Eye for Eye Means the Value of the Eye

Mekhilta DeRabbi Shimon Ben Yochai 21:24

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"Eye for eye" (Exodus 21:24) — he pays damage, the value of his eye. Ben Azzai says: Scripture says "a wound for a wound," and elsewhere it says "and if a man smites his fellow with a stone or with a fist" (verse 18). A wound is spoken of there. Just as the wound mentioned there means he gives loss of livelihood and provides healing, so here he gives loss of livelihood and provides healing. "Wound" was included in the general rule and went out to teach: not to teach about itself, but to teach about the general rule. Just as a "wound," in which "for" is said, means payment, so everything in which "for" is said means payment. Or might I think even "life for life" means payment? Scripture teaches "you shall take no ransom for the life of a murderer" (Numbers 35:31) — for the life of a murderer you take no ransom, but you do take ransom for limbs.

Themes

LawEthicsDivine Justice

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