Rambam - 3 Chapters a Day
Positive Commandments: Part 1, Positive Commandments: Part 2, Positive Commandments: Part 3
Positive Commandments: Part 1
The first of the positive commandments is the mitzvah to know that there is a God, as [Exodus 20:2] states: "I am God, your Lord."
אמִצְוָה רִאשׁוֹנָה מִמִּצְווֹת עֲשֵׂה, לֵידַע שֶׁיֵּשׁ שָׁם אֱלוֹהַּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "אָנֹכִי ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ" (שמות כ, ב; דברים ה, ו).
To unify Him, as [Deuteronomy 6:4] states: "God is our Lord, God is one."
בלְיַחֲדוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "ה' אֱלֹהֵינוּ ה' אֶחָד" (דברים ו, ד).
To love Him, as [Deuteronomy 6:5] states: "And you shall love God, your Lord."
גלְאָהֳבוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְאָהַבְתָּ אֵת ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ" (דברים ו, ה; דברים יא, א).
To fear Him, as [Deuteronomy 6:13] states: "Fear God, your Lord."
דלְיִרְאָה מִמֶּנּוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "אֶת ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ תִּירָא" (דברים ו, יג; דברים י, כ).
To pray, as [Exodus 23:25] states: "And you shall serve God, your Lord." This service is prayer.a
הלְהִתְפַּלֵּל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וַעֲבַדְתֶּם אֵת ה' אֱלֹהֵיכֶם" (שמות כג, כה); עֲבוֹדָה זוֹ תְּפִלָּה.
To cling to Him, as [Deuteronomy 10:20] states: "And you shall cling to Him."
ולְדָבְקָה בוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּבוֹ תִדְבָּק" (דברים י, כ).
To swear in His name, as [Deuteronomy 10:20] states: "And you shall swear in His name."a,b
זלְהִשָּׁבַע בִּשְׁמוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּבִשְׁמוֹ תִּשָּׁבֵעַ" (דברים ו, יג; דברים י, כ).
To emulate His good and just ways, as [Deuteronomy 28:9] states: "And you shall walk in His ways."
חלְהִדַּמּוֹת בִּדְרָכָיו הַטּוֹבִים וְהַיְּשָׁרִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְהָלַכְתָּ בִּדְרָכָיו" (דברים כח, ט).
To sanctify His name, as [Leviticus 22:32] states: "And I shall be sanctified amidst the children of Israel."
טלְקַדֵּשׁ אֶת שְׁמוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְנִקְדַּשְׁתִּי בְּתוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל" (ויקרא כב, לב).
To recite the Shema twice daily, as [Deuteronomy 6:2] states: "And you shall speak of them when you lie down and when you arise."
ילִקְרוֹת קְרִיַּת שְׁמַע פַּעֲמַיִם בְּכָל יוֹם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְדִבַּרְתָּ בָּם . . . בְשָׁכְבְּךָ וּבְקוּמֶךָ" (דברים ו, ז).
To study Torah and to teach it [to others], as [Deuteronomy 6:2] states: "And you shall teach them to your children."
יאלִלְמֹד תּוֹרָה וּלְלַמְּדָהּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְשִׁנַּנְתָּם לְבָנֶיךָ" (דברים ו, ז).
To tie tefillin upon our heads, as [Deuteronomy 6:8] states: "And they shall be an emblem between your eyes."
יבלִקְשֹׁר תְּפִלִּין בָּרֹאשׁ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְהָיוּ לְטוֹטָפוֹת בֵּין עֵינֶיךָ" (דברים ו, ח).
To tie tefillin upon our arms, as [Deuteronomy 6:8] states: "And you shall tie them for a sign upon your arms."
יגלִקְשֹׁר תְּפִלִּין בְּיָד, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּקְשַׁרְתָּם לְאוֹת עַל יָדֶךָ" (דברים ו, ח).
To make tzitzit, as [Numbers 15:38] states: "And you shall make tzitzit for them."
ידלַעֲשׂוֹת צִיצִית, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְעָשׂוּ לָהֶם צִיצִית" (במדבר טו, לח).
To affix a mezuzah, as [Deuteronomy 6:9] states: "And you shall write them on the doorposts of your home."
טולִקְבֹּעַ מְזוּזָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּכְתַבְתָּם עַל מְזוּזוֹת בֵּיתֶךָ" (דברים ו, ט; דברים יא, כ).
To collect the people to hear the Torah [being read] in the year following the shemitah year, as [Deuteronomy 31:12] states: "Gather together the people."
טזלְהַקְהִל אֶת הָעָם לִשְׁמֹעַ הַתּוֹרָה בְּמוֹצָאֵי שְׁבִיעִית, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "הַקְהֵל אֶת הָעָם" (דברים לא, יב).
For each man to write a Torah scroll for himself, as [Deuteronomy 31:19] states: "Write down this song."
יזלִכְתֹּב כָּל אִישׁ סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה לְעַצְמוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "כִּתְבוּ לָכֶם אֶת הַשִּׁירָה הַזֹּאת" (דברים לא, יט).
For the king to write a second Torah scroll for himself in addition to the one which [he is required to write to fulfill the mitzvah incumbent upon] every man. Thus, he will have two Torah scrolls, as [Deuteronomy 17:19] states: "And he shall write for himself a copy of this Torah."
יחלִכְתֹּב הַמֶּלֶךְ סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה לְעַצְמוֹ, יָתֵר עַל הָאֶחָד שֶׁל כָּל אָדָם, עַד שֶׁיִּהְיֶה לוֹ שְׁתֵּי תוֹרוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְכָתַב לוֹ אֶת מִשְׁנֵה הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת" (דברים יז, יח).
To bless [God] after eating, as [Deuteronomy 8:10] states: "[After] you eat and are satisfied, you shall bless God, your Lord."
יטלְבָרֵךְ אַחַר הַמָּזוֹן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְאָכַלְתָּ וְשָֹבָעְתָּ וּבֵרַכְתָּ אֶת ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ" (דברים ח, י).
To build [God's] chosen house, [the Temple,] as [Exodus 25:8] states: "And you shall make a sanctuary for Me."b
כלִבְנוֹת בֵּית הַבְּחִירָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְעָשׂוּ לִי מִקְדָּשׁ" (שמות כה, ח).
To revere this house, as [Leviticus 19:30] states: "And revere My sanctuary."
כאלְיִרְאָה מִבַּיִת זֶה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּמִקְדָשִׁי תִּרָאוּ" (ויקרא יט, ל; ויקרא כו, ב).
To keep watch over this house continuously, as [Numbers 18:2,4] states: "And you and- your descendants before the Tent of Testimony.... [And they shall keep the watch....]"
כבלִשְׁמֹר בַּיִת זֶה תָּמִיד, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְאַתָּה וּבָנֶיךָ אִתָּךְ לִפְנֵי אֹהֶל הָעֵדוּת" (במדבר יח, ב).
For the Levites to serve in the sanctuary, as [Numbers 18:23] states: "And the Levite shall serve...."
כגלִהְיוֹת הַלֵּוִי עוֹבֵד בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְעָבַד הַלֵּוִי הוּא" (במדבר יח, כג).
For a priest to sanctify his hands and feet at the time of service [in the Temple], as [Exodus 30:19] states: "And Aaron and his sons will wash...."
כדלְקַדֵּשׁ הַכֹּהֵן יָדָיו וְרַגְלָיו בִּשְׁעַת הָעֲבוֹדָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְרָחֲצוּ אַהֲרֹן וּבָנָיו" (שמות ל, יט).
To prepare the candles of the Sanctuary, as [Exodus 27:21] states: "Aaron and his sons shall prepare it."
כהלַעֲרֹךְ נֵרוֹת בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "יַעֲרֹךְ אֹתוֹ אַהֲרֹן וּבָנָיו" (שמות כז, כא).
For the priests to bless the Jews, as [Numbers 6:23] states: "In this manner, you shall bless the children of Israel."
כולְבָרֵךְ הַכֹּהֲנִים אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "כֹּה תְבָרֲכוּ אֶת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל" (במדבר ו, כג).
To arrange bread and frankincense before God [in the Temple] on every Sabbath, as [Exodus 25:30] states: "And you shall place the showbread on the table."b
כזלְהַסְדִּר לֶחֶם וּלְבוֹנָה לִפְנֵי ה' בְּכָל שַׁבָּת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְנָתַתָּ עַל הַשֻּׁלְחָן לֶחֶם פָּנִים" (שמות כה, ל).
To burn a spice offering twice [each] day, as [Exodus 30:7] states: "And Aaron shall burn incense upon it...."
כחלְהַקְטִיר קְטֹרֶת פַּעֲמַיִם בַּיּוֹם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְהִקְטִיר עָלָיו אַהֲרֹן קְטֹרֶת סַמִּים" (שמות ל, ז).
To keep a fire burning on the altar for burnt offerings continually, as [Leviticus 6:6] states: "And you shall keep a fire burning continuously on the altar."
כטלְהַבְעִיר אֵשׁ בְּמִזְבַּח הָעוֹלָה תָּמִיד, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "אֵשׁ תָּמִיד תּוּקַד עַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ" (ויקרא ו, ו).
To remove the ashes from the altar, as [Leviticus 6:3] states: "And he shall remove the ashes...."
ללְהָרִים אֶת הַדֶּשֶׁן מֵעַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְהֵרִים אֶת הַדֶּשֶׁן" (ויקרא ו, ג).
To send impure people out from the camp of the Divine Presence - i.e., the sanctuary - as [Numbers 5:2] states: "And you shall send from the camp all the leprous, any zav, and anyone who has contracted impurity because of a corpse."
לאלְשַׁלֵּחַ טְמֵאִים מִמַּחֲנֵה שְׁכִינָה שֶׁהוּא הַמִּקְדָּשׁ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וִישַׁלְּחוּ מִן הַמַּחֲנֶה כָּל צָרוּעַ וְכָל זָב; וְכֹל טָמֵא לָנָפֶשׁ" (במדבר ה, ב).
To show honor to Aaron's descendants and to give them priority regarding all holy matters, as [Leviticus 21:8] states: "And you shall sanctify him."
לבלַחֲלֹק כָּבוֹד לְזַרְעוֹ שֶׁל אַהֲרֹן וּלְהַקְדִּימוֹ לְכָל דָּבָר שֶׁבִּקְדֻשָּׁה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְקִדַּשְׁתּוֹ" (ויקרא כא, ח).
To clothe the priests with the priestly garments for service [in the Temple], as [Exodus 28:2] states: "And you shall make holy garments...."a
לגלְהַלְבִּישׁ הַכֹּהֲנִים לָעֲבוֹדָה בִּגְדֵי כְהֻנָּה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְעָשִׂיתָ בִגְדֵי קֹדֶשׁ" (שמות כח, ב).
To carry the ark upon our shoulders when it is to be carried, as [Numbers 7:9] states: "And they shall carry it on their shoulders."
לדלָשֵׂאת אֶת הָאָרוֹן עַל הַכָּתֵף כְּשֶׁנּוֹשְׂאִים אוֹתוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "בַּכָּתֵף יִשָּׂאוּ" (במדבר ז, ט).
To anoint the High Priests and kings with the anointing oil, as [Exodus 30:30-31] states: "[Anoint Aaron....] This shall be sacred anointing oil."
