Esnoga Bet Emunah

7104 Inlay St. SE, Lacey, WA 98513

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

Three and 1/2 year Lectionary Readings	Second Year of the Reading Cycle
Shebat 01, 5770 – January 15/16 , 2010	Second Year of the Shmita Cycle

Candle Lighting and Havdalah Times:

Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.

Fri. Jan. 15, 2010 – Candles at 5:34 PM

Sat. Jan. 16, 2010 – Havdalah 6:32 PM

Baton Rouge & Alexandria, LA., U.S.

Fri. Jan. 15, 2010 – Candles at 5:08 PM

Sat. Jan. 16, 2010 – Havdalah 6:05 PM

Bowling Green, Kentucky, U.S.

Fri. Jan. 15, 2010 – Candles at 4:34 PM

Sat. Jan. 16, 2010 – Havdalah 5:35 PM

Brisbane, Australia

Fri. Jan. 15, 2010 – Candles at 6:30 PM

Sat. Jan. 16, 2010 – Havdalah 7:26 PM

Bucharest, Romania

Fri. Jan. 15, 2010 – Candles at 4:43 PM

Sat. Jan. 16, 2010 – Havdalah 5:50 PM

Chattanooga, & Cleveland, TN, U.S.

Fri. Jan. 15, 2010 – Candles at 5:34 PM

Sat. Jan. 16, 2010 – Havdalah 6:34 PM

Jakarta, Indonesia

Fri. Jan. 15, 2010 – Candles at 5:57 PM

Sat. Jan. 16, 2010 – Havdalah 6:49 PM

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Fri. Jan. 15, 2010 – Candles at 7:03 PM

Sat. Jan. 16, 2010 – Havdalah 7:54 PM

Manila & Cebu, Philippines

Fri. Jan. 15, 2010 – Candles at 5:28 PM

Sat. Jan. 16, 2010 – Havdalah 6:20 PM

Miami, FL, U.S.

Fri, Jan. 15, 2010 – Candles at 5:33 PM

Sat. Jan. 16, 2010 – Havdalah 6:28 PM

New London, CT, U.S.

Fri. Jan. 15, 2010 – Candles at 4:17 PM

Sat. Jan. 16, 2010 – Havdalah 5:21 PM

Olympia, WA, U.S.

Fri. Jan. 15, 2010 – Candles at 4:31 PM

Sat. Jan. 16, 2010 – Havdalah 5:40 PM

Murray, KY, & Paris, TN. U.S.

Fri. Jan. 15, 2010 – Candles at 4:43 PM

Sat. Jan. 16, 2010 – Havdalah 5:43 PM

Philadelphia, PA, U.S.

Fri. Jan. 15, 2010 – Candles at 4:41 PM

Sat. Jan. 16, 2010 – Havdalah 5:44 PM

San Antonio, TX, U.S.

Fri. Jan. 15, 2010 – Candles at 5:39 PM

Sat. Jan. 16, 2010 – Havdalah 6:36 PM

Sheboygan & Manitowoc, WI, US

Fri. Jan. 15, 2010 – Candles at 4:21 PM

Sat. Jan. 16, 2010 – Havdalah 5:27 PM

Singapore, Singapore

Fri. Jan. 15, 2010 – Candles at 6:57 PM

Sat. Jan. 16, 2010 – Havdalah 7:49 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 Yoel ben Abraham and beloved wife HE Giberet Miryam bat Sarah

His Excellency Dr. Adon Yeshayahu ben Yosef and beloved wife HE Giberet Tricia Foster

His Excellency Adon Yisrael ben Abraham and beloved wife HE Giberet Elisheba bat Sarah

Her Excellency Giberet Laurie Taylor

His Excellency Dr. Adon Eliyahu ben Abraham and beloved wife HE Giberet Dr. Elisheba bat Sarah

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.

If you want to subscribe to our list and ensure that you never lose any of our commentaries, or would like your friends also to receive this commentary, please do send me an E-Mail to benhaggai@GMail.com with your E-Mail or the E-Mail addresses of your friends. Toda Rabba!

This week’s Torah Seder Commentary is dedicated to His Excellency Adon Stephen Legge. We wish him a wonderful Yom Huledet Sameach – Happy Birthday! May Your Excellency have a long, happy, productive and wonderful life prospering copiously in the study and establishment of Torah, amen ve amen!

Shabbat – 1^st of Shebat

Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Shebat

Sabbath of the New Moon for the Month of Shebat

January Evening Friday 15 – Evening Saturday 16, 2010

Shabbat	Torah Reading:	Weekday Torah Reading:
וּבְרָאשֵׁי חָדְשֵׁיכֶם
“Shabbat Rosh Chodesh”	Reader 1 – B’midbar 27:15-17	Reader 1 – Sh’mot 21:1-3‎
“Sabbath of the New Moon”	Reader 2 – B’midbar 27:18-20	Reader 2 – Sh’mot 21:4-6
“Sábado del Novilunio”	Reader 3 – B’midbar 27:21-23	Reader 3 – Sh’mot 21:1-6
B’Midbar (Num.) 27:15 –28:25	Reader 4 – B’midbar 28:1-9
Ashlamatah: Isaiah 66:1-24	Reader 5 – B’midbar 28:10-14
	Reader 6 – B’midbar 28:15-18	Reader 1 – Sh’mot 21:1-3‎
Proverbs 7:1-27	Reader 7 – B’midbar 28:19-25	Reader 2 – Sh’mot 21:4-6
N.C.: Col. 2:16-23	Maftir : B’midbar 28:23-25	Reader 3 – Sh’mot 21:1-6
	Isaiah 66:1-24

Rashi & Targum Pseudo Jonathan

for: B’midbar (Numbers) 27:15 - 28:25

RASHI	TARGUM PSEUDO JONATHAN
15 Moshe spoke to Adonai, saying:	15 And Mosheh spoke before the Lord, saying
16 "Let Adonai, G-d of the spirits, appoint a man over the community,	16 May the Word of the Lord, who rules over the souls of men, and by whom has been given the inspiration of the spirit of all flesh, appoint a faithful man over the congregation, [JERUSALEM. The Word of the Lord the God who rules over the spirit of all flesh, appoint a praiseworthy man over the people of the congregation,]
17 who will go forth before them, and who will come back before them, and who would lead them out and bring them in, so that the community of Adonai will not be like sheep that have no shepherd."	17 who may go out before them to set battle in array, and may come in before them from the battle who may bring them out from the bands of their enemies, and bring them into the land of Israel; that the congregation of the Lord may not be without the wise, nor go astray among the nations as sheep who go astray, having no shepherd.
18 Adonai said to Moshe: "Take to yourself Yehoshua son of Nun, a man in whom there is spirit, and lay your hand on him.	18 And the Lord said to Mosheh, Take to yourself Jehoshua bar Nun, a man upon whom abides the Spirit of prophecy from before the Lord, and lay your hand upon him,
19 Stand him before Eleazar the kohen and before the entire community, and command him before their eyes.	19 and make him stand before Elazar the priest and the whole congregation, and instruct him in their presence.
20 Bestow some of your radiance on him, so that the entire community of Bne Yisrael will hear.	20 And you will confer a ray of your brightness upon him, that all the congregation of the sons of Israel may be obedient to him.
21 He will stand before Eleazar the kohen, and ask, of him, through the judgment of the Urim before Adonai. By his word they will come out and go in ---he, all Bne Yisrael with him, and the entire community."	21 And he will minister before Elazar the priest; and when any matter is hidden from him, he will inquire for him before the Lord by the Urim. According to the word of Elazar the priest they will go forth to battle, and come in to do judgment he and all the sons of Israel with him, even all the congregation.
22 Moshe did as Adonai commanded him. He took Yehoshua and presented him to Eleazar the kohen and to the entire community.	22 And Mosheh did as the Lord commanded him, and took Jehoshua and caused him to stand before Elazar the priest and all the congregation;
23 He laid his hands on him and commanded him, just as Adonai had commanded through Moshe.	23 and he laid his hands upon him and instructed him, as the Lord commanded Mosheh.

1 Adonai spoke to Moshe saying:	1 And the Lord spoke with Mosheh, saying:
2 "Command B’ne Yisrael and say to them, 'My offering, My food of My fires, a pleasing aroma to Me, you will be vigilant to offer to Me at its prescribed time'."	2 Instruct the children of Israel, and say to them: The priests may eat of My oblation the bread of the order of My table; but that which you offer upon My altar may no man eat. Is there not a fire that will consume it? And it shall be accepted before Me as a pleasant smell. Sons of Israel, My people, be admonished to offer it from the firstlings on the Sabbath, an oblation before Me in its time. [JERUSALEM. Instruct the children of Israel, and say to them, My oblation, the bread of the order of My table. That which you offer upon the altar. Is there not a fire that will consume it? To be received from you before Me for a pleasant smell. Sons of Israel, My people, be admonished to offer it before Me in its season.]
3 Say to them: "This is the fire-offering that you will offer to Adonai; yearling lambs without blemish, two each day, as a constant (daily) burnt-offering.	3 And say to them: This is the order of the oblations you shall offer before the Lord; two lambs of the year, unblemished, daily, a perpetual burnt offering.
4 Offer one lamb in the morning and offer the second lamb in the afternoon.	4 The one lamb thou shalt perform in the morning to make atonement for the sins of the night; and the second lamb thou shalt perform between the suns to atone for the sins of the day;
5 And one tenth of an ephah of fine flour as a meal-offering, mixed with beaten oil measuring one fourth of a hin.	5 and the tenth of three seahs of wheaten flour as a mincha mingled with beaten olive oil, the fourth of a hin.
6 [This is] a constant (daily) burnt-offering as offered on Mount Sinai, for a pleasing aroma, a fire-offering to Adonai.	6 It is a perpetual burnt offering, such as was (ordained to be) offered at Mount Sinai, to be received with favour as an oblation before the Lord.
7 Its libation [will be] one fourth of a hin for the one lamb, in the Holy [Sanctuary], you will pour an intoxicating libation to Adonai.	7 And its libation shall be the fourth of a hin for one lamb; from the vessels of the house of the sanctuary shall it be outpoured, a libation of old wine. [JERUSALEM. From the vessels of the house of holiness, it shall be poured out a libation of choice wine unto the Name of the Lord.] But if old wine may not be found, bring wine of forty days to pour out before the Lord.
8 Offer the second lamb in the afternoon, with the same meal-offering of the morning together with its libation you will offer it, a fire-offering of a pleasing aroma to Adonai.	8 And the second lamb thou shalt perform between the suns, according to the presentation of the morning, and according to its oblation shalt thou make the offering, that it may be accepted with favour before the Lord

9 On the Shabbat day [the offering will be] two yearling lambs without blemish, and two tenths [of an ephah] of fine flour as a meal-offering, mixed with [olive] oil, and its libation.	9 but on the day of Shabbatha two lambs of the year without blemish, and two‑tenths of flour mixed with olive oil for the mincha and its libation.
10 This is the burnt-offering on its Shabbat, in addition to the constant (daily) burnt-offering and its libation.	10 On the Sabbath thou shalt make a Sabbath burnt sacrifice in addition to the perpetual burnt sacrifice and its libation.

11 At the beginning of your months you will bring a burnt-offering to Adonai, two young bulls, one ram, seven yearling lambs, [all] without blemish.	11 And at the beginning of your months you shall offer a burnt sacrifice before the Lord; two young bullocks, without mixture, one ram, lambs of the year seven, unblemished;
12 And three tenths [of an ephah] of fine flour as a meal-offering mixed with the [olive] oil for each bull, two tenths [of an ephah] of fine flour as a meal-offering, mixed with the [olive] oil for the one ram,	12 and three tenths of flour mingled with oil for the mincha for one bullock; two tenths of flour with olive oil for the mincha of the one ram;
13 And one tenth [of an ephah] of fine flour as a meal-offering mixed with the [olive] oil for each lamb. A burnt-offering of pleasing aroma, a fire-offering to Adonai.	13 and one tenth of flour with olive oil for the mincha for each lamb of the burnt offering, an oblation to be received with favour before the Lord.
14 Their libations [will be], one half of a hin for (a) bull, one third of a hin for the ram, and one fourth of a hin for (the) lamb, of wine. This is the burnt-offering of each [Rosh] Chodesh, at its renewal throughout the months of the year.	14 And for their libation to be offered with them, the half of a bin for a bullock, the third of a bin for the ram, and the fourth of a hin for a lamb, of the wine of grapes. This burnt sacrifice shall be offered at the beginning of every month in the time of the removal of the beginning of every month in the year;
15 And [You will also bring] one he-goat for a sin offering to Adonai, in addition to the constant (daily) burnt-offering it will be done, and its libation.	15 and one kid of the goats, for a sin offering before the Lord at the disappearing (failure) of the moon, with the perpetual burnt sacrifice shalt thou perform with its libation.

16 In the first month--- on the fourteenth day of the month [bring a] Pesach [offering] to Adonai.	16 And in the month of Nisan, on the fourteenth day of the month, is the sacrifice of the Pascha before the Lord.
17 The fifteenth day of that month is a festival, matzot will be eaten for seven days.	17 On the fifteenth day of this month is a festival; seven days shall unleavened be eaten.
18 The first day will be a sacred holiday, when you must not do any work of consequence.	18 On the first day of the festival a holy convocation; no servile work shall ye do;
19 You will bring a burnt fire-offering to Adonai [consisting of] two young bulls, one ram, and seven yearling sheep. They will [all] be without blemish.	19 but offer an oblation of a burnt sacrifice before the Lord, two young bullocks, one ram, and seven lambs of the year, unblemished, shall you have.
20 Their meal-offering shall be fine flour mixed with [olive] oil, three tenths [of an ephah] for each bull, two tenths [of an ephah] for the ram,	20 And their minchas of wheat flour, mingled with olive oil, three tenths for each bullock, two tenths for the ram,
21 and one tenth [of an eiphah] for each of the seven sheep.	21 and for a single lamb a tenth, so for the seven;
22 [You should also bring] one he-goat as a sin-offering, to make atonement for you,	22 and one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you:
23 in addition to the morning burnt-offering which is offered as a constant (daily) burnt-offering, you will make these.	23 beside the burnt sacrifice of the morning, the perpetual burnt sacrifice, you shall make these offerings.
24 Like these, you will make daily for seven days, food as a fire-offering of a pleasing aroma to Adonai, (it will be offered) in addition to the constant (daily) burnt-offering and its libation.	24 According to these oblations of the first day you shall do daily through the seven days of the festival. It is the bread of the oblation which is received with favour before the Lord; it shall be made beside the perpetual burnt offering, with its libation.
25 The seventh day will be a sacred holiday to you, when you will not do any work of consequence.	25 And on the seventh day you shall have a holy convocation; no servile work shall you do.

Welcome to the World of P’shat Exegesis

In order to understand the finished work of the P’shat mode of interpretation of the Torah, one needs to take into account that the P’shat is intended to produce a catechetical output, whereby a question/s is/are raised and an answer/a is/are given using the seven Hermeneutic Laws of R. Hillel and as well as the laws of Hebrew Grammar and Hebrew expression.

The Seven Hermeneutic Laws of R. Hillel are as follows

[cf. http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=472&letter=R]:

1. Ḳal va-ḥomer: "Argumentum a minori ad majus" or "a majori ad minus"; corresponding to the scholastic proof a fortiori.

2. Gezerah shavah: Argument from analogy. Biblical passages containing synonyms or homonyms are subject, however much they differ in other respects, to identical definitions and applications.

3. Binyan ab mi-katub eḥad: Application of a provision found in one passage only to passages which are related to the first in content but do not contain the provision in question.

4. Binyan ab mi-shene ketubim: The same as the preceding, except that the provision is generalized from two Biblical passages.

5. Kelal u-Peraṭ and Peraṭ u-kelal: Definition of the general by the particular, and of the particular by the general.

6. Ka-yoẓe bo mi-maḳom aḥer: Similarity in content to another Scriptural passage.

7. Dabar ha-lamed me-'inyano: Interpretation deduced from the context.

Rashi Commentary for: B’Midbar (Numbers) 27:15 – 28:25

15 Moses spoke to the Lord… This [verse comes] to let us know the virtues of the righteous, for when they are about to depart from the world, they disregard their own needs and occupy themselves with the needs of the community.-[Sifrei Pinchas 23]

saying He said to Him, “Answer me whether You are appointing a leader for them or not.” - [Sifrei Pinchas 23]

16 Let the Lord... appoint When Moses heard that the Omnipresent told him to give Zelophehad’s inheritance to his daughters, he said, “It is time to ask for my own needs—that my son should inherit my high position.” The Holy One, blessed is He, said to him, That is not My intention, for Joshua deserves to be rewarded for his service, for he “would not depart from the tent” (Exod. 33:11). This is what Solomon meant when he said, “He who guards the fig tree eats its fruit” (Prov. 27:18). -[Mid. Tanchuma Pinchas 11]

God of the spirits Why is this said? He said to Him, "Master of the universe, the character of each person is revealed to you, and no two are alike. Appoint over them a leader who will tolerate each person according to his individual character."-[Mid. Tanchuma Pinchas 10]

17 who will go forth before them Not like the kings of the [gentile] nations, who sit at home and send their armies to war, but as I did, for I fought against Sihon and Og, as it says, “Do not fear him” (21:34), and as Joshua did, as it says, “Joshua went to him and said to him, Are you for us [or for our enemies]?” (Josh. 5:13). Similarly, concerning David it says, “For he went forth and came in before them” (I Sam. 18:16)—he went out [to battle] at their head and came in before them.-[Sifrei Pinchas 23]

who will lead them out through his merits. -[Sifrei Pinchas 23]

and bring them in through his merits. -[Sifrei Pinchas 23] Another interpretation: “Who will bring them in” [means] that You should not do to him as You did to me, for I may not bring them into the Land.-[Num. Rabbah 21:15]

18 Take for yourself Encourage him verbally, [and say,] “Fortunate are you that you have merited to lead the children of the Omnipresent!” -[Sifrei Pinchas 23 on verse 22]

for yourself Someone verified by you, someone you know.-[Sifrei Pinchas 23]

a man of spirit As you requested; someone able to deal with the character of each one.-[Sifrei Pinchas 23]

and you shall lay your hand upon him Provide him with an announcer so that he can expound [halachic discourses] during your lifetime, so they should not say about him that he dared not raise his head in the days of Moses.-[Sifrei Pinchas 23]

19 and you shall command him Concerning Israel; be aware that they are troublesome and obstinate. [You accept office] on condition that you take upon yourself [all this]. -[See Sifrei Beha’alothecha 42]

20 You shall bestow some of your majesty upon him This refers to the radiance of the skin of his face (see Exod. 34:29).

some of your majesty But not all of your majesty. Thus, we learn that the face of Moses was [radiant] like the sun, whereas the face of Joshua was like the moon.-[Sifrei Pinchas 23, b.b. 75a]

so that all the congregation of the children of Israel will take heed [meaning] that they will behave toward him with reverence and awe, just as they behaved toward you.

