Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, the Torah introduces us to the beautiful and sensitive mitzvos of Shemittas Kesafim (the releasing of debts in the seventh year) and the laws of tzedakah. Hashem is teaching us how a Yid must look at his money—not as his own personal possession, but as a deposit from Hashem to be shared with those in need. We are warned in the strongest terms not to withhold loans just because the Shemittah year is approaching, which would cancel the debt, but rather to open our hands and hearts to our needy brothers.

The second part of the aliyah transitions into the halachos of an Eved Ivri (a Hebrew servant). The Torah details the obligation to free the servant after six years of service and the special mitzvah of Ha'anakah—sending him away with generous gifts from our own blessings so he can rebuild his life. We also learn the halachos of a servant who refuses to leave his master, requiring his ear to be pierced with an awl against the doorpost.

All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.

פָּסוּק א

Pasuk 1

מִקֵּץAt the end ofשֶׁבַעsevenשָׁנִיםyearsתַּעֲשֶׂהyou shall makeשְׁמִטָּה׃a release

רַשִׁ״י

מקץAt the end ofשבעsevenשנים.yearsיָכוֹלone might thinkשֶׁבַעsevenשָׁנִיםyearsלְכָלfor eachמִלְוָהloanוּמִלְוָה,and loanתַּ"לֹScripture teaches"קָרְבָהapproachesשְׁנַתthe year ofהַשֶּׁבַע",the seventhוְאִםand ifאַתָּהyouאוֹמֵרsayשֶׁבַעsevenשָׁנִיםyearsלְכָלfor eachמִלְוָהloanוּמִלְוָה,and loanלְהַלְוָאוֹתfor the loans ofכָּלeveryאֶחָדoneוְאֶחָד,and oneהֵיאַךְhowהִיאis itקְרֵבָה?approachingהָאbeholdלָמַדְתָּyou have learnedשֶׁבַעsevenשָׁנִיםyearsלְמִנְיַןaccording to the reckoning ofהַשְּׁמִטָּהthe ShmittahספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

וְזֶהAnd thisדְּבַרis the matter ofהַשְּׁמִטָּהthe releaseשָׁמוֹטthere shall releaseכָּלeveryבַּעַלcreditorמַשֵּׁהof a loan ofיָדוֹhis handאֲשֶׁרwhichיַשֶּׁהhe lentבְּרֵעֵהוּto his fellowלֹאhe shall notיִגֹּשׂdemand payment fromאֶת—רֵעֵהוּhis fellowוְאֶתand —אָחִיוhis brotherכִּיbecauseקָרָאhe has proclaimedשְׁמִטָּהa releaseלַיהוָה׃to Hashem

רַשִׁ״י

שמוטreleaseכלeveryבעלcreditorמשהof a loanידו.his handשָׁמוֹטreleaseאֶת—יָדוֹthe handשֶׁלofכָּלeveryבַּעַלcreditorמַשֶּׁה:of a loan

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

אֶת—הַנָּכְרִיthe foreignerתִּגֹּשׂyou may dunוַאֲשֶׁרbut that whichיִהְיֶהwill beלְךָto youאֶתwithאָחִיךָyour brotherתַּשְׁמֵטshall releaseיָדֶךָ׃your hand

רַשִׁ״י

את—הנכריthe foreignerתגש.you shall exactזוֹthisמִצְוַתis a commandment ofעֲשֵׂהactionשםthere:

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

אֶפֶסHoweverכִּיbecauseלֹאnotיִהְיֶהthere shall beבְּךָamong youאֶבְיוֹןa needy personכִּיforבָרֵךְsurelyיְבָרֶכְךָHe will bless youיְהוָהHashemבָּאָרֶץin the landאֲשֶׁרwhichיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godנֹתֵןis givingלְךָto youנַחֲלָהas an inheritanceלְרִשְׁתָּהּ׃to possess it

רַשִׁ״י

אפסHowbeitכיthatלאnotיהיהthere shall beבךamong youאביון.a needy personוּלְהַלָּןbut further onהוּאitאוֹמֵרsays"כִּי"Forלֹאnotיֶחְדַּלshall ceaseאֶבְיוֹן"?the needy"אֶלָּאratherבִּזְמַןat a timeשֶׁאַתֶּםthat youעוֹשִׂיםdoרְצוֹנוֹthe willשֶׁלofמָקוֹםthe Omnipresentאֶבְיוֹנִיםthe needy will beבַּאֲחֵרִיםamong othersוְלֹאand notבָכֶם,among youוּכְשֶׁאֵיןand when notאַתֶּםyouעוֹשִׂיםdoרְצוֹנוֹthe willשֶׁלofמָקוֹםthe Omnipresentאֶבְיוֹנִיםthe needy will beבָּכֶם:among you

רַשִׁ״י

אביון.An evyonדַּלis poorerמֵעָנִי,than a poor personוּלְשׁוֹןand the expressionאֶבְיוֹןevyonשֶׁהוּאis that heתָּאֵבlongsלְכָלfor everyדָּבָרthingעי'seeויקראVayikraרבהRabbahל"ד34:

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

רַקonlyאִםifשָׁמוֹעַsurelyתִּשְׁמַעyou will hearkenבְּקוֹלto the voice ofיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godלִשְׁמֹרto be carefulלַעֲשׂוֹתto performאֶת—כָּלall ofהַמִּצְוָהthe commandmentהַזֹּאתthisאֲשֶׁרwhichאָנֹכִיIמְצַוְּךָcommand youהַיּוֹם׃today

רַשִׁ״י

רקOnlyאםifשמועsurelyתשמע.you will hearkenאָזthenלאnotיהיהthere will beבךamong youאביוןa needy person:

רַשִׁ״י

שמועsurelyתשמע.you will hearkenשָׁמַעif one hearsקִמְעָאa littleמַשְׁמִיעִיןthey cause to hearאוֹתוֹhimהַרְבֵּהmuchספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

כִּיForיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godבֵּרַכְךָhas blessed youכַּאֲשֶׁרasדִּבֶּרHe spokeלָךְto youוְהַעֲבַטְתָּand you will lendגּוֹיִםnationsרַבִּיםmanyוְאַתָּהbut youלֹאwill notתַעֲבֹטborrowוּמָשַׁלְתָּand you will ruleבְּגוֹיִםover nationsרַבִּיםmanyוּבְךָbut over youלֹאthey will notיִמְשֹׁלוּ׃rule

רַשִׁ״י

כאשרasדברHe spokeלך.to youוְהֵיכָןand whereדִּבֵּר?did He speakדבריםDevarimכ"ח28בָּרוּךְBlessedאַתָּהshall you beבָּעִירin the cityספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

והעבטת.And you shall lendכָּלeveryלְשׁוֹןexpression ofהַלְוָאָהlendingכְּשֶׁנּוֹפֵלwhen it fallsעַלuponהַמַּלְוֶהthe lenderנוֹפֵלit fallsבִּלְשׁוֹןin the expressionמַפְעִיל,causativeכְּגוֹןsuch asוְהִלְוִיתָ,and you shall lendוְהַעֲבַטְתָּ.and you shall lendוְאִםand ifהָיָהit wereאוֹמֵרsayingוְעָבַטְתָּand you shall borrowהָיָהit wouldנוֹפֵלfallעַלuponהַלֹּוֶה,the borrowerכְּמוֹlikeוְלָוִיתָ:and you shall borrow

רַשִׁ״י

והעבטתAnd you shall lendגוים.nationsיָכוֹלone might thinkשֶׁתְּהֵאthat you will beלֹוֶהborrowingמִזֶּהfrom this oneוּמַלְוֶהand lendingלָזֶה,to this oneתַּ"לֹScripture teaches"וְאַתָּהbut youלֹאshall notתַעֲבֹט":borrow

רַשִׁ״י

ומשלתAnd you shall ruleבגויםover nationsרבים.manyיָכוֹלOne might thinkגוֹיִםnationsאֲחֵרִיםotherמוֹשְׁלִיםwill ruleעָלֶיךָ,over youתַּ"לֹScripture teaches"וּבְךָbut over youלֹאnotיִמְשֹׁלוּ"shall they ruleשםthere:

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

כִּיIfיִהְיֶהthere shall beבְךָamong youאֶבְיוֹןa needy personמֵאַחַדfrom one ofאַחֶיךָyour brothersבְּאַחַדin one ofשְׁעָרֶיךָyour gatesבְּאַרְצְךָin your landאֲשֶׁרwhichיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godנֹתֵןis givingלָךְto youלֹאdo notתְאַמֵּץhardenאֶת—לְבָבְךָyour heartוְלֹאand do notתִקְפֹּץshutאֶת—יָדְךָyour handמֵאָחִיךָfrom your brotherהָאֶבְיוֹן׃the needy

רַשִׁ״י

כיIfיהיהthere will beבךamong youאביון.a needy manהַתָּאֵבthe most desiringתָּאֵבdesiringקוֹדֵם:comes first

רַשִׁ״י

מאחדFrom one ofאחיך.your brethrenאָחִיךָyour brotherמֵאָבִיךָfrom your fatherקוֹדֵםtakes precedenceלְאָחִיךָover your brotherמֵאִמְּךָ:from your mother

רַשִׁ״י

שעריך.your gatesעֲנִיֵּיthe poor ofעִירְךָyour cityקוֹדְמִיםhave preferenceלַעֲנִיֵּיover the poor ofעִירa cityאַחֶרֶת:another

רַשִׁ״י

לאnotתאמץ.you shall hardenיֵשׁthere isלְךָto youאָדָםa personשֶׁמִּצְטַעֵרwho distresses himselfאִםwhetherיִתֵּןhe will giveאִםorלֹאnotיִתֵּן,he will giveלְכָךְthereforeנֶאֱמַרit is said"לֹאnotתְאַמֵּץ".you shall hardenיֵשׁthere isלְךָto youשֶׁפּוֹשֵׁטwho stretches outאֶת—יָדוֹhis handוְקוֹפְצָהּ,and closes itלְכָךְthereforeנֶאֱמַרit is said"לֹאnotתִקְפֹּץ"you shall closeשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

מאחיךfrom your brotherהאביון.the needyאִםifלֹאnotתִתֵּןyou will giveלוֹ,to himסוֹפְךָyour end isלִהְיוֹתto beאָחִיוthe brotherשֶׁלofאֶבְיוֹןa needy personשםthere:

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

כִּיRatherפָתֹחַsurelyתִּפְתַּחyou shall openאֶת—יָדְךָyour handלוֹto himוְהַעֲבֵטand surely lendתַּעֲבִיטֶנּוּyou shall lend himדֵּיsufficient forמַחְסֹרוֹhis needאֲשֶׁרwhichיֶחְסַרis lackingלוֹ׃to him

רַשִׁ״י

פתחOpenתפתח.you shall openאֲפִלּוּevenכַמָּהmanyפְעָמִיםtimesשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

כיBecauseפתחsurelyתפתח.you shall openהֲרֵיbeholdכִיthe word כימְשַׁמֵּשׁservesבִּלְשׁוֹןin the meaning ofאֶלָּא:but

רַשִׁ״י

והעבטAnd you shall lendתעביטנו.him on pledgeאִםifלֹאnotרָצָהhe wantedבְמַתָּנָהas a giftתֵּןgiveלוֹto himבְּהַלְוָאָהas a loanעי'seeשם;thereכתובותKesubosס"ז67b:

רַשִׁ״י

דיsufficient forמחסרו.his lackוְאִיbut notאַתָּהare youמְצֻוֶּהcommandedלְהַעֲשִׁירוֹ:to make him rich

רַשִׁ״י

אשרthatיחסרwill be lackingלו.to himאֲפִלּוּevenסוּסa horseלִרְכֹּבto rideעָלָיוupon itוְעֶבֶדand a servantלָרוּץto runלְפָנָיוbefore himשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

לו.For himזוֹthis isאִשָּׁהa wifeוְכֵןand soהוּאitאוֹמֵרsaysבראשיתBereishisב'twoאֶעֱשֶׂהI will makeלּוֹfor himעֵזֶרa helperכְּנֶגְדּוֹcorresponding to himספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

