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Parshat Ki Teitzei, Intentional Speech

Written by Hindy,  ט אלול תשפ”ג, August 25, 2023

Intention is everything. 

This week’s parsha is Parshat Ki Teitzei and the many laws and mitzvot brought up in this parsha seem never ending. This is not to say they are unimportant, or irrelevant, Chas v’ Shalom. It is actually quite the opposite. There are two reminders which each come up more than once in this parsha. They are 1. To remember that we were slaves in Egypt and G-d took us out. 2. Remember that which Amalek did to us. Both of these are important reminders, but is it really that necessary to come up again and again?

The short answer is…yes. The first interpretation to analyze this week is Rashi’s response to the commandment of remembering our Exodus. Rashi wrote, That Hashem brought us out in order “that you should observe my statutes even though there be monetary loss in the matter”. Rashi wrote this as if to mean that not charging interest against a Jew (one of the mitzvot of this parsha) is so important to G-d, that the redemption is equally deserving of this mitzvah. We see this come up as well a few sentences later, stating that the heaps of grain, fruit, or berries which fall from our hands while gathering in the field should be left on the ground for the poor. Following the commandment of this charity, the reminder repeats itself.

This time, it is as if to say that the acts of tzedakah are so vitally precious in G-d’s eyes, that we must share what we are able to gather. How can we have riches when others can not feed themselves? The comparison here, to the slavery in Egypt, is more obvious. We must remember when our answers were treated inhumanely, and when they were malnourished and enslaved. That is why the reminder of our Exodus shows up again in the text.

Now for the more serious reminder, the one of remembering how Amalek feasted on the weak Israelites, and viciously attempted to blot out our nation. The reminder is taught right after the pesukim warning against the perversion of justice. If we measure dishonestly, and weigh opinions of the court with bias, we are ruining our community with deception, under the guise of “holy justice”. Just last week’s parsha, stressed the importance of a righteously correct justice system! For this instance, Rashi says, “If intentional sin comes, shame comes”, and remembering Amalek should be enough to act justly, as intentional perversions of justice are ‘a welcoming to the enemy’.

For such heavy topics, it is interesting that Rashi provides such commentary. Hashem continually warns of our enemies in Parshat Ki Teitzei, first the Mitzrim, and then the Amalekim. But, both times, the reminders are only brought up when intentional sin is involved. There is such a clear correlation here, between the real intent of our nation, and when we fall and get drawn in and swallowed (ie. Assimilated), by the other nations. May we work to stand upright, with righteous souls, minds, and hearts, and to intentionally avoid sin which can suck us in to these other nations. 

Shabbat Shalom, 

Hindy 

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