Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1 - 24:18)

The portion is named "Mishpatim", "ordinances", because it begins with laws that Moses is supposed to give to the people.

The portion of Mishpatim contains a unique compilation of laws, mostly regarding everyday life and the legal questions it brings about. The laws concern slaves, violence, responsibility of owners towards their animals and different dangers their property might create such as wells people might fall into etc., vandalism and other forms of harm to property. It also includes rules as to just behavior among members of society and respect for the weakest members, and commands a just legal system.

After these social rules, the portion includes rules that have to do with different religious practices: the Shmitta, which is the year of rest for the land every seven years; The three festivals and their appropriate agricultural time; and more. The people are then warned that when they reach the Land of Canaan, they must not be tempted to adopt the local practices of paganism.

Moses, Aaron, Aaron's sons and seventy of the elders of Israel then bow down to God, and Moses approaches him and brings the rules before the people. The people agree to keep these rules, and they are written down and sacrifices are brought as a sign of the covenant between the Israelites and God. Moses then goes up to Mount Sinai for 40 days and nights.