In this week’s parshah, we learn about the mitzvah of building a fence around a rooftop, to prevent people from falling. The wording of the passuk is thought-provoking, as it seems to suggest that falling is inevitable: “When you build a new home, and you make fencing for the roof, and you shall not have blood upon your home when a person will surely fall from it...”
One explanation for the wording is that falling is indeed inevitable and part of the natural way of the world. However, we are still commanded to take precautions. Embarking on any project, such as getting married and establishing a home, entails spiritual challenges and we are responsible for doing what we can to protect ourselves. Hoping for the best or believing that “nothing bad will happen” regardless of how we behave is irresponsible and unrealistic.
We are commanded to do what we can to protect ourselves and others from falling — both physically and spiritually. Although a certain measure of falling can be seen as inevitable, being aware of the danger and erecting safeguards will be’ezras Hashem prevent us from experiencing drastic drops and keep us within the Torah’s boundaries.
