Reeh 15:16 · unit 1

TT #324 · Parashas Reeh · Sixth Aliyah · Passuk 15:16

The Complete Passuk

וְהָיָה֙ כִּֽי־יֹאמַ֣ר אֵלֶ֔יךָ לֹ֥א אֵצֵ֖א מֵעִמָּ֑ךְ כִּ֤י אֲהֵֽבְךָ֙ וְאֶת־בֵּיתֶ֔ךָ כִּי־ט֥וֹב ל֖וֹ עִמָּֽךְ׃

And it shall be, if he says to you, "I will not go out from you," because he loves you and your household, for it is good for him with you.

Torah Temimah points to Kiddushin.

Core Text

כִּי אֲהֵבְךָ – מְלַמֵּד שֶׁאִם אֵינוֹ אוֹהֵב אֶת רַבּוֹ אֲפִלּוּ רַבּוֹ אוֹהֵב אוֹתוֹ אֵינוֹ נִרְצָע.

English: "Because he loves you" — this teaches that if he does not love his master, even if the master loves him, he is not pierced.

On the daf / in context: Mutual affection is required; unilateral affection on the master’s side is insufficient.

Derash on the verse (Kiddushin) — the slave’s love of the master is indispensable.

A Hebrew slave may be pierced for permanent service only if he himself loves the master.