Mishpatim: rule and exception

The parsha starts with laws, generalizations, universals. It then deals with more specific issues, it refines the rulings, it talks about the exceptions to the rule. The general gives context. The specific defines the meaning.

The law is a level playing field. The rules apply to everyone, the Gaussian everyone. But every one is an exception, different from every other one. Yet, all are one under the law. One size fits all, but some stretching may be required.

The law creates the people. The people have their festivals and the people creates its Gd sanctioned hierarchy.

Whe can stand before Gd and man? Certainly not the average person.