Today's Laws & Customs:
• "Nine Days'
During the “Nine Days" from Av 1st to the Ninth of Av, we mourn the destruction of the Holy Temple. We abstain from meat and wine, music, haircutting, bathing for pleasure, and other joyous (and dangerous) activities. (The particular mourning customs vary from community to community, so consult a competent halachic authority for details.)
Consumption of meat and wine is permitted on Shabbat, or at a seudat mitzvah (obligatory festive meal celebrating the fulfillment of certain mitzvot) such as a brit (circumcision), or asiyum celebrating the completion of a course of Torah study (i.e., a complete Talmudic tractate). The Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory initiated the custom of conducting or participating in a siyum on each of the Nine Days (even if one does not avail oneself of the dispensation to eat meat).
Citing the verse "Zion shall be redeemed with mishpat [Torah] and its returnees with tzedakah," (Isaiah 1:27) 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:
Daily Quote:Consumption of meat and wine is permitted on Shabbat, or at a seudat mitzvah (obligatory festive meal celebrating the fulfillment of certain mitzvot) such as a brit (circumcision), or asiyum celebrating the completion of a course of Torah study (i.e., a complete Talmudic tractate). The Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory initiated the custom of conducting or participating in a siyum on each of the Nine Days (even if one does not avail oneself of the dispensation to eat meat).
Citing the verse "Zion shall be redeemed with mishpat [Torah] and its returnees with tzedakah," (Isaiah 1:27) 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:
It is only by G‑d's kindness towards us that we may occasionally sense G‑dliness spontaneously, without having done anything to attain it...[Hayom Yom, Tammuz 20]
Daily Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Parshat Devarim , 4th Portion Deuteronomy 1:39-2:1 with Rashi
• Deuteronomy Chapter 1
39[Moreover] your little ones, whom you said will be prey, and your children, who on that day did not know good and evil they will go there and I will give it to them, and they will possess it. לטוְטַפְּכֶם֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר אֲמַרְתֶּ֜ם לָבַ֣ז יִֽהְיֶ֗ה וּבְנֵיכֶ֠ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹא־יָֽדְע֤וּ הַיּוֹם֙ ט֣וֹב וָרָ֔ע הֵ֖מָּה יָבֹ֣אוּ שָׁ֑מָּה וְלָהֶ֣ם אֶתְּנֶ֔נָּה וְהֵ֖ם יִֽירָשֽׁוּהָ:
40But as for you, turn yourselves around and journey into the desert by way of the Red Sea." מוְאַתֶּ֖ם פְּנ֣וּ לָכֶ֑ם וּסְע֥וּ הַמִּדְבָּ֖רָה דֶּ֥רֶךְ יַם־סֽוּף:
turn yourselves: I thought [previously] to let you pass through the breadth of the land of Edom northward, to enter the Land, but you sinned and caused delay for yourselves. פנו לכם: אמרתי להעביר אתכם דרך רוחב ארץ אדום לצד צפון ליכנס לארץ, קלקלתם וגרמתם לכם עכוב:
turn yourselves: Backwards, and proceed through the desert towards the Red Sea, for the desert in which they were traveling was south of Mount Seir, separating the Red Sea from Mount Seir. Now turn in the direction of the Sea and go around Mount Seir, along its entire southern side from west to east. פנו לכם: לאחוריכם ותלכו במדבר לצד ים סוף. שהמדבר שהיו הולכים בו לדרומו של הר שעיר, היה מפסיק בין ים סוף להר שעיר, עתה המשכו לצד הים ותסבבו את הר שעיר כל דרומו מן המערב למזרח:
41Then you answered and said to me, "We have sinned against the Lord; we will go up and fight, according to all that the Lord, our God, has commanded us." So every one of you girded his weapons, and you prepared yourselves to go up to the mountain. מאוַתַּֽעֲנ֣וּ | וַתֹּֽאמְר֣וּ אֵלַ֗י חָטָ֘אנוּ֘ לַֽיהֹוָה֒ אֲנַ֤חְנוּ נַֽעֲלֶה֙ וְנִלְחַ֔מְנוּ כְּכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֖נוּ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ וַתַּחְגְּר֗וּ אִ֚ישׁ אֶת־כְּלֵ֣י מִלְחַמְתּ֔וֹ וַתָּהִ֖ינוּ לַֽעֲלֹ֥ת הָהָֽרָה:
and you prepared yourselves: Heb. וַתָּהִינוּ, an expression of“Here we are (הִנֶּנּוּ) and we will go up to the place” (Num. 14:40). This expression which you used, denotes,“Yes” (הֵן) , as if to say: You prepared [to go up to the mountain]. ותהינו: לשון (במדבר יד, מ) הננו ועלינו אל המקום, זה הלשון שאמרתם, לשון הן, כלומר נזדמנתם:
42And the Lord said to me, "Say to them, 'Neither go up nor fight, for I am not among you, lest you be struck down before your enemies.' " מבוַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֵלַ֗י אֱמֹ֤ר לָהֶם֙ לֹ֤א תַֽעֲלוּ֙ וְלֹֽא־תִלָּ֣חֲמ֔וּ כִּ֥י אֵינֶ֖נִּי בְּקִרְבְּכֶ֑ם וְלֹא֙ תִּנָּ֣גְפ֔וּ לִפְנֵ֖י אֹֽיְבֵיכֶֽם:
Neither go up: There will be no ascent [victory] for you, but only a descent [defeat]. לא תעלו: לא עלייה תהא לכם, אלא ירידה:
43So I spoke to you, but you did not listen, and you rebelled against the command of the Lord, and you acted wickedly and went up to the mountain. מגוָֽאֲדַבֵּ֥ר אֲלֵיכֶ֖ם וְלֹ֣א שְׁמַעְתֶּ֑ם וַתַּמְרוּ֙ אֶת־פִּ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה וַתָּזִ֖דוּ וַתַּֽעֲל֥וּ הָהָֽרָה:
44And the Amorites, dwelling in that mountain, came out towards you and pursued you as bees do, and beat you down in Seir, as far as Hormah. מדוַיֵּצֵ֨א הָֽאֱמֹרִ֜י הַיּשֵׁ֨ב בָּהָ֤ר הַהוּא֙ לִקְרַאתְכֶ֔ם וַיִּרְדְּפ֣וּ אֶתְכֶ֔ם כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֖ינָה הַדְּבֹרִ֑ים וַיַּכְּת֥וּ אֶתְכֶ֛ם בְּשֵׂעִ֖יר עַד־חָרְמָֽה:
As bees do: Just as a bee dies instantly after stinging a person, they too [the Amorites], upon touching you, died immediately. כאשר תעשינה הדבורים: מה הדבורה הזאת כשהיא מכה את האדם מיד מתה, אף הם כשהיו נוגעים בכם מיד מתים:
45So you returned and wept before the Lord, but the Lord would not hear your voice, nor would he listen to you. מהוַתָּשֻׁ֥בוּ וַתִּבְכּ֖וּ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וְלֹֽא־שָׁמַ֤ע יְהֹוָה֙ בְּקֹ֣לְכֶ֔ם וְלֹ֥א הֶֽאֱזִ֖ין אֲלֵיכֶֽם:
But the Lord would not hear your voice: As if possible [to say of God], you made His attribute of mercy as though it were cruel. ולא שמע ה' בקלכם: כביכול עשיתם מדת רחמיו, כאלו אכזרי:
46And you dwelled in Kadesh many days, as the days that you dwelled. מווַתֵּֽשְׁב֥וּ בְקָדֵ֖שׁ יָמִ֣ים רַבִּ֑ים כַּיָּמִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר יְשַׁבְתֶּֽם:
And you dwelled in Kadesh many days: Nineteen years, as it says,“as the days that you dwelled” in the other stations. They totaled thirty-eight years; nineteen of them were spent at Kadesh, and for nineteen years they were continually wandering about, and they returned to Kadesh, as it says, (Num. 32:13),“And He made them wander about in the desert”-thus I have found in Seder Olam (ch. 8). ותשבו בקדש ימים רבים: י"ט שנה, שנאמר כימים אשר ישבתם בשאר המסעות והם היו ל"ח שנה, י"ט מהם עשו בקדש וי"ט שנה הולכים ומטורפים וחזרו לקדש, כמו שנאמר (במדבר לב, יג) ויניעם במדבר. כך מצאתי בסדר עולם:
Deuteronomy Chapter 2
1Then we turned and journeyed into the desert by way of the Red Sea, as the Lord had spoken to me, and we circled Mount Seir for many days. אוַנֵּ֜פֶן וַנִּסַּ֤ע הַמִּדְבָּ֨רָה֙ דֶּ֣רֶךְ יַם־ס֔וּף כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֵלָ֑י וַנָּ֥סָב אֶת־הַר־שֵׂעִ֖יר יָמִ֥ים רַבִּֽים:
Then we turned and journeyed into the desert: Had they not sinned, they would have passed by way of Mount Seir to enter the Land from its south[ern end] to its north[ern end], but because they sinned, [it was decreed upon them that they remain in the desert; so] they turned towards the desert, which is between the Red Sea and the southern side of Mount Seir, and they traveled along its south side from the west to the east, by way of the Red Sea by the route they used when they went out of Egypt, which is at the southwest corner. From there they traveled towards the east. ונפן ונסע המדברה: אילו לא חטאו היו עוברים דרך הר שעיר ליכנס לארץ מן דרומו לצפונו, ובשביל שקלקלו הפכו לצד המדבר שהוא בין ים סוף לדרומו של הר שעיר, והלכו אצל דרומו מן המערב למזרח דרך ים סוף - דרך יציאתן ממצרים שהוא במקצוע דרומית מערבית, משם היו הולכים לצד המזרח:
and we circled Mount Seir: the whole south side as far as the land of Moab. ונסב את הר שעיר: כל דרומו עד ארץ מואב:
Daily Tehillim: Chapters 35 - 38
• Chapter 35
This psalm is an awe-inspiring and wondrous prayer about David's enemies-that they be as chaff before the wind, chased by the angel of God. It also declares that everything comes about through God's help.
1. By David. Fight my antagonists, O Lord, battle those who battle against me.
2. Take hold of shield and armor and arise to help me.
3. Draw a spear, and bar the way before my pursuers; say to my soul, "I am your deliverance.”
4. Let those who seek my life be shamed and disgraced; let those who devise my harm retreat and be humiliated.
5. Let them be as chaff before the wind; let the angel of the Lord thrust them away.
6. Let their path be dark and slippery; let them be chased by the angel of the Lord.
7. For without cause have they laid their nets in the pit for me; without cause have they dug [pits] for my soul.
8. Let darkness come upon him unawares; let the very snare that he hid trap him, in darkness he will fall in it.
9. And my soul shall exult in the Lord, rejoice in His deliverance.
10. My entire being shall declare: Lord, who is like You? Who saves the poor from one stronger than he, the poor and the destitute from one who would rob him.
11. Corrupt witnesses rise up [against me], they demand of me things of which I do not know.
12. They repay me evil for good, death for my soul.
13. But I wore sackcloth when they were ill; I afflicted my soul with fasting. Let my prayer return upon my own bosom.
14. As if it were my friend, my brother, I went about; like a mother in mourning, I was bent over in gloom.
15. But when I limped, they rejoiced and gathered; the lowly gathered against me-even those whom I do not know; they laugh and cannot be quiet.
16. With flattery and scorn, for the sake of a meal,1 they gnash their teeth at me.
17. My Lord, how long will You look on? Restore my life from their darkness; from young lions, my soul.
18. I will thank You in a great congregation, amidst a mighty nation I will praise You.
19. Let not those who hate me without cause rejoice over me; [let not] those who despise me without reason wink their eye.
20. For they speak not of peace, rather they scheme deceitful matters against the broken of the land.
21. They opened their mouths wide against me, they said, "Aha! Aha! Our eyes have seen [his misfortune].”
22. You saw, Lord, be not silent; my Lord, be not distant from me.
23. Rouse and awaken Yourself to my judgement, to my cause, my God and my Lord.
24. Judge me according to your righteousness, Lord my God; let them not rejoice over me.
25. Let them not say in their hearts, "Aha! We have our desire!" Let them not say, "We have swallowed him!”
26. Let them be shamed and disgraced together, those who rejoice at my trouble; let them be clothed in shame and humiliation, those who raise themselves arrogantly over me.
27. Let those who desire my vindication sing joyously and be glad; let them say always, "Let the Lord be exalted, Who desires the peace of His servant.”
28. My tongue will speak of Your righteousness, Your praise, all day long.
FOOTNOTES
1.These men flatter Saul in order to obtain free meals (Rashi).
Chapter 36
This psalm is a message to those who follow their evil inclination, that tells them, "Do not place the fear of God before you," and brings them to sin by beautifying evil deeds in their eyes. For so is his way: "He descends (to earth) and corrupts, then goes up (to the Heavenly Court) and prosecutes."
1. For the Conductor, by the servant of the Lord, by David.
2. [I think] in my heart: Sin says to the wicked, "There is none [who need place] the fear of God before his eyes.”
3. For Sin makes itself appealing to him, until his iniquity be found and he is hated.
4. The speech of his mouth is evil and deceit; he fails to reason, to improve.
5. On his bed he contemplates evil, he stands in a path that is not good; he does not despise evil.
6. O Lord, Your kindness is in the heavens; Your faithfulness is till the skies.
7. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, Your judgements extend to the great deep; man and beast You deliver, O Lord.
8. How precious is Your kindness, O God; man takes shelter in the shadow of Your wings.
9. They will be filled by the abundance of Your house; from the stream of Your Eden, You will give them to drink.
10. For the source of life is with You; in Your Light do we see light.
11. Extend Your kindness to those who know You, and Your righteousness to the upright of heart.
12. Let not the foot of the arrogant overtake me; let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.
13. There1 the doers of evil fell, thrust down, unable to rise.
FOOTNOTES
1.In the very place they intended to persecute me (Metzudot).
Chapter 37
King David exhorts his generation not to be jealous of the prosperity of the wicked, for it may lead to falling into their ways. Rather, put your trust in God, conduct yourselves with integrity, and God will take care of everything.
1. By David. Do not compete with the wicked; do not envy doers of injustice.
2. For like grass they will be swiftly cut down; like green vegetation they will wither.
3. Trust in the Lord and do good; then will you abide in the land and be nourished by faith.
4. Delight in the Lord, and He will grant you the desires of your heart.
5. Cast your needs upon the Lord; rely on Him, and He will take care.
6. He will reveal your righteousness like the light, your justness like the high noon.
7. Depend on the Lord and hope in Him. Compete not with the prosperous, with the man who invents evil schemes.
8. Let go of anger, abandon rage; do not compete with [one who intends] only to harm.
9. For the evildoers will be cut down; but those who hope in the Lord, they will inherit the earth.
10. For soon the wicked one will not be; you will gaze at his place and he will be gone.
11. But the humble shall inherit the earth, and delight in abundant peace.
12. The wicked one plots against the righteous, and gnashes his teeth at him.
13. My Lord laughs at him, for He sees that his day will come.
14. The wicked have drawn a sword and bent their bow to fell the poor and destitute, to slaughter those of upright ways.
15. But their sword shall enter their own hearts, and their bows shall break.
16. Better the little of the righteous, than the abundant wealth of the wicked.
17. For the strength of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord supports the righteous.
18. The Lord appreciates the days of the innocent; their inheritance will last forever.
19. They will not be shamed in times of calamity, and in days of famine they will be satisfied.
20. For the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord are as fattened sheep: consumed, consumed in smoke.
21. The wicked man borrows and does not repay; but the righteous man is gracious and gives.
22. For those blessed by Him will inherit the earth, and those cursed by Him will be cut off.
23. The steps of man are directed by God; He desires his way.
24. When he totters he shall not be thrown down, for the Lord supports his hand.
25. I have been a youth, I have also aged; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his offspring begging bread.
26. All day he is kind and lends; his offspring are a blessing.
27. Turn away from evil and do good, and you will dwell [in peace] forever.
28. For the Lord loves justice, he will not abandon his pious ones-they are protected forever; but the offspring of the wicked are cut off.
29. The righteous shall inherit the earth and dwell upon it forever.
30. The mouth of the righteous one utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.
31. The Torah of his God is in his heart; his steps shall not falter.
32. The wicked one watches for the righteous man, and seeks to kill him.
33. But the Lord will not abandon him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
34. Hope in the Lord and keep His way; then He will raise you high to inherit the earth. When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.
35. I saw a powerful wicked man, well-rooted like a vibrant, native tree.
36. Yet he vanished, behold he was gone; I searched for him, but he could not be found.
37. Watch the innocent, and observe the upright, for the future of such a man is peace.
38. But sinners shall be destroyed together; the future of the wicked is cut off.
39. The deliverance of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in time of distress.
40. The Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they have put their trust in Him.
Chapter 38
A prayer for every individual, bewailing the length of the exile. One who is in distress should recite this psalm, hence its introduction, "A psalm... to remind" (to remind us to recite it in times of distress). One can also derive many lessons from it.
1. A psalm by David, to remind.
2. O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger, nor chastise me in Your wrath.
3. For Your arrows have landed in me, Your hand descended upon me.
4. There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your rage, no peace in my bones because of my sin.
5. For my iniquities have flooded over my head; like a heavy load, they are too heavy for me.
6. My wounds are rotted; they reek because of my foolishness.
7. I am bent and extremely bowed; all day I go about in gloom.
8. My sides are inflamed; there is no soundness in my flesh.
9. I am weakened and extremely depressed; I howl from the moaning of my heart.
10. My Lord, all that I desire is before You; my sighing is not hidden from You.
11. My heart is engulfed, my strength has left me; the light of my eyes they, too, are not with me.
12. My friends and companions stand aloof from my affliction; my intimates stand afar.
13. The seekers of my life have laid traps; those who seek my harm speak destructiveness; they utter deceits all day long.
14. But I am like a deaf man, I do not hear; like a mute that does not open his mouth.
15. I was like a man that does not perceive, and in whose mouth there are no rebuttals.
16. Because for You, O Lord, I wait; You will answer, my Lord, my God.
17. For I said, "Lest they rejoice over me; when my foot falters they will gloat over me.”
18. For I am accustomed to limping, and my pain is constantly before me.
19. For I admit my iniquity; I worry because of my sin.
20. But my enemies abound with life; those who hate me without cause flourish.
21. Those who repay evil for good resent me for my pursuit of good.
22. Do not forsake me, O Lord; do not be distant from me, my God.
23. Hurry to my aid, O my Lord, my Salvation.
Tanya: Igeret HaTeshuva , Chapter 12
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Wednesday, 6 AV , 5776 · 10 August 2016
• Igeret HaTeshuva , Chapter 12
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Parshat Devarim , 4th Portion Deuteronomy 1:39-2:1 with Rashi
• Deuteronomy Chapter 1
39[Moreover] your little ones, whom you said will be prey, and your children, who on that day did not know good and evil they will go there and I will give it to them, and they will possess it. לטוְטַפְּכֶם֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר אֲמַרְתֶּ֜ם לָבַ֣ז יִֽהְיֶ֗ה וּבְנֵיכֶ֠ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹא־יָֽדְע֤וּ הַיּוֹם֙ ט֣וֹב וָרָ֔ע הֵ֖מָּה יָבֹ֣אוּ שָׁ֑מָּה וְלָהֶ֣ם אֶתְּנֶ֔נָּה וְהֵ֖ם יִֽירָשֽׁוּהָ:
40But as for you, turn yourselves around and journey into the desert by way of the Red Sea." מוְאַתֶּ֖ם פְּנ֣וּ לָכֶ֑ם וּסְע֥וּ הַמִּדְבָּ֖רָה דֶּ֥רֶךְ יַם־סֽוּף:
turn yourselves: I thought [previously] to let you pass through the breadth of the land of Edom northward, to enter the Land, but you sinned and caused delay for yourselves. פנו לכם: אמרתי להעביר אתכם דרך רוחב ארץ אדום לצד צפון ליכנס לארץ, קלקלתם וגרמתם לכם עכוב:
turn yourselves: Backwards, and proceed through the desert towards the Red Sea, for the desert in which they were traveling was south of Mount Seir, separating the Red Sea from Mount Seir. Now turn in the direction of the Sea and go around Mount Seir, along its entire southern side from west to east. פנו לכם: לאחוריכם ותלכו במדבר לצד ים סוף. שהמדבר שהיו הולכים בו לדרומו של הר שעיר, היה מפסיק בין ים סוף להר שעיר, עתה המשכו לצד הים ותסבבו את הר שעיר כל דרומו מן המערב למזרח:
41Then you answered and said to me, "We have sinned against the Lord; we will go up and fight, according to all that the Lord, our God, has commanded us." So every one of you girded his weapons, and you prepared yourselves to go up to the mountain. מאוַתַּֽעֲנ֣וּ | וַתֹּֽאמְר֣וּ אֵלַ֗י חָטָ֘אנוּ֘ לַֽיהֹוָה֒ אֲנַ֤חְנוּ נַֽעֲלֶה֙ וְנִלְחַ֔מְנוּ כְּכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֖נוּ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ וַתַּחְגְּר֗וּ אִ֚ישׁ אֶת־כְּלֵ֣י מִלְחַמְתּ֔וֹ וַתָּהִ֖ינוּ לַֽעֲלֹ֥ת הָהָֽרָה:
and you prepared yourselves: Heb. וַתָּהִינוּ, an expression of“Here we are (הִנֶּנּוּ) and we will go up to the place” (Num. 14:40). This expression which you used, denotes,“Yes” (הֵן) , as if to say: You prepared [to go up to the mountain]. ותהינו: לשון (במדבר יד, מ) הננו ועלינו אל המקום, זה הלשון שאמרתם, לשון הן, כלומר נזדמנתם:
42And the Lord said to me, "Say to them, 'Neither go up nor fight, for I am not among you, lest you be struck down before your enemies.' " מבוַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֵלַ֗י אֱמֹ֤ר לָהֶם֙ לֹ֤א תַֽעֲלוּ֙ וְלֹֽא־תִלָּ֣חֲמ֔וּ כִּ֥י אֵינֶ֖נִּי בְּקִרְבְּכֶ֑ם וְלֹא֙ תִּנָּ֣גְפ֔וּ לִפְנֵ֖י אֹֽיְבֵיכֶֽם:
Neither go up: There will be no ascent [victory] for you, but only a descent [defeat]. לא תעלו: לא עלייה תהא לכם, אלא ירידה:
43So I spoke to you, but you did not listen, and you rebelled against the command of the Lord, and you acted wickedly and went up to the mountain. מגוָֽאֲדַבֵּ֥ר אֲלֵיכֶ֖ם וְלֹ֣א שְׁמַעְתֶּ֑ם וַתַּמְרוּ֙ אֶת־פִּ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה וַתָּזִ֖דוּ וַתַּֽעֲל֥וּ הָהָֽרָה:
44And the Amorites, dwelling in that mountain, came out towards you and pursued you as bees do, and beat you down in Seir, as far as Hormah. מדוַיֵּצֵ֨א הָֽאֱמֹרִ֜י הַיּשֵׁ֨ב בָּהָ֤ר הַהוּא֙ לִקְרַאתְכֶ֔ם וַיִּרְדְּפ֣וּ אֶתְכֶ֔ם כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֖ינָה הַדְּבֹרִ֑ים וַיַּכְּת֥וּ אֶתְכֶ֛ם בְּשֵׂעִ֖יר עַד־חָרְמָֽה:
As bees do: Just as a bee dies instantly after stinging a person, they too [the Amorites], upon touching you, died immediately. כאשר תעשינה הדבורים: מה הדבורה הזאת כשהיא מכה את האדם מיד מתה, אף הם כשהיו נוגעים בכם מיד מתים:
45So you returned and wept before the Lord, but the Lord would not hear your voice, nor would he listen to you. מהוַתָּשֻׁ֥בוּ וַתִּבְכּ֖וּ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וְלֹֽא־שָׁמַ֤ע יְהֹוָה֙ בְּקֹ֣לְכֶ֔ם וְלֹ֥א הֶֽאֱזִ֖ין אֲלֵיכֶֽם:
But the Lord would not hear your voice: As if possible [to say of God], you made His attribute of mercy as though it were cruel. ולא שמע ה' בקלכם: כביכול עשיתם מדת רחמיו, כאלו אכזרי:
46And you dwelled in Kadesh many days, as the days that you dwelled. מווַתֵּֽשְׁב֥וּ בְקָדֵ֖שׁ יָמִ֣ים רַבִּ֑ים כַּיָּמִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר יְשַׁבְתֶּֽם:
And you dwelled in Kadesh many days: Nineteen years, as it says,“as the days that you dwelled” in the other stations. They totaled thirty-eight years; nineteen of them were spent at Kadesh, and for nineteen years they were continually wandering about, and they returned to Kadesh, as it says, (Num. 32:13),“And He made them wander about in the desert”-thus I have found in Seder Olam (ch. 8). ותשבו בקדש ימים רבים: י"ט שנה, שנאמר כימים אשר ישבתם בשאר המסעות והם היו ל"ח שנה, י"ט מהם עשו בקדש וי"ט שנה הולכים ומטורפים וחזרו לקדש, כמו שנאמר (במדבר לב, יג) ויניעם במדבר. כך מצאתי בסדר עולם:
Deuteronomy Chapter 2
1Then we turned and journeyed into the desert by way of the Red Sea, as the Lord had spoken to me, and we circled Mount Seir for many days. אוַנֵּ֜פֶן וַנִּסַּ֤ע הַמִּדְבָּ֨רָה֙ דֶּ֣רֶךְ יַם־ס֔וּף כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֵלָ֑י וַנָּ֥סָב אֶת־הַר־שֵׂעִ֖יר יָמִ֥ים רַבִּֽים:
Then we turned and journeyed into the desert: Had they not sinned, they would have passed by way of Mount Seir to enter the Land from its south[ern end] to its north[ern end], but because they sinned, [it was decreed upon them that they remain in the desert; so] they turned towards the desert, which is between the Red Sea and the southern side of Mount Seir, and they traveled along its south side from the west to the east, by way of the Red Sea by the route they used when they went out of Egypt, which is at the southwest corner. From there they traveled towards the east. ונפן ונסע המדברה: אילו לא חטאו היו עוברים דרך הר שעיר ליכנס לארץ מן דרומו לצפונו, ובשביל שקלקלו הפכו לצד המדבר שהוא בין ים סוף לדרומו של הר שעיר, והלכו אצל דרומו מן המערב למזרח דרך ים סוף - דרך יציאתן ממצרים שהוא במקצוע דרומית מערבית, משם היו הולכים לצד המזרח:
and we circled Mount Seir: the whole south side as far as the land of Moab. ונסב את הר שעיר: כל דרומו עד ארץ מואב:
Daily Tehillim: Chapters 35 - 38
• Chapter 35
This psalm is an awe-inspiring and wondrous prayer about David's enemies-that they be as chaff before the wind, chased by the angel of God. It also declares that everything comes about through God's help.
1. By David. Fight my antagonists, O Lord, battle those who battle against me.
2. Take hold of shield and armor and arise to help me.
3. Draw a spear, and bar the way before my pursuers; say to my soul, "I am your deliverance.”
4. Let those who seek my life be shamed and disgraced; let those who devise my harm retreat and be humiliated.
5. Let them be as chaff before the wind; let the angel of the Lord thrust them away.
6. Let their path be dark and slippery; let them be chased by the angel of the Lord.
7. For without cause have they laid their nets in the pit for me; without cause have they dug [pits] for my soul.
8. Let darkness come upon him unawares; let the very snare that he hid trap him, in darkness he will fall in it.
9. And my soul shall exult in the Lord, rejoice in His deliverance.
10. My entire being shall declare: Lord, who is like You? Who saves the poor from one stronger than he, the poor and the destitute from one who would rob him.
11. Corrupt witnesses rise up [against me], they demand of me things of which I do not know.
12. They repay me evil for good, death for my soul.
13. But I wore sackcloth when they were ill; I afflicted my soul with fasting. Let my prayer return upon my own bosom.
14. As if it were my friend, my brother, I went about; like a mother in mourning, I was bent over in gloom.
15. But when I limped, they rejoiced and gathered; the lowly gathered against me-even those whom I do not know; they laugh and cannot be quiet.
16. With flattery and scorn, for the sake of a meal,1 they gnash their teeth at me.
17. My Lord, how long will You look on? Restore my life from their darkness; from young lions, my soul.
18. I will thank You in a great congregation, amidst a mighty nation I will praise You.
19. Let not those who hate me without cause rejoice over me; [let not] those who despise me without reason wink their eye.
20. For they speak not of peace, rather they scheme deceitful matters against the broken of the land.
21. They opened their mouths wide against me, they said, "Aha! Aha! Our eyes have seen [his misfortune].”
22. You saw, Lord, be not silent; my Lord, be not distant from me.
23. Rouse and awaken Yourself to my judgement, to my cause, my God and my Lord.
24. Judge me according to your righteousness, Lord my God; let them not rejoice over me.
25. Let them not say in their hearts, "Aha! We have our desire!" Let them not say, "We have swallowed him!”
26. Let them be shamed and disgraced together, those who rejoice at my trouble; let them be clothed in shame and humiliation, those who raise themselves arrogantly over me.
27. Let those who desire my vindication sing joyously and be glad; let them say always, "Let the Lord be exalted, Who desires the peace of His servant.”
28. My tongue will speak of Your righteousness, Your praise, all day long.
FOOTNOTES
1.These men flatter Saul in order to obtain free meals (Rashi).
Chapter 36
This psalm is a message to those who follow their evil inclination, that tells them, "Do not place the fear of God before you," and brings them to sin by beautifying evil deeds in their eyes. For so is his way: "He descends (to earth) and corrupts, then goes up (to the Heavenly Court) and prosecutes."
1. For the Conductor, by the servant of the Lord, by David.
2. [I think] in my heart: Sin says to the wicked, "There is none [who need place] the fear of God before his eyes.”
3. For Sin makes itself appealing to him, until his iniquity be found and he is hated.
4. The speech of his mouth is evil and deceit; he fails to reason, to improve.
5. On his bed he contemplates evil, he stands in a path that is not good; he does not despise evil.
6. O Lord, Your kindness is in the heavens; Your faithfulness is till the skies.
7. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, Your judgements extend to the great deep; man and beast You deliver, O Lord.
8. How precious is Your kindness, O God; man takes shelter in the shadow of Your wings.
9. They will be filled by the abundance of Your house; from the stream of Your Eden, You will give them to drink.
10. For the source of life is with You; in Your Light do we see light.
11. Extend Your kindness to those who know You, and Your righteousness to the upright of heart.
12. Let not the foot of the arrogant overtake me; let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.
13. There1 the doers of evil fell, thrust down, unable to rise.
FOOTNOTES
1.In the very place they intended to persecute me (Metzudot).
Chapter 37
King David exhorts his generation not to be jealous of the prosperity of the wicked, for it may lead to falling into their ways. Rather, put your trust in God, conduct yourselves with integrity, and God will take care of everything.
1. By David. Do not compete with the wicked; do not envy doers of injustice.
2. For like grass they will be swiftly cut down; like green vegetation they will wither.
3. Trust in the Lord and do good; then will you abide in the land and be nourished by faith.
4. Delight in the Lord, and He will grant you the desires of your heart.
5. Cast your needs upon the Lord; rely on Him, and He will take care.
6. He will reveal your righteousness like the light, your justness like the high noon.
7. Depend on the Lord and hope in Him. Compete not with the prosperous, with the man who invents evil schemes.
8. Let go of anger, abandon rage; do not compete with [one who intends] only to harm.
9. For the evildoers will be cut down; but those who hope in the Lord, they will inherit the earth.
10. For soon the wicked one will not be; you will gaze at his place and he will be gone.
11. But the humble shall inherit the earth, and delight in abundant peace.
12. The wicked one plots against the righteous, and gnashes his teeth at him.
13. My Lord laughs at him, for He sees that his day will come.
14. The wicked have drawn a sword and bent their bow to fell the poor and destitute, to slaughter those of upright ways.
15. But their sword shall enter their own hearts, and their bows shall break.
16. Better the little of the righteous, than the abundant wealth of the wicked.
17. For the strength of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord supports the righteous.
18. The Lord appreciates the days of the innocent; their inheritance will last forever.
19. They will not be shamed in times of calamity, and in days of famine they will be satisfied.
20. For the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord are as fattened sheep: consumed, consumed in smoke.
21. The wicked man borrows and does not repay; but the righteous man is gracious and gives.
22. For those blessed by Him will inherit the earth, and those cursed by Him will be cut off.
23. The steps of man are directed by God; He desires his way.
24. When he totters he shall not be thrown down, for the Lord supports his hand.
25. I have been a youth, I have also aged; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his offspring begging bread.
26. All day he is kind and lends; his offspring are a blessing.
27. Turn away from evil and do good, and you will dwell [in peace] forever.
28. For the Lord loves justice, he will not abandon his pious ones-they are protected forever; but the offspring of the wicked are cut off.
29. The righteous shall inherit the earth and dwell upon it forever.
30. The mouth of the righteous one utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.
31. The Torah of his God is in his heart; his steps shall not falter.
32. The wicked one watches for the righteous man, and seeks to kill him.
33. But the Lord will not abandon him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
34. Hope in the Lord and keep His way; then He will raise you high to inherit the earth. When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.
