Take some time for Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa and based in Mason City. This week we read Parsha Mishpatim (Hebrew for "Ordinances/Laws") found in Exodus 21 - 24. "And these are the ordinances that you shall place before them:" It is G-d talking to Moses about the Civil Law of the Jewish Nation. This parsha contains so many commandments. There are 23 positive commandments and 30 negative commandments. Included are laws regarding: the Hebrew manservant and maidservant, manslaughter, murder, injuring a parent, kidnapping, cursing a parent, personal injury, penalty for killing a slave, personal damages, injury to slaves, categories of damages and compensatory restitution, culpability for personal property damage, seduction, occult practices, idolatry, and oppression of widows, children, and orphans. Whew!
It is remarkable that Mishpatim comes right after last week's parsha that ended with the Ten Commandments and the laws of the Alter. Remarkable to the point that Judaism does not see a distinction between religion and civil law. While most of the western world view "Church and State" to be in conflict that is not the case with the Jew. In fact all areas of life are, by Jewish Law, connected to holiness. It is not simply ritual but what is expected in our dealings with our fellow humans.
The sages teach that one who wishes to be a chassid, or a devoutly pious person, should be as intent on both matters of civil and tort law. In Judaism the concept of the "temple" is in the courtroom as well as the synagogue. This is also why it is forbidden for an observant Jew to sue another Jew in the state or federal court. Only a Bet Din or a Jewish Court can pass judgement...even in civil matters. See what you learn here?
Yes, in the Torah there are many laws, but the main purpose of these laws is to give mankind the best possible life. Still, even in the Torah there are laws that apply to some and not to others. Obviously many laws apply to everyone; don’t kill, don’t steal, don’t engage in idol worship. However, many laws are only binding to Jews.
Rabbi Yitzchak Zweig puts it this way, "Just as elite athletes have accepted upon themselves a certain way of life – with strict regimens of exercise and eating to promote peak physical conditioning – in order to play professional sports, so too the Jewish people accepted the Torah and its inherent obligations because they desired the most intense type of relationship with the Almighty."
The Torah was given to us by the Almighty as a blueprint and guide map for the best sort of life. Yes, there are restrictions, but they are there for the same reason; to give us the most spectacular life – whether we see it at the time or not.
Rabbi Zweig offers up this joke: Rabbi Schapiro and Father O’Malley were lifelong friends and would meet regularly for lunch at a local park. During one such outing, Father O’Malley put down his ham and cheese sandwich and commented, “This sandwich is so good! Perhaps kosher dietary restrictions made sense in ancient times, but when are you going to join the modern age and eat delicious food like this?”
Without missing a beat Rabbi Schapiro said, "At your wedding."
Mishpatim concludes with the promise from the Almighty to lead us into the land of Israel, safeguard our journey, ensure the demise of our enemies, and guarantee our safety in the land -- if we uphold the Torah and do the mitzvot. (commandments)
May you have a wonderful Shabbat!
Shul News
This Sunday we were set to examine our Torah Scrolls with our friend and scribe Yochanan Nathan of Chicago. However, because of the very cold temperatures we're rescheduling that event so Yochanan doesn't have to travel when it is this cold.
Also tonight at sundown we mark Rosh Chodesh Adar or the New Month of the Hebrew Month of Adar...letting us know that Purim is not far off.
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