Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Kedumah 160 (25600) 162

וַיַּרְא רֵאשִׁית לוֹ, כִּי-שָׁם חֶלְקַת מְחֹקֵק סָפוּן; וַיֵּתֵא, רָאשֵׁי עָם--צִדְקַת יְהוָה עָשָׂה, וּמִשְׁפָּטָיו עִם-יִשְׂרָאֵל
וּלְדָן אָמַר, דָּן גּוּר אַרְיֵה; יְזַנֵּק, מִן-הַבָּשָׁן. וּלְנַפְתָּלִי אָמַר--נַפְתָּלִי שְׂבַע רָצוֹן, וּמָלֵא בִּרְכַּת יְהוָה; יָם וְדָרוֹם, יְרָשָׁה
וּלְאָשֵׁר אָמַר, בָּרוּךְ מִבָּנִים אָשֵׁר; יְהִי רְצוּי אֶחָיו, וְטֹבֵל בַּשֶּׁמֶן רַגְלוֹ. בַּרְזֶל וּנְחֹשֶׁת, מִנְעָלֶךָ; וּכְיָמֶיךָ, דָּבְאֶךָ. אֵין כָּאֵל, יְשֻׁרוּן: רֹכֵב שָׁמַיִם בְּעֶזְרֶךָ, וּבְגַאֲוָתוֹ שְׁחָקִים. מְעֹנָה אֱלֹהֵי קֶדֶם, וּמִתַּחַת זְרֹעֹת עוֹלָם; וַיְגָרֶשׁ מִפָּנֶיךָ אוֹיֵב, וַיֹּאמֶר הַשְׁמֵד. וַיִּשְׁכֹּן יִשְׂרָאֵל בֶּטַח בָּדָד עֵין יַעֲקֹב, אֶל-אֶרֶץ דָּגָן וְתִירוֹשׁ; אַף-שָׁמָיו, יַעַרְפוּ טָל. אַשְׁרֶיךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל מִי כָמוֹךָ, עַם נוֹשַׁע בַּיהוָה, מָגֵן עֶזְרֶךָ, וַאֲשֶׁר-חֶרֶב גַּאֲוָתֶךָ; וְיִכָּחֲשׁוּ אֹיְבֶיךָ לָךְ, וְאַתָּה עַל-בָּמוֹתֵימוֹ תִדְרֹךְ
וַיַּעַל מֹשֶׁה מֵעַרְבֹת מוֹאָב, אֶל-הַר נְבוֹ, רֹאשׁ הַפִּסְגָּה, אֲשֶׁר עַל-פְּנֵי יְרֵחוֹ; וַיַּרְאֵהוּ יְהוָה אֶת-כָּל-הָאָרֶץ אֶת-הַגִּלְעָד, עַד-דָּן. וְאֵת, כָּל-נַפְתָּלִי, וְאֶת-אֶרֶץ אֶפְרַיִם, וּמְנַשֶּׁה; וְאֵת כָּל-אֶרֶץ יְהוּדָה, עַד הַיָּם הָאַחֲרוֹן. וְאֶת-הַנֶּגֶב, וְאֶת-הַכִּכָּר בִּקְעַת יְרֵחוֹ עִיר הַתְּמָרִים--עַד-צֹעַר. וַיָּמָת שָׁם מֹשֶׁה עֶבֶד-יְהוָה, בְּאֶרֶץ מוֹאָב--עַל-פִּי יְהוָה. וַיִּקְבֹּר אֹתוֹ בַגַּי בְּאֶרֶץ מוֹאָב, מוּל בֵּית פְּעוֹר; וְלֹא-יָדַע אִישׁ אֶת-קְבֻרָתוֹ, עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה. וּמֹשֶׁה, בֶּן-מֵאָה וְעֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה--בְּמֹתוֹ; לֹא-כָהֲתָה עֵינוֹ, וְלֹא-נָס לֵחֹה


He chose the first portion for himself, for that is where the lawgiver's plot is hidden; he came at the head of the nation, carrying out Hashem's justice and His ordinances with Israel.
Of Dan he said - Dan is a lion cub, leaping forth from the Bashan. Of Naphtali he said - Naphtali, satiated with favor, and filled with Hashem's blessing; go possess the sea and its south shore.
Of Asher he said - The most blessed of children is Asher; he shall be pleasing to his brothers, and dip his feet in oil. May your borders be sealed like iron and copper, and like the days of your prime, so may your old age be. There is none like God, O Jeshurun; He rides across heaven to help you, and in His majesty through the upper heights. That is the abode of God immemorial, and below are the world's mighty ones; He drove the enemy away from before you, and He said, "Destroy!" Thus Israel shall dwell secure, solitary, in the likeness of Jacob, in a land of grain and wine; even his heavens shall drip with dew. Fortunate are you, O Israel - Who is like you! O people delivered by Hashem, the Shield of your help, Who is the Sword of your grandeur; your foes will try to deceive you, but you will trample their haughty ones.
Moses ascended from the plains of Moab, to Mount Nebo, to the summit of the cliff that faces Jericho, and Hashem showed him the entire Land - the Gilead as far as Dan; all of Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh; the entire land of Judah as far as the western sea; the Negev and the Plain — the valley of Jericho, city of date palms — as far as Zoar. So Moses, servant of Hashem, died there, in the land of Moab, by the mouth of Hashem. He buried him in the depression, in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor, and no one knows his burial place to this day. Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died; his eye had not dimmed, and his vigor had not diminished.

- תם הבלוג -

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Kedumah 159 (25438) 158

וְזֹאת לִיהוּדָה, וַיֹּאמַר, שְׁמַע יְהוָה קוֹל יְהוּדָה, וְאֶל-עַמּוֹ תְּבִיאֶנּוּ; יָדָיו רָב לוֹ, וְעֵזֶר מִצָּרָיו תִּהְיֶה

וּלְלֵוִי אָמַר, תֻּמֶּיךָ וְאוּרֶיךָ לְאִישׁ חֲסִידֶךָ, אֲשֶׁר נִסִּיתוֹ בְּמַסָּה, תְּרִיבֵהוּ עַל-מֵי מְרִיבָה. הָאֹמֵר לְאָבִיו וּלְאִמּוֹ, לֹא רְאִיתִיו, וְאֶת-אֶחָיו לֹא הִכִּיר, וְאֶת-בָּנָו לֹא יָדָע: כִּי שָׁמְרוּ אִמְרָתֶךָ, וּבְרִיתְךָ יִנְצֹרוּ. יוֹרוּ מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ לְיַעֲקֹב, וְתוֹרָתְךָ לְיִשְׂרָאֵל; יָשִׂימוּ קְטוֹרָה בְּאַפֶּךָ, וְכָלִיל עַל-מִזְבְּחֶךָ. בָּרֵךְ יְהוָה חֵילוֹ, וּפֹעַל יָדָיו תִּרְצֶה; מְחַץ מָתְנַיִם קָמָיו וּמְשַׂנְאָיו, מִן-יְקוּמוּן
לְבִנְיָמִן אָמַר--יְדִיד יְהוָה, יִשְׁכֹּן לָבֶטַח; עָלִי חֹפֵף עָלָיו כָּל-הַיּוֹם, וּבֵין כְּתֵפָיו שָׁכֵן
וּלְיוֹסֵף אָמַר, מְבֹרֶכֶת יְהוָה אַרְצוֹ, מִמֶּגֶד שָׁמַיִם מִטָּל, וּמִתְּהוֹם רֹבֶצֶת תָּחַת. וּמִמֶּגֶד, תְּבוּאֹת שָׁמֶשׁ; וּמִמֶּגֶד, גֶּרֶשׁ יְרָחִים. וּמֵרֹאשׁ, הַרְרֵי-קֶדֶם; וּמִמֶּגֶד, גִּבְעוֹת עוֹלָם. וּמִמֶּגֶד, אֶרֶץ וּמְלֹאָהּ, וּרְצוֹן שֹׁכְנִי, סְנֶה; תָּבוֹאתָה לְרֹאשׁ יוֹסֵף, וּלְקָדְקֹד נְזִיר אֶחָיו. בְּכוֹר שׁוֹרוֹ הָדָר לוֹ, וְקַרְנֵי רְאֵם קַרְנָיו--בָּהֶם עַמִּים יְנַגַּח יַחְדָּו, אַפְסֵי-אָרֶץ; וְהֵם רִבְבוֹת אֶפְרַיִם, וְהֵם אַלְפֵי מְנַשֶּׁה
וְלִזְבוּלֻן אָמַר, שְׂמַח זְבוּלֻן בְּצֵאתֶךָ; וְיִשָּׂשכָר, בְּאֹהָלֶיךָ. עַמִּים, הַר-יִקְרָאוּ--שָׁם, יִזְבְּחוּ זִבְחֵי-צֶדֶק: כִּי שֶׁפַע יַמִּים יִינָקוּ, וּשְׂפֻנֵי טְמוּנֵי חוֹל
וּלְגָד אָמַר, בָּרוּךְ מַרְחִיב גָּד: כְּלָבִיא שָׁכֵן, וְטָרַף זְרוֹעַ אַף-קָדְקֹד


And this to Judah, and he said - Hearken, O Hashem, to Judah's voice, and return him to his people; may his hands fight his grievance and may You be a Helper against his enemies.

Of Levi he said - Your Tumim and Your Urim befit Your devout one, whom You tested at Massah, and whom You challenged at the waters of Meribah. The one who said of his father and mother, "I have not favored him"; his brothers he did not give recognition and his children he did not know; for they [the Levites] have observed Your word and Your covenant they preserved. They shall teach Your ordinances to Jacob and Your Torah to Israel; they shall place incense before Your presence, and burnt offerings on Your Altar. Bless, O Hashem, his resources, and favor the work of his hands; smash the loins of his foes and his enemies, that they may not rise.
Of Benjamin he said - May Hashem's beloved dwell securely; The Highest hovers over him all day long; and rests between his shoulders.
Of Joseph he said - Blessed by Hashem is his land — with the heavenly bounty of dew, and with the deep waters crouching below; with the bounty of the sun's crops, and with the bounty of the moon's yield; with the quick-ripening crops of the early mountains, and with the bounty of eternal hills; with the bounty of the land and its fullness, and by the favor of Him Who rested upon the thornbush; may this blessing rest upon Joseph's head, and upon the crown of him who was separated from his brothers. A sovereignty is his ox-like one — majesty is his, and his glory will be like the horns of a re'eim; with them shall he gore nations together, to the ends of the Land; they are the myriads of Ephraim, and the thousands of Manasseh.
Of Zebulun he said - Rejoice, O Zebulun, in your excursions, and Issachar in your tents. The tribes will assemble at the mount, there they will slaughter offerings of righteousness, for by the riches of the sea they will be nourished, and by the treasures concealed in the sand.
Of Gad he said - Blessed is He Who broadens Gad; he dwells like a lion, tearing off arm and even head.

Monday, March 12, 2018

Kedumah 158 (25280) 169

רְאוּ עַתָּה, כִּי אֲנִי אֲנִי הוּא

וְאֵין אֱלֹהִים, עִמָּדִי
אֲנִי אָמִית וַאֲחַיֶּה

מָחַצְתִּי וַאֲנִי אֶרְפָּא
וְאֵין מִיָּדִי, מַצִּיל

כִּי-אֶשָּׂא אֶל-שָׁמַיִם, יָדִי
וְאָמַרְתִּי, חַי אָנֹכִי לְעֹלָם

אִם-שַׁנּוֹתִי בְּרַק חַרְבִּי
וְתֹאחֵז בְּמִשְׁפָּט יָדִי

אָשִׁיב נָקָם לְצָרָי
וְלִמְשַׂנְאַי אֲשַׁלֵּם

אַשְׁכִּיר חִצַּי מִדָּם
וְחַרְבִּי תֹּאכַל בָּשָׂר

מִדַּם חָלָל וְשִׁבְיָה
מֵרֹאשׁ פַּרְעוֹת אוֹיֵב

הַרְנִינוּ גוֹיִם עַמּוֹ
כִּי דַם-עֲבָדָיו יִקּוֹם

וְנָקָם יָשִׁיב לְצָרָיו
וְכִפֶּר אַדְמָתוֹ עַמּוֹ

וַיָּבֹא מֹשֶׁה, וַיְדַבֵּר אֶת-כָּל-דִּבְרֵי הַשִּׁירָה-הַזֹּאת--בְּאָזְנֵי הָעָם: הוּא, וְהוֹשֵׁעַ בִּן-נוּן. וַיְכַל מֹשֶׁה, לְדַבֵּר אֶת-כָּל-הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה--אֶל-כָּל-יִשְׂרָאֵל. וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵהֶם, שִׂימוּ לְבַבְכֶם, לְכָל-הַדְּבָרִים, אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מֵעִיד בָּכֶם הַיּוֹם: אֲשֶׁר תְּצַוֻּם, אֶת-בְּנֵיכֶם, לִשְׁמֹר לַעֲשׂוֹת, אֶת-כָּל-דִּבְרֵי הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת. כִּי לֹא-דָבָר רֵק הוּא, מִכֶּם--כִּי-הוּא, חַיֵּיכֶם; וּבַדָּבָר הַזֶּה, תַּאֲרִיכוּ יָמִים עַל-הָאֲדָמָה, אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם עֹבְרִים אֶת-הַיַּרְדֵּן שָׁמָּה, לְרִשְׁתָּהּ

וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה, אֲשֶׁר בֵּרַךְ מֹשֶׁה אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים--אֶת-בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל: לִפְנֵי, מוֹתוֹ. וַיֹּאמַר, יְהוָה מִסִּינַי בָּא וְזָרַח מִשֵּׂעִיר לָמוֹ--הוֹפִיעַ מֵהַר פָּארָן, וְאָתָה מֵרִבְבֹת קֹדֶשׁ; מִימִינוֹ, אֵשׁדָּת לָמוֹ. אַף חֹבֵב עַמִּים, כָּל-קְדֹשָׁיו בְּיָדֶךָ; וְהֵם תֻּכּוּ לְרַגְלֶךָ, יִשָּׂא מִדַּבְּרֹתֶיךָ. תּוֹרָה צִוָּה-לָנוּ, מֹשֶׁה: מוֹרָשָׁה, קְהִלַּת יַעֲקֹב. וַיְהִי בִישֻׁרוּן, מֶלֶךְ, בְּהִתְאַסֵּף רָאשֵׁי עָם, יַחַד שִׁבְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל. יְחִי רְאוּבֵן, וְאַל-יָמֹת; וִיהִי מְתָיו, מִסְפָּר


See, now, that I, I am He — and no god is with Me.
I put to death and I bring life, I struck down and I will heal,
and there is no rescuer from My hand.

For I shall raise My hand to heaven and say, 'As I live forever,

if I sharpen My flashing sword and My hand grasps judgment,
I shall return vengeance upon My enemies
and upon those that hate Me shall I bring retribution.

I shall intoxicate My arrows with blood and My sword shall devour flesh,
because of the blood of corpse and captive,
because of the earliest depredations of the enemy.' "

O nations — sing the praises of His people,
for He will avenge the blood of His servants;
He will bring retribution upon His foes,
and He will appease His Land and His people.

Moses came and spoke all the words of this Song in the ears of the people, he and Hoshea son of Nun. Moses concluded speaking all these words to all Israel. He said to them, "Apply your hearts to all the words that I testify against you today, with which you are to instruct your children, to be careful to perform all the words of this Torah. for it is not an empty thing for you, for it is your life, and through this matter shall you prolong your days on the Land to which you cross the Jordan, to possess it."

And this is the blessing that Moses, the man of God, bestowed upon the Children of Israel before his death. He said - Hashem came from Sinai — having shone forth to them from Seir, having appeared from Mount Paran, and then approached with some of the holy myriads — from His right hand He presented the fiery Torah to them. Indeed, You loved the tribes greatly, all its holy ones were in Your hands; for they planted themselves at Your feet, bearing [the yoke] of Your utterances; "The Torah that Moses commanded us is the heritage of the Congregation of Jacob.". He became King over Jeshurun when the numbers of the nation gathered — the tribes of Israel in unity. May Reuben live and not die, and may his population be included in the count.

Sunday, March 11, 2018

Kedumah 157 (25111) 150

כִּי-אֵשׁ קָדְחָה בְאַפִּי

וַתִּיקַד עַד-שְׁאוֹל תַּחְתִּית
וַתֹּאכַל אֶרֶץ וִיבֻלָהּ

וַתְּלַהֵט מוֹסְדֵי הָרִים
אַסְפֶּה עָלֵימוֹ, רָעוֹת

חִצַּי, אֲכַלֶּה-בָּם
מְזֵי רָעָב וּלְחֻמֵי רֶשֶׁף

וְקֶטֶב מְרִירִי
וְשֶׁן-בְּהֵמֹת, אֲשַׁלַּח-בָּם

עִם-חֲמַת, זֹחֲלֵי עָפָר
מִחוּץ, תְּשַׁכֶּל-חֶרֶב, וּמֵחֲדָרִים, אֵימָה; גַּם-בָּחוּר

גַּם-בְּתוּלָה--יוֹנֵק, עִם-אִישׁ שֵׂיבָה
אָמַרְתִּי, אַפְאֵיהֶם

אַשְׁבִּיתָה מֵאֱנוֹשׁ, זִכְרָם
לוּלֵי, כַּעַס אוֹיֵב אָגוּר

פֶּן-יְנַכְּרוּ, צָרֵימוֹ
פֶּן-יֹאמְרוּ יָדֵנוּ רָמָה

וְלֹא יְהוָה פָּעַל כָּל-זֹאת
כִּי-גוֹי אֹבַד עֵצוֹת, הֵמָּה

וְאֵין בָּהֶם, תְּבוּנָה
לוּ חָכְמוּ, יַשְׂכִּילוּ זֹאת

יָבִינוּ, לְאַחֲרִיתָם
אֵיכָה יִרְדֹּף אֶחָד, אֶלֶף

וּשְׁנַיִם, יָנִיסוּ רְבָבָה
אִם-לֹא כִּי-צוּרָם מְכָרָם

וַיהוָה הִסְגִּירָם
כִּי לֹא כְצוּרֵנוּ, צוּרָם

וְאֹיְבֵינוּ, פְּלִילִים
כִּי-מִגֶּפֶן סְדֹם גַּפְנָם

וּמִשַּׁדְמֹת עֲמֹרָה
עֲנָבֵמוֹ, עִנְּבֵי-רוֹשׁ

אַשְׁכְּלֹת מְרֹרֹת, לָמוֹ
חֲמַת תַּנִּינִם, יֵינָם

וְרֹאשׁ פְּתָנִים, אַכְזָר
הֲלֹא-הוּא, כָּמֻס עִמָּדִי

חָתוּם, בְּאוֹצְרֹתָי
לִי נָקָם וְשִׁלֵּם

לְעֵת תָּמוּט רַגְלָם
כִּי קָרוֹב יוֹם אֵידָם

וְחָשׁ עֲתִדֹת לָמוֹ
כִּי-יָדִין יְהוָה עַמּוֹ

וְעַל-עֲבָדָיו יִתְנֶחָם
כִּי יִרְאֶה כִּי-אָזְלַת יָד

וְאֶפֶס עָצוּר וְעָזוּב
וְאָמַר, אֵי אֱלֹהֵימוֹ

צוּר, חָסָיוּ בוֹ
אֲשֶׁר חֵלֶב זְבָחֵימוֹ יֹאכֵלוּ

יִשְׁתּוּ יֵין נְסִיכָם
יָקוּמוּ, וְיַעְזְרֻכֶם

יְהִי עֲלֵיכֶם, סִתְרָה


For fire will have been kindled in My nostrils and blaze to the lowest depths. It shall consume the earth and its produce, and set ablaze what is founded on mountains.

I shall accumulate evils against them, My arrows shall I use up against them;

bloating of famine, battles of flaming demons,
cutting down by the noontime demon,
and the teeth of beasts shall I dispatch against them,
with the venom of those that creep on the earth.

On the outside, the sword will bereave, while indoors there will be dread — even a young man, even a virgin, a suckling with the gray-haired man.

I had said, 'I will scatter them,
I will cause their memory to cease from man' —

were it not that the anger of the enemy was pent up,
lest the tormenter misinterpret;
lest they say, 'Our hand was raised in triumph,
and it was not Hashem Who accomplished all this!'

For they are a nation bereft of counsel, and there is no discernment in them.

Were they wise they would comprehend this,
they would discern it from their end.

For how could one pursue a thousand, and two cause a myriad to flee,
if not that their Rock had sold them out, and Hashem had delivered them?

— for not like our Rock is their rock — yet our enemies judge us.

For their vineyard is from the vineyard of Sodom,
and from the fields of Gomorrah;
their grapes are grapes of gall, so clusters of bitterness were given them.

Serpents' venom is their wine, the poison of cruel vipers.

Is it not revealed with Me, sealed in My treasuries?

Mine is vengeance and retribution at the time when their foot will falter,
for the day of their catastrophe is near, and future events are rushing at them."

When Hashem will have judged His people,
He shall relent regarding His servants,
when He sees that enemy power progresses, and none is saved or assisted.

He will say, "Where is their god, the rock in whom they sought refuge,

the fat of whose offerings they would eat,
they would drink the wine of their libations?
Let them stand and help you! Let them be a shelter for you.

Sunday, March 4, 2018

Kedumah 156 (24961) 164

הַ לְיְהוָה, תִּגְמְלוּ-זֹאת
עַם נָבָל, וְלֹא חָכָם

הֲלוֹא-הוּא אָבִיךָ קָּנֶךָ
הוּא עָשְׂךָ וַיְכֹנְנֶךָ

זְכֹר יְמוֹת עוֹלָם, בִּינוּ שְׁנוֹת דֹּר-וָדֹר
שְׁאַל אָבִיךָ וְיַגֵּדְךָ, זְקֵנֶיךָ וְיֹאמְרוּ לָךְ

בְּהַנְחֵל עֶלְיוֹן גּוֹיִם
בְּהַפְרִידוֹ בְּנֵי אָדָם

יַצֵּב גְּבֻלֹת עַמִּים
לְמִסְפַּר בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל

כִּי חֵלֶק יְהוָה, עַמּוֹ
יַעֲקֹב, חֶבֶל נַחֲלָתוֹ

יִמְצָאֵהוּ בְּאֶרֶץ מִדְבָּר
וּבְתֹהוּ יְלֵל יְשִׁמֹן

יְסֹבְבֶנְהוּ, יְבוֹנְנֵהוּ
יִצְּרֶנְהוּ, כְּאִישׁוֹן עֵינוֹ

כְּנֶשֶׁר יָעִיר קִנּוֹ, עַל-גּוֹזָלָיו יְרַחֵף
יִפְרֹשׂ כְּנָפָיו יִקָּחֵהוּ, יִשָּׂאֵהוּ עַל-אֶבְרָתוֹ

יְהוָה, בָּדָד יַנְחֶנּוּ
וְאֵין עִמּוֹ, אֵל נֵכָר

יַרְכִּבֵהוּ עַל-בָּמֳותֵי אָרֶץ
וַיֹּאכַל תְּנוּבֹת שָׂדָי

וַיֵּנִקֵהוּ דְבַשׁ מִסֶּלַע
וְשֶׁמֶן מֵחַלְמִישׁ צוּר

חֶמְאַת בָּקָר וַחֲלֵב צֹאן
עִם-חֵלֶב כָּרִים וְאֵילִים

בְּנֵי-בָשָׁן וְעַתּוּדִים
עִם-חֵלֶב, כִּלְיוֹת חִטָּה

וְדַם-עֵנָב, תִּשְׁתֶּה-חָמֶר
וַיִּשְׁמַן יְשֻׁרוּן וַיִּבְעָט

שָׁמַנְתָּ עָבִיתָ כָּשִׂיתָ
וַיִּטֹּשׁ אֱלוֹהַּ עָשָׂהוּ

וַיְנַבֵּל צוּר יְשֻׁעָתוֹ
יַקְנִאֻהוּ, בְּזָרִים

בְּתוֹעֵבֹת, יַכְעִיסֻהוּ
יִזְבְּחוּ, לַשֵּׁדִים לֹא אֱלֹהַּ

אֱלֹהִים, לֹא יְדָעוּם
חֲדָשִׁים מִקָּרֹב בָּאוּ

לֹא שְׂעָרוּם אֲבֹתֵיכֶם
צוּר יְלָדְךָ, תֶּשִׁי

וַתִּשְׁכַּח, אֵל מְחֹלְלֶךָ
וַיַּרְא יְהוָה, וַיִּנְאָץ

מִכַּעַס בָּנָיו, וּבְנֹתָיו
וַיֹּאמֶר, אַסְתִּירָה פָנַי מֵהֶם

אֶרְאֶה, מָה אַחֲרִיתָם
כִּי דוֹר תַּהְפֻּכֹת הֵמָּה

בָּנִים לֹא-אֵמֻן בָּם
הֵם קִנְאוּנִי בְלֹא-אֵל

כִּעֲסוּנִי בְּהַבְלֵיהֶם
וַאֲנִי אַקְנִיאֵם בְּלֹא-עָם

בְּגוֹי נָבָל אַכְעִיסֵם


Is it to Hashem that you do this, O vile and unwise people?
Is He not your Father, your Master? Has He not created you and firmed you?

Remember the days of yore,
understand the years of generation after generation.
Ask your father and he will relate it to you, and your elders and they will tell you.

When the Supreme One gave the nations their inheritance,
when He separated the children of man,
He set the borders of the peoples
according to the number of the Children of Israel.

For Hashem's portion is His people; Jacob is the measure of His inheritance.

He discovered him in a desert land, in desolation, a howling wilderness; He encircled him, He granted him discernment, He preserved him like the pupil of His eye.

He was like an eagle arousing its nest, hovering over its young,
spreading its wings and taking them, carrying them on its pinions.

Hashem alone guided them, and no other power was with them.

He would make him ride on the heights of the Land
and have him eat the ripe fruits of the fields;
He would suckle him with honey from a stone, and oil from a flinty rock;

Butter of cattle and milk of sheep with fat of lambs,
rams born in Bashan and he-goats, with wheat as fat as kidneys;
and you would drink blood of grapes like delicious wine.

Jeshurun became fat and kicked.
You became fat, you became thick, you became corpulent —
and it deserted God its Maker,
and was contemptuous of the Rock of its salvation.

They would provoke His jealousy with strangers;
they would anger Him with abominations.

They would slaughter to demons without power, gods whom they knew not, newcomers recently arrived, whom your ancestors did not dread.

You ignored the Rock Who gave birth to you,
and forgot God Who brought you forth.

Hashem will see and be provoked by the anger of His sons and daughters,

and He will say,
"I shall hide My face from them and see what their end will be —
for they are a generation of reversals,
children whose upbringing is not in them.

They provoked Me with a non-god, angered Me with their vanities;
so shall I provoke them with a non-people,
with a vile nation shall I anger them.

Sunday, February 25, 2018

Kedumah 155 (24797) 142

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל-מֹשֶׁה, הֵן קָרְבוּ יָמֶיךָ לָמוּת--קְרָא אֶת-יְהוֹשֻׁעַ וְהִתְיַצְּבוּ בְּאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, וַאֲצַוֶּנּוּ; וַיֵּלֶךְ מֹשֶׁה וִיהוֹשֻׁעַ, וַיִּתְיַצְּבוּ בְּאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד. וַיֵּרָא יְהוָה בָּאֹהֶל, בְּעַמּוּד עָנָן; וַיַּעֲמֹד עַמּוּד הֶעָנָן, עַל-פֶּתַח הָאֹהֶל. וַיְצַו אֶת-יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בִּן-נוּן, וַיֹּאמֶר חֲזַק וֶאֱמָץ--כִּי אַתָּה תָּבִיא אֶת-בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, אֶל-הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר-נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי לָהֶם; וְאָנֹכִי, אֶהְיֶה עִמָּךְ
זָכוֹר, אֵת אֲשֶׁר-עָשָׂה לְךָ עֲמָלֵק, בַּדֶּרֶךְ, בְּצֵאתְכֶם מִמִּצְרָיִם. אֲשֶׁר קָרְךָ בַּדֶּרֶךְ, וַיְזַנֵּב בְּךָ כָּל-הַנֶּחֱשָׁלִים אַחֲרֶיךָ--וְאַתָּה, עָיֵף וְיָגֵעַ; וְלֹא יָרֵא, אֱלֹהִים. וְהָיָה בְּהָנִיחַ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ לְךָ מִכָּל-אֹיְבֶיךָ מִסָּבִיב, בָּאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר יְהוָה-אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ נַחֲלָה לְרִשְׁתָּהּ--תִּמְחֶה אֶת-זֵכֶר עֲמָלֵק, מִתַּחַת הַשָּׁמָיִם; לֹא, תִּשְׁכָּח

וַיְדַבֵּר מֹשֶׁה, בְּאָזְנֵי כָּל-קְהַל יִשְׂרָאֵל, אֶת-דִּבְרֵי הַשִּׁירָה, הַזֹּאת--עַד, תֻּמָּם

הַאֲזִינוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם, וַאֲדַבֵּרָה
וְתִשְׁמַע הָאָרֶץ, אִמְרֵי-פִי

יַעֲרֹף כַּמָּטָר לִקְחִי
תִּזַּל כַּטַּל אִמְרָתִי

כִּשְׂעִירִם עֲלֵי-דֶשֶׁא
וְכִרְבִיבִים עֲלֵי-עֵשֶׂב

כִּי שֵׁם יְהוָה, אֶקְרָא
הָבוּ גֹדֶל, לֵאלֹהֵינוּ

הַצּוּר תָּמִים פָּעֳלוֹ
כִּי כָל-דְּרָכָיו מִשְׁפָּט

אֵל אֱמוּנָה וְאֵין עָוֶל
צַדִּיק וְיָשָׁר הוּא

שִׁחֵת לוֹ לֹא, בָּנָיו מוּמָם
דּוֹר עִקֵּשׁ, וּפְתַלְתֹּל



Hashem spoke to Moses, "Behold, your days are drawing near to die; summon Joshua, and both of you shall stand in the Tent of Meeting, and I shall instruct him." So Moses and Joshua went and stood in the Tent of Meeting. Hashem appeared in the Tent, in a pillar of cloud, and the pillar of cloud stood by the entrance of the Tent. He commanded Joshua son of Nun, and said, "Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the Children of Israel to the Land that I have sworn to them, and I shall be with you."
Remember what Amalek did to you, on the way when you were leaving Egypt; that he happened upon you on the way, and he struck those of you who were hindmost, all the weaklings at your rear, when you were faint and exhausted, and he did not fear God. It shall be that when Hashem, your God, gives you rest from all your enemies all around, in the Land that Hashem, your God, gives you as an inheritance to possess it, you shall wipe out the memory of Amalek from under the heaven — you shall not forget!

Moses spoke the words of this song into the ears of the entire congregation of Israel, until their conclusion.

Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak;
and may the earth hear the words of my mouth.

May my teaching drop like the rain, may my utterance flow like the dew;

like storm winds upon vegetation and like raindrops upon blades of grass.

When I call out the Name of Hashem, ascribe greatness to our God.

The Rock! — perfect is His work, for all His paths are justice;

a God of faith without iniquity, righteous and fair is He.

Corruption is not His — the blemish is His children's,
a perverse and twisted generation.

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Kedumah 154 (24662) 155

וַיִּסְעוּ, מִקְּהֵלָתָה; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בְּהַר-שָׁפֶר. וַיִּסְעוּ, מֵהַר-שָׁפֶר; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בַּחֲרָדָה. וַיִּסְעוּ, מֵחֲרָדָה; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בְּמַקְהֵלֹת. וַיִּסְעוּ, מִמַּקְהֵלֹת; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בְּתָחַת. וַיִּסְעוּ, מִתָּחַת; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בְּתָרַח. וַיִּסְעוּ, מִתָּרַח; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בְּמִתְקָה. וַיִּסְעוּ, מִמִּתְקָה; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בְּחַשְׁמֹנָה. וַיִּסְעוּ, מֵחַשְׁמֹנָה; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בְּמֹסֵרוֹת. וַיִּסְעוּ, מִמֹּסֵרוֹת; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בִּבְנֵי יַעֲקָן. וַיִּסְעוּ, מִבְּנֵי יַעֲקָן; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בְּחֹר הַגִּדְגָּד. וַיִּסְעוּ, מֵחֹר הַגִּדְגָּד; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בְּיָטְבָתָה. וַיִּסְעוּ, מִיָּטְבָתָה; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בְּעַבְרֹנָה. וַיִּסְעוּ, מֵעַבְרֹנָה; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בְּעֶצְיֹן גָּבֶר. וַיִּסְעוּ, מֵעֶצְיֹן גָּבֶר; וַיַּחֲנוּ *בְקָדֵשׁ. וַיִּסְעוּ, מִקָּדֵשׁ; וַיַּחֲנוּ בְּהֹר הָהָר, בִּקְצֵה אֶרֶץ אֱדוֹם. וַיַּעַל אַהֲרֹן הַכֹּהֵן אֶל-הֹר הָהָר, עַל-פִּי יְהוָה--וַיָּמָת שָׁם: * וְאַהֲרֹן, בֶּן-שָׁלֹשׁ וְעֶשְׂרִים וּמְאַת שָׁנָה, בְּמֹתוֹ, בְּהֹר הָהָר
וַיִּשְׁמַע, הַכְּנַעֲנִי מֶלֶךְ עֲרָד, וְהוּא-יֹשֵׁב בַּנֶּגֶב, בְּאֶרֶץ כְּנָעַן--בְּבֹא, בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל. וַיִּסְעוּ, מֵהֹר הָהָר; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בְּצַלְמֹנָה. וַיִּסְעוּ, מִצַּלְמֹנָה; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בְּפוּנֹן. וַיִּסְעוּ, מִפּוּנֹן; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בְּאֹבֹת. וַיִּסְעוּ, מֵאֹבֹת; וַיַּחֲנוּ בְּעִיֵּי הָעֲבָרִים, בִּגְבוּל מוֹאָב. וַיִּסְעוּ, מֵעִיִּים; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בְּדִיבֹן גָּד. וַיִּסְעוּ, מִדִּיבֹן גָּד; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בְּעַלְמֹן דִּבְלָתָיְמָה. וַיִּסְעוּ, מֵעַלְמֹן דִּבְלָתָיְמָה; וַיַּחֲנוּ בְּהָרֵי הָעֲבָרִים, לִפְנֵי נְבוֹ. וַיִּסְעוּ, מֵהָרֵי הָעֲבָרִים; וַיַּחֲנוּ בְּעַרְבֹת מוֹאָב, עַל יַרְדֵּן יְרֵחוֹ. וַיַּחֲנוּ עַל-הַיַּרְדֵּן מִבֵּית הַיְשִׁמֹת, עַד אָבֵל הַשִּׁטִּים, בְּעַרְבֹת, מוֹאָב


They journeyed from Kehelathah and encamped in Mount Shepher. They journeyed from Mount Shepher and encamped in Haradah. They journeyed from Haradah and encamped in Makheloth. They journeyed from Makheloth and encamped in Tahath. They journeyed from Tahath and encamped in Terah. They journeyed from Terah and encamped in Mithkah. They journeyed from Mithkah and encamped in Hashmonah. They journeyed from Hashmonah and encamped in Moseroth. They journeyed from Moseroth and encamped in Benejaakan. They journeyed from Bene-jaakan and encamped in Hor-haggidgad. They journeyed from Hor-haggidgad and encamped in Jotbathah. They journeyed from Jotbathah and encamped in Abronah. They journeyed from Abronah and encamped in Ezion-geber. They journeyed from Ezion-geber and encamped in Kadesh. They journeyed from Kadesh and encamped in Mount Hor, at the edge of the land of Edom. Then Aaron the Kohen went up to Mount Hor at the word of Hashem and died there. Aaron was one hundred and twenty-three years old at his death on Mount Hor.
The Canaanite king of Arad heard — he was dwelling in the south of the land of Canaan — of the approach of the Children of Israel. They journeyed from Mount Hor and encamped in Zalmonah. They journeyed from Zalmonah and encamped in Punon. They journeyed from Punon and encamped in Oboth. They journeyed from Oboth and encamped in the ruins of the passes, at the border of Moab. They journeyed from the ruins and encamped in Dibon-gad. They journeyed from Dibon-gad and encamped in Almon-diblathaimah. They journeyed from Almon-diblathaimah and encamped in the mountains of the passes before Nebo. They journeyed from the mountains of the passes and encamped in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, at Jericho. They encamped by the Jordan, from Beth-jeshimoth until the plains of Shittim, in the plains of Moab.

Sunday, February 11, 2018

Kedumah 153 (24407) 152

אֵלֶּה מַסְעֵי בְנֵי-יִשְׂרָאֵל, אֲשֶׁר יָצְאוּ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם--לְצִבְאֹתָם: וַיִּסְעוּ מֵרַעְמְסֵס בַּחֹדֶשׁ הָרִאשׁוֹן, בַּחֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר יוֹם לַחֹדֶשׁ הָרִאשׁוֹן: מִמָּחֳרַת הַפֶּסַח, יָצְאוּ בְנֵי-יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּיָד רָמָה--לְעֵינֵי, כָּל-מִצְרָיִם. וּמִצְרַיִם מְקַבְּרִים, אֵת אֲשֶׁר הִכָּה יְהוָה בָּהֶם--כָּל-בְּכוֹר; וּבֵאלֹהֵיהֶם, עָשָׂה יְהוָה שְׁפָטִים. וַיִּסְעוּ בְנֵי-יִשְׂרָאֵל, מֵרַעְמְסֵס; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בְּסֻכֹּת. וַיִּסְעוּ, מִסֻּכֹּת; וַיַּחֲנוּ בְאֵתָם, אֲשֶׁר בִּקְצֵה הַמִּדְבָּר. וַיִּסְעוּ, מֵאֵתָם, וַיָּשָׁב עַל-פִּי הַחִירֹת, אֲשֶׁר עַל-פְּנֵי בַּעַל צְפוֹן; וַיַּחֲנוּ, לִפְנֵי מִגְדֹּל. וַיִּסְעוּ מִפְּנֵי הַחִירֹת, וַיַּעַבְרוּ בְתוֹךְ-הַיָּם הַמִּדְבָּרָה; וַיֵּלְכוּ דֶּרֶךְ שְׁלֹשֶׁת יָמִים, בְּמִדְבַּר אֵתָם, וַיַּחֲנוּ, בְּמָרָה. וַיִּסְעוּ, מִמָּרָה, וַיָּבֹאוּ, אֵילִמָה; וּבְאֵילִם שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה עֵינֹת מַיִם, וְשִׁבְעִים תְּמָרִים--וַיַּחֲנוּ-שָׁם. וַיִּסְעוּ, מֵאֵילִם; וַיַּחֲנוּ, עַל-יַם-סוּף. וַיִּסְעוּ, מִיַּם-סוּף; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בְּמִדְבַּר-סִין. וַיִּסְעוּ, מִמִּדְבַּר-סִין; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בְּדָפְקָה. וַיִּסְעוּ, מִדָּפְקָה; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בְּאָלוּשׁ. וַיִּסְעוּ, מֵאָלוּשׁ; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בְּקִבְרֹת הַתַּאֲוָה. וַיִּסְעוּ, מִקִּבְרֹת הַתַּאֲוָה; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בִּרְפִידִם, וְלֹא-הָיָה שָׁם מַיִם לָעָם, לִשְׁתּוֹת. וַיִּסְעוּ, מֵרְפִידִם; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בְּמִדְבַּר סִינָי. וַיִּסְעוּ, מִמִּדְבַּר סִינָי; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בְּמִדְבַּר פָּארָן. וַיִּסְעוּ, מֵמִדְבַּר פָּארָן; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בְּרִתְמָה. וַיִּסְעוּ, מֵרִתְמָה; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בְּרִמֹּן פָּרֶץ. וַיִּסְעוּ, מֵרִמֹּן פָּרֶץ; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בְּלִבְנָה. וַיִּסְעוּ, מִלִּבְנָה; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בְּרִסָּה. וַיִּסְעוּ, מֵרִסָּה; וַיַּחֲנוּ, בִּקְהֵלָתָה


These are the journeys of the Children of Israel, who went forth from the land of Egypt according to their legions. They journeyed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month — on the day after the pesach-offering — the Children of Israel went forth with an upraised hand, before the eyes of all Egypt. And the Egyptians were burying those whom Hashem had struck, every firstborn; and on their gods Hashem had inflicted punishments. The Children of Israel journeyed from Rameses and encamped in Succoth. They journeyed from Succoth and encamped in Etham, which is on the edge of the Wilderness. They journeyed from Etham and it turned back to Pi-Hahiroth, which is before Baal-zephon, and they encamped before Migdol. They journeyed from before Hahiroth and passed through the midst of the Sea toward the Wilderness; they went on a three-day trip in the Wilderness of Etham, and they encamped in Marah. They journeyed from Marah and arrived at Elim; in Elim were twelve springs of water and seventy date palms, and they encamped there. They journeyed from Elim and encamped by the Sea of Reeds. They journeyed from the Sea of Reeds and encamped in the Wilderness of Sin. They journeyed from the Wilderness of Sin and encamped in Dophkah. They journeyed from Dophkah and encamped in Alush. They journeyed from Alush and encamped in Kibroth Hattaavah. The journeyed from Kibroth Hattaavah and encamped in Rephidim, and there was no water there for the people to drink. They journeyed from Rephidim and they encamped in the Wilderness of Sinai. They journeyed from the Wilderness of Sinai and encamped in the Wilderness of Paran. They journeyed from the Wildermess of Paran and encamped in Rithmah. They journeyed from Rithmah and encamped in Rimmonperez. They journeyed from Rimmon-perez and encamped in Libnah. They journeyed from Libnah and encamped in Rissah. They journeyed from Rissah and encamped in Kehelathah.

Sunday, February 4, 2018

Kedumah 152 (24355) 180

כֹּה עָשׂוּ, אֲבֹתֵיכֶם, בְּשָׁלְחִי אֹתָם מִקָּדֵשׁ בַּרְנֵעַ, לִרְאוֹת אֶת-הָאָרֶץ. וַיַּעֲלוּ עַד-נַחַל אֶשְׁכּוֹל, וַיִּרְאוּ אֶת-הָאָרֶץ, וַיָּנִיאוּ, אֶת-לֵב בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל--לְבִלְתִּי-בֹא, אֶל-הָאָרֶץ, אֲשֶׁר-נָתַן לָהֶם, יְהוָה. וַיִּחַר-אַף יְהוָה, בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא; וַיִּשָּׁבַע, לֵאמֹר. אִם-יִרְאוּ הָאֲנָשִׁים הָעֹלִים מִמִּצְרַיִם, מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה, אֵת הָאֲדָמָה, אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי לְאַבְרָהָם לְיִצְחָק וּלְיַעֲקֹב: כִּי לֹא-מִלְאוּ, אַחֲרָי. בִּלְתִּי כָּלֵב בֶּן-יְפֻנֶּה, הַקְּנִזִּי, וִיהוֹשֻׁעַ, בִּן-נוּן: כִּי מִלְאוּ, אַחֲרֵי יְהוָה. וַיֹּאמֶר בְּנֵי-גָד וּבְנֵי רְאוּבֵן, אֶל-מֹשֶׁה לֵאמֹר: עֲבָדֶיךָ יַעֲשׂוּ, כַּאֲשֶׁר אֲדֹנִי מְצַוֶּה. טַפֵּנוּ נָשֵׁינוּ, מִקְנֵנוּ וְכָל-בְּהֶמְתֵּנוּ--יִהְיוּ-שָׁם, בְּעָרֵי הַגִּלְעָד. וַעֲבָדֶיךָ יַעַבְרוּ כָּל-חֲלוּץ צָבָא, לִפְנֵי יְהוָה--לַמִּלְחָמָה: כַּאֲשֶׁר אֲדֹנִי, דֹּבֵר. וַיִּתֵּן לָהֶם מֹשֶׁה לִבְנֵי-גָד וְלִבְנֵי רְאוּבֵן וְלַחֲצִי שֵׁבֶט מְנַשֶּׁה בֶן-יוֹסֵף, אֶת-מַמְלֶכֶת סִיחֹן מֶלֶךְ הָאֱמֹרִי, וְאֶת-מַמְלֶכֶת, עוֹג מֶלֶךְ הַבָּשָׁן: הָאָרֶץ, לְעָרֶיהָ בִּגְבֻלֹת--עָרֵי הָאָרֶץ, סָבִיב. וַיִּבְנוּ בְנֵי-גָד, אֶת-דִּיבֹן וְאֶת-עֲטָרֹת, וְאֵת, עֲרֹעֵר. וְאֶת-עַטְרֹת שׁוֹפָן וְאֶת-יַעְזֵר, וְיָגְבְּהָה. וְאֶת-בֵּית נִמְרָה, וְאֶת-בֵּית הָרָן: עָרֵי מִבְצָר, וְגִדְרֹת צֹאן. וּבְנֵי רְאוּבֵן בָּנוּ, אֶת-חֶשְׁבּוֹן וְאֶת-אֶלְעָלֵא, וְאֵת, קִרְיָתָיִם. וְאֶת-נְבוֹ וְאֶת-בַּעַל מְעוֹן, מוּסַבֹּת שֵׁם--וְאֶת-שִׂבְמָה; וַיִּקְרְאוּ בְשֵׁמֹת, אֶת-שְׁמוֹת הֶעָרִים אֲשֶׁר בָּנוּ. וַיֵּלְכוּ בְּנֵי מָכִיר בֶּן-מְנַשֶּׁה, גִּלְעָדָה--וַיִּלְכְּדֻהָ; וַיּוֹרֶשׁ, אֶת-הָאֱמֹרִי אֲשֶׁר-בָּהּ. וַיִּתֵּן מֹשֶׁה אֶת-הַגִּלְעָד, לְמָכִיר בֶּן-מְנַשֶּׁה; וַיֵּשֶׁב, בָּהּ. וְיָאִיר בֶּן-מְנַשֶּׁה הָלַךְ, וַיִּלְכֹּד אֶת-חַוֹּתֵיהֶם; וַיִּקְרָא אֶתְהֶן, חַוֹּת יָאִיר. וְנֹבַח הָלַךְ, וַיִּלְכֹּד אֶת-קְנָת וְאֶת-בְּנֹתֶיהָ; וַיִּקְרָא לָה נֹבַח, בִּשְׁמו


This is what your fathers did, when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to see the Land. They went up to the valley of Eshcol and saw the Land and they dissuaded the heart of the Children of Israel, not to come to the Land that Hashem has given them. The wrath of Hashem burned on that day, and He swore saying: 'If these men who came up from Egypt — from the age of twenty years and above — will see the ground that I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob... for they have not followed Me fully, except for Caleb son of Jephunneh, the Kenizzite, and Joshua son of Nun, for they followed Hashem fully.' The children of Gad and the children of Reuben said to Moses, saying, "Your servants shall do as my lord commands. Our small children, our wives, our livestock, and all our animals will be there in the cities of the Gilead. And your servants shall cross over — every armed person of the legion — before Hashem, to do battle, as my lord speaks." So Moses gave to them — to the children of Gad, and the children of Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph — the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorite, and the kingdom of Og king of the Bashan; the land with its cities in the boundaries, and the cities of the surrounding land. The children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer, and Atroth-shophan, and Jazer, and Jogbehah, and Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran — fortified cities and pens for the flock. The children of Reuben built Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Kiriathaim, and Nebo and Baal-meon with altered names, and Sibmah; and they called [them] by [other] names [instead of] the names of the cities that they built. The children of Machir son of Manasseh went to Gilead and occupied it, and drove out the Amorite who were in it. Moses gave the Gilead to Machir son of Manasseh and he settled in it. Jair son of Manasseh went and occupied their villages, and called them Havvoth-jair. Nobah went and occupied Kenath and her suburbs, and called it Nobah, after his name.

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Kedumah 151 (24175) 151

וְיֵרְדְּ, מִיַּעֲקֹב; וְהֶאֱבִיד שָׂרִיד, מֵעִיר. וַיַּרְא, אֶת-עֲמָלֵק, וַיִּשָּׂא מְשָׁלוֹ, וַיֹּאמַר: רֵאשִׁית גּוֹיִם עֲמָלֵק, וְאַחֲרִיתוֹ עֲדֵי אֹבֵד. וַיַּרְא, אֶת-הַקֵּינִי, וַיִּשָּׂא מְשָׁלוֹ, וַיֹּאמַר: אֵיתָן, מוֹשָׁבֶךָ, וְשִׂים בַּסֶּלַע, קִנֶּךָ. כִּי אִם-יִהְיֶה, לְבָעֵר קָיִן--עַד-מָה, אַשּׁוּר תִּשְׁבֶּךָּ. וַיִּשָּׂא מְשָׁלוֹ, וַיֹּאמַר: אוֹי, מִי יִחְיֶה מִשֻּׂמוֹ אֵל. וְצִים מִיַּד כִּתִּים, וְעִנּוּ אַשּׁוּר וְעִנּוּ-עֵבֶר; וְגַם-הוּא, עֲדֵי אֹבֵד. וַיָּקָם בִּלְעָם, וַיֵּלֶךְ וַיָּשָׁב לִמְקֹמוֹ; וְגַם-בָּלָק, הָלַךְ לְדַרְכּוֹ

וַיֵּשֶׁב יִשְׂרָאֵל, בַּשִּׁטִּים; וַיָּחֶל הָעָם, לִזְנוֹת אֶל-בְּנוֹת מוֹאָב. וַתִּקְרֶאןָ לָעָם, לְזִבְחֵי אֱלֹהֵיהֶן; וַיֹּאכַל הָעָם, וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲווּ לֵאלֹהֵיהֶן. וַיִּצָּמֶד יִשְׂרָאֵל, לְבַעַל פְּעוֹר; וַיִּחַר-אַף יְהוָה, בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל. וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל-מֹשֶׁה, קַח אֶת-כָּל-רָאשֵׁי הָעָם, וְהוֹקַע אוֹתָם לַיהוָה, נֶגֶד הַשָּׁמֶשׁ; וְיָשֹׁב חֲרוֹן אַף-יְהוָה, מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל. וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה, אֶל-שֹׁפְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל: הִרְגוּ אִישׁ אֲנָשָׁיו, הַנִּצְמָדִים לְבַעַל פְּעוֹר

וּמִקְנֶה רַב, הָיָה לִבְנֵי רְאוּבֵן וְלִבְנֵי-גָד--עָצוּם מְאֹד; וַיִּרְאוּ אֶת-אֶרֶץ יַעְזֵר, וְאֶת-אֶרֶץ גִּלְעָד, וְהִנֵּה הַמָּקוֹם, מְקוֹם מִקְנֶה. עֲטָרוֹת וְדִיבֹן וְיַעְזֵר וְנִמְרָה, וְחֶשְׁבּוֹן וְאֶלְעָלֵה, וּשְׂבָם וּנְבוֹ, וּבְעֹן
וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֶל-מֹשֶׁה, אִם-מָצָאנוּ חֵן בְּעֵינֶיךָ: אַל-תַּעֲבִרֵנוּ, אֶת-הַיַּרְדֵּן. וַיֹּאמְר מֹשֶׁה לָמָּה תְנִואוּן, אֶת-לֵב בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל--מֵעֲבֹר, אֶל-הָאָרֶץ, אֲשֶׁר-נָתַן לָהֶם, יְהוָה


One from Jacob shall rule and destroy the remnant of the city." He saw Amalek and declaimed his parable and said - "Amalek is the first among nations, but its end will be eternal destruction." He saw the Kenite and declaimed his parable and said - "Strong is your dwelling, and set in a rock is your nest. For if the Kenite should be laid waste, till where can Assyria take you captive?" He declaimed his parable and said - "Who will survive when He imposes these. "Big ships from the coast of Kittim will afflict Assyria and afflict the other bank — but it, too, will be forever destroyed." Then Balaam rose up and went and returned to his place, and Balak also went on his way.

