February 1st, 2019 — Shabbat Mishpatim
This week, we turn from the epic narratives of Genesis and Exodus and pivot sharply into a dense catalog of laws, laws, and more laws. On the heels of the splitting of the Red Sea and the Revelation at Mount Sinai, the case of the ox that gored the other ox might come as a bit of a buzzkill. And yet, the Jewish people have historically responded with great enthusiasm – and even love – for the law. Why was Law so beloved by Jews throughout history, why was it especially important to the newly-freed slaves in the Sinai desert, and what significance does it hold for us today?