Rashi on TanakhDeuteronomy 24

For he found in her something lecherous. He is then commanded to divorce her, and that she should not find favor in his eyes.

To another man. This one is not like the first, as he ousted the evil woman from his home, while this one brought her in.

If [lit. and] her last husband hates her. Scripture informs him that he will ultimately hate her. If not, then she will bury him, as it is said, “Or, if [the last husband] dies.”

After having been defiled. This adds the adulteress who was secluded [with the adulterer].

A new wife. One that is new to him, even if she is a widow. This excludes someone who remarries his divorced wife.

It shall not impose itself over him. The military command.

In any matter. Which is needed by the army — not to supply water and food, or to repair the roads. However, those who return from the combat formations by declaration of the kohein — for example, one who built a home but did not inaugurate it, or betrothed a woman but did not marry her — supply water and food, and repair the roads.

He shall be . . . for his home. Even for the sake of his home. If he built a home and inaugurated it, or planted a vineyard and redeemed it, he need not budge from his home for the war effort.

For his home. This refers to his [inaugurated] home.

He shall be. This adds his [redeemed] vineyard.

He shall bring joy. He shall cause his wife to rejoice. Targum also renders “He shall bring joy to his wife.” But one who translates, “He shall rejoice with his wife” is mistaken, for this is not the translation of וְשִׂמַּח, but of וְשָׂמַח .

He may not secure as collateral. If he demands security from him for his debt in court, he may not secure implements of food preparation.

A mortar. This refers to the lower [utensil].

Or pestle. This refers to the upper [utensil].

If a man is apprehended. Through witnesses, and after a warning. Similarly, every “apprehended” in the Torah.

And he exploited him. He is only liable if he uses him.

Take precautions with the leprosy affliction. So as not to pluck the symptoms of defilement, or remove the leprous ulcer.

In accordance with everything that . . . shall instruct you. Whether to place in confinement, condemn, or purify.

Remember what the Adonoy, your God, did to Miriam. If you intend to take precautions to avoid suffering tzora’as, do not engage in slander. Remember what was done to Miriam, who spoke about her brother, and was afflicted with leprous ulcers.

If you become your fellow’s creditor. You obligate your fellow.

For any amount of debt. The slightest debt.

Do not repose with his collateral. Do not repose with his collateral in your possession.

At sunset. If it is a night garment. If it is a day garment, return it in the morning. That is already written in “These are the laws” — “Until sunset, return it to him.” Throughout the day, return it to him, at sunset, you may take it.

And bless you. And even if he does not bless you, still, “It will be to your credit.”

Do not steal from the wage earner. But isn’t it already written? Evidently, to violate, against the destitute, two negative commandments: ‘Do not steal the pay of the wage earner who is poor or destitute;’ and, against the wealthy, he has already been warned, “Do not steal from your fellow.”

Destitute. In want of all things.

Your converts. This refers to the righteous proselyte.

In your cities. This refers to the alien settler, who eats meat which was not ritually slaughtered.

Who are in your land. This is added to include rental fees for animals and tools.

And he places his life in jeopardy for it. For these wages, he places himself in mortal danger — he climbs a wall, or suspends himself from a tree.

And you will have a sin. Regardless, except that punishment is swiftly dispatched when someone cries out.

Fathers shall not be executed through sons. Through the testimony of the sons. Perhaps through the sin of the sons? It has already been said, “A man is executed by his own sin.” However, one who is not a man may die by his father’s sin — minors may die by their father’s sin, by Heavenly decree.

Do not be devious in the judgment of the proselyte or orphan. Concerning the wealthy, he has already been warned, “Do not judge deviously.” It is repeated with the poor so that he violates two prohibitions, since it is easier to distort the judgment of the poor than that of the wealthy. Thus, he warns, and repeats the warning.

You may not secure as collateral. Not at the time of the loan.

Remember. On this condition I redeemed you — so that you keep my statutes even when the matter entails monetary loss.

And you forget a sheaf. But not a heap. From here we derive that a sheaf containing two seahs that was forgotten is not shikchah.

In the field. This is added to include forgotten standing grainstalks, some of which he forgot to reap.

You may not return to take it. From here we derive that what is behind him is shikchah, but what is before him is not shikchah, as it is not included in “you may not return.”

In order that . . . will bless you. Although it came into his possession unintentionally — certainly, with someone who acts intentionally. You may thus conclude that if a sela-coin dropped from his hand and was found by a pauper who gained sustenance from it — he is blessed for it.

You may not strip it of its glory. Do not remove its glory from it. From here [we derive] that one must leave unharvested the outer edge of the tree.

Behind you. This refers to shikchah.

You may not harvest pygmy vines. If you discover pygmy vines, you may not take them. What are pygmy vines? Anything lacking the shoulder and the droplets. If it has either of them, then it belongs to the owner. I have seen in the Jerusalem Talmud, ‘What is the shoulder? clusters atop one another. The droplets? Those hanging down from the main stem.’