Exodus 21:1 - 24:18

Isaiah 66:1-24

In this Torah portion, Moses details many of God’s laws to the Israelites. These include laws about worshiping other gods, kashrut, business ethics and treatment of animals. God outlines the details of three holidays: Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot. God provides an angel to protect the Israelites from their enemies and warns the Israelites not to worship other gods. Moses ascends Mount Sinai to meet with God for 40 days and 40 nights, leaving Aaron and Hur in charge.

FULL COMMENTARY
HAFTARAH COMMENTARY

Parashat Mishpatim: Overcoming Victimhood

This Torah portion offers a vital ethical message for a people who have suffered centuries of oppression.

More on this Torah Portion

Ascending the Mountain

The work of covenant involves a lot less feeling and a lot more action.

The Slave Wife

By highlighting the shadowy woman in the background, we get a rare, ironic glimpse of the dilemma of slavery in the Bible.

The Ban on ‘Tereifah’

Parashat Mishpatim includes a very curious law about eating meat.

Humans as Co-Creators

People cannot be proprietors over nature--they are not even absolute masters of their own creations.

The Death Penalty and Conservative Judaism

Beware of selective Bible-passage quoting.

Under God’s Feet

How do we reconcile our desire to see God with God's statement that no one can see God and live?

Critiquing Our Leadership

While it's easy to complain about poor leadership, Parashat Mishpatim challenges us to critique from a committed, engaged perspective.

An Eye for $100, A Tooth for About 10 Bucks

Several interpretations of "an eye for an eye" all provide valuable insights into ethical lessons of the Torah.

We Are The Narrative

In the shift from narrative to law, we become the actors performing the narrative of liberation.

Here Comes The Judge

Parashat Mishpatim teaches us that our society cannot function without laws, judges, and courts of justice.

Who’s In, Who’s Out

The ordinances in this portion emphasize issues relevant to society and the interactions among groups.

Murder And Atheism

In claiming power over human lives, a murderer denies that God alone possesses that power.

Parashat Mishpatim: Finding the Ecstatic in the Everyday

This Torah portion reminds us to appreciate the mundane moments.

Lying, Stay Far Away

Avoid actions you may need to lie about.

Insults Leave a Lasting Impact

Insults are easy to give but hard to retract.

Fun vs. Principles

Mishpatim: A resource for families.

Haftarah for Mishpatim

Jewish slavery and Jewish ethics.

Parashat Mishpatim Quiz

Questions and answers about the weekly Torah portion.

Exodus Morality

Whether or not we know the suffering of the slaves, we are commanded to act as if we do.

Parashat Mishpatim: Summary

Moses informs the people of numerous ethical and ritual laws and seals the covenant between the Children of Israel and God.