175

Not to make pleasurable (sexual) contact with any forbidden woman

The Luchos - Ten Commandments
אִ֥ישׁ אִישׁ֙ אֶל־כׇּל־שְׁאֵ֣ר בְּשָׂר֔וֹ לֹ֥א תִקְרְב֖וּ לְגַלּ֣וֹת עֶרְוָ֑ה אֲנִ֖י יְהֹוָֽה׃ - פָּרָשַׁת אַחֲרֵי מוֹת
Leviticus 18:6 - "No man shall come near to any of his close relatives, to uncover [their] nakedness. I am the Lord."

This Mitzvah's Summary

מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Holiness – קְדוּשָּׁה

Forbidden to make physical contact for pleasure with any woman prohibited under the Torah.

This mitzvah prohibits not only sexual relations but also any form of intimate or affectionate contact with a forbidden woman that is intended to bring physical pleasure. The Torah commands us to “not approach” as a safeguard, making clear that avoidance includes acts leading toward immorality, not only the act itself. This serves as a crucial protective fence around the sanctity of relationships, reinforcing discipline and separation from temptation.

Commentary & Classical Explanation:

  • Rambam (Hilchot Issurei Bi’ah 21:1): Rules that affectionate or pleasurable contact with a forbidden woman is a Torah prohibition, and one who does so receives lashes.
  • Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 188): The root is to prevent immoral behavior by prohibiting the preliminary steps that could lead to greater transgression.
  • Talmud (Shabbat 13a, Sanhedrin 63b): Expounds that “do not approach” includes kissing, hugging, or any physical act of intimacy with prohibited women, not just relations.
(Source: Chabad.org)

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Holiness - קְדֻשָּׁה

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

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Reverence - יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם

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Signifies awe and reverence toward Hashem—living with awareness of His greatness and presence.

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Between a person and G-d - בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם

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Mitzvot that define and deepen the relationship between a person and their Creator. These include commandments involving belief, prayer, Shabbat, festivals, sacrifices, and personal holiness — acts rooted in divine connection rather than human interaction.

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