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Date: Wed, 29 Apr 1998 22:12:30 -0400
From: rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu (Russell Hendel)
Subject: Re: Exodus 21:10:

Mr Chelmer's question (TF v4 #5)about 21:10 finds adequate discussion in
Jewish sources:

1) ANH--does not occur only in Ex 21:10.  The radical has 10 or so
meanings...their root is ANH= To RESPOND. So it can refer to a poor person
who, like the English phrase, "Must ANSWER to everyone" ...it can refer to
humility (= RESPONSIVENESS see Rav Hirsch on Nu 12) or it can refer to
female intimacy (RESPONSIVENESS).

The sexual meanings of ANH occur elsewhere in the Bible...in the intense
form it means rape ("making a women answer to you").

Ex 21:10 lists 3 basic obligations of a husband EVEN to someone who has a
bondmaid status...hence there 3 basic obligations are, a fortiori,
required in all marriages (Rabbi Hirsch on Ex 21:10)

The three items are ---adequate food ---adequate shelter and garments
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These 3 items form the basis for Jewish legal regulations on marriage

Russell Jay Hendel;Phd;ASA; rhendel @ mcs drexel edu