B"H

Friday, Shevat 26, 5782 / January 28, 2022

This week’s Parsha , Mishpatim, comes right after Parshat Yitro in which we read about the Giving of the Ten Commandments and the Torah on Mount Sinai.

The 613 mitzvot of the Torah are generally divided in two categories; 1) Mitzvot which are between us and G-d; 2) Mitzvot between one person and another. The Ten Commandments are also divided into these two categories. 

In Parshat Mishpatim we find many of the laws of the Torah which deal between one person and another.  The name Mishpatim refers to the laws which are crucial for society to function.  

The barometer whether a person is truly pious, is also how they behave toward another fellow human being. This is why the laws in the category of Mishpatim (between man and man) comes right after and in connection with the Giving of the Torah, which begins with, “I am G-d your G-d.”  A true G-d fearing person behaves properly not only toward G-d, but also toward another human being.

One of the mitzvot in this week's Parsha, Mishpatim, is the commandment to help the poor and needy whether through charity or a loan.  The Torah says, "When you will lend money to My people, to the poor with you, you shall not press him, neither shall you place upon him interest... for when he will cry to Me, I will hear for I am merciful."

In Proverbs (19) we are told that the charity (tzedakah) one gives to the poor is in essence "a loan to G-d Who is trustworthy to repay." Our sages explain that G-d repays not only the amount which we gave to charity, but He pays back much more in ways which only He can.  G-d says, "You have helped the poor person when he was hungry and thus kept him alive, I will repay you also a soul for a soul, by saving your child's life when he/she will be in need."

The above mentioned verse in the Parsha regarding charity, "For when he will cry to Me, I will hear for I am merciful," in addition to speaking about the cry of the poor man in need, it can also be explained as the cry of the one who gives the charity.  G-d says, “If you will be generous and help the poor, then when you will be in need and cry to Me for help, I will hear your request for I am merciful."

Rabbi Schneur Zalmen, founder of Chabad, would collect money to support the needy in Israel.  He would send collectors to the cities and villages where his Chassidim lived.

One Chassid earned his livelihood by peddling his wares throughout the area. Whenever he made an extraordinary deal which earned him extra money, he would attribute it to the fact that there was a special need for charity.  "I'm sure," he would say, "that when I come home one of the Rebbe's collectors will be waiting for me!" When G-d blesses us with success, there is a reason. It may be because there is someone out there who needs our help.

SHABBAT  SHALOM

Montreal candle lighting time: 4:37 / Shabbat ends: 5:44