Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
In this chapter, the Rambam guides us through the painful but necessary halachos of an Ir HaNidachas—a Jewish city that has been led astray to worship avodah zarah. We will learn about the severe punishments involved, including the stoning of the beguilers who instigated the rebellion, and the decapitation of the city's inhabitants who fell into this terrible sin. The Rambam outlines the strict scriptural requirements that must be met before a city can be given this status, emphasizing that this is not a matter for a local court, but a national tragedy that can only be judged by the supreme Sanhedrin of seventy-one sages.
We will also explore the specific conditions regarding who must lead the city astray, the required size of the population, and which cities are excluded from these laws, such as Yerushalayim and border towns. The chapter details the exact process of investigation, the call to teshuvah, and the ultimate destruction of the city's property and inhabitants if they refuse to repent, showing us the extreme measures the Torah takes to eradicate the poison of idolatry from the midst of Klal Yisrael.
All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.
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דִּין מַדִּיחֵי עִיר הַנִּדַּחַת וְאַנְשֵׁי הָעִירHalacha 1 · The Laws of Those Who Mislead a City and Its Inhabitants
מַדִּיחֵיThose who lead astrayעִירa cityמִיִּשְׂרָאֵלfrom Israelהֲרֵיbeholdאֵלּוּtheseנִסְקָלִיןare stonedאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁלֹּאthat they did notעָבְדוּworshipעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsאֶלָּאbutהִדִּיחוּthey led astrayאֶת—יוֹשְׁבֵיthe inhabitants ofעִירָםtheir cityעַדuntilשֶׁעָבְדוּthat they worshipedאוֹתָהּ.itוְאַנְשֵׁיand the people ofהָעִירthe cityהַמֻּדָּחִיןthat was led astrayנֶהֱרָגִיןare executedבְּסַיִףby swordוְהוּאand that isשֶׁעָבְדוּon condition that they worshipedעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsאוֹorשֶׁקִּבְּלוּהָthat they accepted itעֲלֵיהֶםupon themselvesבֶּאֱלוֹהַּ.as a godוְאַזְהָרָהand a warningלַמַּדִּיחַfor the one who leads astrayמִנַּיִןfrom where is it derivedשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidלֹאnotיִשָּׁמַעshall be heardעַלuponפִּיךָ:your mouth
This halacha details the capital punishments for those who lead a Jewish city astray into idolatry and for the inhabitants who follow them.
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הַתְּנָאִים לְעִיר הַנִּדַּחַת וְדִינָהּ כְּשֶׁאֵינָהּ מִתְקַיֶּמֶתHalacha 2 · The Conditions for a Condemned City and the Law When They Are Not Met
אֵיןNotהָעִירthe cityנַעֲשֵׂיתis madeעִירa cityהַנִּדַּחַתcondemnedעַדuntilשֶׁיִּהְיוּthat there will beמַדִּיחֶיהָits enticersמִתּוֹכָהּfrom its midstוּמֵאוֹתוֹand from thatהַשֵּׁבֶטthe tribeשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidמִקִּרְבֶּךָfrom your midstדבריםDevarimיג13יד14"וַיַּדִּיחוּand they led astrayאֶת—יוֹשְׁבֵיthe inhabitants ofעִירָם".their cityוְעַדand untilשֶׁיִּהְיוּthat there will beמַדִּיחֶיהָits enticersשְׁנַיִםtwoאוֹorיֶתֶרmoreעַלthanשְׁנַיִםtwoשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimיג13יד14"יָצְאוּthere went outאֲנָשִׁיםmenבְּנֵיsons ofבְלִיַּעַלworthlessnessוַיַּדִּיחוּand they led astrayאֶת—ישְׁבֵיthe inhabitants ofעִירָם".their cityוְעַדand untilשֶׁיַּדִּיחוּthat they lead astrayרֻבָּהּ.its majorityוְיִהְיוּand there will beהַמֻּדָּחִיןthe enticed onesמִמֵּאָהfrom one hundredוְעַדand up toרֻבּוֹthe majorityשֶׁלofשֵׁבֶט.a tribeאֲבָלbutאִםifהֻדַּחwas enticedרֻבּוֹthe majorityשֶׁלofשֵׁבֶטa tribeדָּנִיןwe judgeאוֹתָםthemכִּיחִידִיםas individualsשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimיג13טז16"ישְׁבֵיthe inhabitants ofהָעִיר"the cityלֹאnotכְּפָרa villageקָטָןsmallוְלֹאand notכְּרַךְa metropolisגָּדוֹל.largeוְכָלand anyפָּחוֹתlessמִמֵּאָהthan one hundredכְּפָרis a villageקָטָן.smallוְרֻבּוֹand the majorityשֶׁלofשֵׁבֶטa tribeכְּרַךְis a metropolisגָּדוֹל.largeוְכֵןand soאִםifהִדִּיחוּהָenticed itנָשִׁיםwomenאוֹorקְטַנִּיםminorsאוֹorשֶׁהִדִּיחָהּthat enticed itיָחִידan individualאוֹorשֶׁהֻדְּחָהthat was enticedמִעוּטָהּits minorityאוֹorשֶׁהֻדְּחוּthat they were enticedמֵאֲלֵיהֶןon their ownאוֹorשֶׁהָיוּthat wereמַדִּיחֶיהָits enticersמִחוּצָהfrom outsideלָהּof itאֵיןnotדָּנִיןwe judgeבָּהּin itדִּיןthe law ofעִירa cityהַנִּדַּחַתcondemnedאֶלָּאbutהֲרֵיbeholdהֵןthey areכִּיחִידִיםas individualsשֶׁעָבְדוּwho servedעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוְסוֹקְלִיןand we stoneכָּלeveryמִיoneשֶׁעָבַדwho servedוּמָמוֹנָןand their moneyלְיוֹרְשֵׁיהֶןgoes to their heirsכִּשְׁאָרlike the rest ofהֲרוּגֵיthose executed byבֵּיתhouse ofדִּין:law
This halacha outlines the specific demographic and geographic criteria required to classify a city as an Ir HaNidachas, and the consequences if these conditions are not fulfilled.
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דִּין עִיר הַנִּדַּחַת בְּבֵית דִּין הַגָּדוֹלHalacha 3 · A City Led Astray is Judged Only by the Supreme Court
אֵיןWe do notדָּנִיןjudgeעִירa cityהַנִּדַּחַתled astrayאֶלָּאexceptבְּבֵיתin a house ofדִּיןjudgmentשֶׁלofאֶחָדoneוְשִׁבְעִיםand seventyשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimיז17ה5"וְהוֹצֵאתָ"And you shall bring outאֶת—הָאִישׁthe manהַהוּאthatאוֹorאֶת—הָאִשָּׁהthe womanהַהִיאthatאֲשֶׁרwhoעָשׂוּdidאֶת—הַדָּבָרthe thingהָרָעevilהַזֶּהthisאֶלtoשְׁעָרֶיךָ",your gates"יְחִידִיםindividualsנֶהֱרָגִיםare executedבְּבֵיתin the house ofדִּיןjudgmentשֶׁלofכָּלeveryשַׁעַרgateוְשַׁעַרand gateוְאֵיןbut notהַמְרֻבִּיםthe manyנֶהֱרָגִיןare executedאֶלָּאexceptבְּבֵיתin the house ofדִּיןjudgmentהַגָּדוֹל:the great
This halacha establishes that while individuals who commit idolatry are judged by local courts, an entire city led astray must be judged by the Sanhedrin of seventy-one.
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דִּין עִיר הַנִּדַּחַת בְּעָרֵי מִקְלָט, יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, וּבַסְּפָרHalacha 4 · Exclusions from the Laws of a City Led Astray
אֵיןNotאַחַתoneמֵעָרֵיof the cities ofמִקְלָטrefugeנַעֲשֵׂיתis madeעִירa cityהַנִּדַּחַתled astrayשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDeuteronomyיז17ב2"בְּאַחַדin one ofשְׁעָרֶיךָ"your gatesבְּאַחַתin one ofעָרֶיךָyour cities.וְלֹאand notיְרוּשָׁלַיִםYerushalayimנַעֲשֵׂיתis madeעִירa cityהַנִּדַּחַתled astrayלְפִיbecauseשֶׁלֹּאthat notנִתְחַלְּקָהit was dividedלִשְׁבָטִים.to the tribesוְאֵיןand notעוֹשִׂיןdo they makeעִירa cityהַנִּדַּחַתled astrayבַּסְּפָרon the borderכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִכָּנְסוּwill enterעוֹבְדֵיworshipers ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוְיַחֲרִיבוּand destroyאֶת—אֶרֶץthe Land ofיִשְׂרָאֵל.Yisraelוְאֵיןand notבֵּיתa house ofדִּיןjudgmentאֶחָדoneעוֹשֶׂהmakesשָׁלֹשׁthreeעֲיָרוֹתcitiesהַנִּדָּחוֹתled astrayזוֹthisבְּצַדbesideזוֹ.thisאֲבָלbutאִםifהָיוּthey wereמְרֻחָקוֹתdistantעוֹשֶׂה:it makes
This halacha details which cities are excluded from being condemned as an Ir HaNidachas, such as cities of refuge, Yerushalayim, and border towns.
