By Erez Brandvain

This weeks Torah Portion is Mishpatim. The literal translation for the word Mishpatim is laws. The theme of the portion, to no surprise, is laws, laws, and more laws. There are plenty of specific laws I can repeat after reading the portion, but they seem outdated by a few thousand years, and I think that the portion has a lot more to offer that can be applied to us right now.

To me the theme of laws is something that is particularly important to think about. I say this not just because I love rules, but I see them as a pretty integral part of our lives. They exist to create a safe society where people can live comfortable lives, to provide structure, and organization. Pretty nice actually. In fact, what would our society be like without rules? How would we live the lives we all desire, while it would not be illegal for someone to barge into our batim and steal. What about school systems? It would not be required for kids to go to any type of school, even a school called Habo U!

But what about the other side? Habonim Dror is a movement that demands social change. We strive to reestablish economic structures, social norms, and create a new Israel based on our values. What about all the talk about Israeli laws that are racist towards people who are not Jews. How are we supposed to create a new society, when non-Jews, because of laws and regulations, receive far less funding?

This is an issue. On one hand, we can live our orderly lives, know that policies exist for our comfort. But if we simply obey these laws arent we avoiding real issues standing in our way?

This is what we, as Habonim Dror need to ask. There are so many thing each of us are passionate about, and as a movement our passion for change is even greater. There are issues we encounter everyday in Israeli society, as well as American society that will not simply be changed by protests and

boycotts. When do we take action, and cross the line of legality?

Through recent experiences at veida and mifgash, it is clear to me that we have great challenges ahead of us, that cannot be accomplished.

This shabot, I will be thinking about the action I see as us needing to take, and question the importance of legal boundaries. Maybe they should be respected and upheld, but maybe, we can create a greater change by action, that crosses over that line.

I know it sounds crazy, but we need to think really hard about the reality we are living in, and challenge it, by whatever means possible.