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Parashat Mishpatim, 5765
Day School Edition

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Questions on the Daf:

     Read Rav Elon's introductory D'var Torah.

1.  What is the meaning of the word "Mishpatim"?

2.  How do you understand the following sentence:
     "If it is within a person's power to protest an evil act and
       yet he doesn't protest, it is as if he actually did the act himself." ?

3.   Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel felt comforted to know the reason
      he was going to be executed by the Romans.
      Is this not very difficult to understand?
      Can you explain how the thoughts of Rabbi Yishmael brought
      comfort to Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel?

Now read the story, 'The Tutor.'

4.  Dina's mother explained that giving a loan is named by Rambam
     as the highest form of Tzedaka.  Here are Rambam's words:

"There are .............. levels of giving Tzedaka, one higher than the other.  The highest level above which there is none higher is to strengthen the position of a Jew who has become poor by giving him a present of money or a loan or to take him as a partner or to find him work so that his position becomes stronger and so that he does not need to apply to people for aid..."
(Mishneh Torah, Laws of Gifts to the Poor, Chapter 10)

       a) How do you understand the meaning of the highlighted phrase?
     b) What number should fill the gap?
     c) Find out the other levels of giving Tzedaka.

5.  Once you have read the whole story, explain whether you think it would
     be better to give a hungry person a fish or a fishing rod and use the
     story to explain your answer.  (Undoubtedly, it would be best to give both, but you
       are not being given that option!)

Now look elsewhere in the Daf to find answers to the following questions.

6.  Why does the Torah tell us many times not to cause suffering
     to converts?

7.  How does the phrase "people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones"
     relate to the way Jewish people should treat converts?

8.  a) What is done to a Jewish servant who does not wish to leave his
          master when it is time for him to go free (after 6 years)?
     b) What is the reason for the procedure that is carried out
         and how do you understand it's meaning?

9.  What are the three stages of 'kashering' meat?

10.  Why does liver have to be kashered differently from other
       types of meat?

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*  *  *     Shabbat Shalom!     *  *  *

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