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Slave

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Rabbi Jonathan Blass

10 Kislev 5764
Question
Why only by theft is someone who can’t pay back sold as a slave, and not by borrowing or damage or anything else? I know that’s what the Pasuk says, but is there a Meforush Pasuk that explains it?
Answer
See Shmot [=Exodus] 22 2: "He shall make full restitution; If he have nothing, he shall be sold FOR HIS THEFT". Since the passage deals with the obligations incurred by a thief, the words "for his theft" teach us that a man is sold only to repay the value of what he stole but he is not sold to repay any other obligation.
את המידע הדפסתי באמצעות אתר yeshiva.org.il