Parshas Behar

The Statement: Bamidbar Perek 1:8 The Mesorah says that three of the Shevatim are given the Taam of Pashta Katan. L'Yissachar, L'Naftoli and L'Vinyomin.

The Reason: All of the other Shevatim are given the Taam of Zakaf Gadol. The Taam of L'Dan is a Zakaf Gadol. This word cannot receive a Zakef Katan since the Munach of the Zakaf Katan must either go on the previous word or in the place of a Meseg. The word L'Dan is too short to receive a Meseg. It does not have three syllables before the Taam. Therefore it can not receive a Zakaf Katan. L'Asher cannot receive a Zakaf Katan since the third syllable before the Taam would be the Lamed with a Shvah Nach and a Shvah Nach can not receive a Meseg. L'Shimon cannot receive a Meseg since the third syllable before the Taam, which would receive the Meseg has a Shvah Nach following it. A Shvah Nach cannot follow a Meseg. Since the Zakaf Katan cannot be used it becomes a Zakaf Gadol.

L'Vinyomin can receive a Pashta Katan. (A Pashta and a Zakaf Katan on one word) This is due to the fact that there are four syllables from the Taam to the beginning of the word. In cases where there are four syllables and no Meseg can be used the Taam becomes a Pashta Katan instead of a Zakaf Gadol.

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Rabbi Terebelo is Rav of Young Israel of Lawrenceville.

He is also the 5th grade Rebbi at Yeshiva Shaarei Tzion of Piscataway NJ,
And a member Kollel of Beth Medrash Govoha,