THE 613 COMMANDMENTS OF THE TORAH
📜 THE COMPLETE 613 COMMANDMENTS
According to Rambam – With Torah Verses
A. The 248 Positive Commandments
I. Belief in God (1–6)
Positive Commandments – With Verses & Explanations
1. To know that God exists
Verse: Exodus 20:2
Text: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.”
Meaning:
This is the command to recognize and acknowledge that the God of Israel is real, living, and the One who redeemed His people.
2. To not believe in other gods
Verse: Exodus 20:3
Text: “You shall have no other gods before Me.”
Meaning:
A command to reject all idols, false gods, and any competing spiritual power. Only the true God is to be believed in and trusted.
3. To know that God is One
Verse: Deuteronomy 6:4
Text: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One.”
Meaning:
This is the declaration of God’s unity, uniqueness, and exclusivity.
He is not divided, not multiple, not shared—He is One.
4. To love God
Verse: Deuteronomy 6:5
Text: “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”
Meaning:
We are commanded to love God passionately and completely—in our desires, our life, our actions, and our energies.
5. To fear (revere) God
Verse: Deuteronomy 10:20
Text: “You shall fear the LORD your God.”
Meaning:
This is the command to walk with respect, awe, humility, and reverence before Him—recognizing His holiness and power.
6. To sanctify God’s Name
Verse: Leviticus 22:32
Text: “And I shall be sanctified among the children of Israel.”
Meaning:
A command to honor God publicly through righteous living, obedience, and faithfulness — so His Name is elevated, not dishonored.
II. TORAH & STUDY (7–9)
Positive Commandments – With Verses & Explanations
7. To learn and teach Torah
Verse: Deuteronomy 6:7
Text:
“You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise.”
Meaning:
God commands His people to:
Study His word
Teach it to their children
Speak of it constantly
Live by it daily
This is the foundation of spiritual growth and passing truth to the next generation.
8. To honor teachers and scholars
Verse: Leviticus 19:32
Text:
“You shall rise before the gray-headed and honor the presence of an elder.”
Meaning:
This includes respect for:
Elders
Teachers
Spiritual leaders
Those who walk in wisdom
Honoring them is honoring the wisdom of God they carry.
9. To cling to the wise and to God
Verse: Deuteronomy 10:20
Text:
“You shall fear the LORD your God; Him you shall serve, and to Him you shall cleave.”
Meaning:
This means:
Stay close to God in obedience
Walk in the counsel of the wise
Attach yourself to godly people
Clinging to God means seeking Him, serving Him, and remaining faithful.
III. SIGNS & REMINDERS (10–14)
Positive Commandments – With Verses & Explanations
10. To put on tefillin on the arm
Verse: Deuteronomy 6:8
Text:
“Bind them as a sign on your hand.”
Meaning:
Tefillin (phylacteries) are bound on the arm, near the heart, symbolizing:
Loving God with our heart
Obeying God in our actions
Binding His commandments to our daily life
This outward sign points to inward devotion.
11. To put on tefillin on the head
Verse: Deuteronomy 6:8
Text:
“They shall be as frontlets between your eyes.”
Meaning:
The head tefillin is placed near the mind, reminding that:
Our thoughts belong to God
We submit our mind to His Word
We follow His ways intentionally
Heart and mind together reflect complete devotion.
12. To write a mezuzah
Verse: Deuteronomy 6:9
Text:
“Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
Meaning:
A mezuzah contains Scripture (Shema) and is placed on the doorpost to:
Declare God’s presence in the home
Mark the house as dedicated to the LORD
Remind everyone entering or leaving to walk with God
The home becomes a place of holiness.
13. To wear tzitzit (fringes on garments)
Verse: Numbers 15:38
Text:
“Tell the Israelites to make tassels on the corners of their garments.”
Meaning:
The fringes serve as a daily visual reminder to:
Remember all of God’s commandments
Resist sin
Live in holiness
Each thread symbolizes faithfulness.
14. To write a Torah scroll
Verse: Deuteronomy 31:19
Text:
“Write this song for yourselves.”
Meaning:
Traditionally understood as a command that:
Every person should take part in writing or commissioning a Torah scroll
The Word of God must be preserved and honored
Scripture should remain central to the community
It emphasizes both preservation and study of God’s Word.
IV. Prayer & Blessings (15–16)
Positive Commandments – With Verses & Explanations
15. To pray to God daily
Verse: Exodus 23:25
Text:
“You shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water.”
Meaning:
Jewish tradition understands “serve the LORD” as service of the heart, which is prayer.
This command teaches us to:
Seek God daily
Depend on Him for provision
Approach Him with praise, requests, and thanksgiving
Daily prayer expresses relationship, trust, and devotion.
16. To bless God after eating
Verse: Deuteronomy 8:10
Text:
“When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the LORD your God.”
Meaning:
This command requires giving thanks to God after meals — the origin of the Birkat HaMazon (Grace after Meals).
It teaches:
Gratitude for God’s provision
Recognition that all blessings come from Him
Humility and thankfulness in daily life
Blessing God after eating keeps the heart dependent and thankful.
V. Love & Brotherhood (17–19)
Positive Commandments – With Verses & Explanations
17. To love your neighbor
Verse: Leviticus 19:18
Text:
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Meaning:
This is one of the greatest commandments. God requires us to:
Treat others with dignity and kindness
Seek their good as our own
Avoid hatred, jealousy, and revenge
Love is the foundation of all relationships and all moral law.
18. To love the stranger
Verse: Deuteronomy 10:19
Text:
“Love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.”
Meaning:
This command extends love beyond our own community. God asks us to:
Show hospitality
Protect and care for foreigners
Remember our own history of being outsiders
Love is not limited to familiarity; it must reach the vulnerable.
