Torah Reading
Chayei Sarah: Genesis 23:1-16
Genesis 23:1 Sarah lived to be 127 years old; these were the years of Sarah’s life. 2 Sarah died in Kiryat-Arba, also known as Hevron, in the land of Kena‘an; and Avraham came to mourn Sarah and weep for her. 3 Then he got up from his dead one and said to the sons of Het, 4 “I am a foreigner living as an alien with you; let me have a burial site with you, so that I can bury my dead wife.” 5 The sons of Het answered Avraham, 6 “Listen to us, my lord. You are a prince of God among us, so choose any of our tombs to bury your dead — not one of us would refuse you his tomb for burying your dead.”
7 Avraham got up, bowed before the people of the land, the sons of Het, 8 and spoke with them. “If it is your desire to help me bury my dead, then listen to me: ask ‘Efron the son of Tzochar 9 to give me the cave of Makhpelah, which he owns, the one at the end of his field. He should sell it to me in your presence at its full value; then I will have a burial site of my own.”
10 ‘Efron the Hitti was sitting among the sons of Het, and he gave Avraham his answer in the presence of the sons of Het who belonged to the ruling council of the city: 11 “No, my lord, listen to me: I’m giving you the field, with its cave — I’m giving it to you. In the presence of my people I give it to you.” 12 Avraham bowed before the people of the land 13 and spoke to ‘Efron in their hearing: “Please be good enough to listen to me. I will pay the price of the field; accept it from me, and I will bury my dead there.” 14 But ‘Efron answered Avraham, 15 “My lord, listen to me. A plot of land worth 400 silver shekels — what is that between me and you? Just bury your dead.” 16 Avraham got the point of what ‘Efron had said, so he weighed out for ‘Efron the amount of money he had specified in the presence of the sons of Het, 400 silver shekels of the weight accepted among merchants [ten pounds].
Today in Jewish History:
Birth of Rabbi Sholom DovBer of Lubavitch (1860)
The fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Sholom DovBer Schneerson (known by the acronym "Rashab"), was born on the 20th of Cheshvan of the year 5621 from creation (1860).
After the passing of his father, Rabbi Shmuel of Lubavitch, in 1882, Rabbi Sholom DovBer assumed the leadership of the movement. Over the next 38 years, he wrote and delivered some 2,000 maamarim (discourses of Chassidic teaching) including the famed hemshechim (serialized discourses) which contain his profound analytical treatment of Chabad Chassidism. In 1897, he established the Tomchei Temimim yeshivah in Lubavitch, the first institution of Jewish learning to integrate the "body" (Talmudic and legal studies) and "soul" (philosophic and mystical) of Torah into a cohesive, living whole; it was this unique form of education and Torah study that produced the "Temimim" -- the army of learned, inspired and devoted torchbearers who, in the decades to come, would literally give their lives to keep Judaism alive under Soviet rule.
In 1915 Rabbi Sholom DovBer was forced to flee Lubavitch from the advancing WWI front and settled in Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia. In his final years, he began the heroic battle -- carried on under the leadership of his son and successor, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson -- against the new Communist regime's efforts to destroy the Jewish faith. Rabbi Sholom DovBer passed away in Rostov in 1920.
Links: Want it All; To Know G-d and On Ahavat Yisrael -- two maamarim by Rabbi Sholom DovBer.
Daily Quote:
When one eats and drinks [on the festivals], one must also feed the stranger, the orphan, the widow, and the other unfortunate paupers. But one who locks the doors of his courtyard and feasts and drinks with his children and wife but does not feed the poor and the embittered -- this is not the joy of mitzvah but the joy of his stomach[Maimonides' Mishneh Torah, Laws of the Festivals 6:18]
Today's Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Parshat Chayei Sarah, 2nd Portion (Genesis 23:17-24:9) with Rashi
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Parshat Chayei Sarah, 2nd Portion (Genesis 23:17-24:9) with Rashi
• Genesis Chapter 23
17And so the field of Ephron which was in Machpelah, facing Mamre, was established (as Abraham's possession). [This included] the field and the cave that was in it, and all the trees that were in the field, which were within its entire border around. יזוַיָּ֣קָם | שְׂדֵ֣ה עֶפְר֗וֹן אֲשֶׁר֙ בַּמַּכְפֵּלָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֖ר לִפְנֵ֣י מַמְרֵ֑א הַשָּׂדֶה֙ וְהַמְּעָרָ֣ה אֲשֶׁר־בּ֔וֹ וְכָל־הָעֵץ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בַּשָּׂדֶ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּכָל־גְּבֻל֖וֹ סָבִֽיב:
the field of Ephron…was established: Heb. וַיָקָם, lit. it arose. It experienced an elevation, for it left the possession of a simple person [and went] into the possession of a king (Gen. Rabbah 48:8). The simple meaning of the verse is: And the field and the cave that was within it, and all the trees…were established to Abraham as a possession, etc. — from Targum Jonathan ben Uzziel] ויקם שדה עפרון: תקומה היתה לה שיצאה מיד הדיוט ליד מלך. ופשוטו של מקרא ויקם השדה והמערה אשר בו וכל העץ לאברהם למקנה וגו':
18[It was] to Abraham as a possession before the eyes of the sons of Heth, in the presence of all who had come within the gate of his city. יחלְאַבְרָהָ֥ם לְמִקְנָ֖ה לְעֵינֵ֣י בְנֵי־חֵ֑ת בְּכֹ֖ל בָּאֵ֥י שַֽׁעַר־עִירֽוֹ:
in the presence of all who had come within the gate of his city: In the midst of them all and in the presence of all he sold it to him. בכל באי שער עירו: בקרב כולם ובמעמד כולם הקנהו לו:
19And afterwards, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah, facing Mamre, which is Hebron, in the land of Canaan. יטוְאַֽחֲרֵי־כֵן֩ קָבַ֨ר אַבְרָהָ֜ם אֶת־שָׂרָ֣ה אִשְׁתּ֗וֹ אֶל־מְעָרַ֞ת שְׂדֵ֧ה הַמַּכְפֵּלָ֛ה עַל־פְּנֵ֥י מַמְרֵ֖א הִ֣וא חֶבְר֑וֹן בְּאֶ֖רֶץ כְּנָֽעַן:
20And the field and the cave within it were established to Abraham as burial property, [purchased] from the sons of Heth. כוַיָּ֨קָם הַשָּׂדֶ֜ה וְהַמְּעָרָ֧ה אֲשֶׁר־בּ֛וֹ לְאַבְרָהָ֖ם לַֽאֲחֻזַּת־קָ֑בֶר מֵאֵ֖ת בְּנֵי־חֵֽת:
Genesis Chapter 24
1And Abraham was old, advanced in days, and the Lord had blessed Abraham with everything. אוְאַבְרָהָ֣ם זָקֵ֔ן בָּ֖א בַּיָּמִ֑ים וַֽיהֹוָ֛ה בֵּרַ֥ךְ אֶת־אַבְרָהָ֖ם בַּכֹּֽל:
had blessed Abraham with everything: [The word] בַּכֹּל is numerically equal to בֵּן [son]. Since he had a son, he had to find him a wife. ברך את אברהם בכל: בכל עולה בגימטריא בן, ומאחר שהיה לו בן היה צריך להשיאו אשה:
2And Abraham said to his servant, the elder of his house, who ruled over all that was his, "Please place your hand under my thigh. בוַיֹּ֣אמֶר אַבְרָהָ֗ם אֶל־עַבְדּוֹ֙ זְקַ֣ן בֵּית֔וֹ הַמּשֵׁ֖ל בְּכָל־אֲשֶׁר־ל֑וֹ שִֽׂים־נָ֥א יָֽדְךָ֖ תַּ֥חַת יְרֵכִֽי:
the elder of his house: Since [the word זְקַן] is in the construct state, it is vowelized זְקַן. זקן ביתו: לפי שהוא דבוק נקוד זקן:
under my thigh: (Shev. 38) Since one who swears must take with his hand an article related to a mitzvah such as a Torah scroll or Tefillin, and circumcision was his first mitzvah, and he had fulfilled it with pain, it was dear to him; so he took it. תחת ירכי: לפי שהנשבע צריך שיטול בידו חפץ של מצוה, כגון ספר תורה או תפילין, והמילה היתה מצוה ראשונה לו ובאה לו על ידי צער והיתה חביבה עליו ונטלה:
3And I will adjure you by the Lord, the God of the heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose midst I dwell. גוְאַשְׁבִּ֣יעֲךָ֔ בַּֽיהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וֵֽאלֹהֵ֖י הָאָ֑רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־תִקַּ֤ח אִשָּׁה֙ לִבְנִ֔י מִבְּנוֹת֙ הַכְּנַֽעֲנִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָֽנֹכִ֖י יוֹשֵׁ֥ב בְּקִרְבּֽוֹ:
4But you shall go to my land and to my birthplace, and you shall take a wife for my son, for Isaac." דכִּ֧י אֶל־אַרְצִ֛י וְאֶל־מֽוֹלַדְתִּ֖י תֵּלֵ֑ךְ וְלָֽקַחְתָּ֥ אִשָּׁ֖ה לִבְנִ֥י לְיִצְחָֽק:
5And the servant said to him, "Perhaps the woman will not wish to go after me to this land. Shall I return your son to the land from which you came?" הוַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ הָעֶ֔בֶד אוּלַי֙ לֹֽא־תֹאבֶ֣ה הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה לָלֶ֥כֶת אַֽחֲרַ֖י אֶל־הָאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֑את הֶֽהָשֵׁ֤ב אָשִׁיב֙ אֶת־בִּנְךָ֔ אֶל־הָאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־יָצָ֥אתָ מִשָּֽׁם:
6And Abraham said to him, "Beware, lest you return my son back there. ווַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֵלָ֖יו אַבְרָהָ֑ם הִשָּׁ֣מֶר לְךָ֔ פֶּן־תָּשִׁ֥יב אֶת־בְּנִ֖י שָֽׁמָּה:
7The Lord, God of the heavens, Who took me from my father's house and from the land of my birth, and Who spoke about me, and Who swore to me, saying, 'To your seed will I give this land' He will send His angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. זיְהֹוָ֣ה | אֱלֹהֵ֣י הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם אֲשֶׁ֨ר לְקָחַ֜נִי מִבֵּ֣ית אָבִי֘ וּמֵאֶ֣רֶץ מֽוֹלַדְתִּי֒ וַֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּר־לִ֜י וַֽאֲשֶׁ֤ר נִשְׁבַּע־לִי֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לְזַ֨רְעֲךָ֔ אֶתֵּ֖ן אֶת־הָאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֑את ה֗וּא יִשְׁלַ֤ח מַלְאָכוֹ֙ לְפָנֶ֔יךָ וְלָֽקַחְתָּ֥ אִשָּׁ֛ה לִבְנִ֖י מִשָּֽׁם:
The Lord, God of the heavens, Who took me from my father’s house:But he did not say, “and the God of the earth,” whereas above (verse 3) he said, “And I will adjure you [by the Lord, the God of the heaven and the God of the earth].” He said to him,“Now He is the God of the heaven and the God of the earth, because I have made Him familiar in the mouths of the people, but when He took me from my father’s house, He was the God of the heavens but not the God of the earth, because mankind did not acknowledge Him, and His name was not familiar on the earth.” ה' אלהי השמים אשר לקחני מבית אבי: ולא אמר ואלהי הארץ, ולמעלה אמר (פסוק ג) ואשביעך בה' אלהי השמים ואלהי הארץ. אמר לו עכשיו הוא אלהי השמים ואלהי הארץ, שהרגלתיו בפי הבריות, אבל כשלקחני מבית אבי היה אלהי השמים ולא אלהי הארץ, שלא היו באי עולם מכירים בו, ושמו לא היה רגיל בארץ:
from my father’s house: from Haran. מבית אבי: מחרן:
and from the land of my birth: from Ur of the Chaldees. ומארץ מולדתי: מאור כשדים:
and Who spoke about me: [Here לִי means]“concerning me,” like אֲשֶׁר דִבֵּר,“who spoke concerning me.” Similarly, every לִי, לוֹ, and לָהֶם used in conjunction with the verb דבר -speak-is to be interpreted in the sense of עַל,“concerning,” and their Aramaic translation is עִלֵי, עִלוֹהִי, עִלֵיהוֹן. For in conjunction with דִּבּוּר, the use of the terms לִי, לוֹ, and לָהֶם is inappropriate, but rather אֵלַי, אֵלָיו and אִלֵיהֶם [are to be used], and their Aramaic translation is עִמִּי, עִמֵּיהּ, עִמְּהוֹן However, following the expression אִמִירה [saying], the terms לִי, לוֹ, and לָהֶם are appropriate. ואשר דבר לי: לצרכי, כמו (מלכים א' ב ד) אשר דבר עלי, וכן כל לי ולו ולהם הסמוכים אצל דבור מפורשים בלשון על, ותרגום שלהם עלי עלוהי עליהון, שאין נופל אצל דבור לשון לי ולו ולהם, אלא אלי אליו אליהם ותרגום שלהם עמי עמיה עמהון, אבל אצל אמירה נופל לשון לי ולו ולהם:
and Who swore to me: At the Covenant Between the Parts. ואשר נשבע לי: בין הבתרים:
8And if the woman will not wish to go after you, you will be absolved of this, my oath; only do not return my son back there." חוְאִם־לֹ֨א תֹאבֶ֤ה הָֽאִשָּׁה֙ לָלֶ֣כֶת אַֽחֲרֶ֔יךָ וְנִקִּ֕יתָ מִשְּׁבֻֽעָתִ֖י זֹ֑את רַ֣ק אֶת־בְּנִ֔י לֹ֥א תָשֵׁ֖ב שָֽׁמָּה:
you will be absolved of this, my oath: And take him a wife from the daughters of Aner, Eshkol, and Mamre. — [From Gen. Rabbah 49:8] ונקית משבועתי וגו': וקח לו אשה מבנות ענר אשכול וממרא:
only…my son: “Only” is restrictive. My son will not return, but Jacob, my grandson, will ultimately return. רק את בני וגו': רק מיעוט הוא, בני אינו חוזר אבל יעקב בן בני סופו לחזור:
9And the servant placed his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and he swore to him concerning this matter. טוַיָּ֤שֶׂם הָעֶ֨בֶד֙ אֶת־יָד֔וֹ תַּ֛חַת יֶ֥רֶךְ אַבְרָהָ֖ם אֲדֹנָ֑יו וַיִּשָּׁ֣בַע ל֔וֹ עַל־הַדָּבָ֖ר הַזֶּֽה:
Daily Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 97-103
• Chapter 97
1. When the Lord will reveal His kingship, the earth will exult; the multitudes of islands will rejoice.
2. Clouds and dense darkness will surround Him; justice and mercy will be the foundation of His throne.
3. Fire will go before Him and consume His foes all around.
4. His lightnings will illuminate the world; the earth will see and tremble.
5. The mountains will melt like wax before the Lord, before the Master of all the earth.
6. The heavens will declare His justice, and all the nations will behold His glory.
7. All who worship graven images, who take pride in idols, will be ashamed; all idol worshippers will prostrate themselves before Him.
8. Zion will hear and rejoice, the towns of Judah will exult, because of Your judgments, O Lord.
9. For You, Lord, transcend all the earth; You are exceedingly exalted above all the supernal beings.
10. You who love the Lord, hate evil; He watches over the souls of His pious ones, He saves them from the hand of the wicked.
11. Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
12. Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and extol His holy Name.
Chapter 98
This psalm describes how Israel will praise God for the Redemption.
1. A psalm. Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has performed wonders; His right hand and holy arm have wrought deliverance for Him.
2. The Lord has made known His salvation; He has revealed His justice before the eyes of the nations.
3. He has remembered His kindness and faithfulness to the House of Israel; all, from the farthest corners of the earth, witnessed the deliverance by our God.
4. Raise your voices in jubilation to the Lord, all the earth; burst into joyous song and chanting.
5. Sing to the Lord with a harp, with a harp and the sound of song.
6. With trumpets and the sound of the shofar, jubilate before the King, the Lord.
7. The sea and its fullness will roar in joy, the earth and its inhabitants.
8. The rivers will clap their hands, the mountains will sing together.
9. [They will rejoice] before the Lord, for He has come to judge the earth; He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with righteousness.
Chapter 99
This psalm refers to the wars of Gog and Magog, which will precede the Redemption.
1. When the Lord will reveal His kingship, the nations will tremble; the earth will quake before Him Who is enthroned upon the cherubim,
2. [before] the Lord Who is in Zion, Who is great and exalted above all the peoples.
3. They will extol Your Name which is great, awesome and holy.
4. And [they will praise] the might of the King Who loves justice. You have established uprightness; You have made [the laws of] justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5. Exalt the Lord our God, and bow down at His footstool; He is holy.
6. Moses and Aaron among His priests, and Samuel among those who invoke His Name, would call upon the Lord and He would answer them.
7. He would speak to them from a pillar of cloud; they observed His testimonies and the decrees which He gave them.
8. Lord our God, You have answered them; You were a forgiving God for their sake, yet bringing retribution for their own misdeeds.
9. Exalt the Lord our God, and bow down at His holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy.
Chapter 100
This psalm inspires the hearts of those who suffer in this world. Let them, nevertheless, serve God with joy, for all is for their good, as in the verse: "He whom God loves does He chastise." The psalm also refers to the thanksgiving sacrifice-the only sacrifice to be offered in the Messianic era.
1. A psalm of thanksgiving. Let all the earth sing in jubilation to the Lord.
2. Serve the Lord with joy; come before Him with exultation.
3. Know that the Lord is God; He has made us and we are His, His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4. Enter His gates with gratitude, His courtyards with praise; give thanks to Him, bless His Name.
5. For the Lord is good; His kindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness is for all generations.
Chapter 101
This psalm speaks of David's secluding himself from others, and of his virtuous conduct even in his own home.
1. By David, a psalm. I will sing of [Your] kindness and justice; to You, O Lord, will I chant praise!
2. I will pay heed to the path of integrity-O when will it come to me? I shall walk with the innocence of my heart [even] within my house.
3. I shall not place an evil thing before my eyes; I despise the doing of wayward deeds, it does not cling to me.
4. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I shall not know evil.
5. He who slanders his fellow in secret, him will I cut down; one with haughty eyes and a lustful heart, him I cannot suffer.
6. My eyes are upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the path of integrity, he shall minister to me.
7. He that practices deceit shall not dwell within my house; the speaker of lies shall have no place before my eyes.
8. Every morning I will cut down all the wicked of the land, to excise all evildoers from the city of the Lord.
Chapter 102
An awe-inspiring prayer for the exiled, and an appropriate prayer for anyone in distress.
1. A prayer of the poor man when he is faint [with affliction], and pours out his tale of woe before the Lord.
2. O Lord, hear my prayer, let my cry reach You!
3. Hide not Your face from me on the day of my distress; turn Your ear to me; on the day that I call, answer me quickly.
4. For my days have vanished with the smoke; my bones are dried up as a hearth.
5. Smitten like grass and withered is my heart, for I have forgotten to eat my bread.
6. From the voice of my sigh, my bone cleaves to my flesh.
7. I am like the bird of the wilderness; like the owl of the wasteland have I become.
8. In haste I fled; I was like a bird, alone on a roof.
9. All day my enemies disgrace me; those who ridicule me curse using my name.1
10. For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mixed my drink with tears,
11. because of Your anger and Your wrath-for You have raised me up, then cast me down.
12. My days are like the fleeting shadow; I wither away like the grass.
13. But You, Lord, will be enthroned forever, and Your remembrance is for all generations.
14. You will arise and have mercy on Zion, for it is time to be gracious to her; the appointed time has come.
15. For Your servants cherish her stones, and love her dust.
16. Then the nations will fear the Name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth Your glory,
17. when [they see that] the Lord has built Zion, He has appeared in His glory.
18. He turned to the entreaty of the prayerful, and did not despise their prayer.
19. Let this be written for the last generation, so that the newborn nation will praise the Lord.
20. For He looked down from His holy heights; from heaven, the Lord gazed upon the earth,
21. to hear the cry of the bound, to untie those who are doomed to die,
22. so that the Name of the Lord be declared in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem,
23. when nations and kingdoms will gather together to serve the Lord.
24. He weakened my strength on the way; He shortened my days.
25. I would say: "My God, do not remove me in the midst of my days! You Whose years endure through all generations.”
26. In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.
27. They will perish, but You will endure; all of them will wear out like a garment; You will exchange them like a robe, and they will vanish.
28. But You remain the same; Your years will not end.
29. The children of Your servants will abide; their seed shall be established before You.
FOOTNOTES
1.When swearing, they would say, “If I am lying, may I become like the miserable Jews” (Metzudot).
Chapter 103
David's prayer when he was ill, this psalm is an appropriate prayer on behalf of the sick, especially when offered by the sick person himself while his soul is yet in his body. He can then bless God from his depths, body and soul. Read, and find repose for your soul.
1. By David. Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all my being, His holy Name.
2. My soul, bless the Lord; forget not all His favors:
3. Who forgives all your sins, Who heals all your illnesses;
4. Who redeems your life from the grave, Who crowns you with kindness and mercy;
5. Who satisfies your mouth with goodness; like the eagle, your youth is renewed.
6. The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
7. He made His ways known to Moses, His deeds to the Children of Israel.
8. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and of great kindness.
9. He will not contend for eternity, nor harbor ill will forever.
10. He has not dealt with us according to our transgressions, nor requited us according to our sins.
11. For as high as heaven is above the earth, so has His kindness been mighty over those who fear Him.
12. As far as the east is from the west, so has He distanced our transgressions from us.
13. As a father has compassion on his children, so has the Lord had compassion on those who fear Him.
14. For He knows our nature; He is mindful that we are but dust.
15. As for man, his days are like grass; like a flower of the field, so he sprouts.
16. When a wind passes over him, he is gone; his place recognizes him no more.
17. But the kindness of the Lord is forever and ever upon those who fear Him, and His righteousness is [secured] for children's children,
18. to those who keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commands to do them.
19. The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingship has dominion over all.
20. Bless the Lord, you His angels who are mighty in strength, who do His bidding to obey the voice of His speech.
21. Bless the Lord, all His hosts, His servants who do His will.
22. Bless the Lord, all His works, in all the places of His dominion. My soul, bless the Lord!
Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, middle of Epistle 29
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Monday, 20 Cheshvan, 5777 · 21 November 2016
• Iggeret HaKodesh, middle of Epistle 29
17And so the field of Ephron which was in Machpelah, facing Mamre, was established (as Abraham's possession). [This included] the field and the cave that was in it, and all the trees that were in the field, which were within its entire border around. יזוַיָּ֣קָם | שְׂדֵ֣ה עֶפְר֗וֹן אֲשֶׁר֙ בַּמַּכְפֵּלָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֖ר לִפְנֵ֣י מַמְרֵ֑א הַשָּׂדֶה֙ וְהַמְּעָרָ֣ה אֲשֶׁר־בּ֔וֹ וְכָל־הָעֵץ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בַּשָּׂדֶ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּכָל־גְּבֻל֖וֹ סָבִֽיב:
the field of Ephron…was established: Heb. וַיָקָם, lit. it arose. It experienced an elevation, for it left the possession of a simple person [and went] into the possession of a king (Gen. Rabbah 48:8). The simple meaning of the verse is: And the field and the cave that was within it, and all the trees…were established to Abraham as a possession, etc. — from Targum Jonathan ben Uzziel] ויקם שדה עפרון: תקומה היתה לה שיצאה מיד הדיוט ליד מלך. ופשוטו של מקרא ויקם השדה והמערה אשר בו וכל העץ לאברהם למקנה וגו':
18[It was] to Abraham as a possession before the eyes of the sons of Heth, in the presence of all who had come within the gate of his city. יחלְאַבְרָהָ֥ם לְמִקְנָ֖ה לְעֵינֵ֣י בְנֵי־חֵ֑ת בְּכֹ֖ל בָּאֵ֥י שַֽׁעַר־עִירֽוֹ:
in the presence of all who had come within the gate of his city: In the midst of them all and in the presence of all he sold it to him. בכל באי שער עירו: בקרב כולם ובמעמד כולם הקנהו לו:
19And afterwards, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah, facing Mamre, which is Hebron, in the land of Canaan. יטוְאַֽחֲרֵי־כֵן֩ קָבַ֨ר אַבְרָהָ֜ם אֶת־שָׂרָ֣ה אִשְׁתּ֗וֹ אֶל־מְעָרַ֞ת שְׂדֵ֧ה הַמַּכְפֵּלָ֛ה עַל־פְּנֵ֥י מַמְרֵ֖א הִ֣וא חֶבְר֑וֹן בְּאֶ֖רֶץ כְּנָֽעַן:
20And the field and the cave within it were established to Abraham as burial property, [purchased] from the sons of Heth. כוַיָּ֨קָם הַשָּׂדֶ֜ה וְהַמְּעָרָ֧ה אֲשֶׁר־בּ֛וֹ לְאַבְרָהָ֖ם לַֽאֲחֻזַּת־קָ֑בֶר מֵאֵ֖ת בְּנֵי־חֵֽת:
Genesis Chapter 24
1And Abraham was old, advanced in days, and the Lord had blessed Abraham with everything. אוְאַבְרָהָ֣ם זָקֵ֔ן בָּ֖א בַּיָּמִ֑ים וַֽיהֹוָ֛ה בֵּרַ֥ךְ אֶת־אַבְרָהָ֖ם בַּכֹּֽל:
had blessed Abraham with everything: [The word] בַּכֹּל is numerically equal to בֵּן [son]. Since he had a son, he had to find him a wife. ברך את אברהם בכל: בכל עולה בגימטריא בן, ומאחר שהיה לו בן היה צריך להשיאו אשה:
2And Abraham said to his servant, the elder of his house, who ruled over all that was his, "Please place your hand under my thigh. בוַיֹּ֣אמֶר אַבְרָהָ֗ם אֶל־עַבְדּוֹ֙ זְקַ֣ן בֵּית֔וֹ הַמּשֵׁ֖ל בְּכָל־אֲשֶׁר־ל֑וֹ שִֽׂים־נָ֥א יָֽדְךָ֖ תַּ֥חַת יְרֵכִֽי:
the elder of his house: Since [the word זְקַן] is in the construct state, it is vowelized זְקַן. זקן ביתו: לפי שהוא דבוק נקוד זקן:
under my thigh: (Shev. 38) Since one who swears must take with his hand an article related to a mitzvah such as a Torah scroll or Tefillin, and circumcision was his first mitzvah, and he had fulfilled it with pain, it was dear to him; so he took it. תחת ירכי: לפי שהנשבע צריך שיטול בידו חפץ של מצוה, כגון ספר תורה או תפילין, והמילה היתה מצוה ראשונה לו ובאה לו על ידי צער והיתה חביבה עליו ונטלה:
3And I will adjure you by the Lord, the God of the heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose midst I dwell. גוְאַשְׁבִּ֣יעֲךָ֔ בַּֽיהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וֵֽאלֹהֵ֖י הָאָ֑רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־תִקַּ֤ח אִשָּׁה֙ לִבְנִ֔י מִבְּנוֹת֙ הַכְּנַֽעֲנִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָֽנֹכִ֖י יוֹשֵׁ֥ב בְּקִרְבּֽוֹ:
4But you shall go to my land and to my birthplace, and you shall take a wife for my son, for Isaac." דכִּ֧י אֶל־אַרְצִ֛י וְאֶל־מֽוֹלַדְתִּ֖י תֵּלֵ֑ךְ וְלָֽקַחְתָּ֥ אִשָּׁ֖ה לִבְנִ֥י לְיִצְחָֽק:
5And the servant said to him, "Perhaps the woman will not wish to go after me to this land. Shall I return your son to the land from which you came?" הוַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ הָעֶ֔בֶד אוּלַי֙ לֹֽא־תֹאבֶ֣ה הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה לָלֶ֥כֶת אַֽחֲרַ֖י אֶל־הָאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֑את הֶֽהָשֵׁ֤ב אָשִׁיב֙ אֶת־בִּנְךָ֔ אֶל־הָאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־יָצָ֥אתָ מִשָּֽׁם:
6And Abraham said to him, "Beware, lest you return my son back there. ווַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֵלָ֖יו אַבְרָהָ֑ם הִשָּׁ֣מֶר לְךָ֔ פֶּן־תָּשִׁ֥יב אֶת־בְּנִ֖י שָֽׁמָּה:
7The Lord, God of the heavens, Who took me from my father's house and from the land of my birth, and Who spoke about me, and Who swore to me, saying, 'To your seed will I give this land' He will send His angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. זיְהֹוָ֣ה | אֱלֹהֵ֣י הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם אֲשֶׁ֨ר לְקָחַ֜נִי מִבֵּ֣ית אָבִי֘ וּמֵאֶ֣רֶץ מֽוֹלַדְתִּי֒ וַֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּר־לִ֜י וַֽאֲשֶׁ֤ר נִשְׁבַּע־לִי֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לְזַ֨רְעֲךָ֔ אֶתֵּ֖ן אֶת־הָאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֑את ה֗וּא יִשְׁלַ֤ח מַלְאָכוֹ֙ לְפָנֶ֔יךָ וְלָֽקַחְתָּ֥ אִשָּׁ֛ה לִבְנִ֖י מִשָּֽׁם:
