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 A Word from the Rabbi
A teacher once conducted an experiment. He held up a white plate and showed it to the class. In the center of the plate was a small black spot. He then asked the class to describe what they saw. One student said he saw a black spot. Another said it must be a target for shooting practice. A third suggested that the plate was dirty or damaged. Whereupon the teacher asked, "Doesn't anyone see a white plate?
This week, we mark the first week of the month of Elul, the last month of the year when we begin in earnest to prepare for the Days of Judgement, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. How do you judge other people? How do you judge your spouse and your children? Do you see their flaws or do you appreciate their talents? Do you complain and gripe or do you value their opinion?
Interestingly, in this week's Torah reading, we are issued the commandment to appoint fair judges. After a long of prerequisites, the Torah reiterates that a judge must be G‑d fearing and emulate G‑d's ways. There are however many differences between the heavenly court and a court made of flesh and blood.
The Maharal of Prague explains that only G‑d can judge the entire person. Each one of us has good and bad to some extent. Even those who have sinned may have many other good deeds that outweigh the bad ones. Perhaps even one good deed was of such major significance that it alone could serve as a weighty counterbalance. The point is, only G‑d knows. Only He can judge the individual in the context of his whole life and all his deeds, good and bad.
Our goal is to emulate the Heavenly Court. We should try to look at the totality of the person. You think he is bad, but is he all bad? Does he have no redeeming virtues? Surely, he must have some good in him as well. Look at the whole person.
There may have been a black spot but, essentially, it was a white plate. Why do we only see the dirt? Let us learn to find the good in others. Nobody is perfect, not even ourselves. Let's not be so critical or judgmental. Remember, the way you judge others, is the way G‑d will judge you in a mere thirty days.
Wishing you a Good Shabbos & a Happy 25th Anniversary to my wife and I.
Rabbi Chaim Mentz
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