The Hebrew Slave

And these are the social laws (Mishpatim) which you shall put before them. If you buy a Hebrew slave (eved Ivri), six years he shall work and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.         Exodus 21:1-2

          The wording of the verse appears a bit odd. It would seemingly have been better to write: "when you purchase a Hebrew as a slave...", since he is not yet a slave.

          My father suggested that the Torah, in choosing its phraseology wishes to tell us that the individual being discussed is already a slave, since he has a slave mentality. One who values freedom would do his utmost to avoid being sold into slavery.

          Similarly, the statement by a Hebrew slave that “I will not go out free” [verse 5] seems quite emphatic, versus a statement to the effect “I do not wish to go free”. My father explained that the Torah’s message is that one who chooses to remain a slave would not be free in any circumstance. This Hebrew slave, who feels himself a slave, who has a slave mentality, would not truly be free, even if he had no master. Even if he ceased being a slave, he would not be free.

          Some of the classical commentators note the use of the word Ivri (Hebrew) as opposed to the more common Yisrael (Israelite). One suggestion is that the choice of Ivri is a play on words on the word avaryan (felon), since an Israelite thief is sold as a slave by the court if he cannot make restitution. My father noted that Abraham is referred to as Ivri. Our Sages explain the name as being derived from ever (side), and comment "the whole world stood on one side and Abraham on the other". That is, Abraham's philosophy clashed with the philosophies accepted by others. Perhaps the use of the term Ivri to describe the Israelite slave is intended to describe him as standing "on the other side of all of Israel". The People of Israel value and appreciate their freedom, while the one who is sold as a slave does not. Further, the name Yisrael represents the people on its lofty level [having been given to Jacob after he fought the angel to a draw], and this name does not apply to one who accepts servitude to another person.