The Weekly Shtikle Blog

An online forum for sharing thoughts and ideas relating to the Parshas HaShavua

View Profile

Friday, August 20

The Weekly Shtikle - Ki Seitzei

The Weekly Shtikle is dedicated le'iluy nishmas my father, Reuven Pinchas ben Chaim Yaakov, a"h.

 

The Weekly Shtikle is dedicated le'iluy nishmas my Oma, Chaya Sara bas Zecharia Chaim, a"h.

 

In this week's parsha we are warned (24:17) not to pervert justice for the stranger or orphan and not to take a garment as collateral from a widow. Following that, we are again instructed to leave behind the stalks that are forgotten during the harvest and to leave olives and grapes behind for the stranger, the orphan and the widow. Both are followed by a reminder that we were slaves in Mitzrayim and that is why HaShem has commanded us such. However, in the first instance we are not only reminded that we were slaves. We are also reminded that HaShem took us out from Mitzrayim whereas there is no such mention in the second instance.

 

There is a fundamental difference between the first set of commandments and the second. The second set concerns an indirect relationship with the stranger, orphan or widow. You are to leave these stalks, olives or grapes behind so that they may come and gather them. You are not instructed to give them these gifts directly but rather, to leave them so that they may pick them up on their own at a time of their choosing. The first set, however, focuses on direct dealings with these individuals. In these cases, we are commanded to remember not only our slavery in Mitzrayim but also the compassion with which HaShem brought us out. We are required to exhibit this Godly attribute and show similar compassion in our dealings with them. In the second set of laws, where we are not given the opportunity to meet the beneficiaries of our charity, we are expected only to put ourselves in their position by remembering our poor state in Mitzrayim, thus impressing upon us how much this gift is appreciated by them.

 

There is perhaps an even more intriguing nuance in these commandments. Following both groups of commandments, we are told, "that is why I command you to do this." In both instances HaShem is seemingly referring to more than one commandment. Therefore, it would appear more appropriate to refer to hadevarim haeileh, these things. Furthermore, each of the commandments is a prohibitive one, instructing us what not to do. It would therefore have been more appropriate to say, "that is why I command you not to do these things." Rather, each and every one of these commandments focuses on one central theme - showing care and empathy towards those less fortunate than us. It is easy to get caught up in the fine details of these individual mitzvos. But with this pasuk, HaShem is telling us that there is one goal behind it all and this is what HaShem wants from us. The various mitzvos are the avenues prescribed to express this. But what HaShem is really demanding of us is the careful kindness and compassion that lie behind these practices.

 

It is certainly not difficult to find a connection between this theme and the life that my father, a"h, lived. While he may not have had the opportunity to perform leket, shichchah or pei'ah, he was a veritable expert in the theme these mitzvos encapsulate and had the creativity to always be mindful of different ways in which he could perform HaShem's will in this regard, as well as inspiring others to do the same.

Have a good Shabbos.

Eliezer Bulka
WeeklyShtikle@weeklyshtikle.com

Shtikle Blog Weekly Roundup:

Weekly Shtikle: Mitzvas Zechiras Amaleik this week?

Shiluach HaKein Game

Dikdukian: Shiluah Ha...

Dikdukian: Shva vs Kamatz by R' Ari Storch

Please visit the new portal for all Shtikle-related sites, www.weeklyshtikle.com

The Weekly Shtikle and related content are now featured on BaltimoreJewishLife.com

 

--
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to shtiklelist+unsubscribe@weeklyshtikle.com.

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home