That we get societal laws right after the revelation at Mt. Sinai teaches us that the spiritual laws are important but is our society is unjust then the spiritual laws will not matter.
Quick D’var Torah – Parashat Mishpatim
This week’s parashah, Mishpatim, is one of the most demanding portions in the Torah—but it makes a foundational point about freedom.
Yes, we left Egypt. But the real question is: did Egypt leave us?
The Torah’s goal isn’t just liberation; it’s transformation. Freedom without law is meaningless. If there are no shared rules, freedom quickly collapses into chaos—and chaos always ends with people giving up their freedom.
That’s why Mishpatim follows Sinai. Last week we experienced the highest spiritual moment imaginable: God speaking directly to the people. But spirituality alone isn’t enough. The Torah immediately moves us into the nitty-gritty: civil law, damages, responsibility, how people treat one another. Because a holy society isn’t measured only by how it prays—but by how it functions.
There’s a fascinating linguistic note that highlights this idea. Hebrew is unique in how it refers to the United States. Instead of a literal translation of “United States,” Hebrew has long used Artzot HaBrit—“the lands of the covenant” or “the agreement.” This wasn’t a modern invention; it was already in use in the 1790s. Jews immediately sensed something distinctive about America: it was a nation defined not by a king or a people, but by law.
Notice the difference in authority. In many countries, it’s “in the name of the king,” or “the people,” or “the revolution.” In America, it’s “in the name of the law.” Even the president swears loyalty not to a person, but to the Constitution. Leadership is subordinate to law.
That idea is deeply Torah-centric. At the heart of Jewish life is halacha—law. We may disagree philosophically, culturally, or politically, and that’s fine. But a society can only survive if everyone accepts the same legal framework. Without it, freedom doesn’t expand—it evaporates.
This also explains the Torah’s structure. Last week’s parashah opens with Yitro telling Moshe to establish a system of courts—before the laws are even given. Law requires enforcement. Then come the Ten Commandments. Then Mishpatim: what those ideals look like in real life. And only after all that does God say, “Now you can build the Mishkan.” In other words: take care of society first. My dwelling place can wait.
That’s the message of Mishpatim. Sinai was the inspiration. Mishpatim is the implementation. And without law, neither freedom nor holiness can endure.
Something to think about.
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