Simeon Singer - The Standard Prayer Book

8. The first-born, the tithe of cattle and the paschal lamb were likewise holy in a minor degree. They might be slain in any part of the court; only one sprinkling of their blood had to be made; this, however, had to be done towards the base of the altar. In respect to their consumption the following differences prevailed: the first-born might be eaten only by the priests, while the tithe might be eaten by any person: both might be eaten, dressed after any manner, in any part of the city, during two days and one night. The paschal lamb might only be eaten the same evening until midnight; it might be partaken of by none but the previously appointed number of persons, and it might only be eaten roasted.

Boraitha d’R. Ishmael.

Rabbi Ishmael says: There are thirteen exegetical principles by which the Law is expounded:—1. The inference from minor to major. 2. The inference from a similarity of phrases. 3. A general law may be derived by induction from different cases which, occurring in the same or in different verses, have yet some feature in common. 4. A general proposition followed by the enumeration of particulars already comprehended in the general proposition, (in which case the scope of the proposition is limited by the things specified) 5. An enumeration of particulars followed by a general proposition in which they are also comprehended, (in which case the scope of the proposition extends also to the things not specified). 6. Two general propositions, separated from each other by an enumeration of particulars, include only such things as are similar to those specified 7. An inference drawn from a general proposition complemented by a particular term, and an inference drawn from a particular term complemented by a general proposition. 8. If anything is included in a general proposition and is then made the subject of a special statement, that which is predicated of it is not to be understood as limited to itself alone, but is to be applied to the whole of the general proposition 9. If anything is included in a general proposition, and is then singled out in order to be made the subject of a special statement, similar to the general proposition, this particularisation is intended, so far as its subject is concerned, to lessen and not to add to its restrictions. 10. If anything is included in a general proposition, and is then singled out in order to be made the subject of a special statement, not similar to the general proposition, this particularisation is intended in some respects to lessen and in others to add to its restrictions. 11. If anything is included in a general proposition, and is then made the subject of a fresh statement (not in harmony with the former), the terms of the general proposition will not apply to it, unless the Scripture distinctly indicates that they shall apply. 12. The meaning of a passage may be deduced from its context, or from some subsequent passage. 13. Similarly, when two passages are in contradiction to each other, the explanation can be determined only when a third text is found, capable of harmonizing the two.

May it be thy will, O Lord our God and God of our fathers, that the temple be speedily rebuilt in our days and grant our portion in thy Law. And there we will serve thee with awe, as in the days of old, and as in ancient years.

Before putting on the Tallith, say the following:—

I am here enwrapping myself in this fringed robe, in fulfilment of the command of my Creator, as it is written in the Law, They shall make them a fringe upon the corners of their garments throughout their generations. And even as I cover myself with the Tallith in this world, so may my soul deserve to be clothed with a beauteous spiritual robe in the world to come, in the garden of Eden. Amen.

On putting on the Tallith, say:—

Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who hast sanctified us by thy commandments, and hast commanded us to enwrap ourselves in the fringed garment.

How precious is thy lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge under the shadow of thy wings. They sate themselves with the fatness of thy house; and thou givest them to drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light do we see light. O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee, and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.

Meditation before laying the Tephillin .

I am here intent upon the act of laying the Tephillin, in fulfilment of the command of my Creator, who hath commanded us to lay the Tephillin, as it is written in the Law, And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be for frontlets between thine eyes. Within these Tephillin are placed four sections of the Law, *that declare the absolute unity of God, and that remind us of the miracles and wonders which he wrought for us when he brought us forth from Egypt, even he who hath power over the highest and the lowest to deal with them according to his will. He hath commanded us to lay the Tephillin upon the hand as a memorial of his outstretched arm; opposite the heart, to indicate the duty of subjecting the longings and designs of our heart to his service, blessed be he; and upon the head over against the brain, thereby teaching that the mind, whose seat is in the brain, together with all senses and faculties, is to be subjected to his service, blessed be he. May the effect of the precept thus observed be to extend to me long life with sacred influences and holy thoughts, free from every approach, even in imagination, to sin and iniquity. May the evil inclination not mislead or entice us, but may we be led to serve the Lord as it is in our hearts to do. Amen.

* Deut. vi. 4–9; xi. 13–21; Exod. xiii. 1–10; 11–16.

On placing the Tephillah on the arm, say:—

Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who hast sanctified us by thy commandments, and hast commanded us to lay the Tephillin.

On placing the Tephillah on the forehead, say:—

Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who hast sanctified us by thy commandments, and hast given us command concerning the precept of the Tephillin.

Blessed be His name, whose glorious kingdom is for ever and ever.

The Retsuah is placed thrice round the middle finger, and the following is said:—

And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercy: I will even betroth thee to me in faithfulness; and thou shalt know the Lord.

In some Congregations Psalm xxx (page 103) is said here .

Blessed be he who spake, and the world existed: blessed be he: blessed be he who was the maker of the world in the beginning: blessed be he who speaketh and doeth: blessed be he who decreeth and performeth: blessed be he who hath mercy upon the earth: blessed be he who hath mercy upon his creatures: blessed be he who payeth a good reward to them that fear him: blessed be he who liveth for ever, and endureth to eternity: blessed be he who redeemeth and delivereth: blessed be his name.—Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, O God and merciful Father, praised by the mouth of thy people, lauded and glorified by the tongue of thy loving ones and thy servants. We also will praise thee, O Lord our God, with the songs of David thy servant; with praises and psalms we will magnify, laud and glorify thee, and we will make mention of thy name, and proclaim thee our King, O our God, thou the only one, the life of all worlds. O King, praised and glorified be thy great name for ever and ever. Blessed art thou, O Lord, a King extolled with praises.

1 Chron. xvi. 8–36.

O give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name; make known his doings among the peoples. Sing unto him, sing praises unto him; tell ye of all his marvellous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Search ye for the Lord and his strength; seek ye his face evermore. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done: his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; O ye seed of Israel, his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones. He is the Lord our God: his judgments are in all the earth. Remember his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations; (the covenant) which he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; and confirmed the same unto Jacob for a statute, to Israel for an everlasting covenant: saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, as the lot of your inheritance: when ye were but a few men in number; yea, few, and sojourners in it; and they went about from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people. He suffered no man to oppress them; yea, he rebuked kings for their sakes; (saying), Touch not mine anointed ones, and do my prophets no harm. Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; proclaim his salvation from day to day. Recount his glory among the nations, his marvels among all the peoples. For great is the Lord, and exceedingly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are things of nought; but the Lord made the heavens. Grandeur and majesty are before him: strength and gladness are in his place. Give unto the Lord, ye families of the peoples, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: take an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Tremble before him all the earth; the world also is set firm, that it cannot be moved. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; and let them say among the nations, The Lord reigneth. Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; let the plain exult, and all that is therein. Then shall the trees of the forest exult before the Lord, for he cometh to judge the earth. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his lovingkindness endureth forever. And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us and deliver us from the nations, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the Lord.