Torah Reading
Behar: Leviticus 25:1 Adonai spoke to Moshe on Mount Sinai; he said, 2 “Tell the people of Isra’el, ‘When you enter the land I am giving you, the land itself is to observe a Shabbat rest for Adonai. 3 Six years you will sow your field; six years you will prune your grapevines and gather their produce. 4 But in the seventh year is to be a Shabbat of complete rest for the land, a Shabbat for Adonai; you will neither sow your field nor prune your grapevines. 5 You are not to harvest what grows by itself from the seeds left by your previous harvest, and you are not to gather the grapes of your untended vine; it is to be a year of complete rest for the land. 6 But what the land produces during the year of Shabbat will be food for all of you — you, your servant, your maid, your employee, anyone living near you, 7 your livestock and the wild animals on your land; everything the land produces may be used for food.
8 “‘You are to count seven Shabbats of years, seven times seven years, that is, forty-nine years. 9 Then, on the tenth day of the seventh month, on Yom-Kippur, you are to sound a blast on the shofar; you are to sound the shofar all through your land; 10 and you are to consecrate the fiftieth year, proclaiming freedom throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It will be a yovel for you; you will return everyone to the land he owns, and everyone is to return to his family. 11 That fiftieth year will be a yovel for you; in that year you are not to sow, harvest what grows by itself or gather the grapes of untended vines; 12 because it is a yovel. It will be holy for you; whatever the fields produce will be food for all of you. 13 In this year of yovel, every one of you is to return to the land he owns.
Today's Laws & Customs:• Lag BaOmer
Lag BaOmer (the 33rd day of the Omer count) celebrates the end of the plague amongst Rabbi Akiva's students, and the ascent on high of the soul of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (see "Today in Jewish History"). The mourning practices of the Omer period are suspended, which is why many three-year-old boys receive their first haircut on this day. Many visit the gravesite of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai in Meron in northern Israel. It is customary to go on outings and to light bonfires; children play with bow-and-arrows to recall that "during the lifetime of Rabbi Shimon the rainbow (--a sign of the world's unworthiness, as per Genesis 9:14) was not seen."
The Lubavitcher Rebbe initiated the organization of parades of Jewish unity and pride on Lag BaOmer and on a number of occasions (in 1953, 1956, 1957, 1960, 1966, 1967, 1970, 1976,1980, 1983, 1984, 1987 and 1990) he addressed the parade held near his headquarters in Brooklyn in which thousands of Jewish children and their teachers participated.
Links: Lag BaOmer: The Mystic Dimension
• Count "Thirty-Four Days to the Omer" Tonight
Tomorrow is the thirty-fourth day of the Omer Count. Since, on the Jewish calendar, the day begins at nightfall of the previous evening, we count the omer for tomorrow's date tonight, after nightfall: "Today is thirty-four days, which are four weeks and six days, to the Omer." (If you miss the count tonight, you can count the omer all day tomorrow, but without the preceding blessing).
The 49-day "Counting of the Omer" retraces our ancestors' seven-week spiritual journey from the Exodus to Sinai. Each evening we recite a special blessing and count the days and weeks that have passed since the Omer; the 50th day is Shavuot, the festival celebrating the Giving of the Torah at Sinai.
Tonight's Sefirah: Yesod sheb'Hod -- "Connection in Humility"
The teachings of Kabbalah explain that there are seven "Divine Attributes" -- Sefirot -- that G-d assumes through which to relate to our existence: Chessed, Gevurah, Tifferet, Netzach, Hod,Yesod and Malchut ("Love", "Strength", "Beauty", "Victory", "Splendor", "Foundation" and "Sovereignty"). In the human being, created in the "image of G-d," the seven sefirot are mirrored in the seven "emotional attributes" of the human soul: Kindness, Restraint, Harmony, Ambition, Humility, Connection and Receptiveness. Each of the seven attributes contain elements of all seven--i.e., "Kindness in Kindness", "Restraint in Kindness", "Harmony in Kindness", etc.--making for a total of forty-nine traits. The 49-day Omer Count is thus a 49-step process of self-refinement, with each day devoted to the "rectification" and perfection of one the forty-nine "sefirot."
Links:
How to count the Omer
The deeper significance of the Omer Count
Today in Jewish History:
• Plague among R. Akiva's Disciples Ends (circa 120 CE)
In the weeks between Passover and Shavuot, a plague decimated 24,000 students of the great sage Rabbi Akiva--a result, says the Talmud, of the fact that they "did not respect one another." The plague's cessation on Iyar 18--the 33rd day of the Omer Count or "Lag BaOmer"--is one of the reasons that the day is celebrated each year (see "Laws and Customs" below).
Links: Rabbi Akiva
• Passing of R. Shimon bar Yochai (2nd century CE)
Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai ("Rashbi"), was a leading disciple of Rabbi Akiva and one of the most important tana'im whose teachings of Torah law are collected in the Mishnah. He was also the first to publicly teach the mystical dimension of the Torah known as the "Kabbalah", and is the author of the basic work of Kabbalah, the Zohar. For 13 years Rabbi Shimon hid in a cave to escape the wrath of the Romans whose government he criticized. On the day of his passing--Iyar 18, the 33rd day of the Omer Count--Rabbi Shimon gathered his disciples and revealed many of the deepest secrets of the divine wisdom, and instructed them to mark the date as "the day of my joy."
Links: Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai
• Passing of Rama (1573?)
Rabbi Moshe Isereles ("Rama") of Cracow (1525-1573?) authored the glosses ("hagga'ot") on R. Yosef Caro's the Code of Jewish Law and is regarded as the definitive Halachic authority for Ashkenazic Jews.
Links: Rabbi Moshe Isserlis
• Ettingen Jews Acquitted (1690)
Following a blood libel and the decree, if found guilty, to destroy the synagogue of Ettingen, Switzerland, the Jews were acquitted. The local Jews celebrated this day as a local "Purim" celebration-day of thanksgiving.
Links: The Other Purims
• IDF Created (1948)
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was created on Lag BaOmer of 1948. The IDF comprises the Israeli army, Israeli air force and Israeli navy. It was formed to defend the existence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the state of Israel and combat all forms of terrorism which threaten the daily lives of its inhabitants.
Links: Israel Defense Force (IDF)
• Hurva Synagogue Destroyed (1948)
The Hurva synagogue, located in the Jewish quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, was captured and dynamited by the Arab Legion of Jordan during the battle for Old Jerusalem in 1948.
The synagogue was built by the group of disciples of Rabbi Elijah (the "Vilna Gaon") who immigrated from Lithuania in 1864. The synagogue was built on the ruins of the synagogue built by Rabbi Judah Chassid (Segal) and his disciples in 1700, which was destroyed by Arab mobs in 1721. It was therefore named the "Hurvat Rabbi Judah HaChassid"—the ruins of Rabbi Judah the Chassid, or simply "The Hurva"—The Ruin.
In 2010, following several years of construction, the synagogue—built to resemble its Ottoman era form—was once again opened amid great fanfare.
Daily Quote:
Just as it is forbidden to slander a fellow, it is forbidden to slander oneself[Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch]
Daily Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Behar, 5th Portion Leviticus 25:29-25:38 with Rashi
• English / Hebrew Linear Translation | Video Class• Leviticus Chapter 25
29And when a man sells a residential house in a walled city, its redemption may take place until the completion of the year of its sale. Its [period of] redemption shall be a full year. כטוְאִ֗ישׁ כִּֽי־יִמְכֹּ֤ר בֵּֽית־מוֹשַׁב֙ עִ֣יר חוֹמָ֔ה וְהָֽיְתָה֙ גְּאֻלָּת֔וֹ עַד־תֹּ֖ם שְׁנַ֣ת מִמְכָּר֑וֹ יָמִ֖ים תִּֽהְיֶ֥ה גְאֻלָּתֽוֹ:
a residential house in a walled city: A house (בֵּית) within a city (עִיר) surrounded by a wall (חוֹמָה) since the days of Joshua the son of Nun. — [Sifthei Chachamim ; Torath Kohanim 25:53, Arachin 32a, b]
בית מושב עיר חומה: בית בתוך עיר המוקפת חומה מימות יהושע בן נון:
its redemption may take place [until the completion of the year of its sale]: Since regarding a field, Scripture states that one may redeem it whenever one wishes after two years have elapsed [since the date of sale] and onwards [until Jubilee] and that within the first two years [following the sale] one may not redeem it, [Scripture found] it necessary to specify that in this case, the opposite applies, namely, that if one wishes to redeem it within the first year [following the sale], one may redeem it, while after that, one may not redeem it.