35. I saw a powerful wicked man, well-rooted like a vibrant, native tree.
36. Yet he vanished, behold he was gone; I searched for him, but he could not be found.
37. Watch the innocent, and observe the upright, for the future of such a man is peace.
38. But sinners shall be destroyed together; the future of the wicked is cut off.
39. The deliverance of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in time of distress.
40. The Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they have put their trust in Him.
Chapter 38
A prayer for every individual, bewailing the length of the exile. One who is in distress should recite this psalm, hence its introduction, "A psalm... to remind" (to remind us to recite it in times of distress). One can also derive many lessons from it.
1. A psalm by David, to remind.
2. O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger, nor chastise me in Your wrath.
3. For Your arrows have landed in me, Your hand descended upon me.
4. There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your rage, no peace in my bones because of my sin.
5. For my iniquities have flooded over my head; like a heavy load, they are too heavy for me.
6. My wounds are rotted; they reek because of my foolishness.
7. I am bent and extremely bowed; all day I go about in gloom.
8. My sides are inflamed; there is no soundness in my flesh.
9. I am weakened and extremely depressed; I howl from the moaning of my heart.
10. My Lord, all that I desire is before You; my sighing is not hidden from You.
11. My heart is engulfed, my strength has left me; the light of my eyes they, too, are not with me.
12. My friends and companions stand aloof from my affliction; my intimates stand afar.
13. The seekers of my life have laid traps; those who seek my harm speak destructiveness; they utter deceits all day long.
14. But I am like a deaf man, I do not hear; like a mute that does not open his mouth.
15. I was like a man that does not perceive, and in whose mouth there are no rebuttals.
16. Because for You, O Lord, I wait; You will answer, my Lord, my God.
17. For I said, "Lest they rejoice over me; when my foot falters they will gloat over me.”
18. For I am accustomed to limping, and my pain is constantly before me.
19. For I admit my iniquity; I worry because of my sin.
20. But my enemies abound with life; those who hate me without cause flourish.
21. Those who repay evil for good resent me for my pursuit of good.
22. Do not forsake me, O Lord; do not be distant from me, my God.
23. Hurry to my aid, O my Lord, my Salvation.
Tanya: Igeret HaTeshuva , Chapter 12
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Wednesday, 6 AV , 5776 · 10 August 2016
• Igeret HaTeshuva , Chapter 12
• The Alter Rebbe explained in the previous chapter that although a penitent should always remember his past sins, his recollection should not lead to a state of ongoing depression or shame; such an attitude would cripple the cardinal principle of serving G‑d with joy. Rather, he should recall his past misdeeds “from afar” — only insofar as they will teach him to be humble before all men.
Moreover, these memories will actually enhance the joy of his Divine service, for they will cause him to accept with happy equanimity all manner of pain and suffering, be it verbal or physical, whether visited upon him from Above or through mortal agents.
In this, the concluding chapter of Iggeret HaTeshuvah, the Alter Rebbe explains why these afflictions cause the penitent joy.
וטעם השמחה ביסורי הגוף
The reason for joy1 in the suffering of the body
לפי שהיא טובה גדולה ועצומה לנפש החוטאת
is that it is a great and potent2 favor for the sinning soul,
למרקה בעולם הזה
to cleanse it in This World,3
ולהצילה מהמירוק בגיהנם
and to spare it from being scoured in Gehinnom.4
(בפרט בדורותינו אלה
(5This is particularly true in these generations of ours,
שאין ביכולת להתענות כפי מספר כל הצומות שבתיקוני תשובה מהאריז"ל
when one cannot undertake all the fasts prescribed in the penances of the AriZal, as mentioned earlier on in chapter 3,
הצריכות למירוק הנפש, להצילה ממירוק בגיהנם)
fasts imperative for the cleansing of the soul, to rescue it from the cleansing of Gehinnom.)
וכמו שכתוב הרמב"ן ז"ל בהקדמה לפירוש לאיוב, שאפילו יסורים של איוב ע' שנה, אין להן ערך כלל ליסורי הנפש שעה אחת בגיהנם
As Nachmanides writes, in the Introduction to his Commentary on Job, that even the sufferings of Job for seventy years bear absolutely no comparison to the suffering of a soul for even one hour in Gehinnom,
כי אש אחד מששים וכו'
for6 “[physical] fire is but one sixtieth [of the fire of Gehinnom].”
אלא לפי שעולם הזה חסד יבנה
It is only that this7 “world is built by kindness,”
וביסורין קלין בעולם הזה, ניצול מדינים קשים של עולם הבא
for which reason through mild suffering in This World one is saved from severe judgments in the Coming World.
כמשל הילוך והעתקת הצל בארץ טפח
This is analogous to the movement of a shadow on earth of a handsbreadth,
לפי הילוך גלגל השמש ברקיע אלפים מילין וכו'
which equals the sun's movement in the heaven of thousands of miles…
I.e., the sun's movement of thousands of miles causes a corresponding movement of but a few inches of shadow].
ויתר על כן לאין קץ הוא בנמשל
Infinitely more so is this true in the parallel,
בבחינת השתלשלות העולמות מרום המעלות עד עולם הזה הגשמי
in the descent of the worlds from level to level, from the most exalted heights until this physical world.
The analogy may be understood as follows. Any event that transpires in this world results from a parallel but far more ethereal event that “previously” took place in the spiritually exalted worlds. Thus, the effect of an event in this physical world is much greater in those lofty worlds.
וכנודע ממה שכתוב בזהר הקדוש, מענין עליות עולמות העליונים
We see this in the teachings of the Zohar on the elevation of the higher worlds
באתערותא דלתתא, בהקרבת עוף אחד בן יונה או תור על גבי המזבח, או קומץ מנחה
as a result of the spiritual arousal initiated by man below through his offering of one fowl, a dove or pigeon, or a handful of meal, on the altar.
The Zohar teaches that offering but one such representative creature from the animal world or but one such representative item from the vegetative world, elevates all the spiritual realms.
וכן הוא בכל המצות מעשיות, כנודע מהאריז"ל
Such are the effects of all the commandments requiring practical performance, as is known from theAriZal.
Mitzvot performed in this world with physical objects, such as tzitzit made of wool or the passages of the tefillin written on parchment, set up far-reaching reverberations in the exalted spiritual worlds.
וזה שאמרו רז"ל על פסוק: והתקדשתם והייתם קדושים
אדם מקדש עצמו מעט מלמטה, מקדשין אותו הרבה מלמעלה וכו'
“Man sanctifies himself [only] a little i.e.,” comments the Rebbe, ‘in quantity’ below i.e.,“ comments the Rebbe, ‘in quality’, and he becomes sanctified in great measure from Above…”
(וכמו שכתוב לעיל בענין אשר קדשנו במצותיו וכו' בחינת סובב כל עלמין וכו')
(10It was thus noted above11 in reference to the phrase, “Who sanctified us with His commandments…,” [that Israel's sanctification through mitzvot is bound up with the Infinite life- force that] encompasses and transcends all worlds…)
Thus, the physical performance of a Divine commandment in this world, draws down upon the individual holiness not only from the most lofty spiritual worlds, but also from the degree of G‑dliness that transcends worlds.
וככה ממש הוא בענין שכר ועונש
Precisely so is it in reference to reward and punishment.
The reward for the performance of a mitzvah infinitely surpasses the physical deed itself; the punishment as well, suffered by an individual in this world for his sins, substitutes for a far greater measure of punishment that the person would have undergone had it been meted out in the Coming World.
כמאמר רז"ל: שכר מצוה מצוה וכו'
As our Sages say,12 “The reward of a mitzvah is the mitzvah…”;
[I.e., the reward is the spiritual illumination that is drawn down through the fulfillment of the mitzvah itself],
וכמו שכתוב במקום אחר
as discussed elsewhere.
Since it has just been explained that the performance of a mitzvah draws down as a reward Divine illumination that utterly transcends all worlds, it follows that the reward for the mitzvah in the loftier spiritual worlds is infinitely higher than the physical action performed here below.
ודעת לנבון נקל
This knowledge is elementary to the discerning,
ומשכיל על דבר ימצא טוב
and those with intelligence in this matter will discover good.
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. | Note of the Rebbe: “The focus of this entire explanation is that the difference [between physical and spiritual suffering] and the benefit [of physical suffering] are twofold, quantitative and qualitative. Afflictions of the body, as opposed to afflictions of the soul; physical fire is only one-sixtieth of the fire of Gehinnom; a shadow's movement of a handsbreadth on earth is equivalent to thousands of miles.” |
| 2. | Note of the Rebbe: “The two terms [‘great’ and ‘potent’] quite possibly allude to [the] extent and quality [of the favor].” |
| 3. | Note of the Rebbe: “Thus enabling the soul to leave this world in the same [pure] state as when it entered it.” |
| 4. | Note of the Rebbe: “This seems to imply yet another matter.” |
| 5. | Parentheses are in the original text. |
| 6. | Berachot 57b. |
| 7. | Tehillim 89:3. |
| 8. | Yoma 39a. |
| 9. | Vayikra 20:7. |
| 10. | Parentheses are in the original text. |
| 11. | Part I, chapter 46; chapter 10, above. |
| 12. | Avot 4:2. Rambam: |
• Sefer Hamitzvos:
• Wednesday, 6 AV , 5776 · 10 August 2016
• Wednesday, 6 AV , 5776 · 10 August 2016
• Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
Important Message Regarding This Lesson
The Daily Mitzvah schedule runs parallel to the daily study of 3 chapters of Maimonides' 14-volume code. There are instances when the Mitzvah is repeated a few days consecutively while the exploration of the same Mitzvah continues in the in-depth track.
Negative Commandment 250
Honesty in Commerce
"When you make a sale to your fellow or make a purchase from the hand of your fellow, you shall not defraud one another"—Leviticus 25:14.
It is forbidden for a seller or buyer to cheat one another in the course of commerce [by deceptively overcharging or underpaying for merchandise].
Full text of this Mitzvah »
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
Important Message Regarding This Lesson
The Daily Mitzvah schedule runs parallel to the daily study of 3 chapters of Maimonides' 14-volume code. There are instances when the Mitzvah is repeated a few days consecutively while the exploration of the same Mitzvah continues in the in-depth track.
Negative Commandment 250
Honesty in Commerce
"When you make a sale to your fellow or make a purchase from the hand of your fellow, you shall not defraud one another"—Leviticus 25:14.
It is forbidden for a seller or buyer to cheat one another in the course of commerce [by deceptively overcharging or underpaying for merchandise].
Full text of this Mitzvah »
• Honesty in Commerce
Negative Commandment 250
Translated by Berel Bell
The 250th prohibition is that we are forbidden from cheating each other in business when buying and selling.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "When you sell something to your neighbor, or buy something from your neighbor's hand, do not cheat one another."
The Sifra states, "The verse 'Do not cheat one another' refers to cheating someone monetarily."2
The details of this mitzvah are explained in the 4th chapter of tractate Bava Metzia.3
FOOTNOTES
1.Lev. 25:14.
2.This is known as ona'as mamon, as opposed to ona'as devarim, which is causing someone emotional distress by something you say. See N251.
3.49b ff.
• Rambam - 1 Chapter: Tum'at Met Tum'at Met - Chapter 25
• Tum'at Met - Chapter 25
Negative Commandment 250
Translated by Berel Bell
The 250th prohibition is that we are forbidden from cheating each other in business when buying and selling.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "When you sell something to your neighbor, or buy something from your neighbor's hand, do not cheat one another."
