Missionary Renegade: TODAY IN JUDAISM: Tammuz 22, 5777 - Sunday, July 16, 2017 - Chabad.org in New York, New York, United States - - ב"ה - Today in Judaism - Today is Sunday, Tammuz 22, 5777

Saturday, July 15, 2017

TODAY IN JUDAISM: Tammuz 22, 5777 - Sunday, July 16, 2017 - Chabad.org in New York, New York, United States - - ב"ה - Today in Judaism - Today is Sunday, Tammuz 22, 5777 · July 16, 2017

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TODAY IN JUDAISM: Tammuz 22, 5777 - Sunday, July 16, 2017 - Chabad.org in New York, New York, United States -

- ב"ה - Today in Judaism - Today is Sunday, Tammuz 22, 5777 · July 16, 2017
Today's Laws & Customs:
• "The Three Weeks"
During the Three Weeks, from 17th of Tamuz to the 9th of Av, we commemorate the conquest of Jerusalem, the destruction of the Holy Temple and the dispersion of the Jewish people.
Weddings and other joyful events are not held during this period; like mourners, we do not cut our hair, and various pleasurable activities are limited or proscribed. (The particular mourning customs vary from community to community, so consult a competent halachic authority for details.)
Citing the verse (Isaiah 1:27) "Zion shall be redeemed with mishpat [Torah] and its returnees with tzedakah," the Rebbe urged that we increase in Torah study(particularly the study of the laws of the Holy Temple) and charity during this period.
Links:
The Three Weeks
Today in Jewish History:
• Passing of R. Shlomo of Karlin (1792)
Rabbi Shlomo (1738-1792), Chassidic Rebbe in the town of Karlin, Russia (near Pinsk), was killed in the pogroms which accompanied the Polish uprising against Russia.
Daily Quote:

Rabbi Leib, the "Grandfather of Shpoli," related that when he was a child of three he saw the Baal Shem Tov. "He placed his holy hand on my heart and ever since I have felt warm." A gesture of a tzaddik (righteous person), certainly seeing him and hearing his voice, will make an impression never to be forgotten. [Hayom Yom, Tevet 14]
Daily Torah Study:

Chumash: Matot-Massei, 1st Portion Numbers 30:2-31:12 with Rashi
• English / Hebrew Linear Translation
• Video Class
• Daily Wisdom (short insight)

Numbers Chapter 30

2Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of the children of Israel, saying: This is the thing the Lord has commanded. בוַיְדַבֵּ֤ר משֶׁה֙ אֶל־רָאשֵׁ֣י הַמַּטּ֔וֹת לִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר זֶ֣ה הַדָּבָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֖ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָֽה:

the heads of the tribes: He honored the chieftains by teaching them first, and only later the rest of the Israelites. How do we know that he did so with other statements? For it says, “[Moses called to them] and Aaron and all the princes of the community returned to him, and Moses would speak to them. Afterwards, all the children of Israel would draw near” (Exod. 34:31-32). [If so,] why did [Scripture] see fit to mention it here? It is to teach us that annulment of vows may be performed by a single expert, and if no single expert is available, it may be annulled by three laymen. Alternatively, perhaps Moses related this passage to the princes alone? However, here it says, “This is the word,” and in [the chapter dealing with] sacrifices slaughtered outside the Temple confines it [also] says, “This is the word” (Lev. 17:2). Just as there it was said to Aaron, his sons and all the Israelites, as it says, “Speak to Aaron, etc.” (Lev. 17:2), so in this case was it said to all of them. — [Ned. 78a]

ראשי המטות: חלק כבוד לנשיאים ללמדם תחלה ואחר כך לכל בני ישראל. ומנין שאף שאר הדברות כן, תלמוד לומר (שמות לד, לא - לב) וישובו אליו אהרן וכל הנשיאים בעדה וידבר משה אליהם ואחרי כן נגשו כל בני ישראל. ומה ראה לאומרה כאן, למד שהפרת נדרים ביחיד מומחה ואם אין יחיד מומחה מפר בשלשה הדיוטות. או יכול שלא אמר משה פרשה זו אלא לנשיאים בלבד, נאמר כאן זה הדבר, ונאמר בשחוטי חוץ (ויקרא יז, ב) זה הדבר, מה להלן נאמרה לאהרן ולבניו ולכל בני ישראל, שנאמר דבר אל אהרן וגו', אף זו נאמרה לכולן:

This is the thing: Moses prophesied with, “So says the Lord, 'At the dividing point of the night… ’” (Exod. 11:4), and the prophets prophesied with [the phrase] “So says the Lord.” But Moses surpassed them, for he prophesied with the expression, “This is the thing.” Another interpretation: “This is the thing” is exclusive, informing us that a sage [revokes a vow] with the expression הַתָּרָה,“release” and the husband through the expression הִפָרָה “revocation,” as Scripture has here. If they exchange [these terms] there is neither a release nor a revocation. — [Sifrei Mattoth 2]

זה הדבר: משה נתנבא (שמות יא, ד) בכה אמר ה' כחצות הלילה, והנביאים נתנבאו בכה אמר ה', מוסף עליהם משה שנתנבא בלשון זה הדבר. דבר אחר זה הדבר מיעוט הוא, לומר שהחכם בלשון התרה ובעל בלשון הפרה, כלשון הכתוב כאן, ואם חלפו אין מותר ואין מופר:

3If a man makes a vow to the Lord or makes an oath to prohibit himself, he shall not violate his word; according to whatever came out of his mouth, he shall do. גאִישׁ֩ כִּֽי־יִדֹּ֨ר נֶ֜דֶר לַֽיהֹוָ֗ה אֽוֹ־הִשָּׁ֤בַע שְׁבֻעָה֙ לֶאְסֹ֤ר אִסָּר֙ עַל־נַפְשׁ֔וֹ לֹ֥א יַחֵ֖ל דְּבָר֑וֹ כְּכָל־הַיֹּצֵ֥א מִפִּ֖יו יַֽעֲשֶֽׂה:

a vow: By saying, “It shall be prohibited just like a sacrifice, that I will not eat, or I will not do a certain thing.” One might think that even if he swears to eat carrion, I apply to him “according to whatever came out of his mouth, he shall do.” Scripture therefore states,“to prohibit”-to prohibit what is permitted, but not to permit what is prohibited. — [Sifrei Mattoth 7]

נדר: האומר הרי עלי קונם שלא אוכל או שלא אעשה דבר פלוני, יכול אפילו נשבע שיאכל נבלות אני קורא עליו ככל היוצא מפיו יעשה, תלמוד לומר לאסור אסר את המותר, ולא להתיר את האסור:

he shall not violate his word: Heb. לֹא יַחֵל דְּבָרוֹ, like לֹא יְחַלֵּל דְּבָרוֹ“he shall not profane his word,” he shall not treat his word as being unholy. — [Sifrei Mattoth 8]

לא יחל דברו: כמו לא יחלל דברו, לא יעשה דבריו חולין:

4If a woman makes a vow to the Lord, or imposes a prohibition [upon herself] while in her father's house, in her youth, דוְאִשָּׁ֕ה כִּֽי־תִדֹּ֥ר נֶ֖דֶר לַֽיהֹוָ֑ה וְאָֽסְרָ֥ה אִסָּ֛ר בְּבֵ֥ית אָבִ֖יהָ בִּנְעֻרֶֽיהָ:

while in her father’s house: Under her father’s jurisdiction, even if she is not [actually] in his house. - [Sifrei Mattoth 12]

בבית אביה: ברשות אביה ואפילו אינה בביתו:

in her youth: Neither a minor nor an adult [above the age of twelve and a half], since a minor’s vows are invalid, and an adult is not under her father’s jurisdiction to revoke her vows. What is considered a minor? Our Rabbis said: A girl of eleven years and a day-her vows are examined. If she knew in whose name she vowed, or in whose name she consecrated something, her vow stands. From the age of twelve years and one day, she does not need to be tested. — [Niddah 45b]

בנעוריה: ולא קטנה ולא בוגרת, שהקטנה אין נדרה נדר והבוגרת אינה ברשותו של אביה להפר נדריה. ואי זו היא קטנה, אמרו רבותינו בת אחת עשרה שנה ויום אחד נדריה נבדקין. אם ידעה לשם מי נדרה ולשם מי הקדישה נדרה נדר. בת שתים עשרה שנה ויום אחד אינה צריכה להבדק:

5if her father heard her vow or her prohibition which she has prohibited upon herself, yet her father remains silent, all her vows shall stand, and any prohibition that she has imposed upon herself shall stand. הוְשָׁמַ֨ע אָבִ֜יהָ אֶת־נִדְרָ֗הּ וֶֽאֱסָרָהּ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָֽסְרָ֣ה עַל־נַפְשָׁ֔הּ וְהֶֽחֱרִ֥ישׁ לָ֖הּ אָבִ֑יהָ וְקָ֨מוּ֙ כָּל־נְדָרֶ֔יהָ וְכָל־אִסָּ֛ר אֲשֶׁר־אָֽסְרָ֥ה עַל־נַפְשָׁ֖הּ יָקֽוּם:

6But if her father hinders her on the day he hears it, all her vows and her prohibitions that she has imposed upon herself shall not stand. The Lord will forgive her because her father hindered her. ווְאִם־הֵנִ֨יא אָבִ֣יהָ אֹתָהּ֘ בְּי֣וֹם שָׁמְעוֹ֒ כָּל־נְדָרֶ֗יהָ וֶֽאֱסָרֶ֛יהָ אֲשֶׁר־אָֽסְרָ֥ה עַל־נַפְשָׁ֖הּ לֹ֣א יָק֑וּם וַֽיהֹוָה֙ יִסְלַח־לָ֔הּ כִּֽי־הֵנִ֥יא אָבִ֖יהָ אֹתָֽהּ:

But if her father hinders her: Heb. הֵנִיא, if he prevented her from [fulfilling] the vow, that is to say, he revoked it. I would not know what this term of הַנָאָה [in the verse, הֵנִיא] means. However, when it says,“But if her husband hinders her on the day he heard it, he has revoked” (verse 9), I conclude that הִנָאָה means revocation. Literally, it is a term implying prevention and removal. Similarly,“Why do you discourage [lit., turn away (תְנִיאוּן) the people’s hearts]?” (32:7), and,“may the oil of the anointment of my head not turn my head away (יָנִי) ” (Ps. 141:5); similarly,“thus you will come to know My alienation (תְּנוּאֲתִי)” (14:34), that you have turned away from Me.

ואם הניא אביה אותה: אם מנע אותה מן הנדר, כלומר שהפר לה. הנאה זו איני יודע מה היא, כשהוא אומר ואם ביום שמוע אישה יניא אותה והפר, הוי אומר הנאה זו הפרה. ופשוטו לשון מניעה והסרה וכן (במדבר לב, ז) ולמה תניאון, וכן (תהלים קמא, ה) שמן ראש אל יני ראשי, וכן (במדבר יד, לד) וידעתם את תנואתי, את אשר סרתם מעלי:

and the Lord will forgive her: To what case does the verse refer? To a woman who took a nazarite vow, and her husband heard and revoked it for her without her knowledge. She then transgressed her vow by drinking wine and becoming unclean through contact with corpses-such [a woman] requires forgiveness even though it was revoked. And if those which have been revoked require forgiveness, all the more so those which have not been revoked. — [Sifrei Mattoth 17]

וה' יסלח לה: במה הכתוב מדבר באשה שנדרה בנזיר ושמע בעלה והפר לה והיא לא ידעה ועוברת על נדרה ושותה יין ומטמאה למתים, זו היא שצריכה סליחה, ואף על פי שהוא מופר. ואם המופרים צריכים סליחה, קל וחומר לשאינן מופרים:

7But if she is [betrothed] to a man, with her vows upon her or by an utterance of her lips which she has imposed upon herself, זוְאִם־הָי֤וֹ תִֽהְיֶה֙ לְאִ֔ישׁ וּנְדָרֶ֖יהָ עָלֶ֑יהָ א֚וֹ מִבְטָ֣א שְׂפָתֶ֔יהָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָֽסְרָ֖ה עַל־נַפְשָֽׁהּ:

If she is [betrothed] to a man: Heb. וְאִם הָיֹה תִהְיֶה לְאִישׁ. This [refers to] a betrothed woman [i.e., אֲרוּסָה, the first stage of marriage, when the marriage ceremony has been performed, but the couple does not yet live together], or perhaps it refers to a married woman [נְשׂוּאָה, who lives already with her husband]? When [Scripture] says, “if she vowed in her husband’s house” (verse 11) it speaks of a married woman, so this must refer to a betrothed woman, and it comes to distinguish her [the betrothed woman from the married woman] in that both her father and husband [must] revoke her vows. If the father revoked it, but the husband did not revoke it, or if the husband revoked it, but the father did not revoke it, it is not revoked, and it goes without saying that if one of them upheld it. — [Ned. 67a]

ואם היו תהיה לאיש: זו ארוסה או אינו אלא נשואה, כשהוא אומר ואם בית אישה נדרה, הרי נשואה אמור וכאן בארוסה, ובא לחלוק בה, שאביה ובעלה מפירין נדריה. הפר האב ולא הפר הבעל או הפר הבעל ולא הפר האב, הרי זה אינו מופר, ואין צריך לומר אם קיים אחד מהם:

with her vows upon her: which she had vowed while in her father’s house, but her father had not heard them, so they were neither revoked nor upheld. — [Sifrei Mattoth 20]

ונדריה עליה: שנדרה בבית אביה ולא שמע בהן אביה ולא הופרו ולא הוקמו:

8and her husband hears it but remains silent on the day he hears it, her vows shall stand, and her prohibition which she has imposed upon herself shall stand. חוְשָׁמַ֥ע אִישָׁ֛הּ בְּי֥וֹם שָׁמְע֖וֹ וְהֶֽחֱרִ֣ישׁ לָ֑הּ וְקָ֣מוּ נְדָרֶ֗יהָ וֶֽאֱסָרֶ֛הָ אֲשֶׁר־אָֽסְרָ֥ה עַל־נַפְשָׁ֖הּ יָקֻֽמוּ:

and her husband heard…: Here you have the case that if the husband upholds it, it stands. - [Sifrei Mattoth 21]

ושמע אישה וגו': הרי לך שאם קיים הבעל שהוא קיים:

9But if her husband hinders her on the day he heard it, he has revoked the vow she had taken upon herself and the utterance which she had imposed upon herself, and the Lord will forgive her. טוְאִ֠ם בְּי֨וֹם שְׁמֹ֣עַ אִישָׁהּ֘ יָנִ֣יא אוֹתָהּ֒ וְהֵפֵ֗ר אֶת־נִדְרָהּ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָלֶ֔יהָ וְאֵת֙ מִבְטָ֣א שְׂפָתֶ֔יהָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָֽסְרָ֖ה עַל־נַפְשָׁ֑הּ וַֽיהֹוָ֖ה יִסְלַח־לָֽהּ:

he has revoked the vow she had taken upon herself: I might think that even if the father had not revoked it [it is revoked]? Scripture therefore teaches,“in her youth, while in her father’s house” (verse 17); throughout her youth she is under her father’s jurisdiction. — [Sifrei Mattoth 31]

והפר את נדרה אשר עליה: יכול אפילו לא הפר האב, תלמוד לומר בנעוריה בית אביה, כל שבנעוריה ברשות אביה היא:

10As for the vow of a widow or a divorced woman, whatever she prohibited upon herself will remain upon her. יוְנֵ֥דֶר אַלְמָנָ֖ה וּגְרוּשָׁ֑ה כֹּ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־אָֽסְרָ֥ה עַל־נַפְשָׁ֖הּ יָק֥וּם עָלֶֽיהָ:

whatever she prohibited upon herself will remain upon her: since she is neither under the jurisdiction of her father nor of her husband. Scripture refers to a widow from marriage, but if she is widowed from betrothal, as soon as her betrothed [husband] has died, she reverts to the jurisdiction of her father. — [Ned. 70a]

כל אשר אסרה על נפשה יקום עליה: לפי שאינה לא ברשות אב ולא ברשות בעל, ובאלמנה מן הנשואין הכתוב מדבר, אבל אלמנה מן האירוסין, מת הבעל נתרוקנה וחזרה לרשות האב:

11But if she vowed in her husband's house, or imposed a prohibition upon herself with an oath. יאוְאִם־בֵּ֥ית אִישָׁ֖הּ נָדָ֑רָה אוֹ־אָֽסְרָ֥ה אִסָּ֛ר עַל־נַפְשָׁ֖הּ בִּשְׁבֻעָֽה:

But if she made a vow in her husband’s house: Scripture refers to a married woman (נְשׂוּאָה). - [Sifrei Mattoth 25, Ned. 67a]

ואם בית אישה נדרה: בנשואה הכתוב מדבר:

12and her husband heard and remained silent, and did not hinder her, all her vows shall stand, and every prohibition she imposed upon herself shall stand. יבוְשָׁמַ֤ע אִישָׁהּ֙ וְהֶֽחֱרִ֣שׁ לָ֔הּ לֹ֥א הֵנִ֖יא אֹתָ֑הּ וְקָ֨מוּ֙ כָּל־נְדָרֶ֔יהָ וְכָל־אִסָּ֛ר אֲשֶׁר־אָֽסְרָ֥ה עַל־נַפְשָׁ֖הּ יָקֽוּם:

13If her husband revokes them on the day he hears them, anything issuing from her lips regarding her vows or self imposed prohibitions shall not stand; her husband has revoked them and the Lord shall forgive her. יגוְאִם־הָפֵר֩ יָפֵ֨ר אֹתָ֥ם | אִישָׁהּ֘ בְּי֣וֹם שָׁמְעוֹ֒ כָּל־מוֹצָ֨א שְׂפָתֶ֧יהָ לִנְדָרֶ֛יהָ וּלְאִסַּ֥ר נַפְשָׁ֖הּ לֹ֣א יָק֑וּם אִישָׁ֣הּ הֲפֵרָ֔ם וַֽיהֹוָ֖ה יִסְלַח־לָֽהּ:

14Any vow or any binding oath of self affliction, her husband can either uphold it or revoke it. ידכָּל־נֵ֛דֶר וְכָל־שְׁבֻעַ֥ת אִסָּ֖ר לְעַנֹּ֣ת נָ֑פֶשׁ אִישָׁ֥הּ יְקִימֶ֖נּוּ וְאִישָׁ֥הּ יְפֵרֶֽנּוּ:

Any vow or any binding oath of self-affliction: Since it says that the husband may revoke, I might think this includes all vows? Scripture therefore says, “of self-affliction”-he can revoke only vows of self-affliction. They are delineated in Tractate Nedarim (79a).

כל נדר וכל שבועת אסר וגו': לפי שאמר שהבעל מפר, יכול כל נדרים במשמע, תלמוד לומר לענות נפש, אינו מפר אלא נדרי ענוי נפש בלבד. והם מפורשים במסכת נדרים (דף עט א):

15However, if her husband remained silent from day to day, he has upheld all the vows and prohibitions she has assumed; he has upheld them since he remained silent on the day he heard it. טווְאִם־הַֽחֲרֵשׁ֩ יַֽחֲרִ֨ישׁ לָ֥הּ אִישָׁהּ֘ מִיּ֣וֹם אֶל־יוֹם֒ וְהֵקִים֙ אֶת־כָּל־נְדָרֶ֔יהָ א֥וֹ אֶת־כָּל־אֱסָרֶ֖יהָ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָלֶ֑יהָ הֵקִ֣ים אֹתָ֔ם כִּי־הֶֽחֱרִ֥שׁ לָ֖הּ בְּי֥וֹם שָׁמְעֽוֹ:

from day to day: So that you should not say that [he has the power to revoke] for a twenty-four hour period, it says, “from day to day” to inform you that he may revoke only until nightfall. — [Ned. 76b]

מיום אל יום: שלא תאמר מעת לעת, לכך נאמר מיום אל יום, ללמדך שאין מפר אלא עד שתחשך:

16If he revokes them after having heard [them], he shall bear her iniquity. טזוְאִם־הָפֵ֥ר יָפֵ֛ר אֹתָ֖ם אַֽחֲרֵ֣י שָׁמְע֑וֹ וְנָשָׂ֖א אֶת־עֲו‍ֹנָֽהּ:

after having heard them: After he heard and upheld [them], by saying,“I approve of it” and then he retracted and revoked it, even on that very day. — [Sifrei Mattoth 30]

אחרי שמעו: אחרי ששמע וקיים, שאמר אפשי בו, וחזר והפר לה אפילו בו ביום:

he shall bear her iniquity: He takes her place. We learn from here that if someone causes his fellow to stumble, he bears his punishments in his place. — [Sifrei Mattoth 30]

ונשא את עונה: הוא נכנס תחתיה. למדנו מכאן שהגורם תקלה לחבירו הוא נכנס תחתיו לכל עונשין:

17These are the statutes which the Lord commanded Moses concerning a man and his wife, a father and his daughter, in her youth, while in her father's house. יזאֵ֣לֶּה הַֽחֻקִּ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֤ה יְהֹוָה֙ אֶת־משֶׁ֔ה בֵּ֥ין אִ֖ישׁ לְאִשְׁתּ֑וֹ בֵּין־אָ֣ב לְבִתּ֔וֹ בִּנְעֻרֶ֖יהָ בֵּ֥ית אָבִֽיהָ:

Numbers Chapter 31

1The Lord spoke to Moses saying, אוַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־משֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר:

2"Take revenge for the children of Israel against the Midianites; afterwards you will be gathered to your people." בנְקֹ֗ם נִקְמַת֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מֵאֵ֖ת הַמִּדְיָנִ֑ים אַחַ֖ר תֵּֽאָסֵ֥ף אֶל־עַמֶּֽיךָ:

against the Midianites: But not against the Moabites, for the Moabites were involved in the matter out of fear, since they were afraid of being plundered by them, because all it says is, “do not provoke them into battle” (Deut. 2:9), but the Midianites were angered over a dispute which did not concern them (See Sifrei Mattoth 33). Another interpretation: Because of the two good doves [virtuous proselytes] whom I have [in mind] to bring forth from them, [namely] Ruth the Moabitess and Naamah the Ammonitess (I Kings 14: 21). - [B.K. 38b]

מאת המדינים: ולא מאת המואבים, שהמואבים נכנסו לדבר מחמת יראה שהיו יראים מהם, שיהיו שוללים אותם, שלא נאמר אלא (דברים ב, ט) אל תתגר בם מלחמה. אבל מדינים נתעברו על ריב לא להם. דבר אחר מפני שתי פרידות טובות שיש לי להוציא מהם, רות המואביה ונעמה העמונית:

3So Moses spoke to the people, saying, "Arm from among you men for the army, that they can be against Midian, and carry out the revenge of the Lord against Midian. גוַיְדַבֵּ֤ר משֶׁה֙ אֶל־הָעָ֣ם לֵאמֹ֔ר הֵחָֽלְצ֧וּ מֵֽאִתְּכֶ֛ם אֲנָשִׁ֖ים לַצָּבָ֑א וְיִֽהְיוּ֙ עַל־מִדְיָ֔ן לָתֵ֥ת נִקְמַת־יְהֹוָ֖ה בְּמִדְיָֽן:

Moses spoke: Although he heard that his death depended on the matter, he did it joyfully, without delay. — [Sifrei Mattoth 34, Mid. Tanchuma Mattoth 3, Num. Rabbah 22:2]

וידבר משה וגו': אף על פי ששמע שמיתתו תלויה בדבר עשה בשמחה ולא איחר:

arm: Heb. הֵחָלְצוּ, as the Targum [Onkelos renders זְרִיזוּ], in the sense of “armed for battle” (verse 5), armed with weapons. — [See Sifrei Mattoth 34]

