This week we read Parashat Ki Tetze. It is one of the parashot with more mitzvot in the Torah. There are many different topics, like helping other people, being honest, respecting others, and how we should act in our daily lives.

One thing that really stayed with me is the idea of not ignoring other people’s problems. In the parasha, we learn about a situation where you see someone’s lost animal. The Torah says that you cannot just ignore it. You have to try to return it to its owner. We also learn that if we see someone’s animal having a problem, we should help.

At first, this can look like a very simple mitzvah. But I think there is a much bigger message behind it. The Torah is teaching us that when we see a problem, we cannot always say, “It is not my problem.” Sometimes we have a responsibility to do something.

I think this is very connected to our lives today. Every day, we see people who need help. Maybe it is a friend who is having a bad day, someone who is being bullied, or someone who feels alone. Sometimes we notice these things, but we decide not to do anything because we are scared, or because we think somebody else will help. But Ki Tetze teaches us that we should not always wait for somebody else.

Another important idea in this parasha is how we treat other people. There are many mitzvot about helping people, paying workers correctly, being fair, and protecting people who are in a weaker position. This shows us that Judaism is not only about praying or going to synagogue. Judaism is also about how we act with other people.

For me, this is especially important because we live in a world with many divisions. People disagree about politics, religion, Israel, and many other things. Sometimes these disagreements make us forget that the person in front of us is still a person.

We do not have to agree with everyone. But we do have to respect people and care about them. We can have strong opinions and still listen to someone else. We can disagree and still be friends.

I also think this connects to antisemitism. When we see antisemitism, we should not ignore it. If someone makes an antisemitic joke, posts something antisemitic, or says something wrong about Jewish people, it can be easier to stay quiet. But if we have the opportunity to say something and educate people, we should do it.

Of course, we cannot solve every problem in the world. We cannot help everyone and change everything. But we can control our own actions. We can choose to be the person who helps instead of the person who looks away.

I think that is one of the biggest messages of Ki Tetze. Being Jewish is not only about what we believe inside. It is also about what we do when we see something happening around us.

Sometimes we think that to make a difference, we need to do something very big. But Judaism teaches us that small actions are also important. Helping someone with their homework, inviting someone to sit with you, defending someone who is being bullied, helping someone who is lost, or simply asking someone, “Are you okay?” can have a big impact.

So, my message from Ki Tetze is: Do not look away.

When you see someone who needs help, try to help. When you see something wrong, do not be afraid to speak. And when you disagree with someone, remember that they are still a human being.

We cannot change the whole world in one day. But if every person does one small thing to help someone else, the world can slowly become a better place.

Shabbat Shalom
Eitan Daniel Nissensohn Reyes
BBYO Spain