Vedibarta Bam � And You Shall Speak of Them: Declare on the Horn of an Ox

"Write on the horn of an ox that you have no share in the G-d of Israel." (Jerusalem Talmud, Chagigah 2:2)

QUESTION: The Midrash Rabbah (Bereishit 2:4) comments that the passage "there was darkness on the face of the abyss" (1:2) refers to the Greek monarchs, who darkened the eyes of the Jewish people with their harsh and cruel decrees. They proclaimed that the Jews should write on the horn of an ox that they had no share in the G-d of Israel.

What did the Syrian-Greeks seek to accomplish when the specified that it be written on the horn [of the ox]?

ANSWER: The Gemara (Megillah 14a) says, "David and Solomon, who when installed as king, were anointed with oil spilled on their head from a keren - horn - their reign was prolonged. [The horn of an animal is very durable and therefore represents a prolonged reign - Maharsha]

The word "keren" has the numerical value of 350 as do the words "yimloch le'olam va'ed" - "he will reign forever and ever." This alludes that the kingdom of David is forever. Though the Babylonian king Nevuchadnetzar exiled the Jewish people and the reign of the House of David was interrupted, this condition is only temporary, and ultimately kingship will return in the days of King Mashiach, the descendant of David, who will rule over the entire world.

It is incumbent upon Jews to anticipate and pray for the speedy coming of Mashiach. Thrice daily we recite the prayer "The offspring of Your servant David, (revelation of Mashiach) may You speedily cause to flourish." With the edict that the Jews write on the horn [of the ox] renouncing their share in the G-d of Israel, the Syrian-Greeks were demanding that they deny that Hashem will speedily send Mashiach, the descendant of King David who was anointed with a horn.

"Write on the horn of an ox that you have no share in the G-d of Israel." (Jerusalem Talmud, Chagigah 2:2)

QUESTION: Why did the Syrian-Greeks specify that this declaration be made on the horn of an ox?

ANSWER: The Midrash says that the Greeks wanted the Jews to abolish their calendar where every month is based on the Beit Din sanctifying the new moon. They also sought to stop the Jews from observing the laws of Milah - circumcision - and Shabbat. The Greeks wanted the Jewish people to assimilate and be like all the nations of the world. Therefore, they selected these three mitzvot in particular because they demonstrate the distinction between the Jewish people and the secular world.

The secular calendar follows the solar cycle while the Jewish calendar is based on the lunar system. This is in fact, the very first commandment given to the Jewish people as a whole immediately prior to their leaving Egypt (see Shemot 12:1).

Shabbat is the Divinely mandated day of rest for the Jewish people while the secular world designates Sunday as their day of rest. In fact, according to halachah it is forbidden for a gentile to observe Shabbat and the Gemara (Sanhedrin 58b) says that an idolater who ceased working for the entire day of Shabbat is liable to death, for it is stated (Bereishit 8:22): "Day and night they shall not cease," and if a Noahide transgresses any prohibition that Scripture warns him against, he is liable to death (see also Rambam, Melachim 10:9).

Circumcision is a commandment given to Avraham, the first Jew, for him and his offspring for posterity (Bereishit 17:9-13). It is a sign of the covenant between Jews and Hashem, and it stamps its bearer as His servant. Since the circumcision ritual is practiced by Jews, it is considered one of the most widely accepted distinctions between Jew and non-Jew.

The Gemara (Bava Kamma 2b) says that three primary damages were stated in the Torah in regard to an ox. They are keren - the horn - i.e. damage done through goring, shein - the tooth - i.e. damage done through eating, and regel - the foot - i.e. damage done through trampling on things. When an ox causes damage with its tooth - eating - or with the foot - tramping - the owner must pay in full. However, when the ox causes damage with the horn - goring - it depends whether this is the first time or the third time. During the first and second time the ox is considered a tam - innocent - i.e. not confirmed as a habitual inflictor of damage, and thus the owner pays only for one half of the damage. Afterwards, the ox is considered a mu'ad - warned - and it has been legally confirmed to be a habitual inflictor of damage through keren, and the owner is liable for the entire damage.

Now regarding damage done by eating or trampling, there is no difference if the ox belonged to a Jew or to a non-Jew or whether the property damaged belonged to a Jew or non-Jew. In all circumstances the owner must fully compensate the one damaged. However, in regard to keren - goring - the Gemara (Bava Kamma 37b) says "If the ox of a Jew gored the ox of a Canaanite (non-Jew), the Jew is exempt. But if the ox of a Canaanite gored the ox of a Jew, whether the ox that gored was a tam or a mu'ad, the Canaanite pays full damages."

Since the goal of the Syrian-Greeks was to remove any custom which distinguishes the Jew from the non-Jew, they demanded that the Jew write on the horn of the ox that they were renouncing their association with Hashem. They would thus cease to distinguish between Jew and non-Jew in the case of an ox, which causes damage with its horn.

"Write on the horn of an ox that you have no share in the G-d of Israel." (Jerusalem Talmud, Chagigah 2:2)

QUESTION: What did the Syrian-Greeks reveal about themselves by insisting that the Jews' declaration be made "on the horn of the ox?"

ANSWER: The Gemara (Bava Kamma 2b) explains that an ox can do damage in one of three ways: with its teeth, feet, or horns.

The Gemara further explains that when an ox gores with its horns, it does so with the intent to cause damage and derives no personal pleasure from the act.

The Midrash allegorically is describing the psychology and nature of the Hellenistic regime. They made vicious decrees against the Jewish people to deter them from studying, Torah and observing mitzvot. Like the ox that gores with its horn and achieves no personal pleasure, they too, had nothing to gain. Their sadistic intent was solely to inflict suffering upon defenseless Jews.