Pisqa’ 2811
1
“Do not pervert justice against the migrant or fatherless” (Dt.24:17).
What do I need this instruction for?
For isn’t it already stated:
“Do not pervert justice , do not show favoritism” (Dt.16:19)?
Actually, it teaches that
whoever perverts the judgment of the migrant
transgresses two proscriptions,
[one against perverting justice
and the other against showing favoritism].
But if [the victim were] a fatherless migrant,
[his oppressor] would transgress three proscriptions
[the third being perversion of justice for the fatherless]!
2
“And do not seize as a pledge the garment of a widow” (Dt.24:17)—
whether she lives in poverty or wealth.2
Even if she is as wealthy as Martha b. Beytus.3
3
R. Shimon says:
Pledges seized from a man should not be returned to a woman,
lest you start frequenting her home
and thusbring her name into disrepute.