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Triennial Cycle (Triennial Torah Cycle) / Septennial Cycle (Septennial Torah Cycle)
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Three- and 1/2-year Lectionary Readings |
Third Year of the Triennial Reading Cycle |
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Shevat 6, 5782 / January 7-8, 2022 |
Seventh Year of the Shmita Cycle |
Candle Lighting and Habdalah Times: https://www.chabad.org/calendar/candlelighting.htm
Roll of Honor:
This Commentary comes out weekly and on the festivals thanks to the great generosity of:
His Eminence Rabbi Dr. Hillel ben David and beloved wife HH Giberet Batsheva bat Sarah
His Eminence Rabbi Dr. Eliyahu ben Abraham and beloved wife HH Giberet Dr. Elisheba bat Sarah
His Honor Paqid Adon David ben Abraham
His Honor Paqid Adon Ezra ben Abraham and beloved wife HH Giberet Karmela bat Sarah
His Excellency Adon Luqas Nelson
His Honor Paqid Adon Tsuriel ben Abraham and beloved wife HH Giberet Gibora bat Sarah
Her Excellency Giberet Sarai bat Sarah & beloved family
His Excellency Adon Barth Lindemann & beloved family
His Excellency Adon John Batchelor & beloved wife
Her Excellency Giberet Leah bat Sarah & beloved mother
His Excellency Adon Yehoshua ben Abraham and beloved wife HE Giberet Rut bat Sarah
His Excellency Adon Michael ben Yosef and beloved wife HE Giberet Sheba bat Sarah
Her Excellency Giberet Prof. Dr. Emunah bat Sarah & beloved family
His Excellency Adon Robert Dick & beloved wife HE Giberet Cobena Dick
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His Excellency Adon Shlomoh ben Abraham
His Excellency Adon Ya’aqob ben David
For their regular and sacrificial giving, providing the best oil for the lamps, we pray that GOD’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 chozenppl@GMail.com with your E-Mail or the E-Mail addresses of your friends. Toda Rabba!
Blessings Before Torah Study
Blessed are You, Ha-Shem our GOD, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us through Your commandments, and commanded us to actively study Torah. Amen!
Please Ha-Shem, our GOD, sweeten the words of Your Torah in our mouths and in the mouths of all Your people Israel. May we and our offspring, and our offspring's offspring, and all the offspring of Your people, the House of Israel, may we all, together, know Your Name and study Your Torah for the sake of fulfilling Your delight. Blessed are You, Ha-Shem, Who teaches Torah to His people Israel. Amen!
Blessed are You, Ha-Shem our GOD, King of the universe, Who chose us from all the nations, and gave us the Torah. Blessed are You, Ha-Shem, Giver of the Torah. Amen!
Ha-Shem spoke to Moses, explaining a Commandment. "Speak to Aaron and his sons and teach them the following Commandment: This is how you should bless the Children of Israel. Say to the Children of Israel:
May Ha-Shem bless you and keep watch over you; - Amen!
May Ha-Shem make His Presence enlighten you, and may He be kind to you; - Amen!
May Ha-Shem bestow favor on you and grant you peace. – Amen!
This way, the priests will link My Name with the Israelites, and I will bless them."
These are the Laws for which the Torah did not mandate specific amounts: How much growing produce must be left in the corner of the field for the poor; how much of the first fruits must be offered at the Holy Temple; how much one must bring as an offering when one visits the Holy Temple three times a year; how much one must do when performing acts of kindness; and there is no maximum amount of Torah that a person must study.
These are the Laws whose benefits a person can often enjoy even in this world, even though the primary reward is in the Next World: They are: Honoring one's father and mother; doing acts of kindness; early attendance at the place of Torah study -- morning and night; showing hospitality to guests; visiting the sick; providing for the financial needs of a bride; escorting the dead; being very engrossed in prayer; bringing peace between two people, and between husband and wife; but the study of Torah is as great as all of them together. Amen!
We pray for our beloved Hakham His Eminence Rabbi Dr. Yosef ben Haggai. Mi Sheberach…He who blessed our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Moses and Aaron, David, and Solomon, may He bless and heal the sick person HE Rabbi Dr. Yosef ben Haggai, May the Holy One, Blessed is He, be filled with compassion for him to restore his health, to heal him, to strengthen him, and to revivify him. And may He send him speedily a complete recovery from heaven, among the other sick people of Yisrael, a recovery of the body and a recovery of the spirit, swiftly and soon, and we will say amen ve amen!
Special Requests from His Eminence Hakham Dr. Yosef ben Haggai:
Mi Shebberach He Who blessed our holy matriarchs, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah, Miriam the Prophetess. Abigail, and Esther, daughter of Abigail – may He bless the sick HH Giberet Dr. Elisheba bat Sarah HaRabbanit (the beloved wife of His Eminence Rabbi Dr. Eliyahu ben Abraham) who has lost 45% of her kidneys’ function and send her a complete recovery in all her organs and all her blood vessels. Please HaShem, heal her now. Please HaShem, heal her now. Please HaShem, heal her now among the other sick people of Your people Israel. And so may it be His will, and for the sake of the Holy One of Yisrael, and we all say with one voice: AMEN ve AMEN!
He Who blessed our holy matriarchs, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah, Miriam the Prophetess. Abigail, and Esther daughter of Abigail – may He bless the sick mother of three children HE Giberet Hannah bat Sarah (the much-loved niece of HH Giberet Giborah bat Sarah) and send her a complete recovery in all her organs and all her blood vessels. Please HaShem, heal her now. Please HaShem, heal her now. Please HaShem, heal her now among the other sick people of Your people Israel. And so may it be His will, and we all will say with one voice: AMEN ve AMEN
He Who blessed our holy matriarchs, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah, Miriam the Prophetess. Abigail, and Esther daughter of Abigail – may He bless the sick daughter of HH Giberet Karmela bat Sarah, HE Giberet Kelly and send her a complete recovery in all her organs and all her blood vessels. Please HaShem, heal her now. Please HaShem, heal her now. Please HaShem, heal her now among the other sick people of Your people Israel. And so may it be His will, and we all will say with one voice: AMEN ve AMEN.
A Prayer for Israel
Our Father in Heaven, Rock, and Redeemer of Israel, bless the State of Israel, the first manifestation of the approach of our redemption. Shield it with Your lovingkindness, envelop it in Your peace, and bestow Your light and truth upon its leaders, ministers, and advisors, and grace them with Your good counsel. Strengthen the hands of those who defend our holy land, grant them deliverance, and adorn them in a mantle of victory. Ordain peace in the land and grant its inhabitants eternal happiness.
Lead them, swiftly and upright, to Your city Zion and to Jerusalem, the abode of Your Name, as is written in the Torah of Your servant Moses: “Even if your outcasts are at the ends of the world, from there the Lord your God will gather you, from there He will fetch you. And the Lord your God will bring you to the land that your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it, and He will make you more prosperous and more numerous than your fathers.” Draw our hearts together to revere and venerate Your name and to observe all the precepts of Your Torah, and send us quickly the Messiah son of David, agent of Your vindication, to redeem those who await Your deliverance.
Shabbat: “Zot Ha-Arets” – Sabbath: “This is the land”
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Shabbat |
Torah Reading: |
Weekday Torah Reading: |
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זֹאת הָאָרֶץ |
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Saturday Afternoon |
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Reader 1 – B’Midbar 34:1-12 |
Reader 1 – B’Midbar 35:9-11 |
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Reader 2 – B’Midbar 34:13-15 |
Reader 2 – B’Midbar 35:12-14 |
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“en la tierra” |
Reader 3 – B’Midbar 34:16-18 |
Reader 3 – B’Midbar 35:15-18 |
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B’Midbar (Numbers) 34:1 – 35:8 |
Reader 4 – B’Midbar 34:19-24 |
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Reader 5 – B’Midbar 34:25-29 |
Monday and Thursday Mornings |
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Reader 6 – B’Midbar 35:1-3 |
Reader 1 – B’Midbar 35:9-11 |
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Tehillim (Psalms) 106: 34-39 |
Reader 7 – B’Midbar 35:4-8 |
Reader 2 – B’Midbar 35:12-14 |
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Maftir – B’midbar 35:6-8 |
Reader 3 – B’Midbar 35:15-18 |
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Mark 13:1-2: Luke 21:5-6 |
Ezekiel 45:1-8, 14-15 |
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Contents of the Torah Seder
· Boundaries of the Holy Land – Numbers 34:1-2
· The Southern Boundary – Numbers 34;3-5
· The Western Border – Numbers 34:6
· The Northern Border – Numbers 34:7-9
· The Eastern Boundary – Numbers 34:10-12
· Ten Princes Appointed to Superintend Allotments – Numbers 34:16-29
· Levitical Cities of Refuge – Numbers 35:1-8
Rashi & Targum Pseudo Jonathan
for: B’midbar (Numbers) 34:1 – 35:8
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Rashi |
Targum Pseudo Jonathan |
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1. The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: |
1. And the LORD spoke with Mosheh, saying: |
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2. Command the children of Israel and say to them, When you arrive in the land of Canaan, this is the land which shall fall to you as an inheritance, the land of Canaan according to its borders. |
2. Command the sons of Israel and say to them: When you have entered into the land of Kenaan, this will be the land that will be divided to you for an inheritance, the land of Kenaan by its limits. |
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3. Your southernmost corner shall be from the desert of Zin along Edom, and the southern border shall be from the edge of the Sea of Salt [the Dead Sea] to the east. |
3. Your south border (will be) from the Wilderness of Palms, by the iron mountain, at the confines of Edom, even the south border at the extremities of the Sea of Salt, eastward. |
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4. The border then turns south of Maaleh Akrabim [elevation of Akrabim], passing toward Zin, and its ends shall be to the south of Kadesh barnea. Then it shall extend to Hazar addar and continue toward Azmon. |
4. And your border will turn from the south to the ascent of Akrabbith and pass on to the palms of the mountain of iron, and the going forth thereof will be southward of Rekem Giah, and will go onward to the tower of Adar, and pass over to Kesam. |
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5. The border then turns from Azmon to the stream of Egypt, and its ends shall be to the sea. |
5. And the border will wind round from Kesam unto Nilos, of the Mizraee, and its outgoings will be to the west. |
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6. The western border: it shall be for you the Great [Mediterranean] Sea and the border this shall be your western border. |
6. And for the western border you will have the Great Ocean Sea; its limits are the waters of the beginning with the waters of old which are in its depth; its capes and havens, its creeks and its cities, its islands and ports, its ships, and its recesses: this will be your border westward. |
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7. This shall be your northern border: From the Great [Mediterranean] Sea turn yourselves toward Mount Hor. |
7. And this will be your northern border; — from the Great Sea you will appoint to you unto Mount Umanis. |
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8. From Mount Hor turn to the entrance of Hamath, and the ends of the border shall be toward Zedad. |
8. From Mount Umanis you will appoint to you (a line) as you go up to the entrance of Tebaria, and the outgoings of the border at its two sides, unto Kadkor Of Bar Zahama, and to Kadkol of Bar Sanigora, and Divakinos and Tarnegola unto Kesarin, where you go up to Abelas of Cilicia. |
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9. The border shall then extend to Ziphron, and its ends shall be Hazar enan; this shall be your northern border. |
9. And the border will go on unto Keren Zekutha, and to Gibra Hatmona, and its outgoings will be at Keria Bethsekel, and to the midst of the great court (darela rabtha), which is at Mizeha, between the towers of Hinvetha and Darmeshek: this will be your northern limit. |
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10. You shall then turn yourselves toward the eastern border, from Hazar enan to Shepham. |
10. And you will appoint your eastern border from the of Hinvetba unto Apamea; |
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11. The border descends from Shepham toward Riblah, to the east of Ain. Then the border descends and hits the eastern shore of Lake Kinnereth. |
11. and the border will descend from Apamea to Dophne, eastward of Hinvetha; thence the border will go down to the cavern of Panias, and from the cavern of Panias to the mountain of snow, and from the mountain of snow to Henan, and from Henan the border will go down and encompass the plain of the river of Arnon, and arrive at the wilderness and the palms of the mountain of iron, take in the Waters of Contention, and rest at Ginesar, a city of the kings of the Edomites, the inheritance of the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Menasheh; and the border will descend and encompass the Sea of Genesar on the east. |
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12. The border then continues down along the Jordan, and its ends is the Sea of Salt [the Dead Sea]; this shall be your Land according to its borders around. |
12. And the border will descend to the Jordan, and its outgoing be at the Sea of Salt. Rekem Giah on the south, Mount Umanos on the north, the Great Sea on the west, the Sea of Salt on the east, -this will be your country, the Land of Israel, by the extent of its borders round about. |
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13. Moses commanded the children of Israel saying, "This is the Land which you are to apportion for inheritance through lot, that the Lord has commanded to give to the nine and a half tribes. |
13. And Mosheh commanded the sons of Israel, saying: This is the land which you are to inherit by lot, which the LORD has commanded to give to the nine tribes and the half tribe. |
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14. For the tribe of Reuben's descendants according to their fathers' house, and the tribe of Gad's descendants according to their fathers' house, and half the tribe of Manasseh have already received their inheritance. |
14. For the tribe of the children of Reuben, according to the house of their fathers, and tribe of Gad, and the half tribe of Menasheh have received their inheritance __ |
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15. The two and a half tribes have received their inheritance on this side of the Jordan, near Jericho in the east, toward the sunrise." |
15. __ beyond the Jordan on the eastern side. |
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16. The Lord spoke to Moses saying: |
16. And the LORD spoke with Mosheh, saying: |
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17. These are the names of the men who shall inherit the land on your behalf: Eleazar the kohen and Joshua the son of Nun. |
17. These are the names of the men who will make to you the inheritance of the land: Elazar the priest, and Jehoshua bar Nun, |
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18. You shall take one chieftain from each tribe to [help you to] acquire the land. |
18. and one prince from each of the tribes you will choose to give you the inheritance of the land. |
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19. These are the names of the men: for the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh. |
19. And these are the names of the men. Of the tribe of Jehudah, Kaleb bar Jephunneh; |
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20. For the tribe of the descendants of Simeon, Samuel the son of Ammihud. |
20. for Shimeon, Shemuel bar Ammihud; |
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21. For the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon. |
21. Benjamin, Elidad bar Kiselon; |
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22. The chieftain for the tribe of the descendants of Dan, Bukki the son of Jogli. |
22. Dan, Buki bar Jageli; |
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23. For the descendants of Joseph; the chieftain for the tribe of the descendants of Manasseh, Hanniel the son of Ephod. |
23. Joseph, Menasheh, Haniel bar Ephod; |
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24. The chieftain for the tribe of the descendants of Ephraim, Kemuel the son of Shiphtan. |
24. Ephraim, Kemuel bar Shipbtan; |
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25. The chieftain for the tribe of the descendants of Zebulun, Elizaphan the son of Parnach. |
25. Zebulon, Elizaphan bar Parnak; |
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26. The chieftain for the tribe of the descendants of Issachar, Paltiel the son of Azzan. |
26. Issakar, Paltiel bar Azan; |
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27. The chieftain for the tribe of the descendants of Asher, Ahihud the son of Shelomi. |
27. Asher, Abihud bar Shelomi; |
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28. The chieftain of the tribe of the descendants of Naphtali, Pedahel the son of Ammihud. |
28. Naphtali, Pedahael bar Ammihud. |
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29. These are the ones whom the Lord commanded to apportion the inheritance to the children of Israel in the land of Canaan. |
29. These are they whom the LORD commanded to divide the inheritance of the land of Kenaan to the children of Israel. |
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1. The Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab, by the Jordan at Jericho saying: |
1. And the LORD spoke with Mosheh in the plains of Moab, by Jordan-Jericho, saying: |
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2. Command the children of Israel that they shall give to the Levites from their hereditary possession cities in which to dwell, and you shall give the Levites open spaces around the cities. |
2. Command the sons of Israel that they give to the Levites from their inheritance cities to dwell in, and suburbs (open spaces) to the cities roundabout will you give to the Levites. |
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3. These cities shall be theirs for dwelling, and their open spaces shall be for their cattle, their property, and for all their needs. |
3. And the cities will be for them to dwell in, and the suburbs for their cattle, their property, and all their needful things. |
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4. The areas of open space for the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall extend from the wall of the city outward, one thousand cubits all around. |
4. But of the cities which you give to the Levites the suburbs round the city will be one thousand cubits without the city round about. |
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5. You shall measure from outside the city, two thousand cubits on the eastern side, two thousand cubits on the southern side, two thousand cubits on the western side, and two thousand cubits on the northern side, with the city in the middle; this shall be your cities' open spaces. |
5. And you will measure outside the city, on the east side, two thousand cubits; on the South two thousand, on the west two thousand, and on the north two thousand cubits, with the city in the midst; these will be to you the suburbs of the cities. |
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6. Among the cities you shall give to the Levites, shall be six cities of refuge, which you shall provide [as places] to which a murderer can flee. In addition to them, you shall provide forty-two cities. |
6. And of the cities you give to the Levites, six will be for refuges to manslayers, that the manslayer may escape thither. Beside these you will give them forty-two other cities. |
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7. All the cities you shall give to the Levites shall number forty-eight cities, them with their open spaces. |
7. All the cities that you give to the Levites will be forty-eight cities with their suburbs. |
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8. And as for the cities that you shall give from the possession of the children of Israel, you shall take more from a larger [holding] and you shall take less from a smaller one. Each one, according to the inheritance allotted to him, shall give of his cities to the Levites. |
8. But when you give the cities from the inheritance of the Bene Yisrael, from the tribe whose people are many you will give many, and from the tribe whose people are few you will diminish; everyone will give of his cities to the Levites, according to the inheritance he possesses. |
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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’s Commentary for: B’Midbar (Num.) 34:1 – 35:8
2 This is the land which shall fall to you Since many precepts apply to the Land [of Israel] and do not apply outside the Land, Scripture found it necessary to chart the outer limits of its boundaries from all sides, to inform you that the precepts apply everywhere within these borders.
shall fall to you Since it was apportioned by lot, the division is described in terms of נְפִילָה , falling [a word commonly used in connection with lots]. The Midrash Aggadah says that [this expression is used here] because the Holy One, blessed is He, cast down [lit., caused to fall] from heaven the celestial ministers of the seven [Canaanite] nations, and shackled them before Moses. He said to him [Moses], See, they no longer have any power.- [Mid. Tanchuma]
3 Your southernmost corner shall be The southern flank extending from east to west.
from the desert of Zin which adjoins Edom, beginning in the southeastern corner of the land of the nine tribes. How? Three lands lie south of the Land of Israel, each adjoining the other part of Egypt, the entire land of Edom, and the entire land of Moab. The land of Egypt is in the southwestern corner, as it says [later] in this passage, “from Azmon to the stream of Egypt and its ends shall be to the sea” (verse 5). The stream of Egypt ran through the entire length of Egypt, as it says, “from the Shihor [river], which is along the face of Egypt” (Josh. 13:3), and it intervenes between the land of Egypt from the Land of Israel. The land of Edom adjoins it [Egypt] from the east, and the land of Moab adjoins the land of Edom at the southeastern corner [of the land of Israel]. When the Israelites departed from Egypt, had the Omnipresent wished to expedite their entry into the Land, He would have taken them northward across the Nile, and they would have thus entered the Land. But He did not do so, and this is the meaning of what is said, “God did not lead them [by] way of the land of the Philistines” (Exod. 13:17). For they [the Philistines] dwelt by the sea in the west of the land of Canaan, as it says regarding the Philistines, “those who inhabit the coastal area, the Cherethite nation” (Zeph. 2:5). He did not lead them by that route but diverted them and took them along the southern route, to the desert. Ezekiel called it “the desert of the nations” (Ezek. 5:35) because several nations dwelt alongside it. He led them along the south, always from west to east, until they arrived at the southern end of the land of Edom. They asked the king of Edom for permission to enter his land and traverse its width in order to enter the Land [of Israel], but he refused, and they had to turn and travel along the entire south of Edom until they reached the southern end of the land of Moab, as it says, “He sent [messengers] also to the king of Moab, but he was unwilling” (Jud. 11:17). They then traversed the entire southern boundary of Moab, right to the end, and then turned northward until they had passed along its entire eastern boundary, along its width, and when they finished its eastern boundary, they came upon the land of Sihon and Og, who dwelt to the east of the land of Canaan, with the Jordan [river] intervening between them. This is the meaning of what is stated concerning Jephthah, “And they went through the desert and went around the land of Edom and the land of Moab, and they came to the east of the land of Moab” (ibid. 18). They conquered the lands of Sihon and Og, which were to the north of Moab, and came near to the Jordan, opposite the northwestern corner of the land of Moab. Hence, the land of Canaan, which was across the Jordan to the west, has its southeastern corner bordering on Edom.
4 The border then turns south of Maaleh Akrabim Whenever the term וְנָסַב ("turns") or וְיָצָא ("extends to") is used, it [Scripture] informs us that the border was not straight, but veered outward; the boundary line bent to the north, angling westward, so that the border passed south of Maaleh Akrabim, so that Maaleh Akrabim was within the border.
passing toward Zin Heb. צִנָה , to Zin, as in מִצְרַיְמָה , to Egypt.
its ends shall be Heb. תוֹצְאֽתָיו , its ends, to the south of Kadesh-barnea.
it shall extend The boundary stretches northward and continues angling westward, until it reaches Hazar-addar, and from there to Azmon and from there to the stream of Egypt. The term “turns” is used here, because Scripture writes, “it shall extend to Hazar-addar.” For it began to widen after passing Kadesh-barnea, and the width of that strip which protruded northward was from Kadesh-barnea to Azmon. From there onward, the boundary narrowed and turned southward, reaching the river of Egypt, and from there westward to the Great Sea, which is the western boundary of the entire Land of Israel. Thus, the river of Egypt is in the southwestern corner.
5 and its ends shall be to the sea To the western border, for the southern border no longer stretches westward past there.
6 The western border And what was the western border?
[It shall be for you] the Great Sea As a boundary.
and the border The islands in the sea are also included in the border. These islands are called isles in old French.-[Gittin 8a]
7 northern border Heb. גְּבוּל צָפוֹן , the northern boundary.
From the Great Sea turn yourselves toward Mount Hor which is the northwestern corner. Its summit slopes down into the sea. Some of the expanse of the sea is inward of it and some outside it.
turn yourselves Change your direction, to move from west to north, toward Mount Hor.
turn yourselves An expression denoting a slant, as in “the [slanting] chamber (תָּא) of the guards” (I Kings 14:28); “the chamber (תָּא) of the gate” (Ezek. 40:10), which are called apendiz in old French [penthouse, lean-to, a small building with a sloping roof, attached to a main building] for it is curved and sloping.
8 From Mount Hor you shall turn and continue along the northern border eastward, and then you will arrive at the entrance to Hamath, which is Antioch. - [Targum Yerushalmi]
and the ends of the border Heb. תּוֹצְאֽֽת הַגּבוּל , the ends of the border. Whenever [Scripture] mentions “the ends of the border” either the boundary line ends there completely and does not continue further in that direction, or from there it spreads out, broadens, and extends backwards, continuing in a more slanting direction than [encompassed in] the original expanse. In relation to the breadth of the original dimension, it is called the ends, for that dimension ends there.
9 and its ends shall be Hazar-enan This is the end of the northern border, and Hazar- enan is situated in the northeastern corner. From there “you shall then turn yourselves” toward the eastern border.
10 You shall then turn yourselves Heb. וְהִתְאַוִּיתֶם , a term denoting turning or veering, cognate with [the term] תְּתָאוּ
to Shepham on the eastern boundary, and from there to Riblah.
11 east of Ain [Ain is] the name of a place, and the border passes east of it, so that Ain is situated within the border and is part of the Land of Israel.
Then the border descends As the border proceeds from north to south, it descends.
and hits the eastern shore of Lake Kinnereth For Lake Kinnereth was within the border to the west, and the border which is east of Lake Kinnereth, descends to the Jordan. The Jordan flows from north to south diagonally, slanting eastward, moving toward the land of Canaan opposite Lake Kinnereth, and extending along the eastern flank of the Land of Israel, opposite Lake Kinnereth, until it falls into the Sea of Salt [the Dead Sea], and from there the border ends with its ends at the Sea of Salt, from which the southeastern border begins. This is how it is encompassed from all its four sides.
15 in the east toward the sunrise Heb. קֵדְמָה , meaning toward the front of the world, which is in the east, for the east side is called the forefront [lit., the face] and the west is called the back. Thus, the south is to the right, and the north is to the left.
17 who shall inherit the land of your behalf Heb. לָכֶם , on your behalf. Each chieftain was an administrator for his tribe, to divide the tribal inheritance among families and individuals. He chose a suitable portion for each one, and whatever they did was binding, as if they had been designated as agents [by the members of the tribes]. It is not possible to render this word לָכֶם as every לָכֶם in Scripture, [meaning “to you,”] for in that case, it should have written יַנְחִילוֹ לָכֶם , [in the hiph’il, the causative conjugation, they shall give it to you to inherit], but the word יִנְחֲלוּ [in the kal, simple conjugation] means that they shall inherit for you, on your behalf and in your stead, as in, “The Lord will wage war for you לָכֶם ” (Exod. 14:14).
18 to [help you] to acquire the land To take possession of the land and apportion it in your stead.
29 to apportion the inheritance They are the ones who shall divide the inheritance among you according to its portions.
Chapter 35
2 open spaces Empty belts of land surrounding each city, so as to beautify the city. It was forbidden to build a house, plant a vineyard or sow seed there.-[Arachin 33b]
3 and for all their needs Heb. חַיָּתָם , for their personal necessities.-[Ned. 81a]
4 one thousand cubits all around Yet following this it says, "two thousand cubits"? How can this be? However, He assigned two thousand for them around the city, of which the inner thousand was for open area and the outer [thousand] for fields and vineyards.- [Sotah 27b]
Reading Assignment:
The Torah Anthology: Yalkut Me’Am Lo’Ez - Vol 14: Numbers – II – Final Wonderings
By: Rabbi Yitzchaq Magriso
Published by: Moznaim Publishing Corp. (New York, 1983)
Vol. 14 – “Numbers – II – Final Wonderings,” pp. pp. 408-416.
Ketubim: Psalm 106: 34-39
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Rashi |
Targum |
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1. Hallelujah. Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His kindness is forever. |
1. Hallelujah! Give thanks in the presence of the LORD, for He is good, for His goodness is forever. |
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2. Who can narrate the mighty deeds of the Lord? [Who] can make heard all His praise? |
2. Who is able to utter the might of the LORD? Who is allowed to proclaim all His praises? |
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3. Fortunate are those who keep justice, who perform righteousness at all times. |
3. Happy are they who observe judgment, those who do righteousness/generosity at every time. |
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4. Remember me, O Lord, when You favor Your people; be mindful of me with Your salvation. |
4. Remember me, O LORD, with good will toward Your people; call me to mind with Your redemption (Hebrew: פָּקְדֵנִי, בִּישׁוּעָתֶךָ – Paq’deni BiShuatekha – lit. “appoint me to Your Yeshua (salvation)”. |
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5. To see the goodness of Your chosen ones, to rejoice with the joy of Your nation, to boast with Your inheritance. |
5. To look on the plenty of Your chosen ones; to rejoice in the joy of Your people; to join in praise with Your inheritance. |
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6. We sinned with our forefathers; we committed iniquity and wickedness. |
6. We have sinned, along with our fathers; we have committed iniquity, acted wickedly. |
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7. Our forefathers in Egypt did not understand Your wonders; they did not remember Your manifold deeds of kindness, and they were rebellious by the sea, by the Sea of Reeds. |
7. Our fathers in Egypt paid no heed to Your wonders; they did not call to mind Your great goodness; and they rebelled against Your word by the sea, at the sea of Reeds. |
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8. And He saved them for His name's sake, to make known His might. |
8. And He redeemed them for His name's sake, to make known His might. |
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9. And He rebuked the Sea of Reeds, and it dried up, and He led them in the depths as [in] a desert. |
9. And He rebuked the sea of Reeds, and it dried up; and He conducted them through the deeps, as in the wilderness. |
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10. He saved them from the hand of the enemy, and He redeemed them from the hand of the foe. |
10. And He redeemed them from the power of the foe; and He redeemed them from the power of the enemies. |
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11. And the water covered their adversaries; not one of them survived. |
11. And the waters covered their oppressors; not one of them was left. |
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12. And they believed His words; they sang His praise. |
12. And they believed in the name of His word; they sang His praise. |
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13. Quickly, they forgot His deeds; they did not await His counsel. |
13. They quickly forgot His deeds; they did not wait for His counsel. |
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14. They craved a lust in the desert, and they tried God in the wasteland. |
14. And they made a request and tested God in the place of desolation. |
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15. He gave them their request, but He sent emaciation into their soul. |
15. And He gave them their request and sent leanness into their souls. |
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16. They angered Moses in the camp, Aaron, the holy man of the Lord. |
16. And they were jealous of Moses in the camp, of Aaron, the holy one of the LORD. |
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17. The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan and covered the congregation of Abiram. |
17. The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan and covered the company of Abiram. |
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18. And fire burned in their congregation; a flame burned the wicked. |
18. And fire burned in their company; flame will kindle the wicked. |
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19. They made a calf in Horeb and prostrated themselves to a molten image. |
19. They made a calf in Horeb and bowed down to something of metal. |
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20. They exchanged their glory for the likeness of an ox eating grass. |
20. And they exchanged the glory of their master for the likeness of a bull that eats grass and befouls itself. |
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21. They forgot God, their Savior, Who wrought great deeds in Egypt. |
21. They forgot God their redeemer who had done mighty works in Egypt. |
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22. Wonders in the land of Ham, awesome deeds by the Sea of Reeds. |
22. Wonders in the land of Ham, awesome things by the sea of Reeds. |
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23. He intended to destroy them [and would have] were it not that Moses, His chosen one, stood before Him in the breech to return His wrath from destroying. |
23. And He commanded by His word to destroy them, had it not been for Moses His chosen one, who stood and grew mighty in prayer in His presence to turn aside His wrath from obliteration. |
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24. They rejected the desirable land; they did not believe His word. |
24. And their soul was repelled by the desirable land; they did not believe His word. |
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25. They complained in their tents; they did not hearken to the voice of the Lord. |
25. And they complained in their tents; they did not accept the word of the LORD. |
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26. He raised His hand to them to cast them down in the desert, |
26. And He lifted His hand in an oath because of them, to throw them down slain in the wilderness. |
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27. And to cast their seed among the nations and to scatter them in the lands. |
27. And to exile their seed among the peoples, and to scatter them among the lands. |
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28. They became attached to Baal Pe'or and ate sacrifices of the dead. |
28. And they attached themselves to the idol of Peor, and they ate the sacrifices of the dead. |
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29. They provoked [God] with their deeds, and a plague broke out among them. |
29. And they caused anger in His presence by their deeds, and a plague attacked them. |
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30. Phinehas stood up and executed justice, and the plague was stopped. |
30. And Phinehas rose and prayed, and the plague was restrained. |
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31. It was accounted for him as a merit, for generation to generation to eternity. |
31. And it was accounted to him for merit for all generations forever. |
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32. They provoked [God] by the waters of Meribah, and Moses suffered because of them. |
32. And they caused anger by the waters of Dispute, and it grieved Moses because of them. |
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33. For they rebelled against His spirit, and He uttered with His lips. |
33. For they rebelled against His holy spirit, and He had explained it clearly with His lips. |
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34. They did not destroy the peoples whom the Lord had told them [to destroy]. |
34. They did not destroy the peoples, which the LORD had commanded them to do. |
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35. And they mingled with the nations and learned their deeds. |
35. And they mingled with the Gentiles, and they learned their deeds. |
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36. They worshipped their idols, which became a snare for them. |
36. And they worshipped their idol, and they became a stumbling-block for them. |
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37. They slaughtered their sons and daughters to the demons. |
37. And they sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons. |
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38. They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters whom they slaughtered to the idols of Canaan, and the land became polluted with the blood. |
38. And they shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters that they sacrificed to the idols of the Canaanites and the land was defiled by capital crimes |
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39. And they became unclean through their deeds, and they went astray with their acts. |
39. And brought uncleanness by their deeds and went astray by their acts. |
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Rashi Commentary for: Psalm 106:34-39
34 They did not destroy in the days of Joshua.
the peoples whom the Lord had told them (Deut. 20:16): “You shall not allow a soul to remain alive”; (Exod. 23:33), “They shall not remain as residents in your land,” but they allowed them to dwell in their midst, paying tribute.
Meditation from the Psalms
Psalms 106: 34-39
By: H.Em. Rabbi Dr. Hillel ben David
For continuity I am repeating my intro from the first part of our psalm.
The preceding composition, Psalms 105, described the extensive wonders with which G-d mercifully redeemed our forefathers from Egypt. This psalm resumes the narrative and relates how G-d miraculously sustained the Jews as they wandered in the wilderness for forty years. Then HaShem led the Israelites into the land of Canaan and empowered them to conquer their adversaries despite overwhelming odds. Throughout these great historic periods, HaShem repeatedly performed so many wonders that the Psalmist exclaims (verse 2), who can express the mighty acts of HaShem? Who can declare all of His praise?[1]
However, even while G-d was displaying unprecedented kindness to Israel, the Israelites were negligent in their duties toward G-d, and they failed to appreciate His wonders. Indeed, they defied G-d’s representative, Moshe, and rebelled against his commands. This defiance initiated the spiritual and moral decline which eventually led to the Jew’s exile from the Holy Land.[2]
The Psalmist completes his description of Israel’s infidelity and exile with a prayer for redemption (verse 47), Save us HaShem, our G-d, and gather us from among the peoples, to thank Your Holy Name and to glory in Your praise!
This psalm concludes the fourth Book of Tehillim with the declaration, blessed is HaShem, the God of Israel, from This World to the World to Come, and let the entire nation say, “Amen!” Praise God![3]
The opening pesukim of our psalms portion speaks of shedim, devils. I would like to spend some time examining this interesting subject.
Tehillim (Psalms) 106:34-38 They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom HaShem commanded them: 35 But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works. 36 And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them. 37 Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils (שֵּׁדִים), 38 And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.
What is a demon, a shed – שד? If we look at related root words, we then find שוד and שדד. The latter means plundering through typical, physical means and force; the former connotes causing damage through something invisible. From these verb forms we can narrow in on what shedim[4] are all about. They are injurious to progress and prosperity. Invisibly and inexplicably, they sow damage and destruction. Demons are not divine, even in the minds of those who serve them. The Ramchal[5] says that shedim an intermediate between the spiritual and the physical. These entities cannot be detected by physical means and are not bound by the limitations and laws of ordinary detectable matter. For this reason, they might improperly be considered spiritual. Their Essence, however, is very different from that of the angelic class, even though they may resemble them in some ways. These entities also have specific attributes and unique limitations, based on their true nature.
Now, I have a question: Are shedim real? I have never seen or interacted with a shed, nor have I had first-hand contact with someone who has. Chazal give several opinions as to the existence of these creatures:
- They don’t exist as a separate species.[6] They are a made-up creature of fertile imaginations.
- They exist, but as the Talmud states, “one who worries about them, they bother him, while he who doesn’t worry about them, they don’t bother him”.[7]
- They exist, but they have vanished.[8]
- They are men who do not act according to the ‘image of G-d[9]‘, i.e., they are wicked men.
- They are real creatures that are no longer manifest except in locations populated by righteous/generous, pious men.[10]
The Rambam[11] takes the first position, i.e., that shedim[12] do not exist as a separate species. He also has the opinion that they are wicked men (opinion #3). Rambam’s most explicit denial of the existence of demons would seem to be found in his commentary to the Mishna:
Commentary to the Mishna, Avodah Zarah 4:7 Amongst that which you should know is that the perfected philosophers do not believe in tzelamim, by which I mean talismanery, but scoff at them and at those who think that they possess efficacy... and I say this because I know that most people are seduced by this with great folly, and with similar things, and think that they are real—which is not so... and these are things that have received great publicity amongst the pagans, especially amongst the nation which is called the Sabians... and they wrote works dealings with the stars, and witchcraft... and demons, and soothsaying...
This Rambam comes to mind when trying to understand the main stories in the Gemara. The Gemara describes Shedim, demons, which are invisible but number in the thousands to our right and to our left and cause many types of bodily harm. How can a person knowledgeable in modern science understand these stories? Rav Aharon Soloveitchik provides an answer in his book, Logic of the Heart, Logic of the Mind.[13] He explains that these invisible demons are germs. Once one understands this basic point, the wisdom of the Gemara becomes readily apparent. How could rabbis before the age of microscopes and modern medicine explain microscopic creatures that cause us harm? They describe them as invisible demons numbering in the thousands who, if we could only see them, would make us crazy. Imagine if we could see the thousands of germs all around us at all times. I think we would go crazy. They advise us because of these demons to wash our hands three times when we wake up in the morning, sound medical advice indeed.
Furthermore, Rav Aharon Soloveitchik explains that at times these shedim do not refer to germs but other forms of invisible destructive forces in our world like mental illness, hallucinations, and the like. The common denominator of these descriptions is rather than portraying our Sages as backwards superstitious people, bar minan (בר מינן),[14] they unlock the brilliant insight that our rabbis are providing.
Centuries later, the Vilna Gaon[15] decried that the Rambam had been “led astray by accursed philosophy” to deny demons, amulets, and other occult phenomena. Beyond invoking tradition, Nachmanides asserted there was eyewitness testimony for their existence, even as they generally possessed undetectable bodies.
While some believe that this makes it quite clear that the Rambam did not believe in shedim, nowhere does the Rambam negate their existence explicitly. The overwhelming majority of Torah sages throughout the ages accepted the view that shedim exist. Further, the Nazarean Codicil, like the Talmud, shows us numerous examples of shedim. One interesting perspective that I have heard is that shedim were common in earlier times, but in deference to the Rambam, HaShem banished the Shedim from our world.
The Nazarean Codicils speaks explicitly of demons. It is worth looking at what the Nazarean Codicil has to say about demons. Let’s begin with Matityahu where we see that they are something which needs to be driven out:
Matityahu (Matthew) 10:5-8 These twelve Yeshua sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near’. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.[16] Freely you have received, freely
They can possess people and pigs. They seem to have a need to be “in” a physical body:
Matityahu (Matthew) 8:28-34 When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way.[17] “What do you want with us, Son of G-d?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons begged Yeshua, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” He said to them, “Go!” So, they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town, and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the whole town went out to meet Yeshua. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
From the above, we can see that a demon possessed man is actually controlled by the demon to such an extent that the man is actually crazy. We can also see that there are many demons, and that many demons can simultaneously inhabit a single man. We see that when they are cast out, the man returns to his senses.
What are the shedim and what is their chief goal? Their chief goal is to oppose the Bne Israel and to confuse and prevent the Oral Torah from being spoken.
While possessing folks, they can cause one to be mute:
Matityahu (Matthew) 9:32-35 While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Yeshua. And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.” Yeshua went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness.
There is a prince over them:
Matityahu (Matthew) 12:22-28 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Yeshua healed him, so that he could both talk and see. All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” Yeshua knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of G-d, then the kingdom of G-d has come upon you.
To cast out demons requires faithfulness:
Matityahu (Matthew) 17:14-20 When they came to the crowd, a man approached Yeshua and knelt before him. “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.” “O unbelieving and perverse generation,” Yeshua replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” Yeshua rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment. Then the disciples came to Yeshua in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.
A demon is also an evil spirit:
Marqos (Mark) 7:24-30 Yeshua left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Yeshua to drive the demon out of her daughter. “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
Luqas (Luke) 4:33-36 In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon,[18] an evil spirit. [19]He cried out at the top of his voice, “Ha! What do you want with us, Yeshua of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of G-d!” “Be quiet!” Yeshua said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him. All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What is this teaching? With authority and power, he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!”
Casting out demons seems to be a critical aspect of preaching the kingdom of G-d. When Mashiach walked the earth and many were righteous/generous, then HaShem caused shedim to be manifest to this generation:
Luqas (Luke) 9:1-2 When Yeshua had called the Twelve[20] together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, And he sent them out to preach the kingdom of G-d and to heal the sick.
They are listed as being related to angels:
Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of G-d that is in Mashiach Yeshua our Lord.
Demons seem to be the opposite of G-d, in terms of worship and sacrifice:
1 Corinthians 10:18-22 Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? Do I mean then that a sacrifice offered to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to G-d, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
Demons can teach and deceive:
1 Timothy 4:1-7 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which G-d created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything G-d created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, Because it is consecrated by the word of G-d and prayer. If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Mashiach Yeshua, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with G-dless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be G-dly.
Demons believe in one G-d:
Yaaqov (James) 2:19 You believe that there is one G-d. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder.
They are worshipped by men, and the men who worship them are also involved in murder, sexual immorality, and theft:
Revelation 9:20-21 The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood--idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality, or their thefts.
Demons have spirits, which can perform miraculous signs:
Revelation 16:12-16 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East. Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of G-d Almighty. “Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.” Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.
Demons and evil spirits inhabit the ruins of a city:
Revelation 17:15 - 18:5 Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For G-d has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until G-d’s words are fulfilled. The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.” After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. With a mighty voice he shouted: “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird. For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.” Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; For her sins are piled up to heaven, and G-d has remembered her crimes.
Thus, we see that in the days of Yeshua, like Talmudic times, shedim are self-evident in everyday life. Thus, we see that belief in shedim was widespread in the ancient world, and the terror that it caused is unimaginable to us. But in the civilized world today there is virtually nobody who still believes in them. The transition from a global approach of belief to one of disbelief began with Aristotle,[21] gained a little more traction in the early medieval period, and finally concretized in the eighteenth century.[22] Why? What has changed that we no longer see or believe in shedim?
The Rabbi of Kotzk[23] suggested that “In days of old, demons existed. But, from the time that Rambam came and said that they did not exist, behold, Rambam is a posek, and they agreed to him as well in Heaven, and established his words Halacha leMaaseh[24] such that demons vanished from the earth”.
What is the nature of shedim?
In the Talmud, Shedim are referred to a few times; generally, as the weakest of the supernatural forces and sharing many characteristics with man. They have no free will and act as forces of chaos and destruction as dictated by HaShem. They have no free will, but their range of actions is generally wider than the more powerful angels etc.
Chagigah 16a Six things were said about demons: in three ways they are like angels, and in three like humans. In three they are like angels: they have wings like angels; they fly from one end of the world to the other like angels; they know the future like angels.[25] And in three they are like people: they eat and drink like people; they increase and multiply like people and they die like people.
Ramban[26] describes them as being produced by witchcraft and possessing bodies composed of air that cannot be detected,[27] along with the element of fire.[28] Since they are composed of these light elements, they are able to fly,[29] and since they travel in the sky, they are able to learn about future events from the angels of the constellations.[30] Ramban also explains Chazal’s statement about demons eating like people[31] to mean that they also subsist on food, although theirs consists of evaporated moisture and smoke from fires.[32]
Most of the rabbis who wrote and commented on the Talmud took the existence of demons for granted as an integral part of their understanding of the world around them, just as we presume the existence of electrons, radioactivity, and all sorts of other things that we cannot see, but upon which we nevertheless base our daily lives.
Tehillim (Psalms) 106:34-38 They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom HaShem commanded them: 35 But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works. 36 And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them. 37 Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils (שֵּׁדִים), 38 And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.
Ashlamatah: Ezekiel 45:1-8, 14-15
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Rashi |
Targum |
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1. And when you divide the land by lot for inheritance, you shall set aside an offering to the Lord, holy from the land, its length twenty-five thousand and its width ten thousand, it is holy within all its borders around. |
1. "When you divide the land as an inheritance, you will set aside a gift before the LORD, a sacred portion of the land, the length twenty-five thousand cubits long, and the width, ten thousand; it will be sacred within its entire boundary round about. |
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2. From this shall be for the Sanctuary five hundred by five hundred square around and fifty cubits open land for it around. |
2. Of this, there will be for the Sanctuary, a square five hundred cubits by five hundred cubits round about, and fifty cubits of open space for it, round about. |
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3. And with this measurement you shall measure the length twenty-five thousand and the width ten thousand, and in it shall be the Sanctuary, the Holy of Holies. |
3. And from this measurement, you will measure off a length of twenty-five thousand cubits and a width of ten thousand, and within it will be the Sanctuary, Holy of Holies. |
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4. It is the holy portion of the land; it shall be for the priests, the ministers of the Sanctuary who come near to serve the Lord, and it shall be for them a place for houses, and the hallowed part shall be for the Sanctuary. |
4. It is a sacred portion of the land; it will be for the priests who serve in the Temple, who approach to serve before the LORD, so that they might have a place left for houses, and a precinct by the Sanctuary. |
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5. And twenty-five thousand in length and ten thousand in width, shall be for the Levites, the ministers of the House, for them for a possession, twenty chambers. |
5. And an area of twenty-five thousand cubits length and ten thousand width, shall be for the Levites, the servants of the Temple, for a possession, twenty chambers. |
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6. And for the property of the city you shall give a width of five thousand and a length of twenty-five thousand, corresponding to the offering of the holy portion; for the entire House of Israel, it shall be. |
6. And as property of the city, you shall give an area of five thousand cubits width and a length of twenty-five thousand, facing that which is set aside for the Sanctuary; it shall belong to the whole House of Israel. |
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7. And for the prince, on either side of the offering corresponding to the holy portion and of the possession of the city, alongside the offering of the holy portion and alongside the possession of the city, from the western side westward and from the eastern side, eastward, and the length opposite one of the parts from the western border to the eastern border. |
7. And to the prince shall belong a portion on both sides of that which is set aside for the Sanctuary and the city property, from a westerly direction west, and from an easterly direction east; and the length shall correspond to one of the portions extending from the western border to the eastern border. |
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8. In the land, he shall have it for a possession in Israel, and My princes shall no longer defraud My people, and the land they shall give to the House of Israel to their tribes. {P} |
8. This land shall be for the prince as a possession in Israel; and My princes shall no longer oppress My people, but they shall give the land to the House of Israel according to their tribes. |
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9. So said the Lord God: Enough, princes of Israel; remove violence and plunder, and perform justice and righteousness; take away your evictions from My people, says the Lord God. |
9. Thus says the LORD God: Enough for you, princes of Israel! Put away violence and robbery, and practice true justice and righteousness/generosity; cease your taxation of' My people, says the LORD God. |
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10. You shall have honest scales, an honest ephah, and an honest bath. |
10. You will have accurate scales, and accurate measures, and accurate baths. |
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11. The ephah and the bath shall have one volume, the bath shall contain a tenth part of the homer, and a tenth part of the homer is the ephah; according to the homer shall be its volume. |
11. The measure and the bath shall have the same volume, for you; an amount of three seahs, being the equivalent of one-tenth of a kor in the liquid measure of the bath; and one-tenth of a kor dry measure of the kor; this shall be its measurement. |
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12. And the shekel is twenty gerah; twenty shekels, twenty-five shekels, and fifteen shekels shall the maneh be to you. |
12. The sela shall be twenty meah. A third of a mina shall be twenty sela. A silver mina shall be twenty-five sela. One fourth of a mina shall be fifteen sela. All of them together equals sixty. And you shall have a large mina for Temple purposes. |
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13. This is the offering that you shall set apart; a sixth of an ephah from a homer of wheat, and you shall separate a sixth of an ephah from a homer of barley. |
13. This is the contribution which you will make: one-sixth of a measure from a kor of wheat, and one-sixth of a measure from a kor of barley. |
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14. And the rule of the oil [is as follows]; the bath, [which is a measure of] oil, the tithe of a bath is from a kor, ten baths are a homer, for ten baths are a homer. |
14. And that which is proper to take from the oil by liquid measure, one-tenth of a bath: from a kor; one-tenth of a kor is a bath. for there are ten baths to the kor. |
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15. And one lamb from the flocks out of two hundred, from Israel's banquet for a meal offering, for a burnt offering, and for a peace offering to atone for them, says the Lord God. {P} |
15. And one sheep from every flock of two hundred, which is proper to take from the fatlings of Israel; for meal offerings, and for burnt offerings, and for the holy sacrifices, to make atonement for them, says the LORD God. |
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Rashi’s Commentary on Ezekiel 45:1-8, 14-15
1 And when you divide the land by lot For they are destined to divide the land of Israel into twelve strips, not like the original division, in which the large [tribe] had [land] according to its number and the small [tribe] according to its number, and there were two or three tribes on one strip. Now the portions are equal, and they are like rows in a vineyard, from the western side to the eastern side, as delineated at the end of the Book.
an offering to the Lord in which to build this Temple.
2 From this shall be From this offering, there shall be for the needs of the Sanctuary: five hundred rods for the Temple Mount and the rest shall be for houses for the priests, as is delineated at the end of the Book.
3 And with this measurement [lit. from this measurement.] With the measuring rod by which the 500 by 500 square of the Temple Mount was measured, as is stated above (42:20): “To four sides he measured it; its wall all around, five hundred rods, etc.”
you shall measure the length of 25, 000 rods and the width of 10,000 rods. Because he did not explain in the first verse what the 25, 000 are, whether rods or cubits, he had to say, concerning the 25,000 measures that they were measured with the measuring rod by which the five hundred by five hundred of the Temple Mount were measured.
4 It is the holy portion of the land Rearrange the verse: “The remainder of the holy portion, which is from that land, shall be for the priests, the ministers of the Sanctuary, who come near, etc. The holy portion of the land is this offering.”
for the priests, the ministers of the Sanctuary The remainder over the 500 of the Temple Mount; 12,250 to the east and correspondingly to the west the Sanctuary [being] in the center 4,750 to the north, and correspondingly to the south.
and it shall be for them a place for houses this remainder, which surrounds the Sanctuary.
and the hallowed part shall be for the Sanctuary And the middle five hundred by five hundred shall be hallowed for the Sanctuary, e sentije al sentuere in O. F., and consecrated for the Sanctuary.
5 And twenty-five thousand rods in length, and ten thousand in width, you shall separate as another strip beside this one, south of this one, for the Levites. It is explained at the end of the Book that it is in the south. Twenty chambers shall be for the Levites in the perimeter of the Sanctuary in order to guard the House and to provide beauty, and the remainder of the strip shall be used for their own needs.
6 And, [for] the property of the city The environs of the city; its properties meant for ordinary dwelling, in which the Israelites may build houses.
you shall give a width of five thousand in the south of the second one, and a length equal to the measurement of the two strips. It is found that the entire offering is square, twenty-five [thousand] by twenty-five thousand.
corresponding to the offering of the holy portion in the measurement of the length of the strips of the offering of the holy portion.
for the entire House of Israel, it shall be That third strip shall be the dwelling place for non-priests.
7 And for the prince, on either side of the offering of the holy portion and of the possession of the city At the end of the section, he divides the land of Israel from east to west into thirteen strips: twelve as the number of the tribes each one twenty-five thousand rods wide, and its length equaling the length of all the land of Israel and one strip as an offering whose length is from the eastern border to the western border, and whose width is twenty-five thousand rods, just as each of the other portions. And from that strip he separated in its center the three strips stated above, which [all together] are twenty-five thousand by twenty-five thousand. And the remainder to the east until the end of the border of the land, and to the west, as well, shall be for the prince from either side to the east and to the west.
alongside the offering of the holy portion and alongside the possession of the city opposite the entire breadth of the three strips separated for the offering of the holy portion of the strips of the priests, the Levites, and the property of the city.
from the western side, westward from the west of the offering of the holy portion and the city until the west of the boundary.
and from the eastern side, east ward And from the east of the offering to the eastern boundary, opposite one of the portions of the tribes delineated at the end of the Book, which are from the western boundary of the land of Israel, until the eastern boundary.
8 In the land he shall have it for a possession [Heb. לָאָרֶץ Jonathan renders: This land shall be for the prince as a possession.
shall no longer defraud [Heb. יוֹנוּ,] an expression for monetary fraud; they take away their inheritance forcibly for they rob their inherited property
9 take away your evictions Take away [your practice] of evicting My people from their inherited property.
10 ephah of the dry measure.
bath of the liquid measure.
11 one volume [Heb. תֹּכן,] a word denoting number, like (Exod. 5:18): “and a quota (וְתֹכֶן) of bricks you must deliver.” One measure is equivalent to one tenth of a “homer” of dry measure, which equals thirty “se’ah,” and which is a tenth of a “homer” of liquid measure. “Ephah” and “bath” are words for [units of] measurement.
the homer [A measure known further as] kor, moy(d) or muy(d) in Old French, a measure.
shall contain [Heb. לָשֵּׂאת,] similar to לָקַחַת, to take, and so too did Jonathan render it: לְמֵיסַב. A tenth part of a “homer” shall be a “bath,” and a tenth part of the dry “homer,” shall be an “ephah.”
according to the homer shall be its volume The total amount of [the volume of] the “bath” and the “ephah” shall be according to the size of the “homer.”
12 And the shekel is twenty gerah Twenty “ma’ah.”
twenty shekels, twenty-five shekels, and fifteen shekels totaling sixty shekels.
shall the maneh be to you Le zent in O. F., the 100 (zuz weight). Menahem, however, connected it to the word מִנְיָן, a number (p. 118). We have here 240 “zuz,” [four zuz to a shekel]. From here we derive that the “maneh” of the Sanctuary was double, and they added a sixth to it in Ezekiel’s time, totaling 240 [zuz] (Men. 77a). When Scripture divided it into three parts and did not write simply, “sixty shekels shall the maneh be for you,” it commanded to make from it a weight one third of it, and a weight equaling a fourth of it, and a weight of the ordinary “maneh” as it was originally. So too did Jonathan paraphrase: a third of the “maneh” shall be twenty “selaim” of silver; a “maneh” of silver twenty-five “selaim”; a fourth of a “maneh” fifteen “selaim”; altogether, sixty “selaim”; and the great “maneh” of the Sanctuary shall be for you.
13 a sixth of an ephah from a homer of wheat This amounts to one out of sixty. Whoever wishes to give little shall not give less than this, and this is what they said (Ter. 4:3): “A stingy person gives one out of sixty.”
and you shall separate a sixth And you shall separate a sixth of an “ephah” for the “terumah” of a “homer” of barley.
14 And the rule of the oil regarding tithes.
the bath, [which is a measure of] oil, etc. The “bath,” which is a measure of oilthis is its tithe: the “bath” will be from a “kor.” I found [the following]: The tenth that the “bath” represents as a tithe shall be from a “kor.” How so? The tithe of a “bath” is from a “kor.” Dix measures in French, ten measures. This word is used for itself and for others, like (Num. 7:9): “the service of the Sanctuary,” (ibid. 4:33): “the service of [the families of] the sons of Merari.”
ten baths shall equal a “homer” for you. Then it will be possible to take from it one “bath” as a tithe.
for ten baths are a homer because the “homer” will consist of ten “baths” for you. So too did Jonathan render it: one out of ten is the “bath” in relation to the “kor” for ten “baths” are a “kor”.
15 And one lamb from the flocks A special one of his flocks, and so too said Moses (Deut. 12: 11): “and all the choice of your pledges, le meilleur in Fr., the best.
out of two hundred, from Israel’s banquet Our Rabbis expounded (Pes. 48a) this as regarding libations [coming] from a multiplicity of two hundred [times as much of the original wine] as remained in the pit after the wine of “orlah” or of “mingled species in the vineyard” fell into it. From here it is derived that “orlah” and “mingled species in the vineyard” are nullified in two hundred [times as much].
from Israel’s banquet from what is permissible for Israel. All your sacrifices shall be drink that is fit for Israel. The main part of the feast is called by the name of the drink, i.e., the food and also the drink shall be from that which is permitted for Israel.
