Negative Commandment #140

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

140. It is a negative commandment for a Cohain to marry a divorced woman

As it states in Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:7, “and they shall not take a woman divorced from her husband.” According to the law of the Sages, a woman who went through chalitza (see positive commandment #46), she is also forbidden to a Cohain. If a Cohain marries one, then she and her children are considered unfit to be Cohanim according to the law of the Sages. If a Cohain marries one of the three woman mentioned above (laws 138-140), and has relations with her, he is given lashes. If it is doubtful if the woman is unfit or she is unfit according to the law of the Sages, then he receives lashes of disobedience. A woman who is from the Cohain family are not stopped from marrying a disqualified Cohain.

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