Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, the Torah brings us to the halachos of the bechor, the firstborn kosher animal, which is kadosh to Hashem. We learn that a firstborn ox or sheep cannot be worked or sheared, but must be eaten by the kohen in the Beis HaMikdash. If the animal has a mum, a blemish like blindness or lameness, it loses its kedushas mizbe'ach and may be eaten anywhere, even by someone who is tamei, as long as we are careful not to consume its blood.

Following this, the Torah transitions into the halachos of the Shalosh Regalim, the three pilgrimage festivals. We start with Pesach, where we are commanded to guard the month of Aviv and bring the Korban Pesach in the place Hashem chooses. The Torah details the issur of eating chametz, the mitzvah of eating matzah, and the prohibition of leaving over any of the korban's meat until morning.

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

כָּלEveryהַבְּכוֹרfirstbornאֲשֶׁרthatיִוָּלֵדwill be bornבִּבְקָרְךָin your herdוּבְצֹאנְךָand in your flockהַזָּכָרthe maleתַּקְדִּישׁyou shall consecrateלַיהוָהto Hashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godלֹאyou shall notתַעֲבֹדworkבִּבְכֹרwith the firstborn ofשׁוֹרֶךָyour oxוְלֹאand you shall notתָגֹזshearבְּכוֹרthe firstborn ofצֹאנֶךָ׃your sheep

רַשִׁ״י

כלAllהבכור,the firstbornתקדיש.you shall sanctifyוּבְמָקוֹםand in a placeאַחֵרanotherויקראVayikraכ"ז27הוּאitאוֹמֵרsays"לֹאnotיַקְדִּישׁshall he sanctifyאִישׁa manאֹתוֹ",itהָאthisכֵיצַד?how is itאֵינוֹhe does notמַקְדִּישׁוֹsanctify itלְקָרְבָּןfor an offeringאַחֵר;anotherוְכָאןand hereלִמֵּדit taughtשֶׁמִּצְוָהthat it is a mitzvahלוֹמַרto sayהֲרֵיbeholdאַתָּהyouקָדוֹשׁare holyלִבְכוֹרָה.as a firstbornדָּ"אַanother explanation—אִיifאֶפְשָׁרit is possibleלוֹמַרto say"תַּקְדִּישׁ",you shall sanctifyשֶׁכְּבָרsince alreadyנֶאֱמַרit was said"לֹאnotיַקְדִּישׁ",shall he sanctifyוְאִיand ifאֶפְשָׁרit is possibleלוֹמַרto say"לֹאnotיַקְדִּישׁ",shall he sanctifyשֶׁהֲרֵיsince beholdכְבָרalreadyנֶאֱמַרit was said"תַּקְדִּישׁ",you shall sanctifyהָאthisכֵיצַד?how is itמַקְדִּישׁוֹyou may sanctify itאַתָּהyouהֶקְדֵּשׁa dedication ofעִלּוּיvalueוְנוֹתֵןand giveלַהֶקְדֵּשׁto the Temple treasuryכְּפִיaccording toטוֹבַתthe benefit ofהֲנָאָהpleasureשֶׁבּוֹthat is in itערכיןArakhinכ"ט29:

רַשִׁ״י

לאYou shall notתעבדworkבבכורwith the firstborn ofשורךyour oxולאand you shall notתגזshearוגו'.etc.אַףEvenהַחִלּוּףthe converseלָמְדוּderivedרַבּוֹתֵינוּour Rabbisשֶׁאָסוּר,that it is forbiddenאֶלָּאbutשֶׁדִּבֵּרthat spokeהַכָּתוּבthe Scriptureבַּהוֹוֶהof what usually occursבכורותBechorosכ"ה25a:

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

לִפְנֵיbeforeיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godתֹאכֲלֶנּוּyou shall eat itשָׁנָהyearבְשָׁנָהby yearבַּמָּקוֹםin the placeאֲשֶׁרthatיִבְחַרwill chooseיְהוָהHashemאַתָּהyouוּבֵיתֶךָ׃and your household

רַשִׁ״י

לפניBeforeה'Hashemאלהיךyour Godתאכלנו.you shall eat itלַכֹּהֵןto the Kohenהוּאitאוֹמֵר,saysשֶׁכְּבָרfor alreadyמָצִינוּwe have foundשֶׁהוּאthat it isמִמַּתְּנוֹתfrom the gifts ofכְּהֻנָּהpriesthoodאֶחָדwhetherתָּםunblemishedוְאֶחָדor whetherבַּעַלpossessingמוּם,a blemishשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidבמדברBamidbarי"ח18וּבְשָׂרָםand their fleshיִהְיֶהshall beלָּךְyoursוְגוֹ'etceteraבכ'Bechorosכ"ח28:

רַשִׁ״י

שנהYearבשנה.by yearמִכָּאןfrom hereשֶׁאֵיןthat we do notמַשְׁהִיןdelayאוֹתוֹitיוֹתֵרmoreעַלthanשְׁנָתוֹ;its yearיָכוֹלone might thinkיְהֵאit should beפָּסוּלinvalidמִשֶּׁעָבְרָהonce passedשְׁנָתוֹ,its yearכְּבָרalreadyהֻקַּשׁit was comparedלְמַעֲשֵׂר,to titheשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimי"ד14וְאָכַלְתָּand you shall eatלִפְנֵיbeforeה'Hashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godמַעְשַׂרthe tithe ofדְּגָנְךָyour grainתִּירֹשְׁךָyour wineוְיִצְהָרֶךָand your oilוּבְכֹרֹתand the firstborns ofבְּקָרְךָyour cattleוְצֹאנֶךָ,and your sheepמַהjust asמַּעֲשֵׂרtitheשֵׁנִיsecondאֵינוֹis notנִפְסָלrendered invalidמִשָּׁנָהfrom yearלַחֲבֶרְתָּהּto its fellowאַףso tooבְּכוֹרa firstbornאֵינוֹis notנִפְסָל,rendered invalidאֶלָּאratherשֶׁמִּצְוָהthat it is a mitzvahתּוֹךְwithinשְׁנָתוֹits yearבכ'Bekhorotכ"ז27:

רַשִׁ״י

שנהA yearבשנה.with a yearאִםifשְׁחָטוֹhe slaughtered itבְּסוֹףat the end ofשְׁנָתוֹits yearאוֹכְלוֹhe eats itאוֹתוֹ—הַיּוֹםon that dayוְיוֹםand a dayאֶחָדoneמִשָּׁנָהfrom a yearאַחֶרֶת,anotherלִמֵּדit teachesשֶׁנֶּאֱכָלthat it is eatenלִשְׁנֵיfor twoיָמִיםdaysוְלַיְלָהand a nightאֶחָדoneשםthere:

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

וְכִיAnd ifיִהְיֶהthere shall beבוֹin itמוּםa blemishפִּסֵּחַlameאוֹorעִוֵּרblindכֹּלanyמוּםblemishרָעbadלֹאyou shall notתִזְבָּחֶנּוּslaughter itלַיהוָהto Hashemאֱלֹהֶיךָ׃your God

רַשִׁ״י

מום.blemishכְּלָל:is a general statement

רַשִׁ״י

פסחlameאוorעור.blindפְּרָט:is a particularization

רַשִׁ״י

כלAnyמוםblemishרע.illחָזַרit returnedוְכָלַלand generalized—מַהjust asהַפְּרָטthe particularמְפֹרָשׁis specifiedמוּםa blemishהַגָּלוּיthat is visibleוְאֵינוֹand is notחוֹזֵר,returningאַףso tooכָּלanyמוּםblemishשֶׁבַּגָּלוּיthat is visibleוְאֵינוֹand is notחוֹזֵרreturningשםthereל"ז37:

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

בִּשְׁעָרֶיךָin your gatesתֹּאכֲלֶנּוּyou shall eat itהַטָּמֵאthe contaminatedוְהַטָּהוֹרand the pureיַחְדָּוtogetherכַּצְּבִיlike the gazelleוְכָאַיָּל׃and like the deer

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

רַקOnlyאֶת—דָּמוֹits bloodלֹאnotתֹאכֵלyou shall eatעַלuponהָאָרֶץthe earthתִּשְׁפְּכֶנּוּyou shall pour itכַּמָּיִם׃like water

רַשִׁ״י

רקOnlyאת—דמוits bloodלאnotתאכל.you shall eatשֶׁלֹּאso that notתֹאמַרyou should sayהוֹאִילsinceוְכֻלּוֹand all of itהֶתֵּרis permittedהַבָּאwhich comesמִכְּלַלfrom the category ofאִסּוּרprohibitionהוּא,it isשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdקָדוֹשׁit was holyוְנִשְׁחָטand is slaughteredבַּחוּץoutsideבְּלֹאwithoutפִדְיוֹןredemptionוְנֶאֱכָל,and is eatenיָכוֹלone might thinkיְהֵאit should beאַףevenהַדָּםthe bloodמֻתָּר,permittedתַּלְמוּדthe teachingלוֹמַרsaysרקonlyאת—דמוits bloodלאnotתאכלyou shall eat:

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

שָׁמוֹרGuardאֶת—חֹדֶשׁthe month ofהָאָבִיבthe springוְעָשִׂיתָand you shall makeפֶּסַחa Pesach offeringלַיהוָהto Hashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godכִּיforבְּחֹדֶשׁin the month ofהָאָבִיבthe springהוֹצִיאֲךָbrought you outיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godמִמִּצְרַיִםfrom Mitzrayimלָיְלָה׃at night

רַשִׁ״י

שמורGuardאת—חדשthe month ofהאביב.the springמִקֹּדֶםbeforeבּוֹאוֹits comingשְׁמֹרwatchשֶׁיְּהֵאthat it will beרָאוּיfitלְאָבִיבfor ripe ears–לְהַקְרִיבto offerבּוֹin itאֶת—מִנְחַתthe meal-offering ofהָעֹמֶר,the Omerוְאִםand ifלָאוnotעַבֵּרintercalateאֶת—הַשָּׁנָהthe yearעי'seeסנהדריןSanhedrinי"א11b:

רַשִׁ״י

ממצריםfrom Mitzrayimלילה.by nightוַהֲלֹאbut did they notבַּיּוֹםby dayיָצְאוּgo forthשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidבמדברin Bamidbarל"גthirty-threeמִמָּחֳרַתon the morrow ofהַפֶּסַחthe Pesachיָצְאוּwent outבְנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelוְגוֹ'?etc.אֶלָּאratherלְפִיbecauseשֶׁבַּלַּיְלָהthat by nightנָתַןgaveלָהֶםto themפַּרְעֹהPharaohרְשׁוּתpermissionלָצֵאת,to go forthשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidשמותin Shemosי"בtwelveוַיִּקְרָאand he calledלְמֹשֶׁהfor Mosheוּלְאַהֲרֹןand for Aharonלַיְלָהby nightוְגוֹ'etc.בראשיתBerachotט'nine:

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

וְזָבַחְתָּAnd you shall slaughterפֶּסַחthe Pesach offeringלַיהוָהto Hashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godצֹאןflockוּבָקָרand herdבַּמָּקוֹםin the placeאֲשֶׁרthatיִבְחַרwill chooseיְהוָהHashemלְשַׁכֵּןto establishשְׁמוֹHis nameשָׁם׃there

רַשִׁ״י

וזבחתAnd you shall slaughterפסחa Pesach offeringלה'to Hashemאלהיךyour Godצאן.flockשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidשמותShemosי"ב12מִןfromהַכְּבָשִׂיםthe sheepוּמִןand fromהָעִזִּיםthe goatsתִּקָּחוּ:you shall take

רַשִׁ״י

ובקר.and oxenתִּזְבַּחyou shall slaughterלַחֲגִיגָה,for the Chagigahשֶׁאִםfor ifנִמְנוּthey registeredעַלforהַפֶּסַחthe Pesach offeringחֲבוּרָהa companyמְרֻבָּה,largeמְבִיאִיםthey bringעִמּוֹwith itחֲגִיגָהa Chagigah offeringכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיְּהֵאthat it should beנֶאֱכָלeatenעַלuponהַשֹּׂבַעsatietyפסחיםPesachimס"ט69;וְעוֹדand furthermoreלָמְדוּderivedרַבּוֹתֵינוּour Rabbisדְּבָרִיםmattersהַרְבֵּהmanyמִפָּסוּקfrom the verseזֶה:this

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

לֹאYou shall notתֹאכַלeatעָלָיוwith itחָמֵץleavenשִׁבְעַתsevenיָמִיםdaysתֹּאכַלyou shall eatעָלָיוwith itמַצּוֹתunleavened breadלֶחֶםbread ofעֹנִיafflictionכִּיforבְחִפָּזוֹןin hasteיָצָאתָyou went outמֵאֶרֶץfrom the land ofמִצְרַיִםMitzrayimלְמַעַןso thatתִּזְכֹּרyou will rememberאֶת—יוֹםthe day ofצֵאתְךָyour going outמֵאֶרֶץfrom the land ofמִצְרַיִםMitzrayimכֹּלallיְמֵיthe days ofחַיֶּיךָ׃your life

רַשִׁ״י

לחםBread ofעני.afflictionלֶחֶםbreadשֶׁמַּזְכִּירthat remindsאֶת—הָעֹנִיthe afflictionשֶׁנִּתְעַנּוּthat they sufferedבְּמִצְרַיִםin MitzrayimספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

כיforבחפזוןin hasteיצאת.you went outוְלֹאand notהִסְפִּיקdid have timeבָּצֵקthe doughלְהַחֲמִיץto leavenוְזֶהand thisיִהְיֶהshall beלְךָto youלְזִכָּרוֹן;for a remembranceוְחִפָּזוֹןand the hasteלֹאnotשֶׁלְּךָyoursהָיָהwasאֶלָּאbut ratherשֶׁלofמִצְרַיִם,Mitzrayimשֶׁכֵּןfor soהוּאitאוֹמֵרsays"וַתֶּחֱזַקand was urgentמִצְרַיִםMitzrayimעַלuponהָעָםthe peopleוְגוֹ'"etcספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

למעןso thatתזכר.you will rememberעַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofאֲכִילַתthe eating ofהַפֶּסַחthe Pesach offeringוְהַמַּצָּהand the matzahאת—יוםthe day ofצאתךyour going out:

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

וְלֹאAnd notיֵרָאֶהshall be seenלְךָto youשְׂאֹרleavenבְּכָלin allגְּבֻלְךָyour territoryשִׁבְעַתsevenיָמִיםdaysוְלֹאand notיָלִיןshall remain overnightמִןofהַבָּשָׂרthe meatאֲשֶׁרwhichתִּזְבַּחyou slaughterבָּעֶרֶבin the eveningבַּיּוֹםon the dayהָרִאשׁוֹןthe firstלַבֹּקֶר׃until morning

רַשִׁ״י

ולאAnd notיליןshall remain overnightמןfromהבשרthe fleshאשרwhichתזבחyou shall slaughterבערבin the eveningביוםon the dayהראשוןthe firstלבקר.until morningאַזְהָרָהA warningלַמּוֹתִירto one who leaves overבְּפֶסַחof the Pesach offeringדּוֹרוֹת,of future generationsלְפִיbecauseשֶׁלֹּאthat notנֶאֱמַרwas it statedאֶלָּאexceptבְּפֶסַחregarding the Pesach offering ofמִצְרַיִם;MitzrayimוְיוֹםAnd the dayרִאשׁוֹןfirstהָאָמוּרthat is mentionedכָּאןhereהוּאitי"דthe fourteenthבְּנִיסָן,of Nisanכְּמָהjust asדְּאַתְּthat youאָמַרsay"אַךְbutבַּיּוֹםon the dayהָרִאשׁוֹןthe firstתַּשְׁבִּיתוּyou shall removeשְׂאוֹרleavenמִבָּתֵּיכֶם"from your housesשמותShemosי"ב12;וּלְפִיAnd becauseשֶׁנִּסְתַּלֵּקthat departedהַכָּתוּבthe verseמֵעִנְיָנוֹfrom the subjectשֶׁלofפֶּסַחthe Pesach offeringוְהִתְחִילand beganלְדַבֵּרto speakבְּחֻקּוֹתof the laws ofשִׁבְעַתthe sevenיָמִים,daysכְּגוֹןsuch asשִׁבְעַתsevenיָמִיםdaysתֹּאכַלyou shall eatעָלָיוupon itמַצּוֹת,matzosוְלֹאand notיֵרָאֶהshall be seenלְךָto youשְׂאֹרleavenבְּכָלin allגְּבֻלְךָ,your boundaryהֻצְרַךְit was necessaryלְפָרֵשׁto specifyבְּאֵיזוֹregarding whichזְבִיחָהslaughteringהוּאitמַזְהִיר,warnsשֶׁאִםfor ifכָּתַבit had writtenוְלֹאand notיָלִיןshall remain overnightמִןfromהַבָּשָׂרthe fleshאֲשֶׁרwhichתִּזְבַּחyou shall slaughterבָּעֶרֶבin the eveningלַבֹּקֶרuntil morningהָיִיתִיI would haveאוֹמֵרsaidשְׁלָמִיםpeace offeringsהַנִּשְׁחָטִיםthat are slaughteredכָּלallשִׁבְעָהseven daysכֻּלָּןall of themבְּבַלare under 'do not'תּוֹתִירוּleave overוְאֵינָןand they are notנֶאֱכָלִיןeatenאֶלָּאexceptלְיוֹםfor a dayוָלַיְלָה,and a nightלְכָךְthereforeכָּתַבit wroteבערבin the eveningביוםon the dayהראשון.the firstדָּבָרAnotherאַחֵרexplanationבַּחֲגִיגַתregarding the Chagigah offering ofי"דthe fourteenthהַכָּתוּבthe verseמְדַבֵּר,speaksוְלִמֵּדand it teachesעָלֶיהָconcerning itשֶׁנֶּאֱכֶלֶתthat it is eatenלִשְׁנֵיfor twoיָמִים,daysוְהָרִאשׁוֹןand the 'first'הָאָמוּרmentionedכָּאןhereבְּיוֹםregarding the dayטוֹבof Yom Tovהָרִאשׁוֹןthe firstהַכָּתוּבthe verseמְדַבֵּר,speaksוְכֵןand so isמַשְׁמָעוּתthe meaning ofהַמִּקְרָאthe verse–בְּשַׂרthe flesh ofחֲגִיגָהthe Chagigahאֲשֶׁרwhichתִּזְבַּחyou shall slaughterבָּעֶרֶבin the eveningלֹאshall notיָלִיןremain overnightבְּיֹ"טֹon Yom Tovהָרִאשׁוֹןthe firstעַדuntilבָּקְרוֹthe morning ofשֶׁלtheשֵׁנִי,second dayאֲבָלbutנֶאֱכֶלֶתit is eatenהִיאitבְאַרְבָּעָהon the fourteenthעָשָׂר·וּבַחֲמִשָׁהand on the fifteenthעָשָׂר,·וְכָךְand soהִיאis itשְׁנוּיָהtaughtבְמַסֶּכֶתin the tractate ofפְּסָחִיםPesachimדףpageע"א71a:

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

לֹאNotתוּכַלwill you be ableלִזְבֹּחַto slaughterאֶת—הַפָּסַחthe Pesach offeringבְּאַחַדin one ofשְׁעָרֶיךָyour gatesאֲשֶׁרthatיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godנֹתֵןis givingלָךְ׃to you

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

כִּיbutאִםratherאֶלtoהַמָּקוֹםthe placeאֲשֶׁרthatיִבְחַרwill chooseיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godלְשַׁכֵּןto establishשְׁמוֹHis nameשָׁםthereתִּזְבַּחyou shall slaughterאֶת—הַפֶּסַחthe Pesach offeringבָּעָרֶבin the eveningכְּבוֹאat the setting ofהַשֶּׁמֶשׁthe sunמוֹעֵדthe appointed time ofצֵאתְךָyour departureמִמִּצְרָיִם׃from Mitzrayim

רַשִׁ״י

בערבIn the eveningכבואat the comingהשמשof the sunמועדthe appointed timeצאתךof your going outממצרים.from Mitzrayimהֲרֵיbeholdשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeזְמַנִּיםtimesחֲלוּקִים,dividedבָּעֶרֶבin the eveningמִשֵּׁשׁfrom sixשָׁעוֹתhoursוּלְמַעְלָהand onwardsזָבְחֵהוּ,slaughter itוּכְבֹאand at the comingהַשֶּׁמֶשׁof the sunתֹּאכְלֵהוּ,you shall eat itוּמוֹעֵדand the appointed timeצֵאתְךָof your going outאַתָּהyouשׂוֹרְפֵהוּ,shall burn itכְּלוֹמַרmeaning to sayנַעֲשֶׂהit becomesנוֹתָרleftoverוְיֵצֵאand it goes outלְבֵיתto the placeהַשְּׂרֵפָהof burningספרי;SifreiברכותBerachosט'9a:

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

וּבִשַּׁלְתָּAnd you shall cookוְאָכַלְתָּand you shall eatבַּמָּקוֹםin the placeאֲשֶׁרthatיִבְחַרwill chooseיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godבּוֹitוּפָנִיתָand you shall turnבַבֹּקֶרin the morningוְהָלַכְתָּand you shall goלְאֹהָלֶיךָ׃to your tents

רַשִׁ״י

ובשלת.And you shall cookזֶהוּthis isצְלִיroast ofאֵשׁ,fireשֶׁאַףfor evenהוּאitקָרוּיis calledבִּשּׁוּל:cooking

רַשִׁ״י

ופניתAnd you shall turnבבקר.in the morningלְבָקְרוֹto the morningשֶׁלofשֵׁנִי,the secondמְלַמֵּדit teachesשֶׁטָּעוּןthat he requiresלִינָהlodgingלֵילthe nightשֶׁלofמוֹצָאֵיthe departure ofי"טYom Tovספרי;SifreiפסחיםPesachimצ"ה;95חגיגהChagigahי"ז17:

