GOING THROUGH THE DOOR

At the beginning of our parasha, a curious law is described. A Hebrew slave who has served his six-year term is entitled to go free. If he chooses to remain in servitude, however, he must have his ear pierced. After the judges confirm that this is genuinely his wish, “his master shall take him to the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl; and after that he shall remain his slave forever” (Shemot 21:6), i.e., until the jubilee year.

In contrast to other ancient societies where slaves were often branded upon entering servitude, the Torah requires a mark for the slave who chooses to reject freedom. In many cultures, the expectation would be that one would always embrace freedom when it is available. The Torah’s law emphasizes that freedom is to be valued, and if it is given, one should not shy away from it.

It’s important to note, however, that the slave’s ear is not being pierced as a punishment or wound. In many societies, ear-piercing is done for decorative purposes. In this case, the piercing serves an educational function, symbolizing the slave’s choice to remain in servitude.

One can certainly understand why a person who has been a slave for six years might prefer the perceived security of remaining with a master, rather than face the uncertainty of an unknown future. The fear of what lies beyond that door—the door to freedom—can feel overwhelming.

This fear speaks to a broader truth. After a generation that lived as slaves, the Israelites were conditioned to passivity. They had been dependent on the guidance and decisions of others. In this context, one of the first laws given to them after receiving the Ten Commandments was the law of freedom for the slave. The Torah emphasizes that freedom is not just a physical state, but a fundamental part of human dignity. If you find yourself enslaved again, never accept it as your norm. As soon as you are able to gain your freedom, you must take it. The pierced ear serves as a stark reminder: you are not hearing my message, says G-d. I do not want you to remain a slave to another master. If you cannot comprehend the value of freedom, you must learn it in a physical way.

The pierced ear represents a deeper message. The distinguishing mark of humanity is the ability to embrace freedom and make choices. When a person gives up their autonomy—choosing instead to hand over their decision-making to another—it is a form of servitude. While it may feel safer to allow someone else to take charge, the price of doing so is the loss of personal agency. Growth comes from the act of deciding for oneself and accepting the consequences of those decisions. The Torah encourages us to seek advice and guidance from others—family, friends, rabbis, and experts—but it is essential that we ultimately make our own choices. If someone else makes our decisions, we lose the opportunity to learn, to grow, and to own the consequences of our actions. True freedom is found when we confront the unknown, walk through that door, and take responsibility for what lies ahead.