Parsha Talk – Mishpatim 2021 with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Jeremy Kalmonofsky and Barry Chesler
Parashat Mishpatim [Exodus 21:1-24:18] contains the Covenant Code, the first extended legal section of the Torah. The laws themselves defy easy categorization; the rabbis of the Mishnah used their own organizational system in Seder N’ziqin [Damages], the Mishnah’s 4th Order, whose foundation is in the Covenant Code. Our conversation meanders through the parashah, with due time devoted to chapter 24, a return to narrative and the famous response of the Israelites: na’aseh v-nishma [you will have to listen to find out how we understand this engimatic phrase!].As always, comments, criticisms, and suggestions are welcome at [email protected]. Do not despair, we do intend to get to questions previously asked [even as we look forward to new ones]. Sometimes we get carried away by our own conversation! Shabbat Shalom!!