B"H
Tuesday, Elul 7, 5784 / September 10, 2024
This week's Parsha is Ki Teitzei. In the Parsha, we find a total of 74 mitzvot, which is the most of any Parsha in the Torah.
The 613 mitzvot of the Torah fall into two categories; "Bein adam lachaveiro" - mitzvot between one person and another person; and "Bein adam lamakom" - mitzvot between a person and G-d. Most of the mitzvot in this Parsha concern behavior between people.
This Parsha, which is always read in the month of Elul, reminds us that, as we near the end of the year and prepare for the new year, we must be especially careful in our behavior toward others.
One of the mitzvot in this Parsha is "Hashavat Aveidah" - "returning a lost object" to its rightful owner.
The Torah states: "You shall not see your brother's ox or sheep go astray and hide yourself from them. You should bring them back to your brother. If your brother is not close to you or you don't know him, then you shall bring it into your own house, and it shall be with you until your brother seeks it and you shall give it back to him."
This mitzvah applies to any lost object which has some identifying marks, then the finder must try to return it to its rightful owner.
The word "Hashavat" (return) shares the same root as "Teshuvah" (return/repentance). "Hashavat Aveidah" in its spiritual form refers to "Teshuvah/repentance". Elul is the month of "Teshuvah" in which we must "return" and restore our soul to its original form of holiness and purity.
On the lighter side:Sam the thief, as he was called by everyone in town, came to the rabbi one day during the month of Elul. “Rabbi, I found a wallet full of money. I would like you to help me locate the owner so I can return the wallet and perform the mitzvah of returning a lost object to its rightful owner.”
The rabbi, a bit surprised, yet impressed to see Sam improve his ways, assured him that he will make an announcement in synagogue so Sam will be able to return the wallet and perform this important mitzvah.
A little while after Sam left, the rabbi discovered that his watch was missing. He immediately sent for Sam and sure enough, he had it in his pocket. “I can’t figure you out!” said the rabbi. “First you come to return a lost wallet and then you steal my watch! I don’t understand you at all!”
“What’s there to understand?” answered Sam. When it comes to returning a lost object that’s a mitzvah. But when it comes to stealing, that’s business!”
In the Parsha we see a connection between the mitzvot toward each other and toward G-d. Our business dealings with others and our commitment to G-d must go hand in hand. One should make Mitzvot their business and their business into a mitzvah!
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY & SHANA TOVA
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW