TORAH
FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES
NEVI'IM
PROPHETS
KETUVIM
WRITINGS
Chapter 15
Translation and Transliteration of
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1Every seventh year you shall practice remission of debts.
mi-KETZ she-VA sha-NEEM ta-a-SEH sh'-mi-TAH
אמִקֵּ֥ץ שֶֽׁבַע־שָׁנִ֖ים תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה שְׁמִטָּֽה׃
2This shall be the nature of the remission: every creditor shall remit the due that he claims from his fellow; he shall not dun his fellow or kinsman, for the remission proclaimed is of Hashem.
v'-ZEH d'-VAR ha-sh'-mi-TAH, sha-MOT kol-ba-AL ma-SHEH ya-DO, a-SHER ya-SHEH b'-re-E-hu, lo yi-GOS et-re-E-hu v'-et-a-KHEEV, kee-ka-RA sh'-mi-TAH la-a-do-NAI.
בוְזֶה֮ דְּבַ֣ר הַשְּׁמִטָּה֒ שָׁמ֗וֹט כׇּל־בַּ֙עַל֙ מַשֵּׁ֣ה יָד֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יַשֶּׁ֖ה בְּרֵעֵ֑הוּ לֹֽא־יִגֹּ֤שׂ אֶת־רֵעֵ֙הוּ֙ וְאֶת־אָחִ֔יו כִּֽי־קָרָ֥א שְׁמִטָּ֖ה לַיהֹוָֽה׃
3You may dun the foreigner; but you must remit whatever is due you from your kinsmen.
et-ha-no-KH-ree ti-GOS va-a-SHER yi-h'-YEH l'-KHA et-a-KHE-kha tash-MET ya-DE-kha
גאֶת־הַנׇּכְרִ֖י תִּגֹּ֑שׂ וַאֲשֶׁ֨ר יִהְיֶ֥ה לְךָ֛ אֶת־אָחִ֖יךָ תַּשְׁמֵ֥ט יָדֶֽךָ׃
4There shall be no needy among you—since Hashem your God will bless you in the land that Hashem your God is giving you as a hereditary portion
E-fes KEE LO yih-yeh b'-KHA ev-YON kee va-RAYKH y'-va-re-kh'-kha a-do-NAI ba-A-retz a-SHER a-do-NAI e-lo-HE-kha no-tayn l'-KHA na-kha-LAH l'-rish-TAH
דאֶ֕פֶס כִּ֛י לֹ֥א יִֽהְיֶה־בְּךָ֖ אֶבְי֑וֹן כִּֽי־בָרֵ֤ךְ יְבָֽרֶכְךָ֙ יְהֹוָ֔ה בָּאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁר֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ נֹֽתֵן־לְךָ֥ נַחֲלָ֖ה לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃
15:4 Hashem your God will bless you in the land that Hashem your God is giving you
The Hebrew word for ‘blessing,’ beracha (ברכה), is very similar to the word for ‘pool of water,’ bereicha (בריכה). Water refreshes, nourishes and purifies. In fact, immersing in the special pool of water known as a mikveh (מקוה), ‘ritual bath,’ is the final stage of purification for those who have become ritually impure. Similarly, when we bless something, we raise it spiritually. The Bible repeatedly refers to the Land of Israel as a blessing, teaching us that Israel is the source of abundant blessings, both material and spiritual, for the entire world
5if only you heed Hashem your God and take care to keep all this Instruction that I enjoin upon you this day.
RAK im-sha-MO-a tish-MA b'-KOL a-do-NAI e-lo-HE-kha lish-MOR la-a-SOT et-KOL ha-mitz-VA ha-ZOT a-SHER a-NO-khi m'-tza-VE-kha ha-YOM
הרַ֚ק אִם־שָׁמ֣וֹעַ תִּשְׁמַ֔ע בְּק֖וֹל יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ לִשְׁמֹ֤ר לַעֲשׂוֹת֙ אֶת־כׇּל־הַמִּצְוָ֣ה הַזֹּ֔את אֲשֶׁ֛ר אָנֹכִ֥י מְצַוְּךָ֖ הַיּֽוֹם׃
6For Hashem your God will bless you as He has promised you: you will extend loans to many nations, but require none yourself; you will dominate many nations, but they will not dominate you.
ki-a-do-NAI e-lo-HE-kha be-RAKH-kha ka-a-SHER di-BER-la-KHEM v'-ha-a-va-TA go-YIM ra-BEEM v'-a-TAH lo ta-a-VOT u-ma-SHAL-ta b'-go-YIM ra-BEEM u-VE-kha lo yim-sho-LO. (seh)
וכִּֽי־יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ בֵּֽרַכְךָ֔ כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּר־לָ֑ךְ וְהַֽעֲבַטְתָּ֞ גּוֹיִ֣ם רַבִּ֗ים וְאַתָּה֙ לֹ֣א תַעֲבֹ֔ט וּמָֽשַׁלְתָּ֙ בְּגוֹיִ֣ם רַבִּ֔ים וּבְךָ֖ לֹ֥א יִמְשֹֽׁלוּ׃
7If, however, there is a needy person among you, one of your kinsmen in any of your settlements in the land that Hashem your God is giving you, do not harden your heart and shut your hand against your needy kinsman.
ki-yi-HE-yeh v'-KHA ev-YON may-a-KHAD a-KHE-kha b'-a-KHAD sh'-a-RE-kha b'-ar-T'-KHA a-SHER a-do-NAI e-lo-HE-kha no-TAYN LA-kh, lo t'-a-MAYTZ et l'-va-V'-KHA v'-lo tikh-POtz et ya-d'-KHA may-a-KHE-kha ha-ev-YON
זכִּֽי־יִהְיֶה֩ בְךָ֨ אֶבְי֜וֹן מֵאַחַ֤ד אַחֶ֙יךָ֙ בְּאַחַ֣ד שְׁעָרֶ֔יךָ בְּאַ֨רְצְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁר־יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ נֹתֵ֣ן לָ֑ךְ לֹ֧א תְאַמֵּ֣ץ אֶת־לְבָבְךָ֗ וְלֹ֤א תִקְפֹּץ֙ אֶת־יָ֣דְךָ֔ מֵאָחִ֖יךָ הָאֶבְיֽוֹן׃
8Rather, you must open your hand and lend him sufficient for whatever he needs.
ki-FA-to-akh tif-TAKH et ya-d'-KHA LO, v'-ha-a-VEt ta-a-vee-TE-nu, DAY ma-kh'-SO-ro a-SHER y'-kh'-SAR LO
חכִּֽי־פָתֹ֧חַ תִּפְתַּ֛ח אֶת־יָדְךָ֖ ל֑וֹ וְהַעֲבֵט֙ תַּעֲבִיטֶ֔נּוּ דֵּ֚י מַחְסֹר֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֶחְסַ֖ר לֽוֹ׃
9Beware lest you harbor the base thought, “The seventh year, the year of remission, is approaching,” so that you are mean to your needy kinsman and give him nothing. He will cry out to Hashem against you, and you will incur guilt.
hi-SHA-mer L'-KHA pen-yi-HE-yeh da-VAR iM l'-va-V'-KHA b'-li-YA-al lay-MOR ka-RO-VA sh'-nat ha-sh'-VE-a sh'-nat ha-sh'-mi-TA v'-ra-AH a-YE-n'-KHA b'-a-KHEE-kha ha-EV-yon v'-LO ti-TAYN LO v'-ka-RA a-LE-kha el a-do-NAI v'-ha-YA v'-KHA khe-TA
טהִשָּׁ֣מֶר לְךָ֡ פֶּן־יִהְיֶ֣ה דָבָר֩ עִם־לְבָבְךָ֨ בְלִיַּ֜עַל לֵאמֹ֗ר קָֽרְבָ֣ה שְׁנַֽת־הַשֶּׁ֘בַע֮ שְׁנַ֣ת הַשְּׁמִטָּה֒ וְרָעָ֣ה עֵֽינְךָ֗ בְּאָחִ֙יךָ֙ הָֽאֶבְי֔וֹן וְלֹ֥א תִתֵּ֖ן ל֑וֹ וְקָרָ֤א עָלֶ֙יךָ֙ אֶל־יְהֹוָ֔ה וְהָיָ֥ה בְךָ֖ חֵֽטְא׃
10Give to him readily and have no regrets when you do so, for in return Hashem your God will bless you in all your efforts and in all your undertakings.
na-TON ti-TEN lo v'-LO y'-RA l'-va-VE-kha b'-ti-t'-KHA lo KEE bi-g'-LAL ha-DA-var ha-ZEH y'-va-re-KHE-kha a-do-NAI e-lo-HE-kha b'-KOL ma-a-SE-kha u-v'-KOL m'-sh'-LAKH ya-DE-kha
ינָת֤וֹן תִּתֵּן֙ ל֔וֹ וְלֹא־יֵרַ֥ע לְבָבְךָ֖ בְּתִתְּךָ֣ ל֑וֹ כִּ֞י בִּגְלַ֣ל ׀ הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֗ה יְבָרֶכְךָ֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ בְּכׇֽל־מַעֲשֶׂ֔ךָ וּבְכֹ֖ל מִשְׁלַ֥ח יָדֶֽךָ׃
11For there will never cease to be needy ones in your land, which is why I command you: open your hand to the poor and needy kinsman in your land.
KEE lo yekh-DAL ev-YON mi-KE-rev ha-A-retz al KAYN a-no-KHEE m'-tza-v'-KHA lay-MOR pa-TO-akh tif-TAKH at ya-d'-KHA l'-a-KHEE-kha la-a-nee-YE-kha ul-ev-yo-n'-KHA b'-ar-TZE-kha
יאכִּ֛י לֹא־יֶחְדַּ֥ל אֶבְי֖וֹן מִקֶּ֣רֶב הָאָ֑רֶץ עַל־כֵּ֞ן אָנֹכִ֤י מְצַוְּךָ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר פָּ֠תֹ֠חַ תִּפְתַּ֨ח אֶת־יָדְךָ֜ לְאָחִ֧יךָ לַעֲנִיֶּ֛ךָ וּלְאֶבְיֹנְךָ֖ בְּאַרְצֶֽךָ׃
15:11 Open your hand to the poor and needy kinsman
Strangely, the word lechem (לחם), ’bread,’ is the root of the word milchama (מלחמה), which means ‘war.’ According to Rabbi Benjamin Blech in his book The Secrets of Hebrew Words, people usually do not go to war because they are wicked, but rather because they are deprived of basic necessities, such as bread. If we take care of those who are needy and provide for those who are hungry, we will be one step closer to bringing peace to the world. This is one of the reasons why the State of Israel allows for an enormous amount of supplies to cross over into Gaza each day, supplying the people living in Gaza with goods such as food, medical devices and construction materials. The Hamas-controlled area remains extremely hostile towards Israel, nevertheless, Israel hopes that the daily deliveries of bread and other supplies will lead to peace.
12If a fellow Hebrew, man or woman, is sold to you, he shall serve you six years, and in the seventh year you shall set him free.
ki-yi-ma-KHER le-KHA a-KHE-kha ha-iv-REE o ha-iv-REE-yah va-a-va-d'-KHA shesh sha-NEEM u-va-sha-NAH ha-sh'-vee-AT t'-sha-l'-KHE-nu kho-f'-shee may-i-MAKH
יבכִּֽי־יִמָּכֵ֨ר לְךָ֜ אָחִ֣יךָ הָֽעִבְרִ֗י א֚וֹ הָֽעִבְרִיָּ֔ה וַעֲבָֽדְךָ֖ שֵׁ֣שׁ שָׁנִ֑ים וּבַשָּׁנָה֙ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔ת תְּשַׁלְּחֶ֥נּוּ חׇפְשִׁ֖י מֵעִמָּֽךְ׃
13When you set him free, do not let him go empty-handed:
v'-khee t'-sha-l'-KHE-nu kha-f'-SHEE may-i-MAKH, lo t'-sha-l'-KHE-nu ray-KAM
יגוְכִֽי־תְשַׁלְּחֶ֥נּוּ חׇפְשִׁ֖י מֵֽעִמָּ֑ךְ לֹ֥א תְשַׁלְּחֶ֖נּוּ רֵיקָֽם׃
14Furnish him out of the flock, threshing floor, and vat, with which Hashem your God has blessed you.
ha-a-NEEK ta-a-NEEK lo mi-tzo-NE-kha u-mi-gor-NE-kha u-mi-yik-VE-kha a-SHER be-RAKH-kha a-do-NAI e-lo-HE-kha ti-TEN-lo
ידהַעֲנֵ֤יק תַּעֲנִיק֙ ל֔וֹ מִצֹּ֣אנְךָ֔ וּמִֽגׇּרְנְךָ֖ וּמִיִּקְבֶ֑ךָ אֲשֶׁ֧ר בֵּרַכְךָ֛ יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ תִּתֶּן־לֽוֹ׃
15Bear in mind that you were slaves in the land of Egypt and Hashem your God redeemed you; therefore I enjoin this commandment upon you today.
v'-za-KHAR-ta KI e-VED ha-YI-ta b'-E-retz mitz-RA-yim, va-yif-D'-kha a-do-NAI e-lo-HE-kha al-KEN a-NO-khi m'-tza-VE-kha et ha-DA-var ha-ZEH ha-YOM.
טווְזָכַרְתָּ֗ כִּ֣י עֶ֤בֶד הָיִ֙יתָ֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם וַֽיִּפְדְּךָ֖ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ עַל־כֵּ֞ן אָנֹכִ֧י מְצַוְּךָ֛ אֶת־הַדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּ֖ה הַיּֽוֹם׃
16But should he say to you, “I do not want to leave you”—for he loves you and your household and is happy with you
v'-ha-YA, KEE yo-MAR e-LE-kha, lo e-TZE me-i-MAKH, KEE a-HEV-kha, v'-et BEI-te-KHA, KEE tov LO i-MAKH
טזוְהָיָה֙ כִּֽי־יֹאמַ֣ר אֵלֶ֔יךָ לֹ֥א אֵצֵ֖א מֵעִמָּ֑ךְ כִּ֤י אֲהֵֽבְךָ֙ וְאֶת־בֵּיתֶ֔ךָ כִּי־ט֥וֹב ל֖וֹ עִמָּֽךְ׃
17you shall take an awl and put it through his ear into the door, and he shall become your slave in perpetuity. Do the same with your female slave.
v'-la-KAkh-TA et ha-mar-TSE-a, v'-na-ta-TA b'-o-ZNO u-va-DE-let, v'-ha-YA l'-KHA EVED o-LAM, v'-af la-a-MA-te-KHA ta-a-SEH-KEN
יזוְלָקַחְתָּ֣ אֶת־הַמַּרְצֵ֗עַ וְנָתַתָּ֤ה בְאׇזְנוֹ֙ וּבַדֶּ֔לֶת וְהָיָ֥ה לְךָ֖ עֶ֣בֶד עוֹלָ֑ם וְאַ֥ף לַאֲמָתְךָ֖ תַּעֲשֶׂה־כֵּֽן׃
18When you do set him free, do not feel aggrieved; for in the six years he has given you double the service of a hired man. Moreover, Hashem your God will bless you in all you do.
lo-yik-SHEH v'-ay-NE-kha b'-sha-le-KHA o-TO kha-f'-SHEE may-i-MAKH kee mish-NEH s'-KHA s'-KHEER a-va-d'-KHA shaysh sha-NEEM u-ve-ra-KHE-kha a-do-NAI e-lo-HE-kha b'-KOL a-SHER ta-a-SEH.
