Ki Seitzei: Our Best Consumer is an Educated Consumer

By Tuvia Goldstein

Certain combinations, like Oreos and tomato sauce, were never meant to be (trust me on this one). Others, like barbecue sauce on pizza bagels, were obviously intended from the time of בראשית. There are good combinations and there are bad combinations. One of the many מצוות included in our פרשה speaks to this very phenomenon: שעטנז. Although commonly classified as a חוק, the Rav (in דרוש דרש יוסף) explains that שעטנז teaches that God set certain boundaries when creating the world and we aren't meant to cross them.[1]

These Godly boundaries are also apparent in the structure of our nation. The nation is broken down into tribes, each with different roles and abilities. These distinct tribes have their own individuality, but instead of detracting from the character of the nation as a whole, they enhances its character. These distinctions between the tribes are, in computer science terms, a feature, not a bug.

Similarly, the world is broken down into nations, each of whom has specific abilities and specialties. Accordingly, we recognize that although the other nations may not have the תורה, they do have wisdom relevant to us which we can employ in our service of God. However, since the other nations don’t have the תורה, their wisdom is also contaminated with their own twisted ideas. Accordingly, when imbibing the wisdom they offer, we must be careful consumers, ensuring that we see the true wisdom and ignore the impurities found within.

            The Rav ties this back to the concept of אשת יפת תואר found at the beginning of our פרשה. He explains that the section can be read homiletically:

כי תצא למלחמה על אויביך

When the Jewish people go out to wage a spiritual war against the other nations of the world.

וראית בשביה אשת יפת תאר וחשקת בה ולקחת לך לאשה

– and you will see something aesthetically appealing and you will desire it and make it yours.

However, one can't simply bring such an idea into his home. First, the תורה requires והבאת אל תוך ביתך וגלחה את ראשה ועשתה את צפרניה והסירה את שמלת שביה מעליה. You must first strip away the beauty of whatever you bring into your home. You must get to the root of whatever it may be to see it in its basest form. Only then can you truly make the best decision.

Chazal teach that the פרשה which follows the אשת יפת תואר, the בן סורר ומורה is a direct consequence of making the wrong decision by the אשת יפת תואר. One who fails to see through the superficiality and aesthetic appeal of the אשת יפת תואר will produce results that are rebellious and so dangerous that they deserve pre-emptive elimination.

Accordingly, one must be extremely mindful of the boundaries God built into our world and of the dangers of unfiltered consumption from the world around us. We need to realize that we have a mission and can't afford to be distracted by issues or topics that violate the world order dictated by ה'. Whether that comes in the form of pseudo-moralistic objections to our right to our homeland or in the YouTube videos we watch in our free time, we must be exceedingly mindful. We have each been given unique abilities and responsibilities and we must do everything we can to live up to our individual missions. We must carefully use the resources God has placed in this world to assist us in our missions. We have been trusted by ה'. Let’s go make Him proud.

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[1] See the רמב"ן’s commentary on ויקרא יט:יט where he discusses the broader לא תעשה of כלאים.