Tag: Parashat Mishpatim

The Torah parashah (portion) Mishpatim (“judgments”) covers Exodus 21:1-24:18.

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Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

Biblical Zion: Our journey from Sinai to the New Jerusalem (Exodus 24; Isaiah 60–61)

Digital painting created by ChatGPT in an oil palette knife style depicting ancient Jerusalem in a three-tiered composition. In the foreground, a large multitude of people gathers at the base of the hills, rendered with broad, textured strokes. Above them rises the city of Jerusalem, dominated by Solomon’s Temple set on an elevated platform, with high stone walls and the Temple structure oriented lengthwise across the hill, its surfaces gleaming in warm sunlight. Over the Temple hovers a large, dark cloud pierced by intense, radiant beams of light shining downward, emphasizing a divine presence. The lower left quarter of the image is relatively open and subdued to accommodate a text overlay reading, “Biblical Zion: Our journey from Sinai to the New Jerusalem (Exodus 24; Isaiah 60–61).” A Hallel.info watermark appears in the lower right corner.

Today, talk of “Zionism” often fuels controversy and division. But the Bible’s vision of Zion is radically different — offering spiritual ascent, global peace and lasting restoration for all people, not just one nation. Scripture paints Zion as God’s chosen place for healing and unity, a prophetic hope transcending politics and conflict. Rediscover true Zionism as the Bible teaches: a call to embrace divine presence via the Messiah, bringing renewal and redemptive purpose for every nation and heart.

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Discussions Torah

Biblical justice: What’s meant by ‘foreigner’? (Exodus 22–23)

A digital painting created by ChatGPT in a textured oil palette knife style, arranged as two side-by-side panels. In both panels, defendants are shown from behind, standing in a courtroom facing a judge. In the left panel, the judge appears pleased and gives a thumbs-up gesture toward the defendant; in the right panel, the judge looks disgusted and gives a thumbs-down toward a different defendant. The lower left quarter has a text overlay that reads, “Biblical justice: What’s meant by ‘foreigner’? (Exodus 22–23).” A Hallel.info watermark is visible in the lower right corner of the image.

Upholding honesty in courts and refusing to favor one group over another are among the timeless lessons of honest and truly restorative justice in Exodus 22–23. Discover Heaven’s revelation to ancient Israel about how to approach justice, mercy and fair treatment across every social class, including the system for integrating foreigners into the family of God.

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Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

Set the captives free: The Bible’s real message on slavery & redemption (Exodus 21–22; Jeremiah 34)

A digital oil painting created by ChatGPT in a bold palette-knife style shows a diverse group of people journeying from darkness into light. On the left, figures emerge from shadow and bondage, symbolizing slavery in Exodus. They move through parted waters toward a radiant, open landscape of freedom and hope. At the center, a luminous, robed figure with outstretched arms represents Messiah Yeshua, welcoming men, women, and children of many backgrounds into redemption and unity. The right side glows with warm golds and blues, intentionally left simple and uncluttered to accommodate a text overlay. In the upper right corner is the text, “Set the captives free: The Bible’s real message on slavery & redemption (Exodus 21–22; Jeremiah 34).” A small Hallel.info watermark appears in the lower right corner.

The Bible’s laws about slavery can be troubling, but they reveal something deeper: Even within ancient realities, God’s instructions are aimed to bring dignity, protection, and a pathway to freedom for everyone — Israelites and outsiders alike. In Exodus 21-22, Jeremiah 34 and similar passages, we see that Scripture moves toward greater justice, mercy and inclusion. Ultimately, all these hopes find their fulfillment in the Messiah, Who opens the door to true freedom for every person and nation, showing God’s heart to set all captives free and welcome all into His family.

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Discussions Torah

Torah answers for modern life: A call to justice and mercy (Exodus 21–24)

Torah answers for modern life: A call to justice and mercy (Exodus 21-24). Lady Justice holding scales stands opposite a dove in flight.

Despite its ancient origins, the Torah’s guidance on ethics, justice, and compassion remains pertinent today. Faith must be wedded to obedience in applying Heaven’s teachings to contemporary life. This study of Torah reading מִּשְׁפָּטִים Mishpatim (“judgments,” Exodus 21–24) delves into legal interpretations of the Ten Commandments, stressing fairness and impartiality in legal proceedings. The Torah’s stance on issues like slavery underscores principles of compassion and equitable treatment. Drawing from biblical and historical contexts (Paul’s letter to Philemon, Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) in Matthew 20), we advocate for justice, mercy, and societal transformation guided by Torah’s timeless wisdom.

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Torah readings

Torah reading Mishpatim (משפטים): Exodus 21:1–24:18

Studies in Torah

Yeshua the Mashiakh (Jesus the Christ) told us the two greatest commandments were to love God unreservedly and to love other people unselfishly (Matt. 22:34–40; Mark 12:28–31; Deut. 6:4–6; Lev. 19:18). Learning what the LORD would do in a situation — to walk as He walked (1Jn. 2:6) — is at the heart of this week’s Torah reading Mishpatim (“judgements,” Ex. 21:1-24:18).

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

How Heaven leads families from bondage to freedom (Exodus 21; Romans 6; Mark 10)

How Heaven leads families from bondage to freedom (Exodus 21; Romans 6; Mark 10)

One of the key lessons from Torah portion מִּשְׁפָּטִים Mishpatim (Exodus 21–24) and from the Prophets and Gospels is that God and Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) doesn’t separate religious and civil laws. The reasons for that are encapsulated in the Greatest Commandment and the Golden Rule — and in the Torah laws that restricted and ultimately abolished slavery.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

Why Heaven wants us to master servanthood (Exodus 21)

The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve (Matthew 20:28)

“(T)he Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28 NASB). While some see the instructions in the Torah about relationships between masters and slaves as proof of no transcendent Source for the text, others see the context as part of a “poison pill” that Heaven put in the human heart sickness that seeks subjugation of others deemed weaker or powerless.

That’s the surprising lesson we learn from the Torah portion מִּשְׁפָּטִים Mishpatim (Exodus 21–24) and companion passages on the wrong treatment (Jeremiah 34:8–22) and right treatment (Philemon 1–22) of those who are at our mercy.