This week’s Torah portion Mishpatim is filled with Laws. Some of the Laws in this week’s parsha we adhere to and others we do not. For example it talks about observing the three festivals, Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot. We observe and celebrate these festivals. It also says that he who insults his father or mother shall be put to death. I don’t know about you but as I have gotten older I have lost my cool at my parents many times and have said rude things to them. Does that mean I should be put to death according to the Torah?
In today’s world it can be hard to know which laws we must follow and where can we bend the law or interpret it in a certain way that allows for flexibility.
The Torah is a very complex work, there are many things in it I do not agree with, however I know as a Jew, I have the ability to wrestle with the ideas in it and challenge them and debate them among other people. When we lose the ability to challenge and debate we are in trouble and the world becomes much more frightening than it already is.
As we go into this Shabbat I ask that you try to have deep meaningful conversations with your family and friends about what it means to be a Jew living in the world today and how can we make sense of all of these laws in our current parsha.
Stay Warm, Cantor Kowitz
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