Midrash for Yevamot 26:21
והתם לאו איסורא הויא והתנן (בלילה) בית שמאי אוסרין ובית הלל מתירין
why did it say 'Lo tithgodedu'?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The longer form, the Hithpael. ');"><sup>60</sup></span> hence it must be inferred that its object was this.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'for this it came', to imply both 'cutting the body for the dead', and 'the formation of sects'. ');"><sup>61</sup></span> Might it not then be suggested that the entire text refers to this only?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The formation of sects. ');"><sup>62</sup></span>
Sifrei Devarim
(Devarim, Ibid.) "Do not lacerate yourselves" (lo tithgodedu): Do not form opposing factions (agudoth, agudoth), but all of you consolidate into one bond, as in (Amos 9:6) "and He founded His bond (agudah) upon the earth."
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