1)

What is the difference between "Moznei Tzedek", "Avnei Tzedek", "Eifas Tzedek" and "Hin Tzedek"?

1.

Rashi #1, Rashbam and Targum Onkelos: They translate as "Righteous scales, weights, vessels to measure solids and containers to measure liquids", 1 respectively.

2.

Rashi #2 (in Kesuvos, 86a - citing Bava Metzi'a, 49b): "Hin Tzedek" means that 'Your 'Hein' - as well as your 'La'av' - (your 'Yes!' and your 'No!') should be righteous. 2

3.

Moshav Zekenim (citing Bava Metzi'a 49b): Your 'Hein' should be 'Tzedek' - if you fixed a price, do not retract, even if you have not yet acquired the object via Kinyan Meshichah.


1

Like we find in Sh'mos 29:40.

2

This implies that one should not be two-faced - to say one thing and mean something else. We also learn from here that it is a Mitzvah to pay one's debts - 'P'ri'as Ba'al-Chov Mitzvah!' See Torah Temimah, note 265, DH 've'Gam Yesh Lomar' and 've'Ayein bi'Kesuvos', who elaborates.

2)

Why does the Torah begin with weights, which it mentioned only second in the previous Pasuk?

1.

Oznayim la'Torah: Because weights incorporates two things - the scales and the weights themselves, both of which the Pasuk mentions here.

3)

Why does the Torah mention Yetzi'as Mitzrayim in connection with weights and measures?

1.

Rashi #1: Because it was on condition that we behave honestly in business that Hashem took us out of Egypt. 1

2.

Rashi #2: Hakadosh-Baruch-Hu is saying that, just as, in Egypt, He distinguished who were the firstborn, based on the drop of semen from which the conception occurred, 2 so too will He faithfully 3 punish whoever places his weights in salt 4 in order to cheat.

3.

Sifra: Hashem took us out of Egypt on condition that we accept upon ourselves the Mitzvah of Midos (correct measures) - because whoever acknowledges the Mitzvah of Midos it is as if he acknowledged the Exodus from Egypt, and whoever denies the Mitzvah of Midos it is as if he denied the Exodus from Egypt. 5


1

Refer also to 19:36:2:3.

2

With regard to Egyptian women who gave birth to ten babies from ten different men, all of whom were the firstborn of their fathers, and all of whom subsequently died in the plague of Makas Bechoros. See Torah Temimah, note 367.

3

As hinted in the words "Ani Hashem Elokeichem".

4

Refer to 19:35:2:4*.

5

Refer to previous answer. See also Torah Temimah, note 267.

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