24 February, 2001
1 Adar, 5761
Focus Passage: Exodus 22:20-26
Fundamental Responsibilities
In these verses we see a series of responsibilities laid upon Israel relating to the underprivileged in society. The admonitions may be summed up with the statement that they were commanded to show justice tempered with mercy to the weak, the helpless, and the underprivileged of their society. Although some ancient law codes show similar concerns, in no other instance were these concerns based upon the nature and authority of their gods. Unique to Israel was the expressed concern of their G-d for such people.
The first such responsibility was directed toward the "stranger." The term used here was aimed specifically at a stranger who was a permanent resident of the community, not one who was just passing through. In the ancient world, strangers seldom had any legal recourse to mistreatment. G-d reminded Israel that in Egypt they had experienced what could happen to such people. It was to be their responsibility to see that similar things should never happen to anyone who lived among them.
Coupled with the divine protection of the resident alien was G-d's protection of the "widow or orphan." Without husbands or fathers, such people in society belonged to no one and therefore faced extreme hardship. They were consistently considered in the Tanach as the most helpless members of society. Their own wives and children could be made widows and orphans. In most ancient societies, the gods were concerned with the strong and the powerful. In Israel, G-d expressed the prime concern with the weak and helpless.
The requirements concerning borrowing and lending gave a great deal of difficulty to those who live in our society, in large measure, society as we know it could not exist without credit, banks, and savings and loan institutions. Israel at this time did not use money. Precious metal was occasionally used as a medium of exchange. But, most exchange was done by barter, or by labor.
like the two preceding commands, the Law was also aimed at protecting the weak. It prohibited taking advantage of another's misfortune. If disease or a wild animal had killed a man's ox, he would have no way of getting another except by trading sheep for one or working for it. The one furnishing the ox was prohibited from making a profit from his neighbor's misfortune. Indeed, the word "interest" here may well be translated "bite," or "sting."
It is imperative to note that the basis for all of the concern expressed here for the poor was that G-d was and is "compassionate." The word might be better translated as merciful or gracious. Because G-d was and is of this nature, we are to be also.
Shalom U'Vracha,
Thomas, Greta, and Talie
