TODAY IN JUDAISM: Tammuz 10, 5777 - Tuesday, July 4, 2017 - Chabad.org in New York, New York, United States - - ב"ה - Today in Judaism - Today is Tuesday, Tammuz 10, 5777 · July 4, 2017

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Today in Judaism

TODAY IN JUDAISM: Tammuz 10, 5777 - Tuesday, July 4, 2017 - Chabad.org in New York, New York, United States -  - ב"ה - Today in Judaism - Today is Tuesday, Tammuz 10, 5777 · July 4, 2017
Today in Jewish History:
• King Zedekiah captured (423 BCE)
When the Babylonians breached the walls of Jerusalem on the 9th of Tammuz, King Zedekiah fled the city. He was captured by Babylonian troops in the plains of Jericho on the 10th of Tammuz and was taken to King Nebuchadnezzar, who forced him to witness the slaughter of his sons, and then ordered his eyes gouged out.
Links:
Zedekiah - The Last King of Israel
The Destruction of the First Holy Temple
Daily Quote:

When G-d desired to create man, Truth said: "He should not be created, for he will be full of lies." Kindness said: "He should be created, for he will be full of kindness." [Midrash Rabbah, Bereishit 8:5]
Daily Torah Study:

Chumash: with Rashi
• English / Hebrew Linear Translation
• Video Class
• Daily Wisdom (short insight)

Numbers Chapter 22

21In the morning Balaam arose, saddled his she-donkey and went with the Moabite dignitaries. כאוַיָּ֤קָם בִּלְעָם֙ בַּבֹּ֔קֶר וַיַּֽחֲב֖שׁ אֶת־אֲתֹנ֑וֹ וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ עִם־שָׂרֵ֥י מוֹאָֽב:

saddled his she-donkey: From here [we learn] that hate causes a disregard for the standard [of dignified conduct], for he saddled it himself. The Holy One, blessed is He, said, “Wicked one, their father Abraham has already preceded you, as it says, 'Abraham arose in the morning and saddled his donkey’” (Gen. 22:3). - [Mid. Tanchuma Balak 8, Num. Rabbah 20:12]

ויחבש את אתנו: מכאן שהשנאה מקלקלת את השורה, שחבש הוא בעצמו. אמר הקב"ה רשע כבר קדמך אברהם אביהם, שנאמר (בראשית כב, ג) וישכם אברהם בבקר ויחבוש את חמורו:

with the Moabite dignitaries: His intent was the same as theirs. — [Mid. Tanchuma Balak 8, Num. Rabbah 20:12]

עם שרי מואב: לבו כלבם שוה:

22God's wrath flared because he was going, and an angel of the Lord stationed himself on the road to thwart him, and he was riding on his she-donkey, and his two servants were with him. כבוַיִּֽחַר־אַ֣ף אֱלֹהִים֘ כִּֽי־הוֹלֵ֣ךְ הוּא֒ וַיִּתְיַצֵּ֞ב מַלְאַ֧ךְ יְהֹוָ֛ה בַּדֶּ֖רֶךְ לְשָׂטָ֣ן ל֑וֹ וְהוּא֙ רֹכֵ֣ב עַל־אֲתֹנ֔וֹ וּשְׁנֵ֥י נְעָרָ֖יו עִמּֽוֹ:

because he was going: He saw that this was considered evil by the Omnipresent, yet he longed to go.

כי הולך הוא: ראה שהדבר רע בעיני המקום ונתאוה לילך:

to thwart him: It was an angel of mercy [as the Name vuvh denotes the attribute of mercy], and he wanted to prevent him from sinning, for should he sin, he would perish. — [Mid. Tanchuma Balak 8, Num. Rabbah 20:13]

לשטן לו: מלאך של רחמים היה והיה רוצה למנעו מלחטוא, שלא יחטא ויאבד:

and his two servants were with him: From here we learn that a distinguished person who embarks on a journey should take two people with him to attend him, and then they can attend each other [so that when one is occupied, the other takes his place]. — [Mid. Tanchuma Balak 8, Num. Rabbah 20:13]

ושני נעריו עמו: מכאן לאדם חשוב היוצא לדרך יוליך עמו שני אנשים לשמשו וחוזרים ומשמשים זה את זה:

23The she-donkey saw the angel of the Lord stationed on the road with his sword drawn in his hand; so the she-donkey turned aside from the road and went into a field. Balaam beat the she-donkey to get it back onto the road. כגוַתֵּ֣רֶא הָֽאָתוֹן֩ אֶת־מַלְאַ֨ךְ יְהֹוָ֜ה נִצָּ֣ב בַּדֶּ֗רֶךְ וְחַרְבּ֤וֹ שְׁלוּפָה֙ בְּיָד֔וֹ וַתֵּ֤ט הָֽאָתוֹן֙ מִן־הַדֶּ֔רֶךְ וַתֵּ֖לֶךְ בַּשָּׂדֶ֑ה וַיַּ֤ךְ בִּלְעָם֙ אֶת־הָ֣אָת֔וֹן לְהַטֹּתָ֖הּ הַדָּֽרֶךְ:

The she-donkey saw: But he [Balaam] did not see, for God permitted a beast to perceive more than a man. Since he [man] possesses intelligence, he would become insane if he saw demons.

ותרא האתון: והוא לא ראה, שנתן הקב"ה רשות לבהמה לראות יותר מן האדם, שמתוך שיש בו דעת תטרף דעתו כשיראה מזיקין:

with his sword drawn in his hand: He said, “This wicked man has forsaken the tools of his own art, for the weapon of the heathen nations is the sword, and he is coming against them with [the power of] his mouth, which is their specialty. I too, will take hold of his (art) and accost him with his own art.” This indeed was his fate [as it says],“and Balaam the son of Beor they slew with the sword” (31:8). - [Mid. Tanchuma Balak 8, Num. Rabbah 20:13]

וחרבו שלופה בידו: אמר רשע זה הניח כלי אומנותו, שכלי זיינן של אומות העולם בחרב, והוא בא עליהם בפיו, שהוא אומנות שלהם, אף אני אתפוש את שלו ואבוא עליו באומנותו. וכן היה סופו (במדבר לא, ח) ואת בלעם בן בעור הרגו בחרב:

24The angel of the Lord stood in a path of the vineyards, with a fence on this side and a fence on that side. כדוַיַּֽעֲמֹד֙ מַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהֹוָ֔ה בְּמִשְׁע֖וֹל הַכְּרָמִ֑ים גָּדֵ֥ר מִזֶּ֖ה וְגָדֵ֥ר מִזֶּֽה:

in a path: Heb. בְּמִשְׁעוֹל, as the Targum [Onkelos] renders, בִּשְׁבִיל, in a path. Similarly,“if the dust of Samaria will suffice for the soles (לִשְׁעָלִים) ” (I Kings 20:10) -the dust that sticks to the soles of the feet while walking. Similarly,“Who measured the waters with his step (בְּשָׁעֳלוֹ) ?” (Isa. 40:12) -with his feet and with his step [as one measures by pacing].

במשעול: כתרגומו בשביל. וכן (מ"א כ, י) אם ישפוק עפר שומרון לשעלים. עפר הנדבק בכפות הרגלים בהלוכן, וכן (ישעיה מ, יב) מי מדד בשעלו מים, ברגליו ובהלוכו:

with a fence on either side: Heb. גָּדֵר. Unless specified otherwise, גָּדֵר refers to one made of stone.

גדר מזה וגדר מזה: סתם גדר של אבנים הוא:

25The she-donkey saw the angel of the Lord, and she was pressed against the wall. She pressed Balaam's leg against the wall, and he beat her again. כהוַתֵּ֨רֶא הָֽאָת֜וֹן אֶת־מַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהֹוָ֗ה וַתִּלָּחֵץ֙ אֶל־הַקִּ֔יר וַתִּלְחַ֛ץ אֶת־רֶ֥גֶל בִּלְעָ֖ם אֶל־הַקִּ֑יר וַיֹּ֖סֶף לְהַכֹּתָֽהּ:

She was pressed: וַתִּלָּחֵץ. [The ‘ niphal’ form denotes] she herself.

ותלחץ: היא עצמה:

She pressed: וַתִּלְחַץ. [The ‘kal’ form denotes that she pressed] something else, namely, Balaam’s leg.

ותלחץ: את אחרים את רגל בלעם:

26The angel of the Lord continued going ahead, and he stood in a narrow place, where there was no room to turn right or left. כווַיּ֥וֹסֶף מַלְאַךְ־יְהֹוָ֖ה עֲב֑וֹר וַיַּֽעֲמֹד֙ בְּמָק֣וֹם צָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֛ר אֵֽין־דֶּ֥רֶךְ לִנְט֖וֹת יָמִ֥ין וּשְׂמֹֽאול:

The angel of the Lord continued going ahead: He continued further ahead of him, [that is,] to be before him in another spot, as in,“he [Jacob] went ahead (עָבַר) of them” (Gen. 33:3). The Midrash Aggadah in Tanchuma (8) [asks]: What made him stop in three places? For he [the angel] showed him [Balaam] symbols alluding to the patriarchs.

ויוסף מלאך ה' עבור: לעבור עוד לפניו להלוך להיות לפניו במקום אחר, כמו (בראשית לג, ג) והוא עבר לפניהם. ומדרש אגדה יש בתנחומא מה ראה לעמוד בשלשה מקומות, סימני אבות הראהו:

27The she-donkey saw the angel of the Lord, and it crouched down under Balaam. Balaam's anger flared, and he beat the she-donkey with a stick. כזוַתֵּ֤רֶא הָֽאָתוֹן֙ אֶת־מַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהֹוָ֔ה וַתִּרְבַּ֖ץ תַּ֣חַת בִּלְעָ֑ם וַיִּֽחַר־אַ֣ף בִּלְעָ֔ם וַיַּ֥ךְ אֶת־הָֽאָת֖וֹן בַּמַּקֵּֽל:

28The Lord opened the mouth of the she-donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you that you have struck me these three times?" כחוַיִּפְתַּ֥ח יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־פִּ֣י הָֽאָת֑וֹן וַתֹּ֤אמֶר לְבִלְעָם֙ מֶה־עָשִׂ֣יתִי לְךָ֔ כִּ֣י הִכִּיתָ֔נִי זֶ֖ה שָׁל֥שׁ רְגָלִֽים:

these three times: He hinted to him, You seek to uproot a nation which celebrates three festivals (שָׁלשׁ רְגָלִים) in a year?- [Mid. Tanchuma Balak 9, Num. Rabbah 20:14]

זה שלש רגלים: רמז לו אתה מבקש לעקור אומה החוגגת שלש רגלים בשנה:

29Balaam said to the she-donkey, "For you have humiliated me; if I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now." כטוַיֹּ֤אמֶר בִּלְעָם֙ לָֽאָת֔וֹן כִּ֥י הִתְעַלַּ֖לְתְּ בִּ֑י ל֤וּ יֶשׁ־חֶ֨רֶב֙ בְּיָדִ֔י כִּ֥י עַתָּ֖ה הֲרַגְתִּֽיךְ:

you have humiliated: Heb. הִתְעַלַּלְתָּ. As the Targum [Onkelos] renders it, a term denoting shame and disgrace.

התעללת: כתרגומו לשון גנאי ובזיון:

If I had a sword in my hand: This matter made him greatly contemptible in the eyes of the dignitaries. This man was going to kill an entire nation with his mouth, yet for this she-donkey he needed weapons!- [Mid. Tanchuma Balak 9, Num. Rabbah 20:14]

לו יש חרב בידי: גנות גדולה היה לו דבר זה בעיני השרים, זה הולך להרוג אומה שלמה בפיו, ולאתון זו צריך לכלי זיין:

30The she-donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your she-donkey on which you have ridden since you first started until now? Have I been accustomed to do this to you?" He said, "No." לוַתֹּ֨אמֶר הָֽאָת֜וֹן אֶל־בִּלְעָ֗ם הֲלוֹא֩ אָֽנֹכִ֨י אֲתֹֽנְךָ֜ אֲשֶׁר־רָכַ֣בְתָּ עָלַ֗י מֵעֽוֹדְךָ֙ עַד־הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה הַֽהַסְכֵּ֣ן הִסְכַּ֔נְתִּי לַֽעֲשׂ֥וֹת לְךָ֖ כֹּ֑ה וַיֹּ֖אמֶר לֹֽא:

Have I become accustomed: Heb. הַהַסְכֵּן הִסְכַּנְתִּי. As the Targum [Onkelos] renders [lit., have I learned to do this?]. Similarly,“Does man learn (יִסְכָּן) for God?” (Job 22:2). Our Rabbis, however, expounded this verse in the Talmud: They [the Moabite dignitaries] said to him, “Why aren’t you riding on a horse?” He [Balaam] said to them, “I sent it out to pasture.” [Immediately, the she-donkey retorted, “Am I not your she-donkey?” He said to her, “Just for bearing burdens.” She retorted, “on which you have ridden.” He said to her, “Only on occasion.” She retorted,“since you first started until now, and not only that but I provide you with riding by day, and with intimacy at night, (interpreting Heb. הַהַסְכֵּן הִסְכַּנְתִּי as”I heated you up,") as is stated in Tractate Avodah Zarah [4b].

ההסכן הסכנתי: כתרגומו, וכן (איוב כב, ב) הלאל יסכן גבר. ורבותינו דרשו מקרא זה בגמרא אמרו ליה, מאי טעמא לא רכבת אסוסיא. אמר להון ברטיבא שדאי ליה וכו', כדאיתא במסכת עבודה זרה (ד ב):

31The Lord opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road, with a sword drawn in his hand. He bowed and prostrated himself on his face. לאוַיְגַ֣ל יְהֹוָה֘ אֶת־עֵינֵ֣י בִלְעָם֒ וַיַּ֞רְא אֶת־מַלְאַ֤ךְ יְהֹוָה֙ נִצָּ֣ב בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְ וְחַרְבּ֥וֹ שְׁלֻפָ֖ה בְּיָד֑וֹ וַיִּקֹּ֥ד וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ לְאַפָּֽיו:

32The angel of the Lord said to him, "Why have you beaten your she-donkey these three times? Behold, I have came out to thwart you, for the one embarking on the journey has hastened against me. לבוַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ מַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהֹוָ֔ה עַל־מָ֗ה הִכִּ֨יתָ֙ אֶת־אֲתֹ֣נְךָ֔ זֶ֖ה שָׁל֣וֹשׁ רְגָלִ֑ים הִנֵּ֤ה אָֽנֹכִי֙ יָצָ֣אתִי לְשָׂטָ֔ן כִּֽי־יָרַ֥ט הַדֶּ֖רֶךְ לְנֶגְדִּֽי:

for the traveler has hastened against me: Heb. יָרַט. Our Rabbis, the Sages of the Mishnah, expounded this word (יָרַט) as an acronym [of the words] יָרְאָה רָאֲתָה נָטְתָה,“She feared, she saw, she turned aside” (Shab. 125a), because the course you took is contrary to me, that is to say, you [made this journey] to make me vengeful and provoke me. According to the literal meaning [it means חָרֵד],“because the journey was hurried against me.” The term יָרַט is cognate with רָטַט, rapid movement, [meaning,] for I saw that the one embarking on the journey [Balaam] has hastened and hurried on his way, in order to anger me and provoke me. The verse is elliptical [as it should read בַּעַל הַדֶּר‏ֶ, the one embarking on the journey]. Similar is וַתְּכַל דָּוִד“David longed” (II Sam. 13:39), which means וַתְּכַל נֶפֶשׁ דָּוִד,“David’s soul longed,” [as is apparent from the feminine prefix of the verb וַתְּכַל. Another interpretation: [The term] יָרַט denotes desire. Similar is,“through the wicked He placates me (יִרְטֵנִי)” (Job 16:11); He appeases me and comforts me through the wicked, who do nothing but provoke me. [Hence, the verse is rendered: the one who embarked on the journey desired to provoke me.] - [Machbereth Menachem p. 163]

כי ירט הדרך לנגדי: רבותינו חכמי המשנה דרשוהו (שבת קה א) נוטריקון יראה ראתה, נטתה, בשביל שהדרך לנגדי, כלומר לקנאתי ולהקניטני. ולפי משמעו כי חרד הדרך לנגדי לשון רטט, כי ראיתי בעל הדרך שחרד ומיהר הדרך שהוא לכעסי ולהמראתי. ומקרא קצר הוא, כמו (ש"ב יג, לט) ותכל דוד. לישנא אחרינא ירט לשון רצון, וכן (איוב טז, יא) ועל ידי רשעים ירטני, מפייס ומנחם אותי על ידי רשעים, שאינן אלא מקניטים:

33When the she-donkey saw me, it turned aside these three times. Had she not turned aside before me, now also I would also have killed you and spared her [the she-donkey]." לגוַתִּרְאַ֨נִי֙ הָֽאָת֔וֹן וַתֵּ֣ט לְפָנַ֔י זֶ֖ה שָׁל֣שׁ רְגָלִ֑ים אוּלַי֙ נָֽטְתָ֣ה מִפָּנַ֔י כִּ֥י עַתָּ֛ה גַּם־אֹֽתְכָ֥ה הָרַ֖גְתִּי וְאוֹתָ֥הּ הֶֽחֱיֵֽיתִי:

Had she not turned: Heb. אוּלַי, like לוּלֵא ‘if not.’ Sometimes אוּלַי is used in the sense of לוּלֵא.

אולי נטתה: כמו לולא, פעמים שאולי משמש בלשון לולא:

I would also have killed you: Heb. גַּם אֹתְכָה הָרַגְתִּי, I would have killed you also. This is a transposed verse, like הָרַגְתִּי אֹת‏ ְגַּם, I would also have killed you, meaning to say: Not only would the delay have befallen you through me but even [your] death.

גם אתכה הרגתי: הרי זה מקרא מסורס, והוא כמו גם הרגתי אותך, כלומר לא העכבה בלבד קראתך על ידי, כי גם ההריגה:

and spared her: But now, since she spoke and rebuked you, and you could not withstand her rebuke, as it is written, “He said, No,” therefore, I have killed her, so that [people] should not say, “This is the one that silenced Balaam with her rebuke, and he could not respond,” for the Omnipresent shows regard for human dignity. Similarly, “you shall kill the woman and the animal [through which the sin was committed]” (Lev. 20:16), and, “you shall kill the animal” (ibid. 20:15) - [Mid. Tanchuma Balak 9, Num. Rabbah 20:14]

ואותה החייתי: ועתה מפני שדברה והוכיחתך ולא יכולת לעמוד בתוכחתה, כמו שכתוב (פסוק ל) ויאמר לא. על כן הרגתיה, שלא יאמרו זו היא שסלקה את בלעם בתוכחתה ולא יכול להשיב, שחס המקום על כבוד הבריות, וכן (ויקרא כ, טו - טז) ואת הבהמה תהרוגו, וכן (שם) והרגת את האשה ואת הבהמה:

34Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, "I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing on the road before me. Now, if it displeases you, I will return." לדוַיֹּ֨אמֶר בִּלְעָ֜ם אֶל־מַלְאַ֤ךְ יְהֹוָה֙ חָטָ֔אתִי כִּ֚י לֹ֣א יָדַ֔עְתִּי כִּ֥י אַתָּ֛ה נִצָּ֥ב לִקְרָאתִ֖י בַּדָּ֑רֶךְ וְעַתָּ֛ה אִם־רַ֥ע בְּעֵינֶ֖יךָ אָשׁ֥וּבָה לִּֽי:

for I did not know: This too is a [mark of] disgrace for him, but he was forced to concede, for [earlier] he had boasted that he was aware of the thoughts of the Most High, but now his mouth professed, “I did not know.” - [Mid. Tanchuma Balak 9]

כי לא ידעתי: גם זה גנותו, ועל כרחו הודה, שהוא היה משתבח שיודע דעת עליון, ופיו העיד לא ידעתי:

if it displeases you, I will return: This reply was a challenge against the Omnipresent. He [Balaam] said to him, “He [God] Himself commanded me to go, yet you, an angel, annul His words. This is His custom: He says one thing and angel retracts it. He said to Abraham, ”Take now your son“ (Gen. 22:2), and through an angel He annulled His words. I, too; if it displeases you, I will have to return.”- [Mid. Tanchuma Balak 10, Num. Rabbah 20:15]

אם רע בעיניך אשובה לי: להתריס נגד המקום היא תשובה זו. אמר לו הוא בעצמו צוני ללכת, ואתה מלאך מבטל את דבריו, למוד הוא בכך, שאומר דבר ומלאך מחזירו, אמר לאברהם (בראשית כב, ב) קח נא את בנך וגו', וע"י מלאך בטל את דברו, אף אני אם רע בעיניך צריך אני לשוב:

35The angel of the Lord said to Balaam, "Go with these men, but the word I will speak to you-that you shall speak." So Balaam went with Balak's dignitaries. להוַיֹּ֩אמֶר֩ מַלְאַ֨ךְ יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־בִּלְעָ֗ם לֵ֚ךְ עִם־הָ֣אֲנָשִׁ֔ים וְאֶ֗פֶס אֶת־הַדָּבָ֛ר אֲשֶׁר־אֲדַבֵּ֥ר אֵלֶ֖יךָ אֹת֣וֹ תְדַבֵּ֑ר וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ בִּלְעָ֖ם עִם־שָׂרֵ֥י בָלָֽק:

Go with these men: A man is led along the path he wishes to follow. — [Mak. 10b] (

לך עם האנשים: בדרך שאדם רוצה לילך בה, מוליכין אותו. לך עם האנשים, כי חלקך עמהם וסופך להאבד מן העולם:

Go with the men: For your portion is with them, and you are destined to perish from the world. — [Mak. 10b])

ואפס: על כרחך את הדבר אשר אדבר וגו':

but: Against your will, “the word I will speak [to you-that you shall speak.”

עם שרי בלק: שמח לקללם כמותם:

with Balak’s dignitaries: He was glad to curse them as much as they were. — [Mid. Tanchuma Balak 10, Num. Rabbah 20:15]

36Balak heard that Balaam was coming; so he went out toward him to the city of Moab which is on the border of Arnon-at the extreme edge of the border. לווַיִּשְׁמַ֥ע בָּלָ֖ק כִּ֣י בָ֣א בִלְעָ֑ם וַיֵּצֵ֨א לִקְרָאת֜וֹ אֶל־עִ֣יר מוֹאָ֗ב אֲשֶׁר֙ עַל־גְּב֣וּל אַרְנֹ֔ן אֲשֶׁ֖ר בִּקְצֵ֥ה הַגְּבֽוּל:

Balak heard: He sent messengers ahead to inform him. — [Mid. Tanchuma Balak 10, Num. Rabbah 20:16]

וישמע בלק: שלח שלוחים לבשרו:

to the city of Moab: Its capital, its most important city, as if to say, “Look what these [people] are trying to uproot!” - [Mid. Tanchuma Balak 10, Num. Rabbah 15]

אל עיר מואב: אל מטרפולין שלו, עיר החשובה שלו, לומר ראה מה אלו מבקשים לעקור:

37Balak said to Balaam, "Did I not send to you to call for you? Why did you not come to me? Am I indeed incapable of honoring you?" לזוַיֹּ֨אמֶר בָּלָ֜ק אֶל־בִּלְעָ֗ם הֲלֹא֩ שָׁלֹ֨חַ שָׁלַ֤חְתִּי אֵלֶ֨יךָ֙ לִקְרֹא־לָ֔ךְ לָ֥מָּה לֹֽא־הָלַ֖כְתָּ אֵלָ֑י הַֽאֻמְנָ֔ם לֹ֥א אוּכַ֖ל כַּבְּדֶֽךָ:

Am I indeed incapable of honoring you?: He prophesied that in the end he would leave him in disgrace. — [Mid. Tanchuma Balak 10, Num. Rabbah 20:16]

האמנם לא אוכל כבדך: נתנבא שסופו לצאת מעמו בקלון:

38Balaam said to Balak, "Behold I have come to you, do I have any power to say anything? The word God puts into my mouth-that I will speak." לחוַיֹּ֨אמֶר בִּלְעָ֜ם אֶל־בָּלָ֗ק הִֽנֵּה־בָ֨אתִי֙ אֵלֶ֔יךָ עַתָּ֕ה הֲיָכֹ֥ל אוּכַ֖ל דַּבֵּ֣ר מְא֑וּמָה הַדָּבָ֗ר אֲשֶׁ֨ר יָשִׂ֧ים אֱלֹהִ֛ים בְּפִ֖י אֹת֥וֹ אֲדַבֵּֽר:

Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 55 - 59
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Chapter 55

David composed this psalm upon escaping from Jerusalem in the face of the slanderers, Doeg and Achitofel, who had declared him deserving of death. David had considered Achitofel a friend and accorded him the utmost honor, but Achitofel betrayed him and breached their covenant. David curses all his enemies, so that all generations should "know, and sin no more."

1. For the Conductor, with instrumental music, a maskil by David.

2. Listen to my prayer, O God, do not hide from my pleas.

3. Pay heed to me and answer me, as I lament in my distress and moan -

4. because of the shout of the enemy and the oppression of the wicked; for they accuse me of evil and hate me passionately.

5. My heart shudders within me, and the terrors of death have descended upon me.

6. Fear and trembling penetrate me, and I am enveloped with horror.

7. And I said, "If only I had wings like the dove! I would fly off and find rest.

8. Behold, I would wander afar, and lodge in the wilderness forever.

9. I would hurry to find shelter for myself from the stormy wind, from the tempest.”

10. Consume, O Lord, confuse their tongue; for I have seen violence and strife in the city.1

11. Day and night they encircle her upon her walls, and iniquity and vice are in her midst.

12. Treachery is within her; fraud and deceit never depart from her square.

13. For it is not the enemy who taunts me-that I could bear; nor my foe who raises himself against me, that I could hide from him.

14. But it is you, a man of my equal, my guide and my intimate.

15. Together we took sweet counsel; we walked with the throng to the house of God.

16. May He incite death upon them, let them descend to the pit alive; for there is evil in their dwelling, within them.

17. As for me, I call to God, and the Lord will save me.

18. Evening, morning and noon, I lament and moan-and He hears my voice.

19. He redeemed my soul in peace from battles against me, because of the many who were with me.

20. May God-He who is enthroned from the days of old, Selah-hear and humble those in whom there is no change, and who do not fear God.

21. He extended his hands against his allies, he profaned his covenant.

22. Smoother than butter are the words of his mouth, but war is in his heart; his words are softer than oil, yet they are curses.

23. Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous man falter.

24. And You, O God, will bring them down to the nethermost pit; bloodthirsty and treacherous men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in You.

FOOTNOTES

1.Jerusalem.

Chapter 56

David composed this psalm while in mortal danger at the palace of Achish, brother of Goliath. In his distress David accepts vows upon himself.

1. For the Conductor, of the mute dove1 far away. By David, a michtam, 2 when the Philistines seized him in Gath.

2. Favor me, O God, for man longs to swallow me; the warrior oppresses me every day.

3. My watchful enemies long to swallow me every day, for many battle me, O Most High!

4. On the day I am afraid, I trust in You.

5. [I trust] in God and praise His word; in God I trust, I do not fear-what can [man of] flesh do to me?

6. Every day they make my words sorrowful; all their thoughts about me are for evil.

7. They gather and hide, they watch my steps, when they hope [to capture] my soul.

8. Should escape be theirs in reward for their iniquity? Cast down the nations in anger, O God!

9. You have counted my wanderings; place my tears in Your flask-are they not in Your record?

10. When my enemies will retreat on the day I cry out, with this I will know that God is with me.

11. When God deals strictly, I praise His word; when the Lord deals mercifully, I praise His word.

12. In God I trust, I do not fear-what can man do to me?

13. My vows to You are upon me, O God; I will repay with thanksgiving offerings to You.

14. For You saved my soul from death-even my feet from stumbling-to walk before God in the light of life.

FOOTNOTES

1.David having fled from Jerusalem, is silenced by fear (Rashi/Metzudot).

2.A psalm that was especially precious to David

Chapter 57

David composed this psalm while hiding from Saul in a cave, facing grave danger. Like Jacob did when confronted with Esau, David prayed that he neither be killed nor be forced to kill. In the merit of his trust in God, God wrought wonders to save him.

1. For the Conductor, a plea to be spared destruction. By David, a michtam, when he fled from Saul in the cave.

2. Favor me, O God, favor me, for in You my soul took refuge, and in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge until the disaster passes.

3. I will call to God the Most High; to the Almighty Who fulfills [His promise] to me.

4. He will send from heaven, and save me from the humiliation of those who long to swallow me, Selah; God will send forth His kindness and truth.

5. My soul is in the midst of lions, I lie among fiery men; their teeth are spears and arrows, their tongue a sharp sword.

6. Be exalted above the heavens, O God; let Your glory be upon all the earth.

7. They laid a trap for my steps, they bent down my soul; they dug a pit before me, [but] they themselves fell into it, Selah.

8. My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and chant praise.

9. Awake, my soul! Awake, O harp and lyre! I shall awaken the dawn.

10. I will thank You among the nations, my Lord; I will praise You among the peoples.

11. For Your kindness reaches till the heavens, Your truth till the skies.

12. Be exalted above the heavens, O God; let Your glory be over all the earth.

Chapter 58

David expresses the anguish caused him by Avner and his other enemies, who justified Saul's pursuit of him.

1. For the Conductor, a plea to be spared destruction; by David, a michtam.

2. Is it true that you are mute [instead of] speaking justice? [Instead of] judging men with fairness?

3. Even with your heart you wreak injustice upon the land; you justify the violence of your hands.

4. The wicked are estranged from the womb; from birth do the speakers of falsehood stray.

5. Their venom is like the venom of a snake; like the deaf viper that closes its ear

6. so as not to hear the voice of charmers, [even] the most skillful caster of spells.

7. O God, smash their teeth in their mouth; shatter the fangs of the young lions, O Lord.

8. Let them melt like water and disappear; when He aims His arrows, may they crumble.

9. Like the snail that melts as it goes along, like the stillbirth of a woman-they never see the sun.

10. Before your tender shoots know [to become] hardened thorns, He will blast them away, as one [uprooting] with vigor and wrath.

11. The righteous one will rejoice when he sees revenge; he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked.

12. And man will say, "There is indeed reward for the righteous; indeed there is a God Who judges in the land."

Chapter 59

This psalm speaks of the great miracle David experienced when he eluded danger by escaping through a window, unnoticed by the guards at the door. The prayers, supplications, and entreaties he offered then are recorded here.

1. For the Conductor, a plea to be spared destruction, By David, a michtam, when Saul dispatched [men], and they guarded the house in order to kill him.

2. Rescue me from my enemies, my God; raise me above those who rise against me.

3. Rescue me from evildoers, save me from men of bloodshed.

4. For behold they lie in ambush for my soul, mighty ones gather against me-not because of my sin nor my transgression, O Lord.

5. Without iniquity [on my part,] they run and prepare-awaken towards me and see!

6. And You, Lord, God of Hosts, God of Israel, wake up to remember all the nations; do not grant favor to any of the iniquitous traitors, Selah.

7. They return toward evening, they howl like the dog and circle the city.

8. Behold, they spew with their mouths, swords are in their lips, for [they say], "Who hears?”

9. But You, Lord, You laugh at them; You mock all nations.

10. [Because of] his might, I wait for You, for God is my stronghold.

11. The God of my kindness will anticipate my [need]; God will show me [the downfall] of my watchful foes.

12. Do not kill them, lest my nation forget; drive them about with Your might and impoverish them, O our Shield, my Master,

13. [for] the sin of their mouth, the word of their lips; let them be trapped by their arrogance. At the sight of their accursed state and deterioration, [people] will recount.

14. Consume them in wrath, consume them and they will be no more; and they will know that God rules in Jacob, to the ends of the earth, Selah.

15. And they will return toward evening, they will howl like the dog and circle the city.

16. They will wander about to eat; when they will not be sated they will groan.

17. As for me, I shall sing of Your might, and sing joyously of Your kindness toward morning, for You have been a stronghold to me, a refuge on the day of my distress.

18. [You are] my strength, to You I will sing, for God is my stronghold, the God of my kindness.

Tanya: Igeret HaTeshuva , beginning of Chapter 3
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Tuesday, Tammuz 10, 5777 · July 4, 2017

Igeret HaTeshuva , beginning of Chapter 3

Though fasting is not at all necessary for attaining atonement, it was explained above that nevertheless it has a salutary effect as a substitute for the olah offering. In Temple times this sacrifice was offered (even) for transgressing a positive command, in order to make the former offender once again acceptable and beloved of G‑d. Accordingly, the AriZal derived from the Kabbalah the number of fasts to be undertaken for numerous transgressions, even those that are not subject to the punishment of excision or death by Divine decree.

והנה חכמי המוסר האחרונים נחלקו במי שחטא חטא אחד פעמים רבות

The latter Mussar sages — those who lived after the Ari — were divided in their opinions about one who repeated a sin many times.

דיש אומרים שצריך להתענות מספר הצומות לאותו חטא פעמים רבות, כפי המספר אשר חטא

Some contend that he must fast the number of fasts appropriate to that sin according to the number of transgressions.

כגון המוציא זרע לבטלה, שמספר הצומות המפורש בתיקוני תשובה מהאריז״ל הן פ״ד תעניות

For example, the number of fasts prescribed in the penances of the AriZal for wasteful emission of semen is eighty-four.

ואם חטא בזה עשר או עשרים פעמים, על דרך משל, צריך להתענות עשר או עשרים פעמים פ״ד

If someone commits this sin ten or twenty times, say, he must fast ten or twenty times eighty-four, and so on in all instances.

דומיא דקרבן חטאת, שחייב להביא על כל פעם ופעם

This is comparable to the chatat offering (Note of the Rebbe: “i.e., all the chatat offerings”) required for every instance of violation.

ויש מדמין ענין זה לקרבן עולה, הבאה על מצות עשה

Others compare these fasts to the olah offering brought for neglect of a positive command.1

דאפילו עבר על כמה מצוות עשה, מתכפר בעולה אחת, כדאיתא בגמרא, פרק קמא דזבחים

The violation of a number of positive commands is atoned for and the individual finds favor in G‑d’s eyes by one olah, as the Talmud explains in Tractate Zevachim, ch. 1.2

והכרעה המקובלת בזה להתענות ג׳ פעמים כפי מספר הצומות דחטא זה, דהיינו רנ״ב צומות על הוצאות שכבת זרע לבטלה, וכן בשאר חטאים ועונות

The accepted decision in this dispute is to undertake three times the number of fasts prescribed for that particular sin, i.e., 252 fasts (three times eighty-four) for wasteful emission, and similarly for other sins oft repeated.

והטעם הוא על פי מה שכתוב בזוהר הקדוש, סוף פרשת נח: כיון דחב בר נש קמיה קודשא בריך הוא, זמנא חדא עביד רשימו כו׳

This is based on a teaching in the Zohar, at the end of Parshat Noach:3 “As soon as mortal man sins once against the Holy One, blessed be He, he makes an impression [Above; should he sin a second time, the impact of his sin is even greater];

זמנא תליתאה, אתפשט ההוא כתמא מסטרא דא לסטרא דא כו׳

the third time he commits the sin, the stain penetrates from one side through the other;...“

לכן צריך מספר הצומות גם כן ג׳ פעמים וכו׳

therefore the number of fasts ought also be three.

FOOTNOTES

1.Note of the Rebbe: “As distinct from other olah offerings; see the various types of offerings in Maimonides‘ preface to his Commentary on the Mishnayot of Tractate Kodashim.”

2.5b, 6a, 7b.

3.73b.

Rambam:
• Sefer Hamitzvot:
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Tuesday, Tammuz 10, 5777 · July 4, 2017

Daily-Mitzvah

Negative Commandment 269; Positive Commandment 204

Negative Commandment 269 (Digest)

Disregarding a Lost Item

"You shall not ignore [it]"—Deuteronomy 22:3.

It is forbidden to disregard a lost item. Rather, upon encountering a lost item one must take it and endeavor to return it to its owner.

The 269th prohibition is that we are forbidden from ignoring a lost object; instead, we must take it and return it to the owner.

The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "[You must do the same to a donkey, an article of clothing, or anything else that your brother loses and you find;] you must not ignore it."

We have already explained2 the Mechilta's statement regarding lost objects: "We learn out [from these two verses] that one [who doesn't return a lost object] violates both a positive commandment and a prohibition." In the words of the Gemara,3 "returning a lost object constitutes a positive and negative commandment."

This prohibition is repeated in Mishneh Torah4 with a separate statement, "Do not just watch your brother's ox or sheep going astray." The Sifri says, "The verse, 'Do not just watch your brother's ox,' etc. constitutes a Biblical prohibition. The verse,5 'If you come across your enemy's ox [or donkey going astray, bring it back to him]' constitutes a positive command."

The details of this mitzvah are explained in the second chapter of tractate Bava Metzia.

Rabbi Berel Bell is a well-known educator, author and lecturer. He and his family reside in Montreal, Canada.

From "Sefer Hamitzvot in English," published by Sichos in English.

FOOTNOTES

1.Deut. 22:3.

2.P204 below.

3.Bava Metzia 32a.

4.Deut. 22:1.

5.Ex. 23:4.

Positive Commandment 204 (Digest)

Returning a Lost Article

"You shall surely bring it back to him"—Exodus 23:4.

When coming across a lost item, we are required to take it and return it to its owner.

The 204th mitzvah is that we are commanded to return a lost object to its owner.

The source of this commandment are G‑d's statements,1"[If you come across your enemy's ox or donkey going astray,] return it back to him," and2 "You must return them to your brother."

Our Sages said explicitly,3 "The return of a lost object is a positive mitzvah." They4 also said, "We learn out [from these two verses] that one [who doesn't return a lost object] violates both a positive commandment and a prohibition." We will explain the prohibition regarding the lost object in the proper place.5

The details of this mitzvah are explained in the second chapter of tractate Bava Metzia.

Rabbi Berel Bell is a well-known educator, author and lecturer. He and his family reside in Montreal, Canada.

From "Sefer Hamitzvot in English," published by Sichos in English.

FOOTNOTES

1.Ibid.

2.Deut. 22:1

3.Bava Metzia 32a.

4.In N269, the Rambam quotes this statement in the name of the Mechilta. Our versions of the Mechilta don't have this wording, only the Sifri, parshas Seitzei.

5.See the previous commandment, N269. The Rambam wrote "we will explain" because in Sefer HaMitzvos, all prohibitions are written after the positive commandments. As they are listed in Mishneh Torah, however, the prohibition comes first.

Translation of (the unabridged text of) Sefer Hamitzvot by Rabbi Berel Bell, member of the Rabbinical Court of Montreal and director of Teacher Training for the Jewish Learning Institute.

Rambam:

• 1 Chapter A Day: Nachalot Nachalot - Chapter 8
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Nachalot - Chapter 8

1

When the fields of a person who was taken captive, or who fled, or who left voluntarily but was reported to have died are given to a relative in a share-cropping arrangement, we do not entrust them to a minor, lest he ruin the property.

Conversely, we do not give a minor's property to a relative in a share-cropping arrangement. This is a safeguard, lest that person claim that the property belongs to him, that it is his portion that he received through inheritance. The minor's property is not even given to a relative of a relative.

What is implied? There were two brothers, one older and one younger, and the younger was taken captive or fled, we do not give the younger brother's field to the older brother. For the younger brother will not be able to protest. Perhaps the older brother will take possession of the property and after many years, he will claim: "This is my portion that I received through inheritance; I took possession as an inheritance."

Even the son of the brother of the minor who was taken captive is not given the property in a share-cropping agreement, lest he claim: "I inherited this portion because of my father."

א

כשמורידין קרוב לנכסי השבוי או בורח או לנכסי היוצא לדעת ששמעו בו שמת, לא יורידו קטן שמא יפסיד הנכסים, ואין מורידין קרוב לנכסי קטן שמא יטעון ויאמר זה חלקי המגיע לי בירושתי ואפילו קרוב מחמת קרוב אין מורידין, כיצד היו שני אחים אחד גדול ואחד קטן ונשבה הקטן או ברח, אין מורידין הגדול לתוך שדהו מפני שהקטן אינו יכול למחות, ושמא יחזיק זה האח ולאחר שנים יאמר זה חלקי שהגיע לי בירושתי ומחמת ירושה באתי, ואפילו בן אחיו של זה הקטן הנשבה אין מורידין אותו לנכסיו שמא יאמר שמחמת אבי ירשתי חלק זה.

2

No relative is ever given possession of the property of a minor, not even a person whose family connection stems from one's maternal brother, who is not fit to inherit. This is an extra safeguard.

Even if there is a document recording the division of the estate, whether homes or courtyards, the property should not be given to the relative. Even if the relative states: "Write a document stating that I received the field as part of a sharecropping agreement," he should not be given the field. Perhaps the documents will be lost, and after a long period the person will claim that he received it as an inheritance, or that he received it as an inheritance from a relative who received it as an inheritance.

An incident once occurred concerning an old woman who had three daughters. The old woman and one daughter were taken captive. A second daughter died and left a son below the age of majority. The Sages said: We do not give the property to the remaining daughter in a sharecropping agreement, for perhaps the elderly woman died and thus one third of the estate would belong to the minor, and we do not give a relative property belonging to a minor. Similarly, we do not give the property to the minor. For perhaps the old woman is still alive, and the property of a person taken captive should not be given to a minor.

"What should be done instead? Since a guardian must be appointed for the half designated for the minor, we appoint a guardian for the old woman's entire estate."

Afterwards, it was reported that the older woman died. Our Sages said: "The remaining daughter should receive the third that is her portion of the inheritance. The minor should receive the third that is his portion of the older woman's estate. And a guardian should be appointed for the third that belongs to the daughter in captivity, because of the portion of it that the minor might receive. For if the daughter in captivity also dies, the minor would receive one half of her third." Similar principles apply in all analogous situations.

ב

לעולם אין מורידין קרוב לנכסי קטן אפילו קרוב מחמת אחי האם שאינן ראויין לירש, הרחקה יתירה היא זו ואפילו יש ביניהן שטר חלוקה בין בבתים בין בשדות לא ירד, ואפילו אמר כתבו עלי שטר אריסות לא ירד שמא יאבדו השטרות ויארכו הימים ויטעון ויאמר שזה חלק ירושה בא לו (מחמתו או) מחמת מורישיו, מעשה באשה אחת שהיו לה שלש בנות ונשבית הזקנה היא ובת אחת ומתה בת שניה והניחה בן קטן, ואמרו חכמים אין מורידין זו הבת הנשארה לנכסים שמא מתה הזקנה ונמצאו שליש נכסים אלו לקטן ואין מורידין קרוב לנכסי קטן, וכן אין מורידין לזה הקטן בנכסים שמא עדיין הזקנה בחיים ואין מורידין קטן לנכסי שבוי, אלא כיצד עושין, מתוך שצריך להעמיד אפוטרופוס לחצי של קטן מעמידין אפוטרופוס על כל נכסי הזקנה, אחר זמן שמעו שמתה הזקנה אמרו חכמים תרד הבת הנשארה לשליש הנכסים שהוא חלק ירושתה וירד הקטן לשליש שהוא חלקו מנכסי הזקנה, והשליש של בת השבויה מעמידין לו אפוטרופוס מפני חלק הקטן שמא מתה גם הבת השבויה ויש לזה הקטן חצי השליש שלה וכן כל כיוצא בזה.

Rambam:

• 3 Chapters A Day: Gezelah va'Avedah Gezelah va'Avedah - Chapter Sixteen, Gezelah va'Avedah Gezelah va'Avedah - Chapter Seventeen, Gezelah va'Avedah Gezelah va'Avedah - Chapter Eighteen
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Gezelah va'Avedah - Chapter Sixteen

1

The following laws apply if a person finds needles, spits, nails or the like. If he finds them one at a time, he may keep them. If he finds them in sets of two or more, he is obligated to announce [their discovery, for the number of articles found is a mark by which they can be identified.

א

המוצא מחטים וצנורות ומסמרים וכיוצא בהן אם מצאם אחד אחד הרי אלו שלו שנים שנים או יתר חייב להכריז שמנין סימן:

2

Similarly, if one finds scattered coins, he may keep them. Even if some of the coins are lying on each other, they are considered to be scattered. If, however, one finds a collection of coins, he must announce their discovery.

For example, if he found three coins placed one on top of the other like a tower,, or there was one to the right, one to the left and one on top of both of them, or they were placed in succession, each one lying slightly on the other, so that if a sliver of wood were placed under them he would be able to pick them all up at one time, he is obligated to announce their discovery.

If they were placed in a circle, a line, like a tripod, like steps, the matter is one of doubt. Therefore, at the outset, one should not take them.

ב

וכן המוצא מעות מפוזרים הרי אלו שלו. אפילו היו מקצת מטבעות זה על גבי זה הרי הן כמפוזרין. אבל אם מצא צבור מעות חייב להכריז. מצא שלשה מטבעות זה על גב זה והן עשויין כמגדל. או שהיו אחד מיכן ואחד מיכן ואחד על גביהן. או שהיו מקצת זה על מקצת זה כדי שאם יכניס קיסם ביניהן ינטלו בבת אחת חייב להכריז. היו עשויים כשיר או כשורה או כחצובה או כסולם הרי זה ספק ולא יטול:

3

If a person finds money in a wallet or an empty wallet, he is obligated to announce its discovery. If he found a wallet with money scattered before it, he may keep the money. If, however, it appears that the wallet and the money belong to the same person and that the money fell from the wallet, he must announce its discovery.

ג

המוצא מעות בכיס או כיס כמות שהוא חייב להכריז. מצא כיס ולפניו מעות מפוזרים הרי אלו שלו. ואם מראין הדברים שהכיס והמעות של אדם אחד ומן הכיס נפלו חייב להכריז:

4

The following rules apply when a person finds money in a store. If the money is found between the counter and the storekeeper, it must be given to the storekeeper. If it is found on the counter, and needless to say, if it is found on the outside of the counter, it may be kept by the finder.

Why does the store not acquire the money on behalf of its owner? Because it is not a protected courtyard. Therefore, even though the owner was present, to acquire the money, the owner would have to say: "May my store acquire it on my behalf," as will be explained.

ד

המוצא מעות בחנות אם היו בין תיבה לחנוני הרי הן של בעל החנות. ואם מצאן על התיבה ואין צריך לומר מתיבה ולחוץ הרי הן של מוצאן. ולמה לא תקנה החנות לבעליה לפי שאינה חצר המשתמרת ואע"פ שבעליה בתוכה צריך לומר תקנה לי חנותי כמו שיתבאר:

5

The following rules apply when a person finds money in a store of a moneychanger. If the money is found between the counter and the moneychanger, it must be given to the moneychanger.

If the money was found on the counter, even if it was wrapped in a purse and placed on the table, it may be kept by the finder, provided the majority of the clientele are gentiles, as we have explained. If, however, the majority of the clientele are Jewish, the finder must announce the discovery. Since they are wrapped in a purse, they have a mark by which they can be identified.

ה

מצא מעות בחנות השולחני בין כסא לשולחני הרי אלו של שולחני. מצאן על הכסא לפני השולחני אפילו היו צרורין ומונחין על השולחן הרי אלו של מוצאן. והוא שיהיו רוב עכו"ם כמו שביארנו. אבל אם היו רוב ישראל חייב להכריז מפני שהן צרורים יש להם סימן:

6

When a person purchases produce from a colleague or a colleague sends him produce, and he finds money wrapped in a purse among the produce, he must announce the discovery. If the money is scattered, he may keep it.

When does the above apply? When one receives the produce from a merchant or from a private individual who purchased it from a merchant. If, however, a private individual threshed produce himself or had his Canaanite servants and maidservants do so, the finder is obligated to return the money to him.

ו

הלוקח פירות מחבירו או ששלח לו חבירו פירות ומצא בתוכן מעות צרורות נוטל ומכריז. מצאן מפוזרות הרי אלו שלו. במה דברים אמורים כשהיו הפירות מן התגר או מבעל הבית שלקחן מן התגר. אבל אם בעל הבית דש הפירות לעצמו או על ידי עבדיו ושפחותיו הכנענים הרי זה חייב להחזיר:

7

When a person finds a buried treasure in a mound or in an old wall, it belongs to him, for we assume that it belonged to ancient Amorites. This applies provided he finds the treasure buried very low, as would be common for ancient valuables.

If, however, it appears that the treasure was recently placed there, even if he has doubts concerning the matter, he should not touch it, for perhaps it was intentionally placed there.

ז

המוצא מטמון בגל או בכותל ישן הרי אלו שלו שאני אומר של אמוריים הקדמונים הן. והוא שימצאם מטה מטה כדרך כל המטמונות הישנות. אבל אם מראין הדברים שהן מטמון חדש אפילו נסתפק לו הדבר הרי זה לא יגע בהן שמא מונחים הם שם:

8

Since a person's domain can acquire property on his behalf without his knowledge, as will be explained, why does the owner of this courtyard not acquire the treasure buried within the old wall even if it originally belonged to the Amorites, and thus he would become its legal owner?

The rationale is that the treasure was not known about by him or by others. Thus, it was "lost to him and to all others." Therefore, it belongs to the finder.

Our Sages derived this concept as follows: With regard to a lost object, the Torah Deuteronomy 22:3 states: "That is lost by him and found." This refers to an article that the owner lost, but others can find, thus excluding an article that fell into the sea and is "lost to him and all others." Surely, this applies to an ancient treasure that the person never owned. It is certainly "lost to him and all others." Therefore, it belongs to the finder.

ח

והואיל וחצירו של אדם קונה לו שלא מדעתו כמו שיתבאר למה לא יקנה בעל החצר זה המטמון שבתוך הכותל הישן אע"פ שהוא של אמוריים ותהיה מציאה זו לבעל החצר. מפני שאינו ידוע [א] לו ולא לאחרים והרי זה המטמון אבוד ממנו ומכל אדם ולפיכך הוא של מוצאו. ומה אבידה של אדם אמרה תורה אשר תאבד ממנו ומצאתה מי שאבודה ממנו ומצויה אצל כל אדם יצאת זו שנפלה לים שאבודה ממנו ומכל אדם קל וחומר למטמון קדמוני שלא היה שלו מעולם והוא אבוד ממנו ומכל אדם לפיכך הוא של מוצאו:

9

The following laws apply if a person finds a treasure in a new wall. If the manner in which the treasure was found indicates that it belongs to the owner, it is given to the owner. If the manner in which the treasure was found indicates that it belongs to a passerby from the marketplace, it is awarded to the finder.

What is implied? For example, with regard to a knife, its handle is the determining factor. With regard to a wallet, its opening is the determining factor. If the wall was filled with such articles, they should be divided between the owner and the finder.

ט

מצא מטמון בכותל חדש ד אם המטמון מוכיח שהוא לבעל הבית הרי הוא שלו ואם מוכיח שהוא של אחר מן השוק הרי הוא של מוצאו. כיצד הסכין הרי הנצב שלו מוכיח. והכיס פיו מוכיח. ואם נמצא תוך הכותל מלא מהן חולקין:

10

The following rules should be adhered to if the wall contains money or pieces of gold that do not have a factor that indicates who placed them there. If they are halfway or more to the outer side of the wall, they belong to the finder. If they are halfway or more to inner side, they belong to the owner.

י

היו בתוך הכותל מעות או לשונות של זהב שאין שם מוכיח. מחציו ולחוץ של מוצא. מחציו ולפנים של בעל הבית:

11

It appears to me that the above applies only when the owner claims that the buried treasure belongs to him, or he is an heir and we claim on his behalf that perhaps it belonged to his father. If, however, he admits that this is a lost article, it belongs to the finder.

Therefore, if the person rents out his house to others, the article belongs to the last renter.

If he rented the domain to three gentiles at the same time, he is considered to have made it an inn. Therefore, anything found in the walls, or even within the house itself belongs to the finder. For no one can claim that the article belongs to him or that it was buried, because the domain has been made an inn.

יא

ויראה לי שאין הדברים אמורים ג אלא כשטען בעל הבית שהמטמון שלו. או שהיה יורש שאנו טוענין לו שמא של אביו הן. אבל אם הודה שהן מציאה הרי הן של מוצא. לפיכך אם היה משכיר ביתו לאחרים הרי הן של שוכר אחרון. ואם השכירו לשלשה עכו"ם כאחד הרי עשאהו פונדק וכל הנמצא בו אפילו בתוך הבית הרי הוא של מוצאן מפני שאין אחד יכול לטעון שהן שלו או שהוא טמן שהרי עשאהו פונדק:

Gezelah va'Avedah - Chapter Seventeen

1

Whenever we have said that the finder acquires the lost article he discovers, it does not become his property until it reaches his hand or his domain. If, however, he sees a lost article - even if he falls upon it - and then another person comes and takes hold of it, the person who takes hold of it acquires it.

א

כל מציאה שאמרנו בה שהיא של מוצאה אינו זוכה בה עד שתגיע לידו או לרשותו. אבל אם ראה את המציאה אפילו נפל עליה ובא אחר והחזיק בה הרי זה [א] שהחזיק בה זכה בה:

2

If a person was riding on an animal and he saw a lost article and told a colleague, "Acquire it on my behalf," when the colleague lifts it up for him, the rider acquires it, although the rider himself did not take possession of it.

If the rider told his colleague: "Give it to me," and the colleague takes it and then says, "I acquired it for myself," the person who took it is granted possession. If, however, he gives it to the rider and then claims to have taken possession of it for himself, his words are of no consequence.

ב

היה רוכב על גבי בהמה וראה את המציאה ואמר לחבירו זכה לי בה כיון שהגביהה לו ב קנה הרוכב ואע"פ שלא הגיע לידו. ואם אמר לו תנה לי ונטלה ואמר אני זכיתי בה [ב] זכה בה הנוטל. ואם משנתנה לרוכב אמר אני זכיתי בה תחילה לא אמר כלום:

3

When a person lifts up a lost object on behalf of a colleague, the colleague acquires it, although the colleague did not tell the finder anything.

When two people lift up a lost article together, they both acquire it.

ג

המגביה מציאה לחבירו קנה חבירו ואע"פ שלא אמר לו כלום [זכה [ג] בה]. הגביהו המציאה שנים קנאוה [ד] שניהם:

4

When a deaf mute, a mentally incompetent person or a minor lifts up an article on behalf of a mentally competent individual, the mentally competent individual does not acquire the article. For these three types of individuals are not considered of sufficient mental capacity to acquire an article on behalf of another person.

If a deaf mute and a mentally competent individual lift up an article together neither acquires it. For since the mentally competent individual does not acquire a share, the deaf mute also does not acquire a share.

If both of the people who pick up an article are deaf mutes, our Sages ordained that they should acquire it to prevent strife from arising.

ד

הגביהה לו חרש או שוטה או קטן לא קנה הפקח לפי שאין להן דעת. הגביהה חרש ופקח כאחד מתוך שלא קנה פקח לא קנה חרש. היו שניהם חרשים תקנו חכמים שיקנו כדי שלא יבאו להנצות:

5

When two people see an ownerless camel or donkey and both rush and lead it, or both draw it after them, or one leads it and one draws it after himself, they both acquire it.

When does the above apply? With regard to a donkey. With regard to a camel, by contrast, if one leads it and one draws it after himself, the one that draws it after himself acquires it, and not the one that leads it.

ה

שנים שראו גמל או חמור של מציאה וקדמו שניהם והנהיגוהו או משכוהו. או שהיה אחד מנהיג ואחד מושך. קנו שניהם. במה דברים אמורים בחמור אבל בגמל אם היה אחד מנהיג ואחד מושך המושך קנה אבל לא המנהיג:

6

When a person rushes and grabs the reins of an ownerless animal, he does not acquire it until he draws it after him or leads it. The same applies with regard to an animal belonging to the estate of a convert who died without an heir. He does, however, acquire the reins themselves.

ו

בהמת מציאה שקדם אחד ואחז במוסרה לא קנה עד שימשוך או ינהיג. וכן בנכסי הגר אבל קנה [ה] המוסרה לבדה:

7

The following rules apply when one person rides on an ownerless animal and one holds its reins. The rider acquires the animal and the portion of its reins attached to its cheeks. The one holding the reins acquires the portion that he is holding, and the remainder of the reins are not acquired by either one.

ז

היה אחד רוכב ואחד אוחז במוסרה הרוכב קנה הבהמה והמוסרה שעל לחיי הבהמה בלבד. וזה שאחז המוסרה קנה ממנה מה שאחז בידו ושאר המוסרה לא קנהו אחד מהן:

8

A person's courtyard can acquire property for him without his being aware of it. Thus, if a lost object falls into a person's courtyard, he acquires it.

When does the above apply? When the courtyard is protected. When, by contrast, a lost article enters a person's field or garden different rules apply. If he is standing at the side of his field and says, "May my field acquire it for me," he acquires it. If, however, he is not standing there, or he is standing there but does not make such a statement he does not acquire it, and the one who takes possession first becomes the owner of the lost article.

Similarly, the area within a radius of four cubits next to the place where a person is standing can acquire property for him like his own courtyard. If a lost object comes into these four cubits, he acquires it.

