Torah Reading
Ki Tavo: Deuteronomy 26:1 “When you have come to the land Adonai your God is giving you as your inheritance, taken possession of it and settled there; 2 you are to take the firstfruits of all the crops the ground yields, which you will harvest from your land that Adonai your God is giving you, put them in a basket and go to the place where Adonai your God will choose to have his name live. 3 You will approach the cohen holding office at the time and say to him, ‘Today I declare to Adonai your God that I have come to the land Adonai swore to our ancestors that he would give us.’ 4 The cohen will take the basket from your hand and put it down in front of the altar of Adonai your God.
5 “Then, in the presence of Adonai your God, you are to say, ‘My ancestor was a nomad from Aram. He went down into Egypt few in number and stayed. There he became a great, strong, populous nation. 6 But the Egyptians treated us badly; they oppressed us and imposed harsh slavery on us. 7 So we cried out to Adonai, the God of our ancestors. Adonai heard us and saw our misery, toil and oppression; 8 and Adonai brought us out of Egypt with a strong hand and a stretched-out arm, with great terror, and with signs and wonders. 9 Now he has brought us to this place and given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. 10 Therefore, as you see, I have now brought the firstfruits of the land which you, Adonai, have given me.’ You are then to put the basket down before Adonai your God, prostrate yourself before Adonai your God, 11 and take joy in all the good that Adonai your God has given you, your household, the Levi and the foreigner living with you.
(ii) 12 “After you have separated a tenth of the crops yielded in the third year, the year of separating a tenth, and have given it to the Levi, the foreigner, the orphan and the widow, so that they can have enough food to satisfy them while staying with you; 13 you are to say, in the presence of Adonai your God, ‘I have rid my house of the things set aside for God and given them to the Levi, the foreigner, the orphan and the widow, in keeping with every one of the mitzvot you gave me. I haven’t disobeyed any of your mitzvot or forgotten them. 14 I haven’t eaten any of this food when mourning, I haven’t put any of it aside when unclean, nor have I given any of it for the dead. I have listened to what Adonai my God has said, and I have done everything you ordered me to do. 15 Look out from your holy dwelling-place, from heaven; and bless your people Isra’el and the land you gave us, as you swore to our ancestors, a land flowing with milk and honey.’
Today's Laws & Customs:
Elul Observances
As the last month of the Jewish year, Elul is traditionaly a time of introspection and stocktaking -- a time to review one's deeds and spiritual progress over the past year and prepare for the upcoming "Days of Awe" of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur.
As the month of Divine Mercy and Forgiveness (see "Today in Jewish History" forElul 1) it is a most opportune time for teshuvah ("return" to G-d), prayer, charity, and increased Ahavat Yisrael (love for a fellow Jew) in the quest for self-improvement and coming closer to G-d. Chassidic master Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi likens the month of Elul to a time when "the king is in the field" and, in contrast to when he is in the royal palace, "everyone who so desires is permitted to meet him, and he receives them all with a cheerful countenance and shows a smiling face to them all."
Specific Elul customs include the daily sounding of the shofar (ram's horn) as a call to repentance. The Baal Shem Tov instituted the custom of reciting three additional chapters of Psalms each day, from the 1st of Elul until Yom Kippur (on Yom Kippur the remaining 36 chapters are recited, thereby completing the entire book of Psalms). Click below to view today's Psalms.
Chapter 46 Chapter 47 Chapter 48
Psalms 46:1 (0) For the leader. By the descendants of Korach. On ‘alamot [high-pitched musical instruments?]. A song:
2 (1) God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
3 (2) Therefore we are unafraid,
even if the earth gives way,
even if the mountains tumble
into the depths of the sea,
4 (3) even if its waters rage and foam,
and mountains shake at its turbulence. (Selah)
5 (4) There is a river whose streams
gladden the city of God,
the holy habitation of ‘Elyon —
6 (5) God is in the city.
It will not be moved —
when daybreak comes, God will help it.
7 (6) Nations were in turmoil,
kingdoms were moved;
his voice thundered forth,
and the earth melted away.
8 (7) Adonai-Tzva’ot is with us,
our fortress, the God of Ya‘akov. (Selah)
9 (8) Come and see the works of Adonai,
the astounding deeds he has done on the earth.
10 (9) To the ends of the earth he makes wars cease —
he breaks the bow, snaps the spear,
burns the shields in the fire.
11 (10) “Desist, and learn that I am God,
supreme over the nations,
supreme over the earth.”
12 (11) Adonai-Tzva’ot is with us,
our fortress, the God of Ya‘akov. (Selah)
47:1 (0) For the leader. A psalm of the descendants of Korach:
2 (1) Clap your hands, all you peoples!
Shout to God with cries of joy!
3 (2) For Adonai ‘Elyon is awesome,
a great king over all the earth.
4 (3) He makes peoples subject to us,
puts nations under our feet.
5 (4) He chooses our heritage for us,
the pride of Ya‘akov, whom he loves. (Selah)
6 (5) God goes up to shouts of acclaim,
Adonai to a blast on the shofar.
7 (6) Sing praises to God, sing praises!
Sing praises to our king, sing praises!
8 (7) For God is king of all the earth;
sing praises in a maskil.
9 (8) God rules the nations;
God sits on his holy throne.
10 (9) The leaders of the people gather together,
the people of the God of Avraham;
for the rulers of the earth belong to God,
who is exalted on high.
48:1 (0) A song. A psalm of the descendants of Korach:
2 (1) Great is Adonai
and greatly to be praised,
in the city of our God,
his holy mountain,
3 (2) beautiful in its elevation,
the joy of all the earth,
Mount Tziyon, in the far north,
the city of the great king.
4 (3) In its citadels God
has been revealed as a strong defense.
5 (4) For the kings met by agreement;
together they advanced.
6 (5) They saw and were filled with consternation;
terrified, they took to flight.
7 (6) Trembling took hold of them,
pains like those of a woman in labor,
8 (7) as when the wind out of the east
wrecks the “Tarshish” ships.
9 (8) We heard it, and now we see for ourselves
in the city of Adonai-Tzva’ot,
in the city of our God.
May God establish it forever. (Selah)
10 (9) God, within your temple
we meditate on your grace.
11 (10) God, your praise, like your name,
extends to the ends of the earth.
Your right hand is filled with righteousness.
12 (11) Let Mount Tziyon rejoice,
let the daughters of Y’hudah be glad,
because of your judgment [on the enemy].
13 (12) Walk through Tziyon, go all around it;
count how many towers it has.
14 (13) Note its ramparts, pass through its citadels,
so that you can tell generations to come
15 (14) that such is God, our God forever;
he will guide us eternally.
Elul is also the time to have one's tefillin and mezuzot checked by an accredited scribe to ensure that they are in good condition and fit for use.
Links: More on Elul
Daily Quote:
"For they are My servants, whom I took out of the land of Egypt; they cannot be sold into slavery" (Leviticus 25:42). At the time of the Exodus, G-d made freedom the inherent and eternal state of the Jew; From that point on, no power or force on earth can subvert our intrinsic freedom...[Maharal (Rabbi Judah Lowe of Prague)]
Daily Study:
"For they are My servants, whom I took out of the land of Egypt; they cannot be sold into slavery" (Leviticus 25:42). At the time of the Exodus, G-d made freedom the inherent and eternal state of the Jew; From that point on, no power or force on earth can subvert our intrinsic freedom...[Maharal (Rabbi Judah Lowe of Prague)]
Daily Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Parshat Ki Tavo, 2nd Portion (Deuteronomy 26:12-26:15) with Rashi
• Deuteronomy Chapter 26
12When you have finished tithing all the tithes of your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give [them] to the Levite, the stranger, the orphan, and the widow, so that they can eat to satiety in your cities. יבכִּ֣י תְכַלֶּ֞ה לַ֠עְשֵׂ֠ר אֶת־כָּל־מַעְשַׂ֧ר תְּבוּאָֽתְךָ֛ בַּשָּׁנָ֥ה הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֖ת שְׁנַ֣ת הַמַּֽעֲשֵׂ֑ר וְנָֽתַתָּ֣ה לַלֵּוִ֗י לַגֵּר֙ לַיָּת֣וֹם וְלָֽאַלְמָנָ֔ה וְאָֽכְל֥וּ בִשְׁעָרֶ֖יךָ וְשָׂבֵֽעוּ:
When you have finished tithing all the tithes of your produce in the third year: When you have finished separating the tithes of the third year [of the seven-year shemittah cycle]. It fixes a time for the removal [of the tithes from the house] and for the [accompanying] confession [regarding their proper disposal] on the Eve of Passover [for the removal, and for the confession, in the afternoon of the last day of Passover] of the fourth year, as it is said,“At the end of (מִקֵּץ) three years, you shall take out [all the tithe of your crop] (Deut. 14:28), and later on, Scripture also uses this expression:”At the end of (מִקֵּץ) seven years“ (Deut. 31: 10), referring to the mitzvah of הַקְהֵל [assembling all the people in the Temple courtyard, to hear the king read the book of Deuteronomy]. Just as there, the mitzvah was to be performed on a Festival, here too [in the case of removing the tithes and reciting the confession, the mitzvah must be performed] on a Festival. But one could suggest that just as there [in the case of הַקְהֵל, the mitzvah was performed] on the Festival of Sukkoth, here too, [the mitzvah must be performed] on the Festival of Sukkoth. Therefore, Scripture states here: ”When have you finished taking all the tithes in the third year"- [this refers to] a festival on which all tithes have been completely taken: this is Passover [not Sukkoth], because many trees have their fruits picked after Sukkoth [but not after Passover]. Consequently, the separating of tithes of the third year’s produce will conclude on Passover of [the following year, namely] the fourth year. And anyone who has delayed [in distributing] his tithes is ordered by Scripture to remove [any remaining tithes] from the house [on Passover of the fourth year of the shemittah cycle]. — [Sifrei 26:12] כי תכלה לעשר את כל מעשר תבואתך בשנה השלישית: כשתגמור להפריש מעשרות של שנה השלישית, קבע זמן הביעור והוידוי בערב הפסח של שנה הרביעית, שנאמר (דברים יד, כח) מקצה שלש שנים תוציא וגו'. נאמר כאן מקץ, ונאמר להלן (שם לא י) מקץ שבע שנים, לענין הקהל מה להלן רגל אף כאן רגל, אי מה להלן חג הסוכות אף כאן חג הסוכות, תלמוד לומר כי תכלה לעשר, מעשרות של שנה השלישית רגל שהמעשרות כלין בו, וזהו פסח, שהרבה אילנות יש שנלקטין אחר הסוכות, נמצאו מעשרות של שלישית כלין בפסח של רביעית, וכל מי ששהה מעשרותיו הצריכו הכתוב לבערו מן הבית:
the year of the tithe: [The third year of each shemittah cycle is called“the year of the tithe” because] it differs from its preceding two years insofar as it is a year in which only one of the tithes separated in the two preceding years is separated. During the first and second years of the shemittah cycle, the tithes separated are: a) מַעֲשֵׂר רִאשׁוֹן, “the first tithe,” as the verse says, “[Speak to the Levites, and say to them,] When you take from the children of Israel the tithe…” (Num. 18:26) [referring to“the first tithe,”] and b) מַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי, “the second tithe,” as the verse says, “And you shall eat before the Lord, your God… the tithes of your grain, of your wine and of your oil…” (Deut. 14:23) [which is a reference to “the second tithe”]. Thus, we have two tithes [being separated during the first two years of the shemittah cycle]. Now Scripture comes and teaches us that in the third year, only one of these two tithes is separated. And which one is that? It is “the first tithe.” [“The second tithe is not separated during the third year.”] Instead of “the second tithe,” one must give “the tithe for the poor,” for it says here in our verse “you shall give [them] to the Levite” what belongs to him, namely “the first tithe” ; [then our verse continues:] “the stranger, the orphan, and the widow”-this is “the tithe for the poor.” - [Sifrei 26:12; R.H. 12b] שנת המעשר: שנה שאין נוהג בה אלא מעשר אחד משני מעשרות שנהגו בשתי שנים שלפניה, ששנה ראשונה של שמיטה נוהג בה מעשר ראשון, כמו שנאמר (במדבר יח כו) כי תקחו מאת בני ישראל את המעשר, ומעשר שני, שנאמר (דברים יד כג) ואכלת לפני ה' אלהיך מעשר דגנך תירושך ויצהרך, הרי שני מעשרות, ובא ולמדך כאן בשנה השלישית שאין נוהג מאותן שני מעשרות אלא האחד ואיזה, זה מעשר ראשון. ותחת מעשר שני תן מעשר עני שנאמר כאן ונתת ללוי. את אשר לו הרי מעשר ראשון. לגר ליתום ולאלמנה זה מעשר עני:
so that they can eat to satiety: Give them enough to satisfy them. Based on this, [our Rabbis] stated: One may not give the poor in the granary less than one-half a kav of wheat [or one kav of barley. [A kav represents the volume of twenty-four eggs]. — [Sifrei 26:12, Pe’ah 8:5] ואכלו בשעריך ושבעו: תן להם כדי שבען מכאן אמרו אין פוחתין לעני בגורן פחות מחצי קב חטים וכו':
13Then you shall say before the Lord, your God, "I have removed the holy [portion] from the house, and I have also given it to the Levite, the stranger, the orphan, and the widow, according to all Your commandment that You commanded me; I have not transgressed Your commandments, nor have I forgotten [them]. יגוְאָֽמַרְתָּ֡ לִפְנֵי֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ בִּעַ֧רְתִּי הַקֹּ֣דֶשׁ מִן־הַבַּ֗יִת וְגַ֨ם נְתַתִּ֤יו לַלֵּוִי֙ וְלַגֵּר֙ לַיָּת֣וֹם וְלָֽאַלְמָנָ֔ה כְּכָל־מִצְוָֽתְךָ֖ אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוִּיתָ֑נִי לֹֽא־עָבַ֥רְתִּי מִמִּצְוֹתֶ֖יךָ וְלֹ֥א שָׁכָֽחְתִּי:
Then you shall say before the Lord, your God: Confess [i.e., declare] that you have given your tithes [as required]. — [Sifrei 26:13] ואמרת לפני ה' אלהיך: התודה שנתת מעשרותיך:
I have removed the holy [portions] from the house: This refers to: a) “the second tithe,” and b) נֶטַע רְבָעִי, the fruit yielded by a tree in its fourth year of growth [both of which are termed קֹדֶשׁ, holy (portions)], they must be brought up to Jerusalem and eaten there in purity. [Accordingly,] the verse here teaches us that if one has delayed bringing these tithes up to Jerusalem for two years, he must take them up now [in the third year]. בערתי הקדש מן הבית: זה מעשר שני ונטע רבעי, ולמדך שאם שהה מעשרותיו של שתי שנים ולא העלם לירושלים, שצריך להעלותם עכשיו:
and I have also given it to the Levite: This refers to “the first tithe.” - [ibid.] [The seemingly superfluous word “also”] comes to include terumah, [the part given to the kohen] and the firstfruits [which are also given to the kohen. Since Kohanim stem from the tribe of Levi, they are referred to here as Levites]. — [Yerushalmi Ma’aser Sheni 5:5] וגם נתתיו ללוי: זה מעשר ראשון. וגם לרבות תרומה ובכורים:
the stranger, the orphan and the widow: This refers to “the tithe for the poor.” - [Sifrei 26:13] ולגר ליתום ולאלמנה: זה מעשר עני:
according to all Your commandment: I have given them [the tithes] in their proper sequence (ibid). I did not give terumah before the firstfruits; I did not give tithes before terumah; I did not give the second tithe before the first tithe. For terumah is termed רֵאשִׁית, “the first one,” because it is the first portion to be separated when the produce has become [matured] “grain,” and it is written [regarding the separation of tithes]: מְלֵאָתְךָ וְדִמְעֲךָ לֹא תְאַחֵר (Exod. 22:28), which means that one must not change the order [set out in Scripture for separating tithes]. - [Mechilta , Exod. 22:28] ככל מצותך: נתתים כסדרן ולא הקדמתי תרומה לבכורים, ולא מעשר לתרומה ולא שני לראשון, שהתרומה קרויה ראשית, שהיא ראשונה משנעשה דגן, וכתיב (שמות כב כח) מלאתך ודמעך לא תאחר, לא תשנה את הסדר:
I have not transgressed Your commandments: I did not separate tithes from one species [of produce to fulfill the obligation of tithe-separation due] from another species [of produce], and I did not separate tithes from the new crop [of the year to fulfill the obligation of tithe-separation due] from the old crop. — [Sifrei, Ma’aser Sheni 5:11] לא עברתי ממצותיך: לא הפרשתי ממין על שאינו מינו ומן החדש על הישן:
nor have I forgotten: to bless You [on the performance of the mitzvah] of separating tithes. — [ibid.] ולא שכחתי: מלברך על הפרשת מעשרות:
14I did not eat any of it [second tithe] while in my mourning, nor did I consume any of it while unclean; neither did I use any of it for the dead. I obeyed the Lord, my God; I did according to all that You commanded me. ידלֹֽא־אָכַ֨לְתִּי בְאֹנִ֜י מִמֶּ֗נּוּ וְלֹֽא־בִעַ֤רְתִּי מִמֶּ֨נּוּ֙ בְּטָמֵ֔א וְלֹֽא־נָתַ֥תִּי מִמֶּ֖נּוּ לְמֵ֑ת שָׁמַ֗עְתִּי בְּקוֹל֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֔י עָשִׂ֕יתִי כְּכֹ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוִּיתָֽנִי:
I did not eat any of it [second tithe] while in my mourning: From here [our Rabbis derive the ruling that the second tithe] is forbidden to [be eaten by] an אוֹנָן [close relative of a deceased on the day of death]. — [Sifrei 26:14] לא אכלתי באני ממנו: מכאן שאסור לאונן:
nor did I consume any of it while unclean: Whether I was unclean and it was clean, or I was clean it was unclean. But where [in the Torah] is one warned against this? [The warning is alluded to in the verse: (Deut. 12:17),]“You shall not eat in your cities [the tithe…].” This refers to eating in a state of uncleanness, as it is said in reference to פְּסוּלֵי הַמֻּקְדָשִׁים, [animals dedicated as sacrifices, which subsequently became blemished and consequently unfit for that purpose (see Deut. 15: 21-22) the Torah says,] “You may eat it within your cities, the unclean and the clean person together…” (Deut. 15:22). This [the second tithe], however, you shall not eat in the manner of “eating in the cities,” mentioned elsewhere. - [Yev. 73b] ולא בערתי ממנו בטמא: בין שאני טמא והוא טהור, בין שאני טהור והוא טמא. והיכן הוזהר על כך (לעיל יב יז) לא תוכל לאכול בשעריך, זו אכילת טומאה, כמו שנאמר בפסולי המקודשים (לעיל טו כב) בשעריך תאכלנו הטמא והטהור וגו', אבל זה לא תוכל לאכול דרך אכילת שעריך האמור במקום אחר:
neither have I used any of it for the dead: [using its value in money] to make for him a coffin or shrouds. — [Sifrei, Ma’aser Sheni 5:12] ולא נתתי ממנו למת: לעשות לו ארון ותכריכין:
I obeyed the Lord, my God: [in that] I have brought [it] to the Temple. - [Sifrei , Ma’aser Sheni 5:12] [In fact, the second tithe was not brought to the Temple, but eaten in Jerusalem. If a person redeemed it, however, he was to bring the redempion money to Jerusalem and purchase food to be eaten in Jerusalem. Although all types of food could be purchased, it was customary to purchase animals and sacrifice them as peace offerings. In this respect, the tithe would be brought into the Temple (Malbim).] שמעתי בקול ה' אלהי: הביאותיו לבית הבחירה:
I have done according to all that You have commanded me: I have myself rejoiced and caused others to rejoice through it. — [Sifrei, Ma’aser Sheni 5:12] עשיתי ככל אשר צויתני: שמחתי ושימחתי בו:
15Look down from Your holy dwelling, from the heavens, and bless Your people Israel, and the ground which You have given to us, as You swore to our forefathers a land flowing with milk and honey. טוהַשְׁקִ֩יפָה֩ מִמְּע֨וֹן קָדְשְׁךָ֜ מִן־הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם וּבָרֵ֤ךְ אֶת־עַמְּךָ֙ אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְאֵת֙ הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָתַ֖תָּה לָ֑נוּ כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֤ר נִשְׁבַּ֨עְתָּ֙ לַֽאֲבֹתֵ֔ינוּ אֶ֛רֶץ זָבַ֥ת חָלָ֖ב וּדְבָֽשׁ:
Look down from Your holy dwelling: We have fulfilled what You have decreed upon us. Now You do what is incumbent upon You to do (Sifrei , Ma’aser Sheni 5:13), for You said, “If you follow My statutes… then I shall give [you] your rains in their [proper] time….” (Lev. 26:3-4). השקיפה ממעון קדשך: עשינו מה שגזרת עלינו, עשה אתה מה שעליך לעשות, שאמרת (ויקרא כו, ג) אם בחקתי תלכו ונתתי גשמיכם בעתם:
which You have given us, as You swore to our forefathers: to give to us, and You have [also] kept [the promise You made to our ancestors who left Egypt, that You would give us] “a land flowing with milk and honey.” אשר נתתה לנו כאשר נשבעת לאבתינו: לתת לנו וקיימת ארץ זבת חלב ודבש:
Daily Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 79-82
• Special Custom for the Month of Elul and High Holidays
The Baal Shem Tov instituted a custom of reciting three additional chapters of Psalms each day, from the 1st of Elul until Yom Kippur (on Yom Kippur the remaining 36 chapters are recited, thereby completing the entire book of Psalms).
See below for today's additional chapters.
Chapter 79
In this psalm, Asaph thanks God for sparing the people and directing His wrath upon the wood and stones (of the Temple). Still he cries bitterly, mourning the immense destruction: The place where the High Priest alone was allowed to enter-and only on Yom Kippur-is now so desolate that foxes stroll through it!
1. A psalm by Asaph. O God, nations have entered Your inheritance, they defiled Your Holy Sanctuary; they turned Jerusalem into heaps of rubble.
2. They have rendered the corpses of Your servants as food for the birds of heaven, the flesh of Your pious ones for the beasts of the earth.
3. They spilled their blood like water around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury [them].
4. We became the object of disgrace to our neighbors, ridicule and scorn to those around us.
5. Until when, O Lord! Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire?
6. Pour Your wrath upon the nations that do not know You, upon the kingdoms that do not call Your Name,
7. for they devoured Jacob and desolated His abode.
8. Do not recall our former sins; let Your mercies come swiftly towards us, for we have fallen very low.
9. Help us, God of our deliverance, for the sake of the glory of Your Name; save us and pardon our sins for the sake of Your Name.
10. Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" Let there be known among the nations, before our eyes, the retribution of the spilled blood of Your servants.
11. Let the groan of the prisoner come before You; liberate those condemned to death, as befits the greatness of Your strength.
12. Repay our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom, for the disgrace with which they reviled You, O Lord.
13. And we, Your people, the flock of Your pasture, will thank You forever; for all generations we will recount Your praise.
Chapter 80
An awe-inspiring prayer imploring God to draw near to us as in days of old.
1. For the Conductor, on the shoshanim, 1 a testimony by Asaph, a psalm.
2. Listen, O Shepherd of Israel, Who leads Joseph like sheep. Appear, You Who is enthroned upon the cherubim.
3. Arouse Your might before Ephraim, Benjamin and Menashe, for it is upon You to save us.
4. Return us, O God; cause Your countenance to shine, that we may be saved.
5. O Lord, God of Hosts, until when will You fume at the prayer of Your people?
6. You fed them bread of tears, and gave them tears to drink in great measure.
7. You have made us an object of strife to our neighbors; our enemies mock to themselves.
8. Return us, O God of Hosts; cause Your countenance to shine, that we may be saved.
9. You brought a vine out of Egypt; You drove out nations and planted it.
10. You cleared space before it; it took root and filled the land.
11. Mountains were covered by its shade, and its branches became mighty cedars.
12. It sent forth its branches till the sea, and its tender shoots to the river.
13. Why did You breach its fences, so that every passerby plucked its fruit?
14. The boars of the forest ravage it, and the creepers of the field feed upon it.
15. O God of Hosts, please return! Look down from heaven and see, and be mindful of this vine,
16. and of the foundation which Your right hand has planted, and the son whom You strengthened for Yourself.
17. It is burned by fire, cut down; they perish at the rebuke of Your Presence.
18. Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand, upon the son of man whom You strengthened for Yourself.
19. Then we will not withdraw from You; revive us, and we will proclaim Your Name.
20. O Lord, God of Hosts, return us; cause Your countenance to shine that we may be saved.
FOOTNOTES
1.A musical instrument shaped like a shoshana, a rose (Metzudot).
Chapter 81
This psalm was chanted in the Holy Temple on Rosh Hashanah, a day on which many miracles were wrought for Israel.
1. For the Conductor, upon the gittit,1 by Asaph.
2. Sing joyously to God, our strength; sound the shofar to the God of Jacob.
3. Raise your voice in song, sound the drum, the pleasant harp, and the lyre.
4. Blow the shofar on the New Month, on the designated day of our Holy Day;
5. for it is a decree for Israel, a ruling of the God of Jacob.
6. He ordained it as a precept for Joseph when he went forth over the land of Egypt; I heard a language which I did not know.
7. I have taken his shoulder from the burden; his hands were removed from the pot.2
8. In distress you called and I delivered you; [you called] in secret, and I answered you with thunderous wonders; I tested you at the waters of Merivah, Selah.
9. Hear, My people, and I will admonish you; Israel, if you would only listen to Me!
10. You shall have no alien god within you, nor shall you bow down to a foreign deity.
11. I am the Lord your God who brought you up from the land of Egypt; open wide your mouth, [state all your desires,] and I shall grant them.
12. But My people did not heed My voice; Israel did not want [to listen to] Me.
13. So I sent them away for the willfulness of their heart, for following their [evil] design.
14. If only My people would listen to Me, if Israel would only walk in My ways,
15. then I would quickly subdue their enemies, and turn My hand against their oppressors.
16. Those who hate the Lord would shrivel before Him, and the time [of their retribution] shall be forever.
17. I would feed him [Israel] with the finest of wheat, and sate you with honey from the rock.
FOOTNOTES
1.A musical instrument crafted in Gath (Metzudot).
2.The cooking vessels used to prepare food for their captors (Rashi)
Chapter 82
This psalm admonishes those judges who feign ignorance of the law, dealing unjustly with the pauper or the orphan, while coddling the rich and pocketing their bribes.
1. A psalm by Asaph. God stands in the council of judges; among the judges He renders judgment:
2. How long will you judge wickedly, ever showing partiality toward the evildoers?
3. Render justice to the needy and the orphan; deal righteously with the poor and the destitute.
4. Rescue the needy and the pauper; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
5. But they do not know, nor do they understand; they go about in darkness, [therefore] all the foundations of the earth tremble.
6. I said that you are angels, supernal beings, all of you;
7. but you will die as mortals, you will fall like any prince.
8. Arise, O God, judge the earth, for You possess all the nations.
Additional Three Chapters
The Baal Shem Tov instituted a custom of reciting three additional chapters of Psalms each day, from the 1st of Elul until Yom Kippur (on Yom Kippur the remaining 36 chapters are recited, thereby completing the entire book of Psalms).
Today's Chapters are 46, 47 and 48.
Chapter 46
This psalm tells of the Gog and Magog era (the Messianic age), when man will cast aside his weapons, and warfare will be no more.
1. For the Conductor, by the sons of Korach, on the alamot,1 a song.
2. God is our refuge and strength, a help in distress, He is most accessible.
3. Therefore, we will not be afraid when the earth is transformed, when mountains collapse in the heart of the seas;
4. when its waters roar and are muddied, and mountains quake before His grandeur, Selah.
5. The river2-its streams will bring joy to the city of God, the sacred dwelling of the Most High.
6. God is in her midst, she will not falter; God will help her at the approach of morning.
7. Nations clamor, kingdoms stumble; He raises His voice and the earth dissolves.
8. The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold forever.
9. Go and see the works of the Lord, Who has wrought devastation in the land.
10. To the end of the earth He causes wars to cease; He breaks the bow, snaps the spear, and burns the wagons in fire.
11. Stop [waging war]! And know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, exalted upon the earth.
12. The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold forever.
Chapter 47
Following the battle of Gog and Magog (in the Messianic era), war will be no more. God will grant us salvation, and we will merit to go up to the Holy Temple for the festivals, Amen.
1. For the Conductor, a psalm by the sons of Korach.
2. All you nations, clap hands; sound [the shofar] to God with a sound of jubilation.
3. For the Lord is most high, awesome; a great King over all the earth.
4. He subdues peoples under us, nations beneath our feet.
5. He chooses our heritage for us, the glory of Jacob whom He loves eternally.
6. God ascends through teruah, the Lord-through the sound of the shofar.
7. Sing, O sing to God; sing, O sing to our King.
8. For God is King over all the earth; sing, O man of understanding.
9. God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne.
10. The most noble of the nations are gathered, the nation of the God of Abraham; for the protectors of the earth belong to God; He is greatly exalted.
Chapter 48
The psalmist prophesies about the Messianic era, singing the praises of a rebuilt Jerusalem and the sacrifices brought there. At that time Israel will say, "As we heard from the mouths of the prophets, so have we merited to see!"
1. A song, a psalm by the sons of Korach.
2. The Lord is great and exceedingly acclaimed in the city of God, His holy mountain.
3. Beautiful in landscape, the joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion, on the northern slopes, the city of the great King.
4. In her citadels, God became known as a tower of strength.
5. For behold, the kings assembled, they advanced in concert [to invade her].
6. They saw [the wonders of the Almighty] and were astounded; they were terror-stricken, they hastened to flee.
7. Trembling seized them there, pangs as of a woman in the throes of labor;
8. [they were crushed as] by an east wind that shatters the ships of Tarshish.
9. As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of the Lord of Hosts, in the city of our God; may God establish it for all eternity.
10. God, we have been hoping for Your kindness [to be revealed] within Your Sanctuary.
11. As Your Name, O God, [is great,] so is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is filled with righteousness.
12. Let Mount Zion rejoice, let the towns of Judah exult, because of Your judgments.
13. Walk around Zion, encircle her, count her towers.
14. Consider well her ramparts, behold her lofty citadels, that you may recount it to a later generation.
15. For this God is our God forever and ever; He will lead us eternally.
Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, middle of Epistle 15
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Monday, 16 Elul, 5776 · 19 September 2016
• Iggeret HaKodesh, middle of Epistle 15
• והנה כללות היו״ד ספירות שבנשמת האדם
Chumash: Parshat Ki Tavo, 2nd Portion (Deuteronomy 26:12-26:15) with Rashi
• Deuteronomy Chapter 26
12When you have finished tithing all the tithes of your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give [them] to the Levite, the stranger, the orphan, and the widow, so that they can eat to satiety in your cities. יבכִּ֣י תְכַלֶּ֞ה לַ֠עְשֵׂ֠ר אֶת־כָּל־מַעְשַׂ֧ר תְּבוּאָֽתְךָ֛ בַּשָּׁנָ֥ה הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֖ת שְׁנַ֣ת הַמַּֽעֲשֵׂ֑ר וְנָֽתַתָּ֣ה לַלֵּוִ֗י לַגֵּר֙ לַיָּת֣וֹם וְלָֽאַלְמָנָ֔ה וְאָֽכְל֥וּ בִשְׁעָרֶ֖יךָ וְשָׂבֵֽעוּ:
When you have finished tithing all the tithes of your produce in the third year: When you have finished separating the tithes of the third year [of the seven-year shemittah cycle]. It fixes a time for the removal [of the tithes from the house] and for the [accompanying] confession [regarding their proper disposal] on the Eve of Passover [for the removal, and for the confession, in the afternoon of the last day of Passover] of the fourth year, as it is said,“At the end of (מִקֵּץ) three years, you shall take out [all the tithe of your crop] (Deut. 14:28), and later on, Scripture also uses this expression:”At the end of (מִקֵּץ) seven years“ (Deut. 31: 10), referring to the mitzvah of הַקְהֵל [assembling all the people in the Temple courtyard, to hear the king read the book of Deuteronomy]. Just as there, the mitzvah was to be performed on a Festival, here too [in the case of removing the tithes and reciting the confession, the mitzvah must be performed] on a Festival. But one could suggest that just as there [in the case of הַקְהֵל, the mitzvah was performed] on the Festival of Sukkoth, here too, [the mitzvah must be performed] on the Festival of Sukkoth. Therefore, Scripture states here: ”When have you finished taking all the tithes in the third year"- [this refers to] a festival on which all tithes have been completely taken: this is Passover [not Sukkoth], because many trees have their fruits picked after Sukkoth [but not after Passover]. Consequently, the separating of tithes of the third year’s produce will conclude on Passover of [the following year, namely] the fourth year. And anyone who has delayed [in distributing] his tithes is ordered by Scripture to remove [any remaining tithes] from the house [on Passover of the fourth year of the shemittah cycle]. — [Sifrei 26:12] כי תכלה לעשר את כל מעשר תבואתך בשנה השלישית: כשתגמור להפריש מעשרות של שנה השלישית, קבע זמן הביעור והוידוי בערב הפסח של שנה הרביעית, שנאמר (דברים יד, כח) מקצה שלש שנים תוציא וגו'. נאמר כאן מקץ, ונאמר להלן (שם לא י) מקץ שבע שנים, לענין הקהל מה להלן רגל אף כאן רגל, אי מה להלן חג הסוכות אף כאן חג הסוכות, תלמוד לומר כי תכלה לעשר, מעשרות של שנה השלישית רגל שהמעשרות כלין בו, וזהו פסח, שהרבה אילנות יש שנלקטין אחר הסוכות, נמצאו מעשרות של שלישית כלין בפסח של רביעית, וכל מי ששהה מעשרותיו הצריכו הכתוב לבערו מן הבית:
the year of the tithe: [The third year of each shemittah cycle is called“the year of the tithe” because] it differs from its preceding two years insofar as it is a year in which only one of the tithes separated in the two preceding years is separated. During the first and second years of the shemittah cycle, the tithes separated are: a) מַעֲשֵׂר רִאשׁוֹן, “the first tithe,” as the verse says, “[Speak to the Levites, and say to them,] When you take from the children of Israel the tithe…” (Num. 18:26) [referring to“the first tithe,”] and b) מַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי, “the second tithe,” as the verse says, “And you shall eat before the Lord, your God… the tithes of your grain, of your wine and of your oil…” (Deut. 14:23) [which is a reference to “the second tithe”]. Thus, we have two tithes [being separated during the first two years of the shemittah cycle]. Now Scripture comes and teaches us that in the third year, only one of these two tithes is separated. And which one is that? It is “the first tithe.” [“The second tithe is not separated during the third year.”] Instead of “the second tithe,” one must give “the tithe for the poor,” for it says here in our verse “you shall give [them] to the Levite” what belongs to him, namely “the first tithe” ; [then our verse continues:] “the stranger, the orphan, and the widow”-this is “the tithe for the poor.” - [Sifrei 26:12; R.H. 12b] שנת המעשר: שנה שאין נוהג בה אלא מעשר אחד משני מעשרות שנהגו בשתי שנים שלפניה, ששנה ראשונה של שמיטה נוהג בה מעשר ראשון, כמו שנאמר (במדבר יח כו) כי תקחו מאת בני ישראל את המעשר, ומעשר שני, שנאמר (דברים יד כג) ואכלת לפני ה' אלהיך מעשר דגנך תירושך ויצהרך, הרי שני מעשרות, ובא ולמדך כאן בשנה השלישית שאין נוהג מאותן שני מעשרות אלא האחד ואיזה, זה מעשר ראשון. ותחת מעשר שני תן מעשר עני שנאמר כאן ונתת ללוי. את אשר לו הרי מעשר ראשון. לגר ליתום ולאלמנה זה מעשר עני:
so that they can eat to satiety: Give them enough to satisfy them. Based on this, [our Rabbis] stated: One may not give the poor in the granary less than one-half a kav of wheat [or one kav of barley. [A kav represents the volume of twenty-four eggs]. — [Sifrei 26:12, Pe’ah 8:5] ואכלו בשעריך ושבעו: תן להם כדי שבען מכאן אמרו אין פוחתין לעני בגורן פחות מחצי קב חטים וכו':
13Then you shall say before the Lord, your God, "I have removed the holy [portion] from the house, and I have also given it to the Levite, the stranger, the orphan, and the widow, according to all Your commandment that You commanded me; I have not transgressed Your commandments, nor have I forgotten [them]. יגוְאָֽמַרְתָּ֡ לִפְנֵי֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ בִּעַ֧רְתִּי הַקֹּ֣דֶשׁ מִן־הַבַּ֗יִת וְגַ֨ם נְתַתִּ֤יו לַלֵּוִי֙ וְלַגֵּר֙ לַיָּת֣וֹם וְלָֽאַלְמָנָ֔ה כְּכָל־מִצְוָֽתְךָ֖ אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוִּיתָ֑נִי לֹֽא־עָבַ֥רְתִּי מִמִּצְוֹתֶ֖יךָ וְלֹ֥א שָׁכָֽחְתִּי:
Then you shall say before the Lord, your God: Confess [i.e., declare] that you have given your tithes [as required]. — [Sifrei 26:13] ואמרת לפני ה' אלהיך: התודה שנתת מעשרותיך:
I have removed the holy [portions] from the house: This refers to: a) “the second tithe,” and b) נֶטַע רְבָעִי, the fruit yielded by a tree in its fourth year of growth [both of which are termed קֹדֶשׁ, holy (portions)], they must be brought up to Jerusalem and eaten there in purity. [Accordingly,] the verse here teaches us that if one has delayed bringing these tithes up to Jerusalem for two years, he must take them up now [in the third year]. בערתי הקדש מן הבית: זה מעשר שני ונטע רבעי, ולמדך שאם שהה מעשרותיו של שתי שנים ולא העלם לירושלים, שצריך להעלותם עכשיו:
and I have also given it to the Levite: This refers to “the first tithe.” - [ibid.] [The seemingly superfluous word “also”] comes to include terumah, [the part given to the kohen] and the firstfruits [which are also given to the kohen. Since Kohanim stem from the tribe of Levi, they are referred to here as Levites]. — [Yerushalmi Ma’aser Sheni 5:5] וגם נתתיו ללוי: זה מעשר ראשון. וגם לרבות תרומה ובכורים:
the stranger, the orphan and the widow: This refers to “the tithe for the poor.” - [Sifrei 26:13] ולגר ליתום ולאלמנה: זה מעשר עני:
according to all Your commandment: I have given them [the tithes] in their proper sequence (ibid). I did not give terumah before the firstfruits; I did not give tithes before terumah; I did not give the second tithe before the first tithe. For terumah is termed רֵאשִׁית, “the first one,” because it is the first portion to be separated when the produce has become [matured] “grain,” and it is written [regarding the separation of tithes]: מְלֵאָתְךָ וְדִמְעֲךָ לֹא תְאַחֵר (Exod. 22:28), which means that one must not change the order [set out in Scripture for separating tithes]. - [Mechilta , Exod. 22:28] ככל מצותך: נתתים כסדרן ולא הקדמתי תרומה לבכורים, ולא מעשר לתרומה ולא שני לראשון, שהתרומה קרויה ראשית, שהיא ראשונה משנעשה דגן, וכתיב (שמות כב כח) מלאתך ודמעך לא תאחר, לא תשנה את הסדר:
I have not transgressed Your commandments: I did not separate tithes from one species [of produce to fulfill the obligation of tithe-separation due] from another species [of produce], and I did not separate tithes from the new crop [of the year to fulfill the obligation of tithe-separation due] from the old crop. — [Sifrei, Ma’aser Sheni 5:11] לא עברתי ממצותיך: לא הפרשתי ממין על שאינו מינו ומן החדש על הישן:
nor have I forgotten: to bless You [on the performance of the mitzvah] of separating tithes. — [ibid.] ולא שכחתי: מלברך על הפרשת מעשרות:
14I did not eat any of it [second tithe] while in my mourning, nor did I consume any of it while unclean; neither did I use any of it for the dead. I obeyed the Lord, my God; I did according to all that You commanded me. ידלֹֽא־אָכַ֨לְתִּי בְאֹנִ֜י מִמֶּ֗נּוּ וְלֹֽא־בִעַ֤רְתִּי מִמֶּ֨נּוּ֙ בְּטָמֵ֔א וְלֹֽא־נָתַ֥תִּי מִמֶּ֖נּוּ לְמֵ֑ת שָׁמַ֗עְתִּי בְּקוֹל֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֔י עָשִׂ֕יתִי כְּכֹ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוִּיתָֽנִי:
I did not eat any of it [second tithe] while in my mourning: From here [our Rabbis derive the ruling that the second tithe] is forbidden to [be eaten by] an אוֹנָן [close relative of a deceased on the day of death]. — [Sifrei 26:14] לא אכלתי באני ממנו: מכאן שאסור לאונן:
nor did I consume any of it while unclean: Whether I was unclean and it was clean, or I was clean it was unclean. But where [in the Torah] is one warned against this? [The warning is alluded to in the verse: (Deut. 12:17),]“You shall not eat in your cities [the tithe…].” This refers to eating in a state of uncleanness, as it is said in reference to פְּסוּלֵי הַמֻּקְדָשִׁים, [animals dedicated as sacrifices, which subsequently became blemished and consequently unfit for that purpose (see Deut. 15: 21-22) the Torah says,] “You may eat it within your cities, the unclean and the clean person together…” (Deut. 15:22). This [the second tithe], however, you shall not eat in the manner of “eating in the cities,” mentioned elsewhere. - [Yev. 73b] ולא בערתי ממנו בטמא: בין שאני טמא והוא טהור, בין שאני טהור והוא טמא. והיכן הוזהר על כך (לעיל יב יז) לא תוכל לאכול בשעריך, זו אכילת טומאה, כמו שנאמר בפסולי המקודשים (לעיל טו כב) בשעריך תאכלנו הטמא והטהור וגו', אבל זה לא תוכל לאכול דרך אכילת שעריך האמור במקום אחר:
neither have I used any of it for the dead: [using its value in money] to make for him a coffin or shrouds. — [Sifrei, Ma’aser Sheni 5:12] ולא נתתי ממנו למת: לעשות לו ארון ותכריכין:
I obeyed the Lord, my God: [in that] I have brought [it] to the Temple. - [Sifrei , Ma’aser Sheni 5:12] [In fact, the second tithe was not brought to the Temple, but eaten in Jerusalem. If a person redeemed it, however, he was to bring the redempion money to Jerusalem and purchase food to be eaten in Jerusalem. Although all types of food could be purchased, it was customary to purchase animals and sacrifice them as peace offerings. In this respect, the tithe would be brought into the Temple (Malbim).] שמעתי בקול ה' אלהי: הביאותיו לבית הבחירה:
I have done according to all that You have commanded me: I have myself rejoiced and caused others to rejoice through it. — [Sifrei, Ma’aser Sheni 5:12] עשיתי ככל אשר צויתני: שמחתי ושימחתי בו:
15Look down from Your holy dwelling, from the heavens, and bless Your people Israel, and the ground which You have given to us, as You swore to our forefathers a land flowing with milk and honey. טוהַשְׁקִ֩יפָה֩ מִמְּע֨וֹן קָדְשְׁךָ֜ מִן־הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם וּבָרֵ֤ךְ אֶת־עַמְּךָ֙ אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְאֵת֙ הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָתַ֖תָּה לָ֑נוּ כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֤ר נִשְׁבַּ֨עְתָּ֙ לַֽאֲבֹתֵ֔ינוּ אֶ֛רֶץ זָבַ֥ת חָלָ֖ב וּדְבָֽשׁ:
Look down from Your holy dwelling: We have fulfilled what You have decreed upon us. Now You do what is incumbent upon You to do (Sifrei , Ma’aser Sheni 5:13), for You said, “If you follow My statutes… then I shall give [you] your rains in their [proper] time….” (Lev. 26:3-4). השקיפה ממעון קדשך: עשינו מה שגזרת עלינו, עשה אתה מה שעליך לעשות, שאמרת (ויקרא כו, ג) אם בחקתי תלכו ונתתי גשמיכם בעתם:
which You have given us, as You swore to our forefathers: to give to us, and You have [also] kept [the promise You made to our ancestors who left Egypt, that You would give us] “a land flowing with milk and honey.” אשר נתתה לנו כאשר נשבעת לאבתינו: לתת לנו וקיימת ארץ זבת חלב ודבש:
Daily Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 79-82
• Special Custom for the Month of Elul and High Holidays
The Baal Shem Tov instituted a custom of reciting three additional chapters of Psalms each day, from the 1st of Elul until Yom Kippur (on Yom Kippur the remaining 36 chapters are recited, thereby completing the entire book of Psalms).
See below for today's additional chapters.
Chapter 79
In this psalm, Asaph thanks God for sparing the people and directing His wrath upon the wood and stones (of the Temple). Still he cries bitterly, mourning the immense destruction: The place where the High Priest alone was allowed to enter-and only on Yom Kippur-is now so desolate that foxes stroll through it!
1. A psalm by Asaph. O God, nations have entered Your inheritance, they defiled Your Holy Sanctuary; they turned Jerusalem into heaps of rubble.
2. They have rendered the corpses of Your servants as food for the birds of heaven, the flesh of Your pious ones for the beasts of the earth.
3. They spilled their blood like water around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury [them].
4. We became the object of disgrace to our neighbors, ridicule and scorn to those around us.
5. Until when, O Lord! Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire?
6. Pour Your wrath upon the nations that do not know You, upon the kingdoms that do not call Your Name,
7. for they devoured Jacob and desolated His abode.
8. Do not recall our former sins; let Your mercies come swiftly towards us, for we have fallen very low.
9. Help us, God of our deliverance, for the sake of the glory of Your Name; save us and pardon our sins for the sake of Your Name.
10. Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" Let there be known among the nations, before our eyes, the retribution of the spilled blood of Your servants.
11. Let the groan of the prisoner come before You; liberate those condemned to death, as befits the greatness of Your strength.
12. Repay our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom, for the disgrace with which they reviled You, O Lord.
13. And we, Your people, the flock of Your pasture, will thank You forever; for all generations we will recount Your praise.
Chapter 80
An awe-inspiring prayer imploring God to draw near to us as in days of old.
1. For the Conductor, on the shoshanim, 1 a testimony by Asaph, a psalm.
2. Listen, O Shepherd of Israel, Who leads Joseph like sheep. Appear, You Who is enthroned upon the cherubim.
3. Arouse Your might before Ephraim, Benjamin and Menashe, for it is upon You to save us.
4. Return us, O God; cause Your countenance to shine, that we may be saved.
5. O Lord, God of Hosts, until when will You fume at the prayer of Your people?
6. You fed them bread of tears, and gave them tears to drink in great measure.
7. You have made us an object of strife to our neighbors; our enemies mock to themselves.
8. Return us, O God of Hosts; cause Your countenance to shine, that we may be saved.
9. You brought a vine out of Egypt; You drove out nations and planted it.
10. You cleared space before it; it took root and filled the land.
11. Mountains were covered by its shade, and its branches became mighty cedars.
12. It sent forth its branches till the sea, and its tender shoots to the river.
13. Why did You breach its fences, so that every passerby plucked its fruit?
14. The boars of the forest ravage it, and the creepers of the field feed upon it.
15. O God of Hosts, please return! Look down from heaven and see, and be mindful of this vine,
16. and of the foundation which Your right hand has planted, and the son whom You strengthened for Yourself.
17. It is burned by fire, cut down; they perish at the rebuke of Your Presence.
18. Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand, upon the son of man whom You strengthened for Yourself.
19. Then we will not withdraw from You; revive us, and we will proclaim Your Name.
20. O Lord, God of Hosts, return us; cause Your countenance to shine that we may be saved.
FOOTNOTES
1.A musical instrument shaped like a shoshana, a rose (Metzudot).
Chapter 81
This psalm was chanted in the Holy Temple on Rosh Hashanah, a day on which many miracles were wrought for Israel.
1. For the Conductor, upon the gittit,1 by Asaph.
2. Sing joyously to God, our strength; sound the shofar to the God of Jacob.
3. Raise your voice in song, sound the drum, the pleasant harp, and the lyre.
4. Blow the shofar on the New Month, on the designated day of our Holy Day;
5. for it is a decree for Israel, a ruling of the God of Jacob.
6. He ordained it as a precept for Joseph when he went forth over the land of Egypt; I heard a language which I did not know.
7. I have taken his shoulder from the burden; his hands were removed from the pot.2
8. In distress you called and I delivered you; [you called] in secret, and I answered you with thunderous wonders; I tested you at the waters of Merivah, Selah.
9. Hear, My people, and I will admonish you; Israel, if you would only listen to Me!
10. You shall have no alien god within you, nor shall you bow down to a foreign deity.
11. I am the Lord your God who brought you up from the land of Egypt; open wide your mouth, [state all your desires,] and I shall grant them.
12. But My people did not heed My voice; Israel did not want [to listen to] Me.
13. So I sent them away for the willfulness of their heart, for following their [evil] design.
14. If only My people would listen to Me, if Israel would only walk in My ways,
15. then I would quickly subdue their enemies, and turn My hand against their oppressors.
16. Those who hate the Lord would shrivel before Him, and the time [of their retribution] shall be forever.
17. I would feed him [Israel] with the finest of wheat, and sate you with honey from the rock.
FOOTNOTES
1.A musical instrument crafted in Gath (Metzudot).
2.The cooking vessels used to prepare food for their captors (Rashi)
Chapter 82
This psalm admonishes those judges who feign ignorance of the law, dealing unjustly with the pauper or the orphan, while coddling the rich and pocketing their bribes.
1. A psalm by Asaph. God stands in the council of judges; among the judges He renders judgment:
2. How long will you judge wickedly, ever showing partiality toward the evildoers?
3. Render justice to the needy and the orphan; deal righteously with the poor and the destitute.
4. Rescue the needy and the pauper; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
5. But they do not know, nor do they understand; they go about in darkness, [therefore] all the foundations of the earth tremble.
6. I said that you are angels, supernal beings, all of you;
7. but you will die as mortals, you will fall like any prince.
8. Arise, O God, judge the earth, for You possess all the nations.
Additional Three Chapters
The Baal Shem Tov instituted a custom of reciting three additional chapters of Psalms each day, from the 1st of Elul until Yom Kippur (on Yom Kippur the remaining 36 chapters are recited, thereby completing the entire book of Psalms).
Today's Chapters are 46, 47 and 48.
Chapter 46
This psalm tells of the Gog and Magog era (the Messianic age), when man will cast aside his weapons, and warfare will be no more.
1. For the Conductor, by the sons of Korach, on the alamot,1 a song.
2. God is our refuge and strength, a help in distress, He is most accessible.
3. Therefore, we will not be afraid when the earth is transformed, when mountains collapse in the heart of the seas;
4. when its waters roar and are muddied, and mountains quake before His grandeur, Selah.
5. The river2-its streams will bring joy to the city of God, the sacred dwelling of the Most High.
6. God is in her midst, she will not falter; God will help her at the approach of morning.
7. Nations clamor, kingdoms stumble; He raises His voice and the earth dissolves.
8. The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold forever.
9. Go and see the works of the Lord, Who has wrought devastation in the land.
10. To the end of the earth He causes wars to cease; He breaks the bow, snaps the spear, and burns the wagons in fire.
11. Stop [waging war]! And know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, exalted upon the earth.
12. The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold forever.
Chapter 47
Following the battle of Gog and Magog (in the Messianic era), war will be no more. God will grant us salvation, and we will merit to go up to the Holy Temple for the festivals, Amen.
1. For the Conductor, a psalm by the sons of Korach.
2. All you nations, clap hands; sound [the shofar] to God with a sound of jubilation.
3. For the Lord is most high, awesome; a great King over all the earth.
4. He subdues peoples under us, nations beneath our feet.
5. He chooses our heritage for us, the glory of Jacob whom He loves eternally.
6. God ascends through teruah, the Lord-through the sound of the shofar.
7. Sing, O sing to God; sing, O sing to our King.
8. For God is King over all the earth; sing, O man of understanding.
9. God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne.
10. The most noble of the nations are gathered, the nation of the God of Abraham; for the protectors of the earth belong to God; He is greatly exalted.
Chapter 48
The psalmist prophesies about the Messianic era, singing the praises of a rebuilt Jerusalem and the sacrifices brought there. At that time Israel will say, "As we heard from the mouths of the prophets, so have we merited to see!"
1. A song, a psalm by the sons of Korach.
2. The Lord is great and exceedingly acclaimed in the city of God, His holy mountain.
3. Beautiful in landscape, the joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion, on the northern slopes, the city of the great King.
4. In her citadels, God became known as a tower of strength.
5. For behold, the kings assembled, they advanced in concert [to invade her].
6. They saw [the wonders of the Almighty] and were astounded; they were terror-stricken, they hastened to flee.
7. Trembling seized them there, pangs as of a woman in the throes of labor;
8. [they were crushed as] by an east wind that shatters the ships of Tarshish.
9. As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of the Lord of Hosts, in the city of our God; may God establish it for all eternity.
10. God, we have been hoping for Your kindness [to be revealed] within Your Sanctuary.
11. As Your Name, O God, [is great,] so is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is filled with righteousness.
12. Let Mount Zion rejoice, let the towns of Judah exult, because of Your judgments.
13. Walk around Zion, encircle her, count her towers.
14. Consider well her ramparts, behold her lofty citadels, that you may recount it to a later generation.
15. For this God is our God forever and ever; He will lead us eternally.
Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, middle of Epistle 15
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Monday, 16 Elul, 5776 · 19 September 2016
• Iggeret HaKodesh, middle of Epistle 15
• והנה כללות היו״ד ספירות שבנשמת האדם
Now, as regards the totality of the Ten Sefirot [as they appear] in the soul of man,
נודע לכל שהמדות נחלקות בדרך כלל לז׳ מדות
וכל פרטי המדות שבאדם באות מאחת מז׳ מדות אלו
and each of the particular attributes in man derives from one of these seven attributes.
שהן שורש כל המדות וכללותן
For they are the root of all the attributes and their generality,
שהן: מדת החסד, להשפיע בלי גבול
namely: the attribute of Chesed (“lovingkindness”), [which is a thrust] to diffuse benevolence [to all] without limit;
ומדת הגבורה, לצמצם מלהשפיע כל כך, או שלא להשפיע כלל
the attribute of Gevurah (“stern limitation and contraction”), [which seeks] to restrain such a degree of diffusion, or to withhold diffusion altogether3 [from certain individuals];
ומדת הרחמים, לרחם על מי ששייך לשון רחמנות עליו
and the attribute of Rachamim (“compassion”), [which seeks] to pity a person to whom compassion is appropriate4 and to extend benevolence to him as well, although he may be unworthy of it.
והיא מדה ממוצעת בין גבורה לחסד
[Rachamim] is the mediating attribute between Gevurah and Chesed,
שהיא להשפיע לכל, גם למי שלא שייך לשון רחמנות עליו כלל
the latter of which would diffuse benevolence to all, even to a person to whom compassion is not at all appropriate,5
מפני שאינו חסר כלום, ואינו שרוי בצער כלל
inasmuch as he lacks nothing and is in no state of trouble whatever.6
Because the attribute of Chesed is unlimited it desires to benefit even someone who lacks nothing. The attribute of Rachamim, by contrast, being also compounded ofGevurah, will not seek to diffuse indiscriminately. At the same time, Rachamim pleads the cause of any individual who is in a pitiable state, however unworthy he may be.
ולפי שהיא מדה ממוצעת, נקראת תפארת
Because [the attribute of Rachamim] is the mediating attribute, it is called Tiferet (“beauty”),
כמו בגדי תפארת, על דרך משל
by analogy with beautiful garments
שהוא בגד צבוע בגוונים הרבה, מעורבים בדרך שהיא תפארת ונוי
מה שאין כן בגד הצבוע בגוון אחד, לא שייך בו לשון תפארת
To a garment dyed in one color, however, one cannot apply the termTiferet, which implies the beauty of harmony. And since the attribute ofRachamim is compounded of Chesed and Gevurah, the term Tiferet is appropriate.
ואחר כך, בבוא ההשפעה לידי מעשה
Afterwards, once the attribute of either Chesed, Gevurah or Tiferet is aroused to dispense benevolence, as the diffusion is realized,
דהיינו, בשעת ההשפעה ממש
that is, at the time of the actual diffusion,
צריך להתיעץ איך להשפיע בדרך שיוכל המקבל לקבל ההשפעה
it is necessary to deliberate how to diffuse in such a way that the recipient will be able to absorb the effusion.9
כגון שרוצה להשפיע דבר חכמה ללמדה לבנו
For example, when one wishes — and this is a powerful desire — to convey and teach an intellectual subject to his son:
אם יאמרנה לו כולה, כמו שהיא בשכלו, לא יוכל הבן להבין ולקבל
If he will tell it to him in its totality, just as it appears in his own mind, the son will be unable to understand and to absorb it.
This could happen either (a) because the concept as understood by the father is too abstract and subtle for the son, and needs to be lent a more tangible garb, such as a parable; or (b) because the concept is too comprehensive and too diverse, and needs to be broken down into digestible segments, only some of which will be presented to the son.
רק שצריך לסדר לו בסדר וענין אחר
Rather, one needs to arrange [it] for him in a different order and context,such as by providing an example from an alternative context,
דבר דבור על אופניו
“every word fitly spoken,”10 presenting first one side of the issue at hand and then the other,
מעט מעט
little by little, a little of the concept at a time.
The concept thus needs to be contracted with regard to its “length”, by lowering its stature until it is within the grasp of the recipient, and with regard to its “breadth”, by reducing its manifold details to match the capacity of the son or student.
ובחינת עצה זו נקראת נצח והוד
This deliberation, regarding how best to present the concept, is referred to [by the terms] Netzach and Hod.
שהן כליות יועצות
These [attributes] are11 “the kidneys that advise,” in a manner similar to their physical counterpart,
וגם תרין ביעין המבשלים הזרע
and they are also (in spiritual terms) the two testicles that prepare the spermatozoa,12
Like their physical counterpart, the attributes of Netzach and Hod adapt the effusion of the concept.
שהיא הטפה הנמשכת מהמוח
i.e., the drop that issues from the brain.13
דהיינו, דבר חכמה ושכל הנמשך משכל האב, שלא יומשך כמו שהוא, שכל דק מאד במוחו ושכלו
That is, [they adapt] an intellectual subject deriving from the father’s mind in such a way that it will not issue unmodified, i.e., as a very subtle concept in his brain and intellect,
רק ישתנה קצת מדקות שכלו, ויתהווה שכל שאינו דק כל כך
but that it change somewhat from the subtlety of his intelligence and become a somewhat less subtle concept,
כדי שיוכל הבן לקבל במוחו והבנתו
so that the son will be able to absorb [it] in his mind and understanding.
והוא ממש על דרך משל כטפה היורדת מהמוח
This is truly analogous to the seminal drop which descends from the brain;
שהיא דקה מאד, ונעשית גסה וחומרית ממש בכליות ותרין ביעין
it is extremely tenuous, and, through the kidneys and the two testicles, it becomes truly concrete and corporeal.
This process parallels the progressive concretization of a concept, as it descends to match the capacity of the recipient.
The Alter Rebbe now speaks of yet another function of the attributes of Netzach andHod — separating a concept into its various components.
וגם נצח והוד נקראים שחקים ורחיים, ששוחקים מן לצדיקים
Netzach and Hod are also referred to as “grinders” and “millstones”, because they “grind the mannah for the righteous,”14 like the heaven which is named Shechakim (שחקים) for it “grinds (שוחקים) the mannah for the righteous.”
כמו הטוחן חטים ברחיים, על דרך משל, שמפרר החטים לחלקים דקים מאד
Just as, by way of example, a person who grinds [wheat]15 with millstones crumbles it into very fine parts,
כך צריך האב להקטין השכל ודבר חכמה שרוצה להשפיע לבנו
so too does the father need to taper the insight or the intellectual subject he wishes to convey to his son,
ולחלקם לחלקים רבים, ולומר לו מעט מעט במועצות ודעת
and to divide them into many parts, relating [them] to him gradually, with devices and discernment.
Dividing a concept in this way so as to be able to determine what should be presented and what should be withheld is a contraction of the concept’s depth. Thus, Netzach andHod serve to contract its length, breadth and depth — the concept in all its dimensions.
וגם בכלל בחינת נצח הוא לנצח ולעמוד נגד כל מונע ההשפעה והלימוד מבנו, מבית ומבחוץ
The category of Netzach also comprises prevailing16 and standing up against anything, from within or from without, that withholds from his son the transmission of beneficial influence or learning.
מבית, היינו: להתחזק נגד מדת הגבורה והצמצום שבאב עצמו
“From within” means firmly resisting the attribute of Gevurah andtzimtzum within the father himself,
שהיא מעוררת דינים ברצונו על בנו
for it arouses (within his will) contentions against his son,
לומר שאינו ראוי לכך עדיין
arguing that he is not yet fit for this [profound knowledge].
There now follows a parenthetical note in the text which states:
(בכתבי יד נרשם: חסר)
(A note in the manuscripts: Omission.)
I.e., according to some of the manuscripts which were compared to the previous printed editions of Iggeret HaKodesh when the current edition was being prepared for publication,17 there is an omission here in the text.
The Rebbe notes that prevailing over influences “from without” is even more important to explain than prevailing over influences “from within.” The fact that this explanation is lacking points to an omission in the text.
In addition: According to the translation offered above that “The category of Netzachalso comprises...,” there is nothing amiss in the Alter Rebbe’s failure to explain a corresponding aspect within Hod, for Hod comprises no such corresponding aspect. However, the translation may also be rendered: “In general, the category of Netzach also entails....” If this is indeed the proper rendition, then the question arises, why was there no corresponding statement as to the general function of Hod? Its absence likewise demonstrates that there is an omission in the text.
The Alter Rebbe now goes on to explain the attribute of Yesod.
ובחינת יסוד היא על דרך משל ההתקשרות, שמקשר האב שכלו בשכל בנו
The category of Yesod is, by way of example, the bond by which the father binds his intellect to the intellect of his son
בשעת למודו עמו באהבה ורצון, שרוצה שיבין בנו
while teaching him with love and willingness, for he wishes his son to understand.
ובלעדי זה, גם אם היה הבן שומע דבורים אלו עצמם מפי אביו שמדבר בעדו ולומד לעצמו
Without this [bond], even if the son would hear the very same words from the mouth of his father [18as he speaks and studies to himself],
לא היה מבין כל כך כמו עכשיו
he would not understand [them] as well as now,
שאביו מקשר שכלו אליו, ומדבר עמו פנים אל פנים באהבה וחשק, שחושק מאד שיבין בנו
when his father binds his intellect to him and speaks with him face to face19 with love and desire, because he desires very much that his son understand.
The father does not merely want to enlighten his son; his desire stemming from Yesodis powerful because it is driven by pleasure.
(בכתב יד קודש אדמו״ר בעל הצמח צדק, נשמתו עדן, בדרוש: כי ידעתיו, סעיף י״ג, שהועתק שם לשון זה ליתא תיבות אלו)
[20In the holy handwriting of the Tzemach Tzedek, of blessed memory, (in the discourse entitled Ki Yedaativ, sec. 13,21 where this passage is quoted,) the above words (“as he speaks and studies to himself”) are not to be found.]
The reason for this omission: Not only is there a difference between (a) what the son passively absorbs when he hears his father studying independently, and (b) what he absorbs when his father actively teaches him; but even when the father is actually teaching, the presence or absence of the quality of Yesod will determine whether or not his son’s mind will be ignited by the fire of his own desire to communicate.
וכל מה שהחשק והתענוג גדול, כך ההשפעה והלימוד גדול
And the greater the desire and delight of the father, the greater is the influence and the learning,22
שהבן יוכל לקבל יותר, והאב משפיע יותר
because then the son is able to absorb more and the father communicates more, proportionally.
כי על ידי החשק והתענוג, מתרבה ומתגדל שכלו בהרחבת הדעת, להשפיע וללמד לבנו
For through the desire and delight, and with a contented disposition, his own insight is heightened and amplified, so that he can bestow enlightenment upon his son and teach him.
וכמו, על דרך משל, בגשמיות ממש, רבוי הזרע הוא מרוב החשק והתענוג
(23This parallels, to draw a metaphor from [the attribute of Yesod in] the sphere of the truly physical, the profusion of spermatozoa that results from heightened desire and delight,
ועל ידי זה ממשיך הרבה מהמוח
through which much is elicited from the brain, which is its source.
ולכן המשילו חכמי האמת לזיווג גשמי, כמו שיתבאר
This is why the Kabbalists, seeking to illustrate the imparting of knowledge out of a sense of pleasure, used the analogy of a physical union, for there are a number of similarities between these two expressions of the attribute ofYesod, as will be explained.)24
FOOTNOTES
1.
An alternative reading, which does not appear in the ms. versions: “It is known, in a general way,...”
2.
The Alter Rebbe first deals with the seven middot, or emotive attributes, and towards the end of this letter proceeds to explain the three intellective attributes which give birth to them. (See the passage below that begins, “Having dealt with the middot....”)
3.
In place of כלל (“altogether”), an alternative reading has כל עיקר, which is a more emphatic phrase.
4.
The word לשון, which appears in the Hebrew text before רחמנות (“compassion”), is left untranslated for, as the Rebbe notes, it is evidently a superfluous interpolation.
5.
The word לשון, which appears in the Hebrew text before רחמנות (“compassion”), is left untranslated for, as the Rebbe notes, it is evidently a superfluous interpolation.
6.
Note of the Rebbe: “This is a departure from the usual explanation — thatChesed extends its benevolence even to an individual whom the attribute of compassion would disqualify (despite his need), or to an individual whom one should not pity.”
7.
The corresponding Hebrew phrase, whose singular form is apparently anomalous, is rendered in the plural in one of the early editions of this letter (Lemberg, 1860).
8.
An alternative reading, which does not appear in the ms. versions, interpolates the word בו after מעורבים; the meaning of the sentence is virtually unaffected.
9.
Note of the Rebbe: “This is [the function of the attributes of] Malchut and Yesod, as will soon be explained.”
10.
Mishlei 25:11.
11.
Berachot 61a.
12.
Zohar III, 296a.
13.
Cf. Tanya, Part I, ch. 2.
14.
Note of the Rebbe: “As above, conclusion of Shaar HaYichud VehaEmunah, quoting Chagigah 12b.”
15.
Brackets are in the original text.
16.
The Hebrew root of Netzach comprises three meanings — to prevail, to be enduring, to be victorious.
17.
Note of the Rebbe: “As noted in the Introduction of R. Avraham Shu”b, the [previously] printed letters of Iggeret HaKodesh were compared to copyists’ manuscripts (and not to the Alter Rebbe’s original letters).”
18.
Brackets are in the original text.
19.
Note of the Rebbe: “Though it is possible to understand the acronym פא״פ as meaning פה אל פה (‘mouth to mouth,’ i.e., without an intermediary; cf. Ibn Ezra on Parshat Behaalotcha 12:8), the phrase פנים אל ”פנים״ (‘face to face’) describes a higher level [of communication, and is therefore the preferred rendition], for here the Alter Rebbe is speaking of the highest qualities of Yesod, to the degree that the father ‘desires greatly.’ Moreover, it is specifically this phrase (‘face to face’) that is the antithesis of the contrasting situation described above, in which the father ‘speaks to himself.’”
20.
Brackets are in the original text.
21.
Printed in Or HaTorah, Vayeira 98b.
22.
Note of the Rebbe: “Perhaps this should read גדל [with a kamatz and tzeirei, so that the sentence would mean, ‘And the more the desire and delight of the father grow, the more do the influence and the learning grow’], instead of גדול [with akamatz and cholam, as translated above].”
23.
Parentheses are in the original text.
24.
In his Hebrew annotations to the original Yiddish text of the present work, the Rebbe explains why the Alter Rebbe does not discuss the attribute ofMalchut. The learned explanation, which hinges on the comparative dynamics of the various Sefirot, is not readily translatable.
• Rambam: Sefer Hamitzvos:
• Monday, 16 Elul, 5776 · 19 September 2016
• Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
The 246th mitzvah is that we are commanded regarding claims and counterclaims [in lawsuits.]
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "In every case of dishonesty... [and the watchman] said that this is it."
In the words of the Mechilta: "The phrase 'that this is it' refers to partial admission to the claim."2
This mitzvah includes anything that can arise from the claims people have against one another involving admission and denial.
The details of this commandment are explained in the 3rd chapter of Bava Kama, the beginning of Bava Metzia, and the 5th, 6th, and 7th chapters of Shavuos. Many questions regarding this subject are spread throughout the Talmud.
Rabbi Berel Bell is a well-known educator, author and lecturer. He and his family reside in Montreal, Canada.
From "Sefer Hamitzvot in English," published by Sichos in English.
FOOTNOTES
1.Ex. 22:8.
2.Since he has made a partial admission, he is required to take an oath regarding the rest of the claim.
• Monday, 16 Elul, 5776 · 19 September 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.
Positive Commandment 246 (Digest)
Laws of Claims
"In every case of trespass...in which one can say: 'This is it'"—Exodus 22:8.
We are commanded to adjudicate monetary cases between litigants [according to the laws outlined in the Torah].
• Laws of ClaimsThe Daily Mitzvah schedule runs parallel to the daily study of 3 chapters of Maimonides' 14-volume code. There are instances when the Mitzvah is repeated a few days consecutively while the exploration of the same Mitzvah continues in the in-depth track.
Positive Commandment 246 (Digest)
Laws of Claims
"In every case of trespass...in which one can say: 'This is it'"—Exodus 22:8.
We are commanded to adjudicate monetary cases between litigants [according to the laws outlined in the Torah].
The 246th mitzvah is that we are commanded regarding claims and counterclaims [in lawsuits.]
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "In every case of dishonesty... [and the watchman] said that this is it."
In the words of the Mechilta: "The phrase 'that this is it' refers to partial admission to the claim."2
This mitzvah includes anything that can arise from the claims people have against one another involving admission and denial.
The details of this commandment are explained in the 3rd chapter of Bava Kama, the beginning of Bava Metzia, and the 5th, 6th, and 7th chapters of Shavuos. Many questions regarding this subject are spread throughout the Talmud.
Rabbi Berel Bell is a well-known educator, author and lecturer. He and his family reside in Montreal, Canada.
From "Sefer Hamitzvot in English," published by Sichos in English.
FOOTNOTES
1.Ex. 22:8.
2.Since he has made a partial admission, he is required to take an oath regarding the rest of the claim.
• Rambam - 1 Chapter a Day Metamme'ey Mishkav uMoshav - Chapter 9
• Metamme'ey Mishkav uMoshav - Chapter 9
• Rambam - 3 Chapters a Day To`en veNit`an - Chapter 7, To`en veNit`an - Chapter 8, To`en veNit`an - Chapter 9
• Metamme'ey Mishkav uMoshav - Chapter 9
1
The following laws apply when a support is firmly joined to the earth or nailed down. If it is sound and strong and a zavbanged upon it and when doing so, a k'li, food, or liquids that were resting on it were moved or caused to fall from the power of his blow, they are pure. If the support was not sound or strong, but shaky and a zav banged upon it and caused keilim, food, or liquids to fall or move from the power of his blow, they are impure. It is as if he moved them, because they fell as a result of his power.
This is the general principle: Whatever falls as a direct result of the power of the zav's movement is impure. Anything that falls due to the trembling of the support is pure.
What is implied? If he knocked on a tree or a booth that were not sturdy, on an Egyptian ladder that was not affixed with nails, on a ramp, a beam, or a door that was not firmly held in place with mortar or he knocked on a door-bolt, a lock, or an oar, and when he knocked upon these entities, he caused food, liquids, or keilimto fall - or even caused them to shake without falling - they are impure. If, however, he knocked on a tree or a booth that was strong, or an Egyptian ladder that was nailed down, or a ramp, a beam, or a door that was held in place with mortar, a central building beam or an oven, and when he knocked on that entity,keilim, foods, and liquids on it were moved - and even if they fell - they remain pure. Similar laws apply in all analogous situations.
א
דבר שהיה מחובר בארץ או מסומר במסמרים אם היה כחו יפה וחזק והקיש עליו הזב ובעת שהקיש הניד כלי או אוכלין ומשקין מכח הכאתו או שהפילן הרי אלו טהורים ואם לא היה כחו יפה וחזק אלא מתנדנד והקיש עליו הזב והפיל או הניד בכח הכאתו כלים או אוכלים ומשקין הרי אלו טמאין וכאילו הסיטן שהרי מכחו נפלו זה הכלל כל שנפל מכח היסטו טמא מכח הרעדה טהור כיצד הקיש על אילן או סוכה שכחן רע או על סולם מצרי שאינו קבוע במסמר או על קורה ודלת וכבש שאינם מחוברים בטיט או שהקיש על הנגר על המנעול והמשוט ובשעה שהקיש הפיל אוכלין ומשקין או כלים אפילו הנידן ולא נפלו הרי אלו טמאים אבל אם הקיש על אילן או על סוכה שכחן יפה או על סולם מסומר או על כבש או על דלת או קורה המחוברין בטיט או על המריש או על התנור ובשעה שהקיש הניד כלים או אוכלין ומשקין אפילו הפילן הרי אלו טהורין וכן כל כיוצא באלו:
2
When there was a loaf of bread attached to the wall of an oven and a zav knocked on the oven and caused the loaf to fall, it is pure, even if the loaf is terumah. If a shard from the oven is clinging to the loaf that fell, it is impure, even if the loaf is ordinary food.
ב
תנור שהיתה הפת דבוקה בו והקיש על התנור ונפל ככר אפילו היה תרומה הרי זה טהור ואם היה חרס מן התנור מדובק בככר שנפל אפילו היה חולין הרי זה טמא:
3
A surface on which one lies or rides that has contractedmidras impurity does not impart impurity to keilim, foods, or liquids, unless it touches them. If, however, the keilim, foods, or liquids were above the impure midras or the impure midras was above them, as long as they do not touch it, even if there is only a paper separating between them, they are pure. Similarly, if an object on which one sits caused keilim, foods, or liquids to move, they are pure.
ג
אין המשכב או המרכב מטמא כלים או אוכלין ומשקין אלא במגע בלבד אבל אם היו כלים או אוכלים ומשקין למעלה מן המדרס או שהיה המדרס למעלה מהן אפילו לא הפסיק ביניהם אלא נייר הואיל ולא נגע בהן הרי אלו טהורין וכן אם הסיט המשכב את הכלים או את האוכלים והמשקין הרי אלו טהורין:
4
When a zav and a pure person were sitting in a small boat that could tip due to the movement of one person, on a dinghy, or riding an animal together, even if their clothes are not touching each other, the clothes of the pure person are considered to have contracted midras impurity. This impurity comes as a result of a doubt; perhaps the zav stepped upon them. Similarly, if a woman in the nidah state sat together with a woman who is pure on a bed, the other woman's clothes are impure because of midras impurity, with the exception of the cap on her head. Similarly, when a zavwas in a small boat, clothes on top of the masthead are pure.
ד
הזב והטהור שישבו בספינה קטנה היכולה להמיט באדם אחד או באסדא או שרכבו ע"ג בהמה אף ע"פ שאין בגדיהן נוגעין זה בזה הרי בגדי הטהור טמאים מדרס וטומאתן בספק שמא דרס הזב עליהן וכן נדה שישבה עם הטהור במטה בגדים טמאין מדרס חוץ מכיפה שבראשה וכן הבגדים שבראש הנס שבספינה טהורין:
5
When one pushes into a mill in which a gentile, a zav, or the like is located, his clothes contract midras impurity.
With regard to which type of mill was this said? One that shakes the ground to the extent that it will raise the person standing there and force him from his place.
It is obvious that this impurity was decreed due to a doubt: perhaps the impure person was displaced and stepped on the clothes of the pure person.
ה
הנדחק בריחיים שהעכו"ם בתוכם או זב וכיוצא בו הרי בגדיו טמאין מדרס באי זה ריחים אמרו ברחים שמנדנדין את הקרקע עד שעוקרין את העומד כאן ודוחפין אותו ממקומו ודבר ברור הוא שטומאה זו בספק שמא נעקר הטמא ודרס על בגדי הטהור:
• To`en veNit`an - Chapter 7
1
When a person admits that he owes a maneh to a colleague in the presence of two witnesses, and makes his statement as an admission and not as a casual matter of conversation, his remarks serve as the basis for testimony. This applies even if he did not charge the witnesses to serve in that capacity, and the plaintiff was not present. If the plaintiff lodged a claim against him and he denied making these statements, his words are not heeded, and he is required to make restitution on the basis of the testimony of the witnesses. If there was only one witness present when he made his statements, he is required to take an oath, for he made his statement as an admission.
If, after the witnesses came and testified, the defendant claimed: "I made the admission in order not to appear wealthy," his word is accepted, but he is required to take a sh'vuat hesset. If the plaintiff was with the witnesses at the time the defendant made the admission, he cannot claim that he made the admission so as not to appear wealthy. If, however, he claims that he paid the debt afterwards, his word is accepted, but he is required to take ash'vuat hesset.
א
המודה בפני שנים שיש לפלוני אצלו מנה ואמר להן בדרך הודיה לא דרך שיחה, אע"פ שלא אמר אתם עדי ואע"פ שאין התובע עמו הרי זה עדות, תבעו בדין אם אמר לא היו דברים מעולם אין שומעין לו ומשלם על פיהם, ואם היה עד אחד נשבע הואיל ואמר דרך הודיה, טען כשבאו אלו העדים ואמר שלא להשביע את עצמי הודיתי נאמן ונשבע היסת, ואם כשהודה בפניהם היה התובע עמו אינו יכול לטעון ולומר כדי להראות שאיני עשיר הודיתי, אבל אם טען שנתן נאמן ונשבע היסת. 1
2
Whenever a person makes an admission in the presence of two witnesses, he cannot claim again: "I was speaking facetiously." Needless to say, this applies if he made the admission before three people. Instead, he is obligated to pay the sum that he admitted. For whenever a person makes a statement as an admission, it is as if he charges them with serving as witnesses.
Nevertheless, a legal record of his statements is not composed unless he charges them: "Compose a record, sign it and give it to the plaintiff." Even if he charged them, they must consult with him a second time before they give it to the plaintiff, as we have explained.
Similarly, if a person makes an admission in the court after he was summoned, a legal record may be composed, as will be explained in the following halachah. This applies provided the court knows the identity of both principals," so that two people will not perpetrate deception to obligate another person.
ב
כל המודה בפני שנים אינו יכול לחזור ולומר משטה הייתי בו ואין צריך לומר אם הודה בפני שלשה, אבל מחייבין אותו ליתן בהודית פיו, שכל האומר בדרך הודיה הרי זה כאומר אתם עדי, אבל אין כותבין אלא אם כן אמר להם כתבו וחתמו ותנו לו וצריכין להמלך בו כמו שבארנו, וכן אם הודה בבית דין אחר ששלחו לו כמו שיתבאר הרי אלו כותבין, והוא שיהיו בית דין מכירין את שניהם כדי שלא יערימו שניהם לחייב איש אחר.
3
The following rule applies when a court of three judges were sitting on their initiative in the place fixed for their sessions, and the plaintiff came and lodged a complaint in their presence. If they sent a messenger summoning the defendant, he came and admitted owing the debt in their presence, they may compose a legal record and give it to the plaintiff.
Different rules apply, however, if they were not in their fixed place, and they did not summon him, but instead, he collected them and caused the three judges to sit in session, admitting his debt in their presence and telling them: "Act as judges with regard to my issue." If the plaintiff comes afterwards and says: "Write down the admission for me," we do not compose the document. The rationale is that we suspect that the defendant paid him, and despite that, the plaintiff will try to lodge a claim against the defendant with the legal document. When does the above apply? With regard to a claim involving movable property. If, however, a person admitted an obligation involving landed property, the witnesses may compose a legal record and give it to him even though the admission was made only in the presence of two witnesses, the defendant did not affirm his statement with a kinyan,and the defendant did not instruct them: "Compose a document and give it to him." The rationale is that we need not worry that the defendant will give the defendant the land and then the plaintiff will lodge a claim against him again.
ג
בית דין של שלשה שהיו יושבין מעצמן במקום הקבוע להן ובא התובע וקבל לפניהם ושלחו שליח אצל הנתבע ובא והודה בפניהם הרי אלו כותבין ונותנין לבעל דינו, אבל אם לא היו קבועין ולא שלחו לו אפילו קבץ אותן והושיב השלשה והודה בפניהן ואמר להן הוו עלי דיינין ובא אחר כך התובע ואמר כתבו לי הודייתי אין כותבין שמא יתן לו ונמצא זה תובע אותו בשטר, במה דברים אמורים במטלטלין, אבל אם הודה בקרקעות אפילו בפני שנים אע"פ שלא קנו מידו ולא אמר להם כתבו ותנו הרי אלו כותבים ונותנין שאין כאן לחוש שמא יתן לו ונמצא תובעו פעם שנייה.
4
Despite the fact that a legal record of a debtor's admission produced by the plaintiff does not state: "The defendant told us: 'Write down this record, sign it, and give it to the plaintiff,'" it is acceptable. For it is an accepted presumption that if the defendant had not given the witnesses such instructions, they would not have composed a legal record and given it to the plaintiff.
A question may arise if a legal document states only: "So-and-so acknowledged a debt in our presence in court." If the document does not state that there were three judges present or state information that would indicate that there were three judges present, we suspect that there were only two people present, and they erred and thought that an admission made in the presence of two people is considered an admission made in court. Therefore, we do not regard such a record as a legal document.
ד
שטר הודיה שיצא ולא היה כתוב בו אמר לנו כתבו וחתמו ותנו לו, הרי זה כשר שחזקה היא שאילו לא אמר להם כתבו וחתמו ותנו לא היו נותנין, היה כתוב בשטר הודה פלוני בפנינו בית דין, אם אין כתוב בו שהיו שלשה או דברים ששומעין מכלל שהיו שלשה חוששין שמא שנים היו וטעו ודימו שההודיה בשנים הודיה בבית דין ולפיכך אין דנין בו דין שטר.
5
We have already explained that an admission made in court or testimony given by witnesses in court has the same legal power as a loan supported by a promissory note.
When does the above apply? When the defendant did not accept the judgment until he was summoned and brought to court, as we have explained. If, however, two people come to a judgment and one lodges a claim against the other saying, "You owe me amaneh" and the defendant acknowledges the debt, his word is accepted if, after he departs, he claims to have paid the debt. He must, however, affirm that claim with a sh'vuat hesset.
The above applies whether the judges said: "You are obligated to pay him," or "Go out and pay him." Therefore, if the plaintiff comes back and says:
"Write down the admission he made," we do not write it down, for it is possible that the defendant paid him.
Similarly, if a person who was obligated to take an oath in court leaves the court and then returns and said: "I took the oath," his word is accepted. He is not required to take an oath that he took an oath. If there are witnesses who testify that he did not take an oath, a presumption that the defendant is lying with regard to that oath is established. His word is not accepted if he states that he took an oath unless the other litigant acknowledges - or he brings witnesses - that he took the oath in their presence.
ה
כבר בארנו שהודיה בבית דין או עדות בבית דין כמלוה הכתובה בשטר ולפיכך כותבין ונותנין לבעל דינו, במה דברים אמורים בשלא קבל את הדין עד ששלחו והביאוהו כמו שבארנו, אבל שנים שבאו לדין ותבע אחד מהן את חבירו ואמר מנה לי בידך ואמר לו הנתבע הן יש לך בידי, בין שאמרו הדיינין חייב אתה ליתן לו בין שאמרו צא תן לו ויצא ואמר פרעתי נאמן וישבע היסת שפרעו, לפיכך אם התובע חזר לדיינים ואמר כתבו לי הודייתי אין כותבין לו שמא פרעו, וכן מי שנתחייב שבועה בבית דין ויצא ואמר נשבעתי נאמן ואין משביעין אותו שנשבע, היו העדים מעידין אותו שלא נשבע הוחזק כפרן לאותה שבועה ואינו נאמן לעולם לומר נשבעתי עד שיודה לו בעל דינו או יביא עדים שנשבע בפניהם.
6
The following rule applies when two people come to judgment, one is obligated to the other, and the judges tell him: "Go out and pay him." If he leaves the court and then returns and said: "I paid," but there are witnesses who testify that he did not pay, a presumption that the defendant is lying with regard to that money is established.
Different rules apply if the judges tell him: "You are obligated to pay him." If he leaves the court and then returns and said: "I paid," but there are witnesses who testify that he did not pay, we do not say that a presumption that the defendant is lying is established. The rationale is that we assume he is procrastinating until the judgment is researched.
Therefore, if on another occasion he claimed that he paid the money that he was obligated to pay by these judges and there are no witnesses who deny his statements this second time, he is required to take a sh'vuat hesset and is then released from all obligations. For this reason, the trained men of wisdom of Spain would, in the presence of the court, tell the judges and a lender who admitted a debt or who was obligated to take an oath in court: "Serve as witnesses that he should not pay me or take an oath for me outside the presence of witnesses."
ו
שנים שבאו לדין ונתחייב האחד לשני ואמרו לו צא ותן לו ויצא וחזר ואמר פרעתי ועדים מעידים אותו שלא פרעו הוחזק כפרן לאותו ממון, אמרו לו חייב אתה ליתן לו ויצא וחזר ואמר פרעתי ועדים מעידין אותו שלא פרעו לא הוחזק כפרן שזה נשמט מהן עד שיחקרו דינו, לפיכך אם חזר פעם אחרת וטען שפרעו זה הממון שנתחייב בו בפניהם ולא היו שם עדים שמכחישין אותו פעם שניה הרי זה נשבע היסת שפרעו ונפטר, לפיכך היו בקיאי הדעת שבספרד כשיודה הלוה או כשיתחייב שבועה בבית דין אומר לו בפני בית דין היו עלי עדים שלא יפרעני או שלא ישבע לי אלא בפני עדים.
7
When a person acknowledges in court that he owes a plaintiff a maneh and then says: "I now remember paying him the debt that I acknowledged and here are witnesses who substantiate my present claim," their testimony is effective, and the appropriate action is taken. The rationale is that he did not contradict the testimony of the witnesses, and it is not considered as if he said: "I never took this loan."
ז
מי שהודה בבית דין שאני חייב לזה התובע מנה ואחר כך אמר נזכרתי שפרעתי לו חובו זה שהודיתי בו והרי עדים, הרי זה עדות מועלת ועושין על פיהם שהרי לא הכחיש עדיו ואינו כאומר לא לויתי מעולם.
8
A litigant who advanced a claim in court can return and issue a second claim that contradicts the first one. We rely on the second claim even though he did not provide an explanation why he originally lodged a different claim. Even if he left the court and returned he may change and reverse any claims he desires, until witnesses come and testify.
After witnesses come and contradict the final claim on which he relied, he cannot change it to another claim, unless he provides an explanation for the claim on which he relied that could extend its meaning to include also the claim that he made afterwards.
The above applies provided he did not depart from the court. If, however, he departed from the court, he cannot come back and issue a different claim after witnesses came and testified. This is not acceptable; we fear that perhaps wicked people taught him to issue false claims. Similar laws apply in all analogous situations.
ח
יש לטוען בבית דין לחזור ולטעון טענה אחרת להכחיש הטענה הראשונה וסומכין על טענתו האחרונה, ואע"פ שלא נתן אמתלא לטענה הראשונה, ואע"פ שיצא מבית דין וחזר יש לחזור ולטעון ולהפך כל הטענות שירצה עד שיבאו עדים, אבל מאחר שיבאו עדים ויכחישו טענתו האחרונה שסמך עליה אינו יכול להשיאו לטענה אחרת אלא אם כן נתן אמתלא לטענה שסמך עליה, ויש במשמעה כמו שהשיא בזאת הטענה האחרת, והוא שלא יצא מבית דין, אבל אם יצא מבית דין אינו יכול לחזור ולטעון אחר שבאו עדים, שמא אנשים רעים למדוהו טענות של שקר וכן כל כיוצא בזה.
FOOTNOTES
1.
טען כשבאו וכו' עד ונשבע היסת. א"א דבריו חלושין מאד וסוף דבריו אינן משוים עם דברי הרב שכתב בסוף גט פשוט עכ"ל.
To`en veNit`an - Chapter 8
1
It is an accepted presumption that all movable property belongs to the person who is in physical possession of it.' This applies even if the plaintiff brought witnesses who testify that the movable property in question was known to belong to the plaintiff.
What is implied? A plaintiff lodges a claim against a defendant: "This garment..." or "This utensil that is in your possession..." or "... that is in your house belongs to me..,", "... I entrusted it to you for safekeeping...", or "... I lent it to you. Here are witnesses who knew that it was previously in my domain."
The defendant responds: "That is not so. You sold it to me," or "...You gave it to me as a present," the defendant is required to take only a sh'vuat hesset and is freed of responsibility.
א
כל המטלטלין בחזקת זה שהן תחת ידו, אע"פ שהביא התובע עדים שהמטלטלין הללו ידועין לו, כיצד בגד זה או כלי זה שבידך או שבתוך ביתך שלי הוא, או הפקדתיהו אצלך, או השאלתיהו לך, והרי העדים שהן יודעין אותו מקודם ברשותי, והנתבע אומר לא כי אלא אתה מכרתו לי או נתתו לי במתנה הרי זה הנתבע נשבע היסת ונפטר.
2
If the defendant claims that the movable property he is holding is security, he may claim up to its value. He must, however, take an oath while holding a sacred object. Afterwards, he may collect his due, as explained.
ב
טען שהוא משכון בידו יכול לטעון עד כדי דמיו ונשבע בנקיטת חפץ ונוטל כמו שביארנו.
3
When does the above apply? To articles that are not made to lend out or rent out - e.g., garments, produce, household articles, merchandise and the like. Different rules apply with regard to articles that are made to lend out or rent out. Although they are found in the possession of a particular person and there are no witnesses that the original owner lent or rented out this article to this person, it is an accepted presumption that they belong to their original owner.
What is implied? Reuven owned a utensil that was made to lend or rent out, and he has witnesses who know that such an article belonged to him. This utensil is presently in the possession of Shimon. Reuven claims that he lent it or rented it to him," while Shimon claims that Reuven sold it to him, gave it to him as a present or entrusted it to him as security. We do not accept Shimon's claim. Instead, Reuven may take his utensil after taking ash'vuat hesset in response to Shimon's claim.
Even if Shimon died, Reuven may take his utensil. The Geonimruled that Reuven must take a sh'vuat hesset, for we advance claims on behalf of an heir.
ג
במה דברים אמורים בדברים שאינן עשויין להשאיל ולהשכיר, כגון בגדים ופירות וכלי תשמיש הבית ודברים של סחורה וכיוצא בהן, אבל דברים העשויין להשאיל ולהשכיר אף על פי שהן תחת ידו של זה ואע"פ שלא השאילו כלי זה ולא השכירו לו בעדים הרי הן בחזקת בעליהן, כיצד ראובן שהיה לו כלי העשוי להשאיל ולהשכיר ויש לו עדים שהוא ידוע לו והרי אותו הכלי תחת יד שמעון וראובן טוען שהוא שאול או שכור, ושמעון טוען אתה מכרתו לי אתה נתתו לי במתנה אתה משכנתו בידי אינו נאמן, אלא ראובן נוטל כליו ונשבע היסת על טענת שמעון, ואפילו מת שמעון הרי ראובן נוטל כליו, והורו הגאונים שישבע היסת שטוענין ליורש.
4
When does the above apply? When the utensil can be seen in the possession of Shimon.
Different rules apply when, however, Reuven lodges a claim against Shimon saying: "You have this-and-this utensil of mine. You rented it. Give it back to me. I have witnesses who know that it belongs to me." If Shimon responds: "You sold it to me" or "You gave it to me," his word is accepted. He must take a sh'vuat hessetand then he is released of all obligations. The rationale is since he could say: "Nothing like this ever happened. I do not have anything that belonged to you," we accept his word if he claims: "I have the article, but you sold it to me."
ד
במה דברים אמורים כשהיה כלי זה נראה ועומד ביד שמעון, אבל אם ראובן טען ואמר לשמעון כלי פלוני יש לי בידך ושכור הוא הוציאו אלי והרי יש לי עדים שהוא ידוע לי, ואמר לו שמעון אתה מכרתו לי אתה נתתו לי במתנה נאמן ונשבע שמעון היסת ונפטר, מתוך שיכול לומר לא היו דברים מעולם ואין בידי כלום נאמן לומר שישנו אצלי ואתה מכרתו לי.
5
The above-mentioned concepts apply only when the owner of the utensil claims: "I entrusted it to you" or "I lent it to you." Different laws apply if, however, he claims: "This article is mine. It was stolen, lost or taken by robbery." Although he brings witnesses who testify that the article was known to be his, if the person in possession of the article says: "I do not know what you are talking about. Someone else sold it to me or gave it to me as a present," we allow it to remain in that person's possession although it is an article that is made to be lent out or rented out. He is not required to take an oath at all, because there is no claim against him.
ה
אין כל הדברים האלו אמורים אלא שהיה בעל הכלי טוען אני הפקדתיו אצלך או השאלתיהו אצלך, אבל אם טען שכלי זה היה שלי ונגנב או אבד או נגזל והביא עדים שהוא ידוע לו וזה שתחת ידו אומר איני יודע אבל אחרים מכרוהו לי או נתנוהו לי במתנה, אף על פי שהוא מדברים שעשויין להשאיל ולהשכיר מעמידין אותו ביד זה שהוא בידו ואינו נשבע כלל שהרי אין לו טוען.
6
If a well-founded report has circulated that utensils belonging to the original owner have been stolen, the person in possession of the article may take an oath while holding a sacred article, stating how much he spent on the article. The original owner must reimburse him for this expense and may then take his article, as stated in Hilchot Geneivah.
If the defendant claims: "You sold it to me" or "You gave it to me as a present," he must take a sh'vuat hesset, and he is then allowed to maintain possession of the article, even though a well-founded report has circulated that utensils belonging to the original owner have been stolen, provided the article was not made to be lent or rented out.
From these laws, the following concept can be derived: A person has movable property in his possession and another person claims that it belongs to him. The defendant could claim that he purchased it. Thus, he would be required to take a sh'vuat hesset and would then be released of all obligations. Nevertheless, if the defendant says: "It belongs to you, but you owe me this-and-this," he must take an oath while holding a sacred object. Afterwards, he collects his claim from the property in his possession, as is the law applying to all those who take oaths and collect their due.
ו
יצא לבעלים הראשונים חזקה מכליהן שנגנבו, ישבע זה בנקיטת חפץ כמה הוציא ויטול ויחזור הכלי לבעלים הראשונים כמו שבארנו בהלכות גניבה, טען אתה מכרתו לי או נתתו לי במתנה, אע"פ שיצא לו שם גניבה אם לא היה מדברים העשויין להשאיל ולהשכיר הרי זה נשבע היסת ויעמוד הכלי בידו, מכאן אתה למד לכל מי שיש לו מטלטלין בידו אע"פ שיכול לומר שלקוחין הן בידי וישבע היסת ויפטר, אם אמר שלך הן אבל חייב אתה לי כך וכך ישבע בנקיטת חפץ ואחר כך יטול כדין כל הנשבעין ונוטלין.
7
When a person has in his possession articles that were made to lend or rent out, he is allowed to maintain possession even though he acknowledged the plaintiff's ownership, telling him: "I know that this property was yours, but so-and-so sold it to me," or "... gave it to me as a present," we do not expropriate it from the defendant's possession.
The above applies even if the plaintiff brings witnesses who testify that the property was known to belong to him. The rationale is that a person is wont to sell his personal property.
ז
מי שהיו בידו דברים העשויין להשאיל ולהשכיר אע"פ שהודה ואמר לו יודע אני שהם שלך אבל פלוני מכרם לי או נתנם לי במתנה אין מוציאין אותן מידו, אפילו הביא זה עדים שהיו ידועין לו שאדם עשוי למכור את כליו. 1
8
If, however, the plaintiff claims: "I rented it to you," or "I lent it to you," we expropriate it from his possession. If the object in question was not one that was made to lend or rent out, the defendant may retain possession of the article. He must, however, take a sh'vuat hesset that the plaintiff) did not lend or rent the article to him, but that he purchased it from so-and-so.
ח
טען זה עליו ואמר שאני השכרתים לך או השאלתים לך מוציאין אותן מידו, ואם היו מדברים שאינן עשויין להשאיל ולהשכיר הרי זה נשבע היסת שלא השאיל לו ולא השכיר לו אלא מפלוני לקח ויעמיד כליו בידו.
9
Do not err and interpret the phrase "entities made to lend out or rent out" as meaning "entities that are wont to be lent out or rented out" as did many, [including great sages. For all articles are fit to be lent out and are wont to be lent out. Even a person's cloak, mattress, and bed are fit to be lent out.
The phrase "articles made to lend out or rent out," by contrast, refers to utensils that people in that country make initially with the intent that they be lent out or rented out, so that they can receive a fee for them. They are considered to belong to their owners like landed property, concerning which benefit is derived from its produce, but the land itself remains. Similarly, these utensils are made primarily to benefit from renting them out - e.g., large brass pots used for cooking at party halls, bronze jewelry inlaid with gold that are rented for brides to wear. Such articles are not made to be sold, nor for the owner to use them in his own home. Instead, they are lent out to others with the expectation of receiving benefit in recompense or of renting them out for a fee.
Similarly, if a person has ordinary utensils, but there are witnesses who will testify that he rents them out at all times and lends them, and it is an accepted presumption that he lends them and rents them, they are considered utensils that were made for the sake of being lent or rented.
ט
אל תטעה בין דברים העשויין להשאיל ולהשכיר לדברים שדרכן להשאיל ולהשכיר כמו שטעו רבים וגדולים שכל הדברים ראויין להשאיל ודרכן להשאיל אפילו חלוקו של אדם ומצעו ומטתו ראויין להשאיל, אבל דברים העשויין להשאיל ולהשכיר הם הכלים שבני אותה מדינה עושין אותן מתחלת עשייתן כדי להשאילן ולהשכירן וליטול שכרן והרי הן לבעליהן, כמו קרקע שאוכל פירותיה והגוף קיים כך אלו הכלים עיקר עשייתן כדי ליהנות בשכרן, כגון היורות הגדולות של נחשת שמבשלין בהן בבית המשתאות, וכגון כלי נחשת הטוח בזהב ששוכרין אותו לכלה להתקשט בו, שעשיית אלו הכלים אינן למכירת עצמן ולא להשתמש בהן בעל הבית בביתו אלא להשאילן לאחרים כדי ליהנות כנגדן או להשכירן וליטול שכרן, וכן אם היה לאדם משאר הכלים ויש לו עדים שהוא משכירו תמיד ומשאילו והוחזק לו שהוא להשאיל ולהשכיר הרי הן ככלים העשויין להשאיל ולהשכיר.
10
When the possible damage to an article is greater than the fee one would receive for renting it out, and people are therefore careful not to lend such articles - e.g., a ritual slaughterer's knife - it is an accepted presumption that it was not made with the intent of being lent or rented out. Therefore, even if people came and testified that a person lent out or rented out such an article on several occasions, their testimony does not negate this presumption, and these utensils are considered to be all other utensils.
Proof of this position can be brought from the fact that Ravva expropriated tailor's scissors used to make a cloak, and anAggadah scroll as articles that were made to be lent or rented out. Had it not been clarified to him through the testimony of witnesses that these were entities that were lent out, he would not have expropriated them from the orphans. It is evident that other scissors and other scrolls are not placed in this category even though they could be lent or rented out.
This concept is a fundamental principle of law and a point of logic that may be relied upon in judgment. It is clear to those who give forth knowledge. It is appropriate for a judge to keep it in mind at all times and not to sway from it.
י
וכלי שהפסדו מרובה משכרו ובני אדם מקפידין עליו שלא ישאילוהו הרי הוא בחזקת שאינו עשוי להשאיל ולהשכיר כגון סכין של שחיטה, לפיכך אפילו באו בני אדם והעידו שהשאילו או השכירו זה אין מבטלין בהן חזקתן אלא הרי הן ככל הכלים, ראיה לדברינו שהרי רבא הוציא זוג שעושין בו הסרבל וספר הגדה בדברים העשויין להשאיל ולהשכיר, ולולי שנתברר לו בעדים שהן מדברים העשויים להשאיל לא הוציא מתחת ידי יתומים, הא שאר הזוגות ושאר הספרים אינן בכלל דין זה אע"פ שהן ראויין להשאיל ולהשכיר, ודבר זה עיקר גדול בדין והוא דבר של טעם שראוי לסמוך עליו ולדון בו וברור הוא למוצאי דעת וראוי לדיין לשום אותו לנגד עיניו ולא ילוז. 2
FOOTNOTES
1.
מי שהיו וכו' עד שאדם עשוי למכור את כליו. א"א לא ידעתי למה אם בשביל שטוענין ללוקח הלא הראשון שזה בא מכחו לא היה יכול לטעון ועוד הרי לא טען רבא ליורש בספרא דאגדתא עכ"ל.
2.
ראיה לדברינו וכו' עד סוף הפרק. א"א אחר כל ההתראות והאזהרות האלה אשר התרה זה המחבר ואשר שם לרבים וגדולים טועים חזר הדין לכל דבר שאין כל אדם מקפיד עליו מלהשאילו או מפני בלאותו הרי הוא מדברים שאינם עשויין להשאיל ולהשכיר.
To`en veNit`an - Chapter 9
1
We do not accept it as a presumption that the utensils in the possession of a craftsman belong to him. This applies both to articles that are made to lend and rent out, and to other articles.
What is implied? A person sees his utensils in the possession of a craftsman. He brings witnesses who testify that they know that the article belongs to him and claims that he gave it to the craftsman to repair. The craftsman, by contrast, maintains that he purchased it, or that it was given to him as a present. Or he claims: "After it was given to me to repair, you sold it to me or gave it to me as a present." Although the owner of the utensil did not give it to the craftsman in the presence of witnesses, his word is accepted and the article is expropriated from the craftsman. The owner must however, take an oath to support his claim.
There are Geonim who ruled that even though the owner did not bring witnesses to testify that the article was his, since he saw his article in the craftsman's possession and the craftsman admits that the article belonged to him, but claims that he sold it to him, the owner's word is accepted. If, however, the craftsman claimed: "This never happened; the article is mine," the craftsman's word is accepted, provided that he takes a sh'vu'at hesset. If, however, the owner brings witnesses who testify that the article was known to belong to him, the craftsman's word is not accepted. This decision is incredulous in my eyes.
א
האומן אין לו חזקה בכלים שתחת ידו, אחד כלים העשויים להשאיל ולהשכיר ואחד שאר כלים, כיצד ראה כליו ביד האומן והביא עדים שהן יודעין שהכלי זה שלו והוא טוען ואומר לתקן נתתיו לך, והאומן אומר לא בא לידי אלא במכירה או מתנה, או שטען אתה נתתו לי אתה מכרתו לי אחר שבא לידי לתקנו, אף על פי שמסרו לו שלא בעדים בעל הכלי נאמן ומוציאין אותו מיד האומן וישבע בעל הבית היסת על טענתו, ויש גאונים שדנו אע"פ שלא הביא בעל הבית עדים שזה הכלי שלו הואיל וראה כליו ביד האומן והרי האומן מודה לו שהיה שלו ומכרו לו נאמן, אבל אם אמר לא היו דברים מעולם ושלי הוא הכלי נאמן האומן ונשבע היסת, ואם הביא בעל הבית עדים שהכלי הזה ידוע לו אין האומן נאמן, ודין זה פלא הוא בעיני.
2
Different rules apply if the owner 10 did not see his utensil in the possession of the craftsman, but instead claimed: "I gave you this-and-this utensil to repair." If the craftsman claims: "You came back and sold it to me" or "... gave it to me as a present," the craftsman is required to take a sh'vu'at hesset and is then released of responsibility. The rationale is that he could claim that the article was never given him."
Moreover, even if the owner gave the article to the craftsman to repair in the presence of witnesses, the craftsman's word is accepted, because he could claim: "I returned it." For although an article is entrusted to a person in the presence of witnesses, he is not required to return it to him in the presence of witnesses. Therefore, the craftsman is required to take only a sh'vu'at hesset;we do not require him to produce the article.
If, however, he does produce the article, since it becomes visible, the owner may bring witnesses who testify that it belongs to him. He may then expropriate it even though he did not entrust it to the craftsman in the presence of witnesses, as explained in the previous halachah.
Based on the above, the following rules apply if the craftsman claimed: "You agreed to pay me two dinarim as a wage," and the owner responded: "I agreed to pay you only one." If the utensil was visible before them, since the craftsman's possession does not bring about an accepted presumption of ownership, and we would not accept his claim that he purchased the article, the owner's claim regarding the promised wage is accepted, provided that he takes a sh'vu'at hesset, as we stated in Hilchot Sechirut. He must pay that amount.
If, however, the utensil is not visible, since the craftsman could claim that he purchased the article, he can also claim a wage equal to its value. He must take an oath holding a sacred article. Then he may collect his claim, as do all those who take an oath and collect, as we have explained.
ב
לא ראה הכלי ביד האומן אלא טען ואמר כלי פלוני נתתיו לו לתקן והאומן אומר חזרת ומכרתו או נתתו לי האומן נשבע היסת ונפטר מתוך שיכול לומר לא היו דברים מעולם, ואפילו מסרו לתקן בעדים האומן נאמן מתוך שיכול לומר החזרתי שהמפקיד אצל חבירו בעדים אינו צריך להחזיר לו בעדים, לפיכך נשבע האומן היסת ונפטר ואין מחייבין אותו להוציא הכלי, ואם הוציאו הואיל ונראה הרי בעל הבית מביא עדים שהוא שלו ונוטלו אע"פ שמסרו לו בלא עדים כמו שבארנו, לפיכך אם טען האומן ואמר שתים קצצת לי בשכרי ובעל הבית אומר לא קצצתי לך אלא אחת אם היה הכלי נראה בפניהם הואיל והאומן אין לו בו חזקה ואינו יכול לטעון שהוא לקוח בידו הרי בעל הבית נשבע בנקיטת חפץ על הקציצה כמו שבארנו בשכירות ונותן, ואם אין הכלי נראה בפניהם הואיל והאומן נאמן לומר לקוח הוא בידי יכול לטעון עד כדי דמיו ונשבע בנקיטת חפץ ונוטל כדרך כל הנשבעין ונוטלין כמו שבארנו.
3
A craftsman who gave up his profession, and a craftsman's son are like any other person. When movable property is in their possession, we presume that it belongs to them, as we have explained.
ג
אומן שירד מאומנותו ובן האומן הרי הן כשאר כל אדם ויש להן חזקה בכל המטלטלין כמו שבארנו.
