BAIS HAVAAD ON THE PARSHA 5773 Ki Seitzei- The Mitzva of Ma'ake

In this week's parsha we find many mitzvos. One of these mitzvos is to build a gate around our rooftops or any other raised -and therefore dangerous- place on our property. The Shulchan Aruch (CM 427:7) based on the Sifri adds that the Torah also prohibits having any potentially dangerous structure on one's property. Indeed, the Shulchan Aruch lists a number of things that our sages prohibited because of their danger. So too, one who violates the words of our sages is subject to the punishment of makas mardus - rabbinically decreed lashes. In contrast, one who is careful and keeps away from theses dangers will be blessed. The Taz comments that we are so lucky that for simply protecting ourselves we are rewarded with blessings. It should have been sufficient to simply have been saved from danger; instead we are actually rewarded! PRINT VERSION HERE.