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Sunday, February 18, 2007

My daily doubt

Why is the law collection that makes up parshas Mishpatim addressed to people who live in houses, and not tents?

Why is the Torah talking to a type of society that hadn't yet come into being? And if we're meant to extrapolate from the cases given in the Torah, why isn't there any mention of commerce? There are no merchants, and no artisans. Everyone is presumed to be a farmer who owns sheep, oxen and slaves. Strange. Very strange.

[If you're aware of rishon or achron who addresses this question please being it to my attention. Extra points if you can do it without first saying something along the lines of "Gee Dov. Don't you learn Torah?" Thanks.]

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