Pisqa’ 214¹

1

“Should you no longer desire her” (Dt.21:14).

The verse announces to you that

you will eventually come to reject her.

“And you shall send her off on her own” (Dt.21:14)—

But not back to her god’s house.²

“And you shall send her off” (Dt.21:14)—

with a document of divorce,

as in the opinion of R. Jonathan.

And if she were ill,

he should give her time to recover.

[If such consideration is extended

to a gentile war-bride,]

it is simply logical that it applies to

Israelite daughters, who are holy and pure.³

2

“And you shall surely not sell her for money” (Dt.21:15).

I might infer only that

one may not sell her for money.

On what basis do I know that

he may not offer her either as a gift,

or [even temporarily,] as a favor?

The Teaching states:

“And you shall surely not sell her for money” (Dt.21:15)—

[or in any way treat her like a commodity].

3

“You shall not enslave her” (Dt.21:15)—

that is, you may not abuse her.

Another word:

“You shall not enslave her” (Dt.21:15)—

as in the opinion of R. Jonathan.

Another word:

Indeed, this is a warning to the court.⁴

“In light of the way you’ve demeaned her” (Dt.21:15)—

even after a single sexual encounter.

1. H:225-226; JN2:115.
2. Heb: liveit ‘eloheiha. Other versions read: liveit ‘aviha (“to her father’s house).
3. This material is considered spurious, due to spotty mss evidence. See F:247. n. 6.
4. See F:247, n.10.