This parsha is just packed through with laws, which makes sense given its name. One of the passages that caught our attention is the section that's similar to the legal ramifications set out in Hamurabi's Code. Scholars say that Hamurabi's code pre-dates the Torah, some Jewish
commentators would disagree. My memory of Hamurabi's code from Social Studies class is that the punishments matched the crime, as in "an eye for an eye." In researching for this #parshainspiredmenus I learned that it was a little different:
The phrase "eye for an eye", or anything like it, does not actually occur anywhere in the text of the Code of Hammurabi. The closest thing is ¶ 196, which reads*:
šumma awīlum īn mār awīlim uḫtappid īnšu uḫappadu"If an awīlu** blinds the eye of another awīlu, they shall blind his eye."
Our parsha has this phrase:
But if other damage ensues, the penalty shall be life for life,
eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise. (Shemot 21-:23-25)
Commentators explain that this isn't literal, but rather the value of the life, or eye, or tooth, etc. Christianity pushed back on this idea, saying that one should "turn the other cheek." However, in the context of a law code, instructing someone who has been hurt to let it go would not give the structure needed for society to function. A society needs rules to protect its members. Personal choice of reaction is another matter. This seems like a great topic for discussion, so we're going to
pull this to mind with a dish that reminds me of the passage - Black-eye Pea & Corn Side Dish (black EYE peas and the corn look like teeth.)
After this extensive list of laws, our Torah says "Moses went and repeated to the people all the commands of יהוה and all the rules; and all the people answered with one voice, saying, “All the things that יהוה has commanded we will do!”" Then an altar is set up with 12 pillars to represent the 12 tribes of Israel, sacrifices are made, blood is put in basins and scattered on the altar (classic elements of sacrifices to God) and then the parsha continues, saying "
וַיִּקַּח֙ סֵ֣פֶר הַבְּרִ֔ית וַיִּקְרָ֖א בְּאׇזְנֵ֣י הָעָ֑ם וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ כֹּ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה נַעֲשֶׂ֥ה וְנִשְׁמָֽע׃
He then took the Book of the Covenant, and read it in the ears of the people. They said, “All that Adonoy has spoken, we will do and we will listen.”
This line is also pretty well known, נַעֲשֶׂ֥ה וְנִשְׁמָֽע, we will do and we will listen. It can seem out of order. Don't you need to listen first to KNOW what to do? There's many commentaries on this part, but this year I was struck that just a few lines earlier the Israelites had just said "we will do!" and then it comes back again. The second version includes we will listen and I think it's there to
highlight for us how crucial listening is throughout the process of being in relationship with God or with others. Even if you've done something first and then have to come back to listen to hear if you've done it right. Also, I was struck by the description of the pillars and blood so to reference the altar made for this ceremony of brit with God, I suggest making asparagus (line up 12 stalks to make 12 pillars) and put tomatoes on them, a la this Asparagus With Tomatoes dish.
Shabbat Shalom & B'Tayavon!
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