In this week's parsha Ki Tetzei we read about the prohibition of forbidden mixtures. One of the mixtures that is forbidden is to plow your field "with a donkey and an ox". These two different animals can't be tied and placed to work the field at once. One of the commentators explains that the ox being a kosher animal chews its cud while the donkey does not. The donkey upon seeing the ox chewing its cud would assume that the owner gave the ox more to eat than the donkey received; this perceived imbalance would cause the donkey undue pain.

From this we can see how much we must go out of our way to make sure we don't cause animals harm and how much more so to cause pain to our fellow man. We should try our best to be sensitive to other people and their feelings. Furthermore, I think we can learn from this that when things are going well for us we don't need to show off or flaunt it. By doing so we will inevitably cause pain to our friends or family who may be going through difficult times. If you brag about how smart your children are, how does that make your friend who's children may not be so gifted feel? Did you get a promotion? What about your friend who just lost their job? We need to take special care as a person's nature is to "show off" and we certainly don't want to hurt our friends by flaunting our success.

Shabbat Shalom and may all of our sick brothers and sisters have a speedy recovery.

Kasiva Vchasima Tova.

Heath