והיתה גאלתו: לפי שנאמר בשדה שיכול לגאלה משתי שנים ואילך כל זמן שירצה ובתוך שתי שנים הראשונים אינו יכול לגאלה, הוצרך לפרש בזה שהוא חלוף, שאם רצה לגאול בשנה ראשונה גואלה, ולאחר מכאן אינו גואלה:
its [period of] redemption shall be: [I.e., the redemption] of the house, [not the redemption of the sale or the redemption of the seller.] - [Mizrachi, Sefer Hazikkaron]
והיתה גאלתו: של בית:
a full year: Heb. יָמִים, [lit., “days,”]. The days of a full year, are called יָמִים. Likewise, “Let the maiden stay with us a year (יָמִים)” (Gen. 24:55).
ימים: ימי שנה שלימה קרויים ימים, וכן (בראשית כד נה) תשב הנערה אתנו ימים:
30But if it is not redeemed by the end of a complete year, then that house which is in the city that has a wall, shall remain permanently [the property] of the one who purchased it throughout his generations. It will not leave [his possession] in the Jubilee. לוְאִ֣ם לֹֽא־יִגָּאֵ֗ל עַד־מְלֹ֣את לוֹ֘ שָׁנָ֣ה תְמִימָה֒ וְ֠קָ֠ם הַבַּ֨יִת אֲשֶׁר־בָּעִ֜יר אֲשֶׁר־ל֣וֹ (כתיב אשר־לא) חֹמָ֗ה לַצְּמִיתֻ֛ת לַקֹּנֶ֥ה אֹת֖וֹ לְדֹֽרֹתָ֑יו לֹ֥א יֵצֵ֖א בַּיֹּבֵֽל:
then that house…shall remain permanently: It shall leave the jurisdiction of the seller, and remain under the jurisdiction of the purchaser.
וקם הבית וגו' לצמיתת: יצא מכחו של מוכר ועומד בכחו של קונה:
that has a wall: Heb. אֲשֶׁר לֹא חֹמָה, [meaning “which has no wall”]. [However, Oral Tradition teaches us that] we read לוֹ, [meaning “to him” or “to it,” [hence, “a city that has a wall”]. Our Rabbis of blessed memory said: [The written version of this phrase namely, בָּעִיר אֲשֶׁר לֹא חֹמָה teaches us that] even if [the city] does not (לֹא) have a wall now, since it had one before [from the days of Joshua, the laws of our passage still apply to it]. — [Arachin 32a] [Since the word] עִיר is grammatically feminine, Scripture should have written בָּעִיר אֲשֶׁר לָהּ חֹמָה, [לָהּ being the feminine form of “to it”]. However, since לֹא had to be written inside [i.e., in the written text of the Torah, our Rabbis] set this word to be read according to the Oral Tradition as לוֹ, because they match [in pronunciation, unlike לָהּ].
אשר לא חמה: לו קרינן, אמרו רז"ל אף על פי שאין לו עכשיו, הואיל והיתה לו קודם לכן. ועיר נקבה היא והוצרך לכתוב לה, אלא מתוך שצריך לכתוב לא בפנים, תקנו לו במסורת, זה נופל על זה:
It shall not leave [his possession] in the Jubilee: [What does this phrase teach us? It has already stated that the house becomes the permanent property of the purchaser.] Said Rabbi Safra: [Even] if the Jubilee year occurs within the first year [of the sale,] it shall not leave [his possession without redemption]. — [Arachin 31b]
לא יצא ביבל: אמר רב ספרא אם פגע בו יובל בתוך שנתו לא יצא:
31But houses in open cities, which do not have a wall surrounding them, are to be considered as the field of the land. It may have redemption and shall leave [the purchaser's possession] in the Jubilee. לאוּבָתֵּ֣י הַֽחֲצֵרִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר אֵֽין־לָהֶ֤ם חֹמָה֙ סָבִ֔יב עַל־שְׂדֵ֥ה הָאָ֖רֶץ יֵֽחָשֵׁ֑ב גְּאֻלָּה֙ תִּֽהְיֶה־לּ֔וֹ וּבַיֹּבֵ֖ל יֵצֵֽא:
But houses in open cities: Heb. הַחֲצֵרִים, [to be understood] as it is rendered by the Targum [Onkelos, namely]: פַצִיחַיָא, meaning open towns, without a wall. There are many [instances of this term] in the Book of Joshua, [for example in the verse] (13:28),“the cities and their open towns (וְחַצְרֵיהֶם) ”; [likewise in the verse], “in their open cities (בְּחַצְרֵיהֶם) and in their walled cities” (Gen. 25:16).
ובתי החצרים: כתרגומו פצחין, עיירות פתוחות מאין חומה. ויש הרבה בספר יהושע (יהושע יג כח) הערים וחצריהם, (בראשית כה טז) בחצריהם ובטירותם:
[But houses in open cities…] are to be considered as the field of the land: They are like fields, which may be redeemed until the Jubilee and leave [the possession of the purchaser, reverting] to the [original] owners in the Jubilee if they had not been redeemed [until then].
על שדה הארץ יחשב: הרי הן כשדות הנגאלים עד היובל ויוצאין ביובל לבעלים אם לא נגאלו:
It may have redemption: immediately, if one wishes [to redeem it]. And by virtue of this element, they have a greater advantage [to the original owner] than do fields, since fields may not be redeemed until two years have elapsed [since the sale (see Rashi on verse 15 above)]. — [Arachin 33a]
גאלה תהיה לו: מיד אם ירצה. ובזה יפה כחו מכח שדות, שהשדות אין נגאלות עד שתי שנים:
and shall leave [the purchaser’s possession] inthe Jubilee: without payment [for regarding fields, which are required to remain with the purchaser for two years (see Rashi on verse 15 above), if the Jubilee occurs after only one year has elapsed from the sale, then the field reverts to the owner for the Jubilee year, but the purchaser takes it back for one more year afterwards (Arachin 29b). In the case of houses in open cities, however, even if the Jubilee occurs after only one year, the house reverts to the original owner, without any payment.] - [Sifthei Chachamim].
וביבל יצא: בחנם:
32And, [regarding] the cities of the Levites, the houses of their inherited cities shall forever have a [right of] redemption for the Levites. לבוְעָרֵי֙ הַֽלְוִיִּ֔ם בָּתֵּ֖י עָרֵ֣י אֲחֻזָּתָ֑ם גְּאֻלַּ֥ת עוֹלָ֖ם תִּֽהְיֶ֥ה לַֽלְוִיִּֽם:
And [regarding] the cities of the Levites: [namely,] the forty-eight cities that were given to the Levites (see Num. 35:7).
וערי הלוים: ארבעים ושמנה עיר שנתנו להם:
shall forever have a [right of] redemption: [If a Levite] sells a field of one of their fields that were given to them in the two-thousand cubits surrounding the cities (see Num. 35:45), he may redeem it immediately, even before two years have elapsed [since the sale]. And if he sells a house in a walled city, he may always redeem it, and the house is not transferred permanently [to the purchaser] at the end of the [first] year [after the sale, as opposed to the case of a non-Levite owner]. — [Arachin 33b]
גאלת עולם: גואל מיד אפילו לפני שתי שנים, אם מכרו שדה משדותיהם הנתונות להם באלפים אמה סביבות הערים, או אם מכרו בית בעיר חומה, גואלין לעולם, ואינו חלוט לסוף שנה:
33And if one purchases from the Levites, whether a house or an inherited city, will leave [the possession of the purchaser] in the Jubilee, because the houses of the cities of the Levites, are their inherited property amidst the children of Israel. לגוַֽאֲשֶׁ֤ר יִגְאַל֙ מִן־הַֽלְוִיִּ֔ם וְיָצָ֧א מִמְכַּר־בַּ֛יִת וְעִ֥יר אֲחֻזָּת֖וֹ בַּיֹּבֵ֑ל כִּ֣י בָתֵּ֞י עָרֵ֣י הַֽלְוִיִּ֗ם הִ֚וא אֲחֻזָּתָ֔ם בְּת֖וֹךְ בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל:
And if one purchases from the Levites: And if someone buys (יִגְאַל) a house or a city from them.
