Pisqa’ 67⁶⁰

1. “When you cross the Jordan and settle in the Land” (Dt. 12:10).

three commandments were given to Israel

To appoint a king for themselves; to build the Chosen Abode for themselves; **and to annihilate the descendants of Amalek.**⁶¹

footnotes: ⁶⁰ H:121; JN1:199-200. ⁶¹ =T. San.4:5.

Now, I don’t know which takes precedence: to appoint a king for themselves; to build the Chosen Abode for themselves; or to annihilate the descendants of Amalek? The Teaching states: “And Moses said: the hand is upon the throne of Yah;⁶² HASHEM will be at war with Amalek for all generations” (Ex. 17:16). That is, once a king sits on the throne of Yah, then you must annihilate the descendants of Amalek. Now, on what basis do I know that the throne of Yah is that of the king? For it is stated: “Then Solomon sat upon the throne of HASHEM as king” (1Chron. 29:23).

footnotes: ⁶² A contraction of the four-letter Name of God.

2. But I still don’t know which takes precedence— to build the Chosen Abode for themselves, or to annihilate the descendants of Amalek? The Teaching states: “When you . . . settle in the Land . . ., and you dwell in security; then, to the place which HASHEM your God shall choose . . . (Dt. 12:10-11). And He says: “Now, when the king was settled in his home, and HASHEM gave him respite . . ., then the king said to Nathan the Prophet: Look how I dwell in a house of cedar while the Ark of God sits in a tent!” (2Sam. 7:1-2).

3. “Then, to the place which HASHEM your God shall choose to invest with His Name there, there shall you bring . . . (Dt. 12:11). Why does the verse repeat, there, there? Because two partitioned areas were there: a partitioned area [within the Courtyard] for [Priests to eat] the Most-Holy offerings⁶³ and a partitioned area [within Jerusalem’s walls], for [common Israelites to eat] the Lesser-Holy offerings.⁶⁴

footnotes: ⁶³ Such as the Purification-offering of the New Moon and Festivals (e.g M. Zev.5:3). ⁶⁴ Such as, e.g., the Firstling, Second-tithe, and the Passover (M .Zev.5:7).