Summary of The Weekly Torah Reading:
Parshas Mishpatim
Note: The Shabbos Torah Reading is divided into 7 sections. Each section
is called an Aliya [literally: Go up] since for each Aliya, one person
"goes up" to make a bracha [blessing] on the Torah Reading.
The following Aliya summary will list the numerous laws detailed in Parshas
Mishpatim. A total of 53 Mitzvot are commanded.
1st Aliya:
The Jewish slave, Jewish maidservant, manslaughter, murder,
injuring a parent, kidnapping, cursing a parent.
2nd Aliya:
Killing of slaves, personal damages, injury to slaves, the killer
ox, a hole in the ground, damage by goring, penalties for stealing.
3rd Aliya:
Damage by grazing, damage by fire, the unpaid custodian, the paid
custodian, the borrowed article, seduction, occult practices, idolatry
and oppression, lending money.
4th Aliya:
Accepting authority, justice, strayed animals, the fallen animal.
5th Aliya:
Justice, the Shmitah (7th) year, Shabbos, Pesach, Shavous, Succos,
prohibition against milk and meat.
6th Aliya:
Hashem (G-d) instructed the nation to respect the authority of His
messengers, the Prophets and Rabbis. He promised to chase out the seven
nations who inhabited Canaan and forewarned us against making a treaty of
peace with them, or being influenced by their practices and values.
7th Aliya:
Hashem stated the means by which the seven nations would be chased
out of Israel, and promised that if we do as instructed no woman would
miscarry. The borders of Eretz Yisroel (The Land of Israel) were defined. The conclusion of the
Parsha returns to the aftermath of Revelation. Moshe built an altar, offered a
sacrifice, and in 24:7 the nation proclaimed "we will first obey Hashem's
commands and then attempt to understand". Moshe, Aharon, Nadav, Avihu, and the
70 elders have a shared vision in 24:10 and then Moshe is told to ascend Sinai
where he would remain for 40 days and nights.
Parsha Summary by Rabbi Aron Tendler