Israel settled in the Shittim and the people began to commit harlotry with the daughters of Moab. They invited the people to the feasts of their gods; the people ate and prostrated themselves to their gods. Israel became attached to Baal-peor, and the wrath of Hashem flared up against Israel. Hashem said to Moses, "Take all the leaders of the people. Hang them before Hashem against the sun — and the flaring wrath of Hashem will withdraw from Israel." Moses said to the judges of Israel, "Let each man kill his men who were attached to Baal-peor."

The children of Reuben and the children of Gad had abundant livestock — very great. They saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, and behold! — it was a place for livestock.
They said, "If we have found favor in your eyes, do not bring us across the Jordan." Why do you dissuade the heart of the Children of Israel from crossing to the Land that Hashem has given them?

Sunday, January 21, 2018

Kedumah 150 (24024) 168

מַה-טֹּבוּ אֹהָלֶיךָ, יַעֲקֹב; מִשְׁכְּנֹתֶיךָ, יִשְׂרָאֵל. כִּנְחָלִים נִטָּיוּ, כְּגַנֹּת עֲלֵי נָהָר; כַּאֲהָלִים נָטַע יְהוָה, כַּאֲרָזִים עֲלֵי-מָיִם. יִזַּל-מַיִם מִדָּלְיָו, וְזַרְעוֹ בְּמַיִם רַבִּים; וְיָרֹם מֵאֲגַג מַלְכּוֹ, וְתִנַּשֵּׂא מַלְכֻתוֹ. אֵל מוֹצִיאוֹ מִמִּצְרַיִם, כְּתוֹעֲפֹת רְאֵם לוֹ; יֹאכַל גּוֹיִם צָרָיו, וְעַצְמֹתֵיהֶם יְגָרֵם--וְחִצָּיו יִמְחָץ. כָּרַע שָׁכַב כַּאֲרִי וּכְלָבִיא, מִי יְקִימֶנּוּ; מְבָרְכֶיךָ בָרוּךְ, וְאֹרְרֶיךָ אָרוּר. וַיִּחַר-אַף בָּלָק אֶל-בִּלְעָם, וַיִּסְפֹּק אֶת-כַּפָּיו; וַיֹּאמֶר בָּלָק אֶל-בִּלְעָם, לָקֹב אֹיְבַי קְרָאתִיךָ, וְהִנֵּה בֵּרַכְתָּ בָרֵךְ, זֶה שָׁלֹשׁ פְּעָמִים. וְעַתָּה, בְּרַח-לְךָ אֶל-מְקוֹמֶךָ; אָמַרְתִּי כַּבֵּד אֲכַבֶּדְךָ, וְהִנֵּה מְנָעֲךָ יְהוָה מִכָּבוֹד. וַיֹּאמֶר בִּלְעָם, אֶל-בָּלָק: הֲלֹא, גַּם אֶל-מַלְאָכֶיךָ אֲשֶׁר-שָׁלַחְתָּ אֵלַי--דִּבַּרְתִּי לֵאמֹר. אִם-יִתֶּן-לִי בָלָק מְלֹא בֵיתוֹ, כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב--לֹא אוּכַל לַעֲבֹר אֶת-פִּי יְהוָה, לַעֲשׂוֹת טוֹבָה אוֹ רָעָה מִלִּבִּי: אֲשֶׁר-יְדַבֵּר יְהוָה, אֹתוֹ אֲדַבֵּר. וְעַתָּה, הִנְנִי הוֹלֵךְ לְעַמִּי; לְכָה, אִיעָצְךָ, אֲשֶׁר יַעֲשֶׂה הָעָם הַזֶּה לְעַמְּךָ, בְּאַחֲרִית הַיָּמִים. וַיִּשָּׂא מְשָׁלוֹ, וַיֹּאמַר: נְאֻם בִּלְעָם בְּנוֹ בְעֹר, וּנְאֻם הַגֶּבֶר שְׁתֻם הָעָיִן. נְאֻם, שֹׁמֵעַ אִמְרֵי-אֵל, וְיֹדֵעַ, דַּעַת עֶלְיוֹן; מַחֲזֵה שַׁדַּי יֶחֱזֶה, נֹפֵל וּגְלוּי עֵינָיִם. אֶרְאֶנּוּ וְלֹא עַתָּה, אֲשׁוּרֶנּוּ וְלֹא קָרוֹב; דָּרַךְ כּוֹכָב מִיַּעֲקֹב, וְקָם שֵׁבֶט מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל, וּמָחַץ פַּאֲתֵי מוֹאָב, וְקַרְקַר כָּל-בְּנֵי-שֵׁת. וְהָיָה אֱדוֹם יְרֵשָׁה, וְהָיָה יְרֵשָׁה שֵׂעִיר--אֹיְבָיו; וְיִשְׂרָאֵל, עֹשֶׂה חָיִל


"How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel; "stretching out like brooks, like gardens by a river, like aloes planted by Hashem, like cedars by water. "Water shall flow from his wells, and his seed shall be by abundant waters.His king shall be exalted over Agag, and his kingdom shall be upraised. "It is God Who took him out of Egypt according to the power of His loftiness. He will consume the nations that oppress him and crush their bones, and his arrows shall pierce them. "He crouched and lay down like a lion, and, like a lion cub — who can stand him up? Those who bless you are blessed and those who curse you are accursed." Balak's anger flared against Balaam and he clapped his hands. Balak said to Balaam, "To curse my enemies did I summon you, and behold! you have continually blessed them these three times. Now, flee to your place.I said I would honor you, but — behold! Hashem has withheld you from honor." Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not speak to your emissaries whom you sent to me, saying, 'If Balak were to give me his houseful of silver and gold, I cannot transgress the word of Hashem to do good or bad on my own. Whatever Hashem speaks, that shall I speak.' And now, behold! I go to my people. Come, I shall advise you what this people will do to your people in the End of Days." He declaimed his parable and said - "The words of Balaam son of Beor, the words of the man with the open eye. The words of one who hears the sayings of God, and knows the knowledge of the Supreme One, who sees the vision of Shaddai, while fallen and with uncovered eyes. I shall see him, but not now, I shall look at him, but it is not near. A star has issued from Jacob and a scepter-bearer has risen from Israel, and he shall pierce the nobles of Moab and undermine the children of Seth. Edom shall be a conquest and Seir shall be the conquest of his enemies — and Israel will attain success.

Sunday, January 14, 2018

Kedumah 149 (23856) 160

הִנֵּה בָרֵךְ, לָקָחְתִּי; וּבֵרֵךְ, וְלֹא אֲשִׁיבֶנָּה. לֹא-הִבִּיט אָוֶן בְּיַעֲקֹב, וְלֹא-רָאָה עָמָל בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל; יְהוָה אֱלֹהָיו עִמּוֹ, וּתְרוּעַת מֶלֶךְ בּוֹ. אֵל, מוֹצִיאָם מִמִּצְרָיִם--כְּתוֹעֲפֹת רְאֵם, לוֹ. כִּי לֹא-נַחַשׁ בְּיַעֲקֹב, וְלֹא-קֶסֶם בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל; כָּעֵת, יֵאָמֵר לְיַעֲקֹב וּלְיִשְׂרָאֵל, מַה-פָּעַל, אֵל. הֶן-עָם כְּלָבִיא יָקוּם, וְכַאֲרִי יִתְנַשָּׂא; לֹא יִשְׁכַּב עַד-יֹאכַל טֶרֶף, וְדַם-חֲלָלִים יִשְׁתֶּה. וַיֹּאמֶר בָּלָק אֶל-בִּלְעָם, גַּם-קֹב לֹא תִקֳּבֶנּוּ; גַּם-בָּרֵךְ, לֹא תְבָרְכֶנּוּ. וַיַּעַן בִּלְעָם, וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל-בָּלָק: הֲלֹא, דִּבַּרְתִּי אֵלֶיךָ לֵאמֹר, כֹּל אֲשֶׁר-יְדַבֵּר יְהוָה, אֹתוֹ אֶעֱשֶׂה. וַיֹּאמֶר בָּלָק, אֶל-בִּלְעָם, לְכָה-נָּא אֶקָּחֲךָ, אֶל-מָקוֹם אַחֵר; אוּלַי יִישַׁר בְּעֵינֵי הָאֱלֹהִים, וְקַבֹּתוֹ לִי מִשָּׁם. וַיִּקַּח בָּלָק, אֶת-בִּלְעָם, רֹאשׁ הַפְּעוֹר, הַנִּשְׁקָף עַל-פְּנֵי הַיְשִׁימֹן. וַיֹּאמֶר בִּלְעָם אֶל-בָּלָק, בְּנֵה-לִי בָזֶה שִׁבְעָה מִזְבְּחֹת; וְהָכֵן לִי בָּזֶה, שִׁבְעָה פָרִים וְשִׁבְעָה אֵילִם. וַיַּעַשׂ בָּלָק, כַּאֲשֶׁר אָמַר בִּלְעָם; וַיַּעַל פָּר וָאַיִל, בַּמִּזְבֵּחַ

וַיַּרְא בִּלְעָם, כִּי טוֹב בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה לְבָרֵךְ אֶת-יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְלֹא-הָלַךְ כְּפַעַם-בְּפַעַם, לִקְרַאת נְחָשִׁים; וַיָּשֶׁת אֶל-הַמִּדְבָּר, פָּנָיו. וַיִּשָּׂא בִלְעָם אֶת-עֵינָיו, וַיַּרְא אֶת-יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֹׁכֵן, לִשְׁבָטָיו; וַתְּהִי עָלָיו, רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים. וַיִּשָּׂא מְשָׁלוֹ, וַיֹּאמַר: נְאֻם בִּלְעָם בְּנוֹ בְעֹר, וּנְאֻם הַגֶּבֶר שְׁתֻם הָעָיִן. נְאֻם--שֹׁמֵעַ, אִמְרֵי-אֵל: אֲשֶׁר מַחֲזֵה שַׁדַּי יֶחֱזֶה, נֹפֵל וּגְלוּי עֵינָיִם


"Behold! to bless have I received — He has blessed, and I shall not contradict it. "He perceived no iniquity in Jacob, and saw no perversity in Israel. Hashem his God is with him, and the friendship of the King is in him. "It is God Who brought them out of Egypt according to the power of His loftiness, for there is no divination in Jacob and no sorcery in Israel. Even now it is said to Jacob and Israel what God has wrought. Behold! the people will arise like a lion cub and raise itself like a lion; it will not lie down until it consumes prey, and drinks the blood of the slain." Balak said to Balaam, "Neither shall you curse them at all, nor shall you bless them at all!" Balaam answered and said to Balak, "Have I not spoken to you, saying, 'Whatever Hashem shall speak, that I shall do'? " Balak said to Balaam, "Go, now, I shall take you to a different place, perhaps it will be proper in God's eyes that you will curse them for me from there." Balak took Balaam to the summit of the height that overlooks the face of the wasteland. Balaam said to Balak, "Build for me here seven altars and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams." Balak did as Balaam said, and he brought up a bull and a ram on each altar.

Balaam saw that it was good in God's eyes to bless Israel, so he did not go as every other time toward divinations, but he set his face toward the Wilderness. Balaam raised his eyes and saw Israel dwelling according to its tribes, and the spirit of God was upon him. He declaimed his parable and said - "The words of Balaam son of Beor, the words of the man with the open eye; "the words of the one who hears the sayings of God, who sees the vision of Shaddai, while fallen and with uncovered eyes.

Sunday, January 7, 2018

Kedumah 148 (23696) 157

וַיִּשָּׂא מְשָׁלוֹ, וַיֹּאמַר: מִן-אֲרָם יַנְחֵנִי בָלָק מֶלֶךְ-מוֹאָב, מֵהַרְרֵי-קֶדֶם--לְכָה אָרָה-לִּי יַעֲקֹב, וּלְכָה זֹעֲמָה יִשְׂרָאֵל. מָה אֶקֹּב, לֹא קַבֹּה אֵל; וּמָה אֶזְעֹם, לֹא זָעַם יְהוָה. כִּי-מֵרֹאשׁ צֻרִים אֶרְאֶנּוּ, וּמִגְּבָעוֹת אֲשׁוּרֶנּוּ: הֶן-עָם לְבָדָד יִשְׁכֹּן, וּבַגּוֹיִם לֹא יִתְחַשָּׁב. מִי מָנָה עֲפַר יַעֲקֹב, וּמִסְפָּר אֶת-רֹבַע יִשְׂרָאֵל; תָּמֹת נַפְשִׁי מוֹת יְשָׁרִים, וּתְהִי אַחֲרִיתִי כָּמֹהוּ. וַיֹּאמֶר בָּלָק אֶל-בִּלְעָם, מֶה עָשִׂיתָ לִי: לָקֹב אֹיְבַי לְקַחְתִּיךָ, וְהִנֵּה בֵּרַכְתָּ בָרֵךְ. וַיַּעַן, וַיֹּאמַר: הֲלֹא, אֵת אֲשֶׁר יָשִׂים יְהוָה בְּפִי--אֹתוֹ אֶשְׁמֹר, לְדַבֵּר. וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו בָּלָק, לְךָ-נָּא אִתִּי אֶל-מָקוֹם אַחֵר אֲשֶׁר תִּרְאֶנּוּ מִשָּׁם--אֶפֶס קָצֵהוּ תִרְאֶה, וְכֻלּוֹ לֹא תִרְאֶה; וְקָבְנוֹ-לִי, מִשָּׁם. וַיִּקָּחֵהוּ שְׂדֵה צֹפִים, אֶל-רֹאשׁ הַפִּסְגָּה; וַיִּבֶן שִׁבְעָה מִזְבְּחֹת, וַיַּעַל פָּר וָאַיִל בַּמִּזְבֵּחַ. וַיֹּאמֶר, אֶל-בָּלָק, הִתְיַצֵּב כֹּה, עַל-עֹלָתֶךָ; וְאָנֹכִי, אִקָּרֶה כֹּה. וַיִּקָּר יְהוָה אֶל-בִּלְעָם, וַיָּשֶׂם דָּבָר בְּפִיו; וַיֹּאמֶר שׁוּב אֶל-בָּלָק, וְכֹה תְדַבֵּר. וַיָּבֹא אֵלָיו, וְהִנּוֹ נִצָּב עַל-עֹלָתוֹ, וְשָׂרֵי מוֹאָב, אִתּוֹ; וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ בָּלָק, מַה-דִּבֶּר יְהוָה. וַיִּשָּׂא מְשָׁלוֹ, וַיֹּאמַר: קוּם בָּלָק וּשְׁמָע, הַאֲזִינָה עָדַי בְּנוֹ צִפֹּר. לֹא אִישׁ אֵל וִיכַזֵּב, וּבֶן-אָדָם וְיִתְנֶחָם; הַהוּא אָמַר וְלֹא יַעֲשֶׂה, וְדִבֶּר וְלֹא יְקִימֶנָּה


He declaimed his parable and said - "From Aram, Balak, king of Moab, led me, from the mountains of the east, 'Come curse Jacob for me, come bring anger upon Israel.' How can I curse? — God has not cursed. How can I anger? — God is not angry. For from its origins, I see it rock-like, and from hills do I see it. Behold! it is a nation that will dwell in solitude and not be reckoned among the nations. "Who has counted the dust of Jacob or numbered a quarter of Israel? May my soul die the death of the upright, and may my end be like his!" Balak said to Balaam, "What have you done to me! To curse my enemy have I brought you, — but behold! you have even blessed!" He spoke up and said, "Is it not so that whatever Hashem puts in my mouth, that I must take heed to speak?" Balak said to him, "Go now with me to a different place from which you will see them; however, you will see its edge but not see all of it — and you will curse it for me from there." He took him to the field of the lookouts, to the summit of the height, and he built seven altars and brought up a bull and a ram on each altar. He said to Balak, "Stand here by your burnt-offering, and I will be happened upon here." Hashem happened upon Balaam and put an utterance in his mouth; and said, "Go back to Balak and so shall you say." He came to him and — behold! he was standing by his burnt-offering and the officers of Moab were with him. Balak said to him, "What did Hashem speak?" He declaimed his parable and said - "Stand erect, O Balak, and hear; give ear to me, O son of Zippor. "God is not a man that He should be deceitful, nor a son of man that He should relent. Would He say and not do, or speak and not confirm?