Pisqa’ 280¹

1

“Fathers shall not be put to death by reason of the sons” (Dt.24:16).

Now, what is the verse trying to teach us—

that father’s shall not be put to death

because of the [deeds of their] sons,

nor sons because of their fathers?

But isn’t it already stated [in this very verse]:

“A person shall die for his own sin” (Dt.24:16)?

Actually, [the point us that]

fathers shall not be put to death

on the testimony of their sons,

nor sons on the testimony of their fathers.

When He states:

“Nor sons” (Dt.24:16)—

this is to excuse close relatives

[from testifying against each other].

Now, who are considered close relatives?

His brother, and his paternal uncle,

and his maternal uncle,

and his paternal brother-in-law

and his maternal brother-in-law,

and his aunt’s husband,

and his mother’s husband,

and his father-in-law,

and his brother-in-law.²

“A person shall die for his own sin” (Dt.24:26)—

fathers shall die for their own transgression,

and sons shall die for their own transgression.

1. H:272;JN2:228.
2. =M. San. 3:4.