Vaetchanan | Lo Titaveh: Of Ideals and Pragmatism

Lo Titaveh - Of Ideals and Pragmatism. Shiur given in Memory of Morenu HaRav Amital on the Occasion of his 10th yahrzeit,

by Rabbi Daniel Fridman '02, the rabbi of the Jewish Center of Teaneck.

Let us explore the profound idealism and extreme pragmatism of this addition to the second version of the Aseret HaDibrot. Lo Titaveh, added to the second presentation of the Aseret HaDibrot, synthesizes two seemingly opposite elements of Avodat Hashem. First, it reflects an intense drive to purge and purify our hearts towards His service. Second, it recognizes a fundamental aspect of the human condition, as matters of the heart inevitably result in actions, either for constructive or destructive purposes.