You Shall Not Afflict Any Widow or Orphan

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 349:3

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"You shall not afflict any widow or orphan" (Exodus 22:21). From this I know only of a widow and an orphan; from where do I learn that the same applies to every other person? Scripture teaches, "You shall not afflict." These are the words of Rabbi Yishmael. Rabbi Akiva says: "Any widow or orphan," those whose way it is to be afflicted [being weak and unprotected], it is of them that Scripture speaks. "If you afflict him at all" (Exodus 22:22) [the doubled verb teaches]: one who afflicts much and one who afflicts a little [are both included].

Themes

EthicsCommandmentsDivine Justice

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