Today in Jewish History:
• Lisbon Earthquake (1755)
A great earthquake struck Lisbon, Portugal, destroying much of the city including the courthouse of the Inquisition.Daily Quote:
The great crocodile who couches in the midst of his streams, who says: My river is my own, and I have made myself[The prophet Ezekiel describing the pharaonic ego as the root of evil (Ezekiel 29:3)]
Today's Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Parshat Chayei Sarah, 4th Portion (Genesis 24:27-24:52) with Rashi
• Genesis Chapter 24
27And he said, "Blessed is the Lord, the God of my master, Abraham, Who has not forsaken His loving kindness and His truth from my master. As for me, the Lord led me on the road to the house of my master's kinsmen." כזוַיֹּ֗אמֶר בָּר֤וּךְ יְהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵי֙ אֲדֹנִ֣י אַבְרָהָ֔ם אֲ֠שֶׁ֠ר לֹֽא־עָזַ֥ב חַסְדּ֛וֹ וַֽאֲמִתּ֖וֹ מֵעִ֣ם אֲדֹנִ֑י אָֽנֹכִ֗י בַּדֶּ֨רֶךְ֙ נָחַ֣נִי יְהֹוָ֔ה בֵּ֖ית אֲחֵ֥י אֲדֹנִֽי:
on the road: on the designated road, the straight road, on the very road that I needed. Likewise, every “beth,” “lammed,” and “hey,” that serve as a prefix and are vowelized with a “pattach” refer to something specific, already mentioned elsewhere, or of [some object] where it is clear and obvious about what one is speaking. [i.e., The“pattach” under the prefix denotes the הֵא הַיְדִיעָה, the definite article.] בדרך: דרך המיומן, דרך הישר, באותו דרך שהייתי צריך. וכן כל בי"ת ולמ"ד וה"א המשמשים בראש התיבה ונקודים בפת"ח מדברים בדבר הפשוט שנזכר כבר במקום אחר או שהוא מבורר וניכר באיזו הוא מדבר:
28And the maiden ran, and she told her mother's house what had happened. כחוַתָּ֨רָץ֙ הַנַּֽעֲרָ֔ה (כתיב הנער) וַתַּגֵּ֖ד לְבֵ֣ית אִמָּ֑הּ כַּדְּבָרִ֖ים הָאֵֽלֶּה:
her mother’s house: It was customary for women to have a house in which to stay to do their work, and a daughter confides only in her mother. — [Gen. Rabbah 60:7] לבית אמה: דרך הנשים היתה להיות להן בית לישב בו למלאכתן, ואין הבת מגדת אלא לאמה:
29Now Rebecca had a brother whose name was Laban, and Laban ran to the man outside, to the fountain. כטוּלְרִבְקָ֥ה אָ֖ח וּשְׁמ֣וֹ לָבָ֑ן וַיָּ֨רָץ לָבָ֧ן אֶל־הָאִ֛ישׁ הַח֖וּצָה אֶל־הָעָֽיִן:
and Laban ran: Why did he run and for what did he run? “Now it came to pass, when he saw the nose ring,” he said, “This person is rich,” and he set his eyes on the money. — [Gen. Rabbah 60:7] וירץ: למה וירץ ועל מה רץ, ויהי כראות את הנזם, אמר עשיר הוא זה, ונתן עיניו בממון:
30And it came to pass, when he saw the nose ring and the bracelets on his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of his sister Rebecca, saying, "So did the man speak to me, " that he came to the man, and behold, he was standing over the camels at the fountain. לוַיְהִ֣י | כִּרְאֹ֣ת אֶת־הַנֶּ֗זֶם וְאֶת־הַצְּמִדִים֘ עַל־יְדֵ֣י אֲחֹתוֹ֒ וּכְשָׁמְע֗וֹ אֶת־דִּבְרֵ֞י רִבְקָ֤ה אֲחֹתוֹ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר כֹּֽה־דִבֶּ֥ר אֵלַ֖י הָאִ֑ישׁ וַיָּבֹא֙ אֶל־הָאִ֔ישׁ וְהִנֵּ֛ה עֹמֵ֥ד עַל־הַגְּמַלִּ֖ים עַל־הָעָֽיִן:
over the camels: to guard them, as (above 18:8):“And he was standing over them,” in order to serve them. על הגמלים: לשמרן, כמו (לעיל יח ח) והוא עומד עליהם, לשמשם:
31And he said, "Come, you who are blessed of the Lord. Why should you stand outside, when I have cleared the house, and a place for the camels?" לאוַיֹּ֕אמֶר בּ֖וֹא בְּר֣וּךְ יְהֹוָ֑ה לָ֤מָּה תַֽעֲמֹד֙ בַּח֔וּץ וְאָֽנֹכִי֙ פִּנִּ֣יתִי הַבַּ֔יִת וּמָק֖וֹם לַגְּמַלִּֽים:
when I have cleared the house: of idolatry. — [Gen. Rabbah 60:7] פניתי הבית: מעבודה זרה:
32So the man came to the house and unmuzzled the camels, and he gave straw and fodder to the camels and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. לבוַיָּבֹ֤א הָאִישׁ֙ הַבַּ֔יְתָה וַיְפַתַּ֖ח הַגְּמַלִּ֑ים וַיִּתֵּ֨ן תֶּ֤בֶן וּמִסְפּוֹא֙ לַגְּמַלִּ֔ים וּמַ֨יִם֙ לִרְחֹ֣ץ רַגְלָ֔יו וְרַגְלֵ֥י הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר אִתּֽוֹ:
and unmuzzled the camels: He loosened their muzzles, for he would shut their mouths so that they would not graze along the way in fields belonging to others. — [Gen. Rabbah 60:8, Targum Jonathan] ויפתח: התיר זמם שלהם, שהיה סותם את פיהם שלא ירעו בדרך בשדות אחרים:
33And [food] was set before him to eat, but he said, "I will not eat until I have spoken my words." And he said, "Speak." לגוַיּוּשָׂ֤ם (כתיב ויישם) לְפָנָיו֙ לֶֽאֱכֹ֔ל וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אֹכַ֔ל עַ֥ד אִם־דִּבַּ֖רְתִּי דְּבָרָ֑י וַיֹּ֖אמֶר דַּבֵּֽר:
until I have spoken: Here אִם serves as an expression of אִשֶׁר, [that] and as an expression of כּי, as in (below 49: 10):“Until (עַד כִּי) Shiloh will come.” This is what our Sages of blessed memory said (Rosh Hashanah 3a): The word כִּי serves for four meanings. One of these is [the Aramaic] אִי, which is equivalent to [the Hebrew] אִם. עד אם דברתי: הרי אם משמש בלשון אשר ובלשון כי, כמו (לקמן מט י) עד כי יבא שילה, וזה שאמרו חכמינו ז"ל כי משמש בארבע לשונות, והאחת אי, והוא אם:
34And he said, "I am Abraham's servant. לדוַיֹּאמַ֑ר עֶ֥בֶד אַבְרָהָ֖ם אָנֹֽכִי:
35And the Lord blessed my master exceedingly, and he became great, and He gave him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, man servants and maid servants, camels and donkeys. להוַֽיהֹוָ֞ה בֵּרַ֧ךְ אֶת־אֲדֹנִ֛י מְאֹ֖ד וַיִּגְדָּ֑ל וַיִּתֶּן־ל֞וֹ צֹ֤אן וּבָקָר֙ וְכֶ֣סֶף וְזָהָ֔ב וַֽעֲבָדִם֙ וּשְׁפָחֹ֔ת וּגְמַלִּ֖ים וַֽחֲמֹרִֽים:
36And Sarah, my master's wife, bore a son to my master after she had become old, and he gave him all that he possesses. לווַתֵּ֡לֶד שָׂרָה֩ אֵ֨שֶׁת אֲדֹנִ֥י בֵן֙ לַֽאדֹנִ֔י אַֽחֲרֵ֖י זִקְנָתָ֑הּ וַיִּתֶּן־ל֖וֹ אֶת־כָּל־אֲשֶׁר־לֽוֹ:
and he gave him all that he possesses: He showed them a gift deed. ויתן לו את כל אשר לו: שטר מתנה הראה להם:
37And my master adjured me, saying, 'You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell. לזוַיַּשְׁבִּעֵ֥נִי אֲדֹנִ֖י לֵאמֹ֑ר לֹֽא־תִקַּ֤ח אִשָּׁה֙ לִבְנִ֔י מִבְּנוֹת֙ הַכְּנַֽעֲנִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָֽנֹכִ֖י ישֵׁ֥ב בְּאַרְצֽוֹ:
You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites: unless you first go to my father’s house, and she will not wish to follow you. לא תקח אשה לבני מבנות הכנעני: אם לא תלך תחלה אל בית אבי ולא תאבה ללכת אחריך:
38Instead, you must go to my father's house and to my family, and take a wife for my son.' לחאִם־לֹ֧א אֶל־בֵּֽית־אָבִ֛י תֵּלֵ֖ךְ וְאֶל־מִשְׁפַּחְתִּ֑י וְלָֽקַחְתָּ֥ אִשָּׁ֖ה לִבְנִֽי:
39And I said to my master, 'Perhaps the woman will not follow me?' לטוָֽאֹמַ֖ר אֶל־אֲדֹנִ֑י אֻלַ֛י לֹֽא־תֵלֵ֥ךְ הָֽאִשָּׁ֖ה אַֽחֲרָֽי:
Perhaps the woman will not follow me: It [the word אֻלַי (perhaps)] is written [without a“vav” and may be read] אֵלַי (to me). Eliezer had a daughter, and he was looking for a pretext so that Abraham would tell him, to turn to him, to marry off his daughter to him (Isaac). Abraham said to him,“My son is blessed, and you are cursed [Eliezer was a descendant of Canaan who had been cursed by Noah], and an accursed one cannot unite with a blessed one.” אלי לא תלך האשה: אלי כתיב, בת היתה לו לאליעזר והיה מחזר למצוא עילה שיאמר לו אברהם לפנות אליו להשיאו בתו, אמר לו אברהם בני ברוך ואתה ארור, ואין ארור מדבק בברוך:
40And he said to me, 'The Lord, before Whom I walked, will send His angel with you and make your way prosper, and you shall take a wife for my son from my family and from my father's house. מוַיֹּ֖אמֶר אֵלָ֑י יְהֹוָ֞ה אֲשֶׁר־הִתְהַלַּ֣כְתִּי לְפָנָ֗יו יִשְׁלַ֨ח מַלְאָכ֤וֹ אִתָּךְ֙ וְהִצְלִ֣יחַ דַּרְכֶּ֔ךָ וְלָֽקַחְתָּ֤ אִשָּׁה֙ לִבְנִ֔י מִמִּשְׁפַּחְתִּ֖י וּמִבֵּ֥ית אָבִֽי:
41You will then be absolved from my oath, when you come to my family, and if they do not give [her] to you, you will be absolved from my oath.' מאאָ֤ז תִּנָּקֶה֙ מֵאָ֣לָתִ֔י כִּ֥י תָב֖וֹא אֶל־מִשְׁפַּחְתִּ֑י וְאִם־לֹ֤א יִתְּנוּ֙ לָ֔ךְ וְהָיִ֥יתָ נָקִ֖י מֵאָֽלָתִֽי:
42So I came today to the fountain, and I said, 'O Lord, God of my master Abraham, if You desire to prosper my way upon which I am going מבוָֽאָבֹ֥א הַיּ֖וֹם אֶל־הָעָ֑יִן וָֽאֹמַ֗ר יְהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵי֙ אֲדֹנִ֣י אַבְרָהָ֔ם אִם־יֶשְׁךָ־נָּא֙ מַצְלִ֣יחַ דַּרְכִּ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָֽנֹכִ֖י הֹלֵ֥ךְ עָלֶֽיהָ:
So I came today: Today I left, and today I arrived. From here we learn that the earth shrank for him [i.e., his journey was miraculously shortened]. Rabbi Acha said: The ordinary conversation of the servants of the Patriarchs is more beloved before the Omnipresent than the Torah of their sons, for the section dealing with Eliezer is repeated in the Torah, whereas many fundamentals of the Torah were given only through allusions. — [Gen. Rabbah 60:8] ואבא היום: היום יצאתי והיום באתי, מכאן שקפצה לו הארץ. אמר רבי אחא יפה שיחתן של עבדי אבות לפני המקום מתורתן של בנים, שהרי פרשה של אליעזר כפולה בתורה, והרבה גופי תורה לא נתנו אלא ברמיזה:
43Behold, I am standing by the water fountain. When a maiden comes out to draw [water], I will say to her, 'Please, give me a little water to drink from your pitcher.' מגהִנֵּ֛ה אָֽנֹכִ֥י נִצָּ֖ב עַל־עֵ֣ין הַמָּ֑יִם וְהָיָ֤ה הָֽעַלְמָה֙ הַיֹּצֵ֣את לִשְׁאֹ֔ב וְאָֽמַרְתִּ֣י אֵלֶ֔יהָ הַשְׁקִֽינִי־נָ֥א מְעַט־מַ֖יִם מִכַּדֵּֽךְ:
44And [if] she will say to me, 'You too may drink, and I will also draw water for your camels,' she is the woman whom the Lord has designated for my master's son.' מדוְאָֽמְרָ֤ה אֵלַי֙ גַּם־אַתָּ֣ה שְׁתֵ֔ה וְגַ֥ם לִגְמַלֶּ֖יךָ אֶשְׁאָ֑ב הִ֣וא הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־הֹכִ֥יחַ יְהֹוָ֖ה לְבֶן־אֲדֹנִֽי:
You too: [The word] גַּם (also), includes the people who were with him. גם אתה: גם לרבות אנשים שעמו:
designated: [Meaning]: He clarified and made known, and likewise, every expression of הוֹכָחָה in Scripture denotes clarification of a matter. הוכיח: בירר והודיע, וכן כל הוכחה שבמקרא ברור דבר:
45I had not yet finished speaking thus in my heart, and behold, Rebecca came out with her pitcher on her shoulder, and she went down to the fountain and drew water, and I said to her, 'Please give me to drink.' מהאֲנִי֩ טֶ֨רֶם אֲכַלֶּ֜ה לְדַבֵּ֣ר אֶל־לִבִּ֗י וְהִנֵּ֨ה רִבְקָ֤ה יֹצֵאת֙ וְכַדָּ֣הּ עַל־שִׁכְמָ֔הּ וַתֵּ֥רֶד הָעַ֖יְנָה וַתִּשְׁאָ֑ב וָֽאֹמַ֥ר אֵלֶ֖יהָ הַשְׁקִ֥ינִי נָֽא:
I had not yet finished: [Meaning]:“I was not yet finishing.” And similarly, wherever the present tense is called for, sometimes the past tense is used, and it could have been written טֶרֶם כִּלִתִי (past tense), “I had not yet finished;” and sometimes the future tense is used. An example [that a verb denoting continuous action is sometimes expressed in the past and sometimes in the future] is (Job 1: 5):“for Job would say” (אָמַר) : this is in the past tense.“So would Job do” (יַעִשֶׂה) : this is in the future tense. But the meaning of both is in the present tense, [namely] “for so would Job say: Perhaps my sons have sinned? and so he would do this” [in a continuous fashion]. טרם אכלה: טרם שאני מכלה, וכן כל לשון הווה פעמים שהוא מדבר בלשון עבר ויכול לכתוב כמו טרם כליתי, ופעמים שמדבר בלשון עתיד, כמו (איוב א ה) כי אמר איוב, הרי לשון עבר, (שם) ככה יעשה איוב הרי לשון עתיד. ופירוש שניהם לשון הווה, כי אומר היה איוב (שם) אולי חטאו בני וגו' והיה עושה כך:
46And she hastened and lowered her pitcher from upon her, and she said, 'Drink, and I will also water your camels.' So I drank, and she also watered the camels. מווַתְּמַהֵ֗ר וַתּ֤וֹרֶד כַּדָּהּ֙ מֵֽעָלֶ֔יהָ וַתֹּ֣אמֶר שְׁתֵ֔ה וְגַם־גְּמַלֶּ֖יךָ אַשְׁקֶ֑ה וָאֵ֕שְׁתְּ וְגַ֥ם הַגְּמַלִּ֖ים הִשְׁקָֽתָה:
47And I asked her, and I said, 'Whose daughter are you?' And she replied, 'The daughter of Bethuel the son of Nahor, whom Milcah bore to him.' And I placed the nose ring on her nose and the bracelets on her hands. מזוָֽאֶשְׁאַ֣ל אֹתָ֗הּ וָֽאֹמַר֘ בַּת־מִ֣י אַתְּ֒ וַתֹּ֗אמֶר בַּת־בְּתוּאֵל֙ בֶּן־נָח֔וֹר אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָֽלְדָה־לּ֖וֹ מִלְכָּ֑ה וָֽאָשִׂ֤ם הַנֶּ֨זֶם֙ עַל־אַפָּ֔הּ וְהַצְּמִידִ֖ים עַל־יָדֶֽיהָ:
And I asked…and I placed: He reversed the sequence of events, because, in fact, he had first given [her the jewelry] and then asked [about her family]. But [he changed the order] lest they catch him in his words and say,“How did you give her [the jewelry] when you did not yet know who she was?” ואשאל ואשים: שנה הסדר, שהרי הוא תחלה נתן ואחר כך שאל, אלא שלא יתפשוהו בדבריו ויאמרו היאך נתת לה, ועדיין אינך יודע מי היא:
48And I kneeled and prostrated myself to the Lord, and I blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, Who led me on the true path, to take the daughter of my master's brother for his son. מחוָֽאֶקֹּ֥ד וָֽאֶשְׁתַּֽחֲוֶ֖ה לַֽיהֹוָ֑ה וָֽאֲבָרֵ֗ךְ אֶת־יְהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵי֙ אֲדֹנִ֣י אַבְרָהָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֤ר הִנְחַ֨נִי֙ בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ אֱמֶ֔ת לָקַ֛חַת אֶת־בַּת־אֲחִ֥י אֲדֹנִ֖י לִבְנֽוֹ:
49And now, if you will do loving kindness and truth with my master, tell me, and if not, tell me, and I will turn to the right or to the left." מטוְ֠עַתָּ֠ה אִם־יֶשְׁכֶ֨ם עֹשִׂ֜ים חֶ֧סֶד וֶֽאֱמֶ֛ת אֶת־אֲדֹנִ֖י הַגִּ֣ידוּ לִ֑י וְאִם־לֹ֕א הַגִּ֣ידוּ לִ֔י וְאֶפְנֶ֥ה עַל־יָמִ֖ין א֥וֹ עַל־שְׂמֹֽאל:
to the right: [This refers to a wife] from the daughters of Ishmael. על ימין: מבנות ישמעאל:
to the left: [This refers to a wife] from the daughters of Lot, who dwelt to the left of Abraham (Gen. Rabbah 60:9). על שמאל: מבנות לוט שהיה יושב לשמאלו של אברהם:
50And Laban and Bethuel answered and said, "The matter has emanated from the Lord. We cannot speak to you either bad or good. נוַיַּ֨עַן לָבָ֤ן וּבְתוּאֵל֙ וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ מֵֽיהֹוָ֖ה יָצָ֣א הַדָּבָ֑ר לֹ֥א נוּכַ֛ל דַּבֵּ֥ר אֵלֶ֖יךָ רַ֥ע אוֹ־טֽוֹב:
And Laban and Bethuel answered: He [Laban] was wicked and jumped to reply before his father. ויען לבן ובתואל: רשע היה וקפץ להשיב לפני אביו:
We cannot speak to you: to refuse in this matter, either with an unfavorable reply, or with an appropriate reply, because it is obvious that the matter has emanated from the Lord, according to your words, that He designated her for you. לא נוכל דבר אליך: למאן בדבר הזה, לא על ידי תשובת דבר רע ולא על ידי תשובת דבר הגון לפי שניכר שמה' יצא הדבר, לפי דבריך שזימנה לך:
51Behold Rebecca is before you, take [her] and go, and let her be a wife for your master's son, as the Lord has spoken." נאהִנֵּֽה־רִבְקָ֥ה לְפָנֶ֖יךָ קַ֣ח וָלֵ֑ךְ וּתְהִ֤י אִשָּׁה֙ לְבֶן־אֲדֹנֶ֔יךָ כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהֹוָֽה:
52Now it came to pass when Abraham's servant heard their words, that he prostrated himself on the ground to the Lord. נבוַיְהִ֕י כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר שָׁמַ֛ע עֶ֥בֶד אַבְרָהָ֖ם אֶת־דִּבְרֵיהֶ֑ם וַיִּשְׁתַּ֥חוּ אַ֖רְצָה לַֽיהֹוָֽה:
that he prostrated himself on the ground: From here [we learn] that we must give thanks for good tidings. וישתחו ארצה: מכאן שמודים על בשורה טובה:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Parshat Chayei Sarah, 4th Portion (Genesis 24:27-24:52) with Rashi
• Genesis Chapter 24
27And he said, "Blessed is the Lord, the God of my master, Abraham, Who has not forsaken His loving kindness and His truth from my master. As for me, the Lord led me on the road to the house of my master's kinsmen." כזוַיֹּ֗אמֶר בָּר֤וּךְ יְהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵי֙ אֲדֹנִ֣י אַבְרָהָ֔ם אֲ֠שֶׁ֠ר לֹֽא־עָזַ֥ב חַסְדּ֛וֹ וַֽאֲמִתּ֖וֹ מֵעִ֣ם אֲדֹנִ֑י אָֽנֹכִ֗י בַּדֶּ֨רֶךְ֙ נָחַ֣נִי יְהֹוָ֔ה בֵּ֖ית אֲחֵ֥י אֲדֹנִֽי:
on the road: on the designated road, the straight road, on the very road that I needed. Likewise, every “beth,” “lammed,” and “hey,” that serve as a prefix and are vowelized with a “pattach” refer to something specific, already mentioned elsewhere, or of [some object] where it is clear and obvious about what one is speaking. [i.e., The“pattach” under the prefix denotes the הֵא הַיְדִיעָה, the definite article.] בדרך: דרך המיומן, דרך הישר, באותו דרך שהייתי צריך. וכן כל בי"ת ולמ"ד וה"א המשמשים בראש התיבה ונקודים בפת"ח מדברים בדבר הפשוט שנזכר כבר במקום אחר או שהוא מבורר וניכר באיזו הוא מדבר:
28And the maiden ran, and she told her mother's house what had happened. כחוַתָּ֨רָץ֙ הַנַּֽעֲרָ֔ה (כתיב הנער) וַתַּגֵּ֖ד לְבֵ֣ית אִמָּ֑הּ כַּדְּבָרִ֖ים הָאֵֽלֶּה:
her mother’s house: It was customary for women to have a house in which to stay to do their work, and a daughter confides only in her mother. — [Gen. Rabbah 60:7] לבית אמה: דרך הנשים היתה להיות להן בית לישב בו למלאכתן, ואין הבת מגדת אלא לאמה:
29Now Rebecca had a brother whose name was Laban, and Laban ran to the man outside, to the fountain. כטוּלְרִבְקָ֥ה אָ֖ח וּשְׁמ֣וֹ לָבָ֑ן וַיָּ֨רָץ לָבָ֧ן אֶל־הָאִ֛ישׁ הַח֖וּצָה אֶל־הָעָֽיִן:
and Laban ran: Why did he run and for what did he run? “Now it came to pass, when he saw the nose ring,” he said, “This person is rich,” and he set his eyes on the money. — [Gen. Rabbah 60:7] וירץ: למה וירץ ועל מה רץ, ויהי כראות את הנזם, אמר עשיר הוא זה, ונתן עיניו בממון:
30And it came to pass, when he saw the nose ring and the bracelets on his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of his sister Rebecca, saying, "So did the man speak to me, " that he came to the man, and behold, he was standing over the camels at the fountain. לוַיְהִ֣י | כִּרְאֹ֣ת אֶת־הַנֶּ֗זֶם וְאֶת־הַצְּמִדִים֘ עַל־יְדֵ֣י אֲחֹתוֹ֒ וּכְשָׁמְע֗וֹ אֶת־דִּבְרֵ֞י רִבְקָ֤ה אֲחֹתוֹ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר כֹּֽה־דִבֶּ֥ר אֵלַ֖י הָאִ֑ישׁ וַיָּבֹא֙ אֶל־הָאִ֔ישׁ וְהִנֵּ֛ה עֹמֵ֥ד עַל־הַגְּמַלִּ֖ים עַל־הָעָֽיִן:
over the camels: to guard them, as (above 18:8):“And he was standing over them,” in order to serve them. על הגמלים: לשמרן, כמו (לעיל יח ח) והוא עומד עליהם, לשמשם:
31And he said, "Come, you who are blessed of the Lord. Why should you stand outside, when I have cleared the house, and a place for the camels?" לאוַיֹּ֕אמֶר בּ֖וֹא בְּר֣וּךְ יְהֹוָ֑ה לָ֤מָּה תַֽעֲמֹד֙ בַּח֔וּץ וְאָֽנֹכִי֙ פִּנִּ֣יתִי הַבַּ֔יִת וּמָק֖וֹם לַגְּמַלִּֽים:
when I have cleared the house: of idolatry. — [Gen. Rabbah 60:7] פניתי הבית: מעבודה זרה:
32So the man came to the house and unmuzzled the camels, and he gave straw and fodder to the camels and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. לבוַיָּבֹ֤א הָאִישׁ֙ הַבַּ֔יְתָה וַיְפַתַּ֖ח הַגְּמַלִּ֑ים וַיִּתֵּ֨ן תֶּ֤בֶן וּמִסְפּוֹא֙ לַגְּמַלִּ֔ים וּמַ֨יִם֙ לִרְחֹ֣ץ רַגְלָ֔יו וְרַגְלֵ֥י הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר אִתּֽוֹ:
and unmuzzled the camels: He loosened their muzzles, for he would shut their mouths so that they would not graze along the way in fields belonging to others. — [Gen. Rabbah 60:8, Targum Jonathan] ויפתח: התיר זמם שלהם, שהיה סותם את פיהם שלא ירעו בדרך בשדות אחרים:
33And [food] was set before him to eat, but he said, "I will not eat until I have spoken my words." And he said, "Speak." לגוַיּוּשָׂ֤ם (כתיב ויישם) לְפָנָיו֙ לֶֽאֱכֹ֔ל וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אֹכַ֔ל עַ֥ד אִם־דִּבַּ֖רְתִּי דְּבָרָ֑י וַיֹּ֖אמֶר דַּבֵּֽר:
until I have spoken: Here אִם serves as an expression of אִשֶׁר, [that] and as an expression of כּי, as in (below 49: 10):“Until (עַד כִּי) Shiloh will come.” This is what our Sages of blessed memory said (Rosh Hashanah 3a): The word כִּי serves for four meanings. One of these is [the Aramaic] אִי, which is equivalent to [the Hebrew] אִם. עד אם דברתי: הרי אם משמש בלשון אשר ובלשון כי, כמו (לקמן מט י) עד כי יבא שילה, וזה שאמרו חכמינו ז"ל כי משמש בארבע לשונות, והאחת אי, והוא אם:
34And he said, "I am Abraham's servant. לדוַיֹּאמַ֑ר עֶ֥בֶד אַבְרָהָ֖ם אָנֹֽכִי:
35And the Lord blessed my master exceedingly, and he became great, and He gave him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, man servants and maid servants, camels and donkeys. להוַֽיהֹוָ֞ה בֵּרַ֧ךְ אֶת־אֲדֹנִ֛י מְאֹ֖ד וַיִּגְדָּ֑ל וַיִּתֶּן־ל֞וֹ צֹ֤אן וּבָקָר֙ וְכֶ֣סֶף וְזָהָ֔ב וַֽעֲבָדִם֙ וּשְׁפָחֹ֔ת וּגְמַלִּ֖ים וַֽחֲמֹרִֽים:
36And Sarah, my master's wife, bore a son to my master after she had become old, and he gave him all that he possesses. לווַתֵּ֡לֶד שָׂרָה֩ אֵ֨שֶׁת אֲדֹנִ֥י בֵן֙ לַֽאדֹנִ֔י אַֽחֲרֵ֖י זִקְנָתָ֑הּ וַיִּתֶּן־ל֖וֹ אֶת־כָּל־אֲשֶׁר־לֽוֹ:
and he gave him all that he possesses: He showed them a gift deed. ויתן לו את כל אשר לו: שטר מתנה הראה להם:
37And my master adjured me, saying, 'You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell. לזוַיַּשְׁבִּעֵ֥נִי אֲדֹנִ֖י לֵאמֹ֑ר לֹֽא־תִקַּ֤ח אִשָּׁה֙ לִבְנִ֔י מִבְּנוֹת֙ הַכְּנַֽעֲנִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָֽנֹכִ֖י ישֵׁ֥ב בְּאַרְצֽוֹ:
You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites: unless you first go to my father’s house, and she will not wish to follow you. לא תקח אשה לבני מבנות הכנעני: אם לא תלך תחלה אל בית אבי ולא תאבה ללכת אחריך:
38Instead, you must go to my father's house and to my family, and take a wife for my son.' לחאִם־לֹ֧א אֶל־בֵּֽית־אָבִ֛י תֵּלֵ֖ךְ וְאֶל־מִשְׁפַּחְתִּ֑י וְלָֽקַחְתָּ֥ אִשָּׁ֖ה לִבְנִֽי:
39And I said to my master, 'Perhaps the woman will not follow me?' לטוָֽאֹמַ֖ר אֶל־אֲדֹנִ֑י אֻלַ֛י לֹֽא־תֵלֵ֥ךְ הָֽאִשָּׁ֖ה אַֽחֲרָֽי:
Perhaps the woman will not follow me: It [the word אֻלַי (perhaps)] is written [without a“vav” and may be read] אֵלַי (to me). Eliezer had a daughter, and he was looking for a pretext so that Abraham would tell him, to turn to him, to marry off his daughter to him (Isaac). Abraham said to him,“My son is blessed, and you are cursed [Eliezer was a descendant of Canaan who had been cursed by Noah], and an accursed one cannot unite with a blessed one.” אלי לא תלך האשה: אלי כתיב, בת היתה לו לאליעזר והיה מחזר למצוא עילה שיאמר לו אברהם לפנות אליו להשיאו בתו, אמר לו אברהם בני ברוך ואתה ארור, ואין ארור מדבק בברוך:
40And he said to me, 'The Lord, before Whom I walked, will send His angel with you and make your way prosper, and you shall take a wife for my son from my family and from my father's house. מוַיֹּ֖אמֶר אֵלָ֑י יְהֹוָ֞ה אֲשֶׁר־הִתְהַלַּ֣כְתִּי לְפָנָ֗יו יִשְׁלַ֨ח מַלְאָכ֤וֹ אִתָּךְ֙ וְהִצְלִ֣יחַ דַּרְכֶּ֔ךָ וְלָֽקַחְתָּ֤ אִשָּׁה֙ לִבְנִ֔י מִמִּשְׁפַּחְתִּ֖י וּמִבֵּ֥ית אָבִֽי:
41You will then be absolved from my oath, when you come to my family, and if they do not give [her] to you, you will be absolved from my oath.' מאאָ֤ז תִּנָּקֶה֙ מֵאָ֣לָתִ֔י כִּ֥י תָב֖וֹא אֶל־מִשְׁפַּחְתִּ֑י וְאִם־לֹ֤א יִתְּנוּ֙ לָ֔ךְ וְהָיִ֥יתָ נָקִ֖י מֵאָֽלָתִֽי:
42So I came today to the fountain, and I said, 'O Lord, God of my master Abraham, if You desire to prosper my way upon which I am going מבוָֽאָבֹ֥א הַיּ֖וֹם אֶל־הָעָ֑יִן וָֽאֹמַ֗ר יְהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵי֙ אֲדֹנִ֣י אַבְרָהָ֔ם אִם־יֶשְׁךָ־נָּא֙ מַצְלִ֣יחַ דַּרְכִּ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָֽנֹכִ֖י הֹלֵ֥ךְ עָלֶֽיהָ:
So I came today: Today I left, and today I arrived. From here we learn that the earth shrank for him [i.e., his journey was miraculously shortened]. Rabbi Acha said: The ordinary conversation of the servants of the Patriarchs is more beloved before the Omnipresent than the Torah of their sons, for the section dealing with Eliezer is repeated in the Torah, whereas many fundamentals of the Torah were given only through allusions. — [Gen. Rabbah 60:8] ואבא היום: היום יצאתי והיום באתי, מכאן שקפצה לו הארץ. אמר רבי אחא יפה שיחתן של עבדי אבות לפני המקום מתורתן של בנים, שהרי פרשה של אליעזר כפולה בתורה, והרבה גופי תורה לא נתנו אלא ברמיזה:
43Behold, I am standing by the water fountain. When a maiden comes out to draw [water], I will say to her, 'Please, give me a little water to drink from your pitcher.' מגהִנֵּ֛ה אָֽנֹכִ֥י נִצָּ֖ב עַל־עֵ֣ין הַמָּ֑יִם וְהָיָ֤ה הָֽעַלְמָה֙ הַיֹּצֵ֣את לִשְׁאֹ֔ב וְאָֽמַרְתִּ֣י אֵלֶ֔יהָ הַשְׁקִֽינִי־נָ֥א מְעַט־מַ֖יִם מִכַּדֵּֽךְ:
44And [if] she will say to me, 'You too may drink, and I will also draw water for your camels,' she is the woman whom the Lord has designated for my master's son.' מדוְאָֽמְרָ֤ה אֵלַי֙ גַּם־אַתָּ֣ה שְׁתֵ֔ה וְגַ֥ם לִגְמַלֶּ֖יךָ אֶשְׁאָ֑ב הִ֣וא הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־הֹכִ֥יחַ יְהֹוָ֖ה לְבֶן־אֲדֹנִֽי:
You too: [The word] גַּם (also), includes the people who were with him. גם אתה: גם לרבות אנשים שעמו:
designated: [Meaning]: He clarified and made known, and likewise, every expression of הוֹכָחָה in Scripture denotes clarification of a matter. הוכיח: בירר והודיע, וכן כל הוכחה שבמקרא ברור דבר:
45I had not yet finished speaking thus in my heart, and behold, Rebecca came out with her pitcher on her shoulder, and she went down to the fountain and drew water, and I said to her, 'Please give me to drink.' מהאֲנִי֩ טֶ֨רֶם אֲכַלֶּ֜ה לְדַבֵּ֣ר אֶל־לִבִּ֗י וְהִנֵּ֨ה רִבְקָ֤ה יֹצֵאת֙ וְכַדָּ֣הּ עַל־שִׁכְמָ֔הּ וַתֵּ֥רֶד הָעַ֖יְנָה וַתִּשְׁאָ֑ב וָֽאֹמַ֥ר אֵלֶ֖יהָ הַשְׁקִ֥ינִי נָֽא:
I had not yet finished: [Meaning]:“I was not yet finishing.” And similarly, wherever the present tense is called for, sometimes the past tense is used, and it could have been written טֶרֶם כִּלִתִי (past tense), “I had not yet finished;” and sometimes the future tense is used. An example [that a verb denoting continuous action is sometimes expressed in the past and sometimes in the future] is (Job 1: 5):“for Job would say” (אָמַר) : this is in the past tense.“So would Job do” (יַעִשֶׂה) : this is in the future tense. But the meaning of both is in the present tense, [namely] “for so would Job say: Perhaps my sons have sinned? and so he would do this” [in a continuous fashion]. טרם אכלה: טרם שאני מכלה, וכן כל לשון הווה פעמים שהוא מדבר בלשון עבר ויכול לכתוב כמו טרם כליתי, ופעמים שמדבר בלשון עתיד, כמו (איוב א ה) כי אמר איוב, הרי לשון עבר, (שם) ככה יעשה איוב הרי לשון עתיד. ופירוש שניהם לשון הווה, כי אומר היה איוב (שם) אולי חטאו בני וגו' והיה עושה כך:
46And she hastened and lowered her pitcher from upon her, and she said, 'Drink, and I will also water your camels.' So I drank, and she also watered the camels. מווַתְּמַהֵ֗ר וַתּ֤וֹרֶד כַּדָּהּ֙ מֵֽעָלֶ֔יהָ וַתֹּ֣אמֶר שְׁתֵ֔ה וְגַם־גְּמַלֶּ֖יךָ אַשְׁקֶ֑ה וָאֵ֕שְׁתְּ וְגַ֥ם הַגְּמַלִּ֖ים הִשְׁקָֽתָה:
47And I asked her, and I said, 'Whose daughter are you?' And she replied, 'The daughter of Bethuel the son of Nahor, whom Milcah bore to him.' And I placed the nose ring on her nose and the bracelets on her hands. מזוָֽאֶשְׁאַ֣ל אֹתָ֗הּ וָֽאֹמַר֘ בַּת־מִ֣י אַתְּ֒ וַתֹּ֗אמֶר בַּת־בְּתוּאֵל֙ בֶּן־נָח֔וֹר אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָֽלְדָה־לּ֖וֹ מִלְכָּ֑ה וָֽאָשִׂ֤ם הַנֶּ֨זֶם֙ עַל־אַפָּ֔הּ וְהַצְּמִידִ֖ים עַל־יָדֶֽיהָ:
And I asked…and I placed: He reversed the sequence of events, because, in fact, he had first given [her the jewelry] and then asked [about her family]. But [he changed the order] lest they catch him in his words and say,“How did you give her [the jewelry] when you did not yet know who she was?” ואשאל ואשים: שנה הסדר, שהרי הוא תחלה נתן ואחר כך שאל, אלא שלא יתפשוהו בדבריו ויאמרו היאך נתת לה, ועדיין אינך יודע מי היא:
48And I kneeled and prostrated myself to the Lord, and I blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, Who led me on the true path, to take the daughter of my master's brother for his son. מחוָֽאֶקֹּ֥ד וָֽאֶשְׁתַּֽחֲוֶ֖ה לַֽיהֹוָ֑ה וָֽאֲבָרֵ֗ךְ אֶת־יְהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵי֙ אֲדֹנִ֣י אַבְרָהָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֤ר הִנְחַ֨נִי֙ בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ אֱמֶ֔ת לָקַ֛חַת אֶת־בַּת־אֲחִ֥י אֲדֹנִ֖י לִבְנֽוֹ:
49And now, if you will do loving kindness and truth with my master, tell me, and if not, tell me, and I will turn to the right or to the left." מטוְ֠עַתָּ֠ה אִם־יֶשְׁכֶ֨ם עֹשִׂ֜ים חֶ֧סֶד וֶֽאֱמֶ֛ת אֶת־אֲדֹנִ֖י הַגִּ֣ידוּ לִ֑י וְאִם־לֹ֕א הַגִּ֣ידוּ לִ֔י וְאֶפְנֶ֥ה עַל־יָמִ֖ין א֥וֹ עַל־שְׂמֹֽאל:
to the right: [This refers to a wife] from the daughters of Ishmael. על ימין: מבנות ישמעאל:
to the left: [This refers to a wife] from the daughters of Lot, who dwelt to the left of Abraham (Gen. Rabbah 60:9). על שמאל: מבנות לוט שהיה יושב לשמאלו של אברהם:
50And Laban and Bethuel answered and said, "The matter has emanated from the Lord. We cannot speak to you either bad or good. נוַיַּ֨עַן לָבָ֤ן וּבְתוּאֵל֙ וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ מֵֽיהֹוָ֖ה יָצָ֣א הַדָּבָ֑ר לֹ֥א נוּכַ֛ל דַּבֵּ֥ר אֵלֶ֖יךָ רַ֥ע אוֹ־טֽוֹב:
And Laban and Bethuel answered: He [Laban] was wicked and jumped to reply before his father. ויען לבן ובתואל: רשע היה וקפץ להשיב לפני אביו:
We cannot speak to you: to refuse in this matter, either with an unfavorable reply, or with an appropriate reply, because it is obvious that the matter has emanated from the Lord, according to your words, that He designated her for you. לא נוכל דבר אליך: למאן בדבר הזה, לא על ידי תשובת דבר רע ולא על ידי תשובת דבר הגון לפי שניכר שמה' יצא הדבר, לפי דבריך שזימנה לך:
51Behold Rebecca is before you, take [her] and go, and let her be a wife for your master's son, as the Lord has spoken." נאהִנֵּֽה־רִבְקָ֥ה לְפָנֶ֖יךָ קַ֣ח וָלֵ֑ךְ וּתְהִ֤י אִשָּׁה֙ לְבֶן־אֲדֹנֶ֔יךָ כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהֹוָֽה:
52Now it came to pass when Abraham's servant heard their words, that he prostrated himself on the ground to the Lord. נבוַיְהִ֕י כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר שָׁמַ֛ע עֶ֥בֶד אַבְרָהָ֖ם אֶת־דִּבְרֵיהֶ֑ם וַיִּשְׁתַּ֥חוּ אַ֖רְצָה לַֽיהֹוָֽה:
that he prostrated himself on the ground: From here [we learn] that we must give thanks for good tidings. וישתחו ארצה: מכאן שמודים על בשורה טובה:
• Daily Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 106-107
• Chapter 106
The psalmist continues the theme of the previous psalm, praising God for performing other miracles not mentioned previously, for "who can recount the mighty acts of God?" Were we to try, we could not mention them all!
1. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord for He is good, for His kindness is everlasting.
2. Who can recount the mighty acts of the Lord, or proclaim all His praises?
3. Fortunate are those who preserve justice, who perform deeds of righteousness all the time.
4. Remember me, Lord, when You find favor with Your people; be mindful of me with Your deliverance;
5. to behold the prosperity of Your chosen, to rejoice in the joy of Your nation, to glory with Your inheritance.
6. We have sinned as did our fathers, we have acted perversely and wickedly.
7. Our fathers in Egypt did not contemplate Your wonders, they did not remember Your abundant kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, at the Sea of Reeds.
8. Yet He delivered them for the sake of His Name, to make His strength known.
9. He roared at the Sea of Reeds and it dried up; He led them through the depths, as through a desert.
10. He saved them from the hand of the enemy, and redeemed them from the hand of the foe.
11. The waters engulfed their adversaries; not one of them remained.
12. Then they believed in His words, they sang His praise.
13. They quickly forgot His deeds, they did not wait for His counsel;
14. and they lusted a craving in the desert, they tested God in the wilderness.
15. And He gave them their request, but sent emaciation into their souls.
16. They angered Moses in the camp, and Aaron, the Lord's holy one.
17. The earth opened and swallowed Dathan, and engulfed the company of Abiram;
18. and a fire burned in their assembly, a flame set the wicked ablaze.
19. They made a calf in Horeb, and bowed down to a molten image.
20. They exchanged their Glory for the likeness of a grass-eating ox.
21. They forgot God, their savior, Who had performed great deeds in Egypt,
22. wonders in the land of Ham, awesome things at the Sea of Reeds.
23. He said that He would destroy them-had not Moses His chosen one stood in the breach before Him, to turn away His wrath from destroying.
24. They despised the desirable land, they did not believe His word.
25. And they murmured in their tents, they did not heed the voice of the Lord.
26. So He raised His hand [in oath] against them, to cast them down in the wilderness,
27. to throw down their progeny among the nations, and to scatter them among the lands.
28. They joined themselves to [the idol] Baal Peor, and ate of the sacrifices to the dead;
29. they provoked Him with their doings, and a plague broke out in their midst.
30. Then Phineas arose and executed judgement, and the plague was stayed;
31. it was accounted for him as a righteous deed, through all generations, forever.
32. They angered Him at the waters of Merivah, and Moses suffered on their account;
33. for they defied His spirit, and He pronounced [an oath] with His lips.
34. They did not destroy the nations as the Lord had instructed them;
35. rather, they mingled with the nations and learned their deeds.
36. They worshipped their idols, and they became a snare for them.
37. They sacrificed their sons and daughters to demons.
38. They spilled innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; and the land became guilty with blood.
39. They were defiled by their deeds, and went astray by their actions.
40. And the Lord's wrath blazed against His people, and He abhorred His inheritance;
41. so He delivered them into the hands of nations, and their enemies ruled them.
42. Their enemies oppressed them, and they were subdued under their hand.
43. Many times did He save them, yet they were rebellious in their counsel and were impoverished by their sins.
44. But He saw their distress, when He heard their prayer;
45. and He remembered for them His covenant and He relented, in keeping with His abounding kindness,
46. and He caused them to be treated mercifully by all their captors.
47. Deliver us, Lord our God; gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to Your Holy Name and glory in Your praise.
48. Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, forever and ever. And let all the people say, "Amen! Praise the Lord!"
Chapter 107
This psalm speaks of those who are saved from four specific perilous situations(imprisonment, sickness, desert travel, and sea travel) and must thank God, for their sins caused their troubles, and only by the kindness of God were they saved. It is therefore appropriate that they praise God and tell of their salvation to all.
1. Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His kindness is everlasting.
2. So shall say those redeemed by the Lord, those whom He redeemed from the hand of the oppressor.
3. He gathered them from the lands-from east and from west, from north and from the sea.
4. They lost their way in the wilderness, in the wasteland; they found no inhabited city.
5. Both hungry and thirsty, their soul languished within them.
6. They cried out to the Lord in their distress; He delivered them from their afflictions.
7. He guided them in the right path to reach an inhabited city.
8. Let them give thanks to the Lord, and [proclaim] His wonders to the children of man,
9. for He has satiated a thirsting soul, and filled a hungry soul with goodness.
