Negative Commandment 85 (Digest)
Replicating the Incense
"You shall not make for yourselves according to its composition"—Exodus 30:37.
We are forbidden to produce incense with the same formula used in the Holy Temple, for the sake of enjoying its fragrance.
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 statement (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, "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.
Negative Commandment 82 (Digest)
Offering Sacrifices on the Golden Altar
"You shall not offer on it strange incense, nor a burnt or meal-offering; neither shall you pour a libation upon it"—Exodus 30:9.
It is forbidden to offer any sacrifice on the Golden Altar in the Holy Temple's sanctuary.
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 statement (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 designated is punished with lashes.
Positive Commandment 34 (Digest)
Transportation of the Holy Ark
"Because the service of the holy belongs to them, they shall bear upon their shoulders"—Numbers 7:9.
The kohanim (priests) are commanded to carry the Ark [containing the Tablets] on their shoulders—when necessary to transport it from one location to another.
Although the Levites were originally entrusted with this task, this was only in the desert, when the kohanim population was very small. But in all future generations, this is a task reserved for the kohanim.
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 statement (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, 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 Joshua and the Book of Samuel.
When Dovid commanded the transportation of the ark the second time, it is written in Chronicles, "The sons of the Levites carried the ark of G‑d on their shoulders with poles, as Moshe commanded in the name of G‑d." Similarly, when the division of the kohanim into 24 watches is mentioned in Chronicles, 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 Sifri 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.' " This shows that it [carrying the ark on the shoulders] is counted among the mitzvos.
Negative Commandment 86 (Digest)
Removing the Ark's Poles
"The poles shall be in the ark's rings; they shall not be removed from them"—Exodus 25:15.
It is forbidden to remove the poles of the ark [which were used in order to transport it from location to location] from their designated rings on the ark's exterior.
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 statement (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, 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.
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