Pisqa’ 119¹

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].

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?²

The Teaching states:

“Provide him well with provisions” (Dt.15:14).

“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 enjoyment³

[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.

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].

1. H:164-165; JN1:298-299.
2. Cf. Pisqa’ 116.3.
3. “Benedictions of enjoyment” (birkot hanehenin) 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.