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Parshat Mishpatim Parshat Shekalim
Shabbat (Mevarchim) Kabbalat Shabbat
17:20
(Candle Lighting)
17:20
Shacharit
09:00
Leining
10:00
Mincha & Seudah
17:15
Shabbat Ends
18:29
Weekday Shacharit
Ma’ariv
Sun*
08:45
19:30
Mon*
06:45
19:30
Tues
07:00
19:30
Wed
07:00
19:30
Thurs
07:00
19:30
Fri
07:00
17:35
28 Shevat 5777 24 February 2017
Security team: Pink
Page No.s Artscroll Gutnick Hertz
Leining 416 478 306
Maftir 484 554 352
Haftarah 1212 1494 992
Thought For The Week Is Being A Nice Guy A Mitzvah? At first glance, the detailed day-to-day
the verse (Shemot 23:1) “Do not bear a
* Rosh Chodesh ** Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat
behaviour laws given in Parashat Mishpatim
false report” – a standard that would leave
Chayim Arukim
seem to contrast with the grandeur of the
most newspapers with many blank pages
10 Commandments in last week’s Parasha.
were they to adopt it! Similarly, we are
In fact they interrupt the account of Matan
told to help our enemy before our friend if
Torah. But Rabbi Yissocher Frand points out
we see them struggling with their donkey
that in order to properly accept the Torah
(Shemot 23:5) or, today, fixing a puncture –
we must first know how to be a mensch.
no other society in the world expects such
The mitzvot that direct our interaction
ethical altruism.
Candle Lighting
17:35**
to Denise & David Marsh on the loss of their mother, Mavis, to Danielle Woolf on the loss of her mother, Paulette, and to all those who have Yahrzeit this week as follows שבת
29 Shevat
25 February
Sun
David Sheldon
Mother
26 February 30 Shevat
Harvey Beaver
Brother
with other people have to be part of our
Mon
Sonya Bower Joanne Feldman Rena Caplan Barbara Rothburn Lynne Hammond
Mother Mother Mother Father Mother
relationship with Hashem, according to the
In the final analysis the juxtaposition of
principle that ‘Derech Eretz Kadma LaTorah’
the mitzvot between man and man and
– good behaviour precedes adherence to
between man and G-d shows us that our
Ella Lentin
Brother
the Torah.
standards of Derech Eretz (behaviour) are
27 February 1 Adar
Tues
28 February 2 Adar
Thurs
2 March 4 Adar
Fri
3 March 5 Adar
שבת
4 March 6 Adar
divinely mandated and not optional, manGilda Leinhardt
Brother
Michael Green
Mother
Mark Saperia
Brother
Kiddushim 25 February Unsponsored
4 March Debbie & Anthony Horne 11 March Unsponsored
It is also true that without the Torah, we
made rules.
would not know how to behave. Some of the mitzvot in Parashat Mishpatim go
Rabbi Joel Portnoy
beyond what might be considered social norms and mandate a level of ‘super morality’ that Bnei Yisrael are expected to strive towards. The laws of Lashon Hora – not gossiping or telling tales – are derived from
Shabbat Weather AM Mostly Cloudy 10o High 7o Overnight Low
Parsha
verview
First Aliyah - 19 verses Discusses laws pertaining to servants, a husband’s obligations towards his wife, punishments for murder, manslaughter, kidnapping and abusing parents, and the penalties for injuring people. Second Aliyah - 21 verses Continues with laws of personal injury: the punishment for killing or injuring a servant and for causing a woman to miscarry. The Torah then shifts its focus to liabilities for damages caused by a person’s possessions or his actions. The section concludes with a person’s right to self-defense. Third Aliyah - 23 verses Discusses liabilities of guardians of another’s possessions, a borrower, and a renter. Also discusses the punishment for seducing a young woman, sorcery, bestiality and idolatrous sacrifice; prohibitions of harassing a foreigner, widow, or orphan; the mitzvah of lending money to the poor and lending with interest. Fourth Aliyah - 9 verses Discusses prohibitions against cursing a judge or leader, as well as consuming meat that was not ritually slaughtered, perjury, and judicial corruption; sanctifying a first-born son, and helping unload an overburdened animal. Fifth Aliyah - 14 verses The prohibition of bribery. The mitzvah of the Shemitah is introduced, as well as Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot, and their pilgrimages to the Holy Temple. Sixth Aliyah - 6 verses G-d says an angel will lead the Israelites into Canaan, and they will be rewarded for removing all traces of idolatry, including victory over all their enemies. Seventh Aliyah - 26 verses Mentions more blessings for entering the Holy Land, as well as the Jews commitment to following the Torah. Moses ascends Mount Sinai for 40 days to collect the Tablets.
The famous concept of ‘an eye for an eye’ appears in this week’s parsha. It is NOT to be taken literally!
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Delve into the deeper side of Judaism This week we take a look at the deeper reason why Jews have 613 mitzvot
Mitzvot: Restrictions or Opportunities? The parsha of Mishpatim contains the G-d-given laws which regulate the conduct between a man and his fellow man and the life of the community. Bnei Yisrael were instructed in some of the mishpatim (laws) while they encamped in Marah, before the giving of the Torah, and were taught additional laws after the giving of the Torah while they still stood assembled at Mount Sinai. The Ten Commandments were preceded and followed by the teaching of these laws since they are basic to the survival of human civilisation. To the nations, Hashem gave only seven basic laws known as the Noachide Laws. To the Jews, on the other hand, He revealed thousands upon thousands of halachot which deal with all the details concerning claims, damages, and disputes. Why are the Jewish People singled out for the study and fulfillment of all these numerous details, whereas these were never revealed to the other nations of the world? This can be understood through the following parable.
A doctor’s assistant observed as he treated two different patients. To the first, the doctor said to him ‘You can eat whatever you want. There is no need for you to restrict yourself from any food that you would like to eat’. This was surprising since the assistant thought he looked quite healthy. To the second patient he barked, ‘Under no circumstances are you to eat any of the foods on this list
Many of our halachot are intuitive to most modern societies.
that I give you. It is imperative that you follow this list carefully”. The assistant was confused since this patient looked terrible! He challenged the doctor on his prescriptions. The doctor replied, “The first man, unfortunately, only has weeks to live. He will not recover even with a special diet. Why then should I give him one? Let him enjoy his last few
weeks. The second patient has a very high chance of recovery, as long as he follows those instructions”. The Jewish People are capable of attaining the highest of spiritual levels. Therefore, we are given many detailed halachot to regulate each step of our lives. However, it is not necessary to give these to the other nations. It is also noteworthy that many of our halachot are intuitive to most modern societies. For example, most of us strive to be honest in business. However, since these obvious codes of conduct are also proscribed by Hashem, that means there is are opportunities for us to become G-dly individuals just by following rules that would otherwise come naturally to us. This is part of the neverending love that Hashem shows to His People.
Based on ‘The Midrash Says’ by Rabbi M. Weissman
If you would like to share your words of wisdom, please submit your article of no more than 500 words to nick@hale-community.org.uk
Parsha Stats Mishpatim is is the 18th of 54 sedras 6th of 11 in Shemot Written on 185 lines in a Torah (ranks 31st) 118 verses - ranks 22nd (5th in Shemot) 1462 words - ranks 31st (7th in Shemot) 5313 letters - ranks 37th (8th in Shemot)
HALE & DISTRICT WALKERS “Whoever you are, Whatever you do, We’ve got a walk just for you!” This winter, wrap up and blow the cobwebs away. Team up with a walking buddy and/or join us on one of our many group walks within our beautiful area. For further information, contact Gillian Cohen on 07785 270 044
Tip #18 Modeh Ani
TEFILLAH TIPS
Upon awakening, even before we get out of bed, we declare our gratitude to Hashem for returning us to life with the Modeh Ani prayer. Thinking of and thanking Hashem immediately upon awakening helps ensure that one’s day begins with holiness and sanctity. One may wonder does G-d need our gratitude? Truthfully, we, not G-d,
actually benefit from gratitude. Appreciation of what we are given is the key to contentment. A person who lacks appreciation never feels fulfilled. When you first wake up, try focusing for a few seconds on some aspect of your body’s healthy functioning. Imagine what your life would be like without them. Then say the Modeh Ani prayer.
Did You Know At Mount Sinai, the Jews famously said ‘Na’aseh Ve’nishmah’ - we agree to perform the mitzvot and only learn about them afterwards. Many think they said this in Parshat Yitro, but they actually said it in this week’s parsha! A total of 53 mitzvot are found in this week’s parsha: 23 positive commandments, and 30 prohibitions. That represents 8.65% of all the mitzvot! Only 3 parshiyot have more mitzvot. In fact, the top 6 parshiyot account for 337 of the 613 mitzvot: that’s 55% of the Torah’s mitzot in 7.5% of its sidrot!
Just For Fun Question: How does Moses make his coffee? Answer: Hebrews it.
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KING AHEAD EDUCATION
In The Spotlight
PURIM The Annual Bournemouth Shabbaton This weekend Rabbi Portnoy and Ruthie, and Rabbi Nick and Shira, together with Rabbi Dovid and Nachi Lewis from Bowdon, will be leading a Shabbaton for 40 children to Bournemouth. The group is comprised of children from the two communities, as well as a handful from further afield, including a small group from Dublin! Though the Portnoys have run the trip since its inception some 25 years ago, this will be the first time children from another country will be taking part.
DEADLINE FOR PESACH GESHER 9th March 2017 editors@hale-community.org.uk If you would like to sponsor an edition of ‘Something For Everyone’, in honour of a simcha or for a yahrzeit, or for any reason, please contact the Shule office on 0161 980 8846 or admin@hale-community.org.uk
They will be staying in the Normandie hotel, the only fully Kosher hotel in Bournemouth. The team have prepared a packed programme for the children aged between 12-16. The highlight is the inspirational Shabbat, with great food, ruach, and educational discussions, focusing on relevant issues to the children. They will also be taking part in a busy schedule of activities, including quad biking, Go Ape, and a late night BBQ after Shabbat. The Bournemouth weekend is a highlight for all the children who take part, and we thank the Bournemouth community for their hospitality.