Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, the Torah continues to lay down the halachos of bringing our korbanos and holy offerings to the specific place that Hashem will choose to establish His Name, rather than offering them on private altars. We are commanded to rejoice there before Hashem together with our families, our servants, and the Levi, who has no portion in the land. The Torah warns us to be extremely careful not to bring our burnt offerings in just any place we see fit, but only in the chosen place.

At the same time, the Torah introduces the allowance of basar ta'avah, permitting us to slaughter and eat non-consecrated meat for our own physical desire anywhere in our settlements. The Torah sets up the clear distinction between these everyday meats, which may be eaten by both the ritually pure and impure alike, and the holy offerings and tithes, which must strictly be brought to the chosen place and eaten there in holiness.

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

וְהָיָהAnd it shall beהַמָּקוֹםthe placeאֲשֶׁרthatיִבְחַרwill chooseיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֵיכֶםyour Godבּוֹitלְשַׁכֵּןto establishשְׁמוֹHis Nameשָׁםthereשָׁמָּהthereתָבִיאוּyou shall bringאֵת—כָּלallאֲשֶׁרthatאָנֹכִיIמְצַוֶּהcommandאֶתְכֶםyouעוֹלֹתֵיכֶםyour burnt offeringsוְזִבְחֵיכֶםand your sacrificesמַעְשְׂרֹתֵיכֶםyour tithesוּתְרֻמַתand the contribution ofיֶדְכֶםyour handוְכֹלand allמִבְחַרthe choice ofנִדְרֵיכֶםyour vowsאֲשֶׁרthatתִּדְּרוּyou shall vowלַיהוָה׃to Hashem

רַשִׁ״י

והיהAnd it shall beהמקוםthe placeוגו'.etc.בְּנוּbuildלָכֶםfor yourselvesבֵּיתthe House ofהַבְּחִירָהthe Choiceבִּירוּשָׁלַיִם,in Yerushalayimוְכֵןand soהוּאitאוֹמֵרsaysבְּדָוִדconcerning Dovid"וַיְהִי"And it wasכִּיwhenיָשַׁבsatהַמֶּלֶךְthe kingבְּבֵיתוֹin his houseוַה'and Hashemהֵנִיחַhad given restלוֹto himמִסָּבִיבfrom all aroundמִכָּלfrom all ofאוֹיְבָיוhis enemiesוַיֹּאמֶרand saidהַמֶּלֶךְthe kingאֶלtoנָתָןNasanהַנָּבִיאthe prophetרְאֵהseeאָנֹכִיIיוֹשֵׁבdwellבְּבֵיתin a house ofאֲרָזִים,cedarsוַאֲרוֹןand the Ark ofהָאֱלֹהִיםG-dיֹשֵׁבdwellsבְּתוֹךְwithinהַיְרִיעָה"the curtain"שמואלShmuelבIIז'7:

רַשִׁ״י

שמהThitherתביאוshall you bringוגו'.etc.לְמַעְלָהAboveאָמוּרit is saidלְעִנְיַןin reference toשִׁילֹהShilohוְכָאןand hereאָמוּרit is saidלְעִנְיַןin reference toיְרוּשָׁלַיִם,Yerushalayimוּלְכָךְand for thisחִלְּקָםdivided themהַכָּתוּבthe Scriptureלִתֵּןto giveהֶתֵּרpermissionבֵּיןbetweenזוֹthisלְזוֹ,to thisמִשֶּׁחָרְבָהfrom when was destroyedשִׁילֹהShilohוּבָאוּand they cameלְנֹבto Nobוְחָרְבָהand was destroyedנֹבNobוּבָאוּand they cameלְגִבְעוֹןto Gibeonהָיוּwereהַבָּמוֹתthe high placesמֻתָּרוֹתpermittedעַדuntilשֶׁבָּאוּthat they cameלִירוּשָׁלַיִםto YerushalayimזבחיםZevachimקיט119:

רַשִׁ״י

מבחרThe choice ofנדריכם.your vowsמְלַמֵּדthis teachesשֶׁיָּבִיאthat he should bringמִןfromהַמֻּבְחָרthe choicestספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

וּשְׂמַחְתֶּםAnd you shall rejoiceלִפְנֵיbeforeיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֵיכֶםyour Godאַתֶּםyouוּבְנֵיכֶםand your sonsוּבְנֹתֵיכֶםand your daughtersוְעַבְדֵיכֶםand your male slavesוְאַמְהֹתֵיכֶםand your female slavesוְהַלֵּוִיand the Leviteאֲשֶׁרwhoבְּשַׁעֲרֵיכֶםis in your gatesכִּיforאֵיןthere is notלוֹto himחֵלֶקa portionוְנַחֲלָהand an inheritanceאִתְּכֶם׃with you

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

הִשָּׁמֶרGuardלְךָyourselfפֶּןlestתַּעֲלֶהyou offer upעֹלֹתֶיךָyour burnt-offeringsבְּכָלin everyמָקוֹםplaceאֲשֶׁרthatתִּרְאֶה׃you see

רַשִׁ״י

השמרTake heedלך.to yourselfלִתֵּןto placeלֹאa negativeתַעֲשֶׂהcommandעַלuponהַדָּבָר:the matter

רַשִׁ״י

בכלIn everyמקוםplaceאשרthatתראה.you seeאֲשֶׁרwhichיַעֲלֶהentersבְּלִבְּךָ,your heartאֲבָלbutאַתָּהyouמַקְרִיבmay offerעַ"פִּby command ofנָבִיא,a prophetכְּגוֹןsuch asאֵלִיָּהוּEliyahuבְּהַרon MountהַכַּרְמֶלhaCarmelשםthere:

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

כִּיbutאִםonlyבַּמָּקוֹםin the placeאֲשֶׁרthatיִבְחַרwill chooseיְהוָהHashemבְּאַחַדin one ofשְׁבָטֶיךָyour tribesשָׁםthereתַּעֲלֶהyou shall bring upעֹלֹתֶיךָyour burnt offeringsוְשָׁםand thereתַּעֲשֶׂהyou shall doכֹּלallאֲשֶׁרthatאָנֹכִיIמְצַוֶּךָּ׃command you

רַשִׁ״י

באחדIn one ofשבטיך.your tribesבְּחֶלְקוֹin the portionשֶׁלofבִּנְיָמִין,Binyaminוּלְמַעְלָהand aboveהוּאitאוֹמֵרsays"מִכָּלfrom all ofשִׁבְטֵיכֶם",your tribesהָאthisכֵיצַד?how is itכְּשֶׁקָּנָהwhen boughtדָּוִדDovidאֶת—הַגֹּרֶןthe threshing floorמֵאֲרַוְנָהfrom Aravnahהַיְבוּסִיthe Jebusiteגָּבָהhe collectedהַזָּהָבthe goldמִכָּלfrom all ofהַשְּׁבָטִים,the tribesוּמִכָּלand from anyמָקוֹםplaceהַגֹּרֶןthe threshing floorבְּחֶלְקוֹin the portionשֶׁלofבִּנְיָמִיןBinyaminהָיָהwasשםthere:

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

רַקOnlyבְּכָלin allאַוַּתthe desire ofנַפְשְׁךָyour soulתִּזְבַּחyou may slaughterוְאָכַלְתָּand you may eatבָשָׂרmeatכְּבִרְכַּתaccording to the blessing ofיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour GodאֲשֶׁרwhichנָתַןHe gaveלְךָto youבְּכָלin allשְׁעָרֶיךָyour gatesהַטָּמֵאthe contaminatedוְהַטָּהוֹרand the pureיֹאכְלֶנּוּmay eat itכַּצְּבִיlike the gazelleוְכָאַיָּל׃and like the deer

רַשִׁ״י

רקOnlyבכלin allאותthe longing ofנפשך.your soulבַּמֶּהabout whatהַכָּתוּבthe verseמְדַבֵּר?speaksאִםifבִּבְשַׂרabout meat ofתַּאֲוָהdesireלְהַתִּירָהּto permit itלָהֶםto themבְּלֹאwithoutהַקְרָבַתthe offering ofאֵמוּרִיםsacrificial partsהֲרֵיbeholdאָמוּרit is saidבְּמָקוֹםin a placeאַחֵרanotherפסוקverseכ'20"כִּיwhenיַרְחִיבwill enlargeה'Hashemאֶת—גְּבוּלְךָyour boundaryוְגוֹ'etc.וְאָמַרְתָּand you sayאֹכְלָהI will eatבָשָׂרmeatוְגוֹ'",etc.בַּמֶּהabout whatזֶהthisמְדַבֵּר?speaksבְּקָדָשִׁיםabout consecrated animalsשֶׁנָּפַלthat fellבָּהֶםin themמוּםa blemishשֶׁיִּפָּדוּthat they be redeemedוְיֵאָכְלוּand be eatenבְּכָלin anyמָקוֹם,placeיָכוֹלone might thinkיִפָּדוּthey may be redeemedעַלuponמוּםa blemishעוֹבֵר?transitoryתַּ"לֹthe Torah teaches"רַק"onlyספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

תזבחyou shall slaughterואכלת.and you shall eatאֵיןthere is notלְךָto youבָהֶםin themהֶתֵּרpermissionגִּזָּהshearingוְחָלָבand milkאֶלָּאbut onlyאֲכִילָהeatingעַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofזְבִיחָהslaughteringבכ'Bechorosו'15:

רַשִׁ״י

הטמאThe uncleanוהטהר.and the cleanלְפִיbecauseשֶׁבָּאוּthat they cameמִכֹּחַfrom the powerקָדָשִׁיםof holy offeringsשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidבָּהֶםregarding them"וְהַבָּשָׂר"And the fleshאֲשֶׁרwhichיִגַּעtouchesבְּכָלanyטָמֵאunclean thingלֹאshall notיֵאָכֵל"be eaten"ויקראVayikraז'7,הֻצְרַךְit was necessaryלְהַתִּירto permitבּוֹin itשֶׁטָּמֵאthat an uncleanוְטָהוֹרand a cleanאוֹכְלִיםmay eatבִּקְעָרָהfrom a bowlאַחַת:one

רַשִׁ״י

כצביas the gazelleוכאיל.and as the hartשֶׁאֵיןof which notקָרְבָּןa sacrificeבָּאcomesמֵהֶם:from them

רַשִׁ״י

כצביas the gazelleוכאיל.and as the hartלְפָטְרָןto exempt themמִןfromהַזְּרוֹעַthe shoulderוְהַלְּחָיַיִםand the cheeksוְהַקֵּבָהand the mawספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

רַקOnlyהַדָּםthe bloodלֹאnotתֹאכֵלוּyou shall eatעַלuponהָאָרֶץthe earthתִּשְׁפְּכֶנּוּyou shall pour itכַּמָּיִם׃like water

רַשִׁ״י

רקOnlyהדםthe bloodלאnotתאכלו.shall you eatאַעַ"פִּEven thoughשֶׁאָמַרְתִּיthat I saidשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notלְךָto youבוֹin itזְרִיקַתsprinkling ofדָּםbloodבַּמִּזְבֵּח,on the altarלֹאdo notתֹּאכְלֶנּוּ:eat it

רַשִׁ״י

תשפכנוyou shall pour itכמים.as waterלוֹמַרto sayלְךָto youשֶׁאֵיןthat there is noצָרִיךְneed forכִּסּוּיcoveringספרי;SifreiחוליןChullinפ"דpage 84.דָּ"אַanother explanation—הֲרֵיbeholdהוּאit isכַמַּיִםlike waterלְהַכְשִׁירto make receptiveאֶת—הַזְּרָעִיםseedsשםthereל"הpage 35:

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

לֹאNotתוּכַלyou will be ableלֶאֱכֹלto eatבִּשְׁעָרֶיךָin your gatesמַעְשַׂרthe tithe ofדְּגָנְךָyour grainוְתִירֹשְׁךָand your wineוְיִצְהָרֶךָand your oilוּבְכֹרֹתand the firstborn ofבְּקָרְךָyour cattleוְצֹאנֶךָand your sheepוְכָלand all ofנְדָרֶיךָyour vowsאֲשֶׁרthatתִּדֹּרyou shall vowוְנִדְבֹתֶיךָand your freewill offeringsוּתְרוּמַתand the contribution ofיָדֶךָ׃your hand

רַשִׁ״י

לאYou cannotתוכל.be ableבָּאcomesהַכָּתוּבthe verseלִתֵּןto placeלֹאa negativeתַעֲשֶׂהcommandעַלuponהַדָּבָר:the matter

רַשִׁ״י

לאYou cannotתוכל.be ableרַבִּיRabbiיְהוֹשֻׁעַYehoshuaבֶּןson ofקָרְחָהKorchaאוֹמֵרsaysיָכוֹלableאַתָּה,you areאֲבָלbutאֵינְךָyou are notרַשַּׁאי,permittedכַּיּוֹצֵאsimilarבוֹto itיהושעYehoshuaט"וfifteen"וְאֶתand —הַיְבוּסִיthe Jebusiteיוֹשְׁבֵיthe inhabitants ofיְרוּשָׁלַיִםYerushalayimלֹאnotיָכְלוּcouldבְנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelיְהוּדָהYehudahלְהוֹרִישָׁם",to drive them outיְכוֹלִיםableהָיוּ,they wereאֶלָּאbutשֶׁאֵינָןthat they were notרַשָּׁאִיןpermittedלְפִיbecauseשֶׁכָּרַתthat he cutלָהֶםfor themאַבְרָהָםAvrahamבְּרִיתa covenantכְּשֶׁלָּקַחwhen he boughtמֵהֶםfrom themמְעָרַתthe cave ofהַמַּכְפֵּלָה;Machpelahוְלֹאand notיְבוּסִיםJebusitesהָיוּ,were theyאֶלָּאbutחִתִּיִּיםHittitesהָיוּ,they wereאֶלָּאbutעַלonשֵׁםthe name ofהָעִירthe cityשֶׁשְּׁמָהּwhose name wasיְבוּס,Yevusכָּךְthusמְפֹרָשׁis explainedבְּפִרְקֵיin the chapters ofדְּרַבִּיRabbiאֱלִיעֶזֶרEliezerפ'chapterל"וthirty-six,וְהוּאand that isשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרwhat is said"כִּיunlessאִם·הֱסִירְךָyou removeהָעִוְרִיםthe blindוְהַפִּסְחִים"and the lameשמואלShmuelבtwoה'five–צְלָמִיםidolsשֶׁכָּתְבוּupon which they wroteעֲלֵיהֶםon themאֶת—הַשְּׁבוּעָה:the oath

רַשִׁ״י

ובכרתand the firstlings ofבקרך.your herdאַזְהָרָהis a prohibitionלַכֹּהֲנִים:to the priests

רַשִׁ״י

ותרומתand the heave-offering ofידך.your handאֵלּוּthese areהַבִּכּוּרִיםthe first-fruitsספרי;SifreiמכותMakkotי"ז17:

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

כִּיratherאִם·לִפְנֵיbeforeיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godתֹּאכְלֶנּוּyou shall eat itבַּמָּקוֹםin the placeאֲשֶׁרthatיִבְחַרwill chooseיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godבּוֹitאַתָּהyouוּבִנְךָand your sonוּבִתֶּךָand your daughterוְעַבְדְּךָand your manservantוַאֲמָתֶךָand your maidservantוְהַלֵּוִיand the Leviteאֲשֶׁרwho isבִּשְׁעָרֶיךָwithin your gatesוְשָׂמַחְתָּand you shall rejoiceלִפְנֵיbeforeיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godבְּכֹלin allמִשְׁלַחthe sending ofיָדֶךָ׃your hand

רַשִׁ״י

לפניBeforeה'.Hashemלִפְנִיםinsideמִןofהַחוֹמָה:the wall

רַשִׁ״י

והלויAnd the Leviteאשרwhoבשעריך.is in your gatesאִםifאֵיןthere is notלְךָto youלָתֵתto giveלוֹto himמֵחֶלְקוֹ,from his portionכְּגוֹןsuch asמַעֲשֵׂרtitheרִאשׁוֹן,firstתֵּןgiveלוֹto himמַעְשַׂרthe tithe ofעָנִי,the poorאֵיןif there is notלְךָto youמַעְשַׂרthe tithe ofעָנִי,the poorהַזְמִינֵהוּinvite himעַלuponשְׁלָמֶיךָyour peace-offeringsספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

