Sefer Hachinuch
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Misva #243: Loving One’s Fellow as Himself
July 22, 2022 13:00 - 10.6 MBThe Torah in Parashat Kedoshim issues one of the most famous of its 613 commands: the command of “Ve’ahabta Le’re’acha Kamocha” – “You shall love your fellow as yourself” (Vayikra 19:18). The Sefer Ha’hinuch writes that the Torah requires us “to love every Jew with a deep love,” explaining that we are to care for our fellow Jew and his property the way we care for our own wellbeing and our own property. The Sifra cites Rabbi Akiba’s timeless teaching that the command of “Ve’ahabta Le’re’acha ...
Misva #242: Not to Bear a Grudge
July 20, 2022 13:00 - 7.91 MBThe Torah commands in Parashat Kedoshim (Vayikra 19:18), “Ve’lo Titor” – that we may not harbor feelings of resentment in our heart toward someone who has wronged us. As opposed to the prohibition of “Lo Tikom” (“You shall not take revenge”), which forbids actually avenging wrongdoing, the prohibition of “Ve’lo titor” forbids bearing a grudge in one’s heart, even without doing anything to the person who has wronged us. The classic example given by the Sages is a person who asked if he could b...
Misva #241: The Prohibition Against Revenge
July 19, 2022 13:00 - 8.4 MBThe Torah commands in Parashat Kedoshim (Vayikra 19:18), “Lo Tikom” – “You shall not take revenge.” The Sefer Ha’hinuch explains that if a person wronged his fellow, causing him any sort of harm or distress, in any way, that fellow is not permitted to do something against him in return, for revenge. Even if the person committed an offense to which people would naturally react with revenge, the Torah requires the victim to overcome his instinctive tendency, as well as the societal expectation ...
Misva #240: Not to Embarrass One’s Fellow
July 18, 2022 13:00 - 12 MBIn the context of the obligation to reprimand one’s fellow who has acted wrongly, the Torah warns in Parashat Kedoshim (Vayikra 19:17), “Ve’lo Tisa Alav Het” (“Do not bear iniquity on his account”). The Sages understood this command to mean that when reprimanding one’s fellow, he must speak to him privately, in order not to embarrass him. This command thus establishes a Biblical prohibition against causing one’s fellow embarrassment. The Sefer Ha’hinuch comments that embarrassment is the wors...
Misva #239: Reprimanding a Sinner
July 15, 2022 13:00 - 8.22 MBThe Torah commands in Parashat Kedoshim (Vayikra 19:17), “Hochi’ah Tochi’ah Et Amitecha” – “You shall surely reprimand your fellow.” This command establishes the obligation to approach somebody whom we observe committing a misdeed – whether an interpersonal offense, or a sin against G-d – in an attempt to correct his behavior. The Torah issues this command with the double expression “Hochi’ah Tochi’ah,” which the Sages understood as indicating that if our initial attempt to correct the indivi...
Misva #238: Not to Secretly Hate a Fellow Jew
July 14, 2022 13:00 - 8.69 MBThe Torah commands in Parashat Kedoshim (Vayikra 19:17), “Lo Tisna Et Ahicha Bi’lbabecha” – “Do not despise your fellow in your heart.” This refers specifically to a situation where one harbors hostility toward his fellow, but he keeps his hostility concealed, acting towards the person as though he likes him. The Torah demands that if we have some claim against our fellow, we should approach him and seek to resolve it, rather than keeping the hatred hidden within us. An example of this comman...
Misva #237: Remaining Idle When a Fellow Jew is in Danger
July 13, 2022 13:00 - 7.72 MBThe Torah commands in Parashat Kedoshim (19:16), “Lo Ta’amod Al Dam Re’echa” – “Do not stand idly by your fellow’s blood.” This command forbids inaction when one’s fellow Jew faces physical or financial danger, and he is in a position to assist his fellow in some way. If one’s life, wellbeing or property is at risk, and we are able to save him or his property, then it is forbidden to refrain from doing so. The Gemara states that even if one is unable to personally save his fellow, he is requi...
Misva #236: The Prohibition Against Gossip
July 12, 2022 13:00 - 10.8 MBThe Torah commands in Parashat Kedoshim (Vayikra 19:16), “Lo Telech Rachil Be’amecha,” which is understood as a warning against gossiping. Specifically, the Sefer Ha’hinuch writes, if somebody heard Reuben talk pejoratively about Shimon, he may not report to Shimon what Reuben said about him. This is allowed, however, if the person shares this information with Shimon so that Shimon can protect himself from harm which Reuben seeks to inflict upon him, or if his intention is to prevent a confli...
Misva 235: The Obligation to Judge Properly
July 11, 2022 13:00 - 7.06 MBThe Torah commands in Parashat Kedoshim (Vayikra 19:15), “Be’sedek Tishpot Amitecha” – “You shall judge your fellow justly.” As the Sefer Ha’hinuch discusses, this command has several different applications. First, it requires a judge to treat both litigants equally, without according special respect to one over the other. (The Torah previously introduced a prohibition against favoritism in court; now the Torah adds an affirmative command to treat the litigants equally.) For example, a judge ...
Misva #234: Not to Show Special Respect to One Litigant
July 08, 2022 13:00 - 8.65 MBThe Torah commands in Parashat Kedoshim (Vayikra 19:15), “Ve’lo Tehedar Peneh Gadol,” forbidding a judge from showing special respect to one of the two litigants. If one of the litigants is a prominent, distinguished individual, or comes from a distinguished family, the judge might feel compelled to show that litigant special respect. The Torah forbids showing this litigant respect, and requires treating both litigants equally in the courtroom, regardless of who they are. One example of this ...
Misva #233: Not to Pervert Judgment
July 07, 2022 13:00 - 8.12 MBThe Torah commands in Parashat Kedoshim (19:15), “Lo Ta’asu Avel Ba’mishpat” – which forbids judges from perverting judgment, issuing a ruling that runs in opposition to the legal precepts outlined by the Torah and the oral tradition. The Sefer Ha’hinuch writes that peace and stability in society require a just and effective legal system, and such a system, quite obviously, depends upon judges who rule fairly and honestly. The Torah therefore strictly forbids judges from perverting judgment b...
Misva #232: Intentionally Causing One’s Fellow to Stumble
July 06, 2022 13:00 - 11.6 MBThe Torah commands in Parashat Kedoshim (Vayikra 19:14), “Ve’lifneh Iver Lo Titen Michshol” – that one may not “place a stumbling block before a blind man.” The Sages understood this command as forbidding intentionally causing one’s fellow to “stumble” by giving him bad advice. When somebody asks our advice, we are to advise him honestly, recommending what we truly believe is the best course of action for him. Of course, people who give advice could make mistakes, and sometimes, sincere advic...
Misva #231: The Prohibition Against Cursing a Fellow Jew
July 05, 2022 13:00 - 10.8 MBThe Torah commands in Parashat Kedoshim (Vayikra 19:14), “Lo Tekalel Heresh” – “Do not curse a deaf person.” The Gemara explains this verse as prohibiting cursing even somebody who is not present and thus does not hear the curse. The Torah forbids cursing anybody, and mentions “Heresh” (“deaf person”) in this verse to emphasize that one may not curse even somebody who is “deaf” in the sense that he does not hear the curse. The Sefer Ha’hinuch offers several different explanations for why the ...
Misva #230: Delaying the Payment of Wages
July 04, 2022 13:00 - 9.1 MBThe Torah commands in Parashat Kedoshim (Vayikra 19:13), “Lo Talin Pe’ulat Sachir Itecha Ad Boker” – “Do not keep with you the wages of a hired worker until the morning.” The Sages understood this verse as referring to the wages owed to an employee who works during the day. The employer has the entire night, until the next morning, to pay the worker the wages owed for that day’s work. Elsewhere (Debarim 24:15), the Torah requires paying a worker by sundown (“Ve’lo Tabo Alav Ha’shemesh”), and ...
