In this text study we'll examine the relationship between our sacred obligations to help the poor and marginalized while preserving the dignity of those we're helping. Our Jewish obligations to the poor extend far beyond attending to their physical needs. We are also asked to consider the manner in which we provide aid and how our help impacts the people who are on the receiving end.
1. Who is this text speaking to? Who is it speaking about?
2. In what ways does this text protect the farm laborers?
3. What is the reason we are asked to provide for the poor and marginalized?
4. How does our Jewish narrative of slavery impact our obligation to respond to suffering?
5. Both slavery and poverty reduce an individual's dignity. In what ways does this text attempt to restore dignity?
עֹשֶׂה מִשְׁפַּט יָתוֹם וְאַלְמָנָה וְאֹהֵב גֵּר לָתֶת לוֹ לֶחֶם וְשִׂמְלָה: וַאֲהַבְתֶּם אֶת הַגֵּר כִּי גֵרִים הֱיִיתֶם בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם:
1. What do the widow, the orphan, and the stranger all have in common?
2. Who else might we include in that "group" in our world today?
3. This text asks us to follow God's example. What is the example God is setting here? How does the obligation to uphold someone's cause and befriend them impact our sense of obligation?
4. What does it teach us about the relationship between giving to those in need and preserving or diminishing their dignity while doing it?
1. What is the situation that's being described here?
2. What are the obligations of the person providing aid?
3. In what ways the text obligate us to preserve the dignity of the people we're helping?