In our walks of life, a profound question often bubbles up, shaking our innate sense of knowing. "Who am I to judge another when I myself walk imperfectly?" This question is not just a philosophical inquiry, but a whisper of humility, a humbling echo of our shared humanity that compels us to reassess our perspectives.
In the divine wisdom of the Torah, we learn, "Do not judge your fellow until you have stood in his place." (Pirkei Avot 2:4) The surface meaning of this teaching appears quite straightforward. Let鈥檚 try to inpack it a bit, though.
What does it mean to 'stand in his place'? Is it possible to fully grasp the countless complexities that shape another person's life鈥攖heir joys and their trials, their dreams and their fears, their strengths and their weaknesses?
We can never wholly perceive the intricate matrix of experiences that constitute another's life. Yet, this should not engender a sense of hopelessness, but rather a profound reverence for the unfathomable depth of each person's existence. This is an invitation to embrace empathy, to open our hearts to the understanding that every soul carries a unique story written in the divine language of life's trials and triumphs.
Now, let's turn our gaze inward. "I myself walk imperfectly." Our own imperfections can feel like burdens, like shadows that chase us on our journey. Yet, the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidism, taught us that our perceived imperfections are, in fact, divine sparks concealed in the materiality of our existence. These sparks are not stumbling blocks but stepping stones on our path to growth, self-discovery, and ultimately, to our Creator.
Thus, our own imperfections remind us of our shared human condition - an existence marked by growth, struggle, triumph, and learning. The Torah doesn't demand perfection from us, but growth. When we see our own imperfections not as flaws but as opportunities for growth, we develop a compassionate lens towards others' imperfections as well.
Judgment, then, transforms from a weapon to a tool - not to belittle or shame, but to empathize and understand, to connect and uplift. Judgment can become a bridge connecting our souls, a conduit for love and understanding in the tapestry of our shared humanity.
So, I leave you with this thought today: In the theater of life, we are all actors, each playing our unique roles, wrestling with our scripts, often improvising, making mistakes, and learning. When we shift from being critics in the audience to fellow actors on the stage, we trade judgment for empathy, isolation for connection, and self-righteousness for humility.
So, as we step into the new week, let's strive to replace judgment with understanding, compassion, and respect for our shared, beautiful, imperfect journey.
Shavua Tov. May it be a week of empathy, connection, and shared growth.
Rabbi Yisroel Bernath
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at 9at last a real programme that tells close the story of the "burning eras "聽 there is still more but thank you so much... for the 1000 of people murdered.聽 I am proud to be a WITCH have been since I found my way home on 28th may 1999. + yes I was I introduced to new friends as STELLA the witch. In 2019 I became a town Councillor later that year 1 of the older cwac councillor was telling people I was a witch a robbed people soul... at this point my mentle health was really bad I didn't won't my own soul. 4 years ago tomorrow I made a choice sober that I couldn't live +like when I was a witch I found peace. (It's long +now I am grateful) watching your programme remind me of what she said and also what has been being said about me since I was re-elect last year +organising winsford 1st pride and again constantly for 2nd pride and standing in the general election for mid-cheshire a picture of grot-bags calling me a pedo. Ect. But it's right it's ti silence us. They spread so much hateI have always stuck up for people as a child, if I've seen wrong.聽 I've always asked questions. My dad passed away on 4th January 2022.聽 And my gay uncle 8th February 2022. My mums brother... I had my vote stolen they may and I no sounds like am crazy but am a town Councillor I never moved, married ect...I could be elected.. when u have depression... I don't lie because at 9 when I lied to my parents I nearly got kidnapped by a man who mention my boob's AT 9. I wouldn't wear a bra...he didn't say boob's... that lie nearly got me taken from my family... I am not perfect, life has been tough. But I see the world getting worse for us woman, disabled,聽 poor. Nothing has changed here in the north we r the forgotten salt towns...And I have always stuck up for people as a child, if I've seen wrong.聽 I've always asked questions. My dad passed away on 4th January 2022.聽 And my gay uncle 8th February 2022. My mums brother... I had my vote stolen they may and I no sounds like am crazy but am a town Councillor I never moved, married ect...I could be elected.. when u have depression... I don't lie because at 9 when I lied to my parents I nearly got kidnapped by a man who mention my boob's AT 9. I wouldn't wear a bra...he didn't say boob's... that lie nearly got me taken from my family... I am not perfect, life has been tough. But I see the world getting worse for us woman, disabled,聽 poor. Nothing has changed here in the north we r the forgotten salt towns..i have just my daughter helping me聽 not my sisters,聽 i care and ive paid on my credit card in hope that who ever does get in if they have listened to me... i care and i bee let down, many times...2 many used!!!...I am Standing in the general election And I have always stuck up for people as a child, if I've seen wrong.聽 I've always asked questions. My dad passed away on 4th January 2022.聽 And my gay uncle 8th February 2022. My mums brother... I had my vote stolen they may and I no sounds like am crazy but am a town Councillor I never moved, married ect...I could be elected.. when u have depression... I don't lie because at 9 when I lied to my parents I nearly got kidnapped by a man who mention my boob's AT 9. I wouldn't wear a bra...he didn't say boob's... that lie nearly got me taken from my family... I am not perfect, life has been tough. But I see the world getting worse for us woman, disabled,聽 poor. Nothing has changed here in the north we r the forgotten salt towns..i have just my daughter helping me聽 not my sisters,聽 i care and ive paid on my credit card in hope that who ever does get in if they have listened to me... i care and i be let down, many times...2 many used!!!...I am Standing in the general election I don't expect to win, come last. Where i was 4 years ago, where i was having to sheild in the pandemic,聽 4 years ago my mentle health was so bad, i didnt wont to be here. So coming last is nothing when you didnt even wont your life.聽 This is my life and now I am.glad to have it last place is fine with me. And standing up for the north. #northwest #blessed be
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