ואשר יגאל מן הלוים: ואם יקנה בית או עיר מהם:
shall leave [the possession of the purchaser] in the Jubilee: It will leave in Jubilee, i.e., the sale of that house or city [will leave the possession of that purchaser], and will revert to the Levite who sold it. And it will not be transferred permanently [to the purchaser] like other houses in a walled city owned by an Israelite. Thus, this expression of גְּאֻלָּה [usually meaning “redemption”], here means “purchase.” Another explanation: [keeping the usual meaning of גְּאֻלָּה, namely, “redemption”]: Since it is said, “the Levites will forever have a [right of] redemption,” one might assume that Scripture is speaking only of a non-Levite who purchased a house in the Levitic cities [and that the Levite owner may always redeem this house], but if a Levite purchased from another Levite, it would be transferred permanently, Therefore, Scripture says here, “And if one redeems (יִגְאַל) from the Levites”-i.e., even when a Levite redeems from a Levite, [still the owner,] “will forever have a [right of] redemption.” - [Torath Kohanim 25:66]
ויצא ביבל: אותו ממכר של בית או של עיר וישוב ללוי שמכרו, ולא יהיה חלוט כשאר בתי ערי חומה של ישראל. וגאולה זו לשון מכירה. דבר אחר לפי שנאמר גאולת עולם תהיה ללוים (פסוק לב), יכול לא דבר הכתוב אלא בלוקח ישראל שקנה בית בערי הלוים, אבל לוי שקנה מלוי יהיה חלוט, תלמוד לומר ואשר יגאל מן הלוים, אף [לוי] הגואל מיד לוי גואל גאולת עולם:
the house... shall leave [the possession of the purchaser] in the Jubilee: [According to Rashi’s first explanation of וַאֲשֶׁר יִגְאַל מִן הַלְוִיִּם, the verse continues to state that the house purchased by a non-Levite “will leave (the possession of the purchaser) in the Jubilee,” as above. However, according to the alternative explanation, where this first phrase וַאֲשֶׁר יִגְאַל מִן הַלְוִיִּם independently teaches us about a Levite purchaser, the second phrase here, namely, “will leave (the possession of the purchaser) in the Jubilee”] this is a separate commandment, namely, that if the Levite owner] did not redeem the house, it leaves [the possession of the purchaser] in Jubilee and does not transfer permanently [to the purchaser] at the end of a year, like the house of an Israelite.
ויצא ממכר בית: הרי זו מצוה אחרת, ואם לא גאלה יוצאה ביובל, ואינו נחלט לסוף שנה כבית של ישראל:
because the houses of the cities of the Levites are their inherited property: They did not have an inheritance of fields and vineyards, but cities to live in and their open areas (see Num. 35:18). Therefore, these [cities and their open areas,] are to be considered for them [as their inheritance] in place of fields. Consequently, they have the same redemption [rights] as do fields [of non-Levites and also, this property reverts to them in Jubilee (Sifthei Chachamim). All this,] so that their inheritance never be removed from them.
כי בתי ערי הלוים הוא אחזתם: לא היה להם נחלת שדות וכרמים אלא ערים לשבת ומגרשיהם, לפיכך הם להם במקום שדות, ויש להם גאולה כשדות, כדי שלא תופקע נחלתם מהם:
34And a field in the open areas of their cities cannot be sold, because it is their eternal inheritance. לדוּֽשֲׂדֵ֛ה מִגְרַ֥שׁ עָֽרֵיהֶ֖ם לֹ֣א יִמָּכֵ֑ר כִּֽי־אֲחֻזַּ֥ת עוֹלָ֛ם ה֖וּא לָהֶֽם:
And a field in the open areas of their cities cannot be sold: by the [Temple] treasurer. I.e., if a Levite consecrated his field and did not redeem it, and the treasurer sold it, in the Jubilee, the field does not leave [the possession of the purchaser] and [“revert”] to the kohanim, as it is said concerning [a field originally owned by] an Israelite, “and if he sold the field to another man-it may no longer be redeemed.” (Lev. 27:20). But a Levite may always redeem [his field]. - [Torath Kohanim 25:70]
ושדה מגרש עריהם לא ימכר: מכר גזבר, שאם הקדיש בן לוי את שדהו ולא גאלה ומכרה גזבר, אינה יוצאה לכהנים ביובל, כמו שנאמר בישראל (ויק' כז כ) ואם מכר את השדה לאיש אחר לא יגאל עוד, אבל בן לוי גואל לעולם:
35If your brother becomes destitute and his hand falters beside you, you shall support him [whether] a convert or a resident, so that he can live with you. להוְכִֽי־יָמ֣וּךְ אָחִ֔יךָ וּמָ֥טָה יָד֖וֹ עִמָּ֑ךְ וְהֶֽחֱזַ֣קְתָּ בּ֔וֹ גֵּ֧ר וְתוֹשָׁ֛ב וָחַ֖י עִמָּֽךְ:
you shall support him: Do not allow him to fall down and collapse altogether, in which case it would be difficult to pick him up again [from his dire poverty]. Rather, “support him” while his hand is still faltering [for then it is easier to help him out of his trouble]. To what can this be compared? To a load on a donkey-while it is still on the donkey, one person can grasp it and hold it in place. Once it falls to the ground, however, [even] five people cannot pick it up. - [Torath Kohanim 25:71]
והחזקת בו: אל תניחהו שירד ויפול ויהיה קשה להקימו, אלא חזקהו משעת מוטת היד. למה זה דומה, למשאוי שעל החמור, עודהו על החמור אחד תופס בו ומעמידו, נפל לארץ, חמשה אין מעמידין אותו:
a convert or a resident: Even if he is a convert (גֵּר) or a “resident (תוֹשָׁב).” And what is a “resident”? Any [non-Jew] who has accepted upon himself not to worship idols, but eats carrion. - [Torath Kohanim 25:72; and compare Rashi verse 47] [These people are called “residents,” as they are permitted to reside permanently in the land of Israel (Rambam A.Z. 10:6).]
