cellio | daf bit: Gittin 45

We are obligated to redeem fellow Jews who are taken captive (e.g. by bandits, or at some times in our history, malevolent governments). We learn in the mishna: captives should not be redeemed for more than their value, to prevent abuses. Which abuse are we concerned about, the g'mara asks, exorbitant demands from emboldened bandits or excessive burdens on the Jewish community (to come up with a large sum)? While not answering the question directly, the g'mara relates a tale where a man ransomed his daughter for 13,000 denari of gold, but says he might have acted on his own without the permission of the sages. (I don't know what the going rate for captives was, but the implication is that it's way less than that.)

The mishna continues, saying that captives should not be helped to escape, to prevent abuses (like putting them in chains or maltreating them). Rabban Shimon ben Gamaliel says the reason is to prevent ill treatment of other captives. Why does the difference matter, the g'mara asks? It matters if exactly one captive has been taken; if the reason not to help him escape is fear of what they will do to the other captives, that doesn't apply here and we can help him escape. (45a)

Let's hope bandits are not learned in talmud, lest they always take captives in groups.

(Today's daf is 46.)