Deuteronomy 24 conveys many commandments. Among them are those that regulate labor law. It goes
without saying that mistreatment of workers is egregious. “You shall not oppress a hired servant…”
Though some Biblical commentators believe that that oppression or exploitation does not refer to a
boss pocketing payment, but rather paying late. But this in incorrect. Such an erroneous reading would
not draw a distinction between late pay for either rich or poor workers. After all, what difference would
it make if an employee is a millionaire or minimum wage worker since both experience exploitation?
“You shall not oppress a hired servant that is poor and needy, whether
he be of your brethren, or of your strangers that are in your land and in
your cities.”
Abravanel’s plain reading of this section follows. Delaying payroll may constitute oppression,
exploitation, and stealing. Financially speaking, time is valuable. Delay, therefore, may be expressed in
terms of lost value. Put differently and in the worst-case scenario, add misappropriation to those
transgressions listed above.
But first consider the case concerning an employer who late pays a well-to-do worker by a day or two.
Further assume a boss who lives close to this worker. Effortlessly, he could have given him the money. In
such a lopsided example (rich worker, close living quarters, lazy boss), will we assign sin? To answer we
need to ask: Did the rich chap suffer calculable damage on account of the delay? He didn’t.
How different is a second case concerning a hapless fellow who does not receive daily wages, daily
bread! The slightest hiccup in receiving wages causes consternation, not to mention a growling stomach.
Unconscionable, the thing should not happen. If delay occurs, we must identify the heinous crime by its
true name: overt oppression.
Venue matters. “Your strangers that are in your land and in your cities.” Even though the infraction
takes place in one of the cities in Israel, a man should not adopt a mañana attitude: We’re neighbors. I
can knock on his door at any time to pay him. Big mistake.
There is no excuse for missing payroll. “The same day you shall give him his pay, neither shall the sun go
down upon it, for he is poor, and sets his heart upon it.” Bosses need empathy for laborers, “lest he cry
against you to God and it be a sin…” Preventing tears, then, spares the employer the stain of stigma, let
alone punishment.
Paymasters, take note. They should not wait until the poor worker or non-citizen asks for his money.
When wages are due, they shall be given – without ado. Likely, the underprivileged feel intimidated to
approach those in authority for their paycheck. Assuredly, however, they will not hold back tears before
the Maker, or try to conceal distended stomachs.
Labor law, as we have been discussing, is serious business. For Abravanel, learning the importance of
the juxtaposition of our verses conveys just how serious it is to comply with these divine directives.
