Today's Laws and Customs:
Elul Observances
As the last month of the Jewish year, Elul is traditionaly a time of introspection and stocktaking -- a time to review one's deeds and spiritual progress over the past year and prepare for the upcoming "Days of Awe" of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur.
As the month of Divine Mercy and Forgiveness (see "Today in Jewish History" forElul 1) it is a most opportune time for teshuvah ("return" to G-d), prayer, charity, and increased Ahavat Yisrael (love for a fellow Jew) in the quest for self-improvement and coming closer to G-d. Chassidic master Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi likens the month of Elul to a time when "the king is in the field" and, in contrast to when he is in the royal palace, "everyone who so desires is permitted to meet him, and he receives them all with a cheerful countenance and shows a smiling face to them all."
Specific Elul customs include the daily sounding of the shofar (ram's horn) as a call to repentance. The Baal Shem Tov instituted the custom of reciting three additional chapters of Psalms each day, from the 1st of Elul until Yom Kippur (on Yom Kippur the remaining 36 chapters are recited, thereby completing the entire book of Psalms). Click below to view today's Psalms.
Chapter 70 Chapter 71 Chapter 72
Psalms 70:1 (0) For the leader. By David. As a reminder:
2 (1) God, rescue me!
Adonai, hurry and help me!
3 (2) May those who seek my life
be disgraced and humiliated.
May those who take pleasure in doing me harm
be turned back and put to confusion.
4 (3) May those who jeer, “Aha! Aha!”
withdraw because of their shame.
5 (4) But may all those who seek you
be glad and take joy in you.
May those who love your salvation say always,
“God is great and glorious!”
6 (5) But I am poor and needy;
God, hurry for me.
You are my helper and rescuer;
Adonai, don’t delay!
71:1 In you, Adonai, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
2 In your righteousness, rescue me;
and help me to escape.
Turn your ear toward me,
and deliver me.
3 Be for me a sheltering rock,
where I can always come.
You have determined to save me,
because you are my bedrock and stronghold.
4 My God, help me escape from the power of the wicked,
from the grasp of the unjust and ruthless.
5 For you are my hope, Adonai Elohim,
in whom I have trusted since I was young.
6 From birth I have relied on you;
it was you who took me from my mother’s womb.
7 To many, I am an amazing example;
but you are strong protection for me.
8 My mouth is full of praise for you,
filled with your glory all day long.
9 Don’t reject me when I grow old;
when my strength fails, don’t abandon me.
10 For my enemies are talking about me,
those seeking my life are plotting together.
11 They say, “God has abandoned him;
go after him, and seize him,
because no one will save him.”
12 God, don’t distance yourself from me!
My God, hurry to help me!
13 May those who are opposed to me
be put to shame and ruin;
may those who seek to harm me
be covered with scorn and disgrace.
14 But I, I will always hope
and keep adding to your praise.
15 All day long my mouth will tell
of your righteous deeds and acts of salvation,
though their number is past my knowing.
16 I will come in the power of Adonai Elohim
and recall your righteousness, yours alone.
17 God, you have taught me since I was young,
and I still proclaim your wonderful works.
18 So now that I’m old, and my hair is gray,
don’t abandon me, God, till I have proclaimed
your strength to the next generation,
your power to all who will come,
19 your righteousness too, God,
which reaches to the heights.
God, you have done great things;
who is there like you?
20 You have made me see much trouble and hardship,
but you will revive me again
and bring me up from the depths of the earth.
21 You will increase my honor;
turn and comfort me.
22 As for me, I will praise you with a lyre
for your faithfulness, my God.
I will sing praises to you with a lute,
Holy One of Isra’el.
23 My lips will shout for joy;
I will sing your praise, because you have redeemed me.
24 All day long my tongue
will speak of your righteousness.
For those who are seeking to harm me
will be put to shame and disgraced.
72:1 (0) By Shlomo:
(1) God, give the king your fairness in judgment,
endow this son of kings with your righteousness,
2 so that he can govern your people rightly
and your poor with justice.
3 May mountains and hills provide your people
with peace through righteousness.
4 May he defend the oppressed among the people,
save the needy and crush the oppressor.
5 May they fear you as long as the sun endures
and as long as the moon, through all generations.
6 May he be like rain falling on mown grass,
like showers watering the land.
7 In his days, let the righteous flourish
and peace abound, till the moon is no more.
8 May his empire stretch from sea to sea,
from the [Euphrates] River to the ends of the earth.
9 May desert-dwellers bow before him;
may his enemies lick the dust.
10 The kings of Tarshish and the coasts will pay him tribute;
the kings of Sh’va and S’va will offer gifts.
11 Yes, all kings will prostrate themselves before him;
all nations will serve him.
12 For he will rescue the needy when they cry,
the poor too and those with none to help them.
13 He will have pity on the poor and needy;
and the lives of the needy he will save.
14 He will redeem them from oppression and violence;
their blood will be precious in his view.
15 May [the king] live long!
May they give him gold from the land of Sh’va!
May they pray for him continually;
yes, bless him all day long.
16 May there be an abundance of grain in the land,
all the way to the tops of the mountains.
May its crops rustle like the L’vanon.
May people blossom in the city like the grasses in the fields.
17 May his name endure forever,
his name, Yinnon, as long as the sun.[Psalm 72:17 Or: “May his name flourish/propagate as long as the sun.” Jewish tradition considers Yinnon a name of the Messiah.]
May people bless themselves in him,
may all nations call him happy.
18 Blessed be Adonai, God,
the God of Isra’el,
who alone works wonders.
19 Blessed be his glorious name forever,
and may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Amen. Amen.
20 This completes the prayers of David the son of Yishai.
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:
Passing of Chafetz Chaim (1933)
Elul 24 is the yahrtzeit of the revered Torah scholar, pietist and Jewish leader Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan (1838-1933) of Radin (Poland), author of Chafetz Chaim (a work on the evils of gossip and slander and the guidelines of proper speech) andMishnah Berurah (a codification of Torah law).
Link: A Tzaddik's Tear
Daily Quote:
The good-hearted is always festive[Proverbs 15:15]
Daily Study:
We Are the Poor
-------Elul Observances
As the last month of the Jewish year, Elul is traditionaly a time of introspection and stocktaking -- a time to review one's deeds and spiritual progress over the past year and prepare for the upcoming "Days of Awe" of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur.
As the month of Divine Mercy and Forgiveness (see "Today in Jewish History" forElul 1) it is a most opportune time for teshuvah ("return" to G-d), prayer, charity, and increased Ahavat Yisrael (love for a fellow Jew) in the quest for self-improvement and coming closer to G-d. Chassidic master Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi likens the month of Elul to a time when "the king is in the field" and, in contrast to when he is in the royal palace, "everyone who so desires is permitted to meet him, and he receives them all with a cheerful countenance and shows a smiling face to them all."
Specific Elul customs include the daily sounding of the shofar (ram's horn) as a call to repentance. The Baal Shem Tov instituted the custom of reciting three additional chapters of Psalms each day, from the 1st of Elul until Yom Kippur (on Yom Kippur the remaining 36 chapters are recited, thereby completing the entire book of Psalms). Click below to view today's Psalms.
Chapter 70 Chapter 71 Chapter 72
Psalms 70:1 (0) For the leader. By David. As a reminder:
2 (1) God, rescue me!
Adonai, hurry and help me!
3 (2) May those who seek my life
be disgraced and humiliated.
May those who take pleasure in doing me harm
be turned back and put to confusion.
4 (3) May those who jeer, “Aha! Aha!”
withdraw because of their shame.
5 (4) But may all those who seek you
be glad and take joy in you.
May those who love your salvation say always,
“God is great and glorious!”
6 (5) But I am poor and needy;
God, hurry for me.
You are my helper and rescuer;
Adonai, don’t delay!
71:1 In you, Adonai, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
2 In your righteousness, rescue me;
and help me to escape.
Turn your ear toward me,
and deliver me.
3 Be for me a sheltering rock,
where I can always come.
You have determined to save me,
because you are my bedrock and stronghold.
4 My God, help me escape from the power of the wicked,
from the grasp of the unjust and ruthless.
5 For you are my hope, Adonai Elohim,
in whom I have trusted since I was young.
6 From birth I have relied on you;
it was you who took me from my mother’s womb.
7 To many, I am an amazing example;
but you are strong protection for me.
8 My mouth is full of praise for you,
filled with your glory all day long.
9 Don’t reject me when I grow old;
when my strength fails, don’t abandon me.
10 For my enemies are talking about me,
those seeking my life are plotting together.
11 They say, “God has abandoned him;
go after him, and seize him,
because no one will save him.”
12 God, don’t distance yourself from me!
My God, hurry to help me!
13 May those who are opposed to me
be put to shame and ruin;
may those who seek to harm me
be covered with scorn and disgrace.
14 But I, I will always hope
and keep adding to your praise.
15 All day long my mouth will tell
of your righteous deeds and acts of salvation,
though their number is past my knowing.
16 I will come in the power of Adonai Elohim
and recall your righteousness, yours alone.
17 God, you have taught me since I was young,
and I still proclaim your wonderful works.
18 So now that I’m old, and my hair is gray,
don’t abandon me, God, till I have proclaimed
your strength to the next generation,
your power to all who will come,
19 your righteousness too, God,
which reaches to the heights.
God, you have done great things;
who is there like you?
20 You have made me see much trouble and hardship,
but you will revive me again
and bring me up from the depths of the earth.
21 You will increase my honor;
turn and comfort me.
22 As for me, I will praise you with a lyre
for your faithfulness, my God.
I will sing praises to you with a lute,
Holy One of Isra’el.
23 My lips will shout for joy;
I will sing your praise, because you have redeemed me.
24 All day long my tongue
will speak of your righteousness.
For those who are seeking to harm me
will be put to shame and disgraced.
72:1 (0) By Shlomo:
(1) God, give the king your fairness in judgment,
endow this son of kings with your righteousness,
2 so that he can govern your people rightly
and your poor with justice.
3 May mountains and hills provide your people
with peace through righteousness.
4 May he defend the oppressed among the people,
save the needy and crush the oppressor.
5 May they fear you as long as the sun endures
and as long as the moon, through all generations.
6 May he be like rain falling on mown grass,
like showers watering the land.
7 In his days, let the righteous flourish
and peace abound, till the moon is no more.
8 May his empire stretch from sea to sea,
from the [Euphrates] River to the ends of the earth.
9 May desert-dwellers bow before him;
may his enemies lick the dust.
10 The kings of Tarshish and the coasts will pay him tribute;
the kings of Sh’va and S’va will offer gifts.
11 Yes, all kings will prostrate themselves before him;
all nations will serve him.
12 For he will rescue the needy when they cry,
the poor too and those with none to help them.
13 He will have pity on the poor and needy;
and the lives of the needy he will save.
14 He will redeem them from oppression and violence;
their blood will be precious in his view.
15 May [the king] live long!
May they give him gold from the land of Sh’va!
May they pray for him continually;
yes, bless him all day long.
16 May there be an abundance of grain in the land,
all the way to the tops of the mountains.
May its crops rustle like the L’vanon.
May people blossom in the city like the grasses in the fields.
17 May his name endure forever,
his name, Yinnon, as long as the sun.[Psalm 72:17 Or: “May his name flourish/propagate as long as the sun.” Jewish tradition considers Yinnon a name of the Messiah.]
May people bless themselves in him,
may all nations call him happy.
18 Blessed be Adonai, God,
the God of Isra’el,
who alone works wonders.
19 Blessed be his glorious name forever,
and may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Amen. Amen.
20 This completes the prayers of David the son of Yishai.
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:
Passing of Chafetz Chaim (1933)
Elul 24 is the yahrtzeit of the revered Torah scholar, pietist and Jewish leader Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan (1838-1933) of Radin (Poland), author of Chafetz Chaim (a work on the evils of gossip and slander and the guidelines of proper speech) andMishnah Berurah (a codification of Torah law).
Link: A Tzaddik's Tear
Daily Quote:
The good-hearted is always festive[Proverbs 15:15]
Daily Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Parshat Nitzavim, 3rd Portion (Deuteronomy 29:15-29:28) with Rashi
• Deuteronomy Chapter 29
15For you know how we dwelled in the land of Egypt, and how we passed among the nations through which you passed. טוכִּֽי־אַתֶּ֣ם יְדַעְתֶּ֔ם אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר־יָשַׁ֖בְנוּ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם וְאֵ֧ת אֲשֶׁר־עָבַ֛רְנוּ בְּקֶ֥רֶב הַגּוֹיִ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר עֲבַרְתֶּֽם:
For you know: [Verses 15-17 are understood as follows:] Since you saw the idolatrous nations, perhaps one of you was enticed to follow their ways, and“perhaps there is among you…” (verse 17), therefore, I must place you under an oath [because you are in this position of extra susceptibility]. כי אתם ידעתם וגו' ותראו את שקוציהם: לפי שראיתם האומות עובדי עבודה זרה ושמא השיא לב אחד מכם אותו ללכת אחריהם פן יש בכם וגו' (פסוק יז) לפיכך אני צריך להשביעכם:
16And you saw their abominations and their repugnant idols [of] wood and stone, silver and gold which were with them. טזוַתִּרְאוּ֙ אֶת־שִׁקּ֣וּצֵיהֶ֔ם וְאֵ֖ת גִּלֻּֽלֵיהֶ֑ם עֵ֣ץ וָאֶ֔בֶן כֶּ֥סֶף וְזָהָ֖ב אֲשֶׁ֥ר עִמָּהֶֽם:
you saw their abominations: Heb. שִׁקּוּצֵיהֶם. [Their idols are so termed] because they are disgusting, like creeping, crawling insects (שְׁקָצִים). ותראו את שקוציהם: על שם שהם מאוסים כשקצים:
their repugnant idols: Heb. גִּלֻּלֵיהֶם. - [Their idols, thus termed] because they are putrid and disgusting like dung (גָּלָל) . גלליהם: שמוסרחים ומאוסין כגלל:
wood and stone: You saw those [idols] made of wood and stone out in the open, because the heathen [who owned them, did not mind leaving them outside, since he] did not fear that they would be stolen. [Thus, regarding these idols, the verse says, “And you saw their… idols… (of) wood and stone.”] However, [regarding the idols made] of “silver and gold,” they“were with them,” in the [confines of their private] treasure chambers, because [their heathen owners] were afraid that these [expensive idols] might be stolen. — [Tanchuma 3] עץ ואבן: אותן של עצים ושל אבנים ראיתם בגלוי, לפי שאין הגוים יראים שמא יגנבו, אבל של כסף וזהב עמהם בחדרי משכיתם הם, לפי שהם יראים שמא יגנבו:
17Perhaps there is among you a man, woman, family, or tribe, whose heart strays this day from the Lord, our God, to go and worship the deities of those nations. Perhaps there is among you a root that produces hemlock and wormwood. יזפֶּן־יֵ֣שׁ בָּ֠כֶ֠ם אִ֣ישׁ אֽוֹ־אִשָּׁ֞ה א֧וֹ מִשְׁפָּחָ֣ה אוֹ־שֵׁ֗בֶט אֲשֶׁר֩ לְבָב֨וֹ פֹנֶ֤ה הַיּוֹם֙ מֵעִם֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ לָלֶ֣כֶת לַֽעֲבֹ֔ד אֶת־אֱלֹהֵ֖י הַגּוֹיִ֣ם הָהֵ֑ם פֶּן־יֵ֣שׁ בָּכֶ֗ם שֹׁ֛רֶשׁ פֹּרֶ֥ה רֹ֖אשׁ וְלַֽעֲנָֽה:
Perhaps there is among you: פֶּן-יֵשׁ בָּכֶם [This phrase, meaning,] “Perhaps there is among you,” [is repeated twice in this verse. Rashi explains here that there might be two levels of disobeying God. A person might serve other deities, or he is one…] פן יש בכם: שמא יש בכם:
whose heart strays this day: from accepting upon himself the covenant. אשר לבבו פנה היום: מלקבל עליו הברית:
a root that produces hemlock and wormwood: [This refers to] a root that produces a bitter herb, like giddin , which are bitter [see Targum Jonathan on Lam. 3:19]. Here, then, the verse means:“[Someone who] produces and increases evil among you.” שרש פרה ראש ולענה: שרש מגדל עשב מר כגידין, שהם מרים, כלומר מפרה ומרבה רשע בקרבכם:
18And it will be, when he [such a person] hears the words of this oath, that he will bless himself in his heart, saying, "I will have peace, even if I follow my heart's desires," in order to add the [punishment for the] unintentional sins [of this man] to that of [his] intentional sins. יחוְהָיָ֡ה בְּשָׁמְעוֹ֩ אֶת־דִּבְרֵ֨י הָֽאָלָ֜ה הַזֹּ֗את וְהִתְבָּרֵ֨ךְ בִּלְבָב֤וֹ לֵאמֹר֙ שָׁל֣וֹם יִֽהְיֶה־לִּ֔י כִּ֛י בִּשְׁרִר֥וּת לִבִּ֖י אֵלֵ֑ךְ לְמַ֛עַן סְפ֥וֹת הָֽרָוָ֖ה אֶת־הַצְּמֵאָֽה:
that he will bless himself in his heart: Heb. וְהִתְבָּרֵךְ בִּלְבָבוֹ [the word וְהִתְבָּרֵךְ stems from] the word for “blessing” (בָּרֵךְ). [The verse means:] “In his heart, [this man] will imagine a blessing of peace for himself, saying: These curses will not come upon me. I will have only peace!” והתברך בלבבו: לשון ברכה, יחשוב בלבו ברכת שלום לעצמו לאמר, לא יבואוני קללות הללו, אך שלום יהיה לי:
he will bless himself: Heb. וְהִתְבָּרֵךְ, bendira soy in Old French [i.e., the verb is in the reflexive conjugation], like “וְהִתְגַּלָּח, And he shall shave himself” (Lev. 13:33), “וְהִתְפַּלֵּל, and he will pray” (I Kings 8:42), [which employs the reflexive form of the root פלל]. והתברך: בינדיר"א שי"י בלע"ז [יברך את עצמו], כמו והתגלח והתפלל:
I follow my heart’s desires: Heb. בִּשְׁרִירוּת לִבִּי אֵלֵךְ [Meaning, “If I follow] what my heart beholds,” as in [the verse], “I behold it (אֲשׁוּרֶנּוּ) , but it is not near” (Num. 24:17). That is to say [the verse means]: “[Even if I go in the way] that my heart sees [fit] to do.” בשררות לבי אלך: במראית לבי, כמו (במדבר כד, יז) אשורנו ולא קרוב, כלומר מה שלבי רואה לעשות:
in order to add the [punishment for the] unintentional sins [of this man]: לְמַעַן סְפוֹת הָרָוָה - Because I will add to him the punishment for what he heretofore committed unintentionally, which I would have overlooked, but now, he has caused that I combine them with the intentional sins and punish him for everything. Similarly, Onkelos renders [the verse here as]: בְּדִיל לְאוֹסָפָא לֵיהּ חֶטְאֵי שָׁלוּתָא עַל זְדָנוּתָא, [meaning,] That I shall add for him the [punishment incurred for the] unintentional sins to [that of] the intentional sins. למען ספות הרוה: לפי שאוסיף לו פורענות על מה שעשה עד הנה בשוגג והייתי מעביר עליהם, וגורם עתה שאצרפם עם המזיד ואפרע ממנו הכל. וכן תרגם אונקלוס בדיל לאוספא ליה חטאי שלותא על זדנותא, שאוסיף לו אני השגגות על הזדונות:
the [punishment for the] unintentional sins: Heb. הָרָוָה [lit., “drunk.” Here, as explained, the word] refers to unintentional [sins], which [a man] commits as if in a drunken state, that is, unknowingly. הרוה: שוגג שהוא עושה כאדם שכור שלא מדעת:
to [his] intentional sins: Heb. הַצְּמֵאָה [lit., “thirsty.” Here, as explained, the word refers to intentional sins, that is] when [a man] commits [a sin] knowingly and out of lust. הצמאה: שהוא עושה מדעת ובתאוה:
19The Lord will not be willing to forgive him; rather, then, the Lord's fury and His zeal will fume against that man, and the entire curse written in this book will rest upon him, and the Lord will obliterate his name from beneath the heavens. יטלֹֽא־יֹאבֶ֣ה יְהֹוָה֘ סְלֹ֣חַ לוֹ֒ כִּ֣י אָ֠ז יֶעְשַׁ֨ן אַף־יְהֹוָ֤ה וְקִנְאָתוֹ֙ בָּאִ֣ישׁ הַה֔וּא וְרָ֤בְצָה בּוֹ֙ כָּל־הָ֣אָלָ֔ה הַכְּתוּבָ֖ה בַּסֵּ֣פֶר הַזֶּ֑ה וּמָחָ֤ה יְהֹוָה֙ אֶת־שְׁמ֔וֹ מִתַּ֖חַת הַשָּׁמָֽיִם:
The Lord’s fury… will fume: [The image is as follows:] Through anger, the body [of a person] becomes heated up, and fumes are emitted from the nose. Similarly, [referring to God,] the verse says,“Smoke rose up in His nose” (II Sam. 22:9). Now, although this is inappropriate for the Omnipresent [since He has no physical form; nevertheless], Scripture describes [this concept] to the human ear in the manner to which it is accustomed and able to understand, according to the [natural] ways of the world. [Thus, the verse here is figuratively denoting God’s fuming anger.] יעשן אף ה': על ידי כעס הגוף מתחמם והעשן יוצא מן האף, וכן (ש"ב כב, ט) עלה עשן באפו ואף על פי שאין זו לפני המקום, הכתוב משמיע את האוזן כדרך שהיא רגילה ויכולה לשמוע, כפי דרך הארץ:
and His zeal: Heb. וְקִנְאָתוֹ [This is] a term denoting [burning] fury, enprenemant [in Old French, zealous anger], firmly keeping hold of the trait of vengeance, without giving in whatsoever. וקנאתו: לשון חמה אנפרטמינ"ט [חמה] אחיזת לבישת נקמה, ואינו מעביר על המדה:
20And the Lord will separate him for evil, out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant, written in this Torah scroll. כוְהִבְדִּיל֤וֹ יְהֹוָה֙ לְרָעָ֔ה מִכֹּ֖ל שִׁבְטֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל כְּכֹל֙ אָל֣וֹת הַבְּרִ֔ית הַכְּתוּבָ֕ה בְּסֵ֥פֶר הַתּוֹרָ֖ה הַזֶּֽה:
that is written in this book: Heb. בְּסֵפֶר הַתּוֹרָה הַזֶּה, “written in this Torah scroll.” [Here, the word for“this” (הַזֶּה) is in the masculine form. However,] earlier, the verse says, “And also every sickness and plague… in this Torah scroll בְּסֵפֶר הַתּוֹרָה הַזּאֹת” (Deut. 28:61), [where the word for“this” (הַזּאֹת), appearing in the identical phrase, is in the feminine form. How do we explain the difference of gender for the same word, appearing in an identical phrase in Scripture? The answer is that there in Deut. 28:61,] the הַזּאֹת, which is in the feminine form, qualifies the word הַתּוֹרָה, “Torah” [which is in the feminine form]. And [here in our verse,] the word הַזֶּה, which is in the masculine form, qualifies the word סֵפֶר, “scroll” [which is in the masculine form. How do we know that each respective mention of the word “this” is qualifying the particular word described, and not otherwise? Because in these two verses,] the cantillation symbols punctuate the words [of the phrase“this Torah scroll”] in two different ways, [as follows]: In the passage [describing] the curses [i.e., in Deut. 28:61], the [cantillation symbol called] tipcha is placed under the word בְּסֵפֶר, [thus separating it from the next words הַתּוֹרָה הַזּאֹת,] while [the words], הַתּוֹרָה הַזּאֹת are attached to each other [also by virtue of the cantillation symbols]. Hence, [the verse] employs the הַזּאֹת [for the word “this,” because it clearly is qualifying the word “Torah,” which is in the feminine form]. However, here [in our verse], the tipcha is placed under the word הַתּוֹרָה. [Thus, together with its previous conjunctive symbol, the meircha placed under the word בְּסֵפֶר, it] joins these two words, בְּסֵפֶר הַתּוֹרָה, into one attached [expression]. Accordingly, the word [“this”] qualifies the [first word in the expression, namely,] “scroll,” [the direct object in the expression “Torah scroll,” and since the word“scroll”] is in the masculine form [thus, the qualifying word הַזֶּה takes on the masculine form here]. הכתובה בספר התורה הזה: ולמעלה הוא אומר (לעיל כח, סא) בספר התורה הזאת גם כל חלי וכל מכה וגו', הזאת לשון נקבה מוסב על התורה. הזה לשון זכר מוסב על הספר, ועל ידי פסוק הטעמים הן נחלקין לשתי לשונות, בפרשת הקללות הטפחא נתונה תחת בספר, והתורה הזאת דבוקים זה לזה, לכך אמר הזאת וכאן הטפחה נתונה תחת התורה, נמצא ספר התורה דבוקים זה לזה לפיכך לשון זכר נופל אחריו, שהלשון נופל על הספר:
21And a later generation, your descendants, who will rise after you, along with the foreigner who comes from a distant land, will say, upon seeing the plagues of that land and the diseases with which the Lord struck it: כאוְאָמַ֞ר הַדּ֣וֹר הָאַֽחֲר֗וֹן בְּנֵיכֶם֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר יָק֨וּמוּ֙ מֵאַ֣חֲרֵיכֶ֔ם וְהַ֨נָּכְרִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָבֹ֖א מֵאֶ֣רֶץ רְחוֹקָ֑ה וְ֠רָא֠וּ אֶת־מַכּ֞וֹת הָאָ֤רֶץ הַהִוא֙ וְאֶת־תַּ֣חֲלֻאֶ֔יהָ אֲשֶׁר־חִלָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה בָּֽהּ:
22Sulfur and salt have burned up its entire land! It cannot be sown, nor can it grow [anything], not [even] any grass will sprout upon it. It is like the overturning of Sodom, Gemorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the Lord overturned in His fury and in His rage. כבגָּפְרִ֣ית וָמֶ֘לַח֘ שְׂרֵפָ֣ה כָל־אַרְצָהּ֒ לֹ֤א תִזָּרַע֙ וְלֹ֣א תַצְמִ֔חַ וְלֹא־יַֽעֲלֶ֥ה בָ֖הּ כָּל־עֵ֑שֶׂב כְּמַהְפֵּכַ֞ת סְדֹ֤ם וַֽעֲמֹרָה֙ אַדְמָ֣ה וּצְבוֹיִ֔ם (כתיב וצביים) אֲשֶׁר֙ הָפַ֣ךְ יְהֹוָ֔ה בְּאַפּ֖וֹ וּבַֽחֲמָתֽוֹ:
23And all the nations will say, Why did the Lord do so to this land? What [is the reason] for this great rage of fury? כגוְאָֽמְרוּ֙ כָּל־הַגּוֹיִ֔ם עַל־מֶ֨ה עָשָׂ֧ה יְהֹוָ֛ה כָּ֖כָה לָאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֑את מֶ֥ה חֳרִ֛י הָאַ֥ף הַגָּד֖וֹל הַזֶּֽה:
24Then they will say, It is because they abandoned the covenant of the Lord, God of their fathers, [the covenant] which He made with them when He took them out of the land of Egypt, כדוְאָ֣מְר֔וּ עַ֚ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָֽזְב֔וּ אֶת־בְּרִ֥ית יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֲבֹתָ֑ם אֲשֶׁר֙ כָּרַ֣ת עִמָּ֔ם בְּהֽוֹצִיא֥וֹ אֹתָ֖ם מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם:
25For they went and served other deities, prostrating themselves to them deities which they had not known, and which He had not apportioned to them. כהוַיֵּֽלְכ֗וּ וַיַּֽעַבְדוּ֙ אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים וַיִּשְׁתַּֽחֲו֖וּ לָהֶ֑ם אֱלֹהִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹֽא־יְדָע֔וּם וְלֹ֥א חָלַ֖ק לָהֶֽם:
which they had not known: In which they had never recognized any divine power. לא ידעום: לא ידעו בהם גבורת אלהות:
and which He had not apportioned to them: Heb. וְלֹא חָלַק לָהֶם [Meaning, “God] had not allotted them” [these deities] to be their [Israel’s] portion. Onkelos , however, renders:“and which did not grant them any good.” [Here,] the expression וְלֹא חָלַק is [understood to mean]:“that deity which they would choose for themselves did not apportion to them any inheritance or any portion.” ולא חלק להם: לא נתנם לחלקם. ואונקלוס תרגם ולא אוטיבא להון, לא הטיבו להם שום טובה, ולשון לא חלק אותו אלוה שבחרו להם לא חלק להם שום נחלה ושום חלק:
26And the Lord's fury raged against that land, bringing upon it the entire curse written in this book. כווַיִּֽחַר־אַ֥ף יְהֹוָ֖ה בָּאָ֣רֶץ הַהִ֑וא לְהָבִ֤יא עָלֶ֨יהָ֙ אֶת־כָּל־הַקְּלָלָ֔ה הַכְּתוּבָ֖ה בַּסֵּ֥פֶר הַזֶּֽה:
27And the Lord uprooted them from upon their land, with fury, anger and great wrath, and He cast them to another land, as it is this day. כזוַיִּתְּשֵׁ֤ם יְהֹוָה֙ מֵעַ֣ל אַדְמָתָ֔ם בְּאַ֥ף וּבְחֵמָ֖ה וּבְקֶ֣צֶף גָּד֑וֹל וַיַּשְׁלִכֵ֛ם אֶל־אֶ֥רֶץ אֲחֶ֖רֶת כַּיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה:
And the Lord uprooted them: Heb. וַיִּתְּשֵׁם ה׳, as rendered by the Targum: וְטַלְטְלִינוּן, “and He drove them out.” Similarly, “Behold, I uproot them (נוֹתְשָׁם) from upon their land” (Jer. 12:14). ויתשם ה': כתרגומו וטלטלינון, וכן (ירמיה יב יד) הנני נותשם מעל אדמתם:
28The hidden things belong to the Lord, our God, but the revealed things apply to us and to our children forever: that we must fulfill all the words of this Torah. כחהַנִּ֨סְתָּרֹ֔ת לַֽיהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ וְהַנִּגְלֹ֞ת ֹלָֹ֤נוֹּ ֹוֹּלְֹבָֹנֵֹ֨יֹנֹוּ֨ עַד־עוֹלָ֔ם לַֽעֲשׂ֕וֹת אֶת־כָּל־דִּבְרֵ֖י הַתּוֹרָ֥ה הַזֹּֽאת:
The hidden things belong to the Lord, our God: Now, you might object [to God, saying]: “But what can we do? You punish the entire community because of the sinful thoughts of an individual, as Scripture says, ‘Perhaps there is among you a man…’ (verse 17 above), and after this, Scripture continues, ‘Seeing the plagues of that land [and the diseases with which the Lord struck it]’ (verse 21) [which seems to indicate that for the sinful thought of even one individual, the whole land would be struck down with plagues and diseases]. But surely no man can know the secret thoughts of his fellow [that we could somehow prevent this collective punishment!” In answer to this, God says:] “I will not punish you for the hidden things!” [I.e.,] because “[The hidden things] belong to the Lord, our God,” and He will exact punishment upon that particular individual [who sins in secret]. However, “the revealed things apply to us and to our children” [that is, we are responsible for detecting the sins committed openly in our community, and] to eradicate any evil among us. And if we do not execute judgment upon these [open transgressions, over which we do have control,], then the whole community will be punished [because they would be remiss in their responsibility]. There is a dot placed over [each letter of] the words לָנוּ וּלְבָנֵינוּ here, to teach us homiletically that even for open sins [which were not brought to judgment, God] did not punish the whole community-until Israel crossed the Jordan. For then, they accepted upon themselves the oath at Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, and thereby [formally] became responsible for one another (Sanh. 43b). [When dots are placed over letters of the Torah, this denotes an exclusion of some sort. In our context, our Rabbis teach us that the exclusion refers to the period prior to the crossing of the Jordan.] הנסתרת לה' אלהינו: ואם תאמרו מה בידינו לעשות, אתה מעניש את הרבים על הרהורי היחיד, שנאמר (פסוק יז) פן יש בכם איש וגו', ואחר כך (פסוק כא) וראו את מכות הארץ ההיא, והלא אין אדם יודע טמונותיו של חבירו, אין אני מעניש אתכם על הנסתרות, שהן לה' אלהינו והוא יפרע מאותו יחיד, אבל הנגלות, לנו ולבנינו לבער הרע מקרבנו, ואם לא נעשה דין בהם יענשו את הרבים. נקוד על לנו ולבנינו, לדרוש, שאף על הנגלות לא ענש את הרבים עד שעברו את הירדן משקבלו עליהם את השבועה בהר גרזים ובהר עיבל ונעשו ערבים זה לזה:
Daily Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 113-118
• 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 113
This psalm recounts some of the wonders of the exodus from Egypt.
1. Praise the Lord! Offer praise, you servants of the Lord; praise the Name of the Lord.
2. May the Name of the Lord be blessed from now and to all eternity.
3. From the rising of the sun to its setting, the Name of the Lord is praised.
4. The Lord is high above all nations; His glory transcends the heavens.
5. Who is like the Lord our God, Who dwells on high
6. [yet] looks down so low upon heaven and earth!
7. He raises the poor from the dust, lifts the destitute from the dunghill,
8. to seat them with nobles, with the nobles of His people.
9. He transforms the barren woman into a household, into a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!
Chapter 114
This psalm explains why the tribe of Judah merited kingship.
1. When Israel went out of Egypt, the House of Jacob from a people of a foreign tongue,
2. Judah became His holy [nation], Israel, His domain.
3. The sea saw and fled, the Jordan turned backward.
4. The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like young sheep.
5. What is the matter with you, O sea, that you flee; Jordan, that you turn backward;
6. mountains, that you skip like rams; hills, like young sheep?
7. [We do so] before the Master, the Creator of the earth, before the God of Jacob,
8. Who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flintstone into a water fountain.
Chapter 115
A prayer that God bring this long exile to an end, for the sake of His Name-that it not be desecrated.
1. Not for our sake, Lord, not for our sake, but for the sake of Your Name bestow glory, because of Your kindness and Your truth.
2. Why should the nations say, "Where, now, is their God?”
3. Indeed, our God is in heaven; whatever He desires, He does.
4. Their idols are of silver and gold, the product of human hands.
5. They have a mouth, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see;
6. they have ears, but cannot hear; they have a nose, but cannot smell;
7. their hands cannot touch; their feet cannot walk; they can make no sound in their throat.
8. Those who make them will become like them-all who put their trust in them.
9. Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.
10. House of Aaron, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.
11. You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.
12. The Lord who is ever mindful of us, may He bless: May He bless the House of Israel; may He bless the House of Aaron;
13. may He bless those who fear the Lord, the small with the great.
14. May the Lord increase [blessing] upon you, upon you and upon your children.
15. You are blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
16. The heavens are the Lord's heavens, but the earth He gave to the children of man.
17. The dead cannot praise the Lord, nor any who descend into the silence [of the grave].
18. But we will bless the Lord from now to eternity. Praise the Lord!
Chapter 116
This psalm contains magnificent praises to God. It also describes David's love for God, in light of all the miracles He performed for him. David does not know how to repay God, declaring it impossible to pay back for all God has done for him.
1. I would love if the Lord would listen to my voice, to my supplications;
2. if He would turn His ear to me on the days when I call.
3. The pangs of death encompassed me and the misery of the grave came upon me; I encounter trouble and sorrow.
4. I invoke the Name of the Lord, "Lord, I implore you, deliver my soul!”
5. The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is compassionate.
6. The Lord watches over the simpletons; I was brought low, and He saved me.
7. Return, my soul, to your tranquility, for the Lord has bestowed goodness upon you.
8. For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
9. I shall walk before the Lord in the lands of the living.
10. I had faith even when I declared, "I am greatly afflicted";
11. [even when] I said in my haste, "All men are deceitful.”
12. How can I repay the Lord for all His beneficences to me?
13. I will raise the cup of deliverance and proclaim the Name of the Lord.
14. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people.
15. Grievous in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His pious ones.
16. I thank you, Lord, that since I am Your servant, I am Your servant the son of Your maidservant, You have loosened my bonds.
17. To You I will bring an offering of thanksgiving, and proclaim the Name of the Lord.
18. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people,
19. in the courtyards of the House of the Lord, in the midst of Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!
Chapter 117
This psalm of two verses alludes to the Messianic era, when the Children of Israel will enjoy their former glory. All will praise God, in fulfillment of the verse, "All will then call in the Name of God."
1. Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples.
2. For His kindness was mighty over us, and the truth of the Lord is everlasting. Praise the Lord!
Chapter 118
This psalm describes David's immense trust in God. It also contains many praises to God, Who has fulfilled that which He has promised us.
1. Offer praise to the Lord for He is good, for His kindness is everlasting.
2. Let Israel declare that His kindness is everlasting.
3. Let the House of Aaron declare that His kindness is everlasting.
4. Let those who fear the Lord declare that His kindness is everlasting.
5. From out of distress I called to God; with abounding relief, God answered me.
6. The Lord is with me, I do not fear-what can man do to me?
7. The Lord is with me among my helpers, and I will see [the downfall of] my enemies.
8. It is better to rely on the Lord than to trust in man.
9. It is better to rely on the Lord than to trust in nobles.
10. All the nations surrounded me, but in the Name of the Lord I will cut them down.
11. They surrounded me, they encompassed me, but in the Name of the Lord I will cut them down.
12. They surrounded me like bees, yet they shall be extinguished like fiery thorns; in the Name of the Lord I will cut them down.
13. You [my foes] repeatedly pushed me to fall, but the Lord helped me.
14. God is my strength and song, and He has been a help to me.
15. The sound of rejoicing and deliverance reverberates in the tents of the righteous, "The right hand of the Lord performs deeds of valor.
16. The right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord performs deeds of valor!”
17. I shall not die, but I shall live and recount the deeds of God.
18. God has indeed chastised me, but He did not give me up to death.
19. Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter them and praise God.
20. This is the gate of the Lord, the righteous will enter it.
21. I offer thanks to You, for You have answered me, and You have been my deliverance.
22. The stone which the builders scorned has become the chief cornerstone.
23. From the Lord has this come about; it is wondrous in our eyes.
24. This is the day which the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice on it.
25. We implore You, Lord, deliver us. We implore You, Lord, grant us success.
26. Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord; we bless you from the House of the Lord.
27. The Lord is a benevolent God and He has given us light; bind the festival offering with cords until [you bring it to] the horns of the altar.
28. You are my God and I will praise You, my God-and I will exalt You.
29. Praise the Lord for He is good, for His kindness is everlasting.
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 70, 71 and 72.
Chapter 70
David prays that his enemies be shamed and humiliated for their shaming him and reveling in his troubles. Then the righteous will rejoice, and chant songs and praises always.
1. For the Conductor, by David, to remind.
2. O God, [come] to rescue me; O Lord, hurry to my aid.
3. Let those who seek my life be shamed and disgraced; let those who wish me harm retreat and be humiliated.
4. Let those who say, "Aha! Aha!" be turned back in return for their shaming [me].
5. Let all who seek You rejoice and delight in You, and let those who love Your deliverance say always, "May God be exalted!”
6. But I am poor and needy; hurry to me, O God! You are my help and deliverer; O God, do not delay!
Chapter 71
In this awe-inspiring prayer, David speaks of his enemies' desire to kill him, declaring him deserving of death.
1. I have taken refuge in You, O Lord; I will never be shamed.
2. Rescue me and deliver me in Your righteousness; incline Your ear to me and save me.
3. Be for me a sheltering rock, to enter always. You have ordered my salvation, for You are my rock and my fortress.
4. O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked, from the palm of the scheming and violent.
5. For You are my hope, O my Lord, God, my security since my youth.
6. I have relied on You from the womb; You drew me from my mother's innards; my praise is of You always.
7. I became an example to the masses, yet You were my mighty refuge.
8. Let my mouth be filled with Your praise, all day long with Your glory.
9. Do not cast me aside in old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails;
10. for my enemies say of me, and those who watch my soul conspire together,
11. saying, "God has forsaken him. Give chase and catch him, for there is no rescuer.”
12. O God, do not distance Yourself from me; my God, hurry to my aid.
13. Let the adversaries of my soul be shamed and consumed; let those who seek my harm be enwrapped in disgrace and humiliation.
14. But as for me, I will always hope; I will add to all Your praises.
15. My mouth will tell of Your righteousness, all day long of Your deliverance, for I do not know their number.
16. I come with the strength of my Lord, God; I mention Your righteousness, Yours alone.
17. O God, You have taught me since my youth, and to this day I tell of Your wonders.
18. Even into old age and hoariness, O God, do not abandon me, until I tell of Your might to the generations, and of Your strength to all who are to come.
19. Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens, for You do great things; O God, who is like You!
20. You, Who has shown me many and grievous troubles, You will revive me again; You will lift me again from the depths of the earth.
21. You will increase my greatness; You will turn and console me.
22. I too1 will thank You on the lyre for Your faithfulness, My God; I will sing to You on the harp, O Holy One of Israel.
23. My lips will rejoice when I sing to you, as well as my soul which You have redeemed.
24. My tongue will also utter Your righteousness all day, for those who seek my harm are shamed and disgraced.
Chapter 72
David composed this psalm for Solomon, praying that he be granted the wisdom to provide justice for the poor.
1. For Solomon. O God, impart Your justice to the king, and Your righteousness to the son of the king.
2. May he judge Your people with righteousness, Your poor with justice.
3. May the mountains bear peace to the nation, also the hills, in [reward for their] righteousness.
4. May he judge the nation's poor, save the children of the destitute, and crush the oppressor,
5. so that they will fear You as long as the sun [shines] and the moon endures, generation after generation.
6. May [his words] descend like rain upon cut grass, like raindrops that water the earth.
7. In his days may the righteous flourish, with much peace until the moon is no more.
8. And may he rule from sea to sea, and from the river until the ends of the earth.
9. May nobles kneel before him, and may his enemies lick the dust.
10. The kings of Tarshish and the islands will return tribute, the kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts.
11. All kings will bow to him, all nations will serve him;
12. for he rescues the needy one who cries out, the poor one who has no one to help him.
13. He pities the impoverished and needy, and saves the souls of the destitute.
14. He redeems their soul from deception and violence, and their blood is precious in his eyes.
15. He revives [the poor], and gives him of the gold of Sheba; and so [the poor] pray for him always, and bless him all day.
16. May there be abundant grain in the land, upon the mountaintops; may its fruit rustle like the [cedars of] Lebanon, and may [people] blossom from the city like the grass of the earth.
17. May his name endure forever; may his name be magnified as long as the sun [shines]. And all nations will bless themselves by him, they will praise him.
18. Blessed is the Lord God, the God of Israel, Who alone performs wonders.
19. Blessed is His glorious Name forever, and may the whole earth be filled with His glory, Amen and Amen.
20. The prayers of David, son of Jesse, are concluded
Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, end of Epistle 18
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Tuesday, 24 Elul, 5776 · 27 September 2016
• Iggeret HaKodesh, end of Epistle 18
Chumash: Parshat Nitzavim, 3rd Portion (Deuteronomy 29:15-29:28) with Rashi
• Deuteronomy Chapter 29
15For you know how we dwelled in the land of Egypt, and how we passed among the nations through which you passed. טוכִּֽי־אַתֶּ֣ם יְדַעְתֶּ֔ם אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר־יָשַׁ֖בְנוּ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם וְאֵ֧ת אֲשֶׁר־עָבַ֛רְנוּ בְּקֶ֥רֶב הַגּוֹיִ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר עֲבַרְתֶּֽם:
For you know: [Verses 15-17 are understood as follows:] Since you saw the idolatrous nations, perhaps one of you was enticed to follow their ways, and“perhaps there is among you…” (verse 17), therefore, I must place you under an oath [because you are in this position of extra susceptibility]. כי אתם ידעתם וגו' ותראו את שקוציהם: לפי שראיתם האומות עובדי עבודה זרה ושמא השיא לב אחד מכם אותו ללכת אחריהם פן יש בכם וגו' (פסוק יז) לפיכך אני צריך להשביעכם:
16And you saw their abominations and their repugnant idols [of] wood and stone, silver and gold which were with them. טזוַתִּרְאוּ֙ אֶת־שִׁקּ֣וּצֵיהֶ֔ם וְאֵ֖ת גִּלֻּֽלֵיהֶ֑ם עֵ֣ץ וָאֶ֔בֶן כֶּ֥סֶף וְזָהָ֖ב אֲשֶׁ֥ר עִמָּהֶֽם:
you saw their abominations: Heb. שִׁקּוּצֵיהֶם. [Their idols are so termed] because they are disgusting, like creeping, crawling insects (שְׁקָצִים). ותראו את שקוציהם: על שם שהם מאוסים כשקצים:
their repugnant idols: Heb. גִּלֻּלֵיהֶם. - [Their idols, thus termed] because they are putrid and disgusting like dung (גָּלָל) . גלליהם: שמוסרחים ומאוסין כגלל:
wood and stone: You saw those [idols] made of wood and stone out in the open, because the heathen [who owned them, did not mind leaving them outside, since he] did not fear that they would be stolen. [Thus, regarding these idols, the verse says, “And you saw their… idols… (of) wood and stone.”] However, [regarding the idols made] of “silver and gold,” they“were with them,” in the [confines of their private] treasure chambers, because [their heathen owners] were afraid that these [expensive idols] might be stolen. — [Tanchuma 3] עץ ואבן: אותן של עצים ושל אבנים ראיתם בגלוי, לפי שאין הגוים יראים שמא יגנבו, אבל של כסף וזהב עמהם בחדרי משכיתם הם, לפי שהם יראים שמא יגנבו:
17Perhaps there is among you a man, woman, family, or tribe, whose heart strays this day from the Lord, our God, to go and worship the deities of those nations. Perhaps there is among you a root that produces hemlock and wormwood. יזפֶּן־יֵ֣שׁ בָּ֠כֶ֠ם אִ֣ישׁ אֽוֹ־אִשָּׁ֞ה א֧וֹ מִשְׁפָּחָ֣ה אוֹ־שֵׁ֗בֶט אֲשֶׁר֩ לְבָב֨וֹ פֹנֶ֤ה הַיּוֹם֙ מֵעִם֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ לָלֶ֣כֶת לַֽעֲבֹ֔ד אֶת־אֱלֹהֵ֖י הַגּוֹיִ֣ם הָהֵ֑ם פֶּן־יֵ֣שׁ בָּכֶ֗ם שֹׁ֛רֶשׁ פֹּרֶ֥ה רֹ֖אשׁ וְלַֽעֲנָֽה:
Perhaps there is among you: פֶּן-יֵשׁ בָּכֶם [This phrase, meaning,] “Perhaps there is among you,” [is repeated twice in this verse. Rashi explains here that there might be two levels of disobeying God. A person might serve other deities, or he is one…] פן יש בכם: שמא יש בכם:
whose heart strays this day: from accepting upon himself the covenant. אשר לבבו פנה היום: מלקבל עליו הברית:
a root that produces hemlock and wormwood: [This refers to] a root that produces a bitter herb, like giddin , which are bitter [see Targum Jonathan on Lam. 3:19]. Here, then, the verse means:“[Someone who] produces and increases evil among you.” שרש פרה ראש ולענה: שרש מגדל עשב מר כגידין, שהם מרים, כלומר מפרה ומרבה רשע בקרבכם:
18And it will be, when he [such a person] hears the words of this oath, that he will bless himself in his heart, saying, "I will have peace, even if I follow my heart's desires," in order to add the [punishment for the] unintentional sins [of this man] to that of [his] intentional sins. יחוְהָיָ֡ה בְּשָׁמְעוֹ֩ אֶת־דִּבְרֵ֨י הָֽאָלָ֜ה הַזֹּ֗את וְהִתְבָּרֵ֨ךְ בִּלְבָב֤וֹ לֵאמֹר֙ שָׁל֣וֹם יִֽהְיֶה־לִּ֔י כִּ֛י בִּשְׁרִר֥וּת לִבִּ֖י אֵלֵ֑ךְ לְמַ֛עַן סְפ֥וֹת הָֽרָוָ֖ה אֶת־הַצְּמֵאָֽה:
that he will bless himself in his heart: Heb. וְהִתְבָּרֵךְ בִּלְבָבוֹ [the word וְהִתְבָּרֵךְ stems from] the word for “blessing” (בָּרֵךְ). [The verse means:] “In his heart, [this man] will imagine a blessing of peace for himself, saying: These curses will not come upon me. I will have only peace!” והתברך בלבבו: לשון ברכה, יחשוב בלבו ברכת שלום לעצמו לאמר, לא יבואוני קללות הללו, אך שלום יהיה לי:
he will bless himself: Heb. וְהִתְבָּרֵךְ, bendira soy in Old French [i.e., the verb is in the reflexive conjugation], like “וְהִתְגַּלָּח, And he shall shave himself” (Lev. 13:33), “וְהִתְפַּלֵּל, and he will pray” (I Kings 8:42), [which employs the reflexive form of the root פלל]. והתברך: בינדיר"א שי"י בלע"ז [יברך את עצמו], כמו והתגלח והתפלל:
I follow my heart’s desires: Heb. בִּשְׁרִירוּת לִבִּי אֵלֵךְ [Meaning, “If I follow] what my heart beholds,” as in [the verse], “I behold it (אֲשׁוּרֶנּוּ) , but it is not near” (Num. 24:17). That is to say [the verse means]: “[Even if I go in the way] that my heart sees [fit] to do.” בשררות לבי אלך: במראית לבי, כמו (במדבר כד, יז) אשורנו ולא קרוב, כלומר מה שלבי רואה לעשות:
in order to add the [punishment for the] unintentional sins [of this man]: לְמַעַן סְפוֹת הָרָוָה - Because I will add to him the punishment for what he heretofore committed unintentionally, which I would have overlooked, but now, he has caused that I combine them with the intentional sins and punish him for everything. Similarly, Onkelos renders [the verse here as]: בְּדִיל לְאוֹסָפָא לֵיהּ חֶטְאֵי שָׁלוּתָא עַל זְדָנוּתָא, [meaning,] That I shall add for him the [punishment incurred for the] unintentional sins to [that of] the intentional sins. למען ספות הרוה: לפי שאוסיף לו פורענות על מה שעשה עד הנה בשוגג והייתי מעביר עליהם, וגורם עתה שאצרפם עם המזיד ואפרע ממנו הכל. וכן תרגם אונקלוס בדיל לאוספא ליה חטאי שלותא על זדנותא, שאוסיף לו אני השגגות על הזדונות:
the [punishment for the] unintentional sins: Heb. הָרָוָה [lit., “drunk.” Here, as explained, the word] refers to unintentional [sins], which [a man] commits as if in a drunken state, that is, unknowingly. הרוה: שוגג שהוא עושה כאדם שכור שלא מדעת:
to [his] intentional sins: Heb. הַצְּמֵאָה [lit., “thirsty.” Here, as explained, the word refers to intentional sins, that is] when [a man] commits [a sin] knowingly and out of lust. הצמאה: שהוא עושה מדעת ובתאוה:
19The Lord will not be willing to forgive him; rather, then, the Lord's fury and His zeal will fume against that man, and the entire curse written in this book will rest upon him, and the Lord will obliterate his name from beneath the heavens. יטלֹֽא־יֹאבֶ֣ה יְהֹוָה֘ סְלֹ֣חַ לוֹ֒ כִּ֣י אָ֠ז יֶעְשַׁ֨ן אַף־יְהֹוָ֤ה וְקִנְאָתוֹ֙ בָּאִ֣ישׁ הַה֔וּא וְרָ֤בְצָה בּוֹ֙ כָּל־הָ֣אָלָ֔ה הַכְּתוּבָ֖ה בַּסֵּ֣פֶר הַזֶּ֑ה וּמָחָ֤ה יְהֹוָה֙ אֶת־שְׁמ֔וֹ מִתַּ֖חַת הַשָּׁמָֽיִם:
The Lord’s fury… will fume: [The image is as follows:] Through anger, the body [of a person] becomes heated up, and fumes are emitted from the nose. Similarly, [referring to God,] the verse says,“Smoke rose up in His nose” (II Sam. 22:9). Now, although this is inappropriate for the Omnipresent [since He has no physical form; nevertheless], Scripture describes [this concept] to the human ear in the manner to which it is accustomed and able to understand, according to the [natural] ways of the world. [Thus, the verse here is figuratively denoting God’s fuming anger.] יעשן אף ה': על ידי כעס הגוף מתחמם והעשן יוצא מן האף, וכן (ש"ב כב, ט) עלה עשן באפו ואף על פי שאין זו לפני המקום, הכתוב משמיע את האוזן כדרך שהיא רגילה ויכולה לשמוע, כפי דרך הארץ:
and His zeal: Heb. וְקִנְאָתוֹ [This is] a term denoting [burning] fury, enprenemant [in Old French, zealous anger], firmly keeping hold of the trait of vengeance, without giving in whatsoever. וקנאתו: לשון חמה אנפרטמינ"ט [חמה] אחיזת לבישת נקמה, ואינו מעביר על המדה:
20And the Lord will separate him for evil, out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant, written in this Torah scroll. כוְהִבְדִּיל֤וֹ יְהֹוָה֙ לְרָעָ֔ה מִכֹּ֖ל שִׁבְטֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל כְּכֹל֙ אָל֣וֹת הַבְּרִ֔ית הַכְּתוּבָ֕ה בְּסֵ֥פֶר הַתּוֹרָ֖ה הַזֶּֽה:
that is written in this book: Heb. בְּסֵפֶר הַתּוֹרָה הַזֶּה, “written in this Torah scroll.” [Here, the word for“this” (הַזֶּה) is in the masculine form. However,] earlier, the verse says, “And also every sickness and plague… in this Torah scroll בְּסֵפֶר הַתּוֹרָה הַזּאֹת” (Deut. 28:61), [where the word for“this” (הַזּאֹת), appearing in the identical phrase, is in the feminine form. How do we explain the difference of gender for the same word, appearing in an identical phrase in Scripture? The answer is that there in Deut. 28:61,] the הַזּאֹת, which is in the feminine form, qualifies the word הַתּוֹרָה, “Torah” [which is in the feminine form]. And [here in our verse,] the word הַזֶּה, which is in the masculine form, qualifies the word סֵפֶר, “scroll” [which is in the masculine form. How do we know that each respective mention of the word “this” is qualifying the particular word described, and not otherwise? Because in these two verses,] the cantillation symbols punctuate the words [of the phrase“this Torah scroll”] in two different ways, [as follows]: In the passage [describing] the curses [i.e., in Deut. 28:61], the [cantillation symbol called] tipcha is placed under the word בְּסֵפֶר, [thus separating it from the next words הַתּוֹרָה הַזּאֹת,] while [the words], הַתּוֹרָה הַזּאֹת are attached to each other [also by virtue of the cantillation symbols]. Hence, [the verse] employs the הַזּאֹת [for the word “this,” because it clearly is qualifying the word “Torah,” which is in the feminine form]. However, here [in our verse], the tipcha is placed under the word הַתּוֹרָה. [Thus, together with its previous conjunctive symbol, the meircha placed under the word בְּסֵפֶר, it] joins these two words, בְּסֵפֶר הַתּוֹרָה, into one attached [expression]. Accordingly, the word [“this”] qualifies the [first word in the expression, namely,] “scroll,” [the direct object in the expression “Torah scroll,” and since the word“scroll”] is in the masculine form [thus, the qualifying word הַזֶּה takes on the masculine form here]. הכתובה בספר התורה הזה: ולמעלה הוא אומר (לעיל כח, סא) בספר התורה הזאת גם כל חלי וכל מכה וגו', הזאת לשון נקבה מוסב על התורה. הזה לשון זכר מוסב על הספר, ועל ידי פסוק הטעמים הן נחלקין לשתי לשונות, בפרשת הקללות הטפחא נתונה תחת בספר, והתורה הזאת דבוקים זה לזה, לכך אמר הזאת וכאן הטפחה נתונה תחת התורה, נמצא ספר התורה דבוקים זה לזה לפיכך לשון זכר נופל אחריו, שהלשון נופל על הספר:
21And a later generation, your descendants, who will rise after you, along with the foreigner who comes from a distant land, will say, upon seeing the plagues of that land and the diseases with which the Lord struck it: כאוְאָמַ֞ר הַדּ֣וֹר הָאַֽחֲר֗וֹן בְּנֵיכֶם֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר יָק֨וּמוּ֙ מֵאַ֣חֲרֵיכֶ֔ם וְהַ֨נָּכְרִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָבֹ֖א מֵאֶ֣רֶץ רְחוֹקָ֑ה וְ֠רָא֠וּ אֶת־מַכּ֞וֹת הָאָ֤רֶץ הַהִוא֙ וְאֶת־תַּ֣חֲלֻאֶ֔יהָ אֲשֶׁר־חִלָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה בָּֽהּ:
22Sulfur and salt have burned up its entire land! It cannot be sown, nor can it grow [anything], not [even] any grass will sprout upon it. It is like the overturning of Sodom, Gemorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the Lord overturned in His fury and in His rage. כבגָּפְרִ֣ית וָמֶ֘לַח֘ שְׂרֵפָ֣ה כָל־אַרְצָהּ֒ לֹ֤א תִזָּרַע֙ וְלֹ֣א תַצְמִ֔חַ וְלֹא־יַֽעֲלֶ֥ה בָ֖הּ כָּל־עֵ֑שֶׂב כְּמַהְפֵּכַ֞ת סְדֹ֤ם וַֽעֲמֹרָה֙ אַדְמָ֣ה וּצְבוֹיִ֔ם (כתיב וצביים) אֲשֶׁר֙ הָפַ֣ךְ יְהֹוָ֔ה בְּאַפּ֖וֹ וּבַֽחֲמָתֽוֹ:
23And all the nations will say, Why did the Lord do so to this land? What [is the reason] for this great rage of fury? כגוְאָֽמְרוּ֙ כָּל־הַגּוֹיִ֔ם עַל־מֶ֨ה עָשָׂ֧ה יְהֹוָ֛ה כָּ֖כָה לָאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֑את מֶ֥ה חֳרִ֛י הָאַ֥ף הַגָּד֖וֹל הַזֶּֽה:
24Then they will say, It is because they abandoned the covenant of the Lord, God of their fathers, [the covenant] which He made with them when He took them out of the land of Egypt, כדוְאָ֣מְר֔וּ עַ֚ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָֽזְב֔וּ אֶת־בְּרִ֥ית יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֲבֹתָ֑ם אֲשֶׁר֙ כָּרַ֣ת עִמָּ֔ם בְּהֽוֹצִיא֥וֹ אֹתָ֖ם מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם:
25For they went and served other deities, prostrating themselves to them deities which they had not known, and which He had not apportioned to them. כהוַיֵּֽלְכ֗וּ וַיַּֽעַבְדוּ֙ אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים וַיִּשְׁתַּֽחֲו֖וּ לָהֶ֑ם אֱלֹהִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹֽא־יְדָע֔וּם וְלֹ֥א חָלַ֖ק לָהֶֽם:
which they had not known: In which they had never recognized any divine power. לא ידעום: לא ידעו בהם גבורת אלהות:
and which He had not apportioned to them: Heb. וְלֹא חָלַק לָהֶם [Meaning, “God] had not allotted them” [these deities] to be their [Israel’s] portion. Onkelos , however, renders:“and which did not grant them any good.” [Here,] the expression וְלֹא חָלַק is [understood to mean]:“that deity which they would choose for themselves did not apportion to them any inheritance or any portion.” ולא חלק להם: לא נתנם לחלקם. ואונקלוס תרגם ולא אוטיבא להון, לא הטיבו להם שום טובה, ולשון לא חלק אותו אלוה שבחרו להם לא חלק להם שום נחלה ושום חלק:
26And the Lord's fury raged against that land, bringing upon it the entire curse written in this book. כווַיִּֽחַר־אַ֥ף יְהֹוָ֖ה בָּאָ֣רֶץ הַהִ֑וא לְהָבִ֤יא עָלֶ֨יהָ֙ אֶת־כָּל־הַקְּלָלָ֔ה הַכְּתוּבָ֖ה בַּסֵּ֥פֶר הַזֶּֽה:
27And the Lord uprooted them from upon their land, with fury, anger and great wrath, and He cast them to another land, as it is this day. כזוַיִּתְּשֵׁ֤ם יְהֹוָה֙ מֵעַ֣ל אַדְמָתָ֔ם בְּאַ֥ף וּבְחֵמָ֖ה וּבְקֶ֣צֶף גָּד֑וֹל וַיַּשְׁלִכֵ֛ם אֶל־אֶ֥רֶץ אֲחֶ֖רֶת כַּיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה:
And the Lord uprooted them: Heb. וַיִּתְּשֵׁם ה׳, as rendered by the Targum: וְטַלְטְלִינוּן, “and He drove them out.” Similarly, “Behold, I uproot them (נוֹתְשָׁם) from upon their land” (Jer. 12:14). ויתשם ה': כתרגומו וטלטלינון, וכן (ירמיה יב יד) הנני נותשם מעל אדמתם:
28The hidden things belong to the Lord, our God, but the revealed things apply to us and to our children forever: that we must fulfill all the words of this Torah. כחהַנִּ֨סְתָּרֹ֔ת לַֽיהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ וְהַנִּגְלֹ֞ת ֹלָֹ֤נוֹּ ֹוֹּלְֹבָֹנֵֹ֨יֹנֹוּ֨ עַד־עוֹלָ֔ם לַֽעֲשׂ֕וֹת אֶת־כָּל־דִּבְרֵ֖י הַתּוֹרָ֥ה הַזֹּֽאת:
The hidden things belong to the Lord, our God: Now, you might object [to God, saying]: “But what can we do? You punish the entire community because of the sinful thoughts of an individual, as Scripture says, ‘Perhaps there is among you a man…’ (verse 17 above), and after this, Scripture continues, ‘Seeing the plagues of that land [and the diseases with which the Lord struck it]’ (verse 21) [which seems to indicate that for the sinful thought of even one individual, the whole land would be struck down with plagues and diseases]. But surely no man can know the secret thoughts of his fellow [that we could somehow prevent this collective punishment!” In answer to this, God says:] “I will not punish you for the hidden things!” [I.e.,] because “[The hidden things] belong to the Lord, our God,” and He will exact punishment upon that particular individual [who sins in secret]. However, “the revealed things apply to us and to our children” [that is, we are responsible for detecting the sins committed openly in our community, and] to eradicate any evil among us. And if we do not execute judgment upon these [open transgressions, over which we do have control,], then the whole community will be punished [because they would be remiss in their responsibility]. There is a dot placed over [each letter of] the words לָנוּ וּלְבָנֵינוּ here, to teach us homiletically that even for open sins [which were not brought to judgment, God] did not punish the whole community-until Israel crossed the Jordan. For then, they accepted upon themselves the oath at Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, and thereby [formally] became responsible for one another (Sanh. 43b). [When dots are placed over letters of the Torah, this denotes an exclusion of some sort. In our context, our Rabbis teach us that the exclusion refers to the period prior to the crossing of the Jordan.] הנסתרת לה' אלהינו: ואם תאמרו מה בידינו לעשות, אתה מעניש את הרבים על הרהורי היחיד, שנאמר (פסוק יז) פן יש בכם איש וגו', ואחר כך (פסוק כא) וראו את מכות הארץ ההיא, והלא אין אדם יודע טמונותיו של חבירו, אין אני מעניש אתכם על הנסתרות, שהן לה' אלהינו והוא יפרע מאותו יחיד, אבל הנגלות, לנו ולבנינו לבער הרע מקרבנו, ואם לא נעשה דין בהם יענשו את הרבים. נקוד על לנו ולבנינו, לדרוש, שאף על הנגלות לא ענש את הרבים עד שעברו את הירדן משקבלו עליהם את השבועה בהר גרזים ובהר עיבל ונעשו ערבים זה לזה:
Daily Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 113-118
• 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 113
This psalm recounts some of the wonders of the exodus from Egypt.
1. Praise the Lord! Offer praise, you servants of the Lord; praise the Name of the Lord.
2. May the Name of the Lord be blessed from now and to all eternity.
3. From the rising of the sun to its setting, the Name of the Lord is praised.
4. The Lord is high above all nations; His glory transcends the heavens.
5. Who is like the Lord our God, Who dwells on high
6. [yet] looks down so low upon heaven and earth!
7. He raises the poor from the dust, lifts the destitute from the dunghill,
8. to seat them with nobles, with the nobles of His people.
9. He transforms the barren woman into a household, into a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!
Chapter 114
This psalm explains why the tribe of Judah merited kingship.
1. When Israel went out of Egypt, the House of Jacob from a people of a foreign tongue,
2. Judah became His holy [nation], Israel, His domain.
3. The sea saw and fled, the Jordan turned backward.
4. The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like young sheep.
5. What is the matter with you, O sea, that you flee; Jordan, that you turn backward;
6. mountains, that you skip like rams; hills, like young sheep?
7. [We do so] before the Master, the Creator of the earth, before the God of Jacob,
8. Who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flintstone into a water fountain.
Chapter 115
A prayer that God bring this long exile to an end, for the sake of His Name-that it not be desecrated.
1. Not for our sake, Lord, not for our sake, but for the sake of Your Name bestow glory, because of Your kindness and Your truth.
2. Why should the nations say, "Where, now, is their God?”
3. Indeed, our God is in heaven; whatever He desires, He does.
4. Their idols are of silver and gold, the product of human hands.
5. They have a mouth, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see;
6. they have ears, but cannot hear; they have a nose, but cannot smell;
7. their hands cannot touch; their feet cannot walk; they can make no sound in their throat.
8. Those who make them will become like them-all who put their trust in them.
9. Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.
10. House of Aaron, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.
11. You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.
12. The Lord who is ever mindful of us, may He bless: May He bless the House of Israel; may He bless the House of Aaron;
13. may He bless those who fear the Lord, the small with the great.
14. May the Lord increase [blessing] upon you, upon you and upon your children.
15. You are blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
16. The heavens are the Lord's heavens, but the earth He gave to the children of man.
17. The dead cannot praise the Lord, nor any who descend into the silence [of the grave].
18. But we will bless the Lord from now to eternity. Praise the Lord!
Chapter 116
This psalm contains magnificent praises to God. It also describes David's love for God, in light of all the miracles He performed for him. David does not know how to repay God, declaring it impossible to pay back for all God has done for him.
1. I would love if the Lord would listen to my voice, to my supplications;
2. if He would turn His ear to me on the days when I call.
3. The pangs of death encompassed me and the misery of the grave came upon me; I encounter trouble and sorrow.
4. I invoke the Name of the Lord, "Lord, I implore you, deliver my soul!”
5. The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is compassionate.
6. The Lord watches over the simpletons; I was brought low, and He saved me.
7. Return, my soul, to your tranquility, for the Lord has bestowed goodness upon you.
8. For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
9. I shall walk before the Lord in the lands of the living.
10. I had faith even when I declared, "I am greatly afflicted";
11. [even when] I said in my haste, "All men are deceitful.”
12. How can I repay the Lord for all His beneficences to me?
13. I will raise the cup of deliverance and proclaim the Name of the Lord.
14. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people.
15. Grievous in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His pious ones.
16. I thank you, Lord, that since I am Your servant, I am Your servant the son of Your maidservant, You have loosened my bonds.
17. To You I will bring an offering of thanksgiving, and proclaim the Name of the Lord.
18. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people,
19. in the courtyards of the House of the Lord, in the midst of Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!
Chapter 117
This psalm of two verses alludes to the Messianic era, when the Children of Israel will enjoy their former glory. All will praise God, in fulfillment of the verse, "All will then call in the Name of God."
1. Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples.
2. For His kindness was mighty over us, and the truth of the Lord is everlasting. Praise the Lord!
Chapter 118
This psalm describes David's immense trust in God. It also contains many praises to God, Who has fulfilled that which He has promised us.
1. Offer praise to the Lord for He is good, for His kindness is everlasting.
2. Let Israel declare that His kindness is everlasting.
3. Let the House of Aaron declare that His kindness is everlasting.
4. Let those who fear the Lord declare that His kindness is everlasting.
5. From out of distress I called to God; with abounding relief, God answered me.
6. The Lord is with me, I do not fear-what can man do to me?
7. The Lord is with me among my helpers, and I will see [the downfall of] my enemies.
8. It is better to rely on the Lord than to trust in man.
9. It is better to rely on the Lord than to trust in nobles.
10. All the nations surrounded me, but in the Name of the Lord I will cut them down.
11. They surrounded me, they encompassed me, but in the Name of the Lord I will cut them down.
12. They surrounded me like bees, yet they shall be extinguished like fiery thorns; in the Name of the Lord I will cut them down.
13. You [my foes] repeatedly pushed me to fall, but the Lord helped me.
14. God is my strength and song, and He has been a help to me.
15. The sound of rejoicing and deliverance reverberates in the tents of the righteous, "The right hand of the Lord performs deeds of valor.
16. The right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord performs deeds of valor!”
17. I shall not die, but I shall live and recount the deeds of God.
18. God has indeed chastised me, but He did not give me up to death.
19. Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter them and praise God.
20. This is the gate of the Lord, the righteous will enter it.
21. I offer thanks to You, for You have answered me, and You have been my deliverance.
22. The stone which the builders scorned has become the chief cornerstone.
23. From the Lord has this come about; it is wondrous in our eyes.
24. This is the day which the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice on it.
25. We implore You, Lord, deliver us. We implore You, Lord, grant us success.
26. Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord; we bless you from the House of the Lord.
27. The Lord is a benevolent God and He has given us light; bind the festival offering with cords until [you bring it to] the horns of the altar.
28. You are my God and I will praise You, my God-and I will exalt You.
29. Praise the Lord for He is good, for His kindness is everlasting.
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 70, 71 and 72.
Chapter 70
David prays that his enemies be shamed and humiliated for their shaming him and reveling in his troubles. Then the righteous will rejoice, and chant songs and praises always.
1. For the Conductor, by David, to remind.
2. O God, [come] to rescue me; O Lord, hurry to my aid.
3. Let those who seek my life be shamed and disgraced; let those who wish me harm retreat and be humiliated.
4. Let those who say, "Aha! Aha!" be turned back in return for their shaming [me].
5. Let all who seek You rejoice and delight in You, and let those who love Your deliverance say always, "May God be exalted!”
6. But I am poor and needy; hurry to me, O God! You are my help and deliverer; O God, do not delay!
Chapter 71
In this awe-inspiring prayer, David speaks of his enemies' desire to kill him, declaring him deserving of death.
