Hostage Deal In Halacha and Jewish History Part II - Letter Of The Law & Spirit Of The People

 

Last week we looked at the obligation to redeem captives but also the limitations that the mishnah puts on the prices that can be paid.

 

Today we look at the rise of piracy in the Black Sea and Mediterranean in the 16th century which saw Turkish Jewish communities frequently ransoming Jews from other communities, and two great rabbis of the period - the Maharshal and the Ridbaz - who both sought to explain and justify the practice of Jewish communities to pay exhorbitant costs to redeem Jewish captives, seemingly beyond the price which the mishnah had permitted.

 

Download the source sheet.

 

Given at the Vine Ventures Sarona Unity Center, January 28th 2025