Shalom, Mitspacha!
Prohibition of Kidnapping
“Whoever kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, he shall certainly be put to death.”
- Shemot (Exodus) 21:16
“If a man is found kidnapping any of his brothers of the children of Yisrael, and treats him as a slave or sells him, then that kidnapper shall die. So you shall put away the evil from your midst.”
- Devarim (Deuteronomy) 24:7
YHVH's Torah explicitly prohibits the kidnapping and trafficking of human beings. A person may not be seized, removed from his freedom, sold, or treated as property. The severity of the command shows the value YHVH places upon human life and freedom.
The prohibition applies even when the victim is a fellow member of Yisrael. Kidnapping is not merely an offence against personal freedom; it is an act of evil that violates the proper ordering of human relationships established by YHVH.
The Torah therefore establishes a clear boundary against treating human beings as commodities or objects that can be possessed, transferred or exploited. Those who use power to steal another person's freedom place themselves in direct opposition to YHVH's righteous order.
Freedom is easily taken for granted when we possess it, but kidnapping reveals how quickly a person's security, relationships and ordinary life can be torn away. A captive may be separated from family, deprived of choice and placed entirely under the control of another person.
YHVH's prohibition reminds us that no human being has the right to claim ownership over another person. Strength, opportunity or authority never creates a legitimate right to steal someone's freedom.
May we therefore recognise kidnapping and human trafficking for the evil that they are. May we refuse to become indifferent when people are abducted, sold or exploited, and may we remember before YHVH those whose freedom has been taken from them. Let us value and protect the freedom and dignity that YHVH has given to human beings.
Heavenly Father, YHVH, thank You for teaching us through Your Torah that human beings must never be treated as property or commodities. Protect all who are vulnerable to kidnapping, trafficking and exploitation.
Remember those whose freedom has already been stolen. Protect them from violence, cruelty and further harm. Strengthen them in their fear and uncertainty, and make a way for them to be found and safely restored to their families and communities.
Expose those who kidnap, traffic and exploit others. Bring their hidden deeds into the light, restrain their power to harm, and bring righteous justice upon those who commit such evil.
Teach us to value the freedom and dignity of every person. Keep us from indifference toward those who suffer, and give wisdom and courage to all who work to prevent kidnapping, rescue captives and protect the vulnerable.
May Your justice prevail, may the oppressed be rescued, and may those whose freedom has been stolen be restored.
Baruch YHVH. Emet.
“YHVH bless you and keep you;
YHVH make His face shine upon you,
and be gracious to you;
YHVH lift up His countenance upon you,
and give you peace.”
- Bemidbar (Numbers) 6:24-26
Shalom until tomorrow.