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Mishpatim
Ex 21:1-24:18
Jerimiah34:8-22,
33:25-26
Mathew 5:38-42
Torah was written for free-willed humans, not
angels. Torah was written for societies. Torah is an instruction manual
detailing how we can emulate G-d’s loving kindness. Therefore, it makes
perfect sense that immediately following the giving of the Ten
Commandments; G-d would present the framework for an ethical and judicious
society. Without an ethical and judicious society, there cannot be
chesed (mercy).
Mishpatim presents the framework for an ethical
and judicious society. The scope of its topics range far and wide. For
example: How should we treat a slave and maidservant? How should we
relate to the converted, the widowed and the orphaned? How do we assess
payment for personal damages, and what is the punishment for sorcery and
false testimony? Why did G-d record this potpourri of instructions
immediately following the Asseret Hadibrot, the Ten Commandments?
The crossing of the Red Sea revealed G-d’s
ahava-love for the B’nai Yisrael, Children of Israel. The
Children of Israel recognized the miracles as an act of undeserved loving
kindness and therefore sang. Mattan Torah, the giving of the
Torah, on the other hand, was an even greataer revelation of G-d’s love
and was received by the B’nai Yisrael on the level of yirah,
fear/awe.
Further in the portion, G-d's people receive a
series of laws concerning social justice. Topics include: proper
treatment of servants; a husband’s obligations to his wife; penalties for
hitting people and for cursing parents, judges and leaders; financial
responsibilities for damaging people or their property, either by oneself
or by one’s animate or inanimate property, or by pitfalls that one
created; payments for theft; not returning an object that one accepted
responsibility to guard; the right to self-defense of a person being
robbed.
Other topics include: prohibitions against seduction;
witchcraft, bestiality and sacrifices to idols. The Torah warns us to
treat the convert, widow and orphan with dignity, and to avoid lying.
Usury is forbidden and the rights over collateral are limited. Payment of
obligations to the Temple should not be delayed, and the people must be
holy, even concerning food. The Torah teaches the proper conduct for
judges in court proceedings. The commandments of Shabbat and the
Sabbatical year are outlined. Three times a year-Pesach, Shavuot, and
Succoth-we are to come to the Temple. The Torah concluded this listing of
laws with a law of Kashrut,Kosher (clean & unclean animals).
HaShem
promises that He will lead the Children of Israel to the Land of Israel,
helping them conquer its inhabitants. He tells them that by fulfilling
His commandments they will bring blessings to their nation. The people
promise to do and listen to everything that HaShem says. Moshe writes the
Book of the Covenant, and reads it to the people.
Torah is a system where one’s every thought and
action can be suffused with holiness. Nothing in this world is devoid of
the opportunity to be used to elevate mankind and ourselves. No activity
is beyond the potential for holiness. This is what the world mistakes for
“ritualism” and “legalism.” The genius of G-d's word is that it sees the
potential for holiness even in the ordinary and the mundane. There is no
such thing as a secular world versus a religious world. In G-d’s Kingdom
there is no such thing as “church versus state.” For there is nowhere in
this world that is devoid of G-d and His Presence.
Shavua Tov
Rabbi Z.
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