Today in Jewish History:
• R. Yehudah Leib Alter of Ger (1905) Rabbi Yehudah Leib Alter (1847-1905), the second Rebbe in the Chassidic dynasty of Ger -- known for his famed Chassidic work "Sefat Emmet" -- passed away on the 5th of Shevat of the year 5665 from creation (1905). He was succeeded by his son, Rabbi Abraham Mordechai.
Two are better than one[Ecclesiastes 4:9]
Today's Study:
• R. Yehudah Leib Alter of Ger (1905) Rabbi Yehudah Leib Alter (1847-1905), the second Rebbe in the Chassidic dynasty of Ger -- known for his famed Chassidic work "Sefat Emmet" -- passed away on the 5th of Shevat of the year 5665 from creation (1905). He was succeeded by his son, Rabbi Abraham Mordechai.
Link: a quote from Sefat Emmet
Daily Quote:Two are better than one[Ecclesiastes 4:9]
Today's Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Bo, 4th Portion Exodus 11:4-12:20 with Rashi
• Exodus Chapter 11
4Moses said, "So said the Lord, At the dividing point of the night, I will go out into the midst of Egypt, דוַיֹּ֣אמֶר משֶׁ֔ה כֹּ֖ה אָמַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֑ה כַּֽחֲצֹ֣ת הַלַּ֔יְלָה אֲנִ֥י יוֹצֵ֖א בְּת֥וֹךְ מִצְרָֽיִם:
Moses said, So said the Lord: When he stood before Pharaoh, this prophecy was said to him, for after he [Moses] left his [Pharaoh’s] presence, he did not see his face [again]. — [from Exod. Rabbah 18:1, Mishnath Rabbi Eliezer ch. 19] ויאמר משה כה אמר ה': בעמדו לפני פרעה נאמרה לו נבואה זו שהרי משיצא מלפניו לא הוסיף ראות פניו:
At the dividing point of the night: Heb. כַּחֲצֹתהַלַיְלָה, when the night is divided. כַּחֲצֹת is like “when the meal offering was offered up (כַּעֲלוֹת) ” (II Kings 3:20); [and like] “when their anger was kindled (בַּחֲרוֹת) against us” (Ps. 124:3). This is its simple meaning, which fits its context that חֲצֹת is not a noun denoting a half. Our Rabbis, however, interpreted it like כַּחֲצִי הַלַיְלָה, at about midnight [lit., half the night], and they said that Moses said כַּחִצֹת, about midnight, meaning near it [midnight], either before it or after it, but he did not say בַּחֲצֹת, at midnight, lest Pharaoh’s astrologers err and [then] say, “Moses is a liar,” but the Holy One, blessed be He, Who knows His times and His seconds, said בַּחִצוֹת, at midnight. — [from Ber. 3b] כחצת הלילה: כהחלק הלילה, כחצות, כמו (מלכים א' יט כה) כעלות, (תהלים קכד ג) בחרות אפם בנו, זהו פשוטו לישבו על אופניו, שאין חצות שם דבר של חצי. ורבותינו דרשוהו כמו בחצי הלילה (שמות יב כט) ואמרו, שאמר משה כחצות, דמשמע סמוך לו או לפניו או לאחריו, ולא אמר בחצות, שמא יטעו אצטגניני פרעה, ויאמרו משה בדאי הוא, אבל הקב"ה יודע עתיו ורגעיו אמר בחצות:
5and every firstborn in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne to the firstborn of the slave woman who is behind the millstones, and every firstborn animal. הוּמֵ֣ת כָּל־בְּכוֹר֘ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֒יִם֒ מִבְּכ֤וֹר פַּרְעֹה֙ הַיּשֵׁ֣ב עַל־כִּסְא֔וֹ עַ֚ד בְּכ֣וֹר הַשִּׁפְחָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֖ר אַחַ֣ר הָֽרֵחָ֑יִם וְכֹ֖ל בְּכ֥וֹר בְּהֵמָֽה:
to the firstborn of the captive: Why were the captives smitten? So that they would not say, “Our deity has demanded [vengeance] for their [our] degradation, and brought retribution upon Egypt.” -[from Mechilta, Bo, on Exod. 12:29] עד בכור השבי: (שמות יב כט) למה לקו השבויים, כדי שלא יאמרו, יראתם תבעה עלבונם והביאה פורענות על מצרים:
from the firstborn of Pharaoh… to the firstborn of the slave woman: All those inferior to the Pharaoh’s firstborn and superior to the slave woman’s firstborn were included. Why were the sons of the slave women smitten? Because they too were enslaving them [the Israelites] and were happy about their misfortune. — [from Pesikta Rabbathi, ch. 17] מבכור פרעה עד בכור השפחה: כל הפחותים מבכור פרעה וחשובים מבכור השפחה היו בכלל. ולמה לקו בני השפחות, שאף הם היו משעבדים בהם ושמחים בצרתם:
and every firstborn animal: Because they [the Egyptians] worshipped it, and when the Holy One, blessed be He, punishes any nation, He punishes its deity. — [from Mechilta, Bo, on Exod. 12:29] וכל בכור בהמה: לפי שהיו עובדין לה, וכשהקדוש ברוך הוא נפרע מן האומה נפרע מאלהיה:
6And there will be a great cry throughout the entire land of Egypt, such as there never has been and such as there shall never be again. ווְהָֽיְתָ֛ה צְעָקָ֥ה גְדֹלָ֖ה בְּכָל־אֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם אֲשֶׁ֤ר כָּמֹ֨הוּ֙ לֹ֣א נִֽהְיָ֔תָה וְכָמֹ֖הוּ לֹ֥א תֹסִֽף:
7But to all the children of Israel, not one dog will whet its tongue against either man or beast, in order that you shall know that the Lord will separate between the Egyptians and between Israel. זוּלְכֹ֣ל | בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל לֹ֤א יֶֽחֱרַץ־כֶּ֨לֶב֙ לְשֹׁנ֔וֹ לְמֵאִ֖ישׁ וְעַד־בְּהֵמָ֑ה לְמַ֨עַן֙ תֵּֽדְע֔וּן אֲשֶׁר֙ יַפְלֶ֣ה יְהֹוָ֔ה בֵּ֥ין מִצְרַ֖יִם וּבֵ֥ין יִשְׂרָאֵֽל:
will separate: Heb. לֹא יֶחֱרַץ כֶּלֶב לְשֹׁנוֹ ,I say that is a term meaning sharp. Similarly " his tongue towards any man of the B'nei Yisroel." He did not sharpen. "Then you will utter a sharp sound.60 [or:] {Hebrew Ref} ---"A sharp thresher." [or:] " {Hebrew Ref} "The thoughts of a sharp one" [{Hebrew Ref} meaning:] a sharp and clever person. [or:] "You bring wealth to the hand of the clever ones---sharp merchants. לא יחרץ כלב לשנו: אומר אני שהוא לשון שנון, לא ישנן, וכן (יהושע י כא) לא חרץ לבני ישראל לאיש את לשונו, לא שנן, (שמואל ב' ה כד) אז תחרץ תשתנן, (ישעיהו מא טו) למורג חרוץ שנון, (משלי כא ה) מחשבות חרוץ, אדם חריף ושנון, (משלי י ד) ויד חרוצים תעשיר, חריפים, סוחרים שנונים:
will separate: Heb. יַפְלֶה, will divide. — [from Onkelos, Jonathan] See the commentary on Exod. 8:18. אשר יפלה: יבדיל:
8And all these servants of yours will come down to me and prostrate themselves to me, saying, 'Go out, you and all the people who are at your feet,' and afterwards I will go out." [Then] he [Moses] exited from Pharaoh with burning anger. חוְיָֽרְד֣וּ כָל־עֲבָדֶ֩יךָ֩ אֵ֨לֶּה אֵלַ֜י וְהִשְׁתַּֽחֲווּ־לִ֣י לֵאמֹ֗ר צֵ֤א אַתָּה֙ וְכָל־הָעָ֣ם אֲשֶׁר־בְּרַגְלֶ֔יךָ וְאַֽחֲרֵי־כֵ֖ן אֵצֵ֑א וַיֵּצֵ֥א מֵֽעִם־פַּרְעֹ֖ה בָּֽחֳרִי־אָֽף:
And all these servants of yours will come down: [By using this phrase,] he [Moses] showed respect for the throne, because eventually Pharaoh himself went down to him at night and said, “Get up and get out from among my people” (Exod. 12:31), although Moses had not originally said, “You will come down to me and prostrate yourself to me.” -[from Exod. Rabbah 7:3; Mechilta, Bo 13] וירדו כל עבדיך: חלק כבוד למלכות שהרי בסוף ירד פרעה בעצמו אליו בלילה (שמות יב לא) ויאמר קומו צאו מתוך עמי ולא אמר לו משה מתחלה וירדת אלי והשתחוית לי:
who are at your feet: Who follow your advice and your way. אשר ברגליך: ההולכים אחר עצתך והלוכך:
and afterwards I will go out: with all the people from your land. ואחרי כן אצא: עם כל העם מארצך:
he exited from Pharaoh: After he had completed his words, he went out from before him. ויצא מעם פרעה: כשגמר דבריו יצא מלפניו:
with burning anger: because he [Pharaoh] had said to him, “You shall no longer see my face” (Exod. 10:28) בחרי אף: על שאמר לו (שמות י כח) אל תוסף ראות פני:
9The Lord said to Moses, "Pharaoh will not heed you, in order to increase My miracles in the land of Egypt." טוַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־משֶׁ֔ה לֹֽא־יִשְׁמַ֥ע אֲלֵיכֶ֖ם פַּרְעֹ֑ה לְמַ֛עַן רְב֥וֹת מֽוֹפְתַ֖י בְּאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם:
in order to increase My miracles in the land of Egypt-: (“My miracles” denotes two; “to increase” denotes three.) They are the plague of the firstborn, the splitting of the Red Sea, and the stirring of the Egyptians [into the sea]. למען רבות מופתי: מופתי שנים, רבות שלושה מכת בכורות וקריעת ים סוף ולנער את מצרים:
10Moses and Aaron had performed all these miracles before Pharaoh, but the Lord strengthened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not let the children of Israel out of his land. יוּמשֶׁ֣ה וְאַֽהֲרֹ֗ן עָשׂ֛וּ אֶת־כָּל־הַמֹּֽפְתִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה לִפְנֵ֣י פַרְעֹ֑ה וַיְחַזֵּ֤ק יְהֹוָה֙ אֶת־לֵ֣ב פַּרְעֹ֔ה וְלֹֽא־שִׁלַּ֥ח אֶת־בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מֵֽאַרְצֽוֹ:
Moses and Aaron had performed, etc.: It has already been written for us in reference to all the miracles, and it [Scripture] did not repeat it here except to juxtapose it to the following section [i.e., Exod. 12]. See Rashi’s commentary on the following verse. ומשה ואהרן עשו וגו': כבר כתב לנו זאת בכל המופתים, ולא שנאה כאן אלא בשביל לסמכה לפרשה של אחריה:
Exodus Chapter 121The Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, אוַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־משֶׁ֣ה וְאֶל־אַֽהֲרֹ֔ן בְּאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרַ֖יִם לֵאמֹֽר:
The Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron: Since Aaron had worked and toiled with miracles just like Moses, He accorded him this honor at the first commandment by including him with Moses in [His] speech. — [from Tanchuma Buber, Bo 8; Mechilta] In early editions of Rashi, this paragraph is part of the above paragraph, the comment on 11:10. Indeed, that is how it appears in Tanchuma Buber. ויאמר ה' אל משה ואל אהרן: בשביל שאהרן עשה וטרח במופתים כמשה, חלק לו כבוד זה במצוה ראשונה שכללו עם משה בדבור:
in the land of Egypt: [I.e.,] outside the city. Or perhaps it means only within the city? Therefore, Scripture states: “When I leave the city, [I will spread my hands to the Lord]” (Exod. 9:29). Now, if [even a] prayer, which is of minor importance, he [Moses] did not pray within the city, a divine communication, which is of major importance, how much more so [would God not deliver it to Moses within the city]? Indeed, why did He not speak with him within the city? Because it was full of idols. — [from Mechilta] בארץ מצרים: חוץ לכרך, או אינו אלא בתוך הכרך תלמוד לומר (לעיל ט כט) כצאתי את העיר וגו', ומה תפלה קלה לא התפלל בתוך הכרך דבור חמור לא כל שכן, ומפני מה לא נדבר עמו בתוך הכרך, לפי שהיתה מלאה גלולים:
2This month shall be to you the head of the months; to you it shall be the first of the months of the year. בהַחֹ֧דֶשׁ הַזֶּ֛ה לָכֶ֖ם רֹ֣אשׁ חֳדָשִׁ֑ים רִאשׁ֥וֹן הוּא֙ לָכֶ֔ם לְחָדְשֵׁ֖י הַשָּׁנָֽה:
This month: Heb. הַחֹדֶשׁ הַזֶה, lit., this renewal. He [God] showed him [Moses] the moon in its renewal and said to him, “When the moon renews itself, you will have a new month” (Mechilta). Nevertheless, [despite this rendering,] a biblical verse does not lose its simple meaning (Shab. 63a). Concerning the month of Nissan, He said to him, “This shall be the first of the order of the number of the months, so Iyar shall be called the second [month], and Sivan the third [month].” החדש הזה: הראהו לבנה בחידושה ואמר לו כשהירח מתחדש יהיה לך ראש חודש. ואין מקרא יוצא מידי פשוטו, על חדש ניסן אמר לו, זה יהיה ראש לסדר מנין החדשים, שיהא אייר קרוי שני, סיון שלישי:
This: Moses found difficulty [determining] the [precise moment of the] renewal of the moon, in what size it should appear before it is fit for sanctification. So He showed him with His finger the moon in the sky and said to him, “You must see a moon like this and sanctify [the month].” Now how did He show it to him? Did He not speak to him only by day, as it says: “Now it came to pass on the day that the Lord spoke” (Exod. 6:28); “on the day He commanded” (Lev. 7:38); “from the day that the Lord commanded and on” (Num. 15:23) ? Rather, just before sunset, this chapter was said to him, and He showed him [the moon] when it became dark. — [from Mechilta] הזה: נתקשה משה על מולד הלבנה באיזו שיעור תראה ותהיה ראויה לקדש, והראה לו באצבע את הלבנה ברקיע, ואמר לו כזה ראה וקדש. וכיצד הראהו, והלא לא היה מדבר עמו אלא ביום, שנאמר (שמות ו כח) ויהי ביום דבר ה', (ויקרא ז לח) ביום צותו, (במדבר טו כג) מן היום אשר צוה ה' והלאה, אלא סמוך לשקיעת החמה נאמרה לו פרשה זו, והראהו עם חשכה:
3Speak to the entire community of Israel, saying, "On the tenth of this month, let each one take a lamb for each parental home, a lamb for each household. גדַּבְּר֗וּ אֶל־כָּל־עֲדַ֤ת יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר בֶּֽעָשׂ֖ר לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַזֶּ֑ה וְיִקְח֣וּ לָהֶ֗ם אִ֛ישׁ שֶׂ֥ה לְבֵֽית־אָבֹ֖ת שֶׂ֥ה לַבָּֽיִת:
Speak to the entire community: Heb. דַּבְּרוּ, [the plural form]. Now did Aaron speak? Was it not already stated [to Moses]: “You shall speak” (Exod. 7: 2) “and you speak to the children of Israel, saying” (Exod. 31:13)]? But they [Moses and Aaron] would show respect to each other and say to each other, “Teach me [what to say],” and the speech would emanate from between them [and it would sound] as if they both were speaking. — [from Mechilta] דברו אל כל עדת: וכי אהרן מדבר והלא כבר נאמר (שמות ז ב) אתה תדבר, אלא חולקין כבוד זה לזה ואומרים זה לזה למדני, והדבור יוצא מבין שניהם, כאלו שניהם מדברים:
to the entire community of Israel, saying, “On the tenth of… month” -: Speak today on Rosh Chodesh [the New Moon] that they should take it [the lamb] on the tenth of the month. — [From Mechilta] אל כל עדת ישראל וגו' בעשר לחדש: דברו היום בראש חודש שיקחוהו בעשור לחודש:
this: The Passover sacrifice of Egypt had to be taken on the tenth, but not the Passover sacrifice of later generations. — [from Mechilta, Pes. 96a] הזה: פסח מצרים מקחו בעשור, ולא פסח דורות:
a lamb for each parental home: [I.e., a lamb] for one family. If [the family members] were numerous, I would think that one lamb would suffice for all of them. Therefore, the Torah says: “a lamb for a household.” -[from Mechilta] שה לבית אבת: למשפחה אחת, הרי שהיו מרובין יכול שה אחד לכולן, תלמוד לומר שה לבית:
4But if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his neighbor who is nearest to his house shall take [one] according to the number of people, each one according to one's ability to eat, shall you be counted for the lamb. דוְאִם־יִמְעַ֣ט הַבַּ֘יִת֘ מִֽהְי֣וֹת מִשֶּׂה֒ וְלָקַ֣ח ה֗וּא וּשְׁכֵנ֛וֹ הַקָּרֹ֥ב אֶל־בֵּית֖וֹ בְּמִכְסַ֣ת נְפָשֹׁ֑ת אִ֚ישׁ לְפִ֣י אָכְל֔וֹ תָּכֹ֖סּוּ עַל־הַשֶֽׂה:
But if the household is too small for a lamb: And if they are too few to have one lamb, for they cannot eat it [all], and it will become left over (see verse 10), “then he and his neighbor… shall take.” This is the apparent meaning according to its simple interpretation. There is, however, also a midrashic interpretation, [namely that this verse comes] to teach us that after they were counted on it, [i.e., after they registered for a certain lamb,] they may diminish their number and withdraw from it and be counted on another lamb. If, however, they wish to withdraw and diminish their number, [they must do it] מִהְיוֹתמִשֶׂה [lit., from the being of the lamb]. They must diminish their number while the lamb still exists, while it is still alive, and not after it has been slaughtered. — [from Mechilta, Pes. 98a] according to the number of-Heb. בְּמִכְסַת, amount, and so “the amount of (מִכְסַת) your valuation: (Lev. 27:23). ואם ימעט הבית מהיות משה: ואם יהיו מועטין מהיות משה אחד שאין יכולין לאכלו ויבא לידי נותר, ולקח הוא ושכנו וגו' זהו משמעו לפי פשוטו. ועוד יש בו מדרש ללמד שאחר שנמנו עליו יכולין להתמעט ולמשוך ידיהם הימנו ולהמנות על שה אחר, אך אם באו למשוך ידיהם ולהתמעט מהיות משה, יתמעטו בעוד השה קיים בהיותו בחיים, ולא משנשחט:
according to one’s ability to eat: [This indicates that only] one who is fit to eat-which excludes the sick and aged-who cannot eat an olive-sized portion [can be counted among the group for whom the sacrifice is killed]. — [from Mechilta] במכסת: חשבון וכן (ויקרא כז כג) מכסת הערכך:
shall you be counted: Heb. תָּכֹסוּ [Onkelos renders:] תִּתְמְנוּן, you shall be counted. לפי אכלו: הראוי לאכילה פרט לחולה וזקן שאינן יכולין לאכול כזית:
5You shall have a perfect male lamb in its [first] year; you may take it either from the sheep or from the goats. השֶׂ֧ה תָמִ֛ים זָכָ֥ר בֶּן־שָׁנָ֖ה יִֽהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֑ם מִן־הַכְּבָשִׂ֥ים וּמִן־הָֽעִזִּ֖ים תִּקָּֽחוּ:
perfect: without a blemish. — [from Mechilta] תמים: בלא מום:
in its [first] year: Heb. בֶּן-שָׁנָה For its entire first year it is called בֶּן-שָׁנָה, meaning that it was born during this year. — [from Mechilta] בן שנה: כל שנתו קרוי בן שנה כלומר שנולד בשנה זו:
either from the sheep or from the goats: Either from this [species] or from that [species], for a goat is also called שֶׂה, as it is written: “and a kid (שֶׂה עִזִים)” (Deut. 14:4). — [from Mechilta] מן הכבשים ומן העזים: או מזה או מזה שאף עז קרויה שה, שנאמר (דברים יד ד) ושה עזים:
6And you shall keep it for inspection until the fourteenth day of this month, and the entire congregation of the community of Israel shall slaughter it in the afternoon. ווְהָיָ֤ה לָכֶם֙ לְמִשְׁמֶ֔רֶת עַ֣ד אַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֛ר י֖וֹם לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַזֶּ֑ה וְשָֽׁחֲט֣וּ אֹת֗וֹ כֹּ֛ל קְהַ֥ל עֲדַת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בֵּ֥ין הָֽעַרְבָּֽיִם:
And you shall keep it for inspection: Heb. לְמִשְׁמֶרֶת. This is an expression of inspection, that it [the animal] requires an inspection for a blemish four days before its slaughter. Now why was it [the designated animal] to be taken four days before its slaughter, something not required in the Passover sacrifice of later generations? Rabbi Mathia the son of Charash used to say [in response]: Behold He [God] says: “And I passed by you and saw you, and behold your time was the time of love” (Ezek. 16:8). The [time for the fulfillment of the] oath that I swore to Abraham that I would redeem his children has arrived. But they [the Children of Israel] had no commandments in their hands with which to occupy themselves in order that they be redeemed, as it is said: “but you were naked and bare” (Ezek. 16:7). So He gave them two mitzvoth, the blood of the Passover and the blood of the circumcision. They circumcised themselves on that night, as it is said: “downtrodden with your blood (בְּדָמָיִ) ” (ibid., verse 6), with the two [types of] blood. He [God] states also: “You, too-with the blood of your covenant I have freed your prisoners from a pit in which there was no water” (Zech. 9:11). Moreover, they [the Israelites] were passionately fond of idolatry. [Moses] said to them, “Withdraw and take for yourselves” (Exod. 12:21). [He meant:] withdraw from idolatry and take for yourselves sheep for the mitzvah. — [from Mechilta, here and on verse 21] Note that on verse 21, Rashi explains that differently. והיה לכם למשמרת: זה לשון בקור שטעון בקור ממום ארבעה ימים קודם שחיטה, ומפני מה הקדים לקיחתו לשחיטתו ארבעה ימים מה שלא צוה כן בפסח דורות, היה ר' מתיא בן חרש אומר הרי הוא אומר (יחזקאל טז ח) ואעבור עליך ואראך והנה עתך עת דודים, הגיעה שבועה שנשבעתי לאברהם שאגאל את בניו ולא היו בידם מצות להתעסק בהם כדי שיגאלו, שנאמר (שם ז) ואת ערום ועריה, ונתן להם שתי מצות דם פסח ודם מילה, שמלו באותו הלילה, שנאמר (שם ו) מתבוססת בדמיך, בשני דמים, ואומר (זכרי' ט יא). גם את בדם בריתך שלחתי אסיריך מבור אין מים בו, ולפי שהיו שטופים בעבודה זרה אמר להם (פסוק כא) משכו וקחו לכם, משכו ידיכם מעבודה זרה וקחו לכם צאן של מצוה:
shall slaughter it: Now do they all slaughter [it]? Rather, from here we can deduce that a person’s agent is like himself. — [from Mechilta, Kid. 41b] [Therefore, it is considered as if all the Israelites slaughtered the sacrifice.] ושחטו אתו וגו': וכי כולן שוחטין אלא מכאן ששלוחו של אדם כמותו:
the entire congregation of the community of Israel: [This means] the congregation, the community, and Israel. From here, they [the Rabbis] said: The communal Passover sacrifices are slaughtered in three [distinct] groups, one after the other. [Once] the first group entered, the doors of the Temple court were locked [until the group finished; they were followed by the second group, etc.,] as is stated in Pesachim (64b). קהל עדת ישראל: קהל ועדה וישראל. מכאן אמרו, פסחי צבור נשחטין בשלש כתות זו אחר זו, נכנסה כת ראשונה ננעלו דלתות העזרה וכו', כדאיתא בפסחים (דף סד א):
in the afternoon: Heb. בֵּין הָעַרְבָּיִם From six hours [after sunrise] and onward is called בֵּין הָעַרְבַּיִם, literally, between the two evenings, for the sun is inclined toward the place where it sets to become darkened. It seems to me that the expression בֵּין הָעַרְבַּיִם denotes those hours between the darkening of the day and the darkening of the night. The darkening of the day is at the beginning of the seventh hour, when the shadows of evening decline, and the darkening of the night at the beginning of the night. עֶרֶב is an expression of evening and darkness, like “all joy is darkened (וְעָרְבָה) ” (Isa. 24:11). — [from Mechilta] בין הערבים: משש שעות ולמעלה קרוי בין הערבים, שהשמש נוטה לבית מבואו לערוב. ולשון בין הערבים נראה בעיני אותן שעות שבין עריבת היום לעריבת הלילה, עריבת היום בתחלת שבע שעות מכי ינטו צללי ערב (ירמיהו ו ד), ועריבת הלילה בתחילת הלילה. ערב לשון נשף וחשך, כמו (ישעיהו כד יא) ערבה כל שמחה:
7And they shall take [some] of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel, on the houses in which they will eat it. זוְלָֽקְחוּ֙ מִן־הַדָּ֔ם וְנָֽתְנ֛וּ עַל־שְׁתֵּ֥י הַמְּזוּזֹ֖ת וְעַל־הַמַּשְׁק֑וֹף עַ֚ל הַבָּ֣תִּ֔ים אֲשֶׁר־יֹֽאכְל֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ בָּהֶֽם:
And they shall take [some] of the blood: This is the receiving of the blood [from the animal’s neck immediately after the slaughtering]. I would think that it was to be received in the hand. Therefore, Scripture says: “that is in the basin” (below, verse 22), [specifying that the blood is to be received in a vessel]. — [from Mechilta] ולקחו מן הדם: זו קבלת הדם. יכול ביד, תלמוד לומר (פסוק כב) אשר בסף:
the… door posts: They are the upright posts, one from this side of the entrance and one from that side. — [from Kid. 22b] המזוזת: הם הזקופות אחת מכאן לפתח ואחת מכאן:
the lintel: Heb. הַמַשְׁקוֹף. That is the upper [beam], against which the door strikes (שׁוֹקֵף) when it is being closed, lintel in Old French. The term שְׁקִיפָה means striking, like [in the phrase] “the sound of a rattling leaf” (Lev. 26:36), [which Onkelos renders:] טַרְפָּא דְֹּשָקִיף, “bruise” (Exod. 21:25), [which Onkelos renders:] מַשְׁקוֹפֵי. — [based on Jonathan] המשקוף: הוא העליון שהדלת שוקף עליו כשסוגרין אותו לינט"ר בלעז [משקוף] ולשון שקיפה חבטה, כמו (ויקרא כו לו) קול עלה נדף, טרפא דשקיף, (שמות כא כה) חבורה משקופי:
on the houses in which they will eat it: But not on the lintel and the doorposts of a house [used] for [storing] straw or a house [used] for cattle, in which nobody lives. — [based on Mechilta] על הבתים אשר יאכלו אתו בהם: ולא על משקוף ומזוזות שבבית התבן ובבית הבקר, שאין דרין בתוכו:
8And on this night, they shall eat the flesh, roasted over the fire, and unleavened cakes; with bitter herbs they shall eat it. חוְאָֽכְל֥וּ אֶת־הַבָּשָׂ֖ר בַּלַּ֣יְלָה הַזֶּ֑ה צְלִי־אֵ֣שׁ וּמַצּ֔וֹת עַל־מְרֹרִ֖ים יֹאכְלֻֽהוּ:
the flesh: but not sinews or bones. — [from Mechilta] את הבשר: ולא גידים ועצמות:
and unleavened cakes; with bitter herbs: Every bitter herb is called מָרוֹר, and He commanded them to eat bitters in commemoration of “And they embittered their lives” (Exod. 1:14). — [from Pes. 39a, 116b] על מררים: כל עשב מר נקרא מרור. וציום לאכול מרור זכר לוימררו את חייהם (שמות א יד):
9You shall not eat it rare or boiled in water, except roasted over the fire its head with its legs and with its innards. טאַל־תֹּֽאכְל֤וּ מִמֶּ֨נּוּ֙ נָ֔א וּבָשֵׁ֥ל מְבֻשָּׁ֖ל בַּמָּ֑יִם כִּ֣י אִם־צְלִי־אֵ֔שׁ רֹאשׁ֥וֹ עַל־כְּרָעָ֖יו וְעַל־קִרְבּֽוֹ:
You shall not eat it rare: Heb. נָא Something not roasted sufficiently is called נָא in Arabic. אל תאכלו ממנו נא: שאינו צלוי כל צורכו קוראו נא בלשון ערבי:
or boiled: All this is included in the prohibition of You shall not eat it. — [from Pes. 41b] ובשל מבשל: כל זה באזהרת אל תאכלו:
in water: How do we know that [it is also prohibited to cook it] in other liquids? Therefore, Scripture states: וּבָשֵׁל מְבֻשָׁל, [meaning boiled] in any manner. — [from Pes. 41a] במים: מנין לשאר משקין, תלמוד לומר ובשל מבושל מכל מקום:
except roasted over the fire: Above (verse 8), He decreed upon it [the animal sacrifice] with a positive commandment, and here He added to it a negative [commandment]: “You shall not eat it except roasted over the fire.” -[from Pes. 41b] כי אם צלי אש: למעלה גזר עליו במצות עשה וכאן הוסיף עליו לא תעשה אל תאכלו ממנו כי אם צלי אש:
its head with its legs: One should roast it completely as one, with its head and with its legs and with its innards, and one must place its intestines inside it after they have been rinsed (Pes. 74a). The expression עַל כְּרָעָיו וְעַל-קִרְבּוֹ is similar to the expression “with their hosts (עַל-צִבְאֹתָם) ” (Exod. 6:26), [which is] like בְּצִבְאֹתָם, as they are, this too means [they should roast the animal] as it is, all its flesh complete. ראשו על כרעיו: צולהו כולו כאחד עם ראשו ועם כרעיו ועם קרבו, ובני מעיו נותן לתוכו אחר הדחתן. ולשון על כרעיו ועל קרבו כלשון (שמות ו כו) על צבאותם, כמו בצבאותם, כמות שהן, אף זה כמות שהוא, כל בשרו משלם:
10And you shall not leave over any of it until morning, and whatever is left over of it until morning, you shall burn in fire. יוְלֹֽא־תוֹתִ֥ירוּ מִמֶּ֖נּוּ עַד־בֹּ֑קֶר וְהַנֹּתָ֥ר מִמֶּ֛נּוּ עַד־בֹּ֖קֶר בָּאֵ֥שׁ תִּשְׂרֹֽפוּ:
and whatever is left over of it until morning-: What is the meaning of “until morning” a second time? [This implies] adding one morning to another morning, for morning starts with sunrise, and this verse is here to make it [the prohibition] earlier, [i.e.,] that it is forbidden to eat it [the leftover flesh] from dawn. This is according to its apparent meaning. Another midrashic interpretation is that this teaches that it may not be burnt on Yom Tov but on the next day, and this is how it is to be interpreted: and what is left over from it on the first morning you shall wait until the second morning and burn it. — [from Shab. 24b] והנתר ממנו עד בקר: מה תלמוד לומר עד בקר פעם שניה, ליתן בקר על בקר, שהבקר משמעו משעת הנץ החמה, ובא הכתוב להקדים שאסור באכילה מעלות השחר, זהו לפי משמעו. ועוד מדרש אחר למד שאינו נשרף ביום טוב אלא ממחרת. וכך תדרשנו והנותר ממנו בבקר ראשון עד בקר שני תעמוד ותשרפנו:
11And this is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste it is a Passover sacrifice to the Lord. יאוְכָ֘כָה֘ תֹּֽאכְל֣וּ אֹתוֹ֒ מָתְנֵיכֶ֣ם חֲגֻרִ֔ים נַֽעֲלֵיכֶם֙ בְּרַגְלֵיכֶ֔ם וּמַקֶּלְכֶ֖ם בְּיֶדְכֶ֑ם וַֽאֲכַלְתֶּ֤ם אֹתוֹ֙ בְּחִפָּז֔וֹן פֶּ֥סַח ה֖וּא לַיהֹוָֽה:
your loins girded: Ready for the way [i.e., for travel]. — [from Mechilta] מתניכם חגרים: מזומנים לדרך:
in haste: Heb. בְּחִפָּזוֹן, a term denoting haste and speed, like “and David was hastening (נֶחְפָז) ” (I Sam. 23:26); that the Arameans had cast off in their haste (בְּחָפְזָם) (II Kings 7:15). — [from Onkelos] בחפזון: לשון בהלה ומהירות, כמו (שמואל א' כג כו) ויהי דוד נחפז ללכת, (מלכים ב' ז טו) אשר השליכו ארם בחפזם:
it is a Passover sacrifice to the Lord: Heb. פֶּסַח. The sacrifice is called פֶּסַח because of the skipping and the jumping over, which the Holy One, blessed be He, skipped over the Israelites’ houses that were between the Egyptians houses. He jumped from one Egyptian to another Egyptian, and the Israelite in between was saved. [“To the Lord” thus implies] you shall perform all the components of its service in the name of Heaven. (Another explanation:) [You should perform the service] in the manner of skipping and jumping, [i.e., in haste] in commemoration of its name, which is called Passover (פֶּסַח), and also [in old French] pasche, pasque, pasca, an expression of striding over. — [from Mishnah Pes. 116a,b; Mechilta d’Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai, verse 27; Mechilta on this verse] פסח הוא לה': הקרבן קרוי פסח על שם הדלוג והפסיחה שהקב"ה היה מדלג בתי ישראל מבין בתי מצרים וקופץ ממצרי למצרי, וישראל אמצעי נמלט, ואתם עשו כל עבודותיו לשם שמים. דבר אחר דרך דילוג וקפיצה, זכר לשמו שקרוי פסח וגם פשק"א [פסח] לשון פסיעה:
12I will pass through the land of Egypt on this night, and I will smite every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast, and upon all the gods of Egypt will I wreak judgments I, the Lord. יבוְעָֽבַרְתִּ֣י בְאֶֽרֶץ־מִצְרַ֘יִם֘ בַּלַּ֣יְלָה הַזֶּה֒ וְהִכֵּיתִ֤י כָל־בְּכוֹר֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם מֵֽאָדָ֖ם וְעַד־בְּהֵמָ֑ה וּבְכָל־אֱלֹהֵ֥י מִצְרַ֛יִם אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֥ה שְׁפָטִ֖ים אֲנִ֥י יְהֹוָֽה:
I will pass: like a king who passes from place to place, and with one passing and in one moment they are all smitten. — [from Mechilta] ועברתי: כמלך העובר ממקום למקום, ובהעברה אחת וברגע אחד כולן לוקין:
every firstborn in the land of Egypt: Even other firstborn who are in Egypt [will die]. Now how do we know that even the firstborn of the Egyptians who are in other places [will die]? Therefore, Scripture states: “To Him Who smote the Egyptians with their firstborn” (Ps. 136:10). — [from Mechilta] כל בכור בארץ מצרים: אף בכורות אחרים והם במצרים, ומנין אף בכורי מצרים שבמקומות אחרים, תלמוד לומר (תהלים קלו י) למכה מצרים בבכוריהם:
both man and beast: [I.e., first man and then beast.] He who started to sin first from him the retribution starts. — [from Mechilta] מאדם ועד בהמה: מי שהתחיל בעבירה ממנו מתחלת הפורענות:
and upon all the gods of Egypt-: The one made of wood will rot, and the one made of metal will melt and flow to the ground. — [from Mechilta] ובכל אלהי מצרים: של עץ נרקבת, ושל מתכת נמסת ונתכת לארץ:
will I wreak judgments-I The Lord: I by Myself and not through a messenger. — [from Passover Haggadah] אעשה שפטים אני ה': אני בעצמי ולא על ידי שליח:
13And the blood will be for you for a sign upon the houses where you will be, and I will see the blood and skip over you, and there will be no plague to destroy [you] when I smite the [people of the] land of Egypt. יגוְהָיָה֩ הַדָּ֨ם לָכֶ֜ם לְאֹ֗ת עַ֤ל הַבָּתִּים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַתֶּ֣ם שָׁ֔ם וְרָאִ֨יתִי֙ אֶת־הַדָּ֔ם וּפָֽסַחְתִּ֖י עֲלֵכֶ֑ם וְלֹא־יִֽהְיֶ֨ה בָכֶ֥ם נֶ֨גֶף֙ לְמַשְׁחִ֔ית בְּהַכֹּתִ֖י בְּאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם:
And the blood will be for you for a sign: [The blood will be] for you a sign but not a sign for others. From here, it is derived that they put the blood only on the inside. — [from Mechilta 11] והיה הדם לכם לאת: לכם לאות ולא לאחרים לאות מכאן שלא נתנו הדם אלא מבפנים:
and I will see the blood: [In fact,] everything is revealed to Him. [Why then does the Torah mention that God will see the blood?] Rather, the Holy One, blessed be He, said, “I will focus My attention to see that you are engaged in My commandments, and I will skip over you.” -[from Mechilta] וראיתי את הדם: הכל גלוי לפניו, אלא אמר הקב"ה נותן אני את עיני לראות שאתם עסוקים במצותי ופוסח אני עליכם:
and skip over: Heb. וּפָסַחְתִּי [is rendered] and I will have pity, and similar to it: “sparing פָּסוֹחַ and rescuing” (Isa. 31:5). I say, however, that every [expression of] פְּסִיחָה is an expression of skipping and jumping. [Hence,] וּפָסַחְתִּי [means that] He was skipping from the houses of the Israelites to the houses of the Egyptians, for they were living one in the midst of the other. Similarly, “skipping between (פֹּסְחִים) two ideas” (I Kings 18:21). Similarly, the lame (פִּסְחִים) walk as if jumping. Similarly, פָּסוֹחַ וְהִמְלִיט means: jumping over him and rescuing him from among the slain. — [from Mechilta] Both views are found in Mechilta. The first view is also that of Onkelos. ופסחתי: וחמלתי, ודומה לו (ישעיהו לא ה) פסוח והמליט. ואני אומר כל פסיחה לשון דלוג וקפיצה. ופסחתי מדלג היה מבתי ישראל לבתי מצרים, שהיו שרוים זה בתוך זה, וכן (מלכים א' יח כא) פוסחים על שתי הסעיפים, וכן כל הפסחים הולכים כקופצים, וכן (ישעיהו לא ה) פסוח והמליט, מדלגו וממלטו מבין המומתים:
and there will be no plague to destroy [you]: But there will be [a plague] upon the Egyptians. Let us say that an Egyptian was in an Israelite’s house. I would think that he would escape. Therefore, Scripture states: “and there will be no plague upon you,” but there will be [a plague] upon the Egyptians in your houses. Let us say that an Israelite was in an Egyptian’s house. I would think that he would be smitten like him. Therefore, Scripture states: “and there will be no plague upon you.” -[from Mechilta] ולא יהיה בכם נגף: אבל הווה הוא במצרים הרי שהיה מצרי בביתו של ישראל, יכול ימלט, תלמוד לומר ולא יהיה בכם נגף, אבל הווה במצרי שבבתיכם, הרי שהיה ישראל בביתו של מצרי, שומע אני ילקה כמותו, תלמוד לומר ולא יהיה בכם נגף:
14And this day shall be for you as a memorial, and you shall celebrate it as a festival for the Lord; throughout your generations, you shall celebrate it as an everlasting statute. ידוְהָיָה֩ הַיּ֨וֹם הַזֶּ֤ה לָכֶם֙ לְזִכָּר֔וֹן וְחַגֹּתֶ֥ם אֹת֖וֹ חַ֣ג לַֽיהֹוָ֑ה לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם חֻקַּ֥ת עוֹלָ֖ם תְּחָגֻּֽהוּ:
as a memorial: for generations. לזכרון: לדורות:
and you shall celebrate it: The day that is a memorial for you-you shall celebrate it. But we have not yet heard which is the day of memorial. Therefore, Scripture states: “Remember this day, when you went out of Egypt” (Exod. 13: 3). we learn that the day of the Exodus is the day of memorial. Now on what day did they go out [of Egypt]? Therefore, Scripture states: “On the day after the Passover, they went out” (Num. 33:3). I must therefore say that the fifteenth of Nissan is the day of the festival, because the night of the fifteenth they ate the Passover sacrifice, and in the morning they went out. וחגתם אתו: יום שהוא לך לזכרון אתה חוגגו. ועדיין לא שמענו אי זהו יום הזכרון, תלמוד לומר (שמות יג ג) זכור את היום הזה אשר יצאתם, למדנו שיום היציאה הוא יום של זכרון. ואיזה יום יצאו, תלמוד לומר (במדבר לג ג) ממחרת הפסח יצאו, הוי אומר יום חמישה עשר בניסן הוא של יום טוב, שהרי ליל חמישה עשר אכלו את הפסח ולבקר יצאו:
throughout your generations: I understand [this to mean] the smallest number of generations, [namely only] two. Therefore, Scripture states: “you shall celebrate it as an everlasting statute.” -[from Mechilta] לדרתיכם: שומע אני מיעוט דורות שנים, תלמוד לומר חקת עולם תחגוהו:
15For seven days you shall eat unleavened cakes, but on the preceding day you shall clear away all leaven from your houses, for whoever eats leaven from the first day until the seventh day that soul shall be cut off from Israel. טושִׁבְעַ֤ת יָמִים֙ מַצּ֣וֹת תֹּאכֵ֔לוּ אַ֚ךְ בַּיּ֣וֹם הָֽרִאשׁ֔וֹן תַּשְׁבִּ֥יתוּ שְּׂאֹ֖ר מִבָּֽתֵּיכֶ֑ם כִּ֣י | כָּל־אֹכֵ֣ל חָמֵ֗ץ וְנִכְרְתָ֞ה הַנֶּ֤פֶשׁ הַהִוא֙ מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מִיּ֥וֹם הָֽרִאשֹׁ֖ן עַד־י֥וֹם הַשְּׁבִעִֽי:
For seven days: Heb. שִׁבְעַתיָמִים, seteyne of days, i.e., a group of seven days. [See Rashi on Exod. 10:22.] שבעת ימים: שטיינ"א של ימים [קבוצה של שבעה ימים רצופים]:
For seven days you shall eat unleavened cakes-: But elsewhere it says: “For six days you shall eat unleavened cakes” (Deut. 16:8). This teaches [us] regarding the seventh day of Passover, that it is not obligatory to eat matzah, as long as one does not eat chametz. How do we know that [the first] six [days] are also optional [concerning eating matzah]? This is a principle in [interpreting] the Torah: Anything that was included in a generalization [in the Torah] and was excluded from that generalization [in the Torah] to teach [something] it was not excluded to teach [only] about itself, but it was excluded to teach about the entire generalization. [In this case it means that] just as [on] the seventh day [eating matzah] is optional, so is it optional in [the first] six [days]. I might think that [on] the first night it is also optional. Therefore, Scripture states: “in the evening, you shall eat unleavened cakes” (Exod. 12:18). The text established it as an obligation. — [from Mechilta] שבעת ימים מצות תאכלו: ובמקום אחר הוא אומר (דברים טז ח) ששת ימים תאכל מצות, למד על שביעי של פסח שאינו חובה לאכול מצה, ובלבד שלא יאכל חמץ. מנין אף ששה רשות תלמוד לומר ששת ימים. זו מדה בתורה, דבר שהיה בכלל ויצא מן הכלל ללמד, לא ללמד על עצמו בלבד יצא, אלא ללמד על הכלל כולו יצא, מה שביעי רשות אף ששה רשות, יכול אף לילה הראשון רשות, תלמוד לומר (להלן פסוק יח) בערב תאכלו מצות, הכתוב קבעו חובה:
but on the preceding day you shall clear away all leaven: Heb. בַּיוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן. On the day before the holiday; it is called the first [day], because it is before the seven; [i.e., it is not the first of the seven days]. Indeed, we find [anything that is] the preceding one [is] called רִאשׁוֹן, e.g., הִרִאשׁוֹן אָדָם ךְתִּוָלֵד, “Were you born before Adam?” (Job 15:7). Or perhaps it means only the first of the seven [days of Passover]. Therefore, Scripture states: “You shall not slaughter with leaven [the blood of My sacrifice]” (Exod. 34:25). You shall not slaughter the Passover sacrifice as long as the leaven still exists. — [from Mechilta, Pes. 5a] [Since the Passover sacrifice may be slaughtered immediately after noon on the fourteenth day of Nissan, clearly the leaven must be removed before that time. Hence the expression בַּיוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן must refer to the day preceding the festival.] אך ביום הראשון תשביתו שאר: מערב יום טוב, וקרוי ראשון לפי שהוא לפני השבעה, ומצינו מוקדם קרוי ראשון, כמו (איוב טו ז) הראשון אדם תולד, הלפני אדם נולדת, או אינו אלא ראשון של שבעה, תלמוד לומר (שמות לד כה) לא תשחט על חמץ, לא תשחט הפסח ועדיין חמץ קיים:
that soul: When he [(the person) eats the leaven while he] is with his soul and his knowledge; this excludes one who commits the sin under coercion. — [from Mechilta, Kid. 43a] הנפש ההוא: כשהיא בנפשה ובדעתה, פרט לאנוס:
from Israel: I [could] understand that it [the soul] will be cut off from Israel and will [be able to] go to another people. Therefore, [to avoid this error] Scripture states elsewhere: “from before Me” (Lev. 22:3), meaning: from every place which is My domain. — [from Mechilta] מישראל: שומע אני תכרת מישראל ותלך לה לעם אחר, תלמוד לומר במקום אחר (ויקרא כב ג) מלפני, בכל מקום שהוא רשותי:
16And on the first day there shall be a holy convocation, and on the seventh day you shall have a holy convocation; no work may be performed on them, but what is eaten by any soul that alone may be performed for you. טזוּבַיּ֤וֹם הָֽרִאשׁוֹן֙ מִקְרָא־קֹ֔דֶשׁ וּבַיּוֹם֙ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י מִקְרָא־קֹ֖דֶשׁ יִֽהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֑ם כָּל־מְלָאכָה֙ לֹא־יֵֽעָשֶׂ֣ה בָהֶ֔ם אַ֚ךְ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֵֽאָכֵ֣ל לְכָל־נֶ֔פֶשׁ ה֥וּא לְבַדּ֖וֹ יֵֽעָשֶׂ֥ה לָכֶֽם:
a holy convocation: Heb. מִקְרָא מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ is a noun. Call it [the day] holy with regard to eating, drinking, and clothing. — [from Mechilta] מקרא קדש: מקרא שם דבר, קרא אותו קדש לאכילה ושתייה וכסות:
no work may be performed on them: even through others. — [from Mechilta] לא יעשה בהם: אפילו על ידי אחרים:
that alone: [I.e., the necessary work for food preparation.] (I would think that even for gentiles [it is allowed]. Therefore, Scripture states: “that alone may be performed for you,” for you but not for gentiles.) That [the work needed for food] but not its preparations that can be done on the eve of the festival [e.g., repairing a spit for roasting, or a stove for cooking]. — [from Beitzah 28b] הוא לבדו: הוא ולא מכשיריו שאפשר לעשותן מערב יום טוב:
by any soul: Even for animals. I would think that even for gentiles. Therefore, Scripture states: “for you.” -[from Beitzah 21b, Mechilta] Another version: Therefore, Scripture states: “but,” which makes a distinction. — [from Mechilta]. לכל נפש: אפילו לבהמה יכול אף לנכרים, תלמוד לומר לכם:
17And you shall watch over the unleavened cakes, for on this very day I have taken your legions out of the land of Egypt, and you shall observe this day throughout your generations, [as] an everlasting statute. יזוּשְׁמַרְתֶּם֘ אֶת־הַמַּצּוֹת֒ כִּ֗י בְּעֶ֨צֶם֙ הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה הוֹצֵ֥אתִי אֶת־צִבְאֽוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֞ם אֶת־הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּ֛ה לְדֹרֹֽתֵיכֶ֖ם חֻקַּ֥ת עוֹלָֽם:
And you shall watch over the unleavened cakes: that they should not become leavened. From here they [the Rabbis] derived that if [the dough] started to swell, she [the woman rolling it out] must moisten it with cold water. Rabbi Josiah says: Do not read:, אֶת-הַמַצּוֹת, the unleavened cakes, אֶת-הַמִצְוֹת, the commandments. Just as we may not permit the matzoth to become leavened, so may we not permit the commandments to become leavened [i.e., to wait too long before we perform them], but if it [a commandment] comes into your hand, perform it immediately. — [from Mechilta] ושמרתם את המצות: שלא יבאו לידי חמוץ מכאן אמרו תפח, תלטוש בצונן. רבי יאשיה אומר אל תהי קורא את המצות אלא את המצוות, כדרך שאין מחמיצין את המצה כך אין מחמיצין את המצווה אלא אם באה לידך עשה אותה מיד:
and you shall observe this day: from [performing] work. ושמרתם את היום הזה: ממלאכה:
throughout your generations, [as] an everlasting statute: Since “generations” and “an everlasting statute” were not stated regarding the [prohibition of doing] work, but only regarding the celebration [sacrifice], the text repeats it here, so that you will not say that the warning of: “no work may be performed” was not said for [later] generations, but only for that generation [of the Exodus]. לדרתיכם חקת עולם: לפי שלא נאמר דורות וחקת עולם על המלאכה אלא על החגיגה, לכך חזר ושנאו כאן, שלא תאמר אזהרת (לעיל טז) כל מלאכה לא יעשה, לא לדורות נאמרה, אלא לאותו הדור:
18In the first [month], on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening, you shall eat unleavened cakes, until the twenty first day of the month in the evening. יחבָּֽרִאשֹׁ֡ן בְּאַרְבָּעָה֩ עָשָׂ֨ר י֤וֹם לַחֹ֨דֶשׁ֙ בָּעֶ֔רֶב תֹּֽאכְל֖וּ מַצֹּ֑ת עַ֠ד י֣וֹם הָֽאֶחָ֧ד וְעֶשְׂרִ֛ים לַחֹ֖דֶשׁ בָּעָֽרֶב:
until the twenty-first day: Why was this stated? Was it not already stated: “Seven days” ? Since it says “days,” how do we know “nights” [are included in the mitzvah or commandment]? Therefore, Scripture states: “until the twenty-first day, etc.” -[from Mechilta] עד יום האחד ועשרים: למה נאמר, והלא כבר נאמר (לעיל טו) שבעת ימים, לפי שנאמר ימים, לילות מנין, תלמוד לומר עד יום האחד ועשרים וגו':
19For seven days, leavening shall not be found in your houses, for whoever eats leavening that soul shall be cut off from the community of Israel, both among the strangers and the native born of the land. יטשִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֔ים שְׂאֹ֕ר לֹ֥א יִמָּצֵ֖א בְּבָֽתֵּיכֶ֑ם כִּ֣י | כָּל־אֹכֵ֣ל מַחְמֶ֗צֶת וְנִכְרְתָ֞ה הַנֶּ֤פֶשׁ הַהִוא֙ מֵֽעֲדַ֣ת יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בַּגֵּ֖ר וּבְאֶזְרַ֥ח הָאָֽרֶץ:
shall not be found in your houses: How do we know [that the same ruling applies] to [leavening found within] the borders [outside the house]? Therefore, Scripture states: “throughout all of your borders” (Exod. 13:7). Why, then, did Scripture state: “in your houses” ? [To teach us that] just as your house is in your domain, so [the prohibition against possessing leaven in] your borders [means only what is] in your domain. This excludes leaven belonging to a gentile which is in a Jew’s possession, and for which he [the Jew] did not accept responsibility. — [from Mechilta] לא ימצא בבתיכם: מנין לגבולין, תלמוד לומר (להלן יג ז) בכל גבולך. מה תלמוד לומר בבתיכם, מה ביתך ברשותך אף גבולך שברשותך, יצא חמצו של נכרי שהוא אצל ישראל ולא קבל עליו אחריות:
for whoever eats leavening: [This passage comes] to punish with “kareth” [premature death by the hands of Heaven] for [eating] leavening. But did He not already [give the] punishment for eating leaven? But [this verse is necessary] so that you should not say that [only] for [eating] leaven, which is edible, did He punish, but for [eating] leavening, which is not edible, He would not punish. [On the other hand,] if He punished [also] for [eating] leavening and did not [state that] He punished for [eating] leaven, I would say that [only] for [eating] leavening, which causes others to become leavened did He punish, [but] for [eating] leaven, which does not leaven others, He would not punish. Therefore, both of them had to be stated. — [from Mechilta, Beitzah 7b] כי כל אכל מחמצת: לענוש כרת על השאור, והלא כבר ענש על החמץ, אלא שלא תאמר חמץ שראוי לאכילה ענש עליו שאור שאינו ראוי לאכילה לא יענש עליו. ואם ענש על השאור ולא ענש על החמץ, הייתי אומר שאור שהוא מחמץ אחרים ענש עליו, חמץ שאינו מחמץ אחרים לא יענש עליו, לכך נאמרו שניהם:
both among the strangers and the native born of the land: Since the miracle [of the Exodus] was performed for Israel, it was necessary to [explicitly] include the strangers [who were proselytized but are not descended from Israelite stock]. — [from Mechilta] בגר ובאזרח הארץ: לפי שהנס נעשה לישראל, הוצרך לרבות את הגרים:
20You shall not eat any leavening; throughout all your dwellings you shall eat unleavened cakes." ככָּל־מַחְמֶ֖צֶת לֹ֣א תֹאכֵ֑לוּ בְּכֹל֙ מֽוֹשְׁבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם תֹּֽאכְל֖וּ מַצּֽוֹת:
You shall not eat… leavening: [This is] a warning against eating leavening. מחמצת לא תאכלו: אזהרה על אכילת שאור:
any leavening: This comes to include its mixture [namely that one may not eat a mixture of chametz and other foods]. — [from Mechilta] כל מחמצת: להביא את תערובתו:
throughout all your dwellings you shall eat unleavened cakes: This comes to teach that it [the matzah] must be fit to be eaten in all your dwelling places. This excludes the second tithe and the matzah loaves that accompany a thanksgiving offering, [which are not fit to be eaten in all dwelling places, but only in Jerusalem]. [This insert may be Rashi’s or the work of an earlier printer or copyist.]-[from Mechilta] בכל מושבתיכם תאכלו מצות: זה בא ללמד שתהא ראויה ליאכל בכל מושבותיכם, פרט למעשר שני וחלות תודה:
• Daily Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 29 - 34
• Chapter 29
The Name of God appears eighteen times in this psalm, corresponding to which our Sages established eighteen blessings-the Amidah. The entire psalm can be interpreted as referring to the giving of the Torah and the ingathering of the exiles.
1. A psalm by David. Render to the Lord, children of the mighty, render to the Lord honor and strength.
2. Render to the Lord the honor due to His Name; bow down to the Lord in resplendent holiness.
3. The voice of the Lord is over the waters, the God of glory thunders; the Lord is over mighty waters.
4. The voice of the Lord resounds with might; the voice of the Lord resounds with majesty.
5. The voice of the Lord breaks cedars; the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon.
6. He makes them leap like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7. The voice of the Lord strikes flames of fire.
8. The voice of the Lord makes the desert tremble; the Lord causes the desert of Kadesh to tremble.
9. The voice of the Lord causes the does to calve, and strips the forests bare; and in His Sanctuary all proclaim His glory.
10. The Lord sat [as King] at the Flood; the Lord will sit as King forever.
11. The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.
Chapter 30
This psalm teaches one not to be distressed if God visits suffering upon him in this world, for only through suffering can one enter the World to Come. Even one of great spiritual stature should realize that his stability is not guaranteed, but that all is in the hands of God.
1. A psalm, a song of dedication of the House, by David.
2. I exalt You, Lord, for You have uplifted me, and did not allow my enemies to rejoice over me.
3. Lord, my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me.
4. Lord, You have brought up my soul from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not descend to the pit.
5. Sing to the Lord, you His pious ones, and praise His holy Name.
6. For His wrath endures but for a moment, when He is conciliated there is [long] life; when one retires at night weeping, joy will come in the morning.
7. In my security I thought, "I shall never falter.”
8. Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong; when You concealed Your countenance I was alarmed.
9. I called to You, O Lord, and I made supplication to my Lord:
10. What profit is there in my death, in my going down to the grave? Can dust praise You? Can it proclaim Your truth
11. Lord, hear and be gracious to me; Lord, be a help to me.
12. You have turned my mourning into dancing; You have undone my sackcloth and girded me with joy.
13. Therefore my soul shall sing to You, and not be silent; Lord my God, I will praise You forever.
Chapter 31
Composed by a destitute and oppressed David, running from Saul while placing his trust in God, this psalm instructs man to put his trust in God alone.
1. For the Conductor, a psalm by David.
2. In You I have taken shelter, O Lord, I shall never be shamed; rescue me in Your righteousness.
3. Turn Your ear to me, save me quickly; be to me a rock of refuge, a fortress to deliver me.
4. For You are my rock and my fortress; for the sake of Your Name, direct me and lead me.
5. Remove me from the net they planted for me, for You are my stronghold.
6. I entrust my spirit into Your hand; You will redeem me, Lord, God of truth.
7. I despise those who anticipate worthless vanities; but I trust in the Lord.
8. I will rejoice and delight in Your kindness, for You have seen my affliction; You know the troubles of my soul.
9. You have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet on spacious ground.
10. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from vexation-my soul and my stomach.
11. For my life is spent in sorrow, my years in sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones are wasted away.
12. Because of my adversaries I have become a disgrace-exceedingly to my neighbors, and a dread to my friends; those who see me outside flee from me.
13. Like a dead man, I was forgotten from the heart; I became like a lost vessel.
14. For I have heard the slander of many, terror on every side, when they assembled together against me and plotted to take my life.
