Peah
Peah is the 2nd chapter of Mishnah & Talmud, after Berakhot. The face-value text is about donations from the פאה pˀh “corners” of a field, with long lists of grains & fruits. But the pun-encrypted text is really about how the rich & powerful conceal their פחה pḥh “nobility”, and the lists are really aristocratic titles & offices! The Peah tractate proves once again that spookery is all about disguising the aristocracy.
Introduction
Like all Talmudic tractates, Peah doesn’t introduce or explain its topic. The implied topic is that landowners should donate the harvest from the פאה pˀh “corners” of each field to the poor. But that is never said explicitly.
The text starts with saying that charitable deeds have no definite measure. So in theory, there shouldn’t be too much legislature about this. But instead the text is a dizzying array of incredibly detailed rules about anything & everything, especially about when and how long the landowner is exempt from taxes. All this doesn’t sound very charitable. It doesn’t even sound religious.
The explanation is of course that the text is pun-encrypted: פאה pˀh “corners” puns with פחה pḥh “nobility” (see ˁAyin ≈ Ḥet). Spookery is simply crypto-aristocracy. And like all other encrypted texts, the Peah tractate is about aristocrats disguising their power. Unlike other texts, it doesn’t explain how the disguise works, but whom and what to disguise.
The giveaway paragraph is 1:5, a lengthy list of arbitrary אילן ˀyln “trees”. This is really a list of אילין ˀylyn “leaders”: Every “tree” listed there puns with some leadership position. Read the full list, and judge yourself!
Other recurring encryption puns are שדה šdh “field” punning with שדה šdh “status”, and מעשר mˁšr “tithe” punning with משרה mšrh “office”. So all vocabulary is fitted to the “field harvest” topic. However, many of the “laws” still don’t make much sense in their literal meaning, but only in the encrypted meaning: They’re really about concealing the “status” and “office” of the “nobility”!
How to read this
- In the interlinear text, each word is a little block; each verse is a paragraph of little blocks.
- Possible encrypted meaning is on light red at the top, with hyperlinked pun vocabulary just below.
- Original text is in the center, as transcription & glyphs.
- Official meaning is on light green at the bottom, with hyperlinked official vocabulary just above.
- Pun vocabulary is in red, whenever the meaning differs.
- Pun decryption is not an exact science. Please read the introduction, the interchangeability rules, and judge yourself whether I got it right.
- An encrypted spook message does not automatically mean that the literal meaning is wrong, or that the encrypted meaning is the truth. Still, religious readers should proceed with care.
Nobility and official titles are not forbidden.
As usual with Talmud tractates, the Peah tractate doesn’t introduce or explain its topic. Instead, it starts with the claim that the pˀh “corners” of a field have no šˁr “measure”, that’s probably to say you can donate as much as you want.
So I assume this weird phrase is to encrypt the statement that pḥh “nobility” is not ˀsr “forbidden”. The spooks are right here, nobility is not forbidden. Though it should be. And if the common people had ever known the extent of the nobility’s malice & corruption, it would be.
Some of the other puns for “not forbidden” things here are letter-perfect ones: bkr means “first fruit”, but also “first rank”, and gml-ḥsd means “charity of devotion”, but also “accepted payments”. Generally, official power is not forbidden.
Peah 1:1.a
Encrypted: These [are] things that [are] not by themselves forbidden: [official] nobility, the birthright / to lead, rulership, payments [that are socially] accepted, and oppression [by one’s official] title & rank.
Official: These [are] things that [have] not to them [a definite] measure: corners [of a field], the first fruit, the appearance [in the temple], the charitable [deeds] of devotion, and the study of the Torah.
These [are]
ˀlw: these
ˀlw אלו
ˀlw: these
These [are]
things
dbr: word, thing
dbrym דברים
dbr: word, thing
things
that [are] not
š-: which; ˀyn: no, not
šˀyn שאין
š-: which; ˀyn: no, not
that [have] not
by themselves
lhm: to them
lhm להם
lhm: to them
to them
forbidden:
ˀsr: forbidden, prohibited
šˁwr שעור
šˁr: measure, value
[a definite] measure:
[official] nobility,
pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
hpˀh הפאה
pˀh: end, edge, corner
corners [of a field],
the birthright / to lead,
bkr: first, birthright, lead; bkrˀ: first rank
whbkwrym והבכורים
bkr: first fruits; -ym: (plural)
the first fruit,
rulership,
rˁh: ruler, lead, guide
whrˀywn והראיון
rˀy: appear, appearance
the appearance [in the temple],
payments
gml: pay, reward
wgmylwt וגמילות
gml: kind, charitable
the charitable [deeds]
[that are socially] accepted,
ḥsd: favor, acceptance
ḥsdym חסדים
ḥsd: devotion
of devotion,
and oppression
ṭlwmwtˀ: oppression, tyranny
wtlmwd ותלמוד
tlmwd: Talmud, study
and the study
[by one’s official] title & rank.
tˀr: title, degree, rank
twrh תורה
twrh: Torah
of the Torah.
But profits of suspicious dealings must be consumed in the hidden world.
Here come the things for which the larger part can only be consumed in the “other world”. For faithfuls, that is the ˁwlm-hbˀ “world to come”, i.e. the afterlife. For the spook aristocrats, it’s their own ˁwlm-ḥbˀ “hidden world”, that they have shielded from public view.
The fruits of what things may a spook not consume publicly? It’s kbd-ˀb-w-ˀm “the wealth of father & mother”, gml-ḥsd “shameful payments”, and šlwm-byn-ˀdm-l-ḥbr “payments between a man and his associates”. Basically, all profits that aristocrats make by misusing their official offices, and their family relationships.
Peah 1:1.b
Encrypted: [By contrast,] these [are] things [for] which a man [can] consume [some] profits in the world this one, but [for which] the principal [must] remain to them in the world that is hidden: the riches of [one’s] father and mother, payments [that are] shameful & suspect, and bringing payments & bribes between a man and his associate. And [such] secrets, having [them] breached [is] like confessing them all.
