Torah Reading
Rosh Chodesh: Numbers 28:1 (v) Adonai said to Moshe, 2 “Give an order to the people of Isra’el. Tell them, ‘You are to take care to offer me at the proper time the food presented to me as offerings made by fire, providing a fragrant aroma for me.’ 3 Tell them, ‘This is the offering made by fire that you are to bring to Adonai: male lambs in their first year and without defect, two daily as a regular burnt offering.
28:3 Tell them, ‘This is the offering made by fire that you are to bring to Adonai: male lambs in their first year and without defect, two daily as a regular burnt offering. 4 Offer the one lamb in the morning and the other lamb at dusk, 5 along with two quarts of fine flour as a grain offering, mixed with one quart of oil from pressed olives. 6 It is the regular burnt offering, the same as was offered on Mount Sinai to give a fragrant aroma, an offering made by fire for Adonai. 7 Its drink offering is to be one-quarter hin for one lamb; in the Holy Place you are to pour out a drink offering of intoxicating liquor to Adonai. 8 The other lamb you are to present at dusk; present it with the same kind of grain offering and drink offering as in the morning; it is an offering made by fire, with a fragrant aroma for Adonai.
9 “‘On Shabbat offer two male lambs in their first year and without defect, with one gallon of fine flour as a grain offering, mixed with olive oil, and its drink offering. 10 This is the burnt offering for every Shabbat, in addition to the regular burnt offering and its drink offering.
11 “‘At each Rosh-Hodesh of yours, you are to present a burnt offering to Adonai consisting of two young bulls, one ram and seven male lambs in their first year and without defect; 12 with six quarts of fine flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering for the one ram; 13 and two quarts of fine flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering for each lamb. This will be the burnt offering giving a fragrant aroma, an offering made by fire for Adonai. 14 Their drink offerings will be two quarts of wine for a bull, one-and-one-third quarts for the ram, and one quart for each lamb. This is the burnt offering for every Rosh-Hodesh throughout the months of the year. 15 Also a male goat is to be offered as a sin offering to Adonai, in addition to the regular burnt offering and its drink offering.
Today's Laws & Customs:
• Rosh Chodesh Observances
Today is Rosh Chodesh ("Head of the Month") for the month of Kislev.
Special portions are added to the daily prayers: Hallel (Psalms 113-118) is recited -- in its "partial" form -- following the Shacharit morning prayer, and the Yaaleh V'yavo prayer is added to the Amidah and to Grace After Meals; the additional Musaf prayer is said (when Rosh Chodesh is Shabbat, special additions are made to the Shabbat Musaf). Tachnun (confession of sins) and similar prayers are omitted.
Many have the custom to mark Rosh Chodesh with a festive meal and reduced work activity. The latter custom is prevalent amongst women, who have a special affinity with Rosh Chodesh -- the month being the feminine aspect of the Jewish Calendar.
Links: The 29th Day; The Lunar Files
Today in Jewish History:
• Winter
As per the Talmud, the month of Kislev marks the onset of the winter season in the Holy Land and is the third month of the "Season of the Rains."
Link: Winter
• Lubavitcher Rebbe Returns Home after Heart Attack (1977)
For the first time since suffering a major heart attack five weeks earlier, on the eve of Shemini Atzeret, the Rebbe left his office in 770 Eastern Parkway and returned to his home, signaling his recovery. Chassidim all over rejoiced at the good news.
From that day on, the Rebbe redoubled his efforts on behalf of the Jewish nation and all of humanity, and for the dissemination of Torah and chassidism. From then on, the first of Kislev is celebrated as a day of thanksgiving and rejoicing.
Link: Illness and Challenge (from the timeline "biography of ideas" in Therebbe.org).
Daily Quote:Because Moses said to G-d, "If You do not [forgive Israel the sin of the Golden Calf], erase me from Your book," Moses' name does not appear in the Torah section of Tetzaveh.[Baal HaTurim]
• 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.
Negative Commandment 320
Working on Shabbat
"You shall not do any manner of work"—Exodus 20:10.
We are forbidden from performing work on Shabbat.
Full text of this Mitzvah »
• Working on Shabbat
Negative Commandment 320
Translated by Berel Bell
The 320th prohibition is that we are forbidden to do melachah1 on Shabbos.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement2, ["It is Shabbos to the L‑rd, your G‑d;] do not do any melachah."
If the act was intentional, but the court has insufficient proof, Scripture3 specifies the punishment as kores.4 If the act was intentional, and there is sufficient proof,5 the punishment is execution by s'kilah.6 If the act was unintentional, he must bring a sin-offering.7
The details of this commandment are discussed in the tractate Shabbos.
FOOTNOTES
1.Although melachah is commonly translated as "work," it actually indicates any one of 39 specific activities singled out by Torah tradition. Included among the 39 are such actions as writing, carrying outside, and tying a knot, even though they do not correspond to the English word "work."
2.Shmos 20:1. Devarim 5:14.
3.Ex. 31:14.
4.See Principle 14, where the Rambam defines kores as losing one's portion in the World to Come (unless the person does teshuvah before death). See also Hilchos Teshuvah, Chapter 8, Halachah. 1.
5.Literally, "the testimony was accepted." This phrase includes such requirements as prior warning of the defendant (hasra'a), testimony of at least 2 witnesses, etc. See N352.
6.Commonly translated as "stoning," it actually consisted of being thrown from a high platform. Only if the person did not die from the fall were actual stones used. See P229.
7.See P69. This offering is called a "fixed sin-offering" to distinguish it from the offering of adjustable value. See P72.
• Rambam - 1 Chapter: Mikvaot Mikvaot - Chapter 5
Rosh Chodesh: Numbers 28:1 (v) Adonai said to Moshe, 2 “Give an order to the people of Isra’el. Tell them, ‘You are to take care to offer me at the proper time the food presented to me as offerings made by fire, providing a fragrant aroma for me.’ 3 Tell them, ‘This is the offering made by fire that you are to bring to Adonai: male lambs in their first year and without defect, two daily as a regular burnt offering.
28:3 Tell them, ‘This is the offering made by fire that you are to bring to Adonai: male lambs in their first year and without defect, two daily as a regular burnt offering. 4 Offer the one lamb in the morning and the other lamb at dusk, 5 along with two quarts of fine flour as a grain offering, mixed with one quart of oil from pressed olives. 6 It is the regular burnt offering, the same as was offered on Mount Sinai to give a fragrant aroma, an offering made by fire for Adonai. 7 Its drink offering is to be one-quarter hin for one lamb; in the Holy Place you are to pour out a drink offering of intoxicating liquor to Adonai. 8 The other lamb you are to present at dusk; present it with the same kind of grain offering and drink offering as in the morning; it is an offering made by fire, with a fragrant aroma for Adonai.
9 “‘On Shabbat offer two male lambs in their first year and without defect, with one gallon of fine flour as a grain offering, mixed with olive oil, and its drink offering. 10 This is the burnt offering for every Shabbat, in addition to the regular burnt offering and its drink offering.
11 “‘At each Rosh-Hodesh of yours, you are to present a burnt offering to Adonai consisting of two young bulls, one ram and seven male lambs in their first year and without defect; 12 with six quarts of fine flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering for the one ram; 13 and two quarts of fine flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering for each lamb. This will be the burnt offering giving a fragrant aroma, an offering made by fire for Adonai. 14 Their drink offerings will be two quarts of wine for a bull, one-and-one-third quarts for the ram, and one quart for each lamb. This is the burnt offering for every Rosh-Hodesh throughout the months of the year. 15 Also a male goat is to be offered as a sin offering to Adonai, in addition to the regular burnt offering and its drink offering.
Today's Laws & Customs:
• Rosh Chodesh Observances
Today is Rosh Chodesh ("Head of the Month") for the month of Kislev.
Special portions are added to the daily prayers: Hallel (Psalms 113-118) is recited -- in its "partial" form -- following the Shacharit morning prayer, and the Yaaleh V'yavo prayer is added to the Amidah and to Grace After Meals; the additional Musaf prayer is said (when Rosh Chodesh is Shabbat, special additions are made to the Shabbat Musaf). Tachnun (confession of sins) and similar prayers are omitted.
Many have the custom to mark Rosh Chodesh with a festive meal and reduced work activity. The latter custom is prevalent amongst women, who have a special affinity with Rosh Chodesh -- the month being the feminine aspect of the Jewish Calendar.
Links: The 29th Day; The Lunar Files
Today in Jewish History:
• Winter
As per the Talmud, the month of Kislev marks the onset of the winter season in the Holy Land and is the third month of the "Season of the Rains."
Link: Winter
• Lubavitcher Rebbe Returns Home after Heart Attack (1977)
For the first time since suffering a major heart attack five weeks earlier, on the eve of Shemini Atzeret, the Rebbe left his office in 770 Eastern Parkway and returned to his home, signaling his recovery. Chassidim all over rejoiced at the good news.
From that day on, the Rebbe redoubled his efforts on behalf of the Jewish nation and all of humanity, and for the dissemination of Torah and chassidism. From then on, the first of Kislev is celebrated as a day of thanksgiving and rejoicing.
Link: Illness and Challenge (from the timeline "biography of ideas" in Therebbe.org).
Daily Quote:Because Moses said to G-d, "If You do not [forgive Israel the sin of the Golden Calf], erase me from Your book," Moses' name does not appear in the Torah section of Tetzaveh.[Baal HaTurim]
Today's Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Parshat Toldot, 5th Portion (Genesis 26:30-27:27) with Rashi
• Genesis Chapter 26
30So he made a feast for them, and they ate and drank. לוַיַּ֤עַשׂ לָהֶם֙ מִשְׁתֶּ֔ה וַיֹּֽאכְל֖וּ וַיִּשְׁתּֽוּ:
31And they arose early in the morning, and they swore one to the other, and Isaac escorted them, and they went away from him in peace. לאוַיַּשְׁכִּ֣ימוּ בַבֹּ֔קֶר וַיִּשָּֽׁבְע֖וּ אִ֣ישׁ לְאָחִ֑יו וַיְשַׁלְּחֵ֣ם יִצְחָ֔ק וַיֵּֽלְכ֥וּ מֵֽאִתּ֖וֹ בְּשָׁלֽוֹם:
32And it came to pass on that day, that Isaac's servants came and told him about the well that they had dug, and they said to him, "We have found water." לבוַיְהִ֣י | בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֗וּא וַיָּבֹ֨אוּ֙ עַבְדֵ֣י יִצְחָ֔ק וַיַּגִּ֣דוּ ל֔וֹ עַל־אֹד֥וֹת הַבְּאֵ֖ר אֲשֶׁ֣ר חָפָ֑רוּ וַיֹּ֥אמְרוּ ל֖וֹ מָצָ֥אנוּ מָֽיִם:
33And he named it Shibah; therefore, the city is named Beer sheba until this very day. לגוַיִּקְרָ֥א אֹתָ֖הּ שִׁבְעָ֑ה עַל־כֵּ֤ן שֵֽׁם־הָעִיר֙ בְּאֵ֣ר שֶׁ֔בַע עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה:
Shibah: Because of the covenant [shevuah in Hebrew means oath]. שבעה: על שם הברית:
34And Esau was forty years old, and he married Judith, the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath, the daughter of Elon the Hittite. לדוַיְהִ֤י עֵשָׂו֙ בֶּן־אַרְבָּעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה וַיִּקַּ֤ח אִשָּׁה֙ אֶת־יְהוּדִ֔ית בַּת־בְּאֵרִ֖י הַֽחִתִּ֑י וְאֶת־בָּ֣שְׂמַ֔ת בַּת־אֵילֹ֖ן הַֽחִתִּֽי:
forty years old: Esau was compared to a swine, as it is said (Ps. 80:14): “The boar from the forest gnaws at it.” This swine, when it lies down, stretches out its hooves, as if to say, “See, I am a clean (kosher) animal.” So do these [the chiefs of Esau] rob and plunder and then pretend to be honorable. During the entire forty years, Esau kidnapped wives from their husbands and violated them. When he was forty years old, he said:“My father married at forty; I, too, will do the same.” [From Gen. Rabbah 65:1] בן ארבעים שנה: עשו היה נמשל לחזיר, שנאמר (תהלים פ יד) יכרסמנה חזיר מיער, החזיר הזה כשהוא שוכב פושט טלפיו לומר ראו שאני טהור, כך אלו [אלופי עשו] גוזלים וחומסים ומראים עצמם כשרים. כל ארבעים שנה היה עשו צד נשים מתחת בעליהן ומענה אותם, כשהיה בן ארבעים אמר אבא בן ארבעים שנה נשא אשה, אף אני כן:
35And they were a vexation of the spirit to Isaac and to Rebecca. להוַתִּֽהְיֶ֖יןָ מֹ֣רַת ר֑וּחַ לְיִצְחָ֖ק וּלְרִבְקָֽה:
a vexation of the spirit: Heb. מֹרַת רוּחַ, an expression of defiance of spirit הַמְרָאַתרוּחַ like (Deut. 9:24):“You have been rebellious מַמְרִים.” All their deeds were to provoke and to grieve. [From Targum Onkelos] מורת רוח: לשון המראת רוח, כמו (דברים ט כד) ממרים הייתם כל מעשיהן היו לעצבון:
to Isaac and to Rebecca: for they worshipped idols. [From Midrash Tanchuma, Toledoth 8] ליצחק ולרבקה: שהיו עובדות עבודה זרה:
Genesis Chapter 27
1It came to pass when Isaac was old, and his eyes were too dim to see, that he called Esau his elder son, and he said to him, "My son," and he said to him, "Here I am." אוַֽיְהִי֙ כִּֽי־זָקֵ֣ן יִצְחָ֔ק וַתִּכְהֶ֥יןָ עֵינָ֖יו מֵֽרְאֹ֑ת וַיִּקְרָ֞א אֶת־עֵשָׂ֣ו | בְּנ֣וֹ הַגָּדֹ֗ל וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ בְּנִ֔י וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֵלָ֖יו הִנֵּֽנִי:
were too dim: Because of the smoke of these [wives of Esau] (who would burn [incense] to the idols) (Tanchuma, Toledoth 8; Pesiktha Rabbathi 12). Another explanation: When Isaac was bound on the altar, and his father was about to slaughter him, the heavens opened, and the ministering angels saw and wept, and their tears fell upon Isaac’s eyes. As a result, his eyes became dim (Gen. Rabbah 65:6). A third explanation: to enable Jacob to take the blessings (Gen. Rabbah 65:8). ותכהין: בעשנן של אלו. דבר אחר כשנעקד על גבי המזבח והיה אביו רוצה לשחטו, באותה שעה נפתחו השמים וראו מלאכי השרת והיו בוכים וירדו דמעותיהם ונפלו על עיניו, לפיכך כהו עיניו. דבר אחר כדי שיטול יעקב את הברכות:
2And he said, "Behold now, I have grown old; I do not know the day of my death. בוַיֹּ֕אמֶר הִנֵּה־נָ֖א זָקַ֑נְתִּי לֹ֥א יָדַ֖עְתִּי י֥וֹם מוֹתִֽי:
I do not know the day of my death: Rabbi Joshua ben Korchah said: If a person reaches the age of [the death of] his parents, he should worry five years beforehand and five years afterwards, and Isaac was one hundred and twenty-three years old. He said, “Perhaps I will reach the age of [the death of] my mother, and she died at one hundred and twenty-seven, and I am thus within five years of her age; therefore, ”I do not know the day of my death," -perhaps [I will die] at my mother’s age and perhaps at my father’s age. [From Gen. Rabbah 65:121] לא ידעתי יום מותי: אמר רבי יהושע בן קרחה אם מגיע אדם לפרק אבותיו ידאג חמש שנים לפניהם וחמש לאחר כן, ויצחק היה בן מאה עשרים ושלש, אמר שמא לפרק אמי אני מגיע, והיא מתה בת מאה עשרים ושבע והריני בן חמש שנים סמוך לפרקה, לפיכך לא ידעתי יום מותי, שמא לפרק אמי, שמא לפרק אבא:
3So, now, sharpen your implements, your sword [and take] your bow, and go forth to the field, and hunt game for me. גוְעַתָּה֙ שָׂא־נָ֣א כֵלֶ֔יךָ תֶּלְיְךָ֖ וְקַשְׁתֶּ֑ךָ וְצֵא֙ הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה וְצ֥וּדָה לִּ֖י צָֽיִד (כתיב צידה):
your sword: Heb. תֶּלְיְ, your sword, which is usually hung לִתְלוֹתָה. תליך: חרבך שדרך לתלותה:
So, now, sharpen: שָׂא נָא an expression of sharpening, as we learned in the Mishnah (Beizah 28a):“We may not sharpen a knife [on a whet-stone] but we may sharpen it (מַשִּׂיאָה) against another one [on Yom-Tov].” [Isaac said]: “Sharpen your knife and slaughter properly, lest you feed me neveila ” [an animal not slaughtered according to ritual law] (Gen. Rabbah 65: 13). שא נא: לשון השחזה כאותה ששנינו (ביצה כח א) אין משחיזין את הסכין אבל משיאה על גבי חברתה, חדד סכינך ושחוט יפה, שלא תאכילני נבלה:
and hunt for me: from ownerless [game], and not from stolen [animals]. [Gen. Rabbah 65:13] וצודה לי: מן ההפקר ולא מן הגזל:
4And make for me tasty foods as I like, and bring them to me, and I will eat, in order that my soul will bless you before I die." דוַֽעֲשֵׂה־לִ֨י מַטְעַמִּ֜ים כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר אָהַ֛בְתִּי וְהָבִ֥יאָה לִּ֖י וְאֹכֵ֑לָה בַּֽעֲב֛וּר תְּבָֽרֶכְךָ֥ נַפְשִׁ֖י בְּטֶ֥רֶם אָמֽוּת:
5But Rebecca overheard when Isaac spoke to Esau his son, and Esau went to the field to hunt game, to bring [it]. הוְרִבְקָ֣ה שֹׁמַ֔עַת בְּדַבֵּ֣ר יִצְחָ֔ק אֶל־עֵשָׂ֖ו בְּנ֑וֹ וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ עֵשָׂו֙ הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה לָצ֥וּד צַ֖יִד לְהָבִֽיא:
to hunt game, to bring: What is the meaning of“to bring” ? If he would not find game, he intended to bring [meat] from stolen [animals]. - [from Gen. Rabbah 65:13] לצוד ציד להביא: מהו להביא, אם לא ימצא ציד יביא מן הגזל:
6And Rebecca said to Jacob her son, saying, "Behold I have heard your father speaking to Esau your brother, saying, ווְרִבְקָה֙ אָ֣מְרָ֔ה אֶל־יַֽעֲקֹ֥ב בְּנָ֖הּ לֵאמֹ֑ר הִנֵּ֤ה שָׁמַ֨עְתִּי֙ אֶת־אָבִ֔יךָ מְדַבֵּ֛ר אֶל־עֵשָׂ֥ו אָחִ֖יךָ לֵאמֹֽר:
7'Bring me game and make me tasty foods, and I will eat, and I will bless you before the Lord before my death.' זהָבִ֨יאָה לִּ֥י צַ֛יִד וַֽעֲשֵׂה־לִ֥י מַטְעַמִּ֖ים וְאֹכֵ֑לָה וַֽאֲבָֽרֶכְכָ֛ה לִפְנֵ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה לִפְנֵ֥י מוֹתִֽי:
before the Lord: with His consent, that He will approve of what I do. לפני ה': ברשותו שיסכים על ידי:
8And now my son, hearken to my voice, to what I am commanding you. חוְעַתָּ֥ה בְנִ֖י שְׁמַ֣ע בְּקֹלִ֑י לַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲנִ֖י מְצַוָּ֥ה אֹתָֽךְ:
9Go now to the flock, and take for me from there two choice kids, and I will make them tasty foods for your father, as he likes. טלֶךְ־נָא֙ אֶל־הַצֹּ֔אן וְקַח־לִ֣י מִשָּׁ֗ם שְׁנֵ֛י גְּדָיֵ֥י עִזִּ֖ים טֹבִ֑ים וְאֶֽעֱשֶׂ֨ה אֹתָ֧ם מַטְעַמִּ֛ים לְאָבִ֖יךָ כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר אָהֵֽב:
and take for me: [“לִי” indicates that] they are mine, and they are not stolen, because so had Isaac written for her in her marriage contract, that she might take two kids every day (Gen. Rabbah 65:14). וקח לי: משלי הם ואינם גזל, שכך כתב לה יצחק בכתובתה ליטול שני גדיי עזים בכל יום:
two choice kids: Now did Isaac’s menu consist of two kids? But [the explanation is that] he sacrificed one as a Paschal offering, and one he made into tasty foods. [This is found] in Pirkei d’Rabbi Eliezer (ch. 32). שני גדיי עזים: וכי שני גדיי עזים היה מאכלו של יצחק, אלא האחד הקריב לפסחו והאחד עשה מטעמים. בפרקי דרבי אליעזר (פרק לב):
as he likes: for the taste of a kid is like the taste of a deer. כאשר אהב: כי טעם הגדי כטעם הצבי:
10And you shall bring [them] to your father that he may eat, in order that he bless you before his death." יוְהֵֽבֵאתָ֥ לְאָבִ֖יךָ וְאָכָ֑ל בַּֽעֲבֻ֛ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר יְבָֽרֶכְךָ֖ לִפְנֵ֥י מוֹתֽוֹ:
11And Jacob said to Rebecca his mother, "Behold, my brother Esau is a hairy man, whereas I am a smooth man. יאוַיֹּ֣אמֶר יַֽעֲקֹ֔ב אֶל־רִבְקָ֖ה אִמּ֑וֹ הֵ֣ן עֵשָׂ֤ו אָחִי֙ אִ֣ישׁ שָׂעִ֔ר וְאָֽנֹכִ֖י אִ֥ישׁ חָלָֽק:
a hairy man: Heb. אִישׁ שָׂעִר, one possessing hair. איש שער: בעל שער:
12Perhaps my father will touch me, and I will appear to him as a deceiver, and I will bring upon myself a curse and not a blessing." יבאוּלַ֤י יְמֻשֵּׁ֨נִי֙ אָבִ֔י וְהָיִ֥יתִי בְעֵינָ֖יו כִּמְתַעְתֵּ֑עַ וְהֵֽבֵאתִ֥י עָלַ֛י קְלָלָ֖ה וְלֹ֥א בְרָכָֽה:
will touch me: Heb. יְמֻשֵּׁנִי, similar to (Deut. 28:29):“feeling (מְמַשֵּׁשׁ) at noon.” ימשני: כמו (דברים כח כט) ממשש בצהרים:
13And his mother said to him, "On me is your curse, my son. Only hearken to my voice and go, take [them] for me." יגוַתֹּ֤אמֶר לוֹ֙ אִמּ֔וֹ עָלַ֥י קִלְלָֽתְךָ֖ בְּנִ֑י אַ֛ךְ שְׁמַ֥ע בְּקֹלִ֖י וְלֵ֥ךְ קַח־לִֽי:
14So he went, and he took, and he brought [them] to his mother, and his mother made tasty foods, as his father liked. ידוַיֵּ֨לֶךְ֙ וַיִּקַּ֔ח וַיָּבֵ֖א לְאִמּ֑וֹ וַתַּ֤עַשׂ אִמּוֹ֙ מַטְעַמִּ֔ים כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר אָהֵ֥ב אָבִֽיו:
15And Rebecca took the costly garments of Esau, her elder son, which were with her in the house, and she dressed Jacob, her younger son. טווַתִּקַּ֣ח רִ֠בְקָ֠ה אֶת־בִּגְדֵ֨י עֵשָׂ֜ו בְּנָ֤הּ הַגָּדֹל֙ הַֽחֲמֻדֹ֔ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר אִתָּ֖הּ בַּבָּ֑יִת וַתַּלְבֵּ֥שׁ אֶת־יַֽעֲקֹ֖ב בְּנָ֥הּ הַקָּטָֽן:
the costly: הַחַמוּדֹת [means] the clean ones, as the Targum renders: דַּכְיָתָא [clean ones]. Another explanation: The ones [garments] that he had coveted [שֶׁחָמַד] from Nimrod. [From Gen. Rabbah 65:16] החמודות: הנקיות, כתרגומו דכייתא. דבר אחר שחמד אותן מן נמרוד:
which were with her in the house: But He [Esau] had many wives, [with whom to entrust his garments] and yet he entrusted them [his garments] with his mother?! He was well aware of their deeds, and he was suspicious of them. [From Gen. Rabbah 65:16] אשר אתה בבית: והלא כמה נשים היו לו והוא מפקיד אצל אמו, אלא שהיה בקי במעשיהן וחושדן:
16And the hides of the kids she put on his hands and on the smoothness of his neck. טזוְאֵ֗ת עֹרֹת֙ גְּדָיֵ֣י הָֽעִזִּ֔ים הִלְבִּ֖ישָׁה עַל־יָדָ֑יו וְעַ֖ל חֶלְקַ֥ת צַוָּארָֽיו:
17And she gave the tasty foods and the bread that she had made, into the hand of Jacob her son. יזוַתִּתֵּ֧ן אֶת־הַמַּטְעַמִּ֛ים וְאֶת־הַלֶּ֖חֶם אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֑תָה בְּיַ֖ד יַֽעֲקֹ֥ב בְּנָֽהּ:
18And he came to his father and said, "My father!" And he said, "Here I am. Who are you, my son?" יחוַיָּבֹ֥א אֶל־אָבִ֖יו וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אָבִ֑י וַיֹּ֣אמֶר הִנֶּ֔נִּי מִ֥י אַתָּ֖ה בְּנִֽי:
19And Jacob said to his father, "I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you have spoken to me. Please rise, sit down and eat of my game, so that your soul will bless me." יטוַיֹּ֨אמֶר יַֽעֲקֹ֜ב אֶל־אָבִ֗יו אָֽנֹכִי֙ עֵשָׂ֣ו בְּכֹרֶ֔ךָ עָשִׂ֕יתִי כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבַּ֖רְתָּ אֵלָ֑י קֽוּם־נָ֣א שְׁבָ֗ה וְאָכְלָה֙ מִצֵּידִ֔י בַּֽעֲב֖וּר תְּבָֽרֲכַ֥נִּי נַפְשֶֽׁךָ:
I am…Esau…your firstborn: [He meant]: I am the one who is bringing you [food] and Esau is your firstborn. [From Tanchuma Buber] אנכי עשו בכורך: אנכי המביא לך, ועשו הוא בכורך:
I have done: many things, as you have spoken to me. עשיתי: כמה דברים כאשר דברת אלי:
sit down: Heb. שְׁבָה, an expression of sitting around the table [at a meal]. Therefore, it is rendered [by Onkelos] אִסְתְּחַר. שבה: לשון מיסב על השלחן, לכך מתורגם אסתחר:
20And Isaac said to his son, "How is it that you have found [it] so quickly, my son?" And he said, "Because the Lord your God prepared it before me." כוַיֹּ֤אמֶר יִצְחָק֙ אֶל־בְּנ֔וֹ מַה־זֶּ֛ה מִהַ֥רְתָּ לִמְצֹ֖א בְּנִ֑י וַיֹּ֕אמֶר כִּ֥י הִקְרָ֛ה יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ לְפָנָֽי:
21And Isaac said to Jacob, "Please come closer, so that I may feel you, my son, whether you are really my son Esau or not." כאוַיֹּ֤אמֶר יִצְחָק֙ אֶל־יַֽעֲקֹ֔ב גְּשָׁה־נָּ֥א וַֽאֲמֻֽשְׁךָ֖ בְּנִ֑י הַֽאַתָּ֥ה זֶ֛ה בְּנִ֥י עֵשָׂ֖ו אִם־לֹֽא:
Please come closer, so that I may feel you: Isaac said to himself, “Esau does not usually mention the name of Heaven with frequency, but this one said: ‘Because the Lord your God prepared it….’” [from Gen. Rabbah 65:19] גשה נא ואמשך: אמר יצחק בלבו אין דרך עשו להיות שם שמים שגור בפיו, וזה אמר (פסוק כ) כי הקרה ה' אלהיך:
22So Jacob drew near to Isaac his father, and he felt him, and he said, "The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau." כבוַיִּגַּ֧שׁ יַֽעֲקֹ֛ב אֶל־יִצְחָ֥ק אָבִ֖יו וַיְמֻשֵּׁ֑הוּ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הַקֹּל֙ ק֣וֹל יַֽעֲקֹ֔ב וְהַיָּדַ֖יִם יְדֵ֥י עֵשָֽׂו:
the voice of Jacob: who speaks entreatingly: “Please rise,” but Esau spoke harshly, “Let my father arise!” [From Tanchuma Buber, Toledoth 15] קול יעקב: שמדבר בלשון תחנונים (פסוק יט) קום נא, אבל עשו בלשון קנטוריא דבר (פסוק לא) יקום אבי:
23And he did not recognize him because his hands were hairy like the hands of his brother Esau, and he blessed him. כגוְלֹ֣א הִכִּיר֔וֹ כִּֽי־הָי֣וּ יָדָ֗יו כִּידֵ֛י עֵשָׂ֥ו אָחִ֖יו שְׂעִרֹ֑ת וַיְבָֽרֲכֵֽהוּ:
24And he said, "Are you [indeed] my son Esau?" And he said, "I am." כדוַיֹּ֕אמֶר אַתָּ֥ה זֶ֖ה בְּנִ֣י עֵשָׂ֑ו וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אָֽנִי:
And he said, “I am.”: He did not say, “I am Esau,” but “I am.” [From Num. Rabbah 10:6] ויאמר אני: לא אמר אני עשו אלא אני:
25And he said, "Serve [it] to me that I may eat of the game of my son, so that my soul will bless you." And he served him, and he ate, and he brought him wine, and he drank. כהוַיֹּ֗אמֶר הַגִּ֤שָׁה לִּי֙ וְאֹֽכְלָה֙ מִצֵּ֣יד בְּנִ֔י לְמַ֥עַן תְּבָֽרֶכְךָ֖ נַפְשִׁ֑י וַיַּגֶּשׁ־לוֹ֙ וַיֹּאכַ֔ל וַיָּ֧בֵא ל֦וֹ יַ֖יִן וַיֵּֽשְׁתְּ:
26And his father Isaac said to him, "Please come closer and kiss me, my son." כווַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֵלָ֖יו יִצְחָ֣ק אָבִ֑יו גְּשָׁה־נָּ֥א וּֽשֲׁקָה־לִּ֖י בְּנִֽי:
27And he came closer, and he kissed him, and he smelled the fragrance of his garments, and he blessed him, and he said, "Behold, the fragrance of my son is like the fragrance of a field, which the Lord has blessed! כזוַיִּגַּשׁ֙ וַיִּשַּׁק־ל֔וֹ וַיָּ֛רַח אֶת־רֵ֥יחַ בְּגָדָ֖יו וַיְבָֽרֲכֵ֑הוּ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר רְאֵה֙ רֵ֣יחַ בְּנִ֔י כְּרֵ֣יחַ שָׂדֶ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר בֵּֽרֲכ֖וֹ יְהֹוָֽה:
and he smelled, etc.: Is it not so that there is no odor more offensive than that of washed goat skins? But this teaches us that the fragrance of the Garden of Eden entered with him. [From Tanchuma Buber 16] וירח וגו': והלא אין ריח רע יותר משטף העזים, אלא מלמד שנכנסה עמו ריח גן עדן:
is like the fragrance of a field, which the Lord has blessed: for He gave it a pleasant fragrance, and this is a field of apples. So did our Sages explain it. [From Ta’anith 29b] כריח שדה אשר ברכו ה': שנתן בו ריח טוב, וזה שדה תפוחים, כן דרשו רבותינו ז"ל:
• Daily Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 1-9
• Chapter 1
This psalm inspires man to study Torah and avoid sin. One who follows this path is assured of success in all his deeds, whereas the plight of the wicked is the reverse.
1. Fortunate is the man that has not walked in the counsel of the wicked, nor stood in the path of sinners, nor sat in the company of scoffers.
2. Rather, his desire is in the Torah of the Lord, and in His Torah he meditates day and night.
3. He shall be like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and whose leaf does not wither; and all that he does shall prosper.
4. Not so the wicked; rather, they are like the chaff that the wind drives away.
5. Therefore the wicked will not endure in judgement, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6. For the Lord minds the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Chapter 2
This psalm warns against trying to outwit the ways of God. It also instructs one who has reason to rejoice, to tremble—lest his sins cause his joy to be overturned.
1. Why do nations gather, and peoples speak futility?
2. The kings of the earth rise up, and rulers conspire together, against the Lord and against His anointed:
3. “Let us sever their cords, and cast their ropes from upon us!”
4. He Who sits in heaven laughs, my Master mocks them.
5. Then He speaks to them in His anger, and terrifies them in His wrath:
6. “It is I Who have anointed My king, upon Zion, My holy mountain.”
7. I am obliged to declare: The Lord said to me, “You are my son, I have this day begotten you.1
8. Ask of Me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, and the ends of the earth your possession.
9. Smash them with a rod of iron, shatter them like a potter’s vessel.”
10. Now be wise, you kings; be disciplined, you rulers of the earth.
11. Serve the Lord with awe, and rejoice with trembling.
12. Yearn for purity—lest He become angry and your path be doomed, if his anger flares for even a moment. Fortunate are all who put their trust in Him
FOOTNOTES
1.The day David was crowned. (Rashi)
Chapter 3
When punishment befalls man, let him not be upset by his chastisement, for perhaps--considering his sins—he is deserving of worse, and God is in fact dealing kindly with him.
1. A psalm by David, when he fled from Absalom his son.
2. Lord, how numerous are my oppressors; many rise up against me!
3. Many say of my soul, “There is no salvation for him from God—ever!”
4. But You, Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, the One Who raises my head.
5. With my voice I call to the Lord, and He answers me from His holy mountain, Selah.
6. I lie down and sleep; I awake, for the Lord sustains me.
7. I do not fear the myriads of people that have aligned themselves all around me.
8. Arise, O Lord, deliver me, my God. For You struck all my enemies on the cheek, You smashed the teeth of the wicked.
9. Deliverance is the Lord’s; may Your blessing be upon Your people forever
Chapter 4
This psalm exhorts man not to shame his fellow, and to neither speak nor listen to gossip and slander. Envy not the prosperity of the wicked in this world, rather rejoice and say: “If it is so for those who anger Him . . . [how much better it will be for those who serve Him!”]
1. For the Conductor, with instrumental music, a psalm by David.
2. Answer me when I call, O God [Who knows] my righteousness. You have relieved me in my distress; be gracious to me and hear my prayer.
3. Sons of men, how long will you turn my honor to shame, will you love vanity, and endlessly seek falsehood?
4. Know that the Lord has set apart His devout one; the Lord will hear when I call to Him.
5. Tremble and do not sin; reflect in your hearts upon your beds, and be silent forever.
6. Offer sacrifices in righteousness, and trust in the Lord.
7. Many say: “Who will show us good?” Raise the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord.
8. You put joy in my heart, greater than [their joy] when their grain and wine abound.
9. In peace and harmony I will lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, will make me dwell alone, in security.
Chapter 5
A prayer for every individual, requesting that the wicked perish for their deeds, and the righteous rejoice for their good deeds.
1. For the Conductor, on the nechilot,1 a psalm by David.
2. Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my thoughts.
3. Listen to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I pray.
4. Lord, hear my voice in the morning; in the morning I set [my prayers] before you and hope.
5. For You are not a God Who desires wickedness; evil does not abide with You.
6. The boastful cannot stand before Your eyes; You hate all evildoers.
7. You destroy the speakers of falsehood; the Lord despises the man of blood and deceit.
8. And I, through Your abundant kindness, come into Your house; I bow toward Your holy Sanctuary, in awe of You.
9. Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness, because of my watchful enemies; straighten Your path before me.
10. For there is no sincerity in their mouths, their heart is treacherous; their throat is an open grave, [though] their tongue flatters.
11. Find them guilty, O God, let them fall by their schemes; banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against You.
12. But all who trust in You will rejoice, they will sing joyously forever; You will shelter them, and those who love Your Name will exult in You.
13. For You, Lord, will bless the righteous one; You will envelop him with favor as with a shield.
FOOTNOTES
1.A musical instrument that sounded like the buzzing of bees (Metzudot).
Chapter 6
This is an awe-inspiring prayer for one who is ill, to pray that God heal him, body and soul. An ailing person who offers this prayer devoutly and with a broken heart is assured that God will accept his prayer.
1. For the Conductor, with instrumental music for the eight-stringed harp, a psalm by David.
2. Lord, do not punish me in Your anger, nor chastise me in Your wrath.
3. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I languish away; heal me, O Lord, for my bones tremble in fear.
4. My soul is panic-stricken; and You, O Lord, how long [before You help]?
5. Relent, O Lord, deliver my soul; save me for the sake of Your kindness.
6. For there is no remembrance of You in death; who will praise You in the grave?
7. I am weary from sighing; each night I drench my bed, I melt my couch with my tears.
8. My eye has grown dim from vexation, worn out by all my oppressors.
9. Depart from me, all you evildoers, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.
10. The Lord has heard my supplication; the Lord accepts my prayer.
11. All my enemies will be shamed and utterly terrified; they will then repent and be shamed for a moment.1
FOOTNOTES
1.Only for a moment will they be shamed, because I will forgive them and never again mention their deeds (Metzudot).
Chapter 7
Do not rejoice if God causes your enemy to suffer—just as the suffering of the righteous is not pleasant. David, therefore, defends himself intensely before God, maintaining that he did not actively harm Saul. In fact, Saul precipitated his own harm, while David’s intentions were only for the good.
1. A shigayon 1 by David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Kush the Benjaminite.
2. I put my trust in You, Lord, my God; deliver me from all my pursuers and save me.
3. Lest he tear my soul like a lion, crushing me with none to rescue.
4. Lord, my God, if I have done this, if there is wrongdoing in my hands;
5. if I have rewarded my friends with evil or oppressed those who hate me without reason—
6. then let the enemy pursue and overtake my soul, let him trample my life to the ground, and lay my glory in the dust forever.
7. Arise, O Lord, in Your anger, lift Yourself up in fury against my foes. Stir me [to mete out] the retribution which You commanded.
8. When the assembly of nations surrounds You, remove Yourself from it and return to the heavens.
9. The Lord will mete out retribution upon the nations; judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and my integrity.
10. Let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous—O righteous God, Searcher of hearts and minds.
11. [I rely] on God to be my shield, He Who saves the upright of heart.
12. God is the righteous judge, and the Almighty is angered every day.
13. Because he does not repent, He sharpens His sword, bends His bow and makes it ready.
14. He has prepared instruments of death for him; His arrows will be used on the pursuers.
15. Indeed, he conceives iniquity, is pregnant with evil schemes, and gives birth to falsehood.
16. He digs a pit, digs it deep, only to fall into the trap he laid.
17. His mischief will return upon his own head, his violence will come down upon his own skull.
18. I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, and sing to the Name of the Lord Most High
FOOTNOTES
1.This refers either to a musical instrument, or to a mistake committed by David, in recognition of which this psalm was written (Rashi).
Chapter 8
This psalm is a glorious praise to God for His kindness to the lowly and mortal human in giving the Torah to the inhabitants of the lower worlds, arousing the envy of the celestial angels. This idea is expressed in the Yom Kippur prayer, “Though Your mighty strength is in the angels above, You desire praise from those formed of lowly matter.”
1. For the Conductor, on the gittit,1 a psalm by David.
2. Lord, our Master, how mighty is Your Name throughout the earth, You Who has set Your majesty upon the heavens!
3. Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings You have established might, to counter Your enemies, to silence foe and avenger.2
4. When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars which You have set in place—
5. what is man that You should remember him, son of man that You should be mindful of him?
6. Yet, You have made him but a little less than the angels, and crowned him with honor and glory.
7. You made him ruler over Your handiwork, You placed everything under his feet.
8. Sheep and cattle—all of them, also the beasts of the field;
9. the birds of the sky and the fish of the sea; all that traverses the paths of the seas.
10. Lord, our Master, how mighty is Your Name throughout the earth.
FOOTNOTES
1.A musical instrument crafted in Gath (Metzudot).
2.The wonders of childbirth and nursing demonstrate God’s existence to non-believers (Metzudot).
Chapter 9
One should praise God for saving him from the hand of the enemy who stands over and agonizes him, and for His judging each person according to his deeds: the righteous according to their righteousness, and the wicked according to their wickedness.
1. For the Conductor, upon the death of Labben, a psalm by David.
2. I will thank the Lord with all my heart; I will recount all Your wonders.
3. I will rejoice and exult in You; I will sing to Your Name, O Most High.
4. When my enemies retreat, they will stumble and perish from before You.
5. You have rendered my judgement and [defended] my cause; You sat on the throne, O righteous Judge.
6. You destroyed nations, doomed the wicked, erased their name for all eternity.
7. O enemy, your ruins are gone forever, and the cities you have uprooted—their very remembrance is lost.
8. But the Lord is enthroned forever, He established His throne for judgement.
9. And He will judge the world with justice, He will render judgement to the nations with righteousness.
10. The Lord will be a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
11. Those who know Your Name put their trust in You, for You, Lord, have not abandoned those who seek You.
12. Sing to the Lord Who dwells in Zion, recount His deeds among the nations.
13. For the Avenger of bloodshed is mindful of them; He does not forget the cry of the downtrodden.
14. Be gracious to me, O Lord; behold my affliction at the hands of my enemies, You Who raises me from the gates of death,
15. so that I may relate all Your praises in the gates of the daughter of Zion, that I may exult in Your deliverance.
16. The nations sank into the pit that they made; in the net they concealed their foot was caught.
17. The Lord became known through the judgement He executed; the wicked one is snared in the work of his own hands; reflect on this always.
18. The wicked will return to the grave, all the nations that forget God.
19. For not for eternity will the needy be forgotten, nor will the hope of the poor perish forever.
20. Arise, O Lord, let not man prevail; let the nations be judged in Your presence.
21. Set Your mastery over them, O Lord; let the nations know that they are but frail men, Selah.
Tanya: Kuntres Acharon, beginning of Essay 4
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Thursday, 1 Kislev, 5777 · 1 December 2016
• Kuntres Acharon, beginning of Essay 4
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Parshat Toldot, 5th Portion (Genesis 26:30-27:27) with Rashi
• Genesis Chapter 26
30So he made a feast for them, and they ate and drank. לוַיַּ֤עַשׂ לָהֶם֙ מִשְׁתֶּ֔ה וַיֹּֽאכְל֖וּ וַיִּשְׁתּֽוּ:
31And they arose early in the morning, and they swore one to the other, and Isaac escorted them, and they went away from him in peace. לאוַיַּשְׁכִּ֣ימוּ בַבֹּ֔קֶר וַיִּשָּֽׁבְע֖וּ אִ֣ישׁ לְאָחִ֑יו וַיְשַׁלְּחֵ֣ם יִצְחָ֔ק וַיֵּֽלְכ֥וּ מֵֽאִתּ֖וֹ בְּשָׁלֽוֹם:
32And it came to pass on that day, that Isaac's servants came and told him about the well that they had dug, and they said to him, "We have found water." לבוַיְהִ֣י | בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֗וּא וַיָּבֹ֨אוּ֙ עַבְדֵ֣י יִצְחָ֔ק וַיַּגִּ֣דוּ ל֔וֹ עַל־אֹד֥וֹת הַבְּאֵ֖ר אֲשֶׁ֣ר חָפָ֑רוּ וַיֹּ֥אמְרוּ ל֖וֹ מָצָ֥אנוּ מָֽיִם:
33And he named it Shibah; therefore, the city is named Beer sheba until this very day. לגוַיִּקְרָ֥א אֹתָ֖הּ שִׁבְעָ֑ה עַל־כֵּ֤ן שֵֽׁם־הָעִיר֙ בְּאֵ֣ר שֶׁ֔בַע עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה:
Shibah: Because of the covenant [shevuah in Hebrew means oath]. שבעה: על שם הברית:
34And Esau was forty years old, and he married Judith, the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath, the daughter of Elon the Hittite. לדוַיְהִ֤י עֵשָׂו֙ בֶּן־אַרְבָּעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה וַיִּקַּ֤ח אִשָּׁה֙ אֶת־יְהוּדִ֔ית בַּת־בְּאֵרִ֖י הַֽחִתִּ֑י וְאֶת־בָּ֣שְׂמַ֔ת בַּת־אֵילֹ֖ן הַֽחִתִּֽי:
forty years old: Esau was compared to a swine, as it is said (Ps. 80:14): “The boar from the forest gnaws at it.” This swine, when it lies down, stretches out its hooves, as if to say, “See, I am a clean (kosher) animal.” So do these [the chiefs of Esau] rob and plunder and then pretend to be honorable. During the entire forty years, Esau kidnapped wives from their husbands and violated them. When he was forty years old, he said:“My father married at forty; I, too, will do the same.” [From Gen. Rabbah 65:1] בן ארבעים שנה: עשו היה נמשל לחזיר, שנאמר (תהלים פ יד) יכרסמנה חזיר מיער, החזיר הזה כשהוא שוכב פושט טלפיו לומר ראו שאני טהור, כך אלו [אלופי עשו] גוזלים וחומסים ומראים עצמם כשרים. כל ארבעים שנה היה עשו צד נשים מתחת בעליהן ומענה אותם, כשהיה בן ארבעים אמר אבא בן ארבעים שנה נשא אשה, אף אני כן:
35And they were a vexation of the spirit to Isaac and to Rebecca. להוַתִּֽהְיֶ֖יןָ מֹ֣רַת ר֑וּחַ לְיִצְחָ֖ק וּלְרִבְקָֽה:
a vexation of the spirit: Heb. מֹרַת רוּחַ, an expression of defiance of spirit הַמְרָאַתרוּחַ like (Deut. 9:24):“You have been rebellious מַמְרִים.” All their deeds were to provoke and to grieve. [From Targum Onkelos] מורת רוח: לשון המראת רוח, כמו (דברים ט כד) ממרים הייתם כל מעשיהן היו לעצבון:
to Isaac and to Rebecca: for they worshipped idols. [From Midrash Tanchuma, Toledoth 8] ליצחק ולרבקה: שהיו עובדות עבודה זרה:
Genesis Chapter 27
1It came to pass when Isaac was old, and his eyes were too dim to see, that he called Esau his elder son, and he said to him, "My son," and he said to him, "Here I am." אוַֽיְהִי֙ כִּֽי־זָקֵ֣ן יִצְחָ֔ק וַתִּכְהֶ֥יןָ עֵינָ֖יו מֵֽרְאֹ֑ת וַיִּקְרָ֞א אֶת־עֵשָׂ֣ו | בְּנ֣וֹ הַגָּדֹ֗ל וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ בְּנִ֔י וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֵלָ֖יו הִנֵּֽנִי:
were too dim: Because of the smoke of these [wives of Esau] (who would burn [incense] to the idols) (Tanchuma, Toledoth 8; Pesiktha Rabbathi 12). Another explanation: When Isaac was bound on the altar, and his father was about to slaughter him, the heavens opened, and the ministering angels saw and wept, and their tears fell upon Isaac’s eyes. As a result, his eyes became dim (Gen. Rabbah 65:6). A third explanation: to enable Jacob to take the blessings (Gen. Rabbah 65:8). ותכהין: בעשנן של אלו. דבר אחר כשנעקד על גבי המזבח והיה אביו רוצה לשחטו, באותה שעה נפתחו השמים וראו מלאכי השרת והיו בוכים וירדו דמעותיהם ונפלו על עיניו, לפיכך כהו עיניו. דבר אחר כדי שיטול יעקב את הברכות:
2And he said, "Behold now, I have grown old; I do not know the day of my death. בוַיֹּ֕אמֶר הִנֵּה־נָ֖א זָקַ֑נְתִּי לֹ֥א יָדַ֖עְתִּי י֥וֹם מוֹתִֽי:
I do not know the day of my death: Rabbi Joshua ben Korchah said: If a person reaches the age of [the death of] his parents, he should worry five years beforehand and five years afterwards, and Isaac was one hundred and twenty-three years old. He said, “Perhaps I will reach the age of [the death of] my mother, and she died at one hundred and twenty-seven, and I am thus within five years of her age; therefore, ”I do not know the day of my death," -perhaps [I will die] at my mother’s age and perhaps at my father’s age. [From Gen. Rabbah 65:121] לא ידעתי יום מותי: אמר רבי יהושע בן קרחה אם מגיע אדם לפרק אבותיו ידאג חמש שנים לפניהם וחמש לאחר כן, ויצחק היה בן מאה עשרים ושלש, אמר שמא לפרק אמי אני מגיע, והיא מתה בת מאה עשרים ושבע והריני בן חמש שנים סמוך לפרקה, לפיכך לא ידעתי יום מותי, שמא לפרק אמי, שמא לפרק אבא:
3So, now, sharpen your implements, your sword [and take] your bow, and go forth to the field, and hunt game for me. גוְעַתָּה֙ שָׂא־נָ֣א כֵלֶ֔יךָ תֶּלְיְךָ֖ וְקַשְׁתֶּ֑ךָ וְצֵא֙ הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה וְצ֥וּדָה לִּ֖י צָֽיִד (כתיב צידה):
your sword: Heb. תֶּלְיְ, your sword, which is usually hung לִתְלוֹתָה. תליך: חרבך שדרך לתלותה:
So, now, sharpen: שָׂא נָא an expression of sharpening, as we learned in the Mishnah (Beizah 28a):“We may not sharpen a knife [on a whet-stone] but we may sharpen it (מַשִּׂיאָה) against another one [on Yom-Tov].” [Isaac said]: “Sharpen your knife and slaughter properly, lest you feed me neveila ” [an animal not slaughtered according to ritual law] (Gen. Rabbah 65: 13). שא נא: לשון השחזה כאותה ששנינו (ביצה כח א) אין משחיזין את הסכין אבל משיאה על גבי חברתה, חדד סכינך ושחוט יפה, שלא תאכילני נבלה:
and hunt for me: from ownerless [game], and not from stolen [animals]. [Gen. Rabbah 65:13] וצודה לי: מן ההפקר ולא מן הגזל:
4And make for me tasty foods as I like, and bring them to me, and I will eat, in order that my soul will bless you before I die." דוַֽעֲשֵׂה־לִ֨י מַטְעַמִּ֜ים כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר אָהַ֛בְתִּי וְהָבִ֥יאָה לִּ֖י וְאֹכֵ֑לָה בַּֽעֲב֛וּר תְּבָֽרֶכְךָ֥ נַפְשִׁ֖י בְּטֶ֥רֶם אָמֽוּת:
5But Rebecca overheard when Isaac spoke to Esau his son, and Esau went to the field to hunt game, to bring [it]. הוְרִבְקָ֣ה שֹׁמַ֔עַת בְּדַבֵּ֣ר יִצְחָ֔ק אֶל־עֵשָׂ֖ו בְּנ֑וֹ וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ עֵשָׂו֙ הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה לָצ֥וּד צַ֖יִד לְהָבִֽיא:
to hunt game, to bring: What is the meaning of“to bring” ? If he would not find game, he intended to bring [meat] from stolen [animals]. - [from Gen. Rabbah 65:13] לצוד ציד להביא: מהו להביא, אם לא ימצא ציד יביא מן הגזל:
6And Rebecca said to Jacob her son, saying, "Behold I have heard your father speaking to Esau your brother, saying, ווְרִבְקָה֙ אָ֣מְרָ֔ה אֶל־יַֽעֲקֹ֥ב בְּנָ֖הּ לֵאמֹ֑ר הִנֵּ֤ה שָׁמַ֨עְתִּי֙ אֶת־אָבִ֔יךָ מְדַבֵּ֛ר אֶל־עֵשָׂ֥ו אָחִ֖יךָ לֵאמֹֽר:
7'Bring me game and make me tasty foods, and I will eat, and I will bless you before the Lord before my death.' זהָבִ֨יאָה לִּ֥י צַ֛יִד וַֽעֲשֵׂה־לִ֥י מַטְעַמִּ֖ים וְאֹכֵ֑לָה וַֽאֲבָֽרֶכְכָ֛ה לִפְנֵ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה לִפְנֵ֥י מוֹתִֽי:
before the Lord: with His consent, that He will approve of what I do. לפני ה': ברשותו שיסכים על ידי:
8And now my son, hearken to my voice, to what I am commanding you. חוְעַתָּ֥ה בְנִ֖י שְׁמַ֣ע בְּקֹלִ֑י לַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲנִ֖י מְצַוָּ֥ה אֹתָֽךְ:
9Go now to the flock, and take for me from there two choice kids, and I will make them tasty foods for your father, as he likes. טלֶךְ־נָא֙ אֶל־הַצֹּ֔אן וְקַח־לִ֣י מִשָּׁ֗ם שְׁנֵ֛י גְּדָיֵ֥י עִזִּ֖ים טֹבִ֑ים וְאֶֽעֱשֶׂ֨ה אֹתָ֧ם מַטְעַמִּ֛ים לְאָבִ֖יךָ כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר אָהֵֽב:
and take for me: [“לִי” indicates that] they are mine, and they are not stolen, because so had Isaac written for her in her marriage contract, that she might take two kids every day (Gen. Rabbah 65:14). וקח לי: משלי הם ואינם גזל, שכך כתב לה יצחק בכתובתה ליטול שני גדיי עזים בכל יום:
two choice kids: Now did Isaac’s menu consist of two kids? But [the explanation is that] he sacrificed one as a Paschal offering, and one he made into tasty foods. [This is found] in Pirkei d’Rabbi Eliezer (ch. 32). שני גדיי עזים: וכי שני גדיי עזים היה מאכלו של יצחק, אלא האחד הקריב לפסחו והאחד עשה מטעמים. בפרקי דרבי אליעזר (פרק לב):
as he likes: for the taste of a kid is like the taste of a deer. כאשר אהב: כי טעם הגדי כטעם הצבי:
10And you shall bring [them] to your father that he may eat, in order that he bless you before his death." יוְהֵֽבֵאתָ֥ לְאָבִ֖יךָ וְאָכָ֑ל בַּֽעֲבֻ֛ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר יְבָֽרֶכְךָ֖ לִפְנֵ֥י מוֹתֽוֹ:
11And Jacob said to Rebecca his mother, "Behold, my brother Esau is a hairy man, whereas I am a smooth man. יאוַיֹּ֣אמֶר יַֽעֲקֹ֔ב אֶל־רִבְקָ֖ה אִמּ֑וֹ הֵ֣ן עֵשָׂ֤ו אָחִי֙ אִ֣ישׁ שָׂעִ֔ר וְאָֽנֹכִ֖י אִ֥ישׁ חָלָֽק:
a hairy man: Heb. אִישׁ שָׂעִר, one possessing hair. איש שער: בעל שער:
12Perhaps my father will touch me, and I will appear to him as a deceiver, and I will bring upon myself a curse and not a blessing." יבאוּלַ֤י יְמֻשֵּׁ֨נִי֙ אָבִ֔י וְהָיִ֥יתִי בְעֵינָ֖יו כִּמְתַעְתֵּ֑עַ וְהֵֽבֵאתִ֥י עָלַ֛י קְלָלָ֖ה וְלֹ֥א בְרָכָֽה:
will touch me: Heb. יְמֻשֵּׁנִי, similar to (Deut. 28:29):“feeling (מְמַשֵּׁשׁ) at noon.” ימשני: כמו (דברים כח כט) ממשש בצהרים:
13And his mother said to him, "On me is your curse, my son. Only hearken to my voice and go, take [them] for me." יגוַתֹּ֤אמֶר לוֹ֙ אִמּ֔וֹ עָלַ֥י קִלְלָֽתְךָ֖ בְּנִ֑י אַ֛ךְ שְׁמַ֥ע בְּקֹלִ֖י וְלֵ֥ךְ קַח־לִֽי:
14So he went, and he took, and he brought [them] to his mother, and his mother made tasty foods, as his father liked. ידוַיֵּ֨לֶךְ֙ וַיִּקַּ֔ח וַיָּבֵ֖א לְאִמּ֑וֹ וַתַּ֤עַשׂ אִמּוֹ֙ מַטְעַמִּ֔ים כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר אָהֵ֥ב אָבִֽיו:
15And Rebecca took the costly garments of Esau, her elder son, which were with her in the house, and she dressed Jacob, her younger son. טווַתִּקַּ֣ח רִ֠בְקָ֠ה אֶת־בִּגְדֵ֨י עֵשָׂ֜ו בְּנָ֤הּ הַגָּדֹל֙ הַֽחֲמֻדֹ֔ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר אִתָּ֖הּ בַּבָּ֑יִת וַתַּלְבֵּ֥שׁ אֶת־יַֽעֲקֹ֖ב בְּנָ֥הּ הַקָּטָֽן:
the costly: הַחַמוּדֹת [means] the clean ones, as the Targum renders: דַּכְיָתָא [clean ones]. Another explanation: The ones [garments] that he had coveted [שֶׁחָמַד] from Nimrod. [From Gen. Rabbah 65:16] החמודות: הנקיות, כתרגומו דכייתא. דבר אחר שחמד אותן מן נמרוד:
which were with her in the house: But He [Esau] had many wives, [with whom to entrust his garments] and yet he entrusted them [his garments] with his mother?! He was well aware of their deeds, and he was suspicious of them. [From Gen. Rabbah 65:16] אשר אתה בבית: והלא כמה נשים היו לו והוא מפקיד אצל אמו, אלא שהיה בקי במעשיהן וחושדן:
16And the hides of the kids she put on his hands and on the smoothness of his neck. טזוְאֵ֗ת עֹרֹת֙ גְּדָיֵ֣י הָֽעִזִּ֔ים הִלְבִּ֖ישָׁה עַל־יָדָ֑יו וְעַ֖ל חֶלְקַ֥ת צַוָּארָֽיו:
17And she gave the tasty foods and the bread that she had made, into the hand of Jacob her son. יזוַתִּתֵּ֧ן אֶת־הַמַּטְעַמִּ֛ים וְאֶת־הַלֶּ֖חֶם אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֑תָה בְּיַ֖ד יַֽעֲקֹ֥ב בְּנָֽהּ:
18And he came to his father and said, "My father!" And he said, "Here I am. Who are you, my son?" יחוַיָּבֹ֥א אֶל־אָבִ֖יו וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אָבִ֑י וַיֹּ֣אמֶר הִנֶּ֔נִּי מִ֥י אַתָּ֖ה בְּנִֽי:
19And Jacob said to his father, "I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you have spoken to me. Please rise, sit down and eat of my game, so that your soul will bless me." יטוַיֹּ֨אמֶר יַֽעֲקֹ֜ב אֶל־אָבִ֗יו אָֽנֹכִי֙ עֵשָׂ֣ו בְּכֹרֶ֔ךָ עָשִׂ֕יתִי כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבַּ֖רְתָּ אֵלָ֑י קֽוּם־נָ֣א שְׁבָ֗ה וְאָכְלָה֙ מִצֵּידִ֔י בַּֽעֲב֖וּר תְּבָֽרֲכַ֥נִּי נַפְשֶֽׁךָ:
I am…Esau…your firstborn: [He meant]: I am the one who is bringing you [food] and Esau is your firstborn. [From Tanchuma Buber] אנכי עשו בכורך: אנכי המביא לך, ועשו הוא בכורך:
I have done: many things, as you have spoken to me. עשיתי: כמה דברים כאשר דברת אלי:
sit down: Heb. שְׁבָה, an expression of sitting around the table [at a meal]. Therefore, it is rendered [by Onkelos] אִסְתְּחַר. שבה: לשון מיסב על השלחן, לכך מתורגם אסתחר:
20And Isaac said to his son, "How is it that you have found [it] so quickly, my son?" And he said, "Because the Lord your God prepared it before me." כוַיֹּ֤אמֶר יִצְחָק֙ אֶל־בְּנ֔וֹ מַה־זֶּ֛ה מִהַ֥רְתָּ לִמְצֹ֖א בְּנִ֑י וַיֹּ֕אמֶר כִּ֥י הִקְרָ֛ה יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ לְפָנָֽי:
21And Isaac said to Jacob, "Please come closer, so that I may feel you, my son, whether you are really my son Esau or not." כאוַיֹּ֤אמֶר יִצְחָק֙ אֶל־יַֽעֲקֹ֔ב גְּשָׁה־נָּ֥א וַֽאֲמֻֽשְׁךָ֖ בְּנִ֑י הַֽאַתָּ֥ה זֶ֛ה בְּנִ֥י עֵשָׂ֖ו אִם־לֹֽא:
Please come closer, so that I may feel you: Isaac said to himself, “Esau does not usually mention the name of Heaven with frequency, but this one said: ‘Because the Lord your God prepared it….’” [from Gen. Rabbah 65:19] גשה נא ואמשך: אמר יצחק בלבו אין דרך עשו להיות שם שמים שגור בפיו, וזה אמר (פסוק כ) כי הקרה ה' אלהיך:
22So Jacob drew near to Isaac his father, and he felt him, and he said, "The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau." כבוַיִּגַּ֧שׁ יַֽעֲקֹ֛ב אֶל־יִצְחָ֥ק אָבִ֖יו וַיְמֻשֵּׁ֑הוּ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הַקֹּל֙ ק֣וֹל יַֽעֲקֹ֔ב וְהַיָּדַ֖יִם יְדֵ֥י עֵשָֽׂו:
the voice of Jacob: who speaks entreatingly: “Please rise,” but Esau spoke harshly, “Let my father arise!” [From Tanchuma Buber, Toledoth 15] קול יעקב: שמדבר בלשון תחנונים (פסוק יט) קום נא, אבל עשו בלשון קנטוריא דבר (פסוק לא) יקום אבי:
23And he did not recognize him because his hands were hairy like the hands of his brother Esau, and he blessed him. כגוְלֹ֣א הִכִּיר֔וֹ כִּֽי־הָי֣וּ יָדָ֗יו כִּידֵ֛י עֵשָׂ֥ו אָחִ֖יו שְׂעִרֹ֑ת וַיְבָֽרֲכֵֽהוּ:
24And he said, "Are you [indeed] my son Esau?" And he said, "I am." כדוַיֹּ֕אמֶר אַתָּ֥ה זֶ֖ה בְּנִ֣י עֵשָׂ֑ו וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אָֽנִי:
And he said, “I am.”: He did not say, “I am Esau,” but “I am.” [From Num. Rabbah 10:6] ויאמר אני: לא אמר אני עשו אלא אני:
25And he said, "Serve [it] to me that I may eat of the game of my son, so that my soul will bless you." And he served him, and he ate, and he brought him wine, and he drank. כהוַיֹּ֗אמֶר הַגִּ֤שָׁה לִּי֙ וְאֹֽכְלָה֙ מִצֵּ֣יד בְּנִ֔י לְמַ֥עַן תְּבָֽרֶכְךָ֖ נַפְשִׁ֑י וַיַּגֶּשׁ־לוֹ֙ וַיֹּאכַ֔ל וַיָּ֧בֵא ל֦וֹ יַ֖יִן וַיֵּֽשְׁתְּ:
26And his father Isaac said to him, "Please come closer and kiss me, my son." כווַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֵלָ֖יו יִצְחָ֣ק אָבִ֑יו גְּשָׁה־נָּ֥א וּֽשֲׁקָה־לִּ֖י בְּנִֽי:
27And he came closer, and he kissed him, and he smelled the fragrance of his garments, and he blessed him, and he said, "Behold, the fragrance of my son is like the fragrance of a field, which the Lord has blessed! כזוַיִּגַּשׁ֙ וַיִּשַּׁק־ל֔וֹ וַיָּ֛רַח אֶת־רֵ֥יחַ בְּגָדָ֖יו וַיְבָֽרֲכֵ֑הוּ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר רְאֵה֙ רֵ֣יחַ בְּנִ֔י כְּרֵ֣יחַ שָׂדֶ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר בֵּֽרֲכ֖וֹ יְהֹוָֽה:
and he smelled, etc.: Is it not so that there is no odor more offensive than that of washed goat skins? But this teaches us that the fragrance of the Garden of Eden entered with him. [From Tanchuma Buber 16] וירח וגו': והלא אין ריח רע יותר משטף העזים, אלא מלמד שנכנסה עמו ריח גן עדן:
is like the fragrance of a field, which the Lord has blessed: for He gave it a pleasant fragrance, and this is a field of apples. So did our Sages explain it. [From Ta’anith 29b] כריח שדה אשר ברכו ה': שנתן בו ריח טוב, וזה שדה תפוחים, כן דרשו רבותינו ז"ל:
• Daily Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 1-9
• Chapter 1
This psalm inspires man to study Torah and avoid sin. One who follows this path is assured of success in all his deeds, whereas the plight of the wicked is the reverse.
1. Fortunate is the man that has not walked in the counsel of the wicked, nor stood in the path of sinners, nor sat in the company of scoffers.
2. Rather, his desire is in the Torah of the Lord, and in His Torah he meditates day and night.
3. He shall be like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and whose leaf does not wither; and all that he does shall prosper.
4. Not so the wicked; rather, they are like the chaff that the wind drives away.
5. Therefore the wicked will not endure in judgement, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6. For the Lord minds the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Chapter 2
This psalm warns against trying to outwit the ways of God. It also instructs one who has reason to rejoice, to tremble—lest his sins cause his joy to be overturned.
1. Why do nations gather, and peoples speak futility?
2. The kings of the earth rise up, and rulers conspire together, against the Lord and against His anointed:
3. “Let us sever their cords, and cast their ropes from upon us!”
4. He Who sits in heaven laughs, my Master mocks them.
5. Then He speaks to them in His anger, and terrifies them in His wrath:
6. “It is I Who have anointed My king, upon Zion, My holy mountain.”
7. I am obliged to declare: The Lord said to me, “You are my son, I have this day begotten you.1
8. Ask of Me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, and the ends of the earth your possession.
9. Smash them with a rod of iron, shatter them like a potter’s vessel.”
10. Now be wise, you kings; be disciplined, you rulers of the earth.
11. Serve the Lord with awe, and rejoice with trembling.
12. Yearn for purity—lest He become angry and your path be doomed, if his anger flares for even a moment. Fortunate are all who put their trust in Him
FOOTNOTES
1.The day David was crowned. (Rashi)
Chapter 3
When punishment befalls man, let him not be upset by his chastisement, for perhaps--considering his sins—he is deserving of worse, and God is in fact dealing kindly with him.
1. A psalm by David, when he fled from Absalom his son.
2. Lord, how numerous are my oppressors; many rise up against me!
3. Many say of my soul, “There is no salvation for him from God—ever!”
4. But You, Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, the One Who raises my head.
5. With my voice I call to the Lord, and He answers me from His holy mountain, Selah.
6. I lie down and sleep; I awake, for the Lord sustains me.
7. I do not fear the myriads of people that have aligned themselves all around me.
8. Arise, O Lord, deliver me, my God. For You struck all my enemies on the cheek, You smashed the teeth of the wicked.
9. Deliverance is the Lord’s; may Your blessing be upon Your people forever
Chapter 4
This psalm exhorts man not to shame his fellow, and to neither speak nor listen to gossip and slander. Envy not the prosperity of the wicked in this world, rather rejoice and say: “If it is so for those who anger Him . . . [how much better it will be for those who serve Him!”]
1. For the Conductor, with instrumental music, a psalm by David.
2. Answer me when I call, O God [Who knows] my righteousness. You have relieved me in my distress; be gracious to me and hear my prayer.
3. Sons of men, how long will you turn my honor to shame, will you love vanity, and endlessly seek falsehood?
4. Know that the Lord has set apart His devout one; the Lord will hear when I call to Him.
5. Tremble and do not sin; reflect in your hearts upon your beds, and be silent forever.
6. Offer sacrifices in righteousness, and trust in the Lord.
7. Many say: “Who will show us good?” Raise the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord.
8. You put joy in my heart, greater than [their joy] when their grain and wine abound.
9. In peace and harmony I will lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, will make me dwell alone, in security.
Chapter 5
A prayer for every individual, requesting that the wicked perish for their deeds, and the righteous rejoice for their good deeds.
1. For the Conductor, on the nechilot,1 a psalm by David.
2. Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my thoughts.
3. Listen to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I pray.
4. Lord, hear my voice in the morning; in the morning I set [my prayers] before you and hope.
5. For You are not a God Who desires wickedness; evil does not abide with You.
6. The boastful cannot stand before Your eyes; You hate all evildoers.
7. You destroy the speakers of falsehood; the Lord despises the man of blood and deceit.
8. And I, through Your abundant kindness, come into Your house; I bow toward Your holy Sanctuary, in awe of You.
9. Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness, because of my watchful enemies; straighten Your path before me.
10. For there is no sincerity in their mouths, their heart is treacherous; their throat is an open grave, [though] their tongue flatters.
11. Find them guilty, O God, let them fall by their schemes; banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against You.
12. But all who trust in You will rejoice, they will sing joyously forever; You will shelter them, and those who love Your Name will exult in You.
13. For You, Lord, will bless the righteous one; You will envelop him with favor as with a shield.
FOOTNOTES
1.A musical instrument that sounded like the buzzing of bees (Metzudot).
Chapter 6
This is an awe-inspiring prayer for one who is ill, to pray that God heal him, body and soul. An ailing person who offers this prayer devoutly and with a broken heart is assured that God will accept his prayer.
1. For the Conductor, with instrumental music for the eight-stringed harp, a psalm by David.
2. Lord, do not punish me in Your anger, nor chastise me in Your wrath.
3. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I languish away; heal me, O Lord, for my bones tremble in fear.
4. My soul is panic-stricken; and You, O Lord, how long [before You help]?
5. Relent, O Lord, deliver my soul; save me for the sake of Your kindness.
6. For there is no remembrance of You in death; who will praise You in the grave?
7. I am weary from sighing; each night I drench my bed, I melt my couch with my tears.
8. My eye has grown dim from vexation, worn out by all my oppressors.
9. Depart from me, all you evildoers, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.
10. The Lord has heard my supplication; the Lord accepts my prayer.
11. All my enemies will be shamed and utterly terrified; they will then repent and be shamed for a moment.1
FOOTNOTES
1.Only for a moment will they be shamed, because I will forgive them and never again mention their deeds (Metzudot).
Chapter 7
Do not rejoice if God causes your enemy to suffer—just as the suffering of the righteous is not pleasant. David, therefore, defends himself intensely before God, maintaining that he did not actively harm Saul. In fact, Saul precipitated his own harm, while David’s intentions were only for the good.
1. A shigayon 1 by David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Kush the Benjaminite.
2. I put my trust in You, Lord, my God; deliver me from all my pursuers and save me.
3. Lest he tear my soul like a lion, crushing me with none to rescue.
4. Lord, my God, if I have done this, if there is wrongdoing in my hands;
5. if I have rewarded my friends with evil or oppressed those who hate me without reason—
6. then let the enemy pursue and overtake my soul, let him trample my life to the ground, and lay my glory in the dust forever.
7. Arise, O Lord, in Your anger, lift Yourself up in fury against my foes. Stir me [to mete out] the retribution which You commanded.
8. When the assembly of nations surrounds You, remove Yourself from it and return to the heavens.
9. The Lord will mete out retribution upon the nations; judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and my integrity.
10. Let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous—O righteous God, Searcher of hearts and minds.
11. [I rely] on God to be my shield, He Who saves the upright of heart.
12. God is the righteous judge, and the Almighty is angered every day.
13. Because he does not repent, He sharpens His sword, bends His bow and makes it ready.
14. He has prepared instruments of death for him; His arrows will be used on the pursuers.
15. Indeed, he conceives iniquity, is pregnant with evil schemes, and gives birth to falsehood.
16. He digs a pit, digs it deep, only to fall into the trap he laid.
17. His mischief will return upon his own head, his violence will come down upon his own skull.
18. I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, and sing to the Name of the Lord Most High
FOOTNOTES
1.This refers either to a musical instrument, or to a mistake committed by David, in recognition of which this psalm was written (Rashi).
Chapter 8
This psalm is a glorious praise to God for His kindness to the lowly and mortal human in giving the Torah to the inhabitants of the lower worlds, arousing the envy of the celestial angels. This idea is expressed in the Yom Kippur prayer, “Though Your mighty strength is in the angels above, You desire praise from those formed of lowly matter.”
1. For the Conductor, on the gittit,1 a psalm by David.
2. Lord, our Master, how mighty is Your Name throughout the earth, You Who has set Your majesty upon the heavens!
3. Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings You have established might, to counter Your enemies, to silence foe and avenger.2
4. When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars which You have set in place—
5. what is man that You should remember him, son of man that You should be mindful of him?
6. Yet, You have made him but a little less than the angels, and crowned him with honor and glory.
7. You made him ruler over Your handiwork, You placed everything under his feet.
8. Sheep and cattle—all of them, also the beasts of the field;
9. the birds of the sky and the fish of the sea; all that traverses the paths of the seas.
10. Lord, our Master, how mighty is Your Name throughout the earth.
FOOTNOTES
1.A musical instrument crafted in Gath (Metzudot).
2.The wonders of childbirth and nursing demonstrate God’s existence to non-believers (Metzudot).
Chapter 9
One should praise God for saving him from the hand of the enemy who stands over and agonizes him, and for His judging each person according to his deeds: the righteous according to their righteousness, and the wicked according to their wickedness.
1. For the Conductor, upon the death of Labben, a psalm by David.
2. I will thank the Lord with all my heart; I will recount all Your wonders.
3. I will rejoice and exult in You; I will sing to Your Name, O Most High.
4. When my enemies retreat, they will stumble and perish from before You.
5. You have rendered my judgement and [defended] my cause; You sat on the throne, O righteous Judge.
6. You destroyed nations, doomed the wicked, erased their name for all eternity.
7. O enemy, your ruins are gone forever, and the cities you have uprooted—their very remembrance is lost.
8. But the Lord is enthroned forever, He established His throne for judgement.
9. And He will judge the world with justice, He will render judgement to the nations with righteousness.
10. The Lord will be a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
11. Those who know Your Name put their trust in You, for You, Lord, have not abandoned those who seek You.
12. Sing to the Lord Who dwells in Zion, recount His deeds among the nations.
13. For the Avenger of bloodshed is mindful of them; He does not forget the cry of the downtrodden.
14. Be gracious to me, O Lord; behold my affliction at the hands of my enemies, You Who raises me from the gates of death,
15. so that I may relate all Your praises in the gates of the daughter of Zion, that I may exult in Your deliverance.
16. The nations sank into the pit that they made; in the net they concealed their foot was caught.
17. The Lord became known through the judgement He executed; the wicked one is snared in the work of his own hands; reflect on this always.
18. The wicked will return to the grave, all the nations that forget God.
19. For not for eternity will the needy be forgotten, nor will the hope of the poor perish forever.
20. Arise, O Lord, let not man prevail; let the nations be judged in Your presence.
21. Set Your mastery over them, O Lord; let the nations know that they are but frail men, Selah.
Tanya: Kuntres Acharon, beginning of Essay 4
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Thursday, 1 Kislev, 5777 · 1 December 2016
• Kuntres Acharon, beginning of Essay 4
• In the beginning, as the Midrash teaches,1 G‑d “created worlds and destroyed them.” The Kabbalah explains that this refers to spiritual worlds, Supernal Sefirot (“emanations”), that first existed in one state of being and then in another. The Sefirot in the former state of being — called the World of Tohu (lit., “Chaos”) — underwent a “breaking of the vessels.” The World of Tikkun (lit., “Order”) was then built.
• Thursday, 1 Kislev, 5777 · 1 December 2016
The Sefirot comprise orot (“lights”) and kelim (“vessels”) that contain these lights. The crisis in the World of Tohu occurred because the orot were so intense that the kelim were incapable of containing them. As a result of this breakage, sparks of holiness descended within the kelipot. These sparks are to be found in the Worlds of Beriah, Yetzirah and Asiyah in general, but particularly within the physicality of our world. It is the task of the Jew to sift this materiality by using it properly, in order to extract and refine these sparks, thereby elevating them to their original source in the World of Tohu. This elevation in turn elicits a mighty downflow of Divine energy from Tohu, and from even higher than that level.
(Certain Divine Names, whose respective Kabbalistic meanings are signified by Hebrew letter-combinations, are related to this process of beirurim, the extraction and refinement of the sparks of holiness. Thus the Name known as Ba’n (ב״ן) is the source of the fallen holy sparks; the Name Ma’h (מ״ה) is the power that extracts and elevates them; while the Name Sa’g (ס״ג) is the original source of the World of Tohu. When the extraction and elevation of the sparks deriving from the Name Ba’n is accomplished through the Name Ma’h, a lofty degree of Divine illumination is drawn down from the Name Sa’g, and is vested within the “capacious vessels” of the World of Tikkun.)
This extraction is for the most part accomplished through the performance of action-oriented mitzvot involving physical objects which derive their life-force from kelipat nogah, and which house the sparks of Tohu. Performing a mitzvah with such objects disencumbers the hidden sparks of their corporeal husk and elevates them.
The seeking out of sparks, however, can also be accomplished through the study of Torah, as well as through prayer.
In the present essay the Alter Rebbe will explain the statement of Pri Etz Chayim that nowadays this “extraction” is mainly effected through prayer. For prayer is uniquely able to draw down an infinite degree of G‑dliness; prayer alone can bring about changes within the world, healing the sick and causing rain to fall. In order for such a degree of G‑dliness to be called down, there must first be an arousal initiated from below, an expression of man’s ardent desire to be the recipient of Divine benefactions. And if these benefactions are to flow from an infinitely high source, the plea that requests them must surge from a correspondingly deep source — “with all one’s might,” from the infinite depths of one’s soul.
להבין מה שכתוב בפרי עץ חיים, דבזמן הזה עיקר הבירור על ידי התפלה דוקא
To understand the statement in Pri Etz Chayim,2 that in the contemporary period the refinement [of the sparks of Tohu] is primarily effected by prayer,
As explained above, the task of sifting the materiality of this world and salvaging its hidden holy sparks is the ongoing mission of Jews living as souls within bodies in this physical world.
This is accomplished either (a) through the performance of the action-oriented mitzvot which entail the use of physical objects whose life-force derives from kelipat nogah; (b) through the audibly-articulated study of Torah subjects that deal with physical matters; (c) through prayer, a form of spiritual service through which the Divine soul influences and refines the animal soul (whose life-force derives from kelipat nogah) to the point that it can attain a love of G‑d.
As stated above, Pri Etz Chayim teaches that in these latter generations the extraction and elevation of sparks is effected primarily through prayer.
אף שתלמוד תורה למעלה מהתפלה
even though Torah study is superior to prayer:
Torah study is3 “equivalent to them all,” to all the mitzvot, and higher even than4 “concentration in prayer.” Why, then, is the extraction of the sparks of Tohu mainly accomplished in the present era through prayer?
הענין הוא, שעל ידי תורה ומצות מוסיפין אור באצילות כו׳
The explanation is, that through Torah and mitzvot additional light is drawn forth into Atzilut...
Divine light is drawn forth into the various worlds either in accordance with (a) Sod Shoresh (lit., “the principle of the root”), the degree of revelation originally apportioned, or in accordance with (b) Sod Tosefet (lit., “the principle of addition”), depending on the spiritual service of mortals. This additional measure of revelation is much greater than the base allocation.
Through Torah and mitzvot, as stated above, one draws down an additional measure of Divine illumination into the World of Atzilut.
פירוש: אור אין סוף ברוך הוא בכלים דאצילות, על ידי תלמוד תורה, בפנימית, דהיינו המשכות המוחין
This means that through Torah study the [infinite] Ein Sof-light [is drawn] into the inner aspect of the vessels of [the Sefirot of] Atzilut. This is a drawing down of the Divine Intellect.
Since Torah study involves mortal intellect, its heavenly echo calls forth a corresponding revelation of the Divine Intellect, which is the inward aspect of the Sefirot.
ובקיום המצות, בחיצונית הכלים, שהם בחינת נצח הוד יסוד שבי׳ ספירות ז״א שבאצילות
Through mitzvah observance [the light is drawn] into the external aspect of the vessels, meaning Netzach-Hod-Yesod of the Ten Sefirot of Za (the six emotive attributes) of Atzilut.
Za is a configuration (partzuf, lit., “countenance”) which comprises a full complement of Ten Sefirot. Into Netzach-Hod-Yesod, the lower Sefirot which are “outside of the torso”5 of Za and thus comprise its external aspect, the [infinite] Ein Sof-light is drawn down, by means of those mitzvot that are performed with man’s power of action. For this power is external to man’s essence, just as Netzach-Hod-Yesod are external to Za.
The infinite lights from Divine Intellect that are drawn down by Torah and mitzvot are thus invested primarily in Atzilut.6
רק שמתלבשים בבריאה יצירה עשיה, בתורה ומצות הגשמיים שבעולם הזה
They [later] only clothe themselves with diminished intensity in Beriah, Yetzirah and Asiyah, in the physical Torah and mitzvot in This World.
The Divine Intellect that is drawn down into Atzilut is ultimately vested within the Torah of this world, while the Divine light which is drawn into the externality of the vessels of Za of Atzilut is vested within the mitzvot of this world. The effect is thus strictly within the material aspect of the Torah and mitzvot of this world, but not within the materiality of the world itself.
אבל התפלה היא המשכת אור אין סוף ברוך הוא בבריאה יצירה עשיה דוקא, לא בדרך התלבשות בלבד
Prayer, however, calls forth the [infinite] Ein Sof-light into Beriah, Yetzirah and Asiyah directly, and not by means of mere enclothement, as is the case with the study of Torah, where the Divine light is garbed in an entity which in turn is drawn down into this world.
רק האור ממש, לשנות הנבראים מכמות שהם
Rather, it is the actual light which modifies the state of created beings,
שיתרפא החולה, וירד הגשם משמים לארץ ויולידה ויצמיחה
so that (for example) the ill will be cured through the petition of “Heal us” in the Shemoneh Esreh, and the rain from heaven will fall to the earth so that it becomes fertile and yields vegetation,7 in response to the prayer of the “Blessing of the Years.”
