Mishpatim - Day #5

Mishpatim מִּשְׁפָּטִים - Laws  

Exodus: 21:1-24:18

Reading #5 - Exodus 23:6–19

23:6 “You shall not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits.

7 “Keep far from a false charge, and don’t kill the innocent and righteous; for I will not justify the wicked.

8 “You shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds those who have sight and perverts the words of the righteous.

9 “You shall not oppress an alien, for you know the heart of an alien, since you were aliens in the land of Egypt.

10 “For six years you shall sow your land, and shall gather in its increase, 11 but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the animal of the field shall eat. In the same way, you shall deal with your vineyard and with your olive grove.

12 “Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day you shall rest, that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant, and the alien may be refreshed.

13 “Be careful to do all things that I have said to you; and don’t invoke the name of other gods or even let them be heard out of your mouth.

14 “You shall observe a feast to me three times a year. 15 You shall observe the feast of unleavened bread. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month Abib (for in it you came out of Egypt), and no one shall appear before me empty. 16 And the feast of harvest, the first fruits of your labors, which you sow in the field; and the feast of ingathering, at the end of the year, when you gather in your labors out of the field. 17 Three times in the year, all your males shall appear before the Lord Hashem.

18 “You shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread. The fat of my feast shall not remain all night until the morning.

19 You shall bring the first of the first fruits of your ground into the house of Hashem your Elohim.

“You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.

Today’s Meditation:

The last command in this reading is not to boil a young goat in its mother’s milk (verse 19). At first glance, we can feel this is a very humane act, which it is. But some sages believe it represents pagan worship. The pagans would sacrifice a baby goat in its mother’s milk. And of course, Hashem does not want us performing or even copying any pagan worship. He is the only Elohim we serve. He wants us to know that He does not want us to engage in pagan worship. When the Israelites entered the Land, they encountered many pagan gods. Hashem cares for us and instructs us beforehand. 

Today’s Challenge:

I love verse 10, how Hashem has us rest our crops in the seventh year, and how the poor will have a way to eat. He provides for everyone—rich and poor alike. And He is instructing His people on how to care for those around us. Today, my challenge is for you to consider whether you are, in some way, providing for the poor or those around you who need special assistance. If you aren't, ask Hashem to allow you to do so. And He will. I actually got a text from a former client before a recent holiday, asking for help. Our family, along with five other family friends, decided to help her and her seven children. We gave her food and presents. Her children were so excited. I know it was from Hashem because we were blessed more than the rest of the family.

Mishpatim - Day #4

Mishpatim מִּשְׁפָּטִים - Laws  

Torah Portion: Exodus: 21:1-24:18

Exodus 22:27–23:5

22:27 for that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What would he sleep in? It will happen, when he cries to me, that I will hear, for I am gracious.

28 “You shall not blaspheme Elohim, nor curse a ruler of your people.

29 “You shall not delay to offer from your harvest and from the outflow of your presses.

“You shall give the firstborn of your sons to me. 30 You shall do likewise with your cattle and with your sheep. It shall be with its mother seven days, then on the eighth day you shall give it to me.

31 “You shall be holy men to Me, therefore you shall not eat any meat that is torn by animals in the field. You shall cast it to the dogs.

23 “You shall not spread a false report. Don’t join your hand with the wicked to be a malicious witness.

2 “You shall not follow a crowd to do evil. You shall not testify in court to side with a multitude to pervert justice. 3 You shall not favor a poor man in his cause.

4 “If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again. 5 If you see the donkey of him who hates you fallen down under his burden, don’t leave him. You shall surely help him with it.

Today’s Meditation:

In 23:5, we read that Hashem wants to help even animals that are in trouble. So, if you see a donkey (or any animal) in a troublesome situation, you are to help it out. That shows me how much Hashem cares not only for us, but for His creation. He is so very kind. 

Today I heard on the news that an abused dog had gotten loose and was running around in a local city park. Someone found him, helped him, and got him to shelter. They were reporting that they were investigating the individuals responsible for this. It may seem trivial, but it’s not. We read about a particular Commandment that requires us to do precisely this: rescue an animal if needed. I believe Hashem is saying that all of His creation matters. And if we are to treat even animals decently and fairly, how much more will we treat fellow humans?

Today’s Challenge:

In Chapter 23:1, we are told not to give a false report or a lie about someone. Many of us are guilty of doing this, even when we think we are just sharing some news. Or we may say something like, “Mary needs prayer. She is getting a divorce”. However, we are not sure whether this is true. Best not to talk about them at all. Unless you have something kind to say about someone, don’t say anything.

Mishpatim - Day #3

Mishpatim מִּשְׁפָּטִים - Laws  

Torah Portion: Exodus: 21:1-24:18

Exodus 22:4–26

22:4 If the stolen property is found in his hand alive, whether it is ox, donkey, or sheep, he shall pay double.

5 “If a man causes a field or vineyard to be eaten by letting his animal loose, and it grazes in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field, and from the best of his own vineyard.

6 “If fire breaks out, and catches in thorns so that the shocks of grain, or the standing grain, or the field are consumed; he who kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.

7 “If a man delivers to his neighbor money or stuff to keep, and it is stolen out of the man’s house, if the thief is found, he shall pay double. 8 If the thief isn’t found, then the master of the house shall come near to Elohim, to find out whether or not he has put his hand on his neighbor’s goods. 9 For every matter of trespass, whether it is for ox, for donkey, for sheep, for clothing, or for any kind of lost thing, about which one says, ‘This is mine,’ the cause of both parties shall come before Elohim. He whom Elohim condemns shall pay double to his neighbor.