גר ותושב: אף אם הוא גר או תושב, ואיזהו תושב, כל שקבל עליו שלא לעבוד עבודה זרה, ואוכל נבלות:
36You shall not take from him interest or increase, and you shall fear your God, and let your brother live with you. לואַל־תִּקַּ֤ח מֵֽאִתּוֹ֙ נֶ֣שֶׁךְ וְתַרְבִּ֔ית וְיָרֵ֖אתָ מֵֽאֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ וְחֵ֥י אָחִ֖יךָ עִמָּֽךְ:
interest or increase: The Rabbis regard these as one, [but the Torah uses two terms so that one who takes interest transgresses thereby two negative commandments. — [B.M. 60b]
נשך ותרבית: חד שווינהו רבנן, ולעבור עליו בשני לאוין:
and you shall fear your God: A person’s desire is naturally attracted to [taking] interest, and it is difficult to stay away from it, for he [rationalizes and] grants himself [false] permission because of his money which was lying idle while in his [the debtor’s] hands. [Therefore, Scripture] found it necessary to state here “and you shall fear your God.” Or if someone ascribes his money to a non-Jew in order to lend it to a Jew with interest. This is a matter held [secretly] in a man’s heart and thought. Therefore, Scripture deems it necessary to state, “and you shall fear your God” [Who is privy to all inner thoughts]. — [B.M. 61b]
ויראת מאלהיך: לפי שדעתו של אדם נמשכת אחר הרבית וקשה לפרוש הימנו ומורה לעצמו היתר בשביל מעותיו שהיו בטלות אצלו, הוצרך לומר ויראת מאלהיך. או התולה מעותיו בנכרי, כדי להלוותם לישראל ברבית, הרי זה דבר המסור ללבו של אדם ומחשבתו, לכך הוצרך לומר ויראת מאלהיך:
37You shall not give him your money with interest, nor shall you give your food with increase. לזאֶת־כַּ֨סְפְּךָ֔ לֹֽא־תִתֵּ֥ן ל֖וֹ בְּנֶ֑שֶׁךְ וּבְמַרְבִּ֖ית לֹֽא־תִתֵּ֥ן אָכְלֶֽךָ:
38I am the Lord, your God, Who took you out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Canaan, to be a God to you. לחאֲנִ֗י יְהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹ֣הֵיכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁר־הוֹצֵ֥אתִי אֶתְכֶ֖ם מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם לָתֵ֤ת לָכֶם֙ אֶת־אֶ֣רֶץ כְּנַ֔עַן לִֽהְי֥וֹת לָכֶ֖ם לֵֽאלֹהִֽים:
Who took [you] out [of the land of Egypt]: and I distinguished between a firstborn [Egyptian] and a non-firstborn [in the plague of the firstborn, which preceded Israel’s Exodus (see Exod. 12:29-42)]I am also capable of discerning and exacting punishment from someone who lends money to his fellow Jew with interest and says, “It belongs to a non-Jew!” - [B.M. 61b] Another explanation: [In effect, God is saying, “I am the Lord, your God] Who took you out from the land of Egypt” on the condition that you keep My commandments-even if they are difficult for you. - [see Rashi on verse 36 above; see Torath Kohanim 25:77]
אשר הוצאתי וגו': והבחנתי בין בכור לשאינו בכור, אף אני יודע ונפרע מן המלוה מעות לישראל ברבית ואומר של נכרי הם. דבר אחר אשר הוצאתי אתכם מארץ מצרים על מנת שתקבלו עליכם מצותי אפילו הן כבדות עליכם:
to give you the land of Canaan: As a reward for accepting My commandments.
לתת לכם את ארץ כנען: בשכר שתקבלו מצותי:
[To give you the land of Canaan,] to be a God to you: for I am a God to anyone who lives in the land of Israel, but anyone who leaves it [without halachic permission] is like one who worships idols. — [Torath Kohanim 25:77; Keth. 110b]
להיות לכם לא-להים: שכל הדר בארץ ישראל אני לו לא-להים, וכל היוצא ממנה כעובד עבודה זרה:
Daily Tehillim: Chapters 88 - 89• Hebrew text
• English text• Chapter 88
The psalmist weeps and laments bitterly over the maladies and suffering Israel endures in exile, which he describes in detail.
1. A song, a psalm by the sons of Korach, for the Conductor, upon the machalat le'anot; 1 a maskil2 for Heiman the Ezrachite.
2. O Lord, God of my deliverance, by day I cried out [to You], by night I [offer my prayer] before You.
3. Let my prayer come before You; turn Your ear to my supplication.
4. For my soul is sated with affliction, and my life has reached the grave.
5. I was reckoned with those who go down to the pit, I was like a man without strength.
6. [I am regarded] among the dead who are free, like corpses lying in the grave, of whom You are not yet mindful, who are yet cut off by Your hand.
7. You have put me into the lowest pit, into the darkest places, into the depths.
8. Your wrath has weighed heavily upon me, and all the waves [of Your fury] have constantly afflicted me.
9. You have estranged my friends from me, You have made me abhorrent to them; I am imprisoned and unable to leave.
10. My eye is afflicted because of distress; I call to You, O Lord, every day; I have stretched out my hands [in prayer] to You.
11. Do You perform wonders for the deceased? Do the dead stand to offer You praise? Selah.
12. Is Your kindness recounted in the grave, your faithfulness in the place of perdition?
13. Are Your wondrous deeds known in the darkness [of the grave], or Your righteousness in the land of oblivion?
14. But, I, to You, O Lord, I cry; each morning my prayer comes before You.
15. Why, O Lord, do You forsake my soul? Why do You conceal Your countenance from Me?
16. From my youth I have been afflicted and approaching death, yet I have borne the fear of You which is firmly established within me.
17. Your furies have passed over me; Your terrors have cut me down.
18. They have engulfed me like water all day long, they all together surrounded me.
19. You have estranged from me beloved and friend; I have been rejected by my intimates.
FOOTNOTES
1.A musical instrument(Metzudot).
2.A psalm intended to enlighten and impart knowledge(Metzudot).
Chapter 89
This psalm speaks of the kingship of the House of David, the psalmist lamenting its fall from power for many years, and God's abandonment and spurning of us.
1. A maskil1 by Eitan the Ezrachite.
2. I will sing of the Lord's kindness forever; to all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth.
3. For I have said, "The world is built with kindness; there in the heavens You establish Your faithfulness.”
4. I have made a covenant with My chosen one; I have sworn to David, My servant:
5. "I will establish Your descendants forever; I will build your throne for all generations," Selah.
6. Then the heavens will extol Your wonders, O Lord; Your faithfulness, too, in the congregation of the holy ones.
7. Indeed, who in heaven can be compared to the Lord, who among the supernal beings can be likened to the Lord!
8. The Almighty is revered in the great assembly of the holy ones, awe-inspiring to all who surround Him.
9. O Lord, God of Hosts, who is mighty like You, O God! Your faithfulness surrounds You.
10. You rule the vastness of the sea; when its waves surge, You still them.
11. You crushed Rahav (Egypt) like a corpse; with Your powerful arm You scattered Your enemies.
12. Yours are the heavens, the earth is also Yours; the world and all therein-You established them.
13. The north and the south-You created them; Tabor and Hermon sing of [the greatness] of Your Name.
14. Yours is the arm which has the might; strengthen Your hand, raise high Your right hand.
15. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; kindness and truth go before Your countenance.
16. Fortunate is the people who know the sound of the shofar; Lord, they walk in the light of Your countenance.
17. They rejoice in Your Name all day, and they are exalted through Your righteousness.
18. Indeed, You are the splendor of their might, and in Your goodwill our glory is exalted.
19. For our protectors turn to the Lord, and our king to the Holy One of Israel.
20. Then You spoke in a vision to Your pious ones and said: "I have granted aid to [David] the mighty one; I have exalted the one chosen from among the people.
21. I have found David, My servant; I have anointed him with My holy oil.
22. It is he whom My hand shall be prepared [to assist]; My arm, too, shall strengthen him.
23. The enemy shall not prevail over him, nor shall the iniquitous person afflict him.
24. And I will crush his adversaries before him, and will strike down those who hate him.
25. Indeed, My faithfulness and My kindness shall be with him, and through My Name his glory shall be exalted.
26. I will set his hand upon the sea, his right hand upon the rivers.
27. He will call out to Me, 'You are my Father, my God, the strength of my deliverance.’
28. I will also make him [My] firstborn, supreme over the kings of the earth.
29. I will maintain My kindness for him forever; My covenant shall remain true to him.
30. And I will bestow [kingship] upon his seed forever, and his throne will endure as long as the heavens last.
31. If his children forsake My Torah and do not walk in My ordinances;
32. if they profane My statutes and do not observe My commandments,
33. then I will punish their transgression with the rod and their misdeeds with plagues.
34. Yet I shall not take away My kindness from him, nor betray My faithfulness.
35. I will not abrogate My covenant, nor change that which has issued from My lips.
36. One thing I have sworn by My holiness-I will not cause disappointment to David.
37. His seed will endure forever and his throne will be [resplendent] as the sun before Me.
38. Like the moon, it shall be established forever; [the moon] is a faithful witness in the sky for all time.”
39. Yet You have forsaken and abhorred; You became enraged at Your anointed.
40. You annulled the covenant with Your servant; You have profaned his crown [by casting it] to the ground.
41. You shattered all his fences; You turned all his strongholds into ruin.
42. All wayfarers despoiled him; he has become a disgrace to his neighbors.
43. You have uplifted the right hand of his adversaries; You have made all his enemies rejoice.
44. You also turned back the blade of his sword, and did not sustain him in battle.
45. You put an end to his splendor, and toppled his throne to the ground.
46. You have cut short the days of his youth; You have enclothed him with long-lasting shame.
47. How long, O Lord, will You conceal Yourself-forever? [How long] will Your fury blaze like fire?
48. O remember how short is my life span! Why have You created all children of man for naught?
49. What man can live and not see death, can save his soul forever from the grave?
50. Where are Your former deeds of kindness, my Lord, which You swore to David in Your faithfulness?
51. Remember, my Lord, the disgrace of Your servants, that I bear in my bosom from all the many nations;
52. that Your enemies have disgraced, O Lord, that they have disgraced the footsteps of Your anointed.
53. Blessed is the Lord forever, Amen and Amen.
FOOTNOTES
1.A psalm intended to enlighten and impart knowledge(Metzudot).
Tanya: Likutei Amarim, middle of Chapter 49• Lessons in Tanya• English Text
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• Thursday, Iyar 18, 5776 · May 26, 2016
• Likutei Amarim, middle of Chapter 49
• ואיך יבא האדם החומרי למדה זו
Rambam:
• Sefer Hamitzvos:• English Text | Hebrew Text |
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But how can physical man attain this level? — of G‑dly love that nothing can obstruct.
לכך סידרו תחלה ברכת יוצר אור, ושם נאמר ונשנה באריכות ענין וסדר המלאכים העומדים ברום עולם
It is to this end, therefore, that the blessing of Yotzer Or was introduced to be recited first, for in this blessing there is stated and repeated at length — and this meditation must indeed be a lengthy one, taking into account all the specific details — the account and order of the angels “standing at the world’s summit,”
להודיע גדולתו של הקב״ה, איך שכולם בטלים לאורו יתברך, ומשמיעים ביראה כו׳ ומקדישים כו׳ ואומרים ביראה: קדוש כו׳, כלומר שהוא מובדל מהם ואינו מתלבש בהם בבחינת גילוי
in order to proclaim the greatness of the Holy One, blessed be He — how they are all nullified in His blessed light and “pronounce in fear...” “and sanctify...” G‑d’s Name, and “declare in fear, ‘Holy’,”... meaning1 by saying “Holy...” that He is apart from them, and does not clothe Himself in them in a revealed state,
אלא מלא כל הארץ כבודו, היא כנסת ישראל למעלה, וישראל למטה, כנ״ל
but where is G‑d revealed? — “The whole earth is full of His glory,” namely, the Community of Israel abovei.e., Malchut of Atzilut, the source of Jewish souls, which is called “earth”, and Israel on this earth below, wherein Jews perform Torah and mitzvot, for which reason specifically is this world filled with His glory: it is here that G‑d clothes and reveals Himself, as has been explained earlier.
All the above refers to the comprehension of the supernal angels, the serafim, who are able to comprehend how G‑d is apart from them and that only the earth is charged with His glory.
וכן האופנים וחיות הקודש ברעש גדול וכו׳: ברוך כבוד ה׳ ממקומו, לפי שאין יודעים ומשיגים מקומו
So, too, we find related in the2 blessing of Yotzer Or, regarding other categories of angels, whose place is in a lower world than the serafim, and who are therefore unable to comprehend how G‑dliness is separate and apart, that “the ofanim and the holy chayyot with a mighty sound” declare:3 ‘Blessed be the glory of the L‑rd and may it be drawn downfrom its place,’" for they neither know, nor do they apprehend His place — the place from which G‑dliness is revealed, for which reason they say ”from its place,“ wherever that place may be,
וכמו שכתוב: כי הוא לבדו מרום וקדוש
as we say a few lines later, “For He alone is exalted and holy.”
The various degrees of nullification of these angels are thus spoken of in the first of the two blessings preceding theShema. When a person meditates on this matter he will begin to understand G‑d’s greatness, for all the lofty angels are nullified to Him.
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. | The Rebbe comments: The Alter Rebbe adds the word ”meaning“ in order to tell us that the declaration ”Holy“ does not mean here, as it does in other places, that notice is being given that the one spoken of is holy, or the like. For to make it known that someone is holy implies that the speaker is aware of and grasps the other’s holiness. (Likewise, regarding the Shunamite woman who called Elisha holy, the Gemara asks: ”How did she know?“) Here, however, when the angels proclaim ”Holy“ the intent is the very opposite: they do not know Him, for He is Holy — i.e., separate, and apart from them. (This incidentally deflects another possible question: Since the angels are in a state of self-nullification, how is it conceivable that they ”proclaim and announce“? According to the above, however, this may be understood: They ”proclaim and announce“ that they are nullified to G‑d, that He is separate and apart from them, and that they have no conception of Him.) |
| 2. | In the passages preceding the Shema. |
| 3. | Yechezkel 3:12. |
• Sefer Hamitzvos:• English Text | Hebrew Text |
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• Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
Positive Commandment 72
The "Adjustable" Sin Offering
"And if a person sins... he shall bring his guilt offering... but if he cannot afford..."—Leviticus 5:1.
The following individuals have to bring an "Adjustable" Sin Offering (Korban Oleh V'yored) for their transgressions:
Full text of this Mitzvah »
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
Positive Commandment 72
The "Adjustable" Sin Offering
"And if a person sins... he shall bring his guilt offering... but if he cannot afford..."—Leviticus 5:1.
The following individuals have to bring an "Adjustable" Sin Offering (Korban Oleh V'yored) for their transgressions:
- One who contracted a cardinal ritual impurity and inadvertently entered the Holy Temple.
- One who contracted a cardinal ritual impurity and inadvertently consumed sacrificial flesh.
- One who swore to do, or not to do, a certain act, and inadvertently violated his vow.
- One who was called by his fellow to testify on his behalf and falsely swore that he had not what to testify.
Full text of this Mitzvah »
• The "Adjustable" Sin Offering
Positive Commandment 72
Translated by Berel Bell
The 72nd mitzvah is that in the case of certain transgressions, we are commanded to bring an offering of adjustable value.
The transgressions which require one to bring such a sacrifice are: tumas mikdash, tumas kodshav, taking a false oath (sh'vuas bitui) and swearing falsely that one does not know any testimony (sh'vuas ha'eidus).
In a case of tumas mikdash, when one became tameh through a prime source of tumah (av hatumah) — as we explained in our introduction to Seder Taharos,1 — and entered the Holy Temple unintentionally; or tumas kodshav, when one ate sacrificial meat unintentionally [when he was in a state of tumah]; or when one swore a sh'vuas bitui2 and unintentionally did not fulfill one's promise; or when one swore a false sh'vuas ha'eidus,3 whether unintentionally or on purpose — in any of these cases one must bring an offering of adjustable value.
This commandment derives from G‑d's statement4 (exalted be He), "If a person sins by hearing an oath [to testify, and he does not do so]...or a person who touches anything which is tameh [and then eats something sanctified or enters a sanctified area] not realizing...[and he later discovers that he has committed a violation]; or a person who makes a verbal oath...and then forgets about it...when he is guilty [in any of these cases]...he must bring his guilt-offering...and if he cannot afford [a sheep, he shall bring two birds]...and if he cannot afford [two birds, he shall bring a meal-offering]...."
This is why it is called [an offering of] adjustable value: because it doesn't have a designated species, but the offering is sometimes brought from one species and sometimes from another species — according to the financial ability of the one who transgressed and must bring the offering.
The details of this mitzvah are explained in tractate Kerisus5 and in tractate Shavuos.6
FOOTNOTES
1.In the Rambam's commentary to the Mishneh.
2.Such as, "I swear to eat meat tomorrow." If the person did not eat meat on that following day, his oath was not fulfilled.
3.Denying that he witnessed a certain event when, in fact, he did witness it.
4.Lev. 5:1-11.
5.10b.
6.7a.
• 1 Chapter: Me`ilah Me`ilah - Perek 2 • English Text | Hebrew Text | Audio: Listen | Download | Video Class• Me`ilah - Perek 2
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Halacha 1
The prohibition against me'ilah does not apply to sacrifices of a lesser degree of sanctity until the blood has been cast on the altar. If the blood has been cast on the altar, the prohibition against me'ilah applies to the fats and organs until they are taken to the ashheap, for they are designated for the altar's pyre. The prohibition against me'ilah does not apply to an entity that is to be eaten as explained.
