In Jewish law, a ban or excommunication imposed by religious authorities; the state of being excluded from the Jewish community for violation of religious law.
From Hebrew 'cherem' (ban, excommunication), related to 'charam' (to devote or dedicate to destruction). The concept dates back to biblical law and developed through rabbinic tradition.
The most famous cherem was placed on Spinoza in 1656—a 24-year-old philosopher whose ideas were so radical that the entire Jewish community was forbidden from contact with him!
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