Price Paid For Embarrassing Others

In a situation where one causes another bodily harm, there are five potential payments that the court might enforce. There is disability, a consideration for less productivity as a result of the injury, doctor bills, and an assessment of the pain endured.

There is another payment called בושת, or shame. If the injury caused a person embarrassment, there is a large penalty for such shaming.

An example of causing embarrassment would be to spit on someone. If the spittle reached the other person’s flesh, he could be fined as much as 400 Zuz, which was a hefty amount.

There is a story in Masechet Baba Kama, where someone removed a married woman’s head covering in public. Rabbi Akiva hit him with the maximum fine. Before paying the fine, he set a trap for that woman.

He intentionally spilled valuable oil in front of her, with his witnesses observing what would transpire. The woman took off her head covering and used it to retrieve some of the oil.

He went back and reported the incident to Rabbi Akiva, hoping that his fine would be forgiven. Rabbi Akiva would not change his mind.

He explained that if a person wanted to harm themselves, that was their business. What matters is that he violated Jewish Law and must suffer the consequences. Needless to say, the laws of damages and personal injury, are quite fascinating.