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Parashat Mishpatim
Shabbat Candles: 5:54 PM
Friday Mincha: 6:00 PM
Shabbat Mincha: 5:50 PM
Shabbat ends: 6:52 PM
Audio Shiur for Mishpatim 5770
Sponsored by Dr. Devorah & Matt Hirschhorn in memory of her father Tuvihu ben Yitzchak
A SHTICKLE TORAH from Rabbi Yitzchak Salid on Mishpatim 5769
Rashi points out that parashas Mishpatim begins with the conjunctive letter “vav,” which indicates a connection between the end of the previous parasha (Yitro) and the beginning of Mishpatim. What is the connection? Rashi says that just as the Ten Commandments were given at Mt. Sinai, so too were the mitzvos of Mishpatim given at Mt. Sinai. Obviously, the point is not to tell us the geographic location at which the mitzvos were given. Rather, a tremendous ethical lesson is taught here. The mitzvos which pertain to business ethics, responsibility towards the property and personal rights of others, and humane treatment of humans and animals, for example, all of which are contained in parashas Mishpatim, are just as much of the Legacy of Sinai as are the Ten Commandments. The little “vav” connecting the two parashios reminds us of this. A Jew is not allowed to leave his religion in shul and defame in the marketplace. As role models for the world, our behavior must be sterling and ethical at all times. FROM THIS WE LEARN that we must remember that the same G-d Who commanded us not to worship idols in the same G-d who told us not to cheat in business. May we internalize this lesson and may we go forward as we demonstrate to mankind that we are the People of the “Entire” Book. |
