בכ"ז פסוקים בחמישה חומשי תורה מופיע הלשון "אני ה' אלקיכם" ובל"ז פסוקים מופיע הלשון "אני ה'". בחלק מהם רואה רש"י צורך לפרש מילים אלו. עפ"י כללי "פשוטו של מקרא" של רש"י, מתי יש צורך לפרש ומתי אין? ולמה יש שינויים בפירושיו?

עבודה בתהליך

להלן ציטוטי כל הפסוקים בחמישה חומשי תורה בהם מופיע המלים "אני ה'" ו"אני ה' אלקיכם", הן אלו שיש עליהן פרש"י והן אלו שלא. על יסוד חומר זה ננסה להבין —בעזה"י— מתי רואה רש"י סיבה לפרש ומתי לא, וגם: למה בכל מקום שכן מפרש הרי הוא מפרש באופן שונה.

(כדי להקל על הקורא העתקנו כל פסוק עם פרש"י שלו בצבע זהה. הפסוקים שאין עליהם פרש"י נסמנו ע"י רקע אפור.)

ציינתי כל ציטוט המובא בא' מג' השיחות דלהלן:

לקו"ש ח"ז ע' 175-187

(לקו"ש ח"ח ע' 94-98 (ביאור על פרש"י על "אני ה"א" בסיום פרשת ציצית

לקו"ש חי"ב ע' 83-90 (ביאור על פרש"י לאחרי מות יח, ב: "דבר אל בני ישראל ואמרת אליהם אני ה' אלקיכם" [כמעשה

[(...ארץ מצרים

("לקו"ש חי"ג ע' 24-29 (ביאור על פרש"י לבהעלותך י, י: "וביום שמחתכם... אני ה' אלקיכם

לקו"ש חכ"ב ע' 96-102

לקו"ש חכ"ב ע' 108-113

אני עדיין מחפש אם ישנן עוד שיחות הדנים בנושא זה.

DRAFT. WORK IN PROGRESS

There is no easily discernible criteria that Rashi adheres to regarding the significance of the words 'אני ה and אני ה' אלקיכם whenever they appear in the Chumash.

In this sheet I have collected all the verses of the Chumash (there are more in Neviim and Ketuvim) where these phrases appear as well as Rashi's interpretation of them, whenever there is one. (Each verse and its corresponding commentary by Rashi shares the same color of text. The verses that have no commentary by Rashi are identified by a gray background.)

I have also listed the verses where 'אני ה and אני ה' אלקיכם appear and Rashi explains terms connected with them, omitting mention of these words themselves. (In one case, Rashi explains these three words in conjunction with another word.)

My goal is to try and identify any rules regarding when, how and why Rashi chooses to explain these three expressions.

This research project was triggered when I taught the Lubavitcher Rebbe זי"ע's explanation of Rashi's unusual interpretation of אני ה' אלקיכם in his commentary on Behaalotecha (Numbers)10:10. (Source: Likutei Sichos Vol. 13, pages 24-29.)

I have since discovered the Rebbe's explanation of Rashi on Acharei (Leviticus) 18:2 where the Rebbe shares many "rules" that help us understand Rashi's approach to defining and explaining אני ה' אלקיכם in the context of different verses. (Likutei Sichos 12, pages 83-90). I reference the Sichos at each text that is mentioned in said Sichos or footnotes.

I am still researching to find any more sichos that address this issue in one way or another.

You are welcome to join me on this journey!

(ב) וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר אֱלֹקִ֖ים אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֑ה וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֵלָ֖יו אֲנִ֥י ה'׃

(לקו"ש חי"ב ע' 83, הע' 6)

(2) God spoke to Moses and said to him, “I am the LORD.

(א) וידבר אלקים אל משה. דִּבֵּר אִתּוֹ מִשְׁפָּט, עַל שֶׁהִקְשָׁה לְדַבֵּר וְלוֹמַר "לָמָה הֲרֵעֹתָה לָעָם הַזֶּה": (ב) ויאמר אליו אני ה'. נֶאֱמָן לְשַׁלֵּם שָׂכָר טוֹב לַמִּתְהַלְּכִים לְפָנַי, וְלֹא לְחִנָּם שְׁלַחְתִּיךָ כִּי אִם לְקַיֵּם דְּבָרִי שֶׁדִּבַּרְתִּי לָאָבוֹת הָרִאשׁוֹנִים. וּבַלָּשׁוֹן הַזֶּה מָצִינוּ שֶׁהוּא נִדְרָשׁ בְּכַמָּה מְקוֹמוֹת אֲנִי ה' נֶאֱמָן לְהִפָּרַע – כְּשֶׁהוּא אָמוּר אֵצֶל עֹנֶשׁ – כְּגוֹן "וְחִלַּלְתָּ אֶת שֵׁם אֱלֹקֶיךָ אֲנִי ה'" (ויקרא י״ט:י״ב), וּכְשֶׁהוּא אוֹמֵר אֵצֶל קִיּוּם מִצְווֹת – כְּגוֹן "וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם מִצְוֹתַי וַעֲשִׂיתֶם אוֹתָם אֲנִי ה'" (שם כ"ב) – נֶאֱמָן לִתֵּן שָׂכָר:

(לקו"ש חי"ב ע' 83)

(1) וידבר אלהים אל משה AND GOD SPOKE UNTO MOSES — He took him to task because he had spoken so censoriously when he said, (Exodus 5:22) “Wherefore hast thou done so evil to this people”. (2) ויאמר אליו אני ה׳ AND HE SAID UNTO HIM, I AM THE LORD, Who am faithful to recompense with a full reward those who walk before Me. Nor have I sent you with no purpose in view (cf. 5:22), but to fulfil the promise which I made to the early patriarchs. In this sense we find that the phrase is to be explained in many passages: אני ה׳ signifies, I am the Lord, Who am faithful to exact punishment — when it is spoken in reference to a matter that demands punishment, as, for instance, (Leviticus 19:12) “And thou profanest the name of thy God; I am the Lord”; and when it is spoken in reference to observing the Divine commands — as in, (Leviticus 22:31) “Ye shall keep my commandments and do them; I am the Lord” — it signifies, “I am the Lord Who am faithful to give reward.”

(ו) לָכֵ֞ן אֱמֹ֥ר לִבְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֘ל אֲנִ֣י ה' וְהוֹצֵאתִ֣י אֶתְכֶ֗ם מִתַּ֙חַת֙ סִבְלֹ֣ת מִצְרַ֔יִם וְהִצַּלְתִּ֥י אֶתְכֶ֖ם מֵעֲבֹדָתָ֑ם וְגָאַלְתִּ֤י אֶתְכֶם֙ בִּזְר֣וֹעַ נְטוּיָ֔ה וּבִשְׁפָטִ֖ים גְּדֹלִֽים׃

(6) Say, therefore, to the Israelite people: I am the LORD. I will free you from the labors of the Egyptians and deliver you from their bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and through extraordinary chastisements.

לכן. עַל פִּי אוֹתָהּ הַשְּׁבוּעָה:

אמר לבני ישראל אני ה'. הַנֶּאֱמָן בְּהַבְטָחָתִי:

והוצאתי אתכם. כִּי כֵן הִבְטַחְתִּי: "וְאַחֲרֵי כֵן יֵצְאוּ בִּרְכֻשׁ גָּדוֹל" (שם):

סבלת. טֹרַח מַשָּׂא מִצְרַיִם:

(לקו"ש חכ"ב ע' 110 הע' 21)

(1) לכן THEREFORE, i. e. in accordance with the tenor of that oath (cf. Exodus Rabbah 6) (2) אמר לבני ישראל אני ה׳ SAY UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, I AM THE LORD Who am faithful in My promise, (3) והוצאתי אתכם AND I WILL BRING YOU OUT, — for so did I promise them: (Genesis 15:14) “and afterwards shall they go out with great substance”. (4) סבלת מצרים means the encumbrance of the burdens of Egypt.

(ז) וְלָקַחְתִּ֨י אֶתְכֶ֥ם לִי֙ לְעָ֔ם וְהָיִ֥יתִי לָכֶ֖ם לֵֽאלֹקִ֑ים וִֽידַעְתֶּ֗ם כִּ֣י אֲנִ֤י ה' אֱלֹ֣קֵיכֶ֔ם הַמּוֹצִ֣יא אֶתְכֶ֔ם מִתַּ֖חַת סִבְל֥וֹת מִצְרָֽיִם׃

(7) And I will take you to be My people, and I will be your God. And you shall know that I, the LORD, am your God who freed you from the labors of the Egyptians.

(ח) וְהֵבֵאתִ֤י אֶתְכֶם֙ אֶל־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֤ר נָשָׂ֙אתִי֙ אֶת־יָדִ֔י לָתֵ֣ת אֹתָ֔הּ לְאַבְרָהָ֥ם לְיִצְחָ֖ק וּֽלְיַעֲקֹ֑ב וְנָתַתִּ֨י אֹתָ֥הּ לָכֶ֛ם מוֹרָשָׁ֖ה אֲנִ֥י ה'׃

(8) I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to you for a possession, I the LORD.”

(כט) וַיְדַבֵּ֧ר ה' אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹ֖ר אֲנִ֣י ה' דַּבֵּ֗ר אֶל־פַּרְעֹה֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ מִצְרַ֔יִם אֵ֛ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲנִ֖י דֹּבֵ֥ר אֵלֶֽיךָ׃

(29) and the LORD said to Moses, “I am the LORD; speak to Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I will tell you,”

(א) וידבר ה'. הוּא הַדִּבּוּר עַצְמוֹ הָאָמוּר לְמַעְלָה בא דבר אל פרעה מלך מצרים, אֶלָּא מִתּוֹךְ שֶׁהִפְסִיק הָעִנְיָן כְּדֵי לְיַחֲסָם, חָזַר עָלָיו לְהַתְחִיל בּוֹ: (ב) אני ה'. כְּדַאי אֲנִי לְשָׁלְחֲךָ וּלְקַיֵּם דִּבְרֵי שְׁלִיחוּתִי:

(לקו"ש חי"ב ע' 86 הע' 18)

(1) וידבר ה׳ AND THE LORD SPAKE — This is the self-same command which was mentioned before, viz., (v. 11) “Go in, speak unto Pharaoh, king of Egypt”, but because it (Scripture) broke off the narrative in order to record their genealogy it now reverts to it and begins it anew. (2) אני ה׳ I AM THE LORD — I am powerful enough to send you and to carry out the matter on which I have sent you.

(ה) וְיָדְע֤וּ מִצְרַ֙יִם֙ כִּֽי־אֲנִ֣י ה' בִּנְטֹתִ֥י אֶת־יָדִ֖י עַל־מִצְרָ֑יִם וְהוֹצֵאתִ֥י אֶת־בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מִתּוֹכָֽם׃

(5) And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out My hand over Egypt and bring out the Israelites from their midst.”

(יח) וְהִפְלֵיתִי֩ בַיּ֨וֹם הַה֜וּא אֶת־אֶ֣רֶץ גֹּ֗שֶׁן אֲשֶׁ֤ר עַמִּי֙ עֹמֵ֣ד עָלֶ֔יהָ לְבִלְתִּ֥י הֱיֽוֹת־שָׁ֖ם עָרֹ֑ב לְמַ֣עַן תֵּדַ֔ע כִּ֛י אֲנִ֥י ה' בְּקֶ֥רֶב הָאָֽרֶץ׃

(18) But on that day I will set apart the region of Goshen, where My people dwell, so that no swarms of insects shall be there, that you may know that I the LORD am in the midst of the land.

(א) והפליתי. וְהִפְרַשְׁתִּי, וְכֵן "וְהִפְלָה ה'" (שמות ט'), וְכֵן "לֹא נִפְלֵאת הִיא מִמְּךָ" (דברים ל') – לֹא מֻבְדֶּלֶת וּמֻפְרֶשֶׁת הִיא מִמְּךָ: (ב) למען תדע כי אני ה' בקרב הארץ. אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁשְּׁכִינָתִי בַּשָּׁמַיִם גְּזֵרָתִי מִתְקַיֶּמֶת בַּתַּחְתּוֹנִים:

(1) והפליתי means I WILL SEPARATE. Similar is, (Exodus 9:4) “And the Lord will make a separation (והפלה)”; so, also, (Deuteronomy 30:11) “It is not נפלאת from thee״ — that is, “it is not separated and set at a far distance from thee”. (2) למען תדע כי אני ה׳ בקרב הארץ IN ORDER THAT THOU MAYEST KNOW THAT I AM THE ETERNAL IN THE MIDST OF THE EARTH — although My Shechina is in the heavens My command is fulfilled amongst mankind (as we might say, “My writ runs on earth also”).

(ב) וּלְמַ֡עַן תְּסַפֵּר֩ בְּאָזְנֵ֨י בִנְךָ֜ וּבֶן־בִּנְךָ֗ אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁ֤ר הִתְעַלַּ֙לְתִּי֙ בְּמִצְרַ֔יִם וְאֶת־אֹתֹתַ֖י אֲשֶׁר־שַׂ֣מְתִּי בָ֑ם וִֽידַעְתֶּ֖ם כִּי־אֲנִ֥י ה'׃

(2) and that you may recount in the hearing of your sons and of your sons’ sons how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and how I displayed My signs among them—in order that you may know that I am the LORD.”

(יב) וְעָבַרְתִּ֣י בְאֶֽרֶץ־מִצְרַיִם֮ בַּלַּ֣יְלָה הַזֶּה֒ וְהִכֵּיתִ֤י כָל־בְּכוֹר֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם מֵאָדָ֖ם וְעַד־בְּהֵמָ֑ה וּבְכָל־אֱלֹקֵ֥י מִצְרַ֛יִם אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֥ה שְׁפָטִ֖ים אֲנִ֥י ה'׃

(12) For that night I will go through the land of Egypt and strike down every first-born in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and I will mete out punishments to all the gods of Egypt, I the LORD.

(א) ועברתי. כְּמֶלֶךְ הָעוֹבֵר מִמָּקוֹם לְמָקוֹם (מכילתא), וּבְהַעֲבָרָה אַחַת וּבְרֶגַע אֶחָד כֻּלָּן לוֹקִים: (ב) כל בכור בארץ מצרים. אַף בְּכוֹרוֹת אֲחֵרִים וְהֵם בְּמִצְרַיִם. וּמִנַּיִן אַף בְּכוֹרֵי מִצְרַיִם שֶׁבִּמְקוֹמוֹת אֲחֵרִים? תַּ"לֹ "לְמַכֵּה מִצְרַיִם בִּבְכוֹרֵיהֶם" (תהלים קל"ו): (ג) מאדם ועד בהמה. מִי שֶׁהִתְחִיל בַּעֲבֵרָה מִמֶּנּוּ מַתְחֶלֶת הַפֻּרְעָנוּת (מכילתא): (ד) ובכל אלקי מצרים. שֶׁל עֵץ נִרְקֶבֶת וְשֶׁל מַתֶּכֶת נִמְסֵת וְנִתֶּכֶת לָאָרֶץ (שם): (ה) אעשה שפטים אני ה'. אֲנִי בְעַצְמִי, וְלֹא עַל יְדֵי שָׁלִיחַ:

(1) ועברתי AND I WILL PASS — This is not to be taken literally, but is speaks of God as one speaks of a king who passes from place to place (Mekhilta d'Rabbi Yishmael 12:12:1) but in this case all were punished at a single passage and in one moment. (2) כל בכור בארץ מצרים ALL THE FIRSTBORN IN THE LAND OF EGYPT — also the first-born of other nations who happened then to be in Egypt. And whence may we deduce that the first-born of the Egyptians who happened to be in other countries also died? From what Scripture states: (Psalms 136:10) “To Him that smote the Egyptians in their first-born” (an unqualified statement) (Mekhilta d'Rabbi Yishmael 12:12:2). (3) מאדם עד בהמה FROM MAN TO BEAST — He who first began the wrongdoing, from him began the punishment (Mekhilta d'Rabbi Yishmael 12:12:2). (4) ובכל אלהי מצרים AND AGAINST ALL THE GODS OF EGYPT [WILL I EXECUTE JUDGEMENTS] — An idol of wood rotted, and one of metal melted and was poured out on the ground (cf. Mekhilta d'Rabbi Yishmael 12:12:3)). (5) 'אעשה שפטים אני ה I WILL EXECUTE JUDGEMENTS, I, THE LORD — I, Myself, and not by means of a messenger (Pesikta Zotarta).

(ד) וְחִזַּקְתִּ֣י אֶת־לֵב־פַּרְעֹה֮ וְרָדַ֣ף אַחֲרֵיהֶם֒ וְאִכָּבְדָ֤ה בְּפַרְעֹה֙ וּבְכָל־חֵיל֔וֹ וְיָדְע֥וּ מִצְרַ֖יִם כִּֽי־אֲנִ֣י ה' וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ־כֵֽן׃

(4) Then I will stiffen Pharaoh’s heart and he will pursue them, that I may gain glory through Pharaoh and all his host; and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD. And they did so.

(יח) וְיָדְע֥וּ מִצְרַ֖יִם כִּי־אֲנִ֣י ה' בְּהִכָּבְדִ֣י בְּפַרְעֹ֔ה בְּרִכְבּ֖וֹ וּבְפָרָשָֽׁיו׃

(18) Let the Egyptians know that I am LORD, when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”

(יב) שָׁמַ֗עְתִּי אֶת־תְּלוּנֹּת֮ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ דַּבֵּ֨ר אֲלֵהֶ֜ם לֵאמֹ֗ר בֵּ֤ין הָֽעַרְבַּ֙יִם֙ תֹּאכְל֣וּ בָשָׂ֔ר וּבַבֹּ֖קֶר תִּשְׂבְּעוּ־לָ֑חֶם וִֽידַעְתֶּ֕ם כִּ֛י אֲנִ֥י ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶֽם׃

(12) “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Speak to them and say: By evening you shall eat flesh, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; and you shall know that I the LORD am your God.”

(יג) וְאַתָּ֞ה דַּבֵּ֨ר אֶל־בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר אַ֥ךְ אֶת־שַׁבְּתֹתַ֖י תִּשְׁמֹ֑רוּ כִּי֩ א֨וֹת הִ֜וא בֵּינִ֤י וּבֵֽינֵיכֶם֙ לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם לָדַ֕עַת כִּ֛י אֲנִ֥י ה' מְקַדִּשְׁכֶֽם׃

(13) Speak to the Israelite people and say: Nevertheless, you must keep My sabbaths, for this is a sign between Me and you throughout the ages, that you may know that I the LORD have consecrated you.

(א) ואתה דבר אל בני ישראל. וְאַתָּה אַעַ"פִּ שֶׁהִפְקַדְתִּיךָ לְצַוּוֹתָם עַל מְלֶאכֶת הַמִּשְׁכָּן, אַל יֵקַל בְּעֵינֶיךָ לִדְחוֹת אֶת הַשַּׁבָּת מִפְּנֵי אוֹתָהּ מְלָאכָה: (ב) אך את שבתתי תשמרו. אַעַ"פִּ שֶׁתִּהְיוּ רְדוּפִין וּזְרִיזִין בִּזְרִיזוּת הַמְּלָאכָה, שַׁבָּת אַל תִּדָּחֶה מִפָּנֶיהָ, כָּל אַכִין וְרַקִּין מִעוּטִין – לְמַעֵט שַׁבָּת מִמְּלֶאכֶת הַמִּשְׁכָּן: (ג) כי אות הוא ביני וביניכם. אוֹת גְּדֻלָּה הִיא בֵינֵינוּ, שֶׁבָּחַרְתִּי בָכֶם בְּהַנְחִילִי לָכֶם אֶת יוֹם מְנוּחָתִי לִמְנוּחָה: (ד) לדעת. הָאֻמּוֹת בָּהּ כי אני ה' מקדשכם:

(1) ואתה דבר אל בני ישראל SPEAK THOU ALSO UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL — AND thou, although I have given thee charge to command them concerning the work of the Tabernacle let it not appear a light thing to thee to set the Sabbath aside on account of that work. (2) אך את שבתתי תשמרו BUT NEVERTHELESS MY SABBATHS SHALL YE KEEP — Even though you be anxious and alert to do the work promptly the Sabbath nevertheless you must not set aside on its account. The words אך and רק wherever they occur in Scripture have limitative force (Rosh Hashanah 17b; cf. Rashi on Rosh Hashanah 17b on אכין ורקין). Here Scripture intends by the word אך to except the Sabbath from the days on which the work of the Tabernacle may be done. (3) כי אות היא ביני וביניכם FOR IT IS A SIGN BETWEEN ME AND YOU — There is a mark of distinction in the relation that exists between us, viz., the fact that I have chosen you by letting you inherit for rest that day on which “I” rested. (4) לדעת TO KNOW — (not, “for you to know”, but) for the nations of the world to know through it, כי אני ה' מקדשכם THAT I AM THE LORD THAT DOTH SANCTIFY YOU.

(מד) כִּ֣י אֲנִ֣י ה' אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֒ וְהִתְקַדִּשְׁתֶּם֙ וִהְיִיתֶ֣ם קְדֹשִׁ֔ים כִּ֥י קָד֖וֹשׁ אָ֑נִי וְלֹ֤א תְטַמְּאוּ֙ אֶת־נַפְשֹׁ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם בְּכָל־הַשֶּׁ֖רֶץ הָרֹמֵ֥שׂ עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃

(44) For I the LORD am your God: you shall sanctify yourselves and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not make yourselves unclean through any swarming thing that moves upon the earth.

כי אני ה' אלקיכם. כְּשֵׁם שֶׁאֲנִי קָדוֹשׁ שֶׁאֲנִי ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶם, כָּךְ וְהִתְקַדִּשְׁתֶּם — קַדְּשׁוּ עַצְמְכֶם לְמַטָּה: והייתם קדשים. לְפִי שֶׁאֲנִי אֲקַדֵּשׁ אֶתְכֶם לְמַעְלָה וּבָעוֹלָם הַבָּא: ולא תטמאו וגו'. לַעֲבֹר עֲלֵיהֶם בְּלָאוִין הַרְבֵּה, וְכָל לָאו מַלְקוּת, וְזֶהוּ שֶׁאָמְרוּ בַּתַּלְמוּד (מכות ט"ז:), אָכַל פּוּטִיתָא לוֹקֶה אַרְבַּע, נְמָלָה לוֹקֶה חָמֵשׁ, צִרְעָה לוֹקֶה שֵׁשׁ:

(1) כי אני ה׳ אלהיכם FOR I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD — Just as I am holy, I, Who am the Lord your God, similarly והתקדשתם MAKE YOURSELVES HOLY below on earth ( (Sifra, Shemini, Chapter 12 3), (2) והייתם קדשים AND YE WILL BE HOLY, because I will then treat you as holy, above and in the world-to-come (Yoma 39a). (3) ולא תטמאו NEITHER SHALL YE DEFILE [YOUR SOULS] etc. — This is repeated in order to bring it about that a person transgresses many negative commands when he eats such abominable things: and every single negative commandment involves for its transgression the punishment of lashes. This is the meaning of what they said in the Talmud (Makkot 16b): if one has eaten a Putisa (a shell fish or water reptile), he receives floggings (39 lashes) four times, (because four of the different prohibitions referring to שרצים apply to such a water reptile); if he has eaten an ant, he receives five such floggings; a hornet, six such floggings.

(מה) כִּ֣י ׀ אֲנִ֣י ה' הַֽמַּעֲלֶ֤ה אֶתְכֶם֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם לִהְיֹ֥ת לָכֶ֖ם לֵאלֹקִ֑ים וִהְיִיתֶ֣ם קְדֹשִׁ֔ים כִּ֥י קָד֖וֹשׁ אָֽנִי׃

(45) For I the LORD am He who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God: you shall be holy, for I am holy.

(א) כי אני ה' המעלה אתכם. עַל מְנָת שֶׁתְּקַבְּלוּ מִצְוֹתַי הֶעֱלֵיתִי אֶתְכֶם; דָּבָר אַחֵר, כִּי אֲנִי ה' הַמַּעֲלֶה אֶתְכֶם: בְּכֻלָּן כְּתִיב "הוֹצֵאתִי" וְכָאן כְּתִיב "הַמַּעֲלֶה", תָּנָא דְבֵי רַ' יִשְׁמָעֵאל אִלְּמָלֵי לֹא הֶעֱלֵיתִי אֶת יִשְֹרָאֵל מִמִּצְרַיִם אֶלָּא בִּשְׁבִיל שֶׁאֵין מִטַּמְּאִין בִּשְׁרָצִים כִּשְׁאָר אֻמּוֹת דַּיָּם, וּמַעַלְיוּתָא הִיא גַּבַּיְהוּ, זֶהוּ לְשׁוֹן מַעֲלָה:

(לקו"ש ח"ח ע' 97 הע' 27)

(1) כי אני ה׳ המעלה אתכם FOR I AM THE LORD THAT BRINGETH YOU UP [OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT] — On condition that you should accept My commandments did I bring you up (Sifra, Shemini, Chapter 12 4). Another explanation of: FOR I AM THE LORD THAT BRINGETH YOU UP — In all other places it is written, “I brought (you) forth”, and here it is written “that bringeth (you) up” — in reference to this it was taught in the school of R. Ishmael: If I had brought up Israel from Egypt only to effect this one thing — that they do not defile themselves by reptiles as do the other peoples, that should be sufficient for them (Bava Metzia 61b), and it should be regarded by them as an elevation for themselves — this is what is implied in the expression used here: מעלה (I raised you above the people of the land of Egypt).

(ב) דַּבֵּר֙ אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְאָמַרְתָּ֖ אֲלֵהֶ֑ם אֲנִ֖י ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶֽם׃

(2) Speak to the Israelite people and say to them: I the LORD am your God.

(ב) אני ה' אלקיכם. אֲנִי הוּא שֶׁאָמַרְתִּי בְסִינַי אָנֹכִי ה' אֱלֹקֶיךָ וְקִבַּלְתֶּם עֲלֵיכֶם מַלְכוּתִי, מֵעַתָּה קַבְּלוּ גְזֵרוֹתָי; רַבִּי אוֹמֵר גָּלוּי וְיָדוּעַ לְפָנָיו שֶׁסּוֹפָן לִנָּתֵק בַּעֲרָיוֹת בִּימֵי עֶזְרָא, לְפִיכָךְ בָּא עֲלֵיהֶם בִּגְזֵרָה אני ה' אלקיכם — דְּעוּ מִי גוֹזֵר עֲלֵיכֶם, דַּיָּן לִפָּרַע וְנֶאֱמָן לְשַׁלֵּם שָׂכָר (עי' ספרא):

(ראה לקו"ש חי"ב ע' 83-90)

(לקו"ש ח"ח ע' 97 הע' 27)

(1) (2) אני ה' אלהיכם I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD — I am He Who spoke on Mount Sinai “I am the Lord thy God" and Whose kingship you then accepted; now, therefore, accept My decrees! Rabbi Judah han-Nasi said: It was manifest and known to Him that in the days of Ezra they would ultimately revolt against restricting sexual relations, He therefore came to them with a decree emphasized by the words: "I am The Lord your God" — understand well Who it is that imposes this decree upon you, — the Judge (אלהיכם) Whose function it is to punish but Who is certain also to give a reward ('‎ה‎) (cf. Sifra, Acharei Mot, Section 8 1).

(ד) אֶת־מִשְׁפָּטַ֧י תַּעֲשׂ֛וּ וְאֶת־חֻקֹּתַ֥י תִּשְׁמְר֖וּ לָלֶ֣כֶת בָּהֶ֑ם אֲנִ֖י ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶֽם׃

(לקו"ש חי"ב ע' 83 הע' 6)

(4) My rules alone shall you observe, and faithfully follow My laws: I the LORD am your God.

(א) את משפטי תעשו. אֵלּוּ דְּבָרִים הָאֲמוּרִים בַּתּוֹרָה בְּמִשְׁפָּט, שֶׁאִלּוּ לֹא נֶאֶמְרוּ הָיוּ כְדַאי לְאָמְרָן: (ב) ואת חקתי תשמרו. דְּבָרִים שֶׁהֵן גְּזֵרַת הַמֶּלֶךְ, שֶׁיֵּצֶר הָרַע מֵשִׁיב עֲלֵיהֶם לָמָּה לָנוּ לְשָׁמְרָן? וְאֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם מְשִׁיבִין עֲלֵיהֶם, כְּגוֹן אֲכִילַת חֲזִיר וּלְבִישַׁת שַׁעַטְנֵז וְטָהֳרַת מֵי חַטָּאת, לְכָךְ נֶאֱמַר אני ה', גָּזַרְתִּי עֲלֵיכֶם, אֵי אַתָּה רַשַּׁאי לִפָּטֵר (יומא ס"ז):

(לקו"ש חכ"ב ע' 97 הע' 16)

(1) את משפטי תעשו YE SHALL DO MY JUDGMENTS — Matters prescribed in the Torah which are in conformity with the human feeling of justice such as one feels ought to be ordained if they had not been already ordained by the Torah. (2) ואת חקתי תשמרו AND KEEP MINE ORDINANCES — matters which are decrees of the King (promulgated without any reason being stated) against which the evil inclination raises objections: "Why should we observe them and against which also the nations of the world raise objections, as e. g., the prohibition of eating swine’s flesh, of wearing clothes of a mixture of wool and linen, the purgatory power of "water mingled with the ashes of the Red Heifer" (טהרת מי חטאת) — therefore it is stated: "I", the Lord, have enacted this for you — you are not at liberty to evade the obligation (Yoma 67b). (3) ללכת בהם TO WALK IN THEM — do not free yourselves from their environment, i.e. that you must not say, I have acquired Jewish wisdom, now I will go and acquire the wisdom of the other peoples of the world in order to walk in their ways.

(ה) וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֤ם אֶת־חֻקֹּתַי֙ וְאֶת־מִשְׁפָּטַ֔י אֲשֶׁ֨ר יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה אֹתָ֛ם הָאָדָ֖ם וָחַ֣י בָּהֶ֑ם אֲנִ֖י ה'׃ (ס)

(5) You shall keep My laws and My rules, by the pursuit of which man shall live: I am the LORD.

ושמרתם את חקתי וגו'. לְרַבּוֹת שְׁאָר דִּקְדּוּקֵי הַפָּרָשָׁה, שֶׁלֹּא פֵּרֵט הַכָּתוּב בָּהֶם; דָּבָר אַחֵר לִתֵּן שְׁמִירָה וַעֲשִׂיָּה לַחֻקִּים וּשְׁמִירָה וַעֲשִׂיָּה לַמִּשְׁפָּטִים, לְפִי שֶׁלֹּא נָתַן אֶלָּא עֲשִׂיָּה לַמִּשְׁפָּטִים וּשְׁמִירָה לַחֻקִּים (ספרא):

וחי בהם. לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁאִם תֹּאמַר בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה וַהֲלֹא סוֹפוֹ הוּא מֵת (שם):

אני ה'. נֶאֱמָן לְשַׁלֵּם שָׂכָר (שם):

(לקו"ש חכ"ב ע' 97 הע' 15)

(1) 'ושמרתם את חקתי וגו‎ YE SHALL THEREFORE KEEP MY ORDINANCES — [This is not a mere repetition of v. 4 but is intended] to include other details of the laws mentioned in this chapter which Scripture does not expressly mention. Another explanation is: Scripture makes this repetition in order to attach the commands of “observing" (שמירה) and "performing" (עשיה) to the חוקים, and the commands of שמירה and עשיה to the משפטים, for in v. 4 it uses the term עשיה only in connection with the משפטים, and that of שמירה only with reference to the חוקים (Sifra, Acharei Mot, Section 8 10). (2) וחי בהם means, THAT HE SHALL LIVE THROUGH THEM in the world to come (eternal life). For if you say it means that he shall live in this world, is it not a fact that in the end he must die! (Sifra, Acharei Mot, Section 8 10; cf. also Targ. Onkelos) (3) 'אני ה‎ I AM THE LORD, Who am faithful to pay you your reward (Sifra, Acharei Mot, Section 8 10).

(ו) אִ֥ישׁ אִישׁ֙ אֶל־כָּל־שְׁאֵ֣ר בְּשָׂר֔וֹ לֹ֥א תִקְרְב֖וּ לְגַלּ֣וֹת עֶרְוָ֑ה אֲנִ֖י ה'׃ (ס)

(6) None of you shall come near anyone of his own flesh to uncover nakedness: I am the LORD.

(אני ה'. נֶאֱמָן לְשַׁלֵּם שָׂכָר:

(לקו"ש חכ"ב ע' 97 הע' 15)

(2) 'אני ה I AM THE LORD, who am faithful to pay you your reward (Sifra, Acharei Mot, Chapter 13 13.

(כא) וּמִֽזַּרְעֲךָ֥ לֹא־תִתֵּ֖ן לְהַעֲבִ֣יר לַמֹּ֑לֶךְ וְלֹ֧א תְחַלֵּ֛ל אֶת־שֵׁ֥ם אֱלֹקֶ֖יךָ אֲנִ֥י ה'׃

(21) Do not allow any of your offspring to be offered up to Molech, and do not profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.

(ל) וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֣ם אֶת־מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֗י לְבִלְתִּ֨י עֲשׂ֜וֹת מֵחֻקּ֤וֹת הַתּֽוֹעֵבֹת֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נַעֲשׂ֣וּ לִפְנֵיכֶ֔ם וְלֹ֥א תִֽטַּמְּא֖וּ בָּהֶ֑ם אֲנִ֖י ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶֽם׃ (פ)

(30) You shall keep My charge not to engage in any of the abhorrent practices that were carried on before you, and you shall not defile yourselves through them: I the LORD am your God.

(ב) ולא תטמאו בהם אני ה' אלקיכם. הָא אִם תִּטַּמְּאוּ אֵינִי אֱלֹקֵיכֶם, וְאַתֶּם נִפְסָלִים מֵאַחֲרַי, וּמַה הֲנָאָה יֵשׁ לִי בָּכֶם וְאַתֶּם מִתְחַיְּבִים כְּלָיָה? לְכָךְ נֶאֱמַר אֲנִי ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶם (שם):

(לקו"ש חי"ב ע' 83 הע' 6) ?

