Adding and Subtracting from Torah/2

Adding and Detracting from Torah

Exegetical Approaches

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Limited to Specific Mitzvot

The prohibition relates only to the realm of worship of Hashem and the prohibition of idolatry.

Sources:R. Yosef KaraDevarim 13:1About R. Yosef Kara, ChizkuniDevarim 4:2Devarim 13:1About R. Chizkiyah b. Manoach #2,¹

Related to Details of Mitzvah Performance

The prohibition refers only to adding to or subtracting from the details of an already existing mitzvah, not to instituting new command.

Sources:Sifre Devarim13:1About Sifre Devarim, RashiDevarim 4:2Eiruvin 96bRosh HaShanah 33aAbout R. Shelomo Yitzchaki, R. Yosef Bekhor ShorDevarim 4:2About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor, RaavadHilkhot Mamrim 2:9About R. Avraham b. David, SemagNegative Commandments 364About R. Moshe of Coucy, ?Meiri?, Sefer HaChinukh, R. Bachya, R"Y Albo

Applicable Only to the Masses

The directive is aimed only at the masses.  Leaders such as prophets or judges are given the right to add to the Torah's commandments.

Sources:Kuzari3:39-41About R. Yehuda HaLevi,

Includes Also Adding Mitzvot

Sources:RambamMishneh Torah Minyan HaMitzvot ConclusionHilkhot Yesodei HaTorah 9:1-2Hilkhot Tefillah uBirkat Kohanim 14:12Hilkhot Mamrim 2:9About R. Moshe b. Maimon, RambanDevarim 4:2About R. Moshe b. Nachman, RalbagDevarim 4:2Melakhim I 8:65Devarim Toalot 4:2About R. Levi b. Gershom, Vilna GaonDevarim 13:1About R. Eliyahu of Vilna,  HaKetav VeHaKabbalahDevarim 4:2Devarim 13:1About R. Yaakov Mecklenburg, R. HIrsch (like Rambam), MalbimDevarim 4:2Esther 9:31About R. Meir Leibush Weiser,

¹ See also R"Y Albo who thinks that the initial focus of the mitzvah related only to the worship of Hashem and prohibition of adopting idolatrous forms of worship as one serves God, but that it was expanded to include other similar additions to the details of any individual commandment.