Parshas Mishpatim

“And these are the rules that you shall set before them:” (Exodus 21:1). Our parsha moves on from the revelation of the Torah on Mt. Sinai straight into its laws. The parsha reflects on the laws of damages, honoring parents, theft, and other various laws governing interpersonal relationships. Clearly, it is necessary for a functional society to have rules addressing stealing and other behaviors that give shape to what is often referred to as “the societal contract”. However, this in truth, is puzzling. Why does Hashem feel it necessary to decree not steal or murder? While there is clearly a need for commandments like Shabbos, Kosher, and High Holidays, for example, which we wouldn’t know without Hashem explicitly telling us, there seems to be absolutely no need to give us laws that any civil society would come up with on their own?

While there are many approaches to address this question, I would like to take the Jewish route � to answer a question with a question. Our Parsha begins with “And these are the rules…” yet, in truth the word “and” seems extra. (I have even seen translations that just scratch their heads and then drop the word altogether). So, why did Hashem put it there?

The answer to this seemingly unrelated question gives us the key to answering our other pressing dilemma. The word ‘and’ is a connector word. It connects us to the previous topic which, in this case, is the revelation of the Torah. The famous commentator Rashi explains cryptically that “What is the case with the former commandments? They were given at Sinai! So, these, too, were given at Sinai!” A potential meaning of this is: many Jews feel we are, in a way, like non-Jews. Non- Jews are nice, we are nice. Non-Jews are courteous and generous, so are we. The only difference is that we also have these other laws like Kosher and Shabbos which are rituals that give us our special status and define our lofty spiritual connection with Hashem.

Rashi is telling us on the contrary. Just like when we keep ritual commandments like Shabbos, from the Ten Commandments in last week’s Parsha, we partner with Hashem in creation and we connect to Hashem in a special way, so too when we fulfill the interpersonal commandments. We are not simply doing what is right. Hashem elevated it to holy status by commanding us to do it allowing us to take what we already ought to do and elevate it to a superior level of holiness.

May we merit to recognize that every act of kindness, every moment of honesty, and every gesture of respect is not merely good behavior, but a divine opportunity to connect with Hashem. Just as we sanctify the Shabbos, may we sanctify our daily interactions, transforming the ordinary into the holy. In doing so, may we bring blessing into our lives and into the world around us.