15. But I trusted in You, O Lord; I said, "You are my God.”
16. My times are in Your hand; save me from the hands of my enemies and pursuers.
17. Shine Your countenance upon Your servant; deliver me in Your kindness.
18. O Lord, let me not be ashamed, for I have called You; let the wicked be shamed, let them be silent to the grave.
19. Let the lips of falsehood-which speak insolently against the righteous, with arrogance and contempt-be struck dumb.
20. How abundant is Your good that You have hidden for those who fear You; in the presence of man, You have acted for those who take refuge in You.
21. Conceal them from the haughtiness of man, in the shelter of Your countenance; hide them in a shelter from the strife of tongues.
22. Blessed is the Lord, for He has been wondrous in His kindness to me in a besieged city.
23. I said in my panic, "I am cut off from before Your eyes!" But in truth, You heard the voice of my pleas when I cried to You.
24. Love the Lord, all His pious ones! The Lord preserves the faithful, and repays with exactness those who act haughtily.
25. Be strong and fortify your hearts, all who put their hope in the Lord!
Chapter 32
This psalm speaks of forgiveness of sin, and of the good fortune of one who repents and confesses to God wholeheartedly.
1. By David, a maskil.1Fortunate is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2. Fortunate is the man to whom the Lord does not reckon his sin, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3. When I was silent, my limbs wore away through my wailing all day long.
4. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my marrow became [dry] as the droughts of summer, Selah.
5. My sin I made known to You, my iniquity I did not cover. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord," and You have forgiven the iniquity of my transgression forever.
6. For this let every pious man pray to You, at a time when You may be found; indeed, the flood of many waters will not reach him.
7. You are a refuge to me; protect me from distress; surround me with songs of deliverance forever.
8. I will enlighten you and educate you in the path you should go; I will advise you with what I have seen.
9. Be not like a horse, like a mule, senseless, that must be muzzled with bit and bridle when being adorned, so that it not come near you.
10. Many are the agonies of the wicked, but he who trusts in the Lord is surrounded by kindness.
11. Rejoice in the Lord and exult, you righteous ones! Sing joyously, all you upright of heart!
FOOTNOTES
1.A psalm intended to enlighten and impart knowledge(Metzudot).
Chapter 33
This psalm teaches the righteous and upright to praise God. For the more one knows of the Torah's wisdom, the more should he praise God, for he knows and understands His greatness.
1. Sing joyously to the Lord, you righteous ones; it is fitting for the upright to offer praise.
2. Extol the Lord with a harp; sing to Him with a ten-stringed lyre.
3. Sing to Him a new song; play well with sounds of jubilation.
4. For the word of the Lord is just; all His deeds are done in faithfulness.
5. He loves righteousness and justice; the kindness of the Lord fills the earth.
6. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their hosts.
7. He gathers the waters of the sea like a mound; He places the deep waters in vaults.
8. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world tremble before Him.
9. For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it endured.
10. The Lord has annulled the counsel of nations; He has foiled the schemes of peoples.
11. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of His heart throughout all generations.
12. Fortunate is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose as a heritage for Himself.
13. The Lord looks down from heaven; He beholds all mankind.
14. From His dwelling-place He looks intently upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
15. It is He Who fashions the hearts of them all, Who perceives all their actions.
16. The king is not saved by a great army, nor a warrior rescued by great might.
17. The horse is a false guarantee for victory; with all its great strength it offers no escape.
18. But the eye of the Lord is directed toward those who fear Him, toward those who hope for His kindness,
19. to save their soul from death and to sustain them during famine.
20. Our soul yearns for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.
21. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, for we have put our trust in His Holy Name.
22. May Your kindness, Lord, be upon us, as we have placed our hope in You.
Chapter 34
This psalm tells of when David was in grave danger while at the palace of Achish, brother of Goliath. David acted like a madman, letting spittle run down his beard, and writing on the doors: "Achish, king of Gath, owes me one hundred thousand gold coins," leading Achish to eject him from the palace. In his joy, David composed this psalm in alphabetical sequence.
1. By David, when he feigned insanity before Avimelech,1 who then drove him away, and he left.
2. I bless the Lord at all times; His praise is always in my mouth.
3. My soul glories in the Lord; let the humble hear it and rejoice.
4. Exalt the Lord with me, and let us extol His Name together.
5. I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.
6. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never humiliated.
7. This poor man called, and the Lord heard; He delivered him from all his tribulations.
8. The angel of the Lord camps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.
9. Taste and see that the Lord is good; fortunate is the man who trusts in Him.
10. Fear the Lord, you His holy ones, for those who fear Him suffer no want.
11. Young lions may want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.
12. Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
13. Who is the man who desires life, who loves long life wherein to see goodness?
14. Guard your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.
15. Turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it.
16. The eyes of the Lord are directed toward the righteous, and His ears toward their cry.
17. The wrath of the Lord is upon the evildoers, to excise their memory from the earth.
18. But when they [repent and] cry out, the Lord hears, and saves them from all their troubles.
19. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted, and saves those with a crushed spirit.
20. Many are the afflictions of a righteous person, but the Lord rescues him from them all.
21. He protects all his bones; not one of them is broken.
22. Evil brings death upon the wicked, and the enemies of the righteous are condemned.
23. The Lord redeems the soul of His servants; all who take shelter in Him are not condemned.
FOOTNOTES
1.All Philistine kings are referred to by the name Avimelech (Rashi).
Tanya: Likutei Amarim, beginning of Chapter 20
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Wednesday, 5 Shevat, 5777 · 1 February 2017
• Likutei Amarim, beginning of Chapter 20
• In the previous chapters the Alter Rebbe discussed the Torah’s assertion that “it is very near” to us to fulfill all the commandments with a love and fear of G‑d. He explained that it is indeed “very near,” by means of the natural love of G‑d inherent in every Jew. He further stated that this love stems from the faculty of Chochmah of the divine soul, in which the light of the Ein Sof is clothed. This love is the source of a Jew’s power of self-sacrifice; it is what inspires every Jew, regardless of spiritual stature, to forfeit his life rather than deny G‑d’s unity. In fact, were a Jew to feel that sin tears him away from G‑d, he would never sin — his love of G‑d and his fear of separation from Him would not permit it. It is only the “spirit of folly” inspired by the kelipah — the self-delusion that sin does not weaken his attachment to G‑d — that allows him to sin. But when he is confronted with an attempt to coerce him to practice idolatry, for example, no such delusion is possible; clearly he is being torn away from G‑d. Thereupon, a Jew’s inherent love of G‑d is aroused, and even the most hardened sinner willingly suffers martyrdom for his faith in the One G‑d.
• Rambam - Wednesday, 5 Shevat, 5777 · 1 February 2017
• Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
• Positive Commandment 147
Covering Blood
"...and spills its blood, and he shall cover it with earth"—Leviticus 17:13.
We are commanded to cover the blood of a ritually slaughtered bird or non-domesticated animal.
Full text of this Mitzvah »
• Covering Blood
Positive Commandment 147
Translated by Berel Bell
The 147nd mitzvah is that we are commanded to cover the blood when slaughtering a bird or a chaya.1
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement,2 "When he spills its blood, he must cover [the blood] with earth."
The details of this mitzvah are explained in the 6th chapter of tractate Chulin.
FOOTNOTES
1.An animal with antlers, such as a deer.
2.Lev. 17:13.
• Rambam - 1 Chapter: Rotzeach uShmirat Nefesh Rotzeach uShmirat Nefesh - Chapter Seven
• Rotzeach uShmirat Nefesh - Chapter Seven
• Shechitah - Chapter 6
• Wednesday, 5 Shevat, 5777 · 1 February 2017
• "Today's Day"
• Monday, Sh'vat 5, 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: Bo, Sheini with Rashi.
Tehillim: 29-34.
Tanya: And this constitutes (p. 73)...The "Ramaz" thereon). (p. 73).
One must recite words of Torah copiously, saying Tehillim or verbally reviewing Mishna whenever and wherever possible, in order to bolster the existence of Creation, to be saved from chibut hakever1 and kaf hakela,1 and to merit all the highest revelations.
FOOTNOTES
1.Processes of purgatory undergone by the soul after death; see Tanya; Ch. 8. See Tevet 7.
• Daily Thought:
Pull a Rope
Pull a rope to see where it’s connected.
Tug it to see how tightly.
So too, your trust in G‑d is the entire measure of your connection with Him.
When life pulls you down, stay calm and strong, bound to your Source Above.[See Igrot Kodesh, volume 6, #1663.]
Chumash: Bo, 4th Portion Exodus 11:4-12:20 with Rashi
• Exodus Chapter 11
4Moses said, "So said the Lord, At the dividing point of the night, I will go out into the midst of Egypt, דוַיֹּ֣אמֶר משֶׁ֔ה כֹּ֖ה אָמַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֑ה כַּֽחֲצֹ֣ת הַלַּ֔יְלָה אֲנִ֥י יוֹצֵ֖א בְּת֥וֹךְ מִצְרָֽיִם:
Moses said, So said the Lord: When he stood before Pharaoh, this prophecy was said to him, for after he [Moses] left his [Pharaoh’s] presence, he did not see his face [again]. — [from Exod. Rabbah 18:1, Mishnath Rabbi Eliezer ch. 19] ויאמר משה כה אמר ה': בעמדו לפני פרעה נאמרה לו נבואה זו שהרי משיצא מלפניו לא הוסיף ראות פניו:
At the dividing point of the night: Heb. כַּחֲצֹתהַלַיְלָה, when the night is divided. כַּחֲצֹת is like “when the meal offering was offered up (כַּעֲלוֹת) ” (II Kings 3:20); [and like] “when their anger was kindled (בַּחֲרוֹת) against us” (Ps. 124:3). This is its simple meaning, which fits its context that חֲצֹת is not a noun denoting a half. Our Rabbis, however, interpreted it like כַּחֲצִי הַלַיְלָה, at about midnight [lit., half the night], and they said that Moses said כַּחִצֹת, about midnight, meaning near it [midnight], either before it or after it, but he did not say בַּחֲצֹת, at midnight, lest Pharaoh’s astrologers err and [then] say, “Moses is a liar,” but the Holy One, blessed be He, Who knows His times and His seconds, said בַּחִצוֹת, at midnight. — [from Ber. 3b] כחצת הלילה: כהחלק הלילה, כחצות, כמו (מלכים א' יט כה) כעלות, (תהלים קכד ג) בחרות אפם בנו, זהו פשוטו לישבו על אופניו, שאין חצות שם דבר של חצי. ורבותינו דרשוהו כמו בחצי הלילה (שמות יב כט) ואמרו, שאמר משה כחצות, דמשמע סמוך לו או לפניו או לאחריו, ולא אמר בחצות, שמא יטעו אצטגניני פרעה, ויאמרו משה בדאי הוא, אבל הקב"ה יודע עתיו ורגעיו אמר בחצות:
5and every firstborn in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne to the firstborn of the slave woman who is behind the millstones, and every firstborn animal. הוּמֵ֣ת כָּל־בְּכוֹר֘ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֒יִם֒ מִבְּכ֤וֹר פַּרְעֹה֙ הַיּשֵׁ֣ב עַל־כִּסְא֔וֹ עַ֚ד בְּכ֣וֹר הַשִּׁפְחָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֖ר אַחַ֣ר הָֽרֵחָ֑יִם וְכֹ֖ל בְּכ֥וֹר בְּהֵמָֽה:
to the firstborn of the captive: Why were the captives smitten? So that they would not say, “Our deity has demanded [vengeance] for their [our] degradation, and brought retribution upon Egypt.” -[from Mechilta, Bo, on Exod. 12:29] עד בכור השבי: (שמות יב כט) למה לקו השבויים, כדי שלא יאמרו, יראתם תבעה עלבונם והביאה פורענות על מצרים:
from the firstborn of Pharaoh… to the firstborn of the slave woman: All those inferior to the Pharaoh’s firstborn and superior to the slave woman’s firstborn were included. Why were the sons of the slave women smitten? Because they too were enslaving them [the Israelites] and were happy about their misfortune. — [from Pesikta Rabbathi, ch. 17] מבכור פרעה עד בכור השפחה: כל הפחותים מבכור פרעה וחשובים מבכור השפחה היו בכלל. ולמה לקו בני השפחות, שאף הם היו משעבדים בהם ושמחים בצרתם:
and every firstborn animal: Because they [the Egyptians] worshipped it, and when the Holy One, blessed be He, punishes any nation, He punishes its deity. — [from Mechilta, Bo, on Exod. 12:29] וכל בכור בהמה: לפי שהיו עובדין לה, וכשהקדוש ברוך הוא נפרע מן האומה נפרע מאלהיה:
6And there will be a great cry throughout the entire land of Egypt, such as there never has been and such as there shall never be again. ווְהָֽיְתָ֛ה צְעָקָ֥ה גְדֹלָ֖ה בְּכָל־אֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם אֲשֶׁ֤ר כָּמֹ֨הוּ֙ לֹ֣א נִֽהְיָ֔תָה וְכָמֹ֖הוּ לֹ֥א תֹסִֽף:
7But to all the children of Israel, not one dog will whet its tongue against either man or beast, in order that you shall know that the Lord will separate between the Egyptians and between Israel. זוּלְכֹ֣ל | בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל לֹ֤א יֶֽחֱרַץ־כֶּ֨לֶב֙ לְשֹׁנ֔וֹ לְמֵאִ֖ישׁ וְעַד־בְּהֵמָ֑ה לְמַ֨עַן֙ תֵּֽדְע֔וּן אֲשֶׁר֙ יַפְלֶ֣ה יְהֹוָ֔ה בֵּ֥ין מִצְרַ֖יִם וּבֵ֥ין יִשְׂרָאֵֽל:
will separate: Heb. לֹא יֶחֱרַץ כֶּלֶב לְשֹׁנוֹ ,I say that is a term meaning sharp. Similarly " his tongue towards any man of the B'nei Yisroel." He did not sharpen. "Then you will utter a sharp sound.60 [or:] {Hebrew Ref} ---"A sharp thresher." [or:] " {Hebrew Ref} "The thoughts of a sharp one" [{Hebrew Ref} meaning:] a sharp and clever person. [or:] "You bring wealth to the hand of the clever ones---sharp merchants. לא יחרץ כלב לשנו: אומר אני שהוא לשון שנון, לא ישנן, וכן (יהושע י כא) לא חרץ לבני ישראל לאיש את לשונו, לא שנן, (שמואל ב' ה כד) אז תחרץ תשתנן, (ישעיהו מא טו) למורג חרוץ שנון, (משלי כא ה) מחשבות חרוץ, אדם חריף ושנון, (משלי י ד) ויד חרוצים תעשיר, חריפים, סוחרים שנונים:
will separate: Heb. יַפְלֶה, will divide. — [from Onkelos, Jonathan] See the commentary on Exod. 8:18. אשר יפלה: יבדיל:
8And all these servants of yours will come down to me and prostrate themselves to me, saying, 'Go out, you and all the people who are at your feet,' and afterwards I will go out." [Then] he [Moses] exited from Pharaoh with burning anger. חוְיָֽרְד֣וּ כָל־עֲבָדֶ֩יךָ֩ אֵ֨לֶּה אֵלַ֜י וְהִשְׁתַּֽחֲווּ־לִ֣י לֵאמֹ֗ר צֵ֤א אַתָּה֙ וְכָל־הָעָ֣ם אֲשֶׁר־בְּרַגְלֶ֔יךָ וְאַֽחֲרֵי־כֵ֖ן אֵצֵ֑א וַיֵּצֵ֥א מֵֽעִם־פַּרְעֹ֖ה בָּֽחֳרִי־אָֽף:
And all these servants of yours will come down: [By using this phrase,] he [Moses] showed respect for the throne, because eventually Pharaoh himself went down to him at night and said, “Get up and get out from among my people” (Exod. 12:31), although Moses had not originally said, “You will come down to me and prostrate yourself to me.” -[from Exod. Rabbah 7:3; Mechilta, Bo 13] וירדו כל עבדיך: חלק כבוד למלכות שהרי בסוף ירד פרעה בעצמו אליו בלילה (שמות יב לא) ויאמר קומו צאו מתוך עמי ולא אמר לו משה מתחלה וירדת אלי והשתחוית לי:
who are at your feet: Who follow your advice and your way. אשר ברגליך: ההולכים אחר עצתך והלוכך:
and afterwards I will go out: with all the people from your land. ואחרי כן אצא: עם כל העם מארצך:
he exited from Pharaoh: After he had completed his words, he went out from before him. ויצא מעם פרעה: כשגמר דבריו יצא מלפניו:
with burning anger: because he [Pharaoh] had said to him, “You shall no longer see my face” (Exod. 10:28) בחרי אף: על שאמר לו (שמות י כח) אל תוסף ראות פני:
9The Lord said to Moses, "Pharaoh will not heed you, in order to increase My miracles in the land of Egypt." טוַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־משֶׁ֔ה לֹֽא־יִשְׁמַ֥ע אֲלֵיכֶ֖ם פַּרְעֹ֑ה לְמַ֛עַן רְב֥וֹת מֽוֹפְתַ֖י בְּאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם:
in order to increase My miracles in the land of Egypt-: (“My miracles” denotes two; “to increase” denotes three.) They are the plague of the firstborn, the splitting of the Red Sea, and the stirring of the Egyptians [into the sea]. למען רבות מופתי: מופתי שנים, רבות שלושה מכת בכורות וקריעת ים סוף ולנער את מצרים:
10Moses and Aaron had performed all these miracles before Pharaoh, but the Lord strengthened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not let the children of Israel out of his land. יוּמשֶׁ֣ה וְאַֽהֲרֹ֗ן עָשׂ֛וּ אֶת־כָּל־הַמֹּֽפְתִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה לִפְנֵ֣י פַרְעֹ֑ה וַיְחַזֵּ֤ק יְהֹוָה֙ אֶת־לֵ֣ב פַּרְעֹ֔ה וְלֹֽא־שִׁלַּ֥ח אֶת־בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מֵֽאַרְצֽוֹ:
Moses and Aaron had performed, etc.: It has already been written for us in reference to all the miracles, and it [Scripture] did not repeat it here except to juxtapose it to the following section [i.e., Exod. 12]. See Rashi’s commentary on the following verse. ומשה ואהרן עשו וגו': כבר כתב לנו זאת בכל המופתים, ולא שנאה כאן אלא בשביל לסמכה לפרשה של אחריה:
Exodus Chapter 121The Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, אוַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־משֶׁ֣ה וְאֶל־אַֽהֲרֹ֔ן בְּאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרַ֖יִם לֵאמֹֽר:
The Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron: Since Aaron had worked and toiled with miracles just like Moses, He accorded him this honor at the first commandment by including him with Moses in [His] speech. — [from Tanchuma Buber, Bo 8; Mechilta] In early editions of Rashi, this paragraph is part of the above paragraph, the comment on 11:10. Indeed, that is how it appears in Tanchuma Buber. ויאמר ה' אל משה ואל אהרן: בשביל שאהרן עשה וטרח במופתים כמשה, חלק לו כבוד זה במצוה ראשונה שכללו עם משה בדבור:
in the land of Egypt: [I.e.,] outside the city. Or perhaps it means only within the city? Therefore, Scripture states: “When I leave the city, [I will spread my hands to the Lord]” (Exod. 9:29). Now, if [even a] prayer, which is of minor importance, he [Moses] did not pray within the city, a divine communication, which is of major importance, how much more so [would God not deliver it to Moses within the city]? Indeed, why did He not speak with him within the city? Because it was full of idols. — [from Mechilta] בארץ מצרים: חוץ לכרך, או אינו אלא בתוך הכרך תלמוד לומר (לעיל ט כט) כצאתי את העיר וגו', ומה תפלה קלה לא התפלל בתוך הכרך דבור חמור לא כל שכן, ומפני מה לא נדבר עמו בתוך הכרך, לפי שהיתה מלאה גלולים:
2This month shall be to you the head of the months; to you it shall be the first of the months of the year. בהַחֹ֧דֶשׁ הַזֶּ֛ה לָכֶ֖ם רֹ֣אשׁ חֳדָשִׁ֑ים רִאשׁ֥וֹן הוּא֙ לָכֶ֔ם לְחָדְשֵׁ֖י הַשָּׁנָֽה:
This month: Heb. הַחֹדֶשׁ הַזֶה, lit., this renewal. He [God] showed him [Moses] the moon in its renewal and said to him, “When the moon renews itself, you will have a new month” (Mechilta). Nevertheless, [despite this rendering,] a biblical verse does not lose its simple meaning (Shab. 63a). Concerning the month of Nissan, He said to him, “This shall be the first of the order of the number of the months, so Iyar shall be called the second [month], and Sivan the third [month].” החדש הזה: הראהו לבנה בחידושה ואמר לו כשהירח מתחדש יהיה לך ראש חודש. ואין מקרא יוצא מידי פשוטו, על חדש ניסן אמר לו, זה יהיה ראש לסדר מנין החדשים, שיהא אייר קרוי שני, סיון שלישי:
This: Moses found difficulty [determining] the [precise moment of the] renewal of the moon, in what size it should appear before it is fit for sanctification. So He showed him with His finger the moon in the sky and said to him, “You must see a moon like this and sanctify [the month].” Now how did He show it to him? Did He not speak to him only by day, as it says: “Now it came to pass on the day that the Lord spoke” (Exod. 6:28); “on the day He commanded” (Lev. 7:38); “from the day that the Lord commanded and on” (Num. 15:23) ? Rather, just before sunset, this chapter was said to him, and He showed him [the moon] when it became dark. — [from Mechilta] הזה: נתקשה משה על מולד הלבנה באיזו שיעור תראה ותהיה ראויה לקדש, והראה לו באצבע את הלבנה ברקיע, ואמר לו כזה ראה וקדש. וכיצד הראהו, והלא לא היה מדבר עמו אלא ביום, שנאמר (שמות ו כח) ויהי ביום דבר ה', (ויקרא ז לח) ביום צותו, (במדבר טו כג) מן היום אשר צוה ה' והלאה, אלא סמוך לשקיעת החמה נאמרה לו פרשה זו, והראהו עם חשכה:
3Speak to the entire community of Israel, saying, "On the tenth of this month, let each one take a lamb for each parental home, a lamb for each household. גדַּבְּר֗וּ אֶל־כָּל־עֲדַ֤ת יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר בֶּֽעָשׂ֖ר לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַזֶּ֑ה וְיִקְח֣וּ לָהֶ֗ם אִ֛ישׁ שֶׂ֥ה לְבֵֽית־אָבֹ֖ת שֶׂ֥ה לַבָּֽיִת:
Speak to the entire community: Heb. דַּבְּרוּ, [the plural form]. Now did Aaron speak? Was it not already stated [to Moses]: “You shall speak” (Exod. 7: 2) “and you speak to the children of Israel, saying” (Exod. 31:13)]? But they [Moses and Aaron] would show respect to each other and say to each other, “Teach me [what to say],” and the speech would emanate from between them [and it would sound] as if they both were speaking. — [from Mechilta] דברו אל כל עדת: וכי אהרן מדבר והלא כבר נאמר (שמות ז ב) אתה תדבר, אלא חולקין כבוד זה לזה ואומרים זה לזה למדני, והדבור יוצא מבין שניהם, כאלו שניהם מדברים:
to the entire community of Israel, saying, “On the tenth of… month” -: Speak today on Rosh Chodesh [the New Moon] that they should take it [the lamb] on the tenth of the month. — [From Mechilta] אל כל עדת ישראל וגו' בעשר לחדש: דברו היום בראש חודש שיקחוהו בעשור לחודש:
this: The Passover sacrifice of Egypt had to be taken on the tenth, but not the Passover sacrifice of later generations. — [from Mechilta, Pes. 96a] הזה: פסח מצרים מקחו בעשור, ולא פסח דורות:
a lamb for each parental home: [I.e., a lamb] for one family. If [the family members] were numerous, I would think that one lamb would suffice for all of them. Therefore, the Torah says: “a lamb for a household.” -[from Mechilta] שה לבית אבת: למשפחה אחת, הרי שהיו מרובין יכול שה אחד לכולן, תלמוד לומר שה לבית:
4But if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his neighbor who is nearest to his house shall take [one] according to the number of people, each one according to one's ability to eat, shall you be counted for the lamb. דוְאִם־יִמְעַ֣ט הַבַּ֘יִת֘ מִֽהְי֣וֹת מִשֶּׂה֒ וְלָקַ֣ח ה֗וּא וּשְׁכֵנ֛וֹ הַקָּרֹ֥ב אֶל־בֵּית֖וֹ בְּמִכְסַ֣ת נְפָשֹׁ֑ת אִ֚ישׁ לְפִ֣י אָכְל֔וֹ תָּכֹ֖סּוּ עַל־הַשֶֽׂה:
But if the household is too small for a lamb: And if they are too few to have one lamb, for they cannot eat it [all], and it will become left over (see verse 10), “then he and his neighbor… shall take.” This is the apparent meaning according to its simple interpretation. There is, however, also a midrashic interpretation, [namely that this verse comes] to teach us that after they were counted on it, [i.e., after they registered for a certain lamb,] they may diminish their number and withdraw from it and be counted on another lamb. If, however, they wish to withdraw and diminish their number, [they must do it] מִהְיוֹתמִשֶׂה [lit., from the being of the lamb]. They must diminish their number while the lamb still exists, while it is still alive, and not after it has been slaughtered. — [from Mechilta, Pes. 98a] according to the number of-Heb. בְּמִכְסַת, amount, and so “the amount of (מִכְסַת) your valuation: (Lev. 27:23). ואם ימעט הבית מהיות משה: ואם יהיו מועטין מהיות משה אחד שאין יכולין לאכלו ויבא לידי נותר, ולקח הוא ושכנו וגו' זהו משמעו לפי פשוטו. ועוד יש בו מדרש ללמד שאחר שנמנו עליו יכולין להתמעט ולמשוך ידיהם הימנו ולהמנות על שה אחר, אך אם באו למשוך ידיהם ולהתמעט מהיות משה, יתמעטו בעוד השה קיים בהיותו בחיים, ולא משנשחט:
according to one’s ability to eat: [This indicates that only] one who is fit to eat-which excludes the sick and aged-who cannot eat an olive-sized portion [can be counted among the group for whom the sacrifice is killed]. — [from Mechilta] במכסת: חשבון וכן (ויקרא כז כג) מכסת הערכך:
shall you be counted: Heb. תָּכֹסוּ [Onkelos renders:] תִּתְמְנוּן, you shall be counted. לפי אכלו: הראוי לאכילה פרט לחולה וזקן שאינן יכולין לאכול כזית:
5You shall have a perfect male lamb in its [first] year; you may take it either from the sheep or from the goats. השֶׂ֧ה תָמִ֛ים זָכָ֥ר בֶּן־שָׁנָ֖ה יִֽהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֑ם מִן־הַכְּבָשִׂ֥ים וּמִן־הָֽעִזִּ֖ים תִּקָּֽחוּ:
perfect: without a blemish. — [from Mechilta] תמים: בלא מום:
in its [first] year: Heb. בֶּן-שָׁנָה For its entire first year it is called בֶּן-שָׁנָה, meaning that it was born during this year. — [from Mechilta] בן שנה: כל שנתו קרוי בן שנה כלומר שנולד בשנה זו:
either from the sheep or from the goats: Either from this [species] or from that [species], for a goat is also called שֶׂה, as it is written: “and a kid (שֶׂה עִזִים)” (Deut. 14:4). — [from Mechilta] מן הכבשים ומן העזים: או מזה או מזה שאף עז קרויה שה, שנאמר (דברים יד ד) ושה עזים:
6And you shall keep it for inspection until the fourteenth day of this month, and the entire congregation of the community of Israel shall slaughter it in the afternoon. ווְהָיָ֤ה לָכֶם֙ לְמִשְׁמֶ֔רֶת עַ֣ד אַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֛ר י֖וֹם לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַזֶּ֑ה וְשָֽׁחֲט֣וּ אֹת֗וֹ כֹּ֛ל קְהַ֥ל עֲדַת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בֵּ֥ין הָֽעַרְבָּֽיִם:
And you shall keep it for inspection: Heb. לְמִשְׁמֶרֶת. This is an expression of inspection, that it [the animal] requires an inspection for a blemish four days before its slaughter. Now why was it [the designated animal] to be taken four days before its slaughter, something not required in the Passover sacrifice of later generations? Rabbi Mathia the son of Charash used to say [in response]: Behold He [God] says: “And I passed by you and saw you, and behold your time was the time of love” (Ezek. 16:8). The [time for the fulfillment of the] oath that I swore to Abraham that I would redeem his children has arrived. But they [the Children of Israel] had no commandments in their hands with which to occupy themselves in order that they be redeemed, as it is said: “but you were naked and bare” (Ezek. 16:7). So He gave them two mitzvoth, the blood of the Passover and the blood of the circumcision. They circumcised themselves on that night, as it is said: “downtrodden with your blood (בְּדָמָיִ) ” (ibid., verse 6), with the two [types of] blood. He [God] states also: “You, too-with the blood of your covenant I have freed your prisoners from a pit in which there was no water” (Zech. 9:11). Moreover, they [the Israelites] were passionately fond of idolatry. [Moses] said to them, “Withdraw and take for yourselves” (Exod. 12:21). [He meant:] withdraw from idolatry and take for yourselves sheep for the mitzvah. — [from Mechilta, here and on verse 21] Note that on verse 21, Rashi explains that differently. והיה לכם למשמרת: זה לשון בקור שטעון בקור ממום ארבעה ימים קודם שחיטה, ומפני מה הקדים לקיחתו לשחיטתו ארבעה ימים מה שלא צוה כן בפסח דורות, היה ר' מתיא בן חרש אומר הרי הוא אומר (יחזקאל טז ח) ואעבור עליך ואראך והנה עתך עת דודים, הגיעה שבועה שנשבעתי לאברהם שאגאל את בניו ולא היו בידם מצות להתעסק בהם כדי שיגאלו, שנאמר (שם ז) ואת ערום ועריה, ונתן להם שתי מצות דם פסח ודם מילה, שמלו באותו הלילה, שנאמר (שם ו) מתבוססת בדמיך, בשני דמים, ואומר (זכרי' ט יא). גם את בדם בריתך שלחתי אסיריך מבור אין מים בו, ולפי שהיו שטופים בעבודה זרה אמר להם (פסוק כא) משכו וקחו לכם, משכו ידיכם מעבודה זרה וקחו לכם צאן של מצוה:
shall slaughter it: Now do they all slaughter [it]? Rather, from here we can deduce that a person’s agent is like himself. — [from Mechilta, Kid. 41b] [Therefore, it is considered as if all the Israelites slaughtered the sacrifice.] ושחטו אתו וגו': וכי כולן שוחטין אלא מכאן ששלוחו של אדם כמותו:
the entire congregation of the community of Israel: [This means] the congregation, the community, and Israel. From here, they [the Rabbis] said: The communal Passover sacrifices are slaughtered in three [distinct] groups, one after the other. [Once] the first group entered, the doors of the Temple court were locked [until the group finished; they were followed by the second group, etc.,] as is stated in Pesachim (64b). קהל עדת ישראל: קהל ועדה וישראל. מכאן אמרו, פסחי צבור נשחטין בשלש כתות זו אחר זו, נכנסה כת ראשונה ננעלו דלתות העזרה וכו', כדאיתא בפסחים (דף סד א):
in the afternoon: Heb. בֵּין הָעַרְבָּיִם From six hours [after sunrise] and onward is called בֵּין הָעַרְבַּיִם, literally, between the two evenings, for the sun is inclined toward the place where it sets to become darkened. It seems to me that the expression בֵּין הָעַרְבַּיִם denotes those hours between the darkening of the day and the darkening of the night. The darkening of the day is at the beginning of the seventh hour, when the shadows of evening decline, and the darkening of the night at the beginning of the night. עֶרֶב is an expression of evening and darkness, like “all joy is darkened (וְעָרְבָה) ” (Isa. 24:11). — [from Mechilta] בין הערבים: משש שעות ולמעלה קרוי בין הערבים, שהשמש נוטה לבית מבואו לערוב. ולשון בין הערבים נראה בעיני אותן שעות שבין עריבת היום לעריבת הלילה, עריבת היום בתחלת שבע שעות מכי ינטו צללי ערב (ירמיהו ו ד), ועריבת הלילה בתחילת הלילה. ערב לשון נשף וחשך, כמו (ישעיהו כד יא) ערבה כל שמחה:
7And they shall take [some] of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel, on the houses in which they will eat it. זוְלָֽקְחוּ֙ מִן־הַדָּ֔ם וְנָֽתְנ֛וּ עַל־שְׁתֵּ֥י הַמְּזוּזֹ֖ת וְעַל־הַמַּשְׁק֑וֹף עַ֚ל הַבָּ֣תִּ֔ים אֲשֶׁר־יֹֽאכְל֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ בָּהֶֽם:
And they shall take [some] of the blood: This is the receiving of the blood [from the animal’s neck immediately after the slaughtering]. I would think that it was to be received in the hand. Therefore, Scripture says: “that is in the basin” (below, verse 22), [specifying that the blood is to be received in a vessel]. — [from Mechilta] ולקחו מן הדם: זו קבלת הדם. יכול ביד, תלמוד לומר (פסוק כב) אשר בסף:
the… door posts: They are the upright posts, one from this side of the entrance and one from that side. — [from Kid. 22b] המזוזת: הם הזקופות אחת מכאן לפתח ואחת מכאן:
the lintel: Heb. הַמַשְׁקוֹף. That is the upper [beam], against which the door strikes (שׁוֹקֵף) when it is being closed, lintel in Old French. The term שְׁקִיפָה means striking, like [in the phrase] “the sound of a rattling leaf” (Lev. 26:36), [which Onkelos renders:] טַרְפָּא דְֹּשָקִיף, “bruise” (Exod. 21:25), [which Onkelos renders:] מַשְׁקוֹפֵי. — [based on Jonathan] המשקוף: הוא העליון שהדלת שוקף עליו כשסוגרין אותו לינט"ר בלעז [משקוף] ולשון שקיפה חבטה, כמו (ויקרא כו לו) קול עלה נדף, טרפא דשקיף, (שמות כא כה) חבורה משקופי:
on the houses in which they will eat it: But not on the lintel and the doorposts of a house [used] for [storing] straw or a house [used] for cattle, in which nobody lives. — [based on Mechilta] על הבתים אשר יאכלו אתו בהם: ולא על משקוף ומזוזות שבבית התבן ובבית הבקר, שאין דרין בתוכו:
8And on this night, they shall eat the flesh, roasted over the fire, and unleavened cakes; with bitter herbs they shall eat it. חוְאָֽכְל֥וּ אֶת־הַבָּשָׂ֖ר בַּלַּ֣יְלָה הַזֶּ֑ה צְלִי־אֵ֣שׁ וּמַצּ֔וֹת עַל־מְרֹרִ֖ים יֹאכְלֻֽהוּ:
the flesh: but not sinews or bones. — [from Mechilta] את הבשר: ולא גידים ועצמות:
and unleavened cakes; with bitter herbs: Every bitter herb is called מָרוֹר, and He commanded them to eat bitters in commemoration of “And they embittered their lives” (Exod. 1:14). — [from Pes. 39a, 116b] על מררים: כל עשב מר נקרא מרור. וציום לאכול מרור זכר לוימררו את חייהם (שמות א יד):
9You shall not eat it rare or boiled in water, except roasted over the fire its head with its legs and with its innards. טאַל־תֹּֽאכְל֤וּ מִמֶּ֨נּוּ֙ נָ֔א וּבָשֵׁ֥ל מְבֻשָּׁ֖ל בַּמָּ֑יִם כִּ֣י אִם־צְלִי־אֵ֔שׁ רֹאשׁ֥וֹ עַל־כְּרָעָ֖יו וְעַל־קִרְבּֽוֹ:
You shall not eat it rare: Heb. נָא Something not roasted sufficiently is called נָא in Arabic. אל תאכלו ממנו נא: שאינו צלוי כל צורכו קוראו נא בלשון ערבי:
or boiled: All this is included in the prohibition of You shall not eat it. — [from Pes. 41b] ובשל מבשל: כל זה באזהרת אל תאכלו:
in water: How do we know that [it is also prohibited to cook it] in other liquids? Therefore, Scripture states: וּבָשֵׁל מְבֻשָׁל, [meaning boiled] in any manner. — [from Pes. 41a] במים: מנין לשאר משקין, תלמוד לומר ובשל מבושל מכל מקום:
except roasted over the fire: Above (verse 8), He decreed upon it [the animal sacrifice] with a positive commandment, and here He added to it a negative [commandment]: “You shall not eat it except roasted over the fire.” -[from Pes. 41b] כי אם צלי אש: למעלה גזר עליו במצות עשה וכאן הוסיף עליו לא תעשה אל תאכלו ממנו כי אם צלי אש:
its head with its legs: One should roast it completely as one, with its head and with its legs and with its innards, and one must place its intestines inside it after they have been rinsed (Pes. 74a). The expression עַל כְּרָעָיו וְעַל-קִרְבּוֹ is similar to the expression “with their hosts (עַל-צִבְאֹתָם) ” (Exod. 6:26), [which is] like בְּצִבְאֹתָם, as they are, this too means [they should roast the animal] as it is, all its flesh complete. ראשו על כרעיו: צולהו כולו כאחד עם ראשו ועם כרעיו ועם קרבו, ובני מעיו נותן לתוכו אחר הדחתן. ולשון על כרעיו ועל קרבו כלשון (שמות ו כו) על צבאותם, כמו בצבאותם, כמות שהן, אף זה כמות שהוא, כל בשרו משלם:
10And you shall not leave over any of it until morning, and whatever is left over of it until morning, you shall burn in fire. יוְלֹֽא־תוֹתִ֥ירוּ מִמֶּ֖נּוּ עַד־בֹּ֑קֶר וְהַנֹּתָ֥ר מִמֶּ֛נּוּ עַד־בֹּ֖קֶר בָּאֵ֥שׁ תִּשְׂרֹֽפוּ:
and whatever is left over of it until morning-: What is the meaning of “until morning” a second time? [This implies] adding one morning to another morning, for morning starts with sunrise, and this verse is here to make it [the prohibition] earlier, [i.e.,] that it is forbidden to eat it [the leftover flesh] from dawn. This is according to its apparent meaning. Another midrashic interpretation is that this teaches that it may not be burnt on Yom Tov but on the next day, and this is how it is to be interpreted: and what is left over from it on the first morning you shall wait until the second morning and burn it. — [from Shab. 24b] והנתר ממנו עד בקר: מה תלמוד לומר עד בקר פעם שניה, ליתן בקר על בקר, שהבקר משמעו משעת הנץ החמה, ובא הכתוב להקדים שאסור באכילה מעלות השחר, זהו לפי משמעו. ועוד מדרש אחר למד שאינו נשרף ביום טוב אלא ממחרת. וכך תדרשנו והנותר ממנו בבקר ראשון עד בקר שני תעמוד ותשרפנו:
11And this is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste it is a Passover sacrifice to the Lord. יאוְכָ֘כָה֘ תֹּֽאכְל֣וּ אֹתוֹ֒ מָתְנֵיכֶ֣ם חֲגֻרִ֔ים נַֽעֲלֵיכֶם֙ בְּרַגְלֵיכֶ֔ם וּמַקֶּלְכֶ֖ם בְּיֶדְכֶ֑ם וַֽאֲכַלְתֶּ֤ם אֹתוֹ֙ בְּחִפָּז֔וֹן פֶּ֥סַח ה֖וּא לַיהֹוָֽה:
your loins girded: Ready for the way [i.e., for travel]. — [from Mechilta] מתניכם חגרים: מזומנים לדרך:
in haste: Heb. בְּחִפָּזוֹן, a term denoting haste and speed, like “and David was hastening (נֶחְפָז) ” (I Sam. 23:26); that the Arameans had cast off in their haste (בְּחָפְזָם) (II Kings 7:15). — [from Onkelos] בחפזון: לשון בהלה ומהירות, כמו (שמואל א' כג כו) ויהי דוד נחפז ללכת, (מלכים ב' ז טו) אשר השליכו ארם בחפזם:
it is a Passover sacrifice to the Lord: Heb. פֶּסַח. The sacrifice is called פֶּסַח because of the skipping and the jumping over, which the Holy One, blessed be He, skipped over the Israelites’ houses that were between the Egyptians houses. He jumped from one Egyptian to another Egyptian, and the Israelite in between was saved. [“To the Lord” thus implies] you shall perform all the components of its service in the name of Heaven. (Another explanation:) [You should perform the service] in the manner of skipping and jumping, [i.e., in haste] in commemoration of its name, which is called Passover (פֶּסַח), and also [in old French] pasche, pasque, pasca, an expression of striding over. — [from Mishnah Pes. 116a,b; Mechilta d’Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai, verse 27; Mechilta on this verse] פסח הוא לה': הקרבן קרוי פסח על שם הדלוג והפסיחה שהקב"ה היה מדלג בתי ישראל מבין בתי מצרים וקופץ ממצרי למצרי, וישראל אמצעי נמלט, ואתם עשו כל עבודותיו לשם שמים. דבר אחר דרך דילוג וקפיצה, זכר לשמו שקרוי פסח וגם פשק"א [פסח] לשון פסיעה:
12I will pass through the land of Egypt on this night, and I will smite every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast, and upon all the gods of Egypt will I wreak judgments I, the Lord. יבוְעָֽבַרְתִּ֣י בְאֶֽרֶץ־מִצְרַ֘יִם֘ בַּלַּ֣יְלָה הַזֶּה֒ וְהִכֵּיתִ֤י כָל־בְּכוֹר֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם מֵֽאָדָ֖ם וְעַד־בְּהֵמָ֑ה וּבְכָל־אֱלֹהֵ֥י מִצְרַ֛יִם אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֥ה שְׁפָטִ֖ים אֲנִ֥י יְהֹוָֽה:
I will pass: like a king who passes from place to place, and with one passing and in one moment they are all smitten. — [from Mechilta] ועברתי: כמלך העובר ממקום למקום, ובהעברה אחת וברגע אחד כולן לוקין:
every firstborn in the land of Egypt: Even other firstborn who are in Egypt [will die]. Now how do we know that even the firstborn of the Egyptians who are in other places [will die]? Therefore, Scripture states: “To Him Who smote the Egyptians with their firstborn” (Ps. 136:10). — [from Mechilta] כל בכור בארץ מצרים: אף בכורות אחרים והם במצרים, ומנין אף בכורי מצרים שבמקומות אחרים, תלמוד לומר (תהלים קלו י) למכה מצרים בבכוריהם:
both man and beast: [I.e., first man and then beast.] He who started to sin first from him the retribution starts. — [from Mechilta] מאדם ועד בהמה: מי שהתחיל בעבירה ממנו מתחלת הפורענות:
and upon all the gods of Egypt-: The one made of wood will rot, and the one made of metal will melt and flow to the ground. — [from Mechilta] ובכל אלהי מצרים: של עץ נרקבת, ושל מתכת נמסת ונתכת לארץ:
will I wreak judgments-I The Lord: I by Myself and not through a messenger. — [from Passover Haggadah] אעשה שפטים אני ה': אני בעצמי ולא על ידי שליח:
13And the blood will be for you for a sign upon the houses where you will be, and I will see the blood and skip over you, and there will be no plague to destroy [you] when I smite the [people of the] land of Egypt. יגוְהָיָה֩ הַדָּ֨ם לָכֶ֜ם לְאֹ֗ת עַ֤ל הַבָּתִּים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַתֶּ֣ם שָׁ֔ם וְרָאִ֨יתִי֙ אֶת־הַדָּ֔ם וּפָֽסַחְתִּ֖י עֲלֵכֶ֑ם וְלֹא־יִֽהְיֶ֨ה בָכֶ֥ם נֶ֨גֶף֙ לְמַשְׁחִ֔ית בְּהַכֹּתִ֖י בְּאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם:
And the blood will be for you for a sign: [The blood will be] for you a sign but not a sign for others. From here, it is derived that they put the blood only on the inside. — [from Mechilta 11] והיה הדם לכם לאת: לכם לאות ולא לאחרים לאות מכאן שלא נתנו הדם אלא מבפנים:
and I will see the blood: [In fact,] everything is revealed to Him. [Why then does the Torah mention that God will see the blood?] Rather, the Holy One, blessed be He, said, “I will focus My attention to see that you are engaged in My commandments, and I will skip over you.” -[from Mechilta] וראיתי את הדם: הכל גלוי לפניו, אלא אמר הקב"ה נותן אני את עיני לראות שאתם עסוקים במצותי ופוסח אני עליכם:
and skip over: Heb. וּפָסַחְתִּי [is rendered] and I will have pity, and similar to it: “sparing פָּסוֹחַ and rescuing” (Isa. 31:5). I say, however, that every [expression of] פְּסִיחָה is an expression of skipping and jumping. [Hence,] וּפָסַחְתִּי [means that] He was skipping from the houses of the Israelites to the houses of the Egyptians, for they were living one in the midst of the other. Similarly, “skipping between (פֹּסְחִים) two ideas” (I Kings 18:21). Similarly, the lame (פִּסְחִים) walk as if jumping. Similarly, פָּסוֹחַ וְהִמְלִיט means: jumping over him and rescuing him from among the slain. — [from Mechilta] Both views are found in Mechilta. The first view is also that of Onkelos. ופסחתי: וחמלתי, ודומה לו (ישעיהו לא ה) פסוח והמליט. ואני אומר כל פסיחה לשון דלוג וקפיצה. ופסחתי מדלג היה מבתי ישראל לבתי מצרים, שהיו שרוים זה בתוך זה, וכן (מלכים א' יח כא) פוסחים על שתי הסעיפים, וכן כל הפסחים הולכים כקופצים, וכן (ישעיהו לא ה) פסוח והמליט, מדלגו וממלטו מבין המומתים:
and there will be no plague to destroy [you]: But there will be [a plague] upon the Egyptians. Let us say that an Egyptian was in an Israelite’s house. I would think that he would escape. Therefore, Scripture states: “and there will be no plague upon you,” but there will be [a plague] upon the Egyptians in your houses. Let us say that an Israelite was in an Egyptian’s house. I would think that he would be smitten like him. Therefore, Scripture states: “and there will be no plague upon you.” -[from Mechilta] ולא יהיה בכם נגף: אבל הווה הוא במצרים הרי שהיה מצרי בביתו של ישראל, יכול ימלט, תלמוד לומר ולא יהיה בכם נגף, אבל הווה במצרי שבבתיכם, הרי שהיה ישראל בביתו של מצרי, שומע אני ילקה כמותו, תלמוד לומר ולא יהיה בכם נגף:
14And this day shall be for you as a memorial, and you shall celebrate it as a festival for the Lord; throughout your generations, you shall celebrate it as an everlasting statute. ידוְהָיָה֩ הַיּ֨וֹם הַזֶּ֤ה לָכֶם֙ לְזִכָּר֔וֹן וְחַגֹּתֶ֥ם אֹת֖וֹ חַ֣ג לַֽיהֹוָ֑ה לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם חֻקַּ֥ת עוֹלָ֖ם תְּחָגֻּֽהוּ:
as a memorial: for generations. לזכרון: לדורות:
and you shall celebrate it: The day that is a memorial for you-you shall celebrate it. But we have not yet heard which is the day of memorial. Therefore, Scripture states: “Remember this day, when you went out of Egypt” (Exod. 13: 3). we learn that the day of the Exodus is the day of memorial. Now on what day did they go out [of Egypt]? Therefore, Scripture states: “On the day after the Passover, they went out” (Num. 33:3). I must therefore say that the fifteenth of Nissan is the day of the festival, because the night of the fifteenth they ate the Passover sacrifice, and in the morning they went out. וחגתם אתו: יום שהוא לך לזכרון אתה חוגגו. ועדיין לא שמענו אי זהו יום הזכרון, תלמוד לומר (שמות יג ג) זכור את היום הזה אשר יצאתם, למדנו שיום היציאה הוא יום של זכרון. ואיזה יום יצאו, תלמוד לומר (במדבר לג ג) ממחרת הפסח יצאו, הוי אומר יום חמישה עשר בניסן הוא של יום טוב, שהרי ליל חמישה עשר אכלו את הפסח ולבקר יצאו:
throughout your generations: I understand [this to mean] the smallest number of generations, [namely only] two. Therefore, Scripture states: “you shall celebrate it as an everlasting statute.” -[from Mechilta] לדרתיכם: שומע אני מיעוט דורות שנים, תלמוד לומר חקת עולם תחגוהו:
15For seven days you shall eat unleavened cakes, but on the preceding day you shall clear away all leaven from your houses, for whoever eats leaven from the first day until the seventh day that soul shall be cut off from Israel. טושִׁבְעַ֤ת יָמִים֙ מַצּ֣וֹת תֹּאכֵ֔לוּ אַ֚ךְ בַּיּ֣וֹם הָֽרִאשׁ֔וֹן תַּשְׁבִּ֥יתוּ שְּׂאֹ֖ר מִבָּֽתֵּיכֶ֑ם כִּ֣י | כָּל־אֹכֵ֣ל חָמֵ֗ץ וְנִכְרְתָ֞ה הַנֶּ֤פֶשׁ הַהִוא֙ מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מִיּ֥וֹם הָֽרִאשֹׁ֖ן עַד־י֥וֹם הַשְּׁבִעִֽי:
For seven days: Heb. שִׁבְעַתיָמִים, seteyne of days, i.e., a group of seven days. [See Rashi on Exod. 10:22.] שבעת ימים: שטיינ"א של ימים [קבוצה של שבעה ימים רצופים]:
For seven days you shall eat unleavened cakes-: But elsewhere it says: “For six days you shall eat unleavened cakes” (Deut. 16:8). This teaches [us] regarding the seventh day of Passover, that it is not obligatory to eat matzah, as long as one does not eat chametz. How do we know that [the first] six [days] are also optional [concerning eating matzah]? This is a principle in [interpreting] the Torah: Anything that was included in a generalization [in the Torah] and was excluded from that generalization [in the Torah] to teach [something] it was not excluded to teach [only] about itself, but it was excluded to teach about the entire generalization. [In this case it means that] just as [on] the seventh day [eating matzah] is optional, so is it optional in [the first] six [days]. I might think that [on] the first night it is also optional. Therefore, Scripture states: “in the evening, you shall eat unleavened cakes” (Exod. 12:18). The text established it as an obligation. — [from Mechilta] שבעת ימים מצות תאכלו: ובמקום אחר הוא אומר (דברים טז ח) ששת ימים תאכל מצות, למד על שביעי של פסח שאינו חובה לאכול מצה, ובלבד שלא יאכל חמץ. מנין אף ששה רשות תלמוד לומר ששת ימים. זו מדה בתורה, דבר שהיה בכלל ויצא מן הכלל ללמד, לא ללמד על עצמו בלבד יצא, אלא ללמד על הכלל כולו יצא, מה שביעי רשות אף ששה רשות, יכול אף לילה הראשון רשות, תלמוד לומר (להלן פסוק יח) בערב תאכלו מצות, הכתוב קבעו חובה:
but on the preceding day you shall clear away all leaven: Heb. בַּיוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן. On the day before the holiday; it is called the first [day], because it is before the seven; [i.e., it is not the first of the seven days]. Indeed, we find [anything that is] the preceding one [is] called רִאשׁוֹן, e.g., הִרִאשׁוֹן אָדָם ךְתִּוָלֵד, “Were you born before Adam?” (Job 15:7). Or perhaps it means only the first of the seven [days of Passover]. Therefore, Scripture states: “You shall not slaughter with leaven [the blood of My sacrifice]” (Exod. 34:25). You shall not slaughter the Passover sacrifice as long as the leaven still exists. — [from Mechilta, Pes. 5a] [Since the Passover sacrifice may be slaughtered immediately after noon on the fourteenth day of Nissan, clearly the leaven must be removed before that time. Hence the expression בַּיוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן must refer to the day preceding the festival.] אך ביום הראשון תשביתו שאר: מערב יום טוב, וקרוי ראשון לפי שהוא לפני השבעה, ומצינו מוקדם קרוי ראשון, כמו (איוב טו ז) הראשון אדם תולד, הלפני אדם נולדת, או אינו אלא ראשון של שבעה, תלמוד לומר (שמות לד כה) לא תשחט על חמץ, לא תשחט הפסח ועדיין חמץ קיים:
that soul: When he [(the person) eats the leaven while he] is with his soul and his knowledge; this excludes one who commits the sin under coercion. — [from Mechilta, Kid. 43a] הנפש ההוא: כשהיא בנפשה ובדעתה, פרט לאנוס:
from Israel: I [could] understand that it [the soul] will be cut off from Israel and will [be able to] go to another people. Therefore, [to avoid this error] Scripture states elsewhere: “from before Me” (Lev. 22:3), meaning: from every place which is My domain. — [from Mechilta] מישראל: שומע אני תכרת מישראל ותלך לה לעם אחר, תלמוד לומר במקום אחר (ויקרא כב ג) מלפני, בכל מקום שהוא רשותי:
16And on the first day there shall be a holy convocation, and on the seventh day you shall have a holy convocation; no work may be performed on them, but what is eaten by any soul that alone may be performed for you. טזוּבַיּ֤וֹם הָֽרִאשׁוֹן֙ מִקְרָא־קֹ֔דֶשׁ וּבַיּוֹם֙ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י מִקְרָא־קֹ֖דֶשׁ יִֽהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֑ם כָּל־מְלָאכָה֙ לֹא־יֵֽעָשֶׂ֣ה בָהֶ֔ם אַ֚ךְ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֵֽאָכֵ֣ל לְכָל־נֶ֔פֶשׁ ה֥וּא לְבַדּ֖וֹ יֵֽעָשֶׂ֥ה לָכֶֽם:
a holy convocation: Heb. מִקְרָא מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ is a noun. Call it [the day] holy with regard to eating, drinking, and clothing. — [from Mechilta] מקרא קדש: מקרא שם דבר, קרא אותו קדש לאכילה ושתייה וכסות:
no work may be performed on them: even through others. — [from Mechilta] לא יעשה בהם: אפילו על ידי אחרים:
that alone: [I.e., the necessary work for food preparation.] (I would think that even for gentiles [it is allowed]. Therefore, Scripture states: “that alone may be performed for you,” for you but not for gentiles.) That [the work needed for food] but not its preparations that can be done on the eve of the festival [e.g., repairing a spit for roasting, or a stove for cooking]. — [from Beitzah 28b] הוא לבדו: הוא ולא מכשיריו שאפשר לעשותן מערב יום טוב:
by any soul: Even for animals. I would think that even for gentiles. Therefore, Scripture states: “for you.” -[from Beitzah 21b, Mechilta] Another version: Therefore, Scripture states: “but,” which makes a distinction. — [from Mechilta]. לכל נפש: אפילו לבהמה יכול אף לנכרים, תלמוד לומר לכם:
17And you shall watch over the unleavened cakes, for on this very day I have taken your legions out of the land of Egypt, and you shall observe this day throughout your generations, [as] an everlasting statute. יזוּשְׁמַרְתֶּם֘ אֶת־הַמַּצּוֹת֒ כִּ֗י בְּעֶ֨צֶם֙ הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה הוֹצֵ֥אתִי אֶת־צִבְאֽוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֞ם אֶת־הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּ֛ה לְדֹרֹֽתֵיכֶ֖ם חֻקַּ֥ת עוֹלָֽם:
And you shall watch over the unleavened cakes: that they should not become leavened. From here they [the Rabbis] derived that if [the dough] started to swell, she [the woman rolling it out] must moisten it with cold water. Rabbi Josiah says: Do not read:, אֶת-הַמַצּוֹת, the unleavened cakes, אֶת-הַמִצְוֹת, the commandments. Just as we may not permit the matzoth to become leavened, so may we not permit the commandments to become leavened [i.e., to wait too long before we perform them], but if it [a commandment] comes into your hand, perform it immediately. — [from Mechilta] ושמרתם את המצות: שלא יבאו לידי חמוץ מכאן אמרו תפח, תלטוש בצונן. רבי יאשיה אומר אל תהי קורא את המצות אלא את המצוות, כדרך שאין מחמיצין את המצה כך אין מחמיצין את המצווה אלא אם באה לידך עשה אותה מיד:
and you shall observe this day: from [performing] work. ושמרתם את היום הזה: ממלאכה:
throughout your generations, [as] an everlasting statute: Since “generations” and “an everlasting statute” were not stated regarding the [prohibition of doing] work, but only regarding the celebration [sacrifice], the text repeats it here, so that you will not say that the warning of: “no work may be performed” was not said for [later] generations, but only for that generation [of the Exodus]. לדרתיכם חקת עולם: לפי שלא נאמר דורות וחקת עולם על המלאכה אלא על החגיגה, לכך חזר ושנאו כאן, שלא תאמר אזהרת (לעיל טז) כל מלאכה לא יעשה, לא לדורות נאמרה, אלא לאותו הדור:
18In the first [month], on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening, you shall eat unleavened cakes, until the twenty first day of the month in the evening. יחבָּֽרִאשֹׁ֡ן בְּאַרְבָּעָה֩ עָשָׂ֨ר י֤וֹם לַחֹ֨דֶשׁ֙ בָּעֶ֔רֶב תֹּֽאכְל֖וּ מַצֹּ֑ת עַ֠ד י֣וֹם הָֽאֶחָ֧ד וְעֶשְׂרִ֛ים לַחֹ֖דֶשׁ בָּעָֽרֶב:
until the twenty-first day: Why was this stated? Was it not already stated: “Seven days” ? Since it says “days,” how do we know “nights” [are included in the mitzvah or commandment]? Therefore, Scripture states: “until the twenty-first day, etc.” -[from Mechilta] עד יום האחד ועשרים: למה נאמר, והלא כבר נאמר (לעיל טו) שבעת ימים, לפי שנאמר ימים, לילות מנין, תלמוד לומר עד יום האחד ועשרים וגו':
19For seven days, leavening shall not be found in your houses, for whoever eats leavening that soul shall be cut off from the community of Israel, both among the strangers and the native born of the land. יטשִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֔ים שְׂאֹ֕ר לֹ֥א יִמָּצֵ֖א בְּבָֽתֵּיכֶ֑ם כִּ֣י | כָּל־אֹכֵ֣ל מַחְמֶ֗צֶת וְנִכְרְתָ֞ה הַנֶּ֤פֶשׁ הַהִוא֙ מֵֽעֲדַ֣ת יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בַּגֵּ֖ר וּבְאֶזְרַ֥ח הָאָֽרֶץ:
shall not be found in your houses: How do we know [that the same ruling applies] to [leavening found within] the borders [outside the house]? Therefore, Scripture states: “throughout all of your borders” (Exod. 13:7). Why, then, did Scripture state: “in your houses” ? [To teach us that] just as your house is in your domain, so [the prohibition against possessing leaven in] your borders [means only what is] in your domain. This excludes leaven belonging to a gentile which is in a Jew’s possession, and for which he [the Jew] did not accept responsibility. — [from Mechilta] לא ימצא בבתיכם: מנין לגבולין, תלמוד לומר (להלן יג ז) בכל גבולך. מה תלמוד לומר בבתיכם, מה ביתך ברשותך אף גבולך שברשותך, יצא חמצו של נכרי שהוא אצל ישראל ולא קבל עליו אחריות:
for whoever eats leavening: [This passage comes] to punish with “kareth” [premature death by the hands of Heaven] for [eating] leavening. But did He not already [give the] punishment for eating leaven? But [this verse is necessary] so that you should not say that [only] for [eating] leaven, which is edible, did He punish, but for [eating] leavening, which is not edible, He would not punish. [On the other hand,] if He punished [also] for [eating] leavening and did not [state that] He punished for [eating] leaven, I would say that [only] for [eating] leavening, which causes others to become leavened did He punish, [but] for [eating] leaven, which does not leaven others, He would not punish. Therefore, both of them had to be stated. — [from Mechilta, Beitzah 7b] כי כל אכל מחמצת: לענוש כרת על השאור, והלא כבר ענש על החמץ, אלא שלא תאמר חמץ שראוי לאכילה ענש עליו שאור שאינו ראוי לאכילה לא יענש עליו. ואם ענש על השאור ולא ענש על החמץ, הייתי אומר שאור שהוא מחמץ אחרים ענש עליו, חמץ שאינו מחמץ אחרים לא יענש עליו, לכך נאמרו שניהם:
both among the strangers and the native born of the land: Since the miracle [of the Exodus] was performed for Israel, it was necessary to [explicitly] include the strangers [who were proselytized but are not descended from Israelite stock]. — [from Mechilta] בגר ובאזרח הארץ: לפי שהנס נעשה לישראל, הוצרך לרבות את הגרים:
20You shall not eat any leavening; throughout all your dwellings you shall eat unleavened cakes." ככָּל־מַחְמֶ֖צֶת לֹ֣א תֹאכֵ֑לוּ בְּכֹל֙ מֽוֹשְׁבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם תֹּֽאכְל֖וּ מַצּֽוֹת:
You shall not eat… leavening: [This is] a warning against eating leavening. מחמצת לא תאכלו: אזהרה על אכילת שאור:
any leavening: This comes to include its mixture [namely that one may not eat a mixture of chametz and other foods]. — [from Mechilta] כל מחמצת: להביא את תערובתו:
throughout all your dwellings you shall eat unleavened cakes: This comes to teach that it [the matzah] must be fit to be eaten in all your dwelling places. This excludes the second tithe and the matzah loaves that accompany a thanksgiving offering, [which are not fit to be eaten in all dwelling places, but only in Jerusalem]. [This insert may be Rashi’s or the work of an earlier printer or copyist.]-[from Mechilta] בכל מושבתיכם תאכלו מצות: זה בא ללמד שתהא ראויה ליאכל בכל מושבותיכם, פרט למעשר שני וחלות תודה:
• Daily Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 29 - 34
• Chapter 29
The Name of God appears eighteen times in this psalm, corresponding to which our Sages established eighteen blessings-the Amidah. The entire psalm can be interpreted as referring to the giving of the Torah and the ingathering of the exiles.
1. A psalm by David. Render to the Lord, children of the mighty, render to the Lord honor and strength.
2. Render to the Lord the honor due to His Name; bow down to the Lord in resplendent holiness.
3. The voice of the Lord is over the waters, the God of glory thunders; the Lord is over mighty waters.
4. The voice of the Lord resounds with might; the voice of the Lord resounds with majesty.
5. The voice of the Lord breaks cedars; the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon.
6. He makes them leap like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7. The voice of the Lord strikes flames of fire.
8. The voice of the Lord makes the desert tremble; the Lord causes the desert of Kadesh to tremble.
9. The voice of the Lord causes the does to calve, and strips the forests bare; and in His Sanctuary all proclaim His glory.
10. The Lord sat [as King] at the Flood; the Lord will sit as King forever.
11. The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.
Chapter 30
This psalm teaches one not to be distressed if God visits suffering upon him in this world, for only through suffering can one enter the World to Come. Even one of great spiritual stature should realize that his stability is not guaranteed, but that all is in the hands of God.
1. A psalm, a song of dedication of the House, by David.
2. I exalt You, Lord, for You have uplifted me, and did not allow my enemies to rejoice over me.
3. Lord, my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me.
4. Lord, You have brought up my soul from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not descend to the pit.
5. Sing to the Lord, you His pious ones, and praise His holy Name.
6. For His wrath endures but for a moment, when He is conciliated there is [long] life; when one retires at night weeping, joy will come in the morning.
7. In my security I thought, "I shall never falter.”
8. Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong; when You concealed Your countenance I was alarmed.
9. I called to You, O Lord, and I made supplication to my Lord:
10. What profit is there in my death, in my going down to the grave? Can dust praise You? Can it proclaim Your truth
11. Lord, hear and be gracious to me; Lord, be a help to me.
12. You have turned my mourning into dancing; You have undone my sackcloth and girded me with joy.
13. Therefore my soul shall sing to You, and not be silent; Lord my God, I will praise You forever.
Chapter 31
Composed by a destitute and oppressed David, running from Saul while placing his trust in God, this psalm instructs man to put his trust in God alone.
1. For the Conductor, a psalm by David.
2. In You I have taken shelter, O Lord, I shall never be shamed; rescue me in Your righteousness.
3. Turn Your ear to me, save me quickly; be to me a rock of refuge, a fortress to deliver me.
4. For You are my rock and my fortress; for the sake of Your Name, direct me and lead me.
5. Remove me from the net they planted for me, for You are my stronghold.
6. I entrust my spirit into Your hand; You will redeem me, Lord, God of truth.
7. I despise those who anticipate worthless vanities; but I trust in the Lord.
8. I will rejoice and delight in Your kindness, for You have seen my affliction; You know the troubles of my soul.
9. You have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet on spacious ground.
10. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from vexation-my soul and my stomach.
11. For my life is spent in sorrow, my years in sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones are wasted away.
12. Because of my adversaries I have become a disgrace-exceedingly to my neighbors, and a dread to my friends; those who see me outside flee from me.
13. Like a dead man, I was forgotten from the heart; I became like a lost vessel.
14. For I have heard the slander of many, terror on every side, when they assembled together against me and plotted to take my life.
15. But I trusted in You, O Lord; I said, "You are my God.”
16. My times are in Your hand; save me from the hands of my enemies and pursuers.
17. Shine Your countenance upon Your servant; deliver me in Your kindness.
18. O Lord, let me not be ashamed, for I have called You; let the wicked be shamed, let them be silent to the grave.
19. Let the lips of falsehood-which speak insolently against the righteous, with arrogance and contempt-be struck dumb.
20. How abundant is Your good that You have hidden for those who fear You; in the presence of man, You have acted for those who take refuge in You.
21. Conceal them from the haughtiness of man, in the shelter of Your countenance; hide them in a shelter from the strife of tongues.
22. Blessed is the Lord, for He has been wondrous in His kindness to me in a besieged city.
23. I said in my panic, "I am cut off from before Your eyes!" But in truth, You heard the voice of my pleas when I cried to You.
24. Love the Lord, all His pious ones! The Lord preserves the faithful, and repays with exactness those who act haughtily.
25. Be strong and fortify your hearts, all who put their hope in the Lord!
Chapter 32
This psalm speaks of forgiveness of sin, and of the good fortune of one who repents and confesses to God wholeheartedly.
1. By David, a maskil.1Fortunate is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2. Fortunate is the man to whom the Lord does not reckon his sin, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3. When I was silent, my limbs wore away through my wailing all day long.
4. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my marrow became [dry] as the droughts of summer, Selah.
5. My sin I made known to You, my iniquity I did not cover. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord," and You have forgiven the iniquity of my transgression forever.
6. For this let every pious man pray to You, at a time when You may be found; indeed, the flood of many waters will not reach him.
7. You are a refuge to me; protect me from distress; surround me with songs of deliverance forever.
8. I will enlighten you and educate you in the path you should go; I will advise you with what I have seen.
9. Be not like a horse, like a mule, senseless, that must be muzzled with bit and bridle when being adorned, so that it not come near you.
10. Many are the agonies of the wicked, but he who trusts in the Lord is surrounded by kindness.
11. Rejoice in the Lord and exult, you righteous ones! Sing joyously, all you upright of heart!
FOOTNOTES
1.A psalm intended to enlighten and impart knowledge(Metzudot).
Chapter 33
This psalm teaches the righteous and upright to praise God. For the more one knows of the Torah's wisdom, the more should he praise God, for he knows and understands His greatness.
1. Sing joyously to the Lord, you righteous ones; it is fitting for the upright to offer praise.
2. Extol the Lord with a harp; sing to Him with a ten-stringed lyre.
3. Sing to Him a new song; play well with sounds of jubilation.
4. For the word of the Lord is just; all His deeds are done in faithfulness.
5. He loves righteousness and justice; the kindness of the Lord fills the earth.
6. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their hosts.
7. He gathers the waters of the sea like a mound; He places the deep waters in vaults.
8. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world tremble before Him.
9. For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it endured.
10. The Lord has annulled the counsel of nations; He has foiled the schemes of peoples.
11. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of His heart throughout all generations.
12. Fortunate is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose as a heritage for Himself.
13. The Lord looks down from heaven; He beholds all mankind.
14. From His dwelling-place He looks intently upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
15. It is He Who fashions the hearts of them all, Who perceives all their actions.
16. The king is not saved by a great army, nor a warrior rescued by great might.
17. The horse is a false guarantee for victory; with all its great strength it offers no escape.
18. But the eye of the Lord is directed toward those who fear Him, toward those who hope for His kindness,
19. to save their soul from death and to sustain them during famine.
20. Our soul yearns for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.
21. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, for we have put our trust in His Holy Name.
22. May Your kindness, Lord, be upon us, as we have placed our hope in You.
Chapter 34
This psalm tells of when David was in grave danger while at the palace of Achish, brother of Goliath. David acted like a madman, letting spittle run down his beard, and writing on the doors: "Achish, king of Gath, owes me one hundred thousand gold coins," leading Achish to eject him from the palace. In his joy, David composed this psalm in alphabetical sequence.
1. By David, when he feigned insanity before Avimelech,1 who then drove him away, and he left.
2. I bless the Lord at all times; His praise is always in my mouth.
3. My soul glories in the Lord; let the humble hear it and rejoice.
4. Exalt the Lord with me, and let us extol His Name together.
5. I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.
6. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never humiliated.
7. This poor man called, and the Lord heard; He delivered him from all his tribulations.
8. The angel of the Lord camps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.
9. Taste and see that the Lord is good; fortunate is the man who trusts in Him.
10. Fear the Lord, you His holy ones, for those who fear Him suffer no want.
11. Young lions may want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.
12. Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
13. Who is the man who desires life, who loves long life wherein to see goodness?
14. Guard your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.
15. Turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it.
16. The eyes of the Lord are directed toward the righteous, and His ears toward their cry.
17. The wrath of the Lord is upon the evildoers, to excise their memory from the earth.
18. But when they [repent and] cry out, the Lord hears, and saves them from all their troubles.
19. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted, and saves those with a crushed spirit.
20. Many are the afflictions of a righteous person, but the Lord rescues him from them all.
21. He protects all his bones; not one of them is broken.
22. Evil brings death upon the wicked, and the enemies of the righteous are condemned.
23. The Lord redeems the soul of His servants; all who take shelter in Him are not condemned.
FOOTNOTES
1.All Philistine kings are referred to by the name Avimelech (Rashi).
Tanya: Likutei Amarim, beginning of Chapter 20
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Wednesday, 5 Shevat, 5777 · 1 February 2017
• Likutei Amarim, beginning of Chapter 20
• In the previous chapters the Alter Rebbe discussed the Torah’s assertion that “it is very near” to us to fulfill all the commandments with a love and fear of G‑d. He explained that it is indeed “very near,” by means of the natural love of G‑d inherent in every Jew. He further stated that this love stems from the faculty of Chochmah of the divine soul, in which the light of the Ein Sof is clothed. This love is the source of a Jew’s power of self-sacrifice; it is what inspires every Jew, regardless of spiritual stature, to forfeit his life rather than deny G‑d’s unity. In fact, were a Jew to feel that sin tears him away from G‑d, he would never sin — his love of G‑d and his fear of separation from Him would not permit it. It is only the “spirit of folly” inspired by the kelipah — the self-delusion that sin does not weaken his attachment to G‑d — that allows him to sin. But when he is confronted with an attempt to coerce him to practice idolatry, for example, no such delusion is possible; clearly he is being torn away from G‑d. Thereupon, a Jew’s inherent love of G‑d is aroused, and even the most hardened sinner willingly suffers martyrdom for his faith in the One G‑d.
This same power of self-sacrifice, says the Alter Rebbe, can enable a Jew to refrain from every transgression, and to fulfill all the commandments. But if, in fact, only a clear challenge to one’s faith — such as idolatry — arouses and activates one’s hidden love, how can this love serve to motivate one’s observance of all the commandments? The Alter Rebbe begins to provide the answer in this chapter by explaining the relationship of all the positive commandments to the precept of belief in G‑d’s unity (stated in the first of the Ten Commandments: “I am G‑d your L‑rd”), and of all the prohibitive commandments to the prohibition of idolatry (the second commandment in the Decalogue: “You shall have no other gods…”).
והנה מודעת זאת לכל כי מצות ואזהרת עבודה זרה, שהם שני דברות הראשונים, אנכי, ולא יהיה לך, הם כללות כל התורה כולה
It is well known that the [positive] commandment to believe in G‑d’s unity, and the admonition concerning idolatry, which form the first two commandments in the Decalogue:1 “I am G‑d…” and “You shall have no other gods…,” comprise the entire Torah.
כי דבור אנכי כולל כל רמ״ח מצות עשה, ולא יהיה לך כולל כל שס״ה מצות לא תעשה
For the commandment “I am G‑d” contains all the 248 positive precepts, while the commandment “You shall have no other gods” contains all the 365 prohibitive commandments.2
ולכן שמענו אנכי ולא יהיה לך לבד מפי הגבורה, כמאמר רז״ל: מפני שהם כללות התורה כולה
That is why we heard only these two commandments, “I am…,” and “You shall not have…,” directly from G‑d, while the other eight commandments were transmitted by Moses, as our Sages have said,3 for they are the sum total of the whole Torah.
Thus, we actually heard the entire Torah from G‑d Himself; for all the commandments are contained within these two, as are particulars within a generalization. Therefore just as one’s love of G‑d motivates him to obey these two commandments even at the expense of his life, it may also serve to motivate him to observe all the commandments.
However, this concept requires further clarification. Why should all the positive precepts be considered as affirmations of G‑d’s unity, and why should all the prohibitions be manifestations of idol-worship? It is readily understood that belief in G‑d is the basis of all the commandments. The Mechilta4 illustrates this idea by the parable of a king who entered a land, and was requested by the populace to provide them with a system of laws. To this the king replied: “First accept me as your king; afterwards I will issue my decrees.” In the same way, belief in the One G‑d constitutes the foundation upon which all the other commandments are built. But why should the two commandments regarding G‑d’s unity be considered the sum total of the entire Torah, all the other commandments being merely an extension of them?
The explanation is based on a deeper understanding of the concept of the unity of G‑d. G‑d’s unity means not only that there is but one Creator, but that G‑d is the only existing being. All of existence is absolutely nullified before Him, and completely one with Him. Therefore when one acts in defiance of G‑d’s Will as expressed in the commandments, he sets himself apart from G‑d as though he were a separate and independent entity. This constitutes a denial of G‑d’s unity, and the transgressor is therefore considered an idolator. This the Alter Rebbe now explains in detail.
ולבאר היטב ענין זה צריך להזכיר תחלה בקצרה ענין ומהות אחדותו של הקב״ה שנקרא יחיד ומיוחד
In order to elucidate this matter clearly, we must first briefly speak of the idea and the essence of the unity of G‑d, Who is called “One and Unique.”
I.e., we must understand the essential meaning of this phrase, which lends itself to various interpretations: that there is only one G‑d, one Creator; that He is one Being, not a compound of various powers; and so on.
וכל מאמינים שהוא לבדו הוא כמו שהיה קודם שנברא העולם ממש
All believe that He is One Alone5 now, after creation, exactly as He was before the world was created, when He was [obviously] alone since nothing else had yet come into being, so too now after creation, nothing exists apart from Him.
וכמו שכתוב: אתה הוא עד שלא נברא העולם, אתה הוא משנברא כו׳
As it is written in the prayer book:6 “You are He Who was before the world was created, and You are He Who is since the world was created.”
If the meaning of this passage were only that G‑d is eternal, without beginning or end, it could have been stated simply: “You were before the world was created…”; why the circumlocution of “You are he He Who was before the world was created…”?
פירוש: הוא ממש בלי שום שינוי, כדכתיב: אני ה׳ לא שניתי
This emphasis provided by the repeated phrase, “You are He who.” means: “You are exactly the same ‘He’ before and after creation, without any change,” as it is written:7 “I, the L‑rd, have not changed” since creation. G‑d is still One alone despite the presence of myriad beings, as the Alter Rebbe goes on to explain.
כי עולם הזה וכן כל העולמות העליונים אינם פועלים שום שינוי באחדותו יתברך בהבראם מאין ליש
For this world, and likewise all the supernal worlds, do not effect any change in His unity by their having been created out of a state of nothingness.
שכמו שהיה הוא לבדו הוא יחיד ומיוחד קודם הבראם, כן הוא לבדו הוא יחיד ומיוחד אחר שבראם, משום דכולא קמיה כלא חשיב וכאין ואפס ממש
Just as G‑d was One alone, single and unique, before they were created, so is He One alone, single and unique, after He created them.
How can it be so? What of all the creatures that exist besides Him?
Yet it is so, because all is as naught beside Him, as if absolutely nonexistent.
The Alter Rebbe now goes on to clarify this point. His explanation in brief: All of creation came about through the Word of G‑d. As we see with man, one word has no value whatever next to his power of speech, which has the capacity to allow him to go on speaking endlessly.
It has even less value compared to one’s power of thought, the source of speech; and next to the soul itself, whence derive both thought and speech, one word (or even many words) is certainly a nonentity. How much more so, then, that in comparison with G‑d who is infinite, His Word, which represents His creative and animative powers, is as totally nonexistent.
What follows is a lengthy exposition of this concept, which is carried over into the next chapter.
כי התהוות כל העולמות עליונים ותחתונים מאין ליש, וחיותם וקיומם המקיימם שלא יחזרו להיות אין ואפס כשהיה
For the coming into being of all the upper and lower worlds out of nothingness, and their life and their existence, i.e., that [force] which sustains them so that they do not revert to nothingness and naught, as they were before they were created—
For unlike the product of a human craftsman, which (if left undisturbed) will remain in exactly the same state and shape as it was when it left the hands of the craftsman, the continued existence of creation is dependent on the constant renewal of the creative power. Were this power to cease, all of creation would revert to nothingness. This force, which animates and sustains the existence of all creation —
אינו אלא דבר ה׳ ורוח פיו יתברך המלובש בהם
is nothing other than the Word of G‑d and the8 “breath of His mouth” that is clothed in these worlds.
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. | Shmot 20:2-3. |
| 2. | See Shnei Luchot HaBrit, beg. Parshat Yitro; Zohar II, p. 276a. |
| 3. | Makkot 24a. |
| 4. | Shmot 20:2-3. |
| 5. | Liturgy of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. |
| 6. | Daily morning service. |
| 7. | Malachi 3:6. |
| 8. | Tehillim 33:6. |
• Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
• Positive Commandment 147
Covering Blood
"...and spills its blood, and he shall cover it with earth"—Leviticus 17:13.
We are commanded to cover the blood of a ritually slaughtered bird or non-domesticated animal.
Full text of this Mitzvah »
• Covering Blood
Positive Commandment 147
Translated by Berel Bell
The 147nd mitzvah is that we are commanded to cover the blood when slaughtering a bird or a chaya.1
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement,2 "When he spills its blood, he must cover [the blood] with earth."
The details of this mitzvah are explained in the 6th chapter of tractate Chulin.
FOOTNOTES
1.An animal with antlers, such as a deer.
2.Lev. 17:13.
• Rambam - 1 Chapter: Rotzeach uShmirat Nefesh Rotzeach uShmirat Nefesh - Chapter Seven
• Rotzeach uShmirat Nefesh - Chapter Seven
1
When a Torah scholar is exiled to a city of refuge, his teacher is exiled together with him. This is derived from Deuteronomy 19:5, which states: "He shall flee to one of these cities, and he shall live." Implied, is that everything necessary for his life must be provided for him. Therefore, a scholar must be provided with his teacher, for the life of one who possesses knowledge without Torah study is considered to be death. Similarly, if a teacher is exiled, his academy is exiled with him.
א
תלמיד שגלה לעיר מקלט מגלין רבו עמו שנאמר וחי, עשה לו כדי שיחיה וחיי בעלי חכמה ומבקשיה בלא תלמוד תורה כמיתה חשובין. וכן הרב שגלה מגלין ישיבתו עמו:
2
When a servant is exiled to a city of refuge, his master is not obligated to provide for his sustenance. The income from his labor, however, belongs to his master.
When a woman is exiled to a city of refuge, her husband is obligated to provide for her sustenance. For he cannot tell her: "Take the fruits of your labor in exchange for your sustenance," unless the woman is capable of earning a sufficient amount to provide for herself.
ב
עבד שגלה לעיר מקלט אין רבו חייב לזונו ומעשה ידיו לרבו. אבל אשה שגלתה לעיר מקלט בעלה חייב לזונה. ואינו יכול לומר לה צאי מעשה ידיך למזונותיך אלא אם כן היו מספיקין לה:
3
When a killer was sentenced to exile and died before the sentence was implemented, his bones should be taken to a city of refuge and buried there.
When a killer dies in his city of refuge, he should be buried there. When the High Priest dies, the bones of the killer may be taken to his ancestral plot.
ג
רוצח שנגמר דינו להגלותו ומת קודם שיגלה מוליכין עצמותיו לשם. ורוצח שמת בעיר מקלטו קוברין אותו שם. ובעת שימות הכהן הגדול מוליכין עצמות הרוצח משם לקברי אבותיו:
4
When any of the other Levites who live in the city of refuge dies, he should not be buried within the city or within its Sabbath boundary. As Numbers 35:3 states: "Their open space will be for their animals, for their property and for all their life." Implied is that these cities were given for life, and not for burial.
ד
שאר הלוים השוכנים בערי מקלט כשימות אחד מהן אינו נקבר בעיר ולא בתוך התחום. שנאמר ומגרשיהם יהיו לבהמתם ולרכושם ולכל חיתם. לחיים ניתנו ולא לקבורה:
5
When a killer kills accidentally in a city of refuge, he should be exiled from one neighborhood to another. He should not depart from the city.
Similarly, when a Levite kills in one of his own cities, he should be exiled to another one of the cities of the Levites. For they all serve as a haven, as will be explained. If he killed outside the cities of the Levites and fled to his own city, that city serves as a haven for him.
ה
רוצח שהרג בשגגה בעיר מקלטו. גולה בה משכונה לשכונה ואינו יוצא מן העיר. וכן לוי שהרג במדינתו גולה למדינה אחרת מערי הלוים. לפי שכולן קולטות כמו שיתבאר. ואם הרג חוץ מערי הלוים וברח לעירו הרי זה קולטו:
6
When the majority of the inhabitants of a city of refuge are killers, it no longer serves as a haven. This is derived from Joshua 20:4, which speaks of the designation of the cities of refuge and states: "And the killer will speak his words in the ears of the elders of the city." Implied is that there is a distinction between their words and his words.
Similarly, a city that does not have elders does not serve as a haven, for it is written: "The elders of that city."
ו
עיר מקלט שרובה רצחנים אינה קולטת. שנאמר ודבר באזני זקני העיר ההיא את דבריו ולא ששוין דבריהם לדבריו. וכן עיר שאין בה זקנים אינה קולטת שנאמר זקני העיר ההיא:
7
When a killer was exiled to a city of refuge, and the inhabitants of the city desire to show him honor, he should tell them: "I am a killer."
If they say, "We desire to honor you regardless," he may accept the honor from them.
ז
רוצח שגלה לעיר מקלט ורצו אנשי העיר לכבדו. יאמר להם [א] רוצח אני. אמרו לו אע"פ כן יקבל מהן:
8
A person who was exiled to a city of refuge should never leave his city of refuge, not even to perform a mitzvah or to deliver testimony - neither testimony involving monetary matters, nor testimony involving a capital case. He should not leave even if he can save a life by delivering testimony, or he can save a person from gentiles, from a river, from a fire or from an avalanche. This applies even if he is a person like Yoav ben Tz'ruyah, upon whom the salvation of the entire Jewish people may depend. He should never leave the city of refuge until the death of the High Priest. If he departs, he has allowed for his death, as explained.
ח
הגולה אינו יוצא מעיר מקלטו לעולם. ואפילו לדבר מצוה או לעדות בין עדות ממון בין עדות נפשות. ואפילו להציל נפש בעדותו או להציל מיד העובד כוכבים או מיד הנהר או מיד הדליקה ומן המפולת. אפילו כל ישראל צריכין לתשועתו כיואב בן צרויה אינו יוצא משם לעולם עד מות הכהן הגדול. ואם יצא התיר עצמו למיתה כמו שביארנו:
9
When it is said that a killer may return after the death of the High Priest, the intent is a High Priest anointed with the anointing oil, one who assumed his office through wearing his vestments, one who performs the service of a High Priest, and one who was removed from his office. When any of these four die, a killer may return from his city of refuge.
When, by contrast, a priest anointed to lead the nation in war dies, a killer may not return, for this priest is considered to be an ordinary priest.
ט
אחד כהן גדול המשיח בשמן המשחה. ואחד המרובה בבגדים. ואחד הכהן הגדול העובד. ואחד הכהן שעבר. כל אחד מארבעתן שמת מחזיר את הרוצח. אבל משוח מלחמה אינו מחזיר מפני שהוא ככהן הדיוט:
10
The following individuals are exiled and never return from their exile:
a) a person who was sentenced to exile at a time when the office of High Priest was not filled;
b) a person who killed a High Priest unintentionally and there was no other High Priest; or
c) a High Priest who killed unintentionally and there was no other High Priest.
י
רוצח שנגמר דינו לגלות ולא היה שם כהן גדול. וההורג כהן גדול ולא היה שם כהן גדול אחר. וכהן גדול שהרג ולא היה שם כהן גדול אחר. הרי אלו גולין ואינן יוצאין מעיר מקלט לעולם:
11
If, however, the killer was sentenced, but the High Priest died before the killer was actually exiled, he is not required to go into exile.
If before the killer was sentenced, the High Priest dies, and another High Priest was appointed in his stead, and then the sentence of exile was delivered, the killer returns after the death of the second High Priest, the one in whose term of office he was sentenced.
יא
נגמר דינו לגלות ואחר כך מת הכהן הגדול קודם שיגלה הרוצח. הרי זה פטור מן הגלות. ואם עד שלא נגמר דינו מת הכהן הגדול ומינו כהן אחר תחתיו ואחר כך נגמר דינו הרי זה חוזר במיתתו של שני שנגמר דינו בפניו:
12
If a killer was sentenced and it was discovered that the High Priest was the son of a divorcee or the son of a woman who underwent chalitzah, the High Priesthood is negated. It is as if he were sentenced without there having been a High Priest; he may never leave his city of refuge.
יב
נגמר דינו ונמצא הכהן הגדול בן גרושה או בן חלוצה. בטלה כהונה וכאילו נגמר דינו בלא כהן גדול ואינו יוצא משם לעולם:
13
When a killer returns to his city after the death of the High Priest, he is considered to be an ordinary citizen. If the blood redeemer slays him, the blood redeemer should be executed, for the killer has already gained atonement through exile.
יג
רוצח ששב לעירו אחר מות הכהן הגדול. הרי הוא כשאר כל אדם. ואם הרגו גואל הדם נהרג עליו שכבר נתכפר לו בגלותו:
14
Although the killer has gained atonement, he should never return to a position of authority that he previously held. Instead, he should be diminished in stature for his entire life, because of this great calamity that he caused.
יד
אף על פי שנתכפר אינו חוזר בה לשררה שהיה בה לעולם. אלא הרי הוא מורד מגדולתו כל ימיו הואיל ובאה תקלה זו הגדולה על ידו:
15
Although a person who intentionally injures his father is liable to be executed by the court just like a person who kills another person, if a person unintentionally injured his parents, he is not liable for exile. For the Torah prescribed exile only for a person who unintentionally killed another man, as we have stated.
טו
אע"פ שהחובל באביו בזדון חייב מיתת בית דין כמו ההורג שאר אדם. אם חבל באביו או באמו בשגגה אינו חייב גלות. שלא חייבה תורה גלות אלא [להורג] נפש אדם בשגגה בלבד כמו שביארנו:
• Shechitah - Chapter 6
1
What is meant by nekuvah?1 There are eleven organs that if there is a perforation of the slightest size that reaches their inner cavity, [the animal] is trefe. They are:2 the entrance to the gullet,3 the membrane of the brain in the skull, the heart and its large arteries, the gall-bladder, the arteries leading to the liver, the maw,4 the stomach, the abdomen, the gut, the intestines, and the lung and the bronchia.
א
נקובה כיצד, אחד עשר איברים הן שאם ניקב אחד מהן לחללו במשהו טרפה ואלו הן: תרבץ הושט, וקרום של מוח הראש, והלב עם הקנה שלו, והמרה, וקנה הכבד, והקיבה, והכרס, והמסס, ובית הכוסות, והדקין, והריאה עם הקנה שלה.
2
We have already mentioned the definition of the entrance to the gullet.5 It refers to a portion of the esophagus above the gullet which is not fit for ritual slaughter. If there is a perforation of the slightest size that reaches its inner cavity, [the animal] is trefe.
ב
תרבץ הושט כבר ביארנו שיעורו ושהוא המקום מן הושט שאינו ראוי לשחיטה למעלה מן הושט אם ניקב לחללו במה שהוא טריפה.
3
The brain in the skull has two membranes. If the outer one near the skull bone alone is perforated, [the animal] is permitted.6 If the lower one near the brain is perforated, it is trefe.7With regard to the portion where the brain extends to the spinal cord, i.e., the portion below the glands where the neck begins, the laws governing [the perforation of] its membranes change.8 If they are perforated beyond the glands, [the animal] is permitted.
ג
שני קרומות יש למוח שבראש, אם ניקב העליון הסמוך לעצם בלבד הרי זו מותרת, ואם ניקב התחתון הסמוך למוח טרפה, ומשיתחיל המוח להמשך לשדרה והוא מחוץ לפולין שהן תחלת העורף יהיה לקרומו דין אחר, ואם ניקב חוץ לפולין מותר.
4
ד
המוח עצמו שניקב או נתמעך והקרום קיים כשרה, ואם נשפך כמים או נמס כדונג טריפה.
5
When there is a perforation of the heart to its inner cavity - whether to the larger cavity on the left or the smaller cavity to the right - [the animal] is trefe. If, however, the flesh of the heart is perforated, but the perforation does not reach the inner cavity, [the animal] is permitted.12 The arteries leading from the heart to the lung is considered as the heart itself. If there is a perforation of the slightest size that reaches its inner cavity, [the animal] is trefe.
ה
הלב שניקב לבית חללו, בין לחלל גדול שבשמאל בין לחלל קטן שבימין טרפה, אבל אם ניקב בשר הלב ולא הגיע לחללו מותר, וקנה הלב והוא המזרק הגדול שיוצא ממנו לריאה הרי הוא כלב ואם ניקב לחללו במשהו טריפה.
6
When the gall-bladder is perforated and the liver seals it, [the animal] is permitted.13 If, however, the perforation is not sealed, it is trefe even if the perforation is located close to the liver.
ו
מרה שניקבה וכבד סותמה מותרת, ואם לא נסתם הנקב אע"פ שהוא סמוך לכבד טרפה.
7
[The following rules apply when] a kernel14 is found in the gall-bladder. If it was shaped like a date seed, i.e., its head is not pointed, [the animal] is permitted.15If, however, its head is pointed like an olive seed, it is forbidden, for we can assume that it perforated [the gall bladder] when it entered. [The reason that] the perforation cannot be seen is that a scab developed over the opening of the wound.16
ז
נזייה שנמצאת במרה אם היתה כמו גרעינה של תמרה שאין ראשה חד מותרת, ואם ראש חד כגרעינת הזית אסורה, שהרי ניקבה אותה כשנכנסה, וזה שלא יראה הנקב מפני שהוגלד פי המכה.
8
When there is a perforation of the slightest size in one of the arteries of the liver where the blood develops, [the animal] is trefe.17 Accordingly, [the following rules apply] if a needle is found in the lobes of the liver. If it was a large needle and its pointed edge was facing inward, it can be assumed that it perforated [the liver] when it entered. If its rounded edge was facing inward, we say that it entered through the blood vessels and [the animal] is permitted.18
ח
קני הכבד והן המזרקין שבו שבהן הדם מתבשל, אם ניקב אחד מהן במשהו טרפה, לפיכך מחט שנמצאת בחיתוך הכבד אם היתה מחט גדולה והיה הקצה החד שלה לפנים בידוע שניקבה כשנכנסה ואם היה הראש העגול לפנים אומרין דרך סימפונות הלכה ומותרת. 62
9
If it was a small needle, [the animal] is trefe, because both of its heads are sharp and it certainly perforated [the liver].19 If it is found in the large blood vessel, the wide artery through which food enters the liver,20 it is permitted.21 If the flesh of the liver became wormridden, [the animal] is permitted.22
ט
היתה מחט קטנה הרי זה טרפה מפני ששני ראשיה חדין ודאי ניקבה, ואם נמצאת בסימפון הגדול שבכבד והוא הקנה הרחב שבאמצע שבו נכנס המאכל לכבד הרי זה מותרת, ובשר כבד שהתליע מותרת.
10
When the maw is perforated and kosher fat23 seals [the perforation], [the animal] is permitted. Similarly, whenever a perforation is sealed by flesh or fat that is permitted to be eaten, [the animal] is permitted. The [only] exceptions are the fat of the heart,24 the membrane that is above the entire heart, the diaphragm in the midst of the belly that separates between the digestive organs and the respiratory organs, i.e., the one that when it is cut open, the lungs could be seen and which is called the membrane [above] the liver, the white place in the center [of the liver], and the fat of the colon. In these organs, we do not say that they shield [the perforation] because they are firm.25 A perforation that is sealed with one of these is not considered as sealed.
A portion of fat from a beast that corresponds to a portion of forbidden fat in a domesticated animal does not seal [a perforation] even though it is permitted to be eaten.26
י
קיבה שניקבה וחלב טהור סותם את הנקב מותרת, וכן כל נקב שהבשר או החלב המותר באכילה סותם אותו הרי זה מותר, חוץ מחלב הלב והקרום שעל הלב כולו, והמחיצה שבאמצע הבטן המבדלת בין איברי המאכל ואיברי הנשימה, והיא שקורעין אותה ואחר כך תראה הריאה, והיא הנקראת טרפש הכבד, והמקום הלבן שבאמצעה, וחלב המעי האחרון שבאיברים אלו, אין מגינין לפי שהן קשין, ונקב שנסתם באחד מהן אינו כסתום, וחלב חיה שכנגדו בבהמה אסור אינו סותם אע"פ שהוא מותר באכילה.
11
When the stomach is perforated, [the animal] is trefe. There is nothing that can seal it for the fat upon it is forbidden.27Similarly, when there is a perforation of the abdomen or gut that extends to its outer periphery, [the animal] is trefe. If one of them was perforated and the perforation leads to the cavity of the other,28 [the animal] is permitted.29
יא
כרס שניקב טריפה, ואין לו דבר שיסתום אותו, שהרי החלב שעליו אסור, וכן המסס ובית הכוסות שניקב אחד מהן לחוץ טרפה, ואם נקב אחד מהן לתוך חלל חבירו מותרת.
12
[The following rules apply when] a needle is found in the folds of the gut: If it was from one side,30 [the animal] is permitted.31 If it caused a complete perforation extending [from the outer side] to the cavity of the gut and a drop of blood was found at the place of the perforation, [the animal] is trefe. For we are certain that the perforation occurred before the slaughter. If there is no blood at the place of the perforation,32 [the animal] is permitted. For we are certain that after the slaughter, under pressure the needle caused the perforation.33
יב
מחט שנמצאת בעובי בית הכוסות מצד אחד כשירה, ואם נקבה נקב מפולש לתוך חלל בית הכוסות, ונמצאת טיפת דם במקום הנקב טרפה שודאי קודם שחיטה ניקב, אבל אם אין דם במקום הנקב הרי זה מותר שודאי אחר שחיטה דחקה המחט ונקבה. 63
13
When an animal swallowed a substance that will perforate the intestines, e.g., the root of the asafetida34 plant or the like, it is trefe, for we can be certain that it perforated them. If there is a question whether or not a perforation was made,35 [the animal] must be inspected.36
When one of the organs of the digestive system through which the food waste passes, i.e., the intestines, are perforated, [the animal] is trefe. Among them are those which are curved and surrounded by each other like a snake that is coiled, they are referred to as the small intestines. If one of them was perforated [on the side where] another [is located], the animal is permitted, for the other [intestine] will shield [the perforation].
יג
בהמה שהלעיטה דבר שנוקב בני מעיה כגון קורט של חלתית וכיוצא בו טרפה שודאי נוקב, ואם היה ספק נוקב ספק אינו נוקב תבדק, כל אחד מן בני המעים שפסולת המאכל סובבת בהן והן הנקראים דקין שניקב טרפה, ויש מהן מלופפין ומוקפין זו לפנים מזו בעיגול כמו נחש שנכרך ואלו הן הנקראים הדרא דכנתה אם ניקב אחד מהן לחבירו כשירה, שהרי חבירו מגין עליו. 64
14
When the digestive organs were perforated and viscous body fluids seal them, [the animal] is trefe for this seal will not endure.37
When a wolf, a dog, or the like, snatched [an animal's] intestines38and they were perforated after they were abandoned, we surmise that [the predator caused the perforation and the slaughtered animal] is permitted. We do not say that perhaps [the predator] made a perforation in a place where one already existed.39
If [an intestine] was discovered to be perforated40 and it was not known whether it was perforated before [the animal's] slaughter41or afterwards, we perforate it again and compare the two. If the first perforation resembles this one, [the animal] is kosher.42 If there was a difference between them, [we presume that the first] occurred before the slaughter and [the animal] is trefe. If the perforation in doubt was handled, the perforation to which it is being compared must also be handled before the comparison is made.
יד
ומעים שניקבו וליחה סותמתן טריפה שאין זו סתימה עומדת, בני מעים שבא זאב או כלב וכיוצא בהן ונטלן והרי הן נקובין אחר שהניחן תולין בו ומותרת ואין אומרין שמא במקום נקב ניקב, נמצאו נקובין ולא נודע אם קודם שחיטה ניקבו אם אחר שחיטה נוקבין בהן נקב אחר ומדמין לו, אם היה הנקב הראשון כמותו כשרה, ואם היה ביניהן שינוי קודם שחיטה ניקב וטרפה, ואם משמשו הידים בנקב הספק כך צריך למשמש בנקב שמדמין לו ואחר כך עורכין זה לזה.
15
When [an animal's] digestive organs protrude outside [its body] without having been perforated,43 [the animal] is permitted. If they were turned upside down,44 [the animal] is trefe even if they were not perforated. [The rationale is that] once [the digestive organs] have been turned upside down,45they will never return to their ordinary functioning and [the animal] will not live.
טו
בני מעיים שיצאו לחוץ ולא ניקבו מותרת ואם נתהפכו אף על פי שלא ניקבו טרפה, שאי אפשר שיחזרו כמות שהיו אחר שנהפכו ואינה חיה.
16
The final digestive organ that is straight and not curved from which feces are excreted in the genital area and is joined [to the body] between the thighs is called the colon. If it is perforated even slightly, [the animal] is trefe,46 as applies with regard to the other digestive organs.
When does the above apply? When the perforation faced the cavity of the belly. When, however, it was perforated at the point where it is joined between the thighs, [the animal] is permitted.47 [Indeed,] even if the entire place where it is joined between the thighs is removed, [the animal] is permitted, provided a length of at least four fingerbreadths48 remains in an ox.49
טז
המעי האחרון שהוא שוה ואין בו עיקום והוא שהרעי יוצא בו מן הערוה והוא דבוק בין עיקרי היריכים הוא הנקרא חלחולת אם ניקב במשהו טרפה כשאר המעים, במה דברים אמורים שניקב לחלל הבטן אבל אם נקב במקום הדבוק ביריכים מותרת ואפילו נטל ממנו מקום הדבק כולו מותרת והוא שישתייר מארכו בשור כמו ארבע אצבעות.
17
A fowl does not have a stomach, an abdomen, or a gut. Instead of them, it has a crop and a craw.50
All the factors that render an animal trefe apply equally to a domesticated animal, a wild beast, and a fowl.51
When the roof of the crop receives even the slightest perforation, [the animal] is trefe. What is meant by the roof of the crop? That which becomes extended with the gullet when the fowl extends its neck.52 If, however, the remainder of the crop becomes perforated, [the fowl] is permitted.
יז
העוף אין לו כרס ולא המסס ולא בית הכוסות, אבל יש לו כנגדן זפק וקרקבן, וכל הטרפות שוות הן בבהמה חיה ועוף, וזפק שניקב גגו במשהו טרפה ואי זהו גגו של זפק זה שימתח עם הושט כשיאריך העוף צוארו אבל שאר הזפק שניקב מותר.
18
The craw has two [membranes] covering it. The outer one is red like meat; the inner one is white like skin. If one was perforated and not the other, [the fowl] is permitted unless they are both perforated, even slightly. If they are both perforated, but in places that do not correspond, [the fowl] is permitted.53
יח
שני כיסין יש בקרקבן, החיצון אדום כמו בשר, והפנימי לבן כמו עור, ניקב זה בלא זה מותרת עד שינקבו שניהן במשהו, ואם ניקבו שניהן זה שלא כנגד זה מותר.
19
The spleen is not one of the limbs which is disqualified because of a perforation of even the slightest size. Therefore our Sages did not include it in that category. Instead, a perforation that disqualifies it has a measure which is not uniform throughout it.
What is implied? One of the ends of the spleen is thick and the other thin, like the shape of the tongue. If the thick end was perforated by a hole that extends from side to side, [the animal] is trefe. If the hole does not extend from side to side, [more lenient rules apply]: If a portion the thickness of a golden dinar remains,54[the animal] is permitted. If less than that remains, [the perforation] is considered as if it extends from side to side and [the animal] is trefe. If the thin side is perforated, [the animal] is acceptable.55
יט
הטחול אינו מן האיברין שנקיבתן במשהו ולפיכך לא מנו אותו חכמים בכללן אלא יש לנקב שלו שיעור שאינו שוה בכולו, כיצד הטחול ראשו האחד עבה והשני דק כבריית הלשון, אם ניקב בראש העבה נקב מפולש טרפה, ואם ניקב נקב שאינו מפולש אם נשאר תחתיו כעובי דינר של זהב מותר פחות מכאן הרי הוא כמפולש וטרפה, אבל אם ניקב הדק כשרה.
20
[The following principle applies with regard to] all of the organs concerning which our Sages said that even the slightest perforation [causes the animal to be considered] trefe. If [that organ] was removed entirely, [the animal] is trefe.56 This applies whether it was eliminated through sickness, removed by hand, or [the animal] was created lacking the organ.
The same laws also apply if it was created with two of that organ, for any extra limb or organ is considered as if it was lacking.57
What is implied? If one of an animal's or fowl's digestive organs, its gall-bladder,58 or the like was removed, it is trefe. Similarly if it was discovered to have two gall-bladders or two of a [particular digestive] organ, it is trefe. Similar laws apply in all analogous situations. If, however, the spleen was removed or two spleens were found, [the animal] is permitted, for [that organ] is not among those listed [by our Sages in this category].
כ
כל אבר שאמרו חכמים בו שאם ניקב במשהו טרפה כך אם ניטל כולו טרפה, בין שניטל בחולי או ביד בין שנברא חסר, וכן אם נברא בשני איברים מאותו אבר טרפה שכל היתר כנטול הוא חשוב, כיצד ניטל אחד מן המעים או המרה וכיוצא בהן בין בעוף בין בבהמה טרפה, וכן אם נמצא בהן שתי מררות או שני מעים טרפה וכן כל כיוצא בהן, אבל אם ניטל הטחול או שנמצאו שנים מותרת שאינו בכלל המנויין.
21
[The statement that] an extra digestive organ causes an animal to be considered trefe applies only when there is an entire extra organ from its beginning to its end and thus two digestive organs are found next to each other as is [sometimes found in] the digestive organs of a fowl59 or the extra organ projects outward like a branch from a bough and it is a separate entity.60[The latter applies] whether in a fowl or in an animal. If, however, the extra organ returns and becomes combined with the main organ and they are fused at the two ends61 even though they are separate in the middle, [the animal] is permitted and the organ is not considered as extra.
כא
המעי היתר שתטרף בו הבהמה הוא היתר מתחלתו ועד סופו עד שנמצאו שני מעים זה בצד זה מתחלה ועד סוף כמעי העוף או שהיה המעי יוצא כענף מן הבד והרי הוא מובדל בין בעוף בין בבהמה, אבל אם חזר ונתערב עם המעי ונעשה אחד משני ראשיו והרי שניהם מובדלין באמצע הרי זו מותרת ואין כאן יתר..
FOOTNOTES
1.
The term literally means "perforated."
2.
The Rambam explains the particular laws regarding the perforation of these organs in this chapter with the exception of those concerning the lung. The latter, because they are many and are of more common application, are given greater focus and an entire chapter, Chapter 7, is devoted to them.
3.
If the gullet itself is perforated, the animal is considered a nevelah as stated in Chapter 3, Halachah 13.
4.
A kosher domesticated animal has four stomachs. If any one of them is perforated, the animal is trefe. This and the following three terms refer to those stomachs.
5.
See Chapter 1, Halachah 6.
6.
The Rama (Yoreh De'ah 31:1) quotes authorities who maintain that even if the upper membrane alone is perforated, the animal is trefe. He states that unless a significant loss is involved, this perspective should be followed. The Turei Zahav 31:1 and the Siftei Cohen 31:1 quote views that advocate stringency even if a significant loss is involved.
7.
There is a question among the commentaries with regard to the law if only the bottom membrane is perforated. Many Rishonim - and this is the ruling of the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 31:10) - rule that the animal is considered trefe in such a situation, for that membrane is the primary protection for the brain.
There are those who maintain that this is alluded to in the Rambam's wording: "If the lower one near the brain is perforated, it is trefe," i.e., its perforation alone causes the animal to be considered trefe. Others maintain that this is not the Rambam's intent and some even maintain that the proper version of the text is "If also the lower one...," which would imply that both membranes must be perforated.
[The more stringent ruling is also stated in the popular translation of the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Chullin 3:1). However, Rav Kappach - while not disputing the ruling - maintains that the translation there is in error.]
8.
Instead, it is governed by the laws pertaining to the breach of the spinal cord, as described in Chapter 9, Law 1.
9.
In his Kessef Mishneh, Rav Yosef Caro quotes a different version substituting nirkav ("decayed") for nikeiv ("perforated"). He also quotes this version in his Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 31:2).
10.
For the animal will still be able to function.
11.
In Chapter 10, the Kessef Mishneh includes this - as the implication from the Rambam's order here - in the category of nekuvah. For in such a situation, ultimately, the brain's membrane will become perforated.
12.
The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 40:2) follows the opinion of the Tur who accepts the Rambam's ruling with regard to a perforation stemming from sickness, but rules more stringently with regard to a perforation caused by a thorn or a needle. In such an instance, even if the perforation does not extend to the cavity of the heart, the animal is trefe.
13.
For flesh will cling to flesh .
14.
Needless to say, these laws apply when a needle or a thorn is found in the gall-bladder [Rama (Yoreh De'ah 42:9)].
15.
We assume that instead of perforating the gall bladder from the outside, it entered through the blood vessels and became lodged there.
16.
And as indicated by Chapter 3, Halachah 21, the sealing of a perforation by a scab is not significant in these contexts.
17.
The Ra'avad and other Rishonim take issue with the Rambam, maintaining that this ruling applies only with regard to the arteries leading to the liver, but not with regard to those within the liver itself. The Rivosh (Responsum 189) supports the challenge to the Rambam by citing the ruling (Chapter 8, Halachah 21) that if the liver is removed entirely except for a small portion, the animal is not trefe.
In his Kessef Mishneh, Rav Yosef Caro explains the Rambam's position as follows: Even when the liver is removed, its blood vessels must remain intact. A parallel to that concept exists with regard to the lungs (see Chapter 7, Halachah 9). Nevertheless, in his Shulchan Aruch, he follows the position of the other Rishonim and does not mention a perforation in the liver as a factor that disqualifies an animal.
18.
Here also the Ra'avad and other Rishonim take issue with the Rambam, maintaining that his understanding of Chullin 45b, the source for this halachah, is in error. The Tur and the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 41:6) follow their understanding.
19.
I.e., regardless of the direction it entered.
20.
I.e., blood from the stomach; for food does not enter the liver.
21.
Since this blood vessel is large, it cannot be taken for granted that the needle perforated the blood vessel.
22.
We do not suspect that the blood vessels of the liver were perforated.
23.
See Hilchot Ma'achalot Assurot, ch. 7, for an explanation which fat is kosher and which is forbidden. Halachah 6, of that chapter speaks explicitly of the fat on the maw.
24.
Concerning this point, there is a difference of opinion among the Rishonim. The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 40:1) follows the lenient view and permits the animal in such a situation, while the Rama follows the more stringent perspective.
25.
And thus they will not bend in a manner that will seal the perforation. Kosher fat and flesh, by contrast, are pliable and will seal any perforation over which they are located.
26.
All fat in a wild beast is permitted to be eaten. Hence, in this instance, the general principle stated above is not followed and we determine which fat can seal a perforation by comparing it to the corresponding situation in a domesticated animal.
With regard to a fowl, all its kosher fat will seal a perforation beneath it [Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 46:1)].
27.
The Turei Zahav 48:2 questions: Seemingly, the spleen should be able to seal it, for the spleen may be eaten and lies on the stomach. He explains that since the membrane covering the spleen is forbidden, it is not an effective seal.
28.
This is possible for some of these stomachs are located within each other.
29.
For the perforation will not reach beyond the digestive system.
30.
From the following clause, it appears that according to the Rambam, this refers to a needle lodged in the outer side of the gut. See the following note.
31.
There are other authorities (their perspective is reflected in the objections of the Ra'avad) who maintain that even in this instance, an examination is required. Moreover, they explain that we are speaking about a needle lodged in the inner side of the gut. If a needle is lodged in the outer side of the gut, according to this view, the animal is trefe.
According to the Rambam, as mentioned above, we are speaking about a needle that comes from the outside. As the Rambam states in Chapter 11, Halachah 4, in such an instance, all of the inner organs of the body must be checked (Kessef Mishneh). Thus this halachah is speaking only with regard to the gut. Since the perforation does not breach the digestive system, the animal is not considered trefe.
Both perspectives are based on a comparison of two Talmudic passages (Chullin 50b and 51a) that are difficult to reconcile. The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 48:8,10) follows the perspective of the other authorities. The Rama cites the Rambam's perspective with regard to a hole made on the inside that does not pass from one side to the other and states we may rely on it in a situation where a severe financial loss is involved.
32.
The Ra'avad and the other authorities state that the drop of blood must be found on the outer side of the gut.
33.
Since the animal was slaughtered, it blood was not flowing and it is unlikely that there will be sufficient pressure to force it outside the gut.
34.
A yellow-brown, bitter, offensive-smelling resinous material used for medicinal purposes in the ancient Middle East.
35.
The Maggid Mishneh, the Tur (Yoreh De'ah 51), and others quote a different version of the Mishneh Torah concerning which questions are raised. The Kessef Mishneh justifies the version translated here and the Frankel edition of the Mishneh Torah states that it is followed by most of the authoritative manuscripts.
36.
The Ra'avad states that the inspection of the intestines is difficult. That position is reflected in the ruling of the Tur and the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 51:4) who rules that in such a situation, because of its questionable status, the animal is considered as trefe.
37.
When the digestive system is under pressure, the vicious fluids will not seal effectively. The Siftei Cohen 46:1 states that the same ruling applies even if a scab has developed over the wound.
38.
I.e., after the animal was slaughtered.
39.
Chullin 9a explains that, unless there is a known factor that certainly indicates otherwise, we assume that an animal that has been slaughtered is acceptable. In this instance, the perforation would lead us to rule stringently. Nevertheless, since the fact that it was snatched by a predator can serve as an explanation, we rely on the original assumption. Accordingly, for this ruling to apply, we must know that the animal was slaughtered properly [Rama (Yoreh De'ah 25:3)].
40.
As indicated by the Rambam's explanation, in this instance, we do not know how it was perforated.
41.
In which instance, the animal would be considered as trefe.
42.
The Rama (Yoreh De'ah 50:1) rules that in the present generation, we are not knowledgeable regarding the making of such a comparison and hence, forbid the animal because of the doubt.
43.
I.e., the animal's belly was cut open while it was alive. It could no longer support the digestive organs and they protruded beyond the skin. Nevertheless, the digestive organs themselves were not blemished.
44.
As might happen if a person was trying to reinsert them into the animal's belly.
45.
The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 46:2) rules that if an animal's digestive organs are discovered to have turned upside down, the animal is trefe, even if the organs did not fall out of its belly.
46.
Even though the fat upon it is kosher, it does not seal it [Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 46:1); see also Halachah 10].
47.
For the thighs will support it (Chullin 50a).
48.
The Rambam (based on Rabbeinu Yitzchak Alfasi) considers this the meaning of the term "in order to grasp it" used by Chullin, loc. cit. Although there are more lenient views, the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 46:5) follows the Rambam's ruling.
According to Shiurei Torah , a fingerbreadth is 2 cm, according to Chazon Ish 2.48 cm.
49.
For other animals, the minimum measure is calculated proportionately (Shulchan Aruch, loc. cit.).
50.
Unlike a domesticated animal that has four stomachs, a kosher fowl has two.
51.
I.e., though the laws above were stated with regard to a domesticated animal, they apply equally to a beast and to a fowl if they possess the same organs.
52.
Hence just as the perforation of the gullet disqualifies a fowl; so, too, the perforation of this portion of the crop (see Chullin 58b).
53.
Compare this entire halachah to Chapter 3, Halachah 20, concerning the gullet, noting the similarities and differences.
54.
This is less than half the thickness of the spleen (Rashba as quoted by the Kessef Mishneh).
55.
This applies with regard to an animal and a beast. More lenient rules apply with regard to a fowl and the perforation of its spleen never causes it to be considered as trefe, as stated in Chapter 10, Halachah 10.
56.
Since the perforation of an organ impairs its functioning to the point that the animal is trefe, the implication is that the organ must function excellently for the body to be maintained. Hence, we can certainly assume that an animal will be considered trefe when the organ does not exist at all.
57.
The commentaries explain that since the organ is duplicated, neither one of the two organs will be able to function satisfactorily. Thus it is as the animal is lacking that organ entirely.
58.
The Radbaz states that if we do not see a gall-bladder, we have the liver tasted. If its taste is bitter, we assume that the gall-bladder was absorbed by the liver. See Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 52:3).
59.
Thus this phenomenon does not render a fowl trefe, only an animal (Chullin 58b).
60.
The Siftei Cohen 47:1 rules that this applies only when the extra organ branches off from the stomach. If it branches off from the intestines, it is acceptable.
61.
If, however, each of the organs branches of from a different place in the animal's digestive system, the animal is trefe even if the organs merge at their end (Maggid Mishneh).
62.
קני הכבד והן המזרקין שבו שבהן הדם. א"א כמדומה לי שהוא סובר על הנקבים [ס"א הקנים] דכבדא כריאה שאפילו על מה שיש מהם בתוך הכבד נאמר שאם ניקב במשהו טריפה ואינו כן ואין חכם שיסבור כן אלא מה שנתפשט ממנו לריאה והוא חוץ לכבד ועל כן אינו חשש נקב בכבד בשביל נקב עצמו אלא שמא דרך הושט בא לו לכבד. /השגת הראב"ד/ והיה הקצה החד שלה בפנים בידוע שניקבה. א"א אין בכאן תבלין ולא מלח והמבין יבין ואין כאן ודאי נקובה.
63.
מחט שנמצאת בעובי בית הכוסות כשרה ואם ניקבה נקב מפולש. א"א אין זה מיושר. /השגת הראב"ד/ ונמצאת טיפת דם במקום הנקב. א"א הטיפה צריכה שתמצא מבחוץ.
64.
ואם היה ספק נוקב ספק לא נוקב. א"א קשה בדיקת הדקין.
