Mishpatim | The Beloved Wife of the "Nirtza"

KMTT - the Torah Podcast · Feb 11, 2026 · 34m

Mishpatim | The Beloved Wife of the "Nirtza", by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom

Parashat Mishpatim opens up with legislation regarding the "Hebrew slave", who is really more of an indentured servant. In this passage, the master may "assign" a woman to the servant, but when his six-year term of servitude is complete, he leaves her when he goes free. If he chooses to stay due to his love for his master - and his wife and their children - he may refuse to leave, have his ear publicly pierced and remain a slave "forever". The Halakha understands that "forever" means until the Yovel - but where does that…