February 13, 2009 (Rabbi Bulka)

Next Shabbat is a unique blend of Torah readings - Mishpatim and Shekalim.

 

Mishpatim deals with judicial regulations. These include the famous law that one who steals must pay back double. One who steals $1000 must pay the victim $2000. Merely returning the money is clearly not deemed sufficient. The thief must feel the pain of being out the same amount of money that the intended victim would have been out - to learn to care about others. 

 

Shekalim deals with shekels, with money. In this reading, we are introduced to the idea of everyone doing a little bit, to assure that the community has enough shekels to address community needs.

 

This can only work if everyone in the community pulls their weight. And guess what is the hebrew word for weight? Mishkal! As in shekel.

 

Here we are, in times of global financial uncertainty, with much of it due to people in positions of responsibility not applying the spirit of mishpat (judicious caring) to shekels.

 

We need to feel the pain of those who are caught in the crunch, and to fervently hope that the community as a whole will be blessed with the health and shekalim it needs in order to flourish.