Shabbat Ki
Tetzay
Torah:
Deuteronomy 21:10 - 25:19 / Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1 - 54:10
“Prolonging Life
by Repairing the World”
Dear Friends,
Only two commandments carry the explicit promise of
long life for their fulfillment: honoring one’s parents and sending away a
mother bird from a nest before removing eggs or chicks from her nest. The
Midrash wonders why one would not be permitted to take the mother bird as well.
Why does she merit such unique treatment? “Said Rabbi Elazar: The Holy One said
that because this bird is engaged in the honor and the building of the world by
sitting on her nest, she should be saved and set free.” Moreover, by respecting
her efforts to build the world, we too merit long life.
The Torah promises us long life when we show
deference and respect to those whose efforts honor and build the world. Today,
an Israeli company hopes to bring long life to patients suffering from ALS.
People from around the world have been taking the ‘Ice
Bucket Challenge’ to raise awareness and tens of millions of dollars towards
research for a cure for the neurodegenerative disease ALS - amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis. At the same time, the website Israel21c reports that a unique stem
cell treatment developed in Israel that eases the symptoms and slows the
progression of ALS is going into Phase 2 clinical trials in three major US
medical centers. Tel Aviv University professors Daniel Offen and Eldad Melamed developed
a technique for growing and enhancing stem cells harvested from patients’ own
bone marrow. This development protects existing motor neurons, promotes motor
neuron growth, and reestablishes nerve-muscle interaction. The tests are very
promising.
The commandment to send away the mother bird
highlights the importance of actions like the Ice Bucket Challenge that promote
life and build the world. While we’re getting wet (and cold), Israeli scientists
might be closing in on a cure.
Shabbat Shalom,
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