Welcome to the Mussar HaTorah Podcast for Parshas Ki Tatze. Join us as we explore the weekly Parsha, uncovering valuable insights and striving to become the best versions of ourselves through Mussar teachings.
At the beginning of the Parsha we have the interesting case of the Ben Sorer u'Moreh. Rashi comments that he is put to death because of what he will become. However, there is a rule we see in Maschta Rosh HaShana (16b) based on a drasha from Berashis 21 using the words "asher hu sham" that we only judge a person as how they are. If this is the case, how can we kill the Ben Sorer u'Morah when he hasn't yet done anything that deserves death?
Rav Yisroel Salanter (Lipkin) explains that the difference between the two cases is the actions taken by the person being judged. In the case of Yishmael (in Berashis), he was a young child and although he would become who he would become. He wasn't at that point when he was being judged. Therefore, despite who he would become, he was judged innocent at this time and did not deserve to die. On the other hand, the Ben Sorer u'Moreh is getting off to a very bad start with his actions. His stealing, eating, and drinking are already indicating the path this child is going to take. Therefore he isn't judged on what he is now, but rather on what he will become.
Rav Shalom Schwaron (z"l) points out that Rav Yisroel Salanter is telling us that because we are now in the days leading up to Rosh Hashana we need to investigate the roots of our deeds and make sure that there is nothing in them that would classify us as "asher hu sham". Because if there is anything that classifies us as "ahser hu sham" we could Chas v'Shalom have a bad judgement against us.
As we approach Rosh Hashana, let us take the lesson of the Ben Sorer u'Moreh to heart. It's a reminder that our actions today shape our future selves. We can reflect on our paths and make conscious choices that align with the values we hold dear. May we all strive to ensure that our actions today reflect the best of who we are and who we aspire to become. In doing so, we can hope for a favorable judgment and a year filled with growth, peace, and fulfillment.
Have a good shabbos.
