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

110. It is a negative commandment “do not come in close contact to illicit relations, even if there is no intimacy.”

As it states in Vayikra (Leviticus) 18:6, “a man shall not come close to a relative to uncover her nakedness.” This means, hugging and kissing, which leads to uncovering her nakedness. If someone violates this by hugging or kissing or deriving pleasure from a forbidden relative, he is to be whipped, and he is suspect as an immoral person. It is forbidden to wink, signal, or amuse them. Also, it is forbidden to smell their perfume or stare at their beauty. A person should not perform any act that will make him think of forbidden things. A person should not waste his seed, as this is a great sin. A person who brings desires through thought deserves excommunication.

It is a commandment from the Sages to marry off one’s children close to the age of maturity. If he holds them back from marrying, he may bring them to illicit relations or illicit thoughts. It is forbidden for a woman to marry a young child as it is like immorality. Also, a young man should not marry an old woman, nor should an old man marry a young lady, as this causes immorality.

It is forbidden to be alone privately with a close relative and also it is forbidden to be alone privately with a single woman. If a person is alone privately with a woman who he is forbidden to be with, both the man and woman receive lashes and the act is proclaimed publicly. The lashes and proclaiming publicly is not done for a woman who is married, as it can cause slander regarding her children.

This applies in all places and at all times.