19. To rebuke a sinner (in love)
Verse: Leviticus 19:17
Text:
“You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.”
Meaning:
God teaches that rebuke is an act of love when done correctly:
Not with anger or humiliation
But with compassion and restoration
Helping a brother or sister return to righteousness
Silence that allows sin to continue is harmful; loving correction brings life.
VI. The Temple (20–72)
(53 Commands: Construction, Reverence, Service, Sacrifices, Festivals, Offerings)
A. Temple Structure & Sanctity
22. Guard the Temple (Levites stand watch) – Num. 18:2
23. Levites perform their assigned duties – Num. 18:23B. Sacrificial System (Daily, Weekly, Monthly)
Daily Offerings
24. Offer the Tamid (daily burnt offering) — morning – Num. 28:3–4
25. Offer the Tamid — evening – Num. 28:3–4Sabbath Offerings
26. Additional Sabbath burnt offerings – Num. 28:9–10
Monthly / Rosh Chodesh
27. Rosh Chodesh burnt offerings – Num. 28:11–15
28. Rosh Chodesh sin offering – Num. 28:15C. Festival Sacrifices (Annual Cycle)
Passover / Pesach
29. Keep the Passover sacrifice – Deut. 16:1–8
30. Offer additional festival offerings on Passover – Num. 28:16–25Shavuot / Weeks
31. Offer Shavuot sacrifices – Num. 28:26–31
Rosh Hashanah
32. Offer Rosh Hashanah sacrifices – Num. 29:1–6
Yom Kippur
33. Offer Yom Kippur sacrifices – Num. 29:7–11
34. High Priest performs Yom Kippur service – Lev. 16:29–34Sukkot / Feast of Booths
35. Offer Sukkot sacrifices – Num. 29:12–38
Shemini Atzeret
36. Offer the Shemini Atzeret sacrifices – Num. 29:35–38
D. First Fruits & Tithes (Brought to the Temple)
37. Bring First Fruits (Bikkurim) – Ex. 23:19, Deut. 26:1–2
38. Recite the First Fruits declaration – Deut. 26:5–10
39. Bring the Second Tithe to Jerusalem – Deut. 14:22–27
40. Give the Ma’aser Sheni confession – Deut. 26:12–15E. Vows, Dedications, Redemption
41. Fulfill vows and offerings vowed to God – Deut. 23:21–23
42. Sanctify firstborn animals – Ex. 13:12
43. Redeem the firstborn donkey – Ex. 13:13
44. Redeem the firstborn son – Num. 18:15–16
45. Bring offerings for vows (Nazirite, etc.) – Num. 6:1–21F. Sin Offerings (חטאת – Chattat)
(Sin offerings for accidental violations)
46. Sin offering for unintentional priestly sin – Lev. 4:3–12
47. Sin offering for community sin – Lev. 4:13–21
48. Sin offering for a leader – Lev. 4:22–26
49. Sin offering for an individual – Lev. 4:27–35
50. Sin offering for special cases (Lev. 5:1–13)G. Guilt Offerings (אָשָׁם – Asham)
51. Guilt offering for misuse of holy things – Lev. 5:14–16
52. Guilt offering for certain sins (e.g., theft, deceit) – Lev. 5:20–26
53. Guilt offering for doubtful transgression – Lev. 5:17–19H. Peace Offerings (שְׁלָמִים – Shelamim)
54. Offer thanksgiving offerings – Lev. 7:11–15
55. Offer vow/voluntary peace offerings – Lev. 7:16–21
56. Bring wave offering (some offerings include it) – Ex. 29:26–28I. Burnt Offerings (עֹלָה – Olah)
(Aside from the daily and festival ones already counted)
57. General burnt offerings for devotion – Lev. 1:1–17
J. Meal & Drink Offerings
58. Offer grain offerings – Lev. 2:1–16
59. Offer drink offerings with sacrifices – Num. 15:5–10K. Incense, Priestly Service & Temple Vessels
60. Burn incense twice daily – Ex. 30:7–8
61. Keep the Menorah lit daily – Ex. 27:20–21
62. Keep showbread on the table weekly – Lev. 24:5–963. High Priest wear special garments – Ex. 28:2–4
64. Priests must wash hands and feet before service – Ex. 30:19–21
65. Priests must bless Israel – Num. 6:23–27L. Purity Laws for Entering the Temple
66. Remove impurity before entering the Temple – Num. 19:13
67. Offer purification offerings after childbirth – Lev. 12:6
68. Offer purification from certain impurities – Lev. 15:13–15
69. Offer leper purification sacrifices – Lev. 14:10–20M. Handling Holy Items
70. Treat sacred offerings respectfully – Lev. 22:2
71. Priests eat certain offerings in holiness – Lev. 6:16–18
72. Burn leftover sacrificial meat when required – Lev. 7:17
A. Honor & Responsibilities of Priests
73. Honor the priests – Lev. 21:8
74. Priests must bless Israel – Num. 6:23–27
Impurity from the Dead
75. Priests may not become impure for the dead except close relatives – Lev. 21:1–3
76. High Priest must not become impure for the dead even for relatives – Lev. 21:10–12
Physical Requirements
77. Priests must be physically whole to serve – Lev. 21:16–23
Marriage Restrictions
78. A regular priest may not marry a harlot – Lev. 21:7
79. A regular priest may not marry a divorced woman – Lev. 21:7
80. High Priest must marry a virgin – Lev. 21:13
81. High Priest may not marry a widow – Lev. 21:14
Conduct
82. Priests must not drink wine when serving – Lev. 10:9
83. Priests must teach Israel the law – Lev. 10:10–11
C. Special Holiness of the High Priest
84. High Priest must not tear his garments – Lev. 21:10
85. High Priest must not leave the Sanctuary during service – Lev. 21:12
86. High Priest must perform the Yom Kippur service – Lev. 16:29–34
D. Priestly Garments (Worn During Service)
(Each garment is counted separately)
87. Priests must wear holy garments during service – Ex. 28:2
88. Priests must wear the tunic – Ex. 28:39–40
89. Priests must wear the sash – Ex. 28:39–40
90. Priests must wear the turban – Ex. 28:39–40
High Priest Garments
(Again counted separately)
91. High Priest must wear the breastplate – Ex. 28:15
92. High Priest must wear the ephod – Ex. 28:6
93. High Priest must wear the robe – Ex. 28:31
94. High Priest must wear the golden plate (tzitz) – Ex. 28:36–38
95. High Priest must wear the linen garments on Yom Kippur – Lev. 16:4
E. Priestly Service (Work Done in the Temple)
96. Priests must wash hands and feet before service – Ex. 30:19
97. Priests must tend the Menorah daily – Ex. 27:20–21
98. Priests must burn incense twice daily – Ex. 30:7–8
99. Priests must arrange the showbread every week – Lev. 24:5–9
100. Priests must offer the sacrifices – Lev. 1:5
101. Priests must burn remaining sacrificial parts – Lev. 4:10–12
102. Priests blow the trumpets in worship and war – Num. 10:9–10
F. Eating Holy Offerings (Priestly Portions)
103. Priests must eat the sin offerings (when required) – Lev. 6:25–26
104. Priests must eat the guilt offerings – Lev. 7:6
105. Priests must eat the most holy offerings in a holy place – Lev. 6:17–18
106. Priests must not eat offerings while impure – Lev. 22:4–7
107. Priest’s family (qualified) may eat certain offerings – Lev. 10:14
108. Outsiders may not eat the holy things – Lev. 22:10
G. Support & Tithes for Priests and Levites
109. Give priests their portions (thigh, breast, etc.) – Deut. 18:3
110. Give first fruits to the priests – Deut. 26:1–2
111. Give the first of dough (challah) to the priest – Num. 15:20–21
112. Give tithes to the Levites – Num. 18:21
113. Levites must give a tithe of their tithe to the priests – Num. 18:26
H. Levites’ Roles & Restrictions
114. Levites guard the Temple – Num. 1:53
115. Levites transport the Tabernacle parts – Num. 4:4–15
116. Levites sing and play instruments in the Temple – 1 Chron. 23:2–5 (accepted halachically)
117. Levites must serve from age 25–50 – Num. 8:24–25
I. Acceptable Offerings & Qualifications
118. Priests may not offer a blemished animal – Lev. 22:20–25
119. Priests must inspect and declare offerings acceptable – Lev. 22:17–19
VIII. Ritual Purity (120–152).
A. Purification from Impurity (Mikvah)
120. Immerse in a mikvah to purify from minor ritual impurity – Lev. 15:13
121. Immerse in a mikvah to purify from major impurity – Num. 19:19
Meaning: Ritual immersion restores spiritual cleanliness for participation in Temple worship or holy activities.
B. Impurity from the Dead (Corpse)
122. Become impure when touching a dead body – Num. 19:11
123. Become impure when carrying a dead body – Num. 19:16
124. Use the red heifer ashes to purify from corpse impurity – Num. 19:9
125. Those in contact with death must wash and wait seven days – Num. 19:12
Meaning: Death causes ritual impurity; purification ensures holiness and readiness for worship.
C. Impurity from Childbirth
126. Women are impure for seven days after giving birth to a son – Lev. 12:2–4
127. Women are impure for fourteen days after giving birth to a daughter – Lev. 12:5
128. Woman brings a purification offering after childbirth – Lev. 12:6
129. Offerings differ: lamb for burnt offering and turtledove/pigeon for sin offering if poor – Lev. 12:8
Meaning: Childbirth requires ritual purification to re-enter holy spaces.
D. Impurity from Leprosy (Tzara’at)
130. Examine the skin for leprosy – Lev. 13:2–3
131. Isolate those diagnosed with leprosy – Lev. 13:46
132. Priest must pronounce the house clean or unclean – Lev. 14:36–38
133. Offer purification offerings after leprosy healing – Lev. 14:10–20
134. Sprinkle the person with blood, oil, and water from the red heifer – Lev. 14:7
135. Wash clothes, shave hair, bathe to become pure – Lev. 14:8
Meaning: Leprosy symbolizes spiritual or ritual impurity; proper purification restores holiness.
E. Bodily Emissions
136. Male genital discharges cause impurity – Lev. 15:2–3
137. Female discharges cause impurity – Lev. 15:19–24
138. Clean with washing and immersion after emission – Lev. 15:13,28
139. Clothes and bed contaminated by emission are impure – Lev. 15:4–5,24
140. Others touching emission-contaminated items become impure – Lev. 15:6,27
Meaning: Bodily functions can transmit ritual impurity; cleansing restores participation in holy life.
F. Miscellaneous Purity Laws
141. Male seminal emission requires washing and waiting until evening – Lev. 15:16–18
142. Female menstruation causes impurity and requires isolation – Lev. 15:19–24
143. Menstruating women must not enter Temple until purified – Lev. 15:24
144. Bodily discharge during sickness causes impurity – Lev. 15:25–30
145. Contaminated items must be washed or burned – Lev. 15:11,28
146. Anyone sleeping in the same bed with an impure person becomes impure – Lev. 15:4–5
147. Anyone sitting on a chair touched by an impure person becomes impure – Lev. 15:4–5
148. Anyone touching the impure person’s belongings becomes impure – Lev. 15:5–11
149. Sprinkle water of purification when required – Num. 19:19
150. Purify garments and houses contaminated by impurity – Lev. 14:33–53
151. Maintain separation between pure and impure areas – Lev. 13:46
152. Follow priestly inspection and guidance for all purification – Lev. 13–14
✅ Section VIII Summary:
Total: 33 commandments (120–152)
Covers mikvah, death, childbirth, leprosy, bodily discharges
Each law ensures ritual readiness for Temple participation and holiness
IX. Times & Seasons (153–187)
A. Sabbath (Shabbat)
153. Rest on the Sabbath – Ex. 20:10
Text: “On the seventh day you shall not do any work.”
Meaning: God commands a day of rest to honor His creation and provide spiritual and physical renewal.
154. Proclaim the Sabbath holy – Ex. 20:8
Text: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
Meaning: Sabbath is sanctified through worship, reflection, and separation from ordinary labor.
155. Perform Sabbath offerings – Num. 28:9–10
Meaning: Burnt offerings and sacrifices on the Sabbath to honor God and maintain holiness.
B. Festival Rests (Annual Holy Days)
156. Rest on the first day of Passover – Lev. 23:7–8
157. Rest on the seventh day of Passover – Lev. 23:8
158. Rest on Shavuot – Lev. 23:21
159. Rest on Rosh Hashanah – Lev. 23:24
160. Rest on Yom Kippur – Lev. 23:32
161. Rest on the first day of Sukkot – Lev. 23:35–36
162. Rest on Shemini Atzeret – Lev. 23:36
163. Celebrate each festival with the proper sacrifices – Num. 28–29
164. Bring offerings according to the festival schedule – Num. 28–29
C. Passover Commandments
165. Eat matzah (unleavened bread) on Passover – Ex. 12:18
166. Remove all leaven from home before Passover – Ex. 12:15
167. Offer the Passover lamb – Ex. 12:3–6
168. Observe the festival for seven days – Lev. 23:6
169. Do not eat leaven during Passover – Ex. 12:15
D. Shavuot (Weeks / Pentecost)
170. Offer the Shavuot festival offerings – Num. 28:26–31
171. Count the Omer from Passover to Shavuot – Lev. 23:15–16
E. Sukkot (Feast of Booths)
172. Celebrate Sukkot in a sukkah – Lev. 23:42
173. Take the Four Species (lulav, etrog, myrtle, willow) – Lev. 23:40
174. Offer Sukkot festival sacrifices – Num. 29:12–38
F. Rosh Hashanah (New Year / Trumpet)
175. Hear the shofar on Rosh Hashanah – Num. 29:1–6
176. Offer Rosh Hashanah sacrifices – Num. 29:1–6
G. Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)
177. Observe Yom Kippur rest – Lev. 23:32
178. High Priest offers sacrifices for atonement – Lev. 16:29–34
179. Offer additional festival sacrifices for the people – Num. 29:7–11
H. General Festival Offerings
180. Burn burnt offerings according to Num. 28–29 – Num. 28–29
181. Offer grain and drink offerings with each festival sacrifice – Num. 28:2–10
182. Offer sin offerings when required during festivals – Num. 29:14
183. Offer guilt offerings when required during festivals – Num. 29:14
184. Offer peace offerings when required during festivals – Num. 28:22–31
185. Celebrate each festival in its proper time – Lev. 23:4
186. Bring tithes and first fruits during festival times – Deut. 16:10
187. Follow priestly instructions for festival offerings – Num. 28–29
✅ Summary of Section IX:
Total: 35 commandments (153–187)
Includes weekly Sabbath, annual festivals, Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur
Each festival includes rest, offerings, and specific observances
Ensures Israel’s holiness in time and ritual
X. Family & Marriage (188–213)
XI. Business, Ethics, and Society (214–248)
A. Justice & Courts
214. Love justice – Deut. 16:20
Text: “Justice, justice shall you pursue.”
Meaning: Seek fairness in society and uphold righteousness in all decisions.
215. Appoint judges and officers in every city – Deut. 16:18
Meaning: Establish courts to ensure law, order, and justice.
Court Procedures & Witnesses (216–230)
216. Judges must judge fairly – Deut. 1:16
217. Do not show partiality in judgment – Deut. 1:17
218. Do not accept bribes – Deut. 16:19
219. Witnesses must tell the truth – Ex. 20:16
220. A single witness is not enough for conviction – Deut. 19:15
221. False witnesses must receive the penalty they intended – Deut. 19:16–19
222. Courts must investigate thoroughly – Deut. 13:14
223. Judges must not fear people – Deut. 1:17
224. No perversion of justice for the poor – Ex. 23:6
225. No favoritism to the rich – Lev. 19:15
226. Follow majority decision in courts – Ex. 23:2
227. Do not convict an innocent person – Ex. 23:7
228. Do not allow a murderer to buy his way out – Num. 35:31
229. Allow appeals to higher courts (Sanhedrin) – Deut. 17:8–9
230. Follow rulings of the Sanhedrin – Deut. 17:10–11
B. Property & Responsibility Toward Others
231. Return lost objects – Deut. 22:1–3
232. Help a neighbor unload a burden – Ex. 23:5
233. Help a neighbor load an animal – Deut. 22:4
234. Do not ignore someone in need – Deut. 22:3
235. Build a safety railing on roofs – Deut. 22:8
236. Do not endanger another person’s life – Deut. 22:8
237. Pay wages on time – Deut. 24:14–15
C. Charity & Care for the Poor
238. Lend to the poor without interest – Ex. 22:24 / Deut. 23:20
239. Give charity generously – Deut. 15:11
240. Do not harden your heart against the poor – Deut. 15:7
241. Allow the poor to glean fields – Lev. 19:9–10
242. Leave forgotten sheaves for the poor – Deut. 24:19
243. Leave olives and grapes for the needy – Deut. 24:20–21
D. Business Honesty
244. Use honest weights and measures – Lev. 19:36
245. Do not steal – Ex. 20:15
246. Do not deceive in business – Lev. 19:35
247. Do not covet or plan to take another's property – Ex. 20:17
248. Do not move boundary markers of land – Deut. 19:14
E. Sabbatical Year Laws
249. Let the land rest in the sabbatical year – Ex. 23:11
250. Do not plant, harvest, or prune during the sabbatical year – Lev. 25:4–5
(This continues slightly beyond your 248 list but belongs here; you can keep or remove it.)
251. Release debts in the sabbatical year – Deut. 15:2
252. Allow anyone to eat freely from sabbatical year produce – Lev. 25:6–7
F. Slavery, Damages, & Social Responsibility (238–248 in your outline)
253. Treat slaves humanely – Ex. 21:26–27
254. Free a slave injured by his master – Ex. 21:26–27
255. Do not return a runaway slave to his master – Deut. 23:15–16
256. Pay damages for injury you cause – Ex. 21:18–19
257. Pay for property damage caused by negligence – Ex. 22:4–5
258. Pay for damage caused by your animals – Ex. 21:28–36
259. Guard property entrusted to you – Ex. 22:6–8
260. Compensate theft double – Ex. 22:3–4
261. Judge cases of accidental damage fairly – Ex. 21–22
B. The 365 Negative Commandments.
I. Idolatry (Negative Commandments 249–266)
Theme: Everything forbidden regarding false gods, occult, sorcery, idol-worship practices, and pagan customs.
249. Do not believe in any other god
Verse: “You shall have no other gods before Me.” — Exodus 20:3
250. Do not make idols
Verse: “You shall not make for yourself a carved image.” — Exodus 20:4
251. Do not bow down to idols
Verse: “You shall not bow down to them.” — Exodus 20:5
252. Do not worship idols in any manner
Verse: “…nor serve them.” — Exodus 20:5
Includes any standard act of worship (sacrifice, incense, offerings, etc.)
253. Do not make images even for decoration
Verse: “Do not make with Me gods of silver or gods of gold.” — Exodus 20:20
(Rashi explains: do not even make decorative images.)
254. Do not sacrifice children to Molech
Verse: “You shall not give any of your children to pass through the fire to Molech.” — Leviticus 18:21
255. Do not practice divination (kesem)
Verse: “You shall not practice divination.” — Leviticus 19:26
256. Do not practice soothsaying (onen)
Verse: “You shall not practice soothsaying.” — Leviticus 19:26
257. Do not act as an augur (nichush)
Verse: “There shall not be found among you… one who practices augury.” — Deut. 18:10
258. Do not use omens
Verse: “There shall not be found among you… one who interprets omens.” — Deut. 18:10
259. Do not engage in sorcery (kishuf)
Verse: “You shall not let a sorceress live.” — Exodus 22:17
260. Do not consult ghosts (ov)
Verse: “Do not turn to ghost-spirits (ov).” — Leviticus 19:31
261. Do not consult familiar spirits (yidoni)
Verse: “Nor familiar spirits (yidoni).” — Leviticus 19:31
262. Do not perform necromancy
Verse: “There shall not be found among you… one who inquires of the dead.” — Deut. 18:11
263. Do not swear in the name of an idol
Verse: “Do not mention the name of other gods.” — Exodus 23:13
264. Do not cause others to swear by idols
Verse: “Do not let their names be heard on your lips.” — Exodus 23:13
265. Do not follow pagan customs
Verse: “You shall not walk in the statutes of the nations.” — Leviticus 20:23
266. Do not turn after your heart or your eyes toward idolatry
Verse: “Do not stray after your heart and your eyes.” — Numbers 15:39
II. Blasphemy & Oaths (267–272)
Theme: Prohibitions related to misusing God’s Name, blasphemy, false oaths, and improper vows.
267. Do not blaspheme God
Verse: “Whoever blasphemes the Name of the LORD shall surely be put to death.” — Leviticus 24:16
268. Do not swear falsely (false oath)
Verse: “You shall not take the Name of the LORD your God in falsehood.” — Exodus 20:7
269. Do not take God’s Name in vain (empty oath)
Verse: “…for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His Name in vain.” — Exodus 20:7
(This includes idle, unnecessary, or careless oaths.)
270. Do not violate a sworn oath or vow
Verse: “He shall not break his word; he shall do all that comes out of his mouth.” — Numbers 30:3
271. Do not swear in God’s Name about something false or unknown
Verse: “You shall not swear by My Name falsely.” — Leviticus 19:12
(Prohibits using God’s Name to support a lie.)
272. Do not curse God’s appointed leaders or judges (a form of disrespect related to oaths)
Verse: “You shall not curse God, nor curse a ruler of your people.” — Exodus 22:27
(Rabbis include this in the group of reverence for sacred authority connected to misuse of sacred speech.)
III. Temple & Worship (273–358)
These commandments deal with:
Temple purity
Who may enter and serve
Forbidden types of offerings
Eating restricted sacrificial portions
Priestly restrictions
Defects in animals and priests
Improper ritual performance
273. Do not enter the Temple while impure
Verse: “Send them out of the camp … that they do not defile the camp.” — Numbers 5:3
274. Do not eat sacrificial meat while impure
Verse: “The soul who eats the flesh of the sacrifice … having his uncleanness on him, that soul shall be cut off.” — Leviticus 7:20
275. A priest must not serve in the Temple while impure
Verse: “They shall be holy … and not profane My holy Name.” — Leviticus 22:2
276. Do not enter the Temple grounds (area of service) while drunk
Verse: “Do not drink wine or strong drink … when you go into the Tent of Meeting.” — Leviticus 10:9
277. A priest may not serve with long, unkempt hair
Verse: “They shall not shave their heads, nor let their locks grow long; they shall keep their hair well trimmed.” — Ezekiel 44:20
278. A priest may not serve wearing torn garments
Verse: “Let their garments not be torn.” — Leviticus 10:6
279. No unauthorized person may enter the Holy areas
Verse: “A stranger shall not come near.” — Numbers 18:4
280. No unauthorized person may perform Temple service
Verse: “The stranger who comes near shall be put to death.” — Numbers 18:7
281. Do not offer sacrifices outside the Temple
Verse: “Take heed … that you do not offer your burnt offerings in every place you see.” — Deuteronomy 12:13
282. Do not slaughter sacrificial animals outside the Temple courtyard
Verse: “Whoever slaughters it outside … blood shall be imputed to that man.” — Leviticus 17:3–4
283. Do not burn any portion of a sacrifice outside the Temple
Verse: “You shall bring your burnt offerings … to the place the LORD will choose.” — Deuteronomy 12:14
284. Do not offer sacrifices to God that have a blemish
Verse: “You shall not offer anything that has a blemish.” — Deuteronomy 17:1
285. Do not dedicate a blemished animal for sacrifice
Verse: “If there is any defect in it … you shall not sacrifice it to the LORD your God.” — Deuteronomy 15:21
286. Do not place a blemished animal on the altar even if it was already consecrated
Verse: “Blind, broken, maimed … these you shall not offer to the LORD.” — Leviticus 22:22
287. Do not cause a blemish in consecrated animals
Verse: “All your offerings shall be without blemish.” — Leviticus 22:21
(Rabbis interpret this as forbidding intentionally damaging consecrated animals.)
288. Do not offer leaven or honey on the altar
Verse: “No leaven nor any honey shall be burned as an offering to the LORD.” — Leviticus 2:11
289. Do not offer a sacrifice without salt
Verse: “With all your offerings you shall offer salt.” — Leviticus 2:13
(Implication: failure to include salt is a violation.)
290. Do not offer any sacrifice with a defect in the animal’s testicles
Verse: “Bruised, crushed, torn, or cut … you shall not offer to the LORD.” — Leviticus 22:24
291. Do not offer an animal with a temporary blemish
Verse: “Whatever has a blemish, you shall not offer.” — Leviticus 22:20
(Temporary injuries also disqualify.)
292. Do not accept a blemished animal from a non-Jew for sacrifice
Verse: “From a foreigner’s hand you shall not offer the food of your God from any of these.” — Leviticus 22:25
293. Do not sacrifice an animal and its offspring on the same day
Verse: “You shall not slaughter it and its young on the same day.” — Leviticus 22:28
294. Do not change consecrated animals (exchange one for another)
Verse: “He shall not exchange it nor substitute it.” — Leviticus 27:10
295. Do not redeem firstborn clean animals (they must be offered)
Verse: “You shall not redeem the firstborn of your herd and flock.” — Numbers 18:17
296. Do not work with a consecrated animal
Verse: “You shall not work with the firstborn of your bull.” — Deuteronomy 15:19
297. Do not shear a consecrated animal
Verse: “…nor shear the firstborn of your flock.” — Deuteronomy 15:19
298. Do not offer animals bought with ill-gotten money (e.g., harlot’s payment, dog’s price)
Verse: “You shall not bring the hire of a harlot or the price of a dog to the house of the LORD.” — Deuteronomy 23:18
299. Do not offer leaven on the altar (for all offerings)
(This is distinct from command 288 because rabbis count the general prohibition separately.)
Verse: “No leaven … shall be burned as an offering.” — Leviticus 2:11
300. Do not offer honey on the altar (general prohibition)
(Parallel to above; counted separately.)
Verse: “…nor any honey, as an offering made by fire to the LORD.” — Leviticus 2:11
301. Do not offer “strange fire” (unauthorized incense or fire)
Verse:
“They offered strange fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them.” — Leviticus 10:1
(Any incense mixture, fire source, or ritual not commanded is forbidden.)
302. Do not make incense like the Temple incense for personal use
Verse:
“You shall not make any incense like it, for yourselves.” — Exodus 30:37
303. Do not make anointing oil like the Temple oil for personal use
Verse:
“It shall not be poured on man’s flesh … nor shall you make any like it.” — Exodus 30:32
304. Do not anoint anyone with the Temple anointing oil (except priests/kings as commanded)
Verse:
“It shall not be poured on man’s flesh.” — Exodus 30:32
305. Do not eat the remainder of the most holy offerings after the allowed time (no leftovers)
Verse:
“What remains of it until morning you shall burn with fire.” — Exodus 12:10
(Rabbis apply the no-leftover rule broadly to many sacrifices.)
306. Do not leave parts of the Passover sacrifice overnight
Verse:
“You shall not let any of it remain until morning.” — Exodus 12:10
307. Do not leave the Thanksgiving offering uneaten after the required time
Verse:
“It shall be eaten the same day … none of it shall be left until morning.” — Leviticus 22:30
308. Do not eat piggul — an offering invalidated by improper intention
Verse:
“If any of the flesh … is eaten on the third day, it shall not be accepted.” — Leviticus 7:18
(“Piggul” = the priest intended to offer/eat it too late.)
309. Do not eat notar — leftovers of offerings past their time
Verse:
“It shall be burned with fire; it shall not be eaten.” — Leviticus 7:17
310. Do not eat of offerings that became “tamei” (ritually impure)
Verse:
“The flesh that touches anything unclean shall not be eaten.” — Leviticus 7:19
311. Do not offer any sacrifice without inspecting it for blemishes
Verse:
“But whatever has a defect, you shall not offer.” — Leviticus 22:20
(Rabbis treat inspection failure as a separate prohibition.)
312. Do not sprinkle the blood of sacrifices improperly (not as commanded)
Verse:
“He shall sprinkle the blood … as the LORD commanded Moses.” — Leviticus 8:30
(Improper placement = violation.)
