Negative Commandment 16 (Digest)
Inciting Another Jew to Worship Idols
"And no more such wickedness shall be done amongst you"—Deuteronomy 13:12.
It is forbidden to incite another to worship idols.
The 16th prohibition is that we are forbidden from leading someone astray by encouraging [even] one Jew to serve idolatry. The person who does so is called a meisis, as we have explained above.
The verse which is the source of this commandment is G‑d's statement (exalted be He), regarding a meisis, "'[If your maternal brother tries to lead you astray…secretly, saying, 'Let us go and serve false gods…You shall put him to death…] and they shall no longer do such an evil thing in your midst."
One who transgresses this prohibition, i.e. the one who incites another Jew [towards idolatry] is liable to execution by stoning, as the verse states, "You must certainly kill him." The one whom the meisis tried to incite should be the one to perform the execution, as in G‑d's statement (exalted be He), "Your hand shall be the first against him to kill him." In the words of the Sifri, "The one who was incited is commanded to execute him."
The details of this mitzvah have been explained in the seventh chapter of Sanhedrin.
Negative Commandment 17 (Digest)
Loving an Inciter
"Do not be drawn to him"—Deuteronomy 13:9.
The person who is the target of incitement to idol worship is not allowed to harbor any love or sympathy for one who urged him to abandon G‑d. Though we are commanded to love every Jew – even a sinner – an inciter is the exception to this rule.
The 17th prohibition is that we are forbidden to love the meisis or agree with him.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement (exalted be He), "Do not love him."
In the words of the Sifri, "Since it is written, 'You must love your neighbor as yourself,' one might imply that you may love even this [meisis]. The verse therefore says, "Do not love him."
Negative Commandment 18 (Digest)
Abhorring the Inciter
"Nor (shall you) listen to him"—Deuteronomy 13:9.
The person who is the target of incitement to idol worship is not allowed to soften his hatred towards the one who urged him to abandon G‑d.
The 18th prohibition is that we are forbidden from easing our hatred of the meisis. One is absolutely required to maintain this hatred, and if one does not do so, one transgresses a prohibition.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement (exalted be He), "And do not listen to him."
The explanation of this is: "Since it is written [regarding someone you hate], 'You must make every effort to help him,' one might imply that you may help even this [meisis]. The verse therefore says, "And do not listen to him."
Negative Commandment 19 (Digest)
Pity for an Inciter
"Nor shall your eye pity him"—Deuteronomy 13:9.
When seeing a person in mortal danger, we are commanded to come to the rescue. This rule does not apply towards one who incites to idol worship. The person who is the target of incitement to idol worship is forbidden to come to the rescue of the one who urged him to abandon G‑d.
The 19th prohibition is that the one whom the meisis tried to incite is forbidden from saving the meisis if he sees his life is in danger.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement, "Do not let your eyes pity him."
The explanation of this is: "Since it is written 'Do not stand still when your neighbor's life is in danger,' one might imply that you may not stand still even for this [meisis]. The verse therefore says, "Do not let your eyes pity him."
Negative Commandment 20 (Digest)
Sparing an Inciter
"Nor shall you spare (him)"—Deuteronomy 13:9.
In the course of the court proceedings, the person who is the target of incitement to idol worship is not allowed to justify the actions of the one who urged him to abandon G‑d, nor is he allowed to express anything positive about the inciter that could possibly lead to his vindication. (This is an exception to the general rule. Normally, the courts encourage anyone who has anything positive to say about the accused to speak up.)
The 20th prohibition is that the one whom the meisis tried to incite is forbidden from trying to acquit the meisis. Even if he knows of an argument in his favor, he is forbidden to mention it to him or to raise it himself.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement (exalted be He), "Do not show him any mercy."
The explanation of this is brought: "The verse, 'Do not show him any mercy,' means that you may not raise an argument in his favor."
Negative Commandment 21 (Digest)
Concealing Evidence About the Inciter
"Nor shall you cover up for him"—Deuteronomy 13:9.
In the course of the court proceedings, the person who is the target of incitement to idol worship is not allowed to cover up any deleterious evidence he is privy to regarding the one who urged him to abandon G‑d.
The 21st prohibition is that the one whom the meisis tried to incite is forbidden from withholding anything he knows which would cause the meisis to be punished.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement (exalted be He), "And do not cover up for him."
The explanation of this is brought: "The verse, 'And do not try to cover up,' means that if you know of something against him, you may not remain silent."
Negative Commandment 26 (Digest)
Idolatrous Prophecies
"[The prophet]... that shall speak in the name of other gods"—Deuteronomy 18:20.
It is forbidden to prophesy, claiming that G‑d commanded to worship a pagan deity. It is also forbidden to prophesy in the name of a pagan deity, to claim that the deity appeared and instructed to serve it, promising reward for those who comply with its demand and punishment for those who don't.
