Why a Daughters Labor Belongs to Her Father

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 320:2

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

Rav Huna said: From where do we learn that the labor of a daughter belongs to her father? As it is said, "When a man sells his daughter as a maidservant" (Exodus 21:7) [the verse equates the two]: just as the labor of a maidservant belongs to her master, so too the labor of a daughter belongs to her father. Why do I need this verse? Let it be derived from "in her youth, in her father's house" (Numbers 30:17). That verse is written concerning the annulment of vows. And should you say, let us derive the one from the other [by analogy], we answer: monetary law is not derived from matters of prohibition. Then let us derive it from a fine. We answer: monetary law is not derived from the law of fines. And her shame and her blemish [the compensation owed if she is disgraced] belong to her father, for if he wished he could give her in marriage to a repulsive man or to one stricken with boils.

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