Scripture hereby teaching us that murder (i

Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Mekhilta Tractate Nezikin 4:22

Curated by The Jewish Mythology Team · Published January 16, 2025

Scripture hereby teaching us that murder (i.e., one's having murdered) overrides the sacrificial service. For it would follow (otherwise), viz.: If the Sabbath, which is overridden by the sacrificial service, is not overridden by murder (i.e., one is not executed on the Sabbath), then the sacrificial service, which overrides the Sabbath, how much more so should murder (i.e., one's having murdered) not override it! It is, therefore, written "From My very altar shall you take him to die." And whence is it derived that murder (i.e., execution for murder) does not override the Sabbath? For it would follow (that murder does override the Sabbath), viz.: If the sacrificial service, which overrides the Sabbath, is overridden by murder, then the Sabbath, which is overridden by the sacrificial service, how much more so should murder override it!

Themes

Wisdom Temple Shabbat

Continue Reading

Book of Jasher Moses: Mount Sinai's Transgression We know about Mount Sinai, the thunder, the lightning, the booming voice... but what about the days that followed?Book o... Ginzberg Moses Built a Second Tabernacle Outside the Camp According to Legends of the Jews, drawing from various Midrash (rabbinic interpretive commentary)ic sources, the Israeli... Ginzberg Moses and Creation of Tabernacle The princes of the tribes in the story of building the Mishkan (Tabernacle) knew that feeling all too well. According to... Ginzberg Issachar in Heaven It’s not always as simple as it seems. Take the dedication offerings in the desert, for example. Imagine the scene: the ... Ginzberg Moses Appeals to the Levites to Abandon Korah We're diving into a pivotal moment from the story of Korah, a fascinating and troubling tale of ambition, jealousy, and ... Ginzberg The Hidden Origins of the Eighteen Benedictions It turns out, some pretty incredible stories lie behind even the most familiar phrases. Let's talk about the Shmoneh Esr... Josephus Manetho's Transgression Today, we're diving into one such path, guided by the words of Josephus, a first-century Romano-Jewish historian. He's r... Josephus Josephus Dismantles Apion's Attacks on Jewish Rituals Apion, see, had a laundry list of complaints against the Jews. Josephus, in his work Against Apion, takes each one head-... Midrash Aggadah The Woman of Valor and the Secrets of Creation It's more than just a nice sentiment; it's a springboard for some incredible midrash (rabbinic interpretive commentary)i...