#18 — Parshat Mishpatim
Exodus 21:1-24:18
Overview
In this week’s parsha we are introduced to the rules G-d gives the newborn nation to set them on a good start. We then read G-d’s personal and cordial invitation for all of Israel to meet G-d at His home.
At the end of the parsha, we read of the ratifying of the covenant by Moses in front of all the people. The nation calls out in one voice, “All that the L-rd has commanded, we will heed and obey.” Right after that we read of Moses climbing the mountain to receive the Torah.
Sandwiched between rules and covenant, though, is a passage about an enigmatic figure: an angel who identifies intimately with Hashem Himself.
Rules, rules and more rules
Parshat Mishpatim opens with the words “Now these are the rules that you shall set before them.”
And after these words, a long list of rules follows. From the Hebrew slave to violent crimes, restitution, marriage ethics, and religious purity, the categories abound.
The purpose of rules
While others endeavored to establish a rationale or coherence behind this list, we want simply to highlight a more fundamental issue: why was this seemingly random list given to the nation of Israel?
The answer is, of course: to be obeyed!
Na’aseh v'nishma!
Reading through this parsha, it seems Israel wholeheartedly has embraced the need to obey the L-rd. The unquestionable climax is the ratifying of the covenant, where the people utter with one voice the memorable words: “Na’aseh v'nishma.” “All that the L-rd has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient” has become synonymous with Judaism itself.
Though correct, the above translation of Na’ase v’nishma overlooks the quaint wording in the Hebrew: na’ase (“we will do,” from the Hebrew asa – do) v’nishma (“we will listen,” from the Hebrew sh’ma – listen). Literally, the people are saying, “We will do and we will listen.” To stat e the obvious: these two actions usually are reversed.
Did you really listen?
Israel’s readiness to obey is to be commended, certainly. But, having read through the Torah and the Hebrew Scriptures previously, we know how things progress from here. In but a few weeks the nation will rebel and exhibit grave idolatry in the affair of the golden calf – the first in an endless cycle of disobedience.
And thus, we are left wondering: When is our being quick to obey a good thing and when does it betray a fickle approach to G-d and to performing our duties? In other words, when does a quick “yes” show we think too highly of ourselves (or too little of our duty)?
When you read through this week’s parsha, ask yourself: if these people who saw all the miracles, heard G-d’s voice, and saw a representation of Him, couldn’t keep these commandments, how can we expect to keep them?
What is needed is help – from the outside! Is there anything in the passage that points us in the right direction for help?
Perhaps the mysterious angel within this text gives us a clue?
Angels
It is interesting that sandwiched between the list of regulations/rules and the ratifying of the covenant is the announcement about the angel who guides Israel. At first glance, it may seem like an unimportant insertion that can be overlooked.
But the text is here for a purpose. In the Torah the sequence of events is deliberate, as G-d willed it.
Resolve is an amazing human capacity. Resolve translates the understanding of our minds and the motivation of our emotions into our will. Resolve results in our saying, “I will!” and then acting on our expressed intention.
But as with many human capacities, resolve erodes over time. Attendance at a meeting, even a great meeting – and G-d’s revelation to Israel at Sinai would have to be described among the greatest meetings EVER – is insufficient to sustain momentum at a certain point.
Beyond resolve, what is needed is relationship. For example, the initial “I do” vows of the marriage ceremony are maintained through the everyday commitment to relationship.
In Israel’s history, the “We will do” is exactly where the angel enters the scene!
But wait – isn’t that idolatry? Is G-d being substituted for by an angel?
This is a vital question – so consider the following:
The awesome, unseen G-d of Israel had promised His people that He is with them and will bring them safely to the promised land. In a very practical way, the intervention of this angel is how G-d fulfills His promise. But who is he? Consider the hints this passage gives us:
In Exodus 13:21 we are told that “the L-rd went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way.” Here we read that the angel led Israel (see also Exodus 14:19).
In obeying His voice, they are obeying G-d.
In rebelling against Him, they rebel against G-d.
Bearing G-d’s name, He has the authority to pardon sin and withhold pardon.
In Isaiah 63:9 we read again of a unique angel, the angel of G-d’s presence, who saves Israel. Here too, the line between the angel and Hashem seems to be intentionally blurred.
We believe that this angel and messiah are one and the same. His name is Yeshua (Jesus).
In the book of Genesis Jacob calls this angel “the angel who redeemed me from all evil” (Isaiah 48:16). Isaiah says he saved Israel (Isaiah 63:9).
Consider lastly the prophet Malachi, who prophesies that he – the angel – will suddenly come to the temple (the prophet calls it his temple!) and that he will be Israel’s great purifier! His spiritual cleansing leads to true devotion to G-d (Malachi 3:1-4).
The famous Jewish interpreter Radaq suggested this is the Messiah; we fully agree! We believe this special angel in whom G-d’s name, G-d’s very essence, resides is no one else but Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah who died for us, rose again on the third day and who renews us into true devotion to G-d through the Holy Spirit.
Listening to Him is of the utmost importance. We would love to talk more with you about this. Don’t hesitate to use the chat option.
Between doing and listening
While throughout rabbinic literature, Israel’s statement, “We will do and we will listen” is spoken of in the most positive terms, nonetheless a clear voice connects Exodus 24 with Exodus 32.
Thus we read in Midrash Tanchuma of the amazement regarding Israel’s attitude. When Moses cries for G-d’s mercy on the people, after the sin of the golden calf, “the Holy One, blessed be He, responded: How can I return it to them, when only yesterday they said at Sinai: All that the L-rd hath spoken we will do, and now, in the very place in which they committed themselves (to observe the law), they debased themselves, as it is said: They made a calf in Horeb?”
After reciting the various mercies G-d has bestowed on Israel, the Midrash concludes: “Indeed, within the blinking of an eye they forgot Me” (Midrash Tanchuma Ki Tisa 35.1). [See among others Bamidbar Rabbah 9.47 and Midrash Mishlei 6.1 for the same reasoning.]
This realism is a breath of fresh air as it helps us see we need help from the outside. Yeshua (Jesus) is the heaven-sent Angel of the L-RD, guiding and aiding Israel on its way. And He will do it for you today, if you come to Him in believing faith.