Respecting G-d’s Creations- Mishpatim

This week’s Torah portion of Mishpatim is well known for the many laws it contains. Many of these laws are discussed in the Talmud, covering a number of different tractates. The portion opens with laws of an Eved Ivri- a Jewish bondsman, and the many laws related to how he must be treated. Additionally, there are laws related to how slaves must be treated in general and the sensitivity we must have.

There are also a number of laws that relate to animals; an ox that gores another ox, animal or human being, a person stealing another’s animals, or an animal being hurt or killed due to the negligence of a human being, and more.

For whatever reason, I never really related to either one of these topics. Growing up in New York and then moving to Texas in my early twenties, I never really interacted with slaves or with many animals beyond dogs and cats, and perhaps the mandatory family visit to the Bronx Zoo on Chol Hamoed (Intermediate days of Pesach or Sukkot).

This week I experienced something unique and mind opening. As I am currently in South Africa for my son’s wedding, our family took a three-day safari into the South African bush. Seeing so many magnificent animals has given me a new appreciation for the majesty of G-d’s creations, how sensitive these animals are to humans,  and how we must be cognizant of how we interact with the animal kingdom.

Additionally, I have experienced discomfort at seeing the poverty of the indigenous peoples, and how those hired to clean and help are so eager and ready to do anything to please those that they are working for. As I chatted and interacted with them, I was struck by the strong work ethic, pleasantness, friendliness and humanity of us all.

Perhaps, now, as I study the weekly Parsha, I finally have a greater appreciation for the importance of treated all people and animals with dignity and respect, recognizing that we are all truly G-d’s creations.

Shabbat Shalom from South Africa.

Rabbi Y. Marrus 

A Double Darkness - Bo

A Double Darkness
Parshas Bo

In this week's Torah portion of Bo, we continue the narrative of the ten plagues that were brought upon the Egyptians for refusing to free the Jews. While the previous portion of Va'era contains the first seven plagues, this week's Parshah contain the last three; Arbeh (locusts), Choshech (darkness), and Makat Bechorot (plague of the first born). 

In the second Aliya (Shemot 10:21-23) the Torah describes the plague of darkness. "And Moshe stretched forth his hand towards the heavens and there was a thick darkness throughout the land of Egypt for three days. No man could see his brother nor could anyone rise from his place for a three day period."

While the Ibn Ezra (Spain 1089-1092) understands this verse to mean that there was only three days of darkness, Rashi (France 1040-1105) and the Midrash however explain that actually there were two stages of the darkness. The first stage of  three days was a powerful darkness where people could not see each other. The second stage of three days was a darkness so intense and crippling that people could not move from their place. In all, the entire plague of darkness lasted six days. This is derived from the structural composition of the words of the verse and the tradition of the Midrash.

What can we learn from this double stage of darkness?

When we encounter challenges and difficulties, the way out seems ominous at best and impossible at worst. But the way out is really a two-step process; (1) recognizing and defining the problem and (2) figuring out a solution and then implementing the "fix". One without the other will not work. First we must take responsibility and come to terms with the problem at hand. We cannot fool ourselves or downplay the issue. Then we must search and strive for a solution and a balm to fix the predicament and apply it.

In the last days and weeks we have heard a great deal about abuse (physical, mental and sexual), mental health and how it plagues all communities. While I don't have all the answers in knowing how to fix this terrible sickness, I do believe that we can take a lesson from our Parshah to begin the healing. Firstly, we must recognize and identify that there is a real problem. It is a cancer in our society and we cannot sweep it under the rug. We dare not remain "in the dark" silencing victims, and making believe it does not exist.  Second, we must figure out a way to protect our children (and adults) from these horrors, and rid ourselves from this horrible disease. 

Perhaps the double darkness of Egypt emphasizes that the Egyptians were not only (1) in the dark as to their cruelty and wickedness, but (2) they were further crippled by their inability to define the issue and begin to work on fixing it.

Let's not be like the Egyptians, G-d forbid. We can be so much better.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Y. Marrus