21 He shall stand before Eleazar the priest Here is [the response to] the request that you made [that your children should inherit you]; this honor shall not depart from your father’s house, for even Joshua will have need for Eleazar.-[Mid. Tanchuma Pinchas 11]

and seek [counsel from] him when he finds it necessary to go to war. -[Sanh. 16a]

By his word Eleazar’s [word].

and the entire congregation The Sanhedrin.-[Yoma 73b, Sanh. 16a] 22

and he took Joshua He took him [by encouraging him] with words, and informed him of the reward in store for the leaders of Israel in the World to Come.-[Sifrei Pinchas 23]

23 He laid his hands generously; over and above what he had been commanded. For the Holy One, blessed is He, said to him, “and you shall lay your hand upon him” (verse 18), but he did it with both his hands. He fashioned him like a full and overflowing vessel, filling him with wisdom in abundance.-[Sifrei Pinchas 23, Sanh. 105b]

in accordance with what the Lord had spoken to Moses [That is,] also with respect to the majesty; He bestowed some of his majesty [radiance] upon him.

2 Command the children of Israel What is stated above? “Let the Lord…appoint” (27:16). The Holy One, blessed is He, said to him, “Before you command me regarding My children, command My children regarding Me.” This is analogous to a princess who was about to depart from the world and was instructing her husband about her children, [and he replied, “Before you instruct me about them, instruct them about me,”] as it is stated in Sifrei Pinchas 24.

My offering This refers to the blood.-[Sifrei Pinchas 25]

My food This refers to the sacrificial parts, as it says, “the priest shall burn them [the fat-portions] on the altar; it is the food of the fire-offerings” (Lev. 3:16). -[Sifrei Pinchas 25]

My fire-offerings which are put on the fires of My altar.

you shall take care The Kohanim, Levites, and Israelites shall stand over them [to watch them]; hence they instituted the ma’amodoth [representatives of the people who were present at the sacrificial services].-[Sifrei Pinchas 26, Taanith 26a]

at its appointed time Each day is the appointed time prescribed for the continual offerings.-[see Sifrei Pinchas 26]

3 And you shall say to them This is an admonition to the [rabbinical] court.-[Sifrei Pinchas 27]

two...each day Heb. שְׁנַיִם לְיוֹם . [To be understood] according to its simple meaning [that two sacrifices were to be offered up every day]. Primarily, however, it comes to teach that they should be slaughtered opposite the sun [also known as יוֹם ]; the continual sacrifice of the morning to the west, and the one of the afternoon to the east of the rings [set in the floor of the Temple courtyard].-[Yoma 62b]

4 the one lamb Even though this is already stated in the portion of Ve’attah Tetzaveh ; “This is what you shall offer [upon the altar...The one lamb you shall offer up in the morning]” (Exod. 29:38, 39), that was an instruction for the days of the investitures [of the kohanim], whereas here He commanded it for all generations.

5 fine flour for a meal-offering The meal-offering of the libations [which accompanied the sacrifice].

6 offered up at Mount Sinai Like those offered up during the days of the investitures (Exod. 29:38-43). Another interpretation: “offered up at Mount Sinai”: the continual burnt offering is compared to the continual offering of Mount Sinai, the one offered before the giving of the Torah, about which it is written, “he put it [the blood] into the basins” (Exod. 24:6). This teaches us that it [the continual burnt offering] requires a vessel [for its blood].- [Torath Kohanim, Tzav 18:8]

7 Its libation of wine.

on the holy They shall be poured on the altar.

a libation of strong wine Intoxicating wine, [this comes] to exclude wine straight from the winepress [which has not fermented].-[B.B. 97a]

8 a spirit of satisfaction It is gratifying for Me that I spoke, and My will was carried out.-[Zev. 46b, Sifrei Pinchas 38]

10 The burnt offering of each Sabbath on its Sabbath But not the burnt offering of this Sabbath on another Sabbath. For if they did not offer one up on this Sabbath, I might think that two should be offered up on the following Sabbath. Scripture therefore says, “on its Sabbath” to instruct us that if its day passes, its offering is canceled.-[Sifrei Pinchas 40]

in addition to the continual burnt offering This refers to the additional [musaf] offerings, besides those two lambs of the continual burnt offering. And it teaches us that they [the additional sacrifices] may be offered only between the two continual offerings. Similarly, in the case of all the additional offerings it says, “In addition to the continual burnt offering” for this teaching.-[Sifrei Pinchas 40]

12 Three tenths As is the case with the libations brought with a bull, for thus they are fixed in the portion dealing with libations [see 15:9].

14 This is the burnt offering of each new month in its month However, once the day passes, its offering is canceled, and there is no way to make it up.-[Sifrei Pinchas 43]

15 And one young male goat... All the additional-offering goats were brought to atone for defiling the Sanctuary and it holy sacrifices, as is outlined in the Tractate of Shevuoth (9a). The young male goat [brought] on the first day of the month differs insofar as with regard to it Scripture says, “to the Lord.” This teaches you that it atones for a case where there is no awareness [of the person’s uncleanness] either before [entering the Temple or eating sacrificial food] or after [the sin has been committed]. The only One aware of the sin is the Holy One, blessed is He. We derive [the law of] the other young male goats from this one. In the Aggadah, it is expounded thus: The Holy One, blessed is He, said, “Bring atonement for Me because I diminished [the size of] the moon.” -[Shev. 9a]

it shall be offered up in addition to the continual burnt offering This entire offering [not just the young male goat]. and its libation [The phrase] “and its libation” does not refer to the young male goat because sin-offerings have no libations.

18 You shall refrain from all manner of mundane work Even essential work, such as the prevention of loss, which is permitted on the intermediate days of the festival, is forbidden on the festival itself.- [Torath Kohanim Emor 187, see Rashi on Lev. 23:8]

19 bulls Corresponding to Abraham, about whom it says, “And to the cattle did Abraham run,” [to feed the three angels who visited him] (Gen. 18:7).

ram Symbolizing the ram [sacrificed instead] of Isaac (see Gen. 22:13).

lambs Corresponding to Jacob, of whom it says, “Jacob separated the lambs” (Gen. 30:40). I saw this in the commentary of R. Moshe Hadarshan [the preacher]. -[Mid. Aggadah, Midrash Tadshey ch. 10]

24 Like these, you shall offer up daily They should not be decreased progressively, as is the case of the bulls of the [Sukkoth] festival.-[Sifrei Pinchas 48]

Ashlamatah: Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 66:1-23

1 Thus says the LORD: The heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool; where is the house that you may build unto Me? And where is the place that may be My resting-place?

2 For all these things has My hand made, and so all these things came to be, says the LORD; but on this man will I look, even on him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at My Word.

3 He that kills an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrifices a lamb, as if he broke a dog’s neck; he that offers a meal-offering, as if he offered swine’s blood; he that makes a memorial-offering of frankincense, as if he blessed an idol; according as they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations;

4 Even so I will choose their mockings, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spoke, they did not hear, but they did that which was evil in Mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not. {S}

5 Hear the word of the LORD, you that tremble at His word: Your brethren that hate you, that cast you out for My name’s sake, have said: ‘Let the LORD be glorified, that we may gaze upon your joy’, but they will be ashamed.

6 Hark! an uproar from the city, Hark! it comes from the temple, Hark! the LORD renders recompense to His enemies.

7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man-child.

8 Who has heard such a thing? Who hath seen such things? Is a land born in one day? Is a nation brought forth at once? For as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.

9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? says the LORD; Shall I that cause to bring forth shut the womb? says your God. {S}

10 Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all you that love her; rejoice for joy with her, all you that mourn for her;

11 That you may suck, and be satisfied with the breast of her consolations; that you may drink deeply with delight of the abundance of her glory. {S}

12 For thus says the LORD: Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream, and you will suck thereof: You will be borne upon the side, and will be dandled upon the knees.

13 As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted in Jerusalem.

14 And when you see this, your heart will rejoice, and your bones will flourish like young grass; and the hand of the LORD will be known toward His servants, and He will have indignation against His enemies. {S}

15 For, behold, the LORD will come in fire, and His chariots will be like the whirlwind; to render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire.

16 For by fire will the LORD contend, and by His sword with all flesh; and the slain of the LORD will be many.

17 They that sanctify themselves and purify themselves to go unto the gardens, behind one in the midst, eating swine’s flesh, and the detestable thing, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, says the LORD.

18 For I know their works and their thoughts; the time comes, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and shall see My glory.

