Parsha Mishpatim
Feburary 14, 2026/27 Shevat 5786
This week we read Parsha Mishpatim (and the special Maftir of Shekalim). Mishpatim is ordinances, essentially laws which serve to guide the functioning of society. While there are many in this week’s parsha, the first one refers to a Jewish bondsman, a Jewish person who is either “sold” by the court due to theft, or “sold” by themselves due to extreme poverty. While by today’s standard we would find this concept abhorrent, this sale is more the sale of labor then of the intrinsic person. For example, the “owner” cannot beat the bondsman, and it is restricted to a six-year period. In fact, the Torah recognizes that some may find the arrangement beneficial and wish to extend the arrangement. If he does so, the bondsman is brought to the doorpost where his ear is pierced to mark his continued servitude.
What is the Torah teaching us by this fashion statement? Why specifically the ear and the door? The Sages teach us that this person has rejected the freedom that G-d gave the Jewish people at the Exodus, when we marked our doorposts with the Passover sacrifice, and the plague of the firstborn raged against Egypt. This person also rejected what we heard at Mount Sinai, when we were told that we should not serve other masters. This person was “acquired” by another, when we had already been “acquired” by G-d as a Nation.
What do we learn from this today? Clearly this is no longer applicable? Even so, I think we have much to learn from the concept. I remember a time when I worked in an office full of cubicles, and I had a non-Jewish colleague that worked directly opposite me in a shared space. One day, his supervisor marched into our space, red in the face, pointed his finger at my colleague, and shouted “WHO IS YOUR BOSS?” My colleague looked at the supervisor and calmly responded “G-d” The supervisor’s jaw nearly dropped, he blinked a couple of times, turned even more red, and marched away. I giggled for the next 30 minutes at least. Despite the fact that I found the situation hilarious, I recognized that he had a point. His supervisor is not his true “boss.”
We let our lives revolve around work, the Internet and social media, fashion (note the earring prescribed by the Torah), or whatever the latest trend is. I absolutely had to get my daughter a Labubu and I still don’t understand what it is. Of course, society impacts our social norms, styles, and even our language. But when we let the world dictate our priorities, we lose a bit of the freedom that the Torah grants us. We need to stop and think, we serve G-d alone and nobody and nothing can tell you otherwise.
So, the next time you are stressed out by work or social media, stop and take a deep breath. You are beholden only to G-d and that is where true freedom comes from. I don’t necessarily recommend my colleague’s approach to dealing with all your work issues. But taking a moment and recognizing G-d as your true Master can be liberating.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Josh
What is the Torah teaching us by this fashion statement? Why specifically the ear and the door? The Sages teach us that this person has rejected the freedom that G-d gave the Jewish people at the Exodus, when we marked our doorposts with the Passover sacrifice, and the plague of the firstborn raged against Egypt. This person also rejected what we heard at Mount Sinai, when we were told that we should not serve other masters. This person was “acquired” by another, when we had already been “acquired” by G-d as a Nation.
What do we learn from this today? Clearly this is no longer applicable? Even so, I think we have much to learn from the concept. I remember a time when I worked in an office full of cubicles, and I had a non-Jewish colleague that worked directly opposite me in a shared space. One day, his supervisor marched into our space, red in the face, pointed his finger at my colleague, and shouted “WHO IS YOUR BOSS?” My colleague looked at the supervisor and calmly responded “G-d” The supervisor’s jaw nearly dropped, he blinked a couple of times, turned even more red, and marched away. I giggled for the next 30 minutes at least. Despite the fact that I found the situation hilarious, I recognized that he had a point. His supervisor is not his true “boss.”
We let our lives revolve around work, the Internet and social media, fashion (note the earring prescribed by the Torah), or whatever the latest trend is. I absolutely had to get my daughter a Labubu and I still don’t understand what it is. Of course, society impacts our social norms, styles, and even our language. But when we let the world dictate our priorities, we lose a bit of the freedom that the Torah grants us. We need to stop and think, we serve G-d alone and nobody and nothing can tell you otherwise.
So, the next time you are stressed out by work or social media, stop and take a deep breath. You are beholden only to G-d and that is where true freedom comes from. I don’t necessarily recommend my colleague’s approach to dealing with all your work issues. But taking a moment and recognizing G-d as your true Master can be liberating.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Josh
