If you see your fellow’s ox or sheep gone astray, do not ignore it; you must take it back to your fellow. If your fellow does not live near your or you do no know who he is, you shall bring it home and it shall remain with you until your fellow claims it; then you shall give it back to him. And the last line of the paragraph reads Lo Tuchal L’hitaleim; You must not remain indifferent.
Lo Tuchal L’hitaleim more accurately translates as: “Thou mayest not hide thyself.”
We live in a wonderful world. On my drive from New York to Ohio, I witnessed just a few of these wonders; a family sharing a picnic lunch at rest stop in Western Pennsylvania, a retired couple who had just begun a cross country journey in their newly purchased mobile home, a dream they had had for nearly thirty years, a 40th wedding anniversary present to themselves. I saw little league baseball games, children playing in sprinklers, a young couple out on their first date, a woman calling home to tell her parents she had just gotten engaged. All of these things are little miracles in life and the experiences that make our lives truly a blessing.
However, these miracles do not happen on there own. It takes direct action by people on their own behalf and more importantly on the behalf of others. It requires that people not remain indifferent. It requires that we take initiative.
This weeks’ torah portion spells out that it is a mitvah to be engaged in the world. There are many battles to be engaged in; the battle against poverty, the battle against hate and discrimination, the battle for freedom, the battle for Peace. It is a commitment of our covenant with God, the Jewish people and the world.
These weeks preceding Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur begin a process of reflection and introspection. We are as Rabbi Stepehen Listfield tells us: meant to remind ourselves that our behavior does make a difference, and that we are capable of change, and that we do have an important measure of control over our lives. We can emerge from hiding and re-engage with the world with a new vigor, forgiving others transgressions and having the courage to ask for forgiveness for our own.
We must not remain indifferent by failing to return our neighbors ox or sheep that has gone astray, and we must renew our zeal to bring greater Justice, Love and peace to the world, Tikun Olam.
Ken Yehiyeh Ratzon. May it be God’s will.