Mitzvah —
163
Not to let Moabite and Ammonite males marry into the Jewish people
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לֹֽא־יָבֹ֧א עַמּוֹנִ֛י וּמוֹאָבִ֖י בִּקְהַ֣ל יְהֹוָ֑ה גַּ֚ם דּ֣וֹר עֲשִׂירִ֔י לֹא־יָבֹ֥א לָהֶ֛ם בִּקְהַ֥ל יְהֹוָ֖ה עַד־עוֹלָֽם׃ - פָּרָשַׁת כִּי־תֵצֵא
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Deuteronomy 23:4 - "An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter the assembly of the Lord; even the tenth generation shall never enter the assembly of the Lord."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Covenant – בְּרִית
Forbidden for male Ammonites and Moabites to marry into the Jewish people.
This mitzvah prohibits men from the nations of Ammon and Moav from entering the congregation of Israel through marriage, for all generations. The Torah explains the reason: these nations failed to show kindness to Israel during their journey from Egypt and even sought their harm. Notably, this prohibition applies only to males; Ammonite and Moabite women are permitted to convert and marry into Israel, as illustrated by Ruth the Moabite.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Issurei Bi’ah 12:17): Codifies that Ammonite and Moabite males are permanently excluded from marrying into the Jewish people, while their females may marry after conversion.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 563): The root is to reinforce the value of gratitude and to punish these nations for their cruelty toward Israel.
- Talmud (Yevamot 76b): Clarifies the distinction between males and females in this prohibition, deriving it from textual analysis.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
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