Pisqa’ 170158H:199; JN2:45. 1. “When you enter into the Land” (Dt.18:9)— perform the commandment specified in this context, for by virtue of this will you enter the Land.
2
אֲשֶׁר ה׳ אֱלֹהֶיךָ נוֹתֵן לָךְ – בִּזְכוּתְךָ.
“Which HASHEM your God is giving you” (Dt.18:9)— because you deserve it.159Cf. Pisqa’ot 156.1,162.1, 297.1, etc
2. “Do not learn to perform the abominable deeds of those peoples” (Dt.18:9). Is it possible to say that you are not free to learn [about their practices], to explain [them], or to understand [them]? The Teaching states: “To perform” (Dt.18:9)— you are not free to learn how to perform [their rites], but you may learn to explain [them] and to understand [them].
(דברים יח ט) כִּי אַתָּה בָּא אֶל הָאָרֶץ, עֲשֵׂה מִצְוָה הָאֲמוּרָה בָּעִנְיָן, שֶׁבִּשְׂכָרָהּ תִּכָּנֵס לָאָרֶץ.
Pisqa’ 170158H:199; JN2:45.
1. “When you enter into the Land” (Dt.18:9)—
perform the commandment specified in this context,
for by virtue of this will you enter the Land.
אֲשֶׁר ה׳ אֱלֹהֶיךָ נוֹתֵן לָךְ – בִּזְכוּתְךָ.
“Which HASHEM your God is giving you” (Dt.18:9)—
because you deserve it.159Cf. Pisqa’ot 156.1,162.1, 297.1, etc
לֹא תִלְמַד לַעֲשׂוֹת כְּתוֹעֲבוֹת הַגּוֹיִם הָהֵם – יָכוֹל אִי אַתָּה רַשַּׁי לִלְמוֹד לְהוֹרוֹת וּלְהָבִין? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: לַעֲשׂוֹת – לַעֲשׂוֹת אִי אַתָּה לָמֵד, אֲבָל אַתָּה לָמֵד לְהוֹרוֹת וּלְהָבִין!
2. “Do not learn to perform the abominable deeds of those peoples” (Dt.18:9).
Is it possible to say that
you are not free to learn [about their practices],
to explain [them], or to understand [them]?
The Teaching states:
“To perform” (Dt.18:9)—
you are not free to learn how to perform [their rites],
but you may learn to explain [them]
and to understand [them].