The laws given to Israel in the Torah are often viewed as a rigid legal code, yet they are far more than that. They reveal God's wisdom, justice, and care for His people. This week’s Scripture portion opens with a verse that sets the foundation for the many commandments that follow:

And these are the ordinances (statutes) משפטים that you shall set before them.
Exodus 21:1

The Hebrew word משפטים (mishpatim) is often translated as "judgments," but a closer look reveals that these are not merely judicial rulings—they are divine principles that structure a just and moral society. Every commandment reflects the character of God: His righteousness, His mercy, and His desire for human relationships to be governed by fairness and respect.

If people fully embraced God's statutes, our world would be radically different—more compassionate, more orderly, and more just. Take, for example, the command found in Exodus 21:12:

He who strikes someone so that he dies shall certainly be put to death.

This law reinforces the sacredness of life. It is not about vengeance but about upholding justice. In a society where human life is valued and wrongdoing is held accountable, crime and violence diminish. The ordinances in this passage cover a range of human relationships—how to treat parents, neighbors, and even those in servitude—demonstrating that God's laws are meant to bring structure and peace, not oppression.

One of the most misunderstood aspects of this Torah portion is the law regarding Hebrew slaves:

If you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall work for six years; but on the seventh, he shall leave as a free man without payment…
Exodus 21:2

Many struggle with the concept of slavery in the Bible, but it is crucial to understand the context. This was not the harsh, dehumanizing slavery seen in other ancient cultures or in more recent history. In biblical times, a Hebrew could become a servant due to financial hardship or as an alternative to harsher punishment for a crime. However, unlike other ancient societies, God placed strict limits on servitude. A Hebrew slave had rights—he was not to be abused, and his service was temporary. After six years, he was to be set free.

What’s even more remarkable is that the law provides a provision for a servant who, out of love for his master, chooses to remain:

But if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not leave as a free man,’ then his master shall bring him to God… and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him permanently.
Exodus 21:5–6

Why would a servant voluntarily stay? Because he was treated well. This reveals a critical aspect of biblical servitude: it was meant to be humane and just. A master was expected to treat his servant with kindness, making his home a place where the servant might actually wish to remain.

While God’s laws provided a fair and compassionate system, Israel did not always obey. In the Haftarah portion, the prophet Jeremiah confronts Israel for violating God's command concerning Hebrew slaves:

Each person was to set his male servant free and each his female servant… But afterward they turned around and took back the male servants and the female servants whom they had set free, and brought them into subjection.
Jeremiah 34:8–16

At first, they obeyed—likely because they were under siege and could no longer sustain their servants. But once their circumstances changed, they reneged on their commitment, re-enslaving those they had just set free. By doing so, they openly defied God’s command, disregarding the justice He had established in Exodus 21:2–6.

God’s response was severe:

Because you have not obeyed Me in proclaiming release… I proclaim release to you,’ declares the LORD, ‘to the sword, to the plague, and to the famine.”
Jeremiah 34:17

This judgment serves as a sobering reminder: God’s laws are not mere suggestions. They are designed to uphold righteousness and protect the vulnerable. When people disregard divine justice, they ultimately bring suffering upon themselves.

The principles of justice and mercy found in Exodus 21 are echoed in the New Covenant, particularly in Colossians 4:1:

Masters, grant your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

This verse reinforces the idea that even in an imperfect world where servitude existed, those in authority were still expected to act with integrity and kindness. The same God who set limits on servitude in Exodus 21 now reminds followers of God that all are accountable to Him. Just as Hebrew masters were expected to treat their servants with dignity, those in leadership or positions of influence are called to exercise justice and fairness.

This is a powerful reminder that no one, regardless of status, is truly in control—we all serve the Lord. Just as God held Israel accountable for mistreating their servants, He will also hold us accountable for how we treat others, whether in positions of leadership, employment, or any relationship where we hold authority.

God’s commandments are not random rules; they are a reflection of His wisdom and justice. They teach us how to value life, how to treat others with dignity, and how to establish a society built on righteousness.

The ordinances in this passage remind us that justice is not something humans can define according to their own desires—it is something God has already revealed. When people follow His ways, communities flourish. When they ignore them, disorder follows.

May we always seek to understand the depth of God’s wisdom in His laws and apply His principles to our lives—not as burdens, but as the divine framework for a world filled with justice, righteousness, grace and peace.

Shabbat Shalom,
Moran