Mishneh Torah — Forbidden Intercourse (Issurei Bi'ah) הלכות איסורי ביאה, Chapter 12

יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁבָּעַל עַכּוּ"ם מִשְּׁאָר הָאֻמּוֹת דֶּרֶךְ אִישׁוּת. אוֹ יִשְׂרְאֵלִית שֶׁנִּבְעֲלָה לְעַכּוּ"ם דֶּרֶךְ אִישׁוּת הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ לוֹקִין מִן הַתּוֹרָה שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים ז ג) "לֹא תִתְחַתֵּן בָּם בִּתְּךָ לֹא תִתֵּן לִבְנוֹ וּבִתּוֹ לֹא תִקַּח לִבְנֶךָ". אֶחָד שִׁבְעָה עֲמָמִין וְאֶחָד כָּל אֻמּוֹת בְּאִסּוּר זֶה. וְכֵן מְפֹרָשׁ עַל יְדֵי עֶזְרָא (נחמיה י לא) "וַאֲשֶׁר לֹא נִתֵּן בְּנֹתֵינוּ לְעַמֵּי הָאָרֶץ וְאֶת בְּנֹתֵיהֶם לֹא נִקַּח לְבָנֵינוּ":

When a Jew engages in relations with a woman from other nations, [taking her] as his spouse or a Jewess engages in relations with a non-Jew as his spouse, they are punished by lashes, according to Scriptural Law. As [Deuteronomy 7:3] states: "You shall not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughter to his son, and do not take his daughter for your son."This prohibition applies equally to [individuals from] the seven [Canaanite] nations and all other gentiles. (Even HaEzer 16) differs with the Rambam, explaining that the verse should be understood within its limited context, referring only to the seven nations. (The Rambam's opinion has a source in the Sheiltot D'Rabbenu Achai Gaon, while that of the Tur is found in the Sefer Mitzvot Gadol) The crux of the difference is the exegesis of the continuation of the verse cited by the Rambam: "For he shall sway your son away." Kiddushin 68b quotes Rabbi Shimon as focusing on the motivating rationale for the verse and thus including all those who might sway a person's heart. Thus it refers to all gentiles. The Sages, however, do not accept this perspective. This was explicitly stated in Ezra 7:15. Similarly, Sanhedrin 93b states that none of the books of the Tanach are named after Nechemiah.The verse cited by the Rambam is part of the oath taken by the people to remain true to their faith upon their return to Zion. At that time, the gentiles living in the land were not Canaanites. [Nechemiah 10:31]: "That we will not give our daughters to the gentiles in the land and that we will not take their daughters for our sons."

וְלֹא אָסְרָה תּוֹרָה אֶלָּא דֶּרֶךְ חַתְנוּת אֲבָל הַבָּא עַל הַכּוּתִית דֶּרֶךְ זְנוּת מַכִּין אוֹתוֹ מַכַּת מַרְדּוּת מִדִּבְרֵי סוֹפְרִים. גְּזֵרָה שֶׁמָּא יָבוֹא לְהִתְחַתֵּן. וְאִם יִחֲדָהּ לוֹ בִּזְנוּת חַיָּב עָלֶיהָ מִשּׁוּם נִדָּה וּמִשּׁוּם שִׁפְחָה וּמִשּׁוּם כּוּתִית וּמִשּׁוּם זוֹנָה. וְאִם לֹא יִחֲדָהּ לוֹ אֶלָּא נִקְרֵאת מִקְרֶה אֵינוֹ חַיָּב אֶלָּא מִשּׁוּם כּוּתִית [ג.] וְכָל חִיּוּבִין אֵלּוּ מִדִּבְרֵיהֶן:

The Scriptural prohibition applies only to marital relations., differs with the Rambam concerning this point as well, stating that there is no concept of marriage between a Jew and non-Jew. When, by contrast, one engages in relations with a gentile woman with a licentious intent, he is given "stripes for rebellious conduct" according to Rabbinic Law. [This is a] decree, lest this lead to marriage.If [a Jew] designates [a gentile woman] for licentious relations, he is liable for relations with a niddah, a maid-servant, a gentile woman, and a licentious woman. 36b). The transgressor is given stripes several times, once for each of the Rabbinic prohibitions he ignored. If he did not designate her for himself, but instead, [engage in relations with her] spontaneously, he is only liable for relations with a gentile woman. All of these liabilities are Rabbinic in origin.

בַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים כְּשֶׁהָיָה הַבּוֹעֵל יִשְׂרָאֵל. אֲבָל כֹּהֵן הַבָּא עַל הַכּוּתִית לוֹקֶה מִן הַתּוֹרָה מִשּׁוּם זוֹנָה. וְאֶחָד זוֹנָה כּוּתִית וְאֶחָד זוֹנָה יִשְׂרְאֵלִית. וּבִבְעִילָה בִּלְבַד לוֹקֶה שֶׁהֲרֵי אֵינָהּ בַּת קִדּוּשִׁין:

When does the above apply? When the man who engaged in relations was an Israelite. If, however, a priest engages in relations with a gentile woman, he is liable for lashes according to Scriptural Law, because of the prohibition against relations with a zonah. is generally translated as "prostitute." It has, however, a precise halachic definition, as stated in Chapter 18, Halachah 1. [This prohibition applies] both to a non-Jewish zonah and a Jewish one. He receives lashes for relations alone, for he cannot consecrate her., as mentioned in Chapter 17, Halachah 2.

כָּל הַבּוֹעֵל כּוּתִית בֵּין דֶּרֶךְ חַתְנוּת בֵּין דֶּרֶךְ זְנוּת אִם בְּעָלָהּ בְּפַרְהֶסְיָא וְהוּא שֶׁיִּבְעל לְעֵינֵי עֲשָׂרָה מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל אוֹ יֶתֶר אִם פָּגְעוּ בּוֹ קַנָּאִין וַהֲרָגוּהוּ הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ מְשֻׁבָּחִין וּזְרִיזִין [ו.] וְדָבָר זֶה הֲלָכָה לְמשֶׁה מִסִּינַי הוּא. רְאָיָה לְדָבָר זֶה מַעֲשֶׂה פִּינְחָס בְּזִמְרִי:

Whenever a man has relations with a gentile woman in public, i.e., the relations are carried out in the presence of ten or more Jews, if a zealous person strikes him and kills him, he is considered praiseworthy and ardent. states that the concept of a warning is relevant only with regard to execution by the court and not to the independent actions taken by a zealous person. The Rama (Choshen Mishpat 425:4) quotes the Ra'avad's view. [This applies whether the relations were] in the context of marriage or licentious in nature. This matter is a halachah conveyed to Moshe at Sinai. Support for this can be derived from Pinchas' slaying of Zimri.

וְאֵין הַקַּנַּאי רַשַּׁאי לִפְגֹּעַ בָּהֶן אֶלָּא בִּשְׁעַת מַעֲשֶׂה כְּזִמְרִי שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר כה ח) "וְאֶת הָאִשָּׁה אֶל קֳבָתָהּ". אֲבָל אִם פֵּרַשׁ אֵין הוֹרְגִין אוֹתוֹ. וְאִם הֲרָגוֹ נֶהֱרַג עָלָיו. וְאִם בָּא הַקַּנַּאי לִטּל רְשׁוּת מִבֵּית דִּין לְהָרְגוֹ אֵין מוֹרִין לוֹ וְאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהוּא בִּשְׁעַת מַעֲשֶׂה. וְלֹא עוֹד אֶלָּא אִם בָּא הַקַּנַּאי לַהֲרֹג אֶת הַבּוֹעֵל וְנִשְׁמַט הַבּוֹעֵל וְהָרַג הַקַּנַּאי כְּדֵי לְהַצִּיל עַצְמוֹ מִיָּדוֹ אֵין הַבּוֹעֵל נֶהֱרַג עָלָיו. וְהַבָּא עַל בַּת גֵּר תּוֹשָׁב אֵין הַקַּנָּאִין פּוֹגְעִים בּוֹ אֲבָל מַכִּין אוֹתוֹ מַכַּת מַרְדּוּת:

The zealous person can strike [the fornicators] only at the time of relations, as was the case with regard to Zimri, as [Numbers 25:8] states: "[He pierced] the woman into her stomach." If, however, [the transgressor] withdraws, he should not be slain. Indeed, if [the zealous person] slays him, he may be executed [as a murderer].If the zealous person comes to ask permission from the court to slay him, they do not instruct him [to], even if this takes place at the time [of relations]. Not only that, if the zealous person comes to kill the transgressor and he withdraws and kills the zealous person in order to save himself, the transgressor is not executed for killing him., pursuer, whom the intended victim has the right to slay, as stated in Hilchot Rotzeach, ch. 1.When a Jew has relations with the daughter of a resident alien, 9:6), the Rambam states that the woman herself - not only her father - must not be an idolater. the zealot may not strike him. [The transgressor] should, however, be given stripes for rebellious conduct.

