Dvar Torah for Parshat Ki Teitzei

Based on Likutey Halakhot, Hilkhot Maakeh u'Shmirat HaNefesh 4:3

"When you build a new house, erect a fence around your roof. Do not place any blood in your house, for the fallen will fall...."
(Deuteronomy 22:8)

"Rabbi Natan says, 'From which verse do we learn that it is forbidden for a person to raise a vicious dog in his home and to have a shaky ladder in his home? "Do not place any blood in your house."'"
(Bava Kama 15b)

Revelation, the giving of the Torah at Sinai, and Creation, which we celebrate on Rosh Hashanah, are intimately connected. The former is the consummation of the latter. Let us explore the parsha, to see what it can teach us about them. At Revelation we proclaimed, "Naaseh v'nishma (we will do and will listen)." We will do now whatever we're capable of doing and we will keep our ears attuned to listen, to learn what we can yet build from our lives. Creation certainly was an exercise in building.

Both Torah and creation are our homes. Creation is our home – we live in it! The Torah is our home – it starts with the letter BaYT, which means BaYiT, house. Everyday God renews Creation and everyday we have to renew our commitment to Torah. Everyday we have to build a "new house" and make a new address for our minds. We have to climb and improve our Jewishness, whether from the outside – by adding to or enhancing our mitzvah performance – or from the inside – by adding to our understanding or feeling for the mitzvot.

Every house has at least two levels (the floor of the house and the roof). When we build this "new house" we need to "fence" in the roof. Why? Because the yetzer hara (Evil Inclination) attacks anyone who climbs up. He tries to make the person fall. That's why Hashem commands us that there be "no blood in your house," He wants to protect us from "shaky ladders and vicious dogs." Which means?

A strong ladder is an instrument of courage, boldness. One uses such a ladder when face to face with a wall that s/he cannot scale. To take a strong and climb shows focus and determination. On the other hand, a shaky ladder is an invitation to the tragedy of downward spiral. The "shaky ladder" we must not keep in our "house," our mindset, is the ladder of discouragement. We must be very careful not to dishearten or embarrass ourselves or others. (Embarrassment is so discouraging!)

Encouragement and determination are fundamental to Judaism. We need them to control body and ego, to say "No" to their demands for the unnecessary. We need encouragement and determination to overcome bad advice, sometimes offered by those uninterested in our welfare and sometimes by well-meaning friends.

Where do we get this encouragement?! "Everyday the Evil Urge has the power to overwhelm a person. If not for God's help s/he would fall into his hand" (Sukkah 52b). God's help is the encouragement the tzaddikim provide us with via their lessons and conversations, that sometimes we have to draw on ourselves by studying their works and sometimes from having a talk with a like-minded friend.

But "Beware of Dog!" Even though determination is necessary there's no need to be brazen as a dog. Don't "raise one in your home." Don't use this trait for any purpose that doesn't foster genuine spiritual growth.

Never forget that "the fallen will fall." We all have spiritual ups and downs. But a spiritual descent is always sent to help us pay closer attention and to "hear" what we are still capable of. Make sure your ladder is not shaky and the dog isn't vicious. Make sure the "fence" is in place before the "fall." Then at worst you will stumble, but you will not fall.