Reeh 12:04 · unit 3

TT #31 · Parashas Reeh · First Aliyah · Passuk 12:04

The Complete Passuk

לֹֽא־תַעֲשׂ֣וּן כֵּ֔ן לַיהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃

You shall not do so to Hashem your God.

Chabad.org — 12:04

Source Citation

Torah Temimah points to Sifrei.

Sefaria — Sifrei Devarim

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text
לֹא תַעֲשׂוּן כֵּן וגו׳ – תַּנְיָא, מִנַּיִן לַנּוֹתֵץ אֶבֶן אַחַת מִן הַהֵיכָל וּמִן הַמִּזְבֵּחַ וּמִן הָעֲזָרוֹת שֶׁהוּא בְּלֹא תַעֲשֶׂה, תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר וְנִתַּצְתֶּם אֶת מִזְבְּחוֹתָם לֹא תַעֲשׂוּן כֵּן לַה׳ אֱלֹהֵיכֶם.

English: “You shall not do so…” — It was taught: From where do we know that one who removes a single stone from the Sanctuary, from the Altar, or from the courtyards transgresses a negative commandment? The verse states “you shall tear down their altars — you shall not do so to Hashem your God.”

On the daf / in context: The same negative command that forbids destructive treatment of idolatrous structures also protects the stones of the Temple complex.

Type of Learning

Derash on the verse (Sifrei) — extending the prohibition to damaging Temple stones.

What Is Learned

Removing even one stone from the Sanctuary, Altar, or courtyards is a negative prohibition.