Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
In this chapter, the Rambam takes us into the holy boundaries of our physical appearance, showing how a Yid must carry himself with yiras Shamayim even in how he cuts his hair and trims his beard. Hashem separated us from the ways of the goyim and their idolatrous priests, commanding us not to destroy the corners of our heads or our beards. We will learn the exact definitions of these prohibitions, who is obligated in them, and how they apply to men, women, and those of doubtful gender status.
We will also learn about other prohibitions that set us apart from the surrounding nations, such as the prohibition against tattooing our skin, making gashes in our flesh as a sign of mourning, or shaving our heads in grief. Through these halachos, the Torah teaches us to treat our bodies with holiness and dignity, keeping us far removed from the dark practices of avodah zarah.
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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אִסּוּר הַקָּפַת פַּאֲתֵי הָרֹאשׁHalacha 1 · The Prohibition of Shaving the Corners of the Head
אֵיןWe do notמְגַלְּחִיןshaveפַּאֲתֵיthe corners ofהָרֹאשׁthe headכְּמוֹlikeשֶׁהָיוּthat they wereעוֹשִׂיןdoingעוֹבְדֵיworshipers ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidויקראVayikraיט19כז27"לֹא"Do notתַקִּפוּroundפְּאַתthe corner ofרֹאשְׁכֶם".your head"וְחַיָּבand he is liableעַלforכָּלeachפֵּאָהcornerוּפֵאָה.and cornerלְפִיכָךְthereforeהַמְגַלֵּחַone who shavesשְׁנֵיhis twoצְדָעָיוtemplesאֲפִלּוּevenבְּבַתat onceאַחַתoneוְהַתְרָאָהand warningאַחַתoneלוֹקֶהis lashedשְׁתַּיִם.twiceאֶחָדoneהַמְגַלֵּחַwho shavesהַפֵּאוֹתthe cornersבִּלְבַדaloneוּמֵנִיחַand leavesשֵׂעָרthe hair ofכָּלall ofהָרֹאשׁthe headוְאֶחָדand oneהַמְגַלֵּחַwho shavesכָּלall ofהָרֹאשׁthe headכְּאֶחָדas oneלוֹקֶהis lashedהוֹאִילsinceוְגִלַּחhe shavedהַפֵּאוֹת.the cornersבַּמֶּהIn whatדְּבָרִיםwordsאֲמוּרִיםare saidבְּאִישׁregarding the manהַמְגַלֵּחַwho shavesאֲבָלbutאִישׁthe manהַמִּתְגַּלֵּחַwho is shavenאֵינוֹis notלוֹקֶהlashedאֶלָּאunlessאִם·כֵּן·סִיֵּעַhe assistedלַמְגַלֵּחַ.the one who shavesוְהַמְגַלֵּחַand one who shavesאֶת—הַקָּטָןthe minorלוֹקֶה:is lashed
This halacha details the prohibition of rounding the corners of the head, the liability for each temple, and the status of the person being shaven.
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פְּטוּר הָאִשָּׁה וְחִיּוּב עֲבָדִים בְּהַקָּפַת הָרֹאשׁHalacha 2 · Exemption of Women and Obligation of Slaves in Shaving the Corners of the Head
הָאִשָּׁהA womanשֶׁגִּלְּחָהwho shavedפְּאַתthe corner ofרֹאשׁthe head ofהָאִישׁthe manאוֹorשֶׁנִּתְגַלְּחָהwho was shavenפְּטוּרָהis exemptשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidויקראLeviticusיט19כז27"לֹאDo notתַקִּפוּroundפְּאַתthe corner ofרֹאשְׁכֶם"your headויקראLeviticusיט19כז27"וְלֹאand do notתַשְׁחִיתdestroyפְּאַתthe corner ofזְקָנֶךָ"your beardכָּלeveryoneשֶׁיֶּשְׁנוֹwho isבְּבַלin do notתַּשְׁחִיתdestroyיֶשְׁנוֹisבְּבַלin do notתַּקִּיף,roundוְאִשָּׁהand a womanשֶׁאֵינָהּwho is notבְּבַלin do notתַּשְׁחִיתdestroyלְפִיbecauseשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notלָהּto herזָקָןa beardאֵינָהּshe is notבְּבַלin do notתַּקִּיף.roundלְפִיכָךְthereforeהָעֲבָדִיםthe slavesהוֹאִילsinceוְיֵשׁand there isלָהֶםto themזָקָןa beardאֲסוּרִיןare forbiddenבְּהַקָּפָה:in rounding
This halacha explains that women are exempt from the prohibition of rounding the head because they lack beards, while slaves are obligated.
