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Pidyon Shvuyim
''Pidyon shevuyim'' (, literally: Redemption of Captives) is a religious duty in Judaism to bring about the release of a fellow Jew captured by slave dealers or robbers, or imprisoned unjustly. Reconciliation, ransom negotiations, or unrelenting pursuit typically secured the release of the captive. It is considered an essential commandment in halakha (Jewish law). Sources The Talmud calls pidyon shevuyim a mitzvah rabba "great mitzva", as captivity is viewed as even worse than starvation and death according to Bava Batra 8b. Maimonides wrote, The ''Shulchan Aruch'' adds, "Every moment that one delays in freeing captives, in cases where it is possible to expedite their freedom, is considered to be tantamount to murder.” (''Shulchan Aruch'', Yoreh De'ah 252:3) A fund was kept in the Temple to pay for the redemption of captives. Limitations in the practice of the mitzva Despite the importance of the mitzva, it should be performed within several boundaries, the most signific ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Mitzvah
In its primary meaning, the Hebrew language, Hebrew word (; , ''mīṣvā'' , plural ''mīṣvōt'' ; "commandment") refers to a commandment Divine law, from God to be performed as a religious duty. Jewish law () in large part consists of discussion of these commandments. According to religious tradition, there are 613 commandments, 613 such commandments. In its secondary meaning, the word ''mitzvah'' refers to a deed performed in order to fulfill such a commandment. As such, the term ''mitzvah'' has also come to express an individual act of human kindness in keeping with the law. The expression includes a sense of heartfelt sentiment beyond mere legal duty, as "you shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18). For some ''mitzvot'', the purpose is specified in the Torah; though, the opinions of the Talmudic rabbis are divided between those who seek the Teleology, purpose of the ''mitzvot'' and those who do not question them. The former believe that if people were to ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |