A thought on Parshas Ki Tavo

"...arur ha'ish asher ya'aseh pesel...makleh aviv...masig gvul..." (27:15-17)
"...one who makes idols...debases parents...displaces land boundaries..."

 

The Torah assails those who commit any one of a spectrum of sinful acts. There are many prohibited behaviors and offenses in the Torah and many virtuous and obligatory ones. Yet in our parsha, only a selection of these are cited in the Declaration of Baruch and Arrur. As we look at the various arrur acts which are cited in the above verses, it seems difficult to see a relationship or continuity between making idols, debasing parents and displacing land boundaries.

 

The Ralbag suggests a link: each of us has a relationship with our parents which is based in our profound gratitude for having been raised, nurtured and cared for. This relationship has a spiritual parallel in our ideal orientation to HaShem. A devout Jew will view his or her connection with HaShem as one of awe and gratitude for His having watched over us and having seen to our needs in a protective manner. Thus, one who debases his parents will likely lack authentic reverence for HaShem, and is more apt to stray in his allegiance to Torah, ultimately getting involved with pagan images and involvements. He or she may fail to appreciate HaShem's sovereignty and Oneness, and not see the "big deal" in showing regard to other "deities."

 

Moreover, there is a relationship between that involvement with pagan entities and hasagas gvul. Displacing boundaries is when one fails to respect other's property or possessions, and one goes so far as to venture onto another's land, clandestinely setting the markers or fences in a way which deceptively appropriates another's boundaries. This is, says the Ralbag, what happens in the spiritual parallel when one gives homage or regard to the sun, the moon,  the planets or other celestial entities. It is true that there are natural forces which are generated through the balance of luminaries in the cosmos. Gravity, tides, light, the wind, all have an interaction with those higher entities. Yet those higher entities are still not Higher entities. When one imbues them with a false aura of divinity, he or she is venturing into HaShem's exclusive domain. He is 'displacing the boundaries' by suggesting that some other entity shares or owns that cosmic majesty. HaShem alone contains the world and the universe. Doing anything which implies that there are other forces or powers out there is the theological form of being ma'sig gvul.

 

As we prepare for Rosh HaShanna, let us proclaim our allegiance to HaShem Echad with awe and honor that are due Him alone.

 

Wishing you a good Shabbos. D Fox