Rambam - 1 Chapter a Day - Daily Torah Study

Not to rob, as Leviticus 19:13 states: “Do not rob.”רמהשֶׁלֹּא לִגְזֹל; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תִגְזֹל.

Not to alter land boundaries, as Deuteronomy 19:14 states: “Do not remove your neighbor’s landmark.”רמושֶׁלֹּא לְהַשִּׂיג גְּבוּלוֹת; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תַסִּיג גְּבוּל רֵעֲךָ.

Not to wrong a colleague by withholding his due, as Leviticus 19:13 states: “Do not wrong your neighbor.”רמזשֶׁלֹּא לַעֲשֹׁק; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תַעֲשֹׁק אֶת רֵעֲךָ.

Not to deny a just claim, as Leviticus 19:11 states: “Do not deny your neighbor’s claim.”רמחשֶׁלֹּא לְכַחֵשׁ בְּמָמוֹן חֲבֵרוֹ; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תְכַחֲשׁוּ.

Not to swear falsely in denying a monetary obligation to a colleague, as Leviticus, op. cit.,states: “Do not swear falsely ”—i.e., do not swear falsely about money owed to a colleague.רמטשֶׁלֹּא לִשָּׁבַע עַל כְּפִירַת מָמוֹן חֲבֵרוֹ; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְלֹא תְשַׁקְּרוּ, כְּלוֹמַר: לֹא תִשָּׁבַע עַל שֶׁקֶר בַּמָּמוֹן שֶׁיֵּשׁ לַחֲבֵרְךָ בְּיָדֶךָ.

Not to cheat in business, as Leviticus 25:14 states: “One man should not cheat his brother.”רנשֶׁלֹּא יוֹנֶה בְּמֶקַח וּמִמְכָּר; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: אַל תּוֹנוּ אִישׁ אֶת אָחִיו.

Not to hurt someone with words, as Leviticus 25:17 states: “And one man shall not wrong another.” This prohibition refers to hurting someone with words.רנאשֶׁלֹּא יוֹנֶה בִּדְּבָרִים; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְלֹא תוֹנוּ אִישׁ אֶת עֲמִיתוֹ וְיָרֵאתָ מֵאֱלֹהֶיךָ - זוֹ אוֹנָאַת דְּבָרִים.

Not to hurt a convert with words, as Exodus 22:20 states: “And do not wrong a convert....”רנבשֶׁלֹּא לְהוֹנוֹת אֶת הַגֵּר בִּדְּבָרִים; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְגֵר לֹא תוֹנֶה.

Not to cheat a convert in business, as Exodus, op. cit.,continues: “...nor oppress him.”רנגשֶׁלֹּא לְהוֹנוֹת אֶת הַגֵּר בְּמִקָּח וּמִמְכָּר; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְלֹא תִלְחָצֶנּוּ.

Not to return a slave who fled to Eretz Yisrael to his master who lives in the Diaspora, as Deuteronomy 23:16 states: “Do not deliver a servant to his master.”רנדשֶׁלֹּא לְהַחֲזִיר עֶבֶד שֶׁבָּרַח לְאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל לַאֲדוֹנָיו שֶׁבְּחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תַסְגִּיר עֶבֶד אֶל אֲדוֹנָיו.

Not to wrong such a servant, as Deuteronomy 23:17 states: “He shall dwell in your midst, in the place which he selects... as he sees fit. Do not wrong him.”רנהשֶׁלֹּא לְהוֹנוֹת עֶבֶד זֶה; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: עִמְּךָ יֵשֵׁב בְּקִרְבְּךָ וְכוּ׳ לֹא תּוֹנֶנוּ.

Not to oppress any widow or orphan, as Exodus 22:21 states: “Do not oppress any widow or orphan.”רנושֶׁלֹּא לַעֲנוֹת יָתוֹם וְאַלְמָנָה; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: כָּל אַלְמָנָה וְיָתוֹם לֹא תְעַנוּן.

Not to have a Hebrew servant perform servile tasks, as Leviticus 25:39 states: “Do not work him like a slave.”רנזשֶׁלֹּא לַעֲבֹד בְּעֶבֶד עִבְרִי עֲבוֹדַת עֶבֶד; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תַעֲבֹד בּוֹ עֲבוֹדַת עָבֶד.

Not to sell a Hebrew servant as slaves are sold, as Leviticus 25:42 states: “Do not sell him as slaves are sold.”רנחשֶׁלֹּא לִמְכֹּר אוֹתוֹ מִמְּכֶּרֶת עָבֶד; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא יִמָּכְרוּ מִמְּכֶּרֶת עָבֶד.

Not to make a Hebrew servant perform rigorous work, as Leviticus 25:43 states: “Do not rule over him with rigor.”רנטשֶׁלֹּא לַעֲבֹד בְּעֶבֶד עִבְרִי בְּפָרֶךְ; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תִרְדֶּה בוֹ בְּפָרֶךְ.

Not to allow a gentile who purchased a Hebrew servant to make him work rigorously, as Leviticus 25:53 states: “He shall not rule over him with rigor.”רסשֶׁלֹּא לְהָנִיחַ הַגּוֹי לַעֲבֹד בְּעֶבֶד עִבְרִי הַנִּמְכָּר לוֹ בְּפֶרֶךְ; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא יִרְדֶנוּ בְּפֶרֶךְ לְעֵינֶיךָ.

Not to sell a Hebrew maidservant to another person, as Exodus 21:8 states: “He shall have no power to sell her.”רסאשֶׁלֹּא לִמְּכּוֹר אָמָה עִבְרִיָּה לְאַחֵר; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא יִמְשֹׁל לְמָכְרָהּ בְּבִגְדּוֹ בָהּ.

Not to withhold from a Hebrew maidservant who has been designated as a bride living expenses, clothing, or conjugal rights, as Exodus 21:10 states: “He may not diminish her living expenses, clothing, or conjugal rights.” The above applies also to other wives.רסבשֶׁלֹּא לִמְנֹעַ מֵאָמָה עִבְרִיָּה הַיְּעוּדָה שְׁאֵר כְּסוּת וְעוֹנָה; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: שְׁאֵרָהּ כְּסוּתָהּ וְעוֹנָתָהּ לֹא יִגְרָע, וְהוּא הַדִּין לִשְׁאַר כָּל הַנָּשִׁים.

Not to sell a yefat to’ar, as a maidservant as Deuteronomy 21:14 states: “Do not sell her.”רסגשֶׁלֹּא לִמְכֹּר אֵשֶׁת יְפַת תֹּאַר; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וּמָכֹר לֹא תִמְּכְּרֶנָה בַּכָּסֶף.

Not to force a yefat to’ar to serve as a maidservant, as Deuteronomy, op. cit.,continues: “Do not rule over her.”רסדשֶׁלֹּא לִכְבּשׁ אֵשֶׁת יְפַת תֹּאַר שִׁפְחָה; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תִתְעַמֵּר בָּהּ.

Not to covet, as Exodus 20:14 states: “Do not be envious of your neighbor’s wife.”רסהשֶׁלֹּא לַחְמֹד אֵשֶׁת אִישׁ; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תַחְמֹד אֵשֶׁת רֵעֶךָ שָׂדֵהוּ וְכוּ׳.

Not to desire, as Deuteronomy 5:18 states: “Do not desire your neighbor’s house.”רסושֶׁלֹּא לְהִתְאַוּוֹת; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְלֹא תִתְאַוֶּה בֵּית רֵעֶךָ.

For a worker who is harvesting crops not to eat from the unpicked produce before he has finished work, as Deuteronomy 23:26 states: “Do not lift a sickle....”רסזשֶׁלֹּא יֹאכַל הַשָּׂכִיר שֶׁלֹּא בִּשְׁעַת גְּמַר מְלָאכָה מִן הַמְּחֻבָּר שֶׁהוּא עוֹשֶׂה בוֹ; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר וְחֶרְמֵשׁ לֹא תָנִיף וְכוּ׳.

For a worker not to take more than what he eats from the produce he harvests, as Deuteronomy 23:25 states: “Do not put any into your receptacles.”רסחשֶׁלֹּא יִקַּח הַשָּׂכִיר יֶתֶר עַל אֲכִילָתוֹ; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְאָכַלְתָּ עֲנָבִים כְּנַפְשְׁךָ שָׂבְעֶךָ וְאֶל כֶּלְיְךָ לֹא תִתֵּן.

Not to ignore a lost object, as Deuteronomy 22:3 states: “You may not ignore it.”רסטשֶׁלֹּא יִתְעַלֵּם מִן הָאֲבֵדָה; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תוּכַל לְהִתְעַלֵּם.

Not to leave an animal fallen under its load on the road, as Deuteronomy 22:4 states: “You may not watch your neighbor’s donkey....”ערשֶׁלֹּא לְהַנִּיחַ הַבְּהֵמָה רוֹבֶצֶת תַּחַת מַשָּׂאָהּ בַּדֶּרֶךְ; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תִרְאֶה חֲמוֹר שׂנַאֲךָ וְכוּ׳.

Not to falsify measurements, as Leviticus 19:35 states: “Do not act deceitfully in judgment....” According to the oral tradition, we have learned that this verse prohibits acting deceitfully regarding measurements.רעאשֶׁלֹּא לַעֲשׂוֹת עָוֶל בַּמִּדָּה; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ עָוֶל בַּמִּשְׁפָּט - מִפִּי הַשְּׁמוּעָה לָמְדוּ שֶׁהַכָּתוּב מַזְהִיר: לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ עָוֶל בְּמִשְׁפַּט הַמִּדָּה.

Not to possess two sets of weights and measures, as Deuteronomy 25:13 states: “You may not have in your home....”רעבשֶׁלֹּא לִהְיוֹת אֶצְלֵנוּ אֵיפָה וָאֵיפָה אֶבֶן וָאֶבֶן; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא יִהְיֶה לְךָ בְּבֵיתְךָ וְגוֹ׳.

Not to act deceitfully in judgment, as Leviticus 19:15 states: “Do not pervert justice.”רעגשֶׁלֹּא לְעַוֵּל הַמִּשְׁפָּט; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ עָוֶל בַּמִּשְׁפָּט.

Not to accept bribes, as Exodus 23:8 states: “Do not take a bribe.”עדרשֶׁלֹּא לִקַּח שֹׁחַד; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְשֹׁחַד לֹא תִקָּח.

Not to honor a man of stature in judgment, as Leviticus 19:15 states: “Do not show respect to a great man.”ערהשֶׁלֹּא לְכַבֵּד גָּדוֹל בַּדִּין; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְלֹא תֶהְדַר פְּנֵי גָּדוֹל.

For a judge not to fear rendering a just judgment because of a wicked man, as Deuteronomy 1:17 states: “Do not fear anyone.”רעושֶׁלֹּא יִירָא הַדַּיָּן בַּדִּין מֵאָדָם רָע; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תָגוּרוּ מִפְּנֵי אִישׁ.

Not to have mercy on a poor person in judgment, as Exodus 23:3 states: “And do not favor a poor man in his cause.”רעזשֶׁלֹּא לְרַחֵם עַל עָנִי בַּדִּין; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְדָל לֹא תֶהְדַר בְּרִיבוֹ.

Not to pervert judgment against a sinner, as implied by Exodus 23:6, which states: “Do not pervert the judgment of a poor person.” This refers to someone who is poor with regard to the observance of the mitzvot.רעחשֶׁלֹּא לְהַטּוֹת מִשְׁפַּט אָדָם חוֹטֵא; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תַטֶּה מִשְׁפַּט אֶבְיוֹנְךָ, לָמְדוּ מִפִּי הַשְּׁמוּעָה שֶׁזֶּה אֶבְיוֹן בַּמִּצְוֹת.

Not to have pity on a person who has caused damages in judgments concerning fines, as Deuteronomy 25:12 states: “Let your eye not pity.”רעטשֶׁלֹּא לְרַחֵם עַל הַמַּזִּיק בְּדִינֵי קְנָסוֹת; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תָחוֹס עֵינֶיךָ וְכוּ׳.

Not to pervert the justice due converts or orphans, as Deuteronomy 24:17 states: “Do not pervert the judgment of a convert or an orphan.”רפשֶׁלֹּא לְהַטּוֹת מִשְׁפַּט גֵּרִים וִיתוֹמִים; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תַטֶּה מִשְׁפַּט גֵּר יָתוֹם.

Not to listen to one litigant in the absence of the other, as Exodus 23:1 states: “Do not hear a false report.”רפאשֶׁלֹּא לִשְׁמֹעַ מֵאֶחָד מִבַּעֲלֵי דִינִין וְאֵין חֲבֵרוֹ עִמּוֹ; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תִשָּׂא שֵׁמַע שָׁוְא.

Not to render a conviction in a capital case when there is only a majority of one, as Exodus 23:2 states: “Do not follow the majority to do evil.”רפבשֶׁלֹּא לִנְטוֹת אַחֲרֵי רַבִּים בְּדִינֵי נְפָשׁוֹת אִם הָיוּ הַמְחַיְּבִין יֶתֶר עַל הַמְּזַכִּין אֶחָד; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר לֹא תִהְיֶה אַחֲרֵי רַבִּים לְרָעוֹת.

For a person who argued in favor of acquittal in a capital case not to argue for a conviction, as Exodus, op. cit.,states: “Do not speak up in a trial to influence....”רפגשֶׁלֹּא יְלַמֵד חוֹבָה מִי שֶׁלִּמֵּד זְכוּת תְּחִלָּה בְּדִינֵי נְפָשׁוֹת; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תַעֲנֶה עַל רִיב לִנְטוֹת.

Not to appoint as a judge a man who is unlearned in the Torah, even if he is learned in other disciplines, as Deuteronomy 1:17 states: “Do not show favoritism regarding judgment.”רפדשֶׁלֹּא לְמַנּוֹת בַּדַּיָּנִין אָדָם שֶׁאֵינוֹ חָכָם בְּדִינֵי תּוֹרָה אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהוּא חָכָם בְּחָכְמוֹת אֲחֵרוֹת; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תַכִּירוּ פָנִים בַּמִּשְׁפָּט.

Not to give false testimony, as Exodus 20:13 states: “Do not give false testimony against your neighbor.”רפהשֶׁלֹּא לְהָעִיד בְּשֶׁקֶר; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תַעֲנֶה בְרֵעֲךָ עֵד שָׁקֶר.

For a sinner not to act as a witness, as Exodus 23:1 states: “Do not conspire with a wicked person to be a corrupt witness.”רפושֶׁלֹּא יָעִיד בַּעַל עֲבֵרָה; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: אַל תָּשֶׁת יָדְךָ עִם רָשָׁע לִהְיוֹת עֵד חָמָס.

For a relative not to act as a witness, as Deuteronomy 24:16 states: “Fathers shall not die because of children.” According to the oral tradition, we have learned that the verse teaches that fathers should not die through the testimony of their sons. The same law applies regarding other relatives.רפזשֶׁלֹּא יָעִיד קָרוֹב; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא יוּמְתוּ אָבוֹת עַל בָּנִים וּבָנִים לֹא יוּמְתוּ עַל אָבוֹת; מִפִּי הַשְּׁמוּעָה לָמְדוּ: שֶׁלֹּא יוּמְתוּ אָבוֹת בְּעֵדוּת בָּנִים. וְהוּא הַדִּין לִשְׁאָר הַקְּרוֹבִים.

Not to render a decision based on the testimony of a single witness, as Deuteronomy 19:15 states: “A single witness shall not rise up against a person.”רפחשֶׁלֹּא לִכְרוֹת הַדִּין עַל פִּי עֵד אֶחָד; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא יָקוּם עֵד אֶחָד בְּאִישׁ.

Not to kill an innocent person, as Exodus 20:13 states: “Do not murder.”רפטשֶׁלֹּא לַהֲרֹג נָקִי; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תִּרְצָח.

Not to render a decision on the basis of a presumption, unless two witnesses observe the actual matter, as Exodus 23:7 states: “Do not slay the innocent and the righteous.”רצשֶׁלֹּא לַחְתֹּךְ הַדִּין בְּאֹמֶד הַדַּעַת עַד שֶׁיִּרְאוּ שְׁנֵי עֵדִים גּוּפוֹ שֶׁל דָּבָר; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְנָקִי וְצַדִּיק אַל תַּהֲרֹג.

For a witness not to render a decision in a capital case in which he testified, as Numbers 35:30 states: “One witness shall not testify in a capital case...”רצאשֶׁלֹּא יוֹרֶה הָעֵד בְּדִין שֶׁהֵעִיד בּוֹ בְּדִינֵי נְפָשׁוֹת; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְעֵד אֶחָד לֹא יַעֲנֶה בְנֶפֶשׁ.

Not to execute a person liable for execution before he stands trial, as Numbers 35:12 states: “The murderer shall not die until he stands before the congregation.”רצבשֶׁלֹּא לַהֲרֹג מְחֻיַּב הֲרִיגָה קֹדֶם שֶׁיַּעֲמֹד בַּדִּין; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְלֹא יָמוּת הָרוֹצֵחַ עַד עָמְדוֹ לִפְנֵי הָעֵדָה.

Not to have pity on a pursuer. Rather, he should be killed before he kills or rapes the person he is pursuing, as Deuteronomy 25:12 states: “And you shall cut off her hand. Show no pity.”רצגשֶׁלֹּא לָחוּס עַל הָרוֹדֵף אֶלָּא הוֹרְגִין אוֹתוֹ קֹדֶם שֶׁיַּגִּיעַ לַנִּרְדָּף וְיַהַרְגֶנּוּ אוֹ יְגַלֶּה עֶרְוָתוֹ; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְקַצוֹתָה אֶת כַּפָּהּ לֹא תָחוֹס עֵינֶךָ.

Not to punish a person forced to commit a sin, as Deuteronomy 22:26 states: “Do not do anything to the maiden.”רצדשֶׁלֹּא לַעֲנשׁ הָאָנוּס; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְלַנַּעֲרָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה דָּבָר.

Not to take a ransom from a murderer, as Numbers 35:32 states: “Do not take a ransom for the life of a murderer.”רצהשֶׁלֹּא לִקַּח כֹּפֶר מִן הָרוֹצֵחַ; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְלֹא תִקְחוּ כֹפֶר לְנֶפֶשׁ רוֹצֵחַ.

Not to take a ransom in return for exile for a person who kills accidentally, as Numbers 35:32 states: “And do not take a ransom for having to flee to his refuge city.”רצושֶׁלֹּא לִקַּח כֹּפֶר בְּגָלוּת רוֹצֵחַ בִּשְׁגָגָה; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְלֹא תִקְחוּ כֹפֶר לָנוּס אֶל עִיר מִקְלָטוֹ.

Not to neglect a person in mortal danger, as Leviticus 19:16 states: “Do not stand still in the face of mortal danger.”רצזשֶׁלֹּא לַעֲמֹד עַל הַדָּם; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תַעֲמֹד עַל דַּם רֵעֶךָ.

Not to leave obstacles, as Deuteronomy 22:8 states: “...lest you bring blood upon your house.”רחצשֶׁלֹּא לְהָנִיחַ מִכְשׁוֹל; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְלֹא תָשִׂים דָּמִים בְּבֵיתֶךָ.

Not to mislead an unsuspecting person, as Leviticus 19:14 states: “Do not place a stumbling block before the blind.”רצטשֶׁלֹּא לְהַכְשִׁיל תָּם בַּדֶּרֶךְ; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְלִפְנֵי עִוֵּר לֹא תִתֵּן מִכְשׁוֹל.

Not to add lashes when whipping a person liable for such punishment, as Deuteronomy 25:3 states: “Do not add lashes, lest by giving him this additional punishment....”ששֶׁלֹּא לְהוֹסִיף בְּמַלְקוּת הַמְּחֻיָּב מַלְקוּת; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא יוֹסִיף פֶּן יוֹסִיף.

Not to gossip, as Leviticus 19:16 states: “Do not go around as a gossiper among your people.”שאשֶׁלֹּא לְרַגֵּל; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תֵלֵךְ רָכִיל בְּעַמֶּךָ.

Not to bear hatred in one’s heart, as Leviticus 19:17 states: “Do not hate your brother in your heart.”שבשֶׁלֹּא לִשְׂנֹא בַּלֵּב; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תִשְׂנָא אֶת אָחִיךָ בִּלְבָבֶךָ.

Not to embarrass any Jewish person, as Leviticus, op. cit.,states: “You shall surely rebuke your neighbor and not bear a sin because of him.”שגשֶׁלֹּא לְהַלְבִּין פְּנֵי אָדָם מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: הוֹכֵחַ תּוֹכִיחַ אֶת עֲמִיתֶךָ וְלֹא תִשָּׂא עָלָיו חֵטְא.

Not to take revenge, as Leviticus 19:18 states: “Do not take revenge.”שדשֶׁלֹּא לִנְּקֹם; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תִקֹּם.

Not to bear a grudge, as Leviticus, op. cit.,states: “Do not bear a grudge.”שהשֶׁלֹּא לִנְּטֹר; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְלֹא תִטֹּר.

Not to take a mother bird together with the young, as Deuteronomy 22:6 states: “Do not take the mother bird together with the young.”שושֶׁלֹּא לִקַּח אֵם עִם הַבָּנִים; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תִקַּח הָאֵם עַל הַבָּנִים.

Not to shave the hair around a bald spot brought about by tzara’at, as Leviticus 13:33 states: “And he shall not shave the bald spot.”שזשֶׁלֹּא לְגַלֵּחַ שְׂעַר הַנֶּתֶק; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְאֶת הַנֶּתֶק לֹא יְגַלֵּחַ.

Not to remove the signs of tzara’at, as Deuteronomy 24:8 states: “Be very careful concerning signs of tzara’at.”שחשֶׁלֹּא לִתְלשׁ סִימָנֵי צָרַעַת; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: הִשָּׁמֶר בְּנֶגַע הַצָּרַעַת.

Not to till or sow the land around a powerful river at which atonement was made for an unsolved murder, as Deuteronomy 21:4 states: “...which must never be tilled and never be sown.”שטשֶׁלֹּא לַעֲבֹד וְלִזְרֹעַ בְּנַחַל אֵיתָן; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: אֲשֶׁר לֹא יֵעָבֵד בּוֹ וְלֹא יִזָּרֵעַ.

For a groom not to be held liable for any type of public service—e.g., army, guarding the walls of a city, and the like—as Deuteronomy 24:5 states: “He shall not go out to the army, nor be charged with any duties.”שישֶׁלֹּא יִתְחַיֵּב חָתָן בְּדָבָר מִצָּרְכֵי רַבִּים כָּל שְׁנָתוֹ, כְּגוֹן צָבָא וּשְׁמִירַת הַחוֹמָה וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָהֵן; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא יֵצֵא בַּצָּבָא וְלֹא יַעֲבֹר עָלָיו לְכָל דָּבָר.

Not to allow a sorcerer to live, as Exodus 22:17 states: “Do not allow a witch to live.”שיאשֶׁלֹּא לְהַחֲיוֹת מְכַשֵּׁף; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: מְכַשֵּׁפָה לֹא תְחַיֶה.

Not to reject the authority of the court, as Deuteronomy 17:11 states: “Do not swerve from the word which they tell you.”שיבשֶׁלֹּא לְהַמְרוֹת עַל פִּי בֵּית דִּין; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תָסוּר מִכָּל הַדָּבָר.

Not to add to the mitzvot of the Torah. This applies both to the Written Law and to its explanation conveyed by the oral tradition, as Deuteronomy 13:1 states: “Carefully observe everything which I command you to do. Do not add to it.”שיגשֶׁלֹּא לְהוֹסִיף עַל מִצְוֹת הַתּוֹרָה; בֵּין תּוֹרָה שֶׁבִּכְתָב, בֵּין בְּפֵרוּשָׁהּ שֶׁקִּבְּלוּ עַל פֶּה; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: אֵת כָּל הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוֶּה אֶתְכֶם אוֹתוֹ תִשְׁמְרוּ לַעֲשׂוֹת לֹא תֹסֵף עָלָיו.

Not to diminish from any of the mitzvot of the Torah, as Deuteronomy, op. cit.,continues: “...and do not diminish from it.”שידשֶׁלֹּא לִגְּרֹעַ מִכֹּל מִצְוֹת הַתּוֹרָה; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְלֹא תִגְרְעוּ מִמֶּנּוּ.

Not to curse a judge, as Exodus 22:27 states: “Do not curse judges.”שטושֶׁלֹּא לְקַלֵּל הַדַּיָּן; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: אֱלֹהִים לֹא תְקַלֵּל.

Not to curse a nasi —i.e., the king or the head of the academy in Eretz Yisrael— as Exodus, op. cit.,continues: “...and do not curse the nasi of your people.”שטזשֶׁלֹּא לְקַלֵּל הַנָּשִׂיא - וְהוּא הַמֶּלֶךְ אוֹ רֹאשׁ יְשִׁיבַת אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְנָשִׂיא בְעַמְּךָ לֹא תָאֹר.

Not to curse any other Jew, as Leviticus 19:14 states: “Do not curse even a deaf-mute.”שיזשֶׁלֹּא לְקַלֵּל אֶחָד מִשְּׁאַר יִשְׂרָאֵל; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תְקַלֵּל חֵרֵשׁ.

Not to curse one’s father or mother, as Exodus 21:17 states: “One who curses his father or mother shall surely die.”שיחשֶׁלֹּא לְקַלֵּל אָב וָאֵם; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וּמְקַלֵּל אָבִיו וְאִמּוֹ מוֹת יוּמָת.

Not to strike one’s father or mother, as Exodus 21:15 states: “One who strikes his father or mother shall surely die.”שיטשֶׁלֹּא לְהַכּוֹת אָב וָאֵם; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וּמַכֵּה אָבִיו וְאִמּוֹ מוֹת יוּמָת.

Not to work on the Sabbath, as Exodus 20:10 states: “Do not do any work.”שכשֶׁלֹּא לַעֲשׂוֹת מְלָאכָה בַּשַּׁבָּת; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה כָל מְלָאכָה.

Not to travel beyond the boundaries of a city on the Sabbath as travelers do, as Exodus 16:29 states: “A person should not leave his place on the Sabbath day.”שכאשֶׁלֹּא לְהַלֵּךְ חוּץ לִתְחוּם מְדִינָה כְּהוֹלְכֵי דְּרָכִים בַּשַּׁבָּת; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: אַל יֵצֵא אִישׁ מִמְּקוֹמוֹ.

For a court not to inflict punishment on the Sabbath, as Exodus 35:3 states: “Do not kindle a fire on the Sabbath day.”שכבשֶׁלֹּא לַעֲנשׁ בַּשַּׁבָּת; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תְבַעֲרוּ אֵשׁ בְּכֹל מוֹשְׁבוֹתֵיכֶם וְגוֹ׳.

Not to work on the first day of Pesach, as Leviticus 23:7 states concerning it: “Do not do any servile work on these days.”שכגשֶׁלֹּא לַעֲשׂוֹת מְלָאכָה בָּרִאשׁוֹן שֶׁל פֶּסַח; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר בּוֹ: כָּל מְלֶאכֶת עֲבוֹדָה לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ.

Not to work on the seventh day of Pesach, as Leviticus 23:8 states concerning it: “Do not do any servile work on these days.”שכדשֶׁלֹּא לַעֲשׂוֹת מְלָאכָה בַּשְּׁבִיעִי שֶׁל פֶּסַח; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר בּוֹ: כָּל מְלֶאכֶת עֲבוֹדָה לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ.

Not to work on the holiday of Shavuot, as Leviticus 23:21 states concerning it: “Do not do any servile work.”שכהשֶׁלֹּא לַעֲשׂוֹת מְלָאכָה בְּחַג הַשָּׁבוּעוֹת; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר בּוֹ: כָּל מְלֶאכֶת עֲבוֹדָה לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ.

Not to work on the first day of the seventh month the day of Rosh HaShanah, as Leviticus 23:25 states concerning it: “Do not do any servile work.”שכושֶׁלֹּא לַעֲשׂוֹת מְלָאכָה בְּאֶחָד לַחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר בּוֹ: כָּל מְלֶאכֶת עֲבוֹדָה לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ.

Not to work on Yom Kippur, as Leviticus 23:28 states concerning it: “Do not do any servile work.”שכזשֶׁלֹּא לַעֲשׂוֹת מְלָאכָה בְּיוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר בּוֹ: כָּל מְלֶאכֶת עֲבֹדָה לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ.

Not to work on the first day of the festival of Sukkot, as Leviticus 23:35 states concerning it: “Do not do any servile work.”שכחשֶׁלֹּא לַעֲשׂוֹת מְלָאכָה בָּרִאשׁוֹן שֶׁל חַג; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר בּוֹ: כָּל מְלֶאכֶת עֲבוֹדָה לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ.

Not to work on the eighth day of the festival of Sukkot, as Leviticus 23:36 states concerning it: “Do not do any servile work.”שכטשֶׁלֹּא לַעֲשׂוֹת מְלָאכָה בְּיוֹם שְׁמִינִי שֶׁל חַג; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר בּוֹ: כָּל מְלֶאכֶת עֲבוֹדָה לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ.

Not to have intimate relations with one’s mother, as Leviticus 18:7 states: “She is your mother, do not commit incest with her.”שלשֶׁלֹּא לְגַלּוֹת עֶרְוַת אֵם; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: אִמְּךָ הִיא לֹא תְגַלֶּה עֶרְוָתָהּ.

Not to have intimate relations with one’s sister, as Leviticus 18:9 states: “Do not commit incest with your sister, your father’s daughter.”שלאשֶׁלֹּא לְגַלּוֹת עֶרְוַת אָחוֹת; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: עֶרְוַת אֲחוֹתְךָ בַת אָבִיךָ וְכוּ׳ לֹא תְגַלֶּה.

Not to have intimate relations with one’s father’s wife, as Leviticus 18:8 states: “Do not commit incest with your father’s wife.”שלבשֶׁלֹּא לְגַלּוֹת עֶרְוַת אֵשֶׁת אָב; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: עֶרְוַת אֵשֶׁת אָבִיךָ לֹא תְגַלֵּה.

Not to have intimate relations with a sister, the daughter of either your father or your mother, as Leviticus 18:11 states: “She is the daughter of your father, your father’s progeny, do not commit incest with her.”שלגשֶׁלֹּא לְגַלּוֹת עֶרְוַת אָחוֹת מִן הָאָב וּמִן הָאֵם; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: עֶרְוַת בַּת אֵשֶׁת אָבִיךָ מוֹלֶדֶת אָבִיךָ אֲחוֹתְךָ הִיא לֹא תְגַלֶּה עֶרְוָתָהּ.

Not to have intimate relations with one’s son’s daughter, as Leviticus 18:10 states: “ Do not commit incest with your son’s daughter.”שלדשֶׁלֹּא לְגַלּוֹת עֶרְוַת בַּת הַבֵּן; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: עֶרְוַת בַּת בִּנְךָ וְכוּ׳.

Not to have intimate relations with one’s daughter’s daughter, as Leviticus, op. cit.,continues: “...and do not commit incest with your daughter’s daughter.”שלהשֶׁלֹּא לְגַלּוֹת עֶרְוַת בַּת הַבַּת; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: אוֹ בַת בִּתְּךָ לֹא תְגַלֶּה עֶרְוָתָן.

Not to have intimate relations with one’s daughter. Why was this prohibition not explicitly stated in the Torah? Since the Torah forbade intimate relations with one’s daughter’s daughter, it did not mention the prohibition against intimate relations with one’s daughter. Nevertheless, according to the oral tradition, the prohibition against relations with one’s daughter has the status of a Torah law like the other sexual offences and is not considered as Rabbinic in origin.שלושֶׁלֹּא לְגַלּוֹת עֶרְוַת הַבַּת. וְלָמָּה לֹא נִתְפָּרְשָׁה בַּתּוֹרָה? מִפְּנֵי שֶׁאָסַר בַּת הַבַּת - שָׁתַק מִן הַבַּת; וּמִפִּי הַשְּׁמוּעָה לָמְדוּ שֶׁאִסּוּר הַבַּת מִגּוּפֵי תּוֹרָה כִּשְׁאָר עֲרָיוֹת.

Not to have intimate relations with a woman and her daughter, as Leviticus 18:17 states: “Do not commit incest by marrying a woman and her daughter.”שלזשֶׁלֹּא לְגַלּוֹת עֶרְוַת אִשָּׁה וּבִתָּהּ; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: עֶרְוַת אִשָּׁה וּבִתָּהּ לֹא תְגַלֵּה.

Not to have intimate relations with a woman and her son’s daughter, as Leviticus, op. cit.,continues: “...her son’s daughter....”שלחשֶׁלֹּא לְגַלּוֹת עֶרְוַת אִשָּׁה וּבַת בְּנָהּ; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: אֶת בַּת בְּנָהּ וְכוּ׳.

Not to have intimate relations with a woman and her daughter’s daughter, as Leviticus, op. cit.,continues: “...her daughter’s daughter... you shall not take.”שלטשֶׁלֹּא לְגַלּוֹת עֶרְוַת אִשָּׁה וּבַת בִּתָּהּ; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְאֶת בַּת בִּתָּהּ לֹא תִקַּח וְכוּ׳.

Not to have intimate relations with one’s father’s sister, as Leviticus 18:12 states: “Do not commit incest with your father’s sister.”שמשֶׁלֹּא לְגַלּוֹת עֶרְוַת אֲחוֹת הָאָב; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: עֶרְוַת אֲחוֹת אָבִיךָ לֹא תְגַלֵּה.

Not to have intimate relations with one’s mother’s sister, as Leviticus 18:13 states: “Do not commit incest with your mother’s sister.”שמאשֶׁלֹּא לְגַלּוֹת עֶרְוַת אֲחוֹת הָאֵם; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: עֶרְוַת אֲחוֹת אִמְּךָ לֹא תְגַלֵּה.

Not to have intimate relations with the wife of one’s father’s brother, as Leviticus 18:14 states: “Do not commit incest with his wife. She is your aunt. ”שמבשֶׁלֹּא לְגַלּוֹת עֶרְוַת אֵשֶׁת אֲחִי הָאָב; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: אֶל אִשְׁתּוֹ לֹא תִקְרָב דֹדָתְךָ הִיא.

Not to have intimate relations with one’s son’s wife, as Leviticus 18:15 states: “Do not commit incest with your daughter-in-law.”שמגשֶׁלֹּא לְגַלּוֹת עֶרְוַת אֵשֶׁת הַבֵּן; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: עֶרְוַת כַּלָּתְךָ לֹא תְגַלֵּה.

Not to have intimate relations with one’s brother’s wife, as Leviticus 18:16 states: “Do not commit incest with your brother’s wife.”שדמשֶׁלֹּא לְגַלּוֹת עֶרְוַת אֵשֶׁת אָח; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: עֶרְוַת אֵשֶׁת אָחִיךָ לֹא תְגַלֵּה.

Not to have intimate relations with one’s wife’s sister, as Leviticus 18:18 states: “Do not take a woman as a wife together with her sister.”שמהשֶׁלֹּא לְגַלּוֹת עֶרְוַת אֲחוֹת אִשָּׁה; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְאִשָּׁה אֶל אֲחוֹתָהּ לֹא תִקָּח.

Not to have intimate relations with a woman in the niddah state, as Leviticus 18:19 states: “Do not come close to a woman in the niddah state of impurity.”שמושֶׁלֹּא לְגַלּוֹת עֶרְוַת נִדָּה; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְאֶל אִשָּׁה בְּנִדַּת טֻמְאָתָהּ לֹא תִקְרַב.

Not to have intimate relations with a married woman, as Leviticus 18:20 states: “Do not lie carnally with your neighbor’s wife.”שמזשֶׁלֹּא לְגַלּוֹת עֶרְוַת אֵשֶׁת אִישׁ; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְאֶל אֵשֶׁת עֲמִיתְךָ.

Not to perform a sexual act with an animal, as Leviticus 18:23 states: “And do not lie carnally with any animal.”שמחשֶׁלֹּא לִשְׁכַּב עִם בְּהֵמָה; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וּבְכָל בְּהֵמָה לֹא תִתֵּן שְׁכָבְתְּךָ לְטָמְאָה בָהּ.

For a woman not to perform a sexual act with an animal, as Leviticus 18:23 continues: “...and a woman should not present herself to an animal for sexual purposes.”שמטשֶׁלֹּא תָבִיא אִשָּׁה בְהֵמָה עָלֶיהָ; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְאִשָּׁה לֹא תַעֲמֹד לִפְנֵי בְהֵמָה וְכוּ׳.

Not to commit sodomy, as Leviticus 18:22 states: “And do not lie with a male....”שנשֶׁלֹּא לִשְׁכַּב עִם זָכוּר; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְאֶת זָכָר לֹא תִשְׁכַּב.

Not to commit sodomy with one’s father, as Leviticus 18:7 states: “Do not commit a sexual offense with your father.”שנאשֶׁלֹּא לְגַלּוֹת עֶרְוַת הָאָב עַצְמוֹ; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: עֶרְוַת אָבִיךָ לֹא תְגַלֵּה.

Not to commit sodomy with one’s father’s brother, as Leviticus 18:14 states: “Do not commit a sexual offense with your father’s brother.”שנבשֶׁלֹּא לְגַלּוֹת עֶרְוַת אֲחִי הָאָב עַצְמוֹ; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: עֶרְוַת אֲחִי אָבִיךָ לֹא תְגַלֵּה.

Not to be intimate with a woman with whom sexual relations are forbidden in matters that might lead to intercourse—e.g., embracing, kissing, winks, or signs—as Leviticus 18:6 states: “No person shall approach a close relative to commit a sexual offense.” Based on the oral tradition, we have learned that this prohibits intimacy that might lead to sexual relations.שנגשֶׁלֹּא לִקָּרֵב לָעֲרָיוֹת בִּדְבָרִים הַמְּבִיאִים לִידֵי גִּלּוּי עֶרְוָה, כְּגוֹן חִבּוּק וְנִשּׁוּק וּרְמִיזָה וּקְפִיצָה; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: אֶל כָּל שְׁאֵר בְּשָׂרוֹ לֹא תִקְרְבוּ לְגַלּוֹת עֶרְוָה; מִפִּי הַשְּׁמוּעָה לָמְדוּ שֶׁזּוֹ אַזְהָרָה לִקְרֵבָה הַמְּבִיאָה לִידֵי גִּלּוּי עֶרְוָה.

For a mamzer not to marry a natural born Jewess, as Deuteronomy 23:31 states: “A mamzer may not enter God’s congregation.”שנדשֶׁלֹּא יִשָּׂא מַמְזֵר בַּת יִשְׂרָאֵל; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא יָבֹא מַמְזֵר בִּקְהַל יְיָ.

For there not to be a kedeishah —i.e., a woman who engages in intimate relations without a marriage contract and a marriage ceremony— among the Jewish people, as Deuteronomy 23:18 states: “There shall not be a kedeishah....” שנהשֶׁלֹּא תִהְיֶה ״קְדֵשָׁה״ - וְהִיא הַנִּבְעֶלֶת בְּלֹא כְתֻבָּה וְקִדּוּשִׁין; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תִהְיֶה קְדֵשָׁה.

For a man who is divorced not to remarry his divorcee after she marries anyone else, as Deuteronomy 24:4 states: “Her first husband who divorced her may not take her as a wife again.”שנושֶׁלֹּא יַחֲזִיר הַמְּגָרֵשׁ גְּרוּשָׁתוֹ אַחַר שֶׁנִּשֵּׂאת לְאַחֵר; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא יוּכַל בַּעֲלָהּ וְכוּ׳.

For a yevamah not to marry anyone other than her yavam, as Deuteronomy 25:5 states: “The wife of the deceased shall not....”שנזשֶׁלֹּא תִנָּשֵׂא הַיְּבָמָה לְאַחֵר חוּץ מִיְּבָמָהּ; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תִהְיֶה אֵשֶׁת הַמֵּת הַחוּצָה.

For a rapist not to divorce the woman he raped, as Deuteronomy 22:29 states: “He may not send her away for his entire life.”שנחשֶׁלֹּא יְגָרֵשׁ הָאֹנֶס אֲנֻסָּתוֹ; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא יוּכַל שַׁלְּחָהּ כָּל יָמָיו.

For a person who defamed his wife’s character not to divorce her, as Deuteronomy 22:19 states: “He may not send her away for his entire life.”שנטשֶׁלֹּא יְגָרֵשׁ מוֹצִיא שֵׁם רַע אֶת אִשְׁתּוֹ; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר בּוֹ: לֹא יוּכַל לְשַׁלְחָהּ כָּל יָמָיו.

For a man incapable of procreation not to marry a natural born Jewess, as Deuteronomy 23:2 states: “A man with crushed testicles... may not enter God’s congregation.”שסשֶׁלֹּא יִקַּח סָרִיס בַּת יִשְׂרָאֵל; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא יָבֹא פְצוּעַ דַּכָּא וְכוּ׳.

Not to castrate a male from any species—neither a human, a domestic animal, a wild beast, nor a bird, as Leviticus 22:24 states: “You shall not do this in your land.”שסאשֶׁלֹּא לְסָרֵס זָכָר מִכָּל הַמִּינִים, לֹא אָדָם וְלֹא בְהֵמָה חַיָּה וָעוֹף; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וּבְאַרְצְכֶם לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ.

Not to appoint a convert to a position of authority over the Jewish people, as Deuteronomy 17:15 states: “You may not appoint a foreigner over you.”שסבשֶׁלֹּא לְמַנּוֹת עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל אִישׁ מִקְּהַל גֵּרִים; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא תוּכַל לָתֵת עָלֶיךָ אִישׁ נָכְרִי.

For a king not to accumulate many horses, as Deuteronomy 17:16 states: “And he may not accumulate many horses.”שסגשֶׁלֹּא יַרְבֶּה הַמֶּלֶךְ סוּסִים; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לֹא יַרְבֶּה לוֹ סוּסִים.

For a king not to accumulate many wives, as Deuteronomy 17:17 states: “And he may not accumulate many wives.”שסדשֶׁלֹּא יַרְבֶּה הַמֶּלֶךְ נָשִׁים; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְלֹא יַרְבֶּה לוֹ נָשִׁים.

For a king not to accumulate much silver and gold, as Deuteronomy, op. cit.,continues: “And he may not accumulate very much silver and gold.”שסהשֶׁלֹּא יַרְבֶּה לוֹ כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְכֶסֶף וְזָהָב לֹא יַרְבֶּה לוֹ מְאֹד.

These 613 mitzvot were given to Moses on Mount Sinai together with their general principles, particular points, and details. These general principles, particular points, and details represent the Oral Law, which each court received from the previous court.אֵלּוּ הֵן תַּרְיַ"ג מִצְווֹת שֶׁנֶּאֶמְרוּ לוֹ לְמשֶׁה בְּסִינַי, הֵן וּכְלָלוֹתֵיהֶן וּפְרָטוֹתֵיהֶן וְדִקְדּוּקֵיהֶן. כָּל אוֹתָם הַכְּלָלוֹת וְהַפְּרָטוֹת וְהַדִּקְדּוּקִין וְהַבֵּאוּרִין שֶׁל כָּל מִצְוָה וּמִצְוָה – הִיא "תוֹרָה שֶׁבְּעַל פֶּה" שֶׁקִּבְּלוּ בֵּית דִּין מִפִּי בֵּית דִּין.

There are also other commandments that were instituted after the giving of the Torah. They were established by the Prophets and Sages and disseminated throughout Israel, for example, the reading of the Megillah, lighting a Chanukah lamp, fasting on Tish’ah b’Av, setting up eruvim, and washing one’s hands in preparation for prayer and eating. Each of these commandments also possesses explanatory aspects and details. All of this will be explained in this text.וְיֵשׁ מִצְווֹת אֲחֵרוֹת שֶׁנִּתְחַדְּשׁוּ אַחַר מַתַּן תּוֹרָה, וְקָבְעוּ אוֹתָן נְבִיאִים וַחֲכָמִים וּפָשְׁטוּ בְּכָל יִשְׂרָאֵל; כְּגוֹן: מִקְרָא מְגִלָּה, וְנֵר חֲנֻכָּה, וְתַעֲנִית תִּשְׁעָה בְאָב, וְעֵרוּבִין וְיָדָיִם. וְיֵשׁ לְכָל מִצְוָה וּמִצְוָה מֵאֵלּוּ פֵּרוּשִׁין וְדִקְדּוּקִין - הַכֹּל יִתְבָּאֵר בְּחִבּוּר זֶה.

We are obligated to accept and observe all these commandments which the Rabbis instituted, as implied by Deuteronomy 17:11: “Do not deviate from the instructions that they will give you, left or right.”כָּל אֵלּוּ הַמִּצְווֹת שֶׁנִּתְחַדְּשׁוּ - חַיָּבִים אָנוּ לְקַבְּלָן וּלְשָׁמְרָן; שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: "לֹא תָסוּר מִן הַדָּבָר וְגוֹ'".

They are not considered to be additions to the commandments of the Torah. If so, what was the intention of the Torah’s warning (Deuteronomy 13:11): “Do not add to it and do not detract from it”? That a prophet is not permitted to introduce a new measure and say that the Holy One, blessed be He, commanded this mitzvah to us and that it should be added to the Torah’s mitzvot, or say that He commanded that we eliminate one of the 613 mitzvot mentioned above.וְאֵינָן תּוֹסֶפֶת עַל מִצְווֹת הַתּוֹרָה. וְעַל מָה הִזְהִירָה תוֹרָה "לֹא תֹסֵף עָלָיו וְלֹא תִגְרַע מִמֶּנּוּ"? - שֶׁלֹּא יְהֵא נָבִיא רַשַּׁאי לְחַדֵּשׁ דָּבָר וְלוֹמַר, שֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא צִוָּהוּ בְּמִצְוָה זוֹ לְהוֹסִיפָהּ לְמִצְוֹת הַתּוֹרָה, אוֹ לְחַסֵּר אַחַת מֵאֵלּוּ הַשֵּׁשׁ מֵאוֹת וּשְׁלשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה מִצְווֹת.

However, if a court, together with the prophet of that age, adds a commandment as an ordinance, a lesson, or as a decree, this is not considered as an addition. He is not saying that the Holy One, blessed be He, commanded us to make an eruv or read the Megillah at its appointed time. Were he to say so, he would be adding to the Torah.אֲבָל אִם הוֹסִיפוּ בֵית דִּין עִם נָבִיא שֶׁיִּהְיֶה בְאוֹתוֹ הַזְּמָן מִצְוָה דֶּרֶךְ תַּקָּנָה, אוֹ דֶּרֶךְ הוֹרָאָה, אוֹ דֶּרֶךְ גְּזֵרָה - אֵין זוֹ תּוֹסֶפֶת; שֶׁהֲרֵי לֹא אָמְרוּ שֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא צִוָּה לַעֲשׂוֹת עֵרוּב אוֹ לִקְרוֹת הַמְּגִלָּה בְּעוֹנָתָהּ. וְאִלּוּ אָמְרוּ כֵן - הָיוּ מוֹסִיפִין עַל הַתּוֹרָה!

Instead, we are saying that the prophets and the courts ordained and commanded that the Megillah be read at its appointed time in order to recall the praise of the Holy One, blessed be He, the salvation He wrought for us, and His response to our cries, so that we will bless Him, extol Him, and inform the future generations of the truth of the Torah’s promise (Deuteronomy 4:7): “What nation is so great that it has God close to it.... ”אֶלָּא כָּךְ אָנוּ אוֹמְרִים: שֶׁהַנְּבִיאִים עִם בֵּית דִּין, תִּקְּנוּ וְצִוּוּ לִקְרוֹת הַמְּגִלָּה בְּעוֹנָתָהּ, כְּדֵי לְהַזְכִּיר שְׁבָחָיו שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, וּתְשׁוּעוֹת שֶׁעָשָׂה לָנוּ וְהָיָה קָרוֹב לְשַׁוְעָתֵנוּ, כְּדֵי לְבָרְכוֹ וּלְהַלְּלוֹ וּכְדֵי לְהוֹדִיעַ לַדּוֹרוֹת הַבָּאִים שֶׁאֱמֶת מַה שֶׁהִבְטִיחָנוּ בַתּוֹרָה "כִּי מִי גוֹי גָּדוֹל אֲשֶׁר לוֹ אֱלֹהִים וְגוֹ'".

Similar principles apply with regard to all the other Rabbinic commandments, be they positive commandments or negative commandments.וְעַל דֶּרֶךְ זוֹ הִיא כָל מִצְוָה וּמִצְוָה שֶׁהִיא מִדִּבְרֵי סוֹפְרִים, בֵּין עֲשֵׂה בֵּין לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה.

Rambam - 1 Chapter a Day

Negative Commandments: Part 3

Negative Commandments: Part 3

Quiz Yourself on the Negative Commandments - Part 3