167

Not to let a eunuch marry into the Jewish people

The Luchos - Ten Commandments
לֹֽא־יָבֹ֧א פְצֽוּעַ־דַּכָּ֛א וּכְר֥וּת שׇׁפְכָ֖ה בִּקְהַ֥ל יְהֹוָֽה׃ - פָּרָשַׁת כִּי־תֵצֵא
Deuteronomy 23:2 - "[A man] with injured testicles or whose member is cut, may not enter the assembly of the Lord."

This Mitzvah's Summary

מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Community – קְהִלָּה

Forbidden for a man who is a eunuch to marry into the Jewish people.

This mitzvah prohibits a man who is a eunuch—whether naturally or due to injury—from marrying into the congregation of Israel. The Torah views mutilation of reproductive organs as a blemish incompatible with joining fully in marriage within the community. This law emphasizes the Torah’s concern for preserving holiness, wholeness, and dignity in family life and lineage.

Commentary & Classical Explanation:

  • Rambam (Hilchot Issurei Bi’ah 16:1): Codifies that a eunuch, whether naturally born (saris hamah) or caused by human action (saris adam), is prohibited from marrying into Israel.
  • Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 566): The root is to maintain the completeness and honor of the Jewish nation, preventing unions that symbolically reflect damage and loss of fertility.
  • Talmud (Yevamot 75b): Discusses distinctions between natural and man-made cases of eunuchs, clarifying the scope of the prohibition.
(Source: Chabad.org)

Applying this Mitzvah Today

Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals

This Mitzvah's Fundamental Badges

Holiness - קְדֻשָּׁה

Information Icon

Represents the concept of  spiritual intentionality, purity, and sanctity—set apart for a higher purpose.

View Badge →

Covenant - בְּרִית

Information Icon

Tied to the eternal covenant between G‑d and the Jewish people, including signs like brit milah and Shabbat.

View Badge →
Mitzvah Minute
Mitzvah Minute Logo

Learn more.

Dive into mitzvot, prayer, and Torah study—each section curated to help you learn, reflect, and live with intention. New insights are added regularly, creating an evolving space for spiritual growth.

Luchos
Live a commandment-driven life

Mitzvah

Explore the 613 mitzvot and uncover the meaning behind each one. Discover practical ways to integrate them into your daily life with insights, sources, and guided reflection.

Learn more

Mitzvah #

413

A permanent or temporary [non-Jewish] hired worker must not eat from it
The Luchos - Ten Commandments
Learn this Mitzvah

Mitzvah Highlight

Siddur
Connection through Davening

Tefillah

Learn the structure, depth, and spiritual intent behind Jewish prayer. Dive into morning blessings, Shema, Amidah, and more—with tools to enrich your daily connection.

Learn more

Tefillah

Tefillah sub-header
A Siddur
Learn this Tefillah

Tefillah Focus

A Sefer Torah
Study the weekly Torah portion

Parsha

Each week’s parsha offers timeless wisdom and modern relevance. Explore summaries, key themes, and mitzvah connections to deepen your understanding of the Torah cycle.

Learn more

וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה - V'Zot HaBerachah

Haftarah: Joshua, 1:1–18
A Sefer Torah
Learn this Parsha

Weekly Parsha