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Shabbat
Shekalim
21 Feb 2009
Mishpatim—Judgments / Laws
Ex 21:1-24:18
II Kings 11:17-12:17
Mathew 5:38-42
Torah was written for mankind, not angels.
Torah was written for societies. Torah is an instruction manual on 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 give
us laws that would make us as a society ethical and righteous. Without an
ethical and judicious society, there cannot be chesed (mercy).
Mishpatim presents the framework for an ethical
and judicious society. For example: How should we treat the Jewish 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
love for the Children of Israel. The Jews recognized the miracles as an
act of undeserved loving kindness and therefore sang, as recorded in the
Scriptures. The giving of the Torah, on the other hand, was an even
greater revelation of G-d’s love and was received by His people with fear
and awe.
Further in the portion, the Jewish people
receive a continuous series of laws, of which 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, 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 His 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.
HaShem promises that He will lead the Jewish
people 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.
The Torah teaches that every thought and action
can be filled with holiness. No activity is beyond the potential for
holiness. This is what the world mistakes for “ritualism” and
“legalism.” The Torah 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. Every single thing in this world has the potential to be used,
for the glory of G-D.
Shavua Tov
Rabbi Z
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