What goes on behind closed doors matters, too

Ki Tavo

Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8
Précis: The parasha contains numerous religious mandates regarding the formation of a civil and moral community (including tithes of first fruits and tithes to support the Levites). The People are promised that if they follow God’s instructions, they will be transformed into a “holy people.” They are further instructed that they have a choice in their own destiny: there are blessings and curses (the “Admonition”), and they must to choose between the two - and take the consequences. The parasha ends with Moses reminding the People about all that God had done for them in bringing them from Egypt, providing sustenance, defeating their foes, and giving them the Land.

Deut. 17:15-26 “‘Cursed be the man who makes a carved or cast metal image, an abomination to the Lord... cursed be anyone who dishonors his father or his mother.... cursed be anyone who moves his neighbor's landmark.... cursed be anyone who misleads a blind man.... cursed be anyone who perverts the justice due to the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow.... cursed be anyone who lies with his father's wife... cursed be anyone who lies with any kind of animal.... cursed be anyone who lies with his sister.... cursed who lies with his mother-in-law... cursed be anyone who strikes down his neighbor in secret.... cursed be anyone who takes a bribe to shed innocent blood... cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them."


The list of curses in these verses is interesting. All relate to things that someone could do when they think they are alone, without other people to observe their behavior. The first and last of the curses deal with a person's relationship with God (do not make idols, observe God's commandments). The other curses deal with family relationships (do not insult your mother or father) and with moral behavior (sexual impropriety, do not misdirect a blind person on his way). According to Rabbi Plaut, these particular activities leading to curses were chosen because they were "unpunishable by human courts" since they were acts committed in secret.

There is a story about what Rabbi Yochanan Ben Zakkai said to his disciples when they asked him for a blessing before he died. "May you fear God as much as you fear other people," he told them. "Only that much?" his disciples asked, clearly disappointed by his response. Rabbi Yochanan responded, "You fear the disapproval of other people so much that you refrain from doing in public that which you readily do in private.” (Berakhot 28b). Our tradition is suggesting through this story that the mark of great character in an individual is that he or she refrains from improper actions even when unobserved.

As we approach the Yamim Noraim, many of us know that it is our responsibility to ask forgiveness from others we may have harmed during the prior year. These are public sins for which repentance is required. Now is also an appropriate time to consider those acts we may have taken in private for which repentance is also due. This requires real introspection, and perhaps more than a bit of courage.