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חִיּוּב נָשִׁים בְּמִצְוֹת עֲשֵׂה וְלֹא תַעֲשֶׂהHalacha 3 · The Obligation of Women in Positive and Negative Commandments
כָּלAllמִצְוֹתcommandments ofלֹאnotתַּעֲשֶׂהdoשֶׁבַּתּוֹרָהthat are in the Torahאֶחָדwhetherאֲנָשִׁיםmenוְאֶחָדor whetherנָשִׁיםwomenחַיָּבִיםare obligatedחוּץexceptמִ"בַּלfrom "do notתַּשְׁחִית"destroy"וּ"בַלand "do notתַּקִּיף"round"וּ"בַלand "do notיִטָּמֵאbecome impureכֹּהֵןa Kohenלַמֵּתִים"to the dead"משנהMishnahקידושיןKiddushinא1ז7.וְכָלAnd everyמִצְוַתcommandment ofעֲשֵׂהdoשֶׁהִיאthat isמִזְּמַןfrom timeלִזְמַןto timeוְאֵינָהּand is notתְּדִירָהconstantנָשִׁיםwomenפְּטוּרוֹתare exemptחוּץexceptמִקִּדּוּשׁfrom sanctification ofהַיּוֹםthe dayוַאֲכִילַתand eating ofמַצָּהmatzahבְּלֵילֵיon the nights ofהַפֶּסַחthe Pesachוַאֲכִילַתand eating ofהַפֶּסַחthe Pesach offeringוּשְׁחִיטָתוֹand its slaughteringוְהַקְהֵלand Hakhelוְשִׂמְחָהand rejoicingשֶׁהַנָּשִׁיםwhich womenחַיָּבוֹת:are obligated
This halacha delineates which Torah prohibitions and positive time-bound commandments apply to women.
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דִּין טֻמְטוּם וְאַנְדְּרוֹגִינוּס בַּמִּצְוֹתHalacha 4 · The Legal Status of a Tumtum and an Androgynous Regarding Mitzvos
טֻמְטוּםA tumtumוְאַנְדְּרוֹגִינוּסand an androgynousהֲרֵיbeholdהֵןtheyסָפֵק,are doubtfulנוֹתְנִיןwe placeעֲלֵיהֶןupon themחֻמְרֵיthe stringencies ofהָאִישׁthe manוְחֻמְרֵיand the stringencies ofהָאִשָּׁהthe womanבְּכָלin everyמָקוֹםplaceוְחַיָּבִיםand they are obligatedבַּכּל.in everythingוְאִםand ifעָבְרוּthey transgressedאֵינָםthey are notלוֹקִין:lashed
This halacha establishes that due to their doubtful gender status, a tumtum and an androgynous must observe the stringencies of both men and women.
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אִסּוּר הָאִשָּׁה לְגַלֵּחַ פְּאַת רֹאשׁ הָאִישׁHalacha 5 · A Woman Shaving the Corners of a Man's Head
אַףEvenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהָאִשָּׁהthat a womanמֻתֶּרֶתis permittedלְגַלֵּחַto shaveפְּאַתthe corner ofרֹאשָׁהּher headהֲרֵיbeholdהִיאsheאֲסוּרָהis forbiddenלְגַלֵּחַto shaveפְּאַתthe corner ofרֹאשׁthe head ofהָאִישׁ.a manוַאֲפִלּוּand evenקָטָןa childאָסוּרis forbiddenלָהּfor herלְגַלֵּחַto shaveלוֹfor himפֵּאָה:a corner
This halacha discusses the prohibition for a woman to shave the corners of a man's or a male child's head, despite being permitted to shave her own.
