No community start suggestion yet.
Why does the Torah (תורה) begin Mishpatim with the laws of the Hebrew servant? The shiur develops a foundational insight: a thief who steals more than his six-year earning potential seeks results without actualizing himself—he wants wealth without responsibility. The Torah's remedy is servitude, forcing him to confront the consequences of rejecting self-actualization, the very essence of being a Jew.
Rabbi Zweig addresses a fundamental question: why does Parshas Mishpatim begin with the laws of the Eved Ivri (Hebrew servant), and why does the Yerushalmi identify shiluach avadim (freeing servants) as the first mitzvah (מצוה) given to the Jewish people in Egypt? This emphasis suggests that servitude and freedom touch something foundational to Jewish identity. The shiur explores the ambiguous language of "Eved Ivri"—which could mean either a servant who is Jewish or a servant belonging to a Jew—and the stark contradiction between this parsha and Parshas Behar. In Mishpatim, the person is called an "eved" (servant), while in Behar the same person is called "achicha" (your brother), with three explicit prohibitions against treating him like a servant. This contradiction demands resolution.
Looking for the full summary?
Full access is available to members of the TUF Alumni Association or the Yam Hagadol Foundation.
Already a member? Let the admin know!
Dedicate a Shiur in Parsha
L'ilui nishmas a loved one. In honor of a simcha or yahrzeit. As a zechus for a refuah sheleimah. Your dedication helps carry Rabbi Zweig's Torah to learners around the world.
Up Next in this Series
Why does seeing a sotah inspire one to become a nazir? The nazir's abstention creates a pre-sin state where body and soul exist in perfect harmony. This 30-day period corrects the internal contradiction that led to his original transgression.
Why does the Midrash connect Pharaoh's expulsion of the Jews to the mitzvah of shiluach hakan? The shiur develops a chiddush that Pharaoh's sin wasn't only drowning the children, but the insensitivity of expelling the parents afterward. The deeper analysis reveals that Pharaoh may have valued the Jews greatly and wanted to control them—making his expulsion an act of tremendous cruelty, not liberation.
Why does Moshe respond to the splitting of the sea with shirah rather than praise or thanksgiving? Rashi's use of "al libo" reveals that shirah is an emotional expression—a response of love to love. When Hashem shows personal care, the only adequate response is "I love You too," not mere gratitude or praise, and this principle applies to all relationships.
Parshas Mishpatim
Looking for the full transcript?
Full access is available to members of the TUF Alumni Association or the Yam Hagadol Foundation.
Already a member? Let the admin know!
What is the primary purpose of the cities of refuge - protecting the accidental killer or something else? The shiur argues that creating respect for law takes precedence over providing sanctuary. True deterrence comes from recognizing the gravity of murder itself, not fear of punishment.
