There are more than fifty commandments in this Torah reading, from the very general to the most specific, like: “If you take your neighbor’s garment in pledge [for a loan], you must return it to them before the sun sets.” (Exodus 22:25)
Rabbi Debra Newman Kamin points out that God also cares about small details. If someone is so poor as to offer a piece of clothing as collateral for a loan, then they will probably need that garment to keep them warm at night, as the next verse makes clear: “It is their only clothing, the sole covering for their skin, in what else will they sleep?” (Exodus 22:26)
Some messages are better given in fine details as opposed to general principles. We are more likely to respect human dignity in our actions if we have a concrete example of what it might look like.
Holding onto collateral for a loan during the day makes sense. Inflicting suffering on someone overnight lacks compassion.
As a people devoted to rules and caring, we can work on both.