ז׳ מדות דרש הילל הזקן לפני בני בתירה אלו הן ק״ו וגזרה שוה בנין אב (מכתוב אחד ובנין אב משני כתובים) מכלל ופרט ומפרט וכלל כיוצא בו במקום אחר דבר הלמד מענינו אלו שבע מדות שדרש הילל הזקן לפני בני בתירה):
Hillel the Elder expounded seven exegetical rules in the presence of the Sons of Bathyra, viz. the inference drawn from a minor premise to a major, the inference drawn from a similarity of words or phrases, a general principle established on the basis of a law contained in one verse or of laws contained in two verses, the rule when a generalization is followed in the text by a specification, and when a specification is followed in the text by a generalization, the inference drawn from an analogous passage elsewhere, the interpretation of a word or passage from its context. These are the seven rules which Hillel the Elder expounded in the presence of the Sons of Bathyra.
רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל אוֹמֵר בִּשְׁלשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה מִדּוֹת הַתּוֹרָה נִדְרֶֽשֶׁת בָּהֵן: מִקַּל וָחֹֽמֶר, וּמִגְּ֒זֵרָה שָׁוָה, מִבִּנְיַן אָב מִכָּתוּב אֶחָד, וּמִבִּנְיַן אָב מִשְּׁ֒נֵי כְתוּבִים, מִכְּ֒לָל וּפְרָט, וּמִפְּ֒רָט וּכְלָל, כְּלָל וּפְרָט וּכְלָל אִי אַתָּה דָן אֶלָּא כְּעֵין הַפְּ֒רָט, מִכְּ֒לָל שֶׁהוּא צָרִיךְ לִפְרָט וּמִפְּ֒רָט שֶׁהוּא צָרִיךְ לִכְלָל, כָּל דָּבָר שֶׁהָיָה בִּכְלָל וְיָצָא מִן הַכְּ֒לָל לְלַמֵּד לֹא לְלַמֵּד עַל עַצְמוֹ יָצָא אֶלָּא לְלַמֵּד עַל הַכְּ֒לָל כֻּלּוֹ יָצָא, כָּל דָּבָר שֶׁהָיָה בִּכְלָל וְיָצָא לִטְעֹן טֹֽעַן אֶחָד שֶׁהוּא כְעִנְיָנוֹ יָצָא לְהָקֵל וְלֹא לְהַחֲמִיר, כָּל דָּבָר שֶׁהָיָה בִּכְלָל וְיָצָא לִטְעֹן טֹֽעַן אַחֵר שֶׁלֹּא כְעִנְיָנוֹ יָצָא לְהָקֵל וּלְהַחֲמִיר, כָּל דָּבָר שֶׁהָיָה בִּכְלָל וְיָצָא לִדּוֹן בַּדָּבָר הֶחָדָשׁ אִי אַתָּה יָכוֹל לְהַחֲזִירוֹ לִכְלָלוֹ עַד שֶׁיַּחֲזִירֶֽנּוּ הַכָּתוּב לִכְלָלוֹ בְּפֵרוּשׁ, דָּבָר הַלָּמֵד מֵעִנְיָנוֹ וְדָבָר הַלָּמֵד מִסּוֹפוֹ, וְכֵן שְׁנֵי כְתוּבִים הַמַּכְחִישִׁים זֶה אֶת זֶה עַד שֶׁיָּבֹא הַכָּתוּב הַשְּׁ֒לִישִׁי וְיַכְרִֽיעַ בֵּינֵיהֶם:
Rabbi Yishmael says: through thirteen methods the Torah is expounded: 1) A conclusion drawn from a minor or lenient law, to a major or more strict one. 2) A clarification based on identical words or terms in the Biblical text. 3) A principle derived from one Biblical text or from two Biblical texts. 4) A rule followed by a detail. 5) A detail followed by a rule. 6) A rule followed by a detail, which is in turn followed by a rule, may infer only what is similar to the detail. 7) When a general rule requires an explicit rule; when an explicit rule requires generalization. 8) Something included in a general rule, which was singled out to teach— was not singled out to teach about itself, but to teach (something new) concerning the rule as a whole. 9) Something that was included in a rule and was singled out in a case similar to its rule, —it was singled out to lessen not to increase the severity of the case. 10) Something that was included in a rule and was singled out in a case which is not similar to its rule, —it was singled out either to lessen or to increase the severity of the case. 11) Something that was included in a rule and was singled out for a new stipulation— does not revert to its rule unless Scripture restores it to its rule expressly. 12) A matter deduced from its context, or from a subsequent expression. 13) Also, two passages that contradict each other until a third passage reconciles them.
(ח) וַיִּטַּ֞ע ה׳ אֱלֹקִ֛ים גַּן־בְּעֵ֖דֶן מִקֶּ֑דֶם וַיָּ֣שֶׂם שָׁ֔ם אֶת־הָֽאָדָ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָצָֽר׃
(8) G-d ה׳ planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and placed there the Human who had been fashioned.
Rashi: From the east. Heb. מִקֶּדֶם. In the east of Eden, He planted the garden (Midrash Konen). Now if you ask: It has already been stated (above 1:27): “And He created man, etc.!”
I saw in the Baraitha of Rabbi Eliezer the son of Rabbi Jose the Galilean concerning the thirty-two principles by which the Torah is expounded, and this is one of them [method 13]: A general statement followed by a specific act, the latter constitutes a specific [clarification] of the first [general statement].
“And He created man.” This is a general statement. It left obscure whence he was created, and it left His deeds obscure [i.e., how G-d created man]. The text repeats and explains: “And the L-rd G-d formed, etc.,” and He made the Garden of Eden grow for him, and He placed him in the Garden of Eden, and He caused a deep sleep to fall upon him.
The listener may think that this is another story, but it is only the detailed account of the former.
Likewise, in the case of the animal, Scripture repeats and writes (below verse 19): “And the L-rd G-d formed from the ground all the beasts of the field,” in order to explain, “and He brought [them] to man” to name them, and to teach about the fowl, that they were created from the mud.
אמר רבי יוחנן משום רבי אלעזר בר' שמעון כל מקום שאתה מוצא דבריו של רבי אליעזר בנו של רבי יוסי הגלילי בהגדה עשה אזניך כאפרכסת (דברים ז, ז) לא מרבכם מכל העמים חשק ה׳ בכם וגו' אמר להם הקדוש ברוך הוא לישראל חושקני בכם שאפילו בשעה שאני משפיע לכם גדולה אתם ממעטין עצמכם לפני נתתי גדולה לאברהם אמר לפני (בראשית יח, כז) ואנכי עפר ואפר למשה ואהרן אמר (שמות טז, ז) ונחנו מה לדוד אמר (תהלים כב, ז) ואנכי תולעת ולא איש
§ Rabbi Yoḥanan says in the name of Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Shimon: Any place where you find the statements of Rabbi Eliezer, son of Rabbi Yosei HaGelili, in reference to aggada, make your ears like a funnel [ka’afarkeset], i.e., be receptive to his words. As Rabbi Eliezer interpreted the verse: “Not because you are more in number than any people did the Lord desire you and choose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples” (Deuteronomy 7:7), as follows: The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to the Jewish people: I desire you, since even at a time that I bestow greatness upon you, you diminish, i.e., humble, yourselves before Me. I granted greatness to Abraham, yet he said before Me: “And I am but dust and ashes” (Genesis 18:27). I granted greatness to Moses and Aaron, yet Moses said of the two of them: “And what are we” (Exodus 16:7). I granted greatness to David, yet he said: “But I am a worm, and no man” (Psalms 22:7).
אבל עובדי כוכבים אינן כן נתתי גדולה לנמרוד אמר (בראשית יא, ד) הבה נבנה לנו עיר לפרעה אמר (שמות ה, ב) מי ה׳ לסנחריב אמר (מלכים ב יח, לה) מי בכל אלקי הארצות וגו' לנבוכדנצר אמר (ישעיהו יד, יד) אעלה על במתי עב לחירם מלך צור אמר (יחזקאל כח, ב) מושב אלקים ישבתי בלב ימים אמר רבא ואיתימא ר' יוחנן גדול שנאמר במשה ואהרן יותר ממה שנאמר באברהם דאילו באברהם כתיב ואנכי עפר ואפר ואילו במשה ואהרן כתיב ונחנו מה ואמר רבא ואיתימא ר' יוחנן אין העולם מתקיים אלא בשביל משה ואהרן כתיב הכא ונחנו מה וכתיב התם (איוב כו, ז) תולה ארץ על בלימה אמר רבי אילעא אין העולם מתקיים אלא בשביל מי שבולם את עצמו בשעת מריבה שנאמר תולה ארץ על בלימה רבי אבהו אמר מי שמשים עצמו כמי שאינו שנאמר (דברים לג, כז) ומתחת זרועות עולם
But the gentile nations of the world are not so. I granted greatness to Nimrod, yet he said: “Come, let us build a city and a tower, with its top in heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name” (Genesis 11:4). I granted greatness to Pharaoh, yet he said: “Who is the Lord” (Exodus 5:2). I granted greatness to Sennacherib, yet he said: “Who are they among all the gods of the countries that have delivered their country out of my hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand” (II Kings 18:35). I granted greatness to Nebuchadnezzar, yet he said: “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds” (Isaiah 14:14). I granted greatness to Ḥiram, king of Tyre, yet he said: “I sit in the seat of G-d, in the heart of the seas” (Ezekiel 28:2). The Gemara relates: Rava says, and some say Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Greater is that which is stated with regard to Moses and Aaron than that which is stated with regard to Abraham. As with regard to Abraham it is written: “And I am but dust and ashes,” while with regard to Moses and Aaron it is written: “And what are we,” i.e., we are not even dust and ashes. And Rava says, and some say Rabbi Yoḥanan says: The world endures only in the merit of Moses and Aaron. It is written here: “And what are we,” and it written elsewhere: “He hangs the earth upon nothing” (Job 26:7). That is, the earth endures in the merit of those who said of themselves that they are nothing, i.e., Moses and Aaron. With regard to that verse, Rabbi Ile’a says: The world endures only in the merit of one who restrains [shebolem] himself during a quarrel, as it is stated: “He hangs the earth upon nothing [belima]. Rabbi Abbahu says: The world endures only in the merit of one who renders himself as if he were non-existent, as it is stated: “And underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27), i.e., one who considers himself to be underneath everything else is the everlasting arm that upholds the world.
וְהָיָה לְךָ לְאוֹת עַל יָדְךָ, זוֹ קִבֹּרֶת. בֵּין עֵינֶיךָ, זֶה קָדְקֹד. הֵיכָא, אָמְרֵי דְּבֵי רַבִּי יַנַּאי: מָקוֹם שֶׁמֹּחַ הַתִּינוֹק רוֹפֵס. וְאַרְבַּע פָּרָשִׁיּוֹת שֶׁל תְּפִלִּין אֵלּוּ הֵן: קַדֶּשׁ לִי כָל בְּכוֹר, וְהָיָה כִּי יְבִאֲךָ ה', שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְהָיָה אִם שָׁמֹעַ. וּבַיִת שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ תְּפִלִּין וְסֵפֶר תּוֹרָה, אָסוּר לְשַׁמֵּשׁ בּוֹ אֶת הַמִּטָּה, עַד שֶׁיַּנִּיחֵם כְּלִי בְּתוֹךְ כֶּלִי. אָמַר רָבָא: גְּלִימָא אַקַּמְטְרָא, כִּכְלִי בְּתוֹךְ כְּלִי דָּמֵי.
And it shall be for a sign upon thy hand (Exod. 13:16). Upon thy hand refers to the biceps. Between thine eyes refers to the top of the forehead. Where is that located? The school of R. Yannai said: It is the place on the child’s head where the child’s brain is seen to pulsate. The four passages included in the phylacteries are mentioned in Scripture. They are: Sanctify unto me (Exod. 13:2), And it shall be when the Lord shall bring thee (ibid. 13:11), Hear, O Israel (Deut. 6:4), And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken (ibid. 11:13). It is forbidden to have sexual relations in a home containing tefillin or a scroll of the Torah until they are put away in their container. Rava said: When a cloak is over a chest, it is like a receptacle in a receptacle.
תְּפִלִּין שֶׁבַּיָּד, אַרְבַּע פָּרָשִׁיּוֹת, וְאֵלּוּ כֻּלָּן בְּכֶרֶךְ אֶחָד. וְאַרְבַּע פָּרָשִׁיּוֹת אֵלּוּ כֻּלָּן עַל תְּפִלִּין שֶׁבָּרֹאשׁ בְּאַרְבַּע טוֹטָפוֹת. וּמִנַּיִן שֶׁהֵן אַרְבַּע? טַט בְּכַתְפִי שְׁתַּיִם, פַּת בְּאַפְרִיקִי שְׁתַּיִם, הֲרֵי אַרְבַּע בְּשֶׁל רֹאשׁ, וְכֻלָּן חָמֵשׁ. וּמִנַּיִן שֶׁבַּיָּד אֶחָד? דִּכְתִיב: וְהָיָה לְאוֹת עַל יָדְכָה, ה' יְתֵרָה, הֲרֵי חֲמִשָּׁה. הָא לָמַדְתָּ, טוֹטָפֹת אַרְבַּע בָּרֹאשׁ, וְטוֹטֶפֶת אַחַת בַּיָּד. יָכוֹל בְּיָד אַרְבַּע? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: לְאוֹת עַל יָדְךָ. וּבַיָּד הֵיכָא מַנַּח לָהּ, יָכוֹל עַל גַּב הַיָּד כְּשֵׁם שֶׁתְּפִלִּין שֶׁבָּרֹאשׁ עַל גַּב הָרֹאשׁ? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: וְהָיוּ הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ הַיּוֹם עַל לְבָבֶךָ (דברים ו, ו). מִכָּאן אָמְרוּ: צְרִיכָה שֶׁתְּהֵא שִׂימָה כְּנֶגֶד הַלֵּב. יָכוֹל אַף בַּלֵּילוֹת כֵּן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: מִיָּמִים יָמִימָה. יָמִים וְלֹא לֵילוֹת. יָכוֹל בַּשַּׁבָּתוֹת וְיָמִים טוֹבִים כֵּן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: מִיָּמִים יָמִימָה. יָמִים וְלֹא לֵילוֹת. יָכוֹל בְשַׁבָּתוֹת וְיָמִים טוֹבִים כֵּן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: מִיָּמִים יָמִימָה. יֵשׁ יָמִים שֶׁאָדָם נוֹתֵן, וְיֵשׁ יָמִים שֶׁאֵין אָדָם נוֹתֵן. אֶלָּא הֵן יָמִים שֶׁאֵין אָדָם נוֹתֵן, שַׁבָּתוֹת וְיָמִים טוֹבִים. יָכוֹל יְהֵא תְּפִלִּין בַּיָּמִין? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: עַל יָדְכָה. וְאֵין יָדְךָ אֶלָּא שְׂמֹאל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: אַף יָדִי יָסְדָה אֶרֶץ וִימִינִי טִפְּחָה שָׁמָיִם (ישעיה מח, יג). וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר: יָדָהּ לַיָּתֵד תִּשְׁלַחְנָה וִימִינָהּ לְהַלְמוּת עֲמֵלִים (שופטים ה, כו).
The four passages are written upon one roll of parchment and are inserted into the phylacteries that are placed on one’s arm. These four are included also in the phylactery that is placed on the forehead, but they are written on four separate slips of parchment. Whence do we know that four separate slips of parchment are necessary? From the word totafot. Tot is a Coptic word meaning “two”; and fot is an African word meaning “two,” thus making four for the head phylactery, and a total of five parchments in all. How do we know that the arm phylactery contains (only) one (parchment)? Since it is written: And it shall be for a sign upon thy hand (the word your hand is spelled with an extra heh, which has a numerical value of five) and so so there are five (parchments) in all. Hence you learn that the phylactery containing the four verses on separate pieces of parchment is placed upon the head, and the phylactery with the one parchment, containing the same four verses, is placed upon the arm. It might be possible to maintain that the phylactery with the four parchments is placed upon the arm, and so Scripture says: And it shall be for a sign upon thy hand. Where is it placed on the hand? You might maintain that it is placed on the arch of the hand just as it is placed on the arch of the head. Therefore, Scripture says: And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be upon thy heart (Deut. 6:6). From this statement they concluded: One must place the phylactery on the part of the arm opposite the heart. You might contend that the phylacteries are to be put on at night. Hence Scripture says: In its season from day to day (Exod. 13:10), namely, in the daytime and not at night. You might maintain: Perhaps they are to be donned on the Sabbath or the holy days. Therefore Scripture says: From day to day, implying that there are days on which a man dons them and days on which he does not. The days on which he does not don them are the Sabbath and the holy days. You might say: Perhaps he should place the phylacteries on his right hand. Scripture, therefore, says: Upon thy hand, and the word thy hand is used only in reference to the left hand, as it is said: Yea, My hand hath laid the foundation of the earth, and My right hand hath spread out the heavens (Isa. 48:13). Scripture likewise says; Her hand she put to the tentpin, and her right hand to the workman’s hammer (Judg. 5:26).
וּמִנַּיִן שֶׁהוּא בְּכֶרֶךְ אֶחָד? וְהָיָה לְךָ לְאוֹת, וְלֹא לַאֲחֵרִים. וְשִׁעוּר רְצוּעָה שֶׁל יָד, אָמַר רָמֵי בַּר אַבָּא, אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן לָקִישׁ: עַד אֶצְבַּע צְרֵדָה. וּמַאי צְרֵדָה? אֶצְבַּע אֶמְצָעִית. וּפוּתְיָהּ דִּרְצוּעָה, כְּאֹרֶךְ שְׂעוֹרָה. וּמִצְוָה לְהַנִּיחַ תְּפִלִּין שֶׁל יָד תְּחִלָּה וּמְבָרֵךְ, בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַנִּיחַ תְּפִלִּין. וְחוֹזֵר וְנוֹתֵן שֶׁל רֹאשׁ וּמְבָרֵךְ, בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל מִצְוַת תְּפִלִּין. וְאִם סָח בֵּין תְּפִלָּה שֶׁל יָד לִתְפִלָּה שֶׁל רֹאשׁ, עֲבֵרָה הִיא בְּיָדוֹ וְחוֹזֵר עָלֶיהָ מֵעוֹרְכֵי הַמִּלְחָמָה. וְאִם בִּיהֵא שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּה מְבָרַךְ אוֹ בִּקְדֻשָּׁה פָּסַק בֵּין תְּפִלָּה שֶׁל יָד לְשֶׁל רֹאשׁ וְעָנָה קְדֻשָּׁה אוֹ יְהֵא שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא, מֵעוֹרְכֵי הַמִּלְחָמָה אֵינוֹ חוֹזֵר, אֶלָּא חוֹזֵר וּמְבָרֵךְ עַל שֶׁל רֹאשׁ, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁכָּל תְּפִלָּה טְעוּנָה שְׁתֵּי בְּרָכוֹת. אִם בֵּרְכָן כְּאַחַת, עוֹלוֹת לָזוֹ וְלָזוֹ. אִם הִפְסִיקָן בִּיהֵא שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא אוֹ בִּקְדֻשָּׁה, בָּטְלָה בְּרָכָה רִאשׁוֹנָה וְחוֹזֵר וּמְבָרֵךְ שְׁתֵּיהֶן. וְאֵינוֹ צָרִיךְ לוֹמַר בְּשִׂיחַת חֻלִּין, שֶׁהִיא עֲבֵרָה גְּדוֹלָה. וּכְשֶׁהוּא חוֹלֵץ, חוֹלֵץ שֶׁל רֹאשׁ, וְאַחַר כָּךְ שֶׁל יָד.
How do we know that the passages are to be on one roll of parchment? We can deduce this from the fact that it is written: And it shall be for a sign unto thee (Exod. 13:9)—for thee, and not (just) for others. What is the size of the phylactery strip? R. Rami the son of Abba stated that R. Simeon the son of Lakish said: It is the size of the snapping finger. Which is the snapping finger? The middle finger. And its width is that of the thickness of barley corn. The law enjoins one to put the hand phylactery on first, and then pronounce the blessing: “Our G-d, who sanctifies us by His commandments and has commanded us to put on the phylacteries.” After that one dons the head phylactery while offering the blessing: “Our G-d, King of the Universe, who sanctifies us and has commanded us concerning the law of the phylacteries.” However, if he speaks in between the hand phylactery and the head phylactery, he is guilty of a transgression for which he must return home from the battlefront. But if he pauses while putting on the hand or head phylactery with the phrase “His great name” or to recite the Kedushah, he need not return from the battle. He must start over again, for each phylactery requires two blessings. If recited together they support each other. However, if one should interrupt the blessings of the phylacteries in order to respond with the words “His great name” or the Kedushah, he has canceled the first blessing and must recite both of them again. Surely it is not necessary to state that if he discusses secular matters during that time, he is guilty of a serious transgression. When he takes off the phylacteries he must remove the head phylactery first and then the hand phylactery.
יָכוֹל יְהֵא נוֹהֵג בַּנָּשִׁים? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: לְמַעַן תִּהְיֶה תּוֹרַת ה' בְּפִיךָ (שמות יג, ט). מִי שֶׁיֶּשְׁנוֹ בְּתַלְמוּד תּוֹרָה, יָצְאוּ נָשִׁים שֶׁאֵינָן בְּתַלְמוּד תּוֹרָה. יָכוֹל אַף קְטַנִּים? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: וְשָׁמַרְתָּ (שמות יב, י). כֹּל שֶׁיֶּשְׁנוֹ בִּשְׁמִירָה, יֶשְׁנוֹ בַּעֲשִׂיָּה. יָצְאוּ קְטַנִּים שֶׁאֵינָן בִּשְׁמִירָה. וְאִם יֵשׁ קָטֹן בַּר מִצְוָה וּבַר דַּעַת, מִיחַיַּיב. יָכוֹל לֹא יִבְדֹּק אֶת הַתְּפִלִּין? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: מִיָּמִים יָמִימָה. מִכָּאן אָמְרוּ: צָרִיךְ אָדָם לִבְדֹּק אֶת הַתְּפִלִּין אֶחָד לִשְׁנֵים עָשָׂר חֹדֶשׁ. נֶאֱמַר כָּאן מִיָּמִים יָמִימָה, וְנֶאֱמַר לְהַלָּן יָמִים תִּהְיֶה גְאֻלָּתוֹ (ויקרא כה, כט). מַה לְּהַלָּן שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר חֹדֶשׁ, אַף כָּאן שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר חֹדֶשׁ, דִּבְרֵי בֵּית הִלֵּל. וּבֵית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: אֵינוֹ צָרִיךְ לְבָדְקָן עוֹלָמִית. וְכֵן הָיָה שַׁמַּאי אוֹמֵר: אֵלּוּ תְּפִלִּין שֶׁל בֵּית אֲבִי אִמָּא.
One might think that the law about the phylacteries applies, likewise, to women. Hence Scripture says: That the law of the Lord may be in thy mouth (Exod. 13:9). And who are they that study the law? Men. Therefore women are exempt from so doing, for they do not devote themselves to the law. It may be possible to conclude that the law of phylacteries applies to children. Therefore Scripture says: And Thou shalt keep it; and that applies to all who are diligent in the study of the Torah and in the performance of good deeds. Hence a child is exempt. But if a child is a Bar Mitzvah or well informed, he must fulfill the law. It is possible that one may neglect to examine the phylacteries, and so Scripture says: from year to year. From this statement they conclude that a man should examine his phylacteries at least once every twelve months. From year to year is mentioned in this verse, and further on For a full year shall he have the right of redemption (Lev. 25:29) is stated. Just as in the former case a year means twelve months, so also in the latter instance a year implies twelve months. This is the opinion of the School of Hillel. The School of Shammai, however, argues: One need not examine them ever after. So Shammai said: “These are the phylacteries of my mother’s father.”
וְאַרְבַּע פָּרָשִׁיּוֹת אֵלּוּ, צָרִיךְ לְכָתְבָן כְּסִדְרָן. כְּתָבָן שֶׁלֹּא כְּסִדְרָן, הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ יִגָּנֵזוּ.
The four passage in the phylacteries must be written in their proper order, and if they are not written that way they must be hidden away.
יָכֹל כַּשֵּׁם שֶׁבַּיָּד כֶּרֶךְ אֶחָד, כָּךְ בָּרֹאשׁ כֶּרֶךְ אֶחָד? וְהַדִּין נוֹתֵן: הוֹאִיל וְאָמְרָה תוֹרָה, תֵּן בַּיָּד, תֵּן בָּרֹאשׁ, מַה בַּיָּד כֶּרֶךְ אֶחָד, אַף בָּרֹאשׁ כֶּרֶךְ אֶחָד! תִּלְמֹד לוֹמַר (דברים ו,ח) "לְטֹטָפֹת", (שמות יא,יח) "לְטוֹטָפֹת", הֲרֵי אַרְבַּע טוֹטָפוֹת אֲמוּרוֹת. אוֹ יַעֲשֵׂם אַרְבָּעָה כִיסִין שֶׁלְּאַרְבַּע פָּרָשׁוֹת! תִּלְמֹד לוֹמַר "וּלְזִכָּרוֹן בֵּין עֵינֶיךָ", כִּיס אֶחָד שֶׁלְּאַרְבַּע פָּרָשׁוֹת.
I might think that just as in the armpiece there is one parchment, so, should there be in the headpiece. And this would follow, viz.: Since the Torah prescribes tefillin for both the hand and for the head, then just as in the handpiece there is one parchment, so, should there be in the headpiece. It is, therefore, written four times (in respect to the headpiece) "letotafoth." But in that case perhaps one should make four headpieces of four sections each? It is, therefore, written (Ibid.) "and as a memorial between your eyes." One compartment for four sections.
"עַל יָדְךָ", עַל גֹּבַהּ שֶׁלַּיָּד. אַתָּה אוֹמֵר עַל גֹּבַהּ שֶׁלַּיָּד, אוֹ "עַל יָדְךָ" כִּשְׁמוּעוֹ? וְהַדִּין נוֹתֵן: הוֹאִיל וְאָמְרָה תוֹרָה, תֵּן בָּרֹאשׁ, תֵּן בַּיָּד, מַה בָּרֹאשׁ, עַל גֹּבַהּ שֶׁלָּרֹאשׁ, אַף בַּיָּד, עַל גֹּבַהּ שֶׁלַּיָּד.
"upon your hand": upon the upper arm. But perhaps the hand (i.e., the palm) literally? It follows (that the upper arm is meant), viz.: The Torah prescribes tefillin for both the hand and the head. Just as the head (connotes) the height of the head, so, the hand (connotes) the height of the hand (i.e., the upper arm).
רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: עַל גֹּבַהּ שֶׁלַּיָּד. אַתָּה אוֹמֵר עַל גֹּבַהּ שֶׁלַּיָּד, אוֹ "עַל יָדְךָ" כִּשְׁמוּעוֹ? תִּלְמֹד לוֹמַר "וְהָיָה לְךָ לְאוֹת עַל יָדְךָ", "לְךָ לְאוֹת", וְאֵינָהּ אוֹת לַאֲחֵרִים.
R. Eliezer says: "upon your hand": upon the upper arm. You say upon the upper arm, but perhaps the hand (literally [i.e., the palm]) is meant? It is, therefore, written (Ibid.) "to you as a sign, and not to others as a sign" (i.e., the palm is generally exposed; the upper arm, not.)
רַבִּי יִצְחָק אוֹמֵר: עַל גֹּבַהּ שֶׁלַּיָּד, אַתָּה אוֹמֵר עַל גֹּבַהּ שֶׁלַּיָּד, אוֹ "עַל יָדְךָ" כִּשְׁמוּעוֹ? תִּלְמֹד לוֹמַר (דברים יא,יח) "וְשַׂמְתֶּם אֶת דְּבָרַי אֵלֶּה עַל לְבַבְכֶם", לֹא אָמַרְתִּי אֶלָּא דָּבָר שֶׁהוּא מְכֻוָּן כְּנֶגֶד הַלֵּב. וְאֵי זֶה הוּא דָּבָר שֶׁהוּא מְכֻוָּן כְּנֶגֶד הַלֵּב? זֶה גֹּבַהּ שֶׁלַּיָּד.
R. Yitzchak says: On the upper arm or on your hand (i.e., your palm), literally? It is, therefore, written (Devarim 11:18) "And you shall place these words upon your heart" — what is aligned with your heart, i.e., the upper arm.
"עַל יָדְךָ", זֶה שְׂמֹאל. אַתָּה אוֹמֵר זֶה שְׂמֹאל, אוֹ אֵינוֹ אֶלָּא יָמִין? אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵין רְאָיָה לַדָּבָר, זֵכֶר לַדָּבָר: (ישעיה מח,יג) "אַף יָדִי יָסְדָה אֶרֶץ, וִימִינִי טִפְּחָה שָׁמָיִם, קֹרֵא אֲנִי אֲלֵיהֶם, יַעַמְדוּ יַחְדָּו". וְאוֹמֵר: (שופטים ה,כו) "יָדָהּ לַיָּתֵד תִּשְׁלַחְנָה, וִימִינָהּ לְהַלְמוּת עֲמֵלִים". הָא אֵין יָד בְּכָל מָקוֹם אֶלָּא שְׂמֹאל.
"upon your hand": This is the left hand. You say this, but perhaps it is the right? Though there is no proof for this, it is intimated in (Isaiah 48:3) "My hand has also founded on earth, and My right hand has spanned the heavens," and (Judges 5:26) "Her hand reached for the tent pin, her right for the workmen's hammer," indicating that "hand," unqualified, is the left hand.
רַבִּי נָתָן אוֹמֵר: (דברים ו,ח-ט) "וּקְשַׁרְתָּם", "וּכְתַבְתָּם", מַה כְּתִיבָה בַּיָּמִין, אַף קְשִׁירָה בַּיָּמִין. אַבָּא יוֹסֵה הֶחָרָם אוֹמֵר: מָצִינוּ שֶׁהַיָּמִין קְרוּיָה יָד. אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵין רְאָיָה לַדָּבָר, זֵכֶר לַדָּבָר: (בראשית מח,יד) "וַיִּשְׁלַח יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת יְמִינוֹ". וּמַה תִּלְמֹד לוֹמַר "עַל יָדְךָ"? לְהָבִיא אֶת הַגִּדֵּם, שֶׁיְּהֵי נוֹתֵן בַּיָּמִין.
R. Yonathan says (Devarim 6:8-9) "and you shall tie them … and you shall write them": Just as the writing (of the mezuzah) is with the right hand, so, the tying of the tefillin (on the left hand). Abba Yossi says: We find the right to be called "hand," and even though there is no proof (for its application here), it is intimated in (Genesis 48:17) "that his father placed his right hand." And what is the intent of "upon your hand"? To include an amputee (of the left hand), that his tefillin are placed on his right arm.
(שמות יג,טז) "וְהָיָה לְאוֹת עַל יָדְכָה, וּלְטוֹטָפֹת בֵּין עֵינֶיךָ". כָּל זְמַן שֶׁלַּיָּד בַּיָּד, תֵּן אֶת שֶׁלָּרֹאשׁ בָּרֹאשׁ. מִכָּן אָמָרוּ: מִצְוַת תְּפִלִּין, כְּשֶׁהוּא נוֹתֵן, נוֹתֵן אֶת שֶׁלַּיָּד, וְאַחַר כָּךְ נוֹתֵן אֶת שֶׁלָּרֹאשׁ, וּכְשֶׁהוּא חוֹלֵץ, חוֹלֵץ אֶת שֶׁלָּרֹאשׁ, וְאַחַר כָּךְ חוֹלֵץ אֶת שֶׁלַּיָּד.
"and it shall be to you as a sign upon your hand and as a memorial between your eyes": When the hand tefillin are on your hand, place the head tefillin on your head — whence they ruled: The mitzvah of tefillin: When he puts them on, he puts on the hand tefillin and then the head tefillin. When he takes them off, he takes off the head tefillin and then the hand tefillin.
"בֵּין עֵינֶיךָ", עַל גֹּבַהּ שֶׁלָּרֹאשׁ. אַתָּה אוֹמֵר גֹּבַהּ שֶׁלָּרֹאשׁ, אוֹ אֵינוֹ אֶלָּא "בֵּין עֵינֶיךָ" כִּשְׁמוּעוֹ? תִּלְמֹד לוֹמַר: (דברים יד,א) "בָּנִים אַתֶּם לַיי אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, לֹא תִתְגֹּדְדוּ, וְלֹא תָשִׂימוּ קָרְחָה בֵּין עֵינֵיכֶם לָמֵת". מָה "בֵּין עֵינֵיכֶם" הָאָמוּר לְהַלָּן, עַל גֹּבַהּ שֶׁלָּרֹאשׁ, אַף "בֵּין עֵינֶיךָ" הָאָמוּר כָּן, עַל גֹּבַהּ שֶׁלָּרֹאשׁ.
"between your eyes": on top of the head. You say on top of the head, but perhaps (the intent is) literally, "between your eyes"? It is, therefore, written (Devarim 14:1) "Sons are you to the L–rd your G–d. You shall not gash yourselves, and you shall not make a bald spot between your eyes for the dead." Just as there, the top of the head is meant, so, here.
רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: הוֹאִיל וְאָמְרָה תוֹרָה, תֵּן בַּיָּד, תֵּן בָּרֹאשׁ, מַה בַּיָּד, מָקוֹם שֶׁהוּא רָאוּי לִטַּמֵּא בְּנֶגַע אֶחָד, אַף בָּרֹאשׁ, מָקוֹם שֶׁהוּא רָאוּי לִטַּמֵּא בְּנֶגַע אֶחָד.
R. Yehudah says: Since the Torah prescribes tefillin for the hand and for the head, then just as the hand is susceptible to tumah of one kind (a white hair), so, the head must be susceptible to tumah of one kind (a yellow hair), (as opposed to the area between the eyes, which is susceptible to tumah of two kinds of hair).
"לְמַעַן תִּהְיֶה תּוֹרַת יי בְּפִיךָ", לָמָּה נֶאֱמַר? לְפִי שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְהָיָה לְךָ לְאוֹת", שׁוֹמֵעַ אֲנִי, אַף הַנָּשִׁים בְּמַשְׁמָע! וְהַדִּין נוֹתֵן: הוֹאִיל וּמְזוּזָה מִצְוַת 'עֲשֵׂה', וּתְפִלִּין מִצְוַת 'עֲשֵׂה', אִם לָמַדְתָּ עַל מְזוּזָה, שֶׁהִיא נוֹהֶגֶת בַּנָּשִׁים כְּבָאֲנָשִׁים, יָכֹל אַף תְּפִלִּין יִנְהֲגוּ בַנָּשִׁים כְּבָאֲנָשִׁים? תִּלְמֹד לוֹמַר "לְמַעַן תִּהְיֶה תּוֹרַת יי בְּפִיךָ". לֹא אָמַרְתִּי אֶלָּא בְמִי שֶׁהוּא בְתַלְמוּד תּוֹרָה. מִכָּן אָמָרוּ: (ברכות ג,ג) "הַכֹּל חַיָּבִין בַּתְּפִלִּין, חוּץ מִנָּשִׁים וַעֲבָדִים".
"so that the Torah of the L–rd be in your mouth": What is the intent of this? From "And it shall be to you as a sign," I would assume that women, too, are included (in the mitzvah of tefillin). And this would follow, viz.: Since both mezuzah and tefillin are positive commandments, then if we have learned that (the mitzvah of) mezuzah obtains with women as well as with men, the same is true of (the mitzvah of) tefillin. It is, therefore, written (in respect to tefillin) "so that the mitzvah of tefillin be in your mouth." (the mitzvah of tefillin obtains) only with one who is commanded to study Torah. From here they derived: All are commanded to put on tefillin except women and bondsmen.
מִיכָל בַּת כּוּשִׁי הָיְתָה מַנַּחַת תְּפִלִּין. אִשְׁתּוֹ שֶׁלְּיוֹנָה הָיְתָה עוֹלָה לָרְגָלִים. טְבִי עַבְדּוֹ שֶׁלְּרַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל הָיָה מַנִּיחַ תְּפִלִּין.
Michal the daughter of Kush would wear tefillin. Jonah's wife would go up (to Jerusalem) for the festival. Tavi, R. Gamliel's bondsman would wear tefillin.
"וּלְזִכָּרוֹן בֵּין עֵינֶיךָ, לְמַעַן תִּהְיֶה תּוֹרַת יי בְּפִיךָ". מִכָּן אָמָרוּ: כָּל הַמַּנִּיחַ תְּפִלִּין, כְּאִלּוּ קוֹרֵא בַתּוֹרָה, וְכָל הַקּוֹרֵא בַתּוֹרָה פָּטוּר מִן הַתְּפִלִּין.
"and as a remembrance between your eyes, so that the Torah of the L–rd be in your mouth": From here they ruled: If one wears tefillin, it is as if he is reading in the Torah; and one who reads in the Torah is exempt from tefillin.
(שמות יג,י) "וְשָׁמַרְתָּ אֶת הַחֻקָּה הַזֹּאת לְמוֹעֲדָהּ, מִיָּמִים יָמִימָה." לָמָּה נֶאֱמַר? לְפִי שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמות יג,ט) "וְהָיָה לְךָ לְאוֹת עַל יָדְךָ", שׁוֹמֵעַ אֲנִי, אַף הַקְּטַנִּים בְּמַשְׁמָע! וְהַדִּין נוֹתֵן: הוֹאִיל וּמְזוּזָה מִצְוַת 'עֲשֵׂה', וּתְפִלִּין מִצְוַת 'עֲשֵׂה', אִם לָמַדְתָּ עַל מְזוּזָה, שֶׁהִיא נוֹהֶגֶת בַּקְּטַנִּים וּבַגְּדוֹלִים, יָכֹל אַף תְּפִלִּין יִנְהֲגוּ בַקְּטַנִּים וּבַגְּדוֹלִים? תִּלְמֹד לוֹמַר "וְשָׁמַרְתָּ אֶת הַחֻקָּה הַזֹּאת", לֹא אָמַרְתִּי אֶלָּא בְמִי שֶׁיּוֹדֵעַ לִשְׁמֹר תְּפִלִּין. מִכָּן אָמָרוּ: (תוספתא חגיגה א,ב) "קָטָן הַיּוֹדֵעַ לִשְׁמֹר תְּפִלִּין, הֲרֵי הוּא עוֹשֶׂה לוֹ תְּפִלִּין."
(Exodus 13:10) "And you shall keep this statute in its time": What is the intent of this? From "And it shall be to you as a sign upon your hand," I might think that (the mitzvah of tefillin) obtains with minors, too. And it also follows, viz.: Since Torah (study) and tefillin are both positive commandments, then if we have learned about Torah (study) that it obtains with minors as well as with adults, the same is true of tefillin. It is, therefore, written "And you shall keep this statute" — (The mitzvah of tefillin obtains) only with one who can keep his tefillin (in a state of cleanliness). From here they ruled: If a minor is capable of keeping his tefillin (in a state of cleanliness), his father makes him tefillin.
"וְשָׁמַרְתָּ אֶת הַחֻקָּה הַזֹּאת", זוֹ חֻקַּת תְּפִלִּין. אַתָּה אוֹמֵר זוֹ חֻקַּת תְּפִלִּין, אוֹ אֵינוֹ אֶלָּא חֻקַּת כָּל הַמִּצְווֹת? אָמַרְתָּ, בַּמֵּי הָעִנְיָן מְדַבֵּר? בַּתְּפִלִּין.
"And you shall keep this statute": This is the statute of tefillin. You say this is the statute of tefillin, but perhaps it is the statute of the mitzvoth (collectively)? Would you say that? What is the subject (under discussion)? Tefillin.
"מִיָּמִים יָמִימָה", לָמָּה נֶאֱמַר? לְפִי שֶׁהוּא אוֹמֵר (שמות יג,ט) "וְהָיָה לְךָ לְאוֹת", שׁוֹמֵעַ אֲנִי, אַף הַלֵּילוֹת בְּמַשְׁמָע! וְהַדִּין נוֹתֵן: הוֹאִיל וּמְזוּזָה מִצְוַת 'עֲשֵׂה', וּתְפִלִּין מִצְוַת 'עֲשֵׂה', אִם לָמַדְתָּ עַל מְזוּזָה שֶׁנּוֹהֶגֶת בַּלֵּילוֹת כְּבַיָּמִים, יָכֹל אַף תְּפִלִּין יִנְהֲגוּ בַלֵּילוֹת כְּבַיָּמִים! תִּלְמֹד לוֹמַר "מִיָּמִים יָמִימָה", בַּיָּמִים אַתְּ נוֹתֵן, וְאֵין אַתְּ נוֹתֵן בַּלֵּילוֹת.
(13:10) "from day to day": What is the intent of this? From "and it shall be to you as a sign," I would think that the nights, too, are included. And this would follow, viz.: Since mezuzah is a positive commandment and tefillin are a positive commandment, then just as we have learned that just as mezuzah obtains both in the daytime and at night; so tefillin, it is, therefore written "from day to day" — it obtains in the daytime and not at night.
רַבִּי יֹאשִׁיָּה אוֹמֵר: "מִיָּמִים יָמִימָה", לָמָּה נֶאֱמַר? לְפִי שֶׁהוּא אוֹמֵר (שמות יג,ט) "וְהָיָה לְךָ לְאוֹת", שׁוֹמֵעַ אֲנִי, אַף שַׁבָּתוֹת וְיָמִים טוֹבִים בְּמַשְׁמָע! וְהַדִּין נוֹתֵן: הוֹאִיל וּמְזוּזָה מִצְוַת 'עֲשֵׂה', וּתְפִלִּין מִצְוַת 'עֲשֵׂה', אִם לָמַדְתָּ עַל מְזוּזָה שֶׁנּוֹהֶגֶת בַּשַּׁבָּתוֹת וּבְיָמִים טוֹבִים, יָכֹל אַף תְּפִלִּין יִנְהֲגוּ בַשַּׁבָּתוֹת וְיָמִים טוֹבִים? תִּלְמֹד לוֹמַר "מִיָּמִים יָמִימָה", יָצְאוּ שַׁבָּתוֹת וְיָמִים טוֹבִים. דָּבָר אַחֵר: "מִיָּמִים יָמִימָה". יֵשׁ יָמִים שֶׁאַתָּה נוֹתֵן, וְיֵשׁ יָמִים שֶׁאֵין אַתָּה נוֹתֵן, יָצְאוּ שַׁבָּתוֹת וְיָמִים טוֹבִים.
Variantly: What is the intent of "from day to day"? From "and it shall be to you as a sign," I might think, even on Sabbaths and festivals. And this would follow, viz.: Since both mezuzah and tefillin are positive commandments, then if you have learned about mezuzah that it obtains on Sabbaths and festival, so tefillin. It is, therefore, written "from day to day" — to exclude Sabbaths and festivals. R. Yoshiyah says: "from day to day": Since both mezuzah and tefillin are positive commandments, if we have learned that mezuzah obtains on Sabbaths and festivals, so, tefillin. It is, therefore, written "from day to day." Variantly: "from day to day": There are days that you wear (tefillin) and there are days that you do not wear (tefillin) — to exclude Sabbaths and festivals. These are the words of R. Oshiyah.
רַבִּי יִצְחָק אוֹמֵר: הוֹאִיל וְשַׁבָּת קְרוּיָה 'אוֹת', וּתְפִלִּין קְרוּיִין 'אוֹת', לֹא יִתֵּן אוֹת בְּתוֹךְ אוֹת, אוֹ יִתֵּן אוֹת בְּתוֹךְ אוֹת? אָמַרְתָּ, תִּדְחֶה שַׁבָּת, שֶׁהִיא קְרוּיָה 'אוֹת' וּ'בְרִית', לַתְּפִלִּין שֶׁאֵינָן קְרוּיוֹת אֶלָּא 'אוֹת' בִּלְבַד.
R. Yitzchak says: Since Sabbath is called a sign and tefillin are called a sign, one sign is not to be superimposed upon another. But perhaps one sign is to be superimposed upon another? Would you say that? Sabbath, which is called both "sign" and "covenant," overrides tefillin, which are called only "sign."
רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: הוֹאִיל וְשַׁבָּת קְרוּיָה 'אוֹת', וּתְפִלִּין קְרוּיוֹת 'אוֹת', לֹא יִתֵּן אוֹת בְּתוֹךְ אוֹת, אוֹ יִתֵּן אוֹת בְּתוֹךְ אוֹת? אָמַרְתָּ, תִּדְחֶה שַׁבָּת, שֶׁחַיָּבִין עָלֶיהָ כָּרֵת וּמִיתַת בֵּית דִּין, לַתְּפִלִּין, שֶׁאֵין חַיָּבִין עֲלֵיהֶן לֹא כָרֵת וְלֹא מִיתַת בֵּית דִּין.
Or (violation of) Sabbath, which is liable to both kareth and judicial death penalty overrides tefillin, which are liable to neither.
דָּבָר אַחֵר: "מִיָּמִים יָמִימָה", מַגִּיד שֶׁאָדָם צָרִיךְ לִבְדֹּק אֶת הַתְּפִלִּין אַחַת לִשְׁנֵים עָשָׂר חֹדֶשׁ. נֶאֱמַר כָּן "מִיָּמִים יָמִימָה", וְנֶאֱמַר לְהַלָּן (ויקרא כה,כט) "יָמִים תִּהְיֶה גְאֻלָּתוֹ". מַה "יָּמִים" שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר לְהַלָּן, אֵין פָּחוּת מִשְּׁנֵים עָשָׂר חֹדֶשׁ, אַף "יָמִימָה" שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר כָּן, אֵין פָּחוּת מִשְּׁנֵים עָשָׂר חֹדֶשׁ. דִּבְרֵי בֵית הִלֵּל.
Variantly: "from day to day": We are hereby apprised that one must examine his tefillin once in twelve months. It is written here "from day to day," and elsewhere (Leviticus 25:29) "days shall be its redemption." Just as there, not less than twelve months, here, too, not less than twelve months.
בֵּית שַׁמַּי אוֹמְרִים: אֵינוֹ צָרִיךְ לְבָדְקָן עוֹלָמִית. שַׁמַּי הַזָּקֵן אוֹמֵר: אֵלּוּ תְּפִלִּין שֶׁלַּאֲבִי אִמָּא.
These are the words of Beth Shammai. Beth Hillel say: He need never examine them. Shammai the Elder says: "These are the tefillin of my mother's father."
(שמות יג,טז) "וְהָיָה לְאוֹת עַל יָדְכָה וּלְטוֹטָפֹת בֵּין עֵינֶיךָ, כִּי בְּחֹזֶק יָד הוֹצִיאָנוּ יי מִמִּצְרָיִם." בְּאַרְבָּעָה מְקוֹמוֹת מַזְכִּיר פָּרָשַׁת תְּפִלִּין: (שמות יג,ב) "קַדֶּשׁ לִי", (שמות יג,יא) "וְהָיָה כִּי יְבִאֲךָ", (דברים ו,ד) "שְׁמַע", (דברים יא,יג) "וְהָיָה אִם שָׁמֹעַ". מִכָּן אָמָרוּ: מִצְוַת תְּפִלִּין, אַרְבַּע פַּרְשִׁיּוֹת: שֶׁלַּיָּד הֵן כֶּרֶךְ אֶחָד אַרְבַּע פָּרָשׁוֹת, שֶׁלָּרֹאשׁ הֵן אַרְבַּע טוֹטָפוֹת, וְאֵלּוּ הֵן: "קַדֶּשׁ לִי", "וְהָיָה כִּי יְבִאֲךָ", "שְׁמַע", "וְהָיָה אִם שָׁמֹעַ". כּוֹתְבָן כְּסִדְרָן, וְאִם כְּתָבָן שֶׁלֹּא כְסִדְרָן, הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ יִגָּנֵזוּ. חַסְלַת מַסֶּכְתָּה דְפֶסַח.
(Ibid. 16) "And it shall be as a sign upon your hand, etc.": In four places, the mitzvah of tefillin is mentioned: (Exodus 13:1-10) "Sanctify unto Me every first-born, etc."; (Ibid. 11-16) "And it shall be, when the L-rd brings you, etc."; (Devarim 6:4-9) "Shema, etc."; and (Ibid. 11:13-21) "And it will be if you hearken, etc." From here they ruled: The mitzvah of tefillin: Four sections in the arm-piece on one parchment; four sections in the head-piece on four (distinct) parchments. And these are: "Sanctify unto Me," "And it shall be, when the L-rd brings you," "Shema," "And it will be if you hearken." If they were not written in this order, they must be secreted.
״וַיִּתְיַצְּבוּ בְּתַחְתִּית הָהָר״, אָמַר רַב אַבְדִּימִי בַּר חָמָא בַּר חַסָּא: מְלַמֵּד שֶׁכָּפָה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עֲלֵיהֶם אֶת הָהָר כְּגִיגִית, וְאָמַר לָהֶם: אִם אַתֶּם מְקַבְּלִים הַתּוֹרָה מוּטָב, וְאִם לָאו — שָׁם תְּהֵא קְבוּרַתְכֶם. אָמַר רַב אַחָא בַּר יַעֲקֹב: מִכָּאן מוֹדָעָא רַבָּה לְאוֹרָיְיתָא. אָמַר רָבָא: אַף עַל פִּי כֵן הֲדוּר קַבְּלוּהָ בִּימֵי אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ, דִּכְתִיב: ״קִיְּמוּ וְקִבְּלוּ הַיְּהוּדִים״ — קִיְּימוּ מַה שֶּׁקִּיבְּלוּ כְּבָר.
The Gemara cites additional homiletic interpretations on the topic of the revelation at Sinai. The Torah says, “And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet God; and they stood at the lowermost part of the mount” (Exodus 19:17). Rabbi Avdimi bar Ḥama bar Ḥasa said: the Jewish people actually stood beneath the mountain, and the verse teaches that the Holy One, Blessed be He, overturned the mountain above the Jews like a tub, and said to them: If you accept the Torah, excellent, and if not, there will be your burial. Rav Aḥa bar Ya’akov said: From here there is a substantial caveat to the obligation to fulfill the Torah. The Jewish people can claim that they were coerced into accepting the Torah, and it is therefore not binding. Rava said: Even so, they again accepted it willingly in the time of Ahasuerus, as it is written: “The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them” (Esther 9:27), and he taught: The Jews ordained what they had already taken upon themselves through coercion at Sinai.
דָּרַשׁ רַבִּי סִימַאי: בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁהִקְדִּימוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל ״נַעֲשֶׂה״ לְ״נִשְׁמָע״ בָּאוּ שִׁשִּׁים רִיבּוֹא שֶׁל מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת, לְכׇל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל קָשְׁרוּ לוֹ שְׁנֵי כְתָרִים, אֶחָד כְּנֶגֶד ״נַעֲשֶׂה״ וְאֶחָד כְּנֶגֶד ״נִשְׁמָע״. וְכֵיוָן שֶׁחָטְאוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל, יָרְדוּ מֵאָה וְעֶשְׂרִים רִיבּוֹא מַלְאֲכֵי חַבָּלָה וּפֵירְקוּם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיִּתְנַצְּלוּ בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת עֶדְיָם מֵהַר חוֹרֵב״. אָמַר רַבִּי חָמָא בְּרַבִּי חֲנִינָא: בְּחוֹרֵב טָעֲנוּ, בְּחוֹרֵב פֵּרְקוּ. בְּחוֹרֵב טָעֲנוּ — כְּדַאֲמַרַן, בְּחוֹרֵב פֵּרְקוּ — דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיִּתְנַצְּלוּ בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְגוֹ׳״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: וְכוּלָּן זָכָה מֹשֶׁה וּנְטָלָן. דִּסְמִיךְ לֵיהּ: ״וּמֹשֶׁה יִקַּח אֶת הָאֹהֶל״. אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: עָתִיד הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְהַחֲזִירָן לָנוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּפְדוּיֵי ה׳ יְשֻׁבוּן וּבָאוּ צִיּוֹן בְּרִנָּה וְשִׂמְחַת עוֹלָם עַל רֹאשָׁם״ — שִׂמְחָה שֶׁמֵּעוֹלָם עַל רֹאשָׁם.
Rabbi Simai taught: When Israel accorded precedence to the declaration “We will do” over the declaration “We will hear,” 600,000 ministering angels came and tied two crowns to each and every member of the Jewish people, one corresponding to “We will do” and one corresponding to “We will hear.” And when the people sinned with the Golden Calf, 1,200,000 angels of destruction descended and removed them from the people, as it is stated in the wake of the sin of the Golden Calf: “And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments from Mount Horeb onward” (Exodus 33:6). Rabbi Ḥama, son of Rabbi Ḥanina, said: At Horeb they put on their ornaments, and at Horeb they removed them. The source for this is: At Horeb they put them on, as we have said; at Horeb they removed them, as it is written: “And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments from Mount Horeb.” Rabbi Yoḥanan said: And Moses merited all of these crowns and took them. What is the source for this? Because juxtaposed to this verse, it is stated: “And Moses would take the tent [ohel]” (Exodus 33:7). The word ohel is interpreted homiletically as an allusion to an aura or illumination [hila]. Reish Lakish said: In the future, the Holy One, Blessed be He, will return them to us, as it is stated: “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion, and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads” (Isaiah 35:10). The joy that they once had will once again be upon their heads.
אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁהִקְדִּימוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל ״נַעֲשֶׂה״ לְ״נִשְׁמָע״ יָצְתָה בַּת קוֹל וְאָמְרָה לָהֶן: מִי גִּלָּה לְבָנַי רָז זֶה שֶׁמַּלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת מִשְׁתַּמְּשִׁין בּוֹ? דִּכְתִיב: ״בָּרְכוּ ה׳ מַלְאָכָיו גִּבֹּרֵי כֹחַ עֹשֵׂי דְבָרוֹ לִשְׁמֹעַ בְּקוֹל דְּבָרוֹ״ — בְּרֵישָׁא ״עֹשֵׂי״, וַהֲדַר ״לִשְׁמֹעַ״. אָמַר רַבִּי חָמָא בְּרַבִּי חֲנִינָא: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״כְּתַפּוּחַ בַּעֲצֵי הַיַּעַר וְגוֹ׳״ — לָמָּה נִמְשְׁלוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל לְתַפּוּחַ, לוֹמַר לָךְ: מָה תַּפּוּחַ זֶה פִּרְיוֹ קוֹדֶם לְעָלָיו, אַף יִשְׂרָאֵל הִקְדִּימוּ ״נַעֲשֶׂה״ לְ״נִשְׁמָע״.
Rabbi Elazar said: When the Jewish people accorded precedence to the declaration “We will do” over “We will hear,” a Divine Voice emerged and said to them: Who revealed to my children this secret that the ministering angels use? As it is written: “Bless the Lord, you angels of His, you mighty in strength, that fulfill His word, hearkening unto the voice of His word” (Psalms 103:20). At first, the angels fulfill His word, and then afterward they hearken. Rabbi Ḥama, son of Rabbi Ḥanina, said: What is the meaning of that which is written: “As an apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. Under its shadow I delighted to sit and its fruit was sweet to my taste” (Song of Songs 2:3)? Why were the Jewish people likened to an apple tree? It is to tell you that just as this apple tree, its fruit grows before its leaves, so too, the Jewish people accorded precedence to “We will do” over “We will hear.”
הָהוּא מִינָא דְּחַזְיֵיהּ לְרָבָא דְּקָא מְעַיֵּין בִּשְׁמַעְתָּא, וְיָתְבָה אֶצְבְּעָתָא דִידֵיהּ תּוּתֵי כַּרְעָא וְקָא מָיֵיץ בְּהוּ, וְקָא מַבְּעָן אֶצְבְּעָתֵיהּ דְּמָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: עַמָּא פְּזִיזָא, דְּקַדְּמִיתוּ פּוּמַּיְיכוּ לְאוּדְנַיְיכוּ, אַכַּתִּי בְּפַחְזוּתַיְיכוּ קָיְימִיתוּ. בְּרֵישָׁא אִיבַּעְיָא לְכוּ לְמִשְׁמַע, אִי מָצִיתוּ — קַבְּלִיתוּ, וְאִי לָא — לָא קַבְּלִיתוּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אֲנַן
The Gemara relates that a heretic saw that Rava was immersed in studying halakha, and his fingers were beneath his leg and he was squeezing them, and his fingers were spurting blood. Rava did not notice that he was bleeding because he was engrossed in study. The heretic said to Rava: You impulsive nation, who accorded precedence to your mouths over your ears. You still bear your impulsiveness, as you act without thinking. You should listen first. Then, if you are capable of fulfilling the commands, accept them. And if not, do not accept them. He said to him: About us,
דְּסָגֵינַן בִּשְׁלִימוּתָא כְּתִיב בַּן: ״תֻּמַּת יְשָׁרִים תַּנְחֵם״, הָנָךְ אִינָשֵׁי דְּסָגַן בַּעֲלִילוּתָא כְּתִיב בְּהוּ: ״וְסֶלֶף בּוֹגְדִים יְשָׁדֵּם״.
who proceed wholeheartedly and with integrity, it is written: “The integrity of the upright will guide them” (Proverbs 11:3), whereas about those people who walk in deceit, it is written at the end of the same verse: “And the perverseness of the faithless will destroy them.”
וְאָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: כׇּל דִּיבּוּר וְדִיבּוּר שֶׁיָּצָא מִפִּי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא יָצְתָה נִשְׁמָתָן שֶׁל יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״נַפְשִׁי יָצְאָה בְדַבְּרוֹ״. וּמֵאַחַר שֶׁמִּדִּיבּוּר רִאשׁוֹן יָצְתָה נִשְׁמָתָן, דִּיבּוּר שֵׁנִי הֵיאַךְ קִיבְּלוּ? — הוֹרִיד טַל שֶׁעָתִיד לְהַחֲיוֹת בּוֹ מֵתִים וְהֶחְיָה אוֹתָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״גֶּשֶׁם נְדָבוֹת תָּנִיף אֱלֹהִים נַחֲלָתְךָ וְנִלְאָה אַתָּה כוֹנַנְתָּהּ״. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: כׇּל דִּיבּוּר וְדִיבּוּר שֶׁיָּצָא מִפִּי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא חָזְרוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל לַאֲחוֹרֵיהֶן שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר מִיל וְהָיוּ מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת מְדַדִּין אוֹתָן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״מַלְאֲכֵי צְבָאוֹת יִדֹּדוּן יִדֹּדוּן״ — אַל תִּיקְרֵי ״יִדֹּדוּן״, אֶלָּא ״יְדַדּוּן״.
And Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: From each and every utterance that emerged from the mouth of the Holy One, Blessed be He, the souls of the Jewish people left their bodies, as it is stated: “My soul departed when he spoke” (Song of Songs 5:6). And since their souls left their bodies from the first utterance, how did they receive the second utterance? Rather, God rained the dew upon them that, in the future, will revive the dead, and He revived them, as it is stated: “You, God, poured down a bountiful rain; when Your inheritance was weary You sustained it” (Psalms 68:10). And Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: With each and every utterance that emerged from the mouth of the Holy One, Blessed be He, the Jewish people retreated in fear twelve mil, and the ministering angels walked them back toward the mountain, as it is stated: “The hosts of angels will scatter [yidodun]” (Psalms 68:13). Do not read the word as yidodun, meaning scattered; rather, read it as yedadun, they walked them.
וְאָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁעָלָה מֹשֶׁה לַמָּרוֹם אָמְרוּ מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, מַה לִּילוּד אִשָּׁה בֵּינֵינוּ? אָמַר לָהֶן: לְקַבֵּל תּוֹרָה בָּא. אָמְרוּ לְפָנָיו: חֶמְדָּה גְּנוּזָה שֶׁגְּנוּזָה לָךְ תְּשַׁע מֵאוֹת וְשִׁבְעִים וְאַרְבָּעָה דּוֹרוֹת קוֹדֶם שֶׁנִּבְרָא הָעוֹלָם, אַתָּה מְבַקֵּשׁ לִיתְּנָהּ לְבָשָׂר וָדָם? ״מָה אֱנוֹשׁ כִּי תִזְכְּרֶנּוּ וּבֶן אָדָם כִּי תִפְקְדֶנּוּ״? ״ה׳ אֲדֹנֵינוּ מָה אַדִּיר שִׁמְךָ בְּכׇל הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר תְּנָה הוֹדְךָ עַל הַשָּׁמָיִם״!
And Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: When Moses ascended on High to receive the Torah, the ministering angels said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: Master of the Universe, what is one born of a woman doing here among us? The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to them: He came to receive the Torah. The angels said before Him: The Torah is a hidden treasure that was concealed by You 974 generations before the creation of the world, and You seek to give it to flesh and blood? As it is stated: “The word which He commanded to a thousand generations” (Psalms 105:8). Since the Torah, the word of God, was given to the twenty-sixth generation after Adam, the first man, the remaining 974 generations must have preceded the creation of the world. “What is man that You are mindful of him and the son of man that You think of him?” (Psalms 8:5). Rather, “God our Lord, how glorious is Your name in all the earth that Your majesty is placed above the heavens” (Psalms 8:2). The rightful place of God’s majesty, the Torah, is in the heavens.
אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְמֹשֶׁה: הַחְזֵיר לָהֶן תְּשׁוּבָה. אָמַר לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, מִתְיָירֵא אֲנִי שֶׁמָּא יִשְׂרְפוּנִי בַּהֶבֶל שֶׁבְּפִיהֶם. אָמַר לוֹ: אֱחוֹז בְּכִסֵּא כְבוֹדִי וַחֲזוֹר לָהֶן תְּשׁוּבָה. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״מְאַחֵז פְּנֵי כִּסֵּא פַּרְשֵׁז עָלָיו עֲנָנוֹ״, וְאָמַר רַבִּי נַחוּם: מְלַמֵּד שֶׁפֵּירַשׂ שַׁדַּי מִזִּיו שְׁכִינָתוֹ וַעֲנָנוֹ עָלָיו. אָמַר לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, תּוֹרָה שֶׁאַתָּה נוֹתֵן לִי מָה כְּתִיב בָּהּ? ״אָנֹכִי ה׳ אֱלֹהֶיךָ אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתִיךָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם״. אָמַר לָהֶן: לְמִצְרַיִם יְרַדְתֶּם? לְפַרְעֹה הִשְׁתַּעְבַּדְתֶּם? תּוֹרָה לָמָּה תְּהֵא לָכֶם! שׁוּב: מָה כְּתִיב בָּהּ? ״לֹא יִהְיֶה לְךָ אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים״. בֵּין הַגּוֹיִם אַתֶּם שְׁרוּיִין, שֶׁעוֹבְדִין
The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to Moses: Provide them with an answer as to why the Torah should be given to the people. Moses said before Him: Master of the Universe, I am afraid lest they burn me with the breath of their mouths. God said to him: Grasp My throne of glory for strength and protection, and provide them with an answer. And from where is this derived? As it is stated: “He causes him to grasp the front of the throne, and spreads His cloud over it” (Job 26:9), and Rabbi Naḥum said: This verse teaches that God spread the radiance of His presence and His cloud over Moses. Moses said before Him: Master of the Universe, the Torah that You are giving me, what is written in it? God said to him: “I am the Lord your God Who brought you out of Egypt from the house of bondage” (Exodus 20:2). Moses said to the angels: Did you descend to Egypt? Were you enslaved to Pharaoh? Why should the Torah be yours? Again Moses asked: What else is written in it? God said to him: “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3). Moses said to the angels: Do you dwell among the nations who worship
עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה? שׁוּב: מָה כְּתִיב בָּהּ? ״זָכוֹר אֶת יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת לְקַדְּשׁוֹ״ — כְּלוּם אַתֶּם עוֹשִׂים מְלָאכָה, שֶׁאַתֶּם צְרִיכִין שְׁבוּת? שׁוּב: מָה כְּתִיב בָּהּ? ״לֹא תִשָּׂא״ — מַשָּׂא וּמַתָּן יֵשׁ בֵּינֵיכֶם? שׁוּב: מָה כְּתִיב בָּהּ? ״כַּבֵּד אֶת אָבִיךָ וְאֶת אִמֶּךָ״ — אָב וָאֵם יֵשׁ לָכֶם? שׁוּב: מָה כְּתִיב בָּהּ? ״לֹא תִּרְצָח״, ״לֹא תִּנְאָף״, ״לֹא תִּגְנֹב״. קִנְאָה יֵשׁ בֵּינֵיכֶם? יֵצֶר הָרָע יֵשׁ בֵּינֵיכֶם? מִיָּד הוֹדוּ לוֹ לְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״ה׳ אֲדֹנֵינוּ מָה אַדִּיר שִׁמְךָ וְגוֹ׳״, וְאִילּוּ ״תְּנָה הוֹדְךָ עַל הַשָּׁמָיִם״ לָא כְּתִיב.
idols that you require this special warning? Again Moses asked: What else is written in it? The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to him: “Remember the Shabbat day to sanctify it” (Exodus 20:8). Moses asked the angels: Do you perform labor that you require rest from it? Again Moses asked: What else is written in it? “Do not take the name of the Lord your God in vain” (Exodus 20:7), meaning that it is prohibited to swear falsely. Moses asked the angels: Do you conduct business with one another that may lead you to swear falsely? Again Moses asked: What else is written in it? The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to him: “Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12). Moses asked the angels: Do you have a father or a mother that would render the commandment to honor them relevant to you? Again Moses asked: What else is written in it? God said to him: “You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal” (Exodus 20:13) Moses asked the angels: Is there jealousy among you, or is there an evil inclination within you that would render these commandments relevant? Immediately they agreed with the Holy One, Blessed be He, that He made the right decision to give the Torah to the people, and as it is stated: “God our Lord, how glorious is Your name in all the earth” (Psalms 8:10), while “that Your majesty is placed above the heavens” is not written because the angels agreed with God that it is appropriate to give the Torah to the people on earth.
