Torah Reading
Emor: Leviticus 21:1 - 24:23
Leviticus 21:1 Adonai said to Moshe, “Speak to the cohanim, the sons of Aharon; tell them: ‘No cohen is to make himself unclean for any of his people who dies, 2 except for his close relatives — his mother, father, son, daughter and brother; 3 he may also make himself unclean for his virgin sister who has never married and is therefore dependent on him. 4 He may not make himself unclean, because he is a leader among his people; doing so would profane him. 5 Cohanim are not to make bald spots on their heads, mar the edges of their beards or cut gashes in their flesh. 6 Rather, they are to be holy for their God and not profane the name of their God. For they are the ones who present Adonai with offerings made by fire, the bread of their God; therefore they must be holy.
7 “‘A cohen is not to marry a woman who is a prostitute, who has been profaned or who has been divorced; because he is holy for his God. 8 Rather, you are to set him apart as holy, because he offers the bread of your God; he is to be holy for you, because I, Adonai, who makes you holy, am holy. 9 The daughter of a cohen who profanes herself by prostitution profanes her father; she is to be put to death by fire.
10 “‘The cohen who is ranked highest among his brothers, the one on whose head the anointing oil is poured and who is consecrated to put on the garments, is not to stop grooming his hair, tear his clothes, 11 go in to where any dead body is or make himself unclean, even when his father or mother dies. 12 He may not leave the sanctuary then or profane the sanctuary of his God, because the consecration of the anointing oil of his God is on him; I am Adonai.
13 “‘He is to marry a virgin; 14 he may not marry a widow, divorcee, profaned woman or prostitute; but he must marry a virgin from among his own people 15 and not disqualify his descendants among his people; because I am Adonai, who makes him holy.’”
(ii) 16 Adonai said to Moshe, 17 “Tell Aharon, ‘None of your descendants who has a defect may approach to offer the bread of his God. 18 No one with a defect may approach — no one blind, lame, with a mutilated face or a limb too long, 19 a broken foot or a broken arm, 20 a hunched back, stunted growth, a cataract in his eye, festering or running sores, or damaged testicles — 21 no one descended from Aharon the cohen who has such a defect may approach to present the offerings for Adonai made by fire; he has a defect and is not to approach to offer the bread of his God. 22 He may eat the bread of his God, both the especially holy and the holy; 23 only he is not to go in to the curtain or approach the altar, because he has a defect — so that he will not profane my holy places, because I am Adonai, who makes them holy.’”
24 Moshe said these things to Aharon, his sons and all the people of Isra’el.
22:1 Adonai said to Moshe, 2 “Tell Aharon and his sons to separate themselves from the holy things of the people of Isra’el which they set apart as holy for me, so that they will not profane my holy name; I am Adonai. 3 Tell them, ‘Any descendant of yours through all your generations who approaches the holy things that the people of Isra’el consecrate to Adonai and is unclean will be cut off from before me; I am Adonai.
4 “‘Any descendant of Aharon with tzara‘at or a discharge is not to eat the holy things until he is clean. Anyone who has touched a person made unclean by a dead body, or who has had a seminal emission, 5 or who has touched a reptile or insect that can make him unclean, or a man who is unclean for any reason and who can transmit to him his uncleanness — 6 the person who touches any of these will be unclean until evening and is not to eat the holy things unless he bathes his body in water. 7 After sunset he will be clean; and afterwards, he may eat the holy things; because they are his food. 8 But he is not to eat anything that dies naturally or is torn to death by wild animals and thereby make himself unclean; I am Adonai. 9 The cohanim must observe this charge of mine; otherwise, if they profane it, they will bear the consequences of their sin for doing so and die in it; I am Adonai, who makes them holy.
10 “‘No one who is not a cohen may eat anything holy, nor may a tenant or employee of a cohen eat anything holy. 11 But if a cohen acquires a slave, either through purchase or through his being born in his household, he may share his food. 12 If the daughter of a cohen is married to a man who is not a cohen, she is not to have a share of the food set aside from the holy things. 13 But if the daughter of a cohen is a widow or divorcee and has no child, and she is sent back to her father’s house as when she was young, she may share in her father’s food; but no one not a cohen is to share in it. 14 If a person eats holy food by mistake, he must add one-fifth to it and give the holy food to the cohen.15 They are not to profane the holy things of the people of Isra’el that they have set apart for Adonai 16 and thus cause them to bear guilt requiring a guilt offering, by eating their holy things; because I am Adonai, who makes them holy.’”
(iii) 17 Adonai said to Moshe, 18 “Speak to Aharon and his sons and to the entire people of Isra’el; tell them: ‘When anyone, whether a member of the house of Isra’el or a foreigner living in Isra’el, brings his offering, either in connection with a vow or as a voluntary offering, and brings it to Adonai as a burnt offering, 19 in order for you to be accepted, you must bring a male without defect from the cattle, the sheep or the goats. 20 You are not to bring anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted from you. 21 Whoever brings a sacrifice of peace offerings to Adonai in fulfillment of a vow or as a voluntary offering, whether it come from the herd or from the flock, it must be unblemished and without defect in order to be accepted. 22 If it is blind, injured, mutilated, has an abnormal growth or has festering or running sores, you are not to offer it to Adonai or make such an offering by fire on the altar to Adonai. 23 If a bull or lamb has a limb which is too long or short, you may offer it as a voluntary offering; but for a vow it will not be accepted. 24 An animal with bruised, crushed, torn or cut genitals you are not to offer to Adonai. You are not to do these things in your land, 25 and you are not to receive any of these from a foreigner for you to offer as bread for your God, because their deformity is a defect in them — they will not be accepted from you.’”
26 Adonai said to Moshe, 27 “When a bull, sheep or goat is born, it is to stay with its mother for seven days; but from the eighth day on, it may be accepted for an offering made by fire to Adonai. 28 However, no animal is to be slaughtered together with its young on the same day, neither cow nor ewe.
29 “When you offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to Adonai, you must do it in a way such that you will be accepted. 30 It must be eaten on the same day it is offered; leave none of it till morning; I am Adonai.
31 “You are to keep my mitzvot and obey them; I am Adonai. 32 You are not to profane my holy name; on the contrary, I am to be regarded as holy among the people of Isra’el; I am Adonai, who makes you holy, 33 who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God; I am Adonai.”
23:1 (iv) Adonai said to Moshe, 2 “Tell the people of Isra’el: ‘The designated times of Adonai which you are to proclaim as holy convocations are my designated times.
3 “‘Work is to be done on six days; but the seventh day is a Shabbat of complete rest, a holy convocation; you are not to do any kind of work; it is a Shabbat for Adonai, even in your homes.
4 “‘These are the designated times of Adonai, the holy convocations you are to proclaim at their designated times.
5 “‘In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, between sundown and complete darkness, comes Pesach for Adonai. 6 On the fifteenth day of the same month is the festival of matzah; for seven days you are to eat matzah. 7 On the first day you are to have a holy convocation; don’t do any kind of ordinary work. 8 Bring an offering made by fire to Adonai for seven days. On the seventh day is a holy convocation; do not do any kind of ordinary work.’”
9 Adonai said to Moshe, 10 “Tell the people of Isra’el, ‘After you enter the land I am giving you and harvest its ripe crops, you are to bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the cohen. 11 He is to wave the sheaf before Adonai, so that you will be accepted; the cohen is to wave it on the day after the Shabbat. 12 On the day that you wave the sheaf, you are to offer a male lamb without defect, in its first year, as a burnt offering for Adonai. 13 Its grain offering is to be one gallon of fine flour mixed with olive oil, an offering made by fire to Adonai as a fragrant aroma; its drink offering is to be of wine, one quart. 14 You are not to eat bread, dried grain or fresh grain until the day you bring the offering for your God; this is a permanent regulation through all your generations, no matter where you live.
15 “‘From the day after the day of rest — that is, from the day you bring the sheaf for waving — you are to count seven full weeks, 16 until the day after the seventh week; you are to count fifty days; and then you are to present a new grain offering to Adonai. 17 You must bring bread from your homes for waving — two loaves made with one gallon of fine flour, baked with leaven — as firstfruits for Adonai. 18 Along with the bread, present seven lambs without defect one year old, one young bull and two rams; these will be a burnt offering for Adonai, with their grain and drink offerings, an offering made by fire as a fragrant aroma for Adonai. 19 Offer one male goat as a sin offering and two male lambs one year old as a sacrifice of peace offerings. 20 The cohen will wave them with the bread of the firstfruits as a wave offering before Adonai, with the two lambs; these will be holy for Adonai for the cohen. 21 On the same day, you are to call a holy convocation; do not do any kind of ordinary work; this is a permanent regulation through all your generations, no matter where you live.
22 “‘When you harvest the ripe crops produced in your land, don’t harvest all the way to the corners of your field, and don’t gather the ears of grain left by the harvesters; leave them for the poor and the foreigner; I am Adonai your God.’”
(v) 23 Adonai said to Moshe, 24 “Tell the people of Isra’el, ‘In the seventh month, the first of the month is to be for you a day of complete rest for remembering, a holy convocation announced with blasts on the shofar. 25 Do not do any kind of ordinary work, and bring an offering made by fire to Adonai.’”
26 Adonai said to Moshe, 27 “The tenth day of this seventh month is Yom-Kippur; you are to have a holy convocation, you are to deny yourselves, and you are to bring an offering made by fire to Adonai. 28 You are not to do any kind of work on that day, because it is Yom-Kippur, to make atonement for you before Adonai your God. 29 Anyone who does not deny himself on that day is to be cut off from his people; 30 and anyone who does any kind of work on that day, I will destroy from among his people. 31 You are not to do any kind of work; it is a permanent regulation through all your generations, no matter where you live. 32 It will be for you a Shabbat of complete rest, and you are to deny yourselves; you are to rest on your Shabbat from evening the ninth day of the month until the following evening.”
(vi) 33 Adonai said to Moshe, 34 “Tell the people of Isra’el, ‘On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the feast of Sukkot for seven days to Adonai. 35 On the first day there is to be a holy convocation; do not do any kind of ordinary work. 36 For seven days you are to bring an offering made by fire to Adonai; on the eighth day you are to have a holy convocation and bring an offering made by fire to Adonai ; it is a day of public assembly; do not do any kind of ordinary work.
37 “‘These are the designated times of Adonai that you are to proclaim as holy convocations and bring an offering made by fire to Adonai — a burnt offering, a grain offering, a sacrifice and drink offerings, each on its own day — 38 besides the Shabbats of Adonai, your gifts, all your vows and all your voluntary offerings that you give to Adonai.
39 “‘But on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered the produce of the land, you are to observe the festival of Adonai seven days; the first day is to be a complete rest and the eighth day is to be a complete rest. 40 On the first day you are to take choice fruit, palm fronds, thick branches and river-willows, and celebrate in the presence of Adonai your God for seven days. 41 You are to observe it as a feast to Adonai seven days in the year; it is a permanent regulation, generation after generation; keep it in the seventh month. 42 You are to live in sukkot for seven days; every citizen of Isra’el is to live in a sukkah, 43 so that generation after generation of you will know that I made the people of Isra’el live in sukkot when I brought them out of the land of Egypt; I am Adonai your God.’”
44 Thus Moshe announced to the people of Isra’el the designated times of Adonai.
24:1 (vii) Adonai said to Moshe, 2 “Order the people of Isra’el to bring you pure oil from crushed olives for the light, to keep lamps burning always. 3 Outside the curtain of the testimony in the tent of meeting, Aharon is to arrange for the light to be kept burning always from evening until morning before Adonai ; this is to be a permanent regulation through all your generations. 4 He is always to keep in order the lamps on the pure menorah before Adonai.
5 “You are to take fine flour and use it to bake twelve loaves, one gallon per loaf. 6 Arrange them in two rows, six in a row, on the pure table before Adonai. 7 Put frankincense with each row to be an offering made by fire to Adonai in place of the bread and as a reminder of it. 8 Regularly, every Shabbat, he is to arrange them before Adonai ; they are from the people of Isra’el, as a covenant forever. 9 They will belong to Aharon and his sons; and they are to eat them in a holy place; because for him they are, of the offerings for Adonai made by fire, especially holy. This is a permanent law.”
10 There was a man who was the son of a woman of Isra’el and an Egyptian father. He went out among the people of Isra’el, and this son of a woman of Isra’el had a fight in the camp with a man of Isra’el, 11 in the course of which the son of the woman of Isra’el uttered the Name [Yud-Heh-Vav-Heh] in a curse. So they brought him to Moshe. (His mother’s name was Shlomit the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan.) 12 They put him under guard until Adonai would tell them what to do. 13 Adonai said to Moshe, 14 “Take the man who cursed outside the camp, have everyone who heard him lay their hands on his head, and have the entire community stone him. 15 Then tell the people of Isra’el, ‘Whoever curses his God will bear the consequences of his sin; 16 and whoever blasphemes the name of Adonai must be put to death; the entire community must stone him. The foreigner as well as the citizen is to be put to death if he blasphemes the Name.
17 “‘Anyone who strikes another person and kills him must be put to death. 18 Anyone who strikes an animal and kills it is to make restitution, life for life. 19 If someone injures his neighbor, what he did is to be done to him — 20 break for break, eye for eye, tooth for tooth — whatever injury he has caused the other person is to be rendered to him in return. (Maftir) 21 He who kills an animal is to make restitution, but he who kills another person is to be put to death. 22 You are to apply the same standard of judgment to the foreigner as to the citizen, because I am Adonai your God.”
23 So Moshe spoke to the people of Isra’el, and they took the man who had cursed outside the camp and stoned him to death. Thus the people of Isra’el did as Adonai had ordered Moshe.
Ezekiel 44:15-31
Ezekiel 44:15 “‘However, the cohanim, who are L’vi’im and descendants of Tzadok, who took care of my sanctuary when the people of Isra’el went astray from me — they are the ones who will approach me and serve me; it is they who will attend me and offer me the fat and the blood,’ says Adonai Elohim. 16 ‘They will enter my sanctuary, approach my table to minister to me and perform my service.
17 “‘Once they enter the gates of the inner courtyard, they are to wear linen clothing; they are not to wear any wool while serving at the gates of the inner courtyard or inside it. 18 They are to wear linen turbans on their heads and linen underclothes on their bodies, and they are not to wear anything that makes them sweat. 19 Before going out to the people in the outer courtyard, they are to remove the clothes in which they minister, lay them in the holy rooms, and put on other clothes; so that they won’t transmit holiness to the people by means of their clothing. 20 They are not to shave their heads or let their hair grow long, but must keep their hair carefully trimmed. 21 No cohen is to drink wine when he enters the inner courtyard. 22 They may not marry a widow or a divorcee but must marry virgins descended from the house of Isra’el or a widow whose deceased husband was a cohen.
23 “‘They are to teach my people the difference between holy and common and enable them to distinguish between clean and unclean. 24 They are to be judges in controversies, and they are to render decisions in keeping with my rulings. At all my designated festivals they are to keep my laws and regulations, and they are to keep my shabbats holy. 25 They are not to come to any dead person, because this would make them unclean; however, for father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister who has had no husband they may make themselves unclean. 26 After a cohen has been purified, he is to wait seven days. 27 Then, on the day he enters the sanctuary, when he goes into the inner courtyard to minister in the sanctuary, he is to offer his sin offering,’ says Adonai Elohim.
28 “‘Their inheritance is to be this: I myself am their inheritance. You are not to grant them any possession in Isra’el — I myself am their possession. 29 They are to eat the grain offerings, sin offerings and guilt offerings; and everything in Isra’el devoted [to God] will be theirs. 30 The first of all the firstfruits of everything, and every voluntary contribution of everything, from all your offerings, will be for the cohanim. You are also to give the cohen the first of your dough, so that a blessing will rest on your house. 31 The cohanim are not to eat anything, bird or animal, that dies naturally or is torn to death.
Today's Laws & Customs:
• Ethics of the Fathers: Chapter 4
In preparation for the festival of Shavuot, we study one of the six chapters of the Talmud'sEthics of the Fathers ("Avot") on the afternoon of each of the six Shabbatot between Passover and Shavuot; this week we study Chapter Four. (In many communities -- and such is the Chabad custom -- the study cycle is repeated through the summer, until the Shabbat before Rosh Hashanah.)
Link: Ethics of the Fathers, Chapter 4
• Count "Thirty-Three Days to the Omer" Tonight
Tomorrow is the thirty-third day of the Omer Count. Since, on the Jewish calendar, the day begins at nightfall of the previous evening, we count the omer for tomorrow's date tonight, after nightfall: "Today is thirty-three days, which are four weeks and five days, to the Omer." (If you miss the count tonight, you can count the omer all day tomorrow, but without the preceding blessing).
The 49-day "Counting of the Omer" retraces our ancestors' seven-week spiritual journey from the Exodus to Sinai. Each evening we recite a special blessing and count the days and weeks that have passed since the Omer; the 50th day is Shavuot, the festival celebrating the Giving of the Torah at Sinai.
Tonight's Sefirah: Hod sheb'Hod -- "Humility in Humility" (also: "Splendor in Splendor")
The teachings of Kabbalah explain that there are seven "Divine Attributes" -- Sefirot -- that G-d assumes through which to relate to our existence: Chessed, Gevurah, Tifferet, Netzach, Hod, Yesod and Malchut ("Love", "Strength", "Beauty", "Victory", "Splendor", "Foundation" and "Sovereignty"). In the human being, created in the "image of G-d," the seven sefirot are mirrored in the seven "emotional attributes" of the human soul: Kindness, Restraint, Harmony, Ambition, Humility, Connection and Receptiveness. Each of the seven attributes contain elements of all seven--i.e., "Kindness in Kindness", "Restraint in Kindness", "Harmony in Kindness", etc.--making for a total of forty-nine traits. The 49-day Omer Count is thus a 49-step process of self-refinement, with each day devoted to the "rectification" and perfection of one the forty-nine "sefirot."
Links:
How to count the Omer
The deeper significance of the Omer Count
Today in Jewish History:
• Roman Garrison Defeated (66)
Following the theft of silver from the Holy Temple in Jerusalem on the 17th of Iyar of the year 3826 from Creation (66 CE), the Jewish defense force attacked and defeated the Roman garrison stationed in Jerusalem.
• Passing of "Noda B'Yehudah" (1793)
The 17th of Iyar marks the passing of Rabbi Yechezkel Landau (1713-1793), author of the Talmudic-Halachic work Noda B'Yehuda and Chief Rabbi of Prague. His famous "Letter of Peace" helped to heal the rift between the great sages Rabbi Yaakov Emden and Rabbi Yonasan Eibeshutz, which threatened to irreparably divide the Jewish people.
Daily Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Emor, 7th Portion Leviticus 24:1-24:23 with Rashi
• English / Hebrew Linear Translation | Video Class
Leviticus Chapter 24
1And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, אוַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־משֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר:
2Command the children of Israel, and they shall take to you pure olive oil, crushed for lighting, to kindle the lamps continually. בצַ֞ו אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וְיִקְח֨וּ אֵלֶ֜יךָ שֶׁ֣מֶן זַ֥יִת זָ֛ךְ כָּתִ֖ית לַמָּא֑וֹר לְהַֽעֲלֹ֥ת נֵ֖ר תָּמִֽיד:
Command the children of Israel [and they shall take to you pure olive oil… to kindle the lamps continually]: This is the passage of the commandment of the lamps, and the passage [that begins with] “And you will command…” (Exod. 27:20-21) was stated only in context of describing the construction of the Mishkan, i.e., stating the necessity of the menorah. And the meaning [of that passage] is: “You will eventually command the children of Israel regarding this” [namely, here in our passage]. צו את בני ישראל: זו פרשת מצות הנרות. ופרשת ואתה תצוה לא נאמרה אלא על סדר מלאכת המשכן לפרש צורך המנורה. וכן משמע, ואתה סופך לצוות את בני ישראל על כך:
pure olive oil: Three [grades of] oil are extracted from an olive: The first [drop of oil that the olive issues after crushing] is called זָךְ, “pure,” [and is used for the menorah; the second and third oils that result from grinding are used for the meal offerings]. These [grades of oil] are enumerated in Tractate Men. (86a) and in Torath Kohanim (24: 210). שמן זית זך: שלשה שמנים יוצאים מן הזית, הראשון קרוי זך, והן מפורשים במנחות (פט א) ובתורת כהנים:
continually: Heb. תָּמִיד. From [one] night to the next [i.e., even though it was to burn only until the morning-see verse 3-it was continual (תָּמִיד) in that it was to be lit each night]. This is similar to the continual burnt offering (עוֹלַת תָּמִיד) which was only from day to day, [as in Num. 28:18]. תמיד: מלילה ללילה, כמו עולת תמיד שאינה אלא מיום ליום:
3Outside the dividing curtain of the testimony in the Tent of Meeting, Aaron shall set it up before the Lord from evening to morning continually. [This shall be] an eternal statute for your generations. גמִחוּץ֩ לְפָרֹ֨כֶת הָֽעֵדֻ֜ת בְּאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֗ד יַֽעֲרֹךְ֩ אֹת֨וֹ אַֽהֲרֹ֜ן מֵעֶ֧רֶב עַד־בֹּ֛קֶר לִפְנֵ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה תָּמִ֑יד חֻקַּ֥ת עוֹלָ֖ם לְדֹרֹֽתֵיכֶֽם:
the dividing curtain of the testimony: which was situated in front of the ark, which was called “the Testimony (הָעֵדֻת).” And our Rabbis expounded [that the הָעֵדֻת alludes to] the western lamp, which was a “testimony (עֵדֻת)” to all the creatures on earth that the Shechinah rested upon Israel, for [the Kohen Gadol] would place into it the same amount of oil he placed into the other lamps, and from it he would begin [the kindling] and with it he would finish [the cleaning, since it continued to burn miraculously until the following evening]. — [Rashi Shab. 22b; Nachalath Ya’akov] לפרכת העדת: שלפני הארון, שהוא קרוי עדות. ורבותינו דרשו על נר מערבי, שהוא עדות לכל באי עולם שהשכינה שורה בישראל, שנותן בה שמן כמדת חברותיה וממנה היה מתחיל ובה היה מסיים:
Aaron shall set it up from evening to morning: He shall set it up in such a way that it has enough [oil] for it to burn for the entire night. And our Sages estimated [this amount to be] half a log for each lamp. This [amount] is sufficient even for the [long, winter] nights of the Teveth season. And this measure became fixed for them [i.e., for the lights even during the shorter, summer nights]. — [Mizrachi; Men. 89a] יערך אתו אהרן מערב עד בקר: יערוך אותו עריכה הראויה למדת כל הלילה, ושיערו חכמים חצי לוג לכל נר ונר, והן כדאי אף ללילי תקופת טבת, ומדה זו הוקבעה להם:
4Upon the pure menorah, he shall set up the lamps, before the Lord, continually. דעַ֚ל הַמְּנֹרָ֣ה הַטְּהֹרָ֔ה יַֽעֲרֹ֖ךְ אֶת־הַנֵּר֑וֹת לִפְנֵ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה תָּמִֽיד:
pure menorah: [The menorah] which was [made of] pure gold. Another explanation [for “Upon the pure menorah”] is: [He shall set up the lamps] upon the purity (טָהֳרָהּ) of the menorah, because [before kindling] he would first clean it up (מְטַהֵר) and clear it of ashes [from the previous night’s burning]. — [See Torath Kohanim 24:218] המנרה הטהרה: שהיא זהב טהור. דבר אחר על טהרה של מנורה, שמטהרה ומדשנה תחלה מן האפר:
5And you shall take fine flour and bake it [into] twelve loaves. Each loaf shall be [made from] two tenths [of an ephah of flour]. הוְלָֽקַחְתָּ֣ סֹ֔לֶת וְאָֽפִיתָ֣ אֹתָ֔הּ שְׁתֵּ֥ים עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה חַלּ֑וֹת שְׁנֵי֙ עֶשְׂרֹנִ֔ים יִֽהְיֶ֖ה הַֽחַלָּ֥ה הָֽאֶחָֽת:
6And you place them in two stacks, six in each stack, upon the pure table, before the Lord. ווְשַׂמְתָּ֥ אוֹתָ֛ם שְׁתַּ֥יִם מַֽעֲרָכ֖וֹת שֵׁ֣שׁ הַמַּֽעֲרָ֑כֶת עַ֛ל הַשֻּׁלְחָ֥ן הַטָּהֹ֖ר לִפְנֵ֥י יְהֹוָֽה:
six in each stack: שֵׁשׁ הַמַּעֲרֶכֶת, lit. six the stack, six loaves in one stack. שש המערכת: שש חלות המערכה האחת:
upon the pure table: Heb. הַשֻׁלְחָן הַטָהֹר, [the table] of pure gold. Another explanation: upon the top surface (טָהָר) of the table [as in Arabic]. The loaves of bread were thin and thus fragile. Therefore, in order to prevent them from cracking when stacked upon each other, separating racks supported each loaf-except for the very bottom loaf in each stack, which must rest directly “upon the surface of the table (עַל הַשֻׁלְחָן הַטָהֹר),” without any rack intervening between the loaf and the table surface] so that the racks should not [intervene and] raise the [bottom loaf of] bread [in each stack] from [direct contact with] the surface of the table. — [Torath Kohanim 24:225] השלחן הטהר: של זהב טהור. דבר אחר על טהרו של שלחן, שלא יהיו הסניפין מגביהין את הלחם מעל גבי השלחן:
7And you shall place pure frankincense alongside each stack, and it shall be a reminder for the bread, a fire offering to the Lord. זוְנָֽתַתָּ֥ עַל־הַמַּֽעֲרֶ֖כֶת לְבֹנָ֣ה זַכָּ֑ה וְהָֽיְתָ֤ה לַלֶּ֨חֶם֙ לְאַזְכָּרָ֔ה אִשֶּׁ֖ה לַֽיהֹוָֽה:
And you shall place…alongside each stack: Heb. וְנָתַתָּ עַל הַמַּעֲרֶכֶת, [lit., “And you shall place (pure frankincense) upon the stack.” Here, the meaning is: And you shall place pure frankincense] alongside each of the two stacks (Sifthei Chachamim, see also, Men. 62a, and 96a, Chok vol. 5, pg. 177, for the opinion of Abba Shaul and Rabbi Yehudah Hanassi). There were two bowls of frankincense, each bowl containing a fist-full (מְלֹא קֹמֶץ). - [See Rashi on Lev. 2:2; Torath Kohanim 24:228] ונתת על המערכת: על כל אחת משתי המערכות היו שני בזיכי לבונה, מלא קומץ לכל אחת:
shall be: [I.e.,] this frankincense [shall be]. והיתה: הלבונה הזאת:
a reminder for the bread: Because nothing of the bread [itself] was offered to the most High [on the altar]. Rather, the frankincense was burned when they removed it on every Sabbath. Thus, the frankincense was a “reminder” for the bread, by which it is “remembered” above, like the fist-full [of flour and oil] which is the reminder for the meal offering. - [see Lev. 2:13] ללחם לאזכרה: שאין מן הלחם לגבוה כלום, אלא הלבונה נקטרת כשמסלקין אותו בכל שבת ושבת. והיא לזכרון ללחם, שעל ידה הוא נזכר למעלה, כקומץ שהוא אזכרה למנחה:
8Each and every Sabbath day, he shall set it up before the Lord [to be there] continuously, from the children of Israel an eternal covenant. חבְּי֨וֹם הַשַּׁבָּ֜ת בְּי֣וֹם הַשַּׁבָּ֗ת יַֽעַרְכֶ֛נּוּ לִפְנֵ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה תָּמִ֑יד מֵאֵ֥ת בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּרִ֥ית עוֹלָֽם:
9And it shall belong to Aaron and his sons, and they shall eat it in a holy place, for it is holy of holies for him, among the fire offerings of the Lord, an eternal statute. טוְהָֽיְתָה֙ לְאַֽהֲרֹ֣ן וּלְבָנָ֔יו וַֽאֲכָלֻ֖הוּ בְּמָק֣וֹם קָד֑שׁ כִּ֡י קֹ֩דֶשׁ֩ קָֽדָשִׁ֨ים ה֥וּא ל֛וֹ מֵֽאִשֵּׁ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה חָק־עוֹלָֽם:
shall belong: Heb. וְהָיְתָה. This meal offering (מִנְחָה, which is feminine) [shall belong]. For [although, strictly speaking, the bread is not the usual “meal offering (מִנְחָה),” it is included in that category, because] any offering that comes from grain falls under the category of a meal offering. והיתה: המנחה הזאת, שכל דבר הבא מן התבואה בכלל מנחה הוא:
and they shall eat it: Heb. וַאֲכָלֻהוּ, [in the masculine gender] referring to the bread (לֶחֶם) , which is in the masculine gender. ואכלהו: מוסב על הלחם, שהוא לשון זכר:
10Now, the son of an Israelite woman and he was the son of an Egyptian man went out among the children of Israel, and they quarreled in the camp this son of the Israelite woman, and an Israelite man. יוַיֵּצֵא֙ בֶּן־אִשָּׁ֣ה יִשְׂרְאֵלִ֔ית וְהוּא֙ בֶּן־אִ֣ישׁ מִצְרִ֔י בְּת֖וֹךְ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיִּנָּצוּ֙ בַּמַּֽחֲנֶ֔ה בֶּ֚ן הַיִּשְׂרְאֵלִ֔ית וְאִ֖ישׁ הַיִּשְׂרְאֵלִֽי:
the son of an Israelite woman…went out: From where did he go out? Rabbi Levi says: “He went out of his world” [i.e., he forfeited his share in the World to Come. See Be’er Basadeh , Maskil L’David]. Rabbi Berechiah says: “He went out of the above passage.” He mocked and said, “[Scripture says,] ‘Each… Sabbath day, he shall set it up.’ But surely it is the practice of kings to eat warm [fresh] bread every day! Perhaps cold bread, nine days old?” [he said] in astonishment. [In fact, the bread remained miraculously warm and fresh until it was removed the following week (Chag. 26b).] The Baraitha states: He “went out” of Moses’ tribunal [with a] guilty [verdict. How so?] He had come to pitch his tent within the encampment of the tribe of Dan. So [this tribe] said to him, “What right do you have to be here?” Said he, “I am of the descendants of Dan,” [claiming lineage through his mother, who was from the tribe of Dan (see verse 11)]. They said to him, “[But Scripture states (Num. 2:2): ‘The children of Israel shall encamp] each man by his grouping according to the insignias of his father’s household,’” [thereby refuting his maternal claim]. He entered Moses’ tribunal [where his case was tried], and came out guilty. Then, he arose and blasphemed. — [Vayikra Rabbah 32:3] ויצא בן אשה ישראלית: מהיכן יצא, רבי לוי אומר מעולמו יצא. רבי ברכיה אומר מפרשה שלמעלה יצא. לגלג ואמר ביום השבת יערכנו, דרך המלך לאכול פת חמה בכל יום, או שמא פת צוננת של תשעה ימים, בתמיה. ומתניתא אמרה מבית דינו של משה יצא מחוייב. בא ליטע אהלו בתוך מחנה דן, אמרו לו מה טיבך לכאן, אמר להם מבני דן אני. אמרו לו (במדבר ב) איש על דגלו באותות לבית אבותם כתיב. נכנס לבית דינו של משה ויצא מחוייב, עמד וגדף:
the son of an Egyptian man: the Egyptian whom Moses had slain, [uttering the Divine Name (see Rashi on Exod. 2:14). When the man heard this, he arose and began blaspheming against the Divine Name.]- [Sifthei Chachamim ; Vayikra Rabbah 32:4] בן איש מצרי: הוא המצרי שהרגו משה:
among the children of Israel: [This] teaches [us] that he converted. [Although he was halachically a Jew, since he was born to a Jewish mother, “he converted” here means that he immersed and was circumcised at Mount Sinai “among the children of Israel,” i.e., together with all the children of Israel.]- [Ramban; Torath Kohanim 24:235] בתוך בני ישראל: מלמד שנתגייר:
They…quarreled in the camp: regarding the encampment. [See Rashi on the beginning of this verse]. — [Torath Kohanim 24:235). וינצו במחנה: על עסקי המחנה:
an Israelite man: This was his opponent, the one who prevented him from pitching his tent [in the encampment of Dan]. — [Torath Kohanim 24:235] ואיש הישראלי: זה שכנגדו, שמיחה בו מטע אהלו:
11And the son of the Israelite woman pronounced the [Divine] Name and cursed. So they brought him to Moses. His mother's name was Shelomith the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan. יאוַיִּקֹּ֠ב בֶּן־הָֽאִשָּׁ֨ה הַיִּשְׂרְאֵלִ֤ית אֶת־הַשֵּׁם֙ וַיְקַלֵּ֔ל וַיָּבִ֥יאוּ אֹת֖וֹ אֶל־משֶׁ֑ה וְשֵׁ֥ם אִמּ֛וֹ שְׁלֹמִ֥ית בַּת־דִּבְרִ֖י לְמַטֵּה־דָֽן:
blasphemously pronounced: Heb. וַיִּקֹּב. As the Targum [Onkelos] renders: וּפָרֵישׁ, “and he pronounced”-he pronounced the ineffable Divine Name and cursed. This [Name that must not be pronounced] was the explicit [four-letter] Divine Name that this man had heard from [the revelation at Mount] Sinai. — [Torath Kohanim 24:235] ויקב: כתרגומו ופריש, שנקב שם המיוחד וגדף, והוא שם המפורש ששמע מסיני:
His mother’s name was Shelomith the daughter of Dibri: [Why is her name mentioned? This teaches us] the praise of Israel, for Scripture publicizes this one, effectively telling us that she alone [among all the women of Israel] was [involved in an] illicit [relation (Vayikra Rabbah 32:5), albeit unwitting on her part. (See Rashi on Exod. 2:11.) Nevertheless, no other Israelite woman had even unwitting illicit relations]. — [Mizrachi] ושם אמו שלמית בת דברי: שבחן של ישראל שפרסמה הכתוב לזו, לומר, שהיא לבדה היתה זונה:
Shelomith: Heb. שְׁלוֹמִית. [Her name denotes that] she was a chatterbox, [always going about saying] “Peace (שָׁלוֹם) be with you! Peace be with you! Peace be with you [men]!” (Vayikra Rabbah 32:5). [She would] chatter about with words, greeting everyone. שלמית: דהות פטפטה שלם עלך, שלם עלך, שלם עליכון, מפטפטת בדברים שואלת בשלום הכל:
the daughter of Dibri: [This denotes that] she was very talkative, talking (מְדַבֶּרֶת) with every person. That is why she fell into sin. בת דברי: דברנית היתה מדברת עם כל אדם, לפיכך קלקלה:
of the tribe of Dan: [This] tells us that a wicked person brings disgrace to himself, disgrace to his father, and disgrace to his [entire] tribe. Likewise, [the converse is true regarding a righteous man,] “Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan” (Exod. 35:34), [for Oholiab brought about] praise to himself, praise to his father, and praise to his [entire] tribe. — [Torath Kohanim 24:237] למטה דן: מגיד שהרשע גורם גנאי לו גנאי לאביו גנאי לשבטו, כיוצא בו (שמות לא ו) אהליאב בן אחיסמך למטה דן, שבח לו שבח לאביו שבח לשבטו:
12They placed him in the guardhouse, [until his sentence would] be specified to them by the word of the Lord. יבוַיַּנִּיחֻ֖הוּ בַּמִּשְׁמָ֑ר לִפְר֥שׁ לָהֶ֖ם עַל־פִּ֥י יְהֹוָֽה:
They placed him: [Since Scripture does not say, “they placed (וַיִּשִׂימוּ or וַיִּתְּנוּ) him in the guardhouse,” but rather, “they left him (וַיַּנִּיחֻהוּ) in the guardhouse,” which means that they left him] alone, and they did not leave the one who gathered wood [on the Sabbath] with him (see Num. 15:32-36), for these two [episodes, namely, of the wood gatherer and the blasphemer,] occurred at the same time. Now, they knew that the wood gatherer was liable to death, as is stated “those who profane it shall be put to death.” (Exod. 31:14) The mode of death, however, had not yet been specified to them [by God]. Thus it says (Num. 15:34), “for it had not [yet] been specified what should be done to him”-while in the case of the blasphemer [here], Scripture says לִפְרשׁ לָהֶם, [lit., “to specify for them,” namely to specify his sentence], for they did not know whether or not he was liable to the death penalty [at all, and if he would be placed together with the wood gatherer, it might have caused him unnecessary fear, since he could assume thereby that he was on death row. Therefore, at that point he had to be kept separately]. — [Be’er Basadeh, Torath Kohanim 24:237] ויניחהו: לבדו, ולא הניחו מקושש עמו, ששניהם היו בפרק אחד. ויודעים היו שהמקושש במיתה, שנאמר (שמות לא יד) מחלליה מות יומת אבל לא פורש להם באיזו מיתה, לכך נאמר (במדבר טו לד) כי לא פורש מה יעשה לו. אבל במקלל הוא אומר לפרוש להם, שלא היו יודעים אם חייב מיתה אם לאו:
13Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: יגוַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־משֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר:
14Take the blasphemer outside the camp, and all who heard [his blasphemy] shall lean their hands on his head. And the entire community shall stone him. ידהוֹצֵ֣א אֶת־הַֽמְקַלֵּ֗ל אֶל־מִחוּץ֙ לַמַּֽחֲנֶ֔ה וְסָמְכ֧וּ כָל־הַשֹּֽׁמְעִ֛ים אֶת־יְדֵיהֶ֖ם עַל־רֹאשׁ֑וֹ וְרָֽגְמ֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ כָּל־הָֽעֵדָֽה:
who heard: These were the witnesses. - [Torath Kohanim 24:239] השמעים: אלו העדים:
all [who heard]: [The word “all” comes] to include the judges. — [Torath Kohanim 24:237] כל: להביא את הדיינים:
[shall lean] their hands [on his head]: They say to him: “Your blood is on your own head! We are not to be punished for your death, for you brought this upon yourself!” - [Torath Kohanim 24:239] את ידיהם: אומרים לו דמך בראשך ואין אנו נענשים במיתתך שאתה גרמת לך:
And the entire community [shall stone him]: [I.e., he is to be stoned by the witnesses] in the presence of the entire community (Torath Kohanim 24:240). From here [we learn] that an agent of a person is considered as [the person] himself, [for only the witnesses are to stone him, but since they are acting as agents of the entire community, Scripture considers it as if the entire community is stoning him]. כל העדה: במעמד כל העדה. מכאן ששלוחו של אדם כמותו:
15And to the children of Israel, you shall speak, saying: Any man who blasphemes his God shall bear his sin. טווְאֶל־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל תְּדַבֵּ֣ר לֵאמֹ֑ר אִ֥ישׁ אִ֛ישׁ כִּֽי־יְקַלֵּ֥ל אֱלֹהָ֖יו וְנָשָׂ֥א חֶטְאֽוֹ:
[Any man…who blasphemes his God] shall bear his sin: [He shall be punished] by excision, if there was no warning - [Torath Kohanim 24:243]. ונשא חטאו: בכרת, כשאין התראה:
16And one who blasphemously pronounces the Name of the Lord, shall be put to death; the entire community shall stone him; convert and resident alike if he pronounces the [Divine] Name, he shall be put to death. טזוְנֹקֵ֤ב שֵֽׁם־יְהֹוָה֙ מ֣וֹת יוּמָ֔ת רָג֥וֹם יִרְגְּמוּ־ב֖וֹ כָּל־הָֽעֵדָ֑ה כַּגֵּר֙ כָּֽאֶזְרָ֔ח בְּנָקְב֥וֹ שֵׁ֖ם יוּמָֽת:
And one who blasphemously pronounces the Name: [This teaches us that] one is not liable [to the death penalty] unless he pronounces the [four-letter Divine] Name. However, one who curses using an ancillary Name [for God, rather than the explicit, four-letter Name], is not [liable to the death penalty]. — [Torath Kohanim 24:243] ונקב שם: אינו חייב עד שיפרש את השם, ולא המקלל בכינוי:
And one who blasphemously pronounces: Heb. וְנֹקֵב. [This term] denotes cursing, as in, “What can I curse (אֶקֹּב) …?” (Num. 23:8). - [Sanh. 56a] ונקב: לשון קללה, כמו (במדבר כג ח) מה אקב:
17And if a man strikes down any human being he shall be put to death. יזוְאִ֕ישׁ כִּ֥י יַכֶּ֖ה כָּל־נֶ֣פֶשׁ אָדָ֑ם מ֖וֹת יוּמָֽת:
And if a man strikes down [any human being]: Since Scripture states, “One who strikes a man so that he dies [shall surely be put to death]” (Exod. 21:12), I know only that [the death penalty applies to] one who kills a “man.” How do I know [that it applies also to one who kills] a woman or a minor? Therefore, Scripture says, “[If a man strikes down] any human being.” - [Torath Kohanim 24:245] ואיש כי יכה: לפי שנאמר (שמות כא יב) מכה איש ומת, אין לי אלא שהרג את האיש, אשה וקטן מנין, תלמוד לומר כל נפש אדם:
18And one who slays an animal shall pay for it [the value of] a life for the life [he took]. יחוּמַכֵּ֥ה נֶֽפֶשׁ־בְּהֵמָ֖ה יְשַׁלְּמֶ֑נָּה נֶ֖פֶשׁ תַּ֥חַת נָֽפֶשׁ:
19And a man who inflicts an injury upon his fellow man just as he did, so shall be done to him [namely,] יטוְאִ֕ישׁ כִּֽי־יִתֵּ֥ן מ֖וּם בַּֽעֲמִית֑וֹ כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֔ה כֵּ֖ן יֵעָ֥שֶׂה לּֽוֹ:
20fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. Just as he inflicted an injury upon a person, so shall it be inflicted upon him. כשֶׁ֚בֶר תַּ֣חַת שֶׁ֔בֶר עַ֚יִן תַּ֣חַת עַ֔יִן שֵׁ֖ן תַּ֣חַת שֵׁ֑ן כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר יִתֵּ֥ן מוּם֙ בָּֽאָדָ֔ם כֵּ֖ן יִנָּ֥תֶן בּֽוֹ:
so shall be done to him: Heb. כֵּן יִנָּתֵן בּוֹ. Our Rabbis explained that this does not mean the actual infliction of a wound, but payment of money. [And how is an injury estimated? The victim] is evaluated as a slave [if he would not have had the injury, and how much with the injury, and the difference is the compensation]. This is why Scripture uses the expression נְתִינָה, “giving,” [thereby alluding to] something that is “handed over (הַנָתוּן)” from hand to hand. — [B.K. 84a] כן ינתן בו: פירשו רבותינו, שאינו נתינת מום ממש אלא תשלומי ממון, שמין אותו כעבד, לכך כתוב בו לשון נתינה, דבר הנתון מיד ליד:
21And one who injures an animal shall pay for it. And one who strikes a person shall be put to death. כאוּמַכֵּ֥ה בְהֵמָ֖ה יְשַׁלְּמֶ֑נָּה וּמַכֵּ֥ה אָדָ֖ם יוּמָֽת:
And one who injures an animal shall pay for it: [Verse 18] above is speaking of one who kills an animal, whereas here it is speaking of one who inflicts an injury upon it. ומכה בהמה ישלמנה: למעלה דבר בהורג בהמה, וכאן דבר בעושה בה חבורה:
And one who strikes a person shall be put to death: even if he did not kill him, but just inflicted an injury upon him. For the term נֶפֶשׁ is not used here. Scripture is speaking here of someone who strikes his father or his mother. And Scripture places this case in juxtaposition to the case of someone who strikes an animal [in order to teach us that]: just as if someone strikes an animal [he is liable only if] it is alive, so is one who strikes his father [or mother liable only if] they are alive. This comes to exclude the case of one who strikes [his father or mother] after [their] death. [Why is this case excluded here?] Since we find that one who curses his [father or mother] after [their] death is liable [to the death penalty-see Rashi on Lev. 20:9 Scripture finds it necessary here to teach us that one who strikes [his parent after death] is exempt. And [this juxtaposition also teaches us that] just as in the case of [one who strikes] an animal, [he is liable only if he inflicted an] injury, but if there was no injury, there is no compensation-likewise, one who strikes his father is not liable [to the death penalty] unless he inflicts an injury upon him. — [Torath Kohanim 24:250] ומכה אדם יומת: אפילו לא הרגו אלא עשה בו חבורה, שלא נאמר כאן נפש ובמכה אביו ואמו דבר הכתוב ובא להקישו למכה בהמה מה מכה בהמה מחיים, אף מכה אביו ואמו מחיים, פרט למכה לאחר מיתה, לפי שמצינו שהמקללו לאחר מיתה חייב, הוצרך לומר במכה שפטור. ומה בבהמה בחבלה, שאם אין חבלה אין תשלומין, אף מכה אביו ואמו אינו חייב עד שיעשה בהם חבורה:
22One law shall be exacted for you, convert and resident alike, for I am the Lord, your God. כבמִשְׁפַּ֤ט אֶחָד֙ יִֽהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֔ם כַּגֵּ֥ר כָּֽאֶזְרָ֖ח יִֽהְיֶ֑ה כִּ֛י אֲנִ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם:
I am the Lord your God: the God of all of you. Just as I attach My Name uniquely upon you [native Jewish people], so do I attach it uniquely upon the converts [to Judaism]. אני ה' אלהיכם: אלהי כולכם, כשם שאני מיחד שמי עליכם כך אני מייחד שמי על הגרים:
23And Moses told [all this] to the children of Israel. So they took the blasphemer outside the camp and stoned him, and the children of Israel did just as the Lord had commanded Moses. כגוַיְדַבֵּ֣ר משֶׁה֘ אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ וַיּוֹצִ֣יאוּ אֶת־הַֽמְקַלֵּ֗ל אֶל־מִחוּץ֙ לַמַּֽחֲנֶ֔ה וַיִּרְגְּמ֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ אָ֑בֶן וּבְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל עָשׂ֔וּ כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־משֶֽׁה:
and the children of Israel did: the whole procedure of stoning, described elsewhere [in Scripture]-namely, “pushing” [him off a two-story building-see Rashi on Exod. 19:13 and Sanh. 45a] the actual “stoning” and “hanging” [him afterwards on a pole, taking him down before nightfall and burying him then-see Deut. 21:22-23 and Rashi there]. — [Torath Kohanim 24:252] ובני ישראל עשו: כל המצוה האמורה בסקילה במקום אחר דחייה, רגימה ותלייה:
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• Ethics of the Fathers: Chapter 4
In preparation for the festival of Shavuot, we study one of the six chapters of the Talmud'sEthics of the Fathers ("Avot") on the afternoon of each of the six Shabbatot between Passover and Shavuot; this week we study Chapter Four. (In many communities -- and such is the Chabad custom -- the study cycle is repeated through the summer, until the Shabbat before Rosh Hashanah.)
Link: Ethics of the Fathers, Chapter 4
• Count "Thirty-Three Days to the Omer" Tonight
Tomorrow is the thirty-third day of the Omer Count. Since, on the Jewish calendar, the day begins at nightfall of the previous evening, we count the omer for tomorrow's date tonight, after nightfall: "Today is thirty-three days, which are four weeks and five days, to the Omer." (If you miss the count tonight, you can count the omer all day tomorrow, but without the preceding blessing).
The 49-day "Counting of the Omer" retraces our ancestors' seven-week spiritual journey from the Exodus to Sinai. Each evening we recite a special blessing and count the days and weeks that have passed since the Omer; the 50th day is Shavuot, the festival celebrating the Giving of the Torah at Sinai.
Tonight's Sefirah: Hod sheb'Hod -- "Humility in Humility" (also: "Splendor in Splendor")
The teachings of Kabbalah explain that there are seven "Divine Attributes" -- Sefirot -- that G-d assumes through which to relate to our existence: Chessed, Gevurah, Tifferet, Netzach, Hod, Yesod and Malchut ("Love", "Strength", "Beauty", "Victory", "Splendor", "Foundation" and "Sovereignty"). In the human being, created in the "image of G-d," the seven sefirot are mirrored in the seven "emotional attributes" of the human soul: Kindness, Restraint, Harmony, Ambition, Humility, Connection and Receptiveness. Each of the seven attributes contain elements of all seven--i.e., "Kindness in Kindness", "Restraint in Kindness", "Harmony in Kindness", etc.--making for a total of forty-nine traits. The 49-day Omer Count is thus a 49-step process of self-refinement, with each day devoted to the "rectification" and perfection of one the forty-nine "sefirot."
Links:
How to count the Omer
The deeper significance of the Omer Count
Today in Jewish History:
• Roman Garrison Defeated (66)
Following the theft of silver from the Holy Temple in Jerusalem on the 17th of Iyar of the year 3826 from Creation (66 CE), the Jewish defense force attacked and defeated the Roman garrison stationed in Jerusalem.
• Passing of "Noda B'Yehudah" (1793)
The 17th of Iyar marks the passing of Rabbi Yechezkel Landau (1713-1793), author of the Talmudic-Halachic work Noda B'Yehuda and Chief Rabbi of Prague. His famous "Letter of Peace" helped to heal the rift between the great sages Rabbi Yaakov Emden and Rabbi Yonasan Eibeshutz, which threatened to irreparably divide the Jewish people.
Daily Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Emor, 7th Portion Leviticus 24:1-24:23 with Rashi
• English / Hebrew Linear Translation | Video Class
Leviticus Chapter 24
1And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, אוַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־משֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר:
2Command the children of Israel, and they shall take to you pure olive oil, crushed for lighting, to kindle the lamps continually. בצַ֞ו אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וְיִקְח֨וּ אֵלֶ֜יךָ שֶׁ֣מֶן זַ֥יִת זָ֛ךְ כָּתִ֖ית לַמָּא֑וֹר לְהַֽעֲלֹ֥ת נֵ֖ר תָּמִֽיד:
Command the children of Israel [and they shall take to you pure olive oil… to kindle the lamps continually]: This is the passage of the commandment of the lamps, and the passage [that begins with] “And you will command…” (Exod. 27:20-21) was stated only in context of describing the construction of the Mishkan, i.e., stating the necessity of the menorah. And the meaning [of that passage] is: “You will eventually command the children of Israel regarding this” [namely, here in our passage]. צו את בני ישראל: זו פרשת מצות הנרות. ופרשת ואתה תצוה לא נאמרה אלא על סדר מלאכת המשכן לפרש צורך המנורה. וכן משמע, ואתה סופך לצוות את בני ישראל על כך:
pure olive oil: Three [grades of] oil are extracted from an olive: The first [drop of oil that the olive issues after crushing] is called זָךְ, “pure,” [and is used for the menorah; the second and third oils that result from grinding are used for the meal offerings]. These [grades of oil] are enumerated in Tractate Men. (86a) and in Torath Kohanim (24: 210). שמן זית זך: שלשה שמנים יוצאים מן הזית, הראשון קרוי זך, והן מפורשים במנחות (פט א) ובתורת כהנים:
continually: Heb. תָּמִיד. From [one] night to the next [i.e., even though it was to burn only until the morning-see verse 3-it was continual (תָּמִיד) in that it was to be lit each night]. This is similar to the continual burnt offering (עוֹלַת תָּמִיד) which was only from day to day, [as in Num. 28:18]. תמיד: מלילה ללילה, כמו עולת תמיד שאינה אלא מיום ליום:
3Outside the dividing curtain of the testimony in the Tent of Meeting, Aaron shall set it up before the Lord from evening to morning continually. [This shall be] an eternal statute for your generations. גמִחוּץ֩ לְפָרֹ֨כֶת הָֽעֵדֻ֜ת בְּאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֗ד יַֽעֲרֹךְ֩ אֹת֨וֹ אַֽהֲרֹ֜ן מֵעֶ֧רֶב עַד־בֹּ֛קֶר לִפְנֵ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה תָּמִ֑יד חֻקַּ֥ת עוֹלָ֖ם לְדֹרֹֽתֵיכֶֽם:
the dividing curtain of the testimony: which was situated in front of the ark, which was called “the Testimony (הָעֵדֻת).” And our Rabbis expounded [that the הָעֵדֻת alludes to] the western lamp, which was a “testimony (עֵדֻת)” to all the creatures on earth that the Shechinah rested upon Israel, for [the Kohen Gadol] would place into it the same amount of oil he placed into the other lamps, and from it he would begin [the kindling] and with it he would finish [the cleaning, since it continued to burn miraculously until the following evening]. — [Rashi Shab. 22b; Nachalath Ya’akov] לפרכת העדת: שלפני הארון, שהוא קרוי עדות. ורבותינו דרשו על נר מערבי, שהוא עדות לכל באי עולם שהשכינה שורה בישראל, שנותן בה שמן כמדת חברותיה וממנה היה מתחיל ובה היה מסיים:
Aaron shall set it up from evening to morning: He shall set it up in such a way that it has enough [oil] for it to burn for the entire night. And our Sages estimated [this amount to be] half a log for each lamp. This [amount] is sufficient even for the [long, winter] nights of the Teveth season. And this measure became fixed for them [i.e., for the lights even during the shorter, summer nights]. — [Mizrachi; Men. 89a] יערך אתו אהרן מערב עד בקר: יערוך אותו עריכה הראויה למדת כל הלילה, ושיערו חכמים חצי לוג לכל נר ונר, והן כדאי אף ללילי תקופת טבת, ומדה זו הוקבעה להם:
4Upon the pure menorah, he shall set up the lamps, before the Lord, continually. דעַ֚ל הַמְּנֹרָ֣ה הַטְּהֹרָ֔ה יַֽעֲרֹ֖ךְ אֶת־הַנֵּר֑וֹת לִפְנֵ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה תָּמִֽיד:
pure menorah: [The menorah] which was [made of] pure gold. Another explanation [for “Upon the pure menorah”] is: [He shall set up the lamps] upon the purity (טָהֳרָהּ) of the menorah, because [before kindling] he would first clean it up (מְטַהֵר) and clear it of ashes [from the previous night’s burning]. — [See Torath Kohanim 24:218] המנרה הטהרה: שהיא זהב טהור. דבר אחר על טהרה של מנורה, שמטהרה ומדשנה תחלה מן האפר:
5And you shall take fine flour and bake it [into] twelve loaves. Each loaf shall be [made from] two tenths [of an ephah of flour]. הוְלָֽקַחְתָּ֣ סֹ֔לֶת וְאָֽפִיתָ֣ אֹתָ֔הּ שְׁתֵּ֥ים עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה חַלּ֑וֹת שְׁנֵי֙ עֶשְׂרֹנִ֔ים יִֽהְיֶ֖ה הַֽחַלָּ֥ה הָֽאֶחָֽת:
6And you place them in two stacks, six in each stack, upon the pure table, before the Lord. ווְשַׂמְתָּ֥ אוֹתָ֛ם שְׁתַּ֥יִם מַֽעֲרָכ֖וֹת שֵׁ֣שׁ הַמַּֽעֲרָ֑כֶת עַ֛ל הַשֻּׁלְחָ֥ן הַטָּהֹ֖ר לִפְנֵ֥י יְהֹוָֽה:
six in each stack: שֵׁשׁ הַמַּעֲרֶכֶת, lit. six the stack, six loaves in one stack. שש המערכת: שש חלות המערכה האחת:
upon the pure table: Heb. הַשֻׁלְחָן הַטָהֹר, [the table] of pure gold. Another explanation: upon the top surface (טָהָר) of the table [as in Arabic]. The loaves of bread were thin and thus fragile. Therefore, in order to prevent them from cracking when stacked upon each other, separating racks supported each loaf-except for the very bottom loaf in each stack, which must rest directly “upon the surface of the table (עַל הַשֻׁלְחָן הַטָהֹר),” without any rack intervening between the loaf and the table surface] so that the racks should not [intervene and] raise the [bottom loaf of] bread [in each stack] from [direct contact with] the surface of the table. — [Torath Kohanim 24:225] השלחן הטהר: של זהב טהור. דבר אחר על טהרו של שלחן, שלא יהיו הסניפין מגביהין את הלחם מעל גבי השלחן:
7And you shall place pure frankincense alongside each stack, and it shall be a reminder for the bread, a fire offering to the Lord. זוְנָֽתַתָּ֥ עַל־הַמַּֽעֲרֶ֖כֶת לְבֹנָ֣ה זַכָּ֑ה וְהָֽיְתָ֤ה לַלֶּ֨חֶם֙ לְאַזְכָּרָ֔ה אִשֶּׁ֖ה לַֽיהֹוָֽה:
And you shall place…alongside each stack: Heb. וְנָתַתָּ עַל הַמַּעֲרֶכֶת, [lit., “And you shall place (pure frankincense) upon the stack.” Here, the meaning is: And you shall place pure frankincense] alongside each of the two stacks (Sifthei Chachamim, see also, Men. 62a, and 96a, Chok vol. 5, pg. 177, for the opinion of Abba Shaul and Rabbi Yehudah Hanassi). There were two bowls of frankincense, each bowl containing a fist-full (מְלֹא קֹמֶץ). - [See Rashi on Lev. 2:2; Torath Kohanim 24:228] ונתת על המערכת: על כל אחת משתי המערכות היו שני בזיכי לבונה, מלא קומץ לכל אחת:
shall be: [I.e.,] this frankincense [shall be]. והיתה: הלבונה הזאת:
a reminder for the bread: Because nothing of the bread [itself] was offered to the most High [on the altar]. Rather, the frankincense was burned when they removed it on every Sabbath. Thus, the frankincense was a “reminder” for the bread, by which it is “remembered” above, like the fist-full [of flour and oil] which is the reminder for the meal offering. - [see Lev. 2:13] ללחם לאזכרה: שאין מן הלחם לגבוה כלום, אלא הלבונה נקטרת כשמסלקין אותו בכל שבת ושבת. והיא לזכרון ללחם, שעל ידה הוא נזכר למעלה, כקומץ שהוא אזכרה למנחה:
8Each and every Sabbath day, he shall set it up before the Lord [to be there] continuously, from the children of Israel an eternal covenant. חבְּי֨וֹם הַשַּׁבָּ֜ת בְּי֣וֹם הַשַּׁבָּ֗ת יַֽעַרְכֶ֛נּוּ לִפְנֵ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה תָּמִ֑יד מֵאֵ֥ת בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּרִ֥ית עוֹלָֽם:
9And it shall belong to Aaron and his sons, and they shall eat it in a holy place, for it is holy of holies for him, among the fire offerings of the Lord, an eternal statute. טוְהָֽיְתָה֙ לְאַֽהֲרֹ֣ן וּלְבָנָ֔יו וַֽאֲכָלֻ֖הוּ בְּמָק֣וֹם קָד֑שׁ כִּ֡י קֹ֩דֶשׁ֩ קָֽדָשִׁ֨ים ה֥וּא ל֛וֹ מֵֽאִשֵּׁ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה חָק־עוֹלָֽם:
shall belong: Heb. וְהָיְתָה. This meal offering (מִנְחָה, which is feminine) [shall belong]. For [although, strictly speaking, the bread is not the usual “meal offering (מִנְחָה),” it is included in that category, because] any offering that comes from grain falls under the category of a meal offering. והיתה: המנחה הזאת, שכל דבר הבא מן התבואה בכלל מנחה הוא:
and they shall eat it: Heb. וַאֲכָלֻהוּ, [in the masculine gender] referring to the bread (לֶחֶם) , which is in the masculine gender. ואכלהו: מוסב על הלחם, שהוא לשון זכר:
10Now, the son of an Israelite woman and he was the son of an Egyptian man went out among the children of Israel, and they quarreled in the camp this son of the Israelite woman, and an Israelite man. יוַיֵּצֵא֙ בֶּן־אִשָּׁ֣ה יִשְׂרְאֵלִ֔ית וְהוּא֙ בֶּן־אִ֣ישׁ מִצְרִ֔י בְּת֖וֹךְ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיִּנָּצוּ֙ בַּמַּֽחֲנֶ֔ה בֶּ֚ן הַיִּשְׂרְאֵלִ֔ית וְאִ֖ישׁ הַיִּשְׂרְאֵלִֽי:
the son of an Israelite woman…went out: From where did he go out? Rabbi Levi says: “He went out of his world” [i.e., he forfeited his share in the World to Come. See Be’er Basadeh , Maskil L’David]. Rabbi Berechiah says: “He went out of the above passage.” He mocked and said, “[Scripture says,] ‘Each… Sabbath day, he shall set it up.’ But surely it is the practice of kings to eat warm [fresh] bread every day! Perhaps cold bread, nine days old?” [he said] in astonishment. [In fact, the bread remained miraculously warm and fresh until it was removed the following week (Chag. 26b).] The Baraitha states: He “went out” of Moses’ tribunal [with a] guilty [verdict. How so?] He had come to pitch his tent within the encampment of the tribe of Dan. So [this tribe] said to him, “What right do you have to be here?” Said he, “I am of the descendants of Dan,” [claiming lineage through his mother, who was from the tribe of Dan (see verse 11)]. They said to him, “[But Scripture states (Num. 2:2): ‘The children of Israel shall encamp] each man by his grouping according to the insignias of his father’s household,’” [thereby refuting his maternal claim]. He entered Moses’ tribunal [where his case was tried], and came out guilty. Then, he arose and blasphemed. — [Vayikra Rabbah 32:3] ויצא בן אשה ישראלית: מהיכן יצא, רבי לוי אומר מעולמו יצא. רבי ברכיה אומר מפרשה שלמעלה יצא. לגלג ואמר ביום השבת יערכנו, דרך המלך לאכול פת חמה בכל יום, או שמא פת צוננת של תשעה ימים, בתמיה. ומתניתא אמרה מבית דינו של משה יצא מחוייב. בא ליטע אהלו בתוך מחנה דן, אמרו לו מה טיבך לכאן, אמר להם מבני דן אני. אמרו לו (במדבר ב) איש על דגלו באותות לבית אבותם כתיב. נכנס לבית דינו של משה ויצא מחוייב, עמד וגדף:
the son of an Egyptian man: the Egyptian whom Moses had slain, [uttering the Divine Name (see Rashi on Exod. 2:14). When the man heard this, he arose and began blaspheming against the Divine Name.]- [Sifthei Chachamim ; Vayikra Rabbah 32:4] בן איש מצרי: הוא המצרי שהרגו משה:
among the children of Israel: [This] teaches [us] that he converted. [Although he was halachically a Jew, since he was born to a Jewish mother, “he converted” here means that he immersed and was circumcised at Mount Sinai “among the children of Israel,” i.e., together with all the children of Israel.]- [Ramban; Torath Kohanim 24:235] בתוך בני ישראל: מלמד שנתגייר:
They…quarreled in the camp: regarding the encampment. [See Rashi on the beginning of this verse]. — [Torath Kohanim 24:235). וינצו במחנה: על עסקי המחנה:
an Israelite man: This was his opponent, the one who prevented him from pitching his tent [in the encampment of Dan]. — [Torath Kohanim 24:235] ואיש הישראלי: זה שכנגדו, שמיחה בו מטע אהלו:
11And the son of the Israelite woman pronounced the [Divine] Name and cursed. So they brought him to Moses. His mother's name was Shelomith the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan. יאוַיִּקֹּ֠ב בֶּן־הָֽאִשָּׁ֨ה הַיִּשְׂרְאֵלִ֤ית אֶת־הַשֵּׁם֙ וַיְקַלֵּ֔ל וַיָּבִ֥יאוּ אֹת֖וֹ אֶל־משֶׁ֑ה וְשֵׁ֥ם אִמּ֛וֹ שְׁלֹמִ֥ית בַּת־דִּבְרִ֖י לְמַטֵּה־דָֽן:
blasphemously pronounced: Heb. וַיִּקֹּב. As the Targum [Onkelos] renders: וּפָרֵישׁ, “and he pronounced”-he pronounced the ineffable Divine Name and cursed. This [Name that must not be pronounced] was the explicit [four-letter] Divine Name that this man had heard from [the revelation at Mount] Sinai. — [Torath Kohanim 24:235] ויקב: כתרגומו ופריש, שנקב שם המיוחד וגדף, והוא שם המפורש ששמע מסיני:
His mother’s name was Shelomith the daughter of Dibri: [Why is her name mentioned? This teaches us] the praise of Israel, for Scripture publicizes this one, effectively telling us that she alone [among all the women of Israel] was [involved in an] illicit [relation (Vayikra Rabbah 32:5), albeit unwitting on her part. (See Rashi on Exod. 2:11.) Nevertheless, no other Israelite woman had even unwitting illicit relations]. — [Mizrachi] ושם אמו שלמית בת דברי: שבחן של ישראל שפרסמה הכתוב לזו, לומר, שהיא לבדה היתה זונה:
Shelomith: Heb. שְׁלוֹמִית. [Her name denotes that] she was a chatterbox, [always going about saying] “Peace (שָׁלוֹם) be with you! Peace be with you! Peace be with you [men]!” (Vayikra Rabbah 32:5). [She would] chatter about with words, greeting everyone. שלמית: דהות פטפטה שלם עלך, שלם עלך, שלם עליכון, מפטפטת בדברים שואלת בשלום הכל:
the daughter of Dibri: [This denotes that] she was very talkative, talking (מְדַבֶּרֶת) with every person. That is why she fell into sin. בת דברי: דברנית היתה מדברת עם כל אדם, לפיכך קלקלה:
of the tribe of Dan: [This] tells us that a wicked person brings disgrace to himself, disgrace to his father, and disgrace to his [entire] tribe. Likewise, [the converse is true regarding a righteous man,] “Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan” (Exod. 35:34), [for Oholiab brought about] praise to himself, praise to his father, and praise to his [entire] tribe. — [Torath Kohanim 24:237] למטה דן: מגיד שהרשע גורם גנאי לו גנאי לאביו גנאי לשבטו, כיוצא בו (שמות לא ו) אהליאב בן אחיסמך למטה דן, שבח לו שבח לאביו שבח לשבטו:
12They placed him in the guardhouse, [until his sentence would] be specified to them by the word of the Lord. יבוַיַּנִּיחֻ֖הוּ בַּמִּשְׁמָ֑ר לִפְר֥שׁ לָהֶ֖ם עַל־פִּ֥י יְהֹוָֽה:
They placed him: [Since Scripture does not say, “they placed (וַיִּשִׂימוּ or וַיִּתְּנוּ) him in the guardhouse,” but rather, “they left him (וַיַּנִּיחֻהוּ) in the guardhouse,” which means that they left him] alone, and they did not leave the one who gathered wood [on the Sabbath] with him (see Num. 15:32-36), for these two [episodes, namely, of the wood gatherer and the blasphemer,] occurred at the same time. Now, they knew that the wood gatherer was liable to death, as is stated “those who profane it shall be put to death.” (Exod. 31:14) The mode of death, however, had not yet been specified to them [by God]. Thus it says (Num. 15:34), “for it had not [yet] been specified what should be done to him”-while in the case of the blasphemer [here], Scripture says לִפְרשׁ לָהֶם, [lit., “to specify for them,” namely to specify his sentence], for they did not know whether or not he was liable to the death penalty [at all, and if he would be placed together with the wood gatherer, it might have caused him unnecessary fear, since he could assume thereby that he was on death row. Therefore, at that point he had to be kept separately]. — [Be’er Basadeh, Torath Kohanim 24:237] ויניחהו: לבדו, ולא הניחו מקושש עמו, ששניהם היו בפרק אחד. ויודעים היו שהמקושש במיתה, שנאמר (שמות לא יד) מחלליה מות יומת אבל לא פורש להם באיזו מיתה, לכך נאמר (במדבר טו לד) כי לא פורש מה יעשה לו. אבל במקלל הוא אומר לפרוש להם, שלא היו יודעים אם חייב מיתה אם לאו:
13Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: יגוַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־משֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר:
14Take the blasphemer outside the camp, and all who heard [his blasphemy] shall lean their hands on his head. And the entire community shall stone him. ידהוֹצֵ֣א אֶת־הַֽמְקַלֵּ֗ל אֶל־מִחוּץ֙ לַמַּֽחֲנֶ֔ה וְסָמְכ֧וּ כָל־הַשֹּֽׁמְעִ֛ים אֶת־יְדֵיהֶ֖ם עַל־רֹאשׁ֑וֹ וְרָֽגְמ֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ כָּל־הָֽעֵדָֽה:
who heard: These were the witnesses. - [Torath Kohanim 24:239] השמעים: אלו העדים:
all [who heard]: [The word “all” comes] to include the judges. — [Torath Kohanim 24:237] כל: להביא את הדיינים:
[shall lean] their hands [on his head]: They say to him: “Your blood is on your own head! We are not to be punished for your death, for you brought this upon yourself!” - [Torath Kohanim 24:239] את ידיהם: אומרים לו דמך בראשך ואין אנו נענשים במיתתך שאתה גרמת לך:
And the entire community [shall stone him]: [I.e., he is to be stoned by the witnesses] in the presence of the entire community (Torath Kohanim 24:240). From here [we learn] that an agent of a person is considered as [the person] himself, [for only the witnesses are to stone him, but since they are acting as agents of the entire community, Scripture considers it as if the entire community is stoning him]. כל העדה: במעמד כל העדה. מכאן ששלוחו של אדם כמותו:
15And to the children of Israel, you shall speak, saying: Any man who blasphemes his God shall bear his sin. טווְאֶל־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל תְּדַבֵּ֣ר לֵאמֹ֑ר אִ֥ישׁ אִ֛ישׁ כִּֽי־יְקַלֵּ֥ל אֱלֹהָ֖יו וְנָשָׂ֥א חֶטְאֽוֹ:
[Any man…who blasphemes his God] shall bear his sin: [He shall be punished] by excision, if there was no warning - [Torath Kohanim 24:243]. ונשא חטאו: בכרת, כשאין התראה:
16And one who blasphemously pronounces the Name of the Lord, shall be put to death; the entire community shall stone him; convert and resident alike if he pronounces the [Divine] Name, he shall be put to death. טזוְנֹקֵ֤ב שֵֽׁם־יְהֹוָה֙ מ֣וֹת יוּמָ֔ת רָג֥וֹם יִרְגְּמוּ־ב֖וֹ כָּל־הָֽעֵדָ֑ה כַּגֵּר֙ כָּֽאֶזְרָ֔ח בְּנָקְב֥וֹ שֵׁ֖ם יוּמָֽת:
And one who blasphemously pronounces the Name: [This teaches us that] one is not liable [to the death penalty] unless he pronounces the [four-letter Divine] Name. However, one who curses using an ancillary Name [for God, rather than the explicit, four-letter Name], is not [liable to the death penalty]. — [Torath Kohanim 24:243] ונקב שם: אינו חייב עד שיפרש את השם, ולא המקלל בכינוי:
And one who blasphemously pronounces: Heb. וְנֹקֵב. [This term] denotes cursing, as in, “What can I curse (אֶקֹּב) …?” (Num. 23:8). - [Sanh. 56a] ונקב: לשון קללה, כמו (במדבר כג ח) מה אקב:
17And if a man strikes down any human being he shall be put to death. יזוְאִ֕ישׁ כִּ֥י יַכֶּ֖ה כָּל־נֶ֣פֶשׁ אָדָ֑ם מ֖וֹת יוּמָֽת:
And if a man strikes down [any human being]: Since Scripture states, “One who strikes a man so that he dies [shall surely be put to death]” (Exod. 21:12), I know only that [the death penalty applies to] one who kills a “man.” How do I know [that it applies also to one who kills] a woman or a minor? Therefore, Scripture says, “[If a man strikes down] any human being.” - [Torath Kohanim 24:245] ואיש כי יכה: לפי שנאמר (שמות כא יב) מכה איש ומת, אין לי אלא שהרג את האיש, אשה וקטן מנין, תלמוד לומר כל נפש אדם:
18And one who slays an animal shall pay for it [the value of] a life for the life [he took]. יחוּמַכֵּ֥ה נֶֽפֶשׁ־בְּהֵמָ֖ה יְשַׁלְּמֶ֑נָּה נֶ֖פֶשׁ תַּ֥חַת נָֽפֶשׁ:
19And a man who inflicts an injury upon his fellow man just as he did, so shall be done to him [namely,] יטוְאִ֕ישׁ כִּֽי־יִתֵּ֥ן מ֖וּם בַּֽעֲמִית֑וֹ כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֔ה כֵּ֖ן יֵעָ֥שֶׂה לּֽוֹ:
20fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. Just as he inflicted an injury upon a person, so shall it be inflicted upon him. כשֶׁ֚בֶר תַּ֣חַת שֶׁ֔בֶר עַ֚יִן תַּ֣חַת עַ֔יִן שֵׁ֖ן תַּ֣חַת שֵׁ֑ן כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר יִתֵּ֥ן מוּם֙ בָּֽאָדָ֔ם כֵּ֖ן יִנָּ֥תֶן בּֽוֹ:
so shall be done to him: Heb. כֵּן יִנָּתֵן בּוֹ. Our Rabbis explained that this does not mean the actual infliction of a wound, but payment of money. [And how is an injury estimated? The victim] is evaluated as a slave [if he would not have had the injury, and how much with the injury, and the difference is the compensation]. This is why Scripture uses the expression נְתִינָה, “giving,” [thereby alluding to] something that is “handed over (הַנָתוּן)” from hand to hand. — [B.K. 84a] כן ינתן בו: פירשו רבותינו, שאינו נתינת מום ממש אלא תשלומי ממון, שמין אותו כעבד, לכך כתוב בו לשון נתינה, דבר הנתון מיד ליד:
21And one who injures an animal shall pay for it. And one who strikes a person shall be put to death. כאוּמַכֵּ֥ה בְהֵמָ֖ה יְשַׁלְּמֶ֑נָּה וּמַכֵּ֥ה אָדָ֖ם יוּמָֽת:
And one who injures an animal shall pay for it: [Verse 18] above is speaking of one who kills an animal, whereas here it is speaking of one who inflicts an injury upon it. ומכה בהמה ישלמנה: למעלה דבר בהורג בהמה, וכאן דבר בעושה בה חבורה:
And one who strikes a person shall be put to death: even if he did not kill him, but just inflicted an injury upon him. For the term נֶפֶשׁ is not used here. Scripture is speaking here of someone who strikes his father or his mother. And Scripture places this case in juxtaposition to the case of someone who strikes an animal [in order to teach us that]: just as if someone strikes an animal [he is liable only if] it is alive, so is one who strikes his father [or mother liable only if] they are alive. This comes to exclude the case of one who strikes [his father or mother] after [their] death. [Why is this case excluded here?] Since we find that one who curses his [father or mother] after [their] death is liable [to the death penalty-see Rashi on Lev. 20:9 Scripture finds it necessary here to teach us that one who strikes [his parent after death] is exempt. And [this juxtaposition also teaches us that] just as in the case of [one who strikes] an animal, [he is liable only if he inflicted an] injury, but if there was no injury, there is no compensation-likewise, one who strikes his father is not liable [to the death penalty] unless he inflicts an injury upon him. — [Torath Kohanim 24:250] ומכה אדם יומת: אפילו לא הרגו אלא עשה בו חבורה, שלא נאמר כאן נפש ובמכה אביו ואמו דבר הכתוב ובא להקישו למכה בהמה מה מכה בהמה מחיים, אף מכה אביו ואמו מחיים, פרט למכה לאחר מיתה, לפי שמצינו שהמקללו לאחר מיתה חייב, הוצרך לומר במכה שפטור. ומה בבהמה בחבלה, שאם אין חבלה אין תשלומין, אף מכה אביו ואמו אינו חייב עד שיעשה בהם חבורה:
22One law shall be exacted for you, convert and resident alike, for I am the Lord, your God. כבמִשְׁפַּ֤ט אֶחָד֙ יִֽהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֔ם כַּגֵּ֥ר כָּֽאֶזְרָ֖ח יִֽהְיֶ֑ה כִּ֛י אֲנִ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם:
I am the Lord your God: the God of all of you. Just as I attach My Name uniquely upon you [native Jewish people], so do I attach it uniquely upon the converts [to Judaism]. אני ה' אלהיכם: אלהי כולכם, כשם שאני מיחד שמי עליכם כך אני מייחד שמי על הגרים:
23And Moses told [all this] to the children of Israel. So they took the blasphemer outside the camp and stoned him, and the children of Israel did just as the Lord had commanded Moses. כגוַיְדַבֵּ֣ר משֶׁה֘ אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ וַיּוֹצִ֣יאוּ אֶת־הַֽמְקַלֵּ֗ל אֶל־מִחוּץ֙ לַמַּֽחֲנֶ֔ה וַיִּרְגְּמ֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ אָ֑בֶן וּבְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל עָשׂ֔וּ כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־משֶֽׁה:
and the children of Israel did: the whole procedure of stoning, described elsewhere [in Scripture]-namely, “pushing” [him off a two-story building-see Rashi on Exod. 19:13 and Sanh. 45a] the actual “stoning” and “hanging” [him afterwards on a pole, taking him down before nightfall and burying him then-see Deut. 21:22-23 and Rashi there]. — [Torath Kohanim 24:252] ובני ישראל עשו: כל המצוה האמורה בסקילה במקום אחר דחייה, רגימה ותלייה:
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Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 83 - 87
• Hebrew text
• English text
Chapter 83
A prayer regarding the wars against Israel in the days of Jehoshaphat, when the nations plotted against Israel.
1. A song, a psalm by Asaph.
2. O God, do not be silent; do not be quiet and do not be still, O God.
3. For behold, Your enemies are in uproar, and those who hate You have raised their head.
4. They plot deviously against Your nation, and conspire against those sheltered by You.
5. They say, "Come, let us sever them from nationhood, and the name of Israel will be remembered no more.”
6. For they conspire with a unanimous heart, they made a covenant against You-
7. the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites,
8. Geval and Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre.
9. Assyria, too, joined with them, and became the strength of the sons of Lot, Selah.
10. Do to them as to Midian; as to Sisera and Yavin at the brook of Kishon,
11. who were destroyed at Ein Dor, and were as dung for the earth.
12. Make their nobles like Orev and Ze'ev, all their princes like Zevach and Tzalmuna,1
13. who said, "Let us inherit the dwellings of God for ourselves.”
14. My God, make them like whirling chaff, like straw before the wind.
15. As a fire consumes the forest, and a flame sets the mountains ablaze,
16. so pursue them with Your tempest and terrify them with Your storm.
17. Fill their faces with shame, and they will seek Your Name, O Lord.
18. Let them be shamed and terrified forever; let them be disgraced and perish.
19. And they will know that You, Whose Name is the Lord, are alone, Most High over all the earth.
FOOTNOTES
1.These were the Midianite leaders who were captured (see Judges 7:25)
Chapter 84
In this psalm of prayers and entreaties, the psalmist mourns bitterly over the destruction of Temple from the depths of his heart, and speaks of the many blessings that will be realized upon its restoration. Fortunate is the one who trusts it will be rebuilt, and does not despair in the face of this long exile.
1. For the Conductor, on the gittit,1 a psalm by the sons of Korach.
2. How beloved are Your dwellings, O Lord of Hosts!
3. My soul yearns, indeed it pines, for the courtyards of the Lord; my heart and my flesh [long to] sing to the living God.
4. Even the bird has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she lays her young on the [ruins of] Your altars, O Lord of Hosts, my King and my God.
5. Fortunate are those who dwell in Your House; they will yet praise You forever.
6. Fortunate is the man whose strength is in You; the paths [to the Temple] are in his heart.
7. For those who pass through the Valley of Thorns, He places wellsprings; their guide will be cloaked in blessings.2
8. They go from strength to strength; they will appear before God in Zion.
9. O Lord, God of Hosts, hear my prayer; listen, O God of Jacob, forever.
10. See our shield,3 O God, and look upon the face of Your anointed one.
11. For better one day in Your courtyards than a thousand [elsewhere]. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God, than dwell [in comfort] in the tents of wickedness.
12. For the Lord, God, is a sun and a shield; the Lord bestows favor and glory; He does not withhold goodness from those who walk in innocence.
13. O Lord of Hosts! Fortunate is the man who trusts in You.
FOOTNOTES
1.A musical instrument crafted in Gath (Metzudot).
2.God provides water for the pilgrims to Jerusalem, leading them to bless their guides for choosing a water-laden route (Metzudot)
3.Remember the Temple [and rebuild it](Metzudot).
Chapter 85
In this prayer, lamenting the long and bitter exile, the psalmist asks why this exile is longer than the previous ones, and implores God to quickly fulfill His promise to redeem us. Every individual should offer this psalm when in distress.
1. For the Conductor, a psalm by the sons of Korach.
2. O Lord, You favored Your land; You returned the captives of Jacob.
3. You forgave the iniquity of Your people, and covered all their sin forever.
4. You withdrew all Your fury, and retreated from Your fierce anger.
5. Return us, O God of our salvation, and annul Your anger toward us.
6. Will You forever be angry with us? Will You draw out Your anger over all generations?
7. Is it not true that You will revive us again, and Your people will rejoice in You?
8. Show us Your kindness, O Lord, and grant us Your deliverance.
9. I hear what the Almighty Lord will say; for He speaks peace to His nation and to His pious ones, and they will not return to folly.
10. Indeed, His deliverance is near those who fear Him, that [His] glory may dwell in the land.
11. Kindness and truth have met; righteousness and peace have kissed.
12. Truth will sprout from the earth, and righteousness will peer from heaven.
13. The Lord, too, will bestow goodness, and our land will yield its produce.
14. Righteousness shall walk before him, and he shall set his footsteps in [its] path.
Chapter 86
This psalm contains many prayers regarding David's troubles, and his enemies Doeg and Achitophel. It also includes many descriptions of God's praise. Every individual can offer this psalm when in distress.
1. A prayer by David. Lord, turn Your ear, answer me, for I am poor and needy.
2. Guard my soul, for I am pious; You, my God, deliver Your servant who trusts in You.
3. Be gracious to me, my Lord, for to You I call all day.
4. Bring joy to the soul of Your servant, for to You, my Lord, I lift my soul.
5. For You, my Lord, are good and forgiving, and exceedingly kind to all who call upon You.
6. Lord, hear my prayer and listen to the voice of my supplications.
7. On the day of my distress I call upon You, for You will answer me.
8. There is none like You among the supernal beings, my Lord, and there are no deeds like Yours.
9. All the nations that You have made will come and bow down before You, my Lord, and give honor to Your Name,
10. for You are great and perform wonders, You alone, O God.
11. Lord, teach me Your way that I may walk in Your truth; unify my heart to fear Your Name.
12. I will praise You, my Lord, my God, with all my heart, and give honor to Your Name forever.
13. For Your kindness to me has been great; You have saved my soul from the depth of the grave.
14. O God, malicious men have risen against me; a band of ruthless men has sought my soul; they are not mindful of You.
15. But You, my Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in kindness and truth.
16. Turn to me and be gracious to me; grant Your strength to Your servant, and deliver the son of Your maidservant.
17. Show me a sign of favor, that my foes may see and be shamed, because You, Lord, have given me aid and consoled me.
Chapter 87
Composed to be sung in the Holy Temple, this psalm praises the glory of Jerusalem, a city that produces many great scholars, eminent personalities, and persons of good deeds. It also speaks of the good that will occur in the Messianic era.
1. By the sons of Korach, a psalm, a song devoted to the holy mountains [of Zion and Jerusalem].
2. The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
3. Glorious things are spoken of you, eternal city of God.
4. I will remind Rahav Egypt and Babylon concerning My beloved; Philistia and Tyre as well as Ethiopia, "This one was born there.”
5. And to Zion will be said, "This person and that was born there"; and He, the Most High, will establish it.
6. The Lord will count in the register of people, "This one was born there," Selah.
7. Singers as well as dancers [will sing your praise and say], "All my inner thoughts are of you."
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• Hebrew text
• English text
Chapter 83
A prayer regarding the wars against Israel in the days of Jehoshaphat, when the nations plotted against Israel.
1. A song, a psalm by Asaph.
2. O God, do not be silent; do not be quiet and do not be still, O God.
3. For behold, Your enemies are in uproar, and those who hate You have raised their head.
4. They plot deviously against Your nation, and conspire against those sheltered by You.
5. They say, "Come, let us sever them from nationhood, and the name of Israel will be remembered no more.”
6. For they conspire with a unanimous heart, they made a covenant against You-
7. the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites,
8. Geval and Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre.
9. Assyria, too, joined with them, and became the strength of the sons of Lot, Selah.
10. Do to them as to Midian; as to Sisera and Yavin at the brook of Kishon,
11. who were destroyed at Ein Dor, and were as dung for the earth.
12. Make their nobles like Orev and Ze'ev, all their princes like Zevach and Tzalmuna,1
13. who said, "Let us inherit the dwellings of God for ourselves.”
14. My God, make them like whirling chaff, like straw before the wind.
15. As a fire consumes the forest, and a flame sets the mountains ablaze,
16. so pursue them with Your tempest and terrify them with Your storm.
17. Fill their faces with shame, and they will seek Your Name, O Lord.
18. Let them be shamed and terrified forever; let them be disgraced and perish.
19. And they will know that You, Whose Name is the Lord, are alone, Most High over all the earth.
FOOTNOTES
1.These were the Midianite leaders who were captured (see Judges 7:25)
Chapter 84
In this psalm of prayers and entreaties, the psalmist mourns bitterly over the destruction of Temple from the depths of his heart, and speaks of the many blessings that will be realized upon its restoration. Fortunate is the one who trusts it will be rebuilt, and does not despair in the face of this long exile.
1. For the Conductor, on the gittit,1 a psalm by the sons of Korach.
2. How beloved are Your dwellings, O Lord of Hosts!
3. My soul yearns, indeed it pines, for the courtyards of the Lord; my heart and my flesh [long to] sing to the living God.
4. Even the bird has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she lays her young on the [ruins of] Your altars, O Lord of Hosts, my King and my God.
5. Fortunate are those who dwell in Your House; they will yet praise You forever.
6. Fortunate is the man whose strength is in You; the paths [to the Temple] are in his heart.
7. For those who pass through the Valley of Thorns, He places wellsprings; their guide will be cloaked in blessings.2
8. They go from strength to strength; they will appear before God in Zion.
9. O Lord, God of Hosts, hear my prayer; listen, O God of Jacob, forever.
10. See our shield,3 O God, and look upon the face of Your anointed one.
11. For better one day in Your courtyards than a thousand [elsewhere]. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God, than dwell [in comfort] in the tents of wickedness.
12. For the Lord, God, is a sun and a shield; the Lord bestows favor and glory; He does not withhold goodness from those who walk in innocence.
13. O Lord of Hosts! Fortunate is the man who trusts in You.
FOOTNOTES
1.A musical instrument crafted in Gath (Metzudot).
2.God provides water for the pilgrims to Jerusalem, leading them to bless their guides for choosing a water-laden route (Metzudot)
3.Remember the Temple [and rebuild it](Metzudot).
Chapter 85
In this prayer, lamenting the long and bitter exile, the psalmist asks why this exile is longer than the previous ones, and implores God to quickly fulfill His promise to redeem us. Every individual should offer this psalm when in distress.
1. For the Conductor, a psalm by the sons of Korach.
2. O Lord, You favored Your land; You returned the captives of Jacob.
3. You forgave the iniquity of Your people, and covered all their sin forever.
4. You withdrew all Your fury, and retreated from Your fierce anger.
5. Return us, O God of our salvation, and annul Your anger toward us.
6. Will You forever be angry with us? Will You draw out Your anger over all generations?
7. Is it not true that You will revive us again, and Your people will rejoice in You?
8. Show us Your kindness, O Lord, and grant us Your deliverance.
9. I hear what the Almighty Lord will say; for He speaks peace to His nation and to His pious ones, and they will not return to folly.
10. Indeed, His deliverance is near those who fear Him, that [His] glory may dwell in the land.
11. Kindness and truth have met; righteousness and peace have kissed.
12. Truth will sprout from the earth, and righteousness will peer from heaven.
13. The Lord, too, will bestow goodness, and our land will yield its produce.
14. Righteousness shall walk before him, and he shall set his footsteps in [its] path.
Chapter 86
This psalm contains many prayers regarding David's troubles, and his enemies Doeg and Achitophel. It also includes many descriptions of God's praise. Every individual can offer this psalm when in distress.
1. A prayer by David. Lord, turn Your ear, answer me, for I am poor and needy.
2. Guard my soul, for I am pious; You, my God, deliver Your servant who trusts in You.
3. Be gracious to me, my Lord, for to You I call all day.
4. Bring joy to the soul of Your servant, for to You, my Lord, I lift my soul.
5. For You, my Lord, are good and forgiving, and exceedingly kind to all who call upon You.
6. Lord, hear my prayer and listen to the voice of my supplications.
7. On the day of my distress I call upon You, for You will answer me.
8. There is none like You among the supernal beings, my Lord, and there are no deeds like Yours.
9. All the nations that You have made will come and bow down before You, my Lord, and give honor to Your Name,
10. for You are great and perform wonders, You alone, O God.
11. Lord, teach me Your way that I may walk in Your truth; unify my heart to fear Your Name.
12. I will praise You, my Lord, my God, with all my heart, and give honor to Your Name forever.
13. For Your kindness to me has been great; You have saved my soul from the depth of the grave.
14. O God, malicious men have risen against me; a band of ruthless men has sought my soul; they are not mindful of You.
15. But You, my Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in kindness and truth.
16. Turn to me and be gracious to me; grant Your strength to Your servant, and deliver the son of Your maidservant.
17. Show me a sign of favor, that my foes may see and be shamed, because You, Lord, have given me aid and consoled me.
Chapter 87
Composed to be sung in the Holy Temple, this psalm praises the glory of Jerusalem, a city that produces many great scholars, eminent personalities, and persons of good deeds. It also speaks of the good that will occur in the Messianic era.
1. By the sons of Korach, a psalm, a song devoted to the holy mountains [of Zion and Jerusalem].
2. The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
3. Glorious things are spoken of you, eternal city of God.
4. I will remind Rahav Egypt and Babylon concerning My beloved; Philistia and Tyre as well as Ethiopia, "This one was born there.”
5. And to Zion will be said, "This person and that was born there"; and He, the Most High, will establish it.
6. The Lord will count in the register of people, "This one was born there," Selah.
7. Singers as well as dancers [will sing your praise and say], "All my inner thoughts are of you."
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Tanya: Likutei Amarim, end of Chapter 48
• English Text: Lessons in Tanya
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Shabbat, Iyar 17, 5777 · May 13, 2017
Today's Tanya Lesson
Likutei Amarim, end of Chapter 48
למשל: כדור הארץ הלזו, הרי ידיעתו יתברך מקפת כל עובי כדור הארץ, וכל אשר בתוכו ותוך תוכו, עד תחתיתו, הכל בפועל ממש
For example, in the case of the orb of this earth, His knowledge encompasses the entire diameter of the globe of the earth, together with all that is in it and its deepest interior to its lowest depths, all in actual reality.
שהרי ידיעה זו היא חיות כל עובי כדור הארץ כולו, והתהוותו מאין ליש
For this knowledge constitutes the vitality of the whole spherical thickness of the earth and its creation ex nihilo.
The whole earth was originally created and continues to be created ex nihilo as a result of G‑d’s knowledge of it.
רק שלא היה מתהווה כמות שהוא עתה, בעל גבול ותכלית, וחיות מועטת מאד כדי בחינת דומם וצומח
However, it would not have come into being as it is now, as a finite and limited thing, with an exceedingly minute degree of vitality sufficient for the categories of inorganic matter and vegetation,
אם לא על ידי צמצומים רבים ועצומים, שצמצמו האור והחיות שנתלבש בכדור הארץ
were it not for the world being created through the many powerful contractions which have condensed the light and vitality that is clothed in the orb of the earth,
להחיותו ולקיימו בבחינת גבול ותכלית, ובבחינת דומם וצומח בלבד
so as to animate it and sustain it in its finite and limited status and in the categories of inorganic and vegetable matter alone.
Thus the minute degree of illumination which results from the tzimtzumim enables the earth to exist in a finite manner, and only in the finitude of inorganic and vegetable matter. G‑d’s knowledge, however, as shall presently be explained, encircles the earth from above. For since His knowledge is infinite, while the world is finite, it is impossible for this knowledge to pervade the earth, even though this knowledge constitutes the earth’s very creation and existence.
אך ידיעתו יתברך המיוחדת במהותו ועצמותו, כי הוא המדע והוא היודע והוא הידוע
But His knowledge which is united with His essence and being, for “He is the Knowledge, the Knower, and the Known,
It has been previously explained (in ch. 2) that G‑d’s knowledge and intellect are totally different from man’s. When a mortal being knows something, three distinct identities are involved: (a) the “knower” — the person in possession of the knowledge; (b) the “knowledge” — the intellectual faculty which enables him to know; (c) the “known” — the particular item of knowledge which he knows. G‑d, however, “...is the Knowledge, the Knower, and the Known.” He that knows, and the vehicle through which He knows, and that which He knows — are all Himself. Thus His knowledge is wholly united, wholly identified, with His essence.
ובידיעת עצמו, כביכול, יודע כל הנבראים
and knowing Himself, as it were, He knows all created beings,
ולא בידיעה שחוץ ממנו, כידיעת האדם
though not with a knowledge that is external to Himself, like the knowledge of a human being,
Human knowledge requires getting to know something which is external to the knower himself. Not so G‑d’s knowledge: it comes from His knowing Himself,
כי כולם נמצאים מאמיתתו יתברך
for all of [the created beings] are derived from His true reality,
G‑d’s true reality and existence is the source of all created beings. By knowing Himself, therefore, as mentioned just above, He knows all of creation.
ודבר זה אין ביכולת האדם להשיגו על בוריו וכו׳
and this thing is not within the power of human beings to comprehend clearly...,“ —*
The human mind cannot possibly grasp the concept of “Knowledge, Knower and Known” all being one and the same. For whatever matter a man may desire to comprehend, he imagines how it exists within himself — bearing in mind, of course, that when the matter at hand is the knowledge of G‑dliness, it is to be conceived on a more exalted and abstract plane than that of simple human existence. Since G‑d’s manner of knowledge is totally dissimilar from man’s, it is thus impossible for him to picture it at all. It must forever remain beyond his ken.
הגהה
*NOTE
“He is the Knowledge, the Knower...” and so on, is a quotation from Rambam (Maimonides). There are prominent sages who take issue with this view, among them Maharal (Rabbi Yehudah Loewe) of Prague.
In the introduction to his Gevurot HaShem, Maharal raises a number of objections to the thesis of Rambam. One of his most telling arguments: The descriptive term “knowledge” or “intellect” is one of limitation. By terming something as being “intellect” we are thereby saying that it is not anything other than intellect — such as feelings, action, or whatever. Yet how can we possibly say that G‑d is limited in any way? For He is the ultimate in indivisible simplicity, not a complex amalgamation of distinct, limited attributes.
Even if we posit that G‑d’s knowledge and man’s are totally dissimilar, and that man is incapable of comprehending how G‑d is both simultaneously “Knowledge, Knower, and Known,” yet the fact still remains that knowledge is a specific attribute: we are speaking of knowledge, to the exclusion of all else. This cannot possibly serve as a description of G‑d’s essence.
Maharal goes on to point out that the Sages of the Talmud refer to G‑d as “the Holy One, blessed be He,” not as “the Intellect, blessed be He.” For “holy” means separate and apart — utterly transcending anything that is within the realm of description. And it is specifically because He is above everything and beyond all description that everything derives from Him. For He is limited in no respect that might preclude the existence of anything.
Intellect, Maharal teaches, is merely one of G‑d’s creations. Seen in this light, “And G‑d knew” is no different from “And G‑d said” or “And G‑d made.” Just as G‑d’s speech and action are not His essence but faculties which He brought into being, so, too, with regard to knowledge — the attributes of knowledge and intellect are His creations.
The Alter Rebbe explains in this note that the scholars of the Kabbalah subscribed to the view of Rambam that Divine knowledge ought to be considered in terms of “Knowledge, Knower, and Known.” However, they specify, this only applies after the light of the Ein Sof contracted into the ten Sefirot of Atzilut — Chochmah, Binah, Daat (wisdom, knowledge and understanding) and so on, i.e., after the “clothing of the light in vessels.” Only after the light of Chochmah clothed itself in the vessel of Chochmah, the light of Binah in the vessel of Binah, and so forth — i.e., only after these entities already exist — is it possible to say that this knowledge and intellect is totally at one with G‑d. However, before the contraction within these Sefirot, G‑d supremely transcends intellect and wisdom, even as they exist in their most abstract and rarefied form.
According to the teachings of Chassidut, following along the lines of Rabbi Isaac Luria’s interpretation of the doctrine of tzimtzum (“contraction”), the views of both Rambam and Maharal are correct.
G‑d’s essential existence and being, before any contraction of G‑dliness, is as described by Maharal — an existence of unqualified simplicity, beyond the pale of knowledge and intellect in whatever form they may take, even so subtle a form as “Knowledge, Knower, and Known.” However, once the contraction took place, and the Sefirot came into being, then His vestiture in them may properly be described by saying, in the words of Rambam, that “He is the Knowledge....”
This is because the Sefirot are emanations of G‑dliness rather than created beings. As such they are wholly united with G‑d. This is expressed in the statement of Tikkunei Zohar: “He and His life-giving emanations (i.e., the orot, the ”lights“ of the ten Sefirot of the World of Atzilut) are one; He and His causations (i.e., the kelim, the ”vessels“ of the ten Sefirot of Atzilut) are one....” That is to say, the Ein Sof-light is one with the lights and vessels of Atzilut. This is exactly the same as saying “He is the Knowledge...,” for the knowledge of the Sefirot is truly one with G‑d (and not a created being), as Maharal insists.
For the view of Maharal, too, is fraught with difficulties. Firstly, we note that Scripture does ascribe knowledge to G‑d Himself, as in the verse, “...and His understanding is beyond reckoning.” Furthermore, it appears unreasonable to argue that G‑d’s knowledge is dependent on a created entity.
According to the explanation of Chassidut, then, all these difficulties — both those in the view of Maharal and those in the view of Rambam — are satisfactorily resolved: G‑d’s essence is indeed beyond description, yet He is still the “Knowledge, the Knower and the Known” as He unites Himself with the Sefirot of Atzilut, after their having come into being through the medium of “contraction”.
In the words of the Alter Rebbe:
כמו שכתב הרמב״ם ז״ל
As Rambam, of blessed memory, has written — that G‑d is “Knowledge, Knower, and Known,
והסכימו עמו חכמי הקבלה, כמו שכתוב בפרדס מהרמ"ק ז"ל
and the scholars of the Kabbalah have agreed with his views, as is stated in Pardes of Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, of blessed memory.
וכן הוא לפי קבלת האריז"ל
This is also in accord with the Kabbalah of our master, Rabbi Isaac Luria, of blessed memory,
It was Rabbi Isaac Luria, the AriZal, who first revealed the doctrine of tzimtzum (“contraction”), which taught that G‑d’s exalted essence is even more removed from the Sefirot than was thought before then. It would thus be logical to assume that since he stresses this infinite distance from the Sefirot (the Sefirah of Chochmah, for example), he would be unable to accept the statement that “He is the Knowledge....” Nevertheless this teaching holds true even according to him — but with the proviso:
בסוד הצמצום והתלבשות אורות בכלים, כמו שכתוב לעיל, פרק ב׳
in the mystery i.e., the doctrine of “contraction” and the clothing of the lights [of the Sefirot] in the vessels [of the Sefirot], as has been explained previously, in ch. 2.
The unity of G‑d with the Divine Sefirot is so absolute that even according to Rabbi Isaac Luria one may safely say of this unity, “He is the Knowledge, the Knower, and the Known.”
END OF NOTE
Before the above note the Alter Rebbe stated that G‑d’s knowledge is united with His essence and being; since He is infinite His knowledge is infinite as well. It is therefore impossible for this knowledge to pervade the earth, and it must encompass it. This is true, of course, not only of G‑d’s knowledge of the earth but of creation as a whole.
הרי ידיעה זו, מאחר שהיא בחינת אין סוף, אינה נקראת בשם מתלבשת בכדור הארץ, שהוא בעל גבול ותכלית, אלא מקפת וסובבת
this knowledge, then, since it is of an infinite order, is not described as clothing itself in the orb of the earth, which is finite and limited, while G‑d’s knowledge is limitless, but as encircling and encompassing it,
אף שידיעה זו כוללת כל עביו ותוכו בפועל ממש
even though this knowledge embraces its entire thickness and interior in actual reality,
Unlike the knowledge of a human being, which encompasses only the image of an object and not its reality, G‑d’s knowledge embraces the object in actual reality,
ומהווה אותו על ידי זה מאין ליש
thereby giving it existence ex nihilo,
Creation does not come about from the minute glimmer of G‑dliness found within the object, which sustains it only at the inanimate and vegetative level, but from the Supernal Knowledge that encompasses and encircles it. And although this knowledge is responsible for the object’s existence, it is still described as encompassing. For inasmuch as the knowledge is infinite while the created being is finite, this knowledge is unable to clothe itself within the created being.
וכמו שכתוב במקום אחר
as is explained elsewhere — that creation ex nihilo can take place only as a result of the “encompassing light.”
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Shabbat, Iyar 17, 5777 · May 13, 2017
Today's Tanya Lesson
Likutei Amarim, end of Chapter 48
למשל: כדור הארץ הלזו, הרי ידיעתו יתברך מקפת כל עובי כדור הארץ, וכל אשר בתוכו ותוך תוכו, עד תחתיתו, הכל בפועל ממש
For example, in the case of the orb of this earth, His knowledge encompasses the entire diameter of the globe of the earth, together with all that is in it and its deepest interior to its lowest depths, all in actual reality.
שהרי ידיעה זו היא חיות כל עובי כדור הארץ כולו, והתהוותו מאין ליש
For this knowledge constitutes the vitality of the whole spherical thickness of the earth and its creation ex nihilo.
The whole earth was originally created and continues to be created ex nihilo as a result of G‑d’s knowledge of it.
רק שלא היה מתהווה כמות שהוא עתה, בעל גבול ותכלית, וחיות מועטת מאד כדי בחינת דומם וצומח
However, it would not have come into being as it is now, as a finite and limited thing, with an exceedingly minute degree of vitality sufficient for the categories of inorganic matter and vegetation,
אם לא על ידי צמצומים רבים ועצומים, שצמצמו האור והחיות שנתלבש בכדור הארץ
were it not for the world being created through the many powerful contractions which have condensed the light and vitality that is clothed in the orb of the earth,
להחיותו ולקיימו בבחינת גבול ותכלית, ובבחינת דומם וצומח בלבד
so as to animate it and sustain it in its finite and limited status and in the categories of inorganic and vegetable matter alone.
Thus the minute degree of illumination which results from the tzimtzumim enables the earth to exist in a finite manner, and only in the finitude of inorganic and vegetable matter. G‑d’s knowledge, however, as shall presently be explained, encircles the earth from above. For since His knowledge is infinite, while the world is finite, it is impossible for this knowledge to pervade the earth, even though this knowledge constitutes the earth’s very creation and existence.
אך ידיעתו יתברך המיוחדת במהותו ועצמותו, כי הוא המדע והוא היודע והוא הידוע
But His knowledge which is united with His essence and being, for “He is the Knowledge, the Knower, and the Known,
It has been previously explained (in ch. 2) that G‑d’s knowledge and intellect are totally different from man’s. When a mortal being knows something, three distinct identities are involved: (a) the “knower” — the person in possession of the knowledge; (b) the “knowledge” — the intellectual faculty which enables him to know; (c) the “known” — the particular item of knowledge which he knows. G‑d, however, “...is the Knowledge, the Knower, and the Known.” He that knows, and the vehicle through which He knows, and that which He knows — are all Himself. Thus His knowledge is wholly united, wholly identified, with His essence.
ובידיעת עצמו, כביכול, יודע כל הנבראים
and knowing Himself, as it were, He knows all created beings,
ולא בידיעה שחוץ ממנו, כידיעת האדם
though not with a knowledge that is external to Himself, like the knowledge of a human being,
Human knowledge requires getting to know something which is external to the knower himself. Not so G‑d’s knowledge: it comes from His knowing Himself,
כי כולם נמצאים מאמיתתו יתברך
for all of [the created beings] are derived from His true reality,
G‑d’s true reality and existence is the source of all created beings. By knowing Himself, therefore, as mentioned just above, He knows all of creation.
ודבר זה אין ביכולת האדם להשיגו על בוריו וכו׳
and this thing is not within the power of human beings to comprehend clearly...,“ —*
The human mind cannot possibly grasp the concept of “Knowledge, Knower and Known” all being one and the same. For whatever matter a man may desire to comprehend, he imagines how it exists within himself — bearing in mind, of course, that when the matter at hand is the knowledge of G‑dliness, it is to be conceived on a more exalted and abstract plane than that of simple human existence. Since G‑d’s manner of knowledge is totally dissimilar from man’s, it is thus impossible for him to picture it at all. It must forever remain beyond his ken.
הגהה
*NOTE
“He is the Knowledge, the Knower...” and so on, is a quotation from Rambam (Maimonides). There are prominent sages who take issue with this view, among them Maharal (Rabbi Yehudah Loewe) of Prague.
In the introduction to his Gevurot HaShem, Maharal raises a number of objections to the thesis of Rambam. One of his most telling arguments: The descriptive term “knowledge” or “intellect” is one of limitation. By terming something as being “intellect” we are thereby saying that it is not anything other than intellect — such as feelings, action, or whatever. Yet how can we possibly say that G‑d is limited in any way? For He is the ultimate in indivisible simplicity, not a complex amalgamation of distinct, limited attributes.
Even if we posit that G‑d’s knowledge and man’s are totally dissimilar, and that man is incapable of comprehending how G‑d is both simultaneously “Knowledge, Knower, and Known,” yet the fact still remains that knowledge is a specific attribute: we are speaking of knowledge, to the exclusion of all else. This cannot possibly serve as a description of G‑d’s essence.
Maharal goes on to point out that the Sages of the Talmud refer to G‑d as “the Holy One, blessed be He,” not as “the Intellect, blessed be He.” For “holy” means separate and apart — utterly transcending anything that is within the realm of description. And it is specifically because He is above everything and beyond all description that everything derives from Him. For He is limited in no respect that might preclude the existence of anything.
Intellect, Maharal teaches, is merely one of G‑d’s creations. Seen in this light, “And G‑d knew” is no different from “And G‑d said” or “And G‑d made.” Just as G‑d’s speech and action are not His essence but faculties which He brought into being, so, too, with regard to knowledge — the attributes of knowledge and intellect are His creations.
The Alter Rebbe explains in this note that the scholars of the Kabbalah subscribed to the view of Rambam that Divine knowledge ought to be considered in terms of “Knowledge, Knower, and Known.” However, they specify, this only applies after the light of the Ein Sof contracted into the ten Sefirot of Atzilut — Chochmah, Binah, Daat (wisdom, knowledge and understanding) and so on, i.e., after the “clothing of the light in vessels.” Only after the light of Chochmah clothed itself in the vessel of Chochmah, the light of Binah in the vessel of Binah, and so forth — i.e., only after these entities already exist — is it possible to say that this knowledge and intellect is totally at one with G‑d. However, before the contraction within these Sefirot, G‑d supremely transcends intellect and wisdom, even as they exist in their most abstract and rarefied form.
According to the teachings of Chassidut, following along the lines of Rabbi Isaac Luria’s interpretation of the doctrine of tzimtzum (“contraction”), the views of both Rambam and Maharal are correct.
G‑d’s essential existence and being, before any contraction of G‑dliness, is as described by Maharal — an existence of unqualified simplicity, beyond the pale of knowledge and intellect in whatever form they may take, even so subtle a form as “Knowledge, Knower, and Known.” However, once the contraction took place, and the Sefirot came into being, then His vestiture in them may properly be described by saying, in the words of Rambam, that “He is the Knowledge....”
This is because the Sefirot are emanations of G‑dliness rather than created beings. As such they are wholly united with G‑d. This is expressed in the statement of Tikkunei Zohar: “He and His life-giving emanations (i.e., the orot, the ”lights“ of the ten Sefirot of the World of Atzilut) are one; He and His causations (i.e., the kelim, the ”vessels“ of the ten Sefirot of Atzilut) are one....” That is to say, the Ein Sof-light is one with the lights and vessels of Atzilut. This is exactly the same as saying “He is the Knowledge...,” for the knowledge of the Sefirot is truly one with G‑d (and not a created being), as Maharal insists.
For the view of Maharal, too, is fraught with difficulties. Firstly, we note that Scripture does ascribe knowledge to G‑d Himself, as in the verse, “...and His understanding is beyond reckoning.” Furthermore, it appears unreasonable to argue that G‑d’s knowledge is dependent on a created entity.
According to the explanation of Chassidut, then, all these difficulties — both those in the view of Maharal and those in the view of Rambam — are satisfactorily resolved: G‑d’s essence is indeed beyond description, yet He is still the “Knowledge, the Knower and the Known” as He unites Himself with the Sefirot of Atzilut, after their having come into being through the medium of “contraction”.
In the words of the Alter Rebbe:
כמו שכתב הרמב״ם ז״ל
As Rambam, of blessed memory, has written — that G‑d is “Knowledge, Knower, and Known,
והסכימו עמו חכמי הקבלה, כמו שכתוב בפרדס מהרמ"ק ז"ל
and the scholars of the Kabbalah have agreed with his views, as is stated in Pardes of Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, of blessed memory.
וכן הוא לפי קבלת האריז"ל
This is also in accord with the Kabbalah of our master, Rabbi Isaac Luria, of blessed memory,
It was Rabbi Isaac Luria, the AriZal, who first revealed the doctrine of tzimtzum (“contraction”), which taught that G‑d’s exalted essence is even more removed from the Sefirot than was thought before then. It would thus be logical to assume that since he stresses this infinite distance from the Sefirot (the Sefirah of Chochmah, for example), he would be unable to accept the statement that “He is the Knowledge....” Nevertheless this teaching holds true even according to him — but with the proviso:
בסוד הצמצום והתלבשות אורות בכלים, כמו שכתוב לעיל, פרק ב׳
in the mystery i.e., the doctrine of “contraction” and the clothing of the lights [of the Sefirot] in the vessels [of the Sefirot], as has been explained previously, in ch. 2.
The unity of G‑d with the Divine Sefirot is so absolute that even according to Rabbi Isaac Luria one may safely say of this unity, “He is the Knowledge, the Knower, and the Known.”
END OF NOTE
Before the above note the Alter Rebbe stated that G‑d’s knowledge is united with His essence and being; since He is infinite His knowledge is infinite as well. It is therefore impossible for this knowledge to pervade the earth, and it must encompass it. This is true, of course, not only of G‑d’s knowledge of the earth but of creation as a whole.
הרי ידיעה זו, מאחר שהיא בחינת אין סוף, אינה נקראת בשם מתלבשת בכדור הארץ, שהוא בעל גבול ותכלית, אלא מקפת וסובבת
this knowledge, then, since it is of an infinite order, is not described as clothing itself in the orb of the earth, which is finite and limited, while G‑d’s knowledge is limitless, but as encircling and encompassing it,
אף שידיעה זו כוללת כל עביו ותוכו בפועל ממש
even though this knowledge embraces its entire thickness and interior in actual reality,
Unlike the knowledge of a human being, which encompasses only the image of an object and not its reality, G‑d’s knowledge embraces the object in actual reality,
ומהווה אותו על ידי זה מאין ליש
thereby giving it existence ex nihilo,
Creation does not come about from the minute glimmer of G‑dliness found within the object, which sustains it only at the inanimate and vegetative level, but from the Supernal Knowledge that encompasses and encircles it. And although this knowledge is responsible for the object’s existence, it is still described as encompassing. For inasmuch as the knowledge is infinite while the created being is finite, this knowledge is unable to clothe itself within the created being.
וכמו שכתוב במקום אחר
as is explained elsewhere — that creation ex nihilo can take place only as a result of the “encompassing light.”
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Rambam:
• Sefer Hamitzvos:
English Text | Hebrew Text |
Audio: Listen | Download | Video Class
Shabbat, Iyar 17, 5777 · May 13, 2017
Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
Important Message Regarding This Lesson
The Daily Mitzvah schedule runs parallel to the daily study of 3 chapters of Maimonides' 14-volume code. There are instances when the Mitzvah is repeated a few days consecutively while the exploration of the same Mitzvah continues in the in-depth track.
Positive Commandment 113
The Red Heifer
"And it shall be as a keepsake for the congregation of the children of Israel"—Numbers 19:9.
We are commanded to prepare a red heifer [as detailed in the Torah], to have it ready for the procedure of purifying those who are ritually impure as a result of contact with a corpse.
Full text of this Mitzvah »
The Red Heifer
Positive Commandment 113
Translated by Berel Bell
The 113th mitzvah is that we are commanded to prepare the red heifer1 to have it ready for the procedure of purifying those who are tameh as a result of tumas meis.2
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement3 (exalted be He), "[A ritually clean person shall gather up the cow's ashes and...] it shall be a keepsake for the congregation of the Jewish people."
The details of this mitzvah are found in the tractate devoted to this subject, tractate Parah.
FOOTNOTES
1.To slaughter it, burn it, gather the ashes, etc.
2.See P107.
3.Num. 19:9.
English Text | Hebrew Text |
Audio: Listen | Download | Video ClassShabbat, Iyar 17, 5777 · May 13, 2017
Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
Important Message Regarding This Lesson
The Daily Mitzvah schedule runs parallel to the daily study of 3 chapters of Maimonides' 14-volume code. There are instances when the Mitzvah is repeated a few days consecutively while the exploration of the same Mitzvah continues in the in-depth track.
Positive Commandment 113
The Red Heifer
"And it shall be as a keepsake for the congregation of the children of Israel"—Numbers 19:9.
We are commanded to prepare a red heifer [as detailed in the Torah], to have it ready for the procedure of purifying those who are ritually impure as a result of contact with a corpse.
Full text of this Mitzvah »
The Red Heifer
Positive Commandment 113
Translated by Berel Bell
The 113th mitzvah is that we are commanded to prepare the red heifer1 to have it ready for the procedure of purifying those who are tameh as a result of tumas meis.2
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement3 (exalted be He), "[A ritually clean person shall gather up the cow's ashes and...] it shall be a keepsake for the congregation of the Jewish people."
The details of this mitzvah are found in the tractate devoted to this subject, tractate Parah.
FOOTNOTES
1.To slaughter it, burn it, gather the ashes, etc.
2.See P107.
3.Num. 19:9.
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• 1 Chapter: She'elah uFikkadon She'elah uFikkadon - Chapter 7
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She'elah uFikkadon - Chapter 7
1
When a person entrusts produce to a colleague, the watchman should not touch it even though its quantity is dwindling and diminishing.
When does the above apply? When it is diminishing at the ordinary rate that could be expected each year. If, however, the amount is diminishing beyond the ordinary norms, the watchman should sell the produce in the presence of a court. It is as if he were returning a lost object to the owner.
When he sells the produce, he should sell it to priests at the price at which terumah is sold, for perhaps the owner designated it as terumah or terumat ma'aser for other produce.א
המפקיד פירות אצל חבירו ה"ז לא יגע בהן ואף על פי שהן חוסרין ומתמעטין והולכין במה דברים אמורים כשחסרו חסרון הראוי להן בכל שנה אבל אם חסרו יותר מכדי חסרונן מוכרן בב"ד מפני שהוא משיב אבידה לבעלים וכשהוא מוכרן ימכור לכהנים בדמי תרומה שמא עשו אותן הבעלים תרומה או תרומת מעשר על פירות אחרות:
2
When a person entrusts produce to a colleague and it spoils, honey that becomes ruined, or wine that sours, the watchman should perform a service to the owner and sell the entrusted object in the presence of a court.
This law applies even though the loss reached its limit and the produce would not spoil further, for the containers and the baskets would continue to spoil.ב
המפקיד אצל חבירו פירות והרקיבו דבש ונפסד יין והחמיץ עושה תקנה לבעל הפקדון ומוכרן בב"ד אע"פ שעמדו בהפסדן ואין ההפסד פושה בהן הרי הקנקנים והסלים מוסיפין הפסד:
3
When a person entrusts leaven to a colleague and the Pesach holiday arrives, the watchman should not touch the produce until the fifth hour on the morning of the fourteenth of Nisan. After that, he should sell it in the market place at that hour, for it is like he is returning a lost object to the owner.
The same law applies to other entrusted objects. A watchman should not touch them even though he certainly knows that their value will diminish at this and this time, or they will be seized by the king, lest the owner come beforehand and take his property.ג
המפקיד חמץ אצל חבירו והגיע הפסח ה"ז לא יגע בו עד שעה חמישית מיום י"ד מכאן ואילך יוצא ומוכרו בשוק לשעתו משום השב אבידה לבעלים והוא הדין לשאר הפקדונות שלא יגע בהן אף על פי שהוא יודע בודאי שיזולו בזמן פלוני או יאנוס אותם המלך שמא יבא בעליהן מקודם ויטלו ממונם:
4
When a person entrusts a Torah scroll to a colleague, the watchman should roll the scroll once every twelve months. It is permitted for him to open it and read it while rolling it. He should not, however, open it for his own purposes and read. The same law applies with regard to other scrolls. If the watchman opened the scroll, read it and rolled it for his own purposes, he is considered to have misappropriated the entrusted article and is liable if it is destroyed by forces beyond his control.
If the owner entrusted a woolen garment to a colleague, he should shake it out once every 30 days. The same principles that apply with regard to lost objects apply to entrusted objects. He should care for other entrusted objects in a similar way; this is an obligation incumbent upon him, like the return of a lost article to its owner.
When does the above apply? With regard to an entrusted object whose owner has traveled overseas. If, however, the owner was together with the watchman in that same land, the watchman should not touch the entrusted object even though it is being ruined.ד
המפקיד ספר תורה אצל חבירו גוללו פעם אחת לי"ב חדש ואם כשהוא גוללו פותחו וקרא בו מותר אבל לא יפתח בגלל עצמו ויקרא והוא הדין שאר ספרים ואם פתח וקרא וגלל בגלל עצמו הרי שלח יד בפקדון ונתחייב באונסין הפקיד אצלו כסות של צמר מנענעה אחת לשלשים יום כדרך שאמרו באבידה כך אמרו בפקדון וכן כל כיוצא בזה שזו חובה עליו משום השב אבידה לבעלים בד"א בפקדון שהלכו בעליו למדינת הים אבל אם היו עמו באותה הארץ ה"ז לא יגע בו אע"פ שהוא אבד:
5
Whenever a person sells an entrusted object under the supervision of a court, he must sell it to others and may not purchase it himself, lest suspicion arise. The money should be kept in his possession, and he has the right to make use of it. Therefore, he is considered to be a paid watchman with regard to these funds even though he did not make use of them.ה
כל המוכר פקדון ע"פ ב"ד ה"ז מוכר לאחרים ואינו מוכר לעצמו מפני החשד והדמים יהיו מונחים אצלו ויש לו להשתמש בהן לפיכך הרי הוא עליהן שומר שוכר אף על פי שעדיין לא נשתמש בהן:
6
The following rules apply when a person entrusts money to a storekeeper or a moneychanger. If the money was bound in a bag and sealed or tied with an unordinary knot, the storekeeper or the moneychanger should not use it. Therefore, if it became lost or was stolen, he is not responsible for it.
If the money was neither sealed nor tied in an unordinary manner, even though it is bound in a bag, the storekeeper or the moneychanger has the right to use the money.Therefore, he is considered to be a paid watchman, and if it is lost or stolen, he is responsible for it. If it is lost due to forces beyond his control - e.g., they were taken by armed thieves - he is not liable.ו
המפקיד מעות אצל חנווני או השולחני אם היו צרורין וחתומין או קשורין קשר משונה ה"ז לא ישתמש בהן לפיכך אם אבדו או נגנבו אינו חייב באחריותן ואם אינן חתומין ולא קשורין קשר משונה אע"פ שהן צרורין יש לו להשתמש בהן לפיכך הוא נעשה עליהם ש"ש ואם אבדו או נגנבו חייב באחריותן ואם נאנסו כגון שאבדו בליסטים מזויין ה"ז פטור:
7
When does the above apply? Before the storekeeper or the moneychanger used them. If, however, he does use the money, he is responsible for it until he returns it to the owner, as for any other loan in the world.ז
במה דברים אמורים קודם שישתמש בהן אבל אחר שנשתמש בהן נתחייב באחריותן ככל מלוה שבעולם עד שיחזירם לבעלים:
8
When a person entrusts money to a householder, whether it is bound or not, the watchman may not use it. Therefore, if it became lost or was stolen, he is not responsible for it, provided he buries it in the ground, as has been explained.ח
המפקיד מעות אצל בעה"ב בין צרורין בין מותרין ה"ז לא ישתמש בהן לפיכך אם אבדו או נגנבו אינו חייב באחריותן והוא שיטמנם בקרקע כמו שביארנו:
9
The following rules apply when a person entrusts a jug to a colleague regardless of whether or not the owner of the jug designated a specific place where he could put the jug down. If the watchman moved the jug for his own purposes, he is liable, whether the jug was broken in his hand or after he returned it to the place designated for it. If he moved it for the sake of the jug, he is not liable - whether the jug was broken in his hand or whether it was broken after it was put down in a different place.ט
המפקיד חבית אצל חבירו בין שייחדו לה הבעלים מקום בין לא ייחדו לה מקום וטלטלה לצרכו ונשברה בין מתוך ידו נשברה בין אחר שהחזירה למקום שייחדו לה נשברה חייב לשלם טלטלה לצרכה בין שנשברה מתוך ידו בין שנשברה משהניחה במקום אחר פטור:
10
One should not accept entrusted articles from married women, from servants or from children. If a person accepted an entrusted object from a woman, he should return it to her. If she dies, he should return it to her husband. If he accepts an entrusted object from a servant, he should return it to him. If he dies, he should return it to his master. If he accepts an entrusted object from a child, he should buy a Torah scroll for him or a date palm so that he can eat its fruits.
With regard to all the above individuals, the following principles should be adhered to if, at the time of their death, they said, "The entrusted article belongs to so and so." If the watchman would accept their word, he should act upon their instructions. If not, he should return the entrusted article to their heirs.י
אין מקבלין פקדונות לא מן הנשים ולא מן העבדים ולא מן התינוקות קיבל מן האשה יחזיר לאשה מתה יחזיר לבעלה קיבל מן העבד יחזיר לעבד מת יחזיר לרבו קיבל מן הקטן יקנה לו בו ס"ת או דקל שיאכל בהן פירותיו וכולן שאמרו בשעת מיתתן של פלוני הם אם נאמנין לו יעשה כפירושן ואם לאו יחזיר ליורשיהם:
11
One may demand the return of an entrusted object or an object that was lost and discovered only in the original place.
What is implied? If he entrusted the article to him in Jerusalem, he cannot demand its return in Nov. If the watchman returns it to him in Nov, he must accept it.
If a person entrusted an article to a colleague in a settled community, and that colleague brought the entrusted article with him to the desert, the owner is not required to accept it from him. Instead, the owner may tell the watchman: "You are responsible for it until you return it to me as settled land, just like I entrusted it to you in a settled land.יא
הפקדון והאבידה לא ניתנו ליתבע אלא במקומם כיצד הפקיד אצלו בירושלים אינו יכול לתבעו בנוב ואם החזיר לו בנוב מקבלו ממנו הפקיד אצלו ביישוב והביא פקדונו במדבר אינו מקבלו ממנו אלא יאמר לו הרי הוא באחריותך עד שתחזירנו לי ביישוב כדרך שהפקדתי אצלך ביישוב:
12
A question arose when a person entrusts an article to a colleague and then journeys overseas, and afterwards, the watchman also desires to travel overseas or depart in a caravan. There is an authority who ruled that if the watchman brings the entrusted article to the Jewish court, he is absolved of his responsibility.
These are well-reasoned words. For we do not imprison the watchman in this city because of the object entrusted to him by the person who departed overseas. The watchman cannot take the entrusted article with him, lest it be destroyed by factors beyond his control. The court should then entrust the article to a faithful person. This is like returning a lost object to its owner.יב
המפקיד אצל חבירו והלך בעל הפקדון למדינת הים והרי השומר רצה לפרש מיבשה לים או לצאת בשיירא יש מי שהורה שאם בא השומר והביא הפקדון לב"ד נפטר מאחריות שמירתו ודברים של טעם הם שאין אוסרין זה במדינה זו מפני פקדון של זה שהלך ואי אפשר לו להוליכו עמו שמא יארע לו אונס ויהיה חייב באחריותו וב"ד מפקידין אותו ביד נאמן אצלם משום השב אבידה לבעלים:
English Text | Hebrew Text |
Audio: Listen | Download | Video ClassShe'elah uFikkadon - Chapter 7
1
When a person entrusts produce to a colleague, the watchman should not touch it even though its quantity is dwindling and diminishing.
When does the above apply? When it is diminishing at the ordinary rate that could be expected each year. If, however, the amount is diminishing beyond the ordinary norms, the watchman should sell the produce in the presence of a court. It is as if he were returning a lost object to the owner.
When he sells the produce, he should sell it to priests at the price at which terumah is sold, for perhaps the owner designated it as terumah or terumat ma'aser for other produce.א
המפקיד פירות אצל חבירו ה"ז לא יגע בהן ואף על פי שהן חוסרין ומתמעטין והולכין במה דברים אמורים כשחסרו חסרון הראוי להן בכל שנה אבל אם חסרו יותר מכדי חסרונן מוכרן בב"ד מפני שהוא משיב אבידה לבעלים וכשהוא מוכרן ימכור לכהנים בדמי תרומה שמא עשו אותן הבעלים תרומה או תרומת מעשר על פירות אחרות:
2
When a person entrusts produce to a colleague and it spoils, honey that becomes ruined, or wine that sours, the watchman should perform a service to the owner and sell the entrusted object in the presence of a court.
This law applies even though the loss reached its limit and the produce would not spoil further, for the containers and the baskets would continue to spoil.ב
המפקיד אצל חבירו פירות והרקיבו דבש ונפסד יין והחמיץ עושה תקנה לבעל הפקדון ומוכרן בב"ד אע"פ שעמדו בהפסדן ואין ההפסד פושה בהן הרי הקנקנים והסלים מוסיפין הפסד:
3
When a person entrusts leaven to a colleague and the Pesach holiday arrives, the watchman should not touch the produce until the fifth hour on the morning of the fourteenth of Nisan. After that, he should sell it in the market place at that hour, for it is like he is returning a lost object to the owner.
The same law applies to other entrusted objects. A watchman should not touch them even though he certainly knows that their value will diminish at this and this time, or they will be seized by the king, lest the owner come beforehand and take his property.ג
המפקיד חמץ אצל חבירו והגיע הפסח ה"ז לא יגע בו עד שעה חמישית מיום י"ד מכאן ואילך יוצא ומוכרו בשוק לשעתו משום השב אבידה לבעלים והוא הדין לשאר הפקדונות שלא יגע בהן אף על פי שהוא יודע בודאי שיזולו בזמן פלוני או יאנוס אותם המלך שמא יבא בעליהן מקודם ויטלו ממונם:
4
When a person entrusts a Torah scroll to a colleague, the watchman should roll the scroll once every twelve months. It is permitted for him to open it and read it while rolling it. He should not, however, open it for his own purposes and read. The same law applies with regard to other scrolls. If the watchman opened the scroll, read it and rolled it for his own purposes, he is considered to have misappropriated the entrusted article and is liable if it is destroyed by forces beyond his control.
If the owner entrusted a woolen garment to a colleague, he should shake it out once every 30 days. The same principles that apply with regard to lost objects apply to entrusted objects. He should care for other entrusted objects in a similar way; this is an obligation incumbent upon him, like the return of a lost article to its owner.
When does the above apply? With regard to an entrusted object whose owner has traveled overseas. If, however, the owner was together with the watchman in that same land, the watchman should not touch the entrusted object even though it is being ruined.ד
המפקיד ספר תורה אצל חבירו גוללו פעם אחת לי"ב חדש ואם כשהוא גוללו פותחו וקרא בו מותר אבל לא יפתח בגלל עצמו ויקרא והוא הדין שאר ספרים ואם פתח וקרא וגלל בגלל עצמו הרי שלח יד בפקדון ונתחייב באונסין הפקיד אצלו כסות של צמר מנענעה אחת לשלשים יום כדרך שאמרו באבידה כך אמרו בפקדון וכן כל כיוצא בזה שזו חובה עליו משום השב אבידה לבעלים בד"א בפקדון שהלכו בעליו למדינת הים אבל אם היו עמו באותה הארץ ה"ז לא יגע בו אע"פ שהוא אבד:
5
Whenever a person sells an entrusted object under the supervision of a court, he must sell it to others and may not purchase it himself, lest suspicion arise. The money should be kept in his possession, and he has the right to make use of it. Therefore, he is considered to be a paid watchman with regard to these funds even though he did not make use of them.ה
כל המוכר פקדון ע"פ ב"ד ה"ז מוכר לאחרים ואינו מוכר לעצמו מפני החשד והדמים יהיו מונחים אצלו ויש לו להשתמש בהן לפיכך הרי הוא עליהן שומר שוכר אף על פי שעדיין לא נשתמש בהן:
6
The following rules apply when a person entrusts money to a storekeeper or a moneychanger. If the money was bound in a bag and sealed or tied with an unordinary knot, the storekeeper or the moneychanger should not use it. Therefore, if it became lost or was stolen, he is not responsible for it.
If the money was neither sealed nor tied in an unordinary manner, even though it is bound in a bag, the storekeeper or the moneychanger has the right to use the money.Therefore, he is considered to be a paid watchman, and if it is lost or stolen, he is responsible for it. If it is lost due to forces beyond his control - e.g., they were taken by armed thieves - he is not liable.ו
המפקיד מעות אצל חנווני או השולחני אם היו צרורין וחתומין או קשורין קשר משונה ה"ז לא ישתמש בהן לפיכך אם אבדו או נגנבו אינו חייב באחריותן ואם אינן חתומין ולא קשורין קשר משונה אע"פ שהן צרורין יש לו להשתמש בהן לפיכך הוא נעשה עליהם ש"ש ואם אבדו או נגנבו חייב באחריותן ואם נאנסו כגון שאבדו בליסטים מזויין ה"ז פטור:
7
When does the above apply? Before the storekeeper or the moneychanger used them. If, however, he does use the money, he is responsible for it until he returns it to the owner, as for any other loan in the world.ז
במה דברים אמורים קודם שישתמש בהן אבל אחר שנשתמש בהן נתחייב באחריותן ככל מלוה שבעולם עד שיחזירם לבעלים:
8
When a person entrusts money to a householder, whether it is bound or not, the watchman may not use it. Therefore, if it became lost or was stolen, he is not responsible for it, provided he buries it in the ground, as has been explained.ח
המפקיד מעות אצל בעה"ב בין צרורין בין מותרין ה"ז לא ישתמש בהן לפיכך אם אבדו או נגנבו אינו חייב באחריותן והוא שיטמנם בקרקע כמו שביארנו:
9
The following rules apply when a person entrusts a jug to a colleague regardless of whether or not the owner of the jug designated a specific place where he could put the jug down. If the watchman moved the jug for his own purposes, he is liable, whether the jug was broken in his hand or after he returned it to the place designated for it. If he moved it for the sake of the jug, he is not liable - whether the jug was broken in his hand or whether it was broken after it was put down in a different place.ט
המפקיד חבית אצל חבירו בין שייחדו לה הבעלים מקום בין לא ייחדו לה מקום וטלטלה לצרכו ונשברה בין מתוך ידו נשברה בין אחר שהחזירה למקום שייחדו לה נשברה חייב לשלם טלטלה לצרכה בין שנשברה מתוך ידו בין שנשברה משהניחה במקום אחר פטור:
10
One should not accept entrusted articles from married women, from servants or from children. If a person accepted an entrusted object from a woman, he should return it to her. If she dies, he should return it to her husband. If he accepts an entrusted object from a servant, he should return it to him. If he dies, he should return it to his master. If he accepts an entrusted object from a child, he should buy a Torah scroll for him or a date palm so that he can eat its fruits.
With regard to all the above individuals, the following principles should be adhered to if, at the time of their death, they said, "The entrusted article belongs to so and so." If the watchman would accept their word, he should act upon their instructions. If not, he should return the entrusted article to their heirs.י
אין מקבלין פקדונות לא מן הנשים ולא מן העבדים ולא מן התינוקות קיבל מן האשה יחזיר לאשה מתה יחזיר לבעלה קיבל מן העבד יחזיר לעבד מת יחזיר לרבו קיבל מן הקטן יקנה לו בו ס"ת או דקל שיאכל בהן פירותיו וכולן שאמרו בשעת מיתתן של פלוני הם אם נאמנין לו יעשה כפירושן ואם לאו יחזיר ליורשיהם:
11
One may demand the return of an entrusted object or an object that was lost and discovered only in the original place.
What is implied? If he entrusted the article to him in Jerusalem, he cannot demand its return in Nov. If the watchman returns it to him in Nov, he must accept it.
If a person entrusted an article to a colleague in a settled community, and that colleague brought the entrusted article with him to the desert, the owner is not required to accept it from him. Instead, the owner may tell the watchman: "You are responsible for it until you return it to me as settled land, just like I entrusted it to you in a settled land.יא
הפקדון והאבידה לא ניתנו ליתבע אלא במקומם כיצד הפקיד אצלו בירושלים אינו יכול לתבעו בנוב ואם החזיר לו בנוב מקבלו ממנו הפקיד אצלו ביישוב והביא פקדונו במדבר אינו מקבלו ממנו אלא יאמר לו הרי הוא באחריותך עד שתחזירנו לי ביישוב כדרך שהפקדתי אצלך ביישוב:
12
A question arose when a person entrusts an article to a colleague and then journeys overseas, and afterwards, the watchman also desires to travel overseas or depart in a caravan. There is an authority who ruled that if the watchman brings the entrusted article to the Jewish court, he is absolved of his responsibility.
These are well-reasoned words. For we do not imprison the watchman in this city because of the object entrusted to him by the person who departed overseas. The watchman cannot take the entrusted article with him, lest it be destroyed by factors beyond his control. The court should then entrust the article to a faithful person. This is like returning a lost object to its owner.יב
המפקיד אצל חבירו והלך בעל הפקדון למדינת הים והרי השומר רצה לפרש מיבשה לים או לצאת בשיירא יש מי שהורה שאם בא השומר והביא הפקדון לב"ד נפטר מאחריות שמירתו ודברים של טעם הם שאין אוסרין זה במדינה זו מפני פקדון של זה שהלך ואי אפשר לו להוליכו עמו שמא יארע לו אונס ויהיה חייב באחריותו וב"ד מפקידין אותו ביד נאמן אצלם משום השב אבידה לבעלים:
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• 3 Chapters: Parah Adummah Parah Adummah - Chapter 2, Parah Adummah Parah Adummah - Chapter 3, Parah Adummah Parah Adummah - Chapter 4
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Parah Adummah - Chapter 2
1
Extra stringencies were employed with regard to the purity observed in preparation for offering the red heifer and great extremes were taken to keep a distance from the ritual impurity associated with a human corpse in all the activities associated with its offering. The rationale is that since it is acceptable for a person who immersed that day to bring it, our Sages were concerned that people would treat this offering with disdain.
For this reason, when the priest who burns it is isolated, he is isolated to a prepared chamber in the Temple Courtyard. It was called the House of Stone, because all of the utensils in it were stone utensils that do not contract impurity. He would use the stone utensils throughout the seven days that he is isolated. His priestly brethren would not touch him in order to increase his purity.א
מעלות יתירות עשו בטהרת פרה אדומה והרחקות גדולות הרחיקו מטומאת המת בכל מעשיה מפני שהיא כשירה בטבולי יום חשו שמא יבאו לזלזל בה ומפני זה כשמפרישין הכהן השורף אותה מפרישין אותו ללשכה מוכנת בעזרה ובית אבן היתה נקראת מפני שכל כליה כלי אבנים שאין מקבלין טומאה ובכלי האבן היה משתמש כל שבעת ימי ההפרשה ולא היו נוגעין בו אחיו הכהנים כדי להרבות בטהרתו:
2
For seven days before the burning of the red heifer, the priest who would burn it is isolated from his home, just like the High Priest is isolated for the sake of the service of Yom Kippur. This was received as part of the Oral Tradition from Moses. Similarly, he is isolated from his wife, lest it be discovered that she was a nidah and he be impure for seven days.ב
שבעת ימים קודם שריפת הפרה מפרישין כהן השורף אותה מביתו כשם שמפרישין כ"ג לעבודת יוה"כ ודבר זה קבלה ממשה רבינו וכן מפרישין אותו מאשתו שמא תמצא נדה ויהיה טמא שבעת ימים:
3
The chamber in which this priest would abide for all these seven days was in the northeast portion of the Temple Courtyard. It was positioned there to remind the priest that the red heifer is like a sin-offering that is slaughtered in the northern portion of the Temple Courtyard, even though the red heifer is slaughtered outside the Temple.ג
הלשכה שהיה יושב בה כל ז' צפונית מזרחית היתה כדי להזכירו שהיא כחטאת הנשחטת בצפון אע"פ שהיא נשחטת בחוץ:
4
On every one of the seven days of his isolation, water with the ashes of the red heifer should be sprinkled upon him lest he unknowingly have contracted impurity due to contact with a corpse with the exception of the fourth day of his isolation. That day does not require sprinkling. The rationale is that it is impossible for it to be the third day of his impurity or the seventh day of his impurity. For the sprinkling of the ashes on the seventh day is not considered as the sprinkling of the seventh day unless the ashes were sprinkled on the third day before it. According to law, there is no need to sprinkle the ashes upon him on any days other than the third and the seventh days of isolation. The sprinkling day after day is an extra stringency enacted with regard to the red heifer.ד
כל יום ויום משבעת ימי ההפרשה מזין עליו מי חטאת שמא נטמא למת והוא לא ידע חוץ מיום רביעי להפרשה שא"צ הזאה לפי שא"א שלא יהיה לא שלישי לטומאתו ולא שביעי שאין הזאה בשביעי עולה משום הזאת שביעי עד שיזה בשלישי מלפניה ומן הדין היה שא"צ הזאה אלא בשלישי ושביעי להפרשה בלבד וזה שמזין יום אחר יום מעלה יתירה עשו בפרה:
5
He would be isolated on Wednesday, so that the fourth day of his isolation would fall on the Sabbath, for the sprinkling of the ashes of the red heifer does not supersede the Sabbath prohibitions, and the fourth day does not require the sprinkling of the ashes.ה
ברביעי בשבת היו מפרישין אותו כדי שיחול רביעי שלו להיות בשבת שההזייה אינה דוחה שבת והרביעי א"צ הזייה:
6
On all the days of his isolation when the ashes of the red heifer are sprinkled upon him, the ashes of all the red heifers that were burnt previously were sprinkled on him. If, however, there were only ashes from one red heifer, those ashes are used for all six days.ו
בכל יום ויום מימי ההפרשה שמזין עליו בהם מזין מאפר פרה מן הפרות שנשרפו כבר ואם לא היה שם אלא אפר פרה אחת בלבד מזין ממנו עליו כל הששה:
7
When the ashes of the red heifer are sprinkled upon him during the days of his isolation, the sprinkling should be performed by a man who never contracted the ritual impurity stemming from a human corpse. The rationale is that the person sprinkling the ashes must be pure. If one would say: "Let so-and-so, a person who had contracted impurity, but then had the ashes of the red heifer sprinkled upon him, sprinkle the ashes on the priest who will burn the red heifer," that suggestion is not followed. The rationale is that it is possible that the person who sprinkled the ashes upon so-and-so was not pure from the impurity associated with a corpse. Similarly, the utensils that are used to be filled and consecrated to sprinkle on the priest who burns the red heifer were all stone utensils that are not susceptible to ritual impurity. Pregnant women were brought there; they would give birth there, and raise their sons there. When they wanted to sprinkle ashes on the priest who would burn the red heifer, they would bring oxen - because they have ample bellies - and place doors on their backs in their hands and would go to the Shiloach spring. When they reached the Shiloach, the children would descend and fill the cups. We do not suspect that they will contract impurity from a grave in the depths of the earth at the spring, because it is not ordinary practice to bury the dead in streams.
They would ascend and sit on the doors and proceed upward until they reach the Temple Mount. When they reached the Temple Mount, they would descend and proceed on their feet, because the entire area of the Temple Mount and its courtyards was built over a hollow cavity, lest there be a grave in the depths of the earth. of ashes. They would take the ashes and place them on the water in the cups and sprinkle them on the priest who burns the heifer.
The children who would fill the water, would consecrate it with the ashes and sprinkle it on the priest who burns the heifer must immerse in a mikveh. Even though they are pure with regard to the impurity associated with a human corpse, it is possible that they contracted other forms of impurity.ז
כשמזין עליו בימי ההפרשה אין מזה עליו אלא אדם שלא נטמא במת מעולם שהמזה צריך שיהיה טהור וא"ת יזה עליו איש שנטמא והוזה עליו שמא זה שהזה עליו לא היה טהור מטומאת מת וכן הכלים שממלאין בהן ומקדשין להזות על הכהן השורף כולם כלי אבנים היו שאין מקבלין טומאה וכל אלו הדברים מעלות יתירות הן שעשו בה וכיצד ימצא איש שלא נטמא במת מעולם חצירות היו בירושלים בנויות על גבי הסלע ותחתיהן חלול מפני קבר התהום ומביאין היו נשים עוברות ויולדות שם ומגדלות שם את בניהם וכשירצו להזות על הכהן השורף מביאין שוורים מפני שכרסיהן נפוחות ומניחים על גביהן דלתות ויושבין התינוקות על גבי הדלתות כדי שיהיה האהל מבדיל בינם לבין הארץ מפני קבר התהום וכוסות של אבן בידם והולכין לשילוח הגיעו לשילוח יורדין שם וממלאין שאין לחוש שם מפני קבר התהום שאין דרך בני אדם לקבור בנהרות ועולין ויושבין על גבי הדלתות והולכין עד שמגיעין להר הבית הגיעו להר הבית יורדין ומהלכין על רגליהן מפני שכל הר הבית והעזרות תחתיהן היה חלול מפני קבר התהום ומהלכין עד פתח העזרה ובפתח העזרה היה קלל של אפר נוטלין האפר ונותנין במים שבכוסות ומזין על הכהן השורף ומטבילין היו התינוקות שממלאין ומקדשין ומזין על השורף אף על פי שהן טהורין מטומאת המת שמא נטמאו בטומאה אחרת:
8
When a child immersed himself in a mikveh in order to fill pitchers with water and sprinkle it, another child should not fill those containers with water even though he immersed himself.
When a child immersed himself to sprinkle the water of the ashes on one priest, he may not sprinkle the water on another priest until he immerses again for the sake of purifying that priest. Similarly, when utensils or people were purified for the sake of offering one red heifer, they should not become involved in the offering of another red heifer until they immerse themselves for its sake. All of these are extra stringencies required for the offering of the red heifer.ח
תינוק שטבל למלאות ולהזות לא ימלא בכליו תינוק אחר אע"פ שטבל ותינוק שטבל להזות על כהן זה אינו מזה על כהן אחר עד שיטבול לשם מעשה זה הכהן וכן כלים שטהרום לחטאת זו ובני אדם שטהרום לחטאת זו לא יתעסק בהם בפרה אחרת עד שיטבלו לשמה וכל הדברים האלו מעלות יתירות בפרה:
Parah Adummah - Chapter 3
1
The red heifer should be burnt only outside the Temple Mount, as Numbers 19:3 states: "And you shall take it outside the camp." They would burn it on the Mount of Olives. A ramp was built from the Temple Mount to the Mount of Olives. Below it were arches upon arches, i.e., an arch on two arches, so that there would be empty space under it, lest there be a grave in the depths of the earth. Similarly, the place where the heifer was burnt and the place of immersion on the Mount of Olives had the space under them hollowed, lest there be a grave in the depths of the earth.
The red heifer, the one who would burn it, and all those who assist in its burning go from the Temple Mount to the Mount of Olives on this ramp.א
אין שורפין את הפרה אלא חוץ להר הבית שנאמר והוציא אותה אל מחוץ למחנה ובהר המשחה היו שורפין אותה וכבש היו עושין מהר הבית להר המשחה ותחתיו בנוי כיפין כיפין וכיפה על כל ב' כיפין כדי שיהיו ב' רגלי הכיפה על גג ב' כיפין שתחתיה כדי שתהיה תחת הכל חלול מפני קבר התהום אף מקום שריפתה ומקום הטבילה שהיו בהר המשחה תחתיהן חלול מפני קבר התהום והפרה והשורף וכל המסעדין בשריפתה יוצאין מהר הבית להר המשחה ע"ג כבש זה:
2
How was the red heifer burnt? The elders of Israel would walk to the Mount of Olives first. There was a mikveh there. The priest, those assisting in burning it, and the heifer would go out on the ramp and come to the Mount of Olives.
There they would make the priest impure. The elders would rest their hands on the priest and tell him: "Immerse yourself." If he was a High Priest, they would tell him: "My sir, the High Priest, immerse yourself." He would descend, immerse himself, ascend, and dry himself.
There was wood arranged there: cedar wood, oak wood, pine wood, and smooth fig wood. An arrangement like a tower was made and windows were made in the midst of it, so that the fire would flame in them. The front of the arrangement was in the west.
The heifer would be tied with a rope of love grass and it would be brought onto the arrangement with its head to the south and its face to the west. The priest would stand to the east with his head facing west. He would slaughter the heifer with his right hand and receive its blood in his left hand. With his right finger, he would sprinkle from the blood in his left palm seven times toward the Holy of Holies. He would dip his finger in the blood for every sprinkling. The remainder of the blood on his finger was disqualified for sprinkling, Therefore, after every sprinkling, he would clean his finger on the body of the heifer.
When he completed sprinkling, he would clean his hands on the body of the heifer and descend from the arrangement. He would light the fire with small kindling twigs and place them below the wood of the arrangement. The fire would begin to catch in it. The priest would stand at a distance and watch it until the fire catches in its larger portion and its belly becomes ripped open.
Afterwards, he takes a branch of a cedar tree and hyssop that is at least a handbreadth long, and wool dyed crimson weighing five selaim. He asks the people standing there: "Is this a piece of cedar?" "Is this a piece of cedar?" "Is this a piece of cedar?" "Is this hyssop?" "Is this hyssop?" "Is this hyssop?" "Is this a crimson thread?" "Is this a crimson thread?" "Is this a crimson thread?", asking each question three times. They answer: "Yes!" "Yes!" "Yes!", three times for each set of questions.
Why is all this necessary? Because there are seven species of cedar, four species of hyssop, and several options to produce red dye. Some dye with madder and some dye with lacca sap, and some dye with tola'at? Tola'at refers to very red berries that resemble carob seeds. They are like sumach berries. There is a bug, like a gnat, in every berry. Since there are different types of species for each of the entities involved, the priest notifies everyone and informs them that these are the species mentioned in the Torah.
The hyssop mentioned in the Torah is the type of hyssop eaten by home-owners and used as a condiment in certain dishes. The hyssop, cedar, and wool dyed crimson are all absolute requirements, without one of which, the others are not acceptable. The priest should bind the hyssop together with the cedar branch with the crimson thread and then throw them into the belly of the heifer, as Numbers 19:6 states: "He shall cast them into the midst of the conflagration of the heifer."
He should not cast them into the heifer until the fire has caught hold of the larger portion of it and not after it has been reduced to ashes. If he casts them at those times, it is unacceptable, as indicated by the phrase: "into the midst of the conflagration," i.e., not before the fire has caught onto its larger portion and not after it was reduced to ashes. Whether one cast all three of them together or one after the other, whether one cast them into the heifer's body or into the fire, whether its belly burst open on its own accord or the priest ripped it open by hand or with a utensil, it is acceptable.ב
כיצד שורפין אותה זקני ישראל היו מקדימין ברגליהן להר המשחה ובית טבילה היה שם וכהן והמסעדין בשריפתה והפרה יוצאין על הכבש ובאין להר המשחה ומטמאין את הכהן וסומכין הזקנים את ידיהם על הכהן ואומרים לו טבול אחת ואם היה כ"ג אומרים לו אישי כ"ג טבול אחת ירד וטבל ועלה ונסתפג ועצים מסודרים היו שם ארזים אלונים וברושים ועצי תאנה חלקה ועושין מערכה כמין מגדל ומפתחין בה חלונות כדי שתהיה האור מלבבת בהן ומראה המערכה במערב וכופתין את הפרה בחבל של מגג ונותנין אותה על גבי המערכה ראשה לדרום ופניה למערב הכהן עומד במזרח ופניו למערב שוחט בימינו ומקבל הדם בשמאלו ומזה באצבעו הימנית מן הדם שבכפו השמאלית שבע פעמים כנגד בית קדשי הקדשים על כל הזאה טבילת אצבע בדם ושירי הדם שבאצבע פסולים להזייה לפיכך על כל הזאה מקנח אצבעו בגופה של פרה גמר מלהזות מקנח את ידיו בגופה של פרה ויורד מן המערכה והצית את האש בעצים קטנים והכניסן תחת עצי המערכה והתחיל האש בה והכהן עומד ברחוק ומשמר לה עד שיצת את האור ברובה ותקרע בטנה ואחר כך נוטל עץ ארז ואזוב אין פחות מטפח וצמר צבוע בתולעת משקל חמשה סלעים ואומר לעומדים שם עץ ארז זה עץ ארז זה עץ ארז זה אזוב זה אזוב זה אזוב זה שני תולעת זה שני תולעת זה שני תולעת זה שלש פעמים על כל אחד ואחד והן אומרין לו הין הין הין שלש פעמים על כל אחד ואחד:
וכל כך למה לפי שמיני ארזים שבעה הן ומיני אזוב ארבעה והצבוע אדום יש שצובעין אותו בפואה ויש שצובעין אותו בלכא ויש שצובעין אותו בתולעת והתולעת היא הגרגרים האדומים ביותר הדומים לגרעיני החרובים והן כמו האוג ותולעת כמו יתוש יש בכל גרגיר מהן ולפיכך מודיע לכל ומגלה להן שאלו הן המינים האמורים בתורה והאזוב האמור בתורה הוא האזוב שאוכלין אותו בעלי בתים ומתבלין בו הקדירות האזוב והארז והתולעת שלשתן מעכבין זה את זה וכורך האזוב עם הארז בלשון של שני ומשליך אל תוך בטנה שנאמר והשליך אל תוך שריפת הפרה ואינו משליך קודם שיצית האור ברובה ולא אחר שתעשה אפר ואם השליך פסולה שנא' אל תוך שריפת לא קודם שיצת האור ברובה ולא אחר שתעשה אפר בין שהשליך שלשתן כאחת בין שהשליך זה אחר זה בין שהשליך לתוך גופה או לתוך שריפתה בין שנקרעה מאליה ואח"כ השליך בין שקרעה בידו או בכלי כשירה:
3
When the process of burning it has been completed, its remnants and all of the pieces of wood in its arrangement that were burnt with it are beaten with clubs and everything is raked out with rakes. Anything - whether from its flesh or from the wood - that has been blackened and is possible to be crushed and reduced to ashes, should be crushed and reduced to ashes. If something has no trace of ash on it, it is left. Any piece of bone that remains from the heifer's bones that was not burnt should be crushed regardless.ג
נגמרה שריפתה חובטין אותה במקלות היא וכל עצי המערכה שנשרפה בהן וכוברין את הכל בכברות וכל שחור שאפשר שיכתש ויהיה אפר בין מבשרה בין מן העצים כותשין אותו עד שיעשה אפר ושאין בו אפר מניחין אותו וכל עצם שנשאר מעצמיה בלא שריפה בין כך ובין כך היה נכתש:
4
None of its ashes are brought into the Temple Courtyard for storage, as ibid.:9 states: "And he shall place it outside the camp." The ashes were divided into three portions: one was placed in the chayl one, on the Mount of Olives, and one, was divided among all the priestly guardposts.
The one that was divided among all the priestly watches was used by the priests to sanctify themselves. The one that was placed on the Mount of Olives was used by the entire Jewish people for sprinkling. And the one that was placed in the chayl was prepared and hidden away, as implied by ibid. which states: "It will be a security for the congregation of Israel." This teaches that it was put away for safekeeping.
Indeed, in the chayl, they would put away for safekeeping a portion of the ashes from every red heifer that was burnt. Nine red heifers were offered from the time that they were commanded to fulfill this mitzvah until the time when the Temple was destroyed a second time. The first was brought by Moses our teacher. The second was brought by Ezra. Seven others were offered until the destruction of the Second Temple. And the tenth will be brought by the king Mashiach; may he speedily be revealed. Amen, so may it be G‑d's will.ד
אין מכניסין כלום מאפרה להניחו בעזרה שנאמר והניח מחוץ למחנה ושלשה חלקים היו חולקין את כל אפרה אחד ניתן בחיל ואחד בהר המשחה ואחד מתחלק לכל המשמרות זה שמתחלק לכל המשמרות היו הכהנים מקדשין ממנו וזה שניתן בהר המשחה היו ישראל מזין ממנו וזה שניתן בחיל היה מוכן ומוצנע שנאמר והיתה לעדת בני ישראל למשמרת מלמד שמצניעין ממנו וכן היו מצניעין מאפר כל פרה ופרה ששורפין בחיל ותשע פרות אדומות נעשו משנצטוו במצוה זו עד שחרב הבית בשנייה ראשונה עשה משה רבינו שנייה עשה עזרא ושבע מעזרא עד חורבן הבית והעשירית יעשה המלך המשיח מהרה יגלה אכי"ר:
Parah Adummah - Chapter 4
1
Two red heifers should not be slaughtered at the same time, as Numbers 19:3 states: "And you shall slaughter it."א
אין שוחטין שתי פרות אדומות כאחת שנאמר ושחט אותה:
2
If the red heifer did not desire to go out, a black one should not be taken out with it, so that it would not be said: "They slaughtered a black one." Nor is another red one taken out, so that it would not be said: "They slaughtered two at once."ב
לא רצתה פרה לצאת אין מוציאין עמה שחורה שלא יאמרו שחורה שחטו ולא אדומה שלא יאמרו שתים שחטו:
3
When a red heifer was slaughtered with another intent in mind or its blood was received or sprinkled with another intent in mind, with the proper intent and another intent in mind, or with another intent and the proper intent in mind, it was offered by someone other than a priest, or it was offered by a priest lacking one or more of the priestly garments, while wearing the golden garments, or while wearing ordinary garments, it is unacceptable.
If it was slaughtered with the intent of partaking of its flesh or drinking its blood, it is acceptable. The rationale is that the expression "a pleasant fragrance" was not stated with regard to it.ג
פרה שנשחטה שלא לשמה או שקיבל או שהזה שלא לשמה או לשמה ושלא לשמה או שלא לשמה ולשמה או שנעשית שלא בכהן או במחוסר בגדים או שעשאה בבגדי זהב או בבגדי חול פסולה שחטה על מנת לאכול מבשרה או לשתות מדמה כשירה לפי שלא נאמר בה ריח ניחוח:
4
If its blood was received in a container, it is unacceptable, as Numbers 19:4 states: "And Elazar the priest will take the blood with his finger." The mitzvah is performed with the finger and not with a utensil.ד
קיבל דמה בכלי פסולה שנאמר ולקח אלעזר הכהן מדמה באצבעו מצוותה מצות יד ולא מצות כלי:
5
If he sprinkled the blood, even one sprinkling with a utensil, the sprinkling is unacceptable. If he performed one sprinkling with his left hand, it is unacceptable. If seven priests sprinkled the blood at the same time, their sprinkling is unacceptable. If they did so one after the other, it is acceptable.
If he sprinkled the blood, but did not direct it to the Sanctuary, it is unacceptable, as ibid. states: "opposite the front of the Tent of Meeting." Implied is that he should direct it toward the Sanctuary and see the Sanctuary. Similarly, if he slaughtered it or burnt it not opposite the Sanctuary, it is unacceptable, as implied by Numbers 19:3: "He shall slaughter it before him."ה
הזה בכלי אפילו אחת מהן הזאתו פסולה הזה אחת מהן בשמאלו פסולה הזו שבעה כהנים הזייתן כאחד הזייתן פסולה זה אחר זה כשירה הזה ולא כיון כנגד ההיכל פסולה שנאמר אל נכח פני אהל מועד עד שיכוין כנגד ההיכל ויהיה רואהו וכן אם שחטה או שרפה שלא כנגד ההיכל פסולה שנאמר ושחט אותה לפניו:
6
When does the above apply? When he sprinkled the blood or burnt or slaughtered the heifer southward or northward, or with his back to the Sanctuary. If, however, he stood between the east and the west and faced the Sanctuary, even if he did not direct himself toward the Sanctuary exactly, it is acceptable.ו
במה דברים אמורים שהזה או שרף או שחט כנגד הדרום או כנגד צפון או שהיה אחוריו למקדש אבל אם עמד בין מזרח ומערב ופניו כנגד ההיכל אף על פי שלא כיון כנגד [ההיכל] בדקדוק כשירה:
7
If one of the sprinklings is lacking, it is unacceptable. If one dipped his finger in the blood twice and sprinkled once, the sprinkling is unacceptable. If he dipped his finger once and sprinkled twice, even if he did not count the second sprinkling and instead, dipped his finger and sprinkled a second time, it is unacceptable.
What is implied? He dipped his finger in the blood for the sixth time and performed the sixth and seventh sprinklings, it is unacceptable, even if he dipped his finger in the blood again and sprinkled it a seventh time. If, after dipping his finger into the blood for the seventh time, he performed a seventh and eighth sprinkling - even if he dipped his finger into the blood an eighth time and then sprinkled it an eighth time, it is acceptable, for any addition over the seven is of no consequence, provided it is another priest making the addition. If, however, the priest burning it made the additional sprinkling, it is unacceptable, because he involved himself in an unnecessary activity while burning it.ז
חיסר אחת מן המתנות פסולה טבל שתים והזה אחת הזאתו פסולה טבל אחת והזה שתים אף על פי שלא חשב הזאה שניה אלא טבל והזה אחרת הזייתו פסולה כיצד טבל אצבעו טבילה ששית והזה ו' וז' אף ע"פ שחזר וטבל אצבעו והזה שבע הזייתו פסולה הזה מטבילה שביעית [שביעית] ושמינית אפילו חזר וטבל טבילה שמינית והזה שמינית כשירה שכל שמוסיף על השבע אינו כלום והוא שיהיה זה שהוסיף כהן אחר אבל הכהן השורף אותה אם הוסיף פסולה מפני שנתעסק בדבר שאינו צריך בשעת שריפתה:
8
If one removed the blood from its arrangement and then sprinkled it, it is invalid.ח
הוציא את הדם חוץ ממערכתה והזה פסולה:
9
If one sprinkled its blood at night - even if one performed seven sprinklings during the day and one at night - it is unacceptable.ט
הזה מדמה בלילה אפילו הזה שש הזיות ביום ואחת בלילה פסולה:
10
If one slaughtered it outside the place where it is burnt, even if one slaughtered it within the walls of Jerusalem, it is unacceptable.י
שחטה חוץ ממקום שריפתה אפילו שחטה לפנים מן החומה פסולה:
11
If one burnt it outside the arrangement on which it was slaughtered, it was divided in two and burnt in two arrangements, or two heifers were burned on one arrangement, it is disqualified. If it was already reduced to ashes, one may bring another one and slaughter it over the ashes of the first without any qualms.יא
שרפה חוץ ממערכה שנשחטה עליה או שחלקה לשנים ושרפה בשתי מערכות או ששרף שתים במערכה אחת פסולה ואם אחר שנעשית אפר מביא אחרת שורף על גבה ואינו חושש:
12
If one skinned it and cut it into pieces and then burnt it in its entirety, it is acceptable. If any slight part of its substance, even its dung, is lacking, it is unacceptable. If an olive-sized portion of its skin, meat, or even its hair flew off its pyre, it should be returned. If he did not return it, it is unacceptable.
If it flew outside its arrangement, one should place much wood over it and burn it in its place. If its horns, its hooves, or its dung flew off, they need not be returned to the pyre.יב
הפשיטה ונתחה ואח"כ שרף כולה כשירה ואם חיסר ממנה כלום אפילו מפירשה פסולה פקע מעורה או מבשרה אפילו משערה כזית יחזיר ואם לא החזיר פסולה פקע חוץ למערכתה מרבה עליו ושורפו במקומו פקע מקרניה מטלפיה או מפירשה אינו צריך להחזיר:
13
The red heifer is not disqualified if it is left overnight without being burnt. Therefore if it was slaughtered on one day and its blood sprinkled as required and then it was burned on the following day, it is acceptable.יג
הפרה אינה נפסלת בלינה לפיכך אם נשחטה היום והזה דמה כהלכתו ונשרפה למחר כשירה:
14
If the priest who burns it is in the acute state of onein mourning or is lacking atonement, it is acceptable.יד
שרפה אונן או מחוסר כפרה כשירה:
15
If one burnt it without sanctifying his hands and feet, it is invalid, because the process of offering the red heifer is comparable to sacrificial worship.
Where does he sanctify his hands and feet? From a consecrated vessel in the Temple Courtyard. If one consecrated them outside the Temple Courtyard with an ordinary vessel, even with a tiny earthenware cup, it is acceptable, because the entire process of offering the heifer is performed outside.
When the priest who burns the red heifer immerses himself after he is made impure, as we explained, he need not sanctify his hands and feet again, since the entire process of offering it is performed by those who immersed that day.טו
שרפה שלא בקידוש ידים ורגלים פסולה מפני שמעשיה כעין עבודה והיכן מקדש ידיו ורגליו בכלי שרת בפנים ואם קידש בחוץ ומכלי חול אפילו במקידה של חרס כשר הואיל וכל מעשיה בחוץ וכן כשמטבילין את הכהן השורף אחר שמטמאין אותו כמו שביארנו אינו צריך לחזור ולקדש הואיל וכל מעשיה בטבולי יום:
16
If one burnt it without wood or with all types of wood, even with straw and stubble, it is acceptable, The optimum way of performing the mitzvah is not to reduce the wood less than is appropriate. On the contrary, one should add to it bundles of hyssop and Greek hyssop while it is burning to increase the amount of ashes. One may add to its conflagration until the heifer itself is reduced to ashes. Once it is reduced to ashes, if one added even one piece of wood to it, it is like one who mixed ashes from a range with the ashes of the red heifer.טז
שרפה שלא בעצים או בכל עצים אפילו בקש או בגבבא כשירה ומצוותה שלא ימעט לה עצים מן הראוי לה אבל מרבה הוא לה חבילי אזוב ואזוב יון בזמן שרפה כדי להרבות את האפר ויש לו להרבות עצים בשריפתה עד שתעשה אפר אבל משתעשה אפר אם הוסיף בה אפילו עץ אחד הרי זה כמערב אפר מקלה באפר הפרה:
17
All of the activities performed with the red heifer from the beginning to the end must be performed only during the day and by male priests and the performance of work disqualifies it until it is reduced to ashes. Once it is reduced to ashes, it is acceptable even if its ashes were collected at night, by a woman, or one performed another task while collecting them.
What is the source that teaches that the collection of the ashes is acceptable if performed by any person with the exception of a deafmute, an intellectually or emotionally incapable person, or a minor? It is written Numbers 19:9: "And a pure man shall gather the ashes of the heifer." It can be derived that a priest is not required. Moreover, it is as if it said "a pure person," i.e., either a man or a woman.
What source teaches that the performance of work disqualifies it? Ibid.:3 states: "And he shall slaughter it." According to the Oral Tradition, we learned that this phrase comes solely to teach that if the priest becomes involved in another task at the time of slaughter, it is unacceptable. And ibid.:5 states: "And the heifer shall be burnt before his eyes," i.e., his eyes should be concentrated on it. This teaches that the performance of work causes it to be disqualified from the time of its slaughter until it is reduced to ashes. Anyone involved in burning it who performs another task disqualifies it until it is reduced to ashes.יז
כל מעשה הפרה מתחלה ועד סוף אינו אלא ביום ובזכרי כהונה והמלאכה פוסלת בה עד שתעשה אפר אבל משתעשה אפר אם כנס אפרה בלילה או שכנסתו אשה או שעשה מלאכה אחרת בשעת כניסתו ה"ז כשירה ומנין שאסיפת האפר בכל אדם מישראל חוץ מחרש שוטה וקטן שנאמר ואסף איש טהור מכלל שאינה צריכה כהן וכאילו אמר אדם טהור בין איש בין אשה ומניין שהמלאכה פוסלת בה שנאמר ושחט אותה מפי השמועה למדו שלא בא הכתוב אלא ללמד שאם נתעסק בדבר אחר בשעת שחיטתה פסלה ונאמר ושרף את הפרה לעיניו שיהיו עיניו בה ללמד שהמלאכה פוסלת בה משעת שחיטה עד שתעשה אפר וכל העוסק בשריפתה ועשה מלאכה אחרת פסלה עד שתעשה אפר:
18
If one slaughtered the heifer and another animal was slaughtered with it or a gourd was cut with it, it is acceptable because he did not intend to perform work. This applies even though the animal that was slaughtered with it is acceptable to be eaten, for the slaughter of ordinary animals does not require concentrated intent. If, however, one had the intent of cutting the gourd and it was cut while he was slaughtering the red heifer, the heifer is disqualified, because work was performed during its slaughter.יח
שחט את הפרה ונשחטה בהמה אחרת עמה או נחתכה דלעת עמה כשירה שהרי לא נתכוון למלאכה אף ע"פ שהבהמה שנשחטה עמה כשירה לאכילה שאין שחיטת החולין צריכה כוונה אבל אם נתכוון לחתוך הדלעת ונחתכה בשעת שחיטה פסולה שהרי עשה עמה מלאכה:
English Text | Hebrew Text |
Audio: Listen | DownloadParah Adummah - Chapter 2
1
Extra stringencies were employed with regard to the purity observed in preparation for offering the red heifer and great extremes were taken to keep a distance from the ritual impurity associated with a human corpse in all the activities associated with its offering. The rationale is that since it is acceptable for a person who immersed that day to bring it, our Sages were concerned that people would treat this offering with disdain.
For this reason, when the priest who burns it is isolated, he is isolated to a prepared chamber in the Temple Courtyard. It was called the House of Stone, because all of the utensils in it were stone utensils that do not contract impurity. He would use the stone utensils throughout the seven days that he is isolated. His priestly brethren would not touch him in order to increase his purity.א
מעלות יתירות עשו בטהרת פרה אדומה והרחקות גדולות הרחיקו מטומאת המת בכל מעשיה מפני שהיא כשירה בטבולי יום חשו שמא יבאו לזלזל בה ומפני זה כשמפרישין הכהן השורף אותה מפרישין אותו ללשכה מוכנת בעזרה ובית אבן היתה נקראת מפני שכל כליה כלי אבנים שאין מקבלין טומאה ובכלי האבן היה משתמש כל שבעת ימי ההפרשה ולא היו נוגעין בו אחיו הכהנים כדי להרבות בטהרתו:
2
For seven days before the burning of the red heifer, the priest who would burn it is isolated from his home, just like the High Priest is isolated for the sake of the service of Yom Kippur. This was received as part of the Oral Tradition from Moses. Similarly, he is isolated from his wife, lest it be discovered that she was a nidah and he be impure for seven days.ב
שבעת ימים קודם שריפת הפרה מפרישין כהן השורף אותה מביתו כשם שמפרישין כ"ג לעבודת יוה"כ ודבר זה קבלה ממשה רבינו וכן מפרישין אותו מאשתו שמא תמצא נדה ויהיה טמא שבעת ימים:
3
The chamber in which this priest would abide for all these seven days was in the northeast portion of the Temple Courtyard. It was positioned there to remind the priest that the red heifer is like a sin-offering that is slaughtered in the northern portion of the Temple Courtyard, even though the red heifer is slaughtered outside the Temple.ג
הלשכה שהיה יושב בה כל ז' צפונית מזרחית היתה כדי להזכירו שהיא כחטאת הנשחטת בצפון אע"פ שהיא נשחטת בחוץ:
4
On every one of the seven days of his isolation, water with the ashes of the red heifer should be sprinkled upon him lest he unknowingly have contracted impurity due to contact with a corpse with the exception of the fourth day of his isolation. That day does not require sprinkling. The rationale is that it is impossible for it to be the third day of his impurity or the seventh day of his impurity. For the sprinkling of the ashes on the seventh day is not considered as the sprinkling of the seventh day unless the ashes were sprinkled on the third day before it. According to law, there is no need to sprinkle the ashes upon him on any days other than the third and the seventh days of isolation. The sprinkling day after day is an extra stringency enacted with regard to the red heifer.ד
כל יום ויום משבעת ימי ההפרשה מזין עליו מי חטאת שמא נטמא למת והוא לא ידע חוץ מיום רביעי להפרשה שא"צ הזאה לפי שא"א שלא יהיה לא שלישי לטומאתו ולא שביעי שאין הזאה בשביעי עולה משום הזאת שביעי עד שיזה בשלישי מלפניה ומן הדין היה שא"צ הזאה אלא בשלישי ושביעי להפרשה בלבד וזה שמזין יום אחר יום מעלה יתירה עשו בפרה:
5
He would be isolated on Wednesday, so that the fourth day of his isolation would fall on the Sabbath, for the sprinkling of the ashes of the red heifer does not supersede the Sabbath prohibitions, and the fourth day does not require the sprinkling of the ashes.ה
ברביעי בשבת היו מפרישין אותו כדי שיחול רביעי שלו להיות בשבת שההזייה אינה דוחה שבת והרביעי א"צ הזייה:
6
On all the days of his isolation when the ashes of the red heifer are sprinkled upon him, the ashes of all the red heifers that were burnt previously were sprinkled on him. If, however, there were only ashes from one red heifer, those ashes are used for all six days.ו
בכל יום ויום מימי ההפרשה שמזין עליו בהם מזין מאפר פרה מן הפרות שנשרפו כבר ואם לא היה שם אלא אפר פרה אחת בלבד מזין ממנו עליו כל הששה:
7
When the ashes of the red heifer are sprinkled upon him during the days of his isolation, the sprinkling should be performed by a man who never contracted the ritual impurity stemming from a human corpse. The rationale is that the person sprinkling the ashes must be pure. If one would say: "Let so-and-so, a person who had contracted impurity, but then had the ashes of the red heifer sprinkled upon him, sprinkle the ashes on the priest who will burn the red heifer," that suggestion is not followed. The rationale is that it is possible that the person who sprinkled the ashes upon so-and-so was not pure from the impurity associated with a corpse. Similarly, the utensils that are used to be filled and consecrated to sprinkle on the priest who burns the red heifer were all stone utensils that are not susceptible to ritual impurity. Pregnant women were brought there; they would give birth there, and raise their sons there. When they wanted to sprinkle ashes on the priest who would burn the red heifer, they would bring oxen - because they have ample bellies - and place doors on their backs in their hands and would go to the Shiloach spring. When they reached the Shiloach, the children would descend and fill the cups. We do not suspect that they will contract impurity from a grave in the depths of the earth at the spring, because it is not ordinary practice to bury the dead in streams.
They would ascend and sit on the doors and proceed upward until they reach the Temple Mount. When they reached the Temple Mount, they would descend and proceed on their feet, because the entire area of the Temple Mount and its courtyards was built over a hollow cavity, lest there be a grave in the depths of the earth. of ashes. They would take the ashes and place them on the water in the cups and sprinkle them on the priest who burns the heifer.
