This week’s Torah portion is Parashat Mishpatim (פרשת מִשְׁפָּטִים),  the 6th in the book of Shemot/Exodus, and the 18th weekly Torah portion in the annual cycle.

      This week, traditional congregations (and maybe a few Masorti/Conservative Movement folks) will read of the inter-generational (in theory, or at least in Midrashic legend) acceptance of the Torah by all then-present and future members of the People Who Argue with G-d, both birth members and converts.   Mishpatim literally means judgements -and there are many spelled out in this week’s Torah portion.

      On the most fun holiday of the Jewish year, The Geek’s holiday, Shavuot/Pentacost, on  Tikkun Leil Shavuot (the night of Shavuot when we get to stay up all night long studying!!), I taught a class at the DC Beit Midrash.  The class was about a different parashah, but I referenced an important concept first found in this…