192. Self-Mutilation

Avodas Kochavim 12:12

A person who cuts himself for the dead is liable for the penalty of lashes as per Leviticus 19:28, “Do not make gashes in your flesh for the dead.” This applies to both kohanim (priests) and to Yisraelim (Israelites). If one makes a single gash for five dead people or five gashes for a single dead person, he would be liable for five sets of lashes, assuming that he was warned for each instance.

Avodas Kochavim 12:13

Gashing and self-mutilation are the same prohibition. Just as the idolators would cut themselves in grief over their dead, they would likewise self-mutilate for their idols. We see this in I Kings 18:28, “They mutilated themselves as was their practice.” Self-mutilation is also prohibited by the Torah, in Deuteronomy 14:1 – “Do not mutilate yourselves.” If one made gashes for the dead, either with his bare hands or with an implement, he would be liable for the penalty of lashes, If he self-mutilated in the service of idols, he would be liable if he used an implement but not if he used his bare hands.