Perashat Ki Tabo

Perashat Ki Tabo

We always hear and speak of ‘pop culture’ as though it represents the culture of the time. Wikipedia, which in itself is part of contemporary pop culture, defines it this way: “Popular culture or pop culture is the entirety of ideas, perspectives, attitudes, images, and other phenomena that are within the mainstream of a given culture, especially Western culture of the early to mid 20th century and the emerging global mainstream of the late 20th and early 21st century.”

If someone does not act or conform to the pop culture, he or she is considered an outsider, as though ‘they are not with the times’. They are looked upon as either primitive or plain ‘weird’. 

American pop culture includes hamburgers and fries, sports, the movies, rock and roll, MTV, music videos, video games, etc. Idols and role models for American and Western culture youth, practically all come from these sectors. Children from their very young age are acculturated to idealize a sports player, a singer or an actor. Their pictures adorn their bedroom walls, they buy and exchange cards of sports players, and they collect paraphernalia related to these players, actors and other personalities. 

Perashat Ki Tabo elucidates a different pop culture for the Jewish People. A culture of high morality and ethics; a culture of benevolence and integrity; a culture of self respect and respect for others. The Perasha clearly writes what brings a life of blessings - and to the contrary, a life of degradation and corruption. Moshe exhorts Bene Israel to be the People and the Nation that Hashem has called upon them to be: “G-d has distinguished you today to be a treasured people… and to observe all his commandments, and to make you… for praise, for renown and for splendor, and so that you will be a holy nation.”

A culture should be the best representative of a nation or civilization; a representative of all the good and accomplishments of such a civilization, and something that a civilization would be proud to transmit and give as an inheritance to future generations. By definition ‘popular culture’ means that it is carried and observed by the majority of the population, otherwise it would not be ‘popular’; it would be a fringe culture if it was observed only by a few. 

Unfortunately, American and Western civilization ‘pop culture’ continues to deteriorate and lead this generation to the depravity of the mind and lifestyle. It is not the first time that we, regretfully, hear of the alleged crimes and immoralities of sport players (most recently from a Rutgers University sports team), and it will not be the last time we will hear of a sports player, from any type of sport, committing a crime. 

Regrettably, these are the role models for our children; these are the idols of our youth - and to some extent of our adults also, coming entirely from the  ‘pop culture’. No other segment of the pop culture is immune to these ‘role models’. Hollywood, movie actors, musicians and singers, have all been implicated in crimes, immoralities, self-destruction, drugs and delinquencies. When these personalities are idolized and idealized, looked up to and revered, what can we expect from this, and the next generation? Only depravity and sanctioning of their actions can be expected. This will ultimately bring the downfall of this country and civilization.  

I know that other segments of society and industry have their share of corruption, immoralities and crime; I am not oblivious to that. The difference is, the members and leaders of the other segments of society and industry are not role models and their pictures are not hanging on the walls of the bedrooms of our children and youth. 

As Jews, we are called upon by the A-mighty to be, “for praise, for renown and for splendor, and so that you will be a holy nation”, in order that we will be an example to other nations and people. To teach them morality, ethics, and integrity; to elevate them spiritually and help them create a just society so that peace, tranquility and harmony will reign.