Ki Seitzei

One of the mitzvos in this parsha warns about plowing with an ox and donkey together. The Ba’al HaTurim writes that the reason for this is because an ox which is a kosher animal, chews its cud; however, the donkey, a non-kosher animal, does not. Therefore, when these two animals plow together, the donkey would see the ox constantly chewing its cud and it would think that the ox is actually eating, then the donkey would feel pain that it has nothing to eat. The Daas Zekainim m’Baalei Tosfos explains that the donkey might just hear the ox eating and feel pain. The Chizkuni suggests another idea; the ox is a stronger animal whereas the donkey is weaker, so they are not a good working pair to plow together. Hashem is concerned with the pain of the animal and doesn’t allow for them to be put together. We can derive from here that Hashem warns us to be so careful with an animal, kal v’chomer, we should certainly be even more careful not to cause pain or discomfort to a holy person!

The first letters of the words of the passuk “אני לדודי ודודי לי,” “I am to Hashem and Hashem is to me,” spell out “Elul”.  This means; the way that I act and present myself to Hashem, is the way Hashem will be toward me! If we behave in a kind and caring way to other people then we become a kli which Hashem will pour a shefa into. However, if chas v’shalom we do not, then we become a broken kli which cannot accept the shefa which Hashem wants to send us. Hashem is all good and always wants to be meitiv to His beloved nation, Klal Yisrael. It is up to us to do good to enable Hashem to be meitiv to us. The passuk states, “ה’ צלך על יד ימינך, Hashem will protect you by your right side.” The word “צלך” literally means “your shadow.” This hints that the way a person acts is how Hashem will reciprocate with him. When a person smiles at his shadow, the shadow smiles back. Whereas when one frowns at his shadow, it frowns back. The shadow replicates our exact actions. So too is with Hashem to us.

It’s beneficial for our own sake to be careful with other people and have rachmanus because it will then enable us to receive more rachamim from Hashem.

May we put in extra effort to act with chesed and rachamim toward another person and merit for Hashem to be metiv to us!