כִּי תִבְנֶה בַּיִת חָדָשׁ וְעָשִׂיתָ מַעֲקֶה לְגַגֶּךָ וְלֹא תָשִׂים דָּמִים בְּבֵיתֶךָ כִּי יִפֹּל הַנֹּפֵל מִמֶּנּוּ:
When you build a new house, you shall make a parapet for your roof, so that you do not bring bloodguilt on your house if anyone should fall from it.
[JPS translation]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. What responsibility does the Bible say a home builder has to protect people from harm in their house?
2. What might a literal interpretation of the mitzvah of building a ma’akeh look like today? A more expansive definition?
Time Period: Biblical (early ancestors to 165 BCE)