This week is the reading of the portion/parashat Mishpatim which is Exodus 21, 1-24. Mishpatim is plural for mishpat which means sentences. These are a series of dinim or rules for various situation.
For example, if one is a slave or acquires a Jewish slave then here are the rules of dealing with him. Basically, after seven years the slave has the option to walk away. If he is crazy enough to stay being a slave, then the master nails his ear to the door for the whole world to see what a crazy fool this guy is, then then the slave remains a slave forever!
At the end is the part where the famous saying goes...
22 And if men strive together, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart, and yet no harm follow, he shall be surely fined, according as the woman's husband shall lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.
23 But if any harm follow, then thou shalt give life for life,
24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
25 burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. {S} (Exodus 21)
I guess this week is a week of exacting retribution. Probably now would be a good time to request reparations, to cry out about a wrong, to fix, etc. Its in the air.. these rules are awake and shining this week.
May this learning be in the merit that Haiti should recover completely and deal well with the UN, America and any other opportunists out to steal their children, their goods, their dignity. Amen v'Amen.
