Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Chabad for Shabbat, July 7, 2018 - 24 Tammuz, 5778 Halachic Times (Zmanim)

Chabad for Shabbat, July 7, 2018 - 24 Tammuz, 5778 Halachic Times (Zmanim)

Torah Reading
Pinchas: Numbers 25:10 - 30:4

Numbers Chapter 25

10The Lord spoke to Moses, saying:		יוַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־משֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר:
11Phinehas the son of Eleazar the son of Aaron the kohen has turned My anger away from the children of Israel by his zealously avenging Me among them, so that I did not destroy the children of Israel because of My zeal.		יאפִּֽינְחָ֨ס בֶּן־אֶלְעָזָ֜ר בֶּן־אַֽהֲרֹ֣ן הַכֹּהֵ֗ן הֵשִׁ֤יב אֶת־חֲמָתִי֙ מֵעַ֣ל בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּקַנְא֥וֹ אֶת־קִנְאָתִ֖י בְּתוֹכָ֑ם וְלֹֽא־כִלִּ֥יתִי אֶת־בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּקִנְאָתִֽי:
12Therefore, say, "I hereby give him My covenant of peace.		יבלָכֵ֖ן אֱמֹ֑ר הִֽנְנִ֨י נֹתֵ֥ן ל֛וֹ אֶת־בְּרִיתִ֖י שָׁלֽוֹם:
13It shall be for him and for his descendants after him [as] an eternal covenant of kehunah, because he was zealous for his God and atoned for the children of Israel."		יגוְהָ֤יְתָה לּוֹ֙ וּלְזַרְע֣וֹ אַֽחֲרָ֔יו בְּרִ֖ית כְּהֻנַּ֣ת עוֹלָ֑ם תַּ֗חַת אֲשֶׁ֤ר קִנֵּא֙ לֵֽאלֹהָ֔יו וַיְכַפֵּ֖ר עַל־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל:
14The name of the Israelite man who was killed, who was slain with the Midianite woman was Zimri the son of Salu, the chieftain of the Simeonite paternal house.		ידוְשֵׁם֩ אִ֨ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל הַמֻּכֶּ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר הֻכָּה֙ אֶת־הַמִּדְיָנִ֔ית זִמְרִ֖י בֶּן־סָל֑וּא נְשִׂ֥יא בֵֽית־אָ֖ב לַשִּׁמְעֹנִֽי:
15And the name of the Midianite woman who was slain was Cozbi the daughter of Zur, a national leader of a paternal house in Midian.		טווְשֵׁ֨ם הָֽאִשָּׁ֧ה הַמֻּכָּ֛ה הַמִּדְיָנִ֖ית כָּזְבִּ֣י בַת־צ֑וּר רֹ֣אשׁ אֻמּ֥וֹת בֵּֽית־אָ֛ב בְּמִדְיָ֖ן הֽוּא:
16The Lord spoke to Moses saying:		טזוַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־משֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר:
17Distress the Midianites, and you shall smite them.		יזצָר֖וֹר אֶת־הַמִּדְיָנִ֑ים וְהִכִּיתֶ֖ם אוֹתָֽם:
18For they distress you with their plots which they contrived against you in the incident of Peor and in the incident of Cozbi their sister, the daughter of the Midianite chieftain, who was slain on the day of the plague [that had come] because of Peor.		יחכִּ֣י צֹֽרְרִ֥ים הֵם֙ לָכֶ֔ם בְּנִכְלֵיהֶ֛ם אֲשֶׁר־נִכְּל֥וּ לָכֶ֖ם עַל־דְּבַ֣ר פְּע֑וֹר וְעַל־דְּבַ֞ר כָּזְבִּ֨י בַת־נְשִׂ֤יא מִדְיָן֙ אֲחֹתָ֔ם הַמֻּכָּ֛ה בְּיֽוֹם־הַמַּגֵּפָ֖ה עַל־דְּבַ֥ר פְּעֽוֹר:

Numbers Chapter 26

1It was after the plague, that the Lord spoke to Moses and to Eleazar the son of Aaron the kohen, saying:		אוַיְהִ֖י אַֽחֲרֵ֣י הַמַּגֵּפָ֑ה פ באמצע פסוק וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־משֶׁ֔ה וְאֶ֧ל אֶלְעָזָ֛ר בֶּן־אַֽהֲרֹ֥ן הַכֹּהֵ֖ן לֵאמֹֽר:
2Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel from twenty years old and upwards, following their fathers' houses, all that are fit to go out to war in Israel.		בשְׂא֞וּ אֶת־רֹ֣אשׁ \| כָּל־עֲדַ֣ת בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל מִבֶּ֨ן עֶשְׂרִ֥ים שָׁנָ֛ה וָמַ֖עְלָה לְבֵ֣ית אֲבֹתָ֑ם כָּל־יֹצֵ֥א צָבָ֖א בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל:
3Moses and Eleazar the kohen spoke with them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying:		גוַיְדַבֵּ֨ר משֶׁ֜ה וְאֶלְעָזָ֧ר הַכֹּהֵ֛ן אֹתָ֖ם בְּעַרְבֹ֣ת מוֹאָ֑ב עַל־יַרְדֵּ֥ן יְרֵח֖וֹ לֵאמֹֽר:
4"From the age of twenty and upward, as the Lord commanded Moses and the children of Israel who had come out of Egypt."		דמִבֶּ֛ן עֶשְׂרִ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה וָמָ֑עְלָה כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֩ צִוָּ֨ה יְהֹוָ֤ה אֶת־משֶׁה֙ וּבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל הַיֹּֽצְאִ֖ים מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם:

Jeremiah 1:1 - 2:3

Jeremiah Chapter 1

1The words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin.		א דִּבְרֵ֥י יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ בֶּן־חִלְקִיָּ֑הוּ מִן־הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בַּֽעֲנָת֔וֹת בְּאֶ֖רֶץ בִּנְיָמִֽן:
2To whom the word of the Lord came in the days of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.		באֲשֶׁ֨ר הָיָ֚ה דְבַר־יְהֹוָה֙ אֵלָ֔יו בִּימֵ֛י יֹֽאשִׁיָּ֥הוּ בֶן־אָמ֖וֹן מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה בִּשְׁלֹשׁ־עֶשְׂרֵ֥ה שָׁנָ֖ה לְמָלְכֽוֹ:
3And he was in the days of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the end of eleven years of Zedekiah son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the exile of Jerusalem in the fifth month.		גוַיְהִ֗י בִּימֵ֨י יְהֽוֹיָקִ֚ים בֶּן־יֹֽאשִׁיָּ֙הוּ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֔ה עַד־תֹּם֙ עַשְׁתֵּֽי־עֶשְׂרֵ֣ה שָׁנָ֔ה לְצִדְקִיָּ֥הוּ בֶן־יֹֽאשִׁיָּ֖הוּ מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה עַד־גְּל֥וֹת יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם בַּחֹ֥דֶשׁ הַֽחֲמִישִֽׁי:
4And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:		דוַיְהִ֥י דְבַר־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֵלַ֥י לֵאמֹֽר:
5When I had not yet formed you in the womb, I knew you, and when you had not yet emerged from the womb, I had appointed you; a prophet to the nations I made you.		הבְּטֶ֨רֶם אֶצָּרְךָ֚ (כתיב אֶצָּורְךָ֚)בַבֶּ֙טֶן֙ יְדַעְתִּ֔יךָ וּבְטֶ֛רֶם תֵּצֵ֥א מֵרֶ֖חֶם הִקְדַּשְׁתִּ֑יךָ נָבִ֥יא לַגּוֹיִ֖ם נְתַתִּֽיךָ:
6And I said, "Alas, O Lord God! Behold, I know not to speak for I am a youth.		ווָֽאֹמַ֗ר אֲהָהּ֙ אֲדֹנָ֣י יֱהֹוִ֔ה הִנֵּ֥ה לֹֽא־יָדַ֖עְתִּי דַבֵּ֑ר כִּי־נַ֖עַר אָנֹֽכִי:
7And the Lord said to me; Say not, "I am a youth," for wherever I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.		זוַיֹּ֚אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֵלַ֔י אַל־תֹּאמַ֖ר נַ֣עַר אָנֹ֑כִי כִּ֠י עַל־כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֚ר אֶֽשְׁלָֽחֲךָ֙ תֵּלֵ֔ךְ וְאֵ֛ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲצַוְּךָ֖ תְּדַבֵּֽר:
8Fear them not, for I am with you to save you, says the Lord.		חאַל־תִּירָ֖א מִפְּנֵיהֶ֑ם כִּֽי־אִתְּךָ֥ אֲנִ֛י לְהַצִּלֶ֖ךָ נְאֻם־יְהֹוָֽה:
9And the Lord stretched out His hand and reached my mouth, and the Lord said to me; Behold, I have placed My words in your mouth.		טוַיִּשְׁלַ֚ח יְהֹוָה֙ אֶת־יָד֔וֹ וַיַּגַּ֖ע עַל־פִּ֑י וַיֹּ֚אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֵלַ֔י הִנֵּ֛ה נָתַ֥תִּי דְבָרַ֖י בְּפִֽיךָ:
10Behold, I have appointed you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to uproot and to crush, and to destroy and to demolish, to build and to plant.		ירְאֵ֞ה הִפְקַדְתִּ֣יךָ \| הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֗ה עַל־הַגּוֹיִם֙ וְעַל־הַמַּמְלָכ֔וֹת לִנְת֥וֹשׁ וְלִנְת֖וֹץ וּלְהַֽאֲבִ֣יד וְלַֽהֲר֑וֹס לִבְנ֖וֹת וְלִנְטֽוֹעַ:
11And the word of the Lord came to me, saying: What do you see, Jeremiah? And I said, "I see a rod of an almond tree."		יאוַיְהִ֚י דְבַר־יְהֹוָה֙ אֵלַ֣י לֵאמֹ֔ר מָֽה־אַתָּ֥ה רֹאֶ֖ה יִרְמְיָ֑הוּ וָֽאֹמַ֕ר מַקֵּ֥ל שָׁקֵ֖ד אֲנִ֥י רֹאֶֽה:
12And the Lord said to me; You have seen well, for I hasten My word to accomplish it.		יבוַיֹּ֧אמֶר יְהֹוָ֛ה אֵלַ֖י הֵיטַ֣בְתָּ לִרְא֑וֹת כִּֽי־שֹׁקֵ֥ד אֲנִ֛י עַל־דְּבָרִ֖י לַֽעֲשֹׂתֽוֹ:
13And the word of the Lord came to me a second time, saying: What do you see? And I said, "I see a bubbling pot, whose foam is toward the north."		יגוַיְהִ֨י דְבַר־יְהֹוָ֚ה \| אֵלַי֙ שֵׁנִ֣ית לֵאמֹ֔ר מָ֥ה אַתָּ֖ה רֹאֶ֑ה וָֽאֹמַ֗ר סִ֚יר נָפ֙וּחַ֙ אֲנִ֣י רֹאֶ֔ה וּפָנָ֖יו מִפְּנֵ֥י צָפֽוֹנָה:
14And the Lord said to me; From the north the misfortune will break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.		ידוַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֵלָ֑י מִצָּפוֹן֙ תִּפָּתַ֣ח הָֽרָעָ֔ה עַ֥ל כָּל־יֹֽשְׁבֵ֖י הָאָֽרֶץ:
15For, behold I am summoning all the families of the kingdoms of the north, says the Lord, and they will come and place, each one his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem and against all its walls around and against all the cities of Judah.		טוכִּ֣י \| הִנְנִ֣י קֹרֵ֗א לְכָֽל־מִשְׁפְּח֛וֹת מַמְלְכ֥וֹת צָפ֖וֹנָה נְאֻם־יְהֹוָ֑ה וּבָ֡אוּ וְֽנָֽתְנוּ֩ אִ֨ישׁ כִּסְא֜וֹ פֶּ֣תַח \| שַֽׁעֲרֵ֣י יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֗ם וְעַ֚ל כָּל־חֽוֹמֹתֶ֙יהָ֙ סָבִ֔יב וְעַ֖ל כָּל־עָרֵ֥י יְהוּדָֽה:
16And I will utter My judgments against them concerning all their evil, that they left Me and offered up burnt-offerings to other gods and they prostrated themselves to the work of their hands.		טזוְדִבַּרְתִּ֚י מִשְׁפָּטַי֙ אוֹתָ֔ם עַ֖ל כָּל־רָֽעָתָ֑ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר עֲזָב֗וּנִי וַֽיְקַטְּרוּ֙ לֵֽאלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים וַיִּֽשְׁתַּֽחֲו֖וּ לְמַֽעֲשֵׂ֥י יְדֵיהֶֽם:
17And you shall gird your loins and arise and speak to them all that I command you; be not dismayed by them, lest I break you before them.		יזוְאַתָּה֙ תֶּאְזֹ֣ר מָתְנֶ֔יךָ וְקַמְתָּ֙ וְדִבַּרְתָּ֣ אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם אֵ֛ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָֽנֹכִ֖י אֲצַוֶּ֑ךָּ אַל־תֵּחַת֙ מִפְּנֵיהֶ֔ם פֶּן־אֲחִתְּךָ֖ לִפְנֵיהֶֽם:
18And I, behold I have made you today into a fortified city and into an iron pillar, and into copper walls against the entire land, against the kings of Judah, against its princes, against its priests, and against the people of the land.		יחוַֽאֲנִ֞י הִנֵּ֛ה נְתַתִּ֣יךָ הַיּ֗וֹם לְעִ֨יר מִבְצָ֜ר וּלְעַמּ֥וּד בַּרְזֶ֛ל וּלְחֹמ֥וֹת נְחֹ֖שֶׁת עַל־כָּל־הָאָ֑רֶץ לְמַלְכֵ֚י יְהוּדָה֙ לְשָׂרֶ֔יהָ לְכֹֽהֲנֶ֖יהָ וּלְעַ֥ם הָאָֽרֶץ:
19And they shall fight against you but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you says the Lord, to save you.		יטוְנִלְחֲמ֥וּ אֵלֶ֖יךָ וְלֹֽא־י֣וּכְלוּ לָ֑ךְ כִּֽי־אִתְּךָ֥ אֲנִ֛י נְאֻם־יְהֹוָ֖ה לְהַצִּילֶֽךָ:

Jeremiah Chapter 2

1And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:		אוַיְהִ֥י דְבַר־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֵלַ֥י לֵאמֹֽר:
2Go and call out in the ears of Jerusalem, saying: so said the Lord: I remember to you the lovingkindness of your youth, the love of your nuptials, your following Me in the desert, in a land not sown.		בהָלֹ֡ךְ וְֽקָרָאתָ֩ בְּאָזְנֵי֙ יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֜ם לֵאמֹ֗ר כֹּה אָמַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה זָכַ֚רְתִּי לָךְ֙ חֶ֣סֶד נְעוּרַ֔יִךְ אַֽהֲבַ֖ת כְּלוּלֹתָ֑יִךְ לֶכְתֵּ֚ךְ אַֽחֲרַי֙ בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר בְּאֶ֖רֶץ לֹ֥א זְרוּעָֽה:
3Israel is holy to the Lord, the first of His grain; all who eat him shall be guilty, evil shall befall them, says the Lord.		גקֹ֚דֶשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לַיהֹוָ֔ה רֵאשִׁ֖ית תְּבֽוּאָתֹ֑ה כָּל־אֹֽכְלָ֣יו יֶאְשָּׁ֔מוּ רָעָ֛ה תָּבֹ֥א אֲלֵיהֶ֖ם נְאֻם־יְהֹוָֽה:

Jewish History
Jews of Jerusalem are set aflame (1099)
When the crusaders captured Jerusalem during the First Crusade, the Jews of Jerusalem fled into a synagogue. The crusaders then set flame to the synagogue, burning alive all the Jewish men, women, and children who had taken refuge there. All Jews were barred from living in the city of Jerusalem for the following 88 years.
Link: The Crusades
Laws and Customs
Bless New Month
This Shabbat is Shabbat Mevarchim ("the Shabbat that blesses" the new month): a special prayer is recited blessing the Rosh Chodesh ("Head of the Month") of upcoming month of Av (also called "Menachem Av") which falls on Friday of next week.
Prior to the blessing, we announce the precise time of the molad, the "birth" of the new moon. Click here for molad times.
It is a Chabad custom to recite the entire book of Psalms before morning prayers, and to conduct farbrengens (chassidic gatherings) in the course of the Shabbat.
Links: On the Significance of Shabbat Mevarchim
Tehillim (the Book of Psalms)
The Farbrengen
Ethics: Chapter 1
During the summer months, from the Shabbat after Passover until the Shabbat before Rosh Hashahah, we study a weekly chapter of the Talmud's Ethics of the Fathers ("Avot") each Shabbat afternoon; this week we study Chapter One.
Link: Ethics of the Fathers, Chapter 1
"The Three Weeks"
During the Three Weeks, from 17th of Tamuz to the 9th of Av, we commemorate the conquest of Jerusalem, the destruction of the Holy Temple and the dispersion of the Jewish people.
Weddings and other joyful events are not held during this period; like mourners, we do not cut our hair, and various pleasurable activities are limited or proscribed. (The particular mourning customs vary from community to community, so consult a competent halachic authority for details.)
Citing the verse (Isaiah 1:27) "Zion shall be redeemed with mishpat [Torah] and its returnees with tzedakah," the Rebbe urged that we increase in Torah study (particularly the study of the laws of the Holy Temple) and charity during this period.
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Chumash
Parshat Pinchas, 7th Portion (Numbers 29:12-30:1)

Numbers Chapter 29

12And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, there shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall not perform any mundane work, and you shall celebrate a festival to the Lord for seven days.		יבוּבַֽחֲמִשָּׁה֩ עָשָׂ֨ר י֜וֹם לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י מִקְרָא־קֹ֨דֶשׁ֙ יִֽהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֔ם כָּל־מְלֶ֥אכֶת עֲבֹדָ֖ה לֹ֣א תַֽעֲשׂ֑וּ וְחַגֹּתֶ֥ם חַ֛ג לַֽיהֹוָ֖ה שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים:
13You shall offer up a burnt offering, a fire offering for a spirit of satisfaction to the Lord: thirteen young bulls, two rams, fourteen lambs in the first year; they shall [all] be unblemished.		יגוְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֨ם עֹלָ֜ה אִשֵּׁ֨ה רֵ֤יחַ נִיחֹ֨חַ֙ לַֽיהֹוָ֔ה פָּרִ֧ים בְּנֵֽי־בָקָ֛ר שְׁלשָׁ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר אֵילִ֣ם שְׁנָ֑יִם כְּבָשִׂ֧ים בְּנֵֽי־שָׁנָ֛ה אַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר תְּמִימִ֥ם יִֽהְיֽוּ:
14And their meal offering [shall be] fine flour mixed with oil; three tenths for each bull for the thirteen bulls, two tenths for each ram for the two rams.		ידוּמִ֨נְחָתָ֔ם סֹ֖לֶת בְּלוּלָ֣ה בַשָּׁ֑מֶן שְׁלשָׁ֨ה עֶשְׂרֹנִ֜ים לַפָּ֣ר הָֽאֶחָ֗ד לִשְׁלשָׁ֤ה עָשָׂר֙ פָּרִ֔ים שְׁנֵ֤י עֶשְׂרֹנִים֙ לָאַ֣יִל הָֽאֶחָ֔ד לִשְׁנֵ֖י הָֽאֵילִֽם:
15And one tenth for each lamb, for the fourteen lambs.		טווְעִשָּׂרוֹן עִשָּׂר֔וֹן לַכֶּ֖בֶשׂ הָֽאֶחָ֑ד לְאַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר כְּבָשִֽׂים:
16And one young male goat for a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, its meal offering, and its libation.		טזוּשְׂעִֽיר־עִזִּ֥ים אֶחָ֖ד חַטָּ֑את מִלְּבַד֙ עֹלַ֣ת הַתָּמִ֔יד מִנְחָתָ֖הּ וְנִסְכָּֽהּ:
17And on the second day, twelve young bulls, two rams, and fourteen lambs in the first year, [all] unblemished.		יזוּבַיּ֣וֹם הַשֵּׁנִ֗י פָּרִ֧ים בְּנֵֽי־בָקָ֛ר שְׁנֵ֥ים עָשָׂ֖ר אֵילִ֣ם שְׁנָ֑יִם כְּבָשִׂ֧ים בְּנֵֽי־שָׁנָ֛ה אַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר תְּמִימִֽם:
18And their meal offerings and their libations, for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, as prescribed.		יחוּמִנְחָתָ֣ם וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֡ם לַפָּרִ֠ים לָֽאֵילִ֧ם וְלַכְּבָשִׂ֛ים בְּמִסְפָּרָ֖ם כַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט:
And their meal-offerings and their libations, for the bulls: The seventy bulls of the [’Succoth’] festival corresponded to the seventy nations, which progressively decrease in number, symbolizing their [the nations’] destruction [Midrash Aggadah]. At the time of the Temple, they [the sacrifices] shielded them from adversity [Mid. Tehillim 109:4, Rashi on Sukkah 55b; Rashi on Ps. 109:5; Mid. Tadshei ch. 11; Pesikta d’Rav Kahana pp. 193b, 194a; Mid. Song Rabbah 4:2, Mid. Tanchuma Pinchas 16].		ומנחתם ונסכיהם לפרים: פרי החג שבעים הם. כנגד שבעים אומות שמתמעטים והולכים, סימן כליה להם, ובימי המקדש היו מגינין עליהם מן היסורין:
and for the lambs: corresponding to Israel, who are called ‘a scattered lamb’ (Jer. 50:17). Their number remains constant, and it totals ninety-eight, to counter the ninety-eight curses related in ‘Mishneh Torah’ [the Book of Deuteronomy] (28:15-68) (Mid. Aggadah). On the second day it says, וְנִסְכֵּיהֶם,“and their libations” relating to the two daily continual offerings. The language [of Scripture] varies only for expository purposes, following our Sages, of blessed memory, who said: On the second day, וְנִסְכֵּיהֶם, “and their libations”; on the sixth day, וּנְסָכֶיהָ “and its libations”; on the seventh day כְּמִשְׁפָּטָם“as prescribed for them” [instead of כַּמִּשְׁפָּט,“as prescribed”]. [The additional letters in these three words are] ‘mem’ ’yud’ ‘mem’ which form [the word] מַיִם, ‘water.’ This suggests that the [ceremony of] water libation during the festival [of 'Succoth’] is of Torah origin. — [Sifrei Pinchas 54, Ta’anith 2b]		ולכבשים: כנגד ישראל שנקראו (ירמיה נ, יז) שה פזורה, והם קבועים ומנינם תשעים ושמונה לכלות מהם תשעים ושמונה קללות שבמשנה תורה. בשני נאמר ונסכיהם על שני תמידי היום ולא שינה הלשון אלא לדרוש, כמו שאמרו רז"ל בשני ונסכיהם, בששי ונסכיה, בשביעי כמשפטם, מ"ם יו"ד מ"ם, הרי כאן מים, רמז לנסוך המים מן התורה בחג:
19And one young male goat for a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, its meal offering, and their libations.		יטוּשְׂעִֽיר־עִזִּ֥ים אֶחָ֖ד חַטָּ֑את מִלְּבַד֙ עֹלַ֣ת הַתָּמִ֔יד וּמִנְחָתָ֖הּ וְנִסְכֵּיהֶֽם:
20And on the third day, eleven bulls, two rams, and fourteen lambs in the first year, [all] unblemished.		כוּבַיּ֧וֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֛י פָּרִ֥ים עַשְׁתֵּֽי־עָשָׂ֖ר אֵילִ֣ם שְׁנָ֑יִם כְּבָשִׂ֧ים בְּנֵֽי־שָׁנָ֛ה אַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר תְּמִימִֽם:
21And their meal offerings and their libations, for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, as prescribed.		כאוּמִנְחָתָ֣ם וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֡ם לַ֠פָּרִ֠ים לָֽאֵילִ֧ם וְלַכְּבָשִׂ֛ים בְּמִסְפָּרָ֖ם כַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט:
22And one young male goat for a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, its meal offering and its libation.		כבוּשְׂעִ֥יר חַטָּ֖את אֶחָ֑ד מִלְּבַד֙ עֹלַ֣ת הַתָּמִ֔יד וּמִנְחָתָ֖הּ וְנִסְכָּֽהּ:
23And on the fourth day, ten bulls, two rams, and fourteen lambs in the first year, [all] unblemished.		כגוּבַיּ֧וֹם הָֽרְבִיעִ֛י פָּרִ֥ים עֲשָׂרָ֖ה אֵילִ֣ם שְׁנָ֑יִם כְּבָשִׂ֧ים בְּנֵֽי־שָׁנָ֛ה אַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר תְּמִימִֽם:
24Their meal offerings and their libations, for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, as prescribed.		כדמִנְחָתָ֣ם וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֡ם לַ֠פָּרִ֠ים לָֽאֵילִ֧ם וְלַכְּבָשִׂ֛ים בְּמִסְפָּרָ֖ם כַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט:
25And one young male goat for a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, its meal offering and its libation.		כהוּשְׂעִֽיר־עִזִּ֥ים אֶחָ֖ד חַטָּ֑את מִלְּבַד֙ עֹלַ֣ת הַתָּמִ֔יד מִנְחָתָ֖הּ וְנִסְכָּֽהּ:
26And on the fifth day nine bulls, two rams, and fourteen lambs in the first year, [all] unblemished.		כווּבַיּ֧וֹם הַֽחֲמִישִׁ֛י פָּרִ֥ים תִּשְׁעָ֖ה אֵילִ֣ם שְׁנָ֑יִם כְּבָשִׂ֧ים בְּנֵֽי־שָׁנָ֛ה אַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר תְּמִימִֽם:
27And their meal offerings and their libations, for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, as prescribed.		כזוּמִנְחָתָ֣ם וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֡ם לַ֠פָּרִ֠ים לָֽאֵילִ֧ם וְלַכְּבָשִׂ֛ים בְּמִסְפָּרָ֖ם כַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט:
28And one young male goat for a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, its meal offering, and its libation.		כחוּשְׂעִ֥יר חַטָּ֖את אֶחָ֑ד מִלְּבַד֙ עֹלַ֣ת הַתָּמִ֔יד וּמִנְחָתָ֖הּ וְנִסְכָּֽהּ:
29And on the sixth day, eight bulls, two rams, and fourteen lambs in the first year, [all] unblemished.		כטוּבַיּ֧וֹם הַשִּׁשִּׁ֛י פָּרִ֥ים שְׁמֹנָ֖ה אֵילִ֣ם שְׁנָ֑יִם כְּבָשִׂ֧ים בְּנֵֽי־שָׁנָ֛ה אַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר תְּמִימִֽם:
30And their meal offerings and their libations, for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, as prescribed.		לוּמִנְחָתָ֣ם וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֡ם לַ֠פָּרִ֠ים לָֽאֵילִ֧ם וְלַכְּבָשִׂ֛ים בְּמִסְפָּרָ֖ם כַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט:
31And one young male goat for a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, its meal offering, and its libations.		לאוּשְׂעִ֥יר חַטָּ֖את אֶחָ֑ד מִלְּבַד֙ עֹלַ֣ת הַתָּמִ֔יד מִנְחָתָ֖הּ וּנְסָכֶֽיהָ:
32And on the seventh day, seven bulls, two rams and fourteen lambs in the first year, [all] unblemished.		לבוּבַיּ֧וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֛י פָּרִ֥ים שִׁבְעָ֖ה אֵילִ֣ם שְׁנָ֑יִם כְּבָשִׂ֧ים בְּנֵֽי־שָׁנָ֛ה אַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר תְּמִימִֽם:
33And their meal offerings and their libations, for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, as prescribed for them.		לגוּמִנְחָתָ֣ם וְנִסְכֵּהֶ֡ם לַ֠פָּרִ֠ים לָֽאֵילִ֧ם וְלַכְּבָשִׂ֛ים בְּמִסְפָּרָ֖ם כְּמִשְׁפָּטָֽם:
34One young male goat for a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, its meal offering, and its libation.		לדוּשְׂעִ֥יר חַטָּ֖את אֶחָ֑ד מִלְּבַד֙ עֹלַ֣ת הַתָּמִ֔יד מִנְחָתָ֖הּ וְנִסְכָּֽהּ:
35The eighth day shall be a time of restriction for you; you shall not perform any mundane work.		להבַּיּוֹם֙ הַשְּׁמִינִ֔י עֲצֶ֖רֶת תִּֽהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֑ם כָּל־מְלֶ֥אכֶת עֲבֹדָ֖ה לֹ֥א תַֽעֲשֽׂוּ:
A time of restriction for you: עֲצֶרֶת, restricted from working (Chagigah 18a). Another interpretation: Restrain yourselves from leaving. This teaches that they were required to remain [in Jerusalem] overnight (Sifrei Pinchas 55). This [word עֲצֶרֶת] is expounded in the Aggadah : (Sukkah 55b) [as follows]: For throughout the days of the festival they brought offerings symbolizing the seventy nations, and when they came to leave, the Omnipresent said to them, “Please make Me a small feast, so that I can have some pleasure from you [alone].”		עצרת תהיה לכם: עצורים בעשיית מלאכה. דבר אחר עצרת עצרו מלצאת, מלמד שטעון לינה. ומדרשו באגדה לפי שכל ימות הרגל הקריבו כנגד שבעים אומות וכשבאין ללכת, אמר להם המקום בבקשה מכם עשו לי סעודה קטנה כדי שאהנה מכם:
36You shall offer up a burnt offering, a fire offering for a spirit of satisfaction to the Lord: one bull, one ram, and seven lambs in the first year, [all] unblemished.		לווְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֨ם עֹלָ֜ה אִשֵּׁ֨ה רֵ֤יחַ נִיחֹ֨חַ֙ לַֽיהֹוָ֔ה פַּ֥ר אֶחָ֖ד אַ֣יִל אֶחָ֑ד כְּבָשִׂ֧ים בְּנֵֽי־שָׁנָ֛ה שִׁבְעָ֖ה תְּמִימִֽם:
one bull, one ram: These correspond to Israel. [God said,] “Remain with Me a little longer.” It expresses [His] affection [for Israel]. It is like children taking leave of their father, who says to them, “It is difficult for me to part with you; stay one more day.” It is analogous to a king who made a banquet, etc. [and on the last day, his closest friend makes a small banquet for the king] as is stated in Tractate Sukkah [55b]. In the Midrash of R. Tanchuma (Pinchas 16) [it says]: The Torah teaches common courtesy. Someone who has a guest, [and wants him to feel at home,] on the first day, he should serve him fattened poultry, on the following day he should serve him fish, on the following day beef, on the following day pulses, and on the following day vegetables, progressively diminishing, as in the case of the festival bulls.		פר אחד איל אחד: אלו כנגד ישראל, התעכבו לי מעט עוד. ולשון חבה הוא זה, כבנים הנפטרים מאביהם והוא אומר להם קשה עלי פרידתכם עכבו עוד יום אחד. משל למלך שעשה סעודה וכו', כדאיתא במס' סוכה (דף נה ב) ובמדרש רבי תנחומא למדה תורה דרך ארץ, שמי שיש לו אכסנאי יום ראשון יאכילו פטומות, למחר מאכילו דגים, למחר מאכילו בשר בהמה, למחר מאכילו קטניות, למחר מאכילו ירק, פוחת והולך כפרי החג:
37Their meal offerings and their libations, for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, as prescribed.		לזמִנְחָתָ֣ם וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֗ם לַפָּ֨ר לָאַ֧יִל וְלַכְּבָשִׂ֛ים בְּמִסְפָּרָ֖ם כַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט:
38And one young male goat for a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, its meal offering and its libation.		לחוּשְׂעִ֥יר חַטָּ֖את אֶחָ֑ד מִלְּבַד֙ עֹלַ֣ת הַתָּמִ֔יד וּמִנְחָתָ֖הּ וְנִסְכָּֽהּ:
39These you shall offer up for the Lord on your festivals, besides your vows and voluntary offerings, for your burnt offerings, for your meal offerings, for your libations, and for your peace offerings.		לטאֵ֛לֶּה תַּֽעֲשׂ֥וּ לַֽיהֹוָ֖ה בְּמֽוֹעֲדֵיכֶ֑ם לְבַ֨ד מִנִּדְרֵיכֶ֜ם וְנִדְבֹֽתֵיכֶ֗ם לְעֹלֹֽתֵיכֶם֙ וּלְמִנְחֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם וּלְנִסְכֵּיכֶ֖ם וּלְשַׁלְמֵיכֶֽם:
These you shall offer up for the Lord on your festivals: A matter fixed as an obligation.		אלה תעשו לה' במועדיכם: דבר הקצוב לחובה:
besides your vows: If you wish to pledge offerings during a festival, it is considered a mitzvah [virtuous deed] for you [to fulfill your vows during the festival] (Sifrei Pinchas 56). Alternatively, vows or voluntary offerings which you have pledged throughout the year should be brought on the festival, lest one find it difficult to return to Jerusalem to offer up his vows, with the result that he will transgress the prohibition of“you shall not delay [in paying your vows and pledges]” (Deut. 23:22).		לבד מנדריכם: אם באתם לידור קרבנות ברגל, מצוה היא בידכם או נדרים או נדבות שנדרתם כל השנה תקריבום ברגל, שמא יקשה לו לחזור ולעלות לירושלים ולהקריב נדריו, ונמצא עובר בבל תאחר:

Numbers Chapter 30

1Moses spoke to the children of Israel in accordance with all that the Lord had commanded Moses.		אוַיֹּ֥אמֶר משֶׁ֖ה אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל כְּכֹ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־משֶֽׁה:
Moses spoke to the children of Israel: [This verse is written] to make a pause; [these are] the words of R. Ishmael. Since up to this point the words of the Omnipresent [were stated], and the [following] chapter dealing with vows begins with the words of Moses, it was necessary to make a break first and say that Moses repeated this chapter [of offerings] to Israel, for if not so, it would imply that he did not tell this to them, but began his address with the chapter discussing vows. — [Sifrei Pinchas 57]		ויאמר משה אל בני ישראל: להפסיק הענין, דברי רבי ישמעאל, לפי שעד כאן דבריו של מקום ופרשת נדרים מתחלת בדבורו של משה, הוצרך להפסיק תחלה ולומר שחזר משה ואמר פרשה זו לישראל, שאם לא כן יש במשמע שלא אמר להם זו אלא בפרשת נדרים התחיל דבריו:

Psalms
Chapters 113-118

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.

Tanya

Igeret HaTeshuva, end of Chapter 8

ומאחר שרוח עברה ותטהרם

After the1 “wind [of forgiveness] passes over [the souls of sinners] and purifies them,”

אזי תוכל נפשם לשוב עד הוי' ברוך הוא ממש

then their souls are enabled to return literally unto G‑d Himself,

ולעלות מעלה מעלה למקורה ולדבקה בו יתברך ביחוד נפלא

to ascend the greatest heights, to their very Source, and cleave to Him with a remarkable unity,

כמו שהיתה מיוחדת בו יתברך בתכלית היחוד בטרם שנפחה ברוח פיו ית'

in ultimate union with Him, just as before the soul was blown forth by the breath of His mouth

לירד למטה ולהתלבש בגוף האדם

to descend and be incorporated within the body of man.

(וכמו על דרך משל באדם הנופח ברוח פיו בטרם שיוצא הרוח מפיו הוא מיוחד בנפשו)‏

(2To illustrate this unity: Before one exhales, the breath is one with the person, inseparably.)

Likewise, just as the soul was utterly united with G‑d before it was “blown” or “breathed” into the body, so too, does it now unite with Him after repentance.

וזו היא תשובה שלימה

This is perfect return - Teshuvah.

והנה בחינת יחוד זה ותשובה זו היא בחינת תשובה עילאה, שלאחר תשובה תתאה

This state of unity and this return are called teshuvah ila'ah, the higher level of repentance, that follows teshuvah tata'ah, the lower level of repentence.

וכמו שכתוב בזוהר הקדוש ברעיא מהימנא פרשת נשא דתשובה עילאה היא דיתעסק באורייתא בדחילו ורחימו דקודשא בריך הוא וכו'

The Zohar, in Ra'aya Mehemna (Parshat Nasso),3 explains that Teshuvah ila'ah means engaging in the study of the Torah, in awe and love of the Holy One, Blessed be He….

The Zohar goes on to say that doing so makes one worthy of the revelation of the letter vav of the Tetragrammaton,

דאיהו בן י"ה בינה וכו'

for this [letter vav] is the child of yud-hei, or Binah….

Binah is the level of Teshuvah ila'ah, the return of the higher letter hei of the Tetragrammaton. The word itself is a composite of the words “ben yud-hei.” This alludes to the spiritual emotions of love and fear (represented by the letter vav) that are born of the intellective levels of the Tetragrammaton, the yud of Chochmah and the hei of Binah.

(ומעלת בעלי תשובה על צדיקים גמורים בזה היא

(4Herein lies the superiority of penitents over the perfectly saintly.

Seemingly, the study of Torah permeated with love and fear of G‑d, is not the unique prerogative of penitence; the perfectly saintly do this as well. Wherein lies the superiority of baalei teshuvah?

כמו שכתוב בזוהר הקדוש פרשת חיי שרה: דאינון משכי עלייהו ברעותא דלבא יתיר ובחילא סגי, לאתקרבא למלכא וכו')

As the Zohar states in Parshat Chayei Sarah5 “They draw upon themselves with a more intense longing of the heart, and with great forcefulness, to approach the King….”)

FOOTNOTES

Note of the Rebbe: “Iyov 37:21. The meaning of the verse is that the wind clears the heavens of clouds. So too in analogue, the breath of repentance spirits away the dense cloud of sin.”

Parenthesis are in the original text.

Zohar III, 123a.

Parenthesis are in the original text.

Zohar I, 129b.

Rambam

Sefer Hamitzvot

Daily Mitzvah

Positive Commandment 245

Important Message Regarding This Lesson

The Daily Mitzvah schedule runs parallel to the daily study of 3 chapters of Maimonides' 14-volume code. There are instances when the Mitzvah is repeated a few days consecutively while the exploration of the same Mitzvah continues in the in-depth track.

Positive Commandment 245 (Digest)Transactions

"And if you sell something to your neighbor..."—Leviticus 25:14.

We are commanded regarding the various methods that effect transactions, i.e., the ways to transfer property from one individual to another (or, in the case of a guardian of an object, the transfer of jurisdiction).

The 245th mitzvah is that we are commanded regarding the laws of buying and selling, i.e. the ways in which purchases and sales between the buyers and the sellers become legally binding.

The Torah taught about one method in G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "When you sell something to your neighbor, [or buy something from your neighbor's hand...]" Our Sages said,2 "[The word 'hand' teaches that the sale] refers to something which can pass from one hand to another," i.e. meshichah[physically moving the object].

It is explained that in Biblical law, transfer of money is sufficient to complete the transaction, and meshichahis necessary only by Rabbinic decree, as is mesirah[giving the vehicle of control, e.g. the reins of a horse, to the buyer] and hagba'ah [lifting the object].

The Gemara3 explicitly says, "Just as our Sages enacted a requirement of meshichah in order for a sale to be valid, so too they required meshichah in order for a watchman relationship to become valid." It is therefore clear that the requirement of meshichah in buying and selling is of Rabbinic origin, as explained in the relevant place.

However, other methods of acquiring land, etc., i.e. by means of a document or chazakah4 are traced5 to Biblical verses [and are therefore of Biblical, not Rabbinic, origin].

The details of this mitzvah — i.e. the manners of finalizing a sale in each category — are explained in the 1st chapter of tractate Kiddushin, the 4th and 8th chapters of Bava Metzia, and the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th chapters of Bava Basra.

Rabbi Berel Bell is a well-known educator, author and lecturer. He and his family reside in Montreal, Canada.

From "Sefer Hamitzvot in English," published by Sichos in English.

FOOTNOTES

1.

Lev. 25:14.

2.

Bava Metzia 47b.

3.

Ibid., 99a.

4.

Such as building something on the land.

5.

See Kiddushin 26a.

Rambam

1 Chapter

Rambam - 1 Chapter a Day

Ma'achalot Assurot - Chapter 3

Any food that is produced from forbidden species for which lashes are given for partaking of1 is forbidden to be eaten according to Scriptural Law, e.g., milk from a forbidden species of domesticated animal or wild beast or the eggs of a forbidden species of birds or fish. [This is derived from Leviticus 11:16 which mentions]: "the bat of the ostrich." [Our Sages2 commented:] "This refers to its egg." The same law applies to all species that are forbidden like an ostrich and all entities [that are produce] like eggs.

כל מאכל היוצא ממין מן המינין האסורין שלוקין על אכילתן הרי אותו המאכל אסור באכילה מן התורה כגון חלב בהמה וחיה הטמאים וביצי עוף ודג הטמאים שנאמר ואת בת היענה זו ביצתה והוא הדין לכל האסור כיענה ולכל הדברים הדומין לביצה:

Human milk is permitted to be eaten,3although the meat of a human is forbidden to be eaten. We have already explained4 that it is forbidden by virtue of a positive commandment.5

חלב האדם מותר באכילה אף על פי שבשר האדם אסור באכילה וכבר ביארנו שהוא בעשה:

Honey produced by bees and hornets6is permitted. [The rationale is that] it is not a product of their bodies. Instead, it is collected in their mouths from herbs and then expelled in their hive so that they will be able to partake of it in the rainy season.

דבש דבורים ודבש צרעים מותר מפני שאינו מתמצית גופן אלא כונסין אותו מן העשבים בתוך פיהן ומקיאין אותו בכורת כדי שימצאו אותו לאכול ממנו בימות הגשמים:

Although human milk is permitted, our Sages prohibited an adult to nurse from [a woman's] breasts. Instead, the woman should express it into a container7and the adult should partake of it. An adult who nurses from [a woman's] breast is like one who nurses from a teeming animal.8He is given stripes for rebellious conduct.

אע"פ שחלב אדם מותר אסרו חכמים לגדול לינק אותו מן השדים אלא חולבת אשה לתוך הכלי ושותה וגדול שינק מן השד כיונק שרץ ומכין אותו מכת מרדות:

An infant may continue to nurse for even four or five years. If, however, he was weaned for three days or more in a state of health and not because of sickness, he should not be allowed to nurse again.9 [The above applies] provided he was weaned after 24 months. If he was weaned within that time, even if he was weaned for a month or two, it is permitted to have him nurse again until the conclusion of 24 months.10

יונק תינוק והולך אפילו ארבע או חמש שנים ואם גמלוהו ופרש שלשה ימים או יתר מחמת בוריו לא מחמת חוליו אינו חוזר ויונק והוא שגמלוהו אחר כ"ד חדש אבל בתוך זמן זה אפילו גמלוהו חדש או שנים מותר לחזור ולינק עד סוף כ"ד חדש:

Although the milk of a non-kosher animal and the egg of a non-kosher fowl are forbidden according to Scriptural Law, [one is] not [liable for] lashes [for partaking of them. [This is derived from Leviticus 11:8] which states: "You may not eat from their flesh." [Implied is that] one is liable for lashes for [partaking of] their flesh, but is not liable for lashes for [partaking of] their eggs and milk. One who partakes [of these substances] is like one who eats half the minimum measure [of a forbidden substance]. This is forbidden according to Scriptural Law, but one is not liable for lashes. Instead, he receives stripes for rebellious conduct.11

אף על פי שחלב בהמה טמאה וביצי עוף טמא אסורין מן התורה אין לוקין עליהם שנאמר מבשרם לא תאכלו על הבשר הוא לוקה ואינו לוקה על הביצה ועל החלב והרי האוכל אותן כאוכל חצי שיעור שהוא אסור מן התורה ואינו לוקה אבל מכין אותו מכת מרדות:

It appears to me that eating the eggs of non-kosher species of fish that are found in their bellies is comparable to eating the insides of the forbidden fish themselves12 and one is liable for lashes according to Scriptural Law. Similarly, when a person partakes of the eggs of a non-kosher fowl that are hanging in a cluster without being separated from the mother's body or completed, he is liable for lashes as if he ate the insides of [the fowl itself].13

יראה לי שהאוכל ביצי דגים טמאים הנמצאים במעיהם כאוכל קרבי דגים טמאים ולוקה מן התורה וכן ביצי העוף הטמא התלויות באשכול שעדיין לא פירשו ונגמרו האוכל אותן לוקה כאוכל בני מעים שלהן:

When one partakes the egg of a non-kosher fowl inside of which an embryo has begun to take form, he is liable for eating a flying teeming animal.14If, however, one partakes of the egg of a kosher fowl inside of which an embryo has begun to take form, he is liable for stripes for rebellious conduct.15

ביצת עוף טמא שהתחיל האפרוח להתרקם בה ואכלו לוקה משום אוכל שרץ העוף אבל ביצת העוף טהור שהתחיל האפרוח להתרקם בה ואכלה מכין אותו מכת מרדות:

[The following laws apply if] a blood spot is found on an egg.16 If it is found on the white, one should discard the blood and eat the remainder of the egg.17 If it is found on the yolk, the entire egg is forbidden.18 Unfertilized eggs - a refined person partakes of them.19

נמצא עליה קורט דם אם על החלבון זורק את הדם ואוכל את השאר ואם על החלמון אסורה כולה ביצה המוזרת הנפש היפה תאכלנה:

When a chick is hatched, even if its eyes have not opened, it is permitted [to slaughter it and] eat it.20

When a kosher animal became trefe,21 its milk is forbidden like the milk of a non-kosher animal.22 Similarly, the egg of a kosher fowl that became trefe is comparable to the egg of a non-kosher fowl and is forbidden.23

אפרוח שנולד אף על פי שלא נתפתחו עיניו מותר לאכלו בהמה טהורה שנטרפה חלבה אסור כחלב בהמה טמאה וכן ביצת עוף טהור שנטרף כביצת עוף טמא ואסור:

When a chick is hatched from an egg from a trefe fowl, it is permitted, for it is not from a non-kosher species.24 When there is an unresolved question whether a fowl is trefe or not, we retain25 all the eggs it lays in its first batch.26 If it grows another batch and begins laying them, the first ones are permitted.27 For if it was trefe, it would no longer lay eggs. If it does not lay eggs, [the first batch] are forbidden.

יא

אפרוח שנולד מביצת טרפה מותר שאין מינו טמא היה העוף ספק טרפה כל הביצים שתלד בערימה ראשונה משהין אותן אם טענה ערימה שניה והתחילה לילד הותרו הראשונות שאם היתה טריפה לא היתה יולדת עוד ואם לא ילדה הרי הן אסורות:

The milk of a non-kosher animal will not congeal and solidify as the milk of a kosher animal does. If the milk of a non-kosher animal is mixed together with the milk of a kosher animal, when the mixture is [set aside for cheese to be made], the kosher milk will solidify and the non-kosher milk will be expelled together with the whey of the cheese.

יב

חלב בהמה טמאה אינו נקפה ועומד כחלב הטהורה ואם נתערב חלב טמאה בחלב בהמה טהורה כשתעמיד אותו יעמוד חלב הטהורה ויצא חלב הטמאה עם הקום של גבינה:

Accordingly, logic would dictate that any milk found in the possession of a gentile is forbidden, lest the gentile have mixed the milk of a non-kosher animal with it. And the cheese of the gentiles should be permitted, for the milk of a non-kosher animal will not form cheese. Nevertheless, during the age of the Sages of the Mishnah, they issued a decree against gentile cheese and forbade it, lest they use the skin of the stomach of an animal they slaughtered - which is forbidden as a nevelah28 - to cause it to solidify.29

If one would say: The stomach skin is a very small entity when compared to the milk that it is used to solidify. Why is it not nullified because of its insignificant size?30Because it is used as the catalyst to cause the cheese to curdle. Since the catalyst which causes it to curdle is forbidden, everything is forbidden, as will be explained.31

יג

ומפני זה יתן הדין שכל חלב הנמצא ביד עכו"ם אסור שמא ערב בו חלב בהמה טמאה וגבינת העכו"ם מותרת שאין חלב בהמה טמאה מתגבן אבל בימי חכמי משנה גזרו על גבינת העכו"ם ואסרום מפני שמעמידין אותה בעור קיבה של שחיטתן שהיא נבלה ואם תאמר והלא עור הקיבה דבר קטן הוא עד מאד בחלב שעמד בו ולמה לא יבטל במיעוטו מפני שהוא המעמיד הגבינה והואיל ודבר האסור הוא שהעמיד הרי הכל אסור כמו שיתבאר:

[The following laws apply when] cheese is left to solidify with herbs or fruit juice, e.g., fig syrup, and it is apparent [that these substances were used for] the cheese. There are some of the Geonim who have ruled that it is forbidden, for [our Sages] already decreed that all the cheeses of gentiles are forbidden, whether they caused them to solidify with a forbidden entity or with a permitted entity.32This is a decree, [instituted] because they cause them to solidify using forbidden entities.

יד

גבינה שמעמידין אותה העכו"ם בעשבים או במי פירות כגון שרף התאנים והרי הן ניכרין בגבינה הורו מקצת הגאונים שהיא אסורה שכבר גזרו על כל גבינת העכו"ם בין שהעמידוה בדבר אסור בין שהעמידוה בדבר המותר גזירה משום שמעמידין אותה בדבר האסור:

When a person partakes of cheese from gentiles or milk that was milked by a gentile without a Jew observing him, he is given stripes for rebellious conduct.33 With regard to butter produced by gentiles, some of the Geonimpermit it, for [our Sages] did not decree against butter and some of the Geonimforbid it,34 because of the drops of milk that remain in it. For the whey in the butter is not mixed with the butter35 so that it will be nullified because of its minimal quantity. And we suspect that any milk [from gentiles] is mixed with the milk of a non-kosher animal.

טו

האוכל גבינת העכו"ם או חלב שחלבו עכו"ם ואין ישראל רואהו מכין אותו מכת מרדות החמאה של עכו"ם מקצת הגאונים התירוה שהרי לא גזרו על החמאה וחלב הטמאה אינו עומד ומקצת הגאונים אסרוה מפני צחצוחי חלב שישאר בה שהרי הקום שבחמאה אינו מעורב עם החמאה כדי שיבטל במיעוטו וכל חלב שלהן חוששין לו שמא עירבו בו חלב בהמה טמאה:

It appears to me36 that if one purchased butter from gentiles and cooked it until the drops of milk in it disappeared, it is permitted.37 For if one will say that [drops of non-kosher milk] were mixed with the butter and it was all cooked together, they became insignificant because of the small quantity [involved].38When, however, the butter is cooked by gentiles themselves,39 it is forbidden because of the effusion of gentile [foods], as will be explained.40

טז

יראה לי שאם לקח חמאה מן העכו"ם ובשלה עד שהלכו להן צחצוחי חלב הרי זו מותרת שאם תאמר נתערבו עמן ונתבשלו כולן בטלו במיעוטם אבל החמאה שבשלו אותה עכו"ם אסורה משום גיעולי עכו"ם כמו שיתבאר:

When a Jew sits near a herd belonging to a gentile and the gentile brings him milk from the herd, it is permitted [for him to partake of it] even though there are non-kosher animals in the herd. [This applies] even though he did not see him milk the animal, provided he could have seen him were he to stand.41 [The rationale is that] the gentile is afraid to milk the non-kosher animal lest [the Jew] stand and see him.42

יז

ישראל שישב בצד העדר של נכרי ובא הנכרי והביא לו חלב מן העדר אע"פ שיש בעדר בהמה טמאה הרי זו מותר ואע"פ שלא ראה אותו חולב והוא שיכול לראותו כשהוא חולב כשיעמוד שהנכרי מתיירא לחלוב מן הטמאה שמא יעמוד ויראה אותו:

When both of the ends of an egg are rounded, both are pointed, or the yolk is on the outside and the white is on the inside, it is certainly from a non-kosher species. If one end is pointed, the other rounded, and the white is on the outside and the yolk is on the inside, it is possible that it is the egg of a non-kosher species and it is possible that it is the egg of a kosher species.43 Accordingly, the Jew should inquire of the Jewish44 hunter who sells them. If he tells him that they are from such-and-such a fowl and that this fowl is kosher, he may rely on him.45 If, however, he tells him that they are from a kosher fowl, but does not mention its name, he may not rely on him.46

יח

ביצה ששני ראשיה כדין או ששני ראשיה חדין או שהיה חלמון מבחוץ וחלבון מבפנים בידוע שהוא ביצת עוף טמא ראשה אחד כד וראשה אחד חד וחלבון מבחוץ וחלמון מבפנים אפשר שהיא ביצת עוף טמא ואפשר שהיא ביצת עוף טהור לפיכך שואל לצייד ישראל שמוכרה אם אמר לו של עוף פלוני הוא ועוף טהור הוא סומך עליו ואם אמר של עוף טהור ולא אמר לו שמו אינו סומך עליו:

For this reason, we do not purchase eggs from gentiles unless one recognizes the eggs and can identify them as being from a particular kosher species of fowl.47 We do not suspect that they came from a fowl that was trefe or nevelah.48 And we do not purchase an [unshelled and] stirred egg from a gentile at all.49

יט

לפיכך אין לוקחים ביצים מן העכו"ם אלא אם היה מכיר אותן ויש לו בהן טביעות עין שהן ביצי עוף פלוני הטהור ואין חוששין להן שמא הן ביצי טרפה או ביצי נבלה ואין לוקחין מן העכו"ם ביצה טרופה כלל:

The distinguishing signs of fish eggs are the same as those for fowl. When both of the ends of an egg are rounded or both are pointed, it is non-kosher. If one end is pointed and the other rounded, he should inquire of the Jew who sells them.50 If he tells him that he salted them51 and removed them from a kosher species,52 he may partake of them on the basis of his statements. If he tells him that they are kosher, he may not rely on him unless he is a person who has an established reputation for observance.

ביצי דגים סימניהם כסימני ביצי העוף אם היו שני ראשיה כדין או חדין טמאה אחד כד ואחד חד שואל לישראלי המוכר אם אמר לו אני מלחתים והוצאתים מדג טהור אוכל על פיו ואמר אמר לו טהורין הם אינו נאמן אא"כ היה אדם שהוחזק בכשרות:

Similarly, we may not purchase cheese and pieces of fish that do not have distinguishing signs except from a Jew who has an established reputation for observance. In Eretz Yisrael, at the time it was populated primarily by [observant] Jews,53 one could purchase these items from any Jew located there. And it is permitted to purchase milk from any Jew, anywhere.

כא

וכן אין לוקחין גבינה וחתיכת דג שאין בה סימן אלא מישראלי שהוחזק בכשרות אבל בארץ ישראל כשהיתה רובה ישראל לוקחין מכל ישראלי שבה והחלב לוקחין אותו מכל ישראל מכל מקום:

When a person pickles non-kosher fish, the brine produced is forbidden. The brine produced by non-kosher locusts, by contrast, is permitted, because they do not possess any moisture.54 Accordingly, we do not purchase brine from gentiles unless there is a kosher fish floating in it.55 Even one fish is sufficient.

כב

הכובש דגים טמאים צירן אסור אבל ציר חגבים טמאים מותר מפני שאין בהם לחלוחית לפיכך אין לוקחין ציר מן העכו"ם אלא אם כן היה בו דג טהור משוטט בו אפילו דג אחד:

When a gentile brings a trough filled with open barrels of brine and there is a kosher fish in one of them, they are all permitted.56 If they are closed, one opens one and finds a kosher fish and one opens a second and finds a kosher fish, they are all permitted.57 [This applies] provided the head of the fish and its backbone are present so that it is recognizable that they are from a kosher species of fish.58

For this reason, we do not purchased crushed, salted fish from gentiles which are called terit terufah.59 If, however, the head and the backbone of a fish is recognizable, even though it is crushed, it is permitted to purchase it from a gentile.60

כג

עכו"ם שהביא עריבה מליאה חביות פתוחות של ציר ודג אחד טהור באחת מהם כולן מותרות היו סתומות פתח אחת ונמצא בה דג טהור שניה ונמצא בה טהור כולן מותרות והוא שיהיה ראשו של דג ושדרו קיים כדי שיהא ניכר שהוא דג טהור לפיכך אין לוקחין דגים מרוצצין מלוחין מן העכו"ם והם הנקראים טרית טרופה ואם היה ראש הדג ושדרו ניכר אף על פי שהוא מרוצץ מותר ליקח אותו מן העכו"ם:

When a gentile brings a keg of pieces of evenly cut up fish and it is obvious that they are from one fish,61 they are all permitted if he finds scales on one of the pieces.62

כד

עכו"ם שהביא גרב של חתיכות דג שחתוכן שוה והן ניכרין שכולן מדג אחד ומצא בחתיכה אחת מהן קשקשין הרי כולן מותרות:

FOOTNOTES

I.e., foods that are forbidden by a negative commandment.

Chullin 64b. The term literally means "the daughter of the ostrich." Our Sages, however, expanded the interpretation of the term as the Rambam explains.

I.e., even by an adult. Note, however, Halachah 4.

Chapter 2, Halachah 3.

Thus it does not contradict the general principle mentioned in the previous halachah.

As the Maggid Mishneh mentions, there is a difference of opinion among the Sages in Bechorot 7b whether the honey of hornets is forbidden. This difference of opinion is perpetuated among the later authorities. See the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 81:9).

Or into a person's hands. She may not, however, express it into the person's mouth [the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 81:7)].

The Ra'avad and the Turei Zahav 81:9 explains that these words of censure were issued because an observer might think that the milk of a non-kosher animal is also permitted.

Needless to say, if there is a danger to the child's life, he may be allowed to nurse again regardless of the amount of time for which he had been weaned [the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 81:7)].

10.

When an infant has never been weaned, he may continue past the 24 month limit as the Rambam states at the beginning of the halachah. If, however, he has been weaned, he is bound by this restriction [Beit Yosef (Yoreh De'ah81)].

11.

See Chapter 4, Halachah 16, Hilchot Shivitat Esor 2:3, et al.

12.

For they are part of the fish's body and are not separated by a shell.

13.

For this instance as well, the eggs are not a distinct entity, but instead are considered part of the fowl's body. The Maggid Mishneh brings proof of this concept from Chapter 9, Halachot 4-5, which states that it is forbidden to eat such eggs together with milk and from Hilchot Sha'ar Avot HaTumah3:10 which states that they convey ritual impurity like the meat of the fowl itself.

14.

The embryo is not considered as a non-kosher fowl. Nevertheless, it is already a distinct entity. Hence it is considered as a non-kosher teeming animal. The Maggid Mishneh mentions that there are other Rishonim who do not accept the Rambam's position.

The Siftei Cohen 15:1 explains that while the embryo is within the egg, it has the characteristics of a teeming animal.

15.

From Chullin 64a, it appears that there is only a Rabbinic prohibition against partaking of this embryo. Hence, this punishment is given.

16.

This refers to an egg that could have been fertilized. If, however, we know that an egg was not fertilized, it is acceptable no matter where the blood spot is found. The blood itself, however, must be discarded [the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 66:7)]. Most of the eggs commercially sold are not fertilized.

17.

For the embryo has not begun to form and has not affected the entire egg.

18.

At this stage of development, the entire egg has been affected. See the Shulchan Aruch and Rama (Yoreh De'ah 66:2-3) which also mention other halachic perspectives with regard to blood found in fertilized eggs.

19.

Even though they could be considered spoiled [see Rashi, Chullin 77a; Rama (Yoreh De'ah 66:7)].

20.

Until it is hatched, however, it is forbidden is indicated by Halachah 8. See also Siftei Cohen15:2 who mentions authorities who suggest that one should wait until its wings start to develop before slaughtering it.

21.

Forbidden because it contracted a wound that will cause it to die within a year.

22.

Although the milk comes from a kosher species, since the animal itself is unacceptable, its milk is also deemed unacceptable.

23.

According to Rabbinic decree, this law applies to eggs that are found within a fowl that died without being ritually slaughtered [Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 86:3)].

24.

Chulin 31a states that the fact that the egg from which the embryo is formed is trefe does not present a halachic problem. The rationale is that, for the embryo to form, the egg must decompose. Hence its halachic status does not affect that of the embryo.

25.

For 21 days [Bechorot 8a; the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 86:99]. This is the amount of time our Sages thought necessary for a fowl to begin laying a new batch of eggs.

26.

I.e., the eggs it was carrying when it first became trefe. Although Chulin 58a states that a fowl which is trefe will not lay eggs, the intent is that it will not lay a new batch of eggs. It will, however, lay the batch it is presently carrying.

27.

There are opinions in the Ashkenazic halachic tradition that forbid such a chick. The Rama (Yoreh De'ah 86:7) states that the initial and preferred option is to respect these views.

28.

This term refers to an animal from a kosher species which died without being ritually slaughtered.

29.

For milk to solidify as cheese, it needs a catalyst, rennin, to cause it to curdle. One of the most common sources of rennin was the digestive organs of an animal. For the enzymes that facilitate the digestion of food also produce such an effect. Using the skin of a non-kosher organ causes the cheese to be non-kosher for the reasons the Rambam proceeds to explain. See also Chapter 4, Halachah 19, and Chapter 9, Halachah 15.

As the Ra'avad and Maggid Mishneh mention, Avodah Zarah 35a gives several additional reasons for these prohibitions. The Rambam, however, does not mention them because the factors causing the prohibition could be nullified as explained in the following note. The Maggid Mishnehmentions that there are opinions that maintain that the motivating factor behind the prohibition against non-Jewish cheese is to prevent social interaction between Jews and non-Jews. Hence the prohibitions are never nullified even if there is a substantially larger quantity of the kosher substance.

30.

As will be explained, according to Scriptural Law, when a forbidden substance is mixed together with a kosher substance, it is nullified - i.e, considered as if it has become part of the permitted substance - if the quantity of the permitted substance is greater than it. According to Rabbinic Law, this is true when the quantity of the permitted substance is so great that the taste of the forbidden substance would not be detected. That would certainly be true in the instance at hand. Nevertheless, the forbidden substance is not nullified for the reason explained by the Rambam.

31.

Chapter 9, Halachah 16; Chapter 16, Halachah 26.

32.

This is also the Rambam's view. It is quoted by the the Shulchan Aruch(Yoreh De'ah 115:2. The Rama states that it is customary to follow this view. The Rama continues, stating that when a Jew observes a gentile milking the cows and making the cheese, it is permitted to partake of it even though the cheese belongs to the gentiles. He continues, stating that even if the Jew does not observe the gentile milking the cow, as long as he observes him making the cheese, the cheese is acceptable after the fact. The Turei Zahav 115:11 and the Siftei Cohen 115:22 quote opinions that differ and maintain that the prohibition should be observed even if a Jew did not observe the milking.

This difference of opinion is relevant today, reflecting the difference between chalav Yisrael cheese and ordinary kosher cheese. In both instances, the cheesemaking process is supervised. Chalav Yisrael cheese uses milk that was supervised when milked, while ordinary kosher cheese does not.

33.

For his behavior is in violation of an explicit Rabbinic prohibition. Even though the rationale for the original decree is no longer applicable, the prohibition established by our Rabbis is still in force. (See Hilchot Mamrim2:2.)

In the present era, there are certain Rabbis (see Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igros Moshe) who give a rationale for leniency with regard to this prohibition, stating that government supervision makes it impossible for gentiles to mix non-kosher milk together with cow's milk and thus there is no necessity to heed that prohibition. It must be emphasized, however, that this responsum was authored before the time when it became relative easy to procure chalav Yisrael and that many other Rabbinical authorities never accepted this decision. On the contrary, basing themselves on the ruling of Hilchot Mamrim 2:2, they explain that the original decree must still be observed. As a result of their forceful stance, at present, it is possible to obtain chalav Yisrael products in almost every major Jewish community.

34.

The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 115:3) states that one should not rebuke those who permit the use of such butter, but if the local custom is to forbid it, that custom should be respected. At present, since it is possible to obtain chalav Yisrael butter in almost every major Jewish community, many Rabbis urge that this prohibition be observed.

35.

We are speaking about homemade butter which always has some small drops of whey within it. These drops, however, are not mixed with the butter itself, but instead remain as a separate entity. Hence, they cannot be nullified. See Kessef Mishneh.

36.

This expression connotes a law derived by the Rambam through his deductive reasoning without an existing prior Rabbinic source.

37.

The Kessef Mishneh explains that not only is this permitted after the fact, one may do so at the outset (lechatchilah). For it is possible that there is no forbidden substance present at all.

The Rama (Yoreh De'ah 115:3) quotes this ruling. Nevertheless, most of the authorities who forbid using non-Jewish butter maintain that, in practice, one should refrain from cooking it as well.

38.

I.e., the amount of non-kosher milk is surely insignificant in relation to the quantity of the mixture as a whole. Hence it is nullified.

39.

I.e., in their own utensils.

40.

As explained in Chapter 17, Halachah 2, it is forbidden to cook food in utensils belonging to gentiles, for the utensil will have absorbed some of the non-kosher food cooked in it previously and will discharge it into the kosher food during the cooking process.

The Kessef Mishneh and the Rama (loc. cit.) differ with the Rambam regarding this issue. See the notes to Chapter 17 Halachah 18, for a discussion of this matter.

41.

Similarly, if the Jew walks in and out of the place where the milking is taking place, it is acceptable. For the gentile will fear that any moment, the Jew will return (Turei Zahav 115:3).

42.

The Rambam is explaining that although our Sages require that a Jew observe the milking of an animal, it is not necessary that he watch the actual milking. As long as he is present and could see what the gentile is doing, the gentile will refrain from mixing in a non-kosher substance.

