Commandment Profile:
-355) Not to have intercourse outside of formal marriage | |
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Application to gentiles: |
Required |
Mandated punishment for violation: |
From Heaven |
Brief description: |
Not to participate in prostitution or any other form of premarital intercourse. For gentiles, theocratic courts would probably not normally enforce this commandment with punishment, but many Torah sources warn about the disastrous effect on society of tolerating immorality and criticize gentile cultures for permitting it. Torah sources also mention that gentiles are now held accountable by G-d under the stricter Jewish rules against immoral relations, stemming from a collective acceptance of those rules in ancient times. |
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Category: |
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Biblical source(s) (Rambam): |
Deut. 23:18; Lev. 19:29 |
Biblical source (Sefer HaChinuch): |
Deut. 23:18 |
Number in Sefer HaChinuch: |
570 |
Sources explaining relevance to gentiles:
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- Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Ishus 1:4
Fundamental Noahide Law (before matan Torah) does not prohibit prostitution or premarital intercourse.
- Rashi, Bereishis 34:7; Bemidbar 22:5
Gentiles restricted themselves from the arayos (i.e., all those not forbidden under the Noahide Laws).
- Rashi, Bereishis 19:33; 20:1
Gentile relations not prohibited by Noahide Law are nonetheless condemned.
- Talmud Bavli, Zevachim 116b, & Rashi there (amrah yimachel li
)
Rachav needed forgiveness for the sin of prostitution and unmarried promiscuity.
- Kli Yakar, Shemos 20:8 (¶20)
Gentiles are not explicitly obligated in this mitzvah, but only because they have been wicked (i.e., idolaters) and might not be able to adhere to this standard; ideally, they, too, should follow it.
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