Misva #229: Gezela (Robbery)
July 01, 2022 13:00 - 10.4 MBThe Torah in Parashat Kedoshim (19:13) commands, “Lo Tigzol” – “You shall not steal,” which the Sages understood as referring to robbery perpetrated openly. Whereas the term “Geneba” denotes stealing stealthily, by secretly seizing somebody else’s property (such as burglarizing a home in the middle of the night), “Gezela” refers to brazenly confronting a person and grabbing his possession, such as in the case of armed robbery. The Sefer Ha’hinuch writes that the reason behind this prohibition...
Misva #228: Failing to Pay Money Which One Owes
June 30, 2022 13:00 - 12.1 MBThe Torah commands in Parashat Kedoshim (Vayikra 19:13), “Lo Ta’ashok Et Re’acha,” which the Sefer Ha’hinuch interprets as referring to a prohibition against withholding money which we owe our fellow, either by force or through deception. For example, the Sefer Ha’hinuch writes, if someone owes another person money, it is forbidden to repeatedly tell him, “Leave and come back another time” when he asks for his money. The Sefer Ha’hinuch describes such conduct as a “Mida Ra’a Be’yoter” – an es...
Misva #227: Swearing Falsely
June 29, 2022 13:00 - 7.7 MBThe Torah commands in Parashat Kedoshim (Vayikra 19:12), “Ve’lo Tishabe’u Bi’Shmi La’shaker” – that it is forbidden to make a false oath. The Sages understood this verse as referring to a “Shebu’at Bitui” – an oath about something that one did or did not do in the past, or about something that one will do or not do in the future. The four classic examples of this violation are: 1) if one swore that he ate a particular food at a particular time, and he did not; 2) if one swore that he did not ...
Misva #226: Falsely Swearing That One’s Fellow’s Item is Not in His Possession
June 28, 2022 13:00 - 3.32 MBThe Torah in Parashat Kedoshim (Vayikra 19:11) forbids falsely denying that one does not have his fellow’s item in his possession, such as if he borrowed something or was given something to guard, and falsely denies it, keeping the object for himself (“Lo Techahashu”). In the same verse, the Torah commands, “Lo Teshakeru” (literally, “Do not lie”), which is understood as a command forbidding making such a denial on oath. Thus, if somebody falsely denies having received his fellow’s object to ...
Misva #225: Falsely Denying Having Been Entrusted With One’s Fellow’s Object
June 27, 2022 13:00 - 3.33 MBThe Torah in Parashat Kedoshim (19:11) commands, “Lo Techahashu” – “You shall not deny,” referring to “Kohesh Be’fikadon” – falsely denying having received one’s fellow’s object. For example, if somebody borrowed his fellow’s object, or was given it to guard, but when his fellow asks for it to be returned, he denies having received it, he transgresses this prohibition. If he is found to be lying – such as if witnesses see the item in question in his possession – then he is disqualified from s...
Misva #224: The Prohibition of Theft
June 24, 2022 13:00 - 7.17 MBThe Torah commands in Parashat Kedoshim (Vayikra 19:11), “Lo Tignobu,” establishing the prohibition against stealing money. One violates this prohibition by stealing a value of at least Shaveh Peruta (the smallest unit of currency), from either a Jew or non-Jew, and from either an adult or a minor. This prohibition of course applies at all times, in all places, and to both males and females. One may not steal money even with the intention of returning it, such as if one wishes to play a joke ...
Misva #223: Taking “Peret” From One’s Vineyard for Himself
June 23, 2022 13:00 - 3.62 MBThe requirement of “Peret” obligates the owner of a vineyard to leave for the poor grapes which fall to the ground during the harvest. The Torah in Parashat Kedoshim (Vayikra 19:10) formulates this Misva as both an affirmative command, requiring one to leave these grapes for the poor, and a prohibition, forbidding taking these grapes for oneself. Halacha defines “Peret” as one or two grapes which fell to the ground during the harvest. If, however, three or more grapes fall together, then they...
Misva #222: “Leket” - Leaving the Gleanings of the Vineyards for the Poor
June 22, 2022 13:00 - 2.18 MBThe Torah in Parashat Kedoshim (Vayikra 19:10) commands that one must leave certain portions of his vineyard for the needy, including “Peret” – grapes which fall to the ground during the harvest. This obligation parallels the Misva of “Leket,” which requires leaving for the poor stalks of grain which fall to the ground during the harvest. As in the case of fallen stalks of grain, any grapes which fall to the ground during the initial harvesting must be left for the poor, and the vineyard’s ow...
Misva #221: The Prohibition Against Taking “Olelot” of a Vineyard for Oneself
June 21, 2022 13:00 - 5.06 MBThe Biblical requirement of “Olelot” – to leave certain portions of one’s vineyard for the poor – includes two commands: an affirmative command to leave these portions unharvested (Misva 220), and a prohibition against harvesting them for oneself (Misva 221). As discussed in Misva 220, the Rambam understood this command as the parallel of the Misva of Pe’a, which requires leaving the corner of one’s field for the poor. In regard to vineyards, the Rambam explains, instead of an obligation of P...
Misva #220: Leaving the Leftover Grapes After Harvesting a Vineyard
June 20, 2022 13:00 - 3.23 MBThe Torah in Parashat Kedoshim (Vayikra 19:10) requires leaving certain portions of one’s agricultural produce for the poor, including “Olelot,” to which the Sefer Ha’hinuch refers as “Pe’at Ha’kerem” (literally, “the corner of the vineyard”). This obligation, which applies specifically to the produce of vineyards, parallels the Misva of Pe’a, which requires leaving the corner of one’s field for the poor. However, unlike the obligation of Pe’a, the obligation of “Pe’at Ha’kerem” does not requ...
Misva #219: Keeping “Leket” for Oneself
June 17, 2022 13:00 - 1.35 MBThe Torah in Parashat Kedoshim (19: 9-10) presents the obligation of “Leket” – leaving for the poor harvested stalks of grain which fell to the ground during the harvest – as both an affirmative command and a prohibition. It commands the farmer to leave these stalks for the poor, and forbids the farmer from taking them for himself. The Sefer Ha’hinuch lists these as two of the Torah’s 613 commands – the obligation to leave “Leket” for the poor (Misva 218), and the prohibition against taking t...
Misva #218: Leaving “Leket” (Dropped Stalks) For the Poor
June 16, 2022 13:00 - 4.02 MBThe Torah in Parashat Kedoshim (Vayikra 19:10) requires leaving several portions of one’s produce for the converts and the needy, including “Leket” – stalks of grain which drop during the harvest. As a person harvests the grain, either with a sickle by hand, it occasionally happens that a stalk or several stalks drop from his hand to the ground. The term “Leket” refers to stalks which a person pulled from the ground during the harvest, but which then fell back to the ground. These stalks must...
Misva #217: The Prohibition Against Harvesting One’s Entire Field
June 16, 2022 13:00 - 2.36 MBIn addition to the affirmative command obligating a farmer to leave the corner of his field (“Pe’a”) for the poor, the Torah also formulates a separate command forbidding harvesting the entire field, without leaving a portion for the poor (“Lo Techaleh Pe’at Sadecha” – Vayikra 19:9). As we discussed in regard to the affirmative command (Misva #216), the Torah does not assign a minimum required amount which must be left for the poor. One satisfies his Torah obligation by leaving even a very sm...
Misva 216: Leaving a Corner of One’s Field for the Poor
June 15, 2022 13:00 - 9.78 MBThe Torah in Parashat Kedoshim (19:10) commands leaving certain portions of one’s agricultural produce to the poor, including Pe’a – the corner of one’s field. The Sefer Ha’hinuch lists the Pe’a obligation as the 216 th Biblical command. The Torah instructs that the corner of the field must be left for the “Ani” (pauper) and “Ger” (foreigner). The word “Ger” in this context refers to a “Ger Sedek” – a gentile who converted to Judaism with sincere motives. However, the Sages enacted the even n...
Misva #215: The Prohibition of Notar – Eating Leftover Sacrificial Food
June 14, 2022 13:00 - 6.4 MBThe Torah assigns each sacrifice a deadline by which the sacrificial food must be eaten, and after which the food becomes “Notar” – “leftover,” and thus unfit for consumption. In the Book of Shemot (29:33), the Torah forbids eating sacrificial food which became unfit for consumption – “Lo Ye’achel Ki Kodesh Hem.” And in the Book of Vayikra (29:33), the Torah writes that eating Notar is punishable by Karet (“Ve’ochelav Avono Yisa…Ve’nichreta Ha’nefesh Ha’hi Me’ameha”). The Sefer Ha’hinuch list...
Misva #214: Entertaining Thoughts of Idolatry
June 13, 2022 13:00 - 7.57 MBThe Torah commands in Parashat Kedoshim (Vayikra 19:4), “Al Tifnu El Ha’elilim” – “Do not turn toward idols.” This has been explained to mean that one is not allowed to turn his mind toward idolatry, to entertain thoughts about the possible veracity of a pagan belief, Heaven forbid, or to verbalize such sentiments. The reason for this prohibition, as the Sages explain in the Safra, is that entertaining thoughts of, and allowing one’s interest to be drawn toward, idolatry could ultimately resu...
Misva #213: To Not Turn After the Worship of Idols - Not in Thought, Not in Speech and Not in Vision
June 07, 2022 13:00 - 8.99 MBThe Torah in Parashat Kedoshim (Vayikra 19:4) commands, “V’eloheh Masecha Lo Ta’asu Lachem” – forbidding making an idol for pagan worship. The Sefer Ha’hinuch explains that the Torah here forbids making an object with the intention that it would be worshipped by another person. Even though the one who makes the idol has no intention at all of worshipping it, nevertheless, making the idol for somebody else to worship transgresses this Biblical command. The Torah forbids deriving any sort of be...
Misva #212: Reverence for Parents
June 03, 2022 13:00 - 8.34 MBThe Torah commands in the beginning of Parashat Kedoshim (19:3), “Ish Imo Ve’abiv Tira’u” – that one must show reverence for his father and his mother. The Gemara explains that “reverence” in this context means that one may not sit in his parent’s place, speak in a parent’s place when the parent in speaking to other people, or contradict a parent’s words. The Sefer Ha’hinuch writes that even if a parent acted improperly by striking or spitting at the child, the child should not disgrace the p...
Misva #211: That Women Not Lay with the Beasts:
June 02, 2022 13:00 - 11.6 MBIn the same verse in which the Torah forbids a man from cohabiting with an animal, the Torah forbids a woman from cohabiting with an animal (Vayikra 18:23). Although intuitively we might have viewed these prohibitions as two aspects of a single Biblical command forbidding bestiality, the Rambam maintained that these are, in fact, two separate Torah commands. He drew proof from the Gemara’s discussion in the beginning of Masechet Keritut, where it lists the 36 prohibitions for which violators ...
Misva #210: To not lay with a Beast
June 01, 2022 13:00 - 12.2 MBThe Torah in Parashat Ahareh-Mot (18:23) forbids a male from engaging in intercourse with an animal. The Sefer Ha’hinuch writes that the Torah forbids such an act because G-d wants all creatures to reproduce their own species, and not to mix with other species. For this reason, the Sefer Ha’hinuch adds, creatures produced through crossbreeding are incapable of reproducing. For example, a mule – the product of a horse and donkey – cannot reproduce, and fruits produced through grafting are like...
Misva #209: The Prohibition Against Male Homosexual Relations
May 31, 2022 13:00 - 7.79 MBThe Torah commands in Parashat Ahareh-Mot (Vayikra 18:22), “Ve’et Zachar Lo Tishkab Mishkebeh Isha, To’eba Hi” – “And you shall not sleep with a man in the manner of sleeping with a woman; it is an abomination.” The Sefer Ha’hinuch explains that G-d wishes that the world be populated, and He therefore commanded that a man must not waste his seed by having a homosexual relationship, which, quite obviously, cannot result in reproduction. Secondly, the Sefer Ha’hinuch writes, such an act is inhe...
Misva #208: The Worship of the Molech Idol
May 30, 2022 13:00 - 9.07 MBThe Torah in Parashat Ahareh-Mot (Vayikra 18:21) commands, “U’mi’zar’acha Lo Titen Le’ha’abir La’molech” – that one may not hand over his offspring for the worship of the pagan god called Molech. The Sefer Ha’hinuch explains that the followers of this pagan cult would bring their child and hand him to the priests, who would then wave the child up and down, and bring him to the statue. The priests would then hand the child back to the parent and light a fire, whereupon the parent would bring t...
Misva #207: Not to have Intercourse With a Nidda (Woman Who Experienced Menstrual Bleeding)
May 27, 2022 13:00 - 15.9 MBThe Torah in Parashat Ahareh-Mot (Vayikra 18:19) commands that one may not have relations with a woman “Be’nidat Tum’atah” – when she is in a state of impurity due to menstruation. Once a woman becomes a Nidda (menstrual woman), she remains impure until she immerses in a Mikveh, and relations with her are thus forbidden until after the immersion. The Sefer Ha’hinuch explains the reason for this command as based upon Hashem’s concern to distance us from anything which could be harmful. He writ...
Misva #206: The Prohibition Against Marrying Sisters
May 26, 2022 13:00 - 14.3 MBThe Torah in Parashat Ahareh-Mot (Vayikra 18:18) commands that one may not marry his wife’s sister “Be’hayeha” – “during her lifetime.” This means that once a man marries a woman, he may not marry or have relations with that woman’s sister, even after he divorces his wife, until after his wife dies. Once his wife passes away, he is permitted to marry her sister. This prohibition forbids both betrothing the wife’s sister, and having a relationship with her without marriage. One who betroths th...
Misva #205: To not reveal the nakedness of a woman and the daughter of her daughter
May 25, 2022 13:00 - 6.37 MBThe Torah in Parashat Ahareh-Mot (Vayikra 18:17) commands that once a man marries a woman, he may never then have relations with or marry her daughters or granddaughters, even those produced with a different man. The Sefer Ha’hinuch lists as the 203 rd Biblical command the prohibition against relations with one’s wife daughter; as the 204 th Biblical command the prohibition against relations with one’s wife’s son’s daughter; and as the 205 th Biblical command the prohibition against relations...
Misva #204:The nakedness of a woman and the daughter of her son
May 24, 2022 13:00 - 2.08 MBIn the context of the prohibition against having intimate relations with one’s wife’s daughter (even though the daughter was fathered by a different man), the Torah forbids also relations with one’s wife’s daughter’s daughter (Vayikra 18:17). The Rabbis enacted a safeguard to this prohibition, forbidding relations with one’s wife’s great-granddaughter, specifically, the wife’s son’s granddaughter. This prohibition applies in all places and in all times. If somebody married a woman and then ha...
Misva #203: The nakedness of a woman and her daughter, you shall not reveal:
May 23, 2022 13:00 - 3.91 MBThe Torah in Parashat Ahareh-Mot (Vayikra 18:17) forbids having intimate relations with “Isha U’bitah” – a woman and her daughter. This means that if a person marries a woman, he may not then ever marry that woman’s daughter, even though the daughter was fathered by a different man. This prohibition applies only to the daughter of a woman whom one marries. However, if a man had an illicit relationship with a woman, out of wedlock, then Torah law does not forbid him from marrying her daughter ...
Misva #202: The nakedness of the wife of your brother you shall not reveal:
May 20, 2022 13:00 - 3.32 MBThe Torah in Parashat Ahareh-Mot (Vayikra 18:15) commands that one may not engage in intimate relations with “Eshet Ahicha” – one’s brother’s wife. This applies regardless of whether the person and his brother share both parents, only a father, or only a mother. Additionally, even if the brother merely betrothed a woman, and had yet to complete the marriage, one is forbidden from engaging in relations with the bride, forever. Even if the brother subsequently dies or divorces his wife, she rem...
Misva #201: To Not Reveal the Nakedness of Your Daughter-in-Law
May 16, 2022 13:00 - 3.74 MBThe Torah commands in Parashat Ahareh-Mot (Vayikra 18:15), “Ervat Kalatecha Lo Tegaleh” – it is forbidden to have intimate relations with one’s daughter-in-law, the wife of his son. This prohibition applies even if the son only betrothed a woman, without completing the marriage; once the betrothal occurred, the father may not have relations with the woman. Furthermore, even after the son dies or divorces, his father may not marry the son’s wife. She remains forbidden for the father for all ti...
Misva #200: To Not Reveal the Nakedness of the Wife of the Brother of Your Father
May 13, 2022 13:00 - 7.96 MBThe Torah in Parashat Ahareh-Mot (Vayikra 18:14) commands regarding one’s father’s brother, “El Ishto Lo Tikrab, Dodatecha Hi” – “Do not approach his wife; she is your aunt.” This verse establishes a prohibition against having relations with the wife of one’s father’s brother. This prohibition applies even after the uncle died or divorced his wife; once one’s father’s brother marries a woman, the nephew may never have an intimate relationship with that woman. Furthermore, this prohibition app...
Misva #199: The Nakedness of your Brother of your Father You Shall Not Reveal
May 12, 2022 13:00 - 2.38 MBThe Torah in Parashat Ahareh-Mot (Vayikra 18:14) commands that one may not engage in intimate relations with “Ahi Avicha” – one’s father’s brother. Of course, such a relationship is already forbidden due to the prohibition of Mishkab Zachur (male homosexual intercourse). The Torah here adds a second prohibition, such that one who transgresses and commits such as act is in violation of two Biblical commands. This prohibition applies regardless of whether the man and one’s father share both par...
Misva #198: To Not Reveal the Nakedness of the Sister of Your Mother
May 11, 2022 13:00 - 1.62 MBThe Torah in Parashat Ahareh-Mot (Vayikra 18:13) introduces the prohibition against having intercourse with one’s mother’s sister. As with regard to the prohibition against relations with one’s father’s sister, this prohibition applies regardless of whether one’s mother and this woman share two parents, only a father, or only a mother. In either case, relations with her are forbidden. Likewise, it makes no difference whether the mother’s sister was produced through a legal marriage, or throug...
Misva #197: To Not Reveal the Nakedness of the Sister of the Father
May 10, 2022 13:00 - 1.94 MBThe Torah in Parashat Ahareh-Mot (Vayikra 18:12) forbids engaging in intimate relations with “Ahot Abicha” – “your father’s sister.” This prohibition applies even if the woman is the father’s half-sister, regardless of whether they share the same father or the same mother. Moreover, even if the sister was conceived out of wedlock, nevertheless, since she and her brother share the same father, relations between her and the brother’s son are forbidden. This prohibition applies in all times and ...
Misva #196: To Not Reveal the Nakedness of His Sister from the Father, and She is the Daughter of the Wife of the Father
May 09, 2022 13:00 - 4.37 MBThe Torah in Parashat Ahareh-Mot introduces a prohibition against having intercourse with “the daughter of your father’s wife.” If one’s father produced a daughter with a wife, then this command forbids relations with that daughter. A separate prohibition forbids relations with one’s father’s daughter even if she was produced by rape, meaning, if the father forced himself on a woman, thereby impregnating her, and she delivered a girl. If one’s father produced a daughter with a wife, whether o...
Misva #195: To Not Reveal the Nakedness of the Daughter
May 06, 2022 13:00 - 9.15 MBThe Sefer Ha’hinuch lists as the 195 th Biblical command the prohibition against intimate relations with one’s daughter – a prohibition which, interestingly enough, is not explicitly introduced anywhere in the Torah. The Gemara initially suggests deriving this prohibition through logical deduction (Kal Va’homer) – the Torah explicitly forbids relations with one’s granddaughter, so all the more so, it must forbid relations with one’s daughter, who is a closer relative. However, there is a rule...
Misvot #193 and #194: To Not Reveal the Nakedness of the Daughter of the Son and the Daughter of the Daughter
May 05, 2022 13:00 - 8.68 MBThe Torah in Parashat Ahareh Mot introduces the prohibition against engaging in intimate relations with one’s granddaughter. The Sefer Ha’hinuch lists this prohibition as two separate Biblical commands – a prohibition against relations with one’s son’s daughter (“Ervat Bat Beno”), and a prohibition against relations with one’s daughter’s daughter (“Ervat Bat Bito”). This prohibition applies even to the daughter of an illegitimate child. For example, if one’s son is a Mamzer (product of an ill...