Bs”d
Parshas Mishpatim (5766)
By Mordechai Dolinsky
The mere positioning of our parsha, Mishpatim, right after Matan Torah shouts its supreme importance. This is to insure that our financial contacts and interactions be upheld at the highest level of care, respect and consideration. This is the theme of “derech eretz kodma l’Torah”, the priority of following the instructions and guidelines for being a decent human being.
In the same vein of thought, at the end of the sedra 24:10 Rashi explains that the ‘sapir’ mentioned, was what Hashem used during the slavery in Egypt to “remind” Himself of our suffering. A most vital aspect of being a decent human is to have concern and share the distress of others.
How relevant this is, especially today, with so much suffering among achenu Bnei Yisroel; the terrible sickness, catastrophic financial situations, divorce, and the awesome plague of our children going astray. Hashem Himself sets an example—let’s keep the heartache of Clal Yisroel constantly before us and yearn for a speedy, complete redemption .
Have a wonderful Shabbos.