Sefer HaMitzvos

מצות עשה רל״ה · מצות לא תעשה רנ״ד–רנ״ה

Day 287 of 339

Positive Mitzvah 235

The Non-Jewish Slave

Leviticus 25:46 "They shall serve you forever"

The status of a Non-Jewish slave differs greatly from that of a Jewish slave.

We are commanded to observe the Torah guidelines for dealing with these slaves.

We are permitted to benefit from their services and may only release them under unique circumstances.

Negative Mitzvah 254

It is forbidden to turn in a runaway slave who flees to the Eretz Yisrael

Deuteronomy 23:16 "You shall not deliver a servant to his master"

This Negative Mitzvah applies to a slave that is living with his master outside of Eretz Yisrael.

If this slave deserts his master and seeks refuge in the Holy Land, we may not return him to his master. Rather, he is granted his freedom.

Negative Mitzvah 255

It is forbidden to hurt the runaway slave's feelings

Deuteronomy 23:17 "He shall dwell with you do not oppress him"

We may think that if the person was once a slave, he is used to being mistreated and, therefore, we do not have to watch out for his feelings.

The Torah cautions us not to think this way about a slave and never to say anything that may hurt his feelings.

We are commanded to be considerate and kind towards a runaway slave, welcoming him and treating him with respect.