Verbal Tallies
By: HEm Rabbi Dr. Hillel ben David
& HH Giberet Dr. Elisheba bat Sarah
Bamidbar (Numbers) 34:1 – 35:8
Tehillim (Psalms) 106:34-39
Yehezechel (Ezekiel) 45:1-8, 14-15
Mk 13:1-2, Lk 21:5-6
The verbal tallies between the Torah and the Psalm are:
LORD - יהוה, Strong’s number 03068.
Saying / Say / Commanded - אמר, Strong’s number 0559.
Children / Sons - בן, Strong’s number 01121.
Land - ארץ, Strong’s number 0776.
Canaan - כנען, Strong’s number 03667.
The verbal tallies between the Torah and the Ashlamata are:
LORD - יהוה, Strong’s number 03068.
Israel - ישראל, Strong’s number 03478.
Fall / Lot - נפל, Strong’s number 05307.
Inheritance - נחלה, Strong’s number 05159.
Land - ארץ, Strong’s number 0776.
Bamidbar (Numbers) 34:1 And the LORD <03068> spake unto Moses, saying <0559> (8800), 2 Command the children <01121> of Israel <03478>, and say <0559> (8804) unto them, When ye come into the land <0776> of Canaan <03667>; (this is the land <0776> that shall fall <05307> (8799) unto you for an inheritance <05159>, even the land <0776> of Canaan <03667> with the coasts thereof:)
Tehillim (Psalms) 106:34 They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD <03068> commanded <0559> (8804) them:
Tehillim (Psalms) 106:37 Yea, they sacrificed their sons <01121> and their daughters unto devils,
Tehillim (Psalms) 106:38 And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons <01121> and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan <03667>: and the land <0776> was polluted with blood.
Yehezechel (Ezekiel) 45:1 Moreover, when ye shall divide by lot <05307> (8687) the land <0776> for inheritance <05159>, ye shall offer an oblation unto the LORD <03068>, an holy portion of the land <0776>: the length shall be the length of five and twenty thousand reeds, and the breadth shall be ten thousand. This shall be holy in all the borders thereof round about.
Yehezechel (Ezekiel) 45:6 And ye shall appoint the possession of the city five thousand broad, and five and twenty thousand long, over against the oblation of the holy portion: it shall be for the whole house of Israel <03478>.
Hebrew:
|
Hebrew |
English |
Torah Reading Num. 34:1 – 35:8 |
Psalms 106:34-39 |
Ashlamatah Ezek 45:1-8, 14-15 |
|
dx'a, |
one |
Num. 34:18 |
Ezek. 45:7 |
|
|
hZ"xua] |
possession |
Num. 35:2 |
Ezek. 45:5 |
|
|
@l,a, |
thousand |
Num. 35:4 |
Ezek. 45:1 |
|
|
hM'a; |
cubit |
Num. 35:4 |
Ezek. 45:2 |
|
|
rm;a' |
saying |
Num. 34:1 |
Ps. 106:34 |
|
|
#r,a, |
land, earth, ground, country |
Num. 34:2 |
Ps. 106:38 |
Ezek. 45:1 |
|
tyIB; |
house |
Num. 34:14 |
Ezek. 45:4 |
|
|
!Be |
children, son |
Num. 34:2 |
Ps. 106:37 |
|
|
lWbG> |
border |
Num. 34:3 |
Ezek. 45:1 |
|
|
hw"hoy> |
LORD |
Num. 34:1 |
Ps. 106:34 |
Ezek. 45:1 |
|
~y" |
sea |
Num. 34:3 |
Ezek. 45:7 |
|
|
laer'f.yI |
Israel |
Num. 34:2 |
Ezek. 45:6 |
|
|
!heKo |
cohen |
Num. 34:17 |
Ezek. 45:4 |
|
|
![;n:K. |
Canaan |
Num. 34:2 |
Ps. 106:38 |
|
|
yyIwIle |
Levites |
Num. 35:2 |
Ezek. 45:5 |
|
|
vr'g>mi |
common-land, common |
Num. 35:2 |
Ezek. 45:2 |
|
|
dd;m' |
measure |
Num. 35:5 |
Ezek. 45:3 |
|
|
hl'x]n: |
inheritance |
Num. 34:2 |
Ezek. 45:1 |
|
|
lp;n" |
fall |
Num. 34:2 |
Ezek. 45:1 |
|
|
ayfin" |
leader, prince |
Num. 34:18 |
Ezek. 45:7 |
|
|
!t;n" |
give, gave, given |
Num. 34:13 |
Ezek. 45:6 |
|
|
bybis' |
surrounding |
Num. 34:12 |
Ezek. 45:1 |
|
|
ry[i |
cities, town, city |
Num. 35:2 |
Ezek. 45:6 |
|
|
~[; |
peoples |
Ps. 106:34 |
Ezek. 45:8 |
|
|
ha'Pe |
border |
Num. 34:3 |
Ezek. 45:7 |
|
|
~d,q, |
eastward |
Num. 34:3 |
Ezek. 45:7 |
Greek:
|
GREEK |
ENGLISH |
Torah Reading Num. 34:1 – 35:8 |
Psalms 106:34-39 |
Ashlamatah Ezek 45:1-8, 14-15 |
Peshat Mishnah of Mark, 1-2 Peter, & Jude Mk 13:1-2 |
Tosefta of Luke Lk 21:5-6 |
|
ἅγιον |
holy |
Eze
45:1 |
||||
|
αἷμα |
blood |
Psa 106:38 |
||||
|
ἀπαρχή |
first-fruits |
Eze
45:1 |
||||
|
ἀφίημι |
left |
Mk. 13:2 |
Lk. 21:6 |
|||
|
γῆ |
earth, land, ground, country |
Num.
34:2 |
Ps. 106:38 |
Ezek.
45:1 |
||
|
δίδωμι |
give, |
Num.
34:13 |
Ezek.
45:6 |
|||
|
δουλεύω |
serve |
Psa 106:36 |
||||
|
ἔθνος |
nations |
Psa 106:35 |
||||
|
εἷς |
one |
Num. 34:18 |
Ezek.
45:7 |
Mk. 13:1 |
||
|
ἔπω |
said, told |
Psa 106:34 |
Mk. 13:2 |
Lk. 21:5 |
||
|
θεός |
God |
Eze 45:15 |
||||
|
ἱερός |
temple |
Mar 13:1 |
Luk 21:5 |
|||
|
κοσμέω |
adorn |
Matt. 23:29 |
Lk. 21:5 |
|||
|
κύριος |
LORD |
Num.
34:1 |
Ps. 106:34 |
Ezek.
45:1 |
||
|
λέγω |
saying |
Num.
34:1 |
Eze 45:15 |
Mk. 13:1 |
Lk. 21:5 |
|
|
λίθος |
stone |
Mk.
13:1 |
Lk.
21:5 |
|||
|
μανθάνω |
learned |
Psa 106:35 |
||||
|
μέγας |
great |
Num
34:6 |
Mk. 13:2 |
|||
|
οἶκος |
houses |
Num. 34:14 |
Ezek.
45:4 |
|||
|
υἱός |
children, son |
Num.
34:2 |
Ps.
106:37 |
Nazarean Talmud
Sidra of “B’Midbar” (Num.) “34.1-35.8”
“Zot Ha-Arets” “This is the land”
By: H. Em Rabbi Dr. Eliyahu ben Abraham
|
School of Hakham Shaul’s Tosefta Luqas (LK) |
School of Hakham Tsefet’s Peshat Mordechai (Mk) |
|
And while some were speaking about the Temple, that it was adorned with precious stones and votive offerings, he said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come in which not one stone will be left on another (stone) that will not be thrown down!” |
And as he (Yeshua) came out of the Temple, and one of his talmidim said to him, Rabbi (Hakham), Look! What kind of stones and what kind of buildings! And Yeshua answering him, said Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another (stone); all will be hurled down (and) destroyed. |
Nazarean Codicil to be read in conjunction with the following Torah Seder
|
Num 34.1-35.8 |
Ps 106:34-39 |
Ezek 45.1-8, 14-15 |
Mordechai 13:1-2 |
1 Luqas 21:5-6 |
Commentary to Hakham Tsefet’s School of Peshat
And as he (Yeshua) came out of the Temple, and one of his talmidim said to him, Rabbi (Hakham), Look! What kind of stones and what kind of buildings!
What must be remembered when reading the Nazarean Codicil is that the Temple was in a constant state of construction and renovation. We tend to read the Nazarean Codicil as if the Temple was in perfect operational status. The renovations to the Temple were incomplete until the middle 60’s of the Common Era. This would mean that Yeshua never witnessed the renovations in a completed form. Therefore, the statements of the talmid must have been in relation to the construction that they viewed as they were leaving the Temple.
It is most likely that Yeshua and his talmidim exited the Temple through the Huldah tunnels to the south. This would have been then an appropriate path to Bet Pagah (Bethany). These two sets of tunnels were named after the prophetess Huldah, the wife of Shallum, Jeremiah’s contemporary.[33] These tunnels were pre-Herodian.[34] Exactly why these gates are referred to as the “Huldah tunnels” or “Gates” is a matter of conjecture. It has been suggested that the Hebrew name “Huldah” means weasel or mole. The pilgrims would enter the tunnel and rise to the platform of the Temple as moles or weasels.[35] These tunnels were extended during the Hasmonean and Herodian renovations. Yet for some unexplained reason the tunnels were named after the prophetess Huldah.[36] Today when viewing the southern end of the Temple walls it appears that, there were two sets tunnels albeit one set is covered by later construction. One set is the typical set of two tunnels and the other set to the east appears to be a “triple gate.” In a personal conversation and interview held at the Pool of Siloam in June 2006, Professor Dr. Ronny Reich suggested that the third gate was added some time after the Herodian period, possibly as late as the Umayyad period or even by Crusaders who used the area to stable horses.
These tunnels offered an entrance and exit described in the Mishnah.[37] The Mishnah also offers other points of entry and exit. However, the primary point of entry and exit was through the southern Huldah gates. All other gates seem to serve other specific purposes. It is here at the Huldah Gates that the “Beautiful Gates”[38] were located.[39] From this location the massive stones, which stabilized the colossal southeastern wall, would have been visible.
Josephus describes the walls of the Temple and the construction needed to build a level platform in his Jewish Wars. We have translated these passages in the past for some research explaining Temple construction.
The lower regions of the walls were built up from the bedrock as much as three hundred cubits.[40] But some areas exceeded this height. The depth is not apparent because the valleys were filled to level the narrow city streets.
The southern entrance to the Temple would have given any pilgrim an overwhelming impression of the Temple. It would have given view to the largest stones of the Temple’s construction. Today many of these foundational stones are hidden from view. While most stones weighted nearly 5 tons, there are massive stones on the western wall that weigh 400 and 600 metric tons each. The stones at the base of the southern corners form some of the largest. This is because these massive stones form a solid foundation for the walls of excessive height.
While
we can offer no proof that the location of Yeshua’s prophecy was in the
proximity of the Huldah Gates, we submit that we can draw this conclusion by
Hillel’s 2nd and 6th hermeneutic principles.[41]
We will first reiterate that the title given for the gates at the southern end
of the Temple as “Huldah Gates”[42]
is not sufficiently explained by historical scholarship. Here we would like to
offer our scholarly opinion. The prophetess Huldah lived as a contemporary to
Yermiyahu (Jeremiah) as stated above.[43]
The prophecies of Yermiyahu recorded in the Tanakh are well known. Likewise,
the reasons for his “Lamentations” echo through the ages as a reminder that the
Babylonians destroyed Yerushalayim with its First Temple. While the Tanakh
records the prophecy of Huldah the prophetess, her prophecy is not as well
known. While it is rather taboo in scholarly articles to cite scripture at
length, these passages are well worth the read.
2 Kings 22:14 - 20. And Hilkiah the priest and Ahikam and Achbor and Shaphan and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah the son of Harhas, the keeper of the raiment, and she was sitting in Jerusalem in the study-hall, and they spoke to her. And she said to them, "So has the Lord God of Israel spoken, 'Say to the man who sent you to me, "So has the Lord said, 'Behold I bring calamity to this place and upon its inhabitants-all the words of the scroll that the king of Judah read. Because they have forsaken Me and have burned incense to pagan deities, in order to provoke Me with all the deeds of their hands, My wrath is kindled against this place, and it shall not be quenched.' And concerning the king of Judah who has sent you to inquire of the Lord, so shall you say to him, 'So has the Lord God of Israel said, "The words are what you heard. Since your heart has become soft, and you have humbled yourself before the Lord, when you heard what I spoke about this place and about its inhabitants, to become a desolation and a curse, and you rent your garments and wept before Me, I, too, have heard [it],' says the Lord. Therefore, behold I gather you in to your forefathers, and you shall be gathered into your graves in peace, and your eyes shall not see any of the calamity that I am bringing upon this place." And they brought back word to the king.[44]
Our conjecture is that the prophetess Huldah was standing on the southern steps of the Temple mount of her day, looking down the Kidron valley into the Ge’Hinnom[45] (Gehanna) a place given to extreme idolatry. The palace of King David was just below this wondrous view. It seems most plausible that many of the subsequent kings of Yisrael lived in this vicinity. Therefore, the title given to these gates could easily have been because Huldah prophesied from this location. What is interesting about Huldah’s prophecy is that it foretells the destruction of the First Bet haMikdash with reason. Therefore, we would further our conjecture that Yeshua was in the proximity of the Huldah Gates when he made his prophecy of the Temple’s pending doom.
If there is any validity to all this conjecture, we may have a reason furthered by Yeshua as to why the Temple was destroyed.
Targum Pseudo Yonatan Malachai 3:22 Remember the Law of Moses My servant, which I commanded him on Horeb for all Israel, to teach them statutes and ordinances.
Targum Pseudo Yonatan Yermiyahu 2:8,13 2:8. The priests did not say: ‘Let us fear before the LORD’; nor did the teachers of the Law study to know the fear of Me. But the king rebelled against My Memra, and the prophets of falsehood prophesied in the name of the idols and went after what would not profit them. 2:13. For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken My service, for the sake of which I bring goodness upon them like a fountain of water which does not cease; and they have strayed after the idols which are like broken pits for them, which cannot guarantee water.
The prophetess accuses the B’ne Yisrael of idol worship. While the thought deserves a deeper explanation, we will offer a brief elucidation here. After the reforms of Ezra, idolatry was no longer a problem for the Bne Yisrael. However, we suggest that a new form of idolatry was embraced by the B’ne Yisrael - a new form of in assimilation. This assimilation began in Babylon. Many of the B’ne Yisrael refused to leave Babylon’s comforts to re-pioneer Eretz Yisrael. The Southern steps offered the main entrance into the Temple plaza. While there was a “Shushan Gate,” “Eastern gate” it was not used for public entrance and exit. Consequently, the public entrance was to the south through the “Huldah Gates.” Yisrael’s new idolatry was in becoming like the nations (Gentiles). This is especially evident when we review the past few pericopes and the accusations brought against the Tz’dukim (Sadducees) by Yeshua.
In summary, we offer the three reasons for the Temple’s destruction.
- Failure to tithe appropriately supporting the work of G-d (Community)
- Failure to keep Shabbat
- Failure to appropriately keep the mitzvoth and attend the Festivals (Sabbaths)
- Because there are specific, mitzvoth related to the Temple, it would also be implied that these mitzvoth were being directly violated
- Failure to follow the Oral Torah – as passed down by the forefathers
In noticing these things, Yeshua foretold the Temple’s pending doom. This doom would foster the rise of the rabbinic system, which we believe Yeshua, Hillel and other such renowned Rabbis of that era fought to bring about as a means of Judaic reform. The Temple became defunct thereby circumventing its purpose for existence. It is very interesting to note that the Mishkan was retired by Solomon (the son of David as Edersheim has pointed out) in favor for the First Temple and Yeshua points to the retirement of the Temple (as a Son of David) in favor of the rabbinic system – i.e., the Esnoga – “little sanctuary.”
Amen v’amen!
Questions for Understanding and Reflection
- From all the readings for this week, which verse, or verses touched your heart and fired your imagination?
- In your opinion what is the prophetic statement for this week?
Blessing After Torah Study
Barúch Atáh Adonai, Elohénu Meléch HaOlám,
Ashér Natán Lánu Torát Emét, V'Chayéi Olám Natá B'Tochénu.
Barúch Atáh Adonái, Notén HaToráh. Amen!
Blessed is Ha-Shem our God, King of the universe,
Who has given us a teaching of truth, implanting within us eternal life.
Blessed is Ha-Shem, Giver of the Torah. Amen!
“Now unto Him who is able to preserve you faultless, and spotless, and to establish you without a blemish,
before His majesty, with joy, [namely,] the only one God, our Deliverer, by means of Yeshua the Messiah our Master, be praise, and dominion, and honor, and majesty, both now and in all ages. Amen!”
Next Sabbath:
Shabbat: “VeChiqeritem Lakhem” – Sabbath: “And you will appoint for you”
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Shabbat |
Torah Reading: |
Weekday Torah Reading: |
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וְהִקְרִיתֶם לָכֶם |
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Saturday Afternoon |
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Reader 1 – B’Midbar 35:9-12 |
Reader 1 – D’barim 1:1-3 |
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Reader 2 – B’Midbar 35:13-16 |
Reader 2 – D’barim 1:4-7 |
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“Os señalaréis” |
Reader 3 – B’Midbar 35:17-19 |
Reader 3 – D’barim 1:8-10 |
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B’Midbar (Numers) 35:9 – 36:13 |
Reader 4 – B’Midbar 35:20-28 |
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Ashlamatah: Joshua 20:1-9 + 21:3 |
Reader 5 – B’Midbar 35:29-34 |
Monday and Thursday Mornings |
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Reader 6 – B’Midbar 36:1-4 |
Reader 1 – D’barim 1:1-3 |
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Tehilllim (Psalms): 106:40-48 |
Reader 7 – B’Midbar 36:5-13 |
Reader 2 – D’barim 1:4-7 |
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Maftir: B’Midbar 36:11-13 |
Reader 3 – D’barim 1:8-10 |
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Mark 13:3-8: Luke 21:7-11 |
Yehoshua (Joshua) 20:1-9 + 21:3 |
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Hakham Dr. Yosef ben Haggai
Rabbi Dr. Hillel ben David
Rabbi Dr. Eliyahu ben Abraham
Edited by Adon Ovadyah ben Abraham and Adon Aviner ben Abraham
Please e-mail any comments to chozenppl@gmail.com