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Mishpatim(Exodus 21-24)
The Seed to Succeed
In the previous Torah portion, God gave the Jews the Ten Commandments. And in this portion, the very next commandment God gives the Jewish people is:
"If you buy a Jewish bondsman, he shall work for six years; and in the seventh he shall go free..."
Exodus 21:2)
A LIFE LESSON
God instructs every Jew that if he has a Jewish slave working for him, then after six years he is to be set free. On the surface, it seems like when the seventh year arrives the slave would eagerly, happily, and enthusiastically run from his master's house into his new found freedom. But this just isn't how a slave feels. The reason for this is that the longer a person is under the "rule" of someone or something else, the less belief he has that he can actually make it on his own.
One of the most debilitating aspects of any form of enslavement is that it robs a person of his self-worth and self-confidence. He becomes enslaved physically, emotionally and mentally. But the fact the God commands the slave to be set free in the seventh year demonstrates an incredible and powerful seed that God plants within all of us. And that is knowing, without question, that we all have the ability to make it on our own without this master.
Whether you realize it or not, each and everyone of us are enslaved to someone or to something. Whether it's continuing to stay in at a job we dislike, in a relationship that's unhealthy, engage in destructive behaviors, or need to watch hours of television in order to escape the thoughts of the day - we all choose to be slaves.
While no one wants to be controlled, this enslavement is far better than we fear what will become of us if we chose to leave. The bottom line is that within all of us is a powerful and driving belief that questions if we really can make it on our own without this master. And although the enslavement is hard, frustrating, and painful, we don't leave because we doubt our ability to make it in un-chartered waters.
But the exact opposite is true. Whatever unhealthy situation controls a part of your life and keeps you from blossoming and becoming great, then also know that you can walk away and make it without this master. And when you do muster the strength to leave and fight the inner voice that questions your ability to succeed, then the battle is 99% won. Because when you commit to being free, you just have to hand the ball over to God and He will give you everything you need to make it.
(4) Edith , February 17, 2009
Today there are more things to become a slave
It is quite enlighting to read this interpretation, because today, I believe, we are less and less free and simple. And, what is worst is that our children are becoming slaves without knowing or questioning. Today, children adopt lifestyles with strict boundaries that do not let them grow healthy. Just going to a school is enough to see the different ideologies that separate them from talking or integrating with others. In my opinion, this interpretation is very powerful not just to us as Adults, but for children too, who today are more tied to material things or ideologies.
(3) Chris , February 2, 2008
How Relavent
It is amazing how relavent this teaching is to the struggles I face. It is true the longer we stay imprisoned to things the more comfortable we become with them and the less we will try to get free. It is sometimes hard for me to read this portion because it is hard for me to understand how G-d could allow such a thing like having slaves to be a part of Israelite society. Yes G-d's laws concerning this would set Israel apart in that the slaves actually had to be treated fairly like keeping them only for 6 years and then letting them be free and letting them go free if any bodily serious bodily harm was inflicted on them. Yet I know this portion has a meaning for us now. I have my own personal fears and things that keep me up emotionally. I need to ask G-d for the strength to be free.
(2) Norman Schwartz , February 25, 2006
easy to say
Its easy to say,But it depends on G_Ds plan for you and the lessons He wants you to learn.If you are hungry and broke,and someone offers you charity to eat ,But can you turn down the meal becuz you dont want to be a slave to charity.Will you wait for G-D to feed you so you can be independent of your master charity.You can not answer my question unless you live it.There is no greater taskmaster then to depend on charity. Respectfully Nachman
(1) Scott Granowski , February 24, 2006
Enslavement
Your column is wonderful - tying together the commandment concerning freeing a Jewish slave with our requirement to leave any bondage behind so that we can serve Hashem. Thank you.