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Torah Reading:
Mikeitz: Genesis 41:1 At the end of two years, Pharaoh had a dream: he was standing beside the Nile River; 2 and there came up out of the river seven cows, sleek and fat; and they began feeding in swamp grass. 3 After them, there came up out of the river seven more cows, miserable-looking and lean; and they stood by the other cows at the edge of the river. 4 Then the miserable-looking and lean cows ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. At this point Pharaoh woke up. 5 But he went to sleep again and dreamt a second time: seven full, ripe ears of grain grew out of a single stalk. 6 After them, seven ears, thin and blasted by the east wind, sprang up. 7 And the thin ears swallowed up the seven full, ripe ears. Then Pharaoh woke up and realized it had been a dream.
8 In the morning he found himself so upset that he summoned all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one there could interpret them for him. 9 Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today reminds me of something wherein I am at fault: 10 Pharaoh was angry with his officials and put me in the prison of the house of the captain of the guard, me and the chief baker. 11 One night both I and he had dreams, and each man’s dream had its own meaning. 12 There was with us a young man, a Hebrew, a servant of the captain of the guard; and we told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us — he interpreted each man’s dream individually. 13 And it came about as he interpreted to us — I was restored to my office, and he was hanged.”
14 Then Pharaoh summoned Yosef, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon. He shaved himself, changed his clothes, and came in to Pharaoh.
(A: ii) 15 Pharaoh said to Yosef, “I had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it; but I’ve heard it said about you that when you hear a dream, you can interpret it.” 16 Yosef answered Pharaoh, “It isn’t in me. God will give Pharaoh an answer that will set his mind at peace.” (S: ii) 17 Pharaoh said to Yosef, “In my dream, I stood at the edge of the river; 18 and there came up out of the river seven cows, fat and sleek; and they began feeding in the swamp grass. 19 After them, there came up out of the river seven more cows, poor, miserable-looking and lean — I’ve never seen such bad-looking cows in all the land of Egypt! 20 Then the lean and miserable-looking cows ate up the first seven fat cows. 21 But after they had eaten them up, one couldn’t tell that they had eaten them; because they were as miserable-looking as before. At this point I woke up. 22 But I dreamed again and saw seven full, ripe ears of grain growing out of a single stalk. 23 After them, seven ears, thin and blasted by the east wind, sprang up. 24 And the thin ears swallowed up the seven ripe ears. I told this to the magicians, but none of them could explain it to me.”
25 Yosef said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are the same: God has told Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good ears of grain are seven years — the dreams are the same. 27 Likewise the seven lean and miserable-looking cows that came up after them are seven years, and also the seven empty ears blasted by the east wind — there will be seven years of famine. 28 This is what I told Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29 Here it is: there will be seven years of abundance throughout the whole land of Egypt; 30 but afterwards, there will come seven years of famine; and Egypt will forget all the abundance. The famine will consume the land, 31 and the abundance will not be known in the land because of the famine that will follow, because it will be truly terrible. 32 Why was the dream doubled for Pharaoh? Because the matter has been fixed by God, and God will shortly cause it to happen.
33 “Therefore, Pharaoh should look for a man both discreet and wise to put in charge of the land of Egypt. 34 Pharaoh should do this, and he should appoint supervisors over the land to receive a twenty percent tax on the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. 35 They should gather all the food produced during these good years coming up and set aside grain under the supervision of Pharaoh to be used for food in the cities, and they should store it. 36 This will be the land’s food supply for the seven years of famine that will come over the land of Egypt, so that the land will not perish as a result of the famine.”
37 The proposal seemed good both to Pharaoh and to all his officials. 38 Pharaoh said to his officials, “Can we find anyone else like him? The Spirit of God lives in him!”
(iii) 39 So Pharaoh said to Yosef, “Since God has shown you all this — there is no one as discerning and wise as you — 40 you will be in charge of my household; all my people will be ruled by what you say. Only when I rule from my throne will I be greater than you.” 41 Pharaoh said to Yosef, “Here, I place you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” 42 Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Yosef’s hand, had him clothed in fine linen with a gold chain around his neck 43 and had him ride in his second best chariot; and they cried before him, “Bow down!” Thus he placed him in charge of the whole land of Egypt. 44 Pharaoh said to Yosef, “I, Pharaoh, decree that without your approval no one is to raise his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt.” 45 Pharaoh called Yosef by the name Tzafnat-Pa‘neach and gave him as his wife Osnat the daughter of Poti-Fera priest of On. Then Yosef went out through all the land of Egypt.
46 Yosef was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt; then he left Pharaoh’s presence and traveled through all the land of Egypt. 47 During the seven years of abundance, the earth brought forth heaps of produce. 48 He collected all the food of these seven years in the land of Egypt and stored it in the cities — the food grown in the fields outside each city he stored in that city. 49 Yosef stored grain in quantities like the sand on the seashore, so much that they stopped counting, because it was beyond measure.
50 Two sons were born to Yosef before the year of famine came; Osnat the daughter of Poti-Fera priest of On bore them to him. 51 Yosef called the firstborn M’nasheh [causing to forget], “Because God has caused me to forget all the troubles I suffered at the hands of my family.” 52 The second he called Efrayim [fruit], “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my misfortune.”
(iv) 53 The seven years of abundance in the land of Egypt ended; 54 and the seven years of famine began to come, just as Yosef had said. There was famine in all lands, but throughout the land of Egypt there was food. 55 When the whole land of Egypt started feeling the famine, the people cried to Pharaoh for food, and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Yosef, and do what he tells you to do.” 56 The famine was over all the earth, but then Yosef opened all the storehouses and sold food to the Egyptians, since the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. 57 Moreover all countries came to Egypt to Yosef to buy grain, because the famine was severe throughout the earth.
42:1 Now Ya‘akov saw that there was grain in Egypt; so Ya‘akov said to his sons, “Why are you staring at each other? 2 Look,” he said, “I’ve heard that there’s grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us from there, so that we can stay alive and not die!” 3 Thus Yosef’s ten brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt, 4 except for Binyamin, Yosef’s brother. Ya‘akov did not send him with his brothers, because he was afraid something might happen to him.
5 The sons of Isra’el came to buy along with the others that came, since the famine extended to the land of Kena‘an. 6 Yosef was governor over the land; it was he who sold to all the people of the land. Now when Yosef’s brothers came and prostrated themselves before him on the ground, 7 Yosef saw his brothers and recognized them; but he acted toward them as if he were a stranger and spoke harshly with them. He asked them, “Where are you from?” They answered, “From the land of Kena‘an to buy food.” 8 So Yosef recognized his brothers, but they didn’t recognize him.
9 Remembering the dreams he had had about them, Yosef said to them, “You are spies! You’ve come to spot our country’s weaknesses!” 10 “No, my lord,” they replied, “your servants have come to buy food. 11 We’re all the sons of one man, we’re upright men; your servants aren’t spies.” 12 “No,” he said to them, “you’ve come to spy out our country’s weaknesses.” 13 They said, “We, your servants, are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Kena‘an; the youngest stayed with our father, and another one is gone.” 14 “Just as I said,” replied Yosef, “you’re spies! 15 Here’s how you can prove you’re not lying: as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave here unless your youngest brother comes here. 16 Send one of you, and let him bring your brother. Meanwhile, you will be kept in custody. This will prove whether there is any truth in what you say. Otherwise, as Pharaoh lives, you are certainly spies.” 17 Then he put all of them together in prison for three days.
18 On the third day, Yosef said to them, “Do what I say, and stay alive, for I fear God. (v) 19 If you are upright men, let one of your brothers remain incarcerated in the prison you’re being kept in, while you go and carry grain back to relieve the famine in your homes. 20 But bring your youngest brother to me. In this way your statements will be verified, and you won’t die.”
So they did it. 21 They said to each other, “We are in fact guilty concerning our brother. He was in distress and pleaded with us; we saw it and wouldn’t listen. That’s why this distress has come upon us now.” 22 Re’uven answered them, “Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t wrong the boy’? But you wouldn’t hear of it. Now comes the reckoning for his blood!” 23 They had no idea that Yosef understood them, since an interpreter was translating for them. 24 Yosef turned away from them and wept; then he returned and spoke to them. He took Shim‘on from among them and put him in prison before their eyes. 25 Next he ordered that their containers be filled with grain, that every man’s money be put back in his pack and that they be given provisions for the journey. When these things had been done for them, 26 they loaded their grain on their donkeys and departed.
27 But at camp that night, as one of them opened his pack to give fodder to his donkey, he noticed his money — there it was, just inside his pack. 28 He said to his brothers, “My money has been restored — there it is, right in my pack!” At that, their hearts sank; they turned, trembling, to one another and said, “What is this that God has done to us?”
29 They returned to Ya‘akov their father in the land of Kena‘an and told him all that had happened to them. 30 “The man, the lord of the land, spoke harshly with us. He took us for spies in his country. 31 We said to him, ‘We are upright men, we’re not spies; 32 we are twelve brothers, sons of our father; one is gone, and the youngest stayed with our father in the land of Kena‘an.’ 33 But the man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘Here is how I will know that you are upright men: leave one of your brothers with me, take grain to relieve the famine in your homes, and go on your way; 34 but bring your youngest brother to me. By this I will know that you aren’t spies, but are upright men; then I will return your brother to you; and you will do business in the land.’”
35 Next, as they emptied their packs, there was each man’s bag of money in his pack; and when they and their father saw their bags of money, they became afraid. 36 Ya‘akov their father said to them, “You have robbed me of my children! Yosef is gone, Shim‘on is gone, now you’re taking Binyamin away — it all falls on me!” 37 Re’uven said to his father, “If I don’t bring him back to you, you can kill my own two sons! Put him in my care; I will return him to you.” 38 But he replied, “My son will not go down with you. His brother is dead, and he alone is left. If anything were to happen to him while traveling with you, you would bring my gray hair down to Sh’ol with grief.”
43:1 But the famine was severe in the land; 2 so when they had eaten up the grain which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said to them, “Go again, buy us a little food.” 3 Y’hudah said to him, “The man expressly warned us, ‘You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ 4 If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food; 5 but if you will not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, ‘You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.’” 6 Isra’el said, “Why did you bring such trouble my way by telling the man you had another brother?” 7 They answered, “The man kept questioning us about ourselves and about our kinsmen. He asked, ‘Is your father still alive?’ ‘Do you have another brother?’ and we answered according to the literal meaning of his questions. How were we to know he would say, ‘Bring your brother down’?”
8 Y’hudah said to Isra’el his father, “Send the boy with me; and we will make preparations and leave; so that we may stay alive and not die, both we and you, and also our little ones. 9 I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me responsible. If I fail to bring him to you and present him to your face, let me bear the blame forever. 10 Except for our lengthy delay, we would have been there again by now.”
11 Their father Isra’el answered them, “If that’s how it is, do this: take in your containers some of the land’s best products, and bring the man a gift — some healing resin, a little honey, aromatic gum, opium, pistachio nuts and almonds. 12 Take twice the amount of money with you; and return the money that came back with you in your packs — it could have been an oversight. 13 Yes, and take your brother too; and get ready; and go again to the man. 14 May El Shaddai give you favor in the man’s sight, so that he will release to you your other brother as well as Binyamin. As for me, if I must lose my children, lose them I will.” 15 The men took that gift, and they took twice the money with them, and Binyamin; then they prepared, went down to Egypt and stood before Yosef.
(vi) 16 When Yosef saw Binyamin with them, he said to his household manager, “Take the men inside the house, kill the animals and prepare the meat. These men will dine with me at noon.” 17 The man did as Yosef ordered and brought the men into Yosef’s house.
18 Upon being ushered inside Yosef’s house, the men became fearful. They said, “It’s because of the money that was returned in our packs the first time that we have been brought inside — so that he can use it as an excuse to attack us, take us as slaves and seize our donkeys too.” 19 So they approached the manager of Yosef’s household and spoke to him at the entrance of the house: 20 “Please, my lord, the first time we indeed came down to buy food; 21 but when we got to camp, we opened our packs, and there inside our packs was each man’s money, the full amount. We have brought it back with us; 22 moreover, we have brought down other money to buy food. We have no idea who put our money in our packs.” 23 “Stop worrying,” he replied, “don’t be afraid. Your God and the God of your father put treasure in your packs. As for your money — I was the one who received it.” Then he brought Shim‘on out to them.
24 The man brought the men into Yosef’s house and gave them water, and they washed their feet, and he provided fodder for their donkeys. 25 Then they got their gift ready for Yosef’s arrival at noon, for they had heard that they were going to eat a meal there. 26 When Yosef arrived home, they went in the house and presented him with the gift they had brought with them, then prostrated themselves before him on the ground. 27 He asked them how they were and inquired, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” 28 They answered, “Your servant our father is well; yes, he is still alive,” as they bowed in respect. 29 He looked up and saw Binyamin his brother, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?” and added, “May God be good to you, my son.”
(vii) 30 Then Yosef hurried out, because his feelings toward his brother were so strong that he wanted to cry; he went into his bedroom and there he wept. 31 Then he washed his face and came out, but he controlled himself as he gave the order to serve the meal. 32 They served him by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians included at the meal by themselves — Egyptians don’t eat with Hebrews, because that is abhorrent to them. 33 So they sat there facing him, the firstborn in the place of honor, the youngest in last place; and the men expressed their amazement to each other. 34 Each was given his serving there in front of him, but Binyamin’s portion was five times as large as any of theirs. So they drank and enjoyed themselves with him.
44:1 Then he ordered the manager of his household, “Fill the men’s packs with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money just inside his pack. 2 And put my goblet, the silver one, just inside the pack of the youngest, along with his grain money.” He did what Yosef told him to do.
3 At daybreak the men were sent off with their donkeys; 4 but before they were far from the city Yosef said to his manager, “Up, go after the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid good with evil? 5 Isn’t this the goblet my lord drinks from, indeed the one he uses for divination? What you have done is evil!’” 6 So he caught up with them and said these words to them. 7 They replied, “Why does my lord speak this way? Heaven forbid that we should do such a thing! 8 Why, the money we found inside our packs we brought back to you from the land of Kena‘an! So how would we steal silver or gold from your lord’s house? 9 Whichever one of us the goblet is found with, let him be put to death — and the rest of us will be my lord’s slaves!” 10 He replied, “Fine; let it be as you have said: whichever one it is found with will be my slave. But the rest of you will be blameless.” 11 Then each hurried to put his pack down on the ground, and each one opened his pack. 12 He searched, starting with the oldest and ending with the youngest; and the goblet was found in the pack belonging to Binyamin. 13 At this, they tore their clothes from grief. Then each man loaded up his donkey and returned to the city.
(A: Maftir) 14 Y’hudah and his brothers arrived at Yosef’s house. He was still there, and they fell down before him on the ground. (S: Maftir) 15 Yosef said to them, “How could you do such a thing? Don’t you know that a man such as myself can learn the truth by divination?” 16 Y’hudah said, “There’s nothing we can say to my lord! How can we speak? There’s no way we can clear ourselves! God has revealed your servants’ guilt; so here we are, my lord’s slaves — both we and also the one in whose possession the cup was found.” 17 But he replied, “Heaven forbid that I should act in such a way. The man in whose possession the goblet was found will be my slave; but as for you, go in peace to your father.”
Chanukah 7: Numbers 7:48 On the seventh day was Elishama the son of ‘Ammihud, leader of the descendants of Efrayim. 49 He offered one silver dish weighing 130 shekels [three-and-a-quarter pounds] and one silver basin of seventy shekels (using the sanctuary shekel) [one-and-three-quarters pounds], both full of fine flour mixed with olive oil for a grain offering; 50 one gold pan of ten shekels [one-quarter pound], full of incense; 51 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb in its first year as a burnt offering, 52 one male goat as a sin offering, 53 and, for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of Elishama the son of ‘Ammihud.
Chanukah - Shabbat 1: Zachariah 2:14 (10) “Sing, daughter of Tziyon; rejoice! For, here, I am coming; and I will live among you,” says Adonai. 15 (11) When that time comes, many nations will join themselves to Adonai. “They will be my people, and I will live among you.” Then you will know that it was Adonai-Tzva’ot who sent me to you. 16 (12) Adonai will take possession of Y’hudah as his portion in the holy land, and he will again make Yerushalayim his choice. 17 (13) Be silent, all humanity, before Adonai; for he has been roused from his holy dwelling.’”
3:1 He showed me Y’hoshua the cohen hagadol standing before the angel of Adonai, with the Accuser [Zechariah 3:1 Hebrew: Satan] standing at his right to accuse him. 2 Adonai said to the Accuser, “May Adonai rebuke you, Accuser! Indeed, may Adonai, who has made Yerushalayim his choice, rebuke you! Isn’t this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?” 3 Y’hoshua was clothed in garments covered with dung; and he was standing before the angel, 4 who said to those standing in front of him, “Take those filthy garments off of him.” Then to him he said, “See, I am taking your guilt away. I will clothe you in fine robes.” 5 I said, “They should put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and gave him fine robes to wear, while the angel of Adonai stood by. 6 Then the angel of Adonai gave Y’hoshua this warning: 7 “Adonai-Tzva’ot says this: ‘If you will walk in my ways, obey my commission, judge my house and guard my courtyards; then I will give you free access among these who are standing here. 8 Listen, cohen gadol Y’hoshua, both you and your colleagues seated here before you, because these men are a sign that I am going to bring my servant Tzemach [Sprout]. 9 For look at the stone I have put in front of Y’hoshua: on one stone are seven eyes; I will engrave what is to be written on it,’ says Adonai-Tzva’ot; ‘and I will remove the guilt of this land in one day. 10 When that time comes,’ says Adonai-Tzva’ot, ‘you will all invite each other to join you under your vines and fig trees.’”
4:1 Then the angel that had been speaking with me returned and roused me, as if he were waking someone up from being asleep, 2 and asked me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I’ve been looking at a menorah; it’s all of gold, with a bowl at its top, seven lamps on it, and seven tubes leading to the lamps at its top. 3 Next to it are two olive trees, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left.” 4 I then asked the angel speaking with me, “What are these, my Lord?” The angel speaking with me said, 5 “Don’t you know what these are?” I said, “No, my Lord.” 6 Then he answered me, “This is the word of Adonai to Z’rubavel: ‘Not by force, and not by power, but by my Spirit,’ says Adonai-Tzva’ot. 7 ‘What are you, you big mountain? Before Z’rubavel you will become a plain; and he will put the capstone in place, as everyone shouts, “It’s beautiful! Beautiful!”’
Today's Laws & Customs:
• Hallel & Al HaNissim Special prayers of thanksgiving -- Hallel (in its full version) and Al HaNissim -- are added to the daily prayers and Grace After Meals on all eight days of Chanukah. Tachnun (confession of sins) and similar prayers are omitted for the duration of trhe festival.
• Kindle Eight Chanukah Lights after nightfall
In commemoration of the miracle of Chanukah (see "Today in Jewish History" for Kislev 25) we kindle the Chanukah lights -- oil lamps or candles -- each evening of the eight-day festival, increasing the number of lights each evening. Tonight we kindle eight lights. (In the Jewish calendar, the day begins at nightfall; this evening, then, commences the 8th and last day of Chanukah).
IMPORTANT: Because of the prohibition to kindle fire on Shabbat, the Chanukah lights must be lit after after the Havdalah service marking the end of Shabbat at nightfall.
For a more detailed guide to Chanukah lighting (and additional Chanukah observances and customs) click here. For text and audio of the blessings recited before lighting, click here.
Today in Jewish History:
• 7th Day of Chanukah Miracle (139 BCE) On the 25th of Kislev in the year 3622 from creation, the Maccabees liberated the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, after defeating the vastly more numerous and powerful armies of the Syrian-Greek king Antiochus IV, who had tried to forcefully uproot the beliefs and practices of Judaism from the people of Israel. The victorious Jews repaired, cleansed and rededicated the Temple to the service of G-d. But all the Temple's oil had been defiled by the pagan invaders; when the Jews sought to light the Temple's menorah (candelabra), they found only one small cruse of ritually pure olive oil. Miraculously, the one-day supply burned for eight days, until new, pure oil could be obtained. In commemoration, the Sages instituted the 8-day festival of Chanukah, on which lights are kindled nightly to recall and publicize the miracle.
Link: The Story of Chanukah
• Kindle Eight Chanukah Lights after nightfall
In commemoration of the miracle of Chanukah (see "Today in Jewish History" for Kislev 25) we kindle the Chanukah lights -- oil lamps or candles -- each evening of the eight-day festival, increasing the number of lights each evening. Tonight we kindle eight lights. (In the Jewish calendar, the day begins at nightfall; this evening, then, commences the 8th and last day of Chanukah).
IMPORTANT: Because of the prohibition to kindle fire on Shabbat, the Chanukah lights must be lit after after the Havdalah service marking the end of Shabbat at nightfall.
For a more detailed guide to Chanukah lighting (and additional Chanukah observances and customs) click here. For text and audio of the blessings recited before lighting, click here.
Today in Jewish History:
• 7th Day of Chanukah Miracle (139 BCE) On the 25th of Kislev in the year 3622 from creation, the Maccabees liberated the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, after defeating the vastly more numerous and powerful armies of the Syrian-Greek king Antiochus IV, who had tried to forcefully uproot the beliefs and practices of Judaism from the people of Israel. The victorious Jews repaired, cleansed and rededicated the Temple to the service of G-d. But all the Temple's oil had been defiled by the pagan invaders; when the Jews sought to light the Temple's menorah (candelabra), they found only one small cruse of ritually pure olive oil. Miraculously, the one-day supply burned for eight days, until new, pure oil could be obtained. In commemoration, the Sages instituted the 8-day festival of Chanukah, on which lights are kindled nightly to recall and publicize the miracle.
Link: The Story of Chanukah
Today's Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Mikeitz, 7th Portion Genesis 43:30-44:17 with Rashi
• Genesis Chapter 43
30And Joseph hastened, for his mercy was stirred toward his brother, and he wanted to weep; so he went into the room and wept there. לוַיְמַהֵ֣ר יוֹסֵ֗ף כִּֽי־נִכְמְר֤וּ רַֽחֲמָיו֙ אֶל־אָחִ֔יו וַיְבַקֵּ֖שׁ לִבְכּ֑וֹת וַיָּבֹ֥א הַחַ֖דְרָה וַיֵּ֥בְךְּ שָֽׁמָּה:
for his mercy was stirred: He (Joseph) asked him (Benjamin), “Have you a brother from your mother?” He replied, “I had a brother, but I do not know where he is.” “Have you any sons?” He replied, “I have ten.” He asked, “And what are their names?” He replied, “Bela and Becher, etc.” He asked, “What is the significance of these names?” He replied,“All of them are connected to my brother and the troubles that befell him. [My first son was named] Bela because he (my brother) was swallowed up (נִבְלַע) among the nations. [My second son was named] Becher because he (my brother) was the firstborn (בְּכוֹר) of my mother. [My third son was named] Ashbel because God put him (my brother) into captivity (שְׁבָאו ֹאֵל). [My fourth son was named] Gera because he (my brother) was a stranger (נִתְגַּיֵר) in a lodging place. And [my fifth son was named] Na’aman because he (my brother) was very pleasant [to look upon] (נָעִים). [My sixth and seventh sons were named] Ehi and Rosh because he was my brother (אָחִי), and he was my superior (רֹאשִׁי). [My eighth son was named] Muppim because he (my brother) learned from the mouth of (מִפִּי) my father. [My ninth son was named] Huppim because he (my brother) did not see my wedding (חוּפָּתִי), neither did I see his wedding (חוּפָּתוֹ). And [my tenth son was named] Ard because he (my brother) descended (יָרַד) among the nations.” This is as stated in Tractate Sotah (36b). Immediately, his (Joseph’s) mercy was stirred. כי נכמרו רחמיו: שאלו יש לך אח מאם, אמר לו אח היה לי ואיני יודע היכן הוא. יש לך בנים, אמר לו יש לי עשרה, אמר לו ומה שמם, אמר לו (להלן מו כא) בלע ובכר וגו', אמר לו מה טיבן של שמות הללו, אמר לו כולם על שם אחי והצרות אשר מצאוהו, בלע שנבלע בין האומות. בכר שהיה בכור לאמי. אשבאל ששבאו אל. גרא שנתגייר באכסניא. ונעמן, שהיה נעים ביותר. אחי וראש אחי היה וראשי היה. מופים מפי אביו למד. וחופים שלא ראה חופתי ולא ראיתי אני חופתו. וארד שירד לבין האומות, כדאיתא במסכת סוטה (לו ב) מיד נכמרו רחמיו:
was stirred: Heb. נִכְמְרוּ, was heated. In the language of the Mishnah,“on a heating (כֹּמֶר) vessel of olives” (Sotah 74a), and in Aramaic,“because of the heating (מִכְמַר) of the meat” (Pes. 58a), and in the Scriptures,“Our skin is parched (נִכְמָרוּ) because of the heat of hunger” (Lam. 5:10). So is the way of all skin; when it is heated, it shrivels and shrinks. — [from Lam. Rabbah 5:10]. נכמרו: נתחממו, ובלשון משנה (ב"מ עד א) על הכומר של זיתים, ובלשון ארמי מכמר בשרא, ובמקרא (איכה ה י) עורנו כתנור נכמרו, נתחממו ונקמטו קמטים קמטים מפני זלעפות רעב. כן דרך כל עור כשמחממין אותו נקמט וכווץ:
31And he washed his face and came out, and he restrained himself and said, "Serve the food." לאוַיִּרְחַ֥ץ פָּנָ֖יו וַיֵּצֵ֑א וַיִּ֨תְאַפַּ֔ק וַיֹּ֖אמֶר שִׂ֥ימוּ לָֽחֶם:
and he restrained himself: Heb. וַיִתְאַפַּק, and he strengthened himself. וַיִתְאַפַּק is an expression of“the strong (אִפִיקֵי) shields” (Job 41:7), [meaning] strength, and similarly,“and loosens the belt of the strong (אִפִיקִים)” (ibid. 12:21). ויתאפק: נתאמץ. והוא לשון (איוב יב כא) ומזיח אפיקים רפה, וכן (איוב מא ז) אפיקי מגנים, חוזק:
32And they set for him separately and for them separately, and for the Egyptians who ate with him separately, because the Egyptians could not eat food with the Hebrews, because it is an abomination to the Egyptians. לבוַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּ ל֛וֹ לְבַדּ֖וֹ וְלָהֶ֣ם לְבַדָּ֑ם וְלַמִּצְרִ֞ים הָאֹֽכְלִ֤ים אִתּוֹ֙ לְבַדָּ֔ם כִּי֩ לֹ֨א יֽוּכְל֜וּן הַמִּצְרִ֗ים לֶֽאֱכֹ֤ל אֶת־הָֽעִבְרִים֙ לֶ֔חֶם כִּי־תֽוֹעֵבָ֥ה הִ֖וא לְמִצְרָֽיִם:
because it is an abomination to the Egyptians: It is a hateful thing for the Egyptians to eat with the Hebrews, and Onkelos gave the reason for the matter. כי תועבה הוא: דבר שנאוי הוא למצרים לאכול את העברים, ואונקלוס נתן טעם לדבר:
33They sat before him, the firstborn according to his age, and the youngest according to his youth, and the men looked at each other in astonishment. לגוַיֵּֽשְׁב֣וּ לְפָנָ֔יו הַבְּכֹר֙ כִּבְכֹ֣רָת֔וֹ וְהַצָּעִ֖יר כִּצְעִֽרָת֑וֹ וַיִּתְמְה֥וּ הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֖ים אִ֥ישׁ אֶל־רֵעֵֽהוּ:
the firstborn according to his age: He knocked his goblet and announced, “Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, sons of one mother, sit in this order, which is the order of your births,” and so [did he order] all of them. When he reached Benjamin, he said,“This one has no mother, and I have no mother. Let him sit beside me.” - [from Gen. Rabbah 93:7] הבכור כבכורתו: מכה בגביע וקורא ראובן שמעון לוי ויהודה יששכר וזבולון, בני אם אחת, הסבו כסדר הזה שהיא סדר תולדותיכם וכן כולם, כיון שהגיע לבנימין אמר זה אין לו אם ואני אין לי אם ישב אצלי:
34And he had portions brought to them from before him, and Benjamin's portion was five times as large as the portions of any of them, and they drank and became intoxicated with him. לדוַיִּשָּׂ֨א מַשְׂאֹ֜ת מֵאֵ֣ת פָּנָיו֘ אֲלֵהֶם֒ וַתֵּ֜רֶב מַשְׂאַ֧ת בִּנְיָמִ֛ן מִמַּשְׂאֹ֥ת כֻּלָּ֖ם חָמֵ֣שׁ יָד֑וֹת וַיִּשְׁתּ֥וּ וַיִּשְׁכְּר֖וּ עִמּֽוֹ:
portions: Heb. מַשְׂאֹת, meaning portions. — [from Targum Onkelos] משאת: מנות:
five times as large: His portion with his brothers, Joseph’s portion, and those of Asenath, Manasseh, and Ephraim. — [from Gen. Rabbah 92:5, Targum Jonathan] חמש ידות: חלקו עם אחיו ומשאת יוסף ואסנת ומנשה ואפרים:
and they drank and became intoxicated with him: Since the day that they had sold him, neither they nor he had drunk wine, but on that day they drank. — [from Gen. Rabbah 92:5] וישכרו עמו: ומיום שמכרוהו לא שתו יין, ולא הוא שתה יין, ואותו היום שתו:
Genesis Chapter 44
1Then he commanded the overseer of his house, saying, "Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man's money into the mouth of his sack. אוַיְצַ֞ו אֶת־אֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־בֵּיתוֹ֘ לֵאמֹר֒ מַלֵּ֞א אֶת־אַמְתְּחֹ֤ת הָֽאֲנָשִׁים֙ אֹ֔כֶל כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר יֽוּכְל֖וּן שְׂאֵ֑ת וְשִׂ֥ים כֶּֽסֶף־אִ֖ישׁ בְּפִ֥י אַמְתַּחְתּֽוֹ:
2And my goblet, the silver goblet, put into the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his purchase money." And he did according to Joseph's word, which he had spoken. בוְאֶת־גְּבִיעִ֞י גְּבִ֣יעַ הַכֶּ֗סֶף תָּשִׂים֙ בְּפִי֙ אַמְתַּ֣חַת הַקָּטֹ֔ן וְאֵ֖ת כֶּ֣סֶף שִׁבְר֑וֹ וַיַּ֕עַשׂ כִּדְבַ֥ר יוֹסֵ֖ף אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֵּֽר:
goblet: Heb. גְבִיעַ, a tall cup, called maderine (a long, narrow goblet). גביעי: כוס ארוך, וקורין לו מדירנ"א בלע"ז [כוס הדורה מעץ]:
3The morning became light, and the men were sent [on their way] they and their donkeys. גהַבֹּ֖קֶר א֑וֹר וְהָֽאֲנָשִׁ֣ים שֻׁלְּח֔וּ הֵ֖מָּה וַֽחֲמֹֽרֵיהֶֽם:
4They had exited the city, but had not gone far when Joseph said to the overseer of his house, "Get up, pursue the men, and when you overtake them, say to them, 'Why have you repaid good with evil? דהֵ֠ם יָֽצְא֣וּ אֶת־הָעִיר֘ לֹ֣א הִרְחִ֒יקוּ֒ וְיוֹסֵ֤ף אָמַר֙ לַֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־בֵּית֔וֹ ק֥וּם רְדֹ֖ף אַֽחֲרֵ֣י הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֑ים וְהִשַּׂגְתָּם֙ וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֣ אֲלֵהֶ֔ם לָ֛מָּה שִׁלַּמְתֶּ֥ם רָעָ֖ה תַּ֥חַת טוֹבָֽה:
5Is not this the one my master drinks from? Why, he even divines with it! You have done evil by the way you have acted.' " ההֲל֣וֹא זֶ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִשְׁתֶּ֤ה אֲדֹנִי֙ בּ֔וֹ וְה֕וּא נַחֵ֥שׁ יְנַחֵ֖שׁ בּ֑וֹ הֲרֵֽעֹתֶ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר עֲשִׂיתֶֽם:
6He overtook them, and he said these words to them. ווַיַּשִּׂגֵ֑ם וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר אֲלֵהֶ֔ם אֶת־הַדְּבָרִ֖ים הָאֵֽלֶּה:
7And they said to him, "Why should my master say such words as these? Far be it from your servants to do a thing like this! זוַיֹּֽאמְר֣וּ אֵלָ֔יו לָ֚מָּה יְדַבֵּ֣ר אֲדֹנִ֔י כַּדְּבָרִ֖ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה חָלִ֨ילָה֙ לַֽעֲבָדֶ֔יךָ מֵֽעֲשׂ֖וֹת כַּדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּֽה:
Far be it from your servants: Heb. חָלִילָה, it is profane for us (חוּלִין), an expression of disgrace. The Targum renders: חַס לְעַבְדָ, may your servants be spared, [i.e.,] may the Holy One, blessed be He, spare us from doing this. [May He never allow us to do such a thing!] There are many such expressions in the Talmud: חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, God forbid. חלילה לעבדיך: חולין הוא לנו, לשון גנאי. ותרגום חס לעבדיך, חס מאת הקב"ה יהי עלינו מעשות זאת והרבה חס ושלום יש בתלמוד בלשון הזה:
8Behold, the money we found in the mouth of our sacks we returned to you from the land of Canaan; so how could we steal from your master's house silver or gold? חהֵ֣ן כֶּ֗סֶף אֲשֶׁ֤ר מָצָ֨אנוּ֙ בְּפִ֣י אַמְתְּחֹתֵ֔ינוּ הֱשִׁיבֹ֥נוּ אֵלֶ֖יךָ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן וְאֵ֗יךְ נִגְנֹב֙ מִבֵּ֣ית אֲדֹנֶ֔יךָ כֶּ֖סֶף א֥וֹ זָהָֽב:
Behold, the money, etc.: This is one of the ten a fortiori conclusions (deductions from minor to major) mentioned in the Torah, and they are all enumerated in Gen. Rabbah (92:7). 10. הן כסף אשר מצאנו: זה אחד מעשרה קל וחומר האמורים בתורה. וכולן מנויין בבראשית רבה (צב ז):
9Whichever one of your servants with whom it is found shall die, and also we will be slaves to my master." טאֲשֶׁ֨ר יִמָּצֵ֥א אִתּ֛וֹ מֵֽעֲבָדֶ֖יךָ וָמֵ֑ת וְגַם־אֲנַ֕חְנוּ נִֽהְיֶ֥ה לַֽאדֹנִ֖י לַֽעֲבָדִֽים:
10And he said, "Now indeed, so it is as you have spoken. [But] the one with whom it is found shall be my slave, and you shall be cleared." יוַיֹּ֕אמֶר גַּם־עַתָּ֥ה כְדִבְרֵיכֶ֖ם כֶּן־ה֑וּא אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִמָּצֵ֤א אִתּוֹ֙ יִֽהְיֶה־לִּ֣י עָ֔בֶד וְאַתֶּ֖ם תִּֽהְי֥וּ נְקִיִּֽם:
And he said, “Now indeed…”: Indeed, according to the law, it is as you have spoken, that you are all liable in this matter. I.e., [if there are] ten people, [and] in the possession of one a stolen article is found, they are all imprisoned. I will not treat you according to the strict letter of the law, however. [Instead, only] “the one with whom it (the goblet) is found shall be my slave.” - [from Gen. Rabbah 92:7] גם עתה כדבריכם: אף זו מן הדין, אמת כדבריכם כן הוא שכולכם חייבים בדבר, עשרה שנמצאת גניבה ביד אחד מהם כולם נתפשים, אבל אני אעשה לכם לפנים משורת הדין, אשר ימצא אתו יהיה לי עבד:
11So they hastened, and each one lowered his sack to the ground, and each one opened his sack. יאוַיְמַֽהֲר֗וּ וַיּוֹרִ֛דוּ אִ֥ישׁ אֶת־אַמְתַּחְתּ֖וֹ אָ֑רְצָה וַיִּפְתְּח֖וּ אִ֥ישׁ אַמְתַּחְתּֽוֹ:
12He searched; he started with the eldest and finished with the youngest, and the goblet was found in Benjamin's sack. יבוַיְחַפֵּ֕שׂ בַּגָּד֣וֹל הֵחֵ֔ל וּבַקָּטֹ֖ן כִּלָּ֑ה וַיִּמָּצֵא֙ הַגָּבִ֔יעַ בְּאַמְתַּ֖חַת בִּנְיָמִֽן:
he started with the eldest: so that they would not detect that he knew where it was. — [from Gen. Rabbah 92:8] בגדול החל: שלא ירגישו בו שהיה יודע היכן הוא:
13So they rent their garments, and each one loaded his donkey, and they returned to the city. יגוַיִּקְרְע֖וּ שִׂמְלֹתָ֑ם וַיַּֽעֲמֹס֙ אִ֣ישׁ עַל־חֲמֹר֔וֹ וַיָּשֻׁ֖בוּ הָעִֽירָה:
and each one loaded his donkey: They were very strong men, and they did not have to assist each other to load [the donkeys]. — [from Midrash Tanchuma, Mikeitz 10] ויעמס איש על חמורו: בעלי זרוע היו ולא הוצרכו לסייע זה את זה לטעון:
and they returned to the city: It was [in fact] a [major] metropolis. So why does the Torah say,“to the city,” meaning a city of any size? Because it was of no more importance to them (the brothers) than an average-sized city (village) of ten people as regards [to fighting a] war. — [from Gen. Rabbah 92:8] וישבו העירה: מטרפולין היתה והוא אומר העירה, עיר כל שהיא, אלא שלא היתה חשובה בעיניהם אלא כעיר בינונית של עשרה בני אדם לענין המלחמה:
14And Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's house, and he was still there, and they fell before him upon the ground. ידוַיָּבֹ֨א יְהוּדָ֤ה וְאֶחָיו֙ בֵּ֣יתָה יוֹסֵ֔ף וְה֖וּא עוֹדֶ֣נּוּ שָׁ֑ם וַיִּפְּל֥וּ לְפָנָ֖יו אָֽרְצָה:
and he was still there: for he was waiting for them. — [from Midrash Tanchuma, Mikeitz 10] עודנו שם: שהיה ממתין להם:
15And Joseph said to them, "What is this deed that you have committed? Don't you know that a person like me practices divination?" טווַיֹּ֤אמֶר לָהֶם֙ יוֹסֵ֔ף מָֽה־הַמַּֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה הַזֶּ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר עֲשִׂיתֶ֑ם הֲל֣וֹא יְדַעְתֶּ֔ם כִּֽי־נַחֵ֧שׁ יְנַחֵ֛שׁ אִ֖ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר כָּמֹֽנִי:
Don’t you know that a person like me practices divination?: Don’t you know that a person as esteemed as I knows how to test and ascertain through knowledge, reason, and discernment that you stole the goblet?- [from Targum Onkelos] הלא ידעתם כי נחש ינחש וגו': הלא ידעתם כי איש חשוב כמוני יודע לנחש ולדעת מדעת ומסברא ובינה כי אתם גנבתם הגביע:
16And Judah said, "What shall we say to my master? What shall we speak, and how shall we exonerate ourselves? God has found your servants' iniquity, behold, we are my lord's servants, both we and the one in whose possession the goblet has been found." טזוַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוּדָ֗ה מַה־נֹּאמַר֙ לַֽאדֹנִ֔י מַה־נְּדַבֵּ֖ר וּמַה־נִּצְטַדָּ֑ק הָֽאֱלֹהִ֗ים מָצָא֙ אֶת־עֲוֹ֣ן עֲבָדֶ֔יךָ הִנֶּנּ֤וּ עֲבָדִים֙ לַֽאדֹנִ֔י גַּם־אֲנַ֕חְנוּ גַּ֛ם אֲשֶׁר־נִמְצָ֥א הַגָּבִ֖יעַ בְּיָדֽוֹ:
God has found: We know that we have not sinned, but this has come from the Omnipresent to bring this upon us. The Creditor has found a place to collect His debt. — [from Gen. Rabbah 92:9] הא-להים מצא: יודעים אנו שלא סרחנו, אבל מאת הקב"ה נהיתה להביא לנו זאת. מצא בעל חוב מקום לגבות שטר חובו:
and how shall we exonerate ourselves: Heb. נִצְטַדָּק, an expression of justice (צֶדֶק) . Similarly, every word whose radical begins with a “zaddi,” and is to be used in the form of “hithpa’el” or “nithpa’el” (the reflexive voice), a “teth” is substituted for the “tav” [of the “hithpa’el”] and it is not placed before the first letter of the radical but in the middle of the radical letters. E.g.,“shall we exonerate ourselves (נִצְטַדָּק),” from the root צדק, justice;“was drenched (יִצְטַבַּע)” (Dan. 4:30), from the root צבע, to drench;“and disguised as ambassadors (וַיִצְטַיָרוּ)” (Josh. 9:4), from the root of“a faithful emissary (צִיר)” (Prov. 13:17);“we took…for our provision (הִצְטַיַדְנוּ)” (Josh. 9:12) from the root of“provisions (צֵידָה) for the way” (Gen. 42:25). [In cont-rast, in the case of] a word whose radical begins with a “sammech” or “sin,” when it is used in the “hith-pa’el,” [it is] a “tav” [that] separates the letters of the radical, e.g.,“and the grasshopper will drag itself along (וְיִסְתַּבֵּל)” (Eccl. 12:5), from the root kcx;“I looked (מִסְתַּכֵּל) at these horns” (Dan. 7: 8), from the root סכל“And the statutes of Omri shall be observed (וְיִשְׁתַּמֵר)” (Micah 6:16), from the root שׁמר“and he who turns away from evil is considered mad (מִשְׁתּוֹלֵל)” (Isa. 59: 15), from the root of“He leads counselors away with madness (שׁוֹלָל)” (Job 12:17);“tread (מִסְתּוֹלֵל) upon My people” (Exod. 9:17), from the root of“a way that is not trodden (סְלוּלָה)” (Jer. 18:15). ומה נצטדק: לשון צדק, וכן כל תיבה שתחלת יסודה צד"י והיא באה לדבר בלשון מתפעל או נתפעל נותן טי"ת במקום תי"ו, ואינה נתנת לפני אות ראשונה של יסוד התיבה אלא באמצע אותיות העקר, כגון נצטדק מגזרת צדק, (דניאל ד ל) ויצטבע מגזרת צבע, (יהושע ט ד) ויצטירו מגזרת (משלי יג יז) ציר אמונים, (יהושע ט יב) הצטיידנו מגזרת (לעיל מב כה) צדה לדרך. ותיבה שתחלתה סמ"ך או שי"ן כשהיא מתפעלת התי"ו מפרדת את אותיות העקר, כגון (קהלת יב ה) ויסתבל החגב, מגזרת סבל, (דניאל ז ח) מסתכל הוית בקרניא, (מיכה ו טז) וישתמר חקות עמרי, מגזרת שמר, (ישעיה נט טו) וסר מרע משתולל, מגזרת (איוב יב יז) מוליך יועצים שולל, (שמות ט יז) מסתולל בעמי, מגזרת (ירמיה יח טו) דרך לא סלולה:
17But he said, "Far be it from me to do this! The man in whose possession the goblet was found he shall be my slave, but as for you go up in peace to your father." יזוַיֹּ֕אמֶר חָלִ֣ילָה לִּ֔י מֵֽעֲשׂ֖וֹת זֹ֑את הָאִ֡ישׁ אֲשֶׁר֩ נִמְצָ֨א הַגָּבִ֜יעַ בְּיָד֗וֹ ה֚וּא יִֽהְיֶה־לִּ֣י עָ֔בֶד וְאַתֶּ֕ם עֲל֥וּ לְשָׁל֖וֹם אֶל־אֲבִיכֶֽם:
• Daily Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 10 - 17
• Chapter 10
This psalm tells of the wicked one’s prosperity and his boasting of it, until he says: “There is neither law nor judge. God pays no attention to the actions of mere mortals.”
1. Why, O Lord, do You stand afar, do You hide Yourself in times of distress?
2. The wicked man in his arrogance pursues the poor; they are caught by the schemes they have contrived.
3. For the wicked man glories in the desire of his heart, and the robber boasts that he has scorned the Lord.
4. The wicked one in his insolence [thinks], “He does not avenge”; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”
5. His ways always succeed; Your retribution is far removed from before him; he puffs at all his foes.
6. He says in his heart, “I shall not falter; for all generations no evil will befall me.”
7. His mouth is full of oaths, deceit and malice; mischief and iniquity are under his tongue.
8. He sits in ambush near open cities; in hidden places he murders the innocent; his eyes stealthily watch for the helpless.
9. He lurks in hiding like a lion in his lair; he lurks to seize the poor, then seizes the poor when he draws his net.
10. He crouches and stoops, then the helpless fall prey to his might.
11. He says in his heart, “God has forgotten, He conceals His countenance, He will never see.”
12. Arise, O Lord! O God, lift Your hand! Do not forget the lowly.
13. Why does the wicked man scorn God? Because he says in his heart, “You do not avenge.”
14. Indeed, You do see! For You behold the mischief and vexation. To recompense is in Your power; the helpless place their trust in You; You have [always] helped the orphan.
15. Break the strength of the wicked; then search for the wickedness of the evil one and You will not find it.
16. The Lord reigns for all eternity; the nations have vanished from His land.
17. Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; direct their hearts, let Your ear listen,
18. to bring justice to the orphan and the downtrodden, so that [the wicked] shall no longer crush the frail of the earth.
Chapter 11
This psalm declares that the suffering of the righteous one is for his own benefit, to cleanse him of his sins; whereas the wicked one is granted prosperity in this world-similar to the verse, "Wealth remains with its owner, to his detriment."
1. For the Conductor, by David. I have placed my trust in the Lord; [thus] how can you say of my soul, your mountain,1 that it flees like a bird?2
2. For behold, the wicked bend the bow, they have readied their arrow upon the bowstring, to shoot in darkness at the upright of heart.
3. They destroyed the foundations; 3 what [wrong] has the righteous man done?
4. The Lord is in His holy Sanctuary, the Lord's throne is in heaven, [yet] His eyes behold, His pupils probe [the deeds of] mankind.
5. The Lord tests the righteous, but He hates the wicked and the lover of violence.
6. He will rain down upon the wicked fiery coals and brimstone; a scorching wind will be their allotted portion.
7. For the Lord is righteous, He loves [the man of] righteous deeds; the upright will behold His countenance.
FOOTNOTES
1.Your king (Metzudot).
2.And will eventually be captured by Saul (Metzudot).
3.Reffering to the murder of the priests in the city of Nob.
Chapter 12
This psalm admonishes informers, slanderers, and flatterers.
1. For the Conductor, upon the eight-stringed instrument, a psalm by David.
2. Help us, Lord, for the pious are no more; for the faithful have vanished from among men.
3. Men speak falsehood to one another; with flattering lips, with a duplicitous heart do they speak.
4. May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that speaks boastfully-
5. those who have said, "With our tongues we shall prevail, our lips are with us, who is master over us!”
6. Because of the plundering of the poor, because of the moaning of the needy, the Lord says, "Now I will arise!" "I will grant deliverance," He says to him.
7. The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in the finest earthen crucible, purified seven times.
8. May You, O Lord, watch over them; may You forever guard them from this generation,
9. [in which] the wicked walk on every side; when they are exalted it is a disgrace to mankind.
Chapter 13
A prayer for an end to the long exile. One in distress should offer this prayer for his troubles and for the length of the exile.
1. For the Conductor, a psalm by David.
2. How long, O Lord, will You forget me, forever? How long will You hide Your countenance from me?
3. How long must I seek counsel within my soul, [to escape] the grief in my heart all day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
4. Look! Answer me, O Lord, my God; give light to my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death.
5. Lest my enemy say, "I have overcome him," [and] my oppressors rejoice when I falter.
6. I have placed my trust in Your kindness, my heart will rejoice in Your deliverance. I will sing to the Lord, for He has dealt kindly with me.
Chapter 14
This psalm speaks of the destruction of the two Holy Temples-the first by Nebuchadnezzar, and the second by Titus.
1. For the Conductor, by David. The fool says in his heart, "There is no God!" [Man's] deeds have become corrupt and abominable, no one does good.
2. The Lord looked down from heaven upon mankind, to see if there was any wise man who searches for God.
3. They have all gone astray together, they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.
4. Indeed, all the evildoers, who devour My people as they devour bread, who do not call upon the Lord, will [ultimately] come to know [the consequences of their actions].
5. There they will be seized with fright, for God is with the righteous generation.
6. You scorn the counsel of the lowly, that he puts his trust in the Lord.
7. O that out of Zion would come Israel's deliverance! When the Lord returns the captivity of His people, Jacob will exult, Israel will rejoice.
Chapter 15
This psalm speaks of several virtues and attributes with which one should conduct oneself. He is then assured that his soul will rest in Gan Eden.
1. A psalm by David. Who may abide in Your tent, O Lord? Who may dwell on Your holy Mountain?
2. He who walks blamelessly, acts justly, and speaks truth in his heart;
3. who has no slander on his tongue, who has done his fellowman no evil, and who has brought no disgrace upon his relative;
4. in whose eyes a despicable person is abhorrent, but who honors those who are God-fearing; who does not change his oath even if it is to his own detriment;
5. who does not lend his money at interest, nor accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never falter.
Chapter 16
When one is in need, he should not implore God in his own merit, for he must leave his merits for his children.
1. A michtam,1 by David. Watch over me, O God, for I have put my trust in You.
2. You, [my soul,] have said to God, "You are my Master; You are not obligated to benefit me.”
3. For the sake of the holy ones who lie in the earth, and for the mighty-all my desires are fulfilled in their merit.
4. Those who hasten after other [gods], their sorrows shall increase; I will not offer their libations of blood, nor take their names upon my lips.