Official: [By contrast,] these [are] things [for] which a man [can] consume the fruits in the world this one, but [for which] the principal remains to them in the world that is to come: Honoring [one’s] father and mother, the charitable [deeds] of devotion, and bringing peace between a man and his friend. And the study of the Torah extends [?] [to] them all.
[By contrast,] these [are]
ˀlw: these
ˀlw אלו
ˀlw: these
[By contrast,] these [are]
things
dbr: word, thing
dbrym דברים
dbr: word, thing
things
[for] which a man
š-: which; ˀdm: man
šˀdm שאדם
š-: which; ˀdm: man
[for] which a man
[can] consume
ˀkl: consume
ˀwkl אוכל
ˀkl: consume
[can] consume
[some] profits
prwt: profit
prwtyhn פרותיהן
prwt: fruit
the fruits
in the world
b-: in; ˁwlm: world
bˁwlm בעולם
b-: in; ˁwlm: world
in the world
this one,
zh: this
hzh הזה
zh: this
this one,
but [for which] the principal
qrn: principal
whqrn והקרן
qrn: principal
but [for which] the principal
[must] remain
qwm: stand, remain
qymt קימת
qwm: stand, remain
remains
to them
lw: to him
lw לו
lw: to him
to them
in the world
l-: to; ˁwlm: world
lˁwlm לעולם
l-: to; ˁwlm: world
in the world
that is hidden:
ḥbˀ: conceal, hide, hidden
hbˀ הבא
hbˀ: bring, come
that is to come:
the riches
kbd: rich, make rich; kbdh: wealth, riches
kbwd כבוד
kbd: heavy, honor
Honoring
of [one’s] father
ˀb: father
ˀb אב
ˀb: father
[one’s] father
and mother,
ˀm: mother
wˀm ואם
ˀm: mother
and mother,
payments
gml: pay, reward
wgmylwt וגמילות
gml: kind, charitable
the charitable [deeds]
[that are] shameful & suspect,
ḥsd: shame; ḥšd: suspect, suspicion
ḥsdym חסדים
ḥsd: devotion
of devotion,
and bringing
bwˀ: come, bring
whbˀt והבאת
bwˀ: come, bring
and bringing
payments & bribes
šlwm: reward, payment, bribe
šlwm שלום
šlwm: peace
peace
between
byn: between, among
byn בין
byn: between, among
between
a man
ˀdm: man
ˀdm אדם
ˀdm: man
a man
and his associate.
l-: to; ḥbr: friend, partner, associate
lḥbrw לחברו
l-: to; ḥbr: friend, partner, associate
and his friend.
And [such] secrets,
tˁlwmh: hidden, secret; -wt: (suffix)
wtlmwd ותלמוד
tlmwd: Talmud, study
And the study
having [them] breached
twrˁ: breaking through; tryˁ: breach, breached
twrh תורה
twrh: Torah
of the Torah
[is] like confessing
k-: like, as; ngd: confess, declare, announce, testify
kngd כנגד
k-: like, as; ngd: stretch, extend, rule
extends [?]
them all.
kl: all; -m: them
klm כלם
kl: all; -m: them
[to] them all.
Hide your rank according to the poor people’s suffering.
Here they say that donations must be done according to the “number of poor people”, and accoring to the “greatness of their suffering”. That is correct for aristocratic disguises as well: If they rule many poor people, and those people suffer greatly, it would spell trouble for the aristocrats if their subjects knew how much profit they rake in through their corrupt dealings, on top of their official earnings. That’s why spookery was invented. Spookery is keeping one’s true power & wealth a secret.
Peah 1:2
Encrypted: [So one should] not let break through [one’s] nobility [rank] [just] out of flattery & pride. And even though by commandment [it is] said [that it is] not [being] a noble / governor forbidden, everything [must be done] according [to] the greatness of [one’s] office & status, and according to [how] numerous [are] the poor people [under one’s rule], and according to [how] great [is] [their] suffering [under one’s rule].
Official: [One should] not lessen the corner [of the field] [to less] than one-sixtieth [??]. And even though by commandment [it is] said [that there is] not to the corner [of the field] a [definite] measure, everything [must be done] according [to] the greatness of the field, and according to [how] numerous [are] the poor people [living off it], and according to [how] great [is] [their] suffering.
[So one should] not
ˀyn: no, not
ˀyn אין
ˀyn: no, not
[One should] not
let break through
pḥt: penetrate, broken through
pwḥtyn פוחתין
pḥt: lessen, diminish
lessen
[one’s] nobility [rank]
l-: to; pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
lpˀh לפאה
l-: to; pˀh: end, edge, corner
the corner [of the field]
[just] out of flattery & pride.
m-: from, out of; šwš: flatter; zwzy: pride, boast; -ym: (plural)
mššym מששים
m-: than; šš: six; -ym: (plural)
[to less] than one-sixtieth [??].
And even though
ˀp: even, though
wˀp ואף
ˀp: even, though
And even though
by
ˁl: about, to
ˁl על
ˁl: about, to
by
commandment
ph: speech, saying, command
py פי
ph: speech, saying, command
commandment
[it is] said
š-: which; ˀmr: say
šˀmrw שאמרו
š-: which; ˀmr: say
[it is] said
[that it is] not
ˀyn: no, not
ˀyn אין
ˀyn: no, not
[that there is] not
[being] a noble / governor
l-: to; pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
lpˀh לפאה
l-: to; pˀh: end, edge, corner
to the corner [of the field]
forbidden,
ˀsr: forbidden, prohibited
šˁwr שעור
šˁwr: measure, quantity
a [definite] measure,
everything
kl: all, everything
hkl הכל
kl: all, everything
everything
[must be done] according
lpy: according to
lpy לפי
lpy: according to
[must be done] according
[to] the greatness
gdl: greatness
gdl גדל
gdl: greatness
[to] the greatness
of [one’s] office & status,
šdh: position, office, status
hšdh השדה
šdh: field, land
of the field,
and according to
lpy: according to
wlpy ולפי
lpy: according to
and according to
[how] numerous [are]
rb: great, much, many, numerous
rb רב
rb: great, much, many, numerous
[how] numerous [are]
the poor people [under one’s rule],
ˁny: poor; -ym: (plural)
hˁnyym העניים
ˁny: poor; -ym: (plural)
the poor people [living off it],
and according to
lpy: according to
wlpy ולפי
lpy: according to
and according to
[how] great [is]
rb: great, much, many, numerous
rb רב
rb: great, much, many, numerous
[how] great [is]
[their] suffering [under one’s rule].
ˁnh: poor, suffer, oppressed
hˁnwh הענוה
ˁnh: poor, suffer, oppressed
[their] suffering.
Nobility may only be revealed from the lower & middle ranks.
Here the official text says you may give from the beginning, middle, but not the end of the šdh “field”. There are no matching puns, so I assume the spook words are the same: If a spook publicly reveals himself to be of noble šdh “status”, then he may only reveal to be from the lower, middle, but not the upper end of the aristocratic ladder.
The last part about the mšwm-h-pqr “viewpoint of being lawless” may mean that if a spook reveals his nobility and doesn’t properly smk “prop things up”, he has then forfeited his spook rights.
Peah 1:3
Encrypted: [One] is permitted [to reveal to be] a nobleman from the initiate [ranks] of [aristocratic] status, or from the middle [ranks]. Lord Shimon says: [Only] on the condition that [one would also?] be permitted to be [from the upper] end according to the prohibitions. Lord Yehudah says: If [one] leaves [such] a revelation of nobility / [just] one, [then one must somehow] prop it up on this from the point of view [of fulfilling the law about] nobility. And if not, [then one has] no permissions, [but] only from the point of view [of] having forfeited [one’s rights?].
Official: [One may] give [from] the corners [of the field] from the beginning of [the harvest of] the field, or from the middle. Rabbi Shimon says: [Only] on the condition that [one] gives at the end according to the quantity. Rabbi Yehudah says: If [one] leaves a stalk [just] one, [then one can] rely on this from the point of view [of fulfilling the law about] the corners [of the field]. And if not, [then one does] not give, [but] only from the point of view [of fulfilling the law about] ownerless [produce?].
[One] is permitted
ntn: grant, permit
nwtnyn נותנין
ntn: give
[One may] give
[to reveal to be] a nobleman
pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
pˀh פאה
pˀh: end, edge, corner
[from] the corners [of the field]
from the initiate [ranks]
m-: from; tḥl: begin, initiate
mtḥlt מתחלת
m-: from; tḥl: begin, initiate
from the beginning
of [aristocratic] status,
šdh: position, office, status
hšdh השדה
šdh: field, land
of [the harvest of] the field,
or from the middle [ranks].
m-: from; ˀmṣˁ: middle
wmˀmṣˁh ומאמצעה
m-: from; ˀmṣˁ: middle
or from the middle.
Lord
rb: lord, master, noble
rby רבי
rby: rabbi
Rabbi
Shimon
šmˁwn: Shimon
šmˁwn שמעון
šmˁwn: Shimon
Shimon
says:
ˀmr: say
ˀwmr אומר
ˀmr: say
says:
[Only] on the condition
blbd: alone, on condition
wblbd ובלבד
blbd: alone, on condition
[Only] on the condition
that [one would also?] be permitted
š-: that; ntn: grant, permit
šytn שיתן
š-: that; ntn: give
that [one] gives
to be [from the upper] end
b-: in; swp: end
bswp בסוף
b-: in; swp: end
at the end
according to the prohibitions.
k-: as; ˀsr: forbidden, prohibited
kšˁwr כשעור
k-: as; šˁwr: measure, quantity
according to the quantity.
Lord
rb: lord, master, noble
rby רבי
rby: rabbi
Rabbi
Yehudah
yhwdh: Yehudah
yhwdh יהודה
yhwdh: Yehudah
Yehudah
says:
ˀmr: say
ˀwmr אומר
ˀmr: say
says:
If
ˀm: if
ˀm אם
ˀm: if
If
[one] leaves
šyr: leave over, reserve
šyr שיר
šyr: leave over, reserve
[one] leaves
[such] a revelation
glḥ: stretch out, reveal
qlḥ קלח
qlḥ: stem, stalk
a stalk
of nobility / [just] one,
ˀḥd: command, rule; ˀḥydˀ: nobleman
ˀḥd אחד
ˀḥd: one
[just] one,
[then one must somehow] prop it up
smk: support, prop up, back up, rescue
swmk סומך
smk: uphold, rely
[then one can] rely
on this
lw: to him
lw לו
lw: to him
on this
from the point of view
mšwm: from point of view
mšwm משום
mšwm: from point of view
from the point of view
[of fulfilling the law about] nobility.
pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
pˀh פאה
pˀh: end, edge, corner
[of fulfilling the law about] the corners [of the field].
And if
ˀm: if
wˀm ואם
ˀm: if
And if
not,
lˀ: not
lˀw לאו
lˀ: not
not,
[then one has] no
ˀyn: no, not
ˀynw אינו
ˀyn: no, not
[then one does] not
permissions,
ntn: grant, permit
nwtn נותן
ntn: give
give,
[but] only
ˀlˀ: only
ˀlˀ אלא
ˀlˀ: only
[but] only
from the point of view
mšwm: from point of view
mšwm משום
mšwm: from point of view
from the point of view
[of] having forfeited [one’s rights?].
hpqr: lawless; pqr: abandoned, forfeit
hpqr הפקר
pqr: free, ownerless
[of fulfilling the law about] ownerless [produce?].
Nobility laws concern all who stand above the masses, even inferiors.
Here they say that these laws apply to all that gdl-mn-ˀrṣ “grow from the land”, but that phrase puns with gdl-mn-rṣṣ “being greater than the oppressed”. So all who are greater than the oppressed are included, even minor offices. In the explanation that follows, the spooks use their number 1 pun: ˀḥd “one” puns with ˀḥd “ruler” in Aramaic spelling.
Peah 1:4
Encrypted: Generally [it is] said: [As for the law about] nobility, all [that] are equivalent to being crowned [??], or being a guardian, or being greater / more dignified than the oppressed [folk], or collecting [taxes?] like a noble / ruler, or receiving an [official] position, [they are] legally obligated to [the law about] nobility. [Even] followers and inferiors are generally in this [category].
Official: Generally [it is] said: [As for the law about] the corners [of the field], all [that] is equivalent [to] food and is guarded and grows from the land, and is harvested as one [field], and is stored for storage, [it is] legally obligated to [the law about] the corners [of the field]. Grain and legumes are generally in this [category].
Generally
kll: all, general
kll כלל
kll: all, general
Generally
[it is] said:
ˀmr: say
ˀmrw אמרו
ˀmr: say
[it is] said:
[As for the law about] nobility,
b-: among; pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
bpˀh בפאה
b-: in; pˀh: end, edge, corner
[As for the law about] the corners [of the field],
all
kl: all
kl כל
kl: all
all
[that] are equivalent to
šwh: equal, equivalent
šhwˀ שהוא
šwh: equal, equivalent
[that] is equivalent
being crowned [??],
kll: crown, crowned
ˀkl אכל
ˀkl: consume, food
[to] food
or being a guardian,
n-: make; šmr: keep, guard, protect
wnšmr ונשמר
n-: make; šmr: keep, guard, protect
and is guarded
or being greater / more dignified
gdl: greatness, dignity, majesty
wgdwlyw וגדוליו
gdl: becoming great, growing
and grows
than
mn: than
mn מן
mn: from
from
the oppressed [folk],
rṣṣ: oppress, oppressed
hˀrṣ הארץ
ˀrṣ: land, ground
the land,
or collecting [taxes?]
lqṭ: harvest, collect
wlqyṭtw ולקיטתו
lqṭ: harvest, collect
and is harvested
like a noble / ruler,
k-: like; ˀḥd: command, rule; ˀḥydˀ: nobleman
kˀḥt כאחת
k-: as; ˀḥt: one; ˀḥd: one
as one [field],
or receiving
m-: of; kns: enter, receive
wmknysw ומכניסו
mkns: storing up, stock
and is stored
an [official] position,
l-: to; qwm: station, position
lqywm לקיום
l-: to; qwm: stand, last, remain
for storage,
[they are] legally obligated
ḥwb: obligated, legally bound
ḥyb חיב
ḥwb: obligated, legally bound
[it is] legally obligated
to [the law about] nobility.
b-: among; pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
bpˀh בפאה
b-: in; pˀh: end, edge, corner
to [the law about] the corners [of the field].
[Even] followers
tbwˁˀ: supporter, tax-gatherer; tˀbˁ: follower
whtbwˀh והתבואה
tbwˀh: grain, provision
Grain
and inferiors
qṭn: small, inferior
whqṭnywt והקטניות
qyṭny: legumes
and legumes
are generally in
b-: in; kll: all, general
bkll בכלל
b-: in; kll: all, general
are generally in
this [category].
zh: this
hzh הזה
zh: this
this [category].
Leaders in this sense are nobles, but also treasurers and tax-collectors.
Here comes one of those “lengthy lists of arbitrary things” that you often find in ancient encrypted texts.
The authors say that this law also applies to ˀyln “trees”, namely ˀwg “sumacs”, ḥrb “carobs”, ˀgwz “nuts”, šqd “almonds”, gpn “grapevines”, rmwn “pomegranates”, zyt “olives”, and tmr “dates”. But if it’s a law about the corners of a field, why does it apply to trees? And if it applies to trees, why not just say “applies to all trees”?
The solution is that this list is an encryption for ˀylyn “leaders”, namely ˀwgyn “nobles”, qrb “military”, gwz “eunuchs”, sqṭ “tax-collectors”, gbynˀ “creditors”, rmyn “high ranks”, zhywtˀ “distinguished ones”, and ṭmr “treasurers”.
Unlike the official list, the spook list is not a contradiction to the previous section, but complements it: Rulership does not only include nobility in the strict sense, but all positions of power, even the lower ones. (Tax collectors are also specifically mentioned as an example in the 12 tribes parable.) So the laws of spookery cover all such positions, which are listed here.
Whenever you encounter seemingly arbitrary things listed together for no good reason, be suspicious. It might be an encryption.
Peah 1:5
Encrypted: Among leaders: nobility, [high-level] military, [court] eunuchs, tax collectors, creditors, high-ranking [people], distinguished / noble [ones], and treasurers are legally obligated to [the laws] of nobility.
Official: Among trees: sumac, carobs, nuts, almonds, grapevines, pomegranates, olives and date palms are legally obligated to [the law] of corners [of the field].
Among leaders:
b-: among; ˀyl: leader, chief, despot, power; -n: (suffix)
wbˀyln ובאילן
b-: among; ˀyln: tree
Among trees:
nobility,
ˀwgyn: noble
hˀwg האוג
ˀwg: sumac
sumac,
[high-level] military,
ḥrb: sword; qrbyˀ: military
whḥrwbyn והחרובין
ḥrb: carob
carobs,
[court] eunuchs,
gwz: cut off, eunuch
whˀgwzym והאגוזים
ˀgwz: nut
nuts,
tax collectors,
sqṭ: lictor, collector of taxes
whšqdym והשקדים
šqd: almond
almonds,
creditors,
gbynˀ: collector; gby: creditor, lictor, tax-gatherer; -n: (suffix)
whgpnym והגפנים
gpn: vine, tendril
grapevines,
high-ranking [people],
rm: elevated, supreme, high, high-ranking; -n: (suffix)
whrmwnym והרמונים
rmwn: pomegranate
pomegranates,
distinguished / noble [ones],
zhywtˀ: nobility; zywtn: distinguished, noble, imposing
whzytym והזיתים
zyt: olive
olives
and treasurers
ṭmr: hidden wealth; ṭmrˀ: treasure
whtmrym והתמרים
tmr: date palm
and date palms
are legally obligated
ḥwb: obligated, legally bound
ḥybyn חיבין
ḥwb: obligated, legally bound
are legally obligated
to [the laws] of nobility.
b-: among; pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
bpˀh בפאה
b-: in; pˀh: end, edge, corner
to [the law] of corners [of the field].