These are changes effected within the actual physical world.
מה שאין כן בתורה ומצות, שאין שינוי בקלף התפילין על ידי הנחתן בראש ובזרוע
This is not the case with Torah and mitzvot: no modification in the parchment [on which are inscribed the Biblical passages] of the tefillin results from their being placed upon head and arm, notwithstanding the drawing down of Divine light and the subordination of mind and heart to the Divine Will.
וגם במצות שעשייתן הוא גמר מצותן
Even in the case of those mitzvot that are fulfilled through making [the object],
Examples would be the writing of a Torah scroll or making a sukkah (according to the opinions that the actual construction of a sukkah is a mitzvah8). Unlike tefillin, where the mitzvah is performed by wearing them and not by making them, these mitzvot are performed by modifying the relevant object. Nevertheless:
השינוי הוא על ידי אדם, ולא בידי שמים כבתפלה
the change within the object is effected by man, and not by Heaven, as is the case with prayer,
When an individual succeeds in bringing about a change in this world through prayer, e.g., the sick person becomes well, this change is ultimately brought about from above, not by the individual’s prayer,
ששהיא המשכת החיות מאין סוף ברוך הוא, שהוא לבדו כל יכול
for this calls forth the vivifying power from the Infinite One, blessed be He, Who alone is all-capable.
It is only G‑d who can effect a change such as this in our world, bringing about the cure or the productive rain.
והלכך, כדי להמשיך אור אין סוף ברוך הוא למטה, אי אפשר בלי העלאת מין נוקבין מלמטה דוקא
Therefore, calling forth the [infinite] Ein Sof-light into the lower world is impossible without the [prior] “elevation of mayin nukvin” specifically from below, whereby the mortal recipient initiates an anticipatory “arousal from below” through his spiritual service during prayer.
As the Alter Rebbe will soon explain, since this entails an infinite degree of service on the part of man it is able to draw down an infinite response from above, reciprocating each individual’s particular “arousal from below.”
מה שאין כן לתלמוד תורה, שבאצילות, המיוחדת בלאו הכי במאציל ברוך הוא
This is not the case with the study of Torah, which [affects] Atzilut, for [the Torah] is united in any case with the Emanator.
Since Torah study thus does not need to be drawn down below, there is no need for an “arousal from below.”
As the Rebbe notes, “The Alter Rebbe now goes on to explain how this may be considered mayin nukvin, and what is its connection to the infinite light.”
והעלאת מין נוקבין במוחו ולבו של אדם, היא בחינת רשפי אש בלי גבול
The “elevation of mayin nukvin” in the mind and heart of man is [the love of G‑d] in a state of boundless flames of fire, and being boundless it relates to the infinite light;
ונקרא מאדך
it is described as meodecha — loving G‑d “with all your might,”9 with each individual’s capacity for infinitude,
Though man is inherently limited, and though, moreover, all of one man’s might may be considered less than ultimate in another man, nevertheless, even this limited degree of “limitlessness” suffices:
כדי לעורר בחינת אין סוף
to arouse the [Divine] state of infinity.
For the “arousal from below” need but resemble the response from above that it seeks to elicit. If an “arousal from below” may truly be considered “infinite” relative to the particular individual’s capacities, it suffices to draw down the infinite light from above.
והיינו על ידי גבורות דס״ג, שהן הן הרפ״ח ניצוצין כו׳
This is effected through the Gevurot (the attributes of severity) of [the Divine Name] Sa’g, which constitute the 288 sparks....
The love and longing (ratzo) which a man experiences during prayer to the extent of meodecha (“with all your might”) are aroused by the Gevurot of Sa’g, the Divine Name that is the source of the 288 sparks of Tohu. These sparks derive from the vessels of Tohu, whose Sefirot were originally in a state of infinite longing to become wholly one with G‑d. This longing parallels the soul’s love and longing for G‑d to the point of meodecha.
ולכן נקראת התפלה חיי שעה, היא מלכות היורדת בבריאה יצירה עשיה
For this reason worship is called10 “life of the moment,” for it is Malchut descending into Beriah, Yetzirah and Asiyah.
As Rashi explains on the straightforward level of pshat, the Talmud calls prayer “life of the moment” (lit., “life of the hour”) because people pray for health, peace and a livelihood — temporal things that are subject to the limitations of the passing moment.
Here the Alter Rebbe speaks of how these matters exist in their source, in the Supernal Sefirot. In the worlds above, the Sefirah of Malchut is the source of time. For it is the Sefirah of Malchut (“sovereignty”) that reflects the relationship of the Infinite One to time — “He reigns, He reigned, He will reign,” in the present, past and future.
This relationship is particularly evident as Malchut descends to animate the Worlds of Beriah, Yetzirahand Asiyah, for these worlds all exist in the category of time.
And because prayer draws down Divine energy into Beriah, Yetzirah and Asiyah through their source, the time-related Sefirah of Malchut, prayer is called “life of the moment.”
ותורה חיי עולם, הוא ז״א
כי רמ״ח פקודין הן מתחלקין בי׳ כלים דעשר ספירות דז״א כו׳
for the 248 commandments of the Torah divide into the ten vessels of the Ten Sefirot of Za....
For Za comprises Sefirot within the World of Atzilut, and as stated in Torah Or, at the end of Parshat Terumah, Za marks the conclusion of the infinite worlds, utterly transcending the Worlds of Beriah, Yetzirah and Asiyah.
* * *
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. | Bereishit Rabbah 3:9. |
| 2. | Note of the Rebbe: “Examine there, Shaar 1, ch. 7.” |
| 3. | Peah 1:1. |
| 4. | Peah 1:1. |
| 5. | From the Introduction to Tikkunei Zohar which begins, Patach Eliyahu. |
| 6. | Cf. Yeshayahu 55:10. |
| 7. | Cf. Yeshayahu 55:10. |
| 8. | The Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch, beginning of sec. 641, and sources cited there. |
| 9. | Devarim 6:5. |
| 10. | Shabbat 10a. |
| 11. | Shabbat 10a. |
| 12. | Note of the Rebbe: “As above: through Torah and mitzvot one draws down the Divine Intellect (mochin) and so on, within the Ten Sefirot of Za.” |
• 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.
Negative Commandment 320
Working on Shabbat
"You shall not do any manner of work"—Exodus 20:10.
We are forbidden from performing work on Shabbat.
Full text of this Mitzvah »
• Working on Shabbat
Negative Commandment 320
Translated by Berel Bell
The 320th prohibition is that we are forbidden to do melachah1 on Shabbos.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement2, ["It is Shabbos to the L‑rd, your G‑d;] do not do any melachah."
If the act was intentional, but the court has insufficient proof, Scripture3 specifies the punishment as kores.4 If the act was intentional, and there is sufficient proof,5 the punishment is execution by s'kilah.6 If the act was unintentional, he must bring a sin-offering.7
The details of this commandment are discussed in the tractate Shabbos.
FOOTNOTES
1.Although melachah is commonly translated as "work," it actually indicates any one of 39 specific activities singled out by Torah tradition. Included among the 39 are such actions as writing, carrying outside, and tying a knot, even though they do not correspond to the English word "work."
2.Shmos 20:1. Devarim 5:14.
3.Ex. 31:14.
4.See Principle 14, where the Rambam defines kores as losing one's portion in the World to Come (unless the person does teshuvah before death). See also Hilchos Teshuvah, Chapter 8, Halachah. 1.
5.Literally, "the testimony was accepted." This phrase includes such requirements as prior warning of the defendant (hasra'a), testimony of at least 2 witnesses, etc. See N352.
6.Commonly translated as "stoning," it actually consisted of being thrown from a high platform. Only if the person did not die from the fall were actual stones used. See P229.
7.See P69. This offering is called a "fixed sin-offering" to distinguish it from the offering of adjustable value. See P72.
• Rambam - 1 Chapter: Mikvaot Mikvaot - Chapter 5
• Mikvaot - Chapter 5
• 3 Chapters: Shabbat Shabbat - Chapter Nine, Shabbat Shabbat - Chapter Ten, Shabbat Shabbat - Chapter Eleven
• Shabbat - Chapter Nine
• Hayom Yom: Today's Hayom Yom
• Thursday, 1 Kislev, 5777 · 1 December 2016
• "Today's Day"
• Sunday, Kislev 1, Rosh Chodesh*, 5704
Torah lessons: Chumash: Vayeitsei, first parsha with Rashi.
Tehillim: 1-9.
Tanya: To understand the (p. 601)...the Minor Visage...(p. 603).
There were periods of time when R. Yekusiel Liepler, a chassid of the Alter Rebbe, davened Shacharit, Mincha and Maariv one right after the other; there was no time for intervals.
FOOTNOTES
*.This day is celebrated by chassidim as marking the good health, in 5738 (1977), of the Rebbe of righteous memory.
• Daily Thought:
1
When three lugim of drawn water fall into a mikveh - whether from one k'li or from two or three keilim - they can be combined to reach a quantity that disqualifies the mikveh, provided the water begins descending from the second before it concludes descending from the first. If descends from four keilim, the water from them is not combined.
When does the above apply? When one did not intend to increase the amount of water in the mikveh. If, however, one intended to increase the amount of water in the mikveh, even if a dinar-size measure was added each year, they are all combined to reach the sum of three lugim, whether the drawn water was present there before the acceptable water, the acceptable water was present there before the drawn water, or they both fell into the mikveh at the same time. Since three lugim of water fell into 40 se'ahcombining with the acceptable water to reach that amount or into less than 40 se'ah of water, the entire amount is invalidated and considered as drawn.
א
מקוה שנפלו אליו שלשה לוגין מים שאובין מכלי אחד או משנים ושלשה כלים מצטרפין והוא שיתחיל השני עד שלא פסק הראשון מד' כלים אין מצטרפין בד"א בזמן שלא נתכוון לרבות אבל אם נתכוון לרבות את מי המקוה אפילו נפל משקל דינר בכל שנה מצטרף לשלשה לוגין בין שקדמו השאובים את הכשרים בין שקדמו הכשרים את השאובים או שנפלו שתיהן כאחת כיון שנפלו שלשה לוגין שאובין לתוך מ' סאה [קודם שנפלו בו מ' סאה או לפחות ממ'] נפסל הכל ונעשה שאוב:
2
When two people each poured a log and a half into a mikveh, or one wrung out his garment and lifted it up, causing the water it contained to fall from several places, it invalidates a mikveh. A similar ruling applies when one pours from a distributor that causes water to pour from several places at the same time.
ב
שנים שהטילו זה לוג ומחצה וזה לוג ומחצה והסוחט כסותו והגביהה והמים שבה נופלין ממקומות הרבה וכן המערה מן הצרצור שמטיל ממקומות הרבה הרי אלו פוסלין:
3
When one immerses a pillow or a cushion of leather into a mikveh that has exactly 40 se'ah, when he lifts their edges out of the water, the water inside of them is considered as drawn water.
What should he do? He should immerse them and lift them up by their ends. With regard to a basket and a sack, he should immerse them and lift them up in the ordinary manner without showing any concern.
ג
המטביל כר או כסת של עור במקוה שיש בו ארבעים סאה מכוונות כיון שהגביה שפתותיהן מן המים נמצאו המים שבתוכן שאובין כיצד יעשה מטבילן ומעלן דרך שוליהן אבל הקופה והשק מטבילן ומעלן כדרכן ואינו חושש:
4
The following law applies to a mikveh that had three pockets of drawn water with a log in each of the pockets and then acceptable water fell into it. If it is known that 40 se'ah of acceptable water fell into it before the water reached the third pocket, it is acceptable, If not, it is disqualified.
ד
מקוה שיש בו שלש גומות ממים שאובין לוג בכל גומא ונפלו לתוכו מים כשרים אם ידוע שנפל לתוכו ארבעים סאה מים כשרים עד שלא יגיעו לגומא השלישית כשר ואם לאו פסול:
5
When there are two mikveot, neither containing 40 se'ah, a logand a half fell into each one of them, and then the mikveotbecame mixed together, they are acceptable. The rationale is that neither one of them had been designated as unacceptable.
If, by contrast, three lugim of drawn water fell into a mikveh that does not contain 40 se'ah [of acceptable water and afterwards, it was divided into two, even though enough acceptable water was added to each one to constitute an acceptable mikveh, they are invalid. The rationale is that whenever a mikveh is disqualified, all of its contents are considered as drawn water. It is as if all of the water had been drawn with a container.
ה
ב' מקואות אין בכל אחד מהן מ' סאה ונפל לזה לוג ומחצה ולזה לוג ומחצה ונתערבו ב' המקואות הרי אלו כשרין מפני שלא נקרא על אחד מהן שם פסול אבל מקוה שאין בו מ' סאה שנפל לתוכו שלשה לוגין מים שאובין ואחר כך נחלק לשנים וריבה מים כשרים על כל אחד מהן הרי אלו פסולין שכל המקוה כולו שנפסל כמים שאובין הוא חשוב וכאילו כל מימיו נשאבו בכלי:
6
When a cistern is filled with drawn water and a canal of rainwater flows into it and out of it, it is still considered as unacceptable until it can be calculated that not even three lugim of the drawn water that originally was in the cistern remain.
When three lugim of unacceptable water fall into a mikvehcontaining less than 40 se'ah of acceptable water, all of its contents are disqualified. Even if afterwards, he added enough acceptable water until the measure of 40 se'ah is reached, the mikveh remains invalid until all the water that was contained within it flows out and less than three lugim of the drawn water remain.
What is implied? A mikveh contains 20 se'ah of rainwater and a se'ah of drawn water fell into it. Afterwards, more acceptable water was added to it. It remains unacceptable until one knows that the 20 se'ah it originally contained and more than five and a quarter kabbin of the added water flowed out and less than three lugim of the entire quantity remain. Similarly, if one made a mikveh that contains 40 se'ah of acceptable water and joined it to this invalid mikveh, the acceptable water purifies the unacceptable water.
ו
בור שהוא מלא מים שאובים והאמה נכנסת לו ויוצאת ממנו לעולם הוא בפיסולו עד שתחשב שלא נשארו מן השאובין שהיו בבור שלשה לוגין מקוה שנפל לתוכו מים שאובין ונפסל ואחר כך ריבה עליו מים כשרים עד שנמצאו הכשרים ארבעים סאה הרי הוא בפיסולו עד שיצאו כל המים שהיו בתוכו ויפחתו השאובין משלשה לוגין כיצד מקוה שיש בו כ' סאה מי גשמים ונפל לתוכו סאה מים שאובים ואח"כ הרבה עליו מים כשרים הרי זה בפיסולו עד שידע שיצאו ממנו כ' סאה שהיו בו וחמשה קבין ויותר מרביע הקב ולא נשאר מן הכל שנפסל חוץ מפחות משלשה לוגין וכן אם עשה מקוה שיש בו מ' סאה מים כשרים ועירבו עם המקוה הזה הפסול טהרו אלו את אלו:
7
If one was moving mud from the bottom of the mikveh to the sides and, as a result, three lugim of water flowed into the mikveh, it remains acceptable. If one was removing the mud and lifted it up by hand, separating it from the mikveh and placing it on the mikveh's sides and three lugim flowed into the mikveh from it, they disqualify it.
ז
המסלק את הטיט לצדדים ונמשכו ממנו שלשה לוגים למקוה ה"ז כשר היה תולש הטיט ומגביהו בידו והבדילו מן המקוה לצדה ונמשכו ממנו שלשה לוגין הרי אלו פוסלין:
8
When a legion is passing from one place to another - or similarly, an animal is passing from one place to another - and three lugim of water was splashed into a mikveh by their hands and feet, it is acceptable. Moreover, even if they made a mikveh in this manner initially, it is acceptable.
ח
גייס העובר ממקום למקום וכן בהמה העוברת ממקום למקום וזלפו בידיהן וברגליהם שלשה לוגין למקוה ה"ז כשר ולא עוד אלא אפילו עשו מקוה בתחילה ה"ז כשר:
9
When a mikveh does not contain 40 se'ah and less than three lugim of impure, drawn water fell into it, the water is acceptable with regard to challah and terumah and one may use it for the ritual washing of hands. It is, however, invalid to be used as the base for the collection of water for an acceptable mikveh. If rainwater descended upon it to the extent that the rainwater constituted the majority of the mixture, the mixture is acceptable to be used as the base for the collection of water for an acceptable mikveh.
When three lugim of impure, drawn water fell into it, the water is unacceptable for challah and terumah. One may not use it for the ritual washing of hands, nor may it be used as the base for the collection of water for an acceptable mikveh. If rainwater descended upon it to the extent that the rainwater constituted the majority of the mixture, the mixture is acceptable with regard to challah and terumah and one may use it for the ritual washing of hands. It is, however, invalid to be used as the base for the collection of water for an acceptable mikveh until all of the original water that became considered as drawn flowed out and less than three lugim of it remained.
Similarly, if there was a mikveh that contained only a dinar-size measure less than 40 se'ah and three lugim of impure, drawn water fell into it, the water is unacceptable for challah and terumah. One may not use it for the ritual washing of hands, nor may it be used as the base for the collection of water for an acceptable mikveh. If less than three lugim of water fell into it - even if the water was all impure - and then a dinar-size measure of rainwater fell into it, causing it comprise a complete measure of 40 se'ah, it is acceptable. Just as it is considered as pure with regard to immersion, it is considered pure in every respect.
ט
מקוה שאין בו מ' סאה ונפל לתוכו פחות משלשה לוגין מים טמאין שאובין ה"ז כשר לחלה ולתרומה וליטול מהן לידים ופסולין להקוות עליהן ירדו עליהן גשמים ורבו עליהן הרי אלו כשרים להקוות עליהם נפל לתוכו שלשה לוגין מים שאובין טמאים ה"ז פסול לחלה ולתרומה וליטול ממנו לידים ופסולין להקוות עליו ירדו גשמים ורבו עליהן הרי הן כשרין לחלה ולתרומה וליטול מהן לידים ופסולין להקוות עליהן עד שיצאו כל המים הראשונים שנעשו כולן כשאובין ולא ישאר מהן אלא פחות משלשה לוגין וכן מקוה שיש בו מ' סאה חסר דינר ונפלו לתוכו שלשה לוגין מים שאובין טמאין ה"ז פסול לחלה ולתרומה וליטול ממנו לידים ופסולין להקוות עליהן נפל לתוכו פחות משלשה לוגין מים אפילו כולן טמאין ואחר כך נפלו לתוכו משקל דינר מי גשמים שהשלימו כשר כשם שטהור לטבילה כך טהור לכל דבר:
• Shabbat - Chapter Nine
1
A person who bakes [an amount of food] the size of a dried fig is liable. Just as a person is liable for baking bread, he is liable for cooking food or herbs, or for heating water. These are all one type [of activity].1
א
האופה כגרוגרת חייב. אחד האופה את הפת או המבשל את המאכל או את הסממנין או המחמם את המים הכל ענין אחד הוא. שיעור המחמם את המים כדי לרחוץ בהן אבר קטן. ושיעור מבשל סממנין כדי שיהיו ראויין לדבר שמבשלין אותן לו:
2
ב
הנותן ביצה בצד המיחם בשביל שתתגלגל ונתגלגלה חייב. שהמבשל בתולדת האור כמבשל באור עצמה. וכן המדיח בחמין דג מליח הישן או קולייס האספנין והוא דג דק ורך ביותר הרי זה חייב. שהדחתן בחמין זה הוא גמר בשולן וכן כל כיוצא בהן:
3
A person who breaks open an egg over a warm cloth, over sand, or over the dust of the roads that are heated by the sun is not liable11 even though it becomes roasted, for the derivatives of the heat of the sun are [governed by] different [laws than those governing] the derivatives of fire. Nevertheless, the Sages instituted a decree forbidding cooking with [the derivatives of the heat of the sun], lest [one cook with] the derivatives of fire.12Similarly, a person who cooks using the [hot] springs of Tiberias and the like is not held liable.13
ג
המפקיע את הביצה בבגד חם או בחול ובאבק דרכים שהן חמים מפני השמש אע"פ שנצלית פטור. שתולדות חמה אינם כתולדות האש. אבל גזרו עליהן מפני תולדות האור. וכן המבשל בחמי טבריה וכיוצא בהם פטור. המבשל על האור דבר שהיה מבושל כל צרכו או דבר שאינו צריך בישול כלל פטור:
4
When one person brought fire, another brought wood, another brought a pot, another added water, another put in meat, another put in spices, and another stirred it, all are liable for cooking. For anyone who performs an activity that is necessary for cooking is considered as [having performed that forbidden labor].
If, by contrast, one put down the pot, another came and added water, another came and added meat, another came and added spices, another came and brought fire, another came and placed wood on the fire, and another came and stirred, it is only the latter two who are liable for cooking.
ד
אחד נתן את האור ואחד נתן את העצים ואחד נתן את הקדרה ואחד נתן את המים ואחד נתן את הבשר ואחד נתן את התבלין ובא אחר והגיס כולם חייבים משום מבשל. שכל העושה דבר מצרכי הבישול הרי זה מבשל. אבל אם שפת אחד את הקדרה תחילה ובא אחר ונתן את המים ובא אחר ונתן את הבשר ובא אחר ונתן את התבלין ובא אחר ונתן את האור ובא אחר ונתן עצים על האור ובא אחר והגיס. שנים האחרונים בלבד חייבין משום מבשל:
5
When a person places meat over coals, and a portion the size of a dried fig becomes [thoroughly] roasted, he is liable even when the portions that are roasted are [separate, and located] in two or three portions [of the piece of meat].17
ה
הניח בשר על גבי גחלים אם נצלה בו כגרוגרת אפי' בשנים ושלשה מקומות חייב. לא נצלה בו כגרוגרת אבל נתבשל כולו חצי בישול חייב. נתבשל חצי בישול מצד אחד פטור. עד שיהפך בו ויתבשל חצי בישול משני צדדין. שכח והדביק פת בתנור בשבת ונזכר מותר לו לרדותה קודם שתאפה ויבוא לידי מלאכה:
6
A person who melts even the slightest amount of metal or who heats a piece of metal until [it glows like] a coal24 performs a derivative [of the forbidden labor] of cooking.25 Similarly, a person who melts wax, tallow, tar, brown tar, or pitch, and the like performs a derivative [of the forbidden labor] of cooking and is liable.
Similarly, a person who heats an earthenware utensil until it becomes hard clay is liable for cooking. The general principle is: Whether one softens a firm entity with fire or hardens a soft entity, one is liable for cooking.
ו
המתיך אחד ממיני מתכות כל שהוא או המחמם את המתכות עד שתעשה גחלת הרי זה תולדת מבשל. וכן הממסס את הדונג או את החלב או את הזפת והכופר והגפרית וכיוצא בהם הרי זה תולדת מבשל וחייב. וכן המבשל כלי אדמה עד שיעשו חרס חייב משום מבשל. כללו של דבר בין שריפה גוף קשה באש או שהקשה גוף רך הרי זה חייב משום מבשל:
7
One who shears wool26 or hair from an animal or a beast - whether alive or dead - is liable. [This applies even when he] removes [these substances] from skin.27
What is the minimum measure for which one is liable? Enough to spin a thread that is twice the length of a width of a sit from it.28How long is the width of a sit? The distance from the thumb to the first finger when they are extended as far as possible.29 This is approximately two thirds of a zeret.30
A person who tears off the wing of a bird [is liable for performing] a derivative of shearing. One who spins wool from a living animal31 is not liable, for this is not the ordinary manner of shearing, nor is this the ordinary manner of beating, nor is this the ordinary manner of spinning.
ז
הגוזז צמר או שער בין מן הבהמה בין מן החיה בין מן החי בין מן המת אפילו מן השלח שלהן חייב. כמה שיעורו כדי לטוות ממנו חוט שארכו כרוחב הסיט כפול. וכמה רוחב הסיט כדי למתוח מן בוהן של יד עד האצבע הראשונה כשיפתח ביניהן בכל כחו והוא קרוב לשני שלישי זרת. התולש כנף מן העוף הרי זה תולדת גוזז. הטווה את הצמר מן החי פטור שאין דרך גזיזה בכך ואין דרך נפוץ בכך ואין דרך טויה בכך:
8
A person who cuts his nails, his hair, his mustache, or his beard [performs a] derivative [of the forbidden labor] of shearing and is liable.32 [This applies] provided one cuts them using a utensil. If one removes them by hand, one is not liable.33[The above applies regarding both] one's own [nails and the like] and those of a colleague.34
Similarly, a person who cuts a wart from his body, whether using a utensil35 or by hand is not liable. [The above applies regarding both] one's own [warts] and those of a colleague.
ח
הנוטל צפרניו או שערו או שפמו או זקנו הרי זה תולדת גוזז וחייב. והוא שיטול בכלי. אבל אם נטלן בידו בין לו בין לאחר פטור. וכן החותך יבלת מגופו בין ביד בין בכלי פטור בין לו בין לאחר. ומותר לחתוך יבלת במקדש ביד אבל לא בכלי. ואם היתה יבשה חותכה אף בכלי ועובד עבודה.
9
How much hair is it necessary for a person to remove with a utensil to be liable? Two hairs.38 If one removes a grey hair from dark ones, one is liable for removing even one.39
[The following rules apply to] a nail when the majority of it has been split, or to strips of flesh that have begun to peel: If they have split upward40 and annoy the person, one may remove them by hand, but not with a utensil. If, however, one removes them with a utensil, one is not liable.41
If they do not annoy the person, it is forbidden to remove them even by hand. If the majority has not been split [nor has begun to peel], it is forbidden to remove them even by hand, and one who removes them with a utensil is liable.
ט
הנוטל שערו בכלי כמה יטול ויהיה חייב שתי שערות. ואם ליקט לבנות מתוך שחורות אפילו אחת חייב. צפורן שפירשה רובה וציצין של עור שפירשו רובן אם פירשו כלפי מעלה ומצערות אותו מותר ליטול אותן בידו אבל לא בכלי. ואם נטלן בכלי פטור. ואם אינן מצערות אותו אפילו ביד אסור. ואם לא פירשו רובן אפילו מצערות אותו אסור לנטלן בידו ואם נטלן בכלי חייב:
10
A person who whitens wool, linen, wool to be dyed crimson,42 or any other fabrics that are ordinarily whitened is liable.
What is the minimum measure for which one is liable? [An amount of fibers large enough] to produce a thread as long as twice the width of a sit - i.e., four handbreadths.43
י
המלבן את הצמר או את הפשתן או את השני וכן כל כיוצא בהן ממה שדרכן להתלבן חייב. וכמה שיעורו כדי לטוות ממנו חוט אחד אורכו כמלוא רוחב הסיט כפול שהוא אורך ארבעה טפחים:
11
Laundering clothes is a derivative of the [forbidden] labor of whitening and causes one to be liable.
יא
המכבס בגדים הרי הוא תולדת מלבן וחייב. והסוחט את הבגד עד שיוציא המים שבו הרי זה מכבס וחייב. שהסחיטה מצרכי כיבוס היא כמו שההגסה מצרכי הבשול. ואין סחיטה בשער וה"ה לעור שאין חייבין על סחיטתו:
12
One who beats49 wool, linen, wool to be dyed crimson, or any other similar fabrics is liable. What is the minimum measure for which one is liable? [An amount of fibers large enough] to produce a thread four handbreadths long.
A person who beats animal sinews until they become like wool, so that [cord]50 can be spun from them, is liable for performing a derivative of beating.
יב
המנפץ את הצמר או את הפשתן או את השני וכיוצא בהן חייב. וכמה שיעורו כדי לטוות ממנו חוט אחד ארכו ארבעה טפחים. והמנפץ את הגידים עד שיעשו כצמר כדי לטוות אותן הרי זה תולדת מנפץ וחייב:
13
A person who dyes a thread that is four handbreadths long or fabric from which a thread of this length can be spun is liable.
A person is not liable unless the dye he uses will make a permanent [change in the article's color]. When the application of color will not have a permanent effect - e.g., one who applies red clay or vermilion to iron or brass and colors it is not liable, for it can be removed immediately without dyeing it at all. Whenever a person performs a labor that does not have a permanent effect on the Sabbath,51 he is not liable.52
יג
הצובע חוט שארכו ארבעה טפחים או דבר שאפשר לטוות ממנו חוט כזה חייב. ואין הצובע חייב עד שיהא צבע המתקיים. אבל צבע שאינו מתקיים כלל כגון שהעביר סרק או ששר על גבי ברזל או נחשת וצבעו פטור. שהרי אתה מעבירו לשעתו ואינו צובע כלום. וכל שאין מלאכתו מתקיימת בשבת פטור:
14
A person who creates a color is liable [for performing] a derivative of the labor of dyeing.53 What is implied? One mixed gallnut juice into vitriol54 until the entire mixture turned black, or mixed isatis55 into saffron water56 until the entire mixture turned green and the like.
What is the minimum measure for which one is liable? [An amount of dye large enough] to dye a thread four handbreadths long.
יד
העושה עין הצבע הרי זה תולדת צובע וחייב. כיצד כגון שנתן קנקנתום לתוך מי עפצא שנעשה הכל שחור. או שנתן איסטיס לתוך מי כרכום שנעשה הכל ירוק וכן כל כיוצא בזה. וכמה שיעורו כדי לצבוע בו חוט שארכו ארבעה טפחים:
15
A person who spins a thread four handbreadths long from any fibers [from] which [thread] is spun is liable. This includes spinning wool, linen, [camel] hair, goat's hair,57 animal sinews, and any other fibers of this nature.
A person who makes felt is liable for [performing] a derivative [of the forbidden labor] of spinning if he makes felt from fibers that could be used to spin a thread of ordinary thickness that is four handbreadths long.58
טו
הטווה אורך ארבעה טפחים מכל דבר הנטוה חייב. אחד הטווה את הצמר או את הפשתן או את הנוצה או את השער או את הגידין וכן כל כיוצא בהן. העושה את הלבד הרי זה תולדת טווה וחייב. והוא שילבד דבר שאפשר לטוות ממנו חוט אורך ארבעה טפחים בעובי בינוני:
16
A person who makes two heddles is liable.59
A person who makes a sifter, a strainer, a basket, a hairnet, or one who weaves a rope bed [performs] a derivative [of the forbidden labor] of making heddles;60 when he makes two frames of any one of the above, he is liable. Similarly, a person who makes two frames of any object that is made frame by frame like the above is liable.
טז
העושה שני בתי נירין חייב. העושה נפה או כברה או סל או סבכה או שסרג מטה בחבלים הרי זה תולדת עושה נירין ומשיעשה שני בתים באחד מכל אלו חייב. וכן כל העושה שני בתי נירין בדבר שעושין אותו בתים בתים כגון אלו חייב:
17
Weavers generally stretch out the threads [of the warp] to the desired length and width of the fabric. Two people hold [the beams to which the ends of the threads are connected], one from one side and one from the other side. A person beats the threads with a rod and aligns them so that they lie one next to the other, [all of the] warp threads without the woof.
Extending the threads as the weavers do is called mounting the warp. A person who [extends these threads] so they are taut is called one who sets the warp. Bending [the loom] and inserting the woof between the warp [threads] is called weaving.
יז
דרך האורגין שמותחין החוטין תחלה באורך היריעה וברחבה ושנים אוחזין זה מכאן וזה מכאן ואחד שובט בשבט על החוטין ומתקן אותן זה בצד זה עד שתעשה כולה שתי בלא ערב. ומתיחת החוטין כדרך האורגין היא הנסכת המסכת וזה המותח נקרא מיסך. וכשכופלין אותה ומתחיל להכניס השתי בערב נקרא אורג:
18
The person who mounts the warp is liable. This is one of the [39] primary categories of [forbidden] labor. The person who beats the threads until they separate and then aligns them performs a derivative of mounting the warp.61 What is the minimum measure for which one is liable? Preparing a fabric that is two fingerbreadths wide.62
Similarly, a person is liable for weaving two threads [of a fabric] two fingerbreadths wide. [The above applies] whether one began the weaving [of a garment] or whether one wove two additional threads on a garment that had already been begun by another weaver. If one wove only a single thread, but completed the garment by doing so, one is liable.63
If one weaves two threads a width of three frames at the end of a fabric, one is liable.64 To what can this be compared? To weaving a thin belt, three frames wide.
יח
המיסך חייב והוא מלאכה מאבות מלאכות. והשובט על החוטין עד שיפרקו ויתקנם הרי זה תולדת מיסך. וכמה שיעורו משיתקן רוחב שתי אצבעות. וכן האורג שני חוטין ברוחב שתי אצבעות חייב. בין שארגן בתחלה בין שהיה מקצת הבגד ארוג וארג על הארוג שיעורו שני חוטין. ואם ארג חוט אחד והשלים בו הבגד חייב. ארג בשפת היריעה שני חוטין ברוחב שלשה בתי נירין חייב. הא למה זה דומה לאורג צלצול קטן ברוחב שלשה בתי נירין:
19
A person who straightens the threads and separates them in the midst of the weaving process [performs] a derivative [of the labor] of weaving.65
Similarly, one who braids hair [performs] a derivative [of the labor] of weaving.66 The measure for which one is liable is making a braid two fingerbreadths long.
יט
המדקדק את החוטין ומפרידן בעת האריגה הרי זה תולדת אורג. וכן הקולע את הנימין הרי זה תולדת אורג ושיעורו משיעשה קליעה באורך שתי אצבעות:
20
One who is בוצע two threads is liable. בוצע refers to the separation of woven fabric.67 One is liable for [the labor of] בוצע whether one removes the woof from the warp or the warp from woof.
[The above applies provided that] one is not acting with a destructive [intent], but rather with the intent to improve [the garment]. For example, there are people who mend [tears in] very light garments. First, they undo the weave. Afterwards, they mend the garment, and then reweave the threads that they undid.68 [In this manner,] they join two garments or two tears together.
A person who undoes a braid for the sake of fixing it [performs] a derivative [of the labor] of בוצע.69 The minimum measure for which one is liable is the same as the minimum measure for בוצע.
כ
הבוצע שני חוטין חייב. ובוצע הוא המפריש את הארוג. בין שהוציא הערב מן השתי או שהעביר השתי מעל הערב הרי זה בוצע וחייב. והוא שלא יהא מקלקל אלא יתכוין לתקן כדרך שעושין אלו שמאחין את הבגדים הקלים ביותר שבוצעין ואחר כך מאחין וחוזרין ואורגין חוטין שבצעו עד שיעשו שני הבגדים או שני הקרעים אחד. והסותר את הקליעה לתקן הרי זה תולדת בוצע ושיעורו כשיעור הבוצע
FOOTNOTES
1.
According to the opinion that reckons only the labors necessary for the construction of the Sanctuary, cooking - and not baking - was the labor performed. Nevertheless, as mentioned in the commentary on Chapter 7, Halachah 1, the Mishnah (and, therefore, the Rambam) mentioned these activities in the order associated with the preparation of bread, for this was more common (Shabbat74b).
2.
As obvious from the continuation of the halachah, the intent is not to boil the water, but to warm it enough so that it is comfortable to use for washing.
3.
The Mayim Chayim states that generally water was heated for the purpose of washing. (Although hot drinks were served in that age as well, the "cooking" of these beverages involves mixing in other ingredients.) Note the S'dei Chemed (Vol. III, Section 1, Chapter 230), which questions whether heating water (for purposes other than washing) is prohibited by the Torah.
4.
As stated in Chapter 18, Halachah 2, this refers to the amount of water necessary to wash the small toe of a newborn baby.
5.
The Ra'avad objects to the Rambam's statements, stating that our Sages (Tosefta, Shabbat, Chapter 10) mentioned a minimum measure, the amount necessary to dye a small cloth used as a hair-net. The Lechem Mishneh attempts to resolve the difference of opinion, explaining that the Rambam also recognizes that measure (as reflected in Chapter 18, Halachah 2). Depending on the nature of the dye used, however, there is a difference in the amount of cooking necessary to dye the cloth.
Rav Kapach accepts the principle stated by the Lechem Mishneh, but notes that the minimum measure for dyeing is specifically stated by the Rambam in Halachah 14 of this chapter as "enough to dye a thread four handbreadths long."
6.
In his Commentary on the Mishnah (Shabbat 3:2), the Rambam translates the Hebrew תתגלגל as referring to "mixing" or to "becoming slightly cooked."
7.
In his Commentary on the Mishnah (loc. cit.), the Rambam explains that the kettle had already been removed from the fire. Nevertheless, because it remained hot from the fire's heat, it is considered a "derivative of fire."
8.
Before the era of refrigeration, salt was used a preservative. Rashi (Shabbat 145b) states that this refers to fish that was preserved by salt for over a year.
9.
Our text is based on Rav Kapach's translation of the Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah, Machshirin 6:3. Other commentaries offer different translations.
10.
Note Hilchot Sh'vitat Yom Tov 6:4, where the Rambam mentions small fish whose cooking is completed by washing them with hot water. Perhaps there he is also referring to sole. Alternatively, perhaps even large sole can be prepared merely by pouring hot water over them.
11.
Even if the food cooks thoroughly, one is not liable, because this is not the ordinary way food is cooked.
12.
Were one to be allowed to cook by using substances warmed by the sun, one might err and cook using substances warmed by fire. It is, however, permitted to leave food to be cooked by the sun itself (Shabbat39a; Hilchot Shabbat, Chapter 22, Halachah 9).
13.
Although one of the Sages states that a person who cooks in the hot springs of Tiberias is liable, the Talmud immediately clarifies that the intent is "liable for 'stripes for rebelliousness,' the punishment given for violating a Rabbinic ordinance (Shabbat40b).
14.
This statement implies that until the food is completely cooked, one is liable for cooking. This relates one of the points of difference between the Rambam and the Ashkenazic halachic authorities who were cited in our commentary on Chapter 3, Halachah 4. The latter maintain that since food that is one-third or one-half cooked is fit to be eaten, there are leniencies with regard to the laws governing leaving food to warm on the Sabbath and returning food to a fire on the Sabbath. The Rashba (as quoted by the Maggid Mishneh) develops this view further and maintains that once food has reached this stage of being cooked, one is not liable for cooking it further.
The Rambam (Chapter 22, Halachah 8), however, maintains that if food has been completely cooked one may place it in hot water on the Sabbath to warm. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 318:4), however, follows the view of the Ashkenazic authorities who accept this leniency only when the food is dry. The Shulchan Aruch(loc. cit.:5) also questions if this leniency also applies with regard to food that was baked or roasted.
15.
Shabbat 40b mentions this principle with regard to oil. Other examples are fresh fruits and vegetables that are usually eaten raw (Rabbi Akiva Eiger).
16.
As mentioned in Chapter 1, Halachah 3, the use of the term "not liable," פטור in Hebrew, also implies that this activity is forbidden according to Rabbinic decree. Thus, recooking food or cooking fresh produce on the Sabbath is definitely forbidden.
17.
Although the places where the meat cooked are separate, their size is combined, and the person is held liable if the sum reaches the size of a dried fig.
18.
This is the Rambam's definition of the term used by our Sages' כמאכל בן דרוסאי, "like the food of ben D'rosai." Rashi (Shabbat 20a) relates that ben D'rosai was a wanted bandit who would eat his food hurriedly because he was always running to avoid detection.
Significantly, Rashi interprets כמאכל בן דרוסאי as being only one-third cooked. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 254:2) and many later authorities quote the Rambam's view. The Mishnah Berurah 253:38, however, states that in a difficult situation, one may rely on Rashi's opinion.
19.
Since the meat can be eaten in its present state, one is liable for cooking it.
20.
The addition of this term is significant. Shabbat 4a also mentions this law in an instance when one purposely violated the Sabbath laws. The Rambam explains that this leniency applies even when one performed such an activity בשוגג. (See the Maggid Mishneh; note also the Lechem Mishneh's objections.)
21.
But not a colleague (Magen Avraham254:21). Since removing the loaf from the wall of the oven in previous eras involved a Rabbinic prohibition (as mentioned in Chapter 22, Halachah 1), this was forbidden. A person is not allowed to sin so that his colleague will merit.
22.
The Rabbis explain that it is desirable to remove the bread in an abnormal manner, because of the prohibition mentioned above. Nevertheless, if it is impossible to do so before the loaf bakes, one may remove it in the ordinary fashion so that one does not transgress the prohibition against baking (Shulchan Aruch HaRav 254:12; Mishnah Berurah 254:41).
It must be emphasized that the baking procedure followed today is different from that referred to by the Rambam. At present, there is no prohibition involved in removing a loaf placed in the oven to bake.
23.
The commentaries question when a person becomes liable for baking. Is it when a crust forms (see Chapter 3, Halachah 18), or must the loaf bake thoroughly? (See Tosafot, Menachot 57b, which compares the forming of a crust to food cooking to the point of being כמאכל בן דרוסאי.)
24.
The commentaries question the difference between this point and the ruling of Chapter 12, Halachah 1, that a person who heats iron is liable for kindling. Rav Kapach explains that the difference depends on the nature of the metals involved. All other metals are made more pliable when heated. Iron, in contrast, becomes harder when heated and then placed into water. Therefore, its processing is associated with the labors of kindling and extinguishing, which have to do with making charcoal. (See the commentary on that halachah.)
25.
This halachah emphasizes that the forbidden labor of cooking applies to substances other than food. The Rambam explains this concept in his Commentary on the Mishnah (Shabbat 7:2) when defining the nature of the forbidden categories of labor.
26.
The Rambam has concluded his description of the eleven categories of forbidden labors associated with the preparation of food, and with this halachah begins discussion of the categories of forbidden labors associated with the preparation of clothing.
27.
I.e., a surface where hair or wool that would be useful for making a garment does not grow.
28.
This is the minimum measure for which one is liable for performing the labors associated with making thread.
29.
In three different places in his Commentary on the Mishnah, the Rambam defines the term "the width of a sit": Orlah 3:2, Shabbat13:4, and Keilim 13:4. In these sources, he defines the width of sit as he does in this halachah. (See also Halachah 10 where the Rambam states that twice this measure is equivalent to four handbreadths.)
In the sources mentioned above, and similarly in Halachah 18, the Rambam differentiates between the terms sit and "the width of a sit." Note that Rashi defines both these measures differently.
30.
A zeret is defined as the distance between one's thumb and pinky when one's hand is fully extended. This is understood to be half a cubit, three handbreadths (24 centimeters according to Shiurei Torah, 30 centimeters according to Chazon Ish).
31.
Although the women preparing the goats' hair for the Sanctuary spun it while it was on the goats themselves (see commentaries to Exodus 35:26), one is not liable for performing such an activity on the Sabbath, for this is not the ordinary manner in which one spins thread (Shabbat 74b).
32.
As mentioned in Chapter 1, Halachah 7, the Rambam holds one liable for performing a מלאכה שאינה צריכה לגופה, a forbidden labor for a purpose different from the purpose for which the labor was performed in the Sanctuary. In the notes on that halachah, it is explained that this decision is not shared by all authorities.
According to the authorities who differ, there is a difference of opinion whether or not one is liable for cutting one's hair and nails. Tosafot (Shabbat 94b) maintains that in the construction of the Sanctuary, the labor of shearing was performed for the sake of the wool. Therefore, unless a person had a need for his hair or nails, he would not be held liable. The Rivash (Responsum 394), however, explains that before they were used, the tachash skins were shaved to remove the hair. Hence, if one cuts off one's hair or nails for cosmetic purposes, one is liable. (See, however, the notes on Chapter 11, Halachah 5, which differentiate between the forbidden labor of shearing and the forbidden labor of smoothing.)
33.
Since this is not the usual way of cutting hair or nails, one is not liable. (See also Chapter 22, Halachot 13-14, which discuss the Rabbinical prohibitions involved with cutting hair.)
34.
The popularly accepted text of the Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah (Shabbat 10:7) states that one who removes a colleague's hair or nails is liable even if he does so by hand. Rav Kapach maintains that the original text of the Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah in fact makes such a statement, but that the Rambam amended the text, and the final version resembles the rulings of this halachah.
35.
The Maggid Mishneh protests the decision that a person who cuts off a wart with a utensil is not liable, pointing to Eruvin 103a, which appears to obligate one for such an activity.
The Radbaz (Vol. V, Responsum 1521) explains the Rambam's ruling, stating that this applies only in the Temple. A wart is considered a blemish that makes an animal unfit for sacrifice and a priest unfit for service (see Hilchot Bi'at HaMikdash 7:10), and by removing the wart one becomes fit for service. Thus, one is liable, not for performing the forbidden labor of shearing, but for the labor of מכה בפטיש, making an entity ready for use. (See also the Tzafenat Paneach, who offers a similar interpretation.)
Note, however, Shulchan Aruch Harav340:3 and the Mishnah Berurah 340:6, which state that the liability for cutting a wart stems from the forbidden labor of shearing.
36.
Not only is one freed of liability, but doing so is permitted, because this is not the ordinary process. Although outside the Temple, this would be forbidden as a sh'vut(Rabbinic decree), there are no such restrictions in the Temple.
37.
Note the Ma'aseh Rokeach, which states that since the wart was dry and shriveled, it is considered as if it had been removed already. Nevertheless, as Shulchan Aruch HaRav (loc cit.) and the Mishnah Berurah(loc cit.) state that outside the Temple it is forbidden to remove a wart even if it is dry and shriveled.
38.
Two hairs are significant, and, therefore, one who cuts them off is held liable.
39.
Since one desires to appear young, removing even a single grey hair is significant. This applies to both men and women. Note also the Rambam's statements in Hilchot Avodat Kochavim12:10, which prohibit a male from doing this even during the week, since by doing so, he would be adorning himself as a woman does.
40.
Note the gloss of Rav David Arameah and also the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim328:31), which questions whether "upward" means towards the end of the finger or towards the body. Since there is no clear cut answer, one must act stringently; in practice, it is forbidden to remove such a nail at all (Mishnah Berurah 328:99).
41.
Since the majority of the nail has split or the skin has peeled, the remainder is considered as if it has already been removed according to the Torah. The prohibition against removing it is merely Rabbinic in nature and is waived because of the annoyance the person is suffering when he removes them by hand - i.e., in an abnormal manner (Mishnah Berurah328:96).
42.
Our translation follows the Biblical meaning of the word שני. There is, however, a difficulty - what is the difference between this fabric and ordinary wool. The Avnei Nezer (Orach Chayim 157) explains that this refers to wool that has already been dyed crimson. Others note that at times שני can also refer to silk. See Rav Kapach's notes to Hilchot Sefer Torah 9:3.
43.
See Halachah 7.
44.
Note the Kessef Mishneh, who states that according to the Rambam, this prohibition applies also to liquids other than water.
This is a matter of question. Tosafot (Ketubot 6a) and the Tur (Orach Chayim320), differ, and maintain that one is liable only for wringing out water.
45.
The Maggid Mishneh notes that the Rashba and others view wringing out liquids as related to two different forbidden labors. According to these authorities, wringing out water is a derivative of laundering, while wringing out other liquids relates to the forbidden labor of threshing.
The Ramban, however, states that although squeezing juice from fruits is considered to be a derivative of threshing, squeezing liquids other than water from garments is not. Some commentaries have associated this with the principle mentioned in Chapter 8, Halachah 7, "[The forbidden labor of] threshing applies only with regard to the earth's produce."
46.
See Chapter 22, Halachah 15, which mentions the Rabbinic prohibitions enacted as safeguards for the Torah prohibition against wringing out liquid.
47.
Rashi (Shabbat 128b) explains that hair never absorbs water.
48.
The Avnei Nezer (Responsum 157) explains that since the Rambam considers wringing out liquids as a derivative of whitening, this will apply only when wringing out the liquid will affect the color of the entity from which one is extracting it. This will not happen with regard to hair or leather.
It must be noted that the Shulchan Aruch(Orach Chayim 302:9) forbids rubbing leather to clean it. Shulchan Aruch HaRav302:19 states this is merely a Rabbinic prohibition (thus following the Rambam's view). The Mishnah Berurah 302:39,42, however, differs and maintains that one is liable for such an act.
49.
Our translation of the Hebrew נפץ is based on the Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah (Shabbat 7:2). Since these fabrics are natural, beating them makes them more pliable. Other authorities translate נפץ as "comb" - i.e., comb impurities from the fibers.
50.
Cord made from animal sinews is used to sew Torah scrolls and tefillin.
51.
We have translated the Rambam's wording literally, although it appears somewhat clumsy, because of a concept that can be derived from it. Permanence is a relative concept in our world. Hence, when a person performs an activity that appears permanent on the Sabbath itself, he can be held liable for it although later there is a possibility for change (Rav Kapach).
52.
Shabbat 12:1 states, "Anyone who performs a labor - and that labor has an enduring effect on the Sabbath - is liable."
53.
The source for the Rambam's ruling is a matter of question. The Maggid Mishnehmentions Shabbat 18a, which states that a person who mixes a concentrate of ink with water is liable.
The Ra'avad objects to the Rambam's decision, noting that although in the construction of the Sanctuary, the dyes were made by cooking the herbs in water, the Talmud states that one is liable only for cooking and does not mention the dyeing of the water.
The Maggid Mishneh explains that in truth, a person would be liable for two transgressions by cooking dyes: for cooking and for dyeing the water. The Talmud mentions cooking only, because that is the subject of the discussion. Rav Kapach offers a unique explanation, stating that the Rambam is not speaking about instances when water is dyed through cooking, but when two liquids of different colors are mixed to cause a new tint.
There are authorities [Ginat Veradim(Section 3, Chapter 9) and HaElef Lecha Shlomo] who accept the Rambam's ruling and on this basis state that one should not make tea or coffee on the Sabbath, for one is coloring the water. The Mishnah Berurah318:39 and the K'tzot HaShulchan state emphatically that there is no concept of dyeing foods.
54.
Vitriol is produced by the rusting of metals. As mentioned in Hilchot Tefillin 1:4, when both these substances are mixed together, a black ink which leaves a permanent mark is produced.
55.
A plant producing a deep blue dye.
56.
Which is yellow.
57.
Others render the Hebrew notzah as "down."
58.
The Ra'avad questions the Rambam's ruling. Rav Levi ibn Chaviv supports the Rambam's position, explaining that the intertwining of fibers necessary to make felt resembles spinning.
59.
The Hebrew בתי נירין is generally translated as "houses of string." In the weaving process, it refers to the following practice: Weaving involves passing the threads of the woof over and under each of the consecutive threads of the warp. In order to facilitate this process, two frames are made, each possessing many threads with a loop (referred to as a "heddle") in the middle of these threads. The threads of the warp are passed through these loops, one from one frame, and next from the other consecutively. (See also Rav Kapach's commentary, which explains that nir in Arabic means woof. Thus בתי נירין would mean "houses for the woof" - i.e., holes through which the woof thread is passed.)
When this is completed, the weaver lifts the two frames alternately. As he raises one up, he passes the woof through. In this manner, he is able to thread the woof through the entire warp at one time. (See the Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah, Shabbat 7:2 and Keilim 21:1.)
60.
All these objects are made by weaving materials other than thread. It is questionable why the Rambam considers them as derivatives of this category of forbidden labor and not the labor of weaving.
61.
This halachah presents a unique question with regard to the authenticity of the different versions of the Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah (Shabbat 7:2). The popular version of the text cites Shabbat 75b, which relates that the number of categories of forbidden labor, "forty minus one," is repeated at the conclusion of the Mishnah to negate the opinion of Rabbi Yehudah, who maintains that beating the threads of the warp and straightening them (see Halachah 19) should be considered as categories of forbidden labor. Instead, they are derivatives of the labors of mounting the warp and weaving.
In his version of the Commentary on the Mishnah, which is based on authoritative manuscripts, Rav Kapach states that these two activities are derivatives of מכה בפטיש , "completing a task." (See Chapter 10, Halachah 16.) According to this version of the text, originally the Rambam relied on another source and later, when authoring the Mishneh Torah, he changed his opinion based on the Talmud.
62.
Shabbat 13:4 states that a person is liable for weaving the fullness of a sit. In his Commentary on the Mishnah, the Rambam differentiates between "the width of a sit" as defined in Halachah 7, and "the fullness of a sit." The latter term refers to the distance between the thumb and the index finger when open, but not stretched. This is two fingerbreadths. [Note Rashi (Shabbat 105b) who offers a different interpretation.]
63.
Since one completes the garment with this thread, one's actions are significant despite being slight.
64.
Here also, although the weaving does not have the width normally required, since it is significant (for it makes a hem), one is held liable.
65.
See the notes on the previous halachah, which discuss the Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah (Shabbat 7:2).
66.
This refers to hair that has been cut already. Braiding hair that is still attached to a person's head is forbidden by the Rabbis. (See Chapter 22, Halachah 26.)
67.
The Ra'avad objects to the Rambam's definition of this activity. He offers a definition similar to that of Rashi, Shabbat73a, stating that בוצע resembles פוצע and refers to cutting off the remaining unwoven threads after the weaving process is completed.
68.
When a garment is mended in this fashion, the mending is hard to detect, because it is rewoven.
69.
As mentioned previously, every category of labor has a derivative. If braiding is a derivative of weaving, one may assume that unbraiding is a derivative of unweaving.
Shabbat - Chapter Ten
1
A person who ties a knot which is intended to remain permanently and which can be tied [only] by craftsmen1 is liable. Included in this category are the knots tied by camel drivers, the knots tied by seamen, the knots tied by shoemakers when making shoes and sandals.2
One who ties a knot that is intended to remain permanently, but does not require a craftsmen [to tie it], is not liable. A knot that will not remain permanently and does not require a craftsman may be tied with no compunctions.
א
הקושר קשר של קיימא והוא מעשה אומן חייב. כגון קשר הגמלין וקשר הספנין וקשרי רצועות מנעל וסנדל שקושרין הרצענין בשעת עשייתן וכן כל כיוצא בזה. אבל הקושר קשר של קיימא ואינו מעשה אומן פטור . וקשר שאינו של קיימא ואינו מעשה אומן מותר לקושרו לכתחלה:
2
How is [the intermediate category] defined? If one of a person's sandal straps tore and he tied it, a rope tore and one tied it, one tied a rope to a bucket, or one tied the bridle of an animal, the person is not liable. The same applies to all other knots that do not require professional expertise, but are always tied with the intention that they remain permanently.3
Any knot that is not intended to remain permanently is forbidden to be tied using a knot that requires professional expertise.4
ב
כיצד נפסקה לו רצועה וקשרה נפסק החבל וקשרו או שקשר חבל בדלי או שקשר רסן בהמה הרי זה פטור וכן כל כיוצא באלו הקשרים שהן מעשה הדיוט וכל אדם קושר אותן לקיימא. וכל קשר שאינו של קיימא אם קשרו קשר אומן הרי זה אסור
3
A woman may tie the opening of her cloak although it has two openings.5 She may tie the strands of a hairnet although it hangs loosely on her head.6
One may tie the straps of shoes and sandals that are tied around one's foot when donning them.7 One may tie pouches of wine and pouches of oil although they have two protrusions.8 One may tie a pot of meat although it is possible to remove the meat without untying the knot.9
One may tie a bucket with a linen cord, a belt or another similar entity, but not with an ordinary rope.10 One may tie a rope before an animal or tie it to an animal's foot so that it will not go out, although this involves two knots.11
If a rope is tied to a cow, one may tie it to its feeding trough. If a rope is tied to a feeding trough, one may tie it to a cow. One may not, however, bring a rope from one's home and tie it to [both] a cow and a feeding trough. If, however, one has a weaver's rope which one is permitted to carry,12 one may bring it and tie it to both the cow and the feeding trough.
[The rationale for these laws is that] all [the above] knots do not require professional expertise, nor are they intended to remain. On the contrary, a person ties them and unties them at will. Therefore, it is permitted to tie them with no compunctions.
One may untie the openings of baskets of dates and dried figs, break off or cut off the cord, take them and eat them.13
ג
קושרת אשה מפתחי החלוק אף על פי שיש לו שני פתחים. וחוטי סבכה אע"פ שהוא רפוי בראשה ורצועות מנעל וסנדל שקושרין אותן על הרגל בשעת מלבוש ונודות יין ושמן אע"פ שיש לו שתי אזנים וקדרה של בשר אע"פ שיכולה להוציא הבשר ולא תתיר הקשר. וקושרין דלי במשיחה או באבנט וכיוצא בו אבל לא בחבל. וקושרין לפני הבהמה או ברגלה בשביל שלא תצא אף על פי שיש לה שני אסרות. וחבל שהיה קשור בפרה קושרו באבוס. היה קשור באבוס קושרו בפרה. אבל לא יביא חבל מתוך ביתו ויקשור בפרה ובאבוס. ואם היה חבל גרדי שמותר לטלטלו הרי זה מביא וקושר בפרה ובאבוס. מפני שכל אלו הקשרים מעשה הדיוט הן ואינן של קיימא אלא פעם קושר ופעם מתיר ולפיכך מותר לקשור אותן לכתחלה. חותלות של תמרים ושל גרוגרות מתיר ומפקיע וחותך ונוטל ואוכל:
4
ד
כל שראוי למאכל בהמה מותר לקשור אותו בשבת. לפיכך אם נפסקה רצועת סנדלו בכרמלית נוטל גמי לח הראוי למאכל בהמה וכורך עליו וקושר הגמי. נשמטה לו רצועת מנעל וסנדל או שנשמט רוב הרגל מותר להחזיר הרצועות למקומן ובלבד שלא יקשור:
5
ה
העניבה מותרת לפי שאינה מתחלפת בקשירה. לפיכך החבל שנפסק מקבץ שני קצותיו וכורך עליו משיחה ועונב עניבה:
6
It is permissible to tie a knot that is not permanent in nature for the purpose of a mitzvah.22 For example, one may tie a knot to calibrate one of the Torah's measures.23
One may tie a harp string that snaps in the Temple,24 but not anywhere else. One may not tie a harp string for the first time on the Sabbath, even in the Temple.
ו
מותר לקשור קשר שאינו של קיימא לדבר מצוה. כגון שיקשור למדוד שיעור משיעורי התורה. נימת כנור שנפסק קושרין אותה במקדש אבל לא במדינה. ולא יקשור נימא לכתחלה אפילו במקדש:
7
ז
כל קשר שחייבין על קשורו כך חייבין על היתרו וכל קשר שהקושר אותו פטור כך המתיר אותו פטור. וכל קשר שמותר לקושרו כך מותר להתירו:
8
A person who winds together a rope from palm branches, love grass,27 strands of wool, strands of flax, strands of goat's hair or the like is liable for performing a derivative of the [forbidden] labor of tying.28
The minimum measure for which one is liable is a length of rope sufficient to remain wound without being tied, for then the work the person performed is permanent.29
Similarly, a person who unwinds cords performs a derivative of the forbidden labor of untying and is liable. [This applies] provided one's intent is not merely destructive in nature.30 The minimum measure for which one is liable is the same as that for winding a cord.
ח
הפותל חבלים מן ההוצין ומן החלף או מחוטי צמר או מחוטי פשתן או חוטי שער וכיוצא בהן הרי זה תולדת קושר וחייב. ושיעורו כדי שיעמוד החבל בפתילתו בלא קשירה שנמצאת מלאכתו מתקיימת. וכן המפריד את הפתיל הרי זה תולדת מתיר וחייב. והוא שלא יתכוין לקלקל בלבד ושיעורו כשיעור הפותל:
9
A person who sews two stitches is liable,31 provided he ties32the stitches at both ends so that they will remain and not slip out.33 If, however, one sews an additional stitch, one is liable even if one did not tie [the ends], for one's stitching will remain.
A person who pulls taut a thread used for sewing34 on the Sabbath is liable, because this activity is necessary for sewing.
ט
התופר שתי תפירות חייב. והוא שקשר ראשי החוט מכאן ומכאן כדי שתעמוד התפירה ולא תשמט. אבל אם תפר יתר על שתי תפירות אף על פי שלא קשר חייב שהרי מתקיימת התפירה. והמותח חוט של תפירה בשבת חייב מפני שהוא מצורכי התפירה.
10
A person who tears [a length of a garment] sufficient to tie two stitches35 for the sake of tying two stitches is liable.36 In contrast, one who tears with the intent to ruin is not liable, for [his activity] is destructive in nature.37
A person who tears in a fit of rage or [one who rends his garments] for the sake of a deceased person for whom he is required to rend his garments38 is liable, for by doing so he settles his mind and calms his natural inclination. Since his anger is soothed through this act, it is considered to be constructive in nature and he is liable.39
A person who makes an opening for a neck [in a garment] on the Sabbath is liable.40
י
הקורע כדי לתפור שתי תפירות על מנת לתפור שתי תפירות חייב. אבל הקורע להפסידה פטור מפני שהוא מקלקל. הקורע בחמתו או על מת שהוא חייב לקרוע עליו חייב מפני שמיישב את דעתו בדבר זה וינוח יצרו והואיל וחמתו שוככת בדבר זה הרי הוא כמתקן וחייב. והפותח בית הצואר בשבת חייב:
11
A person who attaches paper or hides together with scribe's glue and the like is liable for performing a derivative of the forbidden labor of sewing.41
Conversely, a person who separates papers or hides that are stuck together is liable for performing a derivative of the forbidden labor of tearing42 if his intent is not merely destructive.
יא
המדבק ניירות או עורות בקולן של סופרים וכיוצא בו הרי זה תולדת תופר וחייב. וכן המפרק ניירות דבוקין או עורות דבוקין ולא נתכוין לקלקל בלבד הרי זה תולדת קורע וחייב:
12
A person is liable for building even the slightest amount.43
A person who levels the floor inside a house is liable.44 Whether he lowers a raised piece of earth or fills a cavity, he is considered to be building and is liable.
When one person places down a stone and another the mortar, the one who places down the mortar is liable.45 For the highest row [of stones], one is liable merely for lifting up the stone and placing it on the mortar, since other mortar is not placed upon it.
A person who builds on a base of utensils is not liable.46
יב
הבונה כל שהוא חייב. המשוה פני הקרקע בבית כגון שהשפיל תל או מילא גומא או גיא הרי זה בונה וחייב. אחד נתן את האבן ואחד נתן את הטיט הנותן הטיט חייב. ובנדבך העליון אפילו העלה את האבן והניחה על גבי הטיט חייב. שהרי אין מניחין עליה טיט אחר. והבונה על גבי כלים פטור:
13
A person who erects a permanent tent is liable for performing a derivative47 [of the forbidden labor] of building.48
Similarly, a person who fashions an earthenware utensil - e.g., an oven or a jug - before they are fired [in a kiln] is liable for performing a derivative [of the forbidden labor] of building.49
Similarly, one who makes cheese performs a derivative [of the forbidden labor] of building.50 One is not liable until one makes an amount of cheese equivalent to the size of a dried fig.51
A person who inserts the blade of an axe onto its handle or one who performs any similar activity performs a derivative [of the forbidden labor] of building. Similarly, one who attaches one piece of wood to another, whether he attaches them with a nail or by inserting one piece of wood into another until they become a single entity, is liable for performing a derivative [of the forbidden labor] of building.52
יג
העושה אהל קבוע הרי זה תולדת בונה וחייב. וכן העושה כלי אדמה כגון תנור וחבית קודם שישרפו הרי זה תולדת בונה וחייב. וכן המגבן את הגבינה הרי זה תולדת בונה. ואינו חייב עד שיגבן כגרוגרת. המכניס יד הקרדום בתוך העץ שלו הרי זה תולדת בונה וכן כל כיוצא בו. וכן התוקע עץ בעץ בין שתקע במסמר בין שתקע בעץ עצמו עד שנתאחד הרי זה תולדת בונה וחייב:
14
A person who makes even the slightest hole in a chicken coop to let light in is liable for building.53
A person who returns a door of a well, a cistern, or a wing of a building [to its place] is liable for building.54
יד
העושה נקב כל שהוא בלול של תרנגולים כדי שיכנס להן האורה חייב משום בונה. המחזיר דלת של בור ושל דות ושל יציע חייב משום בונה:
15
A person who demolishes even the slightest amount is liable, provided he demolishes with the intent to build.55 If his intent in demolishing is merely destructive, he is not liable.56
A person who demolishes a permanent tent or separates a piece of wood attached to another is liable for performing a derivative [of the forbidden labor] of demolishing, provided his intent is to improve it [afterwards].57
טו
הסותר כל שהוא חייב. והוא שיסתור על מנת לבנות. אבל אם סתר דרך השחתה פטור. הסותר אהל קבוע או שפרק עץ תקוע הרי זה תולדת סותר וחייב והוא שיתכוין לתקן:
16
A person who gives the [final] blow with a hammer is liable. [Similarly,] a person who performs any activity that represents the completion of a task is liable for performing a derivative of dealing [the final] hammer blow.58
What is implied? A person who blows a glass vessel,59 one makes a design, or even a portion of a design, on a utensil,60 one who planes61 [the edges of a utensil],62 one who makes a hole of even the smallest size in a piece of wood, a building, a piece of metal, or a utensil is liable for performing a derivative of dealing [the final] hammer blow.
One is not liable for making [a hole] unless it can be used to bring in and bring out.63
טז
המכה בפטיש הכאה אחת חייב. וכל העושה דבר שהוא גמר מלאכה הרי זה תולדת מכה בפטיש וחייב. כיצד המנפח בכלי זכוכית והצר בכלי צורה אפילו מקצת הצורה והמגרד כל שהוא והעושה נקב כל שהוא בין בעץ בין במתכת בין בבנין בין בכלים הרי זה תולדת מכה בפטיש וחייב. וכל פתח שאינו עשוי להכניס ולהוציא אין חייבין על עשייתו:
17
A person who pierces a blister on the Sabbath to widen the opening of the wound, as physicians do, with the intent of widening the opening of the wound is liable for performing [a derivative of] dealing [the final] hammer blow,64 for this is a labor performed by a physician.
If one pierced it to remove its pus, [the act] is permitted.65
יז
המפיס שחין בשבת כדי להרחיב פי המכה כדרך שהרופאין עושין שהן מתכוונין ברפואה להרחיב פי המכה הרי זה חייב משום מכה בפטיש שזו היא מלאכת הרופא. ואם הפיסה להוציא ממנה הליחה שבה הרי זה מותר:
18
One who files a stone66 to even the slightest degree is liable for performing [a derivative of] dealing [the final] hammer blow. A person who aligns a stone in the foundation of a building, adjusting its position with his hands and settling it in its proper place,67 is liable for performing [a derivative of] dealing [the final] hammer blow.
A person who removes threads, straws, or splinters of wood68 from a garment by hand - for example, the splinters that are found in woolen garments - is liable for performing [a derivative of] dealing [the final] hammer blow. [This applies] provided the person is disturbed by them.69 If, however, he removes them as a matter of course, [without thinking,]70 he is not liable.71
יח
המסתת את האבן כל שהוא חייב משום מכה בפטיש. המצדד את האבן ביסוד הבנין ותקנה בידו והושיבה במקום הראוי לה חייב משום מכה בפטיש. הלוקט יבולת שעל גבי בגדים בידו כגון אלו היבולות שבכלי צמר חייב משום מכה בפטיש. והוא שיקפיד עליהן. אבל אם הסירן דרך עסק הרי זה פטור. המנער טלית חדשה שחורה כדי לנאותה ולהסיר הצמר הלבן הנתלה בה כדרך שהאומנין עושין חייב חטאת. ואם אינו מקפיד מותר:
19
A person who traps a living creature from a species that is common to trap75 - e.g., beasts, fowl,76 or fish - is liable77provided he traps them in a place where no further efforts are required to trap them.
What is implied? One chased after a deer until one caused it to enter a room,78 a garden, or a courtyard, and one locked it inside, one caused a fowl to fly into a closet and locked it, one removed a fish from the sea and placed it in a bowl of water. [In all these instances,] the person is liable.79
If, however, a person caused a bird to fly into a room and locked it, caused a fish to swim from the sea into a pool of water, or chased a deer until he caused it to enter a large hall, and locked it, he is not liable. [The living creature] is not completely trapped, for if he to desired to take it, he would have to chase it and trap it in [this new place].80 Therefore, a person who traps a lion is not liable until he causes it to enter the pen in which it will be enclosed.
יט
הצד דבר שדרך מינו לצוד אותו חייב. כגון חיה ועופות ודגים. והוא שיצוד אותן למקום שאינו מחוסר צידה. כיצד כגון שרדף אחרי צבי עד שהכניסו לבית או לגינה או לחצר ונעל בפניו. או שהפריח את העוף עד שהכניסו למגדל ונעל בפניו. או ששלה דגים מן הים בתוך ספל של מים הרי זה חייב. אבל אם הפריח צפור לבית ונעל בפניו. או שהבריח דג ועקרו מן הים לבריכה של מים. או שרדף אחר צבי עד שנכנס לטרקלין רחב ונעל בפניו הרי זה פטור. שאין זו צידה גמורה שאם יבא לקחתו צריך לרדוף אחריו ולצוד אותו משם. לפיכך הצד ארי אינו חייב עד שיכניסנו לכיפה שלו שהוא נאסר בה:
20
[The following] - a place in which if a person ran, he could reach the animal in a single movement,81 and a place so narrow that the shadow of both walls would merge in the middle - are considered to be small places. If one chased a deer or the like into such a place, one is liable. If a place is larger than this, a person who chases an animal or a fowl into it is not liable.
כ
כל מקום שאם ירוץ בו יגיע לחיה בשחיה אחת ,או שהיו הכתלים קרובין זה לזה עד שיפול צל שניהם לאמצע כאחד הרי זה מקום קטן. ואם הבריח הצבי וכיוצא בו לתוכו חייב. ומקום שהוא גדול מזה המבריח חיה ועוף לתוכו פטור:
21
[The following principle applies regarding] the eight creeping animals mentioned in the Torah82 and similarly, other creeping animals and crawling things:83 When a species is usually trapped, a person who traps any one of them - whether for a purpose, or without a purpose, even merely for the sake of sport - is liable, since he intended to trap and actually did so.84 A person is liable for performing a [forbidden] labor even if he has no need for the actual labor he performed.85
A person who traps an animal that is sleeping or a blind animal is liable.86
כא
אחד שמנה שרצים האמורין בתורה ואחד שאר שקצים ורמשים שיש למינן צידה הצד אחד מכולן בין לצורך בין שלא לצורך או לשחק בהן חייב הואיל ונתכוון לצוד וצד. שמלאכה שאינה צריכה לגופה חייב עליה. הצד את הישן ואת הסומא חייב:
22
When a person sends out dogs to trap deer, rabbits, and the like, the deer flees because of the dog,87 and the person chases after the deer or stands before it and as such, frightens it so that the dog can catch it,88 he is liable for [performing] a derivative [of the forbidden labor] of trapping.89 The same applies with regard to [trapping] fowl.
כב
המשלח כלבים כדי שיצודו צבאים וארנבים וכיוצא בהן וברח הצבי מפני הכלב והיה הוא רודף אחר הצבי או שעמד בפניו והבהילו עד שהגיע הכלב ותפשו הרי זה תולדת הצד וחייב. וכן העושה כדרך הזו בעופות:
23
When a deer enters a room and one person closes90 it, the latter is liable.91 If two people close it, they are not liable. If the door cannot be closed by a single person and they both close it, they are both liable.92
When one person sat in the entrance and did not block it, and a second person sat down and blocked it, the second person is liable.93
When the one person blocks the entrance when he sits down, and a second person sits down next to him [in a manner that also obstructs the entrance], the first person [alone] is liable.94 [This applies] even if he later rises and leaves, [and the second person remains blocking the entrance],95 for the second person has not done anything. He is permitted to remain seated in the doorway until the evening and then take the deer.96 To what could this be compared? To one who locks his house to protect it and finds a trapped deer inside.97
If a fowl enters under the edge of a person's clothes, he may [continue] sitting and watch it until nightfall.98 It is [then] permitted [to take it].
כג
צבי שנכנס לבית ונעל אחד בפניו חייב. נעלוהו שנים פטורין. אם אין אחד יכול לנעול ונעלוהו שנים חייבין. ישב אחד על הפתח ולא מלאהו וישב השני ומלאהו השני חייב. ישב הראשון ומלאהו ובא השני וישב בצדו אף על פי שעמד הראשון והלך לו הראשון חייב והשני לא עשה כלום ומותר לו לישב במקומו עד הערב ולוקח הצבי. למה זה דומה לנועל ביתו לשומרו ונמצא צבי שמור בתוכו שלא עשה כלום. נכנסה לו צפור תחת כנפיו יושב ומשמרה עד שתחשך ומותר:
24
A person who traps a deer that is old, limping, sick, or small is not liable.99
A person who releases an animal, a beast, or a fowl from a trap is not liable.100 A person who traps a beast or a fowl that is in his domain - e.g., ducks, chickens, or doves from a cote - is not liable.101 A person who traps a living being whose species is not usually trapped - e.g., locusts,102 wild bees, hornets, mosquitoes, fleas, and the like - is not liable.103
כד
הצד צבי זקן או חיגר או חולה או קטן פטור. המפרק בהמה חיה ועוף מן המצודה פטור. הצד חיה ועוף שברשותו כגון אווזין ותרנגולין ויוני (*עלייה) פטור. הצד דבר שאין במינו צידה כגון חגבים הגזין צרעין ויתושין ופרעושין וכיוצא באלו הרי זה פטור:
25
Crawling beasts that are dangerous - e.g., snakes, scorpions and the like - may be trapped104 on the Sabbath. [This leniency is granted] even when they are not deadly, but merely bite, provided one's intent is to prevent [someone from] being bitten.105
What should one do? Place a utensil over them, cover them with something, or tie them so they cannot cause damage.
כה
רמשים המזיקין כגון נחשים ועקרבים וכיוצא בהן אע"פ שאינן ממיתין הואיל ונושכין מותר לצוד אותם בשבת. והוא שיתכוין להנצל מנשיכתן. כיצד הוא עושה כופה כלי עליהן או מקיף עליהן או קושרן כדי שלא יזיקו
FOOTNOTES
1.
A knot that requires professional expertise and cannot be tied by an untrained person.
2.
The fishermen who would catch chilazonthat were necessary for the construction of the Sanctuary would tie their nets with special knots that required professional expertise. Similarly, these knots were intended to remain permanently. Therefore, tying such a knot is considered a category of forbidden labor.
It must be emphasized that Rashi and Rabbenu Asher do not accept the criteria mentioned here by the Rambam (which are based on the Halachot of Rabbenu Yitzchak Alfasi from Shabbat 111b). They maintain that tying a knot with the intention that it remain permanently causes one to be liable if the knot is strong enough to remain, even though tying the knot does not require professional expertise.
The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 317:1) follows the Rambam's perspective. The Ramah, however, rules according to the view of Rashi and Rabbenu Asher.
3.
According to Rashi and Rabbenu Asher, one would be liable for tying such knots.
4.
Rabbi Yosef Korcus explains the difference between the two clauses of this halachah. Since the knots mentioned in the first clause are intended to last permanently, one would think that one is liable. Therefore, the Rambam emphasizes that one is not.
By contrast, since the knots mentioned in the second clause are not intended to last permanently, one would think that it is permitted to tie them. Hence, the Rambam emphasizes that this is forbidden.
5.
This law - and most of the subsequent clauses of this halachah - are based on Shabbat 15:2. In each of the clauses, the Rambam (based on the Talmud) further develops the concepts stated in the Mishnah.
In this instance, Shabbat 112a explains that such a cloak had two straps, each one extending from one corner of the garment to the other. Since a woman could remove the garment by untying only one strap and slipping it over her head, there is reason to think that one of the knots would be considered as permanent, and therefore forbidden to be tied on the Sabbath. Nevertheless, this hypothesis is not accepted, and tying and untying both knots is permitted.
6.
Shabbat (loc. cit.) relates that these nets are also tied to a woman's hair. Hence, since the net is not tight fitting, it could be slipped off without untying it. Thus one might consider the knot as permanent. Nevertheless, since usually, these nets are untied, there is no difficulty in tying them.
7.
Since they will be untied when the shoes are removed, tying them is permitted.
8.
Shabbat (loc. cit.) explains that the pouches were tied at each of these protrusions. Although the liquid could be removed by opening only one of them, neither of the knots is considered to be permanent, because it was customary to open both knots, for then the liquids flowed more freely.
9.
Shabbat (loc. cit.) states that although the food could be removed from the pot without untying the knot, we do not consider the knot permanent. We assume that the people will follow the usual practice and untie the knots before opening the pot.
10.
It is forbidden to tie a bucket with an ordinary rope, because it is likely that one will leave the rope there permanently. A linen cord, a belt, or another similar entity is not really fit for this purpose. Hence, it is probable that one will untie it after using it (Maggid Mishneh, based on Shabbat 113a).
Even though the Rambam would maintain that tying an ordinary rope to a bucket does not make one liable according to Torah law, there is still reason for this additional decree.
11.
The animal's owner closed the stall by tying a rope before it, tying it to both ends of the entrance (or, according to other commentaries, by tying two ropes). Although the stall could be opened by untying only one knot, we do not assume that the rope(s) will be left there permanently (Shabbat 112b).
12.
This phrase is the key to the Rambam's understanding of this law (which is based on Shabbat 113a). Since tying the animal does not necessitate using a knot that requires professional expertise, the Rambam would not consider it prohibited according to Torah law. And as the Rambam states, since the intention is not to leave the animal tied permanently, there is no reason for even a Rabbinic prohibition. Nevertheless, since it is forbidden to use a rope on the Sabbath unless it was designated for use beforehand, one may not bring a rope from home. If one tied the rope to the animal or to the feeding trough before the commencement of the Sabbath, however, it is obvious that one intended to use it on the Sabbath.
13.
Shabbat 146a explains that dates and dried figs were strung on a cord and placed in palm branch baskets. One may untie the baskets and cut the cords and eat the fruit.
14.
Other substances fit for tying would be muktzeh, forbidden to be carried on the Sabbath.
15.
In his Commentary on the Mishnah (Shabbat 24:5), the Rambam explains that a reed will never be used to tie a permanent knot.
16.
This halachah is based on Shabbat 112a, which relates that Rav Yirmiyah saw Rabbi Abahu act in this manner when his sandal strap snapped on the Sabbath. That narrative took place in a carmelit.
The Talmud continues mentioning a situation where Abbaye's sandal strap snapped in a private courtyard and Rav Yosef forbade him to employ a similar technique. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 308:15) mentions both these rulings.
17.
In his gloss on the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 317:2), the Ramah mentions that this is permitted only when it does not involve much effort.
18.
The Magen Avraham 317:8 states that were one to tie a knot, it would be forbidden, because we can assume that the knot would be left permanently.
19.
The Ramah (Orach Chayim 317:5) states that one may even tie a single knot with a loop above it, provided one does not intend to leave it permanently. See Shulchan Aruch HaRav 317:3, Mishnah Berurah317:29.
20.
I.e., there is no reason to decree that a loop is forbidden, lest one tie a knot.
21.
The Kessef Mishneh objects to the Rambam's decision, noting that Shabbat113a states that if one employs a linen cord, one may tie a knot, but if one employs a rope, one must tie a loop. In his Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 317:4), Rav Yosef Karo rules according to his understanding of that passage.
Yad David and others reconcile the Rambam's wording, explaining that he means "wind a linen cord around it, or tie it [i.e., the rope itself] with a loop."
22.
In his Commentary on the Mishnah (Shabbat 24:5), the Rambam states that leniency was granted with regard to tying knots that are intended to remain permanently if they are tied for the sake of a mitzvah on the Sabbath. Rashi, by contrast maintains that the Mishnah grants leniency with regard to measuring alone and not with regard to tying knots that are not temporary in nature.
On this basis, this halachah must be interpreted to mean that one is allowed to tie knots that will not remain permanently, even with a knot that requires professional expertise, or a knot that is intended to remain for an extended period if it does not require professional expertise. (See the Be'ur Halachah 317.)
23.
The concluding Mishnah in the tractate of Shabbat states that "In the days of Rabbi Tzadok's father and Abba Shaul ben Botnit, they... tied a cup with a reed to ascertain whether a vat possessed an opening that was a handbreadth in size."
24.
This is not considered a permanent knot, because we assume that after the Sabbath it will be changed. There are opinions in the Talmud (Eruvin 102b) that permit only a loop to be tied. Based on the p rinciple, "Restrictions in the category of sh'vut are not enforced in the Temple," the Rambam, however, chooses the more lenient view (Kessef Mishneh, Or Sameach).
25.
Just as tying is one of the 39 categories of forbidden labor, so is untying. Accordingly, all the principles described above concerning tying apply with regard to untying.
26.
Tosafot (Shabbat 73a) states that one is liable only when one unties with the intent of retying, for this was the practice of the chilazon fishermen in the construction of the Sanctuary. Significantly, the Rambam does not mention that requirement. Rashi (Shabbat 74b) rules more stringently, holding one liable even when one does not have the intent of retying the knot immediately. Needless to say, even according to Rashi's view, one must untie the knot for a positive purpose.
27.
Our translation is based on Rav Kapach's version of the Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah (Keilim 17:17).
28.
The commentaries question why this activity is not considered a derivative of the forbidden labor of spinning thread. The Migdal Oz resolves this question by citing as a source the Jerusalem Talmud, Shabbat 15:1. That passage relates that an experienced tailor connects two ends of a thread together by undoing their twine, and then rewinding them. Since the tailor's object is to connect the two ends, the activity is considered a derivative of tying.
29.
See Chapter 9, Halachah 13 and Halachah 1 of this chapter.
30.
See Chapter 1, Halachot 17-18.
31.
This is one of the 39 categories of forbidden labor.
32.
Many of the commentaries question why the Rambam does not mention that the person is also liable for tying. It would appear, however, that this knot does not require professional expertise. Furthermore, sewing and not tying, is the subject of the Rambam's statements here.
33.
Only if the stitches are tied at both ends will they remain permanently. Rav Kapach notes that in Hilchot Kilayim 10:24, the Rambam does not require the two stitches to be attached for one to be liable for sha'atnez, echoing a similar ruling of the Mishnah (Kilayim 9:10).
Rav Kapach explains that the obligations of the two prohibitions differ. With regard to sha'atnez, there is no requirement that wool and linen be permanently attached for one to be liable. In contrast, if the forbidden activity one performs on the Sabbath is not lasting in nature, one is not liable.
34.
After one sews several stitches, one pulls the thread taut (Shabbat 75a).
35.
Our translation is based on the gloss of Rabbi Akiva Eiger.
36.
This is one of the 39 categories of forbidden labor. Although this activity was performed in the Sanctuary for this purpose, the Rambam maintains that a person who performs a מלאכה שאינה צריכה לגופה is liable. Therefore, he maintains that one is liable even if he tears for other purposes. The Mishnah (Shabbat 7:2), however, describes this forbidden labor as "one who tears to sew two stitches."
37.
See Chapter 1, Halachot 17-18.
38.
The Rambam discusses the obligation to rend one's garments over a deceased person in Hilchot Eivel, Chapters 8 and 9.
39.
See Chapter 8, Halachah 8, and notes.
40.
The Merkevet HaMishnah states that this refers to simply opening up a place for the head in a garment. Since the Rambam maintains that a person who performs a מלאכה שאינה צריכה לגופה is liable, he maintains that a person is liable for cutting such an opening even if he does not sew it.
Rashi (Shabbat 48a) states that one is liable for this activity for performing a derivative of the forbidden category of labor מכה בפטיש, making an entity ready for use. (Rashi cannot hold one liable for tearing, since he differs with the Rambam and maintains that a person who performs a מלאכה שאינה צריכה לגופה is not liable.)
The latter interpretation is reflected in the statements of Rabbenu Avraham, the Rambam's son, quoted in the Ma'aseh Rokeach, which explain that after a garment was completed, the neck was sewed up with temporary stitches to show that it was never worn. When the purchaser desired to put on the garment, these stitches were undone. See also Shulchan Aruch and Ramah (Orach Chayim 317:3).
41.
For just as a person who sews, he attaches two entities to each other.
42.
See the Magen Avraham 340:18, which states that the entities one separates must have been attached to each other with the intent of remaining permanently. Based on a similar rationale, the Chacham Tzvi(Responsum 39) does not hold one liable for opening an envelope, since the flap is not intended to remain permanently closed.
There is a common application of this principle today: the use of disposable baby diapers. Since the flap is not intended to remain permanently closed, fastening it or unfastening it is not considered as related to the forbidden labors of sewing and tearing.
43.
This is one of the 39 categories of forbidden labor. One is liable for even the smallest act of construction, because if there was even the slightest nick or hole in one of the walls of the Sanctuary, hot lead would be poured into it to fill it (Shabbat 102b).
44.
For building, since with this activity, he prepares the building's floor. As mentioned in Chapter 8, Halachah 1, a person who performs this activity in a field is liable for plowing.
Significantly, based on Rashi (Eruvin 104a), Shulchan Aruch HaRav 313:24 also holds one liable for performing a derivative of building when one levels the ground in one's yard.
45.
Without the mortar, the stones would not hold in place.
46.
As the source for this halachah, the Maggid Mishneh points to the following passage from the Jerusalem Talmud (Shabbat 7:2, 12:1):
Where was [the forbidden labor of] building found in the Sanctuary? In the placement of the boards in their sockets.Is this meant to imply that building on a base of utensils is considered building? The sockets are considered as the ground.
From this passage, it is clear that building on a base of utensils is not considered to be building according to Torah law. Note that this law refers to constructing a building by using a utensil as a base. The discussion of whether fashioning a utensil or connecting its parts is a derivative of the forbidden labor of building is discussed in the following halachah and notes.
47.
The commentaries question why the erection of a tent is merely given the status of a derivative and is not considered to be a מעין מלאכה of the forbidden labor of building. The P'nei Yehoshua (Sukkah 16b) explains that a building is a stable structure, while a tent is far more fragile in nature.
The Even HaEzel explains that building involves two actions:
a) joining separate entities into a single whole;
b) spreading a roof over a structure.
Constructing a structure - or part of a structure - which contains both these actions is considered to be building proper. If either - but only one - of the two is involved, the act is deemed a derivative. Thus, erecting a tent is considered a derivative, because it involves spreading a roof, and making cheese is considered a derivative, because it involves joining separate entities into a single whole.
48.
Significantly, neither in this halachah nor in Chapter 22, Halachah 27, when he mentions the Rabbinic prohibition against erecting a temporary tent does the Rambam explain whether the concept of permanence depends on the strength of the structure or the intent of the builder. It appears that he relies on his statements in Chapter 9, Halachah 13, "Whenever one performs a labor that does not have a permanent effect on the Sabbath, one is not liable." (See the notes on that halachah.)
49.
Beitzah 22a relates a difference of opinion between the School of Hillel and the School of Shammai. The School of Shammai maintains that one is liable for performing a derivative of the forbidden labor of building when fashioning a utensil, while the School of Hillel rejects this thesis: "There is no [concept of] building with regard to utensils."
There is, however, a difference of opinion between the Rabbis about the interpretation of this statement. Rashi understands the statement simply. Fashioning a utensil can never be a derivative of building. One is liable for making a utensil, but one's liability stems from the forbidden labor of מכה בפטיש, completing a utensil. This view is shared by Rav Hai Gaon, Rabbenu Yitzchak Alfasi (according to Rabbenu Nissim), and others.
As obvious from this halachah, the Rambam differs and maintains that one is liable for building when fashioning a utensil. The leniency mentioned by the School of Hillel refers only to putting together a utensil that is made up of several component parts. [This is, however, forbidden by Rabbinic decree, because it resembles building (Chapter 22, Halachah 26).] Fashioning a new utensil, by contrast, is surely considered a derivative of building.
This latter opinion is shared by Tosafot(Shabbat 74b), the Ramban, the Rashba, and others. It is also accepted by the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 314:1).
50.
See Chapter 7, Halachah 6.
51.
Although one is liable for building even the slightest amount, with regard to this derivative the minimum measure for which one is liable is the size of a dried fig - the minimum measure associated with the labors related to food. Unless one makes an amount of cheese that size, one's activity is not significant at all.
52.
The Rambam discusses the Rabbinic prohibitions associated with this activity in Chapter 22, Halachah 25. (See also the discussion of the issue in the Shulchan Aruch [Orach Chayim 313:9] and commentaries.)
53.
Note that in Halachah 16, the Rambam states that one who makes a hole in a building is liable for performing a derivative of the forbidden labor of מכה בפטיש. Similarly, in Chapter 23, Halachah 1, he states that a person who makes a hole in a chicken coop for the sake of letting light in and letting foul air out is liable for performing a derivative of the forbidden labor of מכה בפטיש.
Among the resolutions offered is that in addition to being liable for מכה בפטיש, one is liable for building (Lechem Mishneh). Alternatively, in this halachah, the Rambam mentions making a hole of any size, while in Chapter 23, he mentions making an opening, implying that it is of a larger size, and only then is one liable for מכה בפטיש (Sefer HaKovetz).
54.
These doors serve as part of the floor of the building. Therefore, putting them in place is a derivative of building. (See also Chapter 22, Halachah 25, and the commentary of the Maggid Mishneh.)
55.
Whenever the encampment of the Jewish people moved, the Sanctuary was taken down and then reconstructed in the new camp (Shabbat 31b).
The commentaries note that in Chapter 1, Halachah 18, the Rambam mentions that one is liable for "demolishing to build in its place," while in this halachah, the words "in its place" are not mentioned.
56.
As mentioned in Chapter 1, Halachah 17, one is not liable for performing any forbidden labor with merely a destructive intent. Nevertheless, as mentioned in Chapter 8, Halachah 8, if one destroys with the intent of venting one's anger, one is liable. Seemingly, the Rambam should have mentioned this point in this context as well.
57.
The Maggid Mishneh explains that the Rambam's intent is to illustrate how one is liable for demolishing for performing the converse of every positive activity for which one is liable for building.
Perhaps the Rambam's wording also alludes to the concept that a person is liable only when he demolishes a structure that is strong enough to last. If the structure he demolishes is not that sturdy, he is not liable. See Shulchan Aruch HaRav 313:19.
58.
In his Commentary on the Mishnah (Shabbat 7:2), in definition of this category of forbidden labor, the Rambam writes:
A person who beats [an article] with a hammer, even at the c onclusion of the work as the craftsmen do. They strike very light blows to straighten the surface of a utensil.... Therefore, every activity involved in fashioning and completing a utensil, planing it, polishing it, and making it attractive are all derivatives of dealing [the final] hammer blow.This is what [our Sages implied with] their statement (Shabbat 75b), "For any activity that constitutes the completion of a task, one is liable for dealing [the final] hammer blow."
59.
Tosafot, Shabbat 74b, asks: Since glass utensils are fashioned by blowing, why is one not liable for building as one is for making any other vessel? (See Halachah 13.) Indeed, the Jerusalem Talmud (Shabbat 7:2) holds a person who blows a glass utensil liable for performing that forbidden labor.
The Yesodei Yeshurun and Rav Kapach point out that Rashi (Shabbat 75b) explains that the activity referred to involves cutting a glass utensil by exposing it to a current of air. This is also implied by the Hebrew words המנפח בכלי זכוכית - "one who blows at a glass utensil."
60.
If, however, one makes a drawing or a design on a paper (or on a similar substance), one is liable for performing a derivative of writing or dyeing (Jerusalem Talmud, Shabbat 7:2). (See also Chapter 11, Halachah 17, and Be'ur Halachah 340.)
61.
The Maggid Mishneh in his gloss on Chapter 11, Halachah 7, renders the term used in our halachah as מגרר, "scrape."
62.
See also Chapter 23, Halachah 4.
63.
I.e., to cause one to be held liable, any opening must be fit to be used as an entrance through which entities are brought in, and an exit through which entities are taken out.
64.
The Ra'avad, Rashi (Shabbat 107a), and others maintain that performing this activity is a derivative of the labor of building. The Ziv HaMishnah explains the Rambam's position, focusing on the words "for this is a labor performed by a physician" - i.e., one i s not building a structure, but completing a specific labor that physicians perform.
65.
I.e., one may perform the act without any compunctions (Shabbat 107a). Although the Rambam's ruling is quoted by the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 328:28), Shulchan Aruch HaRav 328:32 and the Mishnah Berurah 328:88 suggest that it is preferable to have this act performed by a gentile.
According to Rashi and many other authorities, this activity is permitted, because it is a מלאכה שאינה צריכה לגופה. Although generally there would be a Rabbinic prohibition against such an act, in this instance, no prohibition was enforced because of the suffering involved.
This explanation is, however, untenable for the Rambam, for as explained in Chapter 1, Halachah 7, he holds one liable for performing a מלאכה שאינה צריכה לגופה. Among the explanations given for the Rambam's position is that in removing the pus one does not complete the task involved, for an opening sufficient to be useful for another purpose has not been made (Maggid Mishneh). Similarly, Sefer HaBatim explains that in removing the pus, the person thinks only of relieving his pain and does not have any intent of making an opening. Thus the situation differs from the examples stated in Chapter 1, where the person performed the forbidden activity intentionally.
See also the commentary of Rav Chayim Soloveichik who explains that this decision is not dependent on the principle of מלאכה ש אינה צריכה לגופה, but rather on the concept of אינו מתכווין (see Chapter 1, Halachot 5-6) that a person who performs an activity which unintentionally causes a forbidden labor to be performed is not liable.
Although the Rambam agrees that when it is certain that one's actions will result in the performance of a forbidden labor, one is liable, the latter principle does not apply when one does not appreciate the results of the performance of the forbidden labor (פםיק רישא דלא ניחא ליה). In such an instance, the Rambam follows the opinion of the Aruch who maintains that one is not liable.
66.
Our translation is based on the Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah (Shabbat12:1), where he explains that this refers to "smoothing it with a tool known to be used for this purpose." Rashi (Shabbat 102b) renders this term as "chisel."
67.
The Or Sameach (based on Shabbat 102b) states that this applies only in setting the stones of a building's foundation, and not those of its walls.
One might ask: Why is the person who performs this activity not liable for building (see Rashi and Tosafot, Shabbat, loc. cit.)? It is possible to explain that it goes without saying that the Rambam would hold such an individual liable for building, the new concept taught by this halachah is that he is also liable for dealing [the final] hammer blow.
68.
Our translation is based on the commentary of Rabbenu Chanan'el on Shabbat 75b.
69.
The Kessef Mishneh explains that this means that the person removes them from the garment with the intention of making it more attractive, even though he could wear the garment while they are still adhering to it. This interpretation is quoted by Shulchan Aruch HaRav 302:7 and the Mishnah Berurah 302:10.
70.
As explained in Chapter 1, Halachah 11, a person is not liable for performing a forbidden activity as a מתעסק - i.e., without consciously controlling his behavior. In this instance as well, it is common for people to pick at their clothes, without giving the matter any thought at all.
71.
It is, nevertheless, forbidden according to Rabbinic decree (Shulchan Aruch HaRav302:6, Mishnah Berurah 302:11).
72.
The early manuscripts and printings of the Mishneh Torah state הציהוב הלבן. Based on the dictionary of Rabbi Tanchum of Jerusalem, this term is interpreted to mean "bright white threads."
73.
Based on Shabbat 147a, the Ra'avad, Rashi, and others, interpret this as shaking dew from a new garment, and the activity being a derivative of the forbidden labor of whitening. This interpretation is accepted by the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 302:1).
74.
Rav Sa'adiah Adana explains that according to the general principles the Rambam outlined in the beginning of the text, it would have been sufficient for him to state "is liable," as is his practice throughout the text. Nevertheless, in this instance he quotes the Sages' expression (Shabbat 147a), "is liable for a sin offering"; because of the nature of the activity, one might think that one is liable only for stripes for rebelliousness, the punishment given for violating a Rabbinic decree.
75.
See Halachah 24, where the Rambam mentions some of the species not included in this category.
76.
The commentaries note that Shabbat 106b differentiates between a צפור דרור - a swallow - and other fowl. On this basis, the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 316:1) states that other birds are also considered trapped when enclosed in houses, and it is only a swallow - because it is small - that must be trapped in a closet.
The Merkevet HaMishneh and others explain that Rabbenu Yitzchak Alfasi and the Rambam interpret the conclusion of that Talmudic passage as indicating that there is no difference between one type of fowl and another. It is too difficult to trap any bird when enclosed in a house.
77.
This is one of the 39 categories of forbidden labor.
78.
The Hebrew בית usually means house. Here, however, it refers to a one-room structure.
79.
The commentaries explain that a deer is trapped even when there are open windows and when there is no roof.
80.
See Hilchot Sh'vitat Yom Tov 2:7, where the Rambam develops this principle.
81.
The Maggid Mishneh states that this means "without having to pause."
82.
Leviticus 11:29. See Chapter 8, Halachah 9, for a definition of the species referred to.
83.
The distinction between the eight species mentioned in the Torah and other crawling animals is relevant within the context of the Mishnah, Shabbat 14:1, which follows the view of Rabbi Shimon that one is not held liable for performing a [forbidden] labor when he has no need for the actual labor he performed. Hence, it is necessary to differentiate between the eight species mentioned in the Torah (which are generally trapped for their hides) and other crawling animals when that is not necessarily the case.
84.
This ruling depends on the principle stated by the Rambam immediately afterwards, that one is held liable for performing a [forbidden] labor when he has no need for the actual labor he performed.
85.
This subject, referred to as a מלאכה שאינה צריכה לגופה in Hebrew, is discussed at length in Chapter 1, Halachah 7. As mentioned, there are many authorities who differ with the Rambam's opinion on this issue.
86.
As obvious from Halachah 24, a person who traps an animal that is physically disabled is not liable. Shabbat 106b differentiates between the animals mentioned in that halachah and those mentioned in this halachah as follows: An animal that is sleeping or blind is sensitive to man's steps. Unless he approaches stealthily, the animal will be startled and flee. In contrast, those mentioned in Halachah 24 will not be able to escape capture.
87.
Note the Maggid Mishneh, who quotes Rabbenu Chanan'el's commentary, which explains this as a continuation of the concepts mentioned in the previous halachah. Rashi (Shabbat 106b) interprets the passage differently. (See the Be'ur Halachah 316.)
88.
The Ramah (Orach Chayim 316:2) emphasizes that even during the week, this behavior is undesirable. In his Darchei Moshe, he emphasizes that such cruelty will prevent a person from participating in the feast of the Leviathan in the era of the redemption.
89.
The Magen Avraham 316:4 emphasizes that if the person merely sends out the dogs and is not personally involved in the deer's capture, he is not held liable at all. There is, however, a Rabbinic prohibition involved.
90.
Here, we have chosen to translate the Hebrew נעל as "close," rather than "lock." Closing the door is sufficient to confine the deer inside and cause one to be liable for trapping it.
91.
Although he did not actively pursue the deer into the room, since it becomes trapped through his deed, he is responsible.
92.
This halachah illustrates the principle stated in Chapter 1, Halachot 15- 16:
Whenever two people share in the performance of a [forbidden] labor that one of them could have performed by himself, they are [both] free of liability.... When, however, a single individual cannot perform [the forbidden labor] alone and must be joined by others, [all the individuals involved are held liable].
See Sefer HaKovetz and others for explanations why this is not a mere reiteration of the principles stated previously.
93.
The first person's act did not obstruct the deer's escape, while the second person's did. Although the first person assisted the second, since his assistance was passive - he did absolutely nothing - he does not share in the liability. Furthermore, as the Rambam states in his Commentary on the Mishnah (Shabbat 13:7), he is permitted to remain seated.
94.
For he completed the capture of the animal by sitting down. This is a fait acccompli to which the second person adds nothing.
95.
Without moving.
96.
He may not, however, take the deer on the Sabbath itself. Although it is already trapped, it is muktzeh, forbidden to be handled. (See Chapter 25, Halachah 26.)
97.
In this instance, we have translated the Hebrew נע ל as "lock" rather than "close" as above. Were a person to close the door and thus trap the deer, he would be liable. The Rambam is speaking of a situation where the deer was trapped previously (in the analogy, by the first person) and then locked in (blocked further by the second person).
98.
In this instance as well, it is forbidden to take the bird on the Sabbath because it is muktzeh.
99.
As explained in the notes on Halachah 21, one is not liable for trapping these creatures, because no real effort is required in doing so.
100.
The Maggid Mishneh questions why the Rambam uses the term "is not liable," which implies that it is forbidden to do so by Rabbinic decree. What prohibition is there in releasing an animal from a trap? He answers that perhaps the intent is that the person is liable for violating the Rabbinic prohibition that deems an animal as muktzeh. Note the Magen Avraham316:11 which states that one may release an animal or a fowl from a trap, provided one does not touch them.
101.
See Hilchot Sh'vitat Yom Tov 2:5, where the Rambam states that chickens and ducks are considered as within a person's grasp. Note, however, the distinction between the different types of doves mentioned in that halachah and in this halachah. Because of that difference, the Maggid Mishneh considers the mention of doves in this halachah as a printing error. Mention of them is found, however, in most early manuscripts and printings, and other authorities justify their mention.
102.
Rav Kapach states that this refers to non-kosher locusts. A person who catches kosher locusts is liable. The Mishnah Berurah 316:13, however, differs, and maintains that the Rambam does not hold one liable for trapping such species.
103.
Since it is not customary to trap these species, even a person who traps them for a specific purpose is not held liable (Shulchan Aruch HaRav 316:4). There is, however, a Rabbinic prohibition involved. For that reason, one must even take precautions not to trap such creatures accidentally (Ramah, Orach Chayim316:3).
104.
I.e., not only is one not liable, but is permitted to do so.
105.
Most commentaries explain this ruling according to the opinions that do not hold one liable for performing a מלאכה שאינה צריכה לגופה. Although generally there would be a Rabbinic prohibition against such an act, in this instance no prohibition was enforced because of the danger involved.
This explanation is, however, untenable for the Rambam, for as explained in Chapter 1, Halachah 7, he follows Rabbi Yehudah's ruling that holds one liable for performing a מלאכה שאינה צריכה לגופה.
The Avnei Nezer (Likkutim 189) explains that this situation is different, because of the unique nature of the labor of trapping. The concept of trapping is relevant only when one traps an object of value. Therefore even Rabbi Yehudah frees one of liability when trapping an animal whose species is not usually trapped.
Similarly, in the instance at hand, since one has no concern for the object one is trapping, merely for one's personal welfare, the entire concept of trapping does not apply. See also the notes on Halachah 17 of this chapter and Chapter 11, Halachah 4.
Shabbat - Chapter Eleven
1
A person who slaughters is liable. This does not apply only to [ritual] slaughter. Anyone who takes the life of a living beast, an animal, fowl, fish, or crawling animal - whether by slaughtering, stabbing, or beating1 - is liable.
A person who strangles a living creature performs a derivative of slaughtering.2 Therefore, if one removed a fish from the glass of water [in which it was being kept] until it died, one is liable for strangling it. [Indeed, one is liable even if one returns it to the water before] the fish actually dies. As long as [a portion of its body as wide as] a sela3 between its fins becomes dry, one is liable, for it will not be able to live afterwards.
A person who inserts his hand into an animal's womb and removes a fetus [from] the womb is liable.4
א
השוחט חייב ולא שוחט בלבד אלא כל הנוטל נשמה לאחד מכל מיני חיה ובהמה ועוף ודג ושרץ בין בשחיטה או בנחירה או בהכאה חייב. החונק את החי עד שימות הרי זה תולדת שוחט. לפיכך אם העלה דג מספל של מים והניחו עד שמת חייב משום חונק. ולא עד שימות אלא כיון שיבש בו כסלע בין סנפיריו חייב שעוד אינו יכול לחיות. הושיט ידו למעי הבהמה ודלדל עובר שבמעיה חייב:
2
A person who kills insects and worms that are conceived through male-female relations or fleas that come into being from the dust is liable as if he killed an animal or a beast.5 In contrast, a person is not liable for killing insects and worms that come into being from dung, rotten fruit, or the like - e.g., the worms found in meat or those found in legumes.6
ב
רמשים שהן פרין ורבין מזכר ונקבה או נהוין מן העפר כמו הפרעושין ההורג אותן חייב כהורג בהמה וחיה. אבל רמשים שהויתן מן הגללים ומן הפירות שהבאישו וכיוצא בהן כגון תולעים של בשר ותולעים שבתוך הקטניות ההורגן פטור:
3
ג
המפלה כליו בשבת מולל את הכנים וזורקן. ומותר להרוג את הכנים בשבת מפני שהן מן הזיעה:
4
It is permitted to kill beasts or insects whose bites are surely deadly, as soon as one sees them9 - for example,10 flies in Egypt, hornets in Nineveh, scorpions in Adiabena, snakes in Eretz Yisrael, and rabid dogs in all places.
[The following rules apply with regard to] other dangerous animals:11 If they are chasing a person, one may kill them.12If they are staying in their place or fleeing from the person, it is forbidden to kill them.13 If one steps on them accidentally as one is walking and kills them, this is permitted.14
ד
חיה ורמש שהן נושכין וממיתין ודאי כגון זבוב שבמצרים וצרעה שבנינוה ועקרב שבחדייב ונחש שבא"י וכלב שוטה בכל מקום מותר להורגן בשבת כשיראו. ושאר כל המזיקין אם היו רצין אחריו מותר להרגן ואם היו יושבין במקומן או בורחין מלפניו אסור להורגן. ואם דורסן לפי תומו בשעת הילוכו והורגן מותר:
5
A person who skins [a portion of an animal's] hide large enough to make an amulet is liable.15 Similarly, one who processes [a portion of an animal's] hide large enough to make an amulet16 is liable.17
ה
המפשיט מן העור כדי לעשות קמיע חייב. וכן המעבד מן העור כדי לעשות קמיע חייב. ואחד המולח ואחד המעבד שהמליחה מין עיבוד הוא ואין עיבוד באוכלין. וכן המוחק מן העור כדי לעשות קמיע חייב. ואי זהו מוחק זה המעביר שער או הצמר מעל העור אחר מיתה עד שיחליק פני העור:
6
A person who separates duchsustos from k'laf22is liable for [performing] a derivative [of the forbidden labor] of skinning. A person who separates [a portion] from a hide large enough to make an amulet is liable.23
A person who treads upon a hide with his feet until it becomes hard, or one who softens it with his hands, extending it, and leveling it as the leather workers do is liable for [performing] a derivative [of the forbidden labor] of processing.24
A person who pulls a feather from the wing of a fowl is liable for [performing] a derivative [of the forbidden labor] of smoothing. Similarly, a person who smears a poultice of even the smallest size, beeswax,25 tar, or other entities that are smeared until a smooth surface is produced is liable for [performing a derivative of the forbidden labor of] smoothing.
A person who rubs a hide that is suspended between pillars is liable for smoothing.26
ו
המפרק דוכסוסטוס מעל הקלף הרי זה תולדת מפשיט וחייב. (המפרק מן העור כדי לעשות קמיע חייב). הדורס על העור ברגלו עד שיתקשה או המרככו בידו ומושכו ומשוה אותו כדרך שהרצענין עושין הרי זה תולדת מעבד וחייב. המורט נוצה מן האברה הרי זה תולדת מוחק וחייב. וכן הממרח רטיה כל שהוא או שעוה או זפת וכיוצא בהן מדברים המתמרחין עד שיחליק פניהם חייב משום מוחק. וכן השף בידו על העור המתוח בין העמודים חייב משום מוחק:
7
A person who cuts [a portion] from a hide large enough to make an amulet is liable,27 provided he cuts with a specific length and width in mind. Cutting in this manner is considered as labor [forbidden on the Sabbath]. If, however, one cuts with a destructive intent,28 or without a precise measure, doing so either without thought entirely29 or for pleasure,30 he is not liable.
ז
המחתך מן העור כדי לעשות קמיע חייב. והוא שיתכוין למדת אורכו ומדת רחבו ויחתוך בכונה שהיא מלאכה. אבל אם חתך דרך הפסד או בלא כונה למדתו אלא כמתעסק או כמשחק הרי זה פטור. הקוטם את הכנף הרי זה תולדת מחתך וחייב. וכן המגרד ראשי כלונסות של ארז חייב משום מחתך. וכן כל חתיכה שיחתוך חרש עץ מן העצים או חרש מתכת מן המתכות חייב משום מחתך. הנוטל קיסם של עץ מלפניו וקטמו לחצוץ בו שיניו או לפתוח בו את הדלת חייב:
8
Any article that is fit to be used as animal fodder35 - e.g., straw, soft grasses, palm branches, and the like, may be trimmed on the Sabbath, because the the concept of preparing a utensil does not apply in this context.
It is permitted to break fragrant branches [by hand] for the sake of their scent36 although they are hard and dry. One may strip [their bark] as one desires, regardless of whether one strips [the bark] of a small branch or a large branch.
ח
כל דבר שהוא ראוי למאכל בהמה כגון תבן ועשבים לחים והוצין וכיוצא בהן מותר לקטום אותן בשבת מפני שאין בהן תקון כלים. ומותר לקטום עצי בשמים להריח בהן אף ע"פ שהן קשים ויבשין. ומפשח מהן כל מה שירצה בין שפשח עץ גדול בין שפשח עץ קטן:
9
A person who writes37 two38 letters39 is liable. A person who erases writing so that he can write40 two letters is liable.41
A person who writes one large letter the size of two [ordinary] letters is not liable.42 In contrast, a person who erases one large letter in a place where two letters can be written is liable.43
A person who wrote one letter that concluded a scroll is liable.44 A person who writes for the sake of ruining the parchment is liable,45for one is liable for the writing itself46 and the surface on which [the letters] are written is not significant. If one rubs out writing with the intent of ruining [the writing surface], one is not liable.47
ט
הכותב שתי אותיות חייב. המוחק כתב על מנת לכתוב במקום המחק שתי אותיות חייב. הכותב אות אחת גדולה כשתים פטור. מחק אות אחת גדולה ויש במקומה כדי לכתוב שתים חייב. כתב אות אחת והשלים בה את הספר חייב. הכותב על מנת לקלקל העור חייב שאין חיובו על מקום הכתב אלא על הכתב. אבל המוחק על מנת לקלקל פטור. נפלה דיו על גבי ספר ומחק אותה. נפלה שעוה על גבי הפנקס ומחק אותה. אם יש במקומה כדי לכתוב שתי אותיות חייב:
10
A person who writes the same letter twice and thus produces a word [that has meaning] - e.g., דד תת גג רר שש סס חח50 - is liable.
י
הכותב אות כפולה פעמים והוא שם אחד כמו דד תת גג רר שש סס חח חייב. והכותב בכל כתב ובכל לשון חייב ואפילו משני סימניות:
11
A person is not liable for writing in the following circumstances:
He writes one letter next to writing that existed previously;53
he writes on top of writing that existed previously;54
he intended to write a chet and instead wrote two zeinim55 or makes a similar error with regard to other letters;
he writes one letter on the floor [of a house] and one letter on [one of] the beams [of the ceiling], for they are not read as a single unit;56
he writes two letters on two pages of a writing tablet that are not read as a single unit.57
When a person writes [two letters] in two corners [of the walls of a house] or on two pages of a writing tablet and they can be read as a single unit,58 he is liable.
יא
הכותב אות אחת סמוך לכתב או כתב על גבי כתב והמתכוין לכתוב חי"ת וכתב שני זייני"ן וכן כיוצא בזה בשאר אותיות והכותב אות אחת בארץ ואות אחת בקורה שהרי אין נהגין זה עם זה. או שכתב שתי אותיות בשני דפי פנקס ואינן נהגין זה עם זה פטור. כתבן בשני כותלי זוית או בשני דפי פנקס והן נהגין זה עם זה חייב.
12
If a person took a parchment or the like and wrote one letter upon it in one city and traveled on that same [Sabbath] day to another city where he wrote another letter on another scroll, he is liable.59 [This decision is rendered] because when the [two parchments] are brought close to each other, they can be read as a single unit. All that is necessary is to bring them together.
יב
לקח גויל וכיוצא בו וכתב עליו אות אחת במדינה זו והלך באותו היום וכתב אות שניה במדינה אחרת במגילה אחרת חייב. שבזמן שמקרבן נהגין זה עם זה ואינן מחוסרין מעשה לקריבתן:
13
A person who writes merely one letter is not liable even when [that letter] is representative of an entire word. What is implied? One wrote a מ and everyone knows that the intent is the word ma'aser60 or one wrote [that letter] in the place where a number is required and thus it is as if one wrote [the word] "forty,61" one is not liable.
יג
הכותב אות אחת אף על פי שקורים ממנה תיבה שלימה פטור. כיצד כגון שכתב מ והכל קורין אותה מעשר. או שכתבה במקום מנין שהרי היא כמו שכתב ארבעים הרי זה פטור. המגיה אות אחת ועשה אותה שתים כגון שחלק גג החי"ת ונעשה שני זייני"ן חייב. וכן כל כיוצא בזה:
14
A person who writes with his left hand, with the back of one's hand,64 with his feet, his mouth, or with his elbow, is not liable.65
A left-handed person who writes with his right hand - which for him is equivalent to other people's left hand - is not liable. If he writes with his left hand, he is liable. A person who is ambidextrous66 is liable regardless of whether he writes with his right or left hand.
When a child holds the pen and an adult holds his hand and moves it, causing him to write, the adult is liable. When an adult holds a pen and a child holds his hand and moves it, causing him to write, the adult is exempt.
יד
הכותב בשמאלו או לאחר ידו ברגלו בפיו ובמרפקו פטור. איטר שכתב בימינו שהיא לו כשמאל כל אדם פטור. ואם כתב בשמאלו חייב. והשולט בשתי ידיו בשוה וכתב בין בימינו בין בשמאלו חייב. קטן אוחז בקולמוס וגדול אוחז בידו וכותב חייב. גדול אוחז בקולמוס וקטן אוחז בידו וכותב פטור:
15
A person who writes is not liable until he writes with a substance that leaves a permanent mark67 - e.g., with ink,68black tint,69 vermilion,70 gum, vitriol,71 and the like - on a surface on which the writing will remain preserved - e.g., a skin, parchment, paper, wood,72 and the like.
[In contrast,] a person is not liable if he writes with a substance that does not leave a permanent mark - e.g., beverages or fruit juice - or if he writes with ink and the like on a substance like vegetable leaves where the writing will not be preserved. One is liable only when writing with a substance that leaves a permanent mark on a surface where that mark will be preserved.
Similarly with regard to [the forbidden labor of erasing]: A person who erases is liable only when erasing writing that would leave a permanent mark from a surface where that mark will be preserved.73
טו
אין הכותב חייב עד שיכתוב בדבר הרושם ועומד כגון דיו ושחור וסקרא וקומוס וקנקנתום וכיוצא בהם. ויכתוב על דבר שמתקיים הכתב עליו כגון עור וקלף ונייר ועץ וכיוצא בהם. אבל הכותב בדבר שאין רישומו עומד כגון משקין ומי פירות. או שכתב בדיו וכיוצא בו על עלי ירקות ועל כל דבר שאינו עומד פטור. אינו חייב עד שיכתוב בדבר העומד על דבר העומד. וכן אין המוחק חייב עד שימחוק כתב העומד מעל דבר העומד:
16
A person who writes on his skin is liable, because his flesh is [comparable to an animal] hide.74 Even though the warmth of his flesh will cause the writing to fade afterwards, this is comparable to writing that was erased.75 In contrast, a person who engraves the forms of letters onto his skin is not liable.76
A person who cuts out the form of letters on a hide is liable. In contrast, a person who makes a mark in the shape of letters on a hide is not liable.77
A person who traces over letters that were written with vermilion with ink is liable for two [transgressions]: one for writing and one for erasing.78 [In contrast,] a person who traces with ink over letters that were written with ink,79 who traces with vermilion over letters that were written with vermilion, or who traces with vermilion over letters that were written with ink, is not liable.
טז
הכותב על בשרו חייב מפני שהוא עור אף על פי שחמימות בשרו מעברת הכתב לאחר זמן הרי זה דומה לכתב שנמחק. אבל המשרט על בשרו צורת כתב פטור. הקורע על העור כתבנית כתב חייב משום כותב. הרושם על העור כתבנית כתב פטור. המעביר דיו על גבי סקרא חייב שתים אחת משום כותב ואחת משום מוחק. העביר דיו על גבי דיו וסקרא על גבי סקרא או סקרא על גבי דיו פטור:
17
Making designs is a derivative [of the forbidden labor] of writing. What is implied? A person who makes designs or who creates forms80 on a wall81 or with red color and the like as artists do is liable [for performing a derivative of] writing.82 Similarly, a person who erases a design for the sake of correcting [it]83 is liable [for performing] a derivative [of the forbidden labor] of erasing.
A person who rules a line in order to write two letters below that line is liable.84 Carpenters who draw a red line on a beam to enable them to saw evenly perform a derivative of ruling a line.85 Similarly, stonemasons who [make lines] on a stone so that they will cut it evenly [perform a derivative of ruling a line.]
One is liable regardless of whether the line one rules is colored or without color.86
יז
רושם תולדת כותב הוא. כיצד הרושם רשמים וצורות בכותל ובששר וכיוצא בהן כדרך שהציירין רושמים הרי זה חייב משום כותב. וכן המוחק את הרשום לתקן הרי זה תולדת מוחק וחייב. המשרטט כדי לכתוב שתי אותיות תחת אותו שירטוט חייב. חרשי העצים שמעבירין חוט של סקרא על גבי הקורה כדי שינסור בשוה הרי זה תולדת משרטט. וכן הגבלים שעושים כן באבנים כדי שיפצל האבן בשוה. ואחד המשרטט בצבע או בלא צבע הרי זה חייב
FOOTNOTES
1.
In all three of these activities, the animal dies because of bleeding. For this reason, although beating may cause the animal to die because of internal bleeding, it is included in the same category.
2.
Since no blood is shed, this is considered a derivative and not a מלאכה מעין.
3.
A coin of the Talmudic period. Based on Yoreh De'ah 30, it appears that a sela is approximately 2.6 or 3.2 cm in diameter according to the different opinions.
4.
Based on Avodah Zarah 26a, the Eglei Talquotes opinions which state that if a person performs such an act, he is liable for reaping - i.e., removing an entity from its source of nurture. The difference between these two rationales is that when an animal is prepared to give birth, the concept of reaping no longer applies, for the fetus no longer needs its mother's nurture.
5.
This follows the Rambam's ruling that one is liable for performing a מלאכה שאינה צריכה לגופה. The authorities who differ on this principle will hold one liable only if one kills these creatures for the sake of something that one needs from their bodies.
6.
In view of the experiments of Pasteur, there are many Rabbis who maintain that this ruling should be disregarded and we should refrain from killing any creatures on the Sabbath. Others, even contemporary authorities with scientific backgrounds, such as the Lubavitcher Rebbe Shelita (see Emunah UMada, p. 130 ff), maintain that our inability to observe spontaneous generation is not absolute proof that such a phenomenon does not exist. Consequently, it is inappropriate for us to think of altering the halachah.
In this context, it is significant to quote the Rambam's statements, Hilchot Shechitah10:13:
Similarly, with regard to the conditions that we have enumerated as causing an animal to be trefah (unable to live for an extended period): Even though it appears from the medical knowledge available to us at present, that some of these conditions are not fatal... all that is significant to us is what our Sages said, as [implied by Deuteronomy 17:11]: "[You shall act] according to the instructions that they will give you."
See also the introductions to Chapter 3 of Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah and to Chapter 4 of Hilchot De'ot in the Moznaim Mishneh Torah series.
7.
See Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 316:9.
8.
The difference of Rabbinic opinion mentioned with regard to the previous halachah applies in this instance as well.
9.
Shabbat 121b explains that this leniency applies even according to the opinion of Rabbi Yehudah, who maintains that one is liable for performing a מלאכה שאינה צריכה לגופה. Because of the danger these species pose, they are allowed to be killed even when they are not pursuing a person. For it can be assumed that as soon as they become aware of a person, they will pursue him.
10.
The Rambam cites these examples to illustrate the principle he states, not to be restrictive. If other species pose mortal danger in a manner similar to the five mentioned here, the same laws apply (Kessef Mishneh).
11.
I.e., creatures that can inflict mortal wounds, but will not necessarily do so.
12.
In this instance as well, Rabbi Yehudah would accept this leniency, for the person is concerned only with saving his life and not with the performance of the forbidden activity. (See the interpretation of Sefer HaBatim mentioned in the notes on Chapter 10, Halachah 17.)
13.
For there is no immediate danger involved.
14.
The wording used by the Rambam (based on Shabbat 121b) is somewhat problematic. The expression "if one steps on them accidentally," implies that we are speaking after the fact, after one has already crushed them, while the expression "it is permitted" appears to indicate that this license is granted at the outset.
The Rashba explains that, indeed, license to kill these creatures is granted outright. One should merely make it appear that one is stepping on them accidentally. This ruling applies, however, only according to Rabbi Shimon, who does not hold one liable for performing a מלאכה שאינה צריכה לגופה. According to Rabbi Yehudah, the intent is that one may proceed without taking care to check whether one kills them or not.
15.
This is one of the 39 categories of forbidden labor.
16.
The Maggid Mishneh cites Shabbat 8:3, which states that one is liable for transferring a hide this size from one domain to another. Significantly, in his Commentary on the Mishnah (loc. cit.), the Rambam states that this refers not to the skin used to make parchment on which the amulet is written, but rather the leather used as a covering for the amulet.
17.
This is also one of the 39 categories of forbidden labor.
18.
See Hilchot Tefillin 1:6.
19.
The Rambam's ruling differs from that of Rabbenu Chanan'el, who holds one liable for salting meat to preserve it for an extended period. (See also the Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 321:2-6, which mentions several Rabbinic prohibitions in connection with salting food. Note the explanation of Shulchan Aruch HaRav321:2.) The Ma'aseh Rokeach states that the Rambam maintains, by contrast, that there are no Rabbinic prohibitions associated with salting food in this context. Note, however, Chapter 22, Halachah 10, which mentions a Rabbinic prohibition against salting food as part of the pickling process.
20.
This is also one of the 39 categories of forbidden labor.
21.
Apparently, the Rambam adds this phrase to distinguish between this category of forbidden labor and the category of shearing. Shearing refers to removing an animal's wool or hair when alive, while smoothing refers to performing the same activity after the animal's death (Yesodei Yeshurun). Note, however, Chapter 9, Halachah 7, which states that one is liable for shearing an animal's wool even when the animal is dead.
See also the Responsum of the Beit Meir(Vol. IV, p. 142), which explains that although the activities included in the two categories of labor are similar, their objectives differ. The object of the labor of shearing is to obtain wool, while the object of the labor of smoothing is to produce a smooth hide.
[According to the Rivosh (cited in Chapter 9, Halachah 7), shearing applies when wool is removed from a live animal, while smoothing applies when the same activity is performed after an animal has died (Eglei Tal).
22.
See Hilchot Tefillin 1:7-8, where the Rambam explains that a hide used for parchment is divided in half. The thin upper side of the hide where the hair grows is called k'laf. The thick portion on the side of the flesh is called duchsustos. Tefillinshould be written on k'laf, while mezuzotshould be written on duchsustos.
At present, the parchment used for writing sacred articles is no longer processed in this fashion.
23.
This phrase is not included in the early manuscripts and printings of the Mishneh Torah. Its addition appears to be a printing error.
24.
See Chapter 23, Halachah 10, for Rabbinical prohibitions associated with leather working.
25.
See Chapter 23, Halachah 11, for Rabbinical prohibitions associated with smoothing wax.
26.
The Maggid Mishneh cites the Jerusalem Talmud (Shabbat 7:2), which explains that preparation of the hides used for the Sanctuary involved suspending them on pillars and rubbing them so that their surface would be smooth.
27.
This is one of the 39 categories of forbidden labor.
28.
As explained in Chapter 1, Halachah 17, anyone who performs a forbidden labor for a destructive intent is not liable.
29.
As explained in Chapter 1, Halachah 11, anyone who performs a forbidden labor casually, without intent, is not liable.
30.
Rav Kapach explains that here also the intent is performing the activity for the sake of tension release, without any concern for what one is doing.
31.
To use in stuffing a pillow or a blanket (Rashi, Shabbat 74b).
32.
Our translation is based on the gloss of the Maggid Mishneh, who contrasts this halachah with Chapter 10, Halachah 16. (See the notes on that halachah.)
33.
As is obvious from the following halachah, this refers to a twig or piece of wood that is not fit to be used as food for an animal.
34.
The Maggid Mishneh and others question the Rambam's ruling, noting that according to Beitzah 33a-b, it would appear that one is liable only if one trims a piece of wood with a utensil. Significantly, however, the Magen Avraham 322:4 quotes the Rambam's decision without objection.
35.
Although the Rambam's ruling is accepted as halachah by the later authorities, the Sefer Mitzvot Gadol and other Rishonimdiffer.
36.
E.g., myrtle branches, which give off their fragrance when they are broken open and rubbed. Significantly, when mentioning this law, the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim322:5) states that this is permitted "for the sake of a sick person." Nevertheless, the conclusion of the later authorities is that a healthy person may also do so (Mishnah Berurah 322:16).
37.
This is one of the 39 categories of forbidden labor.
38.
One is liable for writing two letters because this resembles the activity necessary for the construction of the Sanctuary. A mark was made on each of the sides of the walls, so that it would be used to match the same walls to each other every time the Sanctuary was erected (Shabbat 12:3, Rashi, Shabbat 75b).
39.
The same also applies to a person who writes two numerals (Shulchan Aruch HaRav 340:8). See the notes on the following halachah and on Halachah 17, which discuss the use of marks or symbols.
40.
One's intent need not be to write on the Sabbath itself. As long as one erases with the intent of writing, one is liable regardless of when one actually writes (Mishnah Berurah 340:13).
41.
This is also one of the 39 categories of forbidden labor. If a mark was made in error on one of the walls, it was erased so that the correct mark could be made.
42.
For he has only written one letter. One is not liable until one writes two letters, regardless of their size. Nevertheless, writing even a single letter is considered as חצי שיעור (the performance of half the forbidden measure of a prohibition) and forbidden according to the Torah itself (Shulchan Aruch HaRav 340:4, Mishnah Berurah 340:12).
43.
For his erasure is sufficient to enable two letters to be written.
44.
In this instance, although only one letter was written, the act is significant, because it completed an entire scroll. There are commentaries on Shabbat 104b, the source for this halachah, who maintain that, in this instance, one is liable for performing the labor מכה בפטיש, completing an article. From the Rambam's wording, however, it appears that he holds him liable for writing.
We see a similar decision with regard to the forbidden labor of weaving. In Chapter 9, Halachah 18, the Rambam writes that one is liable for weaving one thread if by doing so, one completes a garment (Rav Kapach).
45.
I.e., one writes an ordinary letter on parchment fit to write a Torah scroll (Rav Kapach).
46.
Although one has ruined the parchment and thus there is a destructive aspect to one's activity, since the words one wrote are significant, one is liable.
47.
For the entire purpose of the labor of erasing is to prepare a writing surface for use.
48.
In Talmudic times, the word פנקס referred to a book of tablets coated with wax upon which merchants would write with a stylus (Rashi, Shabbat 104b).
49.
For erasing. With this act, one prepares a writing surface. Note the Sh'vut Ya'akovand others who explain that one is liable for smearing the wax (see Halachah 6). Most authorities, however, accept the Rambam's ruling that one is liable for erasing.
50.
All these pairs of letters have meaning. Hence, one is liable. If, however, one writes a pair of letters that has no meaning, even if it is the beginning of a word - e.g., אא, one is not liable (Maggid Mishneh, based on Shabbat 103b).
51.
It is necessary for the Rambam to mention both other languages and other characters. Otherwise, one might think that with regard to other languages, one is liable only for writing words from other languages when one transliterates them into Hebrew characters - or conversely, that one is liable for writing with other characters only when writing Hebrew words. With the wording he chose, the Rambam makes it clear that one is liable even when one writes words from another language in the characters of that language.
It must be emphasized that there are authorities who differ with the Rambam's decision. The Ramah (Orach Chayim306:11) quotes the Or Zarua, who states that one is liable for writing only when one writes in the Assyrian script (i.e., the Hebrew script used for Torah scrolls) or in the classic Greek script. Note, however, the Noda BiY'hudah (Orach Chayim, Vol. II, Responsum 32) and the Be'ur Halachah306, who refute the Or Zarua's opinion and state that it is not accepted by others. And note the S'dei Chemed (ma'arechet kaf, sec. 111), who brings other opinions in support of the Or Zarua.
52.
In his Commentary on the Mishnah (Shabbat 12:3), the Rambam explains the term "signs" as referring to the use of letters as numbers - e.g., א for one, ב for two.
The Maggid Mishneh interprets these "signs" as referring to symbols that are not letters, but are significant to a reader, such as the reversed nunnim found in the Torah, Numbers 10:35-36. (See also Halachah 17 and Shulchan Aruch HaRav 340:7-8.)
53.
Even when the letter he wrote completes a word when combined with the writing that existed previously. Since he has not written two letters on the Sabbath, he is not liable (Rashi, Shabbat 104b).
54.
Superimposing his writing on top of a letter that had been written previously. Although this writing made the existent letters clearer, since nothing essentially new is achieved, the person is not liable (ibid.). (See also the latter portion of Halachah 16 and notes.)
55.
In the Assyrian script used for Torah scrolls and the like, a chet resembles two zeinimthat are connected by two lines referred to as the ch'totrot.
56.
Letters that cannot be read together are considered two separate units, and writing each of them a separate activity. Since the obligation for writing on the Sabbath is for writing two letters, as explained above, one is not liable unless the two letters can be read together.
57.
In his Commentary on the Mishnah (Shabbat 12:5), the Rambam emphasizes that letters must be on the same line to be able to read as a single unit. (See also Shabbat 104b, which emphasizes that the distance between the two letters can also be a significant factor.)
58.
This resembles the letters written on the beams of the Sanctuary, the source for the prohibition against writing on the Sabbath.
59.
The Maggid Mishneh states that this ruling, based on Shabbat 104b, applies even when it is necessary to fold the two parchments so that the two letters can be placed in juxtaposition to each other.
60.
The word ma'aser means "tithes." This abbreviation was often used to refer to money or produce that was ma'aser sheni, "the second tithe," which could be used only to buy food to be eaten in Jerusalem. The same applies regarding other abbreviations.
61.
The numerical equivalent of מ according to the accepted principles of gematria, Hebrew numerology.
62.
See the notes and diagrams accompanying Halachah 11.
Shulchan Aruch HaRav 340:8 mentions that a person who writes a zayin or any other of the letters שטנ"ז ג"ץ that require taggim, "crowns," without these crowns is not liable. From this halachah, it would appear that the Rambam does not accept this ruling, for the zeinim created when the connecting lines of a chet are divided do not have crowns.
63.
As another possibility, Shabbat 104b mentions erasing the projection in the right corner of a dalet to create a reish.
64.
Rashi, Shabbat 104b, interprets this to mean that the person holds a pen in his hand and turns his hand upside down to write.
Based on this source, the expression כלאחר יד is used throughout the Rabbinic literature on the Sabbath laws to mean "in an unusual manner."
65.
A person is liable for performing a forbidden labor on the Sabbath only when he does so in an ordinary manner. Although there is a Rabbinic prohibition against performing a forbidden labor in an unusual manner, one is not held liable.
66.
The precise translation of the Rambam's wording is "uses both of his hands with equal dexterity." On this basis, there is room for question regarding a left-handed person who writes with his right hand, but less comfortably than he does with his left hand. Is he liable for writing with his right hand on the Sabbath or not?
67.
As mentioned in Chapter 9, Halachah 13, "Whenever one performs a labor that does not have a permanent effect on the Sabbath, one is not liable." To apply a principle mentioned in the notes to that halachah, if the writing will remain on the Sabbath itself, even if it will fade afterwards, one is liable.
See also the Be'ur Halachah 340 who quotes the opinion of the Rashba (Shabbat115b) which explains that permanency in this context refers to writing that will last an ordinary period of time.
68.
In Hilchot Tefillin 1:4, the Rambam describes the preparation of ink as follows:
One collects the vapor of oils, of tar, of wax, or the like, [causes it to condense,] and kneads it together with sap from a tree and a drop of honey. It is moistened extensively, crushed until it is formed into flat cakes, dried, and then stored.When one desires to write with it, one soaks [the cakes of ink] in gallnut juice or the like and writes with it. Thus, if one attempts to rub it out, he would be able to.
69.
The commentaries associate this with a tint produced from the residue of an oven.
70.
In his Commentary on the Mishnah (Shabbat 12:4, Megillah 2:2), the Rambam translates this term into Arabic. Rav Kapach states that the Arabic term he uses refers to red colored clay used for drawing.
71.
In his Commentary on the Mishnah (loc. cit.), the Rambam describes these substances, using Arabic terms which Rav Kapach translates as referring to saps from trees that are yellow and green in color. When they are mixed with gallnut juice, they turn black, as the Rambam mentions in Chapter 9, Halachah 14.
72.
As mentioned previously, the forbidden labor of writing has its source in the letters written as symbols for the walls of the Sanctuary.
73.
Unless the writing is written with such substances and on such substances, the person's activity is considered insignificant, for the writing would soon fade in any event.
74.
A surface on which writing would be preserved, as mentioned in the previous halachah.
75.
The writing is considered permanent, because the body's heat is considered as an external force that wipes out writing that, in and of itself, would remain permanently.
76.
Engraving is considered equivalent to writing - as is obvious from the law stated immediately afterwards. Nevertheless, in his Commentary on the Mishnah (Shabbat12:4), the Rambam writes that the person is exempt, because engraving on human skin is not an ordinary way of writing.
77.
From the Be'ur Halachah 340 and others, it appears that this refers to a mark that is made with a stylus or the like that will not remain permanently on the hide. (Note the contrast to Hilchot Gerushin 4:7.)
78.
Letters written with ink are much more attractive and distinctive than letters written with vermilion. Nevertheless, letters written with vermilion are also significant. Hence, by tracing over the initial writing, one performs two activities: the nullification of the letters written previously (erasing) and the composition of new letters (writing).
79.
To reinforce the previous writing. In this instance, one is not liable, as stated in Halachah 11.
80.
Note the Be'ur Halachah 340, who questions whether one must make two designs to be held liable (as one is liable only when one writes two letters) or one is liable for making a single design. It is explained that from the Jerusalem Talmud (Shabbat 7:2), it appears that a single design is sufficient.
81.
Our translation follows the standard printed text of the Mishneh Torah. Significantly, some authoritative manuscripts use the Hebrew כחול, meaning "blue," rather that כותל meaning "wall." According to this version, the halachah would read "One who makes designs and forms with blue, red and other [colors] of the like...."
82.
See also Chapter 10, Halachah 16, and notes in regard to making forms on utensils.
83.
Alternatively, one is liable if one erases a design to draw a different design in its place.
84.
This is one of the 39 categories of labor forbidden on the Sabbath.
85.
From this halachah and from the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Shabbat 7:2), it would appear that the category of labor of ruling lines is associated with writing only. This is somewhat difficult, because writing per se, was not performed in the construction of the Sanctuary. Rashi, Shabbat 75b, states that ruling lines was necessary to cut the hides carefully. According to his opinion, it is possible to say that ruling a line in order to saw in a straight line would be considered as the forbidden labor itself and not merely a derivative. See also Shulchan Aruch HaRav340:11.
86.
As the lines of a Torah scroll are ruled.
• Thursday, 1 Kislev, 5777 · 1 December 2016
• "Today's Day"
• Sunday, Kislev 1, Rosh Chodesh*, 5704
Torah lessons: Chumash: Vayeitsei, first parsha with Rashi.
Tehillim: 1-9.
Tanya: To understand the (p. 601)...the Minor Visage...(p. 603).
There were periods of time when R. Yekusiel Liepler, a chassid of the Alter Rebbe, davened Shacharit, Mincha and Maariv one right after the other; there was no time for intervals.
FOOTNOTES
*.This day is celebrated by chassidim as marking the good health, in 5738 (1977), of the Rebbe of righteous memory.
• Daily Thought:
Still Rock Bottom
Sometimes reaching higher is not enough. Sometimes you need to touch the very core of your soul. And there are two ways to do that:
One is by hitting rock bottom.
The other is by realizing that as high as you may have climbed, relative to where you really belong, this is still rock bottom.[Maamar Vekibel Hayehudim 5738.]
-------Sometimes reaching higher is not enough. Sometimes you need to touch the very core of your soul. And there are two ways to do that:
One is by hitting rock bottom.
The other is by realizing that as high as you may have climbed, relative to where you really belong, this is still rock bottom.[Maamar Vekibel Hayehudim 5738.]
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