Mishpatim Moments February 2023 Archive
Jump to: Mishpatim Moments Calendar | D’Var Torah | Candle Lighting & Havdalah | Learn Hebrew and Yiddish Philanthropy Words | Have a Discussion about Shabbat Parsha Mishpatim| In the Words of a Borrower
The Mishpatim Moments Calendar
Follow along with your own Mishpatim Moments calendar. For the entire month of February we will be highlighting information about JFL and ways to give. Download a PDF here.
Mishpatim is the parsha in the Torah from which the work of Jewish Free Loan is derived:
“Thou shalt not exact interest from the needy among you.”
-Exodus 22:24
D’Var Torah
Rabbi Jeremy Schneider, of Temple Kol Ami, explains the Jewish view on giving and taking in his D’Var Torah on Parsha Mishpatim. You may be surprised by what you learn! After all, Judaism flips everything upside-down.
Shabbat Candle Lighting & Havdalah
Shabbat Begins:
Friday, February 17, 2023 | Shevat 26, 5783
5:57pm MST
Shabbat Ends:
Saturday, February 18, 2023 | Shevat 27, 5783
6:53pm MST
Abbreviated Prayers & Rituals:
First, light the candles. Use your hands to shield your eyes from the flames and recite the blessing while your eyes are covered
בָּרוּך אַתָּה ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶך הָעוֹלָם אַשֶׁר קִדְשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶל שַבָּת
Transliteration: Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav vitzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Shabbat.
Translation: Blessed are You, God, Ruler of the universe, who sanctified us with the commandment of lighting Shabbat candles.
Next, bless the wine. Then, take a sip.
בָּבָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן
Transliteration: Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, borei p’ri hagafen.
Translation: Blessed are you, Lord our G-d, Ruler of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.
For the full kiddush, please click here.
Last, bless the challah and enjoy a celebratory Shabbat meal.
בָּרוּך אַתָּה ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶך הָעוֹלָם הָמוֹצִיא לֶחֶם מִן הַאָרֶץ
Transliteration: Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, hamotzi lechem min ha’aretz.
Translation: Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has brought forth bread from the earth.
Learn Hebrew and Yiddish Philanthropy Words
In parsha Mishpatim, it is explained that interest-free lending is a mitzvah. This highlights one example of how the Torah teaches philanthropy and the importance of performing good deeds. To celebrate the spirit of the parsha, and JFL’s mission, we are sharing some philanthropic words in Hebrew and Yiddish. Learn them, share them, be them, or do them (in three languages)!
| English | Hebrew | Transliteration |
| Generous | נָדִיב | Nadiv |
| Donor | תּוֹרֵם | Torem |
| Philanthropist | נַדבָן | Nadvan |
| Tzedakah Box | קוּפסָ צְדָקָה | Coofsah Tzedakah |
| Give | לָתֵת | Latet |
| English | Yiddish |
| Generous | Breyt-hartsik |
| Donor | Der Menadev |
| Philanthropist | Der Filantrop |
| Tzedakah Box | Di Tsdake-pushke |
| Give | Gebn |
Have a Discussion about Shabbat Parsha Mishpatim
In preparation for Shabbat Parsha Mishpatim, we encourage you to start a conversation with friends and family about the Jewish law of interest-free lending and the impact it has on Arizona’s Jewish community. Some questions to get you started are…
- Can you think of a time you needed a helping hand and someone helped you? How did it make you feel?
- Why do you think the Torah tells the Jewish people to provide interest-free loans?
- If you think someone needs an interest-free loan, what are some ways you can inform them about JFL?
In the Words of a Borrower
We currently have over $2.2 million of interest-free loans out in the community. Our borrowers are using their loans for education, Jewish lifecycle events, medical expenses, business expenses, Jewish burials, and so much more. Here are a few examples of how borrowers lives have been impacted by interest-free lending.
“JFL gave me the opportunity to bring more Jewish children into this world. For that I am forever grateful” – JFL Loan Recipient
“Jewish Free Loan is providing me with the opportunity to fulfill my dream of becoming a therapist. As a single working mother of two daughters, I do not have the means to pay for graduate school. Now I do thanks to JFL” – JFL Loan Recipient
“This loan has enabled me to repair my car and ensure I can still get to my jobs so I can survive. I am eternally grateful for the help and support of my Jewish community” – JFL Loan Recipient
“This loan has given myself and my daughter a positive outlook on getting ahead” -Guarantor
JFL relies on the support of the community to fulfill our mission. This means you can have a direct impact on Jewish individuals and families in Arizona by supporting our work. In honor of Shabbat Mishpatim, we hope you feel inspired to make a donation to Jewish Free Loan. Help fulfill the Jewish law of interest-free lending and support JFL’s vision of a thriving and financially secure Arizona Jewish community.
In honor of Shabbat Mishpatim, please consider making a donation to support interest-free lending!