Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
In this chapter, we learn the beautiful and essential halachos of showing proper kavod to a Torah sage, even if he is not one's own rebbe. Hashem commands us in the Torah to stand up before a zakein, which refers to a wise person who has acquired Torah wisdom. We will learn the specific guidelines of when and where this obligation applies, such as the requirement to stand when the sage comes within four cubits, and the places where standing is not appropriate.
We will also see how the Torah protects a person from financial loss, exempting craftsmen from standing while they are in the middle of their work. The chapter also guides the sages themselves on how to conduct themselves with deep humility, avoiding putting themselves in a position where they would trouble the tzibbur to stand up for them.
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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מִצְוַת הִדּוּר וַעֲמִידָה לִפְנֵי תַּלְמִיד חָכָםHalacha 1 · The Mitzvah to Respect and Stand Before a Torah Sage
כָּלEveryתַּלְמִידdiscipleחָכָםwiseמִצְוָהit is a mitzvahלְהַדְּרוֹto respect himוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁאֵינוֹthat he is notרַבּוֹhis teacherשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidויקראVayikraיט19לב32"מִפְּנֵי"Beforeשֵׂיבָהa hoary headתָּקוּםyou shall riseוְהָדַרְתָּand you shall respectפְּנֵיthe face ofזָקֵן".an elder"זָקֵןan elderזֶהthisשֶׁקָּנָהwho has acquiredחָכְמָה.wisdomוּמֵאֵימָתַיand from whenחַיָּבִיןis one obligatedלַעֲמֹדto standמִפָּנָיו.before himמִשֶּׁיִּקְרַבfrom when he approachesמִמֶּנּוּfrom himבְּאַרְבַּעwithin fourאַמּוֹתcubitsעַדuntilשֶׁיַּעֲבֹרthat he passesמִכְּנֶגֶדfrom beforeפָּנָיו:his face
This halacha establishes the obligation to show respect and stand up for any Torah scholar, even if he is not one's primary teacher, as soon as he comes within four cubits.
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פְּטוּר מִקִּימָה בְּבֵית הַמֶּרְחָץ וּבִשְׁעַת מְלָאכָהHalacha 2 · Exemption from Standing in Bathhouses and During Melacha
אֵיןWe do notעוֹמְדִיןstandמִפָּנָיוbefore himלֹאnotבְּבֵיתin a house ofהַמֶּרְחָץthe bathוְלֹאand notבְּבֵיתin a house ofהַכִּסֵּאthe toiletשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidויקראVayikraיט19לב32"תָּקוּם"You shall riseוְהָדַרְתָּ"and you shall respect"קִימָהa risingשֶׁיֵּשׁthat hasבָּהּin itהִדּוּר.respectוְאֵיןAnd are notבַּעֲלֵיmasters ofאֻמָּנֻיּוֹתcraftsחַיָּבִיןobligatedלַעֲמֹדto standמִפְּנֵיbeforeתַּלְמִידֵיdisciples ofחֲכָמִיםsagesבְּשָׁעָהat the timeשֶׁעוֹסְקִיןthat they are occupiedבִּמְלַאכְתָּןin their melachaשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidתָּקוּםYou shall riseוְהָדַרְתָּand you shall respectמַהjust asהִדּוּרrespectשֶׁאֵיןis that which does not haveבָּהּin itחֶסְרוֹןa loss ofכִּיסpocketאַףso tooקִימָהrisingשֶׁאֵיןis that which does not haveבָּהּin itחֶסְרוֹןa loss ofכִּיס.pocketוּמִנַּיִןAnd from whereשֶׁלֹּאthat notיַעֲצִיםshall he shutעֵינָיוhis eyesמִןfromהֶחָכָםthe sageכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִרְאֵהוּhe will see himעַדsoשֶׁלֹּאthat notיַעֲמֹדhe will standמִפָּנָיו.before himשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidוְיָרֵאתָand you shall fearמֵּאֱלֹהֶיךָ.your Godהָאbeholdכָּלanyדָּבָרmatterשֶׁהוּאthat isמָסוּרgiven overלַלֵּבto the heartנֶאֱמַרit is saidבּוֹconcerning itוְיָרֵאתָand you shall fearמֵּאֱלֹהֶיךָ:your God
This halacha teaches that standing in honor of a sage is only required in places of respect and when it does not cause financial loss, and forbids evading this mitzvah by closing one's eyes.
