1)

(a)We just learned that if the Mizbe'ach is lacking in its squareness, it is Pasul. According to the Tana Kama, the Mizbe'ach will also be rendered Pasul - if it is missing the ramp, one of the Keranos (the cubic-Amah corner-blocks), or the Yesod (the Amah foundation at the foot of the Mizbe'ach).

(b)All of them are derived from the same word - namely, "ha'Mizbe'ach", which implies Ikuva (that it is crucial).

(c)Rebbi Yosi b'Rebbi Yehudah adds the Sovev - the ledge that surrounded the Mizbe'ach half-way up from the ground.

(d)He learns it from the Pasuk in Tzav "Karkov ha'Mizbe'ach", which according to the Tana Kama - refers to the Kiyur (i.e., the decorative strip around the Mizbe'ach in the Mishkan, which, in his opinion, will therefore be crucial).

2)

(a)The Pasuk in Shir ha'Shirim reads "Chamukei Yerechayich, Kemo Chala'im, Ma'aseh Yedei Aman". "Chamukei Yerechayich" refers to the Shitin - a hole that descends from the south-western Keren (where the wine was poured) deep down into the earth, for the wine to seep down.

(b)

1. ... "Kemo Chala'im" - means that the Mizbe'ach had a deep hole that descends into the depths, and ...

2. ... "Ma'aseh Yedei Aman" - means the craftsmanship of Hash-m.

(c)The acronym of "Bereishis", according to Tana d'Bei Rebbi Yishmael - is 'Bara Shis' (He created the Shitin).

3)

(a)When Yeshayah spoke of "Ashirah Na li'Yedidi Shiras Dodi l'Karmo", he was referring to singing about the Beis Hamikdash of Hash-m. By ...

1. ... "b'Keren ben Shemen" - he meant Eretz Yisrael, the 'fattest corner' of all the lands ...

2. ... "va'Ye'azkeihu" - that He built for Yisrael fortified cities, and ...

3. ... "va'Yesakleihu" - that He cleared out the nations before them ...

4. ... "va'Yat'eihu Sorek" - that He built the Beis Hamikdash (the root of His love toward Klal Yisrael).

(b)When he spoke of ...

1. ... "a tower" - he was referring to the Mizbe'ach, and of ...

2. ... "a wine-press" - to the Shitin.

4)

(a)According to Rebbi Elazar b'Rebbi Tzadok, they cleared away the congealed wine from the Shitin - by sending someone down a narrow shaft that was formed on the west side of the gap between the ramp and the Mizbe'ach.

(b)This was necessary - because otherwise, it was only a matter of time before the tremendous amount of wine that was poured there (seeing as all Korbanos bar the Chatas and the Asham, required Nesachim) would overflow.

(c)It was young Kohanim who would go down the shaft and scrape away the congealed wine - once every seventy years.

(d)It then had to be burned - because it is Kodesh and one is forbidden to derive benefit from it.

5)

(a)We learn from the 'Gezeirah-Shavah' "ba'Kodesh Hasech Nesech Sheichar la'Hashem" - "v'Sarafta es ha'Nosar ba'Esh ... Ki Kodesh Hu" - that, just as Nosar must be burned in the Azarah because it is holy, so too, must the wine.

6)

(a)The Mishnah in Me'ilah writes that, once the wine of the Nesachim has gone down to the Shitin, it is no longer subject to Me'ilah. We initially think that the author of this Mishnah must be Rebbi Elazar b'Rebbi Tzadok - since, according to the Rabanan, the wine went down to the Shitin and there was nothing on which to be Mo'el.

(b)We conclude however, that it might go like the Rabanan - since Me'ilah will be applicable according to the Rabanan too - if someone holds out a vessel and receives the wine as it is falling.

(c)According to Rebbi Elazar b'Rebbi Tzadok, in spite of the fact that the wine is still obtainable, Me'ilah will no longer apply to it - because of the principle that 'Once a Mitzvah has been completed, Me'ilah no longer applies'.

7)

(a)The Torah writes in Pinchas "ba'Kodesh Hasech Nesech Sheichar la'Hashem" - "Sheichar" is a Lashon of drinking, satisfaction and drunkenness.

(b)This teaches us that, unlike by food, it is via the throat that one derives the most benefit from wine, and that consequently - one should drink wine in long gulps, especially if it is in short supply in the first place.

8)

(a)The Pasuk "Mah Yafu Pa'amayich" (in Shir ha'Shirim) refers to the footsteps of Yisrael when they go to Yerushalayim on Yom-Tov. "Bas Nediv" - refers to Avraham Avinu, whose heart prompted him to acknowledge Hash-m and to accept Him as his G-d.

(b)Avraham is singled out - because he was the first person to convert to monotheism.

(c)If "Chamukei Yerechayich" refers to words of Torah, they are compared to a thigh - because they should be studied in a discreet place, (not in the open).

9)

(a)In the Pasuk in Michah, " ... Asos Mishpat" refers to justice and "Ahavas Chesed" to acts of kindness. We know that "Hatznei'a Leches im Elokecha" incorporates Hotzo'as ha'Mes and Hachnasas Kalah - because the word "Leches" is written with regard to both of them (in the Pasuk in Koheles "Tov Leches el Beis Avel mi'Leches el Beis ha'Mishteh").

(b)One can perform these two acts discreetly - either by regulating how much one eats, rejoices and mourns, or by not publicizing how much one has done on behalf of a poor Chasan or a poor man who died.

(c)This proves what we said earlier (that Torah should be learned discreetly) - because if things that are inevitably done publicly, require discretion, then things that are normally performed discreetly (such as Tzedakah), should certainly be performed with discretion, and the same will apply to all of one's acts of Avodas Hash-m, including the study of Torah.

10)

(a)Tzedakah is greater than - all the Korbanos.

(b)We learn from the Pasuk in Hoshea "Zir'u Lachem li'Tzedakah, v'Kitzru l'Fi Chesed", that Chesed is greater than Tzedakah - because it is compared to reaping, which is bound to benefit a person, whereas Tzedakah is only compared to sowing, where there is always a doubt whether one will succeed or not.

(c)Tzedakah is performed with one's money, Chesed even with one's body. In addition, Tzedakah can be performed only with a poor man and with one who is alive, whereas Chesed applies even to a rich one, and to one who is dead.

(d)We learn from the Pasuk in Tehilim "Ohev Tzedakah u'Mishpat, Chesed Hash-m Mal'ah ha'Aretz" - that someone who performs Tzedakah and justice, is considered as if he had filled the entire world with Chesed.

11)

(a)Rebbi Elazar learns from the Pasuk in Tehilim ...

1. ... "Mah Yakar Chasdecha Elokim" - that Chesed is something precious, which not everyone is granted the merit to do properly (i.e. with a recipient who is worthy of receiving it).

2. ... "v'Chesed Hash-m Me'olam v'Ad Olam al Yere'av" - that what we just said does not apply to a G-d-fearing person, whom Hash-m will always assist by ensuring that the person with whom he performs Chesed is truly a worthy one.

(b)Rav Chama bar Papa derives from the same Pasuk that - someone who possesses 'Chen' must be a G-d-fearing person.

(c)Some say that "Toras Chesed" (Mishlei) refers to the study of Torah 'Lishmah, and Torah she'Einah shel Chesed is that of Torah she'Lo Lishmah; others say that - "Toras Chesed" refers to Torah that one learns with the intention of teaching it to others, whereas Torah she'Einah shel Chesed is Torah that one learns purely for one's own benefit.