Torah Reading
Shoftim: Deuteronomy 16:18 “You are to appoint judges and officers for all your gates [in the cities] Adonai your God is giving you, tribe by tribe; and they are to judge the people with righteous judgment. 19 You are not to distort justice or show favoritism, and you are not to accept a bribe, for a gift blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of even the upright. 20 Justice, only justice, you must pursue; so that you will live and inherit the land Adonai your God is giving you.
21 “You are not to plant any sort of tree as a sacred pole beside the altar of Adonai your God that you will make for yourselves. 22 Likewise, do not set up a standing-stone; Adonai your God hates such things.
17:1 “You are not to sacrifice to Adonai your God a cow or sheep that has a defect or anything wrong with it; that would be an abomination to Adonai your God.
2 “If there is found among you, within any of your gates [in any city] that Adonai your God gives you, a man or woman who does what Adonai your God sees as wicked, transgressing his covenant 3 by going and serving other gods and worshipping them, the sun, the moon, or anything in the sky — something I have forbidden — 4 and it is told to you, or you hear about it; then you are to investigate the matter diligently. If it is true, if it is confirmed that such detestable things are being done in Isra’el; 5 then you are to bring the man or woman who has done this wicked thing to your city gates, and stone that man or woman to death. 6 The death sentence is to be carried out only if there was testimony from two or three witnesses; he may not be sentenced to death on the testimony of only one witness. 7 The witnesses are to be the first to stone him to death; afterwards, all the people are to stone him. Thus you will put an end to this wickedness among you.
8 “If a case comes before you at your city gate which is too difficult for you to judge, concerning bloodshed, civil suit, personal injury or any other controversial issue; you are to get up, go to the place which Adonai your God will choose, 9 and appear before the cohanim, who are L’vi’im, and the judge in office at the time. Seek their opinion, and they will render a verdict for you. 10 You will then act according to what they have told you there in that place which Adonai will choose; you are to take care to act according to all their instructions. 11 In accordance with the Torah they teach you, you are to carry out the judgment they render, not turning aside to the right or the left from the verdict they declare to you. 12 Anyone presumptuous enough not to pay attention to the cohen appointed there to serve Adonai your God or to the judge — that person must die. Thus you will exterminate such wickedness from Isra’el — 13 all the people will hear about it and be afraid to continue acting presumptuously.
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" for Elul 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 ofPsalms 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 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15
Psalms 13:1 (0) For the leader. A psalm of David:
2 (1) How long, Adonai?
Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
3 (2) How long must I keep asking myself what to do,
with sorrow in my heart every day?
How long must my enemy dominate me?
4 (3) Look, and answer me, Adonai my God!
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death.
5 (4) Then my enemy would say, “I was able to beat him”;
and my adversaries would rejoice at my downfall.
6 (5) But I trust in your grace,
my heart rejoices as you bring me to safety.
(6) I will sing to Adonai, because he gives me
even more than I need.
14:(0) For the leader. By David:
(1) Fools say in their hearts,
“There is no God.”
They deal corruptly, their deeds are vile,
not one does what is right.
2 From heaven Adonai observes humankind
to see if anyone has understanding,
if anyone seeks God.
3 But all turn aside, all alike are corrupt;
no one does what is right,
not a single one.
4 Don’t they ever learn,
all those evildoers,
who eat up my people as if eating bread
and never call on Adonai?
5 There they are, utterly terrified;
for God is with those who are righteous.
6 You may mock the plans of the poor,
but their refuge is Adonai.
7 How I wish Isra’el’s salvation
would come out of Tziyon!
When Adonai restores his people’s fortunes,
Ya‘akov will rejoice, Isra’el will be glad!
15:(0) A psalm of David:
(1) Adonai, who can rest in your tent?
Who can live on your holy mountain?
2 Those who live a blameless life,
who behave uprightly,
who speak truth from their hearts
3 and keep their tongues from slander;
who never do harm to others
or seek to discredit neighbors;
4 who look with scorn on the vile,
but honor those who fear Adonai;
who hold to an oath, no matter the cost;
5 who refuse usury when they lend money
and refuse a bribe to damage the innocent.
Those who do these things
never will be moved.
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
Today in Jewish History:
• First Chassidic Aliya (1777)
The first Chassidic aliyah ("ascent" - immigration to the Holy Land), led by Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk, Rabbi Abraham of Kalisk and Rabbi Yisroel of Polotzk, reached the Holy Land on Elul 5 of the year 5537 from creation (1777 CE). They were all disciples of the 2nd leader of the Chassidic movement, Rabbi DovBer, the "Maggid of Mezeritch" (who had passed away five years earlier) and colleagues of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of Chabad. Initially, Rabbi Schneur Zalman was part of the group; but when the caravan reached the city of Moholiev on the Dnester River, Rabbi Menachem Mendel -- whom Rabbi Schneur Zalman regarded as his teacher and mentor after the Maggid's passing -- instructed him to remain behind to serve as the leader of the Chassidic community in White Russia and Lithuania. Rabbi Schneur Zalman retained close ties with the settlers in the Land of Israel and labored to raise funds for their support.
Daily Quote:
G-d said to Moses: the waters which protected you when you were cast into the River, and the soil which protected you when you buried the Egyptian -- it is not fitting that they should be afflicted by your hand.[Mishnat Rabbi Eliezer]
Daily Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Shoftim, 5th Portion Deuteronomy 18:14-19:13 with Rashi
• Deuteronomy Chapter 18
14For these nations, which you are to possess, hearken to diviners of [auspicious] times and soothsayers, but as for you, the Lord, your God, has not given you [things] like these. ידכִּ֣י | הַגּוֹיִ֣ם הָאֵ֗לֶּה אֲשֶׁ֤ר אַתָּה֙ יוֹרֵ֣שׁ אוֹתָ֔ם אֶל־מְעֹֽנְנִ֥ים וְאֶל־קֹֽסְמִ֖ים יִשְׁמָ֑עוּ וְאַתָּ֕ה לֹ֣א כֵ֔ן נָ֥תַן לְךָ֖ יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ:
[But…] the Lord your God has not given you: to hearken to diviners of auspicious times and soothsayers, for He caused His Divine Presence to rest upon the prophets and upon the Urim and Tummim. — [Targum Jonathan] לא כן נתן לך ה' אלהיך: לשמוע אל מעוננים ואל קוסמים שהרי השרה שכינה על הנביאים ואורים ותומים:
15A prophet from among you, from your brothers, like me, the Lord, your God will set up for you; you shall hearken to him. טונָבִ֨יא מִקִּרְבְּךָ֤ מֵֽאַחֶ֨יךָ֙ כָּמֹ֔נִי יָקִ֥ים לְךָ֖ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ אֵלָ֖יו תִּשְׁמָעֽוּן:
[A prophet] from among you, from your brothers, like me: This means: Just as I am among you, from your brothers, so will He set up for you [another prophet] in my stead, and so on, from prophet to prophet. מקרבך מאחיך כמוני: כמו שאני מקרבך מאחיך יקים לך תחתי, וכן מנביא לנביא:
16According to all that you asked of the Lord, your God, in Horeb, on the day of the assembly, saying, "Let me not continue to hear the voice of the Lord, my God, and let me no longer see this great fire, so that I will not die." טזכְּכֹ֨ל אֲשֶׁר־שָׁאַ֜לְתָּ מֵעִ֨ם יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ בְּחֹרֵ֔ב בְּי֥וֹם הַקָּהָ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר לֹ֣א אֹסֵ֗ף לִשְׁמֹ֨עַ֙ אֶת־קוֹל֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֔י וְאֶת־הָאֵ֨שׁ הַגְּדֹלָ֥ה הַזֹּ֛את לֹֽא־אֶרְאֶ֥ה ע֖וֹד וְלֹ֥א אָמֽוּת:
17And the Lord said to me, "They have done well in what they have spoken. יזוַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֵלָ֑י הֵיטִ֖יבוּ אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֵּֽרוּ:
18I will set up a prophet for them from among their brothers like you, and I will put My words into his mouth, and he will speak to them all that I command him. יחנָבִ֨יא אָקִ֥ים לָהֶ֛ם מִקֶּ֥רֶב אֲחֵיהֶ֖ם כָּמ֑וֹךָ וְנָֽתַתִּ֤י דְבָרַי֙ בְּפִ֔יו וְדִבֶּ֣ר אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם אֵ֖ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲצַוֶּֽנּוּ:
19And it will be, that whoever does not hearken to My words that he speaks in My name, I will exact [it] of him. יטוְהָיָ֗ה הָאִישׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־יִשְׁמַע֙ אֶל־דְּבָרַ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר יְדַבֵּ֖ר בִּשְׁמִ֑י אָֽנֹכִ֖י אֶדְר֥שׁ מֵֽעִמּֽוֹ:
20But the prophet who intentionally speaks a word in My name, which I did not command him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die. כאַ֣ךְ הַנָּבִ֡יא אֲשֶׁ֣ר יָזִיד֩ לְדַבֵּ֨ר דָּבָ֜ר בִּשְׁמִ֗י אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־צִוִּיתִיו֙ לְדַבֵּ֔ר וַֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר יְדַבֵּ֔ר בְּשֵׁ֖ם אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֑ים וּמֵ֖ת הַנָּבִ֥יא הַהֽוּא:
which I did not command him to speak: But which I commanded his fellow prophet [to speak]. אשר לא צויתיו לדבר: אבל צויתיו לחבירו:
or who speaks in the name of other gods: Even though his words coincide with the halachah [Jewish law], forbidding what is forbidden or permitting what is permissible. — [San. 89a] ואשר ידבר בשם אלהים אחרים: אפילו כיון את ההלכה, לאסור את האסור ולהתיר את המותר:
[That prophet] shall die: By strangulation. Three [sinful prophets] are executed by man [i.e., by the court]: One who prophesies what he has not heard, one who prophesies what was not told to him but was told to his fellow [prophet], and one who prophesies in the name of a pagan deity. However, one who suppresses his prophecy [i.e., does not announce it], or one who transgresses the words of a prophet, or a prophet who transgresses his own words [of prophecy]-their death is by the hands of Heaven, for it is said (verse 19), “ I shall exact [it] from him.” - [San. 89a] ומת: בחנק. שלשה מיתתן בידי אדם, המתנבא מה שלא שמע ומה שלא נאמר לו ונאמר לחבירו, והמתנבא בשם עבודה זרה. אבל הכובש את נבואתו והעובר על דברי נביא והעובר על דברי עצמו מיתתן בידי שמים, שנאמר (פסוק יט) אנכי אדרוש מעמו:
21Now if you say to yourself, "How will we know the word that the Lord did not speak?" כאוְכִ֥י תֹאמַ֖ר בִּלְבָבֶ֑ךָ אֵיכָה֙ נֵדַ֣ע אֶת־הַדָּבָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא־דִבְּר֖וֹ יְהֹוָֽה:
Now if you say to yourself, [“How will we know the word the Lord did not speak?”]?: [This verse alludes to a future time when Israel will want to know which prophet is speaking the word of God. It means:] You are destined to say this when Hananiah, the son of Azzur [a false prophet], came and prophesied, “Behold the vessels of the house of the Lord will be returned from Babylon now hastily” (Jer. 27:16), and Jeremiah stood and cried (Jer. 27:19-22), “concerning the pillars, concerning the sea,… and concerning the remainder of the vessels…” which had not been exiled, ‘they shall be brought to Babylon’ "together with the exile of Zedekiah. — [Sifrei] וכי תאמר בלבבך: עתידין אתם לומר, כשיבא חנניא בן עזור ומתנבא הנה כלי בית ה' מושבים מבבלה עתה מהרה (ירמיה כז, טז) וירמיהו עומד וצווח על העמודים ועל הים ועל יתר הכלים שלא גלו עם יכניה, בבלה יובאו (שם כז, כב) עם גלות צדקיהו:
22If the prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, and the thing does not occur and does not come about, that is the thing the Lord did not speak. The prophet has spoken it wantonly; you shall not be afraid of him. כבאֲשֶׁר֩ יְדַבֵּ֨ר הַנָּבִ֜יא בְּשֵׁ֣ם יְהֹוָ֗ה וְלֹא־יִֽהְיֶ֤ה הַדָּבָר֙ וְלֹ֣א יָבֹ֔א ה֣וּא הַדָּבָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא־דִבְּר֖וֹ יְהֹוָ֑ה בְּזָדוֹן֙ דִּבְּר֣וֹ הַנָּבִ֔יא לֹ֥א תָג֖וּר מִמֶּֽנּוּ:
If the prophet speaks [in the Name of the Lord]: And says, “This thing is destined to happen to you,” and you see [afterwards] that it does not come about, “that is the thing the Lord did not speak” ; so execute him. But you might say, “This applies to one who prophesies regarding the future. However, suppose one comes and says ‘Do such and such a thing, and I am telling you this by the command of the Holy One, blessed is He,’ [how do we know whether he is speaking the truth? Regarding such a case,] they were already commanded that if someone comes to make you stray from any of the commandments, ”Do not hearken to him“ (Deut. 13:4), unless you are certain that he is a perfectly righteous person, e.g., Elijah on Mount Carmel, who sacrificed on a high place when high places were forbidden, [but did so] in order to control Israel [against idolatry]. Everything must be done according to the needs of the time, and the need for preventive measures to protect against breaches [in the religion]. Therefore [with respect to this authentic prophet], it is stated,”hearken to him" (verse 15). - [San. 89a] אשר ידבר הנביא: ויאמר דבר זה עתיד לבוא עליכם, ותראו שלא יבא, הוא הדבר אשר לא דברו ה' והרוג אותו. ואם תאמר זו במתנבא על העתידות, הרי שבא ואמר עשו כך וכך ומפי הקב"ה אני אומר, כבר נצטוו שאם בא להדיחך מאחת מכל המצות לא תשמע לו, אלא אם כן מומחה הוא לך שהוא צדיק גמור, כגון אליהו בהר הכרמל שהקריב בבמה בשעת איסור הבמות כדי לגדור את ישראל. הכל לפי צורך השעה וסייג הפרצה, לכך נאמר אליו תשמעון:
you shall not be afraid of him: I.e., do not restrain yourselves from advocating his guilt, and do not fear that you will be punished for this [when your advocating leads to his death]. — [Sifrei] לא תגור ממנו: לא תמנע עצמך מללמד עליו חובה ולא תירא ליענש עליו:
Deuteronomy Chapter 19
1When the Lord, your God, cuts off the nations, whose land the Lord, your God, is giving you, and you inherit them, and dwell in their cities and in their houses, אכִּֽי־יַכְרִ֞ית יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ אֶת־הַגּוֹיִ֔ם אֲשֶׁר֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לְךָ֖ אֶת־אַרְצָ֑ם וִֽירִשְׁתָּ֕ם וְיָֽשַׁבְתָּ֥ בְעָֽרֵיהֶ֖ם וּבְבָֽתֵּיהֶֽם:
2you shall separate three cities for yourself in the midst of your land, which the Lord, your God, is giving you to possess. בשָׁל֥וֹשׁ עָרִ֖ים תַּבְדִּ֣יל לָ֑ךְ בְּת֣וֹךְ אַרְצְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁר֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לְךָ֖ לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ:
3Prepare the road for yourself and divide into three parts the boundary of your land, which the Lord, your God, is giving you as an inheritance, and it will be for every killer to flee there. גתָּכִ֣ין לְךָ֘ הַדֶּ֒רֶךְ֒ וְשִׁלַּשְׁתָּ֙ אֶת־גְּב֣וּל אַרְצְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יַנְחִֽילְךָ֖ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ וְהָיָ֕ה לָנ֥וּס שָׁ֖מָּה כָּל־רֹצֵֽחַ:
Prepare for yourself the way: “Refuge! Refuge!” was inscribed at each crossroads [directing the way to the nearest refuge city]. — [Mak . 10b] תכין לך הדרך: מקלט מקלט היה כתוב על פרשת דרכים:
and divide into three parts the boundary of your land: so that [the distance] from the beginning of the border to the first refuge city should be the same as the distance from this first city to the second, and so from the second to the third and from the third to the opposite border of Israel. — [Mak. 9b] ושלשת את גבול ארצך: שיהא מתחלת הגבול עד העיר הראשונה של עיר מקלט, כשיעור מהלך שיש ממנה עד השניה. וכן משניה, לשלישית. וכן מן השלישית, עד הגבול השני של ארץ ישראל:
4And this is the case of the killer who will flee there, so that he may live: Whoever strikes his fellow [to death] unintentionally, whom he did not hate in times past. דוְזֶה֙ דְּבַ֣ר הָֽרֹצֵ֔חַ אֲשֶׁר־יָנ֥וּס שָׁ֖מָּה וָחָ֑י אֲשֶׁ֨ר יַכֶּ֤ה אֶת־רֵעֵ֨הוּ֙ בִּבְלִי־דַ֔עַת וְה֛וּא לֹֽא־שׂנֵ֥א ל֖וֹ מִתְּמֹ֥ל שִׁלְשֹֽׁם:
5As when a man goes with his fellow into the forest to chop wood, and his hand swings the ax to cut down the tree, and the iron flies off the handle, and it reaches his fellow, and he dies he shall flee to one of these cities, and live. הוַֽאֲשֶׁר֩ יָבֹ֨א אֶת־רֵעֵ֥הוּ בַיַּ֘עַר֘ לַחְטֹ֣ב עֵצִים֒ וְנִדְּחָ֨ה יָד֤וֹ בַגַּרְזֶן֙ לִכְרֹ֣ת הָעֵ֔ץ וְנָשַׁ֤ל הַבַּרְזֶל֙ מִן־הָעֵ֔ץ וּמָצָ֥א אֶת־רֵעֵ֖הוּ וָמֵ֑ת ה֗וּא יָנ֛וּס אֶל־אַחַ֥ת הֶֽעָרִֽים־הָאֵ֖לֶּה וָחָֽי:
And his hand swings [the ax]: when he was about to let the ax fall on the tree. The Targum renders this as וְתִתְמְרֵיג יְדֵּיּהּ meaning, וְנִשְׁמְטָה יָדוֹ his hand swayed while letting the stroke of the ax fall upon the tree. [Similarly,] the words הַבָּקָר כִּי שָׁמְטוּ (II Sam. 6:6), are rendered in Targum Jonathan as: אֲרֵי מַרְגוּהִי תּוֹרַיָּא“for the oxen swayed.” ונדחה ידו: כשבא להפיל הגרזן על העץ, ותרגומו ותתמריג ידיה, לשון ונשמטה ידו להפיל מכת הגרזן על העץ. כי שמטו הבקר (שמואל ב' ו ו) תרגם יונתן ארי מרגוהי תוריא:
and the iron flies off the handle: Heb. וְנָשַׁל הַבַּרְזֶל מִן-הָעֵץ. Some of our Rabbis say that this means that the iron head [of the ax] slipped off its handle, while others say, the ax chipped a splinter of wood off the tree which was being chopped, and it ricocheted, killing [the victim]. — [Mak. 7b] ונשל הברזל מן העץ: יש מרבותינו אומרים נשמט הברזל מקתו, ויש מהם אומרים שישל הברזל חתיכה מן העץ המתבקע, והיא נתזה והרגה:
6Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the killer, while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and he strikes him to death, whereas he was not deserving of death, for he had not hated him in times past. ופֶּן־יִרְדֹּף֩ גֹּאֵ֨ל הַדָּ֜ם אַֽחֲרֵ֣י הָֽרֹצֵ֗חַ כִּ֣י יֵחַם֘ לְבָבוֹ֒ וְהִשִּׂיג֛וֹ כִּֽי־יִרְבֶּ֥ה הַדֶּ֖רֶךְ וְהִכָּ֣הוּ נָ֑פֶשׁ וְלוֹ֙ אֵ֣ין מִשְׁפַּט־מָ֔וֶת כִּ֠י לֹ֣א שׂנֵ֥א ה֛וּא ל֖וֹ מִתְּמ֥וֹל שִׁלְשֽׁוֹם:
Lest the avenger of the blood pursue [the killer]: This is why I am telling you prepare a way for yourself, and [to prepare] many refuge cities. פן ירדוף גואל הדם: לכך אני אומר להכין לך דרך, וערי מקלט רבים:
7Therefore, I command you, saying, "You shall separate for yourself three cities." זעַל־כֵּ֛ן אָֽנֹכִ֥י מְצַוְּךָ֖ לֵאמֹ֑ר שָׁל֥שׁ עָרִ֖ים תַּבְדִּ֥יל לָֽךְ:
8And when the Lord, your God, expands your boundary, as He swore to your forefathers, and He gives you all the land of which He spoke to give to your forefathers; חוְאִם־יַרְחִ֞יב יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ אֶת־גְּבֻ֣לְךָ֔ כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר נִשְׁבַּ֖ע לַֽאֲבֹתֶ֑יךָ וְנָ֤תַן לְךָ֙ אֶת־כָּל־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֶּ֖ר לָתֵ֥ת לַֽאֲבֹתֶֽיךָ:
And when [the Lord your God] expands [your boundary]: As He swore to give you the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites. ואם ירחיב: כאשר נשבע לתת לך ארץ קיני וקנזי וקדמוני:
9if you will keep all this commandment to perform it, which I command you this day, to love the Lord, your God, and to walk in His ways all the days, you shall add three more cities for yourself, in addition to these three, טכִּֽי־תִשְׁמֹר֩ אֶת־כָּל־הַמִּצְוָ֨ה הַזֹּ֜את לַֽעֲשׂתָ֗הּ אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָֽנֹכִ֣י מְצַוְּךָ֘ הַיּוֹם֒ לְאַֽהֲבָ֞ה אֶת־יְהֹוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ וְלָלֶ֥כֶת בִּדְרָכָ֖יו כָּל־הַיָּמִ֑ים וְיָֽסַפְתָּ֙ לְךָ֥ עוֹד֙ שָׁל֣שׁ עָרִ֔ים עַ֖ל הַשָּׁל֥שׁ הָאֵֽלֶּה:
you shall add three more [cities] for yourself: Thus, [altogether you will have] nine: The three on the other side of the Jordan, the three in the land of Canaan, and three more in the future [when God will expand your boundary]. — [Sifrei] ויספת לך עוד שלש: הרי תשע. שלש שבעבר הירדן ושלש שבארץ כנען ושלש לעתיד לבא:
10so that innocent blood will not be shed in the midst of your land which the Lord, your God, gives you for an inheritance which would deem you guilty of [having shed this] blood. יוְלֹ֤א יִשָּׁפֵךְ֙ דַּ֣ם נָקִ֔י בְּקֶ֣רֶב אַרְצְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁר֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לְךָ֖ נַֽחֲלָ֑ה וְהָיָ֥ה עָלֶ֖יךָ דָּמִֽים:
11But if a man hates his fellow, lies in wait for him, rises up against him, and strikes him mortally, and he flees to one of these cities, יאוְכִי־יִֽהְיֶ֥ה אִישׁ֙ שׂנֵ֣א לְרֵעֵ֔הוּ וְאָ֤רַב לוֹ֙ וְקָ֣ם עָלָ֔יו וְהִכָּ֥הוּ נֶ֖פֶשׁ וָמֵ֑ת וְנָ֕ס אֶל־אַחַ֖ת הֶֽעָרִ֥ים הָאֵֽל:
But if a man hates his fellow [and lies in wait for him…]: Through this man’s hatred of his fellow, he comes to “lie in wait for him.” From here our Rabbis derived the maxim: If a man transgresses a minor commandment, he will ultimately transgress a major commandment. [Here,] since he transgressed the command: “You shall not hate your brother in your heart” (Lev. 19:17), he ultimately came to shed blood. This is why it says here, “But if a man hates his fellow,” for it should have written only: “But if a man rises up and lies in wait for his fellow and strikes him mortally.” - [Sifrei] וכי יהיה איש שונא לרעהו: על ידי שנאתו הוא בא לידי וארב לו. מכאן אמרו עבר אדם על מצוה קלה סופו לעבור על מצוה חמורה. לפי שעבר על לא תשנא, סופו לבא לידי שפיכות דמים. לכך נאמר כי יהיה איש שונא לרעהו וגו', שהיה לו לכתוב וכי יקום איש וארב לרעהו והכהו נפש:
12the elders of his city shall send and take him from there and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of the blood, that he may die. יבוְשָֽׁלְחוּ֙ זִקְנֵ֣י עִיר֔וֹ וְלָֽקְח֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ מִשָּׁ֑ם וְנָֽתְנ֣וּ אֹת֗וֹ בְּיַ֛ד גֹּאֵ֥ל הַדָּ֖ם וָמֵֽת:
13And you shall not pity him, but you shall abolish [the shedding of] the blood of the innocent from Israel, and it will be good for you. יגלֹֽא־תָח֥וֹס עֵֽינְךָ֖ עָלָ֑יו וּבִֽעַרְתָּ֧ דַם־הַנָּקִ֛י מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֖ל וְט֥וֹב לָֽךְ:
And you shall not pity him: I.e., you should not say,“The first [person] has already been killed; why should we kill this one too and cause two Israelites to be killed?” - [Sifrei] לא תחוס עינך: שלא תאמר הראשון כבר נהרג, למה אנו הורגים את זה ונמצאו שני ישראלים הרוגים:
Daily Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 29 - 34
• 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 29
The Name of God appears eighteen times in this psalm, corresponding to which our Sages established eighteen blessings-the Amidah. The entire psalm can be interpreted as referring to the giving of the Torah and the ingathering of the exiles.
1. A psalm by David. Render to the Lord, children of the mighty, render to the Lord honor and strength.
2. Render to the Lord the honor due to His Name; bow down to the Lord in resplendent holiness.
3. The voice of the Lord is over the waters, the God of glory thunders; the Lord is over mighty waters.
4. The voice of the Lord resounds with might; the voice of the Lord resounds with majesty.
5. The voice of the Lord breaks cedars; the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon.
6. He makes them leap like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7. The voice of the Lord strikes flames of fire.
8. The voice of the Lord makes the desert tremble; the Lord causes the desert of Kadesh to tremble.
9. The voice of the Lord causes the does to calve, and strips the forests bare; and in His Sanctuary all proclaim His glory.
10. The Lord sat [as King] at the Flood; the Lord will sit as King forever.
11. The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.
Chapter 30
This psalm teaches one not to be distressed if God visits suffering upon him in this world, for only through suffering can one enter the World to Come. Even one of great spiritual stature should realize that his stability is not guaranteed, but that all is in the hands of God.
1. A psalm, a song of dedication of the House, by David.
2. I exalt You, Lord, for You have uplifted me, and did not allow my enemies to rejoice over me.
3. Lord, my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me.
4. Lord, You have brought up my soul from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not descend to the pit.
5. Sing to the Lord, you His pious ones, and praise His holy Name.
6. For His wrath endures but for a moment, when He is conciliated there is [long] life; when one retires at night weeping, joy will come in the morning.
7. In my security I thought, "I shall never falter.”
8. Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong; when You concealed Your countenance I was alarmed.
9. I called to You, O Lord, and I made supplication to my Lord:
10. What profit is there in my death, in my going down to the grave? Can dust praise You? Can it proclaim Your truth
11. Lord, hear and be gracious to me; Lord, be a help to me.
12. You have turned my mourning into dancing; You have undone my sackcloth and girded me with joy.
13. Therefore my soul shall sing to You, and not be silent; Lord my God, I will praise You forever.
Chapter 31
Composed by a destitute and oppressed David, running from Saul while placing his trust in God, this psalm instructs man to put his trust in God alone.
1. For the Conductor, a psalm by David.
2. In You I have taken shelter, O Lord, I shall never be shamed; rescue me in Your righteousness.
3. Turn Your ear to me, save me quickly; be to me a rock of refuge, a fortress to deliver me.
4. For You are my rock and my fortress; for the sake of Your Name, direct me and lead me.
5. Remove me from the net they planted for me, for You are my stronghold.
6. I entrust my spirit into Your hand; You will redeem me, Lord, God of truth.
7. I despise those who anticipate worthless vanities; but I trust in the Lord.
8. I will rejoice and delight in Your kindness, for You have seen my affliction; You know the troubles of my soul.
9. You have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet on spacious ground.
10. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from vexation-my soul and my stomach.
11. For my life is spent in sorrow, my years in sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones are wasted away.
12. Because of my adversaries I have become a disgrace-exceedingly to my neighbors, and a dread to my friends; those who see me outside flee from me.
13. Like a dead man, I was forgotten from the heart; I became like a lost vessel.
14. For I have heard the slander of many, terror on every side, when they assembled together against me and plotted to take my life.
15. But I trusted in You, O Lord; I said, "You are my God.”
16. My times are in Your hand; save me from the hands of my enemies and pursuers.
17. Shine Your countenance upon Your servant; deliver me in Your kindness.
18. O Lord, let me not be ashamed, for I have called You; let the wicked be shamed, let them be silent to the grave.
19. Let the lips of falsehood-which speak insolently against the righteous, with arrogance and contempt-be struck dumb.
20. How abundant is Your good that You have hidden for those who fear You; in the presence of man, You have acted for those who take refuge in You.
21. Conceal them from the haughtiness of man, in the shelter of Your countenance; hide them in a shelter from the strife of tongues.
22. Blessed is the Lord, for He has been wondrous in His kindness to me in a besieged city.
23. I said in my panic, "I am cut off from before Your eyes!" But in truth, You heard the voice of my pleas when I cried to You.
24. Love the Lord, all His pious ones! The Lord preserves the faithful, and repays with exactness those who act haughtily.
25. Be strong and fortify your hearts, all who put their hope in the Lord!
Chapter 32
This psalm speaks of forgiveness of sin, and of the good fortune of one who repents and confesses to God wholeheartedly.
1. By David, a maskil.1Fortunate is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2. Fortunate is the man to whom the Lord does not reckon his sin, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3. When I was silent, my limbs wore away through my wailing all day long.
4. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my marrow became [dry] as the droughts of summer, Selah.
5. My sin I made known to You, my iniquity I did not cover. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord," and You have forgiven the iniquity of my transgression forever.
6. For this let every pious man pray to You, at a time when You may be found; indeed, the flood of many waters will not reach him.
7. You are a refuge to me; protect me from distress; surround me with songs of deliverance forever.
8. I will enlighten you and educate you in the path you should go; I will advise you with what I have seen.
9. Be not like a horse, like a mule, senseless, that must be muzzled with bit and bridle when being adorned, so that it not come near you.
10. Many are the agonies of the wicked, but he who trusts in the Lord is surrounded by kindness.
11. Rejoice in the Lord and exult, you righteous ones! Sing joyously, all you upright of heart!
FOOTNOTES
1.A psalm intended to enlighten and impart knowledge(Metzudot).
Chapter 33
This psalm teaches the righteous and upright to praise God. For the more one knows of the Torah's wisdom, the more should he praise God, for he knows and understands His greatness.
