Today in Jewish History:
• Blood Libel Declared False (1817) On Adar 24, Czar Alexander I of Russia declared the Blood Libel -- the infamous accusation that Jews murdered Christian children to use their blood in the baking of matzah for Passover, for which thousands of Jews were massacred through the centuries -- to be false. Nevertheless, nearly a hundred years later the accusation was officially leveled against Mendel Beilis in Kiev.
Link: A detailed look at the Beilis case, including primary evidence, photographs, interviews and a documentary.
Daily Quote:
When the tzaddik departs, he is to be found in all worlds, more than during his lifetime.[Zohar]Today's Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Vayak'hel-Pekudei, 4th Portion Exodus 38:1-39:1 with Rashi
• Exodus Chapter 38
1And he made the altar for the burnt offerings of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide; [the altar was] square, and it [was] three cubits high. אוַיַּ֛עַשׂ אֶת־מִזְבַּ֥ח הָֽעֹלָ֖ה עֲצֵ֣י שִׁטִּ֑ים חָמֵשׁ֩ אַמּ֨וֹת אָרְכּ֜וֹ וְחָמֵֽשׁ־אַמּ֤וֹת רָחְבּוֹ֙ רָב֔וּעַ וְשָׁל֥שׁ אַמּ֖וֹת קֹֽמָתֽוֹ:
2And he made its horns on its four corners; its horns were [all one piece] from it, and he overlaid it with copper. בוַיַּ֣עַשׂ קַרְנֹתָ֗יו עַ֚ל אַרְבַּ֣ע פִּנֹּתָ֔יו מִמֶּ֖נּוּ הָי֣וּ קַרְנֹתָ֑יו וַיְצַ֥ף אֹת֖וֹ נְחֽשֶׁת:
3And he made all the implements of the altar, the pots, and the shovels and the sprinkling basins and the flesh hooks and the [fire] pans; he made all its implements of copper. גוַיַּ֜עַשׂ אֶת־כָּל־כְּלֵ֣י הַמִּזְבֵּ֗חַ אֶת־הַסִּירֹ֤ת וְאֶת־הַיָּעִים֙ וְאֶת־הַמִּזְרָקֹ֔ת אֶת־הַמִּזְלָגֹ֖ת וְאֶת־הַמַּחְתֹּ֑ת כָּל־כֵּלָ֖יו עָשָׂ֥ה נְחֽשֶׁת:
4And he made for the altar a copper grating of netting work, beneath its ledge from below, until its middle. דוַיַּ֤עַשׂ לַמִּזְבֵּ֨חַ֙ מִכְבָּ֔ר מַֽעֲשֵׂ֖ה רֶ֣שֶׁת נְח֑שֶׁת תַּ֧חַת כַּרְכֻּבּ֛וֹ מִלְּמַ֖טָּה עַד־חֶצְיֽוֹ:
5And he cast four rings on the four ends of the copper grating, holders for the poles. הוַיִּצֹ֞ק אַרְבַּ֧ע טַבָּעֹ֛ת בְּאַרְבַּ֥ע הַקְּצָוֹ֖ת לְמִכְבַּ֣ר הַנְּח֑שֶׁת בָּתִּ֖ים לַבַּדִּֽים:
6And he made the poles of acacia wood, and he overlaid them with copper. ווַיַּ֥עַשׂ אֶת־הַבַּדִּ֖ים עֲצֵ֣י שִׁטִּ֑ים וַיְצַ֥ף אֹתָ֖ם נְחֽשֶׁת:
7And he inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar with which to carry it; he made it hollow, out of boards. זוַיָּבֵ֨א אֶת־הַבַּדִּ֜ים בַּטַּבָּעֹ֗ת עַ֚ל צַלְעֹ֣ת הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ לָשֵׂ֥את אֹת֖וֹ בָּהֶ֑ם נְב֥וּב לֻחֹ֖ת עָשָׂ֥ה אֹתֽוֹ:
hollow, out of boards: Heb. נְבוּב. נְבוּב means hollow, and similarly [we find in the verse]: “and its thickness was four fingers, hollow (נָבוּב) ” (Jer. 52:21). נבוב לחת: נבוב הוא חלול, וכן (ירמיה נב, כא) ועביו ארבע אצבעות נבוב:
hollow, out of boards: The boards of acacia wood were [placed] on all sides, and the hollow [part] was in the middle. נבוב לחת: הלוחות של עצי שטים לכל רוח והחלל באמצע:
8And he made the washstand of copper and its base of copper from the mirrors of the women who had set up the legions, who congregated at the entrance of the tent of meeting. חוַיַּ֗עַשׂ אֵ֚ת הַכִּיּ֣וֹר נְח֔שֶׁת וְאֵ֖ת כַּנּ֣וֹ נְח֑שֶׁת בְּמַרְאֹת֙ הַצֹּ֣בְאֹ֔ת אֲשֶׁ֣ר צָֽבְא֔וּ פֶּ֖תַח אֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד:
from the mirrors of the women who had set up the legions: Heb. בְּמַרְאֹתהַצֹבְאֹת Israelite women owned mirrors, which they would look into when they adorned themselves. Even these [mirrors] they did not hold back from bringing as a contribution toward the Mishkan, but Moses rejected them because they were made for temptation [i.e., to inspire lustful thoughts]. The Holy One, blessed is He, said to him, “Accept [them], for these are more precious to Me than anything because through them the women set up many legions [i.e., through the children they gave birth to] in Egypt.” When their husbands were weary from back-breaking labor, they [the women] would go and bring them food and drink and give them to eat. Then they [the women] would take the mirrors and each one would see herself with her husband in the mirror, and she would seduce him with words, saying, “I am more beautiful than you.” And in this way they aroused their husbands desire and would copulate with them, conceiving and giving birth there, as it is said: “Under the apple tree I aroused you” (Song 8:5). This is [the meaning of] what is בְּמַרְאֹתהַצֹבְאֹת [lit., the mirrors of those who set up legions]. From these [the mirrors], the washstand was made, because its purpose was to make peace between a man and his wife. [How so?] By giving a drink from the water that was in it [the washstand] to [a woman] whose husband had warned her [not to stay in private with a certain man] and she secluded herself [with him anyway. The water would test her and either destroy her or prove her innocence. See Num. 5:11-31]. You should know that they were actually mirrors, because it is said: “The copper of the waving was seventy talents… From that he made…” (Exod. 38:29, 30), but the washstand and its base were not mentioned there [among the things produced from the seventy talents. Thus,] you have learned that the copper of the washstand was not of the copper of the waving. So did Rabbi Tanchuma expound [on the matter] (Midrash Tanchuma, Pekudei 9; Num. Rabbah 9:14). And so did Onkelos render: בְּמֶחְזְיַתנְשַׁיָא [“the mirrors of the women”], which is the Aramaic translation of מַרְאוֹת, mirrors in French. So we find in Isaiah (3:23) וְהַגִּלְיֹנִים (sic), which we render: וּמַחְזְיָתָא, and the mirrors. במראת הצובאת: בנות ישראל היו בידן מראות, שרואות בהן כשהן מתקשטות, ואף אותן לא עכבו מלהביא לנדבת המשכן, והיה מואס משה בהן, מפני שעשויים ליצר הרע, אמר לו הקב"ה קבל, כי אלו חביבין עלי מן הכל, שעל ידיהם העמידו הנשים צבאות רבות במצרים. כשהיו בעליהם יגעים בעבודת פרך, היו הולכות ומוליכות להם מאכל ומשתה ומאכילות אותם ונוטלות המראות, וכל אחת רואה עצמה עם בעלה במראה ומשדלתו בדברים, לומר אני נאה ממך, ומתוך כך מביאות לבעליהן לידי תאוה ונזקקות להם, ומתעברות ויולדות שם, שנאמר (שיר השירים ח ה) תחת התפוח עוררתיך, וזהו שנאמר במראות הצובאות. ונעשה הכיור מהם, שהוא לשום שלום בין איש לאשתו, להשקות ממים שבתוכו את שקנא לה בעלה ונסתרה, ותדע לך, שהן מראות ממש, שהרי נאמר (שמות לח כט ל), ונחשת התנופה שבעים ככר וגו', ויעש בה וגו', וכיור וכנו לא הוזכרו שם, למדת שלא היה נחשת של כיור מנחשת התנופה, כך דורש רבי תנחומא, וכן תרגם אונקלוס במחזית נשיא, והוא תרגום של מראות מירידויר"ש בלעז [מראות]. וכן מצינו בישעיה (ישעיה ג כג) והגליונים, מתרגמינן ומחזיתא:
who congregated: to bring their donation. אשר צבאו: להביא נדבתן:
9And he made the courtyard on the southern side [there were] hangings for the courtyard of twisted fine linen, one hundred cubits. טוַיַּ֖עַשׂ אֶת־הֶֽחָצֵ֑ר לִפְאַ֣ת | נֶ֣גֶב תֵּימָ֗נָה קַלְעֵ֤י הֶֽחָצֵר֙ שֵׁ֣שׁ מָשְׁזָ֔ר מֵאָ֖ה בָּֽאַמָּֽה:
10And their pillars [were] twenty and their sockets twenty of copper; the hooks of the pillars and their bands of silver. יעַמּֽוּדֵיהֶ֣ם עֶשְׂרִ֔ים וְאַדְנֵיהֶ֥ם עֶשְׂרִ֖ים נְח֑שֶׁת וָוֵ֧י הָֽעַמּוּדִ֛ים וַֽחֲשֻֽׁקֵיהֶ֖ם כָּֽסֶף:
11And for the northern end one hundred cubits, their pillars twenty, and their sockets twenty of copper; the hooks of the pillars and their bands of silver. יאוְלִפְאַ֤ת צָפוֹן֙ מֵאָ֣ה בָֽאַמָּ֔ה עַמּֽוּדֵיהֶ֣ם עֶשְׂרִ֔ים וְאַדְנֵיהֶ֥ם עֶשְׂרִ֖ים נְח֑שֶׁת וָוֵ֧י הָֽעַמּוּדִ֛ים וַֽחֲשֻֽׁקֵיהֶ֖ם כָּֽסֶף:
12And for the western side, hangings fifty cubits, their pillars ten and their sockets ten; the hooks of the pillars and their bands of silver. יבוְלִפְאַת־יָ֗ם קְלָעִים֙ חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים בָּֽאַמָּ֔ה עַמּֽוּדֵיהֶ֣ם עֲשָׂרָ֔ה וְאַדְנֵיהֶ֖ם עֲשָׂרָ֑ה וָוֵ֧י הָֽעַמֻּדִ֛ים וַֽחֲשֽׁוּקֵיהֶ֖ם כָּֽסֶף:
13And for the eastern end, fifty cubits. יגוְלִפְאַ֛ת קֵ֥דְמָה מִזְרָ֖חָה חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים אַמָּֽה:
14The hangings on the shoulder [were] fifteen cubits, their pillars three and their sockets three. ידקְלָעִ֛ים חֲמֵֽשׁ־עֶשְׂרֵ֥ה אַמָּ֖ה אֶל־הַכָּתֵ֑ף עַמּֽוּדֵיהֶ֣ם שְׁלשָׁ֔ה וְאַדְנֵיהֶ֖ם שְׁלשָֽׁה:
15And on the second shoulder on either side of the gate of the courtyard, [there were] hangings of fifteen cubits, their pillars three and their sockets three. טווְלַכָּתֵ֣ף הַשֵּׁנִ֗ית מִזֶּ֤ה וּמִזֶּה֙ לְשַׁ֣עַר הֶֽחָצֵ֔ר קְלָעִ֕ים חֲמֵ֥שׁ עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה אַמָּ֑ה עַמֻּֽדֵיהֶ֣ם שְׁלשָׁ֔ה וְאַדְנֵיהֶ֖ם שְׁלשָֽׁה:
16All the hangings of the courtyard all around were of twisted fine linen. טזכָּל־קַלְעֵ֧י הֶֽחָצֵ֛ר סָבִ֖יב שֵׁ֥שׁ מָשְׁזָֽר:
17And the sockets for the pillars were copper; the hooks of the pillars and their bands were silver, and the overlay of their tops was silver, and they were banded with silver, all the pillars of the courtyard. יזוְהָֽאֲדָנִ֣ים לָֽעַמֻּדִים֘ נְח֒שֶׁת֒ וָוֵ֨י הָֽעַמּוּדִ֜ים וַֽחֲשֽׁוּקֵיהֶם֙ כֶּ֔סֶף וְצִפּ֥וּי רָֽאשֵׁיהֶ֖ם כָּ֑סֶף וְהֵם֙ מְחֻשָּׁקִ֣ים כֶּ֔סֶף כֹּ֖ל עַמֻּדֵ֥י הֶֽחָצֵֽר:
18And the screen of the gate of the courtyard was the work of an embroiderer, [made] of blue, purple, and crimson wool, and twisted fine linen, twenty cubits long, and its height in the width was five cubits, corresponding to the hangings of the courtyard. יחוּמָסַ֞ךְ שַׁ֤עַר הֶֽחָצֵר֙ מַֽעֲשֵׂ֣ה רֹקֵ֔ם תְּכֵ֧לֶת וְאַרְגָּמָ֛ן וְתוֹלַ֥עַת שָׁנִ֖י וְשֵׁ֣שׁ מָשְׁזָ֑ר וְעֶשְׂרִ֤ים אַמָּה֙ אֹ֔רֶךְ וְקוֹמָ֤ה בְרֹ֨חַב֙ חָמֵ֣שׁ אַמּ֔וֹת לְעֻמַּ֖ת קַלְעֵ֥י הֶֽחָצֵֽר:
corresponding to the hangings of the courtyard: [I.e.,] like the dimensions of the hangings of the courtyard. לעמת קלעי החצר: כמדת קלעי החצר:
19And their pillars [were] four and their sockets four, of copper, their hooks silver, and the overlay of their tops and their bands were silver. יטוְעַמֻּֽדֵיהֶם֙ אַרְבָּעָ֔ה וְאַדְנֵיהֶ֥ם אַרְבָּעָ֖ה נְח֑שֶׁת וָֽוֵיהֶ֣ם כֶּ֔סֶף וְצִפּ֧וּי רָֽאשֵׁיהֶ֛ם וַֽחֲשֻֽׁקֵיהֶ֖ם כָּֽסֶף:
20And all the pegs of the Mishkan and of the courtyard all around [were] copper. כוְכָל־הַיְתֵדֹ֞ת לַמִּשְׁכָּ֧ן וְלֶֽחָצֵ֛ר סָבִ֖יב נְחֽשֶׁת:
21These are the numbers of the Mishkan, the Mishkan of the Testimony, which were counted at Moses' command; [this was] the work of the Levites under the direction of Ithamar, the son of Aaron the Kohen. כאאֵ֣לֶּה פְקוּדֵ֤י הַמִּשְׁכָּן֙ מִשְׁכַּ֣ן הָֽעֵדֻ֔ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר פֻּקַּ֖ד עַל־פִּ֣י משֶׁ֑ה עֲבֹדַת֙ הַֽלְוִיִּ֔ם בְּיַד֙ אִֽיתָמָ֔ר בֶּן־אַֽהֲרֹ֖ן הַכֹּהֵֽן:
These are the numbers: In this parsha, all the weights of the donations for the Mishkan were counted -[that] of silver, of gold, and of copper. And all its implements for all its work were [also] counted. אלה פקודי: בפרשה זו נמנו כל משקלי נדבת המשכן, לכסף ולזהב ולנחשת, ונמנו כל כליו לכל עבודתו:
the Mishkan, the Mishkan: Heb. הַמִּשְׁכָּן מִשְׁכַּן [The word מִשְׁכָּן is written] twice. This alludes to the Temple, which was taken as security (מַשְׁכּוֹן) by the two destructions, for Israel’s iniquities [The Temples were taken as a collateral for Israel’s sins. When Israel fully repents, the Third Temple will be built]. -[from Midrash Tanchuma 2, Exod. Rabbah 51:3] המשכן משכן: שני פעמים, רמז למקדש שנתמשכן בשני חורבנין על עונותיהן של ישראל:
the Mishkan of the Testimony: [The Mishkan] was testimony for Israel that the Holy One, blessed is He, forgave them for the incident of the calf, for He caused His Shechinah to rest among them [in the Mishkan]. -[from Midrash Tanchuma 2] משכן העדת: עדות לישראל שויתר להם הקדוש ברוך הוא על מעשה העגל, שהרי השרה שכינתו ביניהם:
the work of the Levites: The numbers [i.e., the accountings] of the Mishkan and its furnishings [which] is the work given over to the Levites in the desert-to carry, to dismantle, and to set up, each person on his burden upon which he is assigned, as is stated in parshath Nasso (Num. 4:24-28, 31-33). עבדת הלוים: פקודי המשכן וכליו היא עבודה המסורה ללוים במדבר, לשאת ולהוריד להקים איש איש למשאו המופקד עליו, כמו שאמרו בפרשת נשא (במדבר ד):
under the direction of Ithamar: He was appointed over them, to deliver to each paternal family the work incumbent upon it. [Each Levite family was assigned a specific job in the sanctuary.] ביד איתמר: הוא היה פקיד עליהם למסור לכל בית אב עבודה שעליו:
22Bezalel, son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, had made all that the Lord had commanded Moses. כבוּבְצַלְאֵ֛ל בֶּן־אוּרִ֥י בֶן־ח֖וּר לְמַטֵּ֣ה יְהוּדָ֑ה עָשָׂ֕ה אֵ֛ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־משֶֽׁה:
Bezalel, the son of Uri… had made all that the Lord had commanded Moses: “That Moses had commanded him is not written here, but all that the Lord had commanded Moses,” [meaning that] even [in] things that his master [Moses] had not said to him, his [Bezalel’s] view coincided with what was said to Moses on Sinai. For Moses commanded Bezalel to first make the furnishings and afterwards the Mishkan. (Rashi is not referring to the command to donate [the materials for the Mishkan and its furnishings], since, on the contrary, the Holy One, blessed be He, commanded the opposite in parshath Terumah. [I.e.,] first [God commanded them to make] the furnishings: the table, the menorah, the curtains, and afterwards [He gave] the command to make the planks [i.e., the Mishkan, whereas] the command of our teacher, Moses, may he rest in peace, at the beginning of Vayakhel (Exod. 35:11-19) lists first the Mishkan and its tent, and afterwards the furnishings. Rather, Rashi is referring to the command to the worker, [i.e.,] in what order he should work. You will find in the parsha of Ki Thissa [where God commanded concerning the order of the Mishkan’s construction]: “See, I have called by name Bezalel…” (Exod. 31:2-11), that first the Tent of Meeting is mentioned and afterwards the furnishings. As far as [the command in Terumah] to donate, to prepare what they would require [for the Mishkan and its furnishings], what difference does it make what they donated first? [Thus the order of the furnishings listed there is irrelevant.] See Tosafoth in the chapter entitled הָרוֹאֶה (Ber. 55a): If you ask, how do we know that our teacher, Moses, may he rest in peace, commanded Bezalel to do the opposite [of what God had commanded him? Since it is not found in the text that Moses commanded Bezalel to construct first the furnishings and then the Mishkan], we may reply that it is written in parshath Vayakhel (Exod. 36:2): “And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab…”. [There] the Torah is very brief in explaining what he [Moses] said to them. From this verse (38:22), which is worded, “all that the Lord commanded Moses,” we see that he [Moses] commanded them in the opposite manner. [Therefore the text here does not state “that Moses had commanded him.”] Study this well.) Bezalel responded, “It is common practice to first make a house and then to put furniture into it.” He said to him, “This is what I heard from the mouth of the Holy One, blessed is He.” Moses said to him [Bezalel], “You were in the shadow of God [בְּצֵל אֵל, which is the meaning of Bezalel’s name. I.e., you are right], for surely that is what the Holy One, blessed be He, commanded me.” And so he did: [Bezalel] first [made] the Mishkan, and afterwards he made the furnishings. -[from Ber. 55a] ובצלאל בן אורי וגו' עשה את כל אשר צוה ה' את משה: אשר צוה משה אין כתיב כאן, אלא כל אשר צוה ה' את משה, אפילו דברים שלא אמר לו רבו, הסכימה דעתו למה שנאמר למשה בסיני, כי משה צוה לבצלאל לעשות תחלה כלים ואחר כך משכן, אמר לו בצלאל מנהג עולם לעשות תחלה בית ואחר כך משים כלים בתוכו. אמר לו כך שמעתי מפי הקב"ה. אמר לו משה בצל אל היית, כי בוודאי כך צוה לי הקב"ה, וכן עשה המשכן תחלה ואחר כך עשה הכלים:
23With him was Oholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, a craftsman and master weaver, and an embroiderer in blue, purple, and crimson wool and in linen. כגוְאִתּ֗וֹ אָֽהֳלִיאָ֞ב בֶּן־אֲחִֽיסָמָ֛ךְ לְמַטֵּה־דָ֖ן חָרָ֣שׁ וְחשֵׁ֑ב וְרֹקֵ֗ם בַּתְּכֵ֨לֶת֙ וּבָ֣אַרְגָּמָ֔ן וּבְתוֹלַ֥עַת הַשָּׁנִ֖י וּבַשֵּֽׁשׁ:
24All the gold that had been used for the work in all the work of the Holy the gold of the waving was twenty nine talents, seven hundred and thirty shekels, according to the holy shekel. כדכָּל־הַזָּהָ֗ב הֶֽעָשׂוּי֙ לַמְּלָאכָ֔ה בְּכֹ֖ל מְלֶ֣אכֶת הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ וַיְהִ֣י | זְהַ֣ב הַתְּנוּפָ֗ה תֵּ֤שַׁע וְעֶשְׂרִים֙ כִּכָּ֔ר וּשְׁבַ֨ע מֵא֧וֹת וּשְׁלשִׁ֛ים שֶׁ֖קֶל בְּשֶׁ֥קֶל הַקֹּֽדֶשׁ:
talents: Heb. כִּכָּר, sixty manehs. The maneh of the Holy was double [the normal maneh]. Hence, the talent [mentioned here] was [i.e., equaled] one hundred twenty [ordinary] manehs [twice the normal talent], and the maneh was twenty-five selas. Thus, a talent of the Holy was three thousand shekels. Therefore, [the text] counted out in detail all the shekels that were less than three thousand, since they did not amount to a talent [and thus they had to be enumerated separately]. -[from Bech. 5a] ככר: ששים מנה, ומנה של קדש כפול היה, הרי הככר מאה ועשרים מנה, והמנה עשרים וחמשה סלעים, הרי ככר של קדש שלושת אלפים שקלים, לפיכך מנה בפרוטרוט כל השקלים שפחותין במנינם משלושת אלפים שאין מגיעין לככר:
25The silver of the community numbers was one hundred talents and one thousand seven hundred and seventy five shekels, according to the holy shekel. כהוְכֶ֛סֶף פְּקוּדֵ֥י הָֽעֵדָ֖ה מְאַ֣ת כִּכָּ֑ר וְאֶ֩לֶף֩ וּשְׁבַ֨ע מֵא֜וֹת וַֽחֲמִשָּׁ֧ה וְשִׁבְעִ֛ים שֶׁ֖קֶל בְּשֶׁ֥קֶל הַקֹּֽדֶשׁ:
26One bekka per head; [that is,] half a shekel according to the holy shekel for each one who goes through the counting, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred three thousand, five hundred and fifty [people]. כובֶּ֚קַע לַגֻּלְגֹּ֔לֶת מַֽחֲצִ֥ית הַשֶּׁ֖קֶל בְּשֶׁ֣קֶל הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ לְכֹ֨ל הָֽעֹבֵ֜ר עַל־הַפְּקֻדִ֗ים מִבֶּ֨ן עֶשְׂרִ֤ים שָׁנָה֙ וָמַ֔עְלָה לְשֵֽׁשׁ־מֵא֥וֹת אֶ֨לֶף֙ וּשְׁל֣שֶׁת אֲלָפִ֔ים וַֽחֲמֵ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת וַֽחֲמִשִּֽׁים:
bekka: Heb. בֶּקַע, lit., a split. This is the name of the weight of a half-shekel. בקע: הוא שם משקל של מחצית השקל:
for six hundred three thousand, etc.: This is how many the Israelites were. Their number equaled this [too] after the Mishkan was erected, [as appears] in the Book of Numbers [Num. 1:4]. Now too, when they donated to the Mishkan, this is how many they were. The number of the half-shekels of 600,000 [people] equals one hundred talents, each one the equivalent of three thousand shekels. How so? Six hundred thousand halves [of a shekel] equal three hundred thousand wholes, which equal one hundred talents. The [additional] 3,550 halves equal 1,775 shekels. לשש מאות אלף וגו': כך היו ישראל, וכך עלה מניינם אחר שהוקם המשכן בספר במדבר. ואף עתה בנדבת המשכן כך היו. ומנין חצאי השקלים של שש מאות אלף עולה מאת ככר, כל אחד של שלשת אלפים שקלים, כיצד, שש מאות אלף חצאין הרי הן שלש מאות אלף שלמים, הרי מאת ככר, והשלשת אלפים וחמש מאות וחמשים חצאין עולין אלף ושבע מאות וחמשה ושבעים שקלים:
27One hundred talents of the silver were used for casting the sockets of the Holy and the sockets of the dividing curtain; one hundred sockets out of one hundred talents, one talent for each socket. כזוַיְהִ֗י מְאַת֙ כִּכַּ֣ר הַכֶּ֔סֶף לָצֶ֗קֶת אֵ֚ת אַדְנֵ֣י הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ וְאֵ֖ת אַדְנֵ֣י הַפָּרֹ֑כֶת מְאַ֧ת אֲדָנִ֛ים לִמְאַ֥ת הַכִּכָּ֖ר כִּכָּ֥ר לָאָֽדֶן:
for casting: Heb. לָצֶקֶת, as the Targum [Onkelos] renders: לְאַתָּכָא, lit., to pour. לצקת: כתרגומו לאתכא:
the sockets of the Holy: [I.e., the sockets] of the planks of the Mishkan, which were forty-eight planks, which had ninety-six sockets, in addition to the four sockets of the dividing curtain, equaling one hundred [were silver]. But for all the rest of the sockets, the Torah prescribed that they be made of copper. את אדני הקדש: של קרשי המשכן, שהם ארבעים ושמנה קרשים ולהם תשעים וששה אדנים, ואדני פרכת ארבעה, הרי מאה, וכל שאר האדנים נחשת כתיב בהם:
28And out of the one thousand seven hundred and seventy five [shekels] he made hooks for the pillars, and he covered their tops and banded them. כחוְאֶת־הָאֶ֜לֶף וּשְׁבַ֤ע הַמֵּאוֹת֙ וַֽחֲמִשָּׁ֣ה וְשִׁבְעִ֔ים עָשָׂ֥ה וָוִ֖ים לָֽעַמּוּדִ֑ים וְצִפָּ֥ה רָֽאשֵׁיהֶ֖ם וְחִשַּׁ֥ק אֹתָֽם:
and he covered their tops: [i.e., the tops] of the pillars with them [i.e., with the remaining shekels], for concerning all of them, it is written: “And he covered their tops, and their bands were silver.” וצפה ראשיהם: של עמודים מהן, שבכולן כתיב וצפה ראשיהם וחשוקיהם כסף:
29The copper of the waving was seventy talents and two thousand four hundred shekels. כטוּנְח֥שֶׁת הַתְּנוּפָ֖ה שִׁבְעִ֣ים כִּכָּ֑ר וְאַלְפַּ֥יִם וְאַרְבַּע־מֵא֖וֹת שָֽׁקֶל:
30From that he made the sockets of the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, the copper altar, the copper grating upon it, and all the implements of the altar, לוַיַּ֣עַשׂ בָּ֗הּ אֶת־אַדְנֵי֙ פֶּ֚תַח אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֔ד וְאֵת֙ מִזְבַּ֣ח הַנְּח֔שֶׁת וְאֶת־מִכְבַּ֥ר הַנְּח֖שֶׁת אֲשֶׁר־ל֑וֹ וְאֵ֖ת כָּל־כְּלֵ֥י הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ:
31and the sockets of the courtyard all around and the sockets of the gate to the courtyard, all the pegs of the Mishkan and all the pegs of the courtyard all around. לאוְאֶת־אַדְנֵ֤י הֶֽחָצֵר֙ סָבִ֔יב וְאֶת־אַדְנֵ֖י שַׁ֣עַר הֶֽחָצֵ֑ר וְאֵ֨ת כָּל־יִתְדֹ֧ת הַמִּשְׁכָּ֛ן וְאֶת־כָּל־יִתְדֹ֥ת הֶֽחָצֵ֖ר סָבִֽיב:
Exodus Chapter 39
1And out of the blue, purple, and crimson wool they made the meshwork garments to serve in the Holy, and they made Aaron's holy garments, as the Lord had commanded Moses. אוּמִן־הַתְּכֵ֤לֶת וְהָֽאַרְגָּמָן֙ וְתוֹלַ֣עַת הַשָּׁנִ֔י עָשׂ֥וּ בִגְדֵֽי־שְׂרָ֖ד לְשָׁרֵ֣ת בַּקֹּ֑דֶשׁ וַיַּֽעֲשׂ֞וּ אֶת־בִּגְדֵ֤י הַקֹּ֨דֶשׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לְאַֽהֲרֹ֔ן כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־משֶֽׁה:
And out of the blue, purple…: [Since] linen is not mentioned here, I conclude from here that these בִגְדֵי-שְׂרָד were not the garments of the kehunah, for in [all] the kohanim’s garments there was linen [used]. Instead I believe they were the garments with which they [the kohanim] covered the holy furnishings at the time they withdrew [these furnishings] to [take on their] journeys, [garments] in which there was no linen. ומן התכלת והארגמן וגו': שש לא נאמר כאן, ומכאן אני אומר, שאין בגדי שרד הללו בגדי כהונה, שבבגדי כהונה היה שש, אלא הם בגדים שמכסים בהם כלי הקדש בשעת סלוק מסעות, שלא היה בהם שש:
• Daily Tehillim: Psalm Chapters 113 - 118
• Chapter 113
This psalm recounts some of the wonders of the exodus from Egypt.
1. Praise the Lord! Offer praise, you servants of the Lord; praise the Name of the Lord.
2. May the Name of the Lord be blessed from now and to all eternity.
3. From the rising of the sun to its setting, the Name of the Lord is praised.
4. The Lord is high above all nations; His glory transcends the heavens.
5. Who is like the Lord our God, Who dwells on high
6. [yet] looks down so low upon heaven and earth!
7. He raises the poor from the dust, lifts the destitute from the dunghill,
8. to seat them with nobles, with the nobles of His people.
9. He transforms the barren woman into a household, into a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!
Chapter 114
This psalm explains why the tribe of Judah merited kingship.
1. When Israel went out of Egypt, the House of Jacob from a people of a foreign tongue,
2. Judah became His holy [nation], Israel, His domain.
3. The sea saw and fled, the Jordan turned backward.
4. The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like young sheep.
5. What is the matter with you, O sea, that you flee; Jordan, that you turn backward;
6. mountains, that you skip like rams; hills, like young sheep?
7. [We do so] before the Master, the Creator of the earth, before the God of Jacob,
8. Who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flintstone into a water fountain.
Chapter 115
A prayer that God bring this long exile to an end, for the sake of His Name-that it not be desecrated.
1. Not for our sake, Lord, not for our sake, but for the sake of Your Name bestow glory, because of Your kindness and Your truth.
2. Why should the nations say, "Where, now, is their God?”
3. Indeed, our God is in heaven; whatever He desires, He does.
4. Their idols are of silver and gold, the product of human hands.
5. They have a mouth, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see;
6. they have ears, but cannot hear; they have a nose, but cannot smell;
7. their hands cannot touch; their feet cannot walk; they can make no sound in their throat.
8. Those who make them will become like them-all who put their trust in them.
9. Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.
10. House of Aaron, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.
11. You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.
12. The Lord who is ever mindful of us, may He bless: May He bless the House of Israel; may He bless the House of Aaron;
13. may He bless those who fear the Lord, the small with the great.
14. May the Lord increase [blessing] upon you, upon you and upon your children.
15. You are blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
16. The heavens are the Lord's heavens, but the earth He gave to the children of man.
17. The dead cannot praise the Lord, nor any who descend into the silence [of the grave].
18. But we will bless the Lord from now to eternity. Praise the Lord!
Chapter 116
This psalm contains magnificent praises to God. It also describes David's love for God, in light of all the miracles He performed for him. David does not know how to repay God, declaring it impossible to pay back for all God has done for him.
1. I would love if the Lord would listen to my voice, to my supplications;
2. if He would turn His ear to me on the days when I call.
3. The pangs of death encompassed me and the misery of the grave came upon me; I encounter trouble and sorrow.
4. I invoke the Name of the Lord, "Lord, I implore you, deliver my soul!”
5. The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is compassionate.
6. The Lord watches over the simpletons; I was brought low, and He saved me.
7. Return, my soul, to your tranquility, for the Lord has bestowed goodness upon you.
8. For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
9. I shall walk before the Lord in the lands of the living.
10. I had faith even when I declared, "I am greatly afflicted";
11. [even when] I said in my haste, "All men are deceitful.”
12. How can I repay the Lord for all His beneficences to me?
13. I will raise the cup of deliverance and proclaim the Name of the Lord.
14. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people.
15. Grievous in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His pious ones.
16. I thank you, Lord, that since I am Your servant, I am Your servant the son of Your maidservant, You have loosened my bonds.
17. To You I will bring an offering of thanksgiving, and proclaim the Name of the Lord.
18. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people,
19. in the courtyards of the House of the Lord, in the midst of Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!
Chapter 117
This psalm of two verses alludes to the Messianic era, when the Children of Israel will enjoy their former glory. All will praise God, in fulfillment of the verse, "All will then call in the Name of God."
1. Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples.
2. For His kindness was mighty over us, and the truth of the Lord is everlasting. Praise the Lord!
Chapter 118
This psalm describes David's immense trust in God. It also contains many praises to God, Who has fulfilled that which He has promised us.
1. Offer praise to the Lord for He is good, for His kindness is everlasting.
2. Let Israel declare that His kindness is everlasting.
3. Let the House of Aaron declare that His kindness is everlasting.
4. Let those who fear the Lord declare that His kindness is everlasting.
5. From out of distress I called to God; with abounding relief, God answered me.
6. The Lord is with me, I do not fear-what can man do to me?
7. The Lord is with me among my helpers, and I will see [the downfall of] my enemies.
8. It is better to rely on the Lord than to trust in man.
9. It is better to rely on the Lord than to trust in nobles.
10. All the nations surrounded me, but in the Name of the Lord I will cut them down.
11. They surrounded me, they encompassed me, but in the Name of the Lord I will cut them down.
12. They surrounded me like bees, yet they shall be extinguished like fiery thorns; in the Name of the Lord I will cut them down.
13. You [my foes] repeatedly pushed me to fall, but the Lord helped me.
14. God is my strength and song, and He has been a help to me.
15. The sound of rejoicing and deliverance reverberates in the tents of the righteous, "The right hand of the Lord performs deeds of valor.
16. The right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord performs deeds of valor!”
17. I shall not die, but I shall live and recount the deeds of God.
18. God has indeed chastised me, but He did not give me up to death.
19. Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter them and praise God.
20. This is the gate of the Lord, the righteous will enter it.
21. I offer thanks to You, for You have answered me, and You have been my deliverance.
22. The stone which the builders scorned has become the chief cornerstone.
23. From the Lord has this come about; it is wondrous in our eyes.
24. This is the day which the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice on it.
25. We implore You, Lord, deliver us. We implore You, Lord, grant us success.
26. Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord; we bless you from the House of the Lord.
27. The Lord is a benevolent God and He has given us light; bind the festival offering with cords until [you bring it to] the horns of the altar.
28. You are my God and I will praise You, my God-and I will exalt You.
29. Praise the Lord for He is good, for His kindness is everlasting.
Tanya:: Likutei Amarim, middle of Chapter 37
• Lessons in Tanya
• Today's Tanya Lesson
• Wednesday, 24 Adar, 5777 · 22 March 2017
•: Likutei Amarim, middle of Chapter 37
• זאת ועוד אחרת
An additional [virtue] in mitzvot involving action (aside from their function in elevating one’s animal soul, mentioned above):
שכח נפש החיונית המתלבש באותיות הדבור בתלמוד תורה או תפלה וכיוצא בהן או מצות מעשיות
the vitalizing soul’s energy clothed in the utterance of letters of one’s speech in Torah study, prayer or the like, or the energy clothed in the performance of mitzvot involving action
הרי כל גידולו וחיותו מהדם, שמקליפת נוגה ממש
derives its entire growth and vitality from the blood, which is of kelipat nogah itself,
שהן כל אוכלין ומשקין שאכל ושתה, ונעשו דם
meaning all the food and drink that one has eaten and drunk, and which have become blood.
שהיו תחת ממשלתה, וינקו חיותם ממנה
These were under the dominion of kelipat nogah and drew their vitality from it.
ועתה היא מתהפכת מרע לטוב ונכללת בקדושה, על ידי כח נפש החיונית הגדל ממנה, שנתלבש באותיות אלה או בעשיה זו, אשר הן הן פנימיות רצונו יתברך בלי שום הסתר פנים
Now that the person performs a mitzvah with the energy derived from this food and drink this kelipah is transformed from evil to good and is absorbed into holiness, by means of the energy of the animal soul that grows from it (i.e., the energy nourished by those objects that derive their vitality from this kelipah), which has now clothed itself in these letters of Torah and prayer or in the performance of this mitzvah, which actually constitute the unveiled expression of the inner aspect of G‑d’s Will.
וחיותן נכלל גם כן באור אין סוף ברוך הוא, שהוא רצונו יתברך
For their vitality (the vitality expended in performing mitzvot) is also absorbed (like the mitzvot themselves) into the blessed Ein Sof-light, which is His Will as expressed in mitzvot,
ובחיותן נכלל ועולה גם כן כח נפש החיונית
and with their vitality the energy of the animal soul is likewise elevated and absorbed into the Ein Sof-light; and since the energy necessary for performing mitzvot was supplied by food and drink, the vitality of the food and drink is likewise absorbed in the Ein Sof-light, together with the mitzvah whose performance it made possible.
ועל ידי זה תעלה גם כן כללות קליפת נוגה, שהיא כללות החיות של עולם הזה הגשמי והחומרי
Thereby, all of kelipat nogah, which constitutes the vitality of this physical and corporeal world as a whole, will ascend as well. When will this come about?
כאשר כל הנשמה ונפש האלקית שבכל ישראל, המתחלקת בפרטות לששים רבוא, תקיים כל נפש פרטית כל תרי׳׳ג מצות התורה
When the whole neshamah, the divine soul1 in all of Israel, which is divided into 600,000 particular offshoots (the standard figure for the members of the Jewish nation, all individual souls being further subdivisions of these 600,000 “general” souls, as will be explained further) will fulfill, each individual soul thereof, the 613mitzvot of the Torah:
שס״ה לא תעשה, להפריד שס׳׳ה גידים של דם נפש החיונית שבגוף
when they will refrain from transgressing the 365 prohibitions, to restrain the 365 blood vessels of the animal soul in the body,
שלא יינקו ויקבלו חיות בעבירה זו מאת שלש קליפות הטמאות לגמרי, שמהן נשפעים שס׳׳ה לא תעשה דאורייתא, וענפיהן שהן מדרבנן
so that they do not draw nurture or receive vitality by means of such transgression, from any one of the three completely unclean kelipot from which are derived the 365 Biblical prohibitions, and the Rabbinical prohibitions — their offshoots.
Since all that derives its vitality from the three wholly unclean kelipot cannot rise to holiness, were a Jew to transgress any prohibition, and thereby cause the particular blood-vessel associated with that prohibition to receive vitality from these kelipot —
ושוב לא תוכל נפש החיונית לעלות אל ה׳, אם נטמאה בטומאת השלש קליפות הטמאות
the vitalizing soul could not longer ascend to G‑d, having been tainted by the impurity of the three impurekelipot.
שאין להן עליה לעולם, כי אם ביטול והעברה לגמרי
[For] these [kelipot] can never be elevated, but must be nullified and utterly destroyed,
כמו שכתוב: ואת רוח הטומאה אעביר מן האר׳
as it is written,2 “And I shall drive out the unclean spirit from the earth.”
Similarly, anything which derives its vitality from them can never ascend to holiness. Therefore, only the observance of all the 365 prohibitions allows the entire vital soul to ascend, without any part of it held back by the impurity of thesekelipot.
ורמ״ח מצות עשה, להמשיך אור אין סוף ברוך הוא למטה
When, furthermore, every individual soul will fulfill also the 248 positive commandments, thereby drawing down the blessed Ein Sof-light below,
להעלות לו ולקשר ולייחד בו כללות הנפש החיונית שברמ״ח אברי הגוף ביחוד גמור, להיות לאחדים ממש
to elevate to Him and to bind and unite with Him the entire vital soul, which is in the 248 limbs of the body, in perfect unity, (such is the effect of a mitzvah in uniting the vital, animal soul with G‑d), so that they become actually one [with Him],
כמו שעלה ברצונו יתברך להיות לו דירה בתחתונים, והם לו למרכבה כמו האבות
in accordance with His Will that there be an abode for Him in the lower realms, and so great is this unity thatthey (the limbs of the body with the vitality of the animal soul invested in them) become a “chariot” for G‑d, as were the Patriarchs — whose every limb was in total submission to the Divine Will, wherefore they are designated as G‑d’s “chariots” — and so will every Jew become a chariot by performing the mitzvot.
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. | The Rebbe asks the following question: We are speaking here of the vital soul’s energy which is clothed in the letters of Torah study, prayer, and the performance of divine commandments. This energy comes from the person’s food and drink, which is under the dominion of kelipat nogah. And it is through the vitalizing soul that the life-force of kelipat nogah is transformed and absorbed into holiness. Moreover, the Alter Rebbe is now about to explain more specifically how the vitalizing soul (and through it the general vitality of this world) is united with G‑d’s Will and infinite light through the performance of both the positive and prohibitive commands of the Torah. This being so, why does the Alter Rebbe interpolate the phrase, “When the whole neshamah, the divine soul in all of Israel,” when we are in reality speaking of the vitalizing soul? The Rebbe says that the answer may possibly lie in the fact that a certain number of the 613 commandments are carried out through a person’s thought processes. The effect of the vitalizing soul, however, is felt mostly in those matters that relate to speech and action, inasmuch as the vitalizing soul is bound up with the corporeal limbs and organs. These are utilized for those commandments that are performed through action or speech. Conversely, the commandments performed through the person’s thought are for the most part carried out by the divine soul without the intermediacy of the vitalizing soul. The term “divine soul” is therefore used here, for the ultimate source of power that enables a person to perform all the commandments is the divine soul. |
| 2. | Zechariah 13:2. |
• Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
• Negative Commandment 85• Replicating the Incense
"You shall not make for yourselves according to its composition"—Exodus 30:37.
We are forbidden to produce incense with the same formula used in the Holy Temple, for the sake of enjoying its fragrance.
Full text of this Mitzvah »• Replicating the Incense
Negative Commandment 85
Translated by Berel Bell
The 85th prohibition is that we are forbidden from making incense according to the formula used in the ketores, i.e. composed of the same mixture of spices in the same measure, with the intention of using it for incense.
The source of this mitzvah is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "[One who makes incense] shall not make it with this formula."
The Torah explains that one who intentionally transgresses this prohibition by making such a mixture with the intention of smelling its smoke receives kares, as it is written,2 "If a person makes it to enjoy its fragrance, he shall be cut off (nichras) from his people." If he did so unintentionally, he must bring a sin offering.
The details of this mitzvah are explained in the beginning of tractate Kerisus.3
FOOTNOTES
1.Ex. 30:37.
2.Ibid., 30:38.
3.5a
• Negative Commandment 82• Offering Sacrifices on the Golden Altar
"You shall not offer on it strange incense, nor a burnt or meal-offering; neither shall you pour a libation upon it"—Exodus 30:9.
It is forbidden to offer any sacrifice on the Golden Altar in the Holy Temple's sanctuary.
Full text of this Mitzvah »• Offering Sacrifices on the Golden Altar
Negative Commandment 82
Translated by Berel Bell
The 82nd prohibition is that we are forbidden from offering any sacrifices [other than those dictated by the Torah] on the Golden Altar in the Sanctuary.
The source of this mitzvah is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "Do not burn on it any unauthorized incense; do not offer any burnt offering, meal offering or libation on it."
Anyone who brings an offering on it or sprinkles on it blood other than that which is designated2 is punished with lashes.
FOOTNOTES
1.Ex. 30:9.
2.I.e. blood of the Yom Kippur sacrifices and the "burnt cows and goats." See Zevachim 5:1-2
• Positive Commandment 34• Transportation of the Holy Ark
"Because the service of the holy belongs to them, they shall bear upon their shoulders"—Numbers 7:9.
The kohanim (priests) are commanded to carry the Ark [containing the Tablets] on their shoulders—when necessary to transport it from one location to another.
Although the Levites were originally entrusted with this task, this was only in the desert, when the kohanimpopulation was very small. But in all future generations, this is a task reserved for the kohanim.
Full text of this Mitzvah »• Transportation of the Holy Ark
Positive Commandment 34
Translated by Berel Bell
The 34th mitzvah is that we are commanded that the kohanim shall carry the ark on their shoulders whenever it is moved from one place to another.
The source of this mitzvah is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "[He did not give any wagons to the descendants of Kehos] since they had responsibility for the most sacred articles, that they had to carry on their shoulders."
And even though the commandment was said at that time to the Levites,2 this was only because Aaron was the first kohen, and therefore the number of kohanim at that time was very small. For future generations, however, this mitzvah in incumbent on the kohanim. They are the ones who are required to carry it, as explained in the Book of Joshua3 and the Book of Samuel.4
When Dovid commanded the transportation of the ark the second time, it is written in Chronicles,5 "The sons of the Levites6 carried the ark of G‑d on their shoulders with poles, as Moshe commanded in the name of G‑d."7 Similarly, when the division of the kohanim into 24 watches is mentioned in Chronicles,8 it is written thereafter, "These have been appointed to serve in the House of G‑d as commanded to their father Aaron, as commanded by G‑d, the G‑d of Israel." Our Sages explained that this hints to the service of the kohanim of carrying the ark on their shoulders — this is what was "commanded by G‑d, the G‑d of Israel." The Sifri9 says, "The verse says, 'as commanded [to their father Aaron,] as commanded by G‑d, the G‑d of Israel.' Where were they commanded? In the verse, 'He did not give [any wagons] to the descendants of Kehos [since they had responsibility for the most sacred articles,] which they had to carry on their shoulders.' " This10 shows that it [carrying the ark on the shoulders] is counted among the mitzvos.
FOOTNOTES
1.Num. 7:9.
2.The descendants of Kehos were Levites, not kohanim.
3.3:6.
4.II, 15:25ff.
5.Chronicles I, 15:15.
6.I.e. the Kohanim. See Kapach, 5731, footnote 99, where he refers to the 24 places that kohanim are referred to as Levites. See Megillas Esther, Principle 3:2. The Ramban, however (ibid.), brings this as a proof that the mitzvah is incumbent upon the Levites.
7.This verse proves that the commandment in Scripture was for all generations, not just for the desert.
8.I, 24:19.
9.Num. 7:9.
10.I.e. the phrase, "where were they commanded?"
• Negative Commandment 86• Removing the Ark's Poles
"The poles shall be in the ark's rings; they shall not be removed from them"—Exodus 25:15.
It is forbidden to remove the poles of the ark [which were used in order to transport it from location to location] from their designated rings on the ark's exterior.
Full text of this Mitzvah »
• Removing the Ark's Poles
Negative Commandment 86
Translated by Berel Bell
The 86th prohibition is that we are forbidden from removing the poles [used to carry the] ark from its rings.
The source of this mitzvah is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "The poles must remain in the ark's rings and they shall not be removed."
One who transgresses this prohibition is punished with lashes.
When discussing those prohibitions that are punishable by lashes in the end of tractate Makkos,2 our Sages asked, "But the Tanna omitted one who removed the poles from the ark" — i.e. that he is also punished by lashes — "which is prohibited from the verse, 'they shall not be removed.' " This shows that it counts as a prohibition and that it is punishable by lashes.
FOOTNOTES
1.Ex. 25:15.
2.22a.
• Rambam • 1 Chapter: Shechenim Shechenim - Chapter One
• Shechenim - Chapter One
Introduction to Hilchos Shechenim
The purpose of the these laws is to know the proper way to divide land among partners, how one should remove factors that may cause danger to one's neighbor and those upon whom one's property borders, and the laws concerning the privileges granted to a person upon whose land one's property borders. These laws are explained in the chapters that follow.
הלכות שכנים - הקדמה
הלכות שכנים ענין אלו ההלכות לידע דין חלוק הקרקעות בין השותפין והרחקת נזק כל אחד מהם משכנו ומבעל המצר שלו ודין בעל המצר וביאור כל הדינין האלו בפרקים אלו:
1
The following rules apply when a person purchases half of a field from a colleague, two people together purchase a field from a colleague, they both inherited a field,a field was given them as a gift, or they took possession of ownerless land or property belonging to a convert who died without leaving Jewish heirs - i.e., any situation in which two people own land in partnership.
If one of the partners asks to divide the property and take his portion alone, and the property is large enough to be divided, we compel the other partners to divide the property with him. If the property is not large enough to be divided, neither partner can require the other one to divide the property. Similar laws apply with regard to movable property.
When does the above apply? When neither of the parties recognizes a specific portion of the property they share as his own, but rather both use the entire property equally. If, however, one of the partners recognizes a portion of the property as his own, each one has the right to compel the other partner to make a divider between his portion and his colleague's portion, although the property is not large enough to be divided.
א
אחד הקונה מחבירו חצי שדהו או שנים שקנו מאחד שדה או שירשו או שנתנה להן במתנה או שהחזיקו בה מן ההפקר או נכסי גר כללו של דבר כל שיש ביניהם שותפות בקרקע וביקש אחד מן השותפין לחלק וליטול חלקו לבדו אם יש באותה קרקע דין חלוקה כופה את שאר השותפין וחולקין עמו ואם אין בה דין חלוקה אין אחד מהן יכול לכוף את חבירו לחלוק וכן הדין במטלטלין בד"א בשאין אחד מהן מכיר את חלקו במקום שהן שותפין בו אלא יד כולן משתמש בכל המקום אבל אם היה אחד מהן מכיר חלקו אף על פי שאין בה דין חלוקה כופה כל אחד מהן את חבירו להבדיל בין חלקו לחלק חבירו:
2
In a situation where the property is not large enough to be divided or with regard to an entity that cannot be divided - e.g., a maidservant or a utensil - if one of the partners tells the other: "Sell me your portion for this and this much, or buy my portion for the same price," his request is supported by the law. We compel the other partner either to sell his share to his colleague or to purchase his colleague's share from him.
If, however, the other partner does not desire to purchase his partner's share or does not have the means to do so, he cannot compel his colleague to purchase his share from him even at the low market price. For his colleague may tell him: "I do not want to buy; I want to sell."
Therefore, the following laws apply if two brothers, one rich and one poor, inherited from their father a bathhouse or an olive press. If the father made these premises for the purpose of hire, the two share the rental equally for as long as they desire to remain partners.
If the father made these structures for his personal use, the poor brother cannot force the rich brother to hire them out. Instead, they should use them as their father used them. The rich brother can tell the poor brother: "Purchase olives and crush them in the olive press; purchase servants and have them come and wash in the bathhouse."
The poor brother cannot compel the rich brother to purchase his portion unless the poor brother tells him: "Purchase my portion from me or sell me your portion. For I will borrow from others and purchase it or sell it to others, and they will purchase it." If he makes such statements, his claim is supported by law.
If each of the brothers says: "I don't want to purchase your portion; I want to sell my portion," the property should be sold to others.
The following rules apply if both of them say: "I will not sell," but instead each of them wishes to purchase his colleague's portion, or neither of them desires to purchase his colleague's portion, nor to sell his own portion, but instead to remain partners in the property.
What should they do? If the place was fit to rent, they should hire it out and divide the rent. If the place was not fit to rent they should alternate. If the property is a courtyard, they should dwell in it, each for a year at a time. The rationale for this ruling is that it is impossible for them to dwell in it together, because of the lack of privacy, and it is not large enough to divide. A more frequent rotation is not employed, because a person would not trouble himself to move from one courtyard to another every 30 days. Hence, the rotation is carried out from year to year.
If the shared property is a bathhouse, both of them are allowed to enter at all times during the day. The same principle applies to any object that is fit to be used at all times and is not usually hired out - e.g., a bathhouse, a mattress or a Torah scroll. One cannot tell the other: "You use it one day, and I will use it the next day." For the other can claim: "I want to use it every day."
ב
אחד מן השותפין שאמר לחבירו במקום שאין בו דין חלוקה או בדבר שאי אפשר שיחלקו כגון שפחה או כלי מכור לי חלקך בכך וכך או קנה ממני כשער הזה הדין עמו וכופין את הנתבע למכור לחבירו או לקנות ממנו אבל אם אין התובע רוצה לקנות או לא ימצא במה יקנה אינו יכול לכוף את חבירו לקנות ממנו אפילו כשער הזול שהרי חבירו יכול לומר לו אין רצוני שאקנה אלא שאמכור לפיכך שני אחין אחד עני ואחד עשיר שהניח להם אביהם מרחץ או בית הבד אם עשאן האב לשכר השכר לאמצע כל זמן שירצו לעמוד בשותפות עשאן האב לעצמו אינו יכול לכוף אחיו להשכיר אותם אלא משתמשין בהם כדרך שהשתמש אביהם והרי עשיר אומר לעני קח לך זיתים ובוא ועשה אותם בבית הבד קנה לך עבדים ויבאו וירחצו במרחץ ואין העני כופה את העשיר לקנות חלקו אא"כ אמר לו קנה ממני או מכור לי והריני לוה וקונה או מוכר לאחרים וקונין הדין עמו אמר כל אחד מהן איני קונה אלא הריני מוכר חלקי מוכרין אותה לאחרים אמר כל אחד מהם איני מוכר אלא כל אחד מהן רוצה שיקנה חלק חבירו או שאין אחד מהן רוצה לא לקנות חלק חבירו ולא למכור חלקו אלא ישארו שותפין בגוף היאך הן עושין אם היה המקום עשוי לשכר משכירין אותו וחולקין שכרו ואם אינו עשוי לשכר אם חצר הוא שוכנין בה שנה שנה שאי אפשר שישכנו שניהם כאחת מפני היזק ראייה שהרי אין בה דין חלוקה ואין אדם עשוי לטרוח כל שלשים יום לפנות מחצר לחצר אלא משנה לשנה ואם מרחץ הוא נכנסין לה שניהם תמיד בכל יום:
וכן כל דבר שראוי להשתמש בו תמיד ואינו עשוי לשכר כגון מרחץ או מצע או ספר תורה אינו יכול לומר לו השתמש אתה יום ואני יום שהרי אומר לו בכל יום אני רוצה להשתמש בו:
3
When one person rents from a colleague a portion of a courtyard or a field that is not large enough to divide or two people rent such a property in partnership, each one can compel his colleague and tell him: "Either rent my portion from me or rent me your portion." If the property is large enough to divide, it should be divided.
ג
אחד השוכר מחבירו מקצת חצר או שדה שאין בה דין חלוקה או שנים ששכרו מקום אחד בשותפות כל אחד מהן יכול לכוף את חבירו ולומר לו או שכור ממני חלקי או השכיר לי חלקך ואם יש בה דין חלוקה חולקין:
4
What is meant by a property being large enough to divide? That if it were divided among the partners, even the partner with the smallest share would receive a portion of the property large enough to be referred to by the same name that is used to refer to the entire entity. If, however, the name that is used to refer to the entire entity would not be used for this portion, it is not large enough to divide.
What is implied? Whenever a courtyard does not contain four cubits by four cubits, it cannot be called a courtyard. Whenever a field is not large enough to sow nine kabbim of grain, it is not considered to be a field. Whenever a garden is not large enough to sow a half a kav, it is not considered to be a garden. Whenever an orchard is not large enough to sow three kabbim, it is not considered to be an orchard.
Therefore, a courtyard is not divided among partners unless it is large enough for each of the partners to receive at least four cubits by four cubits. A field is not divided unless it is large enough for each of the partners to receive at least enough to sow nine kabbim. A garden is not divided unless it is large enough for each of the partners to receive at least enough to sow half a kav. And an orchard is not divided unless it is large enough for each of the partners to receive at least enough to sow three kabbim.
Where does the above apply? In Eretz Yisrael and lands like it. In Babylonia and lands like it, by contrast each partner must receive a larger measure. A field is not divided unless it is large enough for each of the partners to receive at least enough to require a day of plowing. An orchard is not divided unless it is large enough for each of the partners to receive at least 36 trees - this is the number that requires one person to tend to them for a day. A field that is watered with a utensil is not divided unless it is large enough for each of the partners to receive at least enough that a workman will spend a day watering it.
ד
אי זהו דין חלוקה כל שאילו יחלק לפי השותפין יגיע לפחות שבהם חלק ששם הכל קרוי עליו אבל אם אין שם הכל נקרא על החלק אין בה דין חלוקה כיצד כל חצר שאין בה ארבע אמות על ארבע אמות אינה קרויה חצר וכל שדה שאין בה כדי זריעת תשעה קבין אינה קרויה שדה וכל גינה שאין בה כדי זריעת חצי קב אינה קרויה גינה וכל פרדס שאין בו כדי זריעת שלשה קבין אינו קרוי פרדס לפיכך אין חולקין את החצר עד שיהיה ארבע אמות לכל אחד ואחד מן השותפין ולא את השדה עד שיהיה בה כדי זריעת תשעה קבין [לכל אחד ואחד] ולא את הגינה עד שיהא בה חצי קב לכל אחד ואחד ולא את הפרדס עד שיהא בו בית שלשה קבין לכל אחד ואחד במה דברים אמורים בארץ ישראל וכיוצא בה אבל בבבל וכיוצא בה אין חולקין את השדה עד שיהיה בה כדי חרישת יום לזה וחרישת יום לזה ולא את הפרדס עד שהיה בו ל"ו אילנות לזה [ול"ו אילנות לזה] כדי עבודת אדם אחד ביום אחד ושדה שמשקין אותה בכלי עד שיהא בה כדי שימלא הפועל יום אחד לזה ויום אחד לזה:
5
One should not divide a hall, a large building, a dovecote, an olive press, a bathhouse or a garment unless each of the recipients will receive a portion sufficient for himself. If one is dividing a bathhouse, each portion must be useful as a bathhouse. If one is dividing a dovecote, each portion must be useful as a dovecote. The same principles apply with regard to a garment or other objects.
If the entity is not large enough to divide, its value is assessed. One can tell one's fellow partner: "Either sell it to me or buy it from me."
If the entity is not large enough to divide, but one partner says to the other: "Let us divide this even though the portions are not equal. I will take the smaller portion and you take the larger portion," we are not required to accept his proposition. For the other partner will tell him: "I do not desire to receive a gift." Instead, since the entity is not large enough for an equal division, we assess its financial value.
ה
אין חולקין את הטרקלין ולא את המורן ולא את השובך ולא את בית הבד ולא את המרחץ ולא את הטלית עד שיהא בכל חלק מהן כדי לזה וכדי לזה אם מרחץ חלקו עד שיהא בכל חלק מהן כדי מרחץ ואם שובך עד שיהא כל חלק שובך בפני עצמו וכן בטלית ובשאר כל הדברים אין בהן כדי לזה וכדי לזה מעלין אותו בדמים ויש [לו] לומר לחבירו או מכור לי או קנה ממני אמר אחד מהן חלוק זה אע"פ שאין החלקין שוים אנו אטול את הפחות וטול אתה את היתר אין שומעין לו שהרי אומר לו אין רצוני ליקח מתנה אלא הואיל ואין בה דין חלוקה בשוה הרי אנו מעלין בדמים:
• Klei Hamikdash - Chapter 3
1
The descendants of Levi were singled out for service in the Sanctuary, as [Deuteronomy 10:8] states: "At that time, God separated the tribe of Levi."1 It is a positive commandment2for the Levites to be free and prepared for the service of the Sanctuary, whether they desire to do so or not,3 as [Numbers 18:23] states: "And the Levite shall perform the service of the tent of meeting." When a Levite accepts all the mitzvot of the Levites with the exception of one matter, he is not accepted unless he accepts them all.
א
זרע לוי כולו מובדל לעבודת המקדש שנאמר בעת ההיא הבדיל י"י את שבט הלוי ומצות עשה להיות הלוים פנויין ומוכנין לעבודת המקדש בין רצו בין שלא רצו שנאמר ועבד הלוי הוא את עבודת אהל מועד ובן לוי שקבל עליו כל מצות לויה חוץ מדבר אחד אין מקבלין אותו עד שיקבל את כולן:
2
Their service was to guard the Temple.4 Among [the Levities], there were gate-keepers5 who would open the gates of the Temple and close its doors. And there were singers who would accompany the sacrifices with song each day. [The latter concept is derived from the exegesis of Deuteronomy 18:7]: "And he shall serve in the name of God, his Lord, as all of his Levite brethren." Which service involves [invoking] the name of God? I would say: song.
When were songs recited? At the time all the communal burnt offerings,6 the peace offerings brought on Shavuous,7 and the wine libations8 were brought. Song was not recited over the freewill burnt offerings that the community would bring for "the dessert of the altar,"9 nor on the wine libations that are brought independently.10
ב
עבודה שלהן היא שיהיו שומרין את המקדש ויהיו מהן שוערין לפתוח שערי המקדש ולהגיף דלתותיו ויהיו מהן משוררין לשורר על הקרבן בכל יום שנאמר ושרת בשם י"י אלהיו ככל אחיו הלוים אי זהו שירות שהוא בשם י"י הוי אומר זו שירה ומתי אומר שירה על כל עולות הציבור החובה ועל שלמי עצרת בעת ניסוך היין אבל עולות נדבה שמקריבין הציבור לקיץ למזבח וכן הנסכין הבאין בפני עצמן אין אומרין עליהן שירה:
3
A Levite who is in an acute state of mourning11 is permitted to perform his service and sing.12 There should never be less than twelve Levites13 standing on the duchan14 each day to recite the songs over the sacrifices and the additional offerings. The songs were song vocally without musical instruments, for the fundamental dimension of the song is vocalization. Others would stand on [the duchan] and play melodies with musical instruments: some of them were Levites and some of them were Israelites of distinguished lineage, fit to marry into the priesthood. For only a person of distinguished lineage was allowed to ascend to the duchan.15 The people who play musical instruments are not included in the number of the twelve singers [required].
ג
לוי האונן מותר לעבוד ולשורר ואין פוחתין משנים עשר לוים עומדים על הדוכן בכל יום לומר שירה על הקרבן ומוסיפין עד לעולם ואין אומרין שירה אלא בפה בלא כלי שעיקר השירה שהיא עבודתה בפה ואחרים היו עומדים שם מנגנין בכלי שיר מהן לוים ומהן ישראלים מיוחסין המשיאין לכהונה שאין עולה על הדוכן אלא מיוחס ואין אלו המשוררים על פי הכלים עולין למנין השנים עשר:
4
On what instruments would they play? On lyres, flutes, harps, trumpets, and a cymbal.16 There should not be less than two lyres, nor more than six. There should not be less than two flutes, nor more than twelve. There should not be less than two trumpets, nor more than one hundred and twenty.17 There should not be more less than nine harps and there is no upper limit. There should only be one cymbal.
ד
ובמה הם מנגנין בנבלים וחלילים וכנורות וחצוצרות והצלצל ואין פוחתין משני נבלים ולא מוסיפין על ששה ואין פוחתין משני חלילים ולא מוסיפין על שנים עשר ואין פוחתין משתי חצוצרות ולא מוסיפין על עשרים ומאה ואין פוחתין מתשעה כנורות ומוסיפין עד לעולם והצלצל אחד בלבד:
5
On all the days of the festivals and on the Rashei Chadashim, the priests would sound the trumpets while the sacrifice was being offered and the Levites would recite songs, as [Numbers 10:10] states: "On the day of your celebration, on your festivals, and at the beginning of your months, you shall sound the trumpets."18
Each trumpet was made from a block of silver.19 If it was made from scraps of silver, it is acceptable. If it is made from other metals, it is unacceptable.
The flutes on which they would play would have cane reeds, because they produce a sweet sound. The melody would always be played by a single flute, because it produces a pleasant sound.20
ה
בימי המועדות כולם ובראשי חדשים היו הכהנים תוקעים בחצוצרות בשעת הקרבן והלוים אומרין שירה שנאמר וביום שמחתכם ובמועדיכם ובראשי חדשיכם ותקעתם בחצוצרות החצוצרה היתה נעשית מן עשת של כסף עשה אותה מן הגרוטאות של כסף כשירה משאר מיני מתכות פסולה והחלילין שהיו מנגנין בהן היה אבוב שלהן של קנה מפני שקולו ערב ולא היה מחלק אלא באבוב יחידי מפני שהוא מחלק יפה:
6
Twelve days a year, the flute would be sounded before the altar:21 During the slaughter of the first Paschal sacrifice,22and during the second Paschal sacrifice,23 on the first day of Pesach, on the first day of Shavuot, and on the eight days of Sukkot. [The sounding of] the flute on these occasions24supersedes the Sabbath [prohibitions],25 because it is associated with a sacrifice and the sounding of a flute associated with a sacrifice is an act of Temple service and supersedes the Sabbath prohibitions.
ו
בשנים עשר יום בשנה החליל מכה לפני המזבח: בשחיטת פסח ראשון ובשחיטת פסח שני וביום טוב הראשון של פסח וביום הראשון של עצרת ובשמנה ימי החג וחליל זה דוחה שבת מפני שהוא חליל של קרבן וחליל של קרבן עבודה היא ודוחה את השבת:
7
A Levite may not enter the Temple Courtyard to perform his service until he studied for five years beforehand. [This concept is derived as follows. Numbers 8:24] states: "This is [the edict] with regard to the Levites: From the age of 25..." and [ibid. 4:30] states: "From the age of 30...." How can [this apparent contradiction be resolved]? They study for five years and they do not enter the service until they fully mature and attain manhood [as ibid.:19] states: "Each man to his service."26
ז
אין בן לוי נכנס לעזרה לעבודתו עד שילמדוהו חמש שנים תחלה שנאמר זאת אשר ללוים מבן חמש ועשרים שנה וכתוב אחד אומר מבן שלשים שנה הא כיצד חמש ללמוד ואינו נכנס לעבודה עד שיגדיל ויהיה איש שנאמר איש איש על עבודתו:
8
The Torah's statement [Numbers 8:25]: "At the age of 50, he will turn back from the ranks of the workers [of the Sanctuary]," applied only in the era when the Sanctuary was carried from place to place. It is not an [ongoing] mitzvah for future generations.27 For future generations, a Levite is not disqualified because of age or because of physical blemishes,28 only due to a change in voice,29 i.e., if his voice spoils because of his advance age, he is disqualified from serving in the Temple. It appears to me that he is disqualified only from serving as a singer, but he could become one of the doorkeepers.30
ח
זה שנאמר בתורה בלוים ומבן חמשים שנה ישוב מצבא העבודה אינו אלא בזמן שהיו נושאין המקדש ממקום למקום ואינו מצוה נוהגת לדורות אבל לדורות אין הלוי נפסל בשנים ולא במומין אלא בקול שיתקלקל קולו מרוב הזקנה יפסל לעבודתו במקדש ויראה לי שאינו נפסל אלא לומר שירה אבל יהיה מן השוערים:
9
Samuel the Seer and King David divided the Levites into 24 watches.31Each week, a different watch would serve [in the Temple]. The head of the watch would divide all the men of the watch into different "clans." On each day of the week, designated men would serve.32 The heads of the clans would assign the workers on the day that they were designated to work, [allotting each] one appropriate tasks.
All of the Levites are warned [not to participate in] the service of the altar,33 as [ibid. 18:3] states: "But to the holy utensils and to the altar they should not draw close so they do not die." [This prohibition implies] that they should not draw close to the service [of the Sanctuary], but they may touch [the sacred utensils].34
ט
שמואל הרואה ודוד המלך חלקו הלוים לארבעה ועשרים משמרות ועובד משמר בכל שבת וכל אנשי משמר מחלק אותם ראש המשמר לבתי אבות וכל יום מימי השבת עובדים בו אנשים ידועים וראשי האבות מחלקין אלו העובדים ביום שלהן איש איש על עבודתו וכל הלוים מוזהרין על עבודת המזבח שנאמר אך אל כלי הקדש ואל המזבח לא יקרבו ולא ימותו לא יקרבו לעבודה אבל ליגע מותרין:
10
Just as the Levites were warned not to perform the service of the priests,35so too, the priests are warned not to perform the work of the Levites, as [the above verse] states: "Also they,36 also you [shall not die]."37 Similarly, the Levites themselves were warned that each one should not perform the task incumbent on a colleague.38 Thus a singer should not assist39 a door-keeper, nor a door-keeper a singer, as [ibid. 4:49] states: "Every men, according to his service and his burden."
י
וכשם שהלוים מוזהרין שלא לעבוד עבודת הכהנים כך הכהנים מוזהרין שלא לעבוד עבודת הלוים שנאמר גם הם גם אתם וכן הלוים עצמם מוזהרים שלא יעשה אחד מלאכת חבירו שלא יסייע המשורר לשוער ולא השוער למשורר שנאמר איש איש על עבודתו ואל משאו:
11
When Levites perform the service of the priests or one Levi assisted in a task that is not his, they are liable for death at the hand of heaven, for [ibid. 18:3] states: "shall not die."40 When, by contrast, a priest performs the service of a Levite, he is not liable for death. Instead, he violates merely a negative commandment.41
יא
לוים שעבדו עבודת הכהנים או שסייע לוי במלאכה שאינה מלאכתו חייבין מיתה בידי שמים שנאמר ולא ימותו אבל כהן שעבד עבודת לוי אינו במיתה אלא בלא תעשה:
FOOTNOTES
1.
See also Hilchot Shemitah VeYovel 13:12 which states:
Why did the Levites not receive a portion in the inheritance of Eretz Yisrael and in the spoils of war like their brethren? Because they were set aside to serve God and minister unto Him and to instruct people at large in His just paths and righteous judgments, as [Deuteronomy 33:10] states: "They will teach Your judgments to Jacob and Your Torah to Israel." Therefore they were set apart from the ways of the world.
2.
Sefer HaMitzvot (positive mitzvah 23) and Sefer HaChinuch (mitzvah 394) include this mitzvah in their reckoning of the 613 mitzvot of the Torah.
3.
The Sifri to the prooftext quoted states that they can be compelled to do so against their will.
4.
See Hilchot Beit HaBechirah, ch. 8, which describes the guarding of the Temple.
5.
See I Chronicles 9:17-26 which lists the Levites who served this function. The guards would serve as watchmen and not perform any physical work. The gatekeepers performed physical activities, opening the gates, closing them, and locking them.
6.
I.e., the daily offerings and the special offerings brought on Sabbaths, Rashei Chadashim, and holidays.
7.
As a prooftext for this concept, Arachin 11b cites Numbers 10:10: "And you shall sound the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over peace offerings." The plural term implies offerings that are brought for the entire Jewish people.
8.
Arachin, loc. cit., associates the wine libations with song, stating: "Song is recited only over wine." See Hilchot Temidim UMusafim6:5.
9.
See Hilchot Shekalim 4:9 for a description of these sacrifices.
10.
With this phrase, Rambam is referring to both wine libations brought by individuals and those brought by the community but were not brought on the same day as the sacrifice with which they were associated. See Hilchot Temidim UMusafim 6:8.
11.
I.e., a close relative died that day (Hilchot Bi'at HaMikdash 2:9).
12.
In contrast to a priest who may not offer a sacrifice while in such a state (Ibid.:6).
13.
Arachin 13b explains that there were at least twelve musical instruments playing each day. And there was one singer corresponding to every one of these instruments.
14.
The platform of three steps that divided between the Courtyard of the Israelites and the Courtyard of the Priests (Hilchot Beit HaBechirah 6:3).
15.
Indeed, the fact that a person had served on the duchan is a sign of his lineage.
16.
In his Commentary to the Mishnah (Arachin 2:3), the Rambam describes these instruments at length.
17.
Indeed, II Chronicles 5:12speaks of 120 trumpeters.
18.
The preceding verse speaks of sounding the trumpets as an outcry of distress. This mitzvah is described in Hilchot Ta'aniot, ch. 1. In his Sefer HaMitzvot(positive commandment 59), the Rambam writes that the two soundings of the shofar are considered as a single mitzvah.
19.
Numbers 10:2 speaks of beating out the silver and forming trumpets in that manner.
20.
Our translation follows the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Arachin 2:3). Rashi, Arachin 10a, offers a different interpretation, explaining that all melodies were concluded by a long note from a lone flute.
21.
I.e., on these days, the Levites would sing the Hallel and be accompanied by the flutes alone. On the other days of the year, they would be accompanied by the other instruments (ibid.).
22.
On the 14th of Nissan.
23.
I.e., on Pesach Sheni, on the 14th of Iyar. Those who did not bring a sacrifice on the first Pesach had the opportunity to compensate by bringing the sacrifice a month later (Hilchot Korban Pesach,, ch. 5).
24.
This also applies with regard to the sounding of the other musical instruments. A flute is mentioned, because a flute was also sounded in association with the water libation (see Hilchot Lulav8:13) and the sounding of the flute at that time did not supersede the Sabbath prohibitions (Rashi, Sukkah 50b).
25.
For it is forbidden to sound musical instruments on the Sabbath.
26.
As evident from Chapter 5, Halachah 15, the attainment of manhood mentioned here apparently refers to reaching the age of Bar Mitzvah. Hence the commentaries question the Rambam's statements, for they apparently contradict his statement made previously, that a Levite must be 30 to begin his service. The Radbaz and Rav Yosef Corcus explain that the obligation to be 30 applied only when the Sanctuary was being transported. (Just as the disqualification at age 50 applied only in the era when the Sanctuary was transported [see the following halachah], so too, it is reasonable to postulate that the obligation to be 30 applied only then.) In other eras, all that was necessary was that the Levite study the necessary laws for five years.
27.
See Sefer HaMitzvot,, General Principle 3, which mentions this issue.
28.
As a priest is (see Hilchot Bi'at HaMikdash, ch. 6).
29.
Chullin 24a states that the Levites on the duchan must sing in a manner that their voices sound like one voice. If the voice of a particular Levite becomes spoiled and he is no longer capable of singing in this manner, he is unfit to perform this service.
30.
Indeed, even in the era when the Sanctuary was transported, an elderly person was disqualified only from carrying it. He could serve as a watchman or a singer even then (Har HaMoriah).
31.
Ta'anit 27a derives this concept from I Chronicles 9:22.
32.
The designation of the clans and thus the determination of who would be serving in the Temple on a particular day was the responsibility of the head of the watch (Kessef Mishneh).
33.
This is part of the prohibition mentioned in the following halachah.
34.
This is derived from the law mentioned in Hilchot Mitamei Mishkav UMoshav 11:11 that when the table for the Showbread was displayed to the people, they were warned not to touch it lest it become impure. One can infer that there is no difficulty in touching it per se, only in making it impure (Har HaMoriah).
The commentaries have noted that Numbers 4:15 specifically mentions that the Levites should not touch the sacred utensils and that doing so was punishable by death. It is, however, possible to explain that this stringency only applied during the time the Sanctuary was transported through the desert and not in subsequent generations.
35.
As stated in the previous halachah.
36.
The Levites.
37.
The priests.
38.
Sefer HaMitzvot (negative mitzvah 72) and Sefer HaChinuch (mitzvah 389) include the prohibition against performing service designated for someone else in their reckoning of the 613 mitzvot of the Torah.
39.
The Kessef Mishneh questions the Rambam's ruling, because according to Arichin 11b, the source for the Rambam's ruling, it would appear that someone who merely renders assistance is not liable for violating a Scriptural commandment.
40.
Implying that the violation of this commandment makes one liable to die.
41.
The Ra'avad takes issue with the Rambam's ruling, maintaining that the priests are also liable for death, noting that this is stated in Arichin, loc. cit. The Or Sameachnotes that the Sifri Zuta (which the Rambam quotes in Sefer HaMitzvot, loc. cit., also quoted by the Yalkut Shimoni) to the verse rules differently, distinguishing between the priests and the Levites, leaving room for the Rambam's decision.
Klei Hamikdash - Chapter 4
1
The priests were set aside from the Levites as a whole [to perform] the sacrificial service, as [I Chronicles 23:13] states: "And Aaron was set apart to sanctify him as holy of holies." It is a positive commandment1 to distinguish the priests, make them holy, and prepare them for the sacrifices, as [Leviticus 21:8] states: "And you shall sanctify him because he offers the food of your God."
א
הכהנים הובדלו מכלל הלוים לעבודת הקרבנות שנאמר ויבדל אהרן להקדישו קדש קדשים ומצות עשה היא להבדיל הכהנים ולקדשם ולהכינם לקרבן שנאמר וקדשתו כי את לחם אלהיך הוא מקריב:
2
ב
וצריך כל אדם מישראל לנהוג בהן כבוד הרבה ולהקדים אותם לכל דבר שבקדושה לפתוח בתורה ראשון ולברך ראשון וליטול מנה יפה ראשון:
3
Moses divided the priests into eight watches: four from Elazar and four from Itamar. This continued until [the days of] Samuel the prophet. At that time, he and King David divided them into 24 watches.5 For each watch, there was one who served as the leader. A watch would ascend to Jerusalem to serve for the entire week. They would switch on the Sabbath day. The previous watch would depart and the one which follows would enter.6 [This cycle would continue] until its completion and then they would start again.
ג
משה רבינו חלק הכהנים לח' משמרות ארבעה מאלעזר וארבעה מאיתמר וכן היו עד שמואל הנביא ובימי שמואל חלקם הוא ודוד המלך לארבעה ועשרים משמר ועל כל משמר ומשמר ראש אחד ממונה ועולין לירושלים לעבודה משמר לכל שבת ומיום השבת ליום השבת הן מתחלפין משמר יוצא והאחר שהוא אחריו נכנס עד שיגמרו וחוזרין חלילה:
4
It is a positive commandment for all the watches to share equal status7 during the pilgrimage festivals. Any one of the priests who comes during the pilgrimage festivals and desires to serve [in the Temple] may serve and receive a portion [of the sacrifices]. We do not tell him: "Go and [wait] until your watch [receives its turn]," as [Deuteronomy 18:6] states: "When the Levite8 will come from one of your cities... [to the place that God will choose, he shall serve..."].
ד
ומצות עשה להיות כל המשמרות שוים ברגלים וכל שיבא מן הכהנים ברגל ורצה לעבוד עובד וחולק עמהם ואין אומרין לו לך עד שיגיע משמרך שנאמר וכי יבא הלוי מאחד שעריך וגו':
5
In which context does the above apply? With regard to the sacrifices of the festivals,9 the division of the showbread,10and the two loaves [offered on] Shavuot.11 Vowed offerings,12 freewill offerings,13 and the daily offerings are offered only by the watch that serves at that time.14 [This applies] even during the pilgrimage festivals, as [ibid.:8] states: "Portion for portion shall they eat, except for what was transacted by the ancestors." The implication is that they will partake "portion for portion" of the communal offerings, but not of the other sacrifices. For these were already divided by their ancestors and established for each watch in its week.
ה
בד"א בקרבנות הרגלים ובחילוק לחם הפנים ובחילוק שתי הלחם של עצרת אבל נדרים ונדבות ותמידין אין מקריבין אותן אלא משמר שזמנו קבוע ואפילו ברגל שנאמר חלק כחלק יאכלו לבד ממכריו על האבות כלומר חלק כחלק יאכלו בקרבנות הצבור ואין חלק כחלק בשאר הדברים שכבר חלקו אותם האבות וקבעום כל משמר ומשמר בשבתו:
6
Similarly, the service involved with the showbread is performed by the watch whose turn is established. The service involved with the two breads [of Shavuos] is performed by all the watches.15
How do we know that [the verse cited above] is speaking only about the festivals? Because it states: "from one of your cities among all Israel." [One can infer] that it is speaking about a time when the entire Jewish people enter through one gate.16
How do we know that it is speaking about priests?17 For it states: "Portion for portion shall they eat" and there are no presents to be eaten allotted in the Temple except to the priests.
ו
וכן עבודת לחם הפנים במשמר שזמנו קבוע אבל עבודת שתי הלחם בכל המשמרות ומניין שאינו מדבר אלא ברגלים שנאמר מאחד שעריך מכל ישראל בשעה שכל ישראל באין בשער אחד ומניין שאינו מדבר אלא בכהנים שנאמר חלק כחלק יאכלו ואין שם מתנות במקדש להאכל אלא לכהנים בלבד:
7
Similarly, when a priest has a sacrifice [of his own], he may come to the Temple and offer it on any day that he desires,18as [that verse] states: "He shall come at any [impulse] of his heart's desires and serve." He may even offer his sin offering and guilt offering and bring about atonement for himself. [In such an instance,] the right to the hide and to partake of the sacrifice belongs to him. If he desires he may give his sacrifice to any priest he desires to sacrifice it. [In such an instance,] the right to the hide and to partake of the sacrifice belongs to the priest to whom he gave it.19
ז
וכן כהן שהיה לו קרבן ה"ז בא למקדש ומקריבו בכל יום שירצה שנאמר ובא בכל אות נפשו ושרת ואפילו חטאתו ואשמו הוא מקריב ומכפר ע"י עצמו והעור של קרבנו ואכילתו שלו ואם רצה ליתן את קרבנו לכל כהן שירצה להקריבו נותן ועור הקרבן ועבודתו לאותו הכהן בלבד שנתן לו:
8
If the priest who brings the sacrifice is physically blemished,20he should give his sacrifice to the [priests of] the watch serving that week and the hide belongs to them.21 If he was ill or sick to the extent that he could serve only with difficulty, he may give the sacrifice to any priest he desires,22 the hide and the service23 belong to the [priests of] the watch serving that week. If he cannot serve at all, the sacrifice belongs to the [priests of] the watch serving that week in its entirety.24
ח
היה הכהן בעל הקרבן בעל מום נותן קרבנו לאנשי משמר והעור שלהם היה זקן או חולה שיכול לעבוד על ידי הדחק נותן קרבנו לכל כהן שירצה והעור והעבודה לאנשי משמר ואם אינו יכול לעבוד כלל הרי הקרבן כלו לאנשי משמר:
9
If [all the priests of the watch] are impure and a communal sacrifice is involved and all of the priests25 were impure,26the sacrifice may be given to the priests of that watch who were ritually pure, but have physical blemishes.27 The hide and the service belong to [the priests of] the watch serving that week [even though they are] impure.28
ט
היה טמא בקרבנות הצבור וכל הכהנים טמאים נותנו לבעלי מומין טהורים שבאותו משמר ועורו ועבודתו לאנשי משמר הטמאים:
10
If the sacrifice belonged to the High Priest and he was in a state of acute mourning,29 he may give it to any priest he desires. The hide and the service belong to [the priests of] the watch serving that week. [The rationale is that] since a High Priest is fit to perform service in a state of acute mourning,30 as will be explained,31 he may appoint an agent for his sacrifice.
י
היה הקרבן של כ"ג והיה אונן נותנו לכל כהן שירצה ועורו ועבודתו לאנשי משמר כיון שכ"ג האונן ראוי לעבודה כמו שיתבאר ה"ז עושה שליח לקרבנו:
11
The head of every watch divides his watch into clans32 so that [the priests] in each clan will serve on one of the days of the week, one on one day, another on the next, and another on the next. Each of the clans had a head who was appointed over it.
יא
כל ראש משמר ומשמר מחלק משמרו לבתי אבות עד שיהיה כל בית אב ואנשיו עובד ביום אחד מימות השבת והאחר ביום של אחריו והאחר ביום של אחריו ולכל בית אב ואב ראש אחד ממונה עליו:
12
A High Priest is appointed33 [to serve as] the head of all of the priests. He is anointed with the anointing oil34 and clothed in the garments of the High Priest,35 as [Leviticus 21:10] states: "And the priest who was elevated over his brethren, over whose head was poured [the anointment oil]...." If there is no anointment oil,36 he is initiated into office merely by [wearing] the garments of the High Priest,37 as [the above verse] states: "...over whose head was poured [the anointment oil] and who was initiated to wear the garments." [Implied is that] just as he is initiated with the anointment oil, so too, he is initiated with the garments [of the High Priesthood].
יב
וממנין כ"ג הוא ראש לכל הכהנים ומושחין אותו בשמן המשחה ומלבישין אותו בגדי כהונה גדולה שנאמר והכהן הגדול מאחיו אשר יוצק וגו' ואם אין שם שמן המשחה מרבין אותו בבגדי כהונה גדולה בלבד שנאמר אשר יוצק על ראשו שמן המשחה ומלא את ידו ללבוש את הבגדים כשם שמתרבה בשמן המשחה כך מתרבה בבגדים:
13
How is he initiated with the garments? He puts on the eight garments [of the High Priest] and [later] removes them and does so again on the morrow for seven days, as [Exodus 29:30] states: "The priest from his sons who serves in his stead shall put them on for seven days." Just as he puts on the clothes for seven consecutive days, so too, he is anointed with the oil for seven consecutive days.38 If he performed service before he was initiated by wearing the clothes for all seven days or before he was anointed for all seven days, his service is acceptable.39 Since he was initiated or anointed once, he is a High Priest with regard to all matters.
יג
כיצד מרבין אותו בבגדים לובש שמנה בגדים ופושטן וחוזר ולובשן למחר שבעת ימים יום אחר יום שנאמר שבעת ימים ילבשם הכהן תחתיו מבניו וכשם שרבוי בגדים ז' כך משיחה בשמן שבעה יום אחר יום ואם עבד קודם שיתרבה בבגדים כל שבעה או קודם שימשח כל שבעה עבודתו כשירה הואיל ונתרבה או נמשח פעם אחת נעשה כ"ג לכל דבר:
14
There is no difference in [the laws pertaining to] a High Priest who was anointed with the anointment oil and [those applying to] one who was initiated by wearing the garments of the High Priest except [the obligation] for the High Priest to bring a bull [as a sacrifice] if he inadvertently violated one of the mitzvot for which a sin offering is required, as [Leviticus 4:3] states: "If the anointed priest40 will sin...."41 With regard to other matters, they are identical.
יד
אין בין כהן משוח בשמן המשחה למרובה בגדים אלא פר שמביא כהן המשיח אם שגג באחד מן המצות שחייב עליהן חטאת שנאמר אם הכהן המשיח יחטא וגו' אבל לשאר הדברים שוים הם:
15
A High Priest should be appointed only by the court of 71 judges.42 He should be anointed only during the day, as [ibid. 6:13] states: "On the day of his anointment...." Similarly, if he was initiated merely by wearing the priestly garments, the initiation should only take place during the day. Two High Priests should not be initiated together.
טו
אין מעמידין כ"ג אלא ב"ד של אחד ושבעים ואין מושחין אותו אלא ביום שנאמר ביום המשח אותו וכן אם נתרבה בבגדים בלבד אין מרבין אותו אלא ביום ואין ממנין שני כהנים גדולים כאחת:
16
We also appoint a priest who will serve the High Priest like a viceroy, he is called the segen and he is also called "the appointed one." He should stand at the right hand of the High Priest at all times.43 This honor is given to him. All of the other priests are under his authority.
טז
ממנין כהן אחד יהיה לכ"ג כמו המשנה למלך והוא הנקרא סגן והוא הנקרא ממונה ויהיה עומד לימין כהן גדול תמיד וזה כבוד הוא לו וכל הכהנים מתחת יד הסגן:
17
In addition, katikolin44 are appointed to serve the segen as the segen serves the High Priest. There should be no less than two of them.45 No less than seven amerkalin46should be appointed, The keys to the Temple Courtyard are in their hands.47 If one desires to open [the courtyard], he cannot until all the amerkalin gather and open it.
יז
ועוד ממנין קתיקולין להיות לסגן כמו הסגן לכ"ג ואין פוחתין משנים וממנים אמרכלין אין פחות מז' ומפתחות העזרה בידם רצה האחד לפתוח אינו יכול עד שיתכנסו כל האמרכולין ויפתחו:
18
Treasurers are appointed under the amerkalin. There should be no less than three. They collect the consecrated articles, redeem those which should be redeemed,48 and use the proceeds for purposes that require these expenses.
יח
וממנין גזברין מתחת ידי האמרכולין ואין פוחתין משלשה גזברין והגזברין הם שגובין כל ההקדשות ופודין את הנפדה מהן ומוציאין אותן בדברים הראויין להן להוציאן:
19
A High Priest who was anointed receives precedence49over one who was installed by wearing the garments [of the High Priesthood].50 One installed by wearing the garments who is prepared to serve receives precedence over an anointed [High Priest] disqualified because of a seminal emission.51 One disqualified because of a seminal emission receives precedence over one disqualified because of a physical blemish.52 One disqualified because of a physical blemish receives precedence over the priest anointed to lead the nation in war.53The priest anointed to lead the nation in war receives precedence over the segen.54 The segen receives precedence over a katikol, a katikolover an amerkal, an amerkal over a treasurer, a treasurer over a head of a watch, a head of a watch over a head of a clan, an a head of a clan over an ordinary priest. Thus there are eight rungs in the priesthood,55 one above the other.
יט
כהן הגדול המשוח קודם למרובה בגדים ומרובה בגדים העומד לשרת קודם למשוח שעבר מחמת קרי והעובר מחמת קרי קודם לעובר מחמת מום והעובר מחמת מום קודם לכהן משוח מלחמה ומשוח מלחמה קודם לסגן וסגן קודם לקתיקול וקתיקול קודם לאמרכל ואמרכל קודם לגזבר וגזבר קודם לראש משמר וראש המשמר קודם לראש בית אב וראש בית אב קודם לכהן הדיוט משאר הכהנים נמצאו הכהנים תמיד שמנה מעלות זו למעלה מזו:
20
When the king, the High Priest, or any other official dies, his son or anyone fit to inherit him56 is appointed in his stead. Those who are higher in the order of inheritance57receive precedence with regard to receiving the position of the deceased, provided he is equivalent [to the deceased] in wisdom,58 or in the fear of God, even if he is not comparable in wisdom.59 For [Deuteronomy 17:20] states with regard to a king: "He and his descendants in the midst of Israel." This teaches that the kingship is inherited. This applies with regard to any office amidst the Jewish people.60 If one acquires it, he acquires it for himself and for his descendants.
כ
כשימות המלך או כהן גדול או אחד משאר הממונים מעמידין תחתיו בנו או הראוי ליורשו וכל הקודם לנחלה קודם לשררות המת והוא שיהיה ממלא מקומו בחכמה או ביראה אף על פי שאינו כמותו בחכמה שנאמר במלך הוא ובניו בקרב ישראל מלמד שהמלכות ירושה והוא הדין לכל שררה שבקרב ישראל שהזוכה לה זוכה לעצמו ולזרעו:
21
The position of being the priest anointed to lead the nation in war is not transferred to one's son.61 Instead, the son is like all other priests. If he is anointed as the leader in war, he is anointed. If he is not anointed, he is not anointed.62 When the priest who was anointed to lead the nation in war serves in the Temple,63 he serves wearing four garments like the other priests.64
A person should be promoted to a higher position than the one he holds and should not be demoted to a lower position, for one must ascend with regard to holy matters and not descend.65 A person should never be removed from a position of authority within the Jewish people unless he acted in an unsuitable manner.66
כא
משוח מלחמה אין בנו מתמנה תחתיו לעולם אלא הרי הוא כשאר הכהנים אם נמשח למלחמה נמשח ואם לא נמשח לא נמשח וכשכהן משוח מלחמה משמש במקדש משמש בד' כלים כשאר כהנים מעלין משררה לשררה גדולה ממנה ואין מורידין אותו לשררה שהיא למטה ממנה שמעלין בקדש ולא מורידין ואין מורידין לעולם משררה שבקרב ישראל אלא אם סרח:
22
כב
וכהן גדול שעבר עבירה שחייב עליה מלקות מלקין אותו בב"ד של שלשה כשאר מחוייבי מלקות וחוזר לגדולתו:
FOOTNOTES
1.
Sefer HaMitzvot (positive commandment 32) and Sefer HaChinuch (mitzvah 269) include this commandment among the 613 mitzvot of the Torah.
2.
I.e., to receive the first aliyah in the public reading of the Torah. In the Talmudic era (and so is the practice in some communities today), the person receiving the aliyah would himself read from the Torah.
3.
I.e., to recite the blessing HaMotzi and to lead the Grace (Rashi, Gittin 59b).
4.
In his Commentary to the Mishnah (Gittin 5:8), the Rambam emphasizes that this applies only when there are no sages present whose knowledge surpasses that of the priest. If such sages are present, they are given priority.
5.
More particularly, Samuel divided them into 16 watches and David, into 24 (Ta'anit 27a).
6.
The changing of the watches was marked by the division of the showbread. The entering watch would receive six loaves and the departing watch, six loaves. See Hilchot Temidim UMusafim 4:12.
7.
Sefer HaMitzvot (positive commandment 36) and Sefer HaChinuch (mitzvah 509) include this commandment among the 613 mitzvot of the Torah.
There is, however, a difference between the definition of the mitzvah here and that of Sefer HaMitzvot. In that source, the Rambam describes the mitzvah as creating the watches, while here he defines it as allowing all of the watches to serve during the festivals.
8.
All the commentaries agree that this verse is referring to a priest, who is a descendant of the tribe of Levi. See the conclusion of Halachah 6.
9.
The Kessef Mishneh explains that this refers both to the communal offerings required to be offered on the festivals and the individual offerings which people would bring as part of their pilgrimage obligations.
10.
See Hilchot Temidim UMusafim4:12.
11.
See ibid. 8:11.
12.
A pledge to bring a particular type of sacrifice (see Hilchot Nedarim 1:2).
13.
A pledge to bring a designated animal as a sacrifice (ibid.).
14.
I.e., although all the priests had license to come and serve in the Temple during the pilgrimage festivals, there was also one watch which was designated to serve at that time, and that watch was entrusted with offering these sacrifices.
15.
The difference between the two is that the showbread is not offered because of the festival (but is instead, an ongoing obligation for every Sabbath), while the two loaves are (Radbaz).
16.
We have translated the word sha'arecha figuratively as "your cities," even though it literally means "your gates." The implication is that the verse is speaking about a time when all of Israel come to one city, Jerusalem, for the pilgrimage festivals.
17.
For it mentions Levites.
18.
I.e., even if it is not the time when his watch was designated to serve.
19.
The Ra'avad differs and maintains that the priest who brought the sacrifice has the right to partake of it and benefit from its hide, even if he did not offer it. The Radbaz and the Kessef Mishneh debate these two perspectives based on Bava Kama 110a.
20.
In which instance, he is forbidden to bring his own sacrifice.
21.
This follows the version of Bava Kama 109b cited by Rashi. The standard published text follows a different version. Since he is unable to offer the sacrifice, he may not appoint an agent to offer it, but instead, must give it to the members of the watch. Since they offer it, they are entitled to its hide. The owner of the sacrifice may, however, receive a portion of the meat of the sacrifice since he is permitted to partake of sacrificial meat.
22.
Since it is possible for him to serve, he may appoint an agent to act as the owner of the sacrifice.
23.
According to Rashi (ibid. 110a), it appears that the intent is the priests of the watch are given the right to partake of the sacrifice. Since the owner could not partake of it himself, he cannot appoint an agent to do so.
24.
Since he cannot serve himself, he cannot appoint an agent to serve in his place.
25.
I.e., all the priests found in Jerusalem at that time, including those of other watches.
26.
In which instance, the communal sacrifices may be offered by the priests while in a state of impurity, as stated in Hilchot Bi'at HaMikdash 4:12. Individual sacrifices may not be offered by impure priests even under these circumstances.
