Parashat Mishpatim follows immediately after the awe-inspiring moment of Matan Torah. The Jewish people stood at Har Sinai, hearing the voice of Hashem, reaching a spiritual peak where they “saw” the divine presence clearly and believed with absolute certainty. And yet, right after this exalted moment, the Torah shifts dramatically—from divine revelation to laws about financial disputes, personal injuries, and property damages. Why does the Torah move from the heights of prophecy to the seemingly mundane details of civil law?
Chazal teach us that a person is measured in three ways: b’koso, b’kiso, u’b’ka’aso—by how they act with their cup (how they handle indulgence), with their money (how they manage financial struggles), and with their anger (how they respond to challenges). It is easy to feel connected to Hashem when we are standing at Sinai, when life is going well, and when we feel inspired. The real test, however, is how we hold onto our faith when life is painful, when the world feels broken, and when justice seems out of reach.
This past week, our hearts have been shattered as we witnessed the return of some of the hostages from Gaza—not in the way we had prayed for, but as heartbreaking losses. The pain is unbearable, the questions are overwhelming, and we struggle to understand. But Parashat Mishpatim teaches us that faith is not just for the moments of clarity—it is for the moments of uncertainty, the times when life feels unfair, and when the world seems ruled by din (strict judgment) rather than rachamim (compassion).
Even in the face of suffering, we do not let go of Hashem. We hold onto our emunah, knowing that He is with us not only at Har Sinai but also in the moments of confusion and grief. We remain a united people, sharing in each other’s sorrow, strengthening one another, and believing that even in the darkest of times, Hashem’s presence is never absent.
May we find the strength to support one another, to hold onto our faith, and to trust that even when we cannot see the full picture, Hashem is still guiding us.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Eli Reisman