Thursday, May 24, 2018

parshanut torah comment - Different words for "desire"


In the (second presentation of the) tenth commandment (Deut 5:17), why does the Torah use two different words in Hebrew (תחמד and תתאוה) that mean almost the same thing is English ("covet" or "desire"). I can find no explanation in Rashi. What is the difference between those words?



Answer



There are at least two opinions that differentiate halachically between the two terms:


The Rambam in M.T. (Gzeilah 1:9-10) and Shulchan Aruch (C.M. 359) hold that לא תתאוה refers to plotting to acquire the coveted item, while לא תחמד refers to actually pressuring the owner into giving it to him.


The Sefer Hachinuch (417) (and perhaps the Rambam in Sefer Hamitzvos L.S. 266) hold that לא תתאוה refers even to mere desire.



It is important to note that (in light of the above ruling of the Shulchan Aruch), contrary to popular belief, it is not forbidden to feel envious of someone else's possessions, as long as you don't begin to think about how you can get them from him.


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