Daily Mitzvah (Rambam)

The 105th prohibition is that we are forbidden from putting frankincense into the meal offering brought for a sotah.

The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement1 (exalted be He), "he shall not place frankincense on it."

The Sifra2 says, "This verse comes to teach you that if one put in either oil or frankincense, he would be transgressing a prohibition. Just as adding oil is a transgression, so too adding frankincense."3 Therefore, even one who transgresses this prohibition receives lashes.4

The Mechilta5 says, "the verse, 'he shall not place oil on it; he shall not place frankincense on it' teaches that these count as two separate punishments."

Footnotes

1.

Numbers 5:15

2.

Kapach, 5731 says that this actually refers to the Sifri.

3.

The Rambam's intention in quoting the Sifra (and the Mechilta) is evidently to point out that these count as two separate and distinct mitzvos.

4.

Since it is a separate mitzvah.

5.

Kapach, 5731 says that this actually refers to the Sifri Zuta.

The 330th prohibition is that one is forbidden from having relations with one's mother.

The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement,1 "She is your mother; you must not commit incest with her."

The punishment for violating this prohibition is kares.2 If there were witnesses, and the act was intentional, the punishment is execution by stoning.3 If the act was unintentional, he must bring a sin-offering.4

Footnotes

1.

Lev. 18:7.

2.

See note to N320.

3.

Ibid.

4.

Ibid.

The 331st prohibition is that one is forbidden from having relations with one's father's wife.1

The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement,2 "You must not commit incest with your father's wife."

The punishment for violating this prohibition is kares.3 If there were witnesses, and the act was intentional, the punishment is execution by stoning.4 If the act was unintentional, he must bring a sin-offering.5

It is therefore clear that one who commits incest with his mother is culpable both for incest with one's mother [N330] and with one's father's wife [N331]. This is true both during the father's lifetime and after his death, as explained in Sanhedrin.6

Footnotes

1.

Even if she is not his mother.

2.

Lev. 18:8.

3.

See note to N320.

4.

Ibid.

5.

Ibid.

6.

54a.

The 332nd prohibition is that one is forbidden from having relations with one's sister.

The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement,1 "Do not commit incest with your sister, your father's daughter."

The punishment for violating this prohibition intentionally is kares.2 If the act was unintentional, he must bring a sin-offering.3

Footnotes

1.

Lev. 18:9.

2.

See footnote to N320.

3.

Ibid.

The 333rd prohibition is that one is forbidden from having relations with the daughter of one's father's wife, if she is also a sister.1

The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement2 (exalted be He), "Do not commit incest with a daughter that your father's wife has borne to your father. She is your sister."

This prohibition comes to single out the daughter of your father's wife as a separate incestual prohibition. The proof that the daughter of your father's wife is a distinct prohibition is from the following law: if a man has relations with his sister, and her mother is married to his father,3 he has transgressed two prohibitions — incest with his sister and with the daughter of his father's wife. This is like one who has relations with his mother, who has transgressed two prohibitions — incest with his mother and with his father's wife, as explained above.4

This is how our Sages expressed this idea in the second chapter of Yevamos:5 "Our Sages taught, 'One who has relations with his sister, and she is also the daughter of his father's wife is culpable for committing incest with one's sister and for committing incest with the daughter of one's father's wife.' Rabbi Yossi the son of Rabbi Yehuda said, 'He is only culpable for the prohibition of incest with one's sister.' What is the reasoning of the Sages? They say, let us examine [the verses]: it is already written,6 '[Do not commit] incest with your sister, your father's daughter.' Why do we need the verse,7 '[Do not commit] incest with a daughter that your father's wife has borne to your father'? This verse makes him guilty on two counts: incest with one's sister and with the daughter of one's father's wife."

The punishment for violating this prohibition — i.e., incest with one's sister, the daughter of one's father's wife — is solely8 kares9 if done intentionally. If the act was unintentional, he must bring a sin-offering.10

Footnotes

1.

This excludes one's stepmother's daughter from a man other than one's father. Such a woman is not related (she has a different father and mother), and is permitted. See Kapach, 5731, note 55.

2.

Lev. 18:11.

3.

To exclude a case where she was born out of wedlock, for example.

4.

N331.

5.

22b.

6.

Lev. 18:9.

7.

Lev. 18:11.

8.

However, the Beth Din does not execute him. See Kapach, 5731, note 58. Chavel translation, Soncino, 1967.

9.

See note to N320.

10.

Ibid.

The 334th prohibition is that one is forbidden from having relations with one's son's daughter.

The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement,1 "Do not commit incest with your son's daughter."

Footnotes

1.

Lev. 18:10.