Mitzvah —
59
Not to imitate them in customs and clothing
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וְלֹ֤א תֵֽלְכוּ֙ בְּחֻקֹּ֣ת הַגּ֔וֹי אֲשֶׁר־אֲנִ֥י מְשַׁלֵּ֖חַ מִפְּנֵיכֶ֑ם כִּ֤י אֶת־כׇּל־אֵ֙לֶּה֙ עָשׂ֔וּ וָאָקֻ֖ץ בָּֽם׃ - פָּרָשַׁת קְדשִׁים
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Leviticus 20:23 - "You shall not follow the practices of the nation that I am sending away from before you, for they committed all these [sins], and I was disgusted with them."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Idolatry – עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה
It is forbidden to imitate idolaters in their cultural practices, rituals, or distinctive dress, as such imitation leads to assimilation and idolatry.
This mitzvah prohibits Jews from adopting non-Jewish practices associated with idolatry or cultural distinctives that undermine Jewish holiness. Rambam codifies that this includes imitating their clothing, hairstyles, and ritual practices. The Torah commands Israel to remain distinct, ensuring its people do not become drawn to the ways of idolaters. Sefer HaChinuch highlights that blending into foreign customs risks assimilation, while the Talmud distinguishes between neutral cultural habits and those linked to avodah zarah. This mitzvah preserves Jewish cultural and spiritual boundaries.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Sefer HaMitzvot, Lo Ta’aseh 30): Counts the prohibition against walking in the ways of idolaters.
- Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 11:1): Forbids imitating idolaters in clothing, haircuts, or rituals associated with their worship.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 262): Explains that Israel must remain distinct; imitating idolaters draws one toward their values.
- Talmud (Sanhedrin 52b): Interprets the verse as forbidding adopting their practices even outside of direct worship.
- Talmud (Avodah Zarah 11a): Prohibits copying gentile festivals and customs, even without explicit idolatry.
- Rashi (Lev. 20:23): Clarifies that “statutes” means practices with no inherent reason other than marking idolaters as distinct.
- Ramban (Lev. 18:3): Extends the prohibition to immoral behaviors, emphasizing that Israel must live by divine law, not foreign ways.
- Midrash (Torat Kohanim Kedoshim 9:8): Interprets the pasuk as demanding Israel’s separation from idolatrous lifestyles in both public and private.
Contrast with…
- Mitzvah 58 (Not to Let Idolaters Dwell in Our Land): That mitzvah prohibits their physical presence; Mitzvah 59 prohibits Israel from internalizing their culture (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 10:6 vs. 11:1).
- Ramban (Lev. 18:3) contrasts adopting customs of idolaters with observing Torah laws of holiness, showing these are opposing life-paths.
Parallel to…
- Deuteronomy 18:9: “You shall not learn to do according to the abominations of those nations.” A direct parallel to the prohibition of imitation.
- Jeremiah 10:2: “Learn not the way of the nations.” Reinforces the command against assimilation into their practices.
- Esther 3:8: Haman describes Jews as distinct from other peoples, paralleling the Torah’s demand for separation.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
Applying this Mitzvah Today
Cultural Integrity
- Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 11:1) forbids copying idolatrous fashions. Today, this calls for discernment about adopting cultural trends that glorify anti-Torah values.
Festivals & National Symbols
- Talmud (Avodah Zarah 11a) warns against joining non-Jewish festivals. In modern terms, this means Jews must avoid cultural participation that elevates religiously foreign holidays.
Fashion & Identity
- Sefer HaChinuch (262) stresses outward behavior shapes inward faith. Today, Jewish distinctiveness in clothing and ritual remains a protective boundary against assimilation.
Media & Social Influences
- Rashi and Ramban stress that irrational customs designed only to separate idolaters must not be imitated. Applied today, this means resisting idolization of celebrities, trends, or digital “cultures” that become modern avodah zarah.
Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals
Idolatry – עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה
- Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 11:1) equates copying idolaters’ practices with walking in their ways. Talmud (Avodah Zarah 11a) extends this to their festivals. Sefer HaChinuch (262) warns imitation leads to worship indirectly, supporting this tag.
Community – קְהִלָּה
- Ramban (Lev. 18:3) stresses the prohibition protects the community’s collective holiness. Midrash (Torat Kohanim Kedoshim 9:8) calls imitation a societal trap, endangering communal distinctiveness.
Eretz Yisrael – אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל
- Ramban (Lev. 18:3) highlights the Land’s holiness depends on Israel’s distinct practices. The Torah forbids idolatrous customs precisely to preserve sanctity within Eretz Yisrael.
Reverence – יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם
- Rashi (Lev. 20:23) shows Hashem abhors imitation because it dishonors His Name. Observing this mitzvah affirms awe and reverence for Heaven.
Faith – אֱמוּנָה
- Sefer HaChinuch (262) argues customs shape the heart; adopting idolater ways weakens faith. Rambam (Sefer HaMitzvot Lo Ta’aseh 30) anchors the mitzvah in sustaining pure faith in Hashem.
Thought – מַחֲשָׁבָה
- Influence begins in thought. Ramban (Lev. 18:3) and Sefer HaChinuch emphasize that copying practices creates internal identification with foreign culture.
Speech – דָּבָר
- Talmud (Avodah Zarah 11a) equates verbal participation in festivals with imitation. Rashi notes irrational practices include ritualistic speech or greetings.
Holiness – קְדֻשָּׁה
- Midrash (Torat Kohanim Kedoshim 9:8) connects this mitzvah with Israel’s holiness mission: not to defile themselves through alien customs.
Between a person and G-d – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם
- Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 11:1) frames the mitzvah as preserving loyalty to Hashem. Following Torah, not foreign statutes, defines the covenantal relationship.
Between a person and their fellow – בֵּין אָדָם לַחֲבֵרוֹ
- Talmud (Sanhedrin 52b) implies that community safety requires social separation. Allowing imitation blurs boundaries and endangers fellow Jews.
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