10. Those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, bound in misery and chains of iron,
11. for they defied the words of God and spurned the counsel of the Most High-
12. He humbled their heart through suffering; they stumbled and there was none to help.
13. They cried out to the Lord in their distress; He saved them from their afflictions.
14. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and sundered their bonds.
15. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His kindness, and [proclaim] His wonders to the children of man,
16. for He broke the brass gates and smashed the iron bars.
17. Foolish sinners are afflicted because of their sinful ways and their wrongdoings.
18. Their soul loathes all food, and they reach the gates of death.
19. They cried out to the Lord in their distress; He saved them from their afflictions.
20. He sent forth His command and healed them; He delivered them from their graves.
21. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His kindness, and [proclaim] His wonders to the children of man.
22. Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and joyfully recount His deeds.
23. Those who go down to the sea in ships, who perform tasks in mighty waters;
24. they saw the works of the Lord and His wonders in the deep.
25. He spoke and caused the stormy wind to rise, and it lifted up the waves.
26. They rise to the sky, plunge to the depths; their soul melts in distress.
27. They reel and stagger like a drunkard, all their skill is to no avail.
28. They cried out to the Lord in their distress, and He brought them out from their calamity.
29. He transformed the storm into stillness, and the waves were quieted.
30. They rejoiced when they were silenced, and He led them to their destination.
31. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His kindness, and [proclaim] His wonders to the children of man.
32. Let them exalt Him in the congregation of the people, and praise Him in the assembly of the elders.
33. He turns rivers into desert, springs of water into parched land,
34. a fruitful land into a salt-marsh, because of the wickedness of those who inhabit it.
35. He turns a desert into a lake, and parched land into springs of water.
36. He settles the hungry there, and they establish a city of habitation.
37. They sow fields and plant vineyards which yield fruit and wheat.
38. He blesses them and they multiply greatly, and He does not decrease their cattle.
39. [If they sin,] they are diminished and cast down through oppression, misery, and sorrow.
40. He pours contempt upon distinguished men, and causes them to stray in a pathless wilderness.
41. He raises the needy from distress, and makes their families [as numerous] as flocks.
42. The upright observe this and rejoice, and all the wicked close their mouth.
43. Let him who is wise bear these in mind, and then the benevolent acts of the Lord will be understood.
Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, end of Epistle 29
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Wednesday, 22 Cheshvan, 5777 · 23 November 2016
• Iggeret HaKodesh, end of Epistle 29
• Chapter 106
The psalmist continues the theme of the previous psalm, praising God for performing other miracles not mentioned previously, for "who can recount the mighty acts of God?" Were we to try, we could not mention them all!
1. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord for He is good, for His kindness is everlasting.
2. Who can recount the mighty acts of the Lord, or proclaim all His praises?
3. Fortunate are those who preserve justice, who perform deeds of righteousness all the time.
4. Remember me, Lord, when You find favor with Your people; be mindful of me with Your deliverance;
5. to behold the prosperity of Your chosen, to rejoice in the joy of Your nation, to glory with Your inheritance.
6. We have sinned as did our fathers, we have acted perversely and wickedly.
7. Our fathers in Egypt did not contemplate Your wonders, they did not remember Your abundant kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, at the Sea of Reeds.
8. Yet He delivered them for the sake of His Name, to make His strength known.
9. He roared at the Sea of Reeds and it dried up; He led them through the depths, as through a desert.
10. He saved them from the hand of the enemy, and redeemed them from the hand of the foe.
11. The waters engulfed their adversaries; not one of them remained.
12. Then they believed in His words, they sang His praise.
13. They quickly forgot His deeds, they did not wait for His counsel;
14. and they lusted a craving in the desert, they tested God in the wilderness.
15. And He gave them their request, but sent emaciation into their souls.
16. They angered Moses in the camp, and Aaron, the Lord's holy one.
17. The earth opened and swallowed Dathan, and engulfed the company of Abiram;
18. and a fire burned in their assembly, a flame set the wicked ablaze.
19. They made a calf in Horeb, and bowed down to a molten image.
20. They exchanged their Glory for the likeness of a grass-eating ox.
21. They forgot God, their savior, Who had performed great deeds in Egypt,
22. wonders in the land of Ham, awesome things at the Sea of Reeds.
23. He said that He would destroy them-had not Moses His chosen one stood in the breach before Him, to turn away His wrath from destroying.
24. They despised the desirable land, they did not believe His word.
25. And they murmured in their tents, they did not heed the voice of the Lord.
26. So He raised His hand [in oath] against them, to cast them down in the wilderness,
27. to throw down their progeny among the nations, and to scatter them among the lands.
28. They joined themselves to [the idol] Baal Peor, and ate of the sacrifices to the dead;
29. they provoked Him with their doings, and a plague broke out in their midst.
30. Then Phineas arose and executed judgement, and the plague was stayed;
31. it was accounted for him as a righteous deed, through all generations, forever.
32. They angered Him at the waters of Merivah, and Moses suffered on their account;
33. for they defied His spirit, and He pronounced [an oath] with His lips.
34. They did not destroy the nations as the Lord had instructed them;
35. rather, they mingled with the nations and learned their deeds.
36. They worshipped their idols, and they became a snare for them.
37. They sacrificed their sons and daughters to demons.
38. They spilled innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; and the land became guilty with blood.
39. They were defiled by their deeds, and went astray by their actions.
40. And the Lord's wrath blazed against His people, and He abhorred His inheritance;
41. so He delivered them into the hands of nations, and their enemies ruled them.
42. Their enemies oppressed them, and they were subdued under their hand.
43. Many times did He save them, yet they were rebellious in their counsel and were impoverished by their sins.
44. But He saw their distress, when He heard their prayer;
45. and He remembered for them His covenant and He relented, in keeping with His abounding kindness,
46. and He caused them to be treated mercifully by all their captors.
47. Deliver us, Lord our God; gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to Your Holy Name and glory in Your praise.
48. Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, forever and ever. And let all the people say, "Amen! Praise the Lord!"
Chapter 107
This psalm speaks of those who are saved from four specific perilous situations(imprisonment, sickness, desert travel, and sea travel) and must thank God, for their sins caused their troubles, and only by the kindness of God were they saved. It is therefore appropriate that they praise God and tell of their salvation to all.
1. Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His kindness is everlasting.
2. So shall say those redeemed by the Lord, those whom He redeemed from the hand of the oppressor.
3. He gathered them from the lands-from east and from west, from north and from the sea.
4. They lost their way in the wilderness, in the wasteland; they found no inhabited city.
5. Both hungry and thirsty, their soul languished within them.
6. They cried out to the Lord in their distress; He delivered them from their afflictions.
7. He guided them in the right path to reach an inhabited city.
8. Let them give thanks to the Lord, and [proclaim] His wonders to the children of man,
9. for He has satiated a thirsting soul, and filled a hungry soul with goodness.
10. Those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, bound in misery and chains of iron,
11. for they defied the words of God and spurned the counsel of the Most High-
12. He humbled their heart through suffering; they stumbled and there was none to help.
13. They cried out to the Lord in their distress; He saved them from their afflictions.
14. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and sundered their bonds.
15. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His kindness, and [proclaim] His wonders to the children of man,
16. for He broke the brass gates and smashed the iron bars.
17. Foolish sinners are afflicted because of their sinful ways and their wrongdoings.
18. Their soul loathes all food, and they reach the gates of death.
19. They cried out to the Lord in their distress; He saved them from their afflictions.
20. He sent forth His command and healed them; He delivered them from their graves.
21. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His kindness, and [proclaim] His wonders to the children of man.
22. Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and joyfully recount His deeds.
23. Those who go down to the sea in ships, who perform tasks in mighty waters;
24. they saw the works of the Lord and His wonders in the deep.
25. He spoke and caused the stormy wind to rise, and it lifted up the waves.
26. They rise to the sky, plunge to the depths; their soul melts in distress.
27. They reel and stagger like a drunkard, all their skill is to no avail.
28. They cried out to the Lord in their distress, and He brought them out from their calamity.
29. He transformed the storm into stillness, and the waves were quieted.
30. They rejoiced when they were silenced, and He led them to their destination.
31. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His kindness, and [proclaim] His wonders to the children of man.
32. Let them exalt Him in the congregation of the people, and praise Him in the assembly of the elders.
33. He turns rivers into desert, springs of water into parched land,
34. a fruitful land into a salt-marsh, because of the wickedness of those who inhabit it.
35. He turns a desert into a lake, and parched land into springs of water.
36. He settles the hungry there, and they establish a city of habitation.
37. They sow fields and plant vineyards which yield fruit and wheat.
38. He blesses them and they multiply greatly, and He does not decrease their cattle.
39. [If they sin,] they are diminished and cast down through oppression, misery, and sorrow.
40. He pours contempt upon distinguished men, and causes them to stray in a pathless wilderness.
41. He raises the needy from distress, and makes their families [as numerous] as flocks.
42. The upright observe this and rejoice, and all the wicked close their mouth.
43. Let him who is wise bear these in mind, and then the benevolent acts of the Lord will be understood.
Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, end of Epistle 29
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Wednesday, 22 Cheshvan, 5777 · 23 November 2016
• Iggeret HaKodesh, end of Epistle 29
• The Alter Rebbe now focuses on the distinctive quality inherent in the halachot of the Oral Torah. It is these halachot that reveal the Supernal Will, by defining what it actually requires of us in the performance of the mitzvot, in order thereby to draw down this lofty level of Divinity.
• Rambam: Sefer Hamitzvos:
והנה מודעת זאת כי הנה רצון העליון ב"ה המלובש בתרי"ג מצות שבתורה שבכתב הוא מופלא ומכוסה טמיר ונעלם ואינו מתגלה אלא בתורה שבע"פ
Now, as is known, the Supernal Will as vested in the 613 commandments of the Written Torah, is hidden and covered, secreted and concealed. It is manifest only in the Oral Torah.1
כמו מצות תפילין עד"מ שנאמר בתושב"כ וקשרתם לאות על ידך והיו לטוטפות בין עיניך
For example, the precept of tefillin: In the Written Torah it is stated,2 "And you shall bind them for a sign on your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes."
והוא מאמר סתום ונעלם שלא פירש הכתוב איך ומה לקשור ומהו טוטפות והיכן הוא בין עיניך ועל ידך
This is an indistinct and obscure statement, for Scripture did not explain how and what to bind, nor what frontlets are, nor where is "between your eyes" or "on your hand,"
עד שפירשה תורה שבע"פ שצריך לקשור בית אחד על היד וד' בתים על הראש ובתוכם ד' פרשיות
until the Oral Torah explicates3 that one needs to bind a single box on the hand, and four boxes on the head, containing four Scriptural passages.
והבתים יהיו מעור מעובד ומרובעים דוקא ומקושרים ברצועות של עור שחורות דוקא
Moreover, the boxes are to be made of prepared leather, and necessarily square, and to be tied by means of leather straps which need to be black,4
וכל שאר פרטי הלכות עשיית התפילין שנאמרו בע"פ
with all the other detailed rulings governing the making of tefillin, that were stated orally, i.e., that are found in the Oral Torah.
ועל ידך היא הזרוע דוקא ולא כף היד ובין עיניך זה קדקוד ולא המצח
Also, "on your hand" refers only to the arm, and not to the palm of the hand;5 and "between your eyes" refers to the scalp, and not to the forehead.6
It is thus only the detailed halachot of the Oral Torah that enable us to perform this mitzvah in keeping with the Supernal Will.
וכן כל מצות שבתורה בין מ"ע בין מצות ל"ת אינן גלויות וידועות ומפורשות אלא ע"י תורה שבע"פ
Likewise all the commandments of the Torah, whether they be positive precepts or prohibitory precepts, are not revealed and known and made explicit except through the Oral Torah.
כמצות ל"ת שנאמר בשבת לא תעשה מלאכה ולא פי' מה היא מלאכה
For instance, the prohibitory precept that has been stated with respect to the Sabbath, "You shall do no work":7[the Written Torah] does not specify what constitutes work.
ובתורה שבע"פ נתפרש שהן ל"ט מלאכות הידועות ולא טלטול אבנים וקורות כבידות
In the Oral Torah, however, it is explicated8 to refer to the well-known 39 forms of work, and not (only) to the carrying of stones or heavy beams, which is only Rabbinically prohibited.9
Though carrying rocks and beams is more tiring than some of the39 prohibited forms of work, it does not fall into any of the categories of work that the Torah prohibits on Shabbat.
According to the alternative reading of our text ("and not only to the carrying of stones or heavy beams"), this work is prohibited by the Torah. Thus the Ramban on Parshat Emor10 states that the term Shabbaton ("a day of rest") that is used with regard to Yom Tov- and the same applies with regard to the commandment tishbot ("you shall rest") of Shabbat - refers also to those activities that do not formally fall within the 39 defined categories of prohibited work, but are nevertheless prohibited by the Torah since they rob a person of his rest and tranquillity.
In the first of his comments on this subject, the Maggid Mishneh argues that the Rambam11 also holds that "you shall rest "forbids even strenuous work that does not fall within any of the39 categories governed by the prohibition, "Do not do any work." (Though the Lechem Mishneh refutes this argument, this remains the view of the Maggid Mishneh.)
Others hold12 that both readings are valid. Each corresponds to one side of a debate in the Yerushalmi13 as to whether or not the Torah prohibits certain forms of work during the Sabbatical year (and by extension, during Shabbat as well) because it is a time of rest, even when there is no additional specific prohibition.
וכיוצא בהן הן כל המצות בין מ"ע בין מל"ת הן סתומות ולא מפורשות וגלויות וידועות אלא ע"י תורה שבע"פ
And as it is with these - [with the above examples of tefillin and Shabbat] - so it is with all the commandments, whether they be positive precepts or prohibitory precepts: they are indistinct, and are explicated and revealed and known only through the Oral Torah.
ומשום הכי כתיב על תושבע"פ אל תטוש תורת אמך כמ"ש בזהר
This is why Scripture says14 of the Oral Torah, "And you shall not cast off the teaching of your mother," as stated in theZohar.15
משום שעד"מ כמו שכל אברי הולד כלולים בטיפת האב בהעלם גדול והאם מוציאתו לידי גילוי בלידתה ולד שלם ברמ"ח אברים ושס"ה גידים
Metaphorically speaking, just as all the organs of a child are comprised, very latently, in the sperm of the father, and the mother brings this out into a state of manifestation when giving birth to a child complete with 248 organs and 365 sinews,
This is an instance of the16 "superior measure of Binah that was granted to woman," the power to make latent gifts manifest and corporeal].
ככה ממש כל רמ"ח מ"ע ושס"ה מל"ת באים מההעלם אל הגילוי בתושבע"פ
exactly so, do the 248 positive precepts and the 365 prohibitory precepts emerge from obscurity to manifestation through the Oral Torah, which is therefore called the "teachings of your mother."
ורישי' דקרא שמע בני מוסר אביך קאי אתורה שבכתב דנפקא מחכמה עילאה הנק' בשם אב
Whereas the beginning of the verse, "Heed, my son, the admonitions of your father," alludes to the Written Torah, which derives from the Supernal Chochmah which is called "father".
וז"ש אשת חיל עטרת בעלה כי התורה שבע"פ הנק' אשת חיל המולידה ומעמדת חיילות הרבה
This, then, is the meaning of the verse [quoted at the outsetof the present Epistle], "A woman of valor is the crown of her husband." For the Oral Torah is termed a "woman of valor" who gives birth to, and raises many legions.
כמ"ש ועלמות אין מספר אל תקרי עלמות אלא עולמות אלו הלכות דלית לון חושבנא כמ"ש בתיקונים
As it is written,17 "and alamot ('maidens') without number": Do not read alamot but olamot ('worlds'),"18[these innumerable worlds] alluding to the halachot that are without number, as stated in the Tikkunim.19
וכולן הן בחי' גילוי רצון העליון ב"ה הנעלם בתושב"כ
All of these [halachot] are manifestations of the Supernal Will which is hidden in the Written Torah.
The Oral Torah is thus called a "woman of valor," for it givesbirth to multitudinous legions of laws.
The Alter Rebbe will now answer one of his opening questions: Why is it that specifically halachot are referred to as the "crown of the Torah"? Also, why is the individual who studies specifically halachot every day assured of a share in the World to Come?
ורצון העליון ב"ה הוא למעלה מעלה ממעלת חכמה עילאה וכמו כתר ועטרה שעל המוחין שבראש
The Supernal Will which belongs to the Sefirah of Keter, lit., "crown" is exceedingly more sublime than the level of the Supernal Chochmah, just as a crown or wreath is higher than the brains in the head.
לכן נקראו ההלכות בשם תגא וכתרה של תורה
This is why the halachot are referred to as a "crown" and the "crown of the Torah," for they reveal the Supernal Will, which is at the level of Keter.
והשונה הלכות מובטח לו שהוא בן עוה"ב
Likewise, "Whoever studies [specifically] halachot is assured ofa share in the World to Come,"
ע"י התלבשות נר"נ שלו ברצון העליון ב"ה
by investing his Nefesh, Ruach and Neshamah in the Supernal Will,
כנ"ל
as stated above - that the garments for the soul in the World to Come are the mitzvot; these embody the Supernal Will, which is clarified and delineated by the halachot.
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. | In an intricate Kabbalistic analysis (in the Glosses on the Tanya published in Likkutei Levi Yitzchak), R. Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, father of the Rebbe, relates the above four expressions ("hidden and covered, secreted and concealed") to the correspondence between the 613 mitzvot of the Written Torah and the four letters of the Divine Name Havayah. In summary: The Name Havayah is merely written, but not given manifest articulation; it finds expression only through its variant pronunciation of Ad-nai, which, however, contracts it and conceals its Essence. In the Written Torah, the Supreme Will underlying the mitzvot is likewise hidden; it becomes revealed ("pronounced") only insofar as it is contracted in the Oral Torah, which corresponds to the Name Ad-nai. |
| 2. | Devarim 6:8. |
| 3. | See Menachot 34b ff., et al. |
| 4. | Note of the Rebbe: "See Rambam, Hilchot Tefillin 3:14, as well as other codifiers." |
| 5. | Note of the Rebbe: "...as it means in other places." |
| 6. | Note of the Rebbe: "...as was [the position of] the headband [of the High Priest]." |
| 7. | Text emended according to Shmot 20:10 and Devarim 16:8 |
| 8. | See Shabbat 73a, et al |
| 9. | Rambam, Hilchot Shabbat 24:12 |
| 10. | Shmot 23:24 |
| 11. | Hilchot Shabbat 21:1 |
| 12. | Likkutei Haggahot LeSefer HaTanya on this Epistle, p. 84 |
| 13. | Sanhedrin 7:5 |
| 14. | Mishlei 1:8 |
| 15. | In the Hashmatot to Zohar II, 276b, the phrase "your mother" is related to the Oral Torah, whereas in Kanfei Yonah 1:4 the Written Torah is called the "admonitions of your father" and the Oral Torah is called the "teachings of your mother." |
| 16. | Niddah 45b |
| 17. | Shir HaShirim 6:8 |
| 18. | See Shir HaShirim Rabbah 6:12; Avodah Zarah 35b |
| 19. | P. 14b (in the Introduction which begins Patach Eliyahu) |
• Wednesday, 22 Cheshvan, 5777 · 23 November 2016
• Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
• Important Message Regarding This Lesson
The Daily Mitzvah schedule runs parallel to the daily study of 3 chapters of Maimonides' 14-volume code. There are instances when the Mitzvah is repeated a few days consecutively while the exploration of the same Mitzvah continues in the in-depth track.
Positive Commandment 19
Grace after Meals
"And you will eat and be sated then you will bless G‑d"—Deuteronomy 8:10.
We are commanded to express gratitude to G‑d after every meal.
Full text of this Mitzvah »
• Grace after Meals
Positive Commandment 19
Translated by Berel Bell
The 19th mitzvah is that we are commanded to thank G‑d (exalted be He) after each time we eat.1
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement,2 "When you have eaten and are satiated, You shall bless G‑d your L‑rd."
The Tosefta3 says, "Reciting the blessing after eating is a mitzvah of the Torah, as the verse says, 'When you have eaten and are satiated, you shall bless G‑d your L‑rd.' "
The details of this mitzvah are explained in many places in the tractate Berachos.4
FOOTNOTES
1.This speaks primarily of bread made from the five grains. After eating other types of food, one is required to recite a blessing by Rabbinic ordinance.
2.Deut. 8:10.
3.Berachos, beginning of Chapter 6.
4.The Rambam usually explains whether or not a particular mitzvah is obligatory on women. However, in Hilchos Berachos, Chapter 5, Halacha 1, he rules that it is halachically doubtful whether they are obligated by Torah or Rabbinic law.
• Rambam - 1 Chapter a Day: Kelim Kelim - Chapter 25
• Kelim - Chapter 25
• Rambam - 3 Chapters a Day: Berachot Berachot - Chapter Four, Berachot Berachot - Chapter Five, Berachot Berachot - Chapter Six
• Berachot - Chapter Four
• Hayom Yom: Today's Hayom Yom
• Wednesday, 22 Cheshvan, 5777 · 23 November 2016
• "Today's Day"
• Shabbat, Cheshvan 22, 5704
Torah Lesson: Chumash: Chayei Sara, Shevi'i with Rashi.
Tehillim: 106-107.
Tanya: Now, it is (p. 583) ...as stated above. (p. 585).
One of the teachings of the Maggid of Mezritch, heard by the Alter Rebbe when he was in Mezritch for the first time, from late summer 5524 (1764) until after Pesach 5525 (1765):
"I (Anochi) have made the earth, and upon it created man."1 Anochi, He who is the true "I",2 unknown to and concealed from even the loftiest emanations, clothed His blessed Essence through numerous condensations to give rise to the emanations and creatures, 3 to Serafim, Chayot, Ofanim,4 angels and "worlds" beyond number. Through countless condensations, "I made this (physical) world and upon it created (barati) man." Man is the end-purpose of Creation, and barati is the end-purpose of man. (Barati, "I created," has the numerical equivalent of 613, the number of scriptural commandments). 5
As (the book of) Pardes quotes Sefer Habahir: "Said the attribute of Chessed (kindness) before the Holy One Blessed-be-He, Master of the Universe, since the days Avram has been on earth, I have not had to perform my task, because Avram stands and serves in my stead." Because Avraham - a soul clothed in a body, occupying himself with hospitality to strangers as a means of disseminating the idea of G-d in this lowly world - is actually on a higher plane and level than the attribute of kindness of Atzilut.
The complaint ("Said the attribute of Chessed before the Holy One etc.") is an expression of envy of Avraham's service by the attribute of kindness of Atzilut.
FOOTNOTES
1.Yeshayahu 45:12.
2.Lit.: "I, Whoever I Am."
3.The phrase defies accurate translation; in Hebrew the verb-form corresponding to "emanations," le'haatzil, is used to describe the coming-into-being of the ne'etzalim ("emanations"), and the verb livra for the nivra'im ("creations"). Awkward, but perhaps slightly more accurate, would be "...to separate off (or ("emanate") the emanations and to create the creatures."
4.Three forms of angels.
5.I.e. the end-purpose of Man is (that he perform) Mitzvot.
• Daily Thought:
Conquest
Show a mighty emperor the world and ask him where he most desires to conquer.
He will spin the globe to the furthest peninsula of the most far-flung land, stab his finger upon it and declare, “This! When I have this, then I shall have greatness!”
So too, the Infinite Light. In those places most finite, where the light of day barely trickles in, there the Infinite Light most yearns to be found.
-------
Positive Commandment 19
Translated by Berel Bell
The 19th mitzvah is that we are commanded to thank G‑d (exalted be He) after each time we eat.1
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement,2 "When you have eaten and are satiated, You shall bless G‑d your L‑rd."
The Tosefta3 says, "Reciting the blessing after eating is a mitzvah of the Torah, as the verse says, 'When you have eaten and are satiated, you shall bless G‑d your L‑rd.' "
The details of this mitzvah are explained in many places in the tractate Berachos.4
FOOTNOTES
1.This speaks primarily of bread made from the five grains. After eating other types of food, one is required to recite a blessing by Rabbinic ordinance.
2.Deut. 8:10.
3.Berachos, beginning of Chapter 6.
4.The Rambam usually explains whether or not a particular mitzvah is obligatory on women. However, in Hilchos Berachos, Chapter 5, Halacha 1, he rules that it is halachically doubtful whether they are obligated by Torah or Rabbinic law.
• Rambam - 1 Chapter a Day: Kelim Kelim - Chapter 25
• Kelim - Chapter 25
1
All flat wooden implements made to sit, lie, or ride upon are susceptible to midras impurity, e.g., a bed, a chair, or the like.
א
כל פשוטי כלי עץ העשויין לישיבה או לשכיבה או לרכיבה מתטמאין במדרס כגון המטה והכסא וכיוצא בהן:
2
The bier, the pillow, and the cushion of a corpse, the chair of a bride, the birthing chair of a woman in childbirth, the chair of a launderer on which he washes clothes, and the chair of a child that has legs, even though it is not a handbreadth high, are all susceptible to midras impurity.
ב
המטה והכר והכסת של מת וכסא של כלה ומשבר של חיה וכסא של כובס שכובס עליו את הכלים וכסא של קטן שיש לו רגלים אע"פשאין בו גובה טפח כל אלו מתטמאין במדרס:
3
An iron seat covered with leather that is used in a lavatory is susceptible to midras impurity and to other types of impurity. If the leather covering was removed, that leather is susceptible to midras impurity. The metal seat is susceptible to other types of impurity, but not to midras impurity.
ג
כסא של ברזל שעושין בבית הכסא והעור נתון עליו הרי הוא מתטמא במדרס ובשאר טומאות הפריש עור המחופה על הברזל העור מתטמא במדרס והברזל מתטמא בשאר טומאות אבל לא במדרס:
4
A small basket made from reeds or the like that is covered with leather is susceptible to midras impurity and to other types of impurity. If the leather covering was removed, that leather is susceptible to midras impurity, but the basket is entirely pure, for it is considered like other broken keilim.
ד
טרסקל של גמי וכיוצא בו המחופה בעור מתטמא במדרס ובשאר טומאות הפריש העור מעליו העור מתטמא במדרס אבל הטרסקל טהור מכלום שהרי נעשה כשברי כלים:
5
When the two legs of benches in a bathhouse are made of wood, they are susceptible to midras impurity. If one was made of wood and the other of marble, it is not susceptible to impurity.
ה
ספסלין שבמרחץ ששתי רגליו של עץ מתטמא במדרס היתה אחת של עץ ואחת של שיש אינו מקבל טומאה:
6
When boards of a bathhouse were covered with cork, they are not susceptible to impurity, for they are not made to be sat upon, but so that the water will flow under them.
ו
נסרים שבמרחץ ששגמן אינן מקבלין טומאה שאינן עשויין לישיבה אלא כדי שיהלכו המים תחתיהן:
7
When a large basket or wicker holder was filled with straw or fragments of cloth, even though they were adapted to be sat upon, they are not susceptible to midras impurity, because they are not fit to be sat upon. If they were laced with reeds or string over their opening, they are susceptible to midras impurity.
ז
הכלכלה והסל שמלאן תבן או מוכין אע"פ שהתקינן לישיבה אינן מקבלין טומאת מדרס שאינן ראויין לישיבה ואם סרגן בגמי או במשיחה על פיהן מתטמאין במדרס:
8
When one made a seat on one of the ends of a beam of an olive press, it is not susceptible to midras impurity, for if a person were to sit there, he would be told: "Stand up and let us do our work." If, however, a chair was affixed to the beam of an olive press, the chair is susceptible to midras impurity. Nevertheless, if a zav trod on the beam, the chair does not contract impurity.
Similarly, if one affixed a chair to a large beam or made a chair at the end of a large beam, only the place of the chair itself is susceptible to impurity. The remainder of the beam is pure. The same law applies to a chair that is affixed to a kneading trough; it is pure.
ח
קורת בית הבד שעשה ראשה האחד כסא אינו מתטמא במדרס מפני שאומרין לו עמוד ונעשה מלאכתנו אבל אם קבע את הכסא בקורת בית הבד הכסא מתטמא במדרס ואם דרס הזב על הקורה לא נטמא הכסא וכן אם קבע הכסא בקורה גדולה או עשה ראש הקורה הגדולה כסא אין טמא אלא מקום הכסא בלבד ושאר הקורה טהור וכן הדין בכסא שקבעו בעריבה שהוא טהור:
9
When a stonecutter prepares the edge of a beam to sit upon, the place where he sits is susceptible to midras impurity. The place where a person sits in the back of a carriage is not susceptible to impurity, because it is uncomfortable to sit there.
ט
קצת הקורה שמתקן המסתת את האבן לישב עליו הרי מקום ישיבתו מתטמא במדרס ומקום ישיבה שאחורי הקרון טהור שאינה אלא ישיבת צער:
10
The tops of beams on which craftsmen sit and smooth stones or the like are pure. Similarly, a piece hewn from a date palm upon which one sits is pure even if it is a handbreadth high. The rationale is that this is not a k'li. Similarly, a lump of wood, even if it was colored red or saffron and made part of the façade of a gateway or the like, is not considered a k'li, nor is it susceptible to impurity unless one engraves decorative designs in the wood.
י
ראשי כלונסות שיושבין עליהן האומנין ושפין את האבנים וכיוצא בהן טהורין וכן כופת של תמרה שהוא יושב עליו אפי' גבוה טפח טהור שאין זה כלי וכן בול של עץ אף על פי שסרקו וכרכמו ועשאהו פנים לשער וכיוצא בו אינו כלי ולא מקבל טומאה עד שיחוק בו:
11
The following laws apply to heads of beams that have been hewn out. If they were hewn out with the intent that one sit upon them, they are susceptible to midras impurity. If one intended to sit upon them, they are susceptible to impurity from this time onward. If a deaf-mute, an intellectually or emotionally challenged person, a minor or a person to whom they did not belong intended to sit upon them, they are pure. For the only intent that is effective in changing the status of an entity vis-à-vis ritual impurity is the intent of the owner who is sound of mind.
יא
ראשי כלונסות החקוקין אם חקקן לדעת מקבלין טומאה מצאן חקוקין אם חישב עליהן מקבלין טומאה מכאן ולהבא ואם חישב עליהן חרש שוטה וקטן או אדם שאינן שלו טהורין וכן כל כיוצא בהן מדברים שאינן מקבלין טומאה אלא במחשבה שאין לך מחשבה מועלת אלא מחשבת בעלים שהן בני דעה:
12
When a person makes a mound from dried yeast and designates it as a seat, it is nullified as a food and susceptible to midras impurity, for it serves the purpose of a wooden article.
יב
העושה כפה מן השאור וייבשה וייהדה לישיבה הרי בטלה מתורת אוכל ומתטמא במדרס שהרי משמשת תשמישי העץ:
13
A straw mat is susceptible to midras impurity. One made of reeds or grass is pure, because they are not fit to serve as supports. With regard to other types of mats, if they were made to lie on, they are susceptible to impurity, if they were made to give shade, they are pure. If they were made without any specific intent, the ruling is dependent on its size. If they are large, it can be assumed that they were made for shade. If they are small, it can be assumed that they were made to lie upon.
יג
מחצלת הקש מתטמאה במדרס ושל קנים ושל חלף טהורין מפני שאינה ראויה למדרס ושאר המחצלאות אם עשאה לשכיבה מקבלת טומאה עשאה לסיכוך טהורה עשאה סתם גדולה סתמה לסיכוך קטנה סתמה לשכיבה:
14
If reeds were attached to a mat lengthwise for reinforcement, it is susceptible to midras impurity, because it is still fit to lie upon. If they were attached in the form of the Greek letter chi, it is pure. If the reeds were attached widthwise and there were less than four handbreadths between them, it is pure.
A mat that was divided across its width is still susceptible to impurity. If it was divided across its length, different rules apply. If three bonds of six handbreadths remain, it is still fit to use as a support and is susceptible to impurity. If a smaller portion remains, it is pure. Similarly, if one released the bonds, the mat is pure.
A mat will not become susceptible even to midras impurity until the work involved with its fashioning is completed and its edges are trimmed, as we explained.
יד
מחצלת שעשה לה קנים לאורכה טמאה מדרס שעדיין ראויה לשכיבה עשאה כמין כי טהורה עשה לה קנים לרוחבה אם אין בין קנה לחבירו ארבעה טפחים טהורה נחלקה לרוחבה עדיין מקבלת טומאה לאורכה נשתיירו בה שלשה מעדנים של ששה טפחים עדיין היא ראויה למדרס ומתטמאה פחות מכאן טהורה וכן אם התיר ראשי מעדנים טהורה ואף טומאת מדרס לא תקבל המחצלת עד שתגמר מלאכתה ותתנקב כמו שביארנו:
15
A chest that opens from above is pure with regard to midras impurity, because it is not fit to sit upon. It is, however, susceptible to other types of impurity. If it opens from its side, it is susceptible to midras impurity and other types of impurity.
טו
תיבה שפתחה מלמעלה טהורה מן המדרס שאינה ראויה לישב עליה ומקבלת שאר טומאות פתחה מצידה טמאה במדרס ובשאר טומאות:
16
The carriage of a child is susceptible to midras impurity, because he will lean upon it.
טז
עגלה של קטן מתטמאה במדרס שהרי נשען עליה:
17
A walking stick used by an old man is absolutely pure, because it is only an aid.
יז
מקל של זקנים טהור מכלום שאינו אלא לסייע:
18
A sandal used by limeworkers - which is made of wood - is susceptible to midras impurity, because, at times, a limeworker will wear it while walking until he reaches his home.
יח
סנדל של סיידין והוא סנדל של עץ מתטמא במדרס מפני שהסייד פעמים מטייל בו עד שמגיע לביתו:
19
A prosthetic leg of a person whose leg was amputated that has a receptacle for the remnants of his flesh is susceptible to other types of impurity, because of the receptacle and is susceptible to midras impurity, because he leans upon it.
יט
קב של קיטע שיש בו בית קיבול כתיתין מתטמא בשאר טומאות מפני בית קיבולו ומתטמא במדרס שהרי נשען עליו:
20
These items are susceptible to impurity, because they are surfaces upon which one rides: the saddle-blanket of a donkey, the saddle of a horse, the cushion for a camel, the saddle of a female camel, and the like.
The boards that are placed on a donkey, after which, a burden is placed upon them, are pure. If it is fit to be used as a saddle, it is susceptible to impurity.
כ
ואלו טמאין משום מרכב: מרדעת של חמור וטפיטן של סוס וכר הגמל ואוכף של נאקה וכל כיוצא בהן הלוחות שמניחין על גבי החמור ואח"כ נותנין עליו המשאוי טהורות ואם היתה ראויה למרכב טמאה:
• Berachot - Chapter Four
1
Everyone who recites grace or the single blessing that includes the three [blessings of grace] should recite these blessings in the place where he ate. If he ate while walking, he should sit down where he concluded eating and recite the blessings. If he ate while standing, he should sit down in his place and recite grace.
If a person forgets to recite grace and remembers before his food becomes digested, he may recite grace in the place where he remembers. If he intentionally [did not recite grace in the place where he ate], he should return to his place and recite grace. Should he recite grace in the place where he remembers, he fulfills his obligation.
Similarly, a person who recites grace while standing or while walking fulfills his obligation. Nevertheless, at the outset, a person should not recite grace or the single blessing which includes the three [blessings of grace] except when he is seated in the place where he ate.
א
כל המברך ברכת המזון או ברכה אחת מעין שלש צריך לברך אותה במקום שאכל אכל כשהוא מהלך יושב במקום שפסק ויברך אכל כשהוא עומד יושב במקומו ויברך שכח לברך ברכת המזון ונזכר קודם שיתעכל המזון שבמעיו מברך במקום שנזכר ואם היה מזיד חוזר למקומו ומברך ואם בירך במקום שנזכר יצא ידי חובתו וכן אם בירך כשהוא עומד או כשהוא מהלך יצא ידי חובתו ולכתחלה לא יברך ברכת המזון ולא ברכה שמעין שלש אלא כשהוא יושב ובמקום שאכל:
2
A person who is in doubt whether he recited the blessing hamotzi or not should not repeat the blessing, because it is not required by the Torah.
A person who forgets to recite hamotzi should recite the blessing if he remembers before he completes his meal. If he remembers after he completed his meal, he should not recite the blessing.
ב
מי שנסתפק לו אם בירך המוציא או לא בירך המוציא אינו חוזר ומברך מפני שאינו מן התורה שכח לברך המוציא אם נזכר עד שלא גמר סעודתו חוזר ומברך ואם נזכר לאחר שגמר אינו חוזר ומברך:
3
[The following rules apply when] a person was eating in one house, interrupted his meal, and went to another house, or when a friend called to him and he went out the doorway of his house to speak to him: When he returns, he is required to recite grace after what he originally ate, and to recite hamotzi again because he changed his place. [Only] after this, may he complete his meal.
ג
היה אוכל בבית זה ופסק סעודתו והלך לבית אחר או שהיה אוכל וקראהו חבירו לדבר עמו ויצא לו לפתח ביתו וחזר הואיל ושינה מקומו צריך לברך למפרע על מה שאכל וחוזר ומברך בתחלה המוציא ואחר כך יגמור סעודתו:
4
[The following rules apply when] friends joined to eat a meal together and [interrupted their meal to] go out to greet a groom or a bride: If they left an old man or a sick person [in the place where they ate], they may return to their place and complete their meal without having to recite a second blessing.
If they did not leave an old man or a sick person [in the place where they ate], when they depart they are required to recite a blessing after eating. When they return, they must recite a blessing before [beginning to eat again].
ד
חברים שהיו יושבים לאכול ויצאו לקראת חתן או לקראת כלה אם הניחו שם זקן או חולה חוזרין למקומן וגומרין סעודתן ואינן צריכין לברך שנייה ואם לא הניחו שם אדם כשהן יוצאין צריכין ברכה למפרע וכשהן חוזרין צריכין ברכה לכתחלה:
5
Similar laws apply when people drink together as a group or eat fruits together. Whenever one changes one's place, it is considered as if he interrupted his eating. Therefore, he must recite a blessing after what he ate and must recite a second blessing before partaking of any other foods.
A person who changes his place from one corner to another in the same room need not recite another blessing. In contrast, a person who ate on the east side of a fig tree and goes to eat on the west side of the fig tree must recite another blessing.
ה
וכן אם היו מסובין בשתיה או לאכול פירות שכל המשנה מקומו הרי פסק אכילתו ולפיכך מברך למפרע על מה שאכל וחוזר ומברך שנייה לכתחלה על מה שהוא צריך לאכול והמשנה מקומו מפינה לפינה בבית אחד אינו צריך לחזור ולברך אכל במזרחה של תאנה ובא לאכול במערבה צריך לחזור ולברך:
6
When a person recites a blessing on bread, it also includes the appetizers eaten together with bread - e.g., cooked food or fruit. Reciting a blessing on these foods, however, does not include bread.
Reciting a blessing on cooked grains includes cooked food. Reciting a blessing on cooked food, however, does not include cooked grains.
ו
בירך על הפת פטר את הפרפרת שאוכלין בהן הפת ממיני התבשיל ופירות וכיוצא בהן אבל אם בירך על הפרפרת לא פטר את הפת בירך על מעשה קדירה פטר את התבשיל בירך על התבשיל לא פטר את מעשה קדירה:
7
A person who decides not to continue eating or drinking, and afterwards changes his mind and [desires to] eat or drink, must recite another blessing although he has not changed his place. If he did not decide [to cease] eating or drinking and had in mind to continue - even if he made an interruption for the entire day - he is not required to recite a second blessing.
ז
גמר בלבו מלאכול או מלשתות ואח"כ נמלך לאכול או לשתות אף ע"פ שלא שינה מקומו חוזר ומברך ואם לא גמר בלבו אלא דעתו לחזור לאכול ולשתות אפילו פסק כל היום כולו אינו צריך לברך שנית:
8
When people who are sitting together and drinking say "Let us recite grace," or "Let us recite kiddush," they are forbidden to continue drinking until they recite grace or kiddush. Should they desire to drink more - although they are not permitted to do so - before reciting grace or kiddush, they are required to recite the blessing borey pri hagafen before drinking. In contrast, should they say, "Let us recite havdalah," they are not required to recite a blessing [should they continue drinking].
ח
היו שותין ואמרו בואו ונברך ברכת המזון או בואו ונקדש קידוש היום נאסר עליהם לשתות עד שיברכו או יקדשו ואם רצו לחזור ולשתות קודם שיברכו או יקדשו אף ע"פ שאינם רשאים צריכים לחזור ולברך תחלה בורא פרי הגפן ואחר כך ישתו אבל אם אמרו בואו ונבדיל אין צריכין לחזור ולברך:
9
When a company who gathered together to drink wine were served another type of wine - e.g., they were drinking red wine and black wine was brought, or they were drinking fresh wine and aged wine was brought - they need not recite a second blessing over wine. They should, however, recite the following blessing: "Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, who is good and does good."
ט
היו מסובין לשתות יין ובא להן מין יין אחר כגון שהיו שותין אדום והביאו שחור או ישן והביאו חדש אינן צריכין לברך ברכת היין פעם שנייה אבל מברכין ברוך אתה יי' אלהינו מלך העולם הטוב והמטיב:
10
A person should not recite a blessing over any food or drink until it is brought before him. If he recited a blessing, and then the food was brought before him, he must recite a second blessing.
When a person took food in his hand and recited a blessing, but [before he could eat it] it fell from his hand and was burned or washed away by a river, he should take other food and recite another blessing. [This applies] even when the food is of the same species. He should also say, "Blessed be the Name of Him whose glorious kingdom is forever and ever" for the first blessing, so that he will not be considered to have recited a blessing in vain.
A person may stand over a stream of water, recite a blessing, and drink. Although the water that was before him at the time he recited the blessing is not the water he drinks, this was his original intention.
י
אין מברכין על אוכל מן כל האוכלין ולא על משקה מן כל המשקין עד שיבא לפניו ואם בירך ואח"כ הביאו לפניו צריך לחזור ולברך נטל אוכל ובירך עליו ונפל מידו ונשרף או שטפו נהר נוטל אחר וחוזר ומברך עליו אע"פ שהוא מאותו המין וצריך לומר ברוך שם כבוד מלכותו לעולם ועד על ברכה ראשונה כדי שלא להוציא שם שמים לבטלה עומד אדם על אמת המים ומברך ושותה אף על פי שהמים שהיו לפניו בשעת הברכה אינם המים ששתה מפני שלכך נתכוון תחלה:
11
Foods that are eaten within the meal, because of the meal, do not require a blessing beforehand or afterward. Rather, the blessing hamotzi that is recited in the beginning and the grace recited afterward include everything, because everything is secondary to the meal.
Foods that are eaten within the meal, but do not come because of the meal, require a blessing before partaking of them, but do not require a blessing afterward.
Foods that are eaten after the meal, whether because of the meal or independent of the meal, require a blessing beforehand and afterward.
יא
דברים הבאים בתוך הסעודה והן מחמת הסעודה אינן צריכין ברכה לפניהם ולא לאחריהם אלא ברכת המוציא שבתחלה וברכת המזון שבסוף פוטרת הכל שהכל טפלה לסעודה ודברים שאינן מחמת הסעודה שבאו בתוך הסעודה טעונין ברכה לפניהם ולא לאחריהם ודברים הבאים לאחר הסעודה בין מחמת הסעודה בין שלא מחמת הסעודה טעונין ברכה לפניהן ולאחריהם:
12
On Sabbaths, on festivals, at the meal after one lets blood or leaves the bath, and the like, when a person makes wine a primary element of his meal, if he recites a blessing on wine before eating his meal, that blessing includes the wine that he drinks after the meal, before he recites grace. In contrast, on other days, a person should recite another blessing on wine that is drunk after the meal.
If wine is served to a company in the midst of the meal, each person should recite a blessing by himself, because one's mouth may not be empty to recite Amen. [This blessing] does not include the wine that is drunk after the meal.
יב
בשבתות ובימים טובים ובסעודת הקזת הדם ובשעה שיצא מן המרחץ וכיוצא בהן שאדם קובע סעודתו על היין אם בירך על היין שלפני המזון פטר את היין ששתה לאחר המזון קודם שיברך ברכת המזון אבל בשאר הימים צריך לחזור ולברך בתחלה על היין של אחר המזון בא להן יין בתוך המזון כל אחד ואחד מברך לעצמו שאין בית הבליעה פנוי שיענו אמן ואינו פוטר את היין שלאחר המזון:
Berachot - Chapter Five
1
Women and slaves are obligated to recite grace. There is a doubt whether their obligation stems from the Torah, since [this is a positive mitzvah] that is not linked to a specific time, or whether their obligation does not stem from the Torah. Therefore, they should not fulfill the obligation of grace on behalf of others. Children, however, are obligated to recite grace by virtue of Rabbinic decree, in order to educate them to perform mitzvot.
א
נשים ועבדים חייבין בברכת המזון וספק יש בדבר אם הן חייבין מן התורה לפי שאין קבוע לה זמן או אינם חייבין מן התורה לפיכך אין מוציאין את הגדולים ידי חובתן אבל הקטנים חייבין בברכת המזון מדברי סופרים כדי לחנכן במצות:
2
When three people eat [a meal including] bread together, they are obligated to recite the blessing of zimmun before grace.
What is the blessing of zimmun? If there were between three and ten participants in a meal, one recites the blessing, saying, "Let us bless Him of whose [bounty] we have eaten."
Everyone responds: "Blessed be He of whose [bounty] we have eaten and by whose goodness we live." The one [reciting the blessing] then repeats: "Blessed be He of whose [bounty] we have eaten and by whose goodness we live."
ב
שלשה שאכלו פת כאחד חייבין לברך ברכת הזימון קודם ברכת המזון ואי זו היא ברכת הזימון אם היו האוכלים משלשה עד עשרה מברך אחד מהם ואומר נברך שאכלנו משלו והכל עונין ברוך שאכלנו משלו ובטובו חיינו והוא חוזר ומברך ברוך שאכלנו משלו ובטובו חיינו:
3
Afterwards, he recites, "Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, who sustains the entire world in His goodness..." until he completes the four blessings [of grace]. The others answer Amen after each blessing.
ג
ואח"כ אומר ברוך אתה יי' אלהינו מלך העולם הזן את העולם כולו בטובו עד שגומר ארבע ברכות והן עונין אמן אחר כל ברכה וברכה:
4
If ten or more people eat together, the zimmun should be recited with God's name. What is implied? The one reciting the blessing declares, "Let us bless to our God of whose [bounty] we have eaten."
The others respond: "Blessed be our God of whose [bounty] we have eaten and by whose goodness we live." The one [reciting the blessing] then repeats: "Blessed be our God of whose [bounty] we have eaten and by whose goodness we live." He then begins reciting grace.
ד
היו האוכלין מעשרה ולמעלה מזמנין בשם כיצד המברך אומר נברך לאלהינו שאכלנו משלו והן עונין ברוך אלהינו שאכלנו משלו ובטובו חיינו והוא חוזר ואומר ברוך אלהינו שאכלנו משלו ובטובו חיינו ומתחיל ברכת המזון:
5
When eating in the home of a bridegroom from the time when the preparations for the wedding feast have begun until 30 days after the wedding, the one reciting the blessings should say, "Let us bless Him in whose abode is joy, of whose bounty we have eaten," and the others respond, "Blessed be He in whose abode is joy, of whose bounty we have eaten...."
If ten people are present, he says, "Let us bless our God in whose abode is joy, of whose bounty we have eaten..." and the others respond, "Blessed be our God in whose abode is joy, of whose bounty we have eaten...." Similarly, whenever a feast is held because of the wedding for twelve months after the wedding, one should include the phrase, "in whose abode is joy."
ה
הסועד בבית חתנים משיתחילו להתעסק בצרכי סעודת נישואין ולהכינה עד שלשים יום אחר הנישואין מברך נברך שהשמחה במעונו שאכלנו משלו והם עונים ברוך שהשמחה במעונו שאכלנו משלו וכו' ואם היו עשרה מברך נברך לאלהינו שהשמחה במעונו שאכלנו משלו והם עונין ברוך אלהינו שהשמחה וכו' וכן סעודה שעושין אותה אחר הנישואין מחמת הנישואין עד שנים עשר חדש מברך שהשמחה במעונו:
6
All men are obligated in the blessing of the zimmun as they are obligated in grace, even priests who partook of sacrifices of the most sacred order in the Temple Courtyard. Similarly, priests and Israelites who ate together are required to recite the zimmunas they are required to recite grace, although the priests partook of terumah and the Israelites ordinary food.
ו
הכל חייבין בברכת הזימון כדרך שחייבין בברכת המזון אפילו כהנים שאכלו קדשי הקדשים בעזרה וכן כהנים וישראלים שאכלו כאחד ואכלו הכהנים תרומה וישראל חולין חייבין בזימון כחיובן בברכת המזון:
7
Women, servants, and children are not included in azimmun. They may, however, make a zimmun among themselves. Nevertheless, for the sake of modesty, there should not be a company that consists of women, servants, and children [together]. Instead, women may make a zimmun alone, as may servants and as may children. They should not, however, mention God's name.
An androgynous may make a zimmun among his own kind, but should not be included among a zimmun either of men or of women. A tumtum should not be included in a zimmun at all.
A child who understands Whom is being blessed may be included in a zimmun, although he is merely seven or eight years old. He may be counted among either a group of three or a group of ten for the purpose of zimmun. A gentile may not be included in a zimmun.
ז
נשים ועבדים וקטנים אין מזמנין עליהן אבל מזמנין לעצמן ולא תהא חבורה של נשים ועבדים וקטנים מפני הפריצות אבל נשים מזמנות לעצמן או עבדים לעצמן ובלבד שלא יזמנו בשם אנדרוגינוס מזמן למינו ואינו מזמן לא לנשים ולא לאנשים מפני שהוא ספק והטומטום אינו מזמן כלל קטן היודע למי מברכין מזמנין עליו ואע"פ שהוא כבן שבע או כבן שמונה ומצטרף בין למנין שלשה בין למנין עשרה לזמן עליו והעכו"ם אין מזמנין עליו:
8
Only those who ate at least an amount of bread equal to the size of an olive should be included in a zimmun.
When seven people partake of bread and three eat vegetables or brine and the like with them, the latter may be included in the zimmun, so that God's name may be mentioned, provided the one reciting the blessings partook of bread. In contrast, should six people partake of bread and four eat vegetables, the latter may not be included. There has to be a distinct majority of people who partook of bread.
When does the above apply? With regard to [a zimmun of] ten. Regarding three, however, they should not recite the zimmununless each one of them eats a portion of bread the size of an olive.
ח
אין מזמנין אלא על מי שאכל כזית פת ולמעלה שבעה שאכלו פת ושלשה אכלו עמהן ירק או ציר וכיוצא בהן מצטרפין לזמן בשם והוא שיהיה המברך מאוכלי הפת אבל ששה שאכלו פת וארבעה ירק אין מצטרפין עד שיהיו אוכלי הפת רוב הניכר בד"א בעשרה אבל בשלשה צריך שיאכלו כל אחד ואחד מהן כזית פת ואחר כך מזמנין:
9
[The following rule applies when] two people eat together and complete their meal, and afterward, a third person comes and eats. If the others can eat any food [- they need not partake of bread -] together with him, he should be included [in the zimmun] with them.
The sage of the greatest stature among those dining should recite grace, although he arrived at the end of the meal.
ט
שנים שאכלו וגמרו מלאכול ובא שלישי ואכל אם יכולין לאכול עמו כל שהוא ואפילו משאר אוכלין מצטרף עמהן וחכם גדול שבמסובין הוא שמברך לכולן אף על פי שלא בא אלא באחרונה:
10
When three people eat together, they may not separate [and recite grace without a zimmun]. The same applies to four and five people. Between six and ten people may separate [and recite grace in two groups].
If more then ten people are present, they may not separate until [their number reaches] twenty. [The governing principle is that a group may separate only if] the blessing of the zimmun will be the same for both groups if they separate.
י
שלשה שאכלו כאחד אינן רשאין ליחלק וכן ארבעה וכן חמשה וששה יש להם ליחלק עד עשרה מעשרה ולמעלה אינם רשאים ליחלק עד עשרים שכל זמן שיחלקו ותהיה ברכת הזימון לכל חלק וחלק כזימון הכל יש להם ליחלק:
11
When three people who each came from a different group of three [join together], they should not separate [without reciting grace with a zimmun]. If each of them already participated in a zimmun, they may separate. They are not obligated to participate in a zimmun again, because a zimmun was already recited including them.
When three people sit down [together] to eat bread, they may not separate even though each person eats from his own food.
יא
שלשה בני אדם שבאו משלש חבורות של שלשה שלשה אינן רשאין ליחלק ואם כבר זימן כל אחד ואחד מהן בחבורה שלו רשאין ליחלק ואינן חייבין בזימון שכבר זימנו עליהן שלשה שישבו לאכול פת אע"פ שכל אחד ואחד אוכל משלו אינן רשאין ליחלק:
12
[The following rules apply when] two groups eat together in the same building: When part of one group can see part of the other group, they may join together in a single zimmun. If not, they should each recite a zimmun separately.
If there is a single attendant who serves both of these groups, they may join in a single zimmun, even though none of the people in the two groups see each other, provided both groups can clearly hear the words of the person reciting the blessings.
יב
שתי חבורות שהיו אוכלין בבית אחד בזמן שמקצתן רואין אלו את אלו מצטרפין לזימון אחד ואם לאו אלו מזמנין לעצמן ואלו מזמנין לעצמן ואם יש שמש אחד ביניהם שהוא הולך ומשמש מחבורה זו לחבורה זו מצטרפין לזימון אחד אף על פי שאין מקצת אלו רואין את אלו והוא שישמעו שתיהן כל דברי המברך בביאור:
13
When three people ate together and one went out to the marketplace, he should be called to pay attention to what they are saying. He may be included in the zimmun while he is at the marketplace, and thus fulfill his obligation. Afterwards, when he returns to his house, he should recite grace alone. In contrast, when ten people eat together and one goes out to the market place, the zimmun may not be recited until he returns to his place.
יג
שלשה שאכלו ויצא אחד מהן לשוק קוראין לו כדי שיכוין לשמוע מה שהן אומרים ומזמנין עליו והוא בשוק ויוצא ידי חובתו ולכשיחזור לביתו יחזור ויברך ברכת המזון לעצמו אבל עשרה שאכלו ויצא אחד מהן לשוק אין מזמנין עליו עד שיחזור למקומו וישב עמהן:
14
When three people eat together and one recites grace alone before the others, the zimmun can be recited with him and the other two fulfill their obligation. He, however, is not considered to have fulfilled his obligation, because the zimmuncannot be fulfilled retroactively.
יד
שלשה שאכלו כאחד וקדם אחד מהן ובירך לעצמו מזמנין עליו ויצאו השנים ידי חובת זימון והוא לא יצא בזימון זה שאין זימון למפרע:
15
When two people eat together, each person should recite grace by himself. If one knows [how to recite grace] and the other does not, the one who knows should recite the grace out loud, and the other person should recite Amen after each blessing. In this manner, he fulfills his obligation.
A son may recite grace for his father, a servant for his master, and a woman for her husband - and thus enable the person to fulfill his obligation. Nevertheless, our Sages said, "May a curse come on a person whose wife or children recite grace for him."
טו
שנים שאכלו כאחד כל אחד ואחד מברך לעצמו ואם היה אחד מהן יודע ואחד אינו יודע זה שיודע מברך בקול רם והשני עונה אמן אחר כל ברכה וברכה ויוצא ידי חובתו ובן מברך לאביו ועבד מברך לרבו ואשה מברכת לבעלה ויוצאין ידי חובתן אבל אמרו חכמים תבא מארה למי שאשתו ובניו מברכין לו:
16
When do the statements that [it is possible to] fulfill one's obligation [in this manner] apply? When they have not eaten to the point of satiation. Therefore, their obligation is only Rabbinic in origin, and can be fulfilled by [listening to] a minor, a servant, or a woman.
If, however, they ate to the point of satisfaction, and thus are obligated according to the Torah itself to recite grace, they cannot fulfill their obligation by [listening to] either a woman, a minor, or a servant. Anyone who is obligated according to the Torah to perform a mitzvah can have his obligation fulfilled only by another person who is also obligated from the Torah [to fulfill this mitzvah] as he is.
טז
במה דברים אמורים שיצאו ידי חובתן בזמן שאכלו ולא שבעו שהן חייבים לברך מדברי סופרים ולפיכך מוציאין אותן קטן או עבד או אשה מידי חובתן אבל אם אכל ושבע שהוא חייב בברכת המזון מן התורה בין אשה בין קטן או עבד אין מוציאין אותן שכל החייב בדבר מן התורה אין מוציאין אותן מידי חובתן אלא החייב באותו דבר מן התורה כמותו:
17
[The following rules apply when] a person enters [a room where] others are reciting the blessing of zimmun]: If he [enters when] the person reciting the blessings says, "Let us recite grace," he should respond, "Blessed is He, and may He be blessed." If he [enters when] the others reply, he should say Amenafterward.
יז
הנכנס אצל אחרים ומצאן מברכין בברכת הזימון אם מצא המברך אומר נברך הוא עונה ברוך הוא ומבורך ואם מצא האוכלים עונין ברוך שאכלנו משלו הוא עונה אחריהן אמן:
Berachot - Chapter Six
1
Anyone who eats bread over which the blessing hamotzi is recited must wash his hands before and after partaking of it.This applies even when the bread one eats is not sacred food.
Although a person's hands are not dirty, nor is he aware that they have contracted any type of ritual impurity, he should not eat until he washes both his hands. Similarly, before [partaking of] any food dipped in liquid, one must wash one's hands.
א
כל האוכל הפת שמברכין עליו המוציא צריך נטילת ידים תחלה וסוף ואע"פ שהיא פת חולין ואף על פי שאין ידיו מלוכלכות ואינו יודע להן טומאה לא יאכל עד שיטול שתי ידיו וכן כל דבר שטיבולו במשקין צריך נטילת ידים תחילה:
2
Whenever a person washes his hands - whether before eating, before the recitation of the Shema, or before prayer - he should recite the following blessing beforehand: "[Blessed are You...] who sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us concerning the washing of hands."
This is a Rabbinic mitzvah that we have been commanded by the Torah to follow, as [Deuteronomy 17:11] states: "[Do not stray...] from all the laws that they direct you." A blessing should not, however, be recited before washing after eating, for this was instituted only as a protective measure. This rationale, however, obligates a person to be more careful in the observance of this practice.
ב
כל הנוטל ידיו בין לאכילה בין לקריאת שמע בין לתפלה מברך תחלה אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו על נטילת ידים שזו מצות חכמים שנצטוינו מן התורה לשמוע מהן שנאמר על פי התורה אשר יורוך ומים אחרונים אין מברכין עליהן שאינם אלא מפני הסכנה ולפיכך חייב אדם להזהר בהן ביותר:
3
Washing hands between one course and another is a matter of choice. If one desires, one may wash; if not, one need not.
There is no obligation to wash before partaking of unconsecrated fruit, whether before eating or afterward. [On the contrary,] whoever washes his hands before partaking of fruit is considered among the haughty.
Whenever bread [is eaten] with salt, it is necessary to wash one's hands afterward, lest it contain Sodomite salt or salt that resembles Sodomite salt, and [after eating,] one [inadvertently] pass one's hands over one's eyes and blind them. This - [the possibility of acrid] salt - is the reason why we are obligated to wash after eating.
In an army camp, [the soldiers] are not obligated to wash before eating, because they are involved in the war. They are, however, obligated to wash afterwards because of the danger involved.
ג
נטילת ידים בין תבשיל לתבשיל רשות רצה נוטל רצה אינו נוטל ופירות של חולין אינן צריכין נטילת ידים בין בתחלה בין בסוף וכל הנוטל ידיו לפירות הרי זה מגסי הרוח כל פת שהמלח בו צריך נטילת ידים באחרונה שמא יש בו מלח סדומית או מלח שטבעו כמלח סדומית ויעביר ידיו על עיניו ויסמא מפני זה חייבין ליטול ידים בסוף כל סעודה מפני המלח ובמחנה פטורים מנטילת ידים בתחלה מפני שהן טרודים במלחמה וחייבין באחרונה מפני הסכנה:
4
To what point should one's hands be washed? To the wrist. How much water should be used? A [minimum of a] revi'it for each pair of hands.
Anything that is considered an intervening substance [and thus invalidates] a ritual immersion is also considered an intervening substance with regard to washing hands. All liquids that may be included in the measure of a mikveh may be included in the measure of the revi'it [necessary for the washing of hands].
