Tanach · Rishonim on Tanach · Ibn Ezra · Torah
Ibn Ezra on Leviticus 19/אבן עזרא על ויקרא י״ט
אטעם אל כל עדת בני ישראל. להכניס את הגרים בעבור שהם נזהרים על העריות כישראלים:
1[UNTO ALL THE CONGREGATION OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL.] The reason that Scripture states unto all the congregation of the children of Israel is to exclude strangers1 38. Mikra’ot Gedolot reads, The reason why Scripture states unto all the congregation of the children of Israel is to include the strangers. The reading in Vat. Ebr. 38 appears correct, for unto all the congregation of the children of Israel seems to imply that what follows only applies to the children of Israel. Furthermore, in his comments on Lev. 20:1, I.E. explicitly says that our chapter applies only to the children of Israel. By strangers I.E. means non-Jews living in Israel. See I.E. on Ex. 20:9 (Vol. 2, p. 427). since they, like the Israelites, are commanded to abstain from prohibited sexual relations.
בוטעם להזכיר זאת הפרשה אחרי העריות שלא יחשבו כי בעבור שמירת העריות לבדם יעמדו בארץ אמר להם שגם יש מצות אחרות אם לא תשמרום תגורשו מן הארץ והם עשרת הדברים הנזכרים כי הנה הזהיר על עבודת כוכבים אחר שאמר כי קדוש אני ה׳ כי הוא כנגד הדבור הראשון על דעת רבים ולא תשבעו בשמי הוא דבור לא תשא ואת שבתתי תשמרו זכור את יום השבת גם איש אמו ואביו תיראו הוא דבור כבד את אביך ואת אמך גם לא תעמוד על דם רעך דבור לא תרצח. ודבר השפחה הנחרפת אזהרת לא תנאף עם שהיא חפשית. גם לא תגנובו ולא תכחשו ולא תשקרו ולא תעשוק את רעך כנגד השלשה הנשארים:
2The reason this chapter follows the one dealing with prohibited sexual relations is that the Israelites should not imagine that they would remain in the land by observing only the laws dealing with the prohibited sexual relations. God informs them that there are other commandments. If they do not observe them, they will be exiled from the land. The aforementioned are the ten statements.2 God warns against idol worship after stating, I the Lord…am holy which, according to many commentators, is parallel to the first statement of the Decalogue.3 (Ex. 20:7). And ye shall not swear by my name falsely (v. 12) is parallel to Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain (Ex. 20:7).
אוכבר אמרתי לך בפרשת ואלה המשפטים שכל מצוה ומצוה עומדת בפני עצמה לכן יש כדמות סמך להדביק הפסוקים. והנה פרשת קדושים תחלתו איש אמו ואביו תיראו והנה אמר כי יאריכון ימי המכבד אם כן יקצרון ימי המקלה על כן אמר תיראו וטעם להזכיר האם קודם האב כי הקטן איננו מכיר בתחלה כי אם אמו ואחר כן אביו ואחר כן שבת כי מצוה על הקטן לשמור את השבת ואין ככה שאר המועדים ואחר כן יכיר אלהיו ששבת ביום השביעי ואחריו אל תפנו אל האלילים ומורא האבות ידוע מהקבלה. ואמר איש פעם אחת דרך קצרה. ואמר תיראו לשון רבים כי חייבים הרואים ללמדו ולהכריחו וכן בשמירת שבת:
1AND YE SHALL KEEP MY SABBATHS. This parallels Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy (Ex. 20:8). Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father is similar to Honor thy father and thy mother (Ex. 20:12). Neither shalt thou stand idly by the blood of thy neighbor (v. 16) is likewise the same as the statement Thou shalt not murder (Ex. 20:13). The law regarding the bondmaid designated for a man (v. 20) is parallel to Thou shalt not commit adultery (Ex. 20:13 with a free woman. Similarly, Ye shall not steal; neither shall ye deal falsely, nor lie one to another (v. 11); Thou shalt not oppress thy neighbor (v. 13) are parallel to the three remaining statements.4 is parallel to Thou shalt not steal (Ex. 20:13). Neither shall ye deal falsely, nor lie one to another is parallel to Thou shalt not bear false witness (Ibid.). Thou shalt not oppress thy neighbor is parallel to Thou shalt not covet (Ex. 20:14). I have previously told you in my comments on the Torah portion Ve-Elleh Ha-Mishpatim (now these are the ordinances) (Ex. 21:1) that each and every precept stands by itself.5 However,6 (literally, therefore). However, I.E. occasionally uses the term lakhen in the sense of however (Filwarg). It is also possible that we should read akeh rather than lakhen. there is some support for connecting the verses.7 Note, the section that opens with the words Ye shall be holy (v. 2) begins with Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father (v. 3). Now Scripture tells us that the years of the one who honors his parents will be long (Ex. 20:12). This implies that the days of one who disrespects his parents will be shortened. Scripture therefore says, Ye shall fear.8. The implication is that one who disrespects his parents will suffer premature death. According to I.E. the meaning of Ye shall fear every man his mother, and father is, be afraid of disrespecting your parents, for if you dishonor them you will suffer dire consequences. Our verse is thus parallel to Ex. 20:12. The reason Scripture mentions the mother before the father is that a child first recognizes only its mother.9 Then it recognizes its father. The Torah next mentions the Sabbath because, unlike all the other festivals, a child is commanded to keep the Sabbath.10 The child shall then recognize his God who rested on the seventh day.11. I.E. speaks of a progression. The child learns to recognize its mother, then its father, and then God. Scripture next mentions, Turn ye not unto the idols (v. 4). We know from tradition what Scripture means by fearing parents.12 fearing one’s father refers to sitting in his place, speaking in his turn, and contradicting him. See Sifra on this verse. Our verse employs the word ish (every man) once13. See Lev. 17:3,10,13; Lev. 15:2. because it wants to be brief. Scripture employs the plural tira’u (ye shall fear)14 is in the singular. Thus the verb governing it should be in the singular. Hence I.E.’s comment. because those who observe the child have to teach him and force him to fear his parents. It is the same case regarding Sabbath observance.15
בוטעם אני ה׳ אלהיכם. שתעשו כמוני ששבתתי מכל מלאכה:
2The meaning of I am the Lord your God is, act as I did, for I rested from all work on the Sabbath.
אאל תפנו. אפילו בלב להסתכל:
1TURN YE NOT. Even in your hearts to look upon them.16
בהאלילים. הם הפסילים ונקראו כן כי הם דבר שקר כמו רופאי אליל כלכם ויתכן להיות מגזרת אל והטעם שאיננו יש:
2UNTO THE IDOLS.17. The reference is to statues. They are called elilim because they are false objects. Compare the word elil (no value) in Ye are physicians of no value (Job 13:4). It is possibly related to the word al (not). Elilim means things that do not exist.
גואלהי מסכה. לקבל כח העליונים כי אין צורך לאלוה אחר עמי על כן כתוב אני ה׳ אלהיכם ובלשון רבים תפנו גם תעשו כי הרואה ולא יגלה הדבר הוא משתתף עמו:
3NOR…MOLTEN GODS. Made to receive power from those who are on high, for there is no need for another god along with Me.18 Scripture therefore states,19 I am the Lord your God. Scripture employs the plurals tifnu (turn ye) and ta’asu (make), for the one who sees idol worship and does not reveal the matter is a partner of the idolater.
אוכי תזבחו זבח שלמים. דבק עם הכתוב למעלה בעבור שלא יזבחו לשדים לא אלוה כי אם לשם לבדו. וטעם לשון רבים תזבחו כי על הרוב דבר הכתוב שיתחברו אנשים על זבח אחד:
1AND WHEN YE OFFER A SACRIFICE OF PEACE-OFFERINGS. This is connected to what is written above.20 It means that one shall not sacrifice to the demons, no-gods,21 but only unto God. Scripture employs the plural tizbechu (ye offer), for Scripture is speaking about what is most prevalent, for people to join together to offer a sacrifice.
בוטעם לרצונכם. שיביאו הזבח ברצונם ולא בהכרח:
2Scripture reads li-retzonekhem22 (that ye may be accepted) because they shall not be forced to bring the offering but shall offer it of their own free will.
אואכליו. כל אחד מאוכליו וכן וצדיקים ככפיר יבטח:
1BUT EVERY ONE THAT EATETH IT. The meaning of okhelav is every one that eats of it.23 is a plural. It literally means they that eat of it. Our verse thus literally reads, they that eat of it shall bear his iniquity. Hence I.E.’s interpretation. Similarly But the righteous are secure as a young lion24 (Prov. 28:1).25
בכי את קדש ה׳ חלל. אחר שהקריב האימורים לגבוה הנה כל הבשר קדש. וחלל מגזרת חול שאין לו טעם כדמות חלל. ובפרשה הזאת באר עונש העון ונכרתה הנפש ההוא:
2BECAUSE HE HATH PROFANED THE HOLY THING OF THE LORD. After he offered the parts designated to God by Scripture, all the flesh26 is holy. Chillel (profaned) is related to the word chol (profane). It is something that has no significance.27 It is like an empty space (challel). In this section28 Scripture explains the punishment,29 namely, and that soul shall be cut off.
אוטעם ובקצרכם. אחר זבח שלמים כאשר נתת לשם האימורים כן תתנו מקציר ארצכם לכבוד השם לעני ולגר. ודקדוק בקצרכם זר והוא שם הפעל מן הקל:
1[AND WHEN YE REAP THE HARVEST.] This follows the law dealing with the peace offering, for as you gave to God the parts designated in Scripture, so shall you, out of respect for God, give what Scripture designates from the harvest of your land30 for the poor and the stranger. The word u-ve-kutzrekhem (and when ye reap the harvest) is grammatically irregular.31 rather than with a kubbutz. In other words, u-ve-kutzrekhem should have read u-ve-kotzrekhem. It is an infinitive32 in the kal.
בפאת שדך. שיעזוב פאה בשדה:
2THE CORNER OF THY FIELD. The Israelite shall leave a corner in the field.33 means you shall leave a corner of the field.
גולקט. ידוע:
3THE GLEANING. The meaning of leket (gleaning) is known.
אתעולל. תכרית העוללות הם הקטנים כמו עולל גם יקראו יונקות וזאת המלה כמו ושרשך מארץ חיים שטעמו יכרית השרש וכן מסעף פארה יכרות הסעיף:
1GLEAN. Te’olel (glean) means to cut off the olelot, that is the young grapes. Compare, olel (young child). Very young children are also called yonekot (sucklings).34 (young children and the sucklings). This word35 means a young child or a young plant. Te’olel thus appears to mean to plant a young shoot. However, it has the opposite meaning. It means to harvest a young plant. Thus a word coming from a root meaning a young plant can, in the pi’el, have the opposite meaning, i.e., to destroy a young plant. is similar to shereshkha (root thee out)36 comes from the stem meaning root. Thus the word might be taken to mean to root. However, it has the opposite meaning in the pi’el. in And root thee out of the land of the living (Ps. 52:7), the meaning of which is, to cut the root. Similarly the meaning of mesa’ef37 comes from the same root as se’if (a branch). However, in the p’iel it means to cut the branches. purah (Is. 10:33) is to lop the boughs.
בופרט. ידוע בדברי קבלה מגזרת הפורטים על פי הנבל:
2THE FALLEN FRUIT. The meaning of peret (fallen fruit) is known in the words of tradition.38 is often used in Rabbinic tradition and there has the meaning of that which is singled out. See Sotah 37b; Chagigah 6a. Thus peret means the single grapes that fall off the vine. See Pe’ah 6:5, Two grapes are peret; three are not peret. It is related to the word poretim (thrum)39 means those that pluck on each one of the strings of the psaltery. in That thrum on the psaltery (Amos 6:5).
גלעני. ישראל:
3FOR THE POOR. Of Israel.
דולגר. הגר אתכם:
4AND FOR THE STRANGER. Who lives among you.40
אוטעם לא תגנבו. אחר כך. כי כן צויתיך שתתן משלך אל העניים לכבוד השם אף שתקח מה שהוא לאחרים:
1[YE SHALL NOT STEAL.] Ye shall not steal follows,41 for Scripture, as it were, says I have commanded that you give from your property to the poor out of respect for God.42 (v. 10) which concludes the laws of leaving part of the produce to the poor. You shall certainly not take what belongs to others.
בוטעם תגנובו. כי הרואה ומחריש גם הוא גנב:
2Scripture employs the plural Ye shall not steal, for the one who sees and is silent is also a thief.
גתכחשו. בפקדון מופקד אצלך והיודע ואיננו מעיד גם הוא מכחש:
3NEITHER SHALL YE DEAL FALSELY. This applies to something which has been deposited with you. The one who knows and does not testify also deals falsely.43
דתשקרו. שיבקש ממון ממי שאין לו אצלו כלום:
4NOR LIE. Seek money from one who does not owe you anything.44
אוטעם ולא תשבעו בשמי לשקר. אחר לא תגנובו כי החשוד בגנבה ופקדון ישבע. וטעם תשבעו. להכניס המשביע:
1[AND YE SHALL NOT SWEAR BY MY NAME FALSELY.] This follows Ye shall not steal, for the one who is suspected of theft and dealing falsely with regard to a deposit swears.45 Scripture employs the plural ye shall not swear because it wants to include the one who causes an oath to be taken.46
בוטעם וחללת. שהנשבע לשקר מכחש השם כאשר פירשתיו:
2Scripture reads, so that thou profane the name of thy God because, as I have noted,47 the one who swears falsely denies God.
אלא תעשק את רעך. בסתר:
1THOU SHALT NOT OPPRESS THY NEIGHBOR. In secret.
בולא תגזול. בגלוי בחזקה:
2NOR ROB HIM. Openly by the use of force.
גפעלת. כמו שכירות וכן ופעולתו לפניו ויתכן היותו דרך קצרה והטעם שכר פעולתו ורבים פירשוהו על שכיר יום שיאמרו לו גם תעשה בבקר ובבקר אתן לך שכר שני ימים והמעתיקים אמרו כי הוא שכיר יום כי שכיר לילה לא תבוא עליו השמש.
3THE WAGES. Pe’ulat means the wages of.48 literally means labor of. Hence I.E.’s comment. Compare, Behold, His reward (u-fe’ulato) is with Him (Is. 40:10). It is possible that Scripture is elliptical and that pe’ulat is short for sekhar pe’ulato (the wages of his labor). Many say that Scripture speaks of a person hired for the day.49 One is not permitted to tell him to work the next morning and in the morning say I will pay you for two days’ work. The transmitters of tradition50 61a. say that our verse51 refers to someone hired for a day,52 for the sun is not permitted to set on a worker53 who is hired for the night.54
אוכן לא תקלל חרש בעבור שיש לך כח. וכן ולפני עור:
1[THOU SHALT NOT CURSE THE DEAF.] Because you have the power to do so.55 You shall likewise not put a stumbling block before the blind.
בויראת מאלהיך. שהוא יכול להענישך לשומך חרש ועור:
2BUT THOU SHALT FEAR THY GOD. For He is able to punish you and make you deaf and blind.
אלא תעשו עול. על הדיינים והעדים ידבר:
1YE SHALL DO NO UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. Scripture speaks of the judges and the witnesses.56
בפני גדול. בממון כברזילי:
2THE PERSON OF THE MIGHTY. Great in money such as Barzillai (II Sam. 19:33).57
ארכיל. כמו רכולתך מכל אבקת רוכל והטעם המלשין כי הרוכל מעתיק יקנה מזה וימכור לזה והרכיל יגלה לזה מה ששמע מזה:
1A TALEBEARER. The word rakhil (talebearer) is similar to rekhulltekh (thy merchandise) (Ezek. 26:12) and rokhel (merchant) in With all powders of the merchant (Cant. 3:6). Rakhil means a slanderer, for the merchant moves goods. He buys from one person and sells to another. The talebearer reveals to one person what he heard from another person.
בלא תעמד על דם רעך. שלא יתחבר עם אנשי דמים וידוע כי כמה נרצחו ונהרגו בעבור המלשינות ודואג האדומי לעד:
2NEITHER SHALT THOU STAND IDLY BY THE BLOOD OF THY NEIGHBOR. A person should not join bloodthirsty men.58 It is known that many people have been murdered and killed because of slander.59 follows the law prohibiting tale-bearing. Doeg the Edomite60 of Nob, fed David. This resulted in the destruction of the city of Nob. See I Sam. 22:19. is proof of this.
גוטעם אני ה׳. רואה מה שאתה עושה בסתר:
3The meaning of I am the Lord is, I see what you do in secret.
אלא תשנא את אחיך. הפך ואהבת לרעך והנה אלה המצות כולם נטועות בלב ובהשמרם ישבו בארץ כי על שנאת חנם חרב בית שני:
1THOU SHALT NOT HATE THY BROTHER IN THY HEART. This is the reverse of but thou shalt love thy neighbor (v. 18). Now all of these commandments are implanted in the heart.61, Chapter 5. Israel will dwell in the land when they observe them, for the second temple was destroyed because of hatred of one’s neighbor for no reason.62 10:9.
בהוכח תוכיח. שמא תחשדהו בדבר ולא היה כן וזה טעם ולא תשא עליו חטא כי עונש יהיה לך בעבורו:
2THOU SHALT SURELY REBUKE THY NEIGHBOR. Perhaps you suspected him of something which was not so.63 The meaning of and not bear sin because of him is that you be punished because of him.64
אלא תקם ולא תטר. מפורש בדברי חז״ל:
1THOU SHALT NOT TAKE VENGEANCE, NOR BEAR ANY GRUDGE. This is explained in the words of our rabbis of blessed memory.65 23a.
בואהבת לרעך. על דעת רבים שהלמ״ד נוסף כלמ״ד לאבנר ועל דעתי שהוא כמשמעו שיאהב הטוב לחברו כמו לנפשו:
2BUT THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR. Many are of the opinion that the lamed of le-re’akha66 literally means to thy neighbor. (thy neighbor) is superfluous.67 literally, then our verse reads, but thou shalt love to thy neighbor as thyself. This does not appears to make sense. Hence this interpretation means that we should ignore the lamed prefixed to re’akha and interpret our verse as reading, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. It is like the lamed of le-avner (Abner) (II Sam. 3:30).68 is to be interpreted as if written avner. I believe that le-re’akha is to be taken literally.69 of le-re’akha (thy neighbor) is not superfluous. Its meaning is that one should love that which is good for one’s neighbor as he does for himself.70 of le-re’akha as meaning “for.” He interprets our verse as follows: You shall love for your neighbor what you love for yourself (Krinsky). Weiser claims that I.E. interprets the lamed of le-re’akha as meaning “of.” He interprets our verse as follows: You shall love of your neighbor’s welfare as you love your own welfare.
גוטעם אני ה׳. כי אני אלוה אחד בראתי אתכם:
3The meaning of I am the Lord is, I the Lord alone created all of you.
אוטעם להזכיר אחר אלה המצות בהמתך לא תרביע כלאים. להזהיר אחר היותך קדוש שלא תעשה חמס לבן אדם כמוך גם לא תעשה לבהמה לשנות מעשה השם על כן כתוב את חקתי תשמרו לשמור כל מין שלא יתערב מין עם מין:
1[THOU SHALT NOT LET THY CATTLE GENDER WITH A DIVERSE KIND.] The reason Scripture states Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind is to warn us. Since you are holy, in that you do not act violently towards your fellow human being, you must also not do anything to an animal which entails changing God’s work. Scripture therefore reads, Ye shall keep My statutes; that is, each species is to be preserved. A kind is not to interbreed with another kind.
בכלאים. שני מינים ועוד אפרש מלת כלאים. וטעם השדה והבגד להיות לזכרון כי יש מצות רבות לזכר כחג המצות וסוכות וציצית ושופר ומזוזה ותפילין. ופה ארמוז לך סוד דע כי השלם שלם מאד על כן כתוב באברהם וישמור משמרתי מצותי חקותי ותורותי:
2WITH A DIVERSE KIND. Kilayim (a diverse kind) means two kinds. I will yet explain the meaning of kilayim.71 The reason for the law regarding a field and a garment is that they serve as reminders,72 for many commandments serve as reminders. Examples of the latter are: the festival of unleavened bread,73 Sukkot,74 serve as a reminder of booths in which the Israelites dwelled during their sojourn in the desert (Lev. 23:43). tzitzit,75 serve as a reminder of God’s commandments (Num. 15:39). shofar,76 is to serve as a reminder, among them, God’s revelation, to repent. mezuzah,77 and tefilin.78 serves a reminder of the Exodus (Ex. 13:9) and of our obligation to study and to teach Torah to our children (Deut: 6:4-9; 13-21). See Yesod Mora, Chapter 5. I will hint to you here at a secret. Know that “the complete is very complete.”79 Scripture therefore says with regard to Abraham,80 and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws (Gen. 26:5).81
גשעטנז. המעתיקים אמרו שהיא שלש מלות או מחומשת ופירושה מעורב והוא שם לבדו במקרא:
3OF TWO KINDS. The transmitters of tradition said that the word shatnez (two kinds) is made up of three words.82 is a combination of shu’a (hackled), tavuy (spun), and nuz (twined). It may come from a five-letter root.83. The meaning of shatnez is “mixed.”84 It is a noun which stands alone in Scripture.85
אוהוא שפחה. אמרו המכחישים כי איננה יהודית והנכון על דרך הפשט שהיא הנזכרת בפרשת וכי ימכור איש את בתו לאמה והיא ישראלית והטעם שהוא יעדה שיקחנה אדוניה או בנו ואיננה מאורסה וזה טעם כי לא חפשה איננה חפשית עד שתהיה מאורסה כמשפט הבנות:
1A BONDMAID, DESIGNATED FOR A MAN. The deniers86 say that the bondmaid is not a Jewess. However, the correct interpretation according to the plain meaning of the text is that the bondmaid is the one mentioned in And if a man sell his daughter to be a maid-servant (Ex. 21:7) and that she is an Israelite. Our verse deals with an instance in which the bondmaid was designated for marriage to her master or his son.87 However, she had not undergone the first stage of marriage.88. During the period of erusin, which lasted for a year, the bride remained with her family. In the second stage, called nesu’im, the bride went to live with her husband. The meaning of nor was freedom given her is that she is not free until she undergoes the first stage of marriage as is the practice of young ladies.
