Pay Up on Time

 Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

 

May 6-7, 2022 / 7 Iyar 5782 / 21 Omer

Shabbat Kedoshim

Torah: Leviticus 19:1 - 20:27 / Haftarah: Amos 9:7 - 9:15

 

“Pay Up on Time”

 

Dear Friends,

 

Why does the Torah demand of us “You shall not keep a worker’s wages with you overnight”?  This is part of the list of ethical teachings in the Holiness Code of Leviticus chapter 19. This commandment often confuses readers who wonder why the Bible is concerned with the payment of laborers.

 

The Holiness Code is concerned with how we behave with righteousness and live each day with honesty. According to the Talmud, when a worker completes a project or finishes for the day, the wages no longer belong to the employer.  Thus, if the wages are kept by the employer, even overnight, the commandment “You shall not steal” has been violated.

 

Paying for labor done or even making a purchase, is called l’shalem in Hebrew – which means to make shalom – to make peace. Both buyer and worker/seller must come away from the deal feeling whole and at peace. The Torah is clear about this.  Pay up on time.

 

Zye a Mentsch – Be a Good Person.

 

Shabbat Shalom,

 

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow