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Chagigah - Chapter 1

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Chagigah - Chapter 1

The Laws of the Festive Sacrificesהִלְכוֹת חֲגִיגָה
Included in this text are six mitzvot—4 positive commandments and 2 negative commandments. They include the following:יֵשׁ בִּכְלָלָן שֵׁשׁ מִצְווֹת - אַרְבַּע מִצְווֹת עֲשֵׂה, וּשְׁתֵּי מִצְווֹת לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה, וְזֶה הוּא פְּרָטָן:
1) to appear before the Divine presence; 2) to celebrate the three pilgrimage festivals; 3) to rejoice on the festivals; 4) not to appear before the Divine presence empty-handed; 5) not to abandon the Levite by refraining from making him joyous and giving him his presents on the festivals; 6) to gather the people together on the day following Sukkot in the year following the Sabbatical year.(א) לְהֵרָאוֹת פְּנֵי ה'; (ב) לָחֹג בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁה רְגָלִים; (ג) לִשְׂמֹחַ בָּרְגָלִים; (ד) שֶׁלֹּא יֵרָאֶה רֵיקָם; (ה) שֶׁלֹּא יַעֲזֹב לֵוִי מִלְּשַׂמְּחוֹ וְלִתֵּן לוֹ מַתְּנוֹתָיו בָּרְגָלִים; (ו) לְהַקְהִיל אֶת הָעָם בְּחַג הַסֻּכּוֹת בְּמוֹצָאֵי שְׁמִטָּה.
These mitzvot are explained in the ensuing chapters.וּבֵאוּר מִצְווֹת אֵלּוּ בִּפְרָקִים אֵלּוּ.
1The Jewish people have been commanded to observe three positive commandments on each of the three pilgrimage festivals. They are: a) to appear before the Divine presence, as Exodus 23:17 states: “All of your males shall appear”;1 b) to bring a festive offering, as Deuteronomy 16:15 states: “You shall bring a festive offering to God your Lord”;2 and c) to celebrate, as ibid.:14 states: “And you shall rejoice in festivals.”3אשָׁלוֹשׁ מִצְווֹת עֲשֵׂה נִצְטַוּוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּכָל רֶגֶל מִשְּׁלוֹשָׁה רְגָלִים, וְאֵלּוּ הֵן: הָרְאִיָּה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "יֵרָאֶה כָּל זְכוּרְךָ" (שמות כג, יז; שמות לד, כג; דברים טז, טז); וְהַחֲגִיגָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "תָּחֹג לַה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ" (דברים טז, טו); וְהַשִּׂמְחָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְשָׂמַחְתָּ בְּחַגֶּךָ" (דברים טז, יד).
The Torah’s charge to appear before God mandates that one should appear in the Temple Courtyard on the first day of a festival4 and bring with him a burnt-offering, whether from fowl5 or from domesticated animals.6 One who comes to the Temple Courtyard on the first day of a festival without bringing a burnt-offering has not only failed to perform a positive commandment, but has violated a negative commandment, as Exodus 23:15 states: “You shall not appear in My presence empty-handed.”7 One is not liable for lashes for the violation of this prohibition, because he did not perform a deed.8הָרְאִיָּה הָאֲמוּרָה בַּתּוֹרָה - הוּא שֶׁיֵּרָאֶה פָּנָיו בָּעֲזָרָה בְּיוֹם טוֹב הָרִאשׁוֹן שֶׁל חָג, וְיָבִיא עִמּוֹ קָרְבַּן עוֹלָה, בֵּין מִן הָעוֹף בֵּין מִן הַבְּהֵמָה. וּמִי שֶׁבָּא לָעֲזָרָה בְּיוֹם רִאשׁוֹן וְלֹא הֵבִיא עוֹלָה - לֹא דַּיּוֹ שֶׁלֹּא עָשָׂה מִצְוַת עֲשֵׂה, אֶלָא שֶׁעָבַר עַל מִצְוַת לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "לֹא יֵרָאוּ פָנַי רֵיקָם" (שמות כג, טו; שמות לד, כ). וְאֵינוֹ לוֹקֶה עַל לָאו זֶה, שֶׁהֲרֵי לֹא עָשָׂה מַעֲשֶׂה.
The Torah’s charge to bring a festive offering mandates that one offer a peace-offering on the first day of the festival when one comes to appear before the Divine presence. It is a known matter that peace-offerings are brought only from domesticated animals.9 Women are not obligated10 in these two mitzvot of appearing before the Divine presence and bringing a festive sacrifice.הַחֲגִיגָה הָאֲמוּרָה בַּתּוֹרָה - הוּא שֶׁיַּקְרִיב שְׁלָמִים בְּיוֹם טוֹב הָרִאשׁוֹן שֶׁל חָג, כְּשֶׁיָּבוֹא לְהֵרָאוֹת. וְהַדָּבָר יָדוּעַ שֶׁאֵין הַשְּׁלָמִים בָּאִים אֶלָא מִן הַבְּהֵמָה. וּשְׁתֵּי מִצְווֹת אֵלּוּ, שֶׁהֵן הָרְאִיָּה וְהַחֲגִיגָה - אֵין הַנָּשִׁים חַיָּבוֹת בָּהֶן.
The Torah’s charge to celebrate on festivals mandates that one offer peace-offerings in addition to the festive peace offerings.11 These are called the festive celebratory peace-offerings, as Deuteronomy 27:7 states: “You shall rejoice before God, your Lord.”12 Women are obligated in this mitzvah.13הַשִּׂמְחָה הָאֲמוּרָה בָּרְגָלִים - הוּא שֶׁיַּקְרִיב שְׁלָמִים יָתֵר עַל שַׁלְמֵי חֲגִיגָה, וְאֵלּוּ הֵן הַנִּקְרָאִין 'שַׁלְמֵי שִׂמְחָה', שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְזָבַחְתָּ שְׁלָמִים וְאָכַלְתָּ שָּׁם וְשָׂמַחְתָּ לִפְנֵי ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ" (דברים כז, ז). וְנָשִׁים חַיָּבוֹת בְּמִצְוָה זוֹ.
2According to Scriptural Law, there are no fixed measures for the amount of sacrifices brought14 when appearing before God or for the festive offerings, as Deuteronomy 16:17 states: “Each person according to what he gives.”15 According to Rabbinic Law, however, limits were established. One should not bring a burnt-offering to mark one’s appearance worth less than a silver me’ah,16 nor should one bring a festive peace-offering worth less than two silver me’ah.17 It is a mitzvah to bring these sacrifices proportionate to one’s wealth, as implied by the phrase: “according to what he gives....”18בהָרְאִיָּה וְהַחֲגִיגָה אֵין לָהֶן שִׁעוּר מִן הַתּוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "אִישׁ כְּמַתְּנַת יָדוֹ כְּבִרְכַּת ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ אֲשֶׁר נָתַן לְךָ" (דברים טז, יז). אֲבָל מִדִּבְרִי סוֹפְרִים, שֶׁלֹּא יְהֵא קָרְבַּן עוֹלַת רְאִיָּה פָּחוֹת מִשָׁוֶה מָעָה כֶּסֶף וְלֹא שַׁלְמֵי חֲגִיגָה פָּחוֹת מִשָׁוֶה שְׁתֵּי כֶּסֶף. וּמִצְוָה לְהָבִיא כְּפִי עָשְׁרוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "אִישׁ כְּמַתְּנַת יָדוֹ".
3Our Sages did not establish a minimum measure for the celebratory peace offerings. When a person will ascend to Jerusalem for the festival, if he is in possession of the sacrifices required when presenting oneself, he should bring them or he should bring sufficient silver19 to purchase a sacrificial animal. If he does not possess silver, he should not bring articles of value equivalent to silver.גשַׁלְמֵי שִׂמְחָה לֹא נָתְנוּ חֲכָמִים בָּהֶן שִׁעוּר. בְּעֵת שֶׁיַּעֲלֶה אָדָם לִירוּשָׁלַיִם לָחֹג, אִם הָיוּ בְּיָדוֹ קָרְבְּנוֹת הָרְאִיָּה - יְבִיאֵם, אוֹ יַעֲלֶה עִמּוֹ כֶּסֶף לִקְנוֹת בּוֹ הַקָּרְבָּן. וְאִם אֵין בְּיָדוֹ כֶּסֶף, לֹא יָבִיא שָׁוֶה כֶּסֶף.
Even if he is in possession of articles worth several gold pieces, it is forbidden for him20 to ascend to Jerusalem empty-handed without silver or a sacrificial animal. Why was one forbidden to ascend while bringing articles worth money? Perhaps he will not be able to sell them or perhaps he will find impurities in the money he receives.21אַפִלּוּ הָיָה בְּיָדוֹ שָׁוֶה כַּמָּה זְהוּבִים, אָסוּר לוֹ לַעֲלוֹת רֵיקָם בְּלֹא כֶּסֶף וְלֹא קָרְבָּן. וְלָמָּה אָסְרוּ שֶׁיַּעֲלֶה בְּיָדוֹ שָׁוֶה כֶּסֶף? גְּזֵרָה שֶׁמָּא לֹא יִמְצָא לִמְכֹּר, אוֹ שֶׁמָּא יִמָּצְאוּ הַמָּעוֹת סִיגִים.
4One who did not offer the burnt-offering marking his appearance and his festive peace-offering22 on the first day of the festival should offer them on the remaining days of the festival, as implied by Deuteronomy 16:15: “For seven days you shall celebrate unto God your Lord.” This teaches that all of these days are fit for offering festive sacrifices.23 They are all compensation for the first day.24דמִי שֶׁלֹּא הִקְרִיב בְּיוֹם טוֹב הָרִאשׁוֹן עוֹלַת רְאִיָּתוֹ וְשַׁלְמֵי חֲגִיגָתוֹ, הֲרֵי זֶה מַקְרִיבָן בִּשְׁאָר יְמוֹת הָרֶגֶל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "שִׁבְעַת יָמִים תָּחֹג לַה'" (דברים טז, טו) - מְלַמֵּד שֶׁכֻּלָּן רְאוּיִין לַחֲגִיגָה. וְכֻלָּן תַּשְׁלוּמֵי רִאשׁוֹן הֵם.
5It is a mitzvah to be early and to offer these sacrifices on the first day. If, either inadvertently or intentionally, one did not offer them on the first day, they should be offered on the second day.25 Whoever delays is deserving of reproach. Concerning such a person is applied the words of censure, Tzephania 3:18: “I will gather in and break those who delay the festive prayers and offerings.”26הוּמִצְוָה לְהַקְדִּים וּלְהַקְרִיב בָּרִאשׁוֹן. לֹא הִקְרִיב בָּרִאשׁוֹן, בֵּין שׁוֹגֵג בֵּין מֵזִיד - יַקְרִיב בַּשֵּׁנִי. וְכָל הַמְּאַחֵר - הֲרֵי זֶה מְגֻנֶּה, וְעָלָיו נֶאֱמַר "נוּגֵי מִמּוֹעֵד אָסַפְתִּי" (צפניה ג, יח).
6If the festival passed without one bringing these festive offerings, he is not obligated to bring them afterwards.27 Concerning such a situation and the like is applied the verse Ecclesiastes 1:15: “A wrong that cannot be righted.”ועָבַר הָרֶגֶל וְלֹא חָג, אֵינוֹ חַיָּב בְּאַחְרָיוּתוֹ. וְעַל זֶה וְכַיּוֹצֵא בּוֹ נֶאֱמַר, "מְעֻוָּת לֹא יוּכַל לִתְקֹן" (קהלת א, טו).
7When one did not bring the festive sacrifices on the first day of the Sukkos holiday, he may bring them throughout the entire festival and on the final holiday, which is the eighth day. For even the eighth day can serve as compensation for the first.28 Similarly, one who did not bring the festive offerings on the holiday of Shavuot may bring them for seven days, i.e., he may compensate during the six days that follow the festival of Shavuot. This concept that the festival of Shavuot is similar to the festival of Pesach with regard to compensation- was communicated through the Oral Tradition.29זמִי שֶׁלֹּא חָג בְּיוֹם טוֹב הָרִאשׁוֹן שֶׁל חַג הַסֻּכּוֹת - חוֹגֵג אֶת כָּל הָרֶגֶל, וּבְיוֹם טוֹב הָאַחֲרוֹן שֶׁהוּא שְׁמִינִי. וְאַף הַשְּׁמִינִי תַּשְׁלוּמֵי רִאשׁוֹן הוּא. וְכֵן מִי שֶׁלֹּא חָג בְּיוֹם חַג הַשָּׁבוּעוֹת - חוֹגֵג כָּל שִׁבְעָה, וְיֵשׁ לוֹ תַּשְׁלוּמִין כָּל שֵׁשֶׁת הַיָּמִים שֶׁלְּאַחַר חַג הַשָּׁבוּעוֹת. וְדָבָר זֶה מִפִּי הַשְּׁמוּעָה נֶאֱמַר, שֶׁחַג הַשָּׁבוּעוֹת כְּחַג הַמַּצּוֹת לְתַשְׁלוּמִין.
8The burnt-offerings brought when appearing before God and the festive peace-offerings30 do not supersede either the Sabbath prohibitions or the restrictions against ritual impurity,31 because there is no fixed time when they are required to be brought like the communal offerings.32 For if one does not bring his festive offerings on one day, he may bring them on the next, as we explained.33 They do, however, supersede the prohibitions of the holidays.34חעוֹלַת רְאִיָּה וְשַׁלְמֵי חֲגִיגָה אֵינָן דּוֹחִין לֹא אֶת הַשַּׁבָּת וְלֹא אֶת הַטֻּמְאָה, לְפִי שֶׁאֵין לָהֶן זְמַן קָבוּעַ, כְּקָרְבְּנוֹת הַצִּבּוּר; שֶׁאִם אֵינוֹ חוֹגֵג הַיּוֹם, חוֹגֵג לְמָחָר, כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ. אֲבָל דּוֹחִין אֶת יוֹם טוֹב.
Although sacrifices which one has vowed or pledged35 to bring are not offered on holidays,36 the burnt-offerings brought when appearing before God, the festive peace-offerings, and the celebratory peace-offerings are offered. The rationale is that these are not vows or pledges,37 but rather obligations.וְאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵין מַקְרִיבִין בְּיוֹם טוֹב נְדָרִים וּנְדָבוֹת, מַקְרִיבִין עוֹלַת רְאִיָּה וְשַׁלְמֵי חֲגִיגָה וְשַׁלְמֵי שִׂמְחָה; שֶׁאֵין אֵלּוּ נְדָרִים וּנְדָבוֹת, אֶלָא חוֹבוֹת.
9When one brings the burnt-offerings brought when appearing before God, the festive peace-offerings, and the celebratory peace-offerings on a festival, he should lean on them with all his power as he does when bringing offerings on other days.38טכְּשֶׁמַּקְרִיב הַמַּקְרִיב עוֹלַת רְאִיָּתוֹ וְשַׁלְמֵי חֲגִיגָתוֹ וְשִׂמְחָתוֹ בְּיוֹם טוֹב, סוֹמֵךְ עֲלֵיהֶן בְּכָל כּוֹחוֹ כְּדֶרֶךְ שֶׁעוֹשֶׂה בִּשְׁאָר הַיָּמִים.
Even though leaning on the animals is not an indispensable element of their sacrifice, as we explained in Hilchot Ma’aseh HaKorbanot,39 the Sages did not institute a decree forbidding this as a shvut.40אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁסְּמִיכָה אֵינָהּ מְעַכֶּבֶת, כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ בְּמַעֲשֵׂה הַקָּרְבָּנוֹת, לֹא גָזְרוּ עָלֶיהָ מִשּׁוּם שְׁבוּת.
10When a person sets aside a burnt-offering brought when appearing before God and dies, his heirs are obligated to offer it.יהַמַּפְרִישׁ עוֹלַת רְאִיָּתוֹ וּמֵת, יוֹרְשִׁין חַיָּבִין לַהֲבִיאָהּ.
It is permitted to offer sacrifices which one has vowed or pledged during the intermediate days of a holiday,41 as Numbers 29:39 states: “You will offer these42 to God on your festivals aside from your vowed and pledged offerings.” It can be understood from this that those offerings are brought during the festivals. That verse continues “for your burnt-offerings, your meal-offerings, and your peace-offerings.” “For your burnt-offerings” includes a burnt-offering brought by a person afflicted by tzara’at and a woman after childbirth.” “Your meal-offerings” include the meal offering brought by a sinner and the meal-offering brought by a woman whose husband accused her of adultery. “Your peace-offerings” includes the peace-offering brought by a nazirite. All of these are offered on the intermediate days of a festival, but are not offered on the sacred days.מֻתָּר לְהַקְרִיב בְּחֻלּוֹ שֶׁל מּוֹעֵד נְדָרִים וּנְדָבוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "אֵלֶּה תַּעֲשׂוּ לַה' בְּמוֹעֲדֵיכֶם לְבַד מִנִּדְרֵיכֶם וְנִדְבֹתֵיכֶם" (במדבר כט, לט) - מִכְּלַל שֶׁקְּרֵבִין בָּרֶגֶל. "לְעֹלֹתֵיכֶם" (שם) - כְּגוֹן עוֹלַת מְצֹרָע וְעוֹלַת יוֹלֶדֶת; "וּלְמִנְחֹתֵיכֶם" (שם) - לְהָבִיא מִנְחַת חוֹטֵא וּמִנְחַת קְנָאוֹת; "וּלְשַׁלְמֵיכֶם" (שם) - לְרַבּוֹת שַׁלְמֵי נָזִיר. הַכֹּל קְרֵבִין בַּמּוֹעֵד, וְאֵין קְרֵבִין בְּיוֹם טוֹב.
11When a person who ascended to Jerusalem for a pilgrimage festival had many members of his household to partake of the offerings, but limited means, he should bring many festive peace-offerings,43 and few burnt-offerings brought when appearing before God.44 If he has few members of his household to partake of the offerings, but ample means, he should bring many burnt-offerings brought when appearing before God,45 and few festive peace-offerings.46יאמִי שֶׁהָיוּ לוֹ אוֹכְלִין מְרֻבִּין וּנְכָסִים מוּעָטִין - מֵבִיא שַׁלְמֵי חֲגִיגָה מְרֻבִּין, וְעוֹלוֹת רְאִיָּה מוּעָטִין. הָיוּ לוֹ אוֹכְלִין מוּעָטִין וּנְכָסִים מְרֻבִּין - מֵבִיא עוֹלוֹת רְאִיָּה מְרֻבּוֹת, וְשַׁלְמֵי חֲגִיגָה מוּעָטוֹת.
If he has few of both, concerning that our Sages said:47 “One should not bring less than a meah for a burnt-offering and two silver ma’ah for a peace-offering.” If he was blessed amply with both, concerning this, our Sages applied the verse Deuteronomy 16:17: “According to the blessing of God your Lord which He granted you.”הָיָה זֶה וְזֶה מוּעָט - עַל זֶה אָמְרוּ: לֹא יִפְחֹת מִמָּעָה לְעוֹלָה וּשְׁתֵּי כֶּסֶף לִשְׁלָמִים. זֶה וְזֶה מְרֻבֶּה - עַל זֶה נֶאֱמַר, "כְּבִרְכַּת ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ אֲשֶׁר נָתַן לָךְ" (דברים טז, יז).

Quiz Yourself on Chagigah Chapter 1

Footnotes
1.

Sefer HaMitzvot (positive commandment 53) and Sefer HaChinuch (mitzvah 489) include this as one of 613 mitzvot. See Sefer HaMitzvot (General Principle 13) where the Rambam explains that the fact that the mitzvah is observed on three separate occasions does not cause it be considered as three separate mitzvot.

2.

Sefer HaMitzvot (positive commandment 52) and Sefer HaChinuch (mitzvah 88) include this as one of 613 mitzvot.

3.

Sefer HaMitzvot (positive commandment 54) and Sefer HaChinuch (mitzvah 488) include this as one of 613 mitzvot.

4.

I.e., the first day of the three pilgrimage festivals: Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot. The laws applying to compensating for failure to bring the offering on the first day are mentioned in Halachot 4-8.

5.

Young doves or turtle-doves. See the Kessef Mishneh and Rav Yosef Corcus who discuss this ruling, noting that seemingly, Chagigah 7a requires that these burnt-offerings be brought from domesticated animals and not from fowl. They suggest that the Rambam had a different version of that passage. The Or Sameach brings support for the Rambam’s ruling here from Hilchot Kiddush HaChodesh 4:7 which states that a leap year could be declared because of a lack of doves for the festival pilgrims. Why would the festive pilgrims need doves? For these burnt-offerings.

6.

A goat, a sheep, or a bull.

7.

Sefer HaMitzvot (negative commandment 156) and Sefer HaChinuch (mitzvah 490) include this prohibition as one of 613 mitzvot.

8.

As stated in Hilchot Sanhedrin 18:2, one is only liable for lashes for violating a negative commandment that involves the performance of a deed.

9.

And not from fowl. See Hilchot Ma’aseh HaKorbanot 1:11.

10.

See more particulars in Chapter 2, Halachah 1. Women are not obligated in the observance of these mitzvot, because they are positive commandments whose observance is associated with a specific time and there is no specific verse teaching that women are obligated.

11.

See also Hilchot Sh’vitat Yom Tov 6:17 which states: The “rejoicing” mentioned in the verse refers to sacrificing peace-offerings.... Nevertheless, [included in this charge] is that a person, his children, and the members of his household should rejoice, each one in a manner appropriate for him. In the following halachah in that source, the Rambam explains that each person should celebrate the festivals in a way which gives him natural satisfaction.

12.

Although this prooftext is not referring to peace-offerings brought on festivals, it does teach us that rejoicing in God’s presence involves peace-offerings (Kessel Mishneh).

13.

See Chagigah 6b and Rosh HaShanah 6b which interpret the term “your household,” in Deuteronomy 14:26: “And you shall rejoice, you and your household,” as referring to the person’s wife. The Ra’avad explains that although women are obligated to rejoice on the festivals, they are not obligated to bring sacrifices. Instead, her husband should bring her rejoicing. Rav Yosef Corcus states that one could interpret the Rambam’s words as meaning that a woman fulfills her obligation with her husband’s sacrifice, but the simple meaning is that there is an independent obligation incumbent upon her.

14.

This applies both to the value of the sacrifice, as stated here, and also the number of sacrifices brought, as mentioned in Chapter 2, Halachah 6.

15.

Implying that everything is dependent on the person’s generosity.

16.

Equivalent to the weight of sixteen barley corns of pure silver [Commentary to the Mishnah (Chagigah 1:2)].

17.

In his Commentary to the Mishnah (op. cit.), the Rambam explains that the peace-offerings must be more substantial, because in contrast, to the burnt-offerings which are consumed merely by the altar, the peace-offerings are consumed by the owners as well.

18.

From Chagigah 1:5 (quoted in Halachah 11), it appears that the Rambam is referring to the continuation of the phrase: “According to the blessing of God your Lord which He granted you.”

19.

We have translated kessef as “silver,” because of the contrast to gold mentioned tater on. It could, however, be translated as “money,” because the reason for the preference of silver is that it was the medium of exchange commonly used when trading in the marketplace.

20.

According to Rabbinic decree.

21.

We are concerned that he will conduct his transaction in haste and not realize that the money he received contains impurities. In contrast, if he brought money from home, it cart be assumed that he inspected it.

22.

The Rambam does not mention the celebratory peace-offerings, because the mitzvah to bring them applies equally throughout the holiday (Rav Yosef Corcus).

23.

From this concept, a parallel is derived with regard to the burnt-offerings.

24.

For; as stated in Halachah I and the following halachah, the fundamental mitzvah is to bring these offerings on the first day of a holiday.

