D’var Torah: Ki Teitzei 2025/5785 כי תצא

This new school year, like every new year, is full of possibility and promise. We were reminded in last week’s parsha, parashat Shoftim, of the Torah’s call to build communities rooted in justice and integrity. The portion famously commands, “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof - Justice, justice shall you pursue.” Our tradition teaches that these words are not only about the laws a society enacts, but also about the way we treat one another in daily life. Justice, fairness, and kindness must be woven into the fabric of our relationships, both big and small.

In this week’s Parsha, Ki Tetzei, that universal and broad call for justice comes into sharper focus as this Ki Teitzei has the most mitzvot of any parsha. We learn in this week’s parsha what it means to create a world of justice. What can we do to foster kindness and ensure fairness. It takes a lot of work, and mitzvot, to bring the dream of tzedek tzedek tirdof into reality.   

In a school community like ours, this charge comes to life each day in the way we welcome one another, listen to each other’s voices, and ensure that every child feels included and valued. Shoftim and Ki Teitzei emphasize the importance of trustworthy leaders and guides, and in our classrooms, each teacher and each student plays a role in shaping the culture we share. When we pause to notice someone sitting alone, offer a word of encouragement, or lend a helping hand, we are pursuing justice in the most personal and meaningful ways.

The beginning of a school year is a unique moment: blank notebooks, fresh supplies, new friendships waiting to be discovered. It is a time to imagine what is possible and to set intentions for the months ahead. Our hope is that every student, from our youngest learners to our eighth graders preparing for graduation, will feel the joy of being part of something larger than themselves - a caring, supportive and vibrant Jewish community.

It is truly a privilege to walk into our school each day and be surrounded by children and families committed to learning, growing, and building together. As we step into this new year, may we embody the spirit of Shoftim and Ki Teitzei by pursuing not only justice but also kindness. My blessing for our school is that this year be filled with growth, curiosity and kindness - that our children may thrive in their learning, that our teachers may be strengthened in their sacred work, and that as a community we may continue to build a home of Torah, joy and belonging together.