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Jewish World Review
Dec. 21, 2007
/ 12 Teves 5768,
Perverting sincerity
By
Rabbi A. Henach Leibowitz
Why and how do-gooders go wrong
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
The tribe of Dan, according to Genesis 49:16, was blessed by our forefather Jacob to embody the middah — attribute — of truth and justice. The foremost commentator, Rashi (ibid.) tells us that the blessing also refers specifically to Samson, a descendent of Dan, who judged our nation and meted out justice to the Philistines.
The Talmud (Pesachim 4a) tells of a man who insisted on going to court to settle all his business dealings. He was never able to settle monetary disagreements by means of negotiation and compromise, but always required the decision of a rabbinic tribunal. Evidently, the Talmud continues, this man was from the tribe of Dan. Why? Because he carried within him the attributes mentioned in Jacob's blessing.
The question begs to be asked: what connection is there between this man's behavior and Jacob's blessing?
Jacob, with all his holiness and purity, gave a blessing to benefit Dan and his descendants with good character traits. How could the blessing of justice and truth have resulted in the negative attributes of mistrust and stubbornness in this person?
Every member of the tribe of Dan was indeed blessed
with a precious legacy, a priceless gift genetically transmitted
throughout the generations. This special aptitude
for justice, like any other positive character
trait, is susceptible to distortion and needs
constant vigilance to refine and clarify its true meaning and keep
it distinct from deceivingly similar negative attributes. The person
referred to in the Talmud did not genuinely care about his inheritance
— truth and justice. In his passion for justice, he demanded
his due absolutely — not one penny that was rightfully his could
ever be forfeited to someone else. Rather than give in and compromise,
he chose to go to court — for the sake of justice!
Because he did not exert himself to learn how to appropriately apply, and
sometimes limit, the attributes he had inherited, he ended up perverting
his inherently good characteristics and using truth and
justice to create discord and dissension in his daily life.
OUR GREATEST TREASURE
Every person is blessed with certain good attributes, whether
they are genetically transmitted, inculcated through upbringing,
or independently acquired. A few moments of thought should enable
us to identify the ethical strong points we possess. Once we
have ascertained these particular ones, it is important for us to
study their true meaning, learn about their proper application, and
map out the guidelines and limits Chazal (the sages) have prescribed for their
implementation. The shy and reserved person may be fortunate
in being able to easily avoid strife, but he must know when
it is mandatory that he speak up and fight for religious causes. The
outgoing and friendly person may benefit emotionally from bringing
others happiness and reaching out to his less Torah-educated
brethren, but he must know when it is better to keep quiet and
leave things unsaid. One who is steeped in the ideals of justice and
truth must know when to give in, even though he is right.
Our charcters are our treasures. Like diamonds
in the rough, they need to be correctly cut and polished to bring out their true brilliance. Care is required to prevent
foreign influences from dulling the fiery purity
of these gems. If we value these precious gifts,
we will constantly polish and maintain them in their Torah-ordained
settings, allowing them to shine and illuminate our lives
with their radiance, beauty, and splendor.
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One of America's senior Torah sages, Rabbi A. Henach Leibowitz has been the dean of the Rabbinical Seminary of America, in Queens, New York for more than 50 years. The institution has branches and affiliates all across North America and Israel.
This article was prepared by two of the sage's disciples, Rabbi Aryeh Striks and Rabbi Shimon Zehnwirth, and excerpted from the just released book, "Pinnacle of Creation: Torah insights into human nature".
Previously:
Do 'clothes make the man'?
Divine vindictiveness?
© 2007, Mesorah Publications, Ltd.
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