הִשָּׁמֶרBewareלְךָfor yourselfפֶּןlestיִהְיֶהthere will beדָבָרa matterעִםinלְבָבְךָyour heartבְלִיַּעַלof lawlessnessלֵאמֹרsayingקָרְבָהhas approachedשְׁנַתthe year ofהַשֶּׁבַעthe seventhשְׁנַתthe year ofהַשְּׁמִטָּהthe releaseוְרָעָהand will be meanעֵינְךָyour eyeבְּאָחִיךָagainst your brotherהָאֶבְיוֹןthe needyוְלֹאand notתִתֵּןyou will giveלוֹto himוְקָרָאand he will cryעָלֶיךָagainst youאֶלtoיְהוָהHashemוְהָיָהand it will beבְךָin youחֵטְא׃a sin

רַשִׁ״י

וקראAnd he will cryעליך.against youיָכוֹלone might thinkמִצְוָה,it is a mitzvahתַּ"לֹScripture teachesוְלֹאso that notיִקְרָא:he will cry

רַשִׁ״י

והיהAnd it will beבךin youחטא.sinמִכָּלfrom anyמָקוֹם,placeאֲפִלּוּeven ifלֹאnotיִקְרָא.he will cryאִםifכֵּןsoלָמָּהwhyנֶאֱמַרis it said"וְקָרָאand he cryעָלֶיךָ"?against youמְמַהֵרhastenאֲנִיIלִפָּרַעto punishעַלbyיְדֵיhands ofהַקּוֹרֵאthe one who criesיוֹתֵרmoreמִמִּיthan from whoשֶׁאֵינוֹthat is notקוֹרֵאcryingשםthere:

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

נָתוֹןGivingתִּתֵּןyou shall giveלוֹto himוְלֹאand notיֵרַעshall be grievedלְבָבְךָyour heartבְּתִתְּךָwhen you giveלוֹto himכִּיbecauseבִּגְלַלon account ofהַדָּבָרmatterהַזֶּהthisיְבָרֶכְךָwill bless youיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godבְּכָלin allמַעֲשֶׂךָyour workוּבְכֹלand in allמִשְׁלַחthe putting forth ofיָדֶךָ׃your hand

רַשִׁ״י

נתוןGivingתתןyou shall giveלו.to himאֲפִלּוּevenמֵאָהone hundredפְעָמִים:times

רַשִׁ״י

לו.to himבֵּינוֹbetween himוּבֵינְךָ:and between you

רַשִׁ״י

כיBecauseבגללon account ofהדבר.the wordאֲפִלּוּeven ifאָמַרְתָּyou saidלִתֵּן,to giveאַתָּהyouנוֹטֵלreceiveשְׂכַרthe reward ofהָאֲמִירָהthe sayingעִםwithשְׂכַרthe reward ofהַמַּעֲשֶׂהthe actionשםthere:

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

כִּיBecauseלֹאnotיֶחְדַּלwill ceaseאֶבְיוֹןa needy personמִקֶּרֶבfrom the midst ofהָאָרֶץthe landעַלthereforeכֵּן·אָנֹכִיIמְצַוְּךָcommand youלֵאמֹרsayingפָּתֹחַsurelyתִּפְתַּחyou shall openאֶת—יָדְךָyour handלְאָחִיךָto your brotherלַעֲנִיֶּךָto your poorוּלְאֶבְיֹנְךָand to your needyבְּאַרְצֶךָ׃in your land

רַשִׁ״י

עלThereforeכן.·מִפְּנֵיbecause ofכֵן:this

רַשִׁ״י

לאמר.To sayעֵצָהadviceלְטוֹבָתְךָfor your benefitאֲנִיIמַשִּׂיאֲךָ:am advising you

רַשִׁ״י

לאחיךto your brotherלעניך.to your poorלְאֵיזֶהto whichאָח?brotherלֶעָנִי:to the poor

