by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 5, 2024 | Covenant, Mishpatim
In the Torah portion of Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1-24-18), we encounter a profound moment in the journey of the Israelite people. Following the awe-inspiring revelation at Sinai, when the Ten Commandments were given, a list of detailed laws is presented. This sets the...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 8, 2023 | Mishpatim
This week’s portion leaves the narrative behind and focuses instead on Torah law. It deals extensively with case law between man and man, but also includes a number of laws between man and God. It is concerned with justice and righteous behavior. As the Israel Bible...
by Rabbi Pesach Wolicki | f 16, 2023 | Mishpatim
After the revelation at Mount Sinai, when God spoke the Ten Commandments to the nation of Israel, the Torah portion of Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1–24:18) opens with two chapters of laws (Ex. 22-23) spoken by God to Moses at that time. Then, in chapter 24, the Bible tells...
by Rabbi Tuly Weisz | f 28, 2022 | Mishpatim
Abortion is a very serious issue in today’s society, with more unborn children being terminated every year than any other cause of death. Judaism goes far to protect the life of an unborn child and even allows for the violation of the Sabbath to save the life of...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 25, 2022 | Mishpatim
After leaving slavery in Egypt, the Torah outlines for the Hebrews strict guidelines for slavery. Slavery appears frequently in the Bible, sometimes in a positive light, as it does with Eliezer the slave of Abraham and the handmaidens Bilhah and Zilpah, or in a...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 24, 2022 | Faith, Holiness, Israel, Messiah, Mishpatim, Shabbat
The Shemittah comes every seven years, making it a form of Sabbath that occurs on a yearly, rather than a weekly, cycle. Observing the Shemittah acknowledges that the land of Israel belongs to the God of Israel. We work the land for six years, and on the seventh, we...