להלִמְשֹׁחַ כֹּהֲנִים גְּדוֹלִים וּמְלָכִים בְּשֶׁמֶן הַמִּשְׁחָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "שֶׁמֶן מִשְׁחַת קֹדֶשׁ יִהְיֶה זֶה" (שמות ל, לא).
For the priests to serve in the sanctuary in individual watches; and for them to all serve as one on the festivals, as [Deuteronomy 18:6-8] states: "When the Levite shall come... [he can serve]...with the exception of that which is theirs by ancestral right."a
לולִהְיוֹת הַכֹּהֲנִים עוֹבְדִים בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ מִשְׁמָרוֹת מִשְׁמָרוֹת, וּבְמוֹעֲדִים עוֹבְדִים כְּאֶחָד, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְכִי יָבוֹא הַלֵּוִי" (דברים יח, ו) "לְבַד מִמְכָּרָיו עַל הָאָבוֹת" (דברים יח, ח).
For the priests to become ritually impure and mourn for their relatives in the same manner as other Jews who are commanded to mourn, as [Leviticus 21:3] states: "He shall become impure for her."
לזלִהְיוֹת הַכֹּהֲנִים מְטַּמְּאִים לִקְרוֹבֵיהֶן וּמִתְאַבְּלִין עֲלֵיהֶן כִּשְׁאָר יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁהֵן מְצֻוִּין לְהִתְאַבֵּל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "לָהּ יִטַּמָא" (ויקרא כא, ג).
For a High Priest to marry a virgin, as [Leviti‑cus 21:13] states: "And he shall marry a woman who is a virgin."
לחלִהְיוֹת כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל נוֹשֵׂא בְּתוּלָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְהוּא אִשָּׁה בִבְתוּלֶיהָ יִקָח" (ויקרא כא, יג).
To offer the tamid offerings each day, as [Numbers 28:3] states: "[This is the fire offering...] two each day continuously."
לטלְהַקְרִיב תְּמִידִין בְּכָל יוֹם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "שְׁנַיִם לַיוֹם עוֹלָה תָמִיד" (במדבר כח, ג).
For the High Priest to offer a meal offering each day, as [Leviticus 6:13] states: "This is the sacrifice of Aaron and his descendants."
מלְהַקְרִיב כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל מִנְחָה בְּכָל יוֹם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "זֶה קָרְבַּן אַהֲרֹן וּבָנָיו" (ויקרא ו, יג).
To offer an additional sacrifice every Sabbath, as [Numbers 28:9] states: "On the Sabbath day, two lambs...."
מאלְהוֹסִיף קָרְבָּן אַחֵר בְּכָל שַׁבָּת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּבְיוֹם, הַשַּׁבָּת שְׁנֵי כְבָשִׂים" (במדבר כח, ט).
To offer an additional sacrifice every Rosh Chodesh, as [Numbers 28:11] states: "On your Rashei Chodashim...."
מבלְהוֹסִיף קָרְבָּן בְּכָל רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ וְחֹדֶשׁ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּבְרָאשֵׁי חָדְשֵׁיכֶם" (במדבר כח, יא).
To offer an additional sacrifice on Pesach, as [Leviticus 23:36] states: "For seven days, you will bring a fire offering unto God...."1
מגלְהוֹסִיף קָרְבָּן בְּחַג הַפֶּסַח, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "שִׁבְעַת יָמִים תַּקְרִיבוּ אִשֶּׁה לַה'" (ויקרא כג, לו).
To bring the meal offering of the omer on the day after the first day of Pesach together with a single lamb, as [Leviticus 23:10] states: "And you shall bring the omer...."
מדלְהַקְרִיב מִנְחַת הָעֹמֶר מִמָּחֳרַת יוֹם רִאשׁוֹן שֶׁל פֶּסַח עִם כֶּבֶשׂ אֶחָד, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וַהֲבֵאתֶם אֶת עֹמֶר רֵאשִׁית קְצִירְכֶם אֶל הַכֹּהֵן" (ויקרא כג, י).
To offer an additional sacrifice on Shavuot, as [Numbers 28:26] states: "On the day of the first fruits [Bikkurim]...."
מהלְהוֹסִיף קָרְבָּן בְּיוֹם עֲצֶרֶת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּבְיוֹם הַבִּכּוּרִים . . ." (במדבר כח, כו).
To bring two loaves and the sacrifices which accompany the loaves on Shavuot, as [Leviticus 23:17] states: "From your dwellings, bring bread as a wave offering. And you shall offer upon the bread...."
מולְהָבִיא שְׁתֵּי הַלֶּחֶם עִם הַקָּרְבָּנוֹת הַקְּרֵבִים בִּגְלַל הַלֶּחֶם בְּיוֹם עֲצֶרֶת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "מִמּוֹשְׁבֹתֵיכֶם תָּבִיאּוּ לֶחֶם תְּנוּפָה" (ויקרא כג, יז) "וְהִקְרַבְתֶּם עַל הַלֶּחֶם" (ויקרא כג, יח).
To offer an additional sacrifice on Rosh HaShanah, as [Numbers 29:1] states: "And in the seventh month, on the first of the month...."
מזלְהוֹסִיף קָרְבָּן בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּבַחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי בְּאֶחָד לַחֹדֶשׁ" (במדבר כט, א).
To offer an additional sacrifice on the fast [of Yom Kippur], as [Numbers 29:7] states: "On the tenth of the seventh month...."
מחלְהוֹסִיף קָרְבָּן בְּיוֹם הַצּוֹם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּבֶעָשׂוֹר לַחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי" (במדבר כט, ז).
To carry out the service of the fast [of Yom Kippur], as [Leviticus 16:3] states: "In this manner, Aaron will enter the [inner] sanctuary, with a young bull...." All the [particulars of] this service are stated in the parashah of Acharei Mot.
מטלַעֲשׂוֹת עֲבוֹדַת הַיּוֹם בְּיוֹם הַצּוֹם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "בְּזֹאת יָבוֹא אַהֲרֹן אֶל הַקֹּדֶשׁ; בְּפַר בֶּן בָּקָר" (ויקרא טז, ג), וְכָל הָעֲבוֹדָה הַכְּתוּבָה בְּפָרָשַׁת אַחֲרֵי מוֹת.
To offer an additional sacrifice on the holiday of Sukkot, as [Numbers 29:13] states: "And you shall present a burnt offering as a pleasing fragrance...."
נלְהוֹסִיף קָרְבָּן בְּחַג הַסֻּכּוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְהִקְרַבְתֶּם עֹלָה אִשֵּׁה רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ" (במדבר כט, יג).
To offer an additional sacrifice on Shemini Atzeret, for it is a festival in its own right, as [Numbers 29:35] states: "And on the eighth day....
נאלְהוֹסִיף קָרְבָּן בְּיוֹם שְׁמִינִי עֲצֶרֶת, כִּי רֶגֶל בִּפְנֵי עַצְמוֹ הוּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁמִינִי" (במדבר כט, לה).
To celebrate on the festivals, as [Exodus 23:14] states: "And you shall celebrate three festivals for Me."
נבלָחֹג בָּרְגָלִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "שָׁלוֹשׁ רְגָלִים תָּחֹג לִי" (שמות כג, יד).
To appear [before God in the Temple] on the festivals, as [Deuteronomy 16:16] states: "On three occasions during the year, all your males shall appear...."
נגלְהֵרָאוֹת בָּרְגָלִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "שָׁלוֹשׁ פְּעָמִים בַּשָּׁנָה יֵרָאֶה כָּל זְכוּרְךָ" (שמות כג, יז; שמות לד, כג; דברים טז, טז).
To rejoice on the festivals, as [Deuteronomy 16:14] states: "And you shall rejoice on your festivals."
נדלִשְׂמֹחַ בָּרְגָלִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְשָׂמַחְתָּ בְּחַגֶּךָ" (דברים טז, יד).
To slaughter the Paschal lamb, as [Exodus 12:6] states: "And the entire congregation shall slaughter it...."
נהלִשְׁחֹט כֶּבֶשׂ הַפֶּסַח, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְשָׁחֲטוּ אוֹתוֹ כֹּל קְהַל . . ." (שמות יב, ו).
To eat the meat of the Paschal sacrifice roasted on the night of the fifteenth of Nisan, as [Exodus 12:8] states: "And they shall eat the meat...."
נולֶאֱכֹל בְּשַׂר הַפֶּסַח צָלִי בְּלֵילֵי חֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר מִנִּיסָן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְאָכְלוּ אֶת הַבָּשָׂר" (שמות יב, ח).
To offer the second Paschal sacrifice, as [Numbers 9:11] states: "In the second month, on the fourteenth of the month...."
נזלַעֲשׂוֹת פֶּסַח שֵׁנִי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַשֵּׁנִי בְּאַרְבָּעָה עָשָׂר" (בְּמִדְבַּר ט, יא).
To eat the meat of the second Paschal offering together with matzot and bitter herbs, as [Numbers 9:11] states: "And you shall eat it with matzot and bitter herbs."
נחלֶאֱכֹל אֶת בְּשַׂר פֶּסַח שֵׁנִי עַל מַצָּה וּמָרוֹר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "עַל מַצּוֹת וּמְרוֹרִים יֹאכְלוּהוּ" (בְּמִדְבַּר ט, יא).
To sound the trumpets when the sacrifices [are offered] and in times of difficulty, as [Numbers 10:10] states: "And you shall sound the trumpets...."
נטלִתְקֹעַ בַּחֲצוֹצְרוֹת עַל הַקָּרְבָּנוֹת וּבִשְׁעַת הַצָּרוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּתְקַעְתֶּם בַּחֲצוֹצְרוֹת" (בְּמִדְבַּר י, י).
For all animals to be sacrificed after their eighth day [of life], as [Leviticus 22:27] states: "And on the eighth day and afterwards...."b
סלִהְיוֹת כָּל קָרְבְּנוֹת בְּהֵמָה מִיּוֹם שְׁמִינִי וָהָלְאָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "מִיּוֹם הַשְּׁמִינִי וָהָלְאָה" (ויקרא כב, כז).
For all animal offerings to be unblemished, as [Leviticus 22:21] states: "[When it is] unblemished, it will be desirable...."
סאלִהְיוֹת כָּל קָרְבַּן בְּהֵמָה תָּמִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "תָּמִים יִהְיֶה לְרָצוֹן" (ויקרא כב, כא).
To salt all the sacrifices, as [Leviticus 2:13] states: "Offer salt on all your sacrifices."
סבלִמְלֹחַ כָּל קָרְבָּן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "עַל כָּל קָרְבָּנְךָ תַּקְרִיב מֶלַח" (ויקרא ב, יג).
The burnt offering, as [Leviticus 1:3] states:"If his is a burnt offering...."
סגמַעֲשֵׂה הָעוֹלָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "אִם עוֹלָה קָרְבָּנוֹ" (ויקרא א, ג).
The sin offering, as [Leviticus 6:18] states: "These are the laws of the sin offering...."
סדמַעֲשֵׂה חַטָּאת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "זֹאת תּוֹרַת הַחַטָּאת" (ויקרא ו, יח).
The guilt offering, as [Leviticus 7:1] states: "These are the laws of the guilt offering...."
סהמַעֲשֶׂה הָאָשָׁם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "זֹאת תּוֹרַת הָאָשָׁם" (ויקרא ז, א).
The peace offering, as [Leviticus 7:11] states: "These are the laws of the peace offering...."
סומַעֲשֵׂה זֶבַח הַשְּׁלָמִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְזֹאת תּוֹרַת זֶבַח הַשְּׁלָמִים" (ויקרא ז, יא).
The meal offering, as [Leviticus 2:1] states: "When a person presents a meal offering...."
סזמַעֲשֵׂה הַמִּנְחָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְנֶפֶשׁ כִּי תַקְרִיב קָרְבַּן מִנְחָה" (ויקרא ב, א).
For the [High] Court to offer a sacrifice if it renders an erroneous decision, as [Leviticus 4:13] states: "If the entire congregation of Israel shall err...."
סחלְהַקְרִיב בֵּית דִּין קָרְבָּן אִם טָעוּ בְּהוֹרָאָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְאִם כָּל עֲדַת יִשְׂרָאֵל יִשְׁגּוּ" (ויקרא ד, יג).
For each individual to offer a sin offering if he unintentionally violates a negative commandment punishable by karet2, as [Leviticus 5:1] states: "When a person sins...."3
סטלְהַקְרִיב הַיָּחִיד קָרְבַּן חַטָּאת אִם שָׁגַג בְּמִצְוַת לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה שֶׁחַיָּבִים עָלֶיהָ כָּרֵת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְנֶפֶשׁ כִּי תֶחֱטָא" (ויקרא ה, א).
For an individual to offer a sacrifice if he is in doubt whether or not he transgressed a prohibition for which he would be liable for a sin offering, as [Leviticus 5:17-18] states: "If he does not know, he still bears responsibility...and he shall bring his guilt offering." This is referred to as "the conditional guilt offering."
עלְהַקְרִיב הַיָּחִיד קָרְבָּן אִם נִסְתַּפֵּק לוֹ אִם חָטָא חֵטְא שֶׁחַיָּבִים עָלָיו חַטָּאת אוֹ לֹא חָטָא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְלֹא יָדַע וְאָשֵׁם . . . וְהֵבִיא אֶת אֲשָׁמוֹ" (ראה ויקרא ה, יז-יח); וְזֶה הוּא נִקְרָא אָשָׁם תָּלוּי.
For [the following individuals:] a person who unknowingly used sacred property, a person who sinned by stealing, one [who had relations with] a maidservant designated for another person, or one who denied possession of an entrusted object and took a [false] oath, to bring a guilt offering. This is referred to as "the unconditional guilt offering."4
עאלְהַקְרִיב הַשּׁוֹגֵג בִּמְעִילָה, אוֹ הַחוֹטֵא בִּגְזֵלָה, אוֹ בְּשִׁפְחָה חֲרוּפָה, אוֹ שֶׁכָּפַר בְּפִקָּדוֹן וְנִשְׁבַּע; מֵבִיא קָרְבָּן אָשָׁם, וְזֶה הוּא הַנִּקְרָא אָשָׁם וַדַּאי.
To offer "the adjustable guilt offering" [as atonement for the violation of certain transgressions], as [Leviticus 5:1,11] states: "If his means are not sufficient.... If his means do not suffice...."
עבלְהַקְרִיב קָרְבָּן עוֹלֶה וְיוֹרֵד, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְאִם לֹא תַגִּיעַ יָדוֹ" (ויקרא ה, ז), "וְאִם לֹא תַשִּׂיג יָדוֹ" (ויקרא ה, יא).
For a person to confess before God for any sin which he has committed. [This applies] when he brings a sacrifice [for atonement] and when he does not bring a sacrifice, as [Numbers 5:6] states: "And they shall confess the sins that they committed."5
עגלְהִתְוַדּוֹת לִפְנֵי ה' מִכָּל חֵטְא שֶׁיַּעֲשֶׂה הָאָדָם, בִּשְׁעַת הַקָּרְבָּן וְשֶׁלֹּא בִּשְׁעַת הַקָּרְבָּן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְהִתְוַדּוּ אֶת חַטָּאתָם אֲשֶׁר עָשׂוּ" (במדבר ה, ז).
For a zav to offer a sacrifice when he becomes purified [after his affliction], as [Leviticus 15:13] states: "When a zav will become pure...."
עדלְהַקְרִיב הַזָּב קָרְבָּן אַחַר שֶׁיִּטְהַר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְכִי יִטְהַר הַזָּב מִזּוֹבוֹ" (ויקרא טו, יג).
For a zavah to offer a sacrifice when she be-comes purified [after her affliction], as [Leviticus 15:28] states: "When she becomes pure from [the condition] of zavah...."
עהלְהַקְרִיב הַזָּבָה קָרְבָּן אַחַר שֶׁתִּטְהַר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְאִם טָהֲרָה מִזּוֹבָהּ" (ויקרא טו, כח).
For a woman who gave birth to offer a sacrifice after she becomes purified, as [Leviticus 12:6] states: "And after the conclusion of her pure days...."
עולְהַקְרִיב הַיּוֹלֶדֶת קָרְבָּן אַחַר שֶׁתִּטְהַר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּבִמְלֹאות יְמֵי טָהֳרָהּ" (ויקרא יב, ו).
For a person afflicted with tzara’at to offer a sacrifice after he becomes purified, as [Leviticus 14:1] states: "On the eighth day, he shall take...."
עזלְהַקְרִיב הַמְּצֹרָע קָרְבָּן אַחַר שֶׁיִּטְהַר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּבַיּוֹם הַשְּׁמִינִי יִקַּח" (ויקרא יד, י).
To tithe one's herds, as [Leviticus 27:32] states: "And all the tithes of your cattle and sheep...."
עחלְעַשֵּׂר הַבְּהֵמָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְכָל מַעְשַׂר בָּקָר וָצֹאן" (ויקרא כז, לב).
To sanctify the firstborn of a kosher animal and offer it as a sacrifice, as [Deuteronomy 15:19] states: "Every firstling which shall be born...."
עטלְקַדֵּשׁ בְּכוֹר הַבְּהֵמָה הַטְּהוֹרָה וּלְהַקְרִיבוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "כָּל הַבְּכוֹר אֲשֶׁר יִוָּלֵד" (דברים טו, יט).
To redeem firstborn sons, as [Numbers 18:15] states: "However, you must surely redeem first-born humans."
פלִפְדּוֹת בְּכוֹר אָדָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "אַךְ פָּדֹה תִפְדֶּה, אֵת בְּכוֹר הָאָדָם" (במדבר יח, טו).
To redeem a firstling donkey, as [Exodus 34:20] states: "Redeem a firstling donkey with a sheep."
פאלִפְדּוֹת פֶּטֶר חֲמוֹר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּפֶטֶר חֲמֹר תִּפְדֶּה בְשֶׂה" (שמות לד, כ).
To decapitate a firstling donkey [which is not redeemed], as [Exodus 34:20] states: "If you do not redeem it, you must decapitate it."
פבלַעֲרֹף פֶּטֶר חֲמוֹר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְאִם לֹא תִפְדֶּה וַעֲרַפְתּוֹ" (שמות יג,יג; שמות לד, כ).
For a person to bring all the sacrifices for which he is liable, be they obligatory or voluntary offerings, on the first pilgrimage festival that occurs, as [Deuteronomy 12:5-6] states: "And you shall come there... and you shall bring there...."
פגלְהָבִיא כָּל הַקָּרְבָּנוֹת שֶׁיֵּשׁ עַל הָאָדָם בְּחוֹבָה אוֹ בִנְדָבָה בְּרֶגֶל רִאשׁוֹן שֶׁפָּגַע בּוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּבָאתָ שָׁמָּה" (דברים יב, ה), "וַהֲבֵאתֶם שָׁמָּה" (דברים יב, ו).
Positive Commandments: Part 2
To sacrifice all the offerings in [God's] chosen house, [i.e., the Temple,], as [Deuteronomy 12:14] states: "There, you will perform all that I command you."
פדלְהַקְרִיב כָּל הַקָּרְבָּנוֹת בְּבֵית הַבְּחִירָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְשָׁם תַּעֲשֶׂה כֹּל אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוֶּךָּ" (דברים יב, יד).
To tend to all the offerings from the Diaspora and bring them to Eretz [Yisrael], to [God's] chosen house, [i.e., the Temple,] as [Deuteronomy 12:26] states: "Take the sacred offerings which you possess, and your pledges, and come [to the place that God will choose]." Based on the oral tradition, we have learned that this applies to sacred offerings from the Diaspora.
פהלְהִטַּפֵּל בַּהֲבָאַת הַקָּרְבָּנוֹת מֵחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ לְבֵית הַבְּחִירָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "רַק קָדָשֶׁיךָ אֲשֶׁר יִהְיוּ לְךָ וּנְדָרֶיךָ תִּשָּׂא וּבָאתָ" (דברים יב, כו); מִפִּי הַשְּׁמוּעָה לָמְדוּ שֶׁאֵינוֹ מְדַבֵּר אֶלָּא בְּקָדְשֵׁי חוּצָה לָאָרֶץ.
To redeem sacred offerings that have become blemished, and thus have them to be permitted [for mundane use], as [Deuteronomy 12:15] states: "But whenever you desire, you may slaughter...." Based on the oral tradition, we have learned that this refers only to sacred offerings which have become disqualified and have been redeemed.
פולִפְדּוֹת קָדָשִׁים בַּעֲלֵי מוּמִים וְיִהְיוּ מֻתָּרִים בַּאֲכִילָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "רַק בְּכָל אַוַּת נַפְשְׁךָ תִּזְבַּח וְאָכַלְתָּ בָשָׂר" (דברים יב, טו); מִפִּי הַשְּׁמוּעָה לָמְדוּ שֶׁאֵינוֹ מְדַבֵּר אֶלָּא בִּפְסוּלֵי הַמֻּקְדָּשִׁין שֶׁיִּפָּדוּ.
That an animal substituted for a sacred offering be regarded as sacred, as [Leviticus 27:33] states: "Both [the original animal] and the one substituted for it shall be consecrated."
פזלִהְיוֹת הַתְּמוּרָה קֹדֶשׁ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְהָיָה הוּא וּתְמוּרָתוֹ יִהְיֶה קֹּדֶשׁ" (ויקרא כז, י; ויקרא כז, לג).
To eat the remains of the meal offerings, as [Leviticus 6:9] states: "Aaron and his sons will eat the remainder of it."
פחלֶאֱכֹל שְׁיָרֵי מְנָחוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְהַנּוֹתֶרֶת מִמֶּנָּה יֹאכְלוּ אַהֲרֹן וּבָנָיו" (ויקרא ו, ט).
To eat the flesh of the sin and guilt offerings,1 as [Exodus 29:33] states: "And they shall eat [the sacrifices] with which atonement was made for them."
פטלֶאֱכֹל בְּשַׂר חַטָּאת וְאָשָׁם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְאָכְלוּ אֹתָם אֲשֶׁר כֻּפַּר בָּהֶם" (שמות כט, לג).
To burn sacred meat which became impure, as [Leviticus 7:19] states: "And the flesh which touches anything impure... [shall be burnt]."
