Sifra 10.0.9

Kedoshim, Chapter 6

1) (Vayikra 19:26) ("You shall not eat over the blood. Do not practice divination and do not practice soothsaying.") Whence is it derived that one who eats of a beast before it expires transgresses a negative commandment? From "You shall not eat over the blood" (i.e., while the life-blood is still in the animal) Variantly: "You shall not eat over the blood": You shall not eat of the flesh (of an offering) while the blood is still in the salver (and has not yet been sprinkled). R. Dossa says: Whence is it derived that a meal of consolation is not eaten over those executed by beth-din? From "You shall not eat over the blood." R. Akiva says: Whence is it derived that a Sanhedrin which executed someone is not to taste anything that day? From "You shall not eat over the blood." R. Yossi b. Chalafta says: Whence is derived the exhortation against a "rebellious son"? From "You shall not eat over the blood" (i.e., You shall not eat in such a manner as to be driven to the spilling of blood.")

2) "Do not practice divination": in the manner of those who divine by weasels, birds, and stars. "Do not practice soothsaying": in the manner of those who "capture" the eyes (of others, causing them to believe that they are seeing wonders). R. Yishmael says: in the manner of one who passes seven kinds of semen (from different animals) over his eyes (and performs magic thereby). R. Akiva says: in the manner of those who prognosticate times on the basis of (such observations as) "The eves of seventh years are bound to be bountiful" (in the growth of grain); legumes are "uprooted" (from good at those times and are destined) to be bad.

3) (Vayikra 19:27) ("Do not round off the corners of your head, and do not destroy the corners of your beard.") "Do not round off" (plural): both the doer and the subject." "the corners of your head": the edges of your head, the temples on both sides.

4) "and do not destroy the corners of your beard": What is the intent of this? Because it is written (Vayikra 21:5) "and the corners of their beard they (Cohanim) shall not shave off," I might think that even cutting off with a scissors as with a razor makes him liable; it is, therefore, written "and do not destroy the corners of your beard." If (it were written only) "do not destroy the corners of your beard," I might think that even if he removed it with a tweezer or a depilatory it makes him liable; it is, therefore, written "and the corners of their beard they shall not shave off." How is this to be understood? As referring to shaving where there is destruction, i.e., (shaving with) a razor.

5) "the corners of your beard": the edges of your beard — so that he is liable, for the head, for two — one on each side; and for the beard, two on each side and one below. R. Elazar says: If he removed all of them as one, he is liable for only one (transgression).

6) And he is not liable until he removes them with a razor. R. Elazar says: Even if he removed them with a tweezer or with a depilatory he is liable.

7) (Vayikra 19:28) ("And a cutting for a (dead) person, you shall not make in your flesh; and writing that is engraved you shall not make upon yourselves; I am the L–rd.") "and a cutting": I might think that even if one lacerated himself (out of anguish) over his house that collapsed or over his ship that sank in the sea, he would be liable; it is, therefore, written "for a person." Only laceration for a dead (person) is intended.

8) Whence is it derived that for five lacerations for one dead person, he is liable for each laceration? From "and a cutting," to make him liable for each laceration.

9) R. Yossi says: Whence is it derived that for one laceration for five dead persons he is liable for each dead person? From "for a (dead) person," to make him liable for each dead person.

10) "and writing that is engraved": I might think that if he wrote, but did not engrave (into the skin), he would be liable; it is, therefore, written "engraved." If "engraved," I would think that if he engraved but did not write, he would be liable; it is, therefore, written "and writing." How so? (He is liable) only when he writes and engraves: with ink, bluing, or anything else that leaves an impression. R. Shimon says: He is not liable until he writes the name (of an idolatry), as it is written "… you shall not make upon yourselves — I am the L–rd."