Mishpatim Videos

A taste of Shazak Parsha, where the weekly Torah portion comes alive! Geared for kids... Great for adults!

This week’s Itche Kadoozy show is about the civil laws presented in Parshat Mishpatim. Or at least it would be if it wasn’t interrupted by a commercial for Larry Goldstein’s Law Firm.

Cruelty towards animals is strictly forbidden by the Torah. For two distinct reasons: one intrinsic to the life of the animal itself; the other extrinsic, yet no less important ... indeed, perhaps even more important.

Last week’s parshah describes the majesty of the giving of the Torah, a spiritually life-transforming experience. Why is it followed by the laws of negligent damages?

Topics include: the kabbalistic meaning of “an eye for an eye,” the prohibition against cooking a calf in its mother’s milk as a precaution against spiritual narcissism, and why the Torah describes G‑d as a “consuming fire.”

Jewish criminal and civil law are discussed in a triad of tractates named Bava Kama (First Gate), Bava Metziah (Middle Gate), and Bava Batra (Final Gate). This class reveals the spiritual dimension of these laws as an illuminating roadmap to self-refinement.

The very first law the Torah records after the account of the giving of the Torah is the law of the Jewish bondsman. This is most puzzling for a number of reasons including the fact that the Torah discourages the ‘acquisition’ of servants, and in fact historically it was an unusual occurrence. Why then would this subject be the Torah’s first choice? This talk offers a compelling answer, relevant to all. (Likutei Sichos vol.16)

How does a convert finish the conversion process? In the times when the Holy Temple stood, it was necessary to bring a sacrificial offering. What do we do now, after the Temple was destroyed? We look closely at the opinion of Maimonides that a convert requires “circumcision, immersion in a mikvah, and when the Temple will be rebuilt, the bringing of an offering.” (Based on Likkutei Sichot, vol. 26, p. 160.)

The strict prohibition against two Jewish litigants taking their case to secular courts.

The portion of Mishpatim contains many mitzvahs and details related to civil law. The first law, which is about the Jewish servant, conveys a profound teaching in attaining true freedom.

In middle of the many logical mitzvahs – most dealing with civil law – that are enumerated in the parshah of Mishpatim, the Torah mentions the super-rational prohibition of cooking milk and meat (Genesis.23:19); what’s the significance?

The Torah describes the unfortunate situation (Exodus 21:8) of a destitute man who sells his daughter as an indentured servant. The word "lo" in this verse is written lamed-aleph meaning that the man for whom the girl works "did not betroth her as a wife" but it is read as if it were spelled lamed-vav meaning the man for whom the girl works "should have betrothed her as a wife." On a spiritual level, the verse can describe two kinds of relationships that we have with G-d.

Exodus 23:2 teaches us, among many other important legal principles, that we must follow the majority in a dispute between judges. What other axioms of Jewish law do we learn from this verse?

Study some of the highlights of the weekly Torah portion with insights from various commentaries.

The parsha of Mishpatim contains 118 verses and the mnemonic are the names Uziel and Chanani. Explore the coded message in the mnemonic and its connection to the general themes of the Parshah.

The wide range of mitzvot found in Parshat Mishpatim includes an admonition to treat foreigners preferentially, for “you yourself were foreigners in Egypt.” But why should personal refugee history be the reason to treat a stranger appropriately? Shouldn’t the right thing be done regardless of past experiences? Join us for this profound and timely teaching that seeks to solve a biblical mystery while introducing inspiring secrets about righteous converts, and the ancient sacred souls they successfully lay claim to.

A penetrating presentation on the ethical practice of medicine, ultimately addressing questions like: if G-d is the ultimate Healer, why are we permitted to heal, and is the practice of medicine a moral obligation? The entire lecture is ultimately based on a fuller and proper understanding of but two words of Scripture, which speak to us in the context of the obligation to indemnify victims of assault and battery. Many profound insights, fascinating historical tidbits and sacred traditions are mixed to provide an authentic Torah perspective on the science of healing.

All the rules and restrictions of Torah seem to present a challenge in imparting to our kids an excitement for Judaism. Explore useful ideas and techniques based on teachings from the parsha.

Each of us is here with a unique mission; how do we master it? A perplexing statement of R. Yochanan ben Zakai shortly before his passing, offers direction in how to live every day to the fullest. (Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 16 Mishpatim)

Unquestioning acceptance of G‑d’s commandments does not mean that we are to perform them with mindless obedience.

A taste of Shazak Parsha, where the weekly Torah portion comes alive! Geared for kids... Great for adults!

The Torah prohibits speaking falsehood and bearing false witness in court. The codifiers list this as just one of Judaism’s 365 negative commandments. Yet Maimonides singles out the offense as one of the most disgraceful in Torah.

Tractate Bava Basra concludes with a discussion of which type of guarantor must make an official "kinyan" obligating himself at the time of the loan. In this class, we will analyze a dispute between the Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmuds plus the deeper, spiritual meaning behind this legal concept. Based on Likkutei Sichos, vol. 26, p.145.

A deeper look at Torah’s enigmatic prohibition of mixing meat and milk sheds new light on life in the womb and after birth as a metaphor for the arduous journey towards personal and collective redemption. (Based on the Maamar Va’eira 5724 and other sources.)

What are the responsibilities of a person who is paid to watch an article for someone else? What if it is done as an unpaid favor? Four different kinds of bailees are compared to their spiritual counterparts as four approaches to the service of G-d.

The Torah prohibits the mixture of milk and meat. Understanding this mitzvah on five levels.

Explore the inner meaning of the husband’s three obligations to his wife as prescribed in the Torah.

In explaining the law of how much a thief pays for an animal he’s stolen and killed, Rashi unpacks the question of whether the courts should focus on retribution or compensation.

Why would the Torah repeat the same instruction three times? Learn Rashi’s surprising interpretation and a powerful take-home message.

Why is the "Jewish servant" the first lesson after the Giving of the Torah?

Rashi offers two approaches for the Torah law that a thief who steals an ox or sheep must pay four or five times the value. Discover how it’s possible that we delude ourselves that we can hide our behavior from G-d.

We learn a beautiful lesson in how to live life to the fullest from a spiritual understanding of an interesting law in monetary disputes, where Torah mandates the claimant first present his case—before hearing from the defendant.

Delve into Rashi on Moshe entering the cloud on the mountain, and by extension learn how we elevate the world.

A closer look at the Torah mandate to assist your fellow with his donkey struggling under its load as interpreted by Rashi. Learn how it complements the important teaching of Baal Shem Tov that the donkey refers to our physical body and serves as the key to spiritual development.

Analysis of Rashi on the verse stating that Hashem is sending an angel to guard you on the way and to bring you to “the place that I have prepared”.

Probing what exactly Moshe wrote at that time before the giving of the Torah. Learn Rashi's insight into the unique covenant and connection we made with Hashem before receiving the Torah.

The portion of Mishpatim starts with practical laws and teaches us how to apply the inspiration of revelation to every day living. This coincides this year with the yahrztzeit of the Rebbetzin, who through her private life taught us how to strengthen our inner values and become world leaders.

The original Half-Shekel contribution is presented as a relationship repair medium with G-d (famously framed in terms of a cosmic marriage), which was weakened by the tragic (adulterously defined) Golden Calf debacle. This annual event is thusly portrayed as an annual envelope to nurture continued connection; shedding light on the hallmark of healthy marriages. Yet, although gift-giving is a logical commonly employed remedial strategy, the unusual limitations imposed seem entirely out of place. Ensuing Kabbalah-based elucidation of the subject also reveals secret recipes to marriage enhancement and realization of Shalom in the home!

A general introduction to the concept of slavery and how it was practiced according to Biblical law.

Two levels in the contract between the Jewish people and G-d are represented by two different accounts of the giving of the Torah. Presenter: Rabbi Kaplan

The constant struggle to attain a deeper connection to G-d. Tracing the Kabbalistic dimensions of these stages and how they correspond to various aspects of our religious experience. (Based on a discourse of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.)

The Torah repeats the law against mixing meat and milk in this Torah portion. Rashi explains what new insight the Torah expects us to gain from the repetition.