But still, let his blood be spilled from other limbs (and

Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Mekhilta Tractate Nezikin 4:10

Curated by The Jewish Mythology Team · Published January 3, 2025

But still, let his blood be spilled from other limbs (and not through "the sword" [i.e., decapitation])! It is, therefore, written (in respect to eglah arufah [the "heifer of the broken neck"], Devarim 21:4) "And they shall break there (with a hatchet) the neck of the heifer in the river-bed … (9) and you shall remove the innocent blood from your midst." All spillers of blood are likened to eglah arufah—Just as eglah arufah, by decapitation, so, all spillers of blood by decapitation. We have heard of the punishment. Whence (is derived) the exhortation? (Exodus 20:13) "Thou shalt not kill."

Themes

Divine justice Violence Egypt Commandments Exodus

Biblical References

Exodus 20:13

Continue Reading

Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael (Exodus 12 — 20) "All leavening you shall not eat" — What is The Torah states in (Exodus 12:20), "All leavening you shall not eat." The Mekhilta asks why this verse is needed at all... Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael and you shall not go out, a man from the door of his house "and you shall not go out, a man from the door of his house: We are hereby taught that once permission has been given to... Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael ) "You shall not steal" — (Exodus 21 — 14) "One who steals a The Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael identifies a critical distinction in the commandment "You shall not steal." The eighth of ... Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael (Exodus 22 — 25) "Im chavol (lit The Torah uses a peculiar phrase in (Exodus 22:25): "Im chavol tachbol" — literally, "if you bundle, you shall bundle." ... Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael (Exodus 22 — 27) "Elokim you shall not curse" — What is the (Exodus 22:27) "Elokim you shall not curse": What is the intent of this? From (Leviticus 24:16) "One who utters blasphem... Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael (Exodus 14 — 4) "And I shall strengthen Pharaoh's heart" — for (Exodus 14:4) "And I shall strengthen Pharaoh's heart": for it was divided, whether to pursue or not to pursue. "and I w... Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael and he shall bring him near to the door or to the "and he shall bring him near to the door or to the door-post": The door is being compared to the door-post, viz.: Just a... Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael It follows a fortiori, viz The Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael presents a classic a fortiori argument, known in rabbinic logic as kal va-chomer, "from th... Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael (Exodus 21 — 25) "A burn for a burn" — If you say (the meaning (Exodus 21:25) "A burn for a burn": If you say (the meaning is that he burned him and spilled his blood, this is already...