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- ב"ה - Today in Judaism - Today is Friday, Elul 24, 5777 · September 15, 2017 - Candle Lighting - Light Candles before sunset ––:––Today's Laws & Customs:
• Elul Observances
As the last month of the Jewish year, Elul is traditionaly a time of introspection and stocktaking -- a time to review one's deeds and spiritual progress over the past year and prepare for the upcoming "Days of Awe" of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur.
As the month of Divine Mercy and Forgiveness (see "Today in Jewish History" for Elul 1) it is a most opportune time for teshuvah ("return" to G-d), prayer, charity, and increased Ahavat Yisrael (love for a fellow Jew) in the quest for self-improvement and coming closer to G-d. Chassidic master Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi likens the month of Elul to a time when "the king is in the field" and, in contrast to when he is in the royal palace, "everyone who so desires is permitted to meet him, and he receives them all with a cheerful countenance and shows a smiling face to them all."
Specific Elul customs include the daily sounding of the shofar (ram's horn) as a call to repentance. The Baal Shem Tov instituted the 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). Click below to view today's Psalms.
Chapter 70 Chapter 71 Chapter 72
Psalms Chapter 70:1. For the Conductor, by David, to remind.
2. O God, [come] to rescue me; O Lord, hurry to my aid.
3. Let those who seek my life be shamed and disgraced; let those who wish me harm retreat and be humiliated.
4. Let those who say, "Aha! Aha!" be turned back in return for their shaming [me].
5. Let all who seek You rejoice and delight in You, and let those who love Your deliverance say always, "May God be exalted!”
6. But I am poor and needy; hurry to me, O God! You are my help and deliverer; O God, do not delay! Chapter 71:1. I have taken refuge in You, O Lord; I will never be shamed.
2. Rescue me and deliver me in Your righteousness; incline Your ear to me and save me.
3. Be for me a sheltering rock, to enter always. You have ordered my salvation, for You are my rock and my fortress.
4. O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked, from the palm of the scheming and violent.
5. For You are my hope, O my Lord, God, my security since my youth.
6. I have relied on You from the womb; You drew me from my mother's innards; my praise is of You always.
7. I became an example to the masses, yet You were my mighty refuge.
8. Let my mouth be filled with Your praise, all day long with Your glory.
9. Do not cast me aside in old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails;
10. for my enemies say of me, and those who watch my soul conspire together,
11. saying, "God has forsaken him. Give chase and catch him, for there is no rescuer.”
12. O God, do not distance Yourself from me; my God, hurry to my aid.
13. Let the adversaries of my soul be shamed and consumed; let those who seek my harm be enwrapped in disgrace and humiliation.
14. But as for me, I will always hope; I will add to all Your praises.
15. My mouth will tell of Your righteousness, all day long of Your deliverance, for I do not know their number.
16. I come with the strength of my Lord, God; I mention Your righteousness, Yours alone.
17. O God, You have taught me since my youth, and to this day I tell of Your wonders.
18. Even into old age and hoariness, O God, do not abandon me, until I tell of Your might to the generations, and of Your strength to all who are to come.
19. Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens, for You do great things; O God, who is like You!
20. You, Who has shown me many and grievous troubles, You will revive me again; You will lift me again from the depths of the earth.
21. You will increase my greatness; You will turn and console me.
22. I too1 will thank You on the lyre for Your faithfulness, My God; I will sing to You on the harp, O Holy One of Israel.
23. My lips will rejoice when I sing to you, as well as my soul which You have redeemed.
24. My tongue will also utter Your righteousness all day, for those who seek my harm are shamed and disgraced. Chapter 72:1. For Solomon. O God, impart Your justice to the king, and Your righteousness to the son of the king.
2. May he judge Your people with righteousness, Your poor with justice.
3. May the mountains bear peace to the nation, also the hills, in [reward for their] righteousness.
4. May he judge the nation's poor, save the children of the destitute, and crush the oppressor,
5. so that they will fear You as long as the sun [shines] and the moon endures, generation after generation.
6. May [his words] descend like rain upon cut grass, like raindrops that water the earth.
7. In his days may the righteous flourish, with much peace until the moon is no more.
8. And may he rule from sea to sea, and from the river until the ends of the earth.
9. May nobles kneel before him, and may his enemies lick the dust.
10. The kings of Tarshish and the islands will return tribute, the kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts.
11. All kings will bow to him, all nations will serve him;
12. for he rescues the needy one who cries out, the poor one who has no one to help him.
13. He pities the impoverished and needy, and saves the souls of the destitute.
14. He redeems their soul from deception and violence, and their blood is precious in his eyes.
15. He revives [the poor], and gives him of the gold of Sheba; and so [the poor] pray for him always, and bless him all day.
16. May there be abundant grain in the land, upon the mountaintops; may its fruit rustle like the [cedars of] Lebanon, and may [people] blossom from the city like the grass of the earth.
17. May his name endure forever; may his name be magnified as long as the sun [shines]. And all nations will bless themselves by him, they will praise him.
18. Blessed is the Lord God, the God of Israel, Who alone performs wonders.
19. Blessed is His glorious Name forever, and may the whole earth be filled with His glory, Amen and Amen.
20. The prayers of David, son of Jesse, are concluded
Elul is also the time to have one's tefillin and mezuzot checked by an accredited scribe to ensure that they are in good condition and fit for use.
Links: More on Elul
Today in Jewish History:
• Passing of Chafetz Chaim (1933)
Elul 24 is the yahrtzeit of the revered Torah scholar, pietist and Jewish leader Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan (1838-1933) of Radin (Poland), author of Chafetz Chaim (a work on the evils of gossip and slander and the guidelines of proper speech) and Mishnah Berurah (a codification of Torah law).
Link: A Tzaddik's Tear
Daily Quote:
The work of My hands is drowning in the sea, and you wish to sing before me? (G-d to the angels, when the Egytians were drowning in the sea (Talmud, Sanhedrin 39b))
Daily Torah Study:
Chumash: Nitzavim-Vayelech, 6th Portion Deuteronomy 31:14-31:19 with Rashi
• English / Hebrew Linear Translation
• Video Class
• Daily Wisdom (short insight)
Deuteronomy Chapter 31
14And the Lord said to Moses, "Behold, your days are approaching [for you] to die. Call Joshua and stand in the Tent of Meeting, and I will inspire him. So Moses and Joshua went, and stood in the Tent of Meeting. ידוַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־משֶׁ֗ה הֵ֣ן קָֽרְב֣וּ יָמֶ֘יךָ֘ לָמוּת֒ קְרָ֣א אֶת־יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ וְהִתְיַצְּב֛וּ בְּאֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵ֖ד וַֽאֲצַוֶּ֑נּוּ וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ משֶׁה֙ וִֽיהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ וַיִּתְיַצְּב֖וּ בְּאֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד:
and I will inspire him: [Usually, “and I will command him.” Here, however, the meaning is:]“And I will urge him on.”
ואצונו: ואזרזנו:
15And the Lord appeared in the Tent, in a pillar of cloud. The pillar of cloud stood at the entrance to the Tent. טווַיֵּרָ֧א יְהֹוָ֛ה בָּאֹ֖הֶל בְּעַמּ֣וּד עָנָ֑ן וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֛ד עַמּ֥וּד הֶֽעָנָ֖ן עַל־פֶּ֥תַח הָאֹֽהֶל:
16And the Lord said to Moses: Behold, you are [about to] lie with your forefathers, and this nation will rise up and stray after the deities of the nations of the land, into which they are coming. And they will forsake Me and violate My covenant which I made with them. טזוַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־משֶׁ֔ה הִנְּךָ֥ שֹׁכֵ֖ב עִם־אֲבֹתֶ֑יךָ וְקָם֩ הָעָ֨ם הַזֶּ֜ה וְזָנָ֣ה | אַֽחֲרֵ֣י | אֱלֹהֵ֣י נֵֽכַר־הָאָ֗רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֨ר ה֤וּא בָא־שָׁ֨מָּה֙ בְּקִרְבּ֔וֹ וַֽעֲזָבַ֕נִי וְהֵפֵר֙ אֶת־בְּרִיתִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר כָּרַ֖תִּי אִתּֽוֹ:
the nations of the land: The peoples of the land.
נכר הארץ: גויי הארץ:
17And My fury will rage against them on that day, and I will abandon them and hide My face from them, and they will be consumed, and many evils and troubles will befall them, and they will say on that day, 'Is it not because our God is no longer among us, that these evils have befallen us?' יזוְחָרָ֣ה אַפִּ֣י ב֣וֹ בַיּֽוֹם־הַ֠ה֠וּא וַֽעֲזַבְתִּ֞ים וְהִסְתַּרְתִּ֨י פָנַ֤י מֵהֶם֙ וְהָיָ֣ה לֶֽאֱכֹ֔ל וּמְצָאֻ֛הוּ רָע֥וֹת רַבּ֖וֹת וְצָר֑וֹת וְאָמַר֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא הֲלֹ֗א עַ֣ל כִּי־אֵ֤ין אֱלֹהַי֙ בְּקִרְבִּ֔י מְצָא֖וּנִי הָֽרָע֥וֹת הָאֵֽלֶּה:
and hide My face: As though I do not see their distress.
והסתרתי פני: כמו שאיני רואה בצרתם:
18And I will hide My face on that day, because of all the evil they have committed, when they turned to other deities. יחוְאָֽנֹכִ֗י הַסְתֵּ֨ר אַסְתִּ֤יר פָּנַי֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא עַ֥ל כָּל־הָֽרָעָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֑ה כִּ֣י פָנָ֔ה אֶל־אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֲחֵרִֽים:
19And now, write for yourselves this song, and teach it to the Children of Israel. Place it into their mouths, in order that this song will be for Me as a witness for the children of Israel. יטוְעַתָּ֗ה כִּתְב֤וּ לָכֶם֙ אֶת־הַשִּׁירָ֣ה הַזֹּ֔את וְלַמְּדָ֥הּ אֶת־בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל שִׂימָ֣הּ בְּפִיהֶ֑ם לְמַ֨עַן תִּֽהְיֶה־לִּ֜י הַשִּׁירָ֥ה הַזֹּ֛את לְעֵ֖ד בִּבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל:
this song: [This refers to the passage beginning with] הַאֲזִינוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם [until] וְכִפֶּר אַדְמָתוֹ עַמּוֹ (Deut. 32:1-43).
את השירה הזאת: (לקמן לב, א) האזינו השמים עד (לב, מג) וכפר אדמתו עמו:
Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 113 - 118
• Hebrew text
• English text
Special Custom for the Month of Elul and High Holidays
The Baal Shem Tov instituted a custom of reciting three additional chapters of Psalms each day, from the 1st of Elul until Yom Kippur (on Yom Kippur the remaining 36 chapters are recited, thereby completing the entire book of Psalms).
See below for today's additional chapters.
Chapter 113
This psalm recounts some of the wonders of the exodus from Egypt.
1. Praise the Lord! Offer praise, you servants of the Lord; praise the Name of the Lord.
2. May the Name of the Lord be blessed from now and to all eternity.
3. From the rising of the sun to its setting, the Name of the Lord is praised.
4. The Lord is high above all nations; His glory transcends the heavens.
5. Who is like the Lord our God, Who dwells on high
6. [yet] looks down so low upon heaven and earth!
7. He raises the poor from the dust, lifts the destitute from the dunghill,
8. to seat them with nobles, with the nobles of His people.
9. He transforms the barren woman into a household, into a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!
Chapter 114
This psalm explains why the tribe of Judah merited kingship.
1. When Israel went out of Egypt, the House of Jacob from a people of a foreign tongue,
2. Judah became His holy [nation], Israel, His domain.
3. The sea saw and fled, the Jordan turned backward.
4. The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like young sheep.
5. What is the matter with you, O sea, that you flee; Jordan, that you turn backward;
6. mountains, that you skip like rams; hills, like young sheep?
7. [We do so] before the Master, the Creator of the earth, before the God of Jacob,
8. Who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flintstone into a water fountain.
Chapter 115
A prayer that God bring this long exile to an end, for the sake of His Name-that it not be desecrated.
1. Not for our sake, Lord, not for our sake, but for the sake of Your Name bestow glory, because of Your kindness and Your truth.
2. Why should the nations say, "Where, now, is their God?”
3. Indeed, our God is in heaven; whatever He desires, He does.
4. Their idols are of silver and gold, the product of human hands.
5. They have a mouth, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see;
6. they have ears, but cannot hear; they have a nose, but cannot smell;
7. their hands cannot touch; their feet cannot walk; they can make no sound in their throat.
8. Those who make them will become like them-all who put their trust in them.
9. Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.
10. House of Aaron, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.
11. You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.
12. The Lord who is ever mindful of us, may He bless: May He bless the House of Israel; may He bless the House of Aaron;
13. may He bless those who fear the Lord, the small with the great.
14. May the Lord increase [blessing] upon you, upon you and upon your children.
15. You are blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
16. The heavens are the Lord's heavens, but the earth He gave to the children of man.
17. The dead cannot praise the Lord, nor any who descend into the silence [of the grave].
18. But we will bless the Lord from now to eternity. Praise the Lord!
Chapter 116
This psalm contains magnificent praises to God. It also describes David's love for God, in light of all the miracles He performed for him. David does not know how to repay God, declaring it impossible to pay back for all God has done for him.
1. I would love if the Lord would listen to my voice, to my supplications;
2. if He would turn His ear to me on the days when I call.
3. The pangs of death encompassed me and the misery of the grave came upon me; I encounter trouble and sorrow.
4. I invoke the Name of the Lord, "Lord, I implore you, deliver my soul!”
5. The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is compassionate.
6. The Lord watches over the simpletons; I was brought low, and He saved me.
7. Return, my soul, to your tranquility, for the Lord has bestowed goodness upon you.
8. For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
9. I shall walk before the Lord in the lands of the living.
10. I had faith even when I declared, "I am greatly afflicted";
11. [even when] I said in my haste, "All men are deceitful.”
12. How can I repay the Lord for all His beneficences to me?
13. I will raise the cup of deliverance and proclaim the Name of the Lord.
14. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people.
15. Grievous in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His pious ones.
16. I thank you, Lord, that since I am Your servant, I am Your servant the son of Your maidservant, You have loosened my bonds.
17. To You I will bring an offering of thanksgiving, and proclaim the Name of the Lord.
18. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people,
19. in the courtyards of the House of the Lord, in the midst of Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!
Chapter 117
This psalm of two verses alludes to the Messianic era, when the Children of Israel will enjoy their former glory. All will praise God, in fulfillment of the verse, "All will then call in the Name of God."
1. Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples.
2. For His kindness was mighty over us, and the truth of the Lord is everlasting. Praise the Lord!
Chapter 118
This psalm describes David's immense trust in God. It also contains many praises to God, Who has fulfilled that which He has promised us.
1. Offer praise to the Lord for He is good, for His kindness is everlasting.
2. Let Israel declare that His kindness is everlasting.
3. Let the House of Aaron declare that His kindness is everlasting.
4. Let those who fear the Lord declare that His kindness is everlasting.
5. From out of distress I called to God; with abounding relief, God answered me.
6. The Lord is with me, I do not fear-what can man do to me?
7. The Lord is with me among my helpers, and I will see [the downfall of] my enemies.
8. It is better to rely on the Lord than to trust in man.
9. It is better to rely on the Lord than to trust in nobles.
10. All the nations surrounded me, but in the Name of the Lord I will cut them down.
11. They surrounded me, they encompassed me, but in the Name of the Lord I will cut them down.
12. They surrounded me like bees, yet they shall be extinguished like fiery thorns; in the Name of the Lord I will cut them down.
13. You [my foes] repeatedly pushed me to fall, but the Lord helped me.
14. God is my strength and song, and He has been a help to me.
15. The sound of rejoicing and deliverance reverberates in the tents of the righteous, "The right hand of the Lord performs deeds of valor.
16. The right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord performs deeds of valor!”
17. I shall not die, but I shall live and recount the deeds of God.
18. God has indeed chastised me, but He did not give me up to death.
19. Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter them and praise God.
20. This is the gate of the Lord, the righteous will enter it.
21. I offer thanks to You, for You have answered me, and You have been my deliverance.
22. The stone which the builders scorned has become the chief cornerstone.
23. From the Lord has this come about; it is wondrous in our eyes.
24. This is the day which the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice on it.
25. We implore You, Lord, deliver us. We implore You, Lord, grant us success.
26. Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord; we bless you from the House of the Lord.
27. The Lord is a benevolent God and He has given us light; bind the festival offering with cords until [you bring it to] the horns of the altar.
28. You are my God and I will praise You, my God-and I will exalt You.
29. Praise the Lord for He is good, for His kindness is everlasting.
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 70, 71 and 72.
Chapter 70
David prays that his enemies be shamed and humiliated for their shaming him and reveling in his troubles. Then the righteous will rejoice, and chant songs and praises always.
1. For the Conductor, by David, to remind.
2. O God, [come] to rescue me; O Lord, hurry to my aid.
3. Let those who seek my life be shamed and disgraced; let those who wish me harm retreat and be humiliated.
4. Let those who say, "Aha! Aha!" be turned back in return for their shaming [me].
5. Let all who seek You rejoice and delight in You, and let those who love Your deliverance say always, "May God be exalted!”
6. But I am poor and needy; hurry to me, O God! You are my help and deliverer; O God, do not delay!
Chapter 71
In this awe-inspiring prayer, David speaks of his enemies' desire to kill him, declaring him deserving of death.
1. I have taken refuge in You, O Lord; I will never be shamed.
2. Rescue me and deliver me in Your righteousness; incline Your ear to me and save me.
3. Be for me a sheltering rock, to enter always. You have ordered my salvation, for You are my rock and my fortress.
4. O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked, from the palm of the scheming and violent.
5. For You are my hope, O my Lord, God, my security since my youth.
6. I have relied on You from the womb; You drew me from my mother's innards; my praise is of You always.
7. I became an example to the masses, yet You were my mighty refuge.
8. Let my mouth be filled with Your praise, all day long with Your glory.
9. Do not cast me aside in old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails;
10. for my enemies say of me, and those who watch my soul conspire together,
11. saying, "God has forsaken him. Give chase and catch him, for there is no rescuer.”
12. O God, do not distance Yourself from me; my God, hurry to my aid.
13. Let the adversaries of my soul be shamed and consumed; let those who seek my harm be enwrapped in disgrace and humiliation.
14. But as for me, I will always hope; I will add to all Your praises.
15. My mouth will tell of Your righteousness, all day long of Your deliverance, for I do not know their number.
16. I come with the strength of my Lord, God; I mention Your righteousness, Yours alone.
17. O God, You have taught me since my youth, and to this day I tell of Your wonders.
18. Even into old age and hoariness, O God, do not abandon me, until I tell of Your might to the generations, and of Your strength to all who are to come.
19. Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens, for You do great things; O God, who is like You!
20. You, Who has shown me many and grievous troubles, You will revive me again; You will lift me again from the depths of the earth.
21. You will increase my greatness; You will turn and console me.
22. I too1 will thank You on the lyre for Your faithfulness, My God; I will sing to You on the harp, O Holy One of Israel.
23. My lips will rejoice when I sing to you, as well as my soul which You have redeemed.
24. My tongue will also utter Your righteousness all day, for those who seek my harm are shamed and disgraced.
Chapter 72
David composed this psalm for Solomon, praying that he be granted the wisdom to provide justice for the poor.
1. For Solomon. O God, impart Your justice to the king, and Your righteousness to the son of the king.
2. May he judge Your people with righteousness, Your poor with justice.
3. May the mountains bear peace to the nation, also the hills, in [reward for their] righteousness.
4. May he judge the nation's poor, save the children of the destitute, and crush the oppressor,
5. so that they will fear You as long as the sun [shines] and the moon endures, generation after generation.
6. May [his words] descend like rain upon cut grass, like raindrops that water the earth.
7. In his days may the righteous flourish, with much peace until the moon is no more.
8. And may he rule from sea to sea, and from the river until the ends of the earth.
9. May nobles kneel before him, and may his enemies lick the dust.
10. The kings of Tarshish and the islands will return tribute, the kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts.
11. All kings will bow to him, all nations will serve him;
12. for he rescues the needy one who cries out, the poor one who has no one to help him.
13. He pities the impoverished and needy, and saves the souls of the destitute.
14. He redeems their soul from deception and violence, and their blood is precious in his eyes.
15. He revives [the poor], and gives him of the gold of Sheba; and so [the poor] pray for him always, and bless him all day.
16. May there be abundant grain in the land, upon the mountaintops; may its fruit rustle like the [cedars of] Lebanon, and may [people] blossom from the city like the grass of the earth.
17. May his name endure forever; may his name be magnified as long as the sun [shines]. And all nations will bless themselves by him, they will praise him.
18. Blessed is the Lord God, the God of Israel, Who alone performs wonders.
19. Blessed is His glorious Name forever, and may the whole earth be filled with His glory, Amen and Amen.
20. The prayers of David, son of Jesse, are concluded
Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, beginning of Epistle 17
• English Text (Lessons in Tanya)
• Hebrew Text
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Friday, Elul 24, 5777 · September 15, 2017
Today's Tanya Lesson
Iggeret HaKodesh, beginning of Epistle 17
AUDIO & VIDEO CLASSES
• VIDEO CLASS: Rabbi Yehoshua B. Gordon Watch • Listen
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נודע דבאתערותא דלתתא, שהאדם מעורר בלבו מדת החסד ורחמנות על כל הצריכים לרחמים
It is well known1 that in response to an arousal from below, when a man arouses in his heart the attribute of lovingkindness and compassion for all those in need of compassion,
אתערותא דלעילא, לעורר עליו רחמים רבים ממקור הרחמים
there comes an arousal from above, that arouses great compassion upon him from the Source of Compassion,
As taught in ch. 45 of Part I, this does not refer to Av HaRachaman, the limited level of compassion that derives from the measured evolvement of the worlds, but to the level of Divine compassion (Av HaRachamim)that transcends all limitations.
להשפיע לו הפירות בעולם הזה, והקרן לעולם הבא
that endows him with the fruits [of his deeds] in this world, while the principal [remains intact] for the World to Come.2
The Alter Rebbe goes on to explain that “fruits in this world” refers not only to physical blessings, but also to the insights and spiritual delights of Gan Eden (lit., “the Garden of Eden”), for even Gan Eden is termed “this world” in relation to the World to Come at the time of the Revival of the Dead.
It is true that in relation to our present physical world Gan Eden is called the World to Come, because it follows and rewards the good deeds performed in this world.3 Nevertheless, when compared to the actual World to Come, all worlds — including the spiritual worlds, of which Gan Eden is one — are termed “this world.” This is because all worlds can aspire (even now) to a revealed level of comprehension (“this” being a word denoting revelation); by contrast, as the Alter Rebbe will soon explain,4 the perceptions of Divinity in the World to Come at the time of the Revival of the Dead will transcend all revealed levels of comprehension.
פירוש: הפירות היא ההשפעה הנשפעת ממקור הרחמים וחיי החיים ברוך הוא
This means that “the fruits” refers to the flow of benevolence which is bestowed by the Source of Compassion and the Fountainhead of Life, blessed be He.
ונמשכת למטה מטה, בבחינת השתלשלות העולמות מלמעלה למטה כו׳
It issues ever netherwards, following the pattern of the evolution of the worlds from above downwards, and so on,
עד שמתלבשת בעולם הזה הגשמי, בבני חיי ומזוני כו׳
until it vests itself in this physical world, in [the form of the blessings of] children, life and livelihood, and the like.
All these gifts, both spiritual and material, are deemed to be mere “fruits”, for just as fruits are not of the essence of a tree, but fall and are replaced, so, too, does this flow of benevolence undergo a transformation from world to world.
והקרן הוא כמו שכתוב: רחבה מצותך מאד
The “principal” relates to the verse,5 “Your commandment (mitzvat’cha) is very wide.”
והוה ליה למימר: מצותיך, לשון רבים
Now it should have said “Your commandments” (mitzvotecha), in the plural.
This would be the case, if the verse simply meant to say that the commandments in general are without end.
(וגם לשון רחבה אינו מובן)
(6The term “wide” is also puzzling.)
A more commonly expected term might have been “great”, “immense”, “lofty”, or the like.
אלא מצותך דייקא היא מצות הצדקה, שהיא מצות ה׳ ממש
However, the choice of the singular form of “Your commandment” alludes to the mitzvah of tzedakah, which is truly G‑d’s mitzvah, the mitzvah He performs Himself,
מה שהקב״ה בכבודו ובעצמו עושה תמיד, להחיות העולמות
which the Holy One Himself, blessed be He, in all His majesty, performs at all times by animating the worlds,
ויעשה לעתיד ביתר שאת ועז
and will do so in the future with exceeding magnitude and intensity.
וכמו שכתוב: ושמרו דרך ה׳, לעשות צדקה גו׳
It is likewise written,7 “And they shall observe the path of G‑d, to do tzedakah...”; i.e., tzedakahis here described as G‑d’s path.
כמו דרך שהולכים בה מעיר לעיר, על דרך משל
Metaphorically speaking, like a road on which one travels from one town to another,
כך הצדקה היא בחינת גילוי והארת אור אין סוף ברוך הוא, סובב כל עלמין
so, too, charity is a manifestation and radiation of the [infinite] Ein Sof-light which encompasses all worlds,
שיאיר ויתגלה עד עולם הזה באתערותא דלתתא, בתורת צדקה וחסד חנם, לעתיד, בתחיית המתים
that will radiate and become manifest in the future, at the time of the Resurrection of the Dead, even to this world — in response to the arousal [initiated by mortals] from below, as expressed in charity and gratuitous kindness —
ביתר שאת ויתר עז לאין קץ מבחינת גילוי הארה ההארה בגן עדן התחתון והעליון
with a magnitude and force infinitely exceeding the state in which the radiation8 is manifested in the Lower and Higher levels of Gan Eden.
שהרי כל נשמות הצדיקים והתנאים והנביאים
The proof for this is: For the souls of all the tzaddikim,9 and of the tannaim10 who preceded them,and of the prophets11 who pre-date the tannaim,
שהם עתה בגן עדן העליון, ברום המעלות
that are now in the Higher Gan Eden, at the peak of all levels,
יתלבשו בגופותיהם לעתיד, ויקומו בזמן התחייה, ליהנות מזיו השכינה
will become vested in their bodies in the time to come, and will arise at the time of the Resurrection,12 to derive pleasure from the splendor of the Shechinah, which will then radiate in this world to the souls as they are vested within their bodies.
It is thus clear that this revelation will transcend by far the degree of revelation that can be attained in the Higher Gan Eden, so that it is worthwhile for souls which are so loftily situated to descend and enclothe themselves in physical bodies, in order to be able to receive it.
This revelation is purely an act of tzedakah and gratuitous kindness on G‑d’s part, for man’s arousal from below is in no way intense enough to draw down such an immense degree of revelation; his spiritual service serves only as a vessel which enables him to receive it.
The Alter Rebbe now goes on to explain what exactly it is about the revelation attainable in the World to Come that makes the revelation attainable even in the Higher Gan Eden pale in comparison.
לפי שההארה והגילוי שבגן עדן היא בחינת ממלא כל עלמין
For the manifestation and the radiation in Gan Eden are of the level called Memaleh Kol Almin13 — the light which “permeates all worlds”; i.e., the muted Divine life-force that contracts, descends and diminishes according to the receptive capacity of the particular created being which it is to permeate.
שהוא בחינת השתלשלות ממדרגה למדרגה, על ידי צמצומים עצומים
This [diminishment of the Divine life-force] is an evolving progression from one rung to another by means of immense contractions.
וכמאמר רז״ל: ביו״ד נברא עולם הבא
As was taught by our Sages, of blessed memory,14 “The World to Come — which here means Gan Eden — was created by the letter yud,” a letter limited and contracted to a single point.
והיא בחינת חכמה עילאה
This [letter] signifies the level of Supernal Chochmah (the first of the ten Sefirot of the World ofAtzilut),
הנקראת עדן העליון
which is referred to as the Higher Eden, that surpasses the level of Gan Eden, inasmuch as gan implies only a garden derived from Eden, and not Eden itself,
המשתלשלת ומתלבשת בכל העולמות
and which evolves and becomes vested in all the worlds,
I.e., Chochmah descends and vests itself in all the worlds in order to continuously create and animate them,
כמו שכתוב: כולם בחכמה עשית גו׳
as it is written,15 “ You have made them all with Chochmah...”; i.e., all created beings derive from the Sefirah of Chochmah.
והחכמה תחיה גו׳
[It is likewise written],16 “And Chochmah animates...,” again indicating that the Sefirah ofChochmah animates all the worlds.
ובגן עדן היא בבחינת גילוי ההשגה, לכל חד לפום שיעורא דיליה
In Gan Eden it is manifestly comprehensible to each according to his measure.
While the life-force that emanates from Chochmah is concealed from all other worlds, it is manifest in Gan Eden, so that the souls there are able to apprehend the Essence of Divinity.
כנודע שעונג הנשמות בגן עדן, הוא מהשגת סודות התורה שעסק בעולם הזה בנגלה
For, as is known, the delight of the souls in Gan Eden derives from [their] apprehension of the secrets of the Torah in whose revealed dimensions [they were] engaged in this world, so that what was secret in this world is revealed in Gan Eden,
כדאיתא בזוהר הקדוש, פרשת שלח
as is discussed in the sacred Zohar, Parshat Shlach,17
The Zohar speaks there about the various heavenly “academies” such as “Moses’ Academy” and the “Heavenly Academy,” and so too an academy in which Miriam teaches righteous women.
ובגמרא, בעובדא דרבה בר נחמני
and in the Gemara,18 with reference to the incident involving Rabbah bar Nachmeni.
The Gemara describes a legal debate between G‑d and the Heavenly Academy regarding ritual purity in a situation where it is doubtful whether “the baheret preceded the appearance of a white hair, or whether the white hair preceded the baheret.” It was agreed that Rabbah bar Nachmeni would render the decisive opinion because of his singular knowledge in the field of Nega’im and Ohalot. In Likkutei Torah, Parshat Tazria,19 the Alter Rebbe explains this specific dispute, as well as the concept of the Heavenly Academy in general.
At any rate, the revelation attainable in Gan Eden is that of Memaleh Kol Almin, in which only a limited degree of light filters through.
אבל גילוי ההארה שבתחיית המתים יהיה מבחינת סובב כל עלמין
The radiation of light at the time of the Resurrection, however, will become manifest from the level of Sovev Kol Almin,
שאינה בבחינת צמצום ושיעור וגבול, אלא בלי גבול ותכלית
which is not in a state of contraction, measure and limit, but is limitless and endless.
כמו שכתוב בלקוטי אמרים, פרק מ״ח, ביאור ענין סובב כל עלמין
The concept of Sovev Kol Almin, as has been explained in Likkutei Amarim, ch. 48,
שאינו כמשמעו, כמו עיגול, חס ושלום
is not to be understood literally, as resembling a sphere, heaven forfend; i.e., this superior order of light does not “encompass all worlds” spatially, so that it surrounds creation and remains exterior to it.
אלא שאינו בבחינת התלבשות וכו׳
Rather, [it means that] it is not invested (implying adaptation) [within it]; instead of contracting itself to match the receptive capacity of the particular created being that it animates, it affects it — even from within — while remaining on its own level.
ועיין שם היטב
Note there carefully.
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. | Zohar I, 88a. |
| 2. | Note of the Rebbe: “Mishnah at the beginning of Peah; Peirush HaMishnayot there; see also the maamarentitled Kol HaMeracheim 5709 (Sefer HaMaamarim 5709, on p. 7 of the second pagination).” |
| 3. | Rambam, Hilchot Teshuvah 8:8. |
| 4. | Note of the Rebbe: “See also ch. 48 [of Part I].” |
| 5. | Tehillim 119:96. |
| 6. | Parentheses are in the original text. |
| 7. | Bereishit 18:19. |
| 8. | Parentheses and brackets are in the original text. |
| 9. | Note of the Rebbe: “Mitzvot.” |
| 10. | Note of the Rebbe: “Torah.” |
| 11. | Note of the Rebbe: “Revelation of G‑dliness.” |
| 12. | Note of the Rebbe: “It will be noted that the Alter Rebbe distinguishes between two periods (which implies that they are of distinct content): the time to come, and the Resurrection. This requires further examination.” |
| 13. | Note of the Rebbe: “See ch. 48 [of Part I].” |
| 14. | Menachot 29b. |
| 15. | Tehillim 104:24. |
| 16. | Kohelet 7:12. |
| 17. | P. 163a. |
| 18. | Bava Metzia 86a. |
| 19. | See the maamar that begins, Ka Mifligei biMetivta deRakia. |
• Sefer Hamitzvot:
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Friday, Elul 24, 5777 · September 15, 2017
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
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Positive Commandment 180
Punishing False Witnesses
"You shall do to him as he thought to have done to his brother"—Deuteronomy 19:19.
We are commanded to punish false witnesses by sentencing them to the exact punishment they wished to impose upon their innocent fellow. If their testimony was intended to expropriate money, they must pay the amount they wished the other to lose. If their testimony was intended to impose upon the defendant corporeal or capital punishment, they are the ones flogged or put to death.
Full text of this Mitzvah »
Punishing False Witnesses
Positive Commandment 180
Translated by Berel Bell
The 180th mitzvah is that we are commanded to punish witnesses who have testified falsely with the same consequence they tried to accomplish with their testimony.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "You must do the same to them as they plotted to do to their brother."
This is the law regarding eidim zom'mim: if their testimony would have resulted in someone losing money, we take that amount from them. If they testified in a case where the defendant would be executed, we kill them with that form of execution. If they testified in a case where the defendant would be lashed, we administer lashes to them.
The details of this mitzvah, the various questions which have been raised regarding it, and how it is proven that the witnesses are zom'mim to be punishable under this law are explained in tractate Makkos.
FOOTNOTES
1.Deut. 19:19.
Rambam:
• 1 Chapter A Day: Melachim uMilchamot Melachim uMilchamot - Chapter 1
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Introduction to Hilchos Melachim uMilchamot
This text includes 23 mitzvot; ten positive commandments and thirteen negative commandments. They are:
1) The obligation to appoint a king in Israel;
2) The prohibition against appointing a convert as king;
3) The prohibition against the king marrying many wives;
4) The prohibition against the king accumulating many horses;
5) The prohibition against the king amassing too much silver and gold;
6) The obligation to destroy the seven nations living in the Land of Canaan;
7) The prohibition against allowing any one of them to remain alive;
8) The obligation to destroy the descendents of Amalek;
9) The obligation to remember what Amalek did;
10) The prohibition against forgetting Amalek's evil deeds, including his ambush against the Israelites during their journey from Egypt to Israel; ll) The prohibition against dwelling in Egypt;
12) The obligation to offer peace to the inhabitants of a city when besieging it; to carry out the laws governing the siege as prescribed in the Torah, in particular, the laws applying if the enemy agrees to surrender and those applying if it refuses;
13) The prohibition against offering peace to Ammon and Moab, in contrast to other nations, when besieging them;
14) The prohibition against destroying fruit-bearing trees during a siege;
15) The obligation to set up a latrine outside an army camp;
16) The obligation to carry a spike to dig with;
17) The obligation to anoint a priest to speak to the troops in the event of war;
18) The obligation to allow those who have consecrated wives, built houses, or planted vineyards to rejoice in their new status for a complete year, while releasing them from military conscription;
19) The prohibition against asking those mentioned in the previous category to perform any duties, including handling the needs of one's city or providing supplies to the troops during that year;
20) The obligation not to become frightened, nor to flee in the midst of battle;
21) The prohibitions and obligations regarding a yefat toar, a Gentile woman with whom the Torah allows relations in wartime;
22) The prohibition against selling a yefat toar;
23) The prohibition against subjugating her to perform menial duties after having relations with her.
These mitzvot are explained in the coming chapters.
רמב"ם הלכות מלכים - הקדמה
הלכות מלכים ומלחמותיהם. יש בכללן שלש ועשרים מצות. עשר מצות עשה, ושלש עשרה מצות לא תעשה. וזה הוא פרטן:
(א) למנות מלך בישראל.
(ב) שלא ימנה מקהל גרים.
(ג) שלא ירבה לו נשים.
(ד) שלא ירבה לו סוסים.
(ה) שלא ירבה לו כסף וזהב.
(ו) להחרים שבעה עממים.
(ז) שלא לחיות מהן כל נשמה.
(ח) למחות זרעו של עמלק.
(ט) לזכור מה שעשה עמלק.
(י) שלא לשכוח מעשיו הרעים ואריבתו בדרך.
(יא) שלא לשכון בארץ מצרים.
(יב) לשלוח שלום ליושבי העיר כשצרים עליה, ולדון בה כאשר מפורש בתורה ואם תשלים ואם לא תשלים.
(יג) שלא לדרוש שלום מעמון ומואב בלבד כשצרים עליהם.
(יד) שלא להשחית אילני מאכל במצור.
(טו) להתקין יד שיצאו בו בעלי המחנה להפנות בו.
(טז) להתקין יתד לחפור בו.
(יז) למשוח כהן לדבר באזני אנשי הצבא בשעת המלחמה.
(יח) להיות מארס, ובונה בנין, ונוטע כרם, שמחים בקנינם שנה תמימה, ומחזירין אותן מן המלחמה.
(יט) שלא יעבור עליהם לכל דבר, ולא יצאו אפילו לצרכי העיר ולצרכי הגדוד, ודומה להם.
(כ) שלא לערוץ ולחזור לאחור בשעת המלחמה.
(כא) דין יפת תואר.
(כב) שלא תמכר יפת תואר.
(כג) שלא יכבשנה לעבדות אחר שנבעלה.
וביאור מצות אלו בפרקים אלו.
1
Israel was commanded to fulfill three mitzvot upon entering the Promised Land:
a) To choose a king, as Deuteronomy 17:15 states: 'Appoint a king over yourselves;'
b) To wipe out the descendents of Amalek, as Deuteronomy 25:19 states: 'Erase the memory of Amalek;'
c) To build God's Chosen House, as Deuteronomy 12:5 states: 'Seek out His Presence and go there.'
א
שלש מצות נצטוו ישראל בשעת כניסתן לארץ למנות להם מלך שנאמר שום תשים עליך מלך ולהכרית זרעו של עמלק שנאמר תמחה את זכר עמלק ולבנות בית הבחירה שנאמר לשכנו תדרשו ובאת שמה:
2
The appointment of a king should precede the war against Amalek. This is evident from Samuel's charge to King Saul (I Samuel 15: l-3): 'God sent me to anoint you as king ... Now, go and smite Amalek.'
Amalek's seed should be annihilated before the construction of the Temple, as II Samuel 7:1-2 states: 'And it came to pass, when the king dwelled in his palace, and God gave him peace from all his enemies who surrounded him, the king said to Nathan, the prophet: 'Look! I am dwelling in a house of cedar, ... but the ark of God dwells within curtains.'
Since it is a mitzvah to appoint a king, why was God displeased with the people's request of a king from Samuel? Because they made their request in a spirit of complaint. Rather than seeking to fulfill the mitzvah of appointing a king, they were simply intent on rejecting the Prophet Samuel as implied by God's reply to him (I Samuel 8:7): 'It is not you, but Me they have rejected.'
ב
מינוי מלך קודם למלחמת עמלק שנאמר אותי שלח ה' למשחך למלך עתה לך והכיתה את עמלק והכרתת זרע עמלק קודמת לבנין הבית שנאמר ויהי כי ישב המלך בביתו וה' הניח לו מסביב מכל אויביו ויאמר המלך אל נתן הנביא אנכי יושב בבית ארזים וגו' מאחר שהקמת מלך מצוה למה לא רצה הקב"ה כששאלו מלך משמואל לפי ששאלו בתרעומת ולא שאלו לקיים המצוה אלא מפני שקצו בשמואל הנביא שנאמר כי לא אותך מאסו כי אותי מאסו וגו':
3
As an initial and preferred option, a king may be appointed only by a court of 70 elders, together with a prophet, as Joshua was appointed by Moses and his court, and as Saul and David, were appointed by Samuel of Ramah and his court.
ג
אין מעמידין מלך בתחילה אלא על פי בית דין של שבעים זקנים ועל פי נביא כיהושע שמינהו משה רבינו ובית דינו וכשאול ודוד שמינם שמואל הרמתי ובית דינו:
4
A king should not be appointed from converts to Judaism. This applies even if the convert's ancestors had been Jewish for many generations, unless his mother [or father1] is a native-born Israelite, as Deuteronomy 17:15 states: 'You may not appoint a foreigner who is not one of your brethren.'
This does not apply to the monarchy alone, but to all positions of authority within Israel. A convert may not serve as an army commander, a leader of fifty, or as a leader of ten. He may not even supervise the allocation of water from a stream to various fields.
Needless to say, a judge or a nasi should only be a native-born Israelite, as it is stated (ibid.): 'Appoint a king over you from among your brethren.' This implies that all appointments must only be 'from your brethren.'
ד
אין מעמידין מלך מקהל גרים אפילו אחר כמה דורות עד שתהיה אמו מישראל שנאמר לא תוכל לתת עליך איש נכרי אשר לא אחיך הוא ולא למלכות בלבד אלא לכל שררות שבישראל לא שר צבא לא שר חמשים או שר עשרה אפילו ממונה על אמת המים שמחלק ממנה לשדות ואין צריך לומר דיין או נשיא שלא יהא אלא מישראל שנאמר מקרב אחיך תשים עליך מלך כל משימות שאתה משים לא יהו אלא מקרב אחיך:
5
We may not appoint a woman as king. When describing the monarchy, the Torah employs the male form of the word king and not the female.
This principle also applies to all other positions of authority within Israel. Only men should be appointed to fill them.
ה
אין מעמידין אשה במלכות שנאמר עליך מלך ולא מלכה וכן כל משימות שבישראל אין ממנים בהם אלא איש:
6
Neither a butcher, barber, bath-attendant, nor a tanner should be appointed king or High-Priest. This is not because of an inherent fault, but because their professions are less prestigious, and the people will always treat them lightly.
A person who has served in one of these professions for even one day, is disqualified for the monarchy.
ו
ואין מעמידין מלך ולא כהן גדול לא קצב ולא ספר ולא בלן ולא בורסי לא מפני שהן פסולין אלא הואיל ואומנותן נקלה העם מזלזלין בהן לעולם ומשיעשה במלאכה מאלו יום אחד נפסל:
7
When a king is appointed, he is anointed with oil reserved for this purpose, as I Samuel 10:1 states: 'And Samuel took the cruse of oil and poured it over his head. Then, he kissed him.'
Once a king is anointed, he and his descendents are granted the monarchy until eternity, for the monarchy is passed down by inheritance, as Deuteronomy 17:20 states 'Thus, he the king and his descendents will prolong their reign in the midst of Israel.'
If the king leaves only a young son, the monarchy should be held for him until he matures, as Yehoyada did for Yoash. The order of inheritance of the monarchy is the same as that governing the inheritance of property. An older son is given precedence over a younger one.
Not only the monarchy, but all other positions of authority and appointments in Israel, are transferred to one's children and grandchildren as inheritances forever.
The above applies if the knowledge and the fear of God of the son is equivalent to that of his ancestors. If his fear of God is equivalent to theirs but not his knowledge, he should be granted his father's position and given instruction. However, under no circumstance should a person who lacks the fear of God be appointed to any posi-tion in Israel, even though he possesses much knowledge.
Once David was anointed king, he acquired the crown of kingship. Afterwards, the kingship belonged to him and to his male descendents forever, as II Samuel 7: 16 states: 'Your throne shall be established forever.' Nevertheless, his acquisition of the monarchy was conditional, applying only to the righteous among his descendents, as Psalms 132:12 states: 'If your children will keep My covenant... their children shall also sit on your throne forever.'
Despite this condition, God assured David that the monarchy would never be taken from his descendents forever, as Psalms 89:31-38 states: "lf his children will forsake My Torah and cease walking in My statutes ... I will punish their transgressions with the rod and their sins with plagues. Nevertheless, I will not utterly remove My grace from him.... His throne shall be ... established forever.'
ז
כשמעמידין המלך מושחין אותו בשמן המשחה שנאמר ויקח שמואל את פך השמן ויצק על ראשו וישקהו ומאחר שמושחין המלך הרי זה זוכה לו ולבניו עד עולם שהמלכות ירושה שנאמר למען יאריך ימים על ממלכתו הוא ובניו בקרב ישראל הניח בן קטן משמרין לו המלוכה עד שיגדיל כמו שעשה יהוידע ליואש וכל הקודם בנחלה קודם לירושת המלוכה והבן הגדול קודם לקטן ממנו ולא המלכות בלבד אלא כל השררות וכל המינויין שבישראל ירושה לבנו ולבן בנו עד עולם והוא שיהיה הבן ממלא מקום אבותיו בחכמה וביראה היה ממלא ביראה אף על פי שאינו ממלא בחכמה מעמידין אותו במקום אביו ומלמדין אותו וכל מי שאין בו יראת שמים אע"פ שחכמתו מרובה אין ממנין אותו למינוי מן המינויין שבישראל כיון שנמשח דוד זכה בכתר מלכות והרי המלכות לו ולבניו הזכרים עד עולם שנאמר כסאך יהיה נכון עד עולם ולא זכה אלא לכשרים שנאמר אם ישמרו בניך בריתי אף על פי שלא זכה אלא לכשרים לא תכרת המלוכה מזרע דוד לעולם הקדוש ברוך הוא הבטיחו בכך שנאמר אם יעזבו בניו תורתי ובמשפטי לא ילכון ופקדתי בשבט פשעם ובנגעים עונם וחסדי לא אפיר מעמו:
8
If a prophet appoints a king from any other tribe of Israel and that king follows the path of Torah and mitzvot and fights the wars of God, he is considered as a king, and all the commandments associaed with the monarchy apply to him.
Although the kingship was primarily given to David and one of his descendents will be serving as king, there is halachic legitimacy to the rule of other kings. Behold, Achiyah of Shilo appointed Jeroboam and told him (I Kings 11:38): 'And it shall be that if you obey all that I command you... I will build you a faithful house as I built for David.' Similarly, Achiyah told him (ibid.: 36): 'To his (David's) son, I will grant one tribe, so that David, My servant, will always have sovereignty before Me in Jerusalem.'
ח
נביא שהעמיד מלך משאר שבטי ישראל והיה אותו המלך הולך בדרך התורה והמצוה ונלחם מלחמות ה' הרי זה מלך וכל מצות המלכות נוהגות בו אע"פ שעיקר המלכות לדוד ויהיה מבניו מלך שהרי אחיה השילוני העמיד ירבעם ואמר לו והיה אם שמוע תשמע את כל אשר אצוך ובניתי לך בית נאמן כאשר בניתי לדוד וגו' ואמר לו אחיה ולבנו אתן שבט אחד למען היות ניר לדוד עבדי כל הימים לפני בירושלים:
9
The kings of the Davidic dynasty will prevail forever (II Samuel 7:16): 'Your throne shall be established forever.' In contrast, should a king arise from other Israelites, the monarchy will eventually cease from his descendents. For behold, Jeroboam was told: I Kings 11:39 'I will afflict the House of David.... but not forever.'
ט
מלכי בית דוד הם העומדים לעולם שנאמר כסאך יהיה נכון עד עולם אבל אם יעמוד מלך משאר ישראל תפסק המלכות מביתו שהרי נאמר לירבעם אך לא כל הימים:
10
Kings of Israel are not anointed with the special anointing oil, but with Afarsimon oil. Only a descendent of David may be appointed as king in Jerusalem. And only descendents of David are anointed with the special anointing oil.
י
אין מושחין מלכי ישראל בשמן המשחה אלא בשמן אפרסמון ואין ממנין אותן בירושלים לעולם אלא מלך ישראל מזרע דוד ואין מושחין אלא זרע דוד:
11
The kings of the Davidic dynasty should only be anointed near a spring.
יא
כשמושחין מלכי בית דוד אין מושחין אותן אלא על המעין:
12
A son who succeeds his father as king is not anointed unless he assumes his position amid a dispute over the inheritance or during a civil war. Under these circumstances, he should be anointed in order to remove all disagreement.
Therefore, they anointed Solomon because of the claim of Adoniyahu, Jehoash, because of the usurpation of Atalyah, and Jehoachaz, because of [the claim of his brother, Jehoyakim.
יב
ואין מושחין מלך בן מלך אלא אם כן היתה שם מחלוקת או מלחמה מושחין אותו כדי לסלק המחלוקת לפיכך משחו שלמה מפני אדוניה ויואש מפני עתליה ומשחו יהואחז מפני יהויקים אחיו:
FOOTNOTES
1.Tosafot (Yevamot 102a) explain that if a person's father is a native-born Israelite, he may be appointed to positions of authority, regardless of his mother's origins. Alternatively, a king's yichus is questioned only at the beginning of a dynasty. Once the dynasty has been established, a son may assume his father's position, even if his mother is a convert (Noda B’Yehudah, Choshen Mishpat, Responsum l).
Rambam:
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1
Lying witnesses are neither executed, given lashes, or required to make financial restitution unless both of them were fit to serve as witnesses and they were both disqualified through hazamah after the judgment was rendered.
If, however, only one of them was disqualified through hazamah, they were both disqualified through hazamah before the judgment was rendered, or after the judgment was rendered, one of them was disqualified because of family connections or because he was unfit to serve as a witness, the witnesses are not punished, even though they are disqualified through hazamah and no longer acceptable to deliver testimony in all matters of Scriptural Law.
א
אין עדים זוממין נהרגין ולא לוקין ולא משלמין עד שיהיו שניהם ראויין לעדות ויזומו שניהם אחר שנגמר הדין אבל אם הוזם אחד מהן בלבד או שהוזמו שניהם קודם גמר דין או אחר גמר דין ונמצא אחד מהן קרוב או פסול אין נענשין אף על פי שהוזמו ונפסלו לכל עדות שבתורה:
2
Although according to Talmudic logic one might differ, if the person against whom they testified was executed and then they were disqualified through hazamah, they are not executed. This is derived from Deuteronomy 19:19: which speaks of: 'what they conspired to do.' Implied is that it was not already done. This rule is part of the Oral Tradition.
If, however, the person against whom they testified was lashed, they are lashed. Similarly, if money was expropriated from one person and given to another, it is returned to its owner and the witnesses are required to pay the penalty.
ב
נהרג זה שהעידו עליו ואחר כך הוזמו אינן נהרגין מן הדין שנאמר כאשר זמם לעשות ועדיין לא עשה ודבר זה מפי הקבלה אבל אם לקה זה שהעידו עליו לוקין וכן אם יצא הממון מיד זה ליד זה בעדותן חוזר לבעליו ומשלמין לו:
3
The following laws apply if there were three or even 100 witnesses. If the witnesses deliver testimony in court one after the other, each one testifying immediately after his colleague and several of them were disqualified through hazamah, they do not receive punishment until all of them are disqualified through hazamah.
If, however, the interval between testimonies was greater than the time it takes a student to greet a teacher, the testimonies are divided and the two who were disqualified through hazamah are punished. The two who testified after there was such an interlude between their testimony and that of the first pair are not punished. This applies even though the entire testimony is disqualified because all of the witnesses are considered as one group and when the testimony of part of a group is disqualified, the entire testimony is disqualified.
ג
היו העדים שלשה אפילו מאה אם העידו בבית דין זה אחר זה והעיד כל אחד מהן אחר חבירו בתוך כדי דבור והוזמו מקצתן אין נענשין עד שיוזמו כולן אבל אם היה הפסק בין זה לזה יתר מכדי דבור שהוא כדי שאלת שלום תלמיד לרב הרי נחלקה העדות והשנים שהוזמו נענשין והשנים האחרים שהיה בין דבריהן ודברי הראשונים הפסק אין נענשין ואף על פי שבטלה העדות כולה מפני שהן כת אחת הואיל ונפסלה מקצתה נפסלה כולה:
4
When one witness delivers testimony, that testimony is investigated, and the second witness states: 'I also testify like him,' 'Yes, this is what happened,' or the like, they are both executed, lashed, or subjected to a financial penalty if they are both disqualified through hazamah. The rationale is that any witness who says 'Yes, this is what happened' after his colleague testified is considered as having testified and responded to cross-examination as his colleague did.
There is no concept of inadvertent transgression with regard to lying witnesses, because the transgression does not involve a deed. Therefore there is no need for a warning as we explained.
ד
העיד האחד ונחקרה עדותו ואמר השני אף אני כמוהו או שאמר הן כיוצא בזה והוזמו שניהן הרי שניהן נהרגין או לוקין או משלמין שכל עד שאמר אחר עדות חבירו הן הרי זה כמי שנחקר והעיד כמו שהעיד חבירו ואין לעדים זוממין שגגה לפי שאין בה מעשה לפיכך אין צריכים התראה כמו שבארנו:
5
Just as two witnesses can disqualify 100 witnesses through hazamah if the 100 testify at one time; so, too, they can disqualify them through hazamah if they testify as 50 groups, coming two by two.
What is implied? A group of witnesses testified that Reuven killed Shimon in Jerusalem. Two witnesses came and disqualified that group through hazamah. Another group came and delivered that same testimony, that Reuven killed Shimon in Jerusalem and these same two witnesses arose and disqualified that group through hazamah. This happened a third time and a fourth time. Even if it happens 100 times, all the other witnesses are executed on the basis of the testimony of these two.
ה
כשם שהשנים מזימין את המאה אם העידו המאה בבת אחת כך הן מזימין אותן אפילו היו חמשים כת ובאו שנים אחר שנים כיצד כת שהעידה על ראובן שהרג את שמעון בירושלים ובאו שני עדים והזימוה ובאת כת שניה והעידה אותה עדות עצמה שראובן הרג שמעון בירושלים ועמדו אותן השנים והזימוה גם זו הכת השניה וכן השלישית וכן הרביעית אפילו מאה כולן הן נהרגין על פי אלו השנים:
6
When one group of witnesses testify that Reuven killed Shimon in Jerusalem and a second group come and disqualify the first group through hazamah, the lying witnesses should be executed and Reuven's life saved. If a third group come and disqualify the second group through hazamah, the second group and Reuven should be executed and the lives of the first group saved.
If a fourth group come and disqualify the third group through hazamah, the third and the first groups should be executed and the lives of Reuven and the second group saved. Similarly, even if there are 100 groups, each one disqualifying the testimony of the previous through hazamah, one group's testimony is accepted and the other group's testimony is disqualified.
ו
כת שהעידה על ראובן שהרג את שמעון בירושלים ובאה כת שניה והזימה את הכת ראשונה יהרגו העדים הזוממין וינצל ראובן באה כת שלישית והזימה את הכת השניה תהרג הכת השניה וראובן ותנצל הכת ראשונה באה כת רביעית והזימה את הכת שלישית תהרג הכת השלישית והראשונה וינצל ראובן והכת השניה וכן אפילו הן מאה כת זו מזימה את זו כת נכנסת וכת יוצאת:
7
When witnesses testify that a person who is trefe murdered a person and then the witnesses are disqualified through hazamah, the witnesses are not executed. The rationale is that even if they had killed him with their hands, they would not be executed, because he is trefe.
Similarly, if witnesses who were trefe testified concerning a matter punishable by execution by the court and were disqualified through hazamah, they are not executed. The rationale is that if their testimony was disqualified through hazamah, and the testimony of the witnesses who testified against them was disqualified through hazamah, those witnesses would not be executed, for they disqualified only a person who was trefe.
ז
עדים שהעידו על איש טרפה שהרג והוזמו אין נהרגין שאפילו הרגוהו בידיהן אין נהרגין לפי שהוא טרפה וכן העדים שהיו טרפה והעידו בדבר שחייבין עליו מיתת בית דין והוזמו אין נהרגין שאם יוזמו זוממיהן אין זוממיהן נהרגין שלא הזימו אלא טרפה:
8
The following rule applies when witnesses testify against another person and have him convicted in a matter that does not involve lashes, capital punishment, or a financial obligation and then the witnesses are disqualified through hazamah. They are given lashes even though they did not conspire to have the defendant lashed or to obligate him financially.
What is implied? Witnesses testified that a priest was a challal, e.g., they testified that his mother was divorced or released through chalitzah in their presence in this-and-this place on this-and-this date. If the witnesses are disqualified through hazamah, they are punished by lashing.
Similarly, if they testified that a person inadvertently killed a colleague and they are disqualified through hazamah, they are punished by lashing; they are not exiled. And if they testify that a person's ox killed another person and they were disqualified through hazamah, they receive lashes and are not required to pay an atonement fine. If they testify that a person was sold as a Hebrew servant and they were disqualified through hazamah, they receive lashes. These four rulings are part of the Oral Tradition.
ח
עדים שהעידו על אחד והרשיעוהו רשע שאין בו לא מלקות ולא מיתה ולא חיוב ממון ואח"כ הוזמו הרי אלו לוקין אע"פשלא זממו להלקות זה ולא לחייבו ממון כיצד העידו על כהן שהוא חלל כגון שהעידו בפנינו נתגרשה אמו או נחלצה במקום פלוני ביום פלוני והוזמו הרי הן לוקין וכן אם העידו על אדם שהרג בשגגה והוזמו לוקין ואינן גולין העידו על שורו של זה שהרג הנפש והוזמו הרי הן לוקין ואין משלמין את הכופר העידו עליו שנמכר בעבד עברי והוזמו לוקין וארבעה דברים אלו מפי הקבלה הן:
9
With regard to the above matters, our Sages received the following tradition: When two people cause a righteous person to be condemned and a wicked person to be vindicated through their testimony and two others come and disqualify their testimony through hazamah vindicating the righteous person and condemning the wicked, the first pair of witnesses receive lashes even though their condemnation of the righteous person would not have had him subjected to lashes.
If, however, witnesses testify that a person partook of milk and meat or wore shaatnez, they are punished by lashes, as implied by Deuteronomy 19:19: 'You shall requite him as he conspired.'
ט
כך קבלו חכמים ששנים שהרשיעו את הצדיק והצדיקו את הרשע בעדותן ובאו עדים אחרים והזימום והצדיקו את הצדיק והרשיעו את הרשע הרי עדים הראשונים לוקים אף על פי שלא הרשיעו הצדיק להלקותו אבל אם העידו עליו שאכל בשר בחלב או שלבש שעטנז הרי אלו לוקין משום שנאמר ועשיתם לו כאשר זמם:
10
When two witnesses testify that Reuven committed adultery with the daughter of a priest, Reuven was sentenced to death by strangulation and the daughter of the priest was sentenced to be burnt to death, and afterwards the witnesses were disqualified through hazamah, they should be executed by strangulation and not burnt to death. This is part of the Oral Tradition.
י
שנים שהעידו על ראובן שנאף עם בת כהן ונגמר דין ראובן ליחנק ודין הנואפת לשריפה ואחר כך נמצאו זוממין הרי אלו נחנקין ולא נשרפין ודבר זה מפי הקבלה:
Notes:
1. If one of them is unacceptable as a witness, their testimony is no loner effective. Hence they are not punished (Kessef Mishneh).
2. The second pair of witnesses states that one, but not the other of the first pair were with them in a different place at the time they claim that the event transpired.
3. For the punishment was prescribed only for a pair of witnesses (Rashi, Makkot 5b).
4. As described in Chapter 13.
5. As described in Chapters 10-12.
6. As stated in Chapter 10, Halachah 4. They are, however, acceptable in matters where leniency is granted with regard to the acceptance of testimony, e.g., testimony concerning the death of a woman's husband.
7. Our translation is based on the gloss of the Kessef Mishneh who states that the fundamental principle the Rambam is trying to convey with this phrase is that capital punishment is not given unless it is explicitly stated in the Torah. A logical proof is not sufficient.
What is the logic here? If a person who conspires to have a person executed should be executed, should not one who actually caused him to be executed.
8. From the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah and from the gloss of the Radbaz, it appears that although they are not executed, they should be punished by the court.
9. I.e., what they conspired.
10. I.e., the Torah prescribes punishment only in such a situation.
11. The Ra'avad and the Kessef Mishneh question the Rambam's source for this distinction. The Kessef Mishneh explains that it is possible to say that since judgment is ultimately in God's hands, had the executed party not been guilty, God would not have allowed him to be executed. Hence the lying witnesses need not be punished. Alternatively, he can be explained that the punishments inflicted by the courts are not goals in their own right, but means to bring a person to atonement. It is not fitting to give lying witnesses who had a person executed the opportunity to achieve such atonement. Since lashes is not as severe a punishment, neither of these explanations apply.
12. I.e., the plaintiff is required to return it.
13. For financial penalties are established based on Talmudic logic (Kessef Mishneh).
14. As the Rambam continues to explain, the Hebrew term translated as 'immediately after,' toch kidei dibur, has a specific meaning: The time it takes a student to greet a teacher, saying: Shalom alecha rabbi (Hilchot Sh'vuot 2:17).
15. The Ra'avad questions: Since these witnesses were not disqualified through hazamah, why would one think that they should be punished? The Radbaz answers that the very fact that they appeared together with lying witnesses implicates them.
The Lechem Mishneh explains that the Rambam's intent is that even if the second pair of witnesses were also disqualified through hazamah, they are not punished. The rationale is that since their testimony was separated from that of the first pair and by the time they testified the defendant could have been executed because of the testimony of the first pair, their testimony is of no consequence. Hence they are not punished.
16. Thus even if there is no difficulty at all with the testimony of the last pair of witnesses, the defendant is not punished. 17. Because they saw the event together and appeared together in court.
18. The rationale for this distinction can be explained as follows: With regard to the disqualification of witnesses, everything is dependent on the testimony of the witnesses in court. Hence if their testimony is separated, they are not considered as a single group. Their classification as a single group, by contrast, depends on their coming to court together. Since they came together with the intent to testify, they are considered as a single group (Radbaz, Kessef Mishneh).
The Ra'avad (and Rashi, in his commentary to Makkot 6a) do not accept the Rambam's approach and maintain that even though the first pair of witnesses should be executed, if the testimony of the second pair is validated, the defendant should also be executed.
19. I.e., he is cross-examined by the court, as explained in Chapter 2.
20. I.e., despite the fact that he did not actually testify, it is considered as if he did as the Rambam proceeds to explain. See also Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 2:8 which states that making such statements is equivalent to actually testifying in court.
21. I.e., they receive punishment even if they committed the transgression without knowing that it was forbidden.
22. The Radbaz explains that Numbers 15:29, the source for the laws of inadvertent transgression mentions 'one who acts inadvertently' (see Hilchot Shegagot 1:2). In this context (in contrast to blasphemy), speaking is not considered as an act. Hence they are not held liable.
Nevertheless, the Radbaz and the Kessef Mishneh offer a different rationale why these witnesses are punished without a warning: They desired to have the defendant punished although he did not receive a warning. Therefore, they should be punished without a warning.
23. See Chapter 18, Halachah 4.
24. For the entire purpose of a warning is to distinguish between a transgression committed willfully and one committed inadvertently (Hilchot Sanhedrin 12:2).
25. See Chapter 18, Halachah 3.
26. We do not say that they are lying and have resolved to testify against anyone who delivers testimony in this matter (Rashi, Makkot 5a).
27. Because the testimony of the second group exonerates him from the onus of the testimony of the first group.
28. The second group should be executed as lying witnesses who sought to have the first group executed. Reuven should be executed, because once the testimony of the second group has been disqualified, the testimony of the first group is then reinstated.
29. Because the disqualification of the second group exonerates them.
30. I.e., he has a physical ailment that will cause him to die within 12 months.
31. Seemingly, through their testimony, they are trying to have the defendant executed. Nevertheless, despite the fact they testify that the person who is trefe committed a murder, he is not executed. The rationale is that testimony must be able to be disqualified through hazamah. Since it is impossible to punish the witnesses 'as they conspired to do to their brother,' for they conspired to have a sick person executed and they are healthy, the concept of hazamah is not relevant, as stated in Hilchot Rotzeach 2:9.
32. And a person who kills a colleague who is trefe is not liable for execution. For it is as if he killed a dead person (Sanhedrin 78a; Hilchot Rotzeach 2:8).
33. Here also, it would appear that the intent is that since they are seeking to have the person executed, one might think that they should be executed. In fact, however, their testimony is not effective in having the defendant sentenced to death. Since they are trefe, there is no possibility of requiting them 'as they conspired to do to their brother.' For they conspired to have a healthy person executed and they are sick.
Accordingly, the Kessef Mishneh explains that we are speaking about a situation where the court did not recognize that the witnesses were trefe when it accepted their testimony.
34. Thus the punishment is not 'as they conspired to do to their brother.'
35. For the reasons mentioned by the Rambam in the following halachah.
36. I.e., the descendant of a priest who is not considered as a member of the priesthood, because he was conceived in relations forbidden to his father. See Hilchot Issurei Bi'ah 19:5.
37. Thus making his mother forbidden to his father.
Rabbi Akiva Eiger raises a question, noting that a woman who underwent chalitzah is only forbidden to a priest by Rabbinic decree. Hence the Ramban and others rule that lashes should not be given. Rabbi Akiva Eiger himself states that since the defendant is being disqualified according to Rabbinic decree through the testimony of the witnesses, and by giving that false testimony, they violate a Scriptural commandment, it is appropriate that they be punished by lashing.
38. We do not say that the witnesses should be considered as challalim themselves. This applies even if the witnesses are priests. Makkot 2b explains this based on Deuteronomy 19:19: 'And you shall requite him as he conspired to do to his brother.' The obligation is to requite him, not to requite his descendants and having him declared a challal would be a punishment against his descendants as well as him.
39. The lying witnesses are not exiled "as they conspired to do to" the defendant. The rationale is that Deuteronomy 19:5 says with regard to a person convicted of inadvertent murder: 'He shall flee to one of these cities.' Makkot, loc. cit., states: ...He,' and not those who conspire against him.'
40. For an atonement fine is not a monetary assessment, but rather a fine designated to bring atonement for the death of the victim. These witnesses do not need that type of atonement, for their ox did not cause death (Rashi, Makkot, loc. cit.; see also Hilchot Nizkei Mammon 10:4-5).
See also the Ketzot HaChoshen 38:2 which explains that even though the witness also caused the ox to be sentenced to death and no benefit to be derived from it. Nevertheless, the witnesses are lashed and not subjected to these penalties. See also the Ramban who differs and maintains that the witnesses are required to make financial restitution and are not lashed.
41. The Nimukei Mahari (based on Makkot, loc. cit.), explains that the intent is that the witnesses testify that the person stole and did not have the money to make restitution for the theft.
42. Although Makkot, loc. cit., outlines how each of these concepts is derived from the exegesis of a verse, since the concepts are not derived through the Thirteen Principles of Biblical Exegesis, the exegesis is considered as only an asmachta. The binding obligation to fulfill these directives stems from the fact that they were transmitted through the Oral Tradition (Radbaz).
43. The Rambam is borrowing the wording of Deuteronomy 25:1-2: 'And they shall validate the righteous and condemn the wicked. If the wicked man is deserving of being beaten...' which continues to speak of the punishment of lashing.
'Condemning the righteous' refers to a situation where lying witnesses caused judgment to be rendered against a righteous person.
44. In this situation, we follow the instructions of the continuation of the verse and punish the person by lashes. Delivering false testimony violates the prohibition 'Do not deliver false testimony against your colleague.' Nevertheless, one might think that since that prohibition does not involve a deed, it is not punishable by lashes. Hence the exegesis of the above verse is necessary. See Makkot 4b (Radbaz, Kessef Mishneh).
45. As in the four cases mentioned in the previous halachah.
46. I.e., since the lying witnesses delivered testimony concerning a transgression punishable by lashes, there is no need for a special teaching to instruct us to give them that punishment. They are requited in this manner, because this is what they 'conspired to do to their brother' (Kessef Mishneh).
47. See Hilchot Issurei Bi'ah 3:3 which states that the two parties to this transgression are given different punishments.
48. Sanhedrin 90a derives this from Deuteronomy 19:19 which speaks of requiting a lying witness, 'as he conspired to do to his brother,' his brother and not his sister. This, however, is an asmachta.
Rabbi Akiva Eiger questions what the ruling would be in a situation where the witnesses claim to have given a warning to the woman, but not to the man. He supposes that even in such a situation, they should be executed by strangulation, not burning.
Edut - Chapter 21
1
The following rule applies when witnesses testify that so-and-so divorced his wife and did not pay her the money due her by virtue of her ketubah and, afterwards, these witnesses were disqualified through hazamah. Now either today or tomorrow, when the husband divorces his wife, he must pay her the money due her by virtue of her ketubah. Hence we calculate how much a person would pay for the right to collect the money due this woman by virtue of her ketubah in the event she would be widowed or divorced and the witnesses are required to pay this amount.
When calculating this amount, we take into consideration the state of the woman and the amount of her ketubah. If the woman is sick or old or there is peace between her and her husband, the value for which her ketubah will be sold will not be the same if she is young and healthy or there is strife between the couple. For such a woman is more likely to be divorced and less likely to die.
Similarly, the amount to be received for a large ketubah is not the same as for a small ketubah. For example, if her ketubah is for 1000 zuz, it might be sold for 100. If it is for 100, it will not be sold for 10 but for less. These matters are dependent on the estimates of the judges.
א
עדים שהעידו שפלוני גירש אשתו ולא נתן לה כתובה והוזמו והלא בין היום בין למחר אם גירש סופו ליתן כתובה אומדין כמה רוצה אדם ליתן בכתובתה של זו שתמכור אותה בטובת הנאה ומשלמין דמי טובת הנאה זו ומשערין באשה ובכתובתה שאם האשה היתה חולה או זקנה או שהיה שלום בינה לבין בעלה אין דמי הכתובה כשתמכר כמו דמיה אם היתה האשה בריאה וקטנה אם יש ביניהן קטטה שזו קרובה מן הגירושין ורחוקה מן המיתה וכן אין טובת הנאה של כתובה המרובה לפי טובת הנאה של כתובה המועטת שאם היתה כתובתה אלף זוז הרי היא נמכרת בטובת הנאה במאה ואם היתה מאה אינה נמכרת בעשרה אלא בפחות דברים אלו כפי מה שישערו הדיינים:
2
Similar principles apply in the following situation. Witnesses testify with regard to a person, saying that he is obligated to pay so-and-so 1000 zuz in 30 days. The borrower admits the debt, but says that it is not due until five years and 30 days. If the witnesses are disqualified through hazamah, we evaluate how much a person would pay to have 1000 zuz available to him for five years. This is the sum paid to the borrower. Similar laws apply in all analogous situations.
ב
העידו על זה שחייב לפלוני אלף זוז על מנת ליתן מכאן ועד שלשים יום והלוה אומר עד חמש שנים אחר השלשים יום ונמצאו זוממין אומדין כמה רוצה אדם ליתן ויהיו בידו אלף זוז חמש שנים ומשלמין כן ללוה וכן כל כיוצא בזה:
3
When witnesses testify that a person's ox gored another ox and afterwards, the witnesses were disqualified through hazamah, they are required to pay half the damages. If the ox is not worth half the damages, they are required to pay only the value of the ox. For the fine of half of the damages must be paid only from the body of the goring ox itself. Therefore if they testified that the ox consumed produce or broke utensils while walking, the witnesses are required to pay the full amount of the loss. Similar laws apply in all analogous situations.
ג
העידו על שורו של זה שנגח ונמצאו זוממין משלמין חצי נזק ואם אין השור שוה חצי נזק משלמין דמי השור בלבד שאין משלם חצי נזק אלא מגופו לפיכך אם העידו עליו שאכל פירות או שבר כלים בדרך הילוכו משלמין נזק שלם וכן כל כיוצא בזה:
4
When witnesses testify that a person knocked out the tooth of his servant and then blinded the servant's eye, if afterwards, the witnesses were disqualified through hazamah, they are required to pay the master the value of the servant and the value of his eye.
A different rule applies if they testified that the master blinded the servant's eye and afterwards knocked out his tooth, the witnesses were disqualified through hazamah, and it was later discovered that the events occurred in the opposite order, the master knocked out his tooth and afterwards blinded him. The witnesses must pay the worth of the eye to the servant. Similar laws apply in all analogous situations.
ד
העידו על פלוני שהפיל שן עבדו ואח"כ סימא את עינו והוזמו משלמין לאדון דמי העבד ודמי עינו העידו שסימא את עינו ואחר כך הפיל את שנו והוזמו (ואח"כ) ונמצא הדבר הפך שהאדון הפיל את שנו ואחר כך סימא את עינו משלמין דמי עין לעבד וכן כל כיוצא בזה:
5
When witnesses who testified that a woman was warned by her husband not to enter into privacy with another man or who testified that she disobeyed the warning and entered into privacy with him are disqualified through hazamah, they are punished by lashes. If one witness comes and testifies that she committed adultery after she was warned and entered into privacy, and that witness was disqualified through hazamah, that witness is required to pay the money due her by virtue of her ketubah.
If there were two witnesses and they served as the witnesses for the warning, that she entered into privacy, and that she committed adultery, should they be disqualified through hazamah, they are required to pay the money due her by virtue of her ketubah; they do not receive lashes. Why are they not executed - they gave testimony with regard to adultery? Because they did not warn the woman.
ה
עדי קנוי וסתירה שהוזמו לוקין בא עד אחד והעיד שזנתה אחר קנוי וסתירה [ונמצא אותו העד זומם משלם כתובתה היו שנים והן עדי הקינוי והסתירה והטומאה] ונמצאו זוממין משלמין כנגד הכתובה ואין לוקין ולמה לא יהרגו והרי העידו בטומאה לפי שלא התרו בה:
6
If the lying witnesses testified that a person stole and slaughtered or sold the stolen animal, should they be disqualified through hazamah, they are required to pay the entire amount. If two witnesses testify that the person stole and two others that he slaughtered or sold the animal, and both pairs of witnesses are disqualified through hazamah, the first witnesses are required to pay twice the animal's worth, and the second pair, two or three times its worth.
If the second pair alone were disqualified through hazamah, the thief is required to make a double payment to his victim. The later witnesses must pay the remainder of the four and five time payment. If one of the last witnesses is disqualified through hazamah, the entire last testimony is negated. If one of the first witnesses is disqualified through hazamah, the entire testimony is negated. For if there is no theft, slaughtering it or selling the animal does not obligate the person to pay anything.
ו
שנים שהעידו על זה שגנב וטבח או מכר והוזמו משלמין את הכל העידו שנים שגנב והעידו שנים אחרים שטבח או מכר והוזמו אלו ואלו הרי הראשונים משלמין תשלומי כפל ואחרונים משלמין שנים ושלשה הוזמו האחרונים בלבד הרי הגנב משלם תשלומי כפל והעדים האחרונים משלמין לגנב תשלומי ארבעה וחמשה נמצא אחד מן האחרונים זומם בטלה עדות שניה נמצא אחד מן הראשונים זומם בטלה כל העדות שאם אין גניבה אין הטביחה או המכירה מחייבתו לשלם כלום:
7
When two witnesses testify that a person benefited from the produce of a field for three years and are disqualified through hazamah, they must pay the worth of the field to its owner. If two witnesses testify that a person benefited from the produce of a field for one year, two others testified that he benefited from its produce for a second year, and two others testified that he benefited from its produce for a third year, should they all be disqualified through hazamah, they divide the value of the field among themselves. For although the testimony concerning the establishment of the claimant's right to the field involves three separate testimonies, they are one testimony with regard to disqualification through hazamah.
For this reason, when there are three brothers and one other person, that person may join together with all three of the brothers and testify with regard to one of the years. Although they are three testimonies, they are considered as one testimony with regard to disqualification through hazamah. If they are all disqualified through hazamah, the three brothers must together pay half the value of the field and the person who joined together with each of them must pay the other half of its value.
ז
שנים שהעידו שאכל שדה זו שלש שנים ונמצאו זוממין משלמין לבעל השדה דמי השדה העידו שנים שאכלה שנה ראשונה ושנים שאכלה שנה שניה ושנים שאכלה שנה שלישית והוזמו כולן משלשין ביניהן שאע"פשעדות החזקה שלש עדויות הן הרי הן כעדות אחת להזמה לפיכך שלשה אחים ואחד מצטרף עם כל אחד ואחד והעידו בשנה שנה הרי אלו שלש עדויות ותתקיים בהן החזקה והן כעדות אחת להזמה שאם הוזמו כולן הרי שלשה האחין משלמין חצי דמי השדה וזה שנצטרף עם כל אחד מהן משלם חצי דמיה:
8
Different rules apply when an ox is declared to have a tendency to gore on the basis of the testimony of three groups of witnesses. If the first and the second pair of witnesses are disqualified through hazamah, all of the witnesses are released from liability. If all three sets of witnesses are disqualified, they are all obligated to pay for the entire damages even though half-damages are paid for an ordinary ox.
When does the above apply? When the witnesses are all motioning to each other, or they appear directly after each other, or they know the identity of the owner of the ox, but do not recognize the ox itself. If none of these factors are present, the first and the second group of witnesses are not liable, for they will say: "We came only to obligate him to pay half-damages. We did not know that subsequently another group would come and cause the ox to be deemed as a goring ox."
ח
שלש כתי עדים שנתקיים בעדותן ששור זה מועד ונמצאת כת ראשונה ושניה זוממין כולן פטורין נמצאו שלשתן זוממין כולן חייבין לשלם הנזק שאע"פ שהוא תם משלם חצי נזק בד"א כשהיו כולן רומזין זה את זה או שבאו רצופין או שהיו מכירין בעל השור ולא הכירו השור אבל אם אין שם אחת מאלו הרי כת ראשונה ושנייה פטורין שהרי הן אומרין לא באנו אלא לחייבו חצי נזק ולא ידענו שתבא כת אחרת ויעשה מועד:
9
The following law applies when two people testified with regard to a "wayward and rebellious son" with regard to the first testimony and two others came afterwards and testified with regard to the second testimony which would cause him to be executed. If they are both disqualified through hazamah, the first group is lashed and not executed. The rationale is that they can say: "We came to have him lashed." The second group, however, is executed, because it is their testimony that causes him to be executed. If the second group consisted of four witnesses: Two said: "In our presence, he stole," and two said: "In our presence, he feasted," should they all be disqualified through hazamah, they are all executed.
If two witnesses testify that a person kidnapped a Jewish person and sold him, and they were disqualified through hazamah, they should be executed by strangulation. If two witnesses testified that a person kidnapped a fellow Jew and another two testified that he sold him, whether the witnesses who testified that he kidnapped or those who testified that he sold were disqualified through hazamah, either group which is disqualified through hazamah are executed. The rationale is that kidnapping is the beginning of the conviction and condemnation to death of the defendant.
If two witnesses testify that a person sold a fellow Jew and were disqualified through hazamah, but there were no witnesses that he kidnapped him, the witnesses are not liable. The rationale is that even if they were not disqualified through hazamah, the defendant would not have been executed, because he could have excused himself saying: "I sold my servant."
If witnesses who testify to the sale come after the disqualification of the witnesses who testified concerning the kidnapping, they are not executed. This applies even if we see that they are motioning to each other.
ט
וכן שנים שהעידו בבן סורר ומורה עדות הראשונה ובאו שנים אחריהם והעידו עליו עדות האחרונה שבה יהרג והוזמו שתיהן כת הראשונה לוקה ואינה נהרגת מפני שיכולים לומר להלקותו באנו אבל כת האחרונה נהרגת שעל פיהן בלבד הוא נהרג היתה הכת האחרונה ארבעה שנים אומרים בפנינו גנב ושנים אומרים בפנינו אכל והוזמו כולן נהרגין העידו שנים שזה גנב נפש מישראל ומכרו והוזמו הרי אלו נחנקין העידו שנים שגנבו והעידו שנים אחרים שמכרו בין שהוזמו עדי גניבה בין שהוזמו עדי מכירה כל כת מהן שהוזמה נהרגת שהגניבה היא תחילת חיובו של זה למיתה העידו שנים שמכרו לזה הישראל והוזמו ולא היו שם עדים שגנבו הרי אלו פטורין שאפילו לא הוזמו לא היה זה נהרג מפני שיכול לומר עבדי מכרתי באו עדי גניבה אחר שהוזמו עדי מכירה אפילו ראינו אותן רומזין זה את זה אין נהרגין:
10
The following laws apply if a person spreads a libelous report about his wife, bringing witnesses that she committed adultery after she had been consecrated. If her father brought witnesses who disqualified the witnesses brought by the husband through hazamah, those witnesses are executed. If the husband brought witnesses who disqualified the witnesses brought by the father through hazamah, those witnesses are executed and are required to make financial restitution to the husband. They are executed, because the witnesses brought by the husband were condemned to death on the basis of their testimony. They must pay a fine, because the husband was held liable to pay a fine because of their testimony. Thus they are obligated to be executed because of this person and obligated financially, because of another person.
Similarly, when two people testify that a person engaged in relations with a consecrated maiden and they are disqualified through hazamah, they are executed and are not required to make a financial payment. If they said: "He engaged in relations with the daughter of so-and-so," and they are disqualified through hazamah, they are executed and are required to pay the fine to her father.
If witnesses testify: "So-and-so sodomized an ox," and they were disqualified by hazamah, they are executed, but not held liable financially. If they said: "the ox belonging to so-and-so," they are executed and required to pay the value of the ox to its owner. Similar laws apply in all analogous situations.
י
מוציא שם רע על אשתו שהביא עדים שזנתה כשהיא ארוסה והביא אביה עדים והזימום הרי עדי הבעל נהרגין חזר הבעל והביא עדים והזימו עדי האב הרי עדי האב נהרגין ומשלמין ממון לבעל נהרגין מפני שעדי הבעל נגמר דינם להריגה בעדותן ומשלמין קנס מפני שנגמר דין הבעל לשלם קנס בעדותן ונמצאו חייבין נפשות לזה וממון לזה וכן שנים שהעידו על זה שבא על נערה המאורסה והוזמו נהרגין ואין משלמין בא על בתו של פלוני והוזמו נהרגין ומשלמין הקנס לאביה פלוני רבע השור והוזמו נסקלין ואין משלמין שורו של פלוני נסקלין ומשלמין דמי השור לבעל השור וכן כל כיוצא בזה:
Edut - Chapter 22
1
The following rules apply when two groups of witnesses contradict each other. If one witness from one group came together with one witness from the other group and they both delivered testimony concerning another matter, the testimony is of no consequence. For certainly one of them lied, but we do not know which one.
If one of these groups comes alone and gives testimony and the other group comes alone and gives testimony regarding another matter, we accept the testimony of both groups individually.
א
שתי כתי עדים המכחישות זו את זו שבא עד אחד מכת זו ועד אחד מכת זו והעידו בעדות אחרת אין כאן עדות שהרי בודאי אחד מהן שקר ואין ידוע מי הוא משניהן באה כת זו בפני עצמה והעידה עדות ובאה כת זו והעידה עדות אחרת בפני עצמה מקבלין כל אחת מהן בפני עצמה:
2
Reuven produced two promissory notes against Shimon: one for a maneh and one for 200 zuz. Shimon denied being obligated for either of the promissory notes. The witnesses to one of the promissory notes were one of the groups whose testimonies contradicted each other and the witnesses to the other were the second group. Shimon is required to pay only a maneh, for the bearer of the promissory note has the position of lesser strength. He must take an oath concerning the remainder.
It appears to me that he must take this oath concerning the remainder while holding a sacred article, as is required of a person who admits a portion of the claim lodged against him. For there are two acceptable witnesses who testify concerning a portion of the money which he denied owing entirely. And the statements of his own mouth should not have greater legal power than the testimony of witnesses as we explained.
ב
ראובן שהוציא על שמעון שני שטרות אחד במנה ואחד במאתים וכפר שמעון בשני השטרות ועדי שטר זה כת אחת מאותן השנים שהכחישו זו את זו ועדי השטר השני הכת השניה הרי שמעון משלם מנה שיד בעל השטר על התחתונה וישבע על השאר יראה לי ששבועה זו שישבע על השאר בנקיטת חפץ כדין מודה במקצת שהרי עליו שני עדים כשרים מעידין במקצת הממון שכפר בכולו ולא תהא הודאת פיו גדולה מהעדאת עדים כמו שבארנו:
3
Reuven sued Levi, producing a promissory note signed by one of these groups of witnesses. Shimon also sued Levi and produced a promissory note signed by the other group. Although Levi denies both debts, both Reuven and Shimon are given the option of taking an oath and collecting what they claim. The rationale is that certainly one of them has a viable claim against him. The oath required is a Rabbinic institution as is required of a storekeeper who takes an oath to collect a claim supported by his ledger.
ג
הוציא ראובן שטר על לוי ועדיו כת אחת משתיהן והוציא שמעון שטר שני על לוי ועדיו הכת השניה ולוי כופר בשניהן הרי ראובן נשבע ונוטל ושמעון נשבע ונוטל שבודאי אחד מהן יש לו אצלו ושבועה זו בתקנת חכמים כדין חנוני על פנקסו:
4
Reuven sued Shimon producing a promissory note signed by one of these groups of witnesses and sued Levi, producing a promissory note signed by the other group. If both defendants deny the debts, we follow the principle: 'A person who seeks to expropriate money from a colleague must prove his claim.' Since Reuven cannot validate either of these legal documents, both the promissory notes are like shards. Both of the defendants are required to take merely a sh'vuat heset and they are released of obligation.
When does the above apply? When the two groups of witnesses come to testify at the same time. Otherwise, whenever a person produces a legal document containing testimony of one of these two groups, he may expropriate property based upon it. Afterwards, if either he or another person produce a legal document with testimony from the other group, it can be used to expropriate property whether from the first borrower or from any other person. The rationale is that it is as if each of the two groups came alone and testified.
ד
הוציא ראובן שטר על שמעון ועדיו כת אחת מהן והוציא שטר שני על לוי ועדיו הכת השניה וכל אחד מהן כופר בו המוציא מחבירו עליו הראיה הואיל ואין ראובן יכול לקיים אחד משני שטרות הרי כל שטר מהן כחרס ושני הנטענין נשבעין היסת ונפטרין במה דברים אמורים כשבאו שתי הכתות להעיד כאחת אבל כל המוציא שטר שיש בו עדות כת אחת משתיהן הרי זה גובה בו ואם הוציא אח"כ בין הוא בין אחר שטר שיש בו עדות הכת השניה הרי זה גובה בו בין ממלוה הראשון בין מאחר שהרי כל כת משתיהן באה בפני עצמה והעידה:
5
The following rules apply when a person brings witnesses, their testimony is investigated, they were disqualified through hazamah, and then he brought other witnesses concerning the same claim and they were also disqualified through hazamah. Even if he brings 100 groups who are disqualified, if afterwards, he brings other witnesses regarding that same claim and the testimony of these witnesses is found to be accurate, the case is adjudicated on this basis. Even though the plaintiff can be presumed to bring lying witnesses, we do not operate under the presumption that these witnesses are lying.
When, by contrast, there is a legal document concerning which a protest has been sustained, i.e., two witnesses came and said that the plaintiff told them to forge this legal document, we never use that legal document to expropriate property even if the authenticity of the signatures of the witnesses is validated.
It appears to me that if the witnesses to the legal document came and testified concerning their signature, the legal document may be used to expropriate money.
ה
מי שהביא עדים ונחקרה עדותן והוזמו וחזר והביא עדים אחרים באותה הטענה עצמה והוזמו אפילו מאה כת ואחר כך הביא עדים אחרים באותה הטענה עצמה ונמצאת עדות אלו האחרונים מכוונת דנין על פיהן שאף על פי שהוחזק זה שטען טענה זו להביא עדים שקרנים הרי לא הוחזקו אלו העדים האחרונים שהן משקרין אבל שטר שקרא עליו ערער והוא שיבאו שנים ויאמרו ממנו שאל לזייף לו שטר זה אף על פי שנתקיים השטר מחותמיו אין גובין בו לעולם ויראה לי שאם באו עדי השטר והעידו הן בעצמן על כתב ידן גובין בו:
Hayom Yom:
• English Text | Video Class
Elul 24, 5777 · 09/15/2017
"Today's Day"
Friday, Elul 24, 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: Nitzavim-Vayeilech, Shishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 113-118. Also 70-72.
Tanya: The second (p. 487) ...know Him." (p. 489).
There was a time when every brief saying one heard was regarded as a "Torah" (teaching, guidance), and everything one saw was perceived as an instruction in his avoda and conduct.
Daily Thought:
Wasting Life on Purpose
Once you have found the meaning of life, will there be enough life left to live meaningfully?
Better to live life as meaningfully as you know how, and find more meaning as you go along. You will gain, and so will those you influence.
From a letter to a teacher who wanted to take off time from teaching to find the meaning of life.
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