Pisqa’ 351⁶⁹

1. “They will teach⁷⁰ (“instruct”). The root, y-r-h, stands behind the word for “instruction”—torah. In the construction, hora’ah, it defines official instruction having the force of law, as in the present exegesis of Dt. 33:10. Your judgments to Jacob” (Dt. 33:10)— this teaches that binding instructions (horayot) are issued **only on [levitical] authority (mi-pihem),**⁷¹ literally, “their mouths.” Prepositions provide nuance, thus, mi-pihem (“from the mouth of,” “on the authority of”) and `al pihem (“on the mouth of,” “at their order”).

“And at their order (`al pihem) shall every dispute be adjudicated, and the status of every plague-sign” (Dt. 21:5). “Dispute”— such as [procedural] disputes over the burning of the [red] Heifer (Nu. 19:1ff.), over the Broken-necked Calf (Dt. 21:1ff.) and over the Suspected Wife (Nu. 5:11ff.). “Plague-sign”— such as plague-signs affecting humans (Lv. 13:1ff.), affecting garments (Lv. 13:47ff.). **and affecting houses (Lv. 14:22ff.)**⁷² 152.1

footnotes: ⁶⁹ H:363-364; JN2:428 ⁷⁰ Hebrew: yoru ⁷¹ Heb: pihem; ⁷² Cf. Pisqa’

2. “And your Instructions (torotekha)⁷³ is the plural form of torah. Here, as we have seen in a number of cases, a plural noun is read as a dual. This permits the idea of two Torahs to flow easily from the biblical text itself. to Israel” (Dt. 33:10)— this teaches that two Torahs were given to Israel, one transmitted orally (bifeh) and one inscribed in a text (bikhtav). Agnitus,⁷⁴ 351, ns.6-7 suggests several possibilities. the Roman general, inquired of Rabban Gamliel: Just how many Torahs were given to Israel? He replied: Two— one transmitted orally and one inscribed in a text.

footnotes: ⁷³ Torot ⁷⁴ Mss and editions copy the name variously. H:509, Pisqa’

3. “They shall offer incense to appease Your anger” (Dt. 33:10)— this refers to the incense offered within the inner-most [Chamber]. “Entirely consumed on Your altar” (Dt. 33:10)— this refers to the Priestly Flour-offering, as it is said: “And every Priestly Flour-offering must be entirely consumed [by fire]” (Lv. 6:16)

Another word: “They shall offer incense to appease Your anger” (Dt. 33:10)— this refers to the incense offered within the inner-most [Chamber]. “Entirely consumed on Your altar” (Dt. 33:10)— this refers to the organs of the Holocaust-offering (Lv. 16:24-27). [which are completely consumed in fire.]