Together, we can lift each other to a higher level – Jewish Community Voice

Parashat Ki TetzeiDeut. 21:10-25:19

We have now entered the month of Elula month where we do heshbon hanefesh, introspection and reflection, in preparation for the High Holy Days. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur will be different for all of us this year. This makes the process of preparing for them that much more important. As we conclude the year 5780, a year that has presented more challenges, and brought more tragedy, than any in recent memory, we take stock. How has this year impacted me and my family? Who have I helped? Who has helped me? What else could I do to bring more comfort and hope into the world?

These are not simple questions, but of course we are not living in simple times. We are living in challenging and complicated times, which require more of us. We each need to dig a little deeper to find the strength and compassion to reach out a little more to support our families, our friends, and our community. If we each stretch ourselves to go above and beyond to help others, then we will lift each other up.

Our tradition challenges us to go above and beyond our basic responsibilities to achieve something more. An example of this is found in an interpretation of the opening passage of parashat Ki Tetzei. Here the Torah describes the ben soreh umoreh, the stubborn and rebellious child. (I swear that having my kids home all summer had no impact on my choosing to discuss this passageat least, not consciously). The Torah allows for this child to be punished by death! Long ago, however, our sages mitigated the harshness of this law by effectively legislating it out of existence. They did this by placing all sorts of very specific requirements on its enforcement.

One of these requirements is most curious. The Torah uses the word zolel, glutton, to describe the behavior of a ben soreh umoreh. The Talmud explains that the death penalty is imposed only if the child consumes vast quantities of kosher meat, but if he eats non-kosher meat, then the law doesnt apply. We might think it would be the opposite. That eating non-kosher meat would be the greatest offense in this case. But no, it is eating too much kosher meat that leads to this severe punishment. Why would this be?

Rabbi Yehudah Amital, relying on the great 12th century scholar Nahmonides, provides an answer. He writes, The Torahs imperative, you shall be holy (Lev. 19:2) means that our performance of mitzvot is not sufficient. We are required to aspire to a higher level whose very essence consists of being holy. The Torah limits our consumption of meat because [a person] needs to become more spiritual, to ensure that carnal desires not be the central focus of his life. Even when young, a person must strive for a life that is more spiritual, more moral, more balanced, more pure.

Here we see how our tradition challenges us. While it is essential that we perform specific mitzvot, we also cannot lose sight of the bigger picture, of our greater responsibility that the mitzvot point us towards. This is to be holy, which means that we must try to go above and beyond our responsibilities to help build the better world we seek.

Today even our most basic responsibilities can seem overwhelming. We are all feeling some level of fatigue and frustration with our situation. We must take care of ourselves, and some days doing what we need to do for those closest to us is enough. Still, we are challenged at this time of year to consider how we can do better, and be better, for our own sake and for the sake of our world. What kindness can we perform? What gratitude can we express? What tzedakah can we give? Even small gestures can have a big impact. This is especially true if we each resolve to do a few more of them in the coming year. Then, together, we can lift each other up as we prepare to enter the new year.

The Religion column that appears in each issue of the Voice is presented in cooperation with the Tri- County Board of Jewish Clergy.

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Together, we can lift each other to a higher level - Jewish Community Voice