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42 [1] ALL ‘HA’EZRACH’ (THAT ARE NATIVE) IN ISRAEL SHALL DWELL IN BOOTHS. “*Ezrach* means native-born. *Ha’ezrach* [literally: ‘the’ native-born], this is to exclude women [from the obligation of dwelling in the booth, since the definite article denotes an exclusion. It was necessary that this exclusion be stated] so that you should not deduce from a similarity of expressions of *the fifteenth day* stated with reference to the Festival of Unleavened Bread, that women are obliged to dwell in a booth just as they are obliged to eat unleavened bread [on the night of Passover]. *In Israel*, this includes proselytes” [that they are obliged to dwell in a booth]. This is Rashi’s language. And in the Torath Kohanim it is stated: *“Ezrach*, this is the native-born. *Ha’ezrach*, this is intended to exclude women. *‘All’ that are home-born*, this is to include the proselytes and liberated slaves.” And in line with the plain meaning of Scripture, by way of tradition [there is no need for a special source in Scripture here to include proselytes]. For since Scripture has stated, *ye shall have one law*, *both for the stranger, and for him that is born in the Land*, and it is further said, *as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the Eternal*, there is no need to mention again in every place: “all that are native-born and the stranger.” Therefore He says *all that are native in Israel*, meaning all who are of Israel, *from the greatest of them even to the least of them*, [to teach] that it is not sufficient that one of a household should dwell in a booth and the rest dwell in homes, but they should all dwell in booths. It is possible that the verse [uses the word *ezrach*] to teach that all who are *like a leafy tree in its native soil* in their homes [are obliged to dwell in booths], except for those who are on a sea voyage, and those who travel on the road [who are exempt from dwelling in a booth].
Version: Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976
Source: https://www.nli.org.il/he/books/NNL_ALEPH002108945/NLI
License: CC-BY