Parshat Beshalach: Getting (Inter) Personal

The following d'var torah is by Zev Goldberg, printed in The Jewish Center's bulletin under the title, Of Decrees and Ordinances
----------
The story of the Jewish people's encampment in Marah is as short as it is enigmatic, and commentators throughout the ages have struggled to piece together the fractured elements of its narrative. After sweetening the bitter waters of Marah, the Torah records, "There He established for [the nation] a decree (chok) and an ordinance (mishpat), and there He tested them". However, the Torah omits the details regarding the nature of these decrees and ordinances. Similarly, the Torah informs us that the Jewish people were tested, but lends no information about what the test had been.

Rashi, based on the statement of the Talmud (Sanhedrin 56b) writes that at Marah, God gave the Jewish people three mitzvot -Shabbat, Parah Adumah (the red heifer used for purification rituals) and the laws of judges.

The Ramban challenges Rashi's understanding. If the Jewish people received these three mitzvot there, why does the Torah omit their crucial details? The Ramban stengthens his question by pointing to Parshat Bo, which is replete with intricate details regarding the mitzvah of sanctifying the new moon and of bringing the korban pesach. (1) Obviously, if the Jewish people received three fundamental mitzvot, the specifics regarding their proper performance would have been listed. Accordingly, the Ramban adopts a different understanding. Chok and Mishpat refer to a separate set of laws given to the Jewish people when they entered into the desert. Starting out as a fledgling nation of recently freed slaves, the Jews required instruction on acting like a proper and civilized nation. The Ramban writes that the set of laws included the laws of loving one's neighbor, modesty, respecting elders, fair business dealings and other commandments relating to interpersonal relationships.

It is noteworthy that, according to the Ramban, laws governing interpersonal relationships serve as a pre-requisite to the Jewish people's acceptance of the Torah. As the Midrash states, Derekh Eretz Kadmah LaTorah -ethical standards precede Torah learning. Perhaps this is the meaning of the verse that says "There He tested them." If the Jewish people in the desert could demonstrate their ability to operate as a fair and respectful society, they would prove themselves worthy of receiving the Torah.




1) The passover sacrifice