Having taught us the Isur Melachah on Shabbos in Yisro, 20:10, why does the Torah repeat it here?
Rashi: To teach us that, even though Sh'mitah itself is called Shabbos, it does not override the weekly Shabbos, which applies throughout the year just like every other year. 1
Seforno: To prohibit (via an Asei) even acts that are not actually Melachos that are forbidden on Shabbos, but that entail exertion. 2
Having taught us the Isur of Mechamer (leading a laden animal on Shabbos, in Yisro 20:10, why does the Torah see fit to mention here "Lema'an Yanu'ach Shorcha va'Chamorecha"?
Rashi: To teach us the obligation to allow one's animals to 'rest', 1 by letting it eat the grass of the field, even though the owner is not permitted to detach whatever is attached to the ground.
Ramban: Taking "Lema'an" literally, it means performing all one's tasks during the six days of the week will enable the son of one's maidservant and the Ger to rest and testify on the Creation.
Seforno: The Torah is saying that, if one refrains from performing acts that entail work, but that are not actually Melachos (Refer to 23:12:1:2*), one's animals will also be able to enjoy a Shabbos rest. 2
Yerushalmi Shabbos, 5:3: To teach us 'Shevisas Beheimah' - that, an animal, like its owner, is obligated to rest from work on Shabbos. 3
Why does the Torah not insert the word "Lema'an Yanu'ach Shorcha va'Chamorecha Kamocha", like it will do in Va'eschanan Devarim, 5:14?
Oznayim la'Torah: Because, as opposed to the owner, who is forbidden to perform any Melachah, an animal is permitted to work for itself (such as chewing grass) and is only prohibnited from performing Melachos on behalf of its owner.
How about other animals, besides oxen and donkeys?
Rashi: The Pasuk extends to all animals. 1
As the Torah writes in the Aseres ha'Dibros in Va'eschanan Devarim, 5:14. Refer to 21:33:3:1*
Bearing in mind the Pasuk in the Aseres ha'Dibros in Yisro, "Avd'cha va'Amascha ... ve'Gercha asher bi'She'arecha", why does the Torah need to mention here "Ben Amasecha ve'ha'Ger"?
Rashi and Targum Yonasan: Because, whereas the Pasuk in Yisro is referring to a circumcised Eved 1 and a Ger Tzedek, 2 the current Pasuk is discussing an uncircumcised son of a Shifchah 3 (and to a Ger Toshav 4 - Rashi). 5
Seforno: Refer to 23:12:2:2. Moreover, by desisting from all kinds of activity that entail work, one enables the Avadim and the Geirim too, to rest on Shabbos. 6
See Torah Temimah, note 82.
See Torah Temimah, note 84.
Aruch le'Ner (Yevamos 48b DH bi'Gemara): This is the opinion of R. Yishmael, who permits keeping uncircumcised Avadim. R. Akiva, who forbids keeping uncircumcised Avadim; must hold that "Ben Amasecha" is circumcised, and the Aseres ha'Dibros is discussing a purchased Eved who is not yet circumcised. Moshav Zekenim: Here the Torah is discussing a purchaed Eved. (However it is difficult to say that he is called 'Ben Amasecha' because one purchased him together with his mother Aruch la'Ner).
See Torah Temimah, note 83.
Moshav Zekenim: Who is commanded about Shabbos because it is equal to idolatry.
As opposed to our experience as slaves in Egypt, when we were forced to work seven days a week without respite - thereby rendering Shabbos a "Zeicher li'Yetzi'as Mitzrayim" (Seforno).
