(Exodus 22 — 5) "If fire go out and it find thorns … pay

Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Mekhilta Tractate Nezikin 14:8

Curated by The Jewish Mythology Team · Published January 1, 2025

(Exodus 22:5) "If fire go out and it find thorns … pay shall pay he that lights the fire": Why need this be written? It is derivable a fortiori, viz. If he is liable (if the fire proceeds) through thorns, how much more so if he himself lights it (directly)! If it is derivable a fortiori, why need the verse be stated? Scripture (thus) comes to equate (for liability) (damaging) perforce with (damaging) wilfully, (damaging) non-intentionally with (damaging) intentionally, and (to equate) a woman with a man for all the damaging in the Torah.

Themes

Torah Egypt Exodus Passover Humor

Biblical References

Exodus 22:5

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