B"H

Thursday, Shevat 25, 5779 / January 31, 2019

This week's Parsha, Mishpatim, contains many of the 613 mitzvot of the Torah.  Most of the mitzvot in this Parsha are in the category of "Mishpatim"-- civil laws and statutes. These are mitzvot which apply between one person and another.

"Mishpatim" are mitzvot which, even if the Torah didn't command us to observe them, we would know and understand their importance.  Yet, as Jews, we treat them as divine commandments. 

The Torah commands us to be careful dealing with converts, widows and orphans; "A stranger [convert] you shall not wrong, neither shall you oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.  Any widow or orphan you shall not afflict.  If you do afflict them and they will cry to me, I will surely hear their cry." The Torah then spells out the punishment for afflicting widows and orphans.

Rabbi Yaakov Berlin was a wealthy man. One day, while the maid cleaned the house, she accidentally broke a very expensive dish. Rabbi Yaakov's wife became very upset and scolded the maid for being clumsy.

"You have no right to scream at her," Rabbi Yaakov said to his wife.

"But she caused us such a great loss, "answered the wife.

"It is your right to call her to Beth Din (rabbinical court) and present your claim," said Rabbi Yaakov.  "But you cannot mistreat her in any way."

Rabbi Yaakov's wife decided to take the maid to the rabbinical court. She put on her coat, telling the maid to come with her. Rabbi Yaakov also put on his coat.

"You don't have to bother," Rabbi Yaakov's wife said to her husband.  "I can plead my own case."

"I know you don't need my help.  But the poor maid is an orphan and has no one to help her.  She will be scared and will not know what to say in her defense.  It is to help her that I am going..."

Q.  Why is Parshat Mishpatim, which deals with the mitzvot between one person and another, immediately after Parshat Yitro where we read about the Giving of the Torah?

A.  Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa says that the relationship between one person and the other has an effect on G-d’s relationship with us. It is our performance of the mitzvot between a person toward their fellow which affects our relationship with G-d. One cannot separate the two. Parshat Mishpatim comes right after the Giving of the Torah, to teach us this important lesson.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY