Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, Hashem gives us a beautiful and wide-ranging series of mitzvos that touch upon how we treat our fellow Yid, especially the vulnerable, as well as the integrity of our business dealings and the foundational laws of yibum. We begin with the strict prohibition against withholding a worker's wages, reminding us to be sensitive to the poor and needy who rely on their daily pay. The Torah then transitions to laws of justice, warning against perverting the judgment of converts and orphans, and details the agricultural gifts of shich'chah (forgotten sheaves) and the leftovers of olives and grapes that must be left for the poor. We also learn the halachos of malkus (lashes) for those who violate certain prohibitions, and the famous issur of muzzling an ox while it is threshing.

Moving further, the Torah introduces the sensitive and holy process of yibum (levirate marriage) and chalitzah, which preserves the name of a brother who passed away without children. This is followed by the severe warning against using dishonest weights and measures in our business dealings, a sin that Hashem calls an abomination. Finally, the aliyah concludes with the crucial, eternal mitzvah to remember what the wicked nation of Amalek did to us on our way out of Mitzrayim, and the command to blot out their memory once Hashem grants us rest from our enemies.

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

לֹאYou shall notתַעֲשֹׁקoppressשָׂכִירa hired workerעָנִיpoorוְאֶבְיוֹןand destituteמֵאַחֶיךָfrom your brothersאוֹorמִגֵּרְךָfrom your strangerאֲשֶׁרwho isבְּאַרְצְךָin your landבִּשְׁעָרֶיךָ׃within your gates

רַשִׁ״י

לאDo notתעשקoppressשכיר.a hired servantוַהֲלֹאbut is it notכְבָרalreadyכָּתוּב?writtenאֶלָּאratherלַעֲבֹרto transgressעַלregardingהָאֶבְיוֹןthe needy oneבִּשְׁנֵיwith twoלָאוין,prohibitions"לֹאdo notתַעֲשֹׁקwithholdשְׂכַרthe wages ofשָׂכִיר"a hired servantשֶׁהוּאwho isעָנִיpoorוְאֶבְיוֹן,and needyוְעַלand regardingהֶעָשִׁירthe wealthy oneכְּבָרalreadyהֻזְהַרhe was warnedויקראVayikraי"ט19"לֹאdo notתַעֲשֹׁקoppressאֶת—רֵעֲךָ"your fellowב"מBava Metziaס"א61a:

רַשִׁ״י

אביון.An indigentהַתָּאֵבwho longsלְכָלfor everyדָּבָר:thing

רַשִׁ״י

מגרך.from your strangerזֶהthisגֵּרa convertצֶדֶק:of righteousness

רַשִׁ״י

בשעריך.within your gatesזֶהthisגֵּרa convertתּוֹשָׁבresidentהָאוֹכֵלwho eatsנְבֵלוֹת:carrion

רַשִׁ״י

אשרthatבארצך.are in your landלְרַבּוֹתto includeשְׂכַרthe hire ofבְּהֵמָהan animalוְכֵלִיםand utensilsבבאBavaמציעאMetziaקי"א111b:

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

בְּיוֹמוֹOn his dayתִתֵּןyou shall giveשְׂכָרוֹhis wageוְלֹאand notתָבוֹאshall go downעָלָיוupon itהַשֶּׁמֶשׁthe sunכִּיforעָנִיpoorהוּאhe isוְאֵלָיוand to itהוּאheנֹשֵׂאliftsאֶת—נַפְשׁוֹhis soulוְלֹאlestיִקְרָאhe will callעָלֶיךָagainst youאֶלtoיְהוָהHashemוְהָיָהand there will beבְךָin youחֵטְא׃sin

רַשִׁ״י

ואליוand to itהואheנשאliftsאת—נפשו.his soulאֶלtoהַשָּׂכָרthe wageהַזֶּהthisהוּאheנוֹשֵׂאliftsאֶת—נַפְשׁוֹhis lifeלָמוּת,to dieעָלָהhe climbedבַכֶּבֶשׁon the rampוְנִתְלָהand hungבְאִילָןon a treeספרי;Sifreiב"מBava Metziaקי"ב112:

רַשִׁ״י

והיהand it will beבךin youחטא.a sinמִכָּלfrom anyמָקוֹם,placeאֶלָּאbutשֶׁמְּמַהֲרִיןthat they hastenלִפָּרֵעַto punishעַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofהַקּוֹרֵאthe one who criesספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

לֹאNotיוּמְתוּshall be put to deathאָבוֹתfathersעַלforבָּנִיםchildrenוּבָנִיםand childrenלֹאnotיוּמְתוּshall be put to deathעַלforאָבוֹתfathersאִישeach manבְּחֶטְאוֹfor his own sinיוּמָתוּ׃they shall be put to death

רַשִׁ״י

לאNotיומתוshall be put to deathאבותfathersעלbyבנים.childrenבְּעֵדוּתby the testimony ofבָּנִים,childrenוְאִםand ifתֹּאמַרyou will sayבַּעֲוֹןfor the sin ofבָּנִים,childrenכְּבָרalreadyנֶאֱמַרit is saidאישevery manבחטאוfor his own sinיומתוshall be put to deathספרי;SifreiסנהדריןSanhedrinכ"ז27:

רַשִׁ״י

אישA manבחטאוfor his sinיומתו.shall be put to deathאֲבָלbutמִיoneשֶׁאֵינוֹwho is notאִישׁa manמֵתdiesבַּעֲוֹןfor the sin ofאָבִיו,his fatherוְהַקְּטַנִּיםand the minorsמֵתִיםdieבַּעֲוֹןfor the sin ofאֲבוֹתָםtheir fathersבִּידֵיby the hands ofשָׁמַיִםHeavenספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

לֹאYou shall notתַטֶּהsubvertמִשְׁפַּטthe judgment ofגֵּרa strangerיָתוֹםor an orphanוְלֹאand you shall notתַחֲבֹלtake in pawnבֶּגֶדthe garment ofאַלְמָנָה׃a widow

רַשִׁ״י

לאYou shall notתטהpervertמשפטthe judgment ofגרa strangerיתום.or an orphanוְעַלand regardingהֶעָשִׁירthe rich manכְּבָרalreadyהֻזְהַרhe was warnedדבריםDevarimט"ז16"לֹא"You shall notתַטֶּהpervertמִשְׁפָּט",judgment"וְשָׁנָהand it repeatedבֶעָנִיregarding the poorלַעֲבֹרto transgressעָלָיוover itבִּשְׁנֵיwith twoלָאוין,negative commandmentsלְפִיbecauseשֶׁנָּקֵלthat it is easyלְהַטּוֹתto pervertמִשְׁפַּטthe judgment ofעָנִיa poor manיוֹתֵרmoreמִשֶּׁלthan that ofעָשִׁיר,a rich manלְכָךְthereforeהִזְהִירHe warnedוְשָׁנָהand repeatedעָלָיוconcerning himספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

ולאand notתחבל.take to pledgeשֶׁלֹּאnotבִשְׁעַתat the time ofהַלְוָאָה:the loan

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

וְזָכַרְתָּAnd you shall rememberכִּיthatעֶבֶדa slaveהָיִיתָyou wereבְּמִצְרַיִםin Mitzrayimוַיִּפְדְּךָand He redeemed youיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godמִשָּׁםfrom thereעַלthereforeכֵּן·אָנֹכִיIמְצַוְּךָcommand youלַעֲשׂוֹתto doאֶת—הַדָּבָרthe matterהַזֶּה׃this

רַשִׁ״י

וזכרת.And you shall rememberעַלonמְנָתcondition ofכֵּןthisפְּדִיתִיךָ,I redeemed youלִשְׁמֹרto keepחֻקּוֹתַיMy statutesאֲפִלּוּeven ifיֵשׁthere isחֶסְרוֹןloss ofכִּיסpocketבַּדָּבָר:in the matter

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

כִּיWhenתִקְצֹרyou reapקְצִירְךָyour harvestבְשָׂדֶךָin your fieldוְשָׁכַחְתָּand you forgetעֹמֶרa sheafבַּשָּׂדֶהin the fieldלֹאdo notתָשׁוּבturn backלְקַחְתּוֹto take itלַגֵּרfor the strangerלַיָּתוֹםfor the orphanוְלָאַלְמָנָהand for the widowיִהְיֶהit shall beלְמַעַןso thatיְבָרֶכְךָHe will bless youיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godבְּכֹלin allמַעֲשֵׂהthe work ofיָדֶיךָ׃your hands

רַשִׁ״י

ושכחתand you forgotעמר.a sheafוְלֹאand notגָדִישׁ,a stackמִכָּאןfrom hereאָמְרוּ,they saidעֹמֶרa sheafשֶׁיֵּשׁthat hasבּוֹin itסָאתַיִםtwo Seahsוּשְׁכָחוֹand he forgot itאֵינוֹis notשִׁכְחָהshichchaפאהPeahו'chapter 6מ"בMishnah 6:

רַשִׁ״י

בשדה.in the fieldלְרַבּוֹתto includeשִׁכְחַתforgetfulness ofקָמָהstanding cornשֶׁשָּׁכַחthat he forgotמִקְצָתָהּa part of itמִלִּקְצֹר:from harvesting

רַשִׁ״י

לאyou shall notתשובgo backלקחתו.to take itמִכָּאןfrom hereאָמְרוּ,they saidשֶׁלְּאַחֲרָיוthat which is behind himשִׁכְחָה,is forgotten sheafשֶׁלְּפָנָיוthat which is before himאֵינוֹis notשִׁכְחָה,forgotten sheafשֶׁאֵינוֹsince it is notבְּבַלunder the prohibition ofתָּשׁוּבyou shall not go backפאהPeahמ"ד;chapter 6 mishnah 4בבאBavaמציעאMetziaי"אpage 11a:

רַשִׁ״י

למעןso thatיברכך.He will bless youוְאַעַ"פִּand even thoughשֶׁבָּאתthat it cameלְיָדוֹinto his handשֶׁלֹּאwithoutבְמִתְכַּוֵּן,intentionקַ"וָall the more soלָעוֹשֶׂהfor one who doesבְמִתְכַּוֵּן.with intentionאֱמֹרsayמֵעַתָּהfrom nowנָפְלָהthere fellסֶלַעa Selaמִיָּדוֹfrom his handוּמְצָאָהּand found itעָנִיa poor manוְנִתְפַּרְנֵסand supported himselfבָּהּwith it—הֲרֵיbeholdהוּאheמִתְבָּרֵךְis blessedעָלֶיהָon account of itספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

