TORAH

FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES

NEVI'IM

PROPHETS

KETUVIM

WRITINGS

Chapter 23

Translation and Transliteration of

Listen to this chapter in Hebrew:

1Hashem spoke to Moshe, saying:

va-y'-da-BAYR a-do-NAI el mo-SHEH lay-MOR

אוַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר׃

2Speak to B'nei Yisrael and say to them: These are My fixed times, the fixed times of Hashem, which you shall proclaim as sacred occasions.

da-BER el b'-NAY yis-ra-AYL v'-a-mar-TA a-LE-hem mo-a-DAY a-do-NAI a-SHER ti-k'-RE-u o-TAM mik-ra-EI ko-DAYSH AY-leh HEM mo-a-DAI

בדַּבֵּ֞ר אֶל־בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ אֲלֵהֶ֔ם מוֹעֲדֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־תִּקְרְא֥וּ אֹתָ֖ם מִקְרָאֵ֣י קֹ֑דֶשׁ אֵ֥לֶּה הֵ֖ם מוֹעֲדָֽי׃

3On six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there shall be a Shabbat of complete rest, a sacred occasion. You shall do no work; it shall be a Shabbat of Hashem throughout your settlements.

SHE-shet ya-MEEM t'-a-SEH me-la-KHA, u-va-YOM ha-sh'-VI-i sha-BAT sha-BA-ton mik-ra-KOD-esh, kol me-la-KHA lo ta-a-SU, sha-BAT HI la-a-do-NAI b'-KOL mo-sh'-vo-te-KHEM.

גשֵׁ֣שֶׁת יָמִים֮ תֵּעָשֶׂ֣ה מְלָאכָה֒ וּבַיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י שַׁבַּ֤ת שַׁבָּתוֹן֙ מִקְרָא־קֹ֔דֶשׁ כׇּל־מְלָאכָ֖ה לֹ֣א תַעֲשׂ֑וּ שַׁבָּ֥ת הִוא֙ לַֽיהֹוָ֔ה בְּכֹ֖ל מוֹשְׁבֹֽתֵיכֶֽם׃

4These are the set times of Hashem, the sacred occasions, which you shall celebrate each at its appointed time:

AY-leh mo-a-DEY a-do-NAI mik-ra-EY ko-DAYSH a-SHER ti-k'-RU o-TAM b'-mo-a-DAHM

דאֵ֚לֶּה מוֹעֲדֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה מִקְרָאֵ֖י קֹ֑דֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר־תִּקְרְא֥וּ אֹתָ֖ם בְּמוֹעֲדָֽם׃

5In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at twilight, there shall be a Pesach offering to Hashem,

ba-KHO-desh ha-ree-SHON b'-ar-ba-AH a-SAHR la-KHO-desh BAYN ha-a-r'BA-yim PE-sakh la-a-do-NAI

הבַּחֹ֣דֶשׁ הָרִאשׁ֗וֹן בְּאַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֛ר לַחֹ֖דֶשׁ בֵּ֣ין הָעַרְבָּ֑יִם פֶּ֖סַח לַיהֹוָֽה׃

6and on the fifteenth day of that month Hashem's Feast of Unleavened Bread. You shall eat unleavened bread for seven days.

u-va-cha-MI-sha ASAR yoM la-KHO-desh ha-ZEH, chag ha-ma-TSOT la-a-do-NAI, shiv-AHT ya-MEEM ma-TSOT to-KHE-lu

ווּבַחֲמִשָּׁ֨ה עָשָׂ֥ר יוֹם֙ לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַזֶּ֔ה חַ֥ג הַמַּצּ֖וֹת לַיהֹוָ֑ה שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֖ים מַצּ֥וֹת תֹּאכֵֽלוּ׃

7On the first day you shall celebrate a sacred occasion: you shall not work at your occupations.

ba-YOM ha-ri-SHON mik-ra-KO-desh yi-HE-yeh la-KHEM kol me-LE-khet a-vo-DAH lo ta-a-SU

זבַּיּוֹם֙ הָֽרִאשׁ֔וֹן מִקְרָא־קֹ֖דֶשׁ יִהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֑ם כׇּל־מְלֶ֥אכֶת עֲבֹדָ֖ה לֹ֥א תַעֲשֽׂוּ׃

8Seven days you shall make offerings by fire to Hashem. The seventh day shall be a sacred occasion: you shall not work at your occupations.

v'-hi-k'ra-TEM i-SHEH la-a-do-NAI shi-VA-at ya-MEEM ba-YOM ha-sh'-vi-I mi-k'-RA k'-DOSH kol m'-LE-khet a-vo-DAH lo ta-a-SU.

חוְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֥ם אִשֶּׁ֛ה לַיהֹוָ֖ה שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֑ים בַּיּ֤וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי֙ מִקְרָא־קֹ֔דֶשׁ כׇּל־מְלֶ֥אכֶת עֲבֹדָ֖ה לֹ֥א תַעֲשֽׂוּ׃

9Hashem spoke to Moshe, saying:

va-y'-da-BAYR a-do-NAI el mo-SHEH lay-MOR

טוַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר׃

10Speak to B'nei Yisrael and say to them: When you enter the land that I am giving to you and you reap its harvest, you shall bring the first sheaf of your harvest to the Kohen.

da-BAYR el b'-NAY yis-ra-AYL v'-a-mar-TA a-lay-HEM kee ta-VO-u el ha-A-retz a-SHER a-NEE no-TAYN la-KHEM uk-tzar-TEM et k'-tzee-RA va-ha-vay-TEM et O-mer ray-SHEET k'-tzee-r'-KHEM el ha-ko-HAYN

ידַּבֵּ֞ר אֶל־בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ אֲלֵהֶ֔ם כִּֽי־תָבֹ֣אוּ אֶל־הָאָ֗רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֤ר אֲנִי֙ נֹתֵ֣ן לָכֶ֔ם וּקְצַרְתֶּ֖ם אֶת־קְצִירָ֑הּ וַהֲבֵאתֶ֥ם אֶת־עֹ֛מֶר רֵאשִׁ֥ית קְצִירְכֶ֖ם אֶל־הַכֹּהֵֽן׃

23:10 You shall bring the first sheaf of your harvest

Barley growing in the Western Negev

The omer is an offering of barley brought to the Beit Hamikdash in Yerushalayim on the second day of Pesach, corresponding to the sixteenth day of the month of Nissan. Only once this offering was brought, all grain that had taken root prior to the time of the offering may be eaten. According to the Sages (Kiddushin 38a), it was on the sixteenth of Nissan that the Israelites ran out of manna after it ceased to fall following the death of Moshe. The offering of the first grain in the Beit Hamikdash on that day each year reminds us of the eternal lesson of the manna. We dedicate a portion of our crops to our Creator before we eat from them ourselves, to remind us that no matter how hard we work the land, and despite the tremendous human effort required to produce it, our sustenance is really a gift from God in heaven.

11He shall elevate the sheaf before Hashem for acceptance in your behalf; the Kohen shall elevate it on the day after the Shabbat.

v'-he-NIF et ha-o-MER li-f'-NAY a-do-NAI li-r'-tzo-N'-KHEM mi-mo-kha-RAT ha-sha-BAT ye-ni-FE-nu ha-ko-HEN

יאוְהֵנִ֧יף אֶת־הָעֹ֛מֶר לִפְנֵ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה לִֽרְצֹנְכֶ֑ם מִֽמׇּחֳרַת֙ הַשַּׁבָּ֔ת יְנִיפֶ֖נּוּ הַכֹּהֵֽן׃

12On the day that you elevate the sheaf, you shall offer as a burnt offering to Hashem a lamb of the first year without blemish.

va-a-see-TEM b'-YOM ha-nee-F'-khem et ha-o-MER, ke-VES ta-MEEM ben sh'-NA-to l'-o-LAH la-a-do-NAI

יבוַעֲשִׂיתֶ֕ם בְּי֥וֹם הֲנִֽיפְכֶ֖ם אֶת־הָעֹ֑מֶר כֶּ֣בֶשׂ תָּמִ֧ים בֶּן־שְׁנָת֛וֹ לְעֹלָ֖ה לַיהֹוָֽה׃

13The meal offering with it shall be two-tenths of a measure of choice flour with oil mixed in, an offering by fire of pleasing odor to Hashem; and the libation with it shall be of wine, a quarter of a hin.

u-mi-n'-kha-TO sh'-NAY e-s'-ro-NEEM SO-let b'-lu-LAH ba-SHE-men i-SHEH la-a-do-NAI RAY-aKH ni-KHO-akh v'-nis-KO-ha ya-YIN r'-vee-AT ha-HEEN

יגוּמִנְחָתוֹ֩ שְׁנֵ֨י עֶשְׂרֹנִ֜ים סֹ֣לֶת בְּלוּלָ֥ה בַשֶּׁ֛מֶן אִשֶּׁ֥ה לַיהֹוָ֖ה רֵ֣יחַ נִיחֹ֑חַ וְנִסְכֹּ֥ה יַ֖יִן רְבִיעִ֥ת הַהִֽין׃

14Until that very day, until you have brought the offering of your God, you shall eat no bread or parched grain or fresh ears; it is a law for all time throughout the ages in all your settlements.

v'-LE-khem v'-ka-LEE v'-khar-MEL lo to-KHE-lu ad-Et-SEM ha-YOM ha-ZEH ad ha-vee-a-KHEM et kor-BAN e-lo-HE-khem khuk-KAT o-LAM l'-do-RO-tay-KHEM b'-kol mosh-vo-tay-KHEM. (S)

ידוְלֶ֩חֶם֩ וְקָלִ֨י וְכַרְמֶ֜ל לֹ֣א תֹֽאכְל֗וּ עַד־עֶ֙צֶם֙ הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה עַ֚ד הֲבִ֣יאֲכֶ֔ם אֶת־קׇרְבַּ֖ן אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֑ם חֻקַּ֤ת עוֹלָם֙ לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם בְּכֹ֖ל מֹשְׁבֹֽתֵיכֶֽם׃

15And from the day on which you bring the sheaf of elevation offering—the day after the Shabbat—you shall count off seven weeks. They must be complete:

u-s'-far-TEM LA-khem mi-mo-kha-rat ha-sha-BAT mi-YOM ha-vee-a-KHEM et o-MER ha-te-NU-fa, SHE-va sha-BA-tot te-mee-MOT ti-h'-YE-na

טווּסְפַרְתֶּ֤ם לָכֶם֙ מִמׇּחֳרַ֣ת הַשַּׁבָּ֔ת מִיּוֹם֙ הֲבִ֣יאֲכֶ֔ם אֶת־עֹ֖מֶר הַתְּנוּפָ֑ה שֶׁ֥בַע שַׁבָּת֖וֹת תְּמִימֹ֥ת תִּהְיֶֽינָה׃

16you must count until the day after the seventh week—fifty days; then you shall bring an offering of new grain to Hashem.

ad mi-mo-kha-rat ha-sha-BAT ha-sh'-vi-EET tis-pe-ROO kha-mee-SHEEM YOM v'-hik-rav-TEM min-kha-KHA kha-da-SHAH la-a-do-NAI

טזעַ֣ד מִֽמׇּחֳרַ֤ת הַשַּׁבָּת֙ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔ת תִּסְפְּר֖וּ חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים י֑וֹם וְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֛ם מִנְחָ֥ה חֲדָשָׁ֖ה לַיהֹוָֽה׃

17You shall bring from your settlements two loaves of bread as an elevation offering; each shall be made of two-tenths of a measure of choice flour, baked after leavening, as first fruits to Hashem.

mi-mo-sh'-vo-TAY-khem ta-VEE-u le-KHEM te-NU-fa SHE-ta-YIM sh'-NAY e-s'-ro-NEEM SO-let ti-h'-YE-na kha-METZ te-a-FEY-na bi-KU-rim la-a-do-NAI

יזמִמּוֹשְׁבֹ֨תֵיכֶ֜ם תָּבִ֣יאּוּ ׀ לֶ֣חֶם תְּנוּפָ֗ה שְׁ֚תַּיִם שְׁנֵ֣י עֶשְׂרֹנִ֔ים סֹ֣לֶת תִּהְיֶ֔ינָה חָמֵ֖ץ תֵּאָפֶ֑ינָה בִּכּוּרִ֖ים לַֽיהֹוָֽה׃

18With the bread you shall present, as burnt offerings to Hashem, seven yearling lambs without blemish, one bull of the herd, and two rams, with their meal offerings and libations, an offering by fire of pleasing odor to Hashem.

v'-hi-kra-TEM al ha-LE-khem shi-VA-at k'-va-SEEM te-mi-MAM b'-NAY sha-NAH u-far ben-ba-KAR e-KHAD v'-ay-LIM sh'-NA-yim yi-H'-yu o-LAH la-a-do-NAI u-min-cha-TAM v'-nis-KAY-hem i-SHEH ray-ACH-ni-KHO-ah la-a-do-NAI

יחוְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֣ם עַל־הַלֶּ֗חֶם שִׁבְעַ֨ת כְּבָשִׂ֤ים תְּמִימִם֙ בְּנֵ֣י שָׁנָ֔ה וּפַ֧ר בֶּן־בָּקָ֛ר אֶחָ֖ד וְאֵילִ֣ם שְׁנָ֑יִם יִהְי֤וּ עֹלָה֙ לַֽיהֹוָ֔ה וּמִנְחָתָם֙ וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֔ם אִשֵּׁ֥ה רֵֽיחַ־נִיחֹ֖חַ לַיהֹוָֽה׃

19You shall also offer one he-goat as a sin offering and two yearling lambs as a sacrifice of well-being.

va-a-see-TEM s'-EER i-ZEEM e-KHAD l'-kha-TAT u-sh'-NAY k'-va-SEEM b'-NAY sha-NAH l'-ZE-vakh sh'-la-MEEM

יטוַעֲשִׂיתֶ֛ם שְׂעִיר־עִזִּ֥ים אֶחָ֖ד לְחַטָּ֑את וּשְׁנֵ֧י כְבָשִׂ֛ים בְּנֵ֥י שָׁנָ֖ה לְזֶ֥בַח שְׁלָמִֽים׃

20The Kohen shall elevate these—the two lambs—together with the bread of first fruits as an elevation offering before Hashem; they shall be holy to Hashem, for the Kohen.

v'-he-NIF ha-ko-HAYN o-TAM al le-KHEM ha-bi-KU-rim te-NU-fa li-f'-NEI a-do-NAI al sh'-NAY k'-ba-SEEYM ko-DAYSH yi-h'-YU la-a-do-NAI la-ko-HAYN

כוְהֵנִ֣יף הַכֹּהֵ֣ן ׀ אֹתָ֡ם עַל֩ לֶ֨חֶם הַבִּכֻּרִ֤ים תְּנוּפָה֙ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה עַל־שְׁנֵ֖י כְּבָשִׂ֑ים קֹ֛דֶשׁ יִהְי֥וּ לַיהֹוָ֖ה לַכֹּהֵֽן׃

21On that same day you shall hold a celebration; it shall be a sacred occasion for you; you shall not work at your occupations. This is a law for all time in all your settlements, throughout the ages.

u-k'-ra-TEM b'-ET-zem ha-YOM ha-ZEH mik-ra-KO-desh yi-HEH la-KHEM kol m'-LE-khet a-vo-DAH lo ta-a-SU khoo-KAT o-LAM b'-kol mo-sh'-vo-tay-KHEM l'-do-RO-tay-KHEM

כאוּקְרָאתֶ֞ם בְּעֶ֣צֶם ׀ הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֗ה מִֽקְרָא־קֹ֙דֶשׁ֙ יִהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֔ם כׇּל־מְלֶ֥אכֶת עֲבֹדָ֖ה לֹ֣א תַעֲשׂ֑וּ חֻקַּ֥ת עוֹלָ֛ם בְּכׇל־מוֹשְׁבֹ֥תֵיכֶ֖ם לְדֹרֹֽתֵיכֶֽם׃

22And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap all the way to the edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger: I Hashem am your God.

uv-kutz-r'-KHEM et k'-TZEER ar-tz'-KHEM lo t'-kha-LE p'-AT sa-d'-KHA b'-kutz-RE-kha v'-LE-ket k'-tzee-r'-KHA LO te-la-KAYT le-a-NEE v'-la-GAYR ta-a-ZOV o-TAM a-NEE a-do-NAI e-LO-hay-khem

כבוּֽבְקֻצְרְכֶ֞ם אֶת־קְצִ֣יר אַרְצְכֶ֗ם לֹֽא־תְכַלֶּ֞ה פְּאַ֤ת שָֽׂדְךָ֙ בְּקֻצְרֶ֔ךָ וְלֶ֥קֶט קְצִירְךָ֖ לֹ֣א תְלַקֵּ֑ט לֶֽעָנִ֤י וְלַגֵּר֙ תַּעֲזֹ֣ב אֹתָ֔ם אֲנִ֖י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃

23:22 You shall not reap all the way to the edges of your field

This verse describes some of the agricultural laws reflecting the biblical notion of charity. A farmer must leave a corner of his field unharvested, and may also not collect stalks of grain that fall during harvesting. Similarly, forgotten sheaves of grain and small grapes left on the vine must not be collected. Instead, each of these portions of the harvest must be left for the poor. These commandments only apply to farmers in Israel. Farmers outside of Eretz Yisrael may harvest their entire field, as reflected in the words “of your land,” which refer specifically to the Land of Israel. This biblical imperative is still practiced in Israel today. Each season, farmers throughout Israel leave over millions of pounds of produce from the fields, which are collected by volunteers and distributed to poor people all over the country.

23Hashem spoke to Moshe, saying:

va-y'-da-BAYR a-do-NAI el mo-SHEH lay-MOR

כגוַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר׃

24Speak to B'nei Yisrael thus: In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe complete rest, a sacred occasion commemorated with loud blasts.

da-BAYR el b'-NAY yis-ra-AYL lay-MOR ba-KHO-desh ha-sh'-vee-EE b'-e-KHAD la-KHO-desh yih-YEH la-KHEM sha-ba-TON zikh-RON t'-ru-AH mik-ra KO-desh

כדדַּבֵּ֛ר אֶל־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר בַּחֹ֨דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֜י בְּאֶחָ֣ד לַחֹ֗דֶשׁ יִהְיֶ֤ה לָכֶם֙ שַׁבָּת֔וֹן זִכְר֥וֹן תְּרוּעָ֖ה מִקְרָא־קֹֽדֶשׁ׃

23:24 In the seventh month, on the first day of the month

This verse refers to the celebration of the holiday of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year and the first of the High Holidays. The story is told of a small, uneducated child who did not know Hebrew, and thus could not participate in the Rosh Hashana services. He desperately wanted to pray with the congregation on such a holy day, and so he entered the synagogue and hesitantly approached the Holy Ark. As the congregants looked at him in confusion, he called out to Hashem by simply reciting the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, the only Hebrew familiar to him. There was not a person in the room who wasn’t moved by his pure desire to return to Hashem, and the gates of Heaven immediately opened to accept his prayers. Do not think that the road to heaven is closed to you, God is always ready to welcome anyone who sincerely desires to approach Him.

25You shall not work at your occupations; and you shall bring an offering by fire to Hashem.

KOL-m'-LE-khet a-vo-DA lo ta-a-SU, v'-hik-RAV-tem i-SHEH la-a-do-NAI. (S)

כהכׇּל־מְלֶ֥אכֶת עֲבֹדָ֖ה לֹ֣א תַעֲשׂ֑וּ וְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֥ם אִשֶּׁ֖ה לַיהֹוָֽה׃

26Hashem spoke to Moshe, saying:

va-y'-da-BAYR a-do-NAI el mo-SHEH lay-MOR

כווַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר׃

27Mark, the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It shall be a sacred occasion for you: you shall practice self-denial, and you shall bring an offering by fire to Hashem;

akh be-a-SOR la-KHO-DESH ha-she-VEE-ee ha-ZEH yom ha-ki-PU-reem HU mik-ra-KO-desh yi-HEH la-KHEM v'-i-ni-TEM et naf-sho-TE-khem v'-hik-ra-VE-tem i-SHEH la-a-do-NAI

כזאַ֡ךְ בֶּעָשׂ֣וֹר לַחֹ֩דֶשׁ֩ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֨י הַזֶּ֜ה י֧וֹם הַכִּפֻּרִ֣ים ה֗וּא מִֽקְרָא־קֹ֙דֶשׁ֙ יִהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֔ם וְעִנִּיתֶ֖ם אֶת־נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶ֑ם וְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֥ם אִשֶּׁ֖ה לַיהֹוָֽה׃

28you shall do no work throughout that day. For it is a Day of Atonement, on which expiation is made on your behalf before Hashem your God.

v'-KOL m'-LA-khah lo ta-a-SU b'-ET-zem ha-YOM ha-ZEH, KI YOM ki-pu-REEM HU l'-ka-PAYR a-LAY-khem lif-NEY a-do-NAI e-lo-HAY-khem.

כחוְכׇל־מְלָאכָה֙ לֹ֣א תַעֲשׂ֔וּ בְּעֶ֖צֶם הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה כִּ֣י י֤וֹם כִּפֻּרִים֙ ה֔וּא לְכַפֵּ֣ר עֲלֵיכֶ֔ם לִפְנֵ֖י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃

29Indeed, any person who does not practice self-denial throughout that day shall be cut off from his kin;

ki kol-ha-ne-FESH a-SHER lo-t'-u-NEH b'-e-TSEM ha-YOM ha-ZEH, v'-nikh-re-TAH may-a-ME-ha.

כטכִּ֤י כׇל־הַנֶּ֙פֶשׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹֽא־תְעֻנֶּ֔ה בְּעֶ֖צֶם הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה וְנִכְרְתָ֖ה מֵֽעַמֶּֽיהָ׃

30and whoever does any work throughout that day, I will cause that person to perish from among his people.

v'-kol ha-NE-fesh a-SHER ta-a-SEH kol-m'-la-KHA b'-e-TZEM ha-YOM ha-ZEH v'-ha-a-va-d'-TEE et ha-NE-fesh ha-hi mi-KE-rev a-MAH

לוְכׇל־הַנֶּ֗פֶשׁ אֲשֶׁ֤ר תַּעֲשֶׂה֙ כׇּל־מְלָאכָ֔ה בְּעֶ֖צֶם הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה וְהַֽאֲבַדְתִּ֛י אֶת־הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ הַהִ֖וא מִקֶּ֥רֶב עַמָּֽהּ׃

31Do no work whatever; it is a law for all time, throughout the ages in all your settlements.

KOL-m'-LA-khah lo ta-a-SU, khuk-KAT o-LAM l'-do-RO-tay-KHEM b'-KOL mosh-VO-tay-KHEM.

לאכׇּל־מְלָאכָ֖ה לֹ֣א תַעֲשׂ֑וּ חֻקַּ֤ת עוֹלָם֙ לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם בְּכֹ֖ל מֹשְׁבֹֽתֵיכֶֽם׃

32It shall be a Shabbat of complete rest for you, and you shall practice self-denial; on the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall observe this your Shabbat.

SHA-bat sha-BA-ton hu LA-khem v'-i-NI-tem et naf-sho-TE-khem b'-ti-SHA lah-KHO-desh ba-E-rev me-E-rev ad-E-rev tish-B'-tu sha-ba-TE-khem. (Selah)

לבשַׁבַּ֨ת שַׁבָּת֥וֹן הוּא֙ לָכֶ֔ם וְעִנִּיתֶ֖ם אֶת־נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶ֑ם בְּתִשְׁעָ֤ה לַחֹ֙דֶשׁ֙ בָּעֶ֔רֶב מֵעֶ֣רֶב עַד־עֶ֔רֶב תִּשְׁבְּת֖וּ שַׁבַּתְּכֶֽם׃

33Hashem spoke to Moshe, saying:

va-y'-da-BAYR a-do-NAI el mo-SHEH lay-MOR

לגוַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר׃

34Say to B'nei Yisrael: On the fifteenth day of this seventh month there shall be the festival of Sukkot to Hashem, [to last] seven days.

da-BER el b'-NAY yis-ra-AYL lay-MOR ba-kha-MEE-sha a-SA-rim yoM la-KHO-desh ha-sh'-vee-EE ha-ZEH khag ha-su-KOT shiv-AHT ya-MEEM la-a-do-NAI

לדדַּבֵּ֛ר אֶל־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֨ה עָשָׂ֜ר י֗וֹם לַחֹ֤דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי֙ הַזֶּ֔ה חַ֧ג הַסֻּכּ֛וֹת שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֖ים לַיהֹוָֽה׃

35The first day shall be a sacred occasion: you shall not work at your occupations;

ba-YOM ha-ri-SHON mik-ra-KO-desh kol me-LE-khet a-vo-DAH lo ta-a-SU

להבַּיּ֥וֹם הָרִאשׁ֖וֹן מִקְרָא־קֹ֑דֶשׁ כׇּל־מְלֶ֥אכֶת עֲבֹדָ֖ה לֹ֥א תַעֲשֽׂוּ׃

36seven days you shall bring offerings by fire to Hashem. On the eighth day you shall observe a sacred occasion and bring an offering by fire to Hashem; it is a solemn gathering: you shall not work at your occupations.

SHI-vat ya-MEEM tak-REE-vu i-SHEH la-a-do-NAI ba-YOM ha-sh'-mee-NEE mik-ra-KO-desh yi-HEH la-KHEM v'-hi-k'-RAV-tem i-SHEH la-a-do-NAI a-tze-RET hi, kol me-le-KHET a-vo-DAH lo ta-a-SU.

לושִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֔ים תַּקְרִ֥יבוּ אִשֶּׁ֖ה לַיהֹוָ֑ה בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁמִינִ֡י מִקְרָא־קֹ֩דֶשׁ֩ יִהְיֶ֨ה לָכֶ֜ם וְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֨ם אִשֶּׁ֤ה לַֽיהֹוָה֙ עֲצֶ֣רֶת הִ֔וא כׇּל־מְלֶ֥אכֶת עֲבֹדָ֖ה לֹ֥א תַעֲשֽׂוּ׃

37Those are the set times of Hashem that you shall celebrate as sacred occasions, bringing offerings by fire to Hashem—burnt offerings, meal offerings, sacrifices, and libations, on each day what is proper to it—

AY-leh mo-a-DEY a-do-NAI a-SHER ti-k'-RU o-TAM mik-ra-EY ko-DAYSH l'-ha-k'-REEV i-SHEH la-a-do-NAI o-LAH u-mi-n'-KHAH z'-VAKH u-n'-sa-KHEEM d'-var-YOM b'-yo-MO

לזאֵ֚לֶּה מוֹעֲדֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־תִּקְרְא֥וּ אֹתָ֖ם מִקְרָאֵ֣י קֹ֑דֶשׁ לְהַקְרִ֨יב אִשֶּׁ֜ה לַיהֹוָ֗ה עֹלָ֧ה וּמִנְחָ֛ה זֶ֥בַח וּנְסָכִ֖ים דְּבַר־י֥וֹם בְּיוֹמֽוֹ׃

38apart from the Shabbatot of Hashem, and apart from your gifts and from all your votive offerings and from all your freewill offerings that you give to Hashem.

mi-l'-VAD shab-TOHT a-do-NAI u-mi-l'-VAD mat-no-TAY-khem u-mi-l'-VAD kol nid-ray-KHEM u-mi-l'-VAD kol nid-vo-TAY-khem a-SHER ti-t'-NU la-a-do-NAI

לחמִלְּבַ֖ד שַׁבְּתֹ֣ת יְהֹוָ֑ה וּמִלְּבַ֣ד מַתְּנֽוֹתֵיכֶ֗ם וּמִלְּבַ֤ד כׇּל־נִדְרֵיכֶם֙ וּמִלְּבַד֙ כׇּל־נִדְבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר תִּתְּנ֖וּ לַיהֹוָֽה׃

39Mark, on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the yield of your land,

you shall observe the festival of Hashem [to last] seven days: a complete rest on the first day, and a complete rest on the eighth day.

לטאַ֡ךְ בַּחֲמִשָּׁה֩ עָשָׂ֨ר י֜וֹם לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י בְּאׇסְפְּכֶם֙ אֶת־תְּבוּאַ֣ת הָאָ֔רֶץ תָּחֹ֥גּוּ אֶת־חַג־יְהֹוָ֖ה שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֑ים בַּיּ֤וֹם הָֽרִאשׁוֹן֙ שַׁבָּת֔וֹן וּבַיּ֥וֹם הַשְּׁמִינִ֖י שַׁבָּתֽוֹן׃

23:39 On the first day you shall take

The four species

One of the unique practices of the holiday of Sukkot is the taking of the four species. The Sages of the Midrash tell us that these four species symbolize four different personality types. The etrog (אתרוג), ‘citron,’ which is both fragrant and tasty, represents a person who both knows Torah and also performs good deeds. The lulav (לולב), ‘palm branch,’ has tasty fruit but no aroma, and thus represents a person who has knowledge of Torah, but does not perform good deeds. Conversely, the hadas (הדס), ‘myrtle branch,’ has a pleasant smell but no taste, representing a person who does good deeds, but lacks Torah knowledge. And the arava (ערבה), ‘willow branch,’ which lacks both smell and taste, represents a person who has neither Torah nor good deeds. By taking these different species and holding them together, we emphasize the importance of everyone, with all of their strengths and weaknesses, coming together and uniting in the service of the one true God.

40On the first day you shall take the product of hadar trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before Hashem your God seven days.

ul-kakh-TEM la-KHEM ba-YOM ha-ri-SHON p'-REE AYTZ ha-DAR ka-POT t'-ma-REEM va-a-NAF aytz a-VOT v'-ar-VAY NA-khal us-makh-TEM lif-NAY a-do-NAI e-lo-hay-KHEM shiv-AT ya-MEEM

מוּלְקַחְתֶּ֨ם לָכֶ֜ם בַּיּ֣וֹם הָרִאשׁ֗וֹן פְּרִ֨י עֵ֤ץ הָדָר֙ כַּפֹּ֣ת תְּמָרִ֔ים וַעֲנַ֥ף עֵץ־עָבֹ֖ת וְעַרְבֵי־נָ֑חַל וּשְׂמַחְתֶּ֗ם לִפְנֵ֛י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים׃

23:40 You shall rejoice before Hashem your God seven days

Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, was the most joyous of the festivals observed in the Beit Hamikdash. According to the Sages (Rosh Hashana 16a), on Sukkot, however, Hashem judges the people for water and determines how much rain will fall in the coming year. Given the fact that Eretz Yisrael is very dependent on rainfall, it seems that Sukkot should be a solemn time and not one of joyous celebration. What is the reason for such festivity? By making His people dependent on rainfall which comes from heaven, Hashem ensures that they must maintain a close connection with Him through prayer at all times. It is the constant connection with the Almighty, by virtue of His children’s continued dependence on Him, which is the cause for great celebration on Sukkot.

41You shall observe it as a festival of Hashem for seven days in the year; you shall observe it in the seventh month as a law for all time, throughout the ages.

v'-cha-GO-tem o-TO chag la-a-do-NAI shiv-AHT ya-MEEM ba-sha-NAH chuk-KAT o-LAM l'-do-RO-tay-KHEM ba-CHO-desh ha-sh'-vee-EE ta-CHO-gu o-TO

מאוְחַגֹּתֶ֤ם אֹתוֹ֙ חַ֣ג לַֽיהֹוָ֔ה שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֖ים בַּשָּׁנָ֑ה חֻקַּ֤ת עוֹלָם֙ לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם בַּחֹ֥דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֖י תָּחֹ֥גּוּ אֹתֽוֹ׃

42You shall live in booths seven days; all citizens in Yisrael shall live in booths,

ba-su-KOT tay-sh'-VU shiv-AT ya-MEEM kol ha-ez-RAKH b'-yis-ra-AYL yay-sh'-VU ba-su-KOT

מבבַּסֻּכֹּ֥ת תֵּשְׁב֖וּ שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֑ים כׇּל־הָֽאֶזְרָח֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל יֵשְׁב֖וּ בַּסֻּכֹּֽת׃

43in order that future generations may know that I made B'nei Yisrael live in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, I Hashem your God.

l'-MA-an yay-d'-U do-ro-tay-KHEM KEE va-su-KOT ho-SHAV-tee et b'-NAY yis-ra-AYL b'-ho-tzee-EE o-TAM may-E-retz mitz-RA-yim a-NEE a-do-NAI e-lo-hay-KHEM

מגלְמַ֘עַן֮ יֵדְע֣וּ דֹרֹֽתֵיכֶם֒ כִּ֣י בַסֻּכּ֗וֹת הוֹשַׁ֙בְתִּי֙ אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּהוֹצִיאִ֥י אוֹתָ֖ם מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם אֲנִ֖י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃

23:43 In order that future generations may know

A sukkah in Kibbutz Ein Hanatziv

The holiday of Sukkot recalls the protective shelter Hashem provided to the People of Israel in the desert. By following Him into the wilderness, they demonstrated their unshakable faith in the Lord and their unwavering love for Him, as it says in Yirmiyahu (2:2) “Thus said Hashem: I accounted to your favor the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.” By leaving their sturdy homes and eating and sleeping in a sukkah for the seven days of the holiday, future generations demonstrate their unshakeable trust in Hashem and their faith that He will continue to take care of them throughout all of their challenges and tribulations, just as He did in the wilderness.

44So Moshe declared to the Israelites the set times of Hashem.

vai-da-BAYR mo-SHEH et-mo-a-DAY a-do-NAI el b'-NAY yis-ra-AYL.

מדוַיְדַבֵּ֣ר מֹשֶׁ֔ה אֶת־מֹעֲדֵ֖י יְהֹוָ֑ה אֶל־בְּנֵ֖י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