“Mishpatim” – Rules!
Cantor Herschel Fox
When I was a child at an Orthodox Day School in Winnipeg I did not like this week’s Torah Portion of “Mishpatim” – (Rules). “Breishit” the first book of the Torah was full of beautiful stories – Creation, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, the Brothers, etc. All of a sudden this week’s Torah Portion begins “These are the rules you shall set before them:” We are now served a bundle of rules! Kids don’t like rules. I did not like this portion of “Exodus”, the second book of the Bible.
As I grew up I began to realize that we need rules. Without some rules, indeed, our whole society would fall apart. The Torah wisely gives us a blueprint for our lives.
“Mishpatim” discusses unpleasant matters, because in life we encounter them. What happens when someone is murdered? What if the murder was an accident? We are guided in “Mishpatim” to try our very best to deal compassionately with our fellow man even when there is conflict. We cannot run away from problems.
In today’s world many young people don’t like to face reality. They run away from it, either physically or through alcohol or drugs. Many will say “I’m spiritual” so I don’t join a synagogue to pray – I can meditate in the Himalayan Mountains.
The Torah, I believe, deeply understands man’s nature better than humans do. Though there is beauty and spirituality in life, there are rules and unpleasant moments each and every one of us has to endure during our lifetime. The Torah gives us a clear set of laws to live by
The Torah in my opinion is a wonderful study of “Balance.” After numerous rules, “Mishpatim” ends with Moses going up the mountain!
“The presence of the Lord abode on Mount Sinai, and the cloud hid it for six days. On the seventh day He called to Moses from the midst of the cloud. Now the presence of the Lord appeared in the sight of the Israelites as a consuming fire on the top of the mountain. Moses went inside the cloud and ascended the mountain; and Moses remained on the mountain forty days and forty nights.” Now Moses had time for his spiritual preparations!
While our six weekdays are filled with many obligations between work and family we all feel over-committed with mundane events. But then, each week, Shabbat arrives and gives us a time for ourselves so we can elevate our souls and find our own spiritual rejuvenation.
I wish you all Shabbat Shalom, a peaceful and spiritual Shabbat.
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