Torah Reading
Pinchas: Numbers 25:10 Adonai said to Moshe, 11 “Pinchas the son of El‘azar, the son of Aharon the cohen, has deflected my anger from the people of Isra’el by being as zealous as I am, so that I didn’t destroy them in my own zeal. 12 Therefore say, ‘I am giving him my covenant of shalom, 13 making a covenant with him and his descendants after him that the office of cohen will be theirs forever.’ This is because he was zealous on behalf of his God and made atonement for the people of Isra’el.”
14 The name of the man from Isra’el who was killed, put to death with the woman from Midyan, was Zimri the son of Salu, leader of one of the clans from the tribe of Shim‘on. 15 The name of the woman from Midyan who was killed was Kozbi the daughter of Tzur, and he was head of the people in one of the clans of Midyan.
16 Adonai said to Moshe, 17 “Treat the Midyanim as enemies and attack them; 18 because they are treating you as enemies by the trickery they used to deceive you in the P‘or incident and in the affair of their sister Kozbi, the daughter of the leader from Midyan, the woman who was killed on the day of the plague in the P‘or incident.” 19 (26:1) After the plague,
26:1 Adonai said to Moshe and El‘azar, the son of Aharon the cohen, 2 “Take a census of the entire assembly of the people of Isra’el twenty years old and over, by their ancestral clans, all who are subject to military service in Isra’el.” 3 Moshe and El‘azar the cohen spoke with them on the plains of Mo’av by the Yarden across from Yericho, explaining, 4 “Those twenty years old and over who came out of the land of Egypt, as Adonai ordered Moshe and the people of Isra’el.”
(ii) 5 [The census results begin with] Re’uven, the firstborn of Isra’el. The descendants of Re’uven were: of Hanokh, the family of the Hanokhi; of Pallu, the family of the Pallu’i; 6 of Hetzron, the family of the Hetzroni; and of Karmi the family of the Karmi. 7 These were the the families of the Re’uveni; of them were counted 43,730.
8 The sons of Pallu: Eli’av; 9 and the sons of Eli’av: N’mu’el, Datan and Aviram. These are the same Datan and Aviram, men of reputation in the community, who rebelled against Moshe and Aharon in Korach’s group, when they rebelled against Adonai; 10 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up together with Korach when that group died, and the fire consumed 250 men, and they became a warning sign. 11 (However, the sons of Korach did not die.)
12 The descendants of Shim‘on, by their families, were: of N’mu’el, the family of the N’mu’eli; of Yamin, the family of the Yamini; of Yakhin, the family of the Yakhini; 13 of Zerach, the family of the Zarchi; and of Sha’ul, the family of the Sha’uli. 14 These were the families of the Shim‘oni, 22,200.
15 The descendants of Gad, by their families, were: of Tz’fon, the family of the Tz’foni; of Haggi, the family of the Haggi; of Shuni, the family of the Shuni; 16 of Ozni, the family of the Ozni; of ‘Eri, the family of the ‘Eri; 17 of Arod, the family of the Arodi; and of Ar’eli, the family of the Ar’eli. 18 These were the families of the sons of Gad, according to those counted of them, 40,500.
19 The sons of Y’hudah: First ‘Er and Onan, but ‘Er and Onan died in the land of Kena‘an. 20 The sons of Y’hudah who had descendants were: of Shelah, the family of the Shelani; of Peretz, the family of the Partzi; and of Zerach, the family of the Zarchi. 21 The sons of Peretz were: of Hetzron, the family of the Hetzroni; and of Hamul, the family of the Hamuli. 22 These were the families of Y’hudah, according to those counted of them, 76,500.
23 The descendants of Yissakhar, by their families, were: of Tola, the family of the Tola‘i; of Puvah, the family of the Puni; 24 of Yashuv, the family of the Yashuvi; and of Shimron, the family of the Shimroni. 25 These were the families of Yissakhar, according to those counted of them, 64,300.
26 The descendants of Z’vulun, by their families, were: of Sered, the family of the Sardi; of Elon, the family of the Eloni; and of Yachle’el, the family of the Yachle’eli. 27 These were the families of the Z’vuloni, according to those counted of them, 60,500.
28 The sons of Yosef, by their families, were M’nasheh and Efrayim. 29 The descendants of M’nasheh were: of Makhir, the family of the Makhiri. Makhir was the father of Gil‘ad; of Gil‘ad, the family of the Gil‘adi. 30 These are the descendants of Gil‘ad: of I‘ezer, the family of the I‘ezri; of Helek, the family of the Helki; 31 of Asri’el, the family of the Asri’eli; of Sh’khem, the family of the Shikhmi; 32 of Sh’mida, the family of the Sh’mida‘i; and of Hefer, the family of the Hefri. 33 Tz’lof’chad the son of Hefer had no sons but daughters; the names of the daughters of Tz’lof’chad were Machlah, No‘ah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirtzah. 34 These were the families of M’nasheh; of them were counted 52,700.
35 These are the descendants of Efrayim, by their families: of Shutelach, the family of the Shutalchi; of Bekher, the family of the Bakhri; and of Tachan, the family of the Tachani. 36 These are the descendants of Shutelach: of ‘Eran, the family of the ‘Erani. 37 These were the families of the descendants of Efrayim, according to those of them that were counted, 32,500. These were the descendants of Yosef, by their families.
38 The descendants of Binyamin, by their families were: of Bela, the family of the Bal‘i; of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbeli; of Achiram, the family of the Achirami; 39 of Sh’fufam, the family of the Shufami; and of Hufam, the family of the Hufami. 40 The sons of Bela were Ard and Na‘aman; [of Ard,] the family of the Ardi; and of Na‘aman, the family of the Na‘ami. 41 These were the descendants of Binyamin, by their families; of them were counted 45,600.
42 The descendants of Dan, by their families, were: of Shucham, the family of the Shuchami. These are the families of Dan, by their families. 43 All the families of the Shuchami, according to those of them that were counted, were 64,400.
44 The descendants of Asher, by their families: of Yimnah, the family of the Yimnah; of Yishvi, the family of the Yishvi; and of B’ri‘ah, the family of the B’ri‘i. 45 Of the descendants of B’ri‘ah: of Hever, the family of the Hevri; and of Malki’el, the family of the Malki’eli. 46 The name of Asher’s daughter was Serach. 47 These were the families of the descendants of Asher, according to those of them that were counted, 53,400.
48 The descendants of Naftali, by their families: of Yachtze’el, the families of the Yachtze’eli; of Guni, the family of the Guni; 49 of Yetzer, the family of the Yitzri; and of Shillem, the family of the Shillemi. 50 These are the families of Naftali according to their families; those of them that were counted were 45,400.
51 Thus those who were counted of the people of Isra’el numbered 601,730.
(iii) 52 Adonai said to Moshe, 53 “The land is to be parceled out among these as a possession to be inherited, according to the number of names. 54 To those families with more persons you are to give a greater inheritance, and to those with fewer you are to give a smaller inheritance — each family’s inheritance is to be given according to the number counted in it. 55 However, the land is to be awarded by lot. They will inherit according to the names of the tribes of their ancestors, 56 but the inheritance is to be parceled out by lot between the families with more and those with fewer.”
57 Those counted among the Levi, by their families, were: of Gershon, the family of the Gershuni, of K’hat, the family of the K’hati; and of M’rari, the family of the M’rari. 58 These are the families of Levi: the family of the Livni, the family of the Hevroni, the family of the Machli, the family of the Mushi and the family of the Korchi. K’hat was the father of ‘Amram. 59 The name of ‘Amram’s wife was Yokheved the daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt; and she bore to ‘Amram Aharon, Moshe and their sister Miryam. 60 To Aharon were born Nadav, Avihu, El‘azar and Itamar; 61 but Nadav and Avihu died when they offered unauthorized fire before Adonai. 62 Those males one month old or more counted of the Levi were 23,000. These were not included in the census of the people of Isra’el, because no land for inheritance was given to them among the people of Isra’el.
63 These are the ones counted by Moshe and El‘azar the cohen, who took a census of the people of Isra’el in the plains of Mo’av by the Yarden across from Yericho. 64 But there was not a man among them who had also been included in the census of Moshe and Aharon the cohen when they enumerated the people of Isra’el in the Sinai Desert; 65 because Adonai had said of them, “They will surely die in the desert.” So there was not left even one of them, except Kalev the son of Y’funeh and Y’hoshua the son of Nun.
27:1 Then the daughters of Tz’lof’chad the son of Hefer, the son of Gil‘ad, the son of Machir, the son of M’nasheh, of the families of M’nasheh, the son of Yosef, approached. These were the names of his daughters: Machlah, No‘ah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirtzah. 2 They stood in front of Moshe, El‘azar the cohen, the leaders and the whole community at the entrance to the tent of meeting and said, 3 “Our father died in the desert. He wasn’t part of the group who assembled themselves to rebel against Adonai in Korach’s group, but he died in his own sin, and he had no sons. 4 Why should the name of our father be eliminated from his family just because he didn’t have a son? Give us property to possess along with the brothers of our father.” 5 Moshe brought their cause before Adonai.
(iv) 6 Adonai answered Moshe, 7 “The daughters of Tz’lof’chad are right in what they say. You must give them property to be inherited along with that of their father’s brothers; have what their father would have inherited pass to them. 8 Moreover, say to the people of Isra’el, ‘If a man dies and does not have a son, you are to have his inheritance pass to his daughter. 9 If he doesn’t have a daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers. 10 If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. 11 If his father doesn’t have brothers, give his inheritance to the closest relative in his family, and he will possess it. This will be the standard for judgment to be used by the people of Isra’el, as Adonai ordered Moshe.’”
12 Adonai said to Moshe, “Climb this mountain in the ‘Avarim Range, and look out at the land which I have given the people of Isra’el. 13 After you have seen it, you too will be gathered to your people, just as Aharon your brother was gathered; 14 because in the Tzin Desert, when the community was disputing with me, you rebelled against my order to uphold my holiness by means of the water, with them looking on.” (This was M’rivat-Kadesh Spring, in the Tzin Desert.)
15 Moshe said to Adonai, 16 “Let Adonai, God of the spirits of all human beings, appoint a man to be over the community, 17 to go out and come in ahead of them, to lead them out and bring them in, so that Adonai’s community will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”
18 Adonai said to Moshe, “Take Y’hoshua the son of Nun, a spiritual man, and lay your hand on him. 19 Put him in front of El‘azar the cohen and the whole community, and commission him in their sight. 20 Delegate to him some of your authority, so that the entire community of Isra’el will obey him. 21 He is to present himself to El‘azar the cohen, who is to find out by means of the urim what Adonai’s will is for Y’hoshua’s decisions. Then, at his word they will go out, and at his word they will come in, both he and all the people of Isra’el with him, the whole community.”
22 Moshe did as Adonai had ordered him. He took Y’hoshua, put him before El‘azar the cohen and the whole community, 23 laid his hands on him, and commissioned him, as Adonai had said through Moshe.
28:1 (v) Adonai said to Moshe, 2 “Give an order to the people of Isra’el. Tell them, ‘You are to take care to offer me at the proper time the food presented to me as offerings made by fire, providing a fragrant aroma for me.’ 3 Tell them, ‘This is the offering made by fire that you are to bring to Adonai: male lambs in their first year and without defect, two daily as a regular burnt offering. 4 Offer the one lamb in the morning and the other lamb at dusk, 5 along with two quarts of fine flour as a grain offering, mixed with one quart of oil from pressed olives. 6 It is the regular burnt offering, the same as was offered on Mount Sinai to give a fragrant aroma, an offering made by fire for Adonai. 7 Its drink offering is to be one-quarter hin for one lamb; in the Holy Place you are to pour out a drink offering of intoxicating liquor to Adonai. 8 The other lamb you are to present at dusk; present it with the same kind of grain offering and drink offering as in the morning; it is an offering made by fire, with a fragrant aroma for Adonai.
9 “‘On Shabbat offer two male lambs in their first year and without defect, with one gallon of fine flour as a grain offering, mixed with olive oil, and its drink offering. 10 This is the burnt offering for every Shabbat, in addition to the regular burnt offering and its drink offering.
11 “‘At each Rosh-Hodesh of yours, you are to present a burnt offering to Adonai consisting of two young bulls, one ram and seven male lambs in their first year and without defect; 12 with six quarts of fine flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering for the one ram; 13 and two quarts of fine flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering for each lamb. This will be the burnt offering giving a fragrant aroma, an offering made by fire for Adonai. 14 Their drink offerings will be two quarts of wine for a bull, one-and-one-third quarts for the ram, and one quart for each lamb. This is the burnt offering for every Rosh-Hodesh throughout the months of the year. 15 Also a male goat is to be offered as a sin offering to Adonai, in addition to the regular burnt offering and its drink offering.
(vi) 16 “‘In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, is Adonai’s Pesach. 17 On the fifteenth day of the month is to be a feast. Matzah is to be eaten for seven days. 18 The first day is to be a holy convocation: do not do any kind of ordinary work; 19 but present an offering made by fire, a burnt offering, to Adonai, consisting of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs in their first year (they are to be without defect for you) 20 with their grain offering, fine flour mixed with olive oil. Offer six quarts for a bull, four quarts for the ram, 21 and two quarts for each of the seven lambs; 22 also a male goat as a sin offering, to make atonement for you. 23 You are to offer these in addition to the morning burnt offering, which is the regular burnt offering. 24 In this fashion you are to offer daily, for seven days, the food of the offering made by fire, making a fragrant aroma for Adonai ; it is to be offered in addition to the regular burnt offering and its drink offering. 25 On the seventh day you are to have a holy convocation; do not do any kind of ordinary work.
26 “‘On the day of the firstfruits, when you bring a new grain offering to Adonai in your feast of Shavu‘ot, you are to have a holy convocation; do not do any kind of ordinary work; 27 but present a burnt offering as a fragrant aroma for Adonai, consisting of two young bulls, one ram, seven male lambs in their first year, 28 and their grain offering — fine flour mixed with olive oil, six quarts for each bull, four quarts for the one ram, 29 and two quarts for each of the seven lambs — 30 plus a male goat to make atonement for you. 31 You are to offer these in addition to the regular burnt offering and its grain offering (they are to be without defect for you), with their drink offerings.
29:1 “‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you are to have a holy convocation; do not do any kind of ordinary work; it is a day of blowing the shofar for you. 2 Prepare a burnt offering to make a fragrant aroma for Adonai — one young bull, one ram and seven male lambs in their first year and without defect — 3 with their grain offering, consisting of fine flour mixed with olive oil — six quarts for the bull, four quarts for the ram, 4 and two quarts for each of the seven lambs — 5 also one male goat as a sin offering to make atonement for you. 6 This is to be in addition to the burnt offering for Rosh-Hodesh with its grain offering, the regular burnt offering with its grain offering, and their drink offerings, according to the rule for them; this will be a fragrant aroma, an offering made by fire to Adonai.
7 “‘On the tenth day of this seventh month you are to have a holy convocation. You are to deny yourselves, and you are not to do any kind of work; 8 but you are to present a burnt offering to Adonai to make a fragrant aroma: one young bull, one ram, and seven male lambs in their first year (they are to be without defect for you), 9 with their grain offering, fine flour mixed with olive oil, six quarts for the bull, four quarts for the one ram, 10 and two quarts for each of the seven lambs; 11 also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the sin offering for atonement and the regular burnt offering with its grain offering, and their drink offerings.
(vii) 12 “‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month you are to have a holy convocation. You are not to do any kind of ordinary work, and you are to observe a feast to Adonai seven days. 13 You are to present a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, bringing a fragrant aroma to Adonai. It is to consist of thirteen young bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs in their first year (they are to be without defect), 14 with their grain offering — fine flour mixed with olive oil, six quarts for each of the thirteen bulls, four quarts for each of the two rams, 15 and two quarts for each of the fourteen lambs; 16 also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings.
17 “‘On the second day you are to present twelve young bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs in their first year, without defect; 18 with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams and lambs, according to their number, in keeping with the rule; 19 also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering and their drink offerings.
20 “‘On the third day eleven bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs in their first year, without defect; 21 with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams and lambs, according to their number, in keeping with the rule; 22 also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings.
23 “‘On the fourth day ten bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs in their first year, without defect; 24 with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams and lambs, according to their number, in keeping with the rule; 25 also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings.
26 “‘On the fifth day nine bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs in their first year, without defect; 27 with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams and lambs, according to their number, in keeping with the rule; 28 also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings.
29 “‘On the sixth day eight bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs in their first year, without defect; 30 with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams and lambs, according to their number, in keeping with the rule; 31 also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings.
32 “‘On the seventh day seven bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs in their first year, without defect; 33 with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams and lambs, according to their number, in keeping with the rule; 34 also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offerings.
(Maftir) 35 “‘On the eighth day you are to have a festive assembly: you are not to do any kind of ordinary work; 36 but you are to present a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, giving a fragrant aroma to Adonai — one bull, one ram, seven male lambs in their first year, without defect; 37 with the grain and drink offerings for the bull, the ram and the lambs, according to their number, in keeping with the rule; 38 also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings.
39 “‘You are to offer these to Adonai at your designated times in addition to your vows and voluntary offerings — whether these are your burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings or peace offerings.’”
30:1 (29:40) Moshe told the people of Isra’el everything, just as Adonai had ordered Moshe.
Jeremiah 1:1 These are the words of Yirmeyahu the son of Hilkiyahu, one of the cohanim living in ‘Anatot, in the territory of Binyamin. 2 The word of Adonai came to him during the days of Yoshiyahu the son of Amon, king of Y’hudah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. 3 It also came during the days of Y’hoyakim the son of Yoshiyahu, king of Y’hudah, continuing until the eleventh year of Tzidkiyahu the son of Yoshiyahu, king of Y’hudah, right up until the time Yerushalayim was carried away captive, in the fifth month.
4 Here is the word of Adonai that came to me:
5 “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you;
before you were born, I separated you for myself.
I have appointed you to be a prophet to the nations.”
6 I said, “Oh, Adonai Elohim, I don’t even know how to speak! I’m just a child!” 7 But Adonai said to me, “Don’t say, ‘I’m just a child.’
“For you will go to whomever I send you,
and you will speak whatever I order you.
8 Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you, says Adonai,
to rescue you.”
9 Then Adonai put out his hand and touched my mouth, and Adonai said to me,
“There! I have put my words in your mouth.
10 Today I have placed you over nations and kingdoms
to uproot and to tear down,
to destroy and to demolish,
to build and to plant.”
11 The word of Adonai came to me, asking, “Yirmeyahu, what do you see?” I answered, “I see a branch from an almond tree [Jeremiah 1:11 Hebrew: shaked]. 12 Then Adonai said to me, “You have seen well, because I am watching [Jeremiah 1:12 Hebrew: shoked] to fulfill my word.”
13 A second time the word of Adonai came to me, asking, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a caldron tilted away from the north, over a fire fanned by the wind.” 14 Then Adonai said to me, “From the north calamity will boil over onto everyone living in the land, 15 because I will summon all the families in the kingdoms of the north,” says Adonai,
“and they will come and sit, each one, on his throne
at the entrance to the gates of Yerushalayim,
opposite its walls, all the way around,
and opposite all the cities of Y’hudah.
16 I will pronounce my judgments against them
for all their wickedness in abandoning me,
offering incense to other gods
and worshipping what their own hands made.
17 “But you, dress for action; stand up and tell them
everything I order you to say.
When you confront them, don’t break down;
or I will break you down in front of them!
18 For today, you see, I have made you into
a fortified city, a pillar of iron,
a wall of bronze against the whole land —
against the kings of Y’hudah, against its princes,
against its cohanim and the people of the land.
19 They will fight against you,
but they will not overcome you,
for I am with you,” says Adonai,
“to rescue you.”
2:1 The word of Adonai came to me: 2 “Go and shout in the ears of Yerushalayim that this is what Adonai says:
‘I remember your devotion when you were young;
how, as a bride, you loved me;
how you followed me through the desert,
through a land not sown.
3 “‘Isra’el is set aside for Adonai,
the firstfruits of his harvest;
all who devour him will incur guilt;
evil will befall them,” says Adonai.
Today's Laws & Customs:
• Blessing the New Month This Shabbat is Shabbat Mevarchim ("the Shabbat that blesses" the new month): a special prayer is recited blessing the Rosh Chodesh ("Head of the Month") of upcoming month of Av (also called "Menachem Av") which falls on Friday of next week.
Prior to the blessing, we announce the precise time of the molad, the "birth" of the new moon.Click here for molad times.
It is a Chabad custom to recite the entire book of Psalms before morning prayers, and to conduct farbrengens (chassidic gatherings) in the course of the Shabbat.
Links:
- On the Significance of Shabbat Mevarchim
- Tehillim (the Book of Psalms)
- The Farbrengen
During the summer months, from the Shabbat after Passover until the Shabbat before Rosh Hashahah, we study a weekly chapter of the Talmud's Ethics of the Fathers ("Avot") each Shabbat afternoon; this week we study Chapter One.
Link: Ethics of the Fathers, Chapter 1
• "The Three Weeks"
During the Three Weeks, from 17th of Tamuz to the 9th of Av, we commemorate the conquest of Jerusalem, the destruction of the Holy Temple and the dispersion of the Jewish people.
Weddings and other joyful events are not held during this period; like mourners, we do not cut our hair, and various pleasurable activities are limited or proscribed. (The particular mourning customs vary from community to community, so consult a competent halachic authority for details.)
Citing the verse (Isaiah 1:27) "Zion shall be redeemed with mishpat [Torah] and its returnees with tzedakah," the Rebbe urged that we increase in Torah study (particularly the study of the laws of the Holy Temple) and charity during this period.
Links:
Today in Jewish History:
• Jews of Jerusalem are set aflame (1099)
When the crusaders captured Jerusalem during the First Crusade, the Jews of Jerusalem fled into a synagogue. The crusaders then set flame to the synagogue, burning alive all the Jewish men, women, and children who had taken refuge there. All Jews were barred from living in the city of Jerusalem for the following 88 years.
Link:
Daily Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash with Rashi
Parshat Pinchas
In Israel: Matot
• Numbers Chapter 29
12And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, there shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall not perform any mundane work, and you shall celebrate a festival to the Lord for seven days. יבוּבַֽחֲמִשָּׁה֩ עָשָׂ֨ר י֜וֹם לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י מִקְרָא־קֹ֨דֶשׁ֙ יִֽהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֔ם כָּל־מְלֶ֥אכֶת עֲבֹדָ֖ה לֹ֣א תַֽעֲשׂ֑וּ וְחַגֹּתֶ֥ם חַ֛ג לַֽיהֹוָ֖ה שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים:
13You shall offer up a burnt offering, a fire offering for a spirit of satisfaction to the Lord: thirteen young bulls, two rams, fourteen lambs in the first year; they shall [all] be unblemished. יגוְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֨ם עֹלָ֜ה אִשֵּׁ֨ה רֵ֤יחַ נִיחֹ֨חַ֙ לַֽיהֹוָ֔ה פָּרִ֧ים בְּנֵֽי־בָקָ֛ר שְׁלשָׁ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר אֵילִ֣ם שְׁנָ֑יִם כְּבָשִׂ֧ים בְּנֵֽי־שָׁנָ֛ה אַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר תְּמִימִ֥ם יִֽהְיֽוּ:
14And their meal offering [shall be] fine flour mixed with oil; three tenths for each bull for the thirteen bulls, two tenths for each ram for the two rams. ידוּמִ֨נְחָתָ֔ם סֹ֖לֶת בְּלוּלָ֣ה בַשָּׁ֑מֶן שְׁלשָׁ֨ה עֶשְׂרֹנִ֜ים לַפָּ֣ר הָֽאֶחָ֗ד לִשְׁלשָׁ֤ה עָשָׂר֙ פָּרִ֔ים שְׁנֵ֤י עֶשְׂרֹנִים֙ לָאַ֣יִל הָֽאֶחָ֔ד לִשְׁנֵ֖י הָֽאֵילִֽם:
15And one tenth for each lamb, for the fourteen lambs. טווְעִשָּׂרוֹן עִשָּׂר֔וֹן לַכֶּ֖בֶשׂ הָֽאֶחָ֑ד לְאַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר כְּבָשִֽׂים:
16And one young male goat for a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, its meal offering, and its libation. טזוּשְׂעִֽיר־עִזִּ֥ים אֶחָ֖ד חַטָּ֑את מִלְּבַד֙ עֹלַ֣ת הַתָּמִ֔יד מִנְחָתָ֖הּ וְנִסְכָּֽהּ:
17And on the second day, twelve young bulls, two rams, and fourteen lambs in the first year, [all] unblemished. יזוּבַיּ֣וֹם הַשֵּׁנִ֗י פָּרִ֧ים בְּנֵֽי־בָקָ֛ר שְׁנֵ֥ים עָשָׂ֖ר אֵילִ֣ם שְׁנָ֑יִם כְּבָשִׂ֧ים בְּנֵֽי־שָׁנָ֛ה אַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר תְּמִימִֽם:
18And their meal offerings and their libations, for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, as prescribed. יחוּמִנְחָתָ֣ם וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֡ם לַפָּרִ֠ים לָֽאֵילִ֧ם וְלַכְּבָשִׂ֛ים בְּמִסְפָּרָ֖ם כַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט:
And their meal-offerings and their libations, for the bulls: The seventy bulls of the [’Succoth’] festival corresponded to the seventy nations, which progressively decrease in number, symbolizing their [the nations’] destruction [Midrash Aggadah]. At the time of the Temple, they [the sacrifices] shielded them from adversity [Mid. Tehillim 109:4, Rashi on Sukkah 55b; Rashi on Ps. 109:5; Mid. Tadshei ch. 11; Pesikta d’Rav Kahana pp. 193b, 194a; Mid. Song Rabbah 4:2, Mid. Tanchuma Pinchas 16]. ומנחתם ונסכיהם לפרים: פרי החג שבעים הם. כנגד שבעים אומות שמתמעטים והולכים, סימן כליה להם, ובימי המקדש היו מגינין עליהם מן היסורין:
and for the lambs: corresponding to Israel, who are called ‘a scattered lamb’ (Jer. 50:17). Their number remains constant, and it totals ninety-eight, to counter the ninety-eight curses related in ‘Mishneh Torah’ [the Book of Deuteronomy] (28:15-68) (Mid. Aggadah). On the second day it says, וְנִסְכֵּיהֶם,“and their libations” relating to the two daily continual offerings. The language [of Scripture] varies only for expository purposes, following our Sages, of blessed memory, who said: On the second day, וְנִסְכֵּיהֶם, “and their libations”; on the sixth day, וּנְסָכֶיהָ “and its libations”; on the seventh day כְּמִשְׁפָּטָם“as prescribed for them” [instead of כַּמִּשְׁפָּט,“as prescribed”]. [The additional letters in these three words are] ‘mem’ ’yud’ ‘mem’ which form [the word] מַיִם, ‘water.’ This suggests that the [ceremony of] water libation during the festival [of 'Succoth’] is of Torah origin. — [Sifrei Pinchas 54, Ta’anith 2b] ולכבשים: כנגד ישראל שנקראו (ירמיה נ, יז) שה פזורה, והם קבועים ומנינם תשעים ושמונה לכלות מהם תשעים ושמונה קללות שבמשנה תורה. בשני נאמר ונסכיהם על שני תמידי היום ולא שינה הלשון אלא לדרוש, כמו שאמרו רז"ל בשני ונסכיהם, בששי ונסכיה, בשביעי כמשפטם, מ"ם יו"ד מ"ם, הרי כאן מים, רמז לנסוך המים מן התורה בחג:
19And one young male goat for a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, its meal offering, and their libations. יטוּשְׂעִֽיר־עִזִּ֥ים אֶחָ֖ד חַטָּ֑את מִלְּבַד֙ עֹלַ֣ת הַתָּמִ֔יד וּמִנְחָתָ֖הּ וְנִסְכֵּיהֶֽם:
20And on the third day, eleven bulls, two rams, and fourteen lambs in the first year, [all] unblemished. כוּבַיּ֧וֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֛י פָּרִ֥ים עַשְׁתֵּֽי־עָשָׂ֖ר אֵילִ֣ם שְׁנָ֑יִם כְּבָשִׂ֧ים בְּנֵֽי־שָׁנָ֛ה אַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר תְּמִימִֽם:
21And their meal offerings and their libations, for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, as prescribed. כאוּמִנְחָתָ֣ם וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֡ם לַ֠פָּרִ֠ים לָֽאֵילִ֧ם וְלַכְּבָשִׂ֛ים בְּמִסְפָּרָ֖ם כַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט:
22And one young male goat for a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, its meal offering and its libation. כבוּשְׂעִ֥יר חַטָּ֖את אֶחָ֑ד מִלְּבַד֙ עֹלַ֣ת הַתָּמִ֔יד וּמִנְחָתָ֖הּ וְנִסְכָּֽהּ:
23And on the fourth day, ten bulls, two rams, and fourteen lambs in the first year, [all] unblemished. כגוּבַיּ֧וֹם הָֽרְבִיעִ֛י פָּרִ֥ים עֲשָׂרָ֖ה אֵילִ֣ם שְׁנָ֑יִם כְּבָשִׂ֧ים בְּנֵֽי־שָׁנָ֛ה אַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר תְּמִימִֽם:
24Their meal offerings and their libations, for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, as prescribed. כדמִנְחָתָ֣ם וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֡ם לַ֠פָּרִ֠ים לָֽאֵילִ֧ם וְלַכְּבָשִׂ֛ים בְּמִסְפָּרָ֖ם כַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט:
25And one young male goat for a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, its meal offering and its libation. כהוּשְׂעִֽיר־עִזִּ֥ים אֶחָ֖ד חַטָּ֑את מִלְּבַד֙ עֹלַ֣ת הַתָּמִ֔יד מִנְחָתָ֖הּ וְנִסְכָּֽהּ:
26And on the fifth day nine bulls, two rams, and fourteen lambs in the first year, [all] unblemished. כווּבַיּ֧וֹם הַֽחֲמִישִׁ֛י פָּרִ֥ים תִּשְׁעָ֖ה אֵילִ֣ם שְׁנָ֑יִם כְּבָשִׂ֧ים בְּנֵֽי־שָׁנָ֛ה אַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר תְּמִימִֽם:
27And their meal offerings and their libations, for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, as prescribed. כזוּמִנְחָתָ֣ם וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֡ם לַ֠פָּרִ֠ים לָֽאֵילִ֧ם וְלַכְּבָשִׂ֛ים בְּמִסְפָּרָ֖ם כַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט:
28And one young male goat for a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, its meal offering, and its libation. כחוּשְׂעִ֥יר חַטָּ֖את אֶחָ֑ד מִלְּבַד֙ עֹלַ֣ת הַתָּמִ֔יד וּמִנְחָתָ֖הּ וְנִסְכָּֽהּ:
29And on the sixth day, eight bulls, two rams, and fourteen lambs in the first year, [all] unblemished. כטוּבַיּ֧וֹם הַשִּׁשִּׁ֛י פָּרִ֥ים שְׁמֹנָ֖ה אֵילִ֣ם שְׁנָ֑יִם כְּבָשִׂ֧ים בְּנֵֽי־שָׁנָ֛ה אַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר תְּמִימִֽם:
30And their meal offerings and their libations, for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, as prescribed. לוּמִנְחָתָ֣ם וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֡ם לַ֠פָּרִ֠ים לָֽאֵילִ֧ם וְלַכְּבָשִׂ֛ים בְּמִסְפָּרָ֖ם כַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט:
31And one young male goat for a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, its meal offering, and its libations. לאוּשְׂעִ֥יר חַטָּ֖את אֶחָ֑ד מִלְּבַד֙ עֹלַ֣ת הַתָּמִ֔יד מִנְחָתָ֖הּ וּנְסָכֶֽיהָ:
32And on the seventh day, seven bulls, two rams and fourteen lambs in the first year, [all] unblemished. לבוּבַיּ֧וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֛י פָּרִ֥ים שִׁבְעָ֖ה אֵילִ֣ם שְׁנָ֑יִם כְּבָשִׂ֧ים בְּנֵֽי־שָׁנָ֛ה אַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר תְּמִימִֽם:
33And their meal offerings and their libations, for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, as prescribed for them. לגוּמִנְחָתָ֣ם וְנִסְכֵּהֶ֡ם לַ֠פָּרִ֠ים לָֽאֵילִ֧ם וְלַכְּבָשִׂ֛ים בְּמִסְפָּרָ֖ם כְּמִשְׁפָּטָֽם:
34One young male goat for a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, its meal offering, and its libation. לדוּשְׂעִ֥יר חַטָּ֖את אֶחָ֑ד מִלְּבַד֙ עֹלַ֣ת הַתָּמִ֔יד מִנְחָתָ֖הּ וְנִסְכָּֽהּ:
35The eighth day shall be a time of restriction for you; you shall not perform any mundane work. להבַּיּוֹם֙ הַשְּׁמִינִ֔י עֲצֶ֖רֶת תִּֽהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֑ם כָּל־מְלֶ֥אכֶת עֲבֹדָ֖ה לֹ֥א תַֽעֲשֽׂוּ:
A time of restriction for you: עֲצֶרֶת, restricted from working (Chagigah 18a). Another interpretation: Restrain yourselves from leaving. This teaches that they were required to remain [in Jerusalem] overnight (Sifrei Pinchas 55). This [word עֲצֶרֶת] is expounded in the Aggadah : (Sukkah 55b) [as follows]: For throughout the days of the festival they brought offerings symbolizing the seventy nations, and when they came to leave, the Omnipresent said to them, “Please make Me a small feast, so that I can have some pleasure from you [alone].” עצרת תהיה לכם: עצורים בעשיית מלאכה. דבר אחר עצרת עצרו מלצאת, מלמד שטעון לינה. ומדרשו באגדה לפי שכל ימות הרגל הקריבו כנגד שבעים אומות וכשבאין ללכת, אמר להם המקום בבקשה מכם עשו לי סעודה קטנה כדי שאהנה מכם:
36You shall offer up a burnt offering, a fire offering for a spirit of satisfaction to the Lord: one bull, one ram, and seven lambs in the first year, [all] unblemished. לווְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֨ם עֹלָ֜ה אִשֵּׁ֨ה רֵ֤יחַ נִיחֹ֨חַ֙ לַֽיהֹוָ֔ה פַּ֥ר אֶחָ֖ד אַ֣יִל אֶחָ֑ד כְּבָשִׂ֧ים בְּנֵֽי־שָׁנָ֛ה שִׁבְעָ֖ה תְּמִימִֽם:
one bull, one ram: These correspond to Israel. [God said,] “Remain with Me a little longer.” It expresses [His] affection [for Israel]. It is like children taking leave of their father, who says to them, “It is difficult for me to part with you; stay one more day.” It is analogous to a king who made a banquet, etc. [and on the last day, his closest friend makes a small banquet for the king] as is stated in Tractate Sukkah [55b]. In the Midrash of R. Tanchuma (Pinchas 16) [it says]: The Torah teaches common courtesy. Someone who has a guest, [and wants him to feel at home,] on the first day, he should serve him fattened poultry, on the following day he should serve him fish, on the following day beef, on the following day pulses, and on the following day vegetables, progressively diminishing, as in the case of the festival bulls. פר אחד איל אחד: אלו כנגד ישראל, התעכבו לי מעט עוד. ולשון חבה הוא זה, כבנים הנפטרים מאביהם והוא אומר להם קשה עלי פרידתכם עכבו עוד יום אחד. משל למלך שעשה סעודה וכו', כדאיתא במס' סוכה (דף נה ב) ובמדרש רבי תנחומא למדה תורה דרך ארץ, שמי שיש לו אכסנאי יום ראשון יאכילו פטומות, למחר מאכילו דגים, למחר מאכילו בשר בהמה, למחר מאכילו קטניות, למחר מאכילו ירק, פוחת והולך כפרי החג:
37Their meal offerings and their libations, for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, as prescribed. לזמִנְחָתָ֣ם וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֗ם לַפָּ֨ר לָאַ֧יִל וְלַכְּבָשִׂ֛ים בְּמִסְפָּרָ֖ם כַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט:
38And one young male goat for a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, its meal offering and its libation. לחוּשְׂעִ֥יר חַטָּ֖את אֶחָ֑ד מִלְּבַד֙ עֹלַ֣ת הַתָּמִ֔יד וּמִנְחָתָ֖הּ וְנִסְכָּֽהּ:
39These you shall offer up for the Lord on your festivals, besides your vows and voluntary offerings, for your burnt offerings, for your meal offerings, for your libations, and for your peace offerings. לטאֵ֛לֶּה תַּֽעֲשׂ֥וּ לַֽיהֹוָ֖ה בְּמֽוֹעֲדֵיכֶ֑ם לְבַ֨ד מִנִּדְרֵיכֶ֜ם וְנִדְבֹֽתֵיכֶ֗ם לְעֹלֹֽתֵיכֶם֙ וּלְמִנְחֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם וּלְנִסְכֵּיכֶ֖ם וּלְשַׁלְמֵיכֶֽם:
These you shall offer up for the Lord on your festivals: A matter fixed as an obligation. אלה תעשו לה' במועדיכם: דבר הקצוב לחובה:
besides your vows: If you wish to pledge offerings during a festival, it is considered a mitzvah [virtuous deed] for you [to fulfill your vows during the festival] (Sifrei Pinchas 56). Alternatively, vows or voluntary offerings which you have pledged throughout the year should be brought on the festival, lest one find it difficult to return to Jerusalem to offer up his vows, with the result that he will transgress the prohibition of“you shall not delay [in paying your vows and pledges]” (Deut. 23:22). לבד מנדריכם: אם באתם לידור קרבנות ברגל, מצוה היא בידכם או נדרים או נדבות שנדרתם כל השנה תקריבום ברגל, שמא יקשה לו לחזור ולעלות לירושלים ולהקריב נדריו, ונמצא עובר בבל תאחר:
Numbers Chapter 30
1Moses spoke to the children of Israel in accordance with all that the Lord had commanded Moses. אוַיֹּ֥אמֶר משֶׁ֖ה אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל כְּכֹ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־משֶֽׁה:
Moses spoke to the children of Israel: [This verse is written] to make a pause; [these are] the words of R. Ishmael. Since up to this point the words of the Omnipresent [were stated], and the [following] chapter dealing with vows begins with the words of Moses, it was necessary to make a break first and say that Moses repeated this chapter [of offerings] to Israel, for if not so, it would imply that he did not tell this to them, but began his address with the chapter discussing vows. — [Sifrei Pinchas 57] ויאמר משה אל בני ישראל: להפסיק הענין, דברי רבי ישמעאל, לפי שעד כאן דבריו של מקום ופרשת נדרים מתחלת בדבורו של משה, הוצרך להפסיק תחלה ולומר שחזר משה ואמר פרשה זו לישראל, שאם לא כן יש במשמע שלא אמר להם זו אלא בפרשת נדרים התחיל דבריו:
Daily Tehillim - Psalms
Chapters 113-118
• Chapter 113
This psalm recounts some of the wonders of the exodus from Egypt.
1. Praise the Lord! Offer praise, you servants of the Lord; praise the Name of the Lord.
2. May the Name of the Lord be blessed from now and to all eternity.
3. From the rising of the sun to its setting, the Name of the Lord is praised.
4. The Lord is high above all nations; His glory transcends the heavens.
5. Who is like the Lord our God, Who dwells on high
6. [yet] looks down so low upon heaven and earth!
7. He raises the poor from the dust, lifts the destitute from the dunghill,
8. to seat them with nobles, with the nobles of His people.
9. He transforms the barren woman into a household, into a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!
Chapter 114
This psalm explains why the tribe of Judah merited kingship.
1. When Israel went out of Egypt, the House of Jacob from a people of a foreign tongue,
2. Judah became His holy [nation], Israel, His domain.
3. The sea saw and fled, the Jordan turned backward.
4. The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like young sheep.
5. What is the matter with you, O sea, that you flee; Jordan, that you turn backward;
6. mountains, that you skip like rams; hills, like young sheep?
7. [We do so] before the Master, the Creator of the earth, before the God of Jacob,
8. Who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flintstone into a water fountain.
Chapter 115
A prayer that God bring this long exile to an end, for the sake of His Name-that it not be desecrated.
1. Not for our sake, Lord, not for our sake, but for the sake of Your Name bestow glory, because of Your kindness and Your truth.
2. Why should the nations say, "Where, now, is their God?”
3. Indeed, our God is in heaven; whatever He desires, He does.
4. Their idols are of silver and gold, the product of human hands.
5. They have a mouth, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see;
6. they have ears, but cannot hear; they have a nose, but cannot smell;
7. their hands cannot touch; their feet cannot walk; they can make no sound in their throat.
8. Those who make them will become like them-all who put their trust in them.
9. Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.
10. House of Aaron, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.
11. You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.
12. The Lord who is ever mindful of us, may He bless: May He bless the House of Israel; may He bless the House of Aaron;
13. may He bless those who fear the Lord, the small with the great.
14. May the Lord increase [blessing] upon you, upon you and upon your children.
15. You are blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
16. The heavens are the Lord's heavens, but the earth He gave to the children of man.
17. The dead cannot praise the Lord, nor any who descend into the silence [of the grave].
18. But we will bless the Lord from now to eternity. Praise the Lord!
Chapter 116
This psalm contains magnificent praises to God. It also describes David's love for God, in light of all the miracles He performed for him. David does not know how to repay God, declaring it impossible to pay back for all God has done for him.
1. I would love if the Lord would listen to my voice, to my supplications;
2. if He would turn His ear to me on the days when I call.
3. The pangs of death encompassed me and the misery of the grave came upon me; I encounter trouble and sorrow.
4. I invoke the Name of the Lord, "Lord, I implore you, deliver my soul!”
5. The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is compassionate.
6. The Lord watches over the simpletons; I was brought low, and He saved me.
7. Return, my soul, to your tranquility, for the Lord has bestowed goodness upon you.
8. For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
9. I shall walk before the Lord in the lands of the living.
10. I had faith even when I declared, "I am greatly afflicted";
11. [even when] I said in my haste, "All men are deceitful.”
12. How can I repay the Lord for all His beneficences to me?
13. I will raise the cup of deliverance and proclaim the Name of the Lord.
14. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people.
15. Grievous in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His pious ones.
16. I thank you, Lord, that since I am Your servant, I am Your servant the son of Your maidservant, You have loosened my bonds.
17. To You I will bring an offering of thanksgiving, and proclaim the Name of the Lord.
18. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people,
19. in the courtyards of the House of the Lord, in the midst of Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!
Chapter 117
This psalm of two verses alludes to the Messianic era, when the Children of Israel will enjoy their former glory. All will praise God, in fulfillment of the verse, "All will then call in the Name of God."
1. Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples.
2. For His kindness was mighty over us, and the truth of the Lord is everlasting. Praise the Lord!
Chapter 118
This psalm describes David's immense trust in God. It also contains many praises to God, Who has fulfilled that which He has promised us.
1. Offer praise to the Lord for He is good, for His kindness is everlasting.
2. Let Israel declare that His kindness is everlasting.
3. Let the House of Aaron declare that His kindness is everlasting.
4. Let those who fear the Lord declare that His kindness is everlasting.
5. From out of distress I called to God; with abounding relief, God answered me.
6. The Lord is with me, I do not fear-what can man do to me?
7. The Lord is with me among my helpers, and I will see [the downfall of] my enemies.
8. It is better to rely on the Lord than to trust in man.
9. It is better to rely on the Lord than to trust in nobles.
10. All the nations surrounded me, but in the Name of the Lord I will cut them down.
11. They surrounded me, they encompassed me, but in the Name of the Lord I will cut them down.
12. They surrounded me like bees, yet they shall be extinguished like fiery thorns; in the Name of the Lord I will cut them down.
13. You [my foes] repeatedly pushed me to fall, but the Lord helped me.
14. God is my strength and song, and He has been a help to me.
15. The sound of rejoicing and deliverance reverberates in the tents of the righteous, "The right hand of the Lord performs deeds of valor.
16. The right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord performs deeds of valor!”
17. I shall not die, but I shall live and recount the deeds of God.
18. God has indeed chastised me, but He did not give me up to death.
19. Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter them and praise God.
20. This is the gate of the Lord, the righteous will enter it.
21. I offer thanks to You, for You have answered me, and You have been my deliverance.
22. The stone which the builders scorned has become the chief cornerstone.
23. From the Lord has this come about; it is wondrous in our eyes.
24. This is the day which the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice on it.
25. We implore You, Lord, deliver us. We implore You, Lord, grant us success.
26. Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord; we bless you from the House of the Lord.
27. The Lord is a benevolent God and He has given us light; bind the festival offering with cords until [you bring it to] the horns of the altar.
28. You are my God and I will praise You, my God-and I will exalt You.
29. Praise the Lord for He is good, for His kindness is everlasting.
Tanya: Igeret HaTeshuva , end of Chapter 6
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Shabbat, 24 Tammuz, 5776 · 30 July 2016
• Igeret HaTeshuva , end of Chapter 6
• והנה: יעקב חבל נחלתו כתיב
על דרך משל: כמו החבל שראשו אחד למעלה וראשו השני למטה
The analogy [compares the soul of a Jew] to a rope, with one end above and the other end below.
אם ימשוך אדם בראשו השני, ינענע וימשך אחריו גם ראשו הראשון, כמה שאפשר לו להמשך
When one pulls the lower end he will move and pull after it the higher end as well, as far as it can be pulled.
וככה ממש בשרש נשמת האדם ומקורה מבחינת ה״א תתאה הנ״ל
It is exactly so with regard to the root of the soul of man and its source in the latter hei.
הוא ממשיך ומוריד השפעתה על ידי מעשיו הרעים ומחשבותיו
Through one’s evil deeds and thoughts one draws down the life-force [issuing from the latter hei]
עד תוך היכלות הסטרא אחרא, כביכול, שמשם מקבל מחשבותיו ומעשיו
into the chambers of the sitra achra, as it were, from which he receives his thoughts and deeds.
Although a person punishable by excision has severed his ropes, so to speak, he is still able to draw down the life-force issuing from the latter hei into the chambers of the sitra achra. The reason, as is explained elsewhere in the literature ofChassidut, is that even after the rope is severed, some external vestige of it survives. And it is through this remnant that the life-force of holiness is drawn down into the chambers of the kelipot.
ומפני שהוא הוא הממשיך להם ההשפעה, לכן הוא נוטל חלק בראש, וד״ל
Because it is he, the sinful individual, who draws the flow of vitality into [the chambers of the sitra achra], it is he who receives the greatest portion from them.
I.e., in even greater measure than do other living creatures. Nevertheless, it is explained in the literature of Chassidut3 that ultimately the sinner will cease to draw vitality from this flow, for the sitra achra can serve a Jew as a source only temporarily.
This will suffice for the understanding.
וזהו שאמרו רז״ל: אין בידינו לא משלות הרשעים וכו׳
Hence the statement of our Sages,4 of blessed memory: “It is not within our hands (i.e., it is not given us) to understand the reason for either the tranquillity of the wicked [or the suffering of the righteous].”
בידינו דוקא, כלומר: בזמן הגלות אחר החורבן
The quotation specifies “in our hands,” i.e., in this time of exile after the Destruction, when the wicked receive added vitality through the kelipot and sitra achra.
וזוהי בחינת גלות השכינה, כביכול
This is an expression of the “Exile of the Divine Presence,” as it were, during which time the life-force emanating from the latter hei flows into the kelipot,
להשפיע להיכלות הסטרא אחרא אשר שנאה נפשו ית׳
viz., [G‑d’s] granting [supplementary measures of] life-force to the chambers of the sitra achra that He despises.
וכשהאדם עושה תשובה נכונה, אזי מסלק מהם ההשפעה שהמשיך במעשיו ומחשבותיו
But when the sinner repents appropriately, he then removes from them the life-force that he had drawn into them through his deeds and thoughts,
כי בתשובתו, מחזיר השפעת השכינה למקומה
for by his repentance he returns the flow issuing from the Shechinah to its proper place.
וזהו תשוב ה״א תתאה מבחינת גלות
This, then, is the meaning of [the teaching of the Zohar, quoted in ch. 4, that “teshuvah is] tashuv hei, the return of the lower hei from exile” — that the lower level of repentance consists of returning the Shechinah, which is represented by the latter hei of the Tetragrammaton, from its state of exile.
וכמו שכתוב: ושב ה׳ אלקיך את שבותך
As the verse states,5 “The L‑rd, your G‑d (the source of your soul), will return (i.e., bring back) those of you who return”;
כלומר: עם שבותך
regarding the verb as being intransitive, this means [that G‑d Himself will return] with your return.
וכמאמר רז״ל: והשיב לא נאמר וכו׳
As our Sages have commented6 on this verse, “Scripture does not say, ‘He shall bring back,’ [but that He Himself will return].”
The verse is thus telling every Jew: When through repentance you extricate yourself from your own spiritual exile, you will thereby liberate “your G‑d” — the Shechinah, the source of your soul — from His exile too.
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. | Devarim 32:9. |
| 2. | The Rebbe observes that the analogy of the rope is introduced here in terms that suggest that it is a novel thought, when in fact it occupied the whole of the previous chapter. By way of explanation, the Rebbe writes that the Alter Rebbe is indeed introducing a thought that is not only novel but even contrary to what was written in the previous chapter; moreover, this approach will explain much of the variance between the two chapters. In brief: The Alter Rebbe explained in ch. 4 how a soul is part of the Tetragrammaton. He went on to explain in ch. 5 how this soul-level descends into the body by way of “Jacob, ...the rope of His inheritance, ...whose upper end is bound above and the lower end below.” In ch.6, however, the Alter Rebbe emphasizes that the movements of the lower end of the rope also affect the upper end. Furthermore, as the Alter Rebbe goes on to say here, this rope not only descends as far as “Jacob” but even provides additional life-force to the chambers of unholiness; i.e., the effect of the rope is able to descend even lower than the level of “Jacob” which it itself embodies. This is the anomaly that the Alter Rebbe resolves, when he repeats that a person’s sins make him descend so sharply that he reaches the lowly level of the very kelipot and sitra achra “from which he receives his thoughts and deeds.” Since the sinful individual sinks to such a low level that in this respect he is a recipient from the kelipot, his “rope” descends there as well, and the kelipot and sitra achra are able to receive their life-force from its lower extremity. |
| 3. | Kuntres Uma‘ayon [English translation by Rabbi Zalman I. Posner; Kehot, N.Y., 1969], Discourse 8. |
| 4. | Avot 4:15. |
| 5. | Devarim 30:3. |
| 6. | Megillah 29a. |
Rambam:
• Sefer Hamitzvos:
• Shabbat, 24 Tammuz, 5776 · 30 July 2016
• Sefer Hamitzvos:
• Shabbat, 24 Tammuz, 5776 · 30 July 2016
• Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
Negative Commandment 269
Disregarding a Lost Item
"You shall not ignore [it]"—Deuteronomy 22:3.
It is forbidden to disregard a lost item. Rather, upon encountering a lost item one must take it and endeavor to return it to its owner.
Full text of this Mitzvah »• Disregarding a Lost Item
Negative Commandment 269
Translated by Berel Bell
The 269th prohibition is that we are forbidden from ignoring a lost object; instead, we must take it and return it to the owner.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "[You must do the same to a donkey, an article of clothing, or anything else that your brother loses and you find;] you must not ignore it."
We have already explained2 the Mechilta's statement regarding lost objects: "We learn out [from these two verses] that one [who doesn't return a lost object] violates both a positive commandment and a prohibition." In the words of the Gemara,3 "returning a lost object constitutes a positive and negative commandment."
This prohibition is repeated in Mishneh Torah4 with a separate statement, "Do not just watch your brother's ox or sheep going astray." The Sifri says, "The verse, 'Do not just watch your brother's ox,' etc. constitutes a Biblical prohibition. The verse,5 'If you come across your enemy's ox [or donkey going astray, bring it back to him]' constitutes a positive command."
The details of this mitzvah are explained in the second chapter of tractate Bava Metzia.
FOOTNOTES
1.Deut. 22:3.
2.P204 below.
3.Bava Metzia 32a.
4.Deut. 22:1.
5.Ex. 23:4.
Positive Commandment 204
Returning a Lost Article
"You shall surely bring it back to him"—Exodus 23:4.
When coming across a lost item, we are required to take it and return it to its owner.
Full text of this Mitzvah »
• Returning a Lost Article
Positive Commandment 204
Translated by Berel Bell
The 204th mitzvah is that we are commanded to return a lost object to its owner.
The source of this commandment are G‑d's statements,1"[If you come across your enemy's ox or donkey going astray,] return it back to him," and2 "You must return them to your brother."
Our Sages said explicitly,3 "The return of a lost object is a positive mitzvah." They4 also said, "We learn out [from these two verses] that one [who doesn't return a lost object] violates both a positive commandment and a prohibition." We will explain the prohibition regarding the lost object in the proper place.5
The details of this mitzvah are explained in the second chapter of tractate Bava Metzia.
FOOTNOTES
1.Ibid.
2.Deut. 22:1
3.Bava Metzia 32a.
4.In N269, the Rambam quotes this statement in the name of the Mechilta. Our versions of the Mechilta don't have this wording, only the Sifri, parshas Seitzei.
5.See the previous commandment, N269. The Rambam wrote "we will explain" because in Sefer HaMitzvos, all prohibitions are written after the positive commandments. As they are listed in Mishneh Torah, however, the prohibition comes first.
• Rambam - 1 Chapter a Day
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
Negative Commandment 269
Disregarding a Lost Item
"You shall not ignore [it]"—Deuteronomy 22:3.
It is forbidden to disregard a lost item. Rather, upon encountering a lost item one must take it and endeavor to return it to its owner.
Full text of this Mitzvah »• Disregarding a Lost Item
Negative Commandment 269
Translated by Berel Bell
The 269th prohibition is that we are forbidden from ignoring a lost object; instead, we must take it and return it to the owner.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "[You must do the same to a donkey, an article of clothing, or anything else that your brother loses and you find;] you must not ignore it."
We have already explained2 the Mechilta's statement regarding lost objects: "We learn out [from these two verses] that one [who doesn't return a lost object] violates both a positive commandment and a prohibition." In the words of the Gemara,3 "returning a lost object constitutes a positive and negative commandment."
This prohibition is repeated in Mishneh Torah4 with a separate statement, "Do not just watch your brother's ox or sheep going astray." The Sifri says, "The verse, 'Do not just watch your brother's ox,' etc. constitutes a Biblical prohibition. The verse,5 'If you come across your enemy's ox [or donkey going astray, bring it back to him]' constitutes a positive command."
The details of this mitzvah are explained in the second chapter of tractate Bava Metzia.
FOOTNOTES
1.Deut. 22:3.
2.P204 below.
3.Bava Metzia 32a.
4.Deut. 22:1.
5.Ex. 23:4.
Positive Commandment 204
Returning a Lost Article
"You shall surely bring it back to him"—Exodus 23:4.
When coming across a lost item, we are required to take it and return it to its owner.
Full text of this Mitzvah »
• Returning a Lost Article
Positive Commandment 204
Translated by Berel Bell
The 204th mitzvah is that we are commanded to return a lost object to its owner.
The source of this commandment are G‑d's statements,1"[If you come across your enemy's ox or donkey going astray,] return it back to him," and2 "You must return them to your brother."
Our Sages said explicitly,3 "The return of a lost object is a positive mitzvah." They4 also said, "We learn out [from these two verses] that one [who doesn't return a lost object] violates both a positive commandment and a prohibition." We will explain the prohibition regarding the lost object in the proper place.5
The details of this mitzvah are explained in the second chapter of tractate Bava Metzia.
FOOTNOTES
1.Ibid.
2.Deut. 22:1
3.Bava Metzia 32a.
4.In N269, the Rambam quotes this statement in the name of the Mechilta. Our versions of the Mechilta don't have this wording, only the Sifri, parshas Seitzei.
5.See the previous commandment, N269. The Rambam wrote "we will explain" because in Sefer HaMitzvos, all prohibitions are written after the positive commandments. As they are listed in Mishneh Torah, however, the prohibition comes first.
• Rambam - 1 Chapter a Day
Tum'at Met - Chapter 14
• Tum'at Met - Chapter 14
• Tum'at Met - Chapter 14
1
Impurity does not enter a shelter, nor does it depart from it if there is an opening less than a handbreadth by a handbreadth.
What is implied? When there is a window between one house and another or between a house and a loft, if it is a square handbreadth by a handbreadth and there was impurity in one of the structures, the other structure is also impure. If the window does not comprise a handbreadth by a handbreadth, impurity does not depart from it, nor does it enter the second structure.
When does the above apply? With regard to a window made by a person for functional purposes. When, by contrast, a window was made by man for illumination, that light should enter, its measure is the size of pundiyon. Then ritual impurity departs through it.
What is implied? There was impurity in a house. A person came and stood on the outside, near this window for light or placed an k'lithere, or there was a covering on the other side of the wall, the person, the k'li, and everything under the covering to which the impurity passes through becomes impure. A window made for light is one that is not covered by a roof, but instead, is open to the sun.
א
אין טומאה נכנסת לאהל ולא יוצאה ממנו בפחות מטפח על טפח כיצד חלון שבין בית לבית או שבין בית לעלייה אם יש בו טפח על טפח מרובע והיתה טומאה באחד מהן הבית השני טמא אין בחלון פותח טפח אין הטומאה יוצאה ממנו ולא נכנסת לאהל השני בד"א בחלון שעשה אותו האדם לתשמיש אבל חלון שעשה אותו האדם לאורה כדי שיכנס ממנו האור שיעורו כפונדיון והטומאה יוצאה ממנו כיצד היתה טומאה בבית ובא אדם ונסמך לחלון זה של מאור או שהניח בו כלי או שהאהיל עליו אהל בצד הכותל נטמא כל שבאהל שהטומאה יוצאה לו וחלון העשוי לאורה הוא שאין עליו תקרה אלא גלוי הוא לשמש:
2
When an aperture was not made through intentional human activity, e.g., it was hollowed out by water or crawling animals, the earth itself cratered, a window had been shuttered close and the shutter was removed, or it had been covered by glass and the glass broke, the minimum measure is the full span of a shingle which is the size of the head of an ordinary man.
The above applies provided that the owner did not think of using that aperture for functional purposes. If, however, he thought of using it, the minimum measure is an opening of a handbreadth by a handbreadth. If he thought to use it for light, its measure is the size of a pundiyon. The rationale is that, in these instances, thought is considered equivalent to deed.
ב
חלון הנעשה שלא בידי אדם כגון שחררוהו מים או שרצים או שאכלתו מלחת או שהיה חלון פקוק ונטל הפקק או שהיתה בו זכוכית ונשברה שיעורו מלא אגרוף והוא כראש גדול של אדם והוא שלא חשב עליו לתשמיש אבל אם חשב עליו לתשמיש שיעורו בפותח טפח חשב עליו למאור שיעורו בפונדיון שהמחשבה כאן כמעשה:
3
The following rules apply when a person began closing a window opened for light and did not complete the task because he did not have sufficient cement or a colleague called him, night fell initiating the Sabbath, and there remained a small amount open. If a portion the height of two fingerbreadths and the width of a thumbbreadth remain, it conveys ritual impurity. If it is less than that, it is as if it was closed.
ג
מאור שהתחיל לסותמו ולא הספיק לגומרו מפני שלא היה לו טיט או שקראו חבירו או שחשכה לילי שבת ונשאר ממנו מעט אם נשאר ממנו רום אצבעיים על רוחב הגודל מביא את הטומאה פחות מכאן הרי הוא כסתום:
4
The following rules apply when there was a large window made for light covered by a lattice or the like. If there was one place where there is a hole as large as a pundiyon, it conveys ritual impurity and allows ritual impurity to depart. If the holes of the lattice are small and not one of them is the size of a pundiyon, it is considered as closed. Similarly, when there was a large window made for functional purposes and it was covered by thatchwork coverings or shades, if there was empty space a handbreadth by a handbreadth square, it conveys ritual impurity and allows ritual impurity to depart. Otherwise, it is considered as closed.
ד
חלון גדול העשוי לאורה והיה בה שבכה וכיוצא בה אם יש שם במקום אחד ממנה כפונדיון מביא את הטומאה ומוציא את הטומאה היו נקבי השבכה דקים ואין באחד מהן כפונדיון הרי זו כסתומה וכן חלון העשויה לתשמיש ובה סככות ורפפות אם יש במקום אחד טפח על טפח מרובע מביא ומוציא ואם לאו הרי היא כסתומה:
5
When a window is exposed to the open air, its minimum measure is the size of a pundiyon, because it is made solely for the purpose of light, as we explained. If one builds a house outside this window and thus the window is now under a roof, it is considered as if it is between two structures and its measure is a handbreadth by a handbreadth of empty space. If the roof was built in the middle of the window, the measure for the lower portion that is below the roof is a handbreadth by a handbreadth of empty space. The measure of the upper portion that is above the roof is the size of a pundiyon, because it is exposed to the open air.
ה
חלון שהיא גלויה לאויר שיעורה כפונדיון מפני שאינה עשויה אלא לאורה כמו שאמרנו בנה בית חוצה לה ונעשית חלון זו תחת תקרה והרי היא בין שני בתים שיעורה בפותח טפח נתן את התקרה באמצע החלון התחתון שתחת התקרה שיעורו בפותח טפח והעליון שלמעלה מן התקרה שיעורו כפונדיון מפני שהוא גלוי לאויר:
6
The following rules apply in the situations to be described: There is a hole in a door, a carpenter left an empty place above or below or hung two swinging doors and did not complete adjusting them and thus there was empty space between the two doors, or he closed the door and it was blown open by the wind. In all these situations, if the opening was the size of a shingle, the impurity leaves through this opening and enters through it. If the opening is less than the size of a shingle, it is considered as closed.
ו
החור שבדלת או ששייר בה החרש מקום פתוח מלמעלה או מלמטה או שהגיף את הדלת ולא גמר להדקה ונשאר אויר בין שתי הדלתות או שסגר הדלת ופתחו הרוח בכל אלו אם היה הפותח כאגרוף הטומאה יוצאה ממנו ונכנסת לה במקום פתוח זה ואם היה פחות מכאגרוף הרי הוא כסתום:
7
When a person makes a hole in a wall in order to place a rod or a large nail there, to see those who pass by, or to speak to his colleague, it is considered as a window made for functional purposes and its minimum measure is a space a handbreadth by a handbreadth.
ז
העושה חור בכותל כדי להניח בו קנה או מסמר גדול או לראות ממנו העוברים והשבים או לדבר עם חבירו הרי זה כחלון העשויה לתשמיש ושיעורה בפותח טפח:
• Rambam - 3 Chapters a Day
Gezelah va'Avedah - Chapter Sixteen, Gezelah va'Avedah - Chapter Seventeen, Gezelah va'Avedah - Chapter Eighteen
Gezelah va'Avedah - Chapter Sixteen, Gezelah va'Avedah - Chapter Seventeen, Gezelah va'Avedah - Chapter Eighteen
• Gezelah va'Avedah - Chapter Sixteen
1
The following laws apply if a person finds needles, spits, nails or the like. If he finds them one at a time, he may keep them. If he finds them in sets of two or more, he is obligated to announce [their discovery, for the number of articles found is a mark by which they can be identified.
א
המוצא מחטים וצנורות ומסמרים וכיוצא בהן אם מצאם אחד אחד הרי אלו שלו שנים שנים או יתר חייב להכריז שמנין סימן:
2
Similarly, if one finds scattered coins, he may keep them. Even if some of the coins are lying on each other, they are considered to be scattered. If, however, one finds a collection of coins, he must announce their discovery.
For example, if he found three coins placed one on top of the other like a tower,, or there was one to the right, one to the left and one on top of both of them, or they were placed in succession, each one lying slightly on the other, so that if a sliver of wood were placed under them he would be able to pick them all up at one time, he is obligated to announce their discovery.
If they were placed in a circle, a line, like a tripod, like steps, the matter is one of doubt. Therefore, at the outset, one should not take them.
ב
וכן המוצא מעות מפוזרים הרי אלו שלו. אפילו היו מקצת מטבעות זה על גבי זה הרי הן כמפוזרין. אבל אם מצא צבור מעות חייב להכריז. מצא שלשה מטבעות זה על גב זה והן עשויין כמגדל. או שהיו אחד מיכן ואחד מיכן ואחד על גביהן. או שהיו מקצת זה על מקצת זה כדי שאם יכניס קיסם ביניהן ינטלו בבת אחת חייב להכריז. היו עשויים כשיר או כשורה או כחצובה או כסולם הרי זה ספק ולא יטול:
3
If a person finds money in a wallet or an empty wallet, he is obligated to announce its discovery. If he found a wallet with money scattered before it, he may keep the money. If, however, it appears that the wallet and the money belong to the same person and that the money fell from the wallet, he must announce its discovery.
ג
המוצא מעות בכיס או כיס כמות שהוא חייב להכריז. מצא כיס ולפניו מעות מפוזרים הרי אלו שלו. ואם מראין הדברים שהכיס והמעות של אדם אחד ומן הכיס נפלו חייב להכריז:
4
The following rules apply when a person finds money in a store. If the money is found between the counter and the storekeeper, it must be given to the storekeeper. If it is found on the counter, and needless to say, if it is found on the outside of the counter, it may be kept by the finder.
Why does the store not acquire the money on behalf of its owner? Because it is not a protected courtyard. Therefore, even though the owner was present, to acquire the money, the owner would have to say: "May my store acquire it on my behalf," as will be explained.
ד
המוצא מעות בחנות אם היו בין תיבה לחנוני הרי הן של בעל החנות. ואם מצאן על התיבה ואין צריך לומר מתיבה ולחוץ הרי הן של מוצאן. ולמה לא תקנה החנות לבעליה לפי שאינה חצר המשתמרת ואע"פ שבעליה בתוכה צריך לומר תקנה לי חנותי כמו שיתבאר:
5
The following rules apply when a person finds money in a store of a moneychanger. If the money is found between the counter and the moneychanger, it must be given to the moneychanger.
If the money was found on the counter, even if it was wrapped in a purse and placed on the table, it may be kept by the finder, provided the majority of the clientele are gentiles, as we have explained. If, however, the majority of the clientele are Jewish, the finder must announce the discovery. Since they are wrapped in a purse, they have a mark by which they can be identified.
ה
מצא מעות בחנות השולחני בין כסא לשולחני הרי אלו של שולחני. מצאן על הכסא לפני השולחני אפילו היו צרורין ומונחין על השולחן הרי אלו של מוצאן. והוא שיהיו רוב עכו"ם כמו שביארנו. אבל אם היו רוב ישראל חייב להכריז מפני שהן צרורים יש להם סימן:
6
When a person purchases produce from a colleague or a colleague sends him produce, and he finds money wrapped in a purse among the produce, he must announce the discovery. If the money is scattered, he may keep it.
When does the above apply? When one receives the produce from a merchant or from a private individual who purchased it from a merchant. If, however, a private individual threshed produce himself or had his Canaanite servants and maidservants do so, the finder is obligated to return the money to him.
ו
הלוקח פירות מחבירו או ששלח לו חבירו פירות ומצא בתוכן מעות צרורות נוטל ומכריז. מצאן מפוזרות הרי אלו שלו. במה דברים אמורים כשהיו הפירות מן התגר או מבעל הבית שלקחן מן התגר. אבל אם בעל הבית דש הפירות לעצמו או על ידי עבדיו ושפחותיו הכנענים הרי זה חייב להחזיר:
7
When a person finds a buried treasure in a mound or in an old wall, it belongs to him, for we assume that it belonged to ancient Amorites. This applies provided he finds the treasure buried very low, as would be common for ancient valuables.
If, however, it appears that the treasure was recently placed there, even if he has doubts concerning the matter, he should not touch it, for perhaps it was intentionally placed there.
ז
המוצא מטמון בגל או בכותל ישן הרי אלו שלו שאני אומר של אמוריים הקדמונים הן. והוא שימצאם מטה מטה כדרך כל המטמונות הישנות. אבל אם מראין הדברים שהן מטמון חדש אפילו נסתפק לו הדבר הרי זה לא יגע בהן שמא מונחים הם שם:
8
Since a person's domain can acquire property on his behalf without his knowledge, as will be explained, why does the owner of this courtyard not acquire the treasure buried within the old wall even if it originally belonged to the Amorites, and thus he would become its legal owner?
The rationale is that the treasure was not known about by him or by others. Thus, it was "lost to him and to all others." Therefore, it belongs to the finder.
Our Sages derived this concept as follows: With regard to a lost object, the Torah Deuteronomy 22:3 states: "That is lost by him and found." This refers to an article that the owner lost, but others can find, thus excluding an article that fell into the sea and is "lost to him and all others." Surely, this applies to an ancient treasure that the person never owned. It is certainly "lost to him and all others." Therefore, it belongs to the finder.
ח
והואיל וחצירו של אדם קונה לו שלא מדעתו כמו שיתבאר למה לא יקנה בעל החצר זה המטמון שבתוך הכותל הישן אע"פ שהוא של אמוריים ותהיה מציאה זו לבעל החצר. מפני שאינו ידוע [א] לו ולא לאחרים והרי זה המטמון אבוד ממנו ומכל אדם ולפיכך הוא של מוצאו. ומה אבידה של אדם אמרה תורה אשר תאבד ממנו ומצאתה מי שאבודה ממנו ומצויה אצל כל אדם יצאת זו שנפלה לים שאבודה ממנו ומכל אדם קל וחומר למטמון קדמוני שלא היה שלו מעולם והוא אבוד ממנו ומכל אדם לפיכך
9
The following laws apply if a person finds a treasure in a new wall. If the manner in which the treasure was found indicates that it belongs to the owner, it is given to the owner. If the manner in which the treasure was found indicates that it belongs to a passerby from the marketplace, it is awarded to the finder.
What is implied? For example, with regard to a knife, its handle is the determining factor. With regard to a wallet, its opening is the determining factor. If the wall was filled with such articles, they should be divided between the owner and the finder.
ט
מצא מטמון בכותל חדש ד אם המטמון מוכיח שהוא לבעל הבית הרי הוא שלו ואם מוכיח שהוא של אחר מן השוק הרי הוא של מוצאו. כיצד הסכין הרי הנצב שלו מוכיח. והכיס פיו מוכיח. ואם נמצא תוך הכותל מלא מהן חולקין:
10
The following rules should be adhered to if the wall contains money or pieces of gold that do not have a factor that indicates who placed them there. If they are halfway or more to the outer side of the wall, they belong to the finder. If they are halfway or more to inner side, they belong to the owner.
י
היו בתוך הכותל מעות או לשונות של זהב שאין שם מוכיח. מחציו ולחוץ של מוצא. מחציו ולפנים של בעל הבית:
11
It appears to me that the above applies only when the owner claims that the buried treasure belongs to him, or he is an heir and we claim on his behalf that perhaps it belonged to his father. If, however, he admits that this is a lost article, it belongs to the finder.
Therefore, if the person rents out his house to others, the article belongs to the last renter.
If he rented the domain to three gentiles at the same time, he is considered to have made it an inn. Therefore, anything found in the walls, or even within the house itself belongs to the finder. For no one can claim that the article belongs to him or that it was buried, because the domain has been made an inn.
יא
ויראה לי שאין הדברים אמורים ג אלא כשטען בעל הבית שהמטמון שלו. או שהיה יורש שאנו טוענין לו שמא של אביו הן. אבל אם הודה שהן מציאה הרי הן של מוצא. לפיכך אם היה
Gezelah va'Avedah - Chapter Seventeen
1
Whenever we have said that the finder acquires the lost article he discovers, it does not become his property until it reaches his hand or his domain. If, however, he sees a lost article - even if he falls upon it - and then another person comes and takes hold of it, the person who takes hold of it acquires it.
א
כל מציאה שאמרנו בה שהיא של מוצאה אינו זוכה בה עד שתגיע לידו או לרשותו. אבל אם ראה את המציאה אפילו נפל עליה ובא אחר והחזיק בה הרי זה [א] שהחזיק בה זכה בה:
2
If a person was riding on an animal and he saw a lost article and told a colleague, "Acquire it on my behalf," when the colleague lifts it up for him, the rider acquires it, although the rider himself did not take possession of it.
If the rider told his colleague: "Give it to me," and the colleague takes it and then says, "I acquired it for myself," the person who took it is granted possession. If, however, he gives it to the rider and then claims to have taken possession of it for himself, his words are of no consequence.
ב
היה רוכב על גבי בהמה וראה את המציאה ואמר לחבירו זכה לי בה כיון שהגביהה לו ב קנה הרוכב ואע"פ שלא הגיע לידו. ואם אמר לו תנה לי ונטלה ואמר אני זכיתי בה [ב] זכה בה הנוטל. ואם משנתנה לרוכב אמר אני זכיתי בה תחילה לא אמר כלום:
3
When a person lifts up a lost object on behalf of a colleague, the colleague acquires it, although the colleague did not tell the finder anything.
When two people lift up a lost article together, they both acquire it.
ג
המגביה מציאה לחבירו קנה חבירו ואע"פ שלא אמר לו כלום [זכה [ג] בה]. הגביהו המציאה שנים קנאוה [ד] שניהם:
4
When a deaf mute, a mentally incompetent person or a minor lifts up an article on behalf of a mentally competent individual, the mentally competent individual does not acquire the article. For these three types of individuals are not considered of sufficient mental capacity to acquire an article on behalf of another person.
If a deaf mute and a mentally competent individual lift up an article together neither acquires it. For since the mentally competent individual does not acquire a share, the deaf mute also does not acquire a share.
If both of the people who pick up an article are deaf mutes, our Sages ordained that they should acquire it to prevent strife from arising.
ד
הגביהה לו חרש או שוטה או קטן לא קנה הפקח לפי שאין להן דעת. הגביהה חרש ופקח כאחד מתוך שלא קנה פקח לא קנה חרש. היו שניהם חרשים תקנו חכמים שיקנו כדי שלא יבאו להנצות:
5
When two people see an ownerless camel or donkey and both rush and lead it, or both draw it after them, or one leads it and one draws it after himself, they both acquire it.
When does the above apply? With regard to a donkey. With regard to a camel, by contrast, if one leads it and one draws it after himself, the one that draws it after himself acquires it, and not the one that leads it.
ה
שנים שראו גמל או חמור של מציאה וקדמו שניהם והנהיגוהו או משכוהו. או שהיה אחד מנהיג ואחד מושך. קנו שניהם. במה דברים אמורים בחמור אבל בגמל אם היה אחד מנהיג ואחד מושך המושך קנה אבל לא המנהיג:
6
When a person rushes and grabs the reins of an ownerless animal, he does not acquire it until he draws it after him or leads it. The same applies with regard to an animal belonging to the estate of a convert who died without an heir. He does, however, acquire the reins themselves.
ו
בהמת מציאה שקדם אחד ואחז במוסרה לא קנה עד שימשוך או ינהיג. וכן בנכסי הגר אבל קנה [ה] המוסרה לבדה:
7
The following rules apply when one person rides on an ownerless animal and one holds its reins. The rider acquires the animal and the portion of its reins attached to its cheeks. The one holding the reins acquires the portion that he is holding, and the remainder of the reins are not acquired by either one.
ז
היה אחד רוכב ואחד אוחז במוסרה הרוכב קנה הבהמה והמוסרה שעל לחיי הבהמה בלבד. וזה שאחז המוסרה קנה ממנה מה שאחז בידו ושאר המוסרה לא קנהו אחד מהן:
8
A person's courtyard can acquire property for him without his being aware of it. Thus, if a lost object falls into a person's courtyard, he acquires it.
When does the above apply? When the courtyard is protected. When, by contrast, a lost article enters a person's field or garden different rules apply. If he is standing at the side of his field and says, "May my field acquire it for me," he acquires it. If, however, he is not standing there, or he is standing there but does not make such a statement he does not acquire it, and the one who takes possession first becomes the owner of the lost article.
Similarly, the area within a radius of four cubits next to the place where a person is standing can acquire property for him like his own courtyard. If a lost object comes into these four cubits, he acquires it.
ח
חצירו של אדם קונה לו [ו] שלא מדעתו. ואם נפלה בה מציאה הרי היא של בעל החצר. במה דברים אמורים [ז] בחצר המשתמרת אבל בשדה וגינה וכיוצא בהן אם היה עומד בצד שדהו [ח] ואמר זכתה לי שדי זכה בה. ואם אינו עומד שם או שהיה עומד ולא אמר זכתה לי שדי כל הקודם זכה. וכן ארבע אמות של אדם שהוא עומד בצדו הרי אלו קונים לו. ואם הגיע המציאה לתוך ארבע אמות שלו זכה בה:
9
Our Sages ordained this convention so that people who discover lost articles should not come to strife.
When is this convention employed? In an alleyway or at the sides of the public domain, which are not crowded with many people, or in a field that is ownerless. When, however, a person stands in the public domain or in a field belonging to a colleague, the area within a radius of four cubits cannot acquire property on his behalf. In such a place, he cannot acquire a lost article until it reaches his hand.
ט
חכמים תקנו דבר זה כדי שלא יריבו המוצאין זה עם זה. במה דברים אמורים בסימטא או בצידי רשות הרבים שאין הרבים דוחקין בהן או בשדה שאין לו בעלים. אבל העומד [ט] ברשות הרבים או בתוך שדה חבירו אין ארבע אמות קונות לו ואינו קונה שם עד שתגיע מציאה לידו:
10
A female minor may acquire an article by virtue of its presence in her courtyard or within the area within a radius of four cubits of her. A male minor, by contrast, may not acquire an article by virtue of its presence in his courtyard or within the area within a radius of four cubits of him.
The rationale for these laws is that we derive the concept that a female minor may acquire property by virtue of its presence in her courtyard from the fact that she is able to acquire an article that is placed in her hand. For just as she can be divorced by virtue of a bill of divorce being placed in her hand, so too, can she be divorced by virtue of a bill of divorce being placed in her courtyard. And just as her courtyard is effective with regard to the acquisition of a bill of divorce, so too, it is effective with regard to the acquisition of a lost object. From this we also conclude that she may acquire an article by virtue of its presence in the area within a radius of four cubits of her, for this area is considered her courtyard with regard to the acquisition of a lost article.
The potential for a man to acquire property by virtue of its presence in his courtyard is derived, by contrast, from the fact that he is able to acquire an article via an agent. Just as an agent can acquire an article for him, so too, can he acquire an article by virtue of its presence in his courtyard. Since a male minor is incapable of charging an agent to act on his behalf, so too, he cannot acquire an article by virtue of its presence in his courtyard or in the radius of four cubits around him; it must reach his hand.
י
קטנה יש לה חצר ויש לה ארבע אמות. וקטן אין לו חצר ואין לו ארבע אמות. מפני שחצר של קטנה מידה למדנוה. שכשם שהיא מתגרשת בגט המגיע לידה כך מתגרשת בגט המגיע לחצרה. וכשם שיש לה חצר [י] לענין הגט כך יש לה לענין מציאה. וארבע אמות של אדם כחצירו לענין מציאה. אבל האיש למדנו שחצירו קונה לו משלוחו. כדרך שקונה לו שלוחו כך תקנה לו חצירו. והקטן הואיל ואינו עושה [כ] שליח כך אין חצירו ולא ארבע אמות שלו קונין לו עד שתגיע מציאה לידו:
11
The following rules apply when a person sees other people chasing an ownerless [animal that is moving - e.g., a wounded deer or young doves that cannot fly in his property. When the following conditions are met: he was standing at the side of his field, the animals were on his property, and he could catch them if he ran, he can acquire them by virtue of their presence in his field if he states: "May my field acquire them for me."
If he cannot catch the animals, they are like a deer that runs normally and doves that can fly, and his words are of no substance. Instead, whoever catches them first acquires them.
If they were given to him as a present, since another person transferred ownership of them to him, and they are moving in his field, he acquires them by virtue of their presence in his field. Even if they were given as a present, if the deer can run normally and the doves can fly, he cannot acquire them by virtue of their presence in his field.
יא
מי שראה אחרים רצים אחר המציאה והרי א היא [ל] צבי שבור או גוזלות שלא פרחו. אם היה עומד בצד שדהו שהן [מ] בתוכה ואילו היה רץ היה מגיען [נ] ואמר זכתה לי שדי זכתה לו שדהו. ואם אינו יכול להגיען הרי אלו כצבי שהוא רץ כדרכו וכגוזלות המפריחים ולא אמר כלום אלא כל הקודם בהן זכה. ואם נתנו לו במתנה הואיל ואחר הקנם לו והרי הן מתגלגלין בתוך שדהו קנתה שדהו. ואם היה צבי רץ כדרכו וגוזלות מפריחין לא קנתה לו שדהו:
12
As a reflection of the paths of peace, the prohibition against robbery applies to a lost object taken by a deaf mute, a mentally incompetent individual and a minor.
As such, if a person transgresses and robs such an article from one of these individuals, it cannot be expropriated from him by legal process. If he denies taking the article and takes an oath to that effect, he is not liable to pay an additional fifth.
יב
מציאת חרש שוטה וקטן יש בה גזל מפני דרכי שלום. לפיכך אם עבר אחר וגזלה [ס] מידן אינה יוצאה בדיינים ואם כפר בה ונשבע אינו חייב בחומש:
13
A person acquires a lost article discovered by the following individuals: a) his son or his daughter who derive their livelihood from his household, even though they are past majority,
b) his daughter who is a na'arah," even if she does not derive her livelihood from his household - indeed, even if she has been sold as a maidservant,
c) his Canaanite servants and maidservants,
d) his wife.
A person does not, however, acquire a lost object discovered by a son who does not derive his livelihood from his father's household even if he is a minor, his Jewish servants and maidservants, and his wife who has been divorced, even if there are doubts concerning the validity of the divorce.
יג
מציאת בנו ובתו הסמוכים על שלחנו אע"פ שהן גדולים. ומציאת בתו הנערה אע"פ שאינה סומכת על שלחנו ואפילו היתה מכורה אמה ומציאת עבדו ושפחתו הכנענים ומציאת [ע] אשתו הרי אלו שלו. אבל מציאת בנו שאינו סומך על שולחנו אע"פ שהוא קטן ומציאת עבדו ושפחתו [פ] העברים ומציאת אשתו שהיא מגורשת ואינה מגורשת כל אלו המציאות אינן שלו:
Gezelah va'Avedah - Chapter Eighteen
1
When a person finds a promissory note, he should not return it. This applies even if the note does not explicitly say that it creates a lien on the debtor's landed property, the presumed debtor acknowledges his obligation, and the signatures of the witnesses have been validated.
The rationale is that we suspect that the note was already paid, and the creditor and the debtor are joining together to deceive the purchasers of the debtor's landed property and expropriate that property unlawfully. This is the reason why the debtor acknowledges the creditor's claim. For the creditor can expropriate property sold by the debtor with this promissory note, even though it does not explicitly say that it creates a lien on the debtor's landed property.
We follow the principle that the omission of a clause mentioning the creation of a lien on the debtor's landed property in a legal document is merely a scribal error. This applies with regard to both promissory notes and deeds of sale.
Therefore, if the promissory note states explicitly that it does not create a lien on the landed property, and the debtor acknowledges his obligation, the note may be returned. If not, the finder should not return it, lest it have been paid.
א
המוצא שטר חוב אע"פ שלא פירש בו אחריות נכסים ואע"פ שהחייב מודה ואף על פי שהוא מקויים הרי זה [א] לא יחזיר. שמא פרעו וקנוניא הם עושים כדי לטרוף לקוחות שלא כדין ולפיכך הודה לו שהרי יש לו לטרוף בשטר שלא פירש בו אחריות. שהאחריות שלא נתפרשה בשטר טעות סופר הוא בין בשטרי הלואה בין בשטרי מקח וממכר. לפיכך אם פירש בשטר זה שהוא שלא באחריות אם היה החייב מודה יחזיר ואם לאו לא יחזיר שמא פרעו:
2
Similarly, if a promissory note was dated on the day it was found, the signatures of the witnesses have been validated, and the debtor acknowledges his obligation, it may be returned to the creditor. If, however, the signatures of the witnesses have not been validated, it should not be returned, lest the debtor had the note written in the expectation of borrowing, but did not borrow yet.
