Torah Reading
Balak (Numbers 22:2 Now Balak the son of Tzippor saw all that Isra’el had done to the Emori. 3 Mo’av was very afraid of the people, because there were so many of them; Mo’av was overcome with dread because of the people of Isra’el. 4 So Mo’av said to the leaders of Midyan, “This horde will lick up everything around us, the way an ox licks up grass in the field.”
Today's Laws & Customs:
Balak the son of Tzippor was king of Mo’av at that time. 5 He sent messengers to Bil‘am the son of B‘or, at P’tor by the [Euphrates] River in his native land, to tell him, “Listen, a people has come out of Egypt, spread over all the land and settled down next to me. 6 Therefore, please come, and curse this people for me, because they are stronger than I am. Maybe I will be able to strike them down and drive them out of the land, for I know that whomever you bless is in fact blessed, and whomever you curse is in fact cursed.” 7 The leaders of Mo’av and Midyan left, taking with them the payment for divining, came to Bil‘am and spoke to him the words of Balak. 8 He said to them, “Stay here tonight, and I will bring you back whatever answer Adonai tells me.” So the princes of Mo’av stayed with Bil‘am.
9 God came to Bil‘am and said, “Who are these men with you?” 10 Bil‘am said to God, “Balak the son of Tzippor, king of Mo’av, has sent me this message: 11 ‘The people who came out of Egypt have spread over the land; now, come and curse them for me; maybe I will be able to fight against them and drive them out.’” 12 God answered Bil‘am, “You are not to go with them; you are not to curse the people, because they are blessed.”
(RY: v; LY: ii) 13 Bil‘am got up in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, “Return to your own land, because Adonai refuses to give me permission to go with you.” 14 The princes of Mo’av got up, returned to Balak and said, “Bil‘am refuses to come with us.”
15 Balak again sent princes, more of them and of higher status than the first group. 16 They went to Bil‘am and said to him, “Here is what Balak the son of Tzippor says: ‘Please don’t let anything keep you from coming to me. 17 I will reward you very well, and whatever you say to me I will do. So please come, and curse this people for me.’” 18 Bil‘am answered the servants of Balak, “Even if Balak were to give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of Adonai my God to do anything, great or small. 19 Now, please, you too, stay here tonight; so that I may find out what else Adonai will say to me.” 20 God came to Bil‘am during the night and said to him, “If the men have come to summon you, get up and go with them; but do only what I tell you.”
(LY: iii) 21 So Bil‘am got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Mo’av. 22 But God’s anger flared up because he went, and the angel of Adonai stationed himself on the path to bar his way. He was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 The donkey saw the angel of Adonai standing on the road, drawn sword in hand; so the donkey turned off the road into the field; and Bil‘am had to beat the donkey to get it back on the road. 24 Then the angel of Adonai stood on the road where it became narrow as it passed among the vineyards and had stone walls on both sides. 25 The donkey saw the angel of Adonai and pushed up against the wall, crushing Bil‘am’s foot against the wall. So he beat it again. 26 The angel of Adonai moved ahead and stood in a place so tight that there was no room to turn either right or left. 27 Again the donkey saw the angel of Adonai and lay down under Bil‘am, which made him so angry that he hit the donkey with his stick. 28 But Adonai enabled the donkey to speak, and it said to Bil‘am, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?” 29 Bil‘am said to the donkey, “It’s because you’ve been making a fool of me! I wish I had a sword in my hand; I would kill you on the spot!” 30 The donkey said to Bil‘am, “I’m your donkey, right? You’ve ridden me all your life, right? Have I ever treated you like this before?” “No,” he admitted. 31 Then Adonai opened Bil‘am’s eyes, so that he could see the angel of Adonai standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand, and he bowed his head and fell on his face. 32 The angel of Adonai said to him, “Why did you hit your donkey three times like that? I have come out here to bar your way, because you are rushing to oppose me. 33 The donkey saw me and turned aside these three times; and indeed, if she hadn’t turned away from me, I would have killed you by now and saved it alive!” 34 Bil‘am said to the angel of Adonai, “I have sinned. I didn’t know that you were standing on the road to block me. Now, therefore, if what I am doing displeases you, I will go back.” 35 But the angel of Adonai said to Bil‘am, “No, go on with the men; but you are to say only what I tell you to say.” So Bil‘am went along with the princes of Balak.
36 When Balak heard that Bil‘am had come, he went out to meet him in the city of Mo’av at the Arnon border, in the farthest reaches of the territory. 37 Balak said to Bil‘am, “I sent more than once to summon you! Why didn’t you come to me? Did you think I couldn’t pay you enough?” 38 Bil‘am replied to Balak, “Here, I’ve come to you! But I have no power of my own to say anything. The word that God puts in my mouth is what I will say.”
(RY: vi, LY: iv) 39 Bil‘am went with Balak. When they arrived at Kiryat-Hutzot, 40 Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, then sent to Bil‘am and the princes with him. 41 In the morning Balak took Bil‘am and brought him up to the high places of Ba‘al; from there he could see a portion of the people.
23:1 Bil‘am said to Balak, “Build me seven altars here, and prepare me seven bulls and seven rams here.” 2 Balak did as Bil‘am said; then Balak and Bil‘am offered a bull and a ram on each altar. 3 Bil‘am said to Balak, “Stand by your burnt offering while I go off; maybe Adonai will come and meet me; and whatever he shows me I will tell you.” He went off to a bare hill. 4 God met Bil‘am, who said to him, “I prepared the seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.” 5 Then Adonai put a word in Bil‘am’s mouth and said, “Go on back to Balak, and speak as I tell you.” 6 He went back to him, and there, standing by his burnt offering, he with all the princes of Mo’av, 7 he made his pronouncement:
“Balak, the king of Mo’av,
brings me from Aram, from the eastern hills, saying,
‘Come, curse Ya‘akov for me;
come and denounce Isra’el.’
8 “How am I to curse
those whom God has not cursed?
How am I to denounce
those whom Adonai has not denounced?
9 “From the top of the rocks I see them,
from the hills I behold them —
yes, a people that will dwell alone
and not think itself one of the nations.
10 “Who has counted the dust of Ya‘akov
or numbered the ashes of Isra’el?
May I die as the righteous die!
May my end be like theirs!”
11 Balak said to Bil‘am, “What have you done to me?! To curse my enemies is why I brought you; and, here, you have totally blessed them!” 12 He answered, “Mustn’t I take care to say just what Adonai puts in my mouth?”
(LY: v) 13 Balak said to him, “All right, come with me to another place where you can see them. You will see only some of them, not all; but you can curse them for me from there.” 14 He took him through the field of Tzofim to the top of the Pisgah Range, built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar. 15 Bil‘am said to Balak, “Stand here by your burnt offering, while I go over there for a meeting.” 16 Adonai met Bil‘am, put a word in his mouth and said, “Go on back to Balak, and speak as I tell you.” 17 He came to him and stood by his burnt offering, with all the princes of Mo’av. Balak asked him, “What did Adonai say?” 18 Then Bil‘am made his pronouncement:
“Get up, Balak, and listen!
Turn your ears to me, son of Tzippor!
19 “God is not a human who lies
or a mortal who changes his mind.
When he says something, he will do it;
when he makes a promise, he will fulfill it.
20 Look, I am ordered to bless;
when he blesses, I can’t reverse it.
21 “No one has seen guilt in Ya‘akov,
or perceived perversity in Isra’el;
Adonai their God is with them
and acclaimed as king among them.
22 “God, who brought them out of Egypt,
gives them the strength of a wild ox;
23 thus one can’t put a spell on Ya‘akov,
no magic will work against Isra’el.
It can now be said of Ya‘akov and Isra’el,
‘What is this that God has done?!’
24 “Here is a people rising up like a lioness;
like a lion he rears himself up —
he will not lie down till he eats up the prey
and drinks the blood of the slain.”
25 Balak said to Bil‘am, “Obviously, you won’t curse them. But at least don’t bless them!” 26 However, Bil‘am answered Balak, “Didn’t I warn you that I must do everything Adonai says?”
(RY: vii, LY: vi) 27 Balak said to Bil‘am, “Come, I will take you now to another place; maybe it will please God for you to curse them for me from there.” 28 Balak took Bil‘am to the top of P‘or, overlooking the desert. 29 Bil‘am said to Balak, “Build me seven altars here, and prepare me seven bulls and seven rams.” 30 Balak did as Bil‘am said and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
24:1 When Bil‘am saw that it pleased Adonai to bless Isra’el, he didn’t go, as at the other times, to make use of divination, but looked out toward the desert. 2 Bil‘am raised his eyes and saw Isra’el encamped tribe by tribe. Then the Spirit of God came upon him, 3 and he made his pronouncement:
“This is the speech of Bil‘am, son of B‘or;
the speech of the man whose eyes have been opened;
4 the speech of him who hears God’s words;
who sees what Shaddai sees,
who has fallen, yet has open eyes:
5 “How lovely are your tents, Ya‘akov;
your encampments, Isra’el!
6 They spread out like valleys,
like gardens by the riverside,
like succulent aloes planted by Adonai,
like cedar trees next to the water.
7 “Water will flow from their branches,
their seed will have water aplenty.
Their king will be higher than Agag
and his kingdom lifted high.
8 God, who brought them out of Egypt,
gives them the strength of a wild ox.
They will devour the nations opposing them,
break their bones, pierce them with their arrows.
9 “When they lie down they crouch like a lion,
or like a lioness — who dares to rouse it?
Blessed be all who bless you!
Cursed be all who curse you!”
10 Balak blazed with fury against Bil‘am. He struck his hands together and said to Bil‘am, “I summoned you to curse my enemies. But here, you have done nothing but bless them — three times already! 11 Now you had better escape to your own place! I had planned to reward you very well, but now Adonai has deprived you of payment.”
12 Bil‘am answered Balak, “Didn’t I tell the messengers you sent me 13 that even if Balak would give me his palace full of silver and gold, I could not of my own accord go beyond the word of Adonai to do either good or bad? that what Adonai said is what I would say? (LY: vii) 14 But now that I am going back to my own people, come, I will warn you what this people will do to your people in the acharit-hayamim. 15 So he made his pronouncement:
“This is the speech of Bil‘am, son of B‘or;
the speech of the man whose eyes have been opened;
16 the speech of him who hears God’s words;
who knows what ‘Elyon knows,
who sees what Shaddai sees,
who has fallen, yet has open eyes:
17 “I see him, but not now;
I behold him, but not soon —
a star will step forth from Ya‘akov,
a scepter will arise from Isra’el,
to crush the corners of Mo’av
and destroy all descendants of Shet.
18 His enemies will be his possessions —
Edom and Se‘ir, possessions.
Isra’el will do valiantly,
19 From Ya‘akov will come someone who will rule,
and he will destroy what is left of the city.”
20 He saw ‘Amalek and made this pronouncement:
“First among nations was ‘Amalek,
but destruction will be its end.”
21 He saw the Keini and made this pronouncement:
“Though your dwelling is firm,
your nest set on rock,
22 Kayin will be wasted
while captive to Ashur.”
23 Finally, he made this pronouncement:
“Oh no! Who can live when God does this?
24 But ships will come from the coast of Kittim
to subdue Ashur and subdue ‘Ever,
but they too will come to destruction.”
25 Then Bil‘am got up, left and returned to his home; and Balak too went his way.
25:1 Isra’el stayed at Sheetim, and there the people began whoring with the women of Mo’av. 2 These women invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, where the people ate and bowed down to their gods. 3 With Isra’el thus joined to Ba‘al-P‘or, the anger of Adonai blazed up against Isra’el.
4 Adonai said to Moshe, “Take all the chiefs of the people, and hang them facing the sun before Adonai, so that the raging fury of Adonai will turn away from Isra’el.” 5 Moshe said to the judges of Isra’el, “Each of you is to put to death those in his tribe who have joined themselves to Ba‘al-P‘or.”
6 Just then, in the sight of Moshe and the whole community of Isra’el, as they were weeping at the entrance to the tent of meeting, a man from Isra’el came by, bringing to his family a woman from Midyan. (Maftir) 7 When Pinchas the son of El‘azar, the son of Aharon the cohen, saw it, he got up from the middle of the crowd, took a spear in his hand, 8 and pursued the man from Isra’el right into the inner part of the tent, where he thrust his spear through both of them — the man from Isra’el and the woman through her stomach. Thus was the plague among the people of Isra’el stopped; 9 nevertheless, 24,000 died in the plague.)
• Fast Day Postponed
To mourn the breaching of Jerusalem's walls and the other tragic events that occurred on this day (see "Today in Jewish History") and repent and rectify their causes, Tammuz 17 was instituted as a fast day. This year, however, the actual fast is held tomorrow (Sunday), due to the holiness of Shabbat
• "The Three Weeks" Begin
The 17th of Tammuz also marks the beginning of The Three Weeks period of mourning which culminates on the 9th of Av, commemorating 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. (Consult the Code of Jewish Law (Shulchan Aruch) or a qualified rabbi regarding specific proscriptions).
The Lubavitcher Rebbe urged that the Three Weeks should be a time of increased giving of charity and Torah study (in keeping with the verse (Isaiah1:27), "Zion shall be redeemed by law, and her returnees by charity"), particularly the study of those portions of Torah that deal with the laws and the deeper significance of the Holy Temple.
Links:
TheThreeWeeks.com
Some Laws and Customs of the Three Weeks
About Holy Temple
• Ethics of the Fathers: Chapter 6
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 Six.
Link: Ethics of the Fathers, Chapter 6
Today in Jewish History:
• Moses Breaks Tablets (1313 BCE)
The Talmud (Taanit 28b) lists five tragic events in Jewish history that occurred on Tammuz 17, on account of which a fast was instituted on this day (see Laws & Customs").
The first of these occurred in 1313 BCE, forty days after the Giving of the Torah on Sivan 6. Upon descending Mount Sinai and witnessing Israel's worship of the Golden Calf (see "Today in Jewish History" for yesterday, Tammuz 16), Moses smashed the Tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments which he was carrying down from the mountain.
(for the other four tragedies of Tammuz 17, see below)
Links:
Broken & Whole
The 120-Day Version of the Human Story
Moses Breaks the Tablets
• Temple Service Disrupted (423 BCE)
The daily sacrificial offerings (Korban Tamid) in the Holy Temple were discontinued, three weeks before the Babylonians' destruction of the First Temple in 423 BCE.
• Jerusalem Walls Breached (69 CE)
The other three national tragedies mourned on Tammuz 17 are connected with the Roman conquest of Jerusalem and their destruction of the Second Temple in the year 69 CE:
--The walls of the besieged city of Jerusalem were breached.
--The Roman general Apostomus burned the Torah and,
--placed an idol in the Holy Temple.
The fighting in Jerusalem continued for three weeks until the 9th of Av, when the Holy Temple was set aflame.
Links:
The Destruction of the Holy Temple
The Three Weeks
Daily Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: with Rashi
• Chapter 24
14And now, I am going to my people. Come, I will advise you...what this people will do to your people at the end of days." ידוְעַתָּה הִנְנִי הוֹלֵךְ לְעַמִּי לְכָה אִיעָצְךָ אֲשֶׁר יַעֲשֶׂה הָעָם הַזֶּה לְעַמְּךָ בְּאַחֲרִית הַיָּמִים:
I am going to my people: “From now I am like the rest of my people,” for the Holy One, blessed is He, had departed from him. הולך לעמי: מעתה הריני כשאר עמי, שנסתלק הקב"ה מעליו:
Come, I will advise you: what action you should take. What is that counsel? “The God of these [people] hates immorality [thus, entice them to sin with your women…] as it is related in [the chapter of] Cheilek (Sanh. 106a). The proof that Balaam offered this counsel to cause them to stumble through immorality is that it says, ”They were the ones who were involved with the children of Israel on Balaam’s advice" (31:16). לכה איעצך: מה לך לעשות. ומה היא העצה, אלהיהם של אלו שונא זמה הוא כו', כדאיתא בחלק (סנהדרין קו א) תדע שבלעם השיא עצה זו להכשילם בזמה, שהרי נאמר הן הנה היו לבני ישראל בדבר בלעם (לקמן לא, טז):
what this people will do to your people: This is an elliptical verse, [and it means,] I will advise you how to make them stumble, and tell you how they will punish Moab at the end of days. “And crush the princes of Moab” (verse 17); the Targum [Onkelos] elaborates on the abbreviated Hebrew. אשר יעשה העם הזה לעמך: מקרא קצר הוא זה, איעצך להכשילם, ואומר לך מה שהן עתידין להרע למואב באחרית הימים:
15He took up his parable and said, "The word of Balaam, son of Beor, the word of a man with an open eye. טווַיִּשָּׂא מְשָׁלוֹ וַיֹּאמַר נְאֻם בִּלְעָם בְּנוֹ בְעֹר וּנְאֻם הַגֶּבֶר שְׁתֻם הָעָיִן:
16The word of the one who hears God's sayings and perceives the thoughts of the Most High; who sees the vision of the Almighty, fallen yet with open eyes. טזנְאֻם שֹׁמֵעַ אִמְרֵי אֵל וְיֹדֵעַ דַּעַת עֶלְיוֹן מַחֲזֵה שַׁדַּי יֶחֱזֶה נֹפֵל וּגְלוּי עֵינָיִם:
and perceives the thoughts of the Most High: to determine the precise moment that He becomes angry. - [Ber. 7a] ויודע דעת עליון: לכוין השעה שכועס בה:
17I see it, but not now; I behold it, but not soon. A star has gone forth from Jacob, and a staff will arise from Israel which will crush the princes of Moab and uproot all the sons of Seth. יזאֶרְאֶנּוּ וְלֹא עַתָּה אֲשׁוּרֶנּוּ וְלֹא קָרוֹב דָּרַךְ כּוֹכָב מִיַּעֲקֹב וְקָם שֵׁבֶט מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל וּמָחַץ פַּאֲתֵי מוֹאָב וְקַרְקַר כָּל בְּנֵי שֵׁת:
I see it: I see that prominence and greatness of Jacob, but it is not at present, only at a later time. אראנו: רואה אני שבחו של יעקב וגדולתן, אך לא עתה היא, אלא לאחר זמן:
A star has gone forth: As the Targum [Onkelos] renders, an expression similar to“He has bent (דָּרַ) his bow” (Lam. 2:4), for a star shoots out like an arrow; in old French, destent, as if to say, his good fortune shall rise [prosper]. דרך כוכב: כתרגומו, לשון דרך קשתו (איכה ב ד), שהכוכב עובר כחץ, ובלע"ז דישטנ"ט (מזנק) כלומר יקום משל:
and a staff will arise: A king who rules dominantly. וקם שבט: מלך רודה ומושל:
which will crush the princes of Moab: This refers to David, of whom it says,“he laid them on the ground and measured two cord-lengths to put to death…” (II Sam. 8:2). - [Mid. Aggadah] ומחץ פאתי מואב: התרגום מפרש קוצר העברי ויקטול וכו':
and uproot: Heb. וְקַרְקַר is a term denoting ‘digging’ as in,“I dug (קַרְתִּי) ” (II Kings 19:24);“to the hole of the pit from which you were dug out (נֻקַּרְתֶּם) ” (Is. 51:1);“may the ravens of the valley pick it out (יִקְּרוּהָ) ” (Prov. 30:17); in French, forer. ומחץ פאתי מואב: זה דוד, שנאמר בו השכב אותם ארצה וימדד שני חבלים להמית וגו' (שמואל ב' ח ב):
all the sons of Seth: All the nations, for they are all descended from Seth, the son of Adam [lit., the first man]. וקרקר: לשון קורה כמו אני קרתי (מלכים ב' יט כד) מקבת בור נקרתם (ישעיה נא א) יקרוה עורבי נחל (משלי ל יז) פורי"יר בלע"ז (לנקב):
18Edom shall be possessed, and Seir shall become the possession of his enemies, and Israel shall triumph. יחוְהָיָה אֱדוֹם יְרֵשָׁה וְהָיָה יְרֵשָׁה שֵׂעִיר אֹיְבָיו וְיִשְׂרָאֵל עֹשֶׂה חָיִל:
and Seir shall become the possession of his enemies: For his enemy, Israel. והיה ירשה שעיר אויביו: ישראל:
19A ruler shall come out of Jacob, and destroy the remnant of the city." יטוְיֵרְדְּ מִיַּעֲקֹב וְהֶאֱבִיד שָׂרִיד מֵעִיר:
A ruler shall come out of Jacob: There will be another ruler from Jacob. וירד מיעקב: ועוד יהיה מושל אחר מיעקב:
and destroy the remnant of the city: Of the most prominent [city] of Edom, that is, Rome. He says this regarding the King Messiah, of whom it says, “and may he reign from sea to sea,” (Ps. 72:8),“ and the house of Esau shall have no survivors” (Obad. 1:18). - [Mid. Aggadah] והאביד שריד מעיר: מעיר החשובה של אדום והיא רומי, ועל מלך המשיח אומר כן, שנאמר בו וירד מים עד ים (תהלים עב ח) ולא יהיה שריד לבית עשו (עובדיה א, יח):
20When he saw Amalek, he took up his parable and said, "Amalek was the first of the nations, and his fate shall be everlasting destruction." כוַיַּרְא אֶת עֲמָלֵק וַיִּשָּׂא מְשָׁלוֹ וַיֹּאמַר רֵאשִׁית גּוֹיִם עֲמָלֵק וְאַחֲרִיתוֹ עֲדֵי אֹבֵד:
He saw Amalek: He perceived the retribution destined to befall Amalek. וירא את עמלק: נסתכל בפורענותו של עמלק:
Amalek was the first of the nations: He came before all of them to make war with Israel, and so Targum renders. And his fate shall be to perish by their hand, as it says, “You shall obliterate the remembrance of Amalek” (Deut. 25:19). ראשית גוים עמלק: הוא קדם את כלם להלחם בישראל, וכך תרגם אונקלוס ואחריתו ליאבד בידם, שנאמר תמחה את זכר עמלק (דברים כה יט):
21When he saw the Kenite, he took up his parable and said, "How firm is your dwelling place, and your nest is set in a cliff. כאוַיַּרְא אֶת הַקֵּינִי וַיִּשָּׂא מְשָׁלוֹ וַיֹּאמַר אֵיתָן מוֹשָׁבֶךָ וְשִׂים בַּסֶּלַע קִנֶּךָ:
He saw the Kenite and said: Since the Kenites were encamped near Amalek, as it is said, “Saul said to the Kenite…” (I Sam. 15:6), he mentions him after Amalek. He perceived the greatness of the sons of Jethro [known also as Keni], of whom it is said,“Tirathites (תִּרְעָתִים), Shimathites (שִׁמְעָתִים), Sochathites (סוֹכָתִים)” (I Chron. 2:55), [expounded on in Sifrei (Beha’alothecha 42) as follows: תִּרְעָתִים, so called because they heard the shofar blast (תְּרוּעָה) on Mount Sinai, because they would cry out (מַתְרִיעִים) and be answered, because they dwelled at the entrance to the gates (תַּרְעֵי) of Jerusalem; שִׁמְעָתִים, so called because they obeyed (שָׁמְעוּ) their father’s command (to abstain from drinking wine and to live in tents, as in Jer. 35:8, 9); סוֹכָתִים, so called because they did not anoint themselves (לֹא סָכוּ) with oil and because they dwelt in booths (סֻכּוֹת)]. וירא את הקיני: לפי שהיה קיני תקוע אצל עמלק, כענין שנאמר ויאמר שאול אל הקיני וגו' (שמואל א' טו, ו) הזכירו אחר עמלק, נסתכל בגדולתן של בני יתרו שנאמר בהם תרעתים שמעתים שוכתים (דברי הימים א' ב נה):
How firm is your dwelling place: [Balaam asks Jethro, who is Keni,] “I wonder how you merited this? Were you not with me in the counsel [we gave Pharaoh] ”Come, let us deal wisely with them"? (Exod. 1:10) Yet now you have settled yourself in the firmness and strength of Israel. — [Sanh. 106a] איתן מושבך: תמה אני מהיכן זכית לכך הלא אתה עמי היית בעצת הבה נתחכמה לו (שמות א י), ועתה נתישבת באיתן ומעוז של ישראל:
22For if Kain is laid waste, how far will Assyria take you captive?" כבכִּי אִם יִהְיֶה לְבָעֵר קָיִן עַד מָה אַשּׁוּר תִּשְׁבֶּךָּ:
For if Kain is laid waste: Fortunate are you that you are settled in this stronghold, for you will never be banished from the world. Even if you are destined to be exiled with the ten tribes, and be eliminated from the place where you had settled, what of it? כי אם יהיה לבער קין וגו': אשריך שנתקעת לתוקף זה שאינך נטרד עוד מן העולם, כי אף אם אתה עתיד לגלות עם עשרת השבטים ותהיה לבער ממקום שנתישבת שם, מה בכך:
how far will Assyria take you captive?: How far will he exile you? Perhaps as far as Halah or Habor? That is not considered being banished from the world, but being moved from one place to another, and you shall return with the other exiles. עד מה אשור תשבך: עד היכן הוא מגלה אותך, שמא לחלח וחבור, אין זה טרוד מן העולם, אלא טלטול ממקום למקום ותשוב עם שאר הגליות:
23He took up his parable and said, Alas! Who can survive these things from God? כגוַיִּשָּׂא מְשָׁלוֹ וַיֹּאמַר אוֹי מִי יִחְיֶה מִשֻּׂמוֹ אֵל:
He took up his parable…: Since he mentioned the captivity by Assyria, he says- וישא משלו וגו': כיון שהזכיר את שביית אשור אמר
Alas! Who can survive these things from God?: Who can save himself from the One who designates these things, so that the One who decrees [namely, God] should not put these things [into effect] against him? [And what are these terrible things?] That Sennacherib will arise and confuse all the nations, and furthermore, “ships will come from the Kittites”-the Kittites, who are the Romans, shall go forth in huge warships against Assyria. אוי מי יחיה משומו אל : מי יכול להחיות את עצמו משומו את אלה שלא ישים עליו הגוזר את אלה, שיעמוד סנחריב ויבלבל את כל האומות, ועוד יבואו צים מיד כתים ויעברו כתיים שהן רומיים בבירניות גדולות על אשור:
24Ships will come from the Kittites and afflict Assyria and afflict those on the other side, but he too will perish forever." כדוְצִים מִיַּד כִּתִּים וְעִנּוּ אַשּׁוּר וְעִנּוּ עֵבֶר וְגַם הוּא עֲדֵי אֹבֵד:
and afflict those on the other side: And they shall afflict those on the other side of the river [Euphrates]. וענו אשור וענו עבר: וענו אותם שבעבר הנהר:
but he too will perish forever: Similarly does Daniel explain [concerning the Roman empire],“until the beast was slain and its body destroyed” (Dan. 7:11). וגם הוא עדי אובד: וכן פירש דניאל עד די קטילת חיותא והובד גשמה (דניאל ז יא):
ships: Heb. וְצִים, huge ships, as it is written,“ וְצִי אַדִּיר ” (Is. 33:21) which the Targum [Jonathan] renders as“a great ship.” - [Yoma 77b] וצים: ספינות גדולות, כדכתיב וצי אדיר (ישעיה לג כא) תרגומו ובורני רבתא:
25Balaam arose, went, and returned home, and Balak went on his way. כהוַיָּקָם בִּלְעָם וַיֵּלֶךְ וַיָּשָׁב לִמְקֹמוֹ וְגַם בָּלָק הָלַךְ לְדַרְכּוֹ:
Chapter 25
1Israel settled in Shittim, and the people began to commit harlotry with the daughters of the Moabites. אוַיֵּשֶׁב יִשְׂרָאֵל בַּשִּׁטִּים וַיָּחֶל הָעָם לִזְנוֹת אֶל בְּנוֹת מוֹאָב:
in Shittim: That is its name. — [Sanh. 106a] בשטים: כך שמה:
to commit harlotry with the daughters of Moab: As a result of Balaam’s advice, as is stated in [the chapter entitled] "Cheilek’ (Sanh. 106a). לזנות אל בנות מואב: על ידי עצת בלעם כדאיתא בחלק:
2They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and prostrated themselves to their gods. בוַתִּקְרֶאןָ לָעָם לְזִבְחֵי אֱלֹהֵיהֶן וַיֹּאכַל הָעָם וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲווּ לֵאלֹהֵיהֶן:
and prostrated themselves to their gods: When his urge overcame him, and he said to her, “Submit to me,” she took out an image of Peor from her bosom and said to him, “Bow down before this.” - [Sifrei Balak 1] וישתחוו לאלהיהן: כשתקף יצרו עליו ואומר לה השמעי לי, והיא מוציאה לו דמות פעור מחיקה ואומרת לו השתחוה לזה:
3Israel became attached to Baal Peor, and the anger of the Lord flared against Israel. גוַיִּצָּמֶד יִשְׂרָאֵל לְבַעַל פְּעוֹר וַיִּחַר אַף יְהֹוָה בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל:
Peor: [פְּעוֹר was so named] because before it they bared פּוֹעֲרִין their anus before it and relieved themselves. This was the manner of its worship. - [Sifrei Balak 1] פעור: על שם שפוערין לפניו פי הטבעת ומוציאין רעי, וזו היא עבודתו:
and the anger of the Lord flared against Israel: He sent a plague upon them. ויחר אף ה' בישראל: שלח בהם מגפה:
4The Lord said to Moses, "Take all the leaders of the people and hang them before the Lord, facing the sun, and then the flaring anger of the Lord will be removed from Israel. דוַיֹּאמֶר יְהֹוָה אֶל משֶׁה קַח אֶת כָּל רָאשֵׁי הָעָם וְהוֹקַע אוֹתָם לַיהֹוָה נֶגֶד הַשָּׁמֶשׁ וְיָשֹׁב חֲרוֹן אַף יְהֹוָה מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל:
Take all the leaders of the people: to judge those who worshipped Peor. — [Sanh. 35a] קח את כל ראשי העם: לשפוט את העובדים לפעור:
and hang them: The [idol] worshippers. והוקע אותם: את העובדים:
and hang them: Heb. הוֹקַע. This refers to [death by] hanging, as we find with the sons of Saul [where a similar expression is used,]“and we shall hang them (הוֹקַעֲנוּם) for the Lord” (II Sam. 21:6), and there hanging is specifically mentioned. Idolatry is [punishable] by stoning, and all those stoned are also hanged [as is stated in Sanh. 45b according to Rabbi Eliezer]. והוקע: היא תליה, כמו שמצינו בבני שאול והוקענום לה' (שמואל ב' כא ו) ושם תליה מפורשת בעבודה זרה בסקילה, וכל הנסקלין נתלין:
facing the sun: for all to see. The Midrash Aggadah (Mid. Tanchuma Balak 19) says: The sun identified the sinners, for the cloud folded back from the area above him and the sun shone on him. — נגד השמש: לעין כל. ומדרש אגדה השמש מודיע את החוטאים, הענן נקפל מכנגדו והחמה זורחת עליו:
5Moses said to the judges of Israel, "Each of you shall kill the men who became attached to Baal Peor. הוַיֹּאמֶר משֶׁה אֶל שֹׁפְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הִרְגוּ אִישׁ אֲנָשָׁיו הַנִּצְמָדִים לְבַעַל פְּעוֹר:
Each of you shall kill the men: Each one of the Israelite judges executed two, and there were eighty-eight thousand Israelite judges, as is stated in Sanhedrin [18a]. הרגו איש אנשיו: כל אחד ואחד מדייני ישראל היה הורג שנים, ודייני ישראל שמונה רבוא ושמונת אלפים, כדאיתא בסנהדרין (יח א):
6Then an Israelite man came and brought the Midianite woman to his brethren, before the eyes of Moses and before the eyes of the entire congregation of the children of Israel, while they were weeping at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. ווְהִנֵּה אִישׁ מִבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בָּא וַיַּקְרֵב אֶל אֶחָיו אֶת הַמִּדְיָנִית לְעֵינֵי משֶׁה וּלְעֵינֵי כָּל עֲדַת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְהֵמָּה בֹכִים פֶּתַח אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד:
Then an Israelite man came: The tribe of Simeon gathered around Zimri, who was their prince, and they said to him, “We have been sentenced to death, yet you sit there [and remain silent] etc.,” as it is related in [the chapter of] Elu hen hanisrafin’ (Sanh. 82a). והנה איש מבני ישראל בא: נתקבצו שבטו של שמעון אצל זמרי שהיה נשיא שלהם, אמרו לו אנו נדונין במיתה ואתה יושב וכו', כדאיתא באלו הן הנשרפין (סנהדרין דף פב א):
the Midianite woman: Cozbi the daughter of Zur (see verse 15). את המדינית: כזבי בת צור:
before the eyes of Moses: They said to him, “Moses, is this one forbidden or is she permitted? If you say it is forbidden, who permitted for you the daughter of Jethro…?” as is stated there (Sanh. 82a). לעיני משה: אמרו לו משה, זו אסורה או מותרת, אם תאמר אסורה, בת יתרו מי התירה לך וכו', כדאיתא התם:
while they were weeping: The law [that anyone cohabiting with a non-Jewish woman is to be executed by zealots] eluded him. [Therefore,] they all burst out weeping. At the incident of the golden calf Moses [successfully] confronted six hundred thousand as it says, “He ground it until it was powder…” (Exod. 32:20), yet here he appeared so helpless? However, [this happened] so that Phinehas should come and take what was due to him. — [Mid. Tanchuma Balak 20] והמה בוכים: נתעלמה ממנו הלכה כל הבועל ארמית קנאים פוגעים בו געו כלם בבכיה. בעגל עמד משה כנגש ששים רבוא, שנאמר (שמות לב כ) ויטחן עד אשר דק וגו' וכאן רפו ידיו, אלא כדי שיבא פינחס ויטול את הראוי לו:
7Phinehas the son of Eleazar the son of Aaron the kohen saw this, arose from the congregation, and took a spear in his hand. זוַיַּרְא פִּינְחָס בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן אַהֲרֹן הַכֹּהֵן וַיָּקָם מִתּוֹךְ הָעֵדָה וַיִּקַּח רֹמַח בְּיָדוֹ:
Phinehas…saw: He saw the deed and reminded himself of the law. He said to Moses, “I learned from you, ‘If someone cohabits with an Aramean [heathen] woman, zealots have a right to strike him [dead].’ ” He replied to him, “Let the one who reads the letter be the agent to carry it out.” Immediately,“he took a spear in his hand….” - [Sanh. 82a] וירא פינחס: ראה מעשה ונזכר הלכה, אמר לו למשה מקובלני ממך הבועל ארמית קנאין פוגעין בו, אמר לו קריינא דאגרתא איהו ליהוי פרוונקא, מיד ויקח רומח בידו וגו':
8He went after the Israelite man into the chamber and drove [it through] both of them; the Israelite man, and the woman through her stomach, and the plague ceased from the children of Israel. חוַיָּבֹא אַחַר אִישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶל הַקֻּבָּה וַיִּדְקֹר אֶת שְׁנֵיהֶם אֵת אִישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאֶת הָאִשָּׁה אֶל קֳבָתָהּ וַתֵּעָצַר הַמַּגֵּפָה מֵעַל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל:
into the chamber: Into the tent. אל הקבה: אל האהל:
through her stomach: Heb. קֳבָתָהּ, as in,“the jaw and the maw (וְהַקֵּבָה)” (Deut. 18:3). He aimed for the male organ of Zimri and her female organs and everyone saw that he had not killed them for nothing. Many miracles happened to him…, as it is related there (Sanh. 82b). אל קבתה: [אל הקיבה] כמו הלחיים והקיבה כיון בתוך זכרות של זמרי ונקבות שלה, וראו כלם שלא לחנם הרגם, והרבה נסים נעשו לו כו', כדאיתא התם (סנהדרין פב ב):
9Those that died in the plague numbered twenty four thousand. טוַיִּהְיוּ הַמֵּתִים בַּמַּגֵּפָה אַרְבָּעָה וְעֶשְׂרִים אָלֶף:
Daily Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 83 - 87
• Chapter 83
A prayer regarding the wars against Israel in the days of Jehoshaphat, when the nations plotted against Israel.
1. A song, a psalm by Asaph.
2. O God, do not be silent; do not be quiet and do not be still, O God.
3. For behold, Your enemies are in uproar, and those who hate You have raised their head.
4. They plot deviously against Your nation, and conspire against those sheltered by You.
5. They say, "Come, let us sever them from nationhood, and the name of Israel will be remembered no more.”
6. For they conspire with a unanimous heart, they made a covenant against You-
7. the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites,
8. Geval and Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre.
9. Assyria, too, joined with them, and became the strength of the sons of Lot, Selah.
10. Do to them as to Midian; as to Sisera and Yavin at the brook of Kishon,
11. who were destroyed at Ein Dor, and were as dung for the earth.
12. Make their nobles like Orev and Ze'ev, all their princes like Zevach and Tzalmuna,1
13. who said, "Let us inherit the dwellings of God for ourselves.”
14. My God, make them like whirling chaff, like straw before the wind.
15. As a fire consumes the forest, and a flame sets the mountains ablaze,
16. so pursue them with Your tempest and terrify them with Your storm.
17. Fill their faces with shame, and they will seek Your Name, O Lord.
18. Let them be shamed and terrified forever; let them be disgraced and perish.
19. And they will know that You, Whose Name is the Lord, are alone, Most High over all the earth.
Chapter 84
In this psalm of prayers and entreaties, the psalmist mourns bitterly over the destruction of Temple from the depths of his heart, and speaks of the many blessings that will be realized upon its restoration. Fortunate is the one who trusts it will be rebuilt, and does not despair in the face of this long exile.
1. For the Conductor, on the gittit,1 a psalm by the sons of Korach.
2. How beloved are Your dwellings, O Lord of Hosts!
3. My soul yearns, indeed it pines, for the courtyards of the Lord; my heart and my flesh [long to] sing to the living God.
4. Even the bird has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she lays her young on the [ruins of] Your altars, O Lord of Hosts, my King and my God.
5. Fortunate are those who dwell in Your House; they will yet praise You forever.
6. Fortunate is the man whose strength is in You; the paths [to the Temple] are in his heart.
7. For those who pass through the Valley of Thorns, He places wellsprings; their guide will be cloaked in blessings.2
8. They go from strength to strength; they will appear before God in Zion.
9. O Lord, God of Hosts, hear my prayer; listen, O God of Jacob, forever.
10. See our shield,3 O God, and look upon the face of Your anointed one.
11. For better one day in Your courtyards than a thousand [elsewhere]. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God, than dwell [in comfort] in the tents of wickedness.
12. For the Lord, God, is a sun and a shield; the Lord bestows favor and glory; He does not withhold goodness from those who walk in innocence.
13. O Lord of Hosts! Fortunate is the man who trusts in You.
Chapter 85
In this prayer, lamenting the long and bitter exile, the psalmist asks why this exile is longer than the previous ones, and implores God to quickly fulfill His promise to redeem us. Every individual should offer this psalm when in distress.
1. For the Conductor, a psalm by the sons of Korach.
2. O Lord, You favored Your land; You returned the captives of Jacob.
3. You forgave the iniquity of Your people, and covered all their sin forever.
4. You withdrew all Your fury, and retreated from Your fierce anger.
5. Return us, O God of our salvation, and annul Your anger toward us.
6. Will You forever be angry with us? Will You draw out Your anger over all generations?
7. Is it not true that You will revive us again, and Your people will rejoice in You?
8. Show us Your kindness, O Lord, and grant us Your deliverance.
9. I hear what the Almighty Lord will say; for He speaks peace to His nation and to His pious ones, and they will not return to folly.
10. Indeed, His deliverance is near those who fear Him, that [His] glory may dwell in the land.
11. Kindness and truth have met; righteousness and peace have kissed.
12. Truth will sprout from the earth, and righteousness will peer from heaven.
13. The Lord, too, will bestow goodness, and our land will yield its produce.
14. Righteousness shall walk before him, and he shall set his footsteps in [its] path.
Chapter 86
This psalm contains many prayers regarding David's troubles, and his enemies Doeg and Achitophel. It also includes many descriptions of God's praise. Every individual can offer this psalm when in distress.
1. A prayer by David. Lord, turn Your ear, answer me, for I am poor and needy.
2. Guard my soul, for I am pious; You, my God, deliver Your servant who trusts in You.
3. Be gracious to me, my Lord, for to You I call all day.
4. Bring joy to the soul of Your servant, for to You, my Lord, I lift my soul.
5. For You, my Lord, are good and forgiving, and exceedingly kind to all who call upon You.
6. Lord, hear my prayer and listen to the voice of my supplications.
7. On the day of my distress I call upon You, for You will answer me.
8. There is none like You among the supernal beings, my Lord, and there are no deeds like Yours.
9. All the nations that You have made will come and bow down before You, my Lord, and give honor to Your Name,
10. for You are great and perform wonders, You alone, O God.
11. Lord, teach me Your way that I may walk in Your truth; unify my heart to fear Your Name.
12. I will praise You, my Lord, my God, with all my heart, and give honor to Your Name forever.
13. For Your kindness to me has been great; You have saved my soul from the depth of the grave.
14. O God, malicious men have risen against me; a band of ruthless men has sought my soul; they are not mindful of You.
15. But You, my Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in kindness and truth.
16. Turn to me and be gracious to me; grant Your strength to Your servant, and deliver the son of Your maidservant.
17. Show me a sign of favor, that my foes may see and be shamed, because You, Lord, have given me aid and consoled me.
Chapter 87
Composed to be sung in the Holy Temple, this psalm praises the glory of Jerusalem, a city that produces many great scholars, eminent personalities, and persons of good deeds. It also speaks of the good that will occur in the Messianic era.
1. By the sons of Korach, a psalm, a song devoted to the holy mountains [of Zion and Jerusalem].
2. The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
3. Glorious things are spoken of you, eternal city of God.
4. I will remind Rahav Egypt and Babylon concerning My beloved; Philistia and Tyre as well as Ethiopia, "This one was born there.”
5. And to Zion will be said, "This person and that was born there"; and He, the Most High, will establish it.
6. The Lord will count in the register of people, "This one was born there," Selah.
7. Singers as well as dancers [will sing your praise and say], "All my inner thoughts are of you."
Tanya: Igeret HaTeshuva , Chapter 5• Shabbat, Tammuz 17, 5775 · July 4, 2015
Today's Tanya Lesson
Igeret HaTeshuva , Chapter 5
The previous chapter taught that the Jewish soul is a part of the Tetragrammaton, the internal aspect of G‑dliness, from which it derives. In this it differs from other created beings whose source is more external — the Divine Name Elokim and Supernal speech.
However, in order that the soul be able to become enclothed in a physical body in this corporeal world, it had to descend through ever more concealing planes by means of the letters that comprise the Divine Utterance, “Let us make man.”
Deriving as it does from the internal aspect of the Divine life-force, the soul itself is thus loftier than the degree of Supernal speech; it merely undergoes a descent through Divine speech. It is for this reason that concerning the infusion of man’s soul into the body the Torah uses the expression “He blew,” indicating that it comes from an internal level, for “he who blows, does so from the innermost aspect of his being.”
Because the soul is part of the Tetragrammaton, it also comprises ten faculties that parallel the Ten Sefirot that are found within the Tetragrammaton.
In this chapter the Alter Rebbe goes on to say that even though the soul was invested in the body through the external agency of speech — the Utterance “Let us make man”— nevertheless it derives from the internal aspect of speech, namely, “breath”. In this regard man differs from all other creatures, including angels, which derive their existence from the external aspect of speech. Accordingly, both the internal and external aspects of the soul derive from the internal aspect of G‑dliness, the internal aspect of the soul deriving from the internal aspect of G‑dliness, namely, the Tetragrammaton, the external aspect of the soul deriving from the internality of the external level of Divine speech.
והנה המשכת וירידת הנפש האלקית לעולם הזה, להתלבש בגוף האדם
Bringing the G‑dly soul down into this physical world to invest itself in a human body, this process resulting from Divine speech, viz., the Utterance “Let us make man,”
נמשכה מבחינת פנימיות ומקור הדבור
derives from the internal aspect, the source, of speech.
הוא הבל העליון המרומז באות ה׳ תתאה כנ״ל
This is the “breath” of the Supreme One that is indicated in the latter hei [ofHavayah, the Four-Letter Name of G‑d] discussed above.
וכמו שכתוב: ויפח באפיו נשמת חיים, ויהי האדם לנפש חיה
As Scripture states concerning the vestiture of the soul within the body,1 “He blew into his nostrils a breath of life, and man became a living creature,”
ומאן דנפח מתוכיה נפח וכו׳
and “he who blows, does so from within him, [from his inwardness and innermost being].”
Thus, even the external aspect of the soul that is vested within the body is vested in an inward manner, albeit with the inwardness of speech — the internal aspect of the external level of speech. In this regard it is unlike the internal aspect of the soul which emanates from the most internal aspect of G‑dliness.
וזה שנאמר: כי חלק ה׳ עמו, יעקב חבל נחלתו
This, then, is the meaning of the verse,2 “For [G‑d’s] people is a part of G‑d; Jacob is the rope of His inheritance.”
This verse implies that within the soul there are to be found two levels: the internal aspect of the soul is “part of G‑d”; the external aspect of the soul is the “rope of His inheritance.”
פירוש: כמו חבל, על דרך משל, שראשו אחד קשור למעלה וקצהו למטה
The analogy is of a rope, whose upper end is bound above and the lower end below; so, too, the “upper end” of the soul is “bound Above” and its “lower end” is enclothed within the body.
כי הנה פשט הכתוב מה שנאמר: ויפח, הוא להורות לנו, כמו שעל דרך משל כשהאדם נופח לאיזה מקום
The simple meaning3 of the words “He blew” stated in reference to the soul’s vestiture within the body is to instruct us that just as, for example, if one blows in some direction,
אם יש איזה דבר חוצ׳ ומפסיק בינתיים, אין הבל הנופח עולה ומגיע כלל לאותו מקום
and there is any separation or obstruction there, then the exhaled breath will not reach that place at all,4
ככה ממש, אם יש דבר חוצ׳ ומפסיק בין גוף האדם לבחינת הבל העליון
— precisely this is the case if any obstruction separates man’s body from the “breath” of the Supreme One, concerning which Scripture states, “He blew.”
אך באמת אין שום דבר גשמי ורוחני חוצ׳ לפניו יתברך
The truth is, though, that nothing material or spiritual is a barrier before Him,
כי הלא את השמים ואת האר׳ אני מלא
for, as the verse states,5 “Do I not fill heaven and earth?”
ומלא כל האר׳ כבודו
Furthermore, Scripture states,6 “All the world is full of His glory.”
ולית אתר פנוי מיניה
Also,7 “There is no place devoid of Him,”
בשמים ממעל ועל האר׳ מתחת, אין עוד
[and]8 “In the heavens above and on the earth below there is none else,”
ואיהו ממלא כל עלמין וכו׳
[and]9 “He fills all worlds….”
Since G‑d is everywhere and within everything, it is thus seemingly impossible for anything to act as a barrier before Him.
אלא כמו שכתוב בישעיהו: כי אם עונותיכם היו מבדילים ביניכם לבין אלקיכם
But as Isaiah declares,10 “Only your sins separate you from your G‑d.”
והטעם, לפי שהם נגד רצון העליון ברוך הוא, המחיה את הכל
The reason is that sins oppose the Will of the Supreme One, Who gives life to all,
כמו שכתוב: כל אשר חפ׳ ה׳ עשה בשמים ובאר׳
as in the verse,11 “Whatever G‑d wills He has done in heaven and earth.”
וכמו שנאמר לעיל, שהוא מקור השפעת שם הוי׳, ונרמז בקוצו של יו״ד
(12It has been noted above, that [the Supreme Will] is the source of the sustenance issuing from the Tetragrammaton, and is represented in the “thorn” atop the letter yud.)
Inasmuch as the Tetragrammaton sustains all of creation, it follows that sins, which act in opposition to it, also oppose and conceal the Divine life-force. Sins are thus capable of preventing the Divine “breath” (concerning which it is written “He blew”) from reaching man.
וזהו ענין הכרת
This, then, is the meaning of excision:
שנכרת ונפסק חבל ההמשכה משם ה׳ ברוך הוא, שנמשכה מה׳ תתאה כנ״ל
the “rope” drawn from the final hei in the Four-Letter Name of G‑d is severed, cut off.
As a result, the soul clothed within the body is unable to receive vitality from its source in that Divine Name. During those times when the Jewish people received their vitality only from the “side” of holiness (as for example during the period of the Temple, as the Alter Rebbe will say in the next chapter), the lack of this life-force led to physical death.
וכמו שכתוב בפרשת אמור: ונכרתה הנפש ההיא מלפני, אני ה׳
As the verse says in Parshat Emor:13 “That soul shall be cut off from before My face; I am G‑d.”
The verse here uses the Tetragrammaton in referring to G‑d. Excision thus involves being sundered from the internal aspect of G‑dliness. It is this that the Alter Rebbe now goes on to say.
מלפני דייקא
The expression chosen is “from before My face”; i.e., the soul is excised from the innermost aspect of G‑dliness, the Tetragrammaton.
ובשאר עבירות שאין בהן כרת
Other sins that do not incur excision
על כל פנים הן פוגמין את הנפש כנודע, ופגם הוא מלשון פגימת הסכין
do cause at least a defect in the soul, in the sense of the defect or nick that invalidates a blade for ritual slaughter.
As with the defective blade, a sin causes something to be lacking in the rope-like flow of life-force from the Tetragrammaton downward to the soul, as is now explained.
והוא על דרך משל מחבל עב, שזור מתרי״ג חבלים דקים
This is analogous to a thick rope woven of 613 thin strands.
ככה חבל ההמשכה הנ״ל כלול מתרי״ג מצות
So, too, the “rope” of the downward flow mentioned above is comprised of the 613 mitzvot,14 each mitzvah being an individual thin strand.
וכשעובר ח״ו על אחת מהנה, נפסק חבל הדק וכו׳
When one violates one of them, G‑d forbid, a thin strand consisting of that particular commandment is severed….
Should an individual violate many commandments, G‑d forbid, then many strands are severed and the “rope” is grievously weakened. Sins punishable by excision (or death by divine agency) cause the entire “rope” to be severed, heaven forfend.
אך גם בחייב כרת ומיתה, נשאר עדיין בו הרשימו מנפשו האלקית
But even if one has incurred excision or death, there yet remains an impression within him of his Divine soul,
ועל ידי זה יכול לחיות עד נ׳ או ס׳ שנה, ולא יותר
and through this he may live until fifty (in the case of excision) or sixty years (in the case of death by divine agency), but no more.
ומה שכתוב בשם האריז״ל, שנכנסה בו בחינת המקיף וכו׳
(15As to the statement attributed to the AriZal, that the makkif, a transcendent level of life-force, enters such an individual, and so on,
Though unable to receive vitality from the internal aspect of G‑dliness, he is still able to receive vitality from this transcendent (lit., “encompassing”) level of G‑dliness. If this is indeed so, why can he not live longer than fifty or sixty years?
אינו ענין לחיי גשמיות הגוף
this is irrelevant to the life of the physical body,16 which cannot survive once there remains no vestige of the Divine soul,
ומיירי עד נ׳ שנה
and applies only until fifty years,
I.e., the transcendent level is also found within an individual only so long as he is able to remain alive by virtue of the impression of the Divine soul that is still within his body.
או בזמן הזה, וכדלקמן
or to the contemporary period, as will be noted.)
In this era, when a Jew’s vitality reaches him through becoming clothed in unholy media, it is possible for a person to live even after his soul has been sundered from its source in the Four-Letter Name of G‑d. This is why it is now possible for someone liable to excision or death by divine agency to live longer than fifty or sixty years. And during this time, the holy life-force which must be found within a Jew is received from the transcendent level, as the AriZalteaches.
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. | Bereishit 2:7. |
| 2. | Devarim 32:9. |
| 3. | The Rebbe queries why the Alter Rebbe should have introduced the forthcoming analogy with the seemingly superfluous preamble, “The simple meaning of the words ‘He blew’ isto instruct us....” He proposes that the Alter Rebbe added these words in order to resolve a difficulty which would otherwise be inexplicable. For according to the Alter Rebbe’s explanation, the soul is drawn down in a number of successive stages: its initial source is the internal aspect of the life-force, and thereafter the internal aspect (the “breath”) of speech. (Both these concepts are adduced from the words “He blew,” which indicates inwardness, as mentioned above.) The soul later progresses through the letters of speech (for the Utterance “Let us make man” is composed of actual letters of speech, and does not derive from “blowing”, which is an aspect of breath). Only then does it become actually enclothed within the body of man. This ultimate stage, then, the implanting of the soul “into his nostrils,” comes about from speech, not from G‑d’s having “blown”. Now speech is heard even if there is an obstruction between speaker and listener. Accordingly, when describing the soul already situated in the body, how is it appropriate to use the image of exhaled breath, that can be prevented by an obstruction from arriving at its destination? It is this question that the Alter Rebbe answers by saying that the “simple meaning” of the verse is to “instruct us” that even after the Utterance “Let us make man,” i.e., even when the investiture of the soul in the body takes place by means of speech, it still retains the characteristics of “blowing”. Just as an obstacle can obstruct the passage of breath, so, too, sins can obstruct the soul’s lifeline to G‑dliness. This explains why other creatures which derive their nurture through Divine “speech” are not subject to excision, for the sound of speech can penetrate an obstruction. Souls, however, throughout their sojourn in the body, constantly depend on the nurture which is (so to speak) blown into them; they must always have an unobstructed path to their life-source. |
| 4. | The first edition of Iggeret HaTeshuvah here cited the instance of a person blowing “into the lungs of an animal.” The Rebbe once explained that this example was chosen because the Alter Rebbe wanted to draw on a source from the Torah, and according to Torah law (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De‘ah, beg. Sec. 39) an animal’s lungs are to be examined by being inflated. |
| 5. | Yirmeyahu 23:24. |
| 6. | Yeshayahu 6:3. |
| 7. | Tikkunei Zohar 51. |
| 8. | Devarim 4:39. |
| 9. | Zohar III, 255a. |
| 10. | 59:2. |
| 11. | Tehillim 135:6. |
| 12. | Parentheses are in the original text. |
| 13. | Vayikra 22:3. |
| 14. | The Rebbe notes that the Alter Rebbe here offers a remarkably novel thought — that every Jew receives vitality in this world from all 613 mitzvot, even though the commandments given to Kohanim do not apply to commoners, many commandments cannot be performed simultaneously, and the like. Possibly, continues the Rebbe, this may be understood in light of the Alter Rebbe’s explanation in Kuntreis Acharon, in the essay that begins, “To Understand the Details of the Laws...” (p. 159b.) [There the Alter Rebbe writes that even the laws that perhaps never have practical application derive from Supernal Wisdom.] |
| 15. | Parentheses are in the original text. |
| 16. | At this point the Rebbe refers the reader to Likutei Torah, Devarim 62c, where the Alter Rebbe explains that excision applies only to the level of “Yaakov” within the soul, but not to the level of “Yisrael”. He also cites Likutei Torah, Devarim 83b, where the Alter Rebbe speaks of one who has incurred excision. Though of him it is written, “For my father and mother have forsaken me,” yet the continuation of the same verse (Tehillim 27:10) also applies to him: “...but G‑d has taken me in.” The encompassing level of the soul remains intact. Though within his soul the Jew’s innate love of G‑d is not manifest (“does not shed light”), yet in him too this love is still present, though concealed. |
• Sefer Hamitzvos:ShabbatTammuz 17, 5775 · July 4, 2015
Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
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 107
Ritual Impurity Contracted through Contact with a Corpse
We are commanded regarding the ritual impurity contracted through contact with a human corpse. [I.e., if contracted, one must follow all the laws associated with this impurity.]
Ritual Impurity Contracted through Contact with a Corpse
Positive Commandment 107
Translated by Berel Bell
The 107th mitzvah1 is that we are commanded regarding the tumah conveyed by a dead body.2 This mitzvah includes all the laws relating to tumas meis.3
FOOTNOTES
1.In the order given here, following the order of Mishneh Torah, P107 is the first of the commandments dealing with tumah and taharah (ritual purity and impurity). In the order of Sefer HaMitzvos, however, P96 is the first of these mitzvos, and there the Rambam gives a general introduction to all these mitzvos.
2.Num. 19:11ff.
3.Such as which parts of the body convey tumah, how it is conveyed, etc. See Hilchos Tumas Mei
Positive Commandment 113
The Red Heifer
"And it shall be as a keepsake for the congregation of the children of Israel"—Numbers 19:9.
We are commanded to prepare a red heifer [as detailed in the Torah], to have it ready for the procedure of purifying those who are ritually impure as a result of contact with a corpse.
he Red Heifer
Positive Commandment 113
Translated by Berel Bell
The 113th mitzvah is that we are commanded to prepare the red heifer1 to have it ready for the procedure of purifying those who are tameh as a result of tumas meis.2
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement3 (exalted be He), "[A ritually clean person shall gather up the cow's ashes and...] it shall be a keepsake for the congregation of the Jewish people."
The details of this mitzvah are found in the tractate devoted to this subject, tractate Parah.
FOOTNOTES
1.To slaughter it, burn it, gather the ashes, etc.
2.See P107.
3.Num. 19:9.
Ta'aniyot - Chapter Five
Halacha 1
There are days when the entire Jewish people fast because of the calamities that occurred to them then, to arouse [their] hearts and initiate [them in] the paths of repentance. This will serve as a reminder of our wicked conduct and that of our ancestors, which resembles our present conduct and therefore brought these calamities upon them and upon us. By reminding ourselves of these matters, we will repent and improve [our conduct], as [Leviticus 26:40] states: "And they will confess their sin and the sin of their ancestors."
Commentary Halacha 1
There are days when the entire Jewish people - All healthy adult men and women
fast - It appears that the Rambam considers these fasts to be obligatory in the present era. Based on his interpretation of Rosh HaShanah 18b in his Commentary on the Mishnah, Rosh HaShanah 1:3, the Rambam explains that in the era of the Second Temple, these fasts were of an optional nature. After the destruction of the Temple, however, every Jew is required to observe them. This obligation is also explicitly stated by the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim549:1, 550:1).
because of the calamities that occurred to them then - Here, the Rambam employs the same principle he developed at the beginning of this text regarding fasts instituted because of difficulties of an immediate nature, with regard to these fasts which were instituted for these national calamities.
Fasting in and of itself is not a purpose. Fasting can, however, serve
to arrouse [their] hearts and initiate [them in] the paths of repentance. -This is the intent of the fasts, and not merely refraining from eating. For this reason, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 121:1 harshly reproves those who fast, but spend their days taking pleasure strolls and being involved in other forms of leisure activity.
This will serve as a reminder of our wicked conduct and that of our ancestors, which resembles our present conduct and therefore brought these calamities upon them and upon us. - Although these tragedies took place in previous generations, we share the responsibility for them. The Jerusalem Talmud (Yoma 1:1) states, "Every generation in which the Temple is not rebuilt should consider it as if it was destroyed in its days."
By reminding ourselves of these matters, we will repent - The word נשוב, translated as "we will repent," literally means, "We will return." Teshuvahinvolves a return to one's fundamental self, becoming aware of the fundamental Divine nature one possesses.
Such a process relates to these commemorative fasts, which on the surface are associated with undesirable elements, but possess a positive core, as reflected in the Rambam's statements at the conclusion of this chapter that in the era of the Redemption, all these fast days will be transformed into days of rejoicing and celebration.
and improve [our conduct], as [Leviticus 26:40] states: "And they will confess their sin and the sin of their ancestors." - See Hilchot Teshuvah1:1-2, 2:2, where the Rambam associates the mitzvah of teshuvah with confession.
Halacha 2
These days are the following:
The Third of Tishrei. This is the day on which Gedaliah ben Achikam was slain and the ember of Israel that remained was extinguished, causing their exile to become complete.
The Tenth of Tevet. This is the day Nebuchadnezzar, the wicked, the King of Babylon, camped against Jerusalem and placed the city under siege.
The Seventeenth of Tammuz. Five tragedies took place on this day:
a) The Tablets were broken;
b) In the First Temple, the offering of the daily sacrifices was nullified;
c) [The walls of] Jerusalem were breached in [the war leading to] the destruction of the Second Temple;
d) Apostmos, the wicked, burned a Torah scroll; and
e) He erected an idol in the Temple.
Commentary Halacha 2
These days are the following: - The Rambam lists these fasts, not in the order in which the events which they commemorate transpired, nor according to the order in which they are mentioned in Zechariah 8:19 (see Halachah 4), but rather in the order of the year, beginning from the month of Tishrei.
The Third of Tishrei. This is the day on which Gedaliah ben Achikam -The governor appointed by Nebuchadnezzar to supervise the land of Judah. The Jews who were not exiled rallied around him, and it appeared that there would be hope of maintaining a Jewish settlement in the land (Jeremiah, Chapters 40-41).
was slain - According to the Radak (Jeremiah 41:1), Gedaliah was slain on Rosh HaShanah. Because a fast could not be held on that sacred day, the commemoration of his murder was postponed until the first available weekday.
and the ember of Israel that remained was extinguished, causing their exile to become complete. - After Gedaliah's murder, the Jews remaining inEretz Yisrael feared the wrath of the Babylonians and fled to Egypt, leavingEretz Yisrael devoid of Jewish leadership and possessing very few Jewish inhabitants. (See Jeremiah, Chapters 41-43.)
The Tenth of Tevet. This is the day Nebuchadnezzar, the wicked, the King of Babylon, camped - The Hebrew term םמך, which the Rambam [and the prophet Ezekiel (24:2)] employ, usually has a positive connotation, meaning "support." Perhaps this is also an allusion to the concept that ultimately these commemorative fasts have a positive intent, as mentioned at the conclusion of the chapter.
against Jerusalem and placed the city under siege. - Our commemoration of this fast also marks two other undesirable events which occurred in the preceding days: the death of Ezra, the scribe, and the translation of the Torah into Greek at the demand of King Ptolemy (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim580).
The Seventeenth of Tammuz. Five tragedies took place on this day -Ta'anit 29a states: Undesirable events are gathered together on a day appropriate for them. The spiritual nature of the day is such, that the potential for such tragedies to occur is greater.
a) The Tablets were broken; - When Moses descended with the Tablets of the Ten Commandments after being on Mount Sinai for forty days, he beheld the Golden Calf that the Jews had made. In wrath, or out of his concern for the Jewish people (see Rashi, Exodus 32:19), Moses broke the Tablets.
b) In the First Temple, the offering of the daily sacrifices - The korban tamid (Numbers 28:1-8)
was nullified; - Even during the siege of Jerusalem, the Jews would offer the daily sacrifices. Despite the famine in the city, they would offer two lambs each day as sacrifices. As the siege persisted, their supply of lambs dwindled, and on the Seventeenth of Tammuz, there no longer were any lambs to sacrifice (Rav Ovadiah of Bertinoro, Ta'anit 4:6).
Significantly, other commentaries (Rashi, Tiferet Yisrael) on the Mishnah identify the nullification of the sacrifices on the Seventeenth of Tammuz with different events in our history.
c) [The walls of] Jerusalem were breached in [the war leading to] the destruction of the Second Temple; - Jeremiah 39:2 states that in the destruction of the First Temple, Jerusalem's walls fell to the Babylonian conquerors on the ninth of Tammuz. Nevertheless, it is the destruction of the city by the Romans that we commemorate by fasting, because the effects of that destruction are more severe (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 549:2). The Rabbis did not institute a fast for the Ninth of Tammuz as well, for it was felt that this would be an excessive burden for the people (Mishnah Berurah 549:4).
Furthermore, according to the Jerusalem Talmud, Ta'anit 4:8, because of the many difficulties suffered by the Jewish people, they miscalculated the date, and, even during the destruction of the First Temple, it was on the Seventeenth of Tammuz that Jerusalem's walls were breached.
d) Apostmos, the wicked - a Greek official in the Second Temple era (Rav Ovadiah of Bertinoro)
burned a Torah scroll - The Meiri identifies this as the Torah scroll written by Ezra the Scribe. This scroll was kept in the Temple Courtyard and was used to check the precision of the other scrolls. In this manner, he attempted to undermine the entire Torah tradition.
and e) He - Apostmos
erected an idol in the Temple. - Others interpret this as a reference to the idol erected by King Menasheh in the First Temple. (See the Jerusalem Talmud,Ta'anit 4:6.)
Halacha 3
On the Ninth of Av, five tragedies occurred:
It was decreed that the Jews in the desert would not enter Eretz Yisrael;
The First and the Second Temples were destroyed;
A large city named Betar was captured. Thousands and myriads of Jews inhabited it. They were ruled by a great king whom the entire Jewish people and the leading Sages considered to be the Messianic king. The city fell to the Romans and they were all slain, causing a national catastrophe equivalent to that of the Temple's destruction.
On that day designated for retribution, the wicked Tineius Rufus plowed the site of the Temple and its surroundings, thereby fulfilling the prophecy [Micah 3:12], "Zion will be plowed like a field."
Commentary Halacha 3
On the Ninth of Av, five tragedies occurred - Here, also, we see the reflection of the concept mentioned above, that undesirable events are gathered together on a day appropriate for them.
It was decreed that the Jews in the desert would not enter Eretz Yisrael -The spies sent by Moses returned to him on the eighth of Av, bearing a malicious report about Eretz Yisrael. That night the Jewish people wept, fearful about their future. God told them, "Tonight, you have wept without reason. I will designate this night as a night of weeping for generations" (Ta'anit 29a).
The First and the Second Temples were destroyed - Ta'anit 29a reconciles a seeming contradiction in chronology between II Kings 25:8-9 and Jeremiah 52:12-13, explaining that the Babylonians first entered the Temple on the seventh of Av. They reveled and wrought havoc there until the afternoon of the ninth of Av, when they set fire to the building. The fire continued burning throughout the tenth of Av.
The Sages (ibid.) do not cite a specific source for the tradition that the Second Temple was also destroyed on that day. Nevertheless, the tradition is universally accepted.
A large city named Betar was captured. Thousands and myriads of Jews inhabited it. - This was Bar Kochba's capital in his war against the Romans, 52 years after the destruction of the Temple.
They were ruled by a great king whom the entire Jewish people and the leading Sages considered to be the Messianic king. - See the Rambam's comments concerning Bar Kochva, Hilchot Melachim 11:3.
The city fell to the Romans and they were all slain, causing a national catastrophe equivalent to that of the Temple's destruction. - The extent of the carnage that accompanied Betar's fall was awesome. Gittin 57a states that rivers of blood flowed into the Mediterranean Sea, forty miles away.
On that day designated for retribution, the wicked Tineius Rufus - a Roman officer
plowed the site of the Temple and its surroundings, - According to Ta'anit29a, this took place while Rabban Gamliel was living, shortly after the destruction of the Temple.
thereby fulfilling the prophecy [Micah 3:12], "Zion will be plowed like a field." - The citation of this prophecy communicates a fundamental point: that the destruction of Jerusalem was not an end in its own right. Just as a field is plowed to produce crops, Jerusalem was plowed to allow the city to blossom into its ultimate fulfillment in the era of the Redemption.
Halacha 4
These four fasts are explicitly mentioned in the prophetic tradition [Zechariah 8:19]: "The fast of the fourth [month],1 the fast of the fifth [month]...." "The fast of the fourth [month]" refers to the Seventeenth of Tammuz,2 which is in the fourth month; "the fast of the fifth [month]," to Tish'ah B'Av, which is in the fifth month; "the fast of the seventh [month]," to the Third of Tishrei which is in the seventh month; "the fast of the tenth [month]," to the Tenth of Tevet, which is in the tenth month.3
Halacha 5
And the entire Jewish people follow the custom of fasting at these times and on the Thirteenth of Adar, in commemoration of the fasts that [the people] took upon themselves in the time of Haman, as mentioned [in Esther 9:31]: "the matter of the fasts and the outcries."
If the Thirteenth of Adar falls on the Sabbath, the fast is pushed forward and held on Thursday, which is the eleventh of Adar. If, however, any of the [dates of] other fasts fall on the Sabbath, the fasts are postponed until after the Sabbath. If [the dates of] these fasts fall on Friday, we should fast on Friday.
On all these fasts, the trumpets are not sounded, nor is the Ne'ilah service recited. The passage Vay'chal is read from the Torah, however, in both the morning and the afternoon services.
On all these [fasts], with the exception of Tish'ah B'Av, we may eat and drink at night.
Commentary Halacha 5
And the entire Jewish people follow the custom of fasting at these times and on the Thirteenth of Adar - The Maggid Mishneh interprets this phrase to mean that our obligation to fast on these days is a custom accepted by the Jewish people after the destruction of the Second Temple. As mentioned above, others interpret this obligation as stemming from the exegesis of the verse from Zechariah mentioned in the previous halachah, as found in Rosh HaShanah 18b.
Our translation follows the standard published texts of the Mishneh Torah. Many authoritative manuscripts make a small change in the wording, which would cause the lines to be rendered as: "And in these times, the entire Jewish people follow the custom of fasting on the Thirteenth of Adar."
in commemoration of the fasts that [the people] took upon themselves in the time of Haman - The Rabbis question precisely which fasts are being commemorated. Some maintain that since the Thirteenth of Adar was a day of battle on which the Jews waged war against their enemies, they fasted at that time to arouse Divine mercy (Maggid Mishneh). Others maintain that it is improper to fast in a time of war, lest this sap one's strength, and instead the Jews merely vowed to fast, but conducted the actual fasts at a later time.
A third opinion maintains that this refers to the three-day fast that Esther called before approaching Achashverosh. Although this fast was held in the month of Nisan, it is commemorated in connection with the Purim holiday.
as mentioned [in Esther 9:31]: "the matter of the fasts and the outcries." -The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 141:2 writes that the commemoration of this fast makes us conscious of how God "hears each person's prayer in his time of distress when he fasts and repents... as He did on behalf of our ancestors in those days."
The fast of the Thirteenth of Adar is also referred to as Ta'anit Esther, "the fast of Esther."
When the fast of Esther became a formal part of Jewish observance is a matter of question. It is not mentioned in the Talmud. Furthermore, Megillat Ta'anit, a text which mentions all the fasts and festivals observed in the Talmudic era, does not mention this fast and speaks of the thirteenth of Adar, the day on which the fast of Esther is observed, as a day of celebration, the Day of Nicanor, marking the defeat of the Greek general of that name in the Hasmonean wars. It was not until after the destruction of the Temple that the observance of the dates mentioned in Megillat Ta'anit was nullified. This would appear to indicate that the observance of the Fast of Esther was of later origin.
In contrast, there is evidence pointing to the establishment of the Fast of Esther early in the Talmudic period. The Sheiltot of Rav Achai Gaon, Parshat Vayakhel67, speak of the observance of the Fast of Esther in the time of the Mishnah. Even if this teaching is not accepted as historical fact, we can glean from it that in Rav Achai's time, shortly after the conclusion of the Talmud, the fast was already a long-standing custom.
Significantly, because of the difference in status between it and the other commemorative fasts, the Ramah (Orach Chayim 686:2) rules far more leniently in regard to this fast than in regard to the others.
If the Thirteenth of Adar falls on the Sabbbath, the fast is pushed forward - It is not postponed until after the Sabbath, because Purim is Sunday and the celebration of Purim cannot be postponed. Nor is it appropriate to hold this fast after Purim.
and held on Thursday, which is the eleventh of Adar. - As the Rambam mentions, if the date of a commemorative fast falls on Friday, the fast is held on that day. Nevertheless, it is improper for a fast that is not scheduled for such a day to be held then, since this is not proper reverence for the Sabbath (Maggid Mishneh).
If, however, any of the [dates of] other fasts fall on the Sabbath, the fasts are postponed until after the Sabbath. - Megillah 5a states that the rationale is "we do not bring close [the recollection of] Divine retribution."
If [the dates of] these fasts fall on Friday, we should fast on Friday. -According to the fixed calendar we follow at present, this is a rare occurrence. Only the Tenth of Tevet (in the northern hemisphere a relatively short fast) can fall on Friday. Even this does not happen frequently.
On all these fasts, the trumpets are not sounded, nor is the Ne'ilah service recited. - These measures are taken only in times of current distress.
The passage Vay'chal - beginning Exodus 32:11.
is read from the Torah, however, in both the morning and the afternoon services. - See Hilchot Tefillah 13:18. As mentioned there, on Tish'ah B'Av a different passage (beginning Deuteronomy 4:25) is read in the morning. Significantly, the Rambam does not mention the custom of reciting the haftarahin the afternoon service.
On all these [fasts], with the exception of Tish'ah B'Av, we may eat and drink at night. - Similarly, on these days, work, wearing shoes, washing, anointing oneself, and sexual relations are permitted (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 550:2).
Halacha 6
When the month of Av enters, we reduce our joy. During the week of Tish'ah B'Av, it is forbidden to cut one's hair, to do laundry, or to wear a pressed garment - even one of linen - until after the fast.
It has already been accepted as a Jewish custom not to eat meat or enter a bathhouse during this week until after the fast. There are places that follow the custom of refraining from slaughtering from Rosh Chodesh Av until after the fast.
Commentary Halacha 6
When the month of Av enters - Significantly, the Rambam does not mention any restrictions from the period beginning the Seventeenth of Tammuz. During this period, it is the Askenazic custom (see Ramah, Orach Chayim 551:2,4;Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:1-3) to observe certain restrictions - e.g., prohibitions against marrying, against reciting the blessing Shehecheyanu, and against cutting one's hair. From the beginning of Av, however, other restrictions are also added.
we reduce our joy. - The Tur and the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 551:1-2) state that the restrictions mentioned by the Rambam in Chapter 3, Halachah 8, are applicable during this period.
During the week of Tish'ah B'Av - from the Sabbath before the fast onward.
According to Ashkenazic custom, all the activities mentioned by the Rambam are forbidden from Rosh Chodesh Av onward.
it is forbidden to cut one's hair - or to shave, even in a manner permitted by halachic authorities (Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:3)
to do laundry - it is customary to observe this prohibition even if one does not intend to wear the garment until after the fast (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim551:3).
or to wear a pressed garment - We have used a modern translation for the Hebrew term גהוץ. In Talmudic times, it referred to smoothing out the creases of a garment with a flat stone (Aruch).
The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 551:3) also prohibits wearing clothes that are merely laundered, even if they have not been pressed. There are halachic authorities who will grant leniencies in this context with regard to underwear and the like.
even one of linen - Linen garments will not appear as distinguished after washing as those of other fabrics (Beit Yosef, Orach Chayim 551).
until after the fast. - As mentioned in the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim558:1) and commentaries, these and the following restrictions should be followed for a certain amount of time on the Tenth of Av, as well, to commemorate the fact that the Temple continued burning on that day as well.
According to the Ashkenazic custom, in which these practices are observed from Rosh Chodesh onward, there are certain leniencies, depending on one's community, with regard to wearing laundered and pressed clothes on the Sabbath before Tish'ah B'Av.
It has already been accepted as a Jewish custom not to eat meat - or fowl.Bava Batra 60b states that it would have been proper for the Jews to refrain from eating meat and drinking wine at all times in mourning over the loss of the opportunity to partake of the sacrificial meat and the loss of the wine libations. The Sages felt, however, that such a decree would be too stringent for the people to observe and hence, did not institute it.
or enter a bathhouse during this week until after the fast. - The prohibition applies only to washing for pleasure. Needless to say, washing associated with a mitzvah - e.g., a woman in preparation for her ritual immersion or washing necessary for hygienic purposes - is permitted.
There are places that follow the custom of refraining from slaughtering from Rosh Chodesh Av until after the fast. - This custom has not been accepted throughout the Jewish community. Today, animals are slaughtered so that those who do not observe the restriction against eating meat will at least eat kosher meat, and so that meat will be available for others after the fast.
Halacha 7
All [the restrictions of] Tish'ah B'Av apply at night as well as during the day. One may not eat after sunset [of the previous day]; [it is forbidden to eat] between sunset and the appearance of the stars, as on Yom Kippur.
One should not eat meat or drink wine at the meal before the fast. One may, however, drink grape juice that has not been left [to ferment] for three days. One may eat salted meat that was slaughtered more than three days previously. One should not eat two cooked dishes.
Commentary Halacha 7
In contrast to the other commemorative fasts, because of the seriousness of our loss on that day and the repetition of this loss
All [the restrictions of] Tish'ah B'Av - mentioned in Halachot 10 and 11
apply at night as well as during the day. One may not eat after sunset [of the previous day]; - Similarly, if one resolved to accept the fast beforehand, one may no longer eat (Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah, Ta'anit 4:6). The Ramah (Orach Chayim 553:1) states that only when one makes a verbal statement to this effect is the resolution binding.
[it is forbidden to eat] between sunset and the appearance of the stars -Shabbat 34b explains that the Sages were undecided whether this period of time, known as beyn hash'mashot, should be considered to be part of the night or the day. Hence, it is necessary to be stringent both at the entry and the departure of a day associated with halachic restrictions.
as on Yom Kippur. - In his Commentary on the Mishnah, loc. cit., the Rambam writes that, as on Yom Kippur, we are obligated to include a certain portion of the previous day in all the restrictions observed on that day.
Significantly, some of the foremost commentators on the Mishneh Torah (theMaggid Mishneh and the Radbaz) either were not aware of this statement or maintained that the Rambam changed his mind on this issue, for they ruled that no such obligation applies in connection with Tish'ah B'Av. Their opinion is accepted as halachah at present (Mishnah Berurah 553:3).
One should not eat meat or drink wine at the meal before the fast. - theseudah hamafseket. Even a person who does not observe the custom of refraining from these foods during the week of Tish'ah B'Av (or the Nine Days according to Ashkenazic custom), should refrain from partaking of them in this meal. This meal should be characterized by mourning and sadness, and these foods bring happiness.
The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 554:25) associates Ezekiel 32:27: "And their sins will be upon their bones" with eating meat and drinking wine at this meal.
One may, however, drink grape juice that has not been left [to ferment] for three days. - For it has no alcoholic content, and will not lead to happiness.
One may eat salted meat that was slaughtered more than three days previously. - The prohibition against eating meat was derived from the fact that with the Temple's destruction, the sacrifices were nullified. Since no sacrificial meat could be eaten on the third day and afterwards, this restriction does not apply to such meat (Mishnah Berurah 552:5).
It must be emphasized that the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 552:2) and the later authorities explain that, at present, it is customary to refrain from partaking of even these foods at this meal.
One should not eat two cooked dishes. - This restriction was instituted because when two or more dishes are served, a meal is considered important, and partaking of such a meal is inappropriate at this time (Rabbenu Asher).
The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 552:3-5) discusses in detail what is excluded by the phrase "two cooked dishes."
Halacha 8
When does the above apply? When one ate [this meal] in the afternoon on the day preceding Tish'ah B'Av. If, however, one eats a meal before noon, although this is the last meal one eats before the fast, one may eat all that one desires.
When the day before Tish'ah B'Av falls on the Sabbath, one may eat and drink to the full extent of one's needs, and one may serve even a meal resembling Solomon's feasts at one's table.
Similarly, when Tish'ah B'Av falls on the Sabbath, one need not withhold anything at all.
Commentary Halacha 8
When does the - need to observe the restrictions mentioned
above apply? When one ate [this meal] in the afternoon on the day preceding Tish'ah B'Av. - The governing principle for this and the previous and following halachot is that unlike the meal before the fast on Yom Kippur, the meal before the fast of Tish'ah B'Av is somber in nature. The atmosphere of mourning that prevails throughout the fast has already begun, and therefore, eating a normal meal should be out of the question.
If, however, one eats a meal before noon, although this is the last meal one eats before the fast, one may eat all that one desires. - For then, one is still far removed from the fast itself.
When the day before Tish'ah B'Av falls on the Sabbath - the obligation to honor the Sabbath surpasses the need to commemorate the destruction of the Temple. Therefore,
one may eat and drink to the full extent of one's needs, and one may serve even a meal resembling Solomon's feasts at one's table. - There are some authorities (Hagahot Maimoniot) who recommend observing certain practices associated with mourning at the third Sabbath meal. Their opinions are not, however, accepted as halachah.
There is, however, one aspect in which this third Sabbath meal differs from the way this meal is eaten throughout the year. Generally, we are allowed to continue this meal into the night. When the fast of Tish'ah B'Av begins on Sunday, however, we must cease eating at sunset. (See Ramah, Orach Chayim552:10.)
Similarly, when Tish'ah B'Av falls on the Sabbath - since the observance of the fast is postponed, there is no need to minimize one's Sabbath joy, and
one need not withhold anything at all. - Significantly, the Rambam does not mention any mourning rites in connection with such a day. In contrast, the decisions of the Ramah (Orach Chayim 554:19) reflect the following principles. All expressions of mourning that would be noticed by the public should be forbidden. Those practices of mourning which are private in nature - e.g., the prohibition of sexual relations - should be observed.
Halacha 9
This is the rite observed by the people as a whole who cannot endure more. In contrast, the rite observed by the pious of the earlier generations was as follows:4 A person would sit alone between the oven and the cooking range. Others would bring him dried bread and salt. He would dip it in water and drink a pitcher of water while worried, forlorn, and in tears, as one whose dead was lying before him.
The scholars should act in this or a similar manner.5 We never ate cooked food, even lentils, on the day before Tish'ah B'Av, except on the Sabbath.
Halacha 10
Pregnant women and those who are nursing must complete their fasts on Tish'ah B'Av.
[On this day,] it is forbidden to wash in either hot or cold water; it is even forbidden to place one's finger in water. Similarly, anointing oneself for the sake of pleasure, wearing shoes, and sexual relations are forbidden, as on Yom Kippur.
In places where it is customary to do work, one may work. In places where it is not customary to work, one should not. Torah scholars everywhere should remain idle on this day. Our Sages said, "Whoever performs work on this day will never see a sign of blessing forever."
Commentary Halacha 10
Pregnant women and those who are nursing - although absolved from fasting on the other commemorative fasts
must complete their fasts on Tish'ah B'Av. - Needless to say, they or any other person who feels that fasting will threaten their health may eat and drink. (See Ramah, Orach Chayim 554:6.)
[On this day,] it is forbidden to wash in either hot or cold water - for the sake of pleasure. One may, however, wash one's hands to remove filth or for ritual purposes. (See the Shulchan Aruch and commentaries, Orach Chayim544:9-10.)
it is even forbidden to place one's finger in water - without any valid reason. One may, however, pass through water to greet one's teacher or to watch one's crops (ibid.:12-13). Similarly, a woman is allowed to wash food that she will serve children, even though her hands also become wet (Mishnah Berurah554:19).
The Rambam does not elaborate on these leniencies here, because he has already mentioned them at length with regard to Yom Kippur in Hilchot Sh'vitat Asor 3:1-7.
Similarly, anointing oneself for the sake of pleasure - in contrast to anointment for hygienic or medicinal reasons
wearing - leather
shoes - is forbidden. One may, however, wear shoes made from other materials. Even leather shoes are permitted in certain instances. (See Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 554:17.)
and sexual relations are forbidden - See Mishnah Berurah 554:37, where the question is raised whether one may touch one's wife or not.
as on Yom Kippur. - With this phrase, the Rambam refers the reader to his discussion of these prohibitions and the leniencies that may be granted inHilchot Sh'vitat Asor.
In places where it is customary to do work - The word "work" in this context does not refer to the thirty-nine labors prohibited on the Sabbath, but rather to concentrated activity that would distract one's attention from mourning (Mishnah Berurah 554:43).
one may work. - If, however, a person desires to refrain from working because of the unique nature of the day, he may.
In places where it is not customary to work, one should not. - TheMishnah Berurah 554:45 states that this is the custom in the Ashkenazic community at present.
Torah scholars everywhere should remain idle on this day. - For they should set examples to the people at large. Note the Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah, Ta'anit 4:6, where he writes that "Performing work on this day is very disgraceful."
Our Sages said - Ta'anit 30b
"Whoever performs work on this day will never see a sign of blessing forever." - Rashi and Tosafot interpret this as referring to the work performed on Tish'ah B'Av itself. This interpretation is quoted in the Shulchan Aruch(Orach Chayim 554:24).
Halacha 11
Torah scholars should not exchange greetings on Tish'ah B'Av. Instead, they should sit in agony and frustration like mourners. If a common person greets them, they should reply to him weakly, in a somber tone.
On Tish'ah B'Av, it is forbidden to read from the Torah, the Prophets, or the Sacred Writings [or to study] the Mishnah, Torah law, the Talmud, or the Aggadic works. One may study only Job, Eichah, and the prophecies of retribution in Jeremiah. Children should not study in school on this day.
There are some sages who do not wear the head tefillin.
Commentary Halacha 11
Torah scholars - Indeed, this applies also the people as a whole. Torah scholars are mentioned because they are expected to be more sensitive to the tragedy of our loss on Tish'ah B'Av.
The Rambam's choice of wording is based on his interpretation of the Tosefta, Ta'anit 3:11, "Chaverim should not exchange greetings on Tish'ah B'Av," for the term chaverim is often used as a reference to Torah scholars. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 554:20), however, interprets chaverim in its literal sense, that it means "friends."
should not exchange greetings on Tish'ah B'Av. - Nor should gifts or other social amenities be exchanged (Mishnah Berurah 554:41).
Instead, they should sit in agony and frustration like mourners. - Nothing should be done to distract one's attention from the loss.
With the above expression, the Rambam also explains the rationale for these laws. When the Sages ordained the commemoration of Tish'ah B'Av, they structured its observance to resemble Yom Kippur in certain contexts, and to resemble the laws of mourning in others.
If a common person greets them, they should reply to him - lest he become upset, but this should be done
weakly, in a somber tone. - So that he also appreciates the nature of the day. See also Chapter 3, Halachah 8.
On Tish'ah B'Av, it is forbidden to read from the Torah, the Prophets, or the Sacred Writings [or to study] the Mishnah, Torah law, the Talmud, or the Aggadic works. - Because "the precepts of God... make the heart glad" (Psalms 19:9). Even this joy is inappropriate on Tish'ah B'Av (Ta'anit 30a).
One may study only - Torah works that are somber in nature - e.g.,
Job, - which recounts his grief and suffering over the tribulations which beset him
Eichah - the Book of Lamentations for the Temple's destruction. This text is read communally on Tish'ah B'Av and may be studied by individuals as well.
and the prophecies of retribution in Jeremiah. - In addition, one may study the Talmudic passages describing the Temple's destruction (from the chapterHanezikin, Gittin, Chapter 5, in the Babylonian Talmud, and the last chapter ofTa'anit in the Jerusalem Talmud), the Midrashim on Eichah, the laws of Tish'ah B'Av, the laws of mourning, and other similar texts.
One should, however, recite all the passages from the Bible and the Talmud that are included in the daily prayer service.
Children should not study in school on this day. - for they also derive happiness from their study (Ta'anit, ibid.).
There are some sages who do not wear the head tefillin. - A mourner does not wear tefillin on the first day of mourning (Hilchot Eivel 4:9). In particular, support for this custom is derived from Eichah 2:1, which states, "He cast down the glory of Israel from the heaven to the earth." "The glory of Israel" is a reference to tefillin.
The Rambam's choice of wording appears to indicate that the arm tefillin may be worn. Similarly, he does not mention any change in practice regarding thetallit gadol. The custom at present in most communities (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 555:1) is not to wear tefillin - neither the head tefillin nor the arm tefillin- nor to wear the tallit gadol in the morning service. A tallit k'tan is worn, but a blessing is not recited over it.
For the afternoon service, the tallit gadol and both the head and arm tefillin are worn.
Halacha 12
After the Temple was destroyed, the Sages of that generation ordained6 that one should never build a building7 whose walls are decorated with ornate designs like the palaces of kings. Instead, one should cover the walls of one's home with mortar and paint over them with lime, leaving a space one cubit square opposite the doorway8 that is unpainted.9 If, however, a person buys a dwelling whose walls have been decorated, it may remain as is; he is not obligated to scrape [the designs] from the walls.
Halacha 13
Similarly, they ordained that a person who sets a table for guests should serve slightly less [than usual] and should leave a place empty, [so that it obviously] lacks one of the dishes that would ordinarily be placed there.10
When a woman has a set of jewelry made for her, she should refrain from having one of the pieces appropriate for the set made, so that her jewelry is not perfect.11
Similarly, when a groom marries, he should place ashes on his forehead12 on the place where one wears tefillin.13 All of these practices were instituted to recall Jerusalem, as [Psalms 137:5-6] states: "If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand lose its dexterity. Let my tongue cleave to my palate if I do not remember you, if I do not recall Jerusalem during my greatest joy."
Halacha 14
Similarly, they ordained that one should not play melodies with any sort of musical instrument. It is forbidden to celebrate with such instruments or to listen to them being played [as an expression of mourning]14 for the destruction.15
Even songs [without musical accompaniment] that are recited over wine are forbidden, as [Isaiah 24:9] states: "Do not drink wine with song." It has, however, become accepted custom among the entire Jewish people to recite words of praise, songs of thanksgiving, and the like to God over wine.16
Halacha 15
Afterwards, they ordained that grooms17 should not wear crowns at all, nor should they wear any diadems at all,18 as [implied by Ezekiel 21:31]: "Remove the miter and lift up the crown." Similarly, they ordained that brides should not wear crowns of silver or gold; a garland made from twisted cords is, however, permitted for a bride.19
Halacha 16
When a person sees the cities of Judah in a state of destruction,20 he should recite [Isaiah 64:9]: "Your holy cities have become like the desert," and rend his garments.21 When one sees Jerusalem in a state of destruction,22 one should recite [the continuation of the verse,] "Zion is a desert...." When one sees the Temple in a state of destruction, one should recite [ibid.:10]: "Our holy and beautiful House [...has been burned with fire]" and rend one's garments.23
From which point is one obligated to rend one's garments? From Tzofim.24Afterwards, when one reaches the Temple, one should rend them a second time.25 If one encountered the Temple first, because one came from the desert, one should rend one's garments because of the Temple, and add to the tear because of Jerusalem.26
Halacha 17
In all these situations, one must rend one's garments with one's hands and not with a utensil.27 While standing,28 the person should rend all the garments he is wearing until he reveals his heart.29 He should never mend these tears at all.30He may, however, have them stitched, hemmed, gathered closed, or sewn with a ladder pattern.
Halacha 18
[The following rules apply when a person] comes to Jerusalem frequently in his travels: If he comes within thirty days of his last visit, he is not required to rend his garments. If he comes after thirty days, he is.31
Halacha 19
All these [commemorative] fasts will be nullified in the Messianic era and, indeed ultimately, they will be transformed into holidays and days of rejoicing and celebration, as [Zechariah 8:19] states: "Thus declares the Lord of Hosts, 'The fast of the fourth [month], the fast of the fifth [month], the fast of the seventh [month], and the fast of the tenth [month] will be [times of] happiness and celebration and festivals for the House of Judah. And they shall love truth and peace.'
Commentary Halacha 19
All these [commemorative] fasts will be nullified in the Messianic era -With the conclusion of the exile, there will be no need to mark the dates that led to it with mourning and fasting. Thus the Rambam writes at the conclusion ofHilchot Megillah: "All memories of the difficulties [endured by our people] will be nullified as [Isaiah 65:16] states: 'For the former difficulties will be forgotten.'
As mentioned previously, fasting is not an end in its own right, but a means to motivate the Jews to return to God and correct the faults in their behavior. The coming of the redemption will be a sign that the service of repentance is complete, and thus there will be no further need for fasting.
and, indeed, ultimately, they will be transformed - Through repentance, sins are transformed into merits (Yoma 86a). And in this process, these fasts, which came as a result of the exile that stems from sin, will be transformed
into holidays and days of rejoicing and celebration - There is no possibility for the existence of an entity that is genuinely negative in nature. All those factors that appear negative represent hidden good, and furthermore, a good so powerful that the only way it can be revealed in this world is through qualities that outwardly appear negative. Their inner nature, however, is good, and in the era of the redemption when the world will be refined to the extent that it can accept this great good, this nature will be revealed.
as [Zechariah 8:19] states: "Thus declares the Lord of Hosts, 'The fast of the fourth [month] - The Ninth, or at present, the Seventeenth, of Tammuz (see Halachah 4),
the fast of the fifth [month] - Tish'ah B'Av
the fast of the seventh [month] - the Third of Tishrei
and the fast of the tenth [month] - the Tenth of Tevet
will be [times of] happiness and celebration and festivals for the House of Judah. And they shall love truth and peace.' - Note the interpretation of this verse in the Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah, and the introduction to the tractate of Avot (Shemonah Perakim), Chapter 4. There the Rambam elaborates on how, instead of asceticism and fasting, God desires intellectual development ("truth") and emotional harmony ("peace").
From a different perspective, it can be understood that by quoting the conclusion of the verse, the prophet was also alluding to the means by which the Messianic redemption - and thus the transformation of these fasts - could be brought closer.
Yoma 9b relates that the Temple was destroyed because of unwarranted hatred among the Jewish people. By spreading peace and truth, we will nullify the cause for the exile, and this will cause the effect, the exile itself, also to cease (Likkutei Sichot, Vol. 15, pp. 415ff.).
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. |
In this verse and in the Rambam's reference to it, the months are counted from Nisan onward.
|
| 2. |
Zechariah lived after the destruction of the First Temple and is referring to the fasts instituted because of its destruction. Accordingly, the fast of Tammuz in his time was the on ninth of the month, as mentioned above. The Rambam mentions it as referring to the seventeenth, because this is when the fast of the breaching of the city's walls is observed at present.
|
| 3. |
Note the positive references to this prophecy at the conclusion of the chapter.
|
| 4. |
Ta'anit 30a,b describes Rabbi Yehudah bar Ilai as eating this meal in this fashion.
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| 5. |
At present, our custom is to eat a filling meal in the late afternoon. Afterwards, shortly before the fast, one eats a slight meal with bread and eggs dipped in ashes. Nevertheless, anyone who feels able to endure the fast when eating less is encouraged to do so. Three people should not sit together, so as not to become obligated in a zimun. (See Ramah, Orach Chayim 552:9; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 123:3.)
|
| 6. |
From Bava Batra 60b, one may infer that this refers to the destruction of the Second Temple.
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| 7. |
The Be'ur Halachah 560 cites texts which maintain that this prohibition applies only to a person's private home, but not to synagogues or houses of study. These may be built ornately.
|
| 8. |
So that it will be noticed upon entry.
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| 9. |
From the Rambam's expression (which is quoted in the Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 560), it appears that even after leaving the square cubit space unpainted, one should not have ornate walls. The Tur (Orach Chayim 560) differs, maintaining that if one leaves this space unpainted, one may decorate one's walls as one desires. The Mishnah Berurah 560:1 states that the Tur'sopinion may be followed.
The latter text (560:2, as does the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 126:1) questions why the observance of this practice is not more widespread.
|
| 10. |
Note the Mishnah Berurah 560:5, which states that this applies even with regard to feasts served in association with a mitzvah - e.g., wedding feasts, bar-mitzvahs, and the like.
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| 11. |
The Rabbis have also cited other reasons for women to be modest in their wearing of jewelry. (See Mishnah Berurah 560:8.)
|
| 12. |
Compare to Chapter 4, Halachah 1.
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| 13. |
Although this custom is not observed in many places at present, it is customary for these reasons to break a glass under the wedding canopy (Ramah, Orach Chayim 560:2).
|
| 14. |
Thus, according to this opinion (which is quoted by the Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 560:3), listening to any music is forbidden. The Ramah, however, quotes several more lenient views. He concludes that "for the sake of a mitzvah - e.g., at a wedding feast - everything is permitted." The meaning of "for the sake of a mitzvah" has been extended by contemporary authorities to include many different situations.
|
| 15. |
Significantly, Sotah 48a mentions this measure as having been ordained for the nullification of theSanhedrin (Israel's High Court), and not for the destruction of the Temple.
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| 16. |
In his responsa and in his Commentary on the Mishnah (Avot 1:17), the Rambam criticizes most singing and music, without mentioning the obligation to mourn for Jerusalem, because it caters to man's lust and material desires, rather than to his spiritual impulses.
|
| 17. |
The Maggid Mishneh emphasizes that this prohibition applies to brides and grooms, who must be reminded to minimize their rejoicing at this time of celebration, but not to other individuals at ordinary times.
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| 18. |
According to Sotah 49b, this includes even a crown of flowers.
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| 19. |
Note the Mishnah Berurah 460:18, which states that if the crown is made from fabric, it may have gold, silver, and jewels attached to it.
|
| 20. |
One of the most sensitive differences of opinion in the religious community in Eretz Yisrael at present revolves around this law. The Beit Yosef (Orach Chayim 561) states that the obligation to rend one's garments applies only when Eretz Yisrael is under gentile rule. The question is whether the establishment of a secular Jewish state is sufficient to have this obligation nullified or not.
|
| 21. |
In Hilchot Eivel 9:10, the Rambam mentions this obligation, and as a proof-text cites Jeremiah 41:5, "And eighty men from Shechem, Shiloh, and Shomron came with their beards shaven and their garments rent." The commentaries on this verse explain that these measures were taken in mourning over the Temple.
|
| 22. |
Even if a person sees the cities of Judah, Jerusalem, and the site of the Temple on the same journey, he is obligated to rend his clothes three times. The Maggid Mishneh emphasizes, however, that the converse is not true. If one sees Jerusalem before any other city and rends one's garments on its behalf, there is no need to rend one's garments for the other cities (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 561:3).
|
| 23. |
The Bayit Chadash (Orach Chayim 561) emphasizes how one should prostrate oneself in mourning, overcome with grief at the sight of this holy place in ruins.
The Mishnah Berurah 561:5 emphasizes that this refers to seeing the Temple from afar. It is forbidden to enter the Temple Mount itself, because we are all ritually impure, and the sanctity of that holy place is still intact. (See Hilchot Beit HaBechirah 6:16.)
|
| 24. |
This refers to a point from which one could see the Jerusalem of the Biblical and Talmudic eras. The location of the present city is slightly different. Tzofim is not identical with present-day Mount Scopus.
|
| 25. |
A parallel exists in the laws of mourning. If one parent dies after one has rent one's garment over the passing of another relative, it is not sufficient merely to add slightly to the tear; one must rend the garment a second time (Hilchot Eivel 8:10).
|
| 26. |
Here also we see a parallel in the laws of mourning. If one hears of the death of a relative other than a parent after one has rent a garment over the passing of another relative, all that is necessary is to add slightly to the tear (ibid.).
|
| 27. |
As mentioned in Hilchot Eivel 9:2, the Rambam equates the obligation to rend one's garments over the cities of Judah, Jerusalem, and the Temple with the obligation to rend one's garments over one's parent's death. In mourning over others, one may cut one's garments with a utensil (loc. cit.8:2). For one's parents and in these situations, the tear must be made with one's hands (loc. cit.8:3).
Significantly, the Ra'avad objects to a complete equation between seeing these sites in destruction and one's parent's death, and therefore maintains that there is no obligation to rend one's garments with one's hands and reveal one's heart. The later halachic authorities, however, do not accept his ruling.
|
| 28. |
Whenever one is required to rend one's garments, one must stand (loc. cit. 8:1).
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| 29. |
In mourning over others, one need not rend one's garments more than a handbreadth (loc. cit.8:2). For one's parents and in these situations, one must continue tearing until one's heart is revealed (loc. cit. 8:3, 9:3).
|
| 30. |
This refers to a usual pattern of stitching, which does not make it obvious that the garment had been rent. If one rends a garment using a less perfect method of sewing, it is permitted, as explained below.
The prohibition against mending one's garments in this manner applies in these instances and for one's parents. When mourning the passing of others, one may mend the garment afterwards (loc. cit. 9:1).
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| 31. |
At present, rather than rend one's garments every time one comes to Jerusalem, it is customary to sell one's garments to another person, so that it would be forbidden to tear them (see loc. cit.8:7).
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Tum'at Met - Chapter 24
Halacha 1
The following rules apply when one divided a house by making a barrier of pure earthenware jugs from the ground until the roof and there is impurity in one side of the house. If the opening of the jugs was facing the pure side of the house, they protect the house from the spread of impurity. If the openings were facing the impurity, they do not protect it. If, when they were facing the impurity, he applied mud to them, whether from the inside, or the outside, we see whether the mud is able to stand on its own or not. If it can, it protects the house from impurity. If not, it does not and the entire house is considered as one ohel.
Halacha 2
The following rules apply when a house was divided in two with boards or with curtains, whether it was divided lengthwise or widthwise or facing the ceiling. If there was impurity in the remainder of the house, keilim between the partition and the wall or between the partition and the ceiling are pure. If there is impurity between the partition and the wall or between the partition and the ceiling, thekeilim in the house are impure, because the partition does not prevent the impurity from departing and imparting impurity, as we explained with regard to a tent inside a house.
The following laws apply when there are keilim in the midst of the thickness of the partition itself, whether the impurity was within the area set off by the partition or within the house. If the place where the keilim were located was a handbreadth by a handbreadth or more, the keilim are impure. If it is smaller than that, they are pure. We have already explained the laws pertaining to a house that was divided horizontally.
Halacha 3
The following rules apply when there is a house that is filled with straw and there is not a cubic handbreadth of space between the straw and the ceiling. If there is impurity in the inner portion of the house, whether within the straw or in the space between the straw and the ceiling, all of the keilim that are opposite the space through which the impurity will depart in the entire open space of the entranceway are impure.
The following laws apply if the impurity was outside the straw, anywhere in the open space of the entranceway. If there are keilim within the straw and there is a handbreadth by a handbreadth by a handbreadth of open space, they are pure. If not, they are impure. If there is a cubic handbreadth of space between the straw and the ceiling, the keilim are impure regardless, for the straw does not intervene, because we can assume that the person's intention is to remove the straw.
Halacha 4
When there is a wall between two houses and there is impurity in the midst of the wall, the house that is closest to the impurity is impure, while that which is closest to purity is pure. If the impurity was equidistant from them, they are both impure.
The following rules apply when the impurity was in one of the houses and thekeilim were in the midst of the wall. If the keilim were located from the center towards the impurity, they are impure; from the center towards the pure side, they are pure. If they are equidistant, they are impure.
Similar principles apply when there is a ceiling between a house and a loft and there is impurity in the ceiling. If it was located from the center downward, the house is impure and the loft is pure; from the center, upward, the loft is impure and the house is pure. If it is equidistant from them, they are both impure.
When there is impurity in either the house or the loft and there were keilim in the ceiling, if the keilim were located from the center towards the impurity, they are impure; from the center towards the pure side, they are pure. If they are equidistant, they are impure.
The following rules apply if the ceiling had nothing but open space above it and there was impurity in it. If the impurity was located from the center downward, the house is impure and a person standing on the roof - even if he is directly above the impurity - is pure, because the impurity spreads throughout the house. If the impurity was located from the center upward, the house is pure and a person standing on the roof directly above the impurity is impure. If the impurity was in the center of the ceiling, the house is impure and a person standing on the roof directly above the impurity is impure, because it is impossible to make an exact calculation.
Halacha 5
Similarly, if there is a wall that serves a house, it is considered as half and half.
What is implied? There is a wall that has open space on one side. The roof of the house is supported by the wall, but does not rest on the wall and there is impurity flush inside the wall. If the impurity is from the halfway point of the wall inward, the house is impure. A person standing on top of the wall is pure like someone standing on the roof of the house.
If the impurity is from the halfway point outward, the house is pure. A person standing on top of the wall, above the impurity is impure, because the impurity did not spread out in the house. If the impurity was in the center of the wall, the house is impure, but a person standing above it is pure, because the impurity spread within the house.
If one removed part of the wall from the inside or added to the outer portion of the wall until the impurity was in the inner half of the wall, the house is impure. If he removed part of the wall from the outside or added to the thickness of the inner portion of the wall until the impurity was in the outer half of the wall, the house is pure. If the impurity was placed on the top of the wall, even if it is on the inside, the house is pure.
Halacha 6
When there is a structure that serves a wall, as long as there is part of the wall as thin as a garlic peel, the structure is considered as separate from the wall.
What is implied? A person dug two burial vaults or two burial caves one next to the other and thus there were two structures dug into the ground with a wall dividing between them. If there is impurity in the structures and keilim in the wall, as long as there is a portion of the wall as thin as a garlic peel covering them, they are pure. If there is impurity in the wall and keilim in the structures, if it is covered by a portion of the wall as thin as a garlic peel, they are pure.
Thus we can learn the following general principles: When there is a wall that was built from building materials, the status of the house depends on the half of the wall in which the impurity is located. When the wall was made of stone or of the thickness of the earth when one dug from either side, as long as there is part of the wall as thin as a garlic peel, the structure is considered as separate from the wall.
Halacha 7
When half of the thickness of a wall was constructed and half was a rock, the status of the house depends on the half of the wall in which the impurity is located.
Halacha 8
If there was impurity between the beams of the roof of a house, even if there is only a portion of a board as thin as as a garlic peel under it, the house is pure. We consider the impurity as if it were flush in the earth and only the area directly below it or directly above it is impure. If there is a handbreadth by a handbreadth of empty space in its place, everything is impure. Similarly, if the impurity could be seen from the house, the house is impure regardless.
If there are two entrances, one on top of the other, and there is impurity in the wall between them, if it can be seen from one of them, that entrance is impure and the other is pure. If not, their status depends on the half of the wall in which the impurity is located.
Tum'at Met - Chapter 25
Halacha 1
If there is a pillar standing in a house and impurity is flush under it, the impurity pierces through and ascends and pierces through and descends. It imparts impurity only to entities that are directly above or below the impurity. If there is a flower, projecting from the pillar and there are keilim under the pillar, the keilimare pure. Impurity is imparted only to the entities under or above the impurity.
Halacha 2
If there is open space a handbreadth by a handbreadth and a handbreadth high in the pillar where the impurity is located, it is considered as a closed grave and it imparts impurity to all its surroundings. The entire house is impure because it is standing over a grave.
Halacha 3
When there is impurity in a wall and it is an open space a handbreadth by a handbreadth and a handbreadth high, all of the stories built on this wall - even ten - are impure. The rationale is that the wall is considered a closed grave until its highest point. It is the wall for these upper stories and every upper storey is considered to be an ohel over the grave.
If he built a structure next to that wall on one side and another structure next to the wall on the other side and a second storey that spans both those structures and thus the top of the impure wall is in the middle of the floor of the second storey, the second storey is impure because it serves as an ohel over a grave. A third storey built over it is pure, because they are one on top of the other and the impure wall is not one of the walls of this storey.
Halacha 4
The following rules apply when there is a large hole in the thickness of a wall which people would employ for functional purposes which was called apardisek. If there was impurity within it and it had closed doors, the house is pure. If there is impurity flush in its floor, its wall, or its roof, we consider the entire hole as if it is a solid mass and see where the impurity is located. If it is located in the inner portion of the thickness of the wall, the house is impure. If it is in the outer portion, the house is pure. If it is in the exact center, the house is impure.
Halacha 5
If there are two pardiskin - one next to the other or one on top of the other - and there is impurity located in one of them and it is opened, it and the house are impure, but the other one is pure. If there was impurity flush in the walls of the building, we consider the pardiskin as if they were a solid mass and the status of the house depends on the half of the wall in which the impurity is located. the house is pure. If it was flush below the doorstep, the status of the house depends on the half of the doorstep in which the impurity is located. If it is attached to the lintel, the house is impure.
Halacha 7
When a dog ate the flesh of a corpse, died within three days of doing so, and was lying on the doorstep of a house, we consider the place where the impurity is located in his body. If it is under the lintel and inward, the house is impure.
Halacha 8
The following laws apply when the fetus being carried by a woman dies in her womb. If its head has reached the size of a weaving needle, when her womb opens and the head becomes visible, the house becomes impure because of the fetus even if it has not emerged yet.
Halacha 9
If a woman was in the midst of labor and went from one house to another and miscarried in the second house, the first house is still impure because of a doubt: perhaps the head of the fetus had emerged while she was there.
When does the above apply? When its head did not reach the size of a weaving needle. If, however, its head reached the size of a weaving needle, the first house is pure. For if her womb had opened to that degree, she would not be able to walk unsupported. Therefore if she was being supported by her shoulders and taken from one house to the other, the first is impure because of a doubt, even though its head reached the size of a weaving needle.
Halacha 10
When a woman discharged a placenta, the house in which she was located is certainly impure. It can be presumed that there is no placenta without a fetus.
Halacha 11
The following laws apply when a woman gave birth to two children, one a viable birth and the other, stillborn. If the stillborn child emerged first, the living child is pure, because he did not touch the stillborn child after he emerged into the world. If the living child emerged first, he is impure, because it is impossible that the stillborn child did not touch him, for the stillborn tumbles out after the living child like a stone that does not have any vitality and cannot hold itself back.
Halacha 12
When a woman discharges a stillborn infant - even, as we explained, a tiny fetus - she contracts the impurity that lasts seven days. If the fetus dies within her womb and the midwife extended her hand inside the womb and touched it, the midwife contracts the impurity that lasts seven days, but the woman is pure until the fetus emerges.
The impurity of the midwife is a Rabbinical decree, instituted since she may have touched the fetus after it emerged into the vaginal channel. According to Scriptural Law, touching a hidden portion of the body is not considered as touching. Since the fetus is in the mother's inner organs, anyone who touches it is pure. Similar laws apply to one who swallowed an impure ring and then swallowed a pure ring. Although the two certainly touched each other in his digestive system, this is not considered as touch. The impure one is considered as impure and the pure one, as pure.
Blessed be the Merciful One Who grants assistance.
Parah Adummah - Chapter 1
HILCHOT PARAH ADUMAH
The Laws of the Red Heifer
Included in this text are two positive commandments. They comprise the following:
1) the laws of the red heifer;
2) the laws of the impurity and purity brought about by the water used for the sprinkling of its ashes.
These mitzvot are explained in the ensuing chapters.
Halacha 1
The commandment involving the red heifer is to offer such an animal in its third or fourth year of life. If it is older, it is acceptable, but we do not wait for it to age longer, lest its hairs become black.
The Jewish community does not purchase a calf and raise it, for Numbers 19:2states: "And you shall take unto yourselves a heifer," i.e., a heifer, not a calf. If only a calf was found, a price is established for it and it should remain in its owner's possession until it matures and becomes a cow. It should be purchased with money from the Temple treasury.
Halacha 2
The Torah's description of this heifer as "perfect" means "perfectly red," not perfect in stature. Even if it is dwarfsize, it is acceptable, as is the law regarding other sacrifices. If it had two white hairs or black hairs growing from one follicle or from two cavities and they are lying on top of each other, it is unacceptable.
Halacha 3
If there were two hairs, their roots reddish and their heads blackish, or their roots blackish and their heads reddish, their status follows the roots entirely. One should cut off the blackish head with scissors. He need not be concerned about the prohibition against shearing consecrated animals, because his intention not to shear.
Halacha 4
Enough of the red hair must remain so that it can be pulled out by tweezers. For if a hair is not large enough to be pulled out by tweezers, it is considered as if it does not exist. Therefore if there were two white or black hairs that are so small that they cannot be pulled out by tweezers, it is acceptable.
Halacha 5
If its horns or hooves are black, they may be cut off and it is acceptable. The color of the eyeballs, the teeth, and the tongue do not disqualify a heifer.
Halacha 6
If it had an abnormal growth of another color and one cut it off, even though red hair grew in its place, it is unacceptable.
Halacha 7
All of the physical blemishes that disqualify sacrificial animals, also disqualify a red heifer, for the prooftext cited above states: "Which does not possess a blemish." If the heifer was born by Caesarian section, was exchanged for a dog, was a present given a prostitute, was treifah, or had been sodomized, it is unacceptable. For any factor that invalidates a sacrificial animal for the altar invalidates the red heifer even though it is considered only as consecrated for the upkeep of the Temple, for Scripture has called it a sin-offering. It is permitted to purchase a red heifer from a gentile. We do not suspect that the gentile sodomized it, for he would not destroy the value of his animal.
There is a more severe element to the red heifer than to animals consecrated as sacrifices: work disqualifies it, for Numbers 19:2 states: "upon which a yoke was never placed." Now concerning a calf whose neck is broken, Deuteronomy 21:3 states: "With which no work was performed and which was not led with a yoke." Just as with regard to the yoke mentioned in connection with this calf, the Torah equated other labor with a yoke, so too, with regard to the red heifer, other forms of labor also disqualify it like a yoke does. There is, however, a greater stringency that applies with regard to a yoke. A yoke disqualifies the heifer whether it was placed upon it during work or not during work and other forms of labor disqualify it only when work was actually performed.
What is implied? If one tied a yoke upon it, it is disqualified even if one did not plow with it. If one placed it in a threshing team, it is not disqualified unless it actually threshed. Similar principles apply in analogous situations.
If one rode upon it, leaned upon it, hung on to its tail, crossed a river using it for support while swimming, folded its lead rope on top of it, placed his garment on it, placed a covering of sacks on it, it is disqualified. If one tied it with a rope because it was rebellious and required to be safeguarded, it is acceptable. If not, it is disqualified, for any safeguarding that is unnecessary is a burden.
If one shod its hooves so that it would not slip or spread his garment over it to protect it from flies, it is acceptable. This is the general principle: If anything is done for its own needs, it remains acceptable. If it is performed for another purpose, it is disqualified.
When work was performed with it as a matter of course or a yoke was placed over it as a matter of course, if the owner is pleased, it is disqualified. The rationale is that the verse above states: "With which no work was performed." The implication is that if work was performed with it and the owner would be satisfied, it is as if he performed work with it. Therefore, if a bird rested upon it, it is acceptable. If a male mounted it, it is unacceptable. Needless to say, a pregnant heifer is unacceptable.
If one placed it among a team of animals and it threshed grain on its own accord, it remains acceptable. If he placed it among the team so that it would nurse and thresh, it is disqualified, for he is satisfied that the work is performed. Similar laws apply in all analogous situations.
Halacha 8
When a disqualifying factor invalidates a red heifer, it should be redeemed. Similarly, if it dies, it should be redeemed so that its hide can be used. This, however, should not be done in order to feed its meat to the dogs.
Halacha 9
If it was slaughtered to be used as an ordinary animal, it should be redeemed and it does not bring about atonement. If it was slaughtered on top of the arrangement of wood set up for burning it, it can never be redeemed.
Halacha 10
If a red heifer was purchased and then one found a more attractive one, the first may be redeemed even if it does not have a blemish.
Halacha 11
Even an ordinary priest is acceptable to perform the burning of the red heifer, as Numbers 9:3 states: "And you shall give it to Elazar, the priest." At that time, Aaron was still alive. According to the Oral Tradition, it was taught: That red heifer was offered by Elazar. The remainder of the red heifers could be offered either by a High Priest or an ordinary priest.
Halacha 12
The person offering the red heifer should wear the four garments of an ordinary priest. This applies whether it was offered by an ordinary priest or a High Priest.
Halacha 13
All of those who were involved in the offering of the red heifer from the beginning to the end who had immersed that day are acceptable for the services associated with the red heifer, to consecrate the water used for sprinkling, and for sprinkling its ashes even though they did not wait until the nightfall after their immersion. The rationale is that the term "a pure man" used throughout that passage refers to one who is pure with regard to partaking of the second tithe, even though he is not pure with regard to partaking ofterumah until nightfall. Such a person is pure with regard to the red heifer.
Halacha 14
The Sadducees would say that the offering of the red heifer was acceptable only when those bringing it had waited until nightfall after immersion. Therefore in the Second Temple, the court would cause the priest who burned the red heifer to become ritually impure through contact with the carcass of a crawling animal or the like. He would immerse and then offer the red heifer to nullify the words of these brazen ones who issue rulings according to their whims without basis in the received tradition. Similarly, all of the containers into which the ashes of the red heifer were placed were all immersed that day.
Halacha 15
For the same reason, a person who cuts the stalk of a reed to place the ashes of a red heifer upon it so they can be placed in water to consecrate it for sprinkling, should make it impure, immerse it, and then place the ashes in it. The one who cuts it and the one who immerses it must immerse themselves, because that reed was considered as an entity that came in contact with a corpse on the seventh day of its purification process. Therefore it does not need to have the ashes of the red heifer sprinkled on it. Instead, it is made impure to show the Sadducees that the Oral Tradition should be upheld. It is then immersed and the ashes of the red heifer are placed in it.
• Shabbat, Tammuz 17, 5775 · 04 July 2015
"Today's Day"
Tuesday Tamuz 17 5703
Fast Day. S'lichot (p. 362). Avinu Malkeinu (p. 277).
Torah lessons: Chumash: Pinchas, Shlishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 83-87.
Tanya: There still (p. 353) ...are not concluded."). (p. 355).
The difference between the first tablets (of the Ten Commandments) and the second:
In the tablets proper: The first were the "work of G-d"1 but the second, "hew for yourself."2
In the script: According to the sages in Eiruvin 54a, only the first ones had (the spiritual quality described by the words)3 "engraved on the tablets."
In the spiritual standing of the people Israel: When the first were given, they weretzadikim, for as they stood at Mt. Sinai "their defilement came to an end." But at the second tablets they were baalei teshuva, repentants.
In the spiritual standing of Moshe: When the Torah was given, Moshe received one thousand "lights" as a gift; with the sin of the Golden Calf these were taken from him and were not restored with the second tablets (except on Shabbat, as stated in P'ri Eitz Chaim).
The second tablets, however, did have this superior quality: That they were given along with halachot (laws), midrash and aggadot, etc., a "double gift of Torah-wisdom,"4 as explained in Nedarim 22b. Also, at the second, Moshe's face shone with rays of light.
FOOTNOTES
1. Sh'mot 32:17.
2. Ibid. 34:1.
3. Viz. Rashi on Eiruvin 54a: Had the first tablets not been broken, the Torah would have remained forever engraved in Israel's heart, and would never have been forgotten. This immense "spiritual quality" was absent from the second tablets, although they too were engraved in a Divine, miraculous manner. See Likutei Sichot Vol. 14, p. 31 et seq., and footnote 11 ibid.
4. Iyov 11:6 according to Metzudat Tziyon. Midrash Sh'mot Raba, Ch. 46 (beg.). Viz Likutei Sichot Vol. 9, p. 248, and footnotes there.
Daily Thought:
Make Up Your Own Life
If everything were spelled out —exactly what you are supposed to do, when, how, with whom and for how long—what room would be left for you to live your own life?
This is why the details of your mission in this world are withheld from you:
Out of G‑d’s great benevolence, so that this little creature can decide on its own and partner with G‑d in its own life.
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