The Myth of Having It Together - Mishpatim

Did you know that just because I share parts of my life publicly does not mean my life is not messy at times?

Over the last twelve years I have shared moments from my life hundreds of times, and sometimes I wonder if that creates the impression that things are more put together than they really are. The truth is that I am still figuring things out in real time. I still struggle, and I am still working on myself every day. The writing has always been about sharing the process as it unfolds, not presenting a finished or perfect product.

That idea of perfection has been sitting with me as I read Parshas Mishpatim. Right after the intensity of Har Sinai, the Torah moves straight into laws about damages, loans, responsibility, and the many ways people can hurt each other. The shift feels almost surprising. You might expect the Torah to stay in the world of big spiritual moments, yet it moves directly into the messy reality of everyday human behavior.

The more I think about it, the more comforting it feels. Mishpatim assumes people will make mistakes. People will lose patience, make poor decisions, and create situations that need repair. Instead of pretending life becomes smooth after Har Sinai, the Torah focuses on what happens next and how we take responsibility when things do not go as planned.

Maybe this week is a good opportunity to give ourselves permission to still be in the process and to notice one small place where we can take responsibility and keep moving forward.

Good Shabbos

All the best

Avroham Y Ross