Actions and Reactions
Ki Teitzei 5771
Sean E Samitt
As I read this week’s parasha, I can’t help but remember back to 2006. Ki Teitzei was my Bar Mitzvah Torah portion, which I chanted on a rainy Saturday morning in September of that year. A young and naïve thirteen year old, standing on a bimah in Croton, New York, trying to grasp at the Torah portion with the most mitzvot, or commandments. It’s always interesting for me to look back to then, especially when this portion comes along to see what else lies in the text. Here are a few that caught my eye:
Our actions always have consequence. Lest we forget that, and any people shall be doomed. As I write this, I am actually finally home from another shift working as a pharmacy technician. My actions at work can harm someone. My actions as a friend could hurt someone. Our actions, our words, our choices, all have repercussions. This idea of personal responsibility is not unheard of, nor is it overextending the truth.
Ki Teitzei, and its seventy-four mitzvot, speaks of customs and laws ranging marriage to burial to business. One which I had the pleasure of my Rabbi (Rabbi Jennifer Jaech) in New York mentioning, was one of the wayward and rebellious son:
“If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son… then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; and they shall say unto the elders of his city: 'This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he doth not hearken to our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.’ And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die; so shalt thou put away the evil from the midst of thee; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.”
Duet. 21:18-21
Not awkward at all to have your Rabbi point that our on your Bar Mitzvah… But it tells us something, it reinforces honor thy father and mother. That as a child, I still will be responsible for myself, that even though I may not have responsibilities to others yet, I have one to my parents. My “job” is to learn from them. Ok, so maybe she wasn’t so far off… that quote makes us (and the rabbis) uncomfortable, so it is not a literal punishment to be carried out, but speaks to the seriousness of honoring thy father and mother, the generations before who have given you the opportunity to learn and grow from them, to influence the generations who will follow us. The parasha goes on to say: “The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers; every man shall be put to death for his own sin” (Duet. 24:16). Personal responsibility. I am to myself held accountable for my actions. No other should be punished for my wrongdoings. It’s personal accountability. A characteristic that I think we lack sometimes. Whether it be saying you’ll be there for a friend, or be at a meeting, or you’ll take on a project, our responsibilities are firm and real, and have consequence for our obligations should they not be fulfilled.
This next one was what I reflected on in 2006, and it is perhaps one of the more meaningful passages for myself in the Torah.
“When thou beatest thine olive-tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow. When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it after thee; it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow. And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt; therefore I command thee to do this thing” (Duet. 24:20-22).
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| Olive Tree |
Always leave behind for those less fortunate. Our world faces many hardships and many people face dire lives. All to often we succumb to feelings of self-despair and self-pity, myself ever included. We forget the big picture. Perhaps psychologists would have us think that is somewhat healthy, and perhaps it is. However, it is more important to be able to look at the world around us and bear witness to the act of tzedakah, or justice. Righteousness.
Never take more than you need. Always leave behind for others. Whether it is material things, such as olives from your field or a good and meaningful friendship, a hand when it was needed, these are what will make you a mensch, a good person. And it is acts of kindness, g’milut chasadim, which we will be remembered by. It can be as simple as a kind word, or a smile that makes someone’s day, and they’ll remember it, and perhaps will spread it.
When I was in high school, we read a story of a man who was severely depressed, and had decided to take his own life. In a letter found by the police, he wrote: “If one person smiles to me as I walk to the bridge, I will not take my own life.” Now perhaps everyday life is not as dramatic as that instance, however, realize what a difference we can make when we are not selfish, when we don’t use our resources over for ourselves, but use ourselves to give back to others. You never know what a simple act of kindness and compassion can do for someone.
Ki Teitzei is more than a bunch of words on parchment, or seemingly harsh laws and regulations. I feel that this parasha can show us a lot, if we open our eyes and our hearts to it. Compassion. Understanding. Righteousness. We are told if there is a bird with a nest of eggs or chicks, and we desire the eggs, we are to drive the mother away (Duet 22:6), so that she must not see her young be killed, or her life ended. The portion speaks of various laws regarding the fair treatment of animals, that on Shabbat, they too must rest. Compassion. Not just for humans, but for the creatures and nature that surround us.
Our journeys in life are incredibly complex, whether in actuality or due to human nature. One thing I hope we can take away from this is returning back to the basic principle that surrounds us all, our responsibility to each other. Religious or not, we have an opportunity to impact each other’s lives so immensely. Our actions hold significance. Leave for others. Be compassionate. Be caring. Practice a simple act of kindness… you don’t know how far it may go.
I will always be here for you. I hope you never forget that. My phone is always on and if you need anything, know I’m here. Whenever I say that, I think of this Torah portion. It isn’t saying love thy neighbor as thyself. Its message is more substantial, and subliminal: care for those around you, whether they are your best friend, your worst enemy, the stranger in your midst, or the poor or fatherless or the widow. Give those around you the respect they deserve. I know personally, I would not be here if it wasn’t for those in my life. As the parasha reminds us “And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt; therefore I command thee to do this thing” (Duet. 24:22).
So take a step. Thank someone. Touch someone in a meaningful way. We all have the capacity to recall that moment of need, the time when we felt the most dark, now remember what was the light in that moment. Remember what was not barren for you to grow from.
Our actions have consequence. However, the tone of that result is up to all of us. Compassion, understanding and responsibility: all daunting tasks, yet perhaps some of the most precious of gifts we can offer one another.
Rabbi Hillel once described the essence of the Torah as follows: "That which is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary. Go and study it."
Thank you, and l’shalom,
Sean E Samitt
Scales: http://melaniekillingervowell.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/scales-of-justice-tipped.png
Tree: http://emp.byui.edu/SATTERFIELDB/Olive%20Tree/Olive%20Tree%20Live.jpg
Nest: http://i.istockimg.com/file_thumbview_approve/10446025/2/stock-photo-10446025-bird-and-nest-antique-animal-illustrations.jpg
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