THE FORGETTING COMMANDMENTS

Parashat Ki Tetze
Elul 9, 5786 / August 21-22, 2026
Torah: Deuteronomy 21:10 - 25:19
Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1-10 (Fifth Haftarah of Consolation)

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Lunch and Learn meets Mondays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live. NO LUNCH AND LEARN on August 24. We're continuing to read and discuss Ramban (Nachmanides) on the Book of Genesis.  On August 31, we'll be at: 

https://www.sefaria.org/Ramban_on_Genesis.1.29.1?lang=bi 

It is recommended that you also have with you a chumash with commentaries.

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Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.

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THE FORGETTING COMMANDMENTS
 
"When you reap the harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, do not return to take it; it shall be for the stranger, orphan and widow, in order that the Lord your God will bless you in all the work of your hand. When you beat your olive trees, do not go over them again; it shall be for the stranger, orphan and widow. When you harvest your vineyard, do not pick it over again; it shall be for the stranger, orphan and widow. And you will remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this thing." Deuteronomy 24:19-22
 
In these verses, as well as in Leviticus 19:9-10 and 23:22 (leaving the corners of the field and fallen fruit "for the poor and for the stranger"), we are told to leave grain, olives and grapes - basic foodstuffs which are also, not coincidentally, essential for offering the basic sacrifices to God. These are the necessities of the Israelites' physical and spiritual lives. And yet, according to the Rabbis, the commandment to leave forgotten sheaves in the field is the only commandment in the Torah that, in a way, can be fulfilled unintentionally.

The Gleaners - Jean-Francois Millet, 1857

There are several rabbinic tales in which people celebrate the fact that they forgot sheaves in the field. But how can they celebrate unless they remember? It seems that what they are celebrating is that they "remembered" to forget! Sheaves on the ground? Forget about them! Olives still in the trees? Don't go back for them! Unripe grapes still on the vines? Don't do a second harvest. Forget about them!
 
This is all about overcoming human nature. When gathering in the harvest, anyone would be inclined to go back and get as much produce as possible - it was hard work to grow it, winter is coming, and who knows what the future will bring? But by remembering what it was like to have nothing, we can forget about trying to have everything.
 
These mitzvot can be fulfilled in a different way today. Please make a generous donation of food or money to SOVA, MAZON, North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry, or the local food pantry of your choice. Don’t forget!
 
Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom, DD (HC)

Rabbi Emeritus
Temple B'nai Hayim
Valley Village, CA
".איזה הוא חכם? הלומד מכל אדם"
Who is wise? The one who learns from every person.
Ben Zoma - Pirkei Avot 4:1
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