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Do not accept a bribe, for the bribe will blind those who see and corrupt words that are just. (23:8)

Some situations  during the course of one’s life are so compelling that they  determine one’s course of action.  Indeed, one can reach the point  of error even in areas which are usually very clear.  Man must elevate himself to the point that he transcends his own vested interests, so that he sees the truth in its reality. We find a number of instances in which people — who under normal circumstances had been clear-thinking individuals — suddenly present themselves in a totally diffferent light.  We find that  in his dispute with Shmuel HaNavi, regarding carrying out his mission of destroying…

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You shall not cause pain to any widow or orphan…for if he shall cry out to Me, I shall surely hear his outcry. (22:21,22)

  Hashem promises to listen to cries of the widow and orphan.  They have no one to whom to turn,  other than their Father in Heaven, Who listens very closely to those that are vulnerable to abuse.  A classic story  occurred, involving the Bais HaLevi, that demonstrates how sensitive we must be to the plight of the unfortunate – especially those who have nowhere to turn.  When the Bais HaLevi was a young boy studying in cheder, he witnessed the rebbe striking a young orphan boy who had fought with another boy, who just happened to be wealthy.  The Bais…

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A wound for a wound. (21:25)

The Torah teaches us the laws of bodily damage against another person.  Chazal derive from this pasuk that “adam muad l’olam,” “a man is forever held responsible for his actions.” The concepts of “unintentional”, “unaware”, “did not mean to” – do not apply.  Man is always held accountable for his actions.  Furthermore, we are taught that if one lays down to sleep near vessels belonging to someone else and during the course of his sleep he breaks the vessels,  he is liable for damages.  Although the actual damage was performed while he was asleep, he caused the damage by laying…

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But for one who had not lain in ambush and G-d caused it to come to his hand, I shall provide you a place to which he shall flee. (21:13)

The Torah grants the unintentional murderer the dispensation of fleeing to one of the Arei Miklat, Cities of Refuge, where he is protected from the close relatives of the victim.   In his Igeres Ha’Mechaber the Sefer Ha’Chinuch distinguishes between the various mitzvos that we are obliged to fulfill.  We must perform some mitzvos only under certain conditions; all Jews are commanded to perform other mitzvos at all times.  There are two hundred and seventy of the latter mitzvos, of which forty-eight are mitzvos asei, positive mitzvos. The remaining two hundred twenty-two are mitzvos lo sa’asei, negative commandments.  Of these mitzvos,…

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If you buy a Jewish bondsman…If a man will sell his daughter as a bondswoman…one who strikes a man who dies, shall surely be put to death. (21:2,7,12)

The sequence of laws that mark the beginning of Parashas Mishpatim begs elucidation.  There must be a good reason that the Torah chose the laws of eved Ivri to open the parsha.  Furthermore, what relationship exists between eved Ivri and murder?  Horav Nissan Alpert, zl, notes that the underlying theme of this parsha is kavod ha’brios, the dignity of man.  This theme is reinforced  throughout the parsha.  In fact, the punishments that are to be meted out are in accordance with the sin of degrading another human being’s rights.  This is the best way to correct the damage, to repair…

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And these are the ordinances that you shall place before them. (21:1)

The parsha dealing primarily with civil and tort law is juxtaposed on the end of the previous parsha, which details the laws of the Mizbayach, Altar.  Chazal derive from here that the Sanhedrin, the court which is the supreme authority of Jewish law, should be located on Har Habayis, near the Bais Hamikdash.  Horav Nissan Alpert,zl, explains the reason for this.  Avodas Hashem, serving the Almighty in a Jewish way, is different from other religions,  whose religious service revolves around prayer, ritual and sacrifice.  Their theology consists of a  code of beliefs geared towards inculcating the people to an acceptance…

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