בס”ד
Parashat Mishpatim
In this week’s Torah reading, Mishpatim, we find a verse (Shmot 22:8) that explains the laws of a gusrdian that doesn’t want to return the object he received to guard. The Torrah details certain objects to return and the Talmud explains why did the Torah identify those objects. There is a spiritual lesson on each one of them. Based on Likutei Sihot, vol. 1, p. 155
This week, we read Parashat Mishpatim, which means “rational laws.” It contains so many details that it can be difficult to focus on one idea, but let’s explore one subject and try to understand its lesson in the service of G-d.
The Guardian and Responsibility
The topic revolves around the guardian: when someone entrusts an object to another for safekeeping and later requests its return, the guardian might claim that it was stolen, broken, or lost. However, in reality, the guardian may have kept it for himself. In such cases, the matter must go before a rabbinical court, and the guardian is required to swear an oath. Sometimes, after swearing, a person may feel remorse and wish to return the item. This subject is deeply analyzed in the Talmud and Jewish law.
The Torah’s Specificity
A particular verse mentions specific objects—an ox, a donkey, a sheep, and a garment—that one may entrust to a guardian. The Talmud questions why these specific objects are mentioned when, logically, any item given for safekeeping must be returned. Why highlight these?
The Talmud explains that every word in the Torah carries significance. For example, a garment is easily identified by size, weight, and color. A donkey, however, may not have unique physical identifiers, but it can be recognized by its saddle. Even an ox’s back hairs must be returned, not just the animal itself. But why does the Torah specify a sheep? The Talmud concludes: “Kasha”—we do not know. This doesn’t mean there is no reason, but rather that the reason remains hidden.
A Deeper Lesson: Guarding the Soul
Beyond its legal aspect, this teaching carries a spiritual lesson. What is the object being safeguarded? It is the soul, which G-d entrusts to each of us. He expects us to care for it and return it in a pure state by living a life dedicated to Him. However, obstacles arise—internal struggles that distance us from serving G-d.
The four objects symbolize different challenges within our spiritual journey:
- The Ox: Represents strong earthly desires and material pleasures that pull a person away from spiritual focus.
- The Donkey: Known for its cold nature, it symbolizes spiritual indifference—a lack of passion for serving G-d.
- The Garment: In Hebrew, “beged” (garment) is related to “bagad” (betrayal). This represents rebellion against G-d without reason—defiance for the sake of defiance.
- The Sheep: A sheep is scattered, symbolizing a person who lacks focus and is influenced by their surroundings. This is the hardest state to return from because such a person absorbs values that are not their own and drifts aimlessly.
Overcoming the Challenge of the Sheep
The Talmud states that the sheep is “Kasha”—difficult. This suggests that returning from a scattered state is the hardest challenge. But how can one overcome it?
The Baal Shem Tov taught that everything a person sees or hears should serve as a lesson in the service of G-d. By training oneself to perceive every detail in life as an expression of divine wisdom, even someone lost in distraction can regain focus and return to G-d’s path.
Conclusion
May we all merit overcoming these inner struggles and serve G-d with all our strength and devotion.
Talk from Rabbi Tuvia Serber
The above is a representation of the spoken text converted to written text.
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