Parashat Ki Teitzei

            Shabbat Shalom. This week’s Torah portion, Parashat Ki Teitzei, contains more commandments than any other single Torah portion. Many of them have nothing to do with one another, and some of them which seem like they might fall into a similar category are scattered throughout the reading, rather than being grouped together. This section of Deuteronomy is a list of “Because I said so” type rules from God, pouring out of Moses as he remembers each one.

            There are a good handful that may fall within a “fair business practice” category. Rules against exacting interest when giving a loan to your neighbors and friends, rules against using tricky means of falsifying weights and measures, rules about paying employees fair wages and on time, and about being kind in how to treat collateral on a loan. There are rules to let the oxen munch on the grains as it pulls the plow, and rules to allow the destitute come and eat that which is left unplowed. There are also many other unrelated rules in the parasha, so it’s hard to say that there’s any consistent theme, but at least one of the themes of the Torah as a whole, which is shown through these verses, could be said to be a strong work ethic that breeds generosity and fairness.

            Now, many of us in this room have careers that don’t exactly lend themselves to these types of business ethics. We aren’t farmers, many are not storeowners or money lenders, aren’t in a position that pays employees directly, or weighs goods, and so on. But if the teachings of our sacred scriptures are this concerned with how people engaged with one another on small, personal transactions and how people treat their work animals and such, all the more so we can assume the importance of professional ethics in careers that require leadership roles. When we have jobs that extend beyond an “office” and become part of our identities, it is essential to know what our values truly are and live them all the time. I know I feel that way as a clergy person, and I can imagine some of you feel that way about your professions and life choices. One of the final lines of this week’s reading is, “Everyone who deals dishonestly is abhorrent to the Lord.” Whether in business dealings or in community leadership, we are expected to live righteously and deal with those we engage professionally with empathy and honesty. In doing do, we may build a stronger and more trusting community together.

This Shabbat, may we commit to working together in honest dealings, treating each other with respect and generosity. Amen and Shabbat Shalom.