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Why does the Torah (תורה) command "do not hide your eyes" from a lost object, rather than simply "return it"? Rashi (רש"י)'s reading reveals a profound insight: a Jew cannot comfortably see someone's loss without helping. The only way a Jew can withhold chesed (חסד) is by pretending not to see the need — a defining trait of Jewish nature.
The shiur analyzes the pasuk in Ki Seitzei commanding the return of lost objects, contrasting two readings of the phrase "lo sireh" (you shall not see). The Targum understands it as "do not withhold" — if you see a lost object, don't refrain from returning it. Rashi (רש"י), however, reads the pasuk literally: "do not hide your eyes" — don't pretend you didn't see it. Rabbi Zweig asks a fundamental question: Why would the Torah (תורה) phrase the command in this seemingly awkward way? If the obligation is to return lost objects, why not simply state "do not withhold it" as the Targum does? What does "don't not see it" add to our understanding?
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Ki Seitzei 22:1
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