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שִׁעוּר פֵּאַת הָרֹאשׁ וְהֶתֵּר מִסְפָּרַיִםHalacha 6 · The Measure of the Corners of the Head and the Permission of Scissors
וּפֵאָהAnd cornerזוֹthisשֶׁמַּנִּיחִיםthat we leaveבַּצְּדָעִיםat the templesלֹאnotנָתְנוּdid giveבּוֹin itחֲכָמִיםthe Sagesשִׁעוּרa measureוְשָׁמַעְנוּand we heardמִזְּקֵנֵינוּfrom our eldersשֶׁאֵינוֹthat he does notמַנִּיחַleaveפָּחוֹתlessמֵאַרְבָּעִיםthan fortyשְׂעָרוֹת.hairsוּמֻתָּרand it is permittedלְלַקֵּטto removeהַפֵּאוֹתthe cornersבְּמִסְפָּרַיִםwith scissorsלֹאnotנֶאֱסַרwas forbiddenאֶלָּאexceptהַשְׁחָתָהdestructionבְּתַעַר:with a razor
This halacha discusses the minimum amount of hair that must be left on the temples and clarifies that the prohibition of shaving the corners of the head applies only to a razor.
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אִסּוּר הַשְׁחָתַת פְּאוֹת הַזָּקָן בְּתַעַרHalacha 7 · The Prohibition of Shaving the Corners of the Beard with a Razor
דֶּרֶךְThe way ofכֹּהֲנֵיpriests ofעוֹבְדֵיworshipers ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsהָיָהwasלְהַשְׁחִיתto destroyזְקָנָם.their beardלְפִיכָךְthereforeאָסְרָהforbadeתּוֹרָהthe Torahלְהַשְׁחִיתto destroyהַזָּקָן.the beardוְחָמֵשׁand fiveפֵּאוֹתcornersיֵשׁthere areבּוֹ.in itלְחִיcheekהָעֶלְיוֹןthe upperוּלְחִיand cheekהַתַּחְתּוֹןthe lowerמִיָּמִיןfrom the rightוְכֵןand soמִשְּׂמֹאלfrom the leftוְשִׁבּלֶתand the pit ofהַזָּקָן.the beardוְלוֹקֶהand he is lashedעַלforכָּלeveryפֵּאָהcornerוּפֵאָה.and cornerוְאִםand ifנְטָלָןhe removed themכֻּלָּןall of themכְּאַחַתas oneלוֹקֶהhe is lashedחָמֵשׁ.fiveוְאֵינוֹand he is notחַיָּבliableעַדuntilשֶׁיְּגַלְּחֶנּוּhe shaves itבְּתַעַרwith a razorשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidויקראLeviticusיט19כז27"וְלֹאand notתַשְׁחִיתshall you destroyאֵת—פְּאַתthe corner ofזְקָנֶךָ"your beardגִּלּוּחַshavingשֶׁיֵּשׁthat hasבּוֹin itהַשְׁחָתָה.destructionלְפִיכָךְthereforeאִםifגִּלֵּחַhe shavedזְקָנוֹhis beardבְּמִסְפָּרַיִםwith scissorsפָּטוּר.he is exemptוְאֵיןand notהַמִּתְגַּלֵּחַthe one being shavedלוֹקֶהis lashedעַדuntilשֶׁיְּסַיֵּעַ.he assistsוְאִשָּׁהand a womanמֻתֶּרֶתis permittedלְהַשְׁחִיתto destroyזְקָנָהּher beardאִםifיֵשׁthere isלָהּto herשֵׂעָרhairבַּזָּקָן.in the beardוְאִםand ifהִשְׁחִיתָהshe destroyedזְקַןthe beard ofהָאִישׁthe manפְּטוּרָה:she is exempt
This halacha details the prohibition against shaving the five corners of the beard with a razor, the exemption of scissors, and the status of women regarding this law.
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גִּלּוּחַ הַשָּׂפָה וְהַשֵּׂעָר הַמְדֻלְדָּלHalacha 8 · Shaving the Mustache and the Hanging Hair of the Lip
הַשָּׂפָהThe mustacheמֻתָּרis permittedלְגַלְּחוֹto shaveבְּתַעַרwith a razorוְהוּאand that isהַשֵּׂעָרthe hairשֶׁעַלthat is onגַּבtop ofהַשָּׂפָהthe lipהָעֶלְיוֹנָהupperוְכֵןand likewiseהַשֵּׂעָרthe hairהַמְדֻלְדָּלthat hangsמִןfromהַשָּׂפָהthe lipהַתַּחְתּוֹנָה.lowerוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהוּאthat itמֻתָּרis permittedלֹאnotנָהֲגוּdid practiceיִשְׂרָאֵלIsraelלְהַשְׁחִיתוֹto destroy itאֶלָּאratherיְגַלֵּחַhe may shaveקְצָתוֹits endsעַדuntilשֶׁלֹּאthat notיְעַכֵּבit will interfere withאֲכִילָהeatingוּשְׁתִיָּה:and drinking
The Rambam explains that while shaving the mustache with a razor is technically permitted, the custom is only to trim the parts that interfere with eating and drinking.
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אִסּוּר הַעֲבָרַת שֵׂעָר בֵּית הַשֶּׁחִי וּבֵית הָעֶרְוָה לְאִישׁHalacha 9 · The Prohibition of Removing Armpit and Pubic Hair for Men
הַעֲבָרַתRemoval ofהַשֵּׂעָרthe hairמִשְּׁאָרfrom the rest ofהַגּוּףthe bodyכְּגוֹןsuch asבֵּיתthe house ofהַשֶּׁחִיthe armpitוּבֵיתand the house ofהָעֶרְוָהthe genitaliaאֵינוֹis notאָסוּרforbiddenמִןfromהַתּוֹרָהthe Torahאֶלָּאbutמִדִּבְרֵיfrom the words ofסוֹפְרִיםSagesוְהַמַּעֲבִירוֹand one who removes itמַכִּיןthey strikeאוֹתוֹhimמַכַּתstripes ofמַרְדּוּת.rebelliousnessבַּמֶּהIn whatדְּבָרִיםwordsאֲמוּרִיםare saidבְּמָקוֹםin a placeשֶׁאֵיןwhere do notמַעֲבִירִיןremoveאוֹתוֹitאֶלָּאexceptנָשִׁיםwomenכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notיְתַקֵּןhe will adornעַצְמוֹhimselfתִּקּוּןthe adornment ofנָשִׁים.womenאֲבָלbutבְּמָקוֹםin a placeשֶׁמַּעֲבִירִיןwhere they removeהַשֵּׂעָרthe hairהַנָּשִׁיםthe womenוַאֲנָשִׁיםand the menאִםifהֶעֱבִירhe removedאֵיןthey do notמַכִּיןstrikeאוֹתוֹ.himוּמֻתָּרand it is permittedלְהַעֲבִירto removeשְׂעַרthe hair ofשְׁאָרthe rest ofאֵיבָרִיםthe limbsבְּמִסְפָּרַיִםwith scissorsבְּכָלin everyמָקוֹם:place
This halacha details the Rabbinic prohibition against a man removing hair from his armpits or genitalia, which is based on the prohibition of adopting feminine practices.
הל׳ י
אִסּוּר לְבִישַׁת בִּגְדֵי הַמִּין הַשֵּׁנִי וְתִקּוּן הַשֵּׂעָר כְּאִשָּׁהHalacha 10 · The Prohibition of Wearing Garments of the Opposite Gender and Removing White Hair
לֹאnotתַּעֲדֶהshall adorn herselfאִשָּׁהa womanעֲדִיwith the adornment ofהָאִישׁa manכְּגוֹןsuch asשֶׁתָּשִׂיםthat she placesבְּרֹאשָׁהּon her headמִצְנֶפֶתa turbanאוֹorכּוֹבַעa hatאוֹorתִּלְבַּשׁshe wearsשִׁרְיוֹןarmorוְכַיּוֹצֵאand the likeבּוֹof itאוֹorשֶׁתְּגַלֵּחַthat she cutsרֹאשָׁהּher headכְּאִישׁ.like a manוְלֹאand notיַעֲדֶהshall adorn himselfאִישׁa manעֲדִיwith the adornment ofאִשָּׁהa womanכְּגוֹןsuch asשֶׁיִּלְבַּשׁthat he wearsבִּגְדֵיgarments ofצִבְעוֹנִיןcolorsוַחֲלִיand jewelry ofזָהָבgoldבְּמָקוֹםin a placeשֶׁאֵיןwhere do notלוֹבְשִׁיןwearאוֹתָןthemהַכֵּלִיםthose garmentsוְאֵיןand do notמְשִׂימִיםplaceאוֹתוֹitהַחֲלִיthat jewelryאֶלָּאexceptנָשִׁיםwomenהַכּלeverythingכְּמִנְהַגis according to the custom ofהַמְּדִינָה.the provinceאִישׁa manשֶׁעָדָהwho adorned himself withעֲדִיthe adornment ofאִשָּׁהa womanוְאִשָּׁהand a womanשֶׁעָדְתָהwho adorned herself withעֲדִיthe adornment ofאִישׁa manלוֹקִין.receive lashesהַמְלַקֵּטone who plucksשְׂעָרוֹתhairsלְבָנוֹתwhiteמִתּוֹךְfrom amongהַשְּׁחוֹרוֹתthe black onesמֵרֹאשׁוֹfrom his headאוֹorמִזְּקָנוֹfrom his beardמִשֶּׁיְּלַקֵּטfrom when he plucksשַׂעֲרָהhairאַחַתsingleלוֹקֶהreceives lashesמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁעָדָהhe adorned himself withעֲדִיthe adornment ofאִשָּׁה.a womanוְכֵןand likewiseאִםifצָבַעhe dyedשְׂעָרוֹhis hairשָׁחוֹרblackמִשֶּׁיִּצְבַּעfrom when he dyesשֵׂעָרhairלְבָנָהwhiteאַחַתsingleלוֹקֶה.receives lashesטֻמְטוּםa tumtumוְאַנְדְּרוֹגִינוּסand an androgynusאֵינוֹshall notעוֹטֵףwrapכְּאִשָּׁהlike a womanוְלֹאand notמְגַלֵּחַcutרֹאשׁוֹhis headכְּאִישׁlike a manוְאִםand ifעָשָׂהhe didכֵּןsoאֵינוֹhe does notלוֹקֶה:receive lashes
This halacha details the Torah prohibition against cross-dressing and adopting the grooming habits of the opposite gender, including a man plucking white hairs from his beard.
הל׳ יא
אִסּוּר כְּתֹבֶת קַעֲקַע וּפְרָטָיוHalacha 11 · The Prohibition of Tattooing and Its Specific Requirements
כְּתֹבֶתThe writing ofקַעֲקַעtattooingהָאֲמוּרָהwhich is spoken ofבַּתּוֹרָהin the Torahהוּאitשֶׁיִּשְׂרֹטis that he scratchesעַלuponבְּשָׂרוֹhis fleshוִימַלֵּאand fillsמְקוֹםthe place ofהַשְּׂרִיטָהthe scratchכָּחלwith eye-paintאוֹorדְּיוֹinkאוֹorשְׁאָרotherצִבְעוֹנִיםdyesהָרוֹשְׁמִים.that leave a markוְזֶהand thisהָיָהwasמִנְהַגthe custom ofהָעַכּוּ"םthe idolatersשֶׁרוֹשְׁמִיןwho would markעַצְמָןthemselvesלַעֲבוֹדַתfor the service ofכּוֹכָבִיםidolsכְּלוֹמַרas if to sayשֶׁהוּאthat he isעֶבֶדa servantמָכוּרsoldלָהּto itוּמֻרְשָׁםand markedלַעֲבוֹדָתָהּ.for its serviceוּמֵעֵתand from the timeשֶׁיִּרְשֹׁםthat he marksבְּאֶחָדwith oneמִדְּבָרִיםof the thingsהָרוֹשְׁמִיןthat leave a markאַחַרafterשֶׁיִּשְׂרֹטhe scratchesבְּאֵיin anyזֶה·מָקוֹםplaceמִןofהַגּוּףthe bodyבֵּיןwhetherאִישׁa manבֵּיןorאִשָּׁהa womanלוֹקֶה.he receives lashesכָּתַבIf he wroteוְלֹאand did notרָשַׁםmarkבְּצֶבַעwith dyeאוֹorשֶׁרָשַׁםif he markedבְּצֶבַעwith dyeוְלֹאand did notכָּתַבwriteבִּשְׂרִיטָהwith a scratchפָּטוּרhe is exemptעַדuntilשֶׁיִּכְתֹּבhe writesוִיקַעֲקֵעַand tattoosשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidויקראVayikraיט19כח28"וּכְתֹבֶתand a writing ofקַעֲקַע".tattooבַּמֶּהIn whatדְּבָרִיםwordsאֲמוּרִיםare saidבְּכוֹתֵבregarding the writerאֲבָלbutזֶהthis oneשֶׁכָּתְבוּwhom they wroteבִּבְשָׂרוֹin his fleshוְקִעְקְעוּand tattooedבּוֹon himאֵינוֹis notחַיָּבliableאֶלָּאunlessאִם·כֵּן·סִיֵּעַhe assistedכְּדֵיsoשֶׁיַּעֲשֶׂהthat he didמַעֲשֶׂה.an actionאֲבָלbutאִםifלֹאnotעָשָׂהhe didכְּלוּםanythingאֵינוֹhe does notלוֹקֶה:receive lashes
This halacha defines the biblical prohibition of tattooing, which requires both scratching the skin and filling it with dye, and explains who is liable for lashes.
הל׳ יב
אִסּוּר שְׂרִיטָה עַל הַמֵּתHalacha 12 · The Prohibition of Gouging the Flesh for the Dead
הַשּׂוֹרֵטOne who gougesשְׂרִיטָהa gougeאַחַתsingleעַלforהַמֵּתthe deadלוֹקֶהis lashedשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidויקראLeviticusיט19כח28"וְשֶׂרֶטand a gougeלָנֶפֶשׁfor a soulלֹאdo notתִתְּנוּplaceבִּבְשַׂרְכֶם".in your fleshאֶחָדWhetherכֹּהֵןa Kohenוְאֶחָדor whetherיִשְׂרָאֵל.an IsraeliteשָׂרַטIf he gougedשְׂרִיטָהa gougeאַחַתsingleעַלforחָמֵשׁfiveמֵתִיםdead peopleאוֹorחָמֵשׁfiveשְׂרִיטוֹתgougesעַלforמֵתdead personאֶחָדoneלוֹקֶהhe is lashedחָמֵשׁ.fiveוְהוּאand this isשֶׁהִתְרוּthat they warnedבּוֹhimעַלforכָּלeachאַחַתoneוְאַחַת:and one
This halacha details the prohibition against gouging one's flesh in grief for the deceased and the liability for multiple lashes based on the number of dead or the number of gouges.
הל׳ יג
אִסּוּר גְּדִידָה וּשְׂרִיטָה עַל מֵת וְלַעֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִיםHalacha 13 · The Prohibition of Gashing and Gouging for the Dead and for Idolatry
גְּדִידָהGashingוּשְׂרִיטָהand gougingאַחַתoneהִיא.they areוּכְשֵׁםand just asשֶׁהָיוּthat wereהָעַכּוּ"םthe idolatersשׂוֹרְטִיםgougingבִּבְשָׂרָםin their fleshעַלoverמֵתֵיהֶםtheir deadמִפְּנֵיbecause ofהַצַּעַרthe griefכָּךְsoהָיוּthey wouldחוֹבְלִיןwoundבְּעַצְמָםthemselvesלַעֲבוֹדַתfor worship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidמלכיםMelachimאIיח18כח28"וַיִּתְגֹּדְדוּ"and they gashed themselvesכְּמִשְׁפָּטָם".according to their custom"גַּםalsoזֶהthisאָסְרָהforbadeתּוֹרָהthe Torahשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimיד14א1"לֹא"do notתִתְגֹּדְדוּ".gash yourselves"אֶלָּאexceptשֶׁעַלthat overמֵתa dead personבֵּיןwhetherשָׂרַטhe gougedבְּיָדוֹwith his handבֵּיןor whetherשָׂרַטhe gougedבִּכְלִיwith an instrumentלוֹקֶה.he receives lashesלַעֲבוֹדַתfor worship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsבִּכְלִיwith an instrumentחַיָּבhe is liable forמַלְקוֹתlashesבְּיָדוֹwith his handפָּטוּר:he is exempt
This halacha explains that gashing and gouging are a single prohibition, forbidden both as a mourning practice and as an idolatrous rite, with differing liabilities depending on whether an instrument was used.
הל׳ יד
אִסּוּר עֲשִׂיַּת אֲגֻדּוֹת אֲגֻדּוֹת בְּבָתֵּי דִּינִיןHalacha 14 · The Prohibition Against Forming Separate Factions and Courts in One City
וּבִכְלַלAnd in the categoryאַזְהָרָהof prohibitionזֶהthisשֶׁלֹּאis that notיִהְיוּthere shall beשְׁנֵיtwoבָּתֵּיcourtsדִּינִיןof lawבְּעִירin a cityאַחַתoneזֶהthis oneנוֹהֵגbehavingכְּמִנְהָגaccording to the customזֶהof this oneוְזֶהand this oneנוֹהֵגbehavingכְּמִנְהָגaccording to the customאַחֵר.of anotherשֶׁדָּבָרfor thingזֶהthisגּוֹרֵםcausesלְמַחֲלוֹקוֹתto disputesגְּדוֹלוֹתgreatשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimיד14א1"לֹא"Do notתִתְגֹּדְדוּ"gash yourselves"לֹאdo notתֵּעָשׂוּbecomeאֲגֻדּוֹתgroupsאֲגֻדּוֹת:groups
The Rambam explains that the prohibition of gashing oneself also includes a prohibition against dividing into separate halachic factions within a single city.
הל׳ טו
אִסּוּר קָרְחָה עַל הַמֵּת וְשִׁעוּרָהּHalacha 15 · The Prohibition of Making a Bald Spot for the Dead and Its Measure
הַקֹּרֵחַOne who makes a bald spotקָרְחָהa bald spotעַלforהַמֵּתthe deadלוֹקֶהis lashedשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimיד14א1"וְלֹא"and notתָשִׂימוּshall you placeקָרְחָהa bald spotבֵּיןbetweenעֵינֵיכֶםyour eyesלָמֵת".for the dead"אֶחָדwhetherיִשְׂרָאֵלan Israeliteוְאֶחָדorכֹּהֵןa priestשֶׁשָּׂרַטwho made a bald spotעַלforהַמֵּתthe deadאֵינוֹhe does notלוֹקֶהreceive lashesאֶלָּאexceptאַחַת.onceהַקֹּרֵחַOne who makes a bald spotאַרְבַּעfourאוֹorחָמֵשׁfiveקָרְחוֹתbald spotsעַלforמֵתdeadאֶחָדoneלוֹקֶהis lashedכְּמִנְיַןaccording to the number ofהַקָּרְחוֹתthe bald spotsוְהוּאand this isשֶׁהִתְרוּprovided they warnedבּוֹhimעַלforכָּלeveryקָרְחָהbald spotוְקָרְחָה.and bald spotאֶחָדIt is the sameהַקֹּרֵחַone who makes a bald spotבְּיָדוֹwith his handאוֹorבְּסַםwith a potionאוֹorהִטְבִּילif he dippedאֶצְבְּעוֹתָיוhis fingersבְּסַםin a potionוְהִנִּיחָםand placed themבַּחֲמִשָּׁהon fiveמְקוֹמוֹתplacesבְּרֹאשׁוֹon his headבְּבַתat timeאַחַתoneהוֹאִילsinceוְקָרַחhe made a bald spotחָמֵשׁfiveקָרְחוֹתbald spotsאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהִיאit isהַתְרָאָהwarningאַחַתoneלוֹקֶהhe is lashedחָמֵשׁfiveשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdכֻּלָּןall of themבָּאִיןcomeכְּאַחַת.as oneוְחַיָּבAnd he is liableעַלforכָּלall ofהָרֹאשׁthe headכְּבֵיןjust as betweenהָעֵינַיִםthe eyesשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidויקראVayikraכא21ה5"לֹא"notיִקְרְחוּshall they make baldקָרְחָהa bald spotבְּרֹאשָׁם".on their head"וְכַמָּהAnd how muchשִׁעוּרis the measure ofהַקָּרְחָהthe bald spotכְּדֵיenoughשֶׁיֵּרָאֶהthat there will be seenמֵרֹאשׁוֹfrom his headכִּגְרִיסlike a grisפָּנוּיclearבְּלִיwithoutשֵׂעָר:hair
This halacha defines the prohibition against tearing out hair to create a bald spot in mourning for the deceased, detailing the lashes incurred for multiple spots and the minimum size of the baldness.
