Thou Shalt Not Be A Pig? Ki Tezieh

But if you try sometime, you’ll find that you get what you need

Rolling Stones

A two-sentence kerfuffle! Oh my!

A particularly short Ki Tezieh Torah Portion passage presents with mind-bending complexity. While these two sentences yield a multitude of interpretations, the text contains a kernel that yields an undisputable consensus opinion: “Don’t be a pig!”

To appreciate this unanimous belief, some mental gymnastics must be performed to stick a landing with resolute certainty.

The Analysis

The first part of our routine is a stop at the Ten Commandments. At Mt. Sinai, the prohibition of theft became law.

The second part of our mental routine, is a series of queries:

(a) If an individual plucked and ate grapes from someone else’s vineyard, is that considered theft?

and

(b) If someone grabbed an ear of corn off of someone’s field to eat, would that place into question that individual’s morality?

What are the answers? Say it! Say it!

The answer to both (a) and (b) is: “most likely not.”

As noted, the Ki Tezieh passage- Deuteronomy 23:25-26- provides: “When you’ll come into your neighbor’s vineyard, then you shall eat grapes as you wish, your fill; but you shall not put any into your container. When you’ll come into your neighbor’s standing grain, then you may pluck ears with your hand; but you shall not lift a sickle at your neighbor’s grain.”

The next part of of this mental exercise is to ask the question, “who are these people?” Who is allowed to eat grapes and partake of grains? Are they neighbors? Are they not neighbors? Who are these people?

There is much ambiguity with respect to the passages’ interpretation. Rashi, in his commentary, indicates that this law applies to workers. There are others who indicate that it applies to travelers and strangers.

Playing out the fact patterns is one way of seeing the feasibility of each interpretation. What would happen to a field or vineyard if a large group of individuals approached it at the same time? It is quite possible that a small property would become completely depleted in order to satisfy all of those mouths. In essense, their bite would be an overreach.

Further, definitionally, how does one become a neighbor? If Mr. Rodgers asked, “won’t you be my neighbor?”, would merely an affirmative answer be sufficient to justify the grabbing of one’s grapes and ears of corn?

A Cross Over Law?

Beyond the passages discussed, there is another Torah provision which confounds matters. Do the Ki Tezieh passages intersect with the provisions of Leviticus 19:9-11?

The Leviticus provisions command that “‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.  Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner… “

So, does Ki Tezieh commandments merely permit activities on the property corners? Or, does it allow individuals to venture further onto the property?

The True Message

Before our minds turn to mush, we must touch on the reality of the circumstances.

The portion clearly expresses that there is a limit to how much an individual should take from the neighbor’s field or vineyard. The passages not only restrict the techniques that can be used to obtain the food sources, they also place a limit upon it- one’s satisfaction. Likewise, there is further limitation as it addresses how the items were to be gathered- no containers.

Thus, there is no doubt as to how the individual partaking should act when performing this activity; that is, to not be a pig.

While the term pig acts as a descriptor word in the English language. The Yiddish counterpart chazir brings more to the table. The term is slightly more colorful and carries with it a deeper meaning.

While both English and Yiddish terms are often used to describe gluttony, chozzer extends the definition to include it as meaning ungrateful, cheap, selfish, greedy, stingy or flagrantly unfair. The New Joys of Yiddish, Rosten.

Thus, the universal message from these two provisions is that takers have an obligation to the givers to be fair. Consumption of other’s labor should always be done with caution and sensitivity.

A Modern Day Example

Last Halloween, a viral moment captured the essence of the problem. A celebrity left candy out on his porch for the holiday. His means of distribution was to be the honor’s system. A child would take their one treat. Captured on video, however, were some kids and their adult companions taking all of the candy left out. The sad part of the incident was that it appeared that the adults orchestrated the overreach.

Many people viewing the behavior were disappointed to see that community members would act this way. The news media, however, turned the matter into an immigrant rights’ issue. The sad reality is that the media does not wish to report that there is a true concern for most was that such immoral behavior happened in the United States. These children are being taught to act immorally.

Summary

While there are many commandments which deal with one’d obligation to be charitable, the passages from Ki Tezieh offer an important message to the recipients of such good fortune. “Don’t overreach”!

Each overreach tests the giving’s generosity. Thus, the consensus opinion arising from these Torah passages is that even those who are in receipt of charity must exercise a modicum of restraint.

Be well!!

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PS: The funky AI graphic was on purpose