One of the mitzvot presented in Parashat Ki-Teitzeh is the prohibition against plowing a field with both an ox and a donkey (22:10). In ancient times, plowing was done by harnessing the plow to an animal, and then steering the animal throughout the field. The Torah forbids having an ox and donkey plow together. What is the reason behind this prohibition?
The Rabbis explain that an ox, unlike a donkey, chews its cud. This means that after an ox chews and swallows its food, the food returns to its mouth to be chewed again. If an ox and donkey would plow together, the donkey would see the ox chewing well after they had both been fed. This would cause the donkey distress, as it would think that the ox is eating while it is being denied food.
The lesson of this mitzva extends well beyond the limited context of plowing. We all know people whom, for whatever reason, we do not particularly like, perhaps for legitimate reasons. However, it is highly improbable that those people are less than a donkey. And so if the Torah commands us to show sensitivity to the feelings of a donkey, then certainly, we must show sensitivity to other people, even those whom we are not particularly fond of. The Torah demands that we refrain from offending or hurting our fellow, regardless of how we feel about him. If sensitivity is required toward animals, then how much more so is it required when dealing with other people, and especially with our fellow Jews, the children of Abraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov.
The Rabbis noted different allusions to the month of Elul in Tanach, allusions which reveal to us the essence of this special month and our obligations as we prepare for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The most famous allusion, of course, appears in the verse, “Ani le’dodi ve’dodi li” – “I am for my Beloved, and my Beloved is for me” (Shir Hashirim 6:3), the first letters of which spell the word “Elul.” A lesser known Biblical reference to Elul appears in Megilat Ester (9:22), where we read of the obligations of “Mishloah manot ish le’re’ehu u’matanot la’evyonim” – sending food packages to one’s fellow, and giving charitable gifts to the poor, on Purim. The first letters of the words “Ish le’re’ehu u’matanot la’evyonim” spell the word “Elul.”
This allusion reminds us that repentance involves not only our ritual obligations toward G-d, such as Shabbat observance, prayer and Torah study – as critically important as all these of course are – but also our interpersonal conduct. Our work to improve ourselves during this month must focus on both realms – bein adam la’Makom (our obligations to Hashem) and bein adam le’havero (our obligations to other people). The phrase “Ish le’re’ehu u’matanot la’evyonim” refers to our looking out for others, and our efforts to help them with whatever they need. As we strive during this month to grow and improve, let us heighten our awareness of “Ish le’re’ehu,” of other people’s needs and concerns, and commit to live with sensitivity to all people, no matter who they are.