ח

חצירו של אדם קונה לו [ו] שלא מדעתו. ואם נפלה בה מציאה הרי היא של בעל החצר. במה דברים אמורים [ז] בחצר המשתמרת אבל בשדה וגינה וכיוצא בהן אם היה עומד בצד שדהו [ח] ואמר זכתה לי שדי זכה בה. ואם אינו עומד שם או שהיה עומד ולא אמר זכתה לי שדי כל הקודם זכה. וכן ארבע אמות של אדם שהוא עומד בצדו הרי אלו קונים לו. ואם הגיע המציאה לתוך ארבע אמות שלו זכה בה:

9

Our Sages ordained this convention so that people who discover lost articles should not come to strife.

When is this convention employed? In an alleyway or at the sides of the public domain, which are not crowded with many people, or in a field that is ownerless. When, however, a person stands in the public domain or in a field belonging to a colleague, the area within a radius of four cubits cannot acquire property on his behalf. In such a place, he cannot acquire a lost article until it reaches his hand.

ט

חכמים תקנו דבר זה כדי שלא יריבו המוצאין זה עם זה. במה דברים אמורים בסימטא או בצידי רשות הרבים שאין הרבים דוחקין בהן או בשדה שאין לו בעלים. אבל העומד [ט] ברשות הרבים או בתוך שדה חבירו אין ארבע אמות קונות לו ואינו קונה שם עד שתגיע מציאה לידו:

10

A female minor may acquire an article by virtue of its presence in her courtyard or within the area within a radius of four cubits of her. A male minor, by contrast, may not acquire an article by virtue of its presence in his courtyard or within the area within a radius of four cubits of him.

The rationale for these laws is that we derive the concept that a female minor may acquire property by virtue of its presence in her courtyard from the fact that she is able to acquire an article that is placed in her hand. For just as she can be divorced by virtue of a bill of divorce being placed in her hand, so too, can she be divorced by virtue of a bill of divorce being placed in her courtyard. And just as her courtyard is effective with regard to the acquisition of a bill of divorce, so too, it is effective with regard to the acquisition of a lost object. From this we also conclude that she may acquire an article by virtue of its presence in the area within a radius of four cubits of her, for this area is considered her courtyard with regard to the acquisition of a lost article.

The potential for a man to acquire property by virtue of its presence in his courtyard is derived, by contrast, from the fact that he is able to acquire an article via an agent. Just as an agent can acquire an article for him, so too, can he acquire an article by virtue of its presence in his courtyard. Since a male minor is incapable of charging an agent to act on his behalf, so too, he cannot acquire an article by virtue of its presence in his courtyard or in the radius of four cubits around him; it must reach his hand.

י

קטנה יש לה חצר ויש לה ארבע אמות. וקטן אין לו חצר ואין לו ארבע אמות. מפני שחצר של קטנה מידה למדנוה. שכשם שהיא מתגרשת בגט המגיע לידה כך מתגרשת בגט המגיע לחצרה. וכשם שיש לה חצר [י] לענין הגט כך יש לה לענין מציאה. וארבע אמות של אדם כחצירו לענין מציאה. אבל האיש למדנו שחצירו קונה לו משלוחו. כדרך שקונה לו שלוחו כך תקנה לו חצירו. והקטן הואיל ואינו עושה [כ] שליח כך אין חצירו ולא ארבע אמות שלו קונין לו עד שתגיע מציאה לידו:

11

The following rules apply when a person sees other people chasing an ownerless [animal that is moving - e.g., a wounded deer or young doves that cannot fly in his property. When the following conditions are met: he was standing at the side of his field, the animals were on his property, and he could catch them if he ran, he can acquire them by virtue of their presence in his field if he states: "May my field acquire them for me."

If he cannot catch the animals, they are like a deer that runs normally and doves that can fly, and his words are of no substance. Instead, whoever catches them first acquires them.

If they were given to him as a present, since another person transferred ownership of them to him, and they are moving in his field, he acquires them by virtue of their presence in his field. Even if they were given as a present, if the deer can run normally and the doves can fly, he cannot acquire them by virtue of their presence in his field.

יא

מי שראה אחרים רצים אחר המציאה והרי א היא [ל] צבי שבור או גוזלות שלא פרחו. אם היה עומד בצד שדהו שהן [מ] בתוכה ואילו היה רץ היה מגיען [נ] ואמר זכתה לי שדי זכתה לו שדהו. ואם אינו יכול להגיען הרי אלו כצבי שהוא רץ כדרכו וכגוזלות המפריחים ולא אמר כלום אלא כל הקודם בהן זכה. ואם נתנו לו במתנה הואיל ואחר הקנם לו והרי הן מתגלגלין בתוך שדהו קנתה שדהו. ואם היה צבי רץ כדרכו וגוזלות מפריחין לא קנתה לו שדהו:

12

As a reflection of the paths of peace, the prohibition against robbery applies to a lost object taken by a deaf mute, a mentally incompetent individual and a minor.

As such, if a person transgresses and robs such an article from one of these individuals, it cannot be expropriated from him by legal process. If he denies taking the article and takes an oath to that effect, he is not liable to pay an additional fifth.

יב

מציאת חרש שוטה וקטן יש בה גזל מפני דרכי שלום. לפיכך אם עבר אחר וגזלה [ס] מידן אינה יוצאה בדיינים ואם כפר בה ונשבע אינו חייב בחומש:

13

A person acquires a lost article discovered by the following individuals: a) his son or his daughter who derive their livelihood from his household, even though they are past majority,

b) his daughter who is a na'arah," even if she does not derive her livelihood from his household - indeed, even if she has been sold as a maidservant,

c) his Canaanite servants and maidservants,

d) his wife.

A person does not, however, acquire a lost object discovered by a son who does not derive his livelihood from his father's household even if he is a minor, his Jewish servants and maidservants, and his wife who has been divorced, even if there are doubts concerning the validity of the divorce.

יג

מציאת בנו ובתו הסמוכים על שלחנו אע"פ שהן גדולים. ומציאת בתו הנערה אע"פ שאינה סומכת על שלחנו ואפילו היתה מכורה אמה ומציאת עבדו ושפחתו הכנענים ומציאת [ע] אשתו הרי אלו שלו. אבל מציאת בנו שאינו סומך על שולחנו אע"פ שהוא קטן ומציאת עבדו ושפחתו [פ] העברים ומציאת אשתו שהיא מגורשת ואינה מגורשת כל אלו המציאות אינן שלו:

Gezelah va'Avedah - Chapter Eighteen

1

When a person finds a promissory note, he should not return it. This applies even if the note does not explicitly say that it creates a lien on the debtor's landed property, the presumed debtor acknowledges his obligation, and the signatures of the witnesses have been validated.

The rationale is that we suspect that the note was already paid, and the creditor and the debtor are joining together to deceive the purchasers of the debtor's landed property and expropriate that property unlawfully. This is the reason why the debtor acknowledges the creditor's claim. For the creditor can expropriate property sold by the debtor with this promissory note, even though it does not explicitly say that it creates a lien on the debtor's landed property.

We follow the principle that the omission of a clause mentioning the creation of a lien on the debtor's landed property in a legal document is merely a scribal error. This applies with regard to both promissory notes and deeds of sale.

Therefore, if the promissory note states explicitly that it does not create a lien on the landed property, and the debtor acknowledges his obligation, the note may be returned. If not, the finder should not return it, lest it have been paid.

א

המוצא שטר חוב אע"פ שלא פירש בו אחריות נכסים ואע"פ שהחייב מודה ואף על פי שהוא מקויים הרי זה [א] לא יחזיר. שמא פרעו וקנוניא הם עושים כדי לטרוף לקוחות שלא כדין ולפיכך הודה לו שהרי יש לו לטרוף בשטר שלא פירש בו אחריות. שהאחריות שלא נתפרשה בשטר טעות סופר הוא בין בשטרי הלואה בין בשטרי מקח וממכר. לפיכך אם פירש בשטר זה שהוא שלא באחריות אם היה החייב מודה יחזיר ואם לאו לא יחזיר שמא פרעו:

2

Similarly, if a promissory note was dated on the day it was found, the signatures of the witnesses have been validated, and the debtor acknowledges his obligation, it may be returned to the creditor. If, however, the signatures of the witnesses have not been validated, it should not be returned, lest the debtor had the note written in the expectation of borrowing, but did not borrow yet.

ב

וכן אם מצא שטר שזמנו בו ביום והיה מקויים והחייב מודה יחזיר. ואם אינו מקויים לא יחזיר שמא כתב ללוות ועדיין לא לוה:

3

If a promissory note is found in a leather container, a wooden vessel or the like, it should be returned to a claimant who can identify it by a mark.

If three promissory notes are found wrapped together in one bundle, placed one on top of the other or tied together, they should be returned to a claimant who can identify them by a mark.

ג

מצא שטר בחמת או בכלי עץ וכיוצא בהן הרי זה יחזיר למי שנתן סימן. מצא שלשה שטרות א כרוכין בכרך אחד או מונחין זה על זה ואגודים אגד אחד יחזיר למי שנתן סימן:

4

If three promissory notes were found together and they mention one borrower and three different lenders, the notes should be returned to the borrower if the signatures of the witnesses have been validated. If the signatures of the witnesses have not been validated, the notes should be returned to whoever can identify them by a mark. For perhaps the lenders gave their promissory notes to a scribe to validate the signatures of the witnesses, and they fell from the possession of the judge.

If the notes mention one lender and three borrowers, they should be returned to the lender. If the three were written by one scribe, they should be returned to the person who can identify it by a mark. For it is possible that the three borrowers brought their documents to one scribe to write, and the documents fell from his hand.

