כי תצא

This week's Parsha, כי תצא, has more laws than any Parsha in the Torah. The של״ה הקודש says that of these seventy three laws, they all fall into two basic categories. One is the holiness of the body and the other has to do with handling money.

The של״ה הקודש notes that the word מטבע can have two meanings. One meaning is that we come "from nature." And the other is "coin" or "money". Man's nature is to pursue money in order to earn a livelihood. However, he direct this desire to act in a lofty way.

We are not allowed to take interest in our business transactions. We must be careful with proper weights and measures. We must not oppress our borrowers by taking away their livelihood as a pledge. We allow workers and beasts to eat on the job. Our need for money must not come with hurting others.

The holiness of the body is learned when our Parsha not only tells us about marriage, but it also tells us that a husband must be close and not leave his wife during the first year of marriage. This holiness forbids an עמוני and מואבי convert from marrying a Jewish girl. Prostitution is frowned upon as it brings forces of impurity into the world. Even during war, the camp must be kept holy by having a special area for the soldiers to relieve themselves. We protect the body by building a fence on our roofs so that nobody will get hurt.

There are more examples of handling money in a holy manner and protecting the holiness of the body. This Parsha is focused on the two in order to teach us valuable lessons. Shabbat Shalom