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Leviticus 18:29 - Consequences of moral corruption?

Leviticus 18:29 - ויקרא 18:29

Hebrew Text

כִּי כָּל־אֲשֶׁר יַעֲשֶׂה מִכֹּל הַתּוֹעֵבוֹת הָאֵלֶּה וְנִכְרְתוּ הַנְּפָשׁוֹת הָעֹשֹׂת מִקֶּרֶב עַמָּם׃

English Translation

For whoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the persons that commit them shall be cut off from among their people.

Transliteration

Ki kol-asher ya'aseh mikol hato'evot ha'eleh venikhretu hanefashot ha'osot mikerev amam.

Hebrew Leining Text

כִּ֚י כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר יַעֲשֶׂ֔ה מִכֹּ֥ל הַתּוֹעֵבֹ֖ת הָאֵ֑לֶּה וְנִכְרְת֛וּ הַנְּפָשׁ֥וֹת הָעֹשֹׂ֖ת מִקֶּ֥רֶב עַמָּֽם׃
כִּ֚י כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר יַעֲשֶׂ֔ה מִכֹּ֥ל הַתּוֹעֵבֹ֖ת הָאֵ֑לֶּה וְנִכְרְת֛וּ הַנְּפָשׁ֥וֹת הָעֹשֹׂ֖ת מִקֶּ֥רֶב עַמָּֽם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

The verse appears in Vayikra (Leviticus) 18:29, concluding a section detailing forbidden relationships and immoral acts. The Torah emphasizes the severity of these transgressions by stating that those who commit them will be "cut off" (karet) from their people.

Meaning of "Karet" (כרת)

Rashi explains that karet refers to a divine punishment where the soul is severed from its spiritual source, either in this world or the next. Rambam (Hilchot Teshuva 8:1) elaborates that karet entails the soul's excision from the World to Come unless the sinner repents before death.

Severity of the Transgressions

The Talmud (Yevamot 55a) notes that the term "abominations" (to'evot) underscores the repulsive nature of these sins in the eyes of Hashem. The Sifra (a halachic Midrash on Vayikra) teaches that these acts corrupt the moral fabric of society, warranting such a severe penalty.

Spiritual and Communal Consequences

  • Individual: The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 188) explains that karet reflects the soul's detachment from its divine root due to extreme moral corruption.
  • Communal: The phrase "from among their people" implies exclusion from the collective merit of Knesset Yisrael, as these sins jeopardize the sanctity of the nation (Kli Yakar).

Repentance and Atonement

The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuva 1:4) emphasizes that sincere repentance can nullify the decree of karet. The Midrash Tanchuma (Parshat Acharei Mot) adds that fasting on Yom Kippur and genuine remorse serve as remedies for such severe sins.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 64b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the severity of certain sins and the concept of being 'cut off' (karet) from one's people as a divine punishment.
📖 Yevamot 63b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the consequences of immoral behavior and the concept of karet (being cut off) as a punishment for such actions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'cut off from among their people' mean in Leviticus 18:29?
A: According to traditional Jewish sources like Rashi and the Talmud, being 'cut off' (כרת) can mean either premature death (by Divine decree) or spiritual excision from the Jewish people. The Rambam explains in Hilchot Teshuva that it refers to losing one's share in the World to Come unless repentance is done.
Q: Why does the Torah call certain actions 'abominations' in this verse?
A: The term 'abominations' (תועבות) refers to severe sins that are morally repulsive and damage the sanctity of the Jewish people. The Sifra (Torat Kohanim) explains these include the forbidden relationships listed earlier in the chapter, which violate the holy boundaries established by Hashem for family and society.
Q: How does Leviticus 18:29 apply to Jewish life today?
A: While the Torah's judicial punishments are not implemented today, the verse teaches the eternal principle that violating moral boundaries has spiritual consequences. The Chatam Sofer notes that even today, one who willfully transgresses these laws separates themselves from the community's spiritual fabric until they repent.
Q: What is the connection between this verse and Jewish identity?
A: The Talmud (Yevamot 21a) derives from this verse that maintaining moral purity is fundamental to remaining part of the Jewish people. The Kli Yakar explains that these laws preserve the unique holiness of Israel, distinguishing us from other nations in our family structure and moral conduct.