(לקו"ש חכ"ב ע' 106-102)

(1) ושמרתם את משמרתי THEREFORE SHALL YE KEEP (OR, WATCH OVER) MY CHARGE — This is intended to caution the court regarding this (Sifra, Acharei Mot, Chapter 13 22). (2) ולא תטמאו בהם אני ה' אלהיכם AND IF YE DEFILE NOT YOURSELVES THEREIN, I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD — If, however, you do defile yourselves I shall no longer be your God (אלהיכם) since you have cut yourselves off from following after Me. What use then can I have of you? Consequently you deserve annihilation! That is why Scripture states: I am the Lord your God (Sifra, Acharei Mot, Chapter 13 22).

(ב) דַּבֵּ֞ר אֶל־כָּל־עֲדַ֧ת בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל וְאָמַרְתָּ֥ אֲלֵהֶ֖ם קְדֹשִׁ֣ים תִּהְי֑וּ כִּ֣י קָד֔וֹשׁ אֲנִ֖י ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶֽם׃

(2) Speak to the whole Israelite community and say to them: You shall be holy, for I, the LORD your God, am holy.

(ג) אִ֣ישׁ אִמּ֤וֹ וְאָבִיו֙ תִּירָ֔אוּ וְאֶת־שַׁבְּתֹתַ֖י תִּשְׁמֹ֑רוּ אֲנִ֖י ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶֽם׃

(3) You shall each revere his mother and his father, and keep My sabbaths: I the LORD am your God.

(ד) אני ה' אלקיכם. אַתָּה וְאָבִיךָ חַיָּבִים בִּכְבוֹדִי, לְפִיכָךְ לֹא תִשְׁמַע לוֹ לְבַטֵּל אֶת דְּבָרַי. אֵיזֶהוּ מוֹרָא? לֹא יֵשֵׁב בִּמְקוֹמוֹ וְלֹא יְדַבֵּר בִּמְקוֹמוֹ וְלֹא יִסְתֹּר אֶת דְּבָרָיו, וְאֵיזֶהוּ כָבוֹד? מַאֲכִיל וּמַשְׁקֶה, מַלְבִּישׁ וּמַנְעִיל, מַכְנִיס וּמוֹצִיא (קידושין ל"א):

(4) אני ה' אלהיכם “I am the Lord your God" (the plural) — both you and your father are equally bound to honour Me! Do not therefore obey him if it results in making My words of no effect (Sifra, Kedoshim, Section 1 10; Bava Metzia 32a). — What is implied in the term מורא? That one should not sit in his (the father's) seat, nor speak in his stead (i. e. when he is expected to speak), nor contradict his words. And what is implied in the term כבוד? That the child gives the parents to eat and to drink, provides them with clothes and shoes, leads them into the room and out if they are infirm (Kiddushin 31b).

(ד) אַל־תִּפְנוּ֙ אֶל־הָ֣אֱלִילִ֔ים וֵֽאלֹקֵי֙ מַסֵּכָ֔ה לֹ֥א תַעֲשׂ֖וּ לָכֶ֑ם אֲנִ֖י ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶֽם׃

(4) Do not turn to idols or make molten gods for yourselves: I the LORD am your God.

(י) וְכַרְמְךָ֙ לֹ֣א תְעוֹלֵ֔ל וּפֶ֥רֶט כַּרְמְךָ֖ לֹ֣א תְלַקֵּ֑ט לֶֽעָנִ֤י וְלַגֵּר֙ תַּעֲזֹ֣ב אֹתָ֔ם אֲנִ֖י ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶֽם׃

(10) You shall not pick your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen fruit of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger: I the LORD am your God.

לא תעולל. לֹא תִטֹּל עוֹלֵלוֹת שֶׁבָּהּ, וְהֵן נִכָּרוֹת; אֵיזֶהוּ עוֹלֵלוֹת? כֹּל שֶׁאֵין לוֹ לֹא כָתֵף וְלֹא נָטֵף (ספרא):

ופרט כרמך. גַּרְגְּרֵי עֲנָבִים הַנּוֹשְׁרִים בִּשְׁעַת בְּצִירָה:

אני ה' אלקיכם. דַּיָּן לִפָּרַע; וְאֵינִי גוֹבֶה מִכֶּם אֶלָּא נְפָשׁוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר אַל תִּגְזָל דָּל וְגוֹ' כִּי ה' יָרִיב רִיבָם וְגוֹ' (משלי כ"ב):

(לקו"ש חכ"ב ע' 97 הע' 15 וע' 110 הע' 20)

(1) לא תעולל AND THOU SHALT NOT GLEAN [THY VINE YARD] — (עלל is a verb connected with the noun עולל "young, tender, not developed"; cf. Samuel 15:3: עולל ויונק) thus לא תעולל means, thou shalt not take the tender grapes of it. They can be recognized as such from the description given in Mishna Peah 7:4 (cf. also Sifra, Kedoshim, Chapter 3 3) where it is stated: What are עוללות? Clusters which have neither כתף, “arms" nor נטף, "drippings". (2) ופרט כרמך [NEITHER SHALT THOU COLLECT] THE FALLEN GRAPES OF THY VINE YARD — i. e. the single berries of the grapes which fall to the ground during the grape gathering. (3) אני ה'‏‎‎‎‎‎ אלהיכם I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD — the Judge Who am certain to punish if necessary and Who for the neglect of these duties will exact from you nothing less than your souls, as it is said (Proverbs 22:22, 23) "Rob not the poor… for the Lord will plead their cause, [and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them]" (Sifra, Kedoshim, Chapter 3 7).

(יב) וְלֹֽא־תִשָּׁבְע֥וּ בִשְׁמִ֖י לַשָּׁ֑קֶר וְחִלַּלְתָּ֛ אֶת־שֵׁ֥ם אֱלֹקֶ֖יךָ אֲנִ֥י ה'׃

(12) You shall not swear falsely by My name, profaning the name of your God: I am the LORD.

(יד) לֹא־תְקַלֵּ֣ל חֵרֵ֔שׁ וְלִפְנֵ֣י עִוֵּ֔ר לֹ֥א תִתֵּ֖ן מִכְשֹׁ֑ל וְיָרֵ֥אתָ מֵּאֱלֹקֶ֖יךָ אֲנִ֥י ה'׃

(14) You shall not insult the deaf, or place a stumbling block before the blind. You shall fear your God: I am the LORD.

(טז) לֹא־תֵלֵ֤ךְ רָכִיל֙ בְּעַמֶּ֔יךָ לֹ֥א תַעֲמֹ֖ד עַל־דַּ֣ם רֵעֶ֑ךָ אֲנִ֖י ה'׃

(16) Do not deal basely with your countrymen. Do not profit by the blood of your fellow: I am the LORD.

(ג) אני ה'. נֶאֱמָן לְשַׁלֵּם שָׂכָר, וְנֶאֱמָן לִפָּרַע:

(לקו"ש חי"ב ע' 89 הע' 12)

(לקו"ש חכ"ב ע' 97 הע' 15)

(3) ‎'אני ה‎‎ I AM THE LORD — Who am faithful in paying reward to those who obey My commandments and Who am certain to punish those who transgress them.

(יח) לֹֽא־תִקֹּ֤ם וְלֹֽא־תִטֹּר֙ אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י עַמֶּ֔ךָ וְאָֽהַבְתָּ֥ לְרֵעֲךָ֖ כָּמ֑וֹךָ אֲנִ֖י ה'׃

(18) You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against your countrymen. Love your fellow as yourself: I am the LORD.

(כה) וּבַשָּׁנָ֣ה הַחֲמִישִׁ֗ת תֹּֽאכְלוּ֙ אֶת־פִּרְי֔וֹ לְהוֹסִ֥יף לָכֶ֖ם תְּבוּאָת֑וֹ אֲנִ֖י ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶֽם׃

(25) and only in the fifth year may you use its fruit—that its yield to you may be increased: I the LORD am your God.

להוסיף לכם תבואתו. הַמִּצְוָה הַזֹּאת שֶׁתִּשְׁמְרוּ, תִּהְיֶה לְהוֹסִיף לָכֶם תְּבוּאָתוֹ, שֶׁבִּשְׂכָרָהּ אֲנִי מְבָרֵךְ לָכֶם פֵּרוֹת הַנְּטִיעָה; הָיָה רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אוֹמֵר דִּבְּרָה תוֹרָה כְּנֶגֶד יֵצֶר הָרָע, שֶׁלֹּא יֹאמַר אָדָם הֲרֵי אַרְבַּע שָׁנִים אֲנִי מִצְטַעֵר בּוֹ חִנָּם לְפִיכָךְ נֶאֱמַר לְהוֹסִיף לָכֶם תְּבוּאָתוֹ (ספרא):

אני ה'. אֲנִי ה' הַמַּבְטִיחַ עַל כָּךְ וְנֶאֱמָן לִשְׁמֹר הַבְטָחָתִי:

(לקו"ש חכ"ב ע' 110-112, ע' 97 הע' 15)

(1) להוסיף לכם תבואתה [AND IN THE FIFTH YEAR SHALL YE EAT THE FRUIT THEREOF] THAT IT MAY YIELD UNTO YOU ITS INCREASE — This command (of ערלה and נטע רבעי, fruit of the fourth year) which you observe will result in its giving you its produce in larger quantities. Because as a reward for it (for the fulfilment of My command) I shall bless for you the fruit of the plantation. R. Akiba used to say: “The Torah says this because it has man’s evil inclination in mind: that one should not say, "Behold, for four years I must take trouble with it for nothing!" Scripture therefore states that the result of your obedience will be that it will give you its produce in larger quantities (Sifra, Kedoshim, Section 3 9). (2) 'אני ה‎‎‎ means, it is I, the Lord, Who gives you a promise about this (that your obedience to Me will bring a blessing on your harvest) and Who am faithful to keep My promise.

(כח) וְשֶׂ֣רֶט לָנֶ֗פֶשׁ לֹ֤א תִתְּנוּ֙ בִּבְשַׂרְכֶ֔ם וּכְתֹ֣בֶת קַֽעֲקַ֔ע לֹ֥א תִתְּנ֖וּ בָּכֶ֑ם אֲנִ֖י ה'׃

(28) You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves: I am the LORD.

(ל) אֶת־שַׁבְּתֹתַ֣י תִּשְׁמֹ֔רוּ וּמִקְדָּשִׁ֖י תִּירָ֑אוּ אֲנִ֖י ה'׃

(30) You shall keep My sabbaths and venerate My sanctuary: I am the LORD.

(לא) אַל־תִּפְנ֤וּ אֶל־הָאֹבֹת֙ וְאֶל־הַיִּדְּעֹנִ֔ים אַל־תְּבַקְשׁ֖וּ לְטָמְאָ֣ה בָהֶ֑ם אֲנִ֖י ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶֽם׃

(31) Do not turn to ghosts and do not inquire of familiar spirits, to be defiled by them: I the LORD am your God.

(לב) מִפְּנֵ֤י שֵׂיבָה֙ תָּק֔וּם וְהָדַרְתָּ֖ פְּנֵ֣י זָקֵ֑ן וְיָרֵ֥אתָ מֵּאֱלֹקֶ֖יךָ אֲנִ֥י ה'׃

(32) You shall rise before the aged and show deference to the old; you shall fear your God: I am the LORD.

(לד) כְּאֶזְרָ֣ח מִכֶּם֩ יִהְיֶ֨ה לָכֶ֜ם הַגֵּ֣ר ׀ הַגָּ֣ר אִתְּכֶ֗ם וְאָהַבְתָּ֥ לוֹ֙ כָּמ֔וֹךָ כִּֽי־גֵרִ֥ים הֱיִיתֶ֖ם בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם אֲנִ֖י ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶֽם׃

(34) The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I the LORD am your God.

