Two weeks ago, I had the joy of joining Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Southern Arizona as the new Development and Grants Associate. After four years getting to know the Tucson Jewish Community through my work at Hillel, it is exciting to continue my community relationships in this new capacity. It is also exciting to continue writing these shabbat messages! Imagine my amusement upon realizing that this week’s parsha, Ki Teitzei, is *really into* stoning people for their familial transgressions. Alas, as anybody at JFCS could tell you, family therapy has evolved as a discipline over the last few thousand years.  

How can we take this parsha as a whole and understand it in our modern context? Beyond the instances of stoning, topics within run the gamut from adultery, baby birds, ancient marital rites, disobedient sons, and rules regarding captives.  

Overall, Ki Teitzei paints a picture of a people concerned with communal obligation and building a better society. Guess what? Rules and cultural norms have changed, but these are ideas we still deeply care about. Many pieces of an individual’s Jewish life can be completed at home. You can pray, make shabbat dinner, and teach your children within the home. However, a message that Ki Teitzei sends us is that when we step outside of our homes, we are still Jewish and still obligated to act in the best interest of Am Yisrael. A common thread throughout the parsha is that both financial and moral infractions are punishable because of the burden it places upon society. Further, acting in accordance with the laws serves to build society.  

We are all someplace different on the spectrum of observing halacha, but no matter where you personally are, you can still strive to build society. One of my joys from this previous weekend was a project to clear debris from the Bet Shalom Garden alongside both some of my closest compatriots and passionate volunteers. And it has been wonderful to start working with JFCS, whose core mission revolves around providing services that can help build both the Jewish Community as well as improving the lives of the entire Southern Arizona community. We are even about to celebrate 85 years of that mission this upcoming November 8th with a mural reveal and block party! I encourage you this weekend to contemplate as we approach the days of awe:  “How are my actions serving to build my local Jewish community? My local Tucson community?” Then, take the next year to act on your conclusions. This is a takeaway from Ki Teitzei which hopefully can resonate with all of us.