162

Not to marry non-Jews

The Luchos - Ten Commandments
וְלֹ֥א תִתְחַתֵּ֖ן בָּ֑ם בִּתְּךָ֙ לֹא־תִתֵּ֣ן לִבְנ֔וֹ וּבִתּ֖וֹ לֹא־תִקַּ֥ח לִבְנֶֽךָ׃ - פָּרָשַׁת וָאֶתְחַנַּן
Deuteronomy 7:3 - "You shall not intermarry with them; you shall not give your daughter to his son, and you shall not take his daughter for your son."

This Mitzvah's Summary

מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Covenant – בְּרִית

Forbidden to intermarry with non-Jews.

This mitzvah prohibits Jews from marrying non-Jews. Intermarriage undermines the covenant between Israel and Hashem by diluting the spiritual mission of the Jewish people and threatening the continuity of Torah observance. The Torah forbids both giving one’s daughter in marriage to a non-Jew and taking a non-Jewish woman as a wife. This command safeguards Jewish identity, ensuring that the nation remains distinct and holy.

Commentary & Classical Explanation:

  • Rambam (Hilchot Issurei Bi’ah 12:1): States that marriage with a non-Jew is not legally valid under Jewish law and is a severe Torah prohibition.
  • Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 427): The root is to prevent Israel from assimilating into the nations and being drawn away from Torah and mitzvot.
  • Talmud (Avodah Zarah 36b): Connects intermarriage to idolatry, warning that it leads to spiritual corruption and estrangement from Hashem.
(Source: Chabad.org)

Applying this Mitzvah Today

Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals

This Mitzvah's Fundamental Badges

Idolatry - עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה

Information Icon

Mitzvot that prohibit worship of false gods and practices associated with idol worship.

View Badge →

Faith - אֱמוּנָה

Information Icon

Represents Emunah—the deep, inner trust in Hashem’s presence, oneness, and constant involvement in our lives. This badge symbolizes a heartfelt connection to G-d, rooted in belief even when we cannot see. It is the emotional and spiritual core of many mitzvot.

View Badge →

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 →

Between a person and G-d - בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם

Information Icon

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.

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