The Rama (Yoreh De'ah 115:1) states that this ruling applies only after the fact. At the outset, the Jew must observe the milking and also check the container into which the gentile is milking.

The Maggid Mishneh clarifies that this ruling applies only when the gentile is milking the animal for the Jew and knows that the Jew will not drink the milk of the non-kosher animal. If he is not aware of the prohibition, we suspect that he will give the Jew milk from any animal in his herd.

43.

I.e., all kosher eggs have these characteristics, but not all eggs with these characteristics are kosher.

44.

But not a non-Jewish hunter, as evident from the following halachah.

45.

We are certain that he will not lie, because it is possible to bring other eggs from that species and see that they are not alike (Turei Zahav 86:1; Siftei Cohen 86:3).

46.

For the method of verification mentioned in the previous note does not apply.

The Ra'avad rules that if the hunter has an established reputation for observance, we may rely on his word, even though he does not name the species of the fowl. The Maggid Mishneh states that, as indicated by the conclusion of Halachah 20, the Rambam would also accept that ruling. According to this understanding, the hunter we are speaking about is not known for his observance. Nevertheless, we rely on his statements.

In his notes to Halachah 20, the Rashba emphasizes that we are not speaking about a person who is known to sell non-kosher food as kosher. As evident from Hilchot Maaserot 12:16, such a person is considered as a gentile and his word is not accepted at all. Instead, the intent is someone whose reputation for observance has not been established, but is also not suspect to cause others to transgress.

47.

The Maggid Mishneh quotes the Ramban who differs with the Rambam and maintains that there is no difference between a Jew whose reputation for observance is not established and a gentile. Just like we accept the Jew's word, we accept that of the gentile. For we assume that he will not risk his reputation by making false statements. The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah86:1) quotes the Rambam's ruling, while the Tur and the Rama cite that of the Ramban.

The Maggid Mishneh also quotes Rashba who states that in the present age, we purchase eggs from gentiles without compunction, because non-kosher species are uncommon and the overwhelming proportion of eggs sold are from chickens or geese. This ruling is quoted by the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 86:2).

48.

I.e., that died without being ritually slaughtered; see Chapter 4, Halachah 1. We rule leniently, because it is very uncommon to have eggs from fowl in such a condition (Maggid Mishneh).

49.

For we fear that it came from an egg that was trefe (Maggid Mishneh).

50.

For the distinguishing signs themselves are not sufficient for the eggs to be considered kosher. The Maggid Mishneh explains that although Avodah Zarah 40a would appear to indicate that the distinguishing signs are sufficient, since Chullin 64a compares fish eggs to fowl eggs, we assume that all the laws that apply to one apply to the other.

In his Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 83:8), Rav Yosef Caro quotes the Rambam's ruling, but states that at present, it has become customary to buy any red fish eggs, even from gentiles. Black fish eggs, however, may not be purchased. In his Beit Yosef 81:12, he explains that the Rabbinic authorities of the earlier ages researched the matter and discovered that there are no common non-kosher fish that lay red eggs. See Siftei Cohen83:27 who quotes other sources from which it is not clear whether or not this ruling was accepted in all communities.

51.

I.e., to preserve them, for it is common to bring fish eggs from distant places.

52.

Naming the species as in Halachah 18.

53.

As indicated by Chapter 11, Halachah 25, today, the same principles that apply in the Diaspora apply in Eretz Yisrael. 54. In the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Terumot 10:9), he states that they possess very little moisture. The Ra'avad differs with the Rambam's ruling and forbids brine from non-kosher locusts.

54.

55.

For then we assume that the brine came from this species of fish.

56.

For we consider all the open barrels as a single entity and the one fish indicates that the entire quantity is acceptable. See Kessef Mishneh. This represents the Rambam's understanding of Avodah Zarah 39b-40a. The rulings of the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 83:6) quotes the Rambam's ruling, but also those of others who interpret that passage differently.

57.

The intent is not that all the barrels are considered as a single entity, but that since two barrels are discovered to be kosher, we assume that the others are also kosher (Kessef Mishneh).

58.

I.e., by looking at the head and the backbone, the person is able to recognize that the fish comes from a kosher species. One alone, i.e., either the head or the backbone, is not sufficient (Avodah Zarah 40a).

59.

In his Commentary to the Mishnah (Avodah Zarah 2:6), the Rambam explains that it was customary to crush and stir the fish until it produces a mixture like dough that was used as a dip.

60.

I.e., if we discover the head and the backbone of one fish, we may purchase a larger quantity, because we do not expect that kosher fish and non-kosher fish were salted together (Maggid Mishneh).

61.

The Siftei Cohen 83:4 notes that the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 83:4) does not quote the Rambam's wording and explains that according to that source, it is not necessary for it to be obvious that they all come from one fish.

If it is not obvious that they come from one fish, the the Shulchan Aruch (loc. cit.) rules that only the piece with scales is permitted.

62.

For every fish that has scales will also have fins.

Rambam
3 Chapters

Rambam - 3 Chapters a Day

Sheluchin veShuttafin - Chapter Eight, Sheluchin veShuttafin - Chapter Nine, Sheluchin veShuttafin - Chapter Ten

Sheluchin veShuttafin - Chapter Eight

When a person gives eggs to a chicken farmer with the intent that the chicken farmer have chickens sit on the eggs until they hatch, and then for the chicken farmer to raise the chicks with the profits to be divided between them, the owner of the eggs must provide the chicken farmer with a wage for his work and sustenance.

Similarly, when a person evaluates calves and ponies and then entrusts them to a caretaker with the intent that he tend to them until they grow into large animals with the profits to be divided between them, the owner of the animals must provide the caretaker with a wage for his work and sustenance for every day, like an unemployed worker. He must raise calves until they are three years old, and a donkey until it is capable of bearing a burden. He cannot sell the animal without the consent of his partner until this time.

Similarly, if one evaluates animals and then entrusts them to a caretaker to fatten them, with the profits to be divided between them, the owner of the animals must provide the caretaker with a wage for his work, like an unemployed worker. If the owner tells the caretaker: "Take the head and the fat tail for yourself in exchange for your work, aside from your share of the profits," it is permitted.

If the caretaker has other animals that he was also working to fatten in addition to this one that was evaluated, and similarly, if one has other calves, ponies or eggs, since he is caring for his own at the same time as he is caring for his colleagues', even if the owner gives him only a small amount as a wage for the entire period of the partnership, it is acceptable, and they may divide the profits equally. If the caretaker was already employed as the owner's sharecropper and he is taking care of animals belonging to both himself and the owner of the field, the owner does not have to pay him anything as a wage.

הנותן ביצים לבעל התרנגולים להושיב התרנגולים עליהן עד שיצאו האפרוחים ויגדל אותן בעל התרנגולים ויהיה הריוח ביניהם צריך להעלות שכר עמלו ומזונו וכן השם עגלים וסייחים על הרועה להיות מתעסק בהן שיגדילו והשכר לאמצע חייב להעלות לו שכר עמלו ומזונו בכל יום כפועל בטל ומגדל אותן עד שיהיו העגלים בני שלש שנים והחמור עד שתהא טוענת ואינו יכול למכור שלא מדעת חבירו בתוך זמן זה וכן השם בהמה על המפטם להיות מפטם אותה והשכר לאמצע צריך ליתן עמלו כפועל בטל ואם אמר לו הרי הראש והאליה שלך בעמלך יתר על מחצית השכר מותר היו למפטם בהמות אחרות שמפטם אותם עם זו השומא אצלו וכן אם היו לו עגלים וסייחין אחרים או ביצים אחרות שלו הואיל והוא מתעסק בשלו ובשל חבירו אפילו לא העלה לו אלא דבר מועט בכל ימי השותפות הזאת דיו וחולק בשכר בשוה ואם היה אריסו הואיל והוא מטפל בשלו ובשל בעל השדות אין צריך להעלות לו כלום:

When a person has calves or ponies evaluated, he has chickens sit on eggs, or he has an animal evaluated to be fattened with the profits to be divided between them and he does not pay a wage to the caretaker, the laws that govern such a relationship are the same as those that govern an investment of money. We see how much the animals or the eggs were evaluated for and how much profit was made, and the caretaker is given two thirds of the profit. If there is a loss, he is required to bear one third of the loss.

השם עגלים או סייחין או הושיב תרנגולים או שם בהמה על הפטם למחצית שכר ולא העלה לו שכר הרי דינו כדין העסק של מעות רואין בכמה שמין הבהמות או הביצים וכמה הרויחו ונוטל המתעסק שני שלישי השכר ואם הפסידו משלם שליש ההפסד:

We evaluate a cow, a donkey and any other animal that usually performs work and eats, and the profits are divided between the owner and the caretaker. For although care is required, the caretaker is able to derive other profit for himself because of the work of the animals. For he may hire them or work with them himself and benefit from the fee or their work.

One should not evaluate a calf together with its mother, or a pony with its mother. For the calf or the pony does not perform any work, and yet it requires care.

שמין פרה וחמור וכל דבר שדרכו לעשות ולאכול ויהיה השכר לאמצע אף על פי שזה מתעסק הרי יש לו ריוח אחר לעצמו בעבודת הבהמות שהרי שוכר אותה או עובד בה ונהנה בשכרה ובעבודתה ואין שמין עגל עם אמו ולא סייח עם אמו שהעגל והסייח אינו עושה כלום ויש בו עסק:

When a person has an animal evaluated and entrusts it to a colleague, until when is the colleague obligated to care for it? For a female donkey, 18 months. For an animal that lives in a corral - e.g., sheep or cattle - 24 months. If the owner desires to divide the profits within this period, the caretaker can prevent him from doing so, because they entered into a partnership without making any stipulations.

We set these rules because the care and profit ratio for an animal for the first year cannot be compared to that of the second year. In the first year, it requires much care and brings little profit, because at the beginning it becomes heavier only with much difficulty. In the second year, by contrast, it requires little care and there is much profit, because it becomes much heavier, gaining every day. Therefore, the caretaker may prevent him from dissolving the partnership until the end of the second year.

If the animal that was evaluated gives birth while in the possession of the caretaker, the calf is considered part of the profit and is divided between them. In a place where the custom is that the caretaker raises the offspring, he should raise them and afterwards sell them. In a place where it is not customary that the caretaker raise the offspring, he is nevertheless required to care for the offspring for a limited period. For a lightweight animal, he is required to care for it for 30 days. For a large animal, he is required to care for it for 50 days. Afterwards, the offspring is sols and the profits are divided.

If the caretaker desires to care for them longer than this period, he should evaluate them before three men on the thirtieth or fiftieth day. Afterwards, any profit that is made should be divided between them as follows: The caretaker should receive three fourths of the profit, and his partner, one fourth. The rationale is that the caretaker owns half of the offspring and because he cares for the half belonging to his colleague, he is given half of that half - i.e., a total of three fourths. If the caretaker did not make such a stipulation in the presence of three witnesses, he is considered to have waived this extra profit, and the offspring are divided equally among them.

In a place where it is customary to figure in a porter's fee to the money invested, that fee should be added. The entire fee that the administrator receives for carrying the merchandise should be figured into the profit on the investment. Similarly, if it is the local custom to add an extra fee for handling an animal, it should be added. In a place where it is customary to add an extra fee to the caretaker's wages for handling offspring, it should be added. Whenever a person enters into an investment or partnership agreement, he should not deviate from the local business practices.

השם בהמה לחבירו עד מתי חייב לטפל בה באתונות שמנה עשר חדש ובגודרות והן הצאן והבקר ארבעה ועשרים חדש ואם בא לחלוק בתוך זמן זה חבירו מעכב עליו מפני שנשתתפו סתם לפי שאינו דומה טפילה של שנה ראשונה שהיא מרובה והריוח מועט שאינה משתמנת בתחלה אלא בקושי לטפילה של שנה האחרת שהיא מועט והריוח מרובה שהרי היא משתמנת הרבה ומוספת בכל יום לפיכך מעכב עליו עד סוף שנה שנייה ילדה הבהמה השומה אצלו הרי הולד מכלל הריוח לאמצע מקום שנהגו לגדל ולדותם יגדלו ואחר כך ימכרו מקום שנהגו שלא לגדל חייב המתעסק להטפל בולדות בדקה שלשים יום ובגסה חמשים יום וחולקין רצה להטפל בהן יתר על זמן זה שם אותן בפני שלשה ביום שלשים וביום החמשים וכל שירויחו אחר כך יטול המתעסק שלשה חלקים וחבירו רביע הריוח שהרי יש לו חצי הולד ומפני שנתעסק בחצי של חבירו נוטל חצי אותו החצי הרי שלשה רבעים ואם לא התנה כן בפני שלשה הרי מחל והולדות ביניהן בשוה כמות שהן מקום שנהגו להעלות שכר כתף למעות העסק מעלין ויהיה כל השכר שנוטל המתעסק בשכר שנושא על כתפו בכלל שכר המעות וכן אם דרכן להעלות שכר בהמה מעלין לו מקום שנהגו להעלות שכר ולדות בשכר עמלו מעלין וכל המתעסק או המשתתף סתם לא ישנה ממנהג המדינה:

The following rules apply when Reuven owns a field and invites Shimon to till it, to sow it or to plant within it, to manage the expenses spent on its account, to sell the produce, and to divide between them the profit that exceeds the cost. Whether they agreed to divide the profits equally or they agreed that Reuven would receive a larger share, whether all the expenses were undertaken by Reuven or by Shimon, any such arrangement is permitted. Even "the shade of interest" is not involved.

Shimon, who takes care of working the land, managing the expenses and selling the produce, is called a sharecropper. If the sharecropper claims: "I agreed to till the field for half the profits," but the owner of the field claims that they agreed on a third, we follow the local custom. The one whose claim departs from the local custom must bring proof to support his position.

ראובן שהיתה לו שדה והוריד שמעון לתוכה לזרעה או לנטעה ולהוציא עליה הוצאות ולמכור הפירות וכל היתר על ההוצאה יהיה ביניהם בין שהתנו שיחלקו בשוה בין שהתנו שיטול ראובן יתר בין שהיתה ההוצאה כולה משל ראובן בין שהיתה משל שמעון בכל זה מותר ואין כאן אבק ריבית ושמעון המטפל בעבודת הארץ ובהוצאה ובמכירת הפירות הוא הנקרא אריס אריס אומר למחצה ירדתי ובעל השדה אומר לשליש הורדתיו הולכין אחר מנהג המדינה וזה שטען שלא כמנהג עליו להביא ראיה:

The following laws apply when a husband hires sharecroppers to till property belonging to his wife, and then he divorces her. If the husband is himself a sharecropper, since the husband does not have any connection to the property any longer, the sharecroppers' connection also ceases. If the value of the field increases, they are granted only the share of their expenses equal to the field's increase in value. And they must support their claim with an oath.

If the husband is not a sharecropper, we assume that the sharecroppers were hired according to the custom of the land, and they are given the share granted to other sharecroppers.

בעל שהוריד אריסין בנכסי אשתו וגרשה אם היה הבעל אריס הואיל ונסתלק בעל נסתלקו הם ואין להם מן ההוצאה אלא שיעור השבח ובשבועה ואם אין הבעל אריס על דעת [מנהג] הארץ ירדו ושמין להם כאריס:

When brothers or other heirs do not divide the estate of their benefactor, but instead, they all use it together, they are considered partners in all matters.

If one of a group of brothers or one of a group of partners was appointed to the service of the king, the profit he receives is divided among them. If one of them becomes ill and is cured, the expenses required for his cure should be shared. If, however, he became sick because of his own negligence, he went out in the snow, or in the sun during the summer until he became ill or the like, he is responsible for bearing the expenses for his cure by himself.

האחין או שאר היורשין שלא חלקו ירושת מורישן אלא כולן משתמשין בה ביחד הרי הן כשותפין לכל דבר אחד מן האחין או מן השותפין שנפל לאומנות המלך הריוח לאמצע חלה אחד מהן ונתרפא נתרפא מן האמצע ואם חלה בפשיעה כגון שהלך בשלג או בחמה בימי החום עד שחלה וכיוצא בזה הרי זה מתרפא משל עצמו:

Sheluchin veShuttafin - Chapter Nine

The following - all types of partners, sharecroppers, guardians of orphans who were appointed by the court, a woman who does business in the family home or who was charged by her husband to serve as a storekeeper, and a member of the household - are all required by Rabbinic Law to take an oath, despite the fact that the claimant does not have a certain claim against them, lest they may have stolen something from their colleague while performing business on his behalf, or perhaps they were not exact when making a reckoning.

Why did the Sages ordain this oath? Because these people give themselves license, thinking that they are deserving of whatever they will take from the property of the owner, since they do business and work on his behalf. Therefore, the Sages ordained that they are required to take an oath despite the fact that the claimant does not have a certain claim against them, so that they will perform all their deeds justly and in good faith.

השותפין כולן והאריסין והאפוטרופין שמינו אותם ב"ד על היתומים והאשה שהיא נושאת ונותנת בתוך הבית או שהושיבה בעלה חנוונית ובן הבית כל אחד מאלו נשבע מדבריהם בטענת ספק שמא גזל חבירו במשא ומתן או שמא לא דקדק בחשבון שביניהם ולמה תקנו חכמים שבועה זו מפני שאלו מורין לעצמן שכל מה שיקחו מנכסי בעל המעות ראוי הוא להם מפני שנושאין ונותנין וטורחין לפיכך תקנו להם חכמים שחייבין שבועה בטענת ספק כדי שיעשו כל מעשיהן בצדק ואמונה:

None of the above are required to take an oath because of an indefinite claim until the plaintiff suspects them of taking two silver pieces - i.e., two silver me'ah, as will be explained. If, however, they are suspected of taking less than this amount, they are not required to take an oath.

ואין כל אחד מאלו נשבע בטענת ספק עד שיחשוד המשביע אותן בשתי כסף שהן שתי מעין של כסף כמו שיתבאר אבל אם חושדין בפחות מזה אינם נשבעין:

Based on this, my teachers ruled that if one partner died, the heirs cannot compel their father's partners to take an oath concerning an indefinite claim. For they are not knowledgeable about their father's affairs and do not know for certain that their father suspected the partner of wrongdoing so that it can be said that the heirs suspect the partner of taking two silver me'ah.

There are, however, others who rule that the heir may require him to take an oath despite the fact that his claim is indefinite. It is proper to rule in this manner. For we see that the heirs may require a widow who became a guardian during the lifetime of her husband to take an oath.

מכאן הורו רבותי שאם מת השותף האחד אין היורש יכול להשביע שותפו של אביו בטענת שמא שהרי אינו יודע הדבר שחשדו בו אביו בודאי כדי שיחשוד אותו זה היורש בשתי כסף ויש מי שהורה שמשביע אותו היורש בטענת שמא וכזה ראוי לדון שהרי היורשין משביעין את האשה שנעשת אפוטרופא בחיי בעלה:

Although there are no witnesses that a person was his colleague's sharecropper or partner, but rather he himself admits to this fact, saying: "I am his partner, sharecropper or member of his household - but I did not steal anything from him," he must take an oath while holding a sacred article. The rationale is that we do not employ the principle of migoto free a person from the responsibility of taking an oath, but only to free him from a financial commitment.

Which member of the household can be required to take an oath because of an indefinite claim? One who brings workers in and leads workers out, who brings produce in and takes produce out. When, however, a member of the household is not involved in the business affairs of the household, but merely enters and leaves, he cannot be required to take an oath because of an indefinite claim.

Similarly, a guardian appointed by the father of orphans before his death cannot be required by the orphans to take an oath because of an indefinite claim. Similarly, a woman who did not serve as a guardian in her husband's lifetime, and did not do business with the property of the estate after her husband's burial cannot be required to take an oath because of an indefinite claim.

Similarly, if she did business with the property of the estate between her husband's death and burial, she is not required to take an oath regarding the transactions conducted during this period. For if she were required to take an oath, she would not sell any property in order to make the burial possible, and the deceased would become loathsome.

אע"פ שאין שם עדים שזה אריסו או שותפו אלא הוא מודה מפי עצמו ואמר שותפו או אריסו או בן ביתו אני אבל לא גזלתי כלום הרי זה נשבע בנקיטת חפץ שאין אומרים מיגו לפוטרו שבועה אלא לפוטרו ממון איזהו בן הבית שיש לו להשביע בטענת ספק זה שמכניס פועלים ומוציא פועלים ומכניס לו פירות ומוציא לו פירות אבל בן הבית שאינו נושא ונותן אלא נכנס ברגלו ויוצא בלבד אינו יכול להשביע מספק וכן אפוטרופוס שמינהו אבי יתומים אין היתומים משביעין אותו בטענת ספק וכן האשה שלא נעשת אפוטרופא בחיי בעלה ולא נשאה ולא נתנה לאחר קבורת בעלה אין משביעין אותה מספק וכן אם נשאה ונתנה בין מיתה וקבורה אין משביעין על זה שנשתמש בין מיתה לקבורה שאם אתה אומר שתשבע על זה לא תמכור לקבורה ונמצא המת מתנוול:

When a person sends an article with a colleague to sell, or sends money with him to purchase produce or merchandise for him, even though the principal did not pay the agent a wage, and the agent does not own any portion of the merchandise nor derive any benefit from it, since he did business with his colleague's money, he is considered a member of his household. Even though the principal has merely an indefinite claim, the agent can be required to take an oath that he did not steal anything from him when he brought him the merchandise that he purchased or a portion of it, or the money from the sale he conducted for him.

המשלח ביד חבירו חפץ למכרו או ששלח מעות בידו לקנות לו פירות או סחורה אף על פי שלא נתן לו שכר על זה ואין לו חלק ולא הנאה בשליחות זו הואיל ונשא ונתן בממון חבירו הרי זה כבן בית ויש לו להשביע מספק שלא גזל לו כלום בעת שהביא לו הסחורה שקנה או מקצתה או המעות שמכר לו מהן:

When both partners are involved in the business of the partnership or the one who is involved in the business entrusts the merchandise - or a portion of the merchandise - or the funds belonging to the partnership without weighing, measuring or counting them, there is a doubt concerning both of them, and either one can require the other to take the oath required of a partner. If, however, only one of the partners does business and the other is not involved in the business dealings at all, only the former can be required to take this oath.

השותפין שנושאין ונותנין ביחד או שהיה האחד נושא ונותן ומפקיד הסחורה או מקצתה או המעות עם השני בלא משקל ולא מדה ולא מניין הרי שניהם נכנסין לספק ויש לכל אחד מהן להשביע את חבירו שבועת השותפין אבל אם היה האחד הוא שנושא ונותן והשני לא נתעסק עמו כלל אין נשבע אלא זה שנשא ונתן:

The above oath can be administered when the initial relationship is still current. If, however, the partners or the sharecroppers dissolved their relationship, the woman was divorced, the member of the household went elsewhere, or the agent brought the principal the merchandise he purchased for him or the money from the merchandise he sold for him, the principal remained silent without making a claim against the other party, and the other party departed, the principal is not able to require that other party to take an oath because of an indefinite claim afterwards. If, however, the principal has a definite claim against him, he can require him to take an oath, and then require him to take additional oaths concerning anything he desires.

Similarly, if at a later time, the other person is required to take an oath to the principal - whether required by Scriptural Law or by Rabbinic Law - e.g., he became a partner or a member of the person's household again - the principal can require him to take an oath that he did not steal anything during their present partnership or while he was his partner, sharecropper, member of his household or guardian previously. Similar laws apply in all analogous situations.

חלקו השותפין והאריסין ונתגרשה האשה ונפרד מעליו בן הבית והביא לו השליח סחורה שקנה לו או מעות שמכר לו בהן ושתק והלכו להם ולא תבעם מיד אינו יכול לחזור ולהשביעו בטענת ספק אבל אם היתה לו טענת ודאי משביעו עליה ומגלגל בה כל מה שירצה וכן אם נתחייב לו שבועה אחר זמן בין של תורה בין של דבריהם כגון שנעשה לו שותף או בן בית פעם אחרת הרי זה יכול לגלגל עליו שלא גזלתני בשותפות זו שבינינו ולא כשהיית שותפי או אריסי או בן ביתי או אפוטרופי בראשונה וכן כל כיוצא בזה:

When partners have dissolved their partnership, but the partnership is still owed debts by others, the partners cannot require each other to take an oath because of an indefinite claim, for they have already divided the partnership's resources. The debts that remain are not significant in this context, for they are matters of public knowledge. When any portion of the debt is repaid, they will each take their appropriate portion of the debt.

Similar concepts apply if it has been made known that cash remains in the coffers of the partnership, but the partners have not taken their portion of that cash. Neither may require an oath of the other, because cash is considered as if it is already divided.

Similarly, if a reckoning was made of the assets of the partnership possessed by all the partners, and it was determined that one partner was holding a specific and known entity belonging to another, it is considered as if the assets were divided, even though he had not taken it as of that time.

If, however, any of the produce belonging to the partnership remained, and it had not been divided or weighed, or any dimension of the partnership remained concerning which an accounting had not been made and thus, neither of them knew the extent of the portion that is due him, the partnership is still considered viable, and either may require the other to take the oath mentioned above.

השותפים שחלקו ונשאר להם חובות אצל אחרים אינן יכולין להשביע זה את זה מספק שהרי חלקו והחוב שנשאר דבר ידוע הוא בכל מה שיפרעו יקח זה חלקו מן החוב וזה חלקו מן החוב ובן אם נשאר להם מעות בכיס וכבר ידעו אותן ועדיין לא נטלו כל אחד חלקו אין משביעין זה את זה שהמעות כחלוקין הם וכן אם עשו חשבון כל השותפין ונשאר לאחד מהן אצל חבירו דבר קצוב וידוע אע"פ שעדיין לא נטלו הרי חלקו אבל אם נשאר ביניהם כל שהוא מן הפירות ועדיין לא חלקו אותן ולא ידעו משקלם או שנשאר ביניהם צד מן השותפות שלא עשו בו חשבון ולא ידע כל אחד מהן כמה חלקו המגיעו הרי השותפות קיימת עדיין ומשביעין זה את זה:

When a person issues a claim against a colleague after the dissolution of a partnership, he cannot compel him to take an oath except through the convention of gilgul sh'vuah, as explained above. He may, however, have a ban of ostracism issued against anyone who stole from his colleague while he was his partner, sharecropper or member of his household, and does not admit that he stole.