1. I have taken refuge in You, O Lord; I will never be shamed.
2. Rescue me and deliver me in Your righteousness; incline Your ear to me and save me.
3. Be for me a sheltering rock, to enter always. You have ordered my salvation, for You are my rock and my fortress.
4. O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked, from the palm of the scheming and violent.
5. For You are my hope, O my Lord, God, my security since my youth.
6. I have relied on You from the womb; You drew me from my mother's innards; my praise is of You always.
7. I became an example to the masses, yet You were my mighty refuge.
8. Let my mouth be filled with Your praise, all day long with Your glory.
9. Do not cast me aside in old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails;
10. for my enemies say of me, and those who watch my soul conspire together,
11. saying, "God has forsaken him. Give chase and catch him, for there is no rescuer.”
12. O God, do not distance Yourself from me; my God, hurry to my aid.
13. Let the adversaries of my soul be shamed and consumed; let those who seek my harm be enwrapped in disgrace and humiliation.
14. But as for me, I will always hope; I will add to all Your praises.
15. My mouth will tell of Your righteousness, all day long of Your deliverance, for I do not know their number.
16. I come with the strength of my Lord, God; I mention Your righteousness, Yours alone.
17. O God, You have taught me since my youth, and to this day I tell of Your wonders.
18. Even into old age and hoariness, O God, do not abandon me, until I tell of Your might to the generations, and of Your strength to all who are to come.
19. Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens, for You do great things; O God, who is like You!
20. You, Who has shown me many and grievous troubles, You will revive me again; You will lift me again from the depths of the earth.
21. You will increase my greatness; You will turn and console me.
22. I too1 will thank You on the lyre for Your faithfulness, My God; I will sing to You on the harp, O Holy One of Israel.
23. My lips will rejoice when I sing to you, as well as my soul which You have redeemed.
24. My tongue will also utter Your righteousness all day, for those who seek my harm are shamed and disgraced.
Chapter 72
David composed this psalm for Solomon, praying that he be granted the wisdom to provide justice for the poor.
1. For Solomon. O God, impart Your justice to the king, and Your righteousness to the son of the king.
2. May he judge Your people with righteousness, Your poor with justice.
3. May the mountains bear peace to the nation, also the hills, in [reward for their] righteousness.
4. May he judge the nation's poor, save the children of the destitute, and crush the oppressor,
5. so that they will fear You as long as the sun [shines] and the moon endures, generation after generation.
6. May [his words] descend like rain upon cut grass, like raindrops that water the earth.
7. In his days may the righteous flourish, with much peace until the moon is no more.
8. And may he rule from sea to sea, and from the river until the ends of the earth.
9. May nobles kneel before him, and may his enemies lick the dust.
10. The kings of Tarshish and the islands will return tribute, the kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts.
11. All kings will bow to him, all nations will serve him;
12. for he rescues the needy one who cries out, the poor one who has no one to help him.
13. He pities the impoverished and needy, and saves the souls of the destitute.
14. He redeems their soul from deception and violence, and their blood is precious in his eyes.
15. He revives [the poor], and gives him of the gold of Sheba; and so [the poor] pray for him always, and bless him all day.
16. May there be abundant grain in the land, upon the mountaintops; may its fruit rustle like the [cedars of] Lebanon, and may [people] blossom from the city like the grass of the earth.
17. May his name endure forever; may his name be magnified as long as the sun [shines]. And all nations will bless themselves by him, they will praise him.
18. Blessed is the Lord God, the God of Israel, Who alone performs wonders.
19. Blessed is His glorious Name forever, and may the whole earth be filled with His glory, Amen and Amen.
20. The prayers of David, son of Jesse, are concluded
Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, end of Epistle 18
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Tuesday, 24 Elul, 5776 · 27 September 2016
• Iggeret HaKodesh, end of Epistle 18
• והשנית היא אהבה ותאוה, שהנפש מתאוה ואוהבת וחפיצה לדבקה בה׳
The second [category] is a love and desire in which the soul desires, loves and wishes to cleave to G‑d,
לצרור בצרור החיים
“to be bound up in the bond of life.”1
וקרבת אלקים טוב לה מאד, ובו תחפוץ
The proximity to G‑d is very dear to her, and that is what she desires.
ורע לה מאד להתרחק ממנו יתברך, חס ושלום
It is most grievous unto her to become, heaven forfend, distanced from Him, blessed be He,
להיות מחיצה של ברזל מהחיצונים מפסקת, חס ושלום
by having an iron partition of the chitzonim, the forces of kelipah and unholiness, separate her [from Him], heaven forfend.
Thus, inherent in the soul’s love for G‑d is its anxious fear of being alienated from Him by a partition resulting from those things that are opposite His will.
Likkutei Levi Yitzchak, authored by the father of the Rebbe, explains that the four terms used above — “desires”, “loves”, “wishes” and “cleaves” — refer respectively to the soul-levels within the Four Worlds: “desires” relates to the World of Asiyah, “loves” relates to the World of Yetzirah, and so on.
ואהבה זו היא מוסתרת בלב כלל ישראל, אפילו ברשעים
This love is latent in the heart of all Jews, even in the wicked, as explained at length in Part I, chs. 18 and 19,
וממנה באה להם החרטה
and from this [latent love] derives their remorse, as in the phrase,2 “The wicked are full of remorse.”
The Alter Rebbe now answers the following implied question: If they indeed possess this love, why then are they wicked?
אך מפני שהיא מוסתרת ונעלמה בבחינת גלות בגוף, הרי הקליפה יכולה לשלוט עליה
However, because it is latent and concealed, in a state of exile in the body, it is possible for the kelipah to dominate it;
וזהו רוח שטות המחטיא לאדם
and this is the “spirit of folly” which causes a man to sin.3
The “spirit of folly” cloaks this hidden love (ahavah mesuteret), so that one loses the sensitivity to realize that through sinning he is jeopardizing his attachment to G‑d.
ועל כן עבודת האדם לקונו היא להתחזק ולהתגבר על הקליפה, בכל מכל כל
Therefore a man’s service to his Maker consists of strengthening himself and prevailing over the kelipahin all its manifestations.
דהיינו: מתחלה, לגרשה מהגוף לגמרי
That is, first to expel it completely from the body, so that it has absolutely no dominion over him —
ממחשבה דבור ומעשה, שבמוח ולשון ורמ״ח אברים
[expelling it] from the [faculties of] thought, speech and action that are in the brain, the tongue, and the 248 organs.
Expelling the kelipah means ensuring that one’s brain will harbor no thoughts that are contrary to G‑d’s will; that one’s tongue will speak no evil words; that one’s 248 organs will commit no evil acts.
ואחר כך יוכל גם כן להוציא ממסגר אסיר, בחוזק יד
After that he will also be able to4 “bring out the captive from prison” with a strong hand.
Once one has vanquished the kelipah by steadfastly5 “turning away from evil” — not thinking, speaking or doing those things that are contrary to G‑d’s will — he is then able to uncover the love that is latent within him, so that it will permeate his positive thoughts, words and deeds. His mind will thus ponder upon G‑d’s greatness, and his heart will then actively feel a love for G‑d. In turn, this love will result in his enhanced fulfillment of the Torah and its mitzvot.
דהיינו: להיות חזק ואמיץ לבו בגבורים
That is, he will be strong,6 “and his heart courageous among the valiant,”
להיות האהבה המסותרת נגלית בגילוי רב, בכל כחות חלקי הנפש שבגוף
so that the hidden love will become abundantly revealed in all the powers of the soul’s components in his body;
דהיינו: העיקר, בשכל ובמחשבה שבמוח
i.e., mainly in the mind and in the [faculty of] thought in the brain,
The mind serves to reveal this love, which then manifests throughout the rest of the person’s organs.
שהשכל יחשב ויתבונן תמיד, כפי שכלו והשכלתו, בבורא יתברך
so that corresponding to its intellect and understanding the mind will constantly think and contemplate on the blessed Creator —
איך שהוא חיי החיים בכלל, וחיי נשמתו בפרט
how He is the Fountainhead of life in general, and of the life of his own soul in particular.
ועל כן יכסוף ויתאוה להיות דבוק בו וקרוב אליו כוסף טבעי
Consequently, he will yearn and desire to be attached to Him, and near to Him, with an innate yearning,
כבן הכוסף להיות תמיד אצל אביו, וכמו אש העולה למעלה תמיד בטבעה, למקורה
like that of a child who yearns to be constantly near his father, and like fire which by its very nature always rises upwards to its source, as explained in Part I, ch. 19.
וכל מה שיתמיד לחשוב בשכלו כוסף זה, ככה יתגבר ויתפשט כוסף זה גם בפיו ובכל אבריו
And the more he continues to set his mind on this yearning, the more will this yearning become correspondingly stronger, and will also extend to his mouth and to all his organs,
לעסוק בתורה ומצות, לדבקה בהם בה׳ ממש
so that he will occupy himself with the Torah and the commandments in order to really cleave thereby to G‑d,
דאורייתא וקודשא בריך הוא כולא חד
for7 “The Torah and the Holy One, blessed be He, are entirely One.”
This love will thus affect his brain, mouth and other bodily organs, motivating them to study Torah and perform the commandments with a greater degree of love.
ועל כוסף זה, שבגילוי רב, כתיב: צמאה נפשי וגו׳
Of this greatly manifest yearning, i.e., of this love, it is written,8 “My soul thirsts [for G‑d],”
כאדם הצמא למים, ואין לו תענוג עדיין כלל
like a person who thirsts for water and does not yet have any pleasure [from it].
This level of love for G‑d is likened to a state of thirst. At this stage the individual seeking to cleave to G‑d does not experience any delight, for he has yet to cleave to Him: all he feels is the pangs of thirst. In the previously-described level of love, ahavah betaanugim, the individual has already quenched his thirst, so to speak: his love for G‑d has been realized and he is now actively cleaving to Him.
וגם על כוסף זה ואהבה זו המוסתרת בנו, אנו מעתירים לה׳ להיות בעזרנו, להוציאה ממסגר
Also9 concerning this yearning and this love concealed within us we pray to G‑d, to help us bring it out from imprisonment,
It is indeed true that this lesser degree of love is attainable by man and need not be granted as a gift from Above; it is already possessed by every Jew and he need but reveal it through his spiritual service. Nevertheless we beseech G‑d that He help us reveal this love and liberate it from its concealment.
ושיהיה הלב מלא ממנה לבדה
so that the heart be filled with it alone,
ולא תכנס צרתה בביתה, שהיא תאות עולם הזה
so that its “rival-wife,” i.e., mundane desires, will not enter its house, i.e., our hearts.
רק שתהיה היא עקרת הבית, למשול בצרתה ולגרשה החוצה, ממחשבה דיבור ומעשה, על כל פנים
Rather, this [yearning and love] should be the sole mistress of the house, to rule over her “rival-wife” and to expel her at least from one’s thought, speech and action.
הגם שלא יוכל לשלחה לגמרי מלבו
Though one cannot expel her altogether from one’s heart, so that it should harbor no foreign desires at all,
For we are speaking here of the love possessed by the Beinoni, an individual who is unable to banish foreign desires from his heart; he is only able to ensure that they find no expression in his thought, his speech or his actions, as explained in Tanya, Part I, ch. 12.
על כל פנים תהיה היא מוסתרת, בבחינת גלות ועבדות לעקרת הבית, גברתה
she should at least be hidden, in a state of exile and servitude to the mistress of the house, i.e., to the love for G‑d,
להשתמש בה לדברים הכרחים לה, לבד, כאכילה ושתיה
who will make use of her for her own essentials only, such as eating and drinking,
If the G‑dly soul is to remain within the body and thereby be able to fulfill the requirements of the Torah and its mitzvot, the individual must eat and drink. He should therefore use the animal soul’s natural desire for physical things expressly for the spiritual purposes of the G‑dly soul. Thus, for example, his food and drink are intended to provide him with strength so that he will be able to study the Torah, engage in divine service, and the like.
כדכתיב: בכל דרכיך דעהו
as it is written,10 “Know Him in all your ways.”
“Your ways” clearly speaks of man’s corporeal activities. Yet even in these we are commanded to “know Him” — to bind oneself to G‑d through these physical actions, by utilizing them for the purposes designated by Him, in order thereby to “know Him.”11
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. | I Shmuel 25:29. |
| 2. | Shevet Mussar, sec. 25. |
| 3. | Sotah 3a. |
| 4. | Yeshayahu 42:7. |
| 5. | Cf. Tehillim 34:15. |
| 6. | Amos 2:16. |
| 7. | See Zohar I, 24a; II, 60a. |
| 8. | Tehillim 42:3. |
| 9. | Note of the Rebbe: “This [passage on the need for prayer in arousing the second level of love] had to be added here, [to the above passage on the role of meditation], in view of the statement in Epistle 4 that this [level of love] is revealed not by meditation but [only] by prayer and tzedakah. [The fact that both prayer and metitation are mentioned here makes it clear that the two epistles are not divergent but complementary.] In addition, it is thus apparent that tzedakah also plays a role in this manner of service.” |
| 10. | Mishlei 3:6. Note of the Rebbe: “Cf. the ruling in Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim, sec. 231, at length.” |
| 11. | Note of the Rebbe: “It still remains to be understood what, exactly, is the connection [of the foregoing] with the opening verse, ‘How beautiful and how pleasant....’ This could be clarified in the light of the discussion in Torat Chayim, which explains why there is wonderment at [this kind of] beauty and pleasantness. (This wonderment is expressed in the exclamation, ‘How beautiful and how pleasant...!’) Accordingly it is understood that ahavah betaanugim is as defined in the above letter. (The same is true of the latent love, for which reason its beauty and pleasantness do not arouse wonderment.)” |
| Rambam: Sefer Hamitzvos: |
• Tuesday, 24 Elul, 5776 · 27 September 2016
• Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
Negative Commandment 282
Issuing a Capital Verdict by a One-Vote Majority
"You shall not follow the majority for evil"—Exodus 23:2.
It is forbidden for a judge in a capital case to follow the majority decisions if the majority is only one vote greater than the minority. I.e., if there's disagreement between the judges whether an individual is deserving of capital punishment, and the group of judges that wishes to convict is one vote more than the group that wishes to acquit—it is forbidden to execute the defendant.
Full text of this Mitzvah »• Issuing a Capital Verdict by a One-Vote Majority
Negative Commandment 282
Translated by Berel Bell
The 282nd prohibition is that a judge is forbidden from following majority rule [in a capital case] if there is only a majority of one. This means that if judges disagree regarding a transgressor — some saying that he should be executed and others saying that he should not, and those saying guilty are a majority of one — it is forbidden to execute him. G‑d has forbidden the judge from executing him until there is a majority of two.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement,1 "Do not follow the majority to do evil." This means, "Do not follow just any majority in a capital case," which is the intention of the phrase "to do evil." In the words of the Mechilta, "If 11 judges rule he is innocent and 12 judges that he is guilty, I would think that he is guilty. The Torah therefore says, 'Do not follow the majority to do evil.' " It is also written there, "You can rule in his favor with a majority of one, and against him with a majority of two."
The details of this mitzvah are explained in the 4th chapter of tractate Sanhedrin.
FOOTNOTES
1.Ex. 23:2.
Negative Commandment 283
Independent Judicial Opinions
"You shall not respond concerning a lawsuit to follow"—Exodus 23:2.
A judge is forbidden to rely upon the reasoning presented by a fellow judge, to convict or aquit a defendant, without himself examining and analyzing the issue based on the case's foundations. He may not say, "I'm satisfied to simply agree with the opinion of the other great judge." Rather, each judge must state the opinion that he independently arrived at.
Another few laws are included in this mitzvah (all derived from the same words of the verse) [all these rules apply in capital cases only]:
Negative Commandment 283
Translated by Berel Bell
The 283rd prohibition is that a judge is forbidden to rely on the opinion on another judge — either to convict or to acquit — without investigating the case independently and formulating his own opinion and analysis based upon principles of law.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement,1 "Do not speak up in a trial lintos."2 This means that in a trial, one should not merely choose an opinion to follow — e.g. that of the majority or of the higher judges — refraining from offering your own opinion in that case.
In the words of the Mechilta:3 "The verse 'Do not speak up in a trial lintos' teaches that when the votes are cast, you should not say to yourself, 'it's good enough to say the same as Rabbi so-and-so.' Rather, you should give your own opinion. One might think that the same law governs financial cases. The Torah therefore adds, 'A case must be decided based on majority rule.' "
From this prohibition it is also derived that after giving a vote of acquittal, a judge may not change his opinion to one of guilt. This is also conveyed by G‑d's statement (exalted be He), "Do not speak up in a trial lintos," i.e. your speech should not turn him towards conviction.
So too, from this verse it is derived that "capital cases may not be opened by the prosecution, as it is written, 'Do not speak up in a trial lintos'"; that a case may be reopened for acquittal [after conviction], but not for conviction [after acquittal]; and that [when the judges declare their verdict] they should not start from the eldest judge. All these laws are derived from the verse, "Do not speak up in a trial lintos," as explained in the 4th chapter of tractate Sanhedrin, where the details of this mitzvah are given.
FOOTNOTES
1.Ibid., 23:2.
2.Literally "to turn," meaning here "to turn after someone else's opinion" or "to follow."
3.Mechilta D'Rashbi.
Positive Commandment 229
Execution by Stoning
"And you shall stone them with stones that they die"—Deuteronomy 22:24.
Transgressors of certain sins are to be executed via lapidation.
Full text of this Mitzvah »• Execution by Stoning
Positive Commandment 229
Translated by Berel Bell
The 229th mitzvah is that we are commanded to execute by stoning1 those who transgress certain mitzvos.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement2 (exalted be He), "They shall be put to death by stoning." I will point out the mitzvos which are punishable by stoning when listing the prohibitions.
The details of this mitzvah are explained in the 6th chapter of tractate Sanhedrin.
FOOTNOTES
1.Although literally translated as "stoning," it actually consisted of being thrown from a high platform. Only if the person did not die from the fall were actual stones used.
2.Deut. 22:24.
Positive Commandment 228
Execution by Burning
"They shall be burnt with fire both he and they"—Leviticus 20:14.
Transgressors of certain sins are to be executed via burning [of their innards].
