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Following the revelation at Sinai, God
legislates a series of laws for the people of Israel.
These include the laws of the indentured servant; the
penalties for murder, kidnapping, assault, and theft;
civil laws pertaining to redress of damages, the
granting of loans, and the responsibilities of the "Four
Guardians"; and the rules governing the conduct of
justice by courts of law.
Also included are laws warning against mistreatment of
foreigners; the observance of the seasonal festivals,
and the agricultural gifts that are to be brought to the
Holy Temple in Jerusalem; the prohibition against
cooking meat with milk; and the mitzvah of prayer.
Altogether, the Parshah of Mishpatim contains
fifty-three mitzvot -- 23 imperative commandments and 30
prohibitions.
God promises to bring the people of Israel to the Holy
Land, and warns them against assuming the pagan ways of
its current inhabitants.
The people of Israel proclaim, "We will do and we will
hear all that God commands us." Leaving Aaron and Hur in
charge in the Israelite camp, Moses ascends Mount Sinai
and remains there for forty days and forty nights to
receive the Torah from God.
This week's Torah reading also includes Parshat Shekalim
(Exodus 30:11-16), which speaks of the half-shekel each
Jew contributed to the Sanctuary.
In Rephidim, the people are attacked
by the Amalekites, who are defeated by Moses' prayers
and an army raised by Joshua.
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