Parsha Talk Ki Tetzei 5785 2025

Parashat Ki Tetze [Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19] has more commandments than any other single parashah, 74 of the 613. While the laws do not all seem necessarily connected, perhaps they fit under the rubric of the title of one of Spike Lee’s movies, Do the Right Thing. We discussed some of these laws, some of which stand out because they do not correspond with our modern, though not necessarily less Jewish, morality; others because they seem designed to govern our morals and ethics, pushing us to more of the right thing given that we do not always start with the correct action. Before one knows it, the half hour or so is up, and we move on to the rest of our lives, which will include, God willing, Parashah Talk next week!
As we near the 700-day mark, a number that staggers the imagination, we continue to keep in mind the hostages, both the dead and the living, and the imperative that they be returned immediately to their families. We are also mindful of those defending Israel as members of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.