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Sanhedrin veha’Onashin haMesurin lahem - Chapter 18

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Sanhedrin veha’Onashin haMesurin lahem - Chapter 18

1These are the individuals who receive lashes: a) anyone who transgresses a negative commandment punishable by Karait,1 but which is not punishable by execution by the court,2 e.g., a person who eats either fats, blood, or chametz on Passover, b) anyone who transgresses a negative commandment punishable by death at the hand of heaven,3 e.g., a person who eats tevel,4 or a priest who eats terumah5 that is ritually pure, while he is in a state of ritual impurity, c) anyone who transgresses a negative prohibition that involves a deed, e.g., a person who eats milk and meat or who wears sha’atnez.6 When, however, a prohibition does not involve a deed, i.e., a gossiper,7 a person who takes revenge, or who bears a grudge, and a judge who hears a false report,8 a violator does not receive lashes.9אאֵלּוּ הֵן הַלּוֹקִין: כָּל הָעוֹבֵר עַל לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה שֶׁחַיָּבִין עָלָיו כָּרֵת וְאֵין בּוֹ מִיתַת בֵּית דִּין - כְּגוֹן אוֹכֵל חֵלֶב, וְדָם, וְחָמֵץ בַּפֶּסַח; וְכֵן כָּל הָעוֹבֵר עַל לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה שֶׁחַיָּבִין עָלָיו מִיתָה בִּידֵי שָׁמַיִם - כְּגוֹן אוֹכֵל טֶבֶל, וְכוֹהֵן טָמֵא שֶׁאָכַל תְּרוּמָה טְהוֹרָה; וְכֵן כָּל הָעוֹבֵר עַל לָאו שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ מַעֲשֶׂה - כְּגוֹן אוֹכֵל בָּשָׂר בְּחָלָב אוֹ לוֹבֵשׁ שַׁעַטְנֵז. אֲבָל לָאו שֶׁאֵין בּוֹ מַעֲשֶׂה - כְּגוֹן הוֹלֵךְ רָכִיל, וְנוֹקֵם, וְנוֹטֵר, וְנוֹשֵׂא שֵׁמַע שָׁוְא - אֵינוֹ לוֹקֶה.
2Whenever a prohibition does not involve a deed, it is not punishable by lashes except for a person who takes a false oath,10 a person who transfers the sanctity of one sacrificial animal to another,11 and one who curses a colleague using God’s name.12 Similarly, any prohibition punishable by execution by the court, e.g., “Do not commit adultery,” or “Do not perform labor on the Sabbath” is not punishable by lashes.13 Whenever a prohibition requires financial recompense, e.g., “Do not rob,” or “Do not steal,” it is not punishable by lashes.14 Whenever a prohibition can be corrected by the performance of a positive commandment, e.g., “Do not take the mother together with the offspring,”15 or “Do not complete the reaping of the corners of your field,”16 it is not punishable by lashes, unless one does not perform the positive commandment.17 Similarly, a prohibition of a general nature18 is not punishable by lashes. All other Scriptural prohibitions are punishable by lashes.19בכָּל לָאו שֶׁאֵין בּוֹ מַעֲשֶׂה - אֵין לוֹקִין עָלָיו, חוּץ מִנִּשְׁבָּע, וּמֵמִיר, וּמְקַלֵּל אֶת חֲבֵרוֹ בַּשֵּׁם. וְכָל לָאו שֶׁנִּתַּן לְאַזְהָרַת מִיתַת בֵּית דִּין - כְּגוֹן "לֹא תִנְאָף" (שמות כ, יב; דברים ה, טז), "לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה מְלָאכָה בְּיוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת" (ראה שמות לא, יד-טו) - אֵין לוֹקִין עָלָיו. וְכָל לָאו שֶׁנִּתַּן לְתַשְׁלוּמִין - כְּגוֹן "לֹא תִגְזֹל" (ויקרא יט, יג), "לֹא תִגְנֹב" (שמות כ, יב; דברים ה,טז) - אֵין לוֹקִין עָלָיו. וְכָל לָאו שֶׁנִּתַּק לַעֲשֵׂה - כְּגוֹן "לֹא תִקַּח הָאֵם עַל הַבָּנִים" (דברים כב, ו), "לֹא תְכַלֶּה פְּאַת שָׂדְךָ" (ויקרא יט, ט) - אֵין לוֹקִין עָלָיו, אֶלָא אִם כֵּן לֹא קִיֵּם עֲשֵׂה שֶׁבָּהּ. וְכָל לָאו שֶׁבַּכְּלָלוּת אֵין לוֹקִין עָלָיו. וּשְׁאָר כָּל הַלָאוִין שֶׁבַּתּוֹרָה, לוֹקִין עֲלֵיהֶן.
3What is meant by a prohibition of a general nature? A prohibition that includes many matters, e.g., Leviticus 19:26,: “Do not eat over the blood.”20 Similarly, if the Torah states: “Do not do this and this,” since a prohibition was not explicitly stated with regard to each deed, these prohibitions are not punishable by lashes unless the Torah divides them into separate prohibitions or it is conveyed via the Oral Tradition that they have been divided.גאֵיזֶה הוּא לָאו שֶׁבַּכְּלָלוּת? זֶה לָאו אֶחָד שֶׁכּוֹלֵל עִנְיָנִים הַרְבֵּה, כְּגוֹן "לֹא תֹאכְלוּ עַל הַדָּם" (ויקרא יט, כו). וְכֵן אִם נֶאֱמַר: לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה דָּבָר פְּלוֹנִי וּפְלוֹנִי וּפְלוֹנִי - הוֹאִיל וְלֹא יִחֵד לָאו לְכָל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד מֵהֶן, אֵין לוֹקִין עַל כָּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד, אֶלָא אִם כֵּן חִלֵּק אוֹתָן בְּלָאוִין אֲחֵרִים, אוֹ נֶאֱמַר מִפִּי הַשְּׁמוּעָה שֶׁנֶּחְלְקוּ.
What is implied? Exodus 12:9 states: “Do not partake of it21 partially roasted or cooked.” If a person partakes of a portion of the Paschal sacrifice while it is partially roasted and another portion that has been cooked at the same time, he does not receive two sets of lashes, only one.22 With regard to chadash,23 Leviticus 22:14 states: “You shall not partake of bread, roasted grain, or fresh grain....” A violator is liable for three sets of lashes for these three transgressions. According to the Oral Tradition, we learned that a distinction is to be made. It is also written: “There shall not be found among you one who passes his son or daughter through the fire, one who divines....” Even though all the matters24 are included in one prohibition,25 in other places, the Torah distinguishes them as separate prohibitions, as Leviticus 19:26 states: “Do not augur and do not read omens.”26 This teaches that each one is a separate prohibition. Similar principles apply in all analogous situations.27כֵּיצַד? כְּגוֹן זֶה שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "אַל תֹּאכְלוּ מִמֶּנּוּ נָא וּבָשֵׁל מְבֻשָּׁל" (שמות יב, ט) - אֵינוֹ לוֹקֶה עַל הַנָּא וְעַל הַמְּבֻשָּׁל שְׁתַּיִם, אֶלָא אַחַת. וּבֶחָדָשׁ הוּא אוֹמֵר: "וְלֶחֶם וְקָלִי וְכַרְמֶל לֹא תֹאכְלוּ" (ויקרא כג, יד), וְחַיָּב עַל שְׁלָשְׁתָּן שָׁלוֹשׁ מַלְקִיּוֹת. מִפִּי הַשְּׁמוּעָה לָמְדוּ שֶׁזֶּה לְחַלֵּק. הֲרֵי נֶאֱמַר "לֹא יִמָּצֵא בְךָ מַעֲבִיר בְּנוֹ וּבִתּוֹ בָּאֵשׁ קֹסֵם קְסָמִים מְעוֹנֵן וּמְנַחֵשׁ וּמְכַשֵּׁף" (דברים יח, י), אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁכָּלַל כָּל הָעִנְיָנִים הָאֵלּוּ בְּלָאו אֶחָד, הֲרֵי חִלֵּק אוֹתָן בְּלָאוִין אֲחֵרִים, וְאָמַר "לֹא תְנַחֲשׁוּ וְלֹא תְעוֹנֵנוּ" (ויקרא יט, כו) - מְלַמֵּד שֶׁכָּל אֶחָד מֵהֶן בְּלָאו בִּפְנֵי עַצְמוֹ. וְכֵן כֹּל כַיּוֹצֵא בְּזֶה.
4The following rules apply when a person receives lashes in a court because of the violation of a prohibition punishable by Karait, and then received lashes a second time for the violation of that same prohibition - e.g., he ate forbidden fat, received lashes for it, and then ate forbidden fat again and received lashes for it. If he eats such fat a third time, he is not given lashes. Instead, he is compelled to enter a kipah,28 a narrow place of his own height where he cannot lie down. He is given meager portions of bread and water until his digestive tract contracts and he becomes ill.29 Afterwards, we feed him barley30 until his stomach bursts.31דמִי שֶׁלָּקָה בְּבֵית דִּין עַל אִסּוּר כָּרֵת, וְלָקָה פַּעַם שְׁנִיָּה עַל אוֹתוֹ כָּרֵת עַצְמוֹ - כְּגוֹן שֶׁאָכַל חֵלֶב וְלָקָה עָלָיו, וְאָכַל חֵלֶב פַּעַם שְׁנִיָּה וְלָקָה עָלָיו - אִם אָכַל פַּעַם שְׁלִישִׁית, אֵין מַלְקִין אוֹתוֹ. אֶלָא מַכְנִיסִין אוֹתוֹ לַכִּיפָה, וְהוּא מָקוֹם צָר כְּפִי קוֹמָתוֹ וְאֵינוֹ יָכוֹל לִשְׁכַּב בּוֹ, וְנוֹתְנִין לוֹ לֶחֶם צָר וּמַיִם לַחַץ, עַד שֶׁיֵּצָרוּ מֵעָיו וְיִחְלֶה. וְאַחַר כָּךְ מַאֲכִילִין אוֹתוֹ שְׂעוֹרִים, עַד שֶׁכְּרֵסוֹ נִבְקַעַת.
5When a person violates a prohibition punishable by Karait or by execution by the court and received a warning beforehand, if he nodded his head,32 or remained silent and did not acknowledge the warning,33 we do not execute him, as explained above,34 nor do we give him lashes. If he repeats this transgression, receives a warning, nods his head, or remains silent, we neither execute him or give him lashes. If he repeats this transgression a third time, receives a warning, even though he merely nodded his head or remained silent,35 he is placed in a kipah until he dies.36 All these individuals who did not acknowledge the warning they received are given “stripes for rebellious behavior”37 for they did at least commit a sin.38 Even a person who violates a Rabbinic prohibition39 is given “stripes for rebellious behavior.”40המִי שֶׁעָבַר עַל אִסּוּר כָּרֵת אוֹ מִיתַת בֵּית דִּין, וְהִתְרוּ בּוֹ, וְהִרְכִּין בְּרֹאשׁוֹ, אוֹ שָׁתַק וְלֹא קִבֵּל עָלָיו הַהַתְרָאָה - אֵין הוֹרְגִין אוֹתוֹ כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ, וְאֵין מַלְקִין אוֹתוֹ. חָזַר וְעָשָׂה כֵּן, וְהִתְרוּ בּוֹ וְהִרְכִּין בְּרֹאשׁוֹ אוֹ שָׁתַק - אֵין מְמִיתִין אוֹתוֹ וְאֵין מַלְקִין אוֹתוֹ. חָזַר פַּעַם שְׁלִישִׁית וְעָבַר, וְהִתְרוּ בּוֹ, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהִרְכִּין בְּרֹאשׁוֹ אוֹ שָׁתַק - כּוֹנְסִין אוֹתוֹ לַכִּיפָה עַד שֶׁיָּמוּת. וְכָל אֵלּוּ שֶׁלֹּא קִבְּלוּ עֲלֵיהֶן הַהַתְרָאָה - מַכִּין אוֹתָן מַכַּת מַרְדּוּת, הוֹאִיל וְחָטְאוּ מִכָּל מָקוֹם. אַפִלּוּ עַל אִסּוּר שֶׁל דִבְרֵי סוֹפְרִים מַכִּין אוֹתָן מַכַּת מַרְדּוּת.
6When a person steals one of the sacrificial vessels from the Temple,41 curses God’s name using the name of a false divinity,42 or has relations with an idolatrous gentile43 woman,44 the court does not deal with this matter.45 Instead, the zealous strike them. Whoever slays them is worthy of merit. Similarly, when a priest served in the Temple while ritually impure, his priestly brethren would not bring him to court.46 Instead, the young priests take him out of the Temple Courtyard47 and crack his head open with logs.48והַגּוֹנֵב כְּלִי שָׁרֵת מִן הַמִּקְדָּשׁ, וְהַמְּקַלֵּל בַּקֹּסֶם, וְהַבּוֹעֵל אַרְמִית - אֵין בֵּית דִּין נִזְקָקִין לָהֶן, אֶלָא הַקַּנָּאִין פּוֹגְעִין בָּהֶן; וְכָל שֶׁהוֹרְגָן, זָכָה. וְכֵן כֹּהֵן שֶׁשִּׁמֵּשׁ בְּטֻמְאָה, לֹא הָיוּ אֶחָיו הַכּוֹהֲנִים מְבִיאִין אוֹתוֹ לְבֵית דִּין, אֶלָא פִּרְחֵי כְּהֻנָּה מוֹצִיאִין אוֹתוֹ חוּץ לָעֲזָרָה וּפּוֹצְאִין אֶת מוֹחוֹ בַּגִּזְרִין.
It is a Scriptural decree49 that the court does not execute a person or have him lashed because of his own admission.50 Instead, the punishments are given on the basis of the testimony of two witnesses. Joshua’s execution of Achan51 and David’s execution of the Amalekite52 convert because of their own statements was a directive of immediate relevance only53 or was by royal54 fiat.55 The Sanhedrin, however, may not execute or lash a person who admits committing a transgression, lest he have become crazed concerning this matter. Perhaps he is one of those embittered people who are anxious to die and pierce their reins with swords or throw themselves from the rooftops. Similarly, we fear that such a person may come and admit committing an act that he did not perform, so that he will be executed. The general principle is the disqualification of a person’s own testimony is a decree of the King.56גְּזֵרַת הַכָּתוּב הִיא שֶׁאֵין מְמִיתִין בֵּית דִּין, וְלֹא מַלְקִין אֶת הָאָדָם, בְּהוֹדָאַת פִּיו, אֶלָא עַל פִּי שְׁנֵי עֵדִים. וְזֶה שֶׁהָרַג יְהוֹשֻׁעַ עָכָן וְדָוִד לְגֵר עֲמָלֵקִי, בְּהוֹדָאַת פִּיהֶם - הוֹרָאַת שָׁעָה הָיְתָה, אוֹ דִּין מַלְכוּת הָיָה. אֲבָל הַסַּנְהֶדְּרִין - אֵין מְמִיתִין וְלֹא מַלְקִין הַמּוֹדֶה בַּעֲבֵרָה, שֶׁמָּא נִטְרְפָה דַּעְתּוֹ בְּדָבָר זֶה, שֶׁמָּא מִן הָעֲמֵלִין מָרֵי נֶפֶשׁ הוּא, הַמְּחַכִּים לָמּוּת, שֶׁתּוֹקְעִין הַחֲרָבוֹת בְּבִטְנָם וּמַשְׁלִיכִין עַצְמָן מֵעַל הַגַּגּוֹת. כָּךְ זֶה יָבוֹא וְיֹאמַר דָּבָר שֶׁלֹּא עָשָׂה, כְּדֵי שֶׁיֵּהָרֵג. וּכְלָלוֹ שֶׁל דָּבָר: גְּזֵרַת מֶלֶךְ הִיא.

Quiz Yourself on Sanhedrin veha’Onashin haMesurin lahem - Chapter 18

Footnotes
1.

The person is not absolved from punishment by an earthly court because he will later receive kerait, because if he repents he will not suffer those punishments (Makkot a,b).

2.

For if the transgression is punishable by execution, even if the person is not executed, he does not receive lashes for it. Indeed, even if he does not receive a warning that the prohibition is punishable by execution, but rather that it is punishable by lashes, he does not receive lashes (ibid.).

3.

In contrast to Karait, the soul of a person who violates such a prohibition is not “cut off” in the afterlife [the Rambam’s Commentary to the Mishnah (Sanhedrin 9:6)].

4.

Produce from which terumah and the tithes were not separated.

5.

The heap offering taken from crops which must be eaten when both the terumah and the person partaking of it are ritually pure.

6.

A mixture of wool and linen in the same garment.

7.

For, in this context, speech is not considered a deed.

8.

See Chapter 21, Halachah 7.

9.

Makkot 13b derives the above concepts from the fact that the punishment of lashing is followed directly by the prohibition (Deuteronomy 25:4): “Do not muzzle an ox while threshing.” Just as muzzling an ox is a prohibition that involves a deed, so, too, all other prohibitions punishable by lashes must involve a deed.

10.

In this instance, a explicit prooftext teaches us to make the exception. Exodus 20:7 states: “God will not absolve anyone who swears by His Name in vain.” Sh’vuot 21a interprets the verse as implying that God will not absolve such a transgression on His own. Nevertheless, if an earthly court punishes a transgressor, this sin may be absolved.

11.

In this instance, lashes are given because the person’s words have an effect comparable to deed. Through his statements, the sanctity of the offering is transferred from one animal to another (Temurah 3b).

12.

Temurah, loc. cit., explains that the obligation for lashes is derived from Deuteronomy 28:58-59 which states: “If you will not be careful... to fear the glorious and awesome name God... God will render awesome blows upon you.” Through exegesis, the latter phrase is interpreted as referring to lashes. If a person does not fear God’s name - as evidenced by his using it to curse a colleague - he is punished by lashes.
The enumeration of the transgressions that do not involve deed and yet are punishable by lashes is quoted from Sh’vuot 21a. On that passage, Tosafot notes that lying witnesses and a person who spreads a malicious report about his virgin wife are also punished by lashes.

13.

As mentioned above, this applies even if the transgressor received a warning that the transgression is punishable by lashes.

14.

As mentioned by Makkot 4b and Ketubot 32b, whenever an act is punishable by both a financial obligation and lashes, the person is held obligated financially and is not lashed.

15.

After stating that prohibition, Deuteronomy 22:6 continues: “You shall certainly send forth the mother.” This is interpreted, not only as advice to be applied before taking the chicks, but also a means to correct and atone for one’s conduct (Rashi, Makkot 17a).

16.

After stating that prohibition, Leviticus 19:9 continues: “Leave them for the poor and the stranger.” This also is not merely advice to be fulfilled at the outset, but a means of compensating and atoning for transgression.

17.

The wording is slightly misleading. The intent is that one is no longer able to fulfill the positive commandment, e.g., the mother bird died, or the grain from the corners was consumed. As long as it is possible to perform that commandment, the person is not lashed even if he shows no inclination of performing that commandment. For the possibility always exists that he will change his mind.

18.

This term is defined in the following halachah.

19.

