Pisqa’ 258¹

1

“Because HASHEM your God moves about in the midst of your camp” (Dt.23:15).

On this basis they taught:

A person should not recite the “Listen, Israel” (Dt.6:4 ff.)

next to the soaking-vat of launderers

[because of the smell].²

And: one should not enter a bath-house or a tannery

with scriptural scrolls or prayer-amulets in his hands.

2

“To spare you and to place your enemies before you” (Dt.23:15).

If you have done all

that is stated in this matter,

He will in the end spare you

and place your enemies before you.³

 

“And your camp shall become consecrated”⁴ (Dt.23:15)—

That is, you must treat it as consecrated.⁵

On this basis they taught:

A person should not enter

the Mount of the Abode,

with his staff, his shoes, his purse,

or the dust on his feet.⁶

3

“So that He shall not notice among you a lewd thing, and turn away from you” (Dt.23:15)—

this teaches that [sexual] lewdness repels the Presence.⁷

1. H:257;JN2:187.
2. Cf. M. Ber. 3:5.
3. This trope appears as well at Pisqa’ 200.3.
4. Heb: qadosh; literally, “set apart.” From the root, q-d-sh.
5. Heb: qadsheihu; literally, “set it apart.”
6. = M. Ber.9:5.
7. Cf. Pisqa’ 254.3.