Shabbat Shalom

Greetings and blessings from the mountains of Galilee to Jerusalem, from the Land of Israel.

My beloved friends around the world,

This week’s portion opens with two words: “Ki tetze” – “when you go out.” Israel stands before entering the Promised Land, and Moses speaks of going out to battle. Yet I also hear a personal call: Go out. Step beyond fixed assumptions, wounded pride, the need always to be right, and self-importance. Not to erase yourself, but to see yourself at the right height.

“When you go out to battle against your enemies, and the LORD your God delivers them into your hand…” (Deuteronomy 21:10)

Before the Holy Place – God Builds the Person

The Promised Land in the Torah is the Land of Israel, promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Yet before Israel enters it, the Torah shapes the people who will live there: how to treat the weak, the worker, and the one who has fallen. The believer does not replace Israel, but learns a principle: wherever the Creator entrusts me with family, congregation, work, or calling, I must ask, What kind of person am I bringing there? God is not only preparing a place for me; He is preparing me for the place.

“You Must Not Ignore It” – Open Your Eyes

“You must not ignore it.” (Deuteronomy 22:3)

After “Ki tetze” comes the call to see. Who is beside me? Who is lonely? Who needs forgiveness or an outstretched hand? We ask the Creator: Have mercy on me, forgive me, lift me, send help. Then He may place beside us someone asking for the same things. I ask for mercy – am I merciful? Perhaps someone prayed today that God would send help, and perhaps I am the person being sent.

Prayer Does Not End with “Amen”

Faith, emotion, prayer, and action are one cord. I believe, so my heart opens; I pray, so my eyes open; I see, so I act. My prayer does not end with “Amen.” Sometimes my mission begins after the “Amen.”

The Haftarah – God Does Not Ignore His People

“Enlarge the place of your tent… lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes.” (Isaiah 54:2)

Zion still appears barren, yet she is told to make room for blessing before she sees its fulfillment. Faith is not only waiting for the promise; sometimes it is preparing room for it.

“For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great compassion I will gather you.” (Isaiah 54:7)

“Though the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, My steadfast love shall not depart from you, and My covenant of peace shall not be removed.” (Isaiah 54:10)

Here the portion and the Haftarah meet. The Torah says, “You must not ignore it.” In the Haftarah, the God of Israel shows His faithfulness: I do not ignore My people. Israel has passed through exile, persecution, antisemitism, and wars, yet He has not ceased to be faithful to His covenant.

The Threefold Cord

“A threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

As an application, I see three strands: the God of Israel; the people of Israel; and you, the believer. Not to stand in Israel’s place, but beside Israel. Not to take Israel’s covenant, but to honor God’s faithfulness to it. When you see His faithfulness to His people through the storms of history, you learn to trust Him: if He is faithful when the way appears impossible, I can trust Him when I do not yet understand my own path.

What Do I Take from the Portion?

This Shabbat, when I hear “Ki tetze,” I want to ask not only where I am going, but what kind of person is going out from me into the world. Do I see, forgive, show mercy, pray, and act? Ki tetze – step out of yourself. You must not ignore it – open your eyes. Look at the faithfulness of the God of Israel to His people – and learn to trust Him.

My Prayer and Blessing

Master of the universe, give us hearts that step beyond ourselves and eyes that truly see. Bind faith, emotion, prayer, and action into one cord of faithfulness. Make us instruments of Your mercy, and help us stand beside the people of Israel with humility, love, prayer, and action – for Your honor and glory.

If you would like the full version of this article, please write to me at: sabrafund@gmail.com

With the blessing of the LORD,
Your brother in Israel,
Mordechai ben Yaakov

From the House of Good Deeds – Beit Sabra

“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His mercy endures forever.”

הודו לה׳ כי טוב כי לעולם חסדו.

Am Yisrael Chai! –עם ישראל חי