25.

I.e., the sacrifices should be brought as soon as possible, without undue delay.

26.

We have translated the verse according to its interpretation in Berachot 28a, the Rambam’s source. A literal translation would lead to a different meaning.

27.

There are some authorities (see Turei Even to Chagigah 9a) who recommend bringing the sacrifices afterwards. as freewill offerings.

28.

Although in some contexts Shemini Atzeret is considered as a separate holiday (see Sukkah 47a), in this context, it is still considered as part of Sukkot.

29.

Chagigah 17a understands the fact that the three holidays are mentioned together in the same verse as an allusion to the concept that Shavuot is also granted days of compensation. Nevertheless, only six days of compensation are granted like Pesach, rather than seven like Sukkot; for the minimum - rather than the maximum - addition is made.

30.

Though the Rambam does not mention the celebratory peace-offerings in this clause, everything stated applies to them as well.

31.

Thus if the first day of the festival is the Sabbath or the majority of the people, priests, or sacrificial utensils are impure, the offering should not be brought.

32.

Which are brought in such instances, as stated in Hilchot Bi’at HaMikdash 4:9-10.

33.

In Halachot 4-7. Although it is preferable to bring the sacrifices on the first day, since it is not an absolute requirement, no leniency is granted in this instance.

34.

And are offered on those days although there are prohibitions against performing labor.
There is a difference of opinion concerning this matter between the School of Shammai who rule that the offering of these sacrifices should also be postponed and the School of Hillel who rule that they should be offered. See Shulchan Aruch HaRav 494:19 which explains that since the burnt-offerings are offered entirely on the altar and not eaten by their owners, many people adopted the stringency suggested by the School of Shammai and did not offer them on a holiday. (Note similar statements by Tosafot Rid, Chagigah 18a.)
See also Likkutei Sichot, Shavuot, 5746, which explains that the stringency is associated particularly with the holiday of Shavuot and was instituted to emphasize how that holiday is a day of celebration for the Jewish people on the material plane.

35.

See Hilchot Ma’aseh HaKorbanot 4:4-5 for an explanation of these two different types of sacrifices.

36.

Since they are not associated with the holidays per se, and can be brought afterwards, there is no reason to allow them to be offered on the holiday itself (Beitzah 20b).

37.

Which a person voluntarily commits himself to bring.

38.

See Hilchot Ma’aseh HaKorbanot 3:6, 11, 13, which state that, generally, before offering a sacrifice, a person must lean on the sacrificial animal with all his might, placing both hands on its head. This act is called semichah.

39.

Ibid.:12. Since it is not an indispensable element of offering the sacrifice, one might think that it would be forbidden, because generally, we are prohibited against making use of animals on the Sabbath and festivals (see Hilchot Shabbat 21:9).

40.

The term shvut refers to a prohibition instituted because an activity resembles an activity forbidden on the Sabbath or might lead to the performance of such an activity (See Hilchot Shabbat 21:1).

41.

There are certain restrictions against performing work on these intermediate days (Hilchot Sh’vitat Yom Tov 7:1). Nevertheless, based on the verse cited, our Sages (Beitzah 19b, Chagigah 7a) did not impose those restrictions in this instance.

42.

The sacrifices mentioned previously in that Biblical passage.

43.

To enable the members of his household to derive satisfaction from the festival.

44.

As long as he brings the minimal measure, he fulfills his responsibility. There is no need to impoverish himself to bring these sacrifices.

45.

To express his thanks to the Almighty.

46.

Lest the sacrificial meat be left over beyond the required time and thus disqualified.

47.

Chagigah 8b; see Halachah 2.

The Mishneh Torah was the Rambam's (Rabbi Moses ben Maimon) magnum opus, a work spanning hundreds of chapters and describing all of the laws mentioned in the Torah. To this day it is the only work that details all of Jewish observance, including those laws which are only applicable when the Holy Temple is in place. Participating in one of the annual study cycles of these laws (3 chapters/day, 1 chapter/day, or Sefer Hamitzvot) is a way we can play a small but essential part in rebuilding the final Temple.
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