EXOD529 Observe the laws of marrying a Hebrew maidservant. If a Jew acquires a Hebrew maidservant, he has a mitzvah to help her to return to the house of her father. He helps by cooperating when she, her father or some other member of her family comes to redeem her. On the basis of the original expected term of service and knowing the price that he paid her father for her, he calculates the worth of each year's work. Knowing the length of time that she had worked for him, he subtracts the worth of that time from the price that he paid for her and accepts the difference as the price of her redemption. He may not demand that she continue to work for him for the full term of the original transaction. Neither may he demand a higher redemption price in an attempt to profit as she goes free from him. Either type of behavior would show that he has an evil heart. Jews are expected to behave with mercy, dignity and refinement, so it is fitting for them to show kindness, especially towards their workers, even if the term of service had been only one day.