Mishpatim & Hukim: Ox & Ass vs. Linen & Wool
Deut 22:10
You shall not plow with an ox and an ass together.
A Mishpatim Mitzvah
Why: These animals differ greatly in their nature, size and strength and it is cruel to the weaker animal to yoke them together. The prohibition extends to the yoking together of any animals of unequal type.
Why: The ox chews his cud, the ass does not. Would the ass feel deprived as he saw the ox chewing food? Do animals feel emotional depravity?
Why: Because the farmer would be plowing in circles.
Why: To guard against mating of diverse species.
Why: To maintain separation of the Israelites.
And there is always the nagging question: Why would any farmer even think to do this?
All of those are possible answers brought up in discussion, this law can be explained in several ways that seem reasonable and logical.
AND - This law was later expanded to the interpretation relating to creating a team of compatible people to work together. People who work well together are way more productive and satisfied than those who are not suited to working together. And this is very "Mishpatim".
and the very next mitzvot:
Deut 22:11
You shall not wear cloth combining wool and linen.
Now this one would be put into the Hukim category...
The mixture is called sha-atnez, a word of unknown origin. However in Lev. 19:19 and Exodus 28:15 there is a description of a garment for the priests that seems to combine wool and linen. (Plaut commentary) ... Seems like another contradiction.
That is, unless our Torah Study next session comes up with some interesting answers... that change that.
- - - - - - - - -
Mishpatim, are laws that are understood by human beings through reason, and certain laws, hukim, are beyond human understanding. The hukim are commanded by God, and we must fulfill them, even though we may not fully comprehend them.
Rambam's teachings imply that there is a reason for all the mitzvot - but we may not understand them. Torah was given by a greater intelligence than our own and the reasons are just not as obvious.
You shall not plow with an ox and an ass together.
A Mishpatim Mitzvah
Why: These animals differ greatly in their nature, size and strength and it is cruel to the weaker animal to yoke them together. The prohibition extends to the yoking together of any animals of unequal type.
Why: The ox chews his cud, the ass does not. Would the ass feel deprived as he saw the ox chewing food? Do animals feel emotional depravity?
Why: Because the farmer would be plowing in circles.
Why: To guard against mating of diverse species.
Why: To maintain separation of the Israelites.
And there is always the nagging question: Why would any farmer even think to do this?
All of those are possible answers brought up in discussion, this law can be explained in several ways that seem reasonable and logical.
AND - This law was later expanded to the interpretation relating to creating a team of compatible people to work together. People who work well together are way more productive and satisfied than those who are not suited to working together. And this is very "Mishpatim".
and the very next mitzvot:
Deut 22:11
You shall not wear cloth combining wool and linen.
Now this one would be put into the Hukim category...
The mixture is called sha-atnez, a word of unknown origin. However in Lev. 19:19 and Exodus 28:15 there is a description of a garment for the priests that seems to combine wool and linen. (Plaut commentary) ... Seems like another contradiction.
That is, unless our Torah Study next session comes up with some interesting answers... that change that.
- - - - - - - - -
Mishpatim, are laws that are understood by human beings through reason, and certain laws, hukim, are beyond human understanding. The hukim are commanded by God, and we must fulfill them, even though we may not fully comprehend them.
Rambam's teachings imply that there is a reason for all the mitzvot - but we may not understand them. Torah was given by a greater intelligence than our own and the reasons are just not as obvious.
(link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maimonides )
Nachmanides taught that those laws that we don't understand do not need to be understood. That following mitzvot sometimes is to give us humility.
(link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nachmanides )
posted by Chavarah @ 11:30 PM
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