We Never Ever Look Down Upon Others…
If We Are Not Busy Lifting Them Up!
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
Every Lubavitcher Chossid tries in his or her way to be a positive influence and inspiration to others that helps to strengthen their Yiddishkeit in all areas. As we go along there are three different people we encounter that present the greatest challenge to success in our work.
1. One type of person is so entrenched in the passions of this world, so involved in his or her lifestyle that it seems impossible to break through to even begin a conversation that would be taken seriously about positive change. What is there to say?
2. This person is devoid of basic values. For example, speaking about hard work to someone who has an attitude of being entitled to receive benefits for free (from the government etc.) and therefore has absolutely no interest or desire to work. He tells you; why should I work if I can make more taking unemployment or disability? How far are you going to get convincing him that no, it’s a better value to work for your livelihood. He is oblivious to your concerns. So too in many other ethics and values, he just does not accept your premise that good ethics are important. What can you say to him?
3. This person is not familiar with what the greatness and emunah in Hashem is all about. He may be cultured and he may even be ethical but he was either never taught about the greatness of Hashem or even worse was schooled in undesirable philosophies or ‘ism’s”. How can we speak to him or her about matters of the Torah and mitzvos when he lacks the context? It’s like having to be a magician, pulling things out of thin air!
What can we do as Lubavitcher Chassidim to overcome these obstacles and do our part to be a positive influence to everyone, even to people such as these?
The Rebbe in a Sicha on this week’s parsha Emor explains the words “Emor v’Amarta” in the opening pasuk in the parsha. Chazal say “Emor v Amarta- You shall speak” is “L’hazhir gedolim al hakatanim” which means that adults should warn or educate their children. On a deeper level it’s not just referring to actual children, ketanim, but anyone who lacks education or a broader perspective and appreciation of Torah and mitzvos. We are told “l’hazhir” which means to illuminate and inspire them.
The Torah tells us that we are capable and therefore obligated to tell others, (“L’hazhir gedolim al hakatanim”) in three places. Not to drink the blood (The Torah says chazak-strengthen yourself not drink blood. In those days it was a common practice to drink blood therefore the Torah tells us to be strong); by not eating shratzim-insects and here in this week’s parsha by a Kohen not becoming tameh and staying pure while doing his avodah in Kodesh. With this comes a lesson; that we should not be dissuaded by the challenges and do our best even in these situations.
1. Even if the person is entrenched in drinking blood, meaning the passions of this world, still, emor v’amrta, reach out and speak to him.
2. Even if he is a person that has habits that are as disgusting as a sheretz, they appear devoid of sensitivity and sensibility, “Er is nish kein mentch” nevertheless, emor v’amarta reach out to him.
3. If this person is both cultured and ethical but lacks spiritual appreciation. Purity and impurity is a spiritual state and is connected with emunah. Try to reveal the emunah that is hidden due to impurity. Don’t give up, underneath there is a neshama that is receptive.
But how do we do it? By inspiring other’s (l’hazhir) through being the best example we can be ourselves and then by using a few kind, well thought out and well placed words (emor..v’amarta)
This week in the news we have seen what a few misplaced words spoken in what was thought to be private to what was thought to be a personal friend did, and how it affected the entire country. We heard a unanimous outcry about how wrong it is to look down upon others. If this is the case in the negative, all the more so it is true in the positive. Just a few good words can have a great and lasting effect. If we view ourselves as capable of inspiring (“gedolim”) not because of ourselves but because of what we have been given we look to see what we can do to help. There is no purpose in looking down upon other people’s behaviors and then speaking to our friends about it. We never ever look down upon the behavior of others. The only time we look down upon the behavior of others (as ketanim) is if we are busy lifting them up (l’hazhir)! This way we will reveal the spark of Moshiach within each and every person. A Good Shabbos