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Mishpatim – מִשְׁפָּטִים (Exodus 21:1−24:18)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Mishpatim – מִשְׁפָּטִים (Exodus 21:1−24:18)

“If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury to her, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows”. Exodus 21:22

Our rabbis and Jewish tradition understood this verse (the only place in the Torah that mentions losing a fetus) that a fetus is not considered a human being until birth. That a woman’s life and wellbeing is always more important than the fetus. And that includes also the emotional, social, and economic wellbeing of the woman carrying the fetus. She always comes first!

Parsha Mishpatim – מִשְׁפָּטִים Torah Summary:

Interpersonal laws ranging from the treatment of slaves to the exhibition of kindness to strangers are listed. (21:1-23:9) Cultic laws follow, including the commandment to observe the Sabbatical Year, a repetition of the Sabbath injunction, the first mention of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals, rules of sacrificial offerings, and the prohibition against boiling a kid in its mother’s milk. (23:10-19) The people assent to the covenant. Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders of Israel ascend the mountain and see God. Moses goes on alone and spends forty days on the mountain. (24:1-18) Mishpatim – מִשְׁפָּטִים

Yitro – יִתְרוֹ (Exodus 18:1–20:23)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Yitro – יִתְרוֹ (Exodus 18:1–20:23)

“Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because Adonai descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently.” Exodus 19:18

Moses encounters God at the burning bush in Sinai at the mountain of God. He sees a burning bush and speaks to God. Moses is told to go back to Egypt and bring the Israelites to the same place. And now at the same place that Moses encountered God all the Israelites encounter the Divine. Everyone, you do not need to be a priest or a prophet to encounter God, no need for mediation, we all face God equally.

Parsha Yitro – יִתְרוֹ Torah Summary:

Yitro brings his daughter Zipporah and her two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, to his son-in-law Moses. (18:1-12) Moses follows Yitro’s advice and appoints judges to help him lead the people. (18:13-27) The Children of Israel camp in front of Mount Sinai. Upon hearing the covenant, the Israelites respond, “All that God has spoken we will do.” (19:1-8) After three days of preparation, the Israelites encounter God at Mount Sinai. (19:9-25) God gives the Ten Commandments aloud directly to the people. (20:1-14) Frightened, the Children of Israel ask Moses to serve as an intermediary between God and them. Moses tells the people not to be afraid. (20:15-18) Yitro – יִתְרוֹ

B’shalach – בְּשַׁלַּח (Exodus 13:17−17:16)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: B’shalach – בְּשַׁלַּח (Exodus 13:17−17:16)

“And Adonai went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:” (Exodus 13:21)

How awesome was it to feel, see, and witness God’s presence 24/7, day and night?

Well, not according to our rabbinical tradition, our rabbis taught that it’s better to live in our times when God’s constant presence is not essential to make sure we believe in God. It’s better not to depend 24/7 on God hovering and protecting like a mother watching her babies. It’s better to be independent.

Parsha B’shalach – בְּשַׁלַּח Torah Summary:

The Children of Israel escape across the Sea of Reeds from Pharaoh and his army, who drown when God drives back the sea. (13:17-14:31) Moses and the Israelites sing a song praising Adonai. (15:1-21) In the wilderness, God provides the grumbling Israelites with quails and manna. God instructs the Israelites to gather and prepare on the sixth day food needed for Shabbat. (15:22-16:36) The people complain about the lack of water. Moses hits a rock with his rod and brings forth water. (17:1-7) Israel defeats Amalek, Israel’s eternal enemy. God vows to blot out the memory of Amalek from the world. (17:8-16) B’shalach – בְּשַׁלַּח

Bo – בֹּא (Exodus 10:1−13:16)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Bo – בֹּא (Exodus 10:1−13:16)

Winter’s hand slicks the road upon which we travel. And timely as ever, the Torah portion for this week, Bo, is an encounter with the darkness: the locusts that covered the eye of the whole land, so that the land was darkened (Exodus 10:15); the darkness over the land of Egypt (10:21); the darkness of the midnight slaying of the firstborn (12:29); the darkness that led to the renewal of our people.

For 400 years, the Hebrews sojourned in Egypt. It was a dark, dark time. But we had a light, as it says in this week’s portion:  “All the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.” (Exodus 10:23) We became again a people of purpose and again we had a bright future to unfold.

In times of darkness we are reminded that God, too, is among us in the darkness, and in the light, which leads us to freedom and to the Promised Land.  May we ever be among those who kindle light, who bring warmth and comfort to the world, who follow in the path of Torah, who follow in the path of God’s light.

Parsha Bo – בֹּא Torah Summary:

God sends the plagues of locusts and darkness upon Egypt and forewarns Moses about the final plague, the death of every Egyptian firstborn. Pharaoh still does not let the Israelites leave Egypt. (10:1-11:10) God commands Moses and Aaron regarding the Passover festival. (12:1-27) God enacts the final plague, striking down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt except those of the House of Israel. Pharaoh now allows the Israelites to leave. (12:29-42) Speaking to Moses and Aaron, God repeats the commandments about Passover. (12:43-13:16) Bo – בֹּא