Mishpatim (1a): Strict Redirection

ואלה המשפטים אשר תשים לפניהם

These are the laws that you shall place before them.

The implication is that these are Jewish laws and therefore they shall be placed before 'them', namely the judges of the Jewish courts; the Batei Din. R' Naftali M'Rupshitz, zy"a in the Zera Kodesh brings the following teaching from R' Elimelech M'Lizhensk by way of introduction.

The Kever of R' Naftoli

The Pasuk in Tehilim says, אם חסד אשירה ואם משפט אשירה, I shall sing in moments of Your Kindness and I shall also sing in moments when You are strict. David HaMelech is teaching us to follow the instruction of Chazal to cling to Hashem in every situation.

However, there is an allegorical interpretation as well. The term used for fruits that are falling from the tree is פירות הנושרים, which is fundamentally parallels the structure of the word אשירה. Thus the word אשירה can mean 'I shall cause to come down'. Based on this, R' Elimelech explains that when there is a heavenly outpouring of Chesed, the Tzadkim will אשירה, draw it down and let it fall in the spiritual realm of the Jewish people. And the Tzadikim are similarly empowered to redirect strict judgement - דין - as well. This this the meaning of ואם משפט אשירה: that they shall divert those destructive energies onto the nations who seek our harm.

 אם חסד אשירה ואם משפט אשירה - The Tzadik draws Chesed to the Jews and draws the Din to the Goyim.

Says R' Naftali, this principle is rooted in the Pasuk that we began with. ואלה המשפטים, the strict laws, the manifestations of Din, are specifically placed in the hands of the Tzadikim; אשר תשים לפניהם. This way, the direction of world history is steered for the better through their input.

To be continued...