אל תפנו. אַזְהָרָה לְבַעַל אוֹב וְיִדְּעוֹנִי; בַּעַל אוֹב זֶה פִּיתוֹם הַמְדַבֵּר מִשֶּׁחְיוֹ, וְיִדְּעוֹנִי הַמַּכְנִיס עֶצֶם חַיָּה שֶׁשְּׁמָה יַדּוּעַ לְתוֹךְ פִּיו וְהָעֶצֶם מְדַבֵּר (סנהדרין ס"ה):

אל תבקשו. לִהְיוֹת עֲסוּקִים בָּם, שֶׁאִם תַּעַסְקוּ בָם, אַתֶּם מִטַּמְּאִין לְפָנַי וַאֲנִי מְתַעֵב אֶתְכֶם:

אני ה' אלקיכם. דְּעוּ אֶת מִי אַתֶּם מַחֲלִיפִין בְּמִי (ספרא):

(לקו"ש חכ"ב ע' 97 הע' 17)

(1) אל תפנו DO NOT TURN [TO THE אבת NOR TO THE ידענים] — This is a warning addressed to the necromancers and the charmers themselves (not to the people who consult these tricksters). The בעל אוב, the controller of the spirit אוב, as the necromancer is called (cf. I Samuel 28:7), is identical with the פיתום (in Greek: πύξωυ); he is one who speaks out of his arm-pit; ידעני is one who puts a bone of an animal the name of which is ידוע into his mouth and the bone speaks (Sanhedrin 65b). (2) אל תבקשו means DO NOT SEEK to busy yourselves with them, for if you busy yourselves with them, you will become defiled in My sight and I shall abhor you. (3) אני ה' אלהיכם I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD — Just think Whom you are changing (by these practices which lead to idolatry) for whom! (Sifra, Kedoshim, Chapter 7 11)

(ב) אני ה' אלקיכם. אֱלֹקֶיךָ וֵאלֹקָיו אֲנִי:

(1) כי גרים הייתם FOR YE WERE STRANGERS [IN THE LAND OF EGYPT] — "Do not reproach thy fellow-man for a fault which is also thine” (cf. Rashi on Exodus 22:20). (2) אני ה' אלהיכם I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD — Thy God and his God am I! (אלהיכם “your” God — the God of both of you).

(לו) מֹ֧אזְנֵי צֶ֣דֶק אַבְנֵי־צֶ֗דֶק אֵ֥יפַת צֶ֛דֶק וְהִ֥ין צֶ֖דֶק יִהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֑ם אֲנִי֙ ה' אֱלֹֽקֵיכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁר־הוֹצֵ֥אתִי אֶתְכֶ֖ם מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃

(לקו"ש חי"ב ע' 86 הע' 19)

(לקו"ש ח"ח ע' 97 הע' 27)

(36) You shall have an honest balance, honest weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin. I the LORD am your God who freed you from the land of Egypt.

(א) אבני צדק. הֵם הַמִּשְׁקוֹלוֹת שֶׁשּׁוֹקְלִין כְּנֶגְדָּן: (ב) איפת. הִיא מִדַּת הַיָּבֵשׁ: (ג) והין. זוֹ הִיא מִדַּת הַלַּח: (ד) אשר הוצאתי אתכם. עַל מְנָת כֵּן; דָּ"אַ אֲנִי הִבְחַנְתִּי בְּמִצְרַיִם בֵּין טִפָּה שֶׁל בְּכוֹר לְטִפָּה שֶׁאֵינָהּ שֶׁל בְּכוֹר, וַאֲנִי הַנֶּאֱמָן לִפָּרַע מִמִּי שֶׁטּוֹמֵן מִשְׁקְלוֹתָיו בַּמֶּלַח לְהוֹנוֹת אֶת הַבְּרִיּוֹת שֶׁאֵין מַכִּירִין בָּהֶם (בבא מציעא ס"א):

(לקו"ש חכ"ב ע' 97 הע' 15)

(1) אבני צדק are stones used for weights wherewith one weighs. (2) איפת — The “Epha” is a certain dry measure. (3) והין — The “Hin” is a certain liquid measure. (4) אשר הוצאתי אתכם WHO BROUGHT YOU FORTH [FROM EGYPT] for this purpose, that you shall be honest in your actions (Sifra, Kedoshim, Chapter 8 10). Another explanation is: I distinguished in Egypt between those who were firstborn and those who were not firstborn (a matter which is hidden from human cognizance), I am also certain to exact punishment from him who secretly puts his weights in salt in order to take advantage of people who are not aware of it (cf. Bava Metzia 61b).

(לז) וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֤ם אֶת־כָּל־חֻקֹּתַי֙ וְאֶת־כָּל־מִשְׁפָּטַ֔י וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑ם אֲנִ֖י ה'׃

(37) You shall faithfully observe all My laws and all My rules: I am the LORD.

(ז) וְהִ֨תְקַדִּשְׁתֶּ֔ם וִהְיִיתֶ֖ם קְדֹשִׁ֑ים כִּ֛י אֲנִ֥י ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶֽם׃

(7) You shall sanctify yourselves and be holy, for I the LORD am your God.

(ח) וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם֙ אֶת־חֻקֹּתַ֔י וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑ם אֲנִ֥י ה' מְקַדִּשְׁכֶֽם׃

(8) You shall faithfully observe My laws: I the LORD make you holy.

(כד) וָאֹמַ֣ר לָכֶ֗ם אַתֶּם֮ תִּֽירְשׁ֣וּ אֶת־אַדְמָתָם֒ וַאֲנִ֞י אֶתְּנֶ֤נָּה לָכֶם֙ לָרֶ֣שֶׁת אֹתָ֔הּ אֶ֛רֶץ זָבַ֥ת חָלָ֖ב וּדְבָ֑שׁ אֲנִי֙ ה' אֱלֹֽקֵיכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁר־הִבְדַּ֥לְתִּי אֶתְכֶ֖ם מִן־הָֽעַמִּֽים׃

(24) and said to you: You shall possess their land, for I will give it to you to possess, a land flowing with milk and honey. I the LORD am your God who has set you apart from other peoples.

(כו) וִהְיִ֤יתֶם לִי֙ קְדֹשִׁ֔ים כִּ֥י קָד֖וֹשׁ אֲנִ֣י ה' וָאַבְדִּ֥ל אֶתְכֶ֛ם מִן־הָֽעַמִּ֖ים לִהְי֥וֹת לִֽי׃

(26) You shall be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy, and I have set you apart from other peoples to be Mine.

(יב) וּמִן־הַמִּקְדָּשׁ֙ לֹ֣א יֵצֵ֔א וְלֹ֣א יְחַלֵּ֔ל אֵ֖ת מִקְדַּ֣שׁ אֱלֹקָ֑יו כִּ֡י נֵ֠זֶר שֶׁ֣מֶן מִשְׁחַ֧ת אֱלֹקָ֛יו עָלָ֖יו אֲנִ֥י ה'׃

(12) He shall not go outside the sanctuary and profane the sanctuary of his God, for upon him is the distinction of the anointing oil of his God, Mine the LORD’s.

(ב) דַּבֵּ֨ר אֶֽל־אַהֲרֹ֜ן וְאֶל־בָּנָ֗יו וְיִנָּֽזְרוּ֙ מִקָּדְשֵׁ֣י בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְלֹ֥א יְחַלְּל֖וּ אֶת־שֵׁ֣ם קָדְשִׁ֑י אֲשֶׁ֨ר הֵ֧ם מַקְדִּשִׁ֛ים לִ֖י אֲנִ֥י ה'׃

(2) Instruct Aaron and his sons to be scrupulous about the sacred donations that the Israelite people consecrate to Me, lest they profane My holy name, Mine the LORD’s.

(ג) אֱמֹ֣ר אֲלֵהֶ֗ם לְדֹרֹ֨תֵיכֶ֜ם כָּל־אִ֣ישׁ ׀ אֲשֶׁר־יִקְרַ֣ב מִכָּל־זַרְעֲכֶ֗ם אֶל־הַקֳּדָשִׁים֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יַקְדִּ֤ישׁוּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לַֽה' וְטֻמְאָת֖וֹ עָלָ֑יו וְנִכְרְתָ֞ה הַנֶּ֧פֶשׁ הַהִ֛וא מִלְּפָנַ֖י אֲנִ֥י ה'׃

(3) Say to them: Throughout the ages, if any man among your offspring, while in a state of uncleanness, partakes of any sacred donation that the Israelite people may consecrate to the LORD, that person shall be cut off from before Me: I am the LORD.

כל איש אשר יקרב. אֵין קְרִיבָה זוֹ אֶלָּא אֲכִילָה, וְכֵן מָצִינוּ שֶׁנֶּאֶמְרָה אַזְהָרַת אֲכִילַת קָדָשִׁים בְּטֻמְאָה בִּלְשׁוֹן נְגִיעָה, "בְּכָל קֹדֶשׁ לֹא תִגָּע" (ויקרא י"ב), אַזְהָרָה לָאוֹכֵל, וּלְמָדוּהָ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ מִגְּזֵרָה שָׁוָה; וְאִאֶ"ל שֶׁחַיָּב עַל הַנְּגִיעָה, שֶׁהֲרֵי נֶאֱמַר כָּרֵת עַל הָאֲכִילָה בְּצַו אֶת אַהֲרֹן (ויקרא ז'), שְׁתֵּי כָּרֵתוֹת זוֹ אֵצֶל זוֹ, וְאִם עַל הַנְּגִיעָה חַיָּב, לֹא הֻצְרַךְ לְחַיְּבוֹ עַל הָאֲכִילָה וְכֵן נִדְרַשׁ בְּתֹ"כֹּ: וְכִי יֵשׁ נוֹגֵעַ חַיָּב? אִם כֵּן מַה תַּ"ל יִקְרַב? מִשֶּׁיִּכְשַׁר לִקָּרֵב, שֶׁאֵין חַיָּבִים עָלָיו מִשּׁוּם טֻמְאָה אֶלָּא אִ"כֵּ קָרְבוּ מַתִּירָיו (ספרא; זבחים מ"ה): וְאִ"תֹּ שָׁלוֹשׁ כָּרֵתוֹת בְּטֻמְאַת כֹּהֲנִים לָמָּה, כְּבָר נִדְרְשׁוּ בְּמַסֶּכֶת שְׁבוּעוֹת (דף ז'), אַחַת לִכְלָל וְאַחַת לִפְרָט וְכוּ': (ב) וטמאתו עליו. וְטֻמְאַת הָאָדָם עָלָיו, יָכוֹל בַּבָּשָׂר הַכָּתוּב מְדַבֵּר — וְטֻמְאָתוֹ שֶׁל בָּשָׂר עָלָיו — וּבְטָהוֹר שֶׁאָכַל אֶת הַטָּמֵא הַכָּתוּב מְדַבֵּר, עַל כָּרְחֲךָ מִמַּשְׁמָעוֹ אַתָּה לָמֵד — בְּמִי שֶׁטֻּמְאָתוֹ פּוֹרַחַת מִמֶּנּוּ הַכָּתוּב מְדַבֵּר, וְזֶהוּ הָאָדָם שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ טָהֳרָה בִּטְבִילָה (ספרא): (ג) ונכרתה. יָכוֹל מִצַּד זֶה לְצַד זֶה — יִכָּרֵת מִמְּקוֹמוֹ וְיִתְיַשֵּׁב בְּמָקוֹם אַחֵר — תַּ"ל אני ה', בְּכָל מָקוֹם אֲנִי (שם):

‎כל איש אשר יקרב WHOSOEVER HE BE THAT GOETH UNTO [THE HOLY THINGS… SHALL BE CUT OFF etc.] — This “approaching" unto the holy things signifies nothing else but eating of them. Similarly we find that the prohibition of eating holy things in a state of uncleanness is expressed by the term נגע, (which means, as does קרב, “approaching”): (Leviticus 12:4) “she shall approach near to nothing that is holy" — which is explained as a prohibition addressed to one who would eat of the holy things (cf. Rashi on Leviticus 12:4). And our Rabbis derived it (the fact that לא תגע means: she shall not eat) from a verbal analogy. It is indeed impossible to say that one is punishable for touching holy things in a state of uncleanness, because the penalty of excision for eating holy things in such a state is mentioned in the section commencing צו את אהרן (Leviticus 7:20, 21) — twice is the punishment of כרת mentioned there, one immediately after the other; and if one really becomes liable to punishment for the mere touching of holy things it is unnecessary to pronounce him liable to punishment for eating them! In this sense also is it (our passage) expounded in Torath Cohanim (Sifra, Emor, Section 4 7): But is a priest who merely touches holy things when he is unclean really liable to the punishment of excision? Surely not, since Scripture expressly states in the following verse that an unclean priest who eats of the holy things is liable to excision and this latter statement would be unnecessary since eating without touching is impossible. But if this be so, why does Scripture use the term יקרב and not יאכל which means "eating”? It is in order to intimate that this law applies only when an unclean priest eats of it after it becomes fit לקרב, “to be offered” — that one does not become liable on account of his uncleanness until its מתירין (its “permitting portions”) have been offered, and he then eats of it. And if you ask, “Why are three mentions of the כרת-punishment (Leviticus 7:21 and here) necessary in respect to priestly uncleanness? then I reply, they have already been interpreted in Treatise Shevuot 7a, one as being intended as a generalisation, the other as a specification, etc. (see Rashi on Leviticus 7:20).

וטומאתו עליו means, AND THE MAN'S UNCLEANNESS IS UPON HIM (the first word meaning "and his uncleanness”). I might, however, think that Scripture is speaking of the flesh — "the uncleanness of the flesh is upon it” (the first word meaning “and its uncleanness, the word בשר being implied in the term הקדשים that precedes) and that Scripture is thus speaking of a clean person who ate holy things which have become unclean! You must needs admit that from what is implied in it (in the phrase) you must learn that Scripture is speaking of one whose state of uncleanness can fly (pass) away therefrom (since the phrase implies: “whilst the טומאה is still present", presupposing that there is a possibility of the טומאה passing away), and this can only refer to a human being who has a means of purification through immersion in a ritual bath whilst unclean food can never again become clean (Sifra, Emor, Section 4 8; Zevachim 43b).

ונכרתה [THAT SOUL] SHALL BE CUT OFF — I might think that this implies merely that he will be removed from one region (lit., side) to another region — that he will be cut off from his native place but may settle down in another place! Scripture however states, “[that soul shall be cut off from My presence] I am the Lord” — I am everywhere (Sifra, Emor, Section 4 6; cf. Rashi on Exodus 12:15.)

(ח) נְבֵלָ֧ה וּטְרֵפָ֛ה לֹ֥א יֹאכַ֖ל לְטָמְאָה־בָ֑הּ אֲנִ֖י ה'׃

(8) He shall not eat anything that died or was torn by beasts, thereby becoming unclean: I am the LORD.

(טז) וְהִשִּׂ֤יאוּ אוֹתָם֙ עֲוֺ֣ן אַשְׁמָ֔ה בְּאָכְלָ֖ם אֶת־קָדְשֵׁיהֶ֑ם כִּ֛י אֲנִ֥י ה' מְקַדְּשָֽׁם׃ (פ)

(16) or to incur guilt requiring a penalty payment, by eating such sacred donations: for it is I the LORD who make them sacred.

(ל) בַּיּ֤וֹם הַהוּא֙ יֵאָכֵ֔ל לֹֽא־תוֹתִ֥ירוּ מִמֶּ֖נּוּ עַד־בֹּ֑קֶר אֲנִ֖י ה'׃

(30) It shall be eaten on the same day; you shall not leave any of it until morning: I am the LORD.

ביום ההוא יאכל. לֹא בָא לְהַזְהִיר אֶלָּא שֶׁתְּהֵא שְׁחִיטָה עַל מְנָת כֵּן, שֶׁאִם לִקְבֹּעַ לוֹ זְמַן אֲכִילָה, כְּבָר כָּתוּב וּבְשַׂר זֶבַח תּוֹדַת שְׁלָמָיו וְגוֹ' (ויקרא ז'): אני ה'. דַּע מִי גָזַר עַל הַדָּבָר וְאַל יֵקַל בְּעֵינֶיךָ:

(לקו"ש ח"ז ע' 175 הע' *6)

(לקו"ש חכ"ב ע' 97 הע' 17)

ביום ההוא יאכל IT SHALL BE EATEN ON THE SAME DAY — Scripture only intends by these words to express the warning that the slaughtering shall be done with this in mind (Sifra, Emor, Chapter 9 2), for if it intended to fix the time for eating it they would be redundant, since it is already stated (Leviticus 7:15) “And the flesh of the sacrifice of his feast offerings for acknowledgment [shall be eaten the same day that it is offered]”.

אני ה׳ I AM THE LORD — Know Who it is that has decreed this matter, and let it, therefore, not be a light thing in your eyes!

(לא) וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם֙ מִצְוֺתַ֔י וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑ם אֲנִ֖י ה'׃

(לקו"ש ח"ז ע' 175 הע' *6)

(31) You shall faithfully observe My commandments: I am the LORD.

(לג) הַמּוֹצִ֤יא אֶתְכֶם֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם לִהְי֥וֹת לָכֶ֖ם לֵאלֹקִ֑ים אֲנִ֖י ה'׃

(33) I who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God, I the LORD.

המוציא אתכם. עַל מְנָת כֵּן: אני ה'. נֶאֱמָן לְשַׁלֵּם שָׂכָר (שם):

(לקו"ש ח"ח ע' 97 הע' 27)

(לקו"ש ח"ז ע' 175 הע' *6)

(לקו"ש חכ"ב ע' 97 הע' 15)

(1) המוציא אתכם THAT HATH BROUGHT YOU OUT [OF THE LAND OF EGYPT] — for the sake of this (that you should hallow His name). (2) 'אני ה‎‎ I AM THE LORD — Who is faithful in paying you your reward (Sifra, Emor, Chapter 9 6).

(כב) וּֽבְקֻצְרְכֶ֞ם אֶת־קְצִ֣יר אַרְצְכֶ֗ם לֹֽא־תְכַלֶּ֞ה פְּאַ֤ת שָֽׂדְךָ֙ בְּקֻצְרֶ֔ךָ וְלֶ֥קֶט קְצִירְךָ֖ לֹ֣א תְלַקֵּ֑ט לֶֽעָנִ֤י וְלַגֵּר֙ תַּעֲזֹ֣ב אֹתָ֔ם אֲנִ֖י ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶֽם׃ (ס)

(22) And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap all the way to the edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger: I the LORD am your God.

(ג) אני ה' אלקיכם. נֶאֱמָן לְשַׁלֵּם שָׂכָר:

(לקו"ש חכ"ב ע' 97 הע' 15)

(3) אני ה' אלהיכם I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD, Who am faithful to pay you your reward.

(מג) לְמַעַן֮ יֵדְע֣וּ דֹרֹֽתֵיכֶם֒ כִּ֣י בַסֻּכּ֗וֹת הוֹשַׁ֙בְתִּי֙ אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּהוֹצִיאִ֥י אוֹתָ֖ם מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם אֲנִ֖י ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶֽם׃

(43) in order that future generations may know that I made the Israelite people live in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, I the LORD your God.

(כב) מִשְׁפַּ֤ט אֶחָד֙ יִהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֔ם כַּגֵּ֥ר כָּאֶזְרָ֖ח יִהְיֶ֑ה כִּ֛י אֲנִ֥י ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶֽם׃

(22) You shall have one standard for stranger and citizen alike: for I the LORD am your God.

(א) אני ה' אלקיכם. אֱלֹקֵי כֻלְּכֶם, כְּשֵׁם שֶׁאֲנִי מְיַחֵד שְׁמִי עֲלֵיכֶם, כָּךְ אֲנִי מְיַחֲדוֹ עַל הַגֵּרִים:

(1) ‎'אני ה אלהיכם I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD — your God — the God of all of you. Just as I attach My Name to you, so do I attach it to the strangers.

(יז) וְלֹ֤א תוֹנוּ֙ אִ֣ישׁ אֶת־עֲמִית֔וֹ וְיָרֵ֖אתָ מֵֽאֱלֹקֶ֑יךָ כִּ֛י אֲנִ֥י ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶֽם׃

(17) Do not wrong one another, but fear your God; for I the LORD am your God.

ולא תונו איש את עמיתו. כָּאן הִזְהִיר עַל אוֹנָאַת דְּבָרִים, שֶׁלֹּא יַקְנִיט אֶת חֲבֵרוֹ וְלֹא יַשִּׂיאֶנּוּ עֵצָה שֶׁאֵינָהּ הוֹגֶנֶת לוֹ, לְפִי דַּרְכּוֹ וַהֲנָאָתוֹ שֶׁל יוֹעֵץ, וְאִ"תֹּ מִי יוֹדֵעַ אִם נִתְכַּוַּנְתִּי לְרָעָה? לְכָךְ נֶאֱמַר וְיָרֵאתָ מֵּאֱלֹקֶיךָ — הַיּוֹדֵעַ מַחֲשָׁבוֹת הוּא יוֹדֵעַ. כָּל דָּבָר הַמָּסוּר לַלֵּב, שֶׁאֵין מַכִּיר אֶלָּא מִי שֶׁהַמַּחֲשָׁבָה בְלִבּוֹ, נֶאֱמַר בּוֹ וְיָרֵאתָ מֵּאֱלֹקֶיךָ (ספרא; בבא מציעא נ"ח):

(1) ולא תונו איש את עמיתו YE SHALL NOT THEREFORE BE EXTORTIONATE TO ONE ANOTHER — Here Scripture warns against vexing by words (wounding a person’s feelings) — that one should not annoy his fellow-man, nor give him an advice which is unfitted for him, but is in accordance with the plan and the advantage of the adviser. But lest you should say, “Who knows whether I had any intention to do him evil?” Scripture therefore states: “but thou shalt fear thy God”! — He Who knows men’s thoughts, He knows it! In all cases where it is a matter of conscience (more lit., a matter handed over to the heart), when noone knows the truth except the one who has the thought in his heart, Scripture always states: “but be afraid of thy God”! (Sifra, Behar, Chapter 4 1-2; Bava Metzia 58b; cf. also Rashi on Leviticus 19:14.)

(לח) אֲנִ֗י ה' אֱלֹ֣קֵיכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁר־הוֹצֵ֥אתִי אֶתְכֶ֖ם מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם לָתֵ֤ת לָכֶם֙ אֶת־אֶ֣רֶץ כְּנַ֔עַן לִהְי֥וֹת לָכֶ֖ם לֵאלֹקִֽים׃

(לקו"ש ח" ..... ע' 86 הע' 19)

(38) I the LORD am your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Canaan, to be your God.

אשר הוצאתי וגו'. וְהִבְחַנְתִּי בֵין בְּכוֹר לְשֶׁאֵינוֹ בְכוֹר, אַף אֲנִי יוֹדֵעַ וְנִפְרָע מִן הַמַּלְוֶה מָעוֹת לְיִשְׂרָאֵל בְּרִבִּית וְאוֹמֵר שֶׁל גּוֹי הֵם; דָּ"אַ: אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתִי אֶתְכֶם מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם עַל מְנָת שֶׁתְּקַבְּלוּ עֲלֵיכֶם מִצְוֹתַי, וַאֲפִלּוּ הֵן כְּבֵדוֹת עֲלֵיכֶם:

לתת לכם את ארץ כנען. בִּשְׂכַר שֶׁתְּקַבְּלוּ מִצְוֹתַי:

להיות לכם לאלקים. שֶׁכָּל הַדָּר בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲנִי לוֹ לֵאלֹקִים וְכָל הַיּוֹצֵא מִמֶּנָּה כְּעוֹבֵד עַ"זָ (ספרא; כתובות ק"י):

(לקו"ש ח"ח ע' 97 הע' 27)

(1) 'אשר הוצאתי וגו‎‎ [I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD] WHO BROUGHT YOU FORTH [FROM THE LAND OF EGYPT] and distinguished between those who were firstborn and those who were not firstborn (a matter which is hidden from human cognizance), I also know the true facts of this matter and I will exact punishment from him who lends money to an Israelite saying that it belongs to a non-Jew (Bava Metzia 61b; cf. Rashi on Leviticus 19:36). Another explanation is: I am the Lord your God Who brought you forth from the land of Egypt on condition that you take upon yourselves the fulfillment of My commands although they be hard for you (cf. Sifra, Behar, Section 5 3) (2) לתת לכם את ארץ כנען TO GIVE YOU THE LAND OF CANAAN as a reward for your taking upon yourselves to fulfill My commandments. (3) להיות לכם לאלהים TO BE YOUR GOD —Because to him who dwells in the land of Israel I am God; while he who leaves it may be regarded as though he were an idolator (Sifra, Behar, Section 5 4; Ketubot 110b).

(נה) כִּֽי־לִ֤י בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ עֲבָדִ֔ים עֲבָדַ֣י הֵ֔ם אֲשֶׁר־הוֹצֵ֥אתִי אוֹתָ֖ם מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם אֲנִ֖י ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶֽם׃

(55) For it is to Me that the Israelites are servants: they are My servants, whom I freed from the land of Egypt, I the LORD your God.

כי לי בני ישראל עבדים. שְׁטָרִי קוֹדֵם: אני ה' אלקיכם. כָּל הַמְשַׁעְבְּדָן מִלְּמַטָּה כְּאִלּוּ מְשַׁעְבְּדוֹ מִלְמַעְלָה (ספרא):

(1) כי לי מי ישראל עבדים FOR UNTO ME THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL ARE SERVANTS — My document (deed of purchase) is of an earlier date (cf. Rashi on v. 42). (2) אני ה׳ אלהיכם I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD — Whosoever enslaves thee (the Israelites) on earth enslaves, as it were, Him in Heaven (Sifra, Behar, Chapter 9 4).

(א) לֹֽא־תַעֲשׂ֨וּ לָכֶ֜ם אֱלִילִ֗ם וּפֶ֤סֶל וּמַצֵּבָה֙ לֹֽא־תָקִ֣ימוּ לָכֶ֔ם וְאֶ֣בֶן מַשְׂכִּ֗ית לֹ֤א תִתְּנוּ֙ בְּאַרְצְכֶ֔ם לְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֺ֖ת עָלֶ֑יהָ כִּ֛י אֲנִ֥י ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶֽם׃

(1) You shall not make idols for yourselves, or set up for yourselves carved images or pillars, or place figured stones in your land to worship upon, for I the LORD am your God.

(ב) אֶת־שַׁבְּתֹתַ֣י תִּשְׁמֹ֔רוּ וּמִקְדָּשִׁ֖י תִּירָ֑אוּ אֲנִ֖י ה'׃

(2) You shall keep My sabbaths and venerate My sanctuary, Mine, the LORD’s.

אני ה'. נֶאֱמָן לְשַׁלֵּם שָׂכָר:

(לקו"ש ח"ז ע' 175)

(לקו"ש חכ"ב ע' 97 הע' 15)

(1) ‎'אני ה‎ I AM THE LORD, Who am faithful to pay you your reward.

(יג) אֲנִ֞י ה' אֱלֹֽקֵיכֶ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר הוֹצֵ֤אתִי אֶתְכֶם֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם מִֽהְיֹ֥ת לָהֶ֖ם עֲבָדִ֑ים וָאֶשְׁבֹּר֙ מֹטֹ֣ת עֻלְּכֶ֔ם וָאוֹלֵ֥ךְ אֶתְכֶ֖ם קֽוֹמְמִיּֽוּת׃ (פ)

(13) I the LORD am your God who brought you out from the land of the Egyptians to be their slaves no more, who broke the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect.

אני ה' אלקיכם. כְּדַאי אֲנִי שֶׁתַּאֲמִינוּ בִי שֶׁאֲנִי יָכוֹל לַעֲשׂוֹת כָּל אֵלֶּה, שֶׁהֲרֵי הוֹצֵאתִי אֶתְכֶם מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם וְעָשִׂיתִי לָכֶם נִסִּים גְּדוֹלִים:

(1) אני ה׳ אלהיכם I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD [WHO BROUGHT YOU FORTH FROM THE LAND OF EGYPT] — I deserve that you should put your trust in Me that I am able to do all these things, for, behold, I brought you forth from the land of Egypt and have wrought great miracles for you (Sifra, Bechukotai, Chapter 3 4).

(מה) וְזָכַרְתִּ֥י לָהֶ֖ם בְּרִ֣ית רִאשֹׁנִ֑ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר הוֹצֵֽאתִי־אֹתָם֩ מֵאֶ֨רֶץ מִצְרַ֜יִם לְעֵינֵ֣י הַגּוֹיִ֗ם לִהְיֹ֥ת לָהֶ֛ם לֵאלֹקִ֖ים אֲנִ֥י ה'׃

(45) I will remember in their favor the covenant with the ancients, whom I freed from the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations to be their God: I, the LORD.

(יג) כִּ֣י לִי֮ כָּל־בְּכוֹר֒ בְּיוֹם֩ הַכֹּתִ֨י כָל־בְּכ֜וֹר בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֗יִם הִקְדַּ֨שְׁתִּי לִ֤י כָל־בְּכוֹר֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מֵאָדָ֖ם עַד־בְּהֵמָ֑ה לִ֥י יִהְי֖וּ אֲנִ֥י ה'׃

(13) For every first-born is Mine: at the time that I smote every first-born in the land of Egypt, I consecrated every first-born in Israel, man and beast, to Myself, to be Mine, the LORD’s.

(מא) וְלָקַחְתָּ֨ אֶת־הַלְוִיִּ֥ם לִי֙ אֲנִ֣י ה' תַּ֥חַת כָּל־בְּכֹ֖ר בִּבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְאֵת֙ בֶּהֱמַ֣ת הַלְוִיִּ֔ם תַּ֣חַת כָּל־בְּכ֔וֹר בְּבֶהֱמַ֖ת בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

(41) and take the Levites for Me, the LORD, in place of every first-born among the Israelite people, and the cattle of the Levites in place of every first-born among the cattle of the Israelites.

(מה) קַ֣ח אֶת־הַלְוִיִּ֗ם תַּ֤חַת כָּל־בְּכוֹר֙ בִּבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְאֶת־בֶּהֱמַ֥ת הַלְוִיִּ֖ם תַּ֣חַת בְּהֶמְתָּ֑ם וְהָיוּ־לִ֥י הַלְוִיִּ֖ם אֲנִ֥י ה'׃

(45) Take the Levites in place of all the first-born among the Israelite people, and the cattle of the Levites in place of their cattle; and the Levites shall be Mine, the LORD’s.

(י) וּבְי֨וֹם שִׂמְחַתְכֶ֥ם וּֽבְמוֹעֲדֵיכֶם֮ וּבְרָאשֵׁ֣י חָדְשֵׁיכֶם֒ וּתְקַעְתֶּ֣ם בַּחֲצֹֽצְרֹ֗ת עַ֚ל עֹלֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם וְעַ֖ל זִבְחֵ֣י שַׁלְמֵיכֶ֑ם וְהָי֨וּ לָכֶ֤ם לְזִכָּרוֹן֙ לִפְנֵ֣י אֱלֹֽקֵיכֶ֔ם אֲנִ֖י ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶֽם׃ (פ)

(10) And on your joyous occasions—your fixed festivals and new moon days—you shall sound the trumpets over your burnt offerings and your sacrifices of well-being. They shall be a reminder of you before your God: I, the LORD, am your God.

על עלתיכם. בְּקָרְבַּן צִבּוּר הַכָּתוּב מְדַבֵּר (ערכין י"א):

אני ה' אלקיכם. מִכָּאן לָמַדְנוּ מַלְכִיּוֹת עִם זִכְרוֹנוֹת וְשׁוֹפָרוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּתְקַעְתֶּם" —זוֹ שׁוֹפָרוֹת, "לְזִכָּרוֹן" — זוֹ זִכְרוֹנוֹת, "אֲנִי ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶם" — זוֹ מַלְכִיּוֹת וְכוּ' (ספרי):

(לקוטי שיחות חלק י"ג, ע' 24-29)

(1) על עלתיכם [YE SHALL BLOW WITH THE TRUMPETS] OVER YOUR BURNT OFFERINGS — Scripture is speaking of a communal burnt offering (cf. Sifrei Bamidbar 77; Arakhin 11b). (2) אני ה׳ אלהיכם I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD — From here we derive the regulation that on the New Year Festival Biblical verses referring to God’s Kingdom (מלכיות) must be recited together with such as have reference to the blowing of the Shofar (שופרות), and to Divine remembrance (זכרונות), because it states here “ותקעתם” — which is an allusion to לזכרון" ;שופרות" — which is an allusion to זכרונות; and אני ה׳ אלהיכם — which is an allusion to מלכיות etc. (Sifrei Bamidbar 77; cf. Rashi on Leviticus 23:24 and Note thereon).

(לה) אֲנִ֣י ה' דִּבַּרְתִּי֒ אִם־לֹ֣א ׀ זֹ֣את אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֗ה לְכָל־הָעֵדָ֤ה הָֽרָעָה֙ הַזֹּ֔את הַנּוֹעָדִ֖ים עָלָ֑י בַּמִּדְבָּ֥ר הַזֶּ֛ה יִתַּ֖מּוּ וְשָׁ֥ם יָמֻֽתוּ׃

(35) I the LORD have spoken: Thus will I do to all that wicked band that has banded together against Me: in this very wilderness they shall die to the last man.’”

(מא) אֲנִ֞י ה' אֱלֹֽקֵיכֶ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר הוֹצֵ֤אתִי אֶתְכֶם֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם לִהְי֥וֹת לָכֶ֖ם לֵאלֹקִ֑ים אֲנִ֖י ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶֽם׃ (פ)

(41) I the LORD am your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I, the LORD your God.

אני ה'. נֶאֱמָן לְשַׁלֵּם שָׂכָר: אלקיכם. נֶאֱמָן לִפָּרַע:

(לקו"ש חי"ב ע' 89 שוה"ג)

(לקו"ש חכ"ב ע' 97 הע' 15)

אשר הוצאתי אתכם. עַל מְנָת כֵּן פָּדִיתִי אֶתְכֶם שֶׁתְּקַבְּלוּ עֲלֵיכֶם גְּזֵרוֹתַי: אני ה' אלקיכם. עוֹד לָמָּה נֶאֱמַר? כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יֹאמְרוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל מִפְּנֵי מָה אָמַר הַמָּקוֹם? לֹא שֶׁנַּעֲשֶׂה וְנִטֹּל שָֹכָר? אָנוּ לֹא עוֹשִׂים וְלֹא נוֹטְלִים שָׂכָר עַל כָּרְחֲכֶם אֲנִי מַלְכְּכֶם, וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר (יחזקאל כ'), "אִם לֹא בְּיָד חֲזָקָה … אֶמְלוֹךְ עֲלֵיכֶם" (ספרי). דָּ"אַ, לָמָּה נֶאֱמַר יְצִיאַת מִצְרַיִם? אֲנִי הוּא שֶׁהִבְחַנְתִּי בְמִצְרַיִם בֵּין טִפָּה שֶׁל בְּכוֹר לְשֶׁאֵינָהּ שֶׁל בְּכוֹר, אֲנִי הוּא עָתִיד לְהַבְחִין וְלִפָּרַע מִן הַתּוֹלֶה קָלָא אִילָן בְּבִגְדּוֹ וְאוֹמֵר תְּכֵלֶת הִיא. וּמִיסוֹדוֹ שֶׁל רַבִּי מֹשֶׁה הַדַּרְשָׁן הֶעְתַּקְתִּי: לָמָּה נִסְמְכָה פָרָשַׁת מְקוֹשֵׁשׁ לְפָרָשַׁת עֲ"זָ? לוֹמַר שֶׁהַמְחַלֵּל אֶת הַשַּׁבָּת כְּעוֹבֵד עֲ"זָ, שֶׁאַף הִיא שְׁקוּלָה כְּכָל הַמִּצְוֹת, וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר בְּעֶזְרָא (נחמיה ט׳:י״ד) "וְעַל הַר סִינַי יָרַדְתָּ וַתִּתֵּן לְעַמְּךָ תּוֹרָה וּמִצְוֹת וְאֶת שַׁבַּת קָדְשְׁךָ הוֹדַעְתָ לָהֶם"; וְאַף פָּרָשַׁת צִיצִית לְכָךְ נִסְמְכָה לָאֵלּוּ לְפִי שֶׁאַף הִיא שְׁקוּלָה כְנֶגֶד כָּל הַמִּצְוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר וַעֲשִׂיתֶם אֶת כָּל מִצְוֹתָי:

(לקו"ש ח"ח ע' 94-98)

(1) אני ה׳ I AM THE LORD Who am faithful to give reward. (2) אלהיכם YOUR GOD Who am certain to exact punishment (cf. Sifrei Bamidbar 115:1). (3) אשר הוצאתי אתכם [I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD] WHO BROUGHT YOU OUT [OF THE LAND OF EGYPT TO BE YOUR GOD] — On this condition I delivered you — that you should take upon yourselves My decrees (i.e. that I should be your God) (Sifrei Bamidbar 115:1). (4) אני ה׳ אלהיכם I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD — Why is this stated again? In order that the Israelites should not say, “Why has the Omnipresent said it ('אני ה)? Is it not in order that we should perform the commandments and receive reward (cf. Rashi on previous verse)!? We will not perform them and we shall not receive (we shall not expect) any reward!” Therefore it states again in general terms and without reference to the Exodus from Egypt, “I will be the Lord your God: in spite of yourselves I will be your King (I will exercise My sovereignty upon you). — In a similar sense it states, (Ezekiel 20:23) “Surely with a strong hand … will I reign over you” (Sifrei Bamidbar 115:1). — Another explanation: Why is the exodus from Egypt mentioned in connection with the fringes? In order to intimate: It was I who distinguished in Egypt between one who was a firstborn and one who was not (cf. Rashi on Leviticus 19:36); I shall also find out and exact punishment from him who attaches indigo-dyed wool (which resembles תכלת in colour) on his garments and pretends that it is תכלת (Bava Metzia 61b). From the work of Rabbi Moses the Preacher I copy the following: Why is the section speaking of the stick-gatherer placed in juxtaposition with the section (vv. 22—31) dealing with idolatry? In order to tell you that whoever desecrates the Sabbath is regarded as having worshipped idols, for it (the law of the Sabbath) also is alone of equal importance with the entire sum of the commandments (just as is the law of idolatry; cf. Rashi on v. 22). And so, too, it is said in the Book of Ezra, (Nehemia 9:13—14) “And Thou camest down upon Mount Sinai and gavest to Thy people … the Torah and commandments and Thou madest known unto them Thy holy Sabbath”. And the section dealing with the “Zizith” is also for the same reason placed in juxtaposition with these two sections, because it, too, is of equal importance with the sum total of the commandments, as it is said, (v. 40) “[That ye may remember] and do all My commandments".

(א) אני ה'. נֶאֱמָן לְשַׁלֵּם שָׂכָר: (ב) אלקיכם. נֶאֱמָן לִפָּרַע: (ג) אשר הוצאתי אתכם. עַל מְנָת כֵּן פָּדִיתִי אֶתְכֶם שֶׁתְּקַבְּלוּ עֲלֵיכֶם גְּזֵרוֹתַי: (ד) אני ה' אלקיכם. עוֹד לָמָּה נֶאֱמַר? כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יֹאמְרוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל מִפְּנֵי מָה אָמַר הַמָּקוֹם? לֹא שֶׁנַּעֲשֶׂה וְנִטֹּל שָֹכָר? אָנוּ לֹא עוֹשִׂים וְלֹא נוֹטְלִים שָׂכָר עַל כָּרְחֲכֶם אֲנִי מַלְכְּכֶם, וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר (יחזקאל כ'), "אִם לֹא בְּיָד חֲזָקָה … אֶמְלוֹךְ עֲלֵיכֶם" (ספרי). דָּ"אַ, לָמָּה נֶאֱמַר יְצִיאַת מִצְרַיִם? אֲנִי הוּא שֶׁהִבְחַנְתִּי בְמִצְרַיִם בֵּין טִפָּה שֶׁל בְּכוֹר לְשֶׁאֵינָהּ שֶׁל בְּכוֹר, אֲנִי הוּא עָתִיד לְהַבְחִין וְלִפָּרַע מִן הַתּוֹלֶה קָלָא אִילָן בְּבִגְדּוֹ וְאוֹמֵר תְּכֵלֶת הִיא. וּמִיסוֹדוֹ שֶׁל רַבִּי מֹשֶׁה הַדַּרְשָׁן הֶעְתַּקְתִּי: לָמָּה נִסְמְכָה פָרָשַׁת מְקוֹשֵׁשׁ לְפָרָשַׁת עֲ"זָ? לוֹמַר שֶׁהַמְחַלֵּל אֶת הַשַּׁבָּת כְּעוֹבֵד עֲ"זָ, שֶׁאַף הִיא שְׁקוּלָה כְּכָל הַמִּצְוֹת, וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר בְּעֶזְרָא (נחמיה ט׳:י״ד) "וְעַל הַר סִינַי יָרַדְתָּ וַתִּתֵּן לְעַמְּךָ תּוֹרָה וּמִצְוֹת וְאֶת שַׁבַּת קָדְשְׁךָ הוֹדַעְתָ לָהֶם"; וְאַף פָּרָשַׁת צִיצִית לְכָךְ נִסְמְכָה לָאֵלּוּ לְפִי שֶׁאַף הִיא שְׁקוּלָה כְנֶגֶד כָּל הַמִּצְוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר וַעֲשִׂיתֶם אֶת כָּל מִצְוֹתָי: (ה) ​​​​​​​

(1) אני ה׳ I AM THE LORD Who am faithful to give reward. (2) אלהיכם YOUR GOD Who am certain to exact punishment (cf. Sifrei Bamidbar 115:1). (3) אשר הוצאתי אתכם [I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD] WHO BROUGHT YOU OUT [OF THE LAND OF EGYPT TO BE YOUR GOD] — On this condition I delivered you — that you should take upon yourselves My decrees (i.e. that I should be your God) (Sifrei Bamidbar 115:1). (4) אני ה׳ אלהיכם I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD — Why is this stated again? In order that the Israelites should not say, “Why has the Omnipresent said it ('אני ה)? Is it not in order that we should perform the commandments and receive reward (cf. Rashi on previous verse)!? We will not perform them and we shall not receive (we shall not expect) any reward!” Therefore it states again in general terms and without reference to the Exodus from Egypt, “I will be the Lord your God: in spite of yourselves I will be your King (I will exercise My sovereignty upon you). — In a similar sense it states, (Ezekiel 20:23) “Surely with a strong hand … will I reign over you” (Sifrei Bamidbar 115:1). — Another explanation: Why is the exodus from Egypt mentioned in connection with the fringes? In order to intimate: It was I who distinguished in Egypt between one who was a firstborn and one who was not (cf. Rashi on Leviticus 19:36); I shall also find out and exact punishment from him who attaches indigo-dyed wool (which resembles תכלת in colour) on his garments and pretends that it is תכלת (Bava Metzia 61b). From the work of Rabbi Moses the Preacher I copy the following: Why is the section speaking of the stick-gatherer placed in juxtaposition with the section (vv. 22—31) dealing with idolatry? In order to tell you that whoever desecrates the Sabbath is regarded as having worshipped idols, for it (the law of the Sabbath) also is alone of equal importance with the entire sum of the commandments (just as is the law of idolatry; cf. Rashi on v. 22). And so, too, it is said in the Book of Ezra, (Nehemia 9:13—14) “And Thou camest down upon Mount Sinai and gavest to Thy people … the Torah and commandments and Thou madest known unto them Thy holy Sabbath”. And the section dealing with the “Zizith” is also for the same reason placed in juxtaposition with these two sections, because it, too, is of equal importance with the sum total of the commandments, as it is said, (v. 40) “[That ye may remember] and do all My commandments". (5) על כנפי בגדיהם ON THE BORDERS (lit., wings) OF THEIR GARMENTS — an allusion to God having delivered them from Egypt, as it states, (Exodus 19:4) “And I bore you on eagles’ wings” (cf. Rashi on this verse). The Zizith are to be placed on a garment having four corners but not on one that has three or on one that has five corners (cf. Zevachim 18b), thereby alluding to the four different terms used by God in describing the deliverance from Egypt, for it states, (Exodus 6:6—7) “And I will bring forth”, “and I shall deliver”, “and I shall redeem”, “and I shall take out”. (6) פתיל תכלת A THREAD OF BLUE PURPLE — an allusion to the bereavement (שכול) which the Egyptians suffered through the death of their firstborn, for the Targum (Aramaic) word corresponding to שכול, bereavement, is תכלה (similar in sound to תכלת). Further, the plague that befell them was at night, and so, too, the colour תכלת resembles the sky when it darkens at eventide (cf. Sifrei Bamidbar 115:1; Menachot 43b). The eight threads in it (the ציצית) are an allusion to the eight days that Israel waited from the time they went forth from Egypt until they sang the Song of Praise at the Red Sea.

(ה) לֶ֚חֶם לֹ֣א אֲכַלְתֶּ֔ם וְיַ֥יִן וְשֵׁכָ֖ר לֹ֣א שְׁתִיתֶ֑ם לְמַ֙עַן֙ תֵּֽדְע֔וּ כִּ֛י אֲנִ֥י ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶֽם׃

(5) you had no bread to eat and no wine or other intoxicant to drink—that you might know that I the LORD am your God.