הִשָּׁמֶרGuardלְךָyourselfפֶּןlestתַּעֲזֹבyou abandonאֶת—הַלֵּוִיthe Leviteכָּלallיָמֶיךָyour daysעַלuponאַדְמָתֶךָ׃your land

רַשִׁ״י

השמרTake heedלך.to yourselfלִתֵּןto placeלֹאa negativeתַעֲשֶׂהcommandעַלuponהַדָּבָרthe matterספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

עלUponאדמתך.your groundאֲבָלbutבַּגּוֹלָהin exileאֵינְךָyou are notמֻזְהָרadmonishedעָלָיוregarding himיוֹתֵרmoreמֵעֲנִיֵּיthan the poor ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelשםthere:

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

כִּיWhenיַרְחִיבwill enlargeיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godאֶת—גְּבוּלְךָyour boundaryכַּאֲשֶׁרasדִּבֶּרHe spokeלָךְto youוְאָמַרְתָּand you will sayאֹכְלָהI will eatבָשָׂרmeatכִּיbecauseתְאַוֶּהwill desireנַפְשְׁךָyour soulלֶאֱכֹלto eatבָּשָׂרmeatבְּכָלwith allאַוַּתthe desire ofנַפְשְׁךָyour soulתֹּאכַלyou may eatבָּשָׂר׃meat

רַשִׁ״י

כיWhenירחיבHe shall enlargeוגו'.etc.לִמְּדָהtaughtתוֹרָהthe Torahדֶּרֶךְa way ofאֶרֶץthe landשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִתְאַוֶּהshould desireאָדָםa personלֶאֱכֹלto eatבָּשָׂרmeatאֶלָּאunlessמִתּוֹךְfrom amidstרַחֲבַתbroadness ofיָדַיִםhandsוְעֹשֶׁרand wealthחוליןChullinפ"דchapter four:

רַשִׁ״י

כלallאותthe longing ofנפשךyour soulוגו'.etc.אֲבָלbutבַּמִּדְבָּרin the wildernessנֶאֱסַרwas forbiddenלָהֶםto themבְּשַׂרflesh ofחֻלִּיןnon-holy animalsאֶלָּאunlessאִם·כֵּן·מַקְדִּישָׁהּone dedicated itוּמַקְרִיבָהּand offered itשְׁלָמִיםpeace-offeringsשםthereט"ז16:

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

כִּיIfיִרְחַקwill be farמִמְּךָfrom youהַמָּקוֹםthe placeאֲשֶׁרthatיִבְחַרwill chooseיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godלָשׂוּםto placeשְׁמוֹHis nameשָׁםthereוְזָבַחְתָּand you shall slaughterמִבְּקָרְךָfrom your cattleוּמִצֹּאנְךָand from your sheepאֲשֶׁרwhichנָתַןgaveיְהוָהHashemלְךָto youכַּאֲשֶׁרasצִוִּיתִךָI commanded youוְאָכַלְתָּand you shall eatבִּשְׁעָרֶיךָin your gatesבְּכֹלwith allאַוַּתthe desire ofנַפְשֶׁךָ׃your soul

רַשִׁ״י

כיIfירחקwill be farממךfrom youהמקום.the placeוְלֹאand notתוּכַלyou will be ableלָבֹאto comeוְלַעֲשׂוֹתand to makeשְׁלָמִיםpeace-offeringsבְּכָלon everyיוֹםdayכְּמוֹlikeעַכְשָׁוnowשֶׁהַמִּשְׁכָּןthat the Tabernacleהוֹלֵךְgoesעִמָּכֶם:with you

רַשִׁ״י

וזבחתAnd you shall slaughter…כאשרasצויתך.I have commanded youלָמַדְנוּwe have learnedשֶׁיֵּשׁthat there isצִוּוּיa commandmentבַּזְּבִיחָהregarding the slaughteringהֵיאַךְhowיִשְׁחֹט,one should slaughterוְהֵןand they areהִלְכוֹתthe laws ofשְׁחִיטָהslaughteringשֶׁנֶּאֶמְרוּthat were saidלְמֹשֶׁהto Mosheבְּסִינַיat Sinaiשםthereכ"ח28:

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

אַךְHoweverכַּאֲשֶׁרjust asיֵאָכֵלis eatenאֶת—הַצְּבִיthe gazelleוְאֶתand —הָאַיָּלthe deerכֵּןsoתֹּאכְלֶנּוּyou shall eat itהַטָּמֵאthe contaminatedוְהַטָּהוֹרand the pureיַחְדָּוtogetherיֹאכְלֶנּוּ׃may eat it

רַשִׁ״י

אךBut onlyכאשרasיאכלis eatenאת—הצביthe gazelleוגו'.etc.אֵינְךָyou are notמֻזְהָרadmonishedלְאָכְלָןto eat themבְּטָהֳרָה,in purityאִיifמַהjust asצְּבִיthe gazelleוְאַיָּלand the hartחֶלְבָּןtheir fatמֻתָּרis permittedאַףso tooחֻלִּיןnon-consecrated animalsחֶלְבָּןtheir fatמֻתָּר?is permittedתַּ"לֹScripture teaches"אַךְ":but only

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

רַקOnlyחֲזַקbe strongלְבִלְתִּיnot toאֲכֹלeatהַדָּםthe bloodכִּיforהַדָּםthe bloodהוּאitהַנָּפֶשׁis the lifeוְלֹאand you shall notתֹאכַלeatהַנֶּפֶשׁthe lifeעִםwithהַבָּשָׂר׃the meat

רַשִׁ״י

רקOnlyחזקbe strongלבלתיnot toאכלeatהדם.the bloodמִמַּהfrom whatשֶּׁנֶּאֱמַרthat is saidחֲזַקbe strongאַתָּהyouלָמֵדlearnשֶׁהָיוּthat they wereשְׁטוּפִיםaddictedבַּדָּםto bloodלְאָכְלוֹ,to eat itלְפִיכָךְthereforeהֻצְרַךְit was necessaryלוֹמַרto sayחֲזַקbe strongדִּבְרֵיthe words ofרַבִּיRabbiיְהוּדָה,Yehudahרַ'RabbiשִׁמְעוֹןShimonבֶּןson ofעֲזַאיAzzaiאוֹמֵרsaysלֹאnotבָאcameהַכָּתוּבthe verseאֶלָּאbutלְהַזְהִירְךָto warn youוּלְלַמֶּדְךָand to teach youעַדuntilכַּמָּהhow muchאַתָּהyouצָרִיךְneedלְהִתְחַזֵּקto strengthen yourselfבַּמִּצְווֹת,in the mitzvosאִםifהַדָּםthe bloodשֶׁהוּאwhich isקַלeasyלְהִשָּׁמֵרto keep awayמִמֶּנּוּfrom itשֶׁאֵיןfor notאָדָםa personמִתְאַוֶּהdesiresלוֹ,itהֻצְרַךְit was necessaryלְחַזֶּקְךָto strengthen youבְאַזְהָרָתוֹ,in its warningקַ"וָall the more soלִשְׁאָרfor the rest ofמִצְווֹתthe mitzvosעי'seeספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

ולאAnd you shall notתאכלeatהנפשthe lifeעםwithהבשר.the fleshאַזְהָרָהa prohibitionלְאֵבֶרfor a limbמִןfromהַחַיthe livingחוליןChullinק"ב102:

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

לֹאnotתֹּאכְלֶנּוּyou shall eat itעַלuponהָאָרֶץthe earthתִּשְׁפְּכֶנּוּyou shall pour itכַּמָּיִם׃like water

רַשִׁ״י

לאYou shall notתאכלנו.eat itאַזְהָרָהthis is a warningלְדַםagainst the blood ofהַתַּמְצִיתthe squeezingכריתותKeritotד'4b:

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

לֹאnotתֹּאכְלֶנּוּyou shall eat itלְמַעַןin order thatיִיטַבit will go wellלְךָwith youוּלְבָנֶיךָand with your childrenאַחֲרֶיךָafter youכִּיforתַעֲשֶׂהyou will doהַיָּשָׁרthat which is rightבְּעֵינֵיin the eyes ofיְהוָה׃Hashem

רַשִׁ״י

לאnotתאכלנו.you shall eat itאַזְהָרָהa warningלְדַםagainst the blood ofהָאֵבָרִיםthe limbsשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

למעןSo thatייטבit will be wellלךwith youוגו'.etc.צֵאGoוּלְמַדand learnמַתַּןthe giving ofשְׂכָרָןtheir rewardשֶׁלofמִצְווֹת,commandmentsאִםifהַדָּםbloodשֶׁנַּפְשׁוֹwhich the soulשֶׁלofאָדָםmanקָצָהloathesמִמֶּנּוּ,·הַפּוֹרֵשׁone who separatesמִמֶּנּוּfrom itזוֹכֶהmeritsלוֹfor himselfוּלְבָנָיוand for his childrenאַחֲרָיו,after himקַלhow muchוָחֹמֶרmore soלְגֶזֶלfor robberyוַעֲרָיוֹתand forbidden relationsשֶׁנַּפְשׁוֹwhich the soulשֶׁלofאָדָםmanמִתְאַוָּהdesiresלָהֶםthemמכותMakkotכ"ג23b:

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

רַקOnlyקָדָשֶׁיךָyour holy thingsאֲשֶׁרthatיִהְיוּwill beלְךָto youוּנְדָרֶיךָand your vowsתִּשָּׂאyou shall carryוּבָאתָand you shall comeאֶלtoהַמָּקוֹםthe placeאֲשֶׁרthatיִבְחַרwill chooseיְהוָה׃Hashem

רַשִׁ״י

רקOnlyקדשיך.your holy thingsאַעַ"פִּeven thoughשֶׁאַתָּהthat youמֻתָּרare permittedלִשְׁחֹטto slaughterחֻלִּין,non-holy animalsלֹאnotהִתַּרְתִּיdid I permitלְךָto youלִשְׁחֹטto slaughterאֶת—הַקֳּדָשִׁיםthe consecrated animalsוּלְאָכְלָןand to eat themבִּשְׁעָרֶיךָin your gatesבְּלֹאwithoutהַקְרָבָה,offeringאֶלָּאbut ratherהֲבִיאֵםbring themלְבֵיתto the House ofהַבְּחִירָה:the Choice

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

וְעָשִׂיתָand you shall makeעֹלֹתֶיךָyour burnt offeringsהַבָּשָׂרthe fleshוְהַדָּםand the bloodעַלuponמִזְבַּחthe altar ofיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godוְדַםand the blood ofזְבָחֶיךָyour sacrificesיִשָּׁפֵךְshall be pouredעַלuponמִזְבַּחthe altar ofיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godוְהַבָּשָׂרand the fleshתֹּאכֵל׃you shall eat

רַשִׁ״י

ועשיתAnd you shall makeעלתיך.your burnt offeringsאִםifעוֹלוֹתburnt offeringsהֵן,they areתֵּןplaceהַבָּשָׂרthe fleshוְהַדָּםand the bloodעַלuponגַּבֵּיthe top ofהַמִּזְבֵּח,the altarוְאִםand ifזִבְחֵיsacrifices ofשְׁלָמִיםpeace offeringsהֵם,they are"דַּםthe blood ofזְבָחֶיךָyour sacrificesיִשָּׁפֵךְ"shall be pouredעַלuponהַמִּזְבֵּחַthe altarתְּחִלָּהfirstוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְthat"וְהַבָּשָׂרand the fleshתֹּאכֵל".you shall eatוְעוֹדAnd furthermoreדָּרְשׁוּexpoundedרַבּוֹתֵינוּ,our Rabbis"רַקOnlyקָדָשֶׁיךָ"your holy thingsבָּאcomesלְלַמֵּדto teachעַלconcerningהַקֳּדָשִׁיםthe consecrated animalsשֶׁבְּחוּצָהthat are outsideלָאָרֶץ,the Landוּלְלַמֵּדand to teachעַלconcerningהַתְּמוּרוֹתthe exchanged animalsוְעַלand concerningוַלְדוֹתthe offspring ofקָדָשִׁיםconsecrated animalsשֶׁיִּקְרְבוּthat they must be offeredספרי;SifreiבכורותBechorosי"ד14:

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

שְׁמֹרGuardוְשָׁמַעְתָּand you shall heedאֵת—כָּלallהַדְּבָרִיםthe wordsהָאֵלֶּהtheseאֲשֶׁרthatאָנֹכִיIמְצַוֶּךָּcommand youלְמַעַןso thatיִיטַבit will go wellלְךָfor youוּלְבָנֶיךָand for your childrenאַחֲרֶיךָafter youעַדuntilעוֹלָםforeverכִּיforתַעֲשֶׂהyou will doהַטּוֹבthe goodוְהַיָּשָׁרand the rightבְּעֵינֵיin the eyes ofיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָ׃your God

רַשִׁ״י

שמר.Keepזוֹthis isמִשְׁנָהstudyשֶׁאַתָּהthat youצָרִיךְneedלְשָׁמְרָהּto keep itבְּבִטְנְךָin your bellyשֶׁלֹּאso that notתִשְׁכַּח,you will forgetכָּעִנְיָןlike the matterשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidמשליMishleiכ"ב22"כִּיforנָעִיםit is pleasantכִּיifתִשְׁמְרֵםyou keep themבְּבִטְנֶךָ",in your bellyוְאִםand ifשָׁנִיתָyou studiedאֶפְשָׁרit is possibleשֶׁתִּשְׁמַעthat you will understandוּתְקַיֵּם,and fulfillהָאbeholdכָלanyoneשֶׁאֵינוֹwho is notבִּכְלַלin the category ofמִשְׁנָהstudyאֵינוֹis notבִּכְלַלin the category ofמַעֲשֶׂהactionעי'seeספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

את—כלallהדברים.the wordsשֶׁתְּהֵאthat should beחֲבִיבָהdearעָלֶיךָupon youמִצְוָהa mitzvahקַלָּהlightכְּמִצְוָהlike a mitzvahחֲמוּרָהgraveשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

הטוב.The goodבְּעֵינֵיin the eyes ofהַשָּׁמַיִם:Heaven

רַשִׁ״י

והישר.and what is rightבְּעֵינֵיin the eyes ofאָדָם:man

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah details the strict boundaries between holy offerings and everyday meat. While tithes, firstlings, and votive offerings are strictly forbidden to be eaten at home and must be brought to the place Hashem chooses, ordinary meat may be slaughtered and eaten in our towns whenever we desire, provided we do not consume the blood, which must be poured out on the earth like water. The Torah warns us never to neglect the Levi, and reiterates that even when Hashem expands our borders and the Beis HaMikdash is far away, we may slaughter our herds and flocks as commanded and eat them in our gates, while all sacred donations and korbanos must still be brought to the chosen place to be offered on the Mizbe'ach.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

The Torah is teaching us a massive yesod in how we approach our physical desires. When the Torah discusses the permission to eat meat simply because you have a craving, "ki siva nafshischa le'echol basar," it does not tell us to suppress the desire or feel guilty for being human. Instead, the Torah immediately channels this physical drive into a framework of kedushah: you must shecht it properly, you must avoid the blood, and you must remember the Levi who has no portion.

Lichoira, we might have thought that true avodas Hashem means completely separating ourselves from gashmius. But the Torah is mechadesh that Hashem wants us to elevate our physical desires, not destroy them. When you take a simple, mundane craving like wanting a good meal and you bring within it the boundaries of halachah, you are turning a physical act into a holy service.

Today, when you feel a physical drive or a craving for something mundane, do not just indulge it mindlessly, and do not beat yourself up for having the desire. Instead, pause for one second before you partake and make a conscious berachah with kavanah, or set a boundary of halachah, thereby transforming that very physical moment into an act of ratzon Hashem.