מִיָּד כׇּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד נַעֲשָׂה לוֹ אוֹהֵב וּמָסַר לוֹ דָּבָר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״עָלִיתָ לַמָּרוֹם שָׁבִיתָ שֶּׁבִי לָקַחְתָּ מַתָּנוֹת בָּאָדָם״ — בִּשְׂכַר שֶׁקְּרָאוּךְ ״אָדָם״, לָקַחְתָּ מַתָּנוֹת. אַף מַלְאַךְ הַמָּוֶת מָסַר לוֹ דָּבָר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיִּתֵּן אֶת הַקְּטֹרֶת וַיְכַפֵּר עַל הָעָם״, וְאוֹמֵר: ״וַיַּעֲמֹד בֵּין הַמֵּתִים וּבֵין הַחַיִּים וְגוֹ׳״ — אִי לָאו דַּאֲמַר לֵיהּ מִי הֲוָה יָדַע?
Immediately, each and every one of the angels became an admirer of Moses and passed something to him, as it is stated: “You ascended on high, you took a captive, you took gifts on account of man, and even among the rebellious also that the Lord God might dwell there” (Psalms 68:19). The meaning of the verse is: In reward for the fact that they called you man, you are not an angel and the Torah is applicable to you, you took gifts from the angels. And even the Angel of Death gave him something, as Moses told Aaron how to stop the plague, as it is stated: “And he placed the incense, and he atoned for the people” (Numbers 17:12). And the verse says: “And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped” (Numbers 17:13). If it were not that the Angel of Death told him this remedy, would he have known it?
וְאָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁעָלָה מֹשֶׁה לַמָּרוֹם מְצָאוֹ לְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא שֶׁהָיָה קוֹשֵׁר כְּתָרִים לָאוֹתִיּוֹת. אָמַר לוֹ: מֹשֶׁה, אֵין שָׁלוֹם בְּעִירְךָ? אָמַר לְפָנָיו: כְּלוּם יֵשׁ עֶבֶד שֶׁנּוֹתֵן שָׁלוֹם לְרַבּוֹ? אָמַר לוֹ: הָיָה לְךָ לְעׇזְרֵנִי, מִיָּד אָמַר לוֹ: ״וְעַתָּה יִגְדַּל נָא כֹּחַ ה׳ כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְתָּ״.
And Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: When Moses ascended on High, he found the Holy One, Blessed be He, tying crowns to letters. On the tops of certain letters there are ornamental crownlets. Moses said nothing, and God said to him: Moses, is there no greeting in your city? Do people not greet each other in your city? He said before Him: Does a servant greet his master? That would be disrespectful. He said to him: At least you should have assisted Me and wished Me success in My work. Immediately he said to Him: “And now, may the power of the Lord be great as you have spoken” (Numbers 14:17).
אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: מַאי דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיַּרְא הָעָם כִּי בֹשֵׁשׁ מֹשֶׁה״ — אַל תִּקְרֵי ״בּוֹשֵׁשׁ״, אֶלָּא ״בָּאוּ שֵׁשׁ״. בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁעָלָה מֹשֶׁה לַמָּרוֹם אָמַר לָהֶן לְיִשְׂרָאֵל: לְסוֹף אַרְבָּעִים יוֹם בִּתְחִלַּת שֵׁשׁ אֲנִי בָּא. לְסוֹף אַרְבָּעִים יוֹם בָּא שָׂטָן וְעִירְבֵּב אֶת הָעוֹלָם. אָמַר לָהֶן: מֹשֶׁה רַבְּכֶם הֵיכָן הוּא? אָמְרוּ לוֹ: עָלָה לַמָּרוֹם. אָמַר לָהֶן: בָּאוּ שֵׁשׁ, וְלֹא הִשְׁגִּיחוּ עָלָיו. מֵת, וְלֹא הִשְׁגִּיחוּ עָלָיו. הֶרְאָה לָהֶן דְּמוּת מִטָּתוֹ, וְהַיְינוּ דְּקָאָמְרִי לֵיהּ לְאַהֲרֹן: ״כִּי זֶה מֹשֶׁה הָאִישׁ וְגוֹ׳״.
And Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: What is the meaning of that which is written: “And the people saw that Moses delayed [boshesh] to come down from the mount” (Exodus 32:1)? Do not read the word in the verse as boshesh; rather, read it as ba’u shesh, six hours have arrived. When Moses ascended on High, he told the Jewish people: In forty days, at the beginning of six hours, I will come. After forty days, Satan came and brought confusion to the world by means of a storm, and it was impossible to ascertain the time. Satan said to the Jews: Where is your teacher Moses? They said to him: He ascended on High. He said to them: Six hours have arrived and he has not yet come. Surely he won’t. And they paid him no attention. Satan said to them: Moses died. And they paid him no attention. Ultimately, he showed them an image of his death-bed and an image of Moses’ corpse in a cloud. And that is what the Jewish people said to Aaron: “For this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we know not what has become of him” (Exodus 32:1).
אֲמַר לֵיהּ הָהוּא מֵרַבָּנַן לְרַב כָּהֲנָא: מִי שְׁמִיעַ לָךְ מַאי ״הַר סִינַי״? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הַר שֶׁנַּעֲשׂוּ בּוֹ נִסִּים לְיִשְׂרָאֵל. ״הַר נִיסַּאי״ מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ! אֶלָּא: הַר שֶׁנַּעֲשָׂה סִימָן טוֹב לְיִשְׂרָאֵל. ״הַר סִימָנַאי״ מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מַאי טַעְמָא לָא שְׁכִיחַתְּ קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַב פָּפָּא וְרַב הוּנָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב יְהוֹשֻׁעַ דִּמְעַיְּינִי בְּאַגָּדְתָּא? דְּרַב חִסְדָּא וְרַבָּה בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב הוּנָא דְּאָמְרִי תַּרְוַויְיהוּ: מַאי ״הַר סִינַי״? הַר שֶׁיָּרְדָה שִׂנְאָה לְאֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם עָלָיו. וְהַיְינוּ דְּאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בְּרַבִּי חֲנִינָא: חֲמִשָּׁה שֵׁמוֹת יֵשׁ לוֹ: מִדְבַּר צִין — שֶׁנִּצְטַוּוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל עָלָיו; מִדְבַּר קָדֵשׁ — שֶׁנִּתְקַדְּשׁוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל עָלָיו; מִדְבַּר קְדֵמוֹת — שֶׁנִּתְּנָה קְדוּמָה עָלָיו; מִדְבַּר פָּארָן —
One of the Sages said to Rav Kahana: Did you hear what is the reason that the mountain was called Mount Sinai? Rav Kahana said to him: It is because it is a mountain upon which miracles [nissim] were performed for the Jewish people. The Sage said to him: If so, it should have been called Mount Nisai, the mountain of miracles. Rather, Rav Kahana said to him: It is a mountain that was a good omen [siman] for the Jewish people. The Sage said to him: If so, it should have been called Har Simanai, the mountain of omens. Rav Kahana said to him: What is the reason that you do not frequent the school where you can study before Rav Pappa and Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua, who study aggada? As Rav Ḥisda and Rabba, son of Rav Huna, both said: What is the reason it is called Mount Sinai? It is because it is a mountain upon which hatred [sina] for the nations of the world descended because they did not accept the Torah. And that is what Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Ḥanina, said: The desert in which Israel remained for forty years has five names. Each name has a source and a rationale: The Zin Desert, because the Jewish people were commanded [nitztavu] in it; the Kadesh Desert, because the Jewish people were sanctified [nitkadshu] in it. The Kedemot Desert, because the ancient [keduma] Torah, which preceded the world, was given in it. The Paran Desert,
שֶׁפָּרוּ וְרָבוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל עָלָיו; מִדְבַּר סִינַי — שֶׁיָּרְדָה שִׂנְאָה לְאוּמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם עָלָיו. וּמָה שְׁמוֹ? ״חוֹרֵב״ שְׁמוֹ. וּפְלִיגָא דְּרַבִּי אֲבָהוּ, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ: ״הַר סִינַי״ שְׁמוֹ. וְלָמָּה נִקְרָא ״הַר חוֹרֵב״ — שֶׁיָּרְדָה חוֹרְבָּה לְאוּמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם עָלָיו.
because the Jewish people were fruitful [paru] and multiplied in it; the Sinai Desert, because hatred descended upon the nations of the world on it, on the mountain on which the Jewish people received the Torah. And what is the mountain’s true name? Horeb is its name. And that disputes the opinion of Rabbi Abbahu, as Rabbi Abbahu said: Mount Sinai is its name. And why is it called Mount Horeb? It is because destruction [ḥurba] of the nations of the world descended upon it.
לְעָבְרְךָ בִּבְרִית ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ וְגוֹ'. שָׁלֹשׁ כְּרִיתוֹת כָּרַת הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא כְּשֶׁיָּצְאוּ מִמִּצְרַיִם. אַחַת כְּשֶׁעָמְדוּ לִפְנֵי הַר סִינַי, וְאַחַת בְּחוֹרֵב, וְאַחַת כָּאן. וְלָמָּה כָּרַת הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עִמָּהֶן כָּאן. מִפְּנֵי שֶׁאוֹתוֹ הַבְּרִית שֶׁכָּרַת עִמָּהֶן בְּסִינַי, בִּטְּלוּהָ וְאָמְרוּ, אֵלֶּה אֱלֹהֶיךָ (שמות לב, ד). לְפִיכָךְ חָזַר וְכָרַת עִמָּהֶן בְּחוֹרֵב, וְקָבַע עָלֶיהָ קְלָלָה לְמִי שֶׁחוֹזֵר בִּדְבָרָיו. וְאֵין לְשׁוֹן לְעָבְרְךָ, אֶלָּא כְּאָדָם שֶׁאוֹמֵר לַחֲבֵרוֹ, הַעֲבֵר בְּךָ קְלָלָה אִם אַתָּה חוֹזֵר בִּי בַּדָּבָר הַזֶּה. וְכֵן אַתָּה מוֹצֵא כְּשֶׁהִכְעִיסוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל וְהָלְכוּ בַּגָּלוּת, מַה דָּנִיֵּאל אוֹמֵר, וְכָל יִשְׂרָאֵל עָבְרוּ אֶת תּוֹרָתֶךָ וַתִּתַּךְ עָלֵינוּ הָאָלָה וְהַשְּׁבֻעָה (דניאל ט, יא). וְאֵין אָלָה אֶלָּא לְשׁוֹן קְלָלָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְהָיְתָה הָאִשָּׁה לְאָלָה (במדבר ה, כז). לְלַמֶּדְךָ, כְּשֵׁם שֶׁמַּשְׁבִּיעִים אֶת הַסּוֹטָה, כָּךְ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא הִשְׁבִּיעַ אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל. וְשֶׁמָּא תֹּאמַר, כָּל הַטֹּרַח הַזֶּה לָמָּה. לֹא מִפְּנֵי שֶׁאֲנִי צָרִיךְ לָכֶם, אֶלָּא מָה אֶעֱשֶׂה לָכֶם, שֶׁכְּבָר נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי לַאֲבוֹתֵיכֶם שֶׁלֹּא אֲשַׁנֶּה בָּכֶם וּבְנֵיכֶם עַד עוֹלָם. לְכָךְ נֶאֱמַר: לְמַעַן הָקִים אוֹתְךָ הַיּוֹם לוֹ לְעָם וְהוּא יִהְיֶה לְךָ לֵאלֹהִים כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר לָךְ וְכַאֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּע לַאֲבוֹתֶיךָ. וְאָמַר, מֶלֶךְ אָסוּר בָּרְהָטִים (שה״ש ז, ו). וְאֵין אָסוּר אֶלָּא שְׁבוּעָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְאָסְרָה אִסָּר עַל נַפְשָׁהּ (במדבר ל, יא), לְפִיכָךְ אֵינוֹ יָכֹל לַעֲבֹר עַל שְׁבוּעָתוֹ. וְכֵן אַתָּה מוֹצֵא כְּשֶׁבִּקְּשׁוּ לִפְרֹק עֹל שְׁבוּעָתוֹ בִּימֵי יְחֶזְקֵאל, מַה כְּתִיב שָׁם, בָּאוּ אֲנָשִׁים מִזִּקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לִדְרֹשׁ אֶת ה' (יחזקאל כ, א). אָמְרוּ לוֹ: בֶּן כֹּהֵן הַקּוֹנֶה אֶת הָעֶבֶד, מַהוּ שֶׁאוֹכֵל בִּתְרוּמָה. אָמַר לָהֶם: אוֹכֵל. אָמְרוּ לוֹ: אִם חָזַר כֹּהֵן וּמְכָרוֹ לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, לֹא יָצָא מֵרְשׁוּתוֹ. אָמַר לָהֶם: הֵן. אָמְרוּ לוֹ: אַף אָנוּ כְּבָר יָצָאנוּ מֵרְשׁוּתוֹ, נִהְיֶה כְּכָל הָעוֹלָם. אָמַר לָהֶם יְחֶזְקֵאל לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, וְהָעֹלָה עַל רוּחֲכֶם הָיוֹ לֹא תִּהְיֶה (שם פסוק לב). וְאוֹמֵר: חַי אֲנִי נְאֻם אֲדֹנָי ה' אִם לֹא בְּיָד חֲזָקָה וְגוֹ' (שם פסוק לג). אָמַר לָהֶם: כָּל זְמַן שֶׁלֹּא מְכָרוֹ, בִּרְשׁוּתוֹ הוּא. וְאַתֶּם לֹא נִמְכַּרְתֶּם בְּדָמִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: כִּי כֹה אָמַר ה', חִנָּם נִמְכַּרְתֶּם וְגוֹ' (ישעיה נב, ג). לְמַעַן הָקִים אוֹתְךָ וְגוֹ', שֶׁלֹּא אֶחְזֹר בַּדָּבָר שֶׁנִּשְׁבַּעְתִּי לַאֲבוֹתֵיכֶם. וְלֹא אֶתְכֶם לְבַדְּכֶם, אֶלָּא אַף הַדּוֹרוֹת הָעֲתִידִין לָבֹא, הָיוּ שָׁם בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: כִּי אֶת אֲשֶׁר יֶשְׁנוֹ פֹּה. אָמַר רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי, לָמָּה כְּתִיב: כִּי אֶת אֲשֶׁר יֶשְׁנוֹ פֹּה וְגוֹ' וְאֶת אֲשֶׁר אֵינֶנּוּ פֹּה. לְפִי שֶׁהַנְּשָׁמוֹת הָיוּ שָׁם וַעֲדַיִן גּוּף לֹא נִבְרָא, לְכָךְ לֹא כְּתִיב בָּהֶן עֲמִידָה. שֶׁמָּא תֹּאמַר מִמִּי שֶׁיֵּשׁ בָּהּ עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה. תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: כִּי אַתֶּם יְדַעְתֶּם אֶת אֲשֶׁר עָבַרְנוּ וְגוֹ'. וּכְתִיב: וַתִּרְאוּ אֶת שִׁקּוּצֵיהֶם וְגוֹ'. בֹּא וּרְאֵה, מַעֲשֵׂה הַגּוֹיִם. אִם הָיְתָה שֶׁל עֵץ אוֹ שֶׁל אֶבֶן, הָיְתָה מֻנַּחַת בַּחוּץ אוֹ בִּפְנִים, נוֹהֵג בָּהּ הֶפְקֵר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וַתִּרְאוּ אֶת שִׁקּוּצֵיהֶם וְגוֹ'. הָיְתָה שֶׁל כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב, מַכְנִיסָהּ בְּחַדְרֵי חֲדָרִים וְיִזָּהֵר בָּהּ וְיִשְׁמְרֶהָ שֶׁלֹּא יִגְנְבוּהָ בְּנֵי אָדָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב אֲשֶׁר עִמָּהֶם. אָמַר רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר, תָּבֹא מְאֵרָה עַל לָבָן שֶׁאָמַר לְיַעֲקֹב, לָמָּה גָּנַבְתָּ אֶת אֱלֹהַי (בראשית לא, ל). לְעַצְמָהּ אֵינָהּ יְכוֹלָה לְהַצִּיל אֶת הַגְּנֵבָה, לָאֲחֵרִים הֵיאַךְ יְכוֹלָה לְהַצִּיל. אֲבָל יִשְׂרָאֵל אֵינָן כֵן, שֶׁהֵן עוֹבְדִין לְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, שֶׁכָּתוּב בּוֹ, הוּא תְּהִלָּתְךָ וְהוּא אֱלֹהֶיךָ וְגוֹ' (דברים י, כא). הוּא מְשַׁמֵּר אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל כְּאָב הַמְשַׁמֵּר אֶת הַבֵּן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: הִנֵּה לֹא יָנוּם וְלֹא יִישַׁן שׁוֹמֵר יִשְׂרָאֵל (תהלים קכא, ד).