1. Sing joyously to the Lord, you righteous ones; it is fitting for the upright to offer praise.
2. Extol the Lord with a harp; sing to Him with a ten-stringed lyre.
3. Sing to Him a new song; play well with sounds of jubilation.
4. For the word of the Lord is just; all His deeds are done in faithfulness.
5. He loves righteousness and justice; the kindness of the Lord fills the earth.
6. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their hosts.
7. He gathers the waters of the sea like a mound; He places the deep waters in vaults.
8. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world tremble before Him.
9. For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it endured.
10. The Lord has annulled the counsel of nations; He has foiled the schemes of peoples.
11. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of His heart throughout all generations.
12. Fortunate is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose as a heritage for Himself.
13. The Lord looks down from heaven; He beholds all mankind.
14. From His dwelling-place He looks intently upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
15. It is He Who fashions the hearts of them all, Who perceives all their actions.
16. The king is not saved by a great army, nor a warrior rescued by great might.
17. The horse is a false guarantee for victory; with all its great strength it offers no escape.
18. But the eye of the Lord is directed toward those who fear Him, toward those who hope for His kindness,
19. to save their soul from death and to sustain them during famine.
20. Our soul yearns for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.
21. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, for we have put our trust in His Holy Name.
22. May Your kindness, Lord, be upon us, as we have placed our hope in You.
Chapter 34
This psalm tells of when David was in grave danger while at the palace of Achish, brother of Goliath. David acted like a madman, letting spittle run down his beard, and writing on the doors: "Achish, king of Gath, owes me one hundred thousand gold coins," leading Achish to eject him from the palace. In his joy, David composed this psalm in alphabetical sequence.
1. By David, when he feigned insanity before Avimelech,1 who then drove him away, and he left.
2. I bless the Lord at all times; His praise is always in my mouth.
3. My soul glories in the Lord; let the humble hear it and rejoice.
4. Exalt the Lord with me, and let us extol His Name together.
5. I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.
6. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never humiliated.
7. This poor man called, and the Lord heard; He delivered him from all his tribulations.
8. The angel of the Lord camps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.
9. Taste and see that the Lord is good; fortunate is the man who trusts in Him.
10. Fear the Lord, you His holy ones, for those who fear Him suffer no want.
11. Young lions may want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.
12. Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
13. Who is the man who desires life, who loves long life wherein to see goodness?
14. Guard your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.
15. Turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it.
16. The eyes of the Lord are directed toward the righteous, and His ears toward their cry.
17. The wrath of the Lord is upon the evildoers, to excise their memory from the earth.
18. But when they [repent and] cry out, the Lord hears, and saves them from all their troubles.
19. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted, and saves those with a crushed spirit.
20. Many are the afflictions of a righteous person, but the Lord rescues him from them all.
21. He protects all his bones; not one of them is broken.
22. Evil brings death upon the wicked, and the enemies of the righteous are condemned.
23. The Lord redeems the soul of His servants; all who take shelter in Him are not condemned.
FOOTNOTES
1.All Philistine kings are referred to by the name Avimelech (Rashi).
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 13, 14 and 15.
Chapter 13
A prayer for an end to the long exile. One in distress should offer this prayer for his troubles and for the length of the exile.
1. For the Conductor, a psalm by David.
2. How long, O Lord, will You forget me, forever? How long will You hide Your countenance from me?
3. How long must I seek counsel within my soul, [to escape] the grief in my heart all day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
4. Look! Answer me, O Lord, my God; give light to my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death.
5. Lest my enemy say, "I have overcome him," [and] my oppressors rejoice when I falter.
6. I have placed my trust in Your kindness, my heart will rejoice in Your deliverance. I will sing to the Lord, for He has dealt kindly with me.
Chapter 14
This psalm speaks of the destruction of the two Holy Temples-the first by Nebuchadnezzar, and the second by Titus.
1. For the Conductor, by David. The fool says in his heart, "There is no God!" [Man's] deeds have become corrupt and abominable, no one does good.
2. The Lord looked down from heaven upon mankind, to see if there was any wise man who searches for God.
3. They have all gone astray together, they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.
4. Indeed, all the evildoers, who devour My people as they devour bread, who do not call upon the Lord, will [ultimately] come to know [the consequences of their actions].
5. There they will be seized with fright, for God is with the righteous generation.
6. You scorn the counsel of the lowly, that he puts his trust in the Lord.
7. O that out of Zion would come Israel's deliverance! When the Lord returns the captivity of His people, Jacob will exult, Israel will rejoice.
Chapter 15
This psalm speaks of several virtues and attributes with which one should conduct oneself. He is then assured that his soul will rest in Gan Eden.
1. A psalm by David. Who may abide in Your tent, O Lord? Who may dwell on Your holy Mountain?
2. He who walks blamelessly, acts justly, and speaks truth in his heart;
3. who has no slander on his tongue, who has done his fellowman no evil, and who has brought no disgrace upon his relative;
4. in whose eyes a despicable person is abhorrent, but who honors those who are God-fearing; who does not change his oath even if it is to his own detriment;
5. who does not lend his money at interest, nor accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never falter.
Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, beginning of Epistle 12
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Thursday, 5 Elul, 5776 · 8 September 2016
• Iggeret HaKodesh, beginning of Epistle 12
• והיה מעשה הצדקה שלום, ועבודת הצדקה השקט ובטח עד עולם
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Shoftim, 5th Portion Deuteronomy 18:14-19:13 with Rashi
• Deuteronomy Chapter 18
14For these nations, which you are to possess, hearken to diviners of [auspicious] times and soothsayers, but as for you, the Lord, your God, has not given you [things] like these. ידכִּ֣י | הַגּוֹיִ֣ם הָאֵ֗לֶּה אֲשֶׁ֤ר אַתָּה֙ יוֹרֵ֣שׁ אוֹתָ֔ם אֶל־מְעֹֽנְנִ֥ים וְאֶל־קֹֽסְמִ֖ים יִשְׁמָ֑עוּ וְאַתָּ֕ה לֹ֣א כֵ֔ן נָ֥תַן לְךָ֖ יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ:
[But…] the Lord your God has not given you: to hearken to diviners of auspicious times and soothsayers, for He caused His Divine Presence to rest upon the prophets and upon the Urim and Tummim. — [Targum Jonathan] לא כן נתן לך ה' אלהיך: לשמוע אל מעוננים ואל קוסמים שהרי השרה שכינה על הנביאים ואורים ותומים:
15A prophet from among you, from your brothers, like me, the Lord, your God will set up for you; you shall hearken to him. טונָבִ֨יא מִקִּרְבְּךָ֤ מֵֽאַחֶ֨יךָ֙ כָּמֹ֔נִי יָקִ֥ים לְךָ֖ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ אֵלָ֖יו תִּשְׁמָעֽוּן:
[A prophet] from among you, from your brothers, like me: This means: Just as I am among you, from your brothers, so will He set up for you [another prophet] in my stead, and so on, from prophet to prophet. מקרבך מאחיך כמוני: כמו שאני מקרבך מאחיך יקים לך תחתי, וכן מנביא לנביא:
16According to all that you asked of the Lord, your God, in Horeb, on the day of the assembly, saying, "Let me not continue to hear the voice of the Lord, my God, and let me no longer see this great fire, so that I will not die." טזכְּכֹ֨ל אֲשֶׁר־שָׁאַ֜לְתָּ מֵעִ֨ם יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ בְּחֹרֵ֔ב בְּי֥וֹם הַקָּהָ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר לֹ֣א אֹסֵ֗ף לִשְׁמֹ֨עַ֙ אֶת־קוֹל֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֔י וְאֶת־הָאֵ֨שׁ הַגְּדֹלָ֥ה הַזֹּ֛את לֹֽא־אֶרְאֶ֥ה ע֖וֹד וְלֹ֥א אָמֽוּת:
17And the Lord said to me, "They have done well in what they have spoken. יזוַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֵלָ֑י הֵיטִ֖יבוּ אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֵּֽרוּ:
18I will set up a prophet for them from among their brothers like you, and I will put My words into his mouth, and he will speak to them all that I command him. יחנָבִ֨יא אָקִ֥ים לָהֶ֛ם מִקֶּ֥רֶב אֲחֵיהֶ֖ם כָּמ֑וֹךָ וְנָֽתַתִּ֤י דְבָרַי֙ בְּפִ֔יו וְדִבֶּ֣ר אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם אֵ֖ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲצַוֶּֽנּוּ:
19And it will be, that whoever does not hearken to My words that he speaks in My name, I will exact [it] of him. יטוְהָיָ֗ה הָאִישׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־יִשְׁמַע֙ אֶל־דְּבָרַ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר יְדַבֵּ֖ר בִּשְׁמִ֑י אָֽנֹכִ֖י אֶדְר֥שׁ מֵֽעִמּֽוֹ:
20But the prophet who intentionally speaks a word in My name, which I did not command him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die. כאַ֣ךְ הַנָּבִ֡יא אֲשֶׁ֣ר יָזִיד֩ לְדַבֵּ֨ר דָּבָ֜ר בִּשְׁמִ֗י אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־צִוִּיתִיו֙ לְדַבֵּ֔ר וַֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר יְדַבֵּ֔ר בְּשֵׁ֖ם אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֑ים וּמֵ֖ת הַנָּבִ֥יא הַהֽוּא:
which I did not command him to speak: But which I commanded his fellow prophet [to speak]. אשר לא צויתיו לדבר: אבל צויתיו לחבירו:
or who speaks in the name of other gods: Even though his words coincide with the halachah [Jewish law], forbidding what is forbidden or permitting what is permissible. — [San. 89a] ואשר ידבר בשם אלהים אחרים: אפילו כיון את ההלכה, לאסור את האסור ולהתיר את המותר:
[That prophet] shall die: By strangulation. Three [sinful prophets] are executed by man [i.e., by the court]: One who prophesies what he has not heard, one who prophesies what was not told to him but was told to his fellow [prophet], and one who prophesies in the name of a pagan deity. However, one who suppresses his prophecy [i.e., does not announce it], or one who transgresses the words of a prophet, or a prophet who transgresses his own words [of prophecy]-their death is by the hands of Heaven, for it is said (verse 19), “ I shall exact [it] from him.” - [San. 89a] ומת: בחנק. שלשה מיתתן בידי אדם, המתנבא מה שלא שמע ומה שלא נאמר לו ונאמר לחבירו, והמתנבא בשם עבודה זרה. אבל הכובש את נבואתו והעובר על דברי נביא והעובר על דברי עצמו מיתתן בידי שמים, שנאמר (פסוק יט) אנכי אדרוש מעמו:
21Now if you say to yourself, "How will we know the word that the Lord did not speak?" כאוְכִ֥י תֹאמַ֖ר בִּלְבָבֶ֑ךָ אֵיכָה֙ נֵדַ֣ע אֶת־הַדָּבָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא־דִבְּר֖וֹ יְהֹוָֽה:
Now if you say to yourself, [“How will we know the word the Lord did not speak?”]?: [This verse alludes to a future time when Israel will want to know which prophet is speaking the word of God. It means:] You are destined to say this when Hananiah, the son of Azzur [a false prophet], came and prophesied, “Behold the vessels of the house of the Lord will be returned from Babylon now hastily” (Jer. 27:16), and Jeremiah stood and cried (Jer. 27:19-22), “concerning the pillars, concerning the sea,… and concerning the remainder of the vessels…” which had not been exiled, ‘they shall be brought to Babylon’ "together with the exile of Zedekiah. — [Sifrei] וכי תאמר בלבבך: עתידין אתם לומר, כשיבא חנניא בן עזור ומתנבא הנה כלי בית ה' מושבים מבבלה עתה מהרה (ירמיה כז, טז) וירמיהו עומד וצווח על העמודים ועל הים ועל יתר הכלים שלא גלו עם יכניה, בבלה יובאו (שם כז, כב) עם גלות צדקיהו:
22If the prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, and the thing does not occur and does not come about, that is the thing the Lord did not speak. The prophet has spoken it wantonly; you shall not be afraid of him. כבאֲשֶׁר֩ יְדַבֵּ֨ר הַנָּבִ֜יא בְּשֵׁ֣ם יְהֹוָ֗ה וְלֹא־יִֽהְיֶ֤ה הַדָּבָר֙ וְלֹ֣א יָבֹ֔א ה֣וּא הַדָּבָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא־דִבְּר֖וֹ יְהֹוָ֑ה בְּזָדוֹן֙ דִּבְּר֣וֹ הַנָּבִ֔יא לֹ֥א תָג֖וּר מִמֶּֽנּוּ:
If the prophet speaks [in the Name of the Lord]: And says, “This thing is destined to happen to you,” and you see [afterwards] that it does not come about, “that is the thing the Lord did not speak” ; so execute him. But you might say, “This applies to one who prophesies regarding the future. However, suppose one comes and says ‘Do such and such a thing, and I am telling you this by the command of the Holy One, blessed is He,’ [how do we know whether he is speaking the truth? Regarding such a case,] they were already commanded that if someone comes to make you stray from any of the commandments, ”Do not hearken to him“ (Deut. 13:4), unless you are certain that he is a perfectly righteous person, e.g., Elijah on Mount Carmel, who sacrificed on a high place when high places were forbidden, [but did so] in order to control Israel [against idolatry]. Everything must be done according to the needs of the time, and the need for preventive measures to protect against breaches [in the religion]. Therefore [with respect to this authentic prophet], it is stated,”hearken to him" (verse 15). - [San. 89a] אשר ידבר הנביא: ויאמר דבר זה עתיד לבוא עליכם, ותראו שלא יבא, הוא הדבר אשר לא דברו ה' והרוג אותו. ואם תאמר זו במתנבא על העתידות, הרי שבא ואמר עשו כך וכך ומפי הקב"ה אני אומר, כבר נצטוו שאם בא להדיחך מאחת מכל המצות לא תשמע לו, אלא אם כן מומחה הוא לך שהוא צדיק גמור, כגון אליהו בהר הכרמל שהקריב בבמה בשעת איסור הבמות כדי לגדור את ישראל. הכל לפי צורך השעה וסייג הפרצה, לכך נאמר אליו תשמעון:
you shall not be afraid of him: I.e., do not restrain yourselves from advocating his guilt, and do not fear that you will be punished for this [when your advocating leads to his death]. — [Sifrei] לא תגור ממנו: לא תמנע עצמך מללמד עליו חובה ולא תירא ליענש עליו:
Deuteronomy Chapter 19
1When the Lord, your God, cuts off the nations, whose land the Lord, your God, is giving you, and you inherit them, and dwell in their cities and in their houses, אכִּֽי־יַכְרִ֞ית יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ אֶת־הַגּוֹיִ֔ם אֲשֶׁר֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לְךָ֖ אֶת־אַרְצָ֑ם וִֽירִשְׁתָּ֕ם וְיָֽשַׁבְתָּ֥ בְעָֽרֵיהֶ֖ם וּבְבָֽתֵּיהֶֽם:
2you shall separate three cities for yourself in the midst of your land, which the Lord, your God, is giving you to possess. בשָׁל֥וֹשׁ עָרִ֖ים תַּבְדִּ֣יל לָ֑ךְ בְּת֣וֹךְ אַרְצְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁר֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לְךָ֖ לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ:
3Prepare the road for yourself and divide into three parts the boundary of your land, which the Lord, your God, is giving you as an inheritance, and it will be for every killer to flee there. גתָּכִ֣ין לְךָ֘ הַדֶּ֒רֶךְ֒ וְשִׁלַּשְׁתָּ֙ אֶת־גְּב֣וּל אַרְצְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יַנְחִֽילְךָ֖ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ וְהָיָ֕ה לָנ֥וּס שָׁ֖מָּה כָּל־רֹצֵֽחַ:
Prepare for yourself the way: “Refuge! Refuge!” was inscribed at each crossroads [directing the way to the nearest refuge city]. — [Mak . 10b] תכין לך הדרך: מקלט מקלט היה כתוב על פרשת דרכים:
and divide into three parts the boundary of your land: so that [the distance] from the beginning of the border to the first refuge city should be the same as the distance from this first city to the second, and so from the second to the third and from the third to the opposite border of Israel. — [Mak. 9b] ושלשת את גבול ארצך: שיהא מתחלת הגבול עד העיר הראשונה של עיר מקלט, כשיעור מהלך שיש ממנה עד השניה. וכן משניה, לשלישית. וכן מן השלישית, עד הגבול השני של ארץ ישראל:
4And this is the case of the killer who will flee there, so that he may live: Whoever strikes his fellow [to death] unintentionally, whom he did not hate in times past. דוְזֶה֙ דְּבַ֣ר הָֽרֹצֵ֔חַ אֲשֶׁר־יָנ֥וּס שָׁ֖מָּה וָחָ֑י אֲשֶׁ֨ר יַכֶּ֤ה אֶת־רֵעֵ֨הוּ֙ בִּבְלִי־דַ֔עַת וְה֛וּא לֹֽא־שׂנֵ֥א ל֖וֹ מִתְּמֹ֥ל שִׁלְשֹֽׁם:
5As when a man goes with his fellow into the forest to chop wood, and his hand swings the ax to cut down the tree, and the iron flies off the handle, and it reaches his fellow, and he dies he shall flee to one of these cities, and live. הוַֽאֲשֶׁר֩ יָבֹ֨א אֶת־רֵעֵ֥הוּ בַיַּ֘עַר֘ לַחְטֹ֣ב עֵצִים֒ וְנִדְּחָ֨ה יָד֤וֹ בַגַּרְזֶן֙ לִכְרֹ֣ת הָעֵ֔ץ וְנָשַׁ֤ל הַבַּרְזֶל֙ מִן־הָעֵ֔ץ וּמָצָ֥א אֶת־רֵעֵ֖הוּ וָמֵ֑ת ה֗וּא יָנ֛וּס אֶל־אַחַ֥ת הֶֽעָרִֽים־הָאֵ֖לֶּה וָחָֽי:
And his hand swings [the ax]: when he was about to let the ax fall on the tree. The Targum renders this as וְתִתְמְרֵיג יְדֵּיּהּ meaning, וְנִשְׁמְטָה יָדוֹ his hand swayed while letting the stroke of the ax fall upon the tree. [Similarly,] the words הַבָּקָר כִּי שָׁמְטוּ (II Sam. 6:6), are rendered in Targum Jonathan as: אֲרֵי מַרְגוּהִי תּוֹרַיָּא“for the oxen swayed.” ונדחה ידו: כשבא להפיל הגרזן על העץ, ותרגומו ותתמריג ידיה, לשון ונשמטה ידו להפיל מכת הגרזן על העץ. כי שמטו הבקר (שמואל ב' ו ו) תרגם יונתן ארי מרגוהי תוריא:
and the iron flies off the handle: Heb. וְנָשַׁל הַבַּרְזֶל מִן-הָעֵץ. Some of our Rabbis say that this means that the iron head [of the ax] slipped off its handle, while others say, the ax chipped a splinter of wood off the tree which was being chopped, and it ricocheted, killing [the victim]. — [Mak. 7b] ונשל הברזל מן העץ: יש מרבותינו אומרים נשמט הברזל מקתו, ויש מהם אומרים שישל הברזל חתיכה מן העץ המתבקע, והיא נתזה והרגה:
6Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the killer, while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and he strikes him to death, whereas he was not deserving of death, for he had not hated him in times past. ופֶּן־יִרְדֹּף֩ גֹּאֵ֨ל הַדָּ֜ם אַֽחֲרֵ֣י הָֽרֹצֵ֗חַ כִּ֣י יֵחַם֘ לְבָבוֹ֒ וְהִשִּׂיג֛וֹ כִּֽי־יִרְבֶּ֥ה הַדֶּ֖רֶךְ וְהִכָּ֣הוּ נָ֑פֶשׁ וְלוֹ֙ אֵ֣ין מִשְׁפַּט־מָ֔וֶת כִּ֠י לֹ֣א שׂנֵ֥א ה֛וּא ל֖וֹ מִתְּמ֥וֹל שִׁלְשֽׁוֹם:
Lest the avenger of the blood pursue [the killer]: This is why I am telling you prepare a way for yourself, and [to prepare] many refuge cities. פן ירדוף גואל הדם: לכך אני אומר להכין לך דרך, וערי מקלט רבים:
7Therefore, I command you, saying, "You shall separate for yourself three cities." זעַל־כֵּ֛ן אָֽנֹכִ֥י מְצַוְּךָ֖ לֵאמֹ֑ר שָׁל֥שׁ עָרִ֖ים תַּבְדִּ֥יל לָֽךְ:
8And when the Lord, your God, expands your boundary, as He swore to your forefathers, and He gives you all the land of which He spoke to give to your forefathers; חוְאִם־יַרְחִ֞יב יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ אֶת־גְּבֻ֣לְךָ֔ כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר נִשְׁבַּ֖ע לַֽאֲבֹתֶ֑יךָ וְנָ֤תַן לְךָ֙ אֶת־כָּל־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֶּ֖ר לָתֵ֥ת לַֽאֲבֹתֶֽיךָ:
And when [the Lord your God] expands [your boundary]: As He swore to give you the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites. ואם ירחיב: כאשר נשבע לתת לך ארץ קיני וקנזי וקדמוני:
9if you will keep all this commandment to perform it, which I command you this day, to love the Lord, your God, and to walk in His ways all the days, you shall add three more cities for yourself, in addition to these three, טכִּֽי־תִשְׁמֹר֩ אֶת־כָּל־הַמִּצְוָ֨ה הַזֹּ֜את לַֽעֲשׂתָ֗הּ אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָֽנֹכִ֣י מְצַוְּךָ֘ הַיּוֹם֒ לְאַֽהֲבָ֞ה אֶת־יְהֹוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ וְלָלֶ֥כֶת בִּדְרָכָ֖יו כָּל־הַיָּמִ֑ים וְיָֽסַפְתָּ֙ לְךָ֥ עוֹד֙ שָׁל֣שׁ עָרִ֔ים עַ֖ל הַשָּׁל֥שׁ הָאֵֽלֶּה:
you shall add three more [cities] for yourself: Thus, [altogether you will have] nine: The three on the other side of the Jordan, the three in the land of Canaan, and three more in the future [when God will expand your boundary]. — [Sifrei] ויספת לך עוד שלש: הרי תשע. שלש שבעבר הירדן ושלש שבארץ כנען ושלש לעתיד לבא:
10so that innocent blood will not be shed in the midst of your land which the Lord, your God, gives you for an inheritance which would deem you guilty of [having shed this] blood. יוְלֹ֤א יִשָּׁפֵךְ֙ דַּ֣ם נָקִ֔י בְּקֶ֣רֶב אַרְצְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁר֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לְךָ֖ נַֽחֲלָ֑ה וְהָיָ֥ה עָלֶ֖יךָ דָּמִֽים:
11But if a man hates his fellow, lies in wait for him, rises up against him, and strikes him mortally, and he flees to one of these cities, יאוְכִי־יִֽהְיֶ֥ה אִישׁ֙ שׂנֵ֣א לְרֵעֵ֔הוּ וְאָ֤רַב לוֹ֙ וְקָ֣ם עָלָ֔יו וְהִכָּ֥הוּ נֶ֖פֶשׁ וָמֵ֑ת וְנָ֕ס אֶל־אַחַ֖ת הֶֽעָרִ֥ים הָאֵֽל:
But if a man hates his fellow [and lies in wait for him…]: Through this man’s hatred of his fellow, he comes to “lie in wait for him.” From here our Rabbis derived the maxim: If a man transgresses a minor commandment, he will ultimately transgress a major commandment. [Here,] since he transgressed the command: “You shall not hate your brother in your heart” (Lev. 19:17), he ultimately came to shed blood. This is why it says here, “But if a man hates his fellow,” for it should have written only: “But if a man rises up and lies in wait for his fellow and strikes him mortally.” - [Sifrei] וכי יהיה איש שונא לרעהו: על ידי שנאתו הוא בא לידי וארב לו. מכאן אמרו עבר אדם על מצוה קלה סופו לעבור על מצוה חמורה. לפי שעבר על לא תשנא, סופו לבא לידי שפיכות דמים. לכך נאמר כי יהיה איש שונא לרעהו וגו', שהיה לו לכתוב וכי יקום איש וארב לרעהו והכהו נפש:
12the elders of his city shall send and take him from there and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of the blood, that he may die. יבוְשָֽׁלְחוּ֙ זִקְנֵ֣י עִיר֔וֹ וְלָֽקְח֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ מִשָּׁ֑ם וְנָֽתְנ֣וּ אֹת֗וֹ בְּיַ֛ד גֹּאֵ֥ל הַדָּ֖ם וָמֵֽת:
13And you shall not pity him, but you shall abolish [the shedding of] the blood of the innocent from Israel, and it will be good for you. יגלֹֽא־תָח֥וֹס עֵֽינְךָ֖ עָלָ֑יו וּבִֽעַרְתָּ֧ דַם־הַנָּקִ֛י מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֖ל וְט֥וֹב לָֽךְ:
And you shall not pity him: I.e., you should not say,“The first [person] has already been killed; why should we kill this one too and cause two Israelites to be killed?” - [Sifrei] לא תחוס עינך: שלא תאמר הראשון כבר נהרג, למה אנו הורגים את זה ונמצאו שני ישראלים הרוגים:
Daily Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 29 - 34
• 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 29
The Name of God appears eighteen times in this psalm, corresponding to which our Sages established eighteen blessings-the Amidah. The entire psalm can be interpreted as referring to the giving of the Torah and the ingathering of the exiles.
1. A psalm by David. Render to the Lord, children of the mighty, render to the Lord honor and strength.
2. Render to the Lord the honor due to His Name; bow down to the Lord in resplendent holiness.
3. The voice of the Lord is over the waters, the God of glory thunders; the Lord is over mighty waters.
4. The voice of the Lord resounds with might; the voice of the Lord resounds with majesty.
5. The voice of the Lord breaks cedars; the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon.
6. He makes them leap like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7. The voice of the Lord strikes flames of fire.
8. The voice of the Lord makes the desert tremble; the Lord causes the desert of Kadesh to tremble.
9. The voice of the Lord causes the does to calve, and strips the forests bare; and in His Sanctuary all proclaim His glory.
10. The Lord sat [as King] at the Flood; the Lord will sit as King forever.
11. The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.
Chapter 30
This psalm teaches one not to be distressed if God visits suffering upon him in this world, for only through suffering can one enter the World to Come. Even one of great spiritual stature should realize that his stability is not guaranteed, but that all is in the hands of God.
1. A psalm, a song of dedication of the House, by David.
2. I exalt You, Lord, for You have uplifted me, and did not allow my enemies to rejoice over me.
3. Lord, my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me.
4. Lord, You have brought up my soul from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not descend to the pit.
5. Sing to the Lord, you His pious ones, and praise His holy Name.
6. For His wrath endures but for a moment, when He is conciliated there is [long] life; when one retires at night weeping, joy will come in the morning.
7. In my security I thought, "I shall never falter.”
8. Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong; when You concealed Your countenance I was alarmed.
9. I called to You, O Lord, and I made supplication to my Lord:
10. What profit is there in my death, in my going down to the grave? Can dust praise You? Can it proclaim Your truth
11. Lord, hear and be gracious to me; Lord, be a help to me.
12. You have turned my mourning into dancing; You have undone my sackcloth and girded me with joy.
13. Therefore my soul shall sing to You, and not be silent; Lord my God, I will praise You forever.
Chapter 31
Composed by a destitute and oppressed David, running from Saul while placing his trust in God, this psalm instructs man to put his trust in God alone.
1. For the Conductor, a psalm by David.
2. In You I have taken shelter, O Lord, I shall never be shamed; rescue me in Your righteousness.
3. Turn Your ear to me, save me quickly; be to me a rock of refuge, a fortress to deliver me.
4. For You are my rock and my fortress; for the sake of Your Name, direct me and lead me.
5. Remove me from the net they planted for me, for You are my stronghold.
6. I entrust my spirit into Your hand; You will redeem me, Lord, God of truth.
7. I despise those who anticipate worthless vanities; but I trust in the Lord.
8. I will rejoice and delight in Your kindness, for You have seen my affliction; You know the troubles of my soul.
9. You have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet on spacious ground.
10. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from vexation-my soul and my stomach.
11. For my life is spent in sorrow, my years in sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones are wasted away.
12. Because of my adversaries I have become a disgrace-exceedingly to my neighbors, and a dread to my friends; those who see me outside flee from me.
13. Like a dead man, I was forgotten from the heart; I became like a lost vessel.
14. For I have heard the slander of many, terror on every side, when they assembled together against me and plotted to take my life.
15. But I trusted in You, O Lord; I said, "You are my God.”
16. My times are in Your hand; save me from the hands of my enemies and pursuers.
17. Shine Your countenance upon Your servant; deliver me in Your kindness.
18. O Lord, let me not be ashamed, for I have called You; let the wicked be shamed, let them be silent to the grave.
19. Let the lips of falsehood-which speak insolently against the righteous, with arrogance and contempt-be struck dumb.
20. How abundant is Your good that You have hidden for those who fear You; in the presence of man, You have acted for those who take refuge in You.
21. Conceal them from the haughtiness of man, in the shelter of Your countenance; hide them in a shelter from the strife of tongues.
22. Blessed is the Lord, for He has been wondrous in His kindness to me in a besieged city.
23. I said in my panic, "I am cut off from before Your eyes!" But in truth, You heard the voice of my pleas when I cried to You.
24. Love the Lord, all His pious ones! The Lord preserves the faithful, and repays with exactness those who act haughtily.
25. Be strong and fortify your hearts, all who put their hope in the Lord!
Chapter 32
This psalm speaks of forgiveness of sin, and of the good fortune of one who repents and confesses to God wholeheartedly.
1. By David, a maskil.1Fortunate is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2. Fortunate is the man to whom the Lord does not reckon his sin, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3. When I was silent, my limbs wore away through my wailing all day long.
4. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my marrow became [dry] as the droughts of summer, Selah.
5. My sin I made known to You, my iniquity I did not cover. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord," and You have forgiven the iniquity of my transgression forever.
6. For this let every pious man pray to You, at a time when You may be found; indeed, the flood of many waters will not reach him.
7. You are a refuge to me; protect me from distress; surround me with songs of deliverance forever.
8. I will enlighten you and educate you in the path you should go; I will advise you with what I have seen.
9. Be not like a horse, like a mule, senseless, that must be muzzled with bit and bridle when being adorned, so that it not come near you.
10. Many are the agonies of the wicked, but he who trusts in the Lord is surrounded by kindness.
11. Rejoice in the Lord and exult, you righteous ones! Sing joyously, all you upright of heart!
FOOTNOTES
1.A psalm intended to enlighten and impart knowledge(Metzudot).
Chapter 33
This psalm teaches the righteous and upright to praise God. For the more one knows of the Torah's wisdom, the more should he praise God, for he knows and understands His greatness.