4
The following rules apply when a person enters a colleague's house in the presence of the owner and leaves with utensils hidden under the corners of his garments, and witnesses see him. Afterwards, the owner lodges a claim against him, saying: "Return the utensils that I lent you; here are witnesses." Although the defendant claims: "I purchased them," his word is not accepted. Instead, the owner must take a sh'vu'at hesset to support his claim that he did not sell or give away the utensils. The court returns the utensils to the owner.
When does the above apply? With regard to an owner who is not accustomed to sell his property, when the person who removed the utensils under his cloak does not normally hide them, and when the utensils are not of the type that people would ordinarily hide. Therefore, the defendant is obligated to return the articles. We assume that he hid them only so that he could deny taking them.
If, however, an owner frequently sells his personal property, even though the person who took the utensils would not ordinarily hide them, and it is not ordinary practice for these utensils to be hidden under one's cloak, the defendant may take a sh'vu'at hesset that he purchased the articles.
Similarly, if he took the articles out so that they were visible for the witnesses to see, even when the owner does not frequently sell his personal property, the defendant's word is accepted when he says that he purchased the utensils, provided that the articles are not of the type that are made with the intent of being lent or rented out. For it is possible that the owner needed money, and hence sold his property.
If, however, the articles are of the type that are made with the intent of being lent or rented out, our presumption is always that they belong to their original owner, as we have explained. Even if the person took out such utensils in a visible manner and the owner was accustomed to selling his personal utensils, if he has witnesses that this utensil that was made with the intent of being lent or rented out was known to belong to him, he may expropriate the utensils from the defendant immediately, unless he brings proof that he sold it to him or gave it to him as a present, as is the law with regard to landed property.
ד
מי שנכנס לביתו של חבירו בפני בעל הבית ויצא וכלים טמונין תחת כנפיו והעדים רואין אותו, ולאחר זמן תבעו בעל הבית ואמר לו החזר לי כלים שהשאלתיך והרי העדים והוא אומר לקוחין הן בידי אינו נאמן, ונשבע בעל הבית היסת על טענתו שלא מכרן ולא נתנן ויחזירו בית דין הכלים לבעל הבית, במה דברים אמורים בבעל הבית שאינו עשוי למכור את כליו, וזה שהוציא הכלים תחת כנפיו אין דרכו להצניע, ואותן הכלים אין דרך בני אדם להצניען, לפיכך חייב להחזיר לפי שלא הצניען אלא לכפור בהן, אבל בעל הבית העשוי למכור את כליו אע"פ שאין זה צנוע ואין דרך אותן הכלים להטמינן תחת הכנפים הרי זה נשבע היסת שהן לקוחין בידו, וכן אם יצא בהן מגולין בפני עדים אע"פ שאין בעל הבית עשוי למכור את כליו הרי זה נאמן לומר לקוחין הן בידי, שמא נצטרכו לו מעות ומכר ובלבד שלא יהיו מדברים העשויים להשאיל ולהשכיר, אבל דברים העשויין להשאיל ולהשכיר לעולם הן בחזקת בעליהן כמו שבארנו, ואע"פ שהוציאן מגולין ואע"פ שבעל הבית הזה עשוי למכור את כליו הואיל ויש לו עדים שזה הכלי עשוי להשאיל ולהשכיר בלבד ידוע הוא לו מוציאין אותן מיד זה על כל פנים עד שיביא ראיה שמכרו לו או נתנו לו במתנה כדין קרקעות.
5
In the above situation, if the person in whose possession the utensil was found died, we expropriate it from the heir. Moreover, the owner is not required to take an oath. An oath is not required because, since his father is not present to claim that that he purchased it or that it is security for a specific amount, the heir cannot require the owner to take an oath.
If the heir lodges a definite claim, saying: "He gave it to my father - or sold it to him - in my presence," the owner is required to take ash'vu'at hesset, as required of all those who are obligated to take oaths. We explained that there are opinions that require the owner to take a sh'vu'at hesset in all instances before his utensil is returned by the heir, but I do not accept this approach.
ה
אפילו מת זה שהכלי תחת ידו מוציאין אותו מיד היורש בלא שבועה שכיון שאין לאביו לטעון שלקחו או שהוא משכון כך אין זה יכול להשביעו, ואם טען היורש טענת ודאי ואמר בפני נתנו לאבי או מכרו לו הרי בעל הבית נשבע היסת כשאר כל הנשבעין, וכבר בארנו שיש מי שהורה שישבע בעל הבית היסת ואחר כך יחזיר כליו מיד היורש ואין דעתי נוטה לזה. 1
6
When a person takes an ax and says: "I am going to chop down the palm tree belonging to so-and-so," if he in fact chops down the tree, we presume that it belonged to him. For a person would not be so bold as to cut down a tree that did not belong to him. If the owner claims that he did not sell it, the person who cut down the tree is required to take a sh'vu'at hesset that the tree belonged to him. He is then freed of responsibility. The rationale is that once the tree is cut down, it is like other movable property.
Similar laws apply when a person enters a colleague's field without permission and partakes of its produce for a year or two. If the owner claims that the person entered without permission, that he is a robber, and that he partook of the field's produce, and the owner brings witnesses who confirm that he partook of the produce, and the person claims that the owner gave him permission to partake of the produce, that person's word is accepted.
The rationale is that it is an accepted presumption that a person would not be so bold as to eat produce that does not belong to him. Although the land is presumed to belong to its original owner, the produce is not. For a person does not necessarily sell produce with a bill of sale, so that the purchaser could be told: "Present your bill of sale."
Needless to say, these laws apply if the squatter partook of a field's produce for many years. In such a situation, since he could claim that he had purchased the field, his word is accepted when he says that he has a right only to the produce. He must, however, take ash'vu'at hesset.
ו
מי שלקח קרדום ואמר הריני הולך לגזור דקלו של פלוני שמכרו לי וכרת הדקל הרי זה בחזקתו, שאין אדם מעיז פניו וכורת אילן שאינו שלו, ואם טענו הבעלים שלא מכרוהו נשבע זה הכורת היסת שהוא שלו ונפטר, וכיון שנכרת הרי הוא כשאר כל המטלטלין, וכן היורד לשדה חבירו ואכל פירותיה שנה או שנתים והבעלים טוענין שזה ירד שלא ברשות וגזלן הוא ואכל והרי העדים שאכל והיורד אומר ברשותך ירדתי לאכול פירותיה, הרי זה האוכל נאמן ונשבע היסת על כך חזקה היא שאין אדם מעיז פניו ואוכל פירות שאינן שלו, אע"פ שהקרקע בחזקת בעליהן אין הפירות בחזקת הבעלים, שאין אדם מוכר פירות שדהו בשטר כדי שנאמר לזה שאכל הבא שטרך, ואין צריך לומר שאם אכל פירותיה שנים רבות שמתוך שיכול לומר לקוחה היא בידי נאמן לומר לפירות ירדתי וישבע היסת. 2
7
The following laws apply when two people are holding one article, both are riding on one animal, one was riding the animal and one was leading it, or they were sitting next to an ownerless pile of wheat that was located in a lane or in a courtyard belonging to both of them. If each claims that the article belongs to him in its entirety, they should both take an oath holding a sacred article that they own no less than half the article. Afterwards, it should be divided between them.
This oath was ordained by the Sages so that everyone will not grab unto a garment belonging to a colleague and take it without having to take an oath.
ז
שנים שהיו אוחזין בכלי אחד או שהיו רוכבין על גבי בהמה אחת, או שהיה אחד רוכב ואחד מנהיג או יושבין בצד ערמה של חטים ומונחות בסמטא או בחצר של שניהם זה אומר הכל שלי וזה אומר הכל שלי כל אחד משניהן נשבע בנקיטת חפץ שאין לו בזה הדבר פחות מחציו ויחלוקו, ושבועה זו תקנת חכמים היא כדי שלא יהיה כל אחד תופס בטליתו של חבירו ונוטל בלא שבועה.
8
If one says: "The entire article belongs to me," and the other says: "Half of it belongs to me," the one who claims the entire article must take an oath that he owns no less than three fourths of the article, and the one who claims half the article must take an oath that he owns no less than one fourth. They then divide the article accordingly.
From this, one can learn that all those who take an oath to expropriate property - whether a minor oath or a severe oath - should not take that oath concerning what they claim, but rather what they will receive even though they claim more.
ח
זה אומר כולה שלי וזה אומר חציה שלי האומר כולה שלי ישבע שאין לו בה פחות משלשה חלקים, והאומר חציה שלי ישבע שאין לו בה פחות מרביע, וזה נוטל שלשה חלקים וזה נוטל רביע מכאן אתה למד לכל הנשבעין ליטול בין שבועה קלה בין שבועה חמורה שאינו נשבע על מה שטוען אלא על מה שנוטל אע"פ שטוען יותר.
9
When two people were both clinging to a garment, and each claims that the entire garment belongs to him, each is awarded the portion he is holding. The remainder is divided equally after they take the appropriate oaths. Based on the principle ofgilgul sh'vu'ah, each of the litigants can require the other to take an oath that he is legally entitled to everything he collects.
ט
היו שנים אדוקין בטלית זה אומר כולה שלי וזה אומר כולה שלי, זה נוטל עד מקום שידו מגעת וזה נוטל עד מקום שידו מגעת והשאר חולקין בשוה אחר שנשבעין, ויש לכל אחד לגלגל על חבירו שכל מה שנטל כדין נטל.
10
If one was holding the strings on one side of the garment, and the other holding the strings on the other side, they should divide the entire garment equally, after they take the required oaths.
When the term "division" is used in this context, it refers to a division of the article's value, not that a utensil itself or a garment should be divided and ruined, or that an animal should be killed.
י
היה זה אוחז בחוטין שבשפת הטלית וזה בחוטין שבשפת האחרת חולקין כלה בשוה אחר שנשבעין, וכל חלוקה האמורה כאן בדמים לא שיפסידו עצמו של כלי או של טלית או שימיתו הבהמה.
11
If one person was holding onto the article in its entirety, and the other was struggling with him and clasping it, the article is considered to belong to the person holding it in its entirety.
יא
היה אוחז האחד את כולה וזה מתאבק עמו ונתלה בה הרי זו בחזקת האוחז את כולה.
12
The following rules apply when two people came to court holding onto the garment, and one pulled it away from the other in our presence. If at first the person from whom the garment was taken remained silent, even though afterwards he protested, we do not expropriate it from the possession of the one who seized it. The rationale is that since he remained silent at the outset, it is as if he acknowledged the other's ownership.
If the second person came and grabbed it from the one who seized it, even though that person protested continuously, the garment should be divided between the two of them.
יב
באו שניהם אדוקין בה ושמטה האחד מיד חבירו בפנינו ושתק השני אף על פי שחזר וצוח אין מוציאין אותה מידו כיון ששתק בתחלה הרי זה כמודה לו, חזר השני ותקפה מראשון אע"פ שהראשון (לא) צוח מתחלה ועד סוף חולקין. 3
13
The following laws apply when two people come to court holding onto a garment, and the court instructs them to go out and divide its value. They depart and return, but the article is now in the possession of only one of them. The person in possession claims: "He acknowledged my claim and withdrew his claim from it," while the other person claims: "I sold it to him," or "He overcame me and seized it from me," we follow the principle: "A person who seeks to expropriate property from a colleague must prove his claim." If he cannot bring proof of his claim, the other litigant may take an oath that the article belongs to him and be released of liability. Similar principles apply in all analogous situations.
יג
באו שניהם אדוקין בטלית ואמרנו להם צאו וחלקו את דמיה יצאו וחזרו והרי היא תחת יד אחד מהן זה טוען הודה ונסתלק ממנה וזה טוען שמכרתיו לו או נתגבר עלי וחטפה המוציא מחבירו עליו הראיה, ואם לא הביא ראיה ישבע זה שהיא שלו ויפטר וכן כל כיוצא בזה.
FOOTNOTES
1.
וכבר בארנו שיש מי שהורה וכו' עד ואין דעתי נוטה לזה. א"א חיי ראשי אני איני אומר כן אלא כל נוטל נשבע בנקיטת חפץ ואפילו דברים הראויים להשאיל ולהשכיר אין מוציאין אלא בשבועה בנקיטת חפץ חוץ מראוהו שהטמין כליו תחת כנפיו ויצא בענין שנאמר בו שאינו נאמן לומר לקוחים הם בידי הואיל והעדים מעידים על הענין ההוא עכ"ל.
2.
מי שלקח קורדום וכו' עד הרי הוא כשאר מטלטלין. א"א אנו מפרשים ואגדריה לדקלא פלניא בלקיטת הפירות כמו הגודר בתמרים ולקט הפירות והלך לו עכ"ל.
3.
באו שניהם אדוקין וכו' עד חולקין. א"א אין טעם לזה עכ"ל.
• Hayom Yom: Today's Hayom Yom
• Monday, 16 Elul, 5776 · 19 September 2016
• "Today's Day"
• Thursday, Elul 16, 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: Tavo, Chamishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 79-82. Also 46-48.
Tanya: Now, as regards (p. 469) ...as will be explained). (p. 473).
The Alter Rebbe interpreted the statement, "Whoever saves a single person of (the people) Israel is as though he saved an entire world1": One must perceive a Jew as he stands in the primordial thought of Adam Kadmon. There, each soul stands with all the generations destined to descend from it until the coming of Mashiach, the righteous Redeemer. When one does a favor to an individual, it is a favor to all those souls until the end of all generations.
FOOTNOTES
1.Sanhedrin 37a.
• Daily Thought:• "Today's Day"
• Thursday, Elul 16, 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: Tavo, Chamishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 79-82. Also 46-48.
Tanya: Now, as regards (p. 469) ...as will be explained). (p. 473).
The Alter Rebbe interpreted the statement, "Whoever saves a single person of (the people) Israel is as though he saved an entire world1": One must perceive a Jew as he stands in the primordial thought of Adam Kadmon. There, each soul stands with all the generations destined to descend from it until the coming of Mashiach, the righteous Redeemer. When one does a favor to an individual, it is a favor to all those souls until the end of all generations.
FOOTNOTES
1.Sanhedrin 37a.
Preserving the Child
How will we preserve the innocence, the genius and the beauty of the child into adulthood?
First, we will nurture that beauty from its very beginning. We will surround the child with Torah and sing to the child songs of wisdom even before it leaves the womb. We will help the child make his or her room into a sanctuary with holy books, a place to say prayers, and a charity box fixed into the wall, to be used daily.
And then, as the child emerges to discover that the world outside is not quite the same as that sanctuary, we will explain:
“Yes, this is not the way it is supposed to be. But it is only temporary. You and I and all of us, we are going to change it. We will make the whole big world like your little world, a sanctuary.”[Shavuot 5729, sicha 8. Simchat Torah 5741, sicha 17. Likutei Sichot, vol. 6, pg. 82ff.]
-------How will we preserve the innocence, the genius and the beauty of the child into adulthood?
First, we will nurture that beauty from its very beginning. We will surround the child with Torah and sing to the child songs of wisdom even before it leaves the womb. We will help the child make his or her room into a sanctuary with holy books, a place to say prayers, and a charity box fixed into the wall, to be used daily.
And then, as the child emerges to discover that the world outside is not quite the same as that sanctuary, we will explain:
“Yes, this is not the way it is supposed to be. But it is only temporary. You and I and all of us, we are going to change it. We will make the whole big world like your little world, a sanctuary.”[Shavuot 5729, sicha 8. Simchat Torah 5741, sicha 17. Likutei Sichot, vol. 6, pg. 82ff.]
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