Following the revelation at Sinai, G-d 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.
G-d 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 G-d 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 G-d.
Parshah in a Nutshell