בומלת נחרפת. על דעת רבים יעודה ולפי דעתי שהמלה מגזרת חרפה בעבור היותה שפחה והיא בתולה ברשות אחר ואינה מאורשה:
2Many believe that necherefet means designated. However, I believe that necherefet is related to the word cherpah (reproach) because she is an unmarried virgin maidservant under the control of a stranger.
גוהפדה. שם הפעל מהבנין שלא נקרא שם פועלו מהכבד הנוסף והטעם שלא פדאה אביה או אחד ממשפחתה קודם היותה בוגרת:
3REDEEMED. Hofdeh (redeemed) is an infinitive in the hofal. The meaning of and not at all redeemed is that her father or any other family member did not redeem her before she became a young woman.
דאו חפשה. השורק מקום קמץ חטף כי האחד חופש והטעם שהיה המנהג לכתוב לה גט חופש אם מכרה האב עד זמן קצוץ והמעתיקים אמרו שחציה חפשית וחציה אמה והוא האמת:
4FREEDOM. The shuruk89. in chufshah (freedom) is in place of a furtive kamatz, for the individual form of the word is chofesh.90 are vocalized with a kamatz katan when declined. Compare, kotel, kotlah; chodesh, chodshah. Thus chufshah should have read chofshah, for the word chufshah (freedom) is the word chofesh plus the pronominal suffix. Scripture states, nor was freedom given her, because it was traditional to write a writ of manumission91 if her father sold her for a set time. The transmitters of tradition said that our verse speaks of a woman who was half free and half servant.92 2:5. “What manner of bondwoman [does Scripture speak of in Lev. 19:20]? She that is half bondwoman and half freedwoman.” What they said is true.
הבקרת תהיה. יש אומרים שפירושו כמו פילגש ואמרו כי כן בנות מלכים ביקרותיך ולא פרשו נכון כי ביקרותיך טעמו השפחות היקרות ונעלם היו״ד בעבור האות המשרת בחיר״ק והיה בחיר״ק בעבור התחברות שני שואי״ן נעים האחד תחת האות המשרת והשני תחת האות הראשון של השרש בלשון נקבות ואין כח בלשון להזכיר ככה וכן משפט כל הלשון ואין מלה זרה חוץ ממלת ורבים מישני אדמת עפר יקיצו על קריאת בן נפתלי. ויש אומרים בקורת מגזרת לא יבקר הכהן והטעם שיחפש הדבר והמעתיקים אמרו כי יש עליו מלקות ברצועה של בקר וזה אמת מדברי קבלה והמלה כדמות אסמכתא. וטעם להזכיר זאת הפרשה כי הוא עושק אדני השפחה על כן יביא איל אשם ועוד על דרך דרש שזאת השכיבה כמו כלאים חפשי עם שפחה:
5THERE SHALL BE AN INQUISITION. Some say that bikkoret (inquisition) means a concubine.93 (there shall be an inquisition) as she shall be a concubine; that is, she shall not be considered a fully married woman. They say that the same applies to the word biykkrotekha (among thy favorites) in Kings’ daughters are among thy favorites (Ps. 45:10).94 However, they did not explain it correctly, for the meaning of biykkrotekha is, among the precious handmaidens.95 is the word yikkrotekha (your precious ones), i.e., your precious maidens plus the bet prefix. There is no connection between bikkoret and biykkrotekha, for the former comes from the root bet, kof, resh and the latter from the root yod, kof, resh. The yod96. is missing97 because the bet, which serves as a preposition, is vocalized with a chirik.98 of yikkrotekha is swallowed up by the chirik. It is vocalized with a chirik because of the confluence of two mobile shevas,99 is a combination of the prefix be plus the word yekkrotekha. In such cases the prefix is vocalized with a chirik and the yod is not sounded. the first beneath the prefix100. and the second beneath the first root letter of the word yikkrotekha, which is in the feminine.101. The tongue does not have the power to enunciate two mobile shevas in succession.102 back to back. The same is true for the entire language.103. It applies to all cases where we have two furtive shevas in succession. There is no exception to this except for the word mi-yeshene (that sleep) in And many of them that sleep in the dust (Dan. 12:2),104 should have read miyyshene. according to the reading of Ben Naphtali.105 There are those who say that bikkoret is related to the word yevakker (seek) in shall not seek (Lev. 13:36). The meaning of bikkoret106 is that the matter shall be searched out. The transmitters of tradition say he107 11a it is the bondwoman who is lashed. Hence some emend alav to aleha. incurs the penalty of being lashed with a strap made from the skin of cattle (bakar).108 3:12. This interpretation renders bikkoret as cattled, i.e., lashed with a strap made of cattle hide. In our texts of Rabbinic literature there is no such interpretation. Radak quotes this interpretation in the name of Rabbi Saadiah Gaon. See Weiser. This is true by way of tradition.109 The word bikkoret is used as a support for the tradition.110 is not “lashed by cattle skin.” This section is placed here because the one who sleeps with the bondwoman oppresses the master of the bondwoman.111 He therefore brings a ram as a guilt offering.112 Furthermore, this type of intercourse can be interpreted midrashically as mixing diverse kinds, namely, a free man and a bondwoman.113
אונסלח לו. אפרשנו עוד:
1AND HE SHALL BE FORGIVEN.114. I will explain this later.115 is that punishment shall be delayed until the person fully repents. See Volume 4, p. 110. The reason Scripture now discusses forbidden fruit is that Scripture had previously mentioned the seed of the field116 and the seed of the woman,117 who is likened to the ground.118 Scripture therefore119 now mentions that which is planted. It is known that fruit which grows before three years have passed is of no value and is harmful to the body. It is like all fish that have no fins and scales that are injurious to the body,0 and like all flesh of birds of prey and unclean animals that harm the wise soul. The intelligent will understand this.120
אוטעם להזכיר ערלת הפרי. בעבור שהזכיר זרע השדה וזרע האשה שהיא כארץ הזכיר גם הנטוע וידוע כי הפרי הבא עד שלש שנים אין בו תועלת ומזיק כאשר יזיק לגוף כל דג שאין לו סנפיר וקשקשת ויזיק לנפש החכמה בשר כל עוף דורס והבהמות הטמאות והמשכיל יבין:
1[THEN YE SHALL COUNT THE FRUIT THEREOF AS FORBIDDEN.] The meaning of ve-areltem et orlato (then ye shall count as forbidden) is that the fruit is counted as a foreskin121 as, and you shall consider its fruit as foreskin. Orlah means a foreskin. Hence I.E.’s interpretation. which is harmful and serves no purpose, such as the “foreskin” of the lips,122 the ear,123 and the foreskin of the penis.
בוטעם וערלתם ערלתו. שאותו הפרי הוא חשוב כערלה שהיא מזקת ולא תועיל כערלת שפה ואוזן וערלת בשר:
2The meaning of ve-areltem (then ye shall count) is, you shall consider it as a foreskin. It is also beautifully explained in the Aramaic translation.124, you shall surely distance.
גוטעם וערלתם. שיהיה נחשב בעיניכם כדבר ערלה גם יפה הוא מתורגם בארמית:
3SHALL IT BE AS FORBIDDEN125 (literally, foreskins).
דיהיה לכם ערלים פירוש וערלתם:
4UNTO YOU.126 This explains the meaning of ve-areltem (then ye shall count).127 is, then you shall consider it as a foreskin.
אקדש הלולים. להלל השם והכהן יאכלנו:
1SHALL BE HOLY, FOR GIVING PRAISE. For giving praise to the Lord. The kohen shall eat it.
אוטעם להוסיף לכם תבואתו. דבק עם קדש הלולים ואם הוא רחוק וכן שלם ישלם ואם אין לו דבוק עם חמשה בקר ישלם תחת השור ורבים כמוהם:
1[THAT IT MAY YIELD UNTO YOU MORE RICHLY THE INCREASE THEREOF.] That it may yield unto you more richly the increase thereof is connected to shall be holy, for giving praise (v. 24) even though it is some distance from it.128 is connected to shall be holy, for giving praise even though it does not immediately follow it. If he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft (Ex. 22:2) is similarly connected to he shall pay five oxen for an ox (Ex. 21:37). There are many other similar instances.
בוטעם אני ה׳ אלהיכם. שאוסיף ברכה בתבואה:
2The meaning of I am the Lord your God is, I will place a blessing upon the produce.
אלא תאכלו על הדם. דבוק עם הכתוב למעלה כי הזהיר על עץ נטוע שלא יאכלו מפריו עד השנה החמישית גם כן כל בשר טהור לא יאכל עד שיזרוק דמו על מזבח השם אם היה קרוב אל מקום הקדש והעד הנאמן דברי שאול כי הארון היה עמו כי כן כתוב הנה אוכלים על הדם כאילו אוכלים זבחים לשעירים כאשר פירשתי שהיה כן מנהגם במצרים לזבוח בשם השדים כי אחר שלא נזרק הדם על המזבח לשם השם הנה הדבר ברור על כן דבק עמו לא תנחשו כי במצרים היו אוכלים על הדם וזונים אחרי השדים ובארץ כנען מנחשים ומעוננים כי כן כתוב גם זה כמעשה ארץ מצרים וכמעשה ארץ כנען. ומלת מנחש מנסה כמו נחשתי ויברכני ה׳ כי נחוש בצורות ובמקלות ובמעשים ובתנועות ובימים ושעות:
1YE SHALL NOT EAT WITH THE BLOOD. This is connected129 to what is written above it.130 Scripture warned against eating from the fruit of any planted tree until the fifth year. It similarly also prohibited one, if he is in the proximity of the sanctuary, to eat from any permitted flesh unless its blood first be sprinkled on the altar of God. The account of King Saul is a faithful witness to this interpretation, for the ark of the Lord was with Saul, and Scripture explicitly states, “Behold, the people are eating with the blood.”131. As I explained,132 it was as if the people were sacrificing to the demons, for this was their custom in Egypt. There they were accustomed to sacrifice in the name of the demons. Now this is clear,133 is clear (Krinsky). since the blood was not poured on the altar in the worship of God. Neither shall ye practice divination is connected to ye shall not eat with the blood because they used to eat with the blood and go astray after the demons in Egypt, and they used to practice divination and soothsaying in Canaan. The aforementioned is clearly stated in Scripture.134 This too was like the doings of the land of Egypt;…and…the doings of the land of Canaan (Lev. 18:3). The word menachesh means divines. Compare, I have observed the signs (nichashti), And the Lord hath blessed me (Gen. 30:27). Divinations take many forms. There are types of divination that employs images,135 sticks,136 actions,137 movements,138 days,139 and hours.140
בתעוננו. יש אומרים מלשון ענה שיחשוב בלבו דבר ויטה אזניו לשמוע מה יענה המדבר ולא אבה הדקדוק ויש אומרים מעונן לשון ועונתה לא יגרע והנכון בעיני מגזרת ענן כי ידוע כי יש מי שיעונן שיסתכל בעננים ובדמותם ובתנועתם ויתכן להיות תעוננו מפעלי הכפל כמו תסובבו כי מצאנו ועוננים כפלשתים כי יתכן היותו מבנין הכפול והעד ומעונן ומנחש:
2SOOTHSAYING. Some say that the word te’onennu (soothsaying) is related to the word anah (answer). The soothsayer imagines something in his heart and inclines his ear to hear what the speaker will answer.141 means “and do not practice answering.” However, the rule of grammar rejects this interpretation.142 (answer) comes from the root ayin, nun, heh. Verbs from this root do not double their middle stem. There are those who say that te’onennu comes from the word onah (time). It is similar to the word onatah (her conjugal rights)143 in and her conjugal rights, shall he not diminish (Ex. 21:10).144 is, and do not set times; that is, do not divine by setting aside lucky days. However, it appears to me that te’onennu is related to the word anan (cloud), for it is known that the one who practices divination looks at the clouds and observes their forms and their movements. Te’onennu probably comes from a verb with a doubled root.145. It is like the word tesovevu (you will go round about),146. for we find, And with soothsayers (onenim) like the Philistines (Is. 2:6).147 is a kal. There is no question that onenim comes from the root ayin, nun, nun. [I note this] for it is possible that te’onennu is a doubled form.148. A verb which has a vav as it middle letter has its last stem letter doubled in the pi’el. In other words, the root of te’onennu is ayin, vav, nun. The last stem letter is doubled in the pi’el. Compare, te-komem from kof, vav, mem. Me’onen (one that uses divination) u-menachesh (Deut. 18:9) is proof.
אוטעם להזכיר לא תקפו פאת ראשכם. כמעשה הגוים להיות מובדלים מהם ואחר ששער הראש והזקן לתפארת נברא אין ראוי להשחיתו ויש אומרים כי זה הפסוק דבק עם ושרט לנפש כי יש מי שישחית פאת ראשו גם פאת זקן בעבור המת:
1[YE SHALL NOT ROUND THE CORNERS OF YOUR HEADS.] Scripture states, Ye shall not round the corners of your heads as the non-Jewish nations do, so that you will be separated from them. Now since the hair on the head and the beard serve to glorify a person it is unfit to destroy them. Some say that this verse is connected to Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead (v. 28), for there are people who destroy the hair on the corner of their heads and also on the corner of their beards for the dead.
אושרט. גם הפאה בראש ובזקן ידועים מדברי קבלה:
1CUTTINGS. We know the meaning of the corners of the head and of the beard from the words of tradition.149 32b.
בומלת לנפש. הגוף המת וכן מתורגם והוא האמת ולא נדגש הנו״ן להקל על הלשון:
2The word le-nefesh means for a dead body. It is also so rendered in the Aramaic translation.150. This is its true meaning. The nun151. does not receive a dagesh152, or kamatz. If it is vocalized with a pattach, the letter which follows it receives a dagesh. I.E. explains that Scripture chose to vocalize la-nefesh with a kamatz to simplify enunciation (Weiser). However, it should be noted that if the lamed of la-nefesh was vocalized with a sheva, then the nun would also not receive a dagesh. Thus I.E.’s interpretation does not explain why the lamed of la-nefesh was not vocalized with a sheva. It is possible that in I.E.’s version of the Torah la-nefesh was vocalized with a pattach and that I.E. is explaining why, contrary to the laws of grammar, there is no dagesh in the nun of la-nefesh. in order to simplify enunciation.
גוכתבת קעקע. יש אומרים שהוא דבק עם ושרט לנפש כי יש מי שירשום גופו בצורה הידועה באש על המת ויש עוד היום רושמים בנערותם בפניהם להיות נכרים. ומלת קעקע. כפולה כמו רוקע הארץ וצאצאיה והוא מגזרת והוקע אותם ועל דעת המתרגם גם היא מלה זרה גם הוא הנכון:
3IMPRINT ANY MARKS. Some say that this is connected to Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh, for there are people who, employing fire, mark their bodies with a recognizable form for the dead.153 Even today there are those who, while young, mark their faces so that they [may] be recognized.154 The word ka’aka (marks) is doubled.155 and ayin root letters are doubled. Compare, He that spread forth the earth and that which cometh out of it (ve-tze’etza’ehah)156 and alef of the root yod, tzadi, alef are doubled in ve-tze’etza’ehah (Is. 42:5). Ka’aka is related to the word ve-hoka (and hang)157. in and hang them up (Num. 25:4).158 ] is a writing dug into the flesh. Ka’aka is related to ve-hoka in and hang them up (Num. 25:4)…” They were hanged upon poles which were driven into the ground. According to the Aramaic translator, it is also an irregular word. He is also correct [in translating ka’aka as engraved].
אוטעם להזכיר אל תחלל את בתך. בעבור שרט לנפש שלא תתגלה לעיני הכל כי קול שבאשה ערוה ואף כי שרט:
1[PROFANE NOT THY DAUGHTER.] Scripture now mentions profane not thy daughter because it earlier stated Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh (v. 28). The import of our verse is, your daughter shall not be displayed before the public.159 Now the voice of a woman is like her nakedness.160 24a. A cutting is certainly so.161
בולא תזנה הארץ. הטעם זנות אנשי הארץ כמו ארץ כי תחטא לי:
2LEST THE LAND FALL INTO HARLOTRY. The reference is to the harlotry of the people of the land.162 is short for lest the people of the land. Compare, when a land sinneth against Me (Ezek. 14:13).163
אוטעם להזכיר את שבתתי תשמרו. בעבור המת שאין אבל בשבת:
1[YE SHALL KEEP MY SABBATHS.] Scripture now says, Ye shall keep My sabbaths, because it earlier164 dealt with the dead, for there is no mourning on the Sabbath.
בוטעם ומקדשי תיראו. על הכהן הגדול שלא יהיה כשאר האבלים וכן אזהרה על כל אנשי המקדש:
2And reverence My sanctuary is to be understood as referring to the kohen gadol; he shall not act as other mourners do.165 is not to observe mourning customs. See Lev. 21:10-12. There is a similar prohibition upon all the people of the sanctuary.166 applies to all those who serve in the sanctuary.
גוטעם אני ה׳. שאם לא ייראו ממקדשו ויתנו לו כבוד יענישם:
3The meaning of I am the Lord is, God will punish you if you do not revere the sanctuary and respect it. Scripture similarly next mentions the ghosts and the familiar spirits (v. 31) because of the dead.167 It similarly writes in Isaiah on behalf of the living unto the dead (Is. 8:19).168; i.e., instead of seeking ghosts and familiar spirits and the dead concerning the welfare and future of the living, a people should inquire of God.
אוטעם להזכיר האובות וידעונים. בעבור המת וכן כתוב בישעיה בעד החיים אל המתים. האבת. מגזרת וכאובות חדשים כי הם עיקר זאת האומנות:
1THE GHOSTS. Ovot (ghosts) is related to the word ovot (wineskins) in Like new wine-skins (Job 32:19), for wineskins are the main instruments in this “art.”169
בוהידענים. מגזרת דעת שיבקשו לדעת העתידות וריקי מוח אמרו לולי שהאובות אמת גם כן דרך הכשוף לא אסרם הכתוב ואני אומר הפך דבריהם כי הכתוב לא אסר האמת רק השקר והעד האלילים הפסילים ולולי שאין רצוני להאריך הייתי מבאר דבר בעלת אוב בראיות גמורות:
2NOR UNTO FAMILIAR SPIRITS. Yidonim (familiar spirits) is related to the word da’at (knowledge). Those who turn to yidonim seek to know the future. The empty heads say if there were no truth in the ovot (ghosts) and in various magical practices, then Scripture would not have prohibited them. However, I say the reverse. Scripture would not have permitted that which was true. It only prohibited that which is false. The idols (elilim)170 means something which does not exist. See I.E. on verse 4. and the images (v. 4) are proof of this. Were it not that I do not want to go on at length, I would have explained the incident of the woman who was an expert in divining by ghosts.171 I would have brought unquestionable proof to my explanation.
גוטעם אל תפנו. ליודע האומנות:
3The meaning of Turn ye not is, do not turn to the one who knows the art.172
דוטעם אל תבקשו. לשאול כשאול:
4The meaning of seek them not out is, do not inquire of them as king Saul did.
הוטעם אני ה׳ אלהיכם. שלא תבקשו כי אם השם לבדו והנה הזכיר לטמאה כי נפש הפונה והמבקש טמאה היא כי איננה דבקה בשם:
5The meaning of I am the Lord your God is, you shall not seek except for the Lord alone. Note, Scripture reads, to be defiled by them, because the soul of the one who inquires of a ghost or a familiar spirit is defiled, for it does not cleave to the Lord.
אוטעם להזכיר מפני שיבה תקום. בעבור המת כי הזקן קרוב למיתה כי גופו כמת נחשב והנה טעמו כל זקן וכל איש שיבה:
1[THOU SHALT RISE UP BEFORE THE HOARY HEAD.] Scripture mentions the hoary head because it earlier mentioned the dead173 and the aged are close to death, for the bodies of the old are considered dead.174 Note, our verse refers to all the old and to every hoary head.175 32b. Also see Rashi.
בוטעם ויראת מאלהיך. שיענישך בימי הזקנה:
2The meaning of and thou shalt fear thy God is, fear the Lord who shall punish you in your old age.176
אוכי יגור אתך גר. הזכירו אחר הזקן והטעם כאשר הזהרתיך לכבד הזקן הישראלי בעבור שאין לו כח כך אזהירך על הגר שכחך גדול מכחו או בעבור שאין לו כח שהוא בארצך ברשותך:
1AND IF A STRANGER SOUJORN WITH THEE. Scripture mentions the stranger after the old man. It does so to, as it were, to say, as I warned you to respect the old Israelite because he has no strength, I warn you not to wrong the foreigner because you are stronger than he is, or who has no power because he is in your country and subject to you.177
אואהבת לו. מפורש:
1AND THOU SHALT LOVE HIM AS THYSELF. This has been explained.178
אוטעם לא תעשו עול. בעבור הגר כטעם ושפטתם צדק בין איש ובין אחיו ובין גרו וכן במדה שלא תעשה מרמה במדת האמות גם האמות משתנות ויתכן להיות פירוש כמשפט הידוע בארץ:
1[YE SHALL DO NO UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.] Scripture states, Ye shall do no unrighteousness because it earlier dealt with the stranger. Our verse is similar to and judge righteously between a man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him (Deut. 1:16). You shall similarly not cheat in measurements; that is, you shall not deceive in measuring cubits, for the cubits vary.179 It is also possible that the meaning of in judgment is according to the known practice of the land.180
אמאזני צדק אבני צדק. פירוש במשקל:
1JUST BALANCES, JUST WEIGHT. Avne tzedek181 means just weights.
באיפת צדק. ביבש:
2A JUST EPHAH. For that which is dry.
גוהין צדק. בלח פירוש במשורה:
3AND A JUST HIN. For liquid. A just hin explains in measure (v. 36).
דוטעם אני ה׳ אלהיכם אשר הוצאתי אתכם. בעבור שהזכיר כי גרים הייתם בארץ מצרים על כן אתם חייבין לשמור חקותי ומשפטי בלבבכם ועשיתם אותם:
4Scripture states, I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, because it earlier mentioned for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt (v. 34). Therefore, you are obligated to keep My statutes and ordinances in mind and observe them.
אוטעם אני ה׳. שתרדפו אחרי החקות ששמתי בכם כי כלם צדק:
1The meaning of I am the Lord is, you shall pursue my statutes which I placed upon you, for they are all righteous.