Mishpatim

Exodus 21:1−24:18

By Rabbi David Avigdor, provided by the Orthodox Union, the central coordinating agency for North American Orthodox Congregations for MyJewishLearning.com

Murder And Atheism

In claiming power over human lives, a murderer denies that God alone possesses that power.

"He who smites a man and [the man] dies shall surely be put to death."

A Houston, Texas newspaper published the story of a young Eastern lawyer who complained to an old Texas Judge about the Texas way with crime. "I don’t understand Texas justice," said the lawyer. "You will suspend the sentence of a convicted murderer, but you will hang a horse thief."

The old judge rang a spittoon with a stream of tobacco juice. "Sorry," he replied, "I reckon that’s cause we got men that need killin’, but we ain’t got no horses that need stealin’."

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Yitro

Exodus 18:1–20:23

 Preparing To Receive God’s Message

Unlike the first tablets, the second tablets, which were hewn by human hands, endured.

By Rabbi Melvin I. Burg, provided by the Orthodox Union, the central coordinating agency for North American Orthodox Congregations for MyJewishLearning.com

"And Moses went up to God." The great event, toward which all of creation moved from the hour of its inception, was about to take place. The entire universe was hushed and attentive to the sublime drama that was about to unfold in the wilderness of Sinai.

In view of the vivid circumstances surrounding the Divine Revelation, it is most disconcerting that its substance rapidly dissipated. For shortly after Sinai, the Hebrews create a golden calf and Moses, learning of it from atop the mountain, shatters the tablets containing the Ten Commandments. What a magnificent beginning! What an abysmal ending!

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B'shalach

Exodus 13:17−17:16

The Source Of Spirituality

The glorification of God in the Song at the Sea provides us with several models of attaining spirituality.

By Rabbi Solomon Freilich, provided by the Orthodox Union, the central coordinating agency for North American Orthodox Congregations for MyJewishLearning.com
"Spirituality" has become a centerpiece of our contemporary vernacular. New books intending to help people find more meaning in their lives, to infuse their lives with spirituality, appear regularly. Even medical doctors, psychotherapists, and health care professionals have adopted spirituality as a modality for therapy.

What is Spirituality?

What is the Jewish understanding of this concept, and what are the means to attaining this phenomenal experience?

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Bo

Exodus 10:1−13:16

By Rabbi Rabbi Avraham Fischer, provided by the Orthodox Union, the central coordinating agency for North American Orthodox Congregations for MyJewishLearning.com

Defining Service Of God

As the Israelites transition from being servants of Pharaoh to servants of God, they acknowledge that God will instruct them in how to best serve God.

Pharaoh’s Conditions

After the plague of darkness immobilizes Egypt, Pharaoh is prepared to discuss releasing the slaves so they can worship God. However, he dictates conditions:

And Pharaoh called for Moses and he said, "Go, worship Ha; however, your sheep and your cattle will stay; even your children will go with you." And Moses said, "You will even give sacrifices and burnt-offerings into our hands, and we will offer them to Hashem our God. Also, our own livestock will go with us, not a hoof will remain, for from it shall we take (nikach) to worship Hashem our God, and we will not know how (mah) we will serve Hashem until our arrival there."

And God strengthened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not want to let them go. And Pharaoh said to him, "Leave me! Watch yourself, do not continue to see my face, because on the day you see my face you will die!" And Moses said, "You have spoken well; I will not continue to see your face again" (Sh’ mot / Exodus 10:24-29).

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Vaera

Exodus 6:2−9:35

By Rabbi Rabbi Avraham Fischer, provided by the Orthodox Union, the central coordinating agency for North American Orthodox Congregations for MyJewishLearning.com

Brothers Bringing Redemption

Moses and Aaron play complementary roles in communicating God's message of redemption to both the Children of Israel and to Pharaoh.

Things have gone from bad to worse.  As intense as the slavery had been, now the Children of Israel must produce their quota of bricks without being provided with the straw they need.  Although at first they believed that the redemption was imminent, now they have lost hope.  Moses repeats God’s promises to save them, “but they did not hearken to Moses out of impatience and out of hard bondage” (Exodus 6:9).

The Narrative is Interrupted

And, when God insists that Moses return to speak to Pharaoh, Moses’s reaction is understandably full of frustration:

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Sh'mot

Exodus 1:1−6:1

By Rabbi Daniel J. Moskovitz, provided by the Orthodox Union, the central coordinating agency for North American Orthodox Congregations for MyJewishLearning.com

Pharaoh Didn’t Know Joseph And Perhaps We Forgot Him Too

The textual reference to forgetting Joseph raises questions about the extent to which oppression is linked to a minority group's involvement and commitment to the larger society.

•     The new king of Egypt makes slaves of the Hebrews and orders their male children to be drowned in the Nile River. (1:1-22)
•     A Levite woman places her son, Moses, in a basket on the Nile, where he is found by the daughter of Pharaoh and raised in Pharaoh’s house. (2:1-10)
•     Moses flees to Midian after killing an Egyptian. (2:11-15)
•   Moses marries the priest of Midian’s daughter, Zipporah. They have a son named Gershom. (2:16-22)
•     God calls Moses from a burning bush and commissions him to free the Israelites from Egypt. (3:1-4:17)
•     Moses and Aaron request permission from Pharaoh for the Israelites to celebrate a festival in the wilderness. Pharaoh refuses and makes life even harder for the Israelites. (5:1-23)

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Va-y'chi

Genesis 47:28–50:26

By Rabbi Rabbi Rabbi Yaakov Pollak, provided by the Orthodox Union, the central coordinating agency for North American Orthodox Congregations for MyJewishLearning.com

What Is Your Blessing?

Jacob blessed his sons, not only according to each of their characters, but also with a unique piece of himself.

How much importance do we attach to blessings that we receive from others? How seriously do we take them? Our Sages established that "everything depends upon the one who gives the blessing and the one who receives it."

What if God Himself gives the blessing?

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