Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 28 Shevat 5784
Parsha Mishpatim: (Exodus 21:1 – 24:18)
Fourth Portion: Exodus 22:27  – 23:5

Good morning! We are now halfway through the week, and we are setting our sight on the new moon of Adar I on Friday night.  As we come out of this cycle of order – with half harshness, half blessing and loving kindness, it is time to take stock on what we want to celebrate over the next two moon cycles? It may be celebrating growth and development! It may be celebrating abundance coming into our lives! Whatever it is, set some intents for the cycle!

Today, we dig into more of the laws. The idea here is to remember – these are “rules” to follow or be condemned – these are more “ways to connect” with Hashem and the Universe.

As I reflect on these – I am internalizing – we are being taught how Hashem is treating us. We often hear “treat others how we want to be treated” – so these laws? These are ways Hashem is treating US. Will we receive it?  Let’s dig in:

27You shall not curse a judge, neither shall you curse a prince among your people.

Judges are important to Hashem. He knows we will have conflicts here on earth. We are compelled to trust the judge as Hashem can sway the hearts of Judges.

It is easy to trust a judge when they judge according to what we want. And it is tough to trust a judge (and not curse them) when they judge against our desires. The question remains – did a judge come into a position without Hashem allowing it?

Let’s take this to the supreme court.  In America, no one seems happy right now with the supreme court. There is division. There seems to be manipulation. The question is; why did Hashem allow this? What are we supposed to be learning from this?

My takeaway? We are being shown a mirror of the collective trauma of our country.  We are NOT United anymore. The question is – how do we, as a people, respond. Do we try to help our side “win?” Or do we reflect on ways WE are divided within ourselves and the ways WE are divided between ourselves and others?

This is an important takeaway.  And princes?  That refers to government. How deep are we divided? And how do I reflect that division within myself?  Let’s keep going:

28Your fullness offering and your heave offering you shall not delay; the firstborn of your sons you shall give Me.

29So shall you do with your cattle and with your sheep: seven days it shall be with its mother, on the eighth day you may give it to Me.

30And you shall be holy people to Me, and flesh torn in the field you shall not eat; you shall throw it to the dog[s].

Interesting. What does “the firstborn of your sons you shall give Me” mean? Hashem does NOT want us to sacrifice our children. But what SACRIFICES are we willing to make FOR our children? That may be something to consider. Maybe we are being asked to SACRIFICE more for our first born?

That would make some sense. As the parent of six children? I KNOW I really learned a lot with our first born. There is no rule book. We made a lot of mistakes. And. That really impacted our firstborn. We are now working to help them navigate the trauma caused by our fumbling through this idea of being a parent. I am having to sacrifice a ton. And. There is healing. After being out of her life for a year; we have re-established a healthy relationship – where I can own the mistakes I made and the impact on her – and work to move forward in health. Let’s keep going;

23:1You shall not accept a false report; do not place your hand with a wicked person to be a false witness.

2You shall not follow the majority for evil, and you shall not respond concerning a lawsuit to follow many to pervert [justice].

3Neither shall you glorify a poor man in his lawsuit.

This is interesting.  Again, it would seem Hashem cares about justice and conflict. And – how we might be swayed by the “majority.”

What is interesting to me is that last one; “Neither shall you glorify a poor man in his lawsuit.”

I wonder if it comes down to DIGNITY. We’ve been looking at this Exodus process, right? We started with Grief. We moved to Anxiety. We are now focused on Dignity it would seem.

And a lot of this is surrounding conflict, isn’t it? I am wondering how grief creates conflict; anxiety extends conflict, and dignity begins to heal conflict. Thoughts?

Let’s close it out:

4If you come upon your enemy’s bull or his stray donkey, you shall surely return it to him.

5If you see your enemy’s donkey lying under its burden would you refrain from helping him? You shall surely help along with him.

So again  – the universe is saying – compassion for our enemy? Is the key to handling conflict.

Grief

Anxiety

Dignity

Compassion

You want to navigate conflict? This is how we do it.

What are your thoughts?

Here are my thoughts from the past two years:

Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 24 Shevat, 5783

This is a fascinating study from a year ago on today’s portion. The political vitriol is something to really reflect on; and how that is impacting our spiritual practices. What are we doing to protect and keep our hearts open?

This morning I posted something else on my page. The idea of our hearts being an “inlet.” The idea of being receptive is connected to freedom. When we block our hearts, put up walls, we build a prison for ourselves.

I believe the Mitzvahs we read about today all speak to ways in which we put up walls around our hearts to avoid it becoming receptive.

Just something I’m reflecting on. What are your thoughts?

Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for Shevat 24, 5782

Today we continue with the ways in which we can connect with Hashem through his mitzvahs! Let’s go!

1. Do not curse a judge.
2. Do not curse a leader among your people.

So here is what I find fascinating. First, these two opportunities are connected to yesterday’s portion, and fit in between ways to help the unfortunate, and the agricultural offerings. It’s an interesting juxtaposition for sure.

And. I can’t help but wonder how this looks for us today? These two ways to connect with Hashem stand out like a sore thumb given the geopolitical landscape we find ourselves in.

How are we doing here? Honestly?

Let’s Go Brandon? Efff Trump? These are all signs that we have missed the mark as a society around how Hashem wants us to live. It doesn’t say “don’t get angry” with our leaders. It talks about cursing them. That seems like a big line we keep crossing. Time and time again. And I see it from folx who claim to have a relationship with Hashem. I see it with folx who eat matzah on passover. Or take communion in church (which, Spoiler alert is appropriated from Matzah on Passover)

The question we have to ask ourselves is “why?” Why do we find this mitzvah so difficult and challenging? What does it say about the condition of our heart?

Just something to think about before we move forward.

1. Do not delay your offering (of first fruit) when it ripens, or your offering of terumah.

The word terumah means “offering.” It’s also a Parsha of the Torah. In fact, it’s next week’s Parsha.

2. You must present Me the firstborn of your sons (to be redeemed by the priest after thirty days).
3. You must do likewise with your ox and with your sheep (i.e. redeem it after thirty days. But at the very minimum,) for seven days it shall be with its mother, and on the eighth day you may give it to Me.
4. (If) you will be holy men, you will be Mine. Do not eat flesh that is torn off in the field (or any other place). Throw it to the dogs (or sell it to a non-Jew).

Next we jump into the mitzvahs and ways to connect with Hashem around avoiding prejudice and the Judicial laws.

1. Do not listen to a false report.
2. Do not associate with a wicked person (who is making a false claim) to be a corrupt witness.
3. Do not conform to the majority who are perverting justice. Do not conduct a lawsuit (in which justice was perverted) by the majority.
4. Do not accord honor (i.e. be biased towards) a poor man in his lawsuit

Rabbi Hayyim ibn Attar has an interesting take on this mitzvah:

“These words hint at the complaint or “lawsuit” that the poor man raises against God. He argues, “Why does God provide sustenance for others, while I remain destitute and starving?”

When a person is charitable, he weakens the poor man’s claim against God. On the other hand, when a person refrains from giving charity, the poor man’s arguments are strengthened. Thus, we are commanded not to reinforce the poor mans claim, but to extend a helping hand.”

It’s an interesting take for sure and where the Jewish sense of charity is grounded in. Helping someone is a tremendous mitzvah; because we get to be a part of what Hashem is doing in other’s lives!

5. If you come across your enemy’s ox or his stray donkey, you must return it to him.
6. (Perhaps,) if you see your enemy’s donkey lying under its load you would (want to) refrain from helping him. (However you must help him (unload)

An interesting short portion today! What are your thoughts?