Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
In this chapter, the Rambam takes us into the severe halachos of a mesit—one who tries to entice a fellow Jew to serve avodah zarah—and a madiach, who leads an entire city astray. We will learn the strict procedures the Torah demands to bring such a person to justice, including the unique allowance to set a trap for him, and the absolute prohibition to show him any mercy or defend him in court.
We will also learn the halachos of a navi sheker, a false prophet who claims to speak in the name of an avodah zarah. The Rambam explains the severe prohibition against even listening to his arguments or contemplating the signs and wonders he might perform to prove his words, showing us how we must guard our emunah with absolute purity.
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 הַמֵּסִית לַעֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִיםHalacha 1 · The Law of One Who Incites an Individual to Worship Idols
הַמֵּסִיתOne who incitesאֶחָדoneמִיִּשְׂרָאֵלof Israelבֵּיןwhetherאִישׁa manבֵּיןwhetherאִשָּׁהa womanהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthis oneנִסְקָלis stonedאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁלֹּאthat notעָבַדworshipedהַמֵּסִיתthe inciterוְלֹאand notהַמּוּסָתthe incitedעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsאֶלָּאbutמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוֹרָהוּthat he instructed himלַעֲבֹד.to worshipבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁהָיָהthat wasהַמֵּסִיתthe inciterהֶדְיוֹטan ordinary personבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁהָיָהthat wasנָבִיאa prophetבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁהָיָהthat wasהַמּוּסָתthe incitedיָחִידan individualאִישׁa manאוֹorאִשָּׁהa womanאוֹorיְחִידִיםindividualsמִיתָתוֹhis deathבִּסְקִילָה:is by stoning
This halacha establishes that the punishment of stoning applies to anyone who incites a fellow Jew to worship idols, regardless of whether the inciter or the incited actually performed the worship.
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הַהֶבְדֵּל בֵּין מֵסִית לְּמַדִּיחַ וְדִין נָבִיא הַמַּדִּיחַHalacha 2 · The Distinction Between a Mesit and a Madiach and the Law of a Prophet Who Misleads
הַמֵּסִיתOne who incitesאֶת—רֹבthe majority ofאַנְשֵׁיthe people ofהָעִירthe cityהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisמַדִּיחַis a madiachוְאֵינוֹand is notנִקְרָאcalledמֵסִית.a mesitהָיָהIf he wasזֶהthisשֶׁהִדִּיחַwho led astrayרֹבthe majority ofהָעִירthe cityנָבִיאa prophetמִיתָתוֹhis deathבִּסְקִילָהis by stoningוְהַנִּדָּחִיםand those led astrayהֲרֵיbeholdהֵןtheyכִּיחִידִיםare like individualsוְאֵינָםand they are notכְּאַנְשֵׁיlike the people ofעִירa cityהַנִּדַּחַתled astrayעַדuntilשֶׁיִּהְיוּthere will beהַמַּדִּיחִיםthe madiach-incitersשְׁנַיִם.twoוְאֶחָדAnd bothהָאוֹמֵרone who saysאָמְרָהshe saidלִיto meעֲבוֹדַתthe worship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsעִבְדוּהָ.worship herאוֹorשֶׁאָמַרwho saidאָמַרsaidלִיto meהַקָּדוֹשׁthe Holy Oneבָּרוּךְblessedהוּאis Heעִבְדוּworshipעֲבוֹדַתthe worship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisנָבִיאis a prophetשֶׁהִדִּיחַ.who led astrayוְאִםand ifהֻדְּחוּthey were led astrayאַחֲרָיוafter himרֹבthe majority ofהָעִירthe cityנִסְקָל.he is stonedהַמֵּסִיתThe mesitשֶׁהֵסִיתwho incitedבֵּיןwhetherבִּלְשׁוֹןin the language ofרַבִּיםmanyבֵּיןwhetherבִּלְשׁוֹןin the language ofיָחִידan individualהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisנִסְקָל.one is stonedכֵּיצַד.How soהָאוֹמֵרOne who saysלַחֲבֵרוֹto his fellowאֶעֱבֹדI will worshipכּוֹכָבִיםstarsאֵלֵךְI will goוְאֶעֱבֹדand I will worshipנֵלֵךְlet us goוְנַעֲבֹדand let us worshipבַּעֲבוֹדָהwith the worshipפְּלוֹנִיתsuch and suchשֶׁדֶּרֶךְthat is the way ofאוֹתָהּthatעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsלְהֵעָבֵדto be worshipedבָּהּ.with itאֶזְבַּחI will slaughterאֵלֵךְI will goוְאֶזְבַּחand I will slaughterנֵלֵךְlet us goוְנִזְבַּח.and let us slaughterאֲקַטֵּרI will burn incenseאֵלֵךְI will goוַאֲקַטֵרand I will burn incenseנֵלֵךְlet us goוּנְקַטֵּר.and let us burn incenseאֲנַסֵּךְI will pour a libationאֵלֵךְI will goוַאֲנַסֵּךְand I will pour a libationנֵלֵךְlet us goוּנְנַסֵּךְ.and let us pour a libationאֶשְׁתַּחֲוֶהI will bow downאֵלֵךְI will goוְאֶשְׁתַּחֲוֶהand I will bow downנֵלֵךְlet us goוְנִשְׁתַּחֲוֶהand let us bow downהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisמֵסִית.is a mesitהֵסִיתIf he incitedלִשְׁנַיִםtwoהֲרֵיbeholdהֵןtheyעֵדָיוare his witnessesוְהֵןand theyמְבִיאִיןbringאוֹתוֹhimלְבֵיתto the house ofדִּיןlawוּמְעִידִיןand they testifyעָלָיוagainst himשֶׁכָּךְthat thusאָמַרhe saidלָהֶןto themוְסוֹקְלִיןand they stoneאוֹתוֹ:him
This halacha defines the legal differences between one who incites an individual (mesit) and one who misleads an entire city (madiach), detailing the specific expressions of incitement and the rules of testimony.
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דִּין הַכְמָנָה לַמֵּסִית לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָהHalacha 3 · The Law of Setting a Trap to Convict an Enticer to Idolatry
וְאֵיןAnd notהַמֵּסִיתthe mesitצָרִיךְneedsהַתְרָאָה.warningאָמַרHe saidלְאֶחָדto oneהוּאheאוֹמֵרsaysיֵשׁThere areלִיto meחֲבֵרִיםfriendsרוֹצִיםwantingבְּכָךְin thisוּמַעֲרִיםand he schemesעָלָיוagainst himעַדuntilשֶׁיָּסִיתthat he enticesבִּפְנֵיin the presence ofשְׁנַיִםtwoכְּדֵיin orderלְהָרְגוֹ.to execute himאִםIfלֹאnotרָצָהwantedהַמֵּסִיתthe mesitלְהָסִיתto enticeלִשְׁנַיִםto twoמִצְוָהit is a mitzvahלְהַכְמִיןto set a trapלוֹ.for himכָּלAllחַיָּבֵיthose liable toמִיתוֹתdeathsשֶׁבַּתּוֹרָהthat are in the Torahאֵיןwe do notמַכְמִינִיןset a trapעֲלֵיהֶןfor themחוּץexceptמִזֶּה.from thisכֵּיצַדHowמַכְמִינִיןdo we set a trapלוֹ.for himהַמּוּסָתThe musatמֵבִיאbringsשְׁנַיִםtwoוּמַעֲמִידָןand places themבְּמָקוֹםin a placeאָפֵלdarkכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיִּרְאוּthat they will seeהַמֵּסִיתthe mesitוְיִשְׁמְעוּand they will hearדְּבָרָיוhis wordsוְלֹאand notיִרְאֶהhe will seeאוֹתָם,themוְהוּאand heאוֹמֵרsaysלַמֵּסִיתto the mesitאֱמֹרSayמַהwhatשֶּׁאָמַרְתָּthat you saidלִיto meבְּיִחוּד,in privateוְהוּאand heאוֹמֵרsaysלוֹ,to himוְהַמּוּסָתand the musatמְשִׁיבוֹanswers himהֵיאַךְHowנַנִּיחַcan we leaveאֶת—אֱלֹהֵינוּour GodשֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִםWho is in heavenוְנֵלֵךְand goוְנַעֲבֹדand serveאֶת—הָעֵצִיםthe woodוְאֶתand —הָאֲבָנִים.the stonesאִםIfחָזַרhe retractedבּוֹin itאוֹorשָׁתַקremained silentפָּטוּר.he is exemptוְאִםand ifאָמַרhe saidלוֹto himכָּךְThusהִיאit isחוֹבָתֵנוּour obligationוְכָךְand thusיָפֶהis goodלָנוּ,for usהָעוֹמְדִיםthose standingשָׁםthereבְּרָחוֹקat a distanceמְבִיאִיןbringאוֹתוֹhimלְבֵיתto the house ofדִּיןlawוְסוֹקְלִיםand they stoneאוֹתוֹ:him
This halacha details the unique legal procedure of setting a hidden trap with witnesses to convict a mesit, an exception to the standard rules of warning and testimony.
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הַחוֹבָה לַהֲרֹג אֶת הַמֵּסִית וְהָאִסּוּר לְרַחֵם עָלָיוHalacha 4 · The Obligation to Execute an Enticer and the Prohibition of Showing Him Mercy
מִצְוָהA mitzvahבְּיַדis in the hand ofהַמּוּסָתthe enticed oneלְהָרְגוֹto kill himשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimיג13י10"יָדְךָyour handתִּהְיֶהshall beבּוֹagainst himבָרִאשׁוֹנָהfirstלַהֲמִיתוֹ"to kill himוְגוֹ'.etc.וְאָסוּרAnd it is forbiddenלַמּוּסָתfor the enticed oneלֶאֱהֹבto loveאֶת—הַמֵּסִיתthe enticerשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimיג13ט9"לֹאdo notתֹאבֶהbe attractedלוֹ".to himוּלְפִיAnd sinceשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרit is saidבְּשׂוֹנֵאregarding an enemyשמותShemosכג23ה5"עָזֹבsurelyתַּעֲזֹבyou shall helpעִמּוֹ"with himיָכוֹלone might thinkאַתָּהyouעוֹזֵבmust helpלָזֶהthis oneתַּלְמוּדthe teachingלוֹמַרsaysדבריםDevarimיג13ט9"וְלֹאand do notתִשְׁמַעlistenאֵלָיו".to himוּלְפִיAnd sinceשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרit is saidויקראVayikraיט19טז16"וְלֹאand do notתַעֲמֹדstandעַלbyדַּםthe blood ofרֵעֶךָ"your fellowיָכוֹלone might thinkאִי·אַתָּהyouעוֹמֵדmay not standעַלbyדָּמוֹthe bloodשֶׁלofזֶהthis oneתַּלְמוּדthe teachingלוֹמַרsaysדבריםDevarimיג13ט9"וְלֹאand do notתָחוֹסpityעֵינְךָ".your eyeוְאָסוּרAnd it is forbiddenלַמּוּסָתfor the enticed oneלְלַמֵּדto argueעָלָיוon his behalfזְכוּתmeritשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimיג13ט9"וְלֹאand do notתַחְמל".compassionateוְאִםAnd ifיָדַעhe knewלוֹagainst himחוֹבָהguiltאֵינוֹhe is notרַשַּׁאיpermittedלִשְׁתֹּקto remain silentמִמֶּנָּהfrom itשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimיג13ט9"וְלֹאand do notתְכַסֶּהcover upעָלָיו".for himוְאַזְהָרָהAnd the warningלְהֶדְיוֹטfor an ordinary personהַמֵּסִיתwho enticesמִנַּיִןfrom where is it derivedשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimיג13יב12"וְכָלAnd allיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelיִשְׁמְעוּshall hearוְיִרָאוּ":and fear
This halacha details the unique stringencies applied to a mesit (one who entices others to worship idols), including the prohibition of defending him or saving his life.
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הַמֵּסִית לְעַצְמוֹ וְהַמֵּסִית לַעֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים אַחֶרֶתHalacha 5 · One Who Entices to Worship Himself Versus One Who Entices to Another Deity
הַמֵּסִיתOne who enticesאֲחֵרִיםothersלְעָבְדוֹto worship himוְאָמַרand saidלָהֶםto themעִבְדוּנִיworship meאִםifעֲבָדוּהוּthey worshiped himנִסְקָלhe is stonedוְאִםand ifלֹאnotעֲבָדוּהוּthey worshiped himאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁקִּבְּלוּthat they acceptedמִמֶּנּוּfrom himוְאָמְרוּand saidהֵןyesאֵינוֹhe is notנִסְקָל.stonedאֲבָלbutאִםifהֵסִיתhe enticedלַעֲבוֹדַתto the worship ofאִישׁa manאַחֵרanotherאוֹorלִשְׁאָרto otherמִינֵיkinds ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsאִםifקִבֵּלhe acceptedמִמֶּנּוּfrom himוְאָמַרand saidהֵןyesנֵלֵךְwe will goוְנַעֲבֹדand we will worshipאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁעֲדַיִןthat stillלֹאnotעָבַדhe worshipedשְׁנֵיהֶןboth of themנִסְקָלִיןare stonedהַמֵּסִיתthe enticerוְהַמּוּסָתand the enticedשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimיג13ט9"לֹאnotתֹאבֶהyou shall desireלוֹhimוְלֹאand notתִשְׁמַעyou shall listenאֵלָיו"to himהָאbeholdאִםifשָׁמַעhe listenedוְאָבָהand desiredחַיָּב:he is liable
This halacha distinguishes between a mesit who entices others to worship himself and one who entices them to worship another person or deity.
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הַמִּתְנַבֵּא בְּשֵׁם עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים וְעָנְשׁוֹHalacha 6 · The Punishment of a Prophet Who Prophesies in the Name of Idols
נָבִיאA prophetהַמִּתְנַבֵּאwho prophesiesבְּשֵׁםin the name ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsכֵּיצַד.how soזֶהthis isהָאוֹמֵרone who saysאָמְרָהsaidלִיto meעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsפְּלוֹנִיתsuch and suchאוֹorכּוֹכָבa starפְּלוֹנִיsuch and suchשֶׁמִּצְוָהthat it is a mitzvahלַעֲשׂוֹתto doכָּךְsoוְכָךְand soאוֹorשֶׁלֹּאnotלַעֲשׂוֹת,to doאֲפִלּוּeven ifכִּוֵּןhe directedאֶת—הַהֲלָכָהthe halachaלְטַמֵּאto declare impureאֶת—הַטָּמֵאthe impureוּלְטַהֵרand to declare pureאֶת—הַטָּהוֹר,the pureאִםifהִתְרוּthey warnedבּוֹhimבִּפְנֵיin the presence ofשְׁנַיִםtwoהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthis oneנֶחְנָקis strangledשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimיח18כ20"וַאֲשֶׁרand whoיְדַבֵּרshall speakבְּשֵׁםin the name ofאֱלֹהִיםgodsאֲחֵרִיםotherוּמֵתand shall dieהַנָּבִיאthe prophetהַהוּא".thatוְאַזְהָרָהand the warningשֶׁלּוֹof itמִכְּלָלis from the general ruleשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidשמותShemosכג23יג13"וְשֵׁםand the name ofאֱלֹהִיםgodsאֲחֵרִיםotherלֹאnotתַזְכִּירוּ":shall you mention
This halacha defines the transgression and capital punishment of one who falsely claims that an idol commanded a specific law or practice.
הל׳ ז
אִסּוּר וִכּוּחַ עִם נְבִיא שֶׁקֶר וְעָנְשׁוֹ בְּחֶנֶקHalacha 7 · Prohibition of Debating a False Prophet and His Punishment of Strangulation
וְאָסוּרAnd it is forbiddenלַעֲרֹךְto arrangeדִּיןargumentוּתְשׁוּבָהand responseעִםwithהַמִּתְנַבֵּאone who prophesiesבְּשֵׁםin the name ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוְאֵיןand we do notשׁוֹאֲלִיןaskמִמֶּנּוּfrom himאוֹתa signוּמוֹפֵת.and wonderוְאִםand ifעָשָׂהhe performedמֵעַצְמוֹon his ownאֵיןwe do notמַשְׁגִּיחִיןpay attentionעָלָיוto himוְאֵיןand we do notמְהַרְהֲרִיןcontemplateבּוֹ.on itוְכָלand anyoneהַמְחַשֵּׁבwho thinksבְּאוֹתוֹתabout the signsשֶׁלּוֹhisשֶׁמָּאperhapsאֱמֶתtruthהֵןthey areעוֹבֵרtransgressesבְּלֹאa negativeתַּעֲשֶׂהcommandmentשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimיג13ד4"לֹאDo notתִשְׁמַעlistenאֶלtoדִּבְרֵיthe words ofהַנָּבִיאthe prophetהַהוּא".thatוְכֵןAnd likewiseנְבִיאa prophet ofהַשֶּׁקֶרfalsehoodמִיתָתוֹhis deathבְּחֶנֶקis by strangulationאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁנִּתְנַבֵּאhe prophesiedבְּשֵׁםin the name ofה'Hashemוְלֹאand did notהוֹסִיףaddוְלֹאand did notגָּרַעdiminishשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimיח18כ20"אַךְButהַנָּבִיאthe prophetאֲשֶׁרwhoיָזִידwill dareלְדַבֵּרto speakדָּבָרa matterבִּשְׁמִיin My nameאֵת—אֲשֶׁרwhichלֹאnotצִוִּיתִי"I commandedדבריםDevarimיח18כ20"וּמֵתand shall dieהַנָּבִיאthe prophetהַהוּא":that
This halacha forbids engaging in debate with a false prophet or requesting signs from him, and establishes that a false prophet is executed by strangulation even if he prophesies in the name of Hashem.
הל׳ ח
דִּין נְבִיא שֶׁקֶר וּמִיתָתוֹ בְּחֶנֶקHalacha 8 · The Definition and Punishment of a False Prophet
אֶחָדOneהַמִּתְנַבֵּאwho prophesiesמַהwhatשֶּׁלֹּאthat notשָׁמַעhe heardבְּמַרְאֵהin a vision ofהַנְּבוּאָהprophecyאוֹorמִיoneשֶׁשָּׁמַעwho heardדִּבְרֵיthe words ofנָבִיאa prophetחֲבֵרוֹhis fellowוְאָמַרand saidשֶׁדָּבָרthat matterזֶהthisלוֹto himנֶאֱמַרwas saidוְהוּאand heנִתְנַבֵּאprophesiedבּוֹwith itהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisנְבִיאis a prophet ofשֶׁקֶרfalsehoodוּמִיתָתוֹand his deathבְּחֶנֶק:is by strangulation
This halacha defines the two categories of a false prophet and establishes their punishment of strangulation.
הל׳ ט
הָאִסּוּר לְיָרֵא מִנְּבִיא הַשֶּׁקֶר וְדִינוֹ בְּסַנְהֶדְרִיןHalacha 9 · Prohibition of Fearing a False Prophet and the Requirement of Sanhedrin
כָּלAnyהַמּוֹנֵעַwho refrainsעַצְמוֹhimselfמֵהֲרִיגַתfrom killingנְבִיאa prophet ofהַשֶּׁקֶרthe falsehoodמִפְּנֵיbecause ofמַעֲלָתוֹhis levelשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdהוֹלֵךְhe walksבְּדַרְכֵיin the ways ofהַנְּבוּאָהthe prophecyהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthis oneעוֹבֵרtransgressesבְּלֹאa negativeתַּעֲשֶׂהcommandmentשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimיח18כב22"לֹא"Do notתָגוּרfearמִמֶּנּוּ".him"וְכֵןAnd likewiseהַמּוֹנֵעַone who refrainsעַצְמוֹhimselfמִלְּלַמֵּדfrom teachingעָלָיוagainst himחוֹבָהguiltאוֹorהַפּוֹחֵדone who is afraidוְיָרֵאand fearsמִדְּבָרָיוfrom his wordsהֲרֵיbeholdהוּאheבִּכְלַלis included inלֹאdo notתָגוּרfearמִמֶּנּוּ.himוְאֵיןAnd we do notדָּנִיןjudgeנְבִיאa prophet ofהַשֶּׁקֶרthe falsehoodאֶלָּאexceptבְּבֵיתin a house ofדִּיןjudgmentשֶׁלofשִׁבְעִיםseventyוְאֶחָד:and one
This halacha teaches that one must not hesitate to prosecute or execute a false prophet due to his spiritual stature, and that a false prophet can only be tried by the High Court of seventy-one judges.
הל׳ י
אִסּוּר שְׁבוּעָה וְהַזְכָּרַת שֵׁם עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִיםHalacha 10 · The Prohibition of Swearing by or Mentioning the Name of an Idol
הַנּוֹדֵרOne who vowsבְּשֵׁםin the name ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוְהַנִּשְׁבָּעand one who swearsבָּהּby itלוֹקֶהreceives lashesשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidשמותShemosכג23יג13"וְשֵׁםand the name ofאֱלֹהִיםgodsאֲחֵרִיםotherלֹאnotתַזְכִּירוּ".you shall mentionאֶחָדWhetherהַנִּשְׁבָּעone who swearsבָּהּby itלְעַצְמוֹfor himselfוְאֶחָדand whetherהַנִּשְׁבָּעone who swearsבָּהּby itלְעוֹבֵדfor a worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִים.starsוְאָסוּרand it is forbiddenלְהַשְׁבִּיעַto cause to swearהָעוֹבֵדthe worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsבְּיִרְאָתוֹ.by his object of fearאֲפִלּוּEvenלְהַזְכִּירto mentionשֵׁםthe name ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsשֶׁלֹּאnotדֶּרֶךְby way ofשְׁבוּעָהan oathאָסוּרis forbiddenשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidלֹאnotתַזְכִּירוּ:you shall mention
This halacha details the prohibition against swearing by or even mentioning the name of a false deity, whether for oneself or a non-Jew.
הל׳ יא
אִסּוּר הַזְכָּרַת שֵׁם עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים וּגְרִימַת נֶדֶר בִּשְׁמָהּHalacha 11 · Prohibition of Mentioning the Name of a False Deity and Causing Others to Vow in Its Name
לֹאNotיֹאמַרshall sayאָדָםa personלַחֲבֵרוֹto his fellowשְׁמֹרwaitלִיfor meבַּצַּדby the side ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsפְּלוֹנִיתsuch-and-suchוְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבָּהּ.to itוְכָלAnd anyעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsהַכְּתוּבָהthat is writtenבְּכִתְבֵיin the Writings ofהַקֹּדֶשׁthe Holinessמֻתָּרit is permittedלְהַזְכִּירto mentionשְׁמָהּits nameכְּגוֹןsuch asפְּעוֹרPeorוּבֵלand Belוּנְבוֹand Nevoוְגָדand Gadוְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבָּהֶן.to themוְאָסוּרAnd it is forbiddenלִגְרֹםto causeלַאֲחֵרִיםothersשֶׁיִּדְּרוּthat they vowוְשֶׁיְּקַיְּמוּand that they swearבְּשֵׁםin the name ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִים.starsוְאֵינוֹand he is notלוֹקֶהlashedאֶלָּאexceptהַנּוֹדֵרthe one who vowsבִּשְׁמָהּin its nameוְהַמְקַיֵּםand the one who swearsבִּשְׁמָהּin its nameוְהוּאand he isהַנִּשְׁבָּעthe one who takes an oathבִּשְׁמָהּ:in its name
This halacha details the prohibition of mentioning the names of false deities, except those written in the Torah, and the prohibition of causing others to swear by them.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
The chapter details that a mesit is executed by stoning even if no actual worship took place, whereas a madiach is one who entices the majority of a city. To convict a mesit, the Torah uniquely permits setting a hidden trap with witnesses, and the musat (the enticed individual) is commanded to lead the execution, forbidden from loving, pitying, or defending the mesit in any way. Additionally, if someone entices others to worship him, he is only liable if they actually worship him, but if he entices them to worship another deity, both are liable as soon as they agree. Finally, the Rambam rules that a prophet who prophesies in the name of false gods is executed by strangulation, and it is strictly forbidden to debate him, ask for a sign, or pay any attention to his wonders.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
The Torah goes to unprecedented lengths to stop the mesit, the one who tries to persuade another Jew to turn away from Hashem. We are commanded not to love him, not to protect him, and even to set a hidden trap to expose his words. Why is the Torah so uniquely severe here, even if no actual worship ever took place? Because the greatest danger to a Yid is not a physical threat, but the subtle, persuasive voice that tries to quietly pull our hearts away from Hashem.
In our own lives, the most dangerous "mesit" we encounter is often the quiet, inner voice of the yetzer hara, or the negative influences around us that whisper, "Just this once, let's do what everyone else is doing; it's beneficial for us." These thoughts don't always come with a loud roar; they come as a gentle, logical suggestion to compromise on our emunah or our standards of yiras Shamayim. The lesson of the sugya is that we cannot play nice with these negative influences. We cannot try to find excuses for them or show them compassion. We have to expose them for what they are and shut them down immediately.
Today, when a whispering thought or an outside influence tries to persuade you to compromise on a mitzvah or slide away from your closeness to Hashem, do not argue with it or try to accommodate it. Recognize it as a spiritual threat, stand strong in your emunah, and firmly say, "How can I forsake my Father in Heaven?"