Even if the fats and the organs were brought to the altar before the blood was cast upon it, the prohibition against me'ilah does not apply until the blood is cast. If the fats and the organs were taken outside the Temple Courtyard before the blood was cast, the prohibition against me'ilah does not apply until the blood is cast. If the blood was cast while they were outside and they had not been brought back in, the prohibition against me'ilah does apply, for casting the blood has an effect on the status of a sacrifice, whether it leads to a lenient ruling or a stringent one.
Halacha 2
The prohibition against me'ilah applies to all the sacrifices of the most sacred order from the time they were consecrated until the blood is cast upon the altar. Once the blood is cast, the prohibition against me'ilah applies to the portions of them that are to be consumed entirely by the altar's pyre until they are burnt and taken to the ashheap. The prohibition against me'ilah does not apply to the portions that are to be eaten, as explained.
Halacha 3
What is implied? The prohibition against me'ilah applies to a burnt-offering - both of fowl and of an animal, the handful of meal and the frankincense from a meal-offering, a meal-offering of priests, the chavitin offering of the High Priest, and the meal-offering of the accompanying offerings, from the time they were consecrated until they were taken out to the ashheap after being burnt on the altar.
Halacha 4
Similarly, the prohibition against me'ilah applies to the bull and the goats that are burnt from the time they were consecrated until they are burnt - and their burning is complete - in the ashheap and their meat is burnt thoroughly,in their entirety. Before it is burnt thoroughly, the prohibition against me'ilah applies to it even though it is in the ashheap.
Halacha 5
Similarly, the prohibition against me'ilah applies to the red heifer from the time it was consecrated until it was reduced to ash. Even though its status is that of an entity consecrated for the improvement of the Temple, concerning it,Numbers 19:9 states: "It is a sin-offering." It is one of the conditions established by the court that a person does not violate the prohibition againstme'ilah with the ashes of the red heifer.
Halacha 6
The prohibition against me'ilah applies to all the following: sin-offerings of animals, guilt-offerings, and communal peace-offerings from the time they were consecrated until the blood is cast on the altar. Once the blood is cast, the prohibition against me'ilah applies to their organs and fats until they are taken to the ashheap. The prohibition against me'ilah does not apply to the meat.
Similarly, the prohibition against me'ilah applies to a sin-offering of fowl from the time it is consecrated until its blood is presented on the altar. After its blood was presented, the prohibition against me'ilah does not apply. It is, however, forbidden to benefit from its murah and its feathers. If one benefits from them after the blood is presented, he does not violate the prohibition against me'ilah.
Halacha 7
The prohibition against me'ilah applies to meal-offerings from the time they were consecrated, even though they have not become consecrated by being placed in a sacred utensil, until the handful of meal is offered on the altar's pyre. Once the handful is offered, the remainder of the offering is permitted to be eaten. If the remainder of the offering becomes disqualified or lacking in substance and then the handful is offered, a question arises. Since offering the handful does not cause the remainder to be permitted to be eaten in such a situation, there is an unresolved doubt if the meal-offering is absolved from the prohibition against me'ilah or not.
Halacha 8
The prohibition against me'ilah applies to the showbread from the time it was consecrated - even though it was not baked - until the bowls of frankincense are offered on the altar's pyre. Once the bowls of frankincense were offered, it is permitted to be eaten. Similarly, the prohibition against me'ilah applies to the two loaves of Shavuot from the time they were consecrated, even before they were baked, until the blood of the sheep is cast on the altar. After the blood of the sheep was cast, they are permitted to be eaten.
Halacha 9
The prohibition against me'ilah applies to the libations once they have been consecrated. Once they are poured and descend to the shittin,the prohibition against me'ilah no longer applies.
As long as the water which is poured as a libation on the Sukkot holiday is in the golden jug, benefit should not be derived from it, but one who benefits is not liable for me'ilah. If it was placed in the pitcher, the prohibition againstme'ilah applies to it in its entirety, for it is one of the libations.
Halacha 10
The prohibition against me'ilah applies to the log of oil brought by a person afflicted by tzara'at from the time that it was consecrated in a sacred vessel until the blood of the guilt offering was cast on the altar. Once the blood of the guilt-offering was cast, one should not benefit from it until the placements are made from it, but the prohibition against me'ilah no longer applies. After the placements were made, it is permitted for the priests to partake of the remainder of the oil like the meat of sin-offerings and guilt-offerings.
Halacha 11
The prohibition against me'ilah does not apply to any of the blood of sacrificial animals that were slaughtered whether before atonement is attainedor after atonement is attained until it flows out to the Kidron River. Once it flows out to the Kidron River, the prohibition against me'ilah applies to itbecause it was sold as fertilizer for gardens and the proceeds of the sale are consecrated. If, however, one lets the blood of a consecrated animal, it is forbidden to benefit from that blood and the prohibition of me'ilah applies to it. Since the animal cannot exist without blood, it is considered as its body.
Halacha 12
With regard to the bones, the giddim, the horns, and the hoofs which were separated from sacrificial animals of the highest degree of sanctity. The prohibition against me'ilah applies to those separated before the blood was cast on the altar, but not to those which were separated after the blood was cast.
With regard to the bones of a burnt-offering that were separated before the the blood was cast on the altar, once the blood is cast, the prohibition no longer applies.The casting of the blood causes them to be permitted. If they were separated after the blood was cast, the prohibition against me'ilah applies to them forever.47
When the bones of a burnt-offering fly off the altar before midnight, the prohibition against me'ilah applies.After midnight, that prohibition no longer applies even though they flew off before midnight. The rationale is that since midnight arrived, all of the bones are considered as if they have been consumed by fire and as if they have been reduced to ash.
Halacha 13
When a coal flies off the altar - whether before midnight or after midnight - it is forbidden to benefit from it, but the prohibition against me'ilah does not apply. The prohibition against me'ilah applies to a coal that was consecrated for the improvement of the Temple. It is forbidden to benefit from a flame, but the prohibition against me'ilah does not apply to it.
Halacha 14
The prohibition against me'ilah applies to the ashes of the outer altar, both before the ash is removed from the altar and after it was removed.
Halacha 15
With regard to the ashes of the inner altar and the ashes of the Menorah, we may not benefit from them, but the prohibition against me'ilah does not apply to them.
Halacha 16
Whenever there is an animal that was consecrated for a sacrifice of the most sacred order that contracted a disqualifying physical blemish - whether the blemish preceded its consecration or came afterwards - the prohibition against me'ilah applies until it is redeemed. This even applies if the animal is unable to be sacrificed because of a time factor.
A different law applies with regard to turtle-doves whose time to be offered] has not arrived and young doves whose time to be offered has passed that were consecrated to be offered on the altar. Even though it is forbidden to benefit from them, one who derives benefit has not violated the prohibition against me'ilah. The rationale is that since they are not fit to be redeemed, they are comparable to sin-offerings consigned to death. Therefore the prohibition against me'ilah does not apply to them.
• 3 Chapters: Shegagot Shegagot - Perek 12, Shegagot Shegagot - Perek 13, Shegagot Shegagot - Perek 14 • English Text | Hebrew Text | Audio: Listen | Download• Shegagot - Perek 12
Hayom Yom:
• English Text | Video Class• Thursday, Iyar 18, 5776 · May 26, 2016 • Iyar 18, 33rd day of the omer
Audio: Listen | Download• Shegagot - Perek 12
Halacha 1
The following rule applies with regard to every transgression for which an individual is obligated to bring a fixed sin-offering. If the High Court inadvertently erred in their ruling and ruled that a forbidden substance is permitted and as a result of their ruling, the people erred inadvertently and acted in transgression of the prohibition, while relying on the ruling of the court, and afterwards, the court discovered that they had erred, the court is obligated to bring a sin-offering for their erroneous ruling. Even if the judges themselves did not perform a deed in violation of the prohibition, they must bring this sacrifice. For we do not consider the deeds of the judges at all, what they did or did not do, only their ruling. The remainder of the people are exempt from bringing a sacrifice as individuals, even though they performed the transgression, because they relied on the court.
