Q.I heard in Shul during this last Shaleshudes that this year (2024) we will be reading actually on Mishpatim three different parshios. Is that really true?
A. On question 1618 we nmentioned the following: “My Zaidy asked me this week the following: “Sefer HaChinuch offers a most surprisingly unusual presentation of our parsha this week. He astonishingly divides Mishpatim into two different parshios. (According to him there are 12 Sedres in Chumash Shemos, instead of our accepted only 11). The first Sedra he also calls Mishpatim. The second one he calls Im Kesef and begins at that posuk (23: 24). Why was this most unusual division necessary?
Furthermore, the most essential Mitzva of telling the truth which is so fundamental to all Mishpatim, appears in the added second sedra. Why should it be delayed until then?
A surprising Midrash (Shemos Rabbah 15) connects the beginning of our Parsha to the pasuk: ‘Hashem, give Your judgments to the king’ (Tehilim 72: 1). What is the intention and purpose of this teaching?
Moriy Verabi Horav Leib Gurvicz Zt’l explains quoting his father in law Q. Mori Verabi Horav Eliahu Lopian Zt’l that there are two distinct ways how Mishpatim or laws are given and carried out. The first and more common one is the judgments and legal dictums determined by the Sanhedrin or a proper Beis Din. These are based on Torah and Halacha jurisprudence and monetary laws, many of which appear in the first part of Mishpatim.
The second part represents mitzvos and laws that in special occasions can temporarily be changed, as is the power of a king. (He presents the story of King David and Natan Hanavi as an example.) As R’ A. Mileevsky well figured the gematriya. Hamishpatim = 484 = Shofat Hamelech.
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