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

שֵׁשֶׁתSixיָמִיםdaysתֹּאכַלyou shall eatמַצּוֹתmatzosוּבַיּוֹםand on the dayהַשְּׁבִיעִיthe seventhעֲצֶרֶתa gatheringלַיהוָהto Hashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godלֹאyou shall notתַעֲשֶׂהdoמְלָאכָה׃melacha

רַשִׁ״י

ששתSixימיםdaysתאכלyou shall eatמצות.unleavened breadוּבְמָקוֹםand in a placeאַחֵרanotherשמותShemosי"ב12הוּאitאוֹמֵרsays"שִׁבְעַתsevenיָמִים"?daysשִׁבְעָהsevenמִןfromהַיָּשָׁןthe oldוְשִׁשָּׁהand sixמִןfromהֶחָדָשׁthe newספרי;SifreiמנחותMenachosס"ו66;דָּ"אַanother explanation—לִמֵּדit taughtעַלaboutאֲכִילַתthe eating ofמַצָּהmatzahבַּשְּׁבִיעִיon the seventhשֶׁאֵינָהּthat it is notחוֹבָה,an obligationוּמִכָּאןand from hereאַתָּהyouלָמֵדlearnלְשֵׁשֶׁתfor the sixיָמִים,daysשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdשְׁבִיעִיthe seventhבִּכְלָלin the general ruleהָיָהwasוְיָצָאand went outמִןfromהַכְּלָלthe general ruleלְלַמֵּדto teachשֶׁאֵיןthat there is noאֲכִילַתeating ofמַצָּהmatzahבּוֹon itחוֹבָהan obligationאֶלָּאbutרְשׁוּת,optionalוְלֹאand notלְלַמֵּדto teachעַלaboutעַצְמוֹitselfיָצָא,did it go outאֶלָּאbutלְלַמֵּדto teachעַלaboutהַכְּלָלthe general ruleכֻּלּוֹentirelyיָצָא,did it go outמַהjust asשְּׁבִיעִיthe seventhרְשׁוּתis optionalאַףso tooכֻּלָּםall of themרְשׁוּת,are optionalחוּץexceptמִלַּיְלָהfor the nightהָרִאשׁוֹןthe firstשֶׁהַכָּתוּבthat the verseקְבָעוֹestablished itחוֹבָה,as an obligationשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidשמותShemosי"ב12"בָּעֶרֶבin the eveningתֹּאכְלוּyou shall eatמַצֹּת"unleavened breadמכילתא;MechiltaפסחיםPesachimק"כ120:

רַשִׁ״י

עצרתa restrictionלה'to Hashemאלהיך.your Godעֲצֹרrestrictעַצְמְךָyourselfמִןfromהַמְּלָאכָה;the melachaדָּ"אַanother explanation—כְּנוּפְיָאa gatheringשֶׁלofמַאֲכָלeatingוּמִשְׁתֶּה,and drinkingלְשׁוֹןan expression of"נַעְצְרָהlet us detainנָּאpleaseאוֹתָךְ"youשופטיםShoftimי"ג13:

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

שִׁבְעָהSevenשָׁבֻעֹתweeksתִּסְפָּרyou shall countלָךְfor yourselfמֵהָחֵלfrom the beginning ofחֶרְמֵשׁthe sickleבַּקָּמָהin the standing grainתָּחֵלyou shall beginלִסְפֹּרto countשִׁבְעָהsevenשָׁבֻעוֹת׃weeks

רַשִׁ״י

מהחלfrom the beginning ofחרמשthe sickleבקמה.in the standing cornמִשֶּׁנִּקְצַרfrom when is harvestedהָעֹמֶרthe Omerשֶׁהוּאwhich isרֵאשִׁיתthe beginning ofהַקָּצִירthe harvestעי'seeספרי;SifreiמנחותMenachotע"אpage:

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וְעָשִׂיתָAnd you shall makeחַגthe festival ofשָׁבֻעוֹתWeeksלַיהוָהto Hashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godמִסַּתthe sufficiency ofנִדְבַתthe freewill offering ofיָדְךָyour handאֲשֶׁרwhichתִּתֵּןyou shall giveכַּאֲשֶׁרaccording asיְבָרֶכְךָblesses youיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָ׃your God

רַשִׁ״י

מסתthe sufficiency ofנדבתthe free-will offering ofידך.your handדֵּיsufficientנִדְבַתfree-will offering ofיָדְךָ,your handהַכֹּלeverythingלְפִיaccording toהַבְּרָכָהthe blessingהָבֵאbringשַׁלְמֵיpeace-offerings ofשִׂמְחָהrejoicingוְקַדֵּשׁand inviteקְרוּאִיםguestsלֶאֱכֹל:to eat

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וְשָׂמַחְתָּand you shall rejoiceלִפְנֵיbeforeיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godאַתָּהyouוּבִנְךָand your sonוּבִתֶּךָand your daughterוְעַבְדְּךָand your slaveוַאֲמָתֶךָand your maidservantוְהַלֵּוִיand the Leviteאֲשֶׁרwhoבִּשְׁעָרֶיךָis in your gatesוְהַגֵּרand the strangerוְהַיָּתוֹםand the orphanוְהָאַלְמָנָהand the widowאֲשֶׁרwhoבְּקִרְבֶּךָare in your midstבַּמָּקוֹםin the placeאֲשֶׁרthatיִבְחַרwill chooseיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godלְשַׁכֵּןto establishשְׁמוֹHis Nameשָׁם׃there

רַשִׁ״י

לויThe Leviteגרthe strangerיתוםthe orphanואלמנה.and the widowאַרְבָּעָהfourשֶׁלִּיof Mineכְּנֶגֶדcorresponding toאַרְבָּעָהfourשֶׁלְּךָof yours–בנךyour sonובתךand your daughterועבדךand your manservantואמתךand your maidservant,אִםifאַתָּהyouמְשַׂמֵּחַgladdenאֶת—שֶׁלִּיMineאֲנִיIמְשַׂמֵּחַwill gladdenאֶת—שֶׁלְּךָ:yours

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

וְזָכַרְתָּAnd you shall rememberכִּיthatעֶבֶדa slaveהָיִיתָyou wereבְּמִצְרָיִםin Mitzrayimוְשָׁמַרְתָּand you shall keepוְעָשִׂיתָand you shall doאֶת—הַחֻקִּיםthe statutesהָאֵלֶּה׃these

רַשִׁ״י

וזכרתAnd you shall rememberכיthatעבדa servantהייתyou wereוגו'.etc.עַלonמְנָתconditionכֵּןof thisפְּדִיתִיךָ,I redeemed youשֶׁתִּשְׁמֹרthat you keepוְתַעֲשֶׂהand performאֶת—הַחֻקִּיםthe statutesהָאֵלֶּה:these

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

חַגThe festival ofהַסֻּכֹּתSuccosתַּעֲשֶׂהyou shall makeלְךָfor yourselfשִׁבְעַתsevenיָמִיםdaysבְּאָסְפְּךָwhen you gatherמִגָּרְנְךָfrom your threshing-floorוּמִיִּקְבֶךָ׃and from your wine-vat

רַשִׁ״י

באספך.when you gatherבִּזְמַןat the time ofהָאָסִיףthe gatheringשֶׁאַתָּהthat youמַכְנִיסbring inלַבַּיִתto the houseפֵּרוֹתfruits ofהַקַּיִץ;the summerדָּ"אַanother explanation—באספךwhen you gatherמגרנךfrom your threshing-floorומיקבךand from your wine-press,לִמֵּדit teachesשֶׁמְּסַכְּכִיןthat we coverאֶת—הַסֻּכָּהthe Sukkahבִּפְסֹלֶתwith the waste ofגֹּרֶןthreshing-floorוְיֶקֶבand wine-pressראשRoshהשנהHashanahי"ג;13סוכהSukkahי"ב12:

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

וְשָׂמַחְתָּAnd you shall rejoiceבְּחַגֶּךָin your festivalאַתָּהyouוּבִנְךָand your sonוּבִתֶּךָand your daughterוְעַבְדְּךָand your slaveוַאֲמָתֶךָand your maidservantוְהַלֵּוִיand the Leviteוְהַגֵּרand the strangerוְהַיָּתוֹםand the orphanוְהָאַלְמָנָהand the widowאֲשֶׁרwho areבִּשְׁעָרֶיךָ׃in your gates

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

שִׁבְעַתSevenיָמִיםdaysתָּחֹגyou shall celebrateלַיהוָהto Hashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godבַּמָּקוֹםin the placeאֲשֶׁרthatיִבְחַרHe will chooseיְהוָהHashemכִּיforיְבָרֶכְךָwill bless youיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godבְּכֹלin allתְּבוּאָתְךָyour cropוּבְכֹלand in allמַעֲשֵׂהthe work ofיָדֶיךָyour handsוְהָיִיתָand you shall beאַךְonlyשָׂמֵחַ׃joyful

רַשִׁ״י

והייתAnd you shall beאךonlyשמח.rejoicingלְפִיaccording toפְשׁוּטוֹits plain senseאֵיןis notזֶהthisלְשׁוֹןan expression ofצִוּוּיcommandאֶלָּאbut ratherלְשׁוֹןan expression ofהַבְטָחָה,assuranceוּלְפִיand according toתַלְמוּדוֹits Halachic interpretationלָמְדוּthey derivedמִכָּאןfrom hereלְרַבּוֹתto includeלֵילֵיthe nights ofיוֹםthe dayטוֹבof Yom Tovהָאַחֲרוֹןthe lastלְשִׂמְחָהfor rejoicingשםthereמ"חforty-eight:

פָּסוּק כא

Pasuk 21

שָׁלוֹשׁThreeפְּעָמִיםtimesבַּשָּׁנָהin the yearיֵרָאֶהshall appearכָלallזְכוּרְךָyour malesאֶת—פְּנֵיthe presence ofיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godבַּמָּקוֹםin the placeאֲשֶׁרthatיִבְחָרHe will chooseבְּחַגon the festival ofהַמַּצּוֹתthe Matzosוּבְחַגand on the festival ofהַשָּׁבֻעוֹתthe Weeksוּבְחַגand on the festival ofהַסֻּכּוֹתthe Boothsוְלֹאand notיֵרָאֶהshall he appearאֶת—פְּנֵיthe presence ofיְהוָהHashemרֵיקָם׃empty-handed

רַשִׁ״י

ולאAnd notיראהshall he appearאת—פניthe face ofה'Hashemריקם.empty-handedאֶלָּאbutהָבֵאbringעוֹלוֹתburnt offerings ofרְאִיָּהappearanceוְשַׁלְמֵיand peace offerings ofחֲגִיגָה:the festival

פָּסוּק כב

Pasuk 22

אִישׁeach manכְּמַתְּנַתaccording to the gift ofיָדוֹhis handכְּבִרְכַּתaccording to the blessing ofיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour GodאֲשֶׁרwhichנָתַןHe gaveלָךְ׃to you

רַשִׁ״י

אישEvery manכמתנתaccording to the gift ofידו.his handמִיoneשֶׁיֵּשׁwho hasלוֹto himאוֹכְלִיןeatersהַרְבֵּהmanyוּנְכָסִיםand possessionsמְרֻבִּיןabundantיָבִיאshall bringעוֹלוֹתburnt offeringsמְרֻבּוֹתmanyוּשְׁלָמִיםand peace offeringsמְרֻבִּיםmanyספרי;SifreiחגיגהChagigahח'8:

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah continues with the counting of the Omer and the celebration of Shavuos, where we bring our freewill offerings and rejoice before Hashem together with our families, the Levi, the convert, the orphan, and the widow. Next, the Torah commands us regarding the Chag of Succos, which is celebrated for seven days after the gathering of the harvest, emphasizing the special mitzvah of being completely בשמחה. Finally, the Torah seals the aliyah with the general mitzvah of Aliyah L'regel, requiring all males to appear before Hashem in the Beis HaMikdash three times a year, bringing their respective holiday offerings according to the bracha Hashem has bestowed upon them.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

In the parsha of the Shalosh Regalim, the Torah repeats a beautiful and striking pattern. When we rejoice before Hashem on Shavuos and Succos, we are commanded to include "your son, your daughter, your servant... and the convert, the orphan, and the widow." Rashi brings down a beautiful Chazal on this: Hashem says, "My four correspond to your four." If you bring joy to My four (the Levi, the convert, the orphan, and the widow), then I will bring joy to your four (your son, your daughter, your manservant, and your maidservant).

Lichoira, we might think that true simchas yom tov is about our own family, our own beautiful table, and our own spiritual elevation. The Torah is teaching us a major chiddush in the definition of simcha. True simcha is not an insular, self-centered experience. Mimeila, if a person sits at his own lavish table but forgets about those who have no one to turn to, that is not the simcha of a mitzvah. The real way to unlock Hashem's bracha and bring true, lasting joy into our own homes is by first opening our hearts and our tables to those who are lonely or struggling.

This is our avodah today. We don't have to wait for the Shalosh Regalim to live with this yesod. Look around your community, your shul, or even your own extended family. There is always someone who feels like an "orphan" or a "widow" in their own way, someone going through a hard time, a single person who is lonely, or a guest who feels out of place.

Today, make a concrete effort to bring joy to one of "Hashem's four." Reach out to someone who is lonely, invite a guest who has nowhere to go for the upcoming Shabbos, or send a warm, encouraging message to someone going through a difficult time, knowing that when you take care of Hashem's family, He takes care of yours.