67. Injurer and Damager - Chovel u-Mazik
One who injures another must pay for any
physical damage, as it says "[And if a man causes a physical
defect in his friend it shall be done to him as he
did...] an eye in place of an eye...".1 He must also
compensate him for his pain, as it says ["And the man who
lies with her shall pay...] because he oppressed her".2
He must pay for lost income and medical expenses, as it
says "[And if men quarrel and a man hits his friend with
a stone or fist and he does not die but becomes bedridden...]
he shall pay for his idleness and shall heal".3
If the injury was intentional he must also pay for any
embarrassment that was caused, as it says "[If men fight
together... and the wife of one comes near to save her
husband...] and stretches out her hand and grasps his
shameful parts you shall cut off her hand...".4 It is
forbidden to strike or injure anyone, as it says "He shall
not continue... to strike him".5,a
One who damages another's property must
compensate him, as it says "And one who strikes an animal
must pay for it"6; he is responsible even for unintentional
damage if he is in a place where he has no right to be.b
Sources: |
| 1. Lev. 24:19-20; see Ex. 21:24-25 and Deut. 19:21 |
a. 1:1-3,7-10; 5:1 |
| 2. Deut. 22:29 |
b. 6:1-3 |
| 3. Ex. 21:18-19 |
|
| 4. Deut. 25:11-12 |
|
| 5. Deut. 25:3 |
|
| 6. Lev. 24:18-21 |
|
