Pisqa’ 1431
1
“At three steps (pe`amim) of the year” (Dt.16:16; cf. Ex.23:14).
The term steps indicates times (zemanim)”—
[the verse therefore prescribes
rejoicing at three seasons of the year].
Another word:
the term steps indicates pilgrimages (regalim)—
[rejoicing co-incides with the three Pilgrimage-festivals].2
And in the same vein, He says:
“It shall trample the Pilgrimage (regel)
with the feet (raglei) of the poor,
and the footsteps (pe`amei) of the lowly” (Is.26:6)
2
“Shall all your males appear” (yera’eh; Dt.16:16)—
to see (lir’ot) as well as to be seen (lira’ot).
“Your males” (Dt.16:16)—
excluding the women
[from obligation for an Appearance-offering].
“All” (Dt.16:16)—
to include[male] minors.
On this basis they taught:
Who is considered a minor [exempt from the Pilgrimage]?
Whoever is unable to ride on his father’s shoulders
while ascending from Jerusalem to the Mount of the Abode—
words of the circle of Shammai.
For it is said:
“Your males” (Dt.16:16)—
[excluding infants].
But the circle of Hillel say:
whoever is unable to hold his father’s hand
while ascending from Jerusalem to the Mount of the Abode,
For it is said:
“At three Pilgrimages (regalim) of the year” (Ex.23:14)—
[the term regalim suggests a child old enough
to take steps on his own].3
“Before the face of HASHEM your God” (Dt.16:16)—
if you accomplish all that is specified in this matter,
then I will turn My face from all my affairs
and will engage only with yours.4
3
“The Feast of Unleavened-bread, and the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Huts” (Dt.16:16).
R. Shimon says:
Shouldn’t the Teaching have begun [its list]
where it just left off—at the Feast of Huts (Dt.16:13)?
What, then, does the Teaching mean to convey
[by discussing the sequence as follows]:
the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Huts?
It teaches that
no one transgresses the proscription
do not delay [in bringing a Vow-offering (e.g., Dt.23:22)]
until all three Pilgrimages of the entire year have passed
[since the avowal was uttered].
4
“And do not appear before the face of HASHEM empty-handed” (Dt.16:16)—
that is, without alms
[in addition to the mandated sacrifices].
Now, sages have provided minimum prices for these.
The circle of Shammai say:
the Appearance-offering—
[should cost at least] two silver coins [worth a quarter sel`a];
and the Rejoicing-offering (simkhah)
[that is, the Festival-offering]—
one silver coin [weighing a ma`ah].
But the circle of Hillel say:
the Appearance-offering—
[should cost at least] one silver coin [weighing a ma`ah];
and the Rejoicing-offering
[should cost at least] two silver coins [worth a quarter sel`a].5
5
“Each man what his hand can give” (Dt.16:17)—
on this basis they taught:
One who has many mouths to feed
but few resources,
should bring many Communion-offerings [to eat]
but few Holocaust-offerings [to immolate].
One with few to feed,
but many resources,
should bring many Holocaust-offerings,
but few Communion-offerings.
If one has few of this and little of that—
concerning this situation
they taught [the Hillelite minima of]
one silver me`ah
[for an Appearance-offering],
and two silver coins [for a Holocaust-offering].
But, one who has many of this and much of that—
concerning this situation,
it is stated:
“Each man what his hand can give, according to the blessing of HASHEM your God, which He has given you” (Dt.16:17).6