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תְּנָאֵי עִיר הַנִּדַּחַת וְדִינָהּ כְּשֶׁלֹּא נִתְקַיְּמוּHalacha 5 · The Conditions for a Condemned City and the Law When They Are Not Fulfilled
אֵיןWe do notעוֹשִׂיןmakeעִירa cityהַנִּדַּחַתcondemnedעַדuntilשֶׁיַּדִּיחוּהָthey proselytize itמַדִּיחֶיהָits proselytizersבִּלְשׁוֹןin the language ofרַבִּיםmanyוְיֹאמְרוּand they sayלָהֶןto themנֵלֵךְlet us goוְנַעֲבֹדand worshipאוֹorנֵלֵךְlet us goוְנִזְבַּחand sacrificeאוֹorנֵלֵךְlet us goוְנַקְטִירand burn incenseאוֹorנֵלֵךְlet us goוּנְנַסֵּךְand pour libationsאוֹorנֵלֵךְlet us goוְנִשְׁתַּחֲוֶהand bow downאוֹorנֵלֵךְlet us goוּנְקַבֵּלand acceptבֶּאֱלוֹהַּas a godוְהֵםand theyשׁוֹמְעִיםlistenוְעָבְדוּand worshipאוֹתָהּitדֶּרֶךְthe way ofעֲבוֹדָתָהּits worshipאוֹorבְּאַחַתwith oneמֵאַרְבַּעof the fourעֲבוֹדוֹתworshipsאוֹorשֶׁקִּבְּלוּהָthat they accepted itבֵּאלוֹהַּ.as a godעִירA cityהַנִּדַּחַתcondemnedשֶׁלֹּאthat did notנִתְקַיְּמוּget fulfilledבָּהּin itוּבְמַדִּיחֶיהָand in its proselytizersכָּלall ofהַתְּנָאִיםthe conditionsהָאֵלּוּtheseהֵיאַךְhowעוֹשִׂיםdo we doלָהֶם,to themמַתְרִיןwe warnוּמְעִידִיןand testifyבְּכָלagainst eachאֶחָדoneוְאֶחָדand oneמֵהֶןof themשֶׁעָבַדwho worshipedעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוְסוֹקְלִיןand we stoneאוֹתָםthemכִּיחִידִיםas individualsשֶׁעָבְדוּwho worshipedוּמָמוֹנָםand their propertyלְיוֹרְשֵׁיהֶם:goes to their heirs
This halacha outlines the specific plural phrasing required by the instigators to classify a town as a condemned city, and explains that if any conditions are missing, the idolaters are judged only as individuals.
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דִּין עִיר הַנִּדַּחַת וְהַהֲלִיךְ הַמִּשְׁפָּטִי נֶגְדָּהּHalacha 6 · The Judicial Process and Punishment of a City Led Astray into Idolatry
וְהֵיאַךְAnd howדִּיןis the judgment ofעִירa cityהַנִּדַּחַת.led astrayבִּזְמַןat the timeשֶׁתִּהְיֶהthat it isרְאוּיָהfittingלְהֵעָשׂוֹתto be madeעִירa cityהַנִּדַּחַת.led astrayבֵּיתthe CourtדִּיןGreatהַגָּדוֹלsendשׁוֹלְחִיןand investigateוְדוֹרְשִׁיןand probeוְחוֹקְרִיןuntilעַדthey knowשֶׁיֵּדְעוּwith proofבִּרְאָיָהclearבְּרוּרָהthat was led astrayשֶׁהֻדְּחָהall ofכָּלthe cityהָעִירorאוֹits majorityרֻבָּהּand they turnedוְחָזְרוּto the worship ofלַעֲבוֹדַתstarsכּוֹכָבִים.afterאַחַרthatכָּךְthey sendשׁוֹלְחִיםto themלָהֶםtwoשְׁנֵיdisciples ofתַּלְמִידֵיSagesחֲכָמִיםto warn themלְהַזְהִירָםand to return themוּלְהַחֲזִירָם.ifאִםthey returnחָזְרוּand performוְעָשׂוּrepentanceתְּשׁוּבָהit is wellמוּטָבand ifוְאִםthey standיַעַמְדוּin their follyבְּאִוַּלְתָּןthe Courtבֵּיתcommandדִּין·מְצַוִּיןall ofלְכָלIsraelיִשְׂרָאֵלto go upלַעֲלוֹתagainst themעֲלֵיהֶןfor the armyלַצָּבָאand theyוְהֵןbesiegeצָרִיןthemעֲלֵיהֶםand wageוְעוֹרְכִיןwith themעִמָּהֶןwarמִלְחָמָהuntilעַדis breachedשֶׁתִּבָּקַעthe cityהָעִיר.when it is breachedכְּשֶׁתִּבָּקַעimmediatelyמִיָּדthey set up manyמַרְבִּיןfor themלָהֶםcourts ofבָּתֵּיlawדִּינִיןand they judgeוְדָנִיםthemאוֹתָם.everyכָּלoneמִיwho cameשֶׁבָּאוּagainst himעָלָיוtwoשְׁנֵיwitnessesעֵדִיםthat he worshipedשֶׁעָבַדstarsכּוֹכָבִיםafterאַחַרthat they warnedשֶׁהִתְרוּhimאוֹתוֹthey separateמַפְרִישִׁיןhimאוֹתוֹ.if they are foundנִמְצְאוּallכָּלthe worshipersהָעוֹבְדִיםits minorityמִעוּטָהּthey stoneסוֹקְלִיןthemאוֹתָןand the rest ofוּשְׁאָרthe cityהָעִירis savedנִצּוֹל.if they are foundנִמְצְאוּits majorityרֻבָּהּthey bring upמַעֲלִיןthemאוֹתָןto the CourtלְבֵיתGreatדִּיןand they concludeהַגָּדוֹלthereוְגוֹמְרִיןtheir judgmentשָׁםand they executeדִּינָםall ofוְהוֹרְגִיןtheseכָּלwho worshipedאֵלּוּby the swordשֶׁעָבְדוּand they strikeבְּסַיִף.—וּמַכִּיןeveryאֶתsoul ofכָּלmanנֶפֶשׁwhich isאָדָםin itאֲשֶׁרby the mouth ofבָּהּthe swordלְפִיchildrenחָרֶבand womenטַףifוְנָשִׁיםwas led astrayאִםall of itהֻדְּחָהand ifכֻּלָּהּ.were foundוְאִםthe worshipersנִמְצְאוּits majorityהָעוֹבְדִיםthey strikeרֻבָּהּ—מַכִּיםall ofאֶתthe childrenכָּלand womenהַטַּףofוְנָשִׁיםthe worshipersשֶׁלby the mouth ofעוֹבְדִיםthe swordלְפִיand whetherחָרֶב.that was led astrayוּבֵיןall of itשֶׁהֻדְּחָהor whetherכֻּלָּהּthat was led astrayבֵּיןits majorityשֶׁהֻדְּחָהthey stoneרֻבָּהּ—סוֹקְלִיןits instigatorsאֶתand they gatherמַדִּיחֶיהָall ofוּמְקַבְּצִיןits spoilכָּלintoשְׁלָלָהּthe midst ofאֶלits streetתּוֹךְif there is notרְחוֹבָהּ.to itאֵיןa streetלָהּthey makeרְחוֹבfor itעוֹשִׂיןa streetלָהּif wasרְחוֹב.its streetהָיָהoutsideרְחוֹבָהּof itחוּצָהthey buildלָהּa wallבּוֹנִיןoutsideחוֹמָהfrom itחוּץuntilמִמֶּנּוּit entersעַדinto its midstשֶׁיִּכָּנֵסas it is saidלְתוֹכָהּintoשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthe midst ofאֶלits streetתּוֹךְand they killרְחֹבָהּ.everyוְהוֹרְגִיןsoulכָּלlivingנֶפֶשׁwhich isחַיָּהin itאֲשֶׁרand they burnבָּהּ—וְשׂוֹרְפִיןall ofאֶתits spoilכָּלwithשְׁלָלָהּthe cityעִםin fireהַמְּדִינָהand its burningבָּאֵשׁ.is a commandment ofוּשְׂרֵפָתָהּactionמִצְוַתas it is saidעֲשֵׂהDeuteronomyשֶׁנֶּאֱמַר13דברים17יגand you shall burnיזin fire"וְשָׂרַפְתָּ—בָאֵשׁthe cityאֶתandהָעִירall ofוְאֶתits spoilכָּל—שְׁלָלָהּ":—
This halacha details the step-by-step procedure for investigating, warning, conquering, and executing the judgment of an Ir HaNidachas.
הל׳ ז
דִּין נִכְסֵי הַצַּדִּיקִים בְּעִיר הַנִּדַּחַתHalacha 7 · The Status of the Property of Righteous Inhabitants in a Condemned City
נִכְסֵיThe property ofהַצַּדִּיקִיםthe righteousשֶׁבְּתוֹכָהּthat is within itוְהֵםand theyשְׁאָרare the rest ofיוֹשְׁבֵיthe inhabitants ofהָעִירthe cityשֶׁלֹּאwho did notהֻדְּחוּgo astrayעִםwithרֻבָּהּits majorityנִשְׂרָפִיןare burnedבִּכְלַלwithin the category ofשְׁלָלָהּits spoilהוֹאִילsinceוְיָשְׁבוּthey dweltשָׁםthereמָמוֹנָןtheir moneyאָבַד.is lostוְכָלand anyoneהַנֶּהֱנֶהwho derives benefitמִמֶּנָּהfrom itבְּכָלin any amountשֶׁהוּאthat it isלוֹקֶהreceives lashesאַחַתonceשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimיג13יח18"וְלֹאAnd notיִדְבַּקshall clingבְּיָדְךָto your handמְאוּמָהanythingמִןfromהַחֵרֶם":the banned property
This halacha teaches that the property of the righteous minority who did not worship idols is also destroyed along with the rest of the condemned city.
הל׳ ח
עִיר הַנִּדַּחַת שֶׁהוּזְמוּ עֵדֶיהָ וְאִסּוּר בִּנְיָנָהּHalacha 8 · An Ir HaNidachas Whose Witnesses Were Proven Zomemim and the Prohibition of Rebuilding It
וְעִירAnd a cityהַנִּדַּחַתthat was led astrayשֶׁהוּזְמוּwhose witnessesעֵדֵיהָwere proven zomemimכָּלanyoneהַמַּחֲזִיקwho takes possessionבִּנְכָסֶיהָof its propertyזָכָהhas acquired itוּמֻתָּרand it is permittedלֵהָנוֹתto benefitבּוֹfrom itשֶׁהֲרֵיsinceהוּזְמוּ.they were proven zomemimוְלָמָּהAnd whyזָכָהdid he acquireבָּהּitשֶׁכָּלbecause eachאֶחָדoneוְאֶחָדand oneכְּבָרalreadyהִפְקִירdeclared ownerlessמָמוֹנוֹhis propertyמִשָּׁעָהfrom the timeשֶׁנִּגְמַרthat was finalizedדִּינוֹ.his judgmentוְאֵינָהּAnd it is notנִבְנֵיתrebuiltלְעוֹלָםforeverוְכָלand anyoneהַבּוֹנֶהwho rebuildsאוֹתָהּitלוֹקֶהreceives lashesשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDeuteronomyיג13יז17"לֹאnotתִבָּנֶהshall it be rebuiltעוֹד".anymoreוּמֻתָּרAnd it is permittedלַעֲשׂוֹתָהּto make itגִּנּוֹתgardensוּפַרְדֵּסִיםand orchardsשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidלֹאnotתִבָּנֶהshall it be rebuiltעוֹדanymoreלֹאnotתִבָּנֶהshall it be rebuiltמְדִינָהas a cityכְּמוֹlikeשֶׁהָיְתָה:it was
This halacha discusses the status of property in an Ir HaNidachas if the witnesses are proven to be zomemim, and the prohibition against rebuilding the city.
הל׳ ט
דִּין שַׁיָּרָא הָעוֹבֶרֶת בְּעִיר הַנִּדַּחַתHalacha 9 · The Law of a Passing Caravan Led Astray in an Apostate City
שַׁיָּרָאA caravanהָעוֹבֶרֶתthat passesמִמָּקוֹםfrom placeלְמָקוֹםto placeאִםifעָבְרָהit passedבָּעִירthrough the cityהַנִּדַּחַתthat was led astrayוְהֻדְּחָהand was led astrayעִמָּהּ.with itאִםifשָׁהֲתָהit stayedשָׁםthereשְׁלֹשִׁיםthirtyיוֹםdaysנֶהֱרָגִיןthey are executedבְּסַיִףby swordוּמָמוֹנָםand their propertyאָבֵדis destroyedוְאִםand ifלָאוnotהֵןtheyבִּסְקִילָהare by stoningוּמָמוֹנָםand their propertyלְיוֹרְשֵׁיהֶן:is to their heirs
This halacha details the legal status and punishment of a traveling caravan that is led astray while passing through an apostate city.
הל׳ י
דִּין נִכְסֵי אֲחֵרִים וְנִכְסֵי הָרְשָׁעִים בְּעִיר הַנִּדַּחַתHalacha 10 · The Status of Outside Property and the Wicked Inhabitants' Property in an Er Nidachat
נִכְסֵיThe property ofאַנְשֵׁיthe people ofמְדִינָהa cityאַחֶרֶתanotherשֶׁהָיוּthat wereמֻפְקָדִיןdepositedבְּתוֹכָהּwithin itאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁקִּבְּלוּthat they acceptedעֲלֵיהֶןupon themselvesאַחֲרָיוּתresponsibilityאֵיןare notנִשְׂרָפִיןburnedאֶלָּאbut ratherיַחְזְרוּthey shall returnלְבַעֲלֵיהֶןto their ownersשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimיג13יז17"שְׁלָלָהּ""its spoil"וְלֹאand notשְׁלַלthe spoil ofחֲבֵרְתָהּ.its neighborנִכְסֵיThe property ofהָרְשָׁעִיםthe wickedשֶׁהֻדְּחוּwho were led astrayשֶׁהָיוּthat wereמֻפְקָדִיןdepositedבִּמְדִינָהin a cityאַחֶרֶתanotherאִםifנִקְבְּצוּthey were gatheredעִמָּהּwith itנִשְׂרָפִיןthey are burnedבִּכְלָלָהּin its generalityוְאִםand ifלָאוnotאֵיןwe do notמְאַבְּדִיםdestroyאוֹתָםthemאֶלָּאbut ratherיִנָּתְנוּthey shall be givenלְיוֹרְשֵׁיהֶם:to their heirs
This halacha clarifies that property belonging to outsiders kept in an apostate city is spared, while the wicked inhabitants' property kept elsewhere is only burned if gathered into the city.
הל׳ יא
דִּין בְּהֵמָה וְעִסָּה שֶׁל שֻׁתָּפוּת בְּעִיר הַנִּדַּחַתHalacha 11 · The Status of Jointly Owned Property in a Condemned City
בְּהֵמָהAn animalחֶצְיָהּhalf of whichשֶׁלbelongs toעִירa cityהַנִּדַּחַתthat is led astrayוְחֶצְיָהּand half of whichשֶׁלbelongs toעִירa cityאַחֶרֶתotherשֶׁהָיְתָהthat wasבְּתוֹכָהּwithin itהֲרֵיbeholdזוֹthisאֲסוּרָה.is forbiddenוְעִסָּהbut doughשֶׁהִיאthat isכֵּןsoמֻתֶּרֶתis permittedלְפִיbecauseשֶׁאֶפְשָׁרthat it is possibleלְחַלְּקָהּ:to divide it
This halacha discusses whether jointly owned property, where one partner is from the condemned city and the other is from a different city, must be destroyed.
הל׳ יב
אִסּוּר הֲנָאָה מִבְּהֵמָה וּמִשְּׁלַל עִיר הַנִּדַּחַתHalacha 12 · The Prohibition of Benefiting from Animals and Spoil of a Condemned City
בְּהֵמָהAn animalשֶׁלofעִירa cityהַנִּדַּחַתthat is led astrayשֶׁנִּשְׁחֲטָהwhich was slaughteredאֲסוּרָהis forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָהfor benefitכְּשׁוֹרlike an oxהַנִּסְקָלthat is stonedשֶׁנִּשְׁחַט.which was slaughteredשְׂעַרThe hairהָרֹאשׁof the headבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁלofאֲנָשִׁיםmenבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁלofנָשִׁיםwomenשֶׁבָּהּthat is in itמֻתָּרis permittedבַּהֲנָאָהfor benefitאֲבָלbutשֶׁלofפֵּאָהa wigנָכְרִיתforeignהֲרֵיbeholdהוּאitמִכְּלַלis from the category ofשְׁלָלָהּits spoilוְאָסוּר:and is forbidden
This halacha details which items from a condemned city (Ir HaNidachas) are forbidden for benefit and which remain permitted.
