Torah Portion Devarim - Shoftim On Being A Mentch | On Being A Mentch |
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| Written by Rabbi Levi Brackman | |
| Sunday, 19 March 2006 | |
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In this weeks Torah portion we read a sequence of three seemingly random and unrelated verses. Firstly it states, “If a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not wrong him. But the stranger who dwells with you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your G-d.” Directly after this commandment the next commandment states: “You shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in measures of length, of weight, or quantity. Just balances, just weights… shall you have; I am the Lord your G-d, which brought you out of the land of Egypt,” (Leviticus 19:35-36) Finnaly the Torah adds: “Therefore shall you observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them; I am the Lord.” What is the connection between these three disparate ideas – loving the stranger, having just weights and observing the Mitzvot? Let us understand the first law. The Torah specifically compares the stranger that sojourns in the Land of Israel to the people of Israel who were strangers in the land of Egypt. This comparison is key in understanding this law. When the children of Israel were slaves in Egypt the Egyptians were pagans in this sense not only were the children of Israel ethnically different they were culturally and theologically different as well. These are the type of strangers that the Torah is talking about those who are ethnically culturally and theologically different then us but dwell amongst us. We must treat them with respect and dignity just as we treat ourselves. Besides its anti Semitic content, one of the most disturbing things about the success of the film “the passion” is the fact that evangelical Christians have used it to try and convince others that their truth is the only truth that must be adhered to. Terrorism too is a direct product of a view that says there can only be one view that must be universally accepted. Judaism is not a dogmatic religion. Although it is true that a Jew must keep Shabbat this truth does not preclude the stranger from not having to keep the Shabbat. Or although eating pork in spiritually harmful for the Jew it is equally true that a non-Jew may eat a hamburger without any negative consequences. The Torah does not force the stranger to adopt our narrative at the expense of his own - we are not an evangelical religion. This non dictatorial theology stems from our experience as slaves in Egypt. As strangers in Egypt we bore the brunt of a totalitarian regime that respected nobody but those that were in its image. Thus at the heart of our religion is the command to respect others who are different then ourselves. This is what the Torah means when it tells us to love the stranger because, “you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” But our obligation to the stranger does not stop there. Directly after the commandment to love the stranger G-d commands us to be honest when weighing and measuring merchandise for sale. The great medieval commentator Ibn Ezra says that this commandment is said specifically regarding the stranger. One is always advised never to buy electrical good while holidaying in a foreign country because foreigners often get ripped off. One must not be nice to the stranger to their face while at the same time take advantage of their vulnerability. Thus immediately after commanding us to love the stranger the Torah says that one should not cheat in measures, weight or quantity, because it is the naïve foreigner who usually falls victim to this type of swindling. And then the Torah says, “Therefore you shall observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them; I am the Lord.” Only after one is a Mentch and knows how to treat others, only after one has learned to leave room for other people, can one move forward and connect to G-d through carrying out His statutes and Commandments. This is what our sages meant when they said “Derech Eretz Kodmoh Le’Torah” common decency and respect comes before Torah. We must love others especially if they are different then us. Let us not forget that each person has a unique character and purpose and we cannot know how precious that person is in the eyes of G-d. We must not take advantage of others’ weaknesses. We must leave room for the view of others. We must see others as equals and love them just as much as we love ourselves. This is the secret of a peaceful and therefore successful community and by extension a peaceful and successful world. Let me end with the prayer that May He who Oseh Shalom Bimromav – makes peace on high, Yaseh Shalom Alainu – May He make peace for us, Ve-Al Kol Yisrael – and for all Israel, Ve-Imeru --Amen. |
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 26 May 2008 ) |