The Lord, God of the heavens, Who took me from my father’s house:But he did not say, “and the God of the earth,” whereas above (verse 3) he said, “And I will adjure you [by the Lord, the God of the heaven and the God of the earth].” He said to him,“Now He is the God of the heaven and the God of the earth, because I have made Him familiar in the mouths of the people, but when He took me from my father’s house, He was the God of the heavens but not the God of the earth, because mankind did not acknowledge Him, and His name was not familiar on the earth.” ה' אלהי השמים אשר לקחני מבית אבי: ולא אמר ואלהי הארץ, ולמעלה אמר (פסוק ג) ואשביעך בה' אלהי השמים ואלהי הארץ. אמר לו עכשיו הוא אלהי השמים ואלהי הארץ, שהרגלתיו בפי הבריות, אבל כשלקחני מבית אבי היה אלהי השמים ולא אלהי הארץ, שלא היו באי עולם מכירים בו, ושמו לא היה רגיל בארץ:
from my father’s house: from Haran. מבית אבי: מחרן:
and from the land of my birth: from Ur of the Chaldees. ומארץ מולדתי: מאור כשדים:
and Who spoke about me: [Here לִי means]“concerning me,” like אֲשֶׁר דִבֵּר,“who spoke concerning me.” Similarly, every לִי, לוֹ, and לָהֶם used in conjunction with the verb דבר -speak-is to be interpreted in the sense of עַל,“concerning,” and their Aramaic translation is עִלֵי, עִלוֹהִי, עִלֵיהוֹן. For in conjunction with דִּבּוּר, the use of the terms לִי, לוֹ, and לָהֶם is inappropriate, but rather אֵלַי, אֵלָיו and אִלֵיהֶם [are to be used], and their Aramaic translation is עִמִּי, עִמֵּיהּ, עִמְּהוֹן However, following the expression אִמִירה [saying], the terms לִי, לוֹ, and לָהֶם are appropriate. ואשר דבר לי: לצרכי, כמו (מלכים א' ב ד) אשר דבר עלי, וכן כל לי ולו ולהם הסמוכים אצל דבור מפורשים בלשון על, ותרגום שלהם עלי עלוהי עליהון, שאין נופל אצל דבור לשון לי ולו ולהם, אלא אלי אליו אליהם ותרגום שלהם עמי עמיה עמהון, אבל אצל אמירה נופל לשון לי ולו ולהם:
and Who swore to me: At the Covenant Between the Parts. ואשר נשבע לי: בין הבתרים:
8And if the woman will not wish to go after you, you will be absolved of this, my oath; only do not return my son back there." חוְאִם־לֹ֨א תֹאבֶ֤ה הָֽאִשָּׁה֙ לָלֶ֣כֶת אַֽחֲרֶ֔יךָ וְנִקִּ֕יתָ מִשְּׁבֻֽעָתִ֖י זֹ֑את רַ֣ק אֶת־בְּנִ֔י לֹ֥א תָשֵׁ֖ב שָֽׁמָּה:
you will be absolved of this, my oath: And take him a wife from the daughters of Aner, Eshkol, and Mamre. — [From Gen. Rabbah 49:8] ונקית משבועתי וגו': וקח לו אשה מבנות ענר אשכול וממרא:
only…my son: “Only” is restrictive. My son will not return, but Jacob, my grandson, will ultimately return. רק את בני וגו': רק מיעוט הוא, בני אינו חוזר אבל יעקב בן בני סופו לחזור:
9And the servant placed his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and he swore to him concerning this matter. טוַיָּ֤שֶׂם הָעֶ֨בֶד֙ אֶת־יָד֔וֹ תַּ֛חַת יֶ֥רֶךְ אַבְרָהָ֖ם אֲדֹנָ֑יו וַיִּשָּׁ֣בַע ל֔וֹ עַל־הַדָּבָ֖ר הַזֶּֽה:
Daily Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 97-103
• Chapter 97
1. When the Lord will reveal His kingship, the earth will exult; the multitudes of islands will rejoice.
2. Clouds and dense darkness will surround Him; justice and mercy will be the foundation of His throne.
3. Fire will go before Him and consume His foes all around.
4. His lightnings will illuminate the world; the earth will see and tremble.
5. The mountains will melt like wax before the Lord, before the Master of all the earth.
6. The heavens will declare His justice, and all the nations will behold His glory.
7. All who worship graven images, who take pride in idols, will be ashamed; all idol worshippers will prostrate themselves before Him.
8. Zion will hear and rejoice, the towns of Judah will exult, because of Your judgments, O Lord.
9. For You, Lord, transcend all the earth; You are exceedingly exalted above all the supernal beings.
10. You who love the Lord, hate evil; He watches over the souls of His pious ones, He saves them from the hand of the wicked.
11. Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
12. Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and extol His holy Name.
Chapter 98
This psalm describes how Israel will praise God for the Redemption.
1. A psalm. Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has performed wonders; His right hand and holy arm have wrought deliverance for Him.
2. The Lord has made known His salvation; He has revealed His justice before the eyes of the nations.
3. He has remembered His kindness and faithfulness to the House of Israel; all, from the farthest corners of the earth, witnessed the deliverance by our God.
4. Raise your voices in jubilation to the Lord, all the earth; burst into joyous song and chanting.
5. Sing to the Lord with a harp, with a harp and the sound of song.
6. With trumpets and the sound of the shofar, jubilate before the King, the Lord.
7. The sea and its fullness will roar in joy, the earth and its inhabitants.
8. The rivers will clap their hands, the mountains will sing together.
9. [They will rejoice] before the Lord, for He has come to judge the earth; He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with righteousness.
Chapter 99
This psalm refers to the wars of Gog and Magog, which will precede the Redemption.
1. When the Lord will reveal His kingship, the nations will tremble; the earth will quake before Him Who is enthroned upon the cherubim,
2. [before] the Lord Who is in Zion, Who is great and exalted above all the peoples.
3. They will extol Your Name which is great, awesome and holy.
4. And [they will praise] the might of the King Who loves justice. You have established uprightness; You have made [the laws of] justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5. Exalt the Lord our God, and bow down at His footstool; He is holy.
6. Moses and Aaron among His priests, and Samuel among those who invoke His Name, would call upon the Lord and He would answer them.
7. He would speak to them from a pillar of cloud; they observed His testimonies and the decrees which He gave them.
8. Lord our God, You have answered them; You were a forgiving God for their sake, yet bringing retribution for their own misdeeds.
9. Exalt the Lord our God, and bow down at His holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy.
Chapter 100
This psalm inspires the hearts of those who suffer in this world. Let them, nevertheless, serve God with joy, for all is for their good, as in the verse: "He whom God loves does He chastise." The psalm also refers to the thanksgiving sacrifice-the only sacrifice to be offered in the Messianic era.
1. A psalm of thanksgiving. Let all the earth sing in jubilation to the Lord.
2. Serve the Lord with joy; come before Him with exultation.
3. Know that the Lord is God; He has made us and we are His, His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4. Enter His gates with gratitude, His courtyards with praise; give thanks to Him, bless His Name.
5. For the Lord is good; His kindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness is for all generations.
Chapter 101
This psalm speaks of David's secluding himself from others, and of his virtuous conduct even in his own home.
1. By David, a psalm. I will sing of [Your] kindness and justice; to You, O Lord, will I chant praise!
2. I will pay heed to the path of integrity-O when will it come to me? I shall walk with the innocence of my heart [even] within my house.
3. I shall not place an evil thing before my eyes; I despise the doing of wayward deeds, it does not cling to me.
4. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I shall not know evil.
5. He who slanders his fellow in secret, him will I cut down; one with haughty eyes and a lustful heart, him I cannot suffer.
6. My eyes are upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the path of integrity, he shall minister to me.
7. He that practices deceit shall not dwell within my house; the speaker of lies shall have no place before my eyes.
8. Every morning I will cut down all the wicked of the land, to excise all evildoers from the city of the Lord.
Chapter 102
An awe-inspiring prayer for the exiled, and an appropriate prayer for anyone in distress.
1. A prayer of the poor man when he is faint [with affliction], and pours out his tale of woe before the Lord.
2. O Lord, hear my prayer, let my cry reach You!
3. Hide not Your face from me on the day of my distress; turn Your ear to me; on the day that I call, answer me quickly.
4. For my days have vanished with the smoke; my bones are dried up as a hearth.
5. Smitten like grass and withered is my heart, for I have forgotten to eat my bread.
6. From the voice of my sigh, my bone cleaves to my flesh.
7. I am like the bird of the wilderness; like the owl of the wasteland have I become.
8. In haste I fled; I was like a bird, alone on a roof.
9. All day my enemies disgrace me; those who ridicule me curse using my name.1
10. For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mixed my drink with tears,
11. because of Your anger and Your wrath-for You have raised me up, then cast me down.
12. My days are like the fleeting shadow; I wither away like the grass.
13. But You, Lord, will be enthroned forever, and Your remembrance is for all generations.
14. You will arise and have mercy on Zion, for it is time to be gracious to her; the appointed time has come.
15. For Your servants cherish her stones, and love her dust.
16. Then the nations will fear the Name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth Your glory,
17. when [they see that] the Lord has built Zion, He has appeared in His glory.
18. He turned to the entreaty of the prayerful, and did not despise their prayer.
19. Let this be written for the last generation, so that the newborn nation will praise the Lord.
20. For He looked down from His holy heights; from heaven, the Lord gazed upon the earth,
21. to hear the cry of the bound, to untie those who are doomed to die,
22. so that the Name of the Lord be declared in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem,
23. when nations and kingdoms will gather together to serve the Lord.
24. He weakened my strength on the way; He shortened my days.
25. I would say: "My God, do not remove me in the midst of my days! You Whose years endure through all generations.”
26. In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.
27. They will perish, but You will endure; all of them will wear out like a garment; You will exchange them like a robe, and they will vanish.
28. But You remain the same; Your years will not end.
29. The children of Your servants will abide; their seed shall be established before You.
FOOTNOTES
1.When swearing, they would say, “If I am lying, may I become like the miserable Jews” (Metzudot).
Chapter 103
David's prayer when he was ill, this psalm is an appropriate prayer on behalf of the sick, especially when offered by the sick person himself while his soul is yet in his body. He can then bless God from his depths, body and soul. Read, and find repose for your soul.
1. By David. Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all my being, His holy Name.
2. My soul, bless the Lord; forget not all His favors:
3. Who forgives all your sins, Who heals all your illnesses;
4. Who redeems your life from the grave, Who crowns you with kindness and mercy;
5. Who satisfies your mouth with goodness; like the eagle, your youth is renewed.
6. The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
7. He made His ways known to Moses, His deeds to the Children of Israel.
8. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and of great kindness.
9. He will not contend for eternity, nor harbor ill will forever.
10. He has not dealt with us according to our transgressions, nor requited us according to our sins.
11. For as high as heaven is above the earth, so has His kindness been mighty over those who fear Him.
12. As far as the east is from the west, so has He distanced our transgressions from us.
13. As a father has compassion on his children, so has the Lord had compassion on those who fear Him.
14. For He knows our nature; He is mindful that we are but dust.
15. As for man, his days are like grass; like a flower of the field, so he sprouts.
16. When a wind passes over him, he is gone; his place recognizes him no more.
17. But the kindness of the Lord is forever and ever upon those who fear Him, and His righteousness is [secured] for children's children,
18. to those who keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commands to do them.
19. The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingship has dominion over all.
20. Bless the Lord, you His angels who are mighty in strength, who do His bidding to obey the voice of His speech.
21. Bless the Lord, all His hosts, His servants who do His will.
22. Bless the Lord, all His works, in all the places of His dominion. My soul, bless the Lord!
Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, middle of Epistle 29
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Monday, 20 Cheshvan, 5777 · 21 November 2016
• Iggeret HaKodesh, middle of Epistle 29
• The Alter Rebbe now goes on to explain that in addition to this function of mitzvot as garments for the soul, they also serve to unite the sublime spiritual level of Keter, with the physical objects with which the commandments are performed. As such, they resemble pillars that connect the highest part of a house with the lowest.
• Rambam: Sefer Hamitzvos:
והנה רצון העליון ב"ה מכונה ונקרא בפי חכמי האמת בשם כתר עליון ובו תר"ך עמודי אור וכו'
Now the Supernal Will is termed and referred to by the Kabbalists1 as Keter Elyon ["the Supreme Crown"]. In it there are 620 pillars of light,2 620 being the numerical equivalent of the Hebrew word Keter.
פי' דרך משל כמו שיש עמודים בבית חומה גדול נצבים בארץ וראשם מחובר בתקרה
That is, by way of analogy, just as in a large brick house3 there are pillars standing in the ground and their apex is connected with the ceiling,thereby connecting the lowest part of the house with the highest,
ככה ממש עד"מ כתר עליון ב"ה הוא למעלה מבחי' מדרגת החכמה
precisely so, metaphorically speaking, the Supernal Keter transcends the level of Chochmah,which is the first and highest of the inner Sefirot.
והוא מלשון כותרת שהוא מכתיר ומקיף על המוחין שבראש שהם בחי' חב"ד
[The word Keter] is related to koteret "[capital]",4 for it surrounds and encompasses over the brains in the head, i.e.,the faculties of ChaBaD – the faculties of Chochmah, Binah and Daat.
ורצון זה נתלבש בתרי"ג מצות התורה וז' מצות דרבנן שרובם ככולם הן מצות מעשיות
This [Supernal] Will is vested in the 613 commandments of theTorah and the seven precepts of the Sages, practically all of which are operative commandments.I.e., their performance involves physical action, which represents the lower or corporeal aspect of the lowest of the four spiritual "worlds", the World of Asiyah ("the World of Action".
וגם התלויות בדבור
And even those commandments [such as verbalized Torah study]that depend upon speech, nevertheless, even though speech is more spiritual than physical action, they too belong to the category of practical action,
הא קיי"ל דעקימת שפתיו הוי מעשה
for we have an accepted halachic principle that5 "the movement of one's lips [in speech] is regarded as an act."
