In his introduction, Nachmanides describes the Book of Exodus as the Book of Exile and Redemption. The Exile began when Jacob’s family went to Egypt and the moment of the Redemption was reached when the erection of the Tabernacle was completed and the glory of the Lord rested within its precincts. The first paragraph in […]
The Sidra of Mishpatim contains 53 consecutive laws. The mystics point out that the number 53 is equal to the numerical value of the Hebrew word GAN, which means ‘garden’. This imparts a message which teaches that when we observe the fundamental laws of our Torah, we can enjoy the world, in the same way […]
The name of the Sidra means LAWS. We shall also read, today, for the Maftir, a small section from the beginning of the Sidra of KI TISSA, which is called Parashat Shekalim. This is always read on the Shabbat which precedes the New Moon of Adar and it is the first of four special portions […]
The Sidra of Mishpatim, which means social laws, is a logical sequence to the 10 Commandments which precede it. In fact, it is a commentary on them. The mediaeval commentator, Nachmanides, says that it is, particularly, a continuation of the 10th commandment which commands us not to be envious. If a person does not have […]