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מְנִיעַת הַטְרָחַת הַצִּבּוּר לַעֲמֹד מִפְּנֵי חָכָםHalacha 3 · A Sage Avoiding Troubling the Public to Stand for Him
אֵיןIt is notרָאוּיproperלֶחָכָםfor a sageשֶׁיַּטְרִיחַthat he troubleאֶת—הָעָםthe peopleוִיכַוֵּןand directעַצְמוֹhimselfלָהֶןto themכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיַּעַמְדוּthat they standמִפָּנָיוbefore himאֶלָּאratherיֵלֵךְhe should goבְּדֶרֶךְby a wayקְצָרָהshortוּמִתְכַּוֵּןand intendingשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִרְאוּthey seeאוֹתוֹhimכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notיַטְרִיחֵןhe trouble themלַעֲמֹד.to standוְהַחֲכָמִיםand the Sagesהָיוּwereמַקִּיפִיןgoing aroundוְהוֹלְכִיןand walkingבְּדֶרֶךְby the wayהַחִיצוֹנָהouterשֶׁאֵיןwhere notמַכִּירֵיהֶןthose who recognize themמְצוּיִיןare foundשָׁםthereכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notיַטְרִיחוּם:they trouble them
A Torah scholar must not intentionally make himself visible to the public in order to force them to stand up in his honor.
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דִּין הָרוֹכֵב כִּמְהַלֵּךְ לְעִנְיַן קִימָהHalacha 4 · One Who Rides is Considered Like One Who Walks Regarding Standing
רוֹכֵבOne who ridesהֲרֵיbeholdהוּאheכִּמְהַלֵּךְis like one who walksוּכְשֵׁםand just asשֶׁעוֹמְדִיםthat we standמִפְּנֵיbeforeהַמְהַלֵּךְone who walksכָּךְsoעוֹמְדִיןwe standמִפְּנֵיbeforeהָרוֹכֵב:one who rides
The Rambam rules that riding is halachically equivalent to walking, requiring one to stand up for a Torah scholar who is riding past.
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סֵדֶר הַהֲלִיכָה בַּדֶּרֶךְ לְרַב וְתַלְמִידָיוHalacha 5 · The Order of Walking on the Way for a Master and His Disciples
שְׁלֹשָׁהThreeשֶׁהָיוּwho wereהוֹלְכִיןwalkingבַּדֶּרֶךְ.on the wayהָרַבthe masterבָּאֶמְצַעin the middleגָּדוֹלthe greaterמִימִינוֹon his rightוְקָטָןand the lesserמִשְּׂמֹאלוֹ:on his left
This halacha outlines the respectful formation that disciples must maintain when walking on a journey with their Torah teacher.
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דִּינֵי עֲמִידָה מִפְּנֵי חָכָם, אַב בֵּית דִּין, וְנָשִׂיאHalacha 6 · Laws of Standing in Deference to a Sage, Av Beis Din, and Nasi
הָרוֹאֶהOne who seesחָכָםa sageאֵינוֹdoes notעוֹמֵדstandמִפָּנָיוbefore himעַדuntilשֶׁיַּגִּיעַhe reachesלוֹ·לְאַרְבַּעwithin fourאַמּוֹת.cubitsוְכֵיוָןand onceשֶׁעָבַרhe has passedיוֹשֵׁב.he sitsרָאָהIf he sawאַבthe AvבֵּיתBeisדִּיןDinעוֹמֵדhe standsמִלְּפָנָיוbefore himמִשֶּׁיִּרְאֶנּוּfrom when he sees himמֵרָחוֹקfrom afarמְלֹאthe fullness ofעֵינָיוhis eyesוְאֵינוֹand he does notיוֹשֵׁבsitעַדuntilשֶׁיַּעֲבֹרhe passesמֵאַחֲרָיוbehind himאַרְבַּעfourאַמּוֹת.cubitsרָאָהIf he sawאֶת—הַנָּשִׂיאthe Nasiעוֹמֵדhe standsמִלְּפָנָיוbefore himמְלֹאthe fullness ofעֵינָיוhis eyesוְאֵינוֹand he does notיוֹשֵׁבsitעַדuntilשֶׁיֵּשֵׁבhe sitsבִּמְקוֹמוֹin his placeאוֹorעַדuntilשֶׁיִּתְכַּסֶּהhe is hiddenמֵעֵינָיו.from his eyesוְהַנָּשִׂיאAnd the Nasiשֶׁמָּחַלwho forgaveעַל·כְּבוֹדוֹhis honorכְּבוֹדוֹhis honorמָחוּל.is forgivenכְּשֶׁהַנָּשִׂיאWhen the Nasiנִכְנָסentersכָּלallהָעָםthe peopleעוֹמְדִיםstandוְאֵינָןand they do notיוֹשְׁבִיןsitעַדuntilשֶׁיֹּאמַרhe saysלָהֶםto themשְׁבוּ.sitכְּשֶׁאָבWhen the AvבֵּיתBeisדִּיןDinנִכְנָסentersעוֹשִׂיןthey makeלוֹfor himשְׁתֵּיtwoשׁוּרוֹתrowsוְעוֹמְדִיןand they standמִכָּאןfrom hereוּמִכָּאןand from hereעַדuntilשֶׁנִּכְנָסhe entersוְיוֹשֵׁבand sitsבִּמְקוֹמוֹin his placeוּשְׁאָרand the rest ofהָעָםthe peopleיוֹשְׁבִיןsitבִּמְקוֹמָן:in their places
This halacha details the varying distances and protocols for standing in honor of a Torah sage, the head of the court, and the prince of the Sanhedrin.
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כָּבוֹד לְחָכָם בִּכְנִיסָתוֹ לְבֵית הַמִּדְרָשׁHalacha 7 · Showing Honor to a Sage Upon Entering the House of Study
חָכָםA sageשֶׁנִּכְנָסwho entersכָּלeveryoneשֶׁיַּגִּיעַthat he reachesלוֹto himבְּאַרְבַּעwithin fourאַמּוֹתcubitsעוֹמֵדstandsמִלְּפָנָיוbefore himאֶחָדoneעוֹמֵדstandsוְאֶחָדand oneיוֹשֵׁבsitsעַדuntilשֶׁנִּכְנָסhe entersוְיוֹשֵׁבand sitsבִּמְקוֹמוֹ.in his placeבְּנֵיThe sons ofחֲכָמִיםsagesוְתַלְמִידֵיand the disciples ofחֲכָמִיםsagesבִּזְמַןat a timeשֶׁהָרַבִּיםthat the publicצְרִיכִיןneedsלָהֶםthemמְקַפְּצִיןmay leapעַלoverרָאשֵׁיthe heads ofהָעָםthe peopleוְנִכְנָסִיםand enterלִמְקוֹמָם.to their placeוְאֵיןAnd it is notשֶׁבַחpraiseworthyלְתַלְמִידֵיfor disciples ofחֲכָמִיםsagesשֶׁיִּכָּנְסוּthat they should enterלָאַחֲרוֹנָה.lastיָצָאIf one went outלְצֹרֶךְfor a needחוֹזֵרhe may returnלִמְקוֹמוֹ.to his placeבְּנֵיThe sons ofחֲכָמִיםsagesבִּזְמַןat a timeשֶׁיֵּשׁthat there isבָּהֶןin themדַּעַתunderstandingלִשְׁמֹעַto listenהוֹפְכִיןturnפְּנֵיהֶןtheir facesכְּלַפֵּיtowardאֲבִיהֶן.their fatherאֵיןIf there is notבָּהֶןin themדַּעַתunderstandingלִשְׁמֹעַto listenהוֹפְכִיןthey turnפְּנֵיהֶןtheir facesכְּלַפֵּיtowardהָעָם:the people
This halacha details the protocol for standing when a sage enters, the rules for entering late, and where the children of sages should sit.
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כְּבוֹד רַבּוֹ הַקָּבוּעַ וּכְבוֹד שָׁמַיִםHalacha 8 · Limiting the Standing for a Constant Teacher to Avoid Exceeding the Honor of Heaven
תַּלְמִידA studentשֶׁהוּאwhoיוֹשֵׁבsitsלִפְנֵיbeforeרַבּוֹhis teacherתָּמִידconstantlyאֵינוֹis notרַשַּׁאיpermittedלַעֲמֹדto standמִפָּנָיוbefore himאֶלָּאexceptשַׁחֲרִיתmorningוְעַרְבִיתand eveningבִּלְבַדonlyשֶׁלֹּאso that notיְהֵאshould beכְּבוֹדוֹhis honorמְרֻבֶּהgreaterמִכְּבוֹדthan the honor ofשָׁמַיִם:Heaven
A student who studies constantly before his teacher may only stand for him twice a day so that his honor does not exceed that of Heaven.
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הַחוֹבָה לַעֲמֹד וּלְכַבֵּד זָקֵן מֻפְלָג וְזָקֵן כּוּתִיHalacha 9 · The Obligation to Stand and Show Respect for an Extremely Elderly Person and an Elderly Gentile
מִיOneשֶׁהוּאwho isזָקֵןan elderמֻפְלָגexceedinglyבְּזִקְנָהadvanced in ageאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁאֵינוֹhe is notחָכָםa sageעוֹמְדִיןwe standלְפָנָיו.before himוַאֲפִלּוּand evenהֶחָכָםthe sageשֶׁהוּאwho isיֶלֶדyoungעוֹמֵדstandsבִּפְנֵיbeforeהַזָּקֵןthe elderהַמֻּפְלָגexceedinglyבְּזִקְנָה.advanced in ageוְאֵינוֹbut he is notחַיָּבobligatedלַעֲמֹדto standמְלֹאhis fullקוֹמָתוֹheightאֶלָּאratherכְּדֵיenoughלְהַדְּרוֹ.to honor himוַאֲפִלּוּand evenזָקֵןan elderכּוּתִיgentileמְהַדְּרִיןwe honorאוֹתוֹhimבִּדְבָרִיםwith wordsוְנוֹתְנִיןand we giveלוֹto himיָדa handלְסָמְכוֹto support himשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidויקראLeviticusיט19לב32"מִפְּנֵיBeforeשֵׂיבָהa white-haired personתָּקוּם"you shall riseכָּלanyשֵׂיבָהwhite-haired personבְּמַשְׁמָע:is implied
This halacha details the requirement to show physical and verbal respect to any elderly person, regardless of their Torah scholarship or non-Jewish status.
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פְּטוּר תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים מִמִּסִּים וּמִלְחָמוֹת וּכְבוֹדָם בַּשּׁוּק וּבַדִּיןHalacha 10 · Exemption of Torah Sages from Taxes and Communal Labor and Their Priority in Commerce and Court
תַּלְמִידֵיDisciples ofחֲכָמִיםSagesאֵינָםare notיוֹצְאִיןto go outבְּעַצְמָןthemselvesלַעֲשׂוֹתto performעִםwithכָּלallהַקָּהָלthe communityבְּבִנְיָןin buildingוַחֲפִירָהand diggingשֶׁלofמְדִינָהthe cityוְכַיּוֹצֵאand the likeבָּהֶןof themכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִתְבַּזּוּthey be disgracedבִּפְנֵיin the presence ofעַמֵּיthe commonהָאָרֶץ.peopleוְאֵיןand notגּוֹבִיןdo they collectמֵהֶןfrom themלְבִנְיַןfor the building ofהַחוֹמָהthe wallוְתִקּוּןand the repair ofהַשְּׁעָרִיםthe gatesוּשְׂכַרand the wages ofהַשּׁוֹמְרִיםthe watchmenוְכַיּוֹצֵאand the likeבָּהֶןof themוְלֹאand notלִתְשׁוּרַתfor the gift ofהַמֶּלֶךְ.the kingוְאֵיןand notמְחַיְּבִיםdo they obligateאוֹתָןthemלִתֵּןto giveהַמַּסthe taxבֵּיןwhetherמַסa taxשֶׁהוּאwhich isקָצוּבfixedעַלuponבְּנֵיthe residents ofהָעִירthe cityבֵּיןwhetherמַסa taxשֶׁהוּאwhich isקָצוּבfixedעַלuponכָּלeveryאִישׁmanוָאִישׁand manשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidהושעHosheaח8י10"גַּם"Evenכִּיthoughיִתְנוּthey giveבַגּוֹיִםamong the nationsעַתָּהnowאֲקַבְּצֵםI will gather themוַיָּחֵלּוּand they shall beginמְּעָטa littleמִמַּשָּׂאfrom the burden ofמֶלֶךְkingוְשָׂרִים".and officers"וְכֵןand likewiseאִםifהָיְתָהthere wasסְחוֹרָהmerchandiseלְתַלְמִידto a disciple ofחָכָםa Sageמְנִיחִיםthey allowאוֹתוֹhimלִמְכֹּרto sellתְּחִלָּהfirstוְאֵיןand notמְנִיחִיםdo they allowאֶחָדanyoneמִבְּנֵיfrom the people ofהַשּׁוּקthe marketלִמְכֹּרto sellעַדuntilשֶׁיִּמְכֹּרthat sellsהוּא.heוְכֵןand likewiseאִםifהָיָהthere wasלוֹto himדִּיןa lawsuitוְהָיָהand he wasעוֹמֵדstandingבִּכְלַלamongבַּעֲלֵיthe litigantsדִּינִיםmanyהַרְבֵּהthey bring forwardמַקְדִּימִיןhimאוֹתוֹand they seatוּמוֹשִׁיבִיןhimאוֹתוֹ:—
This halacha outlines the special exemptions and privileges granted to Torah scholars to preserve their dignity and honor.
הל׳ יא
הָאִסּוּר לְבַזּוֹת תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים וְעָנְשׁוֹHalacha 11 · The Severe Prohibition of Disgracing Torah Sages and Its Consequences
עָוֹןA sinגָּדוֹלgreatהוּאitלְבַזּוֹתto disgraceאֶת—הַחֲכָמִיםthe sagesאוֹorלִשְׂנוֹאתָן.to hate themלֹאNotחָרְבָהwas destroyedיְרוּשָׁלַיִםYerushalayimעַדuntilשֶׁבִּזּוּthat they disgracedבָּהּin herתַּלְמִידֵיdisciples ofחֲכָמִיםsagesשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריDivreiהימיםHaYamimבIIלו36טז16"וַיִּהְיוּAnd they wereמַלְעִבִיםmockingבְּמַלְאֲכֵיthe messengers ofהָאֱלֹהִיםGodוּבוֹזִיםand despisingדְּבָרָיוHis wordsוּמִתַּעְתְּעִיםand scoffingבִּנְבִאָיו".at His prophetsכְּלוֹמַרmeaning to sayבּוֹזִיםdespisingמְלַמְּדֵיthe teachers ofדְּבָרָיו.His wordsוְכֵןAnd likewiseזֶהthisשֶׁאָמְרָהwhich saidתּוֹרָהthe TorahויקראVayikraכו26טו15"אִםIfבְּחֻקֹּתַיMy statutesתִּמְאָסוּ",you despiseמְלַמְּדֵיthe teachers ofחֻקּוֹתַיMy statutesתִּמְאֲסוּ.you despiseוְכָלAnd anyoneהַמְבַזֶּהwho disgracesאֶת—הַחֲכָמִיםthe sagesאֵיןhas noלוֹto himחֵלֶקportionלָעוֹלָםin the worldהַבָּאto comeוַהֲרֵיand beholdהוּאheבִּכְלַלis in the category ofבמדברBamidbarטו15לא31"כִּיForדְבַרthe word ofה'Hashemבָּזָה":he despised
This halacha emphasizes the gravity of disrespecting Torah scholars, equating it with despising the word of Hashem and warning that it forfeits one's portion in the World to Come.
הל׳ יב
עֹנֶשׁ הַמְבַזֶּה תַּלְמִיד חָכָם וְדִין נִדּוּי לִכְבוֹדוֹHalacha 12 · The Punishment for Disgracing a Torah Sage and the Laws of Ostracism for His Honor
אַףEvenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהַמְבַזֶּהone who disgracesאֶת—הַחֲכָמִיםTorah sagesאֵיןhas noלוֹfor himחֵלֶקportionלָעוֹלָםin the worldהַבָּא,to comeאִםifבָּאוּcameעֵדִיםwitnessesשֶׁבִּזָּהוּthat he disgraced himאֲפִלּוּevenבִּדְבָרִיםwith wordsחַיָּבhe is obligatedנִדּוּי,ostracismוּמְנַדִּיןand they place under banאוֹתוֹhimבֵּיתthe courtדִּין·בָּרַבִּיםin publicוְקוֹנְסִיןand they fineאוֹתוֹhimלִיטְרָאa litraזָהָבof goldבְּכָלin everyמָקוֹםplaceוְנוֹתְנִיןand they giveאוֹתָהּitלֶחָכָם.to the sageוְהַמְבַזֶּהAnd one who disgracesאֶת—הֶחָכָםthe sageבִּדְבָרִיםwith wordsאֲפִלּוּevenלְאַחַרafterמִיתָהdeathמְנַדִּיןthey place