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THE WEEKLY SIDRA- SHOFTIM
Rabbi Moshe Greebel
Most fortunately for mankind, non of us is ever given a glimpse into what someone else is thinking. Our true thoughts and character in essence, are a matter of personal privacy to each and all. How many times do we speak more out of politeness, or out of other necessity, than out of truth? This principle of not assuming what others are thinking, is generously outlined in the words of our Chachamim. In Pirkei Avos 1-6, we are taught:
“…..And judge all men in the scale of merit.”
Since we have no window through which to look at another’s thoughts, we are required to give every man the benefit of the doubt, and to assume that he is acting meritoriously. In Avos 2-4, we find:
“…..Moreover, judge not your fellow man, until you have reached his place…..”
That is, since no one has the exact same experiences in life, no one is to be judged harshly for his actions by another. Instead we are to assume again, that our fellow man acts meritoriously. In B’rachos 28a, we find the following, concerning Rabban Gamliel:
“For Rabban Gamliel had issued a proclamation (saying), ‘No disciple whose character does not correspond to his exterior, may enter the Bais HaMidrash (Yeshiva).’”
Now, how was the watchman of Rabban Gamliel able to discern Tocho K’varo (the disciple’s inside corresponding to his exterior)? As prior stated, no one is issued with a window, through which to look at another’s thoughts. Earlier this year, in the weekly Sidra of T’rumah mailing, we discussed two possible answers to this question, as follow.
Our first clarification is from the text Myna Shel Torah, which instructs that in those times, there was such great awe of Rabban Gamliel among everyone, that his very announcement of ‘No disciple who is not Tocho K’varo may enter’ was the actual watchman, instead of a human being. Anyone who was in the slightest doubt of his level of Tocho K’varo, would be too fearful of violating the words of Rabban Gamliel.
Our second elucidation of this watchman, comes from the well know Admur, Rav Avraham Ya’akov Friedman (1820- 1883), the first Rebbe of Sadagura (Ukraine), of blessed memory. Now, according to this opinion, the watchman was nothing more than a simple lock. That is, in the morning, the Yeshiva was locked up. Those who were not Tocho K’varo, saw the lock, and initially gave up trying to enter, and went back home. After all, what could they do? They were prevented from entering and learning Torah. Those who were Tocho K’varo however, endeavored with all their ability to find some way into the Yeshiva.
One way or the other, human beings, without any direct proof of the matter, have no right whatsoever to assume to know the thoughts of another. This very theme is discussed to some degree of length in this week’s Sidra, with regard to future N’vi’im (prophets), who would be supplied to the B’nai Yisroel by HaShem. The Passuk (verse) reads:
“HaShem your G-d will raise to you a prophet from your midst, from your brothers, like Me; to him you shall listen.” (D’varim 18:15)
Consulting the text Mai’Ain Bais HaSho’Aiva by Rav Shimon Schwab (1908- 1993) of blessed memory, we find the following very interesting thoughts.
At first, it would seem that one who is in the category of a Navi (prophet), is all seeing, specifically because HaShem communicates with him. However, posed Rav Shimon, does the knowledge of a Navi have any restrictions? In direct response, the answer is yes. For, as Rav Shimon explained, a Navi was incapable of determining by sight alone, who was a Y’rei Shamayim (fearer of heaven), and who was not.
As well, the Maharal (Rav Y’huda Ben B’tzalel Loew of Prague- 1520-1609) of blessed memory, wrote in the introduction of his text G’vuros HaShem, that the Navi could only see and discern from without, from the outside. He could not see within a man. This same restriction is very clear as well from Sefer Shmuel, where Shmuel HaNavi chooses the future king of Yisroel from the sons of Yishai. The first son of Yishai to stand before the Navi is Eliyav:
“And it came to pass, when they came, that he looked on Eliyav and said, ‘Surely HaShem’s anointed is before Him.’” (Shmuel 1:16:6)
Nevertheless, HaShem quickly responded to Shmuel:
“But HaShem said to Shmuel, ‘Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him; for HaShem sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but HaShem looks on the heart.’” (ibid. 1:16:7)
Apparently then, it is HaShem who sees within a man, not a Navi.
In addition, adds Rav Shimon, the only human being who will have the ability to look inward and to see what men really are, will be Melech HaMoshiach, may he arrive soon,. The Passuk states:
“And his olfactory sense shall be in the fear of HaShem; and he shall not judge by what his eyes see, nor decide by what his ears hear.” (Y’shaya 11:3)
Rashi there, explains:
“And his olfactory sense…..That is, he will perceive a man with his nose, judge, and know who is guilty…..”
However, when it comes to the regular Navi, he has no ability to discern another within. And again, continued Rav Shimon, we see the restrictions of a Navi from Ovadiya, who introduced himself to Eliyahu HaNavi:
“…..But I your servant fear HaShem from my youth.” (M’lachim I:18:12)
Based on this Passuk, the Gemarah in N’darim 62a has this to say:
“Rava said, ‘A man may reveal his identity where he is unknown, as it is said, “But I your servant fear HaShem from my youth.”’”
The Ran (Rabbeinu Nissim Ben R’uvain 1320- 1380) of blessed memory, stated on this Gemarah:
“It was possible that Eliyahu did not know who he (Ovadiya) was.”
And so, we clearly see that as much as a Navi must have known, he had limitations when it came to judging others on his own. No one, not even a Navi, may assume without empirical proof, that he can guess at someone’s thoughts or character. If a Navi was never to judge another on his own initiative, how much more so would this apply to us as well? Rather than thinking the worst of another, may we always judge all men in the scale of merit.
May we soon see the G'ulah Sh'laimah in its complete resplendency- and in our times.
Good Shabbos.
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