Pisqa’ 82147H:136; JN1:230. 1. “Each word that I command you, be on guard to perform it” (Dt.13:1)— so that the simplest commandment shall be as dear to you as the most arduous commandment.148//M. Avot 2:1 and Pisqa’ 79.2.
“Be on guard to perform it” (Dt.13:1). R. Eliezer b. Jacob says: you should find a proscription for each prescription mentioned in the Scriptural lection.
“Do not add to it and do not subtract from it” (Dt.13:1). On this basis they taught: Sacrificial blood that is applied to the Altar in a single application, and it became mixed with other sacrificial blood that is applied to the Altar in a single application— the mixture shall be applied to the Altar in a single application.149=M. Zev.8:10. {Sacrificial blood that is applied in four applications, which became mixed with other blood applied in a single application— the mixture shall be applied in a single application. Said R. Eliezer: the mixed blood should be applied in four applications. R. Joshua says: it should be applied in a single application. R. Eliezer said: Look—[if he makes only a single application] he transgresses “do not subtract” (Dt.13:1)! Said R. Joshua: Look—if he makes four applications he transgresses “do not add” (Dt.13:1)}!150I have supplied the text of T. Zev.8:23 {in brackets}.
2. Another word: “Do not add to it” (Dt.13:1). How do I know that we do not add [a fifth species] to [the four comprising] the Palm-frond,151These “Four Species” are the the citron, willow, myrtle and palm frond (Lv.23:40; M. Suk.3:7-14). At several points in the rites of the Festival of Huts (Sukkot) the Four Species are taken in hand and waved in the four compass directions, accompanied by the recitation of Psalms, as part of the petition for the winter rains. nor [a fifth fringe] to the four [that adorn cornered garments]? The Teaching states: “Do not add to it” (Dt.13:1). How do I know that we do not diminish their minimum measures?152These measures are listed at T. Suk.2:8 The Teaching states: “Do not subtract from it” (Dt.13:1).
How do I know that if [a Priest] began to pronounce the Priestly Blessing [at Nu.6:24-26], he should not think: Since I’ve already begun the blessing, I’ll say [as well]: “May HASHEM, the God of your ancestors, increase your numbers a thousand-fold” (Dt.1:11)! The Teaching states: “Each word” (Dt.13:1)— do not add so much as a word to [the commandment]!
(דברים יג א) אֵת כָּל הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוֶּה אֶתְכֶם, שֶׁתְּהֵא מִצְוָה קַלָּה חֲבִיבָה עָלֶיךָ כְּמִצְוָה חֲמוּרָה.
Pisqa’ 82147H:136; JN1:230.
1. “Each word that I command you, be on guard to perform it” (Dt.13:1)—
so that the simplest commandment
shall be as dear to you
as the most arduous commandment.148//M. Avot 2:1 and Pisqa’ 79.2.
אֹתוֹ תִּשְׁמְרוּ לַעֲשׂוֹת, רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן יַעֲקֹב אוֹמֵר: לִתֵּן לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה עַל כָּל עֲשֵׂה הָאָמוּר בַּפָּרָשָׁה.
“Be on guard to perform it” (Dt.13:1).
R. Eliezer b. Jacob says:
you should find a proscription for each prescription
mentioned in the Scriptural lection.
לֹא תוֹסֵף עָלָיו וְלֹא תִגְרַע מִמֶּנּוּ, מִכָּן אָמְרוּ (זבחים פ״ח מ״י): הַנִּתָּנִים בְּמַתָּנָה אַחַת שֶׁנִּתְעָרְבוּ בַּנִּתָּנִים בְּמַתָּנָה אַחַת יִנָּתְנוּ בְּמַתָּנָה אַחַת.
“Do not add to it and do not subtract from it” (Dt.13:1).
On this basis they taught:
Sacrificial blood that is applied to the Altar
in a single application,
and it became mixed with
other sacrificial blood that is applied to the Altar
in a single application—
the mixture shall be applied to the Altar
in a single application.149=M. Zev.8:10.
{Sacrificial blood that is applied
in four applications,
which became mixed with other blood applied
in a single application—
the mixture shall be applied
in a single application.
Said R. Eliezer:
the mixed blood should be applied
in four applications.
R. Joshua says:
it should be applied
in a single application.
R. Eliezer said:
Look—[if he makes only a single application]
he transgresses “do not subtract” (Dt.13:1)!
Said R. Joshua:
Look—if he makes four applications
he transgresses “do not add” (Dt.13:1)}!150I have supplied the text of T. Zev.8:23 {in brackets}.
דָּבָר אַחֵר: לֹא תוֹסֵף עָלָיו, מִנַּיִן שֶׁאֵין מוֹסִיפִים עַל הַלּוּלָב וְעַל הַצִּיצִית? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: לֹא תוֹסֵף עָלָיו. מִנַּיִן שֶׁאֵין פּוֹחֲתִים מֵהֶם? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: וְלֹא תִגְרַע מִמֶּנּוּ.
2. Another word:
“Do not add to it” (Dt.13:1).
How do I know that
we do not add [a fifth species]
to [the four comprising] the Palm-frond,151These “Four Species” are the the citron, willow, myrtle and palm frond (Lv.23:40; M. Suk.3:7-14). At several points in the rites of the Festival of Huts (Sukkot) the Four Species are taken in hand and waved in the four compass directions, accompanied by the recitation of Psalms, as part of the petition for the winter rains.
nor [a fifth fringe] to the four
[that adorn cornered garments]?
The Teaching states:
“Do not add to it” (Dt.13:1).
How do I know that
we do not diminish their minimum measures?152These measures are listed at T. Suk.2:8
The Teaching states:
“Do not subtract from it” (Dt.13:1).
מִנַּיִן שֶׁאִם פָּתַח לְבָרֵךְ בִּרְכַּת כֹּהֲנִים, לֹא יֹאמַר הוֹאִיל וּפָתַחְתִּי לְבָרֵךְ אוֹמַר (דברים א יא) ״ה׳ אֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵיכֶם יוֹסֵף עֲלֵיכֶם״? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: הַדָּבָר – אֲפִלּוּ דָבָר לֹא תוֹסֵף עָלָיו.
How do I know that
if [a Priest] began to pronounce the Priestly Blessing [at Nu.6:24-26],
he should not think:
Since I’ve already begun the blessing,
I’ll say [as well]: “May HASHEM, the God of your ancestors,
increase your numbers a thousand-fold” (Dt.1:11)!
The Teaching states:
“Each word” (Dt.13:1)—
do not add so much as a word to [the commandment]!