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Shabbat Parshat Mishpatim • 27 Shvat 5766 • Feb. 25, 2006 • Vol THE OHR SOMAYACH TORAH MAGAZINE ON THE INTERNET • WWW.OHR.EDU O H R N E T SHABBAT PARSHAT MISHPATIM • 27 SHVAT 5766 • FEB. 25, 2006 • VOL. 13 NO. 18 PARSHA INSIGHTS one do in those situations? PUBLIC MISSPEAKING The brother of the Vilna Gaon, Rabbi Zalmele, together with another rabbi, once went to visit a friend “Distance yourself from a false word…” (23:7) of Rabbi Zalmele. They found the friend seated at his meal. He sprang to his feet and will never forget one of the begged them to join him. Rabbi great lines of political double- Zalmele knew that this man was Ithink uttered by a famous extremely poor and the meal that Hollywood ‘B’-film actor and he was eating was inadequate for sometime United States President. The Torah is uncom- one person, let alone three. Rabbi When challenged over the truthful- promising in its ban on Zalmele thus excused himself from ness of a statement he had made, joining him, protesting that the he replied without batting an eye- lying. However, there doctor had prohibited him from lid, “I misspoke.” Lithe as a lounge- the kind of food that his friend was lizard, he had managed to finesse a are circumstances eating. bald lie into an innocent slip of the where this prohibition After they left, the other rabbi tongue. I was duly impressed. turned to Rabbi Zalmele and said, Politics has always been truth’s can conflict with other “Is it true that you are ill?” Replied slippery slope. Advertising fares no prohibitions. What Rabbi Zalmele, “No.” Most sur- better. And even though standards prised, the other said to him, “You, of truthfulness are mandated for does one do in who are so careful not to let a false advertising, it’s amazing how much word escape your lips, how can you, can be infiltrated between the lines those situations? of all people, tell a direct lie?” Rabbi to distort and misrepresent with- Zalmele replied, “The Rambam out falling foul of the law. (Maimonides) was a doctor. He “Distance yourself from a false writes that it is prohibited to share word…” the food of someone who does not The Torah is uncompromising in its ban on lying. have enough for himself.” However, there are circumstances where this prohibi- • Source: Iturei Torah tion can conflict with other prohibitions. What does OHRNET magazine is published by OHR SOMAYACH Tanenbaum College POB 18103, Jerusalem 91180, Israel • Tel: +972-2-581-0315 • Email: [email protected] • www.ohr.edu © 2006 Ohr Somayach Institutions - All rights reserved • This publication contains words of Torah. Please treat it with due respect. www. ohr.edu 1 PARSHA OVERVIEW he Jewish People receive a series of laws concerning Temple should not be delayed, and the Jewish People must social justice. Topics include: Proper treatment of be Holy, even concerning food. The Torah teaches the TJewish servants; a husband’s obligations to his wife; proper conduct for judges in court proceedings. The com- penalties for hitting people and for cursing parents, judges mandments of Shabbat and the Sabbatical year are outlined. and leaders; financial responsibilities for damaging people Three times a year — Pesach, Shavuot and Succot — we or their property, either by oneself or by one’s animate or are to come to the Temple. The Torah concludes this listing inanimate property, or by pitfalls that one created; pay- of laws with a law of kashrut — not to mix milk and meat. ments for theft; not returning an object that one accepted G-d promises that He will lead the Jewish People to the responsibility to guard; the right to self-defense of a person Land of Israel, helping them conquer its inhabitants, and being robbed. tells them that by fulfilling His commandments they will Other topics include: Prohibitions against seduction; bring blessings to their nation. The people promise to do witchcraft, bestiality and sacrifices to idols. The Torah and listen to everything that G-d says. Moshe writes the warns us to treat the convert, widow and orphan with dig- Book of the Covenant, and reads it to the people. Moshe nity, and to avoid lying. Usury is forbidden and the rights ascends the mountain to remain there for 40 days in order over collateral are limited. Payment of obligations to the to receive the two Tablets of the Covenant. ISRAEL Forever GIVE TILL IT HURTS ne of the oldest slogans used in fundraising cam- he should use as a model. paigns for charitable causes is “Give till it hurts”. In The choice of fire rather than silver as the material for Othe Torah approach to giving, it can safely be stat- this model was intended as a lesson for those called upon ed that unless one actually endangers his financial security to give. There is plenty of water in the ocean and sand on he will never be hurt from giving generously. the shore. But if one drop of water or one grain of sand is This assurance was symbolized by something described removed, there is something missing, as indiscernible as it in the special “Parshat Shekalim” chapter we will be reading may be. Fire is the one exception. One can use fire to light, this Shabbat in addition to the regular weekly portion. to heat and to cook without reducing the amount of fire. In When Moshe expressed difficulty in determining what similar fashion one who gives to a good cause need not be size coin each Jew was required to give as his machatzit concerned that he will be hurt by his loss, because G-d will hashekel contribution to the construction of the Mishkan certainly reward his charitable act with replenishment and Sanctuary, he was shown by the Creator a coin of fire that perhaps even more. Selections from classical Torah sources which express the special LOVE OF THE LAND - THE SAGES relationship between the People of Israel and Eretz Yisrael “MAKE SOMEONE YOUR REBBIE AND ACQUIRE A FRIEND” YEHOSHUA BEN PERACHIA (AVOT 1:1) A man needs a good friend for three purposes: he can confide. The term “acquire” employed here is to 1) To learn Torah. As one Sage said: “I have learned indicate that if he can find no other route he much from my teachers, but even more from my should be prepared to pay anything to gain a good friends.” friend. It also suggests that one should be pre- pared to “buy” a good friend with soft-spoken 2) To be more careful in observing the mitzvot. patience and to show him tolerance, even when he Even if one of them will be tempted to trans- says something offensive. Otherwise the differ- gress he will not allow the other to fall as well. ences in human personalities will create situations This offers hope for both of them to improve. that will lead to strains that can endanger the friend- ship. 3) To enjoy his counsel and have someone in whom • Rabbeinu Yonah www. ohr.edu 2 PARSHA Q&A ? 1. In what context is a mezuza mentioned in this week’s 9. What is meant by the words “If the sun shone on him”? parsha? 10. A person is given an object for safe-keeping. Later, 2. What special mitzvah does the Torah give to the mas- he swears it was stolen. Witnesses come and say that ter of a Hebrew maidservant? in fact he is the one who stole it. How much must he 3. What is the penalty for wounding one’s father or pay? mother? 11. A person borrows his employee’s car. The car is 4. “A” intentionally hits “B.” As a result, B is close to struck by lightning. How much must he pay? death. Besides any monetary payments, what happens 12. Why is lending money at interest called “biting”? to A? 13. Non-kosher meat, “treifa,” is preferentially fed to 5. What is the penalty for someone who tries to murder dogs. Why? a particular person, but accidentally kills another per- 14. Which verse forbids listening to slander? son instead? Give two opinions. 15. What constitutes a majority-ruling in a capital case? 6. A slave goes free if his master knocks out one of the 16. How is Shavuot referred to in this week’s parsha? slave’s teeth. What teeth do not qualify for this rule 17. How many prohibitions are transgressed when cook- and why? ing meat and milk together? 7. An ox gores another ox. What is the maximum the 18. What was written in the Sefer Habrit which Moshe owner of the damaging ox must pay, provided his ani- wrote prior to the giving of the Torah? mal had gored no more than twice previously? 19. What was the livnat hasapir a reminder of? 8. From where in this week’s parsha can the importance 20. Who was Efrat? Who was her husband? Who was her of work be demonstrated? son? PARSHA Q&A! Answers to this Week’s Questions! All references are to the verses and Rashi’s commentary unless otherwise stated. 1. 21:6 - If a Hebrew slave desires to remain enslaved, 12. 22:24 - Interest is like a snake bite. Just as the poi- his owner brings him “to the doorpost mezuza” to son is not noticed at first but soon overwhelms the pierce his ear. person, so too interest is barely noticeable until it 2. 21:8,9 - To marry her accumulates to an overwhelming sum. 3. 21:15 - Death by strangulation. 13. 22:30 - As “reward” for their silence during the 4.
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