Pisqa’ 96¹

1

“It shall never again be rebuilt” (Dt.13:17)—

don’t even make it into a garden or an orchard.

nor even a coop for Herodian doves,

as in the words of R. Akiva.²

“Let no trace of the doomed property remain in your hands” (Dt.13:18).

On this basis they taught:

If one took [from doomed property]

a staff, a pitch-fork, a spindle-whorl, or a rod—

benefit from any of them is forbidden.

If they are mixed up with other objects,

benefit from any of the [mixed] objects is forbidden.

What shall one do with them?

Let him bring their [monetary] benefit to the Salt Sea

[and throw the coins into the Sea].

The sum of the matter:

anyone who benefits from [an object serving] a foreign cult

shall bring its [monetary] benefit to the Salt Sea [for disposal].³

2

“So that HASHEM might turn from His blazing anger”(Dt.13:18)—

as long as a foreign cult exists in the world

His blazing anger will exist in the world;

when a foreign cult is removed from the world,

His blazing anger will be removed from the world.

“And grant you mercy, and be merciful to you” (Dt.13:18)—

to you is mercy granted,

but no mercy is granted to others!

On this basis would Rabban Gamliel, our Teacher, say:

As long as you show mercy to people,

mercy is shown to you from Heaven;

but when you show no mercy to people,

Heaven shows you no mercy.⁴

“And multiply you” (Dt.13:18)—

just as it is said:

“And I will multiply your descendants like the stars in Heaven” (Gn26:4).

“As He swore to your ancestors” (Dt.13:18)—

all this because of the merit of your ancestors!

3

“For you will hear the voice of HASHEM your God” (Dt.13:19).

On this basis they taught:

If a person begins by hearing only a little [Torah],

he’ll eventually hear much.⁵

“By observing all His commandments, which I am commanding you this day” (Dt.13:18)—

so that the simplest commandment

shall be as dear to you

as the most arduous commandment.⁶

“To do what is virtuous in the eyes of HASHEM your God” (Dt.13:18)—

this confirms what R. Ishmael says:

“what is virtuous” (Dt.13:18)—

in the sight of Heaven.⁷

“You are the children of HASHEM your God” (Dt.14:1)—

R. Judah says:

if you conduct yourselves as proper children,

you will indeed be [treated like proper] children;

but if not—

you will not be [treated like proper] children!

R. Meir says:

Either way,

“You are the children of HASHEM your God” (Dt.14:1).

And, similarly, He says:

“It shall be said of them: Children of the Living God!” (Hos.2:1).⁸

4

“Do not cut into yourselves” (titgodedu; Dt.14:1)—

do not form factions (‘agudot].⁹

Rather, you should all be a unified faction.

And, similarly, He says:

“He has grounded His faction (‘agudato) on the earth” (Am.9:6). ¹⁰

Another word:

“Do not cut into yourselves” (Dt.14:1)—

do not cut into yourselves

according to the rites

of others who cut into themselves,

for it is said [of the prophets of Baal]:

“And they cut into themselves according to their custom” (1Ki.18:28)

5

“And do not make a bald-spot between your eyes in mourning the dead” (Dt.14:1).

Is it possible to say that

we are held liable only

[for a bald-spot made] between the eyes?

On what basis do we include

[shaving] the entire head [in this proscription]?

The Teaching states [regarding Priests]:

“They shall not make a bald-spot upon their head” (Lv.21:5)—

this includes [shaving] the entire head.

Is it possible to say that the Priests—

for whom Scripture mandates

additional commandments—

shall be held liable

for each and every bald-spot,

and for [shaving] the entire head,

as well as between the eyes,

while [non-Priests among] Israel—

for whom Scripture does not mandate

additional commandments—

shall be held liable

only for one [bald-spot],

and shall be held liable

only for one between the eyes ?

The Teaching specifies:

bald-spot [here (Dt.14:1)]

and bald-spot [there (Lv.21:5)],

[and thus] permits an analogical inference.

Just as the bald-spot mentioned for Priests

imposes liability for each and every bald-spot,

and [liability for shaving] the head,

as well as between the eyes,

so, too, the bald-spot mentioned for Israel,

should impose liability for each and every bald-spot,

and [liability for shaving]the head,

as well as between the eyes!

And just as the bald-spot mentioned for Israel,

imposes liability only [as part of a mourning rite] for the dead,

so, too, the bald-spot mentioned for Priests,

should impose liability only [as part of a mourning rite] for the dead.¹¹

1. H:143-145; JN1:252-254.
2. Cf. M. San.10:6; T. San.14:6.
3. //M. AZ.3:9.
4. //T. BQ.9:30.
5. Cf. Pisqa’ 79.1
6. Cf, M. Avot.2:1 and Pisqa’ot 79.3, 82.1.
7. Cf. Pisqa’ 79.2.
8. Cf. M. Avot 3:14.
9. The assonance of words formed from different roots (g-w-d and (‘-g-d) inspires this famous midrashic homily.
10. Cf. M. Avot 3:9.
11. Sifra, ‘emor, per. 1:1-3.