VOLUME 114 NUMBER 6
Shevat 23, 5785
February 21, 2025
Parshas Mishpatim
Candlelighting Time 5:25
We are prohibited to offer sacrifices to other ‘gods,’ only to Hashem Himself. The terminology invoked to stress that we should serve exclusively Hashem is somewhat lengthy and furthermore, since one involved in idol worship deserves the death penalty, doesn’t that automatically denote that we should only serve Hashem?
Meshech Chochma explains that there is a fundamental difference between observing Shabbos and the Yomim Tovim, the Holidays. The Holidays are set by us when the Sanhedrin, the governing judicial ‘branch’ receives witnesses that the new moon has appeared and they consecrate the new month. Based upon their determination of when the month began will of course establish the timing of the holidays. However, Shabbos is unlike the Holidays, rather it is etched in stone set by Hashem the seventh day of the week. And this concept leads to another concept. That is on the Holidays we are permitted to perform certain activities that are forbidden on Shabbos. As an example, cooking is allowed on Yom Tov for holiday usage but cooking on Shabbos is strictly prohibited without any leniency unless of course it is a matter of life or death. And this division between the two is an extension of their fundamental designs. Since we are in control of establishing when Yom Tov will occur, then we somewhat direct its parameters. Shabbos is exclusively under the governing arm of Hashem and therefore there aren’t any self-serving leniencies.
The only time we can exercise a self-regarding act on Shabbos is to save a life. The value of a Jewish life supersedes the sanctity of Shabbos and therefore we are not just permitted but obligated to save that individual in a situation where loss of life is an issue. However, regarding idol worship, there is no such tolerance. Even at the expense of a Jewish soul we cannot utilize idolatry to heal someone no matter how serious the situation may be. And that is precisely the intent of the Torah stating that we may only serve Hashem Himself because there is no room for another source. That would be heresy to not only imply but actually clearly identify Hashem as lacking perfection. Therefore, any admittance of idolatry at any level is forbidden without any ambiguity.
We are not even allowed to offer sacrifices to the ministering angels that convey Hashem’s benevolence to this world. Indeed, Maimonides states that in the beginning that eventually led to idolatry. This mindset to only acknowledge Hashem leads to total dedication and certitude which in turn strengthens our belief in Hashem. As the Talmud states, reliance on Hashem is the foundation upon which our religion stands. Most of the mitzvos are positioned as a remembrance to the exodus from Egypt which inspires and encourages our ongoing need to trust Hashem for all that we have. Therefore, the Torah states that when one offers sacrifices to idols he is essentially disavowed and negated as a functioning member of our nation. Any movement in that direction at all of appreciation of other powers existing outside the realm of Hashem is heretical and certainly blasphemous.
A BYTE FOR SHABBOS
The mitzvos mentioned in this week’s parsha supplement the Ten Commandments. They express the mitzvos that pertain to our relationship with Hashem while the mitzvos in this week’s parsha convey the ideal relationship between people. Their unification leads to perfection. S’FAS EMES
GOOD SHABBOS