Shechitah - Chapter 7
1
The lungs have two membranes. If only one of them is perforated, [the animal] is permitted.1 If they are both perforated, [the animal] is trefe.2 Even if the entire upper membrane3 is peeled off and dissolves, [the animal] is permitted. If there was even a slight perforation in the portion of windpipe in the chest4 or lower, [the animal] is trefe. For this is a place in the lower potion of the windpipe that is not fit for ritual slaughter.5
א
שני קרומות יש על הריאה אם ניקב זה בלא זה מותרת, ואם ניקבו שניהן טרפה אפילו נגלד הקרום העליון כולו והלך לו מותרת, והקנה שניקב מן החזה ולמטה במשהו טרפה, והוא המקום שאינו ראוי לשחיטה בקנה למטה.
2
If a person began slaughtering the animal and slit the windpipe entirely, then perforated the lung, and afterwards, completed the slaughter, [the animal] is trefe, for [the lung] was perforated before the completion of the slaughter.6 Similar laws apply in all analogous situations.
ב
התחיל בשחיטה ושחט כל הקנה ואחר כך ניקבה הריאה ואחר כך גמר השחיטה הרי זו טרפה, הואיל וניקבה קודם גמר שחיטה וכן כל כיוצא בזה.
3
ג
אחד מסמפוני ריאה שניקב אפילו ניקב לחבירו טרפה, וריאה שניקבה ועלה קרום במכה ונסתם הנקב אינו כלום, ניקבה האום של ריאה אע"פ שדופן סותמתה טרפה, ואם ניקבה במקום חתוך האונות שלה והוא המקום שרובצת עליו כשרה.
4
ד
במה דברים אמורים כשסתם מקום הנקב שבאונות בשר, אבל אם נסמך הנקב לעצם אינו מגין, ואם היה נקב האונות דבוק בעצם ובבשר מותרת. 58
5
When the body of the lung is found adhering to the ribs, we suspect that it was perforated. [This applies] whether or not growths14 appeared on it.
What do we [to check it]? We separate it from the rib while taking care not to perforate it. If it is discovered to be perforated and a bruise is discovered on the rib in the place where it was perforated, we assume that the perforation was caused by the bruise.15 If there was no bruise on the rib, it is clear that this perforation existed within the lung before the animal was slaughtered and it is trefe.16
ה
האום של ריאה שנמצאת סמוכה לדופן, בין שהעלת צמחים בין שלא העלת חוששין לה שמא ניקבה, וכיצד עושין בה מפרקין אותה מן הדופן ונזהרין בה שלא תנקב, אם נמצאת נקובה ונמצא בדופן מכה במקום הנקב תולין במכה ואומרים אחר שחיטה ניקבה כשנפרק מן המכה, ואם אין מכה בדופן בידוע שנקב זה בריאה היה קודם השחיטה וטרפה. 59
6
When it is discovered that there is a closed place in the lung which air does not enter and it does not inflate, it is as if it had been perforated and [the animal] is trefe.17
How do we inspect it? We cut off the portion [of the lung]18 that would not inflate when [air was] blown [into the lung]. If fluid was discovered within it,19 it is permitted, because it was due to the fluid that the air did not enter. If no fluid is found within, we put some saliva, a straw, a feather or the like over [the separated portion] and blow air into it. If they move, [the animal] is kosher.20If not, it is trefe, because air does not enter [that portion of the lung].
ו
הריאה שנמצא בה מקום אטום כל שהוא שאין הרוח נכנסת בו ואינו נתפח הרי זו כנקובה וטרפה, וכיצד בודקין אותו, קורעין המקום שלא נתפח בשעת נפיחה אם נמצאת בו לחה מותרת שמחמת הלחה לא נכנסה שם הרוח, ואם לא נמצאת בו לחה נותנין עליו מעט רוק או תבן או כנף וכיוצא בהן ונופחין אותה אם נתנדנד כשרה ואם לאו טרפה שאין הרוח נכנסת לשם.
7
[The following rules apply when] a sound is heard when a lung is inflated. If the place from which the sound emanates can be detected, saliva, a straw, or the like should be placed over it. If they flutter, it is apparent that the lung is perforated and [the animal] is trefe.
If the place [from which the sound emanates] cannot be detected, the lung should be placed in lukewarm21 water and blown. If the water bubbles, [the animal] is trefe.22 If not, it is apparent that only the lower membrane has been perforated, the air is moving between the two membranes. For this reason, it will be possible to hear a hushed sound when it is inflated.
ז
ריאה שתשמע בה הברה כשנופחין אותה אם ניכר המקום שממנו תשמע ההברה מושיבין עליו רוק או תבן וכיוצא בו, אם נתנדנד בידוע שהיא נקובה וטרפה, ואם לא ניכר המקום מושיבין אותה במים פושרין ונופחין אותה, אם בקבק המים טרפה, ואם לאו בידוע שקרום התחתון בלבד ניקב והרוח תנהג בין שני הקרומות ומפני זה ישמע בה קול דממה בשעת נפיחה.
8
Keep this encompassing general principle in mind: Whenever air was blown into a lung that was placed in lukewarm water and the water did not bubble, [the lung] is intact, without a perforation.23
ח
זה עיקר גדול יהיה בידך שכל ריאה שנופחין אותה בפושרין ולא יבקבק המים הרי היא שלימה מכל נקב. 60
9
[The following laws apply when the insides of] a lung24 can be poured out like [water from] a pitcher, but the outer membrane is intact, without a perforation. If the bronchioles remain in their place and have not degenerated, it is acceptable. If even one of the bronchioles have degenerated, it is trefe.25
What should be done? We perforate [the membrane of the lung] and pour it out into a container glazed with lead26 or the like. If white strands can be seen, it is apparent that the bronchioles have degenerated27 and it is trefe. If not, it is only the flesh of the lung that has degenerated and [the animal] is acceptable.28
ט
ריאה שנשפכה כקיתון וקרום העליון שלה קיים שלם בלא נקב, אם הסמפונות עומדים במקומם ולא נמוחו כשרה, ואם נמוח אפילו סמפון אחד טרפה, כיצד עושין נוקבין אותה ושופכין אותה בכלי שהוא שוע באבר וכיוצא בו, אם נראה בה חוטין לבנין בידוע שנימוקו הסמפונות וטרפה, ואם לאו בשר הריאה בלבד הוא שנמוק וכשרה.
10
[The following rules apply when] boils29 are discovered on a lung. If they are filled with air, clear water, fluid that is viscous like honey or the like, dried fluid that is firm like a stone, [the animal] is permitted. If putrid fluid or putrid or murky liquid is found within it, it is trefe.30 When one removes the fluid and checks it, one should check the bronchiole below it. If it is discovered to be perforated, it is trefe.31
י
ריאה שנמצאו בה אבעבועות אם היו מלאים רוח או מים זכים או לחה הנמשכת כדבש וכיוצא בו או לחה יבשה וקשה אפילו כאבן הרי זו מותרת, ואם נמצאת בהן לחה סרוחה או מים סרוחין או עכורין הרי זו טרפה, וכשמוציא הלחה ובודק אותה צריך לבדוק הסמפון שתחתיה אם נמצא נקוב טרפה.
11
When one discovers two boils on a lung close to each other, [the animal] is trefe,32 for it is very likely that there is a perforation between them33 and there is no way of checking the matter. If there is one which appears like two, one should perforate one, if the other flows into it, it is only one and [the animal] is permitted.34 If not, [the animal] is trefe.
יא
ריאה שנמצאו בה שתי אבעבועות סמוכות זו לזו טרפה, שהדבר קרוב הרבה שיש נקב ביניהן ואין להן דרך בדיקה, היתה אחת ונראה כשתים נוקבין האחת אם שפכה לה האחרת אחת היא ומותרת ואם לאו טרפה.
12
If the lung degenerated, [the animal] is trefe. What is implied? For example, it was discovered intact and when it is hung up, it will break apart and fall into separate pieces.
When a lung was discovered to be perforated in the place where it was handled by the butcher's hand, the animal is permitted. We assume that [it was blemished by his] hand and say: "It was perforated by the butcher's hand after slaughter."35
If the perforation was discovered in another place and it is not known whether it took place before ritual slaughter or afterwards, we make another perforation and compare the two as is done with regard to the digestive organs.36
יב
הריאה שנתמסמסה טרפה, כיצד כגון שנמצאת שלימה וכשתולין אותה תחתך ותפול חתיכות חתיכות, ריאה שנמצאת נקובה במקום שיד הטבח ממשמש מותרת ותולין בידו ואומרין מיד הטבח ניקבה אחר השחיטה, נמצא הנקב במקום אחר ואין ידוע אם קודם שחיטה או אחר שחיטה נוקבין בה נקב אחר ומדמין כשם שעושים בבני מעיים.
13
We do not compare the lung of a small domesticated animal to the lung of a large domesticated animal. Instead, [the lung of] a small animal [must be compared to that] of a small animal and that of a large animal to that of a large animal.37
יג
ואין מדמין מריאה של בהמה דקה לריאה של בהמה גסה אלא מדקה לדקה ומגסה לגסה, נמצא הנקב באחד מן האבעבועות הרי זו טרפה ואין אומרין ניקוב אבעבוע אחר ונערוך שאין הדבר ניכר.
14
When a needle is found in the lung, we blow up the lung. If no air is released from it, it is apparent that this needle entered via the bronchioles and did not perforate [them].40 If the lung was cut open before it was blown up and a needle was found in it,41 [the animal] is forbidden. For there is a high probability that it perforated [the lung] when it entered.
יד
מחט שנמצאת בריאה נופחין אותה אם לא יצא ממנה רוח בידוע שזאת המחט דרך סמפונות נכנסה ולא ניקבה, ואם נתחתכה הריאה קודם נפיחה ונמצאת בה המחט הרי זו אסורה שהדבר קרוב שניקבה כשנכנסה. 61
15
When there is a worm in the lung and it perforated the lung and emerged and we see the lung perforated by the worm, [the animal] is permitted. We rely on the prevailing assumption that it perforated [the lung] after ritual slaughter42 and emerged [then].
There are ways that certain organs appear [that can disqualify the organ].43For if the appearance of the organ is changed to that undesirable appearance, it is considered as if it was perforated.44For since the appearance of this flesh changed to the [undesirable] appearance, it is considered as if it was dead. It is as if the flesh whose appearance changed does not exist. Similarly, [Leviticus 13:10] states: "And there is a spot of living45 flesh in the blemish...," and [ibid. 13:10] states: "On the day when he will present living flesh...." Implied is that flesh whose appearance has changed is not "alive."
טו
תולעת שהיתה בריאה וניקבה ויצאה והרי הריאה נקובה בתולעת הרי זו מותרת, חזקתה שאחר שחיטה תיקוב ותצא, יש שם מראות שאם נשתנה מראה האבר לאותו המראה הרע הרי הוא כנקוב שאותו הבשר שנשתנו מראיו למראה זה כמת הוא חשוב וכאילו הוא הבשר שנהפך עינו אינו מצוי, וכן הוא אומר ומחית בשר חי בשאת וביום הראות בו בשר חי מכלל ששאר הבשר שנשתנה אינו חי.
16
[The following principles apply if] the color46 of a lung changes, whether part of its color changes or its entire color changes. If it changes to a permitted color, even if its entire color changes, it is permitted. If, however, even the slightest portion of it changes to a forbidden color, [the animal] is trefe. [The rationale is that] the forbidden color is considered equivalent to a perforation as explained [above].47
טז
ריאה שנשתנו מראיה, בין מראה כולה בין מראה מקצתה אם נשתנית למראה המותר אפילו נשתנית כולה מותרת, ואם נשתנה למראה האסור אפילו כל שהוא טרפה, שהמראה האסור כנקב הוא חשוב כמו שביארנו. 62
17
There are five forbidden hues for the lung: black like ink, greenish-yellow48like hops, [yellow] like the yolk of an egg, or like safflower,49 or like the color of meat.50
Safflower is a color which clothes are dyed. It is comparable to hairs that are slightly red, leaning towards gold.
יז
וחמש מראות אסורות יש בריאה ואלו הן: שחורה כדיו, או ירוקה כעין כשות, או כעין חלמון ביצה, או כעין חריע, או כמראה הבשר, וחריע הוא הצבע שצובעים בו הבגדים והוא דומה לשערות אדומות מעט ונוטות לירוקה.
18
If the lung is discovered to be the color of the branches of a date palm, we forbid it because of the doubt involved, because this is very close to a forbidden color. We do not forbid any of these colors until the lung is inflated and massaged by hand. If it changes to a permitted color, [the animal] is permitted.51 If it retains the [forbidden] color, it is forbidden.
יח
נמצאת כעין חריות של דקל אוסרין אותה מספק שזה קרוב למראה האסור, וכל המראות האלו אין אוסרין בהם עד שנופחים אותה וממרס בה בידו אם נשתנית למראה המותר מותרת, ואם עמדה בעינה אסורה.
19
There are four permitted hues [for the lung]. They are: blackish blue, green like a leek, red, or the color of the liver. Even if the lung was entirely colored in these four hues patch by patch, spot by spot, [the animal] is permitted.
יט
ארבע מראות מותרת /מותרות/ יש בה ואלו הן: שחורה ככחול, או ירוקה כחציר, או אדומה, או כמראה הכבד, ואפילו היתה הריאה כולה טלאים טלאים נקודות נקודות מארבע מראות אלו הרי זו מותרת.
20
When a fowl52 fell into a fire and its heart, its liver,53 or its craw turned green or its digestive organs turned red, [the fowl] is trefe.54 [This applies if] even the slightest portion of the organs [changed color]. For whenever a fire causes organs that were green to turn red or those which were red to turn green, it is considered as if the organ was removed and [the animal] is trefe. [This applies] provided they retain this color after they were cooked slightly and massaged.55
כ
עוף שנפל לאור והוריק לבו או כבדו או קרקבנו או שהאדימו המעיים שלו בכל שהוא הרי זו טרפה, שכל הירוקים שהאדימו או האדומים שהוריקו מחמת האור בעוף הרי הן כמי שניטלו וטרפה, והוא שיעמדו במראה זה אחר ששלקו אותן מעט וממרסין בהן.
21
Whenever the liver of a fowl appears like the digestive organs or [the appearance of] the other digestive organs change and the change remains after they were cooked slightly and massaged as explained [above], we can assume that the fowl fell into a fire,56 its digestive organs were burnt, and it is trefe.
Moreover, when there was no change detected in the digestive organs of a fowl, but when they were cooked slightly they changed color, those that were green turned -red or those that were red turned green, we can assume that the fowl fell into a fire, its digestive organs were burnt, and it is trefe.57
Similarly, if [the color of] the gullet [has changed] - the outer skin appears white and the inner red - it is considered as if the organ is not present, and it - either an animal or a fowl - is trefe.
כא
כל עוף שנמצאת הכבד שלו כמראה בני מעים, או שנשתנו שאר בני מעים ועמדו בשינויין אחר שליקה ומריסה כמו שביארנו בידוע שנפל לאור ונחמרו בני מעיו וטרפה, ולא עוד אלא בני מעים של עוף שלא נמצא בהם שינוי וכשנשלקו נשתנו והאדימו הירוקים והוריקו האדומים, בידוע שנפל לאור ונחמרו בני מעיו וטרפה, וכן הושט שנמצא העור החיצון שלו לבן והפנימי אדום בין בעוף בין בבהמה הרי הוא כאילו אינו וטרפה. 63.
FOOTNOTES
1.
For the other will protect the lung (Chullin 46a).
2.
If both membranes are perforated, but the perforations do not correspond, the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 36:1) rules that the animal is kosher, but the Rama considers it trefe.
3.
The Radbaz states that if, by contrast, the lower membrane alone is peeled off, the animal is trefe, for certainly, part of the lung will be lacking.
4.
I.e., from the beginning of the ribcage.
5.
Chapter 1, Halachah 7 defines the portion of the windpipe acceptable for ritual slaughter. If, however, the windpipe is perforated in a such a place, the animal is kosher.
6.
Although the functioning of the lung is dependent on the windpipe, since a perforation in the lung causes an animal to be considered trefe, it is given that status (Chullin 32b).
7.
The small extensions of the windpipe that convey air within the lungs itself.
8.
Because the walls of the bronchioles are firm and not pliant. Hence, they will not serve as effective seals (Rashi, Chullin 48b).
In his Kessef Mishneh and his Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 36:6), Rav Yosef Caro rules that if a perforation in a bronchiole is sealed by flesh, the animal is acceptable. See also the comments of Siftei Cohen 36:20. As the Rama states (Yoreh De'ah 39:18), the custom in the Ashkenazic community is to rule that an animal is trefe if its lungs are perforated even if they are sealed closed by other inner organs.
9.
For ultimately it will open (Rashi, Chullin 47b).
10.
Since this portion of the lung is located below the ribs, the perforation will never be sealed thoroughly.
11.
For the lobes lie on the ribs themselves and the seal will be maintained.
One of the issues related to the question of whether a lung is perforated or not is sirchaot, adhesions, where the lung becomes attached to the ribs and/or other portions of the body. For a discussion of that matter, see the latter half of Chapter 11.
12.
It is not necessary to inspect the lung to see if air escapes (Tur, as quoted by Siftei Cohen 39:44).
13.
For the bone is firm and will not move when the lung expands and contracts. Even if one inspects the lung and no air escapes, the animal is still considered trefe (ibid.).
14.
Boils or carbuncles filled with pus. This heightens the probability that it could have been perforated.
15.
And we postulate that the animal was bruised after its slaughter. Hence it is acceptable. The Maggid Mishneh emphasizes that we are talking about a situation where the perforation is opposite the bruise. If they do not correspond, the animal is trefe.
16.
Here, also, even if one inspects the lung and no air escapes, the animal is still considered trefe [Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 39:22)]. The Ra'avad states there is an apparent contradiction to the Rambam's ruling here and that in Chapter 11, Halachah 6. See the notes to that halachah for a discussion of this issue.
17.
I.e., unless it is checked as the Rambam continues to explain.
18.
According to the Rambam, the portion of the lung itself is cut off and we inspect it. The Rama (Yoreh De'ah 36:9) offers a different interpretation. PAGE 239
19.
I.e., the feather is placed on the portion of the lung that was cut off. One blows throw the brochia. If the air passes through the bronchioles, the feather should flutter.
20.
The movement indicates that air flows through it.
21.
Chullin 47b states that hot water will cause the lung to contract and cold water will cause it to become firmer. If it was put in either hot or cold water first, it may not be checked in lukewarm water afterwards [Rama (Yoreh De'ah 36:4)].
22.
For obviously the lung has been perforated and the air is flowing out from it.
23.
This principle is significant with regard to the discussion concerning sirchaot, adhesions, in Chapter 11. The Ra'avad (whose interpretation is paralleled by that of Rashi and other Rishonim) maintain that blowing the lung represents a stringency: If air escapes, an animal is considered trefe even though there is reason to permit it. The same principle cannot be applied as a leniency. The Rambam - and his approach is shared by Rabbenu Tam, Rashba, Rabbenu Nissim, and others - maintains that this principle was instituted as a leniency.
24.
The Siftei Cohen 36:21 states that this leniency applies even if the entire lung has degenerated and can be poured out like water.
25.
As stated in Halachah 3, if one of the bronchioles is perforated, the animal is trefe. Certainly, that ruling applies if it has degenerated.
26.
Because it is glazed, one will be able to see the white strands clearly if they exist [Beit Yosef (Yoreh De'ah 36)].
27.
And the white strands are the remnants of the bronchioles.
28.
When quoting this law, the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 36:7) adds a concept stated in the following halachah: that the fluid poured out may not be putrid. (The commentaries to the Shulchan Aruch maintain that the Rambam would follow this stringency.) The Rama, however, rules leniently, maintaining that as long as the bronchioles are not visible, the animal is acceptable.
29.
Based on Chullin 48a, the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 37:1) states that even if boils are very large, the animal may still be kosher.
30.
The Rambam's ruling is cited by the Shulchan Aruch. The Tur and the Rama follow the opinion of many other Rishonim who permit the animal even if the fluid in the boils is putrid.
31.
The Kessef Mishneh explains that the Rambam's ruling is based on his decision in the previous halachah. The Rambam maintains that the fluid indicates that there is a strong possibilility that a perforation exists. Other opinions maintain that the animal is permitted, for the fluid is not necessarily a sign that a perforation exists. According to those views (and they are accpeted by the Shulchan Aruch, loc. cit.), there is no need for the inspection the Rambam requires.
32.
The Maggid Mishneh and the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 37:3) state that even if the boils are filled with clear fluid, the animal is trefe. If, however, they are hard, it is acceptable.
33.
Rashi (Chullin 47a) explains that most likely the membrane was perforated and therefore the boils developed. Rabbenu Nissim explains that since the two boils are next to each other, it is likely that one perforated the other.
34.
The Maharil requires a further check: to see whether they share the same pocket (Turei Zahav 37:5; Siftei Cohen 37:7).
35.
The Rama (Yoreh De'ah 36:5) suggests that the shape of the perforations must indicate that they were made by the butcher.
36.
See Chapter 6, Halachah 14.
37.
This represents the Rambam's understanding of Chullin 50a. Rashi interprets the passage slightly differently. The Rama (Yoreh De'ah 36:5) follows Rashi's understanding and states that we do not compare a lung from one animal to that of another one at all. And even within one animal, we do not compare a perforation in a large lobe to one in a small lobe.
38.
With the intent of seeing whether the perforation was made before or after the slaughter.
39.
I.e., in this instance, it is not easy to differentiate based on the comparison.
40.
In contrast to the liver where some authorities make a distinction in the ruling depending on the direction it is facing (see Chapter 6, Halachah 8), no such contrast is made with regard to a needle found in the lung. See also Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 36:16-17) which states that if a drop of blood is found on the exterior of the lung, the animal is considered trefe. the Rama rules that unles a significant los is involved, whenever a needle is found in the lungs, the animal is considered trefe.
41.
And thus it is impossible to check it by blowing air into it, for the air will be released through the portion cut off.
42.
For while the animal was alive, the lung was continually expanding and contracting and it would be very hard for the worm to perforate it (Turei Zahav 36:8).
43.
The remaining halachot in this chapter are expressions of this principle. The Rama (Yoreh De'ah 48:5) rules that we are not knowledgeable with regard to the correct appearance of the lung. Hence, if its appearance changes and one might think it became unacceptable, we rule stringently.
44.
And as stated above, the perforation of a lung disqualifies it.
45.
We have translated the verses literally to convey the meaning mentioned by the Rambam. In its ordinary context, the terms would be translated as "healthy flesh."
46.
Our translation is dependent on the following halachah.
47.
And even the slightest perforation of the lung disqualifies the animal.
48.
This represents the translation the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 38:1) offers for the Talmudic term yerok quoted by the Rambam.
49.
Our translation is based on the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Chullin 3:2). Rashi (Chullin 47b) renders the term as saffron. There is little difference between the two colors.
50.
Which is reddish [the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (ibid.)].
51.
For during the animal's lifetime, the lung is repeatedly inflated.
52.
These laws do not apply with regard to an animal because its skin is tough and its ribs protect it [Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 52:7]. The Rama, however, does not accept this leniency. The Ra'avad (Chapter 10, Halachah 11) also accepts the Rama's view.
53.
In his Kessef Mishneh and in his Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 52:1), Rav Yosef Caro qualifies the ruling with regard to the liver, stating that to disqualify a fowl, it must change color at its thin end, the portion next to the gall-bladder, or it the place where it derives its nurture.
54.
Significantly, if the lungs change color, the fowl is not disqualified, because its ribs protect it [Kessef Mishneh; Shulchan Aruch (loc. cit.)].
55.
For it is possible that the cooking and/or the massage will restore the organ's natural color.
56.
I.e., even though we do not know that the fowl fell into a fire, the fact that these organs changed color serves as evidence of such [Kessef Mishneh; the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah 3:3)]. The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 52:6) quotes this ruling, but the Rama rules leniently and states that we must see that the fowl actually fell into a fire.
57.
The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 52:3) does not accept this stringency, following the opinion of the Rashba who maintains that we do not disqualify an animal unless we definitely know that it fell into a fire.
58.
במה דברים אמורים כשסתם מקום הנקב שבאונות בשר. א"א הנה הוא סובר דוקא סריך אבל לא סריך לאו ודוקא בבשרא אבל בגרמא לחודיה לא ויש מן הגאונים שאמרו בין סריך בין לא סריך בין בבשרא בין בגרמא ואני אומר בשניקבה ודאי בעינן סריך דוקא ובבשרא דוקא שאין סירכא סותמת ואין עצם סותם ועל שמעתיה דרב נחמן הוא דאתמר דקאמר ניקבה אבל כל סירכא מאונא לדופן כשרה מפני דוחק רביצתה עליו נעשו הסרכות ולא משום נקב וכן עיקר, עכ"ל.
59.
אם נמצאת נקובה ונמצאת בדופן מכה במקום הנקב תולין. א"א זה העיקר טעות גדולה שאם נמצאת נקובה אין להכשיר במכת הדופן באומד אלא כך אמרו שאם יש מכה בדופן ונפחו את הריאה ועלתה בנפיחה תולין את הדיבוק במכת הדופן ואם אין שם מכה אע"פ שעלתה בנפיחה לא כלום הוא שאני אומר שהדבוק מחמת נקב היה וקרום עלה עליו.
60.
זה עיקר גדול יהיה בידך וכו'. א"א זה המחבר שונה רב נחמיה דבדיק לה בפושרין לקולא ורוב המפרשים אומרים לחומרא דאע"ג דאיכא מכה בדופן בדיק לה, עכ"ל.
61.
מחט שנמצאת בריאה נופחין אותה. א"א וכיון שנמצא המח הרי נחתכה הריאה ואין נופחין אותה עוד אלא שאם נפחו אותה קודם שנחתכה הריאה ועלתה בנפיחה כשרה.
62.
נשתנה למראה האסור אפילו כל שהוא טרפה. א"א אומר אני כל מקום שהזכירו פסול בריאה ולא הזכירו בה מקצתה עד דהויא בכולה שכיון שהזכירו במקצת דוקא הוא והרי האדימה שהיו מחולקין בה בפירוש ולבסוף הכשירוהו כולה הילכך חזותא שהכשירו אפילו היו בה מראות הרעות כשרה, עכ"ל.
63.
כל עוף שנמצאת הכבד שלו כמראה בני מעים. א"א זה כתב במקום הוריקה כנגד בני מעים וטעה בפירושו אלא כך שאל הוריקו סמוך לבני מעים מהו תלינן ליה דבצד בני מעים אתיא לה ירקות או לא ופשט לה דאפילו לבני מעיים גופייהו איכא למיחש אלא שאינו ניכר בהם, עכ"ל.
Shechitah - Chapter 8
1
What is meant by the term chasairah?1 There are two organs that render [an animal] trefe if it is lacking the proper number. They are the lungs and the feet.2
The lungs have five lobes. When a person will drape them over his hand with the inner portion of the lung facing his face,3 there will be three [lobes] on the right and two on the left. In addition, at the right of [the lung], there is a small ear-like attachment. It is not in the row of the lobes. It has a pocket of its own and it is located in the pocket. This [attachment] is called a rose, because that is what it looks like.4 It is not counted as one of the number of lobes.
א
חסירה כיצד, שני איברים הן שאם חסר ממניינם טרפה, ואלו הן: הריאה והרגלים, וחמש אונות יש לריאה כשיתלה אותה אדם בידו ופני ריאה כנגד פניו, שלש מן הימין, ושתים מן השמאל, ובצד ימין ממנה כמו אזן קטנה ואינה בצד האונות ויש לה כמו כיס בפני עצמה והיא בתוך הכיס, ואוזן זו קטנה היא הנקרא ורדא מפני שהיא דומה לורד ואינה מן המנין, לפיכך אם לא נמצאת הורדא מותרת, שכך היא דרכה יש בהמות תמצא בהם ויש בהמות לא תמצא בהם, ואם נמצאת נקובה אע"פ שהכיס שלה סותם את הנקב הרי זו טרפה.
2
If the number of lobes was lacking and one was discovered on the left side or two on the right side, [the animal] is trefe. If, however, there were two on the right side and this "rose," [the animal] is permitted.7
ב
חסר מנין האונות ונמצאת אחת מן השמאל או שתים מן הימין טרפה, ואם נמצאו שתים בימין וזאת הורדא הרי זו מותרת.
3
If the position of the lobes was switched and three were found on the left and two on the right without a "rose" or the "rose" was found together with three on the left side, it is trefe, for it is lacking on the right side.8
ג
נתחלפו האונות ונמצאו שלש מן שמאל ושתים מן הימין בלא ורד, או שהיה הורד עם השלש בצד שמאל הרי זו טריפה שהיא חסרה מצד הימין.
4
[The following rules apply if] the number of lobes was increased. If the extra lobe was on the side of the [other] lobes9 or in front of the lungs10on the side of the heart, [the animal] is permitted. If [the extra lobe] is on its back, near the ribs, [the animal] is trefe for an extra [organ] is considered equivalent to one that is lacking. [This applies] provided it is [at least] the size of a myrtle leaf.11 If it is smaller than this, it is not considered as a lobe and [the animal] is permitted.
ד
נתוספו האונות במניינם אם היתה האוזן היתירה בצד האונות או מלפני הריאה שהוא עומת /לעומת/ הלב מותרת, ואם היתה על גבה שהוא לעומת הצלעות הרי זו טרפה שהיתר כחסר, והוא שתהיה כמו עלה של הדס, אבל פחות מזה אינה אוזן ומותרת.
5
When one lobe is found clinging to the one next to it, [the animal] is permitted. If, however, [the lobes] became attached out of the ordinary order, e.g., the first lobe became attached to the third, [the animal] is trefe.12
ה
אוזן שנמצאת דבוקה בחברתה הסמוכה לה מותרת, ואם נסמכו שלא על הסדר כגון שנסמכה ראשונה לשלישית טריפה.
6
[The following laws apply if] there are two lobes [that appear] as one lobe and do not appear as two lobes joined together.13If there was a space about the size of a myrtle leaf14 between them - whether at their root, in their center, or at their end - so that it is clear that they are two which are attached, [the animal] is permitted. If not, it is lacking [one of the lobes] and is trefe.
ו
נמצאו שתי האונות כאונה אחת ואינן נראות כשתים דבוקות אם היה ביניהן כמו עלה ההדס בין בעיקרן בין באמצען בין בסופן כדי שיוכר שהן שתים דבוקות מותרת ואם לאו הרי זו חסירה וטריפה.
7
If the entire lung appears like two rows and it is not divided into lobes, it is trefe. Similarly, if the body of the lung itself15was lacking, even if it was not perforated, it is considered as if the required number of lobes were missing and [the animal] is trefe.16Therefore if a dried portion that could be chipped away with one's nail of even the slightest size was discovered within it, it is considered as lacking17 and [the animal] is trefe.
ז
נמצאת כולה שתי ערוגות ואין לה חתוך אזנים טריפה, וכן אם חסר גוף הריאה אע"פ שלא נקבה הרי זו כמי שחסר מנין האונות וטריפה, לפיכך אם נמצא ממנה מקום יבש עד שיפרך בצפורן הרי זו כחסר וטריפה ואפילו היה כל שהוא.
8
When a lung was discovered to be inflated like the leaves of a palm tree, we rule that it is forbidden because of the doubt involved. For this is an abnormal addition to its body and perhaps an addition to its body is considered as equivalent to a lack in its body, as stated with regard to the number of lobes.18
ח
ריאה שנמצאת נפוחה כמו עיקר חריות של דקל אוסרין אותה מספק, שזו תוספת משונה בגופה ושמא התוספת בגוף כחסרון כמו שאמר במנין.
9
[The following rules apply when] an animal became frightened and was terrified to the extent that her lung19 shriveled and came closer to becoming dried out: If it became frightened through the hand of heaven, e.g., it heard a thunderclap, saw lightening, or the like, it is permitted.20 If it became frightened through human activity, e.g., another animal was slaughtered in its presence or the like, it is considered as if it were lacking and it is trefe.
ט
הבהמה שפחדה ויראה עד שצמקה הריאה שלה וקרבה להיות יבשה, אם פחדה בידי שמים כגון ששמעה קול רעם או ראתה זיקים וכיוצא בזה מותרת, ואם פחדה בידי אדם כגון ששחטו לפניה בהמה אחרת וכיוצא בזה הרי זו כחסרה וטרפה.
10
How do we inspect it? We place the lung in water for an entire day. In the winter, we place it in lukewarm water, in a container which will not cause the water to condense on its back21and flow so that they will not become cold rapidly. If the season was hot, we place it in cold water in a container on which the water will condense on its back so that the water will remain cold. If [the lung] returns to its natural state, [we assume that the animal was frightened] by the hand of heaven and it is permitted.22 If it does not return, we [we assume that] it happened due to mortal causes and [the animal] is trefe.
י
כיצד בודקין אותה, מושיבין את הריאה במים מעת לעת, ואם היה זמן הקור מושיבין אותה במים פושרין ובכלי שאין המים מתמצין מגבו ונוזלים כדי שלא יצונו במהרה, ואם היה זמן החום מושיבין אותה במים צונן בכלי שהמים מתמצין מגבו כדי שישארו קרים, אם חזרה לברייתה הרי זו בידי שמים ומותרת ואם לא חזרה בידי אדם היא וטרפה.
11
An animal that was lacking a foot23 from the time it came into being is trefe. The same ruling applies if it possesses an extra foot, for an extra limb or organ is considered as if it was lacking. If, however, it has three forefeet or only one forefoot, [the animal] is permitted. Accordingly, if [an animal's] forefoot is cut off, [the animal] is permitted.24
יא
בהמה שהיתה חסרה רגל בתחלת ברייתה טרפה, וכן אם היתה יתירה רגל שכל היתר כחסר הוא, אבל אם היו לה שלש ידים או יד אחת מותרת, לפיכך אם נחתך היד שלה מותרת, נחתך הרגל מן הארכובה ולמעלה טרפה, מן הארכובה ולמטה מותרת, באי זו ארכובה אמרו בארכובה שהוא סוף הירך הסמוך לגוף.
12
When the bone27 is broken above the joint, if it emerges outward entirely or in its majority, it is considered as if it were cut and fell off,28 and [the animal] is trefe. If the flesh or the skin29 was covering both the majority of the thickness and the majority of the circumference of the broken bone, [the animal] is permitted.30 This applies even if part of the broken bone fell off and no longer is present. Soft sinews are not considered as flesh.
יב
נשבר העצם למעלה מן הארכובה אם יצא כולו או רובו לחוץ הרי זה כמה שנחתך ונפל וטריפה, ואם היה הבשר או העור חופה רוב עביו ורוב היקפו של עצם שנשבר הרי זו מותרת ואפילו נפל מקצת העצם שנשבר והלך לו, וגידים הרכים אינן חשובין כבשר.
13
The juncture of the sinews is a place in an animal and in a beast which is above the heel, at the place where the butchers hang the animal.31 There are three white sinews there, one thick and two thin. From the place where they begin and are firm and white until [the place] where the whiteness is removed from them and they begin to become red and soften is considered the juncture of the sinews. It is approximately sixteen fingerbreadths32 [long] in an ox.
יג
צומת הגידין הן בבהמה ובחיה למעלה מן העקב במקום שתולין בו הטבחים הבהמה והן שלשה גידין לבנים, אחד עבה ושנים דקים, וממקום שיתחיל והן קשים ולבנים עד שיסור הלובן מהן ויתחילו להתאדם ולהתרכך הוא צומת הגידים והוא כאורך שש עשרה אצבעות בשור.
14
In a fowl, there are sixteen such sinews. They begin on the lowest bone, from the extra talon and [continue] until the conclusion of the foot which is [covered by a series of] crusted scales.33
יד
ומנין גידים אלו בעוף ששה עשר גידין, תחלתן מן העצם של מטה מאצבע יתירה עד סוף הרגל שהוא עשוי קשקשים קשקשים. 64
15
When an animal's feet are cut off at the juncture of the sinews, it is trefe. Do not be amazed and say: "How is it possible that [an animal] will be permitted if its [legs] are cut off above the juncture of the sinews - indeed, it is permitted unless its [legs] are cut off above the highest joint as we explained34- but forbidden if they are cut off at a lower point, at the juncture of the sinews?
[The resolution is as follows: With regard to the designation of an animal] as trefe, [there are times when] one will cut from this point and it will live, but if [one would cut] from this point, it would die. We have not forbidden this animal, because its feet were cut off at a particular point,35 but rather because its sinews were severed36 and this renders it trefe, as will be explained.37
טו
בהמה שנחתכו רגליה במקום צומת הגידין טריפה, ואל תתמה ותאמר כיצד תחתך למעלה מצומת הגידים והיא מותרת עד שתחתך למעלה מן האכובה העליונה כמו שביארנו ואם נחתך למטה מצומת הגידים אסורה, שבטריפות תחתך מכאן ותחיה ומיכן ותמות, ולא נאסרה בהמה זו מפני שהיא חתוכת רגל ממקום זה אלא מפני שנחתכו הגידין שחתיכתן מכלל הטרפות כמו שיתבאר.
16
What is meant by the term Netulah?38 There are three limbs and organs which even though they do not [cause an animal to be deemed trefe] when they are perforated or if they are lacking [when the animal is born],39 cause the animal to be deemed trefe. They are: the juncture of the sinews,40 the liver, and the upper jaw-bone.
טז
נטולה כיצד, שלשה איברים הן שאם ניטלו טריפה ואע"פ שאין בהן דין נקב ולא דין חסרון, ואלו הן: צומת הגידים, והכבד, ולחי העליון.
17
We already explained41 that when an animal or a fowl has had its legs cut off at the place of the juncture of the sinews, it is deemed trefe only because the sinews were cut.42Therefore if the sinews alone were severed even though the foot remains intact, the animal is trefe, because the juncture of the sinews has been removed.
יז
וכבר ביארנו שהבהמה שנחתך רגלה וכן העוף במקום צומת הגידים לא נעשו טרפה אלא מפני שנחתכו הגידין, לפיכך אם נחתכו הגידים לבדם והרגל קיימת טריפה שהרי ניטלה צומת הגידים. 65
18
In an animal, if the thick sinew alone was severed, [the animal] is permitted, for the two [thin] ones remained. If both thin ones were severed, [the animal] is permitted, for the one thick one is larger than both of them. [In both cases,] the entire juncture was not removed, only its smaller portion.43 If the majority of each of them was severed, [the animal] is trefe. Needless to say, this applies if they were all severed or removed.
יח
נחתך בבהמה האחד העבה לבדו מותרת, שהרי נשארו שנים, נחתכו השנים הדקין מותרת שהרי האחד העבה גדול שניהן והרי לא ניטל כל הצומת אלא מיעוטה, נחתך רובו של כל אחד מהן טרפה ואין צריך לומר שנחתכו כולן או ניטלו כולן.
19
With regard to a fowl, even if the majority of one of the sixteen were severed, [the animal] is trefe.44
יט
ובעוף אפילו נחתך רובו של (כל) אחד מן הששה עשר טרפה.
20
When a fowl's wings are broken, it is permitted like an animal whose forelegs have been cut off.45
כ
ועוף שנשתברו אגפיו מותר, כבהמה שנחתכו ידיה.
21
כא
כבד שניטלה כולה טרפה, ואם נשתייר ממנה כזית במקום שהיא תלויה בו וכזית במקום מרה הרי זו מותרת, נידלדלה הכבד והרי היא מעורה בטרפש שלה מותרת, ניטל ממנה מקום שהיא תלויה בו ומקום המרה ואע"פ שהשאר קיים כמו שהוא טרפה.
22
If there remained an olive-sized portion at the place of the gall-bladder and an olive-sized portion at the place from which it was suspended, [the animal] is kosher. If, however, the portions of the liver which remain intact were scattered, some here and some there, flattened, or elongated like a strap, there is a doubt concerning its status. It appears to me that it is forbidden.50
כב
נשאר בה כזית במקום מרה וכזית במקום שהיא תלויה בו כשרה, אבל היה מפוזר מעט בכאן ומעט בכאן או שהיה מרודד או שהיה ארוך כרצועה הרי זו ספק ויראה לי שהיא אסורה.
23
כג
לחי העליון שניטל טרפה, אבל אם ניטל התחתון כגון שנגמם עד מקום הסימנין ולא נעקרו הרי זו מותרת.
24
Whenever it is said that an animal is trefe if a limb or organ is lacking,53 so, too, it is trefe if that organ is removed.54 If, however, it is said that an animal is trefe if an organ is removed, [the animal] is not forbidden unless that organ was cut off. If, however, the animal was created lacking that organ, it is permitted. For if not, the categories of chasairah and netulah would be identical.55 Whenever it is said that [an animal] is permitted if a limb is removed, it is certainly permitted56 if this organ was lacking from the beginning of the animal's existence and was never created.
כד
כל אבר שנאמר בו שאם היה חסר טרפה כך אם ניטל טריפה, אבל אבר שנאמר בו אם ניטל טרפה אינה נאסרת אלא אם נחתך אותו אבר, אבל אם נבראת חסירה אותו אבר הרי זו מותרת, שאם לא תאמר כן נמצאת החסירה והנטולה אחת, וכל אבר שנאמר בו שאם ניטל מותרת קל וחומר אם חסר מתחלת ברייתה ולא נברא שהיא מותרת.
25
כה
בהמה שניטלה האם שלה והוא בית הרחם, או שניטלו הכליות הרי זו מותרת, לפיכך אם נבראת בכוליא אחת או בשלש כליות מותרת, וכן אם ניקבה הכוליא מותרת.
26
Although [an animal] is permitted despite the fact that a kidney was removed or it was created without it, if its kidney is extremely undersized, it is trefe.60 For a small animal, this means the size of a bean, for a large one, the size of a grape.61Similarly, if a kidney became afflicted, i.e., its flesh became like the flesh of a dead [animal] that decayed after several days. Thus if one would take hold of a portion of it, it will decompose and fall apart. If this condition reached the white portion62 in the kidney, the animal is trefe. Similarly, if moisture - even if it is not putrid - is found in the kidney or murky or putrid fluid is found there, it is trefe. If, however, clear water is found there,63 [the animal] is permitted.
כו
אע"פ שהכוליא שניטלה או חסרה מותרת אם נמצאת קטנה ביותר, והקטנה בדקה עד כפול ובגסה עד כעינב, טרפה, וכן אם לקתה הכוליא והוא שיעשה בשרה כבשר המת שהבאיש אחר ימים שאם תאחוז במקצתו יתמסמס ויפול והגיע חלי זה עד הלבן שבתוך הכוליא הרי זו טרפה, וכן אם נמצאת בכוליא ליחה אע"פ שאינה סרוחה או שנמצא בה מים עכורין או סרוחים הרי זו טרפה אבל אם נמצאו בה מים זכים הרי זו מותרת..
FOOTNOTES
1.
Chasairah means "lacking." This category disqualifies an animal if it lacks one of its fundamental organs.
2.
It is true that there are more organs that render an animal trefe if they are lacking. Nevertheless, the lack of these organs is not placed in this category. Instead, the organ is considered as nekuvah, "perforated." As stated in Chapter 6, Halachah 20, if the perforation of these organs will disqualify an animal, surely, it will be disqualified when the organs are lacking entirely.
3.
I.e., he will be holding the animal from behind. See Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 35:2).
4.
I.e., it is small and red.
5.
The Rama (Yoreh De'ah 35:2 states that it is customary within the Ashkenazic community to declare an animal trefe, if it lacks this "rose" or if there is an extra "rose."
6.
For it does not seal it thoroughly.
7.
For the "rose" functions in place of the missing lobe. If, however, the "rose" is found on the left and there is only one lobe, the animal is not acceptable. Since it is not in its proper place, it cannot replace a lobe (Kessef Mishneh). The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 35:7) quotes the Rambam's ruling, but the Rama differs.
8.
In this instance, the "rose" does not compensate for the lack of the lobe, because it is not on the right side.
9.
"In the row of the lungs" to borrow the expression used by Chullin 47b. Generally, we follow the principle that every addition is considered as if it was lacking. In this instance, however, since the extra lobe is found in the row of the lobes, it will not disturb the lungs' ordinary functioning.
10.
In this instance as well, the Rambam maintains that the position of the extra lobe prevents it from disturbing the lungs' ordinary functioning. The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 35:3) accepts the Rambam's ruling.The Rama quotes more stringent views that state that any extra lobe that is not found in the row of the lungs is trefe. Nevertheless, the custom is to rule leniently.
11.
I.e., even when inflated.
12.
If the portions of the lungs that follow their natural pattern become attached to each other, all authorities agree that the animal is acceptable, for this attachment will not create any difficulties. And if the third lobe becomes attached to the first, all agree that it is unacceptable, because as the lungs inflate, the attached portions will separate, cause the attachment to tear, and in doing so, perforate the lobe.
The commentaries question - and the Maggid Mishneh actually maintains that the text of the Mishneh Torah reads in this manner - whether if the back of one lobe is attached to the back of the lobe next to it, the animal is also trefe. For in this instance as well, since the lobes are attached in an unnatural order, the attachment will tear and perforate the lungs. In his Kessef Mishneh maintains that the Rambam's wording implies that as long as the attached lobes are next to each other, the lung is acceptable, even if they are attached back to back. He does note, however, that there are authorities who rule stringently. He concludes in his Kessef Mishneh and also rules accordingly in his Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 39:4), that the attachments do not disqualify an animal only when the lobes are attached side to side - and not back to back - in the natural order. If they are attached in such an order, however, the lungs need not be checked. The Rama differs, requiring an examination. He also states that there are authorities who maintain that we are not knowledgable regarding how to make such an examination and therefore such an animal should be considered as trefe. Nevertheless, his ruling also leaves room for leniency if less than half of the body of the lobes are attached. See Siftei Cohen 39:11.
13.
I.e., they appear as one flush mass, without differentiation. If they are distinct, but attached, they are governed by the laws stated in the previous halachah.
14.
From Halachah 4, it appears that this is the size of a lobe that is significant. Hence, just as it is significant in disqualifying an animal, it is significant in causing it to be deemed kosher (Maggid Mishneh).
The Rambam's ruling is quoted by the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 35:8). The Rama cites authorities that maintain that even if a smaller portion is distinct, the lobes are considered as separate and the animal, kosher. The Rama states that we may rely on these opinions if there is a significant loss involved.
15.
I.e., it is lacking part of its ordinary mass.
16.
The Kessef Mishneh notes that in Chapter 7, Halachah 9, the Rambam rules that if a lung has decayed, it is kosher as long as its bronchioles and outer membrane are intact despite the fact that it has lost a large amount of its substance. He explains that this is not necessarily a contradiction to the ruling here. In that instance, since the lung has decayed significantly and yet, the brochioles have not been perforated, we assume that they will not be perforated. In this instance, by contrast, we suspect that the lack within the lung will cause it to become perforated.
Many other Rishonim, however, do not make such a distinction and maintain that a lung is acceptable if it is lacking some of its inner substance. The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 36:8) quotes both views. The Rama states that certain circumstances call for leniency and others, for stringency.
17.
The Kessef Mishneh explains that others explain that it is considered as if the dried portion is perforated and therefore the animal is trefe.
18.
As stated in law 4, an extra lobe is considered as a missing lobe and disqualifies a lung. Similarly, there is reason to think that an increase in the size of a lung is equivalent to a decrease in its size and disqualifies it in a similar fashion.
19.
When quoting this law, Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 36:14) speaks of an "entire lung" shriveling.
20.
For in the near future, it will regain its natural size, as indicated by the following halachah.
21.
Chullin 55b states that earthern-ware utensils made of white clay will have water condense upon them easily.
22.
Chullin, loc. cit., also debates what the ruling would be if one animal is frightened by another animal. The Rambam does not discuss the issue for seemingly, it would be able to be resolved by the same test mentioned here. The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 36:14 considers being frightened by other animals as equivalent to being frightened by the hand of heaven.
The Radbaz also states that if the lung returns to normal, it is acceptable even if the animal was frightened by human activity. Other authorities differ and maintain that if we know that the animal was frightened by human activity, this examination is not acceptable (Siftei Cohen 36:30).
See also Rama (Yoreh De'ah 36:15) who rules that in the present era, we are not knowledgeable with regard to the various inspections that our Sages spoke about and hence, should not employ them. If, however, it appears that an animal's lung shrunk due to the hand of heaven, it should not be permitted without undergoing this examination.
23.
The category of chasairah involves two organs: the lungs and the feet. Having discussed the lungs, the Rambam proceeds to discuss the feet. As the Rambam continues to explain, here the intent is the hindlegs.
24.
The severed foot itself, however, is forbidden.
25.
There are three segments of an animal's leg between its trunk and its hoofs. We are speaking about the joint between the highest and middle portions of the leg.
26.
Note, however, Halachah 15.
27.
I.e., the highest of the three bones of the animal's legs.
28.
For it will never heal.
29.
Even the covering of the skin alone is sufficient. This represents a revision of the Rambam's thinking. The initial text of his Commentary to the Mishnah (Chullin 8:13) stated "there was flesh and skin covering it" and he altered it to read "flesh or skin covering it."
30.
For the leg will heal. Not only is the animal permitted, the leg itself is permitted. We do not consider it as if it had been severed and removed during the animal's lifetime.
31.
I.e., it is customary for the butchers to make a hole in the lowest bone of the leg and hang the animal head downwards so that they can skin it and cut off its meat. The definition of "the juncture of the sinews" is important, as reflected in Halachot 15-18.
32.
A fingerbreadth is approximately 2 cm according to Shiurei Torah and 2.4 cm according to Chazon Ish.
Together with the Rambam's view, the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 56:5) also quotes Rashi's view that the juncture of the sinews is four fingerbreadths long.
33.
The Ra'avad takes issue with the Rambam's statements, admitting that the sinews of a fowl - as do those of an animal - begin in its actual feet. Nevertheless, he states, it is only from the joint between the second and third bone of the leg that they are considered halachically significant. For the laws of trefot that govern a fowl parallel those which govern an animal.
In his Kessef Mishneh, Rav Yosef Caro cites authorities that maintain that the text of the Mishneh Torah is in error and it should be amended to parallel the Ra'avad's comments. He cites a responsum attributed to the Rambam sent to the Sages of Provence which also follows this understanding. And in his Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 56:8), he rules in this manner.
34.
Halachah 11.
35.
Thus according to the Rambam - and his position is cited by the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 55:1) - if an animal's leg is severed in the top bone, it is trefe. If it is severed in the bottom bone, it is kosher, and if it is severed in the middle bone, the ruling depends on whether it was severed above the juncture of the sinews or not.
The Shulchan Aruch also cites a more stringent view - and the Rama states that it should be followed - that if the middle bone was severed, even above the juncture of the sinews, the animal is trefe. Moreover, even if it is severed at the lower joint, above the cartiledge called the irkum, the animal is trefe.
36.
The Kessef Mishneh states that the Rambam is explaining that a severed leg causes an animal to be considered trefe, because it is in the category of chasairah. When the juncture of its sinews is lacking, it is considered trefe, because it is in the category of netulah, as the Rambam proceeds to explain.
37.
See Halachot 16-17.
38.
Netulah is one of the eight types of trefot mentioned in Chapter 5, Halachah 2. The term literally means "removed."
39.
I.e., there are many organs besides these three that cause an animal to be deemed lacking if they are removed. The disqualification of these other organs, however, is not included in the category of netulah, rather that of nekuvah, perforated, or chasairah, lacking, i.e., the organ's removal is the greatest perforation or lack that could be. See Chapter 6, Halachah 20.
40.
The Ra'avad notes that seemingly, the disqualification of an animal because the junction of its sinews was severed would cause it to be placed in the following category, pesukah (Chapter 9, Halachah 1). He and the Kessef Mishneh explan that since our Sages (Chullin 57a, 76a) uses the expression: "If the juncture of the sinews was removed," it should be placed in this category and not in the other. Note the Siftei Cohen 56:1 who interprets the Ra'avad slightly differently.
41.
Halachah 15.
42.
I.e., the fact that this portion of the leg is missing is not significant.
43.
As long as a majority - either a majority in number or the larger portion - remains intact, the animal is permitted (Chullin 76b).
44.
The Kessef Mishneh explains this ruling as follows. Since we are stringent with regard to a fowl and require that all sixteen be intact, we extend that stringency and disqualify it if the majority of one is impaired. For when the majority of a sinew is impaired, it is as if the entire sinew is impaired.
45.
As stated in Halachah 11. See Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 53:2-3) which explains details about this situation.
46.
I.e., near the kidneys. In his Commentary to the Mishnah (Chullin3:1) refers to it as the place attached to the blood vessels from which blood from the liver is dispersed throughout the body. Chullin 46a refers to this as "the place from which it derives its nurture." See the Siftei Cohen 41:1 and the Turei Zahav 41:1 which quote authorities that interpret this as meaning the place to which it is attached on the diaphragm.
47.
For these are fundamentally necessary for its functioning.
48.
Because it - and its two fundamentally necessary portions - are still intact.
49.
For these two portions are of primary necessity.
50.
Chullin 46a raises questions regarding these situations and does not resolve them. The commentaries question why the Rambam rules definitively that the animal is unacceptable. The Kessef Mishneh explains that this applies even if there is one olive-sized portion that is entirely intact.
51.
The Tur (Yoreh De'ah 33) objects to the Rambam's ruling, stating: "I am amazed at his prohibition [of the animal] when the upper jaw is removed since this is not explicitly stated. Are we to add to the trefot?"
To explain: Chullin 54a states that if the lower jaw is removed, the animal is permitted. The Rambam deduces that the implication is that if the upper jaw is removed, the animal is trefe. The Tur claims that this deduction is not explicitly stated and hence, we have no right to make this deduction on our own. The sages of Provence wrote to the Rambam, voicing similar objections and he replied to them, explaining that the upper jaw is necessary for an animal's breathing. The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 33:2) states that it is proper to show respect for the Rambam's ruling.
Based on the gloss of the Rogatchover Gaon, it is possible to explain why this defect is not mentioned by the Sages of the Talmud. This defect is not in and of itself a direct cause for an animal's death, it is only a side factor that will lead to its death. Hence our Sages did not mention it, for they mentioned only those factors whice are direct causes (Yayin Malchut).
52.
When quoting this ruling, the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 33:1) adds that the animal must be able to continue to survive by being force-fed.
53.
I.e., the lungs and the hindlegs as stated in Halachah 1.
54.
As mentioned above (Chapter 6, Halachah 20), all the organs which render an animal trefe if they are perforated, also render it trefe when they are lacking or removed. Nevertheless, the Rambam places them in the category of nekuvah for that is the most inclusive classification.
55.
And our Sages listed them as separate categories, as stated in Chapter 5, Halachah 2.
The Rashba (as quoted by the Kessef Mishneh, Chapter 6, Halachah 20) differs and maintains that an animal is also trefe if it is lacking a liver from the beginning of its existence. Why then did our Sages mention chasairah and netulah as two separate categories? Because if they were not listed so, one might argue that an animal is trefe only when an organ is removed and not when it was lacking from the beginning of the animal's existence or vice versa. The Tur follows the Rashba's view. The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 50:72 quotes both opinions, but appears to favor the Rashba's view. The Rama states that we may rely on the Rambam when a significant loss is involved.
56.
For the ruling is more lenient if at the outset, it was not created with this organ, as above.
57.
I.e., even if both kidneys were removed. Even though according to medical knowledge, there is no way such an animal can live, our Sages did not deem this condition trefe. See Chapter 10, Halachah 12.
58.
For we follow the principle that any extra organ is considered as if it was removed.
59.
It is, however, considered a blemish and the animal may not be offered as a sacrifice (Hilchot Issurei HaMizbe'ach 2:11).
60.
In his Kessef Mishneh, Rav Yosef Caro states that many Rishonim disqualify an animal only when its kidneys shrank because of illness. If, however, it was born with an undersized kidney, it is acceptable. And in his Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 44:5), he accepts this ruling as law.
61.
The Turei Zahav 44:12 and the Siftei Cohen 44:13 quote authorities who explain that the grapes of Eretz Yisrael were very large during the Talmudic period. At that time, a grape was significantly larger than a bean.
62.
The white fat from the loins enters the kidneys, because the different sinews are all interwoven there, causing a split to appear within the kidney. This is located in the midst of the kidney (Rashi, Rabenu Nissim, Chullin 55b).
63.
Even if it reached the white portion [Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 44:2)].
64.
ומנין גידים אלו בעוף ששה עשר גידין תחלתן מן העצם של מטה. א"א זה חדוש גדול שלא שמעתי כמותו ומעולם לא בדקתי צומת הגידים אלא מן הארכובה ולמעלה כנגד צומות הגידין של בהמה ואמת הוא שהם יורדים עד למטה עד שהם מתקשרים ומתחזקים בארכובה משם הם חיים ומפרנסים את הגוף.
65.
וכבר ביארנו שהבהמה וכו'. א"א זאת האומנות לא עלתה לו כהוגן בכאן שיחשב חתוכת הגידים כנטולה ומה בין חתוכה לפסוקה והוא סבור שניטל צומת הגידין הוא שנחתכו ולפיכך מנה אותן בנטולה ולא דקדק יפה אלא אם רצה למנותה בנטולין יאמר שאם לא נחתכו אלא שנעקרו מן הארכובה ונקפלו מעל העצם עד למעלה טריפה ולפיכך אמר וכן שניטל צומת הגידין ולא אמר שנחתך, שמעה עמי בינה זאת, עכ"ל.
• Wednesday, 5 Shevat, 5777 · 1 February 2017
• "Today's Day"
• Monday, Sh'vat 5, 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: Bo, Sheini with Rashi.
Tehillim: 29-34.
Tanya: And this constitutes (p. 73)...The "Ramaz" thereon). (p. 73).
One must recite words of Torah copiously, saying Tehillim or verbally reviewing Mishna whenever and wherever possible, in order to bolster the existence of Creation, to be saved from chibut hakever1 and kaf hakela,1 and to merit all the highest revelations.
FOOTNOTES
1.Processes of purgatory undergone by the soul after death; see Tanya; Ch. 8. See Tevet 7.
• Daily Thought:
Pull a Rope
Pull a rope to see where it’s connected.
Tug it to see how tightly.
So too, your trust in G‑d is the entire measure of your connection with Him.
When life pulls you down, stay calm and strong, bound to your Source Above.[See Igrot Kodesh, volume 6, #1663.]
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