A Torah thought from Rabbi FentonAmong the many Mitzvahs given in this week’s Parsha, there is one upon which the Torah bestows special importance as a fundamental condition for G-d’s personal attention and care. The Torah teaches that at all times, even in times of war, we are to pay the utmost attention to maintaining the holiness of our “camp” - our surroundings and environment. We are to ensure that our camp is clean: that a special place be designated, away from our dwellings, for the execution of our bodily functions, and that anything unclean be properly buried and hidden from view. More generally, we are commanded to adhere, even under conditions of war, to the highest standards of morality: that we exercise the utmost caution in avoiding exposure to indecent dress or behavior.

 

From this Mitzvah is derived the Law that we may not permit ourselves to utter any Berachah, prayer or Torah thought in the presence of excrement or of people who are not dressed in accordance with the Torah’s standards. But by no means does the Torah limit this Mitzvah to the Temple or Synagogue, to the “holy” occupations of prayer and Torah study. The principle of holiness is quite deliberately taught in the context of a military camp. The purity of mind and body demanded by the Torah applies in all circumstances. Even when we find ourselves far from home, engaged with our comrades in the life and death struggle of war, we are to maintain our purity and morality.

 

One of the defining characteristics of Jewish society has always been our careful attention to morality and proper dress. Jewish sons and daughters have always prided themselves in their purity and self respect, never taking their cue from the wider society to dress in order to attract the attention of people around them. As Jews, we pride ourselves in our purity of expression, never engaging in coarse, unrefined speech or manners. We dress, speak and behave in a manner which reflects an awareness of G-d in our lives, and of our high calling as human beings and Jews.

 

And it is precisely this that earns us G-d’s presence among us, and His special protection. The Torah teaches: “Let there not be seen among you any nakedness, lest He turn away from after you (Devarim 23:15).” G-d is holy and He wishes His servitors to emulate His holiness. When we guard our own holiness and purity, in our dress, in our speech, in what we allow ourselves to see, hear or read, we invite G-d, the most pure and holy, into our midst to guide, guard and protect us.