Guard against being too judgmental of others

Rabbi Alex Carlebach

Chabad of Lyndhurst

Sadly, there is often the situation that children are bullied in school for being different and it doesn’t become easier for them as they transition into adulthood. It can have dire effects and scar people for life.

This Shabbat is called Shabbat Chazak when we finish the Book of Shemot (Exodus) with the Sidrah Pekudei. The last five parshot or so discuss the building of the Mishkan – a home for G-d in this physical world. This was a marvel and amazing feat, indeed.

The Torah describes how each and every man and woman used their G-d-given gifts to make each item necessary for the Mishkan. It includes the spinners, weavers, goldsmiths and every other talent.

The Torah teaches us that every person has his or her strengths and weaknesses, qualities and shortcomings. There are times we are too quick to judge who fits into our circle. We judge people by their social standing; how they look, how “frum” we think they are.

The Torah teaches us we are all creations and children of G-d A-mighty. We should try and view others through G-d’s eyes. To anybody who may feel isolated or looked down upon, know with certainty that you are a blessing and an only child of G-d A-mighty who loves you. 

The Saintly Baal Shem Tov teaches that Hashem loves every one of us even more than a parent who has an only child after many years of marriage. This is the Torah outlook and let no-one convince you otherwise. That includes not even allowing yourself to tell you otherwise; we need you as part of our people and community.

The Talmud recounts a story of Rabbi Elazar ben Shimon who, when he was walking towards a town, encountered a most vile looking person and commented: “Oy, are you ugly”, to which the traveller replied: “Go tell that to the one who fashioned my vessel!”, referring to our Creator.

Rabbi