He who admits his nobility is excluded from office, until it is smoothened up.
The literal text says that when you are donating, then you are excluded from mˁšr “tithing”, until the harvest stack has been mrḥ “smoothened”, i.e. finished.
The spook text says that when a spook is permitted to reveal his nobility, then he is excluded from mšrh “government offices”, until things have been mrḥ “smoothened up”, i.e. covered up so that the public doesn’t understand he got his office through aristocratic nepotism.
Peah 1:6.a
Encrypted: Always [may] one be permitted [to reveal it] from the point of view [of the law about] nobility, but then be excluded from government offices, until [things] have been smoothened / plastered up. [If one] is permitted from the point of view [of] being lawless / having forfeited [one’s rights?]. [then one] is excluded from government offices, until [things] have been smoothened / plastered up. [If one] reveals [it] to [human] cattle / servants, to farmers, or to workers, then [one] is excluded from government offices, until [things] have been smoothened / plastered up.
Official: Always [may] one give [from the corners?] from the point of view [of the law about] the corners [of the field], and be exempt from tithing, until [the stack of produce] has been smoothened [finished]. [If one] gives from the point of view [of the law about] ownerless [produce?], [then one] is exempt from tithing, until [the stack of produce] has been smoothened [finished]. [One may] feed cattle, wild beasts and birds, and is exempt from tithing, until [the stack of produce] has been smoothened [finished].
Always
lˁwlm: always
lˁwlm לעולם
lˁwlm: always
Always
[may] one
hwˀ: he
hwˀ הוא
hwˀ: he
[may] one
be permitted [to reveal it]
ntn: grant, permit
nwtn נותן
ntn: give
give [from the corners?]
from the point of view
mšwm: from point of view
mšwm משום
mšwm: from point of view
from the point of view
[of the law about] nobility,
pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
pˀh פאה
pˀh: end, edge, corner
[of the law about] the corners [of the field],
but then be excluded
pṭr: dismiss, remove
wpṭwr ופטור
pṭr: exempt, free
and be exempt
from
mn: from
mn מן
mn: from
from
government offices,
mšrh: rule, government, office
hmˁšrwt המעשרות
mˁšr: tithe
tithing,
until
ˁd: until
ˁd עד
ˁd: until
until
[things] have been smoothened / plastered up.
š-: make; mrḥ: smooth, smear, plaster
šymrḥ שימרח
š-: make; mrḥ: smooth, smoothen pile of grain, finish
[the stack of produce] has been smoothened [finished].
[If one] is permitted
ntn: grant, permit
wnwtn ונותן
ntn: give
[If one] gives
from the point of view
mšwm: from point of view
mšwm משום
mšwm: from point of view
from the point of view
[of] being lawless / having forfeited [one’s rights?].
hpqr: lawless; pqr: abandoned, forfeit
hpqr הפקר
pqr: free, ownerless
[of the law about] ownerless [produce?],
[then one] is excluded
pṭr: dismiss, remove
wpṭwr ופטור
pṭr: exempt, free
[then one] is exempt
from
mn: from
mn מן
mn: from
from
government offices,
mšrh: rule, government, office
hmˁšrwt המעשרות
mˁšr: tithe
tithing,
until
ˁd: until
ˁd עד
ˁd: until
until
[things] have been smoothened / plastered up.
š-: make; mrḥ: smooth, smear, plaster
šymrḥ שימרח
š-: make; mrḥ: smooth, smoothen pile of grain, finish
[the stack of produce] has been smoothened [finished].
[If one] reveals [it]
m-: of; glˀ: reveal; glˁ: disclose, lay open
wmˀkyl ומאכיל
m-: of; ˀkl: eat, food, feed
[One may] feed
to [human] cattle / servants,
l-: to; bhm: dumb, servant
lbhmh לבהמה
l-: to; bhmh: cattle
cattle,
to farmers,
l-: to; ḥwˀy: farmer
wlḥyh ולחיה
l-: to; ḥyh: beast
wild beasts
or to workers,
l-: to; ˁwp: weak; ˁyp: working
wlˁwpwt ולעופות
l-: to; ˁwp: wing, bird
and birds,
then [one] is excluded
pṭr: dismiss, remove
wpṭwr ופטור
pṭr: exempt, free
and is exempt
from
mn: from
mn מן
mn: from
from
government offices,
mšrh: rule, government, office
hmˁšrwt המעשרות
mˁšr: tithe
tithing,
until
ˁd: until
ˁd עד
ˁd: until
until
[things] have been smoothened / plastered up.
š-: make; mrḥ: smooth, smear, plaster
šymrḥ שימרח
š-: make; mrḥ: smooth, smoothen pile of grain, finish
[the stack of produce] has been smoothened [finished].
He who takes a wife from the plebs is excluded from office, exept the highest ranks.
Here the literal text says that if someone nṭl “takes” from the grn “threshing floor”, he is excluded from mˁšr “tithing”, until the stack is mrḥ “smoothened”. The only exeption are khn “priests” and lwy “Levites”.
The spook text says that when a spook nṭl “marries” someone from the grˁwn “servants”, then he is excluded from mšrh “government offices”, presumably because his spouse might find out things and could tell her common-birth family. The only exeption here are khn “rulers” and ˁlyw “majesties”, because the top-level corruptocrats are of course above all laws.
Peah 1:6.b
Encrypted: [If one] was takes [as a wife] [one] from the servants [?] for offspring, [then one] is excluded from government offices, until [things] have been smoothened / plastered up. [Those are] the words of lord Akiva. [Only if] a ruler or a supreme majesty takes as a wife a servant [girl], [then their] office is [still] theirs until [things] have been smoothened & plastered up. [And when] a betrothed is divorced [?] [then one is again] deserving of [one’s old?] office, as long as [things] have been smoothened & plastered up [by one’s] superiors.
Official: [If one] takes from the threshing floor for [having] seeds, [then one] is exempt from tithing, until [the stack of produce] has been smoothened [finished]. [Those are] the words of rabbi Akiva. [If] a priest or Levite buys [?] [produce from?] a threshing floor, [then] the tithe is theirs [to pay?] until [the stack of produce] has been smoothened [finished]. [If one had] dedicated [one’s produce to the temple??] but sells [it?], [then one is] legally obligated for tithing until [the stack of produce] has been smoothened [finished] [by] the treasurer [of the temple???].
[If one] was takes [as a wife]
nṭl: carry away, marry
wnwṭl ונוטל
nṭl: receive, take
[If one] takes
[one] from
mn: from
mn מן
mn: from
from
the servants [?]
grˁwn: servant
hgrn הגרן
grn: threshing floor, barn
the threshing floor
for offspring,
zrˁ: semen, offspring, sexual potential
wzwrˁ וזורע
zrˁ: seed
for [having] seeds,
[then one] is excluded
pṭr: dismiss, remove
wpṭwr ופטור
pṭr: exempt, free
[then one] is exempt
from
mn: from
mn מן
mn: from
from
government offices,
mšrh: rule, government, office
hmˁšrwt המעשרות
mˁšr: tithe
tithing,
until
ˁd: until
ˁd עד
ˁd: until
until
[things] have been smoothened / plastered up.
š-: make; mrḥ: smooth, smear, plaster
šymrḥ שימרח
š-: make; mrḥ: smooth, smoothen pile of grain, finish
[the stack of produce] has been smoothened [finished].
[Those are] the words
dbr: word
dbry דברי
dbr: word
[Those are] the words
of lord
rb: lord, master, noble
rby רבי
rby: rabbi
of rabbi
Akiva.
ˁqybˀ: Akiva
ˁqybˀ עקיבא
ˁqybˀ: Akiva
Akiva.
[Only if] a ruler
khn: stationed, officer, prince, ruler
khn כהן
khn: priest
[If] a priest
or a supreme majesty
ˁlyw: majesty; ˁly: higher, supreme
wlwy ולוי
lwy: Levite
or Levite
takes as a wife
š-: make; lqyḥh: taking to wife, marrying
šlqḥw שלקחו
š-: make; lqḥ: take, buy
buys [?]
ˀt: to
ˀt את
ˀt: to
a servant [girl],
grˁwn: servant, beneath one’s dignity
hgrn הגרן
grn: threshing floor, barn
[produce from?] a threshing floor,
[then their] office
mˁšr: tithe
hmˁšrwt המעשרות
mˁšr: tithe
[then] the tithe
is [still] theirs
š-: which; lhm: to them
šlhm שלהם
š-: which; lhm: to them
is theirs [to pay?]
until
ˁd: until
ˁd עד
ˁd: until
until
[things] have been smoothened & plastered up.
š-: make; mrḥ: smooth, smear, plaster
šymrḥ שימרח
š-: make; mrḥ: smooth, smoothen pile of grain, finish
[the stack of produce] has been smoothened [finished].
[And when] a betrothed
mqdš: betrothed
hmqdyš המקדיש
mqdš: dedicated, consecrated
[If one had] dedicated [one’s produce to the temple??]
is divorced [?]
pdh: release, liberate, cut loose
wpwdh ופודה
pdh: sell, redeem
but sells [it?],
[then one is again] deserving
ḥyb: deserving, liable
ḥyb חיב
ḥwb: obligated, legally bound
[then one is] legally obligated
of [one’s old?] office,
b-: with; mšrh: rule, government, office
bmˁšrwt במעשרות
b-: with; mˁšr: tithe
for tithing
as long as
ˁd: until, while, as long as
ˁd עד
ˁd: until, while, as long as
until
[things] have been smoothened & plastered up
š-: make; mrḥ: smooth, smear, plaster
šymrḥ שימרח
š-: make; mrḥ: smooth, smoothen pile of grain, finish
[the stack of produce] has been smoothened [finished]
[by one’s] superiors.
gzbrˀ: commander, steward
hgzbr הגזבר
gzbr: manager, treasurer
[by] the treasurer [of the temple???].
Possession, ranks and succession should be separated off.
Peah 2:1.a
This paragraph lists things that “separate” a field for taxation purposes, most notably drk “roads”, šbyl “paths”, and zrˁ “seeds”.
The encrypted meaning is probably that profits must be “separated” in the public view from nepotist connections, namely drg “ranks” of nobility, šbl “leadership” titles, and being zrˁ “offspring” of some corrupt bigwig.
Encrypted: These [should be] separated off [from public view] for the nobility: possession & inheritance, ruling & dominion, a rank [that] is hidden, a rank [that] is public, leadership [that] is public, [even?] leadership [that] is hidden, [if one is] permanently among the people observing and among the people being a spy, being offspring [of someone] prosperous [?] and being offspring of a nobleman.
Official: These divide [a field] for corner [donations]: a stream, a pond, a road of one [person], a road of many [persons], a path of many [persons], [even?] a path of [just] one [person], [if it is] permanently [used] in times of heat and in times of rains, a field [that is] ploughed, and seed [that is] different.
These
ˀlw: these
wˀlw ואלו
ˀlw: these
These
[should be] separated off [from public view]
m-: of; psq: cut off, sever connection
mpsyqyn מפסיקין
m-: of; psq: divide, split, separate
divide [a field]
for the nobility:
l-: for; pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
lpˀh לפאה
l-: for; pˀh: end, edge, corner
for corner [donations]:
possession & inheritance,
nḥl: possession, inherit; nḥlh: right of succession
hnḥl הנחל
nḥl: torrent, stream
a stream,
ruling & dominion,
šlyṭ: ruler, commander; šlṭ: rule, master, dominion
whšlwlyt והשלולית
šlwlyt: pool, pond
a pond,
a rank
drgˀ: degree, rank, status, office
wdrk ודרך
drk: way, road
a road
[that] is hidden,
ˀḥd: closed up, hidden
hyḥyd היחיד
ˀḥd: one
of one [person],
a rank
drgˀ: degree, rank, status, office
wdrk ודרך
drk: way, road
a road
[that] is public,
rbym: public
hrbym הרבים
rbym: many people
of many [persons],
leadership
šbl: lead, leader
wšbyl ושביל
šbyl: way, path
a path
[that] is public,
rbym: public
hrbym הרבים
rbym: many people
of many [persons],
[even?] leadership
šbl: lead, leader
wšbyl ושביל
šbyl: way, path
[even?] a path
[that] is hidden,
ˀḥd: closed up, hidden
hyḥyd היחיד
ˀḥd: one
of [just] one [person],
[if one is] permanently
qbwˁ: permanent
hqbwˁ הקבוע
qbwˁ: permanent
[if it is] permanently [used]
among the people
b-: among; ˁm: people
bymwt בימות
b-: in; ywm: time
in times
observing
ḥmh: see, observe
hḥmh החמה
ḥmh: heat
of heat
and among the people
b-: among; ˁm: people
wbymwt ובימות
b-: in; ywm: time
and in times
being a spy,
gšš: spy, scout; -ym: (plural)
hgšmym הגשמים
gšm: rain; -ym: (plural)
of rains,
being offspring
br: son, offspring
whbwr והבור
br: field
a field
[of someone] prosperous [?]
nyr: splendor, prosperity; nˀwr: glorious
whnyr והניר
nyr: broken, ploughed
[that is] ploughed,
and being offspring
zrˁ: offspring, family
wzrˁ וזרע
zrˁ: seed
and seed
of a nobleman.
ḥr: nobleman
ˀḥr אחר
ˀḥr: different, other
[that is] different.
Simple oppression must only be separated if it really has to be secret.
Here’s a dispute whether šḥt “fodder” must always be “separated”, or only if it’s ḥrš “plowed”. This really makes no sense.
The encrypted text probably says that šḥt “oppression” only needs to be “separated” if there’s a need for special ḥrš “secrecy”.
Peah 2:1.b
Encrypted: [If one] harvests [by simple] corruption / squeezing out [the people], [then that must be] separated off, says lord Meir. But the advisors say: [It does] not [have to] be separated off, except if [it] [must be done] secretly.
Official: [If one] harvests for [animal] fodder, [then that field] divides [the others?], says rabbi Meir. But the sages say: [It does] not divide, except if [it] is plowed.
[If one] harvests
qṣr: cut, harvest
whqwṣr והקוצר
qṣr: cut, harvest
[If one] harvests
[by simple] corruption / squeezing out [the people],
l-: for; šḥt: corruption; šḥṭ: corrupt, squeeze, press out
lšḥt לשחת
l-: for; šḥt: green fodder
for [animal] fodder,
[then that must be] separated off,
m-: of; psq: cut off, divide off, sever connection
mpsyq מפסיק
m-: of; psq: divide, split, separate
[then that field] divides [the others?],
says
dbr: say, word
dbry דברי
dbr: say, word
says
lord
rb: lord, master, noble
rby רבי
rby: rabbi
rabbi
Meir.
mˀyr: Meir
mˀyr מאיר
mˀyr: Meir
Meir.
But the advisors
ḥkm: wise, advisor
wḥkmym וחכמים
ḥkm: wise, advisor
But the sages
say:
ˀmr: say
ˀwmrym אומרים
ˀmr: say
say:
[It does] not [have to]
ˀyn: no, not
ˀynw אינו
ˀyn: no, not
[It does] not
be separated off,
m-: of; psq: cut off, divide off, sever connection
mpsyq מפסיק
m-: of; psq: divide, split, separate
divide,
except
ˀlˀ: except, but, only
ˀlˀ אלא
ˀlˀ: except, but, only
except
if
ˀm: if
ˀm אם
ˀm: if
if
[it]
kn: thus
kn כן
kn: thus
[it]
[must be done] secretly.
ḥrš: silently, secretly
ḥrš חרש
ḥrš: plough
is plowed.
When the human cattle cannot overcome your goons, you can harvest profits openly.
Here’s a funny one: The literal text says that if bqr “cattle” with their kly “tools” cannot ˁbr “overcome” a hr “hill” that is ˁdr “hoed” with a ˁdr “hoe”, then separation laws can be waived. Totally senseless and cryptic.
But the encrypted text says that if (human) bqr “cattle” with their simple kly “tools” cannot ˁbr “overcome” a ḥr “nobleman” that is ˀdr “surrounded” by (armed) ˁdr “helpers”, then the separation laws can be waived for him. Because the human cattle cannot do anything anyway. That is the third-world model, where the regional governors commit many corruption crimes more or less openly, but in turn have to be defended by a larger army of goons.
Peah 2:2
Encrypted: When [there are] people which [make it] not possible to harvest [profits] like a [true] nobleman, lord Yehudah says: [then that should] be separated off. But all noblemen who with helpers are surrounded, [that is] also to say [it is those] which not the [human] cattle is capable to overcome with [their] tools, [then] they [can] be granted [official] nobility for everything.
Official: When [there is] water which [makes it] not possible to harvest [the field] as one [field], rabbi Yehudah says: [then it] divides. But all hills which [can] with a hoe be hoed, even though by saying [it is] which not the cattle is capable to pass over with [harnessed] tools, it [is to] give [one donation from] the corners for all [of the divided fields??].
