Parsha:

Devarim 

Description

Rashi notes that when Moshe was commanded to return to Egypt t lead the people from bondage, he first approached his father-in-law Jethro, and asked his permission. Astonishing! Moshe understood the urgency of God's command. But he also knew that he could hardly fulfill God's command if he fell short of being a mensch. Torah cannot be without derech eretz. This is true for Moshe Rabeinu. It is true for you and me. Even the most noble of deeds, if performed without derech eretz, is valuable as a "dead animal."