Daily Mitzvah

The 111th prohibition is that we are also forbidden from redeeming land which has been declared to be cherem without specification.

The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement,1 "Any cherem...cannot be sold or redeemed."

In the words of the Sifra, "The verse 'It cannot be redeemed' refers to the owner. What, then, is done with it? [Regarding a field that is released in the jubilee year, the verse2 says,] 'Like a field that has been made cherem, it becomes the property of the kohanim.' [Therefore, it may not be redeemed, but remains in the possession of the kohanim.] I might think this applies even if the person said explicitly that it is for G‑d — therefore the Torah says,3 ["Any cherem...cannot be sold or redeemed. Any cherem —] it (hu) [is holy of holies to G‑d]."4

The details of this mitzvah — regarding the field which has been declared cherem — are explained in tractate Erachin.

There it is also explained that a statement of cherem which is unspecified goes to the kohanim; and that a cherem which is designated for the kohen cannot be redeemed, but must be given to them, just like terumah.

Rabbi Berel Bell is a well-known educator, author and lecturer. He and his family reside in Montreal, Canada.

From "Sefer Hamitzvot in English," published by Sichos in English.

Footnotes

1.

Ibid. 27:28.

2.

Ibid. 27:21.

3.

Ibid. 27:28.

4.

From the extra word "it," we learn that only "it" (i.e., that which is dedicated to the kohen) cannot be redeemed. This implies that another type of cherem, i.e., one dedicated explicitly to G‑d, can be redeemed.

The 215th prohibition is that we are forbidden from planting a combination of species of seeds (kilai z'raim).

The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement,1 "Do not plant your field with kilayim."

This prohibition of planting a mixture of seeds applies only in Eretz Yisroel, where one is punished by lashes for violating this Biblical prohibition. Outside Eretz Yisroel, however, it is permissible.

The details of this mitzvah are explained in tractate Kilayim.

Rabbi Berel Bell is a well-known educator, author and lecturer. He and his family reside in Montreal, Canada.

From "Sefer Hamitzvot in English," published by Sichos in English.

Footnotes

1.

Lev. 19:19.