Parshat Mishpatim 2019
Isaac’s Parsha Corner · 2019
“And these are the “Mishpatim” (translated by Unkulus and Rashi as Dinim or Judgements) that you shall place before them.” The parsha goes on to enumerate a whole host of regulations and rules many of which are not at all related to courts or judgements. Some examples are Shmittah (sabbatical year), not combining milk with meat, redeeming the first born, rules of Treif meat, treatment of the widow, the orphan and the convert, the three Holidays, and on and on. Furthermore the “And” at the beginning is telling as it clearly refers to a previous reference of the word “Mishpatim”. “And” here are the Mishpatim that you have already heard something about. Here are more details. The question is when did the Jews hear about these Mishpatim and in what context? Ramban suggests that the Mishpatim are elaborations of the 10 commandments. “Do not kill”, here is the consequence. “Do not worship other gods”, here is the consequence. With some creative thinking one can logically associate all the Mishpatim in the Parsha with one of the 10.
Actually, the term Mishpat is found in Vayerah. There Hashem speaking about Avraham says, “For I know him, that he will teach his children and his house after him, and they will guard the way of Hashem to perform charity and Mishpat in order that Hashem will bring to Avraham that which He (meaning Hashem) has spoken about him.” (Ber 18:19) That which was spoken about Avraham is found numerous times in Parshas Lech Lecha; “And Hashem appeared to Avram and he said, I will give this land to your children” (Ber 12:7) again “Hashem said to Avram …all that you see will be given to you and your children forever.”(Ber 13:15) and again “ On that day Hashem made a covenant with Avram saying that I have given this land to your children” (Ber 15:18) This Parsha fulfills the expectation by Hashem of Avraham’s descendants. The Parsha here and the Pasuk there both have one objective in mind. That is fulfilling the promises given to Avraham that his children will inherit the land. These specific Mishpatim are prerequisites for our being worthy of the land of Israel.
The proof is in the Parsha itself. Immediately upon concluding the extensive list of Mishpatim Hashem says, “Behold I am sending a messenger or angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have made ready.” (Shmos 23:20) The entire section is an elaboration on this theme with further concluding with “I will give to you the people who now live in the land and you will chase them out”. (Shmos 13:31)
Mishpatim are the specific rules that Hashem has Judged that we must keep to be judged worthy of our land. May we be so worthy.
Good Shabbos