Pisqa’ 119³⁴⁸

1. “And when you set him free from among you . . . provide him well with provisions from your flock, your threshing-floor, and your wine-press” (Dt. 15:13-14). Is it possible to say that we only provide for those who have served for six years? On what basis do we provide provisions to those [going free] in the Jubilee year, or to those [freed by] the death of an owner, or to a Hebrew slave-girl showing signs of sexual maturity? The Teaching mentions setting free as follows: “Set him free” (Dt. 15:12) . . . “When you set him free” (Dt. 15:13). [Stressing free, the Teaching insists that the former slave be generously provided for].

footnotes: ³⁴⁸ H:164-165; JN1:298-299.

2. Is it possible to say that you should provide even for one who purchases his freedom with money? The Teaching states: “When you set him free from among you”(Dt. 15:13). You provide for the one whom you set free; but you needn’t provide for one who purchases his own freedom. How do I know that if you provide for him once, you must provide for him a hundred times?³⁴⁹ 116.3. The Teaching states: “Provide him well with provisions” (Dt. 15:14).

footnotes: ³⁴⁹ Cf. Pisqa’

“Him” (Dt. 15:14)— him, but not his heirs!

“From your flock, your threshing-floor, and your wine-press” (Dt. 15:14). Is it possible to say that you only provide provisions from the flock, the threshing-floor, and the wine-press, since they are singled out by the verse? How do I know that we may include anything [that may be consumed]? The Teaching states: “Provide him well with provisions” (Dt. 15:14)— this includes anything [that may be consumed]. If so, why is it stated: “From your flock, your threshing-floor, and your wine-press” (Dt. 15:14)? Just as the flocks, the threshing-floor, and the wine-press are singular in requiring a benediction of enjoyment³⁵⁰) are brief acknowledgements of divine ownership of food. The benedictions are uttered by the consumer prior to enjoying produce. See M. Ber. 6:1-8. [before consuming their yield], we exclude money [from the concept of provisions], since it is not fit for a benediction of enjoyment: words of R. Shimon. R. Eliezer b. Jacob says: We exclude mules, since they do not bear young.

footnotes: ³⁵⁰ “Benedictions of enjoyment” (birkot hanehenin

3. “From which HASHEM your God has blessed you” (Dt. 15:14)— is it possible to say that if the household was blessed because of him [that is, by his productivity], they provide well for him [when he goes free]; but if the household received no blessing because of him, they needn’t provide well for him? The Teaching states: “Provide him well with provisions” (Dt. 15:14)— either way [he must be provided for]. If so, why is it stated: “From which HASHEM your God has blessed you, shall you give him” (Dt. 15:14)? You may provide for him in measure of the blessing [he brought to your household].