by Rabbi Steven Saks
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are that of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the Union for Traditional Judaism, unless otherwise indicated.
Often, an original book or movie is better than the sequel. Last year (on TV), I caught the end of Beverly Hills Cop, starring Eddie Murphy. I had not seen it in years, and I had forgotten how funny a movie it is. It is genuinely a good comedy. However, not too many people will say the same of Beverly Hills Cop Two… and Beverly Hills Cop Three bombed.
Does the Torah follow the same pattern as the movies? Parashat Yitro, which precedes Parashat Mishpatim, is certainly an exciting Parasha. Yitro, the Midianite priest and fatherin-law of Moses, joined the Hebrews after he heard that God had saved them. Yitro brings his daughter Zipporah and grandchildren, thus reuniting Moses with his wife and children.
The excitement continues with the revelation at Sinai. After three days of preparation, the children of Israel were ready to receive the Torah. As the Israelites approached the mountain, a heavy cloud settled over it, along with thunder, lightening, and the sound of the Shofar. The mountain was smoking like a furnace as God descended upon it in fire. Sinai trembled. And then the Ten Commandments were revealed.
One would expect an exciting cliffhanger to ensue. However, if you were expecting an exciting sequel, you might very well be disappointed in Parashat Mishpatim. The Parasha begins by explaining civil law. If there is one class law students complain about, it is civil procedure – it is boring. Mishpatim even sounds boring; it means ordinances.
The question is obvious. Why does Mishpatim follow Yitro? Rashi explains that Mishpatim is indeed a continuation of Yitro. The first word of Mishpatim is “and these.” The “and” in front of “these” indicates that the ideas promulgated in Yitro continue in Mishpatim.
But do they really? The Ten Commandments (stated in Yitro) present lofty ideas. For instance, the fourth commandment commands us to remember the Shabbat, and introduces the idea of sanctified time. Until this day, we have Shabbat. The Christians moved their Sabbath but still retain it, and Friday is the Muslim’s holy day. To a large extent, the Ten Commandments created the western civilization’s moral framework. Again and again debates over the Ten Commandments appear. (Should they be posted in schools or courtrooms? I do not wish to address that question now.)
How is Mishpatim a continuation of Yitro? Mishpatim begins by enacting ordinances protecting the Hebrew slave. The slave has rights! Indeed, Mishpatim is a continuation of Yitro as Rashi explains: the ordinances in Mishpatim are also from Sinai and are of equal importance.
With the help of our “film critic” Rashi, the message becomes clear. Mishpatim is juxtaposed to the Ten Commandments to make it clear that the manner in which we treat our fellow human beings, even a lowly slave, is just as important as our observance of Shabbat. Bava Kamma 30a explains that if one wants to be pious, he should be scrupulous in the matters of civil law and torts, for in Judaism the concept of the “sanctuary” is in the courtroom as well as the Temple. By treating our fellow human beings with respect, we perform a tremendous Kiddush Hashem.
Shabbat Shalom!
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Rabbi Steven Saks is the full-time spiritual leader of Congregation Sons of Israel in Woodmere, New York. Previously, he served as the rabbi of Adas Kodesch Shel Emeth Congregation. In Wilmington, Delaware. Rabbi Saks received rabbinic ordination in August 2006 from Kollel Ayshel Avraham in Spring Valley, NY. He holds a B.A. from the State University of New York at Oswego and an M.S. degree in Human Resource Development from Towson University, as well as a black belt in Jiu Jitsu.
Prior to coming to Adas Kodesch Shel Emeth in August 2008, Rabbi Saks was the spiritual leader of Adath Zion Congregation in Philadelphia. His past experiences include teaching classes in religious and secular studies, working as a hospital chaplain, serving as a Big Brother through the Jewish Big Brother/Sister League, teaching Jiu Jitsu and participating in the Volunteers for Israel Army Program. Since coming to Adas Kodesch Shel Emeth, Rabbi Saks has served as the head of the Delaware Association of Rabbis and Cantors, head of the Vaad HaKashrut of Delaware, rabbinical head of the Chevra kaddisha (burial society) and member of the UTJ Board of Directors. He has visited Israel six times; he and his wife Anne led a community-wide trip to Israel in June 2014 and look forward to leading another trip in the future.
Rabbi Saks is active in communal organizations such as the Siegel Jewish Community Center of Delaware and the Albert Einstein Academy (the local Jewish day school) in addition to national organizations such as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and Israel Bonds. Rabbi Saks was awarded the Zionist Organization of America's 2016 "Guardian of Israel Award" and shared the " Adas Kodesch Shel Emeth 2016 Endowed Honor" with his wife Anne.
Rabbi Saks believes that there is a need to strengthen Judaism’s religious center, which has been referred to as “Traditional” and Open Orthodoxy. He sees our challenge as similar to that of the early Hasmoneans (Maccabees): to remain true to Jewish laws and practices while at the same time embracing the positive attributes of secular culture. Another important issue for Rabbi Saks is to build welcoming Jewish communities. Rabbi Saks believes that every Jewish person should endeavor to climb the ladder of mitzvot at his/her own pace and within his/her comfort level.
Rabbi Saks and Anne have four daughters: Talia, Gavriella, Elisheva and Margalit.
You can find Rabbi Saks’s sermons on the Torah parsha and holidays on his blog.