Negative Commandment 256 (Digest)
Mistreating Widows and Orphans
"You shall not afflict any widow or orphan"—Exodus 22:21.
We are forbidden to distress a widow or young orphan. We may not upset these downtrodden individuals through harsh words or actions. Instead we are to interact with them gently and with empathy for their plight. Indeed, the Torah assures us that G‑d listens to the cry of the widow and orphan, and metes out severe punishments to those who torment them.
Unabridged English Text of this Mitzvah »
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> The 256th prohibition is that we are forbidden from mistreating;) orphans;) and widows.
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> The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement (exalted be He),;) "Do not mistreat a widow or an orphan."
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> This prohibition includes treating them harshly by one's words or actions. Rather, one should speak with them with very soft and pleasant words; do business with them in the best possible manner; treat them in the nicest way — and to do so to the extreme. One who is not careful to act in this manner has transgressed this prohibition.
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> The Al‑mighty (exalted be He) already explained and guaranteed;) the punishment for one who transgresses this prohibition, in His statement (exalted be He),;) "I will display My anger and kill you."
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> Footnotes
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> Kapach writes that the Arabic word, "galta" indicates behavior which is coarse, cruel and harsh.
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> One who has lost either parent, until being self-sufficient without having to rely on adult assistance (Hilchos De'os 6:10)
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> Exodus 22:21.
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> See Kapach, note 98, that this word was removed from his previous translation.
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> Exodus 22:23.
Negative Commandment 301 (Digest)
Gossiping
"You shall not go around as a tale-bearer among your people"—Leviticus 19:16.
It is forbidden to relay information about one individual to another—even if the information is one hundred percent true, and even if there is nothing objectionable about the actions that you are reporting.
The prohibition is understandably exacerbated if one libels another.
Unabridged English Text of this Mitzvah »
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> The 301st prohibition is that we are forbidden from gossiping.
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> The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement (exalted be He),;) "Do not go around as a gossiper among your people."
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> Our Sages;) explained, "Do not speak softly to one and harshly to another. Another explanation: Do not act like a traveling salesman by traveling around carrying words.";)
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> This prohibition includes;) not to publicize a shem ra.;)
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> Lev.19:16.
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> Sifra.
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> The Hebrew word for gossiper is "rachil." The first explanation of the Sifra finds an allusion to the word "rach", meaning "soft." In the context of the previous verse, which speaks of how a judge should treat his litigants, this means not to speak softly to one and harshly to another. The second explanation is based on the word, "rocheil," which means a traveling salesman.
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> Ketuvot 46a..
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> Literally, "bad name." "Motzi shem ra" refers to false gossip. "Lashon ha'ra" (literally, "evil tongue") refers to gossip which is true, but negative. "R'chilus" (translated here as "gossiping") refers to any gossip. See Hilchos De'os 7:2.
Negative Commandment 304 (Digest)
Revenge
"You shall not take revenge"—Leviticus 19:18.
We are forbidden to avenge one bad deed with another. A typical example of the revenge that the Torah prohibits: David asks Isaac to lend him his scythe, and Isaac refuses. Next day, Isaac needs an axe, and asks David whether he can borrow his. "I will not lend you my axe," David responds, "just as you didn't lend me your scythe..."
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> The 304th prohibition is that we are forbidden from taking revenge upon each other.
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> This would be, for example if one person did something [against another]; and the other person doesn't stop pursuing him until he pays him back in the same way, or causes him the same pain which he caused. G‑d has prohibited this, in His statement,;) "Do not take revenge."
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> In the words of the Sifra, "How far does the prohibition against taking revenge go? If a person requests, 'Lend me your sickle,' and the other won't lend it; and tomorrow [the latter] requests, 'Lend me your ax,' and he answers, 'I won't lend to you just as you didn't lend me your sickle.' In this case the Torah says,;) 'Do not take revenge.'"
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> From this example one can derive all other cases.
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> Lev.19:18.
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> Ibid.
Negative Commandment 305 (Digest)
Bearing a Grudge
"You shall not bear any grudge"—Leviticus 19:18.
We are not allowed to bear a grudge against another – even if we never act upon the grudge.
For example: David asks Isaac to lend him his scythe, and Isaac refuses. Next day, Isaac needs an axe, and asks David whether he can borrow his. "I will lend you my axe," David responds, "I am not like you who refused to lend me your scythe..."
Unabridged English Text of this Mitzvah »
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> The 305th prohibition is that we are forbidden from bearing a grudge, even if we don't take revenge. This means we remember the wrongdoing that the person did to us, and mention it to him.
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> The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement (exalted be He),;) "Do not take revenge nor bear a grudge."
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> In the words of the Sifra, "How far does the prohibition against bearing a grudge go? If a person requests, 'Lend me your sickle,' and the other won't lend it; and tomorrow [the latter] requests, 'Lend me your ax,' and he answers, 'Here it is — I'm not like you, who wouldn't lend me your sickle.' In this case the Torah says,;) 'Do not bear a grudge.'"
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> Ibid.
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> Ibid.