27.
In such a situation, the sacrifice should be brought in a state of ritual impurity. Nevertheless, the sacrificial meat itself was ritually pure and it should be eaten by a priest who is ritually impure. Since the priest who is physically blemished is ritually pure and is part of the watch which is serving, he should be given the meat to eat.
28.
A blemished priest cannot perform service in the Temple even in such a situation.
The Ra'avad differs with the Rambam and states that the sacrifice should be given to any priest to offer even though that priest is impure and the right to partake of the sacrifice and use the hide should be given to the priests of that watch who have physical blemishes. The Radbaz explains that the Rambam's intent is that a priest with physical blemishes should receive the meat. The hide, however, belongs to the priests who offered it.
29.
His mother, father, brother, sister, son, daughter, or wife died that day.
30.
Hence he can appoint an agent.
31.
Hilchot Bi'at HaMikdash 2:6. The High Priest may offer sacrifices while in a state of acute mourning, but may not partake of them. Other priests are not allowed to offer sacrifices in this state.
32.
The Radbaz implies that the division was a creative one and that each week, the head of the watch would make a division according to his perception of the needs of the Temple service for that week.
33.
By the High Court of 71 judges as stated in Halachah 15.
34.
Described in Chapter 1, in particular, Halchot 7 and 9.
35.
The eight garments described in Chapter 8, Halachot 1-2. An ordinary priest wears four priestly garments and the High Priest, eight.
36.
As was the case in the latter years of the First Temple and throughout the Second Temple period (see Chapter 1, Halachah 8).
37.
The term marbeh begadim, literally, "increased [his] garments," is used to described this initiation, because he is garbed with the eight garments of the High Priest as opposed to the four of an ordinary priest.
38.
The Radbaz explains that the paradigm for this was set by the initiation of Aaron in the High Priesthood at the time of the dedication of the Sanctuary. Although Aaron was anointed on the first day, Moses served as a High Priest for the first seven days (Radbaz).
39.
Implied is that the initial preference is for him not to perform service. The Ra'avad differs and maintains that the obligation to be initiated for seven days before serving applies only with regard to the Yom Kippur service, but not with regard to other matters.
40.
Thus including only a High Priest who was anointed.
41.
See Hilchot Shegagot, ch. 15, for a description of the details of this sacrifice.
42.
Sanhedrin 16a derives this from the advice Yisro gives to Moses (Exodus 18:22): "Any great matter (hadavar hagadol) will be brought to you." Implied is that matters that involve gadlus(greatness) - including the appointment of the kohen gadol(the High Priest) - should be judged by a court with authority equal to that of Moses, i.e., the Sanhedrin of 71 judges.
43.
See Chapter 5, Halachot 4-5, 13.
44.
A Greek term meaning "general officer."
45.
In his Commentary to the Mishnah (Shekalim 5:2), the Rambam states that there should never be less than two people appointed to take care of communal matters.
46.
Horiot 13a interprets this as a composite of two Aramaic terms meaning "appointed over all." See also the Targum to Numbers 3:32 which uses this term to translate nasi, "prince." The Radbaz notes that the word emirin Arabic means "officer."
47.
I.e., there were seven keys to the Temple Courtyard and each one had one key (Tosefta, Shekalim). In Hilchot Beit HaBechirah 8:5, the Rambam states that the keys to the Sanctuary were entrusted to the elders of the clan. Perhaps the intent is that the elders of the clan were in fact the amerkalin(Ma'aseh Rokeach). Based on the following halachah, that would seem unlikely (Kin'at Eliyahu). See also Chapter 7, Halachah 3, which speaks about a priest appointed to lock the gates of the Temple. Perhaps the intent is that the keys belonged to the amerkalin and each night, they would entrust them.
48.
I.e., those that could be used for the Temple or its service itself should be used for that purpose and not redeemed.
49.
Horiot 13a states that he is given precedence with regard to providing him with his livelihood (and by extension, redeeming him from captivity and returning his lost article). Seemingly, this order also applies - albeit with certain exceptions - with regard to establishing a hierarchy of honor.
50.
The Ritba (in his gloss to Makkot11a) questions the source of the Rambam's ruling, Horiot, loc. cit.For seemingly, until the oil of anointment was entombed, there were only anointed High Priests and there were none initiated by wearing the priestly garments. And after it was entombed, there were no longer any anointed High Priests. And yet, the passage in Horiot appears to imply that they were contemporaries.
The Ritba offers a resolution, explaining that, in the era of the First Temple, if a High Priest that was anointed was forced to be absent from the Temple for an extended period, e.g., he became ill or was taken captive, a substitute was appointed to serve as a High Priest in his place. He was not anointed, because there may never be two anointed High Priests at the same time, but instead, was initiated in his office by wearing the garments of the High Priesthood.
51.
A priest who experiences a seminal emission becomes impure and is therefore disqualified from offering sacrifices or performing any other service in the Temple until he regains ritual purity.
52.
For the one disqualified because of a seminal is fit for service after he becomes pure, while a blemished priest will never become fit. Even if the blemished can be healed, until it is healed, he is unfit.
53.
See Chapter 1, Halachah 7.
54.
Nazir 47b states that with regard to providing one with his livelihood, the priest appointed to lead the nation in war receives precedence over the segen, because the nation as a whole is dependent on him.
55.
The priest appointed to lead the nation in war is not counted, because he is not involved in the Temple service. Nor are those disqualified because of blemishes or impurity counted, because they do not exist at all times. Similarly, only one level of High Priest is counted, because generally, there was either an anointed High Priest or one installed through wearing the garments. Usually, both did not exist together. See the gloss of the Kessef Mishneh.
56.
I.e., any male. Although females are fit to inherit in certain circumstances, they should not be given any positions of authority among the Jewish people. See Hilchot Melachim1:5.
57.
The order of inheritance is listed in Hilchot Nachalot, ch. 1.
58.
Hilchot Melachim 1:7 states that he must be equivalent to his predecessor in both wisdom and the fear of God in order to inherit the position. The commentaries suggest emending the text here to follow that reading, because the fear of God is the very foundation of the spiritual heritage of the Jewish people. Anyone who lacks that quality can never be a competent leader, as the Rambam states there: "[However,] under no circumstance should a person who lacks the fear of God be appointed to any position in Israel, even though he possesses much knowledge."
59.
In the above source, the Rambam states: "He should be granted his father's position and given instruction." In that vein, Ketubot 103b describes how Rabbi Yehudah Hanasiinstructed that his son Gamliel be given his position, even though his knowledge was not as great as his father's.
If, however, a son is not comparable to his father in the fear of heaven, he should not be given his position at all. The Kessef Mishneh cites the interpretation of Leviticus 16:32which describes the High Priest as one "who was anointed to fill the place of his ancestor." Torat Kohanim (Tzav) comments: "Should he be anointed even though he does not 'fill the place' [i.e., does not equal the level of his] ancestors? No, the Torah states 'fill the place.' If he is not equal to his father, the position should be granted to someone else."
60.
See Sifri, Shoftim.
This law has been a matter of controversy throughout the years. In regard to positions of communal authority, almost all authorities accept this concept. However, controversies have frequently arisen over the inheritance of Rabbinical positions. Here, the Rambam's decision has frequently been challenged.
Maharshdam (Yoreh De'ah, Responsa, n. 85) states that a city must seek out the most capable Rav possible without regard to inheritance. Similarly, the Terumat HaDeshen(Pesakim 128) states "Torah cannot be inherited."
However, many prominent authorities (Rivash, Responsa 271, Ramah, Yoreh De'ah 245, Maharit Algazi, Simchat Yom Tov6) have explained that this law applies even in regard to rabbinical positions.
The difficulties in deciding the question may be seen in the Chatam Sofer's lack of certainty regarding it. In his Responsa (Orach Chayim, Responsum 12), he at first espouses the opinion that rabbinical positions should not be handed down from father to son. However, later (Responsum 13), he reversed himself and granted the son his father's position by inheritance.
In practice, most Rabbis have reached the opinion that if the son is a capable Rabbi, though less qualified than another who seeks the position, his father's position should be awarded to him. However, if the community sees the son as incapable of filling his father's position at all, it may be given to another person.
61.
The Radbaz maintains that this ruling has to do with the unique function this priest serves. Since he leads the nation in war, it is a life or death question and the most capable person is chosen whether he is the heir or not.
In a responsum (Orach Chayim12), the Chatam Sofer takes the opposite perspective, explaining the distinction between this and other positions which are inherited as follows: The kingship and other similar positions are appointments associated with leadership. Hence if the heir is fundamentally capable, he inherits his father's position. The priest who leads the nation in war, by contrast, is an appointment based on holiness. That is not transferred by inheritance. Indeed, the High Priesthood would not be transferred by inheritance were there not a specific verse commanding us to do so.
62.
There is no obligation either way.
63.
While he leads them in war, he wears the eight garments of the High Priest (see Radbaz, Kessef Mishneh).
64.
Although he was anointed, he is not given the status of a High Priest and wears the garments of an ordinary priest.
65.
This is a principle applied in several contexts of Torah law. See Menachot 11:7; Hilchot Tefilah 3:16; Hilchot Beit HaBechirah 3:16.
66.
Once he is removed from his position, he should not be reinstated. See Hilchot Sanhedrin 17:9.
67.
See Hilchot Sanhedrin 5:4. Although a case involving a question of capital punishment for a High Priest is judged by a court of 71 judges [rather than the usual 23 (ibid.:1)], we do not say that as a measure of respect for his position, he should be judged by a court of 23 judges. For if he is held liable, he will be lashed in their presence and this will be a public dishonor [Jerusalem Talmud (Sanhedrin2:1)].
68.
The Jerusalem Talmud (loc. cit.) explains that this comes as a result of the holiness with which the High Priest is endowed. It is a microcosm of God's holiness and hence, like His holiness cannot be nullified.
Klei Hamikdash - Chapter 5
1
א
כהן גדול צריך שיהיה גדול מכל אחיו הכהנים בנוי בכח בעושר בחכמה ובמראה אין לו ממון כל הכהנים נותנין לו משלהן כל אחד לפי עשרו עד שיעשיר יותר מעשיר שבכולן:
2
None of the above is an absolute requirement;3 instead, all of this is merely [the optimum way of fulfilling] the mitzvah. If he was, nonetheless, initiated, his initiation is valid.
ב
ואין אחד מכל אלו מעכב אלא כל זה למצוה אבל אם נתרבה מכל מקום נתרבה:
3
The High Priest must conduct himself with dignity. He should not act frivolously with the people at large. They should not see him naked, nor4 in the bathhouse, nor in the toilet, nor while he is having his hair cut, as [Leviticus 21:6] states: "the priest greater than his brethren." This teaches that he is regarded with great honor. [Nevertheless,] if he desires that others bathe with him, he may [allow them to do so].
ג
וחייב כהן גדול לנהוג כבוד בעצמו ולא יקל בעצמו עם שאר העם ולא יראו אותו ערום לא בבית המרחץ ולא בבית הכסא ולא כשמסתפר שנאמר הכהן הגדול מאחיו מלמד שנוהגין בו גדולה יתירה רצה הוא שירחצו אחרים עמו הרשות בידו:
4
He should not enter a celebration or a public feast even if they are associated with a mitzvah.5 If he desires,6 however, he may go to a house of mourning. If he goes, he does not go walking together with the other priests. Instead, the priests surround him and display honor to him and the segen arranges the contact between him and the people. The segen and an anointed priest who was removed from his position7 stand at his right and the head of the clan [serving in the Temple], the mourners, and all others are to his left. He tells the mourners: "Be comforted" and they honor him according to their capacity.
ד
לא יכנס לבית המשתה ולא לסעודה של רבים אפילו הם של מצוה אבל הולך הוא אם רצה לבית האבל וכשהוא הולך אינו הולך בערבוביא עם שאר הכהנים אלא מסבבין אותו הכהנים וחולקין לו כבוד והסגן ממצעו בינו לבין העם והסגן ומשוח שעבר מימינו וראש בית אב והאבלים וכל העם משמאלו ואומר לאבלים תנוחמו והן מכבדין אותו כפי כחן:
5
If one [of the relatives for whom he must mourn] dies, he does not go out to the funeral procession, nor does he depart from the entrance of his home or the Temple. All of the nation come to his home to comfort him. He stands for the line of comforters8 with the segen at his right and the head of the clan to his left. [The people tell him]: "We are atonement for you" and he tells them: "May you be blessed from heaven."
ה
מת לו מת אינו יוצא אחריו ואינו יוצא מפתח ביתו או מן המקדש וכל העם באים לנחמו לביתו והוא עומד בשורה וסגן מימינו וראש בית אב וכל העם משמאלו ואומרים לו אנו כפרתך והוא אומר להם תתברכו מן השמים:
6
When the meal of comfort is served to him,9 all of the people sit on the ground and he sits on a low bench.10 He does not rend his garments over his dead, as do the other priests,11 as [Leviticus 21:10] states: "He shall not rend his garments."12 If he rends them, he is liable for lashes.13 He may, however, tear them from below towards his feet.14
He may never let his hair grow long,15 as [ibid.] states: "He shall not allow [the hair of] his head to grow long." [This applies] even at times when he does not enter the Sanctuary. Instead, he should have his hair cut every Friday. He should not have his hair cut with a razor, rather with scissors. [He should have] the top of one hair [cut] when it reaches the base of the hair above it so that it appears that they grew as one,16 as [indicated by Ezekiel 44:20]: "They shall not shave their heads, nor should they let their hair grow long. [Instead,] they shall keep their heads trimmed."
ו
וכשמברין אותו כל העם מסובין על הארץ והוא מיסב על הספסל ואינו קורע על מתו כשאר הכהנים שנאמר ובגדיו לא יפרום ואם קרע לוקה אבל קורע הוא מלמטה כנגד רגליו ואינו מרבה פרע לעולם שנאמר את ראשו לא יפרע ואפילו בעת שלא יכנס למקדש אלא מספר מערב שבת לע"ש ואינו מספר בתער אלא בזוג ראש שערה זו בעיקר זו עד שיראה כאילו הוא צמח כאחת שנאמר ראשם לא יגלחו ופרע לא ישלחו כסום יכסמו את ראשיהן:
7
There was a chamber prepared for him in the Sanctuary which was called: "The Chamber of the High Priest."17 The glory and the honor of [the High Priest] would be to remain in the Sanctuary the entire day18 and to go to his private home only at night or for an hour or two during the day. His home should be in Jerusalem and he should never depart from there.19
ז
ובית יהיה לו מוכן במקדש והוא הנקרא לשכת כ"ג ותפארתו וכבודו שיהיה יושב במקדש כל היום ולא יצא אלא לביתו בלבד בלילה או שעה או שתים ביום ויהיה ביתו בירושלים ואינו זז משם:
8
A High Priest may act as a judge and he is judged.20Testimony may be delivered against him. Capital cases against him are judged in the High Court alone, as [implied by Exodus 18:22]: "Any great matter (hadavar hagadol) will be brought to you."21
ח
כ"ג דן ודנין אותו ומעידין עליו ואין דנין אותו דיני נפשות אלא בב"ד הגדול בלבד שנאמר כל הדבר הגדול יביאו אליך:
9
ט
היה יודע עדות אינו חייב להעיד ואפילו בב"ד הגדול שזה אינו כבוד לו שילך ויעיד ואם היתה עדות למלך ישראל ה"ז הולך בב"ד הגדול ומעיד לו:
10
י
וכבר ביארנו בספר קדושה שהוא אסור באלמנה ומצווה על הבתולה ואינו נושא שתי נשים ואם נשא שתים אינו יכול לעבוד ביום הצום עד שיגרש לאחת וחולץ וחולצים לאשתו ומייבמין את אשתו ואם גירש אשה מותרת להנשא לשאר העם:
11
When the High Priest enters the Sanctuary29 to prostrate himself,30 three support him: one on his right side, one on his left side, and one [holding] the jewels on the hind side31 of the ephod. He enters the Sanctuary and prostrates himself. When the segen hears the sound of the feet of the High Priest as he departs,32 he lifts up the curtain.33 After he departs, his priestly brethren enter, prostrate themselves, and depart.
יא
בזמן שכ"ג נכנס להיכל להשתחוות ג' אוחזין בו אחד בימינו ואחד בשמאלו ואחד באבנים טובות שבאפוד מאחוריו ויכנס להיכל וישתחוה וכיון שישמע הסגן קול רגליו של כ"ג שהוא יוצא מגביה לו את הפרוכת ואחר שיצא יכנסו אחיו הכהנים וישתחוו ויצאו:
12
On any day he desired, he may offer the incense offering.34 He receives the first portion of any sacrifice offered in the Temple.35 What is implied? If he desires, he may say: "This sin offering is mine" or "This guilt offering is mine."36 He does not seek to be chosen for service by lot.37Instead, whenever he desires to offer a sacrifice, he may offer [any sacrifice] he desires. With regard to consecrated [produce] from Eretz Yisrael,38 he is like all other priests.
יב
בכל יום שירצה להקטיר הקטרת מקטיר ונוטל חלק בראש בקדשי המקדש כולן כיצד כשירצה אומר זו החטאת שלי וזה האשם שלי ואינו עובד בפייס אלא כל עת שירצה להקריב מקריב כל מה שירצה והרי הוא בקדשי הגבול כשאר הכהנים:
13
When the High Priest desired to offer a sacrifice, he would ascend the ramp with the segen on his right. When he reached the midpoint of the ramp, the segen would hold him by the right hand and help him up. The priest who would carry the head of the burnt offering would extend the limbs [he is carrying]39 to [the High Priest] and [the High Priest] would lean upon them40 and then toss them to the fire.41
יג
בזמן שרוצה כ"ג להקריב היה עולה בכבש והסגן מימינו הגיע למחצית הכבש אחז הסגן בימינו והעלהו והושיט לו הכהן שהוא מוליך את ראש העולה האברים שבידו וסומך עליהן וזורקן לאש:
14
Similarly, all of the other limbs would be extended to him. All of those carrying the limbs would give the limbs they were carrying to the first priest and he would give them to the High Priest. He would lean upon them and toss them to the fire. If he desired to merely lean upon them and have another priest toss them to the fire, he may.
There is no concept of leaning on individual limbs except when the High Priest [offers a sacrifice]. [This is an expression of] honor to him. All of the [other] leanings, by contrast, are performed on living animals.
יד
וכך היו מושיטין לו שאר האברים כל אחד ואחד נותן האברים שבידו לראשון והראשון נותן לכ"ג והוא סומך וזורק לאש ואם רצה לסמוך בלבד ויהיה [כהן] אחר זורק לאש עושה ואין שם סמיכה על האברים אלא לכ"ג בלבד מפני כבודו אבל כל הסמיכות על בעלי חיים הם:
15
As soon as a priest matures and attains majority,42 he is fit to serve in the Temple.43 Nevertheless, his priestly brethren would not allow him to serve in the Temple until he reached the age of 20.44 He should not enter the Temple Courtyard to perform service for the first time except during a time when the Levites are chanting songs.45
טו
כשיגדל הכהן ויעשה איש הרי הוא כשר לעבודה אבל אחיו הכהנים לא היו מניחין אותו לעבוד במקדש עד שיהיה בן עשרים שנה ואינו נכנס לעזרה לעבודה תחלה אלא בשעה שהלוים אומרים שירה:
16
A priest does not perform Temple service - nor does a High Priest perform Temple service - until he brings [a meal offering of] a tenth of an ephah from his own possessions and offer it himself, as [Leviticus 6:13] states: "This is the sacrifice of Aaron and his descendants46 which they will offer to God on the day that he will be anointed."
If one performs any of the Temple service before he brings [this meal offering] or if a High Priest serves as a High Priest before he brings [this meal offering], his service is acceptable.
טז
אין הכהן עובד תחלה וכן כ"ג אינו עובד תחלה עד שיביא עשירית האיפה משלו ועובד בידו שנאמר זה קרבן אהרן ובניו אשר יקריבו ליי' ביום המשח אותו ואם עבד קודם שיביא עשירית האיפה וכן כהן גדול שעבד בכהונה גדולה קודם שיביא עשירית האיפה עבודתו כשירה:
17
If a priest who had never performed Temple service before is appointed as the High Priest, he should bring [a meal offering of] a tenth of an ephah and offer it himself as is the training for every ordinary priest at the outset. Afterwards, he offers a second [such meal offering] as the training of a High Priest. And then he offers a third [such meal offering] which is the chavitinoffering of the High Priest which he offers every day, as will be explained.47 The manner in which all three are offered is identical.
יז
כהן שלא עבד עדיין מימיו שמנוהו כ"ג ה"ז מביא עשירית האיפה ועובדה בידו בתחלה כשאר חינוך כל כהן הדיוט ואח"כ מקריב עשירית האיפה שנייה שהיא חינוך כ"ג ואחר כך מקריב עשירית האיפה שלישית שהיא חביתי כ"ג שמקריב בכל יום כמו שיתבאר ומעשה שלשתן שוה הוא:
FOOTNOTES
1.
Rav Yosef Corcus explains that "beauty" refers to the attractiveness of his facial features, "appearance," to the comeliness of his physical form. In his Commentary to the Mishnah (Yoma 1:3), the Rambam adds that the High Priest must surpass his brethren in the fear of God.
2.
Leviticus 21:10 describes the High Priest as "the priest greater than his brethren." Yoma 18a offers two interpretations of that phrase: a) The High Priest must be greater than his brethren in all qualities that are significant to human interaction; b) his greatness must come "from (the prefix mei translated as "than" can also mean "from") his brethren"; they must grant him his wealth. The Rambam does not see the two interpretations as contradictory and combines them both in this halachah.
3.
Har HaMoriah derives this from the fact that, by and large, the High Priests of the Second Temple period lacked the quality of wisdom which is the most important of all attributes. Nevertheless, they were given all the privileges of High Priests.
4.
Our text follows the manuscript copies of the Mishneh Torah and early printings. The standard published text reads slightly differently.
5.
For participation in a public celebration may compromise his dignity.
6.
I.e., the matter is left to his choice.
7.
Rashi (Sanhedrin 19a) explains that this refers to an instance where the High Priest was disqualified from performing the Yom Kippur service and another priest had to be appointed to replace him. Although that priest is removed from the office after the first returns, he is still treated with an extra dimension of honor.
8.
See the description of this practice in Hilchot Evel 13:1-2.
9.
See Hilchot Evel 4:9 which states that on the first day of mourning, a mourner is not allowed to partake of his own food.
10.
During mourning, one is not permitted to sit on an ordinary chair (see ibid. 5:17-18). Indeed, in the Talmudic era, it was common for the mourners to sit on the ground itself. Nevertheless, out of respect for the High Priest, he is allowed to sit on a low stool and the visitors sit on the ground. He may not, however, sit on an ordinary stool, for he is also obligated to observe the laws of mourning (ibid. 7:6).
11.
Rending one's garments is one of the mourning obligations. People at large, not only the priests, are obligated to rend their upper garments (ibid. 8:1).
12.
Sefer HaMitzvot (negative commandment164) and Sefer HaChinuch (mitzvah 150) include the commandment for the priests not to enter the Temple with torn garments among the 613 mitzvot of the Torah. The Rambam discusses this mitzvah in Hilchot Bi'at HaMikdash, ch. 1. There and in his Sefer HaMitzvot, he explains that there are additional dimensions of this prohibition that apply to a High Priest alone, even when he is not in the midst of Temple service. Since he should be in the Temple at all times, he should never rend his garments. Moreover, he is not allowed to rend his garments during mourning even outside the Temple.
13.
Even though it is a mitzvah for one to rend his garments over his dead, that does not absolve the High Priest for violating this transgression (Radbaz).
14.
This refers to his own personal garments, not the priestly garments.
15.
Sefer HaMitzvot (negative commandment 163) and Sefer HaChinuch (mitzvah 149) include the commandment for the priests not to enter the Temple with overgrown hair among the 613 mitzvot of the Torah. The Rambam also discusses this mitzvah in Hilchot Bi'at HaMikdash, loc. cit. In his Sefer HaMitzvot, he explains that there is an additional dimension of this mitzvah that applies to a High Priest.
As the Rambam continues to explain, this mitzvah applies not just when the High Priest is in mourning - although others should let their hair grow as a sign of mourning (Hilchot Evel5:1-2, 6:2), he should not - but at all times.
16.
This is part of the High Priest's obligation to present himself in a beautiful and attractive manner. This was a very difficult task. Sanhedrin 22b relates that one of the contemporaries of Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi (who lived approximately 100 years after the destruction of the Temple) squandered a large amount of money to have his hair cut in this manner. Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi praised him for this, for otherwise, the students would have had difficulty picturing it.
17.
In Hilchot Beit HaBechirah 5:17, the Rambam notes that this chamber was also called the Chamber of Wood and the Chamber of the Parhedrin. See the notes to that halachah for the explanation of these names.
18.
As is the simple meaning of the charge (Leviticus 21:12): "From the Sanctuary, he shall not depart." This, however, is not the halachic meaning of the commandment. Instead, as explained in Hilchot Bi'at HaMikdash 2, the halachic meaning is that he should not depart in the middle of his service.
19.
This could also be understood from the above command, for according to the Rambam, there are times when the entire city of Jerusalem is referred to as "the Sanctuary."
20.
I.e., this is not considered as an affront to his honor.
21.
This was part of Jethro's advice to Moses with regard to the appointment of judges. Implied is that matters that involve gadlus(great importance) - for example, a case involving the very life of the kohen gadol (the High Priest) - should be judged by a court with authority equal to that of Moses, i.e., the Sanhedrin of 71 judges. As mentioned in Chapter 4, Halachah 23, cases involving a transgression punishable by lashes are judged by a court of three.
22.
In contrast, an ordinary person is obligated to delivery any testimony that he knows (Hilchot Edut 1:1).
23.
I.e., the kings of the House of David. The kings of the Kingdom of Israel and the like, by contrast, should not be brought to court (Hilchot Sanhedrin 2:5). Alternatively, it could refer also to the King of Israel and be referring to a case involving the king's son (Radbaz). Since a king is involved delivering testimony will not be deprecatory to the High Priest's honor.
24.
Note the gloss of Rav Moshe HaCohen to Hilchot Edut who asks why the Rambam does not mention an instance where the High Priest's testimony is necessary to prevent a transgression, for in such an instance, seemingly, even the High Priest should be required to testify.
25.
Sefer Kedushah, Hilchot Issurei Bi'ah, Chapter 1. Halachah 1 of that chapter mentions the prohibition against marrying a widow and Halachah 13, the mitzvah to marry a virgin. These concepts are also mentioned in Hilchot Ishut 1:7-8.
26.
Yoma 13a derives this concept from the exegesis of Leviticus 16:5 states: "And he will atone... for his household." "His household" is interpreted as referring to his wife and the term is written in the singular, implying one wife and not two.
In his gloss to Hilchot Issurei Bi'ah 1:13, the Ra'avad notes that II Chronicles 24:3 speaks of Yehoyeda the High Priest and the marriage of two women, seemingly contradicting the Rambam's ruling. The Ra'avad interprets the verse as stating that Yehoyeda married the women himself. (Similarly, Rav Moshe HaCohen and others question the Rambam's ruling.) Rambam LeAm, however, advances the interpretation that the verse is stating that Yehoyeda had Yoash marry the women.
27.
If a man's brother dies childless, there is a mitzvah for him to marry his brother's widow. This is referred to as yibbum. If he does not desire to marry the widow, he must perform a ritual act called chalitzah that gives her the right to remarry. The Rambam is emphasizing the contrast between a High Priest and a king. A king does not perform chalitzah because such an act would be a compromise to his honor. And since he does not perform chalitzah, he is also not entitled to perform yibbum. Nor does his wife undergo yibbum for she is not allowed to marry anyone else (Hilchot Melachim2:3). None of these restrictions apply with regard to a High Priest.
28.
The divorcee of a king, by contrast, is not permitted to marry anyone else (ibid.).
29.
I.e., the outer chamber of the Temple building, not the Holy of Holies. This is evident from the fact that he is wearing the ephodand on Yom Kippur, he enters the Holy of Holies wearing only the four garments of an ordinary priest.
30.
Prostrating oneself in the Temple was considered one of the elements of the Temple service. See Hilchot Bi'at HaMikdash 2:4.
31.
This refers to the jewels on the High Priest's breastplate. It is necessary to hold these jewels because the Torah commanded that the breastplate never move away from the ephod.
32.
The movement of the High Priest created noise, because there were bells on the bottom of his cloak.
33.
This refers to the curtain over the opening to the Entrance Hall. On his way in, the High Priest would open the curtain by himself. This was not, however, easy on his way out, because he would be backing out, keeping his faced turned to the Temple.
34.
Generally, the task of bringing the incense offering was rotated among the priests and one who offered it once would not offer it again (Yoma 26a). Nevertheless, the High Priest had the option of offering it whenever he desired.
35.
This applies even if he did not offer the sacrifice himself.
36.
Generally, the sacrifices are divided equally into portions for all the priests. The High Priest, however, could claim any sacrifice or portion of a sacrifice (see Hilchot Ma'aseh HaKorbanot 10:18).
37.
As the other priests are (see Hilchot Temidim UMusafim, ch. 4).
38.
E.g., terumah and challah..
39.
In addition to the head, he would carry the right leg of the animal (Hilchot Ma'aseh HaKorbanot6:11).
40.
A person bringing a sacrifice would lean on the sacrifice as the Rambam mentions in the following halachah and describes in ibid. 3:6-16. This ritual is called semichah.
41.
For the limbs would have to be tossed to the fire (ibid. 6:4).
42.
I.e., when he reaches the age of thirteen and manifests signs of physical maturity.
43.
For he is obligated - and thus entitled to - perform all the mitzvot including the service in the Temple.
44.
At which time, he can be expected to be more mature and less likely to commit an error that would disqualify a sacrifice.
45.
The Ra'avad differs and maintains that the passage from Arachin 13b which is the Rambam's source is speaking about a Levite and not a priest. The Radbaz agrees that the Ra'avad's view appears more likely from the context, but since the passage speaks about avodah - a term which usually refers to the service of offering the sacrifices - there is room for the Rambam's understanding.
46.
By mentioning Aaron, the verse indicates that this offering is brought by a High Priest. By mentioning his descendants, it indicates that it is also brought by an ordinary priest.
47.
See Hilchot Temidim UMusafim3:18 and onward.
• Wednesday, 24 Adar, 5777 · 22 March 2017
• "Today's Day"
• Monday, 24 Adar I, 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: Vayakheil, Sheini with Rashi.
Tehillim: 113-118.
Tanya: For whereas (p. 145)...on a (transitory) thing. (p. 145).
To R. Hillel Paritcher's question whether to review Chassidus even in towns where the people have no conception of Chassidus, the Mitteler Rebbe responded: "The soul hears words of Chassidus." It is written, "Flowing from Lebanon."1 Lebanon is spelled (in Hebrew) l'b nu'n.2 "Lebanon" thus represents chochma and bina of the soul. When the soul3 hears, from there4 issues a "flow", a "stream of droplets" into that "radiance" or ha'ara of the soul which vitalizes the body;5 this results in a strengthening of "do good" expressed in the 248 positive mitzvot, and of "turn from evil" expressed in the 365 prohibitions.
Wednesday, Adar Sheini 24, 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: Sh'mini, Revi'i with Rashi.
Tehillim: 113-118.
Tanya: For in the (p. 183)...may He be blessed. (p. 183).
When saying Ana b'choach (p. 22), look at - or picture in thought - the sheimot (Divine Names) formed by the acronyms1 of the words, but do not pronounce them.
FOOTNOTES
1.Unvowelled words in the ana b'choach paragraph on p. 22. (This also applies to ana b'choach on pages 121 and 341.)
• Daily Thought:
Beyond Sincerity
Sincerity is not enough. You have to do the right thing.
You might be truly sincere about your generosity and your mitzvahs, but if it doesn’t reach the right place, or was not done the right way, it still did not succeed.
Why is it this way? Why can't we be judged by our intentions alone?
So that we will know that we are small, and Truth is very large. It is Truth that stands at the center, and we that orbit about it.[Tanya, chapter 38. Likutei Sichot vol. 15, pg. 247. Maamar V’Shavti B’Shalom 5738].
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