Negative Commandment #33

Sefer Ha’mitzvos Ha’Katzar (The concise book of mitzvos) By the Chofetz Chaim

This book lists the Torah mitzvos that can be observed today

Second Section – the Negative Commandments

33. It is a negative commandment “Do not kidnap another Jew”

As it states in Shemos (Exodus) 20:13, “Do not steal” and our Sages of blessed memory learn (in Sanhedrin 86a) that this is a warning not to steal a soul from the Jews. Also included in this negative commandment is one person is not allowed to sell another Jewish soul, which is also included in the law stated in Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:42, “They shall not be sold as slaves.” The kidnapper is not liable to the death penalty until he kidnaps a Jew, brings him into his possession, uses him for his own purposes, and then sells him to others. If the kidnapper sells him to the kidnapped person’s father or brother, he is exempt from punishment (but this is still forbidden).

This applies in all places and at all times, for men and for women.

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