PARSHAT MISHPATIM
SHABBAT SHEKALIM
Rabbi Lewis Warshauer
Words can be similar but carry different connotations. "Legal" has a good connotation. "Legalistic" does not. Judaism is often accused of being too legalistic. This charge has been leveled not just at the Judaism of the Talmud and subsequent law codes, but also against many of the laws enumerated in the Torah itself. Too often, there is a tendency to take the Ten Commandments (found in last week's parasha) as the only commandments.
The truth is that they are just the beginning; the crucial details begin with the plain introductory statement at the beginning of this week's parasha:
"These are the mishpatim that you [Moses] shall set before them [the Israelites.]" (Exodus 21:1)
The Hebrew word mishpat (plural: mishpatim) does not have just one translation. Menahem Elon, a former justice of the Israeli Supreme Court, explains that the word means several things: court judgments; a system of laws and precepts; legal rights; and fixed customs or usages. (Jewish Law, pp. 105-7)
Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, a 1st Century C.E. sage, appears to understand the word mishpatim as meaning court judgments. He asks why the parasha would begins by laying out the necessity for court judgments before listing individual mitzvot (Mekhilta, Mishpatim, Nezikin 1). He answers by saying that when people are contending with each other in court, strife prevails; when a judgment is rendered, peace is achieved . To prove the point, Rabi Shimon quotes Moses's father-in-law Jethro who, after advising Moses to set up a court system that would facilitate the rendering of judgments, explains the benefit: "And all the people shall go to their place in peace." (Exodus 18:23)
Giving a somewhat different view, Professor Zev Falk, ("Hebrew Law in Biblical Times", p.25) describes what all definitions of mishpat have in common: an action taken in favor of a weak petitioner against a strong adversary.
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May Their Memories Be For a Blessing
FEBRUARY YAHRTZEITS
2/13/2015 (24 Shevat)
Betty Crone
2/15/2015 (26 Shevat)
Joseph Langnas
2/16/2015 (27 Shevat)
Isaac Faxstein
2/20/2015 (1 Adar)
Oscar Kuhn
Arnold Lada
2/21/2015 (2 Adar)
Rabbi Julius Shuback
2/24/2015 (5 Adar)
Sylvia Cohen
Henrietta Hamburger
2/25/2015 (6 Adar)
Rose Lovinger Columbus
Jack Gruber
2/27/2015 (8 Adar)
Wesley Brown
Marvin Rosen
2/28/2015 (9 Adar)
Max Silverstein
Sharon Florence Weiss
Please click here if you wish to permanently memorialize a loved one by purchasing a yahrtzeit plaque.
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SHABBAT SHALOM!
SHABBAT Mishpatim
Shabbat Shekalim
Friday, February 13th
6 p.m. Services, Chapel
Saturday, February 14th
9 a.m. Services, Sanctuary
10 a.m. Supervised Youth Room
Kiddush Lunch is sponsored by the following group of families: Libby and Andy Beider, Robyn and Robert Canvasser, Tammy and Steve Dines, Lisa and Frank Ellias, Geri Feigelson, Vicki Freedman and John Marcotte, Ilana Glazier and Lowell Schmeltz and Marcia and Chuck Seigerman. Thank you for your participation in sustaining Kiddush Lunch for our congregation.
Kiddush Lunch each week is sustained by the generosity of sponsors If you would like to become part of a sponsoring lunch group, please e-mail Mindy Shuback. Donations to the Kiddush Lunch Fund can also be made directly to the synagogue.
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UPCOMING YOUTH AND FAMILY ACTIVITIES
FAMILY CAMP 2015 RESCHEDULED FOR MAY 29-31st.
Teen D'var Torah Cafe (8-12 graders) and Shabbat Children's Workshop (ages 7-12) with Ramah Fellow, Sam Mellits.
Future dates: 3/7, 4/11, 5/9 PLEASE WATCH THE WEEKLY SHABBAT BULLETIN FOR DETAILS.
To stay current on all youth and family activities, contact Ilana Glazier to join the B'nai Israel Families Facebook Group.
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ADULT EDUCATION
Shabbat morning study with Dr. Mitch Parker:
"Reflections on the Siddur: Hallel, Birkat Hamazon and Beyond."
Future dates: 2/21, 3/7, 3/21, 4/11, 4/25, 5/9, 5/23.
SATURDAY NIGHT LEARNING
at the home of Marcia and Chuck Seigerman
7:45 p.m., F EBRUARY 21ST: "
After Haman's Death-The Megillah Chapters We Often Ignore," presented by Howard Friedman. Please rsvp to the Seigermans by February 19th if you plan to attend: cseigerman@aol.com
TKA/BI JOINT OPPORTUNITY
 This Year in Jerusalem!
December 6-20, 2015
15-day Tour of Israel Led by Rabbi Norm and Lynne Roman, coordinated through ARZA World Travel and Da'at Educational Experiences. All are welcome to participate!
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Mazel Tov

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
12 Constance Victor
14 Jeffrey Eisman
14 Rebecca Tron
16 Benjamin Eisman
16 Brian Newhouse
16 Miriam Saperstein
17 Michael Golob
17 Leia Serlin
19 Nancy Silverman
20 Colton Graub
22 Seymour Manello
25 Sheila Kurland
25 Sharon Rosen
26 Aaron Orel
If your birthday or anniversary information is not listed, please email the synagogue so we can update our records.
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Caring Community Information
Please submit any names you wish to place on the mishebeirach list to Michael Golob: e-mail Michael Golob.
HEBREW FREE LOAN: Providing loans, providing dignity. click here for more information on how Hebrew Free Loan can help you.
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West Bloomfield, Michigan 48323
248-432-2729 |
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