The Legal Debate That Changed Jewish History | Parshat Mishpatim

In this week’s Torah portion, Parshat Mishpatim, the Torah outlines the laws of indentured servants and maidservants, including servants going free in the seventh year, servants getting married while working, and a father making a deal for his daughter’s hand in marriage. This set of laws seems strikingly similar to an earlier story involving a worker and a father trying marrying off his daughters. Could these laws in Mishpatim actually be the Torah’s own commentary on the negotiations between Jacob and Laban back in Genesis?

Join Rabbi David Fohrman and Ari Levisohn as they discuss these surprising parallels and explore the relationship between the Torah's laws and its stories.

Into The Verse is taking a break for a little while. In the interim you can stay up-to-date on the parsha with last year’s episodes, which are available on https://bit.ly/49gUY9m. And if you haven’t started the latest season of A Book Like No Other, you have to check it out. If you’re not a member…what are you waiting for? Go to https://bit.ly/3SrebhK and become a member to access the new season of A Book Like No Other, as well as our full library of over 1,000 videos and podcasts. Use coupon code BLNO2 for a 30 day free trial with a monthly membership OR $18 off an annual membership.

0:00 Intro
1:26 The Laws of Servants and Maidservants
6:55 Stories and Laws                 
9:42 The Story Behind the Servitude Laws
11:23 Why Didn't Jacob Give His Two Weeks Notice?
13:27 When Jacob Needed a Lawyer       
17:52 Does God Ever Resolve the Dispute Between Jacob and Laban?
22:40 I Love My Master                 
30:05 What About Rachel and Leah's Perspective?
34:28 Redeeming the Laban Story Through Law