Voices of WRJ: Mishpatim

by Robin Sobol Rules! Rules! Rules! In last week’s Torah portion, God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai. This week, in Parashat Mishpatim, God legislates a series of laws for the people of Israel. There are 613 commandments in the Torah and this week’s portion contains 53 mitzvot: 23 imperative commandments and 30 prohibitions. What are these laws that God legislates? They include penalties for murder, kidnapping, assault, and theft; civil laws pertaining to redress of damages, the granting of loans; and the rules governing the conduct of justice by courts of law. There are also laws warning against mistreatment of foreigners; the observance of the seasonal festivals, including the agricultural gifts that are to be brought to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem; the prohibition against cooking meat with milk; and the mitzvah of prayer. One of the themes of Parashat Mishpatim talks about the indenture of a Jewish slave girl and carries additional limitations, including that she can be kept in service only until she attains maturity and she can be freed earlier if her master wishes to marry her himself or marry her to his son. There is a different set of rules for non-Jewish slaves as they do not have limits on their periods of indenture, but there is a series of laws that protect them against abuse. In modern times, we look at women as equal to men and although slavery is not totally non-existent, there are few places in the world where a blind eye is turned to the maltreatment of human beings. We know there are countries where children and women work long hours for virtually no pay. In looking at all these laws, it appears that the commandments of the Torah are divided into two categories: laws governing the relationship between man and God and those legislating the proper conduct between human beings. We, as Women of Reform Judaism, have been leaders in living the commandments of proper conduct between human beings. Our work in the area of social action and advocacy shows the strength of our voice. We honor those women who have stood for women’s issues, including Lilly Ledbetter who was recently honored at the WRJ Assembly 2015 for her commitment to pay equity. The monies we raise annually for the YES Fund support youth, education, and special projects throughout the world. Our women stand individually and collectively to fulfill the mitzvot not only discussed in this parashah but also the remaining commandments from God. Each day, we embrace our relationship with God and towards all human beings in our secular and religious lives. We volunteer our time towards various causes, we support organizations financially, and we continue to stand strong as Women of Reform Judaism. May we always remember the message of this parashah to treat others as we want to be treated and take the time to help those in need. May our connection to God continue to be strong and may we always be worthy of being created in God’s image. Robin Sobol is a WRJ Board Member and WRJ Northeast District Immediate Past President. She is a member of Congregation Beth Emeth Sisterhood in Albany, NY.