ד

היה הלוה אחד והמלוים שלשה אם מקויימים הם יחזיר ללוה. ואם לאו יחזיר למי שנתן סימן שמא המלוים נתנו שטרותיהן לסופר לקיימן ונפלו מיד *הדיין. היה המלוה אחד והלוים שלשה יחזיר למלוה. ואם היו שלשתן בכתב ידי סופר אחד יחזיר למי שנתן סימן. שמא שלשתן הוליכו שטריהן לסופר לכתוב ונפלו מיד הסופר:

5

If a person found several torn legal documents and among them a promissory note that was not torn, he should not return it. If together with these documents was a receipt for the promissory note, even if the receipt was not signed by witnesses, the promissory note should be returned to the borrower. Had it not been paid, the lender would not have placed it among torn legal documents, and moreover, there is a document stating that it was paid.

ה

מצא שטרות קרועין ושטר חוב ביניהן לא יחזיר. ואם יש עמהן שובר אפילו בלא עדים יתן שטר החוב ללוה. שאילו לא היה פרוע לא השליכו בין שטרות קרועים והרי יש עמו כתב שהוא פרוע:

6

The following rules apply when a person finds a bill of divorce. If the husband acknowledges divorcing his wife, the document should be returned to the woman. If the husband does not acknowledge divorcing his wife, but the woman identifies the bill of divorce with a distinctive mark, it should be given her. If she cannot, it should not be returned to either of them.

If the husband claims that it fell from his hand, and he was able to identify it with marks, and the wife claims that it fell from her hand, and she was also able to identify it with marks, it should be given to her, provided she mentions a distinctive mark - e.g., there is a hole in the parchment next to a particular letter. The rationale is had the bill of divorce not reached her hand, she would not know of this matter.

ו

מצא ב גיטי נשים בזמן שהבעל מודה יחזיר לאשה. אין הבעל מודה אם נתנה האשה סימן מובהק ינתן לה ואם לאו לא יחזיר לא לזה ולא לזה. אמר הבעל מידי נפל ונתן סימניו והאשה אומרת מידי נפל ונתנה סימניו ינתן לה. והוא שתתן סימן מובהק כגון שאמרה נקב יש בצד אות פלונית. שאילו לא הגיע לידה לא היתה יודעת:

7

If the husband identifies a bill of divorce by describing the signs of the string with which it was tied, and his wife provides the same description, it should be given to her, provided she provides a distinctive mark - the measure of the length of the string. If, however, she merely states that it was red or black, this is not considered a distinctive mark.

If the husband identifies a bill of divorce by stating that it was held in a leather container, and his wife provides the same description, it should be given to him, because this is not considered a distinctive mark.

ז

הוא אומר סימני החוט שקשר בו הגט והיא אומרת סימני החוט ינתן לה. והוא שתאמר סימן מובהק. כגון אורך מדת החוט. אבל אם אמרה אדום או שחור הוא אין זה סימן מובהק. הוא אומר בחמת היה מונח והיא אומרת בחמת היה מונח ינתן לו שאין זה סימן מובהק:

8

When a person finds a legal document freeing a Canaanite servant, he should return it to the servant if the master acknowledges having given it. If the master does not acknowledge having given it, the finder should not return it to either of them.

ח

מצא גט שחרור ג בזמן שהרב מודה יחזיר לעבד. אין הרב מודה לא יחזיר לא לזה ולא לזה:

9

The following rules apply if a legal document recording a present is found. If the present was given when the giver was healthy, the document should not be returned even though both the giver and the recipient acknowledge that the gift was given. The rationale is that perhaps the giver originally had the document composed with the intention of giving the present. After having the document composed, however, he sold the field or gave it to another person as a present. He then recanted and now acknowledges the original document in order to deceive the person to whom he later sold the field or gave it to as a present.

If the present was given by a person on his deathbed, and the giver acknowledges the gift, it should be given to the recipient. If he does not acknowledge it, it should not be given. The rationale is that if a person on his deathbed gives a present, and then retracts it and gives it to another person, the latter one acquires it, as will be explained.

ט

מצא שטר מתנה אם מתנת בריא היא ואע"פ ששניהם מודים לא יחזיר לא לזה ולא לזה. שמא כתב ליתן ולא נתן ואחר שכתב שטר זה מכר שדה זו או נתנה לאחר במתנה וחזר בו. וזה שמודה לזה כדי לעשות קנוניא על האחרון שנתן לו או שמכר לו. ואם מתנת שכיב מרע היא אם הודה ד יתן ואם לאו לא יתן. ששכיב מרע שנתן לשנים זה אחר זה האחרון קנה כמו שיתבאר:

10

If the man who gave the present when he was dying passes away, the document should not be returned, neither to the recipient, nor to the heir. This applies even if the heir acknowledges that his testator gave this gift. The rationale is that perhaps the testator originally had the document composed with the intention of giving the present, but did not do so. After the testator's death, the heir sold the property or gave it to another person as a present. He then recanted and now desires to join together with the original recipient in order to take the property away from the latter recipient.

י

מת שכיב מרע שנתנה במתנה אע"פ שהיורש מודה שמורישו נתנה הרי זה לא יחזיר לא לזה ולא לזה. שמא כתב ליתן ולא נתן ומכרה היורש או נתנה וחזר בו והרי הוא רוצה לעשות קנוניא עם זה כדי להפקיע נכסי זה האחרון:

11

If a person finds a receipt, and the person to whom the promissory note was written admits that his note is no longer viable - e.g., it has been paid or he waived payment - the receipt should be given to its owner. If both the creditor and the debtor do not acknowledge the validity of the receipt, the receipt should not be given to either of them.

יא

מצא [ב] שובר בזמן שבעל השטר מודה שנשבר שטרו ופרעו או מחלו יתן לבעל השובר. אין שניהם מודים לא יחזיר לא לזה ולא לזה:

12

If a woman's marriage contract is found, it should not be returned to the woman even if both she and her husband acknowledge that the money due her by virtue of her marriage contract has not been paid. The rationale is that we suspect that the money due her by virtue of her marriage contract has been paid, or that she waived her right to it, afterwards the husband sold his property, and he wants to deceive the purchasers.

יב

[ג] מצא כתובה אע"פ ששניהם מודים לא יחזיר לאשה שמא נפרעה כתובה זו או נמחלה ואחר כך מכר הבעל נכסיו והרי הוא רוצה לעשות קנוניא על הלקוחות:

13

All the following legal documents should be returned to their owners if found: a document recording the worth of a debtor's property as evaluated by the court, a document recording a court's decision to sell a man's property to provide for the sustenance of his wife and/or daughters, a document recording a chalitzah or mi'un, a document recording the judge's recollection of the claims made by each of the litigants, a document recording the litigants' choice of judges who they desire to preside over a certain litigation, or any document recording a final judicial act.

The general principle is: Whenever a legal document involves a monetary obligation, and there is room to suspect that the obligation has been met, the document should not be returned, lest the obligation have in fact been met. Even when the debtor admits that the debt is outstanding, if it is possible that he is making that admission to deceive a purchaser or a recipient of a present who acquired the debtor's property after the date mentioned on the document, so that the creditor could expropriate the property from them dishonestly, the document should not be returned although both the creditor and the debtor acknowledge the debt.

When, however, there is no reason to suspect that a monetary obligation has been repaid or that deception is being perpetrated, a legal document should be returned.

יג

מצא אגרות שום ואגרות מזון שטרי חליצה ומיאונין ושטרי טענות שכותבין הדיינין של בעל דין זה ושל חבירו. או שמצא שטרי בירורים והם השטרות שביררו להן בעלי דינין את הדיינין שדנין להם וקיבלו עליהם שידונו להם פלוני ופלוני. או שמצא כל מעשה בית דין הרי זה יחזיר. כללו של דבר כל שטר שחוששין בו לפרעון לא יחזיר שמא נפרע החוב. ואם היה החייב מודה ואפשר שהודה כדי לעשות קנוניא עד שיפסיד את הלוקח או מקבל מתנה שלקחו אחר זמן השטר כדי שיפרעו מידם שלא כדין הרי זה לא יחזיר אע"פ ששניהם מודים. וכל שטר שאין בו צד לחשש לא [ד] לפרעון ולא לקנוניא [ה] יחזיר לבעליו:

14

Whenever the law is that a legal document should not be returned, and the document was nevertheless returned, the document is considered acceptable and may be used to expropriate property.These documents should not be taken away from their owners. We assume that they are acceptable, and we harbor no suspicions about them.

This, with God's help, concludes the laws of robbery and the return of lost objects.

יד

כל השטרות הנמצאים שדינן שלא יחזיר אם החזיר הרי אלו כשרים וגובין בהן ואין מוציאין אותן מתחת יד בעליהן והרי הם בחזקתן ואין חוששין להם:

Hayom Yom:
• English Text | Video Class

Tuesday, Tammuz 10, 5777 · July 4, 2017

Daily Study: Hayom Yom

Tuesday, Tamuz 10, 5703

Torah lessons: Chumash: Balak, Shlishi with Rashi.

Tehillim: 55-59.

Tanya: For they (p. 339) ...BLESSED AND EXALTED. (p. 341).

In the early period of his leadership the Alter Rebbe taught: "The footsteps of man are directed by G‑d."1 When a Jew comes to a particular place it is for an (inner Divine) intent and purpose - to perform a mitzva, whether a mitzva between man and G‑d or a mitzva between man and his fellow-man. A Jew is G‑d's messenger. Wherever a messenger (shaliach) may be, he represents the power of the meshalei'ach, the one who sent him.2 The superior quality that souls possess, higher than the angels (who are also "messengers"), is that souls are messengers by virtue of Torah.

Compiled and arranged by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory, in 5703 (1943) from the talks and letters of the sixth Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, of righteous memory.

FOOTNOTES

1.Tehillim 37:23.

2.See also earlier, 7 Adar I, and Iyar 8.

Daily Thought
Quench the Thirst
Spiritual people tend to disdain all interaction with this world, and strive to minimize it at all costs.
But Torah unlocks the divine spark within each thing. Torah enables a spiritual person to engage the world and find there all for which the soul thirsts.
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