Uncircumcised Slaves and the Resident Stranger Who Rest on Shabbat

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 354:4

Our Rabbis taught: One may keep slaves who are uncircumcised. These are the words of Rabbi Ishmael. Rabbi Akiva says: One may not keep them. Rabbi Ishmael said to him: Behold, Scripture says, "and the son of your maidservant and the stranger may be refreshed" (Exodus 23:12). Rabbi Akiva said to him: Scripture speaks of one who buys a slave at twilight and did not have time to circumcise him. In any case, all agree that "and the son of your maidservant may be refreshed" is written concerning an uncircumcised slave. What is the implication? As it was taught: "and the son of your maidservant" and so forth. "And the son of your maidservant may be refreshed" refers to an uncircumcised slave. Or perhaps it refers only to one who has entered the covenant? When it says "your servant and your maidservant" elsewhere, one who has entered the covenant is already spoken of. So what does Scripture teach by "and the son of your maidservant may be refreshed"? This is an uncircumcised slave. "And the stranger" refers to a resident stranger. Or perhaps it refers only to a righteous convert? When it says "and your stranger who is within your gates," a righteous convert is already spoken of. So what does Scripture teach by "and the stranger"? This is a resident stranger. On the Sabbath, such a one is like an Israelite on a festival. As for one who buys uncircumcised slaves from the gentiles, on the Sabbath they are like an Israelite on the intermediate days of a festival. These are the words of Rabbi Yose the Galilean; and Rabbi Akiva reverses it. When do they render wine forbidden as libation wine? At the moment they mention idolatrous worship with their mouths. From when do they mention idolatrous worship with their mouths? In an oath that they swear by them.

Themes