Exodus 21:1-24:18

This week’s portion leaves the narrative behind and focuses instead on Torah law. It deals extensively with case law between man and man, but also includes a number of laws between man and God. It is concerned with justice and righteous behavior. As the Israel Bible points out, the juxtaposition of the case law in our portion with the religious obligations of the Ten Commandments at the end of the last portion, teaches that religion requires not only faith, but ethical conduct, as well.

Topic 1: Haftarah – Golda’s $50 Million Fundraiser in the Spirit of the Half-Shekel
In the months before Israel’s Declaration of Independence, war with the surrounding Arab states seemed inevitable, and obtaining funds to equip the Jewish army became critical. Golda Meir travelled to the U.S. to raise money urgently needed to purchase arms and defend the 700,000 Jews in Palestine threatened with imminent attack. Following an emotional speech…
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Topic 2: Weekly Torah Portion: The Spiritual and the Mundane
While the Torah permits slavery, its laws are uniquely humane. Most of this week’s Torah portion involves various civil laws which help govern a kind and generous society. The portion begins with the laws of slavery, which, when compared…
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Topic 3: Weekly Torah Portion: Damages and Capital Crimes
If your ox is dangerous, you are liable. The following is a taste of our Israel Bible Reading Plan. Follow the weekly portion with summaries, insights and lively conversation. To register, click here. In this extended passage, the Torah deals with a variety of cases…
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Topic 4: A Covenant at the Mountain 
Our portion closes with a description of how the law was received by the Children of Israel. God invites Moses, Aaron, Aaron’s two older sons and seventy elders to worship Him from a distance, with only Moses coming closer. Moses then relates all the laws he has received thus far to the people, who acknowledge…
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Topic 5: Holiness, Righteousness and Justice 
Following the laws of damages above, the Torah continues with a series of laws which promote holiness, righteousness and justice in the community. These include eliminating abominations such as idolatry and sexual immorality, treating the unfortunate with care and respect, and preserving the integrity of the judicial system. Included in this section is an…
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