Parashah Mishpatim is rich in laws on our obligation to others when we cause them pain and damage.
“And if a man shall open a pit or if a man shall dig a pit and not cover it, and an ox or donkey will fall in it, the owner of the pit shall pay.” (Shemot 21:33-4).
Rabbi Yeruchem Levovitz used to say that it is very easy to just look at these laws in terms of financial obligations. The proper way to view the laws on damages is from the perspective of Chinuch (teaching our children the proper way) and that is the mitzvah of “loving our fellowmen.” When we care about others we will be extremely careful in not causing any damage or suffering. When kind and compassionate people study these laws they will not be thinking on how much money they will have to reimburse, but they will be thinking how can they avoid to end up in such a situation.
The Chofetz Chaim used to say that after one studies tractate Bava Kama the way to see it is to see if he is careful to close a window to prevent the wind from hitting someone in the face. (Ohr Hamussar Vol.2, pg 143). This is really living higher.
Excerpts taken from “Growth Through Torah” by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
www.livealittlehigher.com
