Our tradition is incredibly sensitive to that, especially when it comes to those who are vulnerable. to a powerful teaching from Sifrei Devarim, a collection of legal interpretations on the book of Deuteronomy, that really hits home.
The verse we’re looking at deals with paying a hired laborer on time: "for he is poor and to it he lifts his soul" (Deuteronomy 24:15). What does it mean to "lift his soul" to his wages? Sifrei Devarim unpacks this phrase with profound insight.
It starts by clarifying that this commandment applies even if the laborer has agreed to be paid later. The text specifically excludes instances where there's a mutual agreement for delayed payment. So, if both parties are on the same page, that’s one thing. But otherwise, prompt payment is essential.
The text then asks a poignant question: "Why did he ascend the incline and risk his life if not that you should give him his wage in the daytime?" This person has put in the hard work, maybe even dangerous work. They’re counting on that money. Their very life, their ability to provide for themselves and their family, is bound up in receiving those wages on time.
And here’s where it gets really intense. Sifrei Devarim drives home the gravity of withholding wages: "if one holds back a hired laborer's wage, it is reckoned to him as if he took his soul." Wow. That's a powerful statement. It’s not just about money; it’s about depriving someone of their very life force, their dignity, their ability to survive.
But what if the laborer cries out to God? Does that make a difference? The text continues by exploring the nuances of the laborer's potential plea to God, referencing another verse (Deuteronomy 15:9) which says "and he shall call out against you." Sifrei Devarim grapples with a seeming contradiction: the Torah both warns against the laborer calling out (so you won't sin), and seems to encourage them to do so!
The resolution? Whether the laborer calls out or not, "there will be in you a sin" if you withhold their wages. You're already in the wrong. However, "I hasten to exact payment for one who calls more than for one who does not call." In other words, while the sin exists regardless, God is especially responsive to the cry of the oppressed. There's an urgency, a divine attentiveness, to the suffering of those who are exploited.
It's a reminder that our actions have profound consequences, rippling outwards and affecting not only individuals but also our relationship with the Divine. This passage challenges us to be mindful, to be just, and to recognize the inherent dignity of every human being, especially those who are vulnerable. It's a call to create a world where everyone can lift their soul, not in desperation, but in hope and security.