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Triennial Cycle (Triennial Torah Cycle) / Septennial Cycle (Septennial Torah Cycle)

Three and 1/2 year Lectionary Readings	Second Year of the Reading Cycle
Tishri 15-21, 5770 – Oct. 02/09 , 2009	Second Year of the Shmita Cycle

Hag HaSukkoth - Feast of Tabernacles

5770 C.E. – Part II

We wish all of our readers a most happy, blessed and joyous time over the holidays of Sukkoth (Tabernacles) together with loved ones as you welcome daily Most Distinguished guests at your Sukkah, together with all of our most noble and beloved Jewish brothers and sisters and their Torah Scholars, amen ve amen!

Candle Lighting and Havdalah Times:

Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. Eve of Shemini Atzeret First Day Friday, October 9, 2009 Candles at: 6:54 pm Eve of Shemini Atzeret Second Day Shabbat, Oct. 10, 2009 Candles after: 7:48 pm Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009 Holiday Ends: 7:47 pm	San Antonio, Texas, U.S. Eve of Shemini Atzeret First Day Friday, October 9, 2009 Candles at: 6:01 pm Eve of Shemini Atzeret Second Day Shabbat, Oct. 10, 2009 Candles after: 7:00 pm Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009 Holiday Ends: 6:58 pm
Baton Rouge & Alexandria, Louisiana, U.S. Eve of Shemini Atzeret First Day Friday, October 9, 2009 Candles at: 6:23 pm Eve of Shemini Atzeret Second Day Shabbat, Oct. 10, 2009 Candles after: 7:16 pm Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009 Holiday Ends: 7:15 pm	Sheboygan & Manitowoc, Wisconsin US Eve of Shemini Atzeret First Day Friday, October 9, 2009 Candles at: 6:54 pm Eve of Shemini Atzeret Second Day Shabbat, Oct. 10, 2009 Candles after: 7:48 pm Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009 Holiday Ends: 7:47 pm
Bowling Green & Murray, Kentucky, U.S. Eve of Shemini Atzeret First Day Friday, October 9, 2009 Candles at: 6:01 pm Eve of Shemini Atzeret Second Day Shabbat, Oct. 10, 2009 Candles after: 6:56 pm Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009 Holiday Ends: 6:54 pm	Brisbane, Australia Eve of Shemini Atzeret First Day Friday, October 9, 2009 Candles at: 5:34 pm Eve of Shemini Atzeret Second Day Shabbat, Oct. 10, 2009 Candles after: 6:27 pm Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009 Holiday Ends: 6:28 pm
Chattanooga, & Cleveland Tennessee, US Eve of Shemini Atzeret First Day Friday, October 9, 2009 Candles at: 6:57 pm Eve of Shemini Atzeret Second Day Shabbat, Oct. 10, 2009 Candles after: 7:51 pm Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009 Holiday Ends: 7:50 pm	Bucharest, Romania Eve of Shemini Atzeret First Day Friday, October 9, 2009 Candles at: 6:26 pm Eve of Shemini Atzeret Second Day Shabbat, Oct. 10, 2009 Candles after: 7:25 pm Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009 Holiday Ends: 7:23 pm
Miami, Florida, US Eve of Shemini Atzeret First Day Friday, October 9, 2009 Candles at: 6:42 pm Eve of Shemini Atzeret Second Day Shabbat, Oct. 10, 2009 Candles after: 7:33 pm Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009 Holiday Ends: 7:32 pm	Jakarta, Indonesia Eve of Shemini Atzeret First Day Friday, October 9, 2009 Candles at: 5:28 pm Eve of Shemini Atzeret Second Day Shabbat, Oct. 10, 2009 Candles after: 6:17 pm Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009 Holiday Ends: 6:17 pm
New London, Connecticut USA Eve of Shemini Atzeret First Day Friday, October 9, 2009 Candles at: 5:22 pm Eve of Shemini Atzeret Second Day Shabbat, Oct. 10, 2009 Candles after: 6:50 pm Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009 Holiday Ends: 6:48 pm	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Eve of Shemini Atzeret First Day Friday, October 9, 2009 Candles at: 6:45 pm Eve of Shemini Atzeret Second Day Shabbat, Oct. 10, 2009 Candles after: 7:33 pm Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009 Holiday Ends: 7:33 pm
Olympia, Washington, U.S. Eve of Shemini Atzeret First Day Friday, October 9, 2009 Candles at: 6:19 pm Eve of Shemini Atzeret Second Day Shabbat, Oct. 10, 2009 Candles after: 7:20 pm Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009 Holiday Ends: 7:18 pm	Manila & Cebu, Philippines Eve of Shemini Atzeret First Day Friday, October 9, 2009 Candles at: 5:23 pm Eve of Shemini Atzeret Second Day Shabbat, Oct. 10, 2009 Candles after: 6:12 pm Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009 Holiday Ends: 6:11 pm
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA Eve of Shemini Atzeret First Day Friday, October 9, 2009 Candles at: 6:13 pm Eve of Shemini Atzeret Second Day Shabbat, Oct. 10, 2009 Candles after: 7:10 pm Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009 Holiday Ends: 7:09 pm	Singapore, Singapore Eve of Shemini Atzeret First Day Friday, October 9, 2009 Candles at: 6:37 pm Eve of Shemini Atzeret Second Day Shabbat, Oct. 10, 2009 Candles after: 7:25 pm Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009 Holiday Ends: 7:25 pm

For other places see: http://chabad.org/calendar/candlelighting.asp

Roll of Honor:

This Torah commentary comes to you courtesy of:

His Honor Rosh Paqid Adon Hillel ben David and beloved wife HH Giberet Batsheva bat Sarah

His Honor Paqid Adon Mikha ben Hillel

His Honor Paqid Adon David ben Abraham

Her Excellency Giberet Sarai bat Sarah & beloved family,

His Excellency Adon Barth Lindemann & beloved family,

His Excellency Adon John Batchelor & beloved wife,

His Excellency Adon Ezra ben Abraham and beloved wife HE Giberet Karmela bat Sarah,

Her Excellency Giberet Alitah bat Sarah

His Excellency Adon Stephen Legge and beloved wife HE Giberet Angela Legge

His Excellency Adon Tracy Osborne and beloved wife HE Giberet Lynn Osborne

His Excellency Rev. Dr. Adon Chad Foster and beloved wife HE Giberet Tricia Foster

His Excellency Adon Fred Dominguez and beloved wife HE Giberet Elisheva bat Sarah

Her Excellency Giberet Laurie Taylor

For their regular and sacrificial giving, providing the best oil for the lamps, we pray that G-d’s richest blessings be upon their lives and those of their loved ones, together with all Yisrael and her Torah Scholars, amen ve amen!

Also a great thank you and great blessings be upon all who send comments to the list about the contents and commentary of the weekly Torah Seder and allied topics.

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Hag HaSukkoth - Feast of Tabernacles

5770 C.E. – Part II

For further study see:

http://www.betemunah.org/hoshana.html

Tishri 21, 5770

October 08/09, 2009

Morning Service Hoshana Rabba (The Great Hosanna) –

Seventh Day of the Festival of Sukkoth (Tabernacles)

Torah: Bemidbar (Numbers) 29:22-34

Psalm: Psalm 1:1-6 & 150:1-6; & Ecclesiastes 7:19 – 9:3

N.C.: John 7:37-44 & Revelation 3:1-6

Torah Reading: Reader One Num. 29:22-28

Reader Two Num. 29:29-31

Reader Three Num. 29:32-34

Reader Four Num. 29:22-31

Rashi & Targum Pseudo Jonathan for: Bemidbar (Numbers) 29:22-34

RASHI	TARGUM PSEUDO JONATHAN
22. [You will also bring] one he-goat as a sin-offering, in addition to [bringing] the constant (daily) burnt-offering with its meal-offering and libation.	22. and one kid of the goats for a sin offering by one order; beside the perpetual sacrifice the wheat flour for the mincha, and its libation of wine.
23. On the fourth day [you will bring] ten young bulls, two rams, and fourteen yearling lambs, [all] without blemish,	23. On the fourth day of the Feast of Tabernacles, ten young bullocks by ten orders; two rams by two orders; fourteen unblemished lambs of the year by twelve orders; three of them will be offered at two times, and eight of them singly;
24. together with their meal-offerings and libations for the bulls, rams, and lambs, of the required number.	24. their mincha of wheaten flour, and their libations of wine, which you will offer with the the bullocks, rams, and lambs by their number, after their appointed order,
25. [You will also bring] one he-goat as a sin-offering, in addition to [bringing] the constant (daily) burnt-offering with its meal-offering and libation.	25. and one kid for a sin offering, by one order; beside the perpetual sacrifice, the wheat flour for the mincha, and its libation of wine.
26. On the fifth day [you will bring] nine young bulls, two rams, and fourteen yearling lambs, [all] without blemish,	26. On the fifth day of the Feast of Tabernacles, nine young bullocks by nine orders; two rams by two orders lambs of the year fourteen, perfect by twelve orders two of them in a pair, twelve singly;
27. together with their meal-offerings and libations for the bulls, rams, and lambs, of the required number.	27. and the wheat flour for their mincha, and the libation wine for the bullocks, the rams, and lambs by their number after the order of their appointment;
28. [You will also bring] one he-goat as a sin-offering, in addition to [bringing] the constant (daily) burnt-offering with its meal-offering and libation.	28. and one kid for a sin offering by one order; beside the perpetual sacrifice and the wheat flour for the mincha, and the wine of its libation.
29. On the sixth day [you will bring] eight young bulls, two rams, and fourteen yearling lambs, [all] without blemish,	29. On the sixth day of the Feast of Tabernacles, eight young bullocks by eight orders; two rams by two orders; fourteen unblemished lambs of the year by thirteen orders; a pair of them together, and twelve of them singly.
30. together with their meal-offerings and libations for the bulls, rams, and lambs. of the required number.	30. Their mincha of wheat flour, and their libation of wine you will offer with the bullocks, rams, and lambs, by their number in the order appointed;
31. [You will also bring] one he-goat as a sin-offering, in addition to [bringing] the constant (daily) burnt-offering with its meal-offering and libations.	31. and one kid for a sin offering by one order, besides the perpetual sacrifice, the wheat flour for the mincha, the wine of its libation, and a vase of water to be outpoured on the day of the Feast of Tabernacles in grateful acknowledgment (for a good memorial) of the showers of rain.
32. On the seventh day [you will bring] seven young bulls, two rams, and fourteen yearling lambs, [all] without blemish,	32. On the seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles you will offer seven bullocks by seven orders; two rams by two orders; fourteen unblemished lambs of the year by fourteen orders: the number of all these lambs ninety-eight, to make atonement against the ninety-eight maledictions.
33. together with their meal-offerings and libations for the bulls, rams, and lambs. of their required number.	33. And their mincha of wheat flour and libations of wine you shall offer with the bullocks, rains, and lambs, by their number, according to the order appointed
34. [You will also bring] one he-goat as a sin-offering, in addition to [bringing] the constant (daily) burnt-offering with its meal-offering and libation.	34. one kid by one order, beside the perpetual sacrifice, the wheat flour for the mincha, and its libation of wine.

Ketubim: Targum Tehillim (Psalms) 1:1-6 & 150:1-6

JPS	Targum on the Psalms
1. Happy is the man that has not walked in the counsel of the wicked/lawless, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seat of the scornful.	1. Happy the man who has not walked in the council of the wicked/lawless, or stood in the paths of sinners, or taken a seat with the band of mockers.
2. But his delight is in the Law of the LORD; and in His Law does he meditate day and night.	2. Instead his pleasure is in the Law of the Lord, and in his Torah he meditates day and night.
3. And he will be like a tree planted by streams of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, and whose leaf does not wither; and in whatsoever he does he will prosper.	3. And he will be like a living tree planted by streams of water, whose fruit ripens in due course, and its leaves do not fall, and all its branches that grow ripen and flourish.
4. Not so the wicked/lawless; but they are like the chaff which the wind drives away.	4. Not so the wicked/lawless; instead, they are like the chaff that the storm-wind will drive.
5. Therefore the wicked/lawless will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous/generous.	5. Therefore the wicked/lawless will not be acquitted in the great day, nor sinners in the hand of the righteous/generous,
6. For the LORD regards the way of the righteous/generous; but the way of the wicked/ lawless will perish.	6. Because the path of the righteous/generous is manifest in the Lord’s presence, but the paths of the wicked/lawless will perish.
1. Hallelujah. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in the firmament of His power.	1. Hallelujah! Praise God in His sanctuary, praise Him in the firmament of His strength.
2. Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to His abundant greatness.	2. Praise Him for His mighty deeds, praise Him according to His abundant greatness.
3. Praise Him with the blast of the horn; praise Him with the psaltery and harp.	3. Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with harps and lyres.
4. Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and the pipe.	4. Praise Him with drums and with dances, praise Him with flutes and pipes.
5. Praise Him with the loud-sounding cymbals; praise Him with the clanging cymbals.	5. Praise Him with cymbals that sound alone; praise Him with cymbals that sound with shouting.
6. Let every thing that has breath praise the LORD. Hallelujah!	6. Every breath will sing praise to God. Hallelujah!

Koheleth (Ecclesiastes) 7:19 – 9:3

19. Wisdom (Torah) makes the wise stronger than ten rulers who are in the city.

20. For there is not a just man on the earth who does good, and does not sin.

21. Also, do not give your heart to all the words they speak, that you not hear your servant cursing you.

22. For also your own heart knows that you yourself have also cursed others many times.

23. All this I have tested by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

24. That which is far off and exceeding deep, who can find it out?

25. And I turned my heart about, to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, and the foolishness of madness:

26. and I found more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets; her hands are bonds. He who is good before God will escape from her; but the sinner will be captured by her.

27. Behold, I have found this, says the Preacher, counting one by one to find out the sum,

28. that my soul still seeks, but I have not found; one man among a thousand I have found, but a woman among all those I have not found.

29. See, this only I have found, that God has made man upright, but they have sought out many inventions.

1. Who is as the wise? And who knows the meaning of a thing? A man's wisdom makes his face shine, and the boldness of his face is changed.

2. I say, Keep the king's word, even on the matter of the oath of God;

3. Do not be hasty to go from before him. Do not take a stand in an evil thing, for he does whatever he pleases.

4. Because the king's word is that which has power; who then will say to him, What are you doing?

5. Whoever keeps the command will know no evil thing. A wise man's heart knows both time and judgment.

6. Because there is a time and judgment to every purpose, in this the evil of man is great upon him.

7. For he does not know what will be. For who can tell him when it will be?

8. Man is not a ruler over the spirit, to restrain the spirit; nor has he power in the day of death. And there is no discharge in that war, nor will wickedness/lawlessness deliver its possessors.

9. All this I have seen. I gave my heart to every work that is done under the sun. There is a time in which a man rules over a man for his evil.

10. And so I saw the wicked/lawless buried; and they came and went from the holy place, and were forgotten in the city, these things that they had done. This is also vanity.

11. Where sentence on an evil work is not executed speedily, on account of this the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

12. Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged to him, yet surely I know that it will be well to those who fear God, who fear before Him.

13. But it will not be well for the wicked/lawless; and he will not lengthen his days like a shadow, because he does not fear before God.

14. There is a vanity which is done on the earth: There are just ones to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked/lawless; and there are wicked/lawless men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous/generous. I said that this also is vanity.

15. Then I praised mirth, because nothing is good for man under the sun except to eat and to drink and to be glad. For that will go with him in his labour for the days of his life which God gives him under the sun.

16. When I gave my heart to know wisdom (Torah), and to see the business that is done on the earth; for even by day and by night he does not see sleep in his eyes.

17. Then I looked at all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun; because though a man labours to seek it out, yet he will not find it. And even if the wise speaks of knowing, he will not be able to find it.

1. For all this I gave to heart, even to explain all this, that the righteous/generous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God. Whether love or hatred, man does not know all that is before them.

2. All happens alike to all; one event to the righteous/generous, and to the wicked/lawless; to the good, and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him who sacrifices, and to him who does not sacrifice. As is the good, so is the sinner; he who swears is as he that fears an oath.

3. This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event to all. Yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they are alive, and after that they go to those who died.

John 7:37-44

37. And in the last day of the great feast, Yeshua stood and cried out, saying: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink,

38. The one faithfully obeying in me, as the Writing says, “Out of his belly will flow rivers of living water.”

39. But he said this concerning the Spirit of G-d, whom the ones faithfully obeying in him were about to receive; for the spirit of holiness was not yet given, because Yeshua was not yet glorified.

40. Then hearing the Word, many of the crowd said, “This is truly the [awaited] Prophet.”

41. Others said, “This is the Messiah.” But others said, “No! For does the Messiah come out of Galilee?

42. Has not the Scripture said that the Messiah comes from the seed of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was (Mic. 5:2)?”

43. Then a division occurred in the congregation because of him.

44. And some of them desired to seize him, but no one laid hands on him.

Revelation 3:1-6

1. And to the angel of the congregation in Sardis, write: These things says the one having the seven spirits of G-d, and the seven stars: I know your deeds, and the name that you have, and that you are alive but dead.

2. Be watchful, and establish the things/words of those who are about to die. For I have not found your deeds being complete before G-d.

3. Then remember how you heard and you received, take heed and repent/return. But if you do not watch, I will come upon you like a thief and you will not at all know what hour I come upon you.

4. You also have a few names in Sardis who did not defile their robes, and they will walk with me in white because they are worthy.

5. The one overcoming, this one will be clothed in white garments, and I will not at all blot his name out of the Book of Life; and I will acknowledge his name before my Father, and before His angels.

