Negative Commandment #41

Sefer Ha’mitzvos Ha’Katzar (The concise book of mitzvos) By the Chofetz Chaim

This book lists the Torah mitzvos that can be observed today

Second Section – the Negative Commandments

41. It is a negative commandment “do not crave in your heart what another person owns.”

As it states in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 5:18, “do not crave.” This negative commandment is different than “do not desire” in Shemos (Exodus) 20:14 [negative commandment #40]. A person transgresses “do not crave” by desiring an item in his heart and persuading his heart to follow his desire. This is because craving means a desire of the heart. If a person acquires the object, because he bothered the owner and sent many friends to convince him until the owner does give it away, then he has also transgressed “do not desire.”

This applies in all places and at all times, for men and for women.

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