This week’s Torah reading is Parashat Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1-24:18). Read on Shabbat, February 14, 2026 / 25 Shevat 5786. The following is a special devotional drawn from this week’s reading.
“You shall not oppress a stranger or afflict him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child” (Exodus 22:21-22).
Parashat Mishpatim follows the revelation at Sinai with practical instruction for daily life. After thunder and fire on the mountain, the Torah turns to ordinary situations such as property, labor, responsibility, and justice. God shows that holiness is not confined to sacred moments. It is expressed in how people treat one another, especially the vulnerable.
The command not to oppress the stranger is rooted in memory. Israel is told to remember its own experience of suffering. Compassion grows when memory remains alive. God calls His people to shape a society marked by fairness and mercy, where power is restrained and dignity is protected. Justice in the Torah is not abstract. It is woven into everyday interactions, reminding Israel that covenant faithfulness must touch every corner of life.
Mishpatim also reveals that obedience is relational. The people respond together, saying they will do and they will listen. Their agreement is not merely about rules but about trust in the One who redeemed them. God invites them into a covenant that binds worship and ethics together. To know God is to reflect His character through integrity and compassion.
This portion challenges us to examine how faith is expressed in daily conduct. It is easy to separate spiritual devotion from practical behavior, yet the Torah does not allow such division. Honoring God includes honesty in work, kindness toward the overlooked, and responsibility in our commitments. Small actions carry spiritual weight.
Some may be wrestling with situations that test patience or fairness. Mishpatim encourages steady integrity even when it costs something. Others may have opportunities to show generosity or advocate for someone overlooked. In such moments, God’s heart for justice becomes visible through human choices.
As this Shabbat arrives, take time to reflect on how your faith shapes your relationships and responsibilities. Remember the compassion God has shown you. Choose one concrete way this week to act with fairness, kindness, or accountability. Let your obedience demonstrate gratitude for the freedom and mercy God has given.
PRAYER
Lord, thank You for guiding me not only in worship but in daily life. Teach me to act with justice, compassion, and integrity. May my actions reflect Your mercy and Your truth in every relationship. Amen.
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