99
This psalm refers to the wars of Gog and Magog, which will precede the Redemption.
1. When the Lord will reveal His kingship, the nations will tremble; the earth will quake before Him Who is enthroned upon the cherubim,
2. [before] the Lord Who is in Zion, Who is great and exalted above all the peoples.
3. They will extol Your Name which is great, awesome and holy.
4. And [they will praise] the might of the King Who loves justice. You have established uprightness; You have made [the laws of] justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5. Exalt the Lord our God, and bow down at His footstool; He is holy.
6. Moses and Aaron among His priests, and Samuel among those who invoke His Name, would call upon the Lord and He would answer them.
7. He would speak to them from a pillar of cloud; they observed His testimonies and the decrees which He gave them.
8. Lord our God, You have answered them; You were a forgiving God for their sake, yet bringing retribution for their own misdeeds.
9. Exalt the Lord our God, and bow down at His holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy.
Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, beginning of Epistle 20
• English Text (Lessons in Tanya)
• Hebrew Text
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Sunday, Tishrei 4, 5778 · September 24, 2017
Today's Tanya Lesson
Iggeret HaKodesh, beginning of Epistle 20
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The present Epistle deals with a subject that has not been touched upon in the Tanya until now. Though it is one of the most profound and abstract principles of Chassidut, it has a practical application.
It will be recalled that the introduction to Epistle 18 pointed out the benefits of ascertaining the practical lessons in divine service — through the performance of mitzvot in general and the mitzvah of tzedakah in particular — that are to be found in each of these pastoral letters. For, as the Alter Rebbe’s sons state in their Approbation to the Tanya, the purpose of the letters is to “teach the people of G‑d the way by which they should walk and the deed which they should do.” And this letter is especially significant, for the Alter Rebbe wrote it (as the Tzemach Tzedek testifies1) “several days before his demise in the village of Piena.”
What the profundity of this letter ultimately conveys is a renewed and deepened appreciation of the performance of “physical” mitzvot in general (i.e., those involving material things, such as wool for tzitzit and parchment for tefillin) and the mitzvah of tzedakah in particular.
At the core of this letter is the principle that the creation of the physical derives from the Essence of G‑d Himself; it completely transcends the luminous and revelatory levels of G‑dliness from which all spiritual entities and worlds are created. For, as the Alter Rebbe writes, “Only G‑d Himself — Whose Being is of His Essence, and Who is not, Heaven forfend, caused by some other cause preceding Himself — has the ability to create something out of absolute nothingness,” to create a being that seems (to the corporeal eye) to be a wholly independent entity “without any other cause preceding it.”
Everything else that exists is possible and non-essential existence, and consequently is totally dependent upon G‑d as the cause for its existence. By contrast, only G‑d Himself — Whose existence is an imperative and Whose being derives from His own Self, and as such needs nothing to bring about His existence — has the ability to create a being so corporeal that it is entirely unaware that its existence depends on a Creator; indeed, it is satisfied with the delusion that it is responsible for its own creation.
Apart from this grossly physical world, everything created has an apparent causal link with a source of existence. Light, for example, visibly owes its existence to its source — a luminary; speech, being an alul(“effect”), clearly owes its existence to the faculty of thought, which is its ilah (“cause”). When viewing material matter, however, one does not perceive that it derives from and is nullified to something higher than itself; it seems to exist as a wholly autonomous being.
A being such as this, which is infinitely distant from its spiritual source — its source being Divine while the being itself is physical, and hence has to be created ex nihilo (“from nothing”) — can be created only by G‑d Himself, Who is truly without limitation and as such transcends the physical and the spiritual equally. Thus, it is specifically the physical things that were created by G‑d Himself, Who is, of course, infinitely higher than all the illuminations and radiations of G‑dliness that were responsible for the creation of all spiritual beings and entities.
This principle leads us to a newfound respect for the performance of commandments involving physical things — for their creation comes about from G‑d Himself.
This principle is indeed new. It supplements the explanation in Tanya, Part I (ch. 35ff) of the distinctive quality of practical performance alluded to in the phrase quoted on its title page: “that you may do it.” That explanation highlights the superiority of the mitzvot performed in the realm of action over those performed with thought and speech.
This superiority is explained there only in the light of G‑d’s ultimate intent: G‑d desires a dwelling place, i.e., that His Presence be revealed in the nethermost level, in this spiritually dark, physical world, which seemingly does its best to conceal G‑dliness. And this dwelling place is best built through the mitzvot involving action, for through them G‑dliness is drawn down into those aspects of this physical world that are lower than thought and speech.
The same is true with regard to the refinement and elevation of the animal soul and its transformation into goodness and holiness (for which reason the Divine soul first descended into the body): the optimal refinement and elevation of the animal soul is achieved specifically through the performance of these mitzvot — donning tefillin, wearing tzitzit, etc. — for they engage the power of the animal soul to a greater degree than do the commandments that are performed only in thought or in speech.
All this merely expresses the special quality of “action” as it relates to G‑d’s desire and intent; it does not, however, express the superiority of the physical object with which a practical commandment is performed. Seemingly, a commandment performed with one’s loftier soul-powers — such as the knowledge of G‑d-liness, a mitzvah that engages one’s mind, or the love of G‑d, a mitzvah that engages the spiritual emotions of one’s heart — should be inherently superior to a commandment that merely engages one’s hands or feet.
For as far as the Divine Will is concerned, since this is fulfilled both by the practical mitzvot and by those observed in thought and in speech, the spiritual result — being united with G‑d — would seem to be the same in both types of mitzvot. With regard to the object with which G‑d’s Will is being fulfilled, the commandments that are performed with one’s more spiritual qualities — comprehending G‑d with one’s mind and loving Him with one’s heart — would seem to be superior to the commandments that merely engage one’s physicality.
However, considering (as in the letter below) the unique standing of physical mitzvot inasmuch as the physical derives from G‑d Himself, it follows that the practical commandments are superior to those performed in thought or in speech by virtue of the physical objects they involve, for these objects harbor energy that is released when they are utilized in fulfilling the Divine intent.
The previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Rebbe Rayatz, of blessed memory, once related2 that when “those few heavenly soul-words” that appear in the text below were first revealed, pointing out that it is from the infinite Essence of the Ein Sof Himself that physical objects first come into being, the chassidim of the time found that their performance of the practical mitzvot was invigorated by fresh wellsprings of vitality.
איהו וחיוהי חד
“He3 and His life-giving emanations (chayohi) are one;
I.e., the “lights” (orot) of the Sefirot, which (like souls) animate the “vessels” (kelim) of the Sefirot, are not merely connected to G‑d: they are actually one with Him.
איהו וגרמוהי חד בהון
He and His causations (garmohi; lit., “organs”) are one in them,”
I.e., the “vessels” (kelim) which emanate from G‑d, and which (like bodies to souls4) serve as receptors to the “lights” (orot) of the Sefirot, are one with Him — in them, i.e., in the Sefirot,
(פירוש: עשר ספירות דאצילות
חיוהי: הן האורות
“His life-giving emanations” — these are the lights, the orot of the Sefirot,
וגרמוהי: הן הכלים
and “His causations” — these are the vessels, the kelim of the Sefirot;
שכולן אלקות
they are all (one with the [infinite] Ein Sof-light, for they are) Divinity.
מה שאין כן בבריאה יצירה עשיה כו׳
This is not the case in the Worlds of Beriah, Yetzirah and Asiyah, and so on.)
In these lower worlds, the kelim of the Sefirot as well as a distinct measure of the orot are not Divinity, but created beings.
וצריך להבין היטב איך האין סוף חד עם גרמוהי, הן הכלים
Now it needs to be clearly understood how the Ein Sof is One with His causations, i.e., with the kelim of the Sefirot.
הרי הכלים הן בבחינת גבול ותכלית, כמו שכתוב בעץ חיים
For the kelim are limited and finite, as is stated in Etz Chayim.7
Each of the Sefirot is not only a distinct entity (Chochmah having a separate identity from Binah, and Chesedfrom Gevurah, etc.), but in addition each Sefirah is inherently finite. How then can they be One with the Ein Sof,Who transcends any such particular identity (such as Chochmah or Chesed) and is moreover infinite?
The Tzemach Tzedek explains in Or HaTorah8 that the limitation that characterizes the kelim of Atzilut is their function as the Ko’ach HaGvul of the Ein Sof, the Power of Limitation whereby there can emanate from the [infinite] Ein Sof something limited and finite.
For it is stated in Avodat HaKodesh9 that “Ein Sof is the most perfect being of all; just as He possesses infinite powers so too does He possess finite powers, for if you were to say that He can only express Himself in an infinite manner and not in a finite manner, then you are diminishing His perfection.”
This means that in truth “infinity” is also “finite”, if it is limited to infinitude and barred from expressing itself finitely. A power that is only “infinite” and not “finite” lacks the capabilities of finitude. Since the Ein Sof is “the most perfect being of all,” hence possessing all qualities, He must possess a power of limitation and finitude just as He possesses infinite powers.
Avodat HaKodesh concludes that the Infinite One’s first expression of self-limitation is the emanation of the Sefirot — more specifically, the kelim of the Sefirot — which possess Ko’ach HaGvul, the Power of Limitation. As a result, the created beings that result from the enclothement of the “lights” in the “vessels” are limited in nature, even though the creative light that flows from the orot is infinite.
To return now to our query, as expressed above: Since the kelim are limited and finite, how can they be One with the Ein Sof, Who utterly transcends all bounds of identity and finitude?
אמנם הכוונה היא לומר, שהן אלקות לברוא יש מאין
However, the intention of the statement that the Ein Sof is One with His kelim is to say that they are Divinity with regard to creating something out of nothing, just as the Ein Sof is capable of doing,10
Creating something out of nothing is a capability hidden only “in the bosom of the Creator.”11 As our Sages, of blessed memory, expressed it,12 “If all the world’s inhabitants were to assemble, they would be unable to create the wing of a gnat and place within it a soul.”
It is with respect to this that the Ein Sof is One with the kelim of the Ten Sefirot of Atzilut: through them something is created out of nothing; in this respect the kelim are Divinity.
ולא בבחינת השתלשלות עילה ועלול לבד
and not merely by way of an evolution from ilah (“cause”) to alul (“effect”), as links in a causal progression wherein a being — the alul, or “effect” — evolves of itself from its ilah, or “cause”.
ומה שכתב הרמ״ק ענין השתלשלות עילה ועלול, וכן הוא בזוהר הקדוש, פרשת בראשית
As for the statement of R. Moses Cordovero13 that creative development in the Sefirot takes place by way of ilah and alul, and so too is it stated in the sacred Zohar, Parshat Bereishit,14
היינו בהשתלשלות הספירות בספירות עצמן
this refers to the evolution of the Sefirot within the Sefirot themselves, whereby one Sefirah evolves from another, e.g., Binah from Chochmah,
(בבחינת הכלים) שנקראות בלי מה, בספר יצירה
(15with respect to the kelim), which are termed beli mah (“without anything”) in Sefer Yetzirah16 (the “Book of Formation”17),
(The text there reads, “Ten Sefirot without anything: their measure is ten....”)
שאינן בבחינת יש ומהות מושג
because they are not in the category of a substance (yesh)18 nor of a nature that is apprehensible to created beings,
וכמו האין סוף, דלית מחשבה תפיסא ביה כלל
like the Ein Sof,19 “Whom thought cannot grasp at all”; so too are the kelim of the Sefirot called beli mah, “without anything” tangible and comprehensible by created beings,
Since the Sefirot are not of an apprehensible substance (they are “without anything”), they evolve from one another as ilah and alul, rather than being created as something from nothing.
The Alter Rebbe will now show that the kelim of the Sefirot are not of an apprehensible nature:
וכמו שכתוב: ופני לא יראו
as it is written,20 “And My face (G‑d’s pnimiyut and inner self) shall not be seen.”
The aspect of Divinity termed “My face,” referring as it does also to the pnimiyut of the kelim, remained hidden even from Moshe Rabbeinu, transcending even his vision and comprehension.
ונבואת משה רבינו עליו השלום והשגתו, היתה מפרק עליון דנצח דז״א
The prophecy and apprehension of Moshe Rabbeinu, peace to him, related to the upper rank of Netzach of Z’eir Anpin.
As mentioned in the previous letter (Epistle XIX), the Sefirot of Netzach, Hod and Yesod are merely the conduits by which the flow of life-giving light reaches the recipient; i.e., they are merely the externality of the Sefirot rather than the internal level called panim.
ובהשתלשלות העלול הוא מוקף מהעילה
And in the evolution, the alul (before it emerges as a distinct entity) is encompassed by its ilah,
ובטל במציאות אצלו, כזיו השמש בשמש
and is in a state of utter self-nullification in relation to it, just as a ray of the sun loses any independent identity and is essentially non-existent when it is within the sun,
This is true even after the alul evolves from the ilah and is revealed as a distinct entity: even then it is essentially non-existent in relation to its ilah. And the same holds true with regard to the manner in which one Sefirah evolves from another: that which is drawn down and revealed is totally nullified to the ilah from which it evolves.
כמו שכתוב בפרדס מהרמ״ק
It would thus be impossible to create a substantive being, a yesh, that has a sense of existence independent of its source, through the process of ilah and alul.23
ואף גם צמצומים רבים מאד לא יועילו להיות גשם עב כעפר, מהשתלשלות הרוחניות משכלים נבדלים, אפילו של המלאכים
Thus even numerous contractions, even enough to make the screened light utterly dissimilar to the original light, will not avail to bring about matter dense as earth, by way of an evolution from the spirituality of abstract intelligences, not even [by way of an evolution from the spirituality] [Insertion by the Rebbe: “of the abstract intelligences”] of the angels.
Angels, too, are composed of matter and form. However, since even their matter is composed of spiritual elements, coarse matter such as earth will not result, even after a multitude of contractions, for in the evolving and descending chainlike progression called Hishtalshelut, the lowest link remains connected — i.e., retains some qualitative relationship — to the highest link.
אלא להיות רוח הבהמה מפני שור
There will only come into being — as a result of this gradated evolvement — the spirit of an animal, that derives from the “Face of the Ox” of the Celestial Chariot,
Although the spirit that animates the body of an animal can in no way be compared to its spiritual source in the “Face of the Ox” of the Chariot, by means of Hishtalshelut the “soul” of an animal can eventually evolve from there, since this “soul” too is spiritual in nature. Hishtalshelut, however, cannot result in the innovative creation of a physical entity from something spiritual,
כמו שכתוב במקום אחר, ועיין שם היטב
as explained elsewhere; examine it well.
The Rebbe notes that this may be referring, for example, to the discourse entitled Yaviu Levush Malchut24 in Torah Or.
The Alter Rebbe explains there that in a certain sense even the Supernal Chochmah of Atzilut is an entity, inasmuch as it is designated as Chochmah, as opposed to ayin, the state of “nothingness”. Therefore, it too cannot come into being by means of evolvement from the Ein Sof; it too must come about through the process of “something from nothing.” Indeed, as the verse states,25 “Chochmah derives from ayin” — Chochmah emerges from its source in a manner of “something from nothing.”
Here, however, we are not speaking of creation as it comes about from the Ein Sof, but rather as it results from spirituality in general, even from a spiritual level such as that of the abstract intelligences, i.e., the angels. It is with regard to this that we say that Hishtalshelut can only result in the soul of an animal deriving from the “Face of the Ox” of the Celestial Chariot; it cannot bring into being the physical body of an animal.
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. | Derech Mitzvotecha, p. 170a. |
| 2. | Acharon shel Pesach, 5694. |
| 3. | Note of the Rebbe: “Etz Chayim, Shaar 47, ch. 12, et al.” |
| 4. | Tikkunei Zohar, Introduction II (beginning Patach Eliyahu). |
| 5. | Parentheses are in the original text. |
| 6. | Note of the Rebbe: “Chayohi and garmohi can also be interpreted otherwise.” |
| 7. | Shaar II, ch. 3 et passim. |
| 8. | Vayeitzei, p. 182b. |
| 9. | Part I, beginning of ch. 8. |
| 10. | Note of the Rebbe: “This is not to say that the Ein Sof is one with the kelim of the Sefirot; rather, that they unite in an action that can only come about through the Ein Sof or through uniting with the Ein Sof, with the action coming about by the Ein Sof and through the kelim.” |
| 11. | Note of the Rebbe: “And for the reason provided below, on p. קל, ע״ב [i.e., p. 260 of the standard Hebrew text].” |
| 12. | See Yerushalmi, Sanhedrin 7:13; Bereishit Rabbah 39:14; Vayikra Rabbah 19:2; et al. |
| 13. | Pardes Rimonim, Shaar VI, ch. 6, et al. |
| 14. | I, 19b ff. |
| 15. | Parentheses are in the original text. |
| 16. | 1:2, et passim. |
| 17. | Note of the Rebbe: “Including the formation (Yetzirah) of the Sefirot.” |
| 18. | Note of the Rebbe: “Not even of the yesh of Beriah, the proof of this being — and to the extent that — they are not [even of an apprehensible nature to created beings].” |
| 19. | Cf. Introduction to Tikkunei Zohar, p. 17a. |
| 20. | Shmot 33:23. |
| 21. | Pardes Rimonim, Shaar VI, ch. 6, et al. |
| 22. | Note of the Rebbe: “This is why even the creation of the kelim of the Ten Sefirot of Beriah, Yetzirah and Asiyah— which are not One, but separate entities — cannot come about through the process of ilah and alul.” |
| 23. | Note of the Rebbe: “So, too, regarding the yesh of Asiyah.” |
| 24. | P. 90b. |
| 25. | Iyov 28:12. |
• Sefer Hamitzvot:
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Sunday, Tishrei 4, 5778 · September 24, 2017
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
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Positive Commandment 187
Destroying the Seven Canaanite Nations
"For you shall utterly destroy them"—Deuteronomy 20:17.
We are commanded to kill the members of the Seven Canaanite Nations—to utterly eradicate them. This because they were the original source of idolatry and its prime practitioners. In many places the Torah encourages and urges us to observe this mitzvah, and explains the reason for this mitzvah: so that we should not learn from these nations' heretical ways. The battle against the Canaanite nations is considered a "mitzvah battle."
This mitzvah was fully completed by King David, who killed the remaining members of these nations that had survived till his day, besides for a few who scattered and were absorbed into other nations.
[Translator's Note: In the Laws of Kings, Maimonides explains that the killing of the Seven Nations was a last resort, only done if the nations refused to evacuate the Holy Land, or to remain, but reject idolatry and accept upon themselves Jewish sovereignty.]
Full text of this Mitzvah »
Destroying the Seven Canaanite Nations
Positive Commandment 187
Translated by Berel Bell
The 187th mitzvah is that we are commanded to kill and destroy the seven nations [of Canaan]1 because they are the prime worshippers and original source of idolatry.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement2 (exalted be He), "You must wipe them out completely." [Scripture3] explains the reason for this commandment is to keep us from learning from their heresy. Many verses encourage and urge that they be killed, and waging war against them is a milchemes mitzvah [mandatory war].
Since these seven nations no longer exist4 a person could think that this commandment is not noheg l'doros [for all generations5]. But only someone who does not understand the concept of noheg l'doros would think such a thing. A command that can be fulfilled without being limited to a certain time is considered noheg l'doros, because if the act would become possible in any generation, the mitzvah would apply. When G‑d will totally destroy the descendants of Amalek and remove them for all time — as will be speedily in our days, as G‑d (exalted be He) promised,6 "I will wipe out the memory of Amalek" — will we say that the mitzvah to wipe out the memory of Amalek7 was not noheg l'doros? This is not true, for in any generation when one finds a descendant of Amalek, he must be killed. The same applies to this mitzvah of killing all descendants of the seven nations, which is a milchemes mitzvah. In every generation we are required to uproot them and search after them down to the last individual. We did this until King David destroyed them completely, with the survivors being scattered and assimilated among the nations until they disappeared.
But although they no longer exist, the mitzvah to kill them is still considered noheg l'doros, just as the mitzvah to wage war against Amalek is considered noheg l'doros even after their destruction. This is because it is not dependant on a certain time or place, such as in Egypt8 or in the desert.9 The mitzvah is dependant solely upon the object of the mitzvah: whenever they are found, the mitzvah must be fulfilled.
The general rule is that you must understand and contemplate upon the difference between the commandment itself10 and this that the commandment deals with.11 There are mitzvos where the object of the commandment has ceased to exist in a certain generation,12 but this does not render the mitzvah not noheg l'doros, since the commandment itself applies forever.
For a commandment to be considered not noheg l'doros, the opposite would be true. The specific object in the specific state does exist; but the obligation to perform the specific act or follow the certain law only applies at a certain time. Today, even though the object exists, the commandment does not. An example of this would be an elderly Levite, who was not allowed to serve [in the Mishkan] in the desert, but is allowed today, as we explained in the proper place.13 Be sure you understand this and keep it in mind.
FOOTNOTES
1.Chitti, Emori, Canaani, Prizi, Chivi, Yevusi and Girgashi — Deut. 7:1.
2.Deut. 20:17.
3.Ibid., 20:18.
4.See Hilchos Melachim 5:4.
5.In the Third Introductory Principle, the Rambam explains that in order to be counted among the 613 mitzvos, the commandment must apply for all generations. Since the seven nations no longer exist, it would therefore seem that this commandment shouldn't be counted.
6.Ex. 17:14.
7.Deut. 25:19; P188 below.
8.E.g. those associated with the special Pesach sacrifice in Egypt. See Ex. 12:23.
9.E.g. those associated with transporting the Mishkan [Tabernacle]. See the Third Introductory Principle.
10.[10]. In our case, killing the seven nations.
11.In our case, the seven nations.
12.See N53.
13."Today," refers to the Levite serving in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. A Levite was disqualified from serving in the desert after he reached the age of fifty; in the Holy Temple, however, he was allowed. See Hilchos Klei HaMikdash 3:8; Chullin 24a; Third Introductory Principle.
Negative Commandment 49
Sparing the Seven Canaanite Nations
"You shall not leave a soul alive"—Deuteronomy 20:16.
We may not allow even one individual from the Seven Canaanite Nations to live, for they would have a negative effect on the Jewish inhabitants of the land and influence them to worship idols.
[For more on this mitzvah, see Positive Commandment 187.]
Full text of this Mitzvah »
Sparing the Seven Canaanite Nations
Negative Commandment 49
Translated by Berel Bell
The 49th prohibition is that we are forbidden from allowing any individual from the seven nations to live. [This is commanded] in order that they not ruin other people and cause them to err by following idolatry.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "Do not allow a single soul to live."
Killing them is a positive commandment, as we explained in P187. One who had the opportunity to kill one of them, and did not do so, transgresses a prohibition.
FOOTNOTES
1.Deut. 20:16.
Positive Commandment 188
Destroying Amalek
"You shall erase the memory of Amalek"—Deuteronomy 25:19.
We are commanded to wipe out the descendants of Amalek, men and women, old and young.
This is one of the three mitzvot the Jews were commanded upon entering the land—the other two were appointing a king and building the Holy Temple.
Full text of this Mitzvah »
Destroying Amalek
Positive Commandment 188
Translated by Berel Bell
The 188th mitzvah is that we are commanded to wipe out — from among all the descendants of Esav — the descendants of Amalek, male and female, young and old.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "Wipe out the memory of Amalek."
We have mentioned previously2 the statement of our Sages,3 "The Jewish people were commanded three mitzvos upon entering the Land of Israel: to appoint a king, to build the Beis HaMikdash, and to destroy the descendants of Amalek."
Waging war against Amalek is also a milchemes mitzvah [obligatory war].4
The details of this mitzvah are explained in the eighth chapter of tractate Sotah.
FOOTNOTES
1.Ex. 17:14.
2.P20; P173.
3.Sanhedrin 20b; Sifri, Deut. 12:10. From the expression, "three mitzvos," the Rambam derives that all three are counted as mitzvos among the 613.
4.Just as the war against the seven nations, P187 above.
Positive Commandment 189
Remembering Amalek's Deed
"Remember what Amalek did to you"—Deuteronomy 25:17.
We are enjoined to remember that which Amalek did to us, that they were the first to "greet" us [after we left Egypt] with evil [i.e., battle]. We must verbally recall this at all times, and awaken our souls to battle them. We must call upon people to hate them, so that the matter not be forgotten, and the hate should not abate with the passage of time.
Full text of this Mitzvah »
Remembering Amalek's Deed
Positive Commandment 189
Translated by Berel Bell
The 189th mitzvah is that we are commanded to constantly1 remember what Amalek did to us, i.e. to be the first to attack us [after we were redeemed from Egypt]; and to speak of it constantly; to arouse people to wage war against them and hate them, in order that it not be forgotten or the hatred towards them lessened with the passage of time.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement2 (exalted be He), "Remember what Amalek did to you. [Do not forget.]"
The Sifri3 says, "The phrase, 'Remember what Amalek did to you,' refers to doing so verbally. The phrase, 'Do not forget,' means in one's heart." This means that one should say verbally words that cause people to keep this hatred in their hearts. The Sifra4 says, "From the verse, 'Remember what Amalek did to you,' you might think it means in your heart. But when it says, 'Do not forget,' that means in your heart! How do we explain the commandment to 'remember?' It means to speak about it verbally." You can see how the Prophet Shmuel went about fulfilling this commandment: first he remembered them [verbally] and then commanded that they be killed. This was done when he said,5 "I remember what Amalek did to the Jewish people when they came up from Egypt."
FOOTNOTES
1.See Kapach, 5731, footnote 59, that this is the type of remembrance meant by the Arabic word b'tad'kar.
2.Deut. 25:17.
3.End of Ki Seitzei.
4.Beginning of Parshas Bechukosai.
5.Shmuel I, 15:2.
Negative Commandment 59
Forgetting Amalek's Deed
"You must not forget"—Deuteronomy 25:19.
We are enjoined to never forget that which Amalek did to us, that they were the first to "greet" us [after we left Egypt] with evil [i.e., battle]. We must never allow the hate from Amalek to be forgotten from our hearts.
Full text of this Mitzvah »
Forgetting Amalek's Deed
Negative Commandment 59
Translated by Berel Bell
The 59th prohibition is that we are forbidden from forgetting what the descendants of Amalek did to us, i.e. to be the first to attack us [after we were redeemed from Egypt].
In P189 we explained that remembering what the descendants of Amalek did to us and constantly renewing our hatred towards them is a positive commandment. Similarly, we are forbidden from ignoring it and forgetting about it, and it is an actual prohibition.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement,1 "Do not forget."
The Sifri2 says, " 'Remember,' means verbally. 'Do not forget,' means in one's heart." This means that you should not ignore hating him, nor remove it from your heart.
FOOTNOTES
1.Deut. 25:19.
2.End of Ki Seitzei.
Rambam:
• 1 Chapter A Day: Melachim uMilchamot Melachim uMilchamot - Chapter 10
English Text | Hebrew Text
Audio: Listen | Download | Video ClassMelachim uMilchamot - Chapter 10
1
A gentile who inadvertently violates one of his commandments is exempt from all punishment with the exception of a person who kills inadvertently. In such an instance, the redeemer of the blood is not executed for slaying the killer, nor may the latter seek asylum in a city of refuge. However, the court will not execute him.
When does the above apply? When he inadvertently violates a command without sinful intention; for example, a person who engages in relations with his colleague's wife under the impression that she is his own wife or unmarried.
If, however, one knew that she was his colleague's wife, but did not know that she was forbidden to him or it occurred to him that this act was permitted or one killed without knowing that it is forbidden to kill, he is considered close to having sinned intentionally and is executed. This is not considered as an inadvertent violation. For he should have learned the obligations incumbent upon him and did not.
א
בן נח ששגג באחת ממצותיו פטור מכלום חוץ מרוצח בשגגה שאם הרגו גואל הדם אינו נהרג עליו ואין לו עיר מקלט אבל בתי דיניהן אין ממיתין אותו במה דברים אמורים בשגג באחת ממצות ועבר בלא כוונה כגון שבעל אשת חבירו ודמה שהיא אשתו או פנויה אבל אם ידע שהוא אשת חבירו ולא ידע שהיא אסורה עליו אלא עלה על לבו שדבר זה מותר לו וכן אם הרג והוא לא ידע שאסור להרוג הרי זה קרוב למזיד ונהרג ולא תחשב זו להם שגגה מפני שהיה לו ללמוד ולא למד:
2
A gentile who is forced by another person to violate one of his commandments is permitted to transgress. Even if he is forced to worship false gods, he may worship them. For gentiles are not commanded to sanctify God's name.
A gentile minor, deaf-mute, or fool is never given punishment for they are not bound by any commandments.
ב
בן נח שאנסו אנס לעבור על אחת ממצותיו מותר לו לעבור אפילו נאנס לעבוד ע"ז עובד לפי שאינן מצווין על קדוש השם ולעולם אין עונשין מהן לא קטן ולא חרש ולא שוטה לפי שאינן בני מצות:
3
A gentile who converted, was circumcised, and immersed in the mikveh, and, afterwards, decided to forsake God and revert to his previous status as a resident alien is not granted permission to do so. Rather, he must remain as an Israelite in all matters or be executed.
If he was a minor and immersed by the court, he may repudiate his conversion when he attains majority and assume the status of a resident alien alone. However, if he does not object as soon as he attains majority, he is no longer given the opportunity to object and his status is that of a righteous convert.
Therefore, if a Jew has relations with a girl below the age of majority who was immersed in the mikveh by a court, the money due her as payment of her ketubah or as a fine for raping her or seducing her is placed in the custody of the court until she attains majority and does not repudiate her conversion. This step is taken lest she take the money, attain majority, and then, repudiate her conversion. Thus, she would derive benefit as a gentile from monies to which she is only entitled according to Jewish law.
ג
בן נח שנתגייר ומל וטבל ואח"כ רצה לחזור מאחרי ה' ולהיות גר תושב בלבד כשהיה מקודם אין שומעין לו אלא יהיה כישראל לכל דבר או יהרג ואם היה קטן כשהטבילוהו בית דין יכול למחות בשעה שיגדיל ויהיה גר תושב בלבד וכיון שלא מיחה בשעתו שוב אינו מוחה אלא הרי הוא גר צדק לפיכך אם בא ישראל על קטנה שהטבילוה בית דין כסף כתובתה או קנס אונס או מפתה יהיה הכל תחת יד בית דין עד שתגדיל ולא תמחה בגירות שמא תטול ותגדיל ותמחה ונמצאת זו אוכלת בגיותה מעות שאין לה זכות בהן אלא בדיני ישראל:
4
A gentile who converts after cursing God's name, worshipping false gods, engaging in relations with a colleague's wife, or killing a fellow gentile is exempt from punishment.
In contrast, if he converted after killing a Jew or having relations with a Jew's wife, he is liable. He is decapitated for killing the Jew and strangled to death for engaging in relations with a Jew's wife. He is given the latter punishment because the laws governing him have changed.
ד
בן נח שבירך את השם או שעבד ע"ז או שבא על אשת חבירו או שהרג חבירו ונתגייר פטור הרג בן ישראל או שבא על אשת ישראל ונתגייר חייב והורגין אותו על בן ישראל וחונקין אותו על אשת ישראל שבעל שהרי נשתנה דינו:
5
It has already been explained that gentiles are always executed by decapitation except in cases when one engages in relations with the wife of a Jew or a consecrated maiden. In the latter instance, he is stoned to death.
If he engaged in relations with a Jew's wife after they married, but before they ever engaged in relations, he is executed by strangulation.
ה
כבר ביארנו שכל מיתת בני נח בסייף אלא אם בעל אשת ישראל או נערה מאורסה יסקל ואם בעלה אחר שנכנסה לחופה קודם שתבעל יחנק:
6
According to the Oral Tradition, gentiles are forbidden to cross-breed animals and graft different species of trees together. However, they are not executed for violating this prohibition.
A gentile who gave a Jew a blow is liable to die for causing even the most minimal damage. Nevertheless, he is not executed.
ו
מפי הקבלה שבני נח אסורין בהרבעת בהמה ובהרכבת אילן בלבד ואין נהרגין עליהן ועכו"ם שהכה ישראל אפילו חבל בו כל שהוא אף על פי שהוא חייב מיתה אינו נהרג:
7
Only Abraham and his descendants were commanded regarding circumcision as Genesis 17:9-10 states: 'Keep My covenant, you and your offspring... circumcise every male.'
The descendants of Ishmael are excluded as implied by Genesis 21:12: 'It is through Isaac, that your offspring will be called.' Esau's descendants are also excluded, for Isaac told Jacob Genesis 28:4: 'May God grant Abraham's blessing to you and your descendants,' implying that only he is the true offspring of Abraham who maintains his faith and his upright behavior. Thus, they alone are obligated in circumcision.
ז
המילה נצטוה בה אברהם וזרעו בלבד שנאמר אתה וזרעך אחריך יצא זרעו של ישמעאל שנאמר כי ביצחק יקרא לך זרע ויצא עשו שהרי יצחק אמר ליעקב ויתן לך את ברכת אברהם לך ולזרעך מכלל שהוא לבדו זרעו של אברהם המחזיק בדתו ובדרכו הישרה והם המחוייבין במילה:
8
Our Sages related that the descendants of Keturah who are the offspring of Abraham that came after Isaac and Ishmael are also obligated in circumcision. Since, at present, the descendants of Ishmael have become intermingled with the descendants of Keturah, they are all obligated to be circumcised on the eighth day. However, they are not executed for failure to perform this mitzvah.
ח
אמרו חכמים שבני קטורה שהם זרעו של אברהם שבא אחר ישמעאל ויצחק חייבין במילה והואיל ונתערבו היום בני ישמעאל בבני קטורה יתחייבו הכל במילה בשמיני ואין נהרגין עליה:
9
A gentile who studies the Torah is obligated to die. They should only be involved in the study of their seven mitzvot.
Similarly, a gentile who rests, even on a weekday, observing that day as a Sabbath, is obligated to die. Needless to say, he is obligated for that punishment if he creates a festival for himself.
The general principle governing these matters is: They are not to be allowed to originate a new religion or create mitzvot for themselves based on their own decisions. They may either become righteous converts and accept all the mitzvot or retain their statutes without adding or detracting from them.
If a gentile studies the Torah, makes a Sabbath, or creates a religious practice, a Jewish court should beat him, punish him, and inform him that he is obligated to die. However, he is not to be executed.
ט
עכו"ם שעסק בתורה חייב מיתה לא יעסוק אלא בשבע מצות שלהן בלבד וכן עכו"ם ששבת אפילו ביום מימות החול אם עשאהו לעצמו כמו שבת חייב מיתה ואין צריך לומר אם עשה מועד לעצמו כללו של דבר אין מניחין אותן לחדש דת ולעשות מצות לעצמן מדעתן אלא או יהיה גר צדק ויקבל כל המצות או יעמוד בתורתו ולא יוסיף ולא יגרע ואם עסק בתורה או שבת או חדש דבר מכין אותו ועונשין אותו ומודיעין אותו שהוא חייב מיתה על זה אבל אינו נהרג:
10
We should not prevent a gentile who desires to perform one of the Torah's mitzvot in order to receive reward from doing so, provided he performs it as required. If he brings an animal to be sacrificed as a burnt offering, we should receive it.
If a gentile who observes the seven mitzvot gives charity, we should accept it from him. It appears to me that it should be given to the Jewish poor for the gentile may derive his sustenance from the Jews and they are commanded to support him if necessary. In contrast, if an idolater gives charity, we should accept it from him and give it to the gentile poor.
י
בן נח שרצה לעשות מצוה משאר מצות התורה כדי לקבל שכר אין מונעין אותו לעשותה כהלכתה ואם הביא עולה מקבלין ממנו נתן צדקה מקבלין ממנו ויראה לי שנותנין אותה לעניי ישראל הואיל והוא ניזון מישראל ומצוה עליהם להחיותו אבל העכו"ם שנתן צדקה מקבלין ממנו ונותנין אותה לעניי עכו"ם:
11
The Jewish court is obligated to appoint judges for these resident aliens to judge them according to these statutes so that the world will not become decadent.
If the court sees fit to appoint the judges from the resident aliens themselves, they may. If it sees fit to appoint them from among the Jews, they may.
יא
חייבין בית דין של ישראל להעמיד שופטים לאלו הגרים התושבים לדון להן על פי המשפטים אלו כדי שלא ישחת העולם אם ראו בית דין שיעמידו שופטיהם מהן מעמידין ואם ראו שיעמידו להן מישראל מעמידין:
12
Should two idolaters come before you to have their dispute judged according to Jewish law. If they both desire to be judged according to Torah law, they should be judged accordingly. If one desires to be judged according to Torah law and the other does not, they are only forced to be judged according to their own laws.
If there is a dispute between a Jew and an idolater: If the Jew will fare better according to their laws, they are judged according to their laws. When the judgement is rendered, the judges explain: 'Your law obligates this judgement.' If the Jew will fare better according to our laws, they are judged according to Torah law. When the judgement is rendered, the judges explain: 'Our law obligates this judgement.' It appears to me that this approach is not followed in regard to a resident alien. Rather, he is always judged according to their laws.
Similarly, it appears to me that in regard to respect and honor and also, in regard to charity, a resident alien is to be treated as a Jew for behold, we are commanded to sustain them as Deuteronomy 14:21 states: 'You may not eat any animal that has not been properly slaughtered... give it to the resident alien in your gates that he may eat it.' Though our Sages counseled against repeating a greeting to them, that statement applies to idolaters and not resident aliens.
However, our Sages commanded us to visit the gentiles when ill, to bury their dead in addition to the Jewish dead, and support their poor in addition to the Jewish poor for the sake of peace. Behold, Psalms 145:9 states: 'God is good to all and His mercies extend over all His works' and Proverbs 3:17 states: 'The Torah's ways are pleasant ways and all its paths are peace.'
יב
שני עכו"ם שבאו לפניך לדון בדיני ישראל ורצו שניהן לדון דין תורה דנין האחד רוצה והאחד אינו רוצה אין כופין אותו לדון אלא בדיניהן היה ישראל ועכו"ם אם יש זכות לישראל בדיניהן דנין לו בדיניהם ואומרים לו כך דיניכם ואם יש זכות לישראל בדינינו דנין לו דין תורה ואומרים לו כך דינינו ויראה לי שאין עושין כן לגר תושב אלא לעולם דנין לו בדיניהם וכן יראה לי שנוהגין עם גרי תושב בדרך ארץ וגמילות חסדים כישראל שהרי אנו מצווין להחיותן שנאמר לגר אשר בשעריך תתננה ואכלה וזה שאמרו חכמים אין כופלין להן שלום בעכו"ם לא בגר תושב אפילו העכו"ם צוו חכמים לבקר חוליהם ולקבור מתיהם עם מתי ישראל ולפרנס ענייהם בכלל עניי ישראל מפני דרכי שלום הרי נאמר טוב ה' לכל ורחמיו על כל מעשיו ונאמר דרכיה דרכי נועם וכל נתיבותיה שלום:
Rambam:
• 3 Chapters A Day: Melachim uMilchamot Melachim uMilchamot - Chapter 4, Melachim uMilchamot Melachim uMilchamot - Chapter 5, Melachim uMilchamot Melachim uMilchamot - Chapter 6
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Audio: Listen | Download | Video ClassMelachim uMilchamot - Chapter 4
1
The king is granted license to levy taxes upon the nation for his needs or for the purpose of war. He may also fix a duty on merchandise. It is forbidden to avoid paying this duty. The king has the right to decree that if someone does not pay these duties, his property will be seized or he will be killed.
These laws are derived as follows: I Samuel 8:17 states: 'You will be servants to him, the king.' Previously, Deuteronomy 20:11 states: 'They shall be subject to your levy and they shall serve you.' From this association, it is derived that the king may levy taxes and fix duties.
The statutes that he establishes in these and related matters are accepted as law for all the matters mentioned in the Biblical passage concerning the king are rights to which the king is entitled.
א
רשות יש למלך ליתן מס על העם לצרכיו או לצורך המלחמות וקוצב לו מכס ואסור להבריח מן המכס שיש לו לגזור שכל מי שיגנוב המכס ילקח ממונו או יהרג שנאמר ואתם תהיו לו לעבדים ולהלן הוא אומר יהיו לך למס ועבדוך מכאן שנותן מס וקוצב מכס ודיניו בכל אלו הדברים וכיוצא בהן דין שכל האמור בפרשת מלך מלך זוכה בו:
2
He may also send throughout the territory of Eretz Yisrael and take from the nation valiant men and men of war and employ them as soldiers for his chariot and cavalry. Similarly, he may appoint them as his body guard and as footmen to run before him as I Samuel 8:11 states: 'He shall place them among his charioteers and his horsemen and they shall run before his chariot.' He may also take the choicest of them to be his servants and attendants as ibid.:16 states: 'He shall take... your finest young men... to do his work.'
ב
ושולח בכל גבול ישראל ולוקח מן העם הגבורים ואנשי חיל ועושה מהן חיל למרכבתו ובפרשיו ומעמיד מהן עומדים לפניו ומעמיד מהן אנשים לרוץ לפניו שנאמר ושם לו במרכבתו ופרשיו ורצו לפני מרכבתו ולוקח מן היפים שבהם להיות שמשים ועומדים לפניו שנאמר ואת בחוריכם הטובים יקח ועשה למלאכתו:
3
Similarly, he may take all those that are necessary for him from the nation's craftsmen and employ them to do his work. He must pay their wages. He may also take all the beasts, servants, and maids that are necessary for his tasks. He must pay their hire or their value as ibid.:12-16 states: 'He will set them to plough his ground and to reap his harvest, to make instruments of war, and gear for his chariots.... He will take your servants, your maids, your finest young men, and your donkeys to do his work.'
ג
וכן לוקח מן בעלי האומניות כל מה שהוא צריך ועושין לו מלאכתו ונותן שכרן ולוקח כל הבהמות והעבדים והשפחות למלאכתו ונותן שכרן או דמיהן שנאמר ולחרוש חרישו ולקצור קצירו ולעשות כלי מלחמתו וכלי רכבו ואת עבדיכם ואת שפחותיכם ואת בחוריכם הטובים ואת חמוריכם יקח ועשה למלאכתו:
4
Similarly, he may take wives and concubines from the entire territory of Eretz Yisrael. The term 'wives' implies women who were married with A ketubah and kiddushin; concubines, women who were not given A ketubah and kiddushin. With the act of yichud alone, the king acquires her and relations with her are permitted him.
A commoner is forbidden to have a concubine. The only similar relationship is the union with a Hebrew maid servant after she has been designated by her master.
The king may make the concubines which he takes to his palace cooks, bakers, and perfumers as ibid.:13 states: 'He will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers.
ד
וכן לוקח מכל גבול ישראל נשים ופלגשים נשים בכתובה וקדושין ופלגשים בלא כתובה ובלא קידושין אלא ביחוד בלבד קונה אותה ומותרת לו אבל ההדיוט אסור בפילגש אלא באמה העבריה בלבד אחר ייעוד ויש לו [רשות] לעשות הפילגשים שלוקח לארמונו טבחות ואופות ורקחות שנאמר ואת בנותיכם יקח לרקחות ולטבחות ולאופות:
5
He may force those who are fit to serve as officers, appointing them as leaders of thousands and leaders of fifties as ibid.:12 states: 'He shall appoint them as leaders of thousands and leaders of fifties for himself.'
ה
וכן כופה את הראויין להיות שרים וממנה אותם שרי אלפים ושרי חמשים שנאמר ולשום לו שרי אלפים ושרי חמשים:
6
He may take fields, olive groves, and vineyards for his servants when they go to war and allow them to commandeer these places if they have no source of nurture other than them. He must pay for what is taken. This is stated in ibid.:14: 'He shall take your good fields, vineyards, and olive groves and give them to his servants.
ו
ולוקח השדות והזיתים והכרמים לעבדיו כשילכו למלחמה ויפשטו על מקומות אלו אם אין להם מה יאכלו אלא משם ונותן דמיהן שנאמר ואת שדותיכם ואת כרמיכם וזיתיכם הטובים יקח ונתן לעבדיו:
7
He is entitled to a tenth of the produce of the seed and the orchards and the newborn beasts as ibid.:16-17 states: 'He will take a tenth of your seed and your vineyards...He shall take a tenth of your sheep.'
ז
ויש לו מעשר מן הזרעים ומן האילנות ומן הבהמה שנאמר וזרעיכם וכרמיכם יעשור וגו' צאנכם יעשור:
8
The Messianic king may take a thirteenth portion of all the lands conquered by Israel as his own. This will be an allotment for him and his descendants forever.
ח
המלך המשיח נוטל מכל הארצות שכובשין ישראל חלק אחד משלשה עשר ודבר זה חק לו ולבניו עד עולם:
9
The property of all those executed by the king, belongs to the king. Similarly, all the treasures belonging to the kings of the kingdoms which he conquers become the property of the king.
In regard to the other spoil which is taken. The soldiers may take spoil. Afterwards, they must bring it to the king. He is entitled to one half of the spoil. He takes this portion first.
The second half of the spoil is divided between the combat soldiers and the people who remained in camp to guard the baggage. An equal division is made between them as I Samuel 30:24 relates: 'The portion of those who go down to the battle will be as the portion of those who stay with the baggage. They shall divide equally.'
ט
כל הרוגי המלך ממונן למלך וכל הממלכות שכובש הרי אוצרות המלכים למלך ושאר הבזה שבוזזין בוזזין ונותנין לפניו והוא נוטל מחצה בראש ומחצית הבזה חולקין אותה כל אנשי הצבא ביחד עם העם היושבין על הכלים במחנה לשמרם חולקין בשוה שנאמר כי כחלק היורד במלחמה וכחלק היושב על הכלים יחדיו יחלוקו:
10
All the lands that he conquers belong to him. He may apportion them to his servants and soldiers as he desires and keep the remainder for himself. In all these matters, the judgement he makes is binding.
In all matters, his deeds shall be for the sake of heaven. His purpose and intent shall be to elevate the true faith and fill the world with justice, destroying the power of the wicked and waging the wars of God. For the entire purpose of appointing a king is to execute justice and wage wars as I Samuel 8:20 states: 'Our king shall judge us, go out before us, and wage our wars.'
י
כל הארץ שכובש הרי היא שלו ונותן לעבדיו ולאנשי המלחמה כפי מה שירצה ומניח לעצמו כפי מה שירצה ובכל אלו הדברים דינו דין ובכל יהיו מעשיו לשם שמים ותהיה מגמתו ומחשבתו להרים דת האמת ולמלאות העולם צדק ולשבור זרוע הרשעים ולהלחם מלחמות ה' שאין ממליכין מלך תחלה אלא לעשות משפט ומלחמות שנאמר ושפטנו מלכנו ויצא לפנינו ונלחם את מלחמותינו:
Melachim uMilchamot - Chapter 5
1
A king should not wage other wars before a milchemet mitzvah. What is considered as milchemet mitzvah? The war against the seven nations who occupied Eretz Yisrael, the war against Amalek, and a war fought to assist Israel from an enemy which attacks them.
Afterwards, he may wage a milchemet hareshut, i.e. a war fought with other nations in order to expand the borders of Israel or magnify its greatness and reputation.
א
אין המלך נלחם תחלה אלא מלחמת מצוה ואי זו היא מלחמת מצוה זו מלחמת שבעה עממים ומלחמת עמלק ועזרת ישראל מיד צר שבא עליהם ואחר כך נלחם במלחמת הרשות והיא המלחמה שנלחם עם שאר העמים כדי להרחיב גבול ישראל ולהרבות בגדולתו ושמעו:
2
There is no need to seek the permission of the court to wage a milchemet mitzvah. Rather, he may go out on his own volition and force the nation to go out with him. In contrast, he may not lead the nation out to wage a milchemat hareshut unless the court of seventy one judges approves.
ב
מלחמת מצוה אינו צריך ליטול בה רשות בית דין אלא יוצא מעצמו בכל עת וכופה העם לצאת אבל מלחמת הרשות אינו מוציא העם בה אלא על פי בית דין של שבעים ואחד:
3
The king may burst through the fences surrounding fields or vineyards to make a road and no one can take issue with him.
There is no limit to the road the king may make. Rather, it may be as wide as necessary. He need not make his road crooked because of an individual's vineyard or field. Rather, he may proceed on a straight path and carry out his war.
ג
ופורץ לעשות לו דרך ואין ממחין בידו ודרך המלך אין לה שיעור אלא כפי מה שהוא צריך אינו מעקם הדרכים מפני כרמו של זה או מפני שדהו של זה אלא הולך בשוה ועושה מלחמתו:
4
It is a positive commandment to annihilate the seven nations who dwelled in Eretz Yisrael as Deuteronomy 20:17 states: 'You shall utterly destroy them.'
Anyone who chances upon one of them and does not kill him violates a negative commandment as ibid.:16 states: 'Do not allow a soul to live.' The memory of them has already been obliterated.
ד
מצות עשה להחרים שבעה עממין שנאמר החרם תחרימם וכל שבא לידו אחד מהן ולא הרגו עובר בלא תעשה שנאמר לא תחיה כל נשמה וכבר אבד זכרם:
5
Similarly, it is a positive commandment to destroy the memory of Amalek, as Deuteronomy 25:19 states: 'Obliterate the memory of Amalek.
It is also a positive commandment to constantly remember their evil deeds and their ambush of Israel to arouse our hatred of them, as ibid.:17 states: 'Remember what Amalek did to you.' The Oral Tradition teaches: ...Remember' - with your mouths; ...Do not forget' - in your hearts.' For it is forbidden to forget our hatred and enmity for them.
ה
וכן מצות עשה לאבד זכר עמלק שנאמר תמחה את זכר עמלק ומצות עשה לזכור תמיד מעשיו הרעים ואריבתו כדי לעורר איבתו שנאמר זכור את אשר עשה לך עמלק מפי השמועה למדו זכור בפה לא תשכח בלב שאסור לשכוח איבתו ושנאתו:
6
All the lands which Israel conquers in wars led by a king and approved by the court are considered as conquered by the people at large. Thus, they have the same status as Eretz Yisrael which was conquered by Joshua in every regard. This only applies if they were conquered after the conquest of Eretz Yisrael as described in the Torah.
ו
כל הארצות שכובשין ישראל במלך על פי בית דין הרי זה כבוש רבים והרי היא כארץ ישראל שכבש יהושע לכל דבר והוא שכבשו אחר כבוש כל ארץ ישראל האמורה בתורה:
7
It is permitted to dwell anywhere in the entire world with the exception of the land of Egypt. Its territory includes a square of 400 parsah by 400 parsah from the Mediterranean Sea proceeding westward, bordering on the land of Kush and the desert. It is forbidden to dwell in this entire territory.
In three places, the Torah warned against returning to Egypt:
a) 'God has told you, you must never again return on that path' (Deuteronomy 17:16);
b) 'You shall not see it again' (Deuteronomy 28:68);
c) 'You shall never see them again forever' (Exodus 14:13).
Alexandria is included in this prohibition.
ז
ומותר לשכון בכל העולם חוץ מארץ מצרים מן הים הגדול ועד המערב ארבע מאות פרסה על ארבע מאות פרסה כנגד ארץ כוש וכנגד המדבר הכל אסור להתישב בה בשלשה מקומות הזהירה תורה שלא לשוב למצרים שנאמר לא תוסיפין לשוב בדרך הזה עוד לא תוסיף עוד לראותה לא תוסיפו לראותם עוד עד עולם ואלכסנדריאה בכלל האיסור:
8
It is permitted to return to Egypt for the purpose of trade and commerce and to pass through while conquering other nations. The prohibition consists of settling there.
Lashes are not given as punishment for the violation of this prohibition because at the time one enters, there is no prohibition. Should he decide to settle there, there is no deed involved.
It appears to me that if a king of Israel would conquer the land of Egypt with the approval of the court, it would be permissible to settle there. The prohibition against returning was only given to individuals or to dwell there while it is under the rule of the gentiles for their behavior is more depraved than that of the peoples of other lands as can be inferred from Leviticus 18:3: 'Do not follow the ways of Egypt....'
ח
מותר לחזור לארץ מצרים לסחורה ולפרקמטיא ולכבוש ארצות אחרות ואין אסור אלא להשתקע שם ואין לוקין על לאו זה שבעת הכניסה מותר הוא ואם יחשב לישב ולהשתקע שם אין בו מעשה ויראה לי שאם כבש ארץ מצרים מלך ישראל על פי בית דין שהיא מותרת ולא הזהירה אלא לשוב לה יחידים או לשכון בה והיא ביד עכו"ם מפני שמעשיה מקולקלין יותר מכל הארצות שנאמר כמעשה ארץ מצרים:
9
It is forbidden to leave Eretz Yisrael for the Diaspora at all times except:
to study Torah;
to marry; or
to save one's property from the gentiles.
After accomplishing these objectives, one must return to Eretz Yisrael.
Similarly, one may leave Eretz Yisrael to conduct commercial enterprises. However, it is forbidden to leave with the intent of settling permanently in the Diaspora unless the famine in Eretz Yisrael is so severe that a dinar's worth of wheat is sold at two dinarim.
When do these conditions apply? When one possesses financial resources and food is expensive. However, if food is inexpensive, but a person cannot find financial resources or employment and has no money available, he may leave and go to any place where he can find relief.
Though it is permitted to leave Eretz Yisrael under these circumstances, it is not pious behavior. Behold, Machlon and Kilyon were two of the great men of the generation and they left Eretz Yisrael only out of great distress. Nevertheless, they were found worthy of death by God.
ט
אסור לצאת מארץ ישראל לחוצה לארץ לעולם אלא ללמוד תורה או לישא אשה או להציל מן העכו"ם ויחזור לארץ וכן יוצא הוא לסחורה אבל לשכון בחוצה לארץ אסור אא"כ חזק שם הרעב עד שנעשה שוה דינר חטין בשני דינרין במה דברים אמורים כשהיו המעות מצויות והפירות ביוקר אבל אם הפירות בזול ולא ימצא מעות ולא במה ישתכר ואבדה פרוטה מן הכיס יצא לכל מקום שימצא בו ריוח ואף על פי שמותר לצאת אינה מדת חסידות שהרי מחלון וכליון שני גדולי הדור היו ומפני צרה גדולה יצאו ונתחייבו כלייה למקום:
10
Great sages would kiss the borders of Eretz Yisrael, kiss its stones, and roll in its dust. Similarly, Psalms 102:15 declares: 'Behold, your servants hold her stones dear and cherish her dust.'
י
גדולי החכמים היו מנשקין על תחומי ארץ ישראל ומנשקין אבניה ומתגלגלין על עפרה וכן הוא אומר כי רצו עבדיך את אבניה ואת עפרה יחוננו:
11
The Sages commented: 'Whoever dwells in Eretz Yisrael will have his sins forgiven as Isaiah 33:24 states: 'The inhabitant shall not say 'I am sick.' The people who dwell there shall be forgiven their sins.'
Even one who walks four cubits there will merit the world to come and one who is buried there receives atonement as if the place in which he is buried is an altar of atonement as Deuteronomy 32:43 states: 'His land will atone for His people.' In contrast, the prophet, Amos [7:17, used the expression] 'You shall die in an impure land' as a prophecy of retribution.
There is no comparison between the merit of a person who lives in Eretz Yisrael and ultimately, is buried there and one whose body is brought there after his death. Nevertheless, great Sages would bring their dead there. Take an example, from our Patriarch, Jacob, and Joseph, the righteous.
יא
אמרו חכמים כל השוכן בארץ ישראל עונותיו מחולין שנאמר וכל יאמר שכן חליתי העם היושב בה נשוא עון אפילו הלך בה ארבע אמות זוכה לחיי העולם הבא וכן הקבור בה נתכפר לו וכאילו המקום שהוא בו מזבח כפרה שנאמר וכפר אדמתו עמו ובפורענות הוא אומר על אדמה טמאה תמות ואינו דומה קולטתו מחיים לקולטתו אחר מותו ואעפ"כ גדולי החכמים היו מוליכים מתיהם לשם צא ולמד מיעקב אבינו ויוסף הצדיק:
12
At all times, a person should dwell in Eretz Yisrael even in a city whose population is primarily gentile, rather than dwell in the Diaspora, even in a city whose population is primarily Jewish.
This applies because whoever leaves Eretz Yisrael for the Diaspora is considered as if he worships idols as I Samuel 26:19 states 'They have driven me out today from dwelling in the heritage of God, saying 'Go, serve other gods.' Similarly, Ezekiel's (13:9) prophecies of retribution state: 'They shall not come to the land of Israel.'
Just as it is forbidden to leave the chosen land for the Diaspora, it is also forbidden to leave Babylon for other lands as Jeremiah 27:22 states: 'They shall be brought to Babylon and there they shall be until I take heed of them... and restore them to this place.'
יב
לעולם ידור אדם בארץ ישראל אפילו בעיר שרובה עכו"ם ואל ידור בחוצה לארץ ואפילו בעיר שרובה ישראל שכל היוצא לחוצה לארץ כאילו עובד ע"ז שנאמר כי גרשוני היום מהסתפח בנחלת ה' לאמר לך עבוד אלהים אחרים ובפורעניות הוא אומר ואל אדמת ישראל לא יבאו כשם שאסור לצאת מהארץ לחוצה לארץ כך אסור לצאת מבבל לשאר הארצות שנאמר בבלה יובאו ושמה יהיו:
Melachim uMilchamot - Chapter 6
1
War, neither a milchemet hareshut or a milchemet mitzvah, should not be waged against anyone until they are offered the opportunity of peace as Deuteronomy 20:10 states: 'When you approach a city to wage war against it, you should propose a peaceful settlement.'
If the enemy accepts the offer of peace and commits itself to the fulfillment of the seven mitzvot that were commanded to Noah's descendents, none of them should be killed. Rather, they should be subjugated as ibid.:11 states: 'They shall be your subjects and serve you.'
If they agree to tribute, but do not accept subjugation or if they accept subjugation, but do not agree to tribute, their offer should not be heeded. They must accept both.
The subjugation they must accept consists of being on a lower level, scorned and humble. They must never raise their heads against Israel, but must remain subjugated under their rule. They may never be appointed over a Jew in any matter whatsoever.
The tribute they must accept consists of being prepared to support the king's service with their money and with their persons; for example, the building of walls, strengthening the fortresses, building the king's palace, and the like as I Kings 9:15-22) relates: "This is the tribute which Solomon raised to build the House of God, his own palace, the Milo, the wall of Jerusalem,... and all the store-cities which Solomon had... All the people that remained from the Amorites... upon them did Solomon lay a tribute of bondservice until this day."
In contrast, Solomon did not make bondsmen out of the children of Israel. They were men of war, his personal servants, his princes, his captains, the officers of his chariots, and his horsemen.
א
אין עושין מלחמה עם אדם בעולם עד שקוראין לו שלום אחד מלחמת הרשות ואחד מלחמת מצוה שנאמר כי תקרב אל עיר להלחם עליה וקראת אליה לשלום אם השלימו וקבלו שבע מצות שנצטוו בני נח עליהן אין הורגין מהן נשמה והרי הן למס שנאמר יהיו לך למס ועבדוך קבלו עליהן המס ולא קבלו העבדות או שקבלו העבדות ולא קבלו המס אין שומעין להם עד שיקבלו שניהם והעבדות שיקבלו הוא שיהיו נבזים ושפלים למטה ולא ירימו ראש בישראל אלא יהיו כבושים תחת ידם ולא יתמנו על ישראל לשום דבר שבעולם והמס שיקבלו שיהיו מוכנים לעבודת המלך בגופם וממונם כגון בנין החומות וחוזק המצודות ובנין ארמון המלך וכיוצא בו שנאמר וזה דבר המס אשר העלה המלך שלמה לבנות את בית ה' ואת ביתו ואת המלוא ואת חומת ירושלים ואת כל ערי המסכנות אשר היו לשלמה כל העם הנותר מן האמורי ויעלם שלמה למס עובד עד היום הזה ומבני ישראל לא נתן שלמה עבד כי הם אנשי המלחמה ועבדיו ושריו ושלישיו ושרי רכבו ופרשיו:
2
In the settlement he offers, the king may propose that he is entitled to take half their financial resources. Or he may propose to take all their landed property and leave them their movable property; or to take all their movable property and leave their land.
ב
ויש למלך להתנות עמהם שיקח חצי ממונם או הקרקעות ויניח כל המטלטלין או המטלטלים ויניח הקרקעות כפי מה שיתנה:
3
It is forbidden to lie when making such a covenant or to be untruthful to them after they have made peace and accepted the seven mitzvot.
ג
ואסור לשקר בבריתם ולכזב להם אחר שהשלימו וקבלו שבע מצות:
4
If they do not agree to a peaceful settlement, or if they agree to a peaceful settlement, but refuse to accept the seven mitzvot, war should be waged against them.
All males past majority should be killed. Their money and their children should be taken as spoil, but neither women or children should be killed, as Deuteronomy 20:14 states: 'But the women and the children... take as spoil." 'The children' refer to males below the age of majority.
The above applies to a milchemet hareshut fought with other nations. However, if either the seven nations or Amalek refuse to accept a peaceful settlement, not one soul of them may be left alive as ibid. 20:15-16 states: 'Do this to all the cities that ... are not the cities of these nations. However, from the cities of these nations,... do not leave a soul alive.' Similarly, in regard to Amalek, Deuteronomy 25:19 states: 'Obliterate the memory of Amalek.'
How do we know that these commands are only referring to those who did not accept a peaceful settlement? Joshua 11:19-20 states: 'There was no city which accepted a peaceful settlement with the children of Israel except the Chivites who lived in Gibeon. All the rest, they conquered in battle. This was inspired by God, Who strengthened their hearts to engage in battle against Israel so that they would be destroyed.' From these statements, we can infer that a peaceful settlement was offered, but they did not accept it.
ד
ואם לא השלימו או שהשלימו ולא קבלו שבע מצות עושין עמהם מלחמה והורגין כל הזכרים הגדולים ובוזזין כל ממונם וטפם ואין הורגין אשה ולא קטן שנאמר והנשים והטף זה טף של זכרים במה דברים אמורים במלחמת הרשות שהוא עם שאר האומות אבל שבעה עממין ועמלק שלא השלימו אין מניחין מהם נשמה שנאמר כן תעשה לכל וגו' רק מערי העמים לא תחיה כל נשמה וכן הוא אומר בעמלק תמחה את זכר עמלק ומנין שאינו מדבר אלא באלו שלא השלימו שנאמר לא היתה עיר אשר השלימה אל בני ישראל בלתי החוי יושבי גבעון את הכל לקחו במלחמה כי מאת ה' היתה לחזק את לבם לקראת המלחמה את ישראל למען החרימם מכלל ששלחו להם לשלום ולא קבלו:
5
Joshua sent three letters to the Canaanites before entering the promised land: At first, he sent them: 'Whoever desires to flee, should flee.'
Afterwards, he sent a second message: 'Whoever desires to accept a peaceful settlement, should make peace.'
Then, he sent again: 'Whoever desires war, should do battle.'
If so, why did the inhabitants of Gibeon employ a ruse? Because originally, when he sent the message to them as part of all the Canaanite nations, they did not accept. They were not aware of the laws of Israel and thought that they would never be offered a peaceful settlement again.
Why was the matter difficult for the princes of Israel to accept to the point that they desired to slay the Gibeonites by the sword were it not for the oath they had taken? Because they made a covenant with them and Deuteronomy 7:2 states 'Do not make a covenant with them.' Rather, the laws governing their status would have prescribed that they be subjugated as servants.
Since the oath was given to them under false pretenses, it would have been just to slay them for misleading them, were it not for the dishonor to God's name which would have been caused.
ה
שלשה כתבים שלח יהושע עד שלא נכנס לארץ הראשון שלח להם מי שרוצה לברוח יברח וחזר ושלח מי שרוצה להשלים ישלים וחזר ושלח מי שרוצה לעשות מלחמה יעשה אם כן מפני מה הערימו יושבי גבעון לפי ששלח להם בכלל ולא קבלו ולא ידעו משפט ישראל ודימו ששוב אין פותחין להם לשלום ולמה קשה הדבר לנשיאים וראו שראוי להכותם לפי חרב לולי השבועה מפני שכרתו להם ברית והרי הוא אומר לא תכרות להם ברית אלא היה דינם שיהיו למס עבדים והואיל ובטעות נשבעו להן בדין היה שיהרגו על שהטעום לולי חלול השם:
6
No offer of a peaceful settlement should be made to Ammon and Moav, as Deuteronomy 23:7 states: 'Do not seek their peace and welfare for all your days.' Our Sages declared: Although it is written: 'Offer a peaceful settlement,' does this apply to Ammon and Moab? The Torah states: 'Do not seek their peace and welfare.'
Although it is written Deuteronomy 23:17: 'He must be allowed to live alongside you in you midst,' does this apply to Ammon and Moav? No, the Torah also forbids 'their welfare.'
Even though we should not offer them a peaceful settlement, if they sue for peace themselves, we may accept their offer.
ו
עמון ומואב אין שולחין להם לשלום שנאמר לא תדרוש שלומם וטובתם כל ימיך אמרו חכמים לפי שנאמר וקראת אליה לשלום יכול עמון ומואב כן תלמוד לומר לא תדרוש שלומם וטובתם לפי שנאמר עמך ישב בקרבך בטוב לו לא תוננו יכול עמון ומואב כן תלמוד לומר וטובתם ואע"פשאין שואלים בשלומם אם השלימו מעצמם תחלה מקבלין אותן:
7
When a siege is placed around a city to conquer it, it should not be surrounded on all four sides, only on three. A place should be left for the inhabitants to flee and for all those who desire, to escape with their lives, as it is written Numbers 31:7: 'And they besieged Midian as God commanded Moses.' According to tradition, He commanded them to array the siege as described.
ז
כשצרין על עיר לתפשה אין מקיפין אותה מארבע רוחותיה אלא משלש רוחותיה ומניחין מקום לבורח ולכל מי שירצה להמלט על נפשו שנאמר ויצבאו על מדין כאשר צוה ה' את משה מפי השמועה למדו שבכך צוהו:
8
We should not cut down fruit trees outside a city nor prevent an irrigation ditch from bringing water to them so that they dry up, as Deuteronomy 20:19 states: 'Do not destroy its trees.' Anyone who cuts down such a tree should be lashed.
This does not apply only in a siege, but in all situations. Anyone who cuts down a fruit tree with a destructive intent, should be lashed.
Nevertheless, a fruit tree may be cut down if it causes damage to other trees or to fields belonging to others, or if a high price could be received for its wood. The Torah only prohibited cutting down a tree with a destructive intent.
ח
אין קוצצין אילני מאכל שחוץ למדינה ואין מונעין מהם אמת המים כדי שייבשו שנאמר לא תשחית את עצה וכל הקוצץ לוקה ולא במצור בלבד אלא בכ"מ כל הקוצץ אילן מאכל דרך השחתה לוקה אבל קוצצין אותו אם היה מזיק אילנות אחרים או מפני שמזיק בשדה אחרים או מפני שדמיו יקרים לא אסרה תורה אלא דרך השחתה:
9
It is permissible to cut down any non-fruit bearing tree, even if one has no need for it. Similarly, one may cut down a fruit bearing tree that has become old and produces only a slight yield which does not warrant the effort required to care for it.
What is the yield that an olive tree must produce to warrant that it should not be cut down? A quarter of a kav of olives. Similarly, a date palm which yields a kav of dates should not be cut down.
ט
כל אילן סרק מותר לקוץ אותו ואפילו אינו צריך לו וכן אילן מאכל שהזקין ואינו עושה אלא דבר מועט שאינו ראוי לטרוח בו מותר לקוץ אותו וכמה יהא הזית עושה ולא יקוצנו רובע הקב זיתים ודקל שהוא עושה קב תמרים לא יקוצנו:
10
This prohibition does not apply to trees alone. Rather, anyone who breaks utensils, tears garments, destroys buildings, stops up a spring, or ruins food with a destructive intent transgresses the command 'Do not destroy.' However, he is not lashed. Instead, he receives stripes for rebellious conductas instituted by the Sages.
י
ולא האילנות בלבד אלא כל המשבר כלים וקורע בגדים והורס בנין וסותם מעין ומאבד מאכלות דרך השחתה עובר בלא תשחית ואינו לוקה אלא מכת מרדות מדבריהם:
11
We should lay siege to the gentiles' cities at least three days before the Sabbath. We may engage in battle with them every day, even on the Sabbath, as Deuteronomy 20:20 states: 'against the city waging war with you until you subjugate it.' Our Sages explain: this implies 'even on the Sabbath.' This applies to both a milchemet mitzvah and a milchemet hareshut.
יא
צרין על עיירות של עכו"ם שלשה ימים קודם השבת ועושין עמהם מלחמה בכל יום ויום ואפילו בשבת שנאמר עד רדתה ואפילו בשבת בין מלחמת מצוה בין מלחמת רשות:
12
The army may camp anywhere.
A person killed in the war should be buried where he falls. He acquires that place in the same manner as a meit mitzvah acquires his.
יב
כשחונין חונין בכל מקום ומי שנהרג במלחמה במקום שיפול שם יקבר קונה מקומו כמת מצוה:
13
Four leniencies are permitted in an army camp:
a) Demai may be eaten.
b) There is no requirement to wash one's hands before eating bread.
c) Wood may be gathered from anywhere. Even if one finds wood that has been cut down and dried, there is no objection to taking it for an army camp.
d) There is no obligation to make an eruv chatzeirot for an army camp. Rather, one may carry from tent to tent and from booth to booth.
The latter is only permitted when the entire camp is surrounded by a barrier at least ten handbreadths high, for as explained in Hilchot Shabbat, a barrier must be at least ten handbreadths high.
Just as these leniencies apply when the army goes out to war, they apply when it returns.
יג
ארבעה דברים פטרו במחנה: אוכלים הדמאי ופטורים מרחיצת ידים בתחלה ומביאין עצים מכל מקום ואפילו מצאן תלושים ויבשים אין מקפידין על כך במחנה וכן פטורין מלערב עירובי חצירות במחנה אלא מטלטלין מאהל לאהל ומסוכה לסוכה והוא שיקיפו כל המחנה מחיצה גבוהה עשרה טפחים כדי שתהיה רשות יחיד כמו שנתבאר בהלכות שבת ואין מחיצה פחותה מעשרה וכשם שפטורין מכל אלו בהליכתן כך פטורין בחזרתן:
14
It is forbidden to defecate in an army camp or in an open field anywhere. Rather, it is a positive commandment to establish comfort facilities for the soldiers to defecate as Deuteronomy 23:13 commands: 'Designate a place outside the camp to use as a lavatory.'
יד
ואסור להפנות בתוך המחנה או על פני השדה בכ"מ אלא מצות עשה לתקן שם דרך מיוחדת להפנות בה שנאמר ויד תהיה לך מחוץ למחנה:
15
Similarly, it is a positive commandment for every single soldier to have a spike hanging together with his weapons. When he goes out and uses those comfort facilities, he should dig with it, relieve himself, and cover his excrement as ibid.:14 states 'You must keep a spike among your weapons.'
They must follow these practices at all times, whether the ark accompanies them or not, as ibid.:15 states: 'God walks among your camp,... therefore, your camp shall be holy.'
טו
וכן מצות עשה להיות יתד לכל אחד ואחד תלויה עם כלי מלחמתו ויצא באותה הדרך ויחפור בה ויפנה ויכסה שנאמר ויתד תהיה לך על אזניך וגו' ובין שיש עמהן ארון ובין שאין עמהן ארון כך הם עושים תמיד שנאמר והיה מחניך קדוש:
Hayom Yom:
• English Text | Video Class
Sunday, Tishrei 4, 5778 · 24 September 2017
"Today's Day"
Sunday, Tishrei 4, 5704
Postponed* Fast of Gedalia. Avinu malkeinu (p. 277). S'lichot.
Torah lessons: Chumash: B'racha, first parsha with Rashi.
Tehillim: 23-28. Also 97-99.
Tanya: However, it is (p. 503) ...of the En Sof. (p. 505).
A resume of my father's explanation of the first method (of teshuva, see above):
T: Tamim..., "Be sincere with G-d."1 This represents the avoda of teshuva that comes through sincerity. Sincerity, or "wholeness," takes any number of forms and has many levels. In reference to teshuva the highest form is wholeness of heart - called "earnestness"; as Torah says of Avraham, "you found his heart faithful2 before You."3
FOOTNOTES
*.The fast of Gedalia is observed on the day after Rosh Hashana, except when that day is Shabbat. Then the fast is held on Sunday.
1.Devarim 18:13.
2.I.e. "whole."
3.Nechemya 9:8.
Sunday, Tishrei 4, 5704
Postponed* Fast of Gedalia. Avinu malkeinu (p. 277). S'lichot.
Torah lessons: Chumash: B'racha, first parsha with Rashi.
Tehillim: 23-28. Also 97-99.
Tanya: However, it is (p. 503) ...of the En Sof. (p. 505).
A resume of my father's explanation of the first method (of teshuva, see above):
T: Tamim..., "Be sincere with G-d."1 This represents the avoda of teshuva that comes through sincerity. Sincerity, or "wholeness," takes any number of forms and has many levels. In reference to teshuva the highest form is wholeness of heart - called "earnestness"; as Torah says of Avraham, "you found his heart faithful2 before You."3
FOOTNOTES
*.The fast of Gedalia is observed on the day after Rosh Hashana, except when that day is Shabbat. Then the fast is held on Sunday.
1.Devarim 18:13.
2.I.e. "whole."
3.Nechemya 9:8.
Daily Thought:
Beyond the Script
What do we bring to the table?
Our brains, our power, our beauty, are all from Him.
We can decide with our own free will to do good and to restrain ourselves from the opposite. Yet even then, we are only playing our role in the script for which we were formed.
But when we mess up, we can call out to the Infinite Light and say, “Dad, I still love you. Do you still love me?” and ask forgiveness.
That is not in the script. That is from beyond. Way beyond.
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