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Exodus 21:6 - Eternal bond through pierced ear?

Exodus 21:6 - שמות 21:6

Hebrew Text

וְהִגִּישׁוֹ אֲדֹנָיו אֶל־הָאֱלֹהִים וְהִגִּישׁוֹ אֶל־הַדֶּלֶת אוֹ אֶל־הַמְּזוּזָה וְרָצַע אֲדֹנָיו אֶת־אָזְנוֹ בַּמַּרְצֵעַ וַעֲבָדוֹ לְעֹלָם׃

English Translation

then his master shall bring him to the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or to the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl; and he shall serve him for ever.

Transliteration

Vehigisho adonav el-ha'elohim vehigisho el-hadelet o el-hamezuza veratza adonav et-ozno bamartzea va'avado le'olam.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהִגִּישׁ֤וֹ אֲדֹנָיו֙ אֶל־הָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔ים וְהִגִּישׁוֹ֙ אֶל־הַדֶּ֔לֶת א֖וֹ אֶל־הַמְּזוּזָ֑ה וְרָצַ֨ע אֲדֹנָ֤יו אֶת־אׇזְנוֹ֙ בַּמַּרְצֵ֔עַ וַעֲבָד֖וֹ לְעֹלָֽם׃ <span class="mam-spi-samekh">{ס}</span>        
וְהִגִּישׁ֤וֹ אֲדֹנָיו֙ אֶל־הָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔ים וְהִגִּישׁוֹ֙ אֶל־הַדֶּ֔לֶת א֖וֹ אֶל־הַמְּזוּזָ֑ה וְרָצַ֨ע אֲדֹנָ֤יו אֶת־אׇזְנוֹ֙ בַּמַּרְצֵ֔עַ וַעֲבָד֖וֹ לְעֹלָֽם׃ {ס}        

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Exodus 21:6) describes the procedure for an eved ivri (Hebrew indentured servant) who chooses to remain in servitude beyond the six-year term prescribed by the Torah. The master brings him to the judges (elohim, meaning "judges" or "authorities" in this context) and then to the door or doorpost, where his ear is pierced with an awl, symbolizing his permanent servitude.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Exodus 21:6) explains that the ear is specifically pierced because it heard at Mount Sinai the commandment, "For the Children of Israel are servants to Me" (Leviticus 25:55), yet the servant chose to remain under human servitude. The piercing serves as a reminder that he should have remained a servant of Hashem rather than submitting to another master indefinitely.

Symbolism of the Doorpost

The Mekhilta d'Rabbi Yishmael (Mishpatim 6) notes that the doorpost is significant because it recalls the doorposts of the Israelites in Egypt, which were marked with the blood of the Paschal lamb during the Exodus. Just as the Exodus marked their freedom from slavery, this act serves as a contrast—choosing servitude over freedom.

Rambam's Legal Perspective

In Hilchos Avadim (3:7), the Rambam (Maimonides) elaborates on the halachic process: the servant must explicitly declare his desire to remain in servitude, and the piercing is performed before judges. The awl is driven through the ear into the doorpost, marking his commitment to lifelong servitude.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash Tanchuma (Mishpatim 7) teaches that the ear is punished because it "heard" the mitzvah of freedom but disregarded it.
  • The Zohar (Shemot 124a) suggests that the doorpost represents the threshold between freedom and servitude, and the piercing is a physical manifestation of the servant's spiritual failing.

Halachic Implications

The Shulchan Aruch (Choshen Mishpat 67:35) codifies that this ritual is only applicable to an eved ivri who has completed his six-year term and voluntarily chooses to remain. The piercing must be done with an awl, not another tool, and only the right ear is pierced, as derived from the verse's wording (et ozno—implying a specific ear).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Kiddushin 22b
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws regarding a Hebrew slave who chooses to remain in servitude. The Talmud explores the significance of boring the ear and the symbolism behind this act.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does it mean that a servant's ear is bored with an awl in Exodus 21:6?
A: According to Rashi and the Talmud (Kiddushin 22b), this ritual symbolizes that the servant who chose to remain enslaved 'heard' at Mount Sinai that the Jewish people are meant to be servants only to G-d, yet he ignored this by choosing to remain in human servitude. The ear is pierced at the doorpost, just as we affix mezuzot to our doorposts to remember G-d's commandments.
Q: Why does the Torah mention bringing the servant to the judges (elohim) in this verse?
A: The Rambam (Hilchos Avadim 3:7) explains that this formal procedure before judges ensures the servant's decision is made with proper deliberation. The term 'elohim' refers to judges (as in Exodus 22:8), showing this is a legal process, not an impulsive decision by either master or servant.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the eternal servitude mentioned in Exodus 21:6?
A: The Midrash (Shemos Rabbah 21:5) teaches that this teaches the importance of spiritual freedom. While the Torah permits temporary servitude under certain conditions, choosing permanent servitude to a human master represents a rejection of one's higher purpose to serve G-d. This reminds us to value our spiritual independence.
Q: Why is the doorpost specifically mentioned in this verse about servitude?
A: The Talmud (Kiddushin 22b) connects this to the mezuzah on our doorposts. Just as the mezuzah declares G-d's unity and our service to Him, the pierced ear at the doorpost serves as a visible reminder that we should ultimately be servants only to G-d, not to human masters indefinitely.
Q: How does this law about Hebrew servants apply today?
A: While we no longer practice this form of servitude, the Rambam (Hilchos Avadim 1:10) explains that the Torah's laws about Hebrew servants teach eternal values about human dignity, the temporary nature of servitude, and our ultimate commitment to serving G-d. These principles continue to guide Jewish ethics in employer-employee relationships.