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Ki Teitzei
Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19
Isaiah 54:1-10

At the end of the parashah Ki Teitzei, the Torah addresses ethical business practices. Unfortunately, there are people who may be perfectionist in their mitzvah observance, but in their business practices they are indifferent. They provide hetairim (dispensations) for themselves for shady dealings. It is a contradiction that is difficult to understand, but human nature is full of contradictions.

The Torah juxtaposes two verses that at first glance don't seem to have any connection.

"You shall not have in your house diverse measures, a great and small. A whole and just weight you should have ... Remember what Amalek did to you." (Deut. 25:14-17) Not only is a Jew forbidden to use dishonest weights and measures, but he is even forbidden to own inaccurate weights and measures even if he doesn't intend to use them. This injunction against cheating in financial transactions is immediately followed by the verses that instruct us to remember how the evil nation of Amalek attacked us as we left Egypt. We are commanded to "wipe out the memory of Amalek from under the

heaven."

Our sages find a common denominator between these apparently disparate laws. Rashi says, "One who does not have integrity in the marketplace and who cheats his fellow man should concern himself with the reprisal of Amalek." Rabbi Simcha Bunim Sofer, of blessed memory, explains Rashi's observation in this way: A business cheat is a person of little faith. He doesn't believe that God will provide him with his needs and feels compelled to use dishonest measures to ensure his profit. He doesn't accept that God will sustain him.

Our sages tell us that the reason for Amalek's attack on our forefathers as they left Egypt is that the Jewish people had many spiritual doubts at that time and particularly questioned if God would protect them from their enemies in the wilderness. This faltering faith in the Almighty brought about the attack by Amalek. The words, "and he did not fear God" (Deut. 25:18), refer as much to the Israelites as to Amalek. In the battle with Amalek, Moshe lifted his hands toward heaven. When the Jews lifted their eyes toward heaven they subjugated their hearts and minds to the service of God. This was the determining factor in their triumph. Amalek's war against the Jews is a symbol of our ability to withstand pressure in order to focus upon the real source of our sustenance — the Almighty. Amalek came to destroy our faith in God, but it did not succeed.

Interestingly, the numerical value of the word Amalek is the same as that of the word "safek," which means doubt. If Israel had shown strong faith and trust in their Creator, Amalek would not have been sent to test them. And if a person had proper trust in G-d, he would not feel the need to use false weights and measures. One who is so weak in his belief may ultimately resort to a life of deceit and theft. He will become a fraud as he earns his livelihood in a manner totally unbefitting one who believes in the Torah. We must learn from this week's Torah portion that one may never distinguish between spiritual matters and financial matters.

This is my last column in j. I thoroughly enjoyed writing these columns. It has been a great honor to teach Torah in the Bay Area through j., and I have received a lot of wonderful responses. I would like to express my gratitude to j. and to its readers for the opportunity to reach them with Torah.

Shabbat shalom.




Rabbi Pinchas Lipner is dean of the Lisa Kampner Hebrew Academy in San Francisco.

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