Pisqa’ 74⁹⁷

1. “Your vows” (Dt. 12:17)— this is the Holocaust-offering. Now, what is the verse coming to teach us? Is the point [to declare liable one who consumes] the Holocaust-offering beyond the wall of Jerusalem? [No!] For this is a logical deduction from the case of the Cattle-tithe. Is the point, rather, [to impose liability on one who consumes the meat] before the sprinkling of the blood? [No!] For this rule is a logical deduction from the case of the Thanks-offering and the Communion-offering. Is the point, rather, [to impose liability on one who consumes the meat] after the sprinkling of the blood? [No!] For this is a logical deduction from the case of the Firstling! Is the point, then, [to impose liability on one who consumes the meat] beyond the curtains? [No!] For this is a logical deduction from the case of the Purification-offering and Guilt-offering. Just as the Purification-offering and Guilt-offering, which are permitted for consumption, yet, one who consumes them beyond the curtains transgresses a proscription, isn’t it only logical that in the case of the Holocaust-offering, which is prohibited for consumption— one who consumes it beyond the curtains should transgress a proscription? Therefore, [the verse must have some other application]! It comes only to teach us that one who consumes the Holocaust-offering— whether before sprinkling the blood, whether after sprinkling the blood, whether within the curtains, whether beyond the curtains— transgresses a proscription.

footnotes: ⁹⁷ H:127-128;JN1:212-213.

2. “Rather, before HASHEM your God you shall eat it” (Dt. 12:18)— namely, at Shiloh.

“At the place which HASHEM your God shall choose” (Dt. 12:18)— namely, in Jerusalem.

“You, and your son, and your daughter, and your male slave, and your slave-girl” (Dt. 12:18)— in [the listing of] these dependants, the most precious take precedence.

“And the Levite who is within your gates” (Dt. 12:18)— anywhere you find the Levite (e.g., Dt. 12:12, 14:27, 14:29)

give him his levitical portion [the First-tithe] If he can’t survive on his portion, then supplement his portion from the Pauper’s tithe. If he can’t survive on the Pauper’s tithe, then supplement his portion **from Communion-offerings.**⁹⁸ 69.1.

footnotes: ⁹⁸ Cf. Pisqa’

3. “Be careful” (Dt. 12:19)— this constitutes a proscription.

“Lest” (Dt. 12:19)— lest also constitutes a proscription.

“You abandon the Levite all your days” (Dt. 12:19)— even during the Sabbatical cycles, and even during the Jubilee years.

“On your soil” (Dt. 12:19)— but not in the Exile.