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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Mishpatim, 5751

“And Moshe entered into the midst of the cloud, and he went up into the mountain. (24:18)

  Rashi explains that this cloud was like a kind of smoke, and Hashem made for Moshe a path in the midst of it. In Parashas Yisro it states: And Moshe drew near to the thick darkness where Hashem was. (20:18) Rashi explains that Moshe went inside the three divisions: darkness, cloud, and thick darkness. There are three degrees of darkness expressed in the words darkness, cloud, and thick darkness. On this occasion, Moshe was able to penetrate all three layers of darkness, to the very heart of the heavens. We may apply this image of Moshe ascending to Hashem,…

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Home -> 5751 -> Mishpatim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Mishpatim, 5751

“And Moshe took the blood and threw it towards the people and he said behold the blood of the covenant.” (24:8)

Moshe took the blood of the sacrifices and divided it, sprinkling half on the altar, and the other half towards the people. This expresses the idea that every drop of blood, that we use in carrying out Hashem’s will in this world, is returned to us in the full measure and precise manner that we give it to Hashem. This is Hashem’s response to the Naase Vnishma of the Bnei Yisroel. The blood symbolizes the mutuality of the covenant. We receive our lifeblood from Hashem, and we only have true possession of ourselves, if we dedicate ourselves to Him.

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Home -> 5751 -> Mishpatim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Mishpatim, 5751

“When you lend money to My people, to the poor that are with you, do not be to him as a demanding creditor, nor shall you place any interest upon him. (22:24)

Chazal, when explaining this posuk, detail the various forms of kindness necessary in lending money. The lender should perceive the sensitivities of the borrower, and experience feelings of shame and embarrassment as he stands before him. Yet, the Torah strongly admonishes the lender not to take any interest. Yecheskel Hanovi, when castigating the usurer declares “And he shall not live!” (Yecheskel 18:13), which is a very unusual punishment for a negative commandment. However, rather than considering this a punishment, it should be viewed as an evaluation of the usurer’s unworthiness to live. Nevertheless, why is there such strong rebuke and…

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Home -> 5751 -> Mishpatim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Mishpatim, 5751

“And these are the laws that you shall set before them.” (21:1)

Rashi explains that whenever the term “vkt” (these) is stated, it excludes the preceding sections, but when the term “vktu” (and these) is stated, it adds to the preceding. Just as the preceding laws were given at Mount Sinai, so too, were these given at Mount Sinai. Rashi reveals here the essential difference between Torah laws and the laws of the nations. The laws of the nations are founded upon the decision and approval of individuals who are readily influenced by the environment and age in which they live. Their various lifestyles and value systems will play a great role…

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