החלצו: כתרגומו לשון חלוצי צבא מזויינים:

men: Righteous men. Similarly, “choose men for us” (Exod. 17:9), and“men who are wise and renowned” (Deut. 1:15). - [Mid. Tanchuma Mattoth 3, Sifrei Mattoth 36, Num. Rabbah 22:2]

אנשים: צדיקים, וכן (שמות יז, ט) בחר לנו אנשים, וכן (דברים א, טו) אנשים חכמים וידועים:

the revenge of the Lord: For anyone opposing Israel is reckoned as opposing the Holy One, blessed is He. — [See Mid. Tanchuma Mattoth 3, Num. Rabbah 22:2]

נקמת ה': שהעומד כנגד ישראל, כאלו עומד כנגד הקב"ה:

4A thousand for each tribe, a thousand for each tribe, from all the tribes of Israel you shall send into the army." דאֶ֚לֶף לַמַּטֶּ֔ה אֶ֖לֶף לַמַּטֶּ֑ה לְכֹל֙ מַטּ֣וֹת יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל תִּשְׁלְח֖וּ לַצָּבָֽא:

from all the tribes: including the tribe of Levi. — [Sifrei Mattoth 35]

לכל מטות ישראל: לרבות שבט לוי:

5From the thousands of Israel one thousand was given over for each tribe, twelve thousand armed for battle. הוַיִּמָּֽסְרוּ֙ מֵֽאַלְפֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֶ֖לֶף לַמַּטֶּ֑ה שְׁנֵֽים־עָשָׂ֥ר אֶ֖לֶף חֲלוּצֵ֥י צָבָֽא:

was given over: Heb. וַיִּמָּסְרוּ. [The passive form is used] to inform you of the virtues of the Israelite shepherds [leaders]-how cherished they were by Israel. When they had not yet heard of his death, what did he say? “Just a little longer and they will stone me” (Exod. 17:4). But as soon as they heard that Moses’ demise was contingent upon the revenge against Midian, they refused to go, until they were given over against their will. — [Sifrei Mattoth 36, Mid. Tanchuma Mattoth 3, Num. Rabbah 22:3]

וימסרו: להודיעך שבחן של רועי ישראל כמה הם חביבים על ישראל, עד שלא שמעו במיתתו מה הוא אומר (שמות יז, ד) עוד מעט וסקלוני, ומששמעו שמיתת משה תלויה בנקמת מדין, לא רצו ללכת עד שנמסרו על כרחן:

6Moses sent them the thousand from each tribe to the army, them along with Phinehas the son of Eleazar the kohen to the army, with the sacred utensils and the trumpets for sounding in his possession. ווַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח אֹתָ֥ם משֶׁ֛ה אֶ֥לֶף לַמַּטֶּ֖ה לַצָּבָ֑א אֹ֠תָ֠ם וְאֶת־פִּ֨ינְחָ֜ס בֶּן־אֶלְעָזָ֤ר הַכֹּהֵן֙ לַצָּבָ֔א וּכְלֵ֥י הַקֹּ֛דֶשׁ וַֽחֲצֹֽצְר֥וֹת הַתְּרוּעָ֖ה בְּיָדֽוֹ:

them along with Phinehas: This shows that Phinehas equaled them all (Sifrei Mattoth 34). Why did Phinehas go, and Eleazar did not go? The Holy One, blessed is He, said, “The one who began the mitzvah by killing Cozbi the daughter of Zur, should finish it” (Mid. Tanchuma Mattoth 3). Another interpretation: He sought the vengeance of Joseph, his maternal grandfather, for it says, “And the Medanites sold him” (Gen. 37:36) (Sifrei Mattoth 34, Sotah 43a). How do we know that the Phinehas’s mother was [descended] from Joseph? Because it says,“[Eleazar the son of Aaron took himself one] of the daughters of Putiel (פּוּטִיאֵל)” (Exod. 6:25) [meaning] of the descendants of Jethro, who fattened (פִּטֵּם) calves for idolatry, and from the descendants of Joseph, who made light of (פִּטְפֵּט) his passion and prevailed over it [when he was tempted by Potiphar’s wife]. Another interpretation: He was [the kohen] anointed for war. — [Sotah 43a]

אותם ואת פינחס: מגיד שהיה פינחס שקול כנגד כולם. ומפני מה הלך פינחס ולא הלך אלעזר. אמר הקב"ה מי שהתחיל במצוה, שהרג כזבי בת צור, יגמור. דבר אחר שהלך לנקום נקמת יוסף אבי אמו, שנאמר (בראשית לז, לו) והמדנים מכרו אותו. ומנין שהיתה אמו של פנחס משל יוסף, שנאמר (שמות ו, כה) מבנות פוטיאל, מזרע יתרו שפיטם עגלים לעבודה זרה ומזרע יוסף שפטפט ביצרו. דבר אחר שהיה משוח מלחמה:

the sacred utensils: The holy Ark (Sifrei Mattoth 34, Num. Rabbah 22:4) and the golden showplate (Mid. Aggadah), since Balaam was with them and through sorcery was able to make the Midianite kings fly, and he flew along with them, he [Phinehas] showed them the showplate on which God’s Name was engraved, and they fell down [to earth]. For this reason it says, concerning the Midianite kings, “upon their slain” (verse 8), for they fell from the air on top of those slain. Likewise, it says in the book of Joshua (13:22) in connection with Balaam,“upon (sic) their slain.” - [Mid. Tanchuma Mattoth 4]

וכלי הקדש: זה הארון והציץ. שהיה בלעם עמהם ומפריח מלכי מדין בכשפים, והוא עצמו פורח עמהם. הראה להם את הציץ, שהשם חקוק בו, והם נופלים, לכך נאמר על חלליהם במלכי מדין, שנופלים על החללים מן האויר, וכן בבלעם כתיב (יהושע יג, כב) אל חלליהם:

in his possession: Heb. בְּיָדוֹ, lit. in his hand, [here] in his possession. Similarly,“taking all his land from his possession (מִיָּדוֹ) ” (Num. 21: 26). - [Sifrei Mattoth 37]

בידו: ברשותו וכן (במדבר כא, כז) ויקח את כל ארצו מידו:

7They mounted an attack against Midian, as the Lord had commanded Moses, and they killed every male. זוַיִּצְבְּאוּ֙ עַל־מִדְיָ֔ן כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־משֶׁ֑ה וַיַּֽהַרְג֖וּ כָּל־זָכָֽר:

8And they killed the Midianite kings upon their slain: Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian, and Balaam the son of Beor they slew with the sword. חוְאֶת־מַלְכֵ֨י מִדְיָ֜ן הָֽרְג֣וּ עַל־חַלְלֵיהֶ֗ם אֶת־אֱוִ֤י וְאֶת־רֶ֨קֶם֙ וְאֶת־צ֤וּר וְאֶת־חוּר֙ וְאֶת־רֶ֔בַע חֲמֵ֖שֶׁת מַלְכֵ֣י מִדְיָ֑ן וְאֵת֙ בִּלְעָ֣ם בֶּן־בְּע֔וֹר הָֽרְג֖וּ בֶּחָֽרֶב:

the five kings of Midian: Do I not see that the verse lists five [kings]? Why was it necessary [for Scripture] to say “five”? But it is to teach you that they were all equally involved in the conspiracy, and they all received the same punishment. Balaam went there [to Midian] to receive his reward for the twenty-four thousand that had fallen from Israel as a result of his advice, and now he left Midian to meet the Israelites, and he offered them harmful advice. He said to them, “If, when you were six hundred thousand, you could not overcome them, and now with twelve thousand, you come to fight?” They gave him his just deserts-in full, without depriving him in the least. — [Sifrei Mattoth 40]

חמשת מלכי מדין: וכי איני רואה שחמשה מנה הכתוב, למה הוזקק לומר חמשת, אלא ללמדך ששוו כולם בעצה והושוו כולם בפורענות. בלעם הלך שם ליטול שכר עשרים וארבעה אלף שהפיל מישראל בעצתו, ויצא ממדין לקראת ישראל ומשיאן עצה רעה. אמר להם אם כשהייתם ששים רבוא לא יכולתם להם, ועכשיו בי"ב אלף אתם באים להלחם. נתנו לו שכרו משלם ולא קפחוהו:

with the sword: He came against Israel and exchanged his craft for theirs. For they are victorious only with their mouths, through prayer and supplication, and he came and adopted their craft to curse them with his mouth. So they too came against him by exchanging their craft for the craft of the nations, who come with the sword, as it says [concerning Esau],“And you shall live by your sword” (Gen. 27:40). - [See Mid. Tanchuma Balak 8]

בחרב: הוא בא על ישראל, והחליף אומנתו באומנותם, שאין נושעים אלא בפיהם ע"י תפלה ובקשה. ובא הוא ותפש אומנותם לקללם בפיו, אף הם באו עליו והחליפו אומנותם באומנות האומות, שבאין בחרב, שנאמר (בראשית כז, מ) ועל חרבך תחיה:

9The children of Israel took the Midianite women and their small children captive, and they plundered all their beasts, livestock, and all their possessions. טוַיִּשְׁבּ֧וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל אֶת־נְשֵׁ֥י מִדְיָ֖ן וְאֶת־טַפָּ֑ם וְאֵ֨ת כָּל־בְּהֶמְתָּ֧ם וְאֶת־כָּל־מִקְנֵהֶ֛ם וְאֶת־כָּל־חֵילָ֖ם בָּזָֽזוּ:

10They set fire to all their residential cities and their castles. יוְאֵ֤ת כָּל־עָֽרֵיהֶם֙ בְּמ֣וֹשְׁבֹתָ֔ם וְאֵ֖ת כָּל־טִֽירֹתָ֑ם שָֽׂרְפ֖וּ בָּאֵֽשׁ:

their castles: Heb. בְּטִירֹתָם, the place of their notaries (נוֹטֵירִין), [or the place of their palaces (פַּלְטֵירִין)] which is an expression denoting the residence of the priests, knowledgeable in their laws. Another interpretation: The residence of their lords, for the Targum renders“the lords of the Philistines” פְלִשְׁתִּים) (סַרְנֵי (I Sam. 6:4) as טוּרְנֵי פְלשְׁתָּאֵי. - [See Sifrei Mattoth 41]

טירתם: מקום פלטרין שלהם, שהוא לשון מושב כומרים יודעי חוקיהם. דבר אחר לשון מושב שריהם, כמו שמתורגם סרני פלשתים טורני פלשתאי:

11They took all the booty and all the plunder of man and beast. יאוַיִּקְחוּ֙ אֶת־כָּל־הַשָּׁלָ֔ל וְאֵ֖ת כָּל־הַמַּלְק֑וֹחַ בָּֽאָדָ֖ם וּבַבְּהֵמָֽה:

They took all the booty: This teaches us that they were virtuous and righteous, and were not suspect of theft, to appropriate the booty without permission, for it says, “ all the booty” (Sifrei Mattoth 42). In tradition, [i.e., in the Prophets and the Writings] Scripture explicitly refers to them, [for it says,]“your teeth are like a flock of ewes…” (Song 6: 6)-even your warriors; they are all righteous. — [See Rashi on Song 6:6]

ויקחו את כל השלל וגו': מגיד שהיו כשרים וצדיקים ולא נחשדו על הגזל לשלוח יד בבזה שלא ברשות, שנאמר את כל השלל וגו', ועליהם מפורש בקבלה שניך כעדר הרחלים וגו', אף אנשי המלחמה שביך כולם צדיקים:

booty: Heb. שָׁלָל, movable objects such as garments and ornaments.

שלל: הן מטלטלין של מלבוש ותכשיטין:

spoil: Heb. בָּז denotes plunder of movable objects which are not ornaments.

בז: הוא ביזת מטלטלין שאינם תכשיטין:

plunder: Heb. מַלְקוֹחַ, man and beast, but when“captives” (שְׁבִי) is mentioned together with“plunder” (מַלְקוֹחַ) , the “captives” refers to people and the “plunder” to animals.

מלקוח: אדם ובהמה. ובמקום שכתוב שבי אצל מלקוח, שבי באדם ומלקוח בבהמה:

12They brought the captives, the plunder, and the booty to Moses and to Eleazar the kohen and to the entire community of Israel in the camp, in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. יבוַיָּבִ֡אוּ אֶל־משֶׁה֩ וְאֶל־אֶלְעָזָ֨ר הַכֹּהֵ֜ן וְאֶל־עֲדַ֣ת בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אֶת־הַשְּׁבִ֧י וְאֶת־הַמַּלְק֛וֹחַ וְאֶת־הַשָּׁלָ֖ל אֶל־הַמַּֽחֲנֶ֑ה אֶל־עַרְבֹ֣ת מוֹאָ֔ב אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־יַרְדֵּ֥ן יְרֵחֽוֹ:

Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 106 - 107
• Hebrew text
• English text

Chapter 106

The psalmist continues the theme of the previous psalm, praising God for performing other miracles not mentioned previously, for "who can recount the mighty acts of God?" Were we to try, we could not mention them all!

1. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord for He is good, for His kindness is everlasting.

2. Who can recount the mighty acts of the Lord, or proclaim all His praises?

3. Fortunate are those who preserve justice, who perform deeds of righteousness all the time.

4. Remember me, Lord, when You find favor with Your people; be mindful of me with Your deliverance;

5. to behold the prosperity of Your chosen, to rejoice in the joy of Your nation, to glory with Your inheritance.

6. We have sinned as did our fathers, we have acted perversely and wickedly.

7. Our fathers in Egypt did not contemplate Your wonders, they did not remember Your abundant kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, at the Sea of Reeds.

8. Yet He delivered them for the sake of His Name, to make His strength known.

9. He roared at the Sea of Reeds and it dried up; He led them through the depths, as through a desert.

10. He saved them from the hand of the enemy, and redeemed them from the hand of the foe.

11. The waters engulfed their adversaries; not one of them remained.

12. Then they believed in His words, they sang His praise.

13. They quickly forgot His deeds, they did not wait for His counsel;

14. and they lusted a craving in the desert, they tested God in the wilderness.

15. And He gave them their request, but sent emaciation into their souls.

16. They angered Moses in the camp, and Aaron, the Lord's holy one.

17. The earth opened and swallowed Dathan, and engulfed the company of Abiram;

18. and a fire burned in their assembly, a flame set the wicked ablaze.

19. They made a calf in Horeb, and bowed down to a molten image.

20. They exchanged their Glory for the likeness of a grass-eating ox.

21. They forgot God, their savior, Who had performed great deeds in Egypt,

22. wonders in the land of Ham, awesome things at the Sea of Reeds.

23. He said that He would destroy them-had not Moses His chosen one stood in the breach before Him, to turn away His wrath from destroying.

24. They despised the desirable land, they did not believe His word.

25. And they murmured in their tents, they did not heed the voice of the Lord.

26. So He raised His hand [in oath] against them, to cast them down in the wilderness,

27. to throw down their progeny among the nations, and to scatter them among the lands.

28. They joined themselves to [the idol] Baal Peor, and ate of the sacrifices to the dead;

29. they provoked Him with their doings, and a plague broke out in their midst.

30. Then Phineas arose and executed judgement, and the plague was stayed;

31. it was accounted for him as a righteous deed, through all generations, forever.

32. They angered Him at the waters of Merivah, and Moses suffered on their account;

33. for they defied His spirit, and He pronounced [an oath] with His lips.

34. They did not destroy the nations as the Lord had instructed them;

35. rather, they mingled with the nations and learned their deeds.

36. They worshipped their idols, and they became a snare for them.

37. They sacrificed their sons and daughters to demons.

38. They spilled innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; and the land became guilty with blood.

39. They were defiled by their deeds, and went astray by their actions.

40. And the Lord's wrath blazed against His people, and He abhorred His inheritance;

41. so He delivered them into the hands of nations, and their enemies ruled them.

42. Their enemies oppressed them, and they were subdued under their hand.

43. Many times did He save them, yet they were rebellious in their counsel and were impoverished by their sins.

44. But He saw their distress, when He heard their prayer;

45. and He remembered for them His covenant and He relented, in keeping with His abounding kindness,

46. and He caused them to be treated mercifully by all their captors.

47. Deliver us, Lord our God; gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to Your Holy Name and glory in Your praise.

48. Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, forever and ever. And let all the people say, "Amen! Praise the Lord!"

Chapter 107

This psalm speaks of those who are saved from four specific perilous situations(imprisonment, sickness, desert travel, and sea travel) and must thank God, for their sins caused their troubles, and only by the kindness of God were they saved. It is therefore appropriate that they praise God and tell of their salvation to all.

1. Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His kindness is everlasting.

2. So shall say those redeemed by the Lord, those whom He redeemed from the hand of the oppressor.

3. He gathered them from the lands-from east and from west, from north and from the sea.

4. They lost their way in the wilderness, in the wasteland; they found no inhabited city.

5. Both hungry and thirsty, their soul languished within them.

6. They cried out to the Lord in their distress; He delivered them from their afflictions.

7. He guided them in the right path to reach an inhabited city.

8. Let them give thanks to the Lord, and [proclaim] His wonders to the children of man,

9. for He has satiated a thirsting soul, and filled a hungry soul with goodness.

10. Those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, bound in misery and chains of iron,

11. for they defied the words of God and spurned the counsel of the Most High-

12. He humbled their heart through suffering; they stumbled and there was none to help.

13. They cried out to the Lord in their distress; He saved them from their afflictions.

14. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and sundered their bonds.

15. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His kindness, and [proclaim] His wonders to the children of man,

16. for He broke the brass gates and smashed the iron bars.

17. Foolish sinners are afflicted because of their sinful ways and their wrongdoings.

18. Their soul loathes all food, and they reach the gates of death.

19. They cried out to the Lord in their distress; He saved them from their afflictions.

20. He sent forth His command and healed them; He delivered them from their graves.

21. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His kindness, and [proclaim] His wonders to the children of man.

22. Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and joyfully recount His deeds.

23. Those who go down to the sea in ships, who perform tasks in mighty waters;

24. they saw the works of the Lord and His wonders in the deep.

25. He spoke and caused the stormy wind to rise, and it lifted up the waves.

26. They rise to the sky, plunge to the depths; their soul melts in distress.

27. They reel and stagger like a drunkard, all their skill is to no avail.

28. They cried out to the Lord in their distress, and He brought them out from their calamity.

29. He transformed the storm into stillness, and the waves were quieted.

30. They rejoiced when they were silenced, and He led them to their destination.

31. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His kindness, and [proclaim] His wonders to the children of man.

32. Let them exalt Him in the congregation of the people, and praise Him in the assembly of the elders.

33. He turns rivers into desert, springs of water into parched land,

34. a fruitful land into a salt-marsh, because of the wickedness of those who inhabit it.

35. He turns a desert into a lake, and parched land into springs of water.

36. He settles the hungry there, and they establish a city of habitation.

37. They sow fields and plant vineyards which yield fruit and wheat.

38. He blesses them and they multiply greatly, and He does not decrease their cattle.

39. [If they sin,] they are diminished and cast down through oppression, misery, and sorrow.

40. He pours contempt upon distinguished men, and causes them to stray in a pathless wilderness.

41. He raises the needy from distress, and makes their families [as numerous] as flocks.

42. The upright observe this and rejoice, and all the wicked close their mouth.

43. Let him who is wise bear these in mind, and then the benevolent acts of the Lord will be understood.

Tanya: Igeret HaTeshuva, end of Chapter 7
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Igeret HaTeshuva , end of Chapter 7
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ואף מי שלא עבר על עון כרת וגם לא על עון מיתה בדי שמים

Even one who has never violated a sin punishable by excision or a sin incurring death by divine agency,

שהוא הוצאת זרע לבטלה וכהאי גוונא

such as vain emission and the like,

אלא שאר עבירות קלות

but other less severe sins,

אף על פי כן, מאחר שהן פוגמים בנשמה ונפש האלקית

nonetheless, since they cause a defect in the spirit and Divine soul,

וכמשל פגימת ופסיקת חבלים דקים כנ״ל

as in the analogy of the fine strands of rope that are defective or severed, as noted above — in ch. 5, which describes the 613 strands that together comprise the lifeline of the soul, and when one transgresses one of the 613 commandments, one of these strands is severed,

הרי בריבוי החטאים יכול להיות פגם כמו בלאו אחד שיש בו כרת ומיתה

therefore, through an accumulation of sins there can eventually be a defect as grave as from one prohibition involving excision or death.

ואפילו בכפילת חטא אחד פעמים רבות

This would be true even when a single sin is repeated numerous times.1

Far from merely damaging the selfsame strand repeatedly, the repetition of even the same sin weakens and jeopardizes the rope as a whole.

כמו שהמשיל הנביא החטאים לענן המאפיל אור השמש

In this manner the prophet compares sins to a cloud that dims the light of the sun.

כמו שנאמר: מחיתי כעב פשעיך

As the verse states,2 “I have erased your transgressions like a thick cloud” (that can dissipate).

הם עבירות חמורות, המבדילות בין פנימית השפעת שם הוי׳ ברוך הוא לנפש האלקית

This refers to the grave sins (3that are barriers) between the internal aspect of the power flowing forth from the Tetragrammaton, and the Divine soul.

כהבדלת ענן עב וחשוך המבדיל בין השמים לאר׳ ולדרים עליה, על דרך משל

This is like the separation of a thick, dark cloud that stands between the sun and the earth with its inhabitants.4

וכענן חטאתיך, הן עבירות קלות שאדם דש בעקביו

[The above verse continues:] “…and your sins like a cloud.” These are the lesser sins that man tramples under his heel,

המבדילות כהבדלת ענן קל וקלוש, על דרך משל

[sins] that obscure as does a thin and wispy cloud.

והנה, כמו שבמשל הזה, אם משים אדם נגד אור השמש בחלון מחיצות קלות וקלושות לרוב מאד, הן מאפילות כמו מחיצה אחת עבה, ויותר

In the illustration, if one obscures the sunlight streaming through a window with many fine and flimsy curtains, they will darken as much as one thick curtain will, and even more.

וככה ממש הוא בנמשל

This is exactly so in the analogue,

בכל עונות שאדם דש בעקביו

with all those cloud-like sins upon which man tramples indifferently, because they seem to be of little import: they obscure the Divine light by their multitudinous repetition as do many fine curtains, “darkening as much as one thick curtain will, and even more”;

ומכל שכן המפורסמות מדברי רז״ל, שהן ממש כעבודה זרה וגילוי עריות ושפיכות דמים

and certainly with those sins that our Sages often warned against, that are actually like idolatry, immorality and bloodshed.

כמו העלמת עין מן הצדקה

For example:5 ignoring the needy,

כמו שכתוב: השמר לך פן יהיה דבר עם לבבך בליעל וגו׳

concerning which Scripture writes,6 “Beware lest there be in your heart something unworthy….”

ובליעל היא עבודת אלילים וכו׳

Beliyaal (here translated “unworthy”) is used in reference to idolatry7..., from which we learn that ignoring the needy is likened to idolatry.

והמספר בגנות חבירו, היא לשון הרע, השקולה כעבודה זרה וגילוי עריות ושפיכות דמים

Or talebearing, the evil tongue, that is equated to idolatry, immorality, and bloodshed.8

וכל הכועס כאילו עובד עבודה זרה

Likewise, the vile-tempered is like the idolatrous,9

וכן מי שיש בו גסות הרוח

and so is the arrogant.10

וכהנה רבות בגמרא

There are many such cases described in the Talmud — of sins whose punishment is not as severe as that of idolatry and the like, but which nonetheless effect a similar spiritual blemish,

ותלמוד תורה כנגד כולן

and [the sin of neglecting] the study of the Torah equals them all.

כמאמר רז״ל: ויתר הקב״ה על עבודה זרה וכו׳

As our Sages assert,11 “G‑d has overlooked idolatry, [immorality and bloodshed, but has not overlooked the sin of neglecting Torah study].”

Thus, sins such as ignoring the needy, talebearing, and so on, though not carrying the punishment of excision or death by the hand of heaven, nonetheless sever the soul from its Divine source.

ולכן סידרו בקריאת שמע שעל המטה, לקבל עליו ד׳ מיתות בית דין וכו׳

For this reason it was ordained that in the course of Keriat Shema at the bedside12 one should accept the four executions of the court, and so on.

This acceptance is recited even by those who have never committed capital sins, because many other sins blemish the soul to the same degree as do those which are punishable by any of the four executions administered by the court.

מלבד שעל פי הסוד כל הפוגם באות יו״ד של שם הוי׳ כאילו נתחייב סקילה

Besides, according to Sod, the mystical dimension of the Torah, causing a defect in the yud of the Tetragrammaton is like incurring lapidation;

והפוגם באות ה״א כאילו נתחייב שריפה

causing a defect in the hei is like incurring burning;

ובאות וי״ו כאילו נתחייב הרג

[causing a defect] in the vav is like incurring the sword;

ובאות ה״א אחרונה כאילו נתחייב חנק

and [causing a defect in] the latter hei is like incurring strangulation.

והמבטל קריאת שמע פוגם באות יו״ד, ותפילין באות ה״א

Neglecting the Shema impairs the yud, and tefillin the hei,

וציצית באות וי״ו ותפלה באות ה״א וכו׳

tzitzit the vav, and prayer the latter hei, and so on.

We thus see that according to the Kabbalah the soul can be blemished through other sins just as by a capital sin. Undertaking the “four executions” clears the soul of these blemishes.

ומזה יוכל המשכיל ללמוד לשאר עונות וחטאים

From this a thinking man can infer for other sins and transgressions (The Rebbe adds: “…which one of the letters of the Tetragrammaton they are related to, and thus, to which manner of execution”),

וביטול תורה כנגד כולן

and for [the sin of] neglecting the study of the Torah, which is equivalent to them all.

All the above lends the thinking person a contrite heart, as he grows aware of the blemish caused even by his supposedly lesser sins.

This contrition is the second preparatory step along the “true and direct” path to the lower level of repentance. For contrition crushes the kelipot and sitra achra and enables a man to repent truthfully, earnestly regretting his past misdeeds and firmly resolving to better his future ways.

FOOTNOTES
1.	Note of the Rebbe: “The proof of the Ran is well known (and it appears as an actual point of law in theShulchan Aruch of the Alter Rebbe, Orach Chayim 328:16) — that the repeated transgression of a prohibition of the Torah involving a quantity that is less than the minimal punishable amount, is more serious than transgressing a prohibition that incurs death by lapidation! (Incidentally, this serves to prove (cf. below) that a multitude of seemingly lesser sins can ‘darken as much..., and even more.’)”
2.	Yeshayahu 44:22.
3.	Parentheses are in the original text.
4.	Note of the Rebbe: “This phrase would appear to be superfluous. Possibly it relates to two details in the analogue: the lower hei (Malchut, earth); the divine soul (‘with its inhabitants’).”
5.	Note of the Rebbe: “Ketubbot 68a.”
6.	Devarim 15:9.
7.	Note of the Rebbe: “Until here, as in the Gemara, loc. cit., and Sanhedrin 111b.”
8.	Note of the Rebbe: “Arachin 15b.”
9.	Zohar II, 182b; Rambam, Hilchot De‘ot 2:3.
10.	Cf. Sotah 4b.
11.	Introduction to Eichah Rabbah, beg. of Sec. 2; Yerushalmi, Chagigah 1:7.
12.	Note of the Rebbe: “Even though it is not the function of Iggeret HaTeshuvah to explain the prayers, this comment is relevant here because one of the themes of the bedside Keriat Shema is stocktaking andteshuvah. (See also Part I, end of ch. 7.)”

Rambam:
• Sefer Hamitzvot:
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Sunday, Tammuz 22, 5777 · July 16, 2017
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Negative Commandment 251
Hurtful Words
"You shall not wrong one another and you shall fear your G‑d"—Leviticus 25:17.
It is forbidden to verbally distress or humiliate another.
Examples:

If a person has sinned in his youth and then repented, one may not tell him, "Thank G‑d who has taken you away from that path to this good path!" or similar indirect references to his earlier faults that may cause him pain.

[If a person is suffering from illness, one may not say (as Job's friends did), "Has anyone perished who was totally innocent?"

If you see people who seek to purchase grain, do not tell them that they can obtain it by a certain person, who in reality has nothing to sell.

Do not enter a store and ask, "How much does this item cost?" when you have no intention to make a purchase.]

Our Sages taught that hurtful words are, in fact, a graver sin than defrauding another of money.
Full text of this Mitzvah »

Hurtful Words

Negative Commandment 251

Translated by Berel Bell

The 251st prohibition is that we are forbidden from verbally wronging another person by telling him things that will distress and humiliate him, and make him discouraged.1 For example, when a person has sinned in his youth, but changed his ways, and someone tells him, "Thank G‑d who has taken you away from that path to this good path," or similar indirect references to faults that cause him pain.

The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement2 (exalted be He), "V'lo sonu one another and you shall fear your G‑d." Our Sages3 said that this refers to verbally causing him pain (ona'as devarim). 4

In the words of the Sifra, "The verse 'V'lo sonu one another' refers to ona'as devarim. What does this mean? If the person is a baal teshuvah, do not tell him, 'Remember your previous deeds...'; if there was illness...[do not say as Job's friends did, 'has anyone perished who was totally innocent?']; if you see donkey drivers...[who are seeking grain to buy, do not say that they can obtain it by a certain person, who in reality has nothing to sell and the drivers will be disappointed]; do not ask, 'how much does this cost?' [when you don't intend to make a purchase, since it will cause disappointment to the seller]."

Our Sages said,5 "Ona'as devarim is more serious than ona'as mamon, since regarding the former, the Torah says, 'and you shall fear your G‑d.'"6

The details of this mitzvah are explained in the 4th chapter of tractate Bava Metzia.

FOOTNOTES

1.Literally, "make him unable to encourage himself."

2.Lev. 25:17.

3.Bava Metzia 58b.

4.Causing verbal pain, as opposed to ona'as mamon, which is cheating someone financially. See N250.

5.Bava Metzia 58b.

6.From this statement it is obvious that ona'as devarim is a distinct mitzvah, not just a subcategory of ona'as mamon.

Rambam:

• 1 Chapter A Day: Sanhedrin veha`Onashin haMesurin lahem Sanhedrin veha`Onashin haMesurin lahem - Chapter 9
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Sanhedrin veha`Onashin haMesurin lahem - Chapter 9

When all the judges of a Sanhedrin begin their judgment of a case involving capital punishment and say that the defendant is liable, he is exonerated. There must be some who seek to exonerate him and argue on his behalf, but yet the majority hold him liable. Only then he is executed.

סנהדרין שפתחו כולם בדיני נפשות תחלה ואמרו כולן חייב הרי זה פטור עד שיהיו שם מקצת מזכין שיהפכו בזכותו וירבו המחייבין ואח"כ יהרג:

The following rules apply when there is a difference of opinion in a minor Sanhedrin. If twelve judges say that he should be exonerated and eleven say that he should be held liable, he is exonerated. If twelve say that he is liable and eleven say that he should be exonerated or eleven say that he should be exonerated and eleven say that he is liable, and one says: "I don't know," we add two judges. Even if there are twelve who wish to exonerate him and twelve who hold him liable, and one who one says: "I don't know," we add two judges. The rationale is that the judge who says: "I don't know," is considered as if he does not exist, for he cannot change his mind and explain why the defendant should be held liable. Thus after the addition, there are 24 judges aside from the person who says: "I don't know."

If twelve say that he should be exonerated and twelve say that he is liable, he is exonerated. If eleven say that he should be exonerated and thirteen say that he is liable, he is liable. This applies even if one of the original judges says: "I don't know." For there are two more judges who rule that he is liable.

If twelve say that he should be exonerated and twelve say that he is liable, we add two judges. And similarly, if the balance is not broken, we continue to add two judges until there is at least one more judge who rules that he should be exonerated or at least two more judges who rule that he should be held liable. If there are an even number of judges on both sides, and one says: "I don't know," or if the number of judges who rule that he is liable is only one more than those who rule that he should be exonerated, we continue to add judges until we reach 71.

The following rules apply when the court reaches that size. If 36 say that he should be exonerated and 35 say that he is liable, he should be exonerated. If 36 say that he is liable and 35 say that he should be exonerated, they debate back and forth against each other until one of them sees the other's perspective and either exonerates him or holds him liable. If such a change in perspective does not take place, the judge of the greatest stature declares: "This judgment has become aged," and he is released.

If 35 say that he is liable and 35 say that he should be exonerated, and one says "I don't know," we release him. If 34 say that he should be exonerated and 36 say that he is liable, and one says: "I don't know," he is held liable. For there is a majority of two judges who hold him liable.

סנהדרי קטנה שנחלקו בדיני נפשות שנים עשר אומרים זכאי ואחד עשר אומרים חייב הרי זה זכאי שנים עשר אומרים חייב ואחד עשר אומרים זכאי או שאמרו אחד עשר זכאי ואחד עשר חייב ואחד אומר איני יודע אפילו עשרים ושנים מזכין או מחייבין והאחד אומר איני יודע יוסיפו שנים זה שאמר איני יודע הרי הוא כמי שאינו שהרי אינו חוזר ומלמד חובה ונמצאו אחר התוספת עשרים וארבעה חוץ מזה המסתפק אמרו שנים עשר זכאי ושנים עשר חייב הרי זה זכאי אחד עשר אומרים זכאי ושלשה עשר אומרים חייב אע"פ שהאחד מן הראשונים אומר איני יודע הרי זה חייב שהרי המחייבין רבו בשנים אמרו שנים עשר זכאי ושנים עשר חייב ואחד אומר איני יודע מוסיפין שנים אחרים וכן מוסיפין והולכין עד שירבו המזכין אחד ויהא זכאי או ירבו המחייבין שנים או יותר ויהא חייב היו אלו כנגד אלו ואחד אומר איני יודע או שהיו המחייבין יותר אחד בלבד מוסיפין והולכין עד שבעים ואחד הגיעו לשבעים ואחד שלשים וששה אומרים זכאי ושלשים וחמשה אומרים חייב הרי זה זכאי שלשים וששה אומרים חייב ושלשים וחמשה אומרים זכאי דנים אלו כנגד אלו עד שיראה אחד מהן דברי חבירו ומזכין אותו או מחייבין אותו ואם לא ראה גדול שבדיינים אומר נזדקן הדין ופוטרין אותו שלשים וחמשה אומרים חייב ושלשים וחמשה אומרים זכאי ואחד אומר איני יודע פוטרין אותו ארבעה ושלשים אומרים זכאי וששה ושלשים אומרים חייב ואחד אומר איני יודע חייב שהרי רבו המחייבין שנים:

When there is a difference of opinion in the Supreme Sanhedrin, whether with regard to a law involving capital punishment, monetary law, or other matters of Torah law, we do not add judges. Instead, they debate against each other and the ruling follows the majority. If their difference of opinion involves whether a person will be executed, they should debate against each other until they either exonerate him or hold him liable.

בית דין הגדול שבא להם מחלוקת בין בדיני נפשות בין בדיני ממונות בין בדיני תורה אין מוסיפין עליהן אלא דנין אלו כנגד אלו והולכין אחר הרוב שלהן ואם בדין אחד מן הנהרגין נחלקו דנין אלו כנגד אלו עד שיפטרוהו או יתחייב:

Rambam:

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Mechirah - Chapter Thirteen

When a person exchanges one article for another, or one animal for another, the laws of ona'ah do not apply. This is true even when he exchanges a needle for a necklace, or a lamb for a donkey. This person may desire the needle more than the necklace.

When, however, a person exchanges produce for produce, the laws of ona'ah do apply, regardless of whether the produce is evaluated before the sale or after the sale.

המחליף כלים בכלים או בהמה בבהמה אפילו מחט בשיריים או טלה בסוס אין לו הונייה שזה רוצה במחט יותר מן השיריים אבל המחליף פירות בפירות בין ששמו אותם קודם המכירה בין ששמו אותם אחר מכירה יש להן הונייה:

When a person purchases an article with coins without measuring their number, volume or weight - e.g., he took a handful of coins and said: "Sell me your cow for these" - this is considered an exchange. The transaction is completed, and the unfair gain must be returned, as explained above.

This law also applies if someone purchases fruit without measuring its number, volume or weight for a sela or two. The transaction is completed and the unfair gain must be returned. When a homeowner sells his personal belongings, the laws of ona'ah do not apply. For a man would not sell his personal belongings unless he were offered an exorbitant amount of money.

הלוקח בדמים אכסרה כגון שחפן ממעות ואמר לו מכור לי פרתך באלו אף על פי שקונה בחליפין קנה ומחזיר הונאה כמו שביארנו והוא הדין ללוקח פירות אכסרה בסלע או בשתים שקנה ומחזיר אונאה בעל הבית שמכר כלי תשמישו אין לו הונייה שאלולי לא הרבו לו הדמים לא היה מוכר לו כלי תשמישו:

Although a person tells a colleague, "We are completing this transaction on the condition that you do not hold me responsible for the unfair gain," the laws of ona'ah apply.

When does the above apply? When the statements are made without being explicit. In such an instance, the other party does not know how much money he is forgoing in favor of his colleague. Needless to say, this is the law when one tells the other: "We are completing this transaction on the condition that there is no ona'ah involved," for ona'ah is involved.

If, however, one explicitly mentions the amount of unfair gain, the laws of ona'ah do not apply, because all conditions that are accepted by both parties are binding in cases of financial law.

האומר לחבירו על מנת שאין לך עלי אונייה יש לו עליו הונייה במה דברים אמורים בסתם שאין יודע כמה הונייה יש בו כדי שימחול ואין צריך לומר אם אמר לו על מנת שאין בו הונייה שהרי יש בו אבל במפרש אין לו הונייה שכל תנאי שבממון קיים:

What is implied? If the seller tells the purchaser: "I am selling you this article for 200 zuz although I know it is worth only 100. I am selling it to you on the condition that you do not hold me responsible for the unfair gain," the laws of ona'ah do not apply.

Similarly, if the purchaser tells the seller: "I am purchasing this article from you for a maneh although I know it is worth 200. I am purchasing it from you on the condition that you do not hold me responsible for the unfair gain," the laws of ona'ah do not apply.

כיצד מוכר שאמר ללוקח חפץ זה שאני נותן במאתים יודע אני שאינו שוה אלא מנה על מנת שאין לך הונייה אני מוכר לך אין לו עליו הונייה וכן לוקח שאמר למוכר חפץ זה שאני לוקח ממך במנה יודע אני ששוה מאתים על מנת שאין לך עלי הונייה אני לוקח ממך אין לו עליו הונייה:

When a person buys and sells in a faithful manner, the laws of ona'ah do not apply.

What is implied? The seller tells the purchaser: "I purchased this article for such and such, and I am making this and this amount of profit," the laws of ona'ah do not apply.

הנושא והנותן באמונה אין לו עליו אונייה כיצד חפץ זה בכך וכך לקחתיו כך וכך אני משתכר בו אין לו עליו הונייה:

When a person buys and sells in a faithful manner and purchases many different utensils and garments in one lot, he should not calculate and sell the inferior items in a faithful manner, and the superior items according to their value. Instead, he should sell either the entire lot in a faithful manner, or the entire lot according to its value.

The seller may include the cost of porters, donkey drivers and his lodgings in the cost of the article. He may not, however, add his own wages as a worker to the cost. Instead, he must say: "I am taking this and this amount as profit," and be specific about that amount.

והנושא והנותן באמונה אם לקח כלים רבים או בגדים בממכר אחד לא יחשוב את הרע באמונה ואת היפה בשוה אלא זה וזה באמונה או זה וזה בשווין ויש לו להעלות על המקח שכר הכתף ושכר החמר ושכר פונדק אבל שכר עצמו מפני שהוא כפועל אינו מוסיף אותו על המקח אלא מפרש ואומר לו כך וכך אני משתכר:

The laws of ona'ah do not apply with regard to a gentile. This is implied by Leviticus 25:14, which states: "When you sell an entity... or purchase an entity..., one man should not cheat his brother."

If a gentile takes unfair advantage of a Jew, he is required to return the unfair gain according to our laws. Dealings with a gentile should not be more severe than dealings with a fellow Jew.

העכו"ם אין לו הונייה שנאמר איש את אחיו ועכו"ם שהונה את ישראל מחזיר הונייה בדינין שלנו לא יהיה זה חמור מישראל:

The laws of ona'ah do not apply with regard to the following objects: landed property, servants, promissory notes and consecrated property. Even if one sells one of these entities that is worth one thousand zuz for one zuz, or an entity worth one zuz for one thousand zuz, the laws of ona'ah do not apply.This is derived from Leviticus 25:14, which states: "Or when you purchase an entity from the hand of your colleague." "From the hand of indicates that the verse is referring to an article whose ownership is transferred from hand to hand, thus excluding landed property. And this also excludes servants, for an association has been established linking the laws governing them to those governing landed property. It also excludes promissory notes, since one is not purchasing the note itself. It merely serves as proof of the obligation it records.

"Your colleague" excludes consecrated property.

אלו דברים שאין להם הונייה הקרקעות והעבדים והשטרות וההקדשות אפילו מכר שוה אלף בדינר או שוה דינר באלף אין בהן הונייה שנאמר או קנה מיד עמיתך דבר הנקנה מיד ליד יצאו הקרקעות ויצאו עבדים שהוקשו לקרקעות ויצאו שטרות שאין גופן קנוי אלא לראיה שבהן עמיתך ולא הקדש:

When does the above apply? When one sells one's own property. When, by contrast, an agent makes the slightest error with regard to the value of either movable property or landed property, the transaction is nullified.

It appears to me that the same laws apply to a guardian entrusted with the property of orphans. If he makes the slightest error with regard to the value of either movable property or landed property, the transaction is nullified. He is not considered comparable to a court, because he is merely one individual.

בד"א במוכר נכסי עצמו אבל השליח שטעה בכל שהוא בין במטלטלין בין בקרקעות חוזר ונראה לי שכן הדין באפוטרופוס שטעה בכל שהוא בין במטלטלין בין בקרקעות חוזר ואינו דומה לב"ד מפני שהוא יחיד:

The following laws apply when a court sells either movable property or landed property belonging to orphans, and errs. If they erred with regard to less than one sixth of the value of the object, it is considered as if the unfair gain is waived, as is the law with regard to an ordinary person. If they erred with regard to one sixth, the transaction is nullified.

If the court did not desire to nullify the transaction, but instead have the unfair gain returned, they may. For the legal power of an ordinary person should not be greater than that of a court.

בית דין שמכרו נכסי יתומים וטעו בין בקרקעות בין במטלטלין אם טעו בפחות משתות הרי זו מחילה כהדיוט טעו בשתות בטל המקח ואם רצו שלא לבטל הממכר ויחזירו ההונייה מחזירין לא יהיה כח הדיוט חמור מהן:

It appears to me that if a court sold landed property or servants belonging to orphans at an unfair price, selling entities worth 100 zuz for 200, the purchaser cannot retract. For the legal power of an ordinary individual should not be greater than that of orphans. Similarly, if a guardian of orphans sells landed property or servants at an unfair profit, the purchaser cannot retract because of the unfair profit, as is the law with regard to an ordinary individual.

יא

נראה לי שבית דין שמכרו קרקע או עבדים של יתומים שוה מנה במאתים אין הלוקח יכול לחזור בהן לא יהיה כח הדיוט חמור מכח היתומים וכן הדין באפוטרופוס שמכר קרקע ועבדים שאין הלוקח יכול לחזור בהונייה כדין ההדיוט:

When brothers or partners divide movable property, they are considered like purchasers. If there is unfair gain less than one sixth of the article's value, the transaction is completed, and there is no need to return anything. If the unfair gain exceeds one sixth, the transaction is nullified. If it is an even sixth, the transaction is completed and the unfair gain must be returned.

If the involved parties made an agreement to divide the property according to the evaluation of judges, and the judges erred with regard to a sixth or more, the division is nullified. For when judges who make an evaluation reduce or increase the value of an article by a sixth, the transaction is nullified.

יב

האחין והשותפין שחלקו המטלטלין הרי הן כלקוחות פחות משתות נקנה מקח ואין מחזיר כלום יתר על שתות בטל מקח שתות קנה ומחזיר אונאה ואם התנו ביניהם שיחלקו בשום הדיינין וטעו בשתות בטלה חלוקה שהדיינין ששמו ופחתו שתות או הותירו שתות מכרן בטל:

Livestock, pearls, a sword, and a Torah scroll are considered like other movable property, and the laws of ona'ah apply to transactions involving them. There are no entities in which the laws of ona'ah do not apply, except the four entities mentioned by our Sages. And even with regard to these entities, this is true provided the person is buying or selling his own property, as we have explained.

יג

הבהמה והמרגלית והסייף וספר תורה הרי הן כשאר מטלטלין ויש בהן הונייה אין לך דבר שאין בו הונייה חוץ מארבעה דברים שמנו חכמים והוא שיהיה מוכר קונה בנכסי עצמו כמו שביארנו:

Just as the laws of ona'ah do not apply to the purchase of landed property, so too, these laws do not apply to the rental of landed property. Even if one rents a large hall for only one dinar a year, or a small coop for a dinar a day, the laws of ona'ah do not apply.

יד

כשם שאין לקרקעות הונייה כך שכירות קרקע אין לו הונייה אפילו שכר טרקלין גדול בדינר בשנה או רפת קטנה בדינר בכל יום אין לו הונייה:

When a person hires a worker to work for him - whether with regard to movable property or with regard to landed property - the laws of ona'ah do not apply. It is as if he is purchasing him for that time, and the laws of ona'ah do not apply with regard to servants.

טו

השוכר את הפועל לעשות עמו בין בקרקע בין במטלטלין אין לו הונייה מפני שהוא כקונה אותו לזמן ועבדים אין בהם הונייה:

There is an unresolved doubt in the following situation. A person hires a contractorto sow a field, the contractor claims to have sowed it in a proper manner, and witnesses testify that the contractor sowed fewer seeds than are supposed to be sown. We are unsure whether the laws of ona'ah apply because of the seeds, or whether these laws do not apply because of the land."

Therefore, the funds should not be expropriated from the defendant, nor is he required to take anything but a Rabbinic oath, because of the connection the dispute has to landed property.

טז

שכרו לזרוע לו קרקע ואמר זרעתי בה זריעה הראוי בה ובאו עדים שזרע בה פחות מן הראוי לה הרי זה ספק אם יש לו הונייה מפני הזרע או אין לו הונייה מפני הקרקע לפיכך אין מוציאין מיד נתבע וכן אין משביעין אותו אלא שבועת היסת מפני צד הקרקע שיש כאן:

The laws of ona'ah apply with regard to the rental of a utensil or an animal. For rental is considered to be a sale for a day. Thus, if there is an unfair gain of one sixth or more - regardless of whether this unfair gain is taken at the advantage of the owner or the person who rents the article - the unfair gain must be returned. This applies even when a lengthy period of time has passed since the transaction.

יז

השוכר את הכלים או את הבהמה יש להם אונייה שהשכירות מכירה בת יומה היא ואם יש בה הונייה שתות או יותר בין שנתאנה שוכר בין שנתאנה משכיר הרי זה מחזיר הונייה ואפילו לאחר זמן מרובה:

It appears to me that the laws of ona'ah apply with regard to a contractor.

What is implied? A person agreed to weave a particular garment for ten zuzim, or to sew a particular cloak for two zuzim. If there is unfair profit involved, the laws of ona'ah apply. Either the contractor or the owner of the garment may always retract as a seller may.

יח

נראה לי שהקבלן יש לו הונאה כיצד כגון שקבל עליו לארוג בגד זה בעשרה זוזים או לתפור חלוק זה בשני זוזים הרי זה יש לו הונייה וכל אחד משניהם בין קבלן בין בעל הבגד חוזר לעולם כמוכר:

Mechirah - Chapter Fourteen

We have already explained that if a person buys and sells in a faithful manner, saying "This is the extent of profit that I am making," the laws of ona'ah do not apply. Even if he says: "I purchased the article for a sela, and I am selling it for ten," this is permitted.

Nevertheless, the court is obligated to regulate prices and appoint officers of the law, so that people at large will not be able to reap whatever profit they desire. Instead, the court should regulate that a person should earn only a profit of a sixth. A seller should not profit more than a sixth of his investment.

כבר ביארנו שהנושא ונותן באמונה ואמר כך וכך אני משתכר אין לו הונייה ואפילו אמר זה לקחתי בסלע ובעשר אני מוכר מותר אבל בית דין חייבין לפסוק השערים ולהעמיד שוטרין לכך ולא יהיה כל אחד ואחד משתכר כל מה שירצה אלא שתות בלבד יפסקו להם בשכרם ולא ישתכר המוכר יתר על שתות:

When does the above apply? With regard to articles on which our lives depend - e.g., wine, oil and fine flour. With regard to herbs - e.g., costus, frankincense, and the like - by contrast, a set limit is not established by the court. The seller may take any measure of profit he desires.

במה דברים אמורים בדברים שיש בהם חיי נפש כגון יינות שמנים וסלתות אבל העיקרין כגון הקושט והלבונה וכיוצא בהן אין פוסקין להם שער אלא ישתכר כל מה שירצה:

Profit may not be taken twice when selling eggs. The first merchant who sells them may take a profit, and the person who buys them from him must sell them at cost.

ואין משתכרין פעמים בביצים אלא התגר הראשון הוא מוכרן בשכר והלוקח ממנו מוכרן בקרן בלבד:

It is forbidden to do business in Eretz Yisrael with articles on which our lives depend. Instead, one person should bring from his produce heap, and another person should bring from his produce heap, so that they sell cheaply. In places where oil is abundant, it is permitted to do business with oil.

אסור לעשות סחורה בארץ ישראל בדברים שיש בהן חיי נפש אלא זה מביא מגרנו ומוכר וזה מביא מגרנו ומוכר כדי שימכרנו בזול ובמקום שהשמן מרובה מותר להשתכר בשמן:

Produce on which our lives depend should not be stored for the future in Eretz Yisrael or in any place that is predominantly inhabited by Jews, for this causes anxiety for the Jewish people.

When does the above apply? When a person purchases such produce in the market place. When a person stores his own produce, he may store the kav that he possesses.

אין אוצרין פירות שיש בהן חיי נפש בארץ ישראל וכן בכל מקום שרובו ישראל שהרי מגיע מדבר זה צער לישראל בד"א בלוקח מן השוק אבל המכניס משלו מותר לעשות לו קבו אוצר:

It is permitted to store produce during three years: the year before the Sabbatical year, the Sabbatical year and the year following the Sabbatical year.

In a year of drought, one should not store even a small measure of carobs, because one brings a curse on the market prices. Whoever causes prices to rise or who stores produce in Eretz Yisrael or in a place primarily inhabited by Jews is likened to one who lends money at interest.

מותר לאצור פירות שלש שנים ערב שביעית ושביעית ומוצאי שביעית ובשני בצורת אפילו קב חרובין לא יאצור מפני שמכניס מארה בשערים וכל המפקיע שערים או שאצר פירות בארץ או במקום שרובו ישראל הרי זה כמלוה ברבית:

When does the above apply? With regard to produce on which our lives depend. It is, however, permitted to store spices like cumin and pepper in Eretz Yisrael and to transport them from place to place like other herbs.

במה דברים אמורים בפירות שיש בהן חיי נפש אבל התבלין כגון כמון ופלפלין מותר לאצור אותן בארץ ישראל ולהוציא אותן ממקום למקום כשאר העיקרין:

We may not take produce on which our lives depend - e.g., wine, oil and fine flour - from Eretz Yisrael to the diaspora or to Syria. Nor may such produce be taken from the domain of one king to the domain of another king in Eretz Yisrael.

אין מוציאין פירות שיש בהן חיי נפש כגון יינות שמנים וסלתות מארץ ישראל לחוצה לארץ או לסוריא ולא מרשות מלך זה לרשות מלך אחר בארץ ישראל:

The inhabitants of a city are permitted to establish fixed prices for any commodities they desire, even meat and bread. They may establish conditions stating that anyone who violates these guidelines will be punished in such and such a fashion.

רשאין בני העיר לקוץ להם שער לכל דבר שירצו ואפילו בשר ולחם ולהתנות ביניהם לכל מי שיעבור יענשו אותו כך וכך:

Similarly, craftsmen in a specific profession may establish provisions and agree that one should not work on the day on which another is working or the like, and that anyone who violates these guidelines will be punished in such and such a fashion.

רשאין אנשי אומניות לפסוק ביניהם שלא יעשה אחד ביום שיעשה חבירו וכיוצא בזה וכל מי שיעבור על התנאי יענשו אותו כך וכך:

When does the above apply? In a city where there is not a distinguished sage to correct the conduct within the city and improve the ways of its inhabitants. If, however, there is such a distinguished sage, a condition established by craftsmen is not effective without the ruling of the sage.

They may not punish or inflict loss on anyone who does not accept their stipulation, unless that stipulation was made with the consent of the sage. Whoever causes a colleague a loss because of a stipulation that was not made with the consent of the sage is liable to pay.

יא

בד"א במדינה שאין בה חכם חשוב לתקן מעשה המדינה ולהצליח דרכי יושביה אבל אם יש בה אדם חכם חשוב אין התנאי שלהן מועיל כלום ואין יכולין לענוש ולהפסיד על מי שלא קיבל התנאי אא"כ התנה עמהם ועשו מדעת החכם וכל מי שפהסיד לפי התנאי שאינו מדעת החכם משלם:

Just as the prohibition against ona'ah applies with regard to business transactions, it applies with regard to speech, as Leviticus 25:17 states: "A person should not abuse his colleague, and you shall fear your God. I am the Lord"; this refers to verbal abuse.

יב

כשם שהונייה במקח ממכר כך יש הונייה בדברים שנאמר ולא תונו איש את עמיתו ויראת מאלהיך אני ה' זה הוניית דברים:

What is implied? If a person is one who has repented, one should not say: "Remember your initial deeds." If a person is a descendant of converts, one should not tell him: "Remember your ancestors' deeds."

If a convert comes to study the Torah, one should not tell him: "Should a mouth that ate meat from animals that were not ritually slaughtered and that were trefah come and study the Torah that was given by the Almighty?"

If a person was afflicted by illness and suffering or he is forced to bury his children, one should not speak to him in the manner that Job's friends addressed him Job 4:6-7: "Your fear of God was for your own security.... Can you recall anyone who was innocent who perished?"

יג

כיצד היה בעל תשובה לא יאמר לו זכור מעשיך הראשונים ואם היה בן גרים לא יאמר לו זכור מעשה אבותיך היה גר ובא ללמוד תורה לא יאמר לו פה שאכל נבילות וטריפות יבא וילמוד תורה שניתנה מפי הגבורה היו חלאים ויסורים באין עליו או שהיה מקבר את בניו לא יאמר לו כדרך שאמרו חבריו לאיוב הלא יראתך כסלתך זכור נא מי הוא נקי אבד:

If donkey drivers are seeking grain, one should not tell them: "Go to so and so," if one knows that this person has never sold grain.

If a question regarding a point of knowledge was raised, one should not ask a person who has never studied that field of knowledge: "How would you answer this question?" or "What do you think about this matter?" The same applies to other matters of this like.

יד

היו חמרין מבקשין תבואה לא יאמר להם לכו אצל פלוני והוא יודע שלא מכר תבואה מעולם נשאלה שאלה על דבר חכמה לא יאמר למי שאינו יודע אותה חכמה מה תשיב בדבר זה או מה דעתך בדבר זה וכן כל כיוצא בדברים הללו:

Whoever abuses a convert, whether in financial transactions or verbally, transgresses three prohibitions, as Exodus 22:20 states: "Do not abuse a convert..." this refers to verbal abuse- "and do not oppress him" - this refers to taking unfair financial advantage of him.

This teaches that anyone who verbally abuses a convert transgresses three negative prohibitions: "A person should not abuse his colleague," and "One man should not take unfair advantage of his brother," "Do not abuse a convert."

טו

כל המאנה את הגר בין בממון בין בדברים עובר בשלשה לאוין שנאמר וגר לא תונה זה הוניית דברים ולא תלחצנו זה הוניית ממון הא למדת שכל המאנה את הגר עובד בשלשה לאוין משום לא תונו איש את עמיתו ומשום אל תונו איש את אחיו ומשום וגר לא תונה:

Similarly, if a person oppresses a convert and takes unfair financial advantage of him, he transgresses three negative prohibitions: "A person should not abuse his colleague," "One man should not take unfair advantage of his brother," and "Do not oppress him."

טז

וכן אם לחצו והונהו בממון עובר בשלשה לאוין משום אל תונו איש את אחיו ומשום ולא תונו איש את עמיתו ומשום ולא תלחצנו:

Why does a person transgress the prohibition against verbal abuse when he takes unfair financial advantage of a convert, and the prohibition against taking unfair financial advantage if he verbally abuses him? Because the Torah uses the word ona'ah with regard to both these prohibitions, without being more specific, and repeats these two prohibitions with regard to a convert explicitly: "Do not abuse" and "do not oppress him."

יז

ומפני מה עובר בגר על לאו של הוניית דברים אף בהניית ממון ועל לאו של הוניית ממון אף בהונאת דברים מפני שהוציא הכתוב את שניהם בלשון הונייה סתם וכפל לאוין בגר בשני הדברים בפירוש לא תונו ולא תלחץ:

Verbally abusing a person is more severe than taking unfair advantage of him financially. For the latter can be repaid, while the former can never be repaid. The latter involves only the person's possessions, while the former involves his person.

And with regard to verbal abuse, Leviticus 25:17 states: "And you shall fear your God," for the matter is one of feelings. With regard to all matters of feeling, the Torah states: "And you shall fear your God."

Whenever a person cries out because of verbal abuse, he is answered immediately, as implied by the conclusion of the above verse: "...I am God."

יח

גדולה הוניית דברים מהוניית ממון שזה ניתן להשבון וזה לא ניתן להשבון וזה בממונו וזה בגופו והרי הוא אומר בהוניית דברים ויראת מאלהיך לפי שהדבר מסור ללב הא למדת כל דבר שהוא מסור ללב נאמר בו ויראת מאלהיך וכל הצועק מהוניית דברים נענה מיד שנאמר כי אני ה':

Mechirah - Chapter Fifteen

When a person sells an item to a colleague by measure, by weight or by number, and errs to the slightest degree, the colleague may seek redress at any time.

The principles of ona'ah apply only with regard to an object's value. An error in calculation, by contrast, is always reason to seek redress.

המוכר לחבירו במדה במשקל או במניין וטעה בכל שהוא חוזר לעולם שאין הונייה אלא בדמים אבל בחשבון חוזר:

What is implied? A person sold a colleague 100 nuts for a dinar, and then it was discovered that he gave him 101 or 99. The transaction is binding, and the extra or missing nut must be returned. This applies even if several years have passed.

Similarly, if it is discovered that more or less money was given than the amount originally agreed upon the error should be corrected. This applies even if he performed a kinyan attesting to the fact that his colleague does not owe him anything. For the kinyan was performed under mistaken premises. Similar principles apply in all analogous situations.

כיצד מכר לו מאה אגוזים בדינר ונמצאו מאה ואחד או תשעים ותשעה נקנה המקח ומחזיר את הטעות ואפילו לאחר כמה שנים וכן אם נמצאו המעות חסר או יתר מן המנין שפסקו חוזר ואפילו לאחר שקנו מידו שלא נשאר לו אצל חבירו כלום חוזר שקניין בטעות הוא וכן כל כיוצא בזה:

Similarly, when a person sells a colleague landed property, a servant, an animal or movable property, and there is a defect in the property that the purchaser was not aware of, he may return it, even though several years have passed. For the transaction was concluded under erroneous premises.

The above applies provided he did not use the purchased article after he discovered the blemish. If, however, he made use of it after he discovered the blemish, he is considered to have forfeited his right to retract, and he may not return the article.

וכן המוכר לחבירו קרקע או עבד או בהמה או שאר מטלטלין ונמצא במקח מום שלא ידע בו הלוקח מחזירו אפילו לאחר כמה שנים שזה מקח טעות הוא והוא שלא ישתמש במקח אחר שידע במום אבל אם נשתמש בו אחר שראה המום הרי זה מחל ואינו יכול להחזיר:

We do not evaluate the diminution in value caused by the blemish. Instead, even if one sold a colleague a utensil worth ten dinarim, and a blemish was discovered that reduced its value by an isar the purchaser may return the utensil. The seller may not tell him: "Here is an isar, the decrease in value caused by the blemish." For the purchaser may say: "I desire a perfect article." Conversely, if the purchaser desires that the transaction stand, but seeks to be reimbursed for the diminution in value caused by the blemish, the option is given to the seller. He may tell him: "Either purchase the utensil as is for the full price, or take your money and depart.

אין מחשבין פחת המום אפילו מכר לו כלי שוה עשרה דינרין ונמצא בו מום המפחיתו מדמיו איסר מחזיר את הכלי ואינו יכול לומר לו הילך איסר פחת המום שהלוקח אומר בחפץ שלם אני רוצה וכן אם רצה הלוקח ליקח פחת המום הרשות ביד המוכר שהוא אומר לו או תקנה אותו כמו שהוא או טול דמים שלך ולך:

Whenever there is a blemish that the people of a city agree is serious enough to warrant the nullification of a transaction, the article should be returned. Whenever the people agree that a fault is not considered to be a blemish, the article should not be returned unless the purchaser explicitly stated that he refused to accept even the slightest blemish. The rationale is that whenever a person conducts business without making any specific demands, it is assumed that he is following the prevailing customs of the community.

כל שהסכימו עליו בני המדינה שהוא מום שמחזיר בו מקח זה מחזירין וכל שהסכימו עליו שאינו מום הרי זה אינו מחזיר בו אלא אם פירש שכל הנושא ונותן סתם על מנהג המדינה הוא סומך:

Whenever a person purchases an article without making any specific statements, it is assumed that he desired to purchase an article that is perfect, without any blemish.

Even if the seller explicitly said: "This article is sold to you on the condition that you do not return it as blemished," the purchaser may nevertheless return the article unless the purchaser says: "I accept any blemish that I will discover in this article although it causes it to be worth such and such less." For when a person waives money that is due him, he must know how much he is waiving and make an explicit statement to that effect, as applies with regard to the laws of ona'ah.

כל הלוקח סתם אינו לוקח אלא הדבר השלם מכל מום ואם פירש המוכר ואמר על מנת שאין אתה חוזר עלי במום הרי זה חוזר עד שיפרש המום שיש בממכרו וימחול הלוקח או עד שיאמר לו כל מום שימצא במקח זה הפוחת דמיו עד כך וכך קבלתי אותו שהמוחל צריך לידע הדבר שימחול לו בו ויפרש אותו כמו המפרש בהונייה:

When a person sells a cow to a colleague and states that it has some blemishes that are obvious and some blemishes that are not obvious, and the cow does not possess any of the blemishes that are obvious, but does possess one of the blemishes that are not obvious, the transaction is considered to have been concluded under erroneous premises. The cow may be returned although the blemish that was discovered was mentioned explicitly. The rationale is that the purchaser will say: "Since I saw that the cow did not possess any of the apparent blemishes that you mentioned, I said to myself: 'In the same manner, it does not have any of the blemishes that are not apparent. Why did the seller mention them? To make me feel good about my purchase.' "

המוכר פרה לחבירו ומנה בה מומין גלויים ומומין שאין ניכרין ולא היה בה מאותן המומין הגלויין שמנה ונמצא בה מום מאותן שאינן ניכרין הרי זה מקח טעות וחוזר ואע"פ שפירש המום שנמצא שהרי הלוקח אומר כשראיתי שאין בה אלו המומין שנראין שמנה אמרתי כך אין בה אלו שאינן נראין שמנה ואינו מפרש מומין אלו אלא כדי להשביח דעתי:

What is implied? The seller says: "This cow is blind; it is lame; it bites and it crouches suddenly," and it is discovered that the cow only bites or only crouches suddenly, the transaction is considered to have been concluded under erroneous premises.

If the cow possesses all the blemishes the seller mentioned, the transaction is not considered to have been concluded under erroneous premises. Similarly, if the cow is lame but not blind, and it is discovered that it bites, the transaction is not considered to have been concluded under erroneous premises.

כיצד פרה זו עורת היא חגרת היא נשכנית היא רבצנית היא ונמצאת רבצנית בלבד או נשכנית הרי זה מקח טעות היו בה כל המומין שמנה אין זה מקח טעות וכן אם היתה חגרת ונמצאת נשכנית אף על פי שאינה עורת אין זה מקח טעות:

The following rule applies if the seller shows the purchaser a blemish that the cow possesses and tells him: "It has this blemish and also these other blemishes." Although the cow possesses all or several of the non-obvious blemishes that the seller mentioned, the transaction is not considered to have been conducted under false premises.

הראה לו המום שיש בה ואמר לו מום זה יש בה ומום פלוני [ומום פלוני] אף על פי שאותן המומין שמנה נראין ונמצאו בה כולן או מקצתן אין זה מקח טעות:

Similarly, if a person sells a maidservant to a colleague and says: "She has only one hand; she limps; she is blind; she is a maniac; she is an epileptic," and she does not possess any of the blemishes the seller mentioned, but she is epileptic, the transaction is considered to have been conducted under false premises. The same principles apply in all analogous situations.

וכן המוכר שפחה לחבירו ואמר לו גדמת היא חגרת היא סומא היא שוטה היא נכפית היא ולא היה בה מום מאלו המומין שמנה ונמצאת נכפית הרי זה מקח טעות וכן כל כיוצא בזה:

On this basis, I maintain that if a person sells an article to a person for 100 dinarim and tells him: "This article is not worth more than one zuz, and I am selling it to you on the condition that the laws of ona'ah do not apply to me," the laws of ona'ah do apply. For the purchaser will say: "Since I saw the seller say that it was only worth a zuz, I realized that he was only trying to make me feel good about my purchase."The above holds true until the seller explicitly mentions the amount of unfair gain involved in this purchase - or mentions a figure that is close to that, concerning which a person could possibly err. For then we know that the purchaser certainly waived his right to this money.It is fitting to rule according to this logic.

יא

מכאן אני אומר שהמוכר חפץ לחבירו במאה דינרין ואמר לו חפץ זה אינו שוה אלא זוז אחד על מנת שאין לך עלי אונאה הרי זה יש לו עליו אונאה שהרי אומר כיון שראיתי שאמר שאינו שוה אלא זוז ידעתי שאינו מתכוין אלא להשביח דעתי עד שיפרש כדי ההונייה שיש במקחו בודאי או קרוב לה בכדי שהדעת טועה שהרי ידע בודאי הדבר שמחל בו וכזה ראוי לדון:

When a person sells a manservant or a maidservant, the purchaser may not return it because it possesses blemishes that do not prevent the man or woman from working. These blemishes are called simpon. If the simpon was evident, the purchaser saw it at the time of purchase.If it was not always evident - e.g., a mole in its flesh, a scar from a dog-bite or a foul odor coming from the mouth or the nose - he may not return it, for these blemishes do not prevent the servant from working. And servants are not for the purpose of physical intimacy, but to perform work.

יב

המוכר עבד או שפחה אין הלוקח יכול להחזירו מפני מומין שאין מבטלין אותו ממלאכתו והן הנקראין סמפון שאם היה זה סמפון גלוי כבר ראהו ואם אינו נראה כגון שומא בבשר או נשיכת כלב או ריח הפה או החוטם וכיוצא בהן הואיל ואינו מבטלו ממלאכתו אינו מחזיר שאין העבדים לתשמיש המטה אלא למלאכה:

If the servant has extremely uncomfortable boils or a sickness that weakens his strength, or if he is epileptic or insane, it is considered to be a blemish, because this prevents him from working. Similarly, if he has tzara'afi or other conditions that are revolting, it is considered to be a blemish, because a person is repelled by them, and therefore he will not use this servant to serve food or drink.

Similarly, if he is discovered to be an armed robber, this is considered to be a blemish that destroys his entire worth. For the ruling authorities will seize him and execute him.

Similarly, if he has been conscripted by the ruling authorities, this is considered to be a blemish for which the servant can be returned, for the king will seize him to work for him whenever he desires. If, however, the servant is discovered to be a thief, a pilferer, a kidnapper, one who constantly tries to escape, a glutton or the like, the purchaser may not return him unless he explicitly stated that he refused to accept a servant with any of these qualities. For all servants can be assumed to possess these undesirable attributes.

יג

נמצא בו שחין רע או חולי המתיש את כחו או שהיה נכפה או משועמם הרי זה מום מפני שמבטלו ממלאכתו וכן אם נמצא בו צרעת וכיוצא בה מדברים אלו המגואלים הרי זה מום מפני שנפשו של אדם אוננת מהם ונמצא שאינו מתעסק לו במלאכת אכילה ושתייה וכן אם נמצא ליסטים מזויין הרי זה מום המאבד את כולו מפני שהמלך תופס אותו והורגו וכן אם נמצא מוכתב למלכות הרי זה מום ומחזירו מפני שהמלך תופשו למלאכתו בכל עת שירצה אבל אם נמצא גנב או חוטף או גונב נפשות או בורח תמיד או זולל וסובא וכיוצא בדברים אלו אינו יכול להחזיר שכל העבדים בחזקת שיש בהן כל הדעות הרעות אלא אם כן פירש:

Hayom Yom:
• English Text | Video Class

Sunday, Tammuz 22, 5777 · 16 July 2017

"Today's Day"

Sunday, Tamuz 22, 5703

Torah lessons: Chumash: Matot-Massai, first parsha with Rashi.

Tehillim: 106-107.

Tanya: Ch. 5. Bringing (p. 361) ...as will be noted). (p. 363).

My father said:

A chassidic aphorism makes the head clear and the heart clean;

a chassidic virtuous practice fills the home with light;

a chassidic melody fortifies hope and trust, brings joyousness, and places the home and family in a state of "light."

Daily Thought:
Worlds
Of everything G‑d created in His world, not one thing was created without purpose. —Talmud, Shabbat 77b
For every being, there is a world, different from the world of every other being. For what is a world? It is those things of which any single being is aware.
So that whether it be a human being like yourself, a cow on a farm or a leaf on a tree, it knows only of its Creator, itself, and whatever is essential to its purpose. And that is its world.
And in the world of each one of us, all that exists and all that occurs is that which is essential for us to complete our purpose—to fix up this world.
For G‑d does not create anything without purpose. [Reshimot no. 44.]
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Missionary Renegade

Saturday, July 15, 2017

TODAY IN JUDAISM: Tammuz 22, 5777 - Sunday, July 16, 2017 - Chabad.org in New York, New York, United States - - ב"ה - Today in Judaism - Today is Sunday, Tammuz 22, 5777 · July 16, 2017

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