Pisqa’ 2931
1
“And you shall cut off her hand” (Dt.25:12).
This teaches that
you are obliged to spare her
[from the consequence of her act]
at the cost of [losing] her hand.
How do I know that
if you are unable to spare her
at the cost of [losing] her hand,
you may spare her
[even] at the cost of her life?
The Teaching states:
“Show no pity” (Dt.25:12).
2
R. Judah says:
Here it is specified show no pity (Dt.25:12),
and elsewhere [regarding retaliation against conniving witnesses]
show no pity (Dt.19:21) is specified.
Just as show no pity (Dt.19:21) elsewhere
refers to monetary compensation
[at the full value of a hand],
so, too here, show no pity (Dt.25:12)
refers to monetary compensation
[at the full value of a hand].