Exodus 22:5

“If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, etc.] Which is not his own, by putting cattle into it to feed upon it, as it is explained in the next clause: and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man’s field; do damage in one or both those two ways, either by his feet treading down the grass and fruits of the earth, which the Rabbins, as Jarchi says, think, is meant by putting in his beast; or with his beast eating up the same, which is intended by the latter phrase: of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution for what damage is done by his beast in his neighbour’s field or vineyard; and this held good of any garden or…”

“Shall put in his beast, and shall feed - Rather, shall let his beast go loose, and it shall feed. return to 'Top of Page'”

“He that wilfully put his cattle into his neighbour's field, must make restitution of the best of his own. The Jews hence observed it as a general rule, that restitution must always be made of the best; and that no man should keep any cattle that were likely to trespass upon his neighbour, or do him any damage. Exodus 22:6”

“shall he make restitution: Exo 22:3, Exo 22:12, Exo 21:34; Job 20:18 Exodus 22:6”

“Injury done to another man's field or corn was also to be made good by compensation for the injury done. If any one should consume a field or a vineyard, and let loose his beast, so that it fed in another man's field, he was to give the best of his field and vineyard as restitution. These words do not refer to wilful injury, for שׁלּח does not mean to drive in, but simply to let loose, set at liberty; they refer to injury done from carelessness, when any one neglected to take proper care of a beast that was feeding in his field, and it strayed in consequence, and began grazing in another man's. Hence simple compensation was all that was demanded; though this was to be made "from the best of…”