נידוי

A wise man aged in wisdom, or a president, or a dean of a tribunal who committed an unsavory act should never be excommunicated publicly, unless he imitated Jeroboam son of Nebat and his associates¹See First Kings, 11.26–14.20.G.; but if he commit any other sin, the punishment of lashes should be administered secretly, even as it is said: "Therefore shalt thou stumble in the day, and the prophet also shall stumble with thee in the night" (Hosea, 4.5), even though he stumbled, cover it with darkness as the night. However, he should be told: "Honor yourself and remain in your house". And even so, when a disciple of the wise be found guilty of an offense punishable by excommunication, it is forbidden to jump to conclusions hastily and excommunicate him; it is rather commendable to run away from such thing, and avoid it. The pious among the wise prided themselves that they were never numbered among those who excommunicated a disciple of the wise, although it is permissable to be counted in to inflict lashes if he be guilty of an offense punishable by lashes, and even be counted in to inflict upon him scourge of rebellion.²Mo’ed Katan, 17b; Horayot, 11b; Pesahim, 52a. C.G.

A wise man aged in wisdom, or a president, or a dean of a tribunal who committed an unsavory act should never be excommunicated publicly, unless he imitated Jeroboam son of Nebat and his associates¹See First Kings, 11.26–14.20.G.; but if he commit any other sin, the punishment of lashes should be administered secretly, even as it is said: "Therefore shalt thou stumble in the day, and the prophet also shall stumble with thee in the night" (Hosea, 4.5), even though he stumbled, cover it with darkness as the night. However, he should be told: "Honor yourself and remain in your house". And even so, when a disciple of the wise be found guilty of an offense punishable by excommunication, it is forbidden to jump to conclusions hastily and excommunicate him; it is rather commendable to run away from such thing, and avoid it. The pious among the wise prided themselves that they were never numbered among those who excommunicated a disciple of the wise, although it is permissable to be counted in to inflict lashes if he be guilty of an offense punishable by lashes, and even be counted in to inflict upon him scourge of rebellion.²Mo’ed Katan, 17b; Horayot, 11b; Pesahim, 52a. C.G.

What regulations should one under sentence of separation follow himself, and how should others act toward him? One under sentence of separation is forbidden to shave and wash, as one in mourning, all the days of his separation. He must not be counted in among three to bless God after meals, or among ten in any religious service which requires ten adults, and no one is permitted to sit within four ells of him. Nevertheless, he may give instruction to others and others may instruct him, and others may hire him and he may hire others. If his demise occurs while under sentence of separation, the tribunal has a stone sent which is deposited upon his coffin, as if saying that he is being stoned because he had to be separated from the community. Needless to say that no mourning is permitted after him, and that his hearse is not followed.³Mo’ed Katan, 16b; Baba Mezi’a, 59a. C.