Leviticus 18:12

12 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father's sister; she is your father's flesh.

Leviticus 18:12 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 18:12

Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's sister,
&c.] His aunt by his father's side, an instance of which we have in Amram, ( Exodus 6:20 ) ; and Maimonides says ^F9, an aunt was forbidden whether she was a father's sister in lawful wedlock or in fornication: she [is] thy father's near kinswoman;
or, the rest of thy father ^F11; the residue of his flesh, one of the same flesh and blood with him; wherefore, as he could not marry her himself, so his son likewise was too near akin to enter into such a relation with her.

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 Hilchot Issure Biah, c. 2. sect. 5.
F11 (Kyba rav) "reliquiarum patris tui", Tigurine version.

Leviticus 18:12 In-Context

10 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your son's daughter or of your daughter's daughter, for their nakedness is your own nakedness.

11 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father's wife's daughter, begotten by your father, since she is your sister.

12 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father's sister; she is your father's flesh.

13 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother's sister, for she is your mother's flesh.

14 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father's brother, that is, you shall not approach his wife; she is your aunt.