In the last portion, the Torah highlighted the Ten Commandments; ten general principles to guide b’nai yisrael as they move forward. However, we sometimes forget that the Ten Commandments are just a forshpeis, a brief, introductory taste of the Torah to come. With Mishpatim, we delve into the tachlis, the day-to-day regulations and laws that will guide the people in all their endeavors.

What We Missed:

• Laws concerning Hebrew servants: Following six years of service, all Hebrew servants were released, unless the servant refused freedom

• Laws regarding homicide: Intentional and accidental

• Law of retaliation: Taking an "eye for an eye"

• Payment to damages caused by animals or by theft

What We Read: 

• Damage done by animals to crops

• Laws about stolen goods entrusted to someone for safe keeping

• Laws against seduction

• Rules concerning witchcraft and sodomy

• Laws on behalf of the needy and disadvantaged

• Repaying loans

• Judging with impartiality

• Respecting the land: Leaving for the poor; observing the Sabbatical year

• Observing the Pilgrimage festivals of Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot

Some thoughts to consider:

• Animals play a central role in the portion; they were central to farming and to the economy. It is understandable how people borrowed animals the way we may borrow tools. Inevitably some animals were stolen or damaged; other animals went astray by inflicting damage to another’s property. The Torah describes how the individual entrusted with someone else’s animal needs to prove an absence of negligence. As I have been watching the latest incarnation of James Herriot’s All Creatures Great and Small, I appreciate the central role played by animals in the life of a farmer (not to mention their impressive Hollywood skills!).

• Whatever our political views, care for the disadvantaged is a constant theme in daily life. It was a given to provide interest free loans to the poor and to treat orphans and widows with great compassion. Produce had to be left for the poor to eat and strangers must be welcomed as cherished friends. Twice in this section the Torah reminds the people (and us today) that they know the pain of being a stranger; an outsider who does not belong. Consequently, the Torah addresses both individual Israelites, as well as judges who must defend the rights of any stranger among the people. Every Israelite, no matter how rich, poor, famous or obscure, must remember our humble and traumatic origins. We strive to eliminate all forms of oppression because we experienced oppression in its severest form.

Our historical response to suffering (internal and external) certainly reflects the Torah’s various commandments. However, that constant reminder about our humble origins is the most powerful reminder about our obligation to bring tikkun olam (world repair).

• It is interesting how the Torah, introduces impartiality in justice. As much as we may support the poor economically, we cannot subvert justice to judge a poor person favorably when the evidence suggests otherwise. The courtroom must remain a bastion of impartiality. American history is tragically filled with too many examples of injustice toward minorities. We need to be vigilant in eliminating any prejudice, racism or sexism in any American court of justice. It is interesting how the Torah operates from a different premise: The assumption is not that a judge will discriminate against the poor; but will be eager to discriminate against the rich! When an affluent person brings a just claim, the judge could not argue: "He is wealthy and can afford my decision." The Torah supports a justice system whereby justice has no regard for economic or social status. Justice is not intended to produce popular decisions; it is intended to produce correct and just ones.

• The Jewish festivals were originally associated with the land, since the biblical community was an agricultural oriented community. During these festivals, Israelites made pilgrimage to Israel, where they could express appreciation for the land as well as for the entire Jewish community. Over history, the quintessential Jew was characterized as a scholar or pursuer or Torah. However, such a portrayal did not accurately reflect ancient Jewish society. Nineteenth and twentieth century Zionism restored the biblical image of a Jew attached to the land. In fact, many writers from that period condemned the timid and compliant yeshiva boy who responded to anti-Semitism by picking up the Talmud rather than picking up a gun…

Maftir Torah for Rosh Chodesh: Numbers 28:9-15

Today is the second of two days to celebrate the new month of Adar 1.  In honor of Adar 1, we read about the special offering made in honor of both Shabbat and the new Moon.

Haftorah Reading: Rosh Chodesh: Isaiah 66:1-24

Whenever Rosh Chodesh (the New Moon) falls on Shabbat, we read a special Haftorah from Isaiah. The hopeful message includes a reference to the new month (referred to in the Haftorah as the 'new moon':)

And it shall come to pass;
From new moon after new moon
And Sabbath after Sabbath
All flesh shall come to worship Me
Said Adonay…