This week we read the parasha of Mishpatim. "And these are the mishpatim {judgments} that you shall place before them. [21:1]"

Mishpatim (משפטים — Hebrew for “laws”) is the eighteenth weekly Torah portion (parshah) in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the sixth in the book of Exodus. It constitutes Shemot / Exodus 21:1–24:18.

Are HaShem’s rulings outdated?  This is the thought of many, especially Christians, who claim that the law was abolished.

It is interesting to note that last week’s Parashat Yitro introduces the “Aseret haDibrot” Ten Commandments.  This week’s reading emphasizes that HaShem wants us to live holy and righteous lives and these mitzvoth (commandments) are building blocks set on the foundation of the Ten Commandments.

Among these rulings are how to deal with finding an animal stranded on the road and how to treat a slave.  Now I know that most of us do not own an ox or a slave for that matter, but the fact is that these rulings are still relevant for us today.

“When an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox shall be stoned and its flesh shall not be eaten, but the owner of the ox is not to be punished. 29 If, however, that ox has been in the habit of goring, and its owner, though warned, has failed to guard it, and it kills a man or a woman — the ox shall be stoned and its owner, too, shall be put to death. [Shemot 21:28, 29]”

The principal here could be applied to any animals which we own.  We must ensure that we take care not to have our pets injure someone and we must take responsibility when that happens.

Slavery does not mean the same thing today as it did in Biblical Times.  A person became a slave as a result of owing a debt to the person who was the master.  Mishlei / Proverbs 22:7 states “The rich rules over the poor and the borrower is the slave of the lender.”  It was important in Biblical times, as it is today, to ensure that we do not get too far in debt.  Many who get into deep debt become “slaves” to credit card companies and other financial institutions. 

One must remember that society in Biblical times was more agriculturally based,   Are the ordinances of HaShem still applicable today.  The answer is yes, we must put it all in context.