Reeh 15:16 · unit 2

TT #325 · 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

וְאֶת בֵּיתֶךָ – מְלַמֵּד שֶׁאִם אֵין לְרַבּוֹ אִשָּׁה וּבָנִים אֵינוֹ נִרְצָע.

English: "And your household" — this teaches that if the master has no wife and children the slave is not pierced.

On the daf / in context: The presence of a household is a prerequisite for the permanent-service ceremony.

Derash on the verse (Kiddushin) — a household is required for piercing.

A Hebrew slave may be pierced only if the master has a wife and children.