5. The Lord is my allotted portion and my share; You guide my destiny.
6. Portions have fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, a beautiful inheritance is mine.
7. I bless the Lord Who has advised me; even in the nights my intellect admonishes me.2
8. I have set the Lord before me at all times; because He is at my right hand, I shall not falter.
9. Therefore my heart rejoices and my soul exults; my flesh, too, rests secure.
10. For You will not abandon my soul to the grave, You will not allow Your pious one to see purgatory.
11. Make known to me the path of life, that I may be satiated with the joy of Your presence, with the bliss of Your right hand forever.
FOOTNOTES
1.A psalm that was especially precious to David
2.To fear and love God (Rashi)
Chapter 17
A loftily person should not ask God to test him with some sinful matter, or other things. If one has sinned, he should see to reform himself, and to save many others from sin.
1. A prayer by David. Hear my sincere [plea], O Lord; listen to my cry; give ear to my prayer, expressed by guileless lips.
2. Let my verdict come forth from before You; let Your eyes behold uprightness.
3. You have probed my heart, examined it in the night, tested me and found nothing; no evil thought crossed my mind; as are my words so are my thoughts.
4. So that [my] human deeds conform with the words of Your lips, I guard myself from the paths of the lawbreakers.
5. Support my steps in Your paths, so that my feet shall not falter.
6. I have called upon You, for You, O Lord, will answer me; incline Your ear to me, hear what I say.
7. Withhold Your kindness-O You who delivers with Your right hand those who put their trust in You-from those who rise up against [You].
8. Guard me like the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings
9. from the wicked who despoil me, [from] my mortal enemies who surround me.
10. Their fat has closed [their hearts]; their mouths speak arrogantly.
11. They encircle our footsteps; they set their eyes to make us stray from the earth.
12. His appearance is like a lion longing to devour, like a young lion lurking in hiding.
13. Arise, O Lord! Confront him, bring him to his knees; rescue my soul from the wicked [who serves as] Your sword.
14. Let me be among those whose death is by Your hand, O Lord, among those who die of old age, whose portion is eternal life and whose innards are filled with Your concealed goodness; who are sated with sons and leave their abundance to their offspring.
15. Because of my righteousness, I shall behold Your countenance; in the time of resurrection, I will be sated by Your image.
Tanya: Likutei Amarim, beginning of Chapter 6
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Shabbat, 2 Tevet, 5777 · 31 December 2016
• Likutei Amarim, beginning of Chapter 6
• In the previous chapters the Alter Rebbe discussed the divine soul; its ten faculties — three intellectual and seven emotional — and its three garments by which it expresses itself, namely, the thought, speech and action of Torah and the mitzvot.
• Rambam - Shabbat, 2 Tevet, 5777 · 31 December 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 213
Marriage
"When a man takes a wife and is intimate with her"—Deuteronomy 24:1.
It is a mitzvah for a man to marry a woman through kiddushin. Kiddushin is accomplished through one of three methods: a) The man giving the women an object of value [for the purpose of marriage]. b) The man giving the woman a marriage contract [a document upon which is written, "With this document I am marrying you"]. c) Through the man being intimate with the woman.
Full text of this Mitzvah »
• Marriage
Positive Commandment 213
Translated by Berel Bell
The 213th mitzvah is that we are commanded to acquire [by kiddushin1] a woman before2 marrying her [n'suin]: either by giving her something3 [of sufficient value]; by giving her a document [of marriage]; or by having marital relations [for the purpose of kiddushin]. This is the mitzvah of kiddushin.
This mitzvah is hinted to in the Torah in the verse,4 "When a man acquires a woman and has relations with her...." This implies that he can acquire her through having relations.
[That a document may be used is alluded to in the verse5 which states that after receiving a writ of divorce,] "She leaves...and may marry another man." [Since the divorce and the marriage are described together, they can be compared:] just as she leaves by means of a document, so too she may marry by means of a document.
So too, the use of money may be derived from the verse6 regarding a Jewish maidservant,7 [that upon reaching puberty, she goes free,] "without money." Our Sages explain,8 "There is no money received by this master, but another master does receive money. Who is this? The girl's father [who receives money when his daughter gets married]."9
However, only kiddushin by means of relations has the validity of a law m'dioraysa,10 as explained in many places in Kesuvos,11 Kiddushin,12 and Niddah.13 All the details of this law have been thoroughly explained in the designated tractate, i.e. Kiddushin.
Our Sages stated explicitly14 that kiddushin by means of relations is a Torah law. This statement proves that kiddushin counts as a law of the Torah.
FOOTNOTES
1.In Jewish law, there are two steps to a marriage, kiddushin and n'suin. After the first step, they are considered husband and wife, but they may not yet live together as such until after n'suin. During Talmudic times there was a twelve-month period between the two stages, but today they are performed together.
2.See Chinuch, mitzvah 539; Yad Halevi P213:1 (that this is also the Rambam's intention here); Kesef Mishneh, Hilchos Ishus, Ch. 1, end of Halachah 2 (as to the Rambam's description of this mitzvah as n'suin). According to Kapach, 5731, this phrase could be translated, "acquire a woman in order to live as husband and wife" (kinyan shel ishus).
3.This could be money or an object.
4.Deut. 24:1.
5.Deut. 24:2.
6.Ex. 21:11.
7.See P233.
8.Kiddushin 4a.
9.The Talmud compares the two parties who, at different times, could have control over the girl: her father, and her master, who has purchased her as a servant. The master, as the verse relates, need not receive money in order for her to be released from his control. Upon reaching puberty, she automatically goes free.
However, since only the case of the master is described in the verse, the Talmud derives that in the other case (the father), he does receive money when she is released from his control (i.e. through kiddushin). We therefore see that marriage can be effected by means of giving money.
10.According to many, the Rambam later changed his mind. See Haga'os Haramach, Kesef Mishneh, and other commentaries to Hilchos Ishus, beg. of Ch.1. Sefer Nashim, Kapach edition, 5747, note 5 (p.13). Sefer Hamitzvos, Kapach, 5731, P213, footnote 17.
11.3a.
12.Ch. 1, Mishneh 1.
13.Ch. 5, Mishneh 4.
14.Kiddushin 9b.
• Rambam - 1 Chapter: Gezelah va'Avedah Gezelah va'Avedah - Chapter One
• Gezelah va'Avedah - Chapter One
• Ishut - Chapter Two
• Shabbat, 2 Tevet, 5777 · 31 December 2016
• "Today's Day"
• Thursday, Tevet 2, Seventh Day of Chanuka, 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: Mikeitz, Chamishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 10-17.
Tanya: Therefore has the Torah (p. 15)...and its commandments (p. 17).
The campaign of the Greeks was aimed to "make them forget Your Torah and violate the decrees of Your will" (Sidur p. 59); as the Midrash (Bereishit Raba 16) puts it, (the Greeks demanded) "Write...that you have no share in the G-d of Israel." It was a war against G-d. "Let them study Torah," the Greeks implied. "Let them practice the justice-mitzvot and the 'testimonial' observances. But they must not mention that the Torah is G-d's Torah and the mitzvot are the decrees of His will. Torah and mitzvot must be severed from G-dliness."
• Daily Thought:
The Last War
Some people are waiting for a final, apocalyptic war.
But the final war is fought
not on battlefields,
nor at sea,
nor in the skies above.
Neither is it a war between leaders or nations.
The final war is fought in the heart of each human being,
with the armies of his or her deeds in this world.
The final war is the battle of Chanukah
and the miracle of light.
Chumash: Mikeitz, 7th Portion Genesis 43:30-44:17 with Rashi
• Genesis Chapter 43
30And Joseph hastened, for his mercy was stirred toward his brother, and he wanted to weep; so he went into the room and wept there. לוַיְמַהֵ֣ר יוֹסֵ֗ף כִּֽי־נִכְמְר֤וּ רַֽחֲמָיו֙ אֶל־אָחִ֔יו וַיְבַקֵּ֖שׁ לִבְכּ֑וֹת וַיָּבֹ֥א הַחַ֖דְרָה וַיֵּ֥בְךְּ שָֽׁמָּה:
for his mercy was stirred: He (Joseph) asked him (Benjamin), “Have you a brother from your mother?” He replied, “I had a brother, but I do not know where he is.” “Have you any sons?” He replied, “I have ten.” He asked, “And what are their names?” He replied, “Bela and Becher, etc.” He asked, “What is the significance of these names?” He replied,“All of them are connected to my brother and the troubles that befell him. [My first son was named] Bela because he (my brother) was swallowed up (נִבְלַע) among the nations. [My second son was named] Becher because he (my brother) was the firstborn (בְּכוֹר) of my mother. [My third son was named] Ashbel because God put him (my brother) into captivity (שְׁבָאו ֹאֵל). [My fourth son was named] Gera because he (my brother) was a stranger (נִתְגַּיֵר) in a lodging place. And [my fifth son was named] Na’aman because he (my brother) was very pleasant [to look upon] (נָעִים). [My sixth and seventh sons were named] Ehi and Rosh because he was my brother (אָחִי), and he was my superior (רֹאשִׁי). [My eighth son was named] Muppim because he (my brother) learned from the mouth of (מִפִּי) my father. [My ninth son was named] Huppim because he (my brother) did not see my wedding (חוּפָּתִי), neither did I see his wedding (חוּפָּתוֹ). And [my tenth son was named] Ard because he (my brother) descended (יָרַד) among the nations.” This is as stated in Tractate Sotah (36b). Immediately, his (Joseph’s) mercy was stirred. כי נכמרו רחמיו: שאלו יש לך אח מאם, אמר לו אח היה לי ואיני יודע היכן הוא. יש לך בנים, אמר לו יש לי עשרה, אמר לו ומה שמם, אמר לו (להלן מו כא) בלע ובכר וגו', אמר לו מה טיבן של שמות הללו, אמר לו כולם על שם אחי והצרות אשר מצאוהו, בלע שנבלע בין האומות. בכר שהיה בכור לאמי. אשבאל ששבאו אל. גרא שנתגייר באכסניא. ונעמן, שהיה נעים ביותר. אחי וראש אחי היה וראשי היה. מופים מפי אביו למד. וחופים שלא ראה חופתי ולא ראיתי אני חופתו. וארד שירד לבין האומות, כדאיתא במסכת סוטה (לו ב) מיד נכמרו רחמיו:
was stirred: Heb. נִכְמְרוּ, was heated. In the language of the Mishnah,“on a heating (כֹּמֶר) vessel of olives” (Sotah 74a), and in Aramaic,“because of the heating (מִכְמַר) of the meat” (Pes. 58a), and in the Scriptures,“Our skin is parched (נִכְמָרוּ) because of the heat of hunger” (Lam. 5:10). So is the way of all skin; when it is heated, it shrivels and shrinks. — [from Lam. Rabbah 5:10]. נכמרו: נתחממו, ובלשון משנה (ב"מ עד א) על הכומר של זיתים, ובלשון ארמי מכמר בשרא, ובמקרא (איכה ה י) עורנו כתנור נכמרו, נתחממו ונקמטו קמטים קמטים מפני זלעפות רעב. כן דרך כל עור כשמחממין אותו נקמט וכווץ:
31And he washed his face and came out, and he restrained himself and said, "Serve the food." לאוַיִּרְחַ֥ץ פָּנָ֖יו וַיֵּצֵ֑א וַיִּ֨תְאַפַּ֔ק וַיֹּ֖אמֶר שִׂ֥ימוּ לָֽחֶם:
and he restrained himself: Heb. וַיִתְאַפַּק, and he strengthened himself. וַיִתְאַפַּק is an expression of“the strong (אִפִיקֵי) shields” (Job 41:7), [meaning] strength, and similarly,“and loosens the belt of the strong (אִפִיקִים)” (ibid. 12:21). ויתאפק: נתאמץ. והוא לשון (איוב יב כא) ומזיח אפיקים רפה, וכן (איוב מא ז) אפיקי מגנים, חוזק:
32And they set for him separately and for them separately, and for the Egyptians who ate with him separately, because the Egyptians could not eat food with the Hebrews, because it is an abomination to the Egyptians. לבוַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּ ל֛וֹ לְבַדּ֖וֹ וְלָהֶ֣ם לְבַדָּ֑ם וְלַמִּצְרִ֞ים הָאֹֽכְלִ֤ים אִתּוֹ֙ לְבַדָּ֔ם כִּי֩ לֹ֨א יֽוּכְל֜וּן הַמִּצְרִ֗ים לֶֽאֱכֹ֤ל אֶת־הָֽעִבְרִים֙ לֶ֔חֶם כִּי־תֽוֹעֵבָ֥ה הִ֖וא לְמִצְרָֽיִם:
because it is an abomination to the Egyptians: It is a hateful thing for the Egyptians to eat with the Hebrews, and Onkelos gave the reason for the matter. כי תועבה הוא: דבר שנאוי הוא למצרים לאכול את העברים, ואונקלוס נתן טעם לדבר:
33They sat before him, the firstborn according to his age, and the youngest according to his youth, and the men looked at each other in astonishment. לגוַיֵּֽשְׁב֣וּ לְפָנָ֔יו הַבְּכֹר֙ כִּבְכֹ֣רָת֔וֹ וְהַצָּעִ֖יר כִּצְעִֽרָת֑וֹ וַיִּתְמְה֥וּ הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֖ים אִ֥ישׁ אֶל־רֵעֵֽהוּ:
the firstborn according to his age: He knocked his goblet and announced, “Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, sons of one mother, sit in this order, which is the order of your births,” and so [did he order] all of them. When he reached Benjamin, he said,“This one has no mother, and I have no mother. Let him sit beside me.” - [from Gen. Rabbah 93:7] הבכור כבכורתו: מכה בגביע וקורא ראובן שמעון לוי ויהודה יששכר וזבולון, בני אם אחת, הסבו כסדר הזה שהיא סדר תולדותיכם וכן כולם, כיון שהגיע לבנימין אמר זה אין לו אם ואני אין לי אם ישב אצלי:
34And he had portions brought to them from before him, and Benjamin's portion was five times as large as the portions of any of them, and they drank and became intoxicated with him. לדוַיִּשָּׂ֨א מַשְׂאֹ֜ת מֵאֵ֣ת פָּנָיו֘ אֲלֵהֶם֒ וַתֵּ֜רֶב מַשְׂאַ֧ת בִּנְיָמִ֛ן מִמַּשְׂאֹ֥ת כֻּלָּ֖ם חָמֵ֣שׁ יָד֑וֹת וַיִּשְׁתּ֥וּ וַיִּשְׁכְּר֖וּ עִמּֽוֹ:
portions: Heb. מַשְׂאֹת, meaning portions. — [from Targum Onkelos] משאת: מנות:
five times as large: His portion with his brothers, Joseph’s portion, and those of Asenath, Manasseh, and Ephraim. — [from Gen. Rabbah 92:5, Targum Jonathan] חמש ידות: חלקו עם אחיו ומשאת יוסף ואסנת ומנשה ואפרים:
and they drank and became intoxicated with him: Since the day that they had sold him, neither they nor he had drunk wine, but on that day they drank. — [from Gen. Rabbah 92:5] וישכרו עמו: ומיום שמכרוהו לא שתו יין, ולא הוא שתה יין, ואותו היום שתו:
Genesis Chapter 44
1Then he commanded the overseer of his house, saying, "Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man's money into the mouth of his sack. אוַיְצַ֞ו אֶת־אֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־בֵּיתוֹ֘ לֵאמֹר֒ מַלֵּ֞א אֶת־אַמְתְּחֹ֤ת הָֽאֲנָשִׁים֙ אֹ֔כֶל כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר יֽוּכְל֖וּן שְׂאֵ֑ת וְשִׂ֥ים כֶּֽסֶף־אִ֖ישׁ בְּפִ֥י אַמְתַּחְתּֽוֹ:
2And my goblet, the silver goblet, put into the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his purchase money." And he did according to Joseph's word, which he had spoken. בוְאֶת־גְּבִיעִ֞י גְּבִ֣יעַ הַכֶּ֗סֶף תָּשִׂים֙ בְּפִי֙ אַמְתַּ֣חַת הַקָּטֹ֔ן וְאֵ֖ת כֶּ֣סֶף שִׁבְר֑וֹ וַיַּ֕עַשׂ כִּדְבַ֥ר יוֹסֵ֖ף אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֵּֽר:
goblet: Heb. גְבִיעַ, a tall cup, called maderine (a long, narrow goblet). גביעי: כוס ארוך, וקורין לו מדירנ"א בלע"ז [כוס הדורה מעץ]:
3The morning became light, and the men were sent [on their way] they and their donkeys. גהַבֹּ֖קֶר א֑וֹר וְהָֽאֲנָשִׁ֣ים שֻׁלְּח֔וּ הֵ֖מָּה וַֽחֲמֹֽרֵיהֶֽם:
4They had exited the city, but had not gone far when Joseph said to the overseer of his house, "Get up, pursue the men, and when you overtake them, say to them, 'Why have you repaid good with evil? דהֵ֠ם יָֽצְא֣וּ אֶת־הָעִיר֘ לֹ֣א הִרְחִ֒יקוּ֒ וְיוֹסֵ֤ף אָמַר֙ לַֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־בֵּית֔וֹ ק֥וּם רְדֹ֖ף אַֽחֲרֵ֣י הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֑ים וְהִשַּׂגְתָּם֙ וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֣ אֲלֵהֶ֔ם לָ֛מָּה שִׁלַּמְתֶּ֥ם רָעָ֖ה תַּ֥חַת טוֹבָֽה:
5Is not this the one my master drinks from? Why, he even divines with it! You have done evil by the way you have acted.' " ההֲל֣וֹא זֶ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִשְׁתֶּ֤ה אֲדֹנִי֙ בּ֔וֹ וְה֕וּא נַחֵ֥שׁ יְנַחֵ֖שׁ בּ֑וֹ הֲרֵֽעֹתֶ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר עֲשִׂיתֶֽם:
6He overtook them, and he said these words to them. ווַיַּשִּׂגֵ֑ם וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר אֲלֵהֶ֔ם אֶת־הַדְּבָרִ֖ים הָאֵֽלֶּה:
7And they said to him, "Why should my master say such words as these? Far be it from your servants to do a thing like this! זוַיֹּֽאמְר֣וּ אֵלָ֔יו לָ֚מָּה יְדַבֵּ֣ר אֲדֹנִ֔י כַּדְּבָרִ֖ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה חָלִ֨ילָה֙ לַֽעֲבָדֶ֔יךָ מֵֽעֲשׂ֖וֹת כַּדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּֽה:
Far be it from your servants: Heb. חָלִילָה, it is profane for us (חוּלִין), an expression of disgrace. The Targum renders: חַס לְעַבְדָ, may your servants be spared, [i.e.,] may the Holy One, blessed be He, spare us from doing this. [May He never allow us to do such a thing!] There are many such expressions in the Talmud: חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, God forbid. חלילה לעבדיך: חולין הוא לנו, לשון גנאי. ותרגום חס לעבדיך, חס מאת הקב"ה יהי עלינו מעשות זאת והרבה חס ושלום יש בתלמוד בלשון הזה:
8Behold, the money we found in the mouth of our sacks we returned to you from the land of Canaan; so how could we steal from your master's house silver or gold? חהֵ֣ן כֶּ֗סֶף אֲשֶׁ֤ר מָצָ֨אנוּ֙ בְּפִ֣י אַמְתְּחֹתֵ֔ינוּ הֱשִׁיבֹ֥נוּ אֵלֶ֖יךָ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן וְאֵ֗יךְ נִגְנֹב֙ מִבֵּ֣ית אֲדֹנֶ֔יךָ כֶּ֖סֶף א֥וֹ זָהָֽב:
Behold, the money, etc.: This is one of the ten a fortiori conclusions (deductions from minor to major) mentioned in the Torah, and they are all enumerated in Gen. Rabbah (92:7). 10. הן כסף אשר מצאנו: זה אחד מעשרה קל וחומר האמורים בתורה. וכולן מנויין בבראשית רבה (צב ז):
9Whichever one of your servants with whom it is found shall die, and also we will be slaves to my master." טאֲשֶׁ֨ר יִמָּצֵ֥א אִתּ֛וֹ מֵֽעֲבָדֶ֖יךָ וָמֵ֑ת וְגַם־אֲנַ֕חְנוּ נִֽהְיֶ֥ה לַֽאדֹנִ֖י לַֽעֲבָדִֽים:
10And he said, "Now indeed, so it is as you have spoken. [But] the one with whom it is found shall be my slave, and you shall be cleared." יוַיֹּ֕אמֶר גַּם־עַתָּ֥ה כְדִבְרֵיכֶ֖ם כֶּן־ה֑וּא אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִמָּצֵ֤א אִתּוֹ֙ יִֽהְיֶה־לִּ֣י עָ֔בֶד וְאַתֶּ֖ם תִּֽהְי֥וּ נְקִיִּֽם:
And he said, “Now indeed…”: Indeed, according to the law, it is as you have spoken, that you are all liable in this matter. I.e., [if there are] ten people, [and] in the possession of one a stolen article is found, they are all imprisoned. I will not treat you according to the strict letter of the law, however. [Instead, only] “the one with whom it (the goblet) is found shall be my slave.” - [from Gen. Rabbah 92:7] גם עתה כדבריכם: אף זו מן הדין, אמת כדבריכם כן הוא שכולכם חייבים בדבר, עשרה שנמצאת גניבה ביד אחד מהם כולם נתפשים, אבל אני אעשה לכם לפנים משורת הדין, אשר ימצא אתו יהיה לי עבד:
11So they hastened, and each one lowered his sack to the ground, and each one opened his sack. יאוַיְמַֽהֲר֗וּ וַיּוֹרִ֛דוּ אִ֥ישׁ אֶת־אַמְתַּחְתּ֖וֹ אָ֑רְצָה וַיִּפְתְּח֖וּ אִ֥ישׁ אַמְתַּחְתּֽוֹ:
12He searched; he started with the eldest and finished with the youngest, and the goblet was found in Benjamin's sack. יבוַיְחַפֵּ֕שׂ בַּגָּד֣וֹל הֵחֵ֔ל וּבַקָּטֹ֖ן כִּלָּ֑ה וַיִּמָּצֵא֙ הַגָּבִ֔יעַ בְּאַמְתַּ֖חַת בִּנְיָמִֽן:
he started with the eldest: so that they would not detect that he knew where it was. — [from Gen. Rabbah 92:8] בגדול החל: שלא ירגישו בו שהיה יודע היכן הוא:
13So they rent their garments, and each one loaded his donkey, and they returned to the city. יגוַיִּקְרְע֖וּ שִׂמְלֹתָ֑ם וַיַּֽעֲמֹס֙ אִ֣ישׁ עַל־חֲמֹר֔וֹ וַיָּשֻׁ֖בוּ הָעִֽירָה:
and each one loaded his donkey: They were very strong men, and they did not have to assist each other to load [the donkeys]. — [from Midrash Tanchuma, Mikeitz 10] ויעמס איש על חמורו: בעלי זרוע היו ולא הוצרכו לסייע זה את זה לטעון:
and they returned to the city: It was [in fact] a [major] metropolis. So why does the Torah say,“to the city,” meaning a city of any size? Because it was of no more importance to them (the brothers) than an average-sized city (village) of ten people as regards [to fighting a] war. — [from Gen. Rabbah 92:8] וישבו העירה: מטרפולין היתה והוא אומר העירה, עיר כל שהיא, אלא שלא היתה חשובה בעיניהם אלא כעיר בינונית של עשרה בני אדם לענין המלחמה:
14And Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's house, and he was still there, and they fell before him upon the ground. ידוַיָּבֹ֨א יְהוּדָ֤ה וְאֶחָיו֙ בֵּ֣יתָה יוֹסֵ֔ף וְה֖וּא עוֹדֶ֣נּוּ שָׁ֑ם וַיִּפְּל֥וּ לְפָנָ֖יו אָֽרְצָה:
and he was still there: for he was waiting for them. — [from Midrash Tanchuma, Mikeitz 10] עודנו שם: שהיה ממתין להם:
15And Joseph said to them, "What is this deed that you have committed? Don't you know that a person like me practices divination?" טווַיֹּ֤אמֶר לָהֶם֙ יוֹסֵ֔ף מָֽה־הַמַּֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה הַזֶּ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר עֲשִׂיתֶ֑ם הֲל֣וֹא יְדַעְתֶּ֔ם כִּֽי־נַחֵ֧שׁ יְנַחֵ֛שׁ אִ֖ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר כָּמֹֽנִי:
Don’t you know that a person like me practices divination?: Don’t you know that a person as esteemed as I knows how to test and ascertain through knowledge, reason, and discernment that you stole the goblet?- [from Targum Onkelos] הלא ידעתם כי נחש ינחש וגו': הלא ידעתם כי איש חשוב כמוני יודע לנחש ולדעת מדעת ומסברא ובינה כי אתם גנבתם הגביע:
16And Judah said, "What shall we say to my master? What shall we speak, and how shall we exonerate ourselves? God has found your servants' iniquity, behold, we are my lord's servants, both we and the one in whose possession the goblet has been found." טזוַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוּדָ֗ה מַה־נֹּאמַר֙ לַֽאדֹנִ֔י מַה־נְּדַבֵּ֖ר וּמַה־נִּצְטַדָּ֑ק הָֽאֱלֹהִ֗ים מָצָא֙ אֶת־עֲוֹ֣ן עֲבָדֶ֔יךָ הִנֶּנּ֤וּ עֲבָדִים֙ לַֽאדֹנִ֔י גַּם־אֲנַ֕חְנוּ גַּ֛ם אֲשֶׁר־נִמְצָ֥א הַגָּבִ֖יעַ בְּיָדֽוֹ:
God has found: We know that we have not sinned, but this has come from the Omnipresent to bring this upon us. The Creditor has found a place to collect His debt. — [from Gen. Rabbah 92:9] הא-להים מצא: יודעים אנו שלא סרחנו, אבל מאת הקב"ה נהיתה להביא לנו זאת. מצא בעל חוב מקום לגבות שטר חובו:
and how shall we exonerate ourselves: Heb. נִצְטַדָּק, an expression of justice (צֶדֶק) . Similarly, every word whose radical begins with a “zaddi,” and is to be used in the form of “hithpa’el” or “nithpa’el” (the reflexive voice), a “teth” is substituted for the “tav” [of the “hithpa’el”] and it is not placed before the first letter of the radical but in the middle of the radical letters. E.g.,“shall we exonerate ourselves (נִצְטַדָּק),” from the root צדק, justice;“was drenched (יִצְטַבַּע)” (Dan. 4:30), from the root צבע, to drench;“and disguised as ambassadors (וַיִצְטַיָרוּ)” (Josh. 9:4), from the root of“a faithful emissary (צִיר)” (Prov. 13:17);“we took…for our provision (הִצְטַיַדְנוּ)” (Josh. 9:12) from the root of“provisions (צֵידָה) for the way” (Gen. 42:25). [In cont-rast, in the case of] a word whose radical begins with a “sammech” or “sin,” when it is used in the “hith-pa’el,” [it is] a “tav” [that] separates the letters of the radical, e.g.,“and the grasshopper will drag itself along (וְיִסְתַּבֵּל)” (Eccl. 12:5), from the root kcx;“I looked (מִסְתַּכֵּל) at these horns” (Dan. 7: 8), from the root סכל“And the statutes of Omri shall be observed (וְיִשְׁתַּמֵר)” (Micah 6:16), from the root שׁמר“and he who turns away from evil is considered mad (מִשְׁתּוֹלֵל)” (Isa. 59: 15), from the root of“He leads counselors away with madness (שׁוֹלָל)” (Job 12:17);“tread (מִסְתּוֹלֵל) upon My people” (Exod. 9:17), from the root of“a way that is not trodden (סְלוּלָה)” (Jer. 18:15). ומה נצטדק: לשון צדק, וכן כל תיבה שתחלת יסודה צד"י והיא באה לדבר בלשון מתפעל או נתפעל נותן טי"ת במקום תי"ו, ואינה נתנת לפני אות ראשונה של יסוד התיבה אלא באמצע אותיות העקר, כגון נצטדק מגזרת צדק, (דניאל ד ל) ויצטבע מגזרת צבע, (יהושע ט ד) ויצטירו מגזרת (משלי יג יז) ציר אמונים, (יהושע ט יב) הצטיידנו מגזרת (לעיל מב כה) צדה לדרך. ותיבה שתחלתה סמ"ך או שי"ן כשהיא מתפעלת התי"ו מפרדת את אותיות העקר, כגון (קהלת יב ה) ויסתבל החגב, מגזרת סבל, (דניאל ז ח) מסתכל הוית בקרניא, (מיכה ו טז) וישתמר חקות עמרי, מגזרת שמר, (ישעיה נט טו) וסר מרע משתולל, מגזרת (איוב יב יז) מוליך יועצים שולל, (שמות ט יז) מסתולל בעמי, מגזרת (ירמיה יח טו) דרך לא סלולה:
17But he said, "Far be it from me to do this! The man in whose possession the goblet was found he shall be my slave, but as for you go up in peace to your father." יזוַיֹּ֕אמֶר חָלִ֣ילָה לִּ֔י מֵֽעֲשׂ֖וֹת זֹ֑את הָאִ֡ישׁ אֲשֶׁר֩ נִמְצָ֨א הַגָּבִ֜יעַ בְּיָד֗וֹ ה֚וּא יִֽהְיֶה־לִּ֣י עָ֔בֶד וְאַתֶּ֕ם עֲל֥וּ לְשָׁל֖וֹם אֶל־אֲבִיכֶֽם:
• Daily Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 10 - 17
• Chapter 10
This psalm tells of the wicked one’s prosperity and his boasting of it, until he says: “There is neither law nor judge. God pays no attention to the actions of mere mortals.”
1. Why, O Lord, do You stand afar, do You hide Yourself in times of distress?
2. The wicked man in his arrogance pursues the poor; they are caught by the schemes they have contrived.
3. For the wicked man glories in the desire of his heart, and the robber boasts that he has scorned the Lord.
4. The wicked one in his insolence [thinks], “He does not avenge”; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”
5. His ways always succeed; Your retribution is far removed from before him; he puffs at all his foes.
6. He says in his heart, “I shall not falter; for all generations no evil will befall me.”
7. His mouth is full of oaths, deceit and malice; mischief and iniquity are under his tongue.
8. He sits in ambush near open cities; in hidden places he murders the innocent; his eyes stealthily watch for the helpless.
9. He lurks in hiding like a lion in his lair; he lurks to seize the poor, then seizes the poor when he draws his net.
10. He crouches and stoops, then the helpless fall prey to his might.
11. He says in his heart, “God has forgotten, He conceals His countenance, He will never see.”
12. Arise, O Lord! O God, lift Your hand! Do not forget the lowly.
13. Why does the wicked man scorn God? Because he says in his heart, “You do not avenge.”
14. Indeed, You do see! For You behold the mischief and vexation. To recompense is in Your power; the helpless place their trust in You; You have [always] helped the orphan.
15. Break the strength of the wicked; then search for the wickedness of the evil one and You will not find it.
16. The Lord reigns for all eternity; the nations have vanished from His land.
17. Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; direct their hearts, let Your ear listen,
18. to bring justice to the orphan and the downtrodden, so that [the wicked] shall no longer crush the frail of the earth.
Chapter 11
This psalm declares that the suffering of the righteous one is for his own benefit, to cleanse him of his sins; whereas the wicked one is granted prosperity in this world-similar to the verse, "Wealth remains with its owner, to his detriment."
1. For the Conductor, by David. I have placed my trust in the Lord; [thus] how can you say of my soul, your mountain,1 that it flees like a bird?2
2. For behold, the wicked bend the bow, they have readied their arrow upon the bowstring, to shoot in darkness at the upright of heart.
3. They destroyed the foundations; 3 what [wrong] has the righteous man done?
4. The Lord is in His holy Sanctuary, the Lord's throne is in heaven, [yet] His eyes behold, His pupils probe [the deeds of] mankind.
5. The Lord tests the righteous, but He hates the wicked and the lover of violence.
6. He will rain down upon the wicked fiery coals and brimstone; a scorching wind will be their allotted portion.
7. For the Lord is righteous, He loves [the man of] righteous deeds; the upright will behold His countenance.
FOOTNOTES
1.Your king (Metzudot).
2.And will eventually be captured by Saul (Metzudot).
3.Reffering to the murder of the priests in the city of Nob.
Chapter 12
This psalm admonishes informers, slanderers, and flatterers.
1. For the Conductor, upon the eight-stringed instrument, a psalm by David.
2. Help us, Lord, for the pious are no more; for the faithful have vanished from among men.
3. Men speak falsehood to one another; with flattering lips, with a duplicitous heart do they speak.
4. May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that speaks boastfully-
5. those who have said, "With our tongues we shall prevail, our lips are with us, who is master over us!”
6. Because of the plundering of the poor, because of the moaning of the needy, the Lord says, "Now I will arise!" "I will grant deliverance," He says to him.
7. The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in the finest earthen crucible, purified seven times.
8. May You, O Lord, watch over them; may You forever guard them from this generation,
9. [in which] the wicked walk on every side; when they are exalted it is a disgrace to mankind.
Chapter 13
A prayer for an end to the long exile. One in distress should offer this prayer for his troubles and for the length of the exile.
1. For the Conductor, a psalm by David.
2. How long, O Lord, will You forget me, forever? How long will You hide Your countenance from me?
3. How long must I seek counsel within my soul, [to escape] the grief in my heart all day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
4. Look! Answer me, O Lord, my God; give light to my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death.
5. Lest my enemy say, "I have overcome him," [and] my oppressors rejoice when I falter.
6. I have placed my trust in Your kindness, my heart will rejoice in Your deliverance. I will sing to the Lord, for He has dealt kindly with me.
Chapter 14
This psalm speaks of the destruction of the two Holy Temples-the first by Nebuchadnezzar, and the second by Titus.
1. For the Conductor, by David. The fool says in his heart, "There is no God!" [Man's] deeds have become corrupt and abominable, no one does good.
2. The Lord looked down from heaven upon mankind, to see if there was any wise man who searches for God.
3. They have all gone astray together, they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.
4. Indeed, all the evildoers, who devour My people as they devour bread, who do not call upon the Lord, will [ultimately] come to know [the consequences of their actions].
5. There they will be seized with fright, for God is with the righteous generation.
6. You scorn the counsel of the lowly, that he puts his trust in the Lord.
7. O that out of Zion would come Israel's deliverance! When the Lord returns the captivity of His people, Jacob will exult, Israel will rejoice.
Chapter 15
This psalm speaks of several virtues and attributes with which one should conduct oneself. He is then assured that his soul will rest in Gan Eden.
1. A psalm by David. Who may abide in Your tent, O Lord? Who may dwell on Your holy Mountain?
2. He who walks blamelessly, acts justly, and speaks truth in his heart;
3. who has no slander on his tongue, who has done his fellowman no evil, and who has brought no disgrace upon his relative;
4. in whose eyes a despicable person is abhorrent, but who honors those who are God-fearing; who does not change his oath even if it is to his own detriment;
5. who does not lend his money at interest, nor accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never falter.
Chapter 16
When one is in need, he should not implore God in his own merit, for he must leave his merits for his children.
1. A michtam,1 by David. Watch over me, O God, for I have put my trust in You.
2. You, [my soul,] have said to God, "You are my Master; You are not obligated to benefit me.”
3. For the sake of the holy ones who lie in the earth, and for the mighty-all my desires are fulfilled in their merit.
4. Those who hasten after other [gods], their sorrows shall increase; I will not offer their libations of blood, nor take their names upon my lips.
5. The Lord is my allotted portion and my share; You guide my destiny.
6. Portions have fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, a beautiful inheritance is mine.
7. I bless the Lord Who has advised me; even in the nights my intellect admonishes me.2
8. I have set the Lord before me at all times; because He is at my right hand, I shall not falter.
9. Therefore my heart rejoices and my soul exults; my flesh, too, rests secure.
10. For You will not abandon my soul to the grave, You will not allow Your pious one to see purgatory.
11. Make known to me the path of life, that I may be satiated with the joy of Your presence, with the bliss of Your right hand forever.
FOOTNOTES
1.A psalm that was especially precious to David
2.To fear and love God (Rashi)
Chapter 17
A loftily person should not ask God to test him with some sinful matter, or other things. If one has sinned, he should see to reform himself, and to save many others from sin.
1. A prayer by David. Hear my sincere [plea], O Lord; listen to my cry; give ear to my prayer, expressed by guileless lips.
2. Let my verdict come forth from before You; let Your eyes behold uprightness.
3. You have probed my heart, examined it in the night, tested me and found nothing; no evil thought crossed my mind; as are my words so are my thoughts.
4. So that [my] human deeds conform with the words of Your lips, I guard myself from the paths of the lawbreakers.
5. Support my steps in Your paths, so that my feet shall not falter.
6. I have called upon You, for You, O Lord, will answer me; incline Your ear to me, hear what I say.
7. Withhold Your kindness-O You who delivers with Your right hand those who put their trust in You-from those who rise up against [You].
8. Guard me like the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings
9. from the wicked who despoil me, [from] my mortal enemies who surround me.
10. Their fat has closed [their hearts]; their mouths speak arrogantly.
11. They encircle our footsteps; they set their eyes to make us stray from the earth.
12. His appearance is like a lion longing to devour, like a young lion lurking in hiding.
13. Arise, O Lord! Confront him, bring him to his knees; rescue my soul from the wicked [who serves as] Your sword.
14. Let me be among those whose death is by Your hand, O Lord, among those who die of old age, whose portion is eternal life and whose innards are filled with Your concealed goodness; who are sated with sons and leave their abundance to their offspring.
15. Because of my righteousness, I shall behold Your countenance; in the time of resurrection, I will be sated by Your image.
Tanya: Likutei Amarim, beginning of Chapter 6
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Shabbat, 2 Tevet, 5777 · 31 December 2016
• Likutei Amarim, beginning of Chapter 6
• In the previous chapters the Alter Rebbe discussed the divine soul; its ten faculties — three intellectual and seven emotional — and its three garments by which it expresses itself, namely, the thought, speech and action of Torah and the mitzvot.
He explained that the garments of the divine soul are actually on a higher level than the soul itself, inasmuch as Torah and G‑d are one, and that by “clothing” itself in these garments, i.e., by studying the Torah and by performing the mitzvot, the soul is united with G‑d. This is particularly true of Torah study, in which the soul both embraces and is embraced by the G‑dliness contained in Torah.
In ch. 6 the Alter Rebbe begins to discuss the animal soul. He explains that its structure exactly parallels that of the divine soul; it too has ten faculties and three garments; only, unlike the divine soul, the substance of the animal soul is kelipah, and its faculties and garments are impurity. By clothing itself in these garments the animal soul descends to an even lower state of impurity.
Concerning the concept of kelipah, we have noted in ch. 1 that al- though all existence was created by and receives its life from G‑dliness, yet, in order that man be able to choose between good and evil, and that he earn his reward by serving his Creator by his own effort, G‑d created forces of impurity which conceal the G‑dliness in all of creation. These forces are called kelipah (plural: kelipot), literally meaning “shells” or “peels”: Just as the shell conceals the fruit, so do the forces of kelipah conceal the G‑dliness in every created being.
There are two categories in kelipot: kelipat nogah (lit. “a kelipah [inclusive] of light”), and “the three unclean kelipot.”
The first category, kelipat nogah, contains some measure of good. It is thus an intermediary level between the realms of good and evil, and whatever receives its vitality via the concealing screen of this kelipah may be utilized for either good or evil. To this category belong all permitted physical objects; they may be used for a mitzvah and ascend thereby to the realm of holiness, or they may be used sinfully, G‑d forbid, and thereby be further degraded.
The second category — consisting of the “three impure kelipot” — is wholly evil. Whatever receives its vitality via the concealment of this type of kelipah cannot be transformed into holiness, nor, in some cases, may it even be used in the service of holiness. To this category belong all forbidden physical objects; whether forbidden only for consumption, in which case they cannot be transformed into holiness but they may serve it, or whether forbidden for any form of benefit, in which case they cannot even serve any holy purpose.
והנה זה לעומת זה עשה אלקים
1“The Almighty has created one thing opposite the other.”
Everything in the realm of holiness has its counterpart in kelipah. In our context, the animal soul, with its faculties and garments, is the counterpart (in kelipah) of the divine soul, with its faculties and garments.
כי, כמו שנפש האלקית כלולה מעשר ספירות קדושות ומתלבשת בשלשה לבושים קדושים
Just as the divine soul consists of ten holy [faculties, which correspond to the Ten Supernal] Sefirot, and is clothed in three holy garments, i.e., the thought, speech and action of Torah and the mitzvot,
כך הנפש דסטרא אחרא מקליפות נוגה המלובשת בדם האדם
so, too, the soul of sitra achra (defined further in this chapter) derived from kelipat nogah, which is clothed in man’s blood — as explained in ch. 1, the animal soul is clothed in the blood, and thereby animates the body — this soul too
כלולה מעשר כתרין דמסאבותא
consists of ten2 “crowns of impurity,” i.e., the faculties of kelipah, called “crowns” in kabbalistic terminology.
שהן שבע מדות רעות
These ten faculties are: seven evil middot (seven emotional traits),
e.g., lust, the equivalent in kelipah of the middah of Chesed (“kindness”); anger, which expresses the middah of Gevurah (“severity”); boastfulness, the equivalent of Tiferet (“beauty”); and so forth,
הבאות מארבעה יסודות רעים הנזכרים לעיל
which stem from the four evil elements mentioned above (in ch. 1),
Spiritual entities have their “elements” as physical objects do; in this case evil elements, since this is a soul of kelipah.
ושכל המולידן הנחלק לשלש, שהן חכמה בינה ודעת, מקור המדות
and the intellect (seichel) which gives birth to these [seven evil middot], which is subdivided into three, viz., Chochmah, Binah and Daat, the source of the middot.
כי המדות הן לפי ערך השכל
The intellectual faculties are described as the source of the evil middot for the middot are commensurate with the quality of one’s intellect.
כי הקטן חושק ואוהב דברים קטנים פחותי הערך, לפי ששכלו קטן וקצר להשיג דברים יקרים יותר מהם
A child desires and loves (i.e., he expresses his middah of Chesed towards) petty things of little value, for his intellect is too immature and deficient to appreciate more valuable things.
וכן מתכעס ומתקצף מדברים קטנים, וכן בהתפארות ושאר מדות
Similarly with regard to the middah of Gevurah: he is angered and vexed by trivial things, and likewise with regard to boastfulness (which expresses the middah of Tiferet), and other middot.
This correlation between middot and intellect indicates that the intellect affects the nature and expression of middot, and for this reason, the three intellectual faculties are said to be the source of the seven middot.3
ועשר בחינות אלו הטמאות, כשאדם מחשב בהן או מדבר או עושה
Now these ten unclean categories, when a person thinks [thoughts originating from] them (e.g., when he thinks of ways of obtaining something he desires), or speaks words originating from them or does an act which serves or expresses them,
הרי מחשבתו שבמוחו ודבורו שבפיו וכח המעשה שבידיו ושאר איבריו, נקראים לבושי מסאבו לעשר בחינות אלו הטמאות
then the thought in his brain, the words in his mouth and the power of action in his hands and other organs, are called “impure garments” for these ten unclean categories,
שמתלבשות בהן בשעת מעשה או דבור או מחשבה
which clothe themselves in these garments, during the act, speech or thought.
But what sort of thoughts, words and action are the “garments” of the animal soul? Earlier, in ch. 4, we learned that the divine soul has specific thoughts, etc., in which it clothes itself, namely, thought, speech and action in matters of Torah and the mitzvot. Are we then to understand that the animal soul, too, has specific garments — sinful thoughts, words or actions, perhaps?
Not so, states the Alter Rebbe presently. All thoughts, words and acts that are not directed toward G‑d and the service of G‑d, even though they are not actually sinful, are garments of the kelipah, and hence, of the animal soul.
In his words:
והן הם כל המעשים אשר נעשים תחת השמש
These garments of the animal soul comprise all the deeds that are done under the sun (i.e., all mundane actions),
אשר הכל הבל ורעות רוח, וכמו שכתוב בזהר בשלח, שהן תבירו דרוחא כו׳
which are all4 “vanity and an affliction of the spirit,” as the Zohar5 (Parshat Beshallach) interprets this: “a ruination of the spirit [of holiness].”
וכן כל הדבורים וכל המחשבות אשר לא לה׳ המה ולרצונו ולעבודתו
Similarly, all words and all thoughts that are not directed to G‑d and to His Will and His service are all garments for the animal soul.
שזהו פירוש לשון סיטרא אחרא פירוש: צד אחר, שאינו צד הקדושה
For this is the meaning of the term sitra achra — literally “the other side,” i.e., not the side of holiness.
Thus, whatever does not belong to the realm of holiness is sitra achra. But what, in fact, does the realm of holiness encompass?
וצד הקדושה אינו אלא השראה והמשכה מקדושתו של הקדוש ברוך הוא
The side of holiness is nothing but the indwelling and extension of G‑d’s holiness.
ואין הקדוש ברוך הוא שורה אלא על דבר שבטל אצלו יתברך, בין בפועל ממש, כמלאכים עליונים
Now, G‑d dwells only on that which is surrendered to Him, whether [the surrender is an] actual [one](and visible even in that surrendered being’s external aspects) as is the case with the supernal angels whose entire being is constantly and openly surrendered to G‑d
ובין בכח, ככל איש ישראל למטה, שבכחו להיות בטל ממש לגבי הקדוש ברוך הוא במסירת נפשו על קדושת ה׳
or whether [it is a] potential [surrender], as in the case of every Jew here below in this physical world, who has the capacity for surrendering himself completely before G‑d, through martyrdom for the sanctification of G‑d’s Name.
As explained further in the Tanya, every Jew has the capacity for such self-sacrifice; in the face of an attempt to coerce him to forsake Judaism he will willingly suffer martyrdom. Thus, every Jew possesses internally within his soul the potential for surrender to G‑d, whatever his external state; this potential, however, may reveal itself only in the act of martyrdom. Because he is surrendered to G‑d, G‑d’s holiness rests upon him.
ולכן אמרו רבותינו ז״ל שאפילו אחד שיושב ועוסק בתורה שכינה שרויה כו׳
That is why our Sages6 have said that “if even one individual sits and engages in Torah study, the Divine Presence rests upon him.”
For when one engages in Torah study his surrender to G‑dliness emerges, to affect him on a revealed, external level, since such study entails setting aside one’s own notions and presumptions in order to understand and accept G‑d’s wisdom and Will as expressed in Torah. It is this surrender to G‑dliness that causes the Divine Presence to rest upon the Torah student.
וכל בי עשרה שכינתא שריא לעולם
Also,7 “On each gathering of ten Jews the Divine Presence rests” always; together, ten Jews form a “congregation of Israel,” which is a fit abode for the Divine Presence.
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. | Kohelet 7:14. See Zohar III, 47b. |
| 2. | Ibid. 41a; 70a. |
| 3. | Comparison of the Alter Rebbe’s description here of the faculties of the animal soul, with his description — in ch. 3 — of the divine soul, yields several significant differences. In ch. 3 the seichel faculties are given first; here middot precede seichel. In both cases the seichel is said to be the source of middot; yet, whereas in ch. 3 this is explained to mean that seichel “gives birth” to middot, here it is stated only that middot are “commensurate” with the quality of seichel. These variations arise from the fundamental difference between the nature of the divine soul and of the animal soul. The divine soul is essentially intellective (wherefore it is called Adam, which, of the various Hebrew words for “man”, means “man, the intelligent being”). Its middot actually arise out of the seichel; i.e., its emotions of love and fear of G‑d stem from the seichel’s contemplation of His greatness. The animal soul, on the other hand, is essentially and instinctively passionate. It inclines naturally towards physical pleasures, and need not ponder their desirability in order to desire them. Here, the seichel serves merely to steer and channel the development of middot. Therefore the general quality of its middot reflects, and is commensurate with, the general state of its seichel. |
| 4. | Kohelet 1:14. |
| 5. | II, 59a. |
| 6. | Avot 3:6. |
| 7. | Sanhedrin 39a. |
• 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 213
Marriage
"When a man takes a wife and is intimate with her"—Deuteronomy 24:1.
It is a mitzvah for a man to marry a woman through kiddushin. Kiddushin is accomplished through one of three methods: a) The man giving the women an object of value [for the purpose of marriage]. b) The man giving the woman a marriage contract [a document upon which is written, "With this document I am marrying you"]. c) Through the man being intimate with the woman.
Full text of this Mitzvah »
• Marriage
Positive Commandment 213
Translated by Berel Bell
The 213th mitzvah is that we are commanded to acquire [by kiddushin1] a woman before2 marrying her [n'suin]: either by giving her something3 [of sufficient value]; by giving her a document [of marriage]; or by having marital relations [for the purpose of kiddushin]. This is the mitzvah of kiddushin.
This mitzvah is hinted to in the Torah in the verse,4 "When a man acquires a woman and has relations with her...." This implies that he can acquire her through having relations.
[That a document may be used is alluded to in the verse5 which states that after receiving a writ of divorce,] "She leaves...and may marry another man." [Since the divorce and the marriage are described together, they can be compared:] just as she leaves by means of a document, so too she may marry by means of a document.
So too, the use of money may be derived from the verse6 regarding a Jewish maidservant,7 [that upon reaching puberty, she goes free,] "without money." Our Sages explain,8 "There is no money received by this master, but another master does receive money. Who is this? The girl's father [who receives money when his daughter gets married]."9
However, only kiddushin by means of relations has the validity of a law m'dioraysa,10 as explained in many places in Kesuvos,11 Kiddushin,12 and Niddah.13 All the details of this law have been thoroughly explained in the designated tractate, i.e. Kiddushin.
Our Sages stated explicitly14 that kiddushin by means of relations is a Torah law. This statement proves that kiddushin counts as a law of the Torah.
FOOTNOTES
1.In Jewish law, there are two steps to a marriage, kiddushin and n'suin. After the first step, they are considered husband and wife, but they may not yet live together as such until after n'suin. During Talmudic times there was a twelve-month period between the two stages, but today they are performed together.
2.See Chinuch, mitzvah 539; Yad Halevi P213:1 (that this is also the Rambam's intention here); Kesef Mishneh, Hilchos Ishus, Ch. 1, end of Halachah 2 (as to the Rambam's description of this mitzvah as n'suin). According to Kapach, 5731, this phrase could be translated, "acquire a woman in order to live as husband and wife" (kinyan shel ishus).
3.This could be money or an object.
4.Deut. 24:1.
5.Deut. 24:2.
6.Ex. 21:11.
7.See P233.
8.Kiddushin 4a.
9.The Talmud compares the two parties who, at different times, could have control over the girl: her father, and her master, who has purchased her as a servant. The master, as the verse relates, need not receive money in order for her to be released from his control. Upon reaching puberty, she automatically goes free.
However, since only the case of the master is described in the verse, the Talmud derives that in the other case (the father), he does receive money when she is released from his control (i.e. through kiddushin). We therefore see that marriage can be effected by means of giving money.
10.According to many, the Rambam later changed his mind. See Haga'os Haramach, Kesef Mishneh, and other commentaries to Hilchos Ishus, beg. of Ch.1. Sefer Nashim, Kapach edition, 5747, note 5 (p.13). Sefer Hamitzvos, Kapach, 5731, P213, footnote 17.
11.3a.
12.Ch. 1, Mishneh 1.
13.Ch. 5, Mishneh 4.
14.Kiddushin 9b.
• Rambam - 1 Chapter: Gezelah va'Avedah Gezelah va'Avedah - Chapter One
• Gezelah va'Avedah - Chapter One
Introduction to Hilchos Gezelah va'Avedah
[This text] contains seven mitzvot: two positive commandments and five negative commandments. They are:
1) Not to rob;
2) Not to withhold money due a colleague;
3) Not to covet [what belongs to a colleague];
4) Not to desire [what belongs to a colleague];
5) To return an article obtained by robbery;
6) Not to ignore a lost article;
7) To return a lost article.
These mitzvot are explained in the chapters [that follow].
1) Not to rob;
2) Not to withhold money due a colleague;
3) Not to covet [what belongs to a colleague];
4) Not to desire [what belongs to a colleague];
5) To return an article obtained by robbery;
6) Not to ignore a lost article;
7) To return a lost article.
These mitzvot are explained in the chapters [that follow].
הלכות גזילה ואבידה - הקדמה
יש בכללן שבע מצות. שתי מצות עשה. וחמש מצות לא תעשה: וזה הוא פרטן:
א) שלא לגזול
ב) שלא לעשוק
ג) שלא לחמוד
ד) שלא להתאוות
ה) להשיב את הגזילה
ו) שלא יתעלם מן האבדה
ז) להשיב האבדה:
א) שלא לגזול
ב) שלא לעשוק
ג) שלא לחמוד
ד) שלא להתאוות
ה) להשיב את הגזילה
ו) שלא יתעלם מן האבדה
ז) להשיב האבדה:
וביאור מצות אלו בפרקים אלו:
1
Whoever robs an object worth a p'rutah from a colleague transgresses a negative commandment, as Leviticus 19:13 states: "Do not rob."
Violation of this negative commandment is not punished by lashes, because it can be corrected by the fulfillment of a positive commandment. For if a person robs, he is obligated to return what he obtained by robbery, as ibid. 5:23 states: "And he shall return the article he obtained by robbery." This is a positive commandment.
Even if the robber burned the object that he obtained by robbery, he is not punished by lashing, because he remains obligated to pay its value. And whenever the transgression of a negative commandment results in a financial penalty, it is not punished by lashing.
א
כל הגוזל את חבירו שוה פרוטה עובר בלא תעשה שנאמר לא תגזול. אין לוקין על לאו זה שהרי הכתוב נתקו לעשה שאם גזל א חייב להחזיר שנאמר והשיב את הגזלה אשר גזל זו מצות עשה. ב ואפילו שרף הגזלה אינו לוקה שהרי הוא חייב לשלם דמיה וכל לאו שניתן לתשלומין אין לוקין עליו:
2
It is forbidden to rob even the slightest amount.
It is forbidden even to rob or to withhold money from a gentile who worships idols. If one robs or withholds money from such a person, one must return it.
ב
ואסור לגזול כל שהוא דין תורה אפילו עכו"ם [א] אסור לגזלו או לעשקו. ואם גזלו או עשקו יחזיר:
3
What is meant by a robber? A person who takes by force property belonging to a colleague. For example, a person who seizes movable property from a colleague's hand, who enters a colleague's domain and takes utensils against his colleague's will, who seizes a colleague's servants or livestock and makes use of them, or who enters a colleague's field and eats his produce. These and any similar acts are considered robbery, as reflected by II Samuel 23:21, which states: "And he robbed the spear from the Egyptian."
ג
אי זהו גוזל זה הלוקח ממון האדם בחזקה כגון שחטף מידו מטלטלין או שנכנס לרשותו שלא ברצון הבעלים ונטל משם כלים. או שתקף בעבדו ובבהמתו ונשתמש בהן. או שירד לתוך שדהו ואכל פירותיה וכל כיוצא בזה הוא גוזל. כענין שנאמר ויגזול את החנית מיד המצרי:
4
What is meant by withholding a colleague's due? It refers to a person who was given money willingly by a colleague and then, when it was demanded of him, he forcefully maintained possession of it and refused to return it. For example, a person was given a loan or had hired a colleague, and when payment was demanded he forcefully refused to pay. Concerning this we were commanded, Leviticus 19:13: "Do not withhold money from your colleague."
ד
[ב] אי זהו עושק ד זה שבא ממון חבירו לתוך ידו ברצון הבעלים וכיון שתבעוהו כבש הממון אצלו בחזקה ולא החזירו. כגון שהיה לו ביד חבירו הלואה או שכירות והוא תובעו ואינו יכול להוציא ממנו מפני שהוא אלם וקשה. ועל זה נאמר לא תעשוק את רעך:
5
Whoever robs is obligated to return the article that he obtained by robbery itself, as it is written: "And he shall return the article he obtained by robbery." If this article was lost or underwent a change, the robber must pay its value. Whether he admits the robbery himself, or witnesses come and testify that he committed robbery, he is required to pay only the principal that he obtained by robbery.
Even if a person robbed a beam and used it in building a house, Scriptural Law requires that he tear down the entire building and return the beam to its owner, for the beam remained unchanged. Nevertheless, to encourage robbers to repent, our Sages ordained that the robber pay the worth of the beam and did not require him to destroy his building. The same applies in all similar situations.
Even if a person robbed a beam and used it in building a sukkah on Sukkot, and the owner came and demanded the return of the beam in the midst of the festival, the robber is required to pay only its value. After the conclusion of the festival, however, since the beam remains unchanged and it was not permanently affixed with mortar, the robber must return the beam itself.
ה
כל הגוזל חייב להחזיר הגזלה עצמה שנאמר והשיב את הגזלה אשר גזל. ואם אבדה או נשתנית משלם דמיה. בין שהודה מפי עצמו בין שבאו עליו עדים שגזל הרי זה חייב לשלם הקרן בלבד. אפילו גזל קורה ה ובנאה בבירה הואיל ולא נשתנית דין תורה הוא שיהרוס את כל הבנין ויחזיר קורה לבעליה. אבל תקנו חכמים מפני תקנת השבים שיהיה נותן את דמיה ולא יפסיד הבנין וכן כל כיוצא בזה. אפילו גזל קורה ועשאה בסוכת החג ובא בעל הקורה לתובעה בתוך החג נותן לו את דמיה. אבל אחר החג הואיל ולא נשתנית ולא בנאה בטיט מחזיר את הקורה עצמה:
6
When a person robs something worth less than a p'rutah, although he has committed a transgression, he is not required to return the article he obtained by robbery.
If a person robbed three bundles of vegetables or of branches that were originally worth three p'rutot, and their value decreased so that the three are now worth only two p'rutot, it is not sufficient for him to return two bundles. He is obligated to return the third, for it was originally worth a p'rutah.
If the person robbed two items together worth a p'rutah and returned one of them, he is not considered to possess an article that was robbed, nor has he an obligation to return the item that was robbed.
ו
הגוזל פחות משוה פרוטה [ג] אע"פ שעבר אינו בתורת השבת גזלה. גזל שלש אגודות שוות שלש פרוטות והוזלו והרי שלשתן שוות שתי פרוטות והחזיר לו שתים חייב להחזיר השלישית הואיל ובתחלה היתה שוה פרוטה. גזל שתים שוות פרוטה והחזיר אחת גזלה אין כאן מצות השבת גזלה אין כאן:
7
When a person robs from a colleague in a settled region, and in the desert offers to return the article that he obtained by robbery, the option is given to the person who was robbed. If he desires, he may take his article. If not, he may tell the robber: "I will accept the return of the article only in a settled region, lest it be taken from me here by powers beyond my control."
In such an instance, the article remains the responsibility of the robber until he returns it to the person in a settled region. The same principles apply with regard to payment for a robbed article.
ז
הגוזל את חבירו א בישוב והחזיר לו גזלתו במדבר [ד] הרשות ביד הנגזל אם רצה נוטל ואם לאו אומר לו איני נוטל אלא בישוב שמא תאנס ממני כאן והרי היא ברשות הגזלן ובאחריותו עד שיחזירנה לו בישוב וכן בדמי הגזלה:
8
When a person robs money from a colleague and returns it by including it in change he returns to the person whom he robbed, he fulfills the obligation of returning the article he obtained by robbery.
Moreover, even if the robber returned the money to a wallet belonging to the owner that contains money, he fulfills his obligation, because a person usually checks his wallet at all times, and the owner will count the money that was returned together with his money. The rationale is that an accounting that is made without the owner's having been informed of the money's return is sufficient.
If the robber returned the money that he obtained by robbery to a wallet that is empty, he does not fulfill his obligation. He remains responsible for the money he obtained by robbery] until he informs the owner that he returned the money to that particular wallet.
ח
הגוזל את חבירו והבליע לו בחשבון יצא. ואם החזיר לכיסו שיש בו מעות יצא שאדם עשוי למשמש בכיסו בכל שעה והרי מנה המעות שהחזיר לו בכלל מעותיו ומנין שלא מדעת פוטר. ואם החזיר לכיס שאין בו כלום לא יצא וחייב באחריות הגזלה עד שיודיעו שהחזיר לכיס פלוני:
9
Anyone who covets a servant, a maidservant, a house or utensils that belong to a colleague, or any other article that he can purchase from him and pressures him with friends and requests until he agrees to sell it to him, violates a negative commandment,even though he pays much money for it, as Exodus 20:14 states: "Do not covet."
The violation of this commandment is not punished by lashes, because it does not involve a deed. One does not violate this commandment until one actually takes the article he covets, as reflected by Deuteronomy 7:25: "Do not covet the gold and silver on these statues and take it for yourself." Implied is that the Hebrew tachmod refers to coveting accompanied by a deed.
ט
כל החומד עבדו או אמתו או ביתו וכליו של חבירו או דבר שאפשר לו שיקנהו ממנו והכביר עליו ברעים והפציר בו עד שלקחו ממנו אף על פי שנתן לו
10
Anyone who desires a home, a wife, utensils, or anything else belonging to a colleague that he can acquire from him, violates a negative commandment at the time he thinks in his heart, "How is it possible to acquire this from him?" and his heart is aroused by the matter, as Deuteronomy 5:18 states: "Do not desire...." Desire refers to feelings in the heart alone.
י
כל המתאוה ביתו או אשתו וכליו של חבירו וכן כל כיוצא בהן משאר דברים שאפשר לו לקנותן ממנו. כיון שחשב בלבו היאך יקנה דבר זה ונפתה בלבו בדבר עבר בלא תעשה שנאמר לא תתאוה ואין תאוה אלא בלב בלבד:
11
Desire leads to coveting and coveting leads to robbery.For if the owners do not desire to sell despite the offer of much money and many supplications by friends, the person motivated by desire will be moved to robbery, as Michah 2:2 states: "They coveted houses and stole."
And if the owner stands up against them to save his property, or in another way prevents the person motivated by desire from robbing, he will be moved to murder. Take, for example, the narrative of Ach'av and Navot.
יא
התאוה מביאה לידי חימוד והחימוד מביא לידי גזל. שאם לא רצו הבעלים למכור אע"פ שהרבה להם בדמים והפציר ברעים יבא לידי גזל שנאמר וחמדו בתים וגזלו. ואם עמדו הבעלים בפניו להציל ממונם או מנעוהו מלגזול יבא לידי שפיכות דמים. צא ולמד ממעשה אחאב ונבות:
12
Thus, we see see that a person who desires another person's property violates one negative commandment. One who purchases an object he desires after pressuring the owners and repeatedly asking them, violates two negative commandments. For that reason, the Torah prohibits both desiring and coveting. If he takes the article by robbery, he violates three negative commandments.
יב
הא למדת שהמתאוה עובר בלאו אחד והקונה דבר שהתאוה בהפצר שהפציר בבעלים או בבקשה מהן עובר בשני [ו] לאוין לכך נאמר לא תחמוד ולא תתאוה. ואם גזל עבר בשלשה לאוין:
13
Whenever a person robs a colleague of even a p'rutah's worth, he is considered as if he took his very soul, as Proverbs 1:19 states: "Such are the ways of those who are greedy. They take away the soul of the owner."
Notwithstanding the severity of this sin, if the article that was taken by robbery no longer exists, and a robber seeks to repent and comes of his own volition to return the value of the article he obtained by robbery, our Sages ordained that one should not accept it. Instead, the robber should be helped and forgiven, to make the path of repentance more accessible to those who wish to return. Our Sages did not look favorably on anyone who accepts payment for an article that was taken from him through robbery.
יג
כל הגוזל את חבירו שוה פרוטה כאילו נוטל נשמתו ממנו שנאמר כן ארחות כל בוצע בצע את נפש וגו'. ואעפ"כ אם לא היתה הגזלה קיימת ורצה הגזלן [ז] לעשות תשובה ובא מאליו והחזיר דמי הגזלה. תקנת חכמים היא שאין מקבלין ממנו אלא עוזרין אותו ומוחלין לו כדי לקרב הדרך הישרה על השבים. וכל המקבל ממנו דמי הגזלה אין רוח חכמים נוחה ממנו:
• Ishut - Chapter Two
1
From the day of a girl's birth until she becomes twelve years old, she is called a k'tanah (minor) and/or a tinoket (baby). Even if several [pubic] hairs grow [on her body] during this time, they are [not significant according to Jewish law and are] considered to be merely hairs growing from a mole. If, however, two hairs grow in the pubic area after she becomes twelve years old [her status changes, and] she is considered a na'arah (maiden).
א
הבת מיום לידתה עד שתהיה בת י"ב שנה גמורות היא הנקראת קטנה ונקראת תינוקת. ואפילו הביאה כמה שערות בתוך הזמן הזה אינם אלא כשומא. אבל אם הביאה שתי שערות למטה בגוף במקומות הידועות להבאת שער והיא מבת י"ב שנה ויום אחד ומעלה נקראת נערה:
2
Growing two pubic hairs at this age is referred to as the lower sign [of physical maturity]. Once a girl manifests this sign [of physical maturity], she is referred to as a maiden for six months. From the last day of these six months and onward, she is referred to as a bogeret (mature woman). The difference between the stages of maidenhood and maturity is only six months.
ב
והבאת שתי שערות בזמן הזה נקרא סימן התחתון. ומאחר שתביא סימן התחתון תקרא נערה עד ו' חדשים גמורים. ומתחלת יום תשלום הששה חדשים ומעלה תקרא בוגרת. ואין בין נערות לבגרות אלא ו' חדשים בלבד:
3
From the time a girl reaches the age of twelve years and one day1 until the age of twenty, if she does not grow two pubic hairs, she is still considered to be a child, even if she manifests the physical signs of barrenness.
If [during this period], she grows two pubic hairs, even if [this occurs] in her twentieth year, she is considered to be a maiden for six months. Only afterwards is she be considered to be a mature woman.
ג
הגיעה לי"ב שנה ויום אחד ולא הביאה שתי שערות אף ע"פ שנראו בה סימני אילונית עדיין קטנה היא עד כ' שנה. וכשתביא שתי שערות אפילו בשנת כ' תהיה נערה ששה חדשים ואח"כ תקרא בוגרת:
4
Should a woman be less than thirty days below the age of twenty, not have grown two pubic hairs, and have manifested [all] the physical signs of barrenness,2 she is deemed an aylonit (a barren woman).
If she does not manifest all the sign of barrenness, she is still considered to be a child until she grows two pubic hairs or until she reaches the age of 35 years and one day.
ד
היתה בת עשרים שנה *פחות שלשים יום ולא הביאה שתי שערות ונראו בה (כל) סימני אילונית הרי היא אילונית. ואם לא נראו בה (כל) סימני אילונית עדיין קטנה היא עד שתביא שתי שערות או עד שתהיה בת ל"ה שנה ויום אחד:
5
Should a woman reach this age without growing two pubic hairs, she is deemed barren even though she does not manifest physical signs of barrenness. A barren woman does not [go through the six-month] period of maidenhood. Instead, directly after having been considered a child, she is considered to be a mature woman.
ה
הגיעה לזמן הזה ולא הביאה שתי שערות הרי זו נקראת אילונית אע"פ שלא נראה בה סימן מסימני אילונית. נמצאת אתה למד שהאילונית אין לה ימי נערות אלא מקטנותה תצא לבגרות:
6
The following are the physical signs of barrenness: a) she lacks [protruding] breasts; b) she stiffens during sexual relations; c) her lower abdomen does not resemble a woman's, d) her voice is deep and cannot be differentiated from that of a man.
All three, a maiden, a mature woman and a barren woman, are referred to by the term gedolah [adult woman]. [Unlike children, they are held responsible for their conduct.]
ו
ואלו הן סימני אילונית. כל שאין לה דדין. ומתקשה בשעת תשמיש. ואין לה שיפולי מעיים כנשים. וקולה עבה ואינה ניכרת בין איש לאשה. והנערה והבוגרת והאילונית כל אחת משלשתן נקראת גדולה:
7
[In addition to growing pubic hairs,] a woman has signs of physical maturity that are manifest in her upper body. They are referred to as "upper signs." Among them are:
a) when the woman stretches her hand backward, a crease forms in the place of her breast; b) the color of the tip of the breast becomes darker; c) when a person places his hand on the end of the breast and it remains depressed slightly before rising; d) creases form at the end of the breast, and a nipple takes shape; my teachers taught that the formation of creases is sufficient; e) the breasts protrude; f) they become erect; g) the mound of Venus forms above the woman's genitals, below her stomach; h) the flesh of this mound becomes soft and not hard. These are eight signs.
ז
ויש בבת סימנין מלמעלה והן הנקראין סימן העליון. ואלו הן. משתחזיר ידיה לאחורה ויעשה קמט (במקום) הדדין. ומשישחיר ראש הדד. ומשיתן אדם ידו על עוקץ הדד והוא שוקע ושוהה לחזור. ומשיפצל ראש חוטם הדד ויעשה בראשו כדור קטן. ורבותי פירשו משיפצל החוטם עצמו. וכן משיטו הדדין. ומשיתקשקשו הדדין ומשתקיף העטרה שהוא מקום הבשר התפוח שלמעלה מן הערוה לעומת הבטן. ומשיתמעך הבשר הזה ולא יהיה קשה:
8
If one or even all of these signs of maturity appear in a woman before she becomes twelve years of age, no attention is paid to it. When she becomes twelve years old and one day, and she manifests the lower sign of physical maturity, no attention is paid to [the presence or lack of] these [upper] signs of physical maturity [and she is considered to be a maiden].
If she does not manifest the lower sign of physical maturity, but she does manifest one of these [upper] signs, there is doubt whether she should be considered a child or a maiden, and the more stringent perspective is followed [with regard to all halachic questions] concerning her. If she manifests all these [upper] signs, she is definitely considered to be an adult. For it is impossible for her to manifest all these signs [and yet not have had two pubic hairs grow]. We assume these hairs have grown, but they have dropped off.
ח
כל אלו הסימנין ח'. נראה בבת סימן אחד מכל אלו או כולן והיא בת י"ב שנה או פחות אין משגיחין בו והרי היא קטנה. נעשית בת י"ב שנה ויום אחד ונראה בה סימן התחתון אין משגיחין באחד מכל אלו. ואם לא נראה התחתון ונראה בה אחד מכל אלו הרי היא ספק בין נערה לקטנה ודנים בה להחמיר. ואם נראו כולן* [ולא נראה סימן התחתון] הרי זו גדולה ודאית. שא"א שיבואו כולן אלא כבר בא סימן התחתון ונשר:
9
When a woman gives birth after reaching the age of twelve years, she is deemed an adult, even though she did not manifest either upper or lower signs of maturity. [Giving birth to] children is a sign of maturity.
ט
הבת שילדה אחר י"ב שנה אע"פ שלא הביאה סימנים לא תחתון ולא עליון הרי זו גדולה. בנים הרי הם כסימנין:
10
A male, from birth until the age of thirteen, is called a katan (minor) and/or a tinok (baby). Even if several [pubic] hairs grow [on his body] during this time, they are [not significant according to Jewish law] and are considered to be merely hairs growing from a mole. If, however, two hairs grow in the pubic area after he attains the age of thirteen years and one day, [his status changes, and] he is considered a gadol (adult male) and/or an ish (man).
י
הבן משיולד עד שיהיה בן י"ג שנה נקרא קטן ונקרא תינוק ואפילו הביא כמה שערות בתוך הזמן הזה אינו סימן אלא שומא. הביא שתי שערות למטה במקומות הידועות לשער. והוא מבן י"ג שנה ויום אחד ומעלה נקרא גדול ונקרא איש:
11
Should a child reach this age without growing two pubic hairs, he is still considered a minor until he reaches the age of twenty years less thirty days, even though he manifests signs of impotency. Should he reach the age [of twenty years less thirty days] and not have grown either pubic hairs or hairs of the beard [the following rules apply]. If he manifests one of the physical signs of impotency, he is considered impotent (a saris), and he is considered to be an adult with regard to all matters.
If he does not manifest any of the signs of impotency, he is still considered to be a minor until he grows two pubic hairs or until he reaches the age of thirty five years and one day.
יא
הגיע לזמן הזה ולא הביא שתי שערות אע"פ שנראו בו סימני סריס הרי הוא קטן עד שיהיה בן כ' שנה פחות ל' יום. הגיע לזמן הזה ולא הביא שתי שערות למטה ולא הביא שתי שערות בזקן. אם נראה בו אחד מסימני סריס הרי הוא סריס ודינו דין הגדול לכל דבר. ואם לא נראה בו סימן מסימני סריס עדיין קטן הוא עד שיביא שתי שערות למטה במקום הראוי להן או עד שיהיה בן ל"ה שנה ויום אחד:
12
If he reaches this age, he is considered impotent, although he did not manifest any of the signs of impotency. If he reached the age of twenty years less thirty days without growing two pubic hairs, but did grow two hairs on his beard, he is not considered to be impotent, even if he manifests one sign of impotency, until he either manifests all the signs of impotency or reaches the age of thirty five years and one day.
יב
הגיע לזמן הזה ולא הביא ה"ז סריס אף על פי שלא נראה בו אחד מסימני סריס. הגיע לשנת כ' פחות ל' יום ולא הביא שתי שערות למטה והביא שתי שערות בזקן אע"פ שנולד לו אחד מסימני סריס אינו סריס. אלא הרי הוא בקטנותו עד שיולדו לו כל סימני סריס או עד שיהיה בן ל"ה שנה ויום אחד:
13
These are the signs of impotency: a) One lacks a beard, b) his hair grows inadequately, c) his flesh is hairless, d) his urine does not produce vapor, e) his urine does not flow in an arc, f) his semen is off color, g) his urine does not ferment, h) when he washes in the winter, his flesh does not produce steam, and i) his voice is high pitched and cannot be differentiated from that of a woman.
יג
ואלו הן סימני סריס כל שאין לו זקן. ושערו לקוי. ובשרו מחליק. ואין מימי רגליו מעלים רתיחה. וכשמטיל מים אינו עושה כיפה. ושכבת זרעו דיהה. ואין מימי רגליו מחמיצין. ורוחץ בימות הגשמים ואינו מעלה בשרו הבל. וקולו לקוי ואינו ניכר בין איש לאשה:
14
An impotent person of this type is referred to as a s'ris chamah [one who became impotent because of fever].3When, however, the genitals of a male have been cut, severed or crushed, as the gentiles do, the person is called a s'ris adam [one who became impotent as a result of human activity]. When such a person reaches the age of thirteen and one day, he is considered to be an adult, for he will never manifest signs of maturity.
יד
וסריס זה הוא הנקרא סריס חמה בכל מקום. אבל הבן שחתכו או נתקו או מיעכו גידיו או ביציו כמו שהעכו"ם עושין הוא הנקרא סריס אדם. וכשיהיה בן י"ג שנה ויום אחד נקרא גדול שאין זה מביא סימן לעולם:
15
When a male reaches the age of thirteen and one day and does not grow any pubic hairs, but manifests the upper signs of physical maturity,4 doubt exists whether he is considered to be an adult or a minor. If, however, his pubic area was not inspected, but he manifests signs of physical maturity in his upper body, he is presumed to be an adult.
טו
בן י"ג שנה ויום אחד שלא הביא סימן שלמטה ונראו בו כל הסימנין של מעלה ה"ז ספק בין גדול לקטן. ואם לא נבדק מלמטה כיון שנראה בו סימני בגרות מלמעלה ה"ז בחזקת גדול:
16
Whenever the term "two pubic hairs" is mentioned with regard to a male or a female, the intent is that the hairs are long enough to be bent in half, with their point touching their base. If they grow to the extent that they can be cut by scissors, but are not [long enough] that they can be bent in half with their point touching their base, [there is doubt regarding the decision], and the more stringent ruling is always followed.
Therefore, when a boy's or girl's pubic hairs have grown to the point that they can be cut by scissors, the individual is considered to be an adult with regard to those matters concerning which the ruling would be more stringent if he or she were so classified. And with regard to those matters concerning which the ruling would be more stringent if he [or she] were classified as a minor, the individual is so classified because the pubic hairs are not long enough to be bent in half with their point touching their base.
טז
שתי שערות האמורות בבן ובבת בכל מקום שיעורן כדי לכוף ראשן לעיקרן. ומשיצמחו ויהיו יכולות להנטל בפי הזוג עד שיגיעו לכוף ראשן לעיקרן דנין בהן להחמיר בכל מקום. לפיכך בבן ובבת נחשוב אותם גדולים להחמיר הואיל וצמחו כדי להנטל בפי הזוג. ונחשוב אותם קטנים להחמיר הואיל ולא הגיעו לכוף ראשן לעיקרן:
17
These two hairs must be located in the pubic area. The entire pubic area is appropriate for the signs to be located. There is no difference whether they are located in the upper area, the lower area or on the sexual organ itself.
The two hairs must be located in a single place, and there must be a follicle at their base. If both of them stem from the same follicle, it is acceptable. If two follicles are located next to each other without hairs growing from them, they are, nevertheless, considered a sign. We follow the presumption that a follicle will not exist without hair. [Surely,] there were hairs [that grew from the follicle], and they fell.
יז
שתי שערות אלו צריכות שיהיו במקום הערוה. ובית הערוה כולו מקום סימנין בין למעלה בין למטה בין על איברי הזרע עצמן. וצריכות להיות במקום אחד. ושיהיה בעיקרן גומות. ואפילו שתיהן בגומא אחת הרי אלו סימן. נמצאו שתי גומות זו בצד זו ואין בהן שיער הרי אלו סימן. חזקה אין גומא בלא שיער ושערות היו בהן ונשרו:
18
As we have explained, when a girl grows two pubic hairs before she is twelve, or a boy grows two pubic hairs before he is thirteen, they are considered to be merely hairs growing from a mole. Even if these hairs remain in their place after the boy reaches the age of thirteen, or the girl reaches the age of twelve, they are not considered signs of physical maturity.
יח
הבת שהביאה שתי שערות בתוך שתים עשרה שנה והבן שהביא בתוך י"ג שניהם שומא כמו שביארנו. אע"פ שאותן שערות במקומן הם עומדות אחר י"ג לזכר ואחר י"ב לנקבה אינן סימן:
19
When does the above apply? When the child was inspected [before attaining the age of majority], and the hairs were deemed to be hairs growing from a mole. If, however, no such inspection was made until they reached the age of majority, and afterwards an inspection was made and two hairs were discovered, they are considered acceptable signs of physical maturity. We do not say that perhaps the hairs grew before the child reached majority, and they are merely hairs growing from a mole.
יט
בד"א כשנבדקו בתוך הזמן ונודע שהן שומא. אבל אם לא נבדקו אלא אחר זמן ונמצאו שם שתי שערות הרי הן בחזקת סימנין. ואין אומרין שמא קודם זמן צמחו כדי שיהיו שומא:
20
Whenever a girl is inspected for [signs of physical maturity] - whether during her twelfth year, after she became twelve or when she is older - the inspection is carried out by trustworthy, ethical women. Even when an inspection has been conducted by one woman, her word is accepted with regard to whether or not [the girl has manifested signs of physical maturity].5
כ
כשבודקין הבת בין בתוך הזמן שהוא כל שנת י"ב בין קודם זמן זה בין לאחר הזמן בודקין על פי נשים כשרות ונאמנות. ואפילו אשה אחת בודקת ושומעין לה אם הביאה ואם לא הביאה:
21
Whenever the term "years" is mentioned with regard to [the age of] a male or a female, endowment evaluations,6 or any other matter, the intent is not lunar years, nor solar years, but rather the years as reckoned by the Jewish court to [juxtapose the solar and lunar calendars], whether ordinary years or leap years, as established by the [Jewish] court, as explained in Hilchot Kiddush HaChodesh. This is the intent whenever the subject of years is mentioned with regard to religious matters.
כא
כל השנים האמורות בבן ובבת ובערכין ובכל מקום אינן לא שני הלבנה ולא שני החמה אלא שנים של סדר העיבור שהן פשוטות ומעוברות ע"פ ב"ד כמו שהם קובעין אותן כמו שביארנו בהלכות קידוש החדש. ובאותן השנים מונין לכל דברי הדת:
22
We do not rely on the testimony of women regarding a child's age, nor on that of relatives. Instead, the matter is determined by the testimony of two men who are fit to testify in court.
כב
אין סומכין על הנשים במנין השנים ולא על הקרובים אלא על פי שנים אנשים כשרים להעיד:
23
When a father says, "My son is nine years and one day old," or "My daughter is three years and one day old,"7 his word is accepted with regard to the obligation of bringing a sacrifice [if sexual relations were carried out without knowledge of the sin involved], but not with regard to administering stripes [for rebellion] or other punishments.
If the father says, "My son is thirteen years and one day old," or "My daughter is twelve years and one day old," his word is accepted with regard to vows, endowment evaluations, property forsworn [and transferred to the priests],8 or the consecration of property, but not with regard to administering lashes or other punishments.
כג
האב שאמר בני זה בן תשע שנים ויום אחד. בתי זו בת שלש שנים ויום אחד נאמן לקרבן אבל לא למכות ולא לעונשים. בני זה בן י"ג שנה ויום אחד בתי זו בת י"ב שנה ויום אחד נאמן לנדרים ולערכין ולחרמות ולהקדשות אבל לא למכות ולא לעונשים:
24
A person who possesses both a male sexual organ and a female sexual organ is called an androgynous. There is doubt whether such a person should be classified as a male or as a female; there is no physical sign that can ever enable such a distinction to be made.
כד
מי שיש לו אבר זכרות ואבר נקבות הוא הנקרא אנדרוגינוס והוא ספק אם זכר ספק אם נקבה. ואין לו סימן שיודע בו אם הוא זכר ודאי אם היא נקבה ודאית לעולם:
25
A person who possesses neither a male sexual organ nor a female sexual organ, but instead, his genital area is a solid mass, is called a tumtum. There is also doubt with regard [to this person's status]. If an operation is carried out and a male [organ is revealed], he is definitely considered to be a male. If a female [organ is revealed], she is definitely considered to be a female.
When a tumtum or an androgynous reaches the age of twelve years and one day, they are assumed to be adults.9 Whenever these terms are mentioned, the intent is individuals of this age.
כה
וכל מי שאין לו לא זכרות ולא נקבות אלא אטום הוא הנקרא טומטום וגם הוא ספק. ואם נקרע הטומטום ונמצא זכר הרי הוא כזכר ודאי. ואם נמצא נקבה הרי הוא נקבה וטומטום ואנדרוגינוס שהיו בן שתים עשרה שנה ויום אחד הרי הן בחזקת גדולים והם שנדבר בהן בכל מקום:
26
Whenever the terms cheresh and chereshet are used, they refer to a male or female deaf mute, respectively. If, however, a person can speak but cannot hear, or can hear but cannot speak, he is considered to be an ordinary person.10 A male or a female who is intellectually competent, being neither a deaf mute nor emotionally disturbed, is referred to as a pike'ach or a pikachat, respectively.
כו
חרש וחרשת האמורים בכל מקום הן האילמים שאין שומעין ולא מדברים. אבל מי שמדבר ואינו שומע או שומע ואינו מדבר הרי הוא ככל אדם. ואיש ואשה שהן שלמים בדעתן ואינן לא חרשים ולא שוטים נקראין פקח ופקחת:
27
We have thus defined twenty terms in these two chapters: kiddushin, ervah, sh'niyah, issurei lavin, issurei aseh, k'tanah, na'arah, bogeret, aylonit, gedolah, lower sign of maturity, upper sign of maturity, katan, s'ris chamah, s'ris adam, gadol, androgynous, tumtum, chershim, pik'chim. Keep these terms in mind at all times; do not forget their meaning, so that their intent will not have to be explained whenever they are mentioned.
כז
נמצאו כל השמות שביארנו ענינם בשני פרקים אלו עשרים שמות. ואלו הן. קידושין. ערוה. שנייה. איסורי לאוין. איסורי עשה. קטנה. נערה. בוגרת. אילונית. גדולה. סימן התחתון. סימן העליון. קטן. סריס חמה. סריס אדם. גדול. אנדרוגינוס. טומטום. חרשים. פקחים. שים כל השמות האלו לעומתך תמיד ואל ילוזו מעיניך כל ענייניהם כדי שלא נהיה צריכין לבאר כל שם מהן בכל מקום שנזכיר אותו:
FOOTNOTES
1.
The intent in this halachah, and similarly, whenever the term "...years old and one day" is mentioned, is not that an additional day must pass after the woman's twelfth birthday. Rather, the intent is that she has completed twelve complete years of life and begun the following day.
2.
The Tur (Even HaEzer) differs with the Rambam on two points: a) the girl need only be 19 and one month, not 19 and eleven months (Chapter 155) and b) that she need manifest only one, but not all signs of barrenness (Chapter 44, 172).
With regard to the first issue, the Shulchan Aruch appears to favor the Tur's view, although that of the Rambam is also mentioned. With regard to the second issue, the Shulchan Aruch appears to follow the Rambam's view, while the Ramah cites that of the Tur.
3.
Our translation follows the interpretation of the Shulchan Aruch. Yevamot 80a interprets this as meaning, "one who never saw the light of the sun while fit."
4.
I.e., he grows hairs of the beard and in his underarms; his voice changes; his hair grows adequately; and his flesh is not silky (Ma'aseh Rokeach).
5.
Although the testimony of women is not generally accepted in court, an exception is made in this instance because of modesty. The Shulchan Aruch (Even HaEzer 155:15) quotes the Rambam's wording. Nevertheless, the Beit Shmuel 155:23 states that a woman's testimony can be accepted only with regard to making a more stringent ruling, but not a more lenient one.
6.
See Leviticus, Chapter 27.
7.
If a male is less than nine years old, or a female is less than three years old, they are not fit to engage in sexual relations. Even if they do, in fact, engage in relations, these are of no halachic significance. Hence, if a boy above the age of nine engages in sexual relations with a married woman, the woman is liable. Similarly, if a man engaged in relations with a three-year old girl who was married, the man is liable.
8.
See Leviticus, Chapter 27; Hilchot Arachin 6:1.
9.
The Ra'avad objects to the Rambam's ruling, stating that it is necessary for these individuals to manifest physical signs of maturity before they are classified as adults. The Maggid Mishneh states that it appears that the Rambam is saying that there is no need for these individuals to manifest such signs. Needless to say, at the age of twelve these individuals are not considered to be adults with regard to the mitzvot incumbent upon males.
10.
Because a deaf mute's ability to communicate and respond is so limited, such a person is considered to be mentally incompetent and is not held responsible for his conduct, nor is he able to enter into a marriage contract, according to Scriptural law.
Ishut - Chapter Three
1
How is the bond of kiddushin established with a woman? If the man [desires to establish] the kiddushin by [the transfer of] money, [he must give] a p'rutah, either in coin or its worth.
[Before giving it], he tells her, "You are consecrated unto me...," "You are betrothed to me...," or "You become my wife through this." He must give her [the money or the item] in the presence of witnesses.
It is the man who makes the statement that implies that he acquires the woman as his wife, and it is he who gives her the money.
א
כיצד האשה מתקדשת. אם בכסף הוא מקדש אין פחות מפרוטה כסף או שוה פרוטה. אומר לה הרי את מקודשת לי. או הרי את מאורסת לי. או הרי את לי לאשה בזה. ונותן לה בפני עדים. והאיש הוא שאומר דברים שמשמען שקונה אותה לו לאשה והוא שיתן לה הכסף:
2
If she gave him [money] and told him: "Behold, I am consecrated to you," "Behold, I am betrothed to you," "I am your wife," or [she used] any other expression that implied acquisition, the marriage bond is not established. Similarly, if she gave [him money] and he made the statement, the marriage bond is not established.1 If he gave [her money] and she made the statement [the matter is unresolved,]2 and the status of the kiddushin is in doubt.3
ב
נתנה היא ואמרה לו הרי אני מקודשת לך. הריני מאורסת לך הריני לך לאינתו או בכל לשון הקנאה אינה מקודשת. וכן אם נתנה היא לו ואמר הוא אינה מקודשת. ואם נתן הוא ואמרה היא הרי זו מקודשת מספק:
3
If the man establishes the marriage bond with [the transfer of] a legal document, [the following rules apply:] He should write on paper, on a shard, on a leaf or on any other article4 he desires: "You are consecrated unto me...," "You are betrothed to me...," or any similar expression. He must then give her the document in the presence of witnesses.5
ג
ואם קידש בשטר כותב על הנייר או על החרס או על העלה או על כל דבר שירצה. הרי את מקודשת לי או הרי את מאורסת לי וכל כיוצא בדברים אלו ונותנו לה בפני עדים:
4
The document must be written for the sake of the woman who is being married, as must a bill of divorce,6 and it must be written with her consent.7 If it was not written for her sake, or if it was written for her sake, but was written without her consent, the marriage bond is not established. [This applies] even when he gives her [the document] with her consent in the presence of witnesses.
ד
וצריך שיכתוב אותו לשם האשה המתקדשת כגט. ואינו כותבו אלא מדעתה. כתבו שלא לשמה או לשמה שלא מדעתה אף ע"פ שנתנו לה לדעתה בפני עדים אינה מקודשת:
5
If the man establishes the marriage bond through sexual relations, he should tell the woman, "You are consecrated unto me...," "You are betrothed to me...," or "You become my wife through these relations," or choose a similar statement. He must enter into privacy with her in the presence of witnesses and engage in relations.8
When a person establishes a marriage bond through sexual relations, one may assume that his intent is on the conclusion of the relations;9 when the relations are concluded, the marriage bond is established. Regardless of whether the couple engage in vaginal or anal intercourse, the marriage bond is established.
ה
ואם קידש בביאה אומר לה הרי את מקודשת לי או הרי את מאורסת לי או הרי את לי לאשה בבעילה זו וכל כיוצא בזה. ומתייחד עמה בפני שני עדים ובועלה. והמקדש בביאה (מסתמא) דעתו על גמר ביאה. וכשיגמור ביאתו תהיה מקודשת.** (ובין שבא עליה כדרכה ובין שבא עליה שלא כדרכה הרי זו מקודשת):
6
The statements that the man makes when he consecrates [his wife] must imply that he acquires her as a wife, and not that he gives himself to her. What is implied?
Should he tell her, or write in the document he gives her: "I am your husband," "I am your betrothed," "I am your man," or the like, the marriage bond is not established at all. If he tells her or writes to her: "Behold, you are my wife," "Behold, you are my betrothed," "Behold, you are acquired by me," "Behold, you are mine," "Behold, you are my possession," "Behold, you are my designated one,"10 "Behold, you are within my property," "Behold, you are bound to me," or the like, the marriage bond is established.
ו
הדברים שיאמר האיש כשיקדש צריך שיהיה משמעם שהוא קונה האשה ולא שיהא משמע שהקנה עצמו לה. כיצד הרי שאמר לה או שכתב בשטר שנתנו לה. הריני בעליך. הריני ארוסיך. הריני אישיך וכל כיוצא בזה. אין כאן קידושין כלל. אמר לה או כתב לה. הרי את אשתי. הרי את ארוסתי. או הרי את קנויה לי. הרי את שלי. הרי את לקוחתי. הרי את חרופתי. הרי את ברשותי. הרי את זקוקה לי וכל כיוצא בהן הרי זו מקודשת:
7
Should he tell her, or write to her: "You are set aside for me," "You are earmarked for me," "You are my helper," "You are my counterpart," "You are my rib," "You are closed off for me," "You are below me," "You are my captive," "You have been taken by me," [the matter is unresolved, and] the status of the kiddushin is in doubt.
The above applies only when the man was [previously] speaking to the woman about establishing a marriage bond. If he was not speaking to the woman about such a matter, these words are of no consequence.
ז
אמר לה או כתב לה הרי את מיוחדת לי. הרי את מיועדת לי. הרי את עזרתי. הרי את נגדתי. הרי את צלעתי. הרי את סגורתי. הרי את תחתי. הרי את *עצורתי. הרי את תפוסתי. הרי זו מקודשת בספק. והוא שיהיה מדבר עמה תחלה על עסקי קידושין. אבל אם אינו מדבר עמה תחלה על עסקי קידושין אין חוששין למלות אלו:
8
A man may consecrate a woman by making statements in any language that she understands, provided that, in that language, his statements mean that he is acquiring her, as explained.
If a man was speaking to a woman about consecrating her and she consented, and he immediately gave her [something] in her hand to consecrate her or engaged in sexual relations [with that intent], without [making a statement] clarifying [his purpose], it is sufficient. Since they were speaking about this matter, it is not necessary for him to be explicit.
Similarly, a man need not tell witnesses who observe kiddushin or divorce, "You are my witnesses."11 As long as he has divorced or consecrated a woman in their presence, she is consecrated or divorced.
ח
ויש לאיש לקדש האשה בכל לשון שהיא מכרת בו. ויהיה משמע הדברים באותה הלשון שקנאה כמו שביארנו. היה מדבר עם האשה על עסקי הקידושין ורצתה ועמד וקידש ולא פירש ולא אמר לה כלום אלא נתן בידה או בעל הואיל והן עסוקין בענין דיו ואינו צריך לפרש. וכן עדי הקידושין והגירושין אינו צריך לומר להם אתם עדי. אלא כיון שגירש או קידש בפניהם הרי זו מקודשת או מגורשת:
9
When a man tells a woman, "Become consecrated to my half," she is consecrated. To what can this be compared? To his saying, "May you become my wife, and also another woman." And so, she has only half a man.
If, however, he said: "Half of you is consecrated to me," she is not consecrated. For a woman cannot be consecrated to two men. Similarly, if he says, "Behold, you are consecrated to me and to him," the woman is not consecrated.
ט
האומר לאשה התקדשי לחציי הרי זו מקודשת. הא למה זה דומה לאומר לה תהי אשתי את ואחרת שנמצא שאין לה אלא חצי איש. אבל אם אמר חצייך מקודשת לי אינה מקודשת שאין אשה אחת ראויה לשנים. וכן אם אומר הרי את מקודשת לי ולזה אינה מקודשת:
10
If he told her: "Behold, half of you is consecrated to me with a p'rutah, and half of you [is consecrated to me with another] p'rutah," or if he told her: "Behold, half of you is consecrated to me with half a p'rutah, and your other half [is consecrated to me with another] half a p'rutah," she is consecrated.12
If he told her: "Behold, half of you is consecrated to me with a p'rutah today, and half of you [is consecrated to me with another] p'rutah tomorrow," or if he told her: "Your two halves are consecrated to me with a p'rutah,"13 "Your two daughters are consecrated to my two sons with this p'rutah," "Your daughter is consecrated to me, and your cow is sold to me with this p'rutah," or "Your daughter... and your land... with a p'rutah" - in all of these circumstances, [the matter is unresolved, and] the status of the kiddushin is in doubt.
י
אמר לה הרי חצייך מקודש לי בפרוטה וחצייך בפרוטה. או שאמר לה חצייך מקודשת לי בחצי פרוטה וחצייך האחרת מקודשת בחצי פרוטה הרי זו מקודשת. אמר לה חצייך מקודשת לי בפרוטה היום וחצייך בפרוטה למחר. שתי חצייך בפרוטה. שתי בנותיך לשני בני בפרוטה. בתך מקודשת לי ופרתך מכורה לי בפרוטה. או בתך וקרקעתך לי בפרוטה בכל אלו מקודשת בספק:
11
A father may consecrate his daughter without her knowledge while she is a minor. Even when she is a na'arah,14 he still possesses this right, as [implied by Deuteronomy 22:16]: "I gave my daughter to this man."
[The money received as] kiddushin belongs to her father. Similarly, he has the right to [any ownerless property] she finds, [the wages she receives for] her labor, and [the money she receives as stipulated in] her ketubah if she is divorced or widowed before the marriage bond is consummated. He is entitled to all these until she becomes a bogeret.
Therefore, a father is entitled to receive kiddushin on behalf of his daughter from the day she was born until she becomes a bogeret. Even if she is a deaf mute or intellectually incompetent, if her father consecrates her [to another man], she is his wife.
If a girl is older than three years and one day, she can be consecrated through sexual relations with her father's consent. Should she be below this age, if her father has her consecrated through sexual relations, the marriage bond is not established.15
יא
האב מקדש את בתו שלא לדעתה כל זמן שהיא קטנה. וכן כשהיא נערה רשותה בידו שנאמר את בתי נתתי לאיש הזה לאשה. וקידושיה לאביה. וכן הוא זכאי במציאתה ובמעשה ידיה ובכתובתה אם נתגרשה או נתאלמנה מן האירוסין הוא זכאי בכל עד שתבגר. לפיכך מקבל האב קידושי בתו מיום שתולד עד שתבגר. ואפילו היתה חרשת או שוטה וקידשה האב הרי היא אשת איש גמורה. ואם היתה בת שלש שנים ויום אחד מתקדשת בביאה מדעת אביה. פחות מכן אם קדשה אביה בביאה אינה מקודשת:
12
After a daughter becomes a bogeret, her father has no rights over her; she is like all other women, and she can be consecrated only with her own consent.
Similarly, if her father had her married, the marriage bond was consummated [nisu'in],16 and then she was widowed or divorced, [even] in her father's lifetime, she is considered to be independent, despite the fact that she is still a minor. Once a woman enters nisu'in, her father no longer has any authority over her.
יב
בגרה הבת אין לאביה בה רשות והרי היא כשאר כל הנשים שאינם מתקדשות אלא לדעתן. וכן אם השיאה אביה ונתאלמנה או נתגרשה בחיי אביה הרי היא ברשות עצמה ואע"פ שעדיין היא קטנה. כיון שנישאת אין לאביה בה רשות לעולם:
13
When a girl receives kiddushin without her father's knowledge before she reaches the age of majority, the marriage bond is not established.17 [This applies] even when the father consents subsequently.18 Moreover, if she is widowed or divorced after these kiddushin, she is not forbidden [to marry] a priest.19
Both she and her father can prevent [the marriage bonds from taking effect].20 Regardless of whether she was consecrated in the presence of her father or not, she is not consecrated.
יג
נתקדשה קודם שתבגור שלא לדעת אביה אינה מקודשת *ואפילו אם נתרצה האב אחר שנתקדשה. ואפילו אם נתאלמנה או נתגרשה מן אותן הקידושין אינה אסורה לכהן. ובין היא ובין אביה יכולין לעכב. בין אם נתקדשה בפניו בין שנתקדשה שלא בפניו אינה מקודשת:
14
[The following rules apply when] there is doubt whether or not the girl is a bogeret: Whether her father consecrated her without her consent, or she consecrated herself without her father's consent, the status of the kiddushin is in doubt. Therefore, [to marry another man,] she must receive a get given because of the doubt.
A man may appoint an agent to consecrate a wife for him. [This applies] if he specifies a particular woman, or gives the agent the authority to consecrate any woman. Similarly, a woman past the age of majority21 may appoint an agent to receive kiddushin for her. [This applies] if she specifies [that they be given by] a particular man, or gives the agent the authority to receive them from any man. Similarly, a father may appoint an agent to accept the kiddushin of his daughter as long as she is under his authority.
A man may tell his daughter who is below the age of majority, "Go out and receive your kiddushin."22
יד
היתה הבת ספק בוגרת. בין שקידשה אביה שלא לדעתה בין שקידשה היא עצמה שלא לדעת אביה הרי זו מקודשת בספק לפיכך צריכה גט מספק. יש לאיש לעשות שליח לקדש לו אשה בין אשה פלונית בין אשה משאר הנשים. וכן האשה הגדולה עושה שליח לקבל קידושיה בין מאיש פלוני בין מאיש משאר אנשים. וכן האב עושה שליח לקבל קידושי בתו כשהיא ברשותו. ואומר האב לבתו הקטנה צאי וקבלי קידושיך:
15
When an agent is appointed to receive kiddushin, he must be appointed in the presence of two witnesses.23 When, by contrast, a man appoints an agent to consecrate a woman, there is no need for the appointment to be made in the presence of witnesses. For the only purpose witnesses would serve with regard to the agency of the man is to make known the truth of the matter.24Therefore, if the agent and the principal acknowledge the appointment, there is no need for witnesses, [as in parallel cases, such as] an agent appointed to bring a get25 or an agent appointed to separate terumah.26
In all matters, a principal's agent is regarded as the principal himself, and there is no need to appoint witnesses.
טו
כל העושה שליח לקבל הקידושין צריך לעשותו בפני עדים. אבל האיש שעשה שליח לקדש לו אשה אינו צריך לעשותו בעדים שאין מקום לעדים בשליחות האיש אלא להודיע אמתת הדבר. לפיכך אם הודו השליח והמשלח אינן צריכין עדים כמו שליח הגט וכמו שליח שהרשהו להפריש לו תרומה וכיוצא בהן בכל מקום ששלוחו של אדם כמותו ואינו צריך עדים:
16
An agent may serve as a witness. Therefore, if a person appointed two men as agents to consecrate a woman, and they did so, they serve both as agents and as witnesses. Hence, there is no need for them to consecrate her in the presence of two other witnesses.27
טז
השליח נעשה עד לפיכך אם עשה שני שלוחין לקדש לו אשה והלכו וקידשו אותה הן הן שלוחיו והן הן עידי הקידושין ואינן צריכין לקדשה לו בפני שנים אחרים:
17
All are fit to serve as agents [in this capacity] except a deaf mute, a mentally incompetent individual and a minor - for they are not responsible - and a gentile, because he is not a member of the covenant. [The latter exclusion is based on Numbers 18:28, which] states: "And so shall you set aside, and you...." [This is interpreted as] including an agent. [Our Sages commented:] Just as you are members of the covenant, your agents must be members of the covenant, thus excluding a gentile.
A [Canaanite] servant, although he is acceptable as an agent with regard to financial matters, is not acceptable as an agent with regard to kiddushin and gittin, because the laws of marriage and divorce do not apply to him.
יז
הכל כשרין לשליחות חוץ מחרש שוטה וקטן לפי שאינן בני דעת והעכו"ם לפי שאינו בן ברית ונאמר כן תרימו גם אתם לרבות השליח ומה אתם בני ברית אף שלוחכם בני ברית להוציא את העכו"ם. אבל העבד אע"פ שהוא נעשה שליח לדבר שבממון הרי הוא פסול לשליחות הקידושין והגיטין לפי שאינו בתורת גיטין וקידושין:
18
An agent appointed by a man to consecrate a woman should tell her: "Behold, you are consecrated to so and so by virtue of this money" or "...by virtue of this legal document."
If an agent of the woman receives the kiddushin, the [man consecrating her] should tell [the agent]: "So and so who appointed you is consecrated to me," and the agent should reply, "I have consecrated her to you," "I have betrothed her to you," "I have given her to you as a wife," or the like.
Similarly, when a man consecrates a girl by [giving kiddushin to] her father, he should tell him, "Behold, your daughter so and so is consecrated to me," and the father should reply: "I have consecrated her to you." If the father or the agent says "yes," or even if he remains silent, it is sufficient. If they were discussing the matter, and the man gave the kiddushin to the father or to the agent without making any statement, it is sufficient, and the kiddushin are effective.
If the kiddushin are established by virtue of [the transfer of] a legal document, he must have the document written with the consent of the father or of the agent. In all matters pertaining to kiddushin, the same laws that apply to the man and the woman, apply when [the kiddushin are established by] the [man's] agent and [the woman's] agent or [her] father.
יח
שליח האיש שמקדש אומר לה הרי את מקודשת לפלוני בכסף זה או בשטר זה. אם שליח האשה הוא שמקבל הקידושין אומר לו הרי פלונית ששלחה אותך מקודשת לי והוא אומר לו קידשתיה לך או ארסתיה לך או נתתיה לך לאשה וכל כיוצא בזה. וכן המקדש על ידי האב אומר לו הרי בתך פלונית מקודשת לי והוא אומר לו קדשתיה לך. אם אמר האב או השליח הן דיו ואפילו שתק. ואם היו עסוקין באותו ענין ונתן לאב או לשליח ולא פירש ולא אמר דבר דיו והיא מקודשת. ואם קידש בשטר אינו כותבו אלא מדעת האב או מדעת השליח. וכן בכל הדברים כולן של קידושין דין האיש עם האשה כדין שליח עם שליח או עם האב:
19
It is a mitzvah for a man to consecrate his wife by himself, rather than to charge an agent [with this matter]. Similarly, it is a mitzvah for a woman to [receive] kiddushin herself rather than to charge an agent with receiving them for her.
Although a father has the option of consecrating his daughter to anyone he desires while she is a minor or while she is a maiden, it is not proper for him to act in this manner. Instead, our Sages enjoined that a person should not consecrate his daughter while she is a minor until she matures and says, "I would like [to marry] so and so."
Similarly, it is not proper for a man to consecrate a girl below the age of majority. Nor should one consecrate a woman until one sees her and deems her fitting, lest she not find favor in his eyes, and he divorce her, or sleep with her while hating her.
יט
מצוה שיקדש אדם את אשתו בעצמו יותר מעל ידי שלוחו. וכן מצוה לאשה שתקדש עצמה בידה יותר מעל ידי שלוחה. ואע"פ שיש רשות לאב לקדש בתו כשהיא קטנה וכשהיא נערה לכל מי שירצה אין ראוי לעשות כן אלא מצות חכמים שלא יקדש אדם בתו כשהיא קטנה עד שתגדיל ותאמר לפלוני אני רוצה. וכן האיש אין ראוי לקדש קטנה ולא יקדש אשה עד שיראנה ותהיה כשרה בעיניו שמא לא תמצא חן בעיניו ונמצא מגרשה או שוכב עמה והוא שונאה:
20
Kiddushin established by virtue of sexual relations are effective according to Scriptural law. Similarly, kiddushin established by virtue [of the transfer] of a legal document are effective according to Scriptural law. Just as [the transfer of a legal document] concludes a divorce, as [Deuteronomy 24;1] states: "And he shall write her a scroll of divorce," so too, [the transfer of a legal document] concludes [the establishment of the marriage bond].
[The effectiveness of the transfer of] money stems from Scriptural law,28 but its interpretation is based on Rabbinic law. [Deuteronomy, ibid.,] states "When a man takes a wife," and our Sages29 explained: This [process of] acquisition involves [the transfer of] money, as implied by [Genesis 23:13]: "I have given the money for the field; take it from me."
כ
המקדש בביאה הרי אלו קידושי תורה. וכן מתקדשת בשטר מן התורה. כשם שגומר ומגרש שנאמר וכתב לה ספר כריתות כך גומר ומכניס. אבל הכסף מדברי סופרים (*וכן דין הכסף דין תורה ופירושו מדברי סופרים) שנאמר כי יקח איש אשה ואמרו חכמים לקוחים אלו יהיו בכסף שנאמר נתתי כסף השדה קח ממני:
21
Although this is the essence of the principle, it has already become universal Jewish custom to consecrate [a marriage bond] through [the transfer of] money or objects that are worth money. If one desires to consecrate [a woman] by [giving her] a legal document, one may, but at the outset one should not consecrate [a woman] through sexual relations.
If a man consecrates [a woman] through sexual relations, he is given stripes for rebelliousness,30 so that the Jewish people will not extend beyond the limits of modesty in this manner. Nevertheless, the kiddushin are binding.
כא
אף ע"פ שעיקר הדבר כך הוא כבר נהגו כל ישראל לקדש בכסף או בשוה כסף. וכן אם רצה לקדש בשטר מקדש. אבל אין מקדשין בביאה לכתחלה ואם קידש בביאה מכין אותו מכת מרדות כדי שלא יהיו ישראל פרוצים בדבר זה אע"פ שקידושיו קידושין גמורין:
22
Similarly, a man who consecrates a woman without establishing an engagement previously, or a man who consecrates a woman in the marketplace, is given stripes for rebelliousness, although his kiddushin are binding. [This was instituted] lest such a practice accustom people to licentious conduct and invite a comparison to a harlot, as existed before the giving of the Torah.
כב
וכן המקדש בלא שידוכין או המקדש בשוק אע"פ שקידושיו קידושין גמורין מכין אותו מכת מרדות כדי שלא יהא דבר זה הרגל לזנות וידמה לקדשה שהיתה קודם מתן תורה:
23
Whenever a man consecrates a woman,31 whether by himself or via an agent, either he32 or his agent should recite a blessing before the consecration, as one recites a blessing before performing any of the mitzvot. [After reciting the blessing,] he should consecrate [the woman].
If he consecrates a woman without reciting a blessing, he should not recite the blessing afterwards. It would be a blessing in vain, for the activity has already been performed.33
כג
כל המקדש אשה בין ע"י עצמו בין ע"י שליח צריך לברך קודם הקידושין או הוא או שלוחו כדרך שמברכין על כל המצות ואח"כ מקדש ואם קידש ולא בירך לא יברך אחר הקידושין שזו ברכה לבטלה מה שנעשה כבר נעשה:
24
Which blessing is recited?
Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His mitzvot and separated34us from illicit relationships, who has forbidden the arusot to us, and permitted to us those who are married35 by [the rites of] chuppah and kiddushin. Blessed are You, God, who sanctifies Israel.
This is the blessing of erusin. The people have established the custom of reciting this blessing over wine or beer. If there is wine available, one should recite the blessing over the wine, recite the blessing of consecration afterwards, and then consecrate the woman.36 If there is no wine or beer available, one should recite [the blessing of consecration] by itself.
כד
כיצד מברך בא"י אמ"ה אשר קדשנו במצותיו והבדילנו מן העריות ואסר לנו את הארוסות והתיר לנו את הנשואות על ידי חופה וקידושין בא"י מקדש ישראל. זו היא ברכת אירוסין. ונהגו העם להסדיר ברכה זו על כוס של יין או של שכר. ואם יש שם יין מברך על היין תחלה ואח"כ מברך ברכת אירוסין ואח"כ מקדשה ואם אין לו יין או שכר מברך אותה בפני עצמה:
FOOTNOTES
1.
For it is the man's actions that must precipitate the inception of the marriage bond, as implied by Deuteronomy 24:1: "When a man takes a wife." Note, however, Chapter 5, Halachah 22, which mentions an exception to this principle.
2.
Mishneh LaMelech offers two explanations of the doubt involved: a) We are unsure of his intent. Since he did not specify that he was giving the woman the money for the sake of kiddushin, it is possible that he gave her the money for another reason. This interpretation appears to be supported by the rulings of the Tur and the Shulchan Aruch (Even HaEzer 27:8) that in such a circumstance, the marriage bond is established if previously the man and the woman were speaking about getting married, or if the man confirmed the woman's statements. Halachah 8 appears to support this explanation.
b) The second view is that the doubt is one of principle: The Sages did not define whether the obligation that a man precipitate the marriage bond requires merely his giving money, or also making the statement. According to this conception, the doubt would remain even in the two situations mentioned by the Tur and the Shulchan Aruch.
3.
I.e., the woman cannot marry another man until she receives a bill of divorce. Nevertheless, if another man engages in relations with her, he is not executed for adultery.
4.
The man may not, however, write the document on a leaf attached to a tree, or any other item that must be severed, for this is unacceptable when writing a bill of divorce. (See the following halachah and notes.)
5.
There is a difference of opinion among the Rabbis if it is necessary for the man to make a verbal statement of intent as well. (See Beit Shmuel 32:3.) The Or Sameach points to Halachah 18 as proof that a statement is required, but Kin'at Eliyahu notes that Halachah 7 appears to indicate that a verbal statement is unnecessary.
6.
The acceptability of a legal document for the establishment of kiddushin from the association between marriage and divorce created by Deuteronomy 24:2: "When she leaves his household, she may go and become [married] to another man." Kiddushin 5a states that this verse indicates that just as she "leaves" through a bill of divorce, she can "become" through a bill of kiddushin. Hence, all the particulars that apply to a get (a bill of divorce) apply to a bill of kiddushin.
7.
This requirement does not apply with regard to a bill of divorce and is a point of debate in Kiddushin 9b. The opinion the Rambam cites maintains that since the woman is being acquired through this document, she must consent to its being written. Because of the debate in the Talmud, the Shulchan Aruch (Even HaEzer 32:1) differs with the Rambam and maintains that the matter is unresolved, the status of the kiddushin is in doubt, and [the stringencies required had] the marriage bond been established [must be followed].
8.
Although the man must enter into privacy with the woman in the presence of witnesses, and must make the statement of intent in the presence of witnesses, the relations themselves should be private, as stated in Chapter 14, Halachah 16, and Hilchot Gerushin 10:18. It must be noted that this represents a change in the Rambam's thinking. In his Commentary on the Mishnah (Kiddushin 1:1), he originally stated that the relations must also be observed by witnesses for the marriage bond to be established. Nevertheless, in the later texts of the Commentary on the Mishnah the Rambam amended the text according to the above conception.
9.
The term "the conclusion of sexual relations" (g'mar bi'ah) in Hebrew is somewhat of a misnomer. It refers not to the man's withdrawal from the woman, nor to ejaculation, but to a far earlier stage: the insertion of the penis in its entirety into the vagina (Hilchot Issurei Bi'ah 1:10).
10.
Leviticus 19:20 associates this term with establishing relations with a maid-servant, as explained in Chapter 4, Halachah 17. Therefore, there is doubt among the Rabbis if it can be used in establishing the marriage bond with an ordinary woman. Thus, the Shulchan Aruch (Even HaEzer 27:3) states that if this expression is used the matter is unresolved, and the status of the kiddushin is in doubt.
11.
With regard to the acknowledgement of a debt, such a statement is necessary. (See Hilchot To'en V'Nit'an 6:6-8, 7:1-2.)
12.
The Ra'avad and similarly, the Shulchan Aruch (Even HaEzer 31:7) differ and maintain that the status of the kiddushin is in doubt. It is only with regard to stringencies that the kiddushin are considered to be valid.
13.
This clause serves as the basis for the Ra'avad's objection to the Rambam's decisions above.
14.
At which time, the girl has the right to accept kiddushin from a man herself.
15.
For until the age of three, a woman is not considered to be fit for sexual relations.
16.
This refers to the second stage of the marriage relationship, as explained in Chapter 11 onward.
17.
This and the other laws in this halachah apply when a girl is either a k'tanah or a na'arah (has reached the age of twelve), but not a bogeret (twelve and a half).
18.
Since the kiddushin were not effective at the time they were given, the father's subsequent consent is of no significance. This point is, however, disputed by some of the later authorities. (See Shulchan Aruch, Even HaEzer 37:11.)
19.
No priest may marry a divorcee, nor may a High Priest marry a widow. Nevertheless, because these kiddushin are not effective, these prohibitions do not apply.
20.
According to the Maharik (Responsum 30[32]), this applies when the kiddushin were given in her father's presence, but he remained silent. In both the Kessef Mishneh and the Shulchan Aruch (ibid.), Rav Yosef Karo differs and explains that according to the Rambam, the father must consent at the time of (or before) the kiddushin. If he desires to prevent the kiddushin at that time, he may. If he consents, the girl getting married can still prevent the kiddushin from taking place. For since her father charged her with this matter, even if he consented to the match it is dependent on her. (See also Chapter 22, Halachah 5, and Hilchot Terumot 8:16.)
21.
A woman below the age of majority does not have the authority to appoint an agent.
22.
Among the explanations that are given for why this is acceptable: a) If the father had said, "Give an animal food, and my daughter will be consecrated to you," the kiddushin would be binding. When he tells the daughter to receive kiddushin, it is as if he makes a statement that it is acceptable to him that the man who consecrates her gives her the money (Ra'avad, Ramban).
b) Although a minor may not normally serve as an agent, this instance is an exception. Since the kiddushin are being given for her benefit, the girl is entitled to act in this capacity (Rabbenu Asher). The Beit Shmuel 37:7 states that the Rambam subscribes to this view.
23.
The rationale is that since the marriage bonds are established through the acceptance of the kiddushin, witnesses must be present to acknowledge the agent's appointment, for "no matters involving forbidden sexual relations [are established if] fewer than two witnesses are present (Yevamot 88a)."
The Ramah (Even HaEzer 35:3) quotes the opinion of Rabbenu Asher, who states that if all concerned acknowledge the appointment of the agent, the kiddushin are effective. He therefore rules that in such a situation, the woman needs to receive a get before she can marry another man.
24.
The Rambam's statements are based on the comparison to an agent appointed to bring a woman a get. The Ra'avad objects to the comparison, because a get is a formal legal document, and possession of it serves to verify the person's agency. The Shulchan Aruch (ibid.) quotes both opinions, but appears to favor that of the Rambam.
25.
Hilchot Gittin 6:4. This ruling itself is not accepted by all authorities, as noted in the Shulchan Aruch (Even HaEzer 141:13).
26.
Hilchot Terumah 4:1.
27.
As clarified by the Maggid Mishneh and the Shulchan Aruch (Even HaEzer 35:2), this ruling applies only when: a) the kiddushin are established by the transfer of a legal document worth less than a p'rutah, or b) the kiddushin are established by the transfer of money, and the woman admits receiving the money.
28.
Our translation follows the Rambam's later emendations to the Mishneh Torah. The earlier version of the text states: "The effectiveness of [the transfer of] money stems from Rabbinic law." See the discussion of this concept in the notes on Chapter 1, Halachah 2.
29.
Kiddushin 4b.
30.
The punishment given for transgressing a Rabbinic decree.
31.
Today, it is customary for the consecration to be made under the wedding canopy (chuppah), and the blessing is recited at this time.
32.
The Rambam's wording implies that the blessing should be recited by the groom himself. At present, the current custom in both the Sephardic and Ashkenazic communities is to have the Rabbi conducting the marriage ceremony recite the blessing, lest a groom who does not know how to recite the blessing be embarrassed by his lack of knowledge. (See Hagahot Maimoniot.)
33.
In Darchei Moshe (Even HaEzer 34), the Ramah states that one may recite the blessing afterwards as well. Nevertheless, in his gloss on the Shulchan Aruch, he does not make such a statement. The current custom in both the Sephardic and Ashkenazic communities is to recite the blessing before the kiddushin.
34.
The Shulchan Aruch (Even HaEzer 34:1) states that the blessing should read: "and commanded us concerning," rather than "and separated us from." This is the common practice today.
35.
The Beit Shmuel 34:3 and others state that the blessing should read "those who are married to us." This is the custom in many communities.
36.
At present, the custom is for the officiating Rabbi to recite the blessing over the wine and then the blessing of consecration. He then has the groom and bride drink from the wine, and afterwards the groom consecrates the bride.
Ishut - Chapter Four
1
A woman may be consecrated only voluntarily. If one forces a woman to be consecrated, she is not consecrated. When a man, by contrast, is forced to consecrate [a woman], she is consecrated.1
A man may consecrate many women at one time, provided that he does so by [transferring] money, and there is enough money to give each one a p'rutah. One of these [women] or another person may accept the money on behalf of them all, [provided] they consent.
א
אין האשה מתקדשת אלא לרצונה והמקדש אשה בעל כרחה אינה מקודשת. אבל האיש שאנסוהו עד שקידש בעל כרחו הרי זו מקודשת. ויש לאיש לקדש נשים רבות כאחת והוא שיהיה בכסף אם קידש בכסף פרוטה לכל אחת ואחת. ויש לאחת מהן או לאחר לקבל הקידושין ע"י כולן מדעתן:
2
When a person [desires to] consecrate a woman, and with her consent gives the kiddushin to another woman, and tells the latter "And you as well," or uses another similar expression, they are both consecrated.2
When, however, the man places [the kiddushin] in the hand [of the second woman] and says, "And you," there is doubt whether or not the kiddushin are valid. Perhaps his intent was only to clarify her feelings. It was as if he asked her, "What would you say about this?" Therefore, she accepted the kiddushin, for she thought he was still asking her about her intent. For this reason, [the question is unresolved,] and the status of the kiddushin is in doubt.
ב
המקדש את האשה ונתן הקידושין מדעתה ביד חבירתה ואמר לחבירתה כשנתן הקידושין בידה ואת נמי. או וכן גם את וכיוצא בזה. הרי שתיהן מקודשות. אבל אם נתן בידה וא"ל ואת. הרי זו שקבלה הקידושין מקודשת בספק. שמא לא נתכוון אלא לראות מה בלבה וכאילו אמר לה ואת מה תאמרי בדבר זה. ולפיכך קיבלה הקידושין היא שהרי זה עדיין שואלה לראות מה בלבה ומפני זה היא ספק מקודשת:
3
If he told her, "Become consecrated to me with this dinar," and she took it and threw it in front of him or to the sea, into a fire or into anything that will cause it to be destroyed, she is not consecrated.3
ג
א"ל התקדשי לי בדינר זה נטלתו וזרקתו לפניו או לים או לאור או לדבר האבד אינה מקודשת. אמרה לו תנהו לאבא או לאביך או לאיש פלוני ונתן אינה מקודשת. ואם אמרה לו תנהו לו שיקבלהו לי ונתן הרי זו מקודשת:
4
[In the above instance, if] the woman told the man, "Place [the kiddushin] on [this] rock," she is not consecrated. If the rock belonged to her, she is consecrated. If the rock belonged to both of them, [the question is unresolved, and] the status of the kiddushin is in doubt.
If he told her, "Be consecrated to me with this loaf of bread," and she told him, "Give it to a poor person," she is not consecrated. [This applies] even if she supports the poor person in question.
[If she told him,] "Give it to a dog," she is not consecrated.6 If the dog belonged to her, she is consecrated. If [the dog] was chasing after her and she told him, "Give it to this dog," [the question is unresolved, and] the status of the kiddushin is in doubt.
ד
אמרה הניחהו על הסלע אינה מקודשת ואם היה סלע שלה מקודשת. היה סלע של שניהם הרי זו מקודשת בספק. אמר לה התקדשי לי בככר זה אמרה לו תנהו לעני אפילו היה עני הסמוך עליה אינה מקודשת. תנהו לכלב הרי זו אינה מקודשת ואם היה הכלב שלה מקודשת. ואם היה רץ אחריה לנשכה ואמרה לו תנהו לכלב זה הרי זו ספק מקודשת:
5
[The following laws apply when a man] was selling produce, utensils or the like, and a woman came and asked him: "Give me some of these." If he asked her, "If I give them to you, will you be consecrated to me?" and she said, "Yes," she is consecrated when he gives [the items] to her. If, however, she replied to him: "[Just] give them to me," "Heave them over," or another reply that means "Don't fool around with me regarding such matters, just give me [what I asked for]," she is not consecrated although he gave her [what she asked for].
A similar [decision is rendered] if [a man] was drinking wine and [a woman] asked him, "Give me a cup," and he asks her, "If I do, will you be consecrated to me with it?" If she replies, "[Just] let me drink," "Give me," "Serve me drink," or "Dish it out," she is not consecrated. Her words imply: "Just give me a drink, and don't fool around with me regarding such matters."
ה
היה מוכר פירות או כלים וכיוצא בהן באה אשה ואמרה לו תן לי מעט מאלו וא"ל אם אתן לך תהי מקודשת לי. אם אמרה הן ונתן לה הרי זו מקודשת אבל אם אמרה לו תן לי מהן או השלך לי או דברים שעניינם לא תשחק עמי בדברים אלו אלא תן לי בלבד ונתן אינה מקודשת. וכן אם היה שותה יין ואמרה לו תן לי כוס אחד ואמר לה אם אתן לך הרי את מקודשת לי בו ואמרה השקיני השקות או תן השקה השלך אינה מקודשת שאין הדברים נראין אלא השקיני בלבד ולא תשחק עמי בדבר אחר:
6
When [a man] consecrates [a woman] in the presence of a single witness, his kiddushin] are of no consequence. [This applies] even when both [the man and the woman] acknowledge [that the kiddushin were given].7 Surely this applies when [a man] consecrates [a woman] without any witnesses at all [observing the act].
When [a man] consecrates [a woman] in the presence of individuals who are disqualified from serving as witnesses by Scriptural law, she is not consecrated. [When he consecrates her in the presence of] individuals who are disqualified from serving as witnesses by Rabbinic law,8 or in the presence of witnesses regarding whom there is doubt whether or not they are acceptable according to Scriptural law, [the following rules apply:] If he desires to consummate the marriage, he should consecrate the woman again in the presence of acceptable witnesses. If he does not desire to consummate the marriage, the woman must receive a get from him [to enable her to marry others], because of the doubt.9[This ruling applies] even when the woman denies [the matter], contradicting the witnesses and saying that she was never consecrated.
This ruling applies with regard to all situations in which the status of the kiddushin is in doubt. If [the man] desires to consummate the marriage, he should consecrate the woman again in a manner that is unequivocally acceptable. If he does not desire to consummate the marriage, the woman must receive a get from him, because of the doubt.
ו
המקדש בעד אחד אין חוששין לקידושיו ואע"פ ששניהם מודין ק"ו למקדש בלא עדים. המקדש בפסולי עדות של תורה אינה מקודשת. בפסולי עדות של דברי סופרים או בעדים שהן ספק פסולי תורה אם רצה לכנוס חוזר ומקדש בכשרים ואם לא רצה לכנוס צריכה גט ממנו מספק. ואפילו כפרה האשה והכחישה את העדים ואמרה לא קדשתני כופין אותה ליקח גט. וכן דין כל קידושי ספק אם רצה לכנוס חוזר ומקדש ודאי ואם לא רצה לכנוס צריכה גט ממנו מספק:
7
When a minor consecrates [a woman], his kiddushin are of no consequence. When, by contrast, a male past the age of majority consecrates a girl below the age of majority who is an orphan,10 or who has left her father's authority,11 [different rules apply]: If she is below the age of six, even if she is one who shows deep understanding of secret matters,12 and can differentiate and discern, she is not married, and there is no need for mi'un.13
If she is more than ten years old, even when she is very foolish, since she willingly accepted the kiddushin, she is consecrated [according to Rabbinic law] and [must perform] mi'un [should she desire to nullify the marriage]. If she is between the ages of six and ten, [the rabbis] must evaluate her ability to discern. If she is able to differentiate and discern with regard to matters of marriage and kiddushin, [the marriage is binding according to Rabbinic law] and mi'un is necessary. If she lacks [this degree of discernment], she is not consecrated [at all], and need not perform mi'un [to nullify the marriage].
ז
קטן שקידש אין קידושיו קידושין. אבל גדול שקידש את הקטנה היתומה. או קטנה שיצאה מרשות אביה אם היתה פחותה מבת שש אע"פ שהיא נבונת לחש ביותר ומכרת ומבחנת אין כאן שם קידושין ואינה צריכה למאן. ואם היתה מבת עשר שנים ולמעלה אע"פ שהיא סכלה ביותר הואיל ונתקדשה לדעתה הרי זו מקודשת למיאון. היתה מבת שש ועד סוף עשר בודקין את יופי דעתה אם מכרת ומבחנת עסקי הנישואין והקידושין צריכה למאן. ואם לאו אינה מקודשת למיאון ואינה צריכה למאן:
8
What is meant by the statement that she is consecrated [according to Rabbinic law], and [must perform] mi'un [should she desire to nullify the marriage]? If she was consecrated but no longer desires to remain with her husband, she must perform mi'un in the presence of two witnesses. She should say: "I no longer desire him." Afterwards, she leaves [the relationship] without a divorce, as will be explained in Hilchot Gerushin.14
Why does she leave [the relationship] without a divorce? Because the consecration is not absolutely binding according to Scriptural law; it is merely a Rabbinic institution. [According to Scriptural law, the outcome] is tentative. If she continues living with her husband until she reaches the age of majority, the kiddushin are finalized, and she becomes a married woman in the complete sense of the term.15 There is no need for [her husband] to consecrate her again after she attains majority. If she does not want [to continue] living with him, she must perform mi'un; she then leaves [the relationship] without a divorce.
ח
כיצד מקודשת למיאון שאם נתקדשה ולא רצתה לישב עם בעלה צריכה למאן בפני שנים ולומר איני רוצה בו ויוצאה בלא גט כמו שיתבאר בהלכות גירושין. וזו היא הנקראת ממאנת. ולמה יוצאה בלא גט מפני שאין קידושיה קידושין גמורין מן התורה אלא מדברי סופרים והן תלויין שאם ישבה עם בעלה עד שגדלה גמרו קידושיה ונעשית אשת איש גמורה ואינו צריך לחזור לקדשה אחר שגדלה. ואם לא רצתה לישב צריכה למאן ותצא בלא גט:
9
When a male deaf mute marries a mentally competent woman, or a female deaf mute marries a mentally competent man, the marriage bond is not absolutely binding according to Scriptural law; it is merely a Rabbinic institution. Therefore, if a mentally competent man consecrates the wife of a deaf mute man who is herself mentally competent, she is considered to be consecrated to the mentally competent man. He must give her a get, and she is permitted to remain married to her deaf mute husband.16
When, by contrast, a mentally incompetent man consecrates a mentally competent woman, or a mentally competent man consecrates a mentally incompetent woman, the marriage bond is not at all binding - neither according to Scriptural law nor according to Rabbinic law.17
ט
חרש שנשא פקחת וכן חרשת שנשאת לפקח אין קידושיהן גמורין מן התורה אלא מדברי סופרים לפיכך אם בא פקח וקידש אשת חרש הפקחת הרי זו מקודשת לשני קידושין גמורין ונותן גט והיא מותרת לבעלה החרש. אבל השוטה שקידש פקחת או פקח שקידש שוטה אין כאן קידושין כלל לא מדברי תורה ולא מדברי סופרים:
10
When a sexually impotent male - whether a s'ris chamah or a s'ris adam - consecrates [a woman], and similarly, when [a man] consecrates an aylonit, the kiddushin are absolutely binding.18
י
סריס שקידש בין סריס חמה בין סריס אדם וכן איילונית שנתקדשה הרי אלו קידושין גמורין:
11
When a tumtum or an androgynous consecrates a woman, or when either of these individuals has been consecrated by a man, there is doubt whether these kiddushin are binding, and because of the doubt, a get is required.19
יא
טומטום ואנדרוגינוס שקידשו אשה או שקדשן איש הרי אלו קידושי ספק וצריכין גט מספק:
12
When a person consecrates one of the women forbidden as arayot, his act is of no consequence. For kiddushin are not binding with regard to these forbidden relationships, with the exception of [kiddushin given] a niddah. When a man consecrates a niddah, the kiddushin are binding absolutely. It is, nevertheless, improper to do so.20
יב
המקדש אחת מן העריות לא עשה כלום שאין קידושין תופסין לערוה חוץ מן הנדה שהמקדש את הנדה הרי זו מקודשת קידושין גמורין ואין ראוי לעשות כן:
13
When a married woman accepts kiddushin from another man in the presence of her husband, she is considered to be consecrated to the second man. For a woman's word is accepted when she tells her husband to his face that he had divorced her. We assume it axiomatically that a woman would not act so brazenly in her husband's presence [unless it were true].21
If, however, the other person consecrates her outside her husband's presence, these kiddushin are not considered to be binding unless she brings proof that she was divorced before she was consecrated. As long as she is outside her husband's presence, it is possible that she will act brazenly.
יג
אשת איש שפשטה ידה וקבלה קידושין מאחר בפני בעלה הרי זו מקודשת לשני. שהאשה שאמרה לבעלה בפניו גירשתני נאמנת חזקה אין אשה מעיזה פניה בפני בעלה. אבל אם קידשה אחר שלא בפני בעלה אין קידושין תופסין בה עד שתביא ראיה שנתגרשה קודם שתקבל הקידושין כל שלא בפניו מעיזה:
14
When a man consecrates one of the shniyot or a woman forbidden because of a negative commandment [not associated with karet] or because of a positive commandment, the kiddushin are binding absolutely. [The same ruling applies when] a yavam consecrates a woman who was married to the same man as his yevamah.22
There is one exception to the above principle: when a person other than [the yavam] consecrates a yevamah, [the question is unresolved, and] the status of the kiddushin is in doubt. For our Sages were unsure whether the kiddushin of a yevamah are valid, like those of others in which the relationship is forbidden by merely a negative commandment, or whether the kiddushin are of no consequence, as in the case of an incestuous relationship.
In all the situations mentioned above, although the man who gave the kiddushin is forbidden to consummate the marriage, he must terminate it by giving a get.
יד
המקדש אחת מן השניות או מאיסורי לאוין או מאיסורי עשה. וכן יבם שקידש צרת יבמה. הרי זו מקודשת קידושין גמורין חוץ מיבמה שנתקדשה לזר שהיא מקודשת בספק. נסתפק לחכמים אם הקידושין תופסין ביבמה כשאר חיובי לאוין או אין קידושין תופסין בה כערוה. ואף ע"פ שאסור לו לכנוס אחת מכל אלו הרי זה מגרש בגט:
15
[When] a man consecrates a gentile woman or a [Canaanite] maidservant, the kiddushin are of no consequence; the woman's status is the same after receiving the kiddushin as beforehand. Similarly, when a gentile or a [Canaanite] servant consecrates a Jewish woman, the kiddushin are of no consequence.
When an apostate Jew consecrates [a woman], his kiddushin are absolutely valid, despite the fact that he willingly worships a false deity. The woman must receive a get from him.23
טו
המקדש כותית או שפחה אינן קידושין אלא הרי היא אחר הקידושין כמו שהיתה קודם הקידושין. וכן עכו"ם ועבד שקדשו בת ישראל אין קידושיהן קידושין. ישראל מומר שקידש אף ע"פ שהוא עובד עכו"ם ברצונו הרי אלו קידושין גמורים וצריכה גט ממנו:
16
When a man consecrates a woman who is half a maidservant and half a free woman,24 she is not completely consecrated until she becomes [totally] free. Once she becomes free, the kiddushin are [automatically] completed, like the kiddushin of a minor who comes of age. There is no need for her to be consecrated again.
If another man consecrates such a woman after she was granted her freedom [before the person who consecrated her originally consummates their marriage], there is doubt regarding the matter,25and the status of both their kiddushin is in doubt.
טז
המקדש אשה שחצייה שפחה וחצייה בת חורין אינה מקודשת קידושין גמורין עד שתשתחרר וכיון שנשתחררה גמרו קידושיה כקידושי קטנה שגדלה ואינו צריך לקדשה קידושין אחרים. בא אחר וקידשה אחר שנשתחררה הרי זו ספק קידושין לשניהם:
17
What then is a shifchah charufah [a betrothed maidservant] as described by the Torah [Leviticus 19:20]? A woman who is half a maidservant and half a free woman, who was consecrated by a Hebrew servant.
When a male who is half a servant and half a free man consecrates a woman, [the matter is unresolved, and] the status of the kiddushin is in doubt.
יז
ואי זו היא שפחה חרופה האמורה בתורה זו מי שחצייה שפחה וחצייה בת חורין שקידשה עבד עברי ומי שחציו עבד וחציו בן חורין שקידש בת חורין הרי זו ספק קידושין:
18
When a drunk gives [a woman] kiddushin, they are valid, even if he is very drunk. If he reaches a state of drunkenness comparable to that of Lot,26 the kiddushin are of no consequence. This matter requires ample deliberation.
יח
שכור שקידש קידושיו קידושין ואע"פ שנשתכר הרבה. ואם הגיע לשכרותו של לוט אין קידושיו קידושין ומתיישבין בדבר זה:
19
When a man gives money worth less than a p'rutah as kiddushin, the kiddushin are not valid. When a man consecrates a woman with food or with a utensil worth less than a p'rutah, the status of the kiddushin is in doubt; perhaps the kiddushin are worth a p'rutah in another place.
From this one can deduce that whenever a person consecrates a woman with an article worth money, if it is worth a p'rutah in that country the kiddushin are definitely binding. If it is not worth a p'rutah [there], the status of the kiddushin is in doubt [as above].27
It appears to me that if [a man] consecrated [a woman] with cooked food, a vegetable that will not be preserved or the like, and the item is not worth a p'rutah in that place, the kiddushin are not binding at all. For by the time this item reaches another place, it will spoil and be worthless. This is a reasonable inference; one may rely on it.
יט
המקדש בפחות מפרוטה אינה מקודשת. קידשה באוכל או בכלי וכיוצא בו ששוה פחות מפרוטה הרי זו מקודשת בספק וצריכה גט מספק שמא דבר זה שוה פרוטה במקום אחר. הא למדת שכל המקדש בשוה כסף אם היה באותה המדינה שוה פרוטה הרי אלו קידושי ודאי ואם אינו שוה פרוטה הרי אלו קידושי ספק. *יראה לי שאם קידש בתבשיל או בירק שאינו מתקיים וכיוצא בהם אם לא היו שוה פרוטה באותו המקום אינה מקודשת כלל שהרי דבר זה אינו מגיע למקום אחר עד שיפסד ויאבד ולא יהא שוה פרוטה ודבר של טעם הוא זה וראוי לסמוך עליו:
20
When [a man] consecrates a woman with less than a p'rutah's worth, or he consecrates two women with a p'rutah, the women are not consecrated. [This applies] even when he sends wedding presents [worth more than a p'rutah] afterwards. Similarly, when a minor consecrates a woman, the kiddushin are not valid, despite the fact that he sent marriage presents after he had attained majority. [This ruling was delivered because the presents] were sent because of the original kiddushin, which were invalid [and therefore are not considered to be significant in their own right].
כ
המקדש (אשה) בפחות מפרוטה או שקידש שתי נשים בפרוטה אע"פ ששלח סבלונות לאחר מכן אינה מקודשת. וכן קטן שקידש אע"פ ששלח סבלונות לאחר שהגדיל אינה מקודשת שמחמת קידושין הראשונים שלחן שהיו קידושין פסולין:
21
When [a man] consecrates a woman by [giving her] money or a legal document, he does not have to place the kiddushin in her hand. Instead, if she consents that he throw them to her and he does so, she is consecrated, whether he throws them into her hand, her bosom, her courtyard or her field.28
If she is standing in a domain belonging to her [prospective] husband, he must place them in her hand or in her bosom. If she is standing in a domain that belongs to both of them, and he threw kiddushin to her with her consent, but they did not reach her hand or her bosom, the status of the kiddushin is in doubt. Even when she tells him, "Put the kiddushin down in this place," if the place belongs to both of them the status of the kiddushin is in doubt.29
כא
המקדש את האשה בכסף או בשטר אינו צריך שיתן הקידושין לתוך ידה אלא כיון שרצתה לזרוק לה קידושיה וזרקן בין לתוך ידה בין לתוך חיקה או לתוך חצירה או לתוך שדה שלה הרי זו מקודשת. היתה עומדת ברשות הבעל צריך שיתן לתוך ידה או לתוך חיקה. היתה עומדת ברשות שהיא של שניהן וזרק לה קידושיה מדעתה ולא הגיעו לידה או לחיקה הרי זו מקודשת קידושי ספק. ואפילו אמרה לו הנח קידושין על מקום זה ואותו המקום של שניהם הרי אלו קידושי ספק:
22
[The following rules apply when the two] are standing in the public domain or in a domain that does not belong to either of them, and he throws kiddushin to her: If they are closer to him, she is not consecrated. If they are closer to her, she is consecrated. If they are halfway between the two of them, or if there is doubt whether they were closer to him or to her,30 and they were lost before they reached her hand, there is doubt regarding the status of the kiddushin.
What is meant by "closer to him," or "closer to her"? A situation in which he can guard [the kiddushin] and she cannot is considered as "closer to him." One in which she can guard them and he cannot is considered to be "closer to her."31 One in which they can both guard them or neither can guard them is considered to be "halfway between the two of them."
כב
היו עומדים ברה"ר או ברשות שאינו של שניהם וזרק לה קידושיה. קרוב לו אינה מקודשת קרוב לה הרי זו מקודשת. מחצה על מחצה או שהיו ספק קרוב לו ספק קרוב לה ואבדו קודם שיגיעו לידה הרי זו ספק מקודשת כיצד הוא קרוב לו וקרוב לה כל שהוא יכול לשמור אותן והיא אינה יכולה זה הוא קרוב לו היא יכולה לשמור אותן והוא אינו יכול זהו קרוב לה. שניהן יכולין לשמור אותן או שניהן אין יכולים לשמור אותן זה הוא מחצה על מחצה:
FOOTNOTES
1.
Bava Batra 48b states that since it was possible for a man to divorce his wife without her consent (in Talmudic times), there was no need for the Sages to abrogate the man's kiddushin. Even if he was forced into consecrating the woman, he could end their relationship at will. With regard to the woman, by contrast, since she cannot initiate a divorce, our Sages abrogated the marriage bond when she was compelled to establish it against her will.
2.
The first woman is consecrated based on the principle stated in the following halachah, that a woman may tell a person to give the kiddushin to an agent acting on her behalf. The second woman is consecrated, because she accepted the kiddushin in silence, which is interpreted as acquiescence.
3.
The fact that she discarded the kiddushin is a clear indication of her rejection of his proposal.
4.
Telling the person to give the kiddushin to someone else also indicates that she does not desire them, nor the consequences of accepting them (Tosafot, Kiddushin 8b).
5.
I.e., that the recipient should act as her agent.
6.
The Ramah (Even HaEzer 30:11) quotes the opinion of the Tur, who maintains that if at the outset the woman says, "Put money down in this place and I will be consecrated to you," or "Give food to this dog and I will be consecrated to you," the status of the kiddushin is doubtful. Since the man spent money because of her wishes, one might presume that this can be compared to the law stated in the previous halachah. Nevertheless, since the kiddushin were not given to a person, it is possible that the comparison is not in place, and the kiddushin are not definitely binding. (See also Chapter 5, Halachah 21.)
7.
The Ramah (Orach Chayim 42:2) quotes an opinion that requires stringency in such an instance, but states that leniency should be granted if following the stringent view will cause a woman great difficulty in getting married.
Although the need for witnesses with regard to marriage and divorce is derived from an analogy (gezerah shavah) to claims of monetary law, a difference exists between the two. With regard to a financial claim, no witnesses are necessary if both litigants agree regarding a matter.
As stated in this halachah, this concept does not apply with regard to the laws of marriage and divorce. Two rationales are given for this matter:
a) When the man and woman agree with regard to the establishment of a marriage bond, they are limiting the privileges of others, for they are unable to consecrate the woman. With regard to financial matters, by contrast, the rights of others are not restricted (Rashba).
b) There is a fundamental difference between the function of witnesses in cases involving financial matters and their function with regard to wedding and divorce. With regard to financial matters, the function of witnesses is to clarify the truth (eidei berur). With regard to marriage and divorce, by contrast, the witnesses' function is to notarize the event (eidei kiyyum). For a marriage bond to be established - or broken - even when the husband and wife agree that the event took place, witnesses must observe the proceedings (Tumim 90:14, Tzaphnat Paneach, Kallei HaTorah).
8.
This ruling sheds light on a theme of larger scope: the interrelation between Rabbinic law and Scriptural law. For the fact that a woman needs a get to marry another person appears to indicate that according to Scriptural law, the kiddushin are effective.
9.
Many of the manuscript copies and early printings of the Mishneh Torah state that the obligation to give a get is of Rabbinic origin. This view would appear to be supported by the Rambam's ruling in Chapter 5, Halachah 1.
10.
If she is not an orphan and has never been married, the right to consecrate her belongs to her father, not to her.
11.
I.e., she was married, the marriage was consummated, and then she was either divorced or widowed. In this and the above instance, the girl does not have sufficient authority to create a marriage bond that is binding according to Scriptural law. Nevertheless, a bond that is binding according to Rabbinic law may be established, as the halachah continues to explain.
The Ramah (Even HaEzer 155:2) quotes opinions that maintain that the above applies only when the girl's marriage was arranged by her brother or her mother. If she arranged the marriage herself, it is not binding, even according to Rabbinic law. The Ra'avad mentions a third opinion, which states that for a girl between the ages of six and ten, the marriage must be arranged by her family to be binding. After the age of ten, it is binding even if she arranged it herself.
12.
Our translation is based on the commentary of Metzudot on Isaiah 3:3.
13.
The annulment of a marriage that a girl below the age of majority initiates, as explained in the following halachah.
When a girl is below the age of six, we assume that she does not have sufficient understanding of the nature of marriage to make a commitment that is binding in any way.
14.
Chapter 11, Halachah 8.
15.
As the Rambam states in Hilchot Gerushin 11:6, if the girl reaches majority before she states that she desires to nullify the marriage bond, Rabbinic law requires her to receive a get before she marries another person. If she continues living with her husband and they engage in sexual relations after she attains majority, the marriage bond is binding according to Scriptural law.
16.
The Ra'avad objects to the Rambam's decision, stating that the woman should not be allowed to remain married to her deaf mute husband. The Maggid Mishneh justifies the Rambam's decision, explaining that since the marriage of a deaf mute is a Rabbinic institution, our Sages did not impose the same restrictions that would apply had the marriage been effective according to Scriptural law.
Others state that the Rambam's ruling applies only when the mentally competent man merely consecrated the deaf mute's wife. If he consummated the marriage (nisu'in), the deaf mute is forbidden to continue living with her after her divorce.
17.
Our Sages differentiated between the marriage of a deaf mute and that of a mentally incompetent person as follows: the marriage of a deaf mute may be harmonious and has the possibility of enduring. The marriage of a mentally incompetent person, by contrast, will surely be plagued by friction and will not endure. For a mentally competent will never be comfortable living with a mentally incompetent person. (See Chapter 11, Halachah 6 and Yevamot 112b.)
The Ramah (Even HaEzer 44:2) states that this is a sensitive matter, for it is difficult to determine when a person is completely incompetent or not.
18.
All the terms mentioned in this halachah are explained in Chapter 2. Although s'ris adam (a person who has been castrated) is forbidden to marry, if he violates this prohibition, the marriage bond is binding and a get is required for severing the relationship. With regard to an aylonit, see Chapter 24, Halachot 1-2, and the accompanying notes.
19.
The Ramah (Even HaEzer 44:5) quotes the Tur as stating that an androgynous is considered to be a male, and the kiddushin that he gives are binding.
20.
This ruling is relevant in the present age, for it is frequent that a woman is a niddah at the time of a marriage. A wedding should never be planned to coincide with the woman's niddah state. Nevertheless, since weddings are often planned well in advance, and women's menstrual cycles are flexible, it is possible that the calculations will be in error, and the wedding will be scheduled for the time when the woman is a niddah. In such a situation, the commonly accepted ruling is to hold the wedding. Nevertheless, restrictions are placed on the couple's being in private until the woman purifies herself. Needless to say, sexual relations are forbidden.
21.
The Ra'avad states that the woman's word should be accepted only insofar as to require her to receive a get from the second person. She is not allowed to marry him, nor may she collect her ketubah from her first husband unless she proves that she has been divorced. The Ramah (Even HaEzer 17:2) states that in the present age, since brazen behavior is more common, the presumption upon which the Rambam's ruling rests is no longer a viable support.
22.
The situation is as follows: A man who was married to two women died while childless. As required by Deuteronomy, Chapter 5, one of his brothers (the yavam) marries one of his widows (the yevamah). Afterwards, neither the yavam nor any other of the deceased's brothers is allowed to marry the deceased's second wife. (See Hilchot Yibbum 1:12.)
23.
Rav David Cohen (Section 9, Responsum 1) states that the intent is that we are obligated to force the apostate to divorce his wife, lest he cause her to violate Torah law.
24.
E.g., a Canaanite maidservant who was owned in partnership by two masters. One granted the woman her freedom, but the other did not.
25.
Our translation follows the commentary of the Maggid Mishneh, who explains that there is a question whether or not the kiddushin of the first person are valid. Nevertheless, if the couple marry and consummate their relationship, this establishes their wedding bond.
26.
Who was totally unaware of what he was doing (Genesis, Chapter 19).
27.
The commentaries (see Beit Shmuel 31:6) debate the status of the kiddushin when one knows for a fact that they are worth a p'rutah in another place. Some maintain that they are absolutely binding, and others maintain that their status remains doubtful.
28.
The Tur (Even HaEzer 30) states that the woman's field or courtyard must be protected. It is possible to state that this is the Rambam's opinion as well, and he relies on the statements he makes in Hilchot Zechiyah UMatanah 4:9 regarding giving a present (Kessef Mishneh). Nevertheless, it is possible to differentiate between the two and explain that the laws governing kiddushin are more lenient. The Beit Shmuel 30:3 maintains that this is the view of the Shulchan Aruch (Even HaEzer 30:1). See Chelkat Mechokeik 30:2.
29.
Although this would not be acceptable with regard to a business transaction (Hilchot Mechirah, Chapter 4), an exception is made here, because of the possibility that the man lent the woman rights to his share of the property.
30.
See the Beit Shmuel 29:9, which interprets this as meaning that two pairs of witnesses observed the throwing of the kiddushin, one maintained that the kiddushin were able to be guarded by the man, and one that they were able to be guarded by the woman. If, however, there was only one pair of witnesses, and they were unsure whether the woman could guard them, the kiddushin are not effective, because it is as if they were given without being observed by witnesses.
31.
The Makneh states that the Rambam relies on his statements in Hilchot Gerushin 5:13, which state that the woman must be able to bend over and take the object. Others do not make such a stipulation.
• Shabbat, 2 Tevet, 5777 · 31 December 2016
• "Today's Day"
• Thursday, Tevet 2, Seventh Day of Chanuka, 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: Mikeitz, Chamishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 10-17.
Tanya: Therefore has the Torah (p. 15)...and its commandments (p. 17).
The campaign of the Greeks was aimed to "make them forget Your Torah and violate the decrees of Your will" (Sidur p. 59); as the Midrash (Bereishit Raba 16) puts it, (the Greeks demanded) "Write...that you have no share in the G-d of Israel." It was a war against G-d. "Let them study Torah," the Greeks implied. "Let them practice the justice-mitzvot and the 'testimonial' observances. But they must not mention that the Torah is G-d's Torah and the mitzvot are the decrees of His will. Torah and mitzvot must be severed from G-dliness."
• Daily Thought:
The Last War
Some people are waiting for a final, apocalyptic war.
But the final war is fought
not on battlefields,
nor at sea,
nor in the skies above.
Neither is it a war between leaders or nations.
The final war is fought in the heart of each human being,
with the armies of his or her deeds in this world.
The final war is the battle of Chanukah
and the miracle of light.
-------
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