The Sifra states, "The verse 'Do not cheat one another' refers to cheating someone monetarily."2
The details of this mitzvah are explained in the 4th chapter of tractate Bava Metzia.3
FOOTNOTES
1.Lev. 25:14.
2.This is known as ona'as mamon, as opposed to ona'as devarim, which is causing someone emotional distress by something you say. See N251.
3.49b ff.
• Rambam - 1 Chapter: Tum'at Met Tum'at Met - Chapter 25
• Tum'at Met - Chapter 25
1
If there is a pillar standing in a house and impurity is flush under it, the impurity pierces through and ascends and pierces through and descends. It imparts impurity only to entities that are directly above or below the impurity. If there is a flower, projecting from the pillar and there are keilim under the flower, the keilim are pure. Impurity is imparted only to the entities under or above the impurity.
א
עמוד העומד בתוך הבית וטומאה רצוצה תחתיו טומאה בוקעת ועולה בוקעת ויורדת ואינו מטמא אלא כנגד הטומאה בלבד ואם היה פרח יוצא מעמוד זה וכלים תחת הפרח הכלים טהורים שאינו מטמא אלא כנגד הטומאה:
2
If there is open space a handbreadth by a handbreadth and a handbreadth high in the pillar where the impurity is located, it is considered as a closed grave and it imparts impurity to all its surroundings. The entire house is impure because it is standing over a grave.
ב
[ואם יש במקום הטומאה] טפח על טפח על רום טפח הרי הוא כקבר סתום ומטמא מכל סביביו והבית כולו טמא שהרי האהיל על הקבר:
3
When there is impurity in a wall and it is an open space a handbreadth by a handbreadth and a handbreadth high, all of the stories built on this wall - even ten - are impure. The rationale is that the wall is considered a closed grave until its highest point. It is the wall for these upper stories and every upper storey is considered to be an ohel over the grave.
If he built a structure next to that wall on one side and another structure next to the wall on the other side and a second storey that spans both those structures and thus the top of the impure wall is in the middle of the floor of the second storey, the second storey is impure because it serves as an ohel over a grave. A third storey built over it is pure, because they are one on top of the other and the impure wall is not one of the walls of this storey.
ג
טומאה שבתוך הכותל ומקומה טפח ע"ט על רום טפח כל העליות הבנויות על כותל זה אפי' עשר טמאות שהרי הכותל כולו קבר סתום עד סופו והוא כותל העליות וכל עלייה מהן מאהלת על הקבר בנה בית בצד הכותל מכאן ובית מכאן ובנה עלייה על גבי שני הבתים עד שנמצא ראש הכותל הטמא הוא באמצע קרקע העלייה הרי העלייה טמאה שהרי האהילה על הקבר והעלייה השניה הבנויה על גבה טהורה מפני שהן זו על גבי זו ואין הכותל הטמא כותלה:
4
The following rules apply when there is a large hole in the thickness of a wall which people would employ for functional purposes which was called a pardisek. If there was impurity within it and it had closed doors, the house is pure. If there is impurity flush in its floor, its wall, or its roof, we consider the entire hole as if it is a solid mass and see where the impurity is located. If it is located in the inner portion of the thickness of the wall, the house is impure. If it is in the outer portion, the house is pure. If it is in the exact center, the house is impure.
ד
חור גדול שבעובי הכתלים שדרך בני אדם לעשותו לתשמיש והוא הנקרא פרדסיק שהיתה טומאה מונחת בתוכו ויש עליו דלתות סגורות הבית טהור היתה הטומאה רצוצה בקרקעיתו או בכתליו או בגגו רואין את כל החור כולו כאילו הוא אטום ורואין מקום הטומאה אם הוא בחצי עובי הכותל שלפנים הבית טמא ואם היתה טומאה מחצי כותל ולחוץ הבית טהור מחצה למחצה הבית טמא:
5-6
If there are two pardiskin - one next to the other or one on top of the other - and there is impurity located in one of them and it is opened, it and the house are impure, but the other one is pure. If there was impurity flush in the walls of the building, we consider the pardiskin as if they were a solid mass and the status of the house depends on the half of the wall in which the impurity is located. the house is pure. If it was flush below the doorstep, the status of the house depends on the half of the doorstep in which the impurity is located. If it is attached to the lintel, the house is impure.
ה
שני פרדסקין זה בצד זה או זה על גב זה וטומאה מונחת באחת מהן ונפתח הוא והבית טמא וחבירו טהור היתה טומאה רצוצה בתוך הבנין רואין את הפרדסקין כאילו הן אטומין וידון מחצה למחצה:
7
When a dog ate the flesh of a corpse, died within three days of doing so, and was lying on the doorstep of a house, we consider the place where the impurity is located in his body. If it is under the lintel and inward, the house is impure.
ז
כלב שאכל בשר המת ומת בתוך שלשה ימים והרי הוא מוטל על האסקופה רואין חלל הטומאה מגופו אם הוא כנגד המשקוף ולפנים הבית טמא ומכנגד המשקוף ולחוץ הבית טהור:
8
The following laws apply when the fetus being carried by a woman dies in her womb. If its head has reached the size of a weaving needle, when her womb opens and the head becomes visible, the house becomes impure because of the fetus even if it has not emerged yet.
ח
האשה שמת עוברה בתוך מעיה אם נעשית ראש הנפל כפיקה של שתי כיון שנפתח הרחם עד שנראת הראש נטמא הבית מפני העובר אע"פ שעדיין לא יצא:
9
If a woman was in the midst of labor and went from one house to another and miscarried in the second house, the first house is still impure because of a doubt: perhaps the head of the fetus had emerged while she was there.
When does the above apply? When its head did not reach the size of a weaving needle. If, however, its head reached the size of a weaving needle, the first house is pure. For if her womb had opened to that degree, she would not be able to walk unsupported. Therefore if she was being supported by her shoulders and taken from one house to the other, the first is impure because of a doubt, even though its head reached the size of a weaving needle.
ט
האשה שמקשה לילד ויצאה מבית לבית והפילה נפל מת בבית שני הבית הראשון טמא בספק שמא כשהיתה בו יצא ראשו של נפל הזה בד"א כשלא היה ראש הנפל כפיקה של שתי אבל אם העגיל ראש הנפל כפיקה הבית הראשון טהור שאילו נפתח רחמה שם לא היתה יכולה להלך על רגליה לפיכך אם היתה ניטלת באגפיים והוציאוה מבית לבית הבית הראשון טמא בספק אף על פי שהעגיל ראש הנפל כפיקה של שתי:
10
When a woman discharged a placenta, the house in which she was located is certainly impure. It can be presumed that there is no placenta without a fetus.
י
האשה שהפילה שליא הבית טמא ודאי חזקה הוא שאין שליא בלא ולד:
11
The following laws apply when a woman gave birth to two children, one a viable birth and the other, stillborn. If the stillborn child emerged first, the living child is pure, because he did not touch the stillborn child after he emerged into the world. If the living child emerged first, he is impure, because it is impossible that the stillborn child did not touch him, for the stillborn tumbles out after the living child like a stone that does not have any vitality and cannot hold itself back.
יא
מי שילדה שני ילדים אחד חי ואחד מת אם המת יצא ראשון החי טהור שהרי לא נגע בו משיצא לאויר העולם ואם החי יצא ראשון הרי הוא טמא שהרי אי אפשר שלא יגע בו המת משיצא לאויר העולם מפני שהוא מתגלגל אחריו כאבן שאין בו רוח חיים כדי להעמיד עצמו:
12
When a woman discharges a stillborn infant - even, as we explained, a tiny fetus - she contracts the impurity that lasts seven days. If the fetus dies within her womb and the midwife extended her hand inside the womb and touched it, the midwife contracts the impurity that lasts seven days, but the woman is pure until the fetus emerges.
The impurity of the midwife is a Rabbinical decree, instituted since she may have touched the fetus after it emerged into the vaginal channel. According to Scriptural Law, touching a hidden portion of the body is not considered as touching. Since the fetus is in the mother's inner organs, anyone who touches it is pure. Similar laws apply to one who swallowed an impure ring and then swallowed a pure ring. Although the two certainly touched each other in his digestive system, this is not considered as touch. The impure one is considered as impure and the pure one, as pure.
יב
האשה שילדה ולד מת אפילו נפל קטן כמו שביארנו הרי היא טמאה טומאת ז' מת עוברה בתוך מעיה ופשטה החיה את ידה ונגעה בו החיה טמאה שבעה והאשה טהורה עד שיצא הולד וטומאת החיה מדבריהם גזירה שמא תגע בו משיצא לפרוזדור אבל מן התורה אין מגע בית הסתרים מגע הואיל והוא בתוך המעים הנוגע בו טהור וכן הבולע טבעת טמאה וחזר ובלע אחריה טבעת טהורה אע"פ שנגעו זו בזו בודאי בתוך מעיו אינו מגע והטמאה בטומאתה וטהורה בטהרתה:
Blessed be the Merciful One Who grants assistance.
סליקו להו הלכות טומאת מת:
• Rambam - 3 Chapters: Mechirah Mechirah - Chapter Ten, Mechirah Mechirah - Chapter Eleven, Mechirah Mechirah - Chapter Twelve
• Mechirah - Chapter Ten
• Mechirah - Chapter Ten
1
When a person compels a colleague to sell an article and to take the money for the purchase - even if he hung him until he sold the article - the purchase is binding. This applies with regard to movable property and landed property. We say that since he compelled him, he committed himself to selling. This applies even if the seller did not take the money in the presence of witnesses.
Therefore, if the seller issues a protest before he sells and tells two witnesses: "Know that the reason I am selling this and this article - or this and this property - is that I am being compelled against my will," the sale is nullified. Even if the purchaser was in possession of the article or the property for several years, it may be expropriated from him, at which point, the seller returns the money.
א
מי שאנסוהו עד שמכר ולקח דמי המקח אפילו תלוהו עד שמכר ממכרו ממכר בין במטלטלין בין בקרקעות שמפני אונסו גמר ומקנה אף על פי שלא לקח הדמים בפני העדים לפיכך אם מסר מודעה קודם שימכור ואמר לשני עדים דעו שזה שאני מוכר חפץ פלוני או שדה פלוני לפלוני מפני שאני אנוס הרי הממכר בטל ואפילו החזיק כמה שנים מוציאין אותה מידו ומחזיר הדמים:
2
The witnesses must know that the seller is selling because of compulsion, and that he is actually being compelled against his will.
Any record of a protest that does not contain the statement: "We the witnesses know that so and so the seller acted under compulsion - is not a valid protest.
ב
וצריכין העדים לידע שהוא מוכר מפני האונס ושהוא אנוס ודאי לא שיסמכו על פיו וכל מודעה שאין כתוב בה ואנו העדים ידענו שפלוני זה אנוס היה אינה מודעה:
3
When does the above apply? With regard to a person who conducts a sale or who negotiates a compromise. With regard to a gift or a waiver of a debt, if the person issues a protest before giving the gift, the gift is nullified even though the person was not compelled to give the gift.
The rationale is that with regard to a gift, the factor that is significant is the expression of the giver's will. Since he does not wholeheartedly desire to transfer ownership, the recipient does not acquire the gift. Waiving a debt is equivalent to giving a gift.
