Mishpatim מִּשְׁפָּטִים - Laws
Exodus: 21:1-24:18
Reading #3 - Exodus 22:4–26
My Thoughts:
We are learning more about the fairness of Hashem. What I particularly like and appreciate is if we borrow things or we are using things from someone else and they become broken or damaged, we make restitution. Many people who do this will simply say they are sorry, but they don’t replace or repair the item. It is so very 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 a part of making the world better, because you are making your relationships better!
Challenge:
Verse 21 tells about how to treat strangers. Remember we were once strangers. Which is true for all of us. Whether we were strangers in a new neighborhood, or job, or relationship. We had to adjust to new surroundings and new people. So, we are to look out for the stranger that comes into our lives. It reminds me of when I go 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!
Reading #3 - 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,
