Mitzvah —
152
Not to have sexual relations with your son's wife
This page is incomplete.
Help complete the
Mitzvah Minute website.
Do a Mitzvah — Join us in building a living digital Beit Midrash — your partnership makes it possible.
-
עֶרְוַ֥ת כַּלָּֽתְךָ֖ לֹ֣א תְגַלֵּ֑ה אֵ֤שֶׁת בִּנְךָ֙ הִ֔וא לֹ֥א תְגַלֶּ֖ה עֶרְוָתָֽהּ׃ - פָּרָשַׁת אַחֲרֵי מוֹת
-
Leviticus 18:15 - "You shall not uncover the nakedness of your daughter in law; she is your son's wife you shall not uncover her nakedness."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Family – מִשְׁפָּחָה
Forbidden to have sexual relations with one’s daughter-in-law.
This mitzvah prohibits sexual relations with one’s son’s wife. The Torah stresses the sanctity of the marital bond and the respect owed to one’s son and his household. Such an act is considered a severe breach of morality and family dignity, carrying heavy punishments. The prohibition maintains the holiness of family lines and prevents corruption within generational relationships.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Issurei Bi’ah 2:11): Establishes this as one of the core incest prohibitions, with liability of capital punishment.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 201): The root is to preserve the order and dignity of family life, preventing shameful entanglements that could destroy trust and holiness.
- Talmud (Sanhedrin 76b): Lists this prohibition among the central arayot, emphasizing its severity and its destructive impact on family structure.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
