Dvar Torah for Parshat Ki Tavo

Based on Likutey Moharan I, 29:9

"Cursed is the one who moves the boundary of his neighbor..." (Deuteronomy 27:17).

"This is the concept of earning a living faithfully. Someone who doesn not earn his living with faith, and is filled with a craving for money so that he steals from his friend...(Likutey Moharan I, 29:9).

We read the portion of Ki Tavo in Elul, the last month of the Jewish year. This is the time of the year for "fixing" things we did wrong over the course of the year in order to be prepared for the High Holidays. Among the many crimes (aka sins) that are committed by almost every person is theft. God implanted within us a strong desire for money (Chagiga 11b) and sooner or later we succumb.

Of course most of us aren't muggers or bank robbers or even shoplifters. However, how many of us can say that we never took an overly long coffee break or lunch hour? Or rationalized not paying a debt or an old loan? And how about overcharging customers and undercutting the competion? "But, I've got to make a living." So does the other guy. His dollar is just as important as yours.

So, of course you're filled with regret and want to repent. But how in the world can you ever hope to make restitution? Who can recall how much and from whom he stole? And what can you do to keep from doing it again? The Rebbe advises us:

"This is the primary rectification of earning a living: to keep in mind that the sole purpose of every step [you] take and every word [you] speak while earning a living is o be able to give charity from [your] earnings" (Likutey Moharan, ibid.).

Certainly this is only the beginning. One has to follow up by making sure his business practices - as employer or employee, as provider or customer - meet the standards of halakha. And of course one has to give charity. Here a note of caution is in order.

We all know that Jews are very generous, the biggest givers of charity. Our sages point out, however, that we are a strange folk: sometimes we give to build the Temple and sometimes to make a golden calf! So, please. Pray hard that you should give your money only to worthy and worthwhile causes.

Agutn Shabbos!
Shabbat Shalom!