What are the implications of the words "Acharei Nimkar Ge'ulah Tih'yeh lo"?
Sifra: It implies that the obligation to redeem someone who sells himself to a Nochri only begins the moment after the sale has actually taken place ? but not from when he announces his intention to sell himself.
Oznayim la'Torah: Accordng to those who interpret "Acharei" to mean 'a long time afterwards', the Torah is saying that, even though the Eved Ivri has already served his Nochri master for a long time, and is not yet going in his ways, it is still a Mitzvah to redeem him, since the chances are that he will still stray from the path of Yiddishkeit and follow in his master's footsteps. 1
See Oznayim la'Torah.
What are the ramifications of "Ge'ulah Tih'yeh lo"?
Rashi, Ramban and Targum Yonasan: It is a Mitzvah incumbent upon every Jew to redeem his 'brother' 1 immediately 2 from the hand of the Nochri. 3
Da'as Zekenim: After Yisrael are exiled, Hashem will redeem them. He is One, and He is Yisrael's brother. 4 In the same vein, in the next Pasuk "O Dodo Yig'alenu" refers to Hashem, 5 "O ben Dodo", to Mashi'ach, 6 and "O Hisigah Yado" means that they will merit redemption through Mitzvos and merits,
Bava Kama, 113b: The fact that one is not permitted to take him out by force serves as a proof that Gezel Akum is forbidden. 7
Ramban: If none of his relatives redeem him - as the following Pasuk explains.
Rashi: Before he drops to the level of his master. See Torah Temimah, note 253.
Da'as Zekenim: As the Pasuk writes in Tehilim, 122:8 "le'Ma'an Achai ve'Re'ai".
Da'as Zekenim: as the Pasuk writes in Shir ha'Shirim 5:16 "Zeh Dodi".
See Ba'al ha'Turim.
See Torah Temimah, note 252, and Oznayim la'Torah on Pasuk 50, citing the Rambam.
What are the implications of "Echad me'Echav" ? as opposed to S'tam 'Achiv'?
Why will we expect the Nochri to comply?
Rashi (citing Kidushin, 15b) and Seforno (in Pasuk 50): Becaue the Pasuk is discussing a Nochri who is under our jurisdiction. 1
Riva (citing Kidushin 15b): This is logical. If not what can we do? (The Eved Ivri will go free only when his master wants to free him!) Moshav Zekenim (50, citing Ri) asked why a Pasuk is needed to teach us this. (What is his source to say that this is learned from a Pasuk (PF)? He says that other Dinim of Eved Ivri apply, such as.the master must feed the Eved Ivri's wife and children.
Why does the Torah insert the (otherwise superfluous) phrase "Ge'ulah Tih'yeh lo"?
Rashi: It teaches us that, even though he is due to go out in the Yovel anyway, it is a Mitzvah to redeem him immediately - and not to wait until he sinks further into the mire. 1
Seforno (citing Kidushin, 20b): It teaches us that, even though the Eved chose to become a priest to Avodah-Zarah, we are obligated to redeem him. 2
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes (in Pasuk 50) that even though the Torah is discussing a Nochri under our jurisdiction, one must redeem the Eved Ivri for the full amount. How does this conform to the opinion that permits Gezel Akum?
Moshav Zekenim (in Pasuk 44, citing the Riva): Since the Nochri benefited the Eved Ivri and gave him money [when he purchased him], the Torah is more concerned about Chilul Hashem than in a regular case of Gezel Akum.
Even those who permit Gezel Akum, that is only where it can be achieved without the Nochri being aware of the theft, whereas here, where the theft is obvious, it is forbidden on account of Chilul Hashem.
Refer to 25:48:1:3.
