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Sensitivity for the Stranger \ Parashat Mishpatim
D'var Torah: "Do do not mistreat a stanger or oppress him, for you were strangers in Egypt" (Shemos 22:20). It is as if HaShem is charging Klal Yisrael to act with moral justice: "Don't mistreat or take advantage of helpless people like foreigners, widows, or orphans, etc., making the assumption that no one will come to their rescue. Remember that you were strangers enslaved in Egypt. I saw the oppression that the Egyptians imposed on you and I punished them and rescued you from their hand. I see the tears and hear the cries of the oppressed, who have no one to save or comfort them. I save each one of them from the persecutor who is more powerful than them. In addition, since you were foreigners in Egypt, you know that every foreigner feels sad and cries with his eyes directed toward Me. I will have mercy on Him, just as I had mercy on you."
Moral: HaShem warns us that the experience of our bondage in Egypt and the miraculous redemption, imbues us with the knowledge that HaShem will always defend the oppressed. In addition, since our souls know the pain of being a stranger, we are required to show fairness, empathy, and compassion to all strangers, widows, and orpans, etc. It is incumbent upon Klal Yisrael to never hurt or oppress the weak.
Application: Reflect on Klal Yisrael's awareness of knowing the pain of being treated as a stranger and oppressed as an outcast. Remember in Egypt how HaShem felt the agony of our slavery and rescued us with great compassion. Review the verse, "Do do not mistreat a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in Egypt." Show sensitivity, respect, and compassion to all disadvantaged people, taking care to never hurt or oppress them. (Based on the commentary of the Ramban to the Torah)
The Salant Foundation is currently looking for a Shul or community to partner with us in sharing the merit of the unique and important Salant Kollel. There are practical and easy ways (such as adoptakollel.org) to create a special mutual relationship between the Kollel and a Shul or community. If you think your shul or community or even workplace might want to participate in supporting the Salant Kollel, please contact Rabbi Zvi Miller at salantorg@gmail.com, and we'll discuss how to go about implementing your idea. Thank you. |
L"N R' Yochanon Mordecai ben Ephraim and Moras Esther Leah bas Yehudah Yoseph. R' Maair Ben R' Yakutiel Javayeer z"tl
Refuah Shleimah
Yochanon Baruch ben Fruma Ettta
Riva bas Henya
Zivia bas Raizel
Tzvi ben Chana Leah Hadassah bas Michal ChanaChava Bas Michal ChanahChaya Harriet Bat Sophie Lee Mazal Malkah Mollie Bas Sarah Yakir Efraim Ben Rachel Devora
Chaya Leah bas Sara Chaya Shaina Chana Bas Itcha
Netanel Ilan ben Shayna Tzipora
Shumel Ben Navat
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