5752

“And Moshe was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.” (21:18)

It is obviously beyond the ability of even the greatest contemporary man to memorize all of the details of the Torah in forty days, simultaneously comprehending all of its profundities. Moshe did all of this while he also learned how to observe the mitzvos, including the specifics of the construction of the Mishkan and its appurtenances, which are not written in the Torah. Consequently, we may deduce that the process of study which transpired on the mountain was nothing less than a miraculous feat. Hashem bestowed this wisdom upon Moshe as one would pour wine into a vessel. The…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Mishpatim, 5752

“And Hashem said to Moshe , Come up to Me onto the mountain and be there, and I will give you the tablets of stone and the commandments which I have written that you shall teach them.” (21:12)

The “call” that came to Moshe to ascend the heights of Har Sinai conveys the potential power inherent in man. It represents the supremacy of spirit over flesh, of the eternal over the ephemeral, of vision over reason. The event that transpired during that ascendancy cannot be explained logically. Only the arrogance of a shallow man would cause him to dismiss this revelation. Only one who has never been there, who lacks even a concept of how to approach the level of inspiration which Moshe reached, would endeavor to detract from this awesome experience. It is only Moshe who was…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Mishpatim, 5752

“And if a man will come presumptuously upon his fellow to slay him with guile, from My altar, take him for execution.” (21:14)

Rashi explains that if this murderer were a Kohen who had intended to perform the service in the Bais Hamikdash, he may be taken away to his execution. The altar does not serve as a place of refuge for those who deserve punishment. Horav Moshe Shternbuch Shlita offers a unique homiletic approach to understanding this pasuk. One should not think that by performing mitzvos he can commute the punishment he merits for the various sins he has committed. Just as a sin does not have the power to extinguish a mitzvah, likewise, a mitzvah cannot erase a sin. The only…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Mishpatim, 5752

“If you shall acquire a Hebrew servant, six years shall he serve.” (21:2)

The servant described here is actually a thief who was sold by the Bais Din into servitude because of his inability to make restitution. The Torah’s manner of punishment seems peculiar. The community takes a common thief who has exhibited complete disregard for another person’s possessions and feelings and gives him a new home, job, and lifestyle. We are giving self-respect to one who has shown so little esteem to others. This question becomes stronger when one takes into account the statement of the Talmud (Kiddushin 22b) that “one who acquires a Jewish servant is really purchasing a master for…

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YEARS

“And Moshe was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.” (21:18)

“And Hashem said to Moshe , Come up to Me onto the mountain and be there, and I will give you the tablets of stone and the commandments which I have written that you shall teach them.” (21:12)

“And if a man will come presumptuously upon his fellow to slay him with guile, from My altar, take him for execution.” (21:14)

“If you shall acquire a Hebrew servant, six years shall he serve.” (21:2)

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