One of the prohibitions mentioned in this week's parsha is the prohibition of Lo Yosif – not to add [another strike]. In essence this is a prohibition against striking another Jew. Interestingly, we find something very unique regarding the stringency of this prohibition. The Shulchan Aruch (420:1) states that one who hits another Jew is automatically in cherem, according to some opinions, and can't even be counted as part of a minyan. The Pischei Teshuva (ibid) quotes the Chasam Sofer who says that nowadays, because of our society's laxity in following the Torah's laws, we may count such a person for a minyan. Nevertheless, although the cherem no longer exists, the inherent stringency of this Biblical prohibition remains the same in all generations.
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