under banאוֹתוֹhimבֵּיתthe courtדִּין·וְהֵםand theyמַתִּירִיםreleaseאוֹתוֹhimכְּשֶׁיַּחֲזֹרwhen he returnsבִּתְשׁוּבָה.in repentanceאֲבָלButאִםifהָיָהwasהֶחָכָםthe sageחַיaliveאֵיןthey do notמַתִּירִיןreleaseאוֹתוֹhimעַדuntilשֶׁיְּרַצֶּהhe appeasesזֶהthis oneשֶׁנִּדּוּהוּwhom they bannedבִּשְׁבִילוֹ.for his sakeוְכֵןAnd soהֶחָכָםthe sageעַצְמוֹhimselfמְנַדֶּהplaces under banלִכְבוֹדוֹfor his honorלְעַם·הָאָרֶץan ignoramusשֶׁהִפְקִירwho acted outrageouslyבּוֹagainst himוְאֵיןand there is noצָרִיךְneedלֹאnotעֵדִיםfor witnessesוְלֹאand notהַתְרָאָה.warningוְאֵיןand they do notמַתִּירִיןreleaseלוֹfor himעַדuntilשֶׁיְּרַצֶּהhe appeasesאֶת—הֶחָכָם.the sageוְאִםAnd ifמֵתdiedהֶחָכָםthe sageבָּאִיןcomeשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeוּמַתִּירִיןand they releaseלוֹ.for himוְאִםAnd ifרָצָהwishedהֶחָכָםthe sageלִמְחלto forgiveלוֹhimוְלֹאand did notנִדָּהוּban himהָרְשׁוּתthe permissionבְּיָדוֹ:is in his hand
This halacha details the severe consequences, including ostracism and monetary fines, for shaming a Torah scholar, and outlines how such a ban is lifted.
הל׳ יג
דִּין נִדּוּי שֶׁל רַב וְתַלְמִיד וְנָשִׂיא וְעִירHalacha 13 · The Laws of a Ban Issued by a Teacher, Student, Nasi, or City
הָרַבThe teacherשֶׁנִּדָּהwho bannedלִכְבוֹדוֹfor his honorכָּלall ofתַּלְמִידָיוhis studentsחַיָּבִיןare obligatedלִנְהֹגto practiceנִדּוּיbanבַּמְנֻדֶּה.with the banned personאֲבָלbutתַּלְמִידa studentשֶׁנִּדָּהwho bannedלִכְבוֹדfor the honor ofעַצְמוֹhimselfאֵיןis notהָרַבthe teacherחַיָּבobligatedלִנְהֹגto practiceבּוֹwith himנִדּוּי.banאֲבָלbutכָּלall ofהָעָםthe peopleחַיָּבִיןare obligatedלִנְהֹגto practiceבּוֹwith himנִדּוּי.banוְכֵןand so tooמְנֻדֶּהone bannedלְנָשִׂיאto a Nasiמְנֻדֶּהis bannedלְכָלto all ofיִשְׂרָאֵל.Yisraelמְנֻדֶּהone bannedלְכָלto all ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelאֵינוֹis notמְנֻדֶּהbannedלַנָּשִׂיא.to the Nasiמְנֻדֶּהone bannedלְעִירוֹto his cityמְנֻדֶּהis bannedלְעִירto a cityאַחֶרֶת.anotherמְנֻדֶּהone bannedלְעִירto a cityאַחֶרֶתanotherאֵינוֹis notמְנֻדֶּהbannedלְעִירוֹ:to his city
This halacha delineates the hierarchy of authority regarding who must respect a ban of ostracism issued by a teacher, a student, a Nasi, or a city.
הל׳ יד
עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבָּעָה דְּבָרִים שֶׁמְּנַדִּין עֲלֵיהֶם אֶת הָאָדָםHalacha 14 · The Twenty-Four Transgressions for Which a Person is Placed Under a Ban of Ostracism
בַּמֶּהIn whatדְּבָרִיםwordsאֲמוּרִיםare saidבְּמִיregarding oneשֶׁנִּדּוּהוּwhom they bannedעַלforשֶׁבִּזָּהdisgracingתַּלְמִידֵיdisciples ofחֲכָמִים.sagesאֲבָלbutמִיoneשֶׁנִּדּוּהוּwhom they bannedעַלforשְׁאָרotherדְּבָרִיםmattersשֶׁחַיָּבִיםthat are liableעֲלֵיהֶםupon themנִדּוּיbanishmentאֲפִלּוּevenנִדָּהוּif banned himקָטָןthe smallestשֶׁבְּיִשְׂרָאֵלin Israelחַיָּבis obligatedהַנָּשִׂיאthe Nasiוְכָלand allיִשְׂרָאֵלIsraelלִנְהֹגto behaveבּוֹtoward himנִדּוּיbanishmentעַדuntilשֶׁיַּחֲזֹרhe returnsבִּתְשׁוּבָהin repentanceמִדָּבָרfrom the matterשֶׁנִּדּוּהוּthat they banned himבִּשְׁבִילוֹfor its sakeוְיַתִּירוּand they releaseלוֹ.himעַלForעֶשְׂרִיםtwentyוְאַרְבָּעָהand fourדְּבָרִיםmattersמְנַדִּיןthey banאֶת—הָאָדָםa personבֵּיןwhetherאִישׁa manבֵּיןorאִשָּׁה.a womanוְאֵלּוּand theseהֵן:they areא1הַמְבַזֶּהone who disgracesאֶת—הֶחָכָםthe sageוַאֲפִלּוּand evenלְאַחַרafterמוֹתוֹ.his deathב2הַמְבַזֶּהone who disgracesשְׁלִיחַa messenger ofבֵּיתhouse ofדִּין.lawג3הַקּוֹרֵאone who callsלַחֲבֵרוֹhis fellowעֶבֶד.a slaveד4מִיoneשֶׁשָּׁלְחוּwhom they sentלוֹto himבֵּיתhouse ofדִּיןlawוְקָבְעוּand they setלוֹfor himזְמַןa timeוְלֹאand notבָּא.he cameה5הַמְזַלְזֵלone who treats with disrespectבְּדָבָר·אֶחָדoneמִדִּבְרֵיof the words ofסוֹפְרִיםSagesוְאֵיןand there is noצָרִיךְneedלוֹמַרto sayבְּדִבְרֵיregarding the words ofתּוֹרָה.Torahו6מִיoneשֶׁלֹּאwho did notקִבֵּלacceptעָלָיוupon himselfאֶת—הַדִּיןthe judgmentמְנַדִּיןthey banאוֹתוֹhimעַדuntilשֶׁיִּתֵּן.he givesז7מִיoneשֶׁיֵּשׁwho hasבִּרְשׁוּתוֹin his domainדָּבָרa thingהַמַּזִּיקthat damagesכְּגוֹןsuch asכֶּלֶבa dogרַעbadאוֹorסֻלָּםa ladderרָעוּעַricketyמְנַדִּיןthey banאוֹתוֹhimעַדuntilשֶׁיָּסִירhe removesהֶזֵּקוֹ.his damageח8הַמּוֹכֵרone who sellsקַרְקַעlandשֶׁלּוֹof hisלְעוֹבֵדto a worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsמְנַדִּיןthey banאוֹתוֹhimעַדuntilשֶׁיְּקַבֵּלhe acceptsעָלָיוupon himselfכָּלallאֹנֶסaccidental damageשֶׁיָּבוֹאthat will comeמִןfromהָעוֹבֵדthe worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsלְיִשְׂרָאֵלto Israelחֲבֵרוֹhis fellowבַּעַלthe owner ofהַמֵּצָר.the boundaryט9הַמֵּעִידone who testifiesעַלagainstיִשְׂרָאֵלan Israeliteבְּעַרְכָּאוֹתin courtsשֶׁלofעוֹבְדֵיworshipers ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוְהוֹצִיאand extractedמִמֶּנּוּfrom himבְּעֵדוּתוֹby his testimonyמָמוֹןmoneyשֶׁלֹּאthat is notכְּדִיןaccording to the law ofיִשְׂרָאֵל,Israelמְנַדִּיןthey banאוֹתוֹhimעַדuntilשֶׁיְּשַׁלֵּם.he paysי10טַבָּחa butcherכֹּהֵןwho is a Kohenשֶׁאֵינוֹwho does notמַפְרִישׁseparateהַמַּתָּנוֹתthe giftsוְנוֹתְנָןand gives themלְכֹהֵןto a Kohenאַחֵרanotherמְנַדִּיןthey banאוֹתוֹhimעַדuntilשֶׁיִּתֵּן.he givesיא11הַמְחַלֵּלone who desecratesיוֹםdayטוֹבgoodשֵׁנִיsecondשֶׁלofגָּלֻיּוֹתexilesאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהוּאthat itמִנְהָג.is a customיב12הָעוֹשֶׂהone who doesמְלָאכָהmelachaבְּעֶרֶבon the eve ofהַפֶּסַחPesachאַחַרafterחֲצוֹת.middayיג13הַמַּזְכִּירone who mentionsשֵׁםthe Name ofשָׁמַיִםHeavenלְבַטָּלָהin vainאוֹorלִשְׁבוּעָהfor an oathבְּדִבְרֵיin words ofהֲבַאי.nonsenseיד14הַמֵּבִיאone who bringsאֶת—הָרַבִּיםthe manyלִידֵיtoחִלּוּלdesecration