3,194. Redeeming Captives

Hilchos Matnos Aniyim 8:10

Redeeming captives takes precedence over feeding and clothing the needy. In fact, there’s no mitzvah greater than redeeming captives because a captive is hungry, thirsty, unclothed and in mortal danger. One who ignores redeeming a captive violates the prohibitions against hardening our hearts and closing our hands (Deuteronomy 15:7), standing by idly when another’s life is endangered (Leviticus 19:16) and not oppressing someone with crushing labor (Leviticus 25:53). He also neglects the obligations to open our hands (Deut. 15:8), to enable our brethren to live with us (Deut. 19:18), to love our neighbors as ourselves (Lev. 19:18), to save those who are marked for death (Proverbs 24:11), and many other similar obligations. No mitzvah is as great as redeeming captives.

Hilchos Matnos Aniyim 8:11

If the residents of a city collect money to build a shul and a mitzvah need arises, they may use the funds for this need. If they bought stones and beams, they may not sell them for a mitzvah purpose other than redeeming captives. Even if they already brought the stones, cut and carved the beams, and prepared everything needed to start building, it should all be sold, but only to redeem captives. If they already built and finished the shul, it is not sold. Rather, the funds needed to redeem the captives are raised among the community.