The children who would fill the water, would consecrate it with the ashes and sprinkle it on the priest who burns the heifer must immerse in a mikveh. Even though they are pure with regard to the impurity associated with a human corpse, it is possible that they contracted other forms of impurity.ז
כשמזין עליו בימי ההפרשה אין מזה עליו אלא אדם שלא נטמא במת מעולם שהמזה צריך שיהיה טהור וא"ת יזה עליו איש שנטמא והוזה עליו שמא זה שהזה עליו לא היה טהור מטומאת מת וכן הכלים שממלאין בהן ומקדשין להזות על הכהן השורף כולם כלי אבנים היו שאין מקבלין טומאה וכל אלו הדברים מעלות יתירות הן שעשו בה וכיצד ימצא איש שלא נטמא במת מעולם חצירות היו בירושלים בנויות על גבי הסלע ותחתיהן חלול מפני קבר התהום ומביאין היו נשים עוברות ויולדות שם ומגדלות שם את בניהם וכשירצו להזות על הכהן השורף מביאין שוורים מפני שכרסיהן נפוחות ומניחים על גביהן דלתות ויושבין התינוקות על גבי הדלתות כדי שיהיה האהל מבדיל בינם לבין הארץ מפני קבר התהום וכוסות של אבן בידם והולכין לשילוח הגיעו לשילוח יורדין שם וממלאין שאין לחוש שם מפני קבר התהום שאין דרך בני אדם לקבור בנהרות ועולין ויושבין על גבי הדלתות והולכין עד שמגיעין להר הבית הגיעו להר הבית יורדין ומהלכין על רגליהן מפני שכל הר הבית והעזרות תחתיהן היה חלול מפני קבר התהום ומהלכין עד פתח העזרה ובפתח העזרה היה קלל של אפר נוטלין האפר ונותנין במים שבכוסות ומזין על הכהן השורף ומטבילין היו התינוקות שממלאין ומקדשין ומזין על השורף אף על פי שהן טהורין מטומאת המת שמא נטמאו בטומאה אחרת:
8
When a child immersed himself in a mikveh in order to fill pitchers with water and sprinkle it, another child should not fill those containers with water even though he immersed himself.
When a child immersed himself to sprinkle the water of the ashes on one priest, he may not sprinkle the water on another priest until he immerses again for the sake of purifying that priest. Similarly, when utensils or people were purified for the sake of offering one red heifer, they should not become involved in the offering of another red heifer until they immerse themselves for its sake. All of these are extra stringencies required for the offering of the red heifer.ח
תינוק שטבל למלאות ולהזות לא ימלא בכליו תינוק אחר אע"פ שטבל ותינוק שטבל להזות על כהן זה אינו מזה על כהן אחר עד שיטבול לשם מעשה זה הכהן וכן כלים שטהרום לחטאת זו ובני אדם שטהרום לחטאת זו לא יתעסק בהם בפרה אחרת עד שיטבלו לשמה וכל הדברים האלו מעלות יתירות בפרה:
Parah Adummah - Chapter 3
1
The red heifer should be burnt only outside the Temple Mount, as Numbers 19:3 states: "And you shall take it outside the camp." They would burn it on the Mount of Olives. A ramp was built from the Temple Mount to the Mount of Olives. Below it were arches upon arches, i.e., an arch on two arches, so that there would be empty space under it, lest there be a grave in the depths of the earth. Similarly, the place where the heifer was burnt and the place of immersion on the Mount of Olives had the space under them hollowed, lest there be a grave in the depths of the earth.
The red heifer, the one who would burn it, and all those who assist in its burning go from the Temple Mount to the Mount of Olives on this ramp.א
אין שורפין את הפרה אלא חוץ להר הבית שנאמר והוציא אותה אל מחוץ למחנה ובהר המשחה היו שורפין אותה וכבש היו עושין מהר הבית להר המשחה ותחתיו בנוי כיפין כיפין וכיפה על כל ב' כיפין כדי שיהיו ב' רגלי הכיפה על גג ב' כיפין שתחתיה כדי שתהיה תחת הכל חלול מפני קבר התהום אף מקום שריפתה ומקום הטבילה שהיו בהר המשחה תחתיהן חלול מפני קבר התהום והפרה והשורף וכל המסעדין בשריפתה יוצאין מהר הבית להר המשחה ע"ג כבש זה:
2
How was the red heifer burnt? The elders of Israel would walk to the Mount of Olives first. There was a mikveh there. The priest, those assisting in burning it, and the heifer would go out on the ramp and come to the Mount of Olives.
There they would make the priest impure. The elders would rest their hands on the priest and tell him: "Immerse yourself." If he was a High Priest, they would tell him: "My sir, the High Priest, immerse yourself." He would descend, immerse himself, ascend, and dry himself.
There was wood arranged there: cedar wood, oak wood, pine wood, and smooth fig wood. An arrangement like a tower was made and windows were made in the midst of it, so that the fire would flame in them. The front of the arrangement was in the west.
The heifer would be tied with a rope of love grass and it would be brought onto the arrangement with its head to the south and its face to the west. The priest would stand to the east with his head facing west. He would slaughter the heifer with his right hand and receive its blood in his left hand. With his right finger, he would sprinkle from the blood in his left palm seven times toward the Holy of Holies. He would dip his finger in the blood for every sprinkling. The remainder of the blood on his finger was disqualified for sprinkling, Therefore, after every sprinkling, he would clean his finger on the body of the heifer.
When he completed sprinkling, he would clean his hands on the body of the heifer and descend from the arrangement. He would light the fire with small kindling twigs and place them below the wood of the arrangement. The fire would begin to catch in it. The priest would stand at a distance and watch it until the fire catches in its larger portion and its belly becomes ripped open.
Afterwards, he takes a branch of a cedar tree and hyssop that is at least a handbreadth long, and wool dyed crimson weighing five selaim. He asks the people standing there: "Is this a piece of cedar?" "Is this a piece of cedar?" "Is this a piece of cedar?" "Is this hyssop?" "Is this hyssop?" "Is this hyssop?" "Is this a crimson thread?" "Is this a crimson thread?" "Is this a crimson thread?", asking each question three times. They answer: "Yes!" "Yes!" "Yes!", three times for each set of questions.
Why is all this necessary? Because there are seven species of cedar, four species of hyssop, and several options to produce red dye. Some dye with madder and some dye with lacca sap, and some dye with tola'at? Tola'at refers to very red berries that resemble carob seeds. They are like sumach berries. There is a bug, like a gnat, in every berry. Since there are different types of species for each of the entities involved, the priest notifies everyone and informs them that these are the species mentioned in the Torah.
The hyssop mentioned in the Torah is the type of hyssop eaten by home-owners and used as a condiment in certain dishes. The hyssop, cedar, and wool dyed crimson are all absolute requirements, without one of which, the others are not acceptable. The priest should bind the hyssop together with the cedar branch with the crimson thread and then throw them into the belly of the heifer, as Numbers 19:6 states: "He shall cast them into the midst of the conflagration of the heifer."
He should not cast them into the heifer until the fire has caught hold of the larger portion of it and not after it has been reduced to ashes. If he casts them at those times, it is unacceptable, as indicated by the phrase: "into the midst of the conflagration," i.e., not before the fire has caught onto its larger portion and not after it was reduced to ashes. Whether one cast all three of them together or one after the other, whether one cast them into the heifer's body or into the fire, whether its belly burst open on its own accord or the priest ripped it open by hand or with a utensil, it is acceptable.ב
כיצד שורפין אותה זקני ישראל היו מקדימין ברגליהן להר המשחה ובית טבילה היה שם וכהן והמסעדין בשריפתה והפרה יוצאין על הכבש ובאין להר המשחה ומטמאין את הכהן וסומכין הזקנים את ידיהם על הכהן ואומרים לו טבול אחת ואם היה כ"ג אומרים לו אישי כ"ג טבול אחת ירד וטבל ועלה ונסתפג ועצים מסודרים היו שם ארזים אלונים וברושים ועצי תאנה חלקה ועושין מערכה כמין מגדל ומפתחין בה חלונות כדי שתהיה האור מלבבת בהן ומראה המערכה במערב וכופתין את הפרה בחבל של מגג ונותנין אותה על גבי המערכה ראשה לדרום ופניה למערב הכהן עומד במזרח ופניו למערב שוחט בימינו ומקבל הדם בשמאלו ומזה באצבעו הימנית מן הדם שבכפו השמאלית שבע פעמים כנגד בית קדשי הקדשים על כל הזאה טבילת אצבע בדם ושירי הדם שבאצבע פסולים להזייה לפיכך על כל הזאה מקנח אצבעו בגופה של פרה גמר מלהזות מקנח את ידיו בגופה של פרה ויורד מן המערכה והצית את האש בעצים קטנים והכניסן תחת עצי המערכה והתחיל האש בה והכהן עומד ברחוק ומשמר לה עד שיצת את האור ברובה ותקרע בטנה ואחר כך נוטל עץ ארז ואזוב אין פחות מטפח וצמר צבוע בתולעת משקל חמשה סלעים ואומר לעומדים שם עץ ארז זה עץ ארז זה עץ ארז זה אזוב זה אזוב זה אזוב זה שני תולעת זה שני תולעת זה שני תולעת זה שלש פעמים על כל אחד ואחד והן אומרין לו הין הין הין שלש פעמים על כל אחד ואחד:
וכל כך למה לפי שמיני ארזים שבעה הן ומיני אזוב ארבעה והצבוע אדום יש שצובעין אותו בפואה ויש שצובעין אותו בלכא ויש שצובעין אותו בתולעת והתולעת היא הגרגרים האדומים ביותר הדומים לגרעיני החרובים והן כמו האוג ותולעת כמו יתוש יש בכל גרגיר מהן ולפיכך מודיע לכל ומגלה להן שאלו הן המינים האמורים בתורה והאזוב האמור בתורה הוא האזוב שאוכלין אותו בעלי בתים ומתבלין בו הקדירות האזוב והארז והתולעת שלשתן מעכבין זה את זה וכורך האזוב עם הארז בלשון של שני ומשליך אל תוך בטנה שנאמר והשליך אל תוך שריפת הפרה ואינו משליך קודם שיצית האור ברובה ולא אחר שתעשה אפר ואם השליך פסולה שנא' אל תוך שריפת לא קודם שיצת האור ברובה ולא אחר שתעשה אפר בין שהשליך שלשתן כאחת בין שהשליך זה אחר זה בין שהשליך לתוך גופה או לתוך שריפתה בין שנקרעה מאליה ואח"כ השליך בין שקרעה בידו או בכלי כשירה:
3
When the process of burning it has been completed, its remnants and all of the pieces of wood in its arrangement that were burnt with it are beaten with clubs and everything is raked out with rakes. Anything - whether from its flesh or from the wood - that has been blackened and is possible to be crushed and reduced to ashes, should be crushed and reduced to ashes. If something has no trace of ash on it, it is left. Any piece of bone that remains from the heifer's bones that was not burnt should be crushed regardless.ג
נגמרה שריפתה חובטין אותה במקלות היא וכל עצי המערכה שנשרפה בהן וכוברין את הכל בכברות וכל שחור שאפשר שיכתש ויהיה אפר בין מבשרה בין מן העצים כותשין אותו עד שיעשה אפר ושאין בו אפר מניחין אותו וכל עצם שנשאר מעצמיה בלא שריפה בין כך ובין כך היה נכתש:
4
None of its ashes are brought into the Temple Courtyard for storage, as ibid.:9 states: "And he shall place it outside the camp." The ashes were divided into three portions: one was placed in the chayl one, on the Mount of Olives, and one, was divided among all the priestly guardposts.
The one that was divided among all the priestly watches was used by the priests to sanctify themselves. The one that was placed on the Mount of Olives was used by the entire Jewish people for sprinkling. And the one that was placed in the chayl was prepared and hidden away, as implied by ibid. which states: "It will be a security for the congregation of Israel." This teaches that it was put away for safekeeping.
Indeed, in the chayl, they would put away for safekeeping a portion of the ashes from every red heifer that was burnt. Nine red heifers were offered from the time that they were commanded to fulfill this mitzvah until the time when the Temple was destroyed a second time. The first was brought by Moses our teacher. The second was brought by Ezra. Seven others were offered until the destruction of the Second Temple. And the tenth will be brought by the king Mashiach; may he speedily be revealed. Amen, so may it be G‑d's will.ד
אין מכניסין כלום מאפרה להניחו בעזרה שנאמר והניח מחוץ למחנה ושלשה חלקים היו חולקין את כל אפרה אחד ניתן בחיל ואחד בהר המשחה ואחד מתחלק לכל המשמרות זה שמתחלק לכל המשמרות היו הכהנים מקדשין ממנו וזה שניתן בהר המשחה היו ישראל מזין ממנו וזה שניתן בחיל היה מוכן ומוצנע שנאמר והיתה לעדת בני ישראל למשמרת מלמד שמצניעין ממנו וכן היו מצניעין מאפר כל פרה ופרה ששורפין בחיל ותשע פרות אדומות נעשו משנצטוו במצוה זו עד שחרב הבית בשנייה ראשונה עשה משה רבינו שנייה עשה עזרא ושבע מעזרא עד חורבן הבית והעשירית יעשה המלך המשיח מהרה יגלה אכי"ר:
Parah Adummah - Chapter 4
1
Two red heifers should not be slaughtered at the same time, as Numbers 19:3 states: "And you shall slaughter it."א
אין שוחטין שתי פרות אדומות כאחת שנאמר ושחט אותה:
2
If the red heifer did not desire to go out, a black one should not be taken out with it, so that it would not be said: "They slaughtered a black one." Nor is another red one taken out, so that it would not be said: "They slaughtered two at once."ב
לא רצתה פרה לצאת אין מוציאין עמה שחורה שלא יאמרו שחורה שחטו ולא אדומה שלא יאמרו שתים שחטו:
3
When a red heifer was slaughtered with another intent in mind or its blood was received or sprinkled with another intent in mind, with the proper intent and another intent in mind, or with another intent and the proper intent in mind, it was offered by someone other than a priest, or it was offered by a priest lacking one or more of the priestly garments, while wearing the golden garments, or while wearing ordinary garments, it is unacceptable.
If it was slaughtered with the intent of partaking of its flesh or drinking its blood, it is acceptable. The rationale is that the expression "a pleasant fragrance" was not stated with regard to it.ג
פרה שנשחטה שלא לשמה או שקיבל או שהזה שלא לשמה או לשמה ושלא לשמה או שלא לשמה ולשמה או שנעשית שלא בכהן או במחוסר בגדים או שעשאה בבגדי זהב או בבגדי חול פסולה שחטה על מנת לאכול מבשרה או לשתות מדמה כשירה לפי שלא נאמר בה ריח ניחוח:
4
If its blood was received in a container, it is unacceptable, as Numbers 19:4 states: "And Elazar the priest will take the blood with his finger." The mitzvah is performed with the finger and not with a utensil.ד
קיבל דמה בכלי פסולה שנאמר ולקח אלעזר הכהן מדמה באצבעו מצוותה מצות יד ולא מצות כלי:
5
If he sprinkled the blood, even one sprinkling with a utensil, the sprinkling is unacceptable. If he performed one sprinkling with his left hand, it is unacceptable. If seven priests sprinkled the blood at the same time, their sprinkling is unacceptable. If they did so one after the other, it is acceptable.
If he sprinkled the blood, but did not direct it to the Sanctuary, it is unacceptable, as ibid. states: "opposite the front of the Tent of Meeting." Implied is that he should direct it toward the Sanctuary and see the Sanctuary. Similarly, if he slaughtered it or burnt it not opposite the Sanctuary, it is unacceptable, as implied by Numbers 19:3: "He shall slaughter it before him."ה
הזה בכלי אפילו אחת מהן הזאתו פסולה הזה אחת מהן בשמאלו פסולה הזו שבעה כהנים הזייתן כאחד הזייתן פסולה זה אחר זה כשירה הזה ולא כיון כנגד ההיכל פסולה שנאמר אל נכח פני אהל מועד עד שיכוין כנגד ההיכל ויהיה רואהו וכן אם שחטה או שרפה שלא כנגד ההיכל פסולה שנאמר ושחט אותה לפניו:
6
When does the above apply? When he sprinkled the blood or burnt or slaughtered the heifer southward or northward, or with his back to the Sanctuary. If, however, he stood between the east and the west and faced the Sanctuary, even if he did not direct himself toward the Sanctuary exactly, it is acceptable.ו
במה דברים אמורים שהזה או שרף או שחט כנגד הדרום או כנגד צפון או שהיה אחוריו למקדש אבל אם עמד בין מזרח ומערב ופניו כנגד ההיכל אף על פי שלא כיון כנגד [ההיכל] בדקדוק כשירה:
7
If one of the sprinklings is lacking, it is unacceptable. If one dipped his finger in the blood twice and sprinkled once, the sprinkling is unacceptable. If he dipped his finger once and sprinkled twice, even if he did not count the second sprinkling and instead, dipped his finger and sprinkled a second time, it is unacceptable.
What is implied? He dipped his finger in the blood for the sixth time and performed the sixth and seventh sprinklings, it is unacceptable, even if he dipped his finger in the blood again and sprinkled it a seventh time. If, after dipping his finger into the blood for the seventh time, he performed a seventh and eighth sprinkling - even if he dipped his finger into the blood an eighth time and then sprinkled it an eighth time, it is acceptable, for any addition over the seven is of no consequence, provided it is another priest making the addition. If, however, the priest burning it made the additional sprinkling, it is unacceptable, because he involved himself in an unnecessary activity while burning it.ז
חיסר אחת מן המתנות פסולה טבל שתים והזה אחת הזאתו פסולה טבל אחת והזה שתים אף על פי שלא חשב הזאה שניה אלא טבל והזה אחרת הזייתו פסולה כיצד טבל אצבעו טבילה ששית והזה ו' וז' אף ע"פ שחזר וטבל אצבעו והזה שבע הזייתו פסולה הזה מטבילה שביעית [שביעית] ושמינית אפילו חזר וטבל טבילה שמינית והזה שמינית כשירה שכל שמוסיף על השבע אינו כלום והוא שיהיה זה שהוסיף כהן אחר אבל הכהן השורף אותה אם הוסיף פסולה מפני שנתעסק בדבר שאינו צריך בשעת שריפתה:
8
If one removed the blood from its arrangement and then sprinkled it, it is invalid.ח
הוציא את הדם חוץ ממערכתה והזה פסולה:
9
If one sprinkled its blood at night - even if one performed seven sprinklings during the day and one at night - it is unacceptable.ט
הזה מדמה בלילה אפילו הזה שש הזיות ביום ואחת בלילה פסולה:
10
If one slaughtered it outside the place where it is burnt, even if one slaughtered it within the walls of Jerusalem, it is unacceptable.י
שחטה חוץ ממקום שריפתה אפילו שחטה לפנים מן החומה פסולה:
11
If one burnt it outside the arrangement on which it was slaughtered, it was divided in two and burnt in two arrangements, or two heifers were burned on one arrangement, it is disqualified. If it was already reduced to ashes, one may bring another one and slaughter it over the ashes of the first without any qualms.יא
שרפה חוץ ממערכה שנשחטה עליה או שחלקה לשנים ושרפה בשתי מערכות או ששרף שתים במערכה אחת פסולה ואם אחר שנעשית אפר מביא אחרת שורף על גבה ואינו חושש:
12
If one skinned it and cut it into pieces and then burnt it in its entirety, it is acceptable. If any slight part of its substance, even its dung, is lacking, it is unacceptable. If an olive-sized portion of its skin, meat, or even its hair flew off its pyre, it should be returned. If he did not return it, it is unacceptable.
If it flew outside its arrangement, one should place much wood over it and burn it in its place. If its horns, its hooves, or its dung flew off, they need not be returned to the pyre.יב
הפשיטה ונתחה ואח"כ שרף כולה כשירה ואם חיסר ממנה כלום אפילו מפירשה פסולה פקע מעורה או מבשרה אפילו משערה כזית יחזיר ואם לא החזיר פסולה פקע חוץ למערכתה מרבה עליו ושורפו במקומו פקע מקרניה מטלפיה או מפירשה אינו צריך להחזיר:
13
The red heifer is not disqualified if it is left overnight without being burnt. Therefore if it was slaughtered on one day and its blood sprinkled as required and then it was burned on the following day, it is acceptable.יג
הפרה אינה נפסלת בלינה לפיכך אם נשחטה היום והזה דמה כהלכתו ונשרפה למחר כשירה:
14
If the priest who burns it is in the acute state of onein mourning or is lacking atonement, it is acceptable.יד
שרפה אונן או מחוסר כפרה כשירה:
15
If one burnt it without sanctifying his hands and feet, it is invalid, because the process of offering the red heifer is comparable to sacrificial worship.
Where does he sanctify his hands and feet? From a consecrated vessel in the Temple Courtyard. If one consecrated them outside the Temple Courtyard with an ordinary vessel, even with a tiny earthenware cup, it is acceptable, because the entire process of offering the heifer is performed outside.
When the priest who burns the red heifer immerses himself after he is made impure, as we explained, he need not sanctify his hands and feet again, since the entire process of offering it is performed by those who immersed that day.טו
שרפה שלא בקידוש ידים ורגלים פסולה מפני שמעשיה כעין עבודה והיכן מקדש ידיו ורגליו בכלי שרת בפנים ואם קידש בחוץ ומכלי חול אפילו במקידה של חרס כשר הואיל וכל מעשיה בחוץ וכן כשמטבילין את הכהן השורף אחר שמטמאין אותו כמו שביארנו אינו צריך לחזור ולקדש הואיל וכל מעשיה בטבולי יום:
16
If one burnt it without wood or with all types of wood, even with straw and stubble, it is acceptable, The optimum way of performing the mitzvah is not to reduce the wood less than is appropriate. On the contrary, one should add to it bundles of hyssop and Greek hyssop while it is burning to increase the amount of ashes. One may add to its conflagration until the heifer itself is reduced to ashes. Once it is reduced to ashes, if one added even one piece of wood to it, it is like one who mixed ashes from a range with the ashes of the red heifer.טז
שרפה שלא בעצים או בכל עצים אפילו בקש או בגבבא כשירה ומצוותה שלא ימעט לה עצים מן הראוי לה אבל מרבה הוא לה חבילי אזוב ואזוב יון בזמן שרפה כדי להרבות את האפר ויש לו להרבות עצים בשריפתה עד שתעשה אפר אבל משתעשה אפר אם הוסיף בה אפילו עץ אחד הרי זה כמערב אפר מקלה באפר הפרה:
17
All of the activities performed with the red heifer from the beginning to the end must be performed only during the day and by male priests and the performance of work disqualifies it until it is reduced to ashes. Once it is reduced to ashes, it is acceptable even if its ashes were collected at night, by a woman, or one performed another task while collecting them.
What is the source that teaches that the collection of the ashes is acceptable if performed by any person with the exception of a deafmute, an intellectually or emotionally incapable person, or a minor? It is written Numbers 19:9: "And a pure man shall gather the ashes of the heifer." It can be derived that a priest is not required. Moreover, it is as if it said "a pure person," i.e., either a man or a woman.
What source teaches that the performance of work disqualifies it? Ibid.:3 states: "And he shall slaughter it." According to the Oral Tradition, we learned that this phrase comes solely to teach that if the priest becomes involved in another task at the time of slaughter, it is unacceptable. And ibid.:5 states: "And the heifer shall be burnt before his eyes," i.e., his eyes should be concentrated on it. This teaches that the performance of work causes it to be disqualified from the time of its slaughter until it is reduced to ashes. Anyone involved in burning it who performs another task disqualifies it until it is reduced to ashes.יז
כל מעשה הפרה מתחלה ועד סוף אינו אלא ביום ובזכרי כהונה והמלאכה פוסלת בה עד שתעשה אפר אבל משתעשה אפר אם כנס אפרה בלילה או שכנסתו אשה או שעשה מלאכה אחרת בשעת כניסתו ה"ז כשירה ומנין שאסיפת האפר בכל אדם מישראל חוץ מחרש שוטה וקטן שנאמר ואסף איש טהור מכלל שאינה צריכה כהן וכאילו אמר אדם טהור בין איש בין אשה ומניין שהמלאכה פוסלת בה שנאמר ושחט אותה מפי השמועה למדו שלא בא הכתוב אלא ללמד שאם נתעסק בדבר אחר בשעת שחיטתה פסלה ונאמר ושרף את הפרה לעיניו שיהיו עיניו בה ללמד שהמלאכה פוסלת בה משעת שחיטה עד שתעשה אפר וכל העוסק בשריפתה ועשה מלאכה אחרת פסלה עד שתעשה אפר:
18
If one slaughtered the heifer and another animal was slaughtered with it or a gourd was cut with it, it is acceptable because he did not intend to perform work. This applies even though the animal that was slaughtered with it is acceptable to be eaten, for the slaughter of ordinary animals does not require concentrated intent. If, however, one had the intent of cutting the gourd and it was cut while he was slaughtering the red heifer, the heifer is disqualified, because work was performed during its slaughter.יח
שחט את הפרה ונשחטה בהמה אחרת עמה או נחתכה דלעת עמה כשירה שהרי לא נתכוון למלאכה אף ע"פ שהבהמה שנשחטה עמה כשירה לאכילה שאין שחיטת החולין צריכה כוונה אבל אם נתכוון לחתוך הדלעת ונחתכה בשעת שחיטה פסולה שהרי עשה עמה מלאכה:
Hayom Yom:
• English Text | Video Class
Shabbat, Iyar 17, 5777 · 13 May 2017
Shabbat, Iyar 17, 32nd day of the omer
Shabbat, Iyar 17, 32nd day of the omer 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: B'har, Shevi'i with Rashi.
Tehillim: 83-87.
Tanya: Ch. 49. Even though (p. 255)...for the love of G-d. (p. 259).
Tzidkat'cha (p. 209) is not said.
Some recite the sh'ma in the morning, before services, to fulfill their obligation of reciting the sh'ma in its proper time; they should repeat (as usual in a non-communal sh'ma reading) the three words ani Hashem Elokeichem (p. 48), and conclude with the word emet. When reciting the sh'ma with the tefillin of Rabeinu Tam or Shimusha Raba, the three words are not repeated, but one does conclude with emet.
On Lag Ba'Omer, about 5604 (1844), the Tzemach Tzedek related this teaching of the Baal Shem Tov: It is written, "For you (Israel) shall be a land of desire, says the L-rd of Hosts"1. Just as the greatest scientists will never discover the limits of the enormous natural resources which the A-lmighty has sunk into the land ("everything came from the earth")2, neither will anyone ever find the limits of the great treasures which lie within Israel - G-d's "land of desire."
The Baal Shem Tov concluded: I want to make Israel yield the kind of produce which the A-lmighty's "land of desire" is capable of yielding.3
FOOTNOTES
1. Malachi 3:12.
2. Kohelet 3:20.
3. See Elul 2.
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• English Text | Video Class
Shabbat, Iyar 17, 5777 · 13 May 2017
Shabbat, Iyar 17, 32nd day of the omer
Shabbat, Iyar 17, 32nd day of the omer 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: B'har, Shevi'i with Rashi.
Tehillim: 83-87.
Tanya: Ch. 49. Even though (p. 255)...for the love of G-d. (p. 259).
Tzidkat'cha (p. 209) is not said.
Some recite the sh'ma in the morning, before services, to fulfill their obligation of reciting the sh'ma in its proper time; they should repeat (as usual in a non-communal sh'ma reading) the three words ani Hashem Elokeichem (p. 48), and conclude with the word emet. When reciting the sh'ma with the tefillin of Rabeinu Tam or Shimusha Raba, the three words are not repeated, but one does conclude with emet.
On Lag Ba'Omer, about 5604 (1844), the Tzemach Tzedek related this teaching of the Baal Shem Tov: It is written, "For you (Israel) shall be a land of desire, says the L-rd of Hosts"1. Just as the greatest scientists will never discover the limits of the enormous natural resources which the A-lmighty has sunk into the land ("everything came from the earth")2, neither will anyone ever find the limits of the great treasures which lie within Israel - G-d's "land of desire."
The Baal Shem Tov concluded: I want to make Israel yield the kind of produce which the A-lmighty's "land of desire" is capable of yielding.3
FOOTNOTES
1. Malachi 3:12.
2. Kohelet 3:20.
3. See Elul 2.
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Daily Thought
G-d Within
Before the Baal Shem Tov, people thought of G‑d as the One who directs all things from above and beyond. The Baal Shem Tov taught that the vital force of each thing, the place from which comes its personality, its sense of pain and pleasure, its growth and life—that itself is G‑d.
Not that this is all of G‑d. It is less than a glimmer of G‑d. Because G‑d is entirely beyond all such descriptions.
But that life force is G‑d as He is found within each creature He has made.[Tanya, part 2, chapter 1.]
G-d Within
Before the Baal Shem Tov, people thought of G‑d as the One who directs all things from above and beyond. The Baal Shem Tov taught that the vital force of each thing, the place from which comes its personality, its sense of pain and pleasure, its growth and life—that itself is G‑d.
Not that this is all of G‑d. It is less than a glimmer of G‑d. Because G‑d is entirely beyond all such descriptions.
But that life force is G‑d as He is found within each creature He has made.[Tanya, part 2, chapter 1.]
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TODAY IN JUDAISM: Friday, May 12, 2017 - Chabad.org in New York, New York, United States - Today in Judaism
- Today is: Friday, Iyar 16, 5777 · May 12, 2017 - Omer: Day 31 - Tifferet sheb'Hod - Tonight Count 32 -
Candle Lighting
Light Candles before sunset ––:––Today's Laws & Customs:
The 49-day "Counting of the Omer" retraces our ancestors' seven-week spiritual journey from the Exodus to Sinai. Each evening we recite a special blessing and count the days and weeks that have passed since the Omer; the 50th day is Shavuot, the festival celebrating the Giving of the Torah at Sinai.
Tonight's Sefirah: Netzach sheb'Hod -- "Ambition in Humility"
The teachings of Kabbalah explain that there are seven "Divine Attributes" -- Sefirot -- that G-d assumes through which to relate to our existence: Chessed, Gevurah, Tifferet, Netzach, Hod, Yesod and Malchut ("Love", "Strength", "Beauty", "Victory", "Splendor", "Foundation" and "Sovereignty"). In the human being, created in the "image of G-d," the seven sefirot are mirrored in the seven "emotional attributes" of the human soul: Kindness, Restraint, Harmony, Ambition, Humility, Connection and Receptiveness. Each of the seven attributes contain elements of all seven--i.e., "Kindness in Kindness", "Restraint in Kindness", "Harmony in Kindness", etc.--making for a total of forty-nine traits. The 49-day Omer Count is thus a 49-step process of self-refinement, with each day devoted to the "rectification" and perfection of one the forty-nine "sefirot."
Links:
How to count the Omer
The deeper significance of the Omer Count
Today in Jewish History:
Links:
The Manna (the Torah's account with readings from Talmud, Midrash and Commentaries)
Our Daily Bread (meditations on earning a living)
Bread From Heaven
More on the manna
Link: Destruction of the Second Temple - Historical Background
"Nuremberg Laws" Passed in Hungary (1939)
The Nazi Nuremberg Laws, depriving Jews the rights citizenship, were passed by the government of Nazi Germany in 1935. In 1939, on the 16th of Iyar, the laws went into effect in Nazi-allied Hungary.
Dachau Liberated (1945)
Dachau was the first Nazi concentration camp and the model for the other concentration camps. During the war, 200,000 Jews were housed in Dachau. More than 30,000 were killed and tens of thousands died due to the conditions and spread of disease in the camp.
The camp was freed by the 45th Infantry Division of the U.S. Seventh Army on the 16th of Iyar, 1945. It was the second concentration camp to be liberated following the end of WWII.
The U.S. troops forced the citizens of the local community to come to the camp, observe the conditions, and help clean the facilities.
Witold Pilecki Executed (1948)
On this day in 1948 (5708) Witold Pilecki was executed by the Communist Polish government after a show trial where he was found guilty of espionage. A leader of the Polish resistance, he volunteered to be imprisoned in Auschwitz, where he remained from 1940 to 1943. During that time, smuggled out information on the mass killings and other atrocities that the Germans were committing. They were the first comprehensive reports of the Nazi killing machine to reach the West.
TODAY IN JUDAISM: Friday, May 12, 2017 - Chabad.org in New York, New York, United States - Today in Judaism
- Today is: Friday, Iyar 16, 5777 · May 12, 2017 - Omer: Day 31 - Tifferet sheb'Hod - Tonight Count 32 -Candle Lighting
Light Candles before sunset ––:––Today's Laws & Customs:
- Count "Thirty-Two Days to the Omer" Tonight
The 49-day "Counting of the Omer" retraces our ancestors' seven-week spiritual journey from the Exodus to Sinai. Each evening we recite a special blessing and count the days and weeks that have passed since the Omer; the 50th day is Shavuot, the festival celebrating the Giving of the Torah at Sinai.
Tonight's Sefirah: Netzach sheb'Hod -- "Ambition in Humility"
The teachings of Kabbalah explain that there are seven "Divine Attributes" -- Sefirot -- that G-d assumes through which to relate to our existence: Chessed, Gevurah, Tifferet, Netzach, Hod, Yesod and Malchut ("Love", "Strength", "Beauty", "Victory", "Splendor", "Foundation" and "Sovereignty"). In the human being, created in the "image of G-d," the seven sefirot are mirrored in the seven "emotional attributes" of the human soul: Kindness, Restraint, Harmony, Ambition, Humility, Connection and Receptiveness. Each of the seven attributes contain elements of all seven--i.e., "Kindness in Kindness", "Restraint in Kindness", "Harmony in Kindness", etc.--making for a total of forty-nine traits. The 49-day Omer Count is thus a 49-step process of self-refinement, with each day devoted to the "rectification" and perfection of one the forty-nine "sefirot."
Links:
How to count the Omer
The deeper significance of the Omer Count
Today in Jewish History:
- The Manna (1313 BCE)
Links:
The Manna (the Torah's account with readings from Talmud, Midrash and Commentaries)
Our Daily Bread (meditations on earning a living)
Bread From Heaven
More on the manna
- Romans Razed Jerusalem Wall (70)
Link: Destruction of the Second Temple - Historical Background
"Nuremberg Laws" Passed in Hungary (1939)
The Nazi Nuremberg Laws, depriving Jews the rights citizenship, were passed by the government of Nazi Germany in 1935. In 1939, on the 16th of Iyar, the laws went into effect in Nazi-allied Hungary.
Dachau Liberated (1945)
Dachau was the first Nazi concentration camp and the model for the other concentration camps. During the war, 200,000 Jews were housed in Dachau. More than 30,000 were killed and tens of thousands died due to the conditions and spread of disease in the camp.
The camp was freed by the 45th Infantry Division of the U.S. Seventh Army on the 16th of Iyar, 1945. It was the second concentration camp to be liberated following the end of WWII.
The U.S. troops forced the citizens of the local community to come to the camp, observe the conditions, and help clean the facilities.
Witold Pilecki Executed (1948)
On this day in 1948 (5708) Witold Pilecki was executed by the Communist Polish government after a show trial where he was found guilty of espionage. A leader of the Polish resistance, he volunteered to be imprisoned in Auschwitz, where he remained from 1940 to 1943. During that time, smuggled out information on the mass killings and other atrocities that the Germans were committing. They were the first comprehensive reports of the Nazi killing machine to reach the West.
Daily Quote:
When one is connected above, one does not fall below[Rabbi Meir of Premishlan]
When one is connected above, one does not fall below[Rabbi Meir of Premishlan]
Daily Study:
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Parshat Emor, 6th Portion (Leviticus 23:33-23:44) with Rashi
• English / Hebrew Linear Translation | Video Class
Leviticus Chapter 23
33And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, לגוַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־משֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר:
34Speak to the children of Israel, saying: On the fifteenth day of this seventh month, is the Festival of Succoth, a seven day period to the Lord. לדדַּבֵּ֛ר אֶל־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר בַּֽחֲמִשָּׁ֨ה עָשָׂ֜ר י֗וֹם לַחֹ֤דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי֙ הַזֶּ֔ה חַ֧ג הַסֻּכּ֛וֹת שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֖ים לַֽיהֹוָֽה:
35On the first day, it is a holy occasion; you shall not perform any work of labor. להבַּיּ֥וֹם הָֽרִאשׁ֖וֹן מִקְרָא־קֹ֑דֶשׁ כָּל־מְלֶ֥אכֶת עֲבֹדָ֖ה לֹ֥א תַֽעֲשֽׂוּ:
a holy occasion: [This expression mentioned in connection with Yom Kippur, means that you are to] sanctify it [the day] through [wearing] clean garments and through prayer, while [this expression mentioned in connection] with the other holy days, [means] sanctify it with food and drink, through [wearing] clean clothes and through [their own special] prayers. — [See Torath Kohanim 23:186] [Note that this Rashi belongs on verse 27. Therefore, it is obvious that it is referring to Yom Kippur, and the words, בְּיוֹם הַכִּפּוּרים are completely unnecessary. Since the copyists believed it to be on verse 35, which deals with Succoth, they found it necessary to insert those words. See Divrei David.] מקרא קדש: קדשהו בכסות נקיה ובתפלה, ובשאר ימים טובים במאכל ובמשתה ובכסות נקיה ובתפלה:
36[For] a seven day period, you shall bring a fire offering to the Lord. On the eighth day, it shall be a holy occasion for you, and you shall bring a fire offering to the Lord. It is a [day of] detention. You shall not perform any work of labor. לושִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֔ים תַּקְרִ֥יבוּ אִשֶּׁ֖ה לַֽיהֹוָ֑ה בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁמִינִ֡י מִקְרָא־קֹ֩דֶשׁ֩ יִֽהְיֶ֨ה לָכֶ֜ם וְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֨ם אִשֶּׁ֤ה לַֽיהֹוָה֙ עֲצֶ֣רֶת הִ֔וא כָּל־מְלֶ֥אכֶת עֲבֹדָ֖ה לֹ֥א תַֽעֲשֽׂוּ:
It is a [day of] detention: [i.e., God says to Israel,] “I have detained you [to remain] with Me.” This is analogous to a king who invited his sons to feast with him for a certain number of days, and when the time came for them to leave, he said: “My sons! Please, stay with me just one more day, [for] it is difficult for me to part with you!” [Similarly, after the seven days of Succoth, God “detains” Israel for one extra holy day.] עצרת הוא: עצרתי אתכם אצלי כמלך שזימן את בניו לסעודה לכך וכך ימים, כיון שהגיע זמנן להפטר אמר בני בבקשה מכם, עכבו עמי עוד יום אחד, קשה עלי פרידתכם:
[you shall not perform] any work of labor: [I.e.,] even such work that is considered labor for you, that, if not done, would cause a monetary loss [is prohibited]. כל מלאכת עבדה: אפילו מלאכה שהיא עבודה לכם, שאם לא תעשוה יש חסרון כיס בדבר:
you shall not perform: One might think that even during the intermediate days of the Festival, work of labor is [also] prohibited. Scripture, therefore says here, “ It [is a day of detention,” [i.e., only on this eighth day is work prohibited, and not on the preceding weekdays of the Festival, when such work, which, if postponed, would cause a monetary loss, is permitted]. — [Torath Kohanim 23:187] לא תעשו: יכול אף חולו של מועד יהא אסור במלאכת עבודה, תלמוד לומר היא:
37These are God's appointed [holy days] that you shall designate them as holy occasions, [on which] to offer up a fire offering to the Lord burnt offering and meal offering, sacrifice and libations, the requirement of each day on its day; לזאֵ֚לֶּה מֽוֹעֲדֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־תִּקְרְא֥וּ אֹתָ֖ם מִקְרָאֵ֣י קֹ֑דֶשׁ לְהַקְרִ֨יב אִשֶּׁ֜ה לַֽיהֹוָ֗ה עֹלָ֧ה וּמִנְחָ֛ה זֶ֥בַח וּנְסָכִ֖ים דְּבַר־י֥וֹם בְּיוֹמֽוֹ:
burnt offering and meal offering: the libations meal offering that is offered up with the burnt offering (see Num. 15:1-16). - [Men. 44b] עלה ומנחה: מנחת נסכים הקריבה עם העולה:
the requirement of each day on its day: [I.e.,] according to the prescribed laws set out in the Book of Num. (chapter 29). דבר יום ביומו: חוק הקצוב בחומש הפקודים:
the requirement of each day on its day: But if its day passes, [and the prescribed sacrifice for that day had not been offered,] this sacrifice is canceled [i.e., it can no longer be brought on a later day]. — [Torath Kohanim 23:189] דבר יום ביומו: הא אם עבר יומו בטל קרבנו:
38apart from the Lord's Sabbaths, and apart from your gifts, and apart from all your vows, and apart from all your donations that you give to the Lord. לחמִלְּבַ֖ד שַׁבְּתֹ֣ת יְהֹוָ֑ה וּמִלְּבַ֣ד מַתְּנֽוֹתֵיכֶ֗ם וּמִלְּבַ֤ד כָּל־נִדְרֵיכֶם֙ וּמִלְּבַד֙ כָּל־נִדְבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר תִּתְּנ֖וּ לַֽיהֹוָֽה:
39But on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you gather in the produce of the land, you shall celebrate the festival of the Lord for a seven day period; the first day shall be a rest day, and the eighth day shall be a rest day. לטאַ֡ךְ בַּֽחֲמִשָּׁה֩ עָשָׂ֨ר י֜וֹם לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י בְּאָסְפְּכֶם֙ אֶת־תְּבוּאַ֣ת הָאָ֔רֶץ תָּחֹ֥גּוּ אֶת־חַג־יְהֹוָ֖ה שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֑ים בַּיּ֤וֹם הָֽרִאשׁוֹן֙ שַׁבָּת֔וֹן וּבַיּ֥וֹם הַשְּׁמִינִ֖י שַׁבָּתֽוֹן:
But on the fifteenth day… when you gather in the produce of the land, you shall celebrate the festive: [by bringing] a peace offering as the [special] “Festival offering (חֲגִיגָה).” Now, one might think that this [Festival offering] overrides the Sabbath. Scripture, therefore, says here, “But (אַךְ)” [denoting an exclusion (see Rashi on verse 27 above; Torath Kohanim 23: 191), namely that this sacrifice may not be brought on the Sabbath], since it can be made up on any of the seven [days of the Festival]. אך בחמשה עשר יום תחגו: קרבן שלמים לחגיגה. יכול תדחה את השבת, תלמוד לומר אך, הואיל ויש לה תשלומין כל שבעה:
when you gather in the produce of the land: [This teaches us] that this seventh month must occur at the time of ingathering, [namely, in the fall]. From here, [we learn] that they were commanded to proclaim leap years [i.e., to add an extra, thirteenth month to the lunar year], for if there were no leap years, [the lunar years would eventually no longer coincide with the solar years, and] sometimes [the seventh month] would occur in midsummer or midwinter [not in the time of ingathering]. - [Torath Kohanim 23:192] באספכם את תבואת הארץ: שיהא חדש שביעי זה בא בזמן אסיפה, מכאן שנצטוו לעבר את השנים, שאם אין העבור, פעמים שהוא בא באמצע הקיץ או החורף:
you shall celebrate: [by bringing] the Festival peace offering (see the first Rashi on this verse), תחגו: שלמי חגיגה:
for a seven-day period: If one did not bring it on one [day of the Festival], he may still bring it on another. Now, one might think that we are obliged to bring it all seven days. Scripture, therefore, says, “celebrate it” (verse 41 below) [employing the singular form,] thus denoting only one day and no more. But why does Scripture say “seven”? [To give seven days] for making it up [if one did not bring it on the first day]. - [Chag. 9a] שבעת ימים: אם לא הביא בזה יביא בזה. יכול יהא מביאן כל שבעה, תלמוד לומר וחגותם אותו, יום אחד במשמע, ולא יותר. ולמה נאמר שבעה, לתשלומין:
40And you shall take for yourselves on the first day, the fruit of the hadar tree, date palm fronds, a branch of a braided tree, and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for a seven day period. מוּלְקַחְתֶּ֨ם לָכֶ֜ם בַּיּ֣וֹם הָֽרִאשׁ֗וֹן פְּרִ֨י עֵ֤ץ הָדָר֙ כַּפֹּ֣ת תְּמָרִ֔ים וַֽעֲנַ֥ף עֵֽץ־עָבֹ֖ת וְעַרְבֵי־נָ֑חַל וּשְׂמַחְתֶּ֗ם לִפְנֵ֛י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֖ם שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים:
the fruit of the hadar tree: [Scripture could have simply said, “ hadar fruit.” Since it adds the word “tree,” next to “fruit,” it teaches us that it is] a tree whose wood has the same taste as its fruit. — [Sukkah 35a] [Note that, according to Ramban, the fruit known in Aramaic as “ethrog,” is known in Hebrew as “ hadar.” פרי עץ הדר: עץ שטעם עצו ופריו שוה:
hadar: [Refers to a fruit] “that resides (הַדָּר) ” on its tree from one year to the next, which is the ethrog. — [Sukkah 35a] הדר: הדר באילנו משנה לשנה, וזהו אתרוג:
date-palm fronds: Heb. כַּפֹּת תְּמָרִים. [The word כַּפֹּת is written here with] a missing “vav” (ו) [thus implying the singular rather than the plural]. This teaches us that only one [date-palm frond is to be taken]. — [Sukkah 32a] כפת תמרים: חסר וי"ו, למד שאינה אלא אחת:
a branch of a braided tree: [A tree] whose branches עֲנָפָיו are braided like cords עֲבוֹתוֹת and like ropes. And Scripture is referring here specifically to the הֲדַס (myrtle) tree, which is made in a braided-like form. — [Sukkah 32b] וענף עץ עבת: שענפיו קלועים כעבותות וכחבלים, וזהו הדס העשוי כמין קליעה:
41And you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord for seven days in the year. [It is] an eternal statute throughout your generations [that] you celebrate it in the seventh month. מאוְחַגֹּתֶ֤ם אֹתוֹ֙ חַ֣ג לַֽיהֹוָ֔ה שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֖ים בַּשָּׁנָ֑ה חֻקַּ֤ת עוֹלָם֙ לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם בַּחֹ֥דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֖י תָּחֹ֥גּוּ אֹתֽוֹ:
42For a seven day period you shall live in booths. Every resident among the Israelites shall live in booths, מבבַּסֻּכֹּ֥ת תֵּֽשְׁב֖וּ שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֑ים כָּל־הָֽאֶזְרָח֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל יֵֽשְׁב֖וּ בַּסֻּכֹּֽת:
resident: Heb. הָאֶזְרָח, [lit., “the resident.” The definite article here] signifies a resident [of the people of Israel, namely, a native Jew. Therefore, the next seemingly superfluous expression, namely,] האזרח: זה אזרח:
among the Israelites: Comes to include converts [in this commandment]. — [Sukkah 28b] בישראל: לרבות את הגרים:
43in order that your [ensuing] generations should know that I had the children of Israel live in booths when I took them out of the land of Egypt. I am the Lord, your God. מגלְמַ֘עַן֘ יֵֽדְע֣וּ דֹרֹֽתֵיכֶם֒ כִּ֣י בַסֻּכּ֗וֹת הוֹשַׁ֨בְתִּי֙ אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּהֽוֹצִיאִ֥י אוֹתָ֖ם מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם אֲנִ֖י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם:
I had the children of Israel live in booths: [These were] the clouds of glory [with which God enveloped the Jewish people in the desert, forming a protective shelter for them against wild beasts and enemies.] [See Num. 10:34 and Rashi on that verse.]- [Sukkah 11b] כי בסכות הושבתי: ענני כבוד:
44And Moses told the children of Israel [these laws] of the Lord's appointed [holy days]. מדוַיְדַבֵּ֣ר משֶׁ֔ה אֶת־מֹֽעֲדֵ֖י יְהֹוָ֑ה אֶל־בְּנֵ֖י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל:
Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 79-82
• Hebrew text
• English text
Chapter 79
In this psalm, Asaph thanks God for sparing the people and directing His wrath upon the wood and stones (of the Temple). Still he cries bitterly, mourning the immense destruction: The place where the High Priest alone was allowed to enter-and only on Yom Kippur-is now so desolate that foxes stroll through it!
1. A psalm by Asaph. O God, nations have entered Your inheritance, they defiled Your Holy Sanctuary; they turned Jerusalem into heaps of rubble.
2. They have rendered the corpses of Your servants as food for the birds of heaven, the flesh of Your pious ones for the beasts of the earth.
3. They spilled their blood like water around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury [them].
4. We became the object of disgrace to our neighbors, ridicule and scorn to those around us.
5. Until when, O Lord! Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire?
6. Pour Your wrath upon the nations that do not know You, upon the kingdoms that do not call Your Name,
7. for they devoured Jacob and desolated His abode.
8. Do not recall our former sins; let Your mercies come swiftly towards us, for we have fallen very low.
9. Help us, God of our deliverance, for the sake of the glory of Your Name; save us and pardon our sins for the sake of Your Name.
10. Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" Let there be known among the nations, before our eyes, the retribution of the spilled blood of Your servants.
11. Let the groan of the prisoner come before You; liberate those condemned to death, as befits the greatness of Your strength.
12. Repay our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom, for the disgrace with which they reviled You, O Lord.
13. And we, Your people, the flock of Your pasture, will thank You forever; for all generations we will recount Your praise.
Chapter 80
An awe-inspiring prayer imploring God to draw near to us as in days of old.
1. For the Conductor, on the shoshanim, 1 a testimony by Asaph, a psalm.
2. Listen, O Shepherd of Israel, Who leads Joseph like sheep. Appear, You Who is enthroned upon the cherubim.
3. Arouse Your might before Ephraim, Benjamin and Menashe, for it is upon You to save us.
4. Return us, O God; cause Your countenance to shine, that we may be saved.
5. O Lord, God of Hosts, until when will You fume at the prayer of Your people?
6. You fed them bread of tears, and gave them tears to drink in great measure.
7. You have made us an object of strife to our neighbors; our enemies mock to themselves.
8. Return us, O God of Hosts; cause Your countenance to shine, that we may be saved.
9. You brought a vine out of Egypt; You drove out nations and planted it.
10. You cleared space before it; it took root and filled the land.
11. Mountains were covered by its shade, and its branches became mighty cedars.
12. It sent forth its branches till the sea, and its tender shoots to the river.
13. Why did You breach its fences, so that every passerby plucked its fruit?
14. The boars of the forest ravage it, and the creepers of the field feed upon it.
15. O God of Hosts, please return! Look down from heaven and see, and be mindful of this vine,
16. and of the foundation which Your right hand has planted, and the son whom You strengthened for Yourself.
17. It is burned by fire, cut down; they perish at the rebuke of Your Presence.
18. Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand, upon the son of man whom You strengthened for Yourself.
19. Then we will not withdraw from You; revive us, and we will proclaim Your Name.
20. O Lord, God of Hosts, return us; cause Your countenance to shine that we may be saved.
FOOTNOTES
1.A musical instrument shaped like a shoshana, a rose (Metzudot).
Chapter 81
This psalm was chanted in the Holy Temple on Rosh Hashanah, a day on which many miracles were wrought for Israel.
1. For the Conductor, upon the gittit,1 by Asaph.
2. Sing joyously to God, our strength; sound the shofar to the God of Jacob.
3. Raise your voice in song, sound the drum, the pleasant harp, and the lyre.
4. Blow the shofar on the New Month, on the designated day of our Holy Day;
5. for it is a decree for Israel, a ruling of the God of Jacob.
6. He ordained it as a precept for Joseph when he went forth over the land of Egypt; I heard a language which I did not know.
7. I have taken his shoulder from the burden; his hands were removed from the pot.2
8. In distress you called and I delivered you; [you called] in secret, and I answered you with thunderous wonders; I tested you at the waters of Merivah, Selah.
9. Hear, My people, and I will admonish you; Israel, if you would only listen to Me!
10. You shall have no alien god within you, nor shall you bow down to a foreign deity.
11. I am the Lord your God who brought you up from the land of Egypt; open wide your mouth, [state all your desires,] and I shall grant them.
12. But My people did not heed My voice; Israel did not want [to listen to] Me.
13. So I sent them away for the willfulness of their heart, for following their [evil] design.
14. If only My people would listen to Me, if Israel would only walk in My ways,
15. then I would quickly subdue their enemies, and turn My hand against their oppressors.
16. Those who hate the Lord would shrivel before Him, and the time [of their retribution] shall be forever.
17. I would feed him [Israel] with the finest of wheat, and sate you with honey from the rock.
FOOTNOTES
1.A musical instrument crafted in Gath (Metzudot).
2.The cooking vessels used to prepare food for their captors (Rashi)
Chapter 82
This psalm admonishes those judges who feign ignorance of the law, dealing unjustly with the pauper or the orphan, while coddling the rich and pocketing their bribes.
1. A psalm by Asaph. God stands in the council of judges; among the judges He renders judgment:
2. How long will you judge wickedly, ever showing partiality toward the evildoers?
3. Render justice to the needy and the orphan; deal righteously with the poor and the destitute.
4. Rescue the needy and the pauper; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
5. But they do not know, nor do they understand; they go about in darkness, [therefore] all the foundations of the earth tremble.
6. I said that you are angels, supernal beings, all of you;
7. but you will die as mortals, you will fall like any prince.
8. Arise, O God, judge the earth, for You possess all the nations.
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Parshat Emor, 6th Portion (Leviticus 23:33-23:44) with Rashi
• English / Hebrew Linear Translation | Video Class
Leviticus Chapter 23
33And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, לגוַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־משֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר:
34Speak to the children of Israel, saying: On the fifteenth day of this seventh month, is the Festival of Succoth, a seven day period to the Lord. לדדַּבֵּ֛ר אֶל־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר בַּֽחֲמִשָּׁ֨ה עָשָׂ֜ר י֗וֹם לַחֹ֤דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי֙ הַזֶּ֔ה חַ֧ג הַסֻּכּ֛וֹת שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֖ים לַֽיהֹוָֽה:
35On the first day, it is a holy occasion; you shall not perform any work of labor. להבַּיּ֥וֹם הָֽרִאשׁ֖וֹן מִקְרָא־קֹ֑דֶשׁ כָּל־מְלֶ֥אכֶת עֲבֹדָ֖ה לֹ֥א תַֽעֲשֽׂוּ:
a holy occasion: [This expression mentioned in connection with Yom Kippur, means that you are to] sanctify it [the day] through [wearing] clean garments and through prayer, while [this expression mentioned in connection] with the other holy days, [means] sanctify it with food and drink, through [wearing] clean clothes and through [their own special] prayers. — [See Torath Kohanim 23:186] [Note that this Rashi belongs on verse 27. Therefore, it is obvious that it is referring to Yom Kippur, and the words, בְּיוֹם הַכִּפּוּרים are completely unnecessary. Since the copyists believed it to be on verse 35, which deals with Succoth, they found it necessary to insert those words. See Divrei David.] מקרא קדש: קדשהו בכסות נקיה ובתפלה, ובשאר ימים טובים במאכל ובמשתה ובכסות נקיה ובתפלה:
36[For] a seven day period, you shall bring a fire offering to the Lord. On the eighth day, it shall be a holy occasion for you, and you shall bring a fire offering to the Lord. It is a [day of] detention. You shall not perform any work of labor. לושִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֔ים תַּקְרִ֥יבוּ אִשֶּׁ֖ה לַֽיהֹוָ֑ה בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁמִינִ֡י מִקְרָא־קֹ֩דֶשׁ֩ יִֽהְיֶ֨ה לָכֶ֜ם וְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֨ם אִשֶּׁ֤ה לַֽיהֹוָה֙ עֲצֶ֣רֶת הִ֔וא כָּל־מְלֶ֥אכֶת עֲבֹדָ֖ה לֹ֥א תַֽעֲשֽׂוּ:
It is a [day of] detention: [i.e., God says to Israel,] “I have detained you [to remain] with Me.” This is analogous to a king who invited his sons to feast with him for a certain number of days, and when the time came for them to leave, he said: “My sons! Please, stay with me just one more day, [for] it is difficult for me to part with you!” [Similarly, after the seven days of Succoth, God “detains” Israel for one extra holy day.] עצרת הוא: עצרתי אתכם אצלי כמלך שזימן את בניו לסעודה לכך וכך ימים, כיון שהגיע זמנן להפטר אמר בני בבקשה מכם, עכבו עמי עוד יום אחד, קשה עלי פרידתכם:
[you shall not perform] any work of labor: [I.e.,] even such work that is considered labor for you, that, if not done, would cause a monetary loss [is prohibited]. כל מלאכת עבדה: אפילו מלאכה שהיא עבודה לכם, שאם לא תעשוה יש חסרון כיס בדבר:
you shall not perform: One might think that even during the intermediate days of the Festival, work of labor is [also] prohibited. Scripture, therefore says here, “ It [is a day of detention,” [i.e., only on this eighth day is work prohibited, and not on the preceding weekdays of the Festival, when such work, which, if postponed, would cause a monetary loss, is permitted]. — [Torath Kohanim 23:187] לא תעשו: יכול אף חולו של מועד יהא אסור במלאכת עבודה, תלמוד לומר היא:
37These are God's appointed [holy days] that you shall designate them as holy occasions, [on which] to offer up a fire offering to the Lord burnt offering and meal offering, sacrifice and libations, the requirement of each day on its day; לזאֵ֚לֶּה מֽוֹעֲדֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־תִּקְרְא֥וּ אֹתָ֖ם מִקְרָאֵ֣י קֹ֑דֶשׁ לְהַקְרִ֨יב אִשֶּׁ֜ה לַֽיהֹוָ֗ה עֹלָ֧ה וּמִנְחָ֛ה זֶ֥בַח וּנְסָכִ֖ים דְּבַר־י֥וֹם בְּיוֹמֽוֹ:
burnt offering and meal offering: the libations meal offering that is offered up with the burnt offering (see Num. 15:1-16). - [Men. 44b] עלה ומנחה: מנחת נסכים הקריבה עם העולה:
the requirement of each day on its day: [I.e.,] according to the prescribed laws set out in the Book of Num. (chapter 29). דבר יום ביומו: חוק הקצוב בחומש הפקודים:
the requirement of each day on its day: But if its day passes, [and the prescribed sacrifice for that day had not been offered,] this sacrifice is canceled [i.e., it can no longer be brought on a later day]. — [Torath Kohanim 23:189] דבר יום ביומו: הא אם עבר יומו בטל קרבנו:
38apart from the Lord's Sabbaths, and apart from your gifts, and apart from all your vows, and apart from all your donations that you give to the Lord. לחמִלְּבַ֖ד שַׁבְּתֹ֣ת יְהֹוָ֑ה וּמִלְּבַ֣ד מַתְּנֽוֹתֵיכֶ֗ם וּמִלְּבַ֤ד כָּל־נִדְרֵיכֶם֙ וּמִלְּבַד֙ כָּל־נִדְבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר תִּתְּנ֖וּ לַֽיהֹוָֽה:
39But on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you gather in the produce of the land, you shall celebrate the festival of the Lord for a seven day period; the first day shall be a rest day, and the eighth day shall be a rest day. לטאַ֡ךְ בַּֽחֲמִשָּׁה֩ עָשָׂ֨ר י֜וֹם לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י בְּאָסְפְּכֶם֙ אֶת־תְּבוּאַ֣ת הָאָ֔רֶץ תָּחֹ֥גּוּ אֶת־חַג־יְהֹוָ֖ה שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֑ים בַּיּ֤וֹם הָֽרִאשׁוֹן֙ שַׁבָּת֔וֹן וּבַיּ֥וֹם הַשְּׁמִינִ֖י שַׁבָּתֽוֹן:
But on the fifteenth day… when you gather in the produce of the land, you shall celebrate the festive: [by bringing] a peace offering as the [special] “Festival offering (חֲגִיגָה).” Now, one might think that this [Festival offering] overrides the Sabbath. Scripture, therefore, says here, “But (אַךְ)” [denoting an exclusion (see Rashi on verse 27 above; Torath Kohanim 23: 191), namely that this sacrifice may not be brought on the Sabbath], since it can be made up on any of the seven [days of the Festival]. אך בחמשה עשר יום תחגו: קרבן שלמים לחגיגה. יכול תדחה את השבת, תלמוד לומר אך, הואיל ויש לה תשלומין כל שבעה:
when you gather in the produce of the land: [This teaches us] that this seventh month must occur at the time of ingathering, [namely, in the fall]. From here, [we learn] that they were commanded to proclaim leap years [i.e., to add an extra, thirteenth month to the lunar year], for if there were no leap years, [the lunar years would eventually no longer coincide with the solar years, and] sometimes [the seventh month] would occur in midsummer or midwinter [not in the time of ingathering]. - [Torath Kohanim 23:192] באספכם את תבואת הארץ: שיהא חדש שביעי זה בא בזמן אסיפה, מכאן שנצטוו לעבר את השנים, שאם אין העבור, פעמים שהוא בא באמצע הקיץ או החורף:
you shall celebrate: [by bringing] the Festival peace offering (see the first Rashi on this verse), תחגו: שלמי חגיגה:
for a seven-day period: If one did not bring it on one [day of the Festival], he may still bring it on another. Now, one might think that we are obliged to bring it all seven days. Scripture, therefore, says, “celebrate it” (verse 41 below) [employing the singular form,] thus denoting only one day and no more. But why does Scripture say “seven”? [To give seven days] for making it up [if one did not bring it on the first day]. - [Chag. 9a] שבעת ימים: אם לא הביא בזה יביא בזה. יכול יהא מביאן כל שבעה, תלמוד לומר וחגותם אותו, יום אחד במשמע, ולא יותר. ולמה נאמר שבעה, לתשלומין:
40And you shall take for yourselves on the first day, the fruit of the hadar tree, date palm fronds, a branch of a braided tree, and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for a seven day period. מוּלְקַחְתֶּ֨ם לָכֶ֜ם בַּיּ֣וֹם הָֽרִאשׁ֗וֹן פְּרִ֨י עֵ֤ץ הָדָר֙ כַּפֹּ֣ת תְּמָרִ֔ים וַֽעֲנַ֥ף עֵֽץ־עָבֹ֖ת וְעַרְבֵי־נָ֑חַל וּשְׂמַחְתֶּ֗ם לִפְנֵ֛י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֖ם שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים:
the fruit of the hadar tree: [Scripture could have simply said, “ hadar fruit.” Since it adds the word “tree,” next to “fruit,” it teaches us that it is] a tree whose wood has the same taste as its fruit. — [Sukkah 35a] [Note that, according to Ramban, the fruit known in Aramaic as “ethrog,” is known in Hebrew as “ hadar.” פרי עץ הדר: עץ שטעם עצו ופריו שוה:
hadar: [Refers to a fruit] “that resides (הַדָּר) ” on its tree from one year to the next, which is the ethrog. — [Sukkah 35a] הדר: הדר באילנו משנה לשנה, וזהו אתרוג:
date-palm fronds: Heb. כַּפֹּת תְּמָרִים. [The word כַּפֹּת is written here with] a missing “vav” (ו) [thus implying the singular rather than the plural]. This teaches us that only one [date-palm frond is to be taken]. — [Sukkah 32a] כפת תמרים: חסר וי"ו, למד שאינה אלא אחת:
a branch of a braided tree: [A tree] whose branches עֲנָפָיו are braided like cords עֲבוֹתוֹת and like ropes. And Scripture is referring here specifically to the הֲדַס (myrtle) tree, which is made in a braided-like form. — [Sukkah 32b] וענף עץ עבת: שענפיו קלועים כעבותות וכחבלים, וזהו הדס העשוי כמין קליעה:
41And you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord for seven days in the year. [It is] an eternal statute throughout your generations [that] you celebrate it in the seventh month. מאוְחַגֹּתֶ֤ם אֹתוֹ֙ חַ֣ג לַֽיהֹוָ֔ה שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֖ים בַּשָּׁנָ֑ה חֻקַּ֤ת עוֹלָם֙ לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם בַּחֹ֥דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֖י תָּחֹ֥גּוּ אֹתֽוֹ:
42For a seven day period you shall live in booths. Every resident among the Israelites shall live in booths, מבבַּסֻּכֹּ֥ת תֵּֽשְׁב֖וּ שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֑ים כָּל־הָֽאֶזְרָח֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל יֵֽשְׁב֖וּ בַּסֻּכֹּֽת:
resident: Heb. הָאֶזְרָח, [lit., “the resident.” The definite article here] signifies a resident [of the people of Israel, namely, a native Jew. Therefore, the next seemingly superfluous expression, namely,] האזרח: זה אזרח:
among the Israelites: Comes to include converts [in this commandment]. — [Sukkah 28b] בישראל: לרבות את הגרים:
43in order that your [ensuing] generations should know that I had the children of Israel live in booths when I took them out of the land of Egypt. I am the Lord, your God. מגלְמַ֘עַן֘ יֵֽדְע֣וּ דֹרֹֽתֵיכֶם֒ כִּ֣י בַסֻּכּ֗וֹת הוֹשַׁ֨בְתִּי֙ אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּהֽוֹצִיאִ֥י אוֹתָ֖ם מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם אֲנִ֖י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם:
I had the children of Israel live in booths: [These were] the clouds of glory [with which God enveloped the Jewish people in the desert, forming a protective shelter for them against wild beasts and enemies.] [See Num. 10:34 and Rashi on that verse.]- [Sukkah 11b] כי בסכות הושבתי: ענני כבוד:
44And Moses told the children of Israel [these laws] of the Lord's appointed [holy days]. מדוַיְדַבֵּ֣ר משֶׁ֔ה אֶת־מֹֽעֲדֵ֖י יְהֹוָ֑ה אֶל־בְּנֵ֖י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל:
Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 79-82
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Chapter 79
In this psalm, Asaph thanks God for sparing the people and directing His wrath upon the wood and stones (of the Temple). Still he cries bitterly, mourning the immense destruction: The place where the High Priest alone was allowed to enter-and only on Yom Kippur-is now so desolate that foxes stroll through it!
1. A psalm by Asaph. O God, nations have entered Your inheritance, they defiled Your Holy Sanctuary; they turned Jerusalem into heaps of rubble.
2. They have rendered the corpses of Your servants as food for the birds of heaven, the flesh of Your pious ones for the beasts of the earth.
3. They spilled their blood like water around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury [them].
4. We became the object of disgrace to our neighbors, ridicule and scorn to those around us.
5. Until when, O Lord! Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire?
6. Pour Your wrath upon the nations that do not know You, upon the kingdoms that do not call Your Name,
7. for they devoured Jacob and desolated His abode.
8. Do not recall our former sins; let Your mercies come swiftly towards us, for we have fallen very low.
9. Help us, God of our deliverance, for the sake of the glory of Your Name; save us and pardon our sins for the sake of Your Name.
10. Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" Let there be known among the nations, before our eyes, the retribution of the spilled blood of Your servants.
11. Let the groan of the prisoner come before You; liberate those condemned to death, as befits the greatness of Your strength.
12. Repay our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom, for the disgrace with which they reviled You, O Lord.
13. And we, Your people, the flock of Your pasture, will thank You forever; for all generations we will recount Your praise.
Chapter 80
An awe-inspiring prayer imploring God to draw near to us as in days of old.
1. For the Conductor, on the shoshanim, 1 a testimony by Asaph, a psalm.
2. Listen, O Shepherd of Israel, Who leads Joseph like sheep. Appear, You Who is enthroned upon the cherubim.
3. Arouse Your might before Ephraim, Benjamin and Menashe, for it is upon You to save us.
4. Return us, O God; cause Your countenance to shine, that we may be saved.
5. O Lord, God of Hosts, until when will You fume at the prayer of Your people?
6. You fed them bread of tears, and gave them tears to drink in great measure.
7. You have made us an object of strife to our neighbors; our enemies mock to themselves.
8. Return us, O God of Hosts; cause Your countenance to shine, that we may be saved.
9. You brought a vine out of Egypt; You drove out nations and planted it.
10. You cleared space before it; it took root and filled the land.
11. Mountains were covered by its shade, and its branches became mighty cedars.
12. It sent forth its branches till the sea, and its tender shoots to the river.
13. Why did You breach its fences, so that every passerby plucked its fruit?
14. The boars of the forest ravage it, and the creepers of the field feed upon it.
15. O God of Hosts, please return! Look down from heaven and see, and be mindful of this vine,
16. and of the foundation which Your right hand has planted, and the son whom You strengthened for Yourself.
17. It is burned by fire, cut down; they perish at the rebuke of Your Presence.
18. Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand, upon the son of man whom You strengthened for Yourself.
19. Then we will not withdraw from You; revive us, and we will proclaim Your Name.
20. O Lord, God of Hosts, return us; cause Your countenance to shine that we may be saved.
FOOTNOTES
1.A musical instrument shaped like a shoshana, a rose (Metzudot).
Chapter 81
This psalm was chanted in the Holy Temple on Rosh Hashanah, a day on which many miracles were wrought for Israel.
1. For the Conductor, upon the gittit,1 by Asaph.
2. Sing joyously to God, our strength; sound the shofar to the God of Jacob.
3. Raise your voice in song, sound the drum, the pleasant harp, and the lyre.
4. Blow the shofar on the New Month, on the designated day of our Holy Day;
5. for it is a decree for Israel, a ruling of the God of Jacob.
6. He ordained it as a precept for Joseph when he went forth over the land of Egypt; I heard a language which I did not know.
7. I have taken his shoulder from the burden; his hands were removed from the pot.2
8. In distress you called and I delivered you; [you called] in secret, and I answered you with thunderous wonders; I tested you at the waters of Merivah, Selah.
9. Hear, My people, and I will admonish you; Israel, if you would only listen to Me!
10. You shall have no alien god within you, nor shall you bow down to a foreign deity.
11. I am the Lord your God who brought you up from the land of Egypt; open wide your mouth, [state all your desires,] and I shall grant them.
12. But My people did not heed My voice; Israel did not want [to listen to] Me.
13. So I sent them away for the willfulness of their heart, for following their [evil] design.
14. If only My people would listen to Me, if Israel would only walk in My ways,
15. then I would quickly subdue their enemies, and turn My hand against their oppressors.
16. Those who hate the Lord would shrivel before Him, and the time [of their retribution] shall be forever.
17. I would feed him [Israel] with the finest of wheat, and sate you with honey from the rock.
FOOTNOTES
1.A musical instrument crafted in Gath (Metzudot).
2.The cooking vessels used to prepare food for their captors (Rashi)
Chapter 82
This psalm admonishes those judges who feign ignorance of the law, dealing unjustly with the pauper or the orphan, while coddling the rich and pocketing their bribes.
1. A psalm by Asaph. God stands in the council of judges; among the judges He renders judgment:
2. How long will you judge wickedly, ever showing partiality toward the evildoers?
3. Render justice to the needy and the orphan; deal righteously with the poor and the destitute.
4. Rescue the needy and the pauper; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
5. But they do not know, nor do they understand; they go about in darkness, [therefore] all the foundations of the earth tremble.
6. I said that you are angels, supernal beings, all of you;
7. but you will die as mortals, you will fall like any prince.
8. Arise, O God, judge the earth, for You possess all the nations.
Tanya: Likutei Amarim, middle of Chapter 48
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Friday, Iyar 16, 5777 · May 12, 2017
Today's Tanya Lesson
Likutei Amarim, middle of Chapter 48
By way of illustration, the Alter Rebbe will now draw an analogy from the physical earth which is composed of the inanimate and vegetable worlds. These two categories are the least significant of the four categories — man, animal, the vegetative and the inanimate — and the divine life-force found within them is contracted to a greater degree than the life-force found within animal and man. Nevertheless, Scripture attests that the whole world is full of G‑d’s glory — because it encompasses these two categories, and does not pervade them.
והמשל בזה, הנה הארץ הלזו הגשמית, אף שמלא כל הארץ כבודו
To illustrate this point, consider this material world. Even though “The whole world is full of His glory,”
והיינו אור אין סוף ברוך הוא, כמו שכתוב: הלא את השמים ואת הארץ אני מלא, נאם ה׳
namely, not only with a minute glimmer of G‑dliness, but with the [infinite] light of the blessed Ein Sof, as it is written:1 “‘Do I not fill heaven and earth?’ says the L‑rd,”
אף על פי כן, אין מתלבשת בתוכה בבחינת גילוי ההשפעה רק חיות מעט מזער, בחינת דומם וצומח לבד
nevertheless only very limited vitality, of no more than the category of what is revealed in the inanimate and vegetable worlds, is clothed within [this world] in the form of “revealed” influence,
וכל אור אין סוף ברוך הוא נקרא סובב עליה, אף שהוא בתוכה ממש
while all the light of the blessed Ein Sof which fills the world itself in a concealed manner is described as “encompassing” it, even though it actually pervades it,
מאחר שאין השפעתו מתגלית בה יותר, רק משפיעה בה בבחינת הסתר והעלם
since its influence is no more revealed in it than it is revealed within the inanimate and vegetable worlds, but affects it in a hidden and concealed manner;
וכל השפעה שבבחינת הסתר נקרא מקיף מלמעלה
and any influence of a concealed nature is referred to as “encircling from above,”
כי עלמא דאתכסיא הוא למעלה במדרגה מעלמא דאתגליא
for alma d‘itkasya, the “hidden world,” is on a higher plane than alma d’itgalya, the “revealed world.”
G‑dliness drawn down in a concealed manner (“from the hidden world”) is on a higher plane than that which is drawn down in a revealed manner (“from the revealed world”). Emanating as it does from a higher level, this mode of divine influence is said to be “encircling from above.”
ולקרב אל השכל יותר הוא בדרך משל
Let us make this more intelligible by means of an example.
A further example is needed in order to clarify this paradox — how G‑dliness simultaneously pervades the world and yet remains aloof from it, encircling and encompassing it (as it were) from above, and not being revealed within it.
כמו האדם שמצייר בדעתו איזה דבר שראה או שרואה
When a person forms an image in his mind of something that he has seen or sees,
הנה אף שכל גוף עצם הדבר ההוא, וגבו ותוכו ותוך תוכו, כולו מצוייר בדעתו ומחשבתו, מפני שראהו כולו או שרואהו
even though the entire body and essence of that thing, both its exterior and interior and its very core, are completely mirrored in his mind and thought, for he has seen it or is seeing it in its entirety,
הנה נקראת דעתו מקפת הדבר ההוא כולו
this is expressed by saying that his mind encompasses that object completely, and, just as in the mind’s frame of reference, so, too, regarding the perspective of the visualized object:
והדבר ההוא מוקף בדעתו ומחשבתו
and that thing is enveloped by his mind and thought.
רק שאינו מוקף בפועל ממש, רק בדמיון מחשבת האדם ודעתו
But it is not encompassed in actual fact, only in the imagination of the man’s thought and mind.
Since man’s thought is limited, he cannot actually encompass the object itself; he only encompasses its image as it exists within his mind.
אבל הקב״ה, דכתיב ביה: כי לא מחשבותי מחשבותיכם גו׳
G‑d, however, of Whom it is written:2 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,...” so that it is utterly impossible for us to grasp His thought process, —
הרי מחשבתו ודעתו, שיודע כל הנבראים, מקפת כל נברא ונברא מראשו ועד תחתיתו, ותוכו ותוך תוכו, הכל בפועל ממש
His Thoughts and His Mind, which knows all created beings, encompasses each and every created thing, from its head i.e., from its highest level to its end i.e., to its lowest level, and its inside and very core, all in actual reality, and not as with the thought of mortal man.
The Alter Rebbe now gives an example of G‑d’s thought and knowledge encompassing a specific object.
FOOTNOTES
1. Yirmeyahu 23:24.
2. Yeshayahu 55:8.
Rambam:
• Sefer Hamitzvos:
English Text | Hebrew Text | Audio: Listen | Download | Video Class
Friday, Iyar 16, 5777 · May 12, 2017
Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
Important Message Regarding This Lesson
The Daily Mitzvah schedule runs parallel to the daily study of 3 chapters of Maimonides' 14-volume code. There are instances when the Mitzvah is repeated a few days consecutively while the exploration of the same Mitzvah continues in the in-depth track.
Positive Commandment 107
Ritual Impurity Contracted through Contact with a Corpse
We are commanded regarding the ritual impurity contracted through contact with a human corpse. [I.e., if contracted, one must follow all the laws associated with this impurity.]
Full text of this Mitzvah »
Ritual Impurity Contracted through Contact with a Corpse
Positive Commandment 107
Translated by Berel Bell
The 107th mitzvah1 is that we are commanded regarding the tumah conveyed by a dead body.2 This mitzvah includes all the laws relating to tumas meis.3
FOOTNOTES
1.In the order given here, following the order of Mishneh Torah, P107 is the first of the commandments dealing with tumah and taharah (ritual purity and impurity). In the order of Sefer HaMitzvos, however, P96 is the first of these mitzvos, and there the Rambam gives a general introduction to all these mitzvos.
2.Num. 19:11ff.
3.Such as which parts of the body convey tumah, how it is conveyed, etc. See Hilchos Tumas Meis.
Positive Commandment 113
The Red Heifer
"And it shall be as a keepsake for the congregation of the children of Israel"—Numbers 19:9.
We are commanded to prepare a red heifer [as detailed in the Torah], to have it ready for the procedure of purifying those who are ritually impure as a result of contact with a corpse.
Full text of this Mitzvah »
• English Text: Lessons in Tanya
• Hebrew Text
• Audio Class: Listen | Download
• Video Class
Friday, Iyar 16, 5777 · May 12, 2017
Today's Tanya Lesson
Likutei Amarim, middle of Chapter 48
By way of illustration, the Alter Rebbe will now draw an analogy from the physical earth which is composed of the inanimate and vegetable worlds. These two categories are the least significant of the four categories — man, animal, the vegetative and the inanimate — and the divine life-force found within them is contracted to a greater degree than the life-force found within animal and man. Nevertheless, Scripture attests that the whole world is full of G‑d’s glory — because it encompasses these two categories, and does not pervade them.
והמשל בזה, הנה הארץ הלזו הגשמית, אף שמלא כל הארץ כבודו
To illustrate this point, consider this material world. Even though “The whole world is full of His glory,”
והיינו אור אין סוף ברוך הוא, כמו שכתוב: הלא את השמים ואת הארץ אני מלא, נאם ה׳
namely, not only with a minute glimmer of G‑dliness, but with the [infinite] light of the blessed Ein Sof, as it is written:1 “‘Do I not fill heaven and earth?’ says the L‑rd,”
אף על פי כן, אין מתלבשת בתוכה בבחינת גילוי ההשפעה רק חיות מעט מזער, בחינת דומם וצומח לבד
nevertheless only very limited vitality, of no more than the category of what is revealed in the inanimate and vegetable worlds, is clothed within [this world] in the form of “revealed” influence,
וכל אור אין סוף ברוך הוא נקרא סובב עליה, אף שהוא בתוכה ממש
while all the light of the blessed Ein Sof which fills the world itself in a concealed manner is described as “encompassing” it, even though it actually pervades it,
מאחר שאין השפעתו מתגלית בה יותר, רק משפיעה בה בבחינת הסתר והעלם
since its influence is no more revealed in it than it is revealed within the inanimate and vegetable worlds, but affects it in a hidden and concealed manner;
וכל השפעה שבבחינת הסתר נקרא מקיף מלמעלה
and any influence of a concealed nature is referred to as “encircling from above,”
כי עלמא דאתכסיא הוא למעלה במדרגה מעלמא דאתגליא
for alma d‘itkasya, the “hidden world,” is on a higher plane than alma d’itgalya, the “revealed world.”
G‑dliness drawn down in a concealed manner (“from the hidden world”) is on a higher plane than that which is drawn down in a revealed manner (“from the revealed world”). Emanating as it does from a higher level, this mode of divine influence is said to be “encircling from above.”
ולקרב אל השכל יותר הוא בדרך משל
Let us make this more intelligible by means of an example.
A further example is needed in order to clarify this paradox — how G‑dliness simultaneously pervades the world and yet remains aloof from it, encircling and encompassing it (as it were) from above, and not being revealed within it.
כמו האדם שמצייר בדעתו איזה דבר שראה או שרואה
When a person forms an image in his mind of something that he has seen or sees,
הנה אף שכל גוף עצם הדבר ההוא, וגבו ותוכו ותוך תוכו, כולו מצוייר בדעתו ומחשבתו, מפני שראהו כולו או שרואהו
even though the entire body and essence of that thing, both its exterior and interior and its very core, are completely mirrored in his mind and thought, for he has seen it or is seeing it in its entirety,
הנה נקראת דעתו מקפת הדבר ההוא כולו
this is expressed by saying that his mind encompasses that object completely, and, just as in the mind’s frame of reference, so, too, regarding the perspective of the visualized object:
והדבר ההוא מוקף בדעתו ומחשבתו
and that thing is enveloped by his mind and thought.
רק שאינו מוקף בפועל ממש, רק בדמיון מחשבת האדם ודעתו
But it is not encompassed in actual fact, only in the imagination of the man’s thought and mind.
Since man’s thought is limited, he cannot actually encompass the object itself; he only encompasses its image as it exists within his mind.
אבל הקב״ה, דכתיב ביה: כי לא מחשבותי מחשבותיכם גו׳
G‑d, however, of Whom it is written:2 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,...” so that it is utterly impossible for us to grasp His thought process, —
הרי מחשבתו ודעתו, שיודע כל הנבראים, מקפת כל נברא ונברא מראשו ועד תחתיתו, ותוכו ותוך תוכו, הכל בפועל ממש
His Thoughts and His Mind, which knows all created beings, encompasses each and every created thing, from its head i.e., from its highest level to its end i.e., to its lowest level, and its inside and very core, all in actual reality, and not as with the thought of mortal man.
The Alter Rebbe now gives an example of G‑d’s thought and knowledge encompassing a specific object.
FOOTNOTES
1. Yirmeyahu 23:24.
2. Yeshayahu 55:8.
Rambam:
• Sefer Hamitzvos:
English Text | Hebrew Text |
Audio: Listen | Download | Video ClassFriday, Iyar 16, 5777 · May 12, 2017
Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
Important Message Regarding This Lesson
The Daily Mitzvah schedule runs parallel to the daily study of 3 chapters of Maimonides' 14-volume code. There are instances when the Mitzvah is repeated a few days consecutively while the exploration of the same Mitzvah continues in the in-depth track.
Positive Commandment 107
Ritual Impurity Contracted through Contact with a Corpse
We are commanded regarding the ritual impurity contracted through contact with a human corpse. [I.e., if contracted, one must follow all the laws associated with this impurity.]
Full text of this Mitzvah »
Ritual Impurity Contracted through Contact with a Corpse
Positive Commandment 107
Translated by Berel Bell
The 107th mitzvah1 is that we are commanded regarding the tumah conveyed by a dead body.2 This mitzvah includes all the laws relating to tumas meis.3
FOOTNOTES
1.In the order given here, following the order of Mishneh Torah, P107 is the first of the commandments dealing with tumah and taharah (ritual purity and impurity). In the order of Sefer HaMitzvos, however, P96 is the first of these mitzvos, and there the Rambam gives a general introduction to all these mitzvos.
2.Num. 19:11ff.
3.Such as which parts of the body convey tumah, how it is conveyed, etc. See Hilchos Tumas Meis.
Positive Commandment 113
The Red Heifer
"And it shall be as a keepsake for the congregation of the children of Israel"—Numbers 19:9.
We are commanded to prepare a red heifer [as detailed in the Torah], to have it ready for the procedure of purifying those who are ritually impure as a result of contact with a corpse.
Full text of this Mitzvah »
The Red Heifer
Positive Commandment 113
Translated by Berel Bell
The 113th mitzvah is that we are commanded to prepare the red heifer1 to have it ready for the procedure of purifying those who are tameh as a result of tumas meis.2
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement3 (exalted be He), "[A ritually clean person shall gather up the cow's ashes and...] it shall be a keepsake for the congregation of the Jewish people."
The details of this mitzvah are found in the tractate devoted to this subject, tractate Parah.
FOOTNOTES
1.To slaughter it, burn it, gather the ashes, etc.
2.See P107.
3.Num. 19:9.
Positive Commandment 113
Translated by Berel Bell
The 113th mitzvah is that we are commanded to prepare the red heifer1 to have it ready for the procedure of purifying those who are tameh as a result of tumas meis.2
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement3 (exalted be He), "[A ritually clean person shall gather up the cow's ashes and...] it shall be a keepsake for the congregation of the Jewish people."
The details of this mitzvah are found in the tractate devoted to this subject, tractate Parah.
FOOTNOTES
1.To slaughter it, burn it, gather the ashes, etc.
2.See P107.
3.Num. 19:9.
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• Rambam - 1 Chapter a Day
She'elah uFikkadon - Chapter 6
She'elah uFikkadon - Chapter 6
1
The following rules apply when an unpaid watchman says, "I desire to pay and not to take an oath: If the entrusted article is of a uniform type and it is possible to purchase such articles in the market-place - e.g., produce, reams of wool and flax that are entirely uniform, beams on which images have not been carved, or the like- he may pay the value of the article and be excused from taking an oath.
If, however, the entrusted article was an animal, a decorated garment, a utensil that had been fixed, or an article that is not easily available to purchase in the market place, we suspect that the watchman coveted it for himself. We therefore require him to take an oath as instituted by our Sages, while holding a sacred article, that the entrusted object is no longer in his possession. Afterwards, he must make restitution.
The same law applies to other watchmen - e.g., a borrower who says that an entrusted animal died or was stolen, or a paid watchman, or a renter who says that an entrusted article was stolen or lost. Even though they are obligated to pay, they are required to take an oath that the article is no longer in their possession. Afterwards, they must make financial restitution for the entrusted animal or article. The rationale is that we suspect that the watchman coveted it for himself.
If the owner claims that the entrusted article was worth more than the watchman admits, he must also include in his oath that it was worth only such and such. Thus, every watchman who takes the oath required of watchmen must include three matters in the oath:
a) that he cared for the article in a manner appropriate for a watchman;
b) that this and this happened to the article and it is no longer in his domain; and
c) that he did not use the article for his own purposes before the event that absolves him of responsibility took place.
If he desires to make financial restitution, he must take an oath that the article is no longer in his domain and include in his oath that it is worth such and such.א
שומר חנם שאמר הריני משלם ואיני נשבע אם הפקדון דבר שכל מינו שוה ומצוי בשוק לקנות כמותו כגון פירות או יריעות של צמר ושל פשתן השוות בכל עניינם או קורות שאינן מצויירות וכל כיוצא בהן ה"ז משלם ואינו נשבע אבל אם היה פקדון בהמה או בגד מצוייר או כלי מתוקן או דבר שאינו מוצא לקנות כמותו בשוק חוששין שמא עיניו נתן בו ומשביעין אותו בתקנת חכמים שבועה בנקיטת חפץ שאינו ברשותו ואחר כך משלם והוא הדין לשאר השומרין כגון השואל שאמר מתה או נגנבה ושומר שכר והשוכר שאמר נגנבה או שאבדה אף על פי שהן חייבין לשלם משביעין אותן שבועה שאינה ברשותן ואח"כ משלמין דמי הבהמה או החפץ שאנו חוששין לו שמא עיניו נתן בה ואם אמרו הבעלים יתר על זה היה שוה כולל בשבועתו שאינה שוה אלא כך וכך נמצא כל שומר שנשבע שבועת השומרין כולל בשבועתו שלשה דברים ששמר כדרך השומרין ושארעו כך וכך ואינו ברשותו ושלא שלח בו יד קודם שארעו המאורע הפוטר אותו ואם רצה לשלם נשבע שאינו ברשותו וכולל בשבועתו שכך וכך היה שוה:
2
When accepting an article for safekeeping, a watchman may stipulate that he will not guard the articles in a manner appropriate for a watchman; instead: "Money that is entrusted to me, I will keep in the corner of my house," or the like.
The following rule applies if the watchman claims that he made such a stipulation and the owner agreed, and the owner claims that such a stipulation was never made. The watchman's claim is accepted. This applies even if the owner entrusted it to him in the presence of witnesses. The rationale is that since he could have claimed: "I guarded it in a manner appropriate for a watchman, but it was destroyed by forces beyond my control," we accept his claim that he made such a stipulation. Therefore, he must take an oath that he did not use the article for his own purposes, that it is not in his possession, and that he had made such a stipulation.ב
יש לשומר להתנות שאינו שומר כדרך השומרין אלא מעות אלו שהפקיד אצלי בזוית ביתי אני מניח אותן וכיוצא בזה טען השומר שתנאי היה בינינו ובעל הפקדון אומר לא היה שם תנאי אע"פ שהפקיד אצלו בעדים מתוך שיכול לומר שמרתי כדרך השומרין ונאנסתי נאמן לומר שהיה ביניהן תנאי לפיכך ישבע שלא שלח יד בו ושאינו ברשותו ושהיה ביניהן תנאי:
3
When an unpaid watchman brings proof that he was not negligent, he is not required to take an oath. We do not suspect that he used the article for his own purposes before it was lost.
If the owner of the entrusted article brings proof that the watchman was negligent, the watchman must make restitution. If he claims that the owner had agreed to his stipulation that he not be required to guard the article in the manner required by witnesses, his claim is not accepted. The rationale is that there are witnesses who testify that he was negligent.ג
שומר חנם שהביא ראייה שלא פשע בה פטור משבועה ואין אומרים שמא שלח בו יד קודם שיאבד ובעל הפקדון שהביא ראייה שפשע השומר משלם ואם טען ואמר תנאי היה בינינו אינו נאמן שהרי יש עדים שפשע:
4
When a person entrusts an article to a colleague in the presence of witnesses, there is a disagreement between the owner and the watchman, and the witnesses testify that the article that we see is the article that was entrusted in their presence, the watchman cannot claim: "Afterwards, I purchased it from him," or "He gave it to me as a present."
Therefore, if the watchman dies, the entrusted article may be expropriated from the orphans without an oath. Moreover, should a person come and tell an heir: "I entrusted this and this article with your father," and give very explicit signs to identify the article, if the entrusted article is found as he described it, and the judge knows that the deceased was not likely to have such an article, the judge may award the article to the person who identified it with the signs.
This law applies provided the person who claims that the article is his would not frequently visit the deceased. If, however, he would frequently visit him we do not award him the article. We suspect that perhaps it belongs to another person, and the claimant merely became familiar with its identifying characteristics.
If witnesses come and testify that the deceased is not likely to have owned the article, we do not expropriate the article from the orphans because of their testimony. For their estimation of the deceased's financial capacity is not necessarily that of the judge, and the judge should follow only information that he feels that he can rely only, as will be explained in Hilchot Sanhedrin.
An incident occurred concerning a person who entrusted sesame seeds to a colleague in the presence of witnesses and later came to claim them. The watchman replied: "I returned them."
The owner answered: "They were of this and this measure and they are now held in your jug."
The watchman responded: "I returned yours, and these are others."
The Sages ruled that the sesame seeds should not be expropriated from his possession, for perhaps these sesame seeds belonged to the watchman. Instead, the watchman is required to take an oath while holding a sacred object that he returned the entrusted object, as we have explained.ד
הפקיד אצל חבירו בעדים ובאו עדים שזה החפץ בפנינו הפקידו אצלו אין השומר יכול לטעון ולומר חזרתי ולקחתיו ממנו או נתנו לי במתנה לפיכך אם מת השומר מוציאין הפקדון עצמו מן היתומים בלא שבועה ולא עוד אלא מי שבא ואמר כך וכך הפקדתי אצל אביכם ונתן סימנין מובהקין ונמצא הפקדון כמו שאמר והיה יודע הדיין שלא היה המת אמוד שזה הפקדון שלו יש לו לדיין הזה לתת הפקדון לזה שנתן סימניו והוא שלא יהיה המפקיד רגיל להכנס אצל זה שמת אבל אם היה רגיל ליכנס אצלו שמא של אחר הוא והכיר הסימנין שלו באו עדים והעידו לדיין שאין זה אמוד אין מוציאין מיד היתומים בעדותן שאין זה ראייה ברורה ואומדן דעתן אינו אומד דעתו ואין לו לדיין אלא מה שדעתו סומכת עליו כמו שיתבאר בהלכות סנהדרין מעשה באחד שהפקיד שומשמין אצל חבירו בעדים ובא לתבעו ואמר לו החזרתים אמר לו המפקיד והלא כך וכך היא מדתם והרי הם מונחים אצלך בחביתך אמר לו שלך החזרתי לך ואלו אחרים הן ואמרו חכמים אין מוציאין מידו שמא אלו השומשמין של שומר הן אלא ישבע השומר בנקיטת חפץ שהחזיר כמו שביארנו:
5
The following rules apply when the owner of an entrusted object asks for the return of that object and the watchman gives it to him, but a difference of opinion arises between them. For example,the owner claims: "This is not the article I entrusted, but a different one," "My article was whole, and you broke it," "It was new and you used it," or "I entrusted 100 se'ah to you, and there are only 50 here." The watchman responds to these claims, saying: "This is the article you personally deposited. You will be taking what you gave me."
In all such instances, the watchman is required merely to take a sh'vuat hesset, as is required of others who must take oaths in response to such claims. For a watchman is not obligated to take the oath required of watchmen mentioned in the Torah unless he admits accepting responsibility for the very article that the owner claims, but asserts that it was stolen, it died, or it was captured.
The general principle is: When a watchman makes a claim that absolves him from payment, he is required to take the oath required of watchmen. If, however, he says, "This is the article that you lent me," "... hired to me," or "... paid me for watching," and the owner claims that the article he seeks to return is not the one given or that it was changed from its original state, the renter is required to take merely a sh'vuat hesset, or a Scriptural oath if he admits a portion of the plaintiff's claim.
What is implied? If the owner claims: "I entrusted 100 se'ah to you," and the watchman claims: "You only entrusted 50," he is required to take a Scriptural oath, because he admitted a portion of the claim, not because it is the oath required of a watchman. If the owner claims: "I entrusted 100 se'ah of wheat to you," and the watchman claims: "You entrusted only 100 se'ah of barley," he is merely required to take a sh'vuat hesset, as others who would have to take an oath with regard to this claim.ה
בעל הפקדון שתבע פקדונו ונתן לו השומר ואמר המפקיד אין זה פקדוני אלא אחר הוא או שלם היה ואתה שברתו או חדש היה ונשתמשת בו ק' סאין הפקדתי אצלך ואין אלו אלא ג' ובעל הבית אומר זהו שהפקדת בעצמך ומה שנתת אתה נוטל הרי השומר נשבע היסת כשאר כל הנשבעין שאין כל שומר נשבע שבועת השומרין האמורה בתורה אלא בזמן שמודה בעצמו של פקדון כמו שהמפקיד אומר וטוען שנגנב או מת או נשבה כללו של דבר טוען לפטור עצמו מן התשלומין [נשבע שבועת שומרין] אבל אם אמר זהו שהשאלתני או שהשכרת לי או שנטלתי שכר על שמירתי והבעלים אומרים אינו זה אלא אחר או נשתנה מכמות שהיה השוכר נשבע היסת או שבועת התורה אם הודה במקצת כיצד מאה סאה הפקדתי אצלך והשומר אומר לא הפקדת אצלי אלא חמשים נשבע שבועת התורה מפני שהודה במקצת לא משום שבועת השומרין מאה כור של חטים הפקדתי אצלך והוא אומר לא הפקדת אצלי אלא מאה של שעורים נשבע היסת כשאר כל הנשבעין בטענה כזו:
She'elah uFikkadon - Chapter 6
She'elah uFikkadon - Chapter 6
1
The following rules apply when an unpaid watchman says, "I desire to pay and not to take an oath: If the entrusted article is of a uniform type and it is possible to purchase such articles in the market-place - e.g., produce, reams of wool and flax that are entirely uniform, beams on which images have not been carved, or the like- he may pay the value of the article and be excused from taking an oath.
If, however, the entrusted article was an animal, a decorated garment, a utensil that had been fixed, or an article that is not easily available to purchase in the market place, we suspect that the watchman coveted it for himself. We therefore require him to take an oath as instituted by our Sages, while holding a sacred article, that the entrusted object is no longer in his possession. Afterwards, he must make restitution.
The same law applies to other watchmen - e.g., a borrower who says that an entrusted animal died or was stolen, or a paid watchman, or a renter who says that an entrusted article was stolen or lost. Even though they are obligated to pay, they are required to take an oath that the article is no longer in their possession. Afterwards, they must make financial restitution for the entrusted animal or article. The rationale is that we suspect that the watchman coveted it for himself.
If the owner claims that the entrusted article was worth more than the watchman admits, he must also include in his oath that it was worth only such and such. Thus, every watchman who takes the oath required of watchmen must include three matters in the oath:
a) that he cared for the article in a manner appropriate for a watchman;
b) that this and this happened to the article and it is no longer in his domain; and
c) that he did not use the article for his own purposes before the event that absolves him of responsibility took place.
If he desires to make financial restitution, he must take an oath that the article is no longer in his domain and include in his oath that it is worth such and such.א
שומר חנם שאמר הריני משלם ואיני נשבע אם הפקדון דבר שכל מינו שוה ומצוי בשוק לקנות כמותו כגון פירות או יריעות של צמר ושל פשתן השוות בכל עניינם או קורות שאינן מצויירות וכל כיוצא בהן ה"ז משלם ואינו נשבע אבל אם היה פקדון בהמה או בגד מצוייר או כלי מתוקן או דבר שאינו מוצא לקנות כמותו בשוק חוששין שמא עיניו נתן בו ומשביעין אותו בתקנת חכמים שבועה בנקיטת חפץ שאינו ברשותו ואחר כך משלם והוא הדין לשאר השומרין כגון השואל שאמר מתה או נגנבה ושומר שכר והשוכר שאמר נגנבה או שאבדה אף על פי שהן חייבין לשלם משביעין אותן שבועה שאינה ברשותן ואח"כ משלמין דמי הבהמה או החפץ שאנו חוששין לו שמא עיניו נתן בה ואם אמרו הבעלים יתר על זה היה שוה כולל בשבועתו שאינה שוה אלא כך וכך נמצא כל שומר שנשבע שבועת השומרין כולל בשבועתו שלשה דברים ששמר כדרך השומרין ושארעו כך וכך ואינו ברשותו ושלא שלח בו יד קודם שארעו המאורע הפוטר אותו ואם רצה לשלם נשבע שאינו ברשותו וכולל בשבועתו שכך וכך היה שוה:
2
When accepting an article for safekeeping, a watchman may stipulate that he will not guard the articles in a manner appropriate for a watchman; instead: "Money that is entrusted to me, I will keep in the corner of my house," or the like.
The following rule applies if the watchman claims that he made such a stipulation and the owner agreed, and the owner claims that such a stipulation was never made. The watchman's claim is accepted. This applies even if the owner entrusted it to him in the presence of witnesses. The rationale is that since he could have claimed: "I guarded it in a manner appropriate for a watchman, but it was destroyed by forces beyond my control," we accept his claim that he made such a stipulation. Therefore, he must take an oath that he did not use the article for his own purposes, that it is not in his possession, and that he had made such a stipulation.ב
יש לשומר להתנות שאינו שומר כדרך השומרין אלא מעות אלו שהפקיד אצלי בזוית ביתי אני מניח אותן וכיוצא בזה טען השומר שתנאי היה בינינו ובעל הפקדון אומר לא היה שם תנאי אע"פ שהפקיד אצלו בעדים מתוך שיכול לומר שמרתי כדרך השומרין ונאנסתי נאמן לומר שהיה ביניהן תנאי לפיכך ישבע שלא שלח יד בו ושאינו ברשותו ושהיה ביניהן תנאי:
3
When an unpaid watchman brings proof that he was not negligent, he is not required to take an oath. We do not suspect that he used the article for his own purposes before it was lost.
If the owner of the entrusted article brings proof that the watchman was negligent, the watchman must make restitution. If he claims that the owner had agreed to his stipulation that he not be required to guard the article in the manner required by witnesses, his claim is not accepted. The rationale is that there are witnesses who testify that he was negligent.ג
שומר חנם שהביא ראייה שלא פשע בה פטור משבועה ואין אומרים שמא שלח בו יד קודם שיאבד ובעל הפקדון שהביא ראייה שפשע השומר משלם ואם טען ואמר תנאי היה בינינו אינו נאמן שהרי יש עדים שפשע:
4
When a person entrusts an article to a colleague in the presence of witnesses, there is a disagreement between the owner and the watchman, and the witnesses testify that the article that we see is the article that was entrusted in their presence, the watchman cannot claim: "Afterwards, I purchased it from him," or "He gave it to me as a present."
Therefore, if the watchman dies, the entrusted article may be expropriated from the orphans without an oath. Moreover, should a person come and tell an heir: "I entrusted this and this article with your father," and give very explicit signs to identify the article, if the entrusted article is found as he described it, and the judge knows that the deceased was not likely to have such an article, the judge may award the article to the person who identified it with the signs.
This law applies provided the person who claims that the article is his would not frequently visit the deceased. If, however, he would frequently visit him we do not award him the article. We suspect that perhaps it belongs to another person, and the claimant merely became familiar with its identifying characteristics.
If witnesses come and testify that the deceased is not likely to have owned the article, we do not expropriate the article from the orphans because of their testimony. For their estimation of the deceased's financial capacity is not necessarily that of the judge, and the judge should follow only information that he feels that he can rely only, as will be explained in Hilchot Sanhedrin.
An incident occurred concerning a person who entrusted sesame seeds to a colleague in the presence of witnesses and later came to claim them. The watchman replied: "I returned them."
The owner answered: "They were of this and this measure and they are now held in your jug."
The watchman responded: "I returned yours, and these are others."
The Sages ruled that the sesame seeds should not be expropriated from his possession, for perhaps these sesame seeds belonged to the watchman. Instead, the watchman is required to take an oath while holding a sacred object that he returned the entrusted object, as we have explained.ד
הפקיד אצל חבירו בעדים ובאו עדים שזה החפץ בפנינו הפקידו אצלו אין השומר יכול לטעון ולומר חזרתי ולקחתיו ממנו או נתנו לי במתנה לפיכך אם מת השומר מוציאין הפקדון עצמו מן היתומים בלא שבועה ולא עוד אלא מי שבא ואמר כך וכך הפקדתי אצל אביכם ונתן סימנין מובהקין ונמצא הפקדון כמו שאמר והיה יודע הדיין שלא היה המת אמוד שזה הפקדון שלו יש לו לדיין הזה לתת הפקדון לזה שנתן סימניו והוא שלא יהיה המפקיד רגיל להכנס אצל זה שמת אבל אם היה רגיל ליכנס אצלו שמא של אחר הוא והכיר הסימנין שלו באו עדים והעידו לדיין שאין זה אמוד אין מוציאין מיד היתומים בעדותן שאין זה ראייה ברורה ואומדן דעתן אינו אומד דעתו ואין לו לדיין אלא מה שדעתו סומכת עליו כמו שיתבאר בהלכות סנהדרין מעשה באחד שהפקיד שומשמין אצל חבירו בעדים ובא לתבעו ואמר לו החזרתים אמר לו המפקיד והלא כך וכך היא מדתם והרי הם מונחים אצלך בחביתך אמר לו שלך החזרתי לך ואלו אחרים הן ואמרו חכמים אין מוציאין מידו שמא אלו השומשמין של שומר הן אלא ישבע השומר בנקיטת חפץ שהחזיר כמו שביארנו:
5
The following rules apply when the owner of an entrusted object asks for the return of that object and the watchman gives it to him, but a difference of opinion arises between them. For example,the owner claims: "This is not the article I entrusted, but a different one," "My article was whole, and you broke it," "It was new and you used it," or "I entrusted 100 se'ah to you, and there are only 50 here." The watchman responds to these claims, saying: "This is the article you personally deposited. You will be taking what you gave me."
In all such instances, the watchman is required merely to take a sh'vuat hesset, as is required of others who must take oaths in response to such claims. For a watchman is not obligated to take the oath required of watchmen mentioned in the Torah unless he admits accepting responsibility for the very article that the owner claims, but asserts that it was stolen, it died, or it was captured.
The general principle is: When a watchman makes a claim that absolves him from payment, he is required to take the oath required of watchmen. If, however, he says, "This is the article that you lent me," "... hired to me," or "... paid me for watching," and the owner claims that the article he seeks to return is not the one given or that it was changed from its original state, the renter is required to take merely a sh'vuat hesset, or a Scriptural oath if he admits a portion of the plaintiff's claim.
What is implied? If the owner claims: "I entrusted 100 se'ah to you," and the watchman claims: "You only entrusted 50," he is required to take a Scriptural oath, because he admitted a portion of the claim, not because it is the oath required of a watchman. If the owner claims: "I entrusted 100 se'ah of wheat to you," and the watchman claims: "You entrusted only 100 se'ah of barley," he is merely required to take a sh'vuat hesset, as others who would have to take an oath with regard to this claim.ה
בעל הפקדון שתבע פקדונו ונתן לו השומר ואמר המפקיד אין זה פקדוני אלא אחר הוא או שלם היה ואתה שברתו או חדש היה ונשתמשת בו ק' סאין הפקדתי אצלך ואין אלו אלא ג' ובעל הבית אומר זהו שהפקדת בעצמך ומה שנתת אתה נוטל הרי השומר נשבע היסת כשאר כל הנשבעין שאין כל שומר נשבע שבועת השומרין האמורה בתורה אלא בזמן שמודה בעצמו של פקדון כמו שהמפקיד אומר וטוען שנגנב או מת או נשבה כללו של דבר טוען לפטור עצמו מן התשלומין [נשבע שבועת שומרין] אבל אם אמר זהו שהשאלתני או שהשכרת לי או שנטלתי שכר על שמירתי והבעלים אומרים אינו זה אלא אחר או נשתנה מכמות שהיה השוכר נשבע היסת או שבועת התורה אם הודה במקצת כיצד מאה סאה הפקדתי אצלך והשומר אומר לא הפקדת אצלי אלא חמשים נשבע שבועת התורה מפני שהודה במקצת לא משום שבועת השומרין מאה כור של חטים הפקדתי אצלך והוא אומר לא הפקדת אצלי אלא מאה של שעורים נשבע היסת כשאר כל הנשבעין בטענה כזו:
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• Rambam - 3 Chapters a Day
Tum'at Met - Chapter 24, Tum'at Met - Chapter 25, Parah Adummah - Chapter 1
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Tum'at Met - Chapter 24
1
The following rules apply when one divided a house by making a barrier of pure earthenware jugs from the ground until the roof and there is impurity in one side of the house. If the opening of the jugs was facing the pure side of the house, they protect the house from the spread of impurity. If the openings were facing the impurity, they do not protect it. If, when they were facing the impurity, he applied mud to them, whether from the inside, or the outside, we see whether the mud is able to stand on its own or not. If it can, it protects the house from impurity. If not, it does not and the entire house is considered as one ohel.א
בית שחלקו בקנקנים טהורות מן הארץ ועד הקורה וטומאה בחציו האחד אם היה פי הקנקנים כלפי הטהורה הרי אלו מצילות ואם היו כלפי הטומאה אינם מצילות טחן בטיט בין מבפנים בין מבחוץ רואין אם יכול הטיט לעמוד בפני עצמו מציל ואם לאו אינו מציל והרי הכל אהל אחד:
2
The following rules apply when a house was divided in two with boards or with curtains, whether it was divided lengthwise or widthwise or facing the ceiling. If there was impurity in the remainder of the house, keilim between the partition and the wall or between the partition and the ceiling are pure. If there is impurity between the partition and the wall or between the partition and the ceiling, the keilim in the house are impure, because the partition does not prevent the impurity from departing and imparting impurity, as we explained with regard to a tent inside a house.
The following laws apply when there are keilim in the midst of the thickness of the partition itself, whether the impurity was within the area set off by the partition or within the house. If the place where the keilim were located was a handbreadth by a handbreadth or more, the keilim are impure. If it is smaller than that, they are pure. We have already explained the laws pertaining to a house that was divided horizontally.ב
בית שחלקו בנסרים או ביריעות אם חלקו מן הצדדין או מכלפי הקורות והיתה הטומאה בבית כלים שבין המחיצה ובין הכותל או שבין המחיצה והקורות טהורין היתה הטומאה בין מחיצה לכותל או בין מחיצה לקורות כלים שבבית טמאין שאין המחיצה מונעת הטומאה שלא תצא ותטמא כמו שביארנו באהל שבתוך הבית היו הכלים בתוך עובי המחיצה עצמה בין שהיתה הטומאה לפנים מן המחיצה או שהיתה בתוך הבית אם היה מקום הכלים טפח על טפח טמאים ואם לאו טהורין וכבר ביארנו כיצד דין הבית אם חלקו מכלפי ארצו:
3
The following rules apply when there is a house that is filled with straw and there is not a cubic handbreadth of space between the straw and the ceiling. If there is impurity in the inner portion of the house, whether within the straw or in the space between the straw and the ceiling, all of the keilim that are opposite the space through which the impurity will depart in the entire open space of the entranceway are impure.
The following laws apply if the impurity was outside the straw, anywhere in the open space of the entranceway. If there are keilim within the straw and there is a handbreadth by a handbreadth by a handbreadth of open space, they are pure. If not, they are impure. If there is a cubic handbreadth of space between the straw and the ceiling, the keilim are impure regardless, for the straw does not intervene, because we can assume that the person's intention is to remove the straw.ג
בית שהוא מלא תבן ואין בינו לבין הקורות פותח טפח טומאה בפנים בין בתוך התבן בין שהיתה בין תבן לקורות כל הכלים שכנגד יציאת הטומאה במלואו של פתח טמאים היתה טומאה חוץ לתבן במלואו של פתח כלים שבפנים אם יש במקומן טפח על טפח על רום טפח טהורין ואם לאו טמאין ואם יש בין תבן לקורות פותח טפח בין כך ובין כך טמאין שאין התבן חוצץ מפני שסתם תבן דעתו לפנותו:
4
When there is a wall between two houses and there is impurity in the midst of the wall, the house that is closest to the impurity is impure, while that which is closest to purity is pure. If the impurity was equidistant from them, they are both impure.
The following rules apply when the impurity was in one of the houses and the keilim were in the midst of the wall. If the keilim were located from the center towards the impurity, they are impure; from the center towards the pure side, they are pure. If they are equidistant, they are impure.
Similar principles apply when there is a ceiling between a house and a loft and there is impurity in the ceiling. If it was located from the center downward, the house is impure and the loft is pure; from the center, upward, the loft is impure and the house is pure. If it is equidistant from them, they are both impure.
When there is impurity in either the house or the loft and there were keilim in the ceiling, if the keilim were located from the center towards the impurity, they are impure; from the center towards the pure side, they are pure. If they are equidistant, they are impure.
The following rules apply if the ceiling had nothing but open space above it and there was impurity in it. If the impurity was located from the center downward, the house is impure and a person standing on the roof - even if he is directly above the impurity - is pure, because the impurity spreads throughout the house. If the impurity was located from the center upward, the house is pure and a person standing on the roof directly above the impurity is impure. If the impurity was in the center of the ceiling, the house is impure and a person standing on the roof directly above the impurity is impure, because it is impossible to make an exact calculation.ד
כותל שבין ב' בתים וטומאה בתוך הכותל בית הקרוב לטומאה טמא והקרוב לטהרה טהור היתה מחצה למחצה שניהן טמאין היתה הטומאה באחד מב' הבתים והכלים בתוך הכותל מחציו וכלפי טומאה טמאים מחציו וכלפי טהרה טהורין מחצה למחצה טמאין וכן מעזיבה שבין הבית והעלייה והטומאה בתוך מעזיבה מחציו ולמטה הבית טמא והעלייה טהורה מחציה ולמעלה העלייה טמאה והבית טהור מחצה למחצה שניהן טמאין היתה טומאה באחד מהן וכלים בתוך המעזיבה מחציה וכלפי טומאה טמאין מחציה וכלפי טהרה טהורין מחצה למחצה שניהן טמאין היתה המעזיבה לאויר וטומאה בתוכה מחציה ולמטה הבית טמא והעומד מלמעלה אפילו כנגד הטומאה טהור שהרי פשטה הטומאה בכל הבית היתה הטומאה מחציה ולמעלה הבית טהור והעומד מלמעלה כנגד הטומאה טמא מחצה למחצה הבית טמא והעומד מלמעלה כנגד הטומאה טמא שהרי אי אפשר לצמצם:
5
Similarly, if there is a wall that serves a house, it is considered as half and half.
What is implied? There is a wall that has open space on one side. The roof of the house is supported by the wall, but does not rest on the wall and there is impurity flush inside the wall. If the impurity is from the halfway point of the wall inward, the house is impure. A person standing on top of the wall is pure like someone standing on the roof of the house.
If the impurity is from the halfway point outward, the house is pure. A person standing on top of the wall, above the impurity is impure, because the impurity did not spread out in the house. If the impurity was in the center of the wall, the house is impure, but a person standing above it is pure, because the impurity spread within the house.
If one removed part of the wall from the inside or added to the outer portion of the wall until the impurity was in the inner half of the wall, the house is impure. If he removed part of the wall from the outside or added to the thickness of the inner portion of the wall until the impurity was in the outer half of the wall, the house is pure. If the impurity was placed on the top of the wall, even if it is on the inside, the house is pure.ה
וכן כותל המשמש את הבית ידון מחצה למחצה כיצד כותל שהוא לאויר וגג הבית סמוך לכותל ואינו מורכב על הכותל וטומאה רצוצה בתוך הכותל היתה מחציו ולפנים הבית טמא והעומד מלמעלה על ראש הכותל טהור כעומד על גג הבית היתה מחציו ולחוץ הבית טהור והעומד מלמעלה כנגד הטומאה טמא שהרי לא פשטה הטומאה בתוך הבית היתה הטומאה מחצה למחצה הבית טמא והעומד מלמעלה טהור שהרי פשטה הטומאה בבית נטל מהכותל מבפנים או שהוסיף בכותל מבחוץ עד שנמצאת הטומאה מחצי כותל ולפנים הבית טמא נטל מבחוץ או שהוסיף בעובי הכותל מבפנים עד שנמצאת הטומאה מחצי כותל ולחוץ הבית טהור היתה הטומאה נתונה על גבי הכותל אפילו מחציו ולפנים הבית טהור:
6
When there is a structure that serves a wall, as long as there is part of the wall as thin as a garlic peel, the structure is considered as separate from the wall.
What is implied? A person dug two burial vaults or two burial caves one next to the other and thus there were two structures dug into the ground with a wall dividing between them. If there is impurity in the structures and keilim in the wall, as long as there is a portion of the wall as thin as a garlic peel covering them, they are pure. If there is impurity in the wall and keilim in the structures, if it is covered by a portion of the wall as thin as a garlic peel, they are pure.
Thus we can learn the following general principles: When there is a wall that was built from building materials, the status of the house depends on the half of the wall in which the impurity is located. When the wall was made of stone or of the thickness of the earth when one dug from either side, as long as there is part of the wall as thin as a garlic peel, the structure is considered as separate from the wall.ו
בית המשמש את הכותל ידון כקליפת השום כיצד החופר שני כוכים או שתי מערות זו בצד זו עד שנמצאו שני בתים חפורים בקרקע ונעשה ביניהן כותל המבדיל בין שניהן והיתה טומאה בבתים וכלים בכותל אם יש עליהן כקליפת השום טהורין היתה טומאה בכותל זה וכלים בבתים אם יש עליהן כקליפת השום טהורים הנה למדת שכותל בנין נידון מחצה למחצה וכותל הסלע או שנעשה מגוש הארץ כשיחפור מכאן ומכאן נידון כקליפת השום:
7
When half of the thickness of a wall was constructed and half was a rock, the status of the house depends on the half of the wall in which the impurity is located.ז
כותל שחצי עביו בנין וחציו סלע נדון מחצה למחצה:
8
If there was impurity between the beams of the roof of a house, even if there is only a portion of a board as thin as as a garlic peel under it, the house is pure. We consider the impurity as if it were flush in the earth and only the area directly below it or directly above it is impure. If there is a handbreadth by a handbreadth of empty space in its place, everything is impure. Similarly, if the impurity could be seen from the house, the house is impure regardless.
If there are two entrances, one on top of the other, and there is impurity in the wall between them, if it can be seen from one of them, that entrance is impure and the other is pure. If not, their status depends on the half of the wall in which the impurity is located.ח
טומאה שהיתה בין קורות הבית אפילו אין תחתיה אלא כקליפת השום הבית טהור ורואין את הטומאה כאילו היא רצוצה בארץ ומטמאה כנגדה בלבד ואם יש במקומה טפח על טפח הכל טמא וכן אם היתה נראית בתוך הבית בין כך ובין כך הבית טמא שני פתחים זה על גבי זה וטומאה בכותל שביניהן אם נראית שהיא לתוך אחת מהן הוא טמא וחבירו טהור ואם לאו נידונין מחצה למחצה:
Tum'at Met - Chapter 25
1
If there is a pillar standing in a house and impurity is flush under it, the impurity pierces through and ascends and pierces through and descends. It imparts impurity only to entities that are directly above or below the impurity. If there is a flower, projecting from the pillar and there are keilim under the flower, the keilim are pure. Impurity is imparted only to the entities under or above the impurity.א
עמוד העומד בתוך הבית וטומאה רצוצה תחתיו טומאה בוקעת ועולה בוקעת ויורדת ואינו מטמא אלא כנגד הטומאה בלבד ואם היה פרח יוצא מעמוד זה וכלים תחת הפרח הכלים טהורים שאינו מטמא אלא כנגד הטומאה:
2
If there is open space a handbreadth by a handbreadth and a handbreadth high in the pillar where the impurity is located, it is considered as a closed grave and it imparts impurity to all its surroundings. The entire house is impure because it is standing over a grave.ב
[ואם יש במקום הטומאה] טפח על טפח על רום טפח הרי הוא כקבר סתום ומטמא מכל סביביו והבית כולו טמא שהרי האהיל על הקבר:
3
When there is impurity in a wall and it is an open space a handbreadth by a handbreadth and a handbreadth high, all of the stories built on this wall - even ten - are impure. The rationale is that the wall is considered a closed grave until its highest point. It is the wall for these upper stories and every upper storey is considered to be an ohel over the grave.
If he built a structure next to that wall on one side and another structure next to the wall on the other side and a second storey that spans both those structures and thus the top of the impure wall is in the middle of the floor of the second storey, the second storey is impure because it serves as an ohel over a grave. A third storey built over it is pure, because they are one on top of the other and the impure wall is not one of the walls of this storey.ג
טומאה שבתוך הכותל ומקומה טפח ע"ט על רום טפח כל העליות הבנויות על כותל זה אפי' עשר טמאות שהרי הכותל כולו קבר סתום עד סופו והוא כותל העליות וכל עלייה מהן מאהלת על הקבר בנה בית בצד הכותל מכאן ובית מכאן ובנה עלייה על גבי שני הבתים עד שנמצא ראש הכותל הטמא הוא באמצע קרקע העלייה הרי העלייה טמאה שהרי האהילה על הקבר והעלייה השניה הבנויה על גבה טהורה מפני שהן זו על גבי זו ואין הכותל הטמא כותלה:
4
The following rules apply when there is a large hole in the thickness of a wall which people would employ for functional purposes which was called a pardisek. If there was impurity within it and it had closed doors, the house is pure. If there is impurity flush in its floor, its wall, or its roof, we consider the entire hole as if it is a solid mass and see where the impurity is located. If it is located in the inner portion of the thickness of the wall, the house is impure. If it is in the outer portion, the house is pure. If it is in the exact center, the house is impure.ד
חור גדול שבעובי הכתלים שדרך בני אדם לעשותו לתשמיש והוא הנקרא פרדסיק שהיתה טומאה מונחת בתוכו ויש עליו דלתות סגורות הבית טהור היתה הטומאה רצוצה בקרקעיתו או בכתליו או בגגו רואין את כל החור כולו כאילו הוא אטום ורואין מקום הטומאה אם הוא בחצי עובי הכותל שלפנים הבית טמא ואם היתה טומאה מחצי כותל ולחוץ הבית טהור מחצה למחצה הבית טמא:
5
If there are two pardiskin - one next to the other or one on top of the other - and there is impurity located in one of them and it is opened, it and the house are impure, but the other one is pure. If there was impurity flush in the walls of the building, we consider the pardiskin as if they were a solid mass and the status of the house depends on the half of the wall in which the impurity is located.ה
שני פרדסקין זה בצד זה או זה על גב זה וטומאה מונחת באחת מהן ונפתח הוא והבית טמא וחבירו טהור היתה טומאה רצוצה בתוך הבנין רואין את הפרדסקין כאילו הן אטומין וידון מחצה למחצה:
6
If there is an olive-sized portion of a corpse attached to the doorstep of the house from the outside, the house is pure. If it was flush below the doorstep, the status of the house depends on the half of the doorstep in which the impurity is located. If it is attached to the lintel, the house is impure.ו
כזית מן המת מודבק באסקופת הבית מבחוץ הבית טהור היה רצוץ תחת האסקופה ידון מחצה למחצה היה מודבק למשקוף הבית טמא:
7
When a dog ate the flesh of a corpse, died within three days of doing so, and was lying on the doorstep of a house, we consider the place where the impurity is located in his body. If it is under the lintel and inward, the house is impure.ז
כלב שאכל בשר המת ומת בתוך שלשה ימים והרי הוא מוטל על האסקופה רואין חלל הטומאה מגופו אם הוא כנגד המשקוף ולפנים הבית טמא ומכנגד המשקוף ולחוץ הבית טהור:
8
The following laws apply when the fetus being carried by a woman dies in her womb. If its head has reached the size of a weaving needle, when her womb opens and the head becomes visible, the house becomes impure because of the fetus even if it has not emerged yet.ח
האשה שמת עוברה בתוך מעיה אם נעשית ראש הנפל כפיקה של שתי כיון שנפתח הרחם עד שנראת הראש נטמא הבית מפני העובר אע"פ שעדיין לא יצא:
9
If a woman was in the midst of labor and went from one house to another and miscarried in the second house, the first house is still impure because of a doubt: perhaps the head of the fetus had emerged while she was there.
When does the above apply? When its head did not reach the size of a weaving needle. If, however, its head reached the size of a weaving needle, the first house is pure. For if her womb had opened to that degree, she would not be able to walk unsupported. Therefore if she was being supported by her shoulders and taken from one house to the other, the first is impure because of a doubt, even though its head reached the size of a weaving needle.ט
האשה שמקשה לילד ויצאה מבית לבית והפילה נפל מת בבית שני הבית הראשון טמא בספק שמא כשהיתה בו יצא ראשו של נפל הזה בד"א כשלא היה ראש הנפל כפיקה של שתי אבל אם העגיל ראש הנפל כפיקה הבית הראשון טהור שאילו נפתח רחמה שם לא היתה יכולה להלך על רגליה לפיכך אם היתה ניטלת באגפיים והוציאוה מבית לבית הבית הראשון טמא בספק אף על פי שהעגיל ראש הנפל כפיקה של שתי:
10
When a woman discharged a placenta, the house in which she was located is certainly impure. It can be presumed that there is no placenta without a fetus.י
האשה שהפילה שליא הבית טמא ודאי חזקה הוא שאין שליא בלא ולד:
11
The following laws apply when a woman gave birth to two children, one a viable birth and the other, stillborn. If the stillborn child emerged first, the living child is pure, because he did not touch the stillborn child after he emerged into the world. If the living child emerged first, he is impure, because it is impossible that the stillborn child did not touch him, for the stillborn tumbles out after the living child like a stone that does not have any vitality and cannot hold itself back.יא
מי שילדה שני ילדים אחד חי ואחד מת אם המת יצא ראשון החי טהור שהרי לא נגע בו משיצא לאויר העולם ואם החי יצא ראשון הרי הוא טמא שהרי אי אפשר שלא יגע בו המת משיצא לאויר העולם מפני שהוא מתגלגל אחריו כאבן שאין בו רוח חיים כדי להעמיד עצמו:
12
When a woman discharges a stillborn infant - even, as we explained, a tiny fetus - she contracts the impurity that lasts seven days. If the fetus dies within her womb and the midwife extended her hand inside the womb and touched it, the midwife contracts the impurity that lasts seven days, but the woman is pure until the fetus emerges.
The impurity of the midwife is a Rabbinical decree, instituted since she may have touched the fetus after it emerged into the vaginal channel. According to Scriptural Law, touching a hidden portion of the body is not considered as touching. Since the fetus is in the mother's inner organs, anyone who touches it is pure. Similar laws apply to one who swallowed an impure ring and then swallowed a pure ring. Although the two certainly touched each other in his digestive system, this is not considered as touch. The impure one is considered as impure and the pure one, as pure.יב
האשה שילדה ולד מת אפילו נפל קטן כמו שביארנו הרי היא טמאה טומאת ז' מת עוברה בתוך מעיה ופשטה החיה את ידה ונגעה בו החיה טמאה שבעה והאשה טהורה עד שיצא הולד וטומאת החיה מדבריהם גזירה שמא תגע בו משיצא לפרוזדור אבל מן התורה אין מגע בית הסתרים מגע הואיל והוא בתוך המעים הנוגע בו טהור וכן הבולע טבעת טמאה וחזר ובלע אחריה טבעת טהורה אע"פ שנגעו זו בזו בודאי בתוך מעיו אינו מגע והטמאה בטומאתה וטהורה בטהרתה:
Blessed be the Merciful One Who grants assistance.
סליקו להו הלכות טומאת מת:
Parah Adummah - Chapter 1
Introduction to Hilchos Parah Adummah
Included in this text are two positive commandments. They comprise the following:
1) the laws of the red heifer;
2) the laws of the impurity and purity brought about by the water used for the sprinkling of its ashes.
These mitzvot are explained in the ensuing chapters.
הלכות פרה אדומה - הקדמה
הלכות פרה אדומה יש בכללן שתי מצות עשה וזהו פרטן:
(א) דין פרה אדומה
(ב) דין טומאת מי נדה וטהרתן
וביאור מצות אלו בפרקים אלו:
1
The commandment involving the red heifer is to offer such an animal in its third or fourth year of life. If it is older, it is acceptable, but we do not wait for it to age longer, lest its hairs become black.
The Jewish community does not purchase a calf and raise it, for Numbers 19:2 states: "And you shall take unto yourselves a heifer," i.e., a heifer, not a calf. If only a calf was found, a price is established for it and it should remain in its owner's possession until it matures and becomes a cow. It should be purchased with money from the Temple treasury.א
מצות פרה אדומה שתהיה בת שלש שנים או בת ארבע ואם היתה זקנה כשירה אלא שאין ממתינין לה שמא תשחיר ותפסל ואין לוקחין עגלה ומגדלין אותה שנאמר ויקחו אליך פרה ולא עגלה לא מצאו אלא עגלה פוסקין עליה דמים ותהיה אצל בעליה עד שתגדיל ותעשה פרה ולוקחין אותה מתרומת הלשכה:
2
The Torah's description of this heifer as "perfect" means "perfectly red," not perfect in stature. Even if it is dwarfsize, it is acceptable, as is the law regarding other sacrifices. If it had two white hairs or black hairs growing from one follicle or from two cavities and they are lying on top of each other, it is unacceptable.ב
זה שנאמר בתורה תמימה תמימת אדמימות לא תמימת קומה אלא אם היתה ננסה כשירה כשאר הקדשים היו בה שתי שערות לבנות או שחורות בתוך גומא אחת או בתוך שני כוסות והן מונחות זו על זו פסולה:
3
If there were two hairs, their roots reddish and their heads blackish, or their roots blackish and their heads reddish, their status follows the roots entirely. One should cut off the blackish head with scissors. He need not be concerned about the prohibition against shearing consecrated animals, because his intention not to shear.ג
היו בה שתי שערות עיקרן מאדים וראשן משחיר עיקרן משחיר וראשן מאדים הכל הולך אחר העיקר וגוזז במספרים את ראשן המשחיר ואינו חושש משום גיזה בקדשים שאין כוונתו לגוז:
4
Enough of the red hair must remain so that it can be pulled out by tweezers. For if a hair is not large enough to be pulled out by tweezers, it is considered as if it does not exist. Therefore if there were two white or black hairs that are so small that they cannot be pulled out by tweezers, it is acceptable.ד
וצריך שישאר מן המאדים כדי שינטל בזוג שכל שערה שאינה ניטלת בזוג הרי היא כאילו אינה לפיכך אם היו בה שתי שערות לבנות או שחורות שאינן נלקטין בזוג הרי זו כשירה:
5
If its horns or hooves are black, they may be cut off and it is acceptable. The color of the eyeballs, the teeth, and the tongue do not disqualify a heifer.ה
היו קרניה או טלפיה שחורים יגוד גלגל העין והשינים והלשון אין מראיהן פוסלים בפרה:
6
If it had an abnormal growth of another color and one cut it off, even though red hair grew in its place, it is unacceptable.ו
היתה בה יבלת וחתכה אף על פי שצמח במקומה שיער אדום פסולה:
7
All of the physical blemishes that disqualify sacrificial animals, also disqualify a red heifer, for the prooftext cited above states: "Which does not possess a blemish." If the heifer was born by Caesarian section, was exchanged for a dog, was a present given a prostitute, was treifah, or had been sodomized, it is unacceptable. For any factor that invalidates a sacrificial animal for the altar invalidates the red heifer even though it is considered only as consecrated for the upkeep of the Temple, for Scripture has called it a sin-offering. It is permitted to purchase a red heifer from a gentile. We do not suspect that the gentile sodomized it, for he would not destroy the value of his animal.
