Mitzvah —
151
Not to have sexual relations with your father's brother's wife
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עֶרְוַ֥ת אֲחִֽי־אָבִ֖יךָ לֹ֣א תְגַלֵּ֑ה אֶל־אִשְׁתּוֹ֙ לֹ֣א תִקְרָ֔ב דֹּדָֽתְךָ֖ הִֽוא׃ - פָּרָשַׁת אַחֲרֵי מוֹת
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Leviticus 18:14 - "You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father's brother you shall not come near his wife; she is your aunt."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Family – מִשְׁפָּחָה
Forbidden to have sexual relations with one’s uncle’s wife (aunt by marriage).
This mitzvah prohibits sexual relations with one’s father’s brother’s wife. Even though she is not a blood relative, the Torah considers her one’s aunt, and intimacy with her is forbidden. This law underscores the Torah’s protection of both blood and marital family boundaries, maintaining respect and sanctity in extended family relationships.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Issurei Bi’ah 2:10): States clearly that both paternal and maternal uncles’ wives are prohibited, as they are regarded as aunts.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 200): The root is to preserve family honor and prevent destructive breaches of holiness within extended kinship.
- Talmud (Sanhedrin 76a): Explains that the Torah prohibits relations with aunts by marriage as strongly as with blood relatives.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
