TORAH READING FOR 1 ADAR 5784 Feb 9-10, 2024
OUR HEARTS ARE WITH THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL
From “Mishkan T’filah / A Reform Siddur” p.385
HELP ME PERFECT my ways of loving and caring. Inspire me to make myself whole so that I may honor Your name and create a world of justice and peace.
FEBRUARY IS ALSO JEWISH DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH
Established in 2009, led by the Jewish Federations of North America, and observed every February, it is a worldwide effort among Jewish organizations to collaborate and raise awareness to inform, break down barriers and advance policies that empower people with disabilities and foster inclusion in our national and local Jewish community.
PARSHA
From Reform Judaism https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/mishpatim
Mishpatim (מִשְׁפָּטִים — [These Are the] Rules) – Exodus 21:1-24:18
These are the rules that you shall set before them. – Exodus 21:1
SUMMARY:
- Interpersonal laws ranging from the treatment of slaves to the exhibition of kindness to strangers are listed. (21:1-23:9)
- Cultic laws follow, including the commandment to observe the Sabbatical Year, a repetition of the Sabbath injunction, the first mention of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals, rules of sacrificial offerings, and the prohibition against boiling a kid in its mother’s milk. (23:10-19)
- The people assent to the covenant. Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders of Israel ascend the mountain and see God. Moses goes on alone and spends forty days on the mountain. (24:1-18)
HAFTARAH – Shabbat Rosh Chodesh
Jeremiah 34:8-22; 33:25-26 [historic: Isaiah 66:1-24]
RECOMMENDED READING
From Reform Judaism https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/mishpatim
By: Jonathan K. Crane
STRUGGLING WITH TORAH and REFLECTION
We will continue to meet every other Friday for Torah Study to read and discuss selections from Ketuvim, the third section of Tanach (Hebrew Bible), which follows Torah and Nevi’im. Please see the NEW Torah Study-Shazoom schedule below. THIS week we will continue studying the Book of Daniel, which is found in the Ketuvim (Writings). Read this week’s Torah Portion at https://www.sefaria.org/Exodus.21.1-24.18, and the Haftarot at https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.34.8-22, https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.33.25-26, and https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.66.1-24
From “The Torah / A Women’s Commentary” edited by Dr. Tamara Cohn Eskenazi and Rabbi Andrea L. Weiss, Ph.D., Women of Reform Judaism/The Federation of Temple Sisterhoods and URJ Press New York 2008
משפטים Mishpatim – Exodus 21:1-24:18
Contemporary Reflection – by Rachel Adler, pp. 447-8
PARASHAT MISHPATIM CONTAINS the Torah’s first law collection, which–unlike all other ancient Near-Eastern law collections–begins with regulations concerning slavery. The Torah seems unable to imagine an economy without slaves, but it frowns upon Hebrew slavery. Consequently, for Israelites in debt, Exodus 21:2–6 prescribes indentured servitude, but limited to six years. If a man enters debt-slavery while married, the master must let his wife go when he is released. However, if the master gives him a slave wife, the master retains the wife and children. What happens if the debt-slave declares, “I love my master and my wife and children: I do not wish to go free” (21:5)? He then has his earlobe pierced with an awl, and he becomes a slave in perpetuity, which the Rabbis interpret to mean until the Jubilee, or fiftieth year.
Liberal readers are often sympathetic to this noble fellow who relinquishes his freedom to stay with his slave wife and children. But how would this case look from the perspective of the slave wife? I will argue that it looks much different. Who is this slave woman? She is not the amah ivriyah (Hebrew indentured servant) the text speaks about in 21:7–12. In that case, a girl has been sold by a presumably impoverished Israelite parent into a wealthier family on the understanding that she will eventually be married to the master or one of his sons as a free woman. This practice is well attested in other ancient Near Eastern documents. Should the man take another wife, he must continue to support her. An Israelite woman may not be resold if her owner is displeased with her; instead, she must go free without any compensation to the master. Her servitude, too, is time limited.
In contrast, the slave woman in Exodus 21:5–6 is most likely a foreign bondswoman. As a non-Israelite, she will not become part of the master’s family, and her slavery is perpetual, not limited. As property, she and a male Israelite slave can be mated by the master to breed more slaves, which cannot be done to an Israelite handmaiden. The foreign bondswoman does not choose her husband and cannot reject him. Both he and her children can be taken from her. As we learn from Exodus 21:20, 26–27, her very body is at risk, for masters may beat their own slaves without legal interference as long as they do not kill them or destroy a major body part. (Slave narratives from different parts of the world confirm that slaves were, and are, routinely battered and then expected to work. They may work less efficiently, but historically this has not been a sufficient disincentive to masters. The law cannot be said to permit battery of slaves; it is simply uninterested in such battery unless it results in major damage or death.)
While the Israelite slave must be freed at the start of the seventh year, how might the foreign bondswoman obtain her freedom? There are three options: First, she could save money given to her as a reward or a wage. If, with her owner’s permission, she contracts herself out for pay after finishing her other work, she might be able to accumulate money to buy her freedom. Mesopotamian records show that slaves were able to gain extra money as artisans and agents (see Gregory Chirichigno, Debt-Slavery in Israel and the Ancient Near East, 1993, p. 54); this practice might have existed in ancient Israel as well. Second, she could run away. Deuteronomy 23:16–17 says that a fugitive slave may not be returned to the owner. Third, an Israelite slave husband once released could buy his slave wife and children and free them. African-American history shows examples of former slaves who bought spouses and children or arranged for them to be secretly stolen and led to freedom. Harriet Tubman, whose code name was “Moses,” had a long career of gathering slaves and leading them North. Implicit in these narratives is a desperate determination to be free.
In contrast, what does the Israelite slave husband accomplish by pledging himself to perpetual slavery? When he declares that he loves his wife and children, it is not a happy, free family he is talking about. He cannot insure that his family will remain intact. His wife and children could be sold at any time. Even when his family is united, all will suffer the terrible humiliations of slavery: lack of choice, being objectified as property, being brutalized without recourse. Will the slave-wife appreciate his sinking into helplessness and hopelessness alongside her, especially if she was counting on his determination to free her once he was freed?
When the debt-slave professes his love for his master (whom he mentions before his slave family in v. 5), what kind of love is this? It is a love of dependency, of not having to make decisions, of not having to struggle for a living, to choose a wife, or take responsibility for one’s children. Beyond that, embracing slavery undoes the liberation from Egypt and rejects the liberating God. In BT Kiddushin 22b, Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai explains why this man’s ear is pierced with an awl: “The Holy One says, ‘The ear that heard on Mount Sinai when I said, ‘the people of Israel are my servants and not servants of servants’ and went and got himself a human master, let that ear be pierced.’”
The bondswoman is not where she is because she volunteered to be a slave. Most likely, she is a captive taken in war, well schooled in the corrosive bitterness of slavery. She might see the Hebrew slave’s renunciation of freedom not as a romantic gesture, but as a naïve, even stupid one. He has surrendered his power to free her or their children. He may have been her best chance for freedom.
The Torah is truthful with us, although that truth does not always make us happy. Ancient Near Eastern law could not imagine a world without slavery; yet Israelite law wanted the people to remain free of all human appropriation. That dilemma resulted in the preservation of this vignette about the conflicting loyalties of the Israelite slave. By highlighting the shadowy woman in the background, we get a rare, ironic glimpse of the dilemma from her usually invisible point of view.
ROSH CHODESH 1 ADAR (on leap years) – ROSH CHODESH SHABBAT
Begins at sundown on Thursday, February 8, 2024, and ends at nightfall on Saturday, February 10, 2024. 1 Adar is the twelfth month of the Hebrew calendar and the sixth month of the civil calendar. It occurs only on leap years and has 30 days.
PRAYERS
From “Mishkan T’filah / A Reform Siddur”:
ROSH CHODESH – INSERT (on Shabbat) p.174
OUR GOD and God of our fathers and mothers, on this first day of the new month [of Tevet] be mindful of us and all Your people Israel, for good, for love, for compassion, life and peace.
Remember us for wellbeing. Amen.
Visit us with blessing. Amen.
Help us to a fuller life. Amen.
FOR OUR COUNTRY p.376
THUS SAYS ADONAI, This is what I desire: to unlock the fetters of wickedness, and untie the cords of lawlessness; to let the oppressed go free, to break off every yoke. Share your bread with the hungry, and take the wretched poor into your home. When you see the naked, give clothing, and do not ignore your own kin.
O GUARDIAN of life and liberty, may our nation always merit Your protection. Teach us to give thanks for what we have by sharing it with those who are in need. Keep our eyes open to the wonders of creation, and alert to the care of the earth. May we never be lazy in the work of peace; may we honor those who have [served, suffered or] died in defense of our ideals. Grant our leaders wisdom and forbearance. May they govern with justice and compassion. Help us all to appreciate one another, and to respect the many ways that we may serve You. May our homes be safe from affliction and strife, and our country be sound in body and spirit. Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE STATE OF ISRAEL p.552
O HEAVENLY ONE, Protector and Redeemer of Israel, bless the State of Israel which marks the dawning of hope for all who seek peace. Shield it beneath the wings of your love; spread over it the canopy of Your peace; send Your light and truth to all who lead and advise, guiding them with Your good counsel. Establish peace in the land and fullness of joy for all who dwell there. Amen.
FOR HEALING
We recite MI SHEBËRACH for the victims of abuse, brutality, conflicts, fear, natural disasters, pandemics, tragedies, violence of all kinds especially directed at individuals and specific communities including us, and war; for all those at home alone or lonely; for all those in need of physical, emotional, and mental healing. “R’fuah sh’lëmah” – a complete recovery!
YAHRZEITS/ANYOS
We say KADDISH YATOM for those of our friends and families who have died and been buried this last week; those in the period of Sh’loshim (30 days since burial); those who have died in the last year; and those whose Yahrzeits/Anyos occur at this time; as well as the victims of brutality, conflict, disease, natural disasters, pandemics, tragedies, violence of all kinds, and war.
This coming week, 1 Adar I through 7 Adar I, we lovingly remember:
Lisa Chavez Espinoza
Sister-in-law of Temple Kol Hamidbar Member, Mary Caron
Yosef ben Efraim Gomez
Father of TKH Member Ruben Gomez
Jacob Joseph
Holocaust Survivor, relative of Temple Kol Hamidbar Member, Ruben Gomez
Naomi Sanchez
Cousin of Temple Kol Hamidbar Member, Mary Caron
Those victims of the Sho’ah (Holocaust) who died at this time of year.
“ZICHRONAM LIV’RACHAH” – MAY THEIR MEMORIES BE FOR BLESSING.
TORAH STUDY AND SHAZOOM
We will meet as usual at the regular times for Torah Study and Shazoom this evening, Friday, February 9, 2024. Please see the NEW Torah Study-Shazoom schedule below. THIS week we will begin studying the Book of Daniel, which is found in the Ketuvim (Writings).
Zoom regularly updates its security and performance features. Making sure you have the latest version of Zoom, please join us online this evening with wine/grape juice for Kiddush and Challah for Motzi.
Topic: Torah Study – Ketuvim: Book of Daniel – Chapters 5-6
Time: Feb 9, 2024 06:00 PM Arizona
and/or
Shazoom – Erev Shabbat Service
Time: Feb 9, 2024 07:30 PM Arizona
To join Torah Study and/or Shazoom click on the following link [you may need to copy it into your browser]: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/72510500854?pwd=Z3VQZWF4U1BBZytNYmh3aHFTWkFDZz09
Meeting ID: 725 1050 0854
Passcode: 4NrMk0
Hint: The last character of the password is the number zero.
Shabbat Shalom – Buen Shabbat/Gut Shabbos
-Ruben
PS – About the Book of Daniel and the NEW schedule through June 2024:
From Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Daniel
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_(biblical_figure)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadrach,_Meshach,_and_Abednego
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehoiakim
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebuchadnezzar_II
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belshazzar
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darius_the_Mede
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrus_the_Great
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darius_the_Great
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiochus_IV_Epiphanes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_kingdoms_of_Daniel
From Jewish Virtual Library
https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/daniel-book-of
https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/daniel
From My Jewish Learning
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-book-of-daniel/
From Jewish Encyclopedia
https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/4874-daniel-book-of
From Encyclopedia Britannica
https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Book-of-Daniel-Old-Testament
From Sefaria
https://www.sefaria.org/Daniel?tab=contents
NEW Schedule through June 2024 for Torah Study and Shazoom (Arizona Time Zone):
February 9, 2024 – Torah Study at 6 pm and Shazoom at 7:30 pm
February 16, 2024 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[Purim Katan 2/22-23 Adar I]
February 23, 2024 – Torah Study at 6 pm and Shazoom at 7:30 pm
[Shushan Purim Katan 2/23-24 Adar I]
March 1, 2024 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
March 8, 2024 – Torah Study at 6 pm and Shazoom at 7:30 pm
[Shabbat Shekalim 3/8-9]
March 15, 2024 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
March 22, 2024 – Torah Study at 6 pm and Shazoom at 7:30 pm
[Shabbat Zachor 3/22-23] [Purim 3/23-24]
March 29, 2024 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[Shabbat Parah 3/29-30] [Shushan Purim 3/24-25]
April 5, 2024 – Torah Study at 6 pm and Shazoom at 7:30 pm
[Shabbat HaChodesh 4/5-6]
April 12, 2024 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
April 19, 2024 – Torah Study at 6 pm and Shazoom at 7:30 pm
[Shabbat HaGadol 4/19-20] [Pesach 4/22-30] [Counting the ‘Ómer 4/23-6/11]
April 26, 2024 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
May 3, 2024 – Torah Study at 6 pm and Shazoom at 7:30 pm
[Yom HaShoah 5/5-6]
May 10, 2024 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[Yom HaZikaron 5/12-13] [Yom Ha’Atzma’ut 5/13-14]
May 17, 2024 – Torah Study at 6 pm and Shazoom at 7:30 pm
[Pesach Sheni 5/21-22]
May 24, 2024 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[Lag Ba’Ómer 5/25-26]
May 31, 2024 – Torah Study at 6 pm and Shazoom at 7:30 pm
[Yom Yerushalayim 6/4-5]
June 7, 2024 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[Shavuot 6/11-13]
June 14, 2024 – Torah Study at 6 pm and Shazoom at 7:30 pm
June 21, 2024 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
June 28, 2024 – Torah Study at 6 pm and Shazoom at 7:30 pm