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PARSHAT KEDOSHIM
Wednesday, May 8 and Thursday is Rosh Chodesh Iyar. May it bring us the blessings of Hashem.
It has been said that resentment is one of the most dangerous forces in life. It can take the joy out of living and even become the cause of terrible destruction.
In Parshat Kedoshim, Vayikra 19:18 the Torah teaches "Lo Sekom V'lo Setor Et B'nai Amecha." You shall not take revenge and you shall not hold a grudge against members of your people.
Imagine the Torah forbidding a basic human emotion! You've been wronged. Is it not a natural instinct to desire vengeance? At the very least, you would certainly bear a grudge and remind the offender of his behavior the next chance you get. Some forms of revenge even involve children as the words "B'nai Amecha" imply, for when long standing resentment is allowed to continue, it can carry over to the next generation.
Resentment and revenge, in effect, means sitting in judgment of our neighbor, but such judgments are only for Hashem to render. Pirkei Avot 1:6 teaches: "Hevay Don Et Kol HaAdom L'Chaf Z'chus." Indeed, we should make judgments everyday. We must choose between kosher and treif, between right and wrong, between what is appropriate for us to see and hear and what is harmful to our relationship with Hashem. When it comes to our fellow man, however, we must always judge "L'Chaf Z'chus" - in the most favorable light. Give him the benefit of the doubt. Judge him as you would want Hashem to judge you.
As Vayikra 19:18 continues "V'ahavta L'reacha Kamocha" - you shall love your fellow as yourself. Don't judge him solely by his mistakes because who among us would be deemed righteous under such scrutiny? See his actions within the larger context of his life and all the good things he does. Keep in mind that Hashem has already decided that this person deserved to be created, and renews his life each day regardless of your feelings in the matter. Your task is to find his merit.
How can one reach such lofty heights where revenge and resentment no longer control our behavior? How can we rid ourselves of these self destructive character traits?
The Torah teaches us that we have the power to change. As we find with Pharaoh in Shemot 1:8: "Vayakam Melech Chodosh" a new king rose to power who did not know Joseph. Did not know Joseph? Joseph was a national hero … he was famous ... he saved Egypt from ruin. How could anyone possibly forget Joseph?
Rashi comments, "Asa Atzmo" - "he made himself" forget because forgetting Joseph fit Pharaoh's agenda to ultimately enslave B'nai Yisroel.
The message to us is clear. If a person can make himself forget the unforgettable, then certainly we can change our hearts and eliminate resentment and revenge from our lives. In this way we will fulfill the Mitzvah of "V'ahavta L'reacha Kamocha."
Kol Tov! Our best to you...it's all good. Shabbat Shalom, CM
CHADISH FORUM - PLEASE TELL US
We learned about the Torah's view on resentment and revenge. How do we apply this concept as we are also required to eradicate evil?
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