By Rabbi Yisroel
Shusterman
This week’s Parsha Perspective is dedicated in memory of Elka bas Zisel OBM
Dedicated in memory of Leah bas Rochel OBM
Dear Friend,
We are currently in the Hebrew month of Elul, just a few
weeks away from Rosh Hashanah and the High Holidays – a time of reflection,
introspection and taking on new resolutions with which to enhance our lives,
spiritually and meaningfully.
Cheder Chabad of Monsey hopes that these weekly Torah
thoughts will help inspire to achieve those goals. All the students, staff and
administration of Cheder Chabad of Monsey wish you and yours a happy, healthy
and prosperous New Year. May this year be the year of the full and complete
redemption with the coming of our righteous Moshiach - NOW!
Don’t be judgmental.
Unless, of course, you happen to be a judge. Then it’s your job.
This week’s Torah portion, Shoftim (Devorim [Deuteronomy] 16:18-21:9),
is always read on the first Shabbat of the month of Elul. As nothing is
accidental, this Torah portion must contain important lessons for us to
implement during this auspicious month.
The Parshah begins with the biblical command for judges to be
appointed in every city and town to adjudicate and maintain a just, ordered,
civil society. Interestingly, it occurs in the first week of Elul, the month in
which we are to prepare in earnest for the Days of Judgment ahead, Rosh
Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
There are, however, some significant differences between
earthly judges of flesh and blood and the heavenly judge. In the earthly court,
if after a fair trial a defendant is found guilty, then there’s really not much
room for clemency on the part of the judge. The law is the law and must take
its course. The accused may shed rivers of tears, but no human judge can be
certain if his remorse is genuine. After all, a human judge may only make a
decision based on “what the eye can see.” The misdeed was seen to have been
committed. The remorse, who knows? Perhaps he’s a good actor and is only acting
contrite.
The Supreme Judge on High, however, does know whether the
accused genuinely regrets his actions or is merely putting on an act.
Therefore, He alone is able to forgive. That is why in heavenly judgments,
teshuvah (repentance) is effective.
The Maharal of Prague gave another reason. Only G d is able
to judge the whole person. Every one of us has good and bad to some extent.
Even those who have sinned may have many other good deeds that outweigh the bad
ones. Perhaps even one good deed was of such major significance that it alone
could serve as a weighty counterbalance. The point is, only G d knows. Only He
can judge the individual in the context of his whole life and all his deeds,
good and bad.
Our goal is to emulate the heavenly court. We should try to
look at the totality of the person. You think he is bad, but is he all bad?
Does he have no redeeming virtues? Surely, he must have some good in him as
well. Look at the whole person.
A teacher once conducted an experiment. He held up a white
plate and showed it to the class. In the center of the plate was a small black
spot. He then asked the class to describe what they saw. One student said he
saw a black spot. Another said it must be a target for shooting practice. A
third suggested that the plate was dirty or damaged. Whereupon the teacher
asked, “Doesn’t anyone see a white plate?”
There may have been a small black spot, but essentially it
was a white plate. Why do we only see the dirt? Let us learn to find the good
in others. Nobody is perfect, not even ourselves. Let’s not be so judgmental
and critical. Let’s try to see the good in others.
(Excerpts from Chabad.org - from Rabbi Yossy Goldman)
May you have a
meaningful and uplifting Shabbos!
If you would like to dedicate the weekly Parsha Perspective in honor or memory of
a person or occasion, please contact Rabbi Shusterman at
yshusterman@chedermonsey.org
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