Pisqa’ 82¹⁴⁷

1. “Each word that I command you, be on guard to perform it” (Dt. 13:1)— so that the simplest commandment shall be as dear to you as the most arduous commandment.¹⁴⁸ 79.2.

footnotes: ¹⁴⁷ H:136; JN1:230. ¹⁴⁸ //M. Avot 2:1 and Pisqa’

“Be on guard to perform it” (Dt. 13:1). R. Eliezer b. Jacob says: you should find a proscription for each prescription mentioned in the Scriptural lection.

“Do not add to it and do not subtract from it” (Dt. 13:1). On this basis they taught: Sacrificial blood that is applied to the Altar in a single application, and it became mixed with other sacrificial blood that is applied to the Altar in a single application— the mixture shall be applied to the Altar **in a single application.**¹⁴⁹ {Sacrificial blood that is applied in four applications, which became mixed with other blood applied in a single application— the mixture shall be applied in a single application.

the mixed blood should be applied in four applications.

it should be applied in a single application.

Look—[if he makes only a single application] he transgresses “do not subtract” (Dt. 13:1)!

Look—if he makes four applications he transgresses “do not add” (Dt. 13:1)}!¹⁵⁰

footnotes: ¹⁴⁹ =M. Zev.8:10. ¹⁵⁰ I have supplied the text of T. Zev.8:23 {in brackets}.

2. Another word: “Do not add to it” (Dt. 13:1). How do I know that we do not add [a fifth species] to [the four comprising] the Palm-frond,¹⁵¹ nor [a fifth fringe] to the four [that adorn cornered garments]? The Teaching states: “Do not add to it” (Dt. 13:1). How do I know that we do not diminish their minimum measures?¹⁵² The Teaching states: “Do not subtract from it” (Dt. 13:1).

footnotes: ¹⁵¹ These “Four Species” are the the citron, willow, myrtle and palm frond (Lv. 23:40; M. Suk.3:7-14). At several points in the rites of the Festival of Huts (Sukkot) the Four Species are taken in hand and waved in the four compass directions, accompanied by the recitation of Psalms, as part of the petition for the winter rains. ¹⁵² These measures are listed at T. Suk.2:8

How do I know that if [a Priest] began to pronounce the Priestly Blessing [at Nu. 6:24-26], he should not think: Since I’ve already begun the blessing, I’ll say [as well]: “May HASHEM, the God of your ancestors, increase your numbers a thousand-fold” (Dt. 1:11)! The Teaching states: “Each word” (Dt. 13:1)— do not add so much as a word to [the commandment]!