SEDRA : Mishpatim Hertz Chumash p .306 Exodus Chap. 21 verse 1

This week's Sedra is generously sponsored by Jeff Pura.

SYNOPSIS

Mishpatim - Judgements, introduces a great proportion of the Torah's legal corpus given at Sinai.
The institution of slavery as understood in the ancient world is radically reformed into a form of restitution for theft or 'bankruptcy'.
"Slavery" is indeed an inaccurate translation or description of a system in which the subject possesses basic rights to his person, property, family and eventual freedom. A Jew may be a slave for a maximum of six years. The master must support a married slave and his Jewish wife & children during his service. However, a non jewish hand maiden given him by the master remains with the master.
A slave who insists on remaining in servitude after six years is to have his ear pierced against the doorpost of the house and must be freed in the Jubilee Year. A man's daughter sold into service may be redeemed by relatives if she displeases her master. If the master's son marries her she is to be treated as free born. She is entitled to freedom if her husband marries another woman or if her marital rights are infringed in any other way. Fatal injury to a slave by the master is a punishable crime and maiming him leads to immediate freedom.

Capital offences include intentional murder, cursing parents in the name of G-d, kidnapping, witchcraft, bestiality and idolatry.

Injury to another leads to liability for the victim's loss of earnings, medical costs, pain, embarrassment and physical impairment. Further actions in damages are enacted for injury to a pregnant woman and the loss of the foetus. Damages caused by one's animals, property or actions incur liability for compensation. The method of assessing damages is described.
The laws governing damages or theft to the property of another held in one's possession in trust, as a deposit, borrowed or hired are detailed. Theft.
Fines of fivefold and fourfold are enacted for theft and slaughter of livestock and twofold damages for being found in possession of stolen livestock. The conditions of justifiable homicide in robberies are set out.

Laws of Morality and regulations against oppression are legislated. Wronging the stranger (convert), orphans, widows or anyone who is vulnerable will invite G-d's anger. Oppression in business, especially of the underdog is forbidden. The perversion of justice through false evidence, biased judgement and bribery is viewed as the greatest danger to the survival of a civilised society.

Assistance to one's fellow, even a rival, is a sacred obligation. Lost property must be restored to the owner. Animals must not be caused or allowed to suffer. This applies especially to beasts of burden.

First fruits and first born animals are to be dedicated to G-d.

Other laws include the prohibition of Trefah (meat of an animal torn by beasts). During the Sabbatical year sowing and reaping of the land is forbidden.

Shabbat abstention from work is to be observed by all members of the household, including animals. Pilgrimage to the Sanctuary by every adult Israelite three times a year on Pesach, Shavuot and Succot to bring offerings is decreed. It is forbidden to seethe a kid in it mother's milk. Hashem's assistance in the conquest and settlement of the land is promised in return for faithful adherence to all these laws.

Moses descended from Mt Sinai having written down all the precepts conveyed to him by G-d, offered up sacrifices and read the Book of the Covenant to the people who instantly committed themselves to it : "All that G-d has spoken we will do and we will hearten". After witnessing a mystical vision of the Divine Glory together with Aaron, Nadav, Avihu and the seventy Elders, Moses is summoned to ascend Mt Sinai alone to receive the Tablets of Stone.

HAPHTORAH : Shekalim II Kings Chapter 11 verses 17 - 20, Chapter 12 verses 1 - 17.

The theme of the haphtorah relates to the special maphtir in that they both deal with the subject of purification. "How Israel is to emerge from the grave of Exile, of undefiled service of G-d".(Hertz)

TELL ME RABBI...

Haphtorah - The Prophetic Portion The portion from the Prophets read immediately after the reading of the Torah on Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Pesach, Shevuoth, Succot, Tisha B'av and on the fast days quite often refers to events or topics which occur in the Sedra of the Day.

This week we read the special Haphtorah of Shekalim, linked to the special Maphtir. The origin of the Haphtorah is uncertain but, in all likelihood, the custom originated in the desire of the sages that passages from the Prophets as well as from the Torah be read (and interpreted) at public services.
At first, no set passages were prescribed but later, when the sages selected definite portions from the Prophets for all Shabbatot and Holy Days, they were guided by the general principle that the Haphtorah should contain a reference to some event or theme mentioned in the Torah section previously read.
In some instances, the Prophetical portion was chosen because its contents were considered specially fitting for that particular day - such as today - Rosh Chodesh.

The Haphtorah is sung in a distinctive chant of its own by the last person called to the reading from the Torah which must be read from the handwritten parchment scroll. The Haphtorah may, and usually is, read from a printed Tanach. In some congregations the Haphtorot and all Megillot are read from scrolls similar in appearance to Meggillat Esther and are often called the "Navih".