Pisqa’ 741
1
“Your vows” (Dt.12:17)—
this is the Holocaust-offering.
Now, what is the verse coming to teach us?
Is the point [to declare liable one who consumes]
the Holocaust-offering
beyond the wall of Jerusalem?
[No!]
For this is a logical deduction
from the case of the Cattle-tithe.
Is the point, rather, [to impose liability on one who consumes the meat]
before the sprinkling of the blood?
[No!]
For this rule is a logical deduction
from the case of the Thanks-offering and the Communion-offering.
Is the point, rather, [to impose liability on one who consumes the meat]
after the sprinkling of the blood?
[No!]
For this is a logical deduction
from the case of the Firstling!
Is the point, then, [to impose liability on one who consumes the meat]
beyond the curtains?
[No!]
For this is a logical deduction
from the case of the Purification-offering and Guilt-offering.
Just as the Purification-offering and Guilt-offering,
which are permitted for consumption,
yet, one who consumes them beyond the curtains
transgresses a proscription,
isn’t it only logical that
in the case of the Holocaust-offering,
which is prohibited for consumption—
one who consumes it beyond the curtains
should transgress a proscription?
Therefore, [the verse must have some other application]!
It comes only to teach us that
one who consumes the Holocaust-offering—
whether before sprinkling the blood,
whether after sprinkling the blood,
whether within the curtains,
whether beyond the curtains—
transgresses a proscription.
2
“Rather, before HASHEM your God you shall eat it” ( Dt.12:18)—
namely, at Shiloh.
“At the place which HASHEM your God shall choose” (Dt.12:18)—
namely, in Jerusalem.
“You, and your son, and your daughter, and your male slave, and your slave-girl” (Dt.12:18)—
in [the listing of] these dependents, the most precious take precedence.
“And the Levite who is within your gates” (Dt.12:18)—
anywhere you find the Levite (e.g., Dt.12:12, 14:27, 14:29)
the instruction is:
give him his levitical portion [the First-tithe]
If he can’t survive on his portion,
then supplement his portion
from the Pauper’s tithe.
If he can’t survive on the Pauper’s tithe,
then supplement his portion
from Communion-offerings.2
3
“Be careful” (Dt.12:19)—
this constitutes a proscription.
“Lest” (Dt.12:19)—
lest also constitutes a proscription.
“You abandon the Levite all your days” (Dt.12:19)—
even during the Sabbatical cycles,
and even during the Jubilee years.
“On your soil” (Dt.12:19)—
but not in the Exile.