Awareness and Sensitivity

(leader: R. Micah Citrin)


The Parasha: Ki Teitzei means "when you go out " - overall message

When you are on your way... you must be sensitive to the the world around you and aware of your relation with the world.



Deuteronomy 22:6-7

If, along the road, you chance upon a bird’s nest, in any tree or on the ground, with fledglings or eggs and the mother sitting over the fledglings or on the eggs, do not take the mother together with her young. Let the mother go, and take only the young, in order that you may fare well and have a long life.



Lots of discussion on this and questions as to why this is important. The focus went in many different directions this week.

Good D'var Torah on the subject: Ki Teitzei

From the continuation of the species to a parallel with the commandment to honor parents, there are many opinions about this mitzvot.

Do we extend human feelings to the mother bird? Is this appropriate?

Is this an environmental issue?

It seems to come down to the directive to treat animals with sensitivity.

But then there is this promise of results: "fare well and have a long life".

AND there is the famous story of Rabbi Elisha Ben Abuha who describes an incident that makes this mitzvot even more perplexing: Why bad things happen to good people?