By Shalom Olensky
This week in the Torah:
The Torah’s civil laws are laid out. These laws are logical, yet dictated by G-d. This section of the Torah is called “Mishpatim” – “Judgments,” which emphasizes their logical side.
Last week in the Torah:
G-d reveals Himself to the Jewish People at Mt. Sinai, instilling in them faith in Him.
Question:
The subject “Judgments,” i.e., logical laws, does not seem to follow neatly right after G-dly revelation at Sinai. And even if that juxtaposition can be explained, how does it justify the name and emphasis, “Judgements” implying rationale.
Preface:
The purpose of the revelation at Sinai and G-d giving the Torah to the Jews, is to fuse G‑dliness and spirituality with physicality and the worldly. Hence, revelation alone would leave materiality overpowered and human intellect nullified. This would not achieve the said purpose, i.e., the ascent of materiality and human intellect, as they retain their distinct identity, to fuse with the spiritual and G‑dly.
Explanation:
The ideal order, then, is first to possess faith which comes as a gift with which we are born and raised. However, even when faith truly illuminates one’s life so that one behaves properly, this person may still feel distant from G-d. By learning and coming to an intellectual appreciation for (however much is possible to comprehend about) G-d, one builds on faith so as to feel united with G-d, close to Him, without losing one’s identity.
Answer:
“Judgments” aptly follows the revelation at Sinai, for as explained above, intellectually appreciating G-d’s Wisdom, which allows one to truly feel close to G-d – that is the ultimate intention of the revelation at Sinai.
(Based on Likkutei Sichos Vol. 16, Mishpatim)