ג
בד"א במוכר או בעושה פשרה אבל במתנה או במחילה אם מסר מודעה קודם מתנה אף על פי שאינו אנוס הרי המתנה בטלה שאין הולכין במתנה אלא אחר גילוי דעת הנותן שאם אינו רוצה להקנות בכל לבו לא קנה המקבל מתנה והמחילה מתנה היא:
4
Whether one compels a colleague to sell by hitting him, by hanging him or by threatening to employ a measure against him through gentiles or through Jews, he is considered to have been compelled against his will.
An incident occurred with regard to a person who had rented an orchard from a colleague for ten years, and the landlord of the orchard lost the debt contract. After the tenant derived benefit from the orchard for three years,the tenant told the owner: "If you do not sell it to me, I will hide the rental contract and claim that I purchased it." The Sages explained that this is considered to be compulsion. The same principles apply in all similar situations.
For this reason, if the landlord issued a claim against the tenant in court and the tenant denied it and claimed that the orchard was his, and afterwards, the landlord issued a protest, and then sold the property to the tenant who denies having rented it, the sale is nullified, for there are witnesses that the landlord was compelled against his will. These are the witnesses in whose presence the tenant denied the rental of the property in court, and they are the witnesses before whom the protest was issued.The same principles apply in all similar situations.
ד
אחד האונס את חבירו בשהכהו או תלאהו עד שמכר או שהפחידו בדבר שאפשר לו לעשות בין בידי עכו"ם בין בידי ישראל הרי זה אונס ומעשה באחד ששכר פרדס מחבירו לעשר שנים ולא היה שטר חוב ביד המשכיר ואחר שאכלו השוכר שלש שנים אמר לו אם לא תמכרנו לי אכבוש שטר שכירות ואטעון שהוא לקוח בידי ואמרו חכמים שזה אונס וכן כל כיוצא בזה לפיכך אם תבעו המשכיר בבית דין וכפר בו וטען שהפרדס שלו ואח"כ מסר המשכיר מודעה ואחר כך מכר לשוכר שכפר בו הרי הממכר בטל שהרי יש לו עדים שהוא אנוס והם העדים שכפר בפניהם בבית דין והם עדי המודעה וכן כל כיוצא בזה:
5
When does the above apply? With regard to a person who forces a colleague to sell. He is considered a chamsanbecause he compels a colleague to sell his property against his will.
When, however, a person steals property - is established as a thief - and afterwards purchases the field that he stole the sale is nullified automatically. The seller does not have to issue a protest, as explained in Hilchot Gezelah.
ה
במה דברים אמורים באנס שהרי הוא חמסן מפני שכופה את המוכר למכור שלא ברצונו אבל הגוזל והוחזק בגזלן ואח"כ לקח שדה שגזל אין המוכר צריך למסור מודעה כמו שביארנו בהלכות גזילה:
6
The witnesses to the protest may themselves sign the deed of sale concerning which the protest was issued to them; their participation is of no consequence.
Even if the seller tells them in the presence of the person who is compelling him: "I am selling the property willfully, without compulsion," the protest is still viable. Just as the other person compelled the seller to sell unwillingly, he compelled him to say that he was selling it willingly.
ו
עדי המודעה יש להם לחתום הם עצמן באותו הממכר שנמסרה להם המודעה עליו ואין בכך כלום ואפילו אמר להם בפני האנס ברצוני מכרתי בלא אונס הרי המודעה קיימת כשם שאנסו שמכר בלא רצון כך אנסו עד שאמר ברצוני אני מוכר:
7
Similarly, if the seller admitted in the presence of witnesses that he received money after he issued a protest, he is not obligated to return anything to the thief. We say that the person compelling him compelled him to make this admission. This statement is not heeded for the witnesses already knew that he was compelled against his will.
If, however, the robber counted money out to the seller in the presence of the witnesses, the seller is obligated to return the money when the sale is nullified."
ז
וכן אם הודה בפניהם שלקח הדמים אחר שמסר מודעה על כך אינו חייב להחזיר כלום שהאנס אנסו עד שיודה והעדים כבר ידעו שהוא אנוס אבל אם מנה הדמים בפניהם חייב להחזיר:
8
If the witnesses to the sale testified that the seller nullified the protest, the protest is nullified.
If the seller tells the witnesses to the protest: "Know that everykinyan in which I engage to negate a protest, and a protest regarding a protest are all nullified. I am engaging in them only because of the factor compelling me, of which you are aware. I do not ever have the intention of transferring my property to the person compelling me," the sale is nullified despite the fact that the seller performed a kinyan to nullify his protest, in the manner we have explained.
ח
העידו עליו עדי המכר שביטל המודעה הרי המודעה בטלה ואם אמר לעדי המודעה היו יודעין שכל קניין שאני לוקח לבטל המודעה ומודעי דמודעי שהכל בטל ואיני אומר כך אלא מפני האונס שאתם יודעין ואין בדעתי להקנות לזה האנס לעולם הרי המכר בטל ואע"פ שקנו מידו לבטל המודעה על הדרך שביארנו:
Mechirah - Chapter Eleven
1
When a person transfers ownership of an article - whether landed property or movable property - and establishes conditions that can be fulfilled the conditions are binding - whether established by the seller or the purchaser. If the conditions are fulfilled, then the ownership of the object is transferred. If the conditions are not fulfilled, the ownership of the object is not transferred.
We have already described the laws governing conditional agreements in Hilchot Ishut.
א
המקנה בין קרקע בין מטלטלין והתנה תנאין שאפשר לקיימן בין שהתנה המקנה בין שהתנה הקונה אם נתקיימו התנאין נקנה הדבר שהוקנה ואם לא נתקיים התנאי לא קנה וכבר ביארנו משפטי התנאים בהלכות אישות:
2
When does the above apply? When a person stated a condition and then carried out a kinyan transferring ownership of the article through one of the accepted procedures. For then, he is obligated to fulfill the condition.
If, however, the person did not perform a kinyan, but merely entered into a conditional agreement stating that if this condition is fulfilled he will transfer ownership, and if it is not fulfilled he will not transfer ownership, the transfer of ownership is not effected even if the condition is fulfilled.
This is considered an asmachta - i.e., he made his transfer of ownership dependent on the performance of certain deeds. Anasmachta is never binding, for the person transferring ownership did not make a firm decision in his heart to transfer ownership.
ב
בד"א בשקנה בדרך מן הדרכים שקונין בהן והרי יש עליו לקיים את התנאי אבל אם לא קנה עתה והתנה עמו שאם נתקיים התנאי זה יקנה ואם לא נתקיים לא יקנה אף על פי שנתקיים התנאי לא קנה שזו אסמכתא היא שהרי סמך קנייתו לעשות כך וכך וכל אסמכתא אינה קונה שהרי לא גמר בלבו להקנותו:
3
What is implied? A person sold a house to a colleague or gave it to him as a present, on condition that the recipient travel to Jerusalem with the seller on a given day. If the recipient manifests ownership over the house, he acquires it when he travels to Jerusalem with the seller on the date stated. If that day passes and he does not make the journey, he does not acquire it.
If, however, the owner made a condition and told the potential purchaser: "If you go with me to Jerusalem on this and this day...," or "If you bring me this article, I will give you this house," or "...I will sell it to you at such and such a price," although the person travels with him on that day or brings him the article, he does not acquire the house. This applies even if the potential purchaser manifests his ownership over the house after he fulfills the condition, for this is an asmachta. The same laws apply in all analogous situations.
ג
כיצד המוכר בית לחבירו או נתנו לו במתנה על מנת שילך עמו לירושלים ביום פלוני והחזיק זה בבית הרי זה קנה כשילך עמו לירושלים באותו היום ואם עבר אותו היום ולא הלך לא קנה אבל אם התנה ואמר לו אם תלך עמי לירושלים ביום פלוני או אם תביא לי דבר פלוני אתן לך בית זה או אמכרנו לך בכך וכך והלך עמו באותו היום או שהביא לו אע"פ שהחזיק בבית אחר שקיים התנאי לא קנה שזו היא אסמכתא וכן כל כיוצא בזה:
4
For this reason, the following rules apply if a purchaser gives security to a colleague and tells him: "If I retract, I waive ownership of the security in your favor," and the seller says: "If I retract, I will double your security." If the purchaser retracts, the seller acquires the security, because it is in his possession. But if the seller retracts, we do not require him to double the security. For his promise was an asmachta and is not binding.
ד
לפיכך הנותן ערבון לחבירו ואמר לו אם אני חוזר בי ערבוני מחול לך והלה אומר ואם אני חוזר בי אכפול לך ערבונך אם חזר בו הלוקח קנה זה הערבון שהרי הוא תחת ידו ואם חזר בו המוכר אין מחייבין אותו לכפול הערבון שזו אסמכתא היא ואסמכתא לא קנה:
5
A similar principle applies if a debtor paid a portion of a debt and the creditor entrusted the promissory note to a third party after the debtor made the following statement: "If I do not pay the remainder until such and such a date, return the promissory note." If the date arrived and the debtor did not pay, the third party should not give the promissory note to the creditor. For this agreement is an asmachta.
ה
וכן מי שפרע מקצת חובו והשליש את השטר ואמר לו אם לא נתתי לך עד יום פלוני תן לו שטרו והגיע זמן ולא נתן לו לא יתן השליש את השטר שזו אסמכתא היא:
6
Similarly, all the conditions that people establish between themselves, even when confirmed by witnesses and a legal document - e.g., "If such and such will take place..." or "If you do such and such, I will give you a maneh" or "...I will transfer ownership of this house to you, but if this does not take place..." or "if you do not do such and such, I will not transfer ownership," or "...I will not give you," are considered asmachta'ot. Even though the potential recipient performs the desired action, or the event occurs, he does not acquire the promised article. For his intent is undefined, being dependent on whether or not the stipulation will be met.
ו
וכן כל תנאין שמתנין בני אדם ביניהן אף על פי שהן בעדים ובשטר אם יהיה כך או אם תעשה כך אתן לך מנה או אקנה לך בית זה ואם לא יהיה או לא תעשה לא אקנה לך ולא אתן לך אע"פ שעשה או שהיה הדבר לא קנה שכל האומר אם יהיה אם לא יהיה לא גמר והקנה שהרי דעתו עדיין סומכת שמא יהיה או שמא לא יהיה:
7
Whenever a person says: "Acquire an entity upon fulfillment of a condition, retroactive to the present time," it is not considered an asmachta at all, and the transaction is binding. For if the person had not made a definite commitment to transfer ownership, he would not have transferred ownership retroactively to the time of the agreement.
What is implied? If a person says: "If I return between now and such and such a date, you acquire this house retroactively to the present time," and his commitment is affirmed by a kinyan the transaction is binding if he returns within the set time. The same applies with regard to all similar situations.
ז
כל האומר קנה מעכשיו אין כאן אסמכתא כלל וקנה שאילו לא גמר להקנותו לא הקנהו מעכשיו כיצד אם באתי מכאן ועד יום פלוני קנה בית זה מעכשיו וקנו מידו על כך הרי זה קנה אם בא בתוך הזמן שקבע וכן כל כיוצא בזה:
8
When a person sells a courtyard or a field and specifies at the time of the sale that he is selling the property in order to travel to a particular place, or because there has been a drought and he desires to buy wheat with the money he receives for his courtyard, it is considered as if he sold the property conditionally.
Therefore, if it rained after he made the sale, or wheat was imported and sold at a lower price, or he was prevented from travelling to that land, or factors did not facilitate his journey or his purchase of wheat, the seller may return the money he received and have the land returned to him. For he stated that he was selling the property only for the sake of performing a specific act - and that act was not performed. Similar principles apply in all analogous situations.
ח
מי שמכר חצירו או שדהו ופירש בשעת המכירה שהוא מוכר כדי לילך למקום פלוני או מפני המטר שנמנע כדי לקנות חטים בדמי חצירו הרי זה כמוכר על תנאי לפיכך אם ירד המטר אחר שמכר או באו חטין והוזלו או נמנע הדרך לילך לאותה הארץ או שלא נסתייע לו להעלות או לקנות חטים הרי זה מחזיר אותן הדמים ותחזור לו קרקע שהרי פירש שאינו מוכר אלא לעשות דבר פלוני והרי לא נעשה וכן כל כיוצא בהן:
9
If, however, a person sells landed property without making any explicit statement, the sale is final even though he had the intent in his heart that he was selling the property for a particular reason, and even if it is apparent that he is selling the property for that reason. The rationale is that he did not make an explicit statement, and thoughts in a person's heart are of no consequence in business transactions.
ט
אבל המוכר סתם אף על פי שהיה בלבו שמפני כך וכך הוא מוכר ואע"פ שמראי הדברים שאינו מוכר אלא לעשות כך וכך ולא נעשה אינו חוזר שהרי לא פירש ודברים שבלב אינן דברים:
10
The following rules apply if one transferred ownership of an entity to a colleague and stipulated that he acquire it on the condition that he give or sell that entity to another person. If the person gives or sells the entity to that person, the transaction is binding. If he does not fulfill the stipulation and sells it to another person, or does not give or sell it to the person intended within the time frame established, the original transaction is not binding.
Similarly, if the seller or the purchaser of an article establishes a condition that the article be returned at a specific time or returned at that time in exchange for money, the transaction is binding, and the article must be returned as stipulated.
י
מי שהקנה לחבירו והתנה עליו על מנת שתתן מקח זה או תמכרנו לפלוני אם נתנו או מכרו לאותו פלוני קנה ואם לא קיים התנאי ומכרו לאחר או שלא מכרו ולא נתנו בזמן שקבע לו לא קנה וכן המוכר או הלוקח שהתנו שיחזיר לו המקח בזמן פלוני או כשיתן לו המעות הרי המכר קיים ויחזיר כשהתנה:
11
Different rules apply in the following situation. A person sold landed property to a colleague. The seller made a stipulation, saying: "When I acquire money, return this land to me." The produce of the land belongs to the seller.)
If the seller made the sale without stipulating a condition, and the purchaser said on his own volition: "When you acquire funds, bring them to me, and I will return this property," the stipulation is binding. The purchaser can derive benefit from the property; doing so is not considered "a shade of interest," because the purchaser voluntarily obligated himself by this condition.
יא
מכר קרקע לחבירו והתנה המוכר ואמר ללוקח כשיהיו לי מעות תחזיר לי הקרקע זו הרי הפירות של מוכר מכר לו סתם ואמר לו הלוקח מדעתו כשיהיו לך מעות תביאם לי ואני אחזיר לך קרקע זו הרי התנאי קיים והלוקח אוכל פירות ואין בזה אבק רבית שהרי מדעתו חייב עצמו בתנאי זה:
12
An incident occurred concerning a woman who sent an agent, Reuven, to purchase a courtyard for her from one of her relatives, Shimon. Shimon, the seller, said to Reuven, the agent: "If I acquire funds, so and so, my relative, should return this property to me."
Reuven answered him: "You and so and so are relatives. You are so close, you are like brother and sister" - i.e., it is as if he were saying, "It is very likely that she will return it to you, and that she will not show concern about such a matter."
Afterwards, the matter was brought to the Sages, and they ruled that the agent did not purchase anything. For the relative selling the field did not rely on the agent's words, since they were not a clear reply. Therefore, the seller did not make a final decision to transfer ownership. Similar principles apply in other analogous situations.
יב
מעשה באשה ששלחה ראובן לקנות לה חצר משמעון שהיה קרובו ואמר שמעון המוכר לראובן השליח אם יהיו לי מעות תחזיר לי פלונית קרובתי קרקע זו והשיבו ראובן ואמר לו אתה ופלונית קרובים כמו אחים כלומר הדבר קרוב שהיא תחזיר לך ואינה מקפדת על זו ובא מעשה לפני חכמים ואמרו הרי זה השליח לא קנה כלום שהרי לא סמכה דעתו של קרוב זה על דברי השליח מפני שלא השיבו תשובה ברורה ונמצא שלא גמר ולא הקנה וכן כל כיוצא בזה:
13
When a kinyan confirming an asmachta is made in a prominent court, it is considered as binding. This applies, provided the person involved entrusts the legal documents involved to the court, and provided he is not acting under duress.
יג
אסמכתא שקנו מידו עליה בבית דין חשוב הרי זה קנה והוא שיתפוס זכיותיו בבית דין והוא שלא יהיה אנוס:
14
What is implied? A person entrusted his promissory note or his receipt to the court and engages in a kinyan, stating that if he does not come by such and such a date, the promissory note should be given to the other litigant. If the date arrives without the person's coming, the note should be given. If he was prevented from coming by a river or by illness, the promissory note should not be given to the other litigant. Similar principles apply in all analogous situations, provided that this is done in the presence of a prominent court.
יד
כיצד הרי שהתפיס שטרו או שוברו בבית דין וקנו מידו שאם לא בא ביום פלוני ינתן שטר זה לבעל דינו והגיע היום ולא בא הרי אלו נותנים ואם עכבו נהר או חולי מלבא לא יתנו וכן כל כיוצא בזה והוא שיהיה בבית דין חשוב:
15
When a person undertakes a financial obligation to another person without making any stipulation, he becomes liable although he did not owe that person anything previously. He is giving him a present; this is not an asmachta.
What is implied? A person tells witnesses: "Serve as witnesses that I owe so and so a maneh," he composes a legal document that states that he owes the other person a maneh even though it is not observed by witnesses, or he told the other person in the presence of witnesses: "I owe you a maneh as recorded in a legal document." In the latter circumstance, even though he did not tell the witnesses to serve as witnesses, since he said "as recorded in a legal document," it is as if he told them: "Serve as witnesses that I am obligated."
Even though both parties admit - and the witnesses know - that the giver did not owe the recipient anything, he accepted an obligation on himself and becomes liable, as a guarantor does. The majority of the geonim ruled in this manner.
טו
המחייב עצמו בממון לאחר בלא תנאי כלל אע"פשלא היה חייב לו כלום הרי זה חייב שדבר זה מתנה היא ואינה אסמכתא כיצד האומר לעדים הוו עלי עדים שאני חייב לפלוני מנה או שכתב לו בשטר הריני חייב לך מנה אף על פי שאין שם עדים או שאמר לו בפני עדים הריני חייב לך מנה בשטר אע"פ שלא אמר אתם עדי הואיל ואמר בשטר הרי זה כמי שאמר הוו עלי עדים וחייב לשלם אף על פי ששניהם מודים והעדים יודעים שלא היה לו אצלו כלום שהרי חייב עצמו כמו שישתעבד הערב וכזה הורו רוב הגאונים:
16
The following rules apply when a person accepts an obligation on himself that is unlimited in nature - e.g., he says: "I obligate myself to feed you..." or "...to clothe you for five years." Even though he affirms his commitment to the recipient with a kinyan, he is not liable. For this resembles a present, and yet there is no specific and known entity that is being given as a present. My masters ruled in this manner.
טז
חייב עצמו בדבר שאינו קצוב כגון שאמר הריני חייב לזון אותך או לכסות חמש שנים אע"פ שקנו מידו לא נשתעבד שזו כמו מתנה היא ואין כאן דבר ידוע ומצוי שנתנו במתנה וכן הורו רבותי:
17
If so, why is a person who makes a commitment to his wife to provide food for her daughter from a previous marriage obligated to provide for her? Because he made this commitment at the time of their marriage. And the matter resembles entities that are acquired although only a verbal commitment is made.
יז
ומפני מה הפוסק עם אשתו שיהיה זן את בתה חייב לזונה מפני שפסק בשעת נשואין והדבר דומה לדברים הנקנין באמירה:
18
When the sages of Spain desired to make a kinyan with regard to an asmachta, they would adhere to the following guidelines: They would establish a kinyan with one party that he is obligated to the other party one hundred zuz. After he has undertaken such an obligation, a kinyan is made with the person to whom he indebted himself, that as long as this and this condition prevails or if he does such and such, the obligation is waived, effective retroactively to the time of the agreement, but that if this condition does not prevail or if he does not do such and such, he will sue him for the payment of the money for which he obligated himself.
This is the procedure that is followed in all stipulations that are made between a man and his wife with regard to engagements and other similar matters.
יח
כשהיו חכמי ספרד רוצים להקנות באסמכתא כך היו עושין קונין מזה שהוא חייב לחבירו מאה דינרין ואחר שחייב עצמו קונין מבעל חובו שכל זמן שיהיה כך או שיעשה כך הרי החוב זה מחול לו מעכשיו ואם לא יהיה או לא יעשה הריני תובעו בממון שחייב עצמו בו ועל דרך זו היינו עושין בכל התנאין שבין אדם לאשתו בשדוכין ובכל הדברים הדומין להם:
Mechirah - Chapter Twelve
1
It is forbidden for a seller or a purchaser to take unfair advantage of a colleague, as Leviticus 25:14 states: "When you sell an entity to your colleague or purchase an entity from a colleague, one man should not take unfair advantage of his brother."
Even though such a person transgresses a negative commandment, he is not punished by lashes, because the funds can be returned. Whether the person intentionally deceived his colleague or did not know that this transaction involved taking unfair advantage, he is obligated to pay the unwarranted gain.
א
אסור למוכר או לקונה להונות את חבירו שנאמר וכי תמכרו ממכר לעמיתך או קנה מיד עמיתך אל תונו ואף על פי שהוא עובר בלא תעשה אינו לוקה מפני שניתן להשבון ובין שהונה במזיד בין שלא ידע שיש במכר זה הונייה חייב לשלם:
2
How much unfair gain must there be in a transaction for the one who profits to be required to return it? An even sixth.
What is implied? If a person sold an article worth six zuz for five, or for seven, or one worth five zuz for six, or one worth seven zuz for six, it is considered to be unfair gain. The transaction is completed, and the person who profited is required to return the entire amount of unfair gain to the one who suffered the loss.
ב
וכמה תהא הונייה ויהיה חייב להשיב שתות בשוה כיצד הרי שמכר שוה שש בחמש או שוה שבע בשש או שוה חמש בשש או שוה שש בשבע הרי זה הונייה ונקנה המקח וחייב המאנה לשלם את ההונייה ולהחזירה כולה למתאנה:
3
If the unfair gain was even the slightest amount less than that - e.g., the person sold an article worth sixty dinarim for fiftydinarim and a p'rutah, he is not required to return anything. For it is common for people to waive any loss less than one sixth of the article's value.
ג
היתה ההונייה פחות מזה בכל שהוא כגון שמכר שוה ששים דינר בחמשים ופרוטה אינו חייב להחזיר כלום שכל פחות משתות דרך הכל למחול בו:
4
If the unfair gain was even the slightest amount more than one sixth - e.g., one sold an object worth 60 dinarim for 50 minus ap'rutah, the transaction is nullified. The purchaser may return the object without the transaction being completed at all.
