Tanach · Rishonim on Tanach · Ibn Ezra · Torah

Ibn Ezra on Deuteronomy 15:17/אבן עזרא על דברים ט״ו:י״ז

אבאזנו ובדלת. פירשתיו וטעם להזכיר זה כי אתה חייב לתת לו בצאתו חפשי רק אם לא ירצה לצאת תרצע אזנו:

1THROUGH HIS EAR AND INTO THE DOOR. I have explained this.⁴⁵ Scripture mentions this⁴⁶ because it states⁴⁷ that you are obligated to furnish him liberally when he goes free. However, if the slave does not want to go free, then you shall pierce his ear through with an awl.

בואף לאמתך תעשה כן. דבק עם העניק תעניק לו ואם הוא רחוק כמו שלם ישלם אם אין לו ואם שלש אלה ורבים כן כי אין אשה נרצעת:

2AND ALSO UNTO THY BONDWOMAN THOU SHALT DO LIKEWISE. This is connected to⁴⁸ thou shalt furnish him liberally (v. 14), even though it is some distance from it, for a woman does not have her ear pierced. Compare, He shall make restitution; if he have nothing⁴⁹. (Ex. 22:2);⁵⁰ And if he do not these three unto her (Ex. 21:11),⁵¹ and many other instances.