1)

Why does it say "Lekach Bigdo Ki Arev Zar"?

1.

Rashi (27:13): One who became a guarantor, this caused the judge to tell the lender to take the Arev's garment.

2.

R. Yonah #1: Lekach is Makor 1 (like an infinitive). Its grammatical form is like "ki'Shchav Adoni ha'Melech" (Melachim I, 1:21).

3.

R. Yonah #2: Lakach is a command. Take the Arev's garment, for he does not have [money] to pay; do not have mercy on him, for he trusted in a stranger that he did not know; he was foolish and negligent. It is proper to have mercy on the borrower; his need forced him to borrow. Shlomo comes to teach like Chazal said, that everyone should be like a robber in your eyes (Derech Eretz Rabah, Sof Perek 5). Therefore, you should not trust in a man whom you do not know, to be an Arev for him.

4.

Vilna Gaon: One may not enter the borrower's house to take a security (Bava Metzi'a 113a), but one may enter the Arev's house, and all the more so if he is an Arev for a Nochri 2 .

5.

Malbim: Zar is even from this land, if he is not from his household or city. If he was an Arev for a Zar, take his garment, but do not touch his body if he lacks [what to pay].

6.

Malbim (according to the Mashal): Arev for a Zar is an opinion outside the Chachmah of Torah and its roots. His garment will be taken from him - his glory and gold ornaments that Yisrael wore on Sinai.


1

Refer to 20:16:2:1*.

2

For then one may enter even the borrower's house. (PF)

2)

What is the significance of "u'Ve'ad Nochriyah Chavlehu"?

1.

R. Yonah #1: Chavlehu is his dwelling place, like "Chavol Yashiv Rasha" (Yechezkel 33:15). It also refers to taking a security, like "Chavol Tachbol" (Shemos 22:25) 1 .

2.

R. Yonah #2: Chavlehu is like "Tamun ba'Aretz Chavlo" (Iyov 18:10). One who was an Arev for a foreign woman, take even the ropes of his tent. Do not have mercy on him. He is worse than the first; trusting in a woman is worse than trusting in a man. Trustworthiness and Musar are more common in men. This is put next to "u'Chli Yakar Sifsei Da'as" (15), for lips that belittle speech to be an Arev for a foreign man or woman, they are not of Da'as.

3.

Vilna Gaon: Zar and Nochriyah hint to two bad Midos - [internal] desire and Chemdah (external - lust for money and honor). If one accepted to guide others in the good path, and he does not, his garments (good Midos - internally Bein Adam la'Makom, and externally Bein Adam l'Chavero) will be removed.

4.

Malbim: If he was an Arev for a Nochri (one from another land), wound him [if he lacks what to pay], for he was more negligent.

5.

Malbim (according to the Mashal): Nochriyah is a non-Jewish harlot - "Lishmarcha me'Ishah Zarah mi'Nochriyah Amareha Hechelikah" (7:5). The Nimshal there and here is false mindsets and the Da'as of idolaters. One who grasps false Chachmos in place of the Chachmah of Torah and Musar, he is Mezaneh with a strange woman. Here it is hinted to as an Arev. An Arev takes responsibility for the borrower. Also this one accepts responsibility for the foreign Da'as that he is Mezaneh with it, to relieve it of any 'creditor' with difficulties and doubts. He will be wounded, for he is cut off from the congregation of Hashem and His portion, to the Nochriyah for whom he accepted Arvus.


1

R. Yonah: According to this, there is no Chidush in the verse. Therefore, my other Perush is better (refer to 20:16:1:3, 20:16:2:2).

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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