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- ב"ה - Today in Judaism - Today is Tuesday, 6 Tishrei, 5778 · September 26, 2017
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Today's Laws & Customs:
• Ten Days of Repentance
The 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.
Psalms Chapter 103:1. By David. Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all my being, His holy Name.
2. My soul, bless the Lord; forget not all His favors:
3. Who forgives all your sins, Who heals all your illnesses;
4. Who redeems your life from the grave, Who crowns you with kindness and mercy;
5. Who satisfies your mouth with goodness; like the eagle, your youth is renewed.
6. The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
7. He made His ways known to Moses, His deeds to the Children of Israel.
8. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and of great kindness.
9. He will not contend for eternity, nor harbor ill will forever.
10. He has not dealt with us according to our transgressions, nor requited us according to our sins.
11. For as high as heaven is above the earth, so has His kindness been mighty over those who fear Him.
12. As far as the east is from the west, so has He distanced our transgressions from us.
13. As a father has compassion on his children, so has the Lord had compassion on those who fear Him.
14. For He knows our nature; He is mindful that we are but dust.
15. As for man, his days are like grass; like a flower of the field, so he sprouts.
16. When a wind passes over him, he is gone; his place recognizes him no more.
17. But the kindness of the Lord is forever and ever upon those who fear Him, and His righteousness is [secured] for children's children,
18. to those who keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commands to do them.
19. The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingship has dominion over all.
20. Bless the Lord, you His angels who are mighty in strength, who do His bidding to obey the voice of His speech.
21. Bless the Lord, all His hosts, His servants who do His will.
22. Bless the Lord, all His works, in all the places of His dominion. My soul, bless the Lord! Chapter 104:1. My soul, bless the Lord! Lord my God, You are greatly exalted; You have garbed Yourself with majesty and splendor.
2. You enwrap [Yourself] with light as with a garment; You spread the heavens as a curtain.
3. He roofs His heavens with water; He makes the clouds His chariot, He moves [them] on the wings of the wind.
4. He makes the winds His messengers, the blazing fire His servants.
5. He established the earth on its foundations, that it shall never falter.
6. The depths covered it as a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.
7. At Your exhortation they fled; at the sound of Your thunder they rushed away.
8. They ascended mountains, they flowed down valleys, to the place which You have assigned for them.
9. You set a boundary which they may not cross, so that they should not return to engulf the earth.
10. He sends forth springs into streams; they flow between the mountains.
11. They give drink to all the beasts of the field; the wild animals quench their thirst.
12. The birds of the heavens dwell beside them; they raise their voice from among the foliage.
13. He irrigates the mountains from His clouds above; the earth is satiated from the fruit of Your works.
14. He makes grass grow for the cattle, and vegetation requiring the labor of man to bring forth food from the earth;
15. and wine that gladdens man's heart, oil that makes the face shine, and bread that sustains man's heart.
16. The trees of the Lord drink their fill, the cedars of Lebanon which He planted,
17. wherein birds build their nests; the stork has her home in the cypress.
18. The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the rabbits.
19. He made the moon to calculate the festivals; the sun knows its time of setting.
20. You bring on darkness and it is night, when all the beasts of the forest creep forth.
21. The young lions roar for prey, and seek their food from God.
22. When the sun rises, they return and lie down in their dens.
23. Then man goes out to his work, to his labor until evening.
24. How manifold are Your works, O Lord! You have made them all with wisdom; the earth is full of Your possessions.
25. This sea, vast and wide, where there are countless creeping creatures, living things small and great;
26. there ships travel, there is the Leviathan that You created to frolic therein.
27. They all look expectantly to You to give them their food at the proper time.
28. When You give it to them, they gather it; when You open Your hand, they are satiated with goodness.
29. When You conceal Your countenance, they are terrified; when You take back their spirit, they perish and return to their dust.
30. When You will send forth Your spirit they will be created anew, and You will renew the face of the earth.
31. May the glory of the Lord be forever; may the Lord find delight in His works.
32. He looks at the earth, and it trembles; He touches the mountains, and they smoke.
33. I will sing to the Lord with my soul; I will chant praise to my God with my [entire] being.
34. May my prayer be pleasant to Him; I will rejoice in the Lord.
35. May sinners cease from the earth, and the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord! Chapter 105:1. Offer praise to the Lord, proclaim His Name; make His deeds known among the nations.
2. Sing to Him, chant praises to Him, speak of all His wonders.
3. Glory in His holy Name; may the heart of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
4. Search for the Lord and His might; seek His countenance always.
5. Remember the wonders that He has wrought, His miracles, and the judgements of His mouth.
6. O descendants of Abraham His servant, children of Jacob, His chosen ones:
7. He is the Lord our God; His judgements extend over the entire earth.
8. He remembers His covenant forever, the word which He has commanded to a thousand generations;
9. the covenant which He made with Abraham, and His oath to Isaac.
10. He established it for Jacob as a statute, for Israel as an everlasting covenant,
11. stating, "To you I shall give the land of Canaan"-the portion of your inheritance,
12. when they were but few, very few, and strangers in it.
13. They wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people.
14. He permitted no one to wrong them, and admonished kings for their sake:
15. "Do not touch My anointed ones, and do not harm My prophets.”
16. He called for a famine upon the land; He broke every source of bread.
17. He sent a man before them; Joseph was sold as a slave.
18. They afflicted his foot with chains, his soul was put into iron;
19. until the time that His words came, the decree of the Lord purified him.
20. The king sent [word] and released him, the ruler of nations set him free.
21. He appointed him master of his house and ruler of all his possessions,
22. to imprison his princes at will, and to enlighten his elders.
23. Thus Israel came to Egypt, and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham (Egypt).
24. He multiplied His nation greatly, and made it mightier than its adversaries.
25. He turned their hearts to hate His nation, to conspire against His servants.
26. He sent Moses, His servant; Aaron, whom He had chosen.
27. They placed among them the words of His signs, miracles in the land of Ham.
28. He sent darkness and made it dark, and they did not defy His word.
29. He transformed their waters to blood, and killed their fish.
30. Their land swarmed with frogs in the chambers of their kings.
31. He spoke, and hordes of wild beasts came, and lice throughout their borders.
32. He turned their rains to hail, flaming fire in their land;
33. it struck their vine and fig tree, it broke the trees of their borders.
34. He spoke, and grasshoppers came, locusts without number;
35. and it consumed all grass in their land, it ate the fruit of their soil.
36. Then He smote every firstborn in their land, the first of all their potency.
37. And He took them out with silver and gold, and none among His tribes stumbled.
38. Egypt rejoiced at their leaving, for the fear [of Israel] had fallen upon them.
39. He spread out a cloud for shelter, and a fire to illuminate the night.
40. [Israel] asked, and He brought quail, and with the bread of heaven He satisfied them.
41. He opened a rock and waters flowed; they streamed through dry places like a river,
42. for He remembered His holy word to Abraham His servant.
43. And He brought out His nation with joy, His chosen ones with song.
44. He gave them the lands of nations, they inherited the toil of peoples,
45. so that they might keep His statutes and observe His laws. Praise the Lord!
Today in Jewish History:
• Passing of Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson (1964)
Tishrei 6 is the yahrtzeit of Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson (1879-1964), mother of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
Daily Quote:
There are two sorts of laws: a) laws that create life, and b) laws created by life. Human laws are created by life, so they vary from land to land according to circumstances. The Almighty's Torah is a G-dly law that creates life. G-d's Torah is the Torah of truth, the same in all places, at all times. Torah is eternal. (Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch)
Daily Torah Study:
Chumash: Vezot Hab'rachah, 3rd Portion Deuteronomy 33:13-33:17 with Rashi
Deuteronomy Chapter 33
13And of Joseph he said: "His land shall be blessed by the Lord, with the sweetness of the heavens with dew, and with the deep that lies below, יגוּלְיוֹסֵ֣ף אָמַ֔ר מְבֹרֶ֥כֶת יְהֹוָ֖ה אַרְצ֑וֹ מִמֶּ֤גֶד שָׁמַ֨יִם֙ מִטָּ֔ל וּמִתְּה֖וֹם רֹבֶ֥צֶת תָּֽחַת:
His land shall be blessed by the Lord: For throughout the inheritance of all the tribes, there was no land more full of goodness than Joseph’s land. — [Sifrei 33:13]
מברכת ה' ארצו: שלא היתה בנחלת השבטים ארץ מלאה כל טוב כארצו של יוסף:
and with the sweetness: Heb. מִמֶּגֶד [This word denotes] delicacies and sweetness.
ממגד: לשון עדנים ומתק:
the deep: The [waters which lie in] the depth [of the earth] ascend, and moisten the land from below. You find that in the case of each tribe, Moses’ blessing resembles Jacob’s blessing [to the same tribe. For instance, Jacob blessed Joseph also with the וּמִתְּהוֹם רֹבֶצֶת תָּחַת] (Gen. 49:25).
ומתהום: שהתהום עולה ומלחלח אותה מלמטה אתה מוצא בכל השבטים ברכתו של משה מעין ברכתו של יעקב:
14and with the sweetness of the produce of the sun, and with the sweetness of the moon's yield, ידוּמִמֶּ֖גֶד תְּבוּאֹ֣ת שָׁ֑מֶשׁ וּמִמֶּ֖גֶד גֶּ֥רֶשׁ יְרָחִֽים:
and with the sweetness of the produce of the sun: for Joseph’s land was exposed to the sun, which sweetened its fruit. — [Sifrei 33:14]
וממגד תבואת שמש: שהיתה ארצו פתוחה לחמה וממתקת הפירות:
the moon’s yield: Heb. יְרָחִים גֶּרֶשׁ. Some fruits are ripened by the moon (יָרֵחַ). - [Sifrei 33:14] These are cucumbers and gourds. Another explanation: [This refers to fruits] which the earth expels (מְגָרֶשֶׁת) and brings out [from itself] month (יֶרַח) by month. — [Targum Onkelos]
גרש ירחים: יש פירות שהלבנה מבשלתן ואלו הן קשואין ודלועין. דבר אחר גרש ירחים. שהארץ מגרשת ומוציאה מחדש לחדש:
15and with the crops of early mountains, and with the sweetness of perennial hills, טווּמֵרֹ֖אשׁ הַֽרְרֵי־קֶ֑דֶם וּמִמֶּ֖גֶד גִּבְע֥וֹת עוֹלָֽם:
and with the crops of early mountains: And blessed with the fruits that are first (רֹאשׁ) to ripen, for its mountains advance (קֶדֶם) the ripening of their fruits [thus,“the early mountains”]. Another explanation: [This verse] teaches [us] that their creation [that of the mountains in the territory of Joseph] preceded (קֶדֶם) that of all other mountains. — [Sifrei 33:15]
ומראש הררי קדם: ומבורכת מראשית בשול הפירות שהרריה מקדימין לבכר בשול פירותיהם. דבר אחר מגיד שקדמה בריאתן לשאר הרים:
the sweetness of perennial hills: גִּבְעוֹת עוֹלָם. Hills which produce fruit continuously (עוֹלָם) and do not cease [to produce fruit even] because of lack of rain.
גבעות עולם: גבעות העושות פירות לעולם ואינן פוסקות מעוצר הגשמים:
16and with the sweetness of the land and its fullness, and through the contentment of the One Who dwells in the thornbush. May it come upon Joseph's head and upon the crown of the one separated from his brothers. טזוּמִמֶּ֗גֶד אֶ֚רֶץ וּמְלֹאָ֔הּ וּרְצ֥וֹן שֹֽׁכְנִ֖י סְנֶ֑ה תָּב֨וֹאתָה֙ לְרֹ֣אשׁ יוֹסֵ֔ף וּלְקָדְקֹ֖ד נְזִ֥יר אֶחָֽיו:
and through the contentment of the One Who dwells in the thornbush: Heb. שֹׁכְנִי סְנֶה, equivalent to שׁוֹכֵן סְנֶה, the One Who dwells in the bush. [Thus, the verse means:]"And may his land be blessed through the favorable acceptance and contentment of the Holy One, blessed is He, Who first revealed Himself to me in a thornbush (סְנֶה).
ורצון שכני סנה: כמו שוכן סנה ותהא ארצו מבורכת מרצונו ונחת רוחו של הקב"ה הנגלה עלי תחלה בסנה:
through the contentment: Heb. וּרְצוֹן. Contentment and appeasement. Similarly, every instance of [the word] רָצוֹן in Scripture.
רצון: נחת רוח ופיוס וכן כל רצון שבמקרא:
may it come: i.e., this blessing will come upon Joseph’s head.
תבואתה: ברכה זו לראש יוסף:
the one separated from his brothers: [Joseph] who was separated from his brothers through his being sold.
נזיר אחיו: שהופרש מאחיו במכירתו:
17To his firstborn ox is [given] glory. His horns are the horns of a re'em. With them, he will gore peoples together [throughout all] the ends of the earth these are the myriads of Ephraim, and these are the thousands of Manasseh." יזבְּכ֨וֹר שׁוֹר֜וֹ הָדָ֣ר ל֗וֹ וְקַרְנֵ֤י רְאֵם֙ קַרְנָ֔יו בָּהֶ֗ם עַמִּ֛ים יְנַגַּ֥ח יַחְדָּ֖ו אַפְסֵי־אָ֑רֶץ וְהֵם֙ רִבְב֣וֹת אֶפְרַ֔יִם וְהֵ֖ם אַלְפֵ֥י מְנַשֶּֽׁה:
to his firstborn ox: Heb. בְּכוֹר שׁוֹרוֹ [In addition to the simple meaning of“firstborn,”] there are some instances in which the word בְּכוֹר has the meaning of “greatness” and “majesty,” as it is said,“I will also make him a great man (בְּכוֹר) [the highest of the kings on earth]” (Ps. 89:28); and similarly,“Israel is My son, my firstborn (בְּכוֹרִי)” [denoting high status] (Exod. 4:22). [Thus:] בְּכוֹר here: The king who will descend from Joseph, namely, Joshua.
בכור שורו: יש בכור שהוא לשון גדולה ומלכות, שנאמר (תהלים פט, כח) אף אני בכור אתנהו, וכן (שמות ד, כה) בני בכורי ישראל. בכור: מלך היוצא ממנו והוא יהושע:
his ox: whose strength is as mighty as that of an ox, to conquer many kings.
שורו: שכחו קשה כשור לכבוש כמה מלכים:
is [given] glory: [Literally, “glory is his,”] was given to him [when Moses transferred some of his attribute of majesty to Joshua when he became leader], as it is said, [God said to Moses:] “And you shall give some of your majesty to him” [Joshua] (Num. 27:20).
הדר לו: נתון לו שנאמר (במדבר כז, כ) ונתתה מהודך עליו:
and his horns are the horns of a re’em: The ox is powerful, but its horns are not beautiful; [on the other hand,] a re’em has beautiful horns, but it is not powerful. [Moses thus] blessed Joshua with the power of an ox and the beauty of a re’em 's horns. — [Sifrei 33:17]
וקרני ראם קרניו: שור כחו קשה ואין קרניו נאות, אבל ראם קרניו נאות, ואין כחו קשה, נתן ליהושע כחו של שור ויופי קרני ראם:
the ends of the earth: [This refers to] the thirty-one kings [whom Joshua conquered in the Land of Israel]. Is it possible that these kings were all from the Land of Israel? [The answer is, that] there was not one king or ruler who did not acquire for himself a palace and a holding in the Land of Israel [even though he belonged to another country]. [And why so?] Because the Land of Israel was considered distinguished to all of them, as it is said [of the Land of Israel], “The finest inheritance of the hosts of nations” (Jer. 3:19). - [Sifrei 33:17] [For this reason, the thirty-one kings are referred to as “the ends of the earth.”
אפסי ארץ: שלושים ואחד מלכים אפשר שכולם מארץ ישראל היו אלא אין לך כל מלך ושלטון שלא קנה לו פלטרין ואחוזה בארץ ישראל, שחשובה לכולם היא, שנאמר (ירמיה ג, יט) נחלת צבי צבאות גוים:
these are the myriads of Ephraim: The ones who are to be gored are the myriads who were killed by Joshua who was descended from Ephraim [Joseph’s son].
והם רבבות אפרים: אותם המנוגחים הם הרבבות שהרג יהושע, שבא מאפרים:
and these are the thousands of Manasseh: They are the thousands killed in Midian by Gideon, [who was descended from Manasseh, Joseph’s other son], as it is said, “Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor…” (Jud. 8:10) [and the verse continues to enumerate many thousands of hosts which were there].
והם אלפי מנשה: הם האלפים שהרג גדעון במדין, שנאמר (שופטים ח, י) וזבח וצלמונע בקרקר וגו':
Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 35 - 38
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 35
This psalm is an awe-inspiring and wondrous prayer about David's enemies-that they be as chaff before the wind, chased by the angel of God. It also declares that everything comes about through God's help.
1. By David. Fight my antagonists, O Lord, battle those who battle against me.
2. Take hold of shield and armor and arise to help me.
3. Draw a spear, and bar the way before my pursuers; say to my soul, "I am your deliverance.”
4. Let those who seek my life be shamed and disgraced; let those who devise my harm retreat and be humiliated.
5. Let them be as chaff before the wind; let the angel of the Lord thrust them away.
6. Let their path be dark and slippery; let them be chased by the angel of the Lord.
7. For without cause have they laid their nets in the pit for me; without cause have they dug [pits] for my soul.
8. Let darkness come upon him unawares; let the very snare that he hid trap him, in darkness he will fall in it.
9. And my soul shall exult in the Lord, rejoice in His deliverance.
10. My entire being shall declare: Lord, who is like You? Who saves the poor from one stronger than he, the poor and the destitute from one who would rob him.
11. Corrupt witnesses rise up [against me], they demand of me things of which I do not know.
12. They repay me evil for good, death for my soul.
13. But I wore sackcloth when they were ill; I afflicted my soul with fasting. Let my prayer return upon my own bosom.
14. As if it were my friend, my brother, I went about; like a mother in mourning, I was bent over in gloom.
15. But when I limped, they rejoiced and gathered; the lowly gathered against me-even those whom I do not know; they laugh and cannot be quiet.
16. With flattery and scorn, for the sake of a meal,1 they gnash their teeth at me.
17. My Lord, how long will You look on? Restore my life from their darkness; from young lions, my soul.
18. I will thank You in a great congregation, amidst a mighty nation I will praise You.
19. Let not those who hate me without cause rejoice over me; [let not] those who despise me without reason wink their eye.
20. For they speak not of peace, rather they scheme deceitful matters against the broken of the land.
21. They opened their mouths wide against me, they said, "Aha! Aha! Our eyes have seen [his misfortune].”
22. You saw, Lord, be not silent; my Lord, be not distant from me.
23. Rouse and awaken Yourself to my judgement, to my cause, my God and my Lord.
24. Judge me according to your righteousness, Lord my God; let them not rejoice over me.
25. Let them not say in their hearts, "Aha! We have our desire!" Let them not say, "We have swallowed him!”
26. Let them be shamed and disgraced together, those who rejoice at my trouble; let them be clothed in shame and humiliation, those who raise themselves arrogantly over me.
27. Let those who desire my vindication sing joyously and be glad; let them say always, "Let the Lord be exalted, Who desires the peace of His servant.”
28. My tongue will speak of Your righteousness, Your praise, all day long.
FOOTNOTES
1.These men flatter Saul in order to obtain free meals (Rashi).
Chapter 36
This psalm is a message to those who follow their evil inclination, that tells them, "Do not place the fear of God before you," and brings them to sin by beautifying evil deeds in their eyes. For so is his way: "He descends (to earth) and corrupts, then goes up (to the Heavenly Court) and prosecutes."
1. For the Conductor, by the servant of the Lord, by David.
2. [I think] in my heart: Sin says to the wicked, "There is none [who need place] the fear of God before his eyes.”
3. For Sin makes itself appealing to him, until his iniquity be found and he is hated.
4. The speech of his mouth is evil and deceit; he fails to reason, to improve.
5. On his bed he contemplates evil, he stands in a path that is not good; he does not despise evil.
6. O Lord, Your kindness is in the heavens; Your faithfulness is till the skies.
7. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, Your judgements extend to the great deep; man and beast You deliver, O Lord.
8. How precious is Your kindness, O God; man takes shelter in the shadow of Your wings.
9. They will be filled by the abundance of Your house; from the stream of Your Eden, You will give them to drink.
10. For the source of life is with You; in Your Light do we see light.
11. Extend Your kindness to those who know You, and Your righteousness to the upright of heart.
12. Let not the foot of the arrogant overtake me; let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.
13. There1 the doers of evil fell, thrust down, unable to rise.
FOOTNOTES
1.In the very place they intended to persecute me (Metzudot).
Chapter 37
King David exhorts his generation not to be jealous of the prosperity of the wicked, for it may lead to falling into their ways. Rather, put your trust in God, conduct yourselves with integrity, and God will take care of everything.
1. By David. Do not compete with the wicked; do not envy doers of injustice.
2. For like grass they will be swiftly cut down; like green vegetation they will wither.
3. Trust in the Lord and do good; then will you abide in the land and be nourished by faith.
4. Delight in the Lord, and He will grant you the desires of your heart.
5. Cast your needs upon the Lord; rely on Him, and He will take care.
6. He will reveal your righteousness like the light, your justness like the high noon.
7. Depend on the Lord and hope in Him. Compete not with the prosperous, with the man who invents evil schemes.
8. Let go of anger, abandon rage; do not compete with [one who intends] only to harm.
9. For the evildoers will be cut down; but those who hope in the Lord, they will inherit the earth.
10. For soon the wicked one will not be; you will gaze at his place and he will be gone.
11. But the humble shall inherit the earth, and delight in abundant peace.
12. The wicked one plots against the righteous, and gnashes his teeth at him.
13. My Lord laughs at him, for He sees that his day will come.
14. The wicked have drawn a sword and bent their bow to fell the poor and destitute, to slaughter those of upright ways.
15. But their sword shall enter their own hearts, and their bows shall break.
16. Better the little of the righteous, than the abundant wealth of the wicked.
17. For the strength of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord supports the righteous.
18. The Lord appreciates the days of the innocent; their inheritance will last forever.
19. They will not be shamed in times of calamity, and in days of famine they will be satisfied.
20. For the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord are as fattened sheep: consumed, consumed in smoke.
21. The wicked man borrows and does not repay; but the righteous man is gracious and gives.
22. For those blessed by Him will inherit the earth, and those cursed by Him will be cut off.
23. The steps of man are directed by God; He desires his way.
24. When he totters he shall not be thrown down, for the Lord supports his hand.
25. I have been a youth, I have also aged; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his offspring begging bread.
26. All day he is kind and lends; his offspring are a blessing.
27. Turn away from evil and do good, and you will dwell [in peace] forever.
28. For the Lord loves justice, he will not abandon his pious ones-they are protected forever; but the offspring of the wicked are cut off.
29. The righteous shall inherit the earth and dwell upon it forever.
30. The mouth of the righteous one utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.
31. The Torah of his God is in his heart; his steps shall not falter.
32. The wicked one watches for the righteous man, and seeks to kill him.
33. But the Lord will not abandon him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
34. Hope in the Lord and keep His way; then He will raise you high to inherit the earth. When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.
35. I saw a powerful wicked man, well-rooted like a vibrant, native tree.
36. Yet he vanished, behold he was gone; I searched for him, but he could not be found.
37. Watch the innocent, and observe the upright, for the future of such a man is peace.
38. But sinners shall be destroyed together; the future of the wicked is cut off.
39. The deliverance of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in time of distress.
40. The Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they have put their trust in Him.
Chapter 38
A prayer for every individual, bewailing the length of the exile. One who is in distress should recite this psalm, hence its introduction, "A psalm... to remind" (to remind us to recite it in times of distress). One can also derive many lessons from it.
1. A psalm by David, to remind.
2. O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger, nor chastise me in Your wrath.
3. For Your arrows have landed in me, Your hand descended upon me.
4. There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your rage, no peace in my bones because of my sin.
5. For my iniquities have flooded over my head; like a heavy load, they are too heavy for me.
6. My wounds are rotted; they reek because of my foolishness.
7. I am bent and extremely bowed; all day I go about in gloom.
8. My sides are inflamed; there is no soundness in my flesh.
9. I am weakened and extremely depressed; I howl from the moaning of my heart.
10. My Lord, all that I desire is before You; my sighing is not hidden from You.
11. My heart is engulfed, my strength has left me; the light of my eyes they, too, are not with me.
12. My friends and companions stand aloof from my affliction; my intimates stand afar.
13. The seekers of my life have laid traps; those who seek my harm speak destructiveness; they utter deceits all day long.
14. But I am like a deaf man, I do not hear; like a mute that does not open his mouth.
15. I was like a man that does not perceive, and in whose mouth there are no rebuttals.
16. Because for You, O Lord, I wait; You will answer, my Lord, my God.
17. For I said, "Lest they rejoice over me; when my foot falters they will gloat over me.”
18. For I am accustomed to limping, and my pain is constantly before me.
19. For I admit my iniquity; I worry because of my sin.
20. But my enemies abound with life; those who hate me without cause flourish.
21. Those who repay evil for good resent me for my pursuit of good.
22. Do not forsake me, O Lord; do not be distant from me, my God.
23. Hurry to my aid, O my Lord, my Salvation.
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 103, 104 and 105.
Chapter 103
David's prayer when he was ill, this psalm is an appropriate prayer on behalf of the sick, especially when offered by the sick person himself while his soul is yet in his body. He can then bless God from his depths, body and soul. Read, and find repose for your soul.
1. By David. Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all my being, His holy Name.
2. My soul, bless the Lord; forget not all His favors:
3. Who forgives all your sins, Who heals all your illnesses;
4. Who redeems your life from the grave, Who crowns you with kindness and mercy;
5. Who satisfies your mouth with goodness; like the eagle, your youth is renewed.
6. The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
7. He made His ways known to Moses, His deeds to the Children of Israel.
8. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and of great kindness.
9. He will not contend for eternity, nor harbor ill will forever.
10. He has not dealt with us according to our transgressions, nor requited us according to our sins.
11. For as high as heaven is above the earth, so has His kindness been mighty over those who fear Him.
12. As far as the east is from the west, so has He distanced our transgressions from us.
13. As a father has compassion on his children, so has the Lord had compassion on those who fear Him.
14. For He knows our nature; He is mindful that we are but dust.
15. As for man, his days are like grass; like a flower of the field, so he sprouts.
16. When a wind passes over him, he is gone; his place recognizes him no more.
17. But the kindness of the Lord is forever and ever upon those who fear Him, and His righteousness is [secured] for children's children,
18. to those who keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commands to do them.
19. The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingship has dominion over all.
20. Bless the Lord, you His angels who are mighty in strength, who do His bidding to obey the voice of His speech.
21. Bless the Lord, all His hosts, His servants who do His will.
22. Bless the Lord, all His works, in all the places of His dominion. My soul, bless the Lord!
Chapter 104
This psalm tells of the beauty of creation, describing that which was created on each of the six days of creation. It proclaims the awesomeness of God Who sustains it all-from the horns of the wild ox to the eggs of the louse.
1. My soul, bless the Lord! Lord my God, You are greatly exalted; You have garbed Yourself with majesty and splendor.
2. You enwrap [Yourself] with light as with a garment; You spread the heavens as a curtain.
3. He roofs His heavens with water; He makes the clouds His chariot, He moves [them] on the wings of the wind.
4. He makes the winds His messengers, the blazing fire His servants.
5. He established the earth on its foundations, that it shall never falter.
6. The depths covered it as a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.
7. At Your exhortation they fled; at the sound of Your thunder they rushed away.
8. They ascended mountains, they flowed down valleys, to the place which You have assigned for them.
9. You set a boundary which they may not cross, so that they should not return to engulf the earth.
10. He sends forth springs into streams; they flow between the mountains.
11. They give drink to all the beasts of the field; the wild animals quench their thirst.
12. The birds of the heavens dwell beside them; they raise their voice from among the foliage.
13. He irrigates the mountains from His clouds above; the earth is satiated from the fruit of Your works.
14. He makes grass grow for the cattle, and vegetation requiring the labor of man to bring forth food from the earth;
15. and wine that gladdens man's heart, oil that makes the face shine, and bread that sustains man's heart.
16. The trees of the Lord drink their fill, the cedars of Lebanon which He planted,
17. wherein birds build their nests; the stork has her home in the cypress.
18. The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the rabbits.
19. He made the moon to calculate the festivals; the sun knows its time of setting.
20. You bring on darkness and it is night, when all the beasts of the forest creep forth.
21. The young lions roar for prey, and seek their food from God.
22. When the sun rises, they return and lie down in their dens.
23. Then man goes out to his work, to his labor until evening.
24. How manifold are Your works, O Lord! You have made them all with wisdom; the earth is full of Your possessions.
25. This sea, vast and wide, where there are countless creeping creatures, living things small and great;
26. there ships travel, there is the Leviathan that You created to frolic therein.
27. They all look expectantly to You to give them their food at the proper time.
28. When You give it to them, they gather it; when You open Your hand, they are satiated with goodness.
29. When You conceal Your countenance, they are terrified; when You take back their spirit, they perish and return to their dust.
30. When You will send forth Your spirit they will be created anew, and You will renew the face of the earth.
31. May the glory of the Lord be forever; may the Lord find delight in His works.
32. He looks at the earth, and it trembles; He touches the mountains, and they smoke.
33. I will sing to the Lord with my soul; I will chant praise to my God with my [entire] being.
34. May my prayer be pleasant to Him; I will rejoice in the Lord.
35. May sinners cease from the earth, and the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord!
Chapter 105
When David brought the Holy Ark up to the City of David, he composed this psalm and sang it before the Ark. He recounts all the miracles that God performed for the Jews in Egypt: sending before them Joseph, who was imprisoned, only to be liberated by God, eventually attaining the status of one who could imprison the princes of Egypt without consulting Pharaoh.
1. Offer praise to the Lord, proclaim His Name; make His deeds known among the nations.
2. Sing to Him, chant praises to Him, speak of all His wonders.
3. Glory in His holy Name; may the heart of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
4. Search for the Lord and His might; seek His countenance always.
5. Remember the wonders that He has wrought, His miracles, and the judgements of His mouth.
6. O descendants of Abraham His servant, children of Jacob, His chosen ones:
7. He is the Lord our God; His judgements extend over the entire earth.
8. He remembers His covenant forever, the word which He has commanded to a thousand generations;
9. the covenant which He made with Abraham, and His oath to Isaac.
10. He established it for Jacob as a statute, for Israel as an everlasting covenant,
11. stating, "To you I shall give the land of Canaan"-the portion of your inheritance,
12. when they were but few, very few, and strangers in it.
13. They wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people.
14. He permitted no one to wrong them, and admonished kings for their sake:
15. "Do not touch My anointed ones, and do not harm My prophets.”
16. He called for a famine upon the land; He broke every source of bread.
17. He sent a man before them; Joseph was sold as a slave.
18. They afflicted his foot with chains, his soul was put into iron;
19. until the time that His words came, the decree of the Lord purified him.
20. The king sent [word] and released him, the ruler of nations set him free.
21. He appointed him master of his house and ruler of all his possessions,
22. to imprison his princes at will, and to enlighten his elders.
23. Thus Israel came to Egypt, and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham (Egypt).
24. He multiplied His nation greatly, and made it mightier than its adversaries.
25. He turned their hearts to hate His nation, to conspire against His servants.
26. He sent Moses, His servant; Aaron, whom He had chosen.
27. They placed among them the words of His signs, miracles in the land of Ham.
28. He sent darkness and made it dark, and they did not defy His word.
29. He transformed their waters to blood, and killed their fish.
30. Their land swarmed with frogs in the chambers of their kings.
31. He spoke, and hordes of wild beasts came, and lice throughout their borders.
32. He turned their rains to hail, flaming fire in their land;
33. it struck their vine and fig tree, it broke the trees of their borders.
34. He spoke, and grasshoppers came, locusts without number;
35. and it consumed all grass in their land, it ate the fruit of their soil.
36. Then He smote every firstborn in their land, the first of all their potency.
37. And He took them out with silver and gold, and none among His tribes stumbled.
38. Egypt rejoiced at their leaving, for the fear [of Israel] had fallen upon them.
39. He spread out a cloud for shelter, and a fire to illuminate the night.
40. [Israel] asked, and He brought quail, and with the bread of heaven He satisfied them.
41. He opened a rock and waters flowed; they streamed through dry places like a river,
42. for He remembered His holy word to Abraham His servant.
43. And He brought out His nation with joy, His chosen ones with song.
44. He gave them the lands of nations, they inherited the toil of peoples,
45. so that they might keep His statutes and observe His laws. Praise the Lord!
Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, middle of Epistle 20
Tuesday, Tishrei 6, 5778 · September 26, 2017
Today's Tanya Lesson
Iggeret HaKodesh, middle of Epistle 20
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והנה ראשית היש הנברא ותחילתו, הן הכלים דיו״ד ספירות דבריאה יצירה עשיה, וגם האורות נפש רוח
Now, the kelim of the Ten Sefirot of Beriah, Yetzirah and Asiyah, and also the orot — Nefeshand Ruach, are the first stage and the beginning of created substantiality (yesh).
The orot (“lights”) that vest themselves in the kelim and thereby animate them consist of Nefesh, Ruach and Neshamah, which are simultaneously three levels in the soul, and three levels in the life-force (“light”) that animates the worlds at large.
The lower two of these, Nefesh and Ruach, also comprise an element of yesh.
ונבראו מבחינת הנשמה די״ס דבי״ע, שהוא אלקות
[The kelim] were created from the category of Neshamah of the Ten Sefirot of Beriah, Yetzirahand Asiyah, this [Neshamah of the Ten Sefirot] being Divinity.
I.e., the G‑dliness of the Sefirot creates the yesh of the kelim of the Sefirot and also their Nefesh and Ruach.
והן הלמ״ד כלים דמלכות דאצילות
And these [orot of the Sefirot] are the thirty kelim of [the Sefirah of] Malchut of [the World of] Atzilut.
In the World of Atzilut, even the external aspect of the kelim of Malchut is G‑dliness. It is this external aspect of the kelim of Malchut that vests itself in the Worlds of Beriah, Yetzirah and Asiyah and becomes their soul and life-force. These external kelim are composed of three tenfold levels — the innermost kelim, the intermediary kelim, and the outermost kelim — thirty in all.
וכן באצילות
It is likewise in Atzilut, that the emanated yesh derives from the external aspect of the kelim of Atzilut.
מחיצוניות הכלים דיו״ד ספירות דאצילות, שהן אלוקות, נבראו ההיכלות דאצילות
From the chitzoniyut (the external aspect) of the kelim of the Ten Sefirot of Atzilut, which are G‑dliness, were created the Heichalot (the Celestial Chambers) of Atzilut,
Unlike the kelim and Sefirot in which there is vested the internal level of the orot, these Heichalot are an external aspect of the World of Atzilut.
שמתלבש בהן בחינת העיגולים דיו״ד ספירות
in which the category of the Iggulim of the Ten Sefirot vests itself,
The term Iggulim (lit., “circles”) refers to the “encompassing” mode of influence (or makkif) of the Sefirot,which does not permeate the created beings which it illuminates. A penetrating mode of influence (or pnimi)would make the animated object resemble the life-force that animates it. The exterior or encompassing mode of influence called Iggulim, by contrast, allows the animated object to perceive itself as a yesh, albeit an emanated form of yesh.
וגם גופות המלאכים דאצילות, שהן בחינת יש
and also the bodies of the angels of Atzilut, which are a form of yesh, are created from the externalkelim of the Sefirot of Atzilut,
וכמו שכתוב: ובמלאכיו ישים תהלה
The phrase “His angels” implies those nearest to G‑d, viz., the angels of the World of Atzilut. Yet even these are deficient in that they are yesh and not Divinity.
שאינן בבחינת ביטול לגמרי, כעלול לגבי עילתו
because they are not wholly in a state of nullification as the alul is in relation to its ilah, for they are created in a manner of yesh from ayin.
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. | Iyov 4:18. |
| 2. | The last word of the Hebrew quotation is vocalized with a kamatz, kamatz katan, and kamatz. |
Rambam:
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Today's Mitzvah
Tuesday, Tishrei 6, 5778 · September 26, 2017
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
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Positive Commandment 191
Preparation for War
"And it shall be when you come near to the battle, the priest shall approach"—Deuteronomy 20:2.
We are commanded to appoint a priest who will deliver before the soldiers the "Battle Address." In this address he requests of those not suited for battle – whether due to physical or emotional frailty, or due to the fact that their minds are preoccupied with a matter that prevents them from properly focusing on the battle – to turn away. The people who must not proceed to the battlefield due to distraction are the three mentioned in the Torah: a) One who has built a home but not dedicated it. b) One who has planted a vineyard and not yet enjoyed its fruits. c) One who has betrothed a women but not married her.
This priest who addresses the soldiers is called the Mashuach Milchamah ("the one anointed for battle").
The priest's address is verbatim the words that the Torah (in Deuteronomy) instructs him to say. After saying the biblical lines, he adds words of his own, words to inspire the soldiers to courageously battle to bring victory for G‑d's religion, and to bring retribution upon the fools who destroy civilized society.
This address is spoken by the designated priest, and then loudly repeated by the military police.
All the above applies only to an "optional battle"; no speeches or proclamations are made before a "mitzvah battle" [e.g., the battle against Amalek or a self-defense battle].
Preparation for War
Positive Commandment 191
Translated by Berel Bell
The 191st mitzvah is that we are commanded to appoint a kohen to say before the people the pre-war speech.1 Anyone who is not fit to fight in the war because of weakness2 or because they are constantly thinking of things that prevent a proper involvement in battle — i.e. the three categories3 of people mentioned in Scripture — should return home. Only then do they begin the war.
This kohen is called, "Moshuach Milchamah" ["anointed for war"]. He gives his speech in the exact words written in the Torah,4 and adds his own words to prepare the people for war and bring them to be ready to sacrifice their lives for the triumph of G‑d's religion and revenge against those who foolishly reject it5 and destroy the order of civilization.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement6 (exalted be He), "When you approach [the place of] battle, the kohen shall step forward ...."7
He then commands that it be announced among the soldiers that the following should return from the battle: the faint-hearted; one who has built a new house and not begun to live there; one who has planted a vineyard and not eaten [from its first crop]; and one who has betrothed a woman and not married her. This is explained in Scripture in G‑d's statement8 beginning with the words, "The officers shall then speak..." Our Sages said in the Gemara,9 "The phrase, 'The officers shall then speak,' means that the kohen speaks and the officers then announce [so that all can hear]."
All the above — i.e. the speech of the Moshuach Milchamah and the announcements before the battle — apply only to a milchemes reshus [optional war]. None of this, not the speech nor the announcement, is done for a milchemes mitzvah [obligatory war], as explained in the eighth chapter of tractate Sotah. The details of this mitzvah are explained there.
FOOTNOTES
1.Deut. 20:3.
2.I.e. frightened and faint-hearted. See ibid., 20:3,8.
3.One who has built a new house and not begun to live there; who has planted a vineyard and not redeemed its first crop; and one who has betrothed a woman and not married her. See ibid., 20:5-7.
4.Ibid., 20:3-7.
5.This expression alludes to their rejection of the Seven Noachide Laws. See Hilchos Melachim, 8:10, regarding the obligation of the Jewish people to compel the nations of the world to accept these mitzvos. See Kapach, 5731, footnote 78. He points out that the Rav Kook version omits the word "bo," therefore changing the entire meaning. Chavel, following that version, translates "who ruin the social order."
6.Ibid., 20:2.
7.He tells the people, "Do not be faint-hearted, do not be afraid, do not panic and do not break ranks before them [i.e. the enemy]. G‑d your L‑rd is the One who is going with you. He will fight for you against our enemies, and He will deliver you." Ibid., 20:3-4.
8.Ibid., 20:5.
9.Sotah 43a.
Positive Commandment 214
A Newly Married Groom's Obligations
"He shall be free to his home for one year, and he shall cheer his wife whom he has taken"—Deuteronomy 24:5.
A newly-married groom, for the first year following his marriage, is commanded to remain together with his wife, and should not embark upon journeys, join the army in battle, or anything of the like. Rather he should rejoice with his wife for a full year.
A Newly Married Groom's Obligations
Positive Commandment 214
Translated by Berel Bell
The 214th mitzvah is that we are commanded that a newlywed man should remain together with his wife for a full year. He shall not travel away, serve in a "conquering1 army," or take on any similar obligations. Rather, he shall gladden her for a full year beginning with the wedding day.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement2 (exalted be He), "[When a man takes a new bride...] he must remain free for his house for one year and gladden his bride."
The details of this mitzvah are explained in the eighth chapter of tractate Sotah.3
FOOTNOTES
1.I.e. for a milchemes reshus, the purpose of which is to conquer land. When the war is obligatory [milchemes mitzvah], e.g. for protecting Jewish life, he must participate. See Hilchos Melachim 7:4.
2.Deut. 24:5.
3.43a.
Negative Commandment 311
Causing a Newly Married Groom to be Absent from his Home
"Neither shall he be charged with any business"—Deuteronomy 24:5.
It is forbidden to conscript a newly-married groom, for the first year following his marriage, for military or civic duties. Rather, he must be absolved from all duties that would cause him to be absent from his home.
This prohibition is directed to those responsible for conscription as well as the groom himself—he may not journey away from his home for an entire year.
Causing a Newly Married Groom to be Absent from his Home
Negative Commandment 311
Translated by Berel Bell
The 311th prohibition is that we are forbidden from taking a newlywed man from his home for any duty — military or otherwise — for one year [from his wedding]. For the entire year we exempt him from any responsibilities that would cause him to be absent from home.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "[When a man takes a new bride, he shall not enter military service] nor shall he be assigned to any duty."
The Gemara says in tractate Sotah,2 "From the phrase, 'he shall not enter military service,' one could think that only military service is prohibited, but that he should be assigned to prepare weapons and supply water and food. The Torah therefore adds, 'nor shall he be assigned to any duty.' The word 'he [be assigned]' teaches that only he may not be assigned, but that others3 may be assigned. But since we could learn it from, 'nor shall he be assigned to any duty,4' why is it written, 'he shall not enter military service'? So that the transgressor be in violation of two prohibitions." We already explained in the Ninth Introductory Principle that not always does the violation of "two prohibitions" constitute two commandments.
You should be aware that the newlywed himself5 is also prohibited from leaving home, i.e. traveling abroad, for the entire year.
The details of this mitzvah are explained in the eighth chapter of tractate Sotah.6
FOOTNOTES
1.Deut. 24:5.
2.44a.
3.I.e. One who built a new house, planted a vineyard or betrothed a woman. See P191 above.
4.A general expression that would include going out to war.
5.In addition to those who cause him to leave.
6.43a.
Negative Commandment 58
Fearlessness in Battle
"You shall not be terrified by them"—Deuteronomy 7:21.
It is forbidden to be fearful of our heretical enemies in the course of battle and turn back and flee. Rather, we are obligated to strengthen our hearts and stand strong in the lines of battle.
Fearlessness in Battle
Negative Commandment 58
Translated by Berel Bell
The 58th prohibition is that we are forbidden from fearing the enemy1 at time of war and retreating before them. Rather, it is an obligation to strengthen one's heart and stand strong in the lines of battle. A person who turns away and retreats violates this prohibition.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement,2 "Do not retreat before them." This prohibition is repeated in the statement,3 "Do not fear them." The same idea — not to retreat or turn back during battle — is repeated many times, because it is a situation in which real truth4 can triumph.
The details of this mitzvah are explained in the eighth chapter of tractate Sotah.5
FOOTNOTES
1.Literally, "heretics," i.e. the non-Jewish enemy which denies the Torah.
2.Deut. 7:21.
3.Ibid. 3:22.
4.I.e., the Torah. See Kapach, 5731, footnote 6.
5.42b.
Positive Commandment 221
The Beautiful Captive
"And you see among the captives a beautiful woman"—Deuteronomy 21:11.
We are commanded regarding the law of the beautiful female captive [i.e., we must follow the pertinent laws detailed in the Torah].
The Beautiful Captive
Positive Commandment 221
Translated by Berel Bell
The 221st mitzvah is that we are commanded regarding the law of a yefas to'ar.1
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement2 (exalted be He), "[When you wage war against your enemies...,] if you see a yefas to'ar among the prisoners [and desire her, you may take her as a wife]."
The details of this mitzvah are explained in the beginning of tractate Kiddushin.3
FOOTNOTES
1.If upon entering enemy territory, a soldier sees a non-Jewish woman he desires to marry, he may have intercourse with her one time. If she wishes, she converts immediately thereafter. If not, she remains in his house for one month, growing her hair and nails in order to become less attractive. After an additional two months, if she converts, he is allowed to marry her as a regular wife. See Hilchos Melachim 8:2‑9.
2.Deut. 21:11.
3.21b.
Negative Commandment 263
Selling the Beautiful Captive
"And it will be, if you do not desire her, then you shall send her away wherever she wishes, but you shall not sell her for money"—Deuteronomy 21:14.
It is forbidden to sell the beautiful captive into servitude after cohabiting with her once on the battlefield.
Selling the Beautiful Captive
Negative Commandment 263
Translated by Berel Bell
The 263rd prohibition is that we are forbidden from selling a yefas to'ar after [her captor] has had intercourse with her at the time the land was conquered, as explained in the proper place.1
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement2 (exalted be He), "If you do not desire her, however, you must send her away free. You may not sell her for money."
FOOTNOTES
1.P221 above.
2.Deut. 21:14.
Negative Commandment 264
Enslaving the Beautiful Captive
"You shall not treat her as a slave, because you have afflicted her"—Deuteronomy 21:14.
It is forbidden to force the beautiful captive into one's own service, i.e. that she should serve him as a handmaiden.
Enslaving the Beautiful Captive
Negative Commandment 264
Translated by Berel Bell
The 264th prohibition is that we are forbidden from enslaving a yefas to'ar after having had intercourse with her. By "enslaving," I mean to make her a servant and leave her together with the rest of your servants who serve you.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "Do not keep her as a servant, since you have had relations with her."
The Sifri2 says, "The phrase lo sisameir ba means that you shall not use her as a servant." It has been demonstrated to you that these two prohibitions prohibit two distinct acts: not to sell her to someone else, and also not to leave her under you as a servant. Rather, you should follow G‑d's command (exalted be He), "You must send her away free." The same is explained regarding one who kidnaps someone, "and forces him to serve3 and then sells him."4 Our Sages said,5 "[He is guilty] as soon as he brings him into his property and forces him to serve."
The details of the law of the yefas to'ar are explained in the first chapter of tractate Kiddushin.6
FOOTNOTES
1.Ibid.
2.Ibid.
3.The same word, his'amer, is used regarding the yefas to'ar and the kidnapper.
4.Ibid., 24:7.
5.Sifri, ibid.
6.21b.
Conclusion
We will restart tomorrow...
Rambam:
• 1 Chapter A Day: Melachim uMilchamot Melachim uMilchamot - Chapter 12
Melachim uMilchamot - Chapter 12
1
Do not presume that in the Messianic age any facet of the world's nature will change or there will be innovations in the work of creation. Rather, the world will continue according to its pattern.
Although Isaiah 11:6 states: 'The wolf will dwell with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the young goat,' these words are a metaphor and a parable. The interpretation of the prophecy is as follows: Israel will dwell securely together with the wicked gentiles who are likened to a wolf and a leopard, as in the prophecy Jeremiah 5:6: 'A wolf from the wilderness shall spoil them and a leopard will stalk their cities.' They will all return to the true faith and no longer steal or destroy. Rather, they will eat permitted food at peace with Israel as Isaiah 11:7 states: 'The lion will eat straw like an ox.'
Similarly, other Messianic prophecies of this nature are metaphors. In the Messianic era, everyone will realize which matters were implied by these metaphors and which allusions they contained.
א
אל יעלה על הלב שבימות המשיח יבטל דבר ממנהגו של עולם או יהיה שם חידוש במעשה בראשית אלא עולם כמנהגו נוהג וזה שנאמר בישעיה וגר זאב עם כבש ונמר עם גדי ירבץ משל וחידה ענין הדבר שיהיו ישראל יושבין לבטח עם רשעי עכו"ם המשולים כזאב ונמר שנאמר זאב ערבות ישדדם ונמר שוקד על עריהם ויחזרו כולם לדת האמת ולא יגזלו ולא ישחיתו אלא יאכלו דבר המותר בנחת עם ישראל שנאמר ואריה כבקר יאכל תבן וכן כל כיוצא באלו הדברים בענין המשיח הם משלים ובימות המלך המשיח יודע לכל לאי זה דבר היה משל ומה ענין רמזו בהן:
2
Our Sages taught: "There will be no difference between the current age and the Messianic era except the emancipation from our subjugation to the gentile kingdoms."
The simple interpretation of the prophets' words appear to imply that the war of Gog and Magog will take place at the beginning of the Messianic age. Before the war of Gog and Magog, a prophet will arise to inspire Israel to be upright and prepare their hearts, as Malachi 3:22 states: 'Behold, I am sending you Elijah.'
He will not come to declare the pure, impure, or to declare the impure, pure. He will not dispute the lineage of those presumed to be of proper pedigree, nor will he validate the pedigree of those whose lineage is presumed blemished. Rather, he will establish peace within the world as ibid. 3:24 continues: 'He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children."
There are some Sages who say that Elijah's coming will precede the coming of the Mashiach. All these and similar matters cannot be definitely known by man until they occur for these matters are undefined in the prophets' words and even the wise men have no established tradition regarding these matters except their own interpretation of the verses. Therefore, there is a controversy among them regarding these matters.
Regardless of the debate concerning these questions, neither the order of the occurrence of these events or their precise detail are among the fundamental principles of the faith. A person should not occupy himself with the Aggadot and homiletics concerning these and similar matters, nor should he consider them as essentials, for study of them will neither bring fear or love of God.
Similarly, one should not try to determine the appointed time for Mashiach's coming. Our Sages declared: 'May the spirits of those who attempt to determine the time of Mashiach's coming expire!' Rather, one should await and believe in the general conception of the matter as explained.
ב
אמרו חכמים אין בין העולם הזה לימות המשיח אלא שיעבוד מלכיות בלבד יראה מפשוטן של דברי הנביאים שבתחילת ימות המשיח תהיה מלחמת גוג ומגוג ושקודם מלחמת גוג ומגוג יעמוד נביא לישר ישראל ולהכין לבם שנאמר הנה אנכי שולח לכם את אליה וגו' ואינו בא לא לטמא הטהור ולא לטהר הטמא ולא לפסול אנשים שהם בחזקת כשרות ולא להכשיר מי שהוחזקו פסולין אלא לשום שלום בעולם שנאמר והשיב לב אבות על בנים ויש מן החכמים שאומרים שקודם ביאת המשיח יבא אליהו וכל אלו הדברים וכיוצא בהן לא ידע אדם איך יהיו עד שיהיו שדברים סתומין הן אצל הנביאים גם החכמים אין להם קבלה בדברים אלו אלא לפי הכרע הפסוקים ולפיכך יש להם מחלוקת בדברים אלו ועל כל פנים אין סדור הויית דברים אלו ולא דקדוקיהן עיקר בדת ולעולם לא יתעסק אדם בדברי ההגדות ולא יאריך במדרשות האמורים בענינים אלו וכיוצא בהן ולא ישימם עיקר שאין מביאין לא לידי יראה ולא לידי אהבה וכן לא יחשב הקצין אמרו חכמים תפח רוחם של מחשבי הקצים אלא יחכה ויאמין בכלל הדבר כמו שבארנו:
3
During the era of the Messianic king, once his kingdom has been established and all of Israel has gathered around him, the entire nation's line of descent will be established on the basis of his words and the prophetic spirit which will rest upon him, as Malachi 3:3 states: 'He shall sit as a refiner and purifier.'
He will purify the lineage of the Levites first, stating 'He is a priest of defined lineage. He is a Levite of defined lineage.' Those whose lineage he will not recognize will be lowered to the status of Israelites. This is implied by Ezra 2:63: 'The governor said to them: 'They should not eat of the most holy things until a priest arises who will wear the urim vitumim.' From this verse, you can infer that the prophetic spirit will be used to define and notify the pedigree of lineage.
When he defines the lineage of the Israelites, he will make known their tribal lineage alone, stating: 'He is from this tribe and he is from another tribe.' He will not, by contrast, state concerning a person who is presumed to be of unblemished lineage: 'He is illegitimate or he is of slave lineage.' For the law is once a family has become intermingled with the entire Jewish people, they may remain intermingled.
ג
בימי המלך המשיח כשתתיישב ממלכתו ויתקבצו אליו כל ישראל יתייחסו כולם על פיו ברוח הקודש שתנוח עליו שנאמר וישב מצרף ומטהר וגו' ובני לוי מטהר תחילה ואומר זה מיוחס כהן וזה מיוחס לוי ודוחה את שאינן מיוחסין לישראל הרי הוא אומר ויאמר התרשתא להם וגו' עד עמוד כהן לאורים ולתומים הנה למדת שברוח הקודש מייחסין המוחזקין ומודיעין המיוחס ואינו מייחס ישראל אלא לשבטיהם שמודיע שזה משבט פלוני וזה משבט פלוני אבל אינו אומר על שהן בחזקת כשרות זה ממזר וזה עבד שהדין הוא שמשפחה שנטמעה נטמעה:
4
The Sages and the prophets did not yearn for the Messianic era in order to have dominion over the entire world, to rule over the gentiles, to be exalted by the nations, or to eat, drink, and celebrate. Rather, they desired to be free to involve themselves in Torah and wisdom without any pressures or disturbances, so that they would merit the world to come, as explained in Hilchot Teshuvah.
ד
לא נתאוו החכמים והנביאים ימות המשיח לא כדי שישלטו על כל העולם ולא כדי שירדו בעכו"ם ולא כדי שינשאו אותם העמים ולא כדי לאכול ולשתות ולשמוח אלא כדי שיהיו פנויין בתורה וחכמתה ולא יהיה להם נוגש ומבטל כדי שיזכו לחיי העולם הבא כמו שביארנו בהלכות תשובה:
5
In that era, there will be neither famine or war, envy or competition for good will flow in abundance and all the delights will be freely available as dust. The occupation of the entire world will be solely to know God.
Therefore, the Jews will be great sages and know the hidden matters, grasping the knowledge of their Creator according to the full extent of human potential, as Isaiah 11:9 states: 'The world will be filled with the knowledge of God as the waters cover the ocean bed."
ה
ובאותו הזמן לא יהיה שם לא רעב ולא מלחמה ולא קנאה ותחרות שהטובה תהיה מושפעת הרבה וכל המעדנים מצויין כעפר ולא יהיה עסק כל העולם אלא לדעת את ה' בלבד ולפיכך יהיו ישראל חכמים גדולים ויודעים דברים הסתומים וישיגו דעת בוראם כפי כח האדם שנאמר כי מלאה הארץ דעה את ה' כמים לים מכסים:
This completes Hilchot Melachim and the entire text. Blessed be He who spoke and the world came into being as a whole, with all its particulars.
This concludes the fourteenth book, the Book of Judges. It contains five Halachot and eighty one chapters.
HilchotSanhderin - 26 chapters,
Hilchot Edut - 22 chapters,
Hilchot Mamrim - 7 chapters,
Hilchot Evel - 14 chapters,
Hilchot Melachim - 12 chapters.
In the entire text, there are 83 Halachot and 982 chapters. Complete and perfect with praise to God, Creator of the World
נשלמו הלכות מלכים והחבור כולו ברוך שאמר והיה העולם בפרטו ובכללו נגמר ספר ארבעה עשר והוא ספר שופטים הלכותיו חמש ופרקיו אחד ושמונים הלכות סנהדרין ששה ועשרים פרקים הלכות עדות שנים ועשרים פרקים הלכות ממרים שבעה פרקים הלכות אבל ארבעה עשר פרקים הלכות מלכים שנים עשר פרקים כל הלכות הספר בכללו שלשה ושמונים והפרקים תתקפ"ב תם ונשלם שבח לאל בורא עולם:
Rambam:
• 3 Chapters A Day: Melachim uMilchamot Melachim uMilchamot - Chapter 10, Melachim uMilchamot Melachim uMilchamot - Chapter 11, Melachim uMilchamot Melachim uMilchamot - Chapter 12
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:
Melachim uMilchamot - Chapter 11
1
In the future, the Messianic king will arise and renew the Davidic dynasty, restoring it to its initial sovereignty. He will build the Temple and gather the dispersed of Israel.
Then, in his days, the observance of all the statutes will return to their previous state. We will offer sacrifices, observe the Sabbatical and Jubilee years according to all their particulars as described by the Torah.
Anyone who does not believe in him or does not await his coming, denies not only the statements of the other prophets, but those of the Torah and Moses, our teacher. The Torah testified to his coming, as Deuteronomy 30:3-5 states:
God will bring back your captivity and have mercy upon you. He will again gather you from among the nations... Even if your Diaspora is at the ends of the heavens, God will gather you up from there... and bring you to the land....
These explicit words of the Torah include all the statements made by all the prophets.
Reference to Mashiach is also made in the portion of Bilaam who prophesies about two anointed kings: the first anointed king, David, who saved Israel from her oppressors; and the final anointed king who will arise from his descendants and save Israel in the end of days. That passage Numbers 24:17-18 relates:
'I see it, but not now' - This refers to David;
'I perceive it, but not in the near future;" - This refers to the Messianic king;
'A star shall go forth from Jacob' - This refers to David;
'and a staff shall arise in Israel' - This refers to the Messianic king;
'crushing all of Moab's princes' - This refers to David as II Samuel 8:2 relates: 'He smote Moab and measured them with a line;'
'decimating all of Seth's descendants' - This refers to the Messianic king about whom Zechariah 9:10 prophesies: 'He will rule from sea to sea.'
'Edom will be demolished' - This refers to David as II Samuel 8:6 states 'Edom became the servants of David;'
'Seir will be destroyed' - this refers to the Messianic king as Ovadiah 1:21 prophesies: 'Saviors will ascend Mount Zion to judge the mountain of Esau....'
