What are the connotations of "Lo Soveh lo"?
Rashi (citing the Sifri): It means 'Do not love him'. 1
Ramban (citing Sanhedrin, 61b) and Targum Yonasan: It means 'Do not want (accept) him'. 2
Seforno: It means 'Don't even consider making inquiries as to whether there is any truth in his claim that Avodah-Zarah P'lonis does such and such good or such and such bad.
Rashi: It is synonymous with 'Lo Se'ehov oso' (which possesses the same letters) ? an exception to the Pasuk in Vayikra 19:18, "Ve'ahavta le'Re'acha Kamocha".
Ramban: As below, 23:6 and 25:7.
What are the connotations of "Lo Sishma eilav"?
Rashi: It means 'Don't listen to his pleas, when he begs you for forgiveness'. 1
Ramban (citing Targum Onkelos) and Targum Yonasan: It means 'Do not accept his words and agree to go and worship Avodah-Zarah P'lonis'. 2
Seforno: Refer to 13:9:1:3. It means that, 'in this way, you will not listen to him and you will not accept his words' - because if you will waver about his authenticity, in the end you will listen to him! 3
Sanhedrin, 61b: "Lo Soveh lo ve'Lo Sishma eilav" implies that one is Chayav even for merely accepting his words and listening to him,. 4
Rashi: This is an exception to the Pasuk in Mishpatim Sh'mos, 23:5 "Azov Ta'azov Imo" - to abandon the hatred of someone one hates - and help him load or unload his snimal.
Ramban: For which one is Chayav Misah.
Seforno: This is because doubts of this nature stem from a lack of faith in the greatness of Hashem and in His running the world.
See Torah Temimah, note 21.
What are the connotations of "ve'Lo Sachos Eincha alav"?
Rashi: It means 'Do not have compassion on him'. 1
Rashi: An exception to "Lo Sa'amod al Dam Re'echa" - Kedoshim Vayikra, 19:16. See also Ba'al ha'Turim and Torah Temimah, note 23.
What are the connotations of "ve'Lo Sachmol"?
Rashi and Ramban: It means 'Don't make an effort to declare him innocent'. 1
Refer to 13:9:5:3 & 4.
See Torah Temimah, note 24. This is an exception to the Pasuk in Mas'ei Bamidbar, 35:25 "ve'Hitzilu ha'Eidah es ha'Rotze'ach". (PF).
What are the connotations of "ve'Lo Sechaseh alav"?
Rashi and Ramban (citing the Sifri): It means 'If you know that he is guilty, don't remain silent (but go to Beis-Din and testify - Ramban).
Targum Yonasan: It means 'Do not furtively cover-up for him'.
Sanhedrin, 36b: We learn from "Lo Sachmol" and "Lo Sechaseh alav" that to judge a Meisis, one should pick Dayanam who are old or eunochs or who are childless, and accordding to R. Yehudah, judges who are inherently cruel. 1
Sanhedrin, 85b: We learn from "Lo Sachmol" and "Lo Sechaseh alav" that even a son can be appointed by Beis-Din to carry out the death sentence of a Meisis. 2
As opposed to other occasions, where they are disqualified from judging, because they tend to lack Rachmanus, which Dayanim require in order to try and save the defendent from the death sentence. See 13:9:4:1*.
Sanhedrin, Ibid.: As opposed to administering Malkos or to issue a curse, which a son is not eligible to perform.
