Purim is Here

This weekend is the Festival of Purim. There is only one custom that must be observed and that is the reading of M’gillat Esther. The story of Esther. It should be read using the the  special tune associated  with Purim. If you do not read the story from the scroll you are not obliged to say the blessings. The story is included in the Bible and a tractate in the Mishnah discusses Purim. Jews believe that the story of Esther is grounded in truth. Megillat Esther deals with the perennial problem of the Jewish people, that there are those in society that hate us just because we are Jewish.  In this story Esther saves the Jewish people and there is a happy ending for the entire community. On Saturday night let us celebrate together as we observe the holiday of Purim.

Take Ten (Commandments)

In last week’s Torah portion the Children of Israel received the Ten Commandments, in this week’s portion Mishpatim many more laws are revealed to the Children of Israel by Moses. The laws are very diverse they include laws about slaves, offenses that are punishable by death, laws concerning an ox, rules and penalties for theft and lending, laws concerning the Sabbatical year and other religious laws. In addition , the principle of just restitution for damages is stated (lex taliones),” an eye for an eye.”

The word mishpatim means judgments. Rabbinic interpretation distinguished between mishpatim and chukim. Mishpatim were those laws in the Torah which could be arrived at by human reason. Chukim were the laws beyond the grasp of human understanding and so had to be obeyed solely because God had demanded. The Israelites were to obey these laws because of their faith in God.

Moses and the Court System

This week’s Torah portion Yitro contains the 10 Commandments. We all know how important the 10 Commandments are to the development of civilization. I want to speak however, about another equally important issue brought up by Moses’ father-in-law, Yitro or Jethro.

 

Jethro first hand sees how many people come to Moses to adjudicate their issues. From early morning until late at night Moses has to judge cases of dispute between the Israelites as well as teach them the law. Jethro realizes that the work is more than any one person can do and tells Moses he needs help. It is a monumental task for one person and the cases may not receive the careful and prompt attention they deserve.

 

He therefore, advises Moses to organize a system of courts. There are to be judges who adjudicate the smaller matters and only Moses would be responsible for the major issues. This was the model for our lower courts, Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. These passages in the Torah have been an inspiration for court systems throughout time and geography.

 

One Person with Courage can Change the Course of Events

This week’s Torah Portion Beshalach is nicknamed the Song of the Sea because part of it is written in poetic form. It is a very exciting portion in that the Children of Israel are leaving Egypt and the Egyptian soldiers are in hot pursuit. They reach the shore of the Sea of Reeds and are frozen what are they to do. As in many parts of the Torah the description is very sparse. The Torah just goes from the Children of Israel reaching the shore and the sea parting. The Rabbis wanted to know what made the Sea part.

A midrash, or story was written by the Rabbis to explain what happened. God did not just part the Sea, God wanted to have some indication that His people were beginning to trust in Him and were forming a relationship with Him. A simple man Nachshon trusting that God would protect him entered the Sea of Reeds even though he was putting his life in jeopardy. Nachshon knew that God would protect him and lo and behold God did and the sea parted and the Israelites were saved. This of course points out how one person with courage can change the course of events. One person can make a difference.