לֹא פָּגְעוּ בּוֹ קַנָּאִים וְלֹא הִלְקוּהוּ בַּיִת דִּין הֲרֵי עָנְשׁוֹ מְפֹרָשׁ בְּדִבְרֵי קַבָּלָה שֶׁהוּא בְּכָרֵת שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (מלאכי ב יא) "כִּי חִלֵּל יְהוּדָה קֹדֶשׁ ה' אֲשֶׁר אָהֵב וּבָעַל בַּת אֵל נֵכָר" (מלאכי ב יב) "יַכְרֵת ה' לָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר יַעֲשֶׂנָּה עֵר וְעֹנֶה". אִם יִשְׂרָאֵל הוּא לֹא יִהְיֶה לוֹ עֵר בַּחֲכָמִים וְלֹא עוֹנֶה בַּתַּלְמִידִים וְאִם כֹּהֵן הוּא לֹא יִהְיֶה לוֹ מַגִּישׁ מִנְחָה לַה' צְבָאוֹת. הִנֵּה לָמַדְתָּ שֶׁהַבּוֹעֵל כּוּתִית כְּאִלּוּ נִתְחַתֵּן לְעַכּוּ"ם שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "בָעַל בַּת אֵל נֵכָר וְנִקְרָא מְחַלֵּל קֹדֶשׁ ה':"

If the zealot did not strike him, nor did he receive stripes from the court, writes that if he was given "stripes for rebellious conduct" by the court, he is no longer liable for kereit. Our Sages (Makkot 23b) state a similar concept with regard to a person who receives lashes for the violation of a Scriptural prohibition. The Rambam extends the idea to include a person who is punished on the basis of Rabbinic decree. his punishment is explicitly stated in the words of the prophetic tradition. He is liable for karet, as [Malachi 2:11-12] states: "Judah desecrated that which is sacred to God, [by] loving and engaging in relations with the daughter of a foreign god. May God cut off from a man who does this any progeny and descendant." [Implied is] 22b, 23a. that if he is an Israelite, he will not have progeny among the wise who will raise issues, nor a descendant among the scholars who will respond. If he is a priest, he will not have [a descendant] who "presents an offering to the Lord of Hosts." Thus you have learned that a person who shares intimacy with a gentile woman is considered as if he married a false deity, as the verse states: "engaging in relations with the daughter of a foreign god." And he is called one who "desecrated that which is sacred to God."

עָוֹן זֶה אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵין בּוֹ מִיתַת בֵּית דִּין אַל יְהִי קַל בְּעֵינֶיךָ. אֶלָּא יֵשׁ בּוֹ הֶפְסֵד שֶׁאֵין בְּכָל הָעֲרָיוֹת כְּמוֹתוֹ. שֶׁהַבֵּן מִן הָעֶרְוָה בְּנוֹ הוּא לְכָל דָּבָר וּבִכְלַל יִשְׂרָאֵל נֶחְשָׁב אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהוּא מַמְזֵר וְהַבֵּן מִן הַכּוּתִית אֵינוֹ בְּנוֹ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים ז ד) "כִּי יָסִיר אֶת בִּנְךָ מֵאַחֲרַי" מֵסִיר אוֹתוֹ מִלִּהְיוֹת אַחֲרֵי ה':

Although this transgression is not punishable by execution by the court, it should not be regarded lightly, for it leads to a detriment that has no parallel among all the other forbidden sexual relations. For a child conceived from any other forbidden sexual union, is [the father's] son with regard to all matters and is considered a member of the Jewish people, even if he is a mamzer. 13a states that a mamzer who is a scholar receives precedence over a High Priest who is unlearned. A son conceived by a gentile woman, by contrast, is not considered his son. [This is derived from Deuteronomy 7:4:] "For he shall sway your son away from following Me." She turns him away from being one of those who follow God.

וְדָבָר זֶה גּוֹרֵם לְהִדָּבֵק בְּעַכּוּ"ם שֶׁהִבְדִּילָנוּ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מֵהֶם וְלָשׁוּב מֵאַחֲרֵי ה' וְלִמְעל בּוֹ:

This matter causes one to cling to the gentile nations from whom the Holy One, blessed be He, has separated us, and to turn away from following God and to betray Him.

