Shabbos Parshas Mishpatim This week's Parsha is a doozy! HaShem gives us fifty three commandments. Some of them are Mishpatim - Commandments that make logical sense, like the penalties for certain crimes against other people. Some of them are Chukim - Commandments that don't make logical sense, like not eating meat and milk together. This week we commitment we made last week - "We will do and we will listen," is put to the test.  Will we continue to follow HaShem's laws even if we can't explain them?  Will we restrict our diets?  Will we celebrate our G-d with seasonal festivals and daily prayer?  Will worship Him faithfully even as those around us do not?Again, the people answer, "We will do and we will listen." Yes.  Yes we will.  There, standing at Sinai, thousands of years ago, we told HaShem that we would commit ourselves to so many of the things that define Jewish life today; Kashrus, Daily Prayer, the Holy Days.  A promise made long ago and kept today; every day.  After giving us these new Commandments, HaShem warns us - do not take on the ways of the current inhabitants of the Promised Land.  Stay true to the laws that I have given you, stay true to Me.  Don't let them take you away from Me.  Is that a promise we still keep today?  Sometimes, it's easy to let "them," take us away from Him.  To worship their values over His.  We live in Golus - in Exile, surrounded by influences that directly contradict the Commandments we were given this week.  It's easier to find non-Kosher food than Kosher food.  Most of our employers are open on the Jewish Holy days and they certainly don't all break for Mincha in the afternoon.  We have to make the choice every day to serve HaShem.What's your choice?Make this Shabbos Shiny!Learn more about the Commandments we are given this week.  Brush up on the laws of Kashrus or the Holy Days.  Let HaShem Shine through you by passing on what you learn.Have a WONDERFUL Shabbos.

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