19 And I will work a sign among them, and I will send such as escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard My fame, neither have seen My glory; and they shall declare My glory among the gentiles.

20 And they shall bring all your brethren out of all the nations for an offering unto the LORD, upon horses, and in chariots, and in fitters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to My holy mountain Jerusalem, says the LORD, as the children of Israel bring their offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.

21 And of them also will I take for the priests and for the Levites, says the LORD.

22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before Me, says the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.

23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, will all flesh come to worship before Me, says the LORD.

24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcasses of the men that have rebelled against Me; for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh. {P}

Colossians 2:16-23

16. Therefore let no one [Gentile] but the body of Messiah pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a New Moon or a Sabbath.

17. For these are a shadow of things yet to come.

18. Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind,

19. and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

20. If with Messiah you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to [pagan] regulations--

21. "Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch"

22. (referring to things that all perish as they are used)--according to human precepts and teachings?

23. These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

Some Questions to Ponder:

1. What questions were asked of Rashi regarding Numbers 27:15?

2. What questions were asked of Rashi regarding Numbers 27:16?

3. What questions were asked of Rashi regarding Numbers 27:17?

4. What questions were asked of Rashi regarding Numbers 27:18?

5. What questions were asked of Rashi regarding Numbers 27:20?

6. What questions were asked of Rashi regarding Numbers 27:21?

7. What questions were asked of Rashi regarding Numbers 27:23?

8. What questions were asked of Rashi regarding Numbers 28:2?

9. What questions were asked of Rashi regarding Numbers 28:3?

10. What questions were asked of Rashi regarding Numbers 28:7?

11. What questions were asked of Rashi regarding Numbers 28:10?

12. What questions were asked of Rashi regarding Numbers 28:15?

13. What questions were asked of Rashi regarding Numbers 28:19?

14. The command as to what to sacrifice on the New Moon and Sabbaths is mentioned after the command to ordain Yehoshua (Joshua). What relationships are there between the New Moon and the Messiah?

15. In a way Yom Kippur is the Sabbath of Sabbaths, and Yom Teruah is the New Moon of New Moons, what is it really that we prophesy when we celebrate the monthly New Moons?

16. In what way is the purpose of why we were created related specifically to the New Moons?

17. How is the Torah Seder related to our reading of Proverbs 7:1-27?

18. How is the Torah Seder related to our Ashlamatah of Isaiah 66:1-24?

19. How is the reading of Colossians 2:16-23 related to our Torah Seder?

20. In your opinion, and taking into consideration all of the above readings for this Sabbath, what is the prophetic message for this week?

Next Shabbat (Shebat 08, 5770):

Shabbat: V’Eleh Mishpatim

Shabbat	Torah Reading:	Weekday Torah Reading:
וְאֵלֶּה, הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים
“V’Eleh HaMishpatim”	Reader 1 – Sh’mot 21:1-6	Reader 1 – Sh’mot 22:24-26
“And these are the judgments”	Reader 2 – Sh’mot 21:7-15	Reader 2 – Sh’mot 22:27-30
“Y estos son los decretos”	Reader 3 – Sh’mot 21:16-25	Reader 3 – Sh’mot 22:24-30
Shemot (Exodus) 21:1 – 22:23	Reader 4 – Sh’mot 21:26-32
Ashlamatah: Isaiah 56:1-9 + 57:19	Reader 5 – Sh’mot 21:33-37
	Reader 6 – Sh’mot 22:1-8	Reader 1 – Sh’mot 22:24-26
Psalm 57:1-12	Reader 7 – Sh’mot 22:9-18	Reader 1 – Sh’mot 22;27-30
	Maftir – Sh’mot 22:19-23	Reader 1 – Sh’mot 22:24-30
N.C.: Mordechai (Mark) 8:14-21	Isaiah 56:1-9 + 57:19

Shalom Shabbat V’Rosh Chodesh Shebat Tob!

Hakham Dr. Yosef ben Haggai

Paqid Adon Mikha ben Hillel