Pisqa’ 464H:31, JN1:30 1. “On the other side of the Jordan . . . Moses began to explain this Torah” (Dt.1:5). R. Judah says: Actually, the term, began (ho’il),65The italicized words are all hif `il constructions of the root: y-‘-l. Among its many core meanings, BDB includes:“show willingness,” “be pleased,” “determine,” “undertake to do”. implies a fresh start, for it is said: “First (ho’el) spend the night, and refresh your spirit” (Jud.19:6); and He says: “And now, begin (ho’alta) to bless the house of your servant . . . 1 Chron. 17:27). But sages say: the term, began, implies an oath, for it is said: “And Moses swore (yo’el) to stay with the man” (Ex.2:21). And He says: “And Saul imposed a bond (yo’el) on the people” (1 Sam.14:24).66See Pisqa’ 27.2.
2. “To explain this Torah, saying” (Dt.1:5)— he said to them: I am already near death! Whoever has heard one verse [of the Torah] and forgotten it, let him come and review it! One liturgical lection67A section of scriptural text read in a public liturgy. Heb: parashah and forgotten it, let him come and review it! One chapter [of oral-tradition]68Heb: pereq and forgotten it, let him come and review it! One legal tradition69Heb: halachah and forgotten it, let him come and review it! This is why it is said: “To explain this Torah, saying” (Dt.1:5)— [to hear and then repeat].
(דברים א ה) בְּעֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן בְּאֶרֶץ מוֹאָב הוֹאִיל מֹשֶׁה בֵּאֵר רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: אֵין הוֹאָלָה אֶלָּא הַתְחָלָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שופטים יט ו): ״הוֹאֶל נָא וְלִין וְיִיטַב לִבֶּךָ״, וְאוֹמֵר (דברי הימים א יז כז): ״וְעַתָּה הוֹאַלְתָּ לְבָרֵךְ אֶת בֵּית עַבְדְּךָ לִהְיוֹת לְעוֹלָם לְפָנֶיךָ״. וַחֲכָמִים אוֹמְרִים: אֵין הוֹאָלָה אֶלָּא שְׁבוּעָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמות ב כא): ״וַיּוֹאֶל מֹשֶׁה לָשֶׁבֶת אֶת הָאִישׁ״, וְאוֹמֵר (שמואל א יד כד): ״וַיֹּאֶל שָׁאוּל אֶת הָעָם לֵאמֹר״.
Pisqa’ 464H:31, JN1:30
1. “On the other side of the Jordan . . .
Moses began to explain this Torah” (Dt.1:5).
R. Judah says:
Actually, the term, began (ho’il),65The italicized words are all hif `il constructions of the root: y-‘-l. Among its many core meanings, BDB includes:“show willingness,” “be pleased,” “determine,” “undertake to do”. implies a fresh start,
for it is said:
“First (ho’el) spend the night, and refresh your spirit” (Jud.19:6);
and He says:
“And now, begin (ho’alta) to bless the house of your servant . . . 1 Chron. 17:27).
But sages say:
the term, began, implies an oath,
for it is said:
“And Moses swore (yo’el) to stay with the man” (Ex.2:21).
And He says:
“And Saul imposed a bond (yo’el) on the people” (1 Sam.14:24).66See Pisqa’ 27.2.
בֵּאֵר אֶת הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת לֵאמֹר, אָמַר לָהֶם: כְּבָר אֲנִי סָמוּךְ לַמִּיתָה. מִי שֶׁשָּׁמַע פָּסוּק אֶחָד וּשְׁכָחוֹ – יָבוֹא וְיִשְׁנֶנּוּ, פָּרָשָׁה אַחַת וּשְׁכָחָהּ – יָבוֹא וְיִשְׁנֶנָּה, פֶּרֶק אֶחָד וּשְׁכָחוֹ – יָבֹא וְיִשְׁנֶנּוּ, הֲלָכָה אַחַת וּשְׁכָחָהּ – יָבֹא וְיִשְׁנֶנָּה. לְכָךְ נֶאֱמַר בֵּאֵר אֶת הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת לֵאמֹר.
2. “To explain this Torah, saying” (Dt.1:5)—
he said to them:
I am already near death!
Whoever has heard
one verse [of the Torah] and forgotten it,
let him come and review it!
One liturgical lection67A section of scriptural text read in a public liturgy. Heb: parashah and forgotten it,
let him come and review it!
One chapter [of oral-tradition]68Heb: pereq and forgotten it,
let him come and review it!
One legal tradition69Heb: halachah and forgotten it,
let him come and review it!
This is why it is said:
“To explain this Torah, saying” (Dt.1:5)—
[to hear and then repeat].