RABBI'S THOUGHTS: PARSHAS KI TEITZEI

Help the Fall Guy!
 

This week's Parsha, Ki Teitzei teaches us a very practical law. The Torah tells us that if a person is building a new house, they are obligated to make sure there is a fence around the roof, to prevent the danger of people falling off.

This is, of course, an admirable idea - that of neighbourly responsibility, of not being negligent on one's own property because another person may come to harm, and so forth.

The Torah goes further, however. The verse uses an interesting phrase - "ki yipol hanofeil mimenu" which means, literally, make a fence around the roof… lest somebody who is prone to falling should fall off the roof.

If the person is going to fall anyway, why should I have to take precautions? Yet the Torah is speaking with regard not just to any random person but this law is taught specifically regarding one who is a frequent faller.

There is, as ever, the commentator Rashi, who explains that even though it may be Divinely Ordained that this person will fall anyway, that doesn't mean that I should be the one to bring it about.

On a deeper level, it is a very powerful lesson for all aspects of our lives. Many times we are tempted to take advantage of another person. Often the excuse is that they will not mind, that they are a 'soft spot'. Children in the playground will pick on another, arguing that 'he makes himself a natural victim'. Global powers will do the same thing on an international level. Unfortunately there is a perception that because someone has a weakness, this is automatically grounds to take advantage of them.

That is why the Torah tells us, no! That is not acceptable. Even one who is going to fall anyway, you must take precautions to help prevent them from doing so rather than letting them become a victim of their own weakness. Not only are we commanded not to take advantage of that person, but we are actually commanded to help them.

As we approach Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, it is a good time to take stock and to ask ourselves if we have taken advantage of someone else, even though they either did not know or did not care, for our own selfish reasons. Alas it is all too easy to do so, especially when the other person is seemingly not concerned. This week's Parsha gives us a powerful message to carry through into the year 5762, helping those who are not necessarily able to stop themselves from falling, making sure that not only do we prevent their falling but we help them to stand firm and that we, in turn, are inscribed for a Happy and Sweet New Year.

Shabbat Shalom