יחלֹא־יִקְשֶׁ֣ה בְעֵינֶ֗ךָ בְּשַׁלֵּֽחֲךָ֨ אֹת֤וֹ חׇפְשִׁי֙ מֵֽעִמָּ֔ךְ כִּ֗י מִשְׁנֶה֙ שְׂכַ֣ר שָׂכִ֔יר עֲבָֽדְךָ֖ שֵׁ֣שׁ שָׁנִ֑ים וּבֵֽרַכְךָ֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ בְּכֹ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר תַּעֲשֶֽׂה׃
19You shall consecrate to Hashem your God all male firstlings that are born in your herd and in your flock: you must not work your firstling ox or shear your firstling sheep.
KOL ha-b'-KOR a-SHER yi-va-LED bi-v'-kar-KHA u-v'-tzo-N'-KHA ha-za-KHAR tak-DISH la-a-do-NAI e-lo-HE-kha, lo ta-a-VOD bi-v'-KOR sho-RE-kha v'-lo ta-GOZ b'-KOR tzo-NE-kha.
יטכׇּֽל־הַבְּכ֡וֹר אֲשֶׁר֩ יִוָּלֵ֨ד בִּבְקָרְךָ֤ וּבְצֹֽאנְךָ֙ הַזָּכָ֔ר תַּקְדִּ֖ישׁ לַיהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ לֹ֤א תַעֲבֹד֙ בִּבְכֹ֣ר שׁוֹרֶ֔ךָ וְלֹ֥א תָגֹ֖ז בְּכ֥וֹר צֹאנֶֽךָ׃
20You and your household shall eat it annually before Hashem your God in the place that Hashem will choose.
lif-NEI a-do-NAI e-lo-HE-kha to-KHE-le-NU sha-NAH b'-sha-NAH ba-ma-KOM a-SHER yi-V'-char a-do-NAI a-TAH u-vei-TE-kha
כלִפְנֵי֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֤יךָ תֹאכְלֶ֙נּוּ֙ שָׁנָ֣ה בְשָׁנָ֔ה בַּמָּק֖וֹם אֲשֶׁר־יִבְחַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֑ה אַתָּ֖ה וּבֵיתֶֽךָ׃
21But if it has a defect, lameness or blindness, any serious defect, you shall not sacrifice it to Hashem your God.
v'-khee yi-HE-yeh BO muM pi-SAY-akh o i-VEER kol muM ra LO tiz-BA-khe-NU la-a-do-NAI e-lo-HE-kha
כאוְכִֽי־יִהְיֶ֨ה ב֜וֹ מ֗וּם פִּסֵּ֙חַ֙ א֣וֹ עִוֵּ֔ר כֹּ֖ל מ֣וּם רָ֑ע לֹ֣א תִזְבָּחֶ֔נּוּ לַיהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ׃
22Eat it in your settlements, the unclean among you no less than the clean, just like the gazelle and the deer.
bi-sh'-a-re-KHA to-kh'-LE-nu ha-ta-MAY v'-ha-ta-HOR ya-kh'-DAV ka-tse-VE v'-ka-a-YAL
כבבִּשְׁעָרֶ֖יךָ תֹּאכְלֶ֑נּוּ הַטָּמֵ֤א וְהַטָּהוֹר֙ יַחְדָּ֔ו כַּצְּבִ֖י וְכָאַיָּֽל׃
23Only you must not partake of its blood; you shall pour it out on the ground like water.
RAK et-DA-mo lo to-KHEL al-ha-A-retz tish-pe-KHE-nu ka-ma-YIM.
כגרַ֥ק אֶת־דָּמ֖וֹ לֹ֣א תֹאכֵ֑ל עַל־הָאָ֥רֶץ תִּשְׁפְּכֶ֖נּוּ כַּמָּֽיִם׃
