What do we learn from "Al Sheloshah Pish'ei Yisrael v'Al Arba'ah Lo Ashivenu"?
Yuma 86b: The first three times that one sins, he is pardoned. The fourth time, he is not pardoned.
Radak: Even though they sinned with idolatry, Arayos and murder, the decree to destroy them and exile them via Melech Ashur was sealed only due to the fourth sin ? theft. With this, He punished them for all that they did. Similarly, Dor ha'Mabul had many Aveiros, but they were punished only for Chamas ? "Ki Mal'ah ha'Aretz Chamas Mipneihem" (Bereishis 6:13). All the more so [Hashem punishes] when the theft comes via the judges ? they should have established Tzedek, and via bribery, they tilt the verdict!
Malbim: First the 10 tribes sinned with idolatry, Arayos and murder. The fourth sin was increasing the three sins ? they increased each in quality and quantity, and added other sins. To murder, they added selling a Tzadik for money. A Tzadik in his judgment, via money they sentenced him to death. Either judges took brines, or witnesses testified falsely for money.
What Tzadik did they sell?
Rashi: One who was vindicated in judgment 1 , judges would 'sell' him (obligate him) due to a bribe that they received from his opponent.
Radak: It says about Shochad "vi'Ysalef Divrei Tzadikim" (Devarim 16:19). [The innocent party] is Tzadik also in other matters ? people who claim Emes are Tzadikim in most of their matters. Also the poor usually claim only Emes.
What Evyon was sold for shoes?
Rashi citing Targum Yonasan, here and 8:6: In order that he will inherit. Radak ? I do not understand this.
Rashi: They tilt the verdict against the Oni, so he will need to sell his field, which was amidst the judges' field. The judge buys it from him for a low price, so he can fence and lock all his fields together without another's field in between. Radak ? "Na'alayim" is an expression of Ne'ilah (locking)
Radak #1: Even for [a small bribe, e.g.] shoes the judge will tilt the verdict [against] the Oni who was vindicated, and they will vindicate the one who gave the bribe.
Radak #2: They obligate the innocent, so the Oni will need to sell his field via an absolute Kinyan, with a shoe 1 ? "Shalaf Ish Na'alo" (Rus 4:7).
Malbim: Sometimes they sentenced an Oni to death for a small monetary gain. Witnesses testified falsely for a pair of shoes, or judges obligated death for a bribe of a pair of shoes.
I do not understand this. Fields are normally bought with money and a document (Kidushin 26a)! (PF)