א
המלך המשיח עתיד לעמוד ולהחזיר מלכות דוד ליושנה לממשלה הראשונה ובונה המקדש ומקבץ נדחי ישראל וחוזרין כל המשפטים בימיו כשהיו מקודם מקריבין קרבנות ועושין שמטין ויובלות ככל מצותה האמורה בתורה וכל מי שאינו מאמין בו או מי שאינו מחכה לביאתו לא בשאר נביאים בלבד הוא כופר אלא בתורה ובמשה רבינו שהרי התורה העידה עליו שנאמר ושב ה' אלהיך את שבותך ורחמך ושב וקבצך וגו' אם יהיה נדחך בקצה השמים וגו' והביאך ה' ואלו הדברים המפורשים בתורה הם כוללים כל הדברים שנאמרו ע"י כל הנביאים אף בפרשת בלעם נאמר ושם נבא בשני המשיחים במשיח הראשון שהוא דוד שהושיע את ישראל מיד צריהם ובמשיח האחרון שעומד מבניו שמושיע את ישראל [באחרונה] ושם הוא אומר אראנו ולא עתה זה דוד אשורנו ולא קרוב זה מלך המשיח דרך כוכב מיעקב זה דוד וקם שבט מישראל זה מלך המשיח ומחץ פאתי מואב זה דוד וכן הוא אומר ויך את מואב וימדדם בחבל וקרקר כל בני שת זה המלך המשיח שנאמר בו ומשלו מים עד ים והיה אדום ירשה זה דוד שנאמר ותהי אדום לדוד לעבדים וגו' והיה ירשה וגו' זה המלך המשיח שנאמר ועלו מושיעים בהר ציון וגו':
2
Similarly, with regard to the cities of refuge, Deuteronomy 19:8-9 states: 'When God will expand your borders... you must add three more cities.' This command was never fulfilled. Surely, God did not give this command in vain.
There is no need to cite proofs from the works of the prophets for all their books are filled with mention of this matter.
ב
אף בערי מקלט הוא אומר אם ירחיב ה' אלהיך את גבולך ויספת לך עוד שלש ערים וגו' ומעולם לא היה דבר זה ולא צוה הקדוש ברוך הוא לתוהו אבל בדברי הנביאים אין הדבר צריך ראייה שכל הספרים מלאים בדבר זה:
3
One should not presume that the Messianic king must work miracles and wonders, bring about new phenomena in the world, resurrect the dead, or perform other similar deeds. This is definitely not true.
Proof can be brought from the fact that Rabbi Akiva, one of the greater Sages of the Mishnah, was one of the supporters of King Bar Kozibah and would describe him as the Messianic king. He and all the Sages of his generation considered him to be the Messianic king until he was killed because of sins. Once he was killed, they realized that he was not the Mashiach. The Sages did not ask him for any signs or wonders.
The main thrust of the matter is: This Torah, its statutes and its laws, are everlasting. We may not add to them or detract from them.
ג
ואל יעלה על דעתך שהמלך המשיח צריך לעשות אותות ומופתים ומחדש דברים בעולם או מחיה מתים וכיוצא בדברים אלו אין הדבר כך שהרי רבי עקיבא חכם גדול מחכמי משנה היה והוא היה נושא כליו של בן כוזיבא המלך והוא היה אומר עליו שהוא המלך המשיח ודימה הוא וכל חכמי דורו שהוא המלך המשיח עד שנהרג בעונות כיון שנהרג נודע להם שאינו ולא שאלו ממנו חכמים לא אות ולא מופת ועיקר הדברים ככה הן שהתורה הזאת חוקיה ומשפטיה לעולם ולעולמי עולמים ואין מוסיפין עליהן ולא גורעין מהן וכל המוסיף או גורע או שגילה פנים בתורה והוציא הדברים של מצוות מפשוטן הרי זה ודאי בדאי רשע ואפיקורוס:
4
If a king will arise from the House of David who diligently contemplates the Torah and observes its mitzvot as prescribed by the Written Law and the Oral Law as David, his ancestor, will compel all of Israel to walk in (the way of the Torah) and rectify the breaches in its observance, and fight the wars of God, we may, with assurance, consider him Mashiach.
If he succeeds in the above, builds the Temple in its place, and gathers the dispersed of Israel, he is definitely the Mashiach.
He will then improve the entire world, motivating all the nations to serve God together, as Tzephaniah 3:9 states: 'I will transform the peoples to a purer language that they all will call upon the name of God and serve Him with one purpose.'
If he did not succeed to this degree or was killed, he surely is not the redeemer promised by the Torah. Rather, he should be considered as all the other proper and complete kings of the Davidic dynasty who died. God caused him to arise only to test the many, as Daniel 11:35 states: 'And some of the wise men will stumble, to try them, to refine, and to clarify until the appointed time, because the set time is in the future.'
Jesus of Nazareth who aspired to be the Mashiach and was executed by the court was also alluded to in Daniel's prophecies, as ibid. 11:14 states: 'The vulgar among your people shall exalt themselves in an attempt to fulfill the vision, but they shall stumble.'
Can there be a greater stumbling block than Christianity? All the prophets spoke of Mashiach as the redeemer of Israel and their savior who would gather their dispersed and strengthen their observance of the mitzvot. In contrast, Christianity caused the Jews to be slain by the sword, their remnants to be scattered and humbled, the Torah to be altered, and the majority of the world to err and serve a god other than the Lord.
Nevertheless, the intent of the Creator of the world is not within the power of man to comprehend, for His ways are not our ways, nor are His thoughts, our thoughts. Ultimately, all the deeds of Jesus of Nazareth and that Ishmaelite who arose after him will only serve to prepare the way for Mashiach's coming and the improvement of the entire world, motivating the nations to serve God together as Tzephaniah 3:9 states: 'I will transform the peoples to a purer language that they all will call upon the name of God and serve Him with one purpose.'
How will this come about? The entire world has already become filled with the mention of Mashiach, Torah, and mitzvot. These matters have been spread to the furthermost islands to many stubborn-hearted nations. They discuss these matters and the mitzvot of the Torah, saying: 'These mitzvot were true, but were already negated in the present age and are not applicable for all time.'
Others say: 'Implied in the mitzvot are hidden concepts that can not be understood simply. The Mashiach has already come and revealed those hidden truths.'
When the true Messianic king will arise and prove successful, his position becoming exalted and uplifted, they will all return and realize that their ancestors endowed them with a false heritage and their prophets and ancestors caused them to err.
ד
ואם יעמוד מלך מבית דויד הוגה בתורה ועוסק במצות כדויד אביו כפי תורה שבכתב ושבעל פה ויכוף כל ישראל לילך בה ולחזק בדקה וילחם מלחמות ה' הרי זה בחזקת שהוא משיח אם עשה והצליח ובנה מקדש במקומו וקבץ נדחי ישראל הרי זה משיח בודאי ויתקן את העולם כולו לעבוד את ה' ביחד שנאמר כי אז אהפוך אל עמים שפה ברורה לקרוא כולם בשם ה' ולעבדו שכם אחד. ואם לא הצליח עד כה או נהרג בידוע שאינו זה שהבטיחה עליו תורה והרי הוא ככל מלכי בית דויד השלמים והכשרים שמתו ולא העמידו הקדוש ברוך הוא אלא לנסות בו רבים שנאמר ומן המשכילים יכשלו לצרוף בהם ולברר וללבן עד עת קץ כי עוד למועד. אף ישוע הנצרי שדימה שיהיה משיח ונהרג בבית דין כבר נתנבא בו דניאל שנאמר ובני פריצי עמך ינשאו להעמיד חזון ונכשלו וכי יש מכשול גדול מזה שכל הנביאים דברו שמשיח גואל ישראל ומושיעם ומקבץ נדחיהם ומחזק מצוותן וזה גרם לאבד ישראל בחרב ולפזר שאריתם ולהשפילם ולהחליף התורה ולהטעות רוב העולם לעבוד אלוה מבלעדי ה'. אך מחשבות בורא עולם אין כוח באדם להשיגם כי לא דרכינו דרכיו ולא מחשבותינו מחשבותיו וכל הדברים האלו של ישוע הנצרי ושל זה הישמעאלי שעמד אחריו אינן אלא לישר דרך למלך המשיח ולתקן העולם כולו לעבוד את ה' ביחד שנאמר כי אז אהפוך אל אחד עמים שפה ברורה לקרוא כולם בשם ה' לעבדו שכם אחד. כיצד כבר נתמלא העולם מדברי המשיח ומדברי התורה ומדברי המצוות ופשטו דברים אלו באיים רחוקים ובעמים רבים ערלי לב והם נושאים ונותנים בדברים אלו ובמצוות התורה אלו אומרים מצוות אלו אמת היו וכבר בטלו בזמן הזה ולא היו נוהגות לדורות ואלו אומרים דברים נסתרים יש בהן ואינן כפשוטן וכבר בא משיח וגילה נסתריהם וכשיעמוד המלך המשיח באמת ויצליח וירום וינשא מיד הם כולם חוזרים ויודעים ששקר נחלו אבותיהם ושנביאיהם ואבותיהם הטעום:
Melachim uMilchamot - Chapter 12
1
Do not presume that in the Messianic age any facet of the world's nature will change or there will be innovations in the work of creation. Rather, the world will continue according to its pattern.
Although Isaiah 11:6 states: 'The wolf will dwell with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the young goat,' these words are a metaphor and a parable. The interpretation of the prophecy is as follows: Israel will dwell securely together with the wicked gentiles who are likened to a wolf and a leopard, as in the prophecy Jeremiah 5:6: 'A wolf from the wilderness shall spoil them and a leopard will stalk their cities.' They will all return to the true faith and no longer steal or destroy. Rather, they will eat permitted food at peace with Israel as Isaiah 11:7 states: 'The lion will eat straw like an ox.'
Similarly, other Messianic prophecies of this nature are metaphors. In the Messianic era, everyone will realize which matters were implied by these metaphors and which allusions they contained.
א
אל יעלה על הלב שבימות המשיח יבטל דבר ממנהגו של עולם או יהיה שם חידוש במעשה בראשית אלא עולם כמנהגו נוהג וזה שנאמר בישעיה וגר זאב עם כבש ונמר עם גדי ירבץ משל וחידה ענין הדבר שיהיו ישראל יושבין לבטח עם רשעי עכו"ם המשולים כזאב ונמר שנאמר זאב ערבות ישדדם ונמר שוקד על עריהם ויחזרו כולם לדת האמת ולא יגזלו ולא ישחיתו אלא יאכלו דבר המותר בנחת עם ישראל שנאמר ואריה כבקר יאכל תבן וכן כל כיוצא באלו הדברים בענין המשיח הם משלים ובימות המלך המשיח יודע לכל לאי זה דבר היה משל ומה ענין רמזו בהן:
2
Our Sages taught: "There will be no difference between the current age and the Messianic era except the emancipation from our subjugation to the gentile kingdoms."
