Pisqa’ 96²⁰³

1. “It shall never again be rebuilt” (Dt. 13:17)— don’t even make it into a garden or an orchard. nor even a coop for Herodian doves, **as in the words of R. Akiva.**²⁰⁴

footnotes: ²⁰³ H:143-145; JN1:252-254. ²⁰⁴ Cf. M. San.10:6; T. San.14:6.

“Let no trace of the doomed property remain in your hands” (Dt. 13:18). On this basis they taught: If one took [from doomed property] a staff, a pitch-fork, a spindle-whorl, or a rod— benefit from any of them is forbidden. If they are mixed up with other objects, benefit from any of the [mixed] objects is forbidden. What shall one do with them? Let him bring their [monetary] benefit to the Salt Sea [and throw the coins into the Sea].

anyone who benefits from [an object serving] a foreign cult **shall bring its [monetary] benefit to the Salt Sea [for disposal].**²⁰⁵

footnotes: ²⁰⁵ //M. AZ.3:9.

2. “So that HASHEM might turn from His blazing anger”(Dt. 13:18)— as long as a foreign cult exists in the world His blazing anger will exist in the world; when a foreign cult is removed from the world, His blazing anger will be removed from the world.

“And grant you mercy, and be merciful to you” (Dt. 13:18)— to you is mercy granted, but no mercy is granted to others! On this basis would Rabban Gamliel, our Teacher, say: As long as you show mercy to people, mercy is shown to you from Heaven; but when you show no mercy to people, Heaven shows you no mercy.²⁰⁶ “And multiply you” (Dt. 13:18)— just as it is said: “And I will multiply your descendants like the stars in Heaven” (Gn 26:4).

footnotes: ²⁰⁶ //T. BQ.9:30.

“As He swore to your ancestors” (Dt. 13:18)— all this because of the merit of your ancestors!

3. “For you will hear the voice of HASHEM your God” (Dt. 13:19). On this basis they taught: If a person begins by hearing only a little [Torah], he’ll eventually hear much.²⁰⁷ 79.1

footnotes: ²⁰⁷ Cf. Pisqa’

“By observing all His commandments, which I am commanding you this day” (Dt. 13:18)— so that the simplest commandment shall be as dear to you **as the most arduous commandment.**²⁰⁸ 79.3, 82.1.

footnotes: ²⁰⁸ Cf, M. Avot.2:1 and Pisqa’ot

“To do what is virtuous in the eyes of HASHEM your God” (Dt. 13:18)— this confirms what R. Ishmael says: “what is virtuous” (Dt. 13:18)— in the sight of Heaven.²⁰⁹ 79.2.

footnotes: ²⁰⁹ Cf. Pisqa’

“You are the children of HASHEM your God” (Dt. 14:1)— R. Judah says: if you conduct yourselves as proper children, you will indeed be [treated like proper] children; but if not— you will not be [treated like proper] children!

Either way, “You are the children of HASHEM your God” (Dt. 14:1).

“It shall be said of them: Children of the Living God!” (Hos. 2:1).²¹⁰

footnotes: ²¹⁰ Cf. M. Avot 3:14.

4. “Do not cut into yourselves” (titgodedu; Dt. 14:1)— **do not form factions (‘agudot].**²¹¹ and (‘-g-d) inspires this famous midrashic homily. Rather, you should all be a unified faction.

“He has grounded His faction (‘agudato) on the earth” (Am. 9:6). ****²¹²

footnotes: ²¹¹ The assonance of words formed from different roots (g-w-d ²¹² Cf. M. Avot 3:9.

Another word: “Do not cut into yourselves” (Dt. 14:1)— do not cut into yourselves according to the rites of others who cut into themselves, for it is said [of the prophets of Baal]: “And they cut into themselves according to their custom” (1Ki. 18:28)

5. “And do not make a bald-spot between your eyes in mourning the dead” (Dt. 14:1). Is it possible to say that we are held liable only [for a bald-spot made] between the eyes? On what basis do we include [shaving] the entire head [in this proscription]?

“They shall not make a bald-spot upon their head” (Lv. 21:5)— this includes [shaving] the entire head. Is it possible to say that the Priests— for whom Scripture mandates additional commandments— shall be held liable for each and every bald-spot, and for [shaving] the entire head, as well as between the eyes, while [non-Priests among] Israel— for whom Scripture does not mandate additional commandments— shall be held liable only for one [bald-spot], and shall be held liable only for one between the eyes ?

bald-spot [here (Dt. 14:1)] and bald-spot [there (Lv. 21:5)], [and thus] permits an analogical inference. Just as the bald-spot mentioned for Priests imposes liability for each and every bald-spot, and [liability for shaving] the head, as well as between the eyes, so, too, the bald-spot mentioned for Israel, should impose liability for each and every bald-spot, and [liability for shaving]the head, as well as between the eyes! And just as the bald-spot mentioned for Israel, imposes liability only [as part of a mourning rite] for the dead, so, too, the bald-spot mentioned for Priests, **should impose liability only [as part of a mourning rite] for the dead.**²¹³ per. 1:1-3.

footnotes: ²¹³ Sifra, ‘emor,