People often accuse Judaism of being too focused on details. This week’s Torah portion, Mishpatim, is cited as an example of this focus. It is full of detailed laws regarding torts, damages, theft, contract law, marriage law, property law etc. etc. It is not a very “spiritual” section of the Torah. However, I gained some insight into the Parsha during some recent travels. I witnessed a few cases of theft ...
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I would like to continue the theme that we started on Tu Bishvat and discuss a few more ideas about the Land of Israel. Our Sages tell us that the Divine Presence, the Shechina is found in Israel, more in the city of Jerusalem and even more so at the Western Wall, the Kotel. The Hebrew word Shechinah means “Divine Presence.” Although in reality, G-d permeates all of time and ...
Read MoreOn the eve of the Super Bowl, Rabbi Becher details his own experience at an "American Football" game, and gives a possible explanation about why so many people enjoy watching it live at the stadium. View this video directly on Vimeo.
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Rabbi Mordechai Becher explains that the basic interpersonal laws of society which are mentioned in this week's parsha are the ultimate basis of Judaism. It isn't the putting on tefillin, keeping Shabbos or keeping Kosher, but instead having honest, fair and just interactions with others. View this video directly on Vimeo.
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This week’s parsha, Mishpatim, follows the description of the revelation at Mt. Sinai, the giving of the Torah, and the listing of the famous, Ten Statements (or, colloquially, Commandments). In our Torah reading there is an extensive focus on civil law, interpersonal relationships, finances, torts and damages. The Ten Commandments were inscribed on two tablets. On the first tablet were five statements about the relationship between a person and his ...
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