Missionary Renegade: TODAY IN JUDAISM: Elul 2, 5777 - Thursday, August 24, 2017 - - - ב"ה - Today in Judaism - Today is Thursday, Elul 2, 5777

Friday, August 25, 2017

TODAY IN JUDAISM: Elul 2, 5777 - Thursday, August 24, 2017 - - - ב"ה - Today in Judaism - Today is Thursday, Elul 2, 5777 · August 24, 2017

ב"ה

TODAY IN JUDAISM: Elul 2, 5777 - Thursday, August 24, 2017 - -

- ב"ה - Today in Judaism - Today is Thursday, Elul 2, 5777 · August 24, 2017
Torah Reading:
Shoftim: Deuteronomy 16:18 - 17:13
Deuteronomy 16:18 “You are to appoint judges and officers for all your gates [in the cities] Adonai your God is giving you, tribe by tribe; and they are to judge the people with righteous judgment. 19 You are not to distort justice or show favoritism, and you are not to accept a bribe, for a gift blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of even the upright. 20 Justice, only justice, you must pursue; so that you will live and inherit the land Adonai your God is giving you.

21 “You are not to plant any sort of tree as a sacred pole beside the altar of Adonai your God that you will make for yourselves. 22 Likewise, do not set up a standing-stone; Adonai your God hates such things.

17:1 “You are not to sacrifice to Adonai your God a cow or sheep that has a defect or anything wrong with it; that would be an abomination to Adonai your God.

“If there is found among you, within any of your gates [in any city] that Adonai your God gives you, a man or woman who does what Adonai your God sees as wicked, transgressing his covenant 3 by going and serving other gods and worshipping them, the sun, the moon, or anything in the sky — something I have forbidden — 4 and it is told to you, or you hear about it; then you are to investigate the matter diligently. If it is true, if it is confirmed that such detestable things are being done in Isra’el; 5 then you are to bring the man or woman who has done this wicked thing to your city gates, and stone that man or woman to death. 6 The death sentence is to be carried out only if there was testimony from two or three witnesses; he may not be sentenced to death on the testimony of only one witness. 7 The witnesses are to be the first to stone him to death; afterwards, all the people are to stone him. Thus you will put an end to this wickedness among you.

“If a case comes before you at your city gate which is too difficult for you to judge, concerning bloodshed, civil suit, personal injury or any other controversial issue; you are to get up, go to the place which Adonai your God will choose, 9 and appear before the cohanim, who are L’vi’im, and the judge in office at the time. Seek their opinion, and they will render a verdict for you. 10 You will then act according to what they have told you there in that place which Adonai will choose; you are to take care to act according to all their instructions. 11 In accordance with the Torah they teach you, you are to carry out the judgment they render, not turning aside to the right or the left from the verdict they declare to you. 12 Anyone presumptuous enough not to pay attention to the cohen appointed there to serve Adonai your God or to the judge — that person must die. Thus you will exterminate such wickedness from Isra’el — 13 all the people will hear about it and be afraid to continue acting presumptuously.

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Today's Laws & Customs:
• Elul Observances
As the last month of the Jewish year, Elul is traditionaly a time of introspection and stocktaking -- a time to review one's deeds and spiritual progress over the past year and prepare for the upcoming "Days of Awe" of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur.
As the month of Divine Mercy and Forgiveness (see "Today in Jewish History" for Elul 1) it is a most opportune time for teshuvah ("return" to G-d), prayer,charity, and increased Ahavat Yisrael (love for a fellow Jew) in the quest for self-improvement and coming closer to G-d. Chassidic master Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi likens the month of Elul to a time when "the king is in the field" and, in contrast to when he is in the royal palace, "everyone who so desires is permitted to meet him, and he receives them all with a cheerful countenance and shows a smiling face to them all."
Specific Elul customs include the daily sounding of the shofar (ram's horn) as a call to repentance. The Baal Shem Tov instituted the custom of reciting three additional chapters of Psalms each day, from the 1st of Elul until Yom Kippur (on Yom Kippur the remaining 36 chapters are recited, thereby completing the entire book of Psalms). Click below to view today's Psalms.
Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6

Chapter 4:1. For the Conductor, with instrumental music, a psalm by David.

2. Answer me when I call, O God [Who knows] my righteousness. You have relieved me in my distress; be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

3. Sons of men, how long will you turn my honor to shame, will you love vanity, and endlessly seek falsehood?

4. Know that the Lord has set apart His devout one; the Lord will hear when I call to Him.

5. Tremble and do not sin; reflect in your hearts upon your beds, and be silent forever.

6. Offer sacrifices in righteousness, and trust in the Lord.

7. Many say: “Who will show us good?” Raise the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord.

8. You put joy in my heart, greater than [their joy] when their grain and wine abound.

9. In peace and harmony I will lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, will make me dwell alone, in security.

Chapter 5:1. For the Conductor, on the nechilot,1 a psalm by David.

2. Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my thoughts.

3. Listen to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I pray.

4. Lord, hear my voice in the morning; in the morning I set [my prayers] before you and hope.

5. For You are not a God Who desires wickedness; evil does not abide with You.

6. The boastful cannot stand before Your eyes; You hate all evildoers.

7. You destroy the speakers of falsehood; the Lord despises the man of blood and deceit.

8. And I, through Your abundant kindness, come into Your house; I bow toward Your holy Sanctuary, in awe of You.

9. Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness, because of my watchful enemies; straighten Your path before me.

10. For there is no sincerity in their mouths, their heart is treacherous; their throat is an open grave, [though] their tongue flatters.

11. Find them guilty, O God, let them fall by their schemes; banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against You.

12. But all who trust in You will rejoice, they will sing joyously forever; You will shelter them, and those who love Your Name will exult in You.

13. For You, Lord, will bless the righteous one; You will envelop him with favor as with a shield.

Chapter 6:1. For the Conductor, with instrumental music for the eight-stringed harp, a psalm by David.

2. Lord, do not punish me in Your anger, nor chastise me in Your wrath.

3. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I languish away; heal me, O Lord, for my bones tremble in fear.

4. My soul is panic-stricken; and You, O Lord, how long [before You help]?

5. Relent, O Lord, deliver my soul; save me for the sake of Your kindness.

6. For there is no remembrance of You in death; who will praise You in the grave?

7. I am weary from sighing; each night I drench my bed, I melt my couch with my tears.

8. My eye has grown dim from vexation, worn out by all my oppressors.

9. Depart from me, all you evildoers, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.

10. The Lord has heard my supplication; the Lord accepts my prayer.

11. All my enemies will be shamed and utterly terrified; they will then repent and be shamed for a moment.

Psalms 4:1 (0) For the leader. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David:

2 (1) O God, my vindicator!

Answer me when I call!

When I was distressed, you set me free;

now have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.

3 (2) Men of rank, how long will you shame my honor,

love what is vain, chase after lies? (Selah)

4 (3) Understand that Adonai sets apart

the godly person for himself;

Adonai will hear when I call to him.

5 (4) You can be angry, but do not sin!

Think about this as you lie in bed,

and calm down. (Selah)

6 (5) Offer sacrifices rightly,

and put your trust in Adonai.

7 (6) Many ask, “Who can show us some good?”

Adonai, lift the light of your face over us!

8 (7) You have filled my heart with more joy

than all their grain and new wine.

9 (8) I will lie down and sleep in peace;

for, Adonai, you alone make me live securely.

5:1 (0) For the leader. On wind instruments. A psalm of David:

2 (1) Give ear to my words, Adonai,

consider my inmost thoughts.

3 (2) Listen to my cry for help,

my king and my God, for I pray to you.

4 (3) Adonai, in the morning you will hear my voice;

in the morning I lay my needs before you

and wait expectantly.

5 (4) For you are not a God

who takes pleasure in wickedness;

evil cannot remain with you.

6 (5) Those who brag cannot stand before your eyes,

you hate all who do evil,

7 (6) you destroy those who tell lies,

Adonai detests men of blood and deceivers.

8 (7) But I can enter your house

because of your great grace and love;

I will bow down toward your holy temple

in reverence for you.

9 (8) Lead me, Adonai, in your righteousness

because of those lying in wait for me;

make your way straight before me.

10 (9) For in their mouths there is nothing sincere,

within them are calamities,

their throats are open tombs,

they flatter with their tongues.

11 (10) God, declare them guilty!

Let them fall through their own intrigues,

For their many crimes, throw them down;

since they have rebelled against you.

12 (11) But let all who take refuge in you rejoice,

let them forever shout for joy!

Shelter them; and they will be glad,

those who love your name.

13 (12) For you, Adonai, bless the righteous;

you surround them with favor like a shield.

6:1 (0) For the leader. With stringed instruments. On sh’minit [low-pitched musical instruments?]. A psalm of David:

2 (1) Adonai, don’t rebuke me in your anger,

don’t discipline me in the heat of your fury.

3 (2) Be gracious to me, Adonai,

because I am withering away;

heal me, Adonai,

because my bones are shaking;

4 (3) I am completely terrified;

and you, Adonai — how long?

5 (4) Come back, Adonai, and rescue me!

Save me for the sake of your grace;

6 (5) for in death, no one remembers you;

in Sh’ol, who will praise you?

7 (6) I am worn out with groaning;

all night I drench my bed with tears,

flooding my couch till it swims.

8 (7) My vision is darkened with anger;

it grows weak because of all my foes.

9 (8) Get away from me, all you workers of evil!

For Adonai has heard the sound of my weeping,

10 (9) Adonai has heard my pleading,

Adonai will accept my prayer.

11 (10) All my enemies will be confounded,

completely terrified;

they will turn back

and be suddenly put to shame.

Elul is also the time to have one's tefillin and mezuzot checked by an accredited scribe to ensure that they are in good condition and fit for use.
Links: More on Elul
Today in Jewish History:
• Shulchan Aruch Completed (Orech Chaim) (1555)The first section of the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law) authored by Rabbi Joseph Caro (1488-1575) was completed in the Holy Land on this date in 1555.
Daily Quote:

Just as wisdom is not something you can feel with your hands, so G-dliness is not something you can grasp with your mind [Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi]
Daily Torah Study:

Chumash: Shoftim, 5th Portion Deuteronomy 18:14-19:13 with Rashi
• English / Hebrew Linear Translation
• Video Class
• Daily Wisdom (short insight)

Deuteronomy Chapter 18

14For these nations, which you are to possess, hearken to diviners of [auspicious] times and soothsayers, but as for you, the Lord, your God, has not given you [things] like these. ידכִּ֣י | הַגּוֹיִ֣ם הָאֵ֗לֶּה אֲשֶׁ֤ר אַתָּה֙ יוֹרֵ֣שׁ אוֹתָ֔ם אֶל־מְעֹֽנְנִ֥ים וְאֶל־קֹֽסְמִ֖ים יִשְׁמָ֑עוּ וְאַתָּ֕ה לֹ֣א כֵ֔ן נָ֥תַן לְךָ֖ יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ:

[But…] the Lord your God has not given you: to hearken to diviners of auspicious times and soothsayers, for He caused His Divine Presence to rest upon the prophets and upon the Urim and Tummim. — [Targum Jonathan]

לא כן נתן לך ה' אלהיך: לשמוע אל מעוננים ואל קוסמים שהרי השרה שכינה על הנביאים ואורים ותומים:

15A prophet from among you, from your brothers, like me, the Lord, your God will set up for you; you shall hearken to him. טונָבִ֨יא מִקִּרְבְּךָ֤ מֵֽאַחֶ֨יךָ֙ כָּמֹ֔נִי יָקִ֥ים לְךָ֖ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ אֵלָ֖יו תִּשְׁמָעֽוּן:

[A prophet] from among you, from your brothers, like me: This means: Just as I am among you, from your brothers, so will He set up for you [another prophet] in my stead, and so on, from prophet to prophet.

מקרבך מאחיך כמוני: כמו שאני מקרבך מאחיך יקים לך תחתי, וכן מנביא לנביא:

16According to all that you asked of the Lord, your God, in Horeb, on the day of the assembly, saying, "Let me not continue to hear the voice of the Lord, my God, and let me no longer see this great fire, so that I will not die." טזכְּכֹ֨ל אֲשֶׁר־שָׁאַ֜לְתָּ מֵעִ֨ם יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ בְּחֹרֵ֔ב בְּי֥וֹם הַקָּהָ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר לֹ֣א אֹסֵ֗ף לִשְׁמֹ֨עַ֙ אֶת־קוֹל֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֔י וְאֶת־הָאֵ֨שׁ הַגְּדֹלָ֥ה הַזֹּ֛את לֹֽא־אֶרְאֶ֥ה ע֖וֹד וְלֹ֥א אָמֽוּת:

17And the Lord said to me, "They have done well in what they have spoken. יזוַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֵלָ֑י הֵיטִ֖יבוּ אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֵּֽרוּ:

18I will set up a prophet for them from among their brothers like you, and I will put My words into his mouth, and he will speak to them all that I command him. יחנָבִ֨יא אָקִ֥ים לָהֶ֛ם מִקֶּ֥רֶב אֲחֵיהֶ֖ם כָּמ֑וֹךָ וְנָֽתַתִּ֤י דְבָרַי֙ בְּפִ֔יו וְדִבֶּ֣ר אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם אֵ֖ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲצַוֶּֽנּוּ:

19And it will be, that whoever does not hearken to My words that he speaks in My name, I will exact [it] of him. יטוְהָיָ֗ה הָאִישׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־יִשְׁמַע֙ אֶל־דְּבָרַ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר יְדַבֵּ֖ר בִּשְׁמִ֑י אָֽנֹכִ֖י אֶדְר֥שׁ מֵֽעִמּֽוֹ:

20But the prophet who intentionally speaks a word in My name, which I did not command him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die. כאַ֣ךְ הַנָּבִ֡יא אֲשֶׁ֣ר יָזִיד֩ לְדַבֵּ֨ר דָּבָ֜ר בִּשְׁמִ֗י אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־צִוִּיתִיו֙ לְדַבֵּ֔ר וַֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר יְדַבֵּ֔ר בְּשֵׁ֖ם אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֑ים וּמֵ֖ת הַנָּבִ֥יא הַהֽוּא:

which I did not command him to speak: But which I commanded his fellow prophet [to speak].