הל׳ יג
דִּין פֵּרוֹת מְחֻבָּרִין וְהֶקְדֵּשׁוֹת בְּעִיר הַנִּדַּחַתHalacha 13 · The Status of Connected Produce and Consecrated Property in a Condemned City
פֵּרוֹתProduceהַמְחֻבָּרִיןthat is connectedשֶׁבְּתוֹכָהּwithin itמֻתָּרִיןis permittedשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimיג13יז17"תִּקְבֹּץ""you shall gather"דבריםDevarimיג13יז17"וְשָׂרַפְתָּ""and you shall burn"מִיthatשֶׁאֵינוֹwhich is notמְחֻסָּרlackingאֶלָּאexceptקִבּוּץgatheringוּשְׂרֵפָהand burningיָצְאוּexcludingפֵּרוֹתproduceהַמְחֻבָּרִיןthat is connectedשֶׁהֵןwhichמְחֻסָּרִיןlacksתְּלִישָׁהdetachingוְקִבּוּץand gatheringוּשְׂרֵפָה.and burningוְהוּאand thisהַדִּיןis the lawלִשְׂעַרfor hair ofהָרֹאשׁthe headוְאֵיןand there is noצָרִיךְneedלוֹמַרto sayהָאִילָנוֹתthe treesעַצְמָןthemselvesשֶׁהֵןthat theyמֻתָּרִיםare permittedוַהֲרֵיand beholdהֵןtheyשֶׁלbelong toיוֹרְשֵׁיהֶם.their heirsהַהֶקְדֵּשׁוֹתConsecrated propertyשֶׁבְּתוֹכָהּwithin itקָדְשֵׁיconsecrated items ofמִזְבֵּחַthe Altarיָמוּתוּshall dieשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidזֶבַחthe sacrifice ofרְשָׁעִיםwicked peopleתּוֹעֵבָה.is an abominationקָדְשֵׁיconsecrated items ofבֶּדֶקthe maintenance ofהַבַּיִתthe Templeיִפָּדוּshall be redeemedוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְthatשׂוֹרְפִיןwe burnאוֹתָןthemשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimיג13יז17"שְׁלָלָהּ""its spoil"וְלֹאand notשְׁלַלthe spoil ofשָׁמַיִם:Heaven
This halacha details which items in a condemned city are excluded from the destruction, such as connected produce and Temple-treasury property.
הל׳ יד
דִּין קָדָשִׁים וּתְרוּמוֹת בְּעִיר הַנִּדַּחַתHalacha 14 · The Status of Consecrated Animals and Terumah in a Condemned City
הַבְּכוֹרThe firstbornוְהַמַּעֲשֵׂרand the titheשֶׁבְּתוֹכָהּthat are within itתְּמִימִיםunblemishedהֲרֵיbeholdהֵןtheyקָדְשֵׁיare holy things ofמִזְבֵּחַthe altarוְיָמוּתוּ.and they must dieוּבַעֲלֵיand those withמוּמִיםblemishesהֲרֵיbeholdהֵןtheyבִּכְלַלare in the category ofבְּהֶמְתָּהּits animalוְנֶהֱרָגִין.and are slainהַתְּרוּמוֹתThe terumosשֶׁבְּתוֹכָהּthat are within itאִםifהִגִּיעוּthey reachedלְיַדthe hand ofכֹּהֵןa Kohenיֵרָקְבוּthey must rotמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהֵםthat they areנְכָסָיו.his propertyוְאִםand ifעֲדַיִןstillהֵןtheyבְּיַדare in the hand ofיִשְׂרָאֵלan Yisraelיִנָּתְנוּthey shall be givenלְכֹהֵןto a Kohenשֶׁלofמְדִינָהa provinceאַחֶרֶתanotherמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהֵןthat they areנִכְסֵיthe property ofשָׁמַיִםHeavenוּקְדֻשָּׁתָןand their holinessקְדֻשַּׁתis holiness ofהַגּוּף:the body
This halacha details the status of holy animals and priestly tithes found within a condemned city, distinguishing between personal property and the property of Heaven.
הל׳ טו
דִּין מַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי וְכִתְבֵי הַקֹּדֶשׁ בְּעִיר הַנִּדַּחַתHalacha 15 · The Law of Second Tithe and Sacred Writings in an Apostate City
מַעֲשֵׂרTitheשֵׁנִיsecondוְכֶסֶףand money ofמַעֲשֵׂרtitheשֵׁנִיsecondוְכִתְבֵיand writings ofהַקֹּדֶשׁthe holinessשֶׁבְּתוֹכָהּthat are inside itהֲרֵיbeholdאֵלּוּtheseיִגָּנְזוּ:must be entombed
This halacha discusses the status of holy items and tithes found within an apostate city, which must be entombed rather than destroyed.
הל׳ טז
הַדִּין בְּעִיר הַנִּדַּחַת וְהַשְׁפָּעַת הַבְּרָכָהHalacha 16 · The Judgment of an Ir HaNidachas and Its Spiritual Blessings
כָּלAnyoneהָעוֹשֶׂהwho performsדִּיןjudgmentבְּעִירon a cityהַנִּדַּחַתthat is led astrayהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisכְּמַקְרִיבis like one who offersעוֹלָהa burnt offeringכָּלִילentirely consumedשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimיג13יז17"כָּלִיל"entirelyלַה'to Hashemאֱלֹהֶיךָ".your God"וְלֹאAnd notעוֹדonlyאֶלָּאbutשֶׁמְּסַלֵּקthat it removesחֲרוֹןthe fierceאַףangerמִיִּשְׂרָאֵלfrom Israelשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimיג13יח18"לְמַעַן"so thatיָשׁוּבwill turn backה'Hashemמֵחֲרוֹןfrom the fierceness ofאַפּוֹ".His anger"וּמֵבִיאand it bringsעֲלֵיהֶםupon themבְּרָכָהblessingוְרַחֲמִיםand mercyשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimיג13יח18"וְנָתַן"and He will grantלְךָto youרַחֲמִיםmercyוְרִחַמְךָand He will have mercy on youוְהִרְבֶּךָ":and He will multiply you"
The Rambam explains that executing judgment upon a city led astray is spiritually equivalent to offering a burnt offering and brings Divine mercy upon Israel.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
The chapter details the complete halachic process and execution of an Ir HaNidachas. A city can only be condemned if it is led astray by two or more men from its own tribe and city who use plural language to entice the residents, and if those led astray number between one hundred people and a majority of the tribe. If these conditions are met, the Sanhedrin sends Torah sages to call them to teshuvah; if they refuse, the nation wages war against the city. Those who worshiped are tried, and if they constitute the majority, they are executed by decapitation, while the beguilers are stoned, and all the city's property—including the property of the righteous residents who lived there—is gathered into the public square and burned completely as a mitzvah.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
The laws of the Ir HaNiddachas (the city led astray) teach us a profound lesson about the power of our environment and the company we keep. The Torah reveals a striking halachah: if a righteous person lives in such a city, even though he never served the avodah zarah and remained completely faithful to Hashem, his property is still destroyed along with the spoils of the wicked. The Rambam explains the reason: "Since they lived there, their property is lost."
This is not a mere technicality; it is a fundamental principle of spiritual reality. The atmosphere we choose to immerse ourselves in, the neighborhood we live in, and the friends we surround ourselves with inevitably leave an imprint on us. We cannot remain completely unaffected by a toxic environment, even if we believe our personal faith is ironclad. By choosing to remain in a place of spiritual decay, a person binds their destiny to it.
Conversely, the Torah goes to extraordinary lengths to prevent this tragedy. Before any action is taken, the Sanhedrin sends two Torah sages to warn the people and motivate them to do teshuvah. Hashem does not desire destruction; He desires return. We must learn from this to actively seek out environments of Torah and yiras Shamayim that lift us up, and to always leave a door open for others to make teshuvah and return to the right path.
Today, take a look at your daily environment, whether it is your physical surroundings, your social circle, or the digital spaces you occupy. Identify one negative influence or environment that you can distance yourself from, and replace it with a positive, Torah-filled connection.