Pisqa’ 2201
1
“Then all the populace of his city shall pummel2 him ” (Dt.21:21)—
Now, can the entire populace of his city
actually pummel him?
Rather, [they appoint] a deputation.
“With stones” (Dt.21:21)—
Is it possible to say that
many stones are used?
The Teaching states:
“With stone” (Lv.20:2).
Is it possible to say, then, that
only one stone is used?
The Teaching states:
“With stones” (Dt.21:21)!
From this you may conclude that
if he doesn’t die from the first stone,
let him die from the second!3
2
Said R. Yose:
Does this guy get a stoning
for eating a single serving4 of meat
and drinking a half measure5 of wine?
Not at all!
The Torah has plumbed the depths
of this guy’s character,
and taught:
Better he should die innocently now
rather than later as a sinner! 6
For the death of the Wicked
is as beneficial to them
as it is to the world
[since their death forestalls further sins].
But the death of the Righteous
is as bad for them
as it is for the world,
[since they may no longer acquire merit through righteous deeds,
nor does the world benefit from their righteous deeds]!
Wine and a good nap
bring the Wicked pleasure,
as they bring the world pleasure.
But to the Righteous,
these are as bad for them
as they are for the world!
Peace of mind, to the Wicked,
is as bad for them
as it is for the world.
But to the Righteous,
it is as beneficial to them
as it is for the world!
“And you shall expunge the evil from your midst” (Dt.21:21)—
That is, expunge the evil-doers from Israel!7
- H:231; JN2:126.
- Heb: regemuhu; root: r-g-m. Dt. 22:22, in similar context uses the root: s-q-l, with identical meaning.
- // Sifre Nu., 114; //Sifra, qedoshim, par. 10:4 . Cf. Pisqa’ 149.1, 240.1, 242.1 for parallels within Sifre.
- Heb./Lat.: tartimor. Roughly three ounces.
- Heb: log .Roughly .32 liters,
- = M. San.8:5. Cf. Pisqa’ 218.2.
- // M. San.8:5. The concluding exegesis of Dt.21:21 is not found in the mishnaic parallel, but appears numerous times in Sifre, e.g., Pisqa’ot 151, 155, 187 , etc.