313. Do not burn offerings outside the altar area
Verse:
“You shall bring your burnt offerings … to the place the LORD chooses.” — Deuteronomy 12:14
(Parallel to earlier prohibition but counted separately for burning.)
314. Do not eat the fat (chelev) of sacrificial animals
Verse:
“All the fat … is the LORD’s.” — Leviticus 3:16
315. Do not eat the blood of any animal
Verse:
“You shall eat no manner of blood.” — Leviticus 7:26
316. Do not burn any blemished animal on the altar
Verse:
“Blind, broken, maimed … these you shall not offer.” — Leviticus 22:22
(Separate prohibition from “don’t offer.”)
317. Do not eat the meat of the priests’ sin offering
Verse:
“No sin offering … shall be eaten.” — Leviticus 6:23
(Those whose blood is brought into the sanctuary.)
318. Do not cook the Passover offering in water
Verse:
“Do not eat it raw nor boiled at all with water, but roast it with fire.” — Exodus 12:9
319. Do not remove the priestly garments from the Temple area
Verse:
“The holy garments of Aaron shall be for his sons after him.” — Exodus 29:29
(Rabbis infer: they remain in the holy place.)
320. Do not tear any of the priestly garments
Verse:
“Do not rend your garments.” — Leviticus 10:6
321. A priest with a permanent physical defect may not serve in the Temple
Verse:
“Any man who has a defect shall not approach to offer the bread of his God.” — Leviticus 21:17
322. A priest with a temporary defect may not serve in the Temple
Verse:
“He shall not profane My sanctuaries.” — Leviticus 21:23
(Temporary injury = also disqualifies service until healed.)
323. A priest who is impure may not eat from holy offerings
Verse:
“The soul that touches any unclean thing … shall not eat of the holy things.” — Leviticus 22:6
324. A non-priest may not eat from the holy offerings
Verse:
“No stranger shall eat of the holy thing.” — Leviticus 22:10
325. A priest’s hired worker may not eat from holy offerings
Verse:
“A hired servant shall not eat of the holy thing.” — Leviticus 22:10
326. A blemished priest may not eat from offerings that are “most holy”
Verse:
“Only he shall not go near the veil or approach the altar.” — Leviticus 21:23
(Rabbis derive eating restrictions for certain categories.)
327. A priest may not eat offerings outside the designated holy area
Verse:
“It shall be eaten in a holy place.” — Leviticus 6:26
328. A priest may not enter the Holy of Holies except on Yom Kippur
Verse:
“He shall not come at all times into the Holy Place.” — Leviticus 16:2
329. The altar may not be built of stones touched by iron
Verse:
“If you make Me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stone; if you wield your tool on it, you have profaned it.” — Exodus 20:25
330. Do not ascend the altar by steps (to avoid undignified exposure)
Verse:
“You shall not go up by steps to My altar.” — Exodus 20:26
331. Do not slaughter consecrated animals outside the Temple courtyard
Verse:
“Whoever slaughters an ox or lamb or goat in the camp, or outside the camp … blood shall be imputed to him.” — Leviticus 17:3–4
(This prohibition applies specifically to animals designated as offerings.)
332. Do not pour the blood of sacrifices outside the Temple
Verse:
“You shall bring your burnt offerings … and there you shall do all that I command you.” — Deuteronomy 12:14
(Incorrect blood placement = violation.)
333. Do not break any bone of the Passover lamb
Verse:
“You shall not break a bone of it.” — Exodus 12:46
334. Do not take the flesh of the Passover sacrifice outside the group
Verse:
“Nor shall you carry any of the flesh outside the house.” — Exodus 12:46
335. Do not eat the Passover lamb raw or boiled
Verse:
“Do not eat it raw nor boiled at all with water, but roasted with fire.” — Exodus 12:9
336. Do not remove the showbread from the sanctuary except as commanded
Verse:
“It shall be set in order before the LORD continually.” — Leviticus 24:8
(Rabbis infer restrictions on removing holy food improperly.)
337. Do not extinguish the perpetual fire on the altar
Verse:
“The fire on the altar shall not go out.” — Leviticus 6:12
338. Do not remove the ashes from the altar improperly
Verse:
“He shall take up the ashes … and put them beside the altar.” — Leviticus 6:10
(Rabbis list improper removal as a violation.)
339. Do not allow the lamps of the Menorah to go out during their required time
Verse:
“Aaron shall arrange it from evening until morning before the LORD.” — Exodus 27:21
(Extinguishing early = violating the command.)
340. Do not offer anything unclean on the altar
Verse:
“You shall not offer to the LORD what is bruised or crushed or broken or cut.” — Leviticus 22:24
(Includes anything ritually unclean or physically disqualified.)
341. Do not bring unauthorized incense onto the golden altar
Verse:
“You shall offer no strange incense on it.” — Exodus 30:9
(Only the specific Temple incense formula may be used.)
342. Do not offer any burnt offering on the golden incense altar
Verse:
“You shall offer no burnt sacrifice on it.” — Exodus 30:9
343. Do not offer any grain offering on the golden incense altar
Verse:
“Nor grain offering.” — Exodus 30:9
344. Do not pour drink offerings on the golden incense altar
Verse:
“Nor shall you pour a drink offering on it.” — Exodus 30:9
345. Do not let the High Priest leave the Temple during his anointing service
Verse:
“He shall not go out of the sanctuary.” — Leviticus 21:12
346. A High Priest may not follow the usual mourning practices
Verse:
“He shall not uncover his head nor tear his clothes.” — Leviticus 21:10
(High Priest remains in a higher state of sanctity.)
347. A regular priest may not defile himself for anyone except close relatives
Verse:
“He shall not defile himself for the dead among his people.” — Leviticus 21:1
(Except father, mother, son, daughter, brother, unmarried sister.)
348. A High Priest may not enter a house with a corpse or defile himself for any dead person
Verse:
“He shall not go near any dead body.” — Leviticus 21:11
349. A priest may not marry a woman who is a harlot (zonah)
Verse:
“They shall not take a woman who is a harlot.” — Leviticus 21:7
350. A priest may not marry a profaned woman (chalalah)
Verse:
“Nor a woman who is profaned.” — Leviticus 21:7
Here are the next commandments exactly as requested.
Continuing the list:
351. A priest may not enter the Sanctuary with long, unkempt hair
Verse:
“They shall not shave their heads nor let their hair grow long.” — Leviticus 21:5, Ezekiel 44:20
(Priests must maintain proper grooming when serving.)
352. A priest may not enter the Sanctuary with torn garments
Verse:
“Your heads shall not be uncovered, nor shall your garments be torn.” — Leviticus 10:6
(This prohibition applies during priestly service.)
353. Priests may not leave the Temple Courtyard during service
Verse:
“You shall not go out from the entrance of the Tent of Meeting.” — Leviticus 10:7
(Leaving in middle of service invalidates the service.)
354. A ritually impure priest may not serve in the Sanctuary
Verse:
“They shall be holy… and not profane My holy name.” — Leviticus 21:6
(Interpreted with Leviticus 22:2–3.)
(Priests must be fully pure before entering or performing duties.)
355. No one may enter the Sanctuary while impure
Verse:
“They shall not defile their camp.” — Numbers 5:3
(This applies to Israel in general — entering sacred space while impure is forbidden.)
356. A priest may not serve after drinking wine
Verse:
“Do not drink wine or strong drink… when you go into the Tent of Meeting.” — Leviticus 10:9
(Priestly service must be performed sober and clear-minded.)
357. A non-priest (zar) may not perform priestly duties
Verse:
“A stranger who comes near shall be put to death.” — Numbers 18:7
(Only ordained priests may perform sacrificial service.)
358. A blemished priest may not serve in the Sanctuary
Verse:
“No man of your seed… who has a blemish shall come near to offer.” — Leviticus 21:17–23
(Blemished priests may eat offerings but may not perform service.)
IV. Purity (359–365)
These laws forbid contracting certain impurities, entering holy spaces while impure, or consuming holy things while impure.
359. Do not touch a dead body (general prohibition of corpse impurity for all)
Verse:
“Whoever touches a dead body… shall be unclean seven days.” — Numbers 19:11
(Not a prohibition for priests only; applies to all Israelites.)
360. A priest may not defile himself by contact with a corpse (except close relatives)
Verse:
“None shall defile himself for the dead among his people.” — Leviticus 21:1
(Applies to regular priests; High Priest has stricter laws.)
361. The High Priest may not defile himself even for close relatives
Verse:
“He shall not go to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father or his mother.” — Leviticus 21:11
(The High Priest must maintain the highest level of purity.)
362. Do not enter the Sanctuary while in a state of impurity
Verse:
“They shall not defile their camp.” — Numbers 5:3
(Supported by Leviticus 12–15 laws on impurity.)
(This prohibition applies to all Israelites.)
363. A person with tzara’at (leprosy) may not enter the Temple area
Verse:
“He shall dwell alone; outside the camp shall he dwell.” — Leviticus 13:46
(In Temple times, the “camp” = Temple precincts.)
364. A niddah (menstruant woman) may not enter the Sanctuary
Verse:
“…in her impurity she shall be unclean.” — Leviticus 15:19–24
(Rabbis derive prohibition of entering holy places.)
365. Do not eat holy offerings while impure
Verse:
“The soul that eats holy flesh while its impurity is upon it shall be cut off.” — Leviticus 7:20–21
(This includes priests and non-priests who eat sacred food.)
V. Family & Sexual Morality (366–394)
Do not commit adultery – Ex. 20:14
Do not commit incest – Lev. 18
(15+ individual incest prohibitions)Do not commit homosexuality – Lev. 18:22
Do not commit bestiality – Lev. 18:23
384–394.
Additional sexual prohibitions
VI. Social & Ethical Laws (395–443)
Do not murder – Ex. 20:13
Do not kidnap – Ex. 20:13
Do not steal secretly – Lev. 19:11
Do not rob openly – Lev. 19:13
Do not covet – Ex. 20:17
Do not desire another’s property – Deut. 5:18
Do not oppress others – Ex. 22:20
402–443.
Prohibitions related to:
Weights and measures
Fraud
False witness
Bribery
Delayed wages
Cheating in business
Mistreating strangers
Mistreating workers
VII. Eating & Dietary Laws (444–479)
Do not eat non-kosher animals – Lev. 11
Do not eat non-kosher birds – Lev. 11
Do not eat insects – Lev. 11
Do not eat blood – Lev. 7:26
Do not eat forbidden fats – Lev. 7:23
Do not eat meat with milk – Ex. 23:19
450–479.
Other dietary prohibitions.
VIII. Agriculture (480–500)
Do not harvest the corners of the field – Lev. 19:9
Do not gather gleanings – Lev. 19:9
Do not harvest vineyard gleanings – Lev. 19:10
483–500.
Laws of mixtures:
Do not plant mixed seeds – Lev. 19:19
Do not eat new grain before the Omer – Lev. 23:14
Do not graft forbidden mixtures
IX. Kings, War, and National Laws (501–613)
A king must not have many wives – Deut. 17:17
A king must not accumulate excessive silver and gold – Deut. 17:17
Do not fear going to war – Deut. 7:21
Do not destroy fruit trees in war – Deut. 20:19
505–613.
Remaining commands about:
Cities of refuge
Murder penalties
False witnesses
Ransoms
Warfare ethics
Tribal boundaries
Judicial procedures
Property laws
Weights, measures, contracts
Miscellaneous civil laws
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