1)

Why does the Torah forbid a woman to wear man's clothes and vice-versa?

1.

Rashi, Rashbam and Targum Yonasan: So that she should not dress-up like a man and mingle with men (and vice-versa) for the sake of Z'nus (promiscuity) 1 .


1

Implying that otherwise iat is permitted. See Torah Temimah, citing Nazir, 59a, and note 40. See also Ba'al ha'Turim.

2)

What does the dual La'av incorporate?

1.

Rashi #1: Refer to 22:5:2:1.

2.

Rashi #2 and Targum Onkelos: It incorporates a prohibition against a man shaving his pubic or under-arm hair (like a woman). 1

3.

Targum Onkelos and Nazir, 59a #2: It incorporates a prohibition against a woman wearing weapons. 2

4.

Targum Yonasan and Nazir, 59a #1: It incorporates a prohibition against a woman wearing a Talis and Tefilin, and against a man shaving his underarm or pubic hair (or shaving off his beard ? Nazir, ibid.) in order to resemble a woman.

5.

Shabbos, 94a: It incorporates a prohibition against a man removing white hairs from black hair or vice-versa. 3

6.

Nazir, 59a: It incorporates a man wearing the colored clothes and the ornaments that women generally wear.


1

See Torah Temimah, note 44.

2

This explains why, in Shoftim 5:26, Ya'el killed Sisra with a tent-peg and a sledgehammer, and not with a sword or spear - as Targum Yonason explains there. See also Torah Temimah, note 41 and see Oznayim la'Torah, who explains how this is implied by the wording of the Pasuk.

3

See Torah Temimah, note 42.

3)

Why does the Torah forbid a woman to wear man's clothes and vice-versa?

1.

Rashi and Targum Yonasan: So that she should not dress-up like a man and mingle with men (and vice-versa) for the sake of Z'nus (promiscuity) 1 .

2.

Oznayim la'Torah: Because a man's role based on strength - is to defend his home and his country when necessary, whereas that of a woman is for beauty, and it is not befitting for them to switch roles. 2


1

See Torah Temimah, citing Nazir, 59a, and note 40. See also Ba'al ha'Turim.

2

See Oznayim la'Torah, DH 've'Lo Yilbash Gevewr ... '.

4)

What are the implications of "Ki To'avas Hashem ... "?

1.

Rashi: It restricts the Torah prohibition to clothes that lead to abominable (promiscuous) behavior.

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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