1. Sing joyously to the Lord, you righteous ones; it is fitting for the upright to offer praise.
2. Extol the Lord with a harp; sing to Him with a ten-stringed lyre.
3. Sing to Him a new song; play well with sounds of jubilation.
4. For the word of the Lord is just; all His deeds are done in faithfulness.
5. He loves righteousness and justice; the kindness of the Lord fills the earth.
6. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their hosts.
7. He gathers the waters of the sea like a mound; He places the deep waters in vaults.
8. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world tremble before Him.
9. For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it endured.
10. The Lord has annulled the counsel of nations; He has foiled the schemes of peoples.
11. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of His heart throughout all generations.
12. Fortunate is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose as a heritage for Himself.
13. The Lord looks down from heaven; He beholds all mankind.
14. From His dwelling-place He looks intently upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
15. It is He Who fashions the hearts of them all, Who perceives all their actions.
16. The king is not saved by a great army, nor a warrior rescued by great might.
17. The horse is a false guarantee for victory; with all its great strength it offers no escape.
18. But the eye of the Lord is directed toward those who fear Him, toward those who hope for His kindness,
19. to save their soul from death and to sustain them during famine.
20. Our soul yearns for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.
21. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, for we have put our trust in His Holy Name.
22. May Your kindness, Lord, be upon us, as we have placed our hope in You.
Chapter 34
This psalm tells of when David was in grave danger while at the palace of Achish, brother of Goliath. David acted like a madman, letting spittle run down his beard, and writing on the doors: "Achish, king of Gath, owes me one hundred thousand gold coins," leading Achish to eject him from the palace. In his joy, David composed this psalm in alphabetical sequence.
1. By David, when he feigned insanity before Avimelech,1 who then drove him away, and he left.
2. I bless the Lord at all times; His praise is always in my mouth.
3. My soul glories in the Lord; let the humble hear it and rejoice.
4. Exalt the Lord with me, and let us extol His Name together.
5. I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.
6. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never humiliated.
7. This poor man called, and the Lord heard; He delivered him from all his tribulations.
8. The angel of the Lord camps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.
9. Taste and see that the Lord is good; fortunate is the man who trusts in Him.
10. Fear the Lord, you His holy ones, for those who fear Him suffer no want.
11. Young lions may want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.
12. Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
13. Who is the man who desires life, who loves long life wherein to see goodness?
14. Guard your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.
15. Turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it.
16. The eyes of the Lord are directed toward the righteous, and His ears toward their cry.
17. The wrath of the Lord is upon the evildoers, to excise their memory from the earth.
18. But when they [repent and] cry out, the Lord hears, and saves them from all their troubles.
19. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted, and saves those with a crushed spirit.
20. Many are the afflictions of a righteous person, but the Lord rescues him from them all.
21. He protects all his bones; not one of them is broken.
22. Evil brings death upon the wicked, and the enemies of the righteous are condemned.
23. The Lord redeems the soul of His servants; all who take shelter in Him are not condemned.
FOOTNOTES
1.All Philistine kings are referred to by the name Avimelech (Rashi).
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 13, 14 and 15.
Chapter 13
A prayer for an end to the long exile. One in distress should offer this prayer for his troubles and for the length of the exile.
1. For the Conductor, a psalm by David.
2. How long, O Lord, will You forget me, forever? How long will You hide Your countenance from me?
3. How long must I seek counsel within my soul, [to escape] the grief in my heart all day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
4. Look! Answer me, O Lord, my God; give light to my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death.
5. Lest my enemy say, "I have overcome him," [and] my oppressors rejoice when I falter.
6. I have placed my trust in Your kindness, my heart will rejoice in Your deliverance. I will sing to the Lord, for He has dealt kindly with me.
Chapter 14
This psalm speaks of the destruction of the two Holy Temples-the first by Nebuchadnezzar, and the second by Titus.
1. For the Conductor, by David. The fool says in his heart, "There is no God!" [Man's] deeds have become corrupt and abominable, no one does good.
2. The Lord looked down from heaven upon mankind, to see if there was any wise man who searches for God.
3. They have all gone astray together, they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.
4. Indeed, all the evildoers, who devour My people as they devour bread, who do not call upon the Lord, will [ultimately] come to know [the consequences of their actions].
5. There they will be seized with fright, for God is with the righteous generation.
6. You scorn the counsel of the lowly, that he puts his trust in the Lord.
7. O that out of Zion would come Israel's deliverance! When the Lord returns the captivity of His people, Jacob will exult, Israel will rejoice.
Chapter 15
This psalm speaks of several virtues and attributes with which one should conduct oneself. He is then assured that his soul will rest in Gan Eden.
1. A psalm by David. Who may abide in Your tent, O Lord? Who may dwell on Your holy Mountain?
2. He who walks blamelessly, acts justly, and speaks truth in his heart;
3. who has no slander on his tongue, who has done his fellowman no evil, and who has brought no disgrace upon his relative;
4. in whose eyes a despicable person is abhorrent, but who honors those who are God-fearing; who does not change his oath even if it is to his own detriment;
5. who does not lend his money at interest, nor accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never falter.
Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, beginning of Epistle 12
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Thursday, 5 Elul, 5776 · 8 September 2016
• Iggeret HaKodesh, beginning of Epistle 12
• והיה מעשה הצדקה שלום, ועבודת הצדקה השקט ובטח עד עולם
“And [the reward for] the act of tzedakah will be peace, and [the reward for] the service of tzedakah [will be] quietness and surety forever.”1
Some commentaries explain that “act” (מעשה) and “service” (עבודה) are one and the same; the verse merely reiterates the same theme in different words. Targum Yonatan, however, writes that “act” and “service” indicate two different forms of charity: the reward for the “act” of tzedakah is peace; the reward for the “service” of tzedakah is eternal quietness and surety.
להבין ההפרש שבין מעשה לעבודה, ובין שלום להשקט ובטח
The difference between [the] “act” and “service” of tzedakah, and the difference between the rewards of“peace” and “quietness and surety,” will be understood
על פי מה שאמרו רז״ל על פסוק: עושה שלום במרומיו
כי מיכאל שר של מים וגבריאל שר של אש, ואין מכבין זה את זה
“Michael is the prince of water and Gabriel is the prince of fire, yet they do not extinguish one another.”
Though water seeks to quench fire and fire endeavors to vaporize water, and “Michael is the prince of water and Gabriel is the prince of fire,” nevertheless they do not extinguish one another.
כלומר
This means to say, not that Michael’s substance derives from the spiritual element of water and Gabriel’s substance derives from the spiritual element of fire, but that
שמיכאל שר של חסד
Michael is the prince of Chesed (“kindness”),
הנקרא בשם מים, היורדים ממקום גבוה למקום נמוך
which is called “water”, because it descends from a high place to a low place.
והוא בחינת ההשפעה והתפשטות החיות מעולמות עליונים לתחתונים
In spiritual terms this [descent] means: the bestowal and diffusion of the [Divine] life-force from the higher to the lower worlds.
ובחינת אש, שטבעה לעלות למעלה, היא בחינת הגבורה, והסתלקות השפעת החיות ממטה למעלה
Fire, whose nature is to soar aloft, represents spiritually the thrust of Gevurah (“severity”), and the upward withdrawal of the flow of life-force,
שלא להשפיע רק בצמצום עצום ורב
in order not to bestow [it] except by way of an intense and immense contraction.
והן מדות נגדיות זו לזו
Now these attributes are in conflict, Chesed representing unlimited effusion, and Gevurah representing limitation and contraction,
והיינו, כשהן בבחינת מדות לבדן
but only when they are in their pristine state as attributes.
Inasmuch as the attributes are inherently limited (and indeed the very word middah means “measure”), each of them is confined to its innate characteristics, Chesed to expansiveness, Gevurah to withdrawal.
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. | Yeshayahu 32:17. |
| 2. | See Devarim Rabbah 5:12; Tanchuma, Vayigash 6. |
| 3. | Iyov 25:2. |
• Rambam: Sefer Hamitzvos:
• Thursday, 5 Elul, 5776 · 8 September 2016
• Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
Positive Commandment 197
Lending Money
"If you lend money to My people, the poor among you"—Exodus 22:24.
We are commanded to lend money to the impoverished, in order to help relieve them and ease their burden. This mitzvah is even greater than that of giving charity; for one who has already reached the point where he has to openly ask people for money is less bothered and pained by [having to ask for assistance] than one who has not yet reached this level. He therefore needs assistance to keep his situation from being known and reaching such a level.
Full text of this Mitzvah »• Lending Money
Positive Commandment 197
Translated by Berel Bell
The 197th mitzvah is that we are commanded to lend money to a poor person, in order to help him and to ease his burden. This mitzvah is even greater and of more magnitude than that of giving charity; for one who has already reached the point where he has to openly ask people for money is less bothered and pained by this [having to ask for assistance] than one who has not yet reached this level. He therefore needs assistance to keep his situation from being known and reaching such a level.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "When you lend money to My people, to the poor man among you..."
In the words of the Mechilta: "Every time the Torah uses the word im ['if' or 'when'], it indicates an optional mitzvah [i.e. 'if'] except for three" — one of the three being this verse, "When you lend money to My people, to the poor man among you...."
Our Sages also said, "The verse 'When you lend money' constitutes an obligatory commandment. [The question is asked:] You said its obligatory, but perhaps it is only optional? The Torah therefore said,2 'Extend to him any credit he needs.' This indicates that it is an obligation, not just an option."
The details of this mitzvah are explained in many passages in tractate Kesuvos3 and in Bava Basra.4
FOOTNOTES
1.Ex. 22:24.
2.Deut. 15:8.
3.48a.
4.8a.
"You shall not be to him as a creditor"—Exodus 22:24.
It is forbidden to demand payment of a debt from a borrower if the lender is aware that the borrower has not the means to repay. It is even forbidden for the lender to pass before the borrower [lest his presence, and therefore the acute awareness that he owes him money, shame him].
Demanding repayment of a debt that includes interest is also included in this prohibition.
Full text of this Mitzvah »
• Demanding Payment of a Loan from a Destitute Borrower
Negative Commandment 234
Translated by Berel Bell
The 234th prohibition is that we are forbidden from demanding repayment of a loan when we know that the borrower is unable to pay.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "["When you lend money to My people, to the poor man among you,] do not behave like a creditor toward him."
Our Sages said in tractate Bava Metzia:2 "What is the source for the law that when someone owes you a maneh and you know that he does not have the money to repay you, that you are not even allowed to walk in front of him? It is the verse, 'do not behave like a creditor toward him.' " The Mechilta says: "The verse, 'do not behave like a creditor toward him' teaches that you should not constantly be visible to him."
You should be aware that this prohibition includes asking for repayment of an interest-bearing loan. Our Sages therefore said,3 "One who lends money with interest also transgresses G‑d's statement (exalted be He), 'do not behave like a creditor toward him,' as explained below.4
FOOTNOTES
1.Ex. 22:24.
2.75b.
3.Bava Metzia 5:11.
4.See N237.
• Thursday, 5 Elul, 5776 · 8 September 2016
• Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
Positive Commandment 197
Lending Money
"If you lend money to My people, the poor among you"—Exodus 22:24.
We are commanded to lend money to the impoverished, in order to help relieve them and ease their burden. This mitzvah is even greater than that of giving charity; for one who has already reached the point where he has to openly ask people for money is less bothered and pained by [having to ask for assistance] than one who has not yet reached this level. He therefore needs assistance to keep his situation from being known and reaching such a level.
Full text of this Mitzvah »• Lending Money
Positive Commandment 197
Translated by Berel Bell
The 197th mitzvah is that we are commanded to lend money to a poor person, in order to help him and to ease his burden. This mitzvah is even greater and of more magnitude than that of giving charity; for one who has already reached the point where he has to openly ask people for money is less bothered and pained by this [having to ask for assistance] than one who has not yet reached this level. He therefore needs assistance to keep his situation from being known and reaching such a level.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "When you lend money to My people, to the poor man among you..."
In the words of the Mechilta: "Every time the Torah uses the word im ['if' or 'when'], it indicates an optional mitzvah [i.e. 'if'] except for three" — one of the three being this verse, "When you lend money to My people, to the poor man among you...."
Our Sages also said, "The verse 'When you lend money' constitutes an obligatory commandment. [The question is asked:] You said its obligatory, but perhaps it is only optional? The Torah therefore said,2 'Extend to him any credit he needs.' This indicates that it is an obligation, not just an option."
The details of this mitzvah are explained in many passages in tractate Kesuvos3 and in Bava Basra.4
FOOTNOTES
1.Ex. 22:24.
2.Deut. 15:8.
3.48a.
4.8a.
Negative Commandment 234
Demanding Payment of a Loan from a Destitute Borrower"You shall not be to him as a creditor"—Exodus 22:24.
It is forbidden to demand payment of a debt from a borrower if the lender is aware that the borrower has not the means to repay. It is even forbidden for the lender to pass before the borrower [lest his presence, and therefore the acute awareness that he owes him money, shame him].
Demanding repayment of a debt that includes interest is also included in this prohibition.
Full text of this Mitzvah »
• Demanding Payment of a Loan from a Destitute Borrower
Negative Commandment 234
Translated by Berel Bell
The 234th prohibition is that we are forbidden from demanding repayment of a loan when we know that the borrower is unable to pay.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "["When you lend money to My people, to the poor man among you,] do not behave like a creditor toward him."
Our Sages said in tractate Bava Metzia:2 "What is the source for the law that when someone owes you a maneh and you know that he does not have the money to repay you, that you are not even allowed to walk in front of him? It is the verse, 'do not behave like a creditor toward him.' " The Mechilta says: "The verse, 'do not behave like a creditor toward him' teaches that you should not constantly be visible to him."
You should be aware that this prohibition includes asking for repayment of an interest-bearing loan. Our Sages therefore said,3 "One who lends money with interest also transgresses G‑d's statement (exalted be He), 'do not behave like a creditor toward him,' as explained below.4
FOOTNOTES
1.Ex. 22:24.
2.75b.
3.Bava Metzia 5:11.
4.See N237.
• Rambam - 1 Chapter: Tum'at Tsara`at Tum'at Tsara`at - Chapter 14
• Tum'at Tsara`at - Chapter 14
ו
• Tum'at Tsara`at - Chapter 14
1
Houses with tzara'at blemishes are deemed impure when the blemishes are the length of two grisim. Thus the width of the blemish is approximately the size of a place where six hairs grow on the body and its length is a place for 12 hairs. It must be rectangular. Any blemish on a house smaller than this measure is pure. All of the measures are halachot transmitted to Moses at Sinai.
א
צרעת בתים כשני גריסין זה בצד זה נמצא רוחב הנגע כמו מקום צמיחת שש שערות בגוף ואורכו כשתים עשרה שערות בריבוע והפחות משיעור זה בבתים טהור וכל השיעורין הלכה למשה מסיני:
2
There are three distinguishing marks of impurity for tzara'at in houses: an intense green or intense red appearance and the spreading of the affliction. These are all explicitly mentioned in the Torah.
The two abnormal appearances can be combined with each other. If a blemish spreads to the place immediately adjacent to it, even the slightest spread is considered a sign of impurity. If it spreads to a distant place, the new blemish must be a gris. When a blemish returns after the house is plastered, it must be two grisim.
ב
שלשה סימני טומאה יש בבתים מראה ירקרק ואדמדם והפשיון וכולן מפורשין בתורה ושני המראות מצטרפין זה עם זה ופשיון הסמוך כל שהוא והרחוק כגריס אבל החוזר אחר הטוח כשני גריסין:
3
Blemishes on buildings do not impart impurity until the abnormal appearance is seen below the surface of the wall, as implied by the term shika'rurot, interpreted as meaning "sunk in the walls," used by Leviticus 14:37. A blemish with either of these two appearances causes the building to be isolated or definitively deemed impure. If it increases in size, it should be torn down and if it spread after it was replastered, the entire house must be torn down, as will be explained.
ג
אין נגעי בתים מטמאין עד שיהיה מראה הנגע שפל מן הקיר שנאמר שקערורות שיהיו שוקעין בקירות ובב' המראות מסגירין או מחליטין ובפשיון נותצין ואם פשה אחרי הטוח נותץ את כל הבית כמו שיתבאר:
4
When a blemish appears in a house, even a sage who knows that it is definitely a blemish should not definitively say: "A blemish appeared in my house." Instead, he should tell the priest, "It appears that a blemish appeared in my house. The priest will then issue an order to remove everything from the house, even bundles of wood and bundles of reeds. Afterwards, the priest will come and inspect the blemish.
ד
כשיראה נגע בבית אפילו חכם שיודע ודאי שזה נגע לא יגזור ויאמר נגע נראה לי בבית אלא אומר לכהן כנגע נראה לי בבית וצוה הכהן ופינו את הבית אפילו חבילי עצים וחבילי קנים ואחר כך יבוא הכהן ויכנס ויראה הנגע:
5-6
We do not open windows in a closed house to inspect its blemishes. Instead, if a blemish is not visible in its present state, it is pure.
After a priest will inspect a blemish, he should depart and stand at the entrance to the house, near the lintel and either isolate, deem definitively impure, or release the house from the inspection process, as ibid.:38 states: "And the priest shall leave the house, going to its entrance... and he shall isolate the house." He should not isolate a house while he is in his own house, in the blemished house, or under its lintel. Instead, he should stand at the side of its entrance. If he stood under the lintel or went to his own house and isolated a house, it is isolated. with stones, earth, and wood, forLeviticus 14:45 mentions: "its stones, its wood, and its earth." If, however, it is less than four cubits by four cubits, it is round, triangular, or pentagonal, it was built on a ship or suspended on four beams, it is not susceptible to the impurity stemming from a blemish. If it was built on four pillars, it is susceptible to the impurity stemming from a blemish.
ה
בית אפל אין פותחין בו חלונות לראות את נגעו אלא אם אין הנגע נראה בו טהור ואחר שיראה הכהן את הנגע יצא ויעמוד על פתח הבית בצד המשקוף ויסגיר או יחליט או יפטור שנאמר ויצא הכהן מן הבית והסגיר את הבית לא שיסגיר והוא בתוך ביתו או בתוך בית המנוגע או תחת המשקוף אלא בצד פתחו ואם עמד תחת המשקוף או שהלך לביתו והסגיר הרי זה מוסגר:
אין הבית מטמא בנגעים עד שיהיה בו ארבע אמות על ארבע אמות או יתר ויהא לו ארבעה כותלים והוא בנוי בארץ באבנים ועפר ועצים שנאמר את אבניו ואת עציו ואת עפרו אבל אם היה בו פחות מארבע אמות על ארבע אמות או שהיה עגול או שהיה בעל שלשה כותלים או בעל חמשה או שהיה בנוי בספינה או תלוי על ארבע קורות אינו מטמא בנגעים היה בנוי על ארבעה עמודים מטמא בנגעים:
7
How many stones must be in a house? No less than eight, two stones on each wall so that every wall would be fit to have a blemish. For a house it is not susceptible to the impurity stemming from a blemish unless a blemish the size of two grisim appears on two stones, as indicated by Leviticus 14:40 which mentions: "the stones in which the blemish is located."
How many boards must it contain? Enough to place under the lintel. How much earth? Enough to place between one broken stone and another. If a house contained less than these measures, it is not susceptible to the impurity stemming from a blemish.
ז
כמה אבנים יהיו בו אין פחות משמונה שתי אבנים בכל כותל כדי שיהיה כל כותל ראוי לנגע שאין הבית מטמא בנגעים עד שיראה בו כשני גריסין על שתי אבנים שנאמר את האבנים אשר בהן הנגע וכמה עצים יהיו בו כדי ליתן תחת המשקוף ועפר כדי לתת בין פצים לחבירו אבל אם היה בו פחות משיעורים אלו אינו מטמא בנגעים:
8
Neither bricks nor marble are considered as stones in this context. When there is a house that one of its walls is coated with marble, another is made from a boulder, the third, of stones, and the fourth, from earth, it is not susceptible to the impurity stemming from a blemish.
ח
הלבנים והשיש אינן חשובין כאבנים בית שאחד מצדיו מחופה בשיש ואחד בסלע ואחד בלבנים ואחד בעפר אינו מטמא בנגעים:
9
When a house did not have the required measure of stone, wood, and earth and a tzara'at blemish was discovered in it and then additional stones, wood, and earth was brought for it, it is pure.
ט
בית שלא היו בו אבנים ועצים כשיעור ונראה בו נגע ואח"כ הביא לו אבנים ועצים ועפר טהור:
10
When plants were used as the covering for a house, they are considered as a permanent part of it. Since they are serving the purpose of wood, they are considered as wood. If the house becomes impure, they contract the severe impurity associated with it, as will be explained.
י
בית שסככו בזרעים בטלן הואיל ומשמשין תשמיש עץ הרי הן כעץ ואם נטמא הבית נטמאו עמו טומאה חמורה כמו שיתבאר:
11
Houses located in Jerusalem and the Diaspora are not susceptible to the impurity stemming from blemishes, as implied by Leviticus 14:34: "in a house in the land of your ancestral heritage." Jerusalem is thus excluded, because it was not divided among the tribes. The houses of gentiles in Eretz Yisrael are not susceptible to the impurity stemming from blemishes.
יא
ירושלים וחוצה לארץ אין מטמאין בנגעים שנאמר בבית ארץ אחוזתכם וירושלים לא נתחלקה לשבטים ובתי העכו"ם שבא"י אין מטמאין בנגעים:
12
When one purchases houses from gentiles, they should be given an initial inspection.
יב
הלוקח בתים מן העכו"ם יראה בתחלה:
13
When a gentile lives on one side of a house and a Jew on the other side or one side of a house was in Eretz Yisraeland the other in the Diaspora, it is not susceptible to the impurity stemming from blemishes. All other buildings in Eretz Yisrael are susceptible to the impurity stemming from blemishes. This applies regardless of whether they were colored naturally or colored because of human activity.
יג
בית שצדו אחד עכו"ם וצדו אחד ישראל צדו אחד בארץ וצדו אחד בחוצה לארץ אינו מטמא בנגעים ושאר כל הבתים שבא"י מטמאין בנגעים בין צבועים בידי אדם בין צבועים בידי שמים:
14
The house of a woman, a house belonging to partners, a synagogue or a house of study that has a dwelling for attendants or students is susceptible to the impurity stemming from blemishes.
יד
בית האשה בית השותפין בית הכנסת או בית המדרש שיש בהן דירה לחזנין או לתלמידים מטמאין בנגעים:
15
The walls of a feeding stall and the walls of a partition in a house are not susceptible to the impurity stemming from blemishes.
טו
קירות האבוס וקירות המחיצה שבבית אין מטמאין בנגעים:
• Rambam - 3 Chapters: Malveh veLoveh Malveh veLoveh - Chapter 1, Malveh veLoveh Malveh veLoveh - Chapter 2, Malveh veLoveh Malveh veLoveh - Chapter 3
• Malveh veLoveh - Chapter 1
• Hayom Yom: Today's Hayom Yom
• Thursday, 5 Elul, 5776 · 8 September 2016
• "Today's Day"
• Sunday, Elul 5, 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: Teitsei, first parsha with Rashi.
Tehillim: 29-34. Also 13-15.
Tanya: XII. "And the act (p. 449) ...of separate attributes. (p. 449).
Our custom in donning the tallit gadol:1 Place the folded tallit on the right shoulder. Inspect the tzitzit while reciting borchi nafshi (p. 11). Remove the tallit from the shoulder and open it. Kiss the top border. Twirl the tallit away from in front of the face to a position behind you.
Begin the b'racha l'hitateif b'tzitzit. Complete the b'racha close to placing the two right corners (of the tallit) around the neck over the left shoulder.
(See Sh'eirit Yehuda, Orach Chayim, 1, and Divrei Nechemya, Orach Chayim, 9.)
FOOTNOTES
1."Large tallit," worn during prayer - as distinct from the tallit katan ("small tallit") worn constantly (beneath the outer garments).
• Daily Thought:
• Malveh veLoveh - Chapter 1
They contain twelve mitzvot: four positive commandments and eight negative commandments. They are:
1) to lend to a poor and destitute person;
2) not to press him for collection;
3) to press a gentile for collection of a debt he owes;
4) not to forcibly take collateral from a borrower;
e to return collateral to its owner when he requires it;
5) not to delay giving the collateral to the poor man who owns it when he requires it;
6) not to take collateral from a widow;
7) not to take utensils used to prepare food as collateral;
8) that a lender should not loan at interest;
9) that a borrower should not take a loan given at interest;
10) that no one should be involved with the lender and the borrower of a loan given at interest - not to serve as a witness between them, not to draw up a promissory note, nor to serve as a guarantor;
11) to borrow and lend money to a gentile at interest.
These mitzvot are explained in the following chapters.
1
It is a positive commandment to lend money to the poor among Israel, as Exodus 23:24 states: "If you will lend money to My nation, to the poor among you." Lest one think that this is a matter left to the person's choice, it is also stated Deuteronomy 15:8: "You shall certainly loan to him."
This mitzvah surpasses the mitzvah of charity given to a poor person who asks for alms. For the latter person had already been compelled to ask, and this one has not yet sunk that low. Indeed, the Torah is very severe with regard to a person who does not lend money to a poor person, stating Ibid.:9: "Beware lest there be a defiant thought in your heart... and you look badly upon your poor brother and you not give him."
א
מצות עשה להלוות לעניי ישראל שנאמר אם כסף תלוה את עמי את העני עמך, יכול רשות תלמוד לומר העבט תעביטנו וגו' ומצוה זו גדולה מן הצדקה אל העני השואל שזה כבר נצרך לשאול וזה עדיין לא הגיע למדה זו, והתורה הקפידה על מי שימנע מלהלוות לעני שנאמר ורעה עינך באחיך האביון וגו'.
2
Whenever a person presses a poor person for payment when he knows that he does not have the means to repay the debt, he transgresses a negative commandment, as Exodus 22:24states: "Do not act as a creditor toward him." It is, by contrast, a positive mitzvah to press a gentile for payment and to cause him exasperation, as Deuteronomy 15:3 states: "Press a gentile for payment." According to the Oral Tradition, we have learned that this is a positive commandment.
ב
כל הנוגש העני והוא יודע שאין לו מה יחזיר לו עובר בלא תעשה שנאמר לא תהיה לו כנושה, ומצות עשה לנגוש את העכו"ם ולהצר לו שנאמר לנכרי תגוש מפי השמועה למדו שזו מצות עשה.
3
It is forbidden for one to appear before a person who owes him money when he knows that the debtor does not have the means to repay the debt. It is even forbidden to pass before him, lest one frighten him or embarrass him, even though one does not demand payment. Needless to say, this applies if he demands payment.
Just as it is forbidden for a creditor to demand payment; so, too, it is forbidden for a lender to withhold money that he possesses due a colleague, telling him: "Go and return," as Proverbs 3:28 states: "Do not tell your colleague: 'Go and return.'"
Similarly, it is forbidden for a lender to take a loan and use it when it is unnecessary and lose it, leaving his creditor without a source to collect the debt. This applies even if the owner is very wealthy. A person who acts in this way is wicked, as Psalms 37:21 states: "A wicked man borrows and does not pay." Our Sages commanded: "Treat money belonging to your colleague as dearly as your own."
ג
אסור לאדם להראות עצמו לבעל חובו בזמן שיודע שאין לו אפילו לעבור לפניו שלא יפחידו או יכלימו אע"פ שאינו תובעו ואין צריך לומר אם תבעו, וכשם שאסור לזה לתבוע כך אסור ללוה לכבוש ממון חבירו שבידו ולומר לו לך ושוב והוא שיש לו שנאמר אל תאמר לרעך לך ושוב, וכן אסור ללוה ליקח הלואה ולהוציאה שלא לצורך ולאבדה עד שלא ימצא בעל חוב מאין יגבה אע"פ שהמלוה עשיר גדול ועושה זה רשע הוא שנאמר לוה רשע ולא ישלם וצוו חכמים יהי ממון חברך חביב עליך כשלך.
4
When a lender demands payment of a loan - even if he is wealthy and the borrower is in a pressing situation and struggles to support his family - we are not merciful in judgment. Instead, we expropriate all the movable property" that the person owns to pay the last penny of the debt. If the movable property he owns is not sufficient, we expropriate the landed property after issuing a ban of ostracism against any person who possesses movable property or knows of movable property he possesses and does not bring it to court.
We expropriate all the landed property the borrower possesses, even if it is on lien to the ketubah of the borrower's wife or to another creditor with a prior lien. We expropriate it for this creditor. If ultimately, the person with the prior lien will come to claim the property, he may expropriate it from the creditor to whom it was given.
If the lender claims that the movable property in his domain does not belong to him, but instead was entrusted to him, rented by him, or lent to him, we do not heed his words. He must prove his statements or the property will be expropriated by the creditor.
ד
כשיתבע המלוה הלואתו אע"פ שהוא עשיר והלוה דחוק וטרוד במזונות אין מרחמין בדין אלא גובין לו חובו עד פרוטה אחרונה מכל מטלטלין שימצאו לו, ואם לא הספיקו המטלטלין גובין לו מן הקרקע אחר שמחרימין על מי שיש לו מטלטלין או מי שידע לו מטלטלין ולא יביאם לב"ד, וגובין מכל קרקע שיש לו אע"פ שהיא משועבדת לכתובת אשתו או לבעל חובו שקדם גובין לזה ואם יבא הראשון ויטרוף יטרוף, טען הלוה שמטלטלין אלו שבידי אינן שלי אלא פקדון הם בידי או שכורין או שאולין אין שומעין לו או יביא ראיה או יגבה מהן בעל חובו.
5
A creditor may not collect his due by expropriating the wardrobe of the debtor's wife or his sons, not from colored garments that were dyed for them even though they have not worn them yet, nor from new sandals that were purchased for them. These belong to the wife and the children themselves. When does the above apply? With regard to their weekday garments. The creditor may, by contrast, expropriate their Sabbath and festival garments. Needless to say, if they own rings or golden or silver ornaments, they must all be given to the creditor.
ה
אין בעל חוב גובה לא מכסות אשתו ובניו של לוה ולא מבגדים צבועים שצבען לשמן אף על פי שעדיין לא לבשו אותן ולא מסנדלים חדשים שלקחן לשמן אלא הרי אלו שלהן, בד"א בכלי החול אבל בגדי שבת והמועד גובה אותן בעל חוב ואין צריך לומר אם היו בהן טבעות וכלי זהב או כסף שהכל לבעל חובו.
6
The following rules apply when a borrower owned movable property or landed property, but also had outstanding promissory notes owed to gentiles. If he says: "All of my property is on lien to gentiles; if Jews take the property as payment for their debts, the gentiles will imprison me because of the debts I owe them, and I will be in captivity," my teachers have ruled that his words are not heeded, and the Jews are granted the right to expropriate his property. If the gentiles come and imprison him, all of Israel is commanded to redeem him.
ו
היו לו מטלטלין או קרקע והרי עליו שטר חובות לעכו"ם ואמר הרי כל נכסי משועבדין לעכו"ם ואם יטלו אותן הישראלים בחובם יאסרו אותי העכו"ם בחובן ואהיה בשביה, הורו רבותי שאין שומעין לו ויגבו הישראלים, וכשיבאו העכו"ם ויאסרוהו הרי כל ישראל מצווין לפדותו.
7
We allow a debtor consideration in the same manner that consideration is granted to a person who makes a pledge to the Temple treasury and is unable to pay it.
What is implied? The court tells the borrower: "Bring all the movable property that you own; don't leave anything, not even a needle."
After he brings his possessions, we give him from everything that he has brought:
a) food for 30 days;
b) clothing for 12 months that is appropriate for him - he should not wear silk clothes or a hat crowned with gold; instead, such garments are taken away from him and he is given appropriate garments for 12 months;
c) a couch to sit on and a bed and a mattress to sleep on; if he is a poor man, he is given a bed and a straw mattress to sleep on. These articles are not given to his wife or to his children, despite the fact that he is obligated to provide them with sustenance.
The borrower is also given his sandals and his tefillin. If he is a craftsman, he is given two of the tools of his craft of every type necessary. For example, if he is a carpenter, he is given two awls and two planes. If he has many types of one utensil and only one of another, he is granted two of the utensil of which he possesses many, and all that he owns of that he possesses one. We do not purchase other tools for him from the sale of those many tools.
Although the borrower is a farmer or a donkey driver, we do not grant him his team of oxen or his donkey. Similarly, if he is a sailor, we do not give him his ship, even though these are his only sources of livelihood. The rationale is that these articles are not considered utensils, but rather property. They should be sold with the other movable property in court and the proceeds given to the creditor.
ז
מסדרין לבעל חוב כדרך שמסדרין בערכין, כיצד אומר ללוה הבא כל המטלטין שיש לך ולא תניח אפילו מחט אחת ונותנין לו מן הכל מזון [ל'] יום וכסות י"ב חדש מכסות הראויה לו, ולא שילבש בגדי משי או מצנפת זהובה אלא מעבירין אותה ממנו ונותנין לו כסות הראויה לו לי"ב חדש, ומטה לישב עליה ומטה ומצע הראויין לו לישן עליהם, ואם היה עני מטה ומפץ לישן עליו, ואין נותנין כלים כאלו לאשתו ובניו אע"פ שהוא חייב במזונותיהם, ונותנין לו סנדליו ותפליו, היה אומן נותנין לו שני כלי אומנות מכל מין ומין כגון שהיה חרש נותנין לו שני מעצדין ושתי מגרות, היה לו מין אחד מרובה ומן אחד מועט נותנין לו שנים מן המרובה וכל שיש לו מן המועט, ואין לוקחין לו כלים מדמי המרובה, היה אכר או חמר אין נותנין לו לא צמדו ולא חמורו, וכן אם היה ספן אין נותנין לו ספינתו אע"פ שאין לו מזונות אלא מאלו אין אלו כלים אלא נכסים וימכרו עם שאר המטלטלין בבית דין וינתנו לבעל חובו.
8
The following law applies when a creditor comes to expropriate payment outside the presence of the borrower - e.g., the borrower journeyed to a distant country. If the borrower's wife seized possession of movable property belonging to her husband to sell so that she could derive her livelihood from it, it is expropriated from her and given to the creditor. The rationale is that even if her husband were present, he would not be entitled to provide for the sustenance of his wife and sons until he paid his debt in its entirety.
ח
מלוה שבא להפרע שלא בפני הלוה כגון שהיה הלוה במדינה רחוקה ותפסה האשה מטלטלין מנכסי הבעל כדי שתזון מהן מוציאין אותן מידה ונותנין לבעל חוב שאפילו היה בעלה עמה לא היה יכול לזון את אשתו ובניו עד שיפרע לו כל חובו.
Malveh veLoveh - Chapter 2
1
According to Scriptural Law, when a creditor demands payment of his debt, and the debtor possesses some property, consideration is granted to the debtor and the remainder of the possessions are granted to the creditor, as explained.
If no property belonging to the debtor is found or only those items that are granted to him in consideration are found, the debtor is enabled to go free.
We do not imprison him, nor do we tell him: "Bring proof that you are poor." We do not require him to take an oath that he has no possessions as the gentile legal process does. All of the above is included in the prohibition (Exodus 22:24): "Do not act as a creditor toward him." Instead, we tell the creditor: "If you know that this person who owes you money possesses property, go and seize it."
א
דין תורה שבזמן שיתבע המלוה את חובו אם נמצאו ללוה נכסים מסדרין לו ונותנין לבעל חובו את השאר כמו שביארנו, ואם לא נמצא ללוה כלום או נמצאו לו דברים שמסדרין לו בלבד ילך הלוה לדרכו ואין אוסרין אותו ואין אומרים לו הבא ראייה שאתה עני ולא משביעין אותו כדרך שדנין העכו"ם שנאמר לא תהיה לו כנושה, אלא אומרים למלוה אם אתה יודע נכסים לזה המחוייב לך לך ותפוס אותן.
2
If the creditor claims that the debtor possesses property, but is hiding it, and it is present within his home, according to law it is not proper for either the creditor or an agent of the court to enter his home to seize the property. Indeed, the Torah warned concerning this saying Deuteronomy 24:11: "Stand outside." We do, however, issue a ban of ostracism against anyone who owns property and does not give it to his creditor.
When, however, the Geonim of the early generations who arose after the compilation of the Talmud saw that the number of deceitful people had increased and the possibility of obtaining loans was diminishing, they ordained that a debtor who claims bankruptcy should be required to take a severe oath, comparable to a Scriptural oath, administered while he is holding a sacred article, that he does not possess any property aside from what he is given in consideration, that he has not hidden his property in the hands of others, or given the property to others as a present with the intent that it be returned.
He should include in the oath that any profit he makes and everything that comes into his possession or domain which he acquires, he will not use to provide sustenance, clothing, or care for his wife or children, that he will not give any person in the world a present. Instead, he will take from everything that he earns food for 30 days and clothing for 12 months that is appropriate for him - not the food of gluttons or drunkards, nor that enjoyed by the sons of royalty, and not the garments of the officers of the royal court, but food and clothing that is commonplace for him." Anything beyond his needs, he should give to his creditor little by little until he pays his entire debt. Before the oath is administered, a ban of ostracism is issued against anyone who knows that so and so possesses property that is either revealed or hidden and does not inform the court.
Even after this oath was ordained, neither a creditor nor an agent of the court is allowed to enter the house of the debtor. For an ordinance was not instituted to uproot the Torah's laws themselves. Instead, the debtor himself must bring out his utensils or say: "This and this is what I possess." We leave him what is appropriate for him, expropriate the rest and have him take the oath ordained as described above. This is the legal process among the Jewish community in all places.
If the debtor was seen with property after having taken this oath, and he tries to excuse himself, claiming that it belongs to others or that it was given to him as an investment, we do not accept his statements unless he brings proof. My teachers ruled in this manner.
ב
טען שיש לו והחביא אותן והרי הן בתוך ביתו אין מן הדין שיכנס לביתו לא הוא ולא שליח ב"ד שהתורה הקפידה על זה שנאמר בחוץ תעמוד, אבל מחרימין על מי שיש לו ולא יתן לבעל חובו, כשראו הגאונים הראשונים שעמדו אחר חבור הגמרא שרבו הרמאים וננעלה דלת בפני לוין התקינו שמשביעין את הלוה שבועה חמורה כעין של תורה בנקיטת חפץ שאין לו כלום יתר על דברים שמסדרין לו, ושלא החביאן ביד אחרים ושלא נתן מתנה ע"מ להחזיר וכולל בשבועה זו שכל שירויח וכל שיבא לידו או לרשותו מאשר תשיג ידו לא יאכיל ממנו כלום לא לאשתו ולא לבניו ולא ילביש אותן ולא יטפל בהן ולא יתן מתנה לאדם בעולם, אלא יוציא מכל אשר תשיג ידו מזון ל' יום וכסות י"ב חדש מזון הראוי לו וכסות הראוי לו, לא אכילת הזוללים והסובאין או בני מלכים ולא מלבושי הפחות והסגנים אלא כדרכו, וכל היתר על צרכו יתן לבעל חובו ראשון ראשון עד שיגבנו כל חובו, ומחרימין תחלה על מי שידע לפלוני נכסים גלויין או טמונין ולא יודיע לב"ד, גם אחר התקנה הזאת אין בעל חוב יכול להכנס לתוך ביתו של לוה לא הוא ולא שליח ב"ד שלא תקנו לעקור גוף התורה אלא הלוה עצמו יוציא כליו או יאמר כך וכך הוא שיש לי מניחין הראוי לו ויוציא השאר וישבע בתקנה זו וכזה דנין ישראל בכל מקומותן, נראה לו ממון אחר שנשבע שבועה זו ואמר של אחרים הוא או עסק הוא בידי אין שומעין לו עד שיביא ראייה וכן הורו רבותי.
3
When a person takes this oath that he is bankrupt and all that he earns will be given to his creditors, he may not be required to take this same oath by all of his creditors. Instead, one oath applies to all the creditors. The rationale is that this is an ordinance instituted by the later sages, and we are not precise in applying it stringently. On the contrary, we are lenient.
ג
מי שנשבע שבועה זו שאין לו כלום וכל מה שירויח יתן לב"ח אין כל אחד מבעלי חובות בא ומשביעו ששבועה אחת כוללת כל בעלי חובות, ותקנת אחרונים היא ואין מדקדקין בה להחמיר אלא להקל.
4
An exception to the above practice is made with regard to a person who has established a reputation for being poor and virtuous, and conducts himself in a trustworthy manner, and this is known to the judges and the majority of the people. If a creditor comes and seeks to make this person take the oath mentioned above, and it can be presumed that the plaintiff has no doubt about the debtor's state of poverty, but instead wishes to cause him exasperation with this oath, to torment him and to embarrass him publicly, to take revenge upon him or to force him to borrow money from gentiles or take property belonging to his wife to pay this creditor and absolve himself from taking this oath, it appears to me that it is forbidden for a God-fearing judge to have this oath administered. If he does administer this oath, he violates the Scriptural prohibition: "Do not act as a creditor toward him."
Moreover, the judge should reproach the creditor and castigate him, for he is bearing a grudge and acting according to the reckless whims of his heart. Our Sages instituted this ordinance only because of deceitful people, as implied by Deuteronomy 22:2: "Until your brother seeks it out," which can be interpreted to mean: Seek out whether your brother is deceitful or not. In this instance, since it is established knowledge that this person is poor and that he is not deceitful, it is forbidden to require him to take this oath.
Similarly, when it is established knowledge that a person is deceitful and he deals corruptly in financial matters, we presume that he possesses financial resources although he claims to be bankrupt, and he is eager to take this oath. I maintain that it is not appropriate to require him to take the oath. Instead, if it is possible for the judge to compel him to make restitution to his creditor or to place him under a ban of ostracism until he makes restitution, he should do so. The rationale is that he is presumed to possess financial resources, and paying a creditor is a mitzvah.
The general principle is: Whenever a judge performs one of these activities with the sole intent of pursuing justice, as we have been commanded to, without intending to favor either of the litigants in judgment, he has that authority, and he will receive a reward for his efforts, provided that they are carried out for the sake of heaven.
ד
מי שהוחזק שהוא עני וכשר והולך בתום והדבר גלוי וידוע לדיין ולרוב העם ובא בעל חובו להשביעו בתקנה זו והוחזק התובע שאינו מסתפק בעניות זה אלא רוצה לצערו בשבועה זו להצר לו ולביישו ברבים כדי להנקם ממנו או כדי שילך וילוה מן העכו"ם או יקח נכסי אשתו ויתן לזה עד שינצל משבועה זו, יראה לי שאסור לדיין ירא שמים להשביעו שבועה זו ואם השביעו ביטל לא תעשה של תורה לא תהיה לו כנושה, ולא עוד אלא ראוי לדיין לגעור בתובע ולטרדו מפני שהוא נוטר והולך בשרירות לבו, שלא תקנו הגאונים תקנה זו אלא מפני הרמאין והרי נאמר עד דרוש אחיך אותו דרשהו אם רמאי הוא או אינו רמאי ומאחר שהוחזק זה שהוא עני ושאינו רמאי אסור להשביעו, וכן אני אומר שמי שהוחזק רמאי ודרכיו מקולקלין במשאו ומתנו והרי הוא אמוד שיש לו ממון וטען שאין לו כלום והרי הוא רץ להשבע בתקנה זו שאין ראוי להשביעו אלא אם יש כח בדיין לעשותו עד שיפרע בעל חובו או לנדותו עד שיתן יעשה מאחר שהוא אמוד שפריעת בעל חוב מצוה, כללו של דבר כל שיעשה הדיין מדברים אלו וכוונתו לרדוף הצדק בלבד שנצטוינו לרדפו ולא לעבור הדין על אחד מבעלי דינין ה"ז מורשה לעשות ומקבל שכר, והוא שיהיו מעשיו לשם שמים.
5
Whenever a person is obligated to take this oath because of a promissory note that he is liable for, he admitted owing money to other people, and he was able to amass more property than the minimum amount allotted to him, this extra amount should be given only to the creditors who possess promissory notes. The rationale is that we suspect that the debtor may be conspiring to perpetrate deception by making an admission of a debt concerning this property.
ה
מי שנתחייב בשבועה זו מפני שטר חוב שעליו והודה לאחרים בחובות אחרים והשיגה ידו יתר על הראוי לו לא יטול היתר אלא בעלי שטרות בלבד, שמא קנוניא עושה בהודאתו על נכסיו של זה.
6
When Reuven owes Shimon 100 zuz and Levi owes Reuven 100 zuz, we should expropriate the money from Levi and give it to Shimon.
Therefore, if Reuven does not possess any property, but has promissory notes owed to him by Levi, those promissory notes are given to Shimon to collect. Accordingly, if Levi claims that the promissory note was given on faith or that it had already been paid, even though Reuven acknowledges the truth of Levi's statement, his admission is of no consequence. The rationale is that we fear that they may be conspiring to perpetrate deception to cause Shimon to lose his right to the money owed by Levi. Instead, Shimon may take an oath and expropriate the money from Levi. This is the law that applies to anyone who expropriates property; he may do so only after taking an oath.
Similarly, the following law applies to any person against whom there is an outstanding promissory note, who admits owing money to another person on his own initiative. If he does not possess enough property to pay both debts, the person with the promissory note alone is entitled to collect his due. This is ordained, because we suspect that they may be conspiring to perpetrate deception to undermine the power of the person's promissory note.
ו
ראובן שהיה חייב לשמעון מאה ולוי חייב לראובן מאה מוציאין מלוי ונותנין לשמעון, לפיכך אם אין לראובן נכסים והיו לו שטרי חוב על לוי ואמר לוי שטר אמנה הוא פרוע הוא והודה לו ראובן אין משגיחין על הודאתו שמא קנוניא הם עושין לאבד זכותו של שמעון אלא ישבע שמעון ויטול מלוי כדין כל טורף שאינו נפרע אלא בשבועה, וכן כל מי שיש עליו שטר חוב והודה לאחר מעצמו בחוב אחר אם אין לו נכסים כדי שיגבו שניהם גובה בעל השטר בלבד שלא יעשו קנוניא על שטרו של זה.
7
It is forbidden for one to lend money - even to a Torah scholar - without having witnesses observe the transaction unless the lender receives an article as collateral. It is even more commendable to have the loan supported by a promissory note.
Whenever a person gives a loan without having witnesses observe the transaction, he transgresses the prohibition (Leviticus 19:14): "Do not place a stumbling block before the blind" and brings a curse upon himself.
ז
אסור לאדם להלוות מעותיו בלא עדים ואפילו לתלמיד חכם אלא אם כן הלוהו על המשכון והמלוה בשטר משובח יתר, וכל המלוה בלא עדים עובר משום ולפני עור לא תתן מכשול וגורם קללה לעצמו.
8
When a master borrows money from his servant and afterwards frees him, he is not liable to him at all. The same laws apply when a husband borrows from his wife. The rationales are that everything that a servant acquires becomes acquired by his master, and any money that is in a woman's possession is assumed to belong to her husband, unless she brings proof that it comes from her dowry.
ח
הרב שלוה מעבדו ואח"כ שחררו או לוה מאשתו ואחר כך גירשה אין להן עליו כלום שכל מה שקנה עבד קנה רבו וכל המעות שביד האשה בחזקת בעלה אלא אם הביאה ראייה שהן מנדונייתה.
Malveh veLoveh - Chapter 3
1
Collateral may not be taken from a widow, whether she is rich or poor, whether it is taken at the time the loan is given, or after the time the loan is given, as Deuteronomy 24:17 states: "You shall not take the garment of a widow as collateral." This prohibition applies even when the court would supervise the matter.
If a creditor takes such collateral, it must be returned, even against his will. If the widow admits the debt, she must pay. If she denies its existence, she must take an oath. If the security the creditor took became lost or was consumed by fire before he returns it, he is punished by lashes.
א
אלמנה בין שהיא עניה בין שהיא עשירה אין ממשכנין אותה לא בשעת הלואה ולא שלא בשעת הלואה ולא על פי ב"ד שנאמר ולא תחבול בגד אלמנה, ואם חבל מחזירין ממנו בעל כרחו ואם תודה לו תשלם ואם תכפור תשבע, אבד המשכון או נשרף קודם שיחזיר לוקה. 1
2
Similarly, whenever a person lends money to a colleague - whether he offers the loan in exchange for collateral, he takes collateral after the loan was given, or the collateral was given him by the court - he should not take utensils that are used for making food - e.g., a mill, kneading troughs, large cooking pots, a knife used for ritual slaughter or the like - as Deuteronomy 24:6 says: "Do not take as collateral... for one is taking a life as collateral."
If a creditor takes such collateral, it must be returned, even against his will. If the security he took became lost or was consumed by fire before the creditor returns it, he is punished by lashes.
ב
וכן המלוה את חבירו בין שהלוהו על המשכון בין שמשכנו אחר הלואה בידו או על פי ב"ד לא יחבול כלים שעושין בהם אוכל נפש כגון הרחים והעריבות של עץ ויורות שמבשלין בהם וסכין של שחיטה וכיוצא בהן שנאמר כי נפש הוא חובל, ואם חבל מחזיר בעל כרחו ואם אבד המשכון או נשרף קודם שיחזיר לוקה. 2
3
When a person takes several utensils that are used to produce food - e.g., he took a kneading trough, a pot and a knife - he is liable for each utensil independently. Even if he took two utensils that are used for the same activity, he is liable for taking two utensils and is given lashes for taking each of them.
This is implied by the,verse cited above, which mentions taking "a lower millstone and an upper millstone." This indicates that he is liable for each of the millstones independently. Just as the upper millstone and the lower millstone are two utensils that serve a single purpose, and the person is liable for each one independently; so, too, a person is liable for any other two utensils independently even though they serve the same purpose. Similarly, if he takes as collateral a yoke for oxen that plow, he is liable for two transgressions.
ג
חבל כלים הרבה של אוכל נפש כגון שחבל עריבה ויורה וסכין חייב על כל כלי וכלי בפני עצמו, אפילו שני כלים שהן עושין מלאכה אחת חייב עליהן משום שני כלים ולוקה שתים על שניהם שנאמר לא יחבול רחים ורכב לחייב על הרחים בפני עצמו ועל הרכב בפני עצמו כשם שהרכב והרחים מיוחדין שהן שני כלים ומשמשין מלאכה אחת וחייב ע"ז =על זה= בפני עצמו ועל זה בפני עצמו כך כל שני כלים אע"פ שמשמשין מלאכה אחת חייב על זה בפני עצמו ועל זה בפני עצמו, וכן אם חבל צמד בקר החורש לוקה שתים. 3
4
When a person gives a loan to a colleague - whether the borrower is rich or poor - he should not take security himself. Instead, he should charge the court with this responsibility.
Moreover, even an agent of the court who comes to collect security should not enter the borrower's house to collect the security. Instead, he should stand outside. The borrower should go into his own house and bring out the security for him, as Deuteronomy 24:11 states: "You shall stand outside." 3
If so, one might ask: What is the difference between the creditor himself and the agent of the court? The agent of the court may take the security from the borrower by force and give it to the lender. The creditor himself, by contrast, may not take the security unless it is willingly given him by the borrower.
If the creditor transgressed and entered the house of the borrower and took security, or took collateral away from him by force, he is not punished by lashes. The rationale is that the prohibition can be corrected by the performance of a positive commandment, as Ibid.:13 states: "You shall certainly return the security to him before the setting of the sun."
If he did not fulfill the positive commandment concerning it - e.g., the collateral became lost or was consumed by fire - he is punished by lashes. In such an instance, the creditor should calculate the value of the collateral, subtract it from the debt, and lodge a suit for the remainder.
ד
המלוה את חבירו [אחד] עני ואחד עשיר לא ימשכננו אלא בב"ד ואפילו שליח ב"ד שבא למשכן לא יכנס לביתו וימשכננו אלא עומד בחוץ והלוה נכנס לביתו ומוציא לו המשכון שנאמר בחוץ תעמוד, א"כ מה בין בעל חוב לשליח ב"ד ששליח ב"ד יש לו ליקח המשכון מיד הלוה בזרוע ונותנו למלוה ובעל חוב אין לו ליקח המשכון עד שיתן לו הלוה מדעתו עבר ב"ח ונכנס לבית הלוה ומשכנו או שחטף המשכון מידו בזרוע אינו לוקה שהרי ניתק לעשה שנאמר השב תשיב לו את העבוט כבוא השמש ואם לא קיים עשה שבה כגון שאבד המשכון או נשרף לוקה ומחשב דמי המשכון ותובע השאר בדין. 4
5
When a person takes collateral from a colleague, whether through the medium of the court, or he personally takes it from him either by force or by consent of the lender he is not always entitled to maintain possession. If the borrower is poor and the creditor took as collateral an article that the borrower needs, he is commanded to return the collateral to the borrower at the time that the borrower needs it. For example, he should return a pillow at night for him to sleep on it and a plow during the day for him to work with. This is implied by Deuteronomy 24:13: "You must certainly return the collateral."
If the creditor transgressed and did not return to him a utensil to be used by day during the day, or a utensil to be used at night during the night, he transgresses a negative commandment, as ibid.:12states: "Do not sleep with his collateral." This means: "Do not go to sleep while his collateral is in your possession"; this refers to a garment worn at night. With regard to articles that he wears or uses to perform work during the day, Exodus 22:25 states: "Until the setting of the sun, return it to him" - this teaches that he must return it to him throughout the day.
If the creditor must return the collateral to the debtor when he needs it, and may take it only when he does not need it, of what benefit is the collateral to him?
a) So that the debt will not be nullified in the Sabbatical year;
b) So that the collateral will not be considered part of the movable property inherited by the debtor's sons. Instead, the creditor may take payment from the collateral after the borrower dies.
Thus, a person who takes an object as collateral from a poor person who needs it and fails to return it at the appropriate time violates three commandments: "You shall not enter his house," "You must certainly return the collateral," and "Do not sleep with his collateral."
When does the above apply? When he took the collateral at a time other than the time the loan was given. If, however, he took the collateral from the debtor at the time the loan was given, he does not transgress these prohibitions.
ה
אחד הממשכן את חבירו בב"ד או שמשכנו בידו בזרוע או מדעת הלוה אם איש עני הוא ומשכנו דבר שהוא צריך לו הרי זה מצווה להחזיר לו העבוט בעת שהוא צריך לו, מחזיר לו את הכר בלילה כדי לישן עליו ואת המחרישה ביום כדי לעשות בה מלאכתו שנאמר השב תשיב לו את העבוט, עבר ולא השיב לו כלי היום ביום וכלי הלילה בלילה עובר בלא תעשה שנאמר לא תשכב בעבוטו לא תשכב ועבוטו אצלך זו כסות לילה, ובכלים שהוא עושה בהן מלאכתו ביום או לובשן הוא אומר עד בוא השמש תשיבנו לו מלמד שיחזירו כל היום אם כן הוא שמחזיר לו המשכון בעת שהוא צריך לו ולוקח אותה בעת שאינו צריך לו מה יועיל המשכון כדי שלא ישמט החוב בשביעית ולא יעשה מטלטלין אצל בניו אלא יפרע מן המשכון אחר שמת הלוה, הא למדת שהממשכן את העני דבר שהוא צריך לו ולא החזירו לו בזמנו עובר משום שלשה שמות משום לא תבוא אל ביתו ומשום השב תשיב לו את העבוט ומשום לא תשכב בעבוטו, בד"א שמשכנו שלא בשעת הלואתו אבל אם משכנו בשעת הלואתו אינו חייב להחזיר כלל ואינו עובר בשם מן השמות האלו.
6
An agent of the court who comes to take collateral should not take articles that a person cannot give as collateral - e.g., the garment he is wearing, the utensils with which he eats, or the like. He should leave a bed and a mattress for a rich man, or a bed and a straw mattress for a poor man. Whatever possessions the debtor has besides these should be taken as collateral. The creditor will then return to him an article used by day during the day, and an article used at night during the night.
If the debtor has two of a particular article, the creditor may take one, but must return the other.
Until when is the creditor obligated to return the collateral and then take it again? Forever. If, however, the collateral was an article that the debtor did not need, nor an article that is left for a debtor, the creditor must keep it for 30 days. Afterwards, he may sell the collateral in a court of law.
If the debtor dies, the creditor is not required to return the collateral to his sons. If the debtor dies after the collateral was returned to him, the creditor may pull it away from his sons and does not have to return it to them.
ו
שליח ב"ד שבא למשכן לא ימשכן דברים שאי אפשר לאדם ליתן אותם משכון כגון בגד שעליו וכלי שאוכל בו וכיוצא באלו, ומניח מטה ומצע לעשיר ומטה ומפץ לעני, וכל הנמצא בידו חוץ מאלו יש לו למשכנו ויחזיר לו כלי היום ביום וכלי הלילה בלילה, היו לפניו שני כלים נוטל אחד ומחזיר אחד, עד מתי הוא חייב להחזיר וליקח עד לעולם, ואם היה המשכון מדברים שאינו צריך להם ואין מניחין אותן ללוה הרי זה מניחו אצלו עד שלשים יום ומשלשלים יום ואילך מוכר המשכון בבית דין, מת הלוה אינו מחזיר לבניו, מת הלוה אחר שהשיב לו המשכון שומטו המלוה מעל בניו ואינו מחזיר. 5
7
A creditor may take collateral from a guarantors" by force. He may enter the guarantor's house and take the collateral, asProverbs 20:16 states: "Take his garment, because he guaranteed a stranger."
Similarly, a person who is owed a fee by a colleague - whether it be his own wages, a fee for his animal or his utensils, or rent for his house - may take collateral without consulting the court. He may enter his home and take collateral in lieu of his fee. If, however, he considered the fee as a loan, this is forbidden, as implied byDeuteronomy 24:10: "When you extend a loan of any type...."
ז
הערב מותר למשכן בזרוע ולהכנס לביתו וליטול המשכון שנאמר לקח בגדו כי ערב זר, וכן מי שיש לו שכר אצל חבירו בין שכר מלאכתו בין שכר בהמתו וכליו בין שכר ביתו ה"ז מותר למשכנו שלא ע"פ ב"ד ונכנס לביתו ונוטל המשכון בשכרו, ואם זקף עליו השכר במלוה אסור שנאמר כי תשה ברעך משאת מאומה וגו'.
8
The following rules apply with regard to a person who has in his possession collateral belonging to a poor person. If the fee for the rental of that article is more than the depreciation of the collateral - e.g., an ax, a large saw, or the like - it is permitted for him to rent it out and continually deduct the money he receives as its fee. This is like returning a lost object to its owner. He need not ask the owner for permission.
ח
מי שהיה בידו משכונו של עני אם היה שכרו יתר על פחתו כגון קרדום ומסר [הגדול] וכיוצא בהן ה"ז מותר להשכירו ומנכה שכרו תמיד בחובו מפני שזה כמשיב אבדה ואין צריך רשות בעלים.
FOOTNOTES
1.
אלמנה בין שהיא עניה בין שהיא וכו' עד שנאמר ולא תחבול בגד אלמנה. א"א בשעת הלואה אין זה חובל עכ"ל.
2.
וכן המלוה את חבירו וכו' עד כי נפש הוא חובל. א"א לא נהיר עכ"ל.
3.
כשם שהרכב והרחים וכו' עד לוקה שתים. א"א זה אינו עכ"ל.
4.
עבר בעל חוב ונכנס עד כבוא השמש. א"א שבוש הוא זה אלא מפני שנתחייב באחריותו כדכתיבנא לעיל עכ"ל.
5.
שליח ב"ד שבא למשכן וכו' עד הלילה בלילה. א"א זה אינו מחוור שהרי פסק למעלה שאפילו שליח ב"ד שבא למשכן לא יכנס כו' והלוה מוציא לו המשכון א"ו ראוי לומר אעפ"כ בגד שעליו וכלים שאוכל בהם כגון קערה ושלחן ומפה שהוא צריך להם לאכילת היום והלילה לא יטול כלל וכן מטה ומצע ומפץ שהן צריכין ביום ובלילה ושלא בשעת סדור קאמר עכ"ל. /השגת הראב"ד/ היו לפניו שני כלים עד שלשים יום. א"א כמ"ש סתם הלואה שלשים יום עכ"ל.
• Thursday, 5 Elul, 5776 · 8 September 2016
• "Today's Day"
• Sunday, Elul 5, 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: Teitsei, first parsha with Rashi.
Tehillim: 29-34. Also 13-15.
Tanya: XII. "And the act (p. 449) ...of separate attributes. (p. 449).
Our custom in donning the tallit gadol:1 Place the folded tallit on the right shoulder. Inspect the tzitzit while reciting borchi nafshi (p. 11). Remove the tallit from the shoulder and open it. Kiss the top border. Twirl the tallit away from in front of the face to a position behind you.
Begin the b'racha l'hitateif b'tzitzit. Complete the b'racha close to placing the two right corners (of the tallit) around the neck over the left shoulder.
(See Sh'eirit Yehuda, Orach Chayim, 1, and Divrei Nechemya, Orach Chayim, 9.)
FOOTNOTES
1."Large tallit," worn during prayer - as distinct from the tallit katan ("small tallit") worn constantly (beneath the outer garments).
• Daily Thought:
A Child Each Day
The wise person begins each day as a small child. Every cell of his being is dedicated to learning wisdom, and so from every person he finds some wisdom to learn.
Each day, he rises to great heights of wisdom. And yet, the next morning, he begins all over again, as a small child, in wonder.
The wise person begins each day as a small child. Every cell of his being is dedicated to learning wisdom, and so from every person he finds some wisdom to learn.
Each day, he rises to great heights of wisdom. And yet, the next morning, he begins all over again, as a small child, in wonder.
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