Mispatim starts with laws concerning ...

Mispatim starts with laws concerning the freeing of slaves.  This build on the theme of liberation that  is included in the first "commandment."  The idea that any slave can be liberated is a revolutionary idea.

 

A major theme in Mishpatim are asymmetric relationships: slaves, children, spouses, lenders, animals, Gd.

Associated with this are things that are not completely under a person's control: fire, lust, democracy, slaves, children, spouses, lenders, animals, Gd.

 

 

N.B Vashti makes an appearance as we get ready for Adar and Purim. ( 23:31). You can find Mordechai, but that takes the secret decoder ring.