The person who took the unfair gain, however, is not entitled to retract if the purchaser desires and seeks to maintain possession of the article, even though the transaction is nullified. The person who received the unfair gain is not obligated to return it unless the unfair gain exceeds a p'rutah. If the unfair gain was exactly ap'rutah], he is not obligated to return it, because the laws of ona'ahdo not apply with regard to a p'rutah.
ד
היתה ההונייה יתירה על השתות בכל שהוא כגון שמכר שוה ששים בחמשים פחות פרוטה בטל מקח והמתאנה יכול להחזיר החפץ ולא יקנה כלל אבל המאנה אותו אינו יכול לחזור אם רצה זה וקבל ואע"פ שבטל המקח אין המאנה חייב להחזיר עד שתהיה ההונייה יתר על פרוטה היתה פרוטה בשוה אינו מחזיר שאין הונייה לפרוטות:
5
Until when does the purchaser have the right to demand the return of the unfair gain or the nullification of the transaction? Until he has time to show the article to a merchant or to a relative. If he waits longer, even if he purchased an article worth 100 zuz for 200, he may not nullify the transaction.
ה
עד מתי יהיה לו לחזור ולתבוע ההונייה או לבטל המקח עד כדי שיראה לתגר או לקרובו ואם שהה יותר מזה אפילו לקח שוה מאה במאתים אינו חוזר:
6
With regard to whom does the above apply? To a purchaser. For the article he purchased is in his possession, and it is common for him to show it to others.
The seller, by contrast, always has the opportunity to demand the return of the unfair gain. Needless to say, this applies with regard to the nullification of the sale. For he does not know the correct price of the article he sold until he sees a comparable article being sold. Accordingly, if the merchandise was a standard article that does not vary -e.g., peppers, or the like - he is given merely the time it takes to check the current market price.
ו
במה דברים אמורים בלוקח שהרי המקח בידו ומראהו אבל המוכר חוזר בהונייה לעולם ואין צריך לומר בבטול מקח שאינו יודע דמי זה שמכר עד שיראה כמותו שנמכר בשוק לפיכך אם היה המקח דבר שאין במינו שנוי והוא כולו שוה כגון פלפלין וכיוצא בהן הרי זה אינו חוזר אלא עד כדי שישאל על שער שבשוק בלבד:
7
Similarly, if it is known that an article comparable to the one he sold came into the seller's possession, he realized that he had erred regarding the initial sale, but he did not protest, he can no longer protest, for he has already waived his claim.
ז
וכן אם נודע שבא לידו כממכרו וידע שטעה ולא תבע אינו יוכל לחזור ולתבוע שהרי מחל:
8
Just as the laws of ona'ah apply with regard to an ordinary person, so too, they apply with regard to a merchant, although he is knowledgeable concerning prices.
Just as the laws of ona'ah apply with regard to produce and animals, so too, they apply with regard to coins.
ח
כשם שהונייה להדיוט כך הונייה לתגר אף על פי שהוא בקי וכשם שהונייה בפירות ובבהמה כך יש דין הונייה במטבעות:
9
What is implied? If a golden dinar was valued at 24 silverdinarim, and it was exchanged for 20 dinarim or 28 dinarim,the unfair gain must be returned. If the unfair gain was more than that, the exchange is nullified. If it is less than that, it is considered as if the other party waived his right to that money.
ט
כיצד הרי שהיה דינר של זהב בעשרים וארבעה דינר של כסף וצרפה בעשרים דינר או בעשרים ושמונה הרי זה מחזיר את ההונייה היה יתר על זה בטל הצירוף פחות מכאן מחילה:
10
Similarly, if a sela was lacking a sixth of its weight, andsela'im were being exchanged by number, rather than by weight, the unfair gain should be returned.
י
וכן אם היה הסלע חסרה שתות והיו מוציאין הסלעים במניין ולא במשקל מחזיר ההונייה:
11
Until when is the recipient obligated to return a dinar or asela'im large cities, the amount of time necessary to show the coin to a money-changer. In villages, where a money-changer is not frequently found, until the end of the week. The rationale is that only a money-changer recognizes sela'im, whether they are lacking, and their worth.
Similar concepts apply with regard to sellers of books, and sellers of gems and pearls. The purchaser has the right to retract if the seller took unfair advantage of him until he has time to show the article he purchased to a merchant who is expert in such matters, wherever such an expert may be found. For not everyone is expert in the appraisal of such matters.
Therefore, if there was no expert available in that country, and after a considerable amount of time the purchaser took the object to another place, or an expert came and stated that the price was in error, the purchaser may retract.
יא
עד מתי חייב להחזיר הדינר או הסלע בכרכים עד כדי שיראה לשולחני בכפרים שאין השולחני מצוי שם יש לו להחזיר עד ערבי שבתות שאין מכיר הסלע וחסרונה ודמיה אלא השולחני והוא הדין למוכר ספרים אבנים טובות ומרגליות שיש ללוקח לחזור עד שיראה אותם לתגרים הבריאים בהן בכ"מ שהן שאין הכל בקיאים בדברים אלו לפיכך אם לא היה מכיר באותה מדינה והוליך המקח למקום אחר או שבא הבקי לאחר זמן מרובה והודיעו שטעה הרי זה חוזר:
12
The following rules apply when a person gives a sela that is lacking in weight to a colleague. Should he be able to identify it, even after twelve months, the recipient may return it. If it will be accepted as currency, albeit with difficulty, the recipient may not return it after a lengthy time has passed, unless the giver accepts it as an expression of commitment beyond the measure of the law.
יב
הנותן סלע חסרה לחבירו אם היה מכירה אפילו לאחר שנים עשר חדש הרי זה מחזירה ואם היה אפשר להוציאה על ידי הדחק אינו יכול להחזירה לאחר זמן אלא אם כן קבלה ממנו במדת חסידות:
13
The following rules apply in a situation where a person sold a colleague an article worth four zuz for five. As mentioned above, ordinarily, the transaction would be nullified. In this instance, however, before the purchaser had the opportunity to show the article to a merchant or to a relative, its price rose to seven zuz.The purchaser has the right to retract, and not the seller. For the purchaser will tell the seller: "If you had not taken unfair advantage of me, you would not have the right to retract. Now, because you have taken unfair advantage, do you think you should have the right to retract? Should a sinner receive reward?"
יג
המוכר לחבירו שוה ארבע בחמש שהרי המקח בטל כמו שביארנו ולא הספיק להראות לתגר או לקרובו עד שהוקר ועמד בשבע לוקח יכול לחזור בו ולא המוכר שהרי הלוקח אומר למוכר אילו הוניתני לא היית יכול לחזור ועתה שהוניתני תחזור היאך יהיה החוטא נשכר:
14
Similarly, if one sold an object worth five zuz for four, and then its value decreased to three, the seller has the right to retract and not the purchaser. For the seller will tell the purchaser: "By deceiving me, you did not gain the right to retract."
יד
וכן מוכר שמכר שוה חמש בארבע וזל ועמד בשלש מוכר יכול לחזור בו ולא לוקח שהרי אומר לו המוכר ללוקח לא מפני שהוניתני תחזור בך:
15
If a person sold an article worth five zuz for six, and before the purchaser had the opportunity to show the article to a merchant, its value increased to eight, the seller is obligated to return the zuz of unfair gain. For the transaction is completed and the seller is obligated to reimburse the purchaser for the unfair gain. When the article increased in value afterwards, it increased in value while in the possession of the purchaser.
Similarly, if a person sold an article worth six zuz for five and its value decreased to three, the purchaser is obligated to return thezuz of unfair gain. For the transaction is completed, and the article decreased in value while in the possession of the purchaser.
טו
המוכר שוה חמש בשש ולא הספיק להראותו עד שהוקר ועמד בשמונה הרי המוכר חייב להחזיר האחת של הונייה שהרי נקנה המקח וחייב להחזיר וכשהוקיר ברשות לוקח הוקיר וכן אם מכר שוה שש בחמש והוזלו ועמדו על שלש הרי הלוקח חייב להחזיר סלע אחת של הונייה שהרי נקנה המקח וברשות הלוקח הוזל:
Hayom Yom: Today's Hayom Yom
• Wednesday, 6 AV , 5776 · 10 August 2016
• "Today's Day"
• Shabbat, Menachem Av 6, 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: Devarim, Shevi'i with Rashi.
Tehillim: 35-38.
Tanya: Ch. 12. The reason for (p. 385) ...will discover good. (p. 387).
The Alter Rebbe on his return from (his arrest in) Petersburg said a maamar for the Mitteler Rebbe, consisting in all of but a few lines:
Raise your hands in holiness and bless Havayeh1 (G-d). G-d bless you from Zion, Maker of heaven and earth.2
"Raise your hands in holiness" - refers to the elevation of the emotive traits to the intellect, and the illumination of the emotive traits by the intellect*...
..."And bless3 Havayeh" - thereby eliciting the Supernal Name Havayeh,4 the effect being...
"G-d bless you from Zion" - the Name Havayeh will be drawn forth from the essence of the soul,
"Maker of heaven and earth" - and this maintains the existence of the worlds.*
FOOTNOTES
1.The Tetragrammaton (four-letter ineffable name of G-d) is referred to in Chassidus as Havayeh, roughly, "the Name of Being."
2.Tehillim 134:2,3.
*.See Supplementary Footnotes, p. 128.
3.The Hebrew word of blessing, b'racha, frequently connotes drawing forth or eliciting supernal response.
4.Sheim Havayeh di'L'eila.
• Daily Thought:
She Made Him Good
All that G‑d created, He said was good. Except for one: “It is not good that Man is alone.” (Genesis 2:18)
And so He made Woman, and everything was very good. (Ibid. 1:31)
If so, how is it possible that a man could despise the woman who took him from not good to very good?
-------
Torah lessons: Chumash: Devarim, Shevi'i with Rashi.
Tehillim: 35-38.
Tanya: Ch. 12. The reason for (p. 385) ...will discover good. (p. 387).
The Alter Rebbe on his return from (his arrest in) Petersburg said a maamar for the Mitteler Rebbe, consisting in all of but a few lines:
Raise your hands in holiness and bless Havayeh1 (G-d). G-d bless you from Zion, Maker of heaven and earth.2
"Raise your hands in holiness" - refers to the elevation of the emotive traits to the intellect, and the illumination of the emotive traits by the intellect*...
..."And bless3 Havayeh" - thereby eliciting the Supernal Name Havayeh,4 the effect being...
"G-d bless you from Zion" - the Name Havayeh will be drawn forth from the essence of the soul,
"Maker of heaven and earth" - and this maintains the existence of the worlds.*
FOOTNOTES
1.The Tetragrammaton (four-letter ineffable name of G-d) is referred to in Chassidus as Havayeh, roughly, "the Name of Being."
2.Tehillim 134:2,3.
*.See Supplementary Footnotes, p. 128.
3.The Hebrew word of blessing, b'racha, frequently connotes drawing forth or eliciting supernal response.
4.Sheim Havayeh di'L'eila.
• Daily Thought:
She Made Him Good
All that G‑d created, He said was good. Except for one: “It is not good that Man is alone.” (Genesis 2:18)
And so He made Woman, and everything was very good. (Ibid. 1:31)
If so, how is it possible that a man could despise the woman who took him from not good to very good?
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