DEUT1111 (Continued from [[LEV862]] Leviticus 20:26 apart LEHRMAN 66). Instructive is the Rabbinic interpretation of the concluding words lo tukhal lehitalaym -- "thou mayest not hide thyself" of [this verse]. In the Torah, the words lo tukhal refer both to physical, as well as to moral inability. A good example of the former is in Exodus xviii. 18: "Thou will surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee; for the thing is too heavy for thee. Thou art not able to perform it thyself alone." The Hebrew reads: kee kaved mimecha hadavar, lo tukhal asehu levadecha. It is obvious from the context that not being able, in this instance, means sheer physical inability. On the other hand, the inability mentioned in [this verse], of not turning "a blind eye" to the stray ass or lost article of "thy brother", can only refer to moral inability. For physically it is possible to do so; moral compunctions, however, make this impossible. The word tukhal, though strictly unnecessary in this context, was inserted to emphasize the moral compunction and the religious imperative. "Thou art not (morally) able to hide thyself." Physically you can. To all outward appearances you can. But being an ethical command, you may not and must not hide yourself. (Continued at [[DEUT678]] Deuteronomy 14:21 eat LEHRMAN 67).