Ki Seitzei 25:12 · unit 2

TT #770 · Parashas Ki Seitzei · Seventh Aliyah · Passuk 25:12

The Complete Passuk

וְקַצֹּתָ֖ה אֶת־כַּפָּ֑הּ לֹ֥א תָח֖וֹס עֵינֶֽךָ׃

then you shall cut off her hand; your eye shall not pity.

Chabad / Judaica Press

Source Citation

Torah Temimah points to Sifrei / Bava Kamma.

TT lemma: וְקַצֹּתָה אֶת כַּפָּהּ.

Sefaria

Core Text of Chazal

בַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים? בְּשֶׁיְּכוֹלָה לְהַצִּיל עַל יְדֵי דָּבָר אַחֵר; אֲבָל אֵינָהּ יְכוֹלָה לְהַצִּיל עַל יְדֵי דָּבָר אַחֵר – נַעֲשֵׂית יָדָהּ כִּשְׁלִיחַ בֵּית דִּין וּפְטוּרָה.

English: In what case is this said? When she could have rescued by some other means; but if she could not rescue by any other means, her hand becomes like the agent of the court and she is exempt.

On the daf / in context: When the intervention is the only available means of rescue, the act is treated as justified.

Type of Learning

Derash limiting liability when no alternative exists.

What Is Learned

If the woman had no other way to save her husband, she is exempt from the penalty.