Parashat Mishpatim: Hidden Meanings Behind the Laws of the Torah

Piercing the Ear of the Hebrew Servant

“Then his master shall pierce his ear with an awl” (Shemot 21:6). Why is the punishment of such a servant specifically piercing the ear?

The Da’at Zekenim of the Tosafists explains that the word martzea (awl) has a numerical value of 400. God says, as it were: I took you out of a bondage of 400 years in Egypt, and I declared, “For the children of Israel are My servants” (Vayikra 25:55). Yet this person went and acquired a human master for himself. Therefore, he is punished with the awl — symbolizing a rejection of the freedom granted by God.

“An Eye for an Eye”: Health as True Wealth

“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot” (Shemot 21:24).

Rabbeinu Ephraim notes that the four body parts mentioned — eyes, teeth, hands, and feet, form the initials of the Hebrew word ashir (rich). This hints that there is no wealth like health. One who is sound in these four essential faculties is truly wealthy, regardless of material possessions.

Distancing Oneself from Falsehood

“From a false matter you shall distance yourself” (Shemot 23:7).

The work Minchat Ani (p. 58) teaches that falsehood distances a person from the Holy One, blessed be He. When someone clings to lies, his moral compass becomes distorted: commandments begin to appear as transgressions, and transgressions as commandments.

Three Words, Thousands of Laws

“You shall not allow a sorceress to live” (Shemot 22:17).

Although this verse consists of only three words, Avot deRabbi Natan (chapter 25, mishnah 3) teaches that three thousand laws are derived from it. This highlights the depth and density of Torah, where even the briefest verses contain vast halachic meaning.

The Spiritual Power of Lending Money

“If you lend money to My people” (Shemot 22:24).

Midrash Tanchuma (siman 9) teaches that one who possesses wealth, gives charity to the poor, and lends money without interest is considered as if he fulfilled all the commandments of the Torah. Lending is not merely a financial act but a spiritual one, expressing trust, compassion, and responsibility.

The Hidden Message in “You Shall Not Take a Bribe”

“And you shall not take a bribe” (Shemot 23:8).

The Chida, in Chomat Anach (letter 16), notes that the final letters of the phrase form the word echad (one), implying that one who takes a bribe is considered as if he denies the One God. He further observes that the letters following ש–ח–ד (bribe) in the Hebrew alphabet spell ת–ט–ה, hinting that bribery inevitably leads to bending and distorting judgment.

Serving God, Food, and Illness

“You shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water, and I will remove illness from among you” (Shemot 23:25).

The Ibn Ezra explains that many illnesses originate from improper or harmful foods. One who lives according to the Torah need not fear such illness, as it is written, “He will bless your bread.” Other illnesses arise from external causes, such as environmental or cosmic changes. Concerning these, the verse promises, “I will remove illness from among you.”

Seeing God’s Glory at Sinai

“The appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain, before the eyes of the children of Israel” (Shemot 24:17).

The Rokeach explains that “before the eyes of the children of Israel” means that each individual perceived the revelation according to his own spiritual level. The divine vision was one, but the experience was personal.

These insights are drawn from “Me’ever LaMefursam” on the Book of Exodus—a collection of lesser-known teachings from our sages on the weekly Torah portions and practical law, published with the approbation of leading Torah authorities.