(Deut. 29:11:) “To enter into the covenant with the Lord your God....” Three covenants did the Holy One, blessed be He, make with Israel when they came out of Egypt, one when they stood before Mount Sinai, (one at Horeb,) and one here. But why did he make [a covenant] with them here? Because they had revoked the one which He had made with them at Sinai, when they said (of the golden calf in Exod. 32:4), “This is your god, O Israel.” For that reason He made [another covenant] with them at Horeb and established a curse over it for whoever would go back on his words. Now the word, enter (rt.: 'br), [can] only be in the sense of one who says to his companion, “May this curse come (rt.: 'br) upon you, if you go back on me in this thing.” And so you find that, when Israel provoked [the Holy One, blessed be He], and they went into captivity, what did Daniel say (in Dan. 9:11)? “And all Israel has transgressed (rt.: 'br) Your Torah [...] so the curse (alah) and the oath are poured down upon us.” Now alah can only be a curse, as where it is stated (in Numb. 5:27), “and the woman shall become a curse (alah).” [This is] to teach you that just as one imposes an oath on the suspect adulteress, so the Holy One, blessed be He, imposed an oath upon Israel. But perhaps you will say, “Why all this bother?” It is not because I need you? Rather what shall I do to you, when I have already sworn to your ancestors, that I will never replace you and your children? It is therefore stated (in Deut. 29:12), “In order to establish you today as his people […] as he swore to your ancestors.” It [also] says (in Cant. 7:6), “a king is bound by his tresses.” Now bound [indicates] nothing except an oath. Thus it is stated (in Numb. 30:4), “[When a woman vows a vow to the Lord] and binds herself with a bond.” Therefore, He cannot break his oath. And so you find, when they sought to get rid of the yoke of His oath in the days of Ezekiel, it is written (in Ezek: 20:1), “some elders of Israel came to consult the Lord.” They said to him, “When the son of a priest buys a slave, is it legal for him to eat the terumah?” He said to them, “He may eat it.” They said to him, “If a priest returned and sold him to an [ordinary] Israelite, has he not left his jurisdiction?” He told them, “Yes.” They said to him, “We too have left the jurisdiction of [the Holy One, blessed be He]; are we not [now] like the all the [rest of the] world?” Ezekiel said to them (in Ezek. 20:32-33), “But that which you have in mind shall never come to pass, that should you say: let us become like the gentiles…. ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘surely I will [reign] over you with a powerful hand....’” He said to them, “As long as one has not sold [a slave], he is in his jurisdiction; and you have not been sold for a price.” It is so stated (in Is. 52:3), “For thus says the Lord, ‘You were sold for free, [and you shall be redeemed for no money].’” (Deut. 29:12:) “In order to establish you today as his people…,” so that I would not go back on the word that I swore to your ancestors. Deut. 29:13), “And not only with you [have I made this covenant and this oath].” But rather the generations that have yet to come were also there at that time, as stated (in vs. 14), “But with those who are [standing ('md)] here with us [today… and with those who are not here with us today].” R. Abahu said in the name of R. Samuel bar Nahmani, “Why does it say, ‘those who are [standing ('md)] here [...]; and those who are not here’ (without using the word, standing)? Because all the souls were there, [even] when [their] bodies had still not been created. It is for that reason [their] existence (literally, standing, rt.: 'md) is not stated here.” R. Eliezer said, “A curse will come upon Laban, because he said to Jacob (in Gen. 31:30), ‘Why did you steal my gods?’ It (i.e., such an idol) could not save itself from theft. [So] how could it save others? But Israel is not like that, as they serve the Holy One, blessed be He, about whom it is stated (in Deut. 10:21), “He is your praise, and He is your God, [who has done these great and awful things for you that your own eyes have seen].” He [also] watches over Israel like a father who watches over his son, as stated (in Ps. 121:4), “Behold the One keeping Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.”
(שמות כ,יד) ["וְכָל הָעָם רֹאִים אֶת הַקּוֹלֹת וְאֶת הַלַּפִּידִם, וְאֵת קוֹל הַשֹּׁפָר וְאֶת הָהָר עָשֵׁן, וַיַּרְא הָעָם וַיָּנֻעוּ, וַיַּעַמְדוּ מֵרָחֹק."] "וְכָל הָעָם רֹאִים אֶת הַקּוֹלֹת". רוֹאִין אֶת הַנִּרְאֶה וְשׁוֹמְעִין אֶת הַנִּשְׁמָע. דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל. רַבִּי עֲקִיבָה אוֹמֵר: רוֹאִין וְשׁוֹמְעִין אֶת הַנִּרְאֶה. רוֹאִין דִּבֵּר שֶׁלָּאֵשׁ יוֹצֵא מִפִּי הַגְּבוּרָה, וְנֶחְצָב עַל הַלּוּחוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (תהלים כט,ז) "קוֹל יי חֹצֵב לַהֲבוֹת אֵשׁ."
(Ibid. 20:15) "And all the people saw the sounds and the lightnings": They saw what was visible and heard what was audible. These are the words of R. Yishmael. R. Akiva says: They saw and heard what was audible. There was nothing that left the mouth of the Omnipotent which was not inscribed on the tablets, as it is written (Psalms 29:7) "The voice of the L–rd hews (with) flames of fire."
רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: לְהוֹדִיעַ שְׁבָחָן שֶׁלְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁכְּשֶׁעָמְדוּ כֻלָּן לִפְנֵי הַר סִינַי לְקַבֵּל אֶת הַתּוֹרָה, מַגִּיד שֶׁלֹּא הָיוּ בָהֶן סוֹמִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (שמות כ,יד) "וְכָל הָעָם רֹאִים"; מְלַמֵּד שֶׁלֹּא הָיוּ בָהֶן אִלְּמִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (שמות יט,י) "וַיַּעֲנוּ כָל הָעָם יַחְדָּו"; מְלַמֵּד שֶׁלֹּא הָיוּ בָהֶן חֵרְשִׁין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (שמות כד,ז) "כֹּל אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר יי, נַעֲשֶׂה וְנִשְׁמָע." מְלַמֵּד שֶׁלֹּא הָיוּ בָהֶן חִגְּרִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (שמות יט,יח) "וַיִּתְיַצְּבוּ בְּתַחְתִּית הָהָר." וּמְלַמֵּד שֶׁלֹּא הָיוּ בָהֶן טִפְּשִׁין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (דברים ד,לה) "אַתָּה הָרְאֵתָ לָדַעַת".
R. Eliezer says: to apprise us of the exalted state of Israel. When they all stood at Mount Sinai to receive the Torah, there were no blind ones among them, viz. "And all the people saw." And whence is it derived that there were no mutes among them? From (Exodus 19:8) "And all the people answered together." And whence is it derived that there were no deaf ones among them? From (Ibid. 24:7) "All that the L–rd has spoken, we shall do and we shall hear." And whence is it derived that there were no large ones among them? From (Ibid. 17) "And they stood at the foot of the mountain." And whence is it derived that there were no fools among them? From (Devarim 4:35) "You have been shown to know, etc."
(שמות כ,טו) "וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֶל מֹשֶׁה: דַּבֵּר אַתָּה עִמָּנוּ וְנִשְׁמָעָה, וְאַל יְדַבֵּר עִמָּנוּ אֱלֹהִים, פֶּן נָמוּת." מַגִּיד שֶׁלֹּא הָיָה בָהֶם כֹּחַ לְקַבֵּל יוֹתֵר מֵעֲשֶׂרֶת הַדִּבְּרוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (דברים ה,כב) "אִם יֹסְפִים אֲנַחְנוּ לִשְׁמֹעַ אֶת קוֹל יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ עוֹד, וָמָתְנוּ." אֶלָּא, (דברים ה,כד) "קְרַב אַתָּה וּשְׁמָע!" מֵאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה, זָכוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל לְהַעֲמִיד הַמָּקוֹם מֵהֶן נְבִיאִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (דברים יח,יח) "נָבִיא אָקִים לָהֶם". נָבִיא עָתִיד אֲנִי לְהַעֲמִיד מֵהֶם, אֶלָּא שֶׁקִּדְּמוּ הֵם בִּזְכוּת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (דברים ה,כח) "וַיֹּאמֶר יי אֵלָי: הֵיטִיבוּ אֲשֶׁר דִּבֵּרוּ!" אַשְׁרֵי בְנֵי אָדָם שֶׁהַמָּקוֹם הוֹדָה לְדִבְרֵיהֶם! וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר: (במדבר כז,ו) "כֵּן בְּנוֹת צְלָפְחָד דֹּבְרֹת". (במדבר לו,ה) "כֵּן מַטֵּה בְנֵי יוֹסֵף דֹּבְרִים." אַשְׁרֵי בְנֵי אָדָם שֶׁהַמָּקוֹם הוֹדָה לְדִבְרֵיהֶם! וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר: (דברים יד,כ) "וַיֹּאמֶר יי: סָלַחְתִּי כִּדְבָרֶךָ!" עֲתִידִים אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם לוֹמַר: אַשְׁרֵי אָדָם שֶׁהַמָּקוֹם הוֹדָה לִדְבָרָיו!
(Exodus, Ibid. 16) "And they said to Moses: Speak, you, with us, and we will hear, (and let G–d not speak with us, lest we die.") We are hereby apprised that they lacked the strength to receive no more than ten pronouncements, viz. (Devarim 5:22) "If we continue hearing the voice of the L–rd our G–d, we will die," but (Ibid. 6) you draw near," and we will hear. At that time, Israel merited the L–rd's establishing prophets for them, as it is written (Ibid. 18:18) "A prophet shall I raise up for them, etc." I was destined to set up a prophet for them (later), but their merit preempted it, viz. (Ibid. 17) "And the L–rd said to me: They have done well in speaking as they did" (viz. Ibid. 16). Happy are those in whose words the L–rd concurs! And thus is it written (Numbers 27:7) "Rightly do the daughters of Tzelafchad speak," (Ibid. 36:5) "Rightly does the scribe of the sons of Yosef speak." Happy are those in whose words the L–rd concurs! And thus is it written (Ibid. 14:20) "I have forgiven because of your (Moses') words.
"אַתֶּם רְאִיתֶם". הֶפְרֵשׁ בֵּין שֶׁאָדָם רוֹאֶה וּבֵין שֶׁאֲחֵרִים מְשִׂיחִין לוֹ: שֶׁכְּשֶׁאֲחֵרִים מְשִׂיחִין לוֹ, פְּעָמִים שֶׁלִּבּוֹ חָלוּק, אֲבָל כָּן, "אַתֶּם רְאִיתֶם".
(Ibid.) "You saw that from the heavens I spoke to you." There is a difference between one's seeing something (with his own eyes) and others' relating something to him. When others relate something to him, sometimes his heart is "divided" within him; but here — "You (yourselves) saw!"
"כִּי מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם דִּבַּרְתִּי עִמָּכֶם." כָּתוּב אֶחָד אוֹמֵר "כִּי מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם", וְכָתוּב אֶחָד אוֹמֵר (שמות יט,כ) "וַיֵּרֶד יי עַל הַר סִינַי". כֵּיצַד יִתְקַיְּמוּ שְׁנֵי כְתוּבִין? הִכְרִיעַ: (דברים ד,לו) "מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם הִשְׁמִיעֲךָ אֶת קֹלוֹ לְיַסְּרֶךָּ". דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל.
(Ibid.) "that from the heavens I spoke to you": One verse states "that from the heavens, etc.", and another (Ibid. 19:20) "And the L–rd went down upon Mount Sinai!" How are these two verses to be reconciled? A third verse reconciles them, viz. (Devarim 4:36) "From the heavens He made you hear His voice to exhort you, and on the earth He showed you His great fire, and His works you heard from the midst of the fire." These are the words of R. Yishmael.
רַבִּי עֲקִיבָה אוֹמֵר: כָּתוּב אֶחָד אוֹמֵר "כִּי מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם", וְכָתוּב אֶחָד אוֹמֵר: (שמות יט,כ) "וַיֵּרֶד יי עַל הַר סִינַי אֶל רֹאשׁ הָהָר", מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהִרְכִּין הַמָּקוֹם שְׁמֵי שָׁמַיִם הָעֶלְיוֹנִים עַל רֹאשׁ הָהָר, וְדִבֵּר עִמָּהֶן מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (דברים ד,לו) "מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם הִשְׁמִיעֲךָ אֶת קֹלוֹ". וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר: (תהלים יח,י) "וַיֵּט שָׁמַיִם וַיֵּרַד, וַעֲרָפֶל תַּחַת רַגְלָיו."
R. Akiva says: We are hereby taught that the Holy One Blessed be He bent the upper heavens over the top of the mountain, and He spoke to them from the heavens. As it is written (Psalms 18:10) "And He bent the heavens and descended, with mist between His feet."
רַבִּי אוֹמֵר: (שמות יט,כ) "וַיֵּרֶד יי עַל הַר סִינַי אֶל רֹאשׁ הָהָר", שׁוֹמֵעַ אֲנִי, כִּשְׁמוּעוֹ. אָמַרְתָּ, וּמָה אֶחָד מִשַּׁמָּשֵׁי שַׁמָּשִׁין, הֲרֵי הוּא בִמְקוֹמוֹ וְשֶׁלֹּא בִּמְקוֹמוֹ, קַל וָחֹמֶר לִכְבוֹדוֹ שֶׁלְּמִי שֶׁאָמַר וְהָיָה הָעוֹלָם.
Rebbi says: "And the L–rd went down upon Mount Sinai upon the top of the mountain. And the L–rd called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up": Is this to be understood literally? Can you say such a thing? If one of His servants (e.g., the sun) makes his presence felt in its place and outside of its place, how much more so the glory of Him who spoke and brought the world into being! (The above, then, must perforce be understood figuratively and not literally.)
כֵּיצַד נִתְּנוּ עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדִּבְּרוֹת? חֲמִשָּׁה עַל לוּחַ זֶה, וַחֲמִשָּׁה עַל לוּחַ זֶה. כָּתוּב בָּזֶה "אָנֹכִי יי אֱלֹהֶיךָ", וּכְנֶגְדּוֹ כָתוּב "לֹא תִרְצָח", מַגִּיד הַכָּתוּב שֶׁכָּל מִי שֶׁהוּא שׁוֹפֵךְ דָּמִים, מַעֲלִין עָלָיו כְּאִלּוּ מְמַעֵט בַּדְּמוּת.
How were the Ten Commandments given? Five on one tablet and five on the other. "I am the L–rd your G–d," and opposite it "You shall not kill," whereby Scripture apprises us that spilling blood is tantamount to "diminishing" the likeness of the King.
מָשָׁל לְמֶלֶךְ בָּשָׂר וָדָם שֶׁנִּכְנַס לַמְּדִינָה, וְהֶעֱמִיד לוֹ אִיקוֹנִיּוֹת, וְעָשׂוּ לוֹ צְלָמִים, וְטָבְעוּ לוֹ מַטְבְּעוֹת. לְאַחַר זְמַן, כָּפוּ לוֹ אִיקוֹנוֹתָיו, שִׁבְּרוּ לוֹ צְלָמָיו, וּבִטְּלוּ לוֹ מַטְבְּעוֹתָיו, וּמִעֲטוּ בִּדְמוּתוֹ שֶׁלַּמֶּלֶךְ. כָּךְ, כָּל מִי שֶׁהוּא שׁוֹפֵךְ דָּמִים, מַעֲלִין עָלָיו כְּאִלּוּ מְמַעֵט בַּדְּמוּת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (בראשית ט,ו) "שֹׁפֵךְ דַּם הָאָדָם, בָּאָדָם דָּמוֹ יִשָּׁפֵךְ, כִּי בְּצֶלֶם אֱלֹהִים עָשָׂה אֶת הָאָדָם."
