Parshas Ki Setzei
“On his day you must give his wages!” (Devarim 24:15)
It is a positive commandment that one must pay the wages of a hired worker on its day, and we should not delay the wages to another day, as it says “On his day you must give his wages!”.
Amongst the roots of this commandment are that which is explicit in the verse that generally all hired workers need their pay for their sustenance and food. It follows that it is incorrect to delay his food for him, like the verse says “Because he is a poor man and he lifts his soul up towards him”, and Hashem in His kindness commanded us to teach our souls the character-trait of pity and kindness, and we will give each creature its necessities at the time when it needs it, so that we will merit and become fit to receive His kindness, for he wishes to give kindness.
This commandment applies in all places and at all times both to men and to women.
