D’var Torah: Mishpatim 2026/5786 משפטים
Rabbi Allison Poirier, Temple Aliyah, Schechter Parent
In this week’s Torah portion, Mishpatim, we learn a lot of rules. I mean, a LOT of rules. Up until now, the Torah readings from Genesis and the beginning of Exodus have mostly told us stories. These stories teach us lessons and even convey some rules, but the texts are largely narrative. We meet characters, follow conflicts and witness dramatic turning points. In Mishpatim, we experience a significant shift. The text is still situated within an ongoing conversation between HaShem and Moshe, but what dominates the parashah is a long list of laws about damages, labor, property, justice, care for the vulnerable, ethical speech and community responsibility.
It is understandable if we experience this list as a little bit dry, or even “boring.” There are no seas splitting, no thunder and lightning, no dramatic rescues. But that response is not a failure of our imagination. It may actually be the point! While we all cherish moments of spiritual inspiration and transformation, most of our lives are not made up of mountaintop experiences. Most of the time, we are simply living our regular lives by showing up to work, caring for family, dealing with frustrations, making decisions large and small.
The message of Mishpatim is that those regular, seemingly “boring” or mundane moments can be holy too, if we make them so. Everyday acts like how we treat our neighbors, how we care for animals, how we conduct business, and how we respond when harm has been done are elevated to the realm of holiness when they are guided by God’s commandments. In Mishpatim, holiness is not about escaping the world; it is about shaping the world we already inhabit. Justice, fairness, responsibility, and compassion become sacred acts.
This idea is especially important as the Israelites continue their journey through the wilderness. When they first left Egypt, their faith was reignited by the overwhelming miracles of the Ten Plagues, the splitting of the Sea of Reeds, fresh water in the desert, and manna falling from the sky. After all that, the revelation at Sinai was accompanied by fire, smoke, and thunder. But once they leave Sinai, those moments of overt divine spectacle will become fewer and farther between. The people will need a different way to remain connected to God and to one another without relying on constant “wow” moments.
Mishpatim offers that path. It teaches that covenantal life is sustained not through constant miracles, but through daily choices. Through showing up with integrity. Through creating a society in which people are protected, dignity is preserved, and power is restrained. This portion reminds us that God’s presence can be found not only in moments of transcendence, but also in patience, accountability, and care.
In our own lives, we do not experience spiritual fireworks every day. But we do have endless opportunities to sanctify the ordinary. Mishpatim invites us to notice that holiness can be quiet, steady, and built over time through the ways we treat one another.
