Although the Torah Scroll is gloriously dressed, repeatedly blessed, and read in a ritually prescribed manner, the Torah is not a divine relic. It’s a part of our ongoing reality. The Torah teaches us God’s commandments for everyday living. Even though our concept of reality changes with time and maturation, we remain humanly flawed and in need of God’s direction. In the Torah Portion, Ki Tetze, Moses teaches God’s rules for a variety of situations which the children of Israel might encounter in their domestic, commercial, and military interactions as they enter Canaan.
We are taught the proper treatment of a wife taken from among prisoners of war; the punishment for a rebellious son; the imperative for swift burial of a hanged criminal; the prohibition against indifference to a neighbor’s loss of property; humane treatment of animals…and this is only a small sampling of the commandments in Ki Tetze!Our reality is very different from that of the children of Israel. However, if we look at the intent, rather than the specific content of Ki Tetze, we find a timeless message of civility, honesty, moderation, justice, respect, compassion.
We’re reminded that our experience as slaves in Egypt makes us especially mindful of caring for the stranger and the less fortunate in our communities.
“And you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and YHWH, your God, redeemed you from there.” (Deuteronomy 24:18)*
Our reality on this Shabbat Ki Tetze is shaped by our memorial observance of the tragic events of 9/11. We remember the nearly 3000 innocent lives lost in a heinous act of hideously distorted religious and political fanaticism. We remember a dark time when Americans found and continue to find strength and direction in the values exemplified by Ki Tetze.
As Moses spoke to the children of Israel, so Torah speaks to us today. As we study, interpret, and apply God’s commandments, we bring Torah into our lives, our reality.
On Shabbat Ki Tetze as we remember 9/11, we, as always, affirm that Torah is alive, Torah endures, and so, as Jews and as Americans, do we.
*From Commentary on the Torah by Richard Elliott Friedman
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