A thought on Parshios Behar Bechukosai
"...v'chishav im kone'hu...""...and he shall make a reckoning with the one who owns him..." (25:50)
The Torah stresses that we must be careful and accurate in our dealings with non-Jews. We do not cheat or steal and this applies to our business ventures with all people. It is not right, it is not good for our character, it is bad for our reputation, and it is a Chillul HaShem which means that it is also bad for G-d's reputation.
Rabbeinu Bachya examines this matter. "If a Jew steals from another Jew, the Jewish victim is not likely to generalize that all Jews are dishonest, nor is he likely to reject the Jewish belief system or religion. But when a Jew steals from a non-Jew, the victim concludes that this is how Jewish people are, and will also denigrate Judaism and the Torah. This is what a Chillul HaShem is."
It is not hard to appreciate Rabbeinu Bachya's comment. It is even more stunning to follow his trend of thought as he continues ---
"This is very related to the prayer of Shlomo haMelech as he prayed
to HaShem upon inaugurating the first Beis HaMikdash. He asked that
when a Jew enters the Temple to pray, that HaShem should respond
in the manner that He deems best for that Jew, as it says in the verse
(Melachim 1 8:39) "since You know what is in his heart." However,
should a non-Jew enter and pray there, Shlomo davened that HaShem
grant him whatever he asked, as it is written there (verse 43) "and You
should do all that the stranger asks of You." This means that HaShem
should answer him whether or not he deserves his request. The reason
for this is also because a Jew whose prayers seem to go unheeded will
not reject his faith and religion. A non-Jew who who does not get what
he prayed for may turn around and conclude that the religion of
the Jews and their G-d are both false."
When a Jew sets a bad example through his conduct or deeds, especially if it is apparent to the secular world beyond our own ranks, the Chillul HaShem which follows is not limited to giving Jews a bad name. It also results in giving Judaism a bad name. And when the world thinks poorly of Jews and Judaism, this gives HaShem Elokei Yisroel, HaShem the G-d of the Jews, a bad name.
Yisroel v'Oraissa v'Kudsha Brich Hu Chad Hu - the Jews, the Torah and the Holy One, may He be blessed, are all one, always. Good Shabbos. D Fox
The Torah stresses that we must be careful and accurate in our dealings with non-Jews. We do not cheat or steal and this applies to our business ventures with all people. It is not right, it is not good for our character, it is bad for our reputation, and it is a Chillul HaShem which means that it is also bad for G-d's reputation.
Rabbeinu Bachya examines this matter. "If a Jew steals from another Jew, the Jewish victim is not likely to generalize that all Jews are dishonest, nor is he likely to reject the Jewish belief system or religion. But when a Jew steals from a non-Jew, the victim concludes that this is how Jewish people are, and will also denigrate Judaism and the Torah. This is what a Chillul HaShem is."
It is not hard to appreciate Rabbeinu Bachya's comment. It is even more stunning to follow his trend of thought as he continues ---
"This is very related to the prayer of Shlomo haMelech as he prayed
to HaShem upon inaugurating the first Beis HaMikdash. He asked that
when a Jew enters the Temple to pray, that HaShem should respond
in the manner that He deems best for that Jew, as it says in the verse
(Melachim 1 8:39) "since You know what is in his heart." However,
should a non-Jew enter and pray there, Shlomo davened that HaShem
grant him whatever he asked, as it is written there (verse 43) "and You
should do all that the stranger asks of You." This means that HaShem
should answer him whether or not he deserves his request. The reason
for this is also because a Jew whose prayers seem to go unheeded will
not reject his faith and religion. A non-Jew who who does not get what
he prayed for may turn around and conclude that the religion of
the Jews and their G-d are both false."
When a Jew sets a bad example through his conduct or deeds, especially if it is apparent to the secular world beyond our own ranks, the Chillul HaShem which follows is not limited to giving Jews a bad name. It also results in giving Judaism a bad name. And when the world thinks poorly of Jews and Judaism, this gives HaShem Elokei Yisroel, HaShem the G-d of the Jews, a bad name.
Yisroel v'Oraissa v'Kudsha Brich Hu Chad Hu - the Jews, the Torah and the Holy One, may He be blessed, are all one, always. Good Shabbos. D Fox
posted by Rabbi Dr. Fox at 10:29 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home