Mitzvah #239 - Monuments

One may not erect a stone monument - where the multitudes gather - for the sake of worship; be it idol worship or even worshipping Hashem.

One who erects such a monument deserves 39 lashes by Bet Din.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "Do not erect any monuments" (Devarim 16:22)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 162

- Danny
Monday, 26 Tishrei 5771

Mitzvah #236 - Kneeling

It is forbidden to make a stone floor to be used for bowing down, even if one is bowing to Gcd.

One who fully prostrates himself to Gcd on a stone floor deserves 39 lashes by Bet Din.

Even simply kneeling on a stone floor to Gcd is forbidden.

On Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippour one has to cover the stone floors in the synagogue (e.g. with a carpet or towel or paper) before bowing down.

One who kneels or prostrates himself in front of an idol, deserves to be stoned to death by Bet Din.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "..and a stone floor do not put in your land to prostrate upon" (Vayikra 26:1)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 161

- Danny
Tuesday, 13 Tishrei 5771

==> If you don't live in Israel, add a reminder to your calendar for Eruv Tavshilin for tomorrow and for next week,.

Mitzvah #210 - Graven images

Making sculptures of the human head (with or without the body) is forbidden and is punishable by 39 lashes from Bet Din.

Drawing and engravings of heads are permitted.

Rings with seals of human heads:

- If the image is engraved, one may own it, but one may not affix a seal with it, since the seal will have an embossed head on it.

- If the image is embossed, one may not own it, but one may affix a seal with it, since the seal will have an engraved image on it.

One may not draw, engrave or emboss the likeness of the sun or moon.

One is permitted to draw, engrave and emboss animals, trees and plants.

One may not build a building with the same measurements as the Bet HaMikdash.

One may not make a table identical to the one used in the Bet Hamikdash.

One may not make a 7-branched Menorah out of any metal.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "You shall not make..." (Shmos 20:23)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 144

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 2 Elul 5770

Please daven for the complete recovery of Sara bat Hodda who will be going for a bone marrow transplant today

Mitzvah #43 - Injuring oneself / cliques

One may not scratch or otherwise injure oneself "in honor" of an idol, nor as a sign of grief over the death of a beloved one.

This is forbidden whether done by hand or with an instrument.

Included in this Mitzva is the prohibition of dividing oneself into groups with different Minhagim, in the same location.

Applies to everybody, always ,everywhere.

Pasuk: "Lo Thisgodedu" (Devorim 14:1) which can mean "Do not scratch" and "do not create groups"

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 28

Shabbat Shalom,

- Danny
Thursday, 16 Kislev 5770

Mitzvah #41- Do not prophesies in the name of idols

One may not utter prophecies in the name of idols, even if the intent is to have people follow correct Halacha.

A transgressor gets killed by strangulation.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Pasuk: "and the name of other gods do not mention" (Shmot 23:13)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 27

- Danny
Tuesday, 14 Kislev 5770

Mitzvah #40 - Do not save the inciter

One may not rescue somebody who incites others to idol worship, even if the inciter's life is in danger.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Pasuk: "Do not have pity on him" (Devorim 18:9)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 26

- Danny
Monday, 13 Kislev 5770

Mitzvah #38 - Always hate the enticer

One may not stop hating a person who entices others to worship idols.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Pasuk: "Do not heed him" (Devorim 18:9)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 25

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 9 Kislev 5770

Mitzvah #37 - Do not love the enticer

One may not love a person who entices others to worship idols.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Pasuk: "Do not love him" (Devorim 13:9)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 24

- Danny
Wednesday, 8 Kislev 5770

Mitzvah #35 - Not enticing others to worship idols

It's forbidden to entice others - individuals or a group - to worship idols.

One who tries to persuade others to worship idols gets put to death by stoning, even if nobody actually worshiped idols.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Pasuk: "If he shall entice you... to worship foreign gods..." (Devorim 13:7-12)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 23

- Danny
Monday, 6 Kislev 5770

Mitzvah #31 - Do not have pity on idol worshippers

One may not do any favors for an idol worshipper.

If he's drowning one may not jump in to save him, and if he's sick one may not heal him gratis. If one is paid, then one may.

It's forbidden to kill idol worshippers, except during a war.

One may not give them free gifts, nor sing their praises.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, all the time.

Pasuk: "Don't be gracious to them" (Devorim 7:2)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 20

Chodesh Tov,

- Danny
Tuesday, 1st day Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5770

Mitzvah #28 - Do not benefit from idols

One may not have any benefit from idols, their sacrifices, priests or anything else dedicated to them.

Some items are worshiped but are not man-made, like mountains, trees planted for their fruit, animals not bread for idol-worship.

If these items are subsequently worshipped, one may still benefit from them, but not from items found on them.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Pasuk: "Do not bring repugnant items into your home" (Devorim 7:26) and "Don't retain anything from the shunned material" (ibid 13:18)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 18

Shabbat Shalom,

- Danny
Thursday, 25 Marcheshvan 5770

Mitzvah #26 - An idol's ornaments are forbidden

One may not have any benefit from an idol's ornaments, jewelry and coverings.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Pasuk: "Do not covet the gold and silver on them" (Devorim 7:25)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 17

- Danny
Tuesday, 23 Marcheshvan 5770

Mitzvah #25 - Don't pay attention to idols

One may not pay attention to specific idols.

Idols should not be the subject of our speech or thoughts, and one shouldn't gaze upon them.

One should not read their book nor investigate how they are worshipped.

Learning Halachot about idols, is allowed.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Pasuk: "Don't pay attention to gods" (Vayikra 19:4)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 16

- Danny
Monday, 22 Marcheshvan 5770

Mitzvah #23 - Don't consume food sacrificed to idols

Food that was sacrificed to idols is forbidden.

One who eats, drinks or has any benefit from such food is given 39 lashes by Bet Din.

By Rabbinic Decree one may not drink any wine that was touched by a non-Jew, unless it was previously boiled.

One may also not eat at the wedding of an idol worshipper even if one brings one's own food and is served by a Jewish waiter.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Pasuk: "Beware... lest he call you to eat from his sacrifices" (Shmot 34:15)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 15

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 18 Marcheshvan 5770

Mitzvah #22 - Not to persuade others to worship idols

One who persuades others to worship idols gets killed by stoning, even if he himself never worshipped idols.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, all the time.

Pasuk: "... should not be spoken about by you" (Shmos 23:13)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 14

- Danny
Wednesday, 17 Marcheshvan 5770

Please daven for young Refael Chaim Simcha Binyamin ben Devorah Aliza, who has been fighting Leukemia the past 18 months and is having terrible reactions to the bone marrow transplant

Mitzvah #20 - Not to swear in an idol's name

One may not swear by an idol's name.

One should not mention the name of an idol in one's conversations.

Even mentioning an idol as a landmark is forbidden. E.g. "please meet me next to [name of idol]".

One may mention idols mentioned in Sefarim (E.g.: Tanach or Gemara) like Pe'or and Nevo.

One may not cause others to swear in the name of an idol - including non-Jews.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, all the time.

Pasuk: And the name of other gods do not mention (Shmos 23:13)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 13

- Danny
Monday, 15 Marcheshvan 5770

Mitzvah #19 - Don't serve idols

It's a Mitzvah not to worship idols in the manner they are normally worshipped.

Even of it's a disgraceful act - like throwing stones at Markulis - it's forbidden and the one who transgresses deserves to be stoned to death by Bet Din.

One who kisses or embraces an idol or who sweeps or washes it's room or otherwise shows it respect has transgressed.

One may not drink from water that is pouring out of the mouth of an idol-water-fountain, since it looks like one is kissing the idol.

Applies to everybody, all the time, everywhere.

Pasuk: ..and don't worship them... (2nd of the Ten Commandments - Shmot 20:5)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 12

- Danny
Sunday, 14 Marcheshvan 5770

Mitzvah #17 - Do not bow down to idols

It's a Mitzvah not to bow down to idols - even of it's not the way this particular idol is worshipped - since bowing down is the way we worship Hashem.

One who transgresses deserves to be stoned to death by Bet Din.

Similarly one may not offer sacrifices, incense or wine to an idol, since these are all ways we serve Hashem in the Bet Hamikdash; even if the idol is not normally worshipped in this manner.

One should agree to be killed rather than transgress any of the above.

If one dropped something, or one gets a thorn in ones foot in front of an idol, one should not bend down to take care of it, since it looks like one is bowing down to the idol. Rather one should turn around - or to the side.

Applies to everybody, all the time, everywhere.

Pasuk: ...do not bow down to them (2nd of the Ten Commandments - Shmot 20:5)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 11

- Danny
Wednesday, 10 Marcheshvan 5770

Mitzvah #16 - Do not manufacture idols

It's forbidden to make idols that will be worshipped - even for non-Jews to worship.

One who manufactures idols has transgressed and deserves 39 lashes.

One who manufactures an idol for himself has transgressed twice; this sin and Mitzvah #14 - Do not create your own idols.

Applies to everybody, all the time, everywhere.

Pasuk: You shall not make idols (Vayikra 19:4)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 10

- Danny
9 Marcheshvan 5770

Mitzvah #14 - Do not create your own idols

It's a Mitzvah not to create idols that one will worship.


One who makes an idol by himself, or who one asks somebody else to make him an idol to worship has transgressed and deserves 39 lashes.


Applies to everybody, all the time, everywhere.


Pasuk: You shall not make for yourselves any idols (2nd of the Ten Commandments - Shmot 20:4)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 9

- Danny
Sunday, 7 Marcheshvan 5770

Remember to say ותן טל ומטר לברכה