USCJ Guide to Ethical Employment Practices

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

USCJ Guide to Ethical Employment Practices The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Guide To Ethical Employment Practices Joint Subcommittee Dr. Jack Fein, Chair, Public Policy Committee and Primary Author Ed Rudofsky, Chair, Kehilla Affiliations and Standards Committee Arnold Most, Bill Bresnick, Rabbi Leonard Gordon Richard Helfand, Gerald Kobell, Sharon Steinberg Rabbi Paul Drazen, Committee Staff and Editor USCJ Guide to Ethical Employment Practices Table of Contents Page Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 3 Ethical Principles ......................................................................................................................................... 3 Selecting an Employee ................................................................................................................................ 4 Workplace Discrimination ........................................................................................................................... 4 Sexual Harassment ....................................................................................................................................... 5 Respect for Employees .................................................................................................................................. 5 Labor Issues .................................................................................................................................................. 5 Compensation ............................................................................................................................................... 5 Benefits ......................................................................................................................................................... 5 C.O.L.A ......................................................................................................................................................... 6 Working Hours ............................................................................................................................................ 6 Sick Leave ...................................................................................................................................................... 7 Bereavement /Shiva Leave ........................................................................................................................... 7 Paid Time Off ................................................................................................................................................ 7 Immigration/E-Verification ........................................................................................................................ 8 Safety and environmental issues ................................................................................................................. 8 Worker Safety .............................................................................................................................................. 8 Worker’s Compensation .............................................................................................................................. 9 Children ........................................................................................................................................................ 9 Performance Evaluation .............................................................................................................................. 9 Transparency .............................................................................................................................................. 10 Termination ................................................................................................................................................ 11 References ................................................................................................................................................... 12 2 The USCJ Employment Guide Introduction Ethical Principles This employment guide expresses our concern The tradition expressed in the Torah, Talmud for employees of our member kehillot. Its purpose and rabbinic literature requires that we treat is to assist congregations in recruiting, employees with dignity and value the fruits of maintaining and severing relationships with their labor. The relationship of the kehilla to its employees within the framework of Conservative/ employees must be guided by the values of derekh Masorti Judaism’s shared Jewish values. A eretz (respect for others), kavod ha-briyot (honor companion piece, the Kehilla Employee due to another human being), and recognition Handbook, serves as a template for specific that all people are created b’tzelem elohim (in the language for a kehilla to use in its hiring, drawing spiritual image of the Divine). on the lessons of this guide. Kehillot teach the community by example as A previous USCJ publication addressed well as by precept. The relationship between a contractual relationships with clergy and other congregation and its employees should be marked 1 professional staff . This document addresses by observance of the agreement between the employer-employee relationships which are non- parties and of the spirit of tzedek (righteousness), contractual or “at will.” In that situation there is mishpat (justice), and p’sharah (compromise) an expectation that either the employee or with which Judaism has resolved human employer may end the employment relationship at problems throughout the ages. any time and for any reason. That expectation may be modified in circumstances where an The Choshen Mishpat, the section of the classic employee manual describes specific steps that the Jewish law code Shulchan Arukh, which outlines employer will go through prior to terminating the Jewish business ethics and practice, is a heavily relationship with an employee. It may also be studied section of halakha (Jewish law). Members challenged if there were verbal promises that of the Jewish community are required to obey the employment will be for a specific length of time. “laws of the land2” and the Torah commands In order to maintain an employment-at-will employers to pay employees promptly and workplace, employers should remind employees accurately because their lives depend on it3. in writing about the employment-at-will In the earlier part of the 20th century, Jews relationship at the time of hiring. played a significant role in the American labor It is not our intent in this guide to supplant movement. The demographics of the labor legal authorities based on local or federal labor movement, however, have shifted since those law in the United States, Canada or elsewhere. It earlier days. Even while Jews retain a historical is also not intended to create policies for kehillot connection to the American labor movement, which are not already expressed in their employee Jews — by virtue of their economic and manuals or in other personnel documents. It does, educational ascent — are under-represented in the however, underline our concerns for the welfare of union rank and file, which now consist primarily employees and our expectation that they will be of workers in blue collar and non-management treated with the dignity mandated by Jewish positions. The question for our kehillot now is: tradition. In short, it is a statement of moral given that more of us find ourselves hiring low- principles, not legal requirements; is not intended wage employees than being low-wage employees, to be legally binding on any kehilla; it is not how will we translate our historical connection to intended to create any legal duty to any employee the labor movement into our new roles as owners which the kehilla does not otherwise have under and managers? applicable law. Conservative /Masorti Judaism often looks to the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards (CJLS) to clarify halakha and its application. Teshuvot published by the CLS speak to issues of Dr. Jack Fein, Esq. fair employment and help shape our Principle Author, for the Committee contemporary ethical framework. A responsum authored by Rabbi Jill Jacobs4 and approved by the CJLS (May 28, 2008) 3 provides the following guidance. “... In addition to The Magen Tzedek certification was originally the professional staff such as rabbis and cantors intended to qualify businesses with nonexempt who serve our congregations, low-wage workers employees (i.e., non-supervisory employees who are also members of our communities. are subject to U.S. and Canadian federal wage and Maintenance staff, whom we pay directly or hire hour laws). These standards also mirror fair labor through contracting companies, keep our practices9 that should apply to all employees of buildings clean; security personnel ensure our our kehillot and USCJ itself. The standards safety; and food service staff make our dinners generally exceed legislative minimums, and kiddushes (sic) run smoothly. Many members irrespective of a kehilla’s size and whether it is of our community also own or manage businesses considered exempt from Federal or local statutes. that employ low wage workers in service, production, or other roles. If we are to live our values in our business practices, we should look to Selecting an Employee halacha for guidance in determining how much to pay these employees, how to treat them, and how Our kehillot have a religious mission and serve to approach unionization issues.”
Recommended publications
  • The Debate Over Mixed Seating in the American Synagogue
    Jack Wertheimer (ed.) The American Synagogue: A Sanctuary Transformed. New York: Cambridge 13 University Press, 1987 The Debate over Mixed Seating in the American Synagogue JONATHAN D. SARNA "Pues have never yet found an historian," John M. Neale com­ plained, when he undertook to survey the subject of church seating for the Cambridge Camden Society in 1842. 1 To a large extent, the same situation prevails today in connection with "pues" in the American syn­ agogue. Although it is common knowledge that American synagogue seating patterns have changed greatly over time - sometimes following acrimonious, even violent disputes - the subject as a whole remains unstudied, seemingly too arcane for historians to bother with. 2 Seating patterns, however, actually reflect down-to-earth social realities, and are richly deserving of study. Behind wearisome debates over how sanctuary seats should be arranged and allocated lie fundamental disagreements over the kinds of social and religious values that the synagogue should project and the relationship between the synagogue and the larger society that surrounds it. As we shall see, where people sit reveals much about what they believe. The necessarily limited study of seating patterns that follows focuses only on the most important and controversial seating innovation in the American synagogue: mixed (family) seating. Other innovations - seats that no longer face east, 3 pulpits moved from center to front, 4 free (un­ assigned) seating, closed-off pew ends, and the like - require separate treatment. As we shall see, mixed seating is a ramified and multifaceted issue that clearly reflects the impact of American values on synagogue life, for it pits family unity, sexual equality, and modernity against the accepted Jewish legal (halachic) practice of sexual separatiop in prayer.
    [Show full text]
  • A Synagogue for All Families: Interfaith Inclusion in Conservative Synagogues
    A Synagogue for All Families Interfaith Inclusion in Conservative Synagogues Introduction Across North America, Conservative kehillot (synagogues) create programs, policies, and welcoming statements to be inclusive of interfaith families and to model what it means for 21st century synagogues to serve 21 century families. While much work remains, many professionals and lay leaders in Conservative synagogues are leading the charge to ensure that their community reflects the prophet Isaiah’s vision that God’s house “shall be a house of prayer for all people” (56:7). In order to share these congregational exemplars with other leaders who want to raise the bar for inclusion of interfaith families in Conservative Judaism, the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) and InterfaithFamily (IFF) collaborated to create this Interfaith Inclusion Resource for Conservative Synagogues. This is not an exhaustive list, but a starting point. This document highlights 10 examples where Conservative synagogues of varying sizes and locations model inclusivity in marketing, governance, pastoral counseling and other key areas of congregational life. Our hope is that all congregations will be inspired to think as creatively as possible to embrace congregants where they are, and encourage meaningful engagement in the synagogue and the Jewish community. We are optimistic that this may help some synagogues that have not yet begun the essential work of the inclusion of interfaith families to find a starting point that works for them. Different synagogues may be in different places along the spectrum of welcoming and inclusion. Likewise, the examples presented here reflect a spectrum, from beginning steps to deeper levels of commitment, and may evolve as synagogues continue to engage their congregants in interfaith families.
    [Show full text]
  • Data Maturity for Synagogues: Incorporating Data Into the Decision-Making Culture Prepared by Idealware © 2014 UJA-Federation of New York
    VOLUME 9 | 2015 | 5775 UJA-Federation of New York SYNERGY Innovations and Strategies for Synagogues of Tomorrow DATA MATURITY FOR SYNAGOGUES: INCORPORATING DATA INTO THE DECISION-MAKING CULTURE Prepared by Idealware © 2014 UJA-Federation of New York 1 INTRODUCTION For years, UJA-Federation of New York has been exploring how data-informed decision making can MAKINGhelp synagogues DATA PART thrive. OFThrough THE the DECISION-MAKING Sustainable Synagogues CULTUREBusiness Models project, facilitated by Measuring Success from 2009 to 2012, UJA-Federation learned that thriving synagogues regularly assess and make decisions based on the extent to which their communal vision, mission, and values are aligned with all aspects of synagogue life. We also learned that it matters which systems synagogues SELF-ASSESSMENTuse to collect data. In order TOOL to help synagogues assess which system might meet their particular needs, UJA-Federation funded the development of “A Guide to Synagogue Management Systems: Research and Recommendations,” and more recently a 2014 update, in collaboration with the Orthodox Union (OU), THEUnion DATA for ReformMATURITY Judaism PROGRESSION (URJ), and United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ). Furthermore, we have also learned through observations in the field that synagogues are not simply “data-driven or not data-driven.” Rather, there is a broad spectrum of data maturity, beginning with simple data collection and moving along the spectrum in complexity to reflect more sophisticated SUPPORTINGuses of data. THE JEWISH IDENTITY OF INDIVIDUALS AND THE COMMUNITY This paper reflects UJA-Federation's commitment to identifying and sharing innovations and strategies METHODOLOGYthat can support synagogues on their journeys to become thriving congregations.
    [Show full text]
  • Defining Purity and Impurity Parshat Sh’Mini, Leviticus 6:1- 11:47| by Mark Greenspan “The Dietary Laws” by Rabbi Paul S
    Defining Purity and Impurity Parshat Sh’mini, Leviticus 6:1- 11:47| by Mark Greenspan “The Dietary Laws” by Rabbi Paul S. Drazen, (pp.305-338) in The Observant Life Introduction A few weeks before Passover reports came in from the Middle East that a cloud of locust had descended upon Egypt mimicking the eighth plague of the Bible. When the wind shifted direction the plague of locust crossed over the border into Israel. There was great excitement in Israel when some rabbis announced that the species of locust that had invaded Israel were actually kosher! Offering various recipes Rabbi Natan Slifkin announced that there was no reason that Jews could not adopt the North African custom of eating the locust. Slifkin wrote: “I have eaten locusts on several occasions. They do not require a special form of slaughter and one usually kills them by dropping them into boiling water. They can be cooked in a variety of ways – lacking any particular culinary skills I usually just fry them with oil and some spices. It’s not the taste that is distinctive so much as the tactile experience of eating a bug – crunchy on the outside with a chewy center!” Our first reaction to the rabbi’s announcement is “Yuck!” Yet his point is well taken. While we might have a cultural aversion to locusts there is nothing specifically un-Jewish about eating them. The Torah speaks of purity and impurity with regard to food. Kashrut has little to do with hygiene, health, or culinary tastes. We are left to wonder what makes certain foods tamei and others tahor? What do we mean when we speak about purity with regard to kashrut? The Torah Connection These are the instructions (torah) concerning animals, birds, all living creatures that move in water and all creatures that swarm on earth, for distinguishing between the impure (tamei) and the pure (tahor), between living things that may be eaten and the living things that may not be eaten.
    [Show full text]
  • SENCO Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator
    Special Needs 1 A guide for parents and carers of Jewish children with special educational needs Compiled under the auspices of the Board of Deputies, 6 Bloomsbury Square London WC1A 2LP Special Needs 2 Acknowledgements Many people contributed to the development of this booklet in what was truly a combined effort. The production team included Sharon Bourla of Norwood Ravenswood, Ella Marks of the League of Jewish Women and the Board of Deputies, Amanda Moss from Kisharon, Sandy Patashnik from the Agency for Jewish Education, Philippa Travis from the Board of Deputies, and Marlena Schmool and Samantha Blendis of the Board. The original inspiration came from Susan Pascoe, a member of the Community Issues Divisional Board of the Board of Deputies, without her the task would never have been undertaken and she is especially to be thanked for her guidance. We are also indebted to The Ashdown Trust, The Kessler Foundation and The J E Joseph Charitable Trust for making the production possible. We thank them for their generosity and support. Special Needs 3 Preface This guide has been developed in response to a need. It aims to draw together in a ‘one-stop booklet’, information which will help parents of Jewish children with special needs. Specifically, it seeks to advise them where to go to obtain support and assistance at different stages in their children’s lives, covering both general and Jewish aspects. It has been a co- operative initiative in which the Board of Deputies, Norwood Ravenswood, Kisharon and the Agency for Jewish Education have all been involved.
    [Show full text]
  • Ageing Well Within the Jewish Community in the 21St Century Contents
    An agenda for ageing well within the Jewish Community in the 21st century Contents 01 An Introduction 03 Executive Summary 05 A Blessing: A Jewish Perspective 06 Putting the Agenda in context 08 1. Spritual and Emotional Wellbeing 10 2. Intellectual and Life-long Learning 12 3. Active Participation & Connection 14 4. Independence and Healthy Living 16 5. Care 18 Next Steps 19 Acknowledgements 20 Action Plan 21 Glossary of Terms An Introduction The Torah considers growing The Background old a blessing; ‘zakein’ (old) is synonymous with wise. • The Jewish community has twice the number of people over 60 Our heroes and heroines compared to the general UK population. Yet most of our resources – were not young – Abraham, energy and money – are directed towards young people. • The Jewish community does welfare well. Sarah, Moses. It would • But growing old is not just about welfare. benefit us all if the Jewish • This report consulted with over 500 people representing a cross community began to section of the Jewish community. challenge youth obsessed • This report is not about being old; it’s about ageing – which we are all doing. culture. The Key Recommendations • The Jewish community should ensure that, as we age, we are enabled and encouraged to flourish and participate to the best of our physical and mental abilities. • The emphasis should change from welfare to inclusion. • Communal organisations should change to ensure they actively include older people. • The community needs to focus on this important and growing area. • The community needs to listen to what people are saying rather than deciding what they want and need.
    [Show full text]
  • 2015 Report Welcome to Mitzvah Day 2015 Dan Rickman
    Mitzvah Day 2015 Report Welcome to Mitzvah Day 2015 Dan Rickman As the recently appointed Director of Mitzvah Day it is my absolute pleasure to launch the new look and feel of Mitzvah Day 2016, which this year will take place on 27th November. It’s hard to think of a time when we Mitzvah Day is expanding and didn’t see the Mitzvah Day green becoming an even greater force for t-shirts come out in force every good. We ran 550 Mitzvah Days in November, and yet it’s easy to forget 21 countries in 2015 and we’ve seen that Mitzvah Day is only eight years growth in our essential interfaith work, old. Our challenge is to ensure that and our project which engages young Jewish led Mitzvah Day continues to adults. Our Mitzvah Day Together evolve and make an impact on as many programme supports disabled people volunteers and charities as possible. to participate in volunteering, and we have continued to work with non- So much work goes into making sure Jewish schools and offices. Mitzvah Day happens. This year we have focused on making sure we deliver the This report gives you the opportunity most efficient Mitzvah Day ever. to reflect on what we have achieved in 2015, and for us to showcase how we Our new website and database will plan to grow in 2016 and beyond. make it easier than ever to register as a partner, and to find and participate We look forward to seeing you on in a Mitzvah Day project.
    [Show full text]
  • Herefore, We Have Chosen Four Hashana 5781
    בס״ד רֹאׁש ROSH הַ ּׁשָ ָ נ ה HASHANA In loving memory of Harav Yitzchak Yoel ben Shlomo Halevi Volume 33 | #51 19 September 2020 1 Tishrei 5781 Shana Tova from Candle Lighting: Candles for Shabbat the US and the Daf and the first night of Rosh Hashana should be lit by 6.54pm Hashavua team Candles for Second Night Rosh Hashana should be lit after 7.53pm Rosh Hashana ends in London on Sunday night at 7.51pm Jerusalem Times: First night candles by 6.01pm Second night candles after 7.16pm Rosh Hashana ends at 7.14pm Fast of Gedaliah in London: The fast is on Monday, starting at 5.05am and ending at 7.42pm Please look regularly at the INSIDE: social media and websites of the US, Tribe and your community for ongoing updates relating to Coronavirus as well Opening Your Eyes as educational programming by Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and community support. You do not need to sign into Facebook to access the US Facebook page. The US The Feelings of a Coronavirus Helpline is on 020 8343 5696. Mother May God bless us and the whole world. Daf Hashavua by Rebbetzen Nechama Davis Shana Tova! by Rabbi Baruch Davis, Chigwell & Hainault Synagogue, Daf Hashavua editor Welcome to the Daf them. For this special Rosh Hashana Hashavua for Rosh Daf, therefore, we have chosen four Hashana 5781. For us in articles from previous years that the United Synagogue, reflect this message: the Chief Rabbi it contains the tail end on seeing wellsprings of hope and of our 150th anniversary opportunity, Rebbetzen Nechama year.
    [Show full text]
  • An Exploration of the Challenges and Possibilities of Local Kosher Meat in the Jewish Community of Vermont
    University of Vermont ScholarWorks @ UVM Environmental Studies Electronic Thesis Collection Undergraduate Theses 2016 Kosher, Local, Organic, Oh My! An exploration of the challenges and possibilities of local kosher meat in the Jewish Community of Vermont. Frances Lasday Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.uvm.edu/envstheses Recommended Citation Lasday, Frances, "Kosher, Local, Organic, Oh My! An exploration of the challenges and possibilities of local kosher meat in the Jewish Community of Vermont." (2016). Environmental Studies Electronic Thesis Collection. Paper 39. This Undergraduate Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Undergraduate Theses at ScholarWorks @ UVM. It has been accepted for inclusion in Environmental Studies Electronic Thesis Collection by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks @ UVM. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Kosher, Local, Organic, Oh My! An exploration of the challenges and possibilities of local kosher meat in the Jewish Community of Vermont. Frances Lasday A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Arts Environmental Program University of Vermont May 2016 Advisors: Katherine Anderson, Ph. D, Environmental Program Susan Leff, Executive Director, Jewish Communities of Vermont Abstract The laws of kashrut delineate the Jewish dietary practice and prohibitions. Certified kosher food is readily found in super markets across the world, despite the fact that Jews account for only .2% of the world’s population, and 1.4% of the US population. Processed kosher food is easily accessible in the United States, but kosher meat is scarce in regions where there are smaller Jewish communities such as Vermont.
    [Show full text]
  • 5 Unit: Integration with GS Fair Trade Unit Enduring Understanding
    Grade: 5 Unit: Integration with G.S. Fair Trade Unit Enduring Understanding: Kashrut and Fair Trade are similar, but Kashrut has become commercialized in modern times. Essential Questions: Was Kashrut meant to be ethical from the beginning? How can modern Fair Trade and ancient Kashrut come together to be meaningful? Goals: Students will know the basic laws of Kashrut Students will see connections between Kashrut and ethics. Students will identify one way in which they can change their eating to be more ethical/kashrut observant. What the Torah says: -Do not cook a calf in its mothers milk (repeated 3x!!!!) -Do not mistreat workers. You must pay them on time. Foreign Workers -Do not mistreat animals (did you know - they also rest on Shabbat!?!?) -Do not waste produce of the earth aka be kind to the environment -When killing an animal for meat, make sure the knife is sharp to cause the least amount of pain. What Fair Trade means: -Treatment of animals -Treatment of workers -Treatment of environment Debate: Is Kashrut “ethical”? Yes side: Torah sources No side: Postville and/or internet sources Solution: What are we doing about it? The Torah is ethical!!! Milk/Meat: Shemot 23:19, Shemot 34:26, Devarim 14:21 “Do not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk. Foreigners: Vayikra 19:33-34 33 “‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat ​ them.34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your ​ ​ native-born.Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.
    [Show full text]
  • 20078 Hamoar April 2009 18/3/09 13:53 Page 1
    20078 Hamoar cover 2009 18/3/09 13:23 Page 1 Many types of freshly cooked food. Cold cuts available. l HOME MADE l LOW PRICES ALL YEAR ROUND l FRESHLY COOKED ON THE PREMISES 20078 Hamoar April 2009 18/3/09 13:53 Page 1 EDITORIAL Contents I’m delighted to present this packed Diary 2 Pesach edition of Hamaor – the Birchas Hachama – Journal of the Federation of Blessing over the Sun 8 Synagogues. It offers something for everyone to enjoy and even Communal Urban Myths 10 share at the Seder table. Matza Crunch v. Credit Crunch 12 Always looking to bring you a fresh approach, we Love and Survival 14 welcome two new contributors, Michael Simon and Appearances can be deceptive 16 Zviki Rotsztein, in addition to your familiar favourites. Dayan Lichtenstein provides a fascinating guide to Yetzias Mizraim – Birchas Hachama - the once in 28 year mitzvah, that Leaving one’s confines 18 we can fulfil this Erev Pesach. Mr Alan Finlay has some News from Manchester 20 communal urban myths for us to mull over and Dr Eli Kienwald keeps to matters topical with a perspective CST News 22 on the current credit crunch. Jewish Marriage Council 24 Another new feature to look out for is the Rebbetzin’s Shaare Zedek’s News 26 Recipes, and lots more… Who is the fifth son? 28 Wishing you all a Chag Kasher VeSameach, Family Hamaor Pesach Recipes 30 Eva Book Review 32 Restaurant Review 33 Personal 34 Kashrus Directory 41 Federation of Synagogues Contact Details 42 Sale of Chometz form 43 List of Synagogues 44 Published by The Federation of Synagogues 65 Watford Way, London NW4 3AQ Tel: 020 8202 2263 Fax: 020 8203 0610 Email: [email protected] www.federationofsynagogues.com Editor: Eva Chapper Advertising: Roberta Rubenstein Hamaor / April 2009 Page 1 20078 Hamoar April 2009 18/3/09 13:53 Page 2 DIARYDIARYDIARYDIARYDIARYDIARY NEWS & EVENTS Croydon Finchley A walk for Croydon On Friday 16 January, 2009, a distressing incident On Sunday 2nd November 2008, the Croydon Social occurred as members left the minyan.
    [Show full text]
  • KI Teitsei Vol.31 No.54.Qxp Layout 1 12/08/2019 18:06 Page 1
    KI TEiTSEi Vol.31 No.54.qxp_Layout 1 12/08/2019 18:06 Page 1 14 September 2019 14 Elul 5779 Shabbat ends London 8.05pm Jerusalem 7.23pm Volume 31 No. 54 Ki Teitzei Artscroll p.1046 | Haftarah p.1201/1199 Hertz p.840 | Haftarah p.857/818 Soncino p.1098 | Haftarah p.1115/1076 This week we read two haftarot: Ki Teitzei, followed by that of Re’eh In loving memory of Yisrael Shmuel ben Yirmaya Yehoshuah “When you harvest your vineyard, you shall not glean behind you; it shall be for the proselyte, the orphan and the widow. You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, therefore I command you to do this thing” (Devarim 24:21-22). 1 KI TEiTSEi Vol.31 No.54.qxp_Layout 1 12/08/2019 18:06 Page 2 Sidrah Summary: Ki Teitzei 1st Aliya (Kohen) – Devarim 21:10-21 5th Aliya (Chamishi) – 23:25-24:4 Ki Tetze contains many mitzvot, a selection of which A labourer who is harvesting crops is allowed to eat has been included here. It starts with the laws of the from the crops whilst working, but cannot take any ‘female captive’ and her potential marriage to a produce home. The laws of divorce are stated, soldier in battle. It then discusses the laws of a man including the prohibition of a man remarrying his ex- who has two wives (this later became prohibited in wife if she has had a relationship with another man in normative rabbinic law). He has a firstborn son with the meantime.
    [Show full text]