From: Michael Detwiler  <mijoy@w...>
Date: Fri Jan 7, 2000 7:22pm
Subject: The Maysit

The following prohibitions involve a "Maysit" - a person who encourages a fellow Jew to worship idols,
false gods, and doctrines that take us away from the Book of Life, the Torah as given to our father, Moshe.

A "Madiach" tries to convince many fellow Jews to worship idols, while a Maysit tries to convince only a
single individual. HaShem gave us the Torah and Mitzvot as a guideline to live by. Nevertheless, we have
been given free choice. HaShem tells us that the Jew should follow the Mitzvot in the Torah.

However, every person is free to decide for him-or herself whether s-he will obey HaShem or not. If a
person chooses to worship idols, and then tries to convince others to follow him - he must be condemned
by those who believe in the Torah.

Such a person is called a "Maysit," ("one who entices others"), for this individual is determined to urge his
fellow Jews to worship false gods. The person who the "Maysit" has tried to convince is called a "Musat".

Although we are commanded to love all fellow Jews, help them and have compassion for them, the
"Maysit" must be ignored and excluded from our society. Torah considers that such a person is
endangering our very lives by trying to lead us astray. Therefore, even if his life is in danger, it is
forbidden to offer him any help.

Still, we must always hope and pray that the Maysit will repent and do Teshuvah.

Negative Commandment: You shall not urge another Jew to worship idols Deuteronomy 13:12 "And you
shall do no more wickedness like this among you"

We are forbidden to encourage a fellow Jew to worship idols. Someone who disobeys this commandment
is called a "Maysit."

Negative Commandment: You shall not be attracted to a "Maysit" Deuteronomy 13:9 "Do not be attracted to
him" The "Musat" (the individual that the "Maysit" is trying to attract to worship idols) is not allowed to be
attracted to a Maysit or to show love for him.

Negative Commandment You shall not listen to a "Maysit," nor soften your hatred of him. Deuteronomy
13:9 "Nor (shall you) listen to him"

The Musat must show hatred towards the Maysit. The Torah wants us to understand that the only way to
insure that the Maysit will not be able to convince others to worship idols is to show that we do not love
him and that we do, indeed, hate him.

Negative Commandment: You shall not pity a "Maysit" Deuteronomy 13:9 "Nor shall your eye pity him"
The Musat is not allowed to have pity on a Maysit, nor is he allowed to help him in times of need, even if
his life is in danger.

Negative Commandment: You shall not try to spare a "Maysit" Deuteronomy 13:9 "Nor shall you spare
(him)" The Musat is not allowed to justify what the Maysit is trying to do.
Additionally, the Musat is forbidden to plead for the Maysit in court, even if he knows of something that
can be said in favor of the Maysit.

Negative Commandment: You shall not conceal evidence that is harmful to the "Maysit
Deuteronomy 13:9 "Nor shall you cover up for him" The Musat is not allowed to conceal any evidence
about the Maysit which may lead to his conviction and punishment.

Negative Commandment: You shall not prophesy in the name of idols Deuteronomy 18:20 "[The prophet]...
that shall speak in the name of other gods" HaShem has chosen prophets as teachers and guides for the
Jewish people. We must listen to a prophet because he is bringing us the words and message of HaShem. A
true prophet is loyal to the Torah alone.

This prohibition tells us that a person is not allowed to give prophecy in the name of false gods and idols.
If such a prophecy is given, then we immediately know that it is false.

Negative Commandment: You shall not listen to the prophecy of someone who prophesies in the name of
an idol Deuteronomy 13:4 "Do not listen to the words of that prophet"

This Negative Mitzvah cautions us not to heed the words of a false prophet.
The Torah itself has given us specific guidelines so that we may distinguish a true prophet from a false
one. If a person prophesies in the name of an idol we are commanded not to listen to him, nor demand any
proof or signs from him. Once the name of an idol or another G-d is mentioned, that, itself, proves to us
that the individual is a false prophet.

Negative Commandment: You shall not utter a false prophecy Deuteronomy 18:20 "But the prophet who
shall presume to speak a word in My name which I have not commanded him to speak" A person is
forbidden to give a prophecy in the name of HaShem, when in fact, HaShem never instructed him to give
such a prophecy.

Negative Commandment: You shall not fear (or show pity for) a false prophet Deuteronomy 18:22 "You
shall not fear him" A person who announces that he is a prophet and then begins to declare his false
prophecies can sometimes sound very convincing. Just like others who lie, he is careful to say things that
people want to hear, hoping they will believe that he is a true prophet and that what he says is true. Still
there is no need to be afraid of his threats. This Negative Mitzvah warns us not to fear the false prophet nor
show any pity towards him.

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