Guide for the Perplexed, by Moses Maimonides, Friedländer tr. ,
at sacred-texts.com THE precepts in the fourth class include the
laws which in our work are contained in the section Zera'im,
excepting the laws on the mixture of species: the rules about
things to be "valued" and things "devoted" (Hilkot ‘erekin va-
haramim), and those concerning lender and borrower (Hilkot
malveh ve-loveh) and slaves (Hilkot ‘abadim). When you examine
these precepts you will clearly see the use of every one of
them: they teach us to have sympathy with the poor and infirm,
to assist the needy in various ways; not to hurt the feelings of
those who are in want, and not to vex those who are in a
helpless condition [viz., the widow, the orphan, and the like].
The purpose of the laws concerning the portions which are to be
given to the poor is likewise obvious; the reason of the laws
concerning the heave-offerings and the tithe is distinctly
stated: "for he hath no portion and inheritance with thee"
(Deut. xiv. 29). You certainly know