The document discusses laws and social hierarchies in ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the ancient Near East. It then contrasts this with the laws given to B'nai Yisrael in the Torah, which took into account the experience and perspective of slaves in establishing a more just and egalitarian legal system, combining religious practice, morality and law in a way unprecedented at the time to introduce a democratic spirit. God is presented as the lawgiver, aiming to make each person worthy to serve Him by refining their character through His laws.

1. From Slavery to Freedom: B’nai Yisrael Becomes a People BUT WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE? WHO EXACTLY ARE WE?

2. Tomb painting from Hierakonpolis, Egypt, Predynastic, ca. 3500-3200 BCE.

3. The Palette of King Narmer , Predynastic, ca. 3200-2920 BCE

4. Is Might Only Right in Egypt? No, the Egyptians had sophisticated beliefs about justice, fairness and truth!

6. Who was the lawgiver in the ancient world?

10. WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE B’NAI YISRAEL?

16. וְאַתֶּם תִּהְיוּ - לִי מַמְלֶכֶת כֹּהֲנִים וְגוֹי קָדוֹשׁ And you will be for me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation -- Shmot 19:6 וַיָּבֹא מֹשֶׁה , וַיְסַפֵּר לָעָם אֵת כָּל - דִּבְרֵי יְהוָה , וְאֵת , כָּל - הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים ; וַיַּעַן כָּל - הָעָם קוֹל אֶחָד , וַיֹּאמְרוּ , כָּל - הַדְּבָרִים אֲשֶׁר - דִּבֶּר יְהוָה , נַעֲשֶׂה Shmot 24:3