Chok L'Yisrael - Beha'alotecha for Monday

 

Chok L'Yisrael

Beha'alotecha for Monday

Do not bring punishment upon any Jew, nor curse him. Instead, pray that the Holy One, Blessed is He, perfect his heart and guide him back to goodness. Seeking divine intervention for someone's betterment is more virtuous than wishing harm upon them. Focus your prayers on their transformation and return to righteousness, rather than seeking retribution for their wrongdoings.

Do not hand him over to judgment by declaring: The Rock will take vengeance upon him and repay him with evil for the wrongs he committed. When someone calls for judgment upon another, the attribute of judgment stands before the Holy One, Blessed is He, and says, "Master of the Universe! Judge this person; he deserves to be punished in such-and-such a manner." Invoking divine judgment can backfire, bringing scrutiny upon oneself. When you call for divine retribution, it is not only the accused who is judged but also the accuser.

In summary, do not curse anyone, as curses often return and fall upon the head of the one who uttered them, even affecting their descendants. We see this in the example of David and Yoav, where the curses David placed on Yoav were fulfilled upon David's own descendants. The repercussions of cursing others can extend beyond the immediate moment, impacting future generations. This illustrates that curses can have unintended and lasting consequences.

Do not hate someone simply because your friend hates them. Hatred should be reserved only for those whom the Holy One, Blessed is He, despises. Do not adopt hatred based on another's grievances; your emotions and judgments should be independent and fair. Furthermore, the two parties may reconcile, but your unfounded hatred will prevent reconciliation with you. If they make peace, your baseless hatred will leave you isolated and without justification.

Do not denigrate anyone, for everyone has their moment. Every person holds value and potential. Denigration disregards the inherent worth of individuals and overlooks their potential for future good. Each person has their time and purpose, deserving of respect and dignity.

(Yosef le-Chok; Sefer HaCharedim, 76)

*Chok L'Yisrael is a compendium of Jewish texts designed for daily or weekly study.