M9
We are not to covet or plan to acquire another's property.
Category: Morality & Compassion
Type: Negative
Form: Explicit
Source dataset: Old Testament
Uniqueness: Not unique
Classical commandment: Yes
New Covenant Literal Application
Applies to Person Categories: Not specified
Literal Application: Not specified
More explanation about New Covenant Literal Application
The New Covenant Literal Application Code (NCLA) is an interpretive guide used by the authors to indicate which person categories a mitzvah applies to, and at what level of literal compliance.
It combines person categories such as Jewish, K'rov Yisrael, and Gentile, together with male/female distinctions and an application level such as mandated, recommended, optional, or prohibited.
This code reflects the authors' interpretive opinion and is provided for prayerful consideration. On this page, the technical code is summarized into plain language to help new readers understand it more easily.
Bible references
Key NT Scriptures
- Colossians 3:5
- Ephesians 5:5
Key OT Scriptures
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Deuteronomy 5:18
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Deuteronomy 7:25
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Exodus 20:14
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Proverbs 12:12
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Commentary
Rabbi Michael Rudolph
Coveting another's property is desiring it or longing for it. Planning to acquire another's property is the next step in coveting; it is sin, but falls short of theft or some other way to improperly take the thing coveted into one's possession. Coveting is not merely saying: "It would be nice to have that thing." It is a desire to have something (that belongs to another) that is so strong that one's mind dwells on it and how to acquire it through even improper means. The Scriptures are clear that such desire, whether or not accompanied by a plan to acquire it improperly, is sin. Wanting an item that belongs to another and offering to purchase it for a fair price is not prohibited and is not sin unless the longing for it exceeds reason.
Classical commentators
Maimonides, Meir, and HaChinuch agree with the meanings of "coveting" and "planning to acquire" as stated above.
Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah, Torah from a New Covenant Perspective, Volume 1 & 2
Classical sources
Maimonides
Maimonides (Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, 12th century) organized all 613 Torah commandments into a structured list. These linked items show where this Law of Messiah commandment overlaps with that classical framework.
Meir of Rothenburg
Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg (13th century, Germany) was a leading Talmudic authority. These reference numbers link this commandment to his halachic rulings.
MP40, MP41, MN41
Source and License
Based on The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective by Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster.
License: CC BY-ND 4.0 (Attribution required, NoDerivatives). CC BY-ND 4.0
Disclaimer: the original content is authored by Rabbi Michael Rudolph and Rabbi Daniel Juster; additional notes or implementation details on this website are not part of their original work and do not represent their views.
Record source: The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective - Volume 1 & 2
Copyright note: Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah, Torah from a New Covenant Perspective, Volume 1 & 2