אשר לא צויתיו לדבר: אבל צויתיו לחבירו:

or who speaks in the name of other gods: Even though his words coincide with the halachah [Jewish law], forbidding what is forbidden or permitting what is permissible. — [San. 89a]

ואשר ידבר בשם אלהים אחרים: אפילו כיון את ההלכה, לאסור את האסור ולהתיר את המותר:

[That prophet] shall die: By strangulation. Three [sinful prophets] are executed by man [i.e., by the court]: One who prophesies what he has not heard, one who prophesies what was not told to him but was told to his fellow [prophet], and one who prophesies in the name of a pagan deity. However, one who suppresses his prophecy [i.e., does not announce it], or one who transgresses the words of a prophet, or a prophet who transgresses his own words [of prophecy]-their death is by the hands of Heaven, for it is said (verse 19), “ I shall exact [it] from him.” - [San. 89a]

ומת: בחנק. שלשה מיתתן בידי אדם, המתנבא מה שלא שמע ומה שלא נאמר לו ונאמר לחבירו, והמתנבא בשם עבודה זרה. אבל הכובש את נבואתו והעובר על דברי נביא והעובר על דברי עצמו מיתתן בידי שמים, שנאמר (פסוק יט) אנכי אדרוש מעמו:

21Now if you say to yourself, "How will we know the word that the Lord did not speak?" כאוְכִ֥י תֹאמַ֖ר בִּלְבָבֶ֑ךָ אֵיכָה֙ נֵדַ֣ע אֶת־הַדָּבָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא־דִבְּר֖וֹ יְהֹוָֽה:

Now if you say to yourself, [“How will we know the word the Lord did not speak?”]?: [This verse alludes to a future time when Israel will want to know which prophet is speaking the word of God. It means:] You are destined to say this when Hananiah, the son of Azzur [a false prophet], came and prophesied, “Behold the vessels of the house of the Lord will be returned from Babylon now hastily” (Jer. 27:16), and Jeremiah stood and cried (Jer. 27:19-22), “concerning the pillars, concerning the sea,… and concerning the remainder of the vessels…” which had not been exiled, ‘they shall be brought to Babylon’ "together with the exile of Zedekiah. — [Sifrei]

וכי תאמר בלבבך: עתידין אתם לומר, כשיבא חנניא בן עזור ומתנבא הנה כלי בית ה' מושבים מבבלה עתה מהרה (ירמיה כז, טז) וירמיהו עומד וצווח על העמודים ועל הים ועל יתר הכלים שלא גלו עם יכניה, בבלה יובאו (שם כז, כב) עם גלות צדקיהו:

22If the prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, and the thing does not occur and does not come about, that is the thing the Lord did not speak. The prophet has spoken it wantonly; you shall not be afraid of him. כבאֲשֶׁר֩ יְדַבֵּ֨ר הַנָּבִ֜יא בְּשֵׁ֣ם יְהֹוָ֗ה וְלֹא־יִֽהְיֶ֤ה הַדָּבָר֙ וְלֹ֣א יָבֹ֔א ה֣וּא הַדָּבָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא־דִבְּר֖וֹ יְהֹוָ֑ה בְּזָדוֹן֙ דִּבְּר֣וֹ הַנָּבִ֔יא לֹ֥א תָג֖וּר מִמֶּֽנּוּ:

If the prophet speaks [in the Name of the Lord]: And says, “This thing is destined to happen to you,” and you see [afterwards] that it does not come about, “that is the thing the Lord did not speak” ; so execute him. But you might say, “This applies to one who prophesies regarding the future. However, suppose one comes and says ‘Do such and such a thing, and I am telling you this by the command of the Holy One, blessed is He,’ [how do we know whether he is speaking the truth? Regarding such a case,] they were already commanded that if someone comes to make you stray from any of the commandments, ”Do not hearken to him“ (Deut. 13:4), unless you are certain that he is a perfectly righteous person, e.g., Elijah on Mount Carmel, who sacrificed on a high place when high places were forbidden, [but did so] in order to control Israel [against idolatry]. Everything must be done according to the needs of the time, and the need for preventive measures to protect against breaches [in the religion]. Therefore [with respect to this authentic prophet], it is stated,”hearken to him" (verse 15). - [San. 89a]

אשר ידבר הנביא: ויאמר דבר זה עתיד לבוא עליכם, ותראו שלא יבא, הוא הדבר אשר לא דברו ה' והרוג אותו. ואם תאמר זו במתנבא על העתידות, הרי שבא ואמר עשו כך וכך ומפי הקב"ה אני אומר, כבר נצטוו שאם בא להדיחך מאחת מכל המצות לא תשמע לו, אלא אם כן מומחה הוא לך שהוא צדיק גמור, כגון אליהו בהר הכרמל שהקריב בבמה בשעת איסור הבמות כדי לגדור את ישראל. הכל לפי צורך השעה וסייג הפרצה, לכך נאמר אליו תשמעון:

you shall not be afraid of him: I.e., do not restrain yourselves from advocating his guilt, and do not fear that you will be punished for this [when your advocating leads to his death]. — [Sifrei]

לא תגור ממנו: לא תמנע עצמך מללמד עליו חובה ולא תירא ליענש עליו:

Deuteronomy Chapter 19

1When the Lord, your God, cuts off the nations, whose land the Lord, your God, is giving you, and you inherit them, and dwell in their cities and in their houses, אכִּֽי־יַכְרִ֞ית יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ אֶת־הַגּוֹיִ֔ם אֲשֶׁר֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לְךָ֖ אֶת־אַרְצָ֑ם וִֽירִשְׁתָּ֕ם וְיָֽשַׁבְתָּ֥ בְעָֽרֵיהֶ֖ם וּבְבָֽתֵּיהֶֽם:

2you shall separate three cities for yourself in the midst of your land, which the Lord, your God, is giving you to possess. בשָׁל֥וֹשׁ עָרִ֖ים תַּבְדִּ֣יל לָ֑ךְ בְּת֣וֹךְ אַרְצְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁר֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לְךָ֖ לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ:

3Prepare the road for yourself and divide into three parts the boundary of your land, which the Lord, your God, is giving you as an inheritance, and it will be for every killer to flee there. גתָּכִ֣ין לְךָ֘ הַדֶּ֒רֶךְ֒ וְשִׁלַּשְׁתָּ֙ אֶת־גְּב֣וּל אַרְצְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יַנְחִֽילְךָ֖ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ וְהָיָ֕ה לָנ֥וּס שָׁ֖מָּה כָּל־רֹצֵֽחַ:

Prepare for yourself the way: “Refuge! Refuge!” was inscribed at each crossroads [directing the way to the nearest refuge city]. — [Mak . 10b]

תכין לך הדרך: מקלט מקלט היה כתוב על פרשת דרכים:

and divide into three parts the boundary of your land: so that [the distance] from the beginning of the border to the first refuge city should be the same as the distance from this first city to the second, and so from the second to the third and from the third to the opposite border of Israel. — [Mak. 9b]

ושלשת את גבול ארצך: שיהא מתחלת הגבול עד העיר הראשונה של עיר מקלט, כשיעור מהלך שיש ממנה עד השניה. וכן משניה, לשלישית. וכן מן השלישית, עד הגבול השני של ארץ ישראל:

4And this is the case of the killer who will flee there, so that he may live: Whoever strikes his fellow [to death] unintentionally, whom he did not hate in times past. דוְזֶה֙ דְּבַ֣ר הָֽרֹצֵ֔חַ אֲשֶׁר־יָנ֥וּס שָׁ֖מָּה וָחָ֑י אֲשֶׁ֨ר יַכֶּ֤ה אֶת־רֵעֵ֨הוּ֙ בִּבְלִי־דַ֔עַת וְה֛וּא לֹֽא־שׂנֵ֥א ל֖וֹ מִתְּמֹ֥ל שִׁלְשֹֽׁם:

5As when a man goes with his fellow into the forest to chop wood, and his hand swings the ax to cut down the tree, and the iron flies off the handle, and it reaches his fellow, and he dies he shall flee to one of these cities, and live. הוַֽאֲשֶׁר֩ יָבֹ֨א אֶת־רֵעֵ֥הוּ בַיַּ֘עַר֘ לַחְטֹ֣ב עֵצִים֒ וְנִדְּחָ֨ה יָד֤וֹ בַגַּרְזֶן֙ לִכְרֹ֣ת הָעֵ֔ץ וְנָשַׁ֤ל הַבַּרְזֶל֙ מִן־הָעֵ֔ץ וּמָצָ֥א אֶת־רֵעֵ֖הוּ וָמֵ֑ת ה֗וּא יָנ֛וּס אֶל־אַחַ֥ת הֶֽעָרִֽים־הָאֵ֖לֶּה וָחָֽי:

And his hand swings [the ax]: when he was about to let the ax fall on the tree. The Targum renders this as וְתִתְמְרֵיג יְדֵּיּהּ meaning, וְנִשְׁמְטָה יָדוֹ his hand swayed while letting the stroke of the ax fall upon the tree. [Similarly,] the words הַבָּקָר כִּי שָׁמְטוּ (II Sam. 6:6), are rendered in Targum Jonathan as: אֲרֵי מַרְגוּהִי תּוֹרַיָּא“for the oxen swayed.”

ונדחה ידו: כשבא להפיל הגרזן על העץ, ותרגומו ותתמריג ידיה, לשון ונשמטה ידו להפיל מכת הגרזן על העץ. כי שמטו הבקר (שמואל ב' ו ו) תרגם יונתן ארי מרגוהי תוריא:

and the iron flies off the handle: Heb. וְנָשַׁל הַבַּרְזֶל מִן-הָעֵץ. Some of our Rabbis say that this means that the iron head [of the ax] slipped off its handle, while others say, the ax chipped a splinter of wood off the tree which was being chopped, and it ricocheted, killing [the victim]. — [Mak. 7b]

ונשל הברזל מן העץ: יש מרבותינו אומרים נשמט הברזל מקתו, ויש מהם אומרים שישל הברזל חתיכה מן העץ המתבקע, והיא נתזה והרגה:

6Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the killer, while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and he strikes him to death, whereas he was not deserving of death, for he had not hated him in times past. ופֶּן־יִרְדֹּף֩ גֹּאֵ֨ל הַדָּ֜ם אַֽחֲרֵ֣י הָֽרֹצֵ֗חַ כִּ֣י יֵחַם֘ לְבָבוֹ֒ וְהִשִּׂיג֛וֹ כִּֽי־יִרְבֶּ֥ה הַדֶּ֖רֶךְ וְהִכָּ֣הוּ נָ֑פֶשׁ וְלוֹ֙ אֵ֣ין מִשְׁפַּט־מָ֔וֶת כִּ֠י לֹ֣א שׂנֵ֥א ה֛וּא ל֖וֹ מִתְּמ֥וֹל שִׁלְשֽׁוֹם:

Lest the avenger of the blood pursue [the killer]: This is why I am telling you prepare a way for yourself, and [to prepare] many refuge cities.

פן ירדוף גואל הדם: לכך אני אומר להכין לך דרך, וערי מקלט רבים:

7Therefore, I command you, saying, "You shall separate for yourself three cities." זעַל־כֵּ֛ן אָֽנֹכִ֥י מְצַוְּךָ֖ לֵאמֹ֑ר שָׁל֥שׁ עָרִ֖ים תַּבְדִּ֥יל לָֽךְ:

8And when the Lord, your God, expands your boundary, as He swore to your forefathers, and He gives you all the land of which He spoke to give to your forefathers; חוְאִם־יַרְחִ֞יב יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ אֶת־גְּבֻ֣לְךָ֔ כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר נִשְׁבַּ֖ע לַֽאֲבֹתֶ֑יךָ וְנָ֤תַן לְךָ֙ אֶת־כָּל־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֶּ֖ר לָתֵ֥ת לַֽאֲבֹתֶֽיךָ:

And when [the Lord your God] expands [your boundary]: As He swore to give you the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites.

ואם ירחיב: כאשר נשבע לתת לך ארץ קיני וקנזי וקדמוני:

9if you will keep all this commandment to perform it, which I command you this day, to love the Lord, your God, and to walk in His ways all the days, you shall add three more cities for yourself, in addition to these three, טכִּֽי־תִשְׁמֹר֩ אֶת־כָּל־הַמִּצְוָ֨ה הַזֹּ֜את לַֽעֲשׂתָ֗הּ אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָֽנֹכִ֣י מְצַוְּךָ֘ הַיּוֹם֒ לְאַֽהֲבָ֞ה אֶת־יְהֹוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ וְלָלֶ֥כֶת בִּדְרָכָ֖יו כָּל־הַיָּמִ֑ים וְיָֽסַפְתָּ֙ לְךָ֥ עוֹד֙ שָׁל֣שׁ עָרִ֔ים עַ֖ל הַשָּׁל֥שׁ הָאֵֽלֶּה:

you shall add three more [cities] for yourself: Thus, [altogether you will have] nine: The three on the other side of the Jordan, the three in the land of Canaan, and three more in the future [when God will expand your boundary]. — [Sifrei]

ויספת לך עוד שלש: הרי תשע. שלש שבעבר הירדן ושלש שבארץ כנען ושלש לעתיד לבא:

10so that innocent blood will not be shed in the midst of your land which the Lord, your God, gives you for an inheritance which would deem you guilty of [having shed this] blood. יוְלֹ֤א יִשָּׁפֵךְ֙ דַּ֣ם נָקִ֔י בְּקֶ֣רֶב אַרְצְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁר֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לְךָ֖ נַֽחֲלָ֑ה וְהָיָ֥ה עָלֶ֖יךָ דָּמִֽים:

11But if a man hates his fellow, lies in wait for him, rises up against him, and strikes him mortally, and he flees to one of these cities, יאוְכִי־יִֽהְיֶ֥ה אִישׁ֙ שׂנֵ֣א לְרֵעֵ֔הוּ וְאָ֤רַב לוֹ֙ וְקָ֣ם עָלָ֔יו וְהִכָּ֥הוּ נֶ֖פֶשׁ וָמֵ֑ת וְנָ֕ס אֶל־אַחַ֖ת הֶֽעָרִ֥ים הָאֵֽל:

But if a man hates his fellow [and lies in wait for him…]: Through this man’s hatred of his fellow, he comes to “lie in wait for him.” From here our Rabbis derived the maxim: If a man transgresses a minor commandment, he will ultimately transgress a major commandment. [Here,] since he transgressed the command: “You shall not hate your brother in your heart” (Lev. 19:17), he ultimately came to shed blood. This is why it says here, “But if a man hates his fellow,” for it should have written only: “But if a man rises up and lies in wait for his fellow and strikes him mortally.” - [Sifrei]

וכי יהיה איש שונא לרעהו: על ידי שנאתו הוא בא לידי וארב לו. מכאן אמרו עבר אדם על מצוה קלה סופו לעבור על מצוה חמורה. לפי שעבר על לא תשנא, סופו לבא לידי שפיכות דמים. לכך נאמר כי יהיה איש שונא לרעהו וגו', שהיה לו לכתוב וכי יקום איש וארב לרעהו והכהו נפש:

12the elders of his city shall send and take him from there and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of the blood, that he may die. יבוְשָֽׁלְחוּ֙ זִקְנֵ֣י עִיר֔וֹ וְלָֽקְח֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ מִשָּׁ֑ם וְנָֽתְנ֣וּ אֹת֗וֹ בְּיַ֛ד גֹּאֵ֥ל הַדָּ֖ם וָמֵֽת:

13And you shall not pity him, but you shall abolish [the shedding of] the blood of the innocent from Israel, and it will be good for you. יגלֹֽא־תָח֥וֹס עֵֽינְךָ֖ עָלָ֑יו וּבִֽעַרְתָּ֧ דַם־הַנָּקִ֛י מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֖ל וְט֥וֹב לָֽךְ:

And you shall not pity him: I.e., you should not say,“The first [person] has already been killed; why should we kill this one too and cause two Israelites to be killed?” - [Sifrei]

לא תחוס עינך: שלא תאמר הראשון כבר נהרג, למה אנו הורגים את זה ונמצאו שני ישראלים הרוגים:

Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 10 - 17
• Hebrew text
• English text

Special Custom for the Month of Elul and High Holidays

The Baal Shem Tov instituted a custom of reciting three additional chapters of Psalms each day, from the 1st of Elul until Yom Kippur (on Yom Kippur the remaining 36 chapters are recited, thereby completing the entire book of Psalms).

See below for today's additional chapters.

Chapter 10

This psalm tells of the wicked one’s prosperity and his boasting of it, until he says: “There is neither law nor judge. God pays no attention to the actions of mere mortals.”

1. Why, O Lord, do You stand afar, do You hide Yourself in times of distress?

2. The wicked man in his arrogance pursues the poor; they are caught by the schemes they have contrived.

3. For the wicked man glories in the desire of his heart, and the robber boasts that he has scorned the Lord.

4. The wicked one in his insolence [thinks], “He does not avenge”; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”

5. His ways always succeed; Your retribution is far removed from before him; he puffs at all his foes.

6. He says in his heart, “I shall not falter; for all generations no evil will befall me.”

7. His mouth is full of oaths, deceit and malice; mischief and iniquity are under his tongue.

8. He sits in ambush near open cities; in hidden places he murders the innocent; his eyes stealthily watch for the helpless.

9. He lurks in hiding like a lion in his lair; he lurks to seize the poor, then seizes the poor when he draws his net.

10. He crouches and stoops, then the helpless fall prey to his might.

11. He says in his heart, “God has forgotten, He conceals His countenance, He will never see.”

12. Arise, O Lord! O God, lift Your hand! Do not forget the lowly.

13. Why does the wicked man scorn God? Because he says in his heart, “You do not avenge.”

14. Indeed, You do see! For You behold the mischief and vexation. To recompense is in Your power; the helpless place their trust in You; You have [always] helped the orphan.

15. Break the strength of the wicked; then search for the wickedness of the evil one and You will not find it.

16. The Lord reigns for all eternity; the nations have vanished from His land.

17. Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; direct their hearts, let Your ear listen,

18. to bring justice to the orphan and the downtrodden, so that [the wicked] shall no longer crush the frail of the earth.

Chapter 11

This psalm declares that the suffering of the righteous one is for his own benefit, to cleanse him of his sins; whereas the wicked one is granted prosperity in this world-similar to the verse, "Wealth remains with its owner, to his detriment."

1. For the Conductor, by David. I have placed my trust in the Lord; [thus] how can you say of my soul, your mountain,1 that it flees like a bird?2

2. For behold, the wicked bend the bow, they have readied their arrow upon the bowstring, to shoot in darkness at the upright of heart.

3. They destroyed the foundations; 3 what [wrong] has the righteous man done?

4. The Lord is in His holy Sanctuary, the Lord's throne is in heaven, [yet] His eyes behold, His pupils probe [the deeds of] mankind.

5. The Lord tests the righteous, but He hates the wicked and the lover of violence.

6. He will rain down upon the wicked fiery coals and brimstone; a scorching wind will be their allotted portion.

7. For the Lord is righteous, He loves [the man of] righteous deeds; the upright will behold His countenance.

FOOTNOTES

1.Your king (Metzudot).

2.And will eventually be captured by Saul (Metzudot).

3.Reffering to the murder of the priests in the city of Nob.

Chapter 12

This psalm admonishes informers, slanderers, and flatterers.

1. For the Conductor, upon the eight-stringed instrument, a psalm by David.

2. Help us, Lord, for the pious are no more; for the faithful have vanished from among men.

3. Men speak falsehood to one another; with flattering lips, with a duplicitous heart do they speak.

4. May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that speaks boastfully-

5. those who have said, "With our tongues we shall prevail, our lips are with us, who is master over us!”

6. Because of the plundering of the poor, because of the moaning of the needy, the Lord says, "Now I will arise!" "I will grant deliverance," He says to him.

7. The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in the finest earthen crucible, purified seven times.

8. May You, O Lord, watch over them; may You forever guard them from this generation,

9. [in which] the wicked walk on every side; when they are exalted it is a disgrace to mankind.

Chapter 13

A prayer for an end to the long exile. One in distress should offer this prayer for his troubles and for the length of the exile.

1. For the Conductor, a psalm by David.

2. How long, O Lord, will You forget me, forever? How long will You hide Your countenance from me?

3. How long must I seek counsel within my soul, [to escape] the grief in my heart all day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

4. Look! Answer me, O Lord, my God; give light to my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death.

5. Lest my enemy say, "I have overcome him," [and] my oppressors rejoice when I falter.

6. I have placed my trust in Your kindness, my heart will rejoice in Your deliverance. I will sing to the Lord, for He has dealt kindly with me.

Chapter 14

This psalm speaks of the destruction of the two Holy Temples-the first by Nebuchadnezzar, and the second by Titus.

1. For the Conductor, by David. The fool says in his heart, "There is no God!" [Man's] deeds have become corrupt and abominable, no one does good.

2. The Lord looked down from heaven upon mankind, to see if there was any wise man who searches for God.

3. They have all gone astray together, they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.

4. Indeed, all the evildoers, who devour My people as they devour bread, who do not call upon the Lord, will [ultimately] come to know [the consequences of their actions].

5. There they will be seized with fright, for God is with the righteous generation.

6. You scorn the counsel of the lowly, that he puts his trust in the Lord.

7. O that out of Zion would come Israel's deliverance! When the Lord returns the captivity of His people, Jacob will exult, Israel will rejoice.

Chapter 15

This psalm speaks of several virtues and attributes with which one should conduct oneself. He is then assured that his soul will rest in Gan Eden.

1. A psalm by David. Who may abide in Your tent, O Lord? Who may dwell on Your holy Mountain?

2. He who walks blamelessly, acts justly, and speaks truth in his heart;

3. who has no slander on his tongue, who has done his fellowman no evil, and who has brought no disgrace upon his relative;

4. in whose eyes a despicable person is abhorrent, but who honors those who are God-fearing; who does not change his oath even if it is to his own detriment;

5. who does not lend his money at interest, nor accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never falter.

Chapter 16

When one is in need, he should not implore God in his own merit, for he must leave his merits for his children.

1. A michtam,1 by David. Watch over me, O God, for I have put my trust in You.

2. You, [my soul,] have said to God, "You are my Master; You are not obligated to benefit me.”

3. For the sake of the holy ones who lie in the earth, and for the mighty-all my desires are fulfilled in their merit.

4. Those who hasten after other [gods], their sorrows shall increase; I will not offer their libations of blood, nor take their names upon my lips.

5. The Lord is my allotted portion and my share; You guide my destiny.

6. Portions have fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, a beautiful inheritance is mine.

7. I bless the Lord Who has advised me; even in the nights my intellect admonishes me.2

8. I have set the Lord before me at all times; because He is at my right hand, I shall not falter.

9. Therefore my heart rejoices and my soul exults; my flesh, too, rests secure.

10. For You will not abandon my soul to the grave, You will not allow Your pious one to see purgatory.

11. Make known to me the path of life, that I may be satiated with the joy of Your presence, with the bliss of Your right hand forever.

FOOTNOTES

1.A psalm that was especially precious to David

2.To fear and love God (Rashi)

Chapter 17

A loftily person should not ask God to test him with some sinful matter, or other things. If one has sinned, he should see to reform himself, and to save many others from sin.

1. A prayer by David. Hear my sincere [plea], O Lord; listen to my cry; give ear to my prayer, expressed by guileless lips.

2. Let my verdict come forth from before You; let Your eyes behold uprightness.

3. You have probed my heart, examined it in the night, tested me and found nothing; no evil thought crossed my mind; as are my words so are my thoughts.

4. So that [my] human deeds conform with the words of Your lips, I guard myself from the paths of the lawbreakers.

5. Support my steps in Your paths, so that my feet shall not falter.

6. I have called upon You, for You, O Lord, will answer me; incline Your ear to me, hear what I say.

7. Withhold Your kindness-O You who delivers with Your right hand those who put their trust in You-from those who rise up against [You].

8. Guard me like the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings

9. from the wicked who despoil me, [from] my mortal enemies who surround me.

10. Their fat has closed [their hearts]; their mouths speak arrogantly.

11. They encircle our footsteps; they set their eyes to make us stray from the earth.

12. His appearance is like a lion longing to devour, like a young lion lurking in hiding.

13. Arise, O Lord! Confront him, bring him to his knees; rescue my soul from the wicked [who serves as] Your sword.

14. Let me be among those whose death is by Your hand, O Lord, among those who die of old age, whose portion is eternal life and whose innards are filled with Your concealed goodness; who are sated with sons and leave their abundance to their offspring.

15. Because of my righteousness, I shall behold Your countenance; in the time of resurrection, I will be sated by Your image.

Additional Three Chapters

Today's Chapters are 4, 5 and 6.

Chapter 4

This psalm exhorts man not to shame his fellow, and to neither speak nor listen to gossip and slander. Envy not the prosperity of the wicked in this world, rather rejoice and say: “If it is so for those who anger Him . . . [how much better it will be for those who serve Him!”]

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