Kevin Bemel ·
Do You Make This Friendship Shattering Mistake?
“And the Egyptians mistreated us and afflicted us . . .” (Devarim/Deuteronomy 26:6). When the Torah refers to “us” it usually uses the word lanu but in this verse it uses osanu. When an unusual word is used you can bet there is some deeper meaning behind it.
The parsha for this Sabbath is Ki Savo. Moses continues preparing the Israelites to enter the Land of Israel by discussing the mitzvah of the first fruits offering, reiterating the inseparability of G-d and Israel, and detailing the blessings and curses that will befall them depending on how well they adhere to the Torah. At the end of the parsha Moses begins his final exhortation.
Rabbi Mordechai Gifter, in Pirke Torah, notes that the Egyptians mistreated the Children of Israel by slandering them. By making them appear evil to others they caused people to think that the Israelites should not be treated justly or humanely. As a result, the Egyptians were able to enslave them even though a generation before a Jew, Joseph, saved their lives. The Nazis and Stalinists, among others, did the same thing in more recent history.
This practice happens on the micro level too. When you hear someone denigrating another person do you stop to consider whether the reports are true or why the person is speaking negatively about someone else? Did the incident actually occur and was it as egregious as it is being portrayed or does the person have another agenda?
You are obligated to judge whether the story is true before lending it credence. If you cannot verify it consider what might be the storyteller’s ulterior motive. Possibly he is trying to cover up bad behavior on his part.
Even when you conclude that the person actually did something wrong, reflect on whether the incident justifies any improper treatment the storyteller is proposing. Everyone makes mistakes. Be careful to fully investigate before condemning someone or accepting another’s condemnation.
Question – How do you determine if criticism of someone is justified?
You can leave a comment on this question or ask another question below ↓
Every year beginning on Simchas Torah, the cycle of reading the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, ends and begins again. Each Sabbath a portion known as a sedra or parsha is read. It is named after the first significant word or two with which this weekly reading begins.
Do you have a question about the Old Testament? Ask it here and I will answer it in a future Parsha Nugget!
