18 February, 2012 | 25 Shevat 5772

T E A C H I N G  T O R A H
Reprinted with permission by
©Behrman House, Inc.
www.behrmanhouse.com
A Treasury of Jewish Insights and Activities
By Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden

MISHPATIM EXODUS 21:1-24:18

In this portion, Moses sets before the Israelites the following groups of rules:

1. THE RULES CONCERNING SLAVES: The Israelites are permitted to retain slaves, but they must always bear the dignity of the slave in mind. Hebrew slaves are to be freed after six years of service, or immediately if their owner willfully injures them. A slave who does not wish to leave a master shall have an ear pierced and remain a slave for life.

2. CERTAIN CRIMES ARE PUNISHABLE BY DEATH: Among these are murder, kidnapping, and insulting one’s parents.

3. THE LAWS DETAILING THE RESPONSIBILITIES INCURRED BY THE OWNER OF AN OX:  The owner of an ox which is known to have previously injured or killed another person or animal is to be punished along with the animal. The owner of an ox which causes death or injury just once does not incur punishment, although the ox must be stoned or sold in restitution for its actions.

4. RULES AND PENALTIES FOR THEM AND LENDING.

5. CERTAIN LAWS PERTAINING TO THE ISRAELITES REMAINING A HOLY PEOPLE ARE PRESENTED: Among these are reminders not to curse God and to dedicate to God firstborn sons and cattle and the first fruits of a tree. Other laws pertaining to holiness include prohibitions against eating flesh torn by wild beasts and against boiling a kid in its mother’s milk.

6. IN THE SABBATICAL YEAR, THE LAND IS TO LIFE FALLOW OR REST. The commandment to rest on the seventh day follows.

7. THE OBSERVANCE OF THREE FESTIVALS—THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD (PASSOVER), THE FEAST OF THE HARVEST (SHAVUOT), AND THE FEAST OF THE INGATHERING (SUKKOT)—IS PRESCRIBED: All males are commanded to present themselves before the God at those times.


In addition, the principle of just restitution for damages is stated (lex talionis, an “eye for an eye,” etc.)  The slavery of the Israelites in Egypt is recalled to remind the people not to mistreat strangers, widows and orphans in their midst.

God tells Moses that an angel will lead the Israelites through the desert to Canaan. God promises to destroy all the peoples whose path the Israelites cross, so that the Israelites will not be tempted to worship the gods of other nations.

Moses repeats all the rules to the people and then writes them all down. Offerings are made to seal the covenant with God and the people accept the law saying, “All the things the Lord has commanded we will do.”

The mountain is covered by the presence of God (THE CLOUD) for SIX DAYS. On the seventh day, God calls Moses to ascend and Moses goes up the mountain and remains there for 40 days and nights.