Torah Reading
Noach: Genesis 6:9 Here is the history of Noach. In his generation, Noach was a man righteous and wholehearted; Noach walked with God. 10 Noach fathered three sons, Shem, Ham and Yefet. 11 The earth was corrupt before God, the earth was filled with violence. 12 God saw the earth, and, yes, it was corrupt; for all living beings had corrupted their ways on the earth.
13 God said to Noach, “The end of all living beings has come before me, for because of them the earth is filled with violence. I will destroy them along with the earth. 14 Make yourself an ark of gofer-wood; you are to make the ark with rooms and cover it with pitch both outside and inside. 15 Here is how you are to build it: the length of the ark is to be 450 feet, its width seventy-five feet and its height forty-five feet. 16 You are to make an opening for daylight in the ark eighteen inches below its roof. Put a door in its side; and build it with lower, second and third decks.
17 “Then I myself will bring the flood of water over the earth to destroy from under heaven every living thing that breathes; everything on earth will be destroyed. 18 But I will establish my covenant with you; you will come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife and your sons’ wives with you.
19 “From everything living, from each kind of living being, you are to bring two into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they are to be male and female. 20 Of each kind of bird, each kind of livestock, and each kind of animal creeping on the ground, two are to come to you, so that they can be kept alive. 21 Also take from all the kinds of food that are eaten, and collect it for yourself; it is to be food for you and for them.” 22 This is what Noach did; he did all that God ordered him to do.
Today's Laws & Customs:
• Passing of Rabbi Don Isaac Abravanel (1508)
Today is the yahrtzeit (anniversary of the passing) of Rabbi Don Isaac Abravanel (1437-1508), one of the leaders of Spanish Jewry at the time of the 1492 expulsion. A minister in the king's court (after having served as treasurer to the king of Portugal), he chose to join his brethren in their exile. He began writing his extensive and highly regarded commentary on the Torah in 1503 in Venice (where it was published in 1579).
Daily Quote:
This is the meaning of "Love your fellow as yourself": Just like you are blind to your own failings, since your self-love covers them up, so, too, should your fellow's failings be swallowed up and concealed by your love for him[Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch (1789-1866)]
Today's Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Noach, 2nd Portion Genesis 7:1-7:16 with Rashi
• Genesis Chapter 7
1And the Lord said to Noah, "Come into the ark, you and all your household, for it is you that I have seen as a righteous man before Me in this generation. אוַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ לְנֹ֔חַ בֹּֽא־אַתָּ֥ה וְכָל־בֵּֽיתְךָ֖ אֶל־הַתֵּבָ֑ה כִּי־אֹֽתְךָ֥ רָאִ֛יתִי צַדִּ֥יק לְפָנַ֖י בַּדּ֥וֹר הַזֶּֽה:
for it is you that I have seen as a righteous man before Me: But it does not say: “a righteous man, perfect” [as it does in 6:9]. From here [we deduce] that we tell part of a person’s praise in his presence and all of it in his absence. — [Gen. Rabbah 32:3] כי אותך ראיתי צדיק: ולא נאמר צדיק תמים. מכאן שאומרים מקצת שבחו של אדם בפניו וכולו שלא בפניו:
2Of all the clean animals you shall take for yourself seven pairs, a male and its mate, and of the animals that are not clean, two, a male and its mate. במִכֹּ֣ל | הַבְּהֵמָ֣ה הַטְּהוֹרָ֗ה תִּקַּח־לְךָ֛ שִׁבְעָ֥ה שִׁבְעָ֖ה אִ֣ישׁ וְאִשְׁתּ֑וֹ וּמִן־הַבְּהֵמָ֡ה אֲ֠שֶׁ֠ר לֹ֣א טְהֹרָ֥ה הִ֛וא שְׁנַ֖יִם אִ֥ישׁ וְאִשְׁתּֽוֹ:
Of all the clean animals: that are destined to be clean for Israel. We learn [from here] that Noah studied the Torah. — [Zev. 116a] הטהורה: העתידה להיות טהורה לישראל, למדנו שלמד נח תורה:
seven pairs: in order that he might offer up some as a sacrifice upon leaving [the ark]. — [Tan. Vayakhel 6] שבעה שבעה: כדי שיקריב מהם קרבן בצאתו:
3Also, of the fowl of the heavens, seven pairs, male and female, to keep seed alive on the face of the earth. גגַּ֣ם מֵע֧וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֛יִם שִׁבְעָ֥ה שִׁבְעָ֖ה זָכָ֣ר וּנְקֵבָ֑ה לְחַיּ֥וֹת זֶ֖רַע עַל־פְּנֵ֥י כָל־הָאָֽרֶץ:
Also, of the fowl of the heavens, etc.: Scripture speaks of the clean [fowl], and we learn that which is not explicit from that which is explicit. [i.e., Just as in the case of the animals, seven pairs of clean ones were to be brought into the ark, so was it in the case of the fowl, that seven pairs of clean ones were to be brought in, while of the unclean species, only one pair was to be saved.] גם מעוף השמים וגו': בטהורים הכתוב מדבר. וילמד סתום מן המפורש:
4For in another seven days, I will make it rain upon the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will blot out all beings that I have made, off the face of the earth." דכִּי֩ לְיָמִ֨ים ע֜וֹד שִׁבְעָ֗ה אָֽנֹכִי֙ מַמְטִ֣יר עַל־הָאָ֔רֶץ אַרְבָּעִ֣ים י֔וֹם וְאַרְבָּעִ֖ים לָ֑יְלָה וּמָחִ֗יתִי אֶת־כָּל־הַיְקוּם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשִׂ֔יתִי מֵעַ֖ל פְּנֵ֥י הָֽאֲדָמָֽה:
For in another seven days: (Sanh. 108b) These are the seven days of mourning for the righteous Methuselah, for the Holy One, blessed be He, had consideration for his honor, and delayed the retribution. Go and calculate the years of Methuselah and you will find that they ended in the six-hundredth year of Noah’s life. כי לימים עוד שבעה: אלו שבעת ימי אבלו של מתושלח הצדיק שחס הקב"ה על כבודו ועכב את הפורענות. צא וחשוב שנותיו של מתושלח ותמצא שהם כלים בשנת שש מאות שנה לחיי נח:
For in another seven days: What is the meaning of “another” ? A [period of] time following a [period of] time; this [period] was added to the one hundred and twenty years. — [See Rashi 6:14] כי לימים עוד: מהו עוד, זמן אחר זמן, זה נוסף על מאה ועשרים שנה:
forty days: Corresponding to the [time required for the] formation of the fetus, for they sinned by burdening the One Who formed them, by fashioning the forms of mamzerim (children born of incestuous and forbidden unions). - [Gen. Rabbah 32:5] ארבעים יום: כנגד יצירת הולד שקלקלו להטריח ליוצרם לצור צורת ממזרים:
5And Noah did, according to all that the Lord had commanded him. הוַיַּ֖עַשׂ נֹ֑חַ כְּכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֖הוּ יְהֹוָֽה:
And Noah did: This refers to his entrance into the ark. ויעש נח: זה ביאתו לתיבה:
6And Noah was six hundred years old, and the flood came about, water upon the earth. ווְנֹ֕חַ בֶּן־שֵׁ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה וְהַמַּבּ֣וּל הָיָ֔ה מַ֖יִם עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ:
7And Noah went in and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives with him into the ark because of the flood waters. זוַיָּבֹ֣א נֹ֔חַ וּ֠בָנָ֠יו וְאִשְׁתּ֧וֹ וּנְשֵֽׁי־בָנָ֛יו אִתּ֖וֹ אֶל־הַתֵּבָ֑ה מִפְּנֵ֖י מֵ֥י הַמַּבּֽוּל:
And Noah…and his sons: The men separately and the women separately, because they were prohibited from engaging in marital relations since the world was steeped in pain. — [Tan. 11] נח ובניו: האנשים לבד והנשים לבד, לפי שנאסרו בתשמיש המטה, מפני שהעולם היה שרוי בצער:
because of the flood waters: Noah, too, was of those who had little faith, believing and not believing that the Flood would come, and he did not enter the ark until the waters forced him to do so. — [Gen. Rabbah 32:6] מפני מי המבול: אף נח מקטני אמנה היה, מאמין ואינו מאמין שיבא המבול ולא נכנס לתיבה עד שדחקוהו המים:
8Of the clean beasts and of the beasts that are not clean, and of the fowl, and all that creeps upon the earth. חמִן־הַבְּהֵמָה֙ הַטְּהוֹרָ֔ה וּמִ֨ן־הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֵינֶ֖נָּה טְהֹרָ֑ה וּמִ֨ן־הָע֔וֹף וְכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־רֹמֵ֖שׂ עַל־הָֽאֲדָמָֽה:
9Two by two they came to Noah to the ark, male and female, as God had commanded Noah. טשְׁנַ֨יִם שְׁנַ֜יִם בָּ֧אוּ אֶל־נֹ֛חַ אֶל־הַתֵּבָ֖ה זָכָ֣ר וּנְקֵבָ֑ה כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶת־נֹֽחַ:
they came to Noah: By themselves. — [Tan. Noach 12] באו אל נח: מאליהן:
two by two: They were all equal in this number; the smallest number was two. שנים שנים: כלם הושוו במנין זה, מן הפחות היו שנים:
10And it came to pass after the seven days, that the flood waters were upon the earth. יוַיְהִ֖י לְשִׁבְעַ֣ת הַיָּמִ֑ים וּמֵ֣י הַמַּבּ֔וּל הָי֖וּ עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ:
11In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on this day, all the springs of the great deep were split, and the windows of the heavens opened up. יאבִּשְׁנַ֨ת שֵֽׁשׁ־מֵא֤וֹת שָׁנָה֙ לְחַיֵּי־נֹ֔חַ בַּחֹ֨דֶשׁ֙ הַשֵּׁנִ֔י בְּשִׁבְעָֽה־עָשָׂ֥ר י֖וֹם לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֗ה נִבְקְעוּ֙ כָּל־מַעְיְנוֹת֙ תְּה֣וֹם רַבָּ֔ה וַֽאֲרֻבֹּ֥ת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם נִפְתָּֽחוּ:
in the second month: Rabbi Eliezer says: This refers to Marheshvan; Rabbi Joshua says: this refers to Iyar. — [Seder Olam Rabbah, ch. 4] בחדש השני: רבי אליעזר אומר זה מרחשון, רבי יהושע אומר זה אייר:
were split: to emit their waters. נבקעו: להוציא מימיהן:
the great deep: Measure for measure. They sinned with [Gen. 6:5]“the evil of man was great,” and they were punished with “the great deep.” - [Sanh. 108a] תהום רבה: מדה כנגד מדה, הם חטאו ברבה רעת האדם (בראשית ו ה) ולקו בתהום רבה:
12And the rain was upon the earth for forty days and forty nights. יבוַיְהִ֥י הַגֶּ֖שֶׁם עַל־הָאָ֑רֶץ אַרְבָּעִ֣ים י֔וֹם וְאַרְבָּעִ֖ים לָֽיְלָה:
And the rain was upon the earth: And further (verse 17) Scripture says: “Now the Flood was [upon the earth].” But when He brought them [the rains] down, He brought them down with mercy, so that if they would repent, they would be rains of blessing. When they did not repent, they became a flood. — [Midrash Hane’elam, Zohar Chadash 28a] ויהי הגשם על הארץ: ולהלן הוא אומר (פסוק יז) ויהי המבול, אלא כשהורידן, הורידן ברחמים שאם יחזרו יהיו גשמי ברכה, וכשלא חזרו היו למבול:
forty days, etc.: The first day does not count because its night was not included with it, [i.e., on the night preceding it, no rain fell] for it is written (verse 11): “on this day, all the springs were split.” The result is that the forty days ended on the twenty-eighth of Kislev, according to Rabbi Eliezer. For the months are counted according to their order, one full [composed of thirty days], and one defective [composed of twenty-nine days], leaving twelve days of Marcheshvan and twenty-eight of Kislev [totalling forty]. ארבעים יום וגו': אין יום ראשון מן המנין לפי שאין לילו עמו, שהרי כתיב ביום הזה נבקעו כל מעינות, נמצאו ארבעים יום כלים בכ"ח בכסליו, לרבי אליעזר שהחדשים נמנין כסדרן אחד מלא ואחד חסר, הרי שנים עשר ממרחשון ועשרים ושמונה מכסליו:
13On this very day, Noah came, and Shem and Ham and Japheth, Noah's sons, and Noah's wife and his sons' three wives with them, into the ark. יגבְּעֶ֨צֶם הַיּ֤וֹם הַזֶּה֙ בָּ֣א נֹ֔חַ וְשֵֽׁם־וְחָ֥ם וָיֶ֖פֶת בְּנֵי־נֹ֑חַ וְאֵ֣שֶׁת נֹ֗חַ וּשְׁל֧שֶׁת נְשֵֽׁי־בָנָ֛יו אִתָּ֖ם אֶל־הַתֵּבָֽה:
On this very day: Scripture teaches you that the people of his generation were saying, “If we see him going into the ark, we will break it and kill him.” Said the Holy One, blessed be He, “I will bring him in before the eyes of all, and we will see whose word will prevail!” - [Sifrei Ha’azinu 337] בעצם היום הזה: למדך הכתוב שהיו בני דורו אומרים אילו אנו רואים אותו נכנס לתיבה אנו שוברין אותה והורגין אותו, אמר הקב"ה אני מכניסו לעיני כלם ונראה דבר מי יקום:
14They, and every beast after its kind, and every domestic animal after its kind, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every fowl after its kind, every bird of every wing. ידהֵ֜מָּה וְכָל־הַֽחַיָּ֣ה לְמִינָ֗הּ וְכָל־הַבְּהֵמָה֙ לְמִינָ֔הּ וְכָל־הָרֶ֛מֶשׂ הָֽרֹמֵ֥שׂ עַל־הָאָ֖רֶץ לְמִינֵ֑הוּ וְכָל־הָע֣וֹף לְמִינֵ֔הוּ כֹּ֖ל צִפּ֥וֹר כָּל־כָּנָֽף:
bird of every wing: It [the word צִפּוֹר is in the construct state [meaning]:“birds of every type of wing,” to include locusts. (The word כָּנָף means feather, as (Lev. 1:17):“And he shall split it apart with its feathers (בִכְנָפָיו)” for even its feathers were included in the burnt offering. Here too, [the meaning is] any bird with any kind of appearance of feathers). [Chul. 139b] צפור כל כנף: דבוק הוא, צפור של כל מין כנף, לרבות חגבים (כנף לשון נוצה כמו (ויקרא א יז) ושסע אותו בכנפיו שאפילו נוצתה עולה, אף כאן צפור כל מין מראית נוצה):
15And they came to Noah to the ark, two by two of all flesh in which there is the spirit of life. טווַיָּבֹ֥אוּ אֶל־נֹ֖חַ אֶל־הַתֵּבָ֑ה שְׁנַ֤יִם שְׁנַ֨יִם֙ מִכָּל־הַבָּשָׂ֔ר אֲשֶׁר־בּ֖וֹ ר֥וּחַ חַיִּֽים:
16And those who came male and female of all flesh came, as God had commanded him, and the Lord shut him in. טזוְהַבָּאִ֗ים זָכָ֨ר וּנְקֵבָ֤ה מִכָּל־בָּשָׂר֙ בָּ֔אוּ כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה אֹת֖וֹ אֱלֹהִ֑ים וַיִּסְגֹּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה בַּֽעֲדֽוֹ:
and the Lord shut him in: He protected him (Targum Onkelos) that they should not break it; He surrounded the ark with bears and lions, and they killed some of them (Tan. Buber Noach 10). The simple meaning of the verse is that He closed [the ark] in front of him against the water. Likewise, every בְּעַד in Scripture is an expression of “in front of.” (Below 20:18): “in front of (בְּעַד) every womb”; (II Kings 4:4): “in front of you (בַּעֲדֵךְ) and in front of (וּבְעַד) your sons”; (Job 2:4): “skin in front of (בְּעַד) skin” ; (Ps. 3:4): “a shield in front of me (בַּעֲדִי)”; (I Sam. 12:19): “Pray בְּעַד your servants,” meaning “in front” [on behalf] of your servants. ויסגור ה' בעדו: הגין עליו שלא ישברוה, הקיף התיבה דובים ואריות והיו הורגים בהם. ופשוטו של מקרא סגר כנגדו מן המים וכן כל בעד שבמקרא לשון כנגד הוא (בראשית כ יח) בעד כל רחם, (מ"ב ד ד) בעדך ובעד בניך, (איוב ב ד) עור בעד עור, (תהלים ג ד) מגן בעדי, (ש"א יב יט) התפלל בעד עבדיך, כנגד עבדיך:
Daily Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 140 - 144
• Chapter 140
David composed this psalm against his slanderers, especially the chief conspirator Doeg. Anyone confronted by slanderers should recite this psalm.
1. For the Conductor, a psalm by David.
2. Rescue me from the evil man, protect me from the man of violence,
3. who devise evil schemes in their heart; every day they gather for wars.
4. They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; the spider's venom is forever under their lips.
5. Guard me, Lord, from the hands of the wicked, protect me from the man of violence-those who plot to cause my steps to slip.
6. Arrogant ones have hidden a snare for me, and ropes; they spread a net by my path, they set traps for me continually.
7. I said to the Lord, "You are my God!" Listen, O Lord, to the voice of my pleas.
8. God, my Lord, the strength of my deliverance, You sheltered my head on the day of armed battle.
9. Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked; fulfill not his scheme, make it unattainable forever.
10. As for the head of my besiegers, let the deceit of their own lips bury them.
11. Let burning coals fall upon them; let it cast them down into the fire, into deep pits, never to rise again.
12. Let not the slanderous man be established in the land; let the evil of the man of violence trap him until he is overthrown.
13. I know that the Lord will execute judgement for the poor, justice for the needy.
14. Indeed, the righteous will extol Your Name; the upright will dwell in Your presence.
Chapter 141
This psalm teaches an important lesson: One should pray for Divine assistance that his mouth not speak that which is not in his heart. The gatekeeper only allows the gate to be opened for a purpose; let it be the same with one's lips.
1. A psalm by David. O Lord, I have called You, hasten to me; listen to my voice when I call to You.
2. Let my prayer be set forth as incense before You, the raising of my hands as an afternoon offering.
3. O Lord, place a guard for my mouth, keep watch over the door of my lips.
4. Do not incline my heart to a bad thing-to perform deeds in wickedness, with men, doers of evil; let me not partake of their delicacies.
5. Let the righteous one strike me with kindness and let him rebuke me; like the finest oil, let my head not refuse it. For as long [as I live], my prayer is [to preserve me] from their harm.
6. For their judges have slipped because of their [hearts of] rock, though they heard my words and they were pleasant.
7. As one who chops and splinters [wood] on the ground, so have our bones been scattered to the mouth of the grave.
8. For to You, God, my Lord, are my eyes; in You I take shelter; do not pour out my soul.
9. Protect me from the hands of the snare they laid for me, and from the traps of the evildoers.
10. Let the wicked fall into their own nets together, until I pass over.
Chapter 142
David composed this psalm while hiding from Saul in a cave, at which time he had cut off the corner of Saul's garment (to prove that he was able to kill him but did not wish to do so). He declared, "Where can I turn, and where can I run? All I have is to cry out to You!"
1. A maskil1 by David, when he was in the cave, a prayer.
2. With my voice I will cry out to the Lord; with my voice I will call to the Lord in supplication.
3. I will pour out my plea before Him; I will declare my distress in His presence.
4. When my spirit is faint within me, You know my path. In the way in which I walk, they have hidden a snare for me.
5. Look to my right and see, there is none that will know me; every escape is lost to me. No man cares for my soul.
6. I cried out to You, O Lord; I said, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”
7. Listen to my song of prayer, for I have been brought very low. Deliver me from my pursuers, for they are too mighty for me.
8. Release my soul from confinement, so that it may acknowledge Your Name. Because of me, the righteous will crown [You] when You will deal graciously with me.
FOOTNOTES
1.A psalm intended to enlighten and impart knowledge(Metzudot).
Chapter 143
1. A psalm by David. O Lord, hear my prayer, lend Your ear to my supplications. With Your faithfulness answer me, and with Your righteousness.
2. Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for no living being would be vindicated before You.
3. For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has set me down in dark places, like those who are eternally dead.
4. Then my spirit became faint within me; my heart was dismayed within me.
5. I remembered the days of old; I meditated on all Your deeds; I spoke of Your handiwork.
6. I spread out my hands to You; like a languishing land my soul yearns after You, Selah.
7. Answer me soon, O Lord, my spirit is spent; hide not Your face from me, lest I become like those who descend into the pit.
8. Let me hear Your kindness in the morning, for have I trusted in You. Let me know the way in which I should walk, for to You I have lifted my soul.
9. Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord. I have concealed [my troubles from all, save] You.
10. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. Let Your good spirit lead me in an even path.
11. For the sake of Your Name, O Lord, give me life; in Your righteousness, take my soul out of distress.
12. And in Your kindness, cut off my enemies and obliterate all those who oppress my soul, for I am Your servant.
Chapter 144
After triumphing in all his wars, David composed this psalm in praise of God.
1. By David. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock, Who trains my hands for battle and my fingers for war.
2. My source of kindness and my fortress, my high tower and my rescuer, my shield, in Whom I take refuge; it is He Who makes my people submit to me.
3. O Lord, what is man that You have recognized him; the son of a mortal, that You are mindful of him?
4. Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.
5. O Lord, incline Your heavens and descend; touch the mountains and they will become vapor.
6. Flash one bolt of lightning and You will scatter them; send out Your arrows and You will confound them.
7. Stretch forth Your hands from on high, rescue me and deliver me out of many waters, from the hand of strangers,
8. whose mouth speaks deceit and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
9. God, I will sing a new song to You, I will play to You upon a harp of ten strings.
10. He who gives victory to kings, He will rescue David, His servant, from the evil sword.
11. Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of strangers, whose mouth speaks deceit and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
12. For our sons are like plants, brought up to manliness in their youth; our daughters are like cornerstones, fashioned after the fashion of a palace.
13. Our storehouses are full, overflowing with all manner of food; our sheep increase by the thousands, growing by the tens of thousands in our open fields.
14. Our leaders bear the heaviest burden; there is none who break through, nor is there bad report, nor outcry in our streets.
15. Happy is the nation for whom this is so. Happy is that nation whose God is the Lord.
Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, middle of Epistle 25
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Monday, 29 Tishrei, 5777 · 31 October 2016
• Iggeret HaKodesh, middle of Epistle 25
• Genesis Chapter 7
1And the Lord said to Noah, "Come into the ark, you and all your household, for it is you that I have seen as a righteous man before Me in this generation. אוַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ לְנֹ֔חַ בֹּֽא־אַתָּ֥ה וְכָל־בֵּֽיתְךָ֖ אֶל־הַתֵּבָ֑ה כִּי־אֹֽתְךָ֥ רָאִ֛יתִי צַדִּ֥יק לְפָנַ֖י בַּדּ֥וֹר הַזֶּֽה:
for it is you that I have seen as a righteous man before Me: But it does not say: “a righteous man, perfect” [as it does in 6:9]. From here [we deduce] that we tell part of a person’s praise in his presence and all of it in his absence. — [Gen. Rabbah 32:3] כי אותך ראיתי צדיק: ולא נאמר צדיק תמים. מכאן שאומרים מקצת שבחו של אדם בפניו וכולו שלא בפניו:
2Of all the clean animals you shall take for yourself seven pairs, a male and its mate, and of the animals that are not clean, two, a male and its mate. במִכֹּ֣ל | הַבְּהֵמָ֣ה הַטְּהוֹרָ֗ה תִּקַּח־לְךָ֛ שִׁבְעָ֥ה שִׁבְעָ֖ה אִ֣ישׁ וְאִשְׁתּ֑וֹ וּמִן־הַבְּהֵמָ֡ה אֲ֠שֶׁ֠ר לֹ֣א טְהֹרָ֥ה הִ֛וא שְׁנַ֖יִם אִ֥ישׁ וְאִשְׁתּֽוֹ:
Of all the clean animals: that are destined to be clean for Israel. We learn [from here] that Noah studied the Torah. — [Zev. 116a] הטהורה: העתידה להיות טהורה לישראל, למדנו שלמד נח תורה:
seven pairs: in order that he might offer up some as a sacrifice upon leaving [the ark]. — [Tan. Vayakhel 6] שבעה שבעה: כדי שיקריב מהם קרבן בצאתו:
3Also, of the fowl of the heavens, seven pairs, male and female, to keep seed alive on the face of the earth. גגַּ֣ם מֵע֧וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֛יִם שִׁבְעָ֥ה שִׁבְעָ֖ה זָכָ֣ר וּנְקֵבָ֑ה לְחַיּ֥וֹת זֶ֖רַע עַל־פְּנֵ֥י כָל־הָאָֽרֶץ:
Also, of the fowl of the heavens, etc.: Scripture speaks of the clean [fowl], and we learn that which is not explicit from that which is explicit. [i.e., Just as in the case of the animals, seven pairs of clean ones were to be brought into the ark, so was it in the case of the fowl, that seven pairs of clean ones were to be brought in, while of the unclean species, only one pair was to be saved.] גם מעוף השמים וגו': בטהורים הכתוב מדבר. וילמד סתום מן המפורש:
4For in another seven days, I will make it rain upon the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will blot out all beings that I have made, off the face of the earth." דכִּי֩ לְיָמִ֨ים ע֜וֹד שִׁבְעָ֗ה אָֽנֹכִי֙ מַמְטִ֣יר עַל־הָאָ֔רֶץ אַרְבָּעִ֣ים י֔וֹם וְאַרְבָּעִ֖ים לָ֑יְלָה וּמָחִ֗יתִי אֶת־כָּל־הַיְקוּם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשִׂ֔יתִי מֵעַ֖ל פְּנֵ֥י הָֽאֲדָמָֽה:
For in another seven days: (Sanh. 108b) These are the seven days of mourning for the righteous Methuselah, for the Holy One, blessed be He, had consideration for his honor, and delayed the retribution. Go and calculate the years of Methuselah and you will find that they ended in the six-hundredth year of Noah’s life. כי לימים עוד שבעה: אלו שבעת ימי אבלו של מתושלח הצדיק שחס הקב"ה על כבודו ועכב את הפורענות. צא וחשוב שנותיו של מתושלח ותמצא שהם כלים בשנת שש מאות שנה לחיי נח:
For in another seven days: What is the meaning of “another” ? A [period of] time following a [period of] time; this [period] was added to the one hundred and twenty years. — [See Rashi 6:14] כי לימים עוד: מהו עוד, זמן אחר זמן, זה נוסף על מאה ועשרים שנה:
forty days: Corresponding to the [time required for the] formation of the fetus, for they sinned by burdening the One Who formed them, by fashioning the forms of mamzerim (children born of incestuous and forbidden unions). - [Gen. Rabbah 32:5] ארבעים יום: כנגד יצירת הולד שקלקלו להטריח ליוצרם לצור צורת ממזרים:
5And Noah did, according to all that the Lord had commanded him. הוַיַּ֖עַשׂ נֹ֑חַ כְּכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֖הוּ יְהֹוָֽה:
And Noah did: This refers to his entrance into the ark. ויעש נח: זה ביאתו לתיבה:
6And Noah was six hundred years old, and the flood came about, water upon the earth. ווְנֹ֕חַ בֶּן־שֵׁ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה וְהַמַּבּ֣וּל הָיָ֔ה מַ֖יִם עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ:
7And Noah went in and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives with him into the ark because of the flood waters. זוַיָּבֹ֣א נֹ֔חַ וּ֠בָנָ֠יו וְאִשְׁתּ֧וֹ וּנְשֵֽׁי־בָנָ֛יו אִתּ֖וֹ אֶל־הַתֵּבָ֑ה מִפְּנֵ֖י מֵ֥י הַמַּבּֽוּל:
And Noah…and his sons: The men separately and the women separately, because they were prohibited from engaging in marital relations since the world was steeped in pain. — [Tan. 11] נח ובניו: האנשים לבד והנשים לבד, לפי שנאסרו בתשמיש המטה, מפני שהעולם היה שרוי בצער:
because of the flood waters: Noah, too, was of those who had little faith, believing and not believing that the Flood would come, and he did not enter the ark until the waters forced him to do so. — [Gen. Rabbah 32:6] מפני מי המבול: אף נח מקטני אמנה היה, מאמין ואינו מאמין שיבא המבול ולא נכנס לתיבה עד שדחקוהו המים:
8Of the clean beasts and of the beasts that are not clean, and of the fowl, and all that creeps upon the earth. חמִן־הַבְּהֵמָה֙ הַטְּהוֹרָ֔ה וּמִ֨ן־הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֵינֶ֖נָּה טְהֹרָ֑ה וּמִ֨ן־הָע֔וֹף וְכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־רֹמֵ֖שׂ עַל־הָֽאֲדָמָֽה:
9Two by two they came to Noah to the ark, male and female, as God had commanded Noah. טשְׁנַ֨יִם שְׁנַ֜יִם בָּ֧אוּ אֶל־נֹ֛חַ אֶל־הַתֵּבָ֖ה זָכָ֣ר וּנְקֵבָ֑ה כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶת־נֹֽחַ:
they came to Noah: By themselves. — [Tan. Noach 12] באו אל נח: מאליהן:
two by two: They were all equal in this number; the smallest number was two. שנים שנים: כלם הושוו במנין זה, מן הפחות היו שנים:
10And it came to pass after the seven days, that the flood waters were upon the earth. יוַיְהִ֖י לְשִׁבְעַ֣ת הַיָּמִ֑ים וּמֵ֣י הַמַּבּ֔וּל הָי֖וּ עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ:
11In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on this day, all the springs of the great deep were split, and the windows of the heavens opened up. יאבִּשְׁנַ֨ת שֵֽׁשׁ־מֵא֤וֹת שָׁנָה֙ לְחַיֵּי־נֹ֔חַ בַּחֹ֨דֶשׁ֙ הַשֵּׁנִ֔י בְּשִׁבְעָֽה־עָשָׂ֥ר י֖וֹם לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֗ה נִבְקְעוּ֙ כָּל־מַעְיְנוֹת֙ תְּה֣וֹם רַבָּ֔ה וַֽאֲרֻבֹּ֥ת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם נִפְתָּֽחוּ:
in the second month: Rabbi Eliezer says: This refers to Marheshvan; Rabbi Joshua says: this refers to Iyar. — [Seder Olam Rabbah, ch. 4] בחדש השני: רבי אליעזר אומר זה מרחשון, רבי יהושע אומר זה אייר:
were split: to emit their waters. נבקעו: להוציא מימיהן:
the great deep: Measure for measure. They sinned with [Gen. 6:5]“the evil of man was great,” and they were punished with “the great deep.” - [Sanh. 108a] תהום רבה: מדה כנגד מדה, הם חטאו ברבה רעת האדם (בראשית ו ה) ולקו בתהום רבה:
12And the rain was upon the earth for forty days and forty nights. יבוַיְהִ֥י הַגֶּ֖שֶׁם עַל־הָאָ֑רֶץ אַרְבָּעִ֣ים י֔וֹם וְאַרְבָּעִ֖ים לָֽיְלָה:
And the rain was upon the earth: And further (verse 17) Scripture says: “Now the Flood was [upon the earth].” But when He brought them [the rains] down, He brought them down with mercy, so that if they would repent, they would be rains of blessing. When they did not repent, they became a flood. — [Midrash Hane’elam, Zohar Chadash 28a] ויהי הגשם על הארץ: ולהלן הוא אומר (פסוק יז) ויהי המבול, אלא כשהורידן, הורידן ברחמים שאם יחזרו יהיו גשמי ברכה, וכשלא חזרו היו למבול:
forty days, etc.: The first day does not count because its night was not included with it, [i.e., on the night preceding it, no rain fell] for it is written (verse 11): “on this day, all the springs were split.” The result is that the forty days ended on the twenty-eighth of Kislev, according to Rabbi Eliezer. For the months are counted according to their order, one full [composed of thirty days], and one defective [composed of twenty-nine days], leaving twelve days of Marcheshvan and twenty-eight of Kislev [totalling forty]. ארבעים יום וגו': אין יום ראשון מן המנין לפי שאין לילו עמו, שהרי כתיב ביום הזה נבקעו כל מעינות, נמצאו ארבעים יום כלים בכ"ח בכסליו, לרבי אליעזר שהחדשים נמנין כסדרן אחד מלא ואחד חסר, הרי שנים עשר ממרחשון ועשרים ושמונה מכסליו:
13On this very day, Noah came, and Shem and Ham and Japheth, Noah's sons, and Noah's wife and his sons' three wives with them, into the ark. יגבְּעֶ֨צֶם הַיּ֤וֹם הַזֶּה֙ בָּ֣א נֹ֔חַ וְשֵֽׁם־וְחָ֥ם וָיֶ֖פֶת בְּנֵי־נֹ֑חַ וְאֵ֣שֶׁת נֹ֗חַ וּשְׁל֧שֶׁת נְשֵֽׁי־בָנָ֛יו אִתָּ֖ם אֶל־הַתֵּבָֽה:
On this very day: Scripture teaches you that the people of his generation were saying, “If we see him going into the ark, we will break it and kill him.” Said the Holy One, blessed be He, “I will bring him in before the eyes of all, and we will see whose word will prevail!” - [Sifrei Ha’azinu 337] בעצם היום הזה: למדך הכתוב שהיו בני דורו אומרים אילו אנו רואים אותו נכנס לתיבה אנו שוברין אותה והורגין אותו, אמר הקב"ה אני מכניסו לעיני כלם ונראה דבר מי יקום:
14They, and every beast after its kind, and every domestic animal after its kind, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every fowl after its kind, every bird of every wing. ידהֵ֜מָּה וְכָל־הַֽחַיָּ֣ה לְמִינָ֗הּ וְכָל־הַבְּהֵמָה֙ לְמִינָ֔הּ וְכָל־הָרֶ֛מֶשׂ הָֽרֹמֵ֥שׂ עַל־הָאָ֖רֶץ לְמִינֵ֑הוּ וְכָל־הָע֣וֹף לְמִינֵ֔הוּ כֹּ֖ל צִפּ֥וֹר כָּל־כָּנָֽף:
bird of every wing: It [the word צִפּוֹר is in the construct state [meaning]:“birds of every type of wing,” to include locusts. (The word כָּנָף means feather, as (Lev. 1:17):“And he shall split it apart with its feathers (בִכְנָפָיו)” for even its feathers were included in the burnt offering. Here too, [the meaning is] any bird with any kind of appearance of feathers). [Chul. 139b] צפור כל כנף: דבוק הוא, צפור של כל מין כנף, לרבות חגבים (כנף לשון נוצה כמו (ויקרא א יז) ושסע אותו בכנפיו שאפילו נוצתה עולה, אף כאן צפור כל מין מראית נוצה):
15And they came to Noah to the ark, two by two of all flesh in which there is the spirit of life. טווַיָּבֹ֥אוּ אֶל־נֹ֖חַ אֶל־הַתֵּבָ֑ה שְׁנַ֤יִם שְׁנַ֨יִם֙ מִכָּל־הַבָּשָׂ֔ר אֲשֶׁר־בּ֖וֹ ר֥וּחַ חַיִּֽים:
16And those who came male and female of all flesh came, as God had commanded him, and the Lord shut him in. טזוְהַבָּאִ֗ים זָכָ֨ר וּנְקֵבָ֤ה מִכָּל־בָּשָׂר֙ בָּ֔אוּ כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה אֹת֖וֹ אֱלֹהִ֑ים וַיִּסְגֹּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה בַּֽעֲדֽוֹ:
and the Lord shut him in: He protected him (Targum Onkelos) that they should not break it; He surrounded the ark with bears and lions, and they killed some of them (Tan. Buber Noach 10). The simple meaning of the verse is that He closed [the ark] in front of him against the water. Likewise, every בְּעַד in Scripture is an expression of “in front of.” (Below 20:18): “in front of (בְּעַד) every womb”; (II Kings 4:4): “in front of you (בַּעֲדֵךְ) and in front of (וּבְעַד) your sons”; (Job 2:4): “skin in front of (בְּעַד) skin” ; (Ps. 3:4): “a shield in front of me (בַּעֲדִי)”; (I Sam. 12:19): “Pray בְּעַד your servants,” meaning “in front” [on behalf] of your servants. ויסגור ה' בעדו: הגין עליו שלא ישברוה, הקיף התיבה דובים ואריות והיו הורגים בהם. ופשוטו של מקרא סגר כנגדו מן המים וכן כל בעד שבמקרא לשון כנגד הוא (בראשית כ יח) בעד כל רחם, (מ"ב ד ד) בעדך ובעד בניך, (איוב ב ד) עור בעד עור, (תהלים ג ד) מגן בעדי, (ש"א יב יט) התפלל בעד עבדיך, כנגד עבדיך:
Daily Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 140 - 144
• Chapter 140
David composed this psalm against his slanderers, especially the chief conspirator Doeg. Anyone confronted by slanderers should recite this psalm.
1. For the Conductor, a psalm by David.
2. Rescue me from the evil man, protect me from the man of violence,
3. who devise evil schemes in their heart; every day they gather for wars.
4. They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; the spider's venom is forever under their lips.
5. Guard me, Lord, from the hands of the wicked, protect me from the man of violence-those who plot to cause my steps to slip.
6. Arrogant ones have hidden a snare for me, and ropes; they spread a net by my path, they set traps for me continually.
7. I said to the Lord, "You are my God!" Listen, O Lord, to the voice of my pleas.
8. God, my Lord, the strength of my deliverance, You sheltered my head on the day of armed battle.
9. Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked; fulfill not his scheme, make it unattainable forever.
10. As for the head of my besiegers, let the deceit of their own lips bury them.
11. Let burning coals fall upon them; let it cast them down into the fire, into deep pits, never to rise again.
12. Let not the slanderous man be established in the land; let the evil of the man of violence trap him until he is overthrown.
13. I know that the Lord will execute judgement for the poor, justice for the needy.
14. Indeed, the righteous will extol Your Name; the upright will dwell in Your presence.
Chapter 141
This psalm teaches an important lesson: One should pray for Divine assistance that his mouth not speak that which is not in his heart. The gatekeeper only allows the gate to be opened for a purpose; let it be the same with one's lips.
1. A psalm by David. O Lord, I have called You, hasten to me; listen to my voice when I call to You.
2. Let my prayer be set forth as incense before You, the raising of my hands as an afternoon offering.
3. O Lord, place a guard for my mouth, keep watch over the door of my lips.
4. Do not incline my heart to a bad thing-to perform deeds in wickedness, with men, doers of evil; let me not partake of their delicacies.
5. Let the righteous one strike me with kindness and let him rebuke me; like the finest oil, let my head not refuse it. For as long [as I live], my prayer is [to preserve me] from their harm.
6. For their judges have slipped because of their [hearts of] rock, though they heard my words and they were pleasant.
7. As one who chops and splinters [wood] on the ground, so have our bones been scattered to the mouth of the grave.
8. For to You, God, my Lord, are my eyes; in You I take shelter; do not pour out my soul.
9. Protect me from the hands of the snare they laid for me, and from the traps of the evildoers.
10. Let the wicked fall into their own nets together, until I pass over.
Chapter 142
David composed this psalm while hiding from Saul in a cave, at which time he had cut off the corner of Saul's garment (to prove that he was able to kill him but did not wish to do so). He declared, "Where can I turn, and where can I run? All I have is to cry out to You!"
1. A maskil1 by David, when he was in the cave, a prayer.
2. With my voice I will cry out to the Lord; with my voice I will call to the Lord in supplication.
3. I will pour out my plea before Him; I will declare my distress in His presence.
4. When my spirit is faint within me, You know my path. In the way in which I walk, they have hidden a snare for me.
5. Look to my right and see, there is none that will know me; every escape is lost to me. No man cares for my soul.
6. I cried out to You, O Lord; I said, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”
7. Listen to my song of prayer, for I have been brought very low. Deliver me from my pursuers, for they are too mighty for me.
8. Release my soul from confinement, so that it may acknowledge Your Name. Because of me, the righteous will crown [You] when You will deal graciously with me.
FOOTNOTES
1.A psalm intended to enlighten and impart knowledge(Metzudot).
Chapter 143
1. A psalm by David. O Lord, hear my prayer, lend Your ear to my supplications. With Your faithfulness answer me, and with Your righteousness.
2. Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for no living being would be vindicated before You.
3. For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has set me down in dark places, like those who are eternally dead.
4. Then my spirit became faint within me; my heart was dismayed within me.
5. I remembered the days of old; I meditated on all Your deeds; I spoke of Your handiwork.
6. I spread out my hands to You; like a languishing land my soul yearns after You, Selah.
7. Answer me soon, O Lord, my spirit is spent; hide not Your face from me, lest I become like those who descend into the pit.
8. Let me hear Your kindness in the morning, for have I trusted in You. Let me know the way in which I should walk, for to You I have lifted my soul.
9. Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord. I have concealed [my troubles from all, save] You.
10. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. Let Your good spirit lead me in an even path.
11. For the sake of Your Name, O Lord, give me life; in Your righteousness, take my soul out of distress.
12. And in Your kindness, cut off my enemies and obliterate all those who oppress my soul, for I am Your servant.
Chapter 144
After triumphing in all his wars, David composed this psalm in praise of God.
1. By David. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock, Who trains my hands for battle and my fingers for war.
2. My source of kindness and my fortress, my high tower and my rescuer, my shield, in Whom I take refuge; it is He Who makes my people submit to me.
3. O Lord, what is man that You have recognized him; the son of a mortal, that You are mindful of him?
4. Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.
5. O Lord, incline Your heavens and descend; touch the mountains and they will become vapor.
6. Flash one bolt of lightning and You will scatter them; send out Your arrows and You will confound them.
7. Stretch forth Your hands from on high, rescue me and deliver me out of many waters, from the hand of strangers,
8. whose mouth speaks deceit and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
9. God, I will sing a new song to You, I will play to You upon a harp of ten strings.
10. He who gives victory to kings, He will rescue David, His servant, from the evil sword.
11. Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of strangers, whose mouth speaks deceit and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
12. For our sons are like plants, brought up to manliness in their youth; our daughters are like cornerstones, fashioned after the fashion of a palace.
13. Our storehouses are full, overflowing with all manner of food; our sheep increase by the thousands, growing by the tens of thousands in our open fields.
14. Our leaders bear the heaviest burden; there is none who break through, nor is there bad report, nor outcry in our streets.
15. Happy is the nation for whom this is so. Happy is that nation whose God is the Lord.
Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, middle of Epistle 25
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Monday, 29 Tishrei, 5777 · 31 October 2016
• Iggeret HaKodesh, middle of Epistle 25
• והנה, אף כי ה׳ אחד ושמו אחד
• Rambam: Sefer Hamitzvos:
Now, though1 “G‑d is one and His Name is one,”
דהיינו: דבורו ורוח פיו, המכונה הזהר הקדוש בשם שמו, הוא יחיד ומיוחד
i.e., [though] His speech and the “breath of His mouth,” which in the sacred Zohar2 is referred to as His Name, is singularly and uniquely one,
אף על פי כן ההארה והמשכת החיות הנמשכת מרוח פיו יתברך, מתחלקת לארבע מדרגות שונות, שהן ארבעה עולמות: אצילות, בריאה, יצירה, עשיה
nevertheless, the radiation and efflux of life-force which issues forth from His mouth, divides into four different levels. These are the Four Worlds — Atzilut, Beriah, Yetzirah and Asiyah.3
והשינוי הוא מחמת צמצומים ומסכים רבים
The difference is due to (4many) contractions and screens
לצמצם האור והחיות ולהסתירו, שלא יהא מאיר כל כך בעולם הבריאה כמו בעולם האצילות
that veil and obscure the light and the life-force, so that it will not radiate in the World of Beriah as much as in the World of Atzilut;
ובעולם היצירה הוא על ידי צמצומים ומסכים יותר וכו׳
and in the World of Yetzirah [the opaqueness is thickened] by means of further contractions and screens; and so on, i.e., how much more so in the World of Asiyah.
אבל אין שום שינוי, חס ושלום, בעצמות השכינה, שהיא דבר ה׳ ורוח פיו
Nevertheless, there is no change whatever, heaven forfend, in the essence of the Shechinah, which is the “word of G‑d” and the “breath of His mouth.”
וגם בבחינת ההארה והמשכת החיות
Also, as regards the radiation and efflux of life-force that issues from the “word of G‑d,”
הנה ההארה שבאצילות בוקעת המסך, ומתלבשת בבריאה, וכן מבריאה ליצירה, ומיצירה לעשיה
the radiation which is in [the World of] Atzilut pierces the screen and vests itself in [the World of] Beriah. Likewise from [the World of] Beriah to [the World of] Yetzirah, and from [the World of] Yetzirah to [the World of] Asiyah.
ולכן אור אין סוף ברוך הוא שבאצילות, הוא גם כן בעשיה, ובעולם הזה החומרי
Hence the [infinite] Ein Sof-light which is in [the World of] Atzilut is also present in [the World of] Asiyah, and [even] in this material world,
על ידי התלבשותו במלכות דבריאה, יצירה, עשיה, כמבואר הכל בכתבי האריז״ל
by being invested in the [Sefirah of] Malchut of [the Worlds of] Beriah, Yetzirah and Asiyah, as fully explained in the writings of R. Isaac Luria, of blessed memory.5
* * *
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. | Zechariah 14:9. |
| 2. | See Tikkunei Zohar, Tikkun XXII (66b). |
| 3. | In the original, the names of the Four Worlds (in descending order) are often telescoped into the acronym אבי״ע, pronounced ABiYA. |
| 4. | Parentheses are in the original text. |
| 5. | See Etz Chayim, Shaar 42, sec. 4; et al. |
• Monday, 29 Tishrei, 5777 · 31 October 2016
• Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
• Positive Commandment 207
Loving a Convert
"Love the convert"—Deuteronomy 10:19.