צלִשְׂרֹף בְּשַׂר קֹדֶשׁ שֶׁנִּטְמָא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְהַבָּשָׂר אֲשֶׁר יִגַּע בְּכָל טָמֵא" (ויקרא ז, יט).
To burn the leftovers [from the sacrifices], as [Leviticus 7:17] states: "The leftovers from the flesh of the sacrifice shall be burnt with fire on the third day."
צאלִשְׂרֹף הַנּוֹתָר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְהַנּוֹתָר מִבְּשַׂר הַזָּבַח; בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁי בָּאֵשׁ יִשָּׂרֵף" (ויקרא ז, יז).
For a Nazirite to grow his hair long, as [Numbers 6:5] states: "He shall let the hair of his head grow without cutting it."
צבלְגַדֵּל הַנָּזִיר שְׂעָרוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "גַּדֵּל פֶּרַע שְׂעַר רֹאשׁוֹ" (במדבר ו, ה).
For a Nazarite to shave his hair when bringing his sacrifices at the conclusion of his term as a Nazirite, or during his Nazirite term if he becomes impure, as [Numbers 6:9] states: "Should a person die in his presence,... [he must shave....]"
צגלְגַלֵּחַ הַנָּזִיר שְׂעָרוֹ עַל קָרְבְּנוֹתָיו בִּמְלֹאות יְמֵי נִזְרוֹ, אוֹ בְּתוֹךְ יְמֵי נִזְרוֹ אִם נִטְמָא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְכִי יָמוּת מֵת עָלָיו" (במדבר ו, ט).
For a person to fulfill any [promise] which he utters, be it a sacrifice, [a gift to] charity, or the like, as [Deuteronomy 23:24] states: "What you have spoken, take heed to fulfill...."a
צדלְקַיֵּם אָדָם כָּל מַה שֶׁהוֹצִיא בִּשְׂפָתָיו, מִקָּרְבָּן אוֹ צְדָקָה וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "מוֹצָא שְׂפָתֶיךָ תִּשְׁמֹר וְעָשִׂיתָ" (דברים כג, כד).
To carry out the laws regarding the nullification of vows, as mentioned in the Torah.
צהלָדוּן בַּהֲפָרַת נְדָרִים בְּכָל הַדִּינִים הָאַמוּרִין בַּפָּרָשָׁה.
For everyone who comes in contact with the corpse of an animal to become impure, as [Leviticus 11:39] states: "Should an animal die...."
צולִהְיוֹת כָּל נוֹגֵעַ בִּנְבֵלָה טָמֵא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְכִי יָמוּת מִן הַבְּהֵמָה" (ויקרא יא, לט).
For the [dead bodies of] the eight species of crawling animals [mentioned in the Torah] to impart ritual impurity, as [Leviticus 11:19] states: "These shall be impure for you...."
צזלִהְיוֹת שְׁמוֹנָה שְׁרָצִים מְטַמְּאִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְזֶה לָכֶם הַטָּמֵא" (ויקרא יא, כט).
For [certain] foods to impart impurity, as [Leviticus 11:34] states: "From all the food which you will eat...."
צחלִהְיוֹת הָאֳכָלִין מְטַּמְּאִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "מִכָּל הָאֹכֶל אֲשֶׁר יֵאָכֵל" (ויקרא יא, לד).
For [a woman in the] niddah state to be impure and to impart impurity to others.
צטלִהְיוֹת הַנִּדָּה טְמֵאָה וּמְטַמְּאָה לַאֲחֵרִים.
For [a woman] who gives birth to be impure [like a woman] in the niddah state.
קלִהְיוֹת הַיּוֹלֶדֶת טְמֵאָה כַּנִּדָּה.
For a person afflicted with tzara’at to be impure and to impart impurity.
קאלִהְיוֹת הַמְּצֹרָע טָמֵא וּמְטַמֵּא.
For a garment afflicted with tzara’at to be impure and to impart impurity.
קבלִהְיוֹת בֶּגֶד מְנֻגָּע טָמֵא וּמְטַמֵּא.
For the sprinkling water [used for the purification process involving the red heifer] to impart impurity to a person who is ritually pure, and to impart ritual purity to a person who is ritually impure solely because of contact with a human corpse.b All the laws dealing with these different types of impurity and the majority of the judgments regarding all types of ritual purity and impurity are explained explicitly in the Written Law.2
קחלִהְיוֹת מֵי נִדָּה מְטַמְּאִין לְאָדָם טָהוֹר, וּמְטַהֲרִין מִטֻּמְאַת מֵת בִּלְבַד.. וְכָל אֵלּוּ הַדִּינִין שֶׁל טֻמְאוֹת אֵלּוּ, רֹב מִשְׁפַּט כָּל טֻמְאָה וְטֻמְאָה מֵהֶן מְבֹאָר בַּתּוֹרָה שֶׁבִּכְתָב.
For the process of purification from all types of ritual impurity to involve immersion in the waters of a mikveh, as [Leviticus 15:16] states: "And he shall wash all his flesh in water." Based on the oral tradition, we have learned that this washing [involves immersion in a body of] water in which one's entire body can immerse at one time.
קטלִהְיוֹת הַטַּהֲרָה מִכָּל הַטֻּמְאוֹת בִּטְבִילָה בְּמֵי מִקְוֶה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְרָחַץ בַּמַּיִם אֶת כָּל בְּשָׂרוֹ" (ויקרא טו, טז); לָמְדוּ מִפִּי הַשְּׁמוּעָה שֶׁרְחִיצָה זוֹ בְּמַיִם שֶׁכָּל גּוּפוֹ עוֹלֶה בָּהֶן בְּבַת אַחַת.
For the process of purification from tzara’at, be it a person afflicted with tzara’at or a house afflicted with tzara’at, [to involve] a staff of cedar, a hyssop, the crimson wool, two birds, and spring water, as [Leviticus 14:2] states: "This shall be the purification process for the person afflicted with tzara’at...."
קילִהְיוֹת הַטַּהֲרָה מִן הַצָּרַעַת בֵּין צָרַעַת אָדָם בֵּין צָרַעַת בַּיִת בְּעֵץ אֶרֶז וְאֵזוֹב וּשְׁנִי תוֹלַעַת וּשְׁתֵּי צִפֳּרִים וּמַיִם חַיִּים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "זֹאת תִּהְיֶה תּוֹרַת הַמְּצֹרָע" (ויקרא יד, ב).
For a person afflicted with tzara’at to shave all of his hair, as [Leviticus 14:9] states: "And it shall be on the seventh day, he shall shave all his hair."
קיאלִהְיוֹת הַמְּצֹרָע מְגַלֵּחַ כָּל שְׂעָרוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְהָיָה בַיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי יְגַלַּח אֶת כָּל שְׂעָרוֹ" (ויקרא יד, ט).
For a person afflicted with tzara’at to make known his condition to all others, according to the instructions mentioned in [Leviticus 13:45]: "His garments shall be torn, his hair shall grow uncut, he shall cover his face to the lip, and he shall cry out: `Impure! Impure!"' Similarly, all others who are ritually impure must make known their condition.
קיבלִהְיוֹת הַמְּצֹרָע יָדוּעַ לַכֹּל בִּדְבָרִים הָאֲמוּרִים בּוֹ, "בְּגָדָיו יִהְיוּ פְרֻמִים וְרֹאשׁוֹ יִהְיֶה פָרוּעַ וְעַל שָׂפָם יַעְטֶה; וְטָמֵא טָמֵא יִקְרָא" (ויקרא יג, מה).. וְכֵן כָּל שְׁאָר הַטְּמֵאִים צְרִיכִין לְהוֹדִיעַ אֶת עַצְמָן.
To prepare the red heifer so that its ashes will be ready, as [Numbers 19:9] states: "And it will be a keepsake for the congregation of Israel."
קיגלַעֲשׂוֹת פָּרָה אֲדֻמָּה לִהְיוֹת אֶפְרָהּ מוּכָן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְהָיְתָה לַעֲדַת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל" (במדבר יט, ט).
For a person who makes an endowment valuation to give the specific amount of money stated in the [Torah] portion, as [Leviticus 27:2] states: "When a person expresses a vow...."
קידלִהְיוֹת מַעֲרִיךְ אָדָם נוֹתֵן דָּמִים הַקְּצוּבִין בַּפָּרָשָׁה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "אִישׁ כִּי יַפְלִיא נֶדֶר" (ויקרא כז, ב).
For a person who makes an endowment valuation concerning a non-kosher animal to give [the required amount of] money, as [Leviticus 27:11] states: "And he shall cause the animal to stand...."
קטולִהְיוֹת מַעֲרִיךְ בְּהֵמָה טְמֵאָה נוֹתֵן דָּמֶיהָ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְהֶעֱמִיד אֶת הַבְּהֵמָה" (ויקרא כז, יא).
For a person who makes an endowment valuation concerning his home to give the value determined by the priest, as [Leviticus 27:14] states: "And the priest shall determine its value."
קטזלִהְיוֹת מַעֲרִיךְ בֵּיתוֹ נוֹתֵן כְּעֵרֶךְ הַכֹּהֵן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְאִישׁ כִּי יַקְדִּישׁ" (ויקרא כז, יד).
For a person who consecrates his field to give the fixed amount determined by the [Torah], as [Leviticus 27:16] states: "And the value you attach to it shall be according to the amount of seed."
קיזלִהְיוֹת מַקְדִּישׁ שָׂדֵהוּ נוֹתֵן בְּעֵרֶךְ הַקָּצוּב בַּפָּרָשָׁה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְהָיָה עֶרְכְּךָ כְּפִי זַרְעוֹ" (ראה ויקרא כז, טז).
For a person who unintentionally makes use of a sacred object to make restitution for what he misused [when] sinning against God, and for him to add one fifth of its value, as [Leviticus 5:17] states: "For that which he sinned, [using something] sacred, he shall pay...."
קיחלְשַׁלֵּם הַשּׁוֹגֵג בִּמְעִילָה מה שֶׁמָּעַל לַה' וּלְהוֹסִיף חֹמֶשׁ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְאֵת אֲשֶׁר חָטָא מִן הַקֹּדֶשׁ יְשַׁלֵּם" (ויקרא ה, טז).
For the produce of the fourth year to be sacred, as [Leviticus 19:24] states: "Its produce shall be sacred, [an object of] praise to God...."
קיטלִהְיוֹת נֶטַע רְבָעִי קֹדֶשׁ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "יִהְיֶה כָּל פִּרְיוֹ קֹדֶשׁ הִלּוּלִים" (ויקרא יט, כד).
To leave the individual fallen grapes. With regard to all these [five mitzvot], [Leviticus 19:10] states: "Leave them for the poor and the stranger." This [verse states] the positive commandment for all these.3
קכדלְהַנִּיחַ פֶּרֶט הַכֶּרֶם.. לְפִי שֶׁבְּכָל אֵלּוּ נֶאֱמַר "לֶעָנִי וְלַגֵּר תַּעֲזֹב אֹתָם" (ויקרא יט, י; ויקרא כג, כב); וְזוֹ הִיא מִצְוַת עֲשֵׂה שֶׁלָּהֶם.
To bring the first fruits to God's chosen house, [the Temple,], as [Exodus 23:19] states: "The first fruits of your land...."
קכהלְהָבִיא בִּכּוּרִים לְבֵית הַבְּחִירָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "רֵאשִׁית בִּכּוּרֵי אַדְמָתְךָ" (שמות כג, יט; שמות לד, כו).
To separate the greater terumah [and give it] to the priest, as [Deuteronomy 18:4] states: "Give him the first of your grain."
קכולְהַפְרִישׁ תְּרוּמָה גְּדוֹלָה לַכֹּהֵן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "רֵאשִׁית דְּגָנְךָ . . . תִּתֶּן לוֹ" (דברים יח, ד).
To separate a tithe of grain [and give it] to the Levites, as [Leviticus 27:30] states: "All the land's tithes...."
קכזלְהַפְרִישׁ מַעֲשֵׂר דָּגָן לַלְּוִיִּים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "כָּל מַעְשַׂר הָאָרֶץ . . ." (ויקרא כז, ל).
To separate the second tithe so that it can be eaten by its owners in Jerusalem, as [Deuteronomy 14:22] states: "You shall surely tithe...." According to the oral tradition, we learn that this refers to the second tithe.
קכחלְהַפְרִישׁ מַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי לְהֵאָכֵל לִבְעָלָיו בִּירוּשָׁלַיִם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "עַשֵּׂר תְּעַשֵּׂר" (דברים יד, כב); מִפִּי הַשְּׁמוּעָה לָמְדוּ שֶׁזֶּה הוּא מַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי.
For the Levites to separate a tenth from the tenth which they took from the Israelites and give it to the priests, as [Numbers 18:26] states: "Speak to the Levites:...."
קכטלִהְיוֹת הַלְּוִיִּים מַפְרִישִׁין מַעֲשֵׂר מִן הַמַּעֲשֵׂר שֶׁלָּקְחוּ מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל וְנוֹתְנִין אוֹתוֹ לַכֹּהֲנִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְאֶל הַלְּוִיִּים תְּדַבֵּר" (במדבר יח, כו).
To separate the tithe for the poor instead of the second tithe in the third and sixth years of the seven-year [agricultural cycle], as [Deuteronomy 14:28] states: "At the end of three years, remove a tithe of all your crops...."
קללְהַפְרִישׁ מַעֲשֵׂר עָנִי תַּחַת מַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי בַּשְּׁלִישִׁית וּבַשִּׁשִּׁית בַּשָּׁבוּעַ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "מִקְּצֵה שָׁלוֹשׁ שָׁנִים תּוֹצִיא אֶת כָּל מַעְשַׂר תְּבוּאָתְךָ" (דברים יד, כח).
To give thanks, [reciting] the declaration concerning the tithes, as [Deuteronomy 26:13] states: "And you shall declare before God, your Lord, `I have removed the sacred [foods]...."'
קלאלְהִתְוַדּוֹת וִדּוּי מַעֲשֵׂר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְאָמַרְתָּ לִפְנֵי ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ בִּעַרְתִּי הַקֹּדֶשׁ" (דברים כו, יג).
To read the statement [acknowledging thanks] for the first fruits, as [Deuteronomy 26:5] states: "And you shall respond and say before God, your Lord:...."
קלבלִקְרוֹת עַל הַבִּכּוּרִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְעָנִיתָ וְאָמַרְתָּ לִפְנֵי ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ" (דברים כו, ה).
To separate challah [and give it] to the priest, as [Numbers 15:20] states: "The first of your dough, the challah, you shall separate as an offering...."
קלגלְהַפְרִישׁ חַלָּה לַכֹּהֵן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "רֵאשִׁית עֲרִיסוֹתֵיכֶם חַלָּה תָּרִימוּ תְרוּמָה" (בְּמִדְבַּר טו, כ).
To let the land lie fallow [in the seventh year], as [Exodus 23:11] states: "In the seventh year, you shall let it lie fallow and withdraw from it."
קלדלְהַשְׁמִיט קַרְקַע, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְהַשְּׁבִיעִית תִּשְׁמְטֶנָּה וּנְטַשְׁתָּהּ" (שמות כג, יא).
To refrain from agricultural work [in the seventh year], as [Exodus 34:21] states: "From plowing and harvesting, you shall rest."
קלהלִשְׁבּוֹת מֵעֲבוֹדַת הָאָרֶץ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "בֶּחָרִישׁ וּבַקָּצִיר תִּשְׁבֹּת" (שמות לד, כא).
To sanctify the Jubilee year by refraining [from agricultural work], as is done in the shemitah, as [Leviticus 25:10] states: "And you shall sanctify the fiftieth year...."
קלולְקַדֵּשׁ שְׁנַת יוֹבֵל בִּשְׁבִיתָה כַּשְּׁמִטָּה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְקִדַּשְׁתֶּם אֵת שְׁנַת הַחֲמִשִּׁים" (ויקרא כה, י).
To sound the shofar in the Jubilee year, as [Leviticus 25:9] states: "And you shall sound the shofar blasts."
קלזלִתְקֹעַ בַּשּׁוֹפָר בִּשְׁנַת הַיּוֹבֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְהַעֲבַרְתָּ שׁוֹפַר תְּרוּעָה" (ויקרא כה, ט).
To free all land in the Jubilee year, as [Leviticus 25:24] states: "For all your ancestral lands, there will be redemption for the land."
קלחלִתֵּן גְּאֻלָּה לָאָרֶץ בִּשְׁנַת הַיּוֹבֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּבְכֹל אֶרֶץ אֲחֻזַּתְכֶם גְּאֻלָּה תִּתְּנוּ לָאָרֶץ" (ויקרא כה, כד).
To allow houses in a walled city to be redeemed within a year, as [Leviticus 25:29] states: "If a person shall sell a residential house in a walled city...."
קלטלִהְיוֹת גְּאֻלָּה בְּבָתֵּי עָרֵי חוֹמָה עַד שָׁנָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְאִישׁ כִּי יִמְכֹּר בֵּית מוֹשַׁב" (ויקרא כה, כט).
To count the years of the Jubilee year and the shemitah years within it, as [Leviticus 25:8] states: "And you shall count seven shemitah years."
קמלִמְנוֹת שְׁנֵי יוֹבֵל שָׁנִים וּשְׁמִטִּים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְסָפַרְתָּ לְךָ שֶׁבַע . . ." (ויקרא כה, ח).
To remit all financial [obligations] in the seventh year, as [Deuteronomy 15:2] states: "Every creditor must remit...."
קמאלְהַשְׁמִיט כְּסָפִים בַּשְּׁבִיעִית, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "שָׁמוֹט כָּל בַּעַל מַשֵּׁה יָדוֹ" (דברים טו, ב).
To seek to collect [a debt] from a gentile [in the seventh year], as [Deuteronomy 15:3] states: "Seek to collect [a debt] from a gentile. However, what your brother owes you must remit...."
קמבלִנְגֹּשׂ לְנָכְרִי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "אֶת הַנָּכְרִי תִּגֹּשׂ; וַאֲשֶׁר יִהְיֶה לְךָ" (דברים טו, ג).
To give a priest the shankbone, the jaw, and the maw from an animal [which is slaughtered], as [Deuteronomy 18:3] states: "And you shall give the priest the shankbone...."
קמגלִתֵּן מִן הַבְּהֵמָה לַכֹּהֵן הַזְּרוֹעַ וְהַלְּחָיַיִם וְהַקֵּבָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְנָתַן לַכֹּהֵן הַזְּרוֹעַ" (דברים יח, ג).
To give the first portion of the fleece to a priest, as [Deuteronomy 18:4] states: "Give him the first portion of the shearing of your sheep."
קמדלִתֵּן רֵאשִׁית הַגֵּז לַכֹּהֵן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְרֵאשִׁית גֵּז צֹאנְךָ תִּתֶּן לוֹ" (דברים יח, ד).
To render judgment with regard to property which is dedicated, whether dedicated to God or dedicated to the priests, as [Leviticus 27:28] states: "However, any dedication that will be made...."
קמהלָדוּן בְּדִינֵי חֲרָמִים, מֵהֶם לַה' וּמֵהֶם לַכֹּהֵן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "אַךְ כָּל חֵרֶם אֲשֶׁר יַחֲרִם" (ויקרא כז, כח).
To slaughter an animal, beast, or fowl and afterwards to eat their meat, as [Deuteronomy 12:21] states: "And you shall slaughter your cattle and your sheep."b
קמולִשְׁחֹט בְּהֵמָה חַיָּה וָעוֹף וְאַחַר כָּךְ יֹאכַל בְּשָׂרָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְזָבַחְתָּ מִבְּקָרְךָ וּמִצֹּאנְךָ" (דברים יב, כא).
To cover the blood of beasts and fowl [which are slaughtered], as [Leviticus 17:13] states: "And you shall pour out its blood and cover it with dust."
קמזלְכַסּוֹת דַּם חַיָּה וָעוֹף, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְשָׁפַךְ אֶת דָּמוֹ וְכִסָּהוּ בֶּעָפָר" (ויקרא יז, יג).
To send away the mother bird from the nest [when taking the young], as [Deuteronomy 22:7] states: "You shall surely send away the mother."
קמחלִשְׁלֹחַ הַקֵּן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "שַׁלֵּחַ תְּשַׁלַּח אֶת הָאֵם וְאֶת הַבָּנִים תִּקַּח לָךְ" (דברים כב, ז).
To check the signs [with which] animals [are identified], as kosher, as [Leviticus 11:2] states: "These are the animals which you may eat...."
קמטלִבְדֹּק בְּסִימָנֵי בְּהֵמָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "זֹאת הַחַיָּה אֲשֶׁר תֹּאכְלוּ" (ויקרא יא, ב).
To check the signs of fowl in order to differentiate between one which is kosher and one which is not kosher, as [Deuteronomy 14:11] states: "All birds which...."
קנלִבְדֹּק בְּסִימָנֵי הָעוֹף עַד שֶׁיַּבְדִּיל בֵּין טָמֵא לְטָהוֹר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "כָּל צִפּוֹר טְהוֹרָה תֹּאכֵלוּ" (דברים יד, יא).
To check the signs of grasshoppers in order to know which is kosher and which is not kosher, as [Leviticus 11:21] states: "Those which possess jointed [leg like] extensions...."
קנאלִבְדֹּק בְּסִימָנֵי חֲגָבִים לֵידַע טָהוֹר מִן הַטָּמֵא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "אֲשֶׁר לוֹ כְרָעַיִם" (ויקרא יא, כא).
To check the signs [with which] fish [are identified as kosher], as [Leviticus 11:9] states: "These are the animals which you may eat from all that is found in water...."
קנבלִבְדֹּק בְּסִימָנֵי דָּגִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "אֶת זֶה תֹּאכְלוּ מִכֹּל אֲשֶׁר בַּמָּיִם" (ויקרא יא,ט; דברים יד, ט).
To sanctify the months and to calculate the years and months. [This mitzvah is incumbent on] the court alone, as [Exodus 12:2] states: "This month will be for you the first of the months."
קנגלְקַדֵּשׁ חֳדָשִׁים וְלַחֲשֹׁב שָׁנִים וְחֳדָשִׁים בְּבֵית דִּין בִּלְבַד, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "הַחֹדֶשׁ הַזֶּה לָכֶם רֹאשׁ חֳדָשִׁים" (שמות יב, ב).
To rest on the Sabbath, as [Exodus 23:12] states: "Rest on the seventh day...."
קנדלִשְׁבּוֹת בְּשַׁבָּת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּבַיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי תִּשְׁבֹּת" (שמות כג,יב; שמות לד, כא).
To sanctify the Sabbath, as [Exodus 20:8] states: "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy."
קנהלְקַדֵּשׁ שַׁבָּת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "זָכוֹר אֶת יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת לְקַדְּשׁוֹ" (שמות כ, ז).
To destroy chametz [before Pesach], as [Exodus 12:15] states: "On the day before [the holiday], obliterate chametz from your homes."
קנולְבַעֵר חָמֵץ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "בַּיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן תַּשְׁבִּיתוּ שְׂאוֹר מִבָּתֵּיכֶם" (שמות יב, טו).
To relate the narrative of the exodus of Egypt on the first night of the Feast of Matzot, as [Exodus 13:8] states: "And you shall tell your son on that day,...."
קנזלְסַפֵּר בִּיצִיאַת מִצְרַיִם בַּלַּיְלָה הָרִאשׁוֹן שֶׁל חַג הַמַּצּוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְהִגַּדְתָּ לְבִנְךָ" (שמות יג, ח).
To eat matzah on this night, as [Exodus 12:18] states: "In the evening, you shall eat matzot."
קנחלֶאֱכֹל מַצָּה בְּלֵיל זֶה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "בָּעֶרֶב תֹּאכְלוּ מַצּוֹת" (שמות יב, יח).
To rest on the first day of Pesach, as [Exodus 12:16] states: "And on the first day, it shall be a sacred holiday."
קנטלִשְׁבּוֹת בָּרִאשׁוֹן שֶׁל פֶּסַח, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּבַיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ" (שמות יב, טז).
To rest on the seventh day [of the festival], as [Exodus 12:16] states: "On the seventh day, there will be a sacred holiday."
קסלִשְׁבּוֹת בַּשְּׁבִיעִי בּוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּבַיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ" (שמות יב, טז; במדבר כח, כה).
To count 49 days from the harvesting of the omer, as [Leviticus 23:15] states: "And you shall count from the day following the day of rest...."
קסאלִסְפֹּר מִקְּצִירַת הָעֹמֶר תִּשְׁעָה וְאַרְבָּעִים יוֹם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּסְפַרְתֶּם לָכֶם מִמָּחֳרַת הַשַּׁבָּת" (ויקרא כג, טו).
To rest on the fiftieth day [after Pesach], as [Leviticus 23:21] states: "And you shall proclaim a sacred holiday on that selfsame day."
קסבלִשְׁבּוֹת בְּיוֹם חֲמִשִּׁים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּקְרָאתֶם בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ" (ויקרא כג, כא).
To rest on the first day of the seventh month, as [Leviticus 23:24] states: "On the first day of [this] month, you shall have a day of rest."
קסגלִשְׁבּוֹת בָּרִאשׁוֹן שֶׁל חֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "בְּאֶחָד לַחֹדֶשׁ יִהְיֶה לָכֶם שַׁבָּתוֹן" (ויקרא כג, כד).
To fast on the tenth [of this month, Yom Kippur,] as [Leviticus 16:29] states: "On the tenth of the month, you shall afflict your souls."
קסדלְהִתְעַנּוֹת בָּעֲשִׂירִי בּוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּבֶעָשׂוֹר לַחֹדֶשׁ תְּעַנּוּ אֶת נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם" (ראה ויקרא טז, כט; במדבר כט, ז).
To rest on [this] fast day, as [Leviticus 16:31] states: "It shall be a Sabbath of Sabbaths...."
קסהלִשְׁבּוֹת בְּיוֹם הַצּוֹם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "שַׁבַּת שַׁבָּתוֹן" (ויקרא טז,לֹא; ויקרא כג, לב).
To rest on the first day of the festival of Sukkot, as [Leviticus 23:35] states: "On the first day, there shall be a sacred holiday."
קסולִשְׁבּוֹת בָּרִאשׁוֹן שֶׁל חַג הַסֻּכּוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "בַּיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ" (ויקרא כג, לה).
Positive Commandments: Part 3
To rest on the eighth day of the festival of Sukkot, as [Leviticus 23:36] states: "On the eighth day, there shall be a sacred holiday."
קסזלִשְׁבּוֹת בַּשְּׁמִינִי שֶׁל חַג, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּבַיּוֹם הַשְּׁמִינִי מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ" (ראה ויקרא כג, לו).
To dwell in a sukkah for seven days, as [Leviticus 23:42] states: "And you shall dwell in sukkot for seven days."
קסחלֵישֵׁב בַּסֻּכָּה שִׁבְעַת יָמִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "בַּסֻּכּוֹת תֵּשְׁבוּ שִׁבְעַת יָמִים" (ויקרא כג, מב).
To take the lulav [and the other three species on Sukkot], as [Leviticus 23:40] states: "And you shall take for yourselves on the first day, the fruit of a beautiful tree, a palm branch,...."
קסטלִטֹּל לוּלָב, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּלְקַחְתֶּם לָכֶם בַּיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן פְּרִי עֵץ הָדָר כַּפֹּת תְּמָרִים" (ויקרא כג, מ).
To hear the sound of the shofar on Rosh HaShanah, as [Numbers 29:1] states: "It will be a day of [shofar] blasts for you."
קעלִשְׁמֹעַ קוֹל שׁוֹפָר בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "יוֹם תְּרוּעָה יִהְיֶה לָכֶם" (במדבר כט, א).
To give a half-shekel each year, as [Exodus 30:13] states: "This shall be given by all those included in the census...."
קעאלִתֵּן מַחֲצִית הַשֶּׁקֶל בְּכָל שָׁנָה וְשָׁנָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "זֶה יִתְּנוּ כָּל הָעֹבֵר עַל הַפְּקֻדִים" (שמות ל, יג).
To listen to any prophet who will arise in any era, provided he does not add or detract [from the Torah's commandments], as [Deuteronomy 18:15] states: "You shall listen to him."
קעבלִשְׁמֹעַ מִכָּל נָבִיא שֶׁיִּהְיֶה בְּכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר אִם לֹא יוֹסִיף וְלֹא יִגְרַע, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "אֵלָיו תִּשְׁמָעוּן" (דברים יח, טו).
To appoint a king, as [Deuteronomy 17:15] states: "You shall surely set a king upon yourselves."
קעגלְמַנּוֹת מֶלֶךְ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "שׂוֹם תָּשִׂים עָלֶיךָ מֶלֶךְ" (דברים יז, טו).
To obey the High Court regarding all [the ordinances] they establish for Israel, as [Deuteronomy 17:11] states: "Carry out the judgment which they render for you."
קעדלִשְׁמֹעַ מִכָּל בֵּית דִּין הַגָּדוֹל שֶׁיַּעַמְדוּ לָהֶם לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְעַל הַמִּשְׁפָּט אֲשֶׁר יֹאמְרוּ לְךָ תַּעֲשֶׂה" (דברים יז, יא).
To follow the majority if there is a difference of opinion in the Sanhedrin concerning a law, as [Exodus 23:2] states: "Follow after the majority."
קעהלִנְטוֹת אַחֲרֵי רַבִּים אִם תִּהְיֶה מַחֲלֹקֶת בֵּין הַסַּנְהֶדְרִין בַּדִּינִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "אַחֲרֵי רַבִּים לְהַטּוֹת" (שמות כג, ב).
To appoint judges and court officers in each and every Jewish community, as [Deuteronomy 16:18] states: "Appoint judges and court officers...."
קעולְמַנּוֹת שׁוֹפְטִים וְשׁוֹטְרִים בְּכָל קָהָל וְקָהָל מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "שׁוֹפְטִים וְשׁוֹטְרִים תִּתֶּן לְךָ" (דברים טז, יח).
To treat litigants equally when they appear [in court] to be judged, as [Leviticus 19:15] states: "Judge your fellow man with righteousness."
קעזלְהַשְׁווֹת בֵּין בַּעֲלֵי דִּינִין בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁעוֹמְדִין בַּדִּין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "בְּצֶדֶק תִּשְׁפֹּט עֲמִיתֶךָ" (ויקרא יט, טו).
For anyone who has evidence to testify in court, as [Leviticus 5:1] states: "If he was a witness, saw, or knew...."
קעחלְהָעִיד בְּבֵית דִּין לְמִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ עֵדוּת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְהוּא עֵד אוֹ רָאָה אוֹ יָדָע" (ויקרא ה, א).
To cross-examine the witnesses thoroughly, as [Deuteronomy 13:15] states: "You must investigate and probe, making careful enquiry."
קעטלַחֲקֹר הָעֵדִים הַרְבֵּה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְדָרַשְׁתָּ וְחָקַרְתָּ וְשָׁאַלְתָּ הֵיטֵב" (דברים יג, טו).
To [punish] false witnesses [by] giving them the same penalty that they wish to have imposed [on the defendant], as [Deuteronomy 19:19] states: "And you shall do to him what he plotted to do to his brother."
קפלַעֲשׂוֹת לְעֵדִים זוֹמְמִין כְּמוֹ שֶׁזָמוּ לַעֲשׂוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וַעֲשִׂיתֶם לוֹ כַּאֲשֶׁר זָמַם" (דברים יט, יט).
To decapitate the calf [brought as atonement for an unsolved murder] as required, as [Deuteronomy 21:4] states: "You shall decapitate the calf there in the river."
קפאלַעֲרֹף אֶת הָעֶגְלָה כְּמִצְוָתָהּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְעָרְפוּ שָׁם אֶת הָעֶגְלָה בַּנָּחַל" (דברים כא, ד).
To prepare six refuge cities, as [Deuteronomy 19:3] states: "Prepare the way and divide into three [the boundary]...."
קפבלְהָכִין שֵׁשׁ עָרֵי מִקְלָט, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "תָּכִין לְךָ הַדֶּרֶךְ וְשִׁלַּשְׁתָּ" (דברים יט, ג).
To give the Levites cities in which to dwell - they also serve as refuge centers - as [Numbers 35:2] states: "And you shall give cities to the Levites...."
קפגלָתֵת לַלְּוִיִּים עָרִים לָשֶׁבֶת, וְגַם הֵן קוֹלְטוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְנָתְנוּ לַלְּוִיִּים . . . עָרִים" (במדבר לה, ב).
To construct a guard rail, as [Deuteronomy 22:8] states: "And you shall construct a guard rail for your roof."
קפדלַעֲשׂוֹת מַעֲקֶה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְעָשִׂיתָ מַעֲקֶה לְגַגֶךָ" (דברים כב, ח).
To destroy false gods and all their objects of worship, as [Deuteronomy 12:2] states: "You shall surely destroy...."
קפהלְאַבֵּד עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וְכָל מְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "אַבֵּד תְּאַבְּדוּן אֶת כָּל הַמְּקֹמוֹת" (דברים יב, ב).
To slay the inhabitants of an apostate city and burn the city, as [Deuteronomy 13:17] states: "And you shall burn the city and all its spoil with fire."
קפולַהֲרֹג אַנְשֵׁי עִיר הַנִּדַּחַת וְלִשְׂרֹף אֶת הָעִיר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְשָׂרַפְתָּ בָאֵשׁ אֶת . . . כָּל שְׁלָלָהּ" (דברים יג, יז).
To destroy the seven nations [that dwelled in] Eretz Yisrael, as [Deuteronomy 20:17] states: "You shall utterly destroy them."
קפזלְאַבֵּד שִׁבְעָה עֲמָמִים מֵאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "הַחֲרֵם תַּחֲרִימֵם" (דברים כ, יז).
To exterminate the seed of Amalek, as [Deuteronomy 25:19] states: "Blot out the memory of Amalek."
קפחלְהַכְרִית זַרְעוֹ שֶׁל עֲמָלֵק, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "תִּמְחֶה אֶת זֶכֶר עֲמָלֵק" (דברים כה, יט).
To constantly remember what Amalek did to us, as [Deuteronomy 25:17] states: "Remember what Amalek did to you."
קפטלִזְכֹּר מַה שֶׁעָשָׂה לָנוּ עֲמָלֵק תָּדִיר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "זָכוֹר אֵת אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה לְךָ עֲמָלֵק" (דברים כה, יז).
To wage a voluntary war according to the laws prescribed by the Torah, as [Deuteronomy 20:10] states: "When you approach the city...."
קצלַעֲשׂוֹת בְּמִלְחֶמֶת הָרְשׁוּת כַּמִּשְׁפָּט הַכָּתוּב בַּתּוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "כִּי תִקְרַב אֶל עִיר" (דברים כ, י).
To anoint a priest [who will address the people before] battle, as [Deuteronomy 20:2] states: "And it shall come to pass, when you approach the battle, the priest will come forward and speak to the people...."
קצאלִמְשֹׁחַ כֹּהֵן לְמִלְחָמָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְהָיָה כְּקָרָבְכֶם אֶל הַמִּלְחָמָה; וְנִגַּשׁ הַכֹּהֵן" (דברים כ, ב).
To prepare a place [outside] the [army] camp [for use as a latrine], as [Deuteronomy 23:13] states: "Prepare a place for yourselves outside the camp."
קצבלְהַתְקִין יָד בַּמַּחֲנֶה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְיָד תִּהְיֶה לְךָ מִחוּץ לַמַּחֲנֶה" (דברים כג, יג).
To prepare a shovel [to cover one's excrement], as [Deuteronomy 23:14] states: "You shall have a shovel in addition to your weapons."
קצגלְהַתְקִין יָתֵד, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְיָתֵד תִּהְיֶה לְךָ עַל אֲזֵנֶךָ" (דברים כג, יד).
To return a stolen object, as [Leviticus 5:23] states: "And he shall return the object which he stole."
קצדלְהָשִׁיב אֶת הַגֶּזֶל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְהֵשִׁיב אֶת הַגְּזֵלָה אֲשֶׁר גָּזָל" (ויקרא ה, כג).
To give charity, as [Deuteronomy 15:8] states: "You shall surely open your hand [to your poor brother]."
קצהלִתֵּן צְדָקָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "פָּתֹחַ תִּפְתַּח אֶת יָדְךָ" (דברים טו, ח; דברים טו, יא).
To give a severance gift to a Hebrew servant, as [Deuteronomy 15:14] states: "You shall surely give him gifts...." Similarly, [this gift is given] to a Hebrew maidservant.
קצולְהַעֲנִיק לְעֶבֶד עִבְרִי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "הַעֲנֵק תַּעֲנִיק לוֹ" (דברים טו, יד); וְכֵן אָמָה עִבְרִיָּה.
To lend to the poor, as [Exodus 22:24] states: "If you will lend money to my people...." In this instance, the word "if" does not refer to a matter left to one's volition, but to a commandment, as [Deuteronomy 15:8] states: "You shall surely lend him."
קצזלְהַלְווֹת לְעָנִי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "אִם כֶּסֶף תַּלְוֶה אֶת עַמִּי" (שמות כב, כד); "אִם" זֶה אֵינוֹ רְשׁוּת אֶלָּא מִצְוָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְהַעֲבֵט תַּעֲבִיטֶנּוּ" (דברים טו, ח).
To lend to a gentile at interest, as [Deuteronomy 23:21] states: "Take interest from a gentile." Based on the oral tradition, we have learned that this is a positive commandment.b
קצחלְהַלְווֹת לְנָכְרִי (נ"א לעובד כוכבים) בְּרִבִּית, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "לַנָּכְרִי תַשִּׁיךְ" (דברים כג, כא); מִפִּי הַשְּׁמוּעָה לָמְדוּ שֶׁזּוֹ מִצְוַת עֲשֵׂה.
To return security to its owner, as [Deuteronomy 24:13] states: "You shall surely return the security to him."
קצטלְהָשִׁיב הַמַּשְׁכּוֹן לִבְעָלָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "הָשֵׁב תָּשִׁיב לוֹ אֶת הָעֲבוֹט" (דברים כד, יג).
To pay a worker his wage on time, as [Deuteronomy 24:15] states: "Pay him his wage on the day it is due."
רלִתֵּן שְׂכַר שָׂכִיר בִּזְמַנּוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "בְּיוֹמוֹ תִתֵּן שְׂכָרוֹ" (דברים כד, טו).
For a hired worker to be allowed to eat [from produce] while he is working with it, as [Deuteronomy 23:25-26] states: "When you enter your neighbor's vineyard... When you enter your neighbor's standing grain...."
ראלִהְיוֹת הַשָּׂכִיר אוֹכֵל בִּזְמַן שְׂכִירוּתוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "כִּי תָבֹא בְּכֶרֶם רֵעֶךָ" (דברים כג,כה), "כִּי תָבֹא בְּקָמַת רֵעֶךָ" (דברים כג, כו).
To assist a colleague in unloading a burden which he or his beast [is carrying], as [Exodus 23:5] states: "You shall surely help him."b
רבלַעֲזֹב מֵעַל חֲבֵרוֹ אוֹ מֵעַל בְּהֶמְתּוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "עָזוֹב תַּעֲזֹב עִמּוֹ" (שמות כג, ה).
To [help a colleague] load a burden unto a beast, as [Deuteronomy 22:4] states: " You shall lift it up with him."
רגלְהָקִים הַמַּשָּׂא עַל הַבְּהֵמָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "הָקֵם תָּקִים עִמּוֹ" (דברים כב, ד).
To return a lost object, as [Deuteronomy 22:1] states: "You shall surely return them to your brother."
רדלְהָשִׁיב הָאֲבֵדָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "הָשֵׁב תְּשִׁיבֵם לְאָחִיךָ" (דברים כב, א).
To rebuke a person who sins, as [Leviticus 19:17] states: "You shall surely rebuke your fellow men."
רהלְהוֹכִיחַ הַחוֹטֵא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "הוֹכֵחַ תּוֹכִיחַ אֶת עֲמִיתֶךָ" (ויקרא יט, יז).
To love every member of our people, as [Leviticus 19:18] states: "And you shall love your neighbor as yourself."
רולֶאֱהֹב כָּל בְּנֵי אָדָם מִבְּנֵי בְרִית, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְאָהַבְתָּ לְרֵעֲךָ כָּמוֹךָ" (ויקרא יט, יח).
To love a convert, as [Deuteronomy 10:19] states: "And you shall love a convert."
רזלֶאֱהֹב אֶת הַגֵּר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וַאֲהַבְתֶּם אֶת הַגֵּר" (דברים י, יט).
To balance scales with correct weights, as [Leviticus 19:36] states: "You shall have correct scales, with correct weights."
רחלְצַדֵּק מֹאזְנַיִם עִם הַמִּשְׁקָלוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "מֹאזְנֵי צֶדֶק אַבְנֵי צֶדֶק" (ויקרא יט, לו).
To honor the Sages, as [Leviticus 19:32] states: "Rise before an elder."
רטלְכַבֵּד הַחֲכָמִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "מִפְּנֵי שֵׂיבָה תָּקוּם" (ויקרא יט, לב).
To honor one's father and mother, as [Exodus 20:12] states: "Honor your father and mother."
רילְכַבֵּד אָב וָאֵם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "כַּבֵּד אֶת אָבִיךָ וְאֶת אִמֶּךָ" (שמות כ,יא; דברים ה, טו).
To fear one's father and mother, as [Leviticus 19:3] states: "A person must fear his mother and his father."
ריאלְיִרְאָה מֵאָב וָאֵם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "אִישׁ אִמּוֹ וְאָבִיו תִּירָאוּ" (ויקרא יט, ג).
To be fruitful and multiply, as [Genesis 9:7] states: "Be fruitful and multiply."
ריבלִפְרוֹת וְלִרְבּוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "פְּרוּ וּרְבוּ" (בראשית ט, ז).
To have sexual relations [only within] marriage, as [Deuteronomy 24:1] states: "If a man takes a woman [as a wife]...."
ריגלִבְעֹל בְּקִדּוּשִׁין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "כִּי יִקַּח אִישׁ אִשָּׁה; וּבָא אֵלֶיהָ" (דברים כב, יג; וראה דברים כד, א).
For a groom to rejoice together with his wife for a year, as [Deuteronomy 24:5] states: "He shall be free for his home for one year."
רידלְשַׂמֵּחַ חָתָן אֶת אִשְׁתּוֹ שָׁנָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "נָקִי יִהְיֶה לְבֵיתוֹ שָׁנָה אֶחָת . . ." (דברים כד, ה).
To circumcise a son, as [Leviticus 12:3] states: "On the eighth day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised."1
רטולָמוּל אֶת הַבֵּן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּבַיּוֹם הַשְּׁמִינִי יִמּוֹל בְּשַׂר עָרְלָתוֹ" (ויקרא יב, ג).
To marry the widow of one's brother who died childless, as [Deuteronomy 25:5] states: "Her yavam shall come unto her."
רטזלְיַבֵּם אֵשֶׁת אָח, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "יְבָמָהּ יָבוֹא עָלֶיהָ" (דברים כה, ה).
To remove the yavam's shoe [if he does not marry his brother's widow], as [Deuteronomy 25:9] states: "And she shall remove his shoe from his foot."
ריזלַחְלֹץ לְיָבָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְחָלְצָה נַעֲלוֹ מֵעַל רַגְלוֹ" (דברים כה, ט).
For a rapist to marry the woman he raped, as [Deuteronomy 22:29] states: "She shall become his wife."
ריחלִשָּׂא אוֹנֵס אֶת אֲנוּסָתוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְלוֹ תִהְיֶה לְאִשָּׁה" (דברים כב, כט).
For a person who made defamatory remarks about his wife to remain married to her for his entire life, as [Deuteronomy 22:19] states: "She shall become his wife. He may not send her away for his entire life."
ריטלֵישֵׁב מוֹצִיא שֵׁם רַע עִם אִשְׁתּוֹ כָּל יָמָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְלוֹ תִהְיֶה לְאִשָּׁה" (דברים כב, יט).
To carry out the judgment concerning a seducer, fining him fifty shekels and carrying out the other laws regarding this matter, as [Exodus 22:15] states: "If a person will seduce...."
רכלָדוּן בַּמְּפַתֶּה בַּחֲמִשִּׁים שֶׁקֶל עִם שְׁאָר דִּינִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "כִי יְפַתֶּה אִישׁ" (שמות כב, טו).
To carry out the procedure [the Torah] prescribes for a yefat to'ar, as [Deuteronomy 21:11] states: "And if you see a beautiful woman among the captives...."
רכאלַעֲשׂוֹת לִיפַת תֹּאַר כַּכָּתוּב, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְרָאִיתָ בַּשִּׁבְיָה אֵשֶׁת יְפַת תֹּאַר" (דברים כא, יא).
To divorce with a get, as [Deuteronomy 24:1] states: "And he shall write a bill of divorce for her and place it in her hand."
רכבלְגָרֵשׁ בִּשְׁטָר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְכָתַב לָהּ סֵפֶר כְּרִיתֻת וְנָתַן בְּיָדָהּ" (דברים כד, א; דברים כד, ג).
To carry out the [procedure] prescribed for a sotah, as [Numbers 5:30] states: "And the priests will carry out all these laws for her."
רכגלַעֲשׂוֹת לְסוֹטָה כַּתּוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְעָשָׂה לָהּ הַכֹּהֵן אֵת כָּל הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת" (במדבר ה, ל).
To whip the wicked, as [Deuteronomy 25:2] states: "The judge will cast him down and beat him."
רכדלְהַלְקוֹת הָרְשָׁעִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְהִפִּילוֹ הַשּׁוֹפֵט וְהִכָּהוּ" (דברים כה, ב).
To exile a person who accidentally kills a person, as [Numbers 35:25] states: "And he shall dwell there until the High Priest dies...."
רכהלְהַגְלוֹת רוֹצֵחַ בִּשְׁגָגָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְיָשַׁב בָּהּ עַד מוֹת הַכֹּהֵן" (במדבר לה, כה).
For a court to execute by decapitation, as [Exodus 21:20] states: "Revenge shall surely be taken."
רכולִהְיוֹת בֵּית דִּין הוֹרְגִין בַּסַּיִף, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "נָקוֹם יִנָּקֵם" (שמות כא, כ).
For a court to execute by strangulation, as [Leviticus 20:10] states: "The adulterer and the adulteress shall die."
רכזלִהְיוֹת בֵּית דִּין הוֹרְגִין בְּחֶנֶק, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "מוֹת יוּמַת הַנּוֹאֵף וְהַנֹּאָפֶת" (ויקרא כ, י).
For a court to execute by burning [the condemned] with fire, as [Leviticus 20:14] states: "They shall burn him and them with fire."
רכחלִהְיוֹת בֵּית דִּין שׂוֹרְפִין בָּאֵשׁ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "בָּאֵשׁ יִשְׂרְפוּ אוֹתוֹ וְאֶתְהֶן" (ויקרא כ, יד).
For a court to execute by stoning [the condemned] with stones, as [Deuteronomy 22:24] states: "And you shall stone them."
רכטלִהְיוֹת בֵּית דִּין סוֹקְלִין בָּאֲבָנִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּסְקַלְתֶּם אוֹתָם" (דברים כב, כד).
To hang [the corpses] of those liable for hanging, as [Deuteronomy 21:22] states: "And you shall hang them on a gallows."
רללִתְלוֹת מִי שֶׁנִּתְחַיֵּב תְּלִיָּה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְתָלִיתָ אוֹתוֹ עַל עֵץ" (דברים כא, כב).
To bury [the body of] an executed person on the day of his execution, as [Deuteronomy 21:22] states: "For you shall surely bury him on that day."
רלאלִקְבֹּר הַנֶּהֱרָג בְּיוֹמוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "כִּי קָבוֹר תִּקְבְּרֶנּוּ בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא" (דברים כא, כג).
To carry out the laws concerning a Hebrew servant, as [Exodus 21:2] states: "When you purchase a Hebrew servant...."
רלבלָדוּן בְּעֶבֶד עִבְרִי כְּהִלְכוֹתָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "כִּי תִקְנֶה עֶבֶד עִבְרִי" (שמות כא, ב).
To marry a Hebrew maidservant, as [Exodus 21:8] states: "Who has designated her for himself... and she will be redeemed."
רלגלְיַעֵד אָמָה עִבְרִיָּה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "אֲשֶׁר לוֹ יְעָדָהּ" (שמות כא, ח), "וְאִם לִבְנוֹ יִיעָדֶנָּה" (שמות כא, ט).
To redeem a Hebrew maidservant, as [Exodus, ibid.] states: "And she will be redeemed."
רלדלִפְדּוֹת אָמָה עִבְרִיָּה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְהֶפְדָּהּ" (שמות כא, ח).
To have a Canaanite servant serve forever, as [Leviticus 25:46] states: "You shall have them serve you forever."
רלהלַעֲבֹד בְּעֶבֶד כְּנַעֲנִי לְעוֹלָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "לְעוֹלָם בָּהֶם תַּעֲבֹדוּ" (ויקרא כה, מו).
For a person who injures [a colleague] to pay him damages, as [Exodus 21:18] states: "If men will quarrel and one man will strike [his colleague]...."
רלולִהְיוֹת הַחוֹבֵל מְשַׁלֵּם מָמוֹן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְכִי יְרִיבוּן אֲנָשִׁים וְהִכָּה אִישׁ" (שמות כא, יח).
To judge regarding the damages caused by an ox, as [Exodus 21:35] states: "If an ox belonging to one person gores an ox belonging to a colleague...."
רלזלָדוּן בְּנִזְקֵי בְּהֵמָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְכִי יִגֹּף שׁוֹר אִישׁ אֶת שׁוֹר רֵעֵהוּ" (שמות כא, לה).
To judge regarding the damages caused by a pit, as [Exodus 21:33] states: If a person will open a pit...."
רלחלָדוּן בְּנִזְקֵי הַבּוֹר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "כִי יִפְתַּח אִישׁ בּוֹר" (שמות כא, לג).
To judge a thief, obligating him for payment or execution, as [Exodus 21:37] states: "Should a theft be perpetrated," as [Exodus 22:1] states: "If when breaking in," and, as [Exodus 21:16] states: "If one kidnaps a person and sells him,…. "2
רלטלָדוּן לְגַנָּב בְּתַשְׁלוּמִין אוֹ בְּמִיתָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְכִי יִגְנֹב" (ראה שמות כא, לז), "אִם בַּמַּחְתֶּרֶת" (שמות כב, א), "וְגוֹנֵב אִישׁ וּמְכָרוֹ" (שמות כא, טז).
To judge regarding the damages caused by grazing, as [Exodus 22:4] states: "If a person will graze [his animals] in a field or vineyard...."
רמלָדוּן בְּנִזְקֵי הֶבְעֵר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "כִּי יַבְעֶר אִישׁ שָׂדֶה אוֹ כֶרֶם" (שמות כב, ד).
To judge regarding the damages caused by fire, as [Exodus 22:5] states: "If fire will break out and catch in thorns...."
רמאלָדוּן בְּנִזְקֵי הָאֵשׁ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "כִּי תֵצֵא אֵשׁ וּמָצְאָה קֹצִים" (שמות כב, ה).
To render judgment [in questions] regarding an unpaid watchman, as [Exodus 22:6] states: "If a person will give a colleague money or utensils [to watch]...."
רמבלָדוּן בְּדִין שׁוֹמֵר חִנָּם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "כִּי יִתֵּן אִישׁ אֶל רֵעֵהוּ כֶּסֶף אוֹ כֵלִים" (שמות כב, ו).
To render judgment [in questions] regarding a paid watchman, as [Exodus 22:9] states: "Should a person give a donkey or an ox...."
רמגלָדוּן בְּדִין נוֹשֵׂא שָׂכָר וְשׂוֹכֵר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "כִּי יִתֵּן אִישׁ אֶל רֵעֵהוּ חֲמוֹר אוֹ שׁוֹר" (שמות כב, ט).
To render judgment [in questions] regarding a borrower, as [Exodus 22:13] states: "If a person will borrow from a colleague...."
רמדלָדוּן בְּדִין הַשּׁוֹאֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְכִי יִשְׁאַל אִישׁ מֵעִם רֵעֵהוּ" (שמות כב, יג).
To render judgment [in questions] regarding business transactions, as [Leviticus 22:14] states: "If you sell merchandise to your colleague...."
רמהלָדוּן בְּדִין מֶקָּח וּמִמְכָּר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְכִי תִמְכְּרוּ מִמְכָּר לַעֲמִיתֶךָ" (ויקרא כה, יד).
To render judgment [in questions] regarding claims made by one person against another, as [Exodus 22:8] states: "For every matter of trespass, concerning an ox, concerning a donkey, or concerning a sheep...."
רמולָדוּן בְּדִין טוֹעֵן וְכוֹפֵר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "עַל כָּל דְּבַר פֶּשַׁע" (שמות כב, ח).
To save a person who is being pursued even if it is necessary to kill the pursuer, as [Deuteronomy 25:12] states: "And you shall cut off her hand...."
רמזלְהַצִּיל הַנִּרְדָּף וַאֲפִלּוּ בְּנֶפֶשׁ הָרוֹדֵף, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְקַצֹּתָה אֶת כַּפָּהּ" (דברים כה, יב).
To render judgment [in questions] regarding inheritances as [Numbers 27:8] states: "If a person dies without having a son...."
רמחלָדוּן בְּדִינֵי נְחָלוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "אִישׁ כִּי יָמוּת וּבֵן אֵין לוֹ" (במדבר כז, ח).
Quiz Yourself on the Positive Commandments - Part 1
Quiz Yourself on the Positive Commandments - Part 2
Quiz Yourself on the Positive Commandments - Part 3
There is a slight difficulty with the Rambam's statements: The verse cited refers to the sacrifices offered on Sukkot, and not those offered on Pesach. Perhaps the intended prooftext is Leviticus 23:8: "And you shall offer a burnt offering for God for seven days."
Karet refers to premature death at the hand of God, the death of one's children, and a severe spiritual punishment for the soul. (See Hilchot Teshuvah 8:1.)
. Though this prooftext is quoted in the printed editions of the Mishneh Torah, it appears to be an error, for the passage it introduces deals with the adjustable guilt offering (Positive Mitzvah 72). The verse which introduces the laws of the sin offerings is Leviticus 4:27: "If one person sins...."
. Perhaps the Rambam does not cite a specific prooftext for this mitzvah because there is a different passage in the Torah which deals with each of the guilt offerings which he mentions.
. Note that in Hilchot Teshuvah, the Rambam defines this mitzvah as return to God and repentance, a more encompassing service, of which confession is only one facet.(See Hilchot Teshuvah 2:2.)
. In Sefer HaMitzvot, the Rambam includes eating other sacrifices and sacred foods in the scope of this mitzvah.
. It is somewhat curious that although the Rambam makes this statement, he does not cite prooftexts for these mitzvot.
. In Sefer HaMitzvot, the Rambam notes that the command to leave a forgotten sheaf in the field is derived, not from this verse, but from Deuteronomy 24:19, which states: "When you reap your harvest... and forget a sheaf in the field..., it shall be for the stranger..."
The Rambam cites this verse, rather than a verse from Genesis, Chapter 17, which describes the circumcision of Abraham, because he prefers to cite a prooftext that was given after the giving of the Torah. Nevertheless, we also learn some particulars regarding this mitzvah from the passage from Genesis. (See also the Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah, Chulin 7:6.)
. The Rambam cites these different verses because each involves a different punishment. (See also Negative Mitzvot 243 and 244.)
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