Parshas Mishpatim
By: Malka Schneps
“GOOD SHABBOS, MR. WEINSTEIN! I brought a bottle of wine for Kiddush,” Dan Jacobs said. “Come, join us inside,” replied Yaakov Weinstein. “We were just about to start singing.” “Shalom Aleichem?” asked Dan. “I love that part!” “Great, then you’re just in time.” Yaakov smiled. “Come, take your usual seat.” “Thank you. Wow, the table looks amazing! Mrs. Weinstein, you outdid yourself again,” praised Dan. “Oh, it’s the guest who makes the table shine,” answered Mrs. Weinstein with a smile. Yaakov called in the children and the seudah began. The evening proceeded as it had the week before, and the month before, and the year before. Dan listened to Kiddush and answered amein. He followed the family into the kitchen and washed. He smiled as Mr. and Mrs. Weinstein laughed with their children. And at the end of the meal, Dan gladly accepted a translated bentcher, and he bentched along with the Weinsteins, albeit in English. Dan loved the Weinstein family’s Shabbos table, and they loved hosting him. Things might have continued this way forever had Rabbi Beck not spoken up the next morning, following Shacharis. “Yaakov, do you have a minute?” “Sure, Rabbi, all the time in the world,” said Yaakov. “How is it was working out with Dan Jacobs, the young man you host for Shabbos meals. Is he still coming to you?” asked Rabbi Beck. “Oh, he certainly is. He really adds so much to our Shabbos table.” “Well, I was hoping he would become a bit more… involved. Have you suggested that he attend my classes, or that he perhaps come a bit earlier and join you for davening?” inquired Rabbi Beck. “I suggest it often, but Dan doesn’t seem interested. At least he’s somewhat interested in Shabbos — I mean, he eats by us every week,” offered Yaakov. “Yes, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I was thinking that perhaps you might consider making some changes to the way you conduct your Shabbos seudos.” Yaakov looked confused. “Why, did Dan complain about anything? He seemed perfectly content last night…” “That’s precisely the problem, Yaakov. He’s perfectly
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content. Too content. This week’s parsha discusses the eved ivri — the Jewish slave. The slave is required to work for six years, and then go free in the seventh year. However, he may choose to remain in servitude. If he does choose to remain, then the master must bring him to the doorpost and bore his ear with an awl. After that, the slave remains enslaved — by his own choosing!” explained Rabbi Beck. “I always found that to be strange,” replied Yaakov. “Who would anyone choose to remain a servant?” “Well, a person shouldn’t want to remain in servitude. That’s one of the reasons why he has his ear bored at the doorpost. The Gemara in Kiddushin 22b explains that the doorposts in Mitzrayim were witnesses when Hashem passed over and proclaimed that the Bnei Yisrael are His servants. If a man chooses to serve a human master, then his ear that had heard that we are to serve only Hashem is bored, as a kind of punishment.” “Okay, but what is the connection to Dan?” asked Yaakov. “Well, R’ Yisrael Salanter asked another question on this. Why does the master have to bore the hole in the slave’s ear? It appears that the master is being punished as well. R’ Yisrael Salanter explains that the master is held accountable because he conducted his home in such a way that the slave was content to remain a slave. The atmosphere of the home should inspire people to want to grow and become more than they are, rather than remaining in a secondary position.” As the connection dawned on Yaakov, he responded, “I see. Dan has not been inspired to be more than a guest at our table. What can I do differently to inspire Dan to want to continue growing? And my own children, too — I don’t want them to settle for less than their full potential either.” “Tell me, do you give a dvar Torah at the table?” asked Rabbi Beck. Yaakov’s faced reddened. “Well, I really want to, but I don’t know what to say at the table…” he confessed. “There’s no need to feel embarrassed — this is very common. Here are a few books with divrei Torah on the parsha that were written especially to be told over at the Shabbos table.” “Thank you so much, Rabbi Beck,” said Yaakov, “in more ways than one.”