What is the definition of a "Kedeishah"?
Rashi #1, Rashbam and Targum Yonasan: A Kedeishah is a woman who makes herself Hefker and designates herself for prostitution'. 1
Rashi #2 (citing Targum Onkelos): A Kedeishah is a 'Jewish woman who has relations with an Eved Cana'ani'. 2
Ramban: "Lo Sih'yeh Kedeishah" is a warning to Beis-Din not to allow prostitutes to wait by the cross-roads with musical instruments (to attract the men) 3 or to open brothels. 4
See Ramban's objection to this explanation.
Rashi: Since there is no Kidushin with slaves, intimacy with them is Z'nus - See Rashi.
Ramban: As in Yeshayah, 23:16.
Ramban: Targum Onkelos agrees with this, only he adds slaves who are 'married' to Yisre'elim. The Sifri adds that some prostitutes cover their faces to be intimate with whoever comes - even relatives, like Tamar did
What is the definition of a Kadeish?
Rashi #1 and Targum Yonasan: A Kadesh is 'a male prostitute 1 who is designated and prepared 2 to indulge in homosexuality'. 3
Rashi #2 (citing Targum Onkelos): A Kadeish is 'a Jewish man who has relations with a Shifchah Cana'anis'. 4
Ramban #2: It includes a prohibition against visiting a brothel.
Rashbam: A Kadeish is a man who lives with a woman without a Kesubah and Kidushin - who is not designated for him like a concubine.
Sanhedrin, 54b: This is a prohibition against homosexuality.
Ramban: Like those in Egypt, who sit by the crossroads with covered faces looking like women.
See Ramban's objection to this explanation (apart from the Sifri - See Ramban).
Ramban: Who is worse than a "Kedeishah" - inasmuch as he is Chayav Kares.
Refer to 23:18:1:2*.
Ramban: The word, which means 'prepared' or 'designated',- as in Yeshayah, 13:3 and in Tzefanyah, 1:7 - is based on (and is the opposite of) the word 'Kadosh', since someone who distances himself from immorality is called a Kadosh - See for example Vayikra, 21:7. Ramban: Refer also to Vayikra, 19:2:2:1.
Why does the Torah discuss the Kedeishah before the Kadeish?
Oznayim la'Torah: Because it is more common. 1
See Oznayim la'Torah DH 'Lo Sih'yeh Kedeishah #1.
Why does the Torah add the words 'mi'Benos Yisrael" and "mi'Benei Yisrael"?
Sifri: - Refer to 23:18:1:4 & 23:18:2:1**. To teach us that the prohibition is confined to Yisrael, and that Beis-Din are not obligated to prevent Nochrim 1 from doing this. 2
Ramban: Because Beis-Din are only obligated to prevent the Nochrim from practicing Avodah Zarah. See also Torah Temimah, note 86
Ramban: Even the male prostitutes, which are worse - Refer to 23:18:2:1***.