ד
עד היכן היא נטילת ידים עד הפרק וכמה שיעור המים רביעית לכל שתי ידים וכל שחוצצים בטבילה חוצץ בנטילת ידים וכל העולה למדת מקוה עולה לשיעור רביעית:
5
Whoever had to wash his hands and [instead] immersed them in the water of a mikveh need not do anything else. If he immersed them in a body of water that does not have the required measure of a mikveh, or in water that has been poured onto the ground, he has not accomplished anything. Water that is poured [by man] can purify hands only when it is poured over them.
ה
כל הצריך נטילת ידים והטביל ידיו במי מקוה אינו צריך דבר אחר ואם הטבילן במים שאין בהם שיעור מקוה או במים שאובין שבקרקע לא עשה כלום שאין המים שאובין מטהרין את הידים אלא בנטילה:
6
Everyone who washes his hands must show concern for four matters:
the water itself - that it not be unacceptable for washing hands,
its measure - that there be a revi'it for each pair of hands,
the container - that one wash from a container,
the individual pouring - that the water come from the power of a person who pours it.
וthe water itself - that it not be unacceptable for washing hands,
its measure - that there be a revi'it for each pair of hands,
the container - that one wash from a container,
the individual pouring - that the water come from the power of a person who pours it.
כל הנוטל ידיו צריך להזהר בארבעה דברים:
במים עצמן שלא יהיו פסולין לנטילת ידים ובשיעור שיהיה בהן רביעית לכל שתי ידים ובכלי שיהיו המים שנוטלין בהן בכלי ובנוטל שיהיו המים באין מכח נותן:
7
There are four matters that render water unacceptable: a change in its color, its being left open, its having been used for work, and its becoming spoiled to the point that an animal would not drink from it.
What is implied? Water whose color changes becomes unacceptable whether it is contained [in a pool] in the ground or in a container, or whether it changed because of something that fell into it or because of the place where it is contained.
Similarly, if the water was left uncovered in a manner that causes it to become forbidden to be drunken, it is unacceptable for washing hands.
ז
ארבעה דברים פוסלין את המים שינוי מראה וגלוי ועשיית מלאכה בהן והפסד שמונע את הבהמה מלשתות מהן כיצד מים שנשתנו מראיתן בין בכלים בין בקרקעות בין מחמת דבר שנפל לתוכן בין מחמת מקומן הרי אלו פסולין וכן אם נתגלו גלוי האוסר אותן משתייה נפסלו לנטילת ידים:
8
Any water that was used for a task is considered as sewage water and is unfit to use for washing hands. What is implied? Water that has been drawn from its source, which was used to wash utensils, to dip one's bread in, or the like, whether [it was stored] in a container or [in a pool] in the ground, becomes unacceptable for washing hands.
If one uses the water to wash clean utensils or new ones, it does not becomes unacceptable. Water in which a baker dips crackers is unacceptable. In contrast, water from which [he removes some] to baste the dough when kneading it is acceptable. It is the water that he removes that was used for a task; the water from which he removed it remains acceptable [as before].
ח
כל מים שנעשה בהן מלאכה נעשו שופכין ופסולין לנטילת ידים כיצד מים שאובין שהדיח בהן כלים או ששרה בהם פתו וכיוצא בזה בין בכלים בין בקרקעות פסולין לנטילת ידים הדיח בהן כלים מודחין או חדשים לא פסלן מים שהנחתום מטבל בהן את הכעכים פסולין ושהוא חופן מהן בשעת לישה כשרים שהמים שבחפניו הן שנעשו בהן מלאכה אבל המים שחפן מהם הרי הן בכשרותן:
9
All water that becomes unfit for a dog to drink - e.g., bitter [water], salty [water], very murky [water], foul-smelling [water] - which is contained in a vessel may not be used for washing hands. If [such water] is [contained in a pool] in the ground, one may immerse one's hands in it.
[The following rules apply to] the hot springs of Tiberias. In their [natural] place, one may immerse one's hands in them. If, however, one removed them with a container or diverted a stream of them into another place, they may not be used for either the first or the final washing of the hands, because they are not fit for an animal to drink.
ט
וכל מים שנפסלו משתיית כלב כגון שהיו מרים או מלוחים או עכורין או ריח רע עד שלא ישתה מהן הכלב בכלים פסולין לנטילת ידים ובקרקעות כשרים להטביל חמי טבריא במקומן מטבילין בהם את הידים אבל אם נטל מהן בכלי או שהפליג מהן אמה למקום אחר אין נוטלין מהן לא ראשונים ולא אחרונים מפני שאינן ראויין לשתיית בהמה:
10
One may pour water over one's hands a little at a time until one has poured out the entire amount. If, however, one poured out the entire revi'it at one time, it is acceptable.
Four or five people may wash with a single pouring while they are standing next to each other or with their hands above each other's, provided:
a) they leave space between their hands for the water to enter, and
b) there is enough water in that pouring to provide each one with a revi'it.
יb) there is enough water in that pouring to provide each one with a revi'it.
יש לנוטל ליתן על ידיו מעט מעט עד שיתן כשיעור ואם נתן הרביעית כולה בשטיפה אחת כשר נוטלין ארבעה או חמשה זה בצד זה או יד זה על גבי זה בשטיפה אחת ובלבד שירפו ידיהן כדי שיבא ביניהן המים ויהיה באותה השטיפה כדי רביעית לכל אחד ואחד:
11
One may not use the following to wash one's hands: the sides of vessels, the base of a samovar, pieces of earthenware, or the covering of a jug. Should one modify such a covering to use for washing, it is acceptable. Similarly, a wine-pouch that was modified may be used for the washing of hands.
In contrast, a sack or a basket - [although] they have been modified - may not be used to wash hands. One may not hold water in one's hands and pour it over a colleague's [hands], because one's hands are not a vessel.
Vessels that have been broken to the extent that the laws of ritual impurity no longer apply to them may not be used to wash hands, because they are considered to be broken vessels.
יא
אין נוטלין מים לידים לא בדפנות הכלים ולא בשולי המחץ ולא בחרסים ולא במגופת החבית ואם תיקן המגופה לנטילה נוטלין ממנה לידים וכן החמת שתיקנה נוטלין ממנה לידים אבל שק וקופה שנתקנו אין נוטלין מהן לידים ולא יתן לחבירו בחפניו שאין חפניו כלי וכלים שנשברו שבירה המטהרת אותן מידי טומאה אין נותנין בהם לידים מפני שהן שברי כלים:
12
All vessels, even those made from cow dung or earth, may be used to wash hands, provided they are whole.
A vessel that cannot contain a revi'it or a vessel that does not contain a revi'it may not be used for the washing of hands.
יב
בכל הכלים נוטלים לידים ואפילו כלי גללים וכלי אדמה והוא שיהיו שלמים כלי שאינו מחזיק רביעית או אין בו רביעית אין נותנין ממנה לידים:
13
All people are acceptable to pour water over one's hands, even a deaf-mute, a mentally incapable person, or a minor. If no one else is present, one should hold the vessel between one's knees, and thus pour it out over one's hands; lean a jug over so that the water will fall out over one's hands; or pour the water over each of one's hands individually.
It is acceptable if a monkey pours water over one's hands.
יג
הכל כשרין ליתן לידים אפילו חרש שוטה וקטן אם אין שם אחר מניח הכלי בין ברכיו וצק על ידיו או יטה החבית על ידיו ויטול או נוטל ידו אחת וצק בזו על זו וחוזר וצק בראשונה על השנייה והקוף נוטל לידים:
14
When a person pours water into a trough by hand or by using a pulley, and afterwards the water flows out from it through an irrigation channel that brings the water to vegetables or to animals, it is not acceptable for one to place one's hands in the trough and have the water pass over them, because the water is not coming from "the power of a giver." If one's hands were close to the place where the bucket is poured out so that the water passes over one's hands because of the power of a human being, the washing is acceptable.
יד
השוקת שדולה אדם בידו או בגלגל ונותן לתוכה והמים נמשכין ממנה באמה והולכין ומשקין הירקות או הבהמה והניח ידיו בשוקת ועברו המים ושטפו על ידיו לא עלתה לו נטילה שהרי אין כאן נותן על ידיו ואם היו ידיו קרובות לשפיכת הדלי עד שנמצאו המים שטפו על ידיו מכח נתינת האדם עלתה לו נטילה:
15
When there is a doubt with regard to the water [used to wash one's hands] - e.g., whether it had been used for other tasks or not, whether it contained the required quantity or not, whether it [the water itself] is ritually pure or not, and, similarly, when a person has a doubt whether he washed his hands or not, [in all these instances,] his hands are considered to be pure. In all instances where doubt arises concerning the ritual purity of hands, the hands are considered to be pure.
טו
מים שנסתפק לו אם נעשה מהן מלאכה או לא נעשה אם יש בהן כשיעור או שאין בהן אם הן טהורין או טמאין ספק נטל ידיו ספק לא נטל ידיו ספיקו טהור שכל ספק שבטהרת ידים טהור:
16
When washing before eating, a person should raise his hands upward so that that water will not flow past the wrist, and then return and make the hands impure. In contrast, when washing after eating, a person should hold his hands downward so that all the power of the salt should be rinsed away off one's hands.
Before eating, one may wash into a container or onto the ground. After eating, one should wash only into a container. Before eating, one may wash with hot water or with cold water. After eating, one should not wash with hot water - i.e., water that will scald one's hands. It will not [serve the purpose of] removing filth, because one cannot rub one's hands together with it. If the water is merely warm, it may be used for washing after eating.
טז
מים הראשונים צריך שיגביה ידיו למעלה עד שלא יצאו מים חוץ לפרק ויחזרו ויטמאו את הידים ואחרונים צריך שישפיל ידיו למטה כדי שיצא כל כח המלח מעל ידיו מים ראשונים ניטלים בין על גבי כלי בין על גבי קרקע ואחרונים אינן ניטלין אלא על גבי כלי מים ראשונים ניטלין בין בחמי האור בין בצונן ואחרונים אינן ניטלין בחמין והוא שיהיו חמים שהיד סולדת בהן מפני שאין מעבירין את הזוהמא שאינו יכול לשפשף בהן אבל היו פושרין נוטלין מהן באחרונה:
17
A person may wash his hands in the morning and stipulate that [the washing will be effective] for the entire day. Thus, he will not have to wash before each time he eats. [This rule applies] only when he does not divert his attention from his hands. If, however, he diverts his attention from them, he must wash them whenever it is required.
יז
נוטל אדם ידיו שחרית ומתנה עליהן כל היום ואינו צריך ליטול את ידיו לכל אכילה ואכילה והוא שלא יסיח דעתו מהן אבל אם הסיח דעתו מהן צריך ליטול ידיו בכל עת שצריך נטילה:
18
A person may wrap his hands in a cloth and eat bread or food dipped in liquid although he did not wash his hands.
A person who feeds others need not wash his hands. The person who eats, however, must wash his hands, although another person puts food into his mouth and he does not touch the food at all. Similarly, a person who eats with a fork must wash his hands.
יח
לט אדם את ידיו במפה ואוכל בהן פת או דבר שטיבולו במשקה אע"פ שלא נטל ידיו המאכיל לאחרים אינו צריך נטילת ידים והאוכל צריך נטילת ידים אף על פי שאחר נותן לתוך פיו ואינו נוגע במאכל והוא הדין לאוכל במגריפה שצריך נטילת ידים:
19
It is forbidden to feed someone who did not wash his hands even if one puts the food directly into his mouth.
It is forbidden to treat the washing of hands with disdain. Our Sages have authored many commands and warnings about this manner. Even when one has a minimum amount of water to drink, one should wash one's hands with a portion, eat, and drink the remainder.
יט
אסור להאכיל מי שלא נטל ידיו ואף על פי שהוא נותן לתוך פיו ואסור לזלזל בנטילת ידים וצוויים הרבה צוו חכמים והזהירו על הדבר אפילו אין לו מים אלא כדי שתייה נוטל ידיו במקצתן ואחר כך אוכל ושותה מקצתן:
20
[After washing,] a person must dry his hands before eating. Anyone who eats without drying his hands is considered to have eaten impure bread.
Similarly, whenever a person washes his hands after eating, he should dry them and then recite grace. One should recite grace directly after washing one's hands. No interruptions should be made. It is even forbidden to drink water after washing one's hands after eating until one recites grace.
כ
צריך אדם לנגב את ידיו ואח"כ יאכל וכל האוכל בלא ניגוב ידים כאוכל לחם טמא וכל הנוטל ידיו באחרונה מנגב ואח"כ מברך ותכף לנטילת ידים ברכת המזון לא יפסיק ביניהם בדבר אחר אפילו לשתות מים אחר שנוטל ידיו באחרונה אסור עד שיברך ברכת המזון:
• Wednesday, 22 Cheshvan, 5777 · 23 November 2016
• "Today's Day"
• Shabbat, Cheshvan 22, 5704
Torah Lesson: Chumash: Chayei Sara, Shevi'i with Rashi.
Tehillim: 106-107.
Tanya: Now, it is (p. 583) ...as stated above. (p. 585).
One of the teachings of the Maggid of Mezritch, heard by the Alter Rebbe when he was in Mezritch for the first time, from late summer 5524 (1764) until after Pesach 5525 (1765):
"I (Anochi) have made the earth, and upon it created man."1 Anochi, He who is the true "I",2 unknown to and concealed from even the loftiest emanations, clothed His blessed Essence through numerous condensations to give rise to the emanations and creatures, 3 to Serafim, Chayot, Ofanim,4 angels and "worlds" beyond number. Through countless condensations, "I made this (physical) world and upon it created (barati) man." Man is the end-purpose of Creation, and barati is the end-purpose of man. (Barati, "I created," has the numerical equivalent of 613, the number of scriptural commandments). 5
As (the book of) Pardes quotes Sefer Habahir: "Said the attribute of Chessed (kindness) before the Holy One Blessed-be-He, Master of the Universe, since the days Avram has been on earth, I have not had to perform my task, because Avram stands and serves in my stead." Because Avraham - a soul clothed in a body, occupying himself with hospitality to strangers as a means of disseminating the idea of G-d in this lowly world - is actually on a higher plane and level than the attribute of kindness of Atzilut.
The complaint ("Said the attribute of Chessed before the Holy One etc.") is an expression of envy of Avraham's service by the attribute of kindness of Atzilut.
FOOTNOTES
1.Yeshayahu 45:12.
2.Lit.: "I, Whoever I Am."
3.The phrase defies accurate translation; in Hebrew the verb-form corresponding to "emanations," le'haatzil, is used to describe the coming-into-being of the ne'etzalim ("emanations"), and the verb livra for the nivra'im ("creations"). Awkward, but perhaps slightly more accurate, would be "...to separate off (or ("emanate") the emanations and to create the creatures."
4.Three forms of angels.
5.I.e. the end-purpose of Man is (that he perform) Mitzvot.
• Daily Thought:
Conquest
Show a mighty emperor the world and ask him where he most desires to conquer.
He will spin the globe to the furthest peninsula of the most far-flung land, stab his finger upon it and declare, “This! When I have this, then I shall have greatness!”
So too, the Infinite Light. In those places most finite, where the light of day barely trickles in, there the Infinite Light most yearns to be found.
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