Weekly Mission: Parshat Mishpatim- The Comitted Life
Weekly Mission: Parshat Mishpatim The essential point that we learn from our experience at Mt. Sinai is expressed through Moshe’s actions. In this week’s Torah portion, we read that Moshe ascended and descended the mountain continuously. We, the Jewish people, were in awe of receiving the Torah at Mt. Sinai: the smoke, lightning, thunder and the loud shofar blast. Surely we cannot assume that Moshe continuously ascended and descended the mountain in order to burn off calories from the Pesach matza . We cannot assume that Moshe ascended and descended because “he felt fat.” In next week’s Torah portion, we read about the inauguration of the Mishkan ( Tabernacle). The Divine presence dwelled within the Mishkan , but it is referred to as resting “in them ” not “in it ,” showing us that the Divine presence is within every Jew. The Mishkan travelled with us through pain and suffering, drought and famine, and even wars. Throughout all of our experiences, the Mishkan was our source...