The Servant Who Declares I Love My Master and Stays

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 315:1

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

(Exodus 21:5) "But if the servant plainly says." It tells that he is not pierced until he says twice, "I love my master." I have here only the case where he has a wife and children and his master has a wife and children. When his master does not have a wife and children, from where do I learn it? Scripture teaches, saying, "And it shall be, if he says to you," etc. (Deuteronomy 15:16). From here they said: he is never pierced unless he has a wife and children and his master has a wife and children. That he loves his master, and his master loves him, that his master's property was blessed through him - from where do we learn this is required? It says, "And it shall be, if he says to you, etc., for it is good for him with you" (Deuteronomy 15:16) - that his welfare should be equal to yours. From here they said: his master must not differ in his treatment of him - he feeds him and gives him drink and anoints him from his own; Scripture teaches, saying, "for it is good for him with you" (Deuteronomy 15:16).

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