דברים, פרק כ״ד, פסוק י״ד

The relationship between an employer and an employee often carries a deep power imbalance, as the worker relies entirely on the employer for their livelihood. To prevent the exploitation of this vulnerability, there is a severe warning against withholding or delaying the wages of those whose survival depends on their daily labor. Denying payment or delaying the settlement of this debt is strictly forbidden. While it is prohibited to withhold the wages of any worker, even a wealthy one, the repetition of this rule adds a profound layer of severity. Delaying the pay of a poor worker violates multiple commandments. However, this violation specifically occurs when the worker actively requests their wages. If the worker does not ask for the payment, the employer does not break the rule against delayed wages [רלב״ג, רא״ש].

The emphasis on impoverished and destitute workers reflects the standard reality of human society. Generally, those without property or resources are the ones forced to take on exhausting manual labor. A truly destitute person is understood as someone who longs for basic necessities due to extreme poverty [רש״י, מזרחי]. The primary approach among commentators is that highlighting the poor emphasizes the gravity of the sin. God is quick to punish anyone who exploits a poor person more than anyone else, because the impoverished worker literally risks his life and soul for his daily wage.

An interesting distinction arises if an employer has two workers but only enough money to pay one of them that day. In such a case, the employer must prioritize the poor worker over the destitute one. A poor person may still feel ashamed to demand his money, whereas someone who is entirely destitute is already accustomed to hardship and feels no shame in asking [תורה תמימה].

This protection extends to all types of workers, including fellow Israelites as well as foreigners, encompassing both righteous converts and resident aliens. Furthermore, there is a vital moral lesson regarding local workers. An employer might mistakenly assume that a foreign worker must be paid immediately because he has nothing to eat, while a local worker's payment can be delayed since he has friends and relatives to support him. To counter this, there is a clear instruction that local workers must also be paid exactly on time [העמק דבר, ביאור יש״ר].

The prohibition against delayed payment extends beyond human labor. It also applies to the rental fees for animals and equipment, such as plows and farming tools, because these too serve as a vital source of income [רש״י, תורה תמימה, מלבי״ם]. Finally, although the instruction mentions the local land, commentators emphasize that this Commandment is a personal obligation placed upon the individual. Therefore, it is not limited to the Land of Israel but must be strictly observed everywhere in the world [תורה תמימה, ברטנורא].