Freedom and the Three Pillars

And these are the social laws (Mishpatim) which you shall put before them. If you buy a Hebrew slave (eved Ivri), six years he shall work and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.         Exodus 21:1-2

          The previous parasha, Yitro, presented the Ten Commandments. The end of Parashat Yitro deals with the laws of the altar. Our parasha sets forth social legislation. It has been pointed out that this corresponds to the Mishna [Ethics of the Fathers 1:2] which states:

Upon three things does the world stand: upon Torah, upon avoda  (service) and upon g’milut ḥassadim (acts of kindness)

          The Ten Commandments, of course, represent the first of the three pillars upon which the world stands, Torah; the altar is the second; the Temple service and our parasha presents the final pillar, g’milut hassadim.

          Thus, the Book of Exodus is organized according to the three pillars upon which the world stands.

          My father added a comment. The first part of the Book of Exodus, up to the description of giving the Torah at Mount Sinai, deals with the redemption from Egypt. This is the necessary prelude to the three pillars upon which the world stands. Without freedom, one cannot have Torah, service and gmilut hassadim. Thus, the exodus precedes the Torah's presentation of the three pillars. Yet there is a reciprocal interaction: commitment to Torah brings true freedom, as our Sages teach us: none is free, save he who deals with Torah.