Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, the Torah continues with a beautiful sequence of mitzvos that govern our daily lives, starting with the safety requirement of making a ma'akeh (parapet) for a roof. From there, we learn several prohibitions of kilayim (forbidden mixtures), including sowing a vineyard with diverse seeds, plowing with an ox and a donkey together, and wearing shatnez (wool and linen). The Torah then transitions to the mitzvah of tzitzis, followed by the serious halachos of a motzi shem ra—a husband who falsely defames his new wife—and the severe punishments for various cases of arayos (forbidden relationships), such as adultery, a betrothed maiden, and rape.

We also learn the halachic differences between a case that occurs in the city versus one in the field, where the Torah assumes the woman cried out but had no one to save her. The aliyah concludes with the laws of a rapist's financial and marital obligations, the prohibition of marrying a father's former wife, and the restrictions on who may enter the congregation of Hashem, specifically excluding a petzuah dakah (one with crushed testes), a mamzer, and the nations of Ammon and Moav.

All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.

פָּסוּק א

Pasuk 1

כִּיWhenתִבְנֶהyou buildבַּיִתa houseחָדָשׁnewוְעָשִׂיתָand you shall makeמַעֲקֶהa guardrailלְגַגֶּךָfor your roofוְלֹאand you shall notתָשִׂיםplaceדָּמִיםbloodבְּבֵיתֶךָin your houseכִּיifיִפֹּלfallsהַנֹּפֵלthe one who fallsמִמֶּנּוּ׃from it

רַשִׁ״י

כיWhenתבנהyou buildביתa houseחדש.newאִםIfקִיַּמְתָּyou fulfilledמִצְוַתthe mitzvah ofשִׁלּוּחַsending awayהַקֵּן,the nestסוֹפְךָyour end isלִבְנוֹתto buildבַּיִתa houseחָדָשׁ,newוּתְקַיֵּםand you will fulfillמִצְוַתthe mitzvah ofמַעֲקֶה,a guard-railשֶׁמִּצְוָהfor a mitzvahגּוֹרֶרֶתdragsמִצְוָה,a mitzvahוְתַגִּיעַand you will attainלְכֶרֶםto a vineyardוְשָׂדֶהand a fieldוְלִבְגָדִיםand to garmentsנָאִים,fineלְכָךְfor thisנִסְמְכוּwere juxtaposedפָּרָשִׁיּוֹתsectionsהַלָּלוּtheseתנחומאTanchuma:

רַשִׁ״י

מעקה.A parapetגָּדֵרa fenceסָבִיבaroundלַגַּג,the roofוְאֻנְקְלוֹסand Onkelosתִּרְגֵּםtranslated"תְּיָקָא",teyakaכְּגוֹןlikeתִּיקa caseשֶׁמְּשַׁמֵּרthat guardsמַהwhatשֶּׁבְּתוֹכוֹ:is inside it

רַשִׁ״י

כיifיפלfallsהנפל.the one who fallsרָאוּיdeservingזֶהthis oneלִפֹּל,to fallוְאַעַ"פִּand even thoughכֵן·לֹאnotתִתְגַּלְגֵּלshould be brought aboutמִיתָתוֹhis deathעַלbyיָדְךָ,your handשֶׁמְּגַלְגְּלִיןfor they bring aboutזְכוּתmeritעַלthroughיְדֵיthe hands ofזַכַּאיa meritorious personוְחוֹבָהand liabilityעַלthroughיְדֵיthe hands ofחַיָּבa guilty personספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

לֹאYou shall notתִזְרַעsowכַּרְמְךָyour vineyardכִּלְאָיִםmixed seedsפֶּןlestתִּקְדַּשׁit becomes forbiddenהַמְלֵאָהthe fullness ofהַזֶּרַעthe seedאֲשֶׁרwhichתִּזְרָעyou sowוּתְבוּאַתand the yield ofהַכָּרֶם׃the vineyard

רַשִׁ״י

כלאים.diverse kindsחִטָּהwheatוּשְׂעוֹרָהand barleyוְחַרְצָןand a grape seedבְּמַפֹּלֶתwith a throwingיָדof handברכותBerachotכ"ב22:

רַשִׁ״י

פןlestתקדש.it become holyכְּתַרְגוּמוֹlike its Targum"תִּסְתָּאַב",it become defiledכָּלanyדָּבָרthingהַנִּתְעָבthat is loathsomeעַלtoהָאָדָם,manבֵּיןwhetherלְשֶׁבַחfor praiseכְּגוֹןsuch asהֶקְדֵּשׁ,consecrated propertyבֵּיןorלִגְנַאיfor disgraceכְּגוֹןsuch asאִסּוּר,forbidden matterנוֹפֵלappliesבּוֹto itלְשׁוֹןthe term ofקִדּוּשׁ,holinessכְּמוֹlike"אַלdo notתִּגַּשׁdraw nearבִּיto meכִּיforקִדַּשְׁתִּיךָ"I am holier than youישעיהוYeshayahuס"ה65:

רַשִׁ״י

המלאה.The fullnessזֶהthis isמִלּוּיthe fillingוְתוֹסֶפֶתand the increaseשֶׁהַזֶּרַעthat the seedמוֹסִיףadds:

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

לֹאYou shall notתַחֲרֹשׁplowבְּשׁוֹרwith an oxוּבַחֲמֹרand with a donkeyיַחְדָּו׃together

רַשִׁ״י

לאYou shall notתחרשplowבשורwith an oxובחמור.and with a donkeyהוּאthisהַדִּיןis the lawלְכָלfor allשְׁנֵיtwoמִינִיםkindsשֶׁבָּעוֹלָםthat are in the worldבבאBavaקמאKammaנ"ד54,הוּאthisהַדִּיןis the lawלְהַנְהִיגָםto drive themיַחַדtogetherקְשׁוּרִיםtiedזוּגִיםas pairsבְּהוֹלָכַתin leadingשׁוּםanyמַשָּׂאburdenכלאיםKilayimפ"חchapter 8מ"בmishnah 2:

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

לֹאYou shall notתִלְבַּשׁwearשַׁעַטְנֵזshatnezצֶמֶרwoolוּפִשְׁתִּיםand linenיַחְדָּו׃together

רַשִׁ״י

שעטנז.Shatnezלְשׁוֹןis an expression ofעֵרוּב.mixtureוְרַבּוֹתֵינוּand our Rabbisפֵּרְשׁוּexplained—שׁוּעַcombedטָווּיspunוְנוּזor twistedספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

גְּדִלִיםTasselsתַּעֲשֶׂהyou shall makeלָּךְfor yourselfעַלonאַרְבַּעthe fourכַּנְפוֹתcorners ofכְּסוּתְךָyour garmentאֲשֶׁרwith whichתְּכַסֶּהyou coverבָּהּ׃yourself

רַשִׁ״י

גדליםTasselsתעשהyou shall makeלך.for yourselfאַףevenמִןfromהַכִּלְאַיִם,the forbidden mixtureלְכָךְthereforeסְמָכָןjuxtaposed themהַכָּתוּבthe ScriptureיבמותYevamosד'4a:

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

כִּיWhenיִקַּחtakesאִישׁa manאִשָּׁהa wifeוּבָאand comesאֵלֶיהָto herוּשְׂנֵאָהּ׃and hates her

רַשִׁ״י

ובאand he comesאליהunto herושנאה.and he hates herסוֹפוֹ,his end

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

וְשָׂםand he placesלָהּagainst herעֲלִילֹתaccusations ofדְּבָרִיםwordsוְהוֹצִיאand he brings outעָלֶיהָupon herשֵׁםa reputationרָעbadוְאָמַרand saysאֶת—הָאִשָּׁהthe womanהַזֹּאתthisלָקַחְתִּיI tookוָאֶקְרַבand I approachedאֵלֶיהָherוְלֹאand notמָצָאתִיdid I findלָהּfor herבְּתוּלִים׃tokens of virginity

רַשִׁ״י

ושםand he placesלהupon herעלילתaccusations ofדבריםwords–עֲבֵרָהa transgressionגּוֹרֶרֶתdragsעֲבֵרָה,a transgressionעָבַרhe transgressedעַלagainstלֹאdo notתִשְׂנָא,hateסוֹפוֹhis endלָבֹאis to comeלִידֵיto the hands ofלָשׁוֹןevilהָרָעtongueעי'seeספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

את—האשהthe womanהזאת.thisמִכָּאןfrom hereשֶׁאֵיןthat notאוֹמֵרone saysדָּבָרa matterאֶלָּאexceptבִּפְנֵיin the presence ofבַעַלthe master ofדִּיןthe judgmentשםthere:

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

וְלָקַחAnd shall takeאֲבִיthe father ofהנערthe young womanהַנַּעֲרָהthe young womanוְאִמָּהּand her motherוְהוֹצִיאוּand they shall bring outאֶת—בְּתוּלֵיthe tokens of virginity ofהנערthe young womanהַנַּעֲרָהthe young womanאֶלtoזִקְנֵיthe elders ofהָעִירthe cityהַשָּׁעְרָה׃to the gate

רַשִׁ״י

אביThe father ofהנערהthe young womanואמה.and her motherמִיthose whoשֶׁגִּדְּלוּrearedגִּדּוּלִיםoffspringהָרָעִיםevilיִתְבַּזּוּshall be disgracedעָלֶיהָbecause of herעי'seeשםthere:

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

וְאָמַרAnd shall sayאֲבִיthe father ofהנערthe young womanהַנַּעַרָהthe young womanאֶלtoהַזְּקֵנִיםthe eldersאֶת—בִּתִּיmy daughterנָתַתִּיI gaveלָאִישׁto the manהַזֶּהthisלְאִשָּׁהfor a wifeוַיִּשְׂנָאֶהָ׃and he hated her

רַשִׁ״י

ואמרAnd shall sayאביthe father ofהנערה.the young womanמְלַמֵּדthis teachesשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notרְשׁוּתpermissionלָאִשָּׁהfor the womanלְדַבֵּרto speakבִּפְנֵיin the presence ofהָאִישׁthe husbandשםthere:

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

וְהִנֵּהand beholdהוּאheשָׂםplacedעֲלִילֹתaccusations ofדְּבָרִיםwordsלֵאמֹרsayingלֹאnotמָצָאתִיdid I findלְבִתְּךָfor your daughterבְּתוּלִיםproof of virginityוְאֵלֶּהand these areבְּתוּלֵיthe virginity proofs ofבִתִּיmy daughterוּפָרְשׂוּand they shall spreadהַשִּׂמְלָהthe garmentלִפְנֵיbeforeזִקְנֵיthe elders ofהָעִיר׃the city

רַשִׁ״י

ופרשוAnd they shall spreadהשמלה.the clothהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisמָשָׁל,is a metaphorמְחֻוָּרִיןclearהַדְּבָרִיםthe mattersכַּשִּׂמְלָהlike the clothשם;thereכתובותKesubosשםthere:

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

וְלָקְחוּAnd they shall takeזִקְנֵיthe elders ofהָעִירthe cityהַהִואthatאֶת—הָאִישׁthe manוְיִסְּרוּand they shall flogאֹתוֹ׃him

רַשִׁ״י

ויסרוAnd they shall chastiseאתו.himמַלְקוּתlashesשםthere:

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

וְעָנְשׁוּAnd they shall fineאֹתוֹhimמֵאָהone hundredכֶסֶףsilverוְנָתְנוּand they shall giveלַאֲבִיto the father ofהַנַּעֲרָהthe young womanכִּיbecauseהוֹצִיאhe brought outשֵׁםa nameרָעbadעַלuponבְּתוּלַתa virgin ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelוְלוֹand to himתִהְיֶהshe shall beלְאִשָּׁהfor a wifeלֹאnotיוּכַלhe will be ableלְשַּׁלְּחָהּto divorce herכָּלallיָמָיו׃his days

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

וְאִםAnd ifאֱמֶתtrueהָיָהwasהַדָּבָרthe matterהַזֶּהthisלֹאnotנִמְצְאוּwere foundבְתוּלִיםtokens of virginityלנערfor the young womanלַנַּעֲרָה׃for the young woman

רַשִׁ״י

ואםAnd ifאמתtrueהיהwasהדבר.the thingבְּעֵדִיםwith witnessesוְהַתְרָאָה,and warningשֶׁזִּנְּתָהthat she strayedלְאַחַרafterאֵרוּסִיןbetrothalכתובותKesubosמ"ד44:

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

וְהוֹצִיאוּand they shall bring outאֶת—הנערthe young womanהַנַּעֲרָהthe young womanאֶלtoפֶּתַחthe entrance ofבֵּיתthe house ofאָבִיהָher fatherוּסְקָלוּהָand they shall stone herאַנְשֵׁיthe men ofעִירָהּher cityבָּאֲבָנִיםwith stonesוָמֵתָהand she shall dieכִּיbecauseעָשְׂתָהshe didנְבָלָהa disgraceful thingבְּיִשְׂרָאֵלin Yisraelלִזְנוֹתto commit harlotryבֵּיתin the house ofאָבִיהָher fatherוּבִעַרְתָּand you shall sweep awayהָרָעthe evilמִקִּרְבֶּךָ׃from your midst

רַשִׁ״י

אלToפתחthe entrance ofביתthe house ofאביה.her fatherרְאוּseeגִּדּוּלִיםthe offspringשֶׁגִּדַּלְתֶּםthat you rearedשםthereמ"הpage 45:

רַשִׁ״י

אנשיthe men ofעירה.her cityבְּמַעֲמַדin the presence ofכָּלall ofאַנְשֵׁיthe men ofעִירָהּher cityספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

לזנותto play the whoreביתhouse ofאביה.her fatherכְּמוֹis likeבְּבֵיתin the house ofאָבִיהָ:her father

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

כִּיIfיִמָּצֵאthere be foundאִישׁa manשֹׁכֵבlyingעִםwithאִשָּׁהa womanבְעֻלַתmarried toבַּעַלa husbandוּמֵתוּthen they shall dieגַּםalsoשְׁנֵיהֶםboth of themהָאִישׁthe manהַשֹּׁכֵבwho layעִםwithהָאִשָּׁהthe womanוְהָאִשָּׁהand the womanוּבִעַרְתָּand you shall sweepהָרָעthe evilמִיִּשְׂרָאֵל׃from Israel

רַשִׁ״י

ומתוAnd they shall dieגםalsoשניהם.both of themלְהוֹצִיאto excludeמַעֲשֵׂהan act ofחִדּוּדִיםunnatural frictionשֶׁאֵיןfrom which notהָאִשָּׁהthe womanנֶהֱנֵיתderives pleasureמֵהֶםfrom themספרי;SifreiסנהדריןSanhedrinס"ו66:

רַשִׁ״י

גם.Alsoלְרַבּוֹתto includeהַבָּאִיםthose who comeאַחֲרֵיהֶםafter themספריSifrei;דָּבָרAnotherאַחֵר,explanationגםAlsoשניהםboth of themלְרַבּוֹתto includeאֶת—הַוָּלָד,the embryoשֶׁאִםthat ifהָיְתָהshe wasמְעֻבֶּרֶתpregnantאֵיןwe do notמַמְתִּינִיןwaitלָהּfor herעַדuntilשֶׁתֵּלֵדshe gives birthערכיןArakhinז'7a:

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

כִּיIfיִהְיֶהthere will beנערa young girlנַעֲרָהa young girlבְתוּלָהa virginמְאֹרָשָׂהbetrothedלְאִישׁto a manוּמְצָאָהּand finds herאִישׁa manבָּעִירin the cityוְשָׁכַבand liesעִמָּהּ׃with her

רַשִׁ״י

ומצאהAnd found herאישa manבעיר.in the cityלְפִיכָךְthereforeשָׁכַבhe layעִמָּהּwith her–פִּרְצָהa breachקוֹרְאָהcallsלַגַּנָּב,to the thiefהָאbeholdאִלּוּifיָשְׁבָהshe had satבְּבֵיתָהּ,in her houseלֹאnotאֵרַעwould have happenedלָהּto herספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

וְהוֹצֵאתֶםand you shall take outאֶת—שְׁנֵיהֶםboth of themאֶלtoשַׁעַרthe gate ofהָעִירthe cityהַהִואthatוּסְקַלְתֶּםand you shall stoneאֹתָםthemבָּאֲבָנִיםwith stonesוָמֵתוּand they shall dieאֶת—הנערthe young womanהַנַּעֲרָהthe young womanעַלbecauseדְּבַרof the matterאֲשֶׁרthatלֹאnotצָעֲקָהshe cried outבָעִירin the cityוְאֶתand —הָאִישׁthe manעַלbecauseדְּבַרof the matterאֲשֶׁרthatעִנָּהhe violatedאֶת—אֵשֶׁתthe wife ofרֵעֵהוּhis neighborוּבִעַרְתָּand you shall sweep awayהָרָעthe evilמִקִּרְבֶּךָ׃from your midst

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

וְאִםAnd ifבַּשָּׂדֶהin the fieldיִמְצָאfindsהָאִישׁthe manאֶת—הנערthe young womanהַנַּעֲרָהthe young womanהַמְאֹרָשָׂהwho is betrothedוְהֶחֱזִיקand seizesבָּהּherהָאִישׁthe manוְשָׁכַבand liesעִמָּהּwith herוּמֵתthen shall dieהָאִישׁthe manאֲשֶׁרwhoשָׁכַבlayעִמָּהּwith herלְבַדּוֹ׃alone

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

ולנערand to the young womanוְלַנַּעֲרָהand to the young womanלֹאnotתַעֲשֶׂהshall you doדָבָרanythingאֵיןthere is notלנערto the young womanלַנַּעֲרָהto the young womanחֵטְאa sin ofמָוֶתdeathכִּיforכַּאֲשֶׁרjust asיָקוּםrises upאִישׁa manעַלagainstרֵעֵהוּhis fellowוּרְצָחוֹand murders himנֶפֶשׁas a soulכֵּןso isהַדָּבָרthe matterהַזֶּה׃this

רַשִׁ״י

כיForכאשרas whenיקוםrisethוגו'.etc.לְפִיAccording toפְשׁוּטוֹits plain senseזֶהוּthis isמַשְׁמָעוֹ:its meaningכִּיthatאֲנוּסָהcoercedהִיאshe wasוּבְחָזְקָהand with forceעָמַדhe stoodעָלֶיהָ,against herכְּאָדָםlike a manהָעוֹמֵדwho standsעַלagainstחֲבֵרוֹhis fellowלְהָרְגוֹ.to kill himוְרַבּוֹתֵינוּAnd our Rabbisדָּרְשׁוּinterpretedבוֹin itהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisבָאcomesלְלַמֵּדto teachוְנִמְצָאand is foundלָמֵדlearningוְכוּ'etc.סנהדריןSanhedrinע"ג73a:

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

כִּיForבַשָּׂדֶהin the fieldמְצָאָהּhe found herצָעֲקָהcried outהנערthe young womanהַנַּעֲרָהthe young womanהַמְאֹרָשָׂהwho was betrothedוְאֵיןand there was noneמוֹשִׁיעַto saveלָהּ׃her

פָּסוּק כא

Pasuk 21

כִּיIfיִמְצָאwill findאִישׁa manנערa young womanנַעֲרָהa young womanבְתוּלָהa virginאֲשֶׁרwhoלֹאis notאֹרָשָׂהbetrothedוּתְפָשָׂהּand he seizes herוְשָׁכַבand liesעִמָּהּwith herוְנִמְצָאוּ׃and they are found

פָּסוּק כב

Pasuk 22

וְנָתַןand he shall giveהָאִישׁthe manהַשֹּׁכֵבwho layעִמָּהּwith herלַאֲבִיto the father ofהנערthe young womanהַנַּעֲרָהthe young womanחֲמִשִּׁיםfiftyכָּסֶףsilverוְלוֹand to himתִהְיֶהshe shall beלְאִשָּׁהfor a wifeתַּחַתbecauseאֲשֶׁרthatעִנָּהּhe afflicted herלֹאnotיוּכַלhe will be ableשַׁלְּחָהto send her awayכָּלallיָמָיו׃his days

פָּסוּק כג

Pasuk 23

לֹאNotיִקַּחshall takeאִישׁa manאֶת—אֵשֶׁתthe wife ofאָבִיוhis fatherוְלֹאand notיְגַלֶּהshall he uncoverכְּנַףthe skirt ofאָבִיו׃his father

רַשִׁ״י

לאnotיקח.he shall takeאֵיןthere is notלוֹto himבָּהּin herלִקּוּחִיןtakingוְאֵיןand notקִדּוּשִׁיןbetrothalתּוֹפְסִיןtakes holdבָּהּin herעי'seeקידושיןKiddushinס"ז67b:

רַשִׁ״י

ולאand notיגלהshall he uncoverכנףthe skirt ofאביו.his fatherשׁוֹמֶרֶתa woman waitingיָבָםfor her brother-in-lawשֶׁלofאָבִיוhis fatherהָרְאוּיָהwho is fitלְאָבִיו,for his fatherוַהֲרֵיand beholdכְּבָרalreadyהֻזְהַרhe was warnedעָלֶיהָconcerning herמִשּׁוּםbecause ofעֶרְוַתthe nakedness ofאֲחִיthe brother ofאָבִיךָyour fatherויקראVayikraי"ח18אֶלָּאratherלַעֲבֹרto transgressעַלonזוֹthisבִּשְׁנֵיwith twoלָאוִין,negative commandmentsוְלִסְמֹךְand to juxtaposeלָהּto itלֹאnotיָבֹאshall enterמַמְזֵר,a mamzerלְלַמֵּדto teachשֶׁאֵיןthat there is noמַמְזֵרmamzerאֶלָּאexceptמֵחַיָּבֵיfrom those liable toכָּרֵתוֹת,excisionsוְקַלand an easyוָחֹמֶרand strict logicמֵחַיָּבֵיfrom those liable toמִיתוֹתdeaths ofבֵּיתhouse ofדִּין,judgmentשֶׁאֵיןfor there is noבָּעֲרָיוֹתamong forbidden relationsמִיתַתdeath ofבֵּיתhouse ofדִּיןjudgmentשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notבָּהּin itכָּרֵתexcisionיבמותYevamosמ"ט49:

פָּסוּק כד

Pasuk 24

לֹאNotיָבֹאshall enterפְצוּעַone with crushedדַּכָּאtesticlesוּכְרוּתor one with a severedשָׁפְכָהmale memberבִּקְהַלinto the congregation ofיְהוָה׃Hashem

רַשִׁ״י

פצועBruisedדכה.crushedשֶׁנִּפְצְעוּwhose were bruisedאוֹorשֶׁנִּדְכְּאוּwhose were crushedבֵיצִיםtesticlesשֶׁלּוֹ:of his

רַשִׁ״י

וכרותAnd one with a cutשפכה.pouring organשֶׁנִּכְרַתwhoseהַגִּידmembrum was cutוְשׁוּבand againאֵינוֹit does notיוֹרֶהshootקִלּוּחַa stream ofזֶרַעsemenאֶלָּאbut ratherשׁוֹפֵךְpoursוְשׁוֹתֵתand dripsוְאֵינוֹand he does notמוֹלִידbegetספרי;SifreiיבמותYevamosע'page:

פָּסוּק כה

Pasuk 25

לֹאNotיָבֹאshall enterמַמְזֵרa mamzerבִּקְהַלinto the congregation ofיְהוָהHashemגַּםevenדּוֹרgenerationעֲשִׂירִיthe tenthלֹאnotיָבֹאshall enterלוֹfor himבִּקְהַלinto the congregation ofיְהוָה׃Hashem

רַשִׁ״י

לאNotיבאshall enterממזרa mamzerבקהלinto the assembly ofה'.Hashemלֹאhe shall notיִשָּׂאmarryיִשְׂרְאֵלִית:an Israelite woman

פָּסוּק כו

Pasuk 26

לֹאNotיָבֹאshall enterעַמּוֹנִיan Ammoniteוּמוֹאָבִיor a Moabiteבִּקְהַלinto the congregation ofיְהוָהHashemגַּםevenדּוֹרgenerationעֲשִׂירִיthe tenthלֹאnotיָבֹאshall enterלָהֶםfor themבִּקְהַלinto the congregation ofיְהוָהHashemעַדuntilעוֹלָם׃forever

רַשִׁ״י

לאnotיבאshall enterעמוני.an Amoniteלֹאhe shall notיִשָּׂאmarryיִשְׂרְאֵלִית:an Israelite woman

פָּסוּק כז

Pasuk 27

עַלBecauseדְּבַרof the matterאֲשֶׁרthatלֹאnotקִדְּמוּthey greetedאֶתְכֶםyouבַּלֶּחֶםwith breadוּבַמַּיִםand with waterבַּדֶּרֶךְon the wayבְּצֵאתְכֶםwhen you went outמִמִּצְרָיִםfrom Mitzrayimוַאֲשֶׁרand becauseשָׂכַרhe hiredעָלֶיךָagainst youאֶת—בִּלְעָםBilamבֶּןson ofבְּעוֹרBeorמִפְּתוֹרfrom Pethorאֲרַםof AramנַהֲרַיִםNaharaimלְקַלְלֶךָּ׃to curse you

רַשִׁ״י

עלOn the matter ofדבר.the wordעַלbecause ofהָעֵצָהthe adviceשֶׁיָּעֲצוּthat they advisedאֶתְכֶםyouלְהַחֲטִיאֲכֶם:to cause you to sin

רַשִׁ״י

בדרך.In the wayכְּשֶׁהֱיִיתֶםwhen you wereבְּטֵרוּףin exhaustionספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק כח

Pasuk 28

וְלֹאand notאָבָהwantedיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godלִשְׁמֹעַto listenאֶלtoבִּלְעָםBilaamוַיַּהֲפֹךְand He turnedיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godלְּךָfor youאֶת—הַקְּלָלָהthe curseלִבְרָכָהinto a blessingכִּיbecauseאֲהֵבְךָloved youיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָ׃your God

פָּסוּק כט

Pasuk 29

לֹאYou shall notתִדְרֹשׁseekשְׁלֹמָםtheir peaceוְטֹבָתָםand their welfareכָּלallיָמֶיךָyour daysלְעוֹלָם׃forever

רַשִׁ״י

לאYou shall notתדרשseekשלמם.their peaceמִכְּלָלFrom the implicationשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרof that which is saidעִמְּךָwith youיֵשֵׁבhe shall dwellבְּקִרְבְּךָin your midstיָכוֹלone might thinkאַףevenזֶהthis oneכֵּן,soתַּ"לֹthe Torah teachesלאYou shall notתדרשseekשלמםtheir peaceעי'seeספריSifrei:

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah begins with the positive commandment to build a protective guardrail on a roof to prevent bloodguilt, followed by the prohibitions against sowing mixed seeds in a vineyard, plowing with different species together, and wearing wool and linen, alongside the mitzvah of putting tzitzis on four-cornered garments. It then details the judicial process and penalties for a husband who falsely accuses his wife of premarital unfaithfulness, contrasting it with the capital punishment applied if the charge is true. The Torah outlines the severe penalties for adultery and the rape or seduction of a betrothed maiden, distinguishing between city and field scenarios based on the presumption of consent or duress, and establishes the penalties for raping an unbetrothed virgin. Finally, the aliyah prohibits marrying a father's wife, debars those with damaged reproductive organs or mamzerus from marrying into the congregation, and permanently bans Ammonite and Moabite converts from marrying into the Jewish nation due to their cruel behavior toward Klal Yisrael after the Exodus.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

The Torah tells us that Ammon and Moab are banned from entering the congregation of Hashem forever, and the reason is because they did not meet us with bread and water when we left Egypt. Lichoira, we have to ask a kasha: why is this simple lack of hospitality treated with such extreme severity, even more than other nations who fought us with swords? The sevara is that when a person sees another in need, especially after the long, exhausting journey of leaving Egypt, and chooses to close their hand and do nothing, it strikes at the very foundation of what it means to be a Yid.

We see from here a tremendous chiddush in our avodah. Hashem created the world on chesed, and He expects us to be nosei b'ol, to carry the burden and feel the needs of our fellow Yidden. When you see someone who is struggling, whether they need physical help, a warm word, or just a friendly face, you cannot look the other way. To ignore a brother in a time of transition or difficulty is not just a minor oversight; it is a fundamental failure in our identity as the children of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov.

Today, look out for someone in your shul, your workplace, or your home who is going through a transition or a hard time, and go out of your way to offer them a warm word, a drink, or a helping hand before they even have to ask.