עַכּוּ"ם הַבָּא עַל בַּת יִשְׂרָאֵל אִם אֵשֶׁת אִישׁ הִיא נֶהֱרַג עָלֶיהָ וְאִם פְּנוּיָה הִיא אֵינוֹ נֶהֱרַג:

When a gentile engages in relations with a Jewish woman, if she is married, he should be executed. If she is single, he is not executed.

אֲבָל יִשְׂרָאֵל הַבָּא עַל הַכּוּתִית בֵּין קְטַנָּה בַּת שָׁלֹשׁ שָׁנִים וְיוֹם אֶחָד בֵּין גְּדוֹלָה בֵּין פְּנוּיָה בֵּין אֵשֶׁת אִישׁ וַאֲפִלּוּ הָיָה קָטָן בֶּן תֵּשַׁע שָׁנִים וְיוֹם אֶחָד כֵּיוָן שֶׁבָּא עַל הַכּוּתִית בְּזָדוֹן הֲרֵי זוֹ נֶהֱרֶגֶת מִפְּנֵי שֶׁבָּא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל תַּקָּלָה עַל יָדֶיהָ כִּבְהֵמָה. וְדָבָר זֶה מְפֹרָשׁ בַּתּוֹרָה שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר לא טז) "הֵן הֵנָּה הָיוּ לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בִּדְבַר בִּלְעָם" (במדבר לא יז) "וְכָל אִשָּׁה יֹדַעַת אִישׁ לְמִשְׁכַּב זָכָר הֲרֹגוּ":

If, by contrast, a Jewish male enters into relations with a gentile woman, when he does so intentionally, she should be executed. who questions the source for the Rambam's ruling, arguing that the passage from Numbers cannot be interpreted as definitive proof. She is executed because she caused a Jew to be involved in an unseemly transgression, as [is the law with regard to] an animal. [This applies regardless of] whether the gentile women was a minor of three years of age, or an adult, whether she was single or married. And it applies even if [the Jew] was a minor of nine years old, [she is executed].This [punishment] is explicitly mentioned in the Torah, as [Numbers 31:16-17] states: "Behold they were [involved] with the children of Israel according to the advice of Balaamו. Execute any woman fit to know a man through lying with a male."

הָעֲבָדִים שֶׁהִטְבִּילוּ אוֹתָם לְשֵׁם עַבְדוּת וְקִבְּלוּ עֲלֵיהֶם מִצְוֹת שֶׁהָעֲבָדִים חַיָּבִים בָּהֶם יָצְאוּ מִכְּלַל הָעַכּוּ"ם וְלִכְלַל יִשְׂרָאֵל לֹא בָּאוּ. לְפִיכָךְ הַשִּׁפְחָה אֲסוּרָה לְבֶן חוֹרִין. אֶחָד שִׁפְחָתוֹ וְאֶחָד שִׁפְחַת חֲבֵרוֹ. וְהַבָּא עַל הַשִּׁפְחָה מַכִּין אוֹתוֹ מַכַּת מַרְדּוּת מִדִּבְרֵי סוֹפְרִים. שֶׁהֲרֵי מְפֹרָשׁ בַּתּוֹרָה שֶׁהָאָדוֹן נוֹתֵן שִׁפְחָה כְּנַעֲנִית לְעַבְדּוֹ הָעִבְרִי וְהִיא מֻתֶּרֶת לוֹ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמות כא ד) "אִם אֲדֹנָיו יִתֶּן לוֹ אִשָּׁה":

Servants that have been immersed for the sake of servitude and accepted the mitzvot in which servants are obligated, have departed from the category of gentiles, but have yet to enter the category of Jews. For this reason, a maidservant is forbidden to a free Jew. [This applies to] both one's own maid-servant and a maid-servant belonging to a colleague.When a person enters into relations with a maid-servant, he should be given stripes for rebellious conduct as prescribed by the Rabbis. [It is obvious that a Scriptural prohibition is not involved,] for it is explicitly stated in the Torah that a master may give a Hebrew servant a Canaanite maid-servant [for the sake of relations] and that she is permitted to him, as [Exodus 21:4] states: "If his master will give him a wife."

וְלֹא גָּזְרוּ חֲכָמִים בְּדָבָר זֶה וְלֹא חִיְּבָה תּוֹרָה מַלְקוֹת בְּשִׁפְחָה אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן הָיְתָה נֶחֱרֶפֶת לְאִישׁ כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ:

The Sages did not issue a decree with regard to this matter,). nor did the Torah require that lashes be given for [relations with] a maid-servant unless she was designated for a [Jewish] man, as we explained.

אַל יְהִי עָוֹן זֶה קַל בְּעֵינֶיךָ מִפְּנֵי שֶׁאֵין בּוֹ מַלְקוֹת מִן הַתּוֹרָה. שֶׁגַּם זֶה גּוֹרֵם לַבֵּן לָסוּר מֵאַחֲרֵי ה'. שֶׁהַבֵּן מִן הַשִּׁפְחָה הוּא עֶבֶד וְאֵינוֹ מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל וְנִמְצָא גּוֹרֵם לְזֶרַע הַקֹּדֶשׁ לְהִתְחַלֵּל וְלִהְיוֹתָם עֲבָדִים. הֲרֵי אֻנְקְלוֹס הַמְתַרְגֵּם כָּלַל בְּעִילַת עֶבֶד וְשִׁפְחָה בִּכְלַל (דברים כג יח) "לֹא יִהְיֶה קָדֵשׁ" (דברים כג יח) "וְלֹא תִהְיֶה קְדֵשָׁה":

This transgression should not be light in one's eyes, because it does not involve lashes according to Scriptural Law. For this [act] also causes the son to be turned away from following God. For a son born of a maid-servant is a servant and is not a [full] member of Israel. Thus he causes [Israel's] holy seed to be profaned and produce servants. Behold Onkelos the translator included relations with a servant and a maid-servant in [the prohibitions, Deuteronomy 23:18]: "There shall not be a promiscuous man and there shall not be a promiscuous woman." 1:4.) Nevertheless, the Rambam uses the view of Onkelos as support for his condemnation of this act (Mayim Chayim; see also Beit Shmuel 16:6).

הַבָּא עַל שִׁפְחָה וַאֲפִלּוּ בְּפַרְהֶסְיָא וּבִשְׁעַת עֲבֵרָה אֵין הַקַּנָּאִין פּוֹגְעִין בּוֹ. וְכֵן אִם לָקַח שִׁפְחָה דֶּרֶךְ חַתְנוּת אֵינוֹ לוֹקֶה מִן הַתּוֹרָה. שֶׁמֵּעֵת שֶׁטָּבְלָה וְקִבְּלָה מִצְוֹת יָצְתָה מִכְּלַל הָעַכּוּ"ם:

When a person engages in relations with a maid-servant, even in public, a zealous person may not strike him, not even at the time of the transgression. Similarly, if one marries a maid-servant, he does not receive lashes according to Scriptural Law. For from the time she immersed and accepted the mitzvot, she departed from the category of gentiles.

נִתְעָרֵב וְלַד יִשְׂרְאֵלִית בִּוְלַד שִׁפְחָה הֲרֵי שְׁנֵיהֶן סָפֵק וְכָל אֶחָד מֵהֶן סְפֵק עֶבֶד וְכוֹפִין בַּעַל הַשִּׁפְחָה וּמְשַׁחְרֵר אֶת שְׁנֵיהֶם. וְאִם הָיָה הַבֵּן הַהוּא (בֶּן) הָאָדוֹן שֶׁל עֶבֶד כְּשֶׁיִּגְדְּלוּ יְשַׁחְרְרוּ זֶה אֶת זֶה וְיִהְיוּ מֻתָּרִין לָבֹא בַּקָּהָל:

If [the identity of] a Jewish child becomes confused with that of the child of a maid-servant, the status of both [children] is doubtful. Each of them is considered as possibly a servant. [Hence] we compel the owner of the maid-servant to free them both. 7:7). If [the owner died and] the son [whose identity was confused] is the [only] son of the servant's master, when they come of age, they should free each other. Then they will be permitted to marry within the Jewish people.

הָיוּ הַתַּעֲרוֹבוֹת בָּנוֹת הֲרֵי שְׁתֵּיהֶן סְפֵק שְׁפָחוֹת וְהַבָּא עַל כָּל אַחַת מֵהֶן הַוָּלָד סְפֵק עֶבֶד. וְכֵן אִם נִתְעָרֵב וְלַד עַכּוּ"ם בִּוְלַד יִשְׂרְאֵלִית מַטְבִּילִים אֶת שְׁנֵיהֶן לְשֵׁם גֵּרוּת וְכָל אַחַת מֵהֶן סְפֵק גִּיֹּרֶת:

If the children whose identities were confused were female, they are both considered as possibly a maid-servant. If a person enters into relations with either of them, the offspring is considered as a servant because of the doubt.; see Maggid Mishneh, Beit Shmuel 16:7. The master may not, however, compel either of them to work. For they both can require him to prove his claims.Similarly, if the identity of a gentile child becomes confused with that of a Jewish child, we immerse both of them as converts and they are both considered as possibly a convert.).

כָּל הָעַכּוּ"ם כֻּלָּם כְּשֶׁיִּתְגַּיְּרוּ וִיקַבְּלוּ עֲלֵיהֶן כָּל הַמִּצְוֹת שֶׁבַּתּוֹרָה וְהָעֲבָדִים כְּשֶׁיִּשְׁתַּחְרְרוּ הֲרֵי הֵן כְּיִשְׂרָאֵל לְכָל דָּבָר שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר טו טו) "הַקָּהָל חֻקָּה אַחַת יִהְיֶה לָכֶם". וּמֻתָּרִין לְהִכָּנֵס בִּקְהַל ה' מִיָּד. וְהוּא שֶׁיִּשָּׂא הַגֵּר אוֹ הַמְשֻׁחְרָר בַּת יִשְׂרָאֵל וְיִשָּׂא הַיִּשְׂרְאֵלִי גִּיֹּרֶת וּמְשֻׁחְרֶרֶת. חוּץ מֵאַרְבָּעָה עֲמָמִין בִּלְבַד וְהֵם עַמּוֹן וּמוֹאָב וּמִצְרַיִם וֶאֱדוֹם שֶׁהָאֻמּוֹת הָאֵלּוּ כְּשֶׁיִּתְגַּיֵּר אֶחָד מֵהֶן הֲרֵי הוּא כְּיִשְׂרָאֵל לְכָל דָּבָר אֶלָּא לְעִנְיַן בִּיאָה בַּקָּהָל:

Whenever any of the gentiles convert and accept all of the mitzvot in the Torah or a servant is freed, they are considered as Jews with regard to all matters, as [Numbers 15:15] states: "For the community: there will be one law [for you and the convert]." A convert may marry within the Jewish community immediately, i.e., a male convert or freed servant may marry a native-born Jewess and an Israelite). may marry a female convert or a freed maid-servant.There are four nations from which [converts] are exceptions: Ammon, Moab, Egypt, and Edom. When a person from one of these nations converts, he is like an Israelite with regard to all matters with the exception of marriage within the Jewish community.

וְכֵיצַד דִּינָן. עַמּוֹן וּמוֹאָב אִסּוּרָן אִסּוּר עוֹלָם זְכָרִים וְלֹא נְקֵבוֹת שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים כג ד) "לֹא יָבֹא עַמּוֹנִי וּמוֹאָבִי בִּקְהַל ה'" וְגוֹ'. הֲלָכָה לְמשֶׁה מִסִּינַי שֶׁהָעַמּוֹנִי הַזָּכָר וְהַמּוֹאָבִי הַזָּכָר הוּא שֶׁאָסוּר לְעוֹלָם לִשָּׂא בַּת יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲפִלּוּ בֶּן בְּנוֹ עַד סוֹף הָעוֹלָם. אֲבָל עַמּוֹנִית וּמוֹאָבִית מֻתֶּרֶת מִיָּד כִּשְׁאָר הָאֻמּוֹת:

What are the laws that apply to them [in that context]? It is forbidden to marry an Ammonite and a Moabite forever. This applies to the males and not the females, as [Deuteronomy 23:4] states: "An Ammonite and a Moabite shall not enter the congregation of God." It is a halachah transmitted to Moses at Sinai that it is a male Ammonite and a male Moabite who are forbidden to marry a native-born Israelite forever, also states that these individuals may even marry maid-servants who were not yet freed. [including] even their son's grandson forever. An Ammonite woman and a Moabite woman are, by contrast, permitted immediately 76b. as are [converts] from other nations.

מִצְרִי וֶאֱדוֹמִי אֶחָד זְכָרִים וְאֶחָד נְקֵבוֹת דּוֹר רִאשׁוֹן וְדוֹר שֵׁנִי אֲסוּרִין לָבֹא בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל וְדוֹר שְׁלִישִׁי מֻתָּר שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים כג ט) "בָּנִים אֲשֶׁר יִוָּלְדוּ לָהֶם" וְגוֹ':

An Egyptian and an Edomite convert - both a male and a female - are forbidden to marry among the Jewish people for the first and second generations. The third generation, however, is permitted, as [ibid.:9] states: "Children who are born to them [may enter the congregation of God in the third generation]."

מִצְרִית מְעֻבֶּרֶת שֶׁנִּתְגַּיְּרָה בְּנָהּ שֵׁנִי. מִצְרִי שֵׁנִי שֶׁנָּשָׂא מִצְרִית רִאשׁוֹנָה אוֹ מִצְרִי רִאשׁוֹן שֶׁנָּשָׂא מִצְרִית שְׁנִיָּה הַוָּלָד שֵׁנִי שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים כג ט) "בָּנִים אֲשֶׁר יִוָּלְדוּ לָהֶם" הַכָּתוּב תְּלָאָן בְּלֵדָה:

When a female Egyptian converts while she is pregnant, her son is considered a second [generation Egyptian convert]. When a second [generation] Egyptian male [convert] marries a first [generation] Egyptian female [convert] or a first [generation] Egyptian male [convert] marries a second [generation] Egyptian female [convert], the child is considered a second generation [convert]. (Even HaEzer 4:4) quotes both views. [This is derived from the phrase]: "Children who are born to them." explains that the intent is that everyone knows that birth involves both a man and a woman. Hence the child must be the third generation from both of the male and the female. The verse made the matter dependent on birth.

גֵּר עַמּוֹנִי שֶׁנָּשָׂא מִצְרִית הַוָּלָד עַמּוֹנִי. גֵּר מִצְרִי שֶׁנָּשָׂא עַמּוֹנִית הַוָּלָד מִצְרִי. זֶה הַכְּלָל. בָּאֻמּוֹת הַלֵּךְ אַחַר הַזָּכָר. נִתְגַּיְּרוּ הַלֵּךְ אַחַר הַפָּחוּת:

When a male Ammonite convert marries a female Egyptian, the offspring are considered as Ammonites. refers to Yevamot 78b and maintains that this ruling applies only when the offspring are male. If they are female, they are not considered as Ammonites (and hence, permitted). Instead, they are considered as Egyptian and forbidden for three generations, i.e., we follow the greater blemish. This view is quoted by the Shulchan Aruch (Even HaEzer 4:7). When a male Egyptian convert marries a female Ammonite, the offspring are considered as Egyptians.)]. This is the general principle: Among gentiles, the identity [of the offspring] is determined by the male. Once they convert, [the offspring] is given the identity that is of the lowest status.

מִי שֶׁנִּתְגַּיֵּר מִשִּׁבְעָה עֲמָמִין אֵינָן אֲסוּרִין מִן הַתּוֹרָה לָבוֹא בַּקָּהָל. וְהַדָּבָר יָדוּעַ שֶׁלֹּא נִתְגַּיְּרוּ מֵהֶן אֶלָּא הַגִּבְעוֹנִים וִיהוֹשֻׁעַ גָּזַר עֲלֵיהֶם שֶׁיִּהְיוּ אֲסוּרִים לָבֹא בַּקָּהָל אֶחָד זְכָרִים וְאֶחָד נְקֵבוֹת. וְלֹא אָסַר אוֹתָם אֶלָּא בִּזְמַן שֶׁיֵּשׁ מִקְדָּשׁ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (יהושע ט כג) "וְחֹטְבֵי עֵצִים וְשֹׁאֲבֵי מַיִם לְבֵית אֱלֹהָי". תָּלָה הַרְחָקָתָם בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ:

A person from the seven [Canaanite] nations who converts is not forbidden to marry among the Jewish people according to Scriptural Law. It is known that of them, only the Gibeonites converted. Joshua decreed that they be forbidden to marry among the Jewish people, both males and females.He instituted this prohibition only during the time a Sanctuary is standing, as [Joshua 9:23] states: "[You shall be] wood-choppers and water-drawers for the house of my God." He made their ban dependent on the Sanctuary.

וְהֵם הַנִּקְרָאִים נְתִינִים לְפִי שֶׁנְּתָנָם לַעֲבוֹדַת הַמִּקְדָּשׁ. בָּא דָּוִד וְגָזַר עֲלֵיהֶם שֶׁלֹּא יִכָּנְסוּ בַּקָּהָל לְעוֹלָם וַאֲפִלּוּ בִּזְמַן שֶׁאֵין מִקְדָּשׁ. וְכֵן מְפֹרָשׁ בְּעֶזְרָא (עזרא ח כ) "וּמִן הַנְּתִינִים שֶׁנָּתַן דָּוִיד וְהַשָּׂרִים לַעֲבֹדַת הַלְוִיִּם". הָא לָמַדְתָּ שֶׁלֹּא תָּלָה אוֹתָם בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ:

They are called Netinim, "the designated ones," for they were designated for the service in the Sanctuary. David came and decreed that they should never be allowed to marry among the Jewish people, even at a time when the Sanctuary is no longer standing. This is explicitly stated in Ezra [8:20]: "From the Netinim whom David and the officers designated for the service of the Levites." From this, we see that he did not make the matter dependent on the Sanctuary.

וְלָמָּה גָּזַר עֲלֵיהֶם הוּא וּבֵית דִּינוֹ לְפִי שֶׁרָאָה עַזּוּת וְאַכְזָרִיּוּת שֶׁהָיְתָה בָּהֶם בְּעֵת שֶׁבִּקְּשׁוּ שִׁבְעַת בְּנֵי שָׁאוּל בְּחִיר ה' לִתְלוֹתָם וַהֲרָגוּם וְלֹא רִחֲמוּ עֲלֵיהֶם:

Why did David and his court pass this decree against them? Because he saw that they were characterized by brazenness and cruelty. For they asked to kill and hang the seven sons of Saul, God's chosen one,. Through prophetic vision, David learned that the reason for the famine was Saul's oppression of the Gibeonites (exactly what Saul did to oppress them is a matter of discussion among the Rabbis). David asked the Gibeonites what they desired to be appeased for this oppression. They answered that they wanted to slay seven of his descendants. David handed over seven of Saul's descendants to them and they hung them and left their corpses on the gallows. For this act of cruelty, David decreed that they should never marry among the Jewish people. For Israel should be characterized by kindness and mercy. See Chapter 19, Halachah 17, which further develops this theme. and they did not have mercy upon them.

כְּשֶׁעָלָה סַנְחֵרִיב מֶלֶךְ אַשּׁוּר בִּלְבֵּל כָּל הָאֻמּוֹת וְעֵרְבָם זֶה בָּזֶה וְהִגְלָה אוֹתָם מִמְּקוֹמָם. וְאֵלּוּ הַמִּצְרִים שֶׁבְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם עַתָּה אֲנָשִׁים אֲחֵרִים הֵם. וְכֵן הָאֱדוֹמִים שֶׁבִּשְׂדֵה אֱדוֹם. וְהוֹאִיל וְנִתְעָרְבוּ אַרְבַּע אֻמּוֹת הָאֲסוּרִים בְּכָל אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהֵן מֻתָּרִים הֻתַּר הַכּל. שֶׁכָּל הַפּוֹרֵשׁ מֵהֶן לְהִתְגַּיֵּר חֶזְקָתוֹ שֶׁפֵּרַשׁ מִן הָרֹב. לְפִיכָךְ כְּשֶׁיִּתְגַּיֵּר הַגֵּר בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה בְּכָל מָקוֹם בֵּין אֱדוֹמִי בֵּין מִצְרִי בֵּין עַמּוֹנִי בֵּין מוֹאָבִי בֵּין כּוּשִׁי בֵּין שְׁאָר הָאֻמּוֹת אֶחָד הַזְּכָרִים וְאֶחָד הַנְּקֵבוֹת מֻתָּרִין לָבֹא בַּקָּהָל מִיָּד:

When Sannecherib, King of Assyria, arose, he confused the identity of all the nations, mixing them together, and exiling them from their place. The Egyptians that live in the land of Egypt at present are of other nationalities. This also applies with regard to the Edomites in the field of Edom.Since these four forbidden nations became intermingled with all the nations of the world [with] whom it is permitted [to marry once they convert], all [converts] are permitted. For when anyone of them separates himself [from them by] converting, we operate under the presumption that he became separate from the majority. 84b, Zevachim 73a,b. Therefore in the present age, in all places, whenever a convert converts, whether he be an Edomite, an Egyptian, an Ammonite, a Moabite, a Kushite, or from any of the other nations, whether male or female, he or she is permitted to marry among the Jewish people immediately. (Even HaEzer 4:10) quotes this ruling, but states that according to the opinion of Rabbenu Asher, Sannecherib did not succeed in erasing the identity of the Egyptians and the prohibition against marrying their converts still applies.