"Lo titgodedu" - do not form factions

Reish Lakish challenges the Megillah dates under the prohibition of factions. The Gemara asks whether the verse is needed to prohibit gashing oneself in mourning. The continuation derives both meanings from the wording; these are not two final interpretations assigned to opposing sages.

1. 1Restate the source in your own words.
2. 2Identify the central distinction and explain its significance.
3. 3Apply the distinction in the exercise without adding a ruling absent from the source.

1. 01·Mishnah / Baraita

   The cited Mishnah lists five possible dates for reading the Megillah.

2. 02·The Gemara asks

   Reish Lakish asks how these different dates fit the prohibition against forming separate factions.

3. 03·Kushya

   The Gemara objects that “lo titgodedu” is needed to prohibit cutting oneself in mourning.

4. 04·Terutz

   The Gemara analyzes the verse’s wording and derives both prohibitions from it.

5. 05·Conclusion of the sugya

   The derivation of both prohibitions stands, but the question of differing practices continues on the page and reaches the schools’ dispute over co-wives.