וגם התלויות במחשבה או בלב
And even those commandments relating to thought or to the heart, such as the commandments regarding the love and awe of G-d, are also considered as physical acts.
הרי המצוה ניתנה לאדם הגשמי שבעוה"ז דוקא
For the commandments6 were given only to physical man in this [physical] world,
שהוא בעל בחירה להטות לבבו לטוב וכו'. משא"כ הנשמה בלא גוף א"צ לצותה ע"ז
because he has the choice to turn his heart to good, and so on.7 The soul without a body, however, need not be commanded about this.
ונמצא שהמצות הן עד"מ כמו העמודים נצבים מרום המעלות הוא רצון העליון ב"ה עד הארץ הלזו החומרית
Thus it follows that the commandments, metaphorically speaking, are like pillars that stand [and connect] from the highest of levels, viz., the Supernal Will, to this material world.
והן עד"מ כמו העמודים חלולין שמקיפין ומלבישין נשמת האדם או רוחו או נפשו כשמקיים המצות
Metaphorically speaking, they are like hollow pillars that encompass and garb [with the garment of mitzvot] man's Neshamah,or Ruach, or Nefesh, when he fulfills the commandments.
ודרך עמודים אלו עולין הנר"ן שלו עד רום המעלות לצרור בצרור החיים את ה'. פי' להיות צרורות ומלובשות באור הכתר הוא רצון העליון ב"ה
By way of these pillars [of the mitzvot], his Nefesh, Ruach and Neshamah [abbreviated naran] ascend to the highest of levels, to be bound up8 "in the bond of life with G-d," that is, to be bound up and vested in the light of Keter, which is the Supernal Will, the highest level of all the worlds.
וע"י לבוש זה יוכלו לחזות בנועם ה' וצחצחות שלמעלה ממעלת הכתר והן פנימיותו עד"מ
And by means of this garment they are able to behold the "pleasantness of G-d" and the "pleasurable thirst" which transcend the level of Keter and, metaphorically speaking, are its pnimiyut.I.e., the "pleasantness of G-d" and the "pleasurable thirst "are the inner core of the light of Keter, which transcends all worlds.
(והגם שנתבאר במ"א שהמצות הן פנימיות רצון העליון ב"ה
9(Though it is explained elsewhere that the commandments are the pnimiyut i.e., the innermost element] of the Supernal Will, while here it is explained that they are merely the external aspect of Keter, i.e., the external aspect of the Supernal Will,
הנה מודעת זאת לי"ח ריבוי בחי' ומדרגות שיש בכל בחי' ומדרגה ממדרגות הקדושה
those adept in the Hidden Wisdom [i.e., Kabbalah] are well acquainted with the multitude of aspects and levels within every aspect and level among the various levels of holiness.
כמה בחי' פנים לפנים וכמה בחי' אחוריים לאחוריים לאין קץ וכו')
There are numerous aspects of "face to face," meaning (since panim is related to pnimiyut) that relative to a particular spiritual level, another level is even more "internal", or nearer to the Essence], and there are numerous aspects of "externality to externality," meaning the reverse, without end....)
Thus, relative to the internal level of the Supernal Will spoken about here, mitzvot are only termed "external", whereas in another context, when compared to a lower level, they are deemed the "internal" aspect of the Supernal Will.
* * *
The Alter Rebbe above called the commandments the 620 pillars of light of Keter. How does this agree with his previous statement, that the 613 garments of the mitzvot correspond to the 613 soul-powers?
The Alter Rebbe now answers that the seven commandments of the Sages (which bring the total to 620) are not self-sufficient mitzvot, but are branches of the Scriptural commandments from which they respectively derive. The soul thus has 613 garments that derive from the 613commandments, the Rabbinic mitzvot included. These garments garb the 613 powers of the soul.
והנה ז' מצות דרבנן אינן נחשבות מצות בפני עצמן שהרי כבר נאמר לא תוסף
Now, the seven precepts of the Sages are not counted as commandments in themselves, for it has been said,10 "You shall not add [to the commandments]."
אלא הן יוצאות ונמשכות ממצות התורה וכלולות בהן במספר תרי"ג להלביש תרי"ג בחי' וכחות שבנר"ן האדם
Rather, they derive and issue from the commandments of the Torah, and are included in them in the sum of 613 [commandments], which garb the 613 aspects and powers in the Nefesh, Ruach, and Neshamah of man.
It was previously stated that the mitzvot are like 613 hollow pillars that encompass and garb the Neshamah, or Ruach, or Nefesh of the individual who performs the commandments. It is through these pillars that the soul rises to the greatest of heights, and is bound up in the radiance of Keter. Additionally, it is through the garment of the mitzvot that the soul is able to behold "the pleasantness of G-d" and to experience the "pleasurable thirst" that transcend even the pnimiyut of Keter.
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. | Lit., "the scholars of truth.". |
| 2. | Pardes, Shaar 8, ch. 3. |
| 3. | Note of the Rebbe: "The analog to this requires clarification.". |
| 4. | I Melachim 7:16, et al. |
| 5. | Sanhedrin 65a. |
| 6. | Lit., "the commandment." |
| 7. | The phrase "and so on" is a euphemism for "or to evil." |
| 8. | I Shmuel 25:29. |
| 9. | Parentheses are in the original text. |
| 10. | Devarim 13:1. |
• Monday, 20 Cheshvan, 5777 · 21 November 2016
• Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
• Positive Commandment 14
Tzitzit
"And they shall make for themselves tzitzit"—Numbers 15:38.
All males are required to attach tzitzit (fringes) to the corners of their four-cornered garments. One of the fringes on each corner is to be dyed with techelet (a special blue dye).
Full text of this Mitzvah »
• Tzitzit
Positive Commandment 14
Translated by Berel Bell
The 14th mitzvah is that we are commanded in the actions1 involving tzitzis.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement (exalted be He), "And it shall be to you as tzitzis…And they shall attach a thread of blue on the fringe of each corner."2
Although we have a basic principle,3 "The lack of blue thread does not prevent one from fulfilling the mitzvah of white thread, and the lack of white thread does not prevent one from fulfilling the mitzvah of blue thread," [and, as explained in the 11th Principle,4 this would be sufficient indication that they are independent and count as two separate mitzvos,] nevertheless, they are not counted as two mitzvos.
This is stated explicitly in the Sifri:5 "One might think that there are two mitzvos: the mitzvah of blue thread and the mitzvah of white thread. However, the Torah says, 'And it shall be to you as tzitzis. 6' This shows that it is only one mitzvah, not two."7
Women are exempt from this mitzvah, as explained in the beginning of tractate Kiddushin.8
All the details of this mitzvah have been explained in tractate Menachos.9
FOOTNOTES
1.As mentioned above in P12 and P13, all aspects of the mitzvah are included; in this case, the actual spinning of the strands, tying them to the garment, and wearing the garment. See Kapach, 5731, note 65.
2.Num. 15:38.
3.Menachos 38a.
4.That elements of a single mitzvah (such as the four species — lulav, esrog, etc.) are counted as one mitzvah. When one element can be fulfilled separately, however, such as here, this Principle indicates that they should count separately.
5.Parshas Shelach.
6.Num. 15:39.
7.Therefore, since our Sages say explicitly that it is one mitzvah, we cannot count it as two (unlike, tefillin, which the Sages call two mitzvos; see P13). See Megillas Esther, end of Principle. 9.
The reason the Sages called it one mitzvah, according to this line of reasoning, is because the verse refers to the tzitzis in singular form — "it." See Kinas Sofrim, Principle 11.
8.33b. Since the mitzvah is not in effect at night, it is considered a "time-bound mitzvah," from which women are exempt.
9.38a ff.
• Rambam - 1 Chapter a Day: Kelim Kelim - Chapter 23
• Kelim - Chapter 23
• Rambam - 3 Chapters a Day: Tzitzit Tzitzit - Chapter One, Tzitzit Tzitzit - Chapter Two, Tzitzit Tzitzit - Chapter Three
• Tzitzit - Chapter One
• Hayom Yom: Today's Hayom Yom
• Monday, 20 Cheshvan, 5777 · 21 November 2016
• "Today's Day"
• Thursday, Cheshvan 20, 5704
Torah lessons: Chumash: Chayei Sara, Chamishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 97-103.
Tanya: Now, the Cabbalists (p. 579) ...neshamah of man. (p. 581).
Birth of R. Shalom Dovber in the year which the Tzemach Tzedek termed Kitra1 ("crown") - 5621 (1860). He was named for the Mitteler Rebbe2 and half the name of the Tzemach Tzedek's father.3
Every year my father delivered a maamar on his birthday, but he did so secretly except when it coincided with Shabbat. On his last birthday here on earth4 he said the maamar Natata lirei'echa neiss...5 When he concluded he said to me, "on one's birthday he should say Chassidus. May G-d give you a gift that you may say Chassidus on your birthday, but it should be with kindness and mercy." It took seven years for this to happen.6
FOOTNOTES
1.Kitra is numerically 5621.
2.R. Dovber.
3.R. Shalom Shachna.
4.1919.
5.Tehillim 60:6.
6.The Festival of Liberation of the previous Rebbe (from Soviet imprisonment for his spreading of Torah and Judaism) occurred on his birthday, the 12th of Tamuz, in the year 5687 (1927) - during his seventh year as Rebbe. He succeeded to the leadership in 5680 (1920) upon his father's demise.
• Daily Thought:
Melting Evil
Evil is darkness; nothing more than an absence of light.
It has no life of its own.
It is powered entirely by our fear of it, by our considering it a “something” that demands our response.
Evil is a terrorist, nursed on every spoonful of worry, encouraged with every glance of trepidation, fortified with every concession we make from our lives to acknowledge its threat—until it has soaked from us sufficient energy to rise brazenly and attack us with our own instruments.
So it is with the evil in the world, so it is with the destructive forces within each of us: When we stoop to conquer the evil within ourselves, we end up rolling with it in its mud.
To truly banish evil, you must march on the clouds and never look down. You must climb higher until you attain a place of light that leaves no crevice for evil to hide.
Lifted to that place, evil melts in surrender. For now it has fulfilled its purpose of being: to squeeze out the inner light of the human soul, a light that knows no bounds.
Mission accomplished, evil vanishes in the light it has called forth.[Likkutei Torah, Teitzei 35b; Maamar Ki Teitzei 5745; Torat Menachem 5751, vol. 4, pp. 213, 227.]
-------
• Kelim - Chapter 23
1
A mapatz is a mat made by interweaving cords, reeds, grasses, or the like. A mapatz is not one of the keiliimmentioned by the Torah. Nevertheless, it is susceptible to the impurity associated with the support of a zav according to Scriptural Law. The rationale is that Leviticus 15:4 states "All surfaces on which one lies," expanding the category of articles susceptible to impurity. A mat is thus included, because it is fit to lie on and is indeed made for that purpose. Similarly, it contracts impurity from contact with a human corpse and other sources of impurity according to Rabbinic Law, like all other flat wooden keiliim, as we explained. This is a great general principle: Any entity that is susceptible to the impurity associated with the support of a zav is susceptible to other types of impurity.
א
המפץ הוא המחצלת שאורגין אותה מן החבלים ומן הסוף ומן הגומא וכיוצא בהן ואין המפץ בכלל כלים האמורין בתורה ואעפ"כ מתטמא הוא במדרס דין תורה שהרי ריבה הכתוב כל המשכב וזה ראוי למשכב ועשוי לו וכן מתטמא במת ובשאר טומאות מדבריהן ככל פשוטי כלי עץ כמו שביארנו וזה כלל גדול שכל המתטמא במדרס מתטמא בשאר טומאות:
2
We already explained that a piece of cloth three fingerbreadths by three fingerbreadths is susceptible to other types of impurity and one three handbreadths by three handbreadths is susceptible to the impurity associated with the support of a zav.
ב
כבר ביארנו שהבגד מתטמא בשלש על שלש כמו שביארנו בשאר טומאות ובשלשה טפחים על שלשה טפחים למדרס:
3
The measure for a cloth of goats' hair to be susceptible to impurity is four handbreadths by four handbreadths; for leather, five handbreadths by five handbreadths, for a mat, six handbreadths by six handbreadths, both with regard to the impurity associated with the support of a zav and with regard to other types of impurity. Anything smaller than these measures is pure on all accounts.
In which instance does the above apply? When a piece of fabric was torn from such a cloth unintentionally. If, however, one intentionally cuts a piece off, even if it is merely one handbreadth by one handbreadth for a seat or three handbreadths by three handbreadths for a surface on which one lies, it is susceptible to the impurity associated with the support of a zav. This applies whether the piece one handbreadth by one handbreadth or three handbreadths by three handbreadths was a cloth, from goats' hair, leather, or a mat. Similarly, if one sets aside a fragment of such fabrics to hold, i.e., to hold in one's hand as the harvesters of figs do so that their fingers will not be damaged, the fragment is impure whatever its size, provided it is not less than three fingerbreadths by three fingerbreadths. For any fragment less than three fingerbreadths by three fingerbreadths is pure under all conditions.
ג
השק שיעורו ארבעה טפחים על ארבעה טפחים העור חמשה על חמשה המפץ ששה על ששה בין למדרס בין לשאר הטומאות ופחות מן השיעורין האלו טהורין מכלום בד"א בקרע אחד מהן שנקרא בלא כוונה אבל הקוצץ בכוונה וקצץ אפילו טפח על טפח למושב או שלשה טפחים על שלשה טפחים למשכב ה"ז מתטמא במדרס בין שהיה הטפח על טפח שקיצץ או השלשה בגד או שק או עור או מפץ וכן המקצע מאחד מהן לאחיזה כדי שיאחז בו בידו כדרך שעושין קוצצי תאנים שלא יזוקו אצבעותיהן ה"ז טמא בכל שהוא והוא שלא יהיה פחות משלש על שלש שכל פחות משלש אצבעות טהור מכלום:
4
If one joins two handbreadths from a cloth to one handbreadth from a cloth of goats' hair, three handbreadths from a cloth of goats' hair to one handbreadth from leather, four handbreadths from leather and one from a mat, the article is pure. If, by contrast, one joined five handbreadths from a mat and one from leather, four handbreadths from leather and one from goats' hair, three handbreadths from goats' hair and one from cloth, the article is susceptible to the impurity associated with the support of a zav.
This is the general principle: Whenever one completes the minimum measure with a substance governed by a more stringent law, it is susceptible to impurity. If it is completed] with a substance governed by a less stringent law, it is pure.
ד
המחבר שני טפחים מן הבגד ומן השק טפח שלשה מן השק ואחד מן העור ארבעה מן העור ואחד מן המפץ ה"ז טהור מן המדרס אבל אם חיבר חמשה טפחים מן המפץ ואחד מן העור ארבעה מן העור ואחד מן השק שלשה מן השק ואחד מן הבגד ה"ז טמא מדרס זה הכלל כל שהשלים שיעורו בחמור ממנו טמא מן הקל טהור:
5
When a sifter or a sieve that became worn out was adjusted to be used as a seat, it is pure. They are not susceptible to impurity until the edges are cut and straightened. Afterwards, it is considered as a mat.
ה
בלויי נפה וכברה שהתקינן לישיבה טהורין ואינן מקבלין טומאה עד שיקצצם ואחר כך יהיו כמפץ:
6
A cloak of a child is not susceptible to impurity unless it comprises the minimum measure: three handbreadths by three handbreadths. Both of its sides are measured as one, for that is the way it is made.
These are the garments whose sides are measured as one: garments that are worn over the feet, the shins, and the head, pants, undergarments with pockets. When a patch was sewn over the edge of a garment, if it was extended to its full length, it is measured as its full length. If it was folded over, it is measured as it is folded over.
ו
חלוק של קטן אינו מתטמא במדרס עד שיהיה בו כשיעור שלשה טפחים על שלשה טפחים ונמדד כפול כברייתו ואלו נמדדין כפולין בגדים שמלבישין אותן על הרגלים ועל השוקים ואת הראש והמכנסיים והכובע והכיס של פונדא ומטלית שתלאה על השפה אם פשוטה נמדדת פשוטה ואם כפולה נמדדת כפולה:
7
When exactly three handbreadths by three handbreadths of a garment were woven and it contracted the impurity associated with the support of a zav and afterwards, the entire garment was completed, the entirety of the garment is impure on that level of impurity. If one removed one strand from the beginning of the original garment, it is no longer considered in that category of impurity. It is, however, impure like an article that came in contact with a support that contracted the impurity of a zav. It is a primary derivative, like a k'li that touched such a support. If one removed one strand from the beginning of the original garment and then completed the entire garment, the entire garment is impure like an article that came in contact with a support that contracted the impurity of a zav.
Similarly, when three fingerbreadths by three fingerbreadths of a cloth were woven, it contracted the impurity associated with a human corpse, and then one completed the entire garment, the entire garment is impure with the impurity associated with a human corpse. If one removed one strand from the beginning of the original garment, it is no longer considered in that category of impurity. It is, however, impure like an article that came in contact with such impurity. If one removed one strand from the beginning of the original garment and then completed the entire garment, the entire garment is pure.
Why is the entire garment pure? Because it was said that when the size of a cloth three fingerbreadths by three fingerbreadths was reduced, it is pure entirely. By contrast, although a cloth three handbreadths by three handbreadths whose size was reduced is no longer susceptible to the impurity associated with the support of a zav, it is susceptible to other types of impurity.
ז
הבגד שארג שלשה על שלשה נטמא במדרס ואח"כ השלים את כל הבגד כולו מדרס נטל חוט אחד מתחילתו טהר מן המדרס אבל טמא מגע מדרס והרי הוא ראשון ככלי שנגע במדרס נטל חוט אחד מתחילתו ואחר כך השלים את כל הבגד כל הבגד טמא מגע מדרס וכן בגד שנארג בו שלש אצבעות על שלש אצבעות ונטמא במת ואחר כך השלים עליו את כל הבגד הבגד כולו טמא מת נטל חוט אחד מתחילתו טהר מטמא מת אבל טמא מגע טמא מת נטל חוט אחד מתחילתו ואח"כ השלים את כל הבגד הכל טהור ולמה יהיה הכל טהור מפני שאמרו שלש על שלש שנתמעטה טהורה מכלום אבל שלשה על שלשה שנתמעטה אע"פ שטהרה מן המדרס הרי היא טמאה בכל הטומאות:
8
When a patch that had contracted the impurity associated with a support of a zav was attached to a basket or a hide, the entire entity is considered as a primary derivative of impurity. If, afterwards, one separated the patch from it, the basket or the hide remain a primary derivative, because they came in contact with a support. The patch, however, is pure, since it was attached and detached, its identity was subsumed to that of the basket or hide.
If he attached the patch to a cloth of linen or wool or of goats' hair, the entire cloth is considered as a primary source of the impurity associated with a zav. If, afterwards, the patch was separated, the cloth or the goats' hair is considered as a primary derivative and the patch is a primary source of impurity, as it was originally. For it is not subsumed to the weave.
When he attached the impure patch to the garment, if he sewed it on one side or even on two sides, but like a gamma, it is not considered as joined together, nor is the entire garment considered as a primary source of impurity. Instead, it is only considered to have come in contact with a support of a zav. If it was sewn on two sides, one opposite the other, it is considered as joined to the garment, and the entire garment is considered as a primary source of impurity.
ח
מטלית שהיא מדרס וטלאה על הקופה או על העור נעשה הכל ראשון לטומאה הפריש את המטלית הרי הקופה או העור ראשון מפני שנגעו במדרס והמטלית טהורה שכיון שטלאה והפרישה בטלה טלאה על הבגד או על השק נעשה הכל מדרס והרי הכל אב טומאה הפרישה הרי הבגד או השק ראשון שהרי נגע במדרס והמטלית אב טומאה כשהיתה שאינה בטילה על האריג תפר המטלית על הבגד כשטלאה מרוח אחת או משתי רוחות כמין גאם אינו חיבור ולא נעשה הכל אב אלא מגע מדרס בלבד תפרה משתי רוחות זו בצד זו הרי היא חיבור ונעשה הכל אב:
9
When a cloth three handbreadths by three handbreadths that had contracted the impurity associated with a support of a zavwas afterwards divided, it is purified and the remnants are not impure at all. Their status is like that of the broken pieces of a k'lithat had contracted impurity. When, by contrast, one cut a piece three fingerbreadths by three fingerbreadths from a large cloth that had contracted the impurity associated with a support of a zav, that piece has been purified from that level of impurity. It, nevertheless, is impure, as an object that touched such a support, because at the time it was separated from the larger cloth, it contracted that level of impurity through contact with the impure cloth.
ט
שלשה על שלשה שנטמא במדרס ואח"כ נחלק טהר מן המדרס ואין בקרעים אלו טומאה כלל והנם כשברי כלי שנטמא אבל בגד שנטמא במדרס וקרע ממנו שלש אצבעות על שלש אצבעות אותו הקרע טהר מן המדרס אבל טמא מגע מדרס שבעת פרישתו מן הבגד הגדול נטמא במגע:
10
When a cloak that had contracted the impurity associated with a support of a zav was afterwards made into a curtain, it is purified from that impurity.
When is it purified from that impurity? When one attaches to it loops from which it will be hung like other curtains.
י
סדין שנטמא במדרס ואחר כך עשאהו פרוכת טהר מן המדרס ומאימתי הוא טהרתו מן המדרס משיקשור בו הלולאות שהוא נתלה בהן כשאר הפרוכות:
11
When a garment that had contracted the impurity associated with a support of a zav was immersed in a mikveh, but before nightfall that day, one began tearing fragments from it, once the majority of it was torn, it is no longer considered as joined together and the entire garment is pure even though there still remained a portion large enough for a scarf that was not torn. The rationale is he has the intent to continue to tear it.
With regard to what does the above apply? With regard to an article that was immersed that day. Since he did not care for it enough not to refrain from immersing it, it can be assumed that he will also not care for it enough not to refrain from tearing it in its entirety. Therefore, the entire garment is pure.
יא
טלית שהיא מדרס והטבילה וקודם שיעריב שמשה התחיל לקרוע ממנה קרע כיון שנקרע בה רובה שוב אינה חיבור וטהרה כולה אף על פי שעדיין נשתייר בה כדי מעפורת שלא נקרע שהרי הוא קורע והולך במה דברים אמורים בטבולת יום שכיון שלא חס עליה להטבילה כך לא יחוס לקרוע את כולה ולפיכך טהרה כולה:
• Tzitzit - Chapter One
Introduction to Hilchos Tzitzit
They contain one mitzvah, to make tzitzit on the corners of a garment.
This mitzvah is explained in the following chapters.
1
The tassel that is made on the fringes of a garment from the same fabric as the garment is called tzitzit, because it resembles the locks of the head, as [Ezekiel 8:3] relates, "And he took me by the locks of my head."
This tassel is called the white [strands], because we are not commanded to dye it. The Torah did not establish a fixed number of strands for this tassel.
א
ענף שעושין על כנף הבגד ממין הבגד הוא הנקרא ציצית מפני שהוא דומה לציצית של ראש שנאמר ויקחני בציצית ראשי וזה הענף הוא הנקרא לבן מפני שאין אנו מצווין לצובעו ואין לחוטי הענף מנין מן התורה:
2
Then we take a strand of wool that is dyed a sky-like color and wind it around this tassel. This strand is called techelet. The Torah did not establish a fixed requirement for the number of times that this strand should be wound [around the tassel].
ב
ולוקחין חוט צמר שנצבע כעין הרקיע וכורכין אותו על הענף וחוט זה הוא הנקרא תכלת ואין למנין הכריכות שכורך חוט זה שיעור מן התורה:
3
Thus, this mitzvah contains two commandments: to make a tassel on the fringe [of a garment], and to wind a strand of techelet around the tassel. [Both these dimensions are indicated by Numbers 15:38, which] states: "And you shall make tassels... and you shall place on the tassels of the corner a strand of techelet."
ג
נמצאו במצוה זו שני צווים שיעשה על הכנף ענף יוצא ממנה ושיכרוך על הענף חוט תכלת שנאמר ועשו להם ציצית ונתנו על ציצית הכנף פתיל תכלת:
4
The [absence of] techelet does not prevent [the mitzvah from being fulfilled with] the white strands, nor does the [absence of] the white strands prevent [the mitzvah from being fulfilled with] techelet.
What is implied? A person who does not have techelet should make [tzitzit] from white strands alone. Similarly, if [tzitzit] were made from both white strands and techelet, and afterwards, the white strands snapped and were reduced until [they did not extend beyond] the corner [of the garment], and thus only the techeletremained, it is acceptable.
ד
והתכלת אינו מעכב את הלבן והלבן אינו מעכב את התכלת כיצד הרי שאין לו תכלת עושה לבן לבדו וכן אם עשה לבן ותכלת ונפסק הלבן ונתמעט עד הכנף ונשאר התכלת לבדו כשר:
5
Although the [absence of] one does not prevent [the mitzvah from being fulfilled with] the other, they are not considered as two mitzvot. Instead, they are a single mitzvah. Whether [the tzitzit] a person wears on his garment are white, techelet, or a combination of the two colors, he fulfills a single mitzvah.
The Sages of the early generations related: [Numbers 15:39states:] "And they shall be tzitzit for you." This teaches that they are both one mitzvah.
The [presence of each of the] four tzitzit is necessary [for the mitzvah to be fulfilled], because all four are [elements] of a single mitzvah.
ה
אף על פי שאין אחד מהן מעכב את חבירו אינן שתי מצות אלא מצות עשה אחת אמרו חכמים הראשונים והיה לכם לציצית מלמד ששניהם מצוה אחת וארבע ציציות מעכבות זו את זו שארבעתן מצוה אחת והלובש טלית שיש בה לבן או תכלת או שניהם כאחד הרי קיים מצות עשה אחת:
6
How are the tzitzit made? One begins from the corner of a garment - i.e., the end of its woven portion. One ascends upward no more than three fingerbreadths from the edge, but no less than the distance from the knuckle of the thumb to its end.
[A hole is made] and four strands inserted, [causing them] to be folded in half. Thus, there will be eight strands hanging down from the corner. These eight strands must be at least four fingerbreadths long. If they are longer - even if they are a cubit or two long - it is acceptable. The term "fingerbreadth" refers to a thumbbreadth.
One of the eight strands should be techelet; the other seven should be white.
ו
כיצד עושין את הציצית מתחיל מזוית של טלית שהיא סוף הארוג ומרחיק ממנה לא יותר על שלש אצבעות למעלה ולא פחות מקשר גודל ומכניס שם ארבעה חוטין וכופלן באמצע נמצאו שמונה חוטים משולשין תלויין מן הקרן ואורך החוטים השמונה אין פחות מארבע אצבעות ואם היו יותר על כן אפילו אמה או שתים כשרין וכל האצבעות בגודל ויהיה אחד משמנה החוטים חוט תכלת והשבעה לבנים:
7
Afterwards, one should take one of the white strands and wind it once around the other strands close to the edge of the garment and let it go. Then one takes the strand that was dyed techelet and winds it twice [around the other strands], next to the coil made by the white strand, and then ties the strands in a knot. These three coils are called a segment.
Afterwards, one should leave a slight space, and then make a second segment using only the strand that was dyed techelet. Again, one should leave a slight space, and then make a third segment [using only the strand that was dyed techelet for this segment as well]. One should continue in this manner until the final segment, which is made of two coils of techelet and a final coil using a white strand.1 Since one began with a white strand, one concludes with it, because one should always ascend to a higher level of holiness, but never descend.2
Why should one begin using a white strand? So that [the coil that is] next to the corner of the garment should be similar to [the garment itself].
The same pattern is followed regarding all four corners.
ז
ולוקח חוט אחד מן הלבן וכורך בו כריכה אחת על שאר החוטין בצד הבגד ומניחו ולוקח חוט התכלת וכורך בו שתי כריכות בצד כריכה של לבן וקושר ואלו השלש כריכות הם הנקראין חוליא ומרחיק מעט ועושה חוליא שניה בחוט של תכלת לבדו ומרחיק מעט ועושה חוליא שלישית וכן עד חוליא אחרונה שהוא כורך בה שתי כריכות של תכלת וכריכה אחרונה של לבן מפני שהתחיל בלבן מסיים בו שמעלין בקודש ולא מורידין ולמה יתחיל בלבן כדי שיהא סמוך לכנף מינה ועל דרך זה הוא עושה בארבע הכנפות:
8
How many segments should be made at every corner? No fewer than seven and no more than thirteen.3
[The above] represents the most preferable way of performing the mitzvah. If, however, one wound only one segment around the strands, it is acceptable.4 Should one wind the techelet around the majority of the [length of the] tzitzit, it is acceptable. For the techelet to be attractive, [however,] all the segments should be in the upper third of the strands, and the [remaining] two thirds should hang loose.5
One must separate the strands like the locks of one's hair.6
ח
כמה חוליות הוא עושה בכל כנף לא פחות משבע ולא יותר משלש עשרה וזו היא מצוה מן המובחר ואם לא כרך עליה אלא חוליא אחת כשרה ואם כרך התכלת על רוב הציצית כשרה ונוי התכלת שיהיו כל החוליות בשליש החוטין המשולשלין ושני שלישיהן ענף וצריך לפרדו עד שיהיה כציצית שיער הראש:
9
A person who makes [tzitzit using only] white threads without using techelet7 should take one of the eight strands and wind it around the others, covering one third of [the length of] the strands and leaving two thirds hanging loose.
When winding [this strand around the others], one may create segments as one does when winding the techelet, if one desires. This is our custom. If, however, one desires to wind [the strand around the others] without creating segments, one may.8
The general principle is that one should intend that one third of the tzitzit be bound, and two thirds hang loose.9 There are those, however, who are not precise about this matter when [making tzitzit] with white threads [alone].
Should one wind a white thread around the majority [of the length] of the strands or should one make only a single segment,10 [the tzitzit] are acceptable.
ט
העושה לבן בלא תכלת לוקח אחד משמונה החוטין וכורך אותו על שאר החוטין עד שלישן ומניח שני שלישיתן ענף וכריכה זו אם רצה לכרוך אותה חוליות חוליות כעין שכורך בתכלת הרשות בידו וזה הוא מנהגנו ואם רצה לכרוך בלא מנין חוליות עושה כללו של דבר יתכוין להיות הכרוך שליש והענף שני שלישים ויש מי שאינו מדקדק בדבר זה בלבן ואם כרך הלבן על רוב החוטין או שלא כרך אלא חוליא אחת כשרה:
10
Both the white strands and those dyed techelet may be made out of entwined strands.11 Even a strand that is made from eight threads entwined into a single strand is considered as only a single strand in this context.
י
אחד חוטי לבן ואחד חוטי תכלת אם רצה לעשות שזורין עושה אפי' היה החוט כפול משמנה חוטין ושזור עד שנעשה פתיל אחד אינו נחשב אלא חוט אחד:
11
Both the white strands of the tzitzit and those dyedtecheletmust be spun for the sake of being used for [the mitzvah of] tzitzit.
[Tzitzit] may not be made from wool which becomes attached to thorns when sheep graze among them, nor from hairs which are pulled off the animal, and not from the leftover strands of the woof which the weaver leaves over when he completes a garment. Rather, they must be made from shorn wool or from flax.
[Tzitzit] may not be made from wool which was stolen, which came from an ir hanidachat, or which came from a consecrated animal. If such wool was used, it is unacceptable. If a person bows down to an animal, its wool is not acceptable for use for tzitzit. If, however, one bows down to flax which is planted, it is acceptable, because it has been changed.
יא
חוטי הציצית בין לבן בין תכלת צריכין טויה לשם ציצית ואין עושין אותן לא מן הצמר הנאחז בקוצים כשהצאן רובצין ביניהם ולא מן הנימין הנתלשין מן הבהמה ולא משיורי שתי שהאורג משייר בסוף הבגד אלא מן הגזה של צמר או מן הפשתן ואין עושין אותן מצמר הגזול ולא משל עיר הנדחת ולא משל קדשים ואם עשה פסול המשתחוה לבהמה צמרה פסול לציצית אבל המשתחוה לפשתן הנטוע הרי זה כשר שהרי נשתנה:
12
Tzitzit that were made by a gentile are not acceptable, as [implied by Numbers 15:38, which] states: "Speak to the children of Israel... and you shall make tzitzit for yourselves." If, however, a Jew made tzitzit without the intention [that they be used for the mitzvah], they are acceptable.
Tzitzit that are made from those already existing are not acceptable.
יב
ציצית שעשה אותו כותי פסול שנאמר דבר אל בני ישראל ועשו להם ציצית אבל אם עשה אותה ישראל בלא כוונה כשרה וציצית שנעשה מן העשוי מקודם פסול:
13
What is implied? Should a person bring the corner of a garment which has tzitzit attached to it and sew it onto another garment, it is not acceptable. [This applies] even if that corner of the garment is a square cubit in size.
[This concept is derived from Numbers 15:38, which] states: "And you shall make tzitzit for yourselves" - i.e., [you should make them] and not [use those] which were made previously,since this would be as if [the mitzvah] came about on its own accord.
It is permissible to remove strands [of tzitzit] - whether white or techelet - from one garment and tie them on another.
יג
כיצד הביא כנף שיש בה ציצית ותפרה על הבגד אפילו יש באותה הכנף אמה על אמה פסול שנאמר ועשו להם ציצית לא מן העשוי שהרי זה דומה למי שנעשית מאיליה ומותר להתיר ציצית מבגד זה ולתלותם בבגד אחר בין לבן בין תכלת:
14
Should one suspend the strands between two corners of the garment and tie [tzitzit on] each of the corners in the proper manner, and then separate them from each other,12 it is unacceptable.
[The rationale is] that, at the time they were tied, they were unacceptable, since the two corners were connected with each other through the strands. When the strands were cut, two tzitzit were made. This is considered as making tzitzit from those which already exist.13
יד
תלה החוטין בין שתי כנפים מזו לזו וקשר כנף זו כהלכתה וכנף זו כהלכתה ואח"כ חתכן באמצע ונפרדו זה מזה פסול שהרי בעת שקשרן היו פסולין לפי ששתי הכנפים מעורות זו בזו בחוטין שביניהן ובשעה שפסקן נעשו שתי ציציות נמצא עושה מן העשוי:
15
[The following rules apply when] a person ties tzitzit over existing tzitzit: Should [he tie the second set] with the intention of nullifying the first set, if he unties or cuts off the first set,14 the tzitzit are acceptable.15
Should, however, [he have tied the second set] with the intention of adding [a second tzitzit, the tzitzit] are not acceptable even though he cuts one of them off.16 When he added the second tzitzit, he disqualified both sets17, and when he unties or cuts off the additional one, the remaining one is [disqualified because it involves] making [tzitzit] from those which are already existing, since the manner in which it existed previously was not acceptable.
טו
הטיל ציצית על הציצית אם נתכוון לבטל את הראשונות מתיר הראשונה או חותכה וכשרה ואם נתכוון להוסיף אף על פי שחתך אחת משתיהן הרי זו פסולה שהרי כשהוסיף פסל את הכל וכשהתיר או חתך התוספת נמצא השאר נעשה מן העשוי שעשייתו הראשונה פסולה היתה:
16
Similarly, all the tzitzit of a garment are unacceptable18
[in the following instance]: A person placed tzitzit on a garment that had three corners.19 afterwards, he made the garment a fourth corner and placed tzitzit on it. [This is also excluded by the commandment, Deuteronomy 22:12:]20 "Make braids," [which implies that one may not use those] which were made previously.
טז
וכן המטיל לבעלת שלש ואחר כך השלימה לארבע והטיל לרביעית כולה פסולה שנאמר תעשה ולא מן העשוי:
17
יז
אין כופלין את הטלית לשנים ומטילין ציצית על ד' כנפיה כשהיא כפולה אלא אם כן תפרה כולה ואפילו מרוח אחת:
18
[The following rules apply] if the corner [of the garment] to which the tzitzit were attached is torn off the garment: If more than three fingerbreadths were torn, it may be sewed back in its place.23
If less than three fingerbreadths were torn off, it should not be sewn back.24
If the portion of the garment is between [the hole through which] the tzitzit [are attached] and the end of the garment, it is acceptable, even though only the smallest portion of the fabric remains.25
יח
נפסק הכנף שיש בה ציצית חוץ לשלש אצבעות תופרה במקומה בתוך שלש לא יתפור נתמעטה זוית של בגד שבין חוטי הציצית ובין סוף הארוג אפילו לא נשאר מן הארוג אלא כל שהוא כשר וכן אם נתמעטו חוטי הציצית אפילו לא נשתייר מהם אלא כדי עניבה כשר ואם נפסק החוט מעיקרו אפילו חוט אחד פסולה:
FOOTNOTES
1.
The pattern of winding the techeletmentioned by the Rambam is based on his interpretation of Menachot 39a. As the Rambam mentions in Halachah 9, it must be followed only when the tzitzit include a strand of techelet. If they do not, as in the case of our tzitzit, different principles apply.
The Ra'avad differs with the Rambam's approach and suggests a different manner of winding the coils of the tzitzit, which resembles the pattern we use today. The Rambam was aware of this approach and, in one of his responsa, explains that the method he mentioned has its source in the Talmud (Menachot, ibid.), while the other approach is of later origin.
2.
Rashi, Menachot, ibid., states that since the white strand was used first, not ending with it would appear to detract from its importance.
The principle, "one should always ascend to a higher level of holiness, but never descend," is applied in many other contexts within Torah law - e.g., Hilchot Tefillin 3:17.
3.
Menachot 39a explains that the techeletreminds one of the heavens. There are seven heavens and six spaces between them, thus resulting in a total of thirteen.
4.
This law also applies at present, as mentioned in the following halachah.
5.
Note the Zohar, Vol. III, p. 228b, which explains the mystical significance of the division of the tzitzit into three portions.
6.
The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 8:7) obligates one to separate the strands of the tzitzit before putting on one's garment. Note the Mishnah Berurah 8:18, which quotes the Ari zal as stating that the word ציצת is an acronym for the Hebrew words meaning, "A righteous person constantly separates his tzitzit."
7.
As mentioned in Halachot 4-5, the absence of techelet does not prevent one from fulfilling the mitzvah of tzitzit. Indeed, this is the manner in which most people fulfill the mitzvah at present.
8.
Significantly, besides the knot with which the tzitzit are attached to the garment (Halachah 7), the Rambam does not mention tying knots in the tzitzit at all. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 11:14) mentions the common practice in which five knots are tied on the strands, leaving four spaces, which are filled with coils in between them. There are certain authorities who combine the two opinions, tying the knots as mentioned in the Shulchan Aruch, but dividing the coils into segments as the Rambam mentions (Shulchan Aruch HaRav11:27-28,31).
9.
If the tzitzit lack entirely strands which hang loose, they are unacceptable (Kessef Mishneh).
10.
This principle is also accepted by the opinions that do not require that the coils be divided into segments of three. Even so, for tzitzit to be acceptable, they must possess at least three coils (Mishnah Berurah11:63,66).
11.
The Rambam leaves the use of entwined strands up to a person's choice. The Ra'avad objects, quoting a passage from the Sifre that requires that the strands of the tzitzit be made by entwining different threads together. Numbers 15:38 uses the expression, p'til techelet. The word p'tilimplies "twisted threads." See the Targum Yonaton to this verse. The Shulchan Aruch(Orach Chayim 11:2) follows the Ra'avad's view and obligates the use of entwined strands. From Chapter 2, Halachah 7, it appears that the Rambam also considered this as the common practice.
11. The Rambam leaves the use of entwined strands up to a person's choice. The Ra'avad objects, quoting a passage from the Sifre that requires that the strands of the tzitzit be made by entwining different threads together. Numbers 15:38 uses the expression, p'til techelet. The word p'tilimplies "twisted threads." See the Targum Yonaton to this verse.
The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 11:2) follows the Ra'avad's view and obligates the use of entwined strands. From Chapter 2, Halachah 7, it appears that the Rambam also considered this as the common practice.
12.
The Rambam is speaking about the following instance: The person used long strands and placed one end of them through each of the two holes. Afterwards, using the strands from each corner that was not passed through the hole, he tied both tzitzit, and then separated them from each other.
13.
This law is based on the Rambam's interpretation of Sukkah 11a-b. Others (see Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 11:13) interpret that passage as speaking about the tzitzit of a single corner. If one inserts a single long strand in the hole several times, thus producing eight strands, ties the tzitzit, and then separates the strands from each other, the tzitzit are not acceptable. This is also considered as making tzitzit from those which are already existing.
14.
See Shulchan Aruch HaRav 11:24, which describes the manner in which tzitzit should be removed from a garment.
15.
Since he intended to remove the initial tzitzit, there is nothing wrong with attaching the second one (Menachot 40b).
16.
According to the Rambam, it does not matter which tzitzit he removes. For the tzitzit to be acceptable, both sets have to be removed, and then a single set retied.
17.
By adding the second set, he transgresses the prohibition against adding to the mitzvot of the Torah. Therefore, both sets of tzitzit are disqualified. The Ra'avad and the Ashkenazic authorities do not accept the Rambam's decision. They maintain that while both sets of tzitzit are hanging from the garment, their existence is not considered at all significant. It is as if they do not exist at all. Therefore, by removing the extra set, one is not making tzitzit from ones which previously exist. On the contrary, one is bringing an acceptable set of tzitzit into existence.
The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 10:6) accepts the Rambam's view. The Ramah, however, follows the other opinions.
18.
The Rambam's statements have raised questions. Though all commentaries agree that the three tzitzit made when the garment had only three corners are unacceptable, the question revolves around the fourth corner. Why is the tzitzit made upon it disqualified? When it was made, the garment already had four corners. On this basis, the Magen Avraham (10:6) rules that, indeed, the fourth tzitzit is not disqualified and may remain.
19.
Tzitzit are required only on a garment with four corners, as stated in the proof-text quoted from Deuteronomy and mentioned in Chapter 3, Halachah 1.
20.
There is a slight difficulty with the Rambam's statements: In this halachah he cites the verse from Deuteronomy as a proof-text, while in Halachah 13 he cited a verse from Numbers.
21.
Although in its present state, the garment has four corners, unless it is sewn it is possible that the folds will open and the position of the corners will change (Menachot 41a). Note the Ramah (Orach Chayim 10:6), who quotes a difference of opinion where the tzitzit should be placed during the time the garment is folded. Because of this difference of opinion, Shulchan Aruch HaRav 10:13 suggests not wearing such a garment unless it is sewn closed.
22.
Our translation follows the explanation of the Beit Yosef (Orach Chayim 10). Note, however, the explanation of the Be'ur Halachah 10.
23.
When the torn portion is three fingerbreadths long, it is considered as the "corner" of the garment. Therefore, the tzitzit are considered to be attached to a significant portion of the garment and need not be untied before the corner can be sewn back on the garment (Nimukei Yosef, Menachot 40b). The commentaries note the apparent contradiction between this law and Halachah 13, which forbids one to sew a piece of a garment to which tzitzit are attached to another garment. The commentaries differentiate between these two laws, explaining that there is a difference between a piece of fabric from another garment (Halachah 13) and a portion of the original garment which was detached (the present halachah). The Turei Zahav 15:3 does not accept this distinction, and maintains that even attaching a piece of the original garment is unacceptable. The later authorities suggest following this stringency.
24.
A portion of a garment less than three fingerbreadths long is not considered significant. Therefore, the tzitzit are no longer considered to be attached to part of the garment. Accordingly, when this fragment is sewn back to the garment, the tzitzit attached to it will be disqualified, based on the principle that one must make tzitzit and not use those existing previously. If, however, one untied the tzitzit, one may sew the detached corner back onto the garment, and then attach new tzitzit to it (Rav David Arameah).
The Kessef Mishneh quotes Rav Amram Gaon as stating that, if such a small portion was detached from the garment, tzitzit may never be attached to the garment again. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 15:4) suggests following this more stringent view if possible.
25.
Although initially the tzitzit had to be positioned a certain distance above the end of the garment, as mentioned in Halachah 6, after they were attached to the garment in the proper manner, there is greater leniency (Menachot 42a). The Ramah (Orach Chayim 11:10) suggests sewing a border around the hole through which the strands are placed so that it will not tear.
26.
For example, they became torn. Based on Menachot 38b, the Rabbis have offered two interpretations of "enough to tie a loop":
a) enough to tie a loop around all the strands of the tzitzit;
b) enough to tie a loop around the strand itself.
The grammatical construction of the Rambam's statements indicates - albeit not definitely - that he favors the latter view.
b) enough to tie a loop around the strand itself.
The grammatical construction of the Rambam's statements indicates - albeit not definitely - that he favors the latter view.
(Note the Be'ur Halachah 12, which states that the measure "to tie a loop" surely does not exceed four centimeters.)
The Rambam maintains that even if the majority of all the strands of the tzitzit were cut off, as long as "enough to tie a loop remains," the tzitzit are acceptable. If, however, both ends of one long strand are cut off entirely, the tzitzit are not acceptable. Rabbenu Tam does not accept this decision and requires that at least two entire strands remain their full length. (See Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 12:1.) The later authorities, particularly in the Ashkenazi community, suggest following Rabbenu Tam's view.
27.
See Turei Zahav 12:3.
Tzitzit - Chapter Two
1
The term techelet mentioned throughout the Torah refers to wool dyed light blue - i.e., the color of the sky which appears opposite the sun when there is a clear sky.
The term techelet when used regarding tzitzit refers to a specific dye that remains beautiful without changing. [If the techelet] is not dyed with this dye, it is unfit to be used as tzitzit even though it is sky blue in color. For example, using isatis, black dye, or other dark dyes, is unacceptable for tzitzit.
The wool of a ewe that a goat gave birth to is unacceptable for use as tzitzit.
א
תכלת האמורה בתורה בכל מקום היא הצמר הצבוע כפתוך שבכחול וזו היא דמות הרקיע הנראית לעין השמש בטהרו של רקיע והתכלת האמורה בציצית צריך שתהיה צביעתה צביעה ידועה שעומדת ביופיה ולא תשתנה וכל שלא נצבע באותה צביעה פסול לציצית אע"פ שהוא כעין הרקיע כגון שצבעו באסטיס או בשחור או בשאר המשחירין הרי זה פסול לציצית רחל בת עז צמרה פסול לציצית:
2
How is the techelet of tzitzit dyed? Wool is taken and soaked in lime. Afterwards, it is taken and washed until it is clean and then boiled with bleach and the like, as is the dyers' practice, to prepare it to accept the dye. A chilazon is a fish whose color is like the color of the sea and whose blood is black like ink.1 It is found in the Mediterranean Sea.2
The blood is placed in a pot together with herbs - e.g., chamomile - as is the dyers' practice. It is boiled and then the wool is inserted. [It is left there] until it becomes sky-blue. This is the manner in which the techelet of tzitzit [is made].
בThe blood is placed in a pot together with herbs - e.g., chamomile - as is the dyers' practice. It is boiled and then the wool is inserted. [It is left there] until it becomes sky-blue. This is the manner in which the techelet of tzitzit [is made].
כיצד צובעין תכלת של ציצית לוקחין הצמר ושורין אותו בסיד ואחר כך מכבסין אותו עד שיהיה נקי ומרתיחים אותו באהלא וכיוצא בו כדרך שהצבעין עושין כדי שיקלוט את העין ואח"כ מביאין דם חלזון והוא דג שדומה עינו לעין התכלת ודמו שחור כדיו ובים המלח הוא מצוי ונותנין את הדם ליורה ונותנין עמו סממנין כמו הקמוניא וכיוצא בהן כדרך שהצבעין עושין ומרתיחין אותו ונותנין בו הצמר עד שיעשה כעין רקיע וזו היא התכלת של ציצית:
3
One must dye tzitzit techelet with the intention that it be used for the mitzvah. If one did not have such an intention, it is unacceptable.
When one places some wool in the pot in which the dye was placed, to check whether the dye is good or not, the entire pot may no longer be used [for tzitzit].3 [If so,] how should one check [the dye]? He should take some dye from the pot in a small container and place the wool he uses to check in it. Afterwards, he should burn the wool used to check - for it was dyed for the purpose of checking4 - and pour out the dye used to check it, since using it for an experiment disqualified it. Afterwards, he should dye [the wool] techelet with the remainder of the dye which was not used.
ג
התכלת של ציצית צריכה צביעה לשמה ואם צבעה שלא לשמה פסולה והיורה שיש בה הצבע אם צבע בה מעט צמר לבדקו אם הוא יפה אם לאו נפסלה היורה כולה אלא כיצד יעשה לוקח הצבע מן היורה בכלי קטן ומניח בו צמר שבודק בו ושורף את שבדק שהרי נצבע לבדיקה ושופך הצבע שבכלי שבדק בו שהרי טעמו ופסלו וצובע התכלת בשאר הצבע שלא נפגם:
4
Techelet should only be purchased from a recognized dealer because we are concerned that perhaps it was not dyed with the intention that it be used for the mitzvah. Even though it was purchased from a recognized dealer, if it was checked,5 and it was discovered that it was dyed with another dark dye which is not of a permanent nature, it is not acceptable.6
ד
התכלת אינה נלקחת אלא מן המומחה חוששין שמא נצבעה שלא לשמה אף על פי שנלקחה מן המומחה אם נבדקה ונודעה שנצבעה באחד משאר צבעונין המשחירים שאינן עומדין פסולה:
5
How can techelet be checked to see whether it has been dyed properly or not? One takes straw, the secretion of a snail, and urine that had been left standing for forty days and leaves thetechelet in this mixture for an entire day. If the color of thetechelet remained unchanged, without becoming weaker, it is acceptable.
If it became weaker, we place the techelet which changed color inside a dough of barley meal that was left to sour for fish brine. The dough is baked in an oven, and then the techelet is removed. If it became even weaker than it was previously, it is unacceptable. If this strengthened the color and it became darker than it was before being baked, it is acceptable.7
ה
כיצד בודקין אותה עד שיודע אם נצבעה כהלכתה אם לאו לוקחין תבן וריר של שבלול ומי רגלים שנתחמצו ארבעים יום ושורין התכלת בכולן מעת לעת אם עמדה בעינה ולא כהתה כשרה ואם כהתה לוקחין בצק של שעורין שמעפשין אותו למורייס ונותנין את זו התכלת שנשתנית בתוכו ואופה הבצק בתנור ומוציאים התכלת מן הפת ורואין אותה אם כהתה ממה שהיתה פסולה ואם הוסיף עינה והושחרה יותר ממה שהיתה קודם האפייה כשרה:
6
One may purchase techelet from an outlet which has established a reputation for authenticity without question. It need not be checked. One may continue to rely [on its reputation] until a reason for suspicion arises.
Should one entrust techelet to a gentile for safekeeping, it is no longer fit for use, [because] we fear that he exchanged it. If it was in a container and closed with two seals, one seal inside the other,8it is acceptable. If, however, it had only a single seal, it may not be used.
ו
חצר שמוכרין בה תכלת והיו מוחזקין בכשרות לוקחין ממנה סתם ואין צריך בדיקה והרי היא בחזקתה עד שתחשד המפקיד תכלת אצל הכותי הרי זה פסולה שמא החליפה ואם היתה בכלי והיה חתום בשני חותמות חותם בתוך חותם כשרה בחותם אחד פסולה:
7
If a person found techelet in the marketplace - even strands which were cut - it is not fit for use.9If they were twisted together, however, they are acceptable.10
[The following rules apply when] a person purchases a garment to which tzitzit are attached in the marketplace. When he purchases it from a Jew, he may presume [that it is acceptable]. If he purchases it from a gentile merchant, it is [presumed to be] acceptable;11
from a non-Jew who is a private person, it is not acceptable.
זfrom a non-Jew who is a private person, it is not acceptable.
המוצא תכלת בשוק אפילו מצא חוטין פסוקין פסולה שזורין כשרה הלוקח טלית מצוייצת מן השוק מישראל הרי היא בחזקתה מן הכותי התגר כשרה מן ההדיוט פסולה:
8
When a garment is entirely red, green, or any other color [besides white], its white strands should be made from the same color as the garment itself. If it is green, they should be green. If it is red, they should be red.12
Should the garment itself be techelet, its white strands should be made from any color other than black,13
for it resembles techelet. He should wind one strand of techeletaround all the strands, as one does with other tzitzit that are not colored.
חfor it resembles techelet. He should wind one strand of techeletaround all the strands, as one does with other tzitzit that are not colored.
טלית שהיא כולה אדומה או ירוקה או משאר צבעונין עושה חוטי לבן שלה כעין צבעה אם ירוקה ירוקין אם אדומה אדומין היתה כולה תכלת עושה לבן שלה משאר צבעונין חוץ מן השחור מפני שהוא נראה כתכלת וכורך על הכל חוט אחד תכלת כדרך שעושין בשאר ציציות שאינן צבועין:
9
The punishment given someone who does not wear [tzitzit of white strands] is more severe than that given one who does not wear techelet, because the white strands are easily accessible while techelet is not available in every time and in every era, because of the [unique] dye mentioned above.14
ט
קשה עונש מי שאינו מניח לבן יותר מעונש שלא הניח תכלת לפי שהלבן מצוי לכל והתכלת אינו מצויה בכ"מ ולא בכל זמן מפני הצבע שאמרנו:
FOOTNOTES
1.
The identity of the chilazon is a matter of question. Menachot 44a states that it would be visible only once in seventy years. From Bechorot 6:2, one can infer that it was a long snakelike fish. From other sources, it appears to be a snaillike animal. In his Commentary on the Mishnah (Menachot4:1), the Rambam writes that techelet is no longer available. Similarly, Rabbenu Yitzchak Alfasi (who lived two generations before the Rambam) writes that "we do not have techelet."
Approximately one hundred years ago, Rabbi Gershon Henoch Leiner attempted to reintroduce a dye which he determined to betechelet. Similarly, Rabbi Herzog, the first Chief Rabbi of Israel, attempted to locate the chilazon. Although, from a theoretical perspective, the Torah community appreciated the value of their research, in practice, their decisions were not accepted by the majority of Torah scholars.
2.
Though ים המלח generally refers to the Dead Sea, there are times when the Rambam uses this term to refer to the Mediterranean. See the conclusion of his Commentary on the Mishnah.
3.
Menachot 42b interprets the phrase, "totally techelet" (Exodus 28:31), to mean that the entire dye must be intended for a ritual purpose.
4.
Thus, it is unfit to be used for tzitzit. This wool should be burned lest it be discovered by someone else and unknowingly used for tzitzit.
5.
Since it was purchased from a recognized dealer, there is no obligation to check it. Nevertheless, if it was checked, it can be disqualified. See Halachah 6.
6.
The Rambam's statements appear to imply that the blood of the chilazon must be used for tzitzit, not because of a Torah decree, but because it was the only lasting dye they had (Kinat Eliyahu).
7.
These processes are mentioned in Menachot 42b-43a.
8.
The concept of two seals is explained in the laws of kashrut. See Hilchot Ma'achalot Asurot 13:8.
9.
Even if it proves to be techelet, we assume that it was not dyed for the purpose of being used for tzitzit.
10.
We assume that twisted strands of techeletwere made to be used for tzitzit. It is unlikely that someone would go to the trouble of twisting strands of techelet for any other purpose. (See the Ra'avad.)
Our text follows the standard published versions of the Mishneh Torah, which is supported by a responsum purported to have been written by the Rambam. The original printings and many authoritative editions of the Mishneh Torah state that even twisted strands of techelet are not acceptable when found in the marketplace. This version appears to be supported by the Rambam's ruling, Hilchot Shabbat19:24, which is based on the same Talmudic passage, Eruvin 96b.
11.
We assume that a merchant will not risk tarnishing his reputation by misrepresenting an article.
12.
The rationale for this decision is that tzitzit must be "of the same type of fabric as the fringe of the garment." This also implies that they should share the same color as the fringe (Rashi, Menachot 43b).
This decision is not shared by Tosafot, Menachot 41b, which rules that white strands are appropriate even when the garment itself is of another color. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 9:5) mentions that those who are precise in their performance of mitzvot follow the Rambam's view. The Ramah, however, maintains that one should use white tzitziot for all garments.
13.
The Kessef Mishneh notes that the Rambam's statements are not an exact quote from his source, Menachot, ibid., which substitutes the word kelah ilaninstead of black. Kelah ilan is a dye which looks almost exactly the same as techeletexcept that it is not made from the blood of the chilazon. The Kessef Mishneh suggests that the Rambam meant that any dark color is unacceptable although lighter colors would be acceptable. It is necessary that there be a contrast between the color of the strands of tzitzit, just as there is a contrast between white and techelet.
14.
Even in Talmudic times, techelet was very expensive and difficult to obtain. As mentioned in the commentary on Halachah 1, according to most authorities, techelet is not available in the present era, nor has it been available for at least 1000 years.
144
144
Tzitzit - Chapter Three
1
A garment to which the Torah obligates a person to attach tzitzit [must meet the following requirements]:
a) it must have four - or more than four - corners;
b) it must be large enough to cover both the head and the majority of the body of a child who is able to walk on his own in the marketplace without having someone else accompany him and watch him;
c) it must be made of either wool or linen alone.
אa) it must have four - or more than four - corners;
b) it must be large enough to cover both the head and the majority of the body of a child who is able to walk on his own in the marketplace without having someone else accompany him and watch him;
c) it must be made of either wool or linen alone.
כסות שחייב אדם לעשות בה ציצית מן התורה היא כסות שיש לה ארבע כנפים או יותר על ארבע ותהיה מדתה כדי שיתכסה בה ראשו ורובו של קטן המתהלך לבדו בשוק ואינו צריך אחר לשומרו ולילך עמו ותהיה הכסות של צמר או של פשתן בלבד:
2
In contrast, a garment made of other fabrics - for example, clothes of silk, cotton, camels' wool, hares' wool, goats' wool, and the like - are required to have tzitzit only because of Rabbinic decree, in order to show regard for the mitzvah of tzitzit.
[These garments require tzitzit only] when they are four-cornered - or have more than four corners - and are of the measure mentioned above.
[The motivating principle for this law] is that all the garments mentioned in the Torah without any further explanation refer to those made of either wool or linen alone.
ב
אבל טלית של שאר מינין כגון בגדי משי ובגדי צמר גפן ובגדי צמר גמלים וצמר ארנבים ונוצה של עזים וכיוצא בהן אין חייבין במצות ציצית אלא מדברי חכמים כדי להזהר במצות ציצית והוא שתהיה מרובעת או יותר על ארבע ויהיה שיעורה כשיעור שאמרנו שכל הבגדים האמורים בתורה סתם אינם אלא צמר ופשתים בלבד:
3
"On the four corners of your garments" (Deuteronomy 22:12): This applies to a garment which possesses four corners, but not to one which possesses only three. Perhaps, [it comes to include] a four-cornered garment and [to exclude] a five-cornered garment? The Torah continues: "with which you cover yourself." This includes even a five- (or more) cornered garment.
Why do I obligate a garment of five corners and exempt a garment of three corners? Neither has four corners [as required by the above verse]. Because a five-cornered garment has four corners.
Accordingly, when one attaches tzitzit to a garment with five or six corners, one should attach the tzitzit only to the four corners which are farthest apart from each other from among these five or six corners, as [implied by the phrase,] "On the four corners of your garments."
ג
על ארבע כנפות כסותך בעלת ארבע ולא בעלת שלש אם כן בעלת ארבע ולא בעלת חמש תלמוד לומר אשר תכסה בה אפילו בעלת חמש או יותר על זה ולמה אני מחייב בעלת חמש ופוטר בעלת שלש ושתיהן אינן בעלי ארבע כנפות מפני שיש בכלל החמש ארבע לפיכך כשהוא עושה ציצית לבעלת חמש או שש אינו עושה אלא לארבע כנפים המרוחקות זו מזו מאותן החמש או השש בלבד שנאמר על ארבע כנפות כסותך:
4
If a garment is made of cloth and its corners of leather, it requires tzitzit. If the garment is of leather and its corners are of cloth, it does not require tzitzit. The determining factor is the makeup of the garment itself.
A garment belonging to two partners requires [tzitzit], as [implied by Numbers 15:38]: "On the corners of their garments." The term "your garments" [(Deuteronomy 22:12), which is interpreted as an exclusion,] excludes only a borrowed garment, since a borrowed garment does not require tzitzit for thirty days. Afterwards, it does require them.
ד
כסות של בגד וכנפיה של עור חייבת היא של עור וכנפיה של בגד פטורה שאין הולכין אלא אחר עיקר הכסות כסות של שני שותפין חייבת שנאמר על כנפי בגדיהם לא נאמר כסותך אלא למעט שאולה שהטלית השאולה פטורה מן הציצית שלשים יום מכאן ואילך חייבת:
5
For a garment of wool, the white strands should be made of wool. For a garment of linen, the white strands should be made of linen. For garments of other [fabrics], the white strands should be made from the same fabric as the garment itself. For example, silk strands should be used for a silk garment, strands of goats' wool should be used for garments of goats' wool.
If one desired to make white strands of wool or linen for [garments of] any type [of fabric], one may, because [strands of] wool and linen can fulfill the obligation [of tzitzit] for garments made of their own fabric or for garments made of other fabrics. In contrast, [strands made] from other fabrics can fulfill the obligation [of tzitzit] only for garments made of their own fabric.
ה
כסות של צמר עושין לבן שלה חוטי צמר וכסות של פשתן עושין לבן שלה חוטי פשתן ממינה ושאר בגדים עושין לבן של כל מין ומין ממינו כגון חוטי משי לכסות משי וחוטי נוצה לכסות נוצה ואם רצה לעשות לבן לכל שאר מינים מצמר או מפשתים עושה מפני שהצמר והפשתן פוטרין בין במינן בין שלא במינן ושאר מינין במינן פוטרין שלא במינן אין פוטרין:
6
What is the ruling regarding making woolen strands for a garment of linen or linen strands for a garment of wool - even though we are speaking only of the white strands without techelet?
One might think that it should be permitted, because sha'atnez is permitted to be used for tzitzit, as evident from the fact that techeletis made using woolen strands, and yet it should be placed on a linen garment. Nevertheless, this is not done.
Why? Because it is possible to make the white strands from the same fabric as [the garment]. Whenever [a conflict exists] between the observance of a positive commandment and the adherence to a negative commandment, [the following rules apply]: If it is possible to observe both of them, one should. If not, the observance of the positive commandment supersedes the negative commandment. In the present instance, however, it is possible to observe both of them.
ו
ומה הוא לעשות חוטי צמר בכסות של פשתן או חוטי פשתן בכסות של צמר אע"פ שהוא לבן לבדו בלא תכלת בדין הוא שיהא מותר שהשעטנז מותר לענין ציצית שהרי התכלת צמר הוא ומטילין אותה לפשתן ומפני מה אין עושין כן מפני שאפשר לעשות הלבן שלה ממינה וכל מקום שאתה מוצא עשה ולא תעשה אם יכול אתה לקיים את שתיהן הרי מוטב ואם לאו יבא עשה וידחה את לא תעשה וכאן אפשר לקיים את שתיהן:
7
Techelet should not be attached to a linen garment. Rather, one should [make the tzitzit] from white threads of linen alone. This is not because [the prohibition against] sha'atnez supersedes [the mitzvah of] tzitzit, but rather it is a Rabbinical decree [imposed] lest one wear the garment at night, when one is not required to wear tzitzit, and thus violate a negative commandment when the performance of a positive commandment is not involved.
[This is because] the obligation to wear tzitzit applies during the day, but not at night [as can be inferred from Numbers 15:39]: "And you shall see them." [The mitzvah applies only] during a time when one can see. [Nevertheless,] a blind man is obligated to wear tzitzit. Even though he does not see them, others see him [wearing them].
ז
כסות של פשתן אין מטילין בה תכלת אלא עושין הלבן בלבד של חוטי פשתן לא מפני שהציצית נדחית מפני השעטנז אלא גזירה מדבריהם שמא יתכסה בה בלילה שאינה זמן חיוב ציצית ונמצא עובר על לא תעשה בעת שאין שם מצות עשה שחובת הציצית ביום ולא בלילה שנאמר וראיתם אותו בשעת ראייה וסומא חייב בציצית אף על פי שאינו רואה אחרים רואין אותו:
8
A person is permitted to wear tzitzit at night, both during the weekdays and on the Sabbath, even though this is not the time when the mitzvah should be fulfilled, provided he does not recite a blessing.
When should the blessing over tzitzit be recited in the morning? When [the sun has risen so] that one can differentiate between the strands of techelet and those which are white.
Which blessing should be recited upon it? "Blessed are you, God, our Lord, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to wrap ourselves with tzitzit." Whenever a person wraps himself in tzitzit during the day, he should recite the blessing before doing so.
No blessing should be recited on the tzitzit when making them, because the ultimate purpose of the mitzvah is that one should wrap oneself in [a tallit].
ח
מותר לאדם ללבוש ציצית בלילה בין בחול בין בשבת ואע"פ שאינו זמנה ובלבד שלא יברך ומאימתי יברך על הציצית בשחר משיכיר בין תכלת שבה ללבן שבה וכיצד מברך עליה ברוך אתה יי' אלהינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו להתעטף בציצית וכל זמן שמתעטף בה ביום מברך עליה קודם שיתעטף ואינו מברך על הציצית בשעת עשייתה מפני שסוף המצוה הוא שיתעטף בה:
9
It is permissible to enter a lavatory or a bathhouse [wearing] tzitzit. If one of the strands of white or techelet becomes torn, it may be discarded in a garbage dump, because tzitzit is a mitzvah which does not confer sanctity on the article itself.
It is forbidden to sell a garment with tzitzit to a gentile until he removes the tzitzit, not because the garment possesses a measure of holiness, but because we are concerned that he will dress in it, and [unknowingly,] a Jew will accompany him, thinking that he is a fellow Jew, and the gentile may kill him.
Women, servants, and minors are not required by the Torah to wear tzitzit. It is, however, a Rabbinical obligation for every child who knows how to dress himself to wear tzitzit in order to educate him to fulfill mitzvot.
Women and servants who wish to wrap themselves in tzitzit may do so without reciting a blessing. Similarly, regarding the other positive commandments which women are not required to fulfill, if they desire to fulfill them without reciting a blessing, they should not be prevented from doing so.
A tumtum and an androgynous are obligated in all positive commandments because of the doubt [about their status]. Therefore, they fulfill [all these positive commandments] without reciting a blessing.
ט
ומותר להכנס בציצית לבית הכסא ולבית המרחץ נפסקו לו חוטי לבן או תכלת זורקו באשפה מפני שהיא מצוה שאין בגופה קדושה ואסור למכור טלית מצוייצת לכותי עד שיתיר ציציותיה לא מפני שיש בגופה קדושה אלא שמא יתעטף בה ויתלוה עמו ישראל וידמה שהוא ישראל ויהרגנו נשים ועבדים וקטנים פטורין מן הציצית מן התורה ומדברי סופרים שכל קטן שיודע להתעטף חייב בציצית כדי לחנכו במצות ונשים ועבדי' שרצו להתעטף בציצית מתעטפים בלא ברכה וכן שאר מצות עשה שהנשים פטורות מהן אם רצו לעשות אותן בלא ברכה אין ממחין בידן טומטום ואנדרוגינוס חייבין בכולן מספק לפיכך אין מברכין אלא עושין בלא ברכה:
10
What is the nature of the obligation of the commandment of tzitzit? Every person who is obligated to fulfill this mitzvah, if he wears a garment requiring tzitzit, should attach tzitzit to it and then wear it. If he wears it without attaching tzitzit to it, he has negated [this] positive commandment.
There is, however, no obligation to attach tzitzit to a garment which requires tzitzit, as long as it remains folded in its place, without a person wearing it. It is not that a garment requires [tzitzit]. Rather, the requirement is incumbent on the person [wearing] the garment.
י
היאך חיוב מצות הציצית כל אדם שחייב לעשות מצוה זו אם יתכסה בכסות הראוי לציצית יטיל לה ציצית ואח"כ יתכסה בה ואם נתכסה בה בלא ציצית הרי ביטל מצות עשה אבל בגדים הראויים לציצית כל זמן שלא יתכסה בהן אדם אלא מקופלים ומונחים פטורין מן הציצית שאינה חובת הטלית אלא חובת האיש שיש לו טלית:
11
Even though a person is not obligated to purchase a tallit and wrap himself in it so that he must attach tzitzit to it, it is not proper for a person to release himself from this commandment. Instead, he should always try to be wrapped in a garment which requires tzitzit so that he will fulfill this mitzvah.
In particular, care should be taken regarding this matter during prayer. It is very shameful for a Torah scholar to pray without being wrapped [in a tallit].
יא
אף על פי שאין אדם מחוייב לקנות לו טלית ולהתעטף בה כדי שיעשה בה ציצית אין ראוי לאדם חסיד שיפטור עצמו ממצוה זו אלא לעולם ישתדל להיות עטוף בכסות המחוייבת כציצית כדי שיקיים מצוה זו ובשעת התפלה צריך להזהר ביותר גנאי גדול הוא לתלמידי חכמים שיתפללו והם אינם עטופים:
12
A person should always be careful regarding the mitzvah of tzitzit, because the Torah considered it equal to all the mitzvot and considered them all as dependent on it, as [implied by Numbers 15:39]: "And you shall see them and remember all the mitzvot of God."
יב
לעולם יהא אדם זהיר במצות ציצית שהרי הכתוב שקלה ותלה בה כל המצות כולן שנאמר וראיתם אותו וזכרתם את כל מצות יי':
• Monday, 20 Cheshvan, 5777 · 21 November 2016
• "Today's Day"
• Thursday, Cheshvan 20, 5704
Torah lessons: Chumash: Chayei Sara, Chamishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 97-103.
Tanya: Now, the Cabbalists (p. 579) ...neshamah of man. (p. 581).
Birth of R. Shalom Dovber in the year which the Tzemach Tzedek termed Kitra1 ("crown") - 5621 (1860). He was named for the Mitteler Rebbe2 and half the name of the Tzemach Tzedek's father.3
Every year my father delivered a maamar on his birthday, but he did so secretly except when it coincided with Shabbat. On his last birthday here on earth4 he said the maamar Natata lirei'echa neiss...5 When he concluded he said to me, "on one's birthday he should say Chassidus. May G-d give you a gift that you may say Chassidus on your birthday, but it should be with kindness and mercy." It took seven years for this to happen.6
FOOTNOTES
1.Kitra is numerically 5621.
2.R. Dovber.
3.R. Shalom Shachna.
4.1919.
5.Tehillim 60:6.
6.The Festival of Liberation of the previous Rebbe (from Soviet imprisonment for his spreading of Torah and Judaism) occurred on his birthday, the 12th of Tamuz, in the year 5687 (1927) - during his seventh year as Rebbe. He succeeded to the leadership in 5680 (1920) upon his father's demise.
• Daily Thought:
Melting Evil
Evil is darkness; nothing more than an absence of light.
It has no life of its own.
It is powered entirely by our fear of it, by our considering it a “something” that demands our response.
Evil is a terrorist, nursed on every spoonful of worry, encouraged with every glance of trepidation, fortified with every concession we make from our lives to acknowledge its threat—until it has soaked from us sufficient energy to rise brazenly and attack us with our own instruments.
So it is with the evil in the world, so it is with the destructive forces within each of us: When we stoop to conquer the evil within ourselves, we end up rolling with it in its mud.
To truly banish evil, you must march on the clouds and never look down. You must climb higher until you attain a place of light that leaves no crevice for evil to hide.
Lifted to that place, evil melts in surrender. For now it has fulfilled its purpose of being: to squeeze out the inner light of the human soul, a light that knows no bounds.
Mission accomplished, evil vanishes in the light it has called forth.[Likkutei Torah, Teitzei 35b; Maamar Ki Teitzei 5745; Torat Menachem 5751, vol. 4, pp. 213, 227.]
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