Lashes are not administered, however, when a prohibition is understood from a positive commandment, but is not mentioned explicitly, e.g., marriage between a High Priest and a non-virgin. He is commanded to marry a virgin (Leviticus 21:13). Hence we assume he should not marry a non-virgin (see Hilchot Ishut 1:8). Since that prohibition is not mentioned by the Torah, its violation is not punishable by lashes. See Chapter 19, Halachah 3.

20.

This prohibition forbids several unconnected matters, including: a) not to partake of the meat of an animal until it is dead; b) not to partake of the meat of a sacrifice before its blood was offered on the altar; c) not to bring the meal of consolation to the relatives of a person who was executed; d) that a court who condemned a person to die should not eat on the day of his execution; e) that a “wayward and rebellious son” should not partake of the food purchased from the money he stole from his parents (see Sanhedrin 63a).
Since it includes so many different matters, it does not resemble the prohibition against muzzling an ox, which as stated above is the archetype for prohibitions punishable by lashes. That prohibition is explicit and focused on one deed. Any prohibition that is not does not receive the same punishment (Pesachim 41b).

21.

The Paschal sacrifice.

22.

Thus there is no difference whether the person ate partially roasted meat, cooked meat, or both together. He receives only one set of lashes. The Ramban in his Hasagot to the Sefer HaMitzvot, General Principle 9, differs and maintains that the person is given two sets of lashes if he eats partially roasted meat and cooked meat together. He considers the two as separate prohibitions.
In contrast to the prohibition: “Do not eat upon the blood,” a person is liable for lashes for transgressing the prohibition against partaking of the Paschal sacrifice in this manner. It is not entirely a prohibition of a general nature, for both dimensions are explicitly mentioned in the Torah.

23.

Fresh grain that may not be eaten before the offering of the Omer on the sixteenth of Nisan. See Hilchot Ma'acholot Assurot, Ch. 10.

24.

The various different prohibitions against black magic and occult arts mentioned in the verse.

25.

And hence, one might think that one would receive only one set of lashes even though one violated all the transgressions. This, however, is not so, as the Rambam proceeds to explain.

26.

Although there are not separate prohibitions for all the different occult arts mentioned in the verse in Deuteronomy, since there are separate prohibitions for these two - and they are mentioned in the midst of the verse, we assume that similar concepts apply with regard to the other prohibitions [Sefer Mitzvot (General Principle 9), based on the Jerusalem Talmud (Sanhedrin 7:5).]

27.

E.g., the prohibition against a priest marrying woman unfit for him (Leviticus 21:7; Hilchot Issurei Biah 17:2).

28.

The word kipah literally means “dome,” i.e., a small room with a dome.

29.

Our translation follows the version found in authentic manuscripts and early printings of the Mishneh Torah. The standard published text has a different and more difficult to understand version.

30.

Which will swell in his digestive tract.

31.

And he dies.
Since he brazenly violated a prohibition punishable by kerait time after time, the court causes him to die. This applies only when he violates the same prohibition repeatedly, but not when he violates different prohibitions punishable by kerait.

32.

In apparent acquiescence to the warning.

33.

I.e., stating that he is committing the transgression in full awareness of the punishment involved.

34.

See Chapter 12, Halachah 2; see also Chapter 16, Halachah 4 with regard to lashes.

35.

And thus he is not considered as having accepted the warning.

36.

In the manner described in the previous halachah.
As an allusion to this practice, Sanhedrin 81b cites Psalms 34:22 which Rashi interprets as meaning “the evil of the wicked will cause him to die.” Since the person is a repeated sinner, he is considered as worthy of death. See also Hilchot Rotzeach 4:8 which speaks about a killer being placed in a kipah.

37.

See the notes to Chapter 16, Halachah 3, for a definition of this term.

38.

And since they were given a warning, the transgression was at least partially intentional.

39.

In this instance, a warning is not necessary. If the court is convinced that the violation was intentional, it may administer this punishment without a warning having been given.

40.

As reflected by the discussion of this practice by the Sefer Me’irat Einayim 73:17 and the Siftei Cohen 73:16, this punishment may also be given in the present age, and in fact, was used as a deterrent in previous generations. Today, however, it is no longer employed by most courts.

41.

Sanhedrin 81 b cites a non-literal interpretation of Numbers 4:20 as an allusion to this concept.

42.

The prohibition against blaspheming God's name is described in Hilchot Avodat Kochavim, Chapter 2. In this instance, since the transgressor involves the name of a false divinity, he is not liable for the violation of that prohibition. Instead, he is punished in this manner.

43.

If, however, the woman observes the seven universal laws commanded to Noah and his descendants, this punishment does not apply [Hilchot Issurei Biah 12:5; the Rambam’s Commentary to the Mishnah (Sanhedrin 9:6).]

44.

The Rambam deals with the question of relations with an idolatrous gentile woman at length in Hilchot Issurei Biah, Chapter 12. There he explains that if a Jew marries such a woman, their relations are punishable by lashes. If the relations are carried out in public (i.e., they seclude themselves in the presence of ten Jews), while the couple are in the midst of relations - but not afterwards - a zealous person may slay them. The classic example of such actions is the slaying of Zimri by Pinchas, as related in Numbers, Ch. 25.

45.

Indeed, if the court is asked what to do, they should not respond. The action must be the result of the spontaneous feelings of the zealous person who cannot bear the knowledge that such an act is taking place (ibid.:5).

46.

This transgression is punishable by death at the hand of heaven. Hence the violator would be given lashes by the court (see Chapter 19, Halachah 2).

47.

So that there will be no impurity in that holy place.

48.

This punishment is derived from an extension of the interpretation of Leviticus 22:9: “They will die... because they have defiled it.”

49.

As indicated by Deuteronomy 19:15: “According to the testimony of two witnesses... will a matter be established.”

50.

Instead, we follow the principle (Yevamot 25b) that a person is considered to be an involved party and his own testimony should not be used against him. Only with regard to financial matters, do we follow the principle (Bava Metzia 3b): “The admission of a witness is equivalent to the testimony of 100 witnesses.”
The Radbaz explains the difference between the two realms of judgment as follows: A person’s life - and even his physical body - are not his own possessions, but God’s. Hence he is not making an admission concerning what belongs to him. His financial resources, by contrast, are his own and he may do with them what he desires.

51.

For benefiting from the spoil of Jericho (Joshua, Ch. 7).

52.

For killing King Saul (II Samuel, Ch. 15).

53.

I.e., he was instructed to do so by a Divine order which he received through the prophetic spirit (Bamidbar Rabbah 23:6). Thus this practice should not be emulated in the future.

54.

Joshua is also considered as a king (see Hilchot Melachim 1:3).

55.

As stated in Hilchot Melachim 3:8-10, a king has the right to execute people even when they are not liable for execution by the court. The commentaries have raised a question with this explanation, because as stated in that source, a king may only execute violators through decapitation, and Joshua had Achan stoned to death. The Minchat Chinuch states that when the king executes a person to strengthen Torah observance, his fiat is not limited and he may use any means of execution he desires.

56.

I.e., although one might question the above explanation - for it does not necessarily apply with regard to lashes - one must realize that the ruling is not dependent on the explanation, but is instead a Divine decree, which we may or may not comprehend intellectually.

The Mishneh Torah was the Rambam's (Rabbi Moses ben Maimon) magnum opus, a work spanning hundreds of chapters and describing all of the laws mentioned in the Torah. To this day it is the only work that details all of Jewish observance, including those laws which are only applicable when the Holy Temple is in place. Participating in one of the annual study cycles of these laws (3 chapters/day, 1 chapter/day, or Sefer Hamitzvot) is a way we can play a small but essential part in rebuilding the final Temple.
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Rabbi Eliyahu Touger is a noted author and translator, widely published for his works on Chassidut and Maimonides.
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The text on this page contains sacred literature. Please do not deface or discard.