A shaliaḥ (Hebrew: שָלִיחַ; pl. שְלִיחִים, sheliḥim) in Halakha is a Jewish legal emissary or agent. Accordingly, a shaliaḥ performs an act of legal significance for the benefit of the sender, as opposed to him or herself.
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Biblical sources
The first shaliaḥ mentioned in the Torah is Eliezer, who was sent by Abraham to find a wife for Isaac.
Appointing a shaliaḥ
The Talmud in tractate Gittin learns from Numbers 28:18 that any Jewish male or female may appoint an agent, as can servants and maidservants working under a Jew's care. A shaliaḥ however, may only be appointed for a mitzvah that he or she is obligated in.
The effectiveness of a shaliaḥ
Many of the legal effects of the Torah may be performed through agency.
- A man may appoint an emissary to betroth a woman on his behalf. A woman may choose to accept betrothal through an emissary.
- A husband may appoint an emissary to deliver a Get to his wife. A wife may choose to appoint an emissary to receive it.
- A salesman may appoint an emissary to purchase or sell merchandise on his or her behalf. Similarly, any act of legal acquisition or transfer of ownership may be effected by an emissary, such as giving a gift or acquiring a found object.
- A person may appoint an emissary to separate Terumot and Maaserot on his behalf.
In contrast, mitzvot that are performed on one's own body, such as wearing Tefillin, cannot be performed on one's own behalf by an agent.
See also
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