Menorah Lighting
Please set your location to view Menorah lighting times ––:––
Torah Reading
Chanukah 1: Numbers 7:1 (A: v, S: iv) On the day Moshe finished putting up the tabernacle, he anointed and consecrated it, all its furnishings, and the altar with its utensils. After anointing and consecrating them, 2 the leaders of Isra’el, who were heads of their father’s clans, made an offering. These were the tribal leaders in charge of those counted in the census. 3 They brought their offering before Adonai, six covered wagons and twelve oxen — a wagon for every two leaders and for each an ox — and presented them in front of the tabernacle.
4 Adonai said to Moshe, 5 “Receive these from them; they are to be used for the service in the tent of meeting. Give them to the L’vi’im, to each as needed for his duties.” 6 So Moshe took the wagons and oxen and gave them to the L’vi’im. 7 He gave two wagons and four oxen to the descendants of Gershon, in keeping with the needs of their duties. 8 Four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the descendants of M’rari, in keeping with the needs of their duties, directed by Itamar the son of Aharon the cohen. 9 But to the descendants of K’hat he gave none, because their duties involved the holy articles, which they carried on their own shoulders.
10 The leaders brought the offering for dedicating the altar on the day it was anointed. The leaders brought their offering before the altar, 11 and Adonai said to Moshe, “They are to present their offerings to dedicate the altar, each leader on his own day.”
(S: v) 12 Nachshon the son of ‘Amminadav, from the tribe of Y’hudah, presented his offering on the first day. 13 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; 14 one gold pan of ten shekels [one-quarter pound], full of incense; 15 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb in its first year as a burnt offering, 16 one male goat as a sin offering, 17 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 Nachshon the son of ‘Amminadav.
Today's Laws & Customs:
• Kindle Two Chanukah Lights tonight Today is the first day of the eight-day festival of Chanukah. In commemoration of the miracle of the oil (see "Today in Jewish History") we kindle the Chanukah lights -- oil lamps or candles -- each evening for eight days, increasing the number of lights each evening.
In the Jewish calendar, the day begins at nightfall; thus, the first Chanukah light is kindled on the preceding evening, which is when the Hebrew date of Kislev 25 begins. Tonight is the eve of the 2nd day of Chanukah, so we kindle two lights in the Chanukah menorah.
The lights—which ideally should be kindled soon after sunset—must burn for at least half an hour after nightfall. Learn more about the proper lighting time here.
For a more detailed guide to Chanukah lighting click here. For text and audio of the blessings recited before lighting, click here.
Additional Chanukah observances and customs are listed below:
• 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.
• Latkes, Sufganiot & Dairy Foods
On Chanukah we eat foods fried in oil -- such as latkes (potato cakes) and sufganiot (doughnuts) -- in commemoration of the miracle of the oil.
It is also customary to eat dairy foods in commemoration of Judith's heroic deed.
• Dreidel
It is customary to play dreidel -- a game played with a spinning top inscribed with the Hebrew letters Nun, Gimmel, Hei and Shin, which spell the phrase Nes Gadol Hayah Sham, "a great miracle happened there." (It is said that when the Greeks forbade the study of Torah, Jewish children continued the study with their teachers in caves and cellars; when the agents of the king were seen approaching, the children would hide their scrolls and start to play with spinning tops...)
Links: About the dreidel
• Chanukah Gelt
It is an age-old custom to distribute gifts of Chanukah gelt ("Chanukah money") to children on Chanukah. (It was the custom of the rebbes of Chabad-Lubavitch to give Chanukah gelt to their children and other family members on the fourth or fifth night of Chanukah; more recently, however, the Lubavitcher Rebbe encouraged the giving of Chanukah gelt every day of the festival -- except for Shabbat, when handling money is forbidden.)
Today in Jewish History:
• Cain Kills Abel (3720 BCE) The first murder in history occurred on the 25th of Kislev in the year 41 from creation (3720 BCE), when Adam and Eve's eldest son, Cain, killed his younger brother, Abel, as recounted in the 4th chapter of Genesis.
Link: From the Midrash
• Mishkan completed (1312 BCE)
The vessels, tapestries, wall sections and other components of the Mishkan (the portable sanctuary or "Tabernacle" built under Moses' direction to house the Divine Presence during the Israelites' journeys through the desert) were completed on the 25th of Kislev in the year 2449 from creation (1312 BCE). The Mishkan was not assembled, however, until 3 months later, when, beginning on Adar 25 of that year, it was erected and taken down daily for a 7-day "training" period prior to its dedication on the 1st of Nissan. Our Sages tell us that the day of Kislev 25 was compensated 12 centuries later, when the Maccabees dedicated the Holy Temple on Kislev 25, 3622 (139 BCE -- see below).
Links: The Mishkan described in the Torah and commentaries; from the Chassidic masters on the Mishkan
• 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
• R. Chizkiah Medini (1904)
Kislev 25 is the yahrtzeit (date of passing) of Rabbi Chaim Chizkiah Medini (1832-1904), author of the Halachic encyclopedia Sdei Chemed.Daily Quote:
As one person, with one heart[Midrash Mechilta (describing the Jews' encampment at Sinai to receive the Torah)]
Please set your location to view Menorah lighting times ––:––
Torah Reading
Chanukah 1: Numbers 7:1 (A: v, S: iv) On the day Moshe finished putting up the tabernacle, he anointed and consecrated it, all its furnishings, and the altar with its utensils. After anointing and consecrating them, 2 the leaders of Isra’el, who were heads of their father’s clans, made an offering. These were the tribal leaders in charge of those counted in the census. 3 They brought their offering before Adonai, six covered wagons and twelve oxen — a wagon for every two leaders and for each an ox — and presented them in front of the tabernacle.
4 Adonai said to Moshe, 5 “Receive these from them; they are to be used for the service in the tent of meeting. Give them to the L’vi’im, to each as needed for his duties.” 6 So Moshe took the wagons and oxen and gave them to the L’vi’im. 7 He gave two wagons and four oxen to the descendants of Gershon, in keeping with the needs of their duties. 8 Four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the descendants of M’rari, in keeping with the needs of their duties, directed by Itamar the son of Aharon the cohen. 9 But to the descendants of K’hat he gave none, because their duties involved the holy articles, which they carried on their own shoulders.
10 The leaders brought the offering for dedicating the altar on the day it was anointed. The leaders brought their offering before the altar, 11 and Adonai said to Moshe, “They are to present their offerings to dedicate the altar, each leader on his own day.”
(S: v) 12 Nachshon the son of ‘Amminadav, from the tribe of Y’hudah, presented his offering on the first day. 13 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; 14 one gold pan of ten shekels [one-quarter pound], full of incense; 15 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb in its first year as a burnt offering, 16 one male goat as a sin offering, 17 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 Nachshon the son of ‘Amminadav.
Today's Laws & Customs:
• Kindle Two Chanukah Lights tonight Today is the first day of the eight-day festival of Chanukah. In commemoration of the miracle of the oil (see "Today in Jewish History") we kindle the Chanukah lights -- oil lamps or candles -- each evening for eight days, increasing the number of lights each evening.
In the Jewish calendar, the day begins at nightfall; thus, the first Chanukah light is kindled on the preceding evening, which is when the Hebrew date of Kislev 25 begins. Tonight is the eve of the 2nd day of Chanukah, so we kindle two lights in the Chanukah menorah.
The lights—which ideally should be kindled soon after sunset—must burn for at least half an hour after nightfall. Learn more about the proper lighting time here.
For a more detailed guide to Chanukah lighting click here. For text and audio of the blessings recited before lighting, click here.
Additional Chanukah observances and customs are listed below:
• 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.
• Latkes, Sufganiot & Dairy Foods
On Chanukah we eat foods fried in oil -- such as latkes (potato cakes) and sufganiot (doughnuts) -- in commemoration of the miracle of the oil.
It is also customary to eat dairy foods in commemoration of Judith's heroic deed.
• Dreidel
It is customary to play dreidel -- a game played with a spinning top inscribed with the Hebrew letters Nun, Gimmel, Hei and Shin, which spell the phrase Nes Gadol Hayah Sham, "a great miracle happened there." (It is said that when the Greeks forbade the study of Torah, Jewish children continued the study with their teachers in caves and cellars; when the agents of the king were seen approaching, the children would hide their scrolls and start to play with spinning tops...)
Links: About the dreidel
• Chanukah Gelt
It is an age-old custom to distribute gifts of Chanukah gelt ("Chanukah money") to children on Chanukah. (It was the custom of the rebbes of Chabad-Lubavitch to give Chanukah gelt to their children and other family members on the fourth or fifth night of Chanukah; more recently, however, the Lubavitcher Rebbe encouraged the giving of Chanukah gelt every day of the festival -- except for Shabbat, when handling money is forbidden.)
Today in Jewish History:
• Cain Kills Abel (3720 BCE) The first murder in history occurred on the 25th of Kislev in the year 41 from creation (3720 BCE), when Adam and Eve's eldest son, Cain, killed his younger brother, Abel, as recounted in the 4th chapter of Genesis.
Link: From the Midrash
• Mishkan completed (1312 BCE)
The vessels, tapestries, wall sections and other components of the Mishkan (the portable sanctuary or "Tabernacle" built under Moses' direction to house the Divine Presence during the Israelites' journeys through the desert) were completed on the 25th of Kislev in the year 2449 from creation (1312 BCE). The Mishkan was not assembled, however, until 3 months later, when, beginning on Adar 25 of that year, it was erected and taken down daily for a 7-day "training" period prior to its dedication on the 1st of Nissan. Our Sages tell us that the day of Kislev 25 was compensated 12 centuries later, when the Maccabees dedicated the Holy Temple on Kislev 25, 3622 (139 BCE -- see below).
Links: The Mishkan described in the Torah and commentaries; from the Chassidic masters on the Mishkan
• 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
• R. Chizkiah Medini (1904)
Kislev 25 is the yahrtzeit (date of passing) of Rabbi Chaim Chizkiah Medini (1832-1904), author of the Halachic encyclopedia Sdei Chemed.Daily Quote:
As one person, with one heart[Midrash Mechilta (describing the Jews' encampment at Sinai to receive the Torah)]
Today's Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Parshat Mikeitz, 1st Portion (Genesis 41:1-41:14) with Rashi
• Genesis Chapter 41
1It came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh was dreaming, and behold, he was standing by the Nile. אוַיְהִ֕י מִקֵּ֖ץ שְׁנָתַ֣יִם יָמִ֑ים וּפַרְעֹ֣ה חֹלֵ֔ם וְהִנֵּ֖ה עֹמֵ֥ד עַל־הַיְאֹֽר:
It came to pass at the end: Heb. מִקֵץ. The Targum renders: מִסוֹף, at the end, and every expression of קֵץ means end. ויהי מקץ: כתרגומו מסוף, וכל לשון קץ סוף הוא:
by the Nile: Heb. עַל-הַיְאֹר, lit., by the canal. No other rivers are called יְאוֹרִים except the Nile, because the entire land is covered with many man-made canals (יְאוֹרִים), and the Nile rises in their midst and waters them, for it does not usually rain in Egypt as it does in other countries. על היאור: כל שאר נהרות אינם קרוים יאורים חוץ מנילוס, מפני שכל הארץ עשויין יאורים יאורים בידי אדם ונילוס עולה בתוכם ומשקה אותם, לפי שאין גשמים יורדין במצרים תדיר כשאר ארצות:
2And behold, from the Nile were coming up seven cows, of handsome appearance and robust flesh, and they pastured in the marshland. בוְהִנֵּ֣ה מִן־הַיְאֹ֗ר עֹלֹת֙ שֶׁ֣בַע פָּר֔וֹת יְפ֥וֹת מַרְאֶ֖ה וּבְרִיאֹ֣ת בָּשָׂ֑ר וַתִּרְעֶ֖ינָה בָּאָֽחוּ:
of handsome appearance: This was a symbol of the days of plenty, when creatures appear handsome to one another, for no one envies his fellow. — [from Gen. Rabbah 89:4] יפות מראה: סימן הוא לימי שובע, שהבריות נראות יפות זו לזו, שאין עין בריה צרה בחברתה:
in the marshland: Heb. בָּאָחוּ, in the marsh, maresc in Old French, like“Can the reed-grass (אָחוּ) grow…” (Job 8:11). באחו: באגם, מריש"ק בלע"ז [ביצה], כמו (איוב ח יא) ישגא אחו:
3And behold, seven other cows were coming up after them from the Nile, of ugly appearance and lean of flesh, and they stood beside the cows [which were] on the Nile bank. גוְהִנֵּ֞ה שֶׁ֧בַע פָּר֣וֹת אֲחֵר֗וֹת עֹל֤וֹת אַֽחֲרֵיהֶן֙ מִן־הַיְאֹ֔ר רָע֥וֹת מַרְאֶ֖ה וְדַקּ֣וֹת בָּשָׂ֑ר וַתַּֽעֲמֹ֛דְנָה אֵ֥צֶל הַפָּר֖וֹת עַל־שְׂפַ֥ת הַיְאֹֽר:
and lean of flesh: Heb. וְדַקוֹת, tenves in Old French, a term meaning thin. ודקות בשר: טינבי"ש בלע"ז [דקות], לשון דק:
4And the cows of ugly appearance and lean of flesh devoured the seven cows that were of handsome appearance and healthy; then Pharaoh awoke. דוַתֹּאכַ֣לְנָה הַפָּר֗וֹת רָע֤וֹת הַמַּרְאֶה֙ וְדַקֹּ֣ת הַבָּשָׂ֔ר אֵ֚ת שֶׁ֣בַע הַפָּר֔וֹת יְפֹ֥ת הַמַּרְאֶ֖ה וְהַבְּרִיאֹ֑ת וַיִּיקַ֖ץ פַּרְעֹֽה:
devoured: A sign that all the joy of the plenty will be forgotten during the days of the famine. ותאכלנה: סימן שתהא כל שמחת השובע נשכחת בימי הרעב:
5And he fell asleep and dreamed again, and behold, seven ears of grain were growing on one stalk, healthy and good. הוַיִּישָׁ֕ן וַיַּֽחֲלֹ֖ם שֵׁנִ֑ית וְהִנֵּ֣ה | שֶׁ֣בַע שִׁבֳּלִ֗ים עֹל֛וֹת בְּקָנֶ֥ה אֶחָ֖ד בְּרִיא֥וֹת וְטֹבֽוֹת:
on one stalk: Heb. בָּקָנֶה אֶחָד, tudel , tuiel , or tue(i)l, in Old French, stalk. בקנה אחד: טודי"ל בלע"ז [גבעול]:
healthy: Heb. בְּרִיאוֹת sains in French, healthy. בריאות: שייני"ש בלע"ז [בריאות]:
6And behold, seven ears of grain, thin and beaten by the east wind, were growing up after them. ווְהִנֵּה֙ שֶׁ֣בַע שִׁבֳּלִ֔ים דַּקּ֖וֹת וּשְׁדוּפֹ֣ת קָדִ֑ים צֹֽמְח֖וֹת אַֽחֲרֵיהֶֽן:
and beaten: Heb. וּשְׁדוּפוֹת. hasled(e)s in Old French, burnt up, parched; וּשְׁקִיפָן קִדּוּם [in Targum Onkelos], beaten, an expression similar to מַשְׁקוֹף, lintel, which is constantly beaten by the door, which knocks against it. ושדופת: השלידי"ש בלע"ז [מיובשות] ושקיפן קדום, חבוטות לשון משקוף החבוט תמיד על ידי הדלת המכה עליו:
the east wind: Heb. קָדִים, the east wind, called Bise in French. (Early editions read: the southeast wind.) קדים: רוח מזרחית שקורין ביש"א [רוח יבשה]:
7And the thin ears of grain swallowed up the seven healthy and full ears of grain; then Pharaoh awoke, and behold, a dream. זוַתִּבְלַ֨עְנָה֙ הַשִּׁבֳּלִ֣ים הַדַּקּ֔וֹת אֵ֚ת שֶׁ֣בַע הַשִּׁבֳּלִ֔ים הַבְּרִיא֖וֹת וְהַמְּלֵא֑וֹת וַיִּיקַ֥ץ פַּרְעֹ֖ה וְהִנֵּ֥ה חֲלֽוֹם:
healthy: Heb. בְּרִיאוֹת, sains in French, healthy. הבריאות: שייני"ש בלע"ז [בריאות]:
and behold, a dream: And behold, a whole dream was completed before him, and it required interpreters. והנה חלום: והנה נשלם חלום שלם לפניו והוצרך לפותרים:
8Now it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; so he sent and called all the necromancers of Egypt and all its sages, and Pharaoh related to them his dream, but no one interpreted them for Pharaoh. חוַיְהִ֤י בַבֹּ֨קֶר֙ וַתִּפָּ֣עֶם רוּח֔וֹ וַיִּשְׁלַ֗ח וַיִּקְרָ֛א אֶת־כָּל־חַרְטֻמֵּ֥י מִצְרַ֖יִם וְאֶת־כָּל־חֲכָמֶ֑יהָ וַיְסַפֵּ֨ר פַּרְעֹ֤ה לָהֶם֙ אֶת־חֲלֹמ֔וֹ וְאֵֽין־פּוֹתֵ֥ר אוֹתָ֖ם לְפַרְעֹֽה:
that his spirit was troubled: Heb. וַתִּפָּעֶם [Onkelos renders:] that his spirit was agitated, knocking within him like a bell (כְּפַעִמוֹן) (Tanchuma Buber, Mikeitz 4). Concerning Nebuchadnezzar, however, Scripture says:“and his spirit was agitated (וַתִּתְפָּעֶם)” (Dan. 2:1). There were two [reasons for this] agitation: forgetting the dream and ignorance of its interpretation. — [from Tanchuma Mikeitz 2] ותפעם רוחו: ומטרפא רוחה מקשקשת בתוכו כפעמון. ובנבוכדנצר הוא אומר (דניאל ב א) ותתפעם רוחו, לפי שהיו שם שתי פעימות שכחת החלום והעלמת פתרונו:
the necromancers: Heb. חַרְטֻמֵי, those who would arouse themselves (נֶחֱרִים) with the bones (טִימֵי) of the dead, so that they would [be able to] inquire of the bones. ([The word] טִימֵי means “bones” in Aramaic. In the Mishnah (Oholoth 17:3), we find: A house that was full of “timia,” meaning “full of bones.”) חרטמי: הנחרים בטימי מתים, ששואלים בעצמות. טימי, הן עצמות בלשון ארמי, ובמשנה בית שהוא מלא טמיא, מלא עצמות:
but no one interpreted them for Pharaoh: They did interpret them, but not for Pharaoh, for their voice did not reach his ears, and he had no satisfaction from their interpretation, for they said, “You will beget seven daughters, and you will bury seven daughters.” - [from Gen. Rabbah 89:6] ואין פותר אותם לפרעה: פותרים היו אותם, אבל לא לפרעה, שלא היה קולן נכנס באזניו, ולא היה לו קורת רוח בפתרונם, שהיו אומרים שבע בנות אתה מוליד, שבע בנות אתה קובר:
9Now the chief cupbearer spoke with Pharaoh, saying, "I call to mind my faults today. טוַיְדַבֵּר֙ שַׂ֣ר הַמַּשְׁקִ֔ים אֶת־פַּרְעֹ֖ה לֵאמֹ֑ר אֶת־חֲטָאַ֕י אֲנִ֖י מַזְכִּ֥יר הַיּֽוֹם:
10Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and he put me in prison, in the house of the chief slaughterer, me and the chief baker. יפַּרְעֹ֖ה קָצַ֣ף עַל־עֲבָדָ֑יו וַיִּתֵּ֨ן אֹתִ֜י בְּמִשְׁמַ֗ר בֵּ֚ית שַׂ֣ר הַטַּבָּחִ֔ים אֹתִ֕י וְאֵ֖ת שַׂ֥ר הָֽאֹפִֽים:
11And we dreamed a dream on the same night, I and he; each one according to the interpretation of his dream, we dreamed. יאוַנַּֽחַלְמָ֥ה חֲל֛וֹם בְּלַ֥יְלָה אֶחָ֖ד אֲנִ֣י וָה֑וּא אִ֛ישׁ כְּפִתְר֥וֹן חֲלֹמ֖וֹ חָלָֽמְנוּ:
each one according to the interpretation of his dream: A dream fit for the interpretation that was interpreted for us and similar to it. [I.e., a dream for which the interpretation given was appropriate, and which was similar to that interpretation.] איש כפתרון חלומו: חלום הראוי לפתרון שנפתר לו ודומה לו:
12And there with us was a Hebrew lad, a slave of the chief slaughterer, and we told him, and he interpreted our dreams for us; [for] each [of us], he interpreted according to his dream. יבוְשָׁ֨ם אִתָּ֜נוּ נַ֣עַר עִבְרִ֗י עֶ֚בֶד לְשַׂ֣ר הַטַּבָּחִ֔ים וַנְּסַ֙פֶּר־ל֔וֹ וַיִּפְתָּר־לָ֖נוּ אֶת־חֲלֹֽמֹתֵ֑ינוּ אִ֥ישׁ כַּֽחֲלֹמ֖וֹ פָּתָֽר:
a Hebrew lad, a slave: Cursed are the wicked, for their favors are incomplete. He mentions him with expressions of contempt: נער עברי עבד: ארורים הרשעים שאין טובתם שלמה. מזכירו בלשון בזיון:
a lad: a fool, unfit for a high position; נער: שוטה ואין ראוי לגדולה:
a Hebrew: he does not even understand our language; עברי: אפילו לשוננו אינו מכיר:
a slave: and in the statutes of Egypt it is written that a slave may neither reign nor wear princely raiment. — [from Gen. Rabbah 89:7] עבד: וכתוב בנמוסי מצרים שאין עבד מולך ולא לובש בגדי שרים:
[for] each [of us]…according to his dream: According to the dream and close to its contents. — [from Ber. 55b] איש כחלומו: לפי החלום וקרוב לענינו:
13And it came to pass that just as he had interpreted, so it was; me he restored to my position, and him he hanged." יגוַיְהִ֛י כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר פָּֽתַר־לָ֖נוּ כֵּ֣ן הָיָ֑ה אֹתִ֛י הֵשִׁ֥יב עַל־כַּנִּ֖י וְאֹת֥וֹ תָלָֽה:
me he restored to my position: [“He” refers to] Pharaoh, mentioned above, as he said,“Pharaoh was angry with his servants” (verse 10). Hence, the verse is elliptical: it did not specify who restored, because it is not necessary to specify who restored, [for it could only be] the one who has the power to restore, namely Pharaoh. This is customary for all elliptical verses. Concerning the one who is to do [the thing], they leave the matter unspecified. השיב על כני: מי שבידו להשיב, והוא פרעה הנזכר למעלה, כמו שאמר (לעיל פסוק י) פרעה קצף על עבדיו, הרי מקרא קצר ולא פירש מי השיב, לפי שאין צריך לפרש מי השיב, וכן דרך כל מקראות קצרים על מי שעליו לעשות הם סותמים את הדבר:
14So Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they rushed him from the dungeon, and he shaved and changed his clothes, and he [then] came to Pharaoh. ידוַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח פַּרְעֹה֙ וַיִּקְרָ֣א אֶת־יוֹסֵ֔ף וַיְרִיצֻ֖הוּ מִן־הַבּ֑וֹר וַיְגַלַּח֙ וַיְחַלֵּ֣ף שִׂמְלֹתָ֔יו וַיָּבֹ֖א אֶל־פַּרְעֹֽה:
from the dungeon: Heb. מִן-הַבּוֹר, lit., from the pit. From the prison, which was made like a sort of pit, and so every [instance of] בּוֹר in the Scriptures is an expression of“pit.” Even if there is no water in it, it is called בּוֹר, fosse in Old French, a pit. מן הבור: מן בית הסוהר שהוא עשוי כמין גומא, וכן כל בור שבמקרא לשון גומא הוא, ואף אם אין בו מים קרוי בור פוש"א בלע"ז [חפירה]:
and he shaved: in honor of the throne. — [from Gen. Rabbah 89:9] ויגלח: מפני כבוד המלכות:
• Daily Tehillim: Chapter 119, Verses 1-96
• Verses 1-96
David composed this prominent psalm in alphabetical sequence-eight verses for each letter. Every verse contains one of the following words (referring to different aspects of Torah): Way; Torah; Testimony; Precept; Commandment; Statement (translated here as Word or Promise); Word; Judgement (or Laws); Righteousness; Statute. Replete with morals and prayers, this psalm should be recited daily, as a powerful preparation for the service of God. (In verses beginning with one of the letters of the mnemonic PeReTZ BeN DaMaH, the word "עדותיך" is pronounced "eidvotecha.")
1. Fortunate are those whose way is artless, who walk with the Torah of the Lord.
2. Fortunate are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with all their hearts.
3. Indeed, they have not done iniquity; they walk in His ways.
4. You have commanded Your precepts to be observed diligently.
5. My wish is that my ways be directed to keep Your statutes.
6. Then I will not be ashamed, when I behold all Your commandments.
7. I will give thanks to You with uprightness of heart, when I learn Your righteous judgments.
8. I will keep Your statutes; do not utterly forsake me
9. How can a young man keep his way pure? By observing Your word.
10. With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me stray from Your commandments.
11. I have harbored Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
12. Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes.
13. With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth.
14. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as I would with all riches.
15. I will speak of Your precepts, and gaze upon Your ways.
16. I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.
17. Deal kindly with Your servant, that I may live to keep Your word.
18. Unveil my eyes, that I may behold wonders from Your Torah.
19. I am a sojourner on earth; do not hide Your commandments from me.
20. My soul is crushed with a longing for Your judgments every moment.
21. You have rebuked the accursed scoffers, those who stray from Your commandments.
22. Remove insult and contempt from me, for I have kept Your testimonies.
23. Though princes sat and spoke against me, Your servant speaks of Your statutes.
24. Indeed, Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counsellors.
25. My soul cleaves to the dust; revive me in accordance with Your word.
26. I have spoken of my ways, and You answered me; teach me Your statutes.
27. Make me understand the way of Your precepts, and I will speak of Your wonders.
28. My soul drips away out of grief; sustain me according to Your word.
29. Remove from me the way of falsehood, and graciously endow me with Your Torah.
30. I have chosen the way of faith; Your judgments have I laid before me.
31. I held fast to Your testimonies, O Lord; put me not to shame.
32. I will run on the path of Your commandments, for You will broaden my heart.
33. Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I will keep it to the last.
34. Grant me understanding and I will keep Your Torah; I will observe it with all my heart.
35. Direct me in the path of Your commandments, for that is my desire.
36. Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to greed.
37. Avert my eyes from seeing vanity; by Your ways give me life.
38. Fulfill for Your servant Your promise, which brings to the fear of You.
39. Remove my shame which I fear, for Your judgments are good.
40. Behold, I have longed for Your precepts; give me life in Your righteousness.
41. And let Your kindness come to fruition for me, O Lord, Your salvation as You promised.
42. I will offer a retort to those who taunt me, for I trust in Your word.
43. Do not at all remove the word of truth from my mouth, for I hope [to fulfill] Your judgments.
44. I will keep Your Torah continually, for ever and ever.
45. And I will walk in spacious paths, for I seek Your precepts.
46. I will speak of Your testimonies before kings, and I will not be ashamed.
47. And I will delight in Your commandments, which I love.
48. I will lift up my hands to Your commandments, which I love, and I will speak of Your statutes.
49. Remember the word [promised] to Your servant, by which You gave me hope.
50. This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life.
51. [Though] the wicked ridicule me severely, I have not strayed from Your Torah.
52. When I remember Your judgments of old, O Lord, I take comfort.
53. Trembling seized me because of the wicked, those who forsake Your Torah.
54. Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my wanderings.
55. At night I remembered Your Name, O Lord, and I kept Your Torah.
56. All this came to me because I kept Your precepts.
57. The Lord is my portion; I pledged to keep Your words.
58. I pleaded before You with all my heart: have compassion upon me according to Your word.
59. I contemplated my ways, and returned my feet to Your testimonies.
60. I hurried and did not delay to keep Your commandments.
61. Bands of wicked men plundered me, [but] I did not forget Your Torah.
62. At midnight, I rise to thank You for Your righteous judgments.
63. I am a friend to all who fear You, and to those who keep Your precepts.
64. Your kindness, O Lord, fills the earth; teach me Your statutes.
65. You have dealt goodness to Your servant, O Lord, in accord with Your promise.
66. Teach me the goodness and wisdom of the [Torah's] reasons, for I believe in Your commandments.
67. Before I afflicted myself, I would blunder; but now I observe Your word.
68. You are good and benevolent; teach me Your statutes.
69. The wicked have smeared me with lies, [when in truth] I keep Your precepts with all my heart.
70. Their hearts grew thick as fat; but as for me, Your Torah is my delight.
71. It is for my good that I was afflicted, so that I might learn Your statutes.
72. The Torah of Your mouth is better for me than thousands in gold and silver.
73. Your hands have made me and prepared me; grant me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.
74. Those who fear You will see me and rejoice, because I hoped in Your word.
75. I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are just; righteously have You afflicted me.
76. Let Your kindness be my comfort, as You promised to Your servant.
77. Let Your mercies come upon me, that I may live, for Your Torah is my delight.
78. Let the scoffers be shamed, for they have maligned me with falsehood; but I will meditate upon Your precepts.
79. May those who fear You return to me, and those who know Your testimonies.
80. May my heart be perfect in Your statutes, so that I not be shamed.
81. My soul longs for Your salvation; I hope for Your word.
82. My eyes long for Your promise, saying, "When will You comfort me?”
83. Though I became [dried out] like a wineskin in smoke, I did not forget Your statutes.
84. How many are the days of Your servant? When will You execute judgment upon my pursuers?
85. The wicked have dug pits for me, in violation of Your Torah.
86. All Your commandments teach truth, [yet] they pursue me with lies, help me!
87. They nearly consumed me upon the earth, but I did not forsake Your precepts.
88. As befits Your kindness, grant me life, and I will keep the testimony of Your mouth.
89. Forever, O Lord, Your word stands firm in the heavens.
90. Your faithfulness persists for all generations; You established the earth, and it stands.
91. They stand ready today [to execute] Your judgments, for all are Your servants.
92. Had Your Torah not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
93. Never will I forget Your precepts, for through them You have sustained me.
94. I am Yours; save me, for I have sought Your precepts.
95. The wicked hope to destroy me, but I meditate upon Your testimonies.
96. To every goal I have seen a limit, but Your commandment is immensely broad.
Tanya: Likutei Amarim, beginning of Chapter 3
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Sunday, 25 Kislev, 5777 · 25 December 2016
• Likutei Amarim, beginning of Chapter 3
• והנה כל בחינה ומדריגה משלש אלו, נפש רוח ונשמה, כלולה מעשר בחינות
• Rambam - Sunday, 25 Kislev, 5777 · 25 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 153
Calculating Months and Years
"This month shall be to you the beginning of months"—Exodus 12:2.
We are commanded to establish a calendar and calculate its months and years. The months are lunar months, with a new month established when the new moon appears; the years follow the solar seasonal cycle, necessitating the periodic addition of an extra (thirteenth) month to a year – which then becomes a "leap year" – because twelve lunar months are several days short of a solar year. This mitzvah is known as Sanctifying the New Moon.
This mitzvah is entrusted to the Jewish Supreme Court that presides in Israel. Unlike the counting of six days and then observing the Shabbat, a mitzvah that is incumbent upon every individual, no individual can unilaterally decide that a new month has arrived simply because he espied the new moon, and no individual can decide to add a month to the calendar based on his personal (even Torah-based) calculations.
Only the Supreme Court can make these calculations, and only in the Land of Israel. We follow the rulings issued by the Supreme Court in Israel even if they inadvertently established the "wrong" day as the New Moon, even if they did so under duress.
In the event that there are no qualified rabbis remaining in Israel, these calculations can be made, and months and leap years established, by a court that was ordained in Israel—even if it finds itself in the Diaspora.
Today we no longer sanctify the months based on the testimony of witnesses who saw the new moon, because there is no longer a sitting rabbinical Supreme Court in Israel—much as we no longer offer sacrifices, because we lack a Holy Temple.
But under no circumstances can an individual or court outside of Israel establish a new month or a leap year. Our calculations today in the Diaspora are only to determine which days the Court in Israel established as the New Moon, and which years they established as leap years.
[Editor's Note: Nachmanides asks, if so, how do we have holidays and a calendar today, when there is no rabbinical Supreme Court in Israel? He answers that there is a tradition that Hillel the Prince, who resided in Israel, established a calendar until the arrival of Moshiach, and sanctified all the new months and leap years until that time. Therefore, we can use our calculations to determine exactly what he previously established.]
Some laws associated with this mitzvah:
The extra month added to a leap year is the one contiguous to the month of Passover—i.e. Adar.
The establishment of new months and leap years must be done during daylight hours.
A year must be comprised of complete months; a month must be comprised of complete days.
Full text of this Mitzvah »• Calculating Months and Years
Positive Commandment 153
Translated by Berel Bell
The 153rd mitzvah is that G‑d (exalted be He) commanded us to calculate the months and years.1 This is the mitzvah of Kiddush HaChodesh (Sanctifying the Moon).
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement2 (exalted be He), "[And G‑d said to Moshe and Aharon in the land of Egypt,] 'this month [Nissan] shall be the head month to you.' "
In their explanation of this mitzvah, the Sages said,3 "This testimony is given lochem ["you", plural]."4 The meaning of this statement: This mitzvah is not incumbent on every individual as is Shabbos, for example, where every single individual counts six days and rests on the seventh. In our case, it would mean that every individual who sees the appearance of the new moon would consider that day Rosh Chodesh [the first of the month]; Or that an individual could use the Torah-approved calculations to himself determine Rosh Chodesh; Or that he could himself estimate that the produce would not yet ripen [by Pesach]5, or consider any of the other factors6 which are used in determining [the calendar] — and then [himself declare a leap year and] add a month!
However, this mitzvah can only be performed by the Bais Din Hagadol, and only in Eretz Yisroel7. Therefore, since today there is no Bais Din HaGadol, we no longer determine the months on the basis of testimony, just as we no longer bring sacrifices because there is no Holy Temple.
The group of heretics known here in the East8 as Karaites have erred in this principle.9 Not even all of the Rabbis have grasped it, and as a result, grope around with them together in deep darkness.10
One must understand that the calculations which we use today to know11 when Rosh Chodesh and the holidays occur, may only be done in Eretz Yisroel. Only in cases of dire need, when there are no Sages in Eretz Yisroel, and when the Bais Din outside Eretz Yisroel was previously ordained in Eretz Yisroel, is it permissible to declare a leap year or determine Rosh Chodesh outside Eretz Yisroel — as Rabbi Akiva did, as explained in the Gemara.12 This is a very extreme measure, and it is well known that in the majority of cases, it was done only in Eretz Yisroel. They [i.e. the Sages in Eretz Yisroel] are the ones to establish the months and declare a leap year, when they gather together and use the accepted methods.
There is a very important principle upon which the Torah's perspective13 on this subject is based, which is only understood and fully realized by those who delve deeply into the Torah, as follows. This that we outside Eretz Yisroel use our system to make calculations and we declare that "this day is the first of the month," and "this day is a holiday," does not in any way mean that we are making this day based on our calculations. Rather, it is because the Bais Din in Eretz Yisroel has already established that the day is a holiday or Rosh Chodesh. The day becomes a holiday or Rosh Chodesh upon their declaration, "Today is Rosh Chodesh, or "Today is a holiday"; regardless of whether they based their actions on calculations or testimony.14
This [that the Bais Din HaGadol in Eretz Yisroel has absolute authority] is known to us through the verse15, "[Speak to the Israelites and tell them, 'These are the holidays] that you shall designate.' " Our Sages explain16, "These are the only holidays." The meaning of this statement, as passed down in the Oral Tradition: whatever they [i.e. the Bais Din] designate as holidays are considered holidays, even if they made an error, were forced [into making a declaration], or misled.
The calculations which we make today are only to know which day they established in Eretz Yisroel, since they use the exact same system to make calculations and to determine the day – not testimony. Therefore, we are really basing ourselves on their determination, rather than our own calculations, which are only used to reveal [what they already determined previously]. One must clearly understand this.
I will give some additional explanation: let us assume, for example, that there would be no Jewish inhabitants in Eretz Yisroel (G‑d forbid such a thing, since He has already promised that he will never completely wipe out or uproot the Jewish nation17); that there would be no Bais Din there, nor a Bais Din outside Eretz Yisroel which had been ordained in Eretz Yisroel. In such a case, our calculations would be totally futile,18 since we, who dwell outside Eretz Yisroel, may not make the calculations, nor declare leap years nor establish the months without the conditions mentioned above,19 since, "For from Zion shall go forth the Torah, and the word of the L‑rd from Jerusalem."20 A person who fully understands the words of the Talmud in this subject will, upon meditation, undoubtedly agree with the abovementioned.
The Torah contains brief references to the basic principles which are relied upon to know when Rosh Chodesh and the leap years occur. Among them: "This law must therefore be kept at its designated time (l'moadah)."21 Our Sages said,22 "This teaches you that one may add on to the leap year only close to the holiday" [moed, i.e. Pesach23].
They also said,24 "From which verse do we derive that only during the daytime may we officially add on to the month or officially declare Rosh Chodesh? From the verse,25 'miyamim yamimah.' "26
[So too,] G‑d's statement27 (exalted be He), "[This month shall be the head month to you; the first month] of the months of the year." On this our Sages said,28 "The year must be composed of months, not of [odd] days", meaning that when adding on to the year, a complete month must be added.29
There is also a verse,30 "a month of days." Our Sages commented,31 "the month must be composed of days, not of [odd] hours". [So too] the verse,32 "safeguard the month of Aviv,"33 which implies that in calculating the year we must take into account the seasons. Therefore, they shall be years [based not only on the moon but also] based on the sun.
All the details of this mitzvah have been completely explained in the first chapter of Sanhedrin,34 in tractate Rosh Hashanah,35 and in Berachos.
FOOTNOTES
1.The lunar month has approximately 29 1/2 days. Since, as mentioned later in this mitzvah, a month may only consist of complete days, one must determine whether a particular month has 29 or 30 days. This could be done either by witnesses, who testified that they saw the moon appear on the 30th day, or by making the astronomical calculations.
In addition, the holidays must fall out in the proper season: Pesach in the spring, etc. Since the lunar year is only 354 days and the solar year 365 days, each lunar year is 11 days short. Therefore, an additional lunar month must be periodically added in order to maintain the proper timing of the holidays.
2.Ex. 12:2.
3.Rosh Hashanah 22a.
4.I.e. to Moshe and Aharon. In later generations, it applies to the most important heads of the generation. See Rashi, ibid.
5.This would be a sign that Pesach is too early and therefore a month must be added.
6.Such as the spring solstice falling out later than the 16th of Nissan.
7.Unless there is no Sage in Eretz Yisroel of sufficient stature. See below.
8.I.e. Egypt. See Heller edition, note 10.
9.And therefore, even in the Rambam's times, they attempted to do this mitzvah by determining the calendar on the basis of testimony, each location individually. See Yad Halevi, note 8.
10.Trying to disprove the Karaites with faulty reasoning — saying, for example, that the primary mitzvah is to base everything on calculations, rather than testimony, even when the Bais Din HaGadol was in existence (unlike the Rambam's reasoning). See Kapach, 5731, note 40. The Rambam therefore proceeds to explain the function of the calculations.
11.See below for the preciseness of this wording — that today we use the calculations only to "know" what was previously established, not to ourselves establish Rosh Chodesh.
12.Berachos 63a.
13.This phrase can also be translated, "full understanding." See Kapach, 5731, note 44.
14.See note below regarding today's situation, where there is no Bais Din Hagadol in Eretz Yisroel.
15.Lev. 23:2.
16.Rosh Hashanah 25a.
17.For the source of this statement, see Tzafnas Paneach; Yermiyahu 31:35-36 and Guide to the Perplexed Part II, ch.28 (quoted in Kapach, 5731, note 51.)
18.The Ramban asks, if so, how can we have holidays and a calendar today?
However, there is a tradition (see Rashba, responsa, Vol.4, No.254) that Hillel HaNassi, in Eretz Yisroel, established a calendar until the arrival of Moshiach. Therefore, we can use our calculations to determine exactly what was previously established. According to many commentaries (see, for example, Megillas Esther; Chinuch) this is also the opinion of the Rambam. However, see Avnei Nezer, Orach Chaim, 310, 311; Maharam Shick, Mitzvah 4; Chasam Sofer, Yoreh Deah, 234.
19.I.e. in cases of dire need, when there are no Sages in Eretz Yisroel, and when the Bais Din outside Eretz Yisroel was previously ordained in Eretz Yisroel.
20.Yeshayahu 2:3.
21.Ex. 13:10.
22.Mechilta D'Rashbi.
23.The extra month of the leap must be an additional Adar, right before Nissan, the month of Pesach.
24.Mechilta D'Rashbi.
25.Ex. 13:10.
26.Literally, "from day to day." The standard translation of this verse, however, is "from year to year," or "every year."
27.Ex. 12:2.
28.Megilah 5a.
29.Unlike the solar leap year, where one day is added.
30.Num. 11:21.
31.Megillah 5a.
32.Deut. 16:1.
33.I.e. the spring solstice.
34.11a.
35.20a.
• Rambam - 1 Chapter: Genevah Genevah - Chapter Four
• Genevah - Chapter Four
• Kiddush HaChodesh - Chapter Twelve
• Sunday, 25 Kislev, 5777 · 25 December 2016
• "Today's Day"
• Friday, Kislev 25, First Day of Chanuka, 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: Vayeishev, Shishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 119, 1-96.
Tanya: And as for the general saying (p. 3)...self-glorification, and so on. (p. 5).
My father would kindle Chanuka lights between Mincha and Maariv; he was not particular1 whether the doorway was south-north or east-west. Haneirot halalu2 he said after kindling all the lights. He would sit near the lights for a half hour, except Fridays when he did not stay that long. He took care that the lights burned at least 50 minutes.
The order we follow is: Mincha, Chanuka lights, then Shabbat candles.
FOOTNOTES
1.In Shul the candles should stand east to west, as in the Sanctuary. Why we are not particular about this at home is not clear. Sefer Haminhagim p. 70, and f.n. 5 ibid.
2.Siddur p. 339
• Daily Thought:
Chanukah Miracles
Without miracles, we might come to believe that the laws of physics define reality. Once we witness the inexplicable, we see that there is a higher reality. And then we look back at physics and say, “This too is a miracle.”
The miracle of a small flask of oil burning for eight days was this sort of miracle.
Then there are those small miracles that occur every day. Those acts of synchronicity we call “coincidence,” because in them G‑d prefers to remain anonymous. But when we open our eyes and hearts, we see there is truly no place void of this wondrous, unlimited G‑d.
These were the sort of miracles the Maccabees saw in their battles against the mighty Greek army.
Chumash: Parshat Mikeitz, 1st Portion (Genesis 41:1-41:14) with Rashi
• Genesis Chapter 41
1It came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh was dreaming, and behold, he was standing by the Nile. אוַיְהִ֕י מִקֵּ֖ץ שְׁנָתַ֣יִם יָמִ֑ים וּפַרְעֹ֣ה חֹלֵ֔ם וְהִנֵּ֖ה עֹמֵ֥ד עַל־הַיְאֹֽר:
It came to pass at the end: Heb. מִקֵץ. The Targum renders: מִסוֹף, at the end, and every expression of קֵץ means end. ויהי מקץ: כתרגומו מסוף, וכל לשון קץ סוף הוא:
by the Nile: Heb. עַל-הַיְאֹר, lit., by the canal. No other rivers are called יְאוֹרִים except the Nile, because the entire land is covered with many man-made canals (יְאוֹרִים), and the Nile rises in their midst and waters them, for it does not usually rain in Egypt as it does in other countries. על היאור: כל שאר נהרות אינם קרוים יאורים חוץ מנילוס, מפני שכל הארץ עשויין יאורים יאורים בידי אדם ונילוס עולה בתוכם ומשקה אותם, לפי שאין גשמים יורדין במצרים תדיר כשאר ארצות:
2And behold, from the Nile were coming up seven cows, of handsome appearance and robust flesh, and they pastured in the marshland. בוְהִנֵּ֣ה מִן־הַיְאֹ֗ר עֹלֹת֙ שֶׁ֣בַע פָּר֔וֹת יְפ֥וֹת מַרְאֶ֖ה וּבְרִיאֹ֣ת בָּשָׂ֑ר וַתִּרְעֶ֖ינָה בָּאָֽחוּ:
of handsome appearance: This was a symbol of the days of plenty, when creatures appear handsome to one another, for no one envies his fellow. — [from Gen. Rabbah 89:4] יפות מראה: סימן הוא לימי שובע, שהבריות נראות יפות זו לזו, שאין עין בריה צרה בחברתה:
in the marshland: Heb. בָּאָחוּ, in the marsh, maresc in Old French, like“Can the reed-grass (אָחוּ) grow…” (Job 8:11). באחו: באגם, מריש"ק בלע"ז [ביצה], כמו (איוב ח יא) ישגא אחו:
3And behold, seven other cows were coming up after them from the Nile, of ugly appearance and lean of flesh, and they stood beside the cows [which were] on the Nile bank. גוְהִנֵּ֞ה שֶׁ֧בַע פָּר֣וֹת אֲחֵר֗וֹת עֹל֤וֹת אַֽחֲרֵיהֶן֙ מִן־הַיְאֹ֔ר רָע֥וֹת מַרְאֶ֖ה וְדַקּ֣וֹת בָּשָׂ֑ר וַתַּֽעֲמֹ֛דְנָה אֵ֥צֶל הַפָּר֖וֹת עַל־שְׂפַ֥ת הַיְאֹֽר:
and lean of flesh: Heb. וְדַקוֹת, tenves in Old French, a term meaning thin. ודקות בשר: טינבי"ש בלע"ז [דקות], לשון דק:
4And the cows of ugly appearance and lean of flesh devoured the seven cows that were of handsome appearance and healthy; then Pharaoh awoke. דוַתֹּאכַ֣לְנָה הַפָּר֗וֹת רָע֤וֹת הַמַּרְאֶה֙ וְדַקֹּ֣ת הַבָּשָׂ֔ר אֵ֚ת שֶׁ֣בַע הַפָּר֔וֹת יְפֹ֥ת הַמַּרְאֶ֖ה וְהַבְּרִיאֹ֑ת וַיִּיקַ֖ץ פַּרְעֹֽה:
devoured: A sign that all the joy of the plenty will be forgotten during the days of the famine. ותאכלנה: סימן שתהא כל שמחת השובע נשכחת בימי הרעב:
5And he fell asleep and dreamed again, and behold, seven ears of grain were growing on one stalk, healthy and good. הוַיִּישָׁ֕ן וַיַּֽחֲלֹ֖ם שֵׁנִ֑ית וְהִנֵּ֣ה | שֶׁ֣בַע שִׁבֳּלִ֗ים עֹל֛וֹת בְּקָנֶ֥ה אֶחָ֖ד בְּרִיא֥וֹת וְטֹבֽוֹת:
on one stalk: Heb. בָּקָנֶה אֶחָד, tudel , tuiel , or tue(i)l, in Old French, stalk. בקנה אחד: טודי"ל בלע"ז [גבעול]:
healthy: Heb. בְּרִיאוֹת sains in French, healthy. בריאות: שייני"ש בלע"ז [בריאות]:
6And behold, seven ears of grain, thin and beaten by the east wind, were growing up after them. ווְהִנֵּה֙ שֶׁ֣בַע שִׁבֳּלִ֔ים דַּקּ֖וֹת וּשְׁדוּפֹ֣ת קָדִ֑ים צֹֽמְח֖וֹת אַֽחֲרֵיהֶֽן:
and beaten: Heb. וּשְׁדוּפוֹת. hasled(e)s in Old French, burnt up, parched; וּשְׁקִיפָן קִדּוּם [in Targum Onkelos], beaten, an expression similar to מַשְׁקוֹף, lintel, which is constantly beaten by the door, which knocks against it. ושדופת: השלידי"ש בלע"ז [מיובשות] ושקיפן קדום, חבוטות לשון משקוף החבוט תמיד על ידי הדלת המכה עליו:
the east wind: Heb. קָדִים, the east wind, called Bise in French. (Early editions read: the southeast wind.) קדים: רוח מזרחית שקורין ביש"א [רוח יבשה]:
7And the thin ears of grain swallowed up the seven healthy and full ears of grain; then Pharaoh awoke, and behold, a dream. זוַתִּבְלַ֨עְנָה֙ הַשִּׁבֳּלִ֣ים הַדַּקּ֔וֹת אֵ֚ת שֶׁ֣בַע הַשִּׁבֳּלִ֔ים הַבְּרִיא֖וֹת וְהַמְּלֵא֑וֹת וַיִּיקַ֥ץ פַּרְעֹ֖ה וְהִנֵּ֥ה חֲלֽוֹם:
healthy: Heb. בְּרִיאוֹת, sains in French, healthy. הבריאות: שייני"ש בלע"ז [בריאות]:
and behold, a dream: And behold, a whole dream was completed before him, and it required interpreters. והנה חלום: והנה נשלם חלום שלם לפניו והוצרך לפותרים:
8Now it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; so he sent and called all the necromancers of Egypt and all its sages, and Pharaoh related to them his dream, but no one interpreted them for Pharaoh. חוַיְהִ֤י בַבֹּ֨קֶר֙ וַתִּפָּ֣עֶם רוּח֔וֹ וַיִּשְׁלַ֗ח וַיִּקְרָ֛א אֶת־כָּל־חַרְטֻמֵּ֥י מִצְרַ֖יִם וְאֶת־כָּל־חֲכָמֶ֑יהָ וַיְסַפֵּ֨ר פַּרְעֹ֤ה לָהֶם֙ אֶת־חֲלֹמ֔וֹ וְאֵֽין־פּוֹתֵ֥ר אוֹתָ֖ם לְפַרְעֹֽה:
that his spirit was troubled: Heb. וַתִּפָּעֶם [Onkelos renders:] that his spirit was agitated, knocking within him like a bell (כְּפַעִמוֹן) (Tanchuma Buber, Mikeitz 4). Concerning Nebuchadnezzar, however, Scripture says:“and his spirit was agitated (וַתִּתְפָּעֶם)” (Dan. 2:1). There were two [reasons for this] agitation: forgetting the dream and ignorance of its interpretation. — [from Tanchuma Mikeitz 2] ותפעם רוחו: ומטרפא רוחה מקשקשת בתוכו כפעמון. ובנבוכדנצר הוא אומר (דניאל ב א) ותתפעם רוחו, לפי שהיו שם שתי פעימות שכחת החלום והעלמת פתרונו:
the necromancers: Heb. חַרְטֻמֵי, those who would arouse themselves (נֶחֱרִים) with the bones (טִימֵי) of the dead, so that they would [be able to] inquire of the bones. ([The word] טִימֵי means “bones” in Aramaic. In the Mishnah (Oholoth 17:3), we find: A house that was full of “timia,” meaning “full of bones.”) חרטמי: הנחרים בטימי מתים, ששואלים בעצמות. טימי, הן עצמות בלשון ארמי, ובמשנה בית שהוא מלא טמיא, מלא עצמות:
but no one interpreted them for Pharaoh: They did interpret them, but not for Pharaoh, for their voice did not reach his ears, and he had no satisfaction from their interpretation, for they said, “You will beget seven daughters, and you will bury seven daughters.” - [from Gen. Rabbah 89:6] ואין פותר אותם לפרעה: פותרים היו אותם, אבל לא לפרעה, שלא היה קולן נכנס באזניו, ולא היה לו קורת רוח בפתרונם, שהיו אומרים שבע בנות אתה מוליד, שבע בנות אתה קובר:
9Now the chief cupbearer spoke with Pharaoh, saying, "I call to mind my faults today. טוַיְדַבֵּר֙ שַׂ֣ר הַמַּשְׁקִ֔ים אֶת־פַּרְעֹ֖ה לֵאמֹ֑ר אֶת־חֲטָאַ֕י אֲנִ֖י מַזְכִּ֥יר הַיּֽוֹם:
10Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and he put me in prison, in the house of the chief slaughterer, me and the chief baker. יפַּרְעֹ֖ה קָצַ֣ף עַל־עֲבָדָ֑יו וַיִּתֵּ֨ן אֹתִ֜י בְּמִשְׁמַ֗ר בֵּ֚ית שַׂ֣ר הַטַּבָּחִ֔ים אֹתִ֕י וְאֵ֖ת שַׂ֥ר הָֽאֹפִֽים:
11And we dreamed a dream on the same night, I and he; each one according to the interpretation of his dream, we dreamed. יאוַנַּֽחַלְמָ֥ה חֲל֛וֹם בְּלַ֥יְלָה אֶחָ֖ד אֲנִ֣י וָה֑וּא אִ֛ישׁ כְּפִתְר֥וֹן חֲלֹמ֖וֹ חָלָֽמְנוּ:
each one according to the interpretation of his dream: A dream fit for the interpretation that was interpreted for us and similar to it. [I.e., a dream for which the interpretation given was appropriate, and which was similar to that interpretation.] איש כפתרון חלומו: חלום הראוי לפתרון שנפתר לו ודומה לו:
12And there with us was a Hebrew lad, a slave of the chief slaughterer, and we told him, and he interpreted our dreams for us; [for] each [of us], he interpreted according to his dream. יבוְשָׁ֨ם אִתָּ֜נוּ נַ֣עַר עִבְרִ֗י עֶ֚בֶד לְשַׂ֣ר הַטַּבָּחִ֔ים וַנְּסַ֙פֶּר־ל֔וֹ וַיִּפְתָּר־לָ֖נוּ אֶת־חֲלֹֽמֹתֵ֑ינוּ אִ֥ישׁ כַּֽחֲלֹמ֖וֹ פָּתָֽר:
a Hebrew lad, a slave: Cursed are the wicked, for their favors are incomplete. He mentions him with expressions of contempt: נער עברי עבד: ארורים הרשעים שאין טובתם שלמה. מזכירו בלשון בזיון:
a lad: a fool, unfit for a high position; נער: שוטה ואין ראוי לגדולה:
a Hebrew: he does not even understand our language; עברי: אפילו לשוננו אינו מכיר:
a slave: and in the statutes of Egypt it is written that a slave may neither reign nor wear princely raiment. — [from Gen. Rabbah 89:7] עבד: וכתוב בנמוסי מצרים שאין עבד מולך ולא לובש בגדי שרים:
[for] each [of us]…according to his dream: According to the dream and close to its contents. — [from Ber. 55b] איש כחלומו: לפי החלום וקרוב לענינו:
13And it came to pass that just as he had interpreted, so it was; me he restored to my position, and him he hanged." יגוַיְהִ֛י כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר פָּֽתַר־לָ֖נוּ כֵּ֣ן הָיָ֑ה אֹתִ֛י הֵשִׁ֥יב עַל־כַּנִּ֖י וְאֹת֥וֹ תָלָֽה:
me he restored to my position: [“He” refers to] Pharaoh, mentioned above, as he said,“Pharaoh was angry with his servants” (verse 10). Hence, the verse is elliptical: it did not specify who restored, because it is not necessary to specify who restored, [for it could only be] the one who has the power to restore, namely Pharaoh. This is customary for all elliptical verses. Concerning the one who is to do [the thing], they leave the matter unspecified. השיב על כני: מי שבידו להשיב, והוא פרעה הנזכר למעלה, כמו שאמר (לעיל פסוק י) פרעה קצף על עבדיו, הרי מקרא קצר ולא פירש מי השיב, לפי שאין צריך לפרש מי השיב, וכן דרך כל מקראות קצרים על מי שעליו לעשות הם סותמים את הדבר:
14So Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they rushed him from the dungeon, and he shaved and changed his clothes, and he [then] came to Pharaoh. ידוַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח פַּרְעֹה֙ וַיִּקְרָ֣א אֶת־יוֹסֵ֔ף וַיְרִיצֻ֖הוּ מִן־הַבּ֑וֹר וַיְגַלַּח֙ וַיְחַלֵּ֣ף שִׂמְלֹתָ֔יו וַיָּבֹ֖א אֶל־פַּרְעֹֽה:
from the dungeon: Heb. מִן-הַבּוֹר, lit., from the pit. From the prison, which was made like a sort of pit, and so every [instance of] בּוֹר in the Scriptures is an expression of“pit.” Even if there is no water in it, it is called בּוֹר, fosse in Old French, a pit. מן הבור: מן בית הסוהר שהוא עשוי כמין גומא, וכן כל בור שבמקרא לשון גומא הוא, ואף אם אין בו מים קרוי בור פוש"א בלע"ז [חפירה]:
and he shaved: in honor of the throne. — [from Gen. Rabbah 89:9] ויגלח: מפני כבוד המלכות:
• Daily Tehillim: Chapter 119, Verses 1-96
• Verses 1-96
David composed this prominent psalm in alphabetical sequence-eight verses for each letter. Every verse contains one of the following words (referring to different aspects of Torah): Way; Torah; Testimony; Precept; Commandment; Statement (translated here as Word or Promise); Word; Judgement (or Laws); Righteousness; Statute. Replete with morals and prayers, this psalm should be recited daily, as a powerful preparation for the service of God. (In verses beginning with one of the letters of the mnemonic PeReTZ BeN DaMaH, the word "עדותיך" is pronounced "eidvotecha.")
1. Fortunate are those whose way is artless, who walk with the Torah of the Lord.
2. Fortunate are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with all their hearts.
3. Indeed, they have not done iniquity; they walk in His ways.
4. You have commanded Your precepts to be observed diligently.
5. My wish is that my ways be directed to keep Your statutes.
6. Then I will not be ashamed, when I behold all Your commandments.
7. I will give thanks to You with uprightness of heart, when I learn Your righteous judgments.
8. I will keep Your statutes; do not utterly forsake me
9. How can a young man keep his way pure? By observing Your word.
10. With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me stray from Your commandments.
11. I have harbored Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
12. Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes.
13. With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth.
14. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as I would with all riches.
15. I will speak of Your precepts, and gaze upon Your ways.
16. I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.
17. Deal kindly with Your servant, that I may live to keep Your word.
18. Unveil my eyes, that I may behold wonders from Your Torah.
19. I am a sojourner on earth; do not hide Your commandments from me.
20. My soul is crushed with a longing for Your judgments every moment.
21. You have rebuked the accursed scoffers, those who stray from Your commandments.
22. Remove insult and contempt from me, for I have kept Your testimonies.
23. Though princes sat and spoke against me, Your servant speaks of Your statutes.
24. Indeed, Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counsellors.
25. My soul cleaves to the dust; revive me in accordance with Your word.
26. I have spoken of my ways, and You answered me; teach me Your statutes.
27. Make me understand the way of Your precepts, and I will speak of Your wonders.
28. My soul drips away out of grief; sustain me according to Your word.
29. Remove from me the way of falsehood, and graciously endow me with Your Torah.
30. I have chosen the way of faith; Your judgments have I laid before me.
31. I held fast to Your testimonies, O Lord; put me not to shame.
32. I will run on the path of Your commandments, for You will broaden my heart.
33. Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I will keep it to the last.
34. Grant me understanding and I will keep Your Torah; I will observe it with all my heart.
35. Direct me in the path of Your commandments, for that is my desire.
36. Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to greed.
37. Avert my eyes from seeing vanity; by Your ways give me life.
38. Fulfill for Your servant Your promise, which brings to the fear of You.
39. Remove my shame which I fear, for Your judgments are good.
40. Behold, I have longed for Your precepts; give me life in Your righteousness.
41. And let Your kindness come to fruition for me, O Lord, Your salvation as You promised.
42. I will offer a retort to those who taunt me, for I trust in Your word.
43. Do not at all remove the word of truth from my mouth, for I hope [to fulfill] Your judgments.
44. I will keep Your Torah continually, for ever and ever.
45. And I will walk in spacious paths, for I seek Your precepts.
46. I will speak of Your testimonies before kings, and I will not be ashamed.
47. And I will delight in Your commandments, which I love.
48. I will lift up my hands to Your commandments, which I love, and I will speak of Your statutes.
49. Remember the word [promised] to Your servant, by which You gave me hope.
50. This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life.
51. [Though] the wicked ridicule me severely, I have not strayed from Your Torah.
52. When I remember Your judgments of old, O Lord, I take comfort.
53. Trembling seized me because of the wicked, those who forsake Your Torah.
54. Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my wanderings.
55. At night I remembered Your Name, O Lord, and I kept Your Torah.
56. All this came to me because I kept Your precepts.
57. The Lord is my portion; I pledged to keep Your words.
58. I pleaded before You with all my heart: have compassion upon me according to Your word.
59. I contemplated my ways, and returned my feet to Your testimonies.
60. I hurried and did not delay to keep Your commandments.
61. Bands of wicked men plundered me, [but] I did not forget Your Torah.
62. At midnight, I rise to thank You for Your righteous judgments.
63. I am a friend to all who fear You, and to those who keep Your precepts.
64. Your kindness, O Lord, fills the earth; teach me Your statutes.
65. You have dealt goodness to Your servant, O Lord, in accord with Your promise.
66. Teach me the goodness and wisdom of the [Torah's] reasons, for I believe in Your commandments.
67. Before I afflicted myself, I would blunder; but now I observe Your word.
68. You are good and benevolent; teach me Your statutes.
69. The wicked have smeared me with lies, [when in truth] I keep Your precepts with all my heart.
70. Their hearts grew thick as fat; but as for me, Your Torah is my delight.
71. It is for my good that I was afflicted, so that I might learn Your statutes.
72. The Torah of Your mouth is better for me than thousands in gold and silver.
73. Your hands have made me and prepared me; grant me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.
74. Those who fear You will see me and rejoice, because I hoped in Your word.
75. I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are just; righteously have You afflicted me.
76. Let Your kindness be my comfort, as You promised to Your servant.
77. Let Your mercies come upon me, that I may live, for Your Torah is my delight.
78. Let the scoffers be shamed, for they have maligned me with falsehood; but I will meditate upon Your precepts.
79. May those who fear You return to me, and those who know Your testimonies.
80. May my heart be perfect in Your statutes, so that I not be shamed.
81. My soul longs for Your salvation; I hope for Your word.
82. My eyes long for Your promise, saying, "When will You comfort me?”
83. Though I became [dried out] like a wineskin in smoke, I did not forget Your statutes.
84. How many are the days of Your servant? When will You execute judgment upon my pursuers?
85. The wicked have dug pits for me, in violation of Your Torah.
86. All Your commandments teach truth, [yet] they pursue me with lies, help me!
87. They nearly consumed me upon the earth, but I did not forsake Your precepts.
88. As befits Your kindness, grant me life, and I will keep the testimony of Your mouth.
89. Forever, O Lord, Your word stands firm in the heavens.
90. Your faithfulness persists for all generations; You established the earth, and it stands.
91. They stand ready today [to execute] Your judgments, for all are Your servants.
92. Had Your Torah not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
93. Never will I forget Your precepts, for through them You have sustained me.
94. I am Yours; save me, for I have sought Your precepts.
95. The wicked hope to destroy me, but I meditate upon Your testimonies.
96. To every goal I have seen a limit, but Your commandment is immensely broad.
Tanya: Likutei Amarim, beginning of Chapter 3
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Sunday, 25 Kislev, 5777 · 25 December 2016
• Likutei Amarim, beginning of Chapter 3
• והנה כל בחינה ומדריגה משלש אלו, נפש רוח ונשמה, כלולה מעשר בחינות
Now, each of these three distinctions and grades — Nefesh, Ruach and Neshamah — consists of ten faculties1
כנגד עשר ספירות עליונות שנשתלשלו מהן
corresponding to the Ten Supernal Sefirot (divine manifestations,2 in which they originate and whence they descend.
הנחלקות לשתים
The Ten Sefirot are subdivided into two general categories.
שהן שלש אמות ושבע כפולות
These two categories are: three “mothers”, i.e., three of these Sefirot are termed “mothers” for they are the source and root of the other seven Sefirot, as a mother is the source of her offspring, and seven “doubles” — the seven divine attributes, called “doubles” inasmuch as each of the emotional attributes manifests itself in a twofold manner, as shall presently be explained.
פירוש: חכמה בינה ודעת, ושבעת ימי הבנין: חסד גבורה תפארת כו׳
Namely: Chochmah (“wisdom”), Binah (“understanding”) and Daat (“knowledge”) are called “mothers”; and the seven “doubles” are [the emotional attributes known as] the “seven days of Creation”: Chesed (“kindness”),Gevurah (“severity”), Tiferet (“beauty”), and so on, the other four being: Netzach (“endurance”), Hod (“splendor”), Yesod(“foundation”), and Malchut (“royalty”).
These seven attributes are known as the “seven days of Creation,” for it was through these seven attributes that G-d created the world. Each day’s creation came about through a particular attribute: during the first day Chesed was dominant, the second day Gevurah, and so on.
וכך בנפש האדם שנחלקת לשתים — שכל ומדות
Just as the Ten Supernal Sefirot are divided into two general categories, so, too, with the human soul [and its ten faculties]; they are divided into two general categories: seichel (“intellect”) and middot (“emotional attributes”).
השכל כולל חכמה בינה ודעת, והמדות הן אהבת ה׳ ופחדו ויראתו ולפארו כו׳
The [category of] intellect includes the three all-inclusive intellectual powers Chochmah, Binah and Daat (ChaBaD), whilst the middot, which bear the same names as their corresponding seven Sefirot: Chesed, Gevurah, etc., represent the following emotions: love of G-d, dread and awe of Him, glorification of Him, and so forth.
Love corresponds to Chesed (“kindness”), as they are, respectively, the internal (i.e., emotional) and external (i.e., practical) aspects of the same trait; the dread and awe of G-d correspond to Gevurah, as they are its inner aspect; so too the glorification of Him corresponds to Tiferet.
וחב״ד נקראו אמות ומקור למדות כי המדות הן תולדות חב״ד
ChaBaD (the intellectual faculties) are called the “mothers” and source of the middot, for the middot are “offspring” of (i.e., derive from) ChaBaD.
At this point it would be worthwhile to explain briefly the function of the faculties Chochmah, Binah and Daat (abbreviated as ChaBaD), mentioned frequently in the coming chapters.
Chochmah is the first flash of intellect. It is the seminal and inner point of an idea. This seminal point of intellect already includes within it all the details and ramifications of the idea, but as yet they are concentrated and obscured. (This is analogous to a dot, in which the dimensions of length and breadth are not evident — all that is seen is the dot — although for the dot to exist it must certainly contain length and breadth.)
Chochmah is also called barak hamavrik — the intuitive flash of illumination which is the beginning of intellectual revelation. For instance, we may observe how a person striving to answer an intellectual question suddenly realizes in a flash of intuition that the question can be answered along a particular line of reasoning. At the moment of illumination he is as yet unaware exactly how the particular question is answered: he knows only that he has found an adequate solution to the problem.
Thereafter the faculty of Binah (“understanding”) comes into play. Through cogitation, Binah apprehends, crystallizes and clarifies the details of the idea which were obscured in Chochmah, until the whole edifice of the idea, in all its length and breadth, becomes manifest. For this reason the function of Binah is described as meivin davar mitoch davar — “to understand (or deduce) one matter out of another” — i.e., that which was previously concentrated in the obscure intuitive flash of Chochmah is now revealed and understood.
After the person fully understands the idea with all its details and ramifications, he must then immerse himself in it, binding and unifying himself with it to the extent that he not only understands it but also feels it. Only in this way can he be affected by the idea; if his understanding points to the desirability of a particular thing, it will give birth to a love for it; if his understanding indicates instead the harmfulness of a particular thing, he will react with a feeling of fear and flee from it; and similarly with other emotions. The faculty with which one thus immerses himself in an idea is called Daat (“knowledge”), which is etymologically related to the expression,3 “and Adam knew (ידע) Eve,” a verb which denotes attachment and union. We now return to the text:
וביאור הענין: כי הנה השכל שבנפש המשכלת, שהוא המשכיל כל דבר
The explanation of the matter (i.e., of the three intellectual processes described above — inspiration, cogitation, and contemplation) is as follows: that intellectual faculty of the rational soul that first conceives any matter (i.e., the faculty which produces the seminal point of an idea and the first flash of illumination, as explained above)
נקרא בשם חכמה — כ״ח מ״ה
is given the appellation of Chochmah [which is composed of the two words] כח מה — the potential of “what is.”4
It is a faculty concerning which one can only pose the question “Mah?” (“What is it?”) — for at this stage the idea in question is not yet clear or comprehensible logically, since its details are still in potentia, emerging only at a later stage.
וכשמוציא כחו אל הפועל, שמתבונן בשכלו להבין דבר לאשורו
When one brings forth this concentrated idea from the potential into the actual, that is, when one cogitates with his intellect on the seminal point in order to understand a matter full well —
That is: when he ponders all the details which make up the totality of the particular idea in its length and breadth. “Length” involves the range of an idea; when one draws down a concept from a lofty level to a lower one (by way of a parable, for example) in order to make it more readily understood, he is “lengthening” it, giving it a greater range of accessibility, so that it will be more readily intelligible to a student. For a student whose capacity is more limited, one parable may not suffice; it may be necessary to provide a second parable to explain the first, thereby “lengthening” the concept still further downward. (As Scripture writes concerning King Solomon:5 “He spoke three thousand parables.” So great was Solomon’s wisdom that to explain one of his thoughts he had to give three thousand parables; one parable to explain the basic concept, a second parable to explain the first parable, and so forth, until ultimately giving three thousand parables — an extreme example of the “length” of an idea.)
The “breadth” of an idea means the multitude of details which the concept comprises, as well as all its ramifications. For example, the logic behind a halachic ruling in the laws of kashrut may also apply to laws governing financial disputes.
This is the meaning of the word לאשורו (“full well”) — understanding the intellectual concept completely, in both its length and breadth.
ולעמקו
[Thus, when one cogitates on a concept in its length and breadth] and delves to its very depths
מתוך איזה דבר חכמה המושכל בשכלו
as it evolves from the concept which he had conceived in his intellect (i.e., when he apprehends in a detailed manner the seminal point of intellect, which prior to his cogitation was but a nebulous point of Chochmah),
נקרא בינה
this is called Binah. (Binah is that faculty which elucidates the details of any concept and apprehends it “full well” and “in depth.”)
והן הם אב ואם המולידות אהבת ה׳ ויראתו ופחדו
They (Chochmah and Binah) are the very “father” and “mother” which give birth to love of G-d, and awe(yirah) and dread (pachad) of Him.6
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. | Elsewhere (e.g., Likutei Torah, Bamidbar 1a, 51b; Shir HaShirim 16d) the Alter Rebbe makes it clear that the soul does not “consist” of the ten faculties, but rather manifests itself through them, since the soul itself is essentially indefinable and indivisible. |
| 2. | The Ten Sefirot are more fully discussed in Iggeret HaKodesh (Tanya, Part IV), ch. 15 and elsewhere. |
| 3. | Bereishit 4:1. |
| 4. | Zohar III, 28a; 34a. |
| 5. | I Melachim 5:12. |
| 6. | Yirah means an awe which is felt for the most part intellectually. Pachad denotes a dread which is felt emotionally, in one’s heart. This is why at the beginning of the chapter, where the emotions are enumerated and explained in a general way, pachad precedes yirah, for pachad — the feeling of dread in one’s heart — is a truer emotion that the intellectual yirah. Here, however, when dealing with the emotions as they are born from the intellect, yirah precedes pachad, for only after the emotion is first formed in the mind, at which stage it is yirah, does it then descend to the heart, as pachad. |
• 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 153
Calculating Months and Years
"This month shall be to you the beginning of months"—Exodus 12:2.
We are commanded to establish a calendar and calculate its months and years. The months are lunar months, with a new month established when the new moon appears; the years follow the solar seasonal cycle, necessitating the periodic addition of an extra (thirteenth) month to a year – which then becomes a "leap year" – because twelve lunar months are several days short of a solar year. This mitzvah is known as Sanctifying the New Moon.
This mitzvah is entrusted to the Jewish Supreme Court that presides in Israel. Unlike the counting of six days and then observing the Shabbat, a mitzvah that is incumbent upon every individual, no individual can unilaterally decide that a new month has arrived simply because he espied the new moon, and no individual can decide to add a month to the calendar based on his personal (even Torah-based) calculations.
Only the Supreme Court can make these calculations, and only in the Land of Israel. We follow the rulings issued by the Supreme Court in Israel even if they inadvertently established the "wrong" day as the New Moon, even if they did so under duress.
In the event that there are no qualified rabbis remaining in Israel, these calculations can be made, and months and leap years established, by a court that was ordained in Israel—even if it finds itself in the Diaspora.
Today we no longer sanctify the months based on the testimony of witnesses who saw the new moon, because there is no longer a sitting rabbinical Supreme Court in Israel—much as we no longer offer sacrifices, because we lack a Holy Temple.
But under no circumstances can an individual or court outside of Israel establish a new month or a leap year. Our calculations today in the Diaspora are only to determine which days the Court in Israel established as the New Moon, and which years they established as leap years.
[Editor's Note: Nachmanides asks, if so, how do we have holidays and a calendar today, when there is no rabbinical Supreme Court in Israel? He answers that there is a tradition that Hillel the Prince, who resided in Israel, established a calendar until the arrival of Moshiach, and sanctified all the new months and leap years until that time. Therefore, we can use our calculations to determine exactly what he previously established.]
Some laws associated with this mitzvah:
The extra month added to a leap year is the one contiguous to the month of Passover—i.e. Adar.
The establishment of new months and leap years must be done during daylight hours.
A year must be comprised of complete months; a month must be comprised of complete days.
Full text of this Mitzvah »• Calculating Months and Years
Positive Commandment 153
Translated by Berel Bell
The 153rd mitzvah is that G‑d (exalted be He) commanded us to calculate the months and years.1 This is the mitzvah of Kiddush HaChodesh (Sanctifying the Moon).
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement2 (exalted be He), "[And G‑d said to Moshe and Aharon in the land of Egypt,] 'this month [Nissan] shall be the head month to you.' "
In their explanation of this mitzvah, the Sages said,3 "This testimony is given lochem ["you", plural]."4 The meaning of this statement: This mitzvah is not incumbent on every individual as is Shabbos, for example, where every single individual counts six days and rests on the seventh. In our case, it would mean that every individual who sees the appearance of the new moon would consider that day Rosh Chodesh [the first of the month]; Or that an individual could use the Torah-approved calculations to himself determine Rosh Chodesh; Or that he could himself estimate that the produce would not yet ripen [by Pesach]5, or consider any of the other factors6 which are used in determining [the calendar] — and then [himself declare a leap year and] add a month!
However, this mitzvah can only be performed by the Bais Din Hagadol, and only in Eretz Yisroel7. Therefore, since today there is no Bais Din HaGadol, we no longer determine the months on the basis of testimony, just as we no longer bring sacrifices because there is no Holy Temple.
The group of heretics known here in the East8 as Karaites have erred in this principle.9 Not even all of the Rabbis have grasped it, and as a result, grope around with them together in deep darkness.10
One must understand that the calculations which we use today to know11 when Rosh Chodesh and the holidays occur, may only be done in Eretz Yisroel. Only in cases of dire need, when there are no Sages in Eretz Yisroel, and when the Bais Din outside Eretz Yisroel was previously ordained in Eretz Yisroel, is it permissible to declare a leap year or determine Rosh Chodesh outside Eretz Yisroel — as Rabbi Akiva did, as explained in the Gemara.12 This is a very extreme measure, and it is well known that in the majority of cases, it was done only in Eretz Yisroel. They [i.e. the Sages in Eretz Yisroel] are the ones to establish the months and declare a leap year, when they gather together and use the accepted methods.
There is a very important principle upon which the Torah's perspective13 on this subject is based, which is only understood and fully realized by those who delve deeply into the Torah, as follows. This that we outside Eretz Yisroel use our system to make calculations and we declare that "this day is the first of the month," and "this day is a holiday," does not in any way mean that we are making this day based on our calculations. Rather, it is because the Bais Din in Eretz Yisroel has already established that the day is a holiday or Rosh Chodesh. The day becomes a holiday or Rosh Chodesh upon their declaration, "Today is Rosh Chodesh, or "Today is a holiday"; regardless of whether they based their actions on calculations or testimony.14
This [that the Bais Din HaGadol in Eretz Yisroel has absolute authority] is known to us through the verse15, "[Speak to the Israelites and tell them, 'These are the holidays] that you shall designate.' " Our Sages explain16, "These are the only holidays." The meaning of this statement, as passed down in the Oral Tradition: whatever they [i.e. the Bais Din] designate as holidays are considered holidays, even if they made an error, were forced [into making a declaration], or misled.
The calculations which we make today are only to know which day they established in Eretz Yisroel, since they use the exact same system to make calculations and to determine the day – not testimony. Therefore, we are really basing ourselves on their determination, rather than our own calculations, which are only used to reveal [what they already determined previously]. One must clearly understand this.
I will give some additional explanation: let us assume, for example, that there would be no Jewish inhabitants in Eretz Yisroel (G‑d forbid such a thing, since He has already promised that he will never completely wipe out or uproot the Jewish nation17); that there would be no Bais Din there, nor a Bais Din outside Eretz Yisroel which had been ordained in Eretz Yisroel. In such a case, our calculations would be totally futile,18 since we, who dwell outside Eretz Yisroel, may not make the calculations, nor declare leap years nor establish the months without the conditions mentioned above,19 since, "For from Zion shall go forth the Torah, and the word of the L‑rd from Jerusalem."20 A person who fully understands the words of the Talmud in this subject will, upon meditation, undoubtedly agree with the abovementioned.
The Torah contains brief references to the basic principles which are relied upon to know when Rosh Chodesh and the leap years occur. Among them: "This law must therefore be kept at its designated time (l'moadah)."21 Our Sages said,22 "This teaches you that one may add on to the leap year only close to the holiday" [moed, i.e. Pesach23].
They also said,24 "From which verse do we derive that only during the daytime may we officially add on to the month or officially declare Rosh Chodesh? From the verse,25 'miyamim yamimah.' "26
[So too,] G‑d's statement27 (exalted be He), "[This month shall be the head month to you; the first month] of the months of the year." On this our Sages said,28 "The year must be composed of months, not of [odd] days", meaning that when adding on to the year, a complete month must be added.29
There is also a verse,30 "a month of days." Our Sages commented,31 "the month must be composed of days, not of [odd] hours". [So too] the verse,32 "safeguard the month of Aviv,"33 which implies that in calculating the year we must take into account the seasons. Therefore, they shall be years [based not only on the moon but also] based on the sun.
All the details of this mitzvah have been completely explained in the first chapter of Sanhedrin,34 in tractate Rosh Hashanah,35 and in Berachos.
FOOTNOTES
1.The lunar month has approximately 29 1/2 days. Since, as mentioned later in this mitzvah, a month may only consist of complete days, one must determine whether a particular month has 29 or 30 days. This could be done either by witnesses, who testified that they saw the moon appear on the 30th day, or by making the astronomical calculations.
In addition, the holidays must fall out in the proper season: Pesach in the spring, etc. Since the lunar year is only 354 days and the solar year 365 days, each lunar year is 11 days short. Therefore, an additional lunar month must be periodically added in order to maintain the proper timing of the holidays.
2.Ex. 12:2.
3.Rosh Hashanah 22a.
4.I.e. to Moshe and Aharon. In later generations, it applies to the most important heads of the generation. See Rashi, ibid.
5.This would be a sign that Pesach is too early and therefore a month must be added.
6.Such as the spring solstice falling out later than the 16th of Nissan.
7.Unless there is no Sage in Eretz Yisroel of sufficient stature. See below.
8.I.e. Egypt. See Heller edition, note 10.
9.And therefore, even in the Rambam's times, they attempted to do this mitzvah by determining the calendar on the basis of testimony, each location individually. See Yad Halevi, note 8.
10.Trying to disprove the Karaites with faulty reasoning — saying, for example, that the primary mitzvah is to base everything on calculations, rather than testimony, even when the Bais Din HaGadol was in existence (unlike the Rambam's reasoning). See Kapach, 5731, note 40. The Rambam therefore proceeds to explain the function of the calculations.
11.See below for the preciseness of this wording — that today we use the calculations only to "know" what was previously established, not to ourselves establish Rosh Chodesh.
12.Berachos 63a.
13.This phrase can also be translated, "full understanding." See Kapach, 5731, note 44.
14.See note below regarding today's situation, where there is no Bais Din Hagadol in Eretz Yisroel.
15.Lev. 23:2.
16.Rosh Hashanah 25a.
17.For the source of this statement, see Tzafnas Paneach; Yermiyahu 31:35-36 and Guide to the Perplexed Part II, ch.28 (quoted in Kapach, 5731, note 51.)
18.The Ramban asks, if so, how can we have holidays and a calendar today?
However, there is a tradition (see Rashba, responsa, Vol.4, No.254) that Hillel HaNassi, in Eretz Yisroel, established a calendar until the arrival of Moshiach. Therefore, we can use our calculations to determine exactly what was previously established. According to many commentaries (see, for example, Megillas Esther; Chinuch) this is also the opinion of the Rambam. However, see Avnei Nezer, Orach Chaim, 310, 311; Maharam Shick, Mitzvah 4; Chasam Sofer, Yoreh Deah, 234.
19.I.e. in cases of dire need, when there are no Sages in Eretz Yisroel, and when the Bais Din outside Eretz Yisroel was previously ordained in Eretz Yisroel.
20.Yeshayahu 2:3.
21.Ex. 13:10.
22.Mechilta D'Rashbi.
23.The extra month of the leap must be an additional Adar, right before Nissan, the month of Pesach.
24.Mechilta D'Rashbi.
25.Ex. 13:10.
26.Literally, "from day to day." The standard translation of this verse, however, is "from year to year," or "every year."
27.Ex. 12:2.
28.Megilah 5a.
29.Unlike the solar leap year, where one day is added.
30.Num. 11:21.
31.Megillah 5a.
32.Deut. 16:1.
33.I.e. the spring solstice.
34.11a.
35.20a.
• Rambam - 1 Chapter: Genevah Genevah - Chapter Four
• Genevah - Chapter Four
1
When a watchman claims that an entrusted article was stolen from his home and takes an oath to this effect, and afterwards, witnesses come and testify that he made a false claim and that he is still in possession of the entrusted article, the watchman is required to pay twice the worth of the stolen article. For the watchman is himself a thief.
If he slaughtered or sold a stolen animal after he took the false oath, he must pay four or five times its worth. He is not required to bring a guilt offering for taking a false oath that was discredited by witnesses. Nor is he required to add a fifth of the value of the stolen article. For a fifth is never paid when a double payment is paid. If witnesses come before he takes an oath, he is required to pay only the principal.
א
הטוען שנגנב מביתו הפקדון אם נשבע ואחר כך באו עדים ששקר טען ושהפקדון הזה אצלו הרי זה משלם תשלומי כפל שהרי הוא עצמו הגנב. ואם טבח ומכר אחר שנשבע משלם תשלומי ארבעה וחמשה. ואינו מביא אשם על פי עדים על שבועתו. ואינו מביא חומש שאין החומש משתלם עם הכפל. ואם באו עדים קודם שישבע אינו משלם אלא הקרן בלבד:
2
When does the above apply? When he took an oath before he misappropriated the entrusted article. If, however, he misappropriated the entrusted article, claimed that it had been stolen, and took an oath to that effect, and then witnesses came and discredited his oath, he is not liable for the double payment. As soon as he misappropriated the article, he became liable for it and acquired responsibility for it.
ב
במה דברים אמורים שנשבע קודם ששלח בפקדון יד. אבל אם שלח בו יד וטען טענת גנב ונשבע ובא ועדים פטור מן הכפל שכיון ששלח יד
3
Similarly, if the watchman claimed that the entrusted article was lost and took an oath to that effect, and then claimed it was stolen and took an oath to that effect, and then witnesses came and testified that it was in his possession, the watchman is not liable for the double payment. For at the time he took the first false oath, the entrusted article was no longer considered the property of the original owner.
ג
וכן הטוען טענת אבידה בפקדון ונשבע וחזר וטען טענת גנב ונשבע ואחר כך באו עדים פטור מן הכפל שכבר יצא הפקדון מידי הבעלים משבועה ראשונה:
4
When a person who discovered a lost article claims that it was stolen and takes an oath to that effect, and afterwards, witnesses come and testify that the lost article was in his possession and that he made a false claim, he is required to pay twice the article's worth. This is implied by Exodus 22:8, which states that a double payment must be made for "any lost article."
The above applies when he claims that it was stolen by an armed thief, in which instance he would not be held liable. If, however, he claims that it was stolen in a manner that is not beyond his control, he is not liable for the double payment. For he would have been liable to pay for the lost article because of his claim, since a person caring for a lost article that he discovered is considered to be a paid watchman, as will be explained.
ד
הטוען טענת גנב באבידה ונשבע ואחר כך באו עדים שהאבידה ברשותו ושקר טען משלם תשלומי כפל שנאמר על כל אבידה. והוא שיטעון שנגנבה בליסטים מזויין שהוא אנוס ופטור. אבל אם טען שנגנבה בלא אונס פטור מן הכפל מפני שהוא חייב לשלם על פי טענתו ששומר אבידה כשומר שכר הוא כמו שיתבאר:
5
When a watchman claims that an entrusted article was stolen and takes an oath to that effect, and then witnesses come and testify that the entrusted article is in his possession, and then he again claims that it was stolen and takes an oath to that effect, and then witnesses again come and testify that the entrusted article is still in his possession - even if this sequence repeats itself 100 times - he is liable for a double payment for every claim.
Thus, if he took five false oaths, he is liable to pay six times the value of the entrusted article, the principal that was entrusted to him and five times its value, because of the five double payments that result from the five false oaths.
ה
הטוען טענת גנב בפקדון ונשבע. ואחר כך באו עדים שהוא ברשותו. וחזר וטען בו טענת גנב ונשבע ואחר כך באו עדים שעדיין ברשותו הוא אפילו מאה פעמים חייב כפל על כל טענה וטענה. ואם נשבע חמש פעמים נמצא משלם ששה הקרן שהפקיד אצלו וחמשה בקרן משום חמשה כפילות של חמש שבועות:
6
The following rules apply when a watchman claims that an entrusted article was stolen and takes an oath to that effect, and then claims that the entrusted article was lost - and then witnesses come and testify that the article was not stolen, and the watchman admits that it was not lost. Since he must pay twice the value of the entrusted article because of the witnesses, he need not pay an additional fifth as a surcharge because of the other oath, although he admitted it to be false. The rationale is that since this involves the same principal for which he is required to make the double payment, he is not liable for the additional fifth.
ו
טען טענת גנב ונשבע וחזר וטען טענת אבידה ונשבע. ובאו עדים שלא נגנב והודה הוא שלא אבד הואיל ומשלם תשלומי כפל על פי עדים אינו משלם חומש על שבועה אחרונה אע"פ שהודה. שהממון המחייבו בכפל פוטרו מן החומש:
7
The following rules apply if a person entrusted his ox to two people, they claimed that it was stolen and took an oath to that effect, and afterwards one of them admitted that the oath was false, and then witnesses came and testified that the other one lied. They both must pay the principal. If the owner of the entrusted object seizes property belonging to the partner whose oath was refuted in lieu of the double payment for his share of the stolen article, it shall not be expropriated from him. The one who admitted taking the false oath must pay an additional fifth for his share of the stolen article, as must all who voluntarily admit taking false oaths regarding entrusted objects.
ז
מסר שורו לשנים וטענו טענת גנב ונשבעו והודה אחד מהם והשני באו עליו עדים. שניהן משלמין את הקרן. ואם תפש בעל הפקדון את הכפל אין מוציאין מידו. וזה שהוא משלם ב חומש כשאר הנשבעין שבועת הפקדון שהודו מעצמן:
8
These rules apply with regard to the obligations of a watchman and a thief in the following situations. The owner of an entrusted object demanded its return from an unpaid watchman. The watchman took an oath that the article was stolen.
Afterwards, the thief was discovered. The watchman filed a claim against the thief, who admitted stealing the entrusted article. Afterwards, the owner of the entrusted article filed a claim against the thief, and he denied stealing the entrusted article. Witnesses then came and testified that the thief stole the article.
If the watchman took a true oath when he claimed that the article was stolen, he is considered the agent of the owners, and the thief is freed from the responsibility for the double payment, because he admitted the theft to the watchman.
If the watchman took a false oath the question is unresolved. Therefore, the thief is not compelled to pay twice the value of the stolen article. If, however, the owner seizes property belonging to the thief in lieu of the double payment, it shall not be expropriated from him.
The owner demanded the return of the entrusted article from the watchman and he paid for the article, and then the thief was discovered. In such a case, the watchman acquires the right to the article and to the double payment. The owner filed a claim against the thief, who admitted stealing the entrusted article. Afterwards, the watchman filed a claim against the thief, and he denied stealing the entrusted article. Witnesses then came and testified that the thief stole the article.
The thief is not compelled to pay twice the value of the stolen article. If, however, the watchman seizes property belonging to the thief in lieu of the double payment, it shall not be expropriated from him.
Similar laws apply with regard to the payment of four or five times the value of a stolen sheep or cow if the thief sold or slaughtered it.
ח
בעל הפקדון שתבע את השומר ונשבע שנגנב ואחר כך הוכר הגנב ותבע השומר את הגנב והודה לו הגנב שגנב ותבע בעל הפקדון את הגנב וכפר ובאו עדים שגנב. אם באמת נשבע השומר כשטען שנגנב נפטר הגנב מן הכפל בהודאתו לשומר. ואם בשקר נשבע אין מוציאין הכפל מן הגנב. ואם תפשו הבעלים הכפל אין מוציאין מידן. תבעו הבעלים את השומר ושלם ואחר כך הוכר הגנב ותבעוהו הבעלים והודה להן שגנב ואחר כך תבע והשומר וכפר בו ובוא עדים שגנב אין מוציאין הכפל מן הגנב, ואם תפש השומר את הכפל אין מוציאין מידו, וכן הדין בתשלומי ארבעה וחמשה אם טבח הגנב או מכר:
9
When a watchman claims that an article entrusted to him by a minor was stolen and takes an oath to that effect, and afterwards witnesses come and testify that the entrusted article is still in his possession, he is not liable. This applies even if the owner entrusted the article to the watchman when the owner was a minor and demanded its return after he attained majority.
This is derived from Exodus 22:6, which states: "When a man will give his colleague... articles to watch...." A child's entrusting of an article is of no consequence. Instead, he must be past majority both when he entrusts the article and when he demands its return.
ט
הטוען טענת גנב בפקדון של קטן אע"פ שנתן לו כשהוא קטן ותבעו כשהוא גדול ונשבע ואחר כך באו עדים הרי זה פטור מן הכפל שנאמר כי יתן איש ואין נתינת קטן כלום וצריך שתהיה נתינה ותביעה שוין [א] בגדול:
10
When a watchman steals an article entrusted to him from his own domain - e.g., he stole a lamb from a flock entrusted to him or a sela from a wallet entrusted to him - if witnesses testify regarding the theft, he is liable for twice the amount of the article.
The above applies even if he returned the sela to its place, and the lamb to the herd. For he remains responsible for them until he notifies the owner, since with his theft of the article his responsibility as a watchman is concluded. Thus, it is as if he had not returned anything until he notifies the owner.
Slightly different rules apply if a person steals a sela from a wallet belonging to a colleague, or a utensil from his home and then returns the utensil or the sela to its place. If the owner knew of the theft, but did not know of its return, the thief is still responsible for the article until his colleague counts his money.
י
שומר שגנב מרשותו כגון שגנב טלה מעדר שהופקד אצלו וסלע ד מכיס שהופקד אצלו אם יש עליו עדים חייב בכפל ואע"פ
11
When the owner counts his wallet and discovers the full amount, the thief is no longer liable. Moreover, if the owner did not know that the article was either taken or returned, it is not even necessary for the owner to count his money. As soon as the thief returned the money to its place, he is no longer responsible for it.
יא
מנה את כיסו ומצאו שלם המנין פטור. ואם לא ידעו הבעלים לא בגניבתו ולא בחזירתו אפילו מנין אינו צריך אלא כיון שהחזירו למקומו נפטר מאחריותו:
12
When does the above apply? With regard to an article that is not alive. When, however, a thief steals a lamb from a colleague's herd, the owner discovers the theft, the thief then returns it to the herd without informing the owner, and afterwards, the lamb dies or is stolen, the first thief is still liable. If, however, the owner counted his sheep, and the herd was complete,the thief is no longer liable.
If the owner did not know that the lamb was stolen or returned, the thief is liable until he informs the owner, so that he will pay more attention to the stolen lamb. This is necessary, because the thief taught it a way other than that followed by the other sheep in this herd.
יב
במה דברים אמורים בדבר שאין בו רוח חיים. אבל הגונב טלה מעדר חבירו וידעו בו הבעלים והחזירו לעדר שלא מדעת הבעלים ומת או נגנב חייב באחריותו. ואם מנו את הצאן והיא שלימה פטור. ואם לא ידעו הבעלים לא בגניבתו ולא בחזירתו אע"פ שמנו את הצאן והיא שלימה חייב באחריותו עד [ה] שיודיע את הבעלים כדי שישמרו את הטלה הגנוב שהרי למדו דרך אחרת חוץ מדרך שאר הצאן שבעדר זה:
• Kiddush HaChodesh - Chapter Twelve
1
The mean distance traveled by the sun in one day - i.e., in twenty-four hours - is 59 minutes and 8 seconds; in symbols 59' 8".1 Thus, in ten days, it travels 9 degrees, 51 minutes and 23 seconds,2 in symbols 9° 51' 23". In one hundred days, it travels 98 degrees, 33 minutes and 53 seconds, in symbols 98° 33' 53".
The remainder [of the degrees] traveled [by the sun] over the course of one thousand days - after all the multiples of 360 have been subtracted, as explained3 - is 265 degrees, 38 minutes and 50 seconds, in symbols 265° 38' 50". The remainder [of the degrees] traveled [by the sun] over the course of ten thousand days is 136 degrees, 28 minutes and 20 seconds, in symbols 136° 28' 20".
In this manner, one can multiply [the mean distance of a day] and calculate the distance [traveled] by the sun over any number of days. Similarly, if one would like to make pre-calculated figures for the mean distance for two days, for three days, for four days, up to ten days, one may do so. Similarly, if one desires to make pre-calculated figures for the mean distance for twenty days, for thirty days, for forty days, until one hundred days, one may do so. These figures become evident once one knows the mean distance for a single day.
It would be proper for one to know and have prepared the mean distances traveled by the sun in 29 days, and in 354 days, [the latter] being the number of days in a lunar year when the months follow a regular pattern. This is called a regular year.4
When you have these figures prepared, it will be easy to calculate the visibility of the moon. For there are 29 full days from the night when the moon was sighted in one month to the night that it may be sighted in the following month. Similarly, each and every month, there will be a difference of 29 days [between the nights on which the moon may be sighted], no more and no less.5 [This is what concerns us,] for our sole desire in these calculations is to know [when the moon] will be sighted.6
Similarly, [the difference in the sun's position] between the night when the moon will be sighted in a particular month one year and the night when it will be sighted [in that month] the following year will be that of a regular year, or that of a regular year plus one day.7
The mean distance traveled by the sun in one month is 28 degrees, 35 minutes and one second, in symbols 28° 35' 1". The distance it travels over the course of a regular [lunar] year is 348 degrees, 55 minutes and 15 seconds, in symbols 348° 55' 15".
א
מהלך השמש האמצעי ביום אחד שהוא כ"ד שעות נ"ט חלקים ושמנה שניות. סימנם כ"ד נט"ח. נמצא מהלכה בעשרה ימים תשע מעלות ונ"א חלקים וכ"ג שניות. סימנם טנ"א כ"ג. ונמצא מהלכה במאה יום צ"ח מעלות ושלשה ושלשים חלקים ונ"ג שניות, סימנם צ"ח ל"ג נ"ג. ונמצא שארית מהלכה באלף יום אחר שתשליך כל ש"ס מעלות כמו שביארנו. רס"ה מעלות ול"ח חלקים ונ' שניות. סימנם רס"ה לח"ן. ונמצא שארית מהלכה בעשרת אלפים יום. קל"ו מעלות וכ"ח חלקים וכ' שניות. סימנם קל"ו כ"ח כ'. ועל הדרך הזה תכפול ותוציא מהלכה לכל מנין שתרצה. וכן אם תרצה לעשות סימנין ידועים אצלך למהלכה לשני ימים ולשלשה ולארבעה עד עשרה תעשה. וכן אם תרצה להיות לך סימנין ידועים מוכנין למהלכה לכ' יום ולל' ולמ' עד מאה תעשה. ודבר גלוי הוא וידוע מאחר שידעת מהלך יום אחד. וראוי הוא להיות מוכן וידוע אצלך מהלך אמצע השמש לכ"ט יום ולשנ"ד יום שהן ימי שנת הלבנה בזמן שחדשיה כסדרן. והיא הנקראת שנה סדורה.שבזמן שיהיו לך אמצעיות אלו מוכנין יהיה החשבון הזה קל עליך לראיית החדש. לפי שכ"ט יום גמורים מליל הראיה עד ליל הראיה של חדש הבא וכן בכל חדש וחדש אין פחות מכ"ט יום לא יותר. שאין חפצנו בכל אלו החשבונות אלא לדעת הראיה בלבד. וכן מליל הראיה של חדש זה עד ליל הראיה לאותו החדש לשנה הבאה שנה סדורה או שנה ויום אחד. וכן בכל שנה ושנה. ומהלך השמש האמצעי לכ"ט יום כ"ח מעלות ול"ה חלקים ושניה אחת. סימנן כ"ח ל"ה א'. ומהלכה לשנה סדורה שמ"ח מעלות ונ"ה חלקים וט"ו שניות סימנן שמ"ח נ"ה ט"ו:
2
There is one point in the orbit of the sun around the Earth - and similarly, in the orbits of the remainder of the seven stars [around the Earth] - when [the sun or] that star will be furthest removed from the Earth.8 With the exception of the moon, that point in the orbit of the sun and, similarly, in the orbit of the other planets rotates in a uniform pattern, traveling about one degree in seventy years.9 This point is referred to as the apogee.
Accordingly, in ten days, the apogee of the sun travels one and a half seconds - i.e., [a second and] thirty thirds. Thus, in one hundred days, [the apogee] travels fifteen seconds. In one thousand days, it travels two minutes and thirty seconds, and in ten thousand days, 25 minutes. In twenty-nine days, it travels four seconds and a fraction. In a regular year, it travels 53 seconds.
As mentioned, the starting point for all our calculations is the eve of Thursday, the third of Nisan, 4938 years after creation. The position of the sun in terms of its mean distance on this date was 7 degrees, 3 minutes and 32 seconds in the constellation of Aries, in symbols 7° 3' 32". The apogee of the sun at this starting point was 26 degrees, 45 minutes and 8 seconds in the constellation of Gemini, in symbols 26° 45' 8".10
Accordingly, if you desire to know the position of the sun according to its mean distance at any given time, you should calculate the number of days from the starting point mentioned until the particular day you desire, and determine the mean distance it traveled during these days according to the figures given previously, add the entire sum together, accumulating each unit of measure separately. The result is the mean position of the sun on that particular day. For example, if we desired to determine the mean position of the sun at the beginning of the eve of the Sabbath on the fourteenth of the month of Tammuz of the present year, the starting point [for these calculations, we should do the following]: Calculate the number of days from the starting point until the date on which you desire to know the position of the sun. [In this instance,] it is one hundred days. The mean distance the sun travels in one hundred days is 98° 33' 53". We then add that to the starting point, which is 7° 3' 32", and arrive at a total of 105 degrees, 37 minutes and 25 seconds, in symbols 105° 37' 25". Thus, the sun's mean position at the beginning of this night will be 15 degrees and 37 minutes of the sixteenth degree in the constellation of Cancer.
At times, the sun will be located in the mean [position] that can be determined using the above methods of calculation at the beginning of the night, and at times an hour before the setting of the sun, or an hour afterwards.11 This [lack of definition concerning] the sun's [position] will not be of consequence with regard to calculating the visibility [of the moon], for we will compensate for this approximation when calculating the mean position of the moon.12
One should follow the same procedure at all times - for any date one desires, even if it is one thousand years in the future. When [the mean distance traveled by the sun] is calculated and the remainder [after all the multiples of 360 have been subtracted] is added to [the figures of] the starting point, you will arrive at the mean position.
The same principles apply regarding the mean position of the moon, or the mean position of any other planet. Once you know the distance it travels in a single day, and you know the starting point from which to begin [calculations], total up the distance it travels throughout as many years or days as you desire, add that to the starting point, and you will arrive at its position according to its mean distance.
The same concepts apply regarding the apogee of the sun. Add to the starting point the distance it travels over the course of days or years, and you will know the position of the apogee of the sun for the day you desire.
Similarly, if you desire to establish another date as the starting point instead of the date which [we have chosen] to begin in this year, [choosing] a year that will be the beginning of a particular nineteen-year cycle, or that will be the beginning of a new century, you may. Similarly, if you would like to use as a starting point a date in the past, before the date given above, or a date many years in the future, the path [to arrive at such a starting point] is well known.
How is this figure to be calculated? We have already established the mean distance traveled by the sun in a regular year, in twenty- nine days, and in a single day. It is known that a year whose months13 are full is one day longer than a regular year. Similarly, a year whose months are lacking is one day shorter than a regular year. With regard to a leap year,14 if its months are regular, it will be thirty days longer than a regular year. If its months are full, it will be thirty-one days longer than a regular year. If its months are lacking, it will be twenty-nine days longer than a regular year.
Since these principles are already established, it is possible to calculate the mean distance traveled by the sun for as many years or as many days as you desire, and add it to [the mean position of the sun on the date established previously as] the starting point, and you will be able to determine the mean [position of the sun] for any future date. Afterwards, you can use that date as a starting point.
[Conversely,] you may subtract the mean [distance traveled by the sun over the course of a particular period] from [the mean position of the sun on the date established previously as] the starting point, and you will be able to determine the mean [position of the sun] for any past date. Afterwards, you can use that date as a starting point.
The same principles also apply with regard to the mean position of the moon or any of the other planets, if [their mean positions on any particular date] are known to you. It also should be apparent that just as it is possible to determine the mean position of the sun for any future date, so too, it is possible to determine its mean position for any previous date.
ב
נקודה אחת יש בגלגל השמש וכן בשאר גלגלי השבעה כוכבים. בעת שיהיה הכוכב בה יהיה גבוה מעל הארץ כל מאורו. ואותה הנקודה של גלגל השמש ושאר הכוכבים חוץ מן הירח סובבת בשוה. ומהלכה בכל שבעים שנה בקירוב מעלה אחת. ונקודה זו היא הנקראת גובה השמש. מהלכו בכל עשרה ימים שניה אחת וחצי שניה שהיא ל' שלישיות. נמצא מהלכו בק' יום ט"ו שניות. ומהלכו באלף יום שני חלקים ושלשים שניות.ומהלכו בעשרת אלפים יום כ"ה חלקים. ונמצא מהלכו לתשעה ועשרים יום ארבע שניות ועוד. ומהלכו בשנה סדורה נ"ג שניות. כבר אמרנו שהעיקר שממנו התחלת חשבון זה הוא מתחלת ליל חמישי שיומו שלישי לחדש ניסן משנת תתקל"ח וארבעת אלפים ליצירה. ומקום השמש במהלכה האמצעי היה בעיקר הזה בשבע מעלות ושלשה חלקים ול"ב שניות ממזל טלה. סימנן ז"ג ל"ב. ומקום גובה השמש היה בעיקר זה בכ"ו מעלות מ"ה חלקים ושמנה שניות ממזל תאומים. סימנם כ"ו מ"ה ח'. כשתרצה לידע מקום השמש במהלכה האמצעי בכל זמן שתרצה. תקח מנין הימים שמתחלת יום העיקר עד היום שתרצה. ותוציא מהלכה האמצעי באותן הימים מן הסימנין שהודענו. והוסיף הכל על העיקר ותקבץ כל מין עם מינו. והיוצא הוא מקום השמש במהלכה האמצעי לאותו היום. כיצד הרי שרצינו לידע מקום השמש האמצעי בתחלת ליל השבת שיומו ארבעה עשר לחדש תמוז משנה זו שהיא שנת העיקר. מצאנו מנין הימים מיום העיקר עד תחלת היום זה שאנו רוצים לידע מקום השמש בו מאה יום. לקחנו אמצע מהלכה לק' יום שהוא צ"ח ל"ג נ"ג והוספנו על העיקר שהוא ז"ג ל"ב. יצא מן החשבון מאה וחמש מעלות ול"ז חלקים וכ"ה שניות. סימנן ק"ה ל"ז כ"ה. ונמצא מקומה במהלך אמצעי בתחלת ליל זה במזל סרטן בט"ו מעלות בו ול"ז חלקים ממעלה ט"ז. והאמצעי שיצא בחשבון זה פעמים יהיה בתחלת הלילה בשוה. או קודם שקיעת החמה בשעה. או אחר שקיעת החמה בשעה. ודבר זה לא תחוש לו בשמש בחשבון הראיה. שהרי אנו משלימים קירוב זה כשנחשוב לאמצע הירח. ועל הדרך הזאת תעשה תמיד לכל עת שתרצה ואפילו אחר אלף שנים. שתקבץ כל השארית ותוסיף על העיקר יצא לך המקום האמצעי. וכן תעשה באמצע הירח ובאמצע כל כוכב וכוכב. מאחר שתדע מהלכו ביום אחד כמה הוא ותדע העיקר שממנו תתחיל. ותקבץ מהלכו לכל השנים והימים שתרצה ותוסיף על העיקר ויצא לך מקומו במהלך אמצעי. וכן תעשה בגובה השמש תוסיף מהלכו באותם הימים או השנים על העיקר יצא לך מקום גובה השמש לאותו היום שתרצה. וכן אם תרצה לעשות עיקר אחר שתתחיל ממנו חוץ מעיקר זה שהתחלנו ממנו בשנה זו. כדי שיהיה אותו עיקר בתחלת שנת מחזור ידוע. או בתחלת מאה מן המאות. הרשות בידך. ואם תרצה להיות העיקר שתתחיל ממנו משנים שעברו קודם עיקר זה לאחר כמה שנים מעיקר זה הדרך ידועה. כיצד היא הדרך. כבר ידעת מהלך השמש לשנה סדורה ומהלכה לכ"ט יום ומהלכה ליום אחד. ודבר ידוע שהשנה שחדשיה שלמים היא יתרה על הסדורה יום אחד. והשנה שחדשיה חסרין היא חסרה מן הסדורה יום אחד. והשנה המעוברת אם יהיו חדשיה כסדרן תהיה יתרה על השנה הסדורה שלשים יום. ואם יהיו חדשיה שלמים היא יתרה על הסדורה ל"א יום. ואם יהיו חדשיה חסרין היא יתרה על הסדורה כ"ט יום. ומאחר שכל הדברים האלו ידועים תוציא מהלך אמצע השמש לכל השנים והימים שתרצה ותוסיף על העיקר שעשינו. יצא לך אמצעה ליום שתרצה משנים הבאות. ותעשה אותו היום עיקר. או תגרע האמצע שהוצאת מן העיקר שעשינו ויצא לך העיקר ליום שתרצה משנים שעברו. ותעשה אותו אמצע העיקר. וכזה תעשה באמצע הירח ושאר הכוכבים אם יהיו ידועים לך. וכבר נתבאר לך מכלל דברינו שכשם שתדע אמצע השמש לכל יום שתרצה מימים הבאים כך תדע אמצעה לכל יום שתרצה מימים שעברו
FOOTNOTES
1.
Since the sun travels throughout the entire 360° sphere over the course of a solar year, and a year is slightly longer than 365 days, the daily distance the sun travels is slightly less than one degree - more precisely, 59 minutes, 8 seconds and 19.8 thirds. Although the Rambam does not mention the thirds in this figure, he includes them in his subsequent calculations.
2.
When performing simple multiplication, the sum appears to be three seconds less. These three seconds have been added because of the inclusion of the multiples of the thirds, as mentioned in the previous note. Similarly, in subsequent calculations the Rambam also adds the multiples of the thirds.
3.
See Chapter 11, Halachah 10.
4.
See Chapter 8, Halachah 6, which explains that a year in which all the months follow in order, one full and one lacking, is referred to as a regular year.
5.
A lunar month is slightly longer than 29 days. Therefore, potential witnesses endeavor to sight the moon in the heavens on the night between the twenty-ninth and thirtieth days.
6.
Indeed, many of the subsequent calculations mentioned by the Rambam may be accurate only on the first night of the month and may not be accurate on the subsequent nights.
7.
The one day is added when both the months of Marcheshvan and Kislev are full. The commentaries raise the question why the Rambam does not mention the possibility of the year being lacking a day, as occurs when Marcheshvan and Kislev are both lacking.
8.
As stated in Chapter 11, Halachah 13, the Earth is not in the exact center of the orbits of the sun, the moon, or the other five planets. Therefore, there is one point in their orbits where they are furthest removed from the Earth. The knowledge of the location of this point is significant in calculating the true position of the sun, as will be explained in the following chapter.
9.
As the Rambam mentions in Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 3:3, not only do the sun and the stars move in their orbits, the orbits themselves move in the heavens. This movement can be seen most clearly by charting the movement of the apogee, the point in the orbit furthest from the Earth. The movement of the sun's orbit and similarly, that of the other stars, is relatively slow. The moon's orbit, by contrast, is moving at a much faster pace, as mentioned in the notes on Chapter 14, Halachah 1.
10.
Since more than 800 years have passed since the composition of the Mishneh Torah, the apogee of the sun has moved approximately twelve degrees and is presently located in the constellation of Cancer.
11.
Since, as explained in the previous chapter, the mean distance does not represent the place where the sun can actually be seen in the sky, there will be a slight discrepancy. The mean position represents the sun's position at 6 PM. During the summer months, the sun will reach that position before sunset, and during the winter months, it will reach that position after sunset.
12.
See the conclusion of Chapter 14.
13.
I.e., both Marcheshvan and Kislev. See Chapter 8, Halachot 6-10, for the ground rules regarding the determination of when a year is regular, when its months are full, and when they are lacking.
14.
See Chapter 6, Halachah 11, which relates that seven of the years in a nineteen-year cycle are leap years, and states which of these years will be leap years.
Kiddush HaChodesh - Chapter Thirteen
1
[The following method should be used] if you wish to know the true position1 of the sun on any particular day you desire: First, it is necessary to calculate the mean position of the sun through the methods of calculation we have explained. Then calculate the position of the apogee of the sun.2 Afterwards, subtract the apogee of the sun from the mean position of the sun. The remainder is referred to as the course of the sun.3
א
אם תרצה לידע מקום השמש האמתי בכל יום שתרצה. תוציא תחלה מקומה האמצעי לאותו היום על הדרך שביארנו. ותוציא מקום גובה השמש. ותגרע מקום גובה השמש ממקום השמש האמצעי והנשאר הוא הנקרא מסלול השמש:
2
[The next step is] to calculate the angular distance of the course of the sun.4 If the angular distance of the course is less than 180 degrees, one should subtract5 the angle [determined by the] course6 from the sun's mean position. If the angular distance of the course is more than 180 degrees, one should add7 the angle [determined by the] course to the sun's mean position. The figure remaining after making this addition or subtraction represents [the sun's] true position.
ב
ותראה כמה מעלות הוא מסלול השמש. אם היה המסלול פחות מק"פ מעלות. תגרע מנת המסלול ממקום השמש האמצעי. ואם היה המסלול יותר על ק"פ מעלות עד ש"ס תוסיף מנת המסלול על מקום השמש האמצעי. ומה שיהיה אחר שתוסיף עליו או תגרע ממנו הוא המקום האמתי:
3
If the course [of the sun] is an even 180 degrees or an even 360 degrees, there will be no angle [determined by the course to add or to subtract]. Instead, the [sun's] mean position is its true position.8
ג
ודע שאם יהיה המסלול מאה ושמונים בשוה או ש"ס בשוה. אין לו מנה אלא יהיה המקום האמצעי הוא המקום האמתי:
4
What is the angle [determined by the] course? If the course is ten degrees, the [resulting] angle will be 20 minutes.
If the course is twenty degrees, the [resulting] angle will be 40 minutes.
If the course is thirty degrees, the [resulting] angle will be 58 minutes.
If the course is forty degrees, the [resulting] angle will be 1 degree and 15 minutes.
If the course is fifty degrees, the [resulting] angle will be 1 degree and 29 minutes.
If the course is sixty degrees, the [resulting] angle will be 1 degree and 41 minutes.
If the course is seventy degrees, the [resulting] angle will be 1 degree and 51 minutes.
If the course is eighty degrees, the [resulting] angle will be 1 degree and 57 minutes.
If the course is ninety degrees, the [resulting] angle will be 1 degree and 59 minutes.
If the course is one hundred degrees, the [resulting] angle will be 1 degree and 58 minutes.9
If the course is one hundred ten degrees, the [resulting] angle will be 1 degree and 53 minutes.
If the course is one hundred twenty degrees, the [resulting] angle will be 1 degree and 45 minutes.
If the course is one hundred thirty degrees, the [resulting] angle will be 1 degree and 33 minutes.
If the course is one hundred forty degrees, the [resulting] angle will be 1 degree and 19 minutes.
If the course is one hundred fifty degrees, the [resulting] angle will be 1 degree and 1 minute.
If the course is one hundred sixty degrees, the [resulting] angle will be 42 minutes.
If the course is one hundred seventy degrees, the [resulting] angle will be 21 minutes.
If the course is an even one hundred eighty degrees, it has no measure. Instead, its mean position is its true position, as we explained.
ד
וכמה היא מנת המסלול. אם יהיה המסלול עשר מעלות. תהיה מנתו כ' חלקים. ואם יהיה כ' מעלות תהיה מנתו מ' חלקים. ואם יהיה ל' מעלות תהיה מנתו נ"ח חלקים. ואם יהיה מ' מעלות תהיה מנתו מעלה אחת וט"ו חלקים. ואם יהיה נ' מעלות תהיה מנתו מעלה אחת וכ"ט חלקים. ואם יהיה ס' מעלות תהיה מנתו מעלה אחת ומ"א חלקים. ואם יהיה ע' מעלות תהיה מנתו מעלה אחת ונ"א חלקים. ואם יהיה פ' מעלות תהיה מנתו מעלה ונ"ז חלקים. ואם יהיה צ' מעלות תהיה מנתו מעלה אחת ונ"ט חלקים. ואם יהיה ק' מעלות תהיה מנתו מעלה אחת ונ"ח חלקים. ואם יהיה ק"י תהיה מנתו מעלה אחת ונ"ג חלקים. ואם יהיה ק"כ תהיה מנתו מעלה אחת ומ"ה חלקים. ואם יהיה ק"ל תהיה מנתו מעלה אחת ול"ג חלקים. ואם יהיה ק"מ תהיה מנתו מעלה אחת וי"ט חלקים. ואם יהיה ק"נ תהיה מנתו מעלה אחת וחלק אחד. ואם יהיה ק"ס תהיה מנתו מ"ב חלקים. ואם יהיה ק"ע תהיה מנתו כ"א חלקים. ואם יהיה ק"פ בשוה אין לו מנה כמו שביארנו אלא מקום השמש האמצעי הוא מקומה האמתי:
5
[The following procedure should be used] if the course [of the sun] is greater than one hundred eighty degrees: One should subtract the course from three hundred sixty degrees and [calculate the resulting] angle accordingly.10
What is implied? If the course is 200 degrees, that figure should be subtracted from 360 degrees, leaving a remainder of 160 degrees. Since you already know that the [resulting] angle of a course of 160 degrees is 42 minutes, that same figure will be the [resulting] angle of a course of 200 degrees.
ה
היה המסלול יותר על ק"פ מעלות. תגרע אותו מש"ס מעלות ותדע מנתו. כיצד הרי שהיה המסלול ר' מעלות. תגרע אותו מש"ס תשאר ק"ס מעלות. וכבר הודענו שמנת ק"ס מעלות מ"ב חלקים. וכן מנת המאתים מ"ב חלקים:
6
Similarly, if the course was three hundred degrees, one should subtract that figure from three hundred sixty, leaving a remainder of sixty. Since you already know that the [resulting] angle of a course of 60 degrees is 1 degree and 41 minutes, that same figure will be the [resulting] angle of a course of 300 degrees. Similar procedures should be followed in calculating other figures.
ו
וכן אם היה המסלול ש' מעלות. תגרע אותו מש"ס ישאר ס'. וכבר ידעת שמנת ס' מעלות מעלה אחת ומ"א חלקים. וכן היא מנת הש' מעלות. ועל דרך זו בכל מנין ומנין:
7
[How is the angle determined by the course calculated] when the course is [an intermediate figure - e.g.,] 65 degrees? You already know that the [resulting] angle of 60 degrees is 1 degree and 41 minutes. And you know that the [resulting] angle of 70 degrees is 1 degree and 51 minutes. Thus, there are ten minutes between these [two] measures. Thus, [an increase of] a degree [of the course] will bring an increase of a minute [in the resulting angle]. Thus, the [resulting] angle of a course of 65 degrees will be 1 degree and 46 minutes.11
ז
הרי שהיה המסלול ס"ה מעלות. וכבר ידענו שמנת הששים היא מעלה אחת ומ"א חלקים. ומנת הע' היא מעלה אחת ונ"א חלקים. נמצא בין שתי המנות י' חלקים. ולפי חשבון המעלות יהיה לכל מעלה חלק אחד. ויהיה מנת המסלול שהוא ס"ה מעלה אחת ומ"ו חלקים:
8
Similarly, if the course was 67 degrees, the [resulting] angle would be 1 degree and 48 minutes. A similar procedure should be followed regarding any course that has both units and tens, both for calculations regarding the sun and for calculations regarding the moon.
ח
וכן אילו היה המסלול ס"ז היתה מנתו מעלה אחת ומ"ח חלקים. ועל דרך זו תעשה בכל מסלול שיהיה במניינו אחדים עם העשרות. בין בחשבון השמש בין בחשבון הירח:
9
[To apply these principles]: Should we desire to know the true position of the sun at the beginning of Friday night, the fourteenth of Tammuz for this present year: First, we should calculate the mean position of the sun for this time, which is, as explained,12 105° 37' 25". We should then calculate the apogee of the sun at this time, which is 86° 45' 23". When the apogee is subtracted from the mean position, the remainder, the course [of the sun], will be 18 degrees, 52 minutes and 2 seconds, in symbols 18° 52' 2 ".
With regard to the course [of the sun], the minutes are of no consequence. If they are less than thirty, they should be disregarded entirely. If they are more than thirty, they should be considered an additional degree and added to the sum of the degrees. Accordingly, it should be considered as if there are 19 degrees in this course. The [resulting] angle of such a course can be calculated to be 38 minutes in the manner that we explained.
ט
כיצד הרי שרצינו לידע מקום השמש האמתי בתחלת ליל השבת י"ד יום לחדש תמוז משנה זו. תוציא אמצע השמש תחלה לעת הזאת. וסימנו ק"ה ל"ז כ"ח כמו שביארנו. ותוציא מקום גובה השמש לעת הזאת. יצא לך סימנו פ"ו מ"ה כ"ג. ותגרע מקום הגובה מן האמצעי. יצא לך המסלול י"ח מעלות ונ"ב חלקים ושתי שניות. סימנם י"ח נ"ב ב'. ואל תקפיד בכל מסלול על החלקים אלא אם יהיו פחות משלשים אל תפנה אליהם. ואם היו שלשים או יותר תחשב אותם מעלה אחת ותוסיף אותה על מנין מעלות המסלול. לפיכך יהיה מסלול זה י"ט מעלות ותהיה מנתו על הדרך שביארנו ל"ח חלקים:
10
Since the course is less than 180 degrees, the [resulting] angle [of the course], 38 minutes, should be subtracted from the mean position of the sun, leaving a remainder of 104 degrees, 59 minutes and 25 seconds, in figures 104° 59' 25". Thus, the true position of the sun at the beginning of this night will be fifteen degrees less 35 seconds in the constellation of Cancer.
One need not pay attention to the seconds at all, neither with regard to the position of the sun, nor with regard to the position of the moon, nor in any other calculations regarding the sighting [of the moon]. Instead, if the number of seconds is approximately13thirty [or more], they should be considered a minute, and added to the sum of the minutes.
י
ולפי שהמסלול הזה היה פחות מק"פ. תגרע המנה שהיא ל"ח חלקים מאמצע השמש ישאר ק"ד מעלות ונ"ט חלקים וכ"ה שניות. סימנם ק"ד נ"ט כ"ה. ונמצא מקום השמש האמתי בתחלת ליל זה במזל סרטן בט"ו מעלות בו פחות ל"ה שניות. ואל תפנה אל השניות כלל לא במקום השמש ולא במקום הירח ולא בשאר חשבונות הראיה. אלא חקור על החלקים בלבד. ואם יהיו השניות קרוב לשלשים עשה אותם חלק אחד והוסיפו על החלקים:
11
Since you are able to calculate the location of the sun on any desired date, you will be able to calculate the true date of the equinox or solstice for any equinox or solstice you desire,14whether for the equinoxes or solstices that will take place in the future, after the date we established as a starting point, or for the equinoxes or solstices that have taken place in previous years.
יא
ומאחר שתדע מקום השמש בכל עת שתרצה. תדע יום התקופה האמיתי כל תקופה שתרצה. בין תקופות הבאות אחר עיקר זה שממנו התחלנו. בין תקופות שעברו משנים קדמוניות
FOOTNOTES
1.
As stated in Chapter 11, the true position of the sun refers to the position at which it is seen in the heavenly sphere. The difference between the sun's true position and its mean position stems from the fact that the Earth is not located at the exact center of the sun's orbit.
2.
The method through which both these figures can be calculated is stated in the previous chapter.
3.
I.e., the path the sun has traveled in its orbit from the apogee until it reached its present position.
4.
The course of the sun is an arc extending from the mean position of the sun to its apogee. The angular distance of the course is derived by drawing straight lines from the mean position and the apogee to the center of the sun's orbit.
If the apogee of the sun were located at O°, the angular distance of the course and the sun's mean position would be the same. Since, however, the apogee also moves within the heavenly sphere, there is a variance between these two figures.
5.
Before the sun reaches the perigee, the point in its orbit that is closest to the Earth, its true position will always be less than its mean position. Hence, the angle referred to as the angle [determined by the] course must be subtracted from its mean position to arrive at the true position.
6.
The angle [determined by the] course refers to the extent of the deviation between the position of the sun that can be observed in the sky and its mean position. The manner of determining this figure is described in Halachah 4.
To express these concepts in geometric terms: The sun's true position represents the angle at which it can be found in the sphere of the heavens of which the Earth is the center (c). When the angle that is called the angle [determined by the] course (a) is added to this angle, the sum is equivalent to the angle of the course of the sun (b).
How is this figure derived? Refer to the accompanying diagram: The sum of the angles of the triangle a, c, and d equals 180°, and the angles b and d equal 180°. Hence, b equals c a.
Thus, the true position of the sun is equivalent to its mean position minus the figure referred to as the angle [determined by the] course. Thus, when the course is less than 180 degrees, the sun's true position is always a small amount less than its mean position.
7.
When the sun passes the perigee, its true position will always be greater than its mean position. Hence, the angle referred to as the angle [determined by the] course must be added to its mean position to arrive at the true position.
Why is this so? Refer to the following diagram: d refers to the true position of the sun, b to its mean position and a to the angle referred to as the angle [determined by the] course. E to its true position minus 180° and f refers to its mean position minus 180°. a + f + c equals 180. E + c equals 180. Thus, a + f equals e. Hence, the mean position plus the angle [determined by the] course will be equal to the true position.
8.
I.e., when the sun is at the apogee or perigee, there will be one straight line between the Earth (the center of the heavenly sphere), the center of the sun's orbit, and the actual position of the sun.
9.
The largest angle determined by the course is when the angular distance of the course itself is 96 degrees - i.e., shortly after the mean position of the sun passes directly above the center of its orbit. After this point is reached, the angle begins to decrease.
Significantly, the rate of the decrease does not correspond exactly to the rate of increase as the angles approach 96 degrees. The reason for this difference is that, as stated above, the position of the Earth is not at the center of the sun's orbit. Hence, at 100 and 80 degrees, although the mean position of the sun has moved an equal distance from the center of its orbit, it has moved different distances from the Earth.
10.
Thus, our computations will be based on the negative of the angle measured previously. To put the Rambam's statements in layman's terms: The angle formed will be the same regardless of whether the mean position of the sun is measured in an increase from O° or a decrease from 360°.
11.
Although the correspondence between the angular length of the course and the angle [determined by the] course is not uniform over a large span, within a span of ten degrees the difference between the actual figure and the approximation arrived at by the Rambam is not of consequence.
12.
Chapter 12, Halachah 2.
13.
The commentaries have questioned the Rambam's use of the word "approximately." Our bracketed additions are made in that light.
14.
The calculation of the equinoxes and solstices is significant with regard to the determination of the calendar, as explained in Chapters 9 and 10. Since the vernal (spring) equinox takes place when, according to the sun's true motion, it enters the constellation of Aries, the date on which that takes place can be calculated for any particular year. Similarly, the summer solstice takes place when, according to the sun's true motion, it enters the constellation of Cancer, and that date can be calculated. Similar concepts apply regarding the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice.
Kiddush HaChodesh - Chapter Fourteen
1
There are two mean rates of progress [that are significant] with regard to the moon, for the moon revolves in a small orbit that does not encompass the earth. Its mean progress within this orbit is referred to as the mean within its path.
The small orbit [within which the moon revolves] itself rotates in a larger orbit that encompasses the earth.1 The mean progress of the small orbit within the large orbit that encompasses the earth is referred to as the moon's mean. The rate of progress for the moon's mean in one day is 13 degrees, 10 minutes and 35 seconds, in symbols 13° 10' 35".2
א
הירח שני מהלכים אמצעיים יש לו. הירח עצמו מסבב בגלגל קטן שאינו מקיף את העולם כולו. ומהלכו האמצעי באותו הגלגל הקטן נקרא אמצעי המסלול. והגלגל הקטן עצמו מסבב בגלגל גדול המקיף את העולם. ובמהלך אמצעי זה של גלגל הקטן באותו הגלגל הגדול המקיף את העולם הוא הנקרא אמצע הירח. מהלך אמצע הירח ביום אחד י"ג מעלות וי' חלקים ול"ה שניות. סימנם י"ג יל"ה:
2
Thus, its progress in ten days will be 131 degrees, 45 minutes and 50 seconds, in symbols 131° 45' 50". The remainder [of the sum]3of its progress in one hundred days will be 237 degrees, 38 minutes and 23 seconds, in symbols 237° 38' 23".4
The remainder [of the sum] of its progress in one thousand days is 216 degrees, 23 minutes and 50 seconds, in symbols 216° 23' 50". The remainder [of the sum] of its progress in ten thousand days is 3 degrees, 58 minutes and 20 seconds, in symbols 3° 58' 20".
The remainder [of the sum] of its progress in twenty-nine days is 22 degrees, 6 minutes and 56 seconds, in symbols 22° 6' 56".5The remainder [of the sum] of its progress in a regular year is 344 degrees, 26 minutes and 43 seconds, in symbols 344° 26' 43". Following these guidelines, you can multiply these figures for any number of days or years you desire.
ב
נמצא מהלכו בעשרה ימים קל"א מעלות ומ"ה חלקים וחמשים שניות. סימנם קל"א מה"נ. ונמצא שארית מהלכו בק' יום רל"ז מעלות ול"ח חלקים וכ"ג שניות. סימנם רל"ז ל"ח כ"ג. ונמצאת שארית מהלכו באלף יום רי"ו מעלות וכ"ג חלקים ונ' שניות. סימנם רי"ו כג"ן. ונמצא שארית מהלכו בי' אלפים יום ג' מעלות ונ"ח חלקים וכ' שניות. סימנם ג' נ"ח כ'. ונמצא שארית מהלכו בכ"ט יום כ"ב מעלות וששה חלקים ונ"ו שניות. סימנם כ"ב ונ"ו. ונמצא שארית מהלכו בשנה סדורה שמ"ד מעלות וכ"ו חלקים ומ"ג שניות. סימן להם שד"ם כ"ו מ"ג. ועל דרך זו תכפול לכל מנין ימים או שנים שתרצה:
3
The distance travelled by the mean within its path in a single day is 13 degrees, 3 minutes and 54 seconds, in symbols 13° 3' 54".6 Thus, its progress in ten days will be 130 degrees, 39 minutes and no seconds, in symbols 130° 39'. The remainder [of the sum] of its progress in one hundred days will be 226 degrees, 29 minutes and 53 seconds, in symbols 226° 29' 53".7
The remainder [of the sum] of its progress in one thousand days is 104 degrees, 58 minutes and 50 seconds, in symbols 104° 58' 50". The remainder [of the sum] of its progress in ten thousand days is 329 degrees, 48 minutes and 20 seconds, in symbols 329° 48' 20".
The remainder [of the sum] of its progress in twenty-nine days is 18 degrees, 53 minutes and 4 seconds, in symbols 18° 53' 4".
ג
ומהלך אמצע המסלול ביום אחד י"ג מעלות ושלשה חלקים ונ"ד שניות. סימנם י"ג גנ"ד. נמצא מהלכו בעשרה ימים ק"ל מעלות ל"ט חלקים בלא שניות. סימנם ק"ל ל"ט. ונמצא שארית מהלכו במאה יום רכ"ו מעלות וכ"ט חלקים ונ"ג שניות. סימנם רכ"ו כ"ט נ"ג. ונמצא שארית מהלכו באלף יום ק"ד מעלות ונ"ח חלקים וחמשים שניות. סימנם ק"ד נח"ן. ונמצא שארית מהלכו בעשרת אלפים יום שכ"ט מעלות ומ"ח חלקים ועשרים שניות. סימנם שכ"ט מח"כ. ונמצא שארית מהלכו בכ"ט יום י"ח מעלות ונ"ג חלקים וד' שניות. סימנם י"ח נג"ד:
4
The remainder [of the sum] of its progress in a regular year is 305 degrees, no minutes and 13 seconds, in symbols 305° 13".8
The position of the moon's mean on Wednesday night, [the third of Nisan, 4938,] the starting point for these calculations, was 1 degree, 14 minutes and 43 seconds, in figures 1° 14' 43", in the constellation of Taurus. The mean within its path at this date was 84 degrees, 28 minutes and 42 seconds, in symbols 84° 28' 42".
Since you know the mean rate of progress for the moon's mean, and you know its position on the date of the starting point, you [will be able to calculate] the position of the moon's mean on any date that you desire, as you did with regard to the mean position of the sun.
After calculating [the position of] the moon's mean on the beginning of the night that you desire, [the next step in calculating where the moon can be sighted] is to focus on the sun and see the constellation in which it will be located [at that time].9
ד
ונמצא שארית מהלכו בשנה סדורה ש"ה מעלות וי"ג שניות בלא חלקים. סימנם ש"ה י"ג. מקום אמצע הירח היה בתחלת ליל חמישי שהוא העיקר לחשבונות אלו במזל שור מעלה אחת וי"ד חלקים ומ"ג שניות. סימנם א' י"ד מ"ג. ואמצע המסלול היה בעיקר זה פ"ד מעלות וכ"ח חלקים ומ"ב שניות. סימנם פ"ד כ"ח מ"ב. מאחר שתדע מהלך אמצע הירח והאמצע שהוא העיקר שעליו תוסיף. תדע מקום אמצע הירח בכל יום שתרצה על דרך שעשית באמצע השמש. ואחר שתוציא אמצע הירח לתחלת הלילה שתרצה התבונן בשמש ודע באי זה מזל הוא:
5
If the sun is located between midway in the constellation of Pisces and midway in the constellation of Aries, the moon's mean should be left without emendation.10 If the sun is located between midway in the constellation of Aries and the beginning of the constellation of Gemini, 15 minutes should be added to the moon's mean.11 If the sun is located between the beginning of the constellation of Gemini and the beginning of the constellation of Leo, 30 minutes should be added to the moon's mean.12 If the sun is located between the beginning of the constellation of Leo and midway in the constellation of Virgo, 15 minutes should be added to the moon's mean.13
If the sun is located between midway in the constellation of Virgo and midway in the constellation of Libra, the moon's mean should be left without emendation.14 If the sun is located between midway in the constellation of Aries and the beginning of the constellation of Sagittarius, 15 minutes should be subtracted from the moon's mean.15 If the sun is located between the beginning of the constellation of Sagittarius and the beginning of the constellation of Aquarius, 30 minutes should be subtracted from the moon's mean.16 If the sun is located between the beginning of the constellation of Aquarius and midway in the constellation of Pisces, 15 minutes should be subtracted from the moon's mean.17
ה
אם היתה השמש מחצי מזל דגים עד חצי מזל טלה. תניח אמצע הירח כמות שהוא. ואם תהיה השמש מחצי מזל טלה עד תחלת מזל תאומים. תוסיף על אמצע הירח ט"ו חלקים. ואם תהיה השמש מתחלת מזל תאומים עד תחלת מזל אריה. תוסיף על אמצע הירח ט"ו חלקים. ואם תהיה השמש מתחלת מזל אריה עד חצי מזל בתולה תוסיף על אמצע הירח ט"ו חלקים. ואם תהיה השמש מחצי מזל בתולה עד חצי מזל מאזנים. הנח אמצע הירח כמות שהוא. ואם תהיה השמש מחצי מזל מאזנים עד תחלת מזל קשת. תגרע מאמצע הירח ט"ו חלקים. ואם תהיה השמש מתחלת מזל קשת עד תחלת מזל דלי. תגרע מאמצע הירח ל' חלקים. ואם תהיה השמש מתחלת מזל דלי עד חצי מזל דגים. תגרע מאמצע הירח ט"ו חלקים:
6
The figure that remains after these additions or subtractions have been made, or when the mean was left without emendation, is the mean of the moon approximately 20 minutes after the setting of the sun18 for the time when this mean was calculated. This is referred to as the mean of the moon at the time of the sighting.
ו
ומה שיהיה האמצע אחר שתוסיף עליו או תגרע ממנו או תניח אותו כמות שהוא. הוא אמצע הירח לאחר שקיעת החמה בכמו שליש שעה באותו הזמן שתוציא האמצע לו. וזה הוא הנקרא אמצע הירח לשעת הראיה
FOOTNOTES
1.
As mentioned in Chapter 11, the rate of the advance of the sun, the moon, and the other planets does not appear to be uniform. For the sun, the deviation is relatively minor and can be resolved by postulating that the Earth is not at the center of the sun's orbit. The deviations of the moon from its mean rate of advance, however, are larger than that of the sun, and more irregular. (According to modern science, these deviations result from the gravitational pull of the sun and other celestial bodies.)
To resolve this difficulty, some ancient astronomers (Ptolemy and Aristotle, among others) postulated that with regard to the moon, two orbits were involved: One orbit encompassed the Earth, although the Earth was not at its center. Around this orbit existed one (and according to some opinions, more than one) smaller orbit, within which the moon rotated. This smaller orbit is referred to as an epicycle. Because of the moon's position in this smaller orbit, it would appear to be either ahead of or behind the mean position of the center of this orbit.
2.
This refers to the rate of progress that is apparent to an observer on the Earth. In theory, however, this figure is a result of two different motions. The entire orbit of the moon is moving in the heavens. (The orbit of the sun is also moving, as reflected in the movement of the sun's apogee, as mentioned in Chapter 12, Halachah 2. The sun's orbit is moving at a very slow pace, one and a half seconds a day. In contrast, the moon's orbit moves much faster, slightly more than 11 degrees each day. This movement is from east to west, opposite to the movement of the heavenly sphere.)
Within this larger orbit revolves the epicycle, the smaller orbit around which the moon revolves. The epicycle is revolving at approximately 24 1/2 degrees a day, from west to east. Thus, an observer on the Earth would see the epicycle as moving 13 degrees and a fraction (i.e., 24 1/2 - 11 1/5) forward (eastward) in the heavenly sphere every day, as the Rambam states.
3.
I.e., after the multiples of 360 have been subtracted.
4.
It appears that the Rambam has added three seconds. This addition was made because the rate of progress also includes three thirds not mentioned in the original figure, but included in this calculation.
5.
On this basis, we can understand why a lunar month is slightly longer than 29 1/2 days. The mean distance traveled by the sun in 29 days is approximately 28 1/2 degrees (Chapter 12, Halachah 1), approximately 6 1/2 degrees more than the remainder of the progress of the moon's mean. This distance (and the additional approximately almost half a degree traveled by the sun during this time) is travelled by the moon's mean in slightly longer than twelve hours on the following day.
6.
This distance is figured east to west, opposite to the movement of the heavenly sphere.
7.
It appears that the Rambam has subtracted seven seconds. This subtraction was carried out because his figure for the rate of progress had been rounded off. In fact, the rate is seven thirds less than the figure mentioned originally. The lack of these thirds was taken into consideration in this calculation.
8.
Although we have followed the standard printed text of the Mishneh Torah and included this paragraph in Halachah 4, it is clearly part of the previous halachah.
9.
As mentioned in Chapter 12, Halachah 2, and notes, the sun does not always reach its mean position at sunset. In the summer, when the days are longer, it reaches its mean position slightly earlier, and in the winter slightly later. In the following halachah, the Rambam states the values that allow us to compensate for these differences.
10.
This corresponds to the month of Nisan, the time of the vernal equinox, when the sun sets at approximately 6 PM. Hence, there is no need to adjust the position of the moon's mean.
11.
This corresponds to the beginning of the summer, when the days are longer. Since the moon is moving slightly more than thirteen degrees per day away from the sun, its rate of progress per hour is thus slightly more than 30 minutes. When the sun's rate of progress per hour - for it is moving (eastward) in the same direction as the moon - is also taken into consideration, it is proper to consider the moon's progress as thirty minutes per hour. Thus, the Rambam is saying that in these months, the sun will set approximately half an hour after 6 PM.
12.
This corresponds to the middle of the summer, the longest days of the year. To compensate for the further delay in the setting of the sun, an additional fifteen minutes should be added to the moon's mean. [It must be noted that the number 30 in our translation is based on authentic manuscripts of the Mishneh Torah. Most of the standard published texts mention 15 minutes in this clause as well.]
13.
At this time of year, the summer days are beginning to become shorter. Hence, an adjustment of only fifteen minutes is necessary.
14.
This corresponds to the month of Tishrei, the time of the autumnal equinox, when the sun sets at approximately 6 PM. Hence, there is no need to adjust the position of the moon's mean.
15.
This represents the beginning of the winter, when the sun sets at an earlier time. Hence, rather than add minutes to the moon's mean, we subtract them.
16.
This period represents the middle of the winter, the shortest days of the year. To compensate for the further precipitance of the setting of the sun, an additional fifteen minutes should be subtracted from the moon's mean. [It must be noted that, in this instance as well, the number 30 in our translation is a deviation from the standard published texts, based on authentic manuscripts of the Mishneh Torah.]
17.
At this point, the days are beginning to get longer. Therefore, only a fifteen-minute adjustment is necessary.
18.
This is the time when the stars begin to appear in Eretz Yisrael.
• Sunday, 25 Kislev, 5777 · 25 December 2016
• "Today's Day"
• Friday, Kislev 25, First Day of Chanuka, 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: Vayeishev, Shishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 119, 1-96.
Tanya: And as for the general saying (p. 3)...self-glorification, and so on. (p. 5).
My father would kindle Chanuka lights between Mincha and Maariv; he was not particular1 whether the doorway was south-north or east-west. Haneirot halalu2 he said after kindling all the lights. He would sit near the lights for a half hour, except Fridays when he did not stay that long. He took care that the lights burned at least 50 minutes.
The order we follow is: Mincha, Chanuka lights, then Shabbat candles.
FOOTNOTES
1.In Shul the candles should stand east to west, as in the Sanctuary. Why we are not particular about this at home is not clear. Sefer Haminhagim p. 70, and f.n. 5 ibid.
2.Siddur p. 339
• Daily Thought:
Chanukah Miracles
Without miracles, we might come to believe that the laws of physics define reality. Once we witness the inexplicable, we see that there is a higher reality. And then we look back at physics and say, “This too is a miracle.”
The miracle of a small flask of oil burning for eight days was this sort of miracle.
Then there are those small miracles that occur every day. Those acts of synchronicity we call “coincidence,” because in them G‑d prefers to remain anonymous. But when we open our eyes and hearts, we see there is truly no place void of this wondrous, unlimited G‑d.
These were the sort of miracles the Maccabees saw in their battles against the mighty Greek army.
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