Parashat Mishpatim
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Synopsis
Parashat mishpatim is the giving of the commandments on mount Sinai. The first three chapters of the parasha is just solid rules covering a lot of issues beginning with slavery and going on to justice and then talks about their conquering of Canaan (Israel).
Themes
The themes this week are a little different from usual because for the first time in the torah it is little to do with taking metaphors from the story of genesis and early exodus but is actually an analysis of laws.
1) Understanding Torah Laws
2) Jewish Ownership of Israel Now and Then
Understanding Torah Laws
The commandments of the torah are the basis of Judaism, they are the ultimate reference point but are not always so easy to understand. The great problem with understanding exactly what these laws mean is that we don’t the true intention of the author whether you believe it to be God or otherwise. We can see the phenomenal wisdom behind it which is why it is held in such regard by so many people world wide but without the true intention the whole thing is open to interpretation and it has been interpreted in many different ways by many different people over a long period. So the question is how do you know the true interpretation?........... … If you find out how let me know but until then read it for yourself ask other people what they think and go with the interpretation that makes the most sense to you.
Jewish Ownership of Israel
“ I will send forth my terror before you, and I will throw into panic all the people among whom you come, and I will make all your enemies turn tail before you. I will send a plague ahead of you, and it shall drive before you the Hivites, the Canaanites and the Hittites. I will not drive them out before you in a single year, lest the land become desolate and the wild beasts multiply to your hurt.”
Well I don’t know about you folks but this certainly rings a few bells with the goings on prior to the creation of Israel in 1948. How bad is it that twice Jews have usurped the land of Israel. I mean in biblical times it was common practice for peoples to take land from others certainly the idea of a country was one that was far less solid than it is today and in 1948 the Jews had just come out of one of the most horrific events in human history. Both Christians and Muslims did the same thing for centuries with many different countries we only did it with one. BUT are we not supposed to be “a light unto other nations” and not be partaking in such behaviour.
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