1)

What are the connotations of ?Ani Hashem Elokeichem??

1.

Yerushalmi B?rachos, 1:5: It refers to the La?av of ?Lo Sa?aneh be?Re?acha Eid Shaker? ? in the Aseres ha?Dibros ? based on the Pasuk in Yirmiyah, 10:10 - ?va?Hashem Elokim Emes?. 1


1

See Torah Temimah, note 139.

2)

What are the connotations of "Ani Hashem" and of "Elokeichem", respectively?

1.

Rashi: "Ani Hashem" means that Hashem is trustworthy to reward and "Elokeichem", that He is trustworthy to punish. 1

2.

Seforno: We acknowledge Hashem's primacy, Who is therefore deserving of our worship and we Daven to Him (and to Him alone).


1

Since 'Hashem' denotes the Midah of Rachamim, and 'Elokim', the Midas ha'Din.

3)

Why does the Torah insert "asher Hotzeisi eschem me'Eretz Mitzrayim ... " in connection with Tzitzis?

1.

Rashi #1: To teach us that Hashem took us out of Egypt on condition that we obey His decrees. 1

2.

Rashi #2: To teach us that, just as, in Egypt, Hashem distinguished between 'the drop of a B'chor and that of someone who was not a B'chor, 2 so too will He distinguish between genuine Techeiles and Kala Ilan, 3 and punish those who use the latter to dye their Tzitzis and claim that it is Techeiles.

3.

Seforno: Hashem Personally took us out of Egypt so that we merit Him as our G-d, inasmuch as our continued existence is from Him directly - without a medium. 4


1

See Sifsei Chachamim.

2

Inasmuch as all the firstborn in the house died - even if their fathers did not know that they were firstborn, and all those who were not firstborn survived - even if their fathers thought that they were firstborn.

3

A cheap dye that resembles Techeiles. See Torah Temkimah, note 141.

4

Seforno: Because an existence of this nature is not subject to change and cannot be spoiled in any way, as it could be had it occurred via any of the other eternal creations.

4)

Why does the Torah repeat "Ani Hashem Elokeichem"?

1.

Rashi: To dispel the notion that, seeing as the objective of the Mitzvos is for us to receive reward, we are willing to forego the reward and are therefore exempt from having to fulfil them. Therefore the Torah states unequivocally that Hashem is our King and that we are obligated to obey His commands. 1

2.

Seforno: To point out that Hashem gave us the Mitzvah of Tzitzis to ensure that He remains our G-d, to perpetuate what He accomplished by taking us out of Egypt. 2

3.

Menachos, 44a: To teach us that just as - in a time of anger Hashem punishes someone who does not obtain a garment of four corners and attach Tzitzis - even though he is Patur, so too, in a time of calm, will He reward someone who purchases a garment and attaches Tzitzis. 3


1

Rashi: As clearly stated in Yechezkel, 20:33.

2

Refer to 15:14:1:1 & 15:41:2:3 and note.

3

See Torah Temimah, note 138.

5)

What is the significance of the five knots and the eight strands?

1.

Rashi #1: Refer to 15:39:1:1.

2.

Rashi (citing R. Moshe ha'Darshan): The eight strands correspond to the eight days from Yetzi'as Mitzrayim until singing the Shirah at the Yam-Suf. 1

3.

Ba'al ha'Turim: The five knots serve as a reminder to observe the five Books of the Torah, and the eight strands, not to sin with any of the eight limbs that cause a person to sin - the ears, the eyes, the mouth, the nose, the hands, the feet, the Ervah and the heart. 2

4.

Da'as Zekenim (in Pasuk 38): The eight strands correspond to the eight things connected with the heart, 3 or the eight names of the heart. Also, the heart is a third of the way down person's body, so the first third of the strands are twined, and two thirds straight.

5.

Rosh (in Pasuk 38): Combined, they correspond to the thirteen Midos of Rachamim. On all four corners, there are twenty knots and thirty-two strands, like the Gematriya of "Hashem Hashem" (the first two of the thirteen Midos of Rachamim).


1

Moshav Zekenim (in Pasuk 38): They sang on the twenty-first of Nisan, the eighth day of the redemption, which began with Shechitas Korban Pesach on the fourteenth of Nisan.

2

See Ba'al ha'Turim.

3

It is not clear what he is referring to.

6)

Why specifically on four corners (See Devarim 22:12)?

1.

Rashi (citing R. Moshe ha'Darshan): Specifically on four corners, but not on three or five, 1 corresponding to the four expressions of Ge'ulah 2 - "Vehotzeisi, Vehitzalti, Vega'alti, Velakachti. 3


1

See Sifsei Chachamim.

2

See also Ba'al ha'Turim on Pasuk 39.

3

In Va'eira Shemos, 6:6.

QUESTIONS ON RASHI

7)

Rashi writes that one attaches Tzitzes on four corners but not on three or five. But the Gemara in Menachos 43b Darshens from "Asher Techaseh bah" - Devarim 22:12 to include a garment of five corners?

1.

Riva (citing R. Peretz): Rashi means that a garment of three corners is totally exempt, and a garment of five corners requires Tzitzis only on four corners, but not on five. 1


1

Riva (citing the Maharam): Because, whereas a garment of five corners has four corners; a garment of three corners does not.

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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