B"H

Wednesday, Shevat 24, 5780 / February 19, 2020

This week’s Parsha, Mishpatim,is the first Parsha after the story of the Giving of the Torah. In this Parsha we find 53 of the 613 mitzvot (commandments) of the Torah.

The 613 mitzvot  are generally divided into two categories: 248 positive mitzvot  which we are commanded to perform; and 365 prohibitions.

All 613 commandments 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.

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 together (Shatnez), etc. The Torah didn’t give us any logical reason for them. We observe these mitzvot only because G-d commanded us to do them or refrain from doing them.

Mishpatimare mostly laws of civil justice. They affect our relationship between one and another. They fall within the realm of logic and reason. In fact, many secular societies may contain similar laws.

The name of the Parsha, Mishpatim, tells us that most of the mitzvot in this Parsha are such which teach us responsibility towards our fellow human being.

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? Wouldn’t it make more sense that immediately after the Giving of the Torah, G-d would tell us about our responsibilities towards Him?

A.  We find the same thing in the Ten Commandments, where there is great emphasis on the mitzvot between man and man.  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, "Anyone with whom his fellow people are pleased, G-d is pleased with him; but anyone with whom his fellow people are not pleased,  

G-d is not pleased with him." 

For this reason, Parshat  Mishpatim comes right after the Giving of the Torah, to tell us the importance of the mitzvot which emphasize proper conduct and love amongst each other.

Rabbi Yechezkel of Kuzmir would say, "The Jewish people are compared to a box full of glass dishes.  If the dishes are packed tightly, the box can be moved about and transported and none of the dishes will break.  But if the dishes are packed loosely, they bang into each other and will easily break. We too, have to be tightly connected with each other, thus surviving all adversity.”

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Thursday, Shevat 25, 5780 / February 20, 2020

In this week’s Parsha, Mishpatim, the Torah commands us about the mitzvah of giving charity, helping the needy and being generous to the ones who are not as fortunate as we are.

The Torah states, "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."

Q.   "When you will lend money to My people, to the poor with you..." What is the meaning of the two seemingly extra words, "with you"?

A.   Our sages explain that the Torah tells us that the money one lends or gives to the poor is in fact the poor person’s money which is "with you." 

In other words: G-d says, "Be kind and charitable to the poor, for when I bless you with your monetary needs and your livelihood, together with it I also include money intended for the poor." 

Q. Why does G-d give it to them through us?

A. It is so that we will merit reward for this mitzvah.  Although it is not our money which we give away, for it was meant for the poor in the first place, yet, G-d rewards us for being His messenger to provide for the poor. Unfortunately, too many people don’t see it this way and think that giving charity is entirely voluntary.

The Hebrew word for charity is Tzedakah, which does not mean charity, but righteousness. 

Giving to the needy or supporting worthwhile institutions is not an act of charity (a gift etc.), but a performance of righteousness, for that money was originally intended, not for us, but for the needy.  

In Pirkei Avot (Chapters of our Fathers) our sages teach us, "At the time of a person's passing from this world, they are not accompanied by their silver  and gold... only by their good deeds."  

In this context the words,“When you will lend money to My people, to the poor with you,” means that the mitzvah of helping the poor is "with you."  For this mitzvah and good deed will forever be "with you," for it accompanies the person even in the World-to-Come.

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." May G-d grant us all good health and whatever we need.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Friday, Shevat 26, 5780 / February 21, 2020

This Shabbat, two Torahs scrolls are removed from the ark. In the first one we read the regular weekly Torah portion, Parshat  Mishpatim. From the second Torah scroll, we read Parshat Shkalim, which is found in the Book of Exodus in Ki Tisa. 

Parshat  Shkalim is read every year on the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh Adar.  Rosh Chodesh Adar will begin Monday night through Tuesday & Wednesday. 

Parshat Shkalim is the first of four Torah readings, which are read between now and Pesach.

It is about the half silver shekel coin contribution which each man between the ages of 20 and 60 had to contribute.  The coins were then counted, thus Moshe was able to know the count of the people. The silver was later melted down and used toward the building of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) 

This took place after the sin of the Golden Calf, when, as a punishment, thousands of Jews died. G-d told Moshe to count the Jews. This was done through counting the half shkalim which they contributed.

In addition to being a counting tool, the half shkalim were in fact, as the Torah says, “a ransom for their soul.”  It was to atone for the sin of the Golden Calf.

We read Parshat  Shekalim at this time of the year to remind us of the days of the Holy Temple.  Each year, before the month of Nissan, everyone had to contribute to a special fund that was used to purchase the Temple sacrifices for the entire year. At this time of the year they would begin the collections and remind people to contribute.

Although we don't have the Holy Temple today, we still read this portion. This affirms our belief in the coming of Moshiach and the rebuilding of the Beth Hamikdash, when we will again contribute to the Temple.

Q.    Why is a charity box passed around in shul every day (except Shabbat) during prayer?

A.   The Talmud tells us that Rabbi Eliezer would always give a "peruta" (a coin) to a poor person before starting to pray.  G-d acts toward us measure for measure as we act to others. In order to evoke G-d's mercy upon us and grant us whatever we need, which is what prayer is about, we give charity to exhibit our mercy for the needs of others.

Q.   Why did G-d command them to give a “half” shekel and not a full shekel?

A.  This teaches us that every Jew should consider himself as only a "half".  In order to be complete, we need to be part of the congregation of Israel. We are only half in isolation and complete in unity.

SHABBAT  SHALOM

Montreal candle lighting time: 5:11 / Shabbat ends: 6:16