Questions tagged [arayot]
Forbidden Relationships mostly enumerated in Leviticus 18
93
questions
2
votes
0answers
35 views
How did Bilaam know that illicit relations was the way to trip up Klal Yisrael?
As recounted by Rashi to Numbers 25:1 and Sanhedrin 106a- after Bilaam's "cursing" of Klal Yisrael was unsuccessful, he advised Balak that the way to take down Klal Yisrael was to entice them with ...
9
votes
1answer
1k views
Source that a married woman seduced by a “messianic figure” is still permitted to her husband
I've heard in the past that there is a responsum in regards to a married woman that was seduced by another man claiming to be the messiah, and the question arose about whether or not she was still ...
1
vote
0answers
80 views
Does acting “for G-d's sake” override Arayos prohibitions?
The Gemmorah in Kiddushin 81b describes the story of a Rabbi seemingly overriding the [as most agree, Biblical] prohibition of Kiruv Ervah. After a short debate, he finds an excuse that he was acting "...
4
votes
1answer
464 views
Why teaching kids Torah is the only forbidden profession for singles Yihud-wise?
The Mishnah in Kiddushin (4,12-14) outlines the laws of Yihud. While the Toseftah provided in #14 warns in general about teaching "his son a woman’s trade", the only profession that is explicitly ...
3
votes
1answer
92 views
Understanding the Rambam's commentary to Yevamos 3:7 and 3:9
The first half of Yevamos 3:7 says
שְׁלֹשָׁה אַחִים, שְׁנַיִם מֵהֶן נְשׂוּאִים שְׁתֵּי אֲחָיוֹת, וְאֶחָד נָשׂוּי נָכְרִית, מֵת אֶחָד מִבַּעֲלֵי אֲחָיוֹת, וְכָנַס נָשׂוּי נָכְרִית אֶת אִשְׁתּוֹ, ...
1
vote
1answer
53 views
Is there ever a Torah obligation to divorce one's wife?
There are many cases throughout the Mishnayos and Gemarra of women who one is obligated to divorce. I believe all of them are Rabbinic. I'm wondering if there's ever a case where the Torah would ...
1
vote
2answers
135 views
Why is the 7th commandment restricted to adultery?
The seventh of the ten commandments is Lo Tin'af, do not engage in adultery. But the Talmud tells us that we may break all commandments to save a life, except those against idolatry, murder and sexual ...
3
votes
2answers
71 views
How early in the process can the accused sotah refuse to drink?
The mishnayot in the first chapter of Sotah describe the beginning of the process -- the accusing husband brings her to the court where they try to intimidate her into confessing, and if she doesn't ...
4
votes
1answer
105 views
Why can the sister-in-law return to her husband according to R. Yosi? Isn't she forbidden to the husband and to the adulterer? (Y'vamos 10:4)
The Mishnah, Y'vamos 10:4, quotes Rabbi Yosi as follows:
כל שפוסל על ידי אחרים פוסל על ידי עצמו, וכל שאין פוסל על ידי אחרים אינו פוסל על ידי עצמו
If I correctly understand the explanation of the ...
2
votes
0answers
46 views
Why does a Na'arah Me'orasah convert who has illicit relations not receive Skilah?
Kesuvos 4:3:
הַגִּיּוֹרֶת שֶׁנִּתְגַּיְּרָה בִתָּהּ עִמָּהּ, וְזִנְּתָה, הֲרֵי זוֹ בְּחֶנֶק. [...] הָיְתָה הוֹרָתָהּ שֶׁלֹּא בִקְדֻשָּׁה וְלֵדָתָהּ בִּקְדֻשָּׁה, הֲרֵי זוֹ בִסְקִילָה. [...] הָיְתָה ...
0
votes
0answers
43 views
Why does Rambam count learning from Midos in 613 Mitzvos?
This is a follow-up question to "why-one's-daughter-is-not-mentioned-in-arayos-in-the-torah" (please read before continuing).
Both the Gemmorah and Rambam agree that the prohibition of one's daughter ...
8
votes
2answers
235 views
Can a Kohen have his prohibited ex wife as pilagesh?
If a Kohen's wife is G-d forbid raped and he witnessed, there is no heter (permission) to stay married with her as she is a zonah (Leviticus 21:7). However, after he divorces her, can he take her back,...
1
vote
1answer
76 views
Why one's daughter is not mentioned in Arayos in the Torah?
Gemmorah Yevomos 2b:
אלא בתו כיון דאתיא מדרשא חביבא ליה
With regard to his daughter, since this prohibition is actually derived from a homiletical interpretation and is not explicitly stated ...
2
votes
1answer
49 views
Second person exposition of “toevah”
The Talmud in Nedarim 51a cites in the name of Bar Kappara a (playful? - see previous and subsequent passages for context) derashic interpretation of the word "toevah" (literally translated "...
1
vote
3answers
266 views
Is boyfriend/girlfriend status between non-Jews relevant to adultery laws?
Is having intimate relations by a Non-Jewish man with a Non-Jewish woman who is not married but lives with a boyfriend a form of adultery?
0
votes
1answer
58 views
Why is it important to stress the “prostitute” part of Tamar's plan regarding Yehuda?
The Torah could get around easily without "incriminating" Yehuda, by saying "ויחשביה לזונה" for example or describing that when he's looking for her (with his fellow) he uses this term of a "...
-1
votes
1answer
91 views
How did Tamar know that Yehuda will sleep with a prostitute?
Following the question "understanding-Tamars-plan", how was Tamar sure Yehuda will turn to a prostitute the moment he sees her?
Needless to say how bad is the transgression and how great and pious ...
1
vote
1answer
42 views
23 different Arayos Mitzvos for Jews vs one for non-Jews
Both 613 Jewish and 7 Noahides are called Mitzvos (ז' מצוות בני נוח)
We have a separate Mitzvah for every Ervah (one for mother and one for sister etc), for a total of 22 (I think).
Non-Jews have one ...
4
votes
0answers
51 views
Is a non-Jew forbidden to his father's ex-wife?
A Jewish man and his father's wife are forbidden to each other forever, even after his father dies or divorces her. (Issurei Biah 2:1)
A non-Jewish man and his father's wife are forbidden to each ...
2
votes
0answers
78 views
Yichud, shomer by night?
For yichud issues, a (Jewish) man and his wife are mutually considered shomer: אשתו משמרתו.
But do this apply by night?
Basis for this question, the Gemara Qidushin 81a
רב ביבי אקלע לבי רב יוסף, ...
5
votes
3answers
2k views
If a man sees his wife cheating, can he kill both on the spot?
In Judaism, if a man walks into his wife having sex with another man, is he permitted to kill both, the other man and his wife, on the spot?
3
votes
2answers
188 views
“She may marry any Jewish man”
My friend showed me her conversion document. The last sentence was [almost identical to the following]: "She may marry any Jewish man except a Kohen."
Why would the conversion document go out of its ...
1
vote
0answers
210 views
Do Karaite Jews still believe that adulterers should get the death penalty?
This is a genuine question. As a Christian, I am often asked by atheists why I don't think adulterers should get the death penalty when Leviticus 20:10 clearly says that they should. My response to ...
6
votes
1answer
347 views
Can a woman who commits adultery do teshuva and return to her husband?
Suppose a married woman goes her own way and leaves (but not divorces) her husband. She engages in sexual relationships with other men.
But after a year, she realizes the error of her ways and does ...
2
votes
1answer
153 views
Why Shammai says that a man can only divorce his wife due to adultery?
Hillel and Shammai have different opinions:
Hillel says you can divorce your wife for any reason.
Shammai says you cannot divorce your wife for any reason. The only legitimate reason for divorce is ...
3
votes
1answer
91 views
Giving up ones life על קידוש ה׳ not to transgress גילוי עריות
Are there any instances in Shas (Bavli or Yerushalmi) or even records of history where a group or even an individual gave up their life not to transgress גילוי עריות, Adultery?
4
votes
1answer
93 views
Is a woman believed to say she had an affair
if a married woman claims to have committed adultery, but there is no other corroborating evidence (witnesses) is she believed by beit din such that the husband is now forbidden to sleep with her?
4
votes
0answers
63 views
Are there any merits which delay the adulterer's explosion?
In mSotah 5:1 it states that the Sotah waters check the woman and her presumed consort. I assume this 'checking' leads to the consort suffering the same death as the woman. The talmud further states ...
-1
votes
1answer
52 views
When Affinity Arayos (Kurvah) started?
We have two types of Arayos: Consanguinity (blood relationships, like mother or sister) and Affinity (blood relationships, like in-laws).
Consanguinity Arayos were forbidden for gentiles also (See ...
5
votes
3answers
96 views
Yishmael is the corruption of chesed
I once heard the following idea, and I'm wondering what is the source for it.
Avraham was the pillar of chesed. His son Yishmael was rejected as being part of the Jewish people. Chazal say that ...
2
votes
3answers
364 views
Does Devarim 23:18 prohibit pre-marital relations
I was having a discussion with a friend, some weeks back, about adultery in Torah. The discussion hinged on the Christian understanding being incorrect (that is to say, that both the man and woman are ...
2
votes
2answers
133 views
What does the Halakhah says regarding Devarim, 22.13-21 regarding מוציא שם רע - Motzi Shem Ra?
I am an Italian gentile believer in HaShem, who engages in the observance of the noahide precepts, as commanded by the Creator in the Torah.
I have never understood the exact meaning of Devarim 22:13-...
1
vote
1answer
118 views
Can a suitor help an aguna?
This takes place in Bavel where the Rabbis have legal civil authority.
There is an aguna that I would like to marry. The Rabbi asks for volunteers to help "convince" the recalcitrant husband to ...
5
votes
3answers
584 views
Is there a gentile Mamzer?
Gentiles were commanded on (6 types of) Arayos.
What is the legal status of a child from those relations between two gentiles.
Can this man convert, for example? I couldn't find any definition.
3
votes
2answers
167 views
Mishkav/Mishkave… , Is there a difference?
I am new to "Mi Yodeya?" and this is my first time asking questions.
First, I have always heard that everything that is written in the Torah has a purposeful meaning; nothing in it is a coincidence ...
1
vote
2answers
102 views
Does the Torah use the word טָמְאָה to imply physical defilement anywhere besides sotah?
In the parsha of sotah (Bamidbar 5:13) the Torah describes the woman who was secluded and had relations with another man as וְנִסְתְּרָ֖ה וְהִ֣יא נִטְמָ֑אָה meaning that she became physically defiled -...
5
votes
2answers
194 views
Would Yosef sleeping with the wife of Potifar have been a sin?
My understanding from Sanhedrin 82a is that there is no halachic construct of marriage by non-Jews and as such Potifar(a)'s "wife" should not have been forbidden to Yosef. It was only later during the ...
2
votes
0answers
39 views
Why is R' Tzadok greater than Yosef?
This is part of a series of questions regarding the Braisa in Avos d'Rebbi Nassan 16:2 that lists how Yosef HaTzaddik, R' Tzadok, R' Akiva, and R' Eliezer HaGadol were able to overcome their ...
6
votes
1answer
557 views
The snake slept with Chavah?
Chazal say (Avodah Zarah 22b) that the snake had relations with Chavah. Does the Gemara elsewhere ever fault her explicitly for this? If not, why not, as she was already commanded in it (Sanhedrin 58a,...
1
vote
1answer
210 views
Is adultery permitted if the husband allows it?
Bamidbar Rabbah 9:6:
וְאוֹמֵר (תהלים לז, כא): לֹוֶה רָשָׁע וְלֹא יְשַׁלֵּם וגו', יֵשׁ אָדָם לֹוֶה וְאֵינוֹ פּוֹרֵעַ שֶׁאֵין הַדְּנֵיסְטֵיס מְשַׁבֵּר שִׁנָּיו וְגוֹבֶה אוֹתוֹ, מַהוּ: לֹוֶה רָשָׁע ...
1
vote
1answer
134 views
Why is a Chalutzah not normal ervah?
As discussed here, Reish Lakish is of the opinion (in Yevamos 10b) that one may not marry his sister-in-law with whom he did chalitzah. He derives it from the passuk of "lo yibaneh" - literally, he ...
6
votes
1answer
123 views
Why כאשר אבדתי?
On the verse of Megilas Esther (4:16)
אשר לא כדת וכאשר אבדתי אבדתי
the Talmud (Meg 15a) says that Esther said, she was going to "violate the Law, because now she was going to intentionally" having ...
9
votes
2answers
151 views
Must one die al Kiddush Hashem in cases of doubt?
In the Rambam's Mishneh Torah Yesodei haTorah Chapter 5:2, he explains that a Jew must die rather than perform idolatry, murder, or gilui arayos.
Does this also apply in cases of doubt? (i.e whether ...
3
votes
1answer
75 views
Why do we read about forbidden relationships on Yom Kippur
Part of the torah reading on Yom Kippur is the list of forbidden intimate relationships in Vayikra 18. I would like to know why we read that section of the torah on Yom Kippur
2
votes
1answer
525 views
Is negiah okay if the relationship would be forbidden?
Please excuse my lack of knowledge on this topic. Is non-sexual touch allowed between two people between whom a relationship would be halachically forbidden? I assume the answer is "yes" for, say, a ...
12
votes
5answers
796 views
Why does God hate sexual immorality?
After failing to curse the Jewish people, Bilaam advised Balak to lure the Jews into sexual immorality "for their God hates zimah" (Sanhedrin 106a). We also find that many cases of forbidden relations ...
1
vote
2answers
479 views
Yehareg v'al ya'avor – what about after?
I recall a kina in which the children of R' Yishmael (haKohen Gadol) are put in a dark room together and forced to have relations. At the end of the kina, they recognise each other and kill themselves....
2
votes
2answers
264 views
Why did Esther have to become queen and be forced into adultery?
Presumably God could save the Jewish people without Esther, a married woman, becoming the wife of Achashverosh.
So why did He choose to bring the salvation in this fashion?
(although she was ...
5
votes
1answer
118 views
Why was Esther permitted to Mordechai up untill the Feasts with Achashveirosh?
The Medrash tells us that Esther was the wife of Mordechai, and once she was forceably taken to be the queen and Achashveirosh's wife, she was still permitted to Mordechai because she was taken Beones....
7
votes
3answers
333 views
Why did God created physical impulse towards the “wrong” women
When I was young and had struggles with my "yetzer hara" - sexual impulse, I was fascinated by the Jewish attitude towards that impulse. God created this impulse for a purpose. It is meant to push ...
