REDEMPTION OF CAPTIVES 2003
QUESTION: What does Jewish tradition teach us concerning the ransom of captives? Specifically, both Maimonides (Yad, Hilkhot Matanot Aniyim 8:10) and the Shulchan Arukh(Yore Deah 252:3) indicate that we must pay the ransom and negotiate with those who take hostages. What can we learn from these teachings that might help us shape an appropriate response to those who would kidnap Jews for any purpose?(Rabbi Douglas E. Krantz, Armonk , NY ).
ANSWER: Jewish tradition indeed speaks directly to this issue which 1s, regrettably, of more than theoretical interest to the Jewish community, whether in Israel or elsewhere.
The Talmud refers to the redemption of captives(pidyon shevuyim) as a high obligation, greater even than that of tzedakah.' Maimonides , in the passage cited above, expresses the Talmudic law as follows:“The redemption of captives takes precedence over supporting the poor...One who ignores the responsibility to redeem the captive violates the following negative commandments:‘Do not harden your heart and do not shut your hand[from your brother in need]’(Deut. 15:7);‘do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor’(Lev. 19:16);‘he(the master) shall not rule rigorously over him[the indentured servant]’(Lev. 25:33). He similarly annuls a number of positive commandments:‘You shall surely open your hand to him’(Deut. 15:8);‘your brother shall live with you’(Lev. 25:36); "you shall love your neighbor as yourself”(Lev. 19:18)... There is no mitzvah as great as the redemption of captives.” The Shulhan Arukh notes:“Each instant that one fails to redeem captives when it is possible to do so, it is as though one has shed blood.”
| Yet despite its exalted status, this obligation is not without limits. The Mishnah® instructs that we are not to redeem captives“for more than their monetary value”(voter al kedey demeyhen) on account of“the welfare of society”(mipney tikun ha-olam). What could“welfare” mean in this context? The Talmud ’ offers two ®Xplanations: Payment of exorbitant ransoms might bankrupt the Community; alternately, the knowledge that the Jews will pay dearly to redeem their captives might tempt would-be kidnappers to seize More Jewish hostages.