BM

Rabbi Irwin Wiener, D.D.

“He may be called a man who restrains his desire to do evil.” Zohar


Time and again events take place that make us wonder about the goodness of people. We have witnessed over the last several years the ugly face of greed and its affect on society. There was a time when morals and ethics were ingredients in the formula of human success. We are believers in good winning over evil; that light will defeat darkness so that all will know peace and contentment because of the efforts of work and honesty in that work.

Then we read about corruption on such a large scale that we begin to wonder about the goodness and mercy that is part of humanities makeup. Our very beings are threatened because we see no appreciation for Godliness. We seemed to have sunk into an abyss robbing us of life’s meaning- and it is dark and lonely. It is an empty space that has no ending – a black hole that drags even the greatest among us into its center.

It is difficult to judge people because each of us has some dark secret. And when that secret sees the light of day there is no telling what will be the result of that revelation. We are laid bare and vulnerable to possible embarrassment and disgrace. And we are concerned about what others may think of us but give no thought to Gods knowledge of our misdeeds. Perhaps if we thought more about our being answerable to God we would fulfill the essence of the Zohar

When studying the Talmud we learn about “Patur B’Dinei Adom and Hayav B’Dinei Shamayim.” The lessons learned indicate that there are times when we do things that may be considered excusable by man but are deemed inexcusable by God. And the converse, of course, is true as well.

So, while we try not to judge we are taught that to have an effective society there must be judgments as well as reward and punishment. That is the sum total of a disciplined culture.

I am at a loss as to how to react to recent events which have dishonored our people and our God. I am at a loss as to how to display compassion while feeling the hurt of so many who were the victims of such gluttony. “Do justly” Micah commands because it is part of the duty of human beings to walk the path of humility and understanding. What is justice in this instance?

BM (I can’t get myself to write his name), cast a dark shadow on our people. Those who would do us harm have been given a weapon much more deadly than the sword. We are a people known for our veracity. We are a people known as deliverers of the “Word” and keepers of the “Promise.” And now we are a people, who by association, seem to be no better than the worst among us and maybe even more so.

The great Kabbalist, Moses Luzzatto was quoted as saying: “A person who walks his path in life without regard to ethical standards is like a blind man who does not know his journey is along the bank of a river.

The person can at any moment succumb to the dangers of a wrong step and the odds are more certainly toward his being hurt than escaping harm.”

We have now witnessed the unthinkable. We cannot escape the harm that is with us. And like the blind man who does not know his journey is dangerous because of indifference, we too have been led on a journey that will give us anxiousness and despair and unhappiness for a long time to come.

BM – they are initials that will haunt us. He certainly will be judged but perhaps “Hayav B’Dinei Shamayim” will be the ultimate judgment.