A basic tenet of American society is that, “We are a nation of laws, not of men,” a phrase attributed to John Adams. The idea being that a healthy, functional society requires a clear set of laws that are applied equally to all citizens. To do otherwise, to treat some differently than others, showing favoritism or discrimination toward specific groups, breaks down the bonds that hold a society together.
Judaism agrees with this sentiment. This week’s Torah portion reinforces this concept. It opens with these words: “These are the laws that you shall set before them:” (Exodus 21:1) Last week, the Jewish people stood at Sinai in God’s presence and received the Ten Commandments. This week, the Israelites receive the more mundane but equally critical laws that govern the relationships between people.
According to our sages, the first line of this week’s Torah portion connects the towering values of the Ten Commandments with the rules that govern human interaction, and both are equally important.
The lesson is that a legal system, that is fair and caring is the best guarantor of a healthy and constructive social order.
Mishpatim – Exodus 21:1 – 24:18 – Parshat Ha Shavua for Shabbat, Saturday, February 22, 2020
February 21, 2020 by Dean Kertesz •
A basic tenet of American society is that, “We are a nation of laws, not of men,” a phrase attributed to John Adams. The idea being that a healthy, functional society requires a clear set of laws that are applied equally to all citizens. To do otherwise, to treat some differently than others, showing favoritism or discrimination toward specific groups, breaks down the bonds that hold a society together.
Judaism agrees with this sentiment. This week’s Torah portion reinforces this concept. It opens with these words: “These are the laws that you shall set before them:” (Exodus 21:1) Last week, the Jewish people stood at Sinai in God’s presence and received the Ten Commandments. This week, the Israelites receive the more mundane but equally critical laws that govern the relationships between people.
According to our sages, the first line of this week’s Torah portion connects the towering values of the Ten Commandments with the rules that govern human interaction, and both are equally important.
The lesson is that a legal system, that is fair and caring is the best guarantor of a healthy and constructive social order.