Human dignity in the courts

Hi,

"In all matters, a judge's deeds must be altruistic, and human dignity must not be light in his eyes, for it overrides rabbinic law. This is certainly true for the honour of the children of Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov, who embrace the Torah of truth."

ובכל יהיו מעשיו לשם שמים ואל יהיה כבוד הבריות קל בעיניו שהרי הוא דוחה את לא תעשה של דבריהם וכל שכן כבוד בני אברהם יצחק ויעקב המחזיקין בתורת האמת 

(Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Laws of Sanhedrin 24:10)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Splendid Kindness - the 3rd day of the Omer

Hi,

The Sephirah of the Omer's first week is Chesed. Chesed is kindness which motivates a person to give of himself - physically, financially, emotionally - to another.

However, the Sephirah of the third day of each Omer week is Tiferet. Tiferet is splendour and beauty, that which is admired by others. (See, for example, Pirkei Avot 2:1, as well as Kedushat Levi for Rosh haShanah, pg. 276 in one standard edition.)

The combined Sephirah for Day 3 of the Omer is Tiferet sheb'Chesed, "splendid kindness". This title suggests a kindness which is admired by others.

What causes admiration? The Talmud (Yoma 86a) observes that we admire people who behave in a menschlich way, treating others with respect; those who show respect for others will also be respected and admired.

Kindness is sometimes motivated by pity and a sense that the recipient is "less than", resulting in insensitivity toward the recipient. This is quite damaging; as the Talmud (Chagigah 5a) teaches, it would be better not to give, than to give in a way that embarrassed the recipient.

The third day's Sephirah reminds us that our kindness should be driven by the respect that will make it a splendid, admirable kindness.

Have a great day,
Mordechai

True humility

Hi,

"There are four elements in humble behavior:
a. Functioning in a humble manner;
b. Bearing one's own embarrassment patiently;
c. Fleeing from honor;
d. Treating others with respect."

(Mesilat Yesharim [Path of the Righteous], R' Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, Chapter 23)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Speaking before the deceased

Hi,

"One may only speak of matters related to the deceased, in front of the deceased."

(Talmud, Berachot 3b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Respect for others

Hi,

"It is written in the book of Ben Sira:

"I have weighed everything on a scale, and found that there is nothing lighter than coarse grain. And yet, I have found that a groom who lives in his in-laws' house is even lighter [i.e. more frivolous, more disrespectful] than that.

"And even lighter is a guest who brings an additional guest into his host's home.

"And even lighter than that is a person who responds before he has heard a person out, as it is written (Proverbs 18), 'One who responds before he has heard, this is foolishness for him, and an embarrassment.'"

(Talmud, Bava Batra 98b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai