YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Ki Tetze
Thus we can literally apply the lesson in our Sedra’s first pasuk: "When you go out against your enemy…" which teaches us 2 imperatives vis a vis our adversaries: 1) We must "go out," i.e. pro-actively seek out the enemy &
vanquish him before he does us; & 2) We must treat our enemy as our enemy. Normally, we exercise mercy & forbearance, for we are a merciful people. But when facing an enemy whose goal is to obliterate us, we are forbidden to show mercy, for it will surely cause innocents to die.
Fittingly, our Parsha ends on the note with which it started: Wiping out, completely, our arch-enemy Amalek.
But even as we are commanded to be tough & unforgiving against our foes, this month of Elul – during which this Sedra of Ki Tetze is always read - implores us to show overwhelming love & conciliation to our fellow Jews.
As we know, the code word of Elul is "Ani L’Dodi V’Dodi Li", the phrase formed by the initials of the month. But this phrase is puzzling & quite awkward, & does not translate well at all. In English we say, "I am my Beloved’s, & my
Beloved is mine." But the Hebrew seems a bit forced, as if the verb is mysteriously missing from the phrase.
But this is exactly the point! Indeed, there should be a verb in the sentence, such as Ani Mavtiach l’Dodi, Ani Notayn l‘Dodi, etc. (I promise to my beloved, I give to my beloved, etc). But any verb, though adding an action, would also be limiting, as if to say, "I do such-and-such for my Beloved - but that’s all!" By leaving the verb out, it is as if we are saying, I do _________ for my Beloved. Now you go ahead & fill in the blank, for whatever you name, I am prepared to do it for Hashem, & He for me!
We’re all familiar with the adage, "Only love can conquer hate." But the Torah clearly disagrees with this! We are commanded to battle fiercely to remove hate & haters from the world. But loving those who are not set on our
destruction - particularly our fellow Jews – as well as loving G-d, is a sure way to guarantee that we’ll be blessed by Hashem & will always prevail over our enemies.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
Rabbis in Midrash
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Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
