57

Not to show favor to them

The Luchos - Ten Commandments
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Idolatry – עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה

Do not show favor, compassion, or give gifts to idolaters.

This mitzvah forbids giving idolaters undeserved favor — whether through granting them rights to dwell permanently in the Land of Israel, praising them excessively, or showing them affection that leads to influence. The Torah demands distance from idolaters to prevent assimilation and the spread of idolatrous practices.

Commentary & Classical Explanation:

  • Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 10:4): Explains that lo techanem includes three aspects: not to grant them land, not to show them undeserved grace, and not to praise them in a way that causes admiration.
  • Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 452): The root is to preserve Israel’s holiness and avoid spiritual corruption by maintaining separation from those devoted to idolatry.
  • Talmud (Avodah Zarah 20a): Derives multiple prohibitions from this verse, including that one must not sell them land in Israel.
(Source: Chabad.org)
וּנְתָנָ֞ם יְהֹוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ לְפָנֶ֖יךָ וְהִכִּיתָ֑ם הַחֲרֵ֤ם תַּחֲרִים֙ אֹתָ֔ם לֹא־תִכְרֹ֥ת לָהֶ֛ם בְּרִ֖ית וְלֹ֥א תְחׇנֵּֽם׃ - פָּרָשַׁת וָאֶתְחַנַּן
Deuteronomy 7:2 - "And the Lord, your God, will deliver them to you, and you shall smite them. You shall utterly destroy them; neither shall you make a covenant with them, nor be gracious to them."

This Mitzvah's Fundamentals

Idolatry - עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה

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

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Faith - אֱמוּנָה

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