B"H
Tuesday, Shevat 20, 5785 / February 18, 2025
This week’s Parsha, Mishpatim,is the first Parsha after the story of the Giving of the Ten Commandments. In this Parsha we find 53 of the 613 mitzvot.
The 613 mitzvot of the Torah are generally divided into two categories: 248 positive mitzvot - commandments which we are commanded to perform; and 365 prohibition mitzvot, which we are commanded not to do. All 613 mitzvot fall into three general categories: Eidut; Chukim; Mishpatim.
Eidutare mitzvot which serve as a testimony between us and G-d. For example, resting on Shabbat is testimony that G-d rested on the seventh day. Passover is testimony of the miracle of the Exodus etc. These are mitzvot which G-d gave us a reason for them.
Chukimare mitzvot which have no apparent logical reason. Example: The laws of Kashrut; the prohibition of eating pork; or not to wear wool and linen in one garment (Shatnez) etc. We observe these mitzvot only because G-d commanded us to do them or refrain from doing them, but we weren’t given any reason for them.
Mishpatimare mostly laws of civil justice, such as, do not steal, honoring parents, honoring the elders, giving charity, etc. They affect our relationship between one person to another. They fall within the realm of logic and reason. In fact, many secular societies may contain similar laws.
The name of this week’s Parsha, Mishpatim, tells us that most of the mitzvot in this Parsha are such which teach us responsibility towards our fellow human being and which we would understand their importance and do them even if we weren’t commanded by G-d at Mount Sinai.
Q.Why is Parshat Mishpatim, which mostly deals with mitzvot between one person and another, come immediately after Parshat Yitro where we read about the Giving of the Torah? It would make more sense that immediately after the Giving of the Torah, G-d would command us the mitzvot toward Him?
A. We find the same thing in the Ten Commandments, where most of the Ten Commandments are between one and another. However, it teaches us that our performance of these mitzvot is a good barometer of our relationship toward G-d. One cannot separate the two. As Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa says in Pirkei Avot, "If the spirit of one's fellow is pleased with you, the spirit of G-d is pleased with you; but if the spirit of one's fellow is not pleased with you the spirit of G-d is not pleased with you."
Parshat Mishpatim comes right after the Giving of the Torah, to teach us the importance of these mitzvot which emphasize proper conduct and love amongst ourselves.
However, our sages teach us that even the mitzvot which have a logical reason behind them, we must observe them because G-d commanded us to do them. This way we bring G-dliness and holiness into them and thus we strengthen our connection to G-d through them. Loving our fellow is loving G-d.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
OUR HEARTS ARE WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY - MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW