N7
We are to take reasonable steps to keep ourselves and others safe in areas that are under our control.
Category: Neighbours & Brothers
Type: Positive
Form: Explicit
Source dataset: Old Testament
Uniqueness: Unique
Classical commandment: Yes
New Covenant Literal Application
Applies to Person Categories: Everyone
Literal Application: mandated
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.
Detailed codes: GFm - Gentile female, mandated | GMm - Gentile male, mandated | JFm - Jewish female, mandated | JMm - Jewish male, mandated | KFm - K'rovat Yisrael female, mandated | KMm - K'rov Yisrael male, mandated
Bible references
Key NT Scriptures
- Philippians 2:4
Key OT Scriptures
-
Deuteronomy 22:8
Supportive NT Scriptures
- Luke 10:27
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Matthew 25:31-46
Supportive OT Scriptures
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Leviticus 19:18
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Proverbs 3:27
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Psalms 16:1-2
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Psalms 91:9-12
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Commentary
Rabbi Michael Rudolph
This Mitzvah is derived from Deuteronomy 22:8 , which teaches that one must build protective railings around the roofs of our houses, and from the more general commandment, Leviticus 19:18 , which commands that we show love to our neighbor. Our concern for the safety of our fellow man is a reflection of how God cares for and protects us. The Deuteronomy Scripture was commanded at a time when the roofs of houses were flat living areas, and it was intended to keep our families, our neighbors, and ourselves safe from falling off. The general principle of this Mitzvah that is derived from Scripture is that we should take responsibility for the safety of ourselves and others by removing dangerous conditions from areas that are under our control. While most roofs today are not flat living spaces, some still are, and there are other conditions of danger that we must not allow to exist such as unfenced or uncovered swimming pools, the harboring of unchained vicious animals, dangerous implements and substances left accessible to children, etc.; there are too many to list them all.
Classical commentators
Maimonides' positive mitzvah RP184 requires that we remove conditions of danger from our homes, and his negative mitzvah RN298 commands that we not cause or allow dangerous conditions to exist, or leave obstacles that could cause injury in either public or private places. Meir's positive mitzvah MP75 requires that we erect a fence around our roofs and remove all obstacles in our house upon which a person can trip and fall, and his negative mitzvah MN190 is related to it in that it prohibits allowing any dangerous condition in our houses to persist. HaChinuch's two mitzvot run parallel to those of Meir, so Maimonides is the only one of the three who extends responsibility for safety to public areas.
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.
MP75
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