Two Minute Torah Podcast

Mishpatim 5773 by Rabbi Ed Romm

Shalom, my name is Rabbi Ed Romm, Director of Education and the Visitors Center of the United Synagogue Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center For Conservative Judaism.

Welcome to KOACH's Two Minute Torah, a project of the College Dept of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

This year Shabbat Parshat Mishpatim is a triple header. The main Torah reading is Mishpatim. An additional Torah reading (Maftir) is added for Shabbat Shekalim. Before returning the Two Torah scrolls to the Aron Kodesh the special prayer announcing Rosh Hodesh is chanted.

Let's examine each component part of our triple header. The Torah reading of Mishpatim has a total of 24 Mitzvot (out of 613). Many of these laws reflect the very foundation of a civilized and just society. For example we learn about damages and restitution. According to our Parsha as expanded in the Tractate of Baba Kama there are 5 categories of restitution: the injury itself, pain, medical expenses, absence from work, humiliation and mental anguish. All this came about so that people would not take the law into their own hands. We are equal before the law and responsible for the consequences of our actions.

Shabbat Shakalim is the first of the 4 special Shabbatot of the year. The reading is found in Exodus 30:11-16. A half shekel coin was collected as a way of conducting a census of the people. The rich did not pay more and the poor did not pay less. The money was used for the upkeep and support of the sanctuary.

The third part of the equation is the prayer announcing that Rosh Hodesh Adar will take place on the Sunday following Shabbat. During the month of Adar we mark the remaining 3 specially designated Shabbatot coming up on the calendar: Shabbat Zahor (before Purim, remembering what Amalek did to our people), Shabbat Parah (reminds us to begin preparing for Pesach) and Shabbat Hahodesh (new beginnings, the month in which Pesach takes place).

Wishing you and yours a Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem.