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Leviticus 18:23 - Forbidden unions corrupt holiness.

Leviticus 18:23 - ויקרא 18:23

Hebrew Text

וּבְכָל־בְּהֵמָה לֹא־תִתֵּן שְׁכָבְתְּךָ לְטָמְאָה־בָהּ וְאִשָּׁה לֹא־תַעֲמֹד לִפְנֵי בְהֵמָה לְרִבְעָהּ תֶּבֶל הוּא׃

English Translation

Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself with it: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down before it: it is perversion.

Transliteration

U'v'khol-beheimah lo-titein shkhavt'kha l'tamei-ah v'ishah lo-ta'amod lifnei veheimah l'riv'ah tevel hu.

Hebrew Leining Text

וּבְכׇל־בְּהֵמָ֛ה לֹא־תִתֵּ֥ן שְׁכׇבְתְּךָ֖ לְטׇמְאָה־בָ֑הּ וְאִשָּׁ֗ה לֹֽא־תַעֲמֹ֞ד לִפְנֵ֧י בְהֵמָ֛ה לְרִבְעָ֖הּ תֶּ֥בֶל הֽוּא׃
וּבְכׇל־בְּהֵמָ֛ה לֹא־תִתֵּ֥ן שְׁכׇבְתְּךָ֖ לְטׇמְאָה־בָ֑הּ וְאִשָּׁ֗ה לֹֽא־תַעֲמֹ֞ד לִפְנֵ֧י בְהֵמָ֛ה לְרִבְעָ֖הּ תֶּ֥בֶל הֽוּא׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Prohibition of Bestiality in Jewish Law

The verse (Vayikra 18:23) prohibits two forms of forbidden relations with animals:

  • A man lying with an animal (וּבְכָל־בְּהֵמָה לֹא־תִתֵּן שְׁכָבְתְּךָ)
  • A woman allowing an animal to lie with her (וְאִשָּׁה לֹא־תַעֲמֹד לִפְנֵי בְהֵמָה)

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi explains that the phrase "לְטָמְאָה־בָהּ" (to defile yourself with it) teaches that this act causes ritual impurity. He notes the unusual phrasing "לְרִבְעָהּ" (to lie down before it) rather than the expected "לְהִרְבֵּעַ" (to be lain with), indicating the woman's active participation in the sin is particularly severe.

Rambam's Legal Perspective

In Mishneh Torah (Issurei Biah 1:16), Rambam categorizes bestiality as one of the most severe sexual prohibitions, punishable by karet (spiritual excision) and, when there are witnesses and proper warning, by the death penalty. He emphasizes that this prohibition applies equally to men and women.

Talmudic Analysis

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 54b) derives from this verse that:

  • The prohibition applies whether the act is natural or unnatural
  • Both the human and animal involved are subject to punishment (the animal is stoned)
  • The term "תֶּבֶל" (perversion) indicates this act upsets the natural order

Kabbalistic Perspective

The Zohar (Vayikra 73a) explains that such unions create damaging spiritual forces by mixing human and animal realms improperly. The term "תֶּבֶל" is connected to the root meaning "confusion," paralleling the confusion of categories that occurred during the Generation of the Flood.

Contemporary Halachic Application

Modern poskim (halachic decisors) including Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe EH 4:115) discuss whether artificial insemination from animals would violate this prohibition, generally concluding it would be forbidden due to the mixing of species even without physical contact.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 55a
The verse is discussed in the context of the prohibition of bestiality and the severity of such acts.
📖 Niddah 13b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about various forms of forbidden sexual relations and their consequences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 18:23 mean?
A: Leviticus 18:23 prohibits intimate relations between humans and animals, calling it a 'perversion' (תֶּבֶל). This is one of the forbidden relationships listed in the Torah's laws of morality (איסורי עריות). Rashi explains that this prohibition applies to both men and women, as the verse mentions 'neither shall any woman stand before a beast.'
Q: Why is this prohibition important in Judaism?
A: This prohibition is important because it maintains the sanctity of human relationships and distinguishes between human morality and animal behavior. The Rambam (Hilchot Issurei Bi'ah 1:1) teaches that these laws elevate human conduct. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 56a) also includes this among the Noahide laws that apply to all humanity.
Q: What can we learn from this verse today?
A: We learn that Judaism sets clear boundaries for proper conduct and relationships. The Torah uses strong language ('it is perversion') to emphasize how seriously it views maintaining moral purity. This teaches us to respect the natural order and sanctity of human relationships as defined by Torah law.
Q: How does this verse apply to modern life?
A: While this specific prohibition may seem obvious today, it reminds us that Torah law provides eternal moral guidelines. The Sforno explains that such laws prevent the degradation of human dignity. In our times, this teaches the importance of maintaining proper boundaries in all relationships according to Torah values.
Q: Why does the Torah mention this prohibition specifically?
A: The Torah mentions this prohibition specifically because, as Rashi notes, some ancient cultures actually practiced such behaviors. The Torah comes to distinguish Jewish moral standards from those of other nations. The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 23:9) teaches that these laws separate holiness from impurity.