Parashat Mishpatim 5785

by Rabbi Margie Cella

In this week’s parashah, we find some of the specifics of the covenant that God is establishing with the nation of Israel. The parashah lists 53 of the 613 mitzvot in the Torah. Moses begins with laws governing the treatment of male and female slaves, who must be released after 6 years. Next, he outlines laws regarding interpersonal relationships, forbidding murder, kidnapping, theft, and disrespecting parents. We learn about compensatory damages that those who cause personal injuries or property damages to others are obligated to pay. Theft, bribery, and testifying falsely against others are all prohibited. On the positive side, God requires observance of Shabbat and the three festival holidays of Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot. We may not cook a kid in its mother’s milk.

One mitzvah is so important that it is mentioned twice in this parashah (22:20 and 23:9): we must not wrong or oppress the stranger. The reason given both times is that we ourselves know what it feels like to be a stranger, having been enslaved in the land of Egypt. Our own experience of enslavement must cause us to have empathy for others, and that in turn should motivate us to care for and welcome others into our midst.

The common theme of the majority of the commandments stated in this parashah is an emphasis on the primary importance of the way we value and treat our fellow human beings, whether they are slaves or not, members of the nation of Israel or not, similar to us or not.

Each of us has been created betzelem Elohim, in the image of God. Observing the covenant between Israel and God requires seeing the presence of the Divine in all whom we encounter in our daily lives.

Am Yisrael Chai! All people of Israel Live!