Although we are commanded to love every Jew – a commandment that certainly includes the convert – the Torah added a special mitzvah to love an individual who has taken the pain and effort to embrace and adopt the true belief.
Full text of this Mitzvah »• Loving a Convert
Positive Commandment 207
Translated by Berel Bell
The 207th mitzvah is that we are commanded to love converts.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement (exalted be He),1 "You must love the convert."
Since the convert spoken of here is a ger tzedek,2 he is included in the commandment for the entire Jewish people,3 "You must love your neighbor." Nevertheless, since he has now4 entered the Jewish religion, G‑d shows him additional love and added an extra commandment [to love him].
This is similar to the prohibition of mistreating5 him, where in addition to the prohibition6 [regarding all Jews], "You shall not mistreat one another," G‑d also said,7 "Do not mistreat a convert." The Gemara8 explains that one who mistreats a convert transgresses both, "You shall not mistreat one another," and, "Do not mistreat a convert."
We are similarly commanded to love him, [both] by the commandment,9 "You must love your neighbor as [you love] yourself," and the commandment,10 "You must love the convert."
This is obvious and not hidden, and I am not aware of anyone among those who have compiled the list of commandments who has failed to realize this.
In many Midrashim11 is it explained that G‑d has commanded us regarding the convert, as He has commanded us regarding Himself (exalted be He). This [is evident] from the verse,12 "Love G‑d your Lord," and the verse,13 "You must love the convert."
FOOTNOTES
1.Deut. 10:19.
2.A righteous convert, who has fully converted to become a Jew, unlike a ger toshav, who has not. See Hilchos Isurei Biah 14:6.
3.Lev.19:18.
4.See Kapach, note 64.
5.Specifically, verbally causing him pain. See N251, N252
6.Lev.25:17. N251
7.Ex. 22:20. N252
8.Bava Metzia 59b.
9.Lev.19:18. P206
10.Deut. 10:19
11.See Kapach, note 69, that he is in doubt as to the Rambam's source.
12.Deut. 6:5.
13.Deut. 10:19.
• Negative Commandment 302
Harboring Hate
"You shall not hate your brother in your heart"—Leviticus 19:17.
We are forbidden to harbor hate for a fellow Jew in our heart. Instead, if someone has wronged you, confront him and tell him that you've been hurt, and demand an explanation and/or an apology.
Full text of this Mitzvah »• Harboring Hate
Negative Commandment 302
Translated by Berel Bell
The 302nd prohibition is that we are forbidden from hating one another.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement,1 "Do not hate your brother in your heart." In the words of the Sifra, "I have only spoken [in this verse] about hatred, which is in the heart. But if you reveal to him this hatred and he realizes that you hate him, you do not transgress this prohibition.2 But you do transgress the prohibitions,3 'Do not take revenge nor bear a grudge,' and a positive commandment, namely,4 'You must love your neighbor as [you love] yourself.'" However, the sin of hatred in one's heart is most serious of them all.
FOOTNOTES
1.Lev.19:17.
2.The expression, "this prohibition," proves that it counts as one of the 613 commandments.
3.Lev.19:18. N304, N305.
4.Lev. Ibid. P206.
• Positive Commandment 205
Rebuking
"You shall certainly rebuke your neighbor"—Leviticus 19:17.
We are commanded to verbally rebuke a fellow Jew who has sinned, and to rebuke and attempt to prevent an individual who is about to sin. This commandment applies to everyone, even if the one who has sinned (or is about to sin) is a great individual. To say, "I shall not sin; what another does is G‑d's concern," is contrary to the Torah's viewpoint. And if the first rebuke has not accomplished its goal, we must do so again and again. We must be careful, however, to rebuke in a pleasant manner—not to embarrass our fellow, G‑d forbid.
Included in this commandment is the obligation to rebuke someone who has wronged you, as opposed to silently harboring a grudge against that individual.
Full text of this Mitzvah »• Rebuking
Positive Commandment 205
Translated by Berel Bell
The 205th mitzvah is that we are commanded to admonish a person who is performing a transgression or who is preparing to do so. One must verbally warn him and admonish him. We are not allowed to say, "I will not sin; and if someone else sins, that is between him and G‑d." This [attitude] is contrary to Torah. Rather, we are commanded not to transgress, nor to allow another Jew to transgress. If a person is preparing to transgress, each individual is commanded to admonish him and to prevent him [from transgressing], even if there has not been testimony which would be sufficient for him to be punished.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement (exalted be He),1 "You must admonish your neighbor."
Also included in this commandment is that we should complain to a person who has done wrong to us. We should not bear a grudge and consider him to be a sinner. Rather, we are commanded to verbally complain to him in order that nothing should remain in our heart [against him].
In the words of the Sifra, "What is the source of the law that even if you admonish someone four or five times that you should continue to admonish him? From the phrase, 'hochei'ach to'chiach.'2 One might think that one could admonish him to the point that his facial features change3 — the verse therefore continues,4 "And not bear sin because of him."
Our Sages5 explained that this commandment is incumbent on every individual; even a person on a low level to someone on a higher level.6 Even if one is cursed or insulted he should not desist, nor stop admonishing unless he is struck physically, as explained by our Sages from the Oral Torah,7 "[One must reprimand] until one receives physical blows."
This mitzvah has conditions and laws which are explained in various places in the Talmud.
Positive Commandment 206
FOOTNOTES
1.Lev. 19:17.
2.The doubled expression for admonishment teaches us that one is commanded to admonish even many times.
3.I.e. to admonish him in the presence of other people, thereby causing him embarrassment See N303, below.
4.Lev. 19:17.
5.Bava Metzia 31a.
6.Compare with Tanya, chapter 32.
7.Arachin 16b.
• Negative Commandment 303
Shaming
"And don't bear sin because of him"—Leviticus 19:17.
It is forbidden to shame or embarrass one another. We derive this from the verse: "You shall certainly rebuke your neighbor, and don't bear sin because of him." Even when we rebuke a fellow for a sin he has done, which itself is a Torah command, we must be careful not to embarrass the individual—lest we "bear sin because of him."
Full text of this Mitzvah »
• Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
• Positive Commandment 207
Loving a Convert
"Love the convert"—Deuteronomy 10:19.
Although we are commanded to love every Jew – a commandment that certainly includes the convert – the Torah added a special mitzvah to love an individual who has taken the pain and effort to embrace and adopt the true belief.
Full text of this Mitzvah »• Loving a Convert
Positive Commandment 207
Translated by Berel Bell
The 207th mitzvah is that we are commanded to love converts.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement (exalted be He),1 "You must love the convert."
Since the convert spoken of here is a ger tzedek,2 he is included in the commandment for the entire Jewish people,3 "You must love your neighbor." Nevertheless, since he has now4 entered the Jewish religion, G‑d shows him additional love and added an extra commandment [to love him].
This is similar to the prohibition of mistreating5 him, where in addition to the prohibition6 [regarding all Jews], "You shall not mistreat one another," G‑d also said,7 "Do not mistreat a convert." The Gemara8 explains that one who mistreats a convert transgresses both, "You shall not mistreat one another," and, "Do not mistreat a convert."
We are similarly commanded to love him, [both] by the commandment,9 "You must love your neighbor as [you love] yourself," and the commandment,10 "You must love the convert."
This is obvious and not hidden, and I am not aware of anyone among those who have compiled the list of commandments who has failed to realize this.
In many Midrashim11 is it explained that G‑d has commanded us regarding the convert, as He has commanded us regarding Himself (exalted be He). This [is evident] from the verse,12 "Love G‑d your Lord," and the verse,13 "You must love the convert."
FOOTNOTES
1.Deut. 10:19.
2.A righteous convert, who has fully converted to become a Jew, unlike a ger toshav, who has not. See Hilchos Isurei Biah 14:6.
3.Lev.19:18.
4.See Kapach, note 64.
5.Specifically, verbally causing him pain. See N251, N252
6.Lev.25:17. N251
7.Ex. 22:20. N252
8.Bava Metzia 59b.
9.Lev.19:18. P206
10.Deut. 10:19
11.See Kapach, note 69, that he is in doubt as to the Rambam's source.
12.Deut. 6:5.
13.Deut. 10:19.
• Negative Commandment 302
Harboring Hate
"You shall not hate your brother in your heart"—Leviticus 19:17.
We are forbidden to harbor hate for a fellow Jew in our heart. Instead, if someone has wronged you, confront him and tell him that you've been hurt, and demand an explanation and/or an apology.
Full text of this Mitzvah »• Harboring Hate
Negative Commandment 302
Translated by Berel Bell
The 302nd prohibition is that we are forbidden from hating one another.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement,1 "Do not hate your brother in your heart." In the words of the Sifra, "I have only spoken [in this verse] about hatred, which is in the heart. But if you reveal to him this hatred and he realizes that you hate him, you do not transgress this prohibition.2 But you do transgress the prohibitions,3 'Do not take revenge nor bear a grudge,' and a positive commandment, namely,4 'You must love your neighbor as [you love] yourself.'" However, the sin of hatred in one's heart is most serious of them all.
FOOTNOTES
1.Lev.19:17.
2.The expression, "this prohibition," proves that it counts as one of the 613 commandments.
3.Lev.19:18. N304, N305.
4.Lev. Ibid. P206.
• Positive Commandment 205
Rebuking
"You shall certainly rebuke your neighbor"—Leviticus 19:17.
We are commanded to verbally rebuke a fellow Jew who has sinned, and to rebuke and attempt to prevent an individual who is about to sin. This commandment applies to everyone, even if the one who has sinned (or is about to sin) is a great individual. To say, "I shall not sin; what another does is G‑d's concern," is contrary to the Torah's viewpoint. And if the first rebuke has not accomplished its goal, we must do so again and again. We must be careful, however, to rebuke in a pleasant manner—not to embarrass our fellow, G‑d forbid.
Included in this commandment is the obligation to rebuke someone who has wronged you, as opposed to silently harboring a grudge against that individual.
Full text of this Mitzvah »• Rebuking
Positive Commandment 205
Translated by Berel Bell
The 205th mitzvah is that we are commanded to admonish a person who is performing a transgression or who is preparing to do so. One must verbally warn him and admonish him. We are not allowed to say, "I will not sin; and if someone else sins, that is between him and G‑d." This [attitude] is contrary to Torah. Rather, we are commanded not to transgress, nor to allow another Jew to transgress. If a person is preparing to transgress, each individual is commanded to admonish him and to prevent him [from transgressing], even if there has not been testimony which would be sufficient for him to be punished.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement (exalted be He),1 "You must admonish your neighbor."
Also included in this commandment is that we should complain to a person who has done wrong to us. We should not bear a grudge and consider him to be a sinner. Rather, we are commanded to verbally complain to him in order that nothing should remain in our heart [against him].
In the words of the Sifra, "What is the source of the law that even if you admonish someone four or five times that you should continue to admonish him? From the phrase, 'hochei'ach to'chiach.'2 One might think that one could admonish him to the point that his facial features change3 — the verse therefore continues,4 "And not bear sin because of him."
Our Sages5 explained that this commandment is incumbent on every individual; even a person on a low level to someone on a higher level.6 Even if one is cursed or insulted he should not desist, nor stop admonishing unless he is struck physically, as explained by our Sages from the Oral Torah,7 "[One must reprimand] until one receives physical blows."
This mitzvah has conditions and laws which are explained in various places in the Talmud.
Positive Commandment 206
FOOTNOTES
1.Lev. 19:17.
2.The doubled expression for admonishment teaches us that one is commanded to admonish even many times.
3.I.e. to admonish him in the presence of other people, thereby causing him embarrassment See N303, below.
4.Lev. 19:17.
5.Bava Metzia 31a.
6.Compare with Tanya, chapter 32.
7.Arachin 16b.
• Negative Commandment 303
Shaming
"And don't bear sin because of him"—Leviticus 19:17.
It is forbidden to shame or embarrass one another. We derive this from the verse: "You shall certainly rebuke your neighbor, and don't bear sin because of him." Even when we rebuke a fellow for a sin he has done, which itself is a Torah command, we must be careful not to embarrass the individual—lest we "bear sin because of him."
Full text of this Mitzvah »
• Shaming
Negative Commandment 303
Translated by Berel Bell
The 303rd prohibition is that we are forbidden from embarrassing one another. This transgression is the one referred to as, "publicly humiliating one's fellowman."
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement,1 "You must admonish your neighbor and not bear sin because of him."
In the words of the Sifra, "From where do we learn that even if you admonish someone four or five times that you should continue to admonish him? From the phrase, 'hochei'ach to'chiach.'2 One might think that one could admonish him to the point that his facial features change3 — the verse therefore continues,4 'And not bear sin because of him.'"
The simple meaning of the verse, however, is to warn that you should not think of him about the sin in your heart and [continue to] remember it.
FOOTNOTES
1.Lev.19:17.
2.The doubled expression for admonishment teaches us that one is commanded to admonish even many times.
3.I.e. to admonish him in the presence of other people, thereby causing him embarrassment .
4.Lev. 19:17.
• Rambam - 1 Chapter: Kelim Kelim - Chapter 2
Negative Commandment 303
Translated by Berel Bell
The 303rd prohibition is that we are forbidden from embarrassing one another. This transgression is the one referred to as, "publicly humiliating one's fellowman."
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement,1 "You must admonish your neighbor and not bear sin because of him."
In the words of the Sifra, "From where do we learn that even if you admonish someone four or five times that you should continue to admonish him? From the phrase, 'hochei'ach to'chiach.'2 One might think that one could admonish him to the point that his facial features change3 — the verse therefore continues,4 'And not bear sin because of him.'"
The simple meaning of the verse, however, is to warn that you should not think of him about the sin in your heart and [continue to] remember it.
FOOTNOTES
1.Lev.19:17.
2.The doubled expression for admonishment teaches us that one is commanded to admonish even many times.
3.I.e. to admonish him in the presence of other people, thereby causing him embarrassment .
4.Lev. 19:17.
• Rambam - 1 Chapter: Kelim Kelim - Chapter 2
• Kelim - Chapter 2
1
Whenever a person makes a receptacle, it is susceptible to impurity according to Scriptural Law regardless of its size. There is no minimum measure for a receptacle, provided it is made from a lasting substance that will be maintained.
What is implied? When a person makes a utensil from a hide that was not processed at all, from paper, even though the paper itself is not susceptible to impurity, or from the shells of pomegranates, nuts, or acorns, even if children hollowed out the shells to measure earth or they were prepared to be used for scales, the utensils are susceptible to ritual impurity. The rationale is that the deeds of a child, a deafmute, a mentally or emotionally compromised person and a minor are halachically significant, although their intent is not halachically significant.
If, however, one makes a utensil from a dried turnip, esrog, or squash, hollowing them out to measure with them or the like, they are pure, for it is impossible that they will last longer than a short while.
א
העושה כלי קיבול מ"מ הרי זה מקבל טומאה בכל שהוא מן התורה ואין לכלי קיבול שיעור והוא שיעשה דבר של קיימא שאפשר שיעמוד כיצד העושה כלי מן העור המצה שלא נתעבר כלל או מן הנייר אע"פ שאין הנייר מקבל טומאה או מקליפת הרימון והאגוז והאלון אפילו חקקום התינוקות למוד בהן את העפר או שהתקינום לכף מאזנים הרי אלו מקבלין טומאה שתינוק חרש שוטה וקטן יש להן מעשה אף על פי שאין להן מחשבה אבל העושה כלים מן הלפת והאתרוג והדלעת היבשים שחקקן למוד בהן וכל כיוצא בהן הרי הן טהורין לפי שא"א שיעמדו אלא זמן מועט:
2
All of the following - the horizontal rod of a scale and a leveling rod that have a receptacle where metal can be place, a peddler's pole that has a receptacle where coins can be stored, a wooden pole that has a place where water is stored, a staff that has a receptacle for a mezuzah or a place for a pearl, a wooden sharpener that has a receptacle for oil, a wooden writing tablet that has a receptacle for wax - are susceptible to ritual impurity according to Scriptural Law, because they have a receptacle, even though it may be of the smallest size.
According to Scriptural Law, it is only the receptacle that these keilim contain and the part of the k'li that serves the receptacle and that the receptacle requires that is susceptible to impurity. The remainder of a flat k'li that is not necessary for the receptacle, is pure according to Scriptural Law. It is susceptible to impurity according to Rabbinic Law, as we explained.
ב
קנה מאזנים והמחק שיש בהן בית קיבול מתכת והאסל שיש בו בית קיבול מעות וקנה של עץ שיש בו בית קיבול מים ומקל שיש בו בית קיבול מזוזה או מקום מרגלית ומשחזת של עץ שיש בו בית קיבול שמן ולוח פנקס שיש בו בית קיבול שעוה כל אלו וכיוצא בהן אע"פ שהן פשוטי כלי עץ הואיל ויש בהן בית קיבול כל שהוא מקבלין טומאה דין תורה ואין טמא מן התורה אלא בית קיבול לבדו שיש בהן והמשמש את בית הקיבול משאר הכלי שבית הקיבול צריך לו אבל היתר על הצורך משאר הכלי הפשוט טהור מן התורה וטמא מדבריהן כמו שביארנו:
3
When a receptacle is intended to be filled, it is not considered as a receptacle. What is implied? When a receptacle is hollowed out from a block of wood and then a metal anvil is inserted into it, if it is a blacksmith's, it is not susceptible to ritual impurity. Although it has a receptacle, it was made to be filled. Similar laws apply in all analogous situations.
If the anvil was for jewelers, the k'li is susceptible to ritual impurity, because whenever they desire, they lift up the iron and collect the filings of gold and silver that collect there, under the anvil. Thus the hollow is meant to serve as a receptacle. Similar laws apply in all analogous situations.
ג
בית קיבול העשוי למלאותו אינו בית קיבול כיצד בקעת של עץ שחוקקין בה בית קיבול ותוקעין בו הסדן של ברזל אם של נפחים היא אינה מקבלת טומאה שאף על פי שיש בה בית קיבול לא נעשה אלא למלאותו וכן כל כיוצא בזה ואם היתה של צורפין הרי זו מקבלת טומאה מפני שהן מגביהין את הברזל בכל עת שירצה ומקבצין את שפות הזהב והכסף המתקבצת שם תחת הסדן והרי נעשה לקבלה וכן כל כיוצא בו:
4
When a cup is carved below the legs of beds, chests, and the like, even though it is a receptacle, it is pure. It is considered as if it does not have a receptacle, because it is not intended to collect anything, but rather to support furniture.
A hollow piece of straw is susceptible to impurity like any wooden k'li that is susceptible to impurity even if it can only take in one drop. A hollow reed is not susceptible to impurity until all the white sap in it is removed. If it was not cut for the sake of taking in other substances, it is considered like other flat wooden keilim. The hollow stems of gall and the like are not considered as keilim, but rather as foods.
ד
הכף החקוק שתחת רגלי המטות והמגדלות וכיוצא בהן אע"פ שהוא מקבל טהור ואין בו משום כלי קיבול לפי שאינו עשוי לקיבול אלא לסמוך בו בלבד שפופרת הקש מקבלת טומאה ככל כלי העץ שמקבלין טומאה אפילו אינה יכולה לקבל אלא טיפה אחת ושפופרת הקנה שחתכה לקבלה אינה מקבלת טומאה עד שיוציא את כל הלבן שבתוכה ואם לא נחתכה לקבלה הרי היא כפשוטי כלי עץ אבל שפופרת של פקועות וכיוצא בהן אינן כלים אלא כאוכלין הן חשובין:
5
When one cuts a straw, inserted a mezuzah inside of it, and then placed it inside a wall, it is susceptible to impurity even if he placed it in the wall with its open part pointed downward. If he affixed it to the wall, affixing it with its open part pointed upward, it is susceptible to impurity. If the open part is pointed downward, it is pure.
Should one place the straw in the wall and then insert the mezuzahinside, if the open part was pointing upward, it is susceptible to impurity. If the open part is pointing downward, it is pure. If he affixed it to the wall, even if its open part is pointing upward, it is pure.
ה
שפופרת שחתכה ונתן בה את המזוזה ואחר כך נתנה בכותל אפילו נהיה שלא כדרך קבלתה מקבלת טומאה קבעה בכותל אם קבעה כדרך קבלתה הרי זו מקבלת טומאה שלא כדרך קבלתה טהורה נתן השפופרת בכותל ואח"כ נתן בה המזוזה אם היתה כדרך קבלתה הרי זו מקבלת טומאה שלא כדרך קבלתה טהורה קבעה בכותל אפילו כדרך קבלתה טהורה:
6
The following laws apply to a k'li that is made by weaving pieces of wood or sh'am for the purpose of spreading clothes over it while incense is burned below it so that they become fragrant. If it was made like a beehive that has no base, it is pure. if it has an opening where a covering can be placed, it is susceptible to impurity.
ו
כלי שאורגין אותו מן הנסרים או מן השעם כדי שישטחו עליו הבגדים והמוגמר מלמטה כדי שיתבסמו אם היה עשוי ככוורת שאין לו קרקע טהור ואם היה בו בית קבולת כסוי ה"ז מקבל טומאה:
7
A metal foot-covering for an animal is impure. If it is made from sh'am, it is pure, because that is not considered as a receptacle.
ז
סנדל של בהמה של מתכת טמא ושל שעם טהור שאין זה חשוב מכלי הקבלה:
8
When a person bundles a pearl in a hide and, after he removes it, a hollow is left, it is susceptible to impurity until it is smoothed out. For any container is considered a receptacle if it can hold even the slightest amount and, in the above instance, something resembling a small pocket is left. If, however, one bundles coins in a hide, it is not susceptible to impurity, because such a bundle does not have the form of container at all.
ח
הצורר מרגלית בעור והוציאה ונשאר מקומה עמוק הרי זה מקבל טומאה עד שיפשט שכל כלי קיבול מקבלין בכל שהן והרי מקומן כמו כיס קטן אבל צרור המעות אינו מקבל טומאה שאין עליו צורת כלי:
• Rambam - 3 Chapters: De'ot De'ot - Chapter Three, De'ot De'ot - Chapter Four, De'ot De'ot - Chapter Five
• De'ot - Chapter Three
1
A person might say, "Since envy, desire, [the pursuit] of honor, and the like, are a wrong path and drive a person from the world, I shall separate from them to a very great degree and move away from them to the opposite extreme." For example, he will not eat meat, nor drink wine, nor live in a pleasant home, nor wear fine clothing, but, rather, [wear] sackcloth and coarse wool and the like - just as the pagan priests do.
This, too, is a bad path and it is forbidden to walk upon it. Whoever follows this path is called a sinner [as implied by Numbers 6:11's] statement concerning a nazarite: "and he [the priest] shall make an atonement for him, for his having sinned regarding [his] soul." Our sages declared: If the nazarite who abstained only from wine requires atonement, how much more so does one who abstains from everything.
Therefore, our Sages directed man to abstain only from those things which the Torah denies him and not to forbid himself permitted things by vows and oaths [of abstention]. Thus, our Sages stated: Are not those things which the Torah has prohibited sufficient for you that you must forbid additional things to yourself?
This general statement also refers to those who fast constantly. They are not following a good path, [for] our Sages have forbidden a man to mortify himself by fasting. Of all the above, and their like, Solomon directed and said: "Do not be overly righteous and do not be overly clever; why make yourself desolate?" (Ecclesiastes 7:16).
א
שמא יאמר אדם הואיל והקנאה והתאוה והכבוד וכיוצא בהם דרך רעה הן ומוציאין את האדם מן העולם אפרוש מהן ביותר ואתרחק לצד האחרון עד שלא יאכל בשר ולא ישתה יין ולא ישא אשה ולא ישב בדירה נאה ולא ילבש מלבוש נאה אלא השק והצמר הקשה וכיוצא בהן כגון כהני העובדי כוכבים גם זה דרך רעה היא ואסור לילך בה המהלך בדרך זו נקרא חוטא שהרי הוא אומר בנזיר וכפר עליו מאשר חטא על הנפש אמרו חכמים ומה אם נזיר שלא פירש אלא מן היין צריך כפרה המונע עצמו מכל דבר ודבר על אחת כמה וכמה לפיכך צוו חכמים שלא ימנע אדם עצמו אלא מדברים שמנעתו התורה בלבד ולא יהא אוסר עצמו בנדרים ובשבועות על דברים המותרים כך אמרו חכמים לא דייך מה שאסרה תורה אלא שאתה אוסר עליך דברים אחרים ובכלל הזה אלו שמתענין תמיד אינן בדרך טובה ואסרו חכמים שיהא אדם מסגף עצמו בתענית ועל כל הדברים האלו וכיוצא בהן צוה שלמה ואמר אל תהי צדיק הרבה ואל תתחכם יותר למה תשומם:
2
A person should direct his heart and the totality of his behavior to one goal, becoming aware of God, blessed be He. The [way] he rests, rises, and speaks should all be directed to this end.
For example: when involved in business dealings or while working for a wage, he should not think solely of gathering money. Rather, he should do these things, so that he will be able to obtain that which the body needs - food, drink, a home and a wife.
Similarly, when he eats, drinks and engages in intimate relations, he should not intend to do these things solely for pleasure to the point where he will eat and drink only that which is sweet to the palate and engage in intercourse for pleasure. Rather, he should take care to eat and drink only in order to be healthy in body and limb.
Therefore, he should not eat all that the palate desires like a dog or a donkey. Rather, he should eat what is beneficial for the body, be it bitter or sweet. Conversely, he should not eat what is harmful to the body, even though it is sweet to the palate. For example: a person with a warm constitution should not eat meat or honey, nor drink wine, as Solomon has stated in a parable: The eating of much honey is not good (Proverbs 25:27). One should drink endive juice, even though it it bitter, for then, he will be eating and drinking for medical reasons only, in order to become healthy and be whole - for a man cannot exist without eating and drinking.
Similarly, he should not have intercourse except to keep his body healthy and to preserve the [human] race. Therefore, he should not engage in intercourse whenever he feels desire, but when he knows that he requires a seminal emission for medical reasons or in order to preserve the [human] race.
ב
צריך האדם שיכוון לבו וכל מעשיו כולם לידע את השם ברוך הוא בלבד ויהיה שבתו וקומו ודבורו הכל לעומת זה הדבר כיצד כשישא ויתן או יעשה מלאכה ליטול שכר לא יהיה בלבו לקבוץ ממון בלבד אלא יעשה דברים האלו כדי שימצא דברים שהגוף צריך להם מאכילה ושתיה וישיבת בית ונשיאת אשה וכן כשיאכל וישתה ויבעול לא ישים בלבו לעשות דברים האלו כדי ליהנות בלבד עד שנמצא שאינו אוכל ושותה אלא המתוק לחיך ויבעול כדי ליהנות אלא ישים על לבו שיאכל וישתה כדי להברות גופו ואיבריו בלבד לפיכך לא יאכל כל שהחיך מתאוה ככלב וחמור אלא יאכל דברים המועילים לגוף אם מרים אם מתוקים ולא יאכל דברים הרעים לגוף אע"פ שהן מתוקים לחיך כיצד מי שהיה בשרו חם לא יאכל בשר ולא דבש ולא ישתה יין כענין שאמר שלמה דרך משל אכול דבש וגו' ושותה מי העולשין אף על פי שהוא מר שנמצא שותה ואוכל דרך רפואה בלבד כדי שיבריא ויעמוד שלם הואיל ואי אפשר לאדם לחיות אלא באכילה ושתיה וכן כשיבעול לא יבעול אלא כדי להברות גופו וכדי לקיים את הזרע לפיכך אינו בועל כל זמן שיתאוה אלא כל עת שידע שהוא צריך להוציא שכבת זרע כמו דרך הרפואה או לקיים את הזרע:
3
A person who accustoms himself to live by [the rules of] medicine does not follow a proper path if his sole intention is that his entire body and limbs be healthy and that he have children who will do his work and toil for him. Rather, he should have the intent that his body be whole and strong, in order for his inner soul to be upright so that [it will be able] to know God. For it is impossible to understand and become knowledgeable in the wisdoms when one is starving or sick, or when one of his limbs pains him. [Similarly,] one should intend to have a son [with the hope that] perhaps he will be a wise and great man in Israel.
Thus, whoever walks in such a path all his days will be serving God constantly; even in the midst of his business dealings, even during intercourse for his intent in all matters is to fulfill his needs so that his body be whole to serve God.
Even when he sleeps, if he retires with the intention that his mind and body rest, lest he take ill and be unable to serve God because he is sick, then his sleep is service to the Omnipresent, blessed be He.
On this matter, our Sages have directed and said: "And all your deeds should be for the sake of Heaven." This is what Solomon declared in his wisdom: "Know Him in all your ways and He will straighten your paths" (Proverbs 3:6).
ג
המנהיג עצמו על פי הרפואה אם שם על לבו שיהיה כל גופו ואבריו שלמים בלבד ושיהיו לו בנים עושין מלאכתו ועמלין לצורכו אין זו דרך טובה אלא ישים על לבו שיהא גופו שלם וחזק כדי שתהיה נפשו ישרה לדעת את ה' שאי אפשר שיבין וישתכל בחכמות והוא רעב וחולה או אחד מאיבריו כואב וישים על לבו שיהיה לו בן אולי יהיה חכם וגדול בישראל נמצא המהלך בדרך זו כל ימיו עובד את ה' תמיד אפילו בשעה שנושא ונותן ואפילו בשעה שבועל מפני שמחשבתו בכל כדי שימצא צרכיו עד שיהיה גופו שלם לעבוד את ה' ואפילו בשעה שהוא ישן אם ישן לדעת כדי שתנוח דעתו עליו וינוח גופו כדי שלא יחלה ולא יוכל לעבוד את ה' והוא חולה נמצאת שינה שלו עבודה למקום ברוך הוא ועל ענין זה צוו חכמים ואמרו וכל מעשיך יהיו לשם שמים והוא שאמר שלמה בחכמתו בכל דרכיך דעהו והוא יישר אורחותיך:
De'ot - Chapter Four
1
Since maintaining a healthy and sound body is among the ways of God - for one cannot understand or have any knowledge of the Creator, if he is ill - therefore, he must avoid that which harms the body and accustom himself to that which is healthful and helps the body become stronger.
They are as follows: a person should never eat unless he is hungry, nor drink unless thirsty. He should never put off relieving himself, even for an instant. Rather, whenever he [feels the] need to urinate or move his bowels, he should do so immediately.
א
הואיל והיות הגוף בריא ושלם מדרכי השם הוא שהרי אי אפשר שיבין או ידע דבר מידיעת הבורא והוא חולה לפיכך צריך להרחיק אדם עצמו מדברים המאבדין את הגוף ולהנהיג עצמו בדברים המברין והמחלימים ואלו הן:
לעולם לא יאכל אדם אלא כשהוא רעב ולא ישתה אלא כשהוא צמא ואל ישהא נקביו אפילו רגע אחד אלא כל זמן שצריך להשתין או להסך את רגליו יעמוד מיד:
2
One should not eat until his stomach is full. Rather, [he should stop when] he has eaten to close to three quarter's of full satisfaction.
One should drink only a small amount of water during the meal, and mix that with wine. When the food begins to be digested in his intestines, he may drink what is necessary. However, he should not drink much water, even when the food has been digested.
One should not eat until he has checked himself thoroughly that he does not need to relieve himself. He should not eat until he has taken a stroll which is sufficient to raise his body temperature.
Alternatively, he should work or exert himself in some other way. The rule is that he should engage his body and exert himself in a sweat-producing task each morning. Afterwards, he should rest slightly until he regains composure and [then, he should] eat. If he were to bathe in hot water after exerting himself, it would be beneficial. Afterwards, he should wait a short while and eat.
ב
לא יאכל אדם עד שתתמלא כריסו אלא יפחות כמו רביע משבעתו ולא ישתה מים בתוך המזון אלא מעט ומזוג ביין וכשיתחיל המזון להתעכל במעיו שותה מה שהוא צריך לשתות ולא ירבה לשתות מים ואפילו כשיתעכל המזון ולא יאכל עד שיבדוק עצמו יפה יפה שמא יהיה צריך לנקביו לא יאכל אדם עד שילך קודם אכילה עד שיתחיל גופו לחום או יעשה מלאכתו או יתיגע ביגע אחר כללו של דבר יענה גופו וייגע כל יום בבקר עד שיתחיל גופו לחום וישקוט מעט עד שתתישב נפשו ואוכל ואם רחץ בחמין אחר שיגע הרי זה טוב ואחר כך שוהה מעט ואוכל:
3
One should always eat while seated or reclining on his left side. He should not walk about, ride, exert himself, subject his body to startling influence, nor take a stroll until the food has been digested in his intestines. Anyone who takes a stroll or exerts himself after eating brings serious and harmful illnesses upon himself.
ג
לעולם כשיאכל אדם ישב במקומו או יטה על שמאל ולא יהלך ולא ירכב ולא ייגע ולא יזעזע גופו ולא יטייל עד שיתעכל המזון שבמעיו וכל המטייל אחר אכילתו או שיגע הרי זה מביא על עצמו חלאים רעים וקשים:
4
Together, day and night make up [a period of] twenty four hours. It is sufficient for a man to sleep a third of this period; i.e., eight hours. These should be towards the end of the night, so that there be eight hours from the beginning of his sleep until sunrise. Thus, he should rise from his bed before sunrise.
ד
היום והלילה כ"ד שעות די לו לאדם לישן שלישן שהוא שמונה שעות ויהיו בסוף הלילה כדי שתהיה מתחלת שנתו עד שתעלה השמש שמונה שעות ונמצא עומד ממטתו קודם שתעלה השמש:
5
One should not sleep face down or on his back, but on his side - on his left side at the beginning of the night and on the right side at the end of the night. He should not retire shortly after eating, but should wait some three or four hours.
One should not sleep during the day.
ה
לא יישן אדם לא על פניו ולא על ערפו אלא על צדו בתחלת הלילה על צד שמאל ובסוף הלילה על צד ימין ולא יישן סמוך לאכילה אלא ימתין אחר אכילה כמו שלש או ארבע שעות ולא יישן ביום:
6
Laxative foods such as grapes, figs, mulberries, pears, melons, certain types of cucumbers and certain types of zucchini should be eaten first, before the meal. One should not eat them together with his main meal. Rather, he should wait until they have descended from the upper stomach and [then] eat his meal.
Foods which are constipating, such as pomegranates, quinces, apples, and crustumenian pears should be eaten immediately after the meal and not in quantity.
ו
דברים המשלשלין את בני מעים כגון ענבים ותאנים ותותים ואגסים ואבטיחים ומיני הקשואים ומיני מלפפונות אוכל אותם האדם בתחלה קודם אכילה ולא יערבם עם המזון אלא שוהה מעט עד שיצאו מבטן העליון ואוכל מזונו ודברים שמאמצין את בני מעים כגון רמונים ופרישים ותפוחים וקרוסטומולין אוכל אותן תיכף למזונו ולא ירבה לאכול מהן:
7
A person who desires to eat poultry and meat in one sitting, should eat the poultry first. Similarly, if he desires to eat both eggs and poultry, he should eat the eggs first. If [he desires to eat] both meat of large cattle and that of small cattle, he should eat the meat of small cattle first; [i.e.,] he should always eat the lighter fare first and the heavier fare afterwards.
ז
כשירצה אדם לאכול בשר עוף ובשר בהמה כאחד אוכל בתחלה בשר העוף וכן ביצים ובשר עוף אוכל בתחלה ביצים בשר בהמה דקה ובשר בהמה גסה אוכל בתחלה בשר דקה לעולם יקדים אדם דבר הקל ומאחר הכבד:
8
In the summer, one should eat unseasoned foods without many spices and use vinegar. In the rainy season, one should eat seasoned foods, use many spices, and eat some mustard and chiltit.
One should follow these principles in regard to cold climates and hot climates, [choosing the food] appropriate to each and every one of them.
ח
בימות החמה אוכל מאכלים הקרים ולא ירבה בתבלים ואוכל את החומץ ובימות הגשמים אוכל מאכלים החמים ומרבה בתבלים ואוכל מעט מן החרדל ומן החלתית ועל דרך זו הולך ועושה במקומות הקרים ובמקומות החמים בכ"מ ומקום הראוי לו:
9
There are foods which are extremely harmful and it is proper that one should never eat them, for example: large fish that are aged and salted, cheese which is aged and salted, truffles and mushrooms, meat which is aged and salted, wine from the press, cooked food which has been left over until it produces an odor, and any food with a bad smell or a very bitter taste. These are like poison to the body.
There are [other] foods which are harmful, but their harmful effects do not compare to those first [mentioned]. Therefore, a person ought to eat them only sparingly and after intervals of many days. He should not eat them regularly as his main fare or constantly as a sidedish with his food.
[They are] large fish, cheese and milk which has been left over for more than twenty-four hours after the milking, the meat of large oxen or he-goats, horse-beans, lentils, chickpeas, barley bread, matzot, cabbage, leeks, onions, garlic, mustard and radishes. All of these are harmful foods. It is fitting that he should eat them very sparingly and only in the rainy season, abstaining entirely in the summer. [Of these], horse-beans and lentils alone, should not be eaten either in the summer or winter. Squash may be eaten in the summer season.
ט
יש מאכלות שהם רעים ביותר עד מאד וראוי לאדם שלא לאוכלן לעולם כגון הדגים הגדולים המלוחים הישנים והגבינה המלוחה הישנה והכמהין ופטריות והבשר המליח הישן ויין מגתו ותבשיל ששהא עד שנדף ריחו וכן כל מאכל שריחו רע או מר ביותר הרי אלו לגוף כמו סם המות ויש מאכלות שהן רעים אבל אינן כמו הראשונים לרוע לפיכך ראוי לאדם שלא לאכול מהן אלא מעט ואחר ימים הרבה ולא ירגיל עצמו להיות מזונו מהם או לאוכלן עם מזונו תמיד כגון דגים גדולים וגבינה וחלב ששהא אחר שנחלב כ"ד שעות ובשר שורים גדולים ותישים גדולים והפול והעדשים והספיר ולחם שעורים ולחם מצות והכרוב והחציר והבצלים והשומים והחרדל והצנון כל אלו מאכלים רעים הם אין ראוי לאדם לאכול מאלו אלא מעט עד מאד ובימות הגשמים אבל בימות החמה לא יאכל מהן כלל והפול והעדשים בלבד אין ראוי לאוכלן לא בימות החמה ולא בימות הגשמים והדלועין אוכלין מהן בימות החמה:
10
There are foods which are harmful, but less so than these. They are water fowl, young pigeons, dates, bread roasted in oil or kneaded in oil, flour which has been sifted so well that no bran is left, fish brine and pickled fish oil. They ought not to be eaten in quantity.
A man who is wise, overcomes his desires, is not drawn by his appetites and eats nothing of the aforementioned unless he needs them for a medical reason, is [indeed] heroic.
י
ויש מאכלות שהם רעים ואינן כמו אלו והם עוף המים ובני יונה הקטנים והתמרים ולחם קלוי בשמן או לחם שנילוש בשמן והסולת שנפו אותה כל צרכה עד שלא נשארה בה ריח מורסן והציר והמורייס אין ראוי להרבות מאכלות אלו ואדם שהוא חכם וכובש את יצרו ולא ימשך אחר תאותו ולא יאכל מן הנזכרים כלום אלא אם נצרך להם לרפואה הרי זה גבור:
11
One should always avoid fruits. He should not eat of them in quantity even [when] dried and, it goes without saying [when they are] fresh. When they are not sufficiently ripe, they are like swords to the body. Carobs, too, are always harmful.
All pickled fruits are harmful and should be eaten only sparingly in summer weather and in hot climates. Figs, grapes and almonds are always beneficial, both fresh and dried. One may eat of them as much as he requires. However, he should not eat them constantly even though they are the most beneficial of fruits.
יא
לעולם ימנע אדם עצמו מפירות האילנות ולא ירבה מהן ואפילו יבשין ואין צריך לומר רטובים אבל קודם שיתבשלו כל צרכן הרי הן כחרבות לגוף וכן החרובים רעים לעולם וכל הפירות החמוצין רעים ואין אוכלין מהן אלא מעט בימות החמה ובמקומות החמים והתאנים והענבים והשקדים לעולם טובים בין רטובין בין יבשין ואוכל אדם מהם כל צורכו ולא יתמיד אכילתם אע"פ שהן טובים מכל פרי האילנות:
12
Honey and wine are harmful to the young and wholesome for the old. Certainly, this applies in the rainy season. In summer, one should eat two-thirds of what he eats in the winter.
יב
הדבש והיין רע לקטנים ויפה לזקנים וכל שכן בימות הגשמים וצריך אדם לאכול בימות החמה שני שלישים מה שהוא אוכל בימות הגשמים:
13
A person should always try to have loose movements throughout his life, tending slightly towards diarrhea. This is a cardinal principle in medicine: Whenever one suffers from constipation or has difficulty moving his bowels, serious diseases will beset him.
How can he induce loose movements if he has mild constipation? If he is a young man, each morning, he should eat well-cooked halimi which have been seasoned in olive-oil, pickled fish oil, and salt without bread daily; or drink the boiled water of [cooked] spinach or cabbage, [seasoned] with olive oil, pickled fish oil and salt.
If he is an old man, he should drink honey diluted with hot water, in the morning, wait approximately four hours and then eat his meal.
He should do this for one day, or three, or four, if necessary, until he has loose bowels.
יג
לעולם ישתדל אדם שיהיו מעיו רפין כל ימיו ויהיה קרוב לשלשול מעט וזה כלל גדול ברפואה כל זמן שהרעי נמנע או יוצא בקושי חלאים רעים באים ובמה ירפה אדם מעיו אם יתאמצו מעט אם היה בחור יאכל בבקר בבקר מלוחים שלוקים מתובלין בשמן זית ובמורייס ובמלח בלא פת או ישתה מי שלק של תרדין או כרוב בשמן זית ומורייס ומלח ואם היה זקן ישתה דבש מזוג במים חמים בבקר וישהא כמו ארבע שעות ואח"כ יאכל סעודתו ויעשה כן יום אחד או שלשה או ארבעה ימים אם צריך לכך עד שירפו מעיו:
14
They have given another principle with regard to physical well-being: As long as one exercises, exerts himself greatly, does not eat to the point of satiation and has loose bowels, he will not suffer sickness and he will grow in strength. [This applies] even if he eats harmful foods.
יד
וועד כלל אחר אמרו בבריאות הגוף כל זמן שאדם מתעמל ויגע הרבה ואינו שבע ומעיו רפין אין חולי בא עליו וכחו מתחזק ואפילו אוכל מאכלות הרעים:
15
[Conversely,] whoever is idle and does not exercise, or does not move his bowels when he has the need, or is constipated, even if he eats the proper foods and takes care to follow the rules of medicine, will be full of pain for all his days and his strength will fade away.
Overeating is like poison to anyone's body. It is the main source of all illness. Most illnesses which afflict a man are caused by harmful foods or by his filling his belly and overeating, even of healthful foods.
This was implied by Solomon in his wisdom: "Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from distress" (Proverbs 21:23); i.e., "guards his mouth" from eating harmful food or eating his fill and "his tongue" from speaking [about things] other than his needs.
טו
וכל מי שהוא יושב לבטח ואינו מתעמל או מי שמשהא נקביו או מי שמעיו קשין אפילו אכל מאכלות טובים ושמר עצמו על פי הרפואה כל ימיו יהיו מכאובים וכחו תשש ואכילה גסה לגוף כל אדם כמו סם המות והוא עיקר לכל החלאים ורוב החלאים שבאים על האדם אינם אלא או מפני מאכלים רעים או מפני שהוא ממלא בטנו ואוכל אכילה גסה אפילו ממאכלים טובים הוא ששלמה אמר בחכמתו שומר פיו ולשונו שומר מצרות נפשו כלומר שומר פיו מלאכול מאכל רע או מלשבוע ולשונו מלדבר אלא בצרכיו:
16
The [proper] manner of bathing is that a person should go to the baths once every seven days. He should not enter [the bath soon after mealtime; nor when he is hungry, but when his food has begun to be digested.
He should bathe the entire body in hot - but not scalding water - and his head, only, in scalding water. Then, he should bathe his body in tepid water, followed by bathings in successively cooler water, until he has bathed in cold water. [However,] he should not use tepid or cold water for his head, nor should he bathe in cold water in the winter.
He should not bathe until after he is in a sweat and his whole body has been massaged. He should not linger in the bath. Rather, as soon as he is in a sweat and been massaged, he should rinse off and leave.
He should examine himself to see if he needs to move his bowels before entering the bath and after leaving it. Similarly, he should always examine himself before and after eating, before and after sexual intercourse, before and after exertion and exercise, before and after sleeping, all in all, on ten [different occasions].
טז
דרך הרחיצה שיכנס אדם למרחץ משבעה ימים לשבעה ימים ולא יכנס סמוך לאכילה ולא כשהוא רעב אלא כשיתחיל המזון להתעכל ורוחץ כל גופו בחמין שאין הגוף נכוה בהן וראשו בלבד בחמין שהגוף נכוה בהן ואחר כך ירחץ גופו בפושרין ואח"כ בפושרין מן הפושרין עד שירחץ בצונן ולא יעבור על ראשו מים לא פושרין ולא צונן ולא ירחץ בצונן בימות הגשמים ולא ירחץ עד שיזיע ויפרך כל גופו ולא יאריך במרחץ אלא כשיזיע ויפרך גופו ישתטף ויצא ובודק עצמו קודם שיכנס למרחץ ואחר שיצא שמא יהא צריך לנקביו וכן בודק אדם עצמו תמיד קודם אכילה ואחר אכילה וקודם בעילה ואחר בעילה וקודם שייגע ויתעמל ואחר שייגע ויתעמל וקודם שיישן ואחר שיישן ובשיעור הכל עשרה:
17
When one leaves the bath, he should dress and cover his head in the outer room [of the bathhouse], so that he not catch a chill. He should take this precaution even in the summer.
After leaving [the baths], he should wait until he regains his composure, and the warmth [from bathing] has receded, and then eat.
A nap before eating, after the bath, is very beneficial. One should not drink cold water on leaving the baths and it goes without saying, that he should not drink while bathing. If he should be thirsty upon leaving the bath and cannot refrain, he should mix the water with wine or honey, and drink.
It is beneficial for one to rub himself with oil at the baths, during the winter, after he has rinsed off.
יז
כשיצא אדם מן המרחץ ילבש בגדיו ויכסה ראשו בבית החיצון כדי שלא תשלוט בו רוח קרה ואפילו בימות החמה צריך להזהר וישהא אחר שיצא עד שתתישב נפשו וינוח גופו ותסור החמימות ואחר כך יאכל ואם ישן מעט כשיצא מן המרחץ קודם אכילה הרי זה יפה מאד ולא ישתה מים קרים בצאתו מן המרחץ ואין צריך לומר שלא ישתה במרחץ ואם צמא כשיצא מן המרחץ ואינו יכול למנוע עצמו יערב המים ביין או בדבש וישתה ואם סך בשמן במרחץ בימות הגשמים אחר שישתטף הרי זה טוב:
18
One should not accustom himself to constant bloodletting. He should not be bled unless there is an extreme necessity. He should not be bled in the summer or winter, but slightly in Nisan and slightly in Tishrei.
After the age of fifty, he should not be bled at all. He should not be bled and go to the baths on the same day, or leave on a journey after being bled; nor should he be bled on the day on which he returns from a trip.
He should eat less than usual on the day of a bloodletting. He should rest on that day, not exert himself, nor exercise, nor stroll.
יח
לא ירגיל אדם להקיז דם תמיד ולא יקיז אלא אם יהיה צריך לו ביותר ולא יקיז לא בימות החמה ולא בימות הגשמים אלא מעט בימי ניסן ומעט בימי תשרי ומאחר חמשים שנה לא יקיז כלל ולא יקיז אדם דם ויכנס למרחץ בו ביום ולא יקיז ויצא לדרך ולא ביום שיבא מן הדרך ויאכל וישתה ביום ההקזה פחות ממה שהוא רגיל וינוח ביום ההקזה ולא ייגע ולא יתעמל ולא יטייל:
19
Semen is the strength of the body, its life [force], and the light of the eyes; the greater the emission [of sperm], [the greater] the damage to the body, to its strength and the greater the loss to one's life [span]. This was implied by Solomon in his wisdom: "Do not give your strength to women" (Proverbs 31:3).
Whoever is steeped in sexual relations, old age springs upon him [before its time], his strength is depleted, his eyes become dim, a foul odor emanates from his mouth and his armpits, the hair of his head, his eyebrows, and eyelashes fall out, the hair of his beard, armpits, and legs grows in abundance, his teeth fall out and he suffers many pains beyond these. The wise of the doctors have said: One of a thousand dies from other illnesses and a thousand from excessive intercourse.
Therefore, a person must take care in this matter if he wishes to live in good [health]. He should not engage in intercourse except when the body is healthy and particularly strong, when he has many involuntary erections, the erection is still present even when he makes an effort to think of something else, he finds a heaviness from the loins and below, the tendons of the testicles seem to be stretched, and his flesh is warm. Such a person needs to engage in intercourse and it is medically advisable.
He should not engage in intercourse on a full or empty stomach, but after the food has been digested. He should examine himself to see if he needs to move his bowels before and after intercourse. He should not engage in intercourse while standing or sitting, nor in the bathhouse, nor on a day on which he goes to the bathhouse, nor on a day on which he lets blood, nor on the day he departs on a journey or arrives from a journey, nor [on the day] before or afterwards.
יט
שכבת זרע היא כח הגוף וחייו ומאור העינים וכל שתצא ביותר הגוף כלה וכחו כלה וחייו אובדים הוא שאמר שלמה בחכמתו אל תתן לנשים חילך כל השטוף בבעילה זקנה קופצת עליו וכחו תשש ועיניו כהות וריח רע נודף מפיו ומשחיו ושער ראשו וגבות עיניו וריסי עיניו נושרות ושער זקנו ושחיו ושער רגליו רבה שיניו נופלות והרבה כאבים חוץ מאלו באים עליו אמרו חכמי הרופאים אחד מאלף מת בשאר חלאים והאלף מרוב התשמיש לפיכך צריך אדם להזהר בדבר זה אם רצה לחיות בטובה ולא יבעול אלא כשימצא גופו בריא וחזק ביותר והוא מתקשה הרבה שלא לדעתו ומסיח עצמו לדבר אחר והקישוי בו כשהיה וימצא כובד ממתניו ולמטה וכאלו חוטי הביצים נמשכים ובשרו חם זה צריך לבעול ורפואה לו שיבעול לא יבעול אדם והוא שבע ולא רעב אלא אחר שיתעכל המזון שבמעיו ויבדוק נקביו קודם בעילה ולאחר בעילה ולא יבעול מעומד ולא מיושב ולא בבית המרחץ ולא ביום שיכנס למרחץ ולא ביום הקזה ולא ביום יציאה לדרך או ביאה מן הדרך לא לפניהם ולא לאחריהם:
20
Whoever conducts himself in the ways which we have drawn up, I will guarantee that he will not become ill throughout his life, until he reaches advanced age and dies. He will not need a doctor. His body will remain intact and healthy throughout his life.
One may rely on this guarantee] unless [his body] was impaired from the birth, he was accustomed to one of the harmful habits from birth, or should there be a plague or a drought in the world.
כ
כל המנהיג עצמו בדרכים אלו שהורינו אני ערב לו שאינו בא לידי חולי כל ימיו עד שיזקין הרבה וימות ואינו צריך לרופא ויהיה גופו שלם ועומד על בוריו כל ימיו אלא אם כן היה גופו רע מתחילת ברייתו או אם היה רגיל במנהג מן המנהגות הרעים מתחילת מולדתו או אם תבא מכת דבר או מכת בצורת לעולם:
21
All of these beneficial habits which we have stated apply only to a healthy man. In contrast, a sick person, or one who has a single organ which is not healthy, or one who has followed a harmful way of life for many years, each of these must choose different patterns of behavior in accordance with his [particular] illness as it is explained in the medical literature.
Any change from the conduct which one normally follows is the beginning of sickness.
כא
וכל המנהגות הטובים האלו שאמרנו אין ראוי לנהוג בהן אלא הבריא אבל החולה או מי שאחד מאיבריו חולה או מי שנהג מנהג רע שנים רבות יש לכל אחד מהם דרכים אחרים והנהגות כפי חליו כמו שיתבאר בספר הרפואות ושינוי וסת תחילת חולי:
22
Where there is no doctor available, neither the healthy nor the sick man should budge from all the directions given in this chapter for each of them ultimately brings to a beneficial result.
כב
כל מקום שאין בו רופא אחד הבריא ואחד החולה אין ראוי לו לזוז מכל הדרכים האלו שנאמרו בפרק זה שכל אחד מהן לאחרית טובה מביא:
23
A Torah Sage is not permitted to live in a community which does not have the following: a doctor, a bloodletter, a bathhouse, a latrine, an available source of water such as a river or a spring, a synagogue, a teacher of children, a scribe, a charity supervisor, a rabbinical court empowered to impose corporal punishment and jail sentences.
כג
כל עיר שאין בה עשרה דברים האלו אין תלמיד חכם רשאי לדור בתוכה ואלו הן:
רופא ואומן ובית המרחץ ובית הכסא ומים מצויין כגון נהר ומעין ובית הכנסת ומלמד תינוקות ולבלר וגבאי צדקה ובית דין מכים וחובשים:
De'ot - Chapter Five
1
Just as the wise man is recognized through his wisdom and his temperaments and in these, he stands apart from the rest of the people, so, too, he should be recognized through his actions - in his eating, drinking, intimate relations, in relieving himself, in his speech, manner of walking and dress, in the management of his finances, and in his business dealings. All of these actions should be exceptionally becoming and befitting.
What is implied? A Torah Sage should not be a glutton. Rather, he should eat food which will keep his body healthy, without overeating. He should not seek to fill his stomach, like those who stuff themselves with food and drink until their bellies burst. They are alluded to by [the statement of] the prophet [Malachi 2:3]: "I will spread dung on your faces, the dung of your feasts." Our Sages explain: These are the people who eat and drink and make all their days like feast days. They say, "Eat and drink, for tomorrow, we will die."
This is the food of the wicked. It is these tables which the verse censures, saying: "For all tables are full of vomit and excrement; there is no room" (Isaiah 28:8).
In contrast, a wise man eats only one dish or two, eating only enough to sustain him. That is sufficient for him. This is alluded to by Solomon's statement: "The righteous man eats to satisfy his soul" (Proverbs 13:25).
א
כשם שהחכם ניכר בחכמתו ובדעותיו והוא מובדל בהם משאר העם כך צריך שיהיה ניכר במעשיו במאכלו ובמשקהו ובבעילתו ובעשיית צרכיו ובדבורו ובהילוכו ובמלבושו ובכלכול דבריו ובמשאו ובמתנו ויהיו כל המעשים האלו נאים ומתוקנים ביותר כיצד תלמיד חכם לא יהיה גרגרן אלא אוכל מאכל הראוי להברות גופו ולא יאכל ממנו אכילה גסה ולא יהא רודף למלאת בטנו כאלו שמתמלאין ממאכל ומשתה עד שתיפח כריסם ועליהם מפורש בקבלה וזריתי פרש על פניכם אמרו חכמים אלו בני אדם שאוכלין ושותין ועושין כל ימיהם כחגים והם האומרים אכול ושתה כי מחר נמות וזהו מאכל הרשעים ושלחנות אלו הם שגינה הכתוב ואמר כי כל שלחנות מלאו קיא צואה בלי מקום אבל החכם אינו אוכל אלא תבשיל אחד או שנים ואוכל ממנו כדי חייו ודיו הוא שאמר שלמה צדיק אוכל לשובע נפשו:
2
When the wise man eats the little which is fitting for him, he should eat it only in his own home, at his table. He should not eat in a store or in the marketplace, unless there is a very pressing need, lest he be viewed without respect by others.
He should not eat together with the unlearned, nor at those tables that are "filled with vomit and excrement." He should not eat frequently in other places, even in the company of wise men, nor should he eat where there is a large gathering.
It is not fitting for him to eat at another person's [table] except at a feast associated with a mitzvah, e.g., a betrothal or wedding feast - and then, [only] when a scholar is marrying the daughter of a scholar.
The righteous and the pious of old never partook of a meal that was not their own.
ב
כשהחכם אוכל מעט זה הראוי לו לא יאכלנו אלא בביתו על שולחנו ולא יאכל בחנות ולא בשוק אלא מפני צורך גדול כדי שלא יתגנה בפני הבריות ולא יאכל אצל עמי הארץ ולא על אותן השלחנות המלאים קיא צואה ולא ירבה סעודותיו בכל מקום ואפילו עם החכמים ולא יאכל בסעודות שיש בהן קיבוץ הרבה ואין ראוי לו לאכול אלא בסעודה של מצוה בלבד כגון סעודת אירוסין ונישואין והוא שיהיה תלמיד חכם שנשא בת תלמיד חכם והצדיקים והחסידים הראשונים לא אכלו מסעודה שאינה שלהן:
3
When a wise man drinks wine, he drinks only enough to soften the food in his stomach.
Whoever becomes drunk is a sinner, is shameful, and will lose his wisdom. If he becomes drunk before the common people, he desecrates God's Name.
It is forbidden to drink even a small quantity of wine in the afternoon hours, unless it is taken together with food. Drink that is taken together with food is not intoxicating. Only wine that is taken after the meal is to be avoided.
ג
כשהחכם שותה יין אינו שותה אלא כדי לשרות אכילה שבמעיו וכל המשתכר הרי זה חוטא ומגונה ומפסיד חכמתו ואם נשתכר בפני עמי הארץ הרי זה חילל את השם ואסור לשתות יין בצהרים ואפילו מעט אלא אם היה בכלל האכילה שהשתיה שהיא בכלל האכילה אינה משכרת ואין נזהרין אלא מיין שלאחר המזון:
4
Although a man's wife is permitted to him at all times, it is fitting that a wise man behave with holiness. He should not frequent his wife like a rooster. Rather, [he should limit his relations to once a week] from Sabbath evening to Sabbath evening, if he has the physical stamina.
When he speaks with her, he should not do so at the beginning of the night, when he is sated and his belly [is] full, nor at the end of the night, when he is hungry; rather, in the middle of the night, when his food has been digested.
He should not be excessively lightheaded, nor should he talk obscene nonsense even in intimate conversation with his wife. Behold, the prophet has stated (Amos 4:13): "And He repeats to a man what he has spoken." [On this verse,] our Sages commented: A person will have to account for even the light conversation that he has with his wife.
[At the time of relations,] they should not be drunk, nor lackadaisical, nor tense - [neither both of them,] or [even] one of them. She should not be asleep, nor should the man take her by force, against her will. Rather, [the relations should take place] amidst their mutual consent and joy. He should converse and dally with her somewhat, so that she be relaxed. He should be intimate [with her] modestly and not boldly, and withdraw [from her] immediately.
ד
אף על פי שאשתו של אדם מותרת לו תמיד ראוי לו לתלמיד חכם שינהיג עצמו בקדושה ולא יהא מצוי אצל אשתו כתרנגול אלא מלילי שבת ללילי שבת אם יש בו כח וכשהוא מספר עמה לא יספר בתחלת הלילה כשהוא שבע ובטנו מלא ולא בסוף הלילה כשהוא רעב אלא באמצע הלילה כשיתעכל המזון שבמעיו ולא יקל בראשו ביותר ולא ינבל את פיו בדברי הבאי ואפילו בינו לבינה הרי הוא אומר בקבלה מגיד לאדם מה שיחו אמרו חכמים אפילו שיחה קלה שבין אדם לאשתו עתיד ליתן עליה את הדין ולא יהיו שניהם לא שכורים ולא עצלנים ולא עצבנים ולא אחד מהן ולא תהיה ישינה ולא יאנוס אותה והיא אינה רוצה אלא ברצון שניהם ובשמחתם יספר וישחק מעט עמה כדי שתתישב נפשה ויבעול בבושה ולא בעזות ויפרוש מיד:
5
Whoever conducts himself in this manner [may be assured that] not only does he sanctify his soul, purify himself, and refine his character, but, furthermore, if he has children, they will be handsome and modest, worthy of wisdom and piety.
[In contrast,] whoever conducts himself in the ways of the rest of the people who walk in darkness, will have children like those people.
ה
כל הנוהג מנהג זה לא די לו שקדש נפשו וטהר עצמו ותקן דעותיו אלא שאם היו לו בנים יהיו נאים וביישנים ראוין לחכמה ולחסידות וכל הנוהג במנהגות שאר העם ההולכים בחשך יהיו לו בנים כמו אותם העם:
6
Torah Sages conduct themselves with exceptional modesty. They do not demean themselves and do not bare their heads or their bodies.
Even when one enters a latrine, he should be modest and not uncover himself until he is seated. He should not wipe himself clean with the right hand. He should stay away from all others and enter a chamber beyond a chamber, a cave within a cave, and relieve himself. If he [must] relieve himself behind a fence, he should move far enough away that no one can hear the sound if he breaks wind. If he [must] relieve himself in an open area, he should be far enough off so that no one can see him baring himself.
One should not speak while relieving himself, even if there is great need. Just as he conducts himself with modesty while in the latrine by day, he should [also] do so at night.
One should always train himself to relieve himself in the early morning and after dark only, so that he [need] not go far off.
ו
צניעות גדולה נוהגים תלמידי חכמים בעצמן לא יתבזו ולא יתגלו ראשן ולא גופן ואפילו בשעה שיכנס לבית הכסא יהא צנוע ולא יגלה בגדיו עד שישב ולא יקנח בימין ויתרחק מכל אדם ויכנס חדר לפנים מחדר מערה לפנים מן המערה ונפנה ואם נפנה אחורי הגדר יתרחק כדי שלא ישמע חבירו קולו אם נתעטש ואם נפנה בבקעה ירחיק כדי שלא יראה חבירו פירועו ולא ידבר כשהוא נפנה אפילו לצורך גדול וכדרך שנוהג צניעות ביום בבית הכסא כך נוהג בלילה ולעולם ילמד אדם עצמו להפנות שחרית וערבית בלבד כדי שלא יתרחק:
7
A Torah Sage should not shout or shriek while speaking, like the cattle and wild beasts, nor should he raise his voice overly much. Instead, he should speak gently to all people. [In addition to] speaking gently, he should take care not to stand at a distance, lest [his speech] appear like the speech of the haughty.
He should greet all men [before they greet him], so that they be pleased with him. He should judge every one in a good light, speak favorably of his fellow man, [never mentioning] anything that is shameful to him, love peace and pursue it.
If he sees that his words will be effective, and will be given attention, he should speak; if not, he should keep silent. What is implied? He should not try to placate a man in the moment of his anger. He should not question a man about his vow at the time he is making his vow, [but wait] until he is tranquil of mind and calm. He should not comfort a man while his dead is lying before him because [the bereaved] is unsettled until he has buried [his dead]. The same applies in other similar cases. He should not look at his fellow man at the moment of his humiliation, but turn his attention away.
He should not distort facts, exaggerate a situation, or minimize it, except in the interests of peace and the like.
The guiding rule is that he should speak only words of wisdom or in connection with acts of kindness and the like. He should not speak to a woman in the marketplace, even if she be his wife, or his sister, or his daughter.
ז
תלמיד חכם לא יהא צועק וצווח בשעת דבורו כבהמות וחיות ולא יגביה קולו ביותר אלא דבורו בנחת עם כל הבריות וכשידבר בנחת יזהר שלא יתרחק עד שיראה כדברי גסי הרוח ומקדים שלום לכל האדם כדי שתהא רוחן נוחה הימנו ודן את כל האדם לכף זכות מספר בשבח חבירו ולא בגנותו כלל אוהב שלום ורודף שלום אם רואה שדבריו מועילים ונשמעים אומר ואם לאו שותק כיצד לא ירצה חבירו בשעת כעסו ולא ישאל לו על נדרו בשעה שנדר עד שתתקרר דעתו וינוח ולא ינחמנו בשעה שמתו מוטל לפניו מפני שהוא בהול עד שיקברהו וכן כל כיוצא באלו ולא יראה לחבירו בשעת קלקלתו אלא יעלים עיניו ממנו ולא ישנה בדבורו ולא יוסיף ולא יגרע אלא בדברי שלום וכיוצא בהן כללו של דבר אינו מדבר אלא בדברי חכמה או בגמילות חסדים וכיוצא בהן ולא יספר עם אשה בשוק ואפילו היא אשתו או אחותו או בתו:
8
A Torah Sage should not walk erect, with his head held high, as [Isaiah 3:16] states: "And they walked with necks outstretched and flashing eyes." He should not walk with a [short-stepped,] toe-to-heel, stately [gait] like [that of] women and the proud, as [Isaiah, ibid.] states: "walking and mincing as they go, tinkling with their feet."
Nor should he run in public like a madman, nor bend over like a hunchback. Rather, he should cast his eyes downward as he [does when he] stands during prayer. He should walk in the market-place like a person preoccupied with his business affairs.
From a man's carriage, too, one can recognize whether he is wise and a thoughtful person or mindless and a fool. Thus, Solomon said in his wisdom (Ecclesiastes 10:3): "On the road, too, when the fool walks, his mind is empty and he proclaims to all that he is a fool" - he informs everyone about himself, that he is a fool.
ח
לא ילך תלמיד חכם בקומה זקופה וגרון נטוי כענין שנאמר ותלכנה נטויות גרון ומשקרות עינים ולא יהלך עקב בצד גודל בנחת כמו הנשים וגסי הרוח כענין שנאמר הלוך וטפוף תלכנה וברגליהם תעכסנה ולא ירוץ ברשות הרבים כמנהג משוגעים ולא יכפוף קומתו כבעלי חטוטרת אלא מסתכל למטה כמו שהוא עומד בתפלה ומהלך בשוק כאדם שהוא טרוד בעסקיו גם ממהלכו של אדם ניכר אם חכם ובעל דעה הוא או שוטה וסכל וכן אמר שלמה בחכמתו וגם בדרך כשהסכל הולך לבו חסר ואמר לכל סכל הוא הוא מודיע לכל על עצמו שהוא סכל:
9
A Torah Sage's clothing should be attractive and clean. It is forbidden that [a] blood or fat [stain] or the like be found on his garment.
He should not wear regal garb, e.g., clothes of gold and purple, which draw everyone's attention, nor the dress of the poor which shames its wearers, but attractive garments of the middle range.
His flesh should not be visible under his clothing as [is the case when one wears] the exceptionally sheer linen garments produced in Egypt. His clothes should not drag on the ground like the dress of the haughty, but [should extend] to the heel and his sleeves [should extend] to his fingers.
He should not let his cloak hang down, for that creates an impression of haughtiness, except on the Sabbath if he has no change [of cloak].
In the summer, he should not wear shoes that have often been mended and have many patches. He may do so in the rainy season, if he is poor.
He should not go out in the marketplace perfumed, or with perfumed clothes, nor should he put perfume on his hair. However, he is permitted to rub perfume on his body if he does so in order to remove filth. Similarly, he should not go out alone at night, unless he has a set time to go out for his studies. All of these [restrictions are instituted] because of [possible] suspicion [of immorality].
ט
מלבוש תלמיד חכם מלבוש נאה ונקי ואסור לו שימצא בבגדו כתם או שמנונית וכיוצא בהן ולא ילבש לא מלבוש מלכים כגון בגדי זהב וארגמן שהכל מסתכלין בהן ולא מלבוש עניים שהוא מבזה את לובשיו אלא בגדים בינונים נאים ולא יהא בשרו נראה מתחת מדיו כמו בגדי הפשתן הקלים ביותר שעושים במצרים ולא יהיו בגדיו סחובין על הארץ כמו בגדי גסי הרוח אלא עד עקבו ובית יד שלו עד ראשי אצבעותיו ולא ישלשל טליתו מפני שנראה כגסות הרוח אלא בשבת בלבד אם אין לו להחליף ולא ינעל מנעלים מטולאים טלאי על גבי טלאי בימות החמה אבל בימות הגשמים מותר אם היה עני לא יצא מבושם לשוק ולא בבגדים מבושמים ולא ישים בושם בשערו אבל אם משח בשרו בבושם כדי להעביר את הזוהמא מותר וכן לא יצא יחידי בלילה אלא א"כ היה לו זמן קבוע לצאת בו לתלמודו כל אלו מפני החשד:
10
A Torah Sage manages his financial affairs judiciously. He eats, drinks, and provides for his household in accordance with his funds and [degree of] success without overtaxing himself.
The Sages have directed [us] regarding the ways of the world: A person should eat meat only with appetite as [Deuteronomy 12:20] states: "If your soul should crave to eat meat..." It is sufficient for the healthy to eat meat [once weekly,] from Sabbath eve to Sabbath eve. If he is wealthy enough to eat meat every day, he may.
The Sages have [also] directed us, saying: One should always eat less than befits his income, dress as befits [his income], and provide for his wife and children beyond what befits [his income].
י
תלמיד חכם מכלכל דבריו במשפט אוכל ושותה וזן את אנשי ביתו כפי ממונו והצלחתו ולא יטריח על עצמו יותר מדאי צוו חכמים בדרך ארץ שלא יאכל אדם בשר אלא תיאבון שנאמר כי תאוה נפשך לאכול בשר דיו לבריא לאכול בשר מערב שבת לערב שבת ואם היה עשיר כדי לאכול בשר בכל יום אוכל צוו חכמים ואמרו לעולם יאכל אדם פחות מן הראוי לו לפי ממונו וילבש כראוי לו ויכבד אשתו ובניו יותר מן הראוי לו:
11
The way of sensible men is that first, one should establish an occupation by which he can support himself. Then, he should purchase a house to live in and then, marry a wife. [This order of priorities may be inferred from Deuteronomy 20:5-7], which states: "Who is the man who has planted a vineyard, but not redeemed it...;" "who is the man who has built a house, but not dedicated it...;" "who is the man who has betrothed a woman, but not taken her [to wife]..."
In contrast, a fool begins by marrying a wife. Then, if he can find the means, he purchases a house. Finally, towards the end of his life, he will search about for a trade or support himself from charity.
[This is also implied by the order of] the curses mentioned [in Deuteronomy 28:30]: "You shall betroth a woman..., you shall build a house..., you shall plant a vineyard;" i.e., your behavior will be disordered so that you will not succeed in your ways. However, in regard to blessing [I Samuel 18:14] states: "And David was thoughtful in all his undertakings and God was with him."
יא
דרך בעלי דעה שיקבע לו אדם מלאכה המפרנסת אותו תחילה ואח"כ יקנה בית דירה ואחר כך ישא אשה שנאמר מי האיש אשר נטע כרם ולא חללו מי האיש אשר בנה בית חדש ולא חנכו מי האיש אשר ארש אשה ולא לקחה אבל הטפשין מתחילין לישא אשה ואח"כ אם תמצא ידו יקנה בית ואחר כך בסוף ימיו יחזור לבקש אומנות או יתפרנס מן הצדקה וכן הוא אומר בקללות אשה תארש בית תבנה כרם תטע כלומר יהיו מעשיך הפוכין כדי שלא תצליח את דרכיך ובברכה הוא אומר ויהי דוד לכל דרכיו משכיל וה' עמו:
12
One is forbidden to renounce ownership of, or consecrate, all of his possessions and [thereby,] become a burden to society.
He should not sell a field and buy a house, [sell] a house and buy chattels, or use money [acquired] by [selling] his house for trade. Conversely, he should sell chattels to buy a field. The rule is that he should aim to improve his [financial position] and to exchange the impermanent for the permanent.
His intention should not be to enjoy slight momentary pleasure, or to enjoy some slight pleasure [for which he] incurs a great loss.
יב
ואסור לו לאדם להפקיר או להקדיש כל נכסיו ויטריח על הבריות ולא ימכור שדה ויקנה בית ולא בית ויקנה מטלטלין או יעשה סחורה בדמי ביתו אבל מוכר הוא מטלטלין וקונה שדה כללו של דבר ישים מגמתו להצליח נכסיו ולהחליף הכלה בקיים ולא תהיה כוונתו ליהנות מעט לפי שעה או ליהנות מעט ויפסיד הרבה:
13
A Torah Sage [should conduct] his business dealings with honesty and good faith. When [his] answer is "no," he says, "no;" when [his answer] is "yes," he says, "yes."
He is stringent with himself in his accounting, gives and yields to others when he buys from them, but is not demanding [about what they owe him].
He pays for his purchases immediately. He does not act as a guarantor, or accept objects for deposit, or act as a debt collector for a lender.
He accepts obligations in matters of buying and selling for which the Torah does not hold him liable, in order to uphold and not go back on his verbal commitments. If others have obligations to him by law, he grants them an extension and pardons them. He lends and bestows gifts.
He does not encroach upon another's occupation, nor does he ever cause someone discomfort. The rule is that he should be among the pursued and not the pursuers, among those who accept humiliation but not among those who humiliate [others]. Whoever does all the above and their like, of him [Isaiah 49:3] states: "And He said to me, 'You are My servant, Israel, through whom I will be glorified.'”
יג
משאו ומתנו של תלמיד חכם באמת ובאמונה אומר על לאו לאו ועל הן הן מדקדק על עצמו בחשבון ונותן ומוותר לאחרים כשיקח מהן ולא ידקדק עליהן ונותן דמי המקח לאלתר ואינו נעשה לא ערב ולא קבלן ולא יבא בהרשאה (אינו) מחייב עצמו בדברי מקח וממכר במקום שלא חייבה אותו תורה כדי שיעמוד בדבורו ולא ישנהו ואם נתחייבו לו אחרים בדין מאריך ומוחל להן ומלוה וחונן ולא ירד לתוך אומנות חבירו ולא יצר לאדם לעולם בחייו כללו של דבר יהיה מן הנרדפים ולא מן הרודפים מן הנעלבים ולא מן העולבים ואדם שעושה כל המעשים האלו וכיוצא בהן עליו הכתוב אומר ויאמר לי עבדי אתה ישראל אשר בך אתפאר:
• Monday, 29 Tishrei, 5777 · 31 October 2016
• "Today's Day"
• Thursday, Tishrei 29, 5704
Torah lessons: Chumash: Noach, Chamishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 140-144.
Tanya: Now, though (p. 541) ...of blessed memory. (p. 541).
We do recite the b'racha upon seeing the rainbow (p. 87); we do not follow those (authorities) who are hesitant in this matter.
A resident of Mezibuz had a quarrel with another. Once, while in the Baal Shem Tov's shul, he shouted that he would tear the other fellow to pieces like a fish.
The Baal Shem Tov told his pupils to hold one another's hand, and to stand near him with their eyes closed. Then he placed his holy hands on the shoulders of the two disciples next to him. Suddenly the disciples began shouting in great terror: They had seen that fellow actually dismembering his disputant.
This incident shows clearly that every potential has an effect - either in physical form or on a spiritual plane that can be perceived only with higher and more refined senses.
• Daily Thought:• "Today's Day"
• Thursday, Tishrei 29, 5704
Torah lessons: Chumash: Noach, Chamishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 140-144.
Tanya: Now, though (p. 541) ...of blessed memory. (p. 541).
We do recite the b'racha upon seeing the rainbow (p. 87); we do not follow those (authorities) who are hesitant in this matter.
A resident of Mezibuz had a quarrel with another. Once, while in the Baal Shem Tov's shul, he shouted that he would tear the other fellow to pieces like a fish.
The Baal Shem Tov told his pupils to hold one another's hand, and to stand near him with their eyes closed. Then he placed his holy hands on the shoulders of the two disciples next to him. Suddenly the disciples began shouting in great terror: They had seen that fellow actually dismembering his disputant.
This incident shows clearly that every potential has an effect - either in physical form or on a spiritual plane that can be perceived only with higher and more refined senses.
Joyful Emptiness
Start here: Open yourself to receive all that heaven wants to give you.
How will you receive it? By being empty.
Full of self-concern, of "what will become of me?" of "where life is taking me?"—there’s no room for life to enter.
But a simple, open spirit is filled with joy from heaven.[Maamar Vayishlach 5718. Sichat Acharon Shel Pesach 5723:9.]
No comments:
Post a Comment