Leviticus-Chap-18-1-30
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details of our beloved TaNaKh:
1. Torah =
History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.
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Please Note: Some alterations or
(additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.
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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which
I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM
IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem,
which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
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With
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction:
Leviticus 18 serves as the foundation
for a Hebrew ‘family purity’ and ‘moral
distinction’. After establishing the laws of the Tabernacle and the Priesthood,
אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God) now addresses the “Sanctuary of the Home”. This chapter draws
a sharp line between the practices of the Egyptians and the Canaanites (where
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Below I have placed the Chapter’s ‘Text’ first (JPS-1917 version of the Torah), followed below it, with an Explanation:
Verse 1: And יְהוָה - the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:
Explanation: ‘This is a direct Divine communication to Moses to be relayed
to the entire nation.
Verse 2: Speak unto the children of
Explanation: The phrase “I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם- יְהוָה- The LORD your Eloheychem” serves as the legal authority for these laws. It reminds the people that their identity is tied to their relationship with the Creator.
Verse 3: After the doings of the
Explanation:
Verse 4: Mine ordinances shall ye do, and My statutes shall ye keep, to walk therein: I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם- יְהוָה- The LORD your Eloheychem.
Explanation: We follow these laws because they are Divine decrees, regardless of whether the surrounding society agrees with them.
Verse 5: Ye shall therefore keep My statutes, and Mine ordinances; which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am יְהוָה - the LORD.
Explanation: The purpose of the Torah is life. These laws are intended to sustain a healthy, thriving, and holy society.
Verse 6: None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am יְהוָה - the LORD.
Explanation: This is the general prohibition against incest. “Uncovering nakedness” is the Torah’s consistent term for sexual relations.
Verse 7: The nakedness of thy father, and the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.
Explanation: Respect for parents begins with maintaining the physical boundaries of the relationship.
Verse 8: The nakedness of thy father’s wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father’s nakedness.
Explanation: This refers to a stepmother; the prohibition remains because of the respect due to the father’s marriage.
Verse 9: The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or the daughter of thy mother, whether born at home, or born abroad, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover.
Explanation: This covers full sisters and half-sisters, regardless of the parents’ marital status at the time of birth.
Verse 10: The nakedness of thy son’s daughter, or of thy daughter’s daughter, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover; for theirs is thine own nakedness.
Explanation: This forbids relations with granddaughters, emphasizing that they are extensions of one’s own flesh.
Verse 11: The nakedness of thy father’s wife’s daughter, begotten of thy father, she is thy sister; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.
Explanation: Further clarification on the status of sisters within a multi-family household.
Verse 12: Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s sister: she is thy father’s near kinswoman.
Explanation: This forbids relations with a paternal aunt.
Verse 13: Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother’s sister: for she is thy mother’s near kinswoman.
Explanation: This forbids relations with a maternal aunt.
Verse 14: Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt.
Explanation: This extends the boundary to include the wife of a paternal uncle.
Verse 15: Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter-in-law: she is thy son’s wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.
Explanation: The sanctity of the son's marriage must be protected by the father.
Verse 16: Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness.
Explanation: Relations with a sister-in-law are forbidden (except in the specific case of Levirate marriage mentioned elsewhere in the Torah).
Verse 17: Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter; thou shalt not take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness; they are near kinswomen: it is lewdness.
Explanation: One cannot marry a woman and her descendants; the Torah calls this “lewdness” (Zimmah), implying a breakdown of family order.
Verse 18: And thou shalt not take a woman to her sister, to be a rival to her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life-time.
Explanation: This forbids marrying two sisters simultaneously, as it creates a “rivalry” that destroys the sibling bond.
Verse 19: And thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is impure by her uncleanness.
Explanation: This refers to the laws of Niddah (menstrual purity), requiring a period of physical separation during a woman's cycle.
Verse 20: And thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour’s wife, to defile thyself with her.
Explanation: A direct prohibition against adultery, which defiles the individual and the community.
Verse 21: And thou shalt not give any of thy seed to set them apart to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the Name of thy אֱלֹהִים - Elohim: I am יְהוָה - the LORD.
Explanation: In the middle of sexual laws, the Torah forbids the cult of Molech (child sacrifice). This teaches that how we treat our “seed” (children) is the ultimate test of our faith.
Verse 22: Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind; it is abomination.
Explanation: This forbids male-on-male sexual intimacy, labelling the act as an "abomination" (Toevah) something that deviates from the Divine design.
Verse 23: And thou shalt not lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith; neither shall any woman stand before a beast, to lie down thereto; it is perversion.
Explanation: Bestiality is forbidden as a “perversion” (Tebel) of the natural order of creation.
Verse 24: Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things; for in all these the nations are defiled, which I cast out from before you;
Explanation: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim explains that the Canaanites were not being removed arbitrarily; they were being removed because these practices had morally rotted their society.
Verse 25: And the land was defiled, therefore I did visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land vomited out her inhabitants.
Explanation: This is a powerful Hebraic concept: The Land of Israel is sensitive. If the people living on it act immorally, the land itself cannot tolerate them.
Verse 26: Ye therefore shall keep My statutes and Mine ordinances, and shall not do any of these abominations; neither the home-born, nor the stranger that sojourneth among you,
Explanation: These moral standards apply to everyone living in the community, not just the native-born Israelite.
Verse 27: (for all these abominations have the men of the land done, that were before you, and the land is defiled);
Explanation: A reiteration that history is a witness to the consequences of these actions,
Verse 28: that the land vomit not you out also, when ye defile it, as it vomited out the nation that was before you.
Explanation: A stern warning:
Verse 29: For whosoever shall do any of these abominations, even the souls that do them shall be cut off from among their people.
Explanation: The penalty for these acts is Karet (being cut off spiritually), meaning a loss of connection to the Hebraic people and the Divine source.
Verse 30: Therefore shall ye keep My charge, that ye do not any of these abominable customs, which were done before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם- יְהוָה- The LORD your Eloheychem”.
Explanation: The chapter ends where it began: with a call to “keep the charge” and protect the sanctity of the people!
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My Closing Message:
Leviticus 18 teaches us that holiness
is found in the boundaries we set. Judaism does not view
physical desires as evil, but it insists they must be channelled into holy
structures, specifically within the sanctity of marriage and away from family
members. By adhering to these laws, we ensure that the Land remains “clean” and
that our families remain in a place where the Divine Presence can dwell.
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