Chassidut on the Torah

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The week of Parshas Ki Taytze, 5761 Overview Much of Ki Taytze (Deuteronomy 21:10-25:18) is a series of laws. The first describes the process of converting and marrying women captives of war from other nations. Next are the laws of a firstborn son’s inheritance, the punishment of a rebellious son, burial of a hanged sinner, returning lost articles, helping a Jew’s fallen animal to stand and return its load, the prohibition to wear clothes of the opposite gender, removing a mother bird before taking her eggs or young, and placing a guard rail on the roof of a building. This is followed by the prohibition of planting together different plant species, plowing with different animal species under one yoke, and wearing a garment of linen and wool. Male Jews are commanded to wear tzitzit (fringes) on four cornered garments. Next are the laws of the defamed wife-accused of false virginity or infidelity-and the consequences when the accusation is proven true or false. Laws regarding betrothal, rape, incest, bastardry, and marriage to converts from certain nations are also listed. The Jews are commanded to be modest even at war, both sexually and when relieving themselves. Jews are forbidden to return runaway slaves (who came to Israel from elsewhere) to their masters. The Jews are forbidden to be promiscuous, and to charge interest from other Jews. They are also required to fulfill vows on time, allow employees to eat from produce they are working with, and are explained the laws of divorce and remarriage. A bridegroom is not drafted; a millstone may not be used as security for a loan; and a kidnapper’s punishment is described. The Jews are reminded to be careful about laws of leprosy, how to take security for loans, and to pay wages on time. Certain close relatives may not testify against each other; widows and orphans must be treated properly; forgotten harvested produce must be left in the field for the needy; flogging by court order must be exact; and animals may not be muzzled when treading grain. When a man dies leaving his wife childless, his brother or closest kinsman is commanded to marry her. The laws of such a case are described as well as a situation where the relative chooses not to marry the widow. Next is the law concerning a woman who became involved in an assault on her husband. The Jews are reminded to be honest in their weights and measures, and to remember how Amalek attacked the Jews when we went out of Egypt.  Insights This week’s Torah portion, Ki Taytze, is always read during the beginning of the month of Elul—the  month of return and good deeds for the Jewish people. The parsha begins, "When you go out to war against (lit. “on”) your enemies, and G-d your Lord will place them into your hands, and you will take prisoners".  The Lubavitcher Rebbe explains, 'When you go out', if only we would truly go out and fight; ' your enemies', who are our enemies? The desires of our bodies and animal soul (which connects us to this physical reality, as opposed to our G-dly soul which connects us to the spiritual plane); 'And G-d your Lord will put them into your hand', you will most certainly, with G-d's help, succeed and conquer them; Not only that, but, 'and you will take prisoners', you will even be able to take advantage of the enormous strength of you animal soul and turn it towards holiness, as the verse says, "There is much in the strength of an ox" (Mishlei 14). He goes on to point out that Rashi hints to us where we are supposed to focus our efforts. Rashi writes, "The verse is speaking about an optional war". When we are speaking from the perspective of a person's spiritual growth during the month of Elul, what is a 'mandatory war' and what is an ‘optional war'? A mandatory war is the directed efforts we make to bring the light of holiness to those parts of our environment with which we are in regular, “obligatory” contact (family, friends, and co-workers). An optional war is the process of directing our efforts and trying to elevate the more peripheral zone of our lives, our social life, what we do for entertainment, how we use our spare time, — the “extra.” When Rashi says that the verses here are speaking about an optional war, he is really telling us that even the war on the optional portions of our lives is a command and Torah obligation, as the first word of the verse so clearly says, "When (not if) you go out to war". Additionally, we are guaranteed victory if we keep one condition: that our war is “ON your enemies”, that you fight on—from above—your enemies, using the strength of our G-dly soul, to conquer. It is then that "G-d, your Lord, will place them into your hands”. Chassidus teaches that the last 12 days of Elul are connected to each of the corresponding months of the previous year, for which we are doing tshuva (returning to G-d). These days give us an additional weapon in our arsenal to help us conquer the 'route of return'. So especially now, as we stand just before the Shabbos preceding the 18th day (chai) of Elul—the life-force of Elul— when these 12 days begin, we must redouble our efforts. It is incumbent on each of us to take on new resolutions and to increase with greater strength in all the areas that we have discussed above, to fulfill our purpose given to us by the Torah, our leaders and our Jewish heritage. The Rebbe insists if we had already completed all of our work, Moshiach would be here already! In fact, everyone knows on a personal level that the element of Moshiach in his or her own soul has not yet arrived. So what should we do? Work harder not just on our relations with G-d, but also with our fellow Jews; we must be especially careful to treat each person in the best possible way, greeting each individual positively. We learn this from the analogy that during Elul the King (G-d) is in the field, going out to meet even His most simple subjects. If the King meets us with joy, how much more so is it required of each of us to treat each of our neighbors with respect and kindness. May it be G-d's will that even just the merit of discussing these things, will enable Moshiach to come immediately. May each of us be signed and sealed for a good and sweet year. Shabbat Shalom, Shaul Include Ascent in your travel plans! Do not be afraid to go into the Land.

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