Mishpatim

Heed their Cry, for it's a Heartbeat Away...

From Ellen Frankel, The Five Books of Miriam

Torah teaches: Following the revelation at Sinai, God ordains an elaborate set of ethical and ritual laws concerning the treatment of slaves; murder and injury; proper conduct toward parents; property rights and responsibilities; the bride-price of virgins; seduction, sodomy, witchcraft, and idol worship; responsibility toward the poor and oppressed; firstfruits; fairness in legal proceedings; observance of the Shabbat and the sabbatical year; offerings due on the three pilgrimage festivals; and dietary laws.

Mother Rachel teaches: We are specifically forbidden to mistreat the widow and the orphan, for if we do, we will have to answer to God, who will heed their outcry as soon as they cry out to me, and my anger shall blaze forth and I will put you to the sword, and your own wives shall become widows and your children orphans (Exodus/Shemot 22:23). If for no other reason, we are to act out of self-interest. For if we wish to safeguard our own well-being and security, we must safeguard others who are at risk - or we shall become like them.

Huldah the Preacher comments: In an agricultural economy prone to frequent drought, famine, and warfare, even the well-to-do are mindful that they too are only a harvest away from ruin, a heartbeat away from being widows and orphans, a bowshot away from exile.

Our Bubbes add: Poverty is no disgrace, but also no great honor.

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