There is a more severe element to the red heifer than to animals consecrated as sacrifices: work disqualifies it, for Numbers 19:2 states: "upon which a yoke was never placed." Now concerning a calf whose neck is broken, Deuteronomy 21:3 states: "With which no work was performed and which was not led with a yoke." Just as with regard to the yoke mentioned in connection with this calf, the Torah equated other labor with a yoke, so too, with regard to the red heifer, other forms of labor also disqualify it like a yoke does. There is, however, a greater stringency that applies with regard to a yoke. A yoke disqualifies the heifer whether it was placed upon it during work or not during work and other forms of labor disqualify it only when work was actually performed.
What is implied? If one tied a yoke upon it, it is disqualified even if one did not plow with it. If one placed it in a threshing team, it is not disqualified unless it actually threshed. Similar principles apply in analogous situations.
If one rode upon it, leaned upon it, hung on to its tail, crossed a river using it for support while swimming, folded its lead rope on top of it, placed his garment on it, placed a covering of sacks on it, it is disqualified. If one tied it with a rope because it was rebellious and required to be safeguarded, it is acceptable. If not, it is disqualified, for any safeguarding that is unnecessary is a burden.
If one shod its hooves so that it would not slip or spread his garment over it to protect it from flies, it is acceptable. This is the general principle: If anything is done for its own needs, it remains acceptable. If it is performed for another purpose, it is disqualified.
When work was performed with it as a matter of course or a yoke was placed over it as a matter of course, if the owner is pleased, it is disqualified. The rationale is that the verse above states: "With which no work was performed." The implication is that if work was performed with it and the owner would be satisfied, it is as if he performed work with it. Therefore, if a bird rested upon it, it is acceptable. If a male mounted it, it is unacceptable. Needless to say, a pregnant heifer is unacceptable.
If one placed it among a team of animals and it threshed grain on its own accord, it remains acceptable. If he placed it among the team so that it would nurse and thresh, it is disqualified, for he is satisfied that the work is performed. Similar laws apply in all analogous situations.ז
כל המומין הפוסלין בקדשים פוסלין בפרה שנאמר אשר אין בה מום היתה יוצא דופן או מחיר או אתנן או טרפה או שנרבעה פסולה שכל הפוסלין את הקדשים למזבח פוסלין את הפרה ואף ע"פ שהיא כקדשי בדק הבית הואיל וקראה הכתוב חטאת ומותר ליקח אותה מן העכו"ם ואין חוששין שמא רבעה העכו"ם שאינו מפסיד בהמתו יתירה פרה על הקדשים שהעבודה פוסלת בה שנאמר אשר לא עלה עליה עול ובעגלה ערופה אומר אשר לא עובד בה אשר לא משכה בעול מה עול האמור בעגלה עשה שאר עבודות כעול אף עול האמור בפרה יפסול בה שאר עבודות כעול אלא שהעול פוסל בין בשעת עבודה בין שלא בשעת עבודה ושאר עבודות אין פוסלות אלא בשעת עבודה כיצד קשר עליה העול אע"פ שלא חרש בה פסולה הכניסה לדוש אינה נפסלת עד שידוש בה וכן כל כיוצא בזה רכב עליה נשען עליה נתלה בזנבה ועבר בה את הנהר קפל עליה את המוסירה נתן טליתו עליה נתן עליה כסות של שקים פסולה קשרה במוסרה אם היתה מורדת וצריכה שמירה כשירה ואם לאו פסולה שכל שמירה שאינה צריכה משוי הוא עשה בה סנדל שלא תחלק פירש טליתו עליה מפני הזבובין כשירה זה הכלל כל שהוא לצרכה כשירה לצורך אחר פסולה נעשית בה מלאכה מאליה או שעלה עליה עול מאליו אם לרצונו פסולה שנאמר אשר לא עובד בה שאם עובד בה לרצונו ה"ז כמי שעבד בה לפיכך אם שכן עליה העוף כשירה עלה עליה זכר פסולה ואצ"ל שהמעוברת פסולה הכניסה לרבקה ודשה מאליה כשירה הכניסה כדי שתינק ותדוש פסולה שהרי עשה לרצונו וכן כל כיוצא בזה:
8
When a disqualifying factor invalidates a red heifer, it should be redeemed. Similarly, if it dies, it should be redeemed so that its hide can be used. This, however, should not be done in order to feed its meat to the dogs.ח
פרה שנולד בה פיסול תפדה וכן אם מתה תפדה מפני עורה אבל לא להאכיל בשרה לכלבים:
9
If it was slaughtered to be used as an ordinary animal, it should be redeemed and it does not bring about atonement. If it was slaughtered on top of the arrangement of wood set up for burning it, it can never be redeemed.ט
נשחטה לשם חולין תפדה ואינה מכפרת נשחטה על גב מערכתה אין לה פדיון עולמית:
10
If a red heifer was purchased and then one found a more attractive one, the first may be redeemed even if it does not have a blemish.י
לקחו פרה ומצאו אחרת נאה ממנה ה"ז תפדה שלא במום:
11
Even an ordinary priest is acceptable to perform the burning of the red heifer, as Numbers 9:3 states: "And you shall give it to Elazar, the priest." At that time, Aaron was still alive. According to the Oral Tradition, it was taught: That red heifer was offered by Elazar. The remainder of the red heifers could be offered either by a High Priest or an ordinary priest.יא
אף כהן הדיוט כשר לשרפת הפרה שנאמר ונתתם אותה אל אלעזר הכהן ועדיין אהרן היה קיים ומפי השמועה למדו זו נעשית באלעזר ושאר כל הפרות בין בכהן גדול בין בכהן הדיוט:
12
The person offering the red heifer should wear the four garments of an ordinary priest. This applies whether it was offered by an ordinary priest or a High Priest.יב
והעושה אותה לובש ארבעה כלים של כהן הדיוט בין שעשאה כהן הדיוט בין שעשאה כ"ג:
13
All of those who were involved in the offering of the red heifer from the beginning to the end who had immersed that day are acceptable for the services associated with the red heifer, to consecrate the water used for sprinkling, and for sprinkling its ashes even though they did not wait until the nightfall after their immersion. The rationale is that the term "a pure man" used throughout that passage refers to one who is pure with regard to partaking of the second tithe, even though he is not pure with regard to partaking of terumah until nightfall. Such a person is pure with regard to the red heifer.יג
כל העוסקין בפרה מתחלה ועד סוף שהיו טבולי יום כשירים למעשה הפרה ולקדש ולהזות מאפרה ואף ע"פ שעדיין לא העריב שמשן שזה שנאמר בכל הפרשה איש טהור הוא הטהור למעשר שני אף על פי שאינו טהור לתרומה עד שיעריב שמשו הרי זה טהור לפרה:
14
The Sadducees would say that the offering of the red heifer was acceptable only when those bringing it had waited until nightfall after immersion. Therefore in the Second Temple, the court would cause the priest who burned the red heifer to become ritually impure through contact with the carcass of a crawling animal or the like. He would immerse and then offer the red heifer to nullify the words of these brazen ones who issue rulings according to their whims without basis in the received tradition. Similarly, all of the containers into which the ashes of the red heifer were placed were all immersed that day.יד
הצדוקין היו אומרים שאין מעשה הפרה כשר אלא במעורבי שמש לפיכך היו ב"ד בבית שני מטמאין את הכהן השורף את הפרה בשרץ וכיוצא בו וטובל ואח"כ עוסק בה כדי לבטל דברי אלו הזדים שמורים מהעולה על רוחם לא מן הקבלה וכן כל הכלים שמכניסין לתוכם אפר הפרה כולם טבולי יום:
15
For the same reason, a person who cuts the stalk of a reed to place the ashes of a red heifer upon it so they can be placed in water to consecrate it for sprinkling, should make it impure, immerse it, and then place the ashes in it. The one who cuts it and the one who immerses it must immerse themselves, because that reed was considered as an entity that came in contact with a corpse on the seventh day of its purification process. Therefore it does not need to have the ashes of the red heifer sprinkled on it. Instead, it is made impure to show the Sadducees that the Oral Tradition should be upheld. It is then immersed and the ashes of the red heifer are placed in it.טו
החותך שפופרת של קנה להניח בה אפר חטאת יטמא אותה ויטבלנה ואחר כך יניח בה והחותכה והמטבילה טעון טבילה מפני שעשאוה כטמא מת בז' שלו ולפיכך אינה צריכה הזאה שלישי ושביעי אלא מטמאה כדי להראות לצדוקין ומטבילה ונותן בה:
Tum'at Met - Chapter 24, Tum'at Met - Chapter 25, Parah Adummah - Chapter 1
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Audio: Listen | DownloadTum'at Met - Chapter 24
1
The following rules apply when one divided a house by making a barrier of pure earthenware jugs from the ground until the roof and there is impurity in one side of the house. If the opening of the jugs was facing the pure side of the house, they protect the house from the spread of impurity. If the openings were facing the impurity, they do not protect it. If, when they were facing the impurity, he applied mud to them, whether from the inside, or the outside, we see whether the mud is able to stand on its own or not. If it can, it protects the house from impurity. If not, it does not and the entire house is considered as one ohel.א
בית שחלקו בקנקנים טהורות מן הארץ ועד הקורה וטומאה בחציו האחד אם היה פי הקנקנים כלפי הטהורה הרי אלו מצילות ואם היו כלפי הטומאה אינם מצילות טחן בטיט בין מבפנים בין מבחוץ רואין אם יכול הטיט לעמוד בפני עצמו מציל ואם לאו אינו מציל והרי הכל אהל אחד:
2
The following rules apply when a house was divided in two with boards or with curtains, whether it was divided lengthwise or widthwise or facing the ceiling. If there was impurity in the remainder of the house, keilim between the partition and the wall or between the partition and the ceiling are pure. If there is impurity between the partition and the wall or between the partition and the ceiling, the keilim in the house are impure, because the partition does not prevent the impurity from departing and imparting impurity, as we explained with regard to a tent inside a house.
The following laws apply when there are keilim in the midst of the thickness of the partition itself, whether the impurity was within the area set off by the partition or within the house. If the place where the keilim were located was a handbreadth by a handbreadth or more, the keilim are impure. If it is smaller than that, they are pure. We have already explained the laws pertaining to a house that was divided horizontally.ב
בית שחלקו בנסרים או ביריעות אם חלקו מן הצדדין או מכלפי הקורות והיתה הטומאה בבית כלים שבין המחיצה ובין הכותל או שבין המחיצה והקורות טהורין היתה הטומאה בין מחיצה לכותל או בין מחיצה לקורות כלים שבבית טמאין שאין המחיצה מונעת הטומאה שלא תצא ותטמא כמו שביארנו באהל שבתוך הבית היו הכלים בתוך עובי המחיצה עצמה בין שהיתה הטומאה לפנים מן המחיצה או שהיתה בתוך הבית אם היה מקום הכלים טפח על טפח טמאים ואם לאו טהורין וכבר ביארנו כיצד דין הבית אם חלקו מכלפי ארצו:
3
The following rules apply when there is a house that is filled with straw and there is not a cubic handbreadth of space between the straw and the ceiling. If there is impurity in the inner portion of the house, whether within the straw or in the space between the straw and the ceiling, all of the keilim that are opposite the space through which the impurity will depart in the entire open space of the entranceway are impure.
The following laws apply if the impurity was outside the straw, anywhere in the open space of the entranceway. If there are keilim within the straw and there is a handbreadth by a handbreadth by a handbreadth of open space, they are pure. If not, they are impure. If there is a cubic handbreadth of space between the straw and the ceiling, the keilim are impure regardless, for the straw does not intervene, because we can assume that the person's intention is to remove the straw.ג
בית שהוא מלא תבן ואין בינו לבין הקורות פותח טפח טומאה בפנים בין בתוך התבן בין שהיתה בין תבן לקורות כל הכלים שכנגד יציאת הטומאה במלואו של פתח טמאים היתה טומאה חוץ לתבן במלואו של פתח כלים שבפנים אם יש במקומן טפח על טפח על רום טפח טהורין ואם לאו טמאין ואם יש בין תבן לקורות פותח טפח בין כך ובין כך טמאין שאין התבן חוצץ מפני שסתם תבן דעתו לפנותו:
4
When there is a wall between two houses and there is impurity in the midst of the wall, the house that is closest to the impurity is impure, while that which is closest to purity is pure. If the impurity was equidistant from them, they are both impure.
The following rules apply when the impurity was in one of the houses and the keilim were in the midst of the wall. If the keilim were located from the center towards the impurity, they are impure; from the center towards the pure side, they are pure. If they are equidistant, they are impure.
Similar principles apply when there is a ceiling between a house and a loft and there is impurity in the ceiling. If it was located from the center downward, the house is impure and the loft is pure; from the center, upward, the loft is impure and the house is pure. If it is equidistant from them, they are both impure.
When there is impurity in either the house or the loft and there were keilim in the ceiling, if the keilim were located from the center towards the impurity, they are impure; from the center towards the pure side, they are pure. If they are equidistant, they are impure.
The following rules apply if the ceiling had nothing but open space above it and there was impurity in it. If the impurity was located from the center downward, the house is impure and a person standing on the roof - even if he is directly above the impurity - is pure, because the impurity spreads throughout the house. If the impurity was located from the center upward, the house is pure and a person standing on the roof directly above the impurity is impure. If the impurity was in the center of the ceiling, the house is impure and a person standing on the roof directly above the impurity is impure, because it is impossible to make an exact calculation.ד
כותל שבין ב' בתים וטומאה בתוך הכותל בית הקרוב לטומאה טמא והקרוב לטהרה טהור היתה מחצה למחצה שניהן טמאין היתה הטומאה באחד מב' הבתים והכלים בתוך הכותל מחציו וכלפי טומאה טמאים מחציו וכלפי טהרה טהורין מחצה למחצה טמאין וכן מעזיבה שבין הבית והעלייה והטומאה בתוך מעזיבה מחציו ולמטה הבית טמא והעלייה טהורה מחציה ולמעלה העלייה טמאה והבית טהור מחצה למחצה שניהן טמאין היתה טומאה באחד מהן וכלים בתוך המעזיבה מחציה וכלפי טומאה טמאין מחציה וכלפי טהרה טהורין מחצה למחצה שניהן טמאין היתה המעזיבה לאויר וטומאה בתוכה מחציה ולמטה הבית טמא והעומד מלמעלה אפילו כנגד הטומאה טהור שהרי פשטה הטומאה בכל הבית היתה הטומאה מחציה ולמעלה הבית טהור והעומד מלמעלה כנגד הטומאה טמא מחצה למחצה הבית טמא והעומד מלמעלה כנגד הטומאה טמא שהרי אי אפשר לצמצם:
5
Similarly, if there is a wall that serves a house, it is considered as half and half.
What is implied? There is a wall that has open space on one side. The roof of the house is supported by the wall, but does not rest on the wall and there is impurity flush inside the wall. If the impurity is from the halfway point of the wall inward, the house is impure. A person standing on top of the wall is pure like someone standing on the roof of the house.
If the impurity is from the halfway point outward, the house is pure. A person standing on top of the wall, above the impurity is impure, because the impurity did not spread out in the house. If the impurity was in the center of the wall, the house is impure, but a person standing above it is pure, because the impurity spread within the house.
If one removed part of the wall from the inside or added to the outer portion of the wall until the impurity was in the inner half of the wall, the house is impure. If he removed part of the wall from the outside or added to the thickness of the inner portion of the wall until the impurity was in the outer half of the wall, the house is pure. If the impurity was placed on the top of the wall, even if it is on the inside, the house is pure.ה
וכן כותל המשמש את הבית ידון מחצה למחצה כיצד כותל שהוא לאויר וגג הבית סמוך לכותל ואינו מורכב על הכותל וטומאה רצוצה בתוך הכותל היתה מחציו ולפנים הבית טמא והעומד מלמעלה על ראש הכותל טהור כעומד על גג הבית היתה מחציו ולחוץ הבית טהור והעומד מלמעלה כנגד הטומאה טמא שהרי לא פשטה הטומאה בתוך הבית היתה הטומאה מחצה למחצה הבית טמא והעומד מלמעלה טהור שהרי פשטה הטומאה בבית נטל מהכותל מבפנים או שהוסיף בכותל מבחוץ עד שנמצאת הטומאה מחצי כותל ולפנים הבית טמא נטל מבחוץ או שהוסיף בעובי הכותל מבפנים עד שנמצאת הטומאה מחצי כותל ולחוץ הבית טהור היתה הטומאה נתונה על גבי הכותל אפילו מחציו ולפנים הבית טהור:
6
When there is a structure that serves a wall, as long as there is part of the wall as thin as a garlic peel, the structure is considered as separate from the wall.
What is implied? A person dug two burial vaults or two burial caves one next to the other and thus there were two structures dug into the ground with a wall dividing between them. If there is impurity in the structures and keilim in the wall, as long as there is a portion of the wall as thin as a garlic peel covering them, they are pure. If there is impurity in the wall and keilim in the structures, if it is covered by a portion of the wall as thin as a garlic peel, they are pure.
Thus we can learn the following general principles: When there is a wall that was built from building materials, the status of the house depends on the half of the wall in which the impurity is located. When the wall was made of stone or of the thickness of the earth when one dug from either side, as long as there is part of the wall as thin as a garlic peel, the structure is considered as separate from the wall.ו
בית המשמש את הכותל ידון כקליפת השום כיצד החופר שני כוכים או שתי מערות זו בצד זו עד שנמצאו שני בתים חפורים בקרקע ונעשה ביניהן כותל המבדיל בין שניהן והיתה טומאה בבתים וכלים בכותל אם יש עליהן כקליפת השום טהורין היתה טומאה בכותל זה וכלים בבתים אם יש עליהן כקליפת השום טהורים הנה למדת שכותל בנין נידון מחצה למחצה וכותל הסלע או שנעשה מגוש הארץ כשיחפור מכאן ומכאן נידון כקליפת השום:
7
When half of the thickness of a wall was constructed and half was a rock, the status of the house depends on the half of the wall in which the impurity is located.ז
כותל שחצי עביו בנין וחציו סלע נדון מחצה למחצה:
8
If there was impurity between the beams of the roof of a house, even if there is only a portion of a board as thin as as a garlic peel under it, the house is pure. We consider the impurity as if it were flush in the earth and only the area directly below it or directly above it is impure. If there is a handbreadth by a handbreadth of empty space in its place, everything is impure. Similarly, if the impurity could be seen from the house, the house is impure regardless.
If there are two entrances, one on top of the other, and there is impurity in the wall between them, if it can be seen from one of them, that entrance is impure and the other is pure. If not, their status depends on the half of the wall in which the impurity is located.ח
טומאה שהיתה בין קורות הבית אפילו אין תחתיה אלא כקליפת השום הבית טהור ורואין את הטומאה כאילו היא רצוצה בארץ ומטמאה כנגדה בלבד ואם יש במקומה טפח על טפח הכל טמא וכן אם היתה נראית בתוך הבית בין כך ובין כך הבית טמא שני פתחים זה על גבי זה וטומאה בכותל שביניהן אם נראית שהיא לתוך אחת מהן הוא טמא וחבירו טהור ואם לאו נידונין מחצה למחצה:
Tum'at Met - Chapter 25
1
If there is a pillar standing in a house and impurity is flush under it, the impurity pierces through and ascends and pierces through and descends. It imparts impurity only to entities that are directly above or below the impurity. If there is a flower, projecting from the pillar and there are keilim under the flower, the keilim are pure. Impurity is imparted only to the entities under or above the impurity.א
עמוד העומד בתוך הבית וטומאה רצוצה תחתיו טומאה בוקעת ועולה בוקעת ויורדת ואינו מטמא אלא כנגד הטומאה בלבד ואם היה פרח יוצא מעמוד זה וכלים תחת הפרח הכלים טהורים שאינו מטמא אלא כנגד הטומאה:
2
If there is open space a handbreadth by a handbreadth and a handbreadth high in the pillar where the impurity is located, it is considered as a closed grave and it imparts impurity to all its surroundings. The entire house is impure because it is standing over a grave.ב
[ואם יש במקום הטומאה] טפח על טפח על רום טפח הרי הוא כקבר סתום ומטמא מכל סביביו והבית כולו טמא שהרי האהיל על הקבר:
3
When there is impurity in a wall and it is an open space a handbreadth by a handbreadth and a handbreadth high, all of the stories built on this wall - even ten - are impure. The rationale is that the wall is considered a closed grave until its highest point. It is the wall for these upper stories and every upper storey is considered to be an ohel over the grave.
If he built a structure next to that wall on one side and another structure next to the wall on the other side and a second storey that spans both those structures and thus the top of the impure wall is in the middle of the floor of the second storey, the second storey is impure because it serves as an ohel over a grave. A third storey built over it is pure, because they are one on top of the other and the impure wall is not one of the walls of this storey.ג
טומאה שבתוך הכותל ומקומה טפח ע"ט על רום טפח כל העליות הבנויות על כותל זה אפי' עשר טמאות שהרי הכותל כולו קבר סתום עד סופו והוא כותל העליות וכל עלייה מהן מאהלת על הקבר בנה בית בצד הכותל מכאן ובית מכאן ובנה עלייה על גבי שני הבתים עד שנמצא ראש הכותל הטמא הוא באמצע קרקע העלייה הרי העלייה טמאה שהרי האהילה על הקבר והעלייה השניה הבנויה על גבה טהורה מפני שהן זו על גבי זו ואין הכותל הטמא כותלה:
4
The following rules apply when there is a large hole in the thickness of a wall which people would employ for functional purposes which was called a pardisek. If there was impurity within it and it had closed doors, the house is pure. If there is impurity flush in its floor, its wall, or its roof, we consider the entire hole as if it is a solid mass and see where the impurity is located. If it is located in the inner portion of the thickness of the wall, the house is impure. If it is in the outer portion, the house is pure. If it is in the exact center, the house is impure.ד
חור גדול שבעובי הכתלים שדרך בני אדם לעשותו לתשמיש והוא הנקרא פרדסיק שהיתה טומאה מונחת בתוכו ויש עליו דלתות סגורות הבית טהור היתה הטומאה רצוצה בקרקעיתו או בכתליו או בגגו רואין את כל החור כולו כאילו הוא אטום ורואין מקום הטומאה אם הוא בחצי עובי הכותל שלפנים הבית טמא ואם היתה טומאה מחצי כותל ולחוץ הבית טהור מחצה למחצה הבית טמא:
5
If there are two pardiskin - one next to the other or one on top of the other - and there is impurity located in one of them and it is opened, it and the house are impure, but the other one is pure. If there was impurity flush in the walls of the building, we consider the pardiskin as if they were a solid mass and the status of the house depends on the half of the wall in which the impurity is located.ה
שני פרדסקין זה בצד זה או זה על גב זה וטומאה מונחת באחת מהן ונפתח הוא והבית טמא וחבירו טהור היתה טומאה רצוצה בתוך הבנין רואין את הפרדסקין כאילו הן אטומין וידון מחצה למחצה:
6
If there is an olive-sized portion of a corpse attached to the doorstep of the house from the outside, the house is pure. If it was flush below the doorstep, the status of the house depends on the half of the doorstep in which the impurity is located. If it is attached to the lintel, the house is impure.ו
כזית מן המת מודבק באסקופת הבית מבחוץ הבית טהור היה רצוץ תחת האסקופה ידון מחצה למחצה היה מודבק למשקוף הבית טמא:
7
When a dog ate the flesh of a corpse, died within three days of doing so, and was lying on the doorstep of a house, we consider the place where the impurity is located in his body. If it is under the lintel and inward, the house is impure.ז
כלב שאכל בשר המת ומת בתוך שלשה ימים והרי הוא מוטל על האסקופה רואין חלל הטומאה מגופו אם הוא כנגד המשקוף ולפנים הבית טמא ומכנגד המשקוף ולחוץ הבית טהור:
8
The following laws apply when the fetus being carried by a woman dies in her womb. If its head has reached the size of a weaving needle, when her womb opens and the head becomes visible, the house becomes impure because of the fetus even if it has not emerged yet.ח
האשה שמת עוברה בתוך מעיה אם נעשית ראש הנפל כפיקה של שתי כיון שנפתח הרחם עד שנראת הראש נטמא הבית מפני העובר אע"פ שעדיין לא יצא:
9
If a woman was in the midst of labor and went from one house to another and miscarried in the second house, the first house is still impure because of a doubt: perhaps the head of the fetus had emerged while she was there.
When does the above apply? When its head did not reach the size of a weaving needle. If, however, its head reached the size of a weaving needle, the first house is pure. For if her womb had opened to that degree, she would not be able to walk unsupported. Therefore if she was being supported by her shoulders and taken from one house to the other, the first is impure because of a doubt, even though its head reached the size of a weaving needle.ט
האשה שמקשה לילד ויצאה מבית לבית והפילה נפל מת בבית שני הבית הראשון טמא בספק שמא כשהיתה בו יצא ראשו של נפל הזה בד"א כשלא היה ראש הנפל כפיקה של שתי אבל אם העגיל ראש הנפל כפיקה הבית הראשון טהור שאילו נפתח רחמה שם לא היתה יכולה להלך על רגליה לפיכך אם היתה ניטלת באגפיים והוציאוה מבית לבית הבית הראשון טמא בספק אף על פי שהעגיל ראש הנפל כפיקה של שתי:
10
When a woman discharged a placenta, the house in which she was located is certainly impure. It can be presumed that there is no placenta without a fetus.י
האשה שהפילה שליא הבית טמא ודאי חזקה הוא שאין שליא בלא ולד:
11
The following laws apply when a woman gave birth to two children, one a viable birth and the other, stillborn. If the stillborn child emerged first, the living child is pure, because he did not touch the stillborn child after he emerged into the world. If the living child emerged first, he is impure, because it is impossible that the stillborn child did not touch him, for the stillborn tumbles out after the living child like a stone that does not have any vitality and cannot hold itself back.יא
מי שילדה שני ילדים אחד חי ואחד מת אם המת יצא ראשון החי טהור שהרי לא נגע בו משיצא לאויר העולם ואם החי יצא ראשון הרי הוא טמא שהרי אי אפשר שלא יגע בו המת משיצא לאויר העולם מפני שהוא מתגלגל אחריו כאבן שאין בו רוח חיים כדי להעמיד עצמו:
12
When a woman discharges a stillborn infant - even, as we explained, a tiny fetus - she contracts the impurity that lasts seven days. If the fetus dies within her womb and the midwife extended her hand inside the womb and touched it, the midwife contracts the impurity that lasts seven days, but the woman is pure until the fetus emerges.
The impurity of the midwife is a Rabbinical decree, instituted since she may have touched the fetus after it emerged into the vaginal channel. According to Scriptural Law, touching a hidden portion of the body is not considered as touching. Since the fetus is in the mother's inner organs, anyone who touches it is pure. Similar laws apply to one who swallowed an impure ring and then swallowed a pure ring. Although the two certainly touched each other in his digestive system, this is not considered as touch. The impure one is considered as impure and the pure one, as pure.יב
האשה שילדה ולד מת אפילו נפל קטן כמו שביארנו הרי היא טמאה טומאת ז' מת עוברה בתוך מעיה ופשטה החיה את ידה ונגעה בו החיה טמאה שבעה והאשה טהורה עד שיצא הולד וטומאת החיה מדבריהם גזירה שמא תגע בו משיצא לפרוזדור אבל מן התורה אין מגע בית הסתרים מגע הואיל והוא בתוך המעים הנוגע בו טהור וכן הבולע טבעת טמאה וחזר ובלע אחריה טבעת טהורה אע"פ שנגעו זו בזו בודאי בתוך מעיו אינו מגע והטמאה בטומאתה וטהורה בטהרתה:
Blessed be the Merciful One Who grants assistance.
סליקו להו הלכות טומאת מת:
Parah Adummah - Chapter 1
Introduction to Hilchos Parah Adummah
Included in this text are two positive commandments. They comprise the following:
1) the laws of the red heifer;
2) the laws of the impurity and purity brought about by the water used for the sprinkling of its ashes.
These mitzvot are explained in the ensuing chapters.
הלכות פרה אדומה - הקדמה
הלכות פרה אדומה יש בכללן שתי מצות עשה וזהו פרטן:
(א) דין פרה אדומה
(ב) דין טומאת מי נדה וטהרתן
וביאור מצות אלו בפרקים אלו:
1
The commandment involving the red heifer is to offer such an animal in its third or fourth year of life. If it is older, it is acceptable, but we do not wait for it to age longer, lest its hairs become black.
The Jewish community does not purchase a calf and raise it, for Numbers 19:2 states: "And you shall take unto yourselves a heifer," i.e., a heifer, not a calf. If only a calf was found, a price is established for it and it should remain in its owner's possession until it matures and becomes a cow. It should be purchased with money from the Temple treasury.א
מצות פרה אדומה שתהיה בת שלש שנים או בת ארבע ואם היתה זקנה כשירה אלא שאין ממתינין לה שמא תשחיר ותפסל ואין לוקחין עגלה ומגדלין אותה שנאמר ויקחו אליך פרה ולא עגלה לא מצאו אלא עגלה פוסקין עליה דמים ותהיה אצל בעליה עד שתגדיל ותעשה פרה ולוקחין אותה מתרומת הלשכה:
2
The Torah's description of this heifer as "perfect" means "perfectly red," not perfect in stature. Even if it is dwarfsize, it is acceptable, as is the law regarding other sacrifices. If it had two white hairs or black hairs growing from one follicle or from two cavities and they are lying on top of each other, it is unacceptable.ב
זה שנאמר בתורה תמימה תמימת אדמימות לא תמימת קומה אלא אם היתה ננסה כשירה כשאר הקדשים היו בה שתי שערות לבנות או שחורות בתוך גומא אחת או בתוך שני כוסות והן מונחות זו על זו פסולה:
3
If there were two hairs, their roots reddish and their heads blackish, or their roots blackish and their heads reddish, their status follows the roots entirely. One should cut off the blackish head with scissors. He need not be concerned about the prohibition against shearing consecrated animals, because his intention not to shear.ג
היו בה שתי שערות עיקרן מאדים וראשן משחיר עיקרן משחיר וראשן מאדים הכל הולך אחר העיקר וגוזז במספרים את ראשן המשחיר ואינו חושש משום גיזה בקדשים שאין כוונתו לגוז:
4
Enough of the red hair must remain so that it can be pulled out by tweezers. For if a hair is not large enough to be pulled out by tweezers, it is considered as if it does not exist. Therefore if there were two white or black hairs that are so small that they cannot be pulled out by tweezers, it is acceptable.ד
וצריך שישאר מן המאדים כדי שינטל בזוג שכל שערה שאינה ניטלת בזוג הרי היא כאילו אינה לפיכך אם היו בה שתי שערות לבנות או שחורות שאינן נלקטין בזוג הרי זו כשירה:
5
If its horns or hooves are black, they may be cut off and it is acceptable. The color of the eyeballs, the teeth, and the tongue do not disqualify a heifer.ה
היו קרניה או טלפיה שחורים יגוד גלגל העין והשינים והלשון אין מראיהן פוסלים בפרה:
6
If it had an abnormal growth of another color and one cut it off, even though red hair grew in its place, it is unacceptable.ו
היתה בה יבלת וחתכה אף על פי שצמח במקומה שיער אדום פסולה:
7
All of the physical blemishes that disqualify sacrificial animals, also disqualify a red heifer, for the prooftext cited above states: "Which does not possess a blemish." If the heifer was born by Caesarian section, was exchanged for a dog, was a present given a prostitute, was treifah, or had been sodomized, it is unacceptable. For any factor that invalidates a sacrificial animal for the altar invalidates the red heifer even though it is considered only as consecrated for the upkeep of the Temple, for Scripture has called it a sin-offering. It is permitted to purchase a red heifer from a gentile. We do not suspect that the gentile sodomized it, for he would not destroy the value of his animal.
There is a more severe element to the red heifer than to animals consecrated as sacrifices: work disqualifies it, for Numbers 19:2 states: "upon which a yoke was never placed." Now concerning a calf whose neck is broken, Deuteronomy 21:3 states: "With which no work was performed and which was not led with a yoke." Just as with regard to the yoke mentioned in connection with this calf, the Torah equated other labor with a yoke, so too, with regard to the red heifer, other forms of labor also disqualify it like a yoke does. There is, however, a greater stringency that applies with regard to a yoke. A yoke disqualifies the heifer whether it was placed upon it during work or not during work and other forms of labor disqualify it only when work was actually performed.
What is implied? If one tied a yoke upon it, it is disqualified even if one did not plow with it. If one placed it in a threshing team, it is not disqualified unless it actually threshed. Similar principles apply in analogous situations.
If one rode upon it, leaned upon it, hung on to its tail, crossed a river using it for support while swimming, folded its lead rope on top of it, placed his garment on it, placed a covering of sacks on it, it is disqualified. If one tied it with a rope because it was rebellious and required to be safeguarded, it is acceptable. If not, it is disqualified, for any safeguarding that is unnecessary is a burden.
If one shod its hooves so that it would not slip or spread his garment over it to protect it from flies, it is acceptable. This is the general principle: If anything is done for its own needs, it remains acceptable. If it is performed for another purpose, it is disqualified.
When work was performed with it as a matter of course or a yoke was placed over it as a matter of course, if the owner is pleased, it is disqualified. The rationale is that the verse above states: "With which no work was performed." The implication is that if work was performed with it and the owner would be satisfied, it is as if he performed work with it. Therefore, if a bird rested upon it, it is acceptable. If a male mounted it, it is unacceptable. Needless to say, a pregnant heifer is unacceptable.
If one placed it among a team of animals and it threshed grain on its own accord, it remains acceptable. If he placed it among the team so that it would nurse and thresh, it is disqualified, for he is satisfied that the work is performed. Similar laws apply in all analogous situations.ז
כל המומין הפוסלין בקדשים פוסלין בפרה שנאמר אשר אין בה מום היתה יוצא דופן או מחיר או אתנן או טרפה או שנרבעה פסולה שכל הפוסלין את הקדשים למזבח פוסלין את הפרה ואף ע"פ שהיא כקדשי בדק הבית הואיל וקראה הכתוב חטאת ומותר ליקח אותה מן העכו"ם ואין חוששין שמא רבעה העכו"ם שאינו מפסיד בהמתו יתירה פרה על הקדשים שהעבודה פוסלת בה שנאמר אשר לא עלה עליה עול ובעגלה ערופה אומר אשר לא עובד בה אשר לא משכה בעול מה עול האמור בעגלה עשה שאר עבודות כעול אף עול האמור בפרה יפסול בה שאר עבודות כעול אלא שהעול פוסל בין בשעת עבודה בין שלא בשעת עבודה ושאר עבודות אין פוסלות אלא בשעת עבודה כיצד קשר עליה העול אע"פ שלא חרש בה פסולה הכניסה לדוש אינה נפסלת עד שידוש בה וכן כל כיוצא בזה רכב עליה נשען עליה נתלה בזנבה ועבר בה את הנהר קפל עליה את המוסירה נתן טליתו עליה נתן עליה כסות של שקים פסולה קשרה במוסרה אם היתה מורדת וצריכה שמירה כשירה ואם לאו פסולה שכל שמירה שאינה צריכה משוי הוא עשה בה סנדל שלא תחלק פירש טליתו עליה מפני הזבובין כשירה זה הכלל כל שהוא לצרכה כשירה לצורך אחר פסולה נעשית בה מלאכה מאליה או שעלה עליה עול מאליו אם לרצונו פסולה שנאמר אשר לא עובד בה שאם עובד בה לרצונו ה"ז כמי שעבד בה לפיכך אם שכן עליה העוף כשירה עלה עליה זכר פסולה ואצ"ל שהמעוברת פסולה הכניסה לרבקה ודשה מאליה כשירה הכניסה כדי שתינק ותדוש פסולה שהרי עשה לרצונו וכן כל כיוצא בזה:
8
When a disqualifying factor invalidates a red heifer, it should be redeemed. Similarly, if it dies, it should be redeemed so that its hide can be used. This, however, should not be done in order to feed its meat to the dogs.ח
פרה שנולד בה פיסול תפדה וכן אם מתה תפדה מפני עורה אבל לא להאכיל בשרה לכלבים:
9
If it was slaughtered to be used as an ordinary animal, it should be redeemed and it does not bring about atonement. If it was slaughtered on top of the arrangement of wood set up for burning it, it can never be redeemed.ט
נשחטה לשם חולין תפדה ואינה מכפרת נשחטה על גב מערכתה אין לה פדיון עולמית:
10
If a red heifer was purchased and then one found a more attractive one, the first may be redeemed even if it does not have a blemish.י
לקחו פרה ומצאו אחרת נאה ממנה ה"ז תפדה שלא במום:
11
Even an ordinary priest is acceptable to perform the burning of the red heifer, as Numbers 9:3 states: "And you shall give it to Elazar, the priest." At that time, Aaron was still alive. According to the Oral Tradition, it was taught: That red heifer was offered by Elazar. The remainder of the red heifers could be offered either by a High Priest or an ordinary priest.יא
אף כהן הדיוט כשר לשרפת הפרה שנאמר ונתתם אותה אל אלעזר הכהן ועדיין אהרן היה קיים ומפי השמועה למדו זו נעשית באלעזר ושאר כל הפרות בין בכהן גדול בין בכהן הדיוט:
12
The person offering the red heifer should wear the four garments of an ordinary priest. This applies whether it was offered by an ordinary priest or a High Priest.יב
והעושה אותה לובש ארבעה כלים של כהן הדיוט בין שעשאה כהן הדיוט בין שעשאה כ"ג:
13
All of those who were involved in the offering of the red heifer from the beginning to the end who had immersed that day are acceptable for the services associated with the red heifer, to consecrate the water used for sprinkling, and for sprinkling its ashes even though they did not wait until the nightfall after their immersion. The rationale is that the term "a pure man" used throughout that passage refers to one who is pure with regard to partaking of the second tithe, even though he is not pure with regard to partaking of terumah until nightfall. Such a person is pure with regard to the red heifer.יג
כל העוסקין בפרה מתחלה ועד סוף שהיו טבולי יום כשירים למעשה הפרה ולקדש ולהזות מאפרה ואף ע"פ שעדיין לא העריב שמשן שזה שנאמר בכל הפרשה איש טהור הוא הטהור למעשר שני אף על פי שאינו טהור לתרומה עד שיעריב שמשו הרי זה טהור לפרה:
14
The Sadducees would say that the offering of the red heifer was acceptable only when those bringing it had waited until nightfall after immersion. Therefore in the Second Temple, the court would cause the priest who burned the red heifer to become ritually impure through contact with the carcass of a crawling animal or the like. He would immerse and then offer the red heifer to nullify the words of these brazen ones who issue rulings according to their whims without basis in the received tradition. Similarly, all of the containers into which the ashes of the red heifer were placed were all immersed that day.יד
הצדוקין היו אומרים שאין מעשה הפרה כשר אלא במעורבי שמש לפיכך היו ב"ד בבית שני מטמאין את הכהן השורף את הפרה בשרץ וכיוצא בו וטובל ואח"כ עוסק בה כדי לבטל דברי אלו הזדים שמורים מהעולה על רוחם לא מן הקבלה וכן כל הכלים שמכניסין לתוכם אפר הפרה כולם טבולי יום:
15
For the same reason, a person who cuts the stalk of a reed to place the ashes of a red heifer upon it so they can be placed in water to consecrate it for sprinkling, should make it impure, immerse it, and then place the ashes in it. The one who cuts it and the one who immerses it must immerse themselves, because that reed was considered as an entity that came in contact with a corpse on the seventh day of its purification process. Therefore it does not need to have the ashes of the red heifer sprinkled on it. Instead, it is made impure to show the Sadducees that the Oral Tradition should be upheld. It is then immersed and the ashes of the red heifer are placed in it.טו
החותך שפופרת של קנה להניח בה אפר חטאת יטמא אותה ויטבלנה ואחר כך יניח בה והחותכה והמטבילה טעון טבילה מפני שעשאוה כטמא מת בז' שלו ולפיכך אינה צריכה הזאה שלישי ושביעי אלא מטמאה כדי להראות לצדוקין ומטבילה ונותן בה:
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Today's Hayom Yom
Hayom Yom:
• English Text | Video Class
Friday, Iyar 16, 5777 · 12 May 2017
Friday, Iyar 16, 31st day of the omer
Friday, Iyar 16, 31st day of the omer 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: B'har, Shishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 79-82.
Tanya: But His blessed (p. 255)..as is explained elsewhere. (p. 255).
After my father pared his nails, he would place a small piece of wood among them before burning them.
In terms of scholarship and aptitude the Chassid Reb Elyeh Abeler was a simple man. Once, when he came into yechidus, my grandfather said to him: "Elyeh, I envy you. You travel to various fairs, you meet many people. Sometimes, in the middle of a business transaction, you get into a warm discussion about a Jewish saying, a saying from the Ein Yakov etc., and you arouse the other fellow's interest in studying nigleh (Talmud, halacha etc.) and Chassidus. This causes joy On High, and the A-lmighty rewards such "trade" with the blessings of children, health and sustenance; the larger the fair the more work there is and the greater is the livelihood earned."-------
• English Text | Video Class
Friday, Iyar 16, 5777 · 12 May 2017
Friday, Iyar 16, 31st day of the omer
Friday, Iyar 16, 31st day of the omer 5703
Torah lessons: Chumash: B'har, Shishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 79-82.
Tanya: But His blessed (p. 255)..as is explained elsewhere. (p. 255).
After my father pared his nails, he would place a small piece of wood among them before burning them.
In terms of scholarship and aptitude the Chassid Reb Elyeh Abeler was a simple man. Once, when he came into yechidus, my grandfather said to him: "Elyeh, I envy you. You travel to various fairs, you meet many people. Sometimes, in the middle of a business transaction, you get into a warm discussion about a Jewish saying, a saying from the Ein Yakov etc., and you arouse the other fellow's interest in studying nigleh (Talmud, halacha etc.) and Chassidus. This causes joy On High, and the A-lmighty rewards such "trade" with the blessings of children, health and sustenance; the larger the fair the more work there is and the greater is the livelihood earned."-------
Daily Thought
G-d Within
Before the Baal Shem Tov, people thought of G‑d as the One who directs all things from above and beyond. The Baal Shem Tov taught that the vital force of each thing, the place from which comes its personality, its sense of pain and pleasure, its growth and life—that itself is G‑d.
Not that this is all of G‑d. It is less than a glimmer of G‑d. Because G‑d is entirely beyond all such descriptions.
But that life force is G‑d as He is found within each creature He has made.[Tanya, part 2, chapter 1.]
G-d Within
Before the Baal Shem Tov, people thought of G‑d as the One who directs all things from above and beyond. The Baal Shem Tov taught that the vital force of each thing, the place from which comes its personality, its sense of pain and pleasure, its growth and life—that itself is G‑d.
Not that this is all of G‑d. It is less than a glimmer of G‑d. Because G‑d is entirely beyond all such descriptions.
But that life force is G‑d as He is found within each creature He has made.[Tanya, part 2, chapter 1.]
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