Ki Teitzei: Guardrails and Gates

Devarim 22:8, “When you will build a new house you shall make a gate for your roof, and you shall not bring blood upon your home for the one who falls will fall off it.” Rashi explains that this man is ought to fall for whatever reason Hashem decides that it is fitting, but you must protect yourself so that you aren’t the arbitrator of this occurrence. “For Hashem makes good happen through the innocent and bad through the guilty.” The concept of cause and effect is the rule of nature. We understand that if we were to set up a fence on our rooftops, the effect would be that no one would fall off it. The same is when we go to work, the effect is that we come home with a paycheck after forty hours

As we expand our view we see that the effect of our parents getting together was that we were born. And so on as we continue going back centuries, all of our grandparents, the stories of how they met and their lives in general have all been so that we can be here today. We go back all the way to Bereishit and we understand that the original cause of everything was when Hashem knocked down the first domino and we are still falling today due to that first push so many years ago. But within those parameters, we have the choice to either allow the inevitable to happen through us or to leave it to another. The future will happen with or without you, and it is ultimately up to us to find what is right and true and pursue it.

Hashem has given us a Torah; He hasn’t given it to the Angels, as the Gemara points out in Shabbat 89a. It is up to people here on earth that have the ability to do things with their hands, people who have emotions and trials that can truly weigh their options before going about a task. If one were like an angel, it would be no wonder if they followed each and every commandment of Hashem. It is the work of a lifetime for us humans to push ourselves closer to His arms. We fall and rise up, we are sure within ourselves that today we will not do this or that, but the time lunch comes around we are under the weight of a cloud that we hoped wouldn’t come over us again. Our challenges are tough and our hearts get blinded as we seek out simple earthly pleasures to quiet down our aching hearts.

So are we innocent or are we guilty? We tend to think of ourselves as terrible sinners who have no control whatsoever over our addictions and sadness. It’s a vicious cycle that has been going on for years and we simply see no way out of the woods. I guess we have to say that one who seeks Hashem and is in pain for his shortcomings is already one who can see their problems as their relationship with Him. Although it may not be the most satisfying relationship if all we do throughout our time together is defy His rule, but at least those are the reasons we get to see Him throughout our day. 

The Gemara in Kiddushin 40b states, “A person should view the world as if it is halfway innocent and halfway guilty, and with one mitzvah, we have the ability to sway the balance of the world, and similarly with one transgression to the other side.” It is not our duty to label ourselves innocent or guilty, it is our mission to do the right thing. Hashem tells us, build that wall, do the right thing and leave the rest up to me. You are innocent, and tragedy won’t befall through this avenue. Go about doing little actions that will protect you from inevitabilities and you won’t get pulled into undesired situations.

The way we live is quite similar. The way we conduct ourselves in our day to day life can be compared to this. Hashem’s plan will come about and the future effect will all be, the question is only what part will you be taking in the continuation of the world? What gates will you put up in your life that will protect you from those addictions and weaknesses you have been facing for so long? What will you choose for yourself when you are asked to choose, and how will you protect yourself from physical and spiritual breakdowns? What small actions can you implement in your life so that when you approach that ledge you don’t end up falling over with the slightest wind?

Hashem has many causes He can call on to carry out certain effects, which one will He call upon you to enact? Are we going to remain in training for the rest of our lives or are we going to go about this world and do the right thing? So many things are hard to do, for instance, having children and raising them. Giving away our time here on earth to care and provide for others, so that they too can prosper and live out their dreams. What a selfless act this is and so much pressure we put onto ourselves for this cause. Do we always see the plan of Hashem? No. But what we do know is that this is the purpose of the world and we are ready to fulfill His will and serve our Creator.

We have already learnt not to get stuck in the contemplation stage. Getting caught up in our thoughts will surely keep us from doing any work. Yes, we may come a little bit more prepared as we start, but if you don’t start now, who knows if you ever will, as Hillel is quoted in the Mishnah in Avot 1:14. It is not up to us to figure out the future, all we can do is make the proper choice and execute it to the best of our abilities. Find a job to keep yourself busy, set up a lifeline of security to prevent falling into depressive thoughts that will harm your future. Do the job you were led to and the cause for a fabulous effect. Put yourself into situations where your strength and wisdom will be appreciated. Learn how to surrender to Hashem’s will and watch how the pieces fall into place.

Those who are destined to fall will fall. There are some actions we take here on earth out of ignorance, or worse out of spite. The ignorant still have a chance to recognize their errors but the spiteful need to be woken up from their delusions. Hashem has many ways to reveal His presence here on earth and He may choose any of these causes to bring it about. A person who did not construct a gate on their roof or set up safeguards in their life also needs to be awakened. Hashem pairs these people up in one place, as the Gemara explains in Makot 10b. The one who has to die will die, the one who has to fall will fall and the one who needs to learn its lesson will learn.

Ki Tetze. The world holds many opportunities and along with them comes a whole lot of temptations. It is our solemn duty to fulfill His will and be prepared for those times where our weaknesses get the best of us. Be mindful of becoming the person who doesn’t fall for their scams so that you won’t get sucked into one unbeknownst to yourself. Apply little things in your life and manage your time properly, and surely you will be innocent in the eyes of Hashem.

David Lemmer is an Orthodox Jewish Author and Hypnotherapist. Find his books on Amazon and watch his videos on YouTube @LemmerNetwork. He can be reached at LemmerHypno@gmail.com