כִּיWhenתַחְבֹּטyou beatזֵיתְךָyour olive treeלֹאdo notתְפָאֵרremove the beautyאַחֲרֶיךָafter youלַגֵּרfor the strangerלַיָּתוֹםfor the orphanוְלָאַלְמָנָהand for the widowיִהְיֶה׃it shall be

רַשִׁ״י

לאnotתפאר.you shall glorifyלֹאdo notתִטֹּלtakeתִּפְאַרְתּוֹits gloryמִמֶּנּוּfrom itחוליןChullinקל"א131b,מִכָּאןfrom hereשֶׁמַּנִּיחִיןthat we leaveפֵּאָהpeahלָאִילָן:for the tree

רַשִׁ״י

אחריך.behind youזוֹthis isשִׁכְחָה:forgotten sheaves

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

כִּיWhenתִבְצֹרyou harvestכַּרְמְךָyour vineyardלֹאdo notתְעוֹלֵלgleanאַחֲרֶיךָafter youלַגֵּרfor the strangerלַיָּתוֹםfor the orphanוְלָאַלְמָנָהand for the widowיִהְיֶה׃it shall be

רַשִׁ״י

לאnotתעולל.shall you gleanאִםifמָצָאתָyou foundבוֹin itעוֹלֵלוֹת,tender clustersלֹאdo notתִקָּחֶנָּה.take themוְאֵיand whichזוֹthisהִיאisעוֹלֵלוֹת?tender clustersכָּלanyשֶׁאֵיןthat has notלָהּto itלֹאneitherכָּתֵףa shoulderוְלֹאnorנָטֵף.a drippingיֵשׁif there isלָהּto itאֶחָדoneמֵהֶםof them—הֲרֵיbeholdהִיאitלְבַעַלbelongs to the ownerהַבַּיִתof the houseספראSifra;וְרָאִיתִיand I sawבְתַלְמוּדin the TalmudיְרוּשַׁלְמִיYerushalmiאֵיwhichזוֹthisהִיאisכָּתֵף?a shoulderפְּסִיגִיןbranches lyingזֶהthisעַלuponגַּבthe back ofזֶה,thisנָטֵףa dripping—אֵלּוּthese areהַתְּלוּיוֹתthose hangingבַּשִּׁדְרָהfrom the main stemוְיוֹרְדוֹת:and descending

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

וְזָכַרְתָּAnd you shall rememberכִּיthatעֶבֶדa slaveהָיִיתָyou wereבְּאֶרֶץin the land ofמִצְרָיִםMitzrayimעַלthereforeכֵּן·אָנֹכִיIמְצַוְּךָcommand youלַעֲשׂוֹתto doאֶת—הַדָּבָרthe matterהַזֶּה׃this

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

כִּיWhenיִהְיֶהthere will beרִיבa disputeבֵּיןbetweenאֲנָשִׁיםmenוְנִגְּשׁוּand they approachאֶלtoהַמִּשְׁפָּטthe judgmentוּשְׁפָטוּםand they judge themוְהִצְדִּיקוּand they justifyאֶת—הַצַּדִּיקthe righteous oneוְהִרְשִׁיעוּand they condemnאֶת—הָרָשָׁע׃the wicked one

רַשִׁ״י

כיIfיהיהthere will beריב.a quarrelסוֹפָםtheir endלִהְיוֹתis to beנִגָּשִׁיםapproachingאֶלtoהַמִּשְׁפָּט.the judgmentאֱמֹרsayמֵעַתָּהfrom nowאֵיןthere is noשָׁלוֹםpeaceיוֹצֵאcoming outמִתּוֹךְfrom the midst ofמְרִיבָה,a quarrelמִיwhoגָּרַםcausedלְלוֹטfor Lotלִפְרֹשׁto separateמִןfromהַצַּדִּיק?the righteous manהֱוֵיbeאוֹמֵרsayingזוֹthis isמְרִיבָה:the quarrel

רַשִׁ״י

והרשיעוand they shall condemnאת—הרשע.the wickedיָכוֹלone might thinkכָּלallהַמִּתְחַיְּבִיןwho are found guiltyבַּדִּיןin judgmentלוֹקִין,receive lashesתַּלְמוּדthe teachingלוֹמַרsays—והיהand it shall beאםifבןworthy ofהכותbeatingהרשע.the wickedפְּעָמִיםsometimesלוֹקֶהhe receives lashesוּפְעָמִיםand sometimesאֵינוֹhe does notלוֹקֶה.receive lashesוּמִיand whoהוּאis heהַלּוֹקֶה?who receives lashesלְמֹדlearnמִןfromהָעִנְיָן,the context"לֹאdo notתַחְסֹםmuzzleשׁוֹרan oxבְּדִישׁוֹ"in its threshing—לָאוa prohibitionשֶׁלֹּאthat is notנִתַּקattachedלַעֲשֵׂהto a positive commandעי'seeספרי;SifreiמכותMakkotי"ג13:

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

וְהָיָהand it shall beאִםifבִּןdeserving ofהַכּוֹתflogging isהָרָשָׁעthe wicked oneוְהִפִּילוֹand shall cast him downהַשֹּׁפֵטthe judgeוְהִכָּהוּand strike himלְפָנָיוbefore himכְּדֵיaccording toרִשְׁעָתוֹhis wickednessבְּמִסְפָּר׃by number

רַשִׁ״י

והפילוAnd he shall cast him downהשפט.the judgeמְלַמֵּדthis teachesשֶׁאֵיןthat we do notמַלְקִיןlashאוֹתוֹhimלֹאnotעוֹמֵדstandingוְלֹאand notיוֹשֵׁבsittingאֶלָּאbut ratherמֻטֶּהbent overמכותMakkotכ"ב22b:

רַשִׁ״י

לפניוin front of himכדיcorresponding toרשעתו.his wickednessוּלְאַחֲרָיוand behind himכְּדֵיcorresponding toשְׁתַּיִם,twoמִכָּאןfrom hereאָמְרוּthey saidמַלְקִיןthey lashאוֹתוֹhimשְׁתֵּיtwoיָדוֹתpartsמִלְּאַחֲרָיוfrom behind himוּשְׁלִישׁand one-thirdמִלְּפָנָיוfrom in front of himספרי;SifreiמכותMakkotכ"ב22:

רַשִׁ״י

במספר.by a numberוְאֵינוֹand it is notנָקוּדvoweledבַּמִּסְפָּר,by the numberלִמֵּדthis teachesשֶׁהִיאthat it isדְבוּקָה,connectedלוֹמַרto sayבְּמִסְפַּרby the number ofאַרְבָּעִיםfortyוְלֹאand notאַרְבָּעִיםfortyשְׁלֵמִים,completeאֶלָּאbut ratherמִנְיָןa countשֶׁהוּאthat itסוֹכֵםsums upוּמַשְׁלִיםand completesלְאַרְבָּעִיםto fortyוְהֵםand they areאַרְבָּעִיםfortyחָסֵרminusאַחַתoneשםthere:

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

אַרְבָּעִיםFortyיַכֶּנּוּhe shall strike himלֹאnotיֹסִיףhe shall exceedפֶּןlestיֹסִיףhe will exceedלְהַכֹּתוֹto strike himעַלuponאֵלֶּהtheseמַכָּהa blowרַבָּהmanyוְנִקְלָהand be degradedאָחִיךָyour brotherלְעֵינֶיךָ׃before your eyes

רַשִׁ״י

לאHe shall notיסיף.exceedמִכָּאןfrom hereאַזְהָרָהis a prohibitionלַמַּכֶּהfor one who strikesאֶת—חֲבֵרוֹhis fellowעי'seeכתובותKesubosל"ג33:

רַשִׁ״י

ונקלהAnd should seem vileאחיך.thy brotherכָּלallהַיּוֹםthe dayקוֹרְאוֹit calls himרָשָׁע,wickedוּמִשֶּׁלָּקָהbut once lashedקְרָאוֹit calls himאָחִיךָ:thy brother

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

לֹאYou shall notתַחְסֹםmuzzleשׁוֹרan oxבְּדִישׁוֹ׃during its threshing

רַשִׁ״י

לאYou shall notתחסםmuzzleשור.an oxדִּבֵּרspokeהַכָּתוּבthe Scriptureבַּהֹוֶה,of what usually occursוְהוּאand itהַדִּיןis the lawלְכָלfor allבְּהֵמָהdomesticated animalsחַיָּהwild beastsוְעוֹףand fowlהָעוֹשִׂיםthat doבִּמְלָאכָהworkשֶׁהִיאthat isבִּדְבַרwith a matter ofמַאֲכָל;foodאִםifכֵּןsoלָמָּהwhyנֶאֱמַרis it saidשׁוֹר?oxלְהוֹצִיאto excludeאֶת—הָאָדָםmanספרי;SifreiבבאBavaמציעאMetziaפ"חchapter eight:

רַשִׁ״י

בדישו.when he threshesיָכוֹלone might thinkיַחְסְמֶנּוּhe may muzzle itמִבַּחוּץ?from the outsideתַּלְמוּדthe teachingלוֹמַרsays"לֹאnotתַחְסֹםshall you muzzleשׁוֹר"an ox—מִכָּלfrom anyמָקוֹם;placeוְלָמָּהand whyנֶאֱמַרis it saidדַּיִשׁ?threshingלוֹמַרto sayלְךָto youמַהjust asדַּיִשׁthreshingמְיֻחָדis characterizedדָּבָרa thingשֶׁלֹּאthat notנִגְמְרָהis completedמְלַאכְתּוֹits workוְגִדּוּלוֹand its growthמִןis fromהָאָרֶץ,the earthאַףsoכָּלeveryכַּיּוֹצֵאsimilarבוֹ,to itיָצָאexcluded isהַחוֹלֵבone who milksוְהַמְגַבֵּןand one who cheesesוְהַמְחַבֵּץand one who churnsשֶׁאֵיןwhose notגִּדּוּלוֹgrowthמִןis fromהָאָרֶץ,the earthיָצָאexcluded isהַלָּשׁone who kneadsוְהַמְקַטֵּףand one who shapesשֶׁנִּגְמְרָהsince is completedמְלַאכְתּוֹits workלְחַלָּה,for Challahיָצָאexcluded isהַבּוֹדֵלone who separatesבִּתְמָרִיםwith datesוּבִגְרוֹגְרוֹתand with dried figsשֶׁנִּגְמְרָהsince is completedמְלַאכְתָּןtheir workלַמַּעֲשֵׂרfor tithingספרי;Sifreiב"מBava Metziaפ"טchapter nine:

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

כִּיWhenיֵשְׁבוּdwellאַחִיםbrothersיַחְדָּוtogetherוּמֵתand diesאַחַדoneמֵהֶםof themוּבֵןand a sonאֵיןthere is notלוֹto himלֹאnotתִהְיֶהshall beאֵשֶׁתthe wife ofהַמֵּתthe deceasedהַחוּצָהoutsideלְאִישׁto a manזָרstrangeיְבָמָהּher brother-in-lawיָבֹאshall comeעָלֶיהָupon herוּלְקָחָהּand take herלוֹto himselfלְאִשָּׁהfor a wifeוְיִבְּמָהּ׃and perform levirate marriage

רַשִׁ״י

כיWhenישבוdwellאחיםbrothersיחדו.togetherשֶׁהָיְתָהthat there wasלָהֶםto themיְשִׁיבָהa dwellingאַחַתoneבָּעוֹלָם,in the worldפְּרָטexcludingלְאֵשֶׁתthe wife ofאָחִיוhis brotherשֶׁלֹּאwho notהָיָהwasבְעוֹלָמוֹin his worldספרי;SifreiיבמותYevamosי"ז17:

רַשִׁ״י

יחדו.Togetherהַמְיֻחָדִיםthose who are associatedבַּנַּחֲלָה,in the inheritanceפְּרָטexcludingלְאָחִיוhis brotherמִןfromהָאֵםthe motherשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

ובןAnd a sonאיןthere is notלו.to himעַיֵּןinvestigateעָלָיו,concerning himבֵּןa sonאוֹorבַתa daughterאוֹorבֵןa son ofהַבֵּןthe sonאוֹorבַתa daughter ofהַבֵּןthe sonאוֹorבֵןa son ofהַבַּתthe daughterאוֹorבַתa daughter ofהַבַּתthe daughterעי'seeיבמותYevamosכ"ב22b:

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וְהָיָהand it shall beהַבְּכוֹרthe firstbornאֲשֶׁרwhomתֵּלֵדshe bearsיָקוּםshall succeedעַלuponשֵׁםthe name ofאָחִיוhis brotherהַמֵּתthe deadוְלֹאso that notיִמָּחֶהshall be blotted outשְׁמוֹhis nameמִיִּשְׂרָאֵל׃from Yisrael

רַשִׁ״י

והיהAnd it shall beהבכור.the firstbornגְּדוֹלthe eldest ofהָאַחִיםthe brothersהוּאheמְיַבֵּםperforms levirate marriageאוֹתָהּwith herספרי;SifreiיבמותYevamosכ"ד24:

רַשִׁ״י

אשרwhomתלד.she will bearפְּרָטexcludingלְאַיְלוֹנִיתa sterile womanשֶׁאֵינָהּwho is notיוֹלֶדֶת:capable of bearing

רַשִׁ״י

יקוםhe shall succeedעלinשםthe name ofאחיו.his brotherזֶהthisשֶׁיִּבֵּםwho performs yibbumאֶת—אִשְׁתּוֹhis wifeיִטֹּלshall takeנַחֲלַתthe inheritance ofהַמֵּתthe deceasedבְּנִכְסֵיin the property ofאָבִיו:his father

רַשִׁ״י

ולאand notימחהshall be wiped outשמו.his nameפְּרָטexcludingלְאֵשֶׁתthe wife ofסָרִיסa castrateשֶׁשְּׁמוֹwhose nameמָחוּיis wiped outיבמותYevamosכ"ד24:

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וְאִםAnd ifלֹאnotיַחְפֹּץdesiresהָאִישׁthe manלָקַחַתto takeאֶת—יְבִמְתּוֹhis sister-in-lawוְעָלְתָהthen shall go upיְבִמְתּוֹhis sister-in-lawהַשַּׁעְרָהto the gateאֶלtoהַזְּקֵנִיםthe eldersוְאָמְרָהand she shall sayמֵאֵיןrefusesיְבָמִיmy brother-in-lawלְהָקִיםto establishלְאָחִיוfor his brotherשֵׁםa nameבְּיִשְׂרָאֵלin Yisraelלֹאnotאָבָהhe wishedיַבְּמִי׃to marry me

רַשִׁ״י

השערה.to the gateכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹas its translation—לִתְרַעto the gate ofבֵּיתthe house ofדִּינָא:judgment

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

וְקָרְאוּAnd they shall callלוֹto himזִקְנֵיthe elders ofעִירוֹhis cityוְדִבְּרוּand they shall speakאֵלָיוto himוְעָמַדand he shall standוְאָמַרand sayלֹאI do notחָפַצְתִּיdesireלְקַחְתָּהּ׃to take her

