Mitzvah —
58
Not to let them dwell in our land
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.
-
לֹ֤א יֵשְׁבוּ֙ בְּאַרְצְךָ֔ פֶּן־יַחֲטִ֥יאוּ אֹתְךָ֖ לִ֑י כִּ֤י תַעֲבֹד֙ אֶת־אֱלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם כִּֽי־יִהְיֶ֥ה לְךָ֖ לְמוֹקֵֽשׁ׃ - פָּרָשַׁת מִשְׁפָּטִים
-
Exodus 23:33 - "They shall not dwell in your land, lest they cause you to sin against Me, that you will worship their gods, which will be a snare for you."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Idolatry – עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה
It is forbidden to allow idolaters to reside permanently in the Land of Israel.
This mitzvah prohibits granting idolaters permanent residence in Eretz Yisrael. The Torah stresses that their presence would inevitably influence Jews toward avodah zarah. Rambam codifies that idolaters may not settle in the Land unless they accept the Noahide laws. Sefer HaChinuch highlights the mitzvah as a safeguard to preserve the sanctity of Israel’s people and land. The Talmud distinguishes between temporary visits for business and permanent dwelling, with permanence being prohibited. This mitzvah underscores Israel’s unique covenantal identity, ensuring the Land remains a domain of pure worship of Hashem.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Sefer HaMitzvot, Lo Ta’aseh 51): Counts the prohibition not to allow idolaters residence in the Land.
- Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 10:6): States that idolaters may not dwell in Eretz Yisrael unless they accept upon themselves the seven Noahide laws.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 427): Explains that idolaters influence society toward their practices, so their removal prevents assimilation.
- Talmud (Avodah Zarah 20a): Interprets “They shall not dwell in your land” to prohibit permanent residence of idolaters.
- Rashi (Ex. 23:33): Explains that the prohibition is because idolaters will cause Israel to sin.
- Ramban (Ex. 23:33): Highlights that this mitzvah preserves the holiness of the Land; coexistence with idolaters threatens Israel’s mission.
- Midrash (Mekhilta de-Rabbi Yishmael, Mishpatim §18): Emphasizes that idolaters’ presence is a snare, likening it to leaving a trap in one’s own home.
Contrast with…
- Mitzvah 57 (Not to Show Favor to Idolaters): That mitzvah prohibits acts of favor such as gifts or flattery (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 10:4), whereas Mitzvah 58 prohibits physical permanence in the Land (10:6).
- Talmud (Avodah Zarah 20a): Contrasts the external honor of idolaters (Mitzvah 57) with the danger of their dwelling among Israel (Mitzvah 58).
Parallel to…
- Deuteronomy 7:2: “You shall not make a covenant with them nor show them favor.” This parallels the dwelling prohibition, as both prevent idolaters from establishing permanence in Israel.
- Ezra 9:12: Ezra commands not to allow the nations of the Land to mix with Israel, paralleling the Torah’s concern.
- Joshua 23:12–13: Warns that dwelling alongside nations leads to intermarriage and idol worship, echoing Exodus 23:33.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
Applying this Mitzvah Today
Protecting the Sanctity of the Land
- Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 10:6) ties residence to acceptance of Noahide laws. Applied today, this means Israel must safeguard its spiritual identity by ensuring its societal framework aligns with Torah.
Boundaries in Society & Culture
- Sefer HaChinuch (427) notes influence as the core issue. Today, cultural “residency” — through media, politics, or ideology — may act as modern idolater dwelling. The mitzvah warns against tolerating corrosive spiritual forces in Israel’s society.
Jewish Continuity in Eretz Yisrael
- Ramban (Ex. 23:33) insists holiness demands exclusivity. Today, this mitzvah resonates in discussions about how foreign practices and religions shape Jewish identity in Israel.
Technology & Globalization
- The Talmud’s principle (Avodah Zarah 20a) about boundaries applies digitally — ensuring idol-worship imagery and values do not gain “permanent residence” in Jewish digital and cultural space.
Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals
Idolatry – עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה
- Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 10:6) equates idolaters’ residence with a snare to Israel. Sefer HaChinuch (427) explains their influence promotes imitation of avodah zarah. Talmud (Avodah Zarah 20a) supports that even non-worship actions create assimilation danger.
Eretz Yisrael – אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל
- Ramban (Ex. 23:33) stresses that Eretz Yisrael’s holiness requires exclusivity. Midrash (Mekhilta de-Rabbi Yishmael, Mishpatim §18) calls idolaters’ presence a snare in the Land itself. This tag highlights the mitzvah’s geographic focus.
Community – קְהִלָּה
- Sefer HaChinuch (427) frames the mitzvah as protecting the community from foreign influence. Ezra 9:12 and Joshua 23:12–13 illustrate how dwelling together leads to assimilation, showing communal risk.
Reverence – יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם
- By forbidding idolaters’ dwelling, Israel affirms awe of Hashem. Rashi (Ex. 23:33) explains the danger is sin against Hashem directly, reinforcing reverence.
Faith – אֱמוּנָה
- Rambam (Sefer HaMitzvot, Lo Ta’aseh 51) ties the mitzvah to maintaining pure faith. Allowing idolaters permanence undermines exclusive emunah in Hashem.
Thought – מַחֲשָׁבָה
- Influence begins in thought. Sefer HaChinuch notes admiration and imitation begin by exposure. The mitzvah disciplines Jewish thought to avoid normalization of avodah zarah.
Between a person and G-d – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם
- The prohibition directly serves Hashem’s command to keep His Land pure. Ramban interprets the mitzvah as guarding divine covenant.
Between a person and their fellow – בֵּין אָדָם לַחֲבֵרוֹ
- Talmud (Avodah Zarah 20a) indicates idolaters’ presence leads to communal sin. Preventing their dwelling is thus both a spiritual and societal safeguard.
%201.webp)
.webp)
