35

Not to derive benefit from it

The Luchos - Ten Commandments
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Idolatry – עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה

We are forbidden from gaining benefit or having in our possession anything from an ir ha'nidachas.

This mitzvah forbids taking or using anything from an ir hanidachat — a city destroyed for idolatry. Its possessions, animals, and goods are burned and rendered forbidden, ensuring no trace of idolatry enriches or benefits anyone. The command preserves the sanctity of Hashem’s Name by completely eradicating the city and its corruption.

Commentary & Classical Explanation:

  • Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 4:10): All property of the condemned city is forbidden for benefit; even a small remnant must not be taken.
  • Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 466): The root is to instill fear of idolatry and distance Israel from material gain connected with sin.
  • Talmud (Sanhedrin 111b): Teaches that deriving even minimal benefit from such a city is a transgression, for its destruction was a sanctification.
(Source: Chabad.org)
וְלֹֽא־יִדְבַּ֧ק בְּיָדְךָ֛ מְא֖וּמָה מִן־הַחֵ֑רֶם לְמַ֩עַן֩ יָשׁ֨וּב יְהֹוָ֜ה מֵחֲר֣וֹן אַפּ֗וֹ וְנָֽתַן־לְךָ֤ רַחֲמִים֙ וְרִֽחַמְךָ֣ וְהִרְבֶּ֔ךָ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר נִשְׁבַּ֖ע לַאֲבֹתֶֽיךָ׃ - פָּרָשַׁת רְאֵה
Deuteronomy 13:18 - "And nothing that is doomed to destruction shall cling to your hand, so that the L-rd may return from His fierce wrath, and grant you compassion, and be compassionate with you, and multiply you, as He swore to your forefathers."

This Mitzvah's Fundamentals

Idolatry - עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה

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Mitzvot that prohibit worship of false gods and practices associated with idol worship.

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Faith - אֱמוּנָה

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