TBE Bar/Bat Mitzvah Commentary: Daniel Goldberg on Mishpatim

Shabbat Shalom!

My portion of Mishpatim contains a series of miscellaneous laws that follow last week’s portion which includes the Ten Commandments.  These laws are called the “book of covenant” or Sefer Habrit.  

After Moses read the record of the covenant to the people, they responded by saying, “Na’aseh V’nishma,” which means, “we will do and we will listen.”  Logically, shouldn’t people listen and understand before simply following orders?  But the Torah seems to be saying otherwise.    

There are many times in life when we must act before we completely understand what we are doing.  It is really ironic how this saying comes in Exodus chapter 24, verse 7, because we as Jews are a real 24/7 people.  We are constantly “doing.”  Yes, Judaism is packed with words; however, actions come first.  As Shammai says, in Pirkay Avot, (אֱמֹר מְעַט וַעֲשֵׂה הַרְבֵּה)  “...say little and do much.”)  

In the musical, Hamilton, Aaron Burr’s advice to Hamilton is, “talk less and smile more.”  This conveys the opposite meaning of Na’aseh V’nishma, understanding before acting.  

It is very important to be able to follow both of these sayings.  

Sometimes we have to ponder and really think through a situation before we are able to do the right thing, which is listening before doing.  

But in the end, actions matter a lot more than words.  In this portion many of the laws are a matter of common sense; and acting responsibly is usually not rocket science.  For instance, some of the laws convey the message to not murder or to steal.  Other laws instruct us not to accept bribes, or not to hurt those who are innocent.  Three new holidays were also declared; Passover, Sukkot, and Shavuot.  We are reminded to be grateful for what we have by offering the first harvest and first-born animals to God.  The idea of being grateful and protecting innocent life should not require lots of debate.  So, in the end, I can see why the Torah is so insistent that action should come before understanding.  The more we do the right thing, the more instinctive it becomes.

Also, the more we observe times like Shabbat and the holidays mentioned in my portion, the more we come to understand their deeper meaning.  So the doing comes before the understanding in that respect too.

This is one of the several special Sabbaths before Purim and Passover.  My haftarah speaks of the half-shekel tax that was due during this time of year to repair the Temple.  We are reminded that people only survive through the generosity of giving.  My mitzvah project is dedicated to donating a Wall of Honor star at the Bennett Cancer Center here in Stamford.  Wall of Honor donations go towards renovating and expanding the Bennett Cancer Center over time.  Communities cannot thrive without support from others.  In ancient times, the Jewish people had the responsibility to pay their taxes to enhance the sacred tabernacle and later, the Temples.  The donations I raise will help the Bennett Cancer Center become better.

I’d like to think of myself as a do-er and an understander.  But one of my favorite

activities is cross country.  I did pretty well in some of the competitions this year, maybe in part because I have had lots of experience with the Bennett Cancer Center Walk.  As many of you know, for the past few years, we’ve sponsored a Hope in Motion team walking in memory of my mom.  My mom was also a real do-er.  She was a great teacher, including in the Hebrew School here.  A scholarship in her memory has helped many children receive a Jewish education, so even after her passing, she keeps on helping others.  She really set a great example for me.

Over the coming years, I hope that I will continue to grow in my understanding of Torah.  But at the same time, I hope to be able to act instinctively and to be a 24/7 Jew, always knowing how to do the right thing.