Shalom JTF Readers,
I have been writing this column for many years now. I never seem to tire of studying the portion of the week. I already know so much for the learning of the past years, but I know that there is much to learn here, and I will never 'know it all' concerning our Torah.
This week is the portion of Mishpath, which happens to be my Birthday portion (it always falls out on the week of my Hebrew birthday). This portion is famous for all the Mishpatim (Statutes/Laws) which it contains. Of course the 'Hebrew Slave' law begins the portion, which obliges a Jewish owner of a Jewish slave (indentured servant) concerning his treatment and length of his captivity. Laws concerning the concept of 'measure for measure' (middah Keneged middah) establish the concept of divine justice. The commandment of prayer is in this portion and also the command of not mixing milk and meat.
From Chabad's 'Portion in a Nuthshell' @
http://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/1298/jewish/Mishpatim-in-a-Nutshell.htmFollowing the revelation at Sinai, G‑d legislates a series of laws for the people of Israel. These include the laws of the indentured servant; the penalties for murder, kidnapping, assault and theft; civil laws pertaining to redress of damages, the granting of loans and the responsibilities of the “Four Guardians”; and the rules governing the conduct of justice by courts of law.
Also included are laws warning against mistreatment of foreigners; the observance of the seasonal festivals, and the agricultural gifts that are to be brought to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem; the prohibition against cooking meat with milk; and the mitzvah of prayer. Altogether, the Parshah of Mishpatim contains 53 mitzvot—23 imperative commandments and 30 prohibitions.
G‑d promises to bring the people of Israel to the Holy Land, and warns them against assuming the pagan ways of its current inhabitants.
The people of Israel proclaim, “We will do and we will hear all that G‑d commands us.” Leaving Aaron and Hur in charge in the Israelite camp, Moses ascends Mount Sinai and remains there for forty days and forty nights to receive the Torah from G‑d.
It looks like Rabbi Richman is on the same schedule as I am concerning starting the parsha study on Wednesday, he just posted this video about 16 hours ago.
Topic: Video Study for Parshat Mishpatim : 53 Laws in one Portion (Read 2649 times)