From the Rabbi’s Study…Shabbat, September 5, 6, 2025/12,13 Elul 5785
The Torah continues with the laws pertaining to marriage and family relationships, miscellaneous ritual laws, agricultural laws, moral and humane laws.
Some Judaic concepts and values:
Kevod Hamet/reverence for the dead, restoration of lost property, and kindness to animals.
More mitzvot in this Torah portion are making a parapet for one’s roof and writing a bill for divorce.
Just imagine all the Judaic laws and mitzvot the Torah has given to our people. In ancient times, to respect and give honor to the dead; Deuteronomy 21:23 states that “a person’s body shall not remain all night upon a tree, you shall bury him the same day.” According to Jewish law, the dead must be buried at the earliest moment possible. When Rachel died, the people buried on the road and placed stones to show their respect. Today, when visiting a grave, we leave a stone to show someone paid their respects for the person. Some people live far away, and they must travel for a funeral, and that is fine, while others have Zoom funerals.
Deuteronomy 22:1-3 asserts that one must return a stay ox or donkey. The law was widened to include all lost articles to be restored to their owners. Kindness to animals was included in Deuteronomy 22:10 as for the care of work animals and in Deuteronomy 22:6-7 it talks about the care and treatment of birds; mothers of birds, hens and their eggs. One should not have the mother watch a person taking their future offspring because it would be an action of cruelty. The law points to the grounds of sympathy and the sacredness of parental relationships. Interestingly, according to the Torah, the reward for not taking the female bird with its offspring is that of length of days. Jews feed their animals before they eat their meals for it would be cruel to have the animal watch when it is hungry.
Today, we witness war in various countries, and especially in Israel where so many of the people that died cannot be found and buried, or if they are alive, returned to their loved ones. This is cruelty of the highest level. The Jewish people are known for their extraordinary care of human beings in sickness, and even when at war, their enemies are warned before an attack is to happen and told they should place the women, children and elderly in safe areas. Can we name another country that does that?
During WWII in Poland, the Zoo Keeper and his wife protected their animals. (the book and movie is Zoo Keeper’s wife). “Righteous Gentiles” risked their lives to save Jewish people.
Today, these actions to care, honor, give respect, and shelter for a human being is lacking. On campuses last year everyone watched the horrific treatment toward the Jewish students, which was appalling and dangerous. If one views a couple in a restaurant, today they are on their cellphones and not even having a conversation.
Has the modern world lost the kindness of a smile or a friendly “Hello” to one another?
Has the misinterpretation of one’s speech lost the freedom of one’s thoughts or texts? (In England and other counties, a person may be arrested if they speak or their post does not agree with the country’s new rules).
As the New Year approaches we should be mindful of our actions, speech, and try to do G’mult Chesadim/actions of righteousness. The Shofar is sounded every morning to awaken us to get back on the path to G-d.
As I am writing this drash it is 697 Days since October 7, 2023, and I have sent more supplies to help the IDF in Gaza. AM YSRAEL CHAI! LONG LIVE ISRAEL!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Helene Ainbinder