When
ˀmty: when, whenever
ˀmt אמת
ˀmty: when, whenever
When
[there are] people
ˁmym: people
hmym המים
mym: water
[there is] water
which [make it] not
š-: which; ˀyn: no, not
šˀynh שאינה
š-: which; ˀyn: no, not
which [makes it] not
possible
ykwl: capable, able
ykwlh יכולה
ykwl: capable, able
possible
to harvest [profits]
l-: to; qṣr: cut, harvest
lhqṣr להקצר
l-: to; qṣr: cut, harvest
to harvest
like a [true] nobleman,
k-: like; ˀḥd: command, rule; ˀḥydˀ: nobleman
kˀḥt כאחת
k-: as; ˀḥt: one; ˀḥd: one
[the field] as one [field],
lord
rb: lord, master, noble
rby רבי
rby: rabbi
rabbi
Yehudah
yhwdh: Yehudah
yhwdh יהודה
yhwdh: Yehudah
Yehudah
says:
ˀmr: say
ˀwmr אומר
ˀmr: say
says:
[then that should] be separated off.
m-: of; psq: cut off, sever connection
mpsqt מפסקת
m-: of; psq: divide, split, separate
[then it] divides.
But all
kl: all
wkl וכל
kl: all
But all
noblemen
ḥr: nobleman; -ym: (plural)
hhrym ההרים
hr: hill; -ym: (plural)
hills
who
ˀšr: that, which, who
ˀšr אשר
ˀšr: that, which, who
which
with helpers
b-: with; m-: of; ˁdr: help, helper, assist
bmˁdr במעדר
b-: with; m-: of; ˁdr: hoe, pick
[can] with a hoe
are surrounded,
ˀdr: surround
yˁdrwn יעדרון
ˁdr: hoe, pick
be hoed,
[that is] also
ˀp: also, too
ˀp אף
ˀp: even, though
even though
to
ˁl: to, upon
ˁl על
ˁl: to, upon
by
say
ph: speech, saying, command
py פי
ph: speech, saying, command
saying
[it is those] which not
š-: which; ˀyn: no, not
šˀyn שאין
š-: which; ˀyn: no, not
[it is] which not
the [human] cattle
bqr: cattle, herd
hbqr הבקר
bqr: cattle, herd
the cattle
is capable
ykwl: capable, able
ykwl יכול
ykwl: capable, able
is capable
to overcome
l-: to; ˁbr: violate, remove, overcome
lˁbr לעבר
l-: to; ˁbr: cross, pass over
to pass over
with [their] tools,
b-: with; kly: vessel, utensil, tool
bklyw בכליו
b-: with; kly: vessel, utensil, tool
with [harnessed] tools,
[then] they
hwˀ: he, it
hwˀ הוא
hwˀ: he, it
it
[can] be granted
ntn: grant, permit
nwtn נותן
ntn: give
[is to] give
[official] nobility
pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
pˀh פאה
pˀh: end, edge, corner
[one donation from] the corners
for everything.
l-: for; kl: all
lkl לכל
l-: for; kl: all
for all [of the divided fields??].
Family should be separated, infighting nobles can be visible.
Here the literal text says that zrˁ “seeds” must be separated, but ˀyln “trees” do not when they have šˁr-ktš “touching crowns”.
The encrypted text seems to say that zrˁ “family” must be separated (from public offices), but ˀylyn “leaders” do not when they are šr-ktš “infighting noblemen”. The public probably even likes that.
Peah 2:3
Encrypted: All [those] [should] be separated off for the family, but do not [have to be?] separated off for the leaders [themselves?], except [when they must] be walled off [completely?]. If [there] are noblemen fighting, [then this] does not [have to] be separated off, but [it] is permitted to [publicly] be noblemen for [them] all.
Official: All [those] divide [a field] [planted] with seeds, but [do] not divide [a field] for trees, except [with] a fence. If [there] are crowns [of trees] touching [over the fence?], [then it] does not divide [the field], but one gives [one donation for] the corners for all [of the field?].
All [those]
kl: all
hkl הכל
kl: all
All [those]
[should] be separated off
m-: of; psq: cut off, divide off, sever connection
mpsyq מפסיק
m-: of; psq: divide, split, separate
divide [a field]
for the family,
l-: for; zrˁ: offspring, family; -ym: (plural)
lzrˁym לזרעים
l-: for; zrˁ: seed; -ym: (plural)
[planted] with seeds,
but do not [have to be?]
ˀyn: no, not
wˀynw ואינו
ˀyn: no, not
but [do] not
separated off
m-: of; psq: cut off, divide off, sever connection
mpsyq מפסיק
m-: of; psq: divide, split, separate
divide [a field]
for the leaders [themselves?],
l-: for; ˀyl: leader, chief, despot, power; -n: (suffix)
lˀyln לאילן
l-: for; ˀyln: tree
for trees,
except
ˀlˀ: except, but, only
ˀlˀ אלא
ˀlˀ: except, but, only
except
[when they must] be walled off [completely?].
gdr: wall, fence, fence in, enclose
gdr גדר
gdr: wall, fence, fence in, enclose
[with] a fence.
If
ˀm: if
wˀm ואם
ˀm: if
If
[there] are
hyh: be
hyh היה
hyh: be
[there] are
noblemen
šr: ruler, prince, nobleman
šˁr שער
šˁr: crown of tree, stem
crowns [of trees]
fighting,
ktš: fight, contest
kwtš כותש
ktš: touch
touching [over the fence?],
[then this] does not
ˀyn: no, not
ˀynw אינו
ˀyn: no, not
[then it] does not
[have to] be separated off,
m-: of; psq: cut off, divide off, sever connection
mpsyq מפסיק
m-: of; psq: divide, split, separate
divide [the field],
but
ˀlˀ: except, but, only
ˀlˀ אלא
ˀlˀ: except, but, only
but
[it] is permitted
ntn: grant, permit
nwtn נותן
ntn: give
one gives
to [publicly] be noblemen
pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
pˀh פאה
pˀh: end, edge, corner
[one donation for] the corners
for [them] all.
l-: for; kl: all
lkl לכל
l-: for; kl: all
for all [of the field?].