Torah Study Questions
Mishpatim - Ordinances
Sh'mot (Exodus) 21:1 24:18
Mark R. Ensign, Adot Adonai, Amarillo, Texas
Introductory questions -- Brief answers, not for extended discussion:
1. At what point in history does this parsha unfold?
2. Where does this parsha take place geographically? What are the setting
and environment?
3. Who are the primary actors in the parsha and what role or roles does each
play? What is the significance of each role? Identify any secondary
actors and what roles do they play? What is the significance of their
roles?
4. What is the overall theme of this parsha? What are the subdivisions,
if any?
Parsha Specific Questions -- for extended discussion:
Chapter 21
Why would an Yisraeli buy any another Yisraeli as a bond servant and why would
an Yisraeli agree to be a bond servant? How long could he serve as a bond
servant? Distinguish the nature of this relationship from that of a
slave. What are the various scenarios for termination in regard to his
marital status and children? What is done if he decides to remain with
his master? How is the relationship sealed and changed? How did Rav
Sha'ul describe himself in his letter to the Philippians and who did he model
his life after with a similar description? What should this teach us?
Why would an Yisraeli sell his daughter as a bond servant? What
safeguards are in place regarding her termination and provisions for her?
Describe and distinguish between the different types of acts resulting in death
and their related punishment in verses 12 through 17. What are the two
instructions regarding offenses against mothers and fathers and why do both
carry the death penalty? From verses 18 through 27, what is the context
and meaning of the famous expression, "a life for a life, an eye for an
eye,..."? Was this taken literally or was there a form of repayment
required as compensation or damages? From verses 28 to 32, describe the
various situations involving an ox that gores a person and the various levels
of punishment or damages. (Please note that the last verse of chapter 21
in the Hebrew Bible is included as verse one of chapter 22 in the English
Bible. The verse references that follow will be to the English Bible
numbering.)
Chapter 22
What are the different situations involving a thief and his punishment in
verses one through four? What did Y'shua teach about the thief and the
home owner? What did the Sages teach was permitted in this case?
Are these teachings incompatible or could they be in agreement? Could
Y'shua have been referring to Sh'mot 22:2? What do you think? How
would you react in such a situation?
Why did our Father established a system of restitution? What are the
general rules regarding one who has been entrusted with property for another
and something happens to that property while in his possession? What were
the two possible outcomes for seduction of a maiden by a man? Why would
our Father include the instructions of verses 18 through 20 covering such
terrible acts?
What four groups mentioned in this parsha have a common characteristic and
special need? What do they have in common? How does YHVH aid them?
How does Rav Sha'ul enhance our understanding and what instructions does he
give us? What does YHVH proscribe Yisraelis from doing to strangers in
their midst and why was the punishment so severe? What important rules
governed the relationship between a lender and a borrower and to what special
group of persons did these rules apply? What are the levels of charity described
by the Sages and what can we learn from these? In verse 28, what is the
Hebrew word commonly translated as G-d and what other meaning does it have that
fits into this verse and makes it a parallelism? In the verses that
complete the chapter, what important teachings are alluded to here that are
taught more fully elsewhere in Torah?
Chapter 23
What is the special context and setting for the instructions in verses one
through three? How would you rewrite these verses to simplify the
language and clarify the understanding? Why does YHVH include the
instructions regarding the animals belonging to an enemy? Regarding the
first three verses, what additional understanding of the special context and
setting do you receive from verses six through nine? How would you
incorporate these verses into your revision above? What parallels are
there between the instructions set out in verses ten through twelve? Why
are these instructions so important? What is your understanding of and
response to the instruction regarding the names of strange gods?
What pilgrimage festivals are described? When and how are they to be
observed? Who were instructed to appear before YHVH and where? What
is the big problem caused by misinterpretation of the last part of verse
19? Who was YHVH going to send to direct Bnei Yisrael and how was YHVH's
name to be in him? What was to be done to the inhabitants of the promised
land? How were their gods to be treated and why? What would be the
benefit of proper worship of YHVH? What two things would YHVH send before
the people and how would these effect the enemy? Why would they not be
driven out immediately? What were the locations of the borders YHVH
promised? What relationship were Bnei Yisrael to have with the inhabitants
of the land and why?
Chapter 24
What instruction did Moshe receive from YHVH and who was to accompany him and
with what restrictions? What was the response of Bnei Yisrael to the
words of YHVH? When had they made a similar statement and when would they
make it next? What were the responses of Moshe? Then what did he do
before Bnei Yisrael? How did they respond and how was their response
sealed? What relationship does this event have to the actions of a
believer in Y'shua? What further understanding is provided by the actions
of Y'shua and the writer of the Epistle to the Messianic Jews (Hebrews)?
Describe the events involving Moshe and the leaders of Yisrael including what
they saw and did. What further instruction did YHVH give Moshe?
Where did Moshe go and for how long? Describe the appearance of the
location and YHVH from the perspective of the people? What parallels can
be found between Har Sinai and the Temple Mount? What special purpose
does our body have for YHVH that is akin to that of Har Sinai and the
Temple? What should be