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.
Numbers 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 the second of the two Rosh Chodesh ("Head of the Month") days for the month of Adar (when a month has 30 days, both the last day of the month and the first day of the following month serve as the following month's Rosh Chodesh).
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
• Adar Joy "When Adar enters," the Talmud declares, "we increase in joy." For this is "the month that was transformed for them from sorrow to joy, from mourning to festivity" (Esther 9:22) by the great miracle and victory of Purim. Our sages advise that the month of Adar is an auspicious time for the Jewish people, so that if a Jew is faced with a challenging event (i.e., a court case, a medical procedure, etc.) he should endeavor to schedule it during Adar.
Links: 4 Reasons to be Happy; more on joy
Today in Jewish History:
• Plague of Darkness (1313 BCE) The 9th plague to strike the Egyptians for their refusal to release the Children of Israel from slavery -- a thick darkness that blanketed the land so that "no man saw his fellow, and no man could move from his place" (Exodus 10:23) -- commenced on the 1st of Adar, six weeks before the Exodus.
Link: More on The Plague of Darkness
• Passing of Ibn Ezra (1164) The highly regarded Biblical commentator, Rabbi Avraham ben Meir Ibn Ezra (1089?-1164CE), passed away on Adar 1, 4924.
• Passing of Shach (circa 1663) Adar 1 is also the yahrtzeit (anniversary of the passing) of the great Halachist Rabbi Shabtai Hakohen Katz (1621-1663?), author of the Siftei Cohen commentary on Rabbi Yosef Caro's Code of Jewish Law. He is known as "Shach" -- an acronym of the name of his work, which serves to this day as a primary source of Halachah (Jewish law).
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.
Numbers 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 the second of the two Rosh Chodesh ("Head of the Month") days for the month of Adar (when a month has 30 days, both the last day of the month and the first day of the following month serve as the following month's Rosh Chodesh).
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
• Adar Joy "When Adar enters," the Talmud declares, "we increase in joy." For this is "the month that was transformed for them from sorrow to joy, from mourning to festivity" (Esther 9:22) by the great miracle and victory of Purim. Our sages advise that the month of Adar is an auspicious time for the Jewish people, so that if a Jew is faced with a challenging event (i.e., a court case, a medical procedure, etc.) he should endeavor to schedule it during Adar.
Links: 4 Reasons to be Happy; more on joy
Today in Jewish History:
• Plague of Darkness (1313 BCE) The 9th plague to strike the Egyptians for their refusal to release the Children of Israel from slavery -- a thick darkness that blanketed the land so that "no man saw his fellow, and no man could move from his place" (Exodus 10:23) -- commenced on the 1st of Adar, six weeks before the Exodus.
Link: More on The Plague of Darkness
• Passing of Ibn Ezra (1164) The highly regarded Biblical commentator, Rabbi Avraham ben Meir Ibn Ezra (1089?-1164CE), passed away on Adar 1, 4924.
• Passing of Shach (circa 1663) Adar 1 is also the yahrtzeit (anniversary of the passing) of the great Halachist Rabbi Shabtai Hakohen Katz (1621-1663?), author of the Siftei Cohen commentary on Rabbi Yosef Caro's Code of Jewish Law. He is known as "Shach" -- an acronym of the name of his work, which serves to this day as a primary source of Halachah (Jewish law).
Daily Quote:
When you raise the lamps, the seven lamps shall cast their light toward the face of the menorah[Numbers 8:2]Today's Study:
When you raise the lamps, the seven lamps shall cast their light toward the face of the menorah[Numbers 8:2]Today's Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Terumah, 2nd Portion Exodus 25:17-25:30 with Rashi
• Exodus Chapter 25
17And you shall make an ark cover of pure gold, two and a half cubits its length and a cubit and a half its width. יזוְעָשִׂ֥יתָ כַפֹּ֖רֶת זָהָ֣ב טָה֑וֹר אַמָּתַ֤יִם וָחֵ֨צִי֙ אָרְכָּ֔הּ וְאַמָּ֥ה וָחֵ֖צִי רָחְבָּֽהּ:
an ark cover: Heb. כַפֹּרֶת a cover over the ark, which was open from above. He [Moses] placed it [the cover] over it [the ark] like a board. כפרת: כסוי על הארון שהיה פתוח מלמעלה ומניחו עליו כמין דף:
two and a half cubits its length: like the length of the ark. Its width was like the width of the ark, and it lay on the thickness of the four walls. Although [Scripture] does not give a measure for its thickness, our Rabbis explained that it was a handbreadth thick. — [from Succah 5a] אמתים וחצי ארכה: כארכו של ארון, ורחבה כרחבו של ארון, ומונחת על עובי הכתלים ארבעתם, ואף על פי שלא נתן שיעור לעוביה, פירשו רבותינו שהיה עוביה טפח:
18And you shall make two golden cherubim; you shall make them of hammered work, from the two ends of the ark cover. יחוְעָשִׂ֛יתָ שְׁנַ֥יִם כְּרֻבִ֖ים זָהָ֑ב מִקְשָׁה֙ תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֣ה אֹתָ֔ם מִשְּׁנֵ֖י קְצ֥וֹת הַכַּפֹּֽרֶת:
cherubim: Heb. כְּרֻבִים. They had the features of a child. — [from Succah 5] כרבים: דמות פרצוף תינוק להם:
you shall make…of hammered work: [This means] that you should not make them separate and then join them at the ends of the ark cover after they are made, as smiths do [in a process] called solderez [in Old French], soldered. Instead, you should take a large quantity of gold at the beginning of the construction of the ark cover and beat it with a hammer and with a mallet in the center [of the mass of gold] so that its ends protrude upward, and [then you should] form the cherubim from the protrusion of its ends. מקשה תעשה אותם: שלא תעשם בפני עצמם ותחברם בראשי הכפרת לאחר עשייתם כמעשה צורפים, שקורין שולדי"ץ [מולחמים] אלא הטל זהב הרבה בתחלת עשיית הכפרת והכה בפטיש ובקורנס באמצע, וראשין בולטין למעלה וצייר הכרובים בבליטת קצותיו:
hammered: Heb. מִקְשָׁה, batediz in Old French, hammered, like “knocked (נָקְשָׁן) one against the other” (Dan. 5:6). מקשה: בטידי"ץ בלעז [עשוי בהכאה]. כמו (דניאל ה ו) דא לדא נקשן:
ends of the ark cover: Heb. קְצוֹת הכַּפֹּרֶת, ends of the ark cover. קצות הכפורת: ראשי הכפרת:
19And make one cherub from the one end and the other cherub from the other end; from the ark cover you shall make the cherubim on its two ends. יטוַֽ֠עֲשֵׂ֠ה כְּר֨וּב אֶחָ֤ד מִקָּצָה֙ מִזֶּ֔ה וּכְרוּב־אֶחָ֥ד מִקָּצָ֖ה מִזֶּ֑ה מִן־הַכַּפֹּ֛רֶת תַּֽעֲשׂ֥וּ אֶת־הַכְּרֻבִ֖ים עַל־שְׁנֵ֥י קְצוֹתָֽיו:
And make one cherub from the one end: [The text elaborates] so that you will not say [that it means] two cherubim at each end. Therefore, it had to explain, “one cherub from the one end.” ועשה כרוב אחד מקצה: שלא תאמר שנים כרובים לכל קצה וקצה, לכך הוצרך לפרש כרוב אחד מקצה מזה:
from the ark cover: itself you shall make the cherubim. This is the meaning of “you shall make them of hammered work” -that you shall not make them [the cherubim] separately and [then] attach them to the ark cover. מן הכפרת: עצמה תעשו את הכרובים. זהו פירושו של מקשה תעשה אותם, שלא תעשם בפני עצמם ותחברם לכפרת:
20The cherubim shall have their wings spread upwards, shielding the ark cover with their wings, with their faces toward one another; [turned] toward the ark cover shall be the faces of the cherubim. כוְהָי֣וּ הַכְּרֻבִים֩ פֹּֽרְשֵׂ֨י כְנָפַ֜יִם לְמַ֗עְלָה סֹֽכְכִ֤ים בְּכַנְפֵיהֶם֙ עַל־הַכַּפֹּ֔רֶת וּפְנֵיהֶ֖ם אִ֣ישׁ אֶל־אָחִ֑יו אֶ֨ל־הַכַּפֹּ֔רֶת יִֽהְי֖וּ פְּנֵ֥י הַכְּרֻבִֽים:
their wings spread: [This means] that you shall not make their wings lying down [resting next to their bodies], but spread high alongside their heads, so that there should be ten handbreadths in the space between the wings and the ark cover, as is stated in Succah (5b). פרשי כנפים: שלא תעשה כנפיהם שוכבים, אלא פרושים וגבוהים למעלה אצל ראשיהם, שיהא עשרה טפחים בחלל בין הכנפים לכפרת, כדאיתא בסוכה (דף ה ב):
21And you shall place the ark cover on the ark from above, and into the ark you shall place the testimony, which I will give you. כאוְנָֽתַתָּ֧ אֶת־הַכַּפֹּ֛רֶת עַל־הָֽאָרֹ֖ן מִלְמָ֑עְלָה וְאֶל־הָ֣אָרֹ֔ן תִּתֵּן֙ אֶת־הָ֣עֵדֻ֔ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֶתֵּ֖ן אֵלֶֽיךָ:
and into the ark you shall place the testimony: I do not know why it was repeated, for it already said: “And you shall place into the ark the testimony” (verse 16). We may say that it comes to teach that when it [the ark] is still an ark alone, without an ark cover, he [Moses] should first put in the testimony and then place the ark cover over it. So we find [that] when he [Moses] erected the Mishkan, it says: “And he placed the testimony into the ark,” and afterwards, “and he placed the ark cover on the ark from above” (Exod. 40:20). ואל הארן תתן את העדות: לא ידעתי למה נכפל, שהרי כבר נאמר (פסוק טז) ונתת אל הארון את העדות. ויש לומר שבא ללמד, שבעודו ארון לבדו בלא כפרת, יתן תחלה העדות לתוכו, ואחר כך יתן את הכפרת עליו. וכן מצינו כשהקים את המשכן נאמר (שמות מ כ) ויתן את העדות אל הארון, ואחר כך ויתן את הכפורת על הארון מלמעלה:
22I will arrange My meetings with you there, and I will speak with you from atop the ark cover from between the two cherubim that are upon the Ark of the Testimony, all that I will command you unto the children of Israel. כבוְנֽוֹעַדְתִּ֣י לְךָ֘ שָׁם֒ וְדִבַּרְתִּ֨י אִתְּךָ֜ מֵעַ֣ל הַכַּפֹּ֗רֶת מִבֵּין֙ שְׁנֵ֣י הַכְּרֻבִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־אֲר֣וֹן הָֽעֵדֻ֑ת אֵ֣ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֧ר אֲצַוֶּ֛ה אֽוֹתְךָ֖ אֶל־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל:
I will arrange My meetings with you there: When I arrange a meeting for you to speak with you, [it is at] that place that I will arrange for the meeting where I will come to speak to you. ונועדתי: כשאקבע מועד לך לדבר עמך, אותו מקום אקבע למועד שאבא שם לדבר אליך:
and I will speak with you from atop the ark cover: But elsewhere it says: “and the Lord spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting, saying…” (Lev. 1:1). That is the Mishkan, outside the dividing curtain [whereas the ark was within the dividing curtain]. The two verses are found to contradict one another. The third verse comes and reconciles them. "And when Moses came into the Tent of Meeting…he heard the voice speaking to him from atop the ark cover" (Num. 7:89). [The solution is that] Moses would enter the Mishkan and as soon as he came within the doorway, a voice would descend from heaven to [the place] between the cherubim, from where it emanated and was heard by Moses in the Tent of Meeting. — [from Sifrei, end of Naso] ודברתי אתך מעל הכפורת: ובמקום אחר הוא אומר (ויקרא א א) וידבר ה' אליו מאהל מועד לאמר, זה המשכן מחוץ לפרכת, נמצאו שני כתובים מכחישים זה את זה, בא הכתוב השלישי והכריע ביניהם (במדבר ז פט) ובבא משה אל אהל מועד וישמע את הקול מדבר אליו מעל הכפרת וגו', משה היה נכנס למשכן וכיון שבא בתוך הפתח, קול יורד מן השמים לבין הכרובים, ומשם יוצא ונשמע למשה באהל מועד:
and all that I will command you unto the children of Israel: Heb. וְאֵת. This “vav” [that Rashi adds, meaning “and,”] is superfluous, and there are many similar [examples] in the Torah. And you shall interpret it thus: "and all that I will speak with you there is all that I will command you unto the children of Israel." ואת כל אשר אצוה אותך אל בני ישראל: הרי וי"ו זו יתירה וטפלה, וכמוהו הרבה במקרא, וכה תפתר ואת אשר אדבר עמך שם, את כל אשר אצוה אותך אל בני ישראל הוא:
23And you shall make a table of acacia wood, two cubits its length, one cubit its width, and a cubit and a half its height. כגוְעָשִׂ֥יתָ שֻׁלְחָ֖ן עֲצֵ֣י שִׁטִּ֑ים אַמָּתַ֤יִם אָרְכּוֹ֙ וְאַמָּ֣ה רָחְבּ֔וֹ וְאַמָּ֥ה וָחֵ֖צִי קֹֽמָתֽוֹ:
its height: The height of its legs [together] with the thickness of the table [top]. קמתו: גובה רגליו עם עובי השלחן:
24And you shall overlay it with pure gold, and you shall make for it a golden crown all around. כדוְצִפִּיתָ֥ אֹת֖וֹ זָהָ֣ב טָה֑וֹר וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ לּ֛וֹ זֵ֥ר זָהָ֖ב סָבִֽיב:
a golden crown: symbolic of the crown of kingship, for the table represents wealth and greatness, as they say, “the royal table.” -[from Yoma 72b] זר זהב: סימן לכתר מלכות, שהשולחן שם עושר וגדולה, כמו שאמרים שלחן מלכים:
25And you shall make for it a frame a handbreadth [wide] all around, and you shall make a golden crown for its frame all around. כהוְעָשִׂ֨יתָ לּ֥וֹ מִסְגֶּ֛רֶת טֹ֖פַח סָבִ֑יב וְעָשִׂ֧יתָ זֵֽר־זָהָ֛ב לְמִסְגַּרְתּ֖וֹ סָבִֽיב:
a frame: Heb. מִסְגֶּרֶת, as the Targum [Onkelos] renders: גְּדַנְפָא, a rim. The Sages of Israel differed concerning the matter. Some say that it was above [i.e., extending from the table top], around the table, like the rims at the edge of the tables of the princes. Some say that it was below [the table top], inserted from one leg to the other on the four sides of the table, and the table top lay on that frame. — [from Men. 96b] מסגרת: כתרגומו גדנפא, ונחלקו חכמי ישראל בדבר יש אומרים, למעלה היתה סביב לשולחן, כמו לבזבזין שבשפת שולחן שרים, ויש אומרים, למטה היתה תקועה מרגל לרגל בארבע רוחות השולחן, ודף השלחן שוכב על אותה מסגרת:
and you shall make a golden crown for its frame: That is the crown mentioned above, and here He explains to you that it was on the frame. ועשית זר זהב למסגרתו: הוא זר האמור למעלה, ופירש לך כאן שעל המסגרת היתה:
26And you shall make for it four golden rings, and you shall place the rings on the four corners that are on its four legs. כווְעָשִׂ֣יתָ לּ֔וֹ אַרְבַּ֖ע טַבְּעֹ֣ת זָהָ֑ב וְנָֽתַתָּ֙ אֶת־הַטַּבָּעֹ֔ת עַ֚ל אַרְבַּ֣ע הַפֵּאֹ֔ת אֲשֶׁ֖ר לְאַרְבַּ֥ע רַגְלָֽיו:
27The rings shall be opposite the frame as holders for the poles [with which] to carry the table. כזלְעֻמַּת֙ הַמִּסְגֶּ֔רֶת תִּֽהְיֶ֖יןָ הַטַּבָּעֹ֑ת לְבָתִּ֣ים לְבַדִּ֔ים לָשֵׂ֖את אֶת־הַשֻּׁלְחָֽן:
The rings shall be opposite the frame: on the legs, inserted opposite the ends of the frame. לעמת המסגרת תהיין הטבעות: ברגלים תקועות כנגד ראשי המסגרת:
as holders for the poles: Those rings shall be holders in which to insert the poles. לבתים לבדים: אותן הטבעות יהיו בתים להכניס בהן הבדים:
as holders: Heb. לְבָתִּים, for the purpose of holders. לבתים: לצורך בתים:
for the poles: Heb. לְבַדִּים, as the Targum [Onkelos] renders: אַתְרָא לַאִרִיחַיָא, a place for the poles. לבדים: כתרגומו אתרא לאריחיא:
28And you shall make the poles of acacia wood, and you shall overlay them with gold, and the table shall be carried with them. כחוְעָשִׂ֤יתָ אֶת־הַבַּדִּים֙ עֲצֵ֣י שִׁטִּ֔ים וְצִפִּיתָ֥ אֹתָ֖ם זָהָ֑ב וְנִשָּׂא־בָ֖ם אֶת־הַשֻּׁלְחָֽן:
shall be carried with them: Heb. וְנִשָׂא-בָם, the passive voice. The table shall be carried with them [by the poles]. ונשא בם: לשון נפעל, יהיה נשא בם את השלחן:
29And you shall make its forms, its spoons, its half pipes, and its supports with which it will be covered; of pure gold you shall make them. כטוְעָשִׂ֨יתָ קְּעָֽרֹתָ֜יו וְכַפֹּתָ֗יו וּקְשׂוֹתָיו֙ וּמְנַקִּיֹּתָ֔יו אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֻסַּ֖ךְ בָּהֵ֑ן זָהָ֥ב טָה֖וֹר תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה אֹתָֽם:
And you shall make its forms, its spoons: Heb. קְּעָרֹתָיו וְכַפֹּתָיו. קְּעָרֹתָיו is the form that was made according to the shape of the bread (Men. 97a). The bread was made in the shape of a type of box without a cover. It had a flat bottom (Men. 94b) and it would be bent upward on both sides [forming something] similar to walls. Therefore, it is called לֶחֶם הַפָּנִים, literally, the bread of faces, because it has faces looking in both directions-toward the sides of the house [Mishkan] from here [in one direction] and from there [in the other direction]. It was placed lengthwise across the width of the table, and its walls stood vertically opposite the edge of the table. A golden form and an iron form were made for it. It was baked [on Fridays] in the iron form, and when it was taken out of the oven, it would be placed in the golden form until the next day, which was the Sabbath, when it would be arranged on the table. That form is called קְעָרָה. ועשית קערתיו וכפתיו: קערותיו זה הדפוס שהיה עשוי כדפוס הלחם, והלחם היה עשוי כמין תיבה פרוצה משתי רוחותיה, שולים לו למטה וקופל מכאן ומכאן כלפי מעלה כמין כתלים, ולכך קרוי לחם הפנים, שיש לו פנים רואין לכאן ולכאן לצדי הבית מזה ומזה, ונותן ארכו לרחבו של שולחן, וכתליו זקופים כנגד שפת השלחן, והיה עשוי לו דפוס זהב ודפוס ברזל, בשל ברזל הוא נאפה וכשמוציאו מן התנור נותנו בשל זהב עד למחר בשבת שמסדרו על השלחן, ואותו הדפוס קרוי קערה:
its spoons: Heb. וְכַפֹּתָיו. They were the spoons in which the frankincense was placed. There were two [spoons meant] for the two handfuls of frankincense that were placed beside the two stacks, as it is said: “And you shall place beside the stack pure frankincense” (Lev. 24:7). -[from Men. 97a] וכפתיו: בזיכין שנותנים בהם לבונה, ושתים היו לשני קומצי לבונה שנותנין על שתי המערכות, שנאמר (ויקרא כד ז) ונתת על המערכת לבונה זכה:
its half-pipes: Heb. וּקְשׁוֹתָיו. They are sort of half-tubes, hollow and split along their length. They are similar to the tubes made of gold. Three [tubes] were arranged over each bread, so that each bread would rest upon those tubes. They would separate one bread from the other so that air would enter between them and they [the bread] would not grow moldy. In Arabic, any hollow thing is called kaswa. — [from Men. 96a, 97a] וקשותיו: הן כמין חצאי קנים חלולים הנסדקין לארכן דוגמתן עשה של זהב ומסדר שלשה על ראש כל לחם, שישב לחם האחד על גבי אותן הקנים ומבדילין בין לחם ללחם כדי שתכנס הרוח ביניהם ולא יתעפשו, ובלשון ערבי כל דבר חלול קרוי קסו"ה:
and its supports: Heb. וּמְנַקּיֹתָיו. Its Aramaic translation is וּמְכִילָתֵיהּ, [meaning] and its bearers. They are branches like golden pegs [Mizrachi explains that they were like columns] standing on the ground and reaching a considerable height upwards above the table, corresponding to the height of the stack of bread. [They were] notched with six (Mizrachi-five) notches, one above the other, and the ends of the pipes between one bread and another were supported by these branches so that the burden of the upper breads should not weigh down on the lower ones and cause them to break. The derivation of מְכִילָתֵיהּ is “its bearers,” similar to “I am weary of bearing [it] (הָכִיל)” (Jer. 6:11). But I do not know how the מְנַקִּיוֹת applies to branches. Other Sages of Israel say that קְשׂתָיו refers to the branches, which harden (מְקֻשוֹת) it [the showbread] and strengthen it so that it does not break, and מְנַקִּיוֹתָיו refers to the pipes, which clean (מְנַקִּין) [the bread] so that it should not become moldy (Men. 96a). But Onkelos, who rendered [מְנַקִּיוֹתָיו as] מְכִילָתֵיהּ, understood it in a similar way to the words of the one [Sage] who says [that] מְנַקִּיוֹת are branches. ומנקיתיו: תרגומו ומכילתיה, הן סניפים, כמין יתדות זהב עומדין בארץ וגבוהים עד למעלה מן השולחן הרבה כנגד גובה מערכת הלחם, ומפוצלים ששה פצולים זה למעלה מזה, וראשי הקנים שבין לחם ללחם סמוכין על אותן פצולין, כדי שלא יכבד משא הלחם העליונים על התחתונים וישברו ולשון מכילתיה, סובלותיו, כמו (ירמיהו ו יא) נלאיתי הכיל, אבל לשון מנקיות איני יודע, איך נופל על סניפין. ויש מחכמי ישראל אומרים קשותיו אלו סניפין, שמקשין אותו ומחזיקין אותו שלא ישבר, ומנקיותיו אלו הקנים שמנקין אותו שלא יתעפש, אבל אונקלוס שתרגם ומכילתיה היה שונה כדברי האומר מנקיות הן סניפין:
with which it will be covered: Heb. יֻסַּ, [meaning] with which it will be covered. Regarding the half-pipes, [Scripture] says “with which it will be covered” because they [the half-pipes] were like a sort of roof and cover over it [the bread], and similarly elsewhere (Num. 4:7) [Scripture] says, “the half- pipes which cover (הַנָּסֶ),” and both of these [words]- יֻסַּ and (הַנָּסֶ) Are words meaning a roof and a cover. אשר יסך בהן: אשר יכוסה בהן, ועל קשותיו הוא אומר אשר יוסך, שהיו עליו כמין סכך וכסוי, וכן במקום אחר הוא אומר (במדבר ד ז) ואת קשות הנסך וזה וזה, יוסך והנסך, לשון סכך וכסוי הם:
30And you shall place on the table showbread before Me at all times. לוְנָֽתַתָּ֧ עַל־הַשֻּׁלְחָ֛ן לֶ֥חֶם פָּנִ֖ים לְפָנַ֥י תָּמִֽיד:
showbread: Heb. לֶחֶם פָּנִים, lit., bread of faces, [given this appellation] because it has faces, as I explained [on verse 29]. The number of breads and the order of their stacks are explained in [the parsha of] אֱמֹר אֶל הַכֹּהֲנִים, “Speak to the Kohanim” (Lev. 21:1). לחם פנים: שיש לו פנים כמו שפירשתי, ומנין הלחם וסדר מערכותיו מפורשים באמור אל הכהנים:
• Daily Tehillim: Psalm 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: Likutei Amarim, middle of Chapter 29
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Monday, 1 Adar, 5777 · 27 February 2017
• Likutei Amarim, middle of Chapter 29
• והנה כל מה שיאריך בעניינים אלו במחשבתו, וגם בעיונו בספרים, להיות לבו נשבר בקרבו, ונבזה בעיניו נמאס ככתוב, בתכלית המיאוס, ולמאס חייו ממש, הרי בזה ממאס ומבזה הסטרא אחרא ומשפילה לעפר ומורידה מגדולתה וגסות רוחה וגבהותה, שמגביה את עצמה על אור קדושת נפש האלקית להחשיך אורה
• Rambam - Monday, 1 Adar, 5777 · 27 February 2017
• Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
• Negative Commandment 133• A Non-Priest Eating the Priestly Tithe
"No non-priest shall eat of the holy [food]"—Leviticus 22:10.
An individual who is not a priest may not eat Terumah (the priestly tithe), nor any of the other holy foods whose consumption is restricted to priests [and certain of their family members and non-Jewish indentured workers].
This precept also includes the prohibition against deriving benefit from any object that belongs to the "holy" [i.e. sacrifices or items belonging to the Temple coffers].
Full text of this Mitzvah »• A Non-Priest Eating the Priestly Tithe
Negative Commandment 133
Translated by Berel Bell
The 133rd prohibition is that any non-Kohen is forbidden from eating any kind of terumah.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement,1 "No non-Kohen may eat kodesh (holy things)." This instance of kodesh refers to terumah, as well as bikkurim, which is also called terumah, as we shall later explain.2 This was my intention in writing "any kind of terumah." This categorization also applies to the case of intentional me'ilah (unauthorized use of sanctified objects).
One who intentionally ate terumah receives misah bidei shamayim,3 but does not have to pay the additional fifth of the value4 [as he would should he have eaten it unintentionally],5 as explained in the 6th and 7th chapters of tractate Terumah.
In the 9th chapter of tractate Sanhedrin,6 our Sages enumerate those who receive misa bidei shamayim, and include among them the non-Kohen who eats terumah. They prove this from the verse7 [which instructs the Kohanim to be careful with the terumah,] "because profaning it is a sin which could cause them to die." The verse, "No non-Kohen may eat kodesh (holy things)," immediately follows this verse [implying that the punishment applies in that case as well].
In the 2nd chapter of tractate Bikkurim, our Sages say, "Terumah and bikkurim are forbidden for non-Kohanim, and the punishment [for transgressing this law] is [a heavenly] death penalty] and repaying an extra fifth."
Rav — who [,although he was an Amora,] has the status of a Tanna, and therefore the right to disagree with Mishnayos — disagrees with all those Mishnayos and says that a non-Kohen who eats terumah is punished by lashes.
We explained in our commentary on the Mishneh that in any disagreement which deals only with theory but is not of practical importance, the halachah is not decided, and the Gemara doesn't say, "the halachah is like him." Therefore, the Gemara does not say that "the halachah is in accordance with Rav," or [the halachah is] in accordance with the Mishneh" — because according to everyone, he receives lashes. This is because anyone who receives misa bidei shamayim for a transgression, also receives lashes, as explained in our Introduction to this work.8
So too, without a doubt, one who intentionally uses sanctified objects without permission receives lashes. The source of this is the law9 regarding the vow of a boy shortly before bar mitzvah — "If he sanctifies it, and others eat it, both Rabbi Yochanan and Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish agree that they receive lashes."
FOOTNOTES
1.Lev. 22:10.
2.N148.
3.One receives a heavenly death penalty before reaching the age of 60. See Likkutei Sichos, Vol. 5, p.134, note 21.
4.One-fifth of the total, i.e. one-fourth of the primary amount.
5.Hilchos Terumos, 6:6.
6.83a.
7.Lev. 22:9.
8.Beg. of 14th Principle.
9.Niddah 46b.
• Negative Commandment 134
A Priest's Servants Consuming of the Priestly Tithe
"A tenant of the priest or a hired servant may not eat the holy [food]"—Leviticus 22:10.
The tenant [i.e. a Hebrew servant indentured until the Jubilee year] of a priest, as well as the priest's hired servant [i.e. a Hebrew servant serving for a six-year term] may not eat Terumah (the priestly tithe).
Full text of this Mitzvah »
• Mechirah - Chapter Twenty
• Terumot - Chapter 7
• Monday, 1 Adar, 5777 · 27 February 2017
• "Today's Day"
• Shabbat, 1 Adar I, Shabbat Rosh Chodesh, 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: Mishpatim, Shevi'i with Rashi.
Tehillim: 1-9.
Tanya: Ch. 26. Truly this (p. 111)...as mentioned above. (p. 115).
(Here there appears an interpretation of an abbreviation in Torah Or, relevant only in Hebrew. Translator).
It is written: "Man goes out to his work and to his labor (avoda) until evening."1 Every soul in its descent into this material world has general and personal tasks. This, then, is the meaning of the verse:
Man goes out to his work - the soul "goes out" from its position in the trove of souls, in the highest heavens, and descends from plane to plane until it comes to be invested in a body and in the natural and animal souls. The purpose of this descent is "man to his work" - to his general task of achieving dominance of "form over matter" (meaning, the spiritual over the material),2 to illuminate the world with the light of Torah and the candle of Mitzva.
...to his labor refers to each individual's particular mission, for every soul has its unique Avoda in intellect and emotions according to its nature and character.3
...until evening - while there is still time to accomplish, as it is written, "Today, to perform them (the mitzvot)."4
On a more profound level the verse may be explained as follows: The verse refers to the ascent of the soul5 in general, achieved by its prior descent (Man goes out) into the material world:
When the soul ascends from its being enclothed in the body in this material world, then...
...to his work - the soul's occupation in the World To Come6 is commensurate with its occupation in the material world. If he had studied Torah regularly, there too (in the World To Come) the soul is ushered into the "Tents of Torah";
...to his labor - if he performed his avoda properly then his ascent goes on...
...until erev ("evening") - higher and higher until he attains the ultimate delight and areivut7 ("sweetness") of the Essence of the En Sof,8 may He be blessed.
Monday, Adar Sheini 1, Rosh Chodesh, 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: P'kudei, Sheini with Rashi.
Tehillim: 1-9.
Tanya: But since the Temple (p. 153)...upon him by G-d. (p. 155).
In Yaaleh v'yavo (p. 57) zachreinu...bo,1 ufakdeinu vo2
FOOTNOTES
1.The word bo spelled with the letter beit - i.e., with a dagesh point.
2.The same word spelled here vo, with the letter veit - i.e., without the dagesh point.
• Daily Thought:
There With Your Student
The Talmud states that when a student is exiled, his teacher must be exiled with him. Not simply that he must go with him. He must be exiled with him.
Which tells us: If you truly want to teach, you must put yourself in your student’s space.
If your student has wandered far astray, tear yourself away from your own space; feel what it is like to be distant. If your student is in pain, let that pain become your pain. There must be nothing that lies between your student’s world and your own.
Teach in this way and you can bring even the most distant student to your own level of understanding. And yet higher: You will learn from this student that which you could never have learned from your own teachers and colleagues.
Chumash: Terumah, 2nd Portion Exodus 25:17-25:30 with Rashi
• Exodus Chapter 25
17And you shall make an ark cover of pure gold, two and a half cubits its length and a cubit and a half its width. יזוְעָשִׂ֥יתָ כַפֹּ֖רֶת זָהָ֣ב טָה֑וֹר אַמָּתַ֤יִם וָחֵ֨צִי֙ אָרְכָּ֔הּ וְאַמָּ֥ה וָחֵ֖צִי רָחְבָּֽהּ:
an ark cover: Heb. כַפֹּרֶת a cover over the ark, which was open from above. He [Moses] placed it [the cover] over it [the ark] like a board. כפרת: כסוי על הארון שהיה פתוח מלמעלה ומניחו עליו כמין דף:
two and a half cubits its length: like the length of the ark. Its width was like the width of the ark, and it lay on the thickness of the four walls. Although [Scripture] does not give a measure for its thickness, our Rabbis explained that it was a handbreadth thick. — [from Succah 5a] אמתים וחצי ארכה: כארכו של ארון, ורחבה כרחבו של ארון, ומונחת על עובי הכתלים ארבעתם, ואף על פי שלא נתן שיעור לעוביה, פירשו רבותינו שהיה עוביה טפח:
18And you shall make two golden cherubim; you shall make them of hammered work, from the two ends of the ark cover. יחוְעָשִׂ֛יתָ שְׁנַ֥יִם כְּרֻבִ֖ים זָהָ֑ב מִקְשָׁה֙ תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֣ה אֹתָ֔ם מִשְּׁנֵ֖י קְצ֥וֹת הַכַּפֹּֽרֶת:
cherubim: Heb. כְּרֻבִים. They had the features of a child. — [from Succah 5] כרבים: דמות פרצוף תינוק להם:
you shall make…of hammered work: [This means] that you should not make them separate and then join them at the ends of the ark cover after they are made, as smiths do [in a process] called solderez [in Old French], soldered. Instead, you should take a large quantity of gold at the beginning of the construction of the ark cover and beat it with a hammer and with a mallet in the center [of the mass of gold] so that its ends protrude upward, and [then you should] form the cherubim from the protrusion of its ends. מקשה תעשה אותם: שלא תעשם בפני עצמם ותחברם בראשי הכפרת לאחר עשייתם כמעשה צורפים, שקורין שולדי"ץ [מולחמים] אלא הטל זהב הרבה בתחלת עשיית הכפרת והכה בפטיש ובקורנס באמצע, וראשין בולטין למעלה וצייר הכרובים בבליטת קצותיו:
hammered: Heb. מִקְשָׁה, batediz in Old French, hammered, like “knocked (נָקְשָׁן) one against the other” (Dan. 5:6). מקשה: בטידי"ץ בלעז [עשוי בהכאה]. כמו (דניאל ה ו) דא לדא נקשן:
ends of the ark cover: Heb. קְצוֹת הכַּפֹּרֶת, ends of the ark cover. קצות הכפורת: ראשי הכפרת:
19And make one cherub from the one end and the other cherub from the other end; from the ark cover you shall make the cherubim on its two ends. יטוַֽ֠עֲשֵׂ֠ה כְּר֨וּב אֶחָ֤ד מִקָּצָה֙ מִזֶּ֔ה וּכְרוּב־אֶחָ֥ד מִקָּצָ֖ה מִזֶּ֑ה מִן־הַכַּפֹּ֛רֶת תַּֽעֲשׂ֥וּ אֶת־הַכְּרֻבִ֖ים עַל־שְׁנֵ֥י קְצוֹתָֽיו:
And make one cherub from the one end: [The text elaborates] so that you will not say [that it means] two cherubim at each end. Therefore, it had to explain, “one cherub from the one end.” ועשה כרוב אחד מקצה: שלא תאמר שנים כרובים לכל קצה וקצה, לכך הוצרך לפרש כרוב אחד מקצה מזה:
from the ark cover: itself you shall make the cherubim. This is the meaning of “you shall make them of hammered work” -that you shall not make them [the cherubim] separately and [then] attach them to the ark cover. מן הכפרת: עצמה תעשו את הכרובים. זהו פירושו של מקשה תעשה אותם, שלא תעשם בפני עצמם ותחברם לכפרת:
20The cherubim shall have their wings spread upwards, shielding the ark cover with their wings, with their faces toward one another; [turned] toward the ark cover shall be the faces of the cherubim. כוְהָי֣וּ הַכְּרֻבִים֩ פֹּֽרְשֵׂ֨י כְנָפַ֜יִם לְמַ֗עְלָה סֹֽכְכִ֤ים בְּכַנְפֵיהֶם֙ עַל־הַכַּפֹּ֔רֶת וּפְנֵיהֶ֖ם אִ֣ישׁ אֶל־אָחִ֑יו אֶ֨ל־הַכַּפֹּ֔רֶת יִֽהְי֖וּ פְּנֵ֥י הַכְּרֻבִֽים:
their wings spread: [This means] that you shall not make their wings lying down [resting next to their bodies], but spread high alongside their heads, so that there should be ten handbreadths in the space between the wings and the ark cover, as is stated in Succah (5b). פרשי כנפים: שלא תעשה כנפיהם שוכבים, אלא פרושים וגבוהים למעלה אצל ראשיהם, שיהא עשרה טפחים בחלל בין הכנפים לכפרת, כדאיתא בסוכה (דף ה ב):
21And you shall place the ark cover on the ark from above, and into the ark you shall place the testimony, which I will give you. כאוְנָֽתַתָּ֧ אֶת־הַכַּפֹּ֛רֶת עַל־הָֽאָרֹ֖ן מִלְמָ֑עְלָה וְאֶל־הָ֣אָרֹ֔ן תִּתֵּן֙ אֶת־הָ֣עֵדֻ֔ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֶתֵּ֖ן אֵלֶֽיךָ:
and into the ark you shall place the testimony: I do not know why it was repeated, for it already said: “And you shall place into the ark the testimony” (verse 16). We may say that it comes to teach that when it [the ark] is still an ark alone, without an ark cover, he [Moses] should first put in the testimony and then place the ark cover over it. So we find [that] when he [Moses] erected the Mishkan, it says: “And he placed the testimony into the ark,” and afterwards, “and he placed the ark cover on the ark from above” (Exod. 40:20). ואל הארן תתן את העדות: לא ידעתי למה נכפל, שהרי כבר נאמר (פסוק טז) ונתת אל הארון את העדות. ויש לומר שבא ללמד, שבעודו ארון לבדו בלא כפרת, יתן תחלה העדות לתוכו, ואחר כך יתן את הכפרת עליו. וכן מצינו כשהקים את המשכן נאמר (שמות מ כ) ויתן את העדות אל הארון, ואחר כך ויתן את הכפורת על הארון מלמעלה:
22I will arrange My meetings with you there, and I will speak with you from atop the ark cover from between the two cherubim that are upon the Ark of the Testimony, all that I will command you unto the children of Israel. כבוְנֽוֹעַדְתִּ֣י לְךָ֘ שָׁם֒ וְדִבַּרְתִּ֨י אִתְּךָ֜ מֵעַ֣ל הַכַּפֹּ֗רֶת מִבֵּין֙ שְׁנֵ֣י הַכְּרֻבִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־אֲר֣וֹן הָֽעֵדֻ֑ת אֵ֣ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֧ר אֲצַוֶּ֛ה אֽוֹתְךָ֖ אֶל־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל:
I will arrange My meetings with you there: When I arrange a meeting for you to speak with you, [it is at] that place that I will arrange for the meeting where I will come to speak to you. ונועדתי: כשאקבע מועד לך לדבר עמך, אותו מקום אקבע למועד שאבא שם לדבר אליך:
and I will speak with you from atop the ark cover: But elsewhere it says: “and the Lord spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting, saying…” (Lev. 1:1). That is the Mishkan, outside the dividing curtain [whereas the ark was within the dividing curtain]. The two verses are found to contradict one another. The third verse comes and reconciles them. "And when Moses came into the Tent of Meeting…he heard the voice speaking to him from atop the ark cover" (Num. 7:89). [The solution is that] Moses would enter the Mishkan and as soon as he came within the doorway, a voice would descend from heaven to [the place] between the cherubim, from where it emanated and was heard by Moses in the Tent of Meeting. — [from Sifrei, end of Naso] ודברתי אתך מעל הכפורת: ובמקום אחר הוא אומר (ויקרא א א) וידבר ה' אליו מאהל מועד לאמר, זה המשכן מחוץ לפרכת, נמצאו שני כתובים מכחישים זה את זה, בא הכתוב השלישי והכריע ביניהם (במדבר ז פט) ובבא משה אל אהל מועד וישמע את הקול מדבר אליו מעל הכפרת וגו', משה היה נכנס למשכן וכיון שבא בתוך הפתח, קול יורד מן השמים לבין הכרובים, ומשם יוצא ונשמע למשה באהל מועד:
and all that I will command you unto the children of Israel: Heb. וְאֵת. This “vav” [that Rashi adds, meaning “and,”] is superfluous, and there are many similar [examples] in the Torah. And you shall interpret it thus: "and all that I will speak with you there is all that I will command you unto the children of Israel." ואת כל אשר אצוה אותך אל בני ישראל: הרי וי"ו זו יתירה וטפלה, וכמוהו הרבה במקרא, וכה תפתר ואת אשר אדבר עמך שם, את כל אשר אצוה אותך אל בני ישראל הוא:
23And you shall make a table of acacia wood, two cubits its length, one cubit its width, and a cubit and a half its height. כגוְעָשִׂ֥יתָ שֻׁלְחָ֖ן עֲצֵ֣י שִׁטִּ֑ים אַמָּתַ֤יִם אָרְכּוֹ֙ וְאַמָּ֣ה רָחְבּ֔וֹ וְאַמָּ֥ה וָחֵ֖צִי קֹֽמָתֽוֹ:
its height: The height of its legs [together] with the thickness of the table [top]. קמתו: גובה רגליו עם עובי השלחן:
24And you shall overlay it with pure gold, and you shall make for it a golden crown all around. כדוְצִפִּיתָ֥ אֹת֖וֹ זָהָ֣ב טָה֑וֹר וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ לּ֛וֹ זֵ֥ר זָהָ֖ב סָבִֽיב:
a golden crown: symbolic of the crown of kingship, for the table represents wealth and greatness, as they say, “the royal table.” -[from Yoma 72b] זר זהב: סימן לכתר מלכות, שהשולחן שם עושר וגדולה, כמו שאמרים שלחן מלכים:
25And you shall make for it a frame a handbreadth [wide] all around, and you shall make a golden crown for its frame all around. כהוְעָשִׂ֨יתָ לּ֥וֹ מִסְגֶּ֛רֶת טֹ֖פַח סָבִ֑יב וְעָשִׂ֧יתָ זֵֽר־זָהָ֛ב לְמִסְגַּרְתּ֖וֹ סָבִֽיב:
a frame: Heb. מִסְגֶּרֶת, as the Targum [Onkelos] renders: גְּדַנְפָא, a rim. The Sages of Israel differed concerning the matter. Some say that it was above [i.e., extending from the table top], around the table, like the rims at the edge of the tables of the princes. Some say that it was below [the table top], inserted from one leg to the other on the four sides of the table, and the table top lay on that frame. — [from Men. 96b] מסגרת: כתרגומו גדנפא, ונחלקו חכמי ישראל בדבר יש אומרים, למעלה היתה סביב לשולחן, כמו לבזבזין שבשפת שולחן שרים, ויש אומרים, למטה היתה תקועה מרגל לרגל בארבע רוחות השולחן, ודף השלחן שוכב על אותה מסגרת:
and you shall make a golden crown for its frame: That is the crown mentioned above, and here He explains to you that it was on the frame. ועשית זר זהב למסגרתו: הוא זר האמור למעלה, ופירש לך כאן שעל המסגרת היתה:
26And you shall make for it four golden rings, and you shall place the rings on the four corners that are on its four legs. כווְעָשִׂ֣יתָ לּ֔וֹ אַרְבַּ֖ע טַבְּעֹ֣ת זָהָ֑ב וְנָֽתַתָּ֙ אֶת־הַטַּבָּעֹ֔ת עַ֚ל אַרְבַּ֣ע הַפֵּאֹ֔ת אֲשֶׁ֖ר לְאַרְבַּ֥ע רַגְלָֽיו:
27The rings shall be opposite the frame as holders for the poles [with which] to carry the table. כזלְעֻמַּת֙ הַמִּסְגֶּ֔רֶת תִּֽהְיֶ֖יןָ הַטַּבָּעֹ֑ת לְבָתִּ֣ים לְבַדִּ֔ים לָשֵׂ֖את אֶת־הַשֻּׁלְחָֽן:
The rings shall be opposite the frame: on the legs, inserted opposite the ends of the frame. לעמת המסגרת תהיין הטבעות: ברגלים תקועות כנגד ראשי המסגרת:
as holders for the poles: Those rings shall be holders in which to insert the poles. לבתים לבדים: אותן הטבעות יהיו בתים להכניס בהן הבדים:
as holders: Heb. לְבָתִּים, for the purpose of holders. לבתים: לצורך בתים:
for the poles: Heb. לְבַדִּים, as the Targum [Onkelos] renders: אַתְרָא לַאִרִיחַיָא, a place for the poles. לבדים: כתרגומו אתרא לאריחיא:
28And you shall make the poles of acacia wood, and you shall overlay them with gold, and the table shall be carried with them. כחוְעָשִׂ֤יתָ אֶת־הַבַּדִּים֙ עֲצֵ֣י שִׁטִּ֔ים וְצִפִּיתָ֥ אֹתָ֖ם זָהָ֑ב וְנִשָּׂא־בָ֖ם אֶת־הַשֻּׁלְחָֽן:
shall be carried with them: Heb. וְנִשָׂא-בָם, the passive voice. The table shall be carried with them [by the poles]. ונשא בם: לשון נפעל, יהיה נשא בם את השלחן:
29And you shall make its forms, its spoons, its half pipes, and its supports with which it will be covered; of pure gold you shall make them. כטוְעָשִׂ֨יתָ קְּעָֽרֹתָ֜יו וְכַפֹּתָ֗יו וּקְשׂוֹתָיו֙ וּמְנַקִּיֹּתָ֔יו אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֻסַּ֖ךְ בָּהֵ֑ן זָהָ֥ב טָה֖וֹר תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה אֹתָֽם:
And you shall make its forms, its spoons: Heb. קְּעָרֹתָיו וְכַפֹּתָיו. קְּעָרֹתָיו is the form that was made according to the shape of the bread (Men. 97a). The bread was made in the shape of a type of box without a cover. It had a flat bottom (Men. 94b) and it would be bent upward on both sides [forming something] similar to walls. Therefore, it is called לֶחֶם הַפָּנִים, literally, the bread of faces, because it has faces looking in both directions-toward the sides of the house [Mishkan] from here [in one direction] and from there [in the other direction]. It was placed lengthwise across the width of the table, and its walls stood vertically opposite the edge of the table. A golden form and an iron form were made for it. It was baked [on Fridays] in the iron form, and when it was taken out of the oven, it would be placed in the golden form until the next day, which was the Sabbath, when it would be arranged on the table. That form is called קְעָרָה. ועשית קערתיו וכפתיו: קערותיו זה הדפוס שהיה עשוי כדפוס הלחם, והלחם היה עשוי כמין תיבה פרוצה משתי רוחותיה, שולים לו למטה וקופל מכאן ומכאן כלפי מעלה כמין כתלים, ולכך קרוי לחם הפנים, שיש לו פנים רואין לכאן ולכאן לצדי הבית מזה ומזה, ונותן ארכו לרחבו של שולחן, וכתליו זקופים כנגד שפת השלחן, והיה עשוי לו דפוס זהב ודפוס ברזל, בשל ברזל הוא נאפה וכשמוציאו מן התנור נותנו בשל זהב עד למחר בשבת שמסדרו על השלחן, ואותו הדפוס קרוי קערה:
its spoons: Heb. וְכַפֹּתָיו. They were the spoons in which the frankincense was placed. There were two [spoons meant] for the two handfuls of frankincense that were placed beside the two stacks, as it is said: “And you shall place beside the stack pure frankincense” (Lev. 24:7). -[from Men. 97a] וכפתיו: בזיכין שנותנים בהם לבונה, ושתים היו לשני קומצי לבונה שנותנין על שתי המערכות, שנאמר (ויקרא כד ז) ונתת על המערכת לבונה זכה:
its half-pipes: Heb. וּקְשׁוֹתָיו. They are sort of half-tubes, hollow and split along their length. They are similar to the tubes made of gold. Three [tubes] were arranged over each bread, so that each bread would rest upon those tubes. They would separate one bread from the other so that air would enter between them and they [the bread] would not grow moldy. In Arabic, any hollow thing is called kaswa. — [from Men. 96a, 97a] וקשותיו: הן כמין חצאי קנים חלולים הנסדקין לארכן דוגמתן עשה של זהב ומסדר שלשה על ראש כל לחם, שישב לחם האחד על גבי אותן הקנים ומבדילין בין לחם ללחם כדי שתכנס הרוח ביניהם ולא יתעפשו, ובלשון ערבי כל דבר חלול קרוי קסו"ה:
and its supports: Heb. וּמְנַקּיֹתָיו. Its Aramaic translation is וּמְכִילָתֵיהּ, [meaning] and its bearers. They are branches like golden pegs [Mizrachi explains that they were like columns] standing on the ground and reaching a considerable height upwards above the table, corresponding to the height of the stack of bread. [They were] notched with six (Mizrachi-five) notches, one above the other, and the ends of the pipes between one bread and another were supported by these branches so that the burden of the upper breads should not weigh down on the lower ones and cause them to break. The derivation of מְכִילָתֵיהּ is “its bearers,” similar to “I am weary of bearing [it] (הָכִיל)” (Jer. 6:11). But I do not know how the מְנַקִּיוֹת applies to branches. Other Sages of Israel say that קְשׂתָיו refers to the branches, which harden (מְקֻשוֹת) it [the showbread] and strengthen it so that it does not break, and מְנַקִּיוֹתָיו refers to the pipes, which clean (מְנַקִּין) [the bread] so that it should not become moldy (Men. 96a). But Onkelos, who rendered [מְנַקִּיוֹתָיו as] מְכִילָתֵיהּ, understood it in a similar way to the words of the one [Sage] who says [that] מְנַקִּיוֹת are branches. ומנקיתיו: תרגומו ומכילתיה, הן סניפים, כמין יתדות זהב עומדין בארץ וגבוהים עד למעלה מן השולחן הרבה כנגד גובה מערכת הלחם, ומפוצלים ששה פצולים זה למעלה מזה, וראשי הקנים שבין לחם ללחם סמוכין על אותן פצולין, כדי שלא יכבד משא הלחם העליונים על התחתונים וישברו ולשון מכילתיה, סובלותיו, כמו (ירמיהו ו יא) נלאיתי הכיל, אבל לשון מנקיות איני יודע, איך נופל על סניפין. ויש מחכמי ישראל אומרים קשותיו אלו סניפין, שמקשין אותו ומחזיקין אותו שלא ישבר, ומנקיותיו אלו הקנים שמנקין אותו שלא יתעפש, אבל אונקלוס שתרגם ומכילתיה היה שונה כדברי האומר מנקיות הן סניפין:
with which it will be covered: Heb. יֻסַּ, [meaning] with which it will be covered. Regarding the half-pipes, [Scripture] says “with which it will be covered” because they [the half-pipes] were like a sort of roof and cover over it [the bread], and similarly elsewhere (Num. 4:7) [Scripture] says, “the half- pipes which cover (הַנָּסֶ),” and both of these [words]- יֻסַּ and (הַנָּסֶ) Are words meaning a roof and a cover. אשר יסך בהן: אשר יכוסה בהן, ועל קשותיו הוא אומר אשר יוסך, שהיו עליו כמין סכך וכסוי, וכן במקום אחר הוא אומר (במדבר ד ז) ואת קשות הנסך וזה וזה, יוסך והנסך, לשון סכך וכסוי הם:
30And you shall place on the table showbread before Me at all times. לוְנָֽתַתָּ֧ עַל־הַשֻּׁלְחָ֛ן לֶ֥חֶם פָּנִ֖ים לְפָנַ֥י תָּמִֽיד:
showbread: Heb. לֶחֶם פָּנִים, lit., bread of faces, [given this appellation] because it has faces, as I explained [on verse 29]. The number of breads and the order of their stacks are explained in [the parsha of] אֱמֹר אֶל הַכֹּהֲנִים, “Speak to the Kohanim” (Lev. 21:1). לחם פנים: שיש לו פנים כמו שפירשתי, ומנין הלחם וסדר מערכותיו מפורשים באמור אל הכהנים:
• Daily Tehillim: Psalm 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: Likutei Amarim, middle of Chapter 29
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Monday, 1 Adar, 5777 · 27 February 2017
• Likutei Amarim, middle of Chapter 29
• והנה כל מה שיאריך בעניינים אלו במחשבתו, וגם בעיונו בספרים, להיות לבו נשבר בקרבו, ונבזה בעיניו נמאס ככתוב, בתכלית המיאוס, ולמאס חייו ממש, הרי בזה ממאס ומבזה הסטרא אחרא ומשפילה לעפר ומורידה מגדולתה וגסות רוחה וגבהותה, שמגביה את עצמה על אור קדושת נפש האלקית להחשיך אורה
The longer he reflects on these matters, both in his own thoughts and by delving deeply into books which speak of these matters, in order to break down his heart within him and render himself shamed and despised in his own eyes, as is written in the Scriptures, so utterly despised that he despises his very life, — the more he despises and degrades thereby the sitra achra, casting it down to the ground and humbling it from its haughtiness and pride and self-exaltation, wherewith it exalts itself over the light of the divine soul’s holiness, obscuring its radiance.
Up to now, the Alter Rebbe has proposed means of crushing the sitra achra within one’s animal soul by humbling his own spirit through intellectual contemplation. He now turns to another method, that of “raging” against one’s evil impulse, without entering into an analysis of his spiritual level.
וגם ירעים עליה בקול רעש ורוגז להשפילה, כמאמר רז״ל: לעולם ירגיז אדם יצר טוב על יצר הרע, שנאמר: רגזו וגו׳
He should also thunder against it (the sitra achra) with a strong and raging voice in order to humble it, as our Sages state, 1 “A person should always rouse the good impulse against the evil impulse, as it is written, 2 ‘Rage, and sin not.’”
דהיינו לרגוז על נפש הבהמית, שהיא יצרו הרע, בקול רעש ורוגז במחשבתו, לומר לו: אתה רע ורשע ומשוק׳ ומתועב ומנוול וכו׳, ככל השמות שקראו לו חכמינו ז״ל, באמת
This means that one should rage — in his mind — against the animal soul, which is his evil empulse, with a voice of stormy indignation, saying to it: “Indeed, you are truly evil and wicked, abominable, loathsome and disgraceful,” and so forth, using all the epithets by which our Sages have called it. 3
עד מתי תסתיר לפני אור אין סוף ברוך הוא הממלא כל עלמין, היה הוה ויהיה בשוה, גם במקום זה שאני עליו כמו שהיה אור אין סוף ברוך הוא לבדו קודם שנברא העולם, בלי שום שינוי
“How long will you obscure the light of the blessed Ein Sof, which pervades all the worlds; which was, is, and will be the same, even in the very place where I stand, just as the light of the blessed Ein Sof was alone before the world was created — utterly unchanged;
כמו שכתוב: אני ה׳ לא שניתי, כי הוא למעלה מהזמן וכו׳
as it is written: 4 ’I, the L-rd, have not changed,‘ i.e., the fact of creation has wrought no change in Him, for He transcends time, and so on? And therefore, the fact that it is now ’after‘ creation, cannot affect Him.
ואתה מנוול וכו׳ מכחיש האמת הנראה לעינים, דכולא קמיה כלא ממש באמת, בבחינת ראייה חושיית
But you, repulsive one (and so forth) deny the truth which is so plainly visible — that all is truly as nothing in His presence — a truth which is so apparent as to be ’visible to the eye‘!”
והנה על ידי זה יועיל לנפשו האלקית להאיר עיניה באמת יחוד אור אין סוף בראייה חושיית, ולא בחינת שמיעה והבנה לבדה
In this way he will help his divine soul, enlightening its eyes to perceive the truth of the unity of the infinitelight of Ein Sof as though with physical sight, and not merely through the lesser perception of “hearing” and understanding.
כמו שכתוב במקום אחר, שזהו שרש כל העבודה
For, as explained elsewhere, this is the core of the whole [divine] service.
Intellectual comprehension — i.e., the “hearing” — of G‑dliness can lead only to a desire and longing for G‑d; the level of perception described as “sight” leads far higher — to one’s self-nullification before Him.
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. | Berachot 5a. |
| 2. | Tehillim 4:5. |
| 3. | Sukkah 52a. |
| 4. | Malachi 3:6. |
• Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
• Negative Commandment 133• A Non-Priest Eating the Priestly Tithe
"No non-priest shall eat of the holy [food]"—Leviticus 22:10.
An individual who is not a priest may not eat Terumah (the priestly tithe), nor any of the other holy foods whose consumption is restricted to priests [and certain of their family members and non-Jewish indentured workers].
This precept also includes the prohibition against deriving benefit from any object that belongs to the "holy" [i.e. sacrifices or items belonging to the Temple coffers].
Full text of this Mitzvah »• A Non-Priest Eating the Priestly Tithe
Negative Commandment 133
Translated by Berel Bell
The 133rd prohibition is that any non-Kohen is forbidden from eating any kind of terumah.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement,1 "No non-Kohen may eat kodesh (holy things)." This instance of kodesh refers to terumah, as well as bikkurim, which is also called terumah, as we shall later explain.2 This was my intention in writing "any kind of terumah." This categorization also applies to the case of intentional me'ilah (unauthorized use of sanctified objects).
One who intentionally ate terumah receives misah bidei shamayim,3 but does not have to pay the additional fifth of the value4 [as he would should he have eaten it unintentionally],5 as explained in the 6th and 7th chapters of tractate Terumah.
In the 9th chapter of tractate Sanhedrin,6 our Sages enumerate those who receive misa bidei shamayim, and include among them the non-Kohen who eats terumah. They prove this from the verse7 [which instructs the Kohanim to be careful with the terumah,] "because profaning it is a sin which could cause them to die." The verse, "No non-Kohen may eat kodesh (holy things)," immediately follows this verse [implying that the punishment applies in that case as well].
In the 2nd chapter of tractate Bikkurim, our Sages say, "Terumah and bikkurim are forbidden for non-Kohanim, and the punishment [for transgressing this law] is [a heavenly] death penalty] and repaying an extra fifth."
Rav — who [,although he was an Amora,] has the status of a Tanna, and therefore the right to disagree with Mishnayos — disagrees with all those Mishnayos and says that a non-Kohen who eats terumah is punished by lashes.
We explained in our commentary on the Mishneh that in any disagreement which deals only with theory but is not of practical importance, the halachah is not decided, and the Gemara doesn't say, "the halachah is like him." Therefore, the Gemara does not say that "the halachah is in accordance with Rav," or [the halachah is] in accordance with the Mishneh" — because according to everyone, he receives lashes. This is because anyone who receives misa bidei shamayim for a transgression, also receives lashes, as explained in our Introduction to this work.8
So too, without a doubt, one who intentionally uses sanctified objects without permission receives lashes. The source of this is the law9 regarding the vow of a boy shortly before bar mitzvah — "If he sanctifies it, and others eat it, both Rabbi Yochanan and Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish agree that they receive lashes."
FOOTNOTES
1.Lev. 22:10.
2.N148.
3.One receives a heavenly death penalty before reaching the age of 60. See Likkutei Sichos, Vol. 5, p.134, note 21.
4.One-fifth of the total, i.e. one-fourth of the primary amount.
5.Hilchos Terumos, 6:6.
6.83a.
7.Lev. 22:9.
8.Beg. of 14th Principle.
9.Niddah 46b.
• Negative Commandment 134
A Priest's Servants Consuming of the Priestly Tithe
"A tenant of the priest or a hired servant may not eat the holy [food]"—Leviticus 22:10.
The tenant [i.e. a Hebrew servant indentured until the Jubilee year] of a priest, as well as the priest's hired servant [i.e. a Hebrew servant serving for a six-year term] may not eat Terumah (the priestly tithe).
Full text of this Mitzvah »
• A Priest's Servants Consuming of the Priestly Tithe
Negative Commandment 134
Translated by Berel Bell
The 134th prohibition is that even one who resides1 with a Kohen or works for him is forbidden from eating terumah.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement,2 "Even if a person resides with a Kohen or is hired by him, that person may not eat kodesh."
Should he eat [terumah], he is judged like any other Jew.3
FOOTNOTES
1.See Hilchos Terumos 6:5.
2.Lev. 22:10.
3.See N133 above.
• Rambam - 1 Chapter: Mechirah Mechirah - Chapter Twenty• Mechirah - Chapter Twenty
1
The following rules apply in the situation to be described. A person wanted to purchase an article from a colleague. The seller said: "I will sell it to you for 200 zuz,"but the purchaser said: "I will not purchaseitfor more than amaneh." They each returned home. Afterwards, they came together again and the purchaser took possession of the article by meshichah without making any further statements. If it was the seller who made the proposition to the purchaser and gave him the article, he is required to give him only a maneh. If, however, it was the purchaser who performed meshichah without making any further offers, he is required to pay 200 zuz.
א
המבקש לקנות מחבירו מקח מוכר אומר במאתים אני מוכר לך והלוקח אומר איני קונה אלא במנה והלך זה לביתו וזה לביתו ואח"כ נתקבצו ומשך זה החפץ סתם אם המוכר הוא שתבע הלוקח ונתן לו החפץ אינו נותן אלא מנה ואם הלוקח הוא שבא ומשך זה החפץ סתם חייב ליתן מאתים:
2
The following rule applies when a person purchases an article from one of five people, but is unsure of the identity of the seller, and each of the five claims that he was the seller. The purchaser should place the money for the item among them and depart. The money should remain in custody until the false claimants admit that it is not theirs or Elijah comes. If the purchaser is pious, he should pay each one of the claimants to fulfill a moral and spiritual obligation.
ב
הלוקח מאחד מחמשה בני אדם וכל אחד מהן תובע אותו ואומר אני הוא בעל המקח והוא אינו יודע ממי מהם לקח מניח דמי המקח ביניהם ומסתלק ויהיו הדמים מונחין עד שיודו או עד שיבא אליהו ואם הוא חסיד נותן דמים לכל אחד ואחד כדי לצאת ידי שמים:
3
Different rules apply when a person purchased an article from one of five people, did not pay at the time, denied taking the article by making a false oath and then repented and wanted to make restitution. If all five demanded payment from him, saying, "I am the one from whom you denied taking the article, and to whom you made a false oath," and he says, "I do not know," he is obligated to pay each of them, because he committed a transgression.
ג
לקח מקח מאחד מחמשה בני אדם וכפר בו ונשבע על שקר ועשה תשובה והרי הוא רוצה לשלם וכל אחד ואחד תובע אותו ואומר אני הוא שכפרת בי ונשבעת לי והוא אומר איני יודע חייב לשלם לכל אחד ואחד מפני שעבר עבירה:
4
The seller's word is accepted when he says: "I sold the article to this one, and I did not sell the article to this one."When does this apply? When the article that he is selling is in his possession. If, however, the article is no longer in his possession, his statements are given no more credence than those of one witness, and the laws applying to him with regard to this testimony are no different from those applying to other people, for he is no longer involved in the matter concerning which he testified.
Therefore, if a seller took money from two people, one intentionally and one gave him money against the seller's will, and the seller does not know the identity of the person from whom he took money intentionally and that of the person who gave him money against his will, there is no testimony at all. Each of the persons must take an oath holding a sacred article, as dictated by our Sages. Each then receives half of the purchased article and half the money.
This applies whether the article is in the hands of the seller or both of the claimants are holding it.
ד
נאמן בעל המקח לומר לזה מכרתי ולזה לא מכרתי אימתי בזמן שהמקח יוצא מתחת ידו אבל אם אין המקח יוצא מתחת ידו הרי הוא עד אחד בלבד ודינו בעדות זו כדין כל אדם שהרי אינו נוגע בעדותו לפיכך אם נטל הדמים משנים מאחד מדעתו ומאחד בעל כרחו ולא ידע ממי נטל מדעתו וממי נטל בעל כרחו שניהן תופסין בו אין כאן עדות כלל וכל אחד מהן נשבע בתקנת חכמים בנקיטת חפץ ונוטל חצי המקח וחצי הדמים:
5
The principle, "When a person desires to expropriate property from a colleague, the burden of proof is upon him," is applied in all the following situations and in other similar ones:
The purchaser claims: "You sold the article to me," and the seller claims
that he did not;
The seller claims that he sold the article to the purchaser, and the
purchaser did not pay for it;
The purchaser claims that he paid the money, but did not perform
meshichah;
The purchaser claims that he performed meshichah without seeing a
particular blemish, and the seller claimed to have appraised him of it
beforehand; or One of them claimed that the transaction had been made conditional on a stipulation, and the other denied that.
ה
הרי שטען על חבירו ואמר מכרת לי וזה אומר לא מכרתי או מכרתי ולא נתת לי דמים או שטען הלוקח ואמר שנתן הדמים ועדיין לא משך או משכתי ולא ראיתי מום זה והמוכר אומר לו הודעתיו לך או שאמר אחד מהם כך וכך תנאי היה בינינו והאחד אומר לא היה שם תנאי כלל בכל אלו הטענות וכיוצא בהן המוציא מחבירו עליו הראיה:
6
In the above instances, if the plaintiff does not prove his claim, the defendant who denies the claim must support his own claim with a sh'vuat hesset. If he admits a portion of the plaintiff's claim, or the plaintiffs claim is supported by one witness, the defendant must take an oath, as mandated by Scriptural Law, as applies with regard to all other claims.
ו
לא היתה שם ראיה נשבע הכופר שמבקשין להוציא מידו שבועת היסת ואם הודה במקצת הטענה או שיש עליו עד אחד נשבע שבועת התורה כשאר הטענות כולן:
7
The following rules apply when a person tells a storekeeper: "Give me a dinar's worth of produce," and the storekeeper gives it to him, and the produce is placed in the public domain. If the storekeeper demands payment of the dinar and the purchaser replies "I paid you the money, and you put it into your pocket," the purchaser is required to take an oath as ordained by our Sages, holding a sacred object. Afterwards, he may take the produce. The rationale is that the produce has already left the domain of the seller and was placed in the public domain.
If the produce was in the domain of the purchaser, he would be required to take only a sh'vuat hesset, and then he would be freed of responsibility. If the produce was in the domain of the storekeeper, the storekeeper would be required to take a sh'vuat hesset, and the produce would remain his.
ז
אמר לחנוני תן לי בדינר פירות ונתן לו והרי הפירות מונחין ברשות הרבים והחנוני תובע את הדינר ובעל הבית אומר לו נתתי לך הדמים והשלכת אותם לתוך כיסך הרי הלוקח נשבע כתקנת חכמים בנקיטת חפץ ונוטל הפירות הואיל וכבר יצאו מרשות המוכר והרי הן ברשות הרבים ואילו היו ברשות הלוקח היה נשבע שבועת היסת ונפטר ואילו היה עדיין ברשות החנוני היה נשבע היסת וישארו פירותיו אצלו:
8
Different rules apply if a purchaser gives a dinar to a storekeeper to take produce that has been placed down in the public domain. If the storekeeper says: "The dinar that you just gave me is payment for produce that I previously gave you and that you took to your home. I never sold you this produce that is now placed in the public domain," the storekeeper must take an oath to support his claim while holding a sacred object. The produce is then returned to the storekeeper, for he never admitted selling it to the purchaser. And if the produce was located in his store, all that would be required of him would be a sh'vuat hesset, as explained in the previous halachah.
ח
נתן הלוקח דינר לחנוני ובא ליטול פירות המונחין ברשות הרבים ואמר החנוני דינר זה שנתת לי עכשיו הוא דמי פירות שכבר נתתים לך והולכתם לתוך ביתך אבל פירות אלו המונחין ברשות הרבים לא מכרתים לך הרי החנוני נשבע בנקיטת חפץ שכך היה הדבר ומחזיר פירותיו לחנוני שהרי לא הודה לו שמכרן לו מעולם ואילו היו בחנותו היה נשבע שבועת היסת כמו שביארנו:
9
Similar rules apply when a person gives a dinar to a money-changer to take coins when the coins are piled in the public domain. If the money-changer admits to having sold the coins and he has not taken the dinar, the purchaser must support his claim by taking an oath while holding a sacred object and may then take the coins. If, however, the money-changer does not admit to having sold the coins to the purchaser, even though he admits taking a dinar from the purchaser at this time, for he claims that the dinar is payment for coins that the purchaser already took home, the money-changer must support his claim by taking an oath while holding a sacred object. The coins are then returned to his store.
ט
וכן הדין בנותן דינר לשלחני ליטול מעות בזמן שהמעות צבורין ברשות הרבים אם השלחני הודה שמכרן ועדיין לא נטל הדינר נשבע הלוקח בנקיטת חפץ שנתן ונוטל המעות ואם לא הודה שמכרן לו אע"פ שמודה שלקח ממנו דינר עתה וטוען שדינר זה דמי המעות שכבר הוליכן הלוקח לתוך ביתו הרי השלחני נשבע בנקיטת חפץ ויחזיר מעותיו לחנותו:
10
The following laws apply when a person exchanges a cow and a donkey, and the cow bears a calf, or one sells a maidservant and she gives birth. The seller claims: "She gave birth before I sold her." The purchaser claims: "She gave birth after I purchased her." The purchaser must bring proof of his claim to be granted possession.
This ruling applies even if the seller says: "I do not know when she gave birth." Indeed, even if the cow is located in a swamp or the maidservant in a corner of the public domain, they are considered to be in the possession of the seller until the purchaser brings proof of his claim.If the purchaser does not bring proof of his claim, the seller must take an oath while holding a sacred object to support his claim. This applies with regard to the offspring of a cow. With regard to the offspring of a maidservant, by contrast, he is required only to take a sh'vuat hesset. For an oath associated with a sacred object is never taken with regard to servants or landed property, as explained in Hilchot To'en V'Nit'an.
י
המחליף פרה בחמור וילדה וכן המוכר שפחתו וילדה זה אומר עד שלא מכרתי ילדה וזה אומר משלקחתי ילדה אפילו אמר המוכר איני יודע על הלוקח להביא ראיה אע"פ שהפרה עומדת באגם והשפחה עומדת בסימטא הרי הן בחזקת המוכר עד שיביא הלוקח ראיה לא הביא ראיה ישבע המוכר בנקיטת חפץ על ולד הפרה אבל על ולד השפחה אינו נשבע אלא היסת שאין נשבעין בנקיטת חפץ על העבדים ולא על הקרקעות כמו שיתבאר בהלכות טוען ונטען:
11
If one says: "I do not know when the offspring was born," and the other also does not know, and the offspring is located in a domain that does not belong to either of them, it should be divided.
If one says: "The offspring was born in my domain," and the other remains silent, the one who makes the claim is awarded the offspring.
יא
זה אומר איני יודע וזה אומר איני יודע ואינם ברשות אחד מהן יחלוקו זה אומר ברשותי ילדה והאחר שותק זכה הטוען בולד:
12
The following rules apply when a dispute arises concerning a seller who owns two servants, one an adult and one a minor, or two fields, one large and one small. The purchaser claims: "I purchased the greater one," while the seller claims: "You purchased the smaller one." The burden of proof lies with the purchaser. If he does not substantiate his claim, the seller should take a sh'vuat hesset that it was the smaller one that he sold and he is allowed to keep the larger one.
יב
מי שהיו לו שני עבדים קטן וגדול או שתי שדות אחת גדולה ואחת קטנה הלוקח אומר גדולה לקחתי והמוכר אומר קטנה היא שלקחת על הלוקח להביא ראיה או ישבע המוכר היסת שלא מכר אלא קטן:
13
If the purchaser says: "I purchased the greater one," and the seller remains silent, the purchaser is awarded the greater one.
If the seller says: "I do not know," the burden of proof lies on the purchaser. If he does not substantiate his claim, the seller should take a sh'vuat hesset that he does not know which article was purchased,and the purchaser is awarded only the smaller one.
יג
אמר הלוקח גדול לקחתי והמוכר שותק זכה הלוקח בגדול ואם אמר המוכר איני יודע על הלוקח להביא ראיה או יישבע המוכר היסת שאינו יודע, ואין לזה אלא הקטן:
14
Whenever a doubt over responsibility for an article arises the burden of proof lies on the person in whose domain the doubt arises.
What is implied? A person exchanges a cow for a donkey, and the owner of the donkey performs meshichah on the cow, but before the owner of the cow can perform meshichah on the donkey, the donkey dies. The burden of proof is on the owner of the donkey to verify that the donkey was alive at the time meshichah was performed on the cow. The same principle applies in all analogous situations.
יד
כל מי שנולד הספק ברשותו, עליו להביא ראיה. כיצד המחליף פרה בחמור ומשך בעל החמור את הפרה ולא הספיק בעל הפרה למשוך זה החמור עד שמת החמור על בעל החמור להביא ראיה שהיה חמורו קיים בשעת משיכת הפרה וכן כל כיוצא בזה:
15
The following laws apply when a butcher sold an animal to a purchaser before its slaughter, it was slaughtered, and afterwards, a needle was discovered in the animal's second stomach that had pierced it from side to side.'
If a drop of blood is found upon it, it is clear that it became trefah before its slaughter. If a scab had formed over the wound, it is clear that it became trefah three days before its slaughter. If a scab had not formed over the wound, there is a lack of clarity concerning the matter, and the butcher must bring proof that the disqualifying factor arose before the purchase. This decision is rendered because the cow was in his possession when the doubt arose. If he cannot bring proof to this effect, he must pay the money due to the seller, as explained above.
טו
מחט הנמצא בעובי בית הכוסות ונקבה אותו נקב מפולש אם נמצא עליה קורט דם בידוע שזו נטרפה קודם שחיטה לפיכך אם הגליד פי המכה בידוע שדזו נטרפה שלשה ימים קודם שחיטה לא הגליד פי המכה הרי הדבר ספק ועל הטבח להביא ראיה שקודם לקיחתו נטרפה שהרי ברשותו נולד הספק ואם לא הביא ראיה ישלם הדמים למוכר כמו שביארנו:
• Terumot - Chapter 7
1
A priest who is ritually impure is forbidden to partake of terumah whether it is ritually pure or ritually impure,1 as [Leviticus 22:4] states: "Any person from the seed of Aaron who is afflicted with tzaraat2or is a zav3 may not partake of consecrated food." Which consecrated food may be eaten by all the descendants of Aaron, both male and female? We must say: terumah.4
[Thus] any impure person who eats terumah that is ritually pure is liable for death at the hand of heaven. Therefore he is given lashes,5 as [ibid.:9] states: "And you shall protect My charge and not bear sin because of it [and die because of it]."
א
כהן טמא אסור לאכול תרומה בין טמאה בין טהורה שנאמר איש איש מזרע אהרן והוא צרוע או זב בקדשים לא יאכל אי זהו קדש שאוכלין אותו כל זרע אהרן זכרים ונקבות הוי אומר זו תרומה אלא שכל טמא האוכל תרומה טהורה חייב מיתה בידי שמים ולפיכך לוקה שנאמר ושמרו את משמרתי ולא ישאו עליו חטא וטמא שאכל תרומה טמאה אף ע"פ שהוא בלאו אינו לוקה שהרי אינה קדש:
2
Impure [priests who have immersed to purify themselves] may not partake of terumah until the sun sets and three stars appear afterwards8 [on the day the impure person immerses himself], as [implied by ibid.:7]: "And the sun will set and he will become pure"9 - until the sky will become pure of the light - "afterwards he may partake of the consecrated foods."
ב
אין הטמאים אוכלין בתרומה עד שיעריב שמשן ויצאו שלשה כוכבים אחר שקיעת החמה שנאמר ובא השמש וטהר עד שיטהר הרקיע מן האור ואחר יאכל מן הקדשים:
3
A priest who is ritually pure who ate terumah that is ritually impure is not liable for lashes, because [the prohibition is the result of] a positive commandment. For the verse states: "Afterwards he may partake of the consecrated foods."10 [Implied is that,] after he becomes purified, he may partake of food that is in a state of holiness. Food which is impure, by contrast, he should not eat, even though he becomes purified. A prohibition that stems from a positive commandment11 has the status of a positive commandment.12
ג
כהן טהור שאכל תרומה טמאה אינו לוקה מפני שהוא בעשה שנאמר ואחר יאכל מן הקדשים מדבר שהוא בקדושתו הוא שיאכל כשיטהר אבל דבר טמא לא יאכל אע"פ שיטהר ולאו הבא מכלל עשה עשה הוא:
4
ד
מי שהיה אוכל בתרומה והרגיש שנזדעזעו איבריו להוציא שכבת זרע אוחז באמה ובולע את התרומה:
5
We may immerse a deaf-mute or intellectually or emotionally unstable [priest] and feed him terumah after nightfall on that day.15 We guard them to make sure that they do not sleep after immersing themselves, because if they sleep, they are [considered] impure for perhaps they had a seminal emission16 unless a copper container is made for them.17
ה
החרש והשוטה מטבילין אותן ומאכילין אותן תרומה אחר שהעריב שמשן ומשמרין אותן שלא יישנו אחר הטבילה שאם ישנו טמאים אלא אם כן עשו להם כיס של נחשת שמא יראו קרי:
6
ו
רוכבי גמלים אסורין לאכול בתרומה עד שיטבלו ויעריב שמשן שהן בחזקת טומאה מפני החימום שהרכיבה על עור הגמל מוציא טיפה של שכבת זרע:
7
When a woman engages in intimacy, she may immerse herself and partake of terumah in the evening,20 provided she did not turn over during intimacy.21If she turned over during intimacy she is forbidden to partake of terumah for a duration of three days. For it is impossible that she will not discharge [semen] and become impure,22 as will be explained in the appropriate place.23
ז
המשמשת מטתה אם לא נתהפכה בשעת תשמיש טובלת ואוכלת בתרומה לערב ואם נתהפכה בשעת התשמיש הרי זו אסורה לאכול בתרומה כל שלשה ימים שאי אפשר לה שלא תפלוט ותהיה טמאה כמו שיתבאר במקומו:
8
Since the primary obligation of terumah [separated] in the Diaspora is Rabbinic in origin,24 it is forbidden only to a priest who becomes ritually impure because of a discharge from his body: i.e., men who had a seminal emission, zavim,25 zavot,26niddot,27 and women who give birth.28 All of these individuals may partake [of terumah] after they immersed even if they did not [wait] until nightfall.29 Those who, by contrast, became impure because of contact with a source of ritual impurity - whether contact with a human corpse, a form of impurity which is impossible to purge in the present age30 or contact with [the corpse of] a crawling animal - need not immerse themselves [to partake of] terumah separated in the Diaspora.
ח
תרומת ח"ל הואיל ועיקרה מדבריהן אינה אסורה באכילה אלא לכהן שטומאה יוצאה עליו מגופו והן בעלי קריין וזבין וזבות ונדות ויולדות וכולן שטבלו מותרין לאכילה אף על פי שלא העריב שמשן אבל טמאי מגע טומאות בין שנגע במת שאי אפשר לנו היום לטהר ממנו בין שנגע בשרץ אינו צריך לטבול לתרומת חוצה לארץ:
9
For this reason, a male priest who is a minor who has not yet had a seminal emission or a female of the priestly family who has never experienced menstrual bleeding may partake of [terumah from the Diaspora] at all times without undergoing an inspection, for the presumption that they did not have a discharge that would render them ritually impure applies to them.31
ט
לפיכך כהן קטן שעדיין לא ראה קרי וקטנה שעדיין לא ראתה דם נדה אוכלין אותה תמיד בלא בדיקה שחזקתן שלא יצאה טומאה עדיין עליהם והמצורע הרי הוא כמי שטומאה יוצאה עליו מגופו והוא שיטמא אותו כהן מיוחס אבל קודם שיטמאנו הכהן טהור הוא:
10
A priest who is uncircumcised is forbidden to partake of terumah according to Scriptural Law.35 [This concept is derived as follows: Leviticus 22:10] speaks of a resident worker and a hired worker with regard to [partaking of] terumah and [Exodus 12:45] speaks of a resident worker and a hired worker with regard to [partaking of] the Paschal sacrifice. Just as with regard to the Paschal sacrifice, the resident worker and the hired worker spoken about refer to those who are uncircumcised and who are forbidden [to partake of] it,36 so too, with regard to terumah, we learn that a resident worker and a hired worker who are uncircumcised are forbidden [to partake of] it. 37 If such a person partakes [of terumah], he is liable for lashes according to Scriptural Law.
י
כהן ערל אסור לאכול בתרומה מדין תורה שהרי נאמר תושב ושכיר בתרומה ונאמר תושב ושכיר בפסח מה תושב ושכיר האמור בפסח ערל אסור בו אף תושב ושכיר האמור בתרומה ערל אסור בו ואם אכל לוקה מן התורה משוך מותר לאכול בתרומה ואף על פי שנראה כערל ומד"ס שימול פעם שנייה עד שיראה מהול:
11
יא
הנולד מהול אוכל בתרומה והטומטום אינו אוכל מפני שהוא ספק ערל ואנדרוגינוס מל ואוכל:
12
Although an uncircumcised priest and all those who are impure are forbidden to partake of terumah, their wives and their servants may partake [of it].46
יב
הערל וכל הטמאין אעפ"י שהן אסורין לאכול בתרומה נשיהן ועבדיהן אוכלין:
13
[The following laws apply to a priest] who has maimed testicles or a severed member. They and their servants may partake of terumah.47 Their wives may not partake of terumah.48 If [such a priest] was not intimate with his wife after suffering these wounds, [his wife] may partake of terumah.49Similarly, if he married the descendent of converts, she may partake of terumah.50
יג
פצוע דכא וכרות שפכה הם ועבדיהן אוכלין ונשיהן לא יאכלו ואם לא ידע את אשתו משנעשה פצוע דכא וכרות שפכה הרי אלו יאכלו וכן אם נשא בת גרים ה"ז אוכלת:
14
When a priest with maimed testicles consecrates the daughter of a priest, she may not partake of terumah.51[When a priest is] a eunuch who was brought to this state through natural means,52 he, his wife, and his servants may partake of terumah. [When a priest is] a tumtum or an androgynus, their servants may partake of terumah,53 but not their wives.54
יד
פצוע דכא כהן שקידש בת כהן אינה אוכלת סריס חמה הוא ואשתו ועבדיו אוכלין טומטום ואנדרוגינוס עבדיהן אוכלין אבל לא נשותיהן:
15
טו
חרש שוטה וקטן שקנו להן עבדים אינן אוכלין אבל אם קנו להם ב"ד או אפוטרופוס או שנפלו להן בירושה הרי אלו אוכלין:
16
When an androgynus [of the priestly family] engages in intimacy - whether through anal intercourse57 or vaginal intercourse - with a person who is disqualified from partaking of terumah, he is disqualified from partaking of terumah as a woman would be.58 His servants also may not partake of terumah.59
Similarly, if he engages in intimacy with another adrogynus with whom relations would disqualify a woman from partaking of terumah, he is disqualified. Neither he nor his servants may partake of terumah. [The latter law] applies when he engages in intimacy through vaginal intercourse.60 If, however, he is intimate through anal intercourse,61 [the above does not apply], because a male does not disqualify another male from priestly [privileges].62
טז
אנדרוגינוס שנבעל לפסול מן התרומה בין דרך זכרותו בין דרך נקבותו נפסל מלאכול בתרומה כנשים ואין עבדיו אוכלין וכן אם נבעל לאנדרוגינוס אחר שהוא פוסל בביאתו לאשה נפסל ואינו אוכל ולא מאכיל עבדיו והוא שיבעול אותו דרך נקבותו אבל דרך זכרותו אין זכר פוסל זכר מן הכהונה:
17
When a servant belongs to partners and one of them is a priest, that does not entitle him to partake of terumah.63[Instead,] this servant is forbidden to partake [of terumah]. Whenever [the ownership of a servant] entitles him to partake of terumah, it also entitles him to partake of the breast and the thigh [of the peace sacrifices].64
יז
עבד של שני שותפין שהיה אחד מהן כהן אינו מאכיל ה"ז העבד אסור לאכול וכל המאכיל בתרומה מאכיל בחזה ושוק:
18
When a daughter of an Israelite marries a priest and brings servants [to his domain] - regardless of whether they are classified as nichsei milog or nichsei tzon barzel65 - they may partake [of terumah]. Similarly, when the servants of priests purchase servants or the servants of a priest's wife purchase servants, they may partake of terumah, as [intimated by Leviticus 22:11]: "[When a priest] will purchase a soul, the acquisition of his money, [he shall partake of it]." Implied is even an acquisition of an acquisition.66 An acquisition of [a priest] who is permitted to partake of terumah may entitle others to partake [of terumah]. An acquisition who does not partake of terumah may not entitle others to partake [of terumah].67
יח
בת ישראל שנשאת לכהן והכניסה לו בין עבדי מלוג בין עבדי נכסי צאן ברזל הרי אלו יאכלו וכן עבדי כהן שקנו עבדים ועבדי אשתו שקנו עבדים יאכלו שנאמר כי יקנה נפש קנין כספו אפילו קנין הקנין וקנין האוכל מאכיל (אחרים) וקנין שאינו אוכל אינו מאכיל:
19
When the daughter of a priest marries an Israelite and brings servants [to his domain] - regardless of whether they are classified as nichsei milog or nichsei tzon barzel - they may not partake [of terumah].68
יט
בת כהן שנשאת לישראל והכניסה לו בין עבדי מלוג בין עבדי צאן ברזל הרי אלו לא יאכלו:
20
[The following laws apply when] a widow marries a High Priest or a divorcee or a woman who underwent chalitzah - whether the daughter of a priest or an Israelite - marries an ordinary priest69 or [a priest] marries another one of the women with whom marriage is prohibited [by Scriptural Law].70 If she brings servants [to his domain] which are classified as nichsei milog or nichsei tzon barzel [to his domain], those classified as nichsei milog may not partake [of terumah],71 even though he is required to provide for their sustenance. Those classified as nichsei tzon barzel may partake of terumah, for they are the husband's property. If [a priest] married a shniyah,72 she may partake [of terumah],73 but her servants who are nichsei milog may not partake [of terumah].74
כ
אלמנה לכהן גדול גרושה וחלוצה לכהן הדיוט בין כהנת בין ישראלית וכן שאר חייבי לאוין והכניסה לו עבדי מלוג ועבדי צאן ברזל עבדי מלוג לא יאכלו אף ע"פ שהוא חייב במזונותם ועבדי צאן ברזל יאכלו מפני שהם של בעל נשא שנייה היא אוכלת ועבדי מלוג שלה לא יאכלו:
21
When the daughter of a priest who is a widow is consecrated by a High Priest or one who is divorced is consecrated by an ordinary priest, they may not partake of terumah,75 because they are designated for intimate relations that are forbidden according to Scriptural Law. Similarly, if they enter the chupah76 without being consecrated, they may not partake [of terumah]. For [entering into] the chupah disqualifies them.77
If such a woman is widowed or divorced after consecration [but before marriage], she returns to suitability and may partake of terumah. If, however, she had married, she may not partake of terumah, because she already became a chalalah.78
כא
כהנת אלמנה שנתארסה לכהן גדול או גרושה לכהן הדיוט הואיל והן משמרות לביאה פסולה של תורה הרי אלו לא יאכלו וכן אם נכנסו לחופה בלא אירוסין אינן אוכלות שהחופה פוסלתן מלאכול נתאלמנו או נתגרשו מן האירוסין חזרו להכשרן ואוכלות מן הנישואין לא יאכלו שכבר נתחללו:
22
When the husband of the daughter of a priest who is himself a priest dies and she falls before yevamim, one of which is a challal,79 she may not partake of terumah because of her connection to the challal.80 [This applies] even if one of the acceptable [brothers] issued a mamar81 to her, for a maamar does not constitute a complete acquisition of a yevamah.82
כב
כהנת שמת בעלה כהן ונפלה לפני יבמים שיש בהן חלל לא תאכל מפני זיקת החלל ואפילו עשה בה אחד מן הכשרים מאמר שאין המאמר קונה ביבמה קנין גמור:
23
[Although a yavam who is] a priest gives a bill of divorce83to his yevamah, [despite the fact that] she becomes forbidden to him, she still remains connected to him.84 Hence, she is entitled to partake of terumah. [She is not disqualified,] because she is designated for relations that are forbidden [only] by Rabbinic decree, since a bill of divorce disqualifies a yevamah only according to Rabbinic decree.
כג
כהן שנתן גט ליבמתו הכהנת שהרי נאסרה עליו ועדיין זיקתו עליה ה"ז אוכלת בתרומה מפני שהיא משמרת לביאה פסולה של דבריהן שאין הגט פוסל היבמה אלא מדבריהן וכן כהנת חלוצה או שנייה שנתארסה לכהן אוכלת כהן הדיוט שנשא אילונית הרי זו אוכלת בתרומה:
FOOTNOTES
1.
Sefer HaMitzvot (Negative Commandment 136) and Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 279) include this as one of 613 mitzvot of the Torah.
2.
Tzara'at is a physical affliction resembling, but not identical with leprosy, that comes as a result of gossip and imparts ritual impurity.
3.
This refers to a physical affliction resembling, but not identical with gonorrhea that imparts ritual impurity.
4.
It does not refer to the breast and thigh of the peace offerings, for a woman of the priestly family who marries and is widowed or divorced may not partake of them (Yevamot 74b).
5.
If his transgression is observed by witnesses and they issued a warning. Whenever lashes are given on the earthly plane, the transgressor receives atonement and is no longer held liable for death by God.
6.
From the fact that Sanhedrin 83a,b emphasizes that an impure priest is not liable for death for partaking of impure terumah, the Rambam concludes that a transgression is involved.
7.
Its impurity nullifies its holiness. See Chapter 6, Halachah 6 and notes, however.
8.
The Kessef Mishneh states that this is approximately 20 minutes after sunset. This applies in Eretz Yisrael. In different latitudes, the duration of this time period varies.
This represents a stringency over other laws where ritual purity is required. In many such instances, as soon as one immerses himself, his purification is completed and no further wait is necessary. See Hilchot Ma'aser Sheni 7:11.
9.
The simple meaning of the verse is that the person's purification process is not completed until the sun sets. The rules of Biblical exegesis, however, leave room for the meaning mentioned by the Rambam.
10.
The Rabaz emphasizes that with regard to partaking of the sacrifices, in certain instances, an impure priest must also bring a sacrifice to mark his immersion from impurity.
11.
I,e., as in the case at hand, there is no verse that says "Do not eat impure terumah," but from the positive commandment regarding pure terumah, we can conclude that partaking of the impure terumah is prohibited.
12.
Hence, its violation is not punishable by lashes.
13.
Which would render him ritually impure.
14.
For he does not become ritually impure until the semen actually emerges and in this way, he could swallow the terumah first (Niddah 40a).
15.
These individuals are not responsible for their conduct. Nevertheless, their priesthood is intact. Hence, we immerse them to purify them and then enable them to partake of terumah.
16.
I.e., because of the doubt, we considered them impure.
17.
Which would allow a seminal emission to be detected. Were the container to be made of cloth, the semen could be absorbed (Radbaz).
18.
The literal meaning of the Hebrew is "warmth."
19.
See the gloss of the Radbaz who states that the Rambam's wording implies that this ruling applies only when one rides bareback [see Shulchan Aruch (Even HaEzer 23:7)]. He also explains why it applies only to camel-riders and not those who ride on other animals.
20.
I.e., intimate relations cause both the man and the woman to become impure. To emerge from that impurity, they must each immerse in the mikvah and wait until nightfall (see Leviticus 15:18).
21.
Intimate relations can cause a woman to become impure for two reasons:
a) as stated above, the very act of intimacy brings about ritual impurity;
b) she comes in contact with semen and touching semen makes one ritually impure (Hilchot Sha'ar Avot HaTumah 5:9).
As long as the semen is in the woman's vagina, it is not considered to have touched her, because it is touching her body internally, not externally. If, however, it flows outside her vagina and touches her externally, she does become impure. According to the Rambam, if the woman does not turn over in intimate relations, the semen will remain in her vagina and not flow outside. Hence, after immersing herself and waiting until nightfall, she may partake of terumah. If, however, she turned over in the midst of intimacy, the semen will flow out. Moreover, it is possible that it will not flow out immediately, but will do so over the course of the coming days. Now, semen is considered to remain viable until the third day after intimacy. Hence for three days, the woman must consider the possibility that the semen flowed out from her body and made her impure. Hence, she cannot immerse herself in the mikvah to regain ritual purity until three days have passed.
The Ra'avad differs with the Rambam and maintains that even if the woman did not turn over during intimacy, as soon as she arises from bed, it is possible that semen will flow out from her vagina and touch her body. He quotes Niddah 41b in support of his explanation. The Radbaz and the Kessef Mishneh suggest that the Rambam had a different text of that Talmudic passage and they validate his ruling.
22.
Because of it touching her body.
23.
Ibid.:11. There the Rambam states that the intent is not that semen remains viable for three full days, but that it can remain viable until the third day after relations.
24.
As stated in Chapter 1, Halachah 1, according to Scriptural Law, the requirement to separate terumah applies only in Eretz Yisrael. The early Sages ordained that it should be observed in certain neighboring countries.
25.
This refers to a physical affliction resembling, but not identical with gonorrhea that imparts ritual impurity.
26.
Women who become impure because they experienced menstrual bleeding at times other than her ordinary cycle.
27.
Women who become impure because they experienced ordinary menstrual bleeding.
28.
Who becomes impure as explained in Hilchot Issurei Bi'ah, ch. 10. Since the obligation to separate terumah in these lands is only Rabbinic in origin, the Sages were lenient regarding the restrictions incumbent on those who partake of terumah.
29.
In contrast to terumah prescribed by Scriptural Law when such a wait is necessary, as stated in Halachah 2. The Ra'avad differs with the Rambam concerning this point and refers to Bechorot 27a in support of his position. The Radbaz and the Kessef Mishneh offer different explanations of that passage that support the Rambam's interpretation.
30.
For to purge the impurity resulting from contact with a human corpse, it is necessary to have the ashes from a Red Heifer sprinkled upon one's body and those ashes are not available in the present age.
31.
Once a male or a female attains majority, by contrast, we assume that they have become impure and they must immerse themselves before partaking of terumah (Radbaz).
32.
Tzara'at is a physical affliction resembling, but not identical with leprosy, that comes as a result of gossip and imparts ritual impurity.
33.
For his impurity is also a result of a physical condition (ibid.).
34.
For a person afflicted by tzara'at does not become ritually impure until a priest declares him so (Hilchot Tuma'at Tzara'at 9:2). With regard to the establishment of a priest's lineage, see the notes to Chapter 6, Halachah 2.
The Radbaz adds that the reason the impurity of tzara'at is not observed in the present age is that we have no priests whose lineage is established to declare people ritually impure. The physical conditions for the impurity may exist in the present age.
35.
The Radbaz writes that this prohibition applies even if he is uncircumcised with the Torah's permission, e.g., his brothers died because of circumcision, in which instance, caution is shown before circumcising him.
36.
See Hilchot Korban Pesach 9:7.
37.
Sefer HaMitzvot (Negative Commandment 135) and Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 282) include this as one of 613 mitzvot of the Torah. There is, however, a slight difficulty with this classification. The Rambam maintains that any commandment that is derived through one of the Thirteen Principles of Biblical Exegesis does not have the status of a Scriptural command, nor is such a prohibition punishable by lashes (Sefer HaMitzvot, General Principle 2) and as the Rambam states here, there is no direct commandment prohibiting an uncircumcised person from partaking of terumah. Instead, it is derived by our Sages (Yevamot 70a) through an association of verses (gezeirah shaveh). Hence, seemingly, it should not be placed in that category. The Rambam notes this difficulty when discussing this mitzvah in Sefer HaMitzvot and states that since our Sages mentioned that this mitzvah was of Scriptural origin, he considered it as having that status.
38.
I.e., one was originally circumcised, but underwent an operation so that it would appear that he was not circumcised. In the Hellenist and Roman periods, there were Jews who underwent such operations so that they would resemble non-Jews.
39.
For according to Scriptural Law, his original circumcision was effective and he can never revert to being uncircumcised.
40.
The Radbaz writes that the intent is not that he is forbidden to partake of terumah until he is circumcised again. Instead, the intent is that he is advised to undergo the operation and not to partake of terumah until he does so. The Sefer HaMitzvot and the Sefer HaChinuch (loc. cit.), however, say that such an individual is prohibited by the Rabbis from partaking of terumah.
41.
Although it is necessary to draw a drop of blood from such a person's organ (Hilchot Milah 1:11), it cannot be said that such a person is uncircumcised. Hence, he is permitted to partake of terumah (Radbaz).
42.
A child whose genital area is covered by a mass of flesh and thus his gender cannot be determined.
43.
Since his gender is undetermined, we do not know whether or not he must be circumcised.
44.
A person with both male and female sexual organs.
45.
Although there are many unresolved questions about such a person's status vis-à-vis gender, there is no difficulty in him partaking of terumah for both males and females of the priestly family are permitted to partake of it.
46.
They are prohibited from partaking of terumah due to outside factors. Their membership in the priestly family is, however, intact. Hence, their wives and servants may partake of terumah (Radbaz).
47.
Although their wounds prevent such priests from serving at the Altar, they are still members of the priestly family. Hence, they and their servants may partake of terumah.
48.
As stated in Deuteronomy 23:2 and Hilchot Issurei Bi'ah, ch. 16, a person with such wounds is forbidden to marry a natural born Jewess. Hence, if a priest is intimate with his wife after suffering such wounds, she becomes a zonah and a chalalah and hence, is forbidden to partake of terumah.
49.
Since they were not intimate, she has not become a chalalah and may partake of terumah. The Kessef Mishneh states that this refers to an instance where the couple were married and then he suffered this wound. If, however, a priest suffers such a wound and then consecrates a woman, she may not partake of terumah. See the notes to the following halachah.
50.
Ordinarily, a priest cannot marry a convert or the descendant of a convert. In this instance, however, because of his injury, the full measure of the holiness of the priesthood does not rest upon him and he may marry such a woman (Hilchot Issurei Bi'ah 16:1). Once he marries such a woman, she is entitled to partake of terumah, because she is the wife of a priest.
51.
Since this woman is prepared to engage in intimate relations that are forbidden to her, our Sages prohibited her from partaking of terumah even though she had not actually engaged in such relations. Moreover, she is no longer permitted to partake of terumah by virtue of her being a member of the priestly family, because she was consecrated, as stated in Chapter 8, Halachah 1.
52.
See Hilchot Ishut 2:14 for a more precise definition of the term used by the Rambam. As stated in Hilchot Issurei Bi'ah 16:9, such a person is permitted to marry a native-born Jewess. Hence, there is no difficulty with the wife of a priest with such a condition partaking of terumah.
53.
For in this context, there is no difference between them and the servants of an ordinary priest.
54.
For there is an unresolved doubt if their marriages are acceptable. Needless to say, if a tumtum undergoes an operation and it is determined that he is a male, his wife may partake of terumah even if he consecrated her before the operation.
55.
These individuals are considered as not being responsible for their actions and their acquisitions are not valid. Hence, the servants they purchase by themselves are not their property according to Scriptural Law and may not partake of terumah.
56.
Because the acquisitions are binding and they have become the property of a priest.
57.
The literal translation of the Rambam's words would be "as a male would be the object of intimacy."
58.
For such relations would cause a woman to be considered as a chalalah. Since there is an unresolved question regarding the gender of an androgynus, we are stringent and consider the possibility that he is a female. And a female is disqualified from terumah if she engages in intimacy that would render her a chalalah regardless of whether it is vaginal or anal intercourse (Radbaz).
59.
For their right to partake of terumah is dependent on that of their owner.
60.
For such relations would render a woman a chalahah and, because of the unresolved question regarding the status of the androgynus, we apply that stringency to him as well.
61.
The literal translation of the Rambam's words would be "as a male would be the object of intimacy."
62.
A male priest does not become a chalal because he entered into a forbidden sexual relationship.
The Ra'avad and the Kessef Mishneh question the Rambam's ruling, noting that, seemingly, the person should be disqualified from partaking of terumah based on the same rationale as the first clause of the halachah: i.e., that the androgynus also has a feminine dimension and that feminine dimension will be disqualified through anal intercourse. Hence, they ask: Why does the Rambam only view this relationship as intimacy between males and hence, not able to disqualify the androgynus? Why not see it as a relation between a male and a female? Among the explanations given is that since both of the androgynies are engaging in relations as males, it is not appropriate to deem one a male and one a female.
63.
The Jerusalem Talmud (the conclusion of tractate Terumot) states that for a servant to partake of terumah, he must belong to priests entirely. If an Israelite has even a one-hundredth share in the ownership of the servant, he may not partake of terumah.
64.
Which may be eaten by all the members of the priest's household.
65.
When a woman marries, her husband receives the right to benefit from her property. As explained in Hilchot Ishut, ch. 16, there are two arrangements under which a husband is allowed to benefit from his wife's property:
nichsei milog - in this instance, in the event of divorce or the husband's death, the property reverts to the ownership of the woman according to its value at that time, regardless of the profit or loss she suffers;
nichsei tzon barzel - in this instance, the property is evaluated at the time of marriage; in the event of divorce or the husband's death, the woman receives that amount, regardless of the worth of the property at that time.
Servants can be classified in either of these categories. In both instances, they have the right to partake of terumah. With regard to servants who are nichsei tzon barzel, they are the husband's (the priest's) acquisitions, for it is as if he acquired them when he accepted financial responsibility for their worth. With regard to those who are nichsei milog, they are "the acquisition of his acquisition," i.e., property belonging to his wife whom he has acquired. See Halachah 20.
66.
I.e., servants acquired by servants who were acquired by the priest. The inference is derived based on the fact that the verse contains to derivatives of the word koneh - "acquire."
67.
When the wife of a priest is not entitled to partake of terumah (see Halachot 20-22), her servants may also not partake of terumah.
68.
The servants who are nichsei tzon barzel certainly may not partake of terumah for they are now the property of an Israelite. Even the servants who are nichsei milog may not partake of terumah, for at this time, their owner - the Israelite's wife - is disqualified from partaking of terumah.
69.
These three types of relationships are forbidden, the first two by Scriptural Law, the latter by Rabbinic Law. Thus the woman will become a chalalah and hence, forbidden to partake of terumah. Since she is forbidden to partake of terumah, her servants are likewise forbidden.
70.
I.e., a woman who is forbidden to him because of one of the prohibitions that apply to all Jews, even non-priests. Nevertheless, if he engages in relations with that woman, she becomes a zonah and thus prohibited against partaking of terumah. In this instance as well, since she is forbidden to partake of terumah, her servants are likewise forbidden.
71.
For they are the woman's poperty, it is just that they are "on loan" to her husband, as it were.
72.
A relatively distant female relative with whom our Sages prohibited marriage as a safeguard against the Scriptural prohibitions of incest. See Hilchot Ishut 1:6.
73.
For according to Scriptural Law, she is the priest's wife and relations with him do not disqualify her, neither as a zonah or a chalalah.
74.
Seemingly, since such a woman has the right to partake of terumah, her servants should also be so entitled. The Radbaz explains that since her marriage is not sanctioned by Rabbinic Law, her husband is under no obligation to sustain her. Hence, her servants do not receive the right to partake of terumah. Those servants that are nichsei tzon barzel are permitted to partake of terumah according to all authorities, for they are her husband's acquisitions as explained above.
75.
I.e., were it not for the reason stated by the Rambam, they would be permitted to partake of terumah by virtue of their membership in the Priestly family.
76.
Entering the chupah means entering a private place with her husband. This is the act that constitutes the beginning of the second phase of the marriage relationship, nissuin.
77.
Even though a woman enters the chupah without consecration, that act causes her to be considered as designated for intimate relations that are forbidden.
78.
Through intimate relations with her husband.
79.
I.e., her husband, the priest, had several brothers, one of whom was born from a relationship forbidden to the priesthood, and thus had the status of a challal.
80.
Since she could be married by the challal, she is disqualified even though she is a member of the priestly family.
81.
A maamar is a Rabbinic institution in which a yevam declares his intention to marry his brother's childless widow by consecrating her through giving her money (Hilchot Yibbum 2:1).
82.
If another brother would perform yibbum with the widow, he would become her husband despite the maamar given by his brother. Thus the connection to the yevam who is a challal is still intact.
83.
I.e., instead of performing chalitzah which would absolve the connection between him and his yevamah, he gave her a bill of divorce. According to Scriptural Law, the bill of divorce is not effective at all. Nevertheless, according to Rabbinic Law, it disqualifies the woman from carrying out yibbum with any of the brothers (Hilchot Yibbum VeChalitzah 5:1).
84.
For according to Scriptural Law, their connection is still intact.
85.
And thus became forbidden to a priest by Rabbinic decree.
86.
A relatively distant female relative with whom our Sages prohibited marriage as a safeguard against the Scriptural prohibitions of incest. See Hilchot Ishut 1:6.
87.
Because she is a member of the priestly family. In contrast to the women mentioned in Halachah 21, these women are designated for relations that are forbidden only by Rabbinic decree. Hence, they are not disqualified.
Were the yevamah to be the daughter of an Israelite, she would not be permitted to partake of terumah despite the fact that she is bound to a priest through the obligation of yibbum (Radbaz).
88.
A women whose female sexual characteristics are underdeveloped.
89.
Although the priest may divorce her because she cannot have children, until he does so, he may be intimate with her. Hence, she is entitled to partake of terumah.
Terumot - Chapter 8
1
A fetus, a yavam, consecration, a deaf-mute, and a child of nine years old disqualify [a woman] from partaking of terumah, but do not entitle her to partake [of it].1
א
העובר והיבם והאירוסין והחרש ובן ט' שנים ויום אחד פוסלין ולא מאכילין:
2
What is meant [by the above statement] with regard to a fetus? A daughter of an Israelite who was impregnated by a priest2 is not entitled to partake of terumah by virtue of the fetus.3When the daughter of a priest, by contrast, was impregnated by an Israelite,4 she is prohibited against partaking of terumah because of the fetus. [This is derived from Leviticus 22:13:] "And she shall return to her father's home as in her maidenhood." This excludes a pregnant woman.5
ב
העובר כיצד בת ישראל המעוברת מכהן לא תאכל בשביל העובר ובת כהן המעוברת מישראל אסורה לאכול מפני העובר שנאמר ושבה אל בית אביה כנעוריה פרט למעוברת:
3
When an Israelite has relations with a daughter of a priest,6 we do not suspect that she became pregnant. Instead, she may immerse herself [in the mikveh]7 and partake [of terumah] in the evening. If she was married to an Israelite and her husband died, she may immerse herself and partake of terumah in the evening [and continue doing so] for 40 days.8 If her fetus is recognized [afterwards], retroactively, her [actions] are objectionable9 from the fortieth day onward. For, throughout the forty days, the embryo is not considered as a fetus, merely as water.
ג
בת כהן שבא עליה ישראל אין חוששין שמא נתעברה אלא טובלת ואוכלת לערב היתה נשואה לישראל ומת בעלה טובלת ואוכלת בתרומה לערב עד מ' יום ואם הוכר עוברה הרי זו מקולקלת למפרע עד מ' יום שכל המ' יום אינו עובר אלא מים בעולם הוא חשוב:
4
When a daughter of an Israelite was married to a priest and he died, leaving her pregnant,10 her servants11 should not partake of terumah because of the fetus. For only a child that was born entitles others to partake [of terumah]. One which is not born does not entitle others to partake [of terumah]. Therefore if the fetus was a challal [and the woman had other acceptable children, the fetus] does not disqualify the servants from partaking of terumah.12Instead, they may partake of it by virtue of his brothers who are acceptable priests until this challal is born, at which point, the servants become forbidden to partake [of terumah].13
ד
בת ישראל שנשאת לכהן ומת והניחה מעוברת לא יאכלו עבדיה בתרומה בשביל העובר שהילוד הוא שמאכיל שאינו ילוד אינו מאכיל לפיכך אם היה העובר חלל אינו פוסל העבדים אלא אוכלין בגלל אחיו הכשרים עד שיולד זה החלל ויאסרו העבדים מלאכול:
5
What is meant [by the initial statement] with regard to a yavam? When a daughter of an Israelite is under the obligation to perform yibbum with a priest,14she may not partake of terumah, for [ibid.:11] states: "When a priest will purchase a soul" and this [yavam] has not acquired [the woman] yet.15
When the daughter of a priest is under the obligation to perform yibbum with an Israelite, she is forbidden [to partake of terumah]16because of her yavam, as [implied by the verse:] "And she shall return to her father's home as in her maidenhood." This excludes a woman under obligation to perform yibbum.17
ה
היבם כיצד בת ישראל הזקוקה ליבם כהן לא תאכל שנאמר וכהן כי יקנה נפש וזה עדיין לא קנאה ובת כהן הזקוקה לישראל אסורה מפני יבמה שנאמר ושבה אל בית אבית כנעוריה פרט לשומרת יבם:
6
When a yavam who is a priest engages in relations with his yevamah by force or without intent or he merely uncovers her and does not complete the act of intercourse,18 he acquires [his yevamah], as stated in Hilchot Yibbum.19 Nevertheless, he does not entitle her to partake of terumah until he completes the act of intercourse with her consent.
ו
יבם כהן שבא על יבמתו באונס או בשגגה או שהערה בה ולא גמר אע"פ שקנאה כמו שבארנו בהלכות יבום אינו מאכילה בתרומה עד שיבעול בעילה גמורה ברצון במה דברים אמורים שנתאלמנה מן האירוסין אבל מן הנישואין הואיל והיתה אוכלת תאכל בביאה זו:
7
What is meant [by the initial statement] with regard to a consecration? When a daughter of a priest is consecrated by an Israelite, she is forbidden to partake [of terumah], for he has already acquired her. When the daughter of an Israelite has been consecrated by a priest, she may not partake [of terumah] until she enters the chupah, lest she give terumah to the members of her father's household, as we explained.22
ז
האירוסין כיצד בת כהן שנתארסה לישראל אסורה לאכול שהרי יש לו בה קנין ובת ישראל שנתארסה לכהן לא תאכל עד שתכנס לחופה שמא תאכיל לבני בית אביה כמו שביארנו:
8
When an Israelite tells the daughter of a priest: "Behold, you are consecrated to me after 30 days," she may partake [of terumah] for these 30 days,23 for the consecration has not taken effect yet.24 If, however, he told her: "You are consecrated to me from the present and after 30 days,"25 she is forbidden to partake [of terumah] immediately.26 Similar laws apply with regard to other conditional agreements of this type.27
ח
ישראל שאמר לכהנת הרי את מקודשת לי אחר ל' יום ה"ז אוכלת בתרומה כל השלשים שעדיין לא נתארסה ואם אמר לה הרי את מקודשת לי מעכשיו ולאחר ל' יום ה"ז אסורה לאכול מיד וכן שאר התנאים כיוצא בזה:
9
What is meant [by the initial statement] with regard to a deaf-mute? When a daughter of a priest is married to an Israelite who is a deaf-mute, she may not partake [of terumah], since he acquires her by virtue of the ordinance of our Sages who instituted marriage for him.28 When a daughter of an Israelite marries a priest who is a deaf-mute, she may not partake [of terumah], because he does not acquire [her] according to Scriptural Law,29 because he is not of [adequate] intellectual capacity.
ט
החרש כיצד כהנת שנשאת לישראל חרש לא תאכל שהרי קונה בתקנת חכמים שתקנו לו נישואין ובת ישראל שנשאת לכהן חרש לא תאכל שאינו קונה מן התורה שאינו בן דעת:
10
[When a woman] was consecrated by a priest of ordinary mental capacity, but he did not marry her until he became a deaf-mute, she may not partake [of terumah].30 [In the above situation, if after consecrating a woman, a priest] died and she fell before a yavam who is a deaf-mute, she may not partake [of terumah].31 If, however, he married her when he was of ordinary mental capacity and then became a deaf-mute, she may [continue] to partake [of terumah].32 If he died and she fell before a yavam who is a deaf-mute and he performs yibbum with her, she may [also continue to] partake [of terumah]. [The rationale for the leniency is] that she was partaking of terumah beforehand.33
When the wife of [a priest who is] a deaf-mute bears him a child, she may partake [of terumah] by virtue of her child.
י
נתארסה לכהן פקח ולא הספיק לכונסה עד שנתחרש אינה אוכלת מת ונפלה לפני יבם חרש ויבמה אינה אוכלת אבל אם נשאה כשהוא פיקח ונתחרש הרי זו אוכלת מת ונפלה לפני יבם חרש ויבמה הרי זו אוכלת הואיל והיתה אוכלת בתחלה ואשת חרש שילדה ממנו הרי זו אוכלת בשביל בנה:
11
What is meant [by the initial statement] with regard to a child of nine years old?34 [When a daughter of a priest] engaged in relations with a child of nine years old who is forbidden to her, since sexual relations in which he engages are significant,35she is disqualified from the priesthood and forbidden to partake of terumah, because she becomes a zonah or a chalalah, as we explained.36 [This applies] even if [the child] is sexually impotent.37
When a daughter of an Israelite marries a priest who is nine years old, even though the relations in which he engages are significant, she is not entitled to partake of terumah because of [this] child, because he cannot acquire her [as his wife] until he reaches majority.38
יא
בן תשע שנים ויום אחד כיצד מי שנבעלה לאסור לה והוא בן תשע שנים ויום אחד הואיל וביאתו ביאה נפסלה מן הכהונה ואסורה מלאכול בתרומה מפני שנעשית זונה או חללה כמו שביארנו אפילו היה שחיף ובת ישראל שנשאת לכהן בן ט' שנים ויום אחד אף על פי שביאתו ביאה אינה אוכלת בשביל הקטן לפי שאינו קונה עד שיגדיל ספק שהוא בן ט' שנים ויום אחד ספק שאינו נשאת לבן י"ג שנה ויום אחד ספק שהביא שתי שערות ספק שלא הביא הרי זו אסורה לאכול:
12
All of the relationships [mentioned above] that do not entitle a woman to partake of terumah prescribed by Scriptural Law also do not entitle her to partake of terumah prescribed by Rabbinic Law. [This is] a decree lest they have them partake of terumah prescribed by Scriptural Law.
יב
כל אלו כשם שאין מאכילין בתרומה של תורה כך אין מאכילין בתרומה של דבריהם גזירה שמא יאכילו בשל תורה:
13
The [following] individuals neither disqualify [the daughter of a priest from partaking of terumah]43 or enable [the daughter of an Israelite] to partake of it:44a rapist, a seducer,45 or a mentally or emotionally unstable person.46 [This applies] provided she is not forbidden to them, in which instance, they disqualify her through relations, because she becomes a zonah or a chalalah, as we explained.47
יג
ואלו לא פוסלין ולא מאכילין:
האונס והמפתה והשוטה שנשא אשה אא"כ היתה אסורה להן שהן פוסלין אותה בביאתם מפני שנעשית זונה וחללה כמו שביארנו:
14
When a woman married a priest who was intellectually or emotionally unstable or a priest raped her or seduced her and she bore him a child, she may partake of terumah because of her son.48 There is a doubt concerning the matter, for since she was not consecrated to him, it is possible that she was impregnated by another person. Nevertheless, we operate under the presumption that the child was conceived by [the priest] who engaged in relations with her. [This applies] provided rumors did not circulate concerning her with another person. Instead, everyone gossips about her and this priest.
Similar concepts apply when an Israelite who is intellectually or emotionally unstable engages in relations with the daughter of a priest or [an Israelite] raped or seduced her and she became pregnant. She may not partake of terumah because of the fetus. If the fetus is is aborted, she may partake [of terumah].49
יד
מי שנשאת לכהן שוטה או שאנס אותה או שפיתה אותה כהן וילדה אוכלת בשביל בנה ואע"פ שהדבר ספק הואיל ובלא קידושין היא שמא מאחר נתעברה הרי הולד בחזקת זה שבא עליה:
והוא שלא יצא עליה קול עם אחר אלא הכל מרננין אחריה בזה הכהן וכן כהנת שבא עליה ישראל שוטה או שאנסה או פיתה אותה ונתעברה אינה אוכלת מפני העובר נתחתך העובר ה"ז תאכל:
15
When witnesses concerning a [sotah] warning and witnesses concerning [a sotah] meeting testify against a woman50 married [to a priest], she is forbidden to partake of terumah until she drinks the bitter water, because there is a question whether she is a zonah. If her husband dies before she drinks the water or she is one of the women who are absolved from drinking51 and do not receive the money due them by virtue of their ketubah, she is forbidden to partake of terumah forever.52Whenever the wife of a priest says: "I have been unfaithful," she is forbidden to partake of terumah.53
טו
אשת איש שבאו עליה עידי קינוי ועידי סתירה הרי זו אסורה לאכול בתרומה עד שתשתה מי המרים מפני שהיא ספק זונה מת בעלה קודם שישקנה או שהיתה מן הנשים שאינן שותות ולא נוטלות כתובה ה"ז אסורה לאכול בתרומה לעולם וכל אשת כהן שאמרה טמאה אני הרי זו אסורה לאכול בתרומה:
16
When a daughter of an Israelite who has not attained majority marries a priest without her father's consent, whether in his presence or in his absence, she may not partake of terumah even though her father consecrated her.54 [The rationale is that] her father might object and then she would retroactively be unfit [to partake of terumah]. [The reason] he remains silent even though he sees is because he is angry because she married without his consent.55
טז
קטנה בת ישראל שנשאת לכהן שלא מדעת אביה בין בפני אביה בין שלא בפניו אף על פי שקדשה אביה אינה אוכלת בתרומה שאם מיחה תעשה זרה למפרע וזה שרואה ושותק כועס הוא לפי שנשאת שלא לדעתו:
FOOTNOTES
1.
This statement is explained in the halachot that follow.
2.
Without being married to the priest or after being widowed from him.
3.
I.e., as soon as the baby is born, the mother is entitled to eat by virtue of her child. Until it is born, however, the restrictions apply.
4.
Without being married to the priest or after being widowed from him.
5.
Rashi (Yevamot 67b) explains that a pregnant woman is excluded, because she does not resemble a maiden.
6.
Without being married to the priest or after being widowed from him.
7.
To purify herself from the impurity she contracted because of the relations in which she engaged (see Leviticus 15:18). Note, however, Chapter 7, Halachah 7, and notes, from which it is apparent that there are times when a woman will have to wait longer.
8.
For even if she became pregnant, the pregnancy is not significant as the Rambam continues to explain. Hence, after 40 days passed, she should refrain from partaking of terumah until it is clear that she is not pregnant.
9.
She is required to make restoration of the terumah and add a fifth of its value as atonement.
10.
Without any other children.
11.
She herself may also not partake of terumah, as stated in Halachah 2. This halachah is speaking about her servants that are nichsei tzon barzel and thus belong to the heirs of her husband's estate. Until the fetus is born, it is not a significant entity and the servants that belong to it do not have the right to partake of terumah because of it.
12.
The Ra'avad differs with the Rambam concerning this point and maintains that the right of the fetus to the servants is significant even before the fetus is born. Hence, he disqualifies them from partaking of terumah. The Radbaz and the Kessef Mishneh offer interpretations of the relevant Talmudic portions that substantiate the Rambam's ruling.
13.
Until the estate is divided and each brother receives his share.
14.
Regardless of the age of the prospective yavam.
15.
Although she was married to the brother of the yavam, the yavam does not acquire her until he performs yibbum. The Radbaz emphasizes that this ruling applies even if the yavam gave her a ma'amar, designating her as his wife.
16.
Which, were she not obligated to her yavam, she could partake of by virtue of her membership in the priestly family.
17.
Rashi (loc. cit. 67b) explains that such a woman is excluded, because she may not return to her father's home.
18.
As stated in Hilchot Issurei Bi'ah 1:10, the term "uncover" is of Biblical origin (Leviticus 20:18) and refers to the insertion of the corona alone in the woman's vaginal channel. "Completing relations" refers to the insertion of the entire male organ.
19.
Hilchot Yibbum VeChalitzah 2:3.
20.
And thus was not yet entitled to partake of terumah by virtue of her initial marriage.
21.
I.e., during her first marriage.
22.
Chapter 6, Halachah 3, explains that the Sages forbade such a woman from partaking of terumah for this reason. According to Scriptural Law, she is entitled to partake of it.
23.
By virtue of her ancestral right.
24.
When a woman's husband words his statement in that manner, the consecration does not take effect until the 30 days pass (Hilchot Ishut 7:10).
25.
In which instance, the wording he uses is confusing and there is a doubt whether the consecration takes effect immediately or only after 30 days (ibid.:12).
26.
Because of the doubt regarding her status.
27.
I.e., if the man consecrated the woman conditionally, but stated that when the condition is fulfilled, the consecration would take effect from the present time (see ibid.: 6:16).
28.
According to Scriptural Law, a deaf-mute does not have the capacity to consecrate a woman as his wife. Our Sages, however, desired that these individuals be given a chance to enjoy the basics of family life (see Hilchot Ishut 4:9, 11:4).
29.
And the acquisition ordained by our Sages does not have the power to supercede Scriptural Law.
30.
For her consecration did not entitle her to partake of terumah and her marriage to a deaf-mute (through yibbum) does not give her this right either.
31.
In this instance, the yibbum performed by the deaf-mute creates a marriage-bond that is effective according to Scriptural Law. Nevertheless, the relations with which he engages with her resemble the inadvertent relations mentioned in Halachah 6 and hence do not entitle the woman to partake of terumah.
32.
For she is married according to Scriptural Law.
33.
And the relations with the yavam restore her to her previous status.
34.
The Rambam speaks about a boy "nine years and one day old." Nevertheless, the intent is that he has completed nine years of life and entered his tenth year. Even a portion of a day is considered as an entire day. Thus as soon as a child reaches his ninth birthday, he is nine years and one day old. Hence, for the purpose of brevity, we have translated as above.
35.
Although such a child is a minor and not entirely sexually potent, at this age, he is somewhat physically mature. Hence, relations in which he engage are significant to a certain extent. See Hilchot Ishut 11:3; Hilchot Yibbum 1:16; Hilchot Issurei Bi'ah 1:13.
36.
See Chapter 6, Halachah 7.
37.
I.e., and he inserted his organ in hers without an erection. The Radbaz explains that this is the fundamental new concept taught by this halachah. Otherwise, it would be obvious that since relations with this child are significant and they are forbidden to this woman, they disqualify her from partaking of terumah.
38.
For a male cannot acquire a wife until he reaches majority. Such a marriage is not significant even according to Rabbinic Law (Hilchot Ishut 11:6-7).
39.
In which instance, she would be forbidden to partake of terumah.
40.
In which instance, she would be permitted.
41.
Because of the doubt.
42.
For a child does not reach maturity - and hence, a marriage that he enters is not significant - until he manifests bodily signs, two pubic hairs for a male, that he has reached maturity. Attaining the age of maturity is itself not sufficient (Hilchot Ishut 2:10-11).
Seemingly, this clause is also speaking about an instance where the daughter of a priest is marrying a youth who disqualifies her and the question is whether he is of sufficient physical maturity for the marriage to be significant. In that instance, however, it would be proper to speak of consecration, not marriage. For this reason, Rav Yosef Korcus defines this clause as referring to a daughter of an Israelite who is marrying a priest and the question is whether the marriage entitles her to partake of terumah or not.
43.
If the individual involved is an Israelite fit to marry this woman.
44.
If the individual involved is a priest.
45.
I.e., one who seduced a girl under majority. In that instance, even though the relations were with consent, since the girl is a minor, they are considered to have been carried out against her will.
46.
In the first two instances, since the relations were carried out outside the context of marriage, they are not significant with regard to terumah. In the latter instance, since the marriage of an intellectual or emotionally unstable person is of no significance whatsoever (Hilchot Ishut 11:6), the relations are considered as taking place outside the context of marriage.
47.
See Chapter 6, Halachah 7. In such an instance, the woman is disqualified even if the relations were carried out under duress.
48.
Since he is a priest, he entitles his mother to partake of terumah. See Chapter 6, Halachah 12.
49.
I.e., she resumes her previous status.
50.
A sotah is a woman suspected of adultery who is subjected to a test of her fidelity by drinking special water, the "bitter water" mentioned by the Rambam, prepared in the Temple. For a woman to be required to take this test, two witnesses must testify that she was warned by her husband not to enter into privacy with a particular man and two witnesses must testify that she in fact entered into privacy with the said person (Hilchot Sotah 1:1).
51.
See Hilchot Sotah 2:2 which mentions fifteen women that are placed in this category.
52.
For the sotah test is necessary to very whether or not she was faithful to her husband and that test is not administered unless the husband is alive (ibid. 2:7).
53.
This is not speaking about a sotah, but rather an ordinary woman married to a priest.
Hilchot Ishut 24:23 states that, in this situation, we do not accept the woman's word and we require her to remain married to her husband, for we suspect that she was not unfaithful and made this statement only so that she would be divorced and free to marry someone else. Nevertheless, her word is accepted with regard to terumah and her husband must provide her with other food.
54.
Until a girl attains majority, she cannot marry without her father's consent. Thus it is as if the marriage is conditional until he consents and if he does not consent, it is nullified (Hilchot Ishut 3:13, 22:5). Hence, we do no allow her to partake of terumah, for if the marriage is nullified, she would have no right to partake of terumah.
55.
And does not desire to speak his mind until he calms down.
Terumot - Chapter 9
1
A woman may partake of terumah until her bill of divorce reaches her hand or the hand of her agent whom she appointed to receive it.1
Whenever there is a doubt whether or not a woman was divorced, she may not partake of terumah.2 When a woman appoints an agent to receive her bill of divorce, she is forbidden to partake of terumah immediately.3 If she said: "Receive the bill of divorce for me in this-and-this place," she is not forbidden [to partake of terumah] until the agent reaches that place.4
א
האשה אוכלת בתרומה עד שיגיע גט לידה או ליד שלוחה שעשתה לקבלה וכל שהיא ספק גרושה הרי זו לא תאכל:
האשה שעשתה שליח לקבל לה גיטה אסורה לאכול בתרומה מיד ואם אמרה קבל לי גיטי במקום פלוני אינה אסורה עד שיגיע שליח לאותו מקום שלחה שליח להביא לה גיטה אוכלת בתרומה עד שיגיע גט לידה האומר לאשתו ה"ז גיטיך שעה אחת קודם למיתתי אסורה לאכול בתרומה מיד:
2
[The inhabitants of] a city under siege, [the voyagers on] a ship in danger of sinking at sea, and a suspect to be judged [for a crime worthy of capital punishment] are presumed to be alive.8 Needless to say, this applies to one who goes on a caravan journey.9
[In the following instances,] however: a city was captured by besieging forces, a ship was lost at sea, or a person was going out to be executed by a gentile court,10 a person dragged by a wild beast, one upon whom a landslide fell, or one carried away by a river, we regard the individuals with the stringencies appropriate to both the living and the dead.11 Therefore if among the women were the daughter of a priest married to an Israelite12 or the daughter of an Israelite married to a priest,13 they may not partake [of terumah].
ב
עיר שהקיפוה כרקום וספינה המטרפת בים והיוצא לידון הרי אלו בחזקת קיימין ואין צריך לומר מפרש ויוצא בשיירא אבל עיר שכבשוה כרכום וספינה שאבדה בים והיוצא ליהרג מבתי דיני עכו"ם ומי שגררתו חיה או נפלה עליו מפולת או שטפו נהר נותנין לו חומרי מתים וחומרי חיים לפיכך אם היו נשותיהן בת כהן לישראל או בת ישראל לכהן הרי אלו לא יאכלו אבל מי שנגמר דינו בב"ד והניחוהו בבית הסקילה ליהרג ה"ז בחזקת מת ולא תאכל אשתו:
3
If a woman left her husband while he was in his death throes in another country, she may not partake of terumah, whether she is the daughter of a priest married to an Israelite or the daughter of an Israelite married to a priest. [The rationale is that] most people in their death throes die.16
If one witness testifies that [a woman's husband] has died and one testifies that he has not died, she may not partake [of terumah].17
ג
הניחה בעלה גוסס במדינה אחרת בין שהיתה כהנת אשת ישראל או ישראלית אשת כהן לא תאכל שרוב גוססין למיתה אחד אומר מת ואחד אומר לא מת הרי זו לא תאכל:
4
[When a man is married to two wives and] one of the wives tells the other that their husband died, since [the other wife] cannot marry by virtue of this testimony,18 she may continue to partake of terumah19 on the presumption that her husband is alive until a person upon whose testimony is sufficient to enable her to marry testifies concerning her. [The same ruling applies] if such testimony is given by any of the five women whose testimony is not accepted if they say that her husband died.20
ד
אמרה לה צרתה או אחת מהחמש נשים שאינן נאמנות להעידה שמת בעלה הואיל ואינה נישאת על פיהן הרי זו אוכלת בתרומה בחזקת שבעלה קיים עד שיעיד לה מי שהוא נאמן להשיאה על פיו:
5
When [a priest] frees his servant, from the time he transfers21his bill of emancipation22 to him, he disqualifies him from partaking of terumah. Whenever a servant is given his freedom, but his bill of emancipation is withheld as will be explained in Hilchot Avadim,23 he is, nonetheless, forbidden to partake of terumah.
ה
המשחרר את עבדו משיזכה לו בגט שחרור פסלו מלאכול בתרומה וכל עבד שיצא לחירות ועדיין הוא מעוכב גט שחרור כמו שיתבאר בהלכות עבדים אע"פ כן הרי הוא אסור לאכול בתרומה:
6
There is a doubt [whether the transfer of the ownership of a servant is effective in the following situation]. A person composed a legal document transferring his property - which included servants - to another person. He [did not give the document to that person directly, but instead] gave it to another person on his behalf.24 The recipient [of the present] remained silent and afterwards, protested. There is a doubt whether his protests reflected his initial disposition25 and thus [the servants] have never left the initial domain or whether his protest after his initial silence is [interpreted as] a renunciation of his initial position.26 Therefore, [the servants] may not partake of terumah. [This applies] whether the second master27 was an Israelite and the first master, a priest or the first master was an Israelite and the second, a priest.28
ו
הכותב נכסיו לאחר וזכה לו על ידי אחר והיו בהן עבדים ושתק זה שנתנו לו ואחר כך צווח ה"ז ספק אם זה שצווח הוכיח סופו על תחילתו ועדיין לא יצאו מרשות ראשון או זה שצווח אחר ששתק חזר בו לפיכך אין אוכלין בתרומה בין שהיה רבו שני ישראל והראשון כהן בין שהיה רבו ראשון ישראל והשני כהן:
7
ז
ישראל ששכר בהמה מכהן מאכילה תרומה וכהן ששכר בהמת ישראל אף על פי שהוא חייב במזונותיה לא יאכילנה תרומה מפני שאינה קניין כספו:
8
When an Israelite receives a cow from a priest for the sake of fattening it and has it evaluated so that its increase in value will be split,31 he may not feed it terumah even though the priest has a share in its increase in value. If, by contrast, a priest receives a cow from an Israelite for the sake of fattening it and has it evaluated, he may feed it terumah. [The rationale is that] although the Israelite has a share in its increase in value, its body belongs to the priest, because he has [accepted responsibility] for its value.
ח
ישראל ששם פרה מכהן לפטמה ולהיות השבח ביניהן לא יאכילנה בתרומה אע"פ שיש לכהן חלק בשבחה אבל כהן ששם פרה מישראל לפטמה אף על פי שיש לישראל חלק בשבח הואיל וגופה לכהן שהרי שמה על עצמו ה"ז מאכילה תרומה:
9
ט
פרתו של ישראל שילדה בכור מאכילו תרומה שהבכור לכהנים ואוצר אדם כרשיני תרומה לתוך שובכו ואינו חושש שמא יבואו היונים שלו ויאכלו אותן:
10
It appears to me35 that if a priest sold his cow to an Israelite and took payment, he can no longer feed it terumah even though the purchaser has not drawn it into his domain as of yet. [The rationale is that] according to Scriptural Law, the transfer of money completes a transaction, as will be explained in Hilchot Mekach UMemcar.36 [Conversely,] if an Israelite sold a cow to a priest, he should not feed it terumah until he draws it into his domain37 even though he already made payment.
י
יראה לי שאם מכר הכהן פרתו לישראל ולקח הדמים אע"פ שעדיין לא משך הלוקח ה"ז אסור להאכילה תרומה שדין תורה מעות קונות כמו שיתבאר בהלכות מקח וממכר ואם מכר ישראל לכהן אף על פי שנתן הדמים לא תאכל בתרומה עד שימשוך:
FOOTNOTES
1.
This latter point requires qualification as the Rambam proceeds to state.
2.
For a Scriptural prohibition is involved and we follow the general principle: Whenever there is a question regarding a point of Scriptural Law, we rule stringently. Hence, even though her husband is liable to provide her with her sustenance in such a situation (Hilchot Ishut 5:13), he may not give her terumah.
3.
This is a corollary to the point mentioned beforehand. Since a woman is forbidden to partake of terumah whenever there is a doubt that she was divorced, she is forbidden as soon as she appoints her agent, for at any time, he may receive her bill of divorce. Even though the matter is not entirely in the agent's hands, for the bill of divorce must be given on the husband's initiative, we follow the presumption that the agent will fulfill the mission with which he is charged (Radbaz).
4.
For the bill of divorce is not effective if given elsewhere (Hilchot Gerushin 9:34).
5.
For in this instance, the agent is acting in place of the husband and the divorce is not completed until he gives the woman the bill of divorce (ibid. 6:5).
6.
Such an arrangement was often made when a couple were childless so that if the husband died the woman would be free of the obligation of yibbum.
7.
For we fear that he might die at any moment. Hence, from the previous hour onward, she would have partaken of terumah without having the right to do so.
8.
And if they are priests, their wives may continue partaking of terumah.
9.
We are speaking about a caravan journey through the desert. Although there is a certain amount of danger to the travelers, we operate under the presumption that they are alive until we receive information otherwise.
10.
The officers of a gentile court are likely to accept bribes. Hence, the fact that one was sentenced to death is not necessarily proof that he died.
11.
In these situations, there is a high likelihood - but no definite proof that the person died. Hence, his wife must assume that he is dead and accept all the stringencies that state would apply. At the same time, she cannot act on the assumption that he is dead and remarry. The Rambam continues explaining the implications of this status vis-à-vis terumah.
12.
She must presume her husband is alive and may not partake of terumah for that reason.
13.
She must presume her husband is dead and may not partake of terumah for that reason.
14.
A person sentenced to be executed may be given a reprieve from execution if a redeeming factor is found for him (Hilchot Sanhedrin 13:1). Nevertheless, once he has already been brought to the place of execution, it is very unlikely that this will happen (Kessef Mishneh).
15.
I.e., if she is the daughter of an Israelite married to a priest. If she is the daughter of a priest married to an Israelite, she may partake of terumah.
16.
Hence, the daughter of the Israelite may not partake of terumah. On the other hand, not all die. Hence, since a daughter of the priest married to an Israelite was not partaking of terumah beforehand, this is not considered sufficient reason to allow her to do so (Radbaz).
17.
Although a woman is not given permission to remarry in such an instance (Hilchot Gerushin 12:18), she is still not permitted to partake of terumah.
18.
Hilchot Gerushin 12:16 states that, if no one contradicts the testimony, whenever a witness testifies that a woman's husband died, his or her word is accepted with the exception of five women: another wife of that man, a woman who is her husband's yevamah, the woman's mother-in-law, her mother-in-law's daughter, and her husband's daughter from another wife. In all these instances, we fear that there is enmity between these women and the man's wife and they will testify falsely so that she will marry another man and hence, be forced to accept a divorce from her husband.
19.
The Ra'avad does not accept the Rambam's ruling and maintains that even though the woman is not allowed to remarry, she should not be allowed to partake of terumah. For perhaps these women are telling the truth. The Radbaz supports the Rambam's ruling.
20.
Hilchot Gerushin 12:16 states that, if no one contradicts the testimony, whenever a witness testifies that a woman's husband died, his or her word is accepted with the exception of five women: another wife of that man, a woman who is her husband's yevamah, the woman's mother-in-law, her mother-in-law's daughter, and her husband's daughter from another wife. In all these instances, we fear that there is enmity between these women and the man's wife and they will testify falsely so that she will marry another man and hence, be forced to accept a divorce from her husband.
21.
The Rambam's wording allows for the interpretation that this ruling applies whether he gives the bill of emancipation to the servant or to another person on behalf of the servant (see Hilchot Avadim 6:1).
22.
The formal legal contract freeing him from slavery.
23.
As stated in Hilchot Avadim 5:4, et al, there are certain situations where a servant is deserving of his freedom. Nevertheless, he does not receive the status of a freed servant until he receives his bill of emancipation. Even so, he is forbidden to partake of terumah from the time he becomes worthy of freedom.
24.
In such a situation, we say that since generally, it is considered desirable to receive a gift, the intended recipient acquires the property unless he lodges an objection at the time he hears about the gift. See Hilchot Zechiyah UMatanah 4:2.
25.
I.e., that he never desired to receive the present and thus it never left the domain of its initial owner (ibid.:3).
26.
And thus, he is considered to have acquired the property - and the servants - and then to have renounced ownership of it and them.
27.
The recipient of the present.
28.
For in either situation, there is a possibility that their present owner is an Israelite.
29.
Because the rental does not interrupt the priests's ownership. The Israelite must, however, transfer ownership of the terumah to the priest before feeding it to the animal.
30.
There are, however, contexts where rental is considered equivalent to purchase. See Hilchot Sechirut 7:1.
31.
This was a popular arrangement in the Talmudic era. The owner of livestock would give it to a shepherd to fatten. The shepherd would have it evaluated and accept responsibility for its value although he did not actually pay the priest anything. Afterwards, when it has been fattened, the value which the shepherd accepted responsibility for is returned to the owner and the two share the profits equally. See Hilchot Shluchin VeShutafim 8:1-4 and Hilchot Malveh ViLoveh 8:12 for more details concerning this arrangement.
32.
And thus the law mentioned in the first clause of Halachah 7 applies.
33.
A type of legume used as animal fodder.
34.
Even a priest may not feed his doves terumah, for terumah may only be given to domesticated animals. Nevertheless, everyone, even Israelites, need not take precautions against an animal eating vetch that is terumah on its own initiative. The Radbaz explains that the rationale is that the obligation to separate terumah from vetch is merely Rabbinic in origin. Implied is that if the obligation was Scriptural in origin, one could not take such leniency. It must be noted, however, that not all authorities consider the obligation to separate terumah from vetch as Rabbinic.
35.
This introduction precedes a law which the Rambam derived through his own process of deduction without an explicit source in the previous Rabbinic literature.
36.
Hilchot Mechirah 3:1. There it is explained that the Rabbis required the purchaser to draw the article into his possession for the transaction to be completed.
37.
And thus completes the transaction.
• Monday, 1 Adar, 5777 · 27 February 2017
• "Today's Day"
• Shabbat, 1 Adar I, Shabbat Rosh Chodesh, 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: Mishpatim, Shevi'i with Rashi.
Tehillim: 1-9.
Tanya: Ch. 26. Truly this (p. 111)...as mentioned above. (p. 115).
(Here there appears an interpretation of an abbreviation in Torah Or, relevant only in Hebrew. Translator).
It is written: "Man goes out to his work and to his labor (avoda) until evening."1 Every soul in its descent into this material world has general and personal tasks. This, then, is the meaning of the verse:
Man goes out to his work - the soul "goes out" from its position in the trove of souls, in the highest heavens, and descends from plane to plane until it comes to be invested in a body and in the natural and animal souls. The purpose of this descent is "man to his work" - to his general task of achieving dominance of "form over matter" (meaning, the spiritual over the material),2 to illuminate the world with the light of Torah and the candle of Mitzva.
...to his labor refers to each individual's particular mission, for every soul has its unique Avoda in intellect and emotions according to its nature and character.3
...until evening - while there is still time to accomplish, as it is written, "Today, to perform them (the mitzvot)."4
On a more profound level the verse may be explained as follows: The verse refers to the ascent of the soul5 in general, achieved by its prior descent (Man goes out) into the material world:
When the soul ascends from its being enclothed in the body in this material world, then...
...to his work - the soul's occupation in the World To Come6 is commensurate with its occupation in the material world. If he had studied Torah regularly, there too (in the World To Come) the soul is ushered into the "Tents of Torah";
...to his labor - if he performed his avoda properly then his ascent goes on...
...until erev ("evening") - higher and higher until he attains the ultimate delight and areivut7 ("sweetness") of the Essence of the En Sof,8 may He be blessed.
Monday, Adar Sheini 1, Rosh Chodesh, 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: P'kudei, Sheini with Rashi.
Tehillim: 1-9.
Tanya: But since the Temple (p. 153)...upon him by G-d. (p. 155).
In Yaaleh v'yavo (p. 57) zachreinu...bo,1 ufakdeinu vo2
FOOTNOTES
1.The word bo spelled with the letter beit - i.e., with a dagesh point.
2.The same word spelled here vo, with the letter veit - i.e., without the dagesh point.
• Daily Thought:
There With Your Student
The Talmud states that when a student is exiled, his teacher must be exiled with him. Not simply that he must go with him. He must be exiled with him.
Which tells us: If you truly want to teach, you must put yourself in your student’s space.
If your student has wandered far astray, tear yourself away from your own space; feel what it is like to be distant. If your student is in pain, let that pain become your pain. There must be nothing that lies between your student’s world and your own.
Teach in this way and you can bring even the most distant student to your own level of understanding. And yet higher: You will learn from this student that which you could never have learned from your own teachers and colleagues.
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