By Rabbi Yisroel Shusterman
This week’s Parsha Perspective is dedicated by Mr.
Binyomin Philipson in memory of his late mother Mrs. Ellen (Elka bas
Zisel) Philipson OBM
This week's Torah portion - Mishpatim (Shmos [Exodus]
21:1-24:18) teaches: "If you see your
enemy's donkey lying under its load, you might want to refrain from helping
him; [however], you must surely help with him." (Shmos (Exodus)
23:5)
Before Rabbi Shneur Zalman of
Liadi, known as the Alter Rebbe, became the first leader of Chabad,
he once traveled to raise money for an important charity. Coming to the home of
a wealthy man, he was offered to stay and teach his children in return for the
entire sum he hoped to raise.
After a short stay, he informed
his host that he was leaving because he could not tolerate the conduct of the
people of the city. His host asked him why and Rabbi Shneur Zalman replied,
"You torture the poor." The host thought that he was referring to a
recent meeting discussing how to raise the money for a government tax. It was
decided that first the poor should give as much as possible, and the rich would
make up the difference. He realized that Rabbi Shneur Zalman was right: the
poor should not be bothered at all. The rich should give as much as they can,
and the poor shouldn't give anything. Immediately he arranged a second meeting,
and it was decided that the rich should give first what they could afford.
A few days later, Rabbi Shneur
Zalman again said that he was leaving, claiming, "You torture the
poor." Amazed, the host told his guest of the second meeting and that the
poor would not be bothered at all. Rabbi Shneur Zalman told him that he was
referring to an entirely different matter:
In the human body there are
"rich" organs and "poor" organs. The "rich"
organs are the mind and the heart, and a "poor" organ is the stomach.
"In this city," he explained, "instead of putting emphasis on
the rich organs and engaging them in the study of Torah and
concentrating on prayer, the approach is to constantly abstain from food and
fast. Thus, the 'poor' organ, the stomach, is deprived and made to suffer for
the person's iniquities. I cannot tolerate this approach!"
This new philosophy was very
intriguing to the host, and he asked Rabbi Shneur Zalman its source. He told
him of the Baal Shem Tov and his teachings, which accentuate working
with the mind and heart and not punishing the body.
"The Baal Shem Tov,"
he continued, "bases his approach on a verse in the Torah portion
of Mishpatim and interprets the phrases as follows: 'If you see' --
when you will realize that -- 'chamor' -- (usually translated
“donkey” but can refer also to the physical matter of the body -- as the Hebrew
word chomer - “physical substance”), is 'your enemy'
-- because he is engaged in material pleasures, and thus hates the soul which
is striving for G-dliness and a higher spiritual level -- and the body is -- 'lying
under his burden' not wanting to serve G-d -- 'you might want
to refrain from helping him' – i.e. you may think that you will deny him
the food and sustenance it needs. Be advised that this is a wrong approach.
Instead, 'you must surely help with him' -- give him his
bodily needs and attune your mind and soul to worship G-d. Eventually, your
body will become purified and cooperate in your Divine service."
(Excerpts from Chabad.org - by Rabbi Moshe
Bogomilsky)
May you have a meaningful and uplifting Shabbos!
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