Thought of the Week: Mishpatim - 5776

THE WHOLESOME TORAH LIFE

One of the most fundamental teachings of Judaism is that spiritual responsibility is not to be confined to the house of worship.  The laws that define a Torah life apply everywhere even or perhaps especially, in the market place.  The Jew who is truly committed to tradition understands that just as there are regulations in a synagogue regarding appropriate structure and behavior, so to there are Mitzvot that must be followed in the work place.

Pareshat Mishpatim lists many details of the civil law.  However the text weaves the laws that regulate business dealings together with ritual matters to emphasize that for us all areas of life must come together to serve Hashem.

Shabbat Shalom