Voices for WRJ: Parashat Mishpatim

by Joanne B. Fried This week’s Torah portion, Parashat Mishpatim, is a diverse set of rules, laws, and principles on morality and ethical concerns. We are told to help those who are poor and cannot help themselves. We should do it in a way that the individual keeps some of their self-respect by allowing them to gather their own grain from our fields. One way that we do that today is to give back to our communities in a variety of ways. WRJ has done this by giving back to our host communities during our assemblies and district meetings. The host sisterhoods will designate a group or groups that will receive our donations of blankets and toiletries. Gates of Prayer received an outpouring of support from many donors about seven years ago. The areas of the country hit by Superstorm Sandy are just now beginning to receive the support from others. They will not know all of the donors but will recognize many of the faces. The help will come from all walks of life, many of them not doing it for the monetary rewards. They give their time for the satisfaction of being able to help those in need. We then begin to pay it forward. My congregation now sponsors a woman's shelter. This is the result of a family who wanted to give back to our community after our storm. It is not just financial, but we assist these women and their children and help them get back on their feet with supplies, food, education, and a safe haven. We cook for them on Christmas and bring them food. Other ways that we can continue to help those in need may be easier. We can donate to the food bank, volunteer to work on holidays, help clean up the parks, and beautify our towns and cities. We can volunteer our time in our communities. Our time will be well spent. It does not need to cost us a lot of money, but the rewards will be immense. This will be our blessing. Joanne B. Fried is a WRJ Board Member and member of Gates of Prayer in Metairie, LA.