Ki-Tetzeh (Deuteronomy 21:10 - 25:19)

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Meaning of the Torah portion name

The portion is named Ki-Tetzeh, literally "when you go out", because it begins with a law which is relevant when going out in war.

This week's portion contains a list of various rules and laws, all concerning different social aspects. The list is comprised of different types of rules, the connection between which is not always clear. Here are the more important rules and laws in the order of their appearance:
When going out to war, if one should see an attractive woman whom he wants to take as his wife, he must first bring her to his home, allow her to mourn the loss of her family, and not groom herself. If he still wishes to marry her after a month, he may. Otherwise - he must set her free.
The firstborn is entitled to a double share of inheritance, and a man is not allowed to discriminate against a firstborn simply because he is the son of a hated wife.
If people shall have a stubborn and rebellious son who refuses to be disciplined, he shall be stoned by the people of the city.
One must always assist when finding property of another and return it to the owner. One must also assist when another's freight animals are fallen by the road.
Men must not wear women's apparel and vice versa.
If one should come upon a bird's nest with a mother and eggs or fledglings, it is forbidden to take the mother with her children, and is commanded to release the mother.
The Israelite camp must always be pure when going out to war: one who is not pure may not sleep in the camp until purified; there shall be a place designated as a "bathroom" outside the camp.
A slave who flees his master should not be returned to him.
Taking interest on a loan from an Israelite is forbidden.
When passing through another's field, one may eat as much as one likes in the field but not pick and take home for oneself.
The laws of divorce are given.
A newly-wed must remain with his wife for a year and not go to war.
Workers must be paid for their work on the same day.
When collecting the fruits of the land, whatever is left after the initial process is to be left for the poor.
If a husband should die without children, his brother is to marry the widow and commemorate the late husband. There are certain ways of reclining this duty.
In marketing, there must be only one weighing stone and measurement system so that it will be just.
The Israelites must always remember the Amalekites who attacked them when coming up from Egypt.

List of dates

13 September 2008
29 August 2009
21 August 2010

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