It’s not the creed, it’s the deed

For Shabbat, Feb. 22, 2020

Parasha Mishpatim – Shabbat Shekalim

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.

Dr. Michael Mantell

SAN DIEGO — In the words of Louis Nizer, the noted Jewish-American trial lawyer, author, artist, and advisor to some of the most powerful people in the world of politics, business and entertainment, who passed away in 1994, “True religion is the life we lead, not the creed we profess.” In this week’s readings, we are presented with 53 mitzvot, 23 positive and 30 negative, commandments that magnify the aseret ha’dibrot (the 10 Commandments), that we read last week. We see inside of these mitzvot, behaviors that imperil and fortify society.

In our Parasha, Mishpatim, laws, are two of more than 30 times that the Torah warns us against mistreating the sojourner, V’ger lo teelchatz “Do not oppress the stranger”(Shemot, 23:9). We learn about the value of treating others properly, equitably, impartially and what the way we treat others reveals about ourselves. These are certainly universal values that are essential to a healthy, fair, society. How do you live, not just profess, these values?

On this Shabbat Shekalim, the first of four special Shabbatot leading to Pesach, we are reminded of the importance of treating others with equality and with respect, rich and poor alike, as it says in Exodus 30:15, regarding building the mishkan, “The rich shall give no more, and the poor shall give no less than half a shekel, with which to give the offering to the Lord, to atone for your souls.” Clearly, we are taught that everyone matters, everyone can contribute to bolstering, fortifying, and reinforcing the community, our Jewish community. It does not say only one gender, only one age group (those beyond 20 years of age), only one marital status. No, it says the rich and poor alike. We see from this our faith’s everlasting astuteness about the psychology of giving. Giving, we learn, not only benefits those to whom we give, but it surely aids ourselves as givers as well.

Want to destroy the community in which you live? Ignore this week’s Torah readings, fail to follow the 52 mitzvot, steal someone else’s thinking, harm that which is not yours – someone else’s property, reputation, identity, or physically injure another.

Or you can, like we read in Shekalim, boost our community by contributing to others fairly, volunteer for community activities, share in the goings-on in our community. Step forward with positive influence and presence, provide for another, be an involved builder not someone who breaks down our community. Rich or poor alike, everyone – everyone – has a place to advance, to strengthen, our community’s well-being. These are the Torah values we learn about this week, equality, justice, that add to our civilized community. Our challenge is to bring these principles and ideals into real life…through “the life we lead, not simply the creed we profess.” It is, after all, what our Torah readings this week instill within us, it is our covenant with Hashem. This is a superb time to revitalize our own financial loyalty and commitment to our synagogue as we usher in Rosh Chodesh Adar. It’s not too early to wish all a joyous Adar and a zeisen Pesach!

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Michael Mantell, Ph.D writes a d’var Torah each week for Young Israel of San Diego, where he and his family worship.