רַשִׁ״י

ועמד.And he shall standבַּעֲמִידָהin standingספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

ואמר.And he shall sayבִּלְשׁוֹןin the language ofהַקֹּדֶשׁ,the holinessוְאַףand evenהִיאsheדְּבָרֶיהָher statementsבִּלְשׁוֹןin the language ofהַקֹּדֶשׁthe holinessיבמותYevamosק"ו;106bספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

וְנִגְּשָׁהand she shall approachיְבִמְתּוֹhis sister-in-lawאֵלָיוto himלְעֵינֵיbefore the eyes ofהַזְּקֵנִיםthe eldersוְחָלְצָהand she shall removeנַעֲלוֹhis shoeמֵעַלfrom uponרַגְלוֹhis footוְיָרְקָהand she shall spitבְּפָנָיוin his presenceוְעָנְתָהand she shall call outוְאָמְרָהand she shall sayכָּכָהthusיֵעָשֶׂהshall be doneלָאִישׁto the manאֲשֶׁרwhoלֹאnotיִבְנֶהwill buildאֶת—בֵּיתthe house ofאָחִיוhis brother

רַשִׁ״י

וירקהAnd she shall spitבפניו.before his faceעַלuponגַּבֵּיthe top ofקַרְקַעthe groundשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

אשרthatלאwill notיבנה.buildמִכָּאןfrom hereלְמִיfor oneשֶׁחָלַץwho performed chalitzahשֶׁלֹּאthat notיַחֲזֹרhe shall returnוִייַבֵּם,and perform yibumדְּלָאfor notכְתִיבis it written"אֲשֶׁר"whoלֹאdid notבָנָה",build"אֶלָּאbut rather"אֲשֶׁר"thatלֹאhe shall notיִבְנֶה",build"כֵּיוָןsinceשֶׁלֹּאhe did notבָנָהbuild—שׁוּבagainלֹאhe shall notיִבְנֶהbuildיבמותYevamosי';10עי'seeספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

וְנִקְרָאand shall be calledשְׁמוֹhis nameבְּיִשְׂרָאֵלin Yisraelבֵּיתthe house ofחֲלוּץthe removedהַנָּעַל׃shoe

רַשִׁ״י

ונקראAnd shall be calledשמוhis nameוגו'.etc.מִצְוָהit is a mitzvahעַלuponכָּלallהָעוֹמְדִיםthose standingשָׁםthereלוֹמַרto say"חֲלוּץ"the removedהַנַּעַל"shoe"ספרי;SifreiיבמותYevamosק"ו106:

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

כִּיWhenיִנָּצוּfightאֲנָשִׁיםmenיַחְדָּוtogetherאִישׁa manוְאָחִיוand his brotherוְקָרְבָהand approachesאֵשֶׁתthe wife ofהָאֶחָדthe oneלְהַצִּילto rescueאֶת—אִישָׁהּher husbandמִיַּדfrom the hand ofמַכֵּהוּhis smiterוְשָׁלְחָהand she puts outיָדָהּher handוְהֶחֱזִיקָהand seizes himבִּמְבֻשָׁיו׃by his genitals

רַשִׁ״י

כיWhenינצוstriveאנשים.menסוֹפוֹits endלָבֹאis to comeלִידֵיto the hands ofמַכּוֹת,blowsכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרit is saidמידfrom the hand ofמכהוhim who smiteth him,אֵיןthere is noשָׁלוֹםpeaceיוֹצֵאcoming outמִתּוֹךְfrom the midst ofיְדֵיthe hands ofמַצּוּתstrifeספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק כא

Pasuk 21

וְקַצֹּתָהand you shall cut offאֶת—כַּפָּהּher handלֹאnotתָחוֹסshall pityעֵינֶךָ׃your eye

רַשִׁ״י

וקצתהAnd you shall cut offאת—כפה.her handמָמוֹןmoneyדְּמֵיthe value ofבָשְׁתּוֹ,his shameהַכֹּלallלְפִיaccording toהַמְבַיֵּשׁthe one who shamesוְהַמִּתְבַּיֵּשׁ;and the one shamedאוֹorאֵינוֹis it notאֶלָּאbutיָדָהּher handמַמָּשׁ?literallyנֶאֱמַרit is saidכָּאןhere"לֹאdo notתָחוֹס",pityוְנֶאֱמַרand it is saidלְהַלָּןfurther onבְּעֵדִיםregarding witnessesזוֹמְמִיםconspiringדבריםDevarimי"ט19"לֹאdo notתָחוֹס",pityמַהjust asלְּהַלָןfurther onמָמוֹןit is moneyאַףsoכָּאןhereמָמוֹןit is moneyספרי;Sifreiעי'seeבבאBavaקמאKammaכ"ח28a:

פָּסוּק כב

Pasuk 22

לֹאNotיִהְיֶהthere shall beלְךָto youבְּכִיסְךָin your pouchאֶבֶןa weightוָאָבֶןand a weightגְּדוֹלָהa largeוּקְטַנָּה׃and a small

רַשִׁ״י

אבןA stoneואבן.and a stoneמִשְׁקָלוֹת:weights

רַשִׁ״י

גדולהA greatוקטנה.and a smallגְּדוֹלָהa greatשֶׁמַּכְחֶשֶׁתthat contradictsאֶת—הַקְּטַנָּה,the smallשֶׁלֹּאthat notיְהֵיhe should beנוֹטֵלtakingבַּגְּדוֹלָהwith the largeוּמַחֲזִירand returningבַּקְּטַנָּהwith the smallספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק כג

Pasuk 23

לֹאNotיִהְיֶהthere shall beלְךָto youבְּבֵיתְךָin your houseאֵיפָהan eifah measureוְאֵיפָהand an eifah measureגְּדוֹלָהa largeוּקְטַנָּה׃and a small

רַשִׁ״י

לאNotיהיהthere shall beלך.to youאִםifעָשִׂיתָyou didכֵּן,soלֹאnotיִהְיֶהthere will beלְךָto youכְּלוּםanythingעי'seeשםthere:

פָּסוּק כד

Pasuk 24

אֶבֶןA weightשְׁלֵמָהperfectוָצֶדֶקand honestיִהְיֶהshall beלָּךְto youאֵיפָהa measureשְׁלֵמָהperfectוָצֶדֶקand honestיִהְיֶהshall beלָּךְto youלְמַעַןso thatיַאֲרִיכוּthey will prolongיָמֶיךָyour daysעַלuponהָאֲדָמָהthe landאֲשֶׁרwhichיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godנֹתֵןgivesלָךְ׃to you

רַשִׁ״י

אבןA stoneשלמהperfectוצדקand justיהיהshall beלך.to youאִםifעָשִׂיתָyou didכֵּן,soיִהְיֶהthere will beלְךָto youהַרְבֵּה:much

פָּסוּק כה

Pasuk 25

כִּיForתוֹעֲבַתan abomination ofיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour God isכָּלeveryoneעֹשֵׂהwho doesאֵלֶּהthese thingsכֹּלeveryoneעֹשֵׂהwho actsעָוֶל׃corruptly

פָּסוּק כו

Pasuk 26

זָכוֹרRememberאֵת—אֲשֶׁרwhatעָשָׂהdidלְךָto youעֲמָלֵקAmalekבַּדֶּרֶךְon the wayבְּצֵאתְכֶםwhen you went outמִמִּצְרָיִם׃from Mitzrayim

רַשִׁ״י

זכורRememberאת—אשרwhatעשהdidלך.to youאִםIfשִׁקַּרְתָּyou liedבְמִדּוֹתin measuresוּבְמִשְׁקָלוֹתand in weightsהֱוֵיbeדוֹאֵגanxiousמִגֵּרוּיfrom provocation ofהָאוֹיֵב,the enemyשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidמשליMishleiי"א11"מֹאזְנֵיScales ofמִרְמָהdeceitתּוֹעֲבַתare an abomination ofה'",Hashemוּכְתִיבand it is writtenבַּתְרֵיהּafter it"בָּאComesזָדוֹןwillful sinוַיָּבֹאand there comesקָלוֹן"shameתנחומאTanchuma:

פָּסוּק כז

Pasuk 27

אֲשֶׁרwhoקָרְךָhappened upon youבַּדֶּרֶךְon the wayוַיְזַנֵּבand cut offבְּךָin youכָּלallהַנֶּחֱשָׁלִיםthe stragglersאַחַרֶיךָbehind youוְאַתָּהand youעָיֵףwere tiredוְיָגֵעַand wearyוְלֹאand he did notיָרֵאfearאֱלֹהִים׃God

רַשִׁ״י

אשרWhoקרךmet youבדרך.on the wayלְשׁוֹןan expression ofמִקְרֶה;happenstanceדָּבָרanotherאַחֵרexplanation—לְשׁוֹןan expression ofקֶרִיnocturnal pollutionוְטֻמְאָהand impurityשֶׁהָיָהfor he wasמְטַמְּאָןpolluting themבְּמִשְׁכַּבwith lying ofזְכוּר;a maleדָּ"אַanother explanation—לְשׁוֹןan expression ofקֹרcoldוְחֹם,and heatצִנֶּנְךָhe cooled youוְהִפְשִׁירְךָand made you lukewarmמֵרְתִיחָתְךָ,from your boiling heatשֶׁהָיוּfor they wereכָלallהָאֻמּוֹתthe nationsיְרֵאִיםafraidלְהִלָּחֵםto wage warבָּכֶםagainst youוּבָאand cameזֶהthis oneוְהִתְחִילand beganוְהֶרְאָהand showedמָקוֹםa placeלַאֲחֵרִים;to othersמָשָׁלa parableלְאַמְבָּטִיto a bathרוֹתַחַתboilingשֶׁאֵיןthat noכָּלanyבְּרִיָּהcreatureיְכוֹלָהwas ableלֵירֵדto go downבְּתוֹכָהּ,into itבָּאcameבֶןa son ofבְּלִיַּעַלworthlessnessאֶחָדoneקָפַץjumpedוְיָרַדand went downלְתוֹכָהּ,into itאַעַ"פִּeven thoughשֶׁנִּכְוָהthat he was burnedהֵקֵרָהּhe cooled itאוֹתָהּ—בִּפְנֵיbeforeאֲחֵרִיםothersתנחומאTanchuma:

רַשִׁ״י

ויזנבAnd he smote the tailבך.of youמַכַּתa blow ofזָנָב,the tailחוֹתֵךְcutting offמִילוֹתcircumcisionsוְזוֹרֵקand throwingכְּלַפֵּיtowardsמַעְלָהAboveתנחומאTanchuma:

רַשִׁ״י

כלall ofהנחשליםthose who laggedאחריך.behind youחַסְרֵיthose lackingכֹחַstrengthמֵחֲמַתbecause ofחֶטְאָם,their sinשֶׁהָיָהwhom wasהֶעָנָןthe cloudפּוֹלְטָןexpelling themתנחומאTanchuma:

רַשִׁ״י

ואתהAnd youעיףfaintויגע.and wearyעָיֵףfaintבַּצָּמָא,from thirstדִּכְתִיבas it is written"וַיִּצְמָאAnd thirstedשָׁםthereהָעָםthe peopleלַמַּיִם"for waterשמותShemosי"ז17וּכְתִיבand it is writtenאַחֲרָיוafter it"וַיָּבֹאAnd cameעֲמָלֵק":Amalek

רַשִׁ״י

ויגע.and wearyבַּדֶּרֶךְ:from the journey

רַשִׁ״י

ולאand notירא.fearedעֲמָלֵקAmalekאלהיםGodמִלְּהָרַעfrom harmingלְךָ:you

פָּסוּק כח

Pasuk 28

וְהָיָהAnd it shall beבְּהָנִיחַwhen grants restיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godלְךָto youמִכָּלfrom allאֹיְבֶיךָyour enemiesמִסָּבִיבfrom aroundבָּאָרֶץin the landאֲשֶׁרthatיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godנֹתֵןis givingלְךָto youנַחֲלָהas an inheritanceלְרִשְׁתָּהּto possess itתִּמְחֶהyou shall blot outאֶת—זֵכֶרthe memory ofעֲמָלֵקAmalekמִתַּחַתfrom underהַשָּׁמָיִםthe heavensלֹאdo notתִּשְׁכָּח׃forget

רַשִׁ״י

תמחהYou shall wipe outאת—זכרthe remembrance ofעמלק.Amalekמֵאִישׁfrom manעַדtoאִשָּׁהwomanמֵעוֹלֵלfrom infantוְעַדand toיוֹנֵקsucklingמִשּׁוֹרfrom oxוְעַדand toשֶׂהsheepשמואלShmuelאIט"ו15,שֶׁלֹּאso that notיְהֵאthere will beשֵׁםthe name ofעֲמָלֵקAmalekנִזְכָּרmentionedאֲפִלּוּevenעַלonהַבְּהֵמָה,the beastלוֹמַרto sayבְּהֵמָהbeastזוֹthisמִשֶּׁלfrom that ofעֲמָלֵקAmalekהָיְתָהwasפסיק'Pesiktaזוטר'Zutrata:

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah flows from interpersonal sensitivity and financial integrity to the national obligation of destroying evil. We start with the prohibition of delaying a worker's wages and the requirement to pay them on time, followed by the warning not to punish parents for the sins of their children, nor children for their parents. We are commanded to protect the rights of converts, orphans, and widows, leaving them the forgotten sheaves, olives, and grapes in our fields. The Torah then outlines the administration of malkus in court, the prohibition of muzzling an animal during work, and the detailed procedure of yibum and chalitzah when a man dies childless. After addressing the case of a woman who intervenes in a fight immodestly and the absolute requirement to keep honest weights and measures, the aliyah wraps up with the powerful command to remember the cowardly attack of Amalek and to completely blot out their memory from under the heavens.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

The Torah is telling us something very deep about how we treat people when we are in a position of strength. Look at the mitzvah of paying a worker on time: "for they are needy and urgently depend on it." The Gemara is bothered by how easily a person can rationalize holding onto someone else's money for just one night, thinking, "What's the big deal? I'll pay him tomorrow." But the Torah warns us that to the worker, this is his entire life. When you hold the upper hand, whether you are an employer, a customer, or even just a friend who owes a small favor, you have a responsibility to feel the vulnerability of the other person.

This is the very opposite of the middah of Amalek that we read about at the end of the aliyah. What was the great sin of Amalek? "He surprised you on the march, when you were famished and weary." Amalek saw someone weak, tired, and lagging behind, and instead of showing mercy, they took advantage of that weakness. When we delay a worker's pay, or when we use dishonest weights and measures to squeeze out a few extra cents from an unsuspecting customer, we are, chas v'shalom, acting on that same ugly impulse of exploiting someone else's vulnerability for our own convenience.

True yiras Shamayim means that when Hashem puts you in a position of power, you use that power to protect and lift up the other person, not to make things easier for yourself. If you hire someone to do a job in your house, or if you owe someone money, do not make them chase you. Do not make them feel small or helpless just because you have the checkbook and they are waiting for it.

Today, make it a point to pay any outstanding bill, tip, or wage immediately, without making the other person ask or wait even a single extra hour.