Full text of this Mitzvah »
• Execution by Burning
Positive Commandment 228
Translated by Berel Bell
The 228th prohibition is that we are commanded to execute by burning1 those who transgress certain mitzvos.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement2 (exalted be He), "both he and they shall be burned with fire." I will point out the mitzvos which are punishable by sereifa when listing the prohibitions.
The details of this mitzvah are explained in the 7th chapter of tractate Sanhedrin.
FOOTNOTES
1.Although literally translated as "burning," it actually consisted of pouring molten metal down the convict's throat.
2.Lev. 20:14.
• Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
Negative Commandment 282
Issuing a Capital Verdict by a One-Vote Majority
"You shall not follow the majority for evil"—Exodus 23:2.
It is forbidden for a judge in a capital case to follow the majority decisions if the majority is only one vote greater than the minority. I.e., if there's disagreement between the judges whether an individual is deserving of capital punishment, and the group of judges that wishes to convict is one vote more than the group that wishes to acquit—it is forbidden to execute the defendant.
Full text of this Mitzvah »• Issuing a Capital Verdict by a One-Vote Majority
Negative Commandment 282
Translated by Berel Bell
The 282nd prohibition is that a judge is forbidden from following majority rule [in a capital case] if there is only a majority of one. This means that if judges disagree regarding a transgressor — some saying that he should be executed and others saying that he should not, and those saying guilty are a majority of one — it is forbidden to execute him. G‑d has forbidden the judge from executing him until there is a majority of two.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement,1 "Do not follow the majority to do evil." This means, "Do not follow just any majority in a capital case," which is the intention of the phrase "to do evil." In the words of the Mechilta, "If 11 judges rule he is innocent and 12 judges that he is guilty, I would think that he is guilty. The Torah therefore says, 'Do not follow the majority to do evil.' " It is also written there, "You can rule in his favor with a majority of one, and against him with a majority of two."
The details of this mitzvah are explained in the 4th chapter of tractate Sanhedrin.
FOOTNOTES
1.Ex. 23:2.
Negative Commandment 283
Independent Judicial Opinions
"You shall not respond concerning a lawsuit to follow"—Exodus 23:2.
A judge is forbidden to rely upon the reasoning presented by a fellow judge, to convict or aquit a defendant, without himself examining and analyzing the issue based on the case's foundations. He may not say, "I'm satisfied to simply agree with the opinion of the other great judge." Rather, each judge must state the opinion that he independently arrived at.
Another few laws are included in this mitzvah (all derived from the same words of the verse) [all these rules apply in capital cases only]:
- One who originally argued in favor of the defendant may not afterwards argue to incriminate [though he may personally change his mind and vote to convict].
- When hearing a capital case, the judges must open the proceedings with words in defense of the defendant.
- If exculpatory evidence is found after a guilty verdict has been handed down, the verdict is discarded, and the court reconvenes to consider the new evidence. The inverse is not true—once a person is vindicated, he cannot be retried.
- When the time comes for the judges to state their arguments [for or against the defendant], we do not start with the greatest of the judges [lest the others be influenced by his opinion].
Negative Commandment 283
Translated by Berel Bell
The 283rd prohibition is that a judge is forbidden to rely on the opinion on another judge — either to convict or to acquit — without investigating the case independently and formulating his own opinion and analysis based upon principles of law.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement,1 "Do not speak up in a trial lintos."2 This means that in a trial, one should not merely choose an opinion to follow — e.g. that of the majority or of the higher judges — refraining from offering your own opinion in that case.
In the words of the Mechilta:3 "The verse 'Do not speak up in a trial lintos' teaches that when the votes are cast, you should not say to yourself, 'it's good enough to say the same as Rabbi so-and-so.' Rather, you should give your own opinion. One might think that the same law governs financial cases. The Torah therefore adds, 'A case must be decided based on majority rule.' "
From this prohibition it is also derived that after giving a vote of acquittal, a judge may not change his opinion to one of guilt. This is also conveyed by G‑d's statement (exalted be He), "Do not speak up in a trial lintos," i.e. your speech should not turn him towards conviction.
So too, from this verse it is derived that "capital cases may not be opened by the prosecution, as it is written, 'Do not speak up in a trial lintos'"; that a case may be reopened for acquittal [after conviction], but not for conviction [after acquittal]; and that [when the judges declare their verdict] they should not start from the eldest judge. All these laws are derived from the verse, "Do not speak up in a trial lintos," as explained in the 4th chapter of tractate Sanhedrin, where the details of this mitzvah are given.
FOOTNOTES
1.Ibid., 23:2.
2.Literally "to turn," meaning here "to turn after someone else's opinion" or "to follow."
3.Mechilta D'Rashbi.
Positive Commandment 229
Execution by Stoning
"And you shall stone them with stones that they die"—Deuteronomy 22:24.
Transgressors of certain sins are to be executed via lapidation.
Full text of this Mitzvah »• Execution by Stoning
Positive Commandment 229
Translated by Berel Bell
The 229th mitzvah is that we are commanded to execute by stoning1 those who transgress certain mitzvos.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement2 (exalted be He), "They shall be put to death by stoning." I will point out the mitzvos which are punishable by stoning when listing the prohibitions.
The details of this mitzvah are explained in the 6th chapter of tractate Sanhedrin.
FOOTNOTES
1.Although literally translated as "stoning," it actually consisted of being thrown from a high platform. Only if the person did not die from the fall were actual stones used.
2.Deut. 22:24.
Positive Commandment 228
Execution by Burning
"They shall be burnt with fire both he and they"—Leviticus 20:14.
Transgressors of certain sins are to be executed via burning [of their innards].
Full text of this Mitzvah »
• Execution by Burning
Positive Commandment 228
Translated by Berel Bell
The 228th prohibition is that we are commanded to execute by burning1 those who transgress certain mitzvos.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement2 (exalted be He), "both he and they shall be burned with fire." I will point out the mitzvos which are punishable by sereifa when listing the prohibitions.
The details of this mitzvah are explained in the 7th chapter of tractate Sanhedrin.
FOOTNOTES
1.Although literally translated as "burning," it actually consisted of pouring molten metal down the convict's throat.
2.Lev. 20:14.
• Rambam - 1 Chapter a Day She'ar Avot haTum'ah - Chapter 4
• She'ar Avot haTum'ah - Chapter 4
• Rambam - 3 Chapters a Day Sanhedrin veha`Onashin haMesurin lahem - Chapter 4, Sanhedrin veha`Onashin haMesurin lahem - Chapter 5, Sanhedrin veha`Onashin haMesurin lahem - Chapter 6
• She'ar Avot haTum'ah - Chapter 4
1
The eight crawling animals that are mentioned in the Torah are: the weasel, the mouse, the ferret, the hedgehog, the chameleon, the lizard, the snail, and the mole. The impurity of them all is the same. They are each referred to as a sheretz with regard to impurity.
א
שמונה שרצים האמורין בתורה והן: החולד והעכבר והצב והאנקה והלטאה והכח והתנשמת והחומט טומאת כולן שוה והן הנקראין שרץ לעניין טומאה:
2
A sheretz is considered as a primary source of impurity and imparts impurity to persons and keilim when touched and to an earthenware container, when it enters its inner space. It does not impart impurity when carried and one who touches it does not impart impurity to his clothes when touching it. The minimum measure that imparts impurity is a lentil-sized portion. All thesh'ratzim can be combined to reach this measure.
ב
השרץ אב מאבות הטומאות מטמא אדם וכלים במגע וכלי חרס באויר ואינו מטמא במשא והנוגע בו אינו מטמא בגדים בשעת מגעו ושיעור טומאתו בכעדשה וכל השרצים מצטרפין לכעדשה:
3
There is no minimum measure for the limbs of a sheretz to impart impurity. To impart impurity a limb of a sheretz must be intact as when it came into being.
ג
האיברים אין להן שיעור אבר מן השרץ כברייתו:
4
A limb from a sheretz that is intact with flesh, sinews, and bones that is less than a lentil-sized portion - whether it was separated from the sheretz while it is alive or after it died - imparts impurity. It must have enough flesh or marrow within the bone to regenerate and return to a state of wholeness.
ד
בשר וגידים ועצמות שהוא פחות מכעדשה בין שפירש מן החי בין שפירש מן המת מטמא טומאתו והוא שיהיה בבשר שעליו או במוח שבעצם כדי להעלות ארוכה:
5
When flesh is separated from a living sheretz, it is pure. Only a limb which is comparable to an entire sheretz imparts impurity. What is meant by comparable? Just as a sheretz possesses flesh, sinews, and bones, so too, a limb separated from it must possess flesh, sinews, and bones.
ה
בשר מן החי הפורש מן השרץ טהור שאין מטמא אלא אבר הדומה לשרץ כולו מה שרץ בשר וגידים ועצמות אף אבר הפורש בשר וגידים ועצמות:
6
A kidney, a liver, the tongue, and the like, even though they are considered as organs and will not regenerate, are considered as flesh in this context. If they were separated from a living sheretz, they are pure.
ו
הכוליא והכבד והלשון וכיוצא בהן אע"פ שהן אבר ואין עושין חליפין הרי הן כבשר ואם פירשו מן החי טהורין:
7
The blood of a sheretz is considered as its flesh. It can be combined to reach the minimum measure of a lentil-sized portion, as long as it is connected to its flesh.
ז
דם השרץ כבשרו ומצטרף לכעדשה כל זמן שהוא מחובר בבשר:
8
The bones of a sheretz, its sinews, and its nails are pure. The hides of the weasel, the mouse, the ferret, and the mole are pure. This applies even though it is still fresh and was not processed or trodden upon. The hides of the hedgehog, the chameleon, the lizard, and the snail, by contrast, are considered as their flesh and a lentil-sized portion of it imparts impurity. If it was processed or trodden upon to the extent that it is processed, it is pure. For how long must one tread on a hide in order to process it? For as long as it takes to walk four millin.
ח
עצמות השרץ וגידיו וציפורניו טהורין ועור החולד והעכבר והצב והתנשמת טהור אף על פי שהוא לח ועדיין לא עיבדו ולא הלך בו אבל עור האנקה והכח והלטאה והחומט כבשרן ומטמא בכעדשה ואם עיבדן או שהלך בהן כדי עבודה טהורין וכמה היא כדי עבודה כדי הילוך ד' מילין:
9
When a person touches the thigh bone of a sheretz, he is pure, even though it is filled with marrow, provided the marrow in it rattles, for then it could not regenerate flesh were the sheretzto have been alive. If, however, it is in its natural place and it has sufficient marrow that it could regenerate flesh on the outside of the bone, one who touches it is impure, as is true with regard to all the limbs that could regenerate flesh as we explained. If the thigh bone was perforated to even the slightest degree, one who touches any part of it is impure.
ט
קוליית השרץ הנוגע בה טהור אע"פ שהיא מליאה מוח והוא שיהיה המוח מתקשקש שאינו מעלה ארוכה אבל אם היה עומד במקומו ויש בו כדי להעלות ארוכה בה מבחוץ הרי הנוגע בה טמא ככל האיברים שיש בהן כדי להעלות ארוכה כמו שביארנו ניקבה הקולית בכל שהוא הנוגע בה מ"מ טמא:
10
An egg of a sheretz in which the embryo has begun to take form is pure, even though the embryonic sheretz can be seen within it. If it is perforated to the slightest degree, one who touches it is impure.
י
ביצת השרץ המרוקמת אף על פי שהשרץ נראית מתוכה טהורה ניקבה כל שהוא הנוגע בה טמא:
11
The following laws apply with regard to the carcass of asheretz that is half flesh and half earth. If one touched the flesh, he is impure. If he touched the earth, he is pure. If the form of the sheretz was already apparent over its entire length, even one who touches the earth that has not yet been formed into a sheretzis impure.
יא
שרץ שחציו בשר וחציו אדמה הנוגע בבשר טמא ובאדמה טהור ואם השריץ על פני כולו אף הנוגע באדמה שעדיין לא נגמרה צורתו טמא:
12
When the flesh of a sheretz has decomposed and become spoiled and is unfit to be eaten by a dog, it is pure.
The following laws apply if the carcass of a sheretz dries out like a shard. If it would return to a moist state and be fit for a dog to eat when left to soak in lukewarm water for an entire day, it imparts impurity. If not, it is pure. It does not even impart impurity like impure foods do.
When does the above apply? With regard to a portion of a sheretz. If, however, an entire sheretz has become dry and its skeleton remains intact or it was burned and its skeleton remains intact, since its entire form remains, it imparts impurity. In my eyes, this impurity is a Rabbinic decree.
יב
בשר השרץ שנפסד והבאיש ונפסל מלאכול הכלב טהור יבש עד שנעשה כחרש אם יכול להשרות בפושרין מעת לעת ולחזור לח כשהיה מטמא ואם לאו טהור ואפילו כאוכלין טמאים אינו מטמא בד"א במקצת השרץ אבל שרץ שיבש ושלדו קיים או שנשרף ושלדו קיים הואיל ותבנית כולו עומדת ה"ז מטמא וקרוב בעיני שטומאה זו מדבריהם:
13
An olive-sized portion of meat from an animal carcass or a lentil-sized portion from the carcass of a sheretz that shrank and was reduced in size is pure. If a piece of flesh from asheretz that is less than a lentil or one from an animal carcass that was less than an olive swelled and increased to the size of the minimum measure, they impart impurity according to Rabbinic decree. If, originally, they were the size of the minimum measure and then shrank, but afterwards swelled until they regained the size of the minimum measure, according to Scriptural law, they impart impurity like they did previously. Similar laws apply with regard to an olive-sized portion from a human corpse.
יג
כזית מן הנבילה או כעדשה מן השרץ שצמקו וחסרו טהורין פחות מכעדשה מן השרץ ופחות כזית מן הנבילה שתפחו ועמדו על כשיעור מטמאין מדברי סופרים היו בתחילה כשיעור וצמקו וחזרו ותפחו עד שהגיע לשיעורן הרי אלו מטמאין כשהיו דין תורה וכן אתה אומר בכזית מן המת:
14
A sheretz does not impart impurity until it dies. If it has been decapitated, even if the head is still connected to the skin of the body, and it is still in its death throes as happens with regard to the tail of a lizard, it imparts impurity.
All the other teeming and creeping animals, e.g., a frog, a snake, a scorpion, or the like, even though it is forbidden to partake of them, do not impart impurity at all. They are not even considered as impure foods. There are no teeming animals that impart impurity except the eight species mentioned in the Torah.
יד
השרץ אינו מטמא עד שימות הותזו ראשיהן אע"פ שעדיין הראש מעורה בעור הגוף אף על פי שהן מפרכסין כזנב הלטאה מטמאין שאר שקצים ורמשים כולן כגון הצפרדע והנחש והעקרב וכיוצא בהן אע"פ שהן אסורין באכילה הרי הן טהורין מכלום ואפילו כאוכלין טמאין אינן ואין לך בכל השרצים מה שמטמא במותו חוץ משמונת המינין המפורשין בתורה:
• Sanhedrin veha`Onashin haMesurin lahem - Chapter 4
• Hayom Yom: Today's Hayom Yom
1
At least one of the members of the Supreme Sanhedrin, a minor Sanhedrin, or a court of three must have receivedsemichah (ordination) from a teacher who himself had been givensemichah.
Our teacher, Moses ordained Joshua by placing his hands upon him, as Numbers 27:23 states: "And he placed his hands upon him and commanded him." Similarly, Moses ordained the 70 judges and the Divine presence rested upon them. Those elders ordained others, and the others still others in later generations. This tradition continued until the Talmudic era, when the Sages had received ordination one from the other in a chain extending back to the court of Joshua, and to the court of Moses.
A person who is ordained by the nasi and one ordained by another ordained judge have the same status, even if that ordained judge never served in a Sanhedrin.
א
אחד בית דין הגדול ואחד סנהדרין קטנה או בית דין של שלשה צריך שיהיה אחד מהן סמוך מפי הסמוך ומשה רבינו סמך יהושע ביד שנאמר ויסמוך את ידיו עליו ויצוהו וכן השבעים זקנים משה רבינו סמכם ושרתה עליהן שכינה ואותן הזקנים סמכו לאחרים ואחרים לאחרים ונמצאו הסמוכין איש מפי איש עד בית דינו של יהושע ועד בית דינו של משה רבינו ואחד הנסמך מפי הנשיא או מפי אחד מן הסמוכין אפילו לא היה אותו סמוך בסנהדרין מעולם:
2
How is the practice of semichah practiced for all time? The person conveying ordination does not rest his hands on the elder's head. Instead, he is addressed by the title of Rabbi and is told: "You are ordained and you have the authority to render judgment, even in cases involving financial penalties.
ב
וכיצד היא הסמיכה לדורות לא שיסמכו ידיהן על ראש הזקן אלא שקורין לו רבי ואומרים לו הרי את סמוך ויש לך רשות לדון אפילו דיני קנסות:
3
The semichah which ordains elders as judges may be conveyed only by three individuals. One of the three must have received semichah from others as explained.
ג
ואין סומכין סמיכה שהיא מינוי הזקנים לדיינות אלא בשלשה והוא שיהיה האחד מהן סמוך מפי אחרים כמו שביארנו:
4
The term Elohim can be applied only to a court which receivedsemichah in Eretz Yisrael alone . They are wise men who are fit to render judgment who were scrutinized by a court within Eretz Yisrael which appointed them and conveyed semichah upon them.
ד
אין קרוי אלהים אלא בית דין שנסמך בארץ ישראל בלבד והם האנשים החכמים הראויין לדון שבדקו אותן בית דין של ארץ ישראל ומינו אותם וסמכו אותן:
5
At first, whoever, had received semichah would conveysemichah on his students. Afterwards, as an expression of honor to Hillel, the elder, the Sages ordained that semichah would not be conveyed upon anyone unless license had been granted by the nasi.
They also ordained that the nasi should not convey semichahunless he is accompanied by the av beit din, and that the av beit din should not convey semichah unless he was accompanied by the nasi. The other elders could convey semichah themselves after receiving license from the nasi, provided they were accompanied by two others. For semichah cannot be conveyed by less than three judges.
ה
בראשונה היה כל מי שנסמך סומך לתלמידיו וחכמים חלקו כבוד להלל הזקן והתקינו שלא יהא אדם נסמך אלא ברשות הנשיא ושלא יהא הנשיא סומך אלא אם כן היה אב בית דין עמו ושלא יהיה אב בית דין סומך אא"כ היה הנשיא עמו אבל שאר החבורה יש לכל אחד מהם לסמוך ברשות הנשיא והוא שיהיו שנים עמו שאין סמיכה פחות משלשה:
6
Semichah may not be conveyed upon elders in the diaspora even if the judges conveying semichah received semichah inEretz Yisrael. Even if the judges conveying semichah were in Eretz Yisrael and the elders to receive semichah were in the diaspora, they should not convey semichah. Needless to say, this applies if the judges conveying semichah were in the diaspora and the elders to receive semichah were in Eretz Yisrael.
If both of them were in Eretz Yisrael, semichah may be conveyed even though the recipients are not in the same place as those conveying semichah. Instead, the judges conveying semichahsend to the elder or write to him that he has been given semichahand that he has permission to adjudicate cases involving financial penalties.
This is acceptable, because both of them are located in Eretz Yisrael. The entire area of Eretz Yisrael which the Jews who left Egypt took possession of is fit to have semichah conveyed within it.
ו
אין סומכין זקנים בחוצה לארץ ואע"פ שאלו הסומכין נסמכו בארץ ישראל אפילו היו הסומכין בארץ והנסמך חוצה לארץ אין סומכין ואין צריך לומר אם היו הסומכין בחוצה לארץ והנסמכין בארץ היו שניהם בארץ סומכין אותו אף על פי שאינו עם הסמוכים במקום אחד אלא שולחין לו או כותבין לו שהוא סמוך ונותנין לו רשות לדון דיני קנסות הואיל ושניהם בארץ וכל ארץ ישראל שהחזיקו בה עולי מצרים ראויה לסמיכה:
7
Judges who themselves were granted semichah may conveysemichah on many individuals - even 100 - at one time. King David once conveyed semichah on 30,000 individuals on one day.
ז
יש לסומכין לסמוך אפילו מאה בפעם אחת ודוד המלך סמך שלשים אלף ביום אחד:
8
Such judges may appoint whoever they desire for particular matters, provided he is fit to adjudicate all matters.
What is implied? A court has the authority to give semichah to a remarkable judge who is fit to issue rulings with regard to the entire Torah and limit his authority to the adjudication of financial matters, but not to what is forbidden and permitted. Conversely, they may grant him authority with regard to what is forbidden and permitted, but not to adjudicate cases involving financial matters. Or they may give him license with regard to adjudicate both such manners, but not laws involving financial penalties, or to rule with regard to financial penalties, but not to rule that a blemish disqualifies a firstborn animal. Or they may give him license merely to absolve vows, to judge stains, or to rule only within other similarly limited parameters.
ח
ויש להן למנות כל מי שירצו לדברים יחידים והוא שיהיה ראוי לכל הדברים כיצד חכם מופלא שראוי להורות לכל התורה כולה יש לבית דין לסמוך אותו וליתן לו רשות לדון ולא להורות באיסור והיתר או יתנו לו רשות באיסור והיתר ולא לדון דיני ממונות או יתנו רשות לזה ולזה אבל לא לדון דיני קנסות או לדון דיני קנסות אבל לא להתיר בכורות במומין או יתנו לו רשות להתיר נדרים בלבד או לראות כתמים וכן כל כיוצא בהן:
9
Similarly, the judges conveying semichah have permission to give the person receiving semichah license to judge only for a specific time, telling him: "You have permission to judge or issue rulings until the nasi arrives here," or "...as long as you are together with us in this city," or to issue other similar restrictions.
ט
וכן יש לסומכין ליתן רשות עד זמן ולומר לנסמך יש לך רשות לדון או להורות עד שיבא הנשיא לכאן או כל זמן שאין אתה עמנו במדינה וכן כל כיוצא בזה:
10
When a sage of remarkable knowledge is blind in one eye, he is not given semichah with regard to matters of financial law although he may adjudicate such cases. The rationale is that he is not fit to judge all matters. Similar principles apply in all analogous situations.
י
חכם מופלא שהוא סומא בעינו אחת אף על פי שהוא ראוי לדיני ממונות אין סומכין אותו לדיני ממונות מפני שאינו ראוי לכל הדברים וכן כל כיוצא בזה:
11
If there was only one judge in Eretz Yisrael who possessedsemichah, he should call two other judges to sit with him and they should convey semichah on 70 judges at one time or one after the other. Afterwards, he and these 70 should join together to make up the Supreme Sanhedrin and grant semichah to others to make up other courts.
It appears to me that if all the all the wise men in Eretz Yisraelagree to appoint judges and convey semichah upon them, thesemichah is binding and these judges may adjudicate cases involving financial penalties and convey semichah upon others.
If so, why did the Sages suffer anguish over the institution ofsemichah, so that the judgment of cases involving financial penalties would not be nullified among the Jewish people? Because the Jewish people were dispersed, and it is impossible that all could agree. If, by contrast, there was a person who had received semichah from a person who had received semichah, he does not require the consent of all others. Instead, he may adjudicate cases involving financial penalties for everyone, for he received semichah from a court.
The question whether semichah can be renewed requires resolution.
יא
הרי שלא היה בארץ ישראל אלא סומך אחד מושיב שנים בצדו וסומך שבעים כאחד או זה אחר זה ואחר כך יעשה הוא והשבעים בית דין הגדול ויסמכו בתי דינין אחרים נראין לי הדברים שאם הסכימו כל החכמים שבארץ ישראל למנות דיינים ולסמוך אותם הרי אלו סמוכים ויש להן לדון דיני קנסות ויש להן לסמוך לאחרים אם כן למה היו החכמים מצטערין על הסמיכה כדי שלא יבטלו דיני קנסות מישראל לפי שישראל מפוזרין ואי אפשר שיסכימו כולן ואם היה שם סמוך מפי סמוך אינו צריך דעת כולן אלא דן דיני קנסות לכל שהרי נסמך מפי בית דין והדבר צריך הכרע:
12
When a court received semichah in Eretz Yisrael and then departed to the diaspora, they may judge cases involving financial penalties in the diaspora in the same manner as they judge such cases in Eretz Yisrael. For the Sanhedrin exercises judicial authority in Eretz Yisrael and in the diaspora, provided the judges have received semichah in Eretz Yisrael.
יב
בית דין שנסמכו בארץ ישראל ויצאו חוצה לארץ הרי הם דנים דיני קנסות בחוצה לארץ כדרך שדנים בארץ שסנהדרין נוהגת בארץ ובחוצה לארץ והוא שיהיו סמוכים:
13
The exiliarchs in Babylon function instead of the kings. They have the authority to impose their rule over the Jewish people in all places and to judge them whether they consent or not. This is derived from Genesis 49:10: "The staff will not depart from Judah" - this refers to the exiliarchs of Babylon.
יג
ראשי גליות שבבבל במקום מלך הן עומדים ויש להן לרדות את ישראל בכ"מ ולדון עליהן בין רצו בין לא רצו שנאמר לא יסור שבט מיהודה אלו ראשי גליות שבבבל:
14
Any judge who is fit to adjudicate cases and was given license to serve as a judge by the exiliarch has the authority to act as a judge throughout the entire world, whether inEretz Yisrael or in the diaspora. Even though either or both of the litigants do not desire to argue the case before him, they are required to do so despite the fact that he does not have the authority to adjudicate cases involving financial penalties.
Any judge who is fit to adjudicate cases and was given license to serve as a judge by the court in Eretz Yisrael has the authority to act as a judge throughout Eretz Yisrael and in the cities which are located on its boundaries even though the litigants do not desire to argue the case before him. In the diaspora, by contrast, the license granted him does not afford him the authority to compel the litigants to appear before him. Although he has the sanction to adjudicate cases involving financial penalties in the diaspora, he may adjudicate such cases only when the litigants consent for him to judge. He does not have the authority to compel the litigants to accept his rulings unless he is granted such authority by the exiliarch.
יד
וכל דיין הראוי לדון שנתן לו ראש גלות רשות לדון יש לו רשות לדון בכל העולם אע"פ שלא רצו בעלי דינין בין בארץ בין בחוצה לארץ אף על פי שאינו דן דיני קנסות וכל דיין הראוי לדון שנתנו לו בית דין שבארץ ישראל רשות לדון יש לו רשות לדון בכל ארץ ישראל ובעיירות העומדות על הגבולים אע"פ שלא רצו בעלי דינין אבל בחוצה לארץ אין רשותן מועלת לו לכוף את בעלי דינין אף על פי שיש לו לדון דיני קנסות בחוצה לארץ אינו דן אלא למי שרוצה לדון אצלו אבל לכוף את בעלי דינין ולדון להם אין לו רשות עד שיטול רשות מראש גלות:
15
When a person is not fit to act as a judge because he is not knowledgeable or because he lacks proper character and an exiliarch transgressed and granted him authority or the court erred and granted him authority, the authority granted him is of no consequence unless he is fit. To cite a parallel: When a person consecrates an animal with a physical blemish to be sacrificed on the altar, the holiness does not encompass it.
טו
מי שאינו ראוי לדון מפני שאינו יודע או מפני שאינו הגון שעבר ראש גלות ונתן לו רשות או שטעו בית דין ונתנו לו רשות אין הרשות מועלת לו כלום עד שיהא ראוי שהמקדיש בעל מום למזבח אין הקדושה חלה עליו:
Sanhedrin veha`Onashin haMesurin lahem - Chapter 5
1
A king may not be enthroned except by the High Court of 71 judges. A minor Sanhedrin for every tribe and every city may be appointed only by the High Court of 71 judges. A tribe that has been led to apostasy in its entirety, a false prophet, or a case in which the High Priest might be liable for capital punishment, may be judged only by the High Court of 71 judges. Financial cases involving a High Priest, by contrast, may be adjudicated by a court of three.
Similarly, the determination of a rebellious elder or a city led to apostasy and the decision to cause a woman suspected of adultery to drink the waters which test her may only be done by the High Court. Similarly, the decisions to extend the city limits of Jerusalem and the limits of the Temple Courtyard, to enter a voluntary war, and to measure the distance between a corpse and the nearby cities may be done only by the High Court of 71 judges. These concepts are derived from Exodus 18:22: "All the major matters will be brought to you."
א
אין מעמידין מלך אלא על פי בית דין של שבעים ואחד ואין עושין סנהדרי קטנה לכל שבט ושבט ולכל עיר ועיר אלא על פי בית דין של שבעים ואחד ואין דנין לא את השבט שהודח כולו ולא את נביא השקר ולא את כהן גדול בדיני נפשות אלא בבית דין הגדול אבל דיני ממונות [של כהן גדול] בשלשה וכן אין עושין זקן ממרא ולא עושין עיר הנדחת ולא משקין את הסוטה אלא בבית דין הגדול ואין מוסיפין על העיר ועל העזרות ולא מוציאין למלחמת הרשות ולמדידת החלל אלא על פי בית דין הגדול שנאמר כל הדבר הגדול יביאו אליך:
2
Cases involving capital punishment may not be judged by a court with less than 23 judges, i.e., a minor Sanhedrin. This applies not only to instances where humans are judged with regard to capital punishment, but also when animals face such judgment. Therefore an ox which is stoned to death and an animal used in bestial sexual practices is condemned to death only by a court of 23 judges. Even when a lion, a bear, or a cheetah that have been domesticated and which have owners kill a human, they are executed based on the judgment of a court of 23. When, however, a snake kills a human, even one ordinary person may kill him.
ב
אין דנין דיני נפשות בפחות מעשרים ושלשה שהן סנהדרי קטנה בין דיני נפשות של אדם בין דיני נפשות של בהמה לפיכך אין דנין שור הנסקל ולא הבהמה הנרבעת או הרובע אלא בבית דין של עשרים ושלשה אפילו ארי ודוב וברדלס שהן בני תרבות ויש להן בעלים שהמיתו מיתתן בעשרים ושלשה אבל נחש שהמית אחד הורג אותו:
3
When a person who spreads a malicious report concerning his wife, at the outset, the case is judged by a court of 23. For there is the possibility of a capital case arising if the husband's claim proves true and the woman is to be stoned to death. If the husband's claim is not substantiated, and the woman's father comes to demand payment of the fine, the matter may be judged by a court of three.
What is the source which teaches that capital cases may be judged only by a court of 23? Although this is a matter conveyed by the Oral Tradition, there is an allusion to it in the Torah. Numbers 35:24-25 states: "And the congregation shall judge... and the congregation shall save...." Implied is that there must be the possibility of a congregation judging - and condemning him to death - and a congregation saving - and seeking his acquittal. Now a congregation is no less than ten. Thus there are at least 20 judges. We add three judges so that there not be an equally balanced court and to allow the possibility of "following after the inclination of the majority."
ג
המוציא שם רע אין דנין אותו תחילה אלא בבית דין של עשרים ושלשה מפני שיש בדינו צד דיני נפשות שמא יהיה הדבר אמת ותסקל הבת לא נאמנו דברי הבעל ובא האב לתובעו בקנס דינו בשלשה ומניין שאין דנין דיני נפשות אלא בעשרים ושלשה אע"פ שדברי קבלה הן הרי הוא אומר ושפטו העדה והצילו העדה עדה שופטת ועדה מצלת עדה שופטת והן המחייבין ועדה מצלת והן המזכין ואין עדה פחות מעשרה הרי עשרים ומוסיפין שלשה כדי שלא יהא בית דין שקול ויהיה בו אחרי רבים להטות:
4
Lashes are decided upon by a court of three judges. Even though the person may die when lashes are administered to him.
ד
מכות בשלשה ואע"פ שאפשר שימות כשמלקין אותו:
5
Decapitating the calf is performed by five judges.
ה
עריפת העגלה בחמשה:
6
The enlargement of the month is decided upon by three judges.
ו
עיבור החדש בשלשה:
7
The enlargement of the year is decided upon by seven judges. All of the above must possess semichah as we explained.
ז
עיבור השנה בשבעה וכל אלו סמוכין כמו שביארנו:
8
Cases involving financial penalties, robbery, personal injury, the payment of double for a stolen article, the payment of four and five times the value of a stolen sheep or ox, rape, seduction, and the like may be adjudicated only by three expert judges who have received semichah in Eretz Yisrael,
Other cases of financial law, e.g., admissions of financial liability and loans, do not require an expert judge. Even three ordinary people, or even one expert judge may adjudicate them. For this reasons, cases involving admissions of financial liability, loans, and the like may be adjudicated in the diaspora. Although a court in the diaspora is not referred to as Elohim, they carry out the charge of the court of Eretz Yisrael. This charge does not, however, give them license to adjudicate cases involving financial penalties.
ח
דיני קנסות כגון גזילות וחבלות ותשלומי כפל ותשלומי ארבעה וחמשה והאונס והמפתה וכיוצא בהן אין דנין אותם אלא שלשה מומחים והם הסמוכין בארץ ישראל אבל שאר דיני ממונות כגון הודאות והלואות אינן צריכין מומחה אלא אפילו שלשה הדיוטות ואפילו אחד מומחה דן אותן לפיכך דנין בהודאות והלואות וכיוצא בהן בחוצה לארץ אף על פי שאין בית דין של חוצה לארץ אלהים שליחות בית דין של ארץ ישראל עושין ואין להן רשות לדון דיני קנסות בשליחותן:
9
The courts of the diaspora adjudicate only cases that commonly occur and which involve financial loss, e.g., admissions of liability, loans, and property damage. Matters that occur only infrequently, by contrast, even though they involve financial loss, e.g., an animal that injures another, or events that commonly occur, but do not involve financial loss, e.g., a double payment for theft, are not adjudicated by the judges of the diaspora.
Similarly, all the financial penalties which our Sages imposed against a person who punches a colleague, slaps a colleague, or the like are not adjudicated by the judges of the diaspora. Whenever a person is required to pay half the damages for the destruction of property the matter is not adjudicated by the judges of the diaspora, with the exception of the half payment for damages caused by pebbles propelled by one's animals. For that is a reimbursement for financial loss and is not a financial penalty.
ט
אין דנין בית דין של חוצה לארץ אלא דברים המצויין תמיד ויש בהן חסרון כיס כגון הודאות והלואות ומזיק ממון חבירו אבל דברים שאין מצויין אע"פ שאין בהן חסרון כיס כגון בהמה שחבלה בחברתה או דברים המצויין אבל אין בהן חסרון כיס כגון תשלומי כפל אין דנין אותן דייני חוצה לארץ וכן כל הקנסות שקנסו חכמים בתוקע לחבירו ובסוטר את חבירו וכיוצא בהן אין גובין אותו דייני חוצה לארץ וכל המשלם חצי נזק אין גובין אותו דייני חוצה לארץ חוץ מחצי נזק צרורות מפני שהוא ממון ואינו קנס:
10
Whenever the injuries a person suffers are evaluated by calculating his worth as one calculates the worth of a servant, the payment is not expropriated by the judges of the diaspora. Therefore if a person injures a colleague, compensation for the damages, the pain, and the embarrassment for which he is liable is not expropriated by the judges of the diaspora. Compensation for the inability to work and medical expenses is, by contrast, expropriated in the diaspora, because they involve a financial loss. The Geonim ruled in this manner and stated that it is a commonplace matter to expropriate compensation for the inability to work and medical expenses in the diaspora.
י
כל הנישום כעבד אין גובין אותו דייני חוצה לארץ לפיכך אדם שחבל בחבירו אין גובין הנזק והצער והבשת שהוא חייב בהן דייני חוצה לארץ אבל שבת ורפוי גובין מפני שיש בהן חסרון כיס וכן הורו הגאונים ואמרו שמעשים בכל יום לגבות שבת ורפוי בבבל:
11
The judges of the diaspora do not exact payment when an animal injures a person, because this is an uncommon occurrence. When, by contrast, a person damages an animal belonging to a colleague, he must pay the complete damages to his colleague regardless of where this takes place, just as he is responsible if he ripped his garments, broke his utensils, or cut down his produce.
Similarly, when an animal causes damage by eating or by treading, since its owner is forewarned that this is its inherent natural tendency, it is a common matter and the damages are expropriated by the judges of the diaspora. This applies whether it damaged another animal, e.g., it rubbed against it, it consumed produce that it would naturally eat or the like, or it damaged food or utensils by treading upon them in which instance he is obligated to pay full damages. Payment for all of these damages can be expropriated by the judges of the diaspora.
If, however, an animal was not prone to cause damage, then it caused damages to the extent that the owner was warned, and then it caused damage again, e.g., it bit, it butted with its body, it lay down, it kicked, or it gored, these damages are not expropriated by the judges of the diaspora. The rationale is that there is no concept of the owner of an animal being forewarned in the diaspora. Even if an animal caused its owner to be forewarned inEretz Yisrael, and then it was taken to the diaspora where it caused damage, the damages are not expropriated, because this is an uncommon occurrence.
יא
בהמה שהזיקה את האדם אין גובין נזקו דייני חוצה לארץ מפני שהוא דבר שאינו מצוי אבל אדם שהזיק בהמת חבירו משלם נזק שלם בכל מקום כמי שקרע כסותו או שבר כליו או קצץ נטיעותיו וכן בהמה שהזיקה בשן ורגל הואיל והיא מועדת להן מתחילתה הרי זה דבר מצוי וגובין אותו דייני חוצה לארץ בין שהזיקה בהמה אחרת כגון שנתחככה בה או אכלה פירות שדרכה לאכלן וכיוצא בזה בין שהזיקה אוכלין וכלים שהיא חייבת עליהן נזק שלם הכל גובין דייני חוצה לארץ אבל אם היתה תמה והועדה והזיקה כגון שנשכה או נגפה או רבצה או בעטה או נגחה אין גובין הנזק הזה השלם דייני חוצה לארץ שאין מועד בחוצה לארץ ואפילו הועד בארץ ויצא לחוצה לארץ והזיק אין גובין נזקו מפני שאינו דבר מצוי:
12
Why is there no concept of warning an owner in the diaspora? Because testimony must be given against the owner in the presence of a court. And the concept of a court applies only with regard to judges who have been given semichahin Eretz Yisrael.
Accordingly, if a court of judges from Eretz Yisrael were in the diaspora, just as they have the authority to judge laws involving financial penalties in the diaspora; so, too, testimony regarding an animal can be delivered in their presence in the diaspora.
יב
מפני מה אין מועד בחוצה לארץ לפי שצריך להעיד בו בפני בית דין ואין שם בית דין אלא הסמוכין בארץ לפיכך אם היו בית דין בחוצה לארץ כשם שהן דנים דיני קנסות בחוצה לארץ כך מעידים את הבהמה בפניהם בחוצה לארץ:
13
When a person steals or robs, the principal can be expropriated by the judges of the diaspora. They do not, however, expropriate the double payment.
יג
מי שגנב או גזל גובין ממנו הקרן דייני חוצה לארץ אבל אין גובין את הכפל:
14
The judges of the diaspora do not expropriate payment in every situation where a person would be liable to make compensation based on his own statements. For the payment to a maiden's father for blemishing her virginity and for the embarrassment she suffers, and a person who must pay an atonement fee because his ox killed another person are situations where a person must make compensation, because of his statements. For example, he said: "I seduced so-and-so's daughter," or "My ox killed so-and-so." Nevertheless, such payments are not expropriated by the judges of the diaspora.
יד
ולא כל המשלם על פי עצמו גובין ממנו דייני חוצה לארץ שהרי הפגם והבשת והכופר משלם אדם על פי עצמו כגון שאמר פתיתי בתו של פלוני והמית שורי את פלוני ואין גובין אותו דייני חוצה לארץ:
15
Judgments involving situations where a person's actions served as a direct cause of damage are not equivalent to laws involving k'nasot and they may be adjudicated by the judges of the diaspora.
טו
דיני גרמות אינן כקנסות וגובין אותן ודנין בהן בחוצה לארץ:
16
Similarly, the laws applying to a person who gives money belonging to a colleague to gentiles - even if he merely threatens to do so - may be adjudicated by the judges of the diaspora.
טז
וכן דין המוסר ממון חבירו אף על פי שלא עשה מעשה גובין אותו דייני חוצה לארץ:
17
The custom of the yeshivot of the diaspora is that even though they do not expropriate money due as k'nasot, they place the person who causes the damage under a ban of ostracism until he satisfies the plaintiff or goes with him to Eretz Yisrael to have the case adjudicated.
Once the person who causes the damage pays the amount that he would be held liable for, the ban of ostracism is lifted whether the person who suffered the injury is appeased or not. Similarly, if the person who suffered the injury seizes an amount of property belonging to the person who causes the damage equivalent to the amount he would be awarded by the court, we do not expropriate it from his possession.
יז
מנהג הישיבות בחוצה לארץ אף על פי שאין גובין שם קנס מנדין אותו עד שיפייס לבעל דינו או יעלה עמו לדין לארץ ישראל וכיון שיתן לו שיעור הראוי לו מתירין נדויו בין שנתפייס בעל דינו בין שלא נתפייס וכן אם תפש הניזק שיעור מה שראוי לו ליטול אין מוציאין אותו מידו:
18
When one person is an expert judge and he is known by many to possess such knowledge, although he is allowed to judge cases involving financial law alone, an admission of liability made in his presence is not considered as an admission made in the presence of a court. This applies even if he possessessemichah.
When, by contrast, a court is composed of three judges, even though they do not possesses semichah, and even if they are ordinary men and are not referred to as Elohim, an admission made in their presence is considered as an admission made in a court of law. Similarly, if a person denies an obligation in their presence and witnesses come and testify against him, he is established as one who has lied. He cannot offer another claim, as we have explained.
The general principle is: With regard to the admission of financial responsibility, cases involving debts, and the like, their authority is the same as that of a court composed of judges possessingsemichah with regard to all matters.
יח
יחיד שהוא מומחה לרבים אע"פ שהוא דן דיני ממונות יחידי אין ההודאה בפניו הודאה בבית דין ואפילו היה סמוך אבל השלשה אף על פי שאינן סמוכין והרי הן הדיוטות ואין אני קורא בהם אלהים הרי ההודאה בפניהם הודאה בבית דין וכן הכופר בפניהם ואח"כ באו עדים הוחזק כפרן ואינו יכול לחזור ולטעון כמו שביארנו כללו של דבר הרי הן לענין הודאות והלואות וכיוצא בהן כבית דין הסמוך לכל הדברים:
Sanhedrin veha`Onashin haMesurin lahem - Chapter 6
1
The following laws apply whenever a judge adjudicates a case involving financial matters and errs. If his error involves matters that are revealed and known - e.g., a law that is explicitly stated in the Mishnah or the Gemara, the ruling is reversed. The situation is returned to its original status and the judgment required by halachah is rendered. If it is impossible to return the matter to its original status, e.g., the person who unwarrantedly received the money traveled overseas, or he was a stubborn and strong person, the judge is not liable. Although he caused a loss, he did not have the intent of doing so. Similar laws apply if a judge ruled that a substance that was pure was impure, that an animal that was kosher was unacceptable and had it fed to the dogs, or the like.
א
כל דיין שדן דיני ממונות וטעה אם טעה בדברים הגלויים והידועים כגון דינין המפורשין במשנה או בגמרא חוזר הדין ומחזירין הדבר כשהיה ודנין בו כהלכה ואם אי אפשר להחזיר כגון שהלך זה שנטל הממון שלא כדין למדינת הים או שהיה אלם או שטמא דבר טהור או שהורה בכשרה שהיא טריפה והאכילה לכלבים וכיוצא בזה הרי זה פטור מלשלם אע"פ שגרם להזיק לא נתכוון להזיק:
2
Different principles apply if the judge errs in a case requiring a decision to be made by using one's logic to weigh alternative positions, for example, a case arouse involving the subject of a difference of opinion among the Sages of the Mishnah or the Sages of the Gemara where it was not explicitly stated whose opinion the halachah follows. The judge decided to follow one opinion without knowing it had already been universally established practice within the Torah community to follow the other view.
In such a situation, if the judge was an expert who had been given license to adjudicate cases by the exiliarch, or even if he had not been given such license, but the litigants voluntarily accepted him as their judicial authority, the ruling is reversed. The rationale is that he is an expert.
If the ruling cannot be reversed, he is not liable to make restitution. This applies both to a judge who received permission from the exiliarch or one received permission from a Jewish court to adjudicate cases in Eretz Yisrael, but not to serve as judge in the diaspora, as explained.
ב
טעה בשקול הדעת כגון דבר שהוא מחלוקת תנאים או אמוראים ולא נפסקה הלכה כאחד מהן בפירוש ועשה כאחד מהן ולא ידע שכבר פשט המעשה בכל העולם כדברי האחר אם היה זה דיין מומחה ונטל רשות מראש גלות או שלא היה נוטל רשות אבל קבלו אותו בעלי דינין עליהן הואיל והוא מומחה חוזר הדין ואם אי אפשר להחזיר פטור מלשלם אחד הנוטל רשות מראש גלות או הנוטל רשות מבית דין של ישראל בארץ ישראל אבל לא בחוצה לארץ כמו שביארנו:
3
Different rules apply if the person who erred in a question of logical deduction was an expert judge, but he had not received license to adjudicate cases, nor was he accepted by the litigants as an authority, or was not an expert, but was accepted by the litigants to adjudicate their case according to Torah law. If he personally took property from one litigant and gave it to the other, his actions are irreversible and he should pay the damages from his own resources. If, however, he did not personally take the property from one and give it to the other, the decision should be reversed. If the decision cannot be reversed, he should pay the damages from his own resources.
ג
היה הטועה מומחה ולא נטל רשות ולא קבלו אותו בעלי דינין עליהן או שלא היה מומחה אבל קבלו אותו בעלי דינין עליהן לדון להן כדין וטעה בשקול הדעת אם נשא ונתן ביד מה שעשה עשוי וישלם מביתו אם לא נשא ונתן ביד יחזור הדין ואם אי אפשר להחזיר ישלם מביתו:
4
When, however, a person is not an expert and was not accepted by the litigants adjudicates a case, even though he was given permission to act as a judge, he is considered as one of the men of force and not as a proper judge. Therefore, the judgment he renders is of no consequence. This applies whether he erred or whether he did not err. Either one of the litigants may withdraw and have the case adjudicated by a proper court.
If such a judge erred and personally gave property from one litigant to the other, he is obligated to pay from his own resources. He may then regain the money from the litigant to whom he gave property unlawfully. If one litigant paid the other because of the ruling of such a judge and the recipient is unable to return the money or if the judge rendered an object ritually impure or gave meat that was kosher to the dogs to eat, the judge must bear the loss as is the law regarding anyone who causes damages. For such a person has the intent of causing damages.
ד
אבל מי שאינו מומחה ולא קבלו אותו בעלי דינין אע"פ שנטל רשות הרי זה בכלל בעלי זרוע ואינו בכלל הדיינין לפיכך אין דיניו דין בין טעה בין לא טעה וכל אחד מבעלי דינין אם רצה חוזר ודן בפני בית דין ואם טעה ונשא ונתן ביד חייב לשלם מביתו וחוזר ולוקח מבעל דין זה שנתן לו שלא כהלכה ואם אין לו להחזיר או שטמא או שהאכיל דבר המותר לכלבים ישלם כדין כל גורם להזיק שזה מתכוין להזיק הוא:
5
When a judge errs and obligates a person who is not required to take an oath to do so, and in order to free himself from the obligation to take the oath, this person negotiated a compromise with the other litigant, the compromise may be revoked. Even though he affirmed the compromise with a kinyan, it is of no substance. He agreed to pay or to waive the other person's liability only to free himself from the oath to which the person who erred obligated him. And whenever a kinyan is carried out on the basis of an error, it is annulled. Similar laws apply in all analogous situations.
ה
דיין שטעה וחייב שבועה למי שאינו חייב בה ועשה זה פשרה עם בעל דינו כדי שלא ישבע ואחר כך ידע שאינו בן שבועה אף על פי שקנו מידו על הפשרה אינה כלום שלא קבל עליו ליתן לו או למחול לו אלא כדי שיפטר משבועה שחייבו בה הטועה וכל קניין בטעות חוזר וכן כל כיוצא בזה:
6
When two people are involved in a dispute concerning a judgment, one states: "Let us have the matter judged here," and the other says, "Let us ascend to the Supreme Court, lest these judges err and expropriate money contrary to the law," we compel the latter litigant to have the matter adjudicated locally.
If he asks the judges: "Write down the rationale why you have rendered this judgment against me and give it to me, lest you have erred," they must write down their rationales and give him the transcript. Afterwards, they expropriate what he owes. If the local judges feel the need to ask for clarification regarding a matter from the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, they should write down their question and send it. After their inquiry, the judgment should be rendered in the local court on the basis of the answer written to them by the Supreme Court.
ו
שנים שנתעצמו בדין אחד אומר נדון כאן ואחד אומר נעלה לבית דין הגדול שמא יטעו אלו הדיינין ויוציאו ממון שלא כדין כופין אותו ודן בעירו ואם אמר כתבו ותנו לי מאי זה טעם דנתוני שמא טעיתם כותבים ונותנין לו ואחר כך מוציאין ממנו ואם הוצרך לשאול דבר מבית דין הגדול שבירושלים כותבים ושולחין ושואלין ודנין להם בעירם כפי מה שיבא בכתב בית דין הגדול:
7
When does the above apply? With regards to judgments dependent on claims issued by both litigants or a situation when a lender desires to have the case adjudicated locally and the borrower says: "Let us go to the Supreme Court." If, by contrast, the lender says: "Let us go to the Supreme Court," we compel the borrower to ascend with the lender, as implied by Proverbs 22:7: "A borrower is a servant to the lender."
Similarly, if a person claims that his colleague injured or damaged his person or his property or stole from him, and the plaintiff desires to ascend to the Supreme Court, the local court compels the defendant to ascend together with him. Similar laws apply in all analogous situations.
ז
במה דברים אמורים בשאר הדינין שזה טוען וזה טוען או כשאמר המלוה נדון כאן והלוה אומר נלך לבית דין הגדול אבל אם אמר המלוה נלך לבית דין הגדול כופין את הלוה ועולה עמו שנאמר עבד לוה לאיש מלוה וכן אם טען זה שהזיקו או גזלו ורצה הטוען לעלות כופין בית דין שבעירו את הנטען לעלות עמו וכן כל כיוצא בזה:
8
When does the above apply? When the person from who property was stolen, the person who suffered injury or damage, or the lender has witnesses or proof that support his claim. When, however, his claim is unsupported, we do not obligate the defendant to leave his locale. Instead, he takes an oath there and is freed of obligation.
ח
בד"א כשיהיו שם עדים או ראיה לנגזל או לניזק או למלוה אבל טענה רקנית אין מחייבין את הנטען לצאת כלל אלא נשבע במקומו ונפטר:
9
Similar concepts apply in the present age, when there is no Supreme Court, but there are places where there are great sages whose expertise is renown and there are other places where there are scholars who are not on that level. If the lender says: "Let us go to this-and-this place in this-and-this land to have the case adjudicated by so-and-so, the great sage," we compel the borrower to go with him. This was the practice continually in Spain.
ט
וכן הדין בזמן הזה שאין שם בית דין גדול אבל יש מקומות שיש בהן חכמים גדולים מומחין לרבים ומקומות שיש בהן תלמידים שאינן כמותן אם אמר המלוה נלך למקום פלוני שבארץ פלונית לפלוני ופלוני הגדול ונדון לפניו בדין זה שכופין את הלוה והולך עמו וכן היו מעשים בכל יום בספרד:
• Tuesday, 24 Elul, 5776 · 27 September 2016
• "Today's Day"
• Friday, Elul 24, 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: Nitzavim-Vayeilech, Shishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 113-118. Also 70-72.
Tanya: The second (p. 487) ...know Him." (p. 489).
There was a time when every brief saying one heard was regarded as a "Torah" (teaching, guidance), and everything one saw was perceived as an instruction in his avoda and conduct.
• Daily Thought:• "Today's Day"
• Friday, Elul 24, 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: Nitzavim-Vayeilech, Shishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 113-118. Also 70-72.
Tanya: The second (p. 487) ...know Him." (p. 489).
There was a time when every brief saying one heard was regarded as a "Torah" (teaching, guidance), and everything one saw was perceived as an instruction in his avoda and conduct.
We Are the Poor
We are the poor man of the Baal Shem Tov’s tale.
We are poor of vision, because our eyes are blind to wonder.
We are poor of heart, because we cannot delight in the ecstasy of that wonder.
We are poor of soul, because this materialistic world has robbed us of any sensitivity to that which can neither be seen nor touched.
And because we are the poor man, therefore we will not be satisfied with wonder, with ecstasy, or with anything spiritual or even divine. We will only be satisfied when we have the King alone.
Nothing else will placate us. Nothing, until, in every corner of our world, we find only Him.[Torat Menachem 5722, Yud Shvat, 10.]
We are poor of vision, because our eyes are blind to wonder.
We are poor of heart, because we cannot delight in the ecstasy of that wonder.
We are poor of soul, because this materialistic world has robbed us of any sensitivity to that which can neither be seen nor touched.
And because we are the poor man, therefore we will not be satisfied with wonder, with ecstasy, or with anything spiritual or even divine. We will only be satisfied when we have the King alone.
Nothing else will placate us. Nothing, until, in every corner of our world, we find only Him.[Torat Menachem 5722, Yud Shvat, 10.]
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