רַשִׁ״י

לעניך.your poorבְּיוֹ"דwith a yudאֶחָדone—לְשׁוֹןan expression ofעָנִיa poor personאֶחָדoneהוּא,it isאֲבָלbutעֲנִיֶּיךָyour poorבִשְׁנֵיwith twoיוֹדִי"ןyuds—שְׁנֵיtwoעֲנִיִּים:poor people

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

כִּיIfיִמָּכֵרthere is soldלְךָto youאָחִיךָyour brotherהָעִבְרִיthe Hebrewאוֹorהָעִבְרִיָּהthe Hebrew womanוַעֲבָדְךָand he shall serve youשֵׁשׁsixשָׁנִיםyearsוּבַשָּׁנָהand in the yearהַשְּׁבִיעִתthe seventhתְּשַׁלְּחֶנּוּyou shall send himחָפְשִׁיfreeמֵעִמָּךְ׃from with you

רַשִׁ״י

כיIfימכרhe is soldלך.to youעַלbyיְדֵיthe hands ofאֲחֵרִים,othersבִּמְכָרוּהוּwhen they sold himבֵּיתthe courtדִּין·בִּגְנֵבָתוֹfor his theftהַכָּתוּבthe verseמְדַבֵּר;speaksוַהֲרֵיbut beholdכְבָרalreadyנֶאֱמַרit was said"כִּי"Ifתִקְנֶהyou buyעֶבֶדa servantעִבְרִי"Hebrew"וּבִמְכָרוּהוּand when they sold himבֵיתthe courtדִּין·הַכָּתוּבthe verseמְדַבֵּר?speaksאֶלָּאratherמִפְּנֵיbecause ofשְׁנֵיtwoדְבָרִיםthingsשֶׁנִּתְחַדְּשׁוּthat were innovatedכָּאן,hereאֶחָדoneשֶׁכָּתוּבthat it is writtenאוorהעבריהa Hebrew womanאַףevenהִיאsheתֵצֵאgoes freeבְּשֵׁשׁ.in sixוְלֹאand notשֶׁמְּכָרוּהָthat they sold herבֵיתthe courtדִּין,·שֶׁאֵיןfor there is noהָאִשָּׁהwomanנִמְכֶּרֶתsoldבִּגְנֵבָתָהּ,for her theftשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"בִּגְנֵבָתוֹ""for his theft"וְלֹאand not"בִגְנֵבָתָהּ""for her theft"–אֶלָּאratherבִקְטַנָּהregarding a minor girlשֶׁמְּכָרָהּwhom he sold herאָבִיהָ,her fatherוְלִמֵּדand it taughtכָּאןhereשֶׁאִםthat ifיָצְאוּpassedשֵׁשׁsixשָׁנִיםyearsקֹדֶםbeforeשֶׁתָּבִיאthat she bringsסִימָנִיןsigns of pubertyתֵּצֵא,she goes freeוְעוֹדand furtherחִדֵּשׁit innovatedכָּאןhereהעניקfurnishingתעניקyou shall furnish:

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

וְכִיAnd whenתְשַׁלְּחֶנּוּyou send him outחָפְשִׁיfreeמֵעִמָּךְfrom youלֹאyou shall notתְשַׁלְּחֶנּוּsend him outרֵיקָם׃empty-handed

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

הַעֲנֵיקYou shall surely provideתַּעֲנִיקprovideלוֹfor himמִצֹּאנְךָfrom your flockוּמִגָּרְנְךָand from your threshing floorוּמִיִּקְבֶךָand from your winepressאֲשֶׁרthatבֵּרַכְךָhas blessed youיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godתִּתֶּןyou shall giveלוֹ׃to him

רַשִׁ״י

העניקFurnishתעניק.you shall furnishלְשׁוֹןan expression ofעֲדִיan ornamentבַּגֹּבַהּon highוּבְמַרְאִיתand in sight ofהָעַיִן,the eyeדָּבָרsomethingשֶׁיְּהֵאthat will beנִכָּרnoticeableשֶׁהֱטִיבוֹתָthat you did goodלוֹ;to himוְיֵשׁand there areמְפָרְשִׁיםwho explainלְשׁוֹןan expression ofהַטְעָנָהloadingעַלuponצַוָּארוֹ:his neck

רַשִׁ״י

מצאנךfrom your flockומגרנךand from your threshing-floorומיקבך.and from your wine-pressיָכוֹלone might thinkאֵיןthere is notלִיto meאֶלָּאexceptאֵלּוּtheseבִּלְבַד,aloneתַּ"לֹScripture teachesאשרthatברכךblessed you–מִכָּלfrom allמַהthatשֶּׁבֵּרַכְךָwhich blessed youבּוֹרַאֲךָ.your Creatorוְלָמָּהand whyנֶאֶמְרוּwere saidאֵלּוּ?theseמָהjust asאֵלּוּtheseמְיֻחָדִיםare distinguishedשֶׁהֵםthat theyבִּכְלַלin the category ofבְּרָכָהblessingאַףso tooכָּלallשֶׁהוּאthat isבִּכְלַלin the category ofבְּרָכָה,blessingיָצְאוּare excludedפְּרָדוֹת;mulesוְלָמְדוּand learnedרַבּוֹתֵינוּour Rabbisבְמַסֶּכֶתin the tractate ofקִדּוּשִׁיןKiddushinדףpageי"ז17בִּגְזֵרָהby a decreeשָׁוָהequalכַּמָּהhow muchנוֹתֵןone givesלוֹto himמִכָּלfrom allמִיןkindוָמִין:and kind

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וְזָכַרְתָּAnd you shall rememberכִּיthatעֶבֶדa slaveהָיִיתָyou wereבְּאֶרֶץin the land ofמִצְרַיִםMitzrayimוַיִּפְדְּךָand Hashem redeemed youיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godעַלthereforeכֵּן·אָנֹכִיIמְצַוְּךָcommand youאֶת—הַדָּבָרthe matterהַזֶּהthisהַיּוֹם׃today

רַשִׁ״י

וזכרתAnd you shall rememberכיthatעבדa servantהיית.you wereוְהֶעֱנַקְתִּיand I loadedוְשָׁנִיתִיand I repeatedלְךָfor youמִבִּזַּתfrom the spoil ofמִצְרַיִםMitzrayimוּבִזַּתand the spoil ofהַיָּם,the Seaאַףsoאַתָּהyouהַעֲנֵקloadוּשְׁנֵהand repeatלוֹfor himספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וְהָיָהAnd it shall beכִּיifיֹאמַרhe saysאֵלֶיךָto youלֹאI will notאֵצֵאgo outמֵעִמָּךְfrom with youכִּיbecauseאֲהֵבְךָhe loves youוְאֶתand —בֵּיתֶךָyour householdכִּיbecauseטוֹבit is goodלוֹfor himעִמָּךְ׃with you

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

וְלָקַחְתָּand you shall takeאֶת—הַמַּרְצֵעַthe awlוְנָתַתָּהand you shall putבְאָזְנוֹthrough his earוּבַדֶּלֶתand into the doorוְהָיָהand he shall beלְךָto youעֶבֶדa slaveעוֹלָםforeverוְאַףand alsoלַאֲמָתְךָto your maidservantתַּעֲשֶׂהyou shall doכֵּן׃so

רַשִׁ״י

עבדA servantעולם.foreverיָכוֹלone might thinkכְּמַשְׁמָעוֹ,according to its literal meaningתַּ"לֹScripture teaches"וְשַׁבְתֶּם"and you shall returnאִישׁeach manאֶלtoאֲחֻזָּתוֹhis inheritanceוְאִישׁand each manאֶלtoמִשְׁפַּחְתּוֹhis familyתָּשֻׁבוּ"you shall return"ויקראVayikraכ"ה25,הָאbeholdלָמַדְתָּyou have learnedשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notזֶהthisאֶלָּאbutעוֹלָמוֹhis worldשֶׁלofיוֹבֵלYovelמכילתאMekhiltaשמותShemosכ"א21:

רַשִׁ״י

ואףAnd alsoלאמתךto your maidservantתעשהyou shall doכן.likewiseהַעֲנֵקfurnishingלָהּ;to herיָכוֹלOne might thinkאַףevenלִרְצִיעָהfor piercingהִשְׁוָהcomparedהַכָּתוּבthe verseאוֹתָהּ,herתַּ"לֹthe Torah teachesשמותShemosכ"א21"וְאִםAnd ifאָמֹרplainlyיֹאמַרshall sayהָעֶבֶד"the servant–עֶבֶדa manservantנִרְצָעis piercedוְאֵיןbut notאָמָהa maidservantנִרְצַעַתis piercedספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

לֹאnotיִקְשֶׁהshall it be hardבְעֵינֶךָin your eyesבְּשַׁלֵּחֲךָwhen you sendאֹתוֹhimחָפְשִׁיfreeמֵעִמָּךְfrom with youכִּיforמִשְׁנֶהdoubleשְׂכַרthe wage ofשָׂכִירa hired workerעֲבָדְךָhe served youשֵׁשׁsixשָׁנִיםyearsוּבֵרַכְךָand will bless youיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godבְּכֹלin allאֲשֶׁרthatתַּעֲשֶׂה׃you do

רַשִׁ״י

כיForמשנהa doubleשכרwage ofשכיר.a hired servantמִכָּאןfrom hereאָמְרוּthey saidעֶבֶדa servantעִבְרִיHebrewעוֹבֵדworksבֵּיןbothבַּיּוֹםby dayוּבֵיןand bothבַּלַּיְלָה,by nightוְזֶהוּand this isכִפְלַיִםdoubleשֶׁבַּעֲבוֹדַתthat of the laborשְׂכִירֵיof hired servants ofיוֹם.dayוּמַהוּand what isעֲבוֹדָתוֹhis laborבַלַּיְלָה?by nightרַבּוֹhis masterמוֹסֵרhands overלוֹto himשִׁפְחָהa maidservantכְנַעֲנִיתCanaaniteוְהַוְּלָדוֹתand the childrenלָאָדוֹןbelong to the masterספריSifrei:

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah begins with the commandment of Shemittas Kesafim, requiring creditors to release all outstanding loans in the seventh year, while promising that keeping this mitzvah will bring Hashem's ultimate blessing of prosperity. The Torah then commands us to give tzedakah and provide loans to the poor, warning us against harboring bad thoughts about the approaching Shemittah year. Finally, the Torah details the laws of the Eved Ivri, including the six-year limit of his service, the obligation of Ha'anakah upon his release, and the procedure of Retzi'ah (piercing the ear) if he insists on staying with his master.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

In this parsha, the Torah warns us against a very natural human reaction. When the Shmita year approaches, a person might hesitate to lend money, thinking, "Why should I give a loan now if the debt will soon be wiped out?" The Torah calls this hesitation a "davar beliya'al", a base, worthless thought. We see a similar yesod by the mitzvah of ha'anaka, where we are commanded to give generous gifts to a Hebrew servant when he goes free, and the Torah warns us, "Do not feel aggrieved when you set him free."

Lichoira, why does the Torah have to warn us so sharply here? The answer is that Hashem is teaching us a fundamental klal in emunah and bitachon. The money in your pocket is not actually yours; you are merely a gizbar, a trustee, holding Hashem's money. When you hold back from lending or giving because of your own calculations, you are acting as if you are the ba'al habayis. The Torah is telling us: open your hand anyway, because your parnassah does not depend on the borrower paying you back. It depends entirely on Hashem, who promises that "in return, Hashem your God will bless you in all your efforts."

This is our daily avodah. Whenever we are asked to give tzedakah, or when a friend asks to borrow something and we feel that squeeze in our chest, that fear of "what will be with my money?", we have to stop and realize that this is the yetzer hara trying to make us closed-handed. We must train ourselves to break that natural reflex and give with a warm, open heart, knowing that we lose absolutely nothing by doing Hashem's will.

Today, when someone asks you for help, a favor, or tzedakah, do not hesitate or make calculations. Open your hand immediately with a warm smile, trusting completely that Hashem will more than make up for whatever you give.