Weekly Sidra: Mishpatim (Judgments)
Torah Portion: Shemot / Exodus 21:1-24:18
Maftir: Shemot / Exodus 30:11-16
Haftorah: Melachim Bet / II Kings 11:17-12:17

Jehoash was seven years old when he became king. 2 Jehoash began his reign in the seventh year of Jehu, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years. His mother’s name was Zibiah of Beer-sheba. 3 All his days Jehoash did what was pleasing to the Lord, as the priest Jehoiada instructed him. 4 The shrines, however, were not removed; the people continued to sacrifice and offer at the shrines. (Malachim Bet 12:1-4)

This week’s Torah portion is Mishpatim (rulings). However, this is a special Shabbat called Shabbat Shekalim (שבת שקלים ) so a different Haftarah portion is read.

Shabbat Shekalim ("Sabbath [of] shekels" שבת שקלים) read in preparation for Purim, requests each adult male Jew contribute half of a Biblical shekel for the upkeep of the Tent of Meeting.

This week we read of the rulings which Hashem gave to Israel. It states that “Moses went and repeated to the people all the commands of the Lord and all the rules; and all the people answered with one voice, saying, "All the things that the Lord has commanded we will do!" (Shemot 24:3) Similarly we read in the Haftarah portion that “All his days Jehoash did what was pleasing to the Lord, as the priest Jehoiada instructed him. The shrines, however, were not removed; the people continued to sacrifice and offer at the shrines.

We too are often like Israel and king Jehoash. We do what is pleasing to Hashem, but we continue to keep our shrines of sin operational. There are those sins which we simply choose to keep. We may live very holy lives and even keep much of the Torah unless we get rid of our shrines we will continue to sacrifice at them.

Rav Shaul (Paul) states “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Ruach HaKodesh (Divine Presence), who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body.” (Korintim Alef 6:19, 20)

We must realize that just as all male Jews were required to pay a shekel to upkeep the Tent of meeting, our Temples were bought at a price. Yeshua gave his life so that our Temples may remain pure.

Therefore, take stock of your life. Continue to serve Hashem and to live a life pleasing to Him. However, remember to tear down the sacred shrines of sin in your life because Yeshua has already paid the price for the upkeep of your Temple.