Guiding Questions: Exodus 23

This is part of the Tanakh Yomi Project.

  1. How is “sheima shav” harmful (i.e. damaged by way of words)?
  2. Is the majority always right (the tension between tzedek and mass opinion)?
  3. Is sympathy to overcome tzedek? Is there one law for the well to do and another for the impecunious?
  4. Is the right thing done only for friends or non-enemies; that is, does tzedek need a positive feeling and does feeling rank the action of tzedek?
  5. How does one avoid being partial in judgement?
  6. What is the purpose of the field’s “resting” (shmitah) during the seventh year – who benefits?
  7. Is the Sabbath only for the Jew? For the human generally?
  8. How are the seventh year and Shabbat basically the same?
  9. Does tzedek, then, include non-legal and non-commercial regulations?
  10. Are some of these non-legal and non-commercial regulations self-enforceable only?
  11. Why are strength, power and slyness rated as fully inferior to tzedek?
  12. In providing for the unfortunate, they must take rather than give; i.e. is their self-respect protected by requiring effort on their part?
  13. Are non-humans included in the tzedek dimension?

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    Exploring Judaism is the digital home for Conservative/Masorti Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. Our goal is to create content based on three core framing: Meaning-Making (Why?), Practical Living (How?), and Explainers (What?).

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Perek Yomi materials originally produced by the USCJ and Dr. Morton K. Siegel.
We are grateful to be able to share this material.

Author

  • favicon of exploring judaism logo

    Exploring Judaism is the digital home for Conservative/Masorti Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. Our goal is to create content based on three core framing: Meaning-Making (Why?), Practical Living (How?), and Explainers (What?).

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