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    Why davka here? – Mishpatim

    Why are the laws of Mishpatim placed after the Tenth Commandment dealing with not coveting whatever belongs to your neighbour?

    True, the Decalogue, ending with the law against coveting, is a unit, and the Torah follows the “big” unit of the Ten Commandments with the civil laws which turn the magnificence of the Ten into practical daily duty. So why does the Decalogue end with the prohibition of coveting?

    Because it sums up the whole content of the second five Commandments. They all deal with people’s rights. Everything that identifies the other must be treated with respect. If you don’t follow this principle, you not only harm the other person but you offend God, the Giver of these principles.

    Note that the duties in the Decalogue are towards individuals, whilst Mishpatim moves from duties to individuals to duties to society.

    As you must respect the way God made individuals, so you must respect the way He made society.

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