Parashat Mishpatim
Exodus 21:1-24:18
The Israelites continue on their journey through the desert - the wilderness - the unknown. They have been liberated from Egypt, "Mitzrayiim" - literally "the narrow place" and now find themselves in the midst of a huge expanse. This expanse offers a tremendous amount of possibilities, hopes and even fears.
God is fully present, hovering over the entire people in a cloud during the day and a cloud of fire at night. Mishpatim means "ordinances" and that's what this portion contains - law after law after law. One of the first is what happens "when you buy a Hebrew slave…". Is it ironic that the first law is about owning slaves when the Israelites just came off of being enslaved for 400 years? Is it ironic? Is it absurd? Is it necessary?
Yes. Slavery is what the people know. It's their mode of operating. It would be impossible to move from bondage to free will in an instant. The transition needs to be gradual. The people need to learn how to think, how to make decisions, how to choose. It's also part of the reality of the time - you need a lot of people/workers in order to support your family's/tribe's growth. While the Israelites are permitted to buy and own slaves, the terms are very specific. Mainly, in the 7th year the slave is given the opportunity to go free. Sounds good right? Sounds as though the law is really about enabling people to survive and thrive. However, as one continues to read, we discover that if the slave acquires a wife and they have children within those 7 years, the wife and children are not permitted to leave with him. They must remain with the master. So while there is a significant parameter that tries to also empower the slave, it's unlikely that a slave would leave his wife and children behind.
These ordinances continue explaining what to do when someone has murdered someone which then introduces us to the very famous "eye for an eye" principle. What you do to others will be done in return to you. So, watch out!
God shares all of these laws with Moshe and instructs Moshe to convey them to the Israelites. Moshe does as God commands. The people listen and their response (every time) is "na'aseh v'nishma" - "we will do and [then] we will comprehend". Isn't this backwards? Wouldn't we expect the response to start with understanding and comprehension? Wouldn't we expect the Israelites to express their acceptance of the law and then agree to observe the command?
For centuries, commentators having been unpacking this response. The consensus is that their response reinforces the strength of their belief and trust in God. They are so willing and so faithful to God that they don't need to understand before they take on observance.
I would like to invite us to understand "na'aseh v'nishma" another way. God gives us the commandments. And then, we have the privilege and responsibility to respond, to "na'aseh"/act. It is only after we choose to take action, that "nishma"/meaning can come. God cannot provide us with meaning. Meaning comes from within and as a result of the actions we take.
Mekor Ha'chayiim, Source of Life, as we move into Shabbat may we reaffirm our commitment to action. May we choose our actions with intentionality and with a regard for the fact that we are responsible for the "other". May this approach strengthen our connection with the "other" and deepen our awareness of the Divine.
Shabbat shalom u'mevorach,
Laurie
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