הל׳ טז
דִּינֵי קָרְחָה שְׂרִיטָה וּכְתֹבֶת קַעֲקַע בְּסִיּוּעַ חֲבֵרוֹHalacha 16 · Laws of Bald Spots Gashes and Tattoos with a Colleague's Assistance
הַקֹּרֵחַOne who makes a bald spotרֹאשׁוֹon his headאוֹorהַשּׂוֹרֵטone who gashesבִּבְשָׂרוֹin his fleshעַלoverבֵּיתוֹhis houseשֶׁנָּפַלthat fellוְעַלor overסְפִינָתוֹhis shipשֶׁנִּטְבְּעָהthat sankבַּיָּםin the seaפָּטוּרis exemptוְאֵינוֹand is notלוֹקֶהlashedאֶלָּאexceptעַלoverהַמֵּתthe deceasedבִּלְבַדonlyאוֹorהַשּׂוֹרֵטone who gashesלַעֲבוֹדַתfor worship ofכּוֹכָבִים.starsהַקֹּרֵחַOne who makes a bald spotקָרְחָהa bald spotבְּרֹאשׁוֹon the headשֶׁלofחֲבֵרוֹhis colleagueוְהַשּׂוֹרֵטand one who gashesשְׂרִיטָהa gashבִּבְשַׂרin the flesh ofחֲבֵרוֹhis colleagueוְהַכּוֹתֵבand one who writesכְּתֹבֶתa writingקַעֲקַעtattooedבִּבְשָׂרוֹin the fleshשֶׁלofחֲבֵרוֹhis colleagueוְהָיָהand wasחֲבֵרוֹhis colleagueמְסַיֵּעַ.assistingבִּזְמַןat a timeשֶּׁשְּׁנֵיהֶןthat both of themמְזִידִיןare intentionalשְׁנֵיהֶןboth of themלוֹקִין.are lashedאֶחָדoneשׁוֹגֵגunintentionalוְאֶחָדand oneמֵזִידintentionalהַמֵּזִידthe intentional oneמִשְּׁנֵיהֶםof both of themלוֹקֶהis lashedוְהַשּׁוֹגֵגand the unintentional oneפָּטוּר:is exempt
This halacha details the exemptions for self-inflicted wounds not done for the dead or idolatry, and the liability when two people participate in these forbidden acts.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
The chapter begins by defining the prohibition of shaving the corners of the head (pe'os ha-rosh), explaining that there are two corners and that both the one who shaves and, under certain conditions, the one who is shaven can be liable. The Rambam clarifies that women are exempt from this prohibition because they do not have beards, while slaves, who do have beards, remain obligated. This leads into a broader discussion of the mitzvos from which women are exempt, including time-bound positive commandments, and the status of a tumtum and an androgynous who must follow the stringencies of both men and women. Finally, the halachos address the prohibition of destroying the corners of the beard (pe'os ha-zakan) with a razor, the prohibition against tattooing (kesoves ka'aka), and the prohibitions against making gashes in one's flesh or tearing out hair in grief over the deceased.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
The Torah warns us against shaving the corners of our head and beard, or tattooing our skin, because these were the ways of the idolaters who marked their bodies to show they were 'sold' as servants to their false gods. Hashem wants us to know that a Yid's body is not a blank canvas for the trends of the world; it is a holy vessel, a sanctuary for the neshama. When we guard the boundaries of our appearance, we are declaring that we belong to Hashem alone.
This is also why the Torah commands 'lo tisgodedu', not to cut ourselves in grief, which Chazal teach also means we must not split into opposing factions, 'agudos agudos.' Just as we must not damage the physical vessel of our own body, we must not tear apart the collective body of the Jewish people through division and machlokes. Our external boundaries and our internal unity both stem from the same truth: we are one holy nation, dedicated to one Creator.
Today, pay attention to how you carry yourself in the physical world. Before you adopt a style, a look, or a harsh way of speaking to another Yid, remember who you belong to. Take one small, conscious action to show respect for your body or to bring peace between people, showing that you are a proud servant of the King.