Good Judgments come from G-D

Recognizing the true source of our convictions

By Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht
Beth Israel of Westport/Norwalk
Vice President Rabbinical Alliance of America
Founder Schneerson Center for Jewish Life, CT

Good judgments are from Mt. Sinai

Our weekly Torah reading begins with the words V’eila HaMishpotim - And these are the judgments you shall place before them. (Exodus 21:1) The operative word is the connecting Hebrew letter vov. As Rashi the great biblical commentator notes, wherever the Hebrew word “Eila- these” is stated it cuts off the preceding sections from what follows. However, the term “V’eila and- these” acts as a continuation to the preceding.

The preceding section of the Torah containing the Ten Commandments are apparently given at Mt. Sinai so too we are to acknowledge that all of the judgment laws enumerated in this weeks Torah reading were also given and revealed at Mt. Sinai.

613 Commandments - divided into three

Mishpotim – judgments are basic to reason and logic. As opposed for example to the commandments of shatnez -prohibition of wearing a garment woven with wool and linen or the laws of kashrus which are Chukim - divine decrees that defy rational explanation. The third category of commandment is called Aidot- testimonials. These are the Mitzvah commandments that mark our history such as Passover or Sukkoth or Shavuot that marks the receiving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai. We would never on our come up with a ritual to eat Matzah on Passover or eat our meals in a booth for Sukkoth, unless of course, these ritual observances mark an historical event and serve as a reenactment and testimonial and witness to these events in our People’s history.

The laws of acquisitions and commerce, torts, damages and all areas of human interaction are mostly found in the area of Mishpotim judgments which are identified as civil-law. Why did the Torah find it important to emphasize that these logical and civil commandments be based on revelation at Sinai. After all, if human logic dictates that this is the moral and proper way of conduct why the emphasis that these judgments were given at Sinai? We would follow these laws of conduct on our own because they make sense and are dictated by logic. Why the need for recognizing a ‘higher power’ when human logic alone would suffice?

The answer is found in current events affecting us all

The push for acceptance of Alternative Lifestyles by society at large and the heated discussion in support of the reinterpretation of the word Marriage are a good example of why we need to recognize that even civil-law has its roots and support in the Torah and bible.

Many well meaning people in their effort to confer the State of Connecticut’s imprimatur on gay unions as being legitimate marriage are disconnecting our basis of family values from its nascent beginnings, which are derived from the Judeo ethic that springs from the Torah. Much of our civilization is actually based upon biblical ethics that have stood the test of time. Family values are valued because they maintain a strong family structure and strengthen community life.

In Israel too, the disengagement from Gaza and the displacement of over ten thousand Jewish people from their thriving communities were based on logic devoid of Torah and Jewish law as codified in the code of Jewish law. As such it made sense to uproot these communities for political expediency. However had the Israelis also factored in the revealed logic given at Sinai they would have been able to overcome the blandishments of the EU and the empty promises of peace by their menacing neighbors. Now what we have is the reality of a terrorist haven for launching kassams from the very area of what were once the thriving and nurturing communities of Gush Katif.

The point of all this is to convey that the propensity of humanity is to at times to make the unacceptable and illogical as being logical and acceptable. The beauty and elegant truth of the Torah is that the sensible and the logical will never become just that -- a construct of the human mind alone. Torah in its profundity protects and nurtures the most important aspects of human dignity and endeavor -- for all time and for all places. Aren’t we lucky to have our logical commandments blessed by the Torah. Indeed good judgments come from Sinai.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht