A welcoming community of Jewish life, worship and learning
Torah Learning
Parashat HaShavuah
with Rabbi Clifford Kulwin
Saturday mornings 9:00 AM to 9:45 AM
Join the lively discussion of legend and lore, the ancient world and the modern one, the Jewish people's feelings about its God, and God's feelings about His people. Through our reading of the weekly portion, and occasional forays into the traditional commentators, we seek not only to understand the profundities of Torah, but also to understand the world and ourselves a little better. Parallel English/Hebrew texts will be used. We hope you'll stay for services, but even if you can't, stop by for a weekly dose of Torah!
Shabbat: February 17-18, 2012
Parashat HaShavuah: Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1 to 24:18. Shabbat Sh’kalim Exodus 30:11-16)
Haftorah: (II Kings 12:1-17)
A few quick thoughts on the Torah portion before I leave for Israel tomorrow with a Temple group. The portion for this Shabbat (February 178-18) is Mishpatim, which runs from Exodus 21:1 to 24:18. This Shabbat is also known as Shabbat Sh’kalim, in recollection of the half-shekel poll tax which the Israelites had to pay, and which was announced on the first of Adar, which comes next week. On Shabbat Sh’kalim, there is traditionally an extra Torah reading, from Exodus 30:11-16, and the Haftorah is from II Kings 12:1-17.
Just about all of Mishpatim is a dialogue between God and Moses. In the Biblical narrative, it comes just after the people heard the voice of God and were too overwhelmed to continue listening to it, and just before Moses ascends the mountain for his 40 day encounter with the Divine. The portion largely consists of what many interpreters refer to as “social laws,” to guide the conduct of the people. The portion goes into great detail over the treatment of slaves, especially as to the circumstances in which they can or must be set free. Property damages, personal injury, and capital crimes are all part of this section of the text. Among the more interesting of the specific laws given is that someone who borrows an object is responsible for any damage to it while in his possession, it is forbidden to curse even a king, even a foreign one, and it is prohibited to lend money at interest to another Jews.
Rabbi Faith Joy Dantowitz Alyce Miller & Bruce Fein, Adult Learning Co-Chairs
