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Deuteronomy 24:15 - Pay workers promptly—Divine justice.

Deuteronomy 24:15 - דברים 24:15

Hebrew Text

בְּיוֹמוֹ תִתֵּן שְׂכָרוֹ וְלֹא־תָבוֹא עָלָיו הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ כִּי עָנִי הוּא וְאֵלָיו הוּא נֹשֵׂא אֶת־נַפְשׁוֹ וְלֹא־יִקְרָא עָלֶיךָ אֶל־יְהוָה וְהָיָה בְךָ חֵטְא׃

English Translation

At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and sets his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee to the Lord, and it be sin in thee.

Transliteration

B'yomo titein s'charo v'lo-tavo alav hashemesh ki ani hu v'eilav hu nosei et-nafsho v'lo-yikra alecha el-Adonai v'haya v'cha chet.

Hebrew Leining Text

בְּיוֹמוֹ֩ תִתֵּ֨ן שְׂכָר֜וֹ וְֽלֹא־תָב֧וֹא עָלָ֣יו הַשֶּׁ֗מֶשׁ כִּ֤י עָנִי֙ ה֔וּא וְאֵלָ֕יו ה֥וּא נֹשֵׂ֖א אֶת־נַפְשׁ֑וֹ וְלֹֽא־יִקְרָ֤א עָלֶ֙יךָ֙ אֶל־יְהֹוָ֔ה וְהָיָ֥ה בְךָ֖ חֵֽטְא׃ <span class="mam-spi-samekh">{ס}</span>        
בְּיוֹמוֹ֩ תִתֵּ֨ן שְׂכָר֜וֹ וְֽלֹא־תָב֧וֹא עָלָ֣יו הַשֶּׁ֗מֶשׁ כִּ֤י עָנִי֙ ה֔וּא וְאֵלָ֕יו ה֥וּא נֹשֵׂ֖א אֶת־נַפְשׁ֑וֹ וְלֹֽא־יִקְרָ֤א עָלֶ֙יךָ֙ אֶל־יְהֹוָ֔ה וְהָיָ֥ה בְךָ֖ חֵֽטְא׃ {ס}        

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Parasha Commentary

Timely Payment of Wages

The verse (Devarim 24:15) commands employers to pay a worker's wages on the same day the work is completed, before sunset. Rashi explains that delaying payment violates the prohibition "לֹא־תָבוֹא עָלָיו הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ" (the sun shall not set upon it), emphasizing the urgency of fulfilling this obligation. The Rambam (Hilchos Sechirus 11:2) codifies this as a Torah-level mitzvah, stating that withholding wages overnight transgresses both a positive and negative commandment.

Special Consideration for the Poor

The Torah adds "כִּי עָנִי הוּא" (for he is poor) to highlight the worker's vulnerability. The Sifrei teaches that even if the laborer is wealthy, the same law applies, but the Torah specifically mentions poverty to show that withholding wages from a needy worker compounds the sin. The Talmud (Bava Metzia 112a) states that one who withholds wages is as if he took the worker's life ("נֹשֵׂא אֶת־נַפְשׁוֹ"), since the worker depends on these earnings for survival.

Divine Accountability

The verse concludes with a warning: "וְלֹא־יִקְרָא עָלֶיךָ אֶל־יְהוָה וְהָיָה בְךָ חֵטְא" (lest he cry out to Hashem against you, and it be a sin upon you). The Kli Yakar explains that the worker's prayer carries special weight before Heaven, as his distress is immediate. The Midrash Tanchuma (Mishpatim 18) compares an employer who withholds wages to one who sheds blood, emphasizing the severity of this transgression in Heavenly judgment.

Practical Halachic Implications

  • The Shulchan Aruch (Choshen Mishpat 339:3) rules that daily laborers must be paid before dawn of the following day, while night workers must be paid before sunset.
  • The Rema adds that even if the worker doesn't demand payment, the employer remains obligated to initiate payment at the proper time.
  • Contemporary poskim (e.g., Igros Moshe, Choshen Mishpat 1:72) extend these principles to modern employment relationships, including salaried workers.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Bava Metzia 111a
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the obligation to pay a worker on time, emphasizing the ethical and legal requirement to pay a laborer promptly.
📖 Bava Metzia 112b
The verse is referenced again in a discussion about the consequences of delaying payment to a worker, highlighting the moral and spiritual implications of such an act.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 24:15 mean about paying workers on time?
A: Deuteronomy 24:15 teaches that employers must pay their workers on the same day they complete their work, especially if the worker is poor and depends on that payment. Rashi explains that delaying payment causes suffering to the worker who relies on his wages for basic needs. The Torah emphasizes this mitzvah to prevent injustice and ensure fairness in labor relations.
Q: Why does the Torah say not to let the sun set on a worker's wages?
A: The phrase 'do not let the sun set on his wages' (Devarim 24:15) means payment should be given before the end of the workday. The Talmud (Bava Metzia 110b) states this applies particularly to day laborers. Rambam (Hilchos Sechirus 11:2) explains that withholding wages overnight violates a Torah prohibition, as the worker may urgently need those funds for food or shelter.
Q: What happens if I don't pay a worker on time according to the Torah?
A: The verse warns that delayed payment may lead the worker to 'cry out to Hashem,' making it a sin for the employer. The Sifrei comments that this cry carries special weight in Heaven. Additionally, the Talmud (Bava Metzia 111a) teaches that withholding wages is akin to 'taking a person's soul,' since the worker depends on those earnings for survival.
Q: Does Deuteronomy 24:15 apply to all workers or just the poor?
A: While the verse specifically mentions the poor ('for he is poor'), Halacha (Shulchan Aruch CM 339:3) rules that the obligation to pay on time applies to all workers. However, the Torah emphasizes the case of a poor worker because his suffering is greater - as Rashi notes, 'his life depends on it,' making the ethical obligation even more urgent.
Q: How can we apply Deuteronomy 24:15's lesson about wages today?
A: This verse teaches timeless principles about ethical business conduct: 1) Pay employees promptly, 2) Be sensitive to workers' financial needs, and 3) Recognize that monetary obligations are spiritual matters. The Chofetz Chaim (Ahavas Chesed 2:8) expands this to all financial agreements - just as we wouldn't want our wages withheld, we must be scrupulous in fulfilling our financial commitments to others.