Commentary for Shabbat 64:4

פליגי בה ר' חייא בר אבא ור' יוסי חד אמר בעון מזוזה וחד אמר בעון ביטול תורה למ"ד בעון מזוזה מקרא נדרש לפניו ולא לפני פניו ולמ"ד בעון ביטול תורה מקרא נדרש לפניו ולפני פניו:

while the other held that it is for the sin of neglect of Torah. On the view that it is for the sin of <i>mezuzah</i>: a verse is interpreted with its precedent, but not with its ante-precedent verse. While on the view that it is for the sin of neglect of Torah: a verse is interpreted with its precedent and its ante-precedent.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' V. Deut. XI, 19-21: And ye shall teach them your children … and thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house (mezuzoth) … that your days may be multiplied. and the days of your children. One maintains: the promise 'and the days of your children' is made conditional upon the immediately preceding command, and thou shalt write them (sc. mezuzah); the other holds that it refers to the previous verse too, viz., and ye shall teach them your children. ');">⁹</span> R. Meir and R. Judah differ therein: One maintains, It is for the neglect of <i>mezuzah</i>, while the other holds that it is for the neglect of fringes.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Num. XV, 38. ');">¹⁰</span> Now, as for the view that it is for the neglect of <i>mezuzah</i>, it is well, for it is written, 'and thou shalt write them upon the door posts [mezuzoth] of thine house', which is followed by, 'that your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children'. But what is the reason of the view that it is for the neglect of fringes? — Said R. Kahana-others state, Shila Mari: because it is written, Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the innocent poor.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Jer. II, 34: 'in thy skirts'-i.e., in the neglect of fringes, which are inserted in the skirts of one's garment: 'the innocent poor,' i.e., the children who die guiltlessly. ');">¹¹</span>

Explore commentary for Shabbat 64:4. In-depth commentary and analysis from classical Jewish sources.