The 26th prohibition is that a person is forbidden to prophesize in the name of an idol, i.e., to say that G‑d commanded him to serve it or that [the idol] itself commanded to serve it, and promised reward and punishment, as is done by the prophets of Baal and Asheirah.
There is no explicit verse in Scripture stating this prohibition of prophesizing in the name of an idol. There is, however, a verse stating the punishment, that one who prophesizes in its name is executed. This is G‑d's statement, "If he speaks in the name of other gods, then that prophet shall die." The death referred to here is execution by strangulation, in accordance with our general principle that when the verse does not specify the type of execution, it refers to strangulation.
You are already aware of the fundamental rule which I have explained in the Fourteenth Introductory Principle preceding this work, in the words of the Sages, "Whenever Scripture indicates a punishment, there must be another source indicating the actual prohibition." The actual prohibition is from the verse, "Do not mention the name of other gods."
It is not impossible for one verse to serve as the prohibition for a number of commandments and nevertheless not be in the category of a "general prohibition," since each one has a separate verse stating the punishment. Other examples of this principle are explained in the appropriate places.
The details of this mitzvah have been explained in the eleventh chapter of Sanhedrin.
Negative Commandment 28 (Digest)
Listening to Idolatrous Prophecies
"Do not listen to the words of that prophet"—Deuteronomy 13:4.
It is forbidden to listen to a prophet who claims to talk in the name of a pagan deity. We may not debate him or ask him for miraculous signs to corroborate his alleged prophecy. Rather, we warn him to desist, and if he continues in his ways, he is put to death by the courts.
The 28th prohibition is that we are forbidden from listening to the prophecy of one who prophesizes in the name of an idol, i.e., we should not dispute him, nor ask him, "What is your miracle, and what is your proof of this," as we do with someone who prophesizes in the name of G‑d. Rather, as soon as we hear him prophesize in its name, we must warn him, just as we must warn any transgressor; and if he persists in his claim, we must punish him in the way the Torah prescribes, and pay no attention to his miracles and proofs.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement (exalted be He), "Do not listen to the words of that prophet."
The details of this mitzvah have been explained in the eleventh chapter of Sanhedrin.
Negative Commandment 27 (Digest)
False Prophecy
"But the prophet who shall purposely speak a word in My name which I have not commanded him to speak"—Deuteronomy 18:20.
It is forbidden to utter a false prophecy in G‑d's name—i.e., to state that G‑d has said something that He has not. It is also forbidden for someone to say a (true) prophecy, stating that this is something that G‑d has revealed to him, when in fact G‑d spoke this prophecy to another prophet.
The 27th prohibition is that we are forbidden from prophesizing falsely, either by prophesizing in G‑d's Name even though G‑d has not spoken, or by prophesizing words which G‑d (exalted be He) has spoken to someone other than himself, and he attributes it to himself, saying that G‑d has spoken to him, when in reality, He has not.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement, "If a prophet intentionally makes a declaration in My name when I have not commanded him to speak."
One who transgresses this commandment is also executed by strangulation — when listing those who are punished by strangulation, our Sages included a false prophet. There they stated, "Three are executed by man: one who 'intentionally makes a declaration in My name,' i.e., when he has not heard; one who speaks 'when I have not commanded him to speak,' but I have commanded someone else to speak, i.e., one who prophesizes when he himself has not been spoken to; and one who 'speaks in the name of other gods,' i.e., in the name of an idol." Regarding all of them it is written, "That prophet shall die," and when the type of execution is not specified, it refers to strangulation.
The details of this mitzvah have been explained in the eleventh chapter of Sanhedrin.
Negative Commandment 29 (Digest)
Fearing a False Prophet
"You shall not fear him"—Deuteronomy 18:22.
We are not to fear a false prophet simply because he appears to be a holy individual who feigns to speak in G‑d's name.
The 29th prohibition is that we are forbidden from giving honorable treatment to a false prophet, or from refraining from executing him, since he says prophecy in the name of G‑d. Once we have determined his falseness, we should not fear punishment whatsoever.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement (exalted be He), "Do not fear him."
In the words of the Sifri, "The verse, 'Do not fear him,' teaches that one may not refrain from helping to convict him."
The details of this mitzvah have been explained at length in our Introduction to the Mishneh.
Negative Commandment 14 (Digest)
Swearing in the Name of False Gods
"Make no mention of the name of other gods"—Exodus 23:13.
It is forbidden to swear in the name of an idol, or to ask another (even an idol-worshipper) to swear in the name of a false deity.
This prohibition also includes not even mentioning the name of an idol. For example, one should not tell his fellow, "Wait for me beside Idol X."
The 14th prohibition is that we are forbidden from swearing in the name of an idol, even [when dealing] with idol worshippers. So too we may not cause them to swear in the name of an idol, as our Sages explained in their statement, "One may not cause a non-Jew to swear in the name of his idol."
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement (exalted be He), "Do not mention the name of other gods," i.e., by having a non-Jew swear in the name of his idol. Our Sages also explained there, "The verse, 'Do not mention,' teaches that one may not utter a vow in the name of an idol." The Gemara says in Sanhedrin, "The verse, 'Do not mention,' teaches that one person may not tell another, 'Wait for me next to such-and-such an idol.'"
One who transgresses this prohibition — by swearing in a reverential manner by any created being which people mistakenly believe in as a god — is punished by lashes.
In tractate Sanhedrin, when discussing the prohibition of hugging an idol, kissing it, sweeping the floor before it, or showing any signs of respect or love, our Sages said, "One is not punished by lashes unless he utters a vow or an oath in its name."
The details of this mitzvah have been explained in the seventh chapter of Sanhedrin.
Negative Commandment 8 (Digest)
Ov
"Do not turn to the Ovs"—Leviticus 19:31.
We are forbidden from employing the idolatrous practice of Ov.
The Ov practice consisted of burning a certain incense and doing certain acts known to the Ov followers. At that point, it would seem to the person engaging in these acts that he hears a voice emanating from beneath his armpit, which would answer questions that he posed.
The 8th prohibition is that we are forbidden from performing the practice of ov. This consists of burning a specific type of incense and performing certain actions. The person who does this then imagines that he hears a voice speaking from under his armpit answering his questions. This is a form of idolatry.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement, "Do not turn to the idols called ov."
In the words of the Sifra, "Ov refers to a Pitom who speaks from his armpit." One who transgresses this prohibition intentionally is executed by stoning; if he is not executed by stoning, he is punished by karet; and if he did so unintentionally, he must bring a sin-offering. This applies to the one who actually performed the actions himself.
The details of this mitzvah have been explained in the seventh chapter of Sanhedrin.
Negative Commandment 9 (Digest)
Yid'oni
"Do not turn to Yid'oni"—Leviticus 19:31.
We are forbidden from employing the idolatrous practice of Yid'oni.
The Yid'oni practice consisted of inserting into one's mouth a bone from the yidoa fowl. After then burning incense, saying certain formulas and doing certain rites, the person would enter a trance-like state, and he would begin issuing predictions about the future.
The 9th prohibition is that we are forbidden from performing the practice of yidoni. It is also a form of idolatry, in which the person takes a bone from the bird called yadu'a, places it in his mouth, burns incense, utters certain words, and performs certain actions, until he reaches a state similar to unconsciousness, when he goes into a deep sleep and predicts the future. Our Sages said, "Yidoni is when the person places a bone from a yadu'a in his mouth, and it speaks by itself."
This prohibition is contained in the verse, "Do not turn to the idols called ov or yidoni."
Do not think that this prohibition is a in the category of a "general prohibition." This is because when mentioning the punishment, they were separated, as it is written, "[Any man or woman who is involved in] the idolatry called ov or yidoni [shall be put to death]."
One who transgresses either of them intentionally is executed by stoning and karet, as written in G‑d's statement (exalted be He), "Any man or woman who is involved in the idolatry called ov or yidoni shall be put to death."
In the words of the Sifri, "The verse, 'Any man or woman who is involved in the idolatry called ov or yidoni shall be put to death,' designates the punishment. Which verse serves as the actual prohibition itself? The verse, 'Do not turn to the idols called ov or yidoni.'"
One who transgresses this commandment unintentionally must also bring a sin-offering.
The details of this mitzvah have been explained in the seventh chapter of Sanhedrin.
Negative Commandment 7 (Digest)
Molech Worship
"Do not give any of your children to deliver to Molech"—Leviticus 18:21.
We are prohibited to "give from our children to Molech."
In ancient times, there was a pagan deity known as Molech. The Molech religion demanded that its followers engage in a barbaric ritual: Parents would present some of their children to the Molech priests, and then, with the permission of these priests, the parents would pass their children over a raging bonfire.
The 7th prohibition is that we are forbidden from handing over some of our children to the idol Molech, which was well known in the time when the Torah was given.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement (exalted be He), "Do not give some of your children to be passed over [a fire] to Molech."
The Seventh chapter of Sanhedrin explains the way in which this idol was worshipped: [They would] light a fire and increase it, and he would take some of his children and hand them over to those who took care of serving this idol, and he would pass him over the fire from one side to the other.
The prohibition on this act is repeated in the verse, "There shall not be found among you anyone who passes his son or daughter in fire."
One who transgresses this prohibition intentionally is executed by stoning; if he is not executed by stoning, he is punished by karet; and if he did so unintentionally, he must bring a sin-offering.
The details of this mitzvah have been explained in the seventh chapter of Sanhedrin.
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