D’var Torah – Sept 12

I hope this finds you all well.

In life, there are some things where you can go in a lot of directions – for instance: what you want to have for dinner, what color you want to paint the living room, where you want to go on vacation, and who you want to vote for. Then there are those boilerplate things that are yes-or-no, black-and-white, and right-or-wrong like…don’t steal, rob, trespass, or lie, don’t put your hands on someone without their permission, and don’t murder. They’re both simple and profoundly powerful.

In this week’s parsha of Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8), Moses tells the people that after they cross the Jordan, half the tribes are to assemble on Mount Gerizim while the other half take their place on Mount Ebal. Moses then tells them that anyone who breaks the commandments will be cursed, to which the people are to affirm. The offenses include:

“Cursed be the one who moves a neighbor’s landmark. —And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’” (27:17)

“Cursed be the one who misdirects a blind person who is underway. —And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’” (27:18)

“Cursed be the one who lies with any beast. —And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’” (27:21)

“Cursed be the one who strikes down a fellow [Israelite] in secret.—And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’” (27:24)

If, on the other hand, the people obey God’s commandments, the people will receive a multitude of blessings:

“Blessed shall you be in the city and blessed shall you be in the country.” (28:3)

“Blessed shall be your issue from the womb, your produce from the soil, and the offspring of your cattle, the calving of your herd and the lambing of your flock.” (28:4)

“Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.” (28:5)

“Blessed shall you be in your comings and blessed shall you be in your goings.” (28:6)

This week we witnessed the callous, cruel, premeditated, and hateful assassination of activist Charlie Kirk. Kirk, a champion of free speech and open debate in the public square, was brutally murdered on a college campus while exercising his First Amendment rights. His wife Erika is now a widow and his three year-old daughter and one year-old son have lost their father.

America was built on certain core principles, moral beliefs, and inalienable rights. They include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. They also include the freedom of speech, the freedom of religion, and the right to express oneself without fear of violent repercussion, physical intimidation, illicit disruption, or criminal harassment. Unfortunately, as was the case with this horrific crime, there are those who have chosen to disregard, ignore, and mock these sacred tenants which so many have fought and died for.

The assembly at Gerizim and Ebal was far from a performance; it was drawing a line in the sand, making a clear mark between right and wrong.

Perhaps then, this sad and tragic moment requires us to have a Gerizim-Ebal moment of our own. Maybe it should go something like this:

“Cursed be the one who murders those with whom he simply disagrees.”

“Cursed be they who strike down Catholic school children for praying in their pews and assault Jews for wearing their kippot and Magen Davids in the streets.”

“Cursed be they who attempt to destroy a free and open society that espouses a multitude of opinions and views.”

“Blessed be they who are willing to hear an opinion opposed to their own.”

“Blessed be he who passionately and valiantly defends the rights and views of those with whom he disagrees.”

“Blessed be they who defend the freedoms of speech, religion, a multitude of views, and open, healthy debate.”

After this dark moment, I am reminded of two famous dictums from Pirkei Avot:

Ben Zoma taught, “Who is he that is honored? He who honors his fellow human beings..” (Pirkei Avot 4:1); while Rabbi Elazar ben Shammua said, “let the honor of your student be as dear to you as your own, and the honor of your colleague as the reverence for your teacher, and the reverence for your teacher as the reverence of heaven.” (Pirkei Avot 4:12)

Bizrat HaShem, with God’s help, may we all be inspired to defend and cultivate the blessings of freedom of speech, healthy debate, and open discourse for ourselves AND for all members of society.

Wishing you a Good Shabbos and a restful weekend.

Bivrakha,

Rabbi Aaron Stucker-Rozovsky

Beth El Congregation | 520 Fairmont Ave, Winchester, VA 22601

(540) 667-1889 (office)