14 Feb MISHPATIM: EVEN WHEN WE’RE BUSY

Parashat Mishpatim
contains one of the most
famous pesukim in the
entire Torah – Beneh
Yisrael’s declaration of
will We – “נעשה ונשמע
do and we will hear.” This declaration,

which was made at the time of Matan To-
rah at Mount Sinai, is considered one of

the greatest moments in our people’s histo-
ry, as our ancestors announced their unlim-
ited and unconditional commitment to

Hashem’s laws.
Many different explanations have been
given for the precise meaning of נעשה
ונשמע .One explanation is that even when
נעשה ,when we are doing, when we are
busy, when we are preoccupied, when we

are under pressure, when we have tons go-
ing on, even then, נשמע – we will hear

Hashem’s voice.
In the Book of Devarim, Moshe recalls
the event of Matan Torah, and describes
how there was a יסף -ולא גדול קול – a “great
voice which did not stop.” Hashem’s
voice which our ancestors heard at Mount
Sinai is still being sounded. He is calling
to us even today, at all times, calling upon
us to place our trust in Him, to obey His
laws, and to seize the opportunities for
growth and for performing mitzvot.
The challenge of ונשמע נעשה is to hear
that voice even during times of נעשה ,when
we’re busy and preoccupied with many
different things. Even then, we must keep
our ears open, and find the opportunities
which Hashem sends our way.
This includes “hearing” the pain and
struggles of other people. Even when we
are busy dealing with our own problems

and our own issues, we need to remain at-
tuned to the needs of our fellowman. Even

when we are struggling, other people are
also struggling, and could use a kind word,
sensitivity, attention, and a helping hand.
ונשמע נעשה – even when we ourselves are
very busy, let us hear them and be attuned
to their needs.
Parashat Mishpatim begins with the law
of the עברי עבד” – Hebrew servant.” This
is a man who was convicted of theft, but
could not afford to pay the victim what he

stole. He would therefore be sold as a ser-
vant, and the money he received would be

used to pay the victim.
The Torah requires the master to release
him after six years of work. Additionally, the

master is to treat him with respect and sensi-
tivity. He is not allowed to have him perform

overly difficult or demeaning labor, and he

must treat him as part of the household, giv-
ing him the same food and comforts that ev-
eryone else in the home enjoys.

This man was caught stealing – but nev-
ertheless, he is to be treated with dignity.

Of course, he needs to be punished for his
crime. But at the same time, we cannot
overlook his struggles and hardships

which led him to the desperate measure of
stealing. He deserves sensitivity, and he
deserves a second chance. ונשמע נעשה .We
all have our struggles. Let us make sure
not to allow our struggles to blind us to the

struggles of others. Let us always be at-
tentive and sensitive to the needs of the

people around us – even when we are busy
and burdened with our own issues.