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Or HaChaim on Leviticus 18:30

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Torah

30 ‎[1] ** ושמדתם את משמדתי, "You shall observe My ordinance, etc."** Here G'd issues a warning to observe the "security fence" erected by the sages so as to make it unlikely that one breaches one of the Biblical commandments concerning sexual mores. The word משמרת refers to such a "fence." The reason the Torah added the words לבלתי עשות, "not to do, etc," is to explain that the "fence" is designed to protect us from even inadvertently breaching the עריות legislation. Even though a person would not become guilty of the penalties provided for people who willingly violate the prohibitons in this chapter, they would still defile themselves. In order to avoid this, the Torah urges "observe My protective fence."

‎[2] The Torah concludes the chapter with the words: "I am the Lord your G'd" in order to inform us that we are in danger of jeopardising this superior status even if we violate the commandments in this chapter only inadvertently. The abominations mentioned in this chapter are so serious that commission of any one of them even inadvertently creates a schism between the Israelite and his G'd. It makes it difficult for G'd's presence to remain amongst us. Such a presence can reside only amongst people devoid of abominable acts and concerned with maintaining their sanctity.

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Version: Or Hachayim, trans. Eliyahu Munk

Source: http://www.urimpublications.com/or-hachayim-commentary-on-the-torah-5-vols.html

License: CC-BY

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