VOLUME 119 NUMBER 6
Shevat 26, 5786
February 13, 2026
Parshas Mishpatim
Candlelighting Time 5:16
The Torah discusses receiving the Torah in two different parshios. In the previous parsha, Yisro, Moshe returns with Hashem’s offer to give us the Torah and with that acceptance we merited that the Torah was given to us on Mt. Sinai. However, at the end of this parsha certain offerings are sacrificed, blood that was collected is scattered upon the people and they had already been circumcised prior to their encampment at the mountain. And throughout the generations a similar process is required for anyone converting to Judaism. Although we don’t have sacrifices, however circumcision and acceptance of the mitzvos is a necessity. It is noteworthy that these two parshios are separated and not mentioned together in one parsha!
The Brisker Rov explains that these two parshios are dealing with two different themes. In parshas Yisro the actual acceptance of the Torah is detailed and the immediate preparation for it and how we were uplifted as a nation are described there. And, of course, this is the yearly celebration of the Yom Tov of Shavuos. Even though the specific procedures that they were involved in then we do not replicate, however we do have the three days prior to Shavuos where we intensify our learning gearing up for Yom Tov. This event is referred to as ‘Kabolas HaTorah.’ Moshe ascended Mt. Sinai and learned forty days with Hashem and acquired the Torah in its entirety and then intending to transmit the Torah to the nation he encountered the unfortunate episode of the Golden Calf. However, suffice it to say that the actual event of Kabolas HaTorah remains until today.
The end of parshas Mishpatim is discussing that the people accepted to fulfill the Torah. And that reception was certified and substantiated with a three fold protocol as aforementioned. In today’s vogue this is the recognized process of conversion. However, one may question despite the fact that the separation of these two events certainly delineates their roles, however, it would seem that the order should have been otherwise. Firstly, the nation acceded to accept the Torah and observe it and then they received it from Hashem through Moshe. Why is the order not stated in that fashion?
Perhaps we may suggest that initially the nation was briefed and we were primed to grasp the enormity of the upcoming giving of the Torah and its incredible importance. We do know that Hashem presented the Torah to other nations in the world and they declined to accept it. The vast and immense commitment and obligation that the Torah levies upon each person requires a profundity of thought and an exploration of its complexity. The thousands of laws and minutiae contained within the Torah can appear overwhelming and external to the reach of a person. However, the delight and enjoyment that one reaps from performance of the Torah are beyond the scope of any earthly pleasure and satisfaction. And the happiness that each person experiences from compliance of the Torah compensates for the assumed difficulties that accompany the religious life of a Torah observant individual. Additionally, the nation was exposed to a myriad of laws that are stated in parshas Mishpatim. That also served as an introduction to the world of mitzvos. They now realized some of the involvement that they would have in serving Hashem and were now ready to enter into that reality
A BYTE FOR SHABBOS
A person is obligated to tear his clothing when one of the seven close relatives passes away. However, there is a difference in this obligation between one’s parent and the other six. For a parent, the rip must be through all the clothing until his bares his very skin. The reason is that although we mourn the loss of our close relatives, additionally upon the loss of a parent we are now bereft of the mitzvah of honoring our parents. Rav Moshe Sternbuch citing the Jerusalem Talmud
GOOD SHABBOS
