Mishpatim – Peninim on the Torah

“And Moshe was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.” (24:18)

The Yalkut Shimoni cites a Midrash from which we can derive a valuable lesson. The story is recounted that Rabbi Chiya bar Abba was crying when he heard that Rabbi Yochanan had sold all his possessions in order to be able to study Torah. He was concerned that nothing had been put aside for Rabbi Yochanan’s old age, when he would have no source of, or ability to earn, an income. Rabbi Yochanan assuaged Rabbi Chiya by saying that it was well worth it, since he had exchanged earthly possessions — which were created in six days — for Torah…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Mishpatim, 5757

“Everything that Hashem has said, we will do and we will listen.” (24:7)

Klal Yisrael responded to Hashem with a remarkable display of faith. They were prepared to “do,” to act in accordance with Hashem’s command, without seeking to understand the reason for the command. They trusted in the Almighty with total surrender. There is one simple question, however, that we should address. Why did they respond with the plural, “We will do, and we will listen.” Should not each one of them have said, “I will do and I will listen?” Why did Klal Yisrael use the plural form? The Chidushei Ha’Rim responds to this question with an analogy. Let us picture…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Mishpatim, 5757

“You shall not persecute any widow or orphan. If indeed you do persecute him and if indeed he cries out to Me, I will verily hear his cry.” (22:21)

The Torah presents to us a sin and its punishment. The sin is apparent: Persecuting the downtrodden, those who have no one else to care for them. The punishment, however, is a bit ambiguous. What really is the punishment for persecuting a widow, orphan or anyone who cannot take care of themselves? The underlying message of this pasuk seems to be that – regardless of the amount of time that elapses — the individual is guaranteed punishment. Hashem clearly states that He will listen and He will repay. That warning should serve as more than a sufficient deterrent for most…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Mishpatim, 5757

“And his master shall bore through his ear with an awl.” (21:6)

The Torah is critical of the eved Ivri, Jewish slave, who chooses to stay on after the usual six years of servitude. When one is granted freedom he should take advantage of the opportunity. A Jew submits to only one master – Hashem. According to the Torah, when an eved Ivri chooses to extend his period of slavery, his master bores his ear with an awl – near a doorpost. In the Talmud Kiddushin 22b, Chazal explain why a doorpost and an ear symbolize the servant’s disdain for freedom. The doorway represents freedom, since it was the doorposts upon which…

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“And Moshe was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.” (24:18)

“Everything that Hashem has said, we will do and we will listen.” (24:7)

“You shall not persecute any widow or orphan. If indeed you do persecute him and if indeed he cries out to Me, I will verily hear his cry.” (22:21)

“And his master shall bore through his ear with an awl.” (21:6)

YEARS

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