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Rambam for Shabbos, 26 Nisan, 5777 - April 22, 2017

Rambam - Sefer HaMitzvos
As Divided for The Daily Learning Schedule

Negative Mitzvot 117, 119, 118;
Positive Mitzvot 53, 52


25 Nisan, 5777 - April 21, 201727 Nisan, 5777 - April 23, 2017


Negative Mitzvah 117: We are forbidden to leave any of the meat of the Passover sacrifice until morning
Exodus 12:10 "And you shall let nothing of it remain until the morning"

This Negative Mitzvah refers to the portions of the Pascal sacrifice which are eaten by the Jewish people.

We are cautioned not to leave leftover meat until the next day, the morning of the fifteenth of Nissan. All leftover meat must be burnt.


Negative Mitzvah 119: We are forbidden to allow any of the meat of the Second Passover sacrifice to remain until the morning
Numbers 9:12 They shall leave none of it until the morning"

This Negative Mitzvah refers to the second Passover sacrifice.

This sacrifice is brought by those people who could not bring the regular Passover sacrifice on time.

The Torah, in effect, gives us a second chance to bring the Passover sacrifice, which must be brought exactly a month after Passover, on the fourteenth day of Iyar (see Positive Mitzvot 57-58).

We are cautioned not to leave leftover meat from this sacrifice, as well.


Negative Mitzvah 118: We are forbidden to leave any of the meat of the Festive sacrifice until the third day
Deuteronomy 16:4 "Nor shall any part of the meat which you sacrificed on the first day at evening, remain all night until the morning"

This Negative Mitzvah refers to the portions of meat of the Festive sacrifice (Korban Chagiga), which is an additional holiday sacrifice that is presented on the festivals (see Positive Mitzvah 52).

This sacrifice is brought on the fourteenth of Nissan and it can be eaten for two days, which means until the morning of the sixteenth of Nissan.

We are cautioned not to leave leftover meat after the time limit set in the Torah and all leftover meat must be burnt.


Positive Mitzvah 53: Appearing before HaShem in the Beit HaMikdash
Deuteronomy 16:16 "Three times a year, all your males shall appear"

Three times a year; on Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot, Jewish males are commanded to present themselves in the Beit HaMikdash.

The revelation of holiness on these occasions inspires everyone in their devotion to HaShem.

The arrival at the Beit HaMikdash is marked by bringing a sacrifice, the Olat Reiyah.


Positive Mitzvah 52: The Three Holiday pilgrimages to the Beit HaMikdash
Exodus 23:14 "Three times shall you celebrate for me in the year"

The travel industry is constantly advertising attractive "holiday package deals," low air-fares and reduced round-trip flights.

When the Temple is rebuilt, the Jews will not need any advertisements urging them to travel to Jerusalem.

The Torah commands us to journey to Jerusalem three times a year - on Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot. In Jerusalem, we are to rejoice in the Beit HaMikdash.

We must also not arrive empty handed (see Negative Mitzvah 156).

We must bring a special sacrifice on this festive occasion, the Korban Hagigah, the celebration offering.


There are people who believe they are doing good by swallowing other's egos alive. The egos of those they cannot help, and of those who cannot help them, are inedible to them -- and therefore intolerable. They cannot work with others -- because their egos leave no space for "others" -- only for those extensions of their own inflated selves that show they need them, or whom they need.

You don't love your neighbor to glorify your own ego. When you come to your brother's aid, leave your own self behind. Love with self- sacrifice.

From: Bringing Heaven Down to Earth by Tzvi Freeman - tzvif@aol.com


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