Torah Pearls #18 – Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1-24:18)

I believe u to be on the right track. If Yehovah has existed forever then conversely his laws have too.

I don’t understand if the master gives one of his women slaves to wife doesn’t the Shmita year apply to women also? or are these women Gentile slaves. It seems that the wives were permanent slaves along with the children what am I missing.

I didnt say anything regarding the gender of the servant, i was quoting ezekiel. Its only 1 verse in ezekiel, very brief, i dont think he was making any point except the establishment of the jubile, and in that verse it shows there will be servants

Aren’t the maidservants being freed also? This only happens in Jubilee. Menservants (Ex21) are freed in the 7th yr.

I think its more likely in jeremiah that its the jubilee with the proclamation of liberty, especially since he says right after that in jere34:14 he references the 6 year servant law and said it was being broken. Kinda like “you guys havent freed them in the 7th years, nows the year of liberty for all of them, free them now”. i dont see it saying here it was a for-all-time covenant. Maybe it could be argued over jere34, but after ezekiels temple is set up, for sure theres gonna be servants:

Ezk 46: v17. But if he give a gift of his inheritance to one of his servants, then it shall be his to the year of liberty; after it shall return to the prince: but his inheritance shall be his sons’ for them.

I can totally understand why someone would wanna say thats over, but the uncomfortable parts are equal

If you really want a piece of American history read Article 9 of the Second Confiscation Act of the American Civil War in 1862. This was then codified into the 13th-15th amendments.

Maybe ‘selling yourself into slavery’ would have been your only option – a matter of survival… didn’t say it was common…

Nehemia, with all respect, the JPS and traditional understanding of ‘miscarriage’ is absolutely correct. Your interpretation as protecting a foetus is totally wrong.

Grammatically in Hebrew here the object of the sentence is the woman – וְנָגְפוּ אִשָּׁה הָרָה וְיָצְאוּ יְלָדֶיהָ וְלֹא יִהְיֶה אָסוֹן עָנוֹשׁ – who EITHER has a miscarriage but no further damage, OR a miscarriage and further damage. Nothing toggles the object between the woman and the foetus. To read any special value of the foetus here is grammatically impossible.

Further, yatsa is simply to go out and does not imply a live birth in any way – it is irrelevant to the living or dying of the foetus.

Are you sure that the Torah did not exist from the foundation of creation?

Think of Enoch. It is recorded that he pleased God. How could he have please God except through obedience to God?

Think of Noah. It is said he was a preacher of righteousness. How could he have preached righteousness if he didn’t know God’s Commandments, laws, statutes, and ordinances?

Think of Abraham. It is said in Genesis 26 5 that Abraham obeyed God’s voice, his commands, his laws, and his statutes. How could he have obeyed these if they did not exist yet because Abraham existed before Mount Sinai?

Have you considered that maybe what is recorded about Moses and the giving of the law that it’s simply a reiteration of what already existed, the difference being – now it was being given to an entire nation chosen peoples? And it was given to them not because they were better or more righteous than the other nations, but because God had made a promise to Abraham.

Earlier you spoke about not making Covenants with the people that they conquered in the lands they took over. Is that not what Isreal is doing with the Palestinians and other peoples in the area in this day and age as they seek to find man made peace with their neighbors?

Nehemia,

You mentioned the angel or messenger in the cloud.

Might I refer you to something rabbi Shaul (Paul) wrote? 1 Cor 10:4

Actually 10:1-4 but mainly verse 4

Are we not all in slavery t the greenback dollar? Most everyone that works for a paycheck is an indentured servant to their employer, are we not? The MAIN difference is that
today we have the opportunity to leave that employer on a whim, usually only to choose a different taskmaster.

Americans are all slaves to the dollar!

Yes Walter & Neville I agree as well.

Well, uh, hmm, let’s see… I’ve got it.

In base 6, it would be 10 words. That must be it!

I agree, Walter. It is actually a big loss of useful information, given that some of the comments span more than 5 years. I also wrote in to request that the dates be turned back on, if possible.

Notice that toward the end of this portion, in Ex. 24:7, we see that Moses wrote down all the instructions that had just been given, and he reads it to the people, a covenant with Yehovah is made and sealed with blood and the covenant meal on the mountain.

Then in v12, Yehovah tells Moses to come up higher on the mountain where Moses is to receive stone tablets with instructions on them.

Now, I realize that I’m jumping ahead in the text here, but it is all tied together. (I’ll also take this comment over to the appropriate OTP page), but look at what happens next.

Seven chapters and 2 1/2 parasha later, in the middle of Ki Tisa, at Ex. 31:18, we see that Yehovah gives Moses the [first] set of tablets, written “by the finger of Elohim”, as promised back in 24:12 before this batch of instructions were given.

Between the call up the mountain with the accompanying promise to give the stone tablets of instruction, and the actual giving of the tablets, the long and detailed seven chapters of instruction was all and only about the Tabernacle, the priests, consecration, etc.

I think the inescapable conclusion at this point in the text is that those tablets (which Moses soon broke) contained the torah of the Tabernacle.

Thoughts?

The NT says Jesus kept the Torah and he would have said the Shema every day.

oh yes. think of how many could be avoided.

what has become of jc?

I wish you would do a teaching on Exodus 21:22,23
This translation is there bedrock with one of the only verse dealing with those not yet born

Thank you for the insights! You are a great help to know what He actually says, and how I CAN BE OBEDIANT.

In Hebrew that’s six words: Shema Yisrael YHVH Elohanu YHVH Echod

It seems to me that the 10 words given to Moses is the Shema; Hear O’Israel the LORD your God, the LORD is one.

The topic of slavery – What about handmaidens? They were ‘given’ to their mistresses’ husband. Was that consensual?

I wonder, when people want to separate politics and religion, whether they realize that the two are the same. Politics is simply the jockeying for the power to impose one’s religious views on those around them, whether at a local, national or world level. The Messiah will merge government and religion when He rules the nations according to Torah for a thousand years in the Messianic era. (Psalms 2 and Isaiah 2:3.)

I actually found that very helpful. In today’s very heated political climate I think it’s important to understand how the Torah teaches on these things affecting us now.

Yehovah gave us the Torah as instructions on how to live our lives. We can find answers in the Torah for today’s very difficult situations. I think these three men did a very good job of explaining some of those things for us.

I especially appreciate Nehemia’s input because, due to his full fluency in Hebrew, he can tell us what the original Hebrew text actually says. So much in Scripture has been manipulated. Nehemiah does a really good job of clearing up the things that have been manipulated.

I disagree-I am a Social Worker and for many years I worked in residential programs for children and teens, and in one home in particular we had 3 different boys at 3 different times caught shoplifting at the same store, items of roughly the same value. One boy was White, one was Asian, one was Black. Only the boy who was Black had charges pressed. Same store, same “home life”-no differences at all, so why were charges pressed against him?? There may not be bias in all cases but there certainly seemed to be in his situation.

You cannot understand the 70 seeing Yehovah on the mountain unless you acknowledge the elephant in the room: Yehovah, being Yeshua, can appear to us without our dying because He is not the Father. It is the Father whose presence we cannot survive. Yehovah appeared to the patriarchs a number of times: to Adam in the garden, to Abraham before the destruction of Sodom, to Jacob when they wrestled, to the 70 on Sinai, and probably others. I would not expect this forum to resolve this issue, since we do not all hold this belief. When Messiah comes we can ask Him whether that was Him all these times 🙂

Interesting that with the current climate here in the US, and the heinous acts and new laws that were just passed to abort a baby up until birth in NY state and if the child should survive the abortion they have the right to kill the baby after birth. This is truly horrific and would seem like the adversary is timingly coming against YHVH! Thank you to you all for always your words of wisdom.

In the section about the thief breaking in could “if the sun has risen on him” mean the next day after the crime has been committed instead of the sun rising during the crime? This then could mean that while he is breaking in you can articulate that he is an immediate threat but if you catch him the next day it would be hard to say that he is an immediate threat and therefore he could not be killed.

Hey all! Just listened to this! Absolutely awesome discussion! Thoroughly enjoyed it! Just a quick thought! Around 1 hour and 24 minutes you guys were discussing the portion of Exodus where Moses and the 70 elders go up into the mount and see or perceive YeHoVah with the paved safire path beneath His feet. Then the question was brought up and discussed whether they literally saw YeHoVah or perhaps only perceived His presence. Not sure if this is Scriptural or can be proven but I’ve often thought that YeHoVah reveals portions of Himself or even veiled versions of Himself because it’s His full glory that cannot be withstood. Like I said, not sure if that can be backed up, that’s just been a personal take I’ve pondered while reading the Scriptures. YeHoVah bless you all! Thanks for the deep, informative, and powerful discussions! This whole episode was chalked full of some awesome points!

It is interesting to me that everyone is gravitating to the prison system being modern day slavery. Question to ponder: If we truly followed everything in the bible then shouldn’t some of these prisoners be taken “outside the city walls and stoned to death” for their crimes? What would our prison system look like then if we actually handed down the punishments that Yehovah said to do?
I taught in elementary and middle school long enough to witness the horrors that adults can do to young innocent children and prison is too good for these horrendous people.

this portion definitely touches on a lot of the issues being brought up in today’s political climate. prison system does have major flaws and can be like he said, modern day slavery. debt is in the trillions and abortion in my state you can abort up to full term and even get the government to pay for it in some cases. outrageous! its strange how the constants are still relevant to this day and have emerged in different form but yet still the same.

The Torah is still the go to self help book for living a good and meaningful life. Jordan Peterson is basically making money off his book all from the ideas portrayed within the hero stories of these wonderful scriptures. These are truly exciting times! god bless you brother!

Is urgent to give a lecture of this Torah pearl #18 Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1-24:1 to the Oval Office in the White House Feb 2018

Torah consists of the first five books of the bible. Ecclesiastes isn’t that. I’m not saying that your comment is suggesting that Ecclesiastes is Torah, but at least cite a verse from Torah supporting your opinion about Torah. I would like to know why you believe that though it sounds like an interesting discussion, like what did you read that brought you to that assertion?

on another note:
I love these Torah pearls and prophet pearls by the way! I have been gleaning these discussions for a couple years now and they are still a blessing! And more recently 1,010 times found the name of יהוה in ancients manuscripts?! With the vowel points!!?? prophetic times my people, prophetic times!

I will say it outright, plainly: the Torah does not endorse freedom of speech. See also Ecc 10:20.

Why do we say silly things like, God can’t be in a physical form? Anytime I say God can’t I end up being wrong. God can do anything he wants, including appear in physical form. Perhaps, He can’t do things like Lie/Break His Covenant. Pretty much anything else, God can.

Pure Gold! Thanks so much for that Portion-and-a-half. Regarding what the multitude saw at Sinai; I’m thinking that if I’m at the base of a mountain looking up at a very large dynamic figure seated on a throne at the top of said mountain, and this figure has its feet on a pavement made of some translucent gemstone, then the vision would be ‘filtered’ through that ‘pavement’. And, who says you can’t see spirit? Scripture clearly states some can sometimes. With YHVH all things are possible. YHVH’s blessings!

Nehemia you seemed adverse to YHVH having a “physical” form since He is spirit. Is it possible He can condense in time and space to present himself with a body? Is it possible the elders saw His form in the spiritual realm vs physical realm?

The whole congregation heard His voice? Sound is tangible. Just as a body is tangible.

It’s true, I work in Rehabilitation for local inmates in Upstate NY. I see firsthand the damage done by ultra liberal courts. We see kids get cut a break the first several times they commit a crime and then finally the judge slams the gavel having expected change. We are backwards, punishment is invalid when it isn’t immediate or effective. Would you let your dog crap on the floor six times and beat it the seventh to teach it? Strong punishment on first offenses are the only effective solution to use the system for behavior modification.

As for there being more Blacks in Prison ( slavery), than Whites ; I sat in a lecture with a State’s Attorney who is actually a Liberal person. The lopsided prison population is not due to judicial prejudice as it pertains to Race. From the Judge who presides over a Case, to the Attorney’s and Police Officers , their collective #1 priority is not meting out Justice but rather, PUBLIC SAFETY. This is how it was explained by the State’s Attorney; In rendering verdicts and assigning penalties and sentences, the Courts first priority of PUBLIC SAFETY requires them to protect the innocent. Hence, when an Attorney pleads with a Judge for leniency, the first thing that is looked at for minors, especially, is whether the perpetrator has a valid and stable support structure at his/her home. Sadly, more than half of young Blacks in most American cities do not have a stable nuclear family structure to be sent home to for monitoring any proposed probation.The Court is forced to incarcerate as opposed to releasing the individual back into an unsupervised environment. Obviously there are some Judges who have “axes to grind” but the goal should always be; not to have to stand before that Judge, yes ?

Torah is the Tree of LIFE, the forbidden tree is knowledge of good and evil, which is realativism.

Shalom Nehemia!
I am so grateful to you,Keith, and Jono for bringing such life to the Torah!
I will hopefully be able to show my gratitude monetarily in the near future. Without getting into backstory I had been studying the value of 5 Shekels of silver all weekend to redeem my firstborn son Aloysha (10.) I had found a sight to purchase 1/2 oz pure silver coins but didn’t complete the sale. Of course, when I listened to the first half of Mishpatim this morning Jono asked the question can one redeem himself? I was elated at the thought of being able to redeem myself, Halleluyah!
Then while waiting for my morning Decaf I started to ponder the thought of Redemption, being the Firstborn and given that my father has passed should I redeem my younger brother Jacob. Who was firstborn to his mother as well? Is he also firstborn?
many Blessings and thanks,
Joshua
קסה שלום רב לאהבי תורתך ואין-למו מכשול

Isn’t it the Torah which tells us what is good and evil? Did Adam learn good and evil from eating of the tree? Wasn’t eating of the tree the knowledge of the Torah?

There are many things that were added in Moses’ time which certainly would be different in Adam’s time, such as the tabernacle or not marrying your sister, but the basics, like the Ten Commandments, would still be there in both times.

Quick question ?

Do you really said Exodus 21:22 that if man kill the unborn baby or woman. Then this man should be dead ? That is life for life work.

Were karaite Jews are against abortion because it violate the God law of murder by Genesis 9:6 and bible claim blood is life or life is in blood. Unborn have blood.

As always, I love the torah pearls. However, I feel this episode was getting a little too political. I know it may be necessary to talk about todays issue to help in understanding, but I for one am sick of hearing politics. Lets not ruin a good thing.

Right. The answer of when is connected to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This knowledge is of course the Torah. Knowing Torah is the knowledge of good and evil.

Shalom brothers and sisters! Concerning the issue of what was given and what was not, on the mount. There is ambiguity here and it is purposeful. These issues are madning and to say that YHVH gave 100% on the mount. Did not Adams boys know Torah concerning sacrifice and that which is acceptable and what was not?, even to the point of sin and righteousness? Soooooo, then we can asuridly say that Torah existed and was given way back then! How much one may acceptably ask? ENOUGH is the answer. Adam and Chavvah positively had access to Torah knowledge and KNEW it. The long physical life folks experienced in those times proves it. The only important pertinent question concerning our present Torah portion is, how did Torah become available “in the beginning”? This is rather a simple quest but must precede with prerequisites to comprehend. For another venue perhaps. NOW,,,, can we please “nail down” the fact that Torah knowledge has existed from the beginning of physical man and leave behind the madness? I personally would appreciate being “less mad” in these troubled times! Blessings to all and yes to our rather madning president too! LOL

It is clear that Moses received all the instructions for building the tabernacle during the 40 days on Sinai.

Nehemia, your guess about the number of slaves in America before the 13th compared to today was close but today the number of slaves by the definition of the13th amendment is half of the number as of 1860 prior to the enactment of the 13th.
See:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slave_Trade_Compromise_and_Fugitive_Slave_Clause
And
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Us_prison_population#/search

Thank you for this enlightened view of what slavery truly is…

Regarding a thief or a breaking and entering as well as an attack on ones person. This appears to be a case where self defense is mandatory. Especially when the ‘Good Samaritan’ law is on the slate in many countries. Martyrdom is not a righteous option as some see it, but, a self righteous action on the part of a number in Christian history. Else why did Yeshua pray to Yehovah and ask three times if this could be done some other way? BTW a can of ‘wasp’ or ‘bear’ spray is very effective up to 25 feet away if firearms are not an option.

For the first time in several years I feel so protected by God’s love. Exodus 22:22,23 where it says about widow and a child without a father. My father died when I was 17, so my mum, sister and I had a lot of difficulties. Now I see that God has a higher standard for us, who were unprotected, and He protected us with His love.