When studying the laws of damages in Parshat Mishpatim, we come across the dangers of an open pit (Shmot 21:33-34): If a man uncovers a pit (bor) or if a man digs a pit, and does not cover it, and an ox or donkey falls into it, the owner of the pit must pay. He must...
In Parshat Mishpatim, we find cases of damage that one person causes to another, through theft, negligence or assault. In Shmot 22:3 we learn: If the theft shall be found in the thief’s possession- whether a live ox or donkey or sheep or goat- he shall pay double....
In Parshat Chayei Sara, Breisheet Chapter 24 we read the story of Avraham sending his servant (Midrashically known as Eliezer) to find a wife for Yitzchak. Rabbeinu Bachya comments (Breisheet 24:22):All the details of what was happening with Rivka at this time...
Sponsored by Bonnie Kamel and Steve Toberman in honor of their Mother’s 14th yahrzeit on Thursday night, January 27th,Miriam bat Ya'akov Hersh Halevi and Devora, Marion Betty Tomsky TobermanBorn on Sept. 27 1922 in St. Paul MinnesotaShmita is not only about...
In Parshat Mishpatim, Shmot 24:3-4 we read: “Moshe came and told the people all the words of God and all the laws. The people responded with one voice and said, ‘All the words that God has spoken, we will do (na’aseh).’Moshe wrote down all the...
We learn about not taking a bribe twice in the Torah:In Parshat Mishpatim, Shmot 23:8 we are told:Do not accept a bribe, for the bribe will blind those who see and corrupt words that are just.In Parshat Shoftim, Dvarim 16:19, we are commanded using almost the same...
In Parshat Mishpatim (Shmot 24:12-14) God asks Moshe to come up to Mount Sinai:God then said to Moshe, “Come up to Me to the mountain and remain there. I will give you the tablets of stone, the Torah and the commandment, which I have written in order to teach...
In Memory of Esther Zuroff z”l In Parshat Mishpatim, we read about God’s promise to Moshe that B’nai Yisrael will be brought to the Land of Israel and that God will protect them there. In Shmot 23:26, we read: “No woman will suffer...
In Parshat Mishpatim (Shmot 22:21) we are commanded: “You must not mistreat (lo t’anun) any widow or orphan.”Rashi comments that nobody should be mistreated. Nevertheless, since widows and orphans are frequently mistreated, the Torah specifically...
Parshat Mishpatim teaches us many laws about the proper way to conduct our lives. One law that is especially relevant this year is the law of Shmita (the sabbatical year).In Shmot 23:10-11 we read: “You may sow your land for six years and gather its crops. But...
In Parshat Mishpatim, Shmot 23:10-11, we learn about the mitzvah of Shmita (the sabbatical year): “You may sow your land for six years and gather its crops. But on the seventh year you must let it rest and abandon it and let the needy among your people eat it....
In Parshat Mishpatim, Shmot 21:16 we read: “Whoever steals (kidnaps) a man and sells him, if he is found in his hand, he shall be put to death.” In Parshat Ki Tetze, Devarim 24:7 there is a similar pasuk: “If a man is found kidnapping a person...
In Parshat Mishpatim (Shmot 22:5) we read about damage which may be caused by negligence: “If a fire goes out of control and catches on thorns and a stack of grain or a standing crop or a field is consumed, full restitution must be made by the one who started...
Dedicated in Memory of Rabbi Dr. Martin L. Menachem Gordon z"l In Parshat Mishpatim, Shmot 22:24 we read: “Im Kesef Talve et Ami…”, “If (or when) you lend my people money, the poor man with you, you shall not behave towards him as a...
In Parshat Mishpatim, Shmot 23:7 we are told: “Keep far away from falsehood.” Nechama Leibowitz points out that this pasuk implies not only the negative avoidance of actual falsehood, but also meticulous care in refraining from anything which might...
Parsha Points- Mishpatim All Jewish Women Have Equal Rights In Parshat Mishpatim (Shmot 21:9-10) we read about a man’s obligation to provide for his wife: “If he (the master) has designated her (the maidservant) as a wife for his son, he must...
In Parshat Mishpatim, Shmot 23:20 we read: "Behold, I send an angel before you, to protect you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared (Beit HaMikdash, Temple)."Ramban, basing himself on a midrash in Shmot Raba 32:9 comments: God said to Moshe:...
In Parshat Mishpatim, Shmot 22:20, we find the following words which are actually reiterated over thirty-six times throughout the Torah: "You must not abuse or oppress a Ger (stranger) for you were Gerim (strangers) in the land of Egypt".Rashi explains that we may not...
Parshat Mishpatim briefly discusses the laws of Shmitta (the Sabbatical year) in Shmot 23:10-11: “Six years you shall sow your land and gather in its produce. And in the seventh, you shall leave it untended and unharvested, and the destitute of your people shall...