Mishpatim

Reading through this upcoming parasha I realized how important it is to remember that we are Rabbinic Jews, whose understanding of Judaism is filtered through the multiple lenses of those wise people who have interpreted Torah in ways that are meaningful to us in our time and continue to be meaningful for all time.

For those who read the words of Torah literally I would suggest that you do our religion no favors. Fundamentalism in all its varieties has the potential to do much more harm than good.

Please look at the suggestions for study of parshat Mishpatim from last year with this in mind.

Also, be sure to click on Parsha 4 Kids for an idea for a conversation you can have with students about parshat Mishpatim.

Mishpatim

Just a few questions to get you started thinking about this week's parasha:

• What is familiar in this week's Torah reading?
• What is disturbing in this week's reading?
• What do you find meaningful in your own life about this reading?
• What do you think about the relationship between this week's parasha and last week's?
• If you were forced to choose, which do you think is the most important law in this list of laws for humanity in general?  For the Jewish people in particular?  Explain your answers.
• Create a "top ten" list of laws in this parasha, as if you were writing for Dave Letterman.  Explain your choices
• Create a "bottom ten" list - explain your choices
• Choose one of the commentaries from those here at My Jewish Learning that you find particularly relevant and bring it to the table for discussion with your group.