English: “You shall not cut yourselves” — It was taught: Do not cut yourselves in the manner that others cut themselves, as it is said “and they cut themselves according to their custom with swords.”
On the daf / in context: The prohibition is framed as a rejection of the pagan mourning and cultic practices of self-mutilation.
Type of Learning
Derash on the verse (Sifrei) — rejection of gentile self-laceration customs.
What Is Learned
Israel may not practice the self-laceration that was customary among the nations.