In our society today, Jews enjoy a level of prosperity and freedom that is unprecedented in the history of the Jewish people. However, I sense that the more comfortable our lives are, there are those who take these blessings for granted.
Often forgotten that there are many contributing factors to our success. There are those who ignore the many blessings, i.e.,family into which they were born, the schools attended and the communities in which they were raised. All of these factors play a vital role in our lives, and so often they are taken for granted. There is a need to instill in the lives of our children the important idea of הכרת הטוב, which sadly is ignored in our successful lives.
The story is told about Hymee who was a good man but a bit stingy. He would always bargain and haggle for a better price. He, especially, hated paying his medical fees. One day while eating, a fish bone became lodged in his throat and within minutes he could scarcely breathe. His wife, frantically, called the family doctor, who arrived just as the patient's face was turning blue. The physician quickly removed the bone with a pair of forceps. When he began breathing normally, although overwhelmed with gratitude to the doctor for saving his life, the doctors fees were a bit worrisome to him. Trying his best to keep the costs down he turned to the good doctor and asked, "How much do I owe you for this small two minute job?" The doctor, who knew his patients miserly habit too well replied, "Just pay me half of what you would have when the bone was still stuck in your throat."
Comical as it may seem, it is true that we become too miserly when it comes to our feelings of appreciation and the recognition from whence comes our blessings. If this be true with our relationship between man and his fellowman, how much more so is this true in our relationship between man and Hashem.
Life, in general, must be cherished and, at all times, must be valued. We are created בצלם אלוקים, in the image of G-D, and we must always act to each other as ערבים זה לזה.
This idea comes to mind as we discuss at the end of this week's Sedrah Shoftim, the mitzvah of עגלה ערופה, referring to a case where a corpse is found in the field and the murderer is not known. In response, the city elders and the Kohanim participate in a unique ceremony. They decapitate a calf in a valley and declare, "ידינו לש שפכו את הדם הזה
"Our hands have not spilled this blood."
This entire exercise seems so difficult to understand . Would we ever think the leaders of society would commit such a dastardly act that would require them to make such a statement.
Surely the leaders are not guilty. Why then would the Torah require them to go through this entire experience?
The answer to this dilemma is one word "responsibility". In a democratic society we must hold accountable all our leaders, especially our religious ones. Why you may ask? Because we must consider to what extent they have created a climate in which such a crime can be committed. All this is to establish responsibility. Are our leaders acting in such a way that they can state unequivocally ,that their hands are clean, and we have done all we can to make our society a safe and secure one for all of its citizens.
The lesson is so important in today's times. The eglah arufah ceremony is an elaborate ritual, that is meant to be educational that will lead to a transformative process in improving our society ,with greater respect for all its inhabitants whatever their status may be.
Indeed I believe it's a lesson of כל ישראל ערבים זה לזה. This is the month of Elul, as we prepare for the יום הדין, and a time to take responsibility not only for ourselves, but for others as well.
Let us make sure that we can always say, when we see ugliness raise it's head, that ידינו לא שפכו את הדם הזה ועינינו לא ראו, but rather we pay attention to the plight of others and in doing so Hashem will pour forth His blessings upon us for the good we do for others.
שבת שלום
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