מי שתבע את חבירו אחר חלוקה אינו יכול להשביעו אלא ע"י גלגול כמו שביארנו אבל יש לו להחרים סתם על מי שגזלו כלום כשהיה שותפו או אריסו או בן ביתו ולא יודה במה שגזל:

Sheluchin veShuttafin - Chapter Ten

The following law applies when a partner claims that the partnership relationship with his colleague involved a certain stipulation, and the colleague denies that such a stipulation ever existed or admits the existence of a stipulation, but claims it was for a lesser amount than the plaintiff claims. The plaintiff may determine the oath the defendant takes.

The same ruling applies if the plaintiff asks that property belonging to the partnership be returned to him, and the defendant claims to have given it to him, but the plaintiff claims that he never received it, or the defendant claims that merchandise was his, while the plaintiff claims that it belongs to the partnership, or with regard to any other claims of this type.

What is implied? If the plaintiff desires not to require the partner to take the oath required of partners, but instead to require him to take merely a sh'vuat hesset on the claim he denies and does not admit to have taken place, he may require him to take only the lesser oath. If he desires, he can include all the claims in the oath required of a partner. Although he has an indefinite claim, he will require the partner to take an oath that he did not steal anything throughout the duration of the partnership, that these and these stipulations existed between the partners, that the merchandise was his, or that he paid this and this amount. The same principles apply in all analogous situations.

שותף שטען על חבירו שכך היה תנאי ביניהם והלה אומר לא היה תנאי זה מעולם או שטען שהקרן שלי היה כך וכך והלה אומר אינו אלא פחות מזה או שטען שכבר נתתי לך השותפות והלה אומר לא לקחתי או שסחורה זו משלי היה והלה אומר משל אמצע וכל כיוצא בטענות אלו הרשות ביד התובע בשבועה כיצד אם רצה התובע שלא ישבע השותף שבועת השותפין וישבעו היסת על הטענה שכופר בה ואומר לא היו דברים מעולם הרי זה משביעו ואם רצה מגלגל עליו כל אלו הדברים בשבועת השותפין ומשביעו בטענת ספק שלא גזלת כלום כל ימי השותפות ושהיה בינינו תנאי כך ושזו הסחורה שלך ושנתת לי כך וכך וכן כל כיוצא בזה:

The following rule applies when a person lodges a claim against a partner with the intent of obligating him to take the oath required of partners, the defendant claims: "We have already divided the assets of the partnership, and nothing that belongs to you remains in my possession," and the plaintiff differs, maintaining that the assets were not divided, nor was a reckoning made. The defendant cannot be required to take an oath because of an indefinite claim. [This ruling also applies when the plaintiff admits dividing the assets, but claims that the division was made with the stipulation that the defendant take the oath required of partners whenever the plaintiff demanded, and the defendant has constantly been procrastinating.

This ruling applies even when the defendant admits that after the division of the assets, he owed the plaintiff something, but claims that the plaintiff agreed to consider that as a debt, or considered it as an object entrusted to the defendant for safekeeping.

Even if there are witnesses that the two were once partners, the plaintiff cannot require an oath with an indefinite claim. Nor may the plaintiff require the defendant to take a sh'vuat hesset that they divided the assets or that they were never partners. The rationale is that a sh'vuat hesset is never required, nor even is a claim included in an oath using the convention of gilgul sh'vuah, unless the claim is such that if the defendant admitted it, he would be liable to pay money. If, however, the claim is one that if the defendant admitted it, he would be required only to take an oath, he may not be required to take an oath on the indefinite claim, even because of the convention of gilgul sh'vuah. Geonim, who are masters of instruction, ruled in this manner.

התובע שותפו להשביעו שבועת השותפין הנתבע אומר כבר חלקנו ולא נשאר לך אצלי כלום והתובע אומר עדיין לא חלקנו ולא עשינו חשבון או שאמר התובע חלקנו על מנת שאשביע אותך שבועת השותפין בכל עת שארצה ועדיין לא נשבעת ואתה מדחה אותי מיום ליום אינו יכול להשביעו בטענת ספק אפילו אמר הנתבע כן חלקנו ונשאר לך אצלי וזה הנשאר אינו אלא חוב שזקפתו עלי או פקדון הנחת אצלי אף על פי שיש עדים שהיה שותפו אינו יכול להשביעו בטענת ספק ואינו יכול להשביע היסת שכבר חלקו או שלא נשתתפו מעולם ואפילו על ידי גלגול לפי שאין משביעין היסת ואין מגלגלין אלא אם טענו דבר שאם יודה בה יהיה חייב לשלם ממון אבל דבר שאפילו הודה בו אינו חייב אלא שבועה אינו נשבע עליו ואפילו ע"י גלגול וכזה הורו הגאונים בעלי הוראה:

The following rule applies if the plaintiff claims: "You are still my partner, and property belonging to me worth such and such remains in your possession,"and the defendant counters, by claiming: "We already divided the assets of the partnership, and I no longer have anything belonging to you in my possession," or "I was never your partner." The defendant must take a sh'vuat hessetthat he does not possess anything belonging to the plaintiff, and because of the convention of gilgul sh'vuah, he must include in the oath that he did not steal anything from him. The defendant need not include in the oath that he was not his partner or that they already divided the assets of the partnership, for the reason explained above.

טען שעדיין שותפי אתה ונשאר לי אצלך כך וכך וזה אומר כבר חלקנו ולא נשאר לך אצלי כלום או לא היית שותפי מעולם הרי הנתבע נשבע היסת שאין לו בידו כלום ומגלגל עליו שלא גזלתני כלום מעולם ואינו מגלגל עליו שלא היו שותפו או שכבר חלקנו מן הטעם שביארנו:

The following rule applies when the plaintiff claims that he and the defendant are still partners, and that he therefore has the right to require him to take an oath because of an indefinite claim, while the defendant denies ever becoming the plaintiff's partner. If the plaintiff brings witnesses who testify that the defendant was his partner, and the defendant then claims: "We divided the assets of the partnership," his claim is not accepted. The rationale is that he was proven to be a liar with regard to this oath. Therefore, he is required to take the oath required of a partner. Similar laws apply in all analogous situations.

טען שעדיין שותפין אנחנו ויש לי להשביעך בטענת ספק והלה אומר לא נשתתפנו מעולם והביא התובע עדים שהיה שותפו וחזר הנתבע אח"כ ואמר חלקנו אין שומעין לו שהרי הוחזק כפרן לשבועה זו וישבע שבועת השותפין וכן כל כיוצא בזה:

The convention of gilgul sh'vuah is also relevant in the following situation. Reuven placed 400 dinarim in the coffers of the partnership, while Shimon invested 200 dinarim. They worked as partners and did business together, but all the money was held by Reuven. If Reuven claimed that there was a loss of 500 dinarim, Reuven may not take the oath required of partners that he suffered such a loss to require Shimon to pay 50 dinarim from his own funds. Instead, Reuven should take the oath required of partners that there was a loss. He should take the maneh that is in his possession, but Shimon is not required to pay anything.

If Reuven claims that Shimon has definite knowledge of the loss, he may require Shimon to take the oath required of partners, and based on the convention of gilgul sh'vuah, he may compel him to include that he does not have definite knowledge of this loss.

Different rules apply if Shimon was not at all involved in the work of the partnership. Shimon should take a sh'vuat hesset that he does not have definite knowledge of the loss, and he is then freed of liability. Moreover, if the maneh that remains was in Shimon's possession, it should be divided equally between them. The rationale is that a partner is not one of those who is required to take an oath and then collect money from the defendant. Instead, the oath he takes enables him merely to be freed of responsibility or to assume ownership of property in his possession. Be careful with regard to this law, for even masters of instruction have erred with regard to it.

ראובן שהטיל לכיס ארבע מאות דינרים והטיל שמעון מאתים ונשתתפו ונשאו ונתנו ביחד והרי הממון כולו ביד ראובן וטען ראובן שפחת מן הקרן חמש מאות דינרין אין אומרים ישבע ראובן שבועת השותפין שפחתו כך וישלם שמעון חמשים מביתו אלא ישבע ראובן שבועת השותפין שפחתו וילך במנה שבידו בלבד ולא ישלם שמעון כלום טען ראובן ששמעון יודע בודאי בפחת זו שפחתו יגלגל על שמעון שאינו יודע בודאי סכום הפחת הזה ואם לא נתעסק שמעון בשותפות זו כלל ישבע שמעון היסת שאינו יודע בודאי בזה ההפסד ויפטר ולא עוד אלא אם היה זה המנה הנשאר ביד שמעון חולקים אותו בשוה שאין השותף מן הנשבעין ונוטלין כדי שישבע ויטול מה שביד חבירו אלא נשבע ונפטר או נוטל מדבר שהוא תחת ידו והזהר בדין זה שכבר טעו בו בעלי הוראה:

The following law also involves the division of the assets of a partnership. Shimon claims that he owes Levi a manehbecause of this partnership. If he has resources of the partnership in his possession that are sufficient to pay the debt, and he can give them to Levi, his word is accepted. He should repay the debt, and afterwards he and Reuven should calculate how the assets should be divided.

If Shimon does not have funds from the partnership in his possession, we do not rely upon his word to expropriate money from Reuven or merchandise known to belong to the partnership, lest Shimon and Levi are perpetrating deception, seeking to obtain Reuven's property. Even if the loan is recorded in a promissory note, Reuven is not required to pay any portion of it.

If Shimon claims that Reuven has definite knowledge that the debt Shimon incurred came as a result of the partnership, and should be borne by both of them, Reuven is required to take a sh'vuat hesset that he does not know that the partnership has incurred this debt - or because of the convention of gilgul sh'vuah, he should include this statement in the oath he takes as required of partners. Afterwards, Shimon should pay the debt from his own funds.

Similarly, if there is a promissory note stating that, due to Shimon, Levi owes the partnership 100 dinarim, and Shimon claims: "I received payment and returned the money to the coffers of the partnership," or "I extended credit to him for a two- or three-year period," his word is not accepted, lest he be perpetrating deception, seeking to obtain Reuven's property.

How should this case be adjudicated? Levi was already freed from obligation through Shimon's admission. If Shimon does not bring proof of his claim, Shimon must pay Reuven's share from his own funds. He should then demand payment from Levi at the end of the time span he mentioned. Similar principles apply in all analogous situations.

טען שמעון שיש ללוי עליו חוב בזו השותפות מנה אם היה בידו כדי החוב והיה יכול ליתנו ללוי נאמן ונותנין החוב ואחר כך מחשבין ואם אין בידו ליתן אינו נאמן להוציא מיד ראובן או מן הסחורה הידועה לשותפות שמא קנוניא הם עושין שמעון ולוי על נכסי ראובן אפילו היתה המלוה בשטר אין ראובן חייב לשלם ממנה כלום אבל אם טען שמעון שראובן יודע בודאי שזה החוב שעלי מחמת השותפות הוא והחוב אצלנו הוא ישבע ראובן היסת או על ידי גלגול שאינו יודע שחוב זה אצלנו וישלם שמעון החוב משלו וכן אם יצא שטר חוב על לוי בשם שמעון במאה דינרין מממון השותפות ואמר שמעון נפרעתי והחזרתי לכיס או שאמר שמעון קבעתי לו זמן לשנה או לשתים אינו נאמן שמא קנוניא הוא עושה על נכסי ראובן וכיצד דנין בדין זה לוי כבר נפטר בהודאת שמעון ואם לא הביא שמעון ראיה ישלם מביתו ויתבע את לוי בסוף זמן שאמר וכן כל כיוצא בזה:

Hayom Yom

Today's Hayom Yom

Daily Study: Hayom Yom

Tuesday	Tamuz 24	5703
Torah lessons:	Chumash: Matot-Massai, Shlishi with Rashi.
	Tehillim: 113-118.
	Tanya: "Jacob is the (p. 365) ...is not said..." (p. 367).

From the Tzemach Tzedek's aphorisms:

For the p'nimi ("inward" person), asking for a blessing for avodaepitomizes, "Let them not pay attention to vain words."1 What is needed is to "make the avoda heavy on the people."2

Compiled and arranged by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory, in 5703 (1943) from the talks and letters of the sixth Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, of righteous memory.

FOOTNOTES

I.e. help from Above, rather than stressing one's own efforts.

Variations on Sh'mot 5:9.

Daily Thought:
Celebrate
If you are confident that G‑d will help you,
why is anxiety written across your face?
If you are truly confident, show it and celebrate!
***

Missionary Renegade

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Chabad for Shabbat, July 7, 2018 - 24 Tammuz, 5778 Halachic Times (Zmanim)

Numbers Chapter 25

Numbers Chapter 26

Jeremiah Chapter 2

Numbers Chapter 30

Igeret HaTeshuva, end of Chapter 8

Daily Mitzvah

Positive Commandment 245

Rambam - 1 Chapter a Day

Ma'achalot Assurot - Chapter 3

Ma'achalot Assurot - Chapter 3

Rambam - 3 Chapters a Day

Sheluchin veShuttafin - Chapter Eight, Sheluchin veShuttafin - Chapter Nine, Sheluchin veShuttafin - Chapter Ten

Sheluchin veShuttafin - Chapter Eight

Sheluchin veShuttafin - Chapter Nine

Sheluchin veShuttafin - Chapter Ten

Daily Study: Hayom Yom

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