Deut. 21:10 - 25:19
Précis: The parasha might be subtitled “entering society” because it describes the creation of a just and moral social network. It begins with the phrase “when you go forth” (ki tetze) to battle. This parasha, according to Maimonides, contains 72 mitzvot (commandments). Although they seem unrelated, they all deal with the morals and values that God wanted to be deeply implanted in the Israelites’ society. They cover a wide variety of topics, from family life, human kindness, respect for property and animals, the safety of others, sexual relationships, escaped slaves, financial loans and charging interest, keeping promises, and remembering to blot out the name of one of Israel’s greatest enemies. This assortment of commands included requirements that there be sex-distinct clothing; that mother birds not be separated from their eggs; that roof-tops have parapets; that seeds not be mixed in a field, and that “tzitzit” (fringes) be worn on garments.
Deut. 23:9 “You shall not abhor an Edomite, for he is your kinsman.”
Deut. 25:17-19 “Remember what Amalek did to you as you came out of Egypt; how he struck those in the rear when you were faint and weary. Therefore, when Adonai your God has given you rest from your enemies in the Land… you will blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; you will not forget.”
This parasha is being read this year as the outrages of last October continue. It tells us that war is coming, and that we must fight our kinsman – but not hate him. Historically, the Edomites were descended from Esau, and thus our kinsmen, even if remotely so.
Should Israel see the Palestinians as “kinsmen” and refrain from hatred? I personally hope so. But we are also commanded to blot out the memory of Amalek, the personification of all that is evil. Hamas is the modern Amalek. We in the Diaspora have a deep and abiding connection to Israel, the home of many close kinsmen. We are all one or two degrees of separation from those who have been killed by Hamas. We can support Israel’s efforts to eliminate even the memory of Hamas while still refraining from hatred of all Palestinians.