10 “If a man delivers to his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any animal to keep, and it dies or is injured, or driven away, no man seeing it; 11 the oath of Hashem shall be between them both, he has not put his hand on his neighbor’s goods; and its owner shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution. 12 But if it is stolen from him, the one who stole shall make restitution to its owner. 13 If it is torn in pieces, let him bring it for evidence. He shall not make good that which was torn.

14 “If a man borrows anything of his neighbor’s, and it is injured, or dies, its owner not being with it, he shall surely make restitution. 15 If its owner is with it, he shall not make it good. If it is a leased thing, it came for its lease.

16 “If a man entices a virgin who isn’t pledged to be married, and lies with her, he shall surely pay a dowry for her to be his wife. 17 If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.

18 “You shall not allow a sorceress to live.

19 “Whoever has sex with an animal shall surely be put to death.

20 “He who sacrifices to any god, except to Hashem only, shall be utterly destroyed.

21 “You shall not wrong an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.

22 “You shall not take advantage of any widow or fatherless child. 23 If you take advantage of them at all, and they cry at all to me, I will surely hear their cry; 24 and my wrath will grow hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.

25 “If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be to him as a creditor. You shall not charge him interest. 26 If you take your neighbor’s garment as collateral, you shall restore it to him before the sun goes down."

Today’s Meditation:

We are learning more about Hashem's fairness. What I particularly appreciate is that if we borrow or use someone else's property and it becomes damaged or broken, we are required to make restitution. Many people who do this will claim to be sorry, but they often fail to replace or repair the item. It is so fair to provide restitution. It makes things right and just. If your conscience is jarred about something you did similar to this, then I encourage you to make restitution today. This is part of making the world better, because you are improving your relationships.

Today’s Challenge:

Verse 21 guides how to treat strangers. Remember, we were once strangers, as we all are, whether in a new neighborhood, a new job, or a new relationship. We had to adjust to new surroundings and new people. So, we are to look out for the stranger who comes into our lives. It reminds me of going to a community event. If I have been there before and I notice a new person, I try to go out of my way to make them comfortable. You should do the same. It is a Commandment. And you will be blessed—especially the next time you are the new person in a group.

Mishpatim - Day #2

Mishpatim מִּשְׁפָּטִים - Laws 

Torah Portion: Exodus: 21:1-24:18 

Exodus 21:20–22:3

21:20 “If a man strikes his servant or his maid with a rod, and he dies under his hand, the man shall surely be punished. 21 Notwithstanding, if his servant gets up after a day or two, he shall not be punished, for the servant is his property.

22 “If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall pay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. 2 If the thief is found breaking in, and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt of bloodshed for him. 3 If the sun has risen on him, he is guilty of bloodshed. He shall make restitution. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.

Today’s Meditation:

Today’s reading teaches us about justice. If someone does you harm, there must be compensation. The punishment should match the crime. And apparently, if you can’t find a way to initiate equal justice, then here is the remedy—a life for a life. In our time, it’s called capital punishment. We are responsible to live under the law in our land, as were the Israelites. The instructions and Laws are clearly given. For every crime, there is a consequence.

Today’s Challenge:

How do you feel about equal justice? Do you think everyone who does something intentionally wrong should be punished? Is it a fault among our family and friends that we are not penalized for wrongdoings? For instance, if your young child hits you, do you say, “Oh, don’t hit daddy. That’s not nice.” Or do you spank him for hitting you? This section of Scripture really makes you think about equity in punishment. The end goal is to become a better person. To learn how to treat others. Make changes where necessary, but do so equitably.

MIshpatim - Day #1

Mishpatim מִּשְׁפָּטִים - Laws  

Torah Portion: Exodus: 21:1-24:18

Exodus 21:1–19

21 “Now these are the ordinances which you shall set before them:

2 “If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free without paying anything. 3 If he comes in by himself, he shall go out by himself. If he is married, then his wife shall go out with him. 4 If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out by himself. 5 But if the servant shall plainly say, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children. I will not go out free; 6 then his master shall bring him to Elohim, and shall bring him to the door or to the doorpost, and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall serve him forever.

7 “If a man sells his daughter to be a female servant, she shall not go out as the male servants do. 8 If she doesn’t please her master, who has married her to himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has dealt deceitfully with her. 9 If he marries her to his son, he shall deal with her as a daughter. 10 If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, and her marital rights. 11 If he doesn’t do these three things for her, she may go free without paying any money.

12 “One who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death, 13 but not if it is unintentional, but Elohim allows it to happen; then I will appoint you a place where he shall flee. 14 If a man schemes and comes presumptuously on his neighbor to kill him, you shall take him from my altar, that he may die.

15 “Anyone who attacks his father or his mother shall be surely put to death.

16 “Anyone who kidnaps someone and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.

17 “Anyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.

18 “If men quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone, or with his fist, and he doesn’t die, but is confined to bed; 19 if he rises again and walks around with his staff, then he who struck him shall be cleared; only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall provide for his healing until he is thoroughly healed.

Today’s Meditation:

Israel is becoming a nation. They have escaped slavery and are being led into the Promised Land. There, they will need a constitution—the Law—to keep things in order. And now we see how the Ten Commandments will be applied, in more detail. I find it interesting that Hashem would begin with the treatment of slaves and others. But that makes sense. That Hashem wants us to love Him and to love others. So, now we are learning what happens when we mistreat others. We serve an Elohim of order.

Today’s Challenge:

In verse 17, we read that we are not to curse our parents. This must be a serious curse, because the punishment is death. Could it be that Hashem wants us to treat our parents as we treat Him? He created us, and our parents created us. If we are not going to honor our parents, then it is obvious we are not honoring Him. It is a valuable life lesson. We must respect our parents, because they came from the Father. If you are not doing so, start doing so in many ways today. It may affect your (spiritual) life.