Behar: The Torah’s Double Standard for Slave Labor

Behar: The Torah’s Double Standard for Slave Labor

From Machshavah Lab by Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss

May 8, 2026 · 27 min · Season 24 · Episode 35

About this episode

This episode explores the differing treatment of Jewish and non-Jewish slaves in the Torah.

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 7-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 5/7/26 titled: Behar: The Torah’s Double Standard for Slave Labor. In this article (first published in 2024), we examine three approaches to understanding why the Torah forbids us to work a Jewish slave with oppressive labor but permits it for a non-Jewish slave. ----- This week’s content is sponsored by Benjy Weiss, cu...

People in this episode

Host: Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss

Topics covered

  • Torah
  • slave labor
  • Jewish law
  • non-Jewish slave
  • oppressive labor
  • religious ethics

Keywords

  • Torah
  • slave labor
  • Jewish law
  • ethics
  • religion
  • spirituality

Sponsors

Benjy Weiss

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Behar: The Torah’s Double Standard for Slave Labor

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