6. The one who has ears, hear what the spirit [of G-d] says to the [Jewish] congregations.

For further study see:

http://www.betemunah.org/shemini.html

Tishri 22, 5770

October 09/10, 2009

Morning Service Shabbat & Shemini Atzeret (Festival of the 8^th Day) - First Day

Morning Service for Sabbath & Tabernacles (Eighth Day) – Tabernáculos (Octavo Día)

Torah: Debarim (Deuteronomy) 14:22 - 16:17 & Numbers 29:35–30:1

Ashlamatah: I Kings 8:54-66

Psalm: Psalm 12:1-9

Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) 9:4 – 10:8

N.C.: I Hillel (Luke) 2:21-40

Torah Reading:

Reader 1 – Debarim 14:22-29

Reader 2 – Debarim 15:1-6

Reader 3 – Debarim 15:7-11

Reader 4 – Debarim 15:12-18

Reader 5 – Debarim 15:19-23

Reader 6 – Debarim 16:1-8

Reader 7 – Debarim 16:9-17

    Maftir – Bemidbar 29:35–30:1

                - I Kings 8:54-66

Rashi & Targum Pseudo Jonathan for: Debarim (Deut.) 14:22 – 16:17

RASHI	TARGUM PSEUDO JONATHAN
22. You must surely tithe all the produce of your planting, that your field yields on a yearly basis.	22. Be mindful to tithe your fruitage of whatsoever comes forth, and which you gather in from the field year by year; not giving the fruit of one year for the fruit of another. [JERUSALEM. My people of the house of Israel, tithing you will tithe all the produce of your seed, of that which you sow upon the face of the field and gather in the produce of each year. Israel, My people, it is not lawful for you to tithe and eat the fruit of one year along with the fruit of (another) year.]
23. You will eat in the presence of Adonai, your G-d, in the place He chooses to house His presence there--- the tithe of your grain, your wine, and your olive oil, and the firstborn of your cattle and flocks; in order that you learn to fear Adonai, your G-d, all the years.	23. And the second tithe you will eat before the Lord your God in the place which He will choose to make His Shekinah to dwell there; the tenths of your corn, your vines, and your oil, and likewise the firstlings of your oxen and sheep, that you may learn to fear the Lord your God all the days.
24. If the journey will be beyond you; if you will be unable to carry it because the place is distant for you where Adonai, your G-d, chooses to set His presence there, for Adonai, your G-d, has blessed you---	24. And if the way be too great for you to be able to carry the tenth, because the place which the Lord your God will choose for His Shekinah to dwell there is too distant from you, when the Lord your God will have blessed you,
25. you will substitute coins. You will bundle the coins in your hand, and will go to the place that Adonai, your G-d, chooses.	25. then you may make exchange for it into silver, and bind the sum in your band, and proceed to the place which the Lord your God will choose,
26. You will spend the money for anything you desire--- for cattle, sheep, wine, intoxicating liquor--- and for anything that you wish; and you will eat there in the presence of Adonai, your G-d, and will rejoice, you and your household.	26. and give the silver for anything that your soul pleases, of oxen, sheep, wine new or old, or whatever your soul desires; and you will eat there before the Lord your God and rejoice, you and the men of your house.
27. And the Levite who is in your city, you must not abandon; since he has no portion or inheritance with you.	27. And the Levite who is in your cities forsake not, for he has not a portion or a heritage with you.
28. At the end of three years, separate all the tithes of your produce of that year and set them aside in your city.	28. At the end of three years you will bring forth all the tenths of your produce for that year, and lay them up in your cities.
29. The Levite will come, for he has no portion or inheritance with you, and the proselyte and the orphan and the widow who are in your city, let them eat their fill; in order that Adonai, your G-d, bless you in all the endeavors that you make.	29. And the Levite, because he has no part or heritage with you, and the stranger, the orphan, and the widow who are in your cities, will come and eat and be satisfied; that the Lord your God may bless you in all the works of your hands that you do.
1. At the end of seven years, you are to make shemitah.	1. At the end of seven years you will make a Release.
2. And this is the statement of shemitah: suspend every creditor's hand from his loan to his neighbor; he will not claim [it] from his neighbor or his brother because it was proclaimed shemitah to Adonai.	2. And this is the indication of the custom of the Release: Every man who is master of a loan, who lends to his neighbor, will give remission. He will not have power to coerce his neighbor in demanding his loan, nor of his brother, a son of Israel; because the Bet Din has published the Release before the Lord.
3. You should demand payment from the stranger, but what you have with your brother your hand will relinquish.	3. From a son of the Gentiles you may exact, but the lawful right (dina) which is yours with your brother you will release with your hand.
4. End it [poverty], so that there will be no one, destitute among you when Adonai will surely bless you in the land that Adonai, your G-d, is giving you as territory to inherit.	4. If you will only be diligent in the precepts of the Law, there will be no poor among you; for, blessing, the Lord will bless you in the land which the Lord your God will give you for a possession to inherit;
5. Only if you will listen to the voice of Adonai, your G-d, to guard to fulfill this entire mitzvah that I am commanding you today.	5. If, obeying, you will only obey the Word of the Lord your God, to observe and do all these commandments which I command you this day.
6. When Adonai, your G-d, blesses you just as He told you, you will grant loans to nations but you will not borrow; and you will rule over many nations, but over you they will not rule.	6. For the Lord your God blesses you, as He says to you (that) you will take from many nations, but they will not take from you; and you will have power over many nations, but they will not have power over you.
7. If there should be someone destitute in your midst among one of your brothers in one of your cities, in your land that Adonai, your G-d, is giving you; do not harden your heart and do not close your hand against your destitute brother.	7. But if you be not diligent in the precepts of the Law, and there be among you a poor man in one of your cities of the land which the Lord your God gives you, you will not harden your heart, nor hold back your hand from your poor brother;
8. Rather, you must surely open your hand generously to him, and you must surely extend a loan to him to cover the wants which he lacks.	8. but you will open your hand to him, and lend to him according to the measure of his lack through which he is in need.
9. Look out for yourself lest there be an evil thought in your mind, saying, "The seventh year is approaching, the shemitah year," and you will look askance at your destitute brother and will not give him; and if he cries out concerning you to Adonai, you will be regarded as sinful.	9. Beware lest there be a word in your proud heart, saying: The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand, and your eye become evil toward your poor brother, so as to be not willing to give to him, and he cry against you to the Lord, and there be guilt upon you.
10. You must surely give him, and let your heart not hurt when you give him; for, as a consequence of this thing, Adonai, your G-d, will bless you in all your work and in all your commerce.	10. Giving you will give to him, nor will your heart be evil when you give to him; for on account of this matter the Lord your God will bless you in all your works that you put your hands unto. [JERUSALEM. Giving you will give to him, nor let your looks be evil at the time you give to him.]
11. For the destitute will not cease to exist within the land; therefore I am commanding you saying, "Open your hand generously to your brother, to your indigent, and to your destitute in your land."	11. But forasmuch as the house of Israel will not rest in the commandments of the law, the poor will not cease in the land: therefore I command you, saying: You will verily open your hands toward your neighbors, to the afflicted around you, and to the poor of your country. [JERUSALEM. If Israel would keep the precepts of the Law, there would be no poor among them; but if they will forsake the precepts of the Law, the poor will not cease from the land: therefore I command you, saying: You will verily open your hands to your poor brethren, and to the needy who will be in your land.]
12. If your brother-Jew or Jewess is sold to you and he serves you six years; then in the seventh year you are to send him free from you.	12. If your brother, a son of Israel, or if a daughter of Israel, be sold to you, he will serve you six years; and when the seventh comes, you will send him from you free.
13. When you send him free from you, do not send him away empty-handed.	13. And when you let him go away from you at liberty, you will not send him away empty.
14. You must surely present him with a severance bonus from your flocks, and from your threshing area, and your wine cellar, whatever Adonai, your G-d, has blessed you with are you to give him.	14. Comforting you will comfort him out of your flocks, your floors, and your wine presses; as the Lord has blessed you, you will give to him. [JERUSALEM. You will furnish him.]
15. Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt and Adonai, your G-d, redeemed you; that is why I am commanding you this matter today.	15. And be mindful that you were servants in the land of Mizraim, and that the Lord your God set you free; therefore I command you today that you do this thing.
16. Should he say to you, "I am not leaving you;" because he loves you and your household, for he has it good with you.	16. But if he say to you, I will not go out from you, because I love you and the men of your house, and because it has been good for him to be with you,
17. Take the awl and put it through his ear and the door, and he will become your perpetual slave. And do the same to your maid-servant as well.	17. Then you will take an awl, and bore (or apply) it through his ear, and that to the door of the house of judgment, and he will be your serving servant until the Jubilee. And for your handmaid also you will write a certificate of release, and give it to her.
18. Let it not seem difficult to you when you send him free from you, for double the profit produced by the wage earner has he worked for you six years; and Adonai, your G-d, will bless you in everything you do.	18. It must not be a hardship in your eyes when you send him away from you; for double the hire of an hireling has he been of service to you six years; and on his account the Lord your God has blessed you in all that you have done.
19. Every firstborn that is born in your cattle, and in your flocks---a male--- you must consecrate to Adonai, your G-d; you may not work with your first-born ox, or shear the first-born of your flocks.	19. Every firstling male that comes out of your herd and flock you will consecrate before the Lord your God. You will not work with the firstlings of your herd, nor shear the firstlings of your flocks;
20. Before Adonai, your G-d, you must eat it, each year, in the place that Adonai chooses, you and your household.	20. You will eat thereof before the Lord your God from year to year, in the place which the Lord will choose, you and the men of your houses.
21. And if it has a blemish--- if it is crippled or blind--- or has any severe blemish, do not slaughter it to Adonai, your G-d.	21. But if there be any spot in it, if it be lame or blind, or have any blemish, you will not sacrifice it before the Lord your God:
22. In your cities may you eat it; the ritually unclean and the clean together, like the deer and the gazelle.	22. You may eat it in your cities; he who is unclean, (so) that he may not approach the holy things, and he who being clean may approach the holy, may alike (eat), as the flesh of the antelope or hart.
23. Only, do not eat its blood; spill it like water on the ground.	23. Only you will not eat the blood; you will pour it out upon the ground like water.
1. Take heed of the month of spring, when you will celebrate Pesach for Adonai your G-d; for in the month of spring Adonai, your G-d, took you out from Egypt at night.	1. Be mindful to keep the times of the festivals, with the intercalations of the year, and to observe the rotation thereof: in the month of Abib to perform the pascha before the Lord your God, because in the month of Abib the Lord your God brought you out of Mizraim;
2. You will slaughter the pesach-offering to Adonai, your G-d, flocks of ruminants and cattle in the place that Adonai chooses to house His Presence there.	2. You will eat it therefore by night. But you will sacrifice the pascha before the Lord your God between the suns; and the sheep and the bullocks on the morrow, on that same day to rejoice in the feast at the place which the Lord will choose to make His Shekinah to dwell there.
3. Do not eat chametz on it; seven days are you to eat on it matzos, bread of anguish; since in haste you left the land of Egypt, so that you remember the day of your exodus from the land of Egypt all the days of your life.	3. You will not eat leavened bread with the pascha; seven days you will eat unleavened bread unto His Name, the unleavened bread of humiliation; for with haste you went forth from the land of Mizraim; that you may remember the day of your out going from the land of Mizraim all the days of your life.
4. And no sourdough of yours may be seen in all of your boundary seven days; and none of the flesh may remain overnight which you slaughtered towards the evening of the first day---until morning.	4. Take heed that in the beginning of the pascha there be no leaven seen among you within all your borders for seven days; and that none of the flesh which you sacrifice in the evening of the first day remain till the morning.
5. You are forbidden to slaughter the pesach in any of your cities that Adonai, your G-d, is giving you.	5. It will not be allowed you to eat the pascha in (any) one of your cities which the Lord your God gives to you;
6. Solely in the place that Adonai, your G-d, chooses to house His Presence, there will you slaughter the pesach towards the afternoon, at sunset, at the time you left Egypt.	6. but in the place which the Lord your God will choose to make His Shekinah to dwell, there will you sacrifice the pascha; and in the evening at the going down of the sun you may eat it until the middle of the night, the time when you began to go out of Mizraim.
7. You will cook [it] and eat [it] in the place that Adonai, your G-d, chooses; and you may depart in the morning and go to your residence.	7. And you will dress and eat it in the place which the Lord your God will choose, and in the early morning (if need be) you may return from the feast, and go to your cities.
8. For six days you will eat matzot, and on the seventh day, is one of withdrawal for the sake of Adonai, your G-d, do not do work.	8. On the first day you will offer the omer, and eat unleavened cakes of the old corn; but in the six remaining days you may begin to eat unleavened cakes of the new corn, and on the seventh day you will assemble with thanksgiving before the Lord your God; no work will you perform.
9. Seven weeks count for yourself; from the time the sickle begins felling the standing grain, begin to count seven weeks.	9. Seven weeks number to you; from the time when you begin to put the sickle to the harvest of the field after the reaping of the omer you will begin to number the seven weeks.
10. You are to celebrate the festival of Shabuoth for Adonai, your G-d, to the fullness of your open-handed gift that you can give, as Adonai, your G-d, has blessed you.	10. And you will keep with joy the Festival of Weeks before the Lord your God, after the measure of the freewill offerings of your hands, according as the Lord your God will have blessed you.
11. You are to rejoice in the presence of Adonai, your G-d--- you, and your son and your daughter, and your male slave and your female slave, and the Levite who is in your city, and the proselyte, and the orphan and the widow who are among you---in the place that Adonai, your G-d, chooses to house His presence there.	11. And you will rejoice with the joy of the feast before the Lord your God, you and your sons, your daughters, your servants and handmaids, the Levites who are in your cities, and the stranger, the orphan, and the widow who are among you, at the place which the Lord your God will choose where to make His Shekinah to dwell.
12. Remember that you were a slave in Egypt; you are to guard and celebrate these statutes.	12. Remember that you were servants in Mizraim; so will you observe and perform these statutes.
13. The festival of Sukkoth celebrate for yourself seven days, when you harvest your threshing-floor and your wine-press.	13. The Feast of Tabernacles you will make to you seven days, when you will have completed to gather in the corn from your threshing floors, and the wine from your presses.
14. You are to rejoice during your festival--- you and your son and your daughter, and your male slave and your female slave, and the Levite and the proselyte, and the orphan and the widow who are in your city.	14. And you will rejoice in the joy of your feasts with the clarinet and flute, you and your sons and daughters, your handmaids, the Levite, the stranger, the orphan, and the widow, who are in your cities.
15. Seven days are you to be festive for Adonai, your G-d, in the place Adonai chooses, for Adonai, your G-d, will bless you in all your produce and in all your endeavors; and you will experience pure joy.	15. Seven days you will keep the feast before the Lord your God in the place which the Lord will choose, because the Lord your God will have blessed you in all your provision, and in all the work of your hands, and so will you be joyful in prosperity.
16. Three times a year are all your males to be seen in the presence of Adonai, your G-d, in the place that He chooses--- in the festival of Matzot, and on the festival of Shabuoth, and on the festival of Sukkoth--- and he will not appear in Adonai's presence empty-handed.	16. Three times in the year will all your males appear before the Lord your God in the place that He will choose; at the Feast of the Unleavened, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; nor must you appear before the Lord your God empty handed of any of the requirements;
17. Everyone according to the gift appropriate to his means, according to the blessing of Adonai, your G-d, that He gave you.	17. Everyone after the measure of the gifts of his hands, according to the blessing which the Lord your God has bestowed upon you.

Rashi & Targum Pseudo Jonathan for: Bemidbar (Numbers) 29:35–30:1

RASHI	TARGUM PSEUDO JONATHAN
35. On the eighth day will be a [day of] restraint for you, when you will not do any work of consequence.	35. And on the eighth day you will gather together joyfully from your tabernacles, in your houses, a gladsome company, a festal day, and a holy convocation will you have, no servile work will you do
36. You will bring a burnt-offering, a fire-offering for a pleasing aroma to Adonai, [consisting of] one young bull, one ram, and seven yearling lambs, [all] without blemish;	36. But offer a sacrifice an oblation to be received with favor before the Lord; light oblations; one bullock before the one God, one ram for the one people, lambs of the year unblemished, seven, for the joy of the seven days.
37. [together with] their meal-offerings and libations for the bull, ram, and lambs. of the required number.	37. Their mincha of wheat flour, and their libations of wine which you will offer with the bullocks, rams, and Iambs, by their number, After the order of their appointment;
38. And one he-goat as a sin-offering, in addition to [bringing] the constant (daily) burnt-offering with its meal-offering and libation.	38. And one kid for a sin offering, beside the perpetual sacrifice, the flour for its mincha, and the wine for its libation.
39. These you will make to Adonai on your festivals, aside from your vows and dedications, burnt-offerings and meal-offerings, and libations and peace-offerings."	39. These you will offer before the Lord in the time of your festivals, beside your vows which you vow at the festival, and which you will bring on the day of the feast, with your free-will oblation for your burnt sacrifice, your mincha, libations, and consecrated victims.
1. Moshe spoke to B’ne Yisrael all that Adonai had commanded him.	1. And Mosheh spoke to the sons of Israel, according to all that the Lord had commanded Mosheh.

Ketubim: Targum Tehillim (Psalms) Psalm 12:1-9

JPS	Targum on the Psalms
1. For the Leader; on the Sheminith. A Psalm of David.	1. For praise, on the lyre of eight strings. A hymn of David.
2. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceases; for the faithfully obedient fail from among the children of men.	2. Redeem, O Lord, for the good are annihilated; for the faithfully obedient have ceased from the sons of men.
3. They speak falsehood every one with his neighbour; with flattering lip, and with a double heart, do they speak.	3. They speak lies, each to his fellow, lips are flattering; in their heart they deceive, and with a lying heart they speak.
4. May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that speaks proud things!	4. The Lord will destroy from the world all flattering lips, the tongue that speaks arrogance.
5. Who have said: ‘Our tongue will we make mighty; our lips are with us: who is lord over us?’	5. Those who deny the essence, who say, “By our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us, who is our master?”
6. ‘For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise,’ says the LORD; ‘I will set him in safety at whom they puff.’	6. Because of the oppression of the poor, because of the cry of the needy, now I will arise, says the Lord; I will give redemption to My people, but against the wicked/Lawless I will give testimony of evil.
7. The words of the LORD are pure words, as silver tried in a crucible on the earth, refined seven times.	7. The words of the Lord are pure words, silver purified in the furnace on the ground, refined seven times.
8. You will keep them, O LORD; You will preserve us from this generation forever.	8. You, O Lord, will keep the righteous/generous; you will protect them from this evil generation forever.
9. The wicked/Lawless walk on every side, when vileness is exalted among the sons of men.	9. All around the wicked/Lawless walk, like a leech that sucks the blood of the sons of men

Ashlamatah: I Kings 8:54-66

54 ¶ And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread forth toward heaven.

55 And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying:

56 ‘Blessed be the LORD, that has given rest unto His people Israel, according to all that He promised; there has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised by the hand of Moses His servant.

57 The LORD our God be with us, as He was with our fathers; let Him not leave us, nor forsake us;

58 that He may incline our hearts unto Him, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments, and His statutes, and His ordinances, which He commanded our fathers.

59 And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that He maintain the cause of His servant, and the cause of His people Israel, as every day shall require;

60 that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD, He is God; there is none else.

61 Let your heart therefore be whole with the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes, and to keep His commandments, as at this day.’

62 ¶ And the king, and all Israel with him, offered sacrifice before the LORD.

63 And Solomon offered for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, which he offered unto the LORD, two and twenty thousand oxen, and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD.

64 The same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD; for there he offered the burnt-offering, and the meal-offering, and the fat of the peace-offerings; because the brazen altar that was before the LORD was too little to receive the burnt-offering, and the meal-offering, and the fat of the peace-offerings.

65 So Solomon held the feast at that time, and all Israel with him, a great congregation, from the entrance Hamath unto the Brook of Egypt, before the LORD our God, seven days and seven days, even fourteen days.

66 On the eighth day he sent the people away, and they blessed the king, and went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the LORD had shown unto David His servant, and to Israel His people.

Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) 9:4 – 10:8

4. For one who is chosen to be among all the living, there is hope. For a living dog is better than a dead lion.

5. For the living know that they will die; but the dead do not know anything; nor do they have any more a reward, for their memory is forgotten.

6. Also their love, their hatred, and their envy has now perished; nor do they any longer have a part forever in all that is done under the sun.

7. Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God now is pleased with your works.

8. Let your garments be white at every time; and let your head lack no ointment.

9. Look on life with the wife whom you love all the days of the life of your vanity, which He gave you under the sun, all the days of your vanity. For that is your share in this life, and in your labour which you as a labourer do under the sun.

10. All that your hand finds to do, do it with [all of] your strength. For there is no work, or planning, or knowledge, or wisdom, in Sheol, there where you go.

11. I returned and saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the mighty; nor even bread to the wise; nor even riches to the men of discernment; nor even favour to knowing men. For time and occurrence happen to them all.

12. For man also does not know his time. As the fish that are taken in the evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the trap, like them are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly on them.

13. This wisdom I saw also under the sun, and it is great to me:

14. There was a little city, and few men in it. And a great king came against it, and besieged it, and built huge siege works against it.

15. And there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom saved the city. Yet no man remembered that poor man!

16. And I said, Wisdom is better than strength; but the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

17. The words of wise men are heard in quiet, more than the cry of one who rules among fools.

18. Wisdom is better than weapons of conflict; but one sinner destroys much good.

1. As dead flies cause the perfumer's ointment to stink and ferment; so a little foolishness is heavier than wisdom and than honour.

2. The heart of the wise is toward his right, but the fool's heart toward his left.

3. And also, in the way in which a stupid one walks, his heart fails, and he says to all that he is a fool.

4. If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, do not leave your place; for composure quiets great offenses.

5. There is an evil I have seen under the sun, sins which come from the face of the ruler:

6. Folly is set in many high positions, and many rich men sit in low situations.

7. I have seen slaves on horses, and rulers walking as slaves on the earth.

8. He who digs a pit may fall into it; and one breaking a wall, a snake may bite him.

I Hillel (Luke) 2:21-40

21. And when eight days were fulfilled to circumcise the child his name was called Yeshua, the name called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22. And when the days of her cleansing according to the Law of Moses were fulfilled, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to Ha-Shem,

23. As it has been written in the Law of the Lord: “Every male opening a womb will be called holy to the Lord” (Ex. 13:2).

24. And to offer a sacrifice according to that said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two nestlings of doves” (Lev. 12:8).

25. And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Shimeon. And this man was righteous/generous and devout, eagerly expecting the Consolation of Israel. And the Spirit of Holiness was upon him.

26. And it happened to him, having been divinely instructed by the Spirit of Holiness, he was not to see death before he would see the Messiah of Ha-Shem.

27. And by the Spirit he came into the temple. And as the parents were bringing in the child Yeshua for them to do according to the custom of the Law concerning him,

28. Even Shimeon received him into his arms. And he blessed God and said,

29. “Now, Master of the universe, You will let Your servant go in peace according to Your Word;

30. Because my eyes have seen Your Salvation (Yeshua),

31. Which You prepared before the face of all the peoples;

32. A Light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the Glory of Your people Israel.”

33. And Joseph was marvelling, also his mother, at the things being said concerning him (Yeshua).

34. And Shimeon blessed them and said to his mother Miryam: “Behold, this one is set for the fall and rising up of many in Israel, and for a sign spoken against;

35. Yes, a sword also will pierce your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

36. And there was Hannah, a prophetess, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in many days, having lived seven years with a husband from her virginity;

37. And she was a widow of eighty four years, who did not depart from the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers.

38. And coming on at the very hour, she gave thanks to Ha-Shem, and spoke concerning him (Yeshua) to all those in Jerusalem eagerly expecting redemption.

39. And as they finished all things according to the Law of Ha-Shem, they returned to Galilee, to Nazareth their city.

40. And the child grew, and became strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom [knowledge and understanding]. And the mercy of G-d was upon him.

Midrash Pesiqta deRab Kahana

Pisqa Twenty-Eight: 1-5

On the eighth day you shall have a solemn assembly. [You shall do no laborious work, but you shall offer a burnt-offering, an offering by fire, a pleasing odor to the Lord...These you shall offer to the Lord at your appointed feasts in addition to your votive-offerings and your freewill-offerings, for your burnt-offerings and for your cereal-offerings and for your drink-offerings and for your-peace offerings] (Numbers 29:35-39).

XXVIII:I

1. A. On the eighth day you shall have a solemn assembly. [You shall do no laborious work, but you shall offer a burnt-offering, an offering by fire, a pleasing odor to the Lord...These you shall offer to the Lord at your appointed feasts in addition to your votive-offerings and your freewillofferings, for your burnt-offerings and for your cereal-offerings and for your drink-offerings and for your peace-offerings] (Numbers 29:35-9): But you have increased the nation, O Lord, you have increased the nation; [you are glorified; you have enlarged all the borders of the land] (Is. 17 :25): You gave security to the wicked Pharaoh. Did he then call you "Lord"? Was it not with blasphemies and curses that he said, Who is the Lord, that I should listen to his voice (Ex. 5:2)! You gave security to the wicked Sennacherib. Did he then call you "Lord"? Was it not with blasphemies and curses that he said, Who is there among all the gods of the lands... (2 Kgs. 18:35). You gave security to the wicked Nebuchadnezzar. Did he then call you "Lord"? Was it not with blasphemies and curses that he said, And who is God to save you from my power (Dan. 3:15). ...you have increased the nation; you are glorified: You gave security to David and so he blessed you: David blessed the Lord before all the congregation (1 Chr. 29:10). You gave security to his son, Solomon, and so he blessed you: Blessed is the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel (1 Kgs. 8:56). You gave security to Daniel and so he blessed you: Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God (Dan. 2:20)

[But you have increased the nation, O Lord, you have increased the nation; you are glorified;] you have enlarged all the borders of the land (Is. 17:25): Said R. Levi, "You have examined those who are near you and you have examined those who are distant from you. Draw near those who are near you, and send distant those who are distant from you. Draw near those who are near you: The Lord is near those who call upon Him (Ps. 145:18). ...and send distant those who are distant from you: The Lord is distant from those who do wickedly (Prov. 15:29)."

Another interpretation of the verse But you have increased the nation, [O Lord, you have increased the nation; you are glorified; you have enlarged all the borders of the land] (Is. 17:25): In the case of the nations of the world, if you give them a male child, he draws forward his foreskin and grows a lock [that is cut off in the honor of the idol.] When he grows up, he brings him to the temple of his idol and outrages you. But in the case of Israel, if you give one of them a male child, he counts eight days and circumcises him. If he was a firstborn, he redeems him after thirty days. When he grows up, he brings him to synagogues and study houses and blesses you every day: Blessed be the Lord who is to be blessed.

Another interpretation of the verse But you have increased the nation, [O Lord, you have increased the nation; you are glorified; you have enlarged all the borders of the land] (Is. 17:25): The nations of the world, if you increase the number of festivals for them, they eat and drink and carouse and go to theaters and circuses and outrage you with their words and deeds. But in the case of Israel, if you give them festival days, they eat, drink, rejoice, go to synagogues and school houses, increase their praying and increase their prayers for additional offerings and other offerings. Therefore it was necessary for Scripture to say, On the eighth day you shall have a solemn assembly. [You shall do no laborious work, but you shall offer a burnt-offering, an offering by fire, a pleasing odor to the Lord...] These you shall offer to the Lord at your appointed feasts in addition to your votive-offerings and your freewill-offerings, for your burnt-offerings and for your cereal-offerings and for your drink-offerings and for your peace-offerings] (Numbers 29:35-39).

XXVIII:II

The wicked borrows and does not pay back, [but the righteous is generous and gives; for those blessed by the Lord shall possess the land, but those cursed by him shall be cut off] (Ps. 37:21-22):Said R. Isaac, "There are three who are regarded as wicked: one who raises his hand against his fellow, one who borrows and does not pay back, and a contentious person. ...one who raises his hand against his fellow: He said to the wicked man, Why do you hit your fellow? (Ex. 2:13).” Said R. Zeora, "It is not the end of the matter that he actually hit him, but even if one raised his hand to hit him but did not hit him, he is regarded as wicked, as it is said, He said to the wicked person, why do you hit your fellow? (Ex. 2:13). What it says is not why did you hit your fellow, but why do you hit him. He wanted to hit him but up to that point he had not done so." Said R. Samuel bar Tanhum, "I said this before R. Tanhuma and he said, 'Even if he merely looked impudently at the other, he is regarded as wicked, as it is said, A wicked man looks impudently (Prov. 21:29)." “...one who borrows and does not pay back: The wicked borrows and does not pay back. ...and a contentious person: with reference to the party of Korach, Depart, I ask, from the tents of these wicked men (Num. 16:26)."

R. Judah, when he would impose an oath on someone, would recite this verse: Depart, I ask, from the tents of these wicked men (Num. 16:26).

Another comment on the verse The wicked borrows and cannot pay back, [but the righteous is generous and gives; for those blessed by the Lord shall possess the land, but those cursed by him shall be cut off] (Ps. 37:21-22): These refers to the nations of the world who eat and drink but do not recite a blessing. ...but the righteous is generous and gives: this refers to Israel, who eat and say a blessing.

Said R. Simeon b. Laqish, "You find that, when the Holy One, blessed be He, gives to a righteous man what he asks from Him, he goes and shows grace to Him even more. That is in line with this verse: but the righteous is generous and gives. The righteous one of the world is generous and gives."

Said R. Levi, "It entered the mind of the Holy One, blessed be He, to assign to Israel a festival day for each month during the summer, in Nisan, Passover, in Iyyar, the minor Passover, in Sivan, Pentecost, but because of the transgressions and bad deeds for which they were responsible, he took festivals from them for the three month period of Tammuz, Ab, and Elul [which are marked by the breach of the wall of Jerusalem on the 17th of Tammuz, the destruction of the Temple on the ninth of Ab, and the month of penitence through Elul. During those months there is no occasion for a festival.] Then Tishri came along and made it up for all three of those months. The New Year makes up for the festival that is lacking in Tammuz, the Great Fast for the festival missing in Ab, and the seven days of The Festival for what is missing in Elul. Said the Holy One, blessed be He, 'The month of Tishri makes up for what is lacking in the other months, will it not compensate also for itself? Give it what is coming to it, and let the month come and task what is coming to it. Therefore it was necessary for Scripture to say, On the eighth day you shall have a solemn assembly. [You shall do no laborious work, but you shall offer a burnt-offering, an offering by fire, a pleasing odor to the Lord...These you shall offer to the Lord at your appointed feasts in addition to your votive-offerings and your freewill-offerings, for your burnt-offerings and for your cereal-offerings and for your drink-offerings and for your peace-offerings] (Numbers 29:35-9)."

XXVIII:III

In a day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; [God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him] (Qoh. 7:14): Said R. Abba bar Kahana, "If an occasion for doing a good deed comes your way, do it right away, as it is written, on a day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him (Qoh. 7:14). And if a bad day comes your way, consider how to repent and to be saved from it."

R. Yudan in the name of R. Eleazar: "Three things annul an evil decree [that is foreseen by astrology], and these are they: prayer, acts of charity, and repentance. And all three of them may be located in a single verse of Scripture: If my people, upon whom my name is called, shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chr. 7:14). If my people, upon whom my name is called, shall humble themselves and pray refers to prayer. ... and seek my face refers to acts of charity, in line with this verse: In justice I shall behold your face (Ps. 17:15). [Justice is the same word as acts of charity.] ... and turn from their evil ways refers to repentance. Then what is written? I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin. R. Huna in the name of R. Joseph: "Also changing one's name and the doing of a different sort of deed will have the same effect. We know that changing a name makes a difference from the case of Abraham: And your name will no longer be called Abram but your name will be Abraham (Gen. 17:5). Abram did not produce a son, but Abraham did. And along these same lines, Sarai your wife (Gen. 17:5). Sarai did not produce a son, but Sarah did. We know that the doing of a different sort of deeds makes a difference from the case of the men of Nineveh, as it is said, And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil ways (Jonah 3:10). Some say, "Also changing one's place of domicile, as it is said, And the Lord said to Abram, Get you out of your country, the land of your birth (Gen. 12:1). And then: I shall make you a great nation (Gen. 12:1).” R. Mana said, "Also fasting [has the same effect], as it is said, The Lord answer you in the day of distress [interpreted here to mean the day of fasting] (Ps. 20:20).” Raba bar Hama bar Guria in the name of Rab: "Fasting is as good for a dream as fire for stubble." Said R. Joseph, "That is so if it is done on the same day [as the dream], even if that is the Sabbath [on which it is ordinarily forbidden to fast]."

... God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him (Qoh. 7:14): The Holy One, blessed be He, made both the righteous and the wicked. That is in line with this verse of Scripture: And afterward his brother came out, and his hand was holding on to the heel of Esau (Gen. 25:26). R. Phineas, R. Hilqiah in the name of R. Simon: There was scarcely a membrane between them, and yet this one came forth as a righteous, and the other as a wicked person. On what account has the Holy One, blessed be He, made both the righteous and the wicked? So that these should atone for those, in line with this verse: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him (Qoh. 7:14).

Another interpretation of the verse In a day of prosperity be joyful, [and in the day of adversity consider; God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him (Qoh. 7:14): Said R. Tanhum bar Hiyya, "On a day on which something good happens for your fellow, be with him in his rejoicing, and on a day on which something bad happens, pay attention...and in the day of adversity consider, meaning, see how you may do a deed of mercy with him to save him from his misfortune.

The mother of R. Tanhum bar Hiyya would do things this way. When she (mother) would buy a litra of meat from the market for him, she would purchase two, one for him, the other for the poor. When she would buy a bundle of vegetables from the market, she would buy two, one for him, and one for the poor. Why did the Holy One, blessed be He, create poor and rich? So that one should support the other. This was on the count of this verse God has made the one as well as the other, meaning both the poor and the rich. It is so that the one may attain merit through supporting the other, so that each may provide the other with the occasion for attaining merit, in line with the clause: God has made the one as well as the other.

Said R. Aha, "On a day of good fortune for the Torah, be with it in its success, and in the day of adversity consider. When the day comes of which it is written, Sinners will be afraid in Zion (Is. 33:14), be among those who see and not among those who are seen. Be among the spectators and not among the ones who fight the lions. Be among those concerning whom it is written, They shall go forth and look on the carcasses of the men who rebelled against me (Is. 66:24), and not among those of whom it is written, Their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire {be quenched, and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh] (Is. 66:24)."

On what account did the Holy One, blessed be He, create both Gehenna and the Garden of Eden? It is so that they may afford assistance to one another. And what is the distance between them? R. Yohanan said, "A wall." R. Hanina said, "A handbreadth." Rabbis say, "Both of them are equivalent."

Said R. Levi, "Said the Holy One, blessed be He, to Israel, 'My children, as to those offerings concerning which I wrote you in the Torah, be meticulous about them, for there is no better intercessor for the bringing of rain than offerings. Therefore it was necessary for Scripture to say, On the eighth day you shall have a solemn assembly. {You shall do no laborious work, but you shall offer a burnt-offering, an offering by fire, a pleasing odor to the Lord...These you shall offer to the Lord at your appointed feasts in addition to your votive-offerings and your freewill-offerings, for your burnt-offerings and for your cereal-offerings and for your drink-offerings and for your peace-offerings] (Numbers 29:35-39)."

XXVIII:IV

Give a portion to seven or even to eight, [for you do not know what evil may happen on earth. If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth; and if a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie. He who observes the wind who will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap] (Qoh. 11:2-4): R. Eliezer, R. Nehemiah, and R. Joshua: R. Eliezer said, "Give a portion to seven refers to the Sabbath, concerning which it is written, And it came to pass on the seventh day (Ex. 16:27), and or even to eight refers to circumcision. As it is written, And Elijah put his face between his knees (1 Kgs. 18:42). Said Elijah before the Holy One, blessed be He, 'Lord of the ages, if there remained for Israel only these two religious duties alone, their merit would be such as to justify rain.' R. Nehemiah said, "Give a portion to seven refers to the generation of Moses, which practiced circumcision on the seventh day, or even to eight refers to the generation of Joshua, which practiced circumcision on the eighth day. Said the Holy One, blessed be He, to him, 'Moses, your lord, circumcised them on the seventh day, and you circumcise them on the eighth.' At that time said the Lord to Joshua, 'Prepare for your use flint knives [and again circumcise the children of Israel a second time] (Josh. 5:2). "A second time do you circumcise them, a third time you do not circumcise them.” R. Joshua said, said, "Give a portion to seven refers to the seven days of Passover, or even to eight refers to the eight days of The Festival. And when it says, or even, it means to encompass the eighth day of the Solemn Assembly, the New Year, and the Day of Atonement."

R. Simon interpreted the verse to speak of the leaders: "Give a portion to seven: On the seventh day the leader of the children of Ephraim (Num. 7:48). ... or even to eight: on the eighth day the leader of the children of Manasseh (Num. 7:54)."

R. Azariah in the name of R. Judah bar Simon interpreted the verse to speak of the consecration [of the priests for serving in the tabernacle]: "Give a portion to seven: For seven days he shall consecrate you (Lev. 8:33). or even to eight: And it came to pass on the eighth day that Moses called Aaron (Lev. 9:1)."

R. Judah bar. Simon in the name of R. Meir interpreted the verse to speak of the menstrual period: "Give a portion to seven refers to the seven days of the menstrual period. ... or even to eight refers to the eight days between birth and circumcision. Said thc Holy One, blessed be He, if a woman has properly observed the seven days of her menstrual period, I shall give her a male child and you will circumcise him on the eighth day (Lev. 12:3)."

R. Levi said, "Give a portion to seven refers to the seven days of The Festival [of Tabernacles], ... or even to eight: On the eighth day you shall have a solemn assembly. [You shall do no laborious work, but you shall offer a burnt offering, an offering by fire, a pleasing odor to the Lord...These you shall offer to the Lord at your appointed feasts in addition to your votive-offerings and your freewill-offerings, for your burnt-offerings and for your cereal-offerings and for your drink-offerings and for your peace offerings] (Numbers 29:35-39)."

XXVIII:V

For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He adorns the humble with salvation. [Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their couches] (Ps. 149:4-5). R. Joshua of Sikhnin in the name of R. Levi: "The Holy One, blessed be He, takes pleasure in the offerings of Israel. ... He adorns the humble with salvation, and salvation refers only to offerings in line with this verse: And the Lord looked upon [thus: accorded salvation to] Abel and his offering (Gen. 4:4)."

"For the Lord takes pleasure in his people: The Holy One, blessed be He, takes pleasure in the offerings of Israel. Therefore Moses admonishes Israel: On the eighth day you shall have a solemn assembly. [You shall do no laborious work, but you shall offer a burnt-offering, an offering by fire, a pleasing odor to the Lord...These you shall offer to the Lord at your appointed feasts in addition to your votive-offerings and your freewill-offerings, for your burnt-offerings and for your cereal-offerings and for your drink-offerings and for your peace offerings] (Numbers 29:35-39)."

Tishri 23, 5770

October 10/11, 2009

Morning Service Shemini Atzeret (Festival of the 8^th Day) - Second Day

Torah: Debarim (Deuteronomy) 14:22 - 16:17 & Numbers 29:35–30:1

Ashlamatah: Amos 8:4-10 + 9:13-15

Psalm: Psalm 12:1-9

Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) 10:9 – 12:14

N.C.: Revelation 3:14-22

Torah Reading:

Reader 1 – Debarim 14:22-29

Reader 2 – Debarim 15:1-6

Reader 3 – Debarim 15:7-11

Reader 4 – Debarim 15:12-18

Reader 5 – Debarim 15:19-23

Reader 6 – Debarim 16:1-8

Reader 7 – Debarim 16:9-17

    Maftir – Bemidbar 29:35–30:1

                - Amos 8:4-10 + 9:13-15

Rashi & Targum Pseudo Jonathan for: Debarim (Deut.) 14:22 – 16:17

(See above pp. 9-14)

Rashi & Targum Pseudo Jonathan for: Bemidbar (Numbers) 29:35–30:1

(See above p. 14)

Ketubim: Targum Tehillim (Psalms) Psalm 12:1-9

(See above p. 15)

Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) 10:9 – 12:14

9. Whoever pulls out stones may be hurt with them; he who splits trees may be endangered by them.

10. If the iron is blunt, and he does not whet the mouths, then he must put more strength to it. But wisdom is an advantage giving success.

11. If the snake will bite without charming, then there is no advantage to a master of tongue.

12. The words of a wise mouth are grace, but the lips of a stupid one swallow him;

13. The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his mouth is evil madness.

14. Yet the stupid one makes many words; a man knows not what they will be; and what will be after him, who can tell him?

15. The labor of fools wearies him, because he does not know how to go to the city.

16. Woe to you, O land, when your king is a boy, and your leaders eat in the morning.

17. Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your leaders eat in due time, in strength, and not in drinking.

18. The framework tumbles through laziness; and through lowering of hands, the house leaks.

19. Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life; but silver answers all things.

20. Also, do not curse a king in your thought; and do not curse the rich in your bedrooms; for a bird of the heavens may carry the voice; yes, the lord of wings may tell the matter.

1. Send out your bread on the face of the waters, for you will find it in many days.

2. Give a share to seven, or even to eight; for you do not know what evil may be on the earth.

3. If the clouds are full of rain, they empty on the earth. And if the tree falls in the south, or in the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it will be.

4. He who watches the wind will not sow. And he who looks at the clouds will not reap.

5. As you do not know what is the way of the wind, as the bones in the pregnant woman's womb, even so you do not know the works of God who makes all.

6. Sow your seed in the morning, and do not rest your hand until evening; for you do not know what will be blessed, this or that; or whether they both will be good as one.

7. Also the light is sweet; yes, it is good for the eyes to behold the sun.

8. But if the man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all, and remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. All that may come is vanity.

9. Rejoice, O young man, in your youth. And make your heart glad in the days of your youth, and walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

10. So then remove vexation from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh. For childhood and prime of life are vanity.

1. Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, while the evil days do not come, or the years strike when you will say, I have no pleasure in them;

2. While not yet the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, are darkened, or the clouds return after rain;

3. In the day when those keeping the house will tremble, and the strong men are bowed, and the grinders cease because they are few; and those looking out the windows are darkened;

4. And the doors will be shut in the streets, when the sound of the mill is low, and one rises up at the voice of a bird, and all the daughters of music are silenced;

5. Also they will be afraid of a high place, and terrors in the way; and the almond tree will blossom, and the locust makes himself a burden; and desire breaks, because man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about in the street;

6. While the silver cord is not yet loosed, or the golden bowl is crushed, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern;

7. Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.

8. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, all is vanity.

9. And more than that, the Preacher was wise; he still taught the people knowledge. Yes, he listened, and looked, and set in order many proverbs.

10. The Preacher sought to find out pleasing words, and words of truth written on uprightness.

11. The words of the wise are as goads; yes, as nails driven by the masters of collections, they are given from one Shepherd.

12. And more than these, my son, be warned: The making of many books has no end, and much study is the weariness of the flesh.

13. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments; for this applies to every man.

14. For God will bring every work into judgment, with all that is hidden, whether it is good, or whether it is evil.

Ashlamatah for Shemini Atzereth Second Day: Amos 8:4-10 + 9:13-15

4. Hear this, O you that would swallow the needy, and destroy the poor of the land,

5. Saying: “When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may set forth corn? Making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances of deceit;

6. That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes, and sell the refuse of the corn?”

7. The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob: Surely I will never forget any of their works.

8. Will not the land tremble for this, and every one mourn that dwells therein? Yes, it will rise up wholly like the River; and it will be troubled and sink again, like the River of Egypt. {P}

9. And it will come to pass in that day, says the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day.

10. And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head; and I will make it as the mourning for an only son, and the end thereof as a bitter day. {P}

11. Behold, the days come, says the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.

12. And they will wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east; they will run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and will not find it.

13. In that day will the fair virgins and the young men faint for thirst.

14. They that swear by the sin of Samaria, and say: “As your God, O Dan, lives”; and: “As the way of Beer-sheba lives”; even they will fall, and never rise up again. {S}

1. I saw the Lord standing beside the altar; and He said: “Smite the capitals, that the posts may shake; and break them in pieces on the head of all of them; and I will slay the residue of them with the sword; there will not one of them flee away, and there will not one of them escape.

2. Though they dig into the nether-world, thence will My hand take them; and though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down.

3. And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from My sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he will bite them.

4. And though they go into captivity before their enemies, thence will I command the sword, and it will slay them; and I will set Mine eyes upon them for evil, and not for good.

5. For the Lord, the GOD of hosts, is He that touches the land and it melts, and all that dwell therein mourn; and it rises up wholly like the River, and sinks again, like the River of Egypt;

6. It is He that builds His upper chambers in the heaven, and has founded His vault upon the earth; He that calls for the waters of the sea, and pours them out upon the face of the earth; The LORD is His name.

7. Are you not as the children of the Ethiopians unto Me, O children of Israel? Says the LORD. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt, and the Philistines from Caphtor, and Aram from Kir?

8. Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth; saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, says the LORD.

9. For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all the nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet will not the least grain fall upon the earth.

10. All the sinners of My people will die by the sword, that say: “The evil will not overtake nor confront us.”

11. In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof, and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old;

12. That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and all the Gentiles, upon whom My name is called, says the LORD that doeth this.

13. Behold, the days come, says the LORD, that the plowman will overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that sows seed; and the mountains will drop sweet wine, and all the hills will melt.

14. And I will turn the captivity of My people Israel, and they will build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they will plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they will also make orchards, and eat the fruit of them.

15. And I will plant them upon their land, and they will no more be plucked up out of their land which I have given them, says the LORD your God. {P}

Revelation 3:14-22

14. And to the angel of the congregation of Laodicea, write: These things says the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, even the beginning of the creation of G-d:

15. I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I would that you were cold, or hot.

16. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to vomit you out of my mouth.

17. Because you say, I am rich, and I am made rich (Hosea 12:9), and I have need of nothing, and do not know that you are weak and miserable and poor and blind and naked.

18. I advise you to buy from me gold having been fired by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed lest your shame and nakedness may should be uncovered. And anoint your eyes with eye-salve, that you may see.

19. As many as I love, I rebuke and I chasten. Be zealous, then, and repent.

20. Behold, I stand at the door and knock: If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will and I will dine with him, and he with me.

21. The one overcoming, I will give to him to sit with me in my throne, as I also overcame and sat with My Father on His throne.

22. The one who has ears, hear what the spirit [of G-d] says to the [Jewish] congregations.

Midrash Pesiqta deRab Kahana

Pisqa Twenty-Eight: 6 -10

XXVIII:VI

R. Yohanan, “The Eighth Day of Solemn Assembly constitutes a festival day unto itself [and not a continuation of The Festival of Tabernacles], requiring a priestly selection by itself [to choose by lottery which priests will conduct the rite and get the priestly portions of the sacrifices], an offering by itself, a blessing by itself, thus: a festival by itself." Said R. Bun, "In the case of all of them it is written, And on the day, but here it is written, On the day. On that basis we know that The Eighth Day of Solemn Assembly constitutes a festival day unto itself [and not a continuation of The Festival of Tabernacles]." ...requiring a priestly selection by itself: For we have learned in the Mishnah: “On the eighth day they reverted ,to draw lots on the festivals” [Mishnah Suk. 5:9].

"...an offering by itself: an ox, a ram." ... a blessing by itself: Said R. Ila, "On the basis of that allegation, we learn that [in reciting the blessing over the wine, we must include the blessing,] ... who has kept us in life and sustained us and brought us to this season."

XXVIII:VII

As to the conduct of the seven days of the Festival, [with respect to dismantling of the tabernacle on the seventh day,] how is the matter carried out? When one has finished eating [the final meal for the seven days of The Festival,] he should not dismantle the tabernacle. But from dusk onward he brings down [from the roof to the house] the dishes [in which he has eaten in the tabernacle, since he will not eat his evening meal, on the Eighth Day of Solemn Assembly, in the tabernacle]. That [postponement of the dismantling of the tabernacle] is on account of the honor owing to the final festival day [of The Festival] [Mishnah Suk. 4:8]. R. Abba bar Kahana, R. Hiyya bar Ashi in the name of Rab: "It is necessary while it is still day [before dark, inaugurating the Eighth Day of Solemn Assembly] to render his tabernacle no longer valid." Said R. Joshua b. Levi, "It is necessary for a person to recite in his house [and not in the tabernacle] the sanctification [of the wine] for the night of the last festival day." R. Jacob bar Aha in the name of R. Samuel said, "If one has recited the sanction of the wine in one house and changed his mind and decided to eat in another, it is necessary to recite the sanctification a second time." R. Aha, R. Hinena in the name of R. Hoshaiah: "He whose tabernacle is particularly pleasing to him, lo, such a one on the festival night of the last day of the Festival says the sanctification in his house and then goes up to the roof and eats in his tabernacle and he does not have to recite the sanctification a second time." Said R. Abun, "The opinion of Samuel accords with the view of R. Hiyya, and the opinion of R. Joshaiah accords with the position of R. Joshua b. Levi." Said R. Mana, "But there is no real disagreement between them. What Samuel has said applies to a case in which a person had determined in advance to eat in a particular room, and the opinion of R. Joshua b. Levi applies when one has not determined in advance to eat in a particular room."

Said R. Joshua b. Levi, "The Eighth Day of Solemn Assembly was appropriate to have been set fifty days after The Festival itself [as Pentecost comes fifty days after Passover]. The matter has been stated as a parable. To what is it comparable? It is to be compared to the case of a king who had married daughters, some of them living nearby, others living at a distance. Those that were living nearby could come and go in one day, while those living at a distance could not come and go in one day. So too in the case of Passover, since the Israelites pass from winter [when it rains] to summer, and the bother of making a trip is not much [for the roads are dry and in good repair], therefore the festival of Pentecost is fifty days after [Passover], since people can make the trip in one day. But in the case of The Festival, since at that season the Israelites are going from summer to winter [when the rainy season starts], on account of which the trip is difficult [and the roads impassable], therefore [the Eighth Day of Solemn Assembly] is not set at a spell of fifty days [from The Festival], since people cannot make the trip in one day. Said the Holy One, blessed be He, 'I and you - we shall rejoice on a single day.' Therefore it was necessary to say: On the eighth day you shall have a solemn assembly. [You shall do no laborious work, but you shall offer a burnt-offering, an offering by fire, a pleasing odor to the Lord...These you shall offer to the Lord at your appointed feasts in addition to your votive-offerings and your freewill-offerings, for your burnt-offerings and for your cereal-offerings and for your drink-offerings and for your peace offerings] (Numbers 29:35-39).

XXVIII:VIII

R. Yudan in the name of R. Isaac, "All the time that the Israelites delay [and observe an extra festival] in their synagogues and study houses, the Holy One, blessed be He, delays [and leaves] his Presence with them. What is the verse of Scripture that indicates it? "May we urge you to stay? Let us prepare a kid for you (Judges 13:15)."

R. Haggai in the name of R. Isaac: "So long as the Israelites join together in synagogues and school houses, the Holy One, blessed be He, joins his Presence together with them. What is the verse of Scripture that indicates it? "I have most assuredly joined together with [interpreting in a different way the letters usually translated, hoped in] the Lord and he turned to me (Ps. 40:2)."

Said R. Alexandri, "The matter may be compared to the case of a king who had an occasion for rejoicing. During all seven days of banqueting, a noble lady counseled the members of the palace staff, saying to them, 'While the king is taken up with his celebration, ask what you need.’ When they did not grasp [her advice], the lady secured for them an additional day [of celebration]. So throughout the seven days of The Festival, the Torah counsels Israel, saying to them, 'Ask for rain from the Lord.’ You may know that that is the fact, for lo, on the second day [it is stated], and their drink-offerings (Num. 29:19), so too on the sixth, and its drink-offerings (Num. 29:31), and on the seventh, in accord with the rule applying to them (Num. 29:33). [We shall now explain how the Torah counsels Israel to pray for rain on that occasion. The cited words make use of the letters] M, Y, and M, which spell, in Hebrew, water. On that basis we derive proof that the rite of pouring a water libation on the altar [as a prayer for rain] derives from the rules of the Torah and is to be recited on The Festival. But because the Israelites did not look into the matter, the Torah itself secured for them an additional day of celebration: Therefore it was necessary for the Torah to state, On the eighth day you shall have a solemn assembly. [You shall do no laborious work, but you shall offer a burnt-offering, an offering by fire, a pleasing odor to the Lord...These you shall offer to the Lord at your appointed feasts in addition to your votive-offerings and your freewill-offerings, for your burnt-offerings and for your cereal-offerings and for your drink-offerings and for your peace-offerings] (Numbers 29:35-39).

XXVIII:IX

Said R. Alexandri, 'The matter may be compared to the case of a king to whom an occasion for rejoicing came. All the seven days of the banqueting, the prince was busy with the guests. When the seven days of banqueting were over, said the king to his son, 'My son, I know that on an the days of banqueting, you were busy with the guests. But now you and I may set aside one day for rejoicing on our own. And I shall not make a lot of trouble for you, but prepare one chicken and one litra of meat.’ So for all seven days of the banqueting, the Israelites are busy with their offerings of the nations of the world. For said R. Phineas, 'All those seventy oxen that the Israelites offer on the Festival serve the seventy nations of the world, so that the world will not be turned barren [on account of their sins]. What verse of Scripture indicates it? In return for my love they accuse me, even as I make prayer for them (Ps. 109:4). We rely on prayer. When the seven days of The Festival are completed, the Holy One, blessed be He, says to Israel, 'My children, I know that through the seven days of The Festival you have been taken up with making offerings for the nations of the world. But now I and you - we shall celebrate on our own, together. And I shall not make a lot of trouble for you, but prepare one ox and one ram.' Now when the Israelites heard this, they began to praise the Holy One, blessed be He, saying, This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it (Ps. 118:24)."

[With reference to the verse This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it (Ps. 118:24),] Said R. Abyun, "We do not know in what to rejoice, the day or the Holy One, blessed be He [since the Hebrew letters for the words in it may be read also in him]. But Solomon came along and spelled the matter out: We shall rejoice and be glad in You (Song 1:4) [and hence the sense here to is in Him]. "...in You (Song 1:4): in Your Torah." ...in You (Song 1:4): in Your salvation." [Since the word for in You contains the letters B and K], which bear the numerical value of twenty-two], said R. Isaac, "It is in the twenty-two letters of which you made use to write out Your Torah for us, the B stands for two, the K for twenty, [that we rejoice]."

XXVIII:X

These you will offer to the Lord at your appointed feasts in addition [to your votive-offerings and your freewill-offerings, for your burnt-offerings and for your cereal-offerings and for your drink-offerings and for your peace-offerings] (Numbers 29:35-39): R. Haninah in the name of R. Tanhum bar Yudan: "What is written is not These you have offered, but rather, These you shall offer to the Lord at your appointed feasts [in addition to your votive-offerings and your freewill-offerings, for your burnt-offerings and for your cereal-offerings and for your drink-offerings and for your peace-offerings] (Numbers 29:35-9). The Torah counsels Israel, saying to them, 'Other days [are coming].'"

Said R. Berekhiah in the name of R. Abba bar Kahana, "It is written, You shall keep this ordinance in its season (Ex. 13:10). The Torah counsels Israel, saying to them, 'Other days [are coming]."

Said R. Judah bar; Simon, "It is written, Look down from your holy habitation, from heaven, [and bless your people Israel and the ground which you have given us as you swore to our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey] (Deut. 26:15). What is written after that passage? This day the Lord your God commands you [to do these statutes and ordinances; you shall therefore be careful to do them with all your heart and with all your soul. You have declared this day concerning the Lord that he is your God and that you will walk in his ways, and keep his statutes and his commandments and his ordinances and will obey his voice; and the Lord has declared this day concerning you that you are a people for his own possession, as he has promised you; and that you are to keep all his commandments, that he will set you high above all nations that he has made, in praise and in fame and in honor, and that you shall be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he has spoken] (Deut. 26:16-19). Now what has one thing got to do with the other? So long as Israel carry out the will of the Holy One, blessed be He, and properly separate the tithes that they owe, so that they can say, I have removed holy things from the house (Deut. 13:13), the Holy One, blessed be He, counsels Israel, saying to them, 'Other days [are coming]' [as at Deut. 26:16-19]. But you who held fast to the Lord your God are all alive this day (Deut. 4:4).

It is our hope and prayer that Your Honors and Your Excellencies together with loved ones have had a wonderful Festival of Sukkoth as well as a most joyous and reflective Festival of the Eight Day. May you be refreshed and reinvigorated to continue this great work through your study of G-d’s Word and support of this Work, together with all of our most noble and beloved Jewish brothers and sisters and their Torah Scholars, amen ve amen!

Shalom Shabbat ve Chag Sameach!

Hakham Dr. Yosef ben Haggai

Paqid Adon Mikha ben Hillel