The simple interpretation of the prophets' words appear to imply that the war of Gog and Magog will take place at the beginning of the Messianic age. Before the war of Gog and Magog, a prophet will arise to inspire Israel to be upright and prepare their hearts, as Malachi 3:22 states: 'Behold, I am sending you Elijah.'
He will not come to declare the pure, impure, or to declare the impure, pure. He will not dispute the lineage of those presumed to be of proper pedigree, nor will he validate the pedigree of those whose lineage is presumed blemished. Rather, he will establish peace within the world as ibid. 3:24 continues: 'He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children."
There are some Sages who say that Elijah's coming will precede the coming of the Mashiach. All these and similar matters cannot be definitely known by man until they occur for these matters are undefined in the prophets' words and even the wise men have no established tradition regarding these matters except their own interpretation of the verses. Therefore, there is a controversy among them regarding these matters.
Regardless of the debate concerning these questions, neither the order of the occurrence of these events or their precise detail are among the fundamental principles of the faith. A person should not occupy himself with the Aggadot and homiletics concerning these and similar matters, nor should he consider them as essentials, for study of them will neither bring fear or love of God.
Similarly, one should not try to determine the appointed time for Mashiach's coming. Our Sages declared: 'May the spirits of those who attempt to determine the time of Mashiach's coming expire!' Rather, one should await and believe in the general conception of the matter as explained.
ב
אמרו חכמים אין בין העולם הזה לימות המשיח אלא שיעבוד מלכיות בלבד יראה מפשוטן של דברי הנביאים שבתחילת ימות המשיח תהיה מלחמת גוג ומגוג ושקודם מלחמת גוג ומגוג יעמוד נביא לישר ישראל ולהכין לבם שנאמר הנה אנכי שולח לכם את אליה וגו' ואינו בא לא לטמא הטהור ולא לטהר הטמא ולא לפסול אנשים שהם בחזקת כשרות ולא להכשיר מי שהוחזקו פסולין אלא לשום שלום בעולם שנאמר והשיב לב אבות על בנים ויש מן החכמים שאומרים שקודם ביאת המשיח יבא אליהו וכל אלו הדברים וכיוצא בהן לא ידע אדם איך יהיו עד שיהיו שדברים סתומין הן אצל הנביאים גם החכמים אין להם קבלה בדברים אלו אלא לפי הכרע הפסוקים ולפיכך יש להם מחלוקת בדברים אלו ועל כל פנים אין סדור הויית דברים אלו ולא דקדוקיהן עיקר בדת ולעולם לא יתעסק אדם בדברי ההגדות ולא יאריך במדרשות האמורים בענינים אלו וכיוצא בהן ולא ישימם עיקר שאין מביאין לא לידי יראה ולא לידי אהבה וכן לא יחשב הקצין אמרו חכמים תפח רוחם של מחשבי הקצים אלא יחכה ויאמין בכלל הדבר כמו שבארנו:
3
During the era of the Messianic king, once his kingdom has been established and all of Israel has gathered around him, the entire nation's line of descent will be established on the basis of his words and the prophetic spirit which will rest upon him, as Malachi 3:3 states: 'He shall sit as a refiner and purifier.'
He will purify the lineage of the Levites first, stating 'He is a priest of defined lineage. He is a Levite of defined lineage.' Those whose lineage he will not recognize will be lowered to the status of Israelites. This is implied by Ezra 2:63: 'The governor said to them: 'They should not eat of the most holy things until a priest arises who will wear the urim vitumim.' From this verse, you can infer that the prophetic spirit will be used to define and notify the pedigree of lineage.
When he defines the lineage of the Israelites, he will make known their tribal lineage alone, stating: 'He is from this tribe and he is from another tribe.' He will not, by contrast, state concerning a person who is presumed to be of unblemished lineage: 'He is illegitimate or he is of slave lineage.' For the law is once a family has become intermingled with the entire Jewish people, they may remain intermingled.
ג
בימי המלך המשיח כשתתיישב ממלכתו ויתקבצו אליו כל ישראל יתייחסו כולם על פיו ברוח הקודש שתנוח עליו שנאמר וישב מצרף ומטהר וגו' ובני לוי מטהר תחילה ואומר זה מיוחס כהן וזה מיוחס לוי ודוחה את שאינן מיוחסין לישראל הרי הוא אומר ויאמר התרשתא להם וגו' עד עמוד כהן לאורים ולתומים הנה למדת שברוח הקודש מייחסין המוחזקין ומודיעין המיוחס ואינו מייחס ישראל אלא לשבטיהם שמודיע שזה משבט פלוני וזה משבט פלוני אבל אינו אומר על שהן בחזקת כשרות זה ממזר וזה עבד שהדין הוא שמשפחה שנטמעה נטמעה:
4
The Sages and the prophets did not yearn for the Messianic era in order to have dominion over the entire world, to rule over the gentiles, to be exalted by the nations, or to eat, drink, and celebrate. Rather, they desired to be free to involve themselves in Torah and wisdom without any pressures or disturbances, so that they would merit the world to come, as explained in Hilchot Teshuvah.
ד
לא נתאוו החכמים והנביאים ימות המשיח לא כדי שישלטו על כל העולם ולא כדי שירדו בעכו"ם ולא כדי שינשאו אותם העמים ולא כדי לאכול ולשתות ולשמוח אלא כדי שיהיו פנויין בתורה וחכמתה ולא יהיה להם נוגש ומבטל כדי שיזכו לחיי העולם הבא כמו שביארנו בהלכות תשובה:
5
In that era, there will be neither famine or war, envy or competition for good will flow in abundance and all the delights will be freely available as dust. The occupation of the entire world will be solely to know God.
Therefore, the Jews will be great sages and know the hidden matters, grasping the knowledge of their Creator according to the full extent of human potential, as Isaiah 11:9 states: 'The world will be filled with the knowledge of God as the waters cover the ocean bed."
ה
ובאותו הזמן לא יהיה שם לא רעב ולא מלחמה ולא קנאה ותחרות שהטובה תהיה מושפעת הרבה וכל המעדנים מצויין כעפר ולא יהיה עסק כל העולם אלא לדעת את ה' בלבד ולפיכך יהיו ישראל חכמים גדולים ויודעים דברים הסתומים וישיגו דעת בוראם כפי כח האדם שנאמר כי מלאה הארץ דעה את ה' כמים לים מכסים:
This completes Hilchot Melachim and the entire text. Blessed be He who spoke and the world came into being as a whole, with all its particulars.
This concludes the fourteenth book, the Book of Judges. It contains five Halachot and eighty one chapters.
HilchotSanhderin - 26 chapters,
Hilchot Edut - 22 chapters,
Hilchot Mamrim - 7 chapters,
Hilchot Evel - 14 chapters,
Hilchot Melachim - 12 chapters.
In the entire text, there are 83 Halachot and 982 chapters. Complete and perfect with praise to God, Creator of the World
נשלמו הלכות מלכים והחבור כולו ברוך שאמר והיה העולם בפרטו ובכללו נגמר ספר ארבעה עשר והוא ספר שופטים הלכותיו חמש ופרקיו אחד ושמונים הלכות סנהדרין ששה ועשרים פרקים הלכות עדות שנים ועשרים פרקים הלכות ממרים שבעה פרקים הלכות אבל ארבעה עשר פרקים הלכות מלכים שנים עשר פרקים כל הלכות הספר בכללו שלשה ושמונים והפרקים תתקפ"ב תם ונשלם שבח לאל בורא עולם:
Hayom Yom:
Tishrei 6, 5778 · 09/26/2017
"Today's Day"
Tuesday, Tishrei 6*, 5704
Torah lessons: Chumash: B'racha, Shlishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 35-38. Also 103-105.
Tanya: Now, in like (p. 505) ...to animate them. (p. 507).
A resume of the third method:
U - V'ahavta..., "Love your fellow as yourself."1 The Alter Rebbe taught that this love is an instrument, a means to "Love the Eternal your G-d."2 This is explained in the statement, "Whoever is pleasing to man is pleasing to G-d."3 This service of teshuva stems from goodness of heart.
FOOTNOTES
*.This day marks the yahrzeit, in 5725 (1964), of the Rebbetzin Chana of blessed memory, mother of the Rebbe of righteous memory. "She passed away on the holy Shabbat at the time of Mincha, on the sixth day of the Ten Days Of Teshuva..." (Wording on the headstone of her resting-place.)
1.Vayikra 19:18.
2.Devarim 6:5.
3.Avot 3:10.
"Today's Day"
Tuesday, Tishrei 6*, 5704
Torah lessons: Chumash: B'racha, Shlishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 35-38. Also 103-105.
Tanya: Now, in like (p. 505) ...to animate them. (p. 507).
A resume of the third method:
U - V'ahavta..., "Love your fellow as yourself."1 The Alter Rebbe taught that this love is an instrument, a means to "Love the Eternal your G-d."2 This is explained in the statement, "Whoever is pleasing to man is pleasing to G-d."3 This service of teshuva stems from goodness of heart.
FOOTNOTES
*.This day marks the yahrzeit, in 5725 (1964), of the Rebbetzin Chana of blessed memory, mother of the Rebbe of righteous memory. "She passed away on the holy Shabbat at the time of Mincha, on the sixth day of the Ten Days Of Teshuva..." (Wording on the headstone of her resting-place.)
1.Vayikra 19:18.
2.Devarim 6:5.
3.Avot 3:10.
Daily Thought:
Getting Personal
When does a relationship become real? Once it has broken down.
As long as each fulfills the other’s expectations, there is no relationship, only a contract and its transactions. Once trust is breached, a new depth must enter: The depth of the human being.
If there is truly a relationship—if it is the person inside that matters—then there is a search for forgiveness, for return, and for healing.
So it was that within forty days of entering into a contract with the One Above, the children of Israel broke the deal. And the soul below and the One Above discovered they could not part from one another. (Likkutei Sichot, vol. 4, p. 1151.)
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