(Exodus 22 — 27) "Elokim you shall not curse" — What is the

Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Mekhilta Tractate Kaspa 1:17

Curated by The Jewish Mythology Team · Published January 21, 2025

(Exodus 22:27) "Elokim you shall not curse": What is the intent of this? From (Leviticus 24:16) "One who utters blasphemously the name of the L–rd shall be put to death" we hear the punishment. Whence the exhortation? "Elokim you shall not curse." Variantly: This tells me only of the distinctive Name (the Tetragrammaton [i.e., "Yod-keh-vov-keh"]). Whence do we derive (the same for cursing Him with) one of His epithets? From "Elokim you shall not curse"—in any event. These are the words of R. Yishmael.

Themes

Divine justice Death Commandments Egypt Exodus

Biblical References

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