Lo Sachmod – The objects and items of which the coveting prohibition applies to:[1]
- Introduction & Background Laws
The Issur of Lo Sachmod and Lo Sisaveh: The Torah prohibits jealousy and the coveting of another person’s possessions, as articulated in the Tenth of the Ten Commandments. The Poskim[2] clarify that the mere emotional experience of envy or jealousy, in and of itself, does not constitute a violation of any negative commandment. Rather, the prohibition against coveting is narrowly defined and applies specifically to conduct involving the acquisition of the desired object, whether through concrete action or deliberate intent. Accordingly, one who covets a house, utensil, or any other item capable of being purchased violates the prohibition of Lo Sachmod if the item is not offered for sale and he pressures the owner to sell it until the owner ultimately acquiesces.[3] Furthermore, from the moment a person begins to covet an item in his heart and actively contemplates methods of acquiring it—such as devising ways to persuade the owner to sell—it is considered a violation of the prohibition of Lo Sisaveh.[4]
Scope and Application of the Prohibitions of Lo Sachmod and Lo Sisaveh: This article will examine the precise circumstances under which the Torah prohibitions of Lo Sachmod (coveting) and Lo Sisaveh (desiring) are applicable. In particular, it will clarify whether the prohibition applies only to tangible, transferable property or whether it extends more broadly to other categories, such as real estate, money, movable assets, employment relationships, personal skills, professional roles, physical attributes, intellectual or Torah knowledge, spiritual qualities, and human capital. For example, would a person transgress Lo Sachmod if he pressures a homeowner to sell a house that was not initially for sale? Does repeatedly offering higher sums of money for a house that the owner has declined to sell constitute prohibited pressure? Does the prohibition apply equally to movable items such as cars or valuables? Would a person violate Lo Sisaveh by desiring another individual’s wealth and actively thinking of strategies to gain control of it? Would a person transgress Lo Sachmod if he attempts to persuade another person’s employee to leave and work for him instead? Would jealousy of another person’s professional skills or talents violate any prohibition if no action is taken? Would a person transgress any prohibition by desiring another person’s physical appearance, beauty, or natural talents? Does desiring another person’s good character traits or level of piety fall outside the prohibition, or is this encouraged?
The Law
The prohibition of Lo Sachmod only applies towards items that can be purchased from its owner, such as a house, a slave, an animal, and other objects and belongings of the like [i.e. phone, car, etc]. Thus, it applies to all items that have a monetary value[5], and are able to be purchased on the market[6] and change from one hand of ownership to another. However, things that are not of monetary value and are unable to be handed from one person to another, to leave the possession of the current owner and enter the possession of a new owner, are not relevant to the prohibition of Lo Sachmod.
Envy of another mans wife:[7] The prohibitions of Lo Sachmod and Lo Sisaveh explicitly apply to coveting another man’s wife, with disagreement among the poskim as to whether the transgression occurs through adulterous relations, influencing the husband to divorce her, or even through deliberate desire and planning alone. Lo Sisaveh is generally violated at the stage of active contemplation and planning, while Lo Sachmod requires an actual act of taking, according to most opinions. These prohibitions apply equally to an arusa (betrothed woman), but do not apply to a single woman or to a man seeking to marry someone’s daughter, even through pressure. A woman does not transgress Lo Sachmod by desiring another woman’s husband under halachic assumptions permitting polygamy.
Envy of someone’s Torah knowledge:[8] Accordingly, there is no prohibition in being envious of another person’s Torah knowledge, even if one desires to learn from him and gain all the knowledge that he has. It is even permitted for one to pressure the Torah scholar until he agrees to teach him.
Envy of someone’s occupation:[9] Likewise, it is permitted for one to be envious of another Jews occupation and career even if one desires for him to teach and train him in the occupation. It is even permitted for one to pressure the individual until he agrees to teach him. [However, one should not scheme to take over the job of another individual and doing so transgresses Lo Sachmod, at least in its spirit.[10]]
Envy of another person’s looks and beauty:[11] Likewise, it is permitted for one to be envious of another Jews beauty, such as his or her eyes or hair.
Real estate:[12] The prohibition of Lo Sachmod and Lo Sisaveh applies towards real estate, whether it be a house or field, or other property, as explicitly stated in Scripture.
Employee:[13] It is permitted for one to be envious of another Jews skills even if one desires to hire him as one’s employee. It is even permitted for one to pressure the individual until he agrees to take the job.
Items that are for sale:[14] The prohibition of Lo Sachmod and Lo Sisaveh is only transgressed when one convinces an owner who is not interested in selling the item into selling it to him. If, however, the person wants to sell it to make money and is actually looking for buyers, then nothing is transgressed and this is the regular way of business. [Furthermore, even if the owner is not interested in selling it to a specific customer, it is permitted for the customer to pressure the owner until he agrees to sell it to him.[15]]
Money and wealth:[16] It is disputed if one transgresses the prohibition of Lo Sachmod and Lo Sisaveh if one covets the money and wealth of another person, and not a specific object that he owns.
Items that are jointly owned:[17] The prohibition of Lo Sachmod and Lo Sisaveh applies even to jointly owned items, such as if one covets an item that is jointly owned by two people or more, [such as in a Corporation or public company, or real estate that has many investors]. However, it is disputed as to whether a co-owner and partner transgresses the prohibition if he covets the portion that is owned by his other partner or partners.
Rented items:[18] It is disputed if one transgresses the prohibition of Lo Sachmod if one covets the rented item of another person, [such as if he applies pressure to his friend to rent to him his leased car].
Coveting a Mitzvah item:[19] The prohibition of Lo Sachmod does not apply towards a Mitzvah item which the owner is obligated according to Jewish law to provide to another. Thus, it is permitted to pressure a wealthy man to give charity, or to pressure a person who has excess Matzah to give from his Matzah to a Jew who does not have any. However, some Poskim[20] rule that the prohibition of Lo Sachmod does apply towards the mitzvah item of a person if that person is not obligated to provide it to another. Thus, it is forbidden for one to pressure the owner of a beautiful Esrog, or unique pair of tefillin, to sell it to him.
Coveting one’s organ:[21] One does not transgress the prohibition of Lo Sachmod if he applies pressure to someone to donate an organ on his behalf and certainly if it is on the behalf of another.
Jealousy of spiritual matters: Jealousy and envy of another person’s stature can actually be virtuous if it motivates him to become more productive, and hence it states that “Kinas Sofrim Marbeh Chochmah” that the jealousy and envy amongst Torah scholars and authors of Torah books causes wisdom to increase, as competition is good for productivity.[22] Likewise, it states that even in the future era, and in Gan Eden, people will have envy of others portions in the world to come.[23]
Table: Objects and Situations Subject to the Prohibitions of Lo Sachmod and Lo Sisaveh
| Category / Case | Does Lo Sachmod Apply? | Does Lo Sisaveh Apply? | Key Notes / Clarification |
| General Jealousy (emotion alone) | ❌ No | ❌ No | Mere envy without planning or action is not prohibited. |
| Movable property (car, phone, valuables) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Applies when item not for sale and owner pressured; planning violates Lo Sisaveh. |
| Real estate (house, field) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Explicitly stated in Scripture. |
| Items openly for sale | ❌ No | ❌ No | Normal commerce is permitted, even with negotiation or pressure. |
| Repeated offers for item not for sale | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Considered prohibited pressure if owner initially refused to sell. |
| Money / wealth (general) | ⚠️ Disputed | ⚠️ Disputed | Machloket whether money without a specific object is included. |
| Jointly owned property | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Applies even to corporate or shared assets; dispute regarding co‑partners. |
[1] Admur Hilchos Gezeila Ugeneiva Halacha 5; Michaber C.M. 359:10; Tur 359:10; Rambam Gezeila 1:9; Mechilta Yisro Parsha Ches; Smeh 359:18; Aruch Hashulchan 359:10; Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid Os 2 pp. 471-473
[2] All Poskim in C-D, including: Admur ibid; Michaber C.M. 359:10 and 12; Tur ibid; Rambam ibid; Sefer Hamitzvos L.S. 265-266; Yireim Mitzvah 115; Mordechai Bava Kama 66; Ralbag Shemos 20:14 and Devarim 5:18; Mechilta Yisro 8; Zohar 3:261; Smeh 359:17; Aruch Hashulchan 359:8; See Har Melech 7:544; See Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid p. 450 footnote 8
[3] Admur Hilchos Gezeila Ugeneiva Halacha 5; Michaber C.M. 359:10; Tur 359:10; Rambam Gezeila 1:9; Bava Metzia 5b; Kitzur SHU”A 182:5; Encyclopedia Talmudit Erech “Lo Sachmod” vol. 34 pp. 449-484
[4] The reason: As the prohibition against coveting referred to in the words Lo Sisaveh, applies simply to the desire of the heart. [Admur]
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that the prohibition of Lo Sisaveh is only transgressed if one contemplates ways of taking the item from the owner without his consent for the sale. However, if he contemplates ways of convincing the owner to sell it to him until the owner will agree, then there is no prohibition that is transgressed. [See Maggid Mishneh on Rambam 1:10 in opinion of Raavad ibid; Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid footnote 98] Other Poskim rule that the prohibition of Lo Sisaveh is only transgressed if one actually takes the item. [See Moshav Zekeinim Shemos 20:14 in name of Rabbeinu Tam; Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid footnote 88] Other Poskim rule that the Biblical Lo Sachmod prohibition only applies if one actually steals the item [see Ir Shushan and Beir Hieytiv ibid], and the same would apply here regarding Lo Sachmod, and it is only transgressed if one contemplates stealing the item.
If one knows he will not be able to buy it: It is disputed amongst the Poskim as to whether this prohibition is transgressed even if one knows that he will not be successful in getting the owner to sell it to him, such as of the owner is very powerful, but one nevertheless fantasizes about doing so. [See Smeh 359:18; Perisha 359; Ramban Devarim 5:18; Encyclopedia Talmudit p. 474 footnotes 201-208]
[5] The status of an item that its value is less than a Peruta: It is disputed amongst the Poskim as to whether the prohibition is transgressed if one covets an item whose value is less than a Peruta. [See Minchas Chinuch 38; Sdei Chemed Lamed Kelal 130; Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid pp. 475-476 footnotes 211-220]
[6] Items available for purchase on the market: Some Poskim suggest that the prohibition only applies to items that are not readily available on the market to purchase, for if one desires the specific item owned by the individual for whatever reason. However, if he desires the general item and it just happens to be his friend owns one, then he does not transgress Lo Sachmod if he pressures him to sell it to him, if it is readily available on the market. [Eretz Tzevi 4 in name of Imrei Emes; Imrei Yaakov ibid in Biurim “Over Belo Sachmod”; See Betzel Hachochma 3:44]
[7] Michaber 259:10 and Rambam Gezeila 1:10 regarding Lo Sisaveh; Encyclopedia Talmudit Erech “Lo Sachmod” vol. 34 #3 p. 479-484 footnotes 248-297; Completely Omitted from Admur. Vetzaruch Iyun Gadol! Omitted from Michaber 359:10 and Rambam 1:9 regarding Lo Sachmod but included in Michaber ibid and 1:10 regarding Lo Sisaveh! [See Encyclopedia ibid footnote 261]
Lashes: One who covets another man’s wife in a way that transgresses the prohibition of Lo Sachmod is liable for the penalty of lashes. [Minchas Chinuch ibid; Encyclopedia ibid footnote 262-266]
[8] Mefarshim on Mechilta ibid; Aruch Hashulchan 359:10; Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid p. 472 footnotes 184-186
[9] Aruch Hashulchan C.M. 359:10; Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid p. 472 footnotes 187
[10] See Sefer Lereiacha Kamocha 7 that so is understood from Semak ibid regarding Korach
[11] Mechilta Derashbi 20:14; Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid p. 472 footnotes 189
[12] Mechilta Yisro ibid; Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid p. 473 footnotes 190-196
Other opinions: Some suggest that there are Poskim who will learn that the prohibition against coveting another person’s real estate property such as a field, excluding a house, is only regarding Lo Sisaveh and not regarding Lo Sachmod. [See Encyclopedia ibid]
[13] See Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid p. 473 footnote 197
[14] See Admur ibid Halacha 5 “if the owner did not have intent to sell it”; Rambam Sefer Hamitzvos L.S. 258; Chareidim L.S.; Kitzur SHU”A 182:5; See Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid p. 474 footnotes 209-210
[15] Netziv on Mechilta ibid; See Encyclopedia ibid
[16] See Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid p. 476 footnotes 221-222
[17] See Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid p. 476-477 footnotes 223-230
[18] See Sdei Chemed Lamed Kelal 130; Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid p. 477-478 footnotes 221-236
[19] See Eretz Tzevi 4; Betzel Hachochma 3:43-12-14; Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid p. 468-470 footnotes 157-165
[20] Chidushei Harim Bava Kama 66b; Betzel Hachochma ibid; Many Poskim in Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid p. 469 footnotes 163
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that one does not transgresses even in such a case. [Poskim in Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid footnote 164]
[21] See Even Yisrael 5:105
[22] Bava Basra 21a and 22a
[23] Bava Basra 75a; Hayom Yom 19th Nissan