ofהַשֵּׁם.the Nameטו15הַמֵּבִיאone who bringsאֶת—הָרַבִּיםthe manyלִידֵיtoאֲכִילַתeating ofקָדָשִׁיםsacrificial foodsבַּחוּץ.outsideטז16הַמְחַשֵּׁבone who calculatesשָׁנִיםyearsוְקוֹבֵעַand establishesחֳדָשִׁיםmonthsבְּחוּצָהoutsideלָאָרֶץ.of the Landיז17הַמַּכִשִׁילone who causes to stumbleאֵת—הָעִוֵּר.the blindיח18הַמְעַכֵּבone who preventsהָרַבִּיםthe manyמִלַּעֲשׂוֹתfrom performingמִצְוָה.a mitzvahיט19טַבָּחa butcherשֶׁיָּצְאָהfrom whom went outטְרֵפָהnon-kosher meatמִתַּחַתfrom underיָדוֹ.his handכ20טַבָּחa butcherשֶׁלֹּאwho did notבָּדַקinspectסַכִּינוֹhis knifeלִפְנֵיbeforeחָכָם.a sageכא21הַמַּקְשֶׁהone who hardensעַצְמוֹhimselfלְדַעַת.intentionallyכב22מִיoneשֶׁגֵּרֵשׁwho divorcedאֶת—אִשְׁתּוֹhis wifeוְעָשָׂהand madeבֵּינוֹbetween himוּבֵינָהּand between herשֻׁתָּפוּתa partnershipאוֹorמַשָּׂאbusinessוּמַתָּןdealingsהַמְּבִיאִיןthat bringלָהֶןthemלְהִזָּקֵקto interactזֶהthis oneלָזֶהwith this oneכְּשֶׁיָּבוֹאוּwhen they comeלְבֵיתto the house ofדִּיןlawמְנַדִּיןthey banאוֹתָם.themכג23חָכָםa sageשֶׁשְּׁמוּעָתוֹwhose reputationרָעָה.is badכד24הַמְנַדֶּהone who bansמִיwhoeverשֶׁאֵינוֹis notחַיָּבliable toנִדּוּי:banishment
This halacha lists the twenty-four specific offenses for which the Sages authorize placing an individual under a ban of ostracism.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
The halachos in this chapter outline the practical application of honoring Torah scholars, establishing that one must stand when a sage approaches within four cubits, though this does not apply in places like a bathhouse or toilet. Craftsmen are exempt from standing while working so they do not suffer financial loss, but one is strictly forbidden to look away to avoid seeing a sage and escaping the obligation to stand. Finally, the Rambam teaches that a sage should actively avoid troubling the public to stand for him by taking side routes, that riding is treated the same as walking regarding these laws, and that when three travel together, the master must walk in the center with the greater student on his right.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
The Torah's laws of standing for a talmid chacham contain a profound secret about the inner life of a Jew. The Gemara asks: what if you see a sage coming from a distance, and you quickly close your eyes or look at your phone so you can pretend you didn't see him, thereby avoiding the effort of standing up? No one else on the street knows you saw him. But the Torah warns: "And you shall fear your God." Chazal teach that for any mitzvah that is "masur l'lev", dependent entirely on the secret thoughts of the heart, the Torah must remind us of yiras Shamayim.
This is the ultimate test of our avodah. It is easy to look like a yarei Shamayim on the outside, where everyone is watching. But the real measure of a Yid is what happens in those quiet, hidden moments that are "masur l'lev," where only you and Hashem know the truth. When we choose to look away from a spiritual obligation just because we can get away with it, we are forgetting that Hashem's presence fills the entire world and He sees our innermost thoughts.
Today, make a conscious effort to pass the "masur l'lev" test. When a quiet opportunity arises to do a mitzvah, show respect, or avoid a small transgression when absolutely nobody else is watching, do it purely for the honor of Hashem.