Which sacrifice do they bring for this erroneous ruling? If their erroneous ruling concerned the worship of false deities, they must bring a bull as a burnt-offering and a goat as a sin-offering from every tribe. This is the sacrifice referred to in Parshat Shelach Lecha, which states Numbers 15:24: "If due to the seers of the congregation, a transgression was erroneously violated...." According to the Oral Tradition, it was taught that this is referring to an erroneous ruling concerning the worship of false deities.
If they ruled erroneously with regard to other transgressions punishable bykaret for which a fixed sin-offering is brought for their inadvertent violation, every tribe must bring a bull as a sin-offering. This sacrifice is mentioned inParshat Vayikra which states Leviticus 4:3: "If the entire congregation of Israel shall inadvertently err...."
Thus we have learned that if the High Court rules erroneously with regard to the worship of false deities, the entire congregation bring twelve bulls as burnt-offerings and twelve goats as sin-offerings. They are burnt, because their blood is taken into the inner chamber. They are called the goats offered because of the worship of false deities.
If they ruled erroneously with regard to other mitzvot, they bring twelve bulls as sin-offerings and they are burnt, because their blood is taken into the inner chamber. Each one of the bulls is called a bull brought due to a lapse of awareness by the congregation, as ibid.:14 states: "And the congregation shall offer...," i.e., every congregation. Every tribe is referred to as a congregation, as II Chronicles 20:5 states: "And Yehoshefat stood in the congregation of Judah."
A bull is brought for every tribe - and for the worship of false deities, a bull and a goat are brought for every tribe whether the entire Jewish people in Eretz Yisrael transgressed because of the ruling of the court, the majority of the Jewish people transgressed even though they comprised only a lesser portion of the tribes, or the majority of the tribes transgressed, even though they comprise a lesser portion of the entire Jewish people. Even those tribes who did not transgress bring because of the transgressors. Even if only one tribe transgressed, but it constituted the majority of the congregation, the entire congregation bring twelve bulls, and for the worship of false deities, twelve bulls and twelve goats.
Halacha 2
When the court is in doubt whether or not they ruled erroneously concerning a matter, they are not required to bring a provisional guilt-offering, as implied byLeviticus 4:14: "And the sin becomes known," i.e. only when the matter becomes known to them are they liable for a sacrifice, as will be explained.
When does the concept that the court is liable for a sacrifice and those who act upon their ruling are exempt apply? When the following conditions are met:
a) when those who deliver the ruling are the High Court of 71 judges;
b) when the head of the academy, participates in the ruling with them;
c) when they are all fit to deliver rulings;
d) when all - or the majority - of them err in the ruling they delivered;
e) that they rule explicitly and tell the people: "You are permitted to do this"; similarly those who heard from the court must have told others: "You are permitted to do this"; and the majority of the people or all of them must act because of their ruling;
f) those who commit the transgression must act in error because of them, thinking that the court ruled according to law;
g) they must rule to negate part of a commandment, but to preserve part of it, but not to displace the entire commandment; h) when they become aware of their error, they must know the precise matter concerning which they ruled erroneously.
When all of these conditions are met, the court is liable to bring a sacrifice and those who act upon their rulings are exempt. If, however, one of these conditions is not met, the court is exempt from the sacrifice and anyone who unknowingly performed a transgression must bring a fixed sin-offering for his inadvertent transgression.
Shegagot - Perek 13
Halacha 1
What is meant by the statement that if one of the conditions mentionedthe court will be exempt and the transgressors liable?
If the court of one of the tribes ruled that the fat of the stomach is permitted and the people of that locale ate it as a result of these statements, that court is exempt and all of those who partook of it must bring a fixed sin-offering for his inadvertent transgression.
Similarly, if the High Court ruled that the blood that collects in the heart is permitted, but the head of the academy was not with them one of them was not fit to be appointed to the Sanhedrin, e.g., he was a convert, a bastard, an old man, childless, or the like, and the people acted on their ruling and partook of the blood that collects in the heart, the court is exempt and all of those who partook of it must bring a fixed sin-offering for his inadvertent transgression.
What is the source that teaches that the verse is referring only to the High Court? Leviticus 4:13 states: "If the entire congregation of Israel shall inadvertently err...." What is the source that teaches that all must be fit to deliver rules? Numbers 15:40: "If the seers of the congregation....," i.e., you must regard them as seers, and Numbers 35:24 states:"And the congregation shall judge." Just as the term "congregation" used in reference to capital cases must be comprised entirely of judges fit to render judgment, so too, the term "congregation," used in reference to this inadvertent violation must be comprised only of judges fit to render judgment.
Similarly, if the court issued a ruling and one of them knew that they erred and protested: "You are making an error," but those who sought to permit the matter outnumbered him and permitted it, the court is exempt and all of those who acted on their ruling must bring a fixed sin-offering for his inadvertent transgression, as Leviticus, op. cit. states: "If the entire congregation of Israel shall inadvertently err...," i.e., the entire Sanhedrin.
If one or a lesser part of the Sanhedrin knew that those who sought to permit the matter erred, but he or they remained silent, since the ruling was issued, and there was no dissenting view, and the ruling was disseminated among the entire people, the court is liable and all of those who acted on their ruling are exempt. If those who remained silent act upon the court's ruling, they are liable for a sin-offering, because they did not rely on the court.
Similarly, if the court debated the issue and stated "This matter is permitted," but did not issue a ruling and did not explicitly tell them: "You are permitted to act in this manner," and a person heard their decision that the matter is permitted and went and acted according to what he heard, anyone who performs a transgression is liable for a fixed sin-offering, The court is exempt, for it did not issue a specific ruling to act.
Similarly, if they issued a ruling and the lesser portion of the congregation acted according to their ruling and the error became known, the court is exempt and the lesser portion of the people who acted upon their directive must bring a sin-offering.
Halacha 2
When the members of the Sanhedrin themselves act according to their ruling they are not counted when determining if a majority followed their ruling. Instead, the majority must be comprised of others aside from the members of the Sanhedrin.
If the majority of the inhabitants of Eretz Yisrael acted according to the erroneous ruling even if the transgressors were only from one tribe, and, similarly, if the majority of the tribes acted according to the erroneous ruling even if they are the lesser portion of the congregation, the court is liable for this sacrifice and the transgressors are exempt.
What is implied? There were 600,001 inhabitants of Eretz Yisrael. Those who acted according to the ruling of the court were 300,001 and they were all members of the tribe of Judah alone - or they were members of seven tribes even if they numbered only 100,000 the court is liable for this sacrifice and the transgressors are exempt.
We are not concerned with the inhabitants of the Diaspora, for the term kahal("congregation") applies only to the inhabitants of Eretz Yisrael. The tribes of Efraim and Menashe are not considered as two tribes in this context. Instead, they are counted as one tribe.
Halacha 3
If at the time the transgression was committed, the transgressors constituted the majority of the people, but at the time they became aware that a transgression had been committed, they were the lesser portion of the people, or they were the lesser portion at the time of the transgression, but the majority at the time they became aware, the ruling whether or not the court is required to bring a sacrifice depends on the proportion at the time of the transgression.
Halacha 4
The people at large are exempt in the following instance. The court issued a ruling that one of the types of forbidden fat was permitted and the lesser portion of the congregation partook of it because of their ruling. They became aware that they sinned and retracted the ruling. Afterwards, they ruled that a particular form of worship of false deities was permitted and a lesser portion of the congregation performed that form of worship because of their ruling. If a majority of the congregation would be reached when the number of those who partook of the forbidden fat were added to the number were added to those who worshiped the false deity, the two numbers are combined and the people exempted even though the court became aware of their first error in the interim.
When does the above apply? When it was one court that delivered the rulings. If, however, the members of the court that issued the ruling died and another court arose and issued the second ruling, the two groups of transgressors are not combined.
Halacha 5
Even if two courts issued rulings concerning one matter, e.g., concerning two types of forbidden fat or two types of blood and similarly, if the transgressors did not inadvertently sin because of the ruling, the court is exempt and all of the transgressors are liable.
What is implied? The court ruled that it is permissible to partake of that fat of the stomach in its entirety. One of the members of the congregation knew that the court erred and that the fat of the stomach is prohibited. He, nevertheless, partook of the forbidden fat, because he thought that it was a mitzvah to listen to the court even though they erred. This person who partook of the fat is liable to bring a fixed sin-offering for partaking of it. He is not included among the number of those who transgressed inadvertently because of their ruling.
When does the above apply? When the person who knew the error was a sage or a student who had attained the knowledge that enables him to issue a ruling. If, however, he is a common person, he is exempt, because his knowledge regarding the Torah's prohibitions is not definitive. He is thus included among those who transgressed inadvertently because of their ruling.
Similarly, if one did not know that the court erred and intended to eat permitted fat, but instead ate the fat of the stomach which they erroneously permitted, but he did not know that it was the fat of the stomach, that individual is liable for an individual sin-offering. The rationale is that his eating came as a result of his own inadvertent error, not because of their ruling. He is not included in the number of those who transgressed inadvertently because of their ruling. These concepts are alluded to by Numbers 15:26;: "For the entire nation has erred unknowingly." Implied is that the entire nation committed the same error.
Similarly, if the person acted on his own initiative and partook of the fat of the stomach that the court ruled was permitted, not because of their ruling, but because he considered it as permitted, he is obligated to bring a fixed sin-offering individually.
This is the general principle: Whenever one relies on the court, he is exempt, provided all of the conditions that were mentioned were fulfilled. Anyone who is individually liable is not included when calculating whether a majority transgressed inadvertently.
Halacha 6
When the court intentionally ruled incorrectly and permitted something that is forbidden and the congregation erroneously acted on their ruling, the court is exempt from bringing a sacrifice, because they acted intentionally. Each of the people who acted upon their ruling is obligated to bring a sin-offering individually, because he transgressed inadvertently.
If the court delivered an erroneously ruling unknowingly and the congregation knew that they erred and that it is not correct to accept their ruling, and yet they acted in accordance with it, both the people and the court are exempt from bringing a sacrifice. The court is exempt, because the congregation did not act according to their erroneous ruling. And all the transgressors are exempt, because they are considered as having acted willfully, because they knew that the court erred and that it was not correct to act according to their ruling.
Shegagot - Perek 14
Halacha 1
When the court inadvertently err and rule to eliminate one of the Torah's fundamental laws and the entire people acted according to their ruling, the court is exempt and each of the transgressors is obligated to bring a fixed sin-offering, as implied by Leviticus 4:13: "And a matter will lapse...," i.e., a matter, but not an entire fundamental law.
Halacha 2
The court is never liable for a sacrifice unless they issue a ruling, nullifying a certain aspect of a prohibition, but maintaining others regarding matters that are not explicitly stated and elaborated upon in the Torah. Only in such a situation will the court be obligated to bring a sacrifice and those who follow their ruling exempt.
What is implied? They erred and ruled that it is permitted to bow down to a false deity, that it is permitted to transfer an article from one domain to another on the Sabbath, or that it is permitted to be intimate with a woman who is watching day to day because of zivah bleeding. This is considered as one who stated that there is no prohibition in the Torah against performing labor on the Sabbath, worshiping false deities, or being intimate with a niddah, eliminating the entire prohibition. This is not considered as an erroneous ruling, but rather as forgetting the matter. Therefore the court is exempt from bringing a sacrifice and anyone who acted upon their ruling is liable for a sin-offering individually.
If, however, they erred and issued a ruling, saying that one who transfers an article from one domain to another is liable, as implied by Exodus 16:29: "A man should not depart from his place," but it is permitted for one to throw or pass an article from one domain to another - alternatively, they eliminated one of the primary categories of forbidden labor, ruling that it is not considered as forbidden labor - they are liable.
Similarly, they are liable if they erred and issued a ruling, saying that someone who prostrates himself, spreading out his hands and feet is liable, as ibid.34:14 states: "Do not prostrate yourself to a foreign god," but it is permitted for one to kneel on the ground without spreading out his hands and feet.
Similarly, they are liable if they erred and issued a ruling, saying that one who is intimate with a woman who is watching day to day because of zivahbleeding, as implied by Leviticus 15:26 "all the days of her flow," but if she discovered bleeding at night, it is permitted to be intimate with her - alternatively, they issued a ruling, saying that one whose wife began to experience menstrual bleeding in the midst of intimacy is permitted to withdraw from her while erect.
Similarly, they are liable if they erred and stated that one is liable for partaking of blood which emerges from an animal at the time of ritual slaughter, but one who partakes of blood that collects in the heart is not liable. Similar laws apply with regard to all analogous errors. If they issued such rulings and the majority of the congregation acted because of their ruling, the people are exempt and the court must bring a sacrifice because of their error.
Halacha 3
If the court ruled that the Sabbath ended because the sun became covered with clouds and it appeared to have set, and then it shined forth again, this is not considered as a mistaken ruling, but as an error. Any individual who performed a forbidden labor as a result is obligated to bring a sin-offering, but the court is exempt.
Similarly, if the court granted a married woman license to remarry, because testimony was delivered in their presence that her husband had died and then her husband appeared this is not considered as a mistaken ruling, but as an error. The woman and her second husband are obligated to bring a sin-offering for their inadvertent transgression. Similar laws apply in all analogous situations.
Halacha 4
When a court delivers an erroneous ruling and then forgot the nature of the prohibition concerning which they ruled, they are exempt and those who transgressed as a result of their ruling are liable. This applies even if they have definite knowledge that they erroneously caused the violation of a prohibition and even when the people inform them about their ruling, telling them: "You ruled concerning this-and-this." This is derived from Leviticus 4:14: "And the transgression which they caused to be violated became known to them," i.e., they became aware of it on their own, rather than being informed about it by the transgressors.
What is implied? The court erred and ruled that the fat on the stomach was permitted and the majority of the people partook of it. Afterwards, they became aware that they issued an erroneous ruling and permitted an entity for which one would be liable for karet had one partaken of it willfully or a fixed sin-offering if one partook of it inadvertently. They were in doubt, however, if they ruled that some forbidden fat was permitted or that some forbidden blood was permitted. In such a situation, the court is exempt and all those who partook of the forbidden fat must bring a fixed sin-offering.
Halacha 5
The following rules apply when the court ruled erroneously and then became aware of their error. Whether they already brought a sacrifice as atonement or did not yet bring one, whenever one transgresses because of their erroneous ruling that was disseminated throughout the Jewish people after they became aware of their error, the transgressor must bring a provisional guilt-offering. The rationale is that since he should have continually inquired about the new developments in the court, but failed to do, he is considered like one who is in doubt whether he transgressed or not.
To whom does the above apply? To one who is in the same region as the court. If, however, one saw the initial, erroneous ruling and then journeyed to another region, he is exempt even if he transgressed after the court became aware of their error, because he relied upon them and cannot inquire about their rulings in his present place. Moreover, even if a person who is hurrying to depart, but has not yet set out on his journey, acts on their ruling after they became aware of their error, he is also exempt from bringing a provisional guilt-offering.
• English Text | Video Class• Thursday, Iyar 18, 5776 · May 26, 2016 • Iyar 18, 33rd day of the omer
Sunday Iyar 18, 33rd day of the omer 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: B'chukotai, first parsha with Rashi.
Tehillim: 88-89.
Tanya: But how can (p. 259)...exalted and holy." (p. 259).
Lag Ba'Omer was one of the Mitteler Rebbe's particularly noteworthy festivals. He and the Chassidim would go out to the fields that day, and although he did not wash and break bread, he did partake of mashkeh (strong drink), which he was not allowed to do for health reasons. Many wonders were seen at that time, most of them involving the blessing of children for childless couples - and all year long people waited for Lag Ba'Omer.
• Daily Thought:
Forbidden Water
Sometimes the sages tell us, “This wisdom is out of bounds. This contains truths for which you are not yet ready.”
If your soul is intact, the thirst for that wisdom will become unbearable and you will have no choice but to satisfy it.
In truth, that is the secret reason we are given all these warnings: to awaken that thirst.
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