Then you shall take the awl and put it through his ear into the door, and he shall be your slave forever; and also to your maidservant you shall do likewise.
English: "He shall be your slave forever" — all the days of the master’s lifetime; this teaches that a pierced slave acquires his freedom at the master’s death.
On the daf / in context: Unlike an ordinary Hebrew slave who continues to serve a son, a nirtza is freed when the master dies.
Type of Learning
Derash on the verse (Kiddushin) — a pierced slave is freed by the master’s death.
What Is Learned
A Hebrew slave whose ear has been pierced is released upon the death of the master and does not serve the heirs.