Daily Mitzvah (Rambam)

The 85th prohibition is that we are forbidden from making incense according to the formula used in the ketores, i.e. com­posed of the same mixture of spices in the same measure, with the intention of using it for incense.

The source of this mitzvah is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "[One who makes incense] shall not make it with this formula."

The Torah explains that one who intentionally transgresses this prohibition by making such a mixture with the intention of smelling its smoke receives kares, as it is written,2 "If a person makes it to enjoy its fragrance, he shall be cut off (nichras) from his people." If he did so unintentionally, he must bring a sin offering.

The details of this mitzvah are explained in the beginning of tractate Kerisus.3

Footnotes

1.

Ex. 30:37.

2.

Ibid., 30:38.

3.

5a.

The 82nd prohibition is that we are forbidden from offering any sacrifices [other than those dictated by the Torah] on the Golden Altar in the Sanctuary.

The source of this mitzvah is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "Do not burn on it any unauthorized incense; do not offer any burnt offering, meal offering or libation on it."

Anyone who brings an offering on it or sprinkles on it blood other than that which is designated2 is punished with lashes.

Footnotes

1.

Ex. 30:9.

2.

I.e., blood of the Yom Kippur sacrifices and the "burnt cows and goats." See Zevachim 5:1-2.

The 34th mitzvah is that we are commanded that the kohanim shall carry the ark on their shoulders whenever it is moved from one place to another.

The source of this mitzvah is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "[He did not give any wagons to the descendants of Kehos] since they had responsibility for the most sacred articles, that they had to carry on their shoulders."

And even though the commandment was said at that time to the Levites,2 this was only because Aaron was the first kohen, and therefore the number of kohanim at that time was very small. For future generations, however, this mitzvah in incum­bent on the kohanim. They are the ones who are required to carry it, as explained in the Book of Joshua3 and the Book of Samuel.4

When Dovid commanded the transportation of the ark the second time, it is written in Chronicles,5 "The sons of the Levites6 carried the ark of G‑d on their shoulders with poles, as Moshe commanded in the name of G‑d."7 Similarly, when the division of the kohanim into 24 watches is mentioned in Chronicles,8 it is written thereafter, "These have been ap­pointed to serve in the House of G‑d as commanded to their father Aaron, as commanded by G‑d, the G‑d of Israel." Our Sages explained that this hints to the service of the kohanim of carrying the ark on their shoulders — this is what was "commanded by G‑d, the G‑d of Israel." The Sifri9 says, "The verse says, 'as commanded [to their father Aaron,] as com­manded by G‑d, the G‑d of Israel.' Where were they com­manded? In the verse, 'He did not give [any wagons] to the de­scendants of Kehos [since they had responsibility for the most sacred articles,] which they had to carry on their shoulders.' " This10 shows that it [carrying the ark on the shoulders] is counted among the mitzvos.

Footnotes

1.

Num. 7:9.

2.

The descendants of Kehos were Levites, not kohanim.

3.

3:6.

4.

II, 15:25ff.

5.

Chronicles I, 15:15.

6.

I.e. the Kohanim. See Kapach, 5731, footnote 99, where he refers to the 24 places that kohanim are referred to as Levites. See Megillas Esther, Principle 3:2. The Ramban, however (ibid.), brings this as a proof that the mitzvah is incumbent upon the Levites.

7.

This verse proves that the commandment in Scripture was for all generations, not just for the desert.

8.

I, 24:19.

9.

Num. 7:9.

10.

I.e. the phrase, "where were they commanded?"

The 86th prohibition is that we are forbidden from removing the poles [used to carry] the ark from its rings.

The source of this mitzvah is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "The poles must remain in the ark's rings and they shall not be removed."

One who transgresses this prohibition is punished with lashes.

When discussing those prohibitions that are punishable by lashes in the end of tractate Makkos,2 our Sages asked, "But the Tanna omitted one who removed the poles from the ark" — i.e., that he is also punished by lashes — "which is prohibited from the verse, 'they shall not be removed.' " This shows that it counts as a prohibition and that it is punishable by lashes.

Footnotes

1.

Ex. 25:15.

2.

22a.