What about someone who isn't "one of us?"
That's exactly what the ancient rabbis grappled with when interpreting the verse in Sifrei Devarim 278, a section of legal commentary on the Book of Deuteronomy. The verse speaks about paying wages on time, but the rabbis dug deeper.
The phrase "of your brothers" – meaning fellow Israelites – initially seems to limit the obligation of timely payment. But the rabbis weren't content with a narrow interpretation. Does fairness only apply to our own kind? According to the text "of your brothers": and not of others (i.e., gentiles)." This seems to limit it to solely Israelites.
The phrase "in your gates" throws another curveball. It introduces the concept of a ger toshav (גֵּר תּוֹשָׁב), a "sojourning proselyte," someone who lives among you but isn't fully integrated into the Israelite community. The text specifies "a ger toshav (a "sojourning" proselyte). This tells me only of the hire of a man."
So, where does that leave us?
The rabbis then ask: What about animals and tools? Does the same principle of timely payment apply to them? The text derives from "in your land" — all that is in your land that it applies to all that is in your land. This teaches us that all are subject to the above interdicts." In other words, the obligation extends to everything within your sphere of influence.
Interestingly, Rabbi Yossi ben Rabbi Judah offers a slightly different perspective. He argues that a ger toshav is already included in the general command, "In his day shall you give his wage," but doesn't necessarily fall under the prohibition of, "There shall not abide with you." Meaning, you must pay them on time, but the rules about who can live in your community might be different. And, according to Rabbi Yossi, beasts and utensils are only included in the prohibition of "You shall not hold back."
What does this all mean?
Well, it highlights the rabbis' commitment to expanding the circle of ethical responsibility. While the Torah might initially seem to focus on obligations to fellow Israelites, the rabbis sought to extend those obligations to include resident aliens and even the proper treatment of animals and inanimate objects.
It's a powerful reminder that ethical behavior isn't just about following a strict set of rules. It's about constantly questioning the boundaries of our responsibility and striving to treat everyone and everything with fairness and respect. It's about ensuring that even those who are "other" are included in our circle of concern. So, the next time you're dealing with someone who's different from you, remember this ancient debate. How far are you willing to extend your sense of responsibility?