Bal Tosif

From Halachipedia

There is a negative mitzvah not to add onto the mitzvot of the Torah as it says in the pasuk "אֵת כָּל־הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוֶּה אֶתְכֶם אֹתוֹ תִשְׁמְרוּ לַעֲשׂוֹת לֹא־תֹסֵף עָלָיו וְלֹא תִגְרַע מִמֶּנּוּ". [1]

Nature of the Prohibition

  1. Some say that the prohibition means that one may not permanently establish a new mitzvah.[2]
  2. Some say that the prohibition includes fulfilling a mitzvah in an expanded or enlarged manner.[3]
    1. For example, fulfilling the mitzvah of Daled Minim with five minim or wearing tzitzit with more than 8 strings is an issue of Bal Tosif.[4]
    2. For example, sprinkling a korban's blood more times than necessary can be a violation of Bal Tosif.[5]
  3. Some say that there's no prohibition of Baal Tosif to repeat a mitzvah several times.[6] Some disagree.[7]
    1. Some say that saying Shema at night before its time with intent to fulfill the mitzvah is Baal Tosif while others argue that there can't be Baal Tosif to say Shema since it is learning Torah.[8]
    2. The Sephardic minhag to say Sefirat Haomer in the morning besides the night is an example of this.[9]
    3. Saying Kedusha multiple times a day isn't Baal Tosif.[10]
  4. There is no issue of Baal Tosif when one's intention is to follow the Rabbis such as by keeping a second day of Yom Tov.[11]

Sources

  1. Devarim 13:1, Rambam (Sefer HaMtizvot Lavin n. 313), Sefer HaChinuch 454
  2. Ramban Devarim 4:2, Rambam (Mamrim 2:9)
  3. See examples below and Encyclopedia Talmudit "Bal Tosif"
  4. Sifrei Devarim 13:1
  5. Rosh Hashana 28b
  6. Tosfot Rosh Hashana 16b says it in reference to blowing extra shofar blowings on Rosh Hashana or picking up the Lulav several times in a day.
  7. Turei Even Rosh Hashana 16b
  8. Igrot Moshe 2:60 s.v. umah
  9. Yalkut Yosef 489:25. See however, Teshuvot Vehanhagot 2:247 who says it is Baal Tosif.
  10. Rashba Teshuva 1:249, Rama O.C. 125:2
  11. Igrot Moshe 2:60 s.v. umah