Sifrei on Deuteronomy Sifrei Devarim 36

English · Shraga Silverstein

(Devarim 6:9) "And you shall write them ("uchetavtem")": distinct writing, ("uchetavtem" suggesting "ketivah tamah" ["whole writing"]). From here they ruled: If he wrote alef (looking like) ayin; ayin like aleph; bet like kaf; kaf like bet; gimmel like tzaddik; tzaddik like gimmel; dalet like resh; resh like dalet; heh like chet; chet like heh; vav like yod; yod like vav; zayin like nun; nun like zayin; teth like peh; peh like teth; curved letters like straight ones; straight ones like curved ones; mem like samech; samech like mem; closed ones like open ones; open ones like closed ones; a closed section like an open one; an open one like a closed one — or (if he wrote running text) like a song or song like a running text, or if he wrote without ink, or if he wrote the Divine names in gold — these are to be secreted.

2

English · Shraga Silverstein

"And you shall write them": I might think (that he could write them) on stones — you, therefore, reason: It is stated here "writing," and, elsewhere (Ibid. 24:1) "writing." Just as there, on a scroll, here, too, on a scroll. You reason this way; but I can also reason: It is stated here "writing," and, elsewhere (Ibid. 27:8) "writing." Just as there, on stones, here, too, on stones! — Would you say this? There is a difference. I can learn one thing from another, and I can deduce one thing from another. I can learn one thing that obtains for all generations from another than obtains for all generations; but we do not deduce a thing that obtains for all generations (i.e., our instance) from something that obtains only for that time (i.e., the instance of the stones). As it is written (Jeremiah 36:18) "And Baruch said to them: From his mouth he read all these words to me, and I wrote it in the book with ink."

3

English · Shraga Silverstein

"on the doorposts (mezzuzoth)": I understand from this (a minimum of) two mezzuzoth (i.e., one mezzuzah for two doorposts). It is, therefore, written in the second section (Ibid. 11:20) "doorposts" — "increase upon increase" (i.e., two "doorposts" followed by two), which (according to the exegetical rule) signals diminution, (Scripture hereby prescribing a mezzuzah for even one doorpost.) These are the words of R. Yishmael.

4

English · Shraga Silverstein

R. Akiva says: This is not needed (for the halachah). It is written (Shemoth 12:7): "And they shall take of the blood and place it on the two mezzuzoth." Let "two" not be written (i.e., it is redundant). Why is it written? To serve as a paradigm, viz.: Wherever "mezzuzoth" is written it signifies one, unless Scripture specifies two.

5

English · Shraga Silverstein

"on the doorposts of your house": on the right as you enter? or on the right as you leave? It is, therefore, written "on the doorposts beitecha" (similar to "biatecha") ["your coming in"] — on the right hand side as you enter.

6

English · Shraga Silverstein

"and on your gates": Both the gates of houses, courtyards, countries, cities, stables, poultry houses, hay lofts, wine cellars, oil stores, and granaries are included in the mezzuzah requirement.

7

English · Shraga Silverstein

I might think that also included are a gate-house, a corridor, and a terrace; it is, therefore, written "house." Just as a house is intended for living purposes, (so all that are thus intended) to exclude the above, which are not thus intended. I might think that also included are privies, tanning houses, and bathhouses. It is, therefore, written "your house." Just as "your house" connotes a place of dignity, so, all such places (are included), to exclude the above, which are not thus intended.

8

English · Shraga Silverstein

I might think that also included are the Temple offices, the Temple courts, and the Temple mount. It is, therefore written "house." Just as "house" is mundane (and not sacrosanct), so all that are mundane (are included in the mezzuzah requirement).

9

English · Shraga Silverstein

Beloved are Israel, whom the Holy One Blessed be He surrounded with (seven) mitzvoth: Tefillin on the head and tefillin on the arm, mezzuzah on their doors, and tzitzith on the four corners of their garments. About them David said (Psalms 119:114) "(For these) seven in the day have I praised you." He entered the bathhouse and saw himself naked — whereupon he said: "Woe unto me that I am 'naked' of mitzvoth," but looking upon his circumcision, he uttered praise, viz. (Ibid. 12:1) "For the chief musician on the eighth, (circumcision, the eighth mitzvah, on the eighth day), a psalm of David."

10

English · Shraga Silverstein

An analogy: A king says to his wife: "Bedeck yourself with all of your jewels so that you be desirable to me." Thus, the Holy One Blessed be He said to Israel. "Be distinctive in mitzvoth, so that you be desirable to Me." And thus is it written (Song of Songs 6:4) "Beautiful are you My beloved, as Tirtzah" — You are beautiful when you make yourself desirable ("retzuya" [like 'Tirtzah']) to Me (through mitzvoth)."

Sifrei Devarim 36

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