An analogy: A king of flesh and blood enters a province, sets up statues of himself, makes images of himself, and mints coins in his likeness. After some time, they upset his statues, break his images, devalue his coins — and "diminish" the likeness of the king. Likewise, Scripture equates spilling blood to "diminishing" the likeness of the King, as it is written (Genesis 9:6) "One who spills the blood of man … (For in the image of G–d did He make man.")
כָּתוּב "לֹא יִהְיֶה לְךָ", וּכְנֶגְדּוֹ כָתוּב "לֹא תִנְאָף". מַגִּיד הַכָּתוּב, שֶׁכָּל מִי שֶׁעוֹבֵד עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, מַעֲלִין עָלָיו כְּאִלּוּ מְנָאֵף מֵאַחַר הַמָּקוֹם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (יחזקאל טז,לב) "הָאִשָּׁה הַמְּנָאָפֶת תַּחַת אִישָׁהּ תִּקַּח אֶת זָרִים." וְאוֹמֵר: (הושע ג,א) "וַיֹּאמֶר יי אֵלַי: עוֹד לֵךְ אֱהַב אִשָּׁה אֲהֻבַת רֵעַ וּמְנָאָפֶת, כְּאַהֲבַת יי אֶת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְהֵם פֹּנִים אֶל אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים, וְאֹהֲבֵי אֲשִׁישֵׁי עֲנָבִים."
It is written "There shall not be unto you any other gods in My presence," and, opposite it, "You shall not commit adultery," whereby Scripture apprises us that idolatry is tantamount to adultery. As it is written (Ezekiel 16:32) "You are the (very essence of the) adulterous woman, who (though) living with her husband, (still) takes strangers," and (Hoshea 3:1) "And the L–rd said again to me: "Go and love a woman beloved by her husband, and playing the harlot under him — just as the L–rd loves the children of Israel, while they turn to other gods…"
כָּתוּב "לֹא תִשָּׂא אֶת שֵׁם יי אֱלֹהֶיךָ לַשָּׁוְא", וּכְנֶגְדּוֹ כָתוּב "לֹא תִגְנֹב". מַגִּיד הַכָּתוּב, שֶׁכָּל מִי שֶׁהוּא גּוֹנֵב, סוֹפוֹ לָבֹא לִידֵי שְׁבוּעַת שָׁוְא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (ירמיה ז,ט) "הֲגָנֹב רָצֹחַ וְנָאֹף וְהִשָּׁבֵעַ לַשֶּׁקֶר". וְכָתוּב: (הושע ד,ב) "אָלֹה וְכַחֵשׁ וְרָצֹחַ וְגָנֹב וְנָאֹף".
It is written "You shall not take the name of the L–rd your G–d in vain," and, opposite it, "You shall not steal," whereby we are apprised that one who steals, in the end comes to swear in vain, as it is written (Jeremiah 7:9) "Shall one steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely (… and go after the gods of others, etc.?" And it is written (Hoshea 4:2) "swearing, lying, murdering, stealing, (committing) adultery…"
כָּתוּב "זָכוֹר אֶת יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת לְקַדְּשׁוֹ", וּכְנֶגְדּוֹ כָתוּב "לֹא תַעֲנֶה בְרֵעֲךָ עֵד שָׁקֶר." מַגִּיד הַכָּתוּב, שֶׁכָּל מִי שֶׁמְּחַלֵּל אֶת הַשַּׁבָּת, כְּאִלּוּ מֵעִיד לִפְנֵי מִי שֶׁאָמַר וְהָיָה הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁבָּרָא עוֹלָמוֹ לְשִׁשָּׁה, וְלֹא נָח בַּשְּׁבִיעִי. וְכָל מִי שֶׁהוּא מְשַׁמֵּר אֶת הַשַּׁבָּת, מֵעִיד לִפְנֵי מִי שֶׁאָמַר וְהָיָה הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁבָּרָא עוֹלָמוֹ לְשִׁשָּׁה וְנָח בַּשְּׁבִיעִי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (ישעיה מג,יב) "וְאַתֶּם עֵדַי, נְאֻם יי, וַאֲנִי אֵל."
It is written "Remember the Sabbath day to sanctify it," and, opposite it, "You shall not testify (falsely)," whereby Scripture apprises us that one who desecrates the Sabbath thereby testifies before Him who spoke and brought the world into being that He did not create His world in six days and did not rest on the seventh day, and that one who keeps the Sabbath thereby testifies before Him who spoke and brought the world into being that He created His world in six days and rested on the seventh day, as it is written (Isaiah 43:10) "You are My witnesses, says the L–rd … that I am He. Before Me no god was created and there will be none after Me."
כָּתוּב "כַּבֵּד אֶת אָבִיךָ וְאֶת אִמֶּךָ", וּכְנֶגְדּוֹ כָתוּב "לֹא תַחְמֹד". מַגִּיד הַכָּתוּב, שֶׁכָּל מִי שֶׁהוּא חוֹמֵד, סוֹף שֶׁהוּא מוֹלִיד בֵּן שֶׁהוּא מְקַלֵּל לְאָבִיו, וּמְכַבֵּד לְמִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ אָבִיו. לְכָךְ נִתְּנוּ עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדִּבְּרוֹת, חֲמִשָּׁה עַל לוּחַ זֶה, וַחֲמִשָּׁה עַל לוּחַ זֶה. דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי חֲנַנְיָה בֶן גַּמְלִיאֵל.
It is written "Honor your father and your mother," and, opposite it, "You shall not covet," whereby Scripture apprises us that whoever covets, in the end comes to beget a son who curses his father and honors one who is not his father. This is why the Ten Commandments were given, five on one tablet and five on the other. These are the words of R. Chanina b. Gamliel.
כָּךְ הוֹצִיא הַמָּקוֹם אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל מִמִּצְרַיִם, קָרַע לָהֶם אֶת הַיָּם, הוֹרִיד לָהֶן אֶת הַמָּן, הֵגִיז לָהֶן אֶת הַשְּׂלָו, הֶעֱלָה לָהֶן אֶת הַבְּאֵר, עָשָׂה לָהֶן מִלְחֶמֶת עֲמָלֵק, אָמַר לָהֶן: אֶמְלֹךְ עֲלֵיכֶם! אָמְרוּ לוֹ: הֵן וְהֵן!
Thus, the L–rd took Israel out of Egypt, split the sea for them, brought down manna for them, raised the well for them, brought in quail for them, waged war with Amalek for them, and then said to them: I will rule over you — whereupon they responded: Yes! Yes!
רַבִּי אוֹמֵר: לְהוֹדִיעַ שְׁבָחָן שֶׁלְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁכְּשֶׁעָמְדוּ כֻלָּן לִפְנֵי הַר סִינַי לְקַבֵּל אֶת הַתּוֹרָה, הִשְׁווּ כֻלָּן לֵב אֶחָד, לְקַבֵּל מַלְכוּת אֱלֹהִים בְּשִׂמְחָה. וְלֹא עוֹד, אֶלָּא שֶׁהָיוּ מְמֻשְׁכָּנִים זֶה עַל יְדֵי זֶה. וְלֹא עוֹד, אֶלָּא שֶׁנִּגְלָה הַקֹּדֶשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לִכְרוֹת עִמָּהֶן בְּרִית עַל הַסְּתָרִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (דברים כט,כח) "הַנִּסְתָּרֹת לַיי אֱלֹהֵינוּ, וְהַנִּגְלֹת לָנוּ וּלְבָנֵינוּ". אָמְרוּ לוֹ: עַל הַגְּלוּיִין אָנוּ כּוֹרְתִין עִמָּךְ בְּרִית, וְאֵין אָנוּ כּוֹרְתִין עִמָּךְ בְּרִית עַל הַסְּתָרִים, שֶׁלֹּא יְהֵי אֶחָד חוֹטֵא בַסֵּתֶר, וִיהֵא הַצִּבּוּר מִתְמַשְׁכֵּן.
Rebbi says: (The thrust of "your [singular] G–d") is to apprise us of the eminence of Israel, that when they all stood at Mount Sinai to receive the Torah, they were all of one heart, to receive the kingdom of Heaven with joy. And, what is more, they all stood security for each other (for observance of the mitzvoth.) And not only over what was revealed alone did the Holy One Blessed be He appear to them (in Arvoth Moav, viz. Devarim 29:9) to forge a covenant with them, but even over what was concealed, as it is written (Devarim 29:28) "What is hidden (is known to) the L–rd our G–d, and what is revealed is for us and for our children forever" — this, by way of saying: Over what is revealed we will enter into a covenant with you, but not over what is concealed, so that one not sin in secret and the congregation be bound thereby.
"אָנֹכִי יי אֱלֹהֶיךָ", לָמָּה נֶאֱמַר? לְפִי שֶׁנִּגְלָה עַל הַיָּם כְּגִבּוֹר עוֹשֶׂה מִלְחָמוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (שמות טו,ג) "יי אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה". נִגְלָה עַל הַר סִינַי כְּזָקֵן מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (שמות כד,י) "וַיִּרְאוּ אֵת אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְתַחַת רַגְלָיו כְּמַעֲשֵׂה לִבְנַת הַסַּפִּיר", וּכְשֶׁנִּגְאֲלוּ, מַה הוּא אוֹמֵר? (שמות כד,י) "וּכְעֶצֶם הַשָּׁמַיִם לָטֹהַר." וְאוֹמֵר: *(דניאל ז,ט-י) "חָזֵה הֲוֵית עַד דִּי כָרְסָוָן רְמִיו, וְעַתִּיק יוֹמִין יְתִב, לְבוּשֵׁהּ כִּתְלַג חִוָּר, וּשְׂעַר רֵאשֵׁהּ כַּעֲמַר נְקֵא, כָּרְסְיֵהּ שְׁבִבִין דִּי נוּר, גַּלְגִּלּוֹהִי נוּר דָּלִק. נְהַר דִּי נוּר נָגֵד וְנָפֵק מִן קֳדָמוֹהִי, אֶלֶף אַלְפִין יְשַׁמְּשׁוּנֵּהּ, וְרִבּוֹ רִבְבָן קָדָמוֹהִי יְקוּמוּן, דִּינָא יְתִב וְסִפְרִין פְּתִיחוּ." שֶׁלֹּא לִתֵּן פִּתְחוֹן פֶּה לְאֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם לוֹמַר: שְׁתֵּי רָשֻׁיּוֹת הֵן! אֶלָּא "אָנֹכִי יי אֱלֹהֶיךָ". אֲנִי בְּמִצְרַיִם, אֲנִי עַל הַיָּם, אֲנִי בְּסִינַי, אֲנִי לְשֶׁעָבַר, אֲנִי לֶעָתִיד לָבֹא, אֲנִי בָעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, אֲנִי לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (דברים לב,לט) "רְאוּ עַתָּה כִּי אֲנִי אֲנִי הוּא!" וְאוֹמֵר (ישעיה מו,ד) "וְעַד זִקְנָה אֲנִי הוּא". וְאוֹמֵר: (ישעיה מד,ו) "כֹּה אָמַר יי מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל וְגֹאֲלוֹ, יי צְבָאוֹת: אֲנִי רִאשׁוֹן וַאֲנִי אַחֲרוֹן". וְאוֹמֵר: (ישעיה מא,ד) "מִי פָעַל וְעָשָׂה? קֹרֵא הַדֹּרוֹת מֵרֹאשׁ, אֲנִי יי רִאשׁוֹן, וְאֶת אַחֲרֹנִים אֲנִי הוּא!"
"I am the L–rd your G–d who took you out of the land of Egypt." What is the intent of this? Because He appeared at the Red Sea as a hero waging war, viz. (Exodus 15:3) "The L–rd is a Man of war," and at Mount Sinai, as an elder full of mercy, so as not to provide an opening for the nations of the world to say that there are two Deities, (He said) "I am the L–rd your G–d." It was I at the Red Sea, and it is I on the dry land. It was I in the past and it will be I in time to come. I in this world and I in the world to come. As it is written (Devarim 32:39) "See, now, that I, I am He," (Isaiah 46:4) "And until you grow old, it is I," (Ibid. 44:6) "Thus said the L–rd, the King of Israel, and its Redeemer, the L–rd of hosts: I am first and I am last," and (Ibid. 41:4) "Who wrought and did, the caller of the generations from the beginning? I, the L–rd, am first, and with the last it will be I."
דָּבָר אַחֵר: (שמות כ,ב) "אָנֹכִי יי אֱלֹהֶיךָ". שֶׁכְּשֶׁעָמַד הַקֹּדֶשׁ וְאָמַר "אָנֹכִי יי אֱלֹהֶיךָ", הָיַת הָאָרֶץ חָלָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (שופטים ה,ד-ה) "יי בְּצֵאתְךָ מִשֵּׂעִיר, בְּצַעְדְּךָ מִשְּׂדֵה אֱדוֹם, אֶרֶץ רָעָשָׁה, גַּם שָׁמַיִם נָטָפוּ, גַּם עָבִים נָטְפוּ מָיִם. הָרִים נָזְלוּ מִפְּנֵי יי, זֶה סִינַי מִפְּנֵי יי אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל." וְאוֹמֵר: (תהלים כט,ג-ט) "קוֹל יי בַּכֹּחַ, קוֹל יי בֶּהָדָר. קוֹל יי שֹׁבֵר אֲרָזִים, וַיְשַׁבֵּר יי אֶת אַרְזֵי הַלְּבָנוֹן. וַיַּרְקִידֵם כְּמוֹ עֵגֶל, לְבָנוֹן וְשִׂרְיֹן כְּמוֹ בֶן רְאֵמִים. קוֹל יי חֹצֵב לַהֲבוֹת אֵשׁ. קוֹל יי יָחִיל מִדְבָּר, יָחִיל יי מִדְבַּר קָדֵשׁ. קוֹל יי יְחוֹלֵל אַיָּלוֹת, וַיֶּחֱשֹׂף יְעָרוֹת, וּבְהֵיכָלוֹ כֻּלּוֹ אֹמֵר כָּבוֹד." עַד שֶׁנִּתְמַלְּאוּ בָתֵּיהֶם מִזִּיו הַשְּׁכִינָה. בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה נִתְכַּנְּסוּ כָּל אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם, וּבָאוּ לָהֶן אֵצֶל בִּלְעָם הָרָשָׁע, וְאָמְרוּ לוֹ: שֶׁמָּא הַמָּקוֹם מַחֲרִיב עוֹלָמוֹ בְמַבּוּל? אָמַר לָהֶם: שׁוֹטִים שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם! כְּבַר נִשְׁבַּע הַמָּקוֹם לְנֹחַ, שֶׁאֵינוֹ מֵבִיא מַבּוּל לְעוֹלָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (ישעיה נד,ט) "כִּי מֵי נֹחַ זֹאת לִי אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי!" אָמְרוּ לוֹ: מַבּוּל שֶׁלְּמַיִם אֵינוֹ מֵבִיא, אֲבָל מֵבִיא הוּא מַבּוּל שֶׁלְּאֵשׁ? אָמַר לָהֶם: אֵינוֹ מֵבִיא לֹא מַבּוּל שֶׁלְּמַיִם, וְלֹא מַבּוּל שֶׁלְּאֵשׁ! אֶלָּא הַקֹּדֶשׁ נוֹתֵן תּוֹרָה לְעַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (תהלים כט,יא) "יי עֹז לְעַמּוֹ יִתֵּן, יי יְבָרֵךְ אֶת עַמּוֹ בַשָּׁלוֹם." וְכֵיוָן שֶׁשָּׁמְעוּ מִפִּיו הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה, פָּנוּ כֻלָּם וְהָלְכוּ אִישׁ לִמְקוֹמוֹ.
Variantly: "I am the L–rd your G–d": When the Holy One Blessed be He stood and said "I am the L–rd your G–d," the mountains shook and the hills quivered, and Tavor came from Be'er Elim and Carmel from Aspamia, as it is written (Jeremiah 46:18) "As I live, says the King — the L–rd of hosts is His name — that as Tavor among the mountains and as Carmel by the sea shall he come," each one saying "It is I who was called." But once they heard from His mouth "who took you out of the land of Egypt," each remained in its place, saying "He intends only those whom He took out of Egypt."... Variantly: "I am the L–rd your G–d": When the Holy One Blessed be He arose and proclaimed "I am the L–rd your G–d," the earth took ill, as it is written (Judges 5:4) "O L–rd, when You came forth from Seir, when You strode from the field of Edom, the earth shook; the heavens, too, dripped," and (Ibid. 5) "Mountains dripped before the L–rd," and (Psalms 29:4) "The voice of the L–rd in strength; the voice of the L–rd in glory!" … (Ibid. 9) "And in His sanctuary all proclaim "'Glory!'" Until their houses were suffused with the splendor of the Shechinah…
לְפִיכָךְ נִתְבְּעוּ אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁלֹּא יְהֵי לָהֶן פִּתְחוֹן פֶּה לוֹמַר: אִלּוּ נִתְבַּעְנוּ, כְּבַר קִבַּלְנוּ עָלֵינוּ! וַהֲרֵי שֶׁנִּתְבָּעוּ, וְלֹא קִבְּלוּ עֲלֵיהֶם! שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (דברים לג,ב) "וַיֹּאמַר: יי מִסִּינַי בָּא, וְזָרַח מִשֵּׂעִיר לָמוֹ, הוֹפִיעַ מֵהַר פָּארָן, וְאָתָה מֵרִבְבֹת קֹדֶשׁ, מִימִינוֹ אֵשׁ דָּת לָמוֹ."
And it was for this reason that the nations of the world were solicited (to accept the Torah.) So as not to give them a pretext vis-à-vis the Shechinah — to say: Had we been solicited, we would have accepted it. They were solicited and did not accept it! As it is written (Devarim 33:2) "And he said: L–rd came from Sinai, etc."
נִגְלָה עַל בְּנֵי עֵשָׂו הָרָשָׁע, אָמַר לָהֶן: מְקַבְּלִים אַתֶּם עֲלֵיכֶם אֶת הַתּוֹרָה? אָמְרוּ לוֹ: מַה כָּתוּב בָּהּ? אָמַר לָהֶן: (שמות כ,יב) לֹא תִרְצָח! אָמְרוּ לוֹ: זוֹ הִיא יְרֻשָּׁה שֶׁהוֹרִישׁ לָנוּ אָבִינוּ: (בראשית כז,מ) "וְעַל חַרְבְּךָ תִחְיֶה".
He came and revealed Himself to the sons of the wicked Esav and asked them: Will you accept the Torah? They: What is written in it? He: "You shall not kill." They: But this is what we have inherited from our father, as it is written (Genesis 27:40) "By your sword shall you live!"
נִגְלָה עַל בְּנֵי עַמּוֹן וּמוֹאָב, אָמַר לָהֶן: מְקַבְּלִים אַתֶּם אֶת הַתּוֹרָה? אָמְרוּ לוֹ: מַה כָּתוּב בָּהּ? אָמַר לָהֶן: (שמות כ,יב) "לֹא תִנְאָף!" אָמְרוּ לוֹ: כֻּלָּם בְּנֵי מְנָאֲפִים הֵן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (בראשית יט,לו) "וַתַּהֲרֶיןָ שְׁתֵּי בְנוֹת לוֹט מֵאֲבִיהֶן".
He revealed Himself to the sons of Ammon and Moav and asked them: Will you accept the Torah? They: What is written in it? He: "You shall not commit adultery." They: But we are all the sons of incest, as it is written (Genesis 19:36) "And the two daughters of Lot conceived by their father." How, then, shall we accept it?
נִגְלָה עַל בְּנֵי יִשְׁמָעֵאל, אָמַר לָהֶן: מְקַבְּלִים אַתֶּם עֲלֵיכֶם אֶת הַתּוֹרָה? אָמְרוּ לוֹ: מַה כָּתוּב בָּהּ? אָמַר לָהֶן: (שמות כ,יב) "לֹא תִגְנֹב!" אָמְרוּ לוֹ: זוֹ הִיא בְּרָכָה שֶׁנֶּאֶמְרָה בָהֶן: (בראשית טז,יב) "וְהוּא יִהְיֶה פֶּרֶא אָדָם". וְכָתוּב: (בראשית מ,טו) "כִּי גֻנֹּב גֻּנַּבְתִּי מֵאֶרֶץ הָעִבְרִים". וּכְשֶׁבָּא אֵצֶל יִשְׂרָאֵל, פָּתְחוּ כֻלָּם פִּיהֶם וְאָמְרוּ: (שמות כד,ז) "כֹּל אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר יי, נַעֲשֶׂה וְנִשְׁמָע." וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר: (חבקוק ג,טו) "עָמַד וַיְמֹדֶד אֶרֶץ, רָאָה וַיַּתֵּר גּוֹיִם".
He came and revealed Himself to the sons of Ishmael and asked them: Will you accept the Torah? They: What is written in it? He: "You shall not steal." They: But this is the blessing by which our father was blessed, as it is written (Genesis 16:12) "And he (Ishmael) shall be a brutish man, etc." And when He came to Israel (Devarim 32:2), "in His right hand, the fire of the Law for them," they all opened their mouths and cried (Exodus 24:7) "All that the L–rd says, we shall do and we shall hear!" And thus is it written (Habakkuk 3:6) "He stood and measured the land; He looked and dispersed the nations."
אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר: מָה, אִם בְּשֶׁבַע מִצְווֹת שֶׁנִּצְטַוּוּ בְנֵי נֹחַ, לֹא יָכְלוּ לַעֲמֹד בָּהֶן, עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה בְּכָל הַמִּצְווֹת שֶׁבַּתּוֹרָה! מָשָׁל לְמֶלֶךְ שֶׁמִּנָּה לוֹ שְׁנֵי אֶפִּיטְרוֹפִּין, אֶחָד מְמֻנֶּה עַל אוֹצָר שֶׁלַּתֶּבֶן, וְאֶחָד מְמֻנֶּה עַל אוֹצָר שֶׁלַּכֶּסֶף וְשֶׁלַּזָּהָב. נֶחְשַׁד זֶה שֶׁהָיָה מְמֻנֶּה עַל אוֹצָר שֶׁלַּתֶּבֶן, וְהָיָה מִתְרָעֵם עַל שֶׁלֹּא מִנּוּ אוֹתוֹ עַל אוֹצָר שֶׁלַּכֶּסֶף וְשֶׁלַּזָּהָב. אָמְרוּ לוֹ: רֵיקָה! אִם עַל אוֹצָר שֶׁלַּתֶּבֶן נֶחְשַׁדְתָּ, הֵיאָךְ יַאֲמִינוּ אוֹתָךְ עַל אוֹצָר שֶׁלַּכֶּסֶף וְשֶׁלַּזָּהָב? וַהֲרֵי דְּבָרִים קַל וָחֹמֶר: וּמָה אִם בְּשֶׁבַע מִצְווֹת שֶׁנִּצְטַוּוּ בְנֵי נֹחַ, לֹא יָכְלוּ לַעֲמֹד בָּהֶן, עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה בְּכָל הַמִּצְווֹת שֶׁבַּתּוֹרָה! וּמִפְּנֵי מָה לֹא נִתְּנָה תוֹרָה בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל? שֶׁלֹּא לִתֵּן פִּתְחוֹן פֶּה לְאֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם לוֹמַר: לְפִי שֶׁנִּתְּנָה תוֹרָה בְאַרְצוֹ, לְפִיכָךְ לֹא קִבַּלְנוּ עָלֵינוּ! דָּבָר אַחֵר: שֶׁלֹּא לְהָטִיל מַחְלֹקֶת בֵּין הַשְּׁבָטִים, שֶׁלֹּא יְהֵי זֶה אוֹמֵר: בְּאַרְצִי נִתְּנָה תוֹרָה! וְזֶה אוֹמֵר: בְּאַרְצִי נִתְּנָה תוֹרָה! לְפִיכָךְ נִתְּנָה תוֹרָה בַּמִּדְבָּר, דֵּמוֹס, פַּרְהֶסְיָא, בִּמְקוֹם הֶפְקֵר. בִּשְׁלֹשָׁה דְּבָרִים נִמְשְׁלָה תוֹרָה: בַּמִּדְבָּר, בָּאֵשׁ, וּבַמַּיִם. לוֹמַר לָךְ: מָה אֵלּוּ חִנָּם, כָּךְ דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה חִנָּם לְכָל בָּאֵי הָעוֹלָם.
R. Shimon b. Elazar said: If the sons of Noach could not abide by the seven mitzvoth commanded them, how much more so (could they not abide) by all the mitzvoth of the Torah! An analogy: A king appoints two caretakers, one over stores of grain, and one over stores of silver and gold. The first bridles at not having been appointed over the stores of silver and gold, and the second says to him: Empty one, if you were faithless with grain, how much more so with silver and gold! If the sons of Noach could not abide by seven mitzvoth alone, how much more so (could they not abide by the six hundred and thirteen mitzvoth (of the Torah)! Why was the Torah not given in Eretz Yisrael? So as not to provide a pretext to the nations of the world, viz.: Because it was not given in our land, that is why we did not accept it. Variantly: So as not to rouse contention among the tribes, one saying, it was given in my land; the other: it was given in my land. That is why it was given in the open desert. In three settings was the Torah given — desert, fire, and water. Just as these are free for all, so, Torah.
"אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתִיךָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם, מִבֵּית עֲבָדִים." עֲבָדִים לִמְלָכִים הָיוּ. אַתָּה אוֹמֵר עֲבָדִים לִמְלָכִים הָיוּ, אוֹ עֲבָדִים לַעֲבָדִים הָיוּ? כְּשֶׁהוּא אוֹמֵר: (דברים ז,י) "וַיִּפְדְּךָ מִבֵּית עֲבָדִים, מִיַּד פַּרְעֹה מֶלֶךְ מִצְרָיִם", עֲבָדִים לִמְלָכִים הָיוּ, וְלֹא עֲבָדִים לַעֲבָדִים. דָּבָר אַחֵר: "מִבֵּית עֲבָדִים". מִבֵּית הָעוֹבְדִים, שֶׁהָיוּ עוֹבְדִים לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה.
"who took you out from the land of Egypt": They were servants of kings. You say, they were servants of kings, but perhaps they were servants of servants. (Devarim 7:8) "And he redeemed you from the house of servants, from the hand of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt," makes it clear that they were servants of kings and not servants of servants. Variantly: ("from the house of servants":) from the house of the servants of idolatry.
"לֹא יִהְיֶה לְךָ אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים עַל פָּנָי!" לָמָּה נֶאֱמַר? לְפִי שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: "אָנֹכִי יי אֱלֹהֶיךָ".
(20:3) "There shall not be unto you any other gods before My presence": What is the intent of this?
מוֹשְׁלוֹ מָשָׁל, לְמָה הַדָּבָר דּוֹמֶה? לְמֶלֶךְ בָּשָׂר וָדָם שֶׁנִּכְנַס לִמְדִינָה. אָמְרוּ לוֹ עֲבָדָיו: גְּזֹר עֲלֵיהֶם גְּזֵרוֹת! אָמַר לָהֶם: לֹא! כְּשֶׁיְּקַבְּלוּ מַלְכוּתִי, אֶגְזֹר עֲלֵיהֶם גְּזֵרוֹת. שֶׁאִם אֵינָן מְקַבְּלִין מַלְכוּתִי, הֵיאָךְ מְקַיְּמִין גְּזֵרוֹתַי?
An analogy: A king of flesh and blood enters a province and his servants say to him: Make decrees for them. He: When they accept my rule, I will make decrees for them. For if they do not accept my rule, they will not accept my decrees.
כָּךְ אָמַר הַמָּקוֹם לְיִשְׂרָאֵל: "אָנֹכִי יי אֱלֹהֶיךָ, אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתִיךָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם, מִבֵּית עֲבָדִים, לֹא יִהְיֶה לְךָ אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים עַל פָּנָי!" אָמַר לָהֶם: אֲנִי הוּא שֶׁקִּבַּלְתֶּם מַלְכוּתִי עֲלֵיכֶם בְּמִצְרַיִם? אָמְרוּ לוֹ: הֵן וְהֵן! וְכַשֵּׁם שֶׁקִּבַּלְתֶּם מַלְכוּתִי עֲלֵיכֶם, קַבְּלוּ גְּזֵרוֹתַי!
Thus did the L–rd say to Israel: "I am the L–rd your G–d. There shall not be unto you, etc.": Am I He whose rule you have accepted? They: Yes. He: Just as you have accepted My rule, accept My decrees —
"לֹא יִהְיֶה לְךָ אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים עַל פָּנָי!" רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַי אוֹמֵר: הוּא שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר לְהַלָּן: (ויקרא יח,ב) "אֲנִי יי אֱלֹהֵיכֶם." אֲנִי הוּא שֶׁקִּבַּלְתֶּם מַלְכוּתִי עֲלֵיכֶם בְּסִינַי? אָמְרוּ לוֹ: הֵן וָהֵן! קִבַּלְתֶּם מַלְכוּתִי, קַבְּלוּ גְּזֵרוֹתַי!
There shall not be unto you any other gods before My presence. R. Shimon b. Yochai says: As stated elsewhere (Leviticus 18:2) "Am I the L–rd (whose rule you accepted on Sinai)? They: Yes. He: You accepted My rule? Accept My decrees —
(ויקרא יח,ג) "כְּמַעֲשֵׂה אֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם אֲשֶׁר יְשַׁבְתֶּם בָּהּ, לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ! וּכְמַעֲשֵׂה אֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי מֵבִיא אֶתְכֶם שָׁמָּה, לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ, וּבְחֻקֹּתֵיהֶם לֹא תֵלֵכוּ!" הוּא שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר כָּן: "אָנֹכִי יי אֱלֹהֶיךָ, אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתִיךָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם", אֲנִי הוּא שֶׁקִּבַּלְתֶּם עֲלֵיכֶם מַלְכוּתִי בְסִינַי? אָמְרוּ לוֹ: הֵן, הֵן! קִבַּלְתֶּם מַלְכוּתִי, קַבְּלוּ גְּזֵרוֹתַי!
(Ibid. 3) "As the deeds of the land of Egypt in which you dwelt you shall not do, etc." And so here: Am I the L–rd your G–d who took you out of the land of Egypt, whose rule you accepted? — Accept My decrees.
אמר רב יהודה אמר רב בשעה שעלה משה למרום מצאו להקב"ה שיושב וקושר כתרים לאותיות אמר לפניו רבש"ע מי מעכב על ידך אמר לו אדם אחד יש שעתיד להיות בסוף כמה דורות ועקיבא בן יוסף שמו שעתיד לדרוש על כל קוץ וקוץ תילין תילין של הלכות
§ Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: When Moses ascended on High, he found the Holy One, Blessed be He, sitting and tying crowns on the letters of the Torah. Moses said before God: Master of the Universe, who is preventing You from giving the Torah without these additions? God said to him: There is a man who is destined to be born after several generations, and Akiva ben Yosef is his name; he is destined to derive from each and every thorn of these crowns mounds upon mounds of halakhot. It is for his sake that the crowns must be added to the letters of the Torah.
אמר לפניו רבש"ע הראהו לי אמר לו חזור לאחורך הלך וישב בסוף שמונה שורות ולא היה יודע מה הן אומרים תשש כחו כיון שהגיע לדבר אחד אמרו לו תלמידיו רבי מנין לך אמר להן הלכה למשה מסיני נתיישבה דעתו
Moses said before God: Master of the Universe, show him to me. God said to him: Return behind you. Moses went and sat at the end of the eighth row in Rabbi Akiva’s study hall and did not understand what they were saying. Moses’ strength waned, as he thought his Torah knowledge was deficient. When Rabbi Akiva arrived at the discussion of one matter, his students said to him: My teacher, from where do you derive this? Rabbi Akiva said to them: It is a halakha transmitted to Moses from Sinai. When Moses heard this, his mind was put at ease, as this too was part of the Torah that he was to receive.
חזר ובא לפני הקב"ה אמר לפניו רבונו של עולם יש לך אדם כזה ואתה נותן תורה ע"י אמר לו שתוק כך עלה במחשבה לפני אמר לפניו רבונו של עולם הראיתני תורתו הראני שכרו אמר לו חזור [לאחורך] חזר לאחוריו ראה ששוקלין בשרו במקולין אמר לפניו רבש"ע זו תורה וזו שכרה א"ל שתוק כך עלה במחשבה לפני
Moses returned and came before the Holy One, Blessed be He, and said before Him: Master of the Universe, You have a man as great as this and yet You still choose to give the Torah through me. Why? God said to him: Be silent; this intention arose before Me. Moses said before God: Master of the Universe, You have shown me Rabbi Akiva’s Torah, now show me his reward. God said to him: Return to where you were. Moses went back and saw that they were weighing Rabbi Akiva’s flesh in a butcher shop [bemakkulin], as Rabbi Akiva was tortured to death by the Romans. Moses said before Him: Master of the Universe, this is Torah and this is its reward? God said to him: Be silent; this intention arose before Me.