ב
וכן אם מצא שטר שזמנו בו ביום והיה מקויים והחייב מודה יחזיר. ואם אינו מקויים לא יחזיר שמא כתב ללוות ועדיין לא לוה:
3
If a promissory note is found in a leather container, a wooden vessel or the like, it should be returned to a claimant who can identify it by a mark.
If three promissory notes are found wrapped together in one bundle, placed one on top of the other or tied together, they should be returned to a claimant who can identify them by a mark.
ג
מצא שטר בחמת או בכלי עץ וכיוצא בהן הרי זה יחזיר למי שנתן סימן. מצא שלשה שטרות א כרוכין בכרך אחד או מונחין זה על זה ואגודים אגד אחד יחזיר למי שנתן סימן:
4
If three promissory notes were found together and they mention one borrower and three different lenders, the notes should be returned to the borrower if the signatures of the witnesses have been validated. If the signatures of the witnesses have not been validated, the notes should be returned to whoever can identify them by a mark. For perhaps the lenders gave their promissory notes to a scribe to validate the signatures of the witnesses, and they fell from the possession of the judge.
If the notes mention one lender and three borrowers, they should be returned to the lender. If the three were written by one scribe, they should be returned to the person who can identify it by a mark. For it is possible that the three borrowers brought their documents to one scribe to write, and the documents fell from his hand.
ד
היה הלוה אחד והמלוים שלשה אם מקויימים הם יחזיר ללוה. ואם לאו יחזיר למי שנתן סימן שמא המלוים נתנו שטרותיהן לסופר לקיימן ונפלו מיד *הדיין. היה המלוה אחד והלוים שלשה יחזיר למלוה. ואם היו שלשתן בכתב ידי סופר אחד יחזיר למי שנתן סימן. שמא שלשתן הוליכו שטריהן לסופר לכתוב ונפלו מיד הסופר:
5
If a person found several torn legal documents and among them a promissory note that was not torn, he should not return it. If together with these documents was a receipt for the promissory note, even if the receipt was not signed by witnesses, the promissory note should be returned to the borrower. Had it not been paid, the lender would not have placed it among torn legal documents, and moreover, there is a document stating that it was paid.
ה
מצא שטרות קרועין ושטר חוב ביניהן לא יחזיר. ואם יש עמהן שובר אפילו בלא עדים יתן שטר החוב ללוה. שאילו לא היה פרוע לא השליכו בין שטרות קרועים והרי יש עמו כתב שהוא פרוע:
6
The following rules apply when a person finds a bill of divorce. If the husband acknowledges divorcing his wife, the document should be returned to the woman. If the husband does not acknowledge divorcing his wife, but the woman identifies the bill of divorce with a distinctive mark, it should be given her. If she cannot, it should not be returned to either of them.
If the husband claims that it fell from his hand, and he was able to identify it with marks, and the wife claims that it fell from her hand, and she was also able to identify it with marks, it should be given to her, provided she mentions a distinctive mark - e.g., there is a hole in the parchment next to a particular letter. The rationale is had the bill of divorce not reached her hand, she would not know of this matter.
ו
מצא ב גיטי נשים בזמן שהבעל מודה יחזיר לאשה. אין הבעל מודה אם נתנה האשה סימן מובהק ינתן לה ואם לאו לא יחזיר לא לזה ולא לזה. אמר הבעל מידי נפל ונתן סימניו והאשה אומרת מידי נפל ונתנה סימניו ינתן לה. והוא שתתן סימן מובהק כגון שאמרה נקב יש בצד אות פלונית. שאילו לא הגיע לידה לא היתה יודעת:
7
If the husband identifies a bill of divorce by describing the signs of the string with which it was tied, and his wife provides the same description, it should be given to her, provided she provides a distinctive mark - the measure of the length of the string. If, however, she merely states that it was red or black, this is not considered a distinctive mark.
If the husband identifies a bill of divorce by stating that it was held in a leather container, and his wife provides the same description, it should be given to him, because this is not considered a distinctive mark.
ז
הוא אומר סימני החוט שקשר בו הגט והיא אומרת סימני החוט ינתן לה. והוא שתאמר סימן מובהק. כגון אורך מדת החוט. אבל אם אמרה אדום או שחור הוא אין זה סימן מובהק. הוא אומר בחמת היה מונח והיא אומרת בחמת היה מונח ינתן לו שאין זה סימן מובהק:
8
When a person finds a legal document freeing a Canaanite servant, he should return it to the servant if the master acknowledges having given it. If the master does not acknowledge having given it, the finder should not return it to either of them.
ח
מצא גט שחרור ג בזמן שהרב מודה יחזיר לעבד. אין הרב מודה לא יחזיר לא לזה ולא לזה:
9
The following rules apply if a legal document recording a present is found. If the present was given when the giver was healthy, the document should not be returned even though both the giver and the recipient acknowledge that the gift was given. The rationale is that perhaps the giver originally had the document composed with the intention of giving the present. After having the document composed, however, he sold the field or gave it to another person as a present. He then recanted and now acknowledges the original document in order to deceive the person to whom he later sold the field or gave it to as a present.
If the present was given by a person on his deathbed, and the giver acknowledges the gift, it should be given to the recipient. If he does not acknowledge it, it should not be given. The rationale is that if a person on his deathbed gives a present, and then retracts it and gives it to another person, the latter one acquires it, as will be explained.
ט
מצא שטר מתנה אם מתנת בריא היא ואע"פ ששניהם מודים לא יחזיר לא לזה ולא לזה. שמא כתב ליתן ולא נתן ואחר שכתב שטר זה מכר שדה זו או נתנה לאחר במתנה וחזר בו. וזה שמודה לזה כדי לעשות קנוניא על האחרון שנתן לו או שמכר לו. ואם מתנת שכיב מרע היא אם הודה ד יתן ואם לאו לא יתן. ששכיב מרע שנתן לשנים זה אחר זה האחרון קנה כמו שיתבאר:
10
If the man who gave the present when he was dying passes away, the document should not be returned, neither to the recipient, nor to the heir. This applies even if the heir acknowledges that his testator gave this gift. The rationale is that perhaps the testator originally had the document composed with the intention of giving the present, but did not do so. After the testator's death, the heir sold the property or gave it to another person as a present. He then recanted and now desires to join together with the original recipient in order to take the property away from the latter recipient.
י
מת שכיב מרע שנתנה במתנה אע"פ שהיורש מודה שמורישו נתנה הרי זה לא יחזיר לא לזה ולא לזה. שמא כתב ליתן ולא נתן ומכרה היורש או נתנה וחזר בו והרי הוא רוצה לעשות קנוניא עם זה כדי להפקיע נכסי זה האחרון:
11
If a person finds a receipt, and the person to whom the promissory note was written admits that his note is no longer viable - e.g., it has been paid or he waived payment - the receipt should be given to its owner. If both the creditor and the debtor do not acknowledge the validity of the receipt, the receipt should not be given to either of them.
יא
מצא [ב] שובר בזמן שבעל השטר מודה שנשבר שטרו ופרעו או מחלו יתן לבעל השובר. אין שניהם מודים לא יחזיר לא לזה ולא לזה:
12
If a woman's marriage contract is found, it should not be returned to the woman even if both she and her husband acknowledge that the money due her by virtue of her marriage contract has not been paid. The rationale is that we suspect that the money due her by virtue of her marriage contract has been paid, or that she waived her right to it, afterwards the husband sold his property, and he wants to deceive the purchasers.
יב
[ג] מצא כתובה אע"פ ששניהם מודים לא יחזיר לאשה שמא נפרעה כתובה זו או נמחלה ואחר כך מכר הבעל נכסיו והרי הוא רוצה לעשות קנוניא על הלקוחות:
13
All the following legal documents should be returned to their owners if found: a document recording the worth of a debtor's property as evaluated by the court, a document recording a court's decision to sell a man's property to provide for the sustenance of his wife and/or daughters, a document recording achalitzah or mi'un, a document recording the judge's recollection of the claims made by each of the litigants, a document recording the litigants' choice of judges who they desire to preside over a certain litigation, or any document recording a final judicial act.
The general principle is: Whenever a legal document involves a monetary obligation, and there is room to suspect that the obligation has been met, the document should not be returned, lest the obligation have in fact been met. Even when the debtor admits that the debt is outstanding, if it is possible that he is making that admission to deceive a purchaser or a recipient of a present who acquired the debtor's property after the date mentioned on the document, so that the creditor could expropriate the property from them dishonestly, the document should not be returned although both the creditor and the debtor acknowledge the debt.
When, however, there is no reason to suspect that a monetary obligation has been repaid or that deception is being perpetrated, a legal document should be returned.
יג
מצא אגרות שום ואגרות מזון שטרי חליצה ומיאונין ושטרי טענות שכותבין הדיינין של בעל דין זה ושל חבירו. או שמצא שטרי בירורים והם השטרות שביררו להן בעלי דינין את הדיינין שדנין להם וקיבלו עליהם שידונו להם פלוני ופלוני. או שמצא כל מעשה בית דין הרי זה יחזיר. כללו של דבר כל שטר שחוששין בו לפרעון לא יחזיר שמא נפרע החוב. ואם היה החייב מודה ואפשר שהודה כדי לעשות קנוניא עד שיפסיד את הלוקח או מקבל מתנה שלקחו אחר זמן השטר כדי שיפרעו מידם שלא כדין הרי זה לא יחזיר אע"פ ששניהם מודים. וכל שטר שאין בו צד לחשש לא [ד] לפרעון ולא לקנוניא [ה] יחזיר לבעליו:
14
Whenever the law is that a legal document should not be returned, and the document was nevertheless returned, the document is considered acceptable and may be used to expropriate property.These documents should not be taken away from their owners. We assume that they are acceptable, and we harbor no suspicions about them.
This, with God's help, concludes the laws of robbery and the return of lost objects.
יד
כל השטרות הנמצאים שדינן שלא יחזיר אם החזיר הרי אלו כשרים וגובין בהן ואין מוציאין אותן מתחת יד בעליהן והרי הם בחזקתן ואין חוששין להם:
Hayom Yom: Today's Hayom Yom
• Shabbat, 24 Tammuz, 5776 · 30 July 2016
• "Today's Day"
• Tuesday Tamuz 24 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: Matot-Massai, Shlishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 113-118.
Tanya: "Jacob is the (p. 365) ...is not said..." (p. 367).
From the Tzemach Tzedek's aphorisms:
For the p'nimi ("inward" person), asking for a blessing for avoda epitomizes, "Let them not pay attention to vain words."1 What is needed is to "make the avoda heavy on the people."2
Compiled and arranged by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory, in 5703 (1943) from the talks and letters of the sixth Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, of righteous memory.
FOOTNOTES
1.I.e. help from Above, rather than stressing one's own efforts.
• Daily Thought:
Treasure Island
Our souls are in exile within our bodies. Our people is in exile within a foreign world.
And so there are two things we must know:
That this is not our place.
And that hidden treasure lies buried here; for G‑d dwells in darkness.
If we remember only that this is not our place, we may remain strong, we may even shine in the darkness. But what profit will there be from our exile?
And if we remember only that treasure lies here, we will begin to believe that this is our place, and if so, of what use is the treasure?[Likkutei Sichot, vol. 15, p. 438; vol. 5, pp. 459–461.]
Torah lessons: Chumash: Matot-Massai, Shlishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 113-118.
Tanya: "Jacob is the (p. 365) ...is not said..." (p. 367).
From the Tzemach Tzedek's aphorisms:
For the p'nimi ("inward" person), asking for a blessing for avoda epitomizes, "Let them not pay attention to vain words."1 What is needed is to "make the avoda heavy on the people."2
Compiled and arranged by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory, in 5703 (1943) from the talks and letters of the sixth Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, of righteous memory.
FOOTNOTES
1.I.e. help from Above, rather than stressing one's own efforts.
• Daily Thought:
Treasure Island
Our souls are in exile within our bodies. Our people is in exile within a foreign world.
And so there are two things we must know:
That this is not our place.
And that hidden treasure lies buried here; for G‑d dwells in darkness.
If we remember only that this is not our place, we may remain strong, we may even shine in the darkness. But what profit will there be from our exile?
And if we remember only that treasure lies here, we will begin to believe that this is our place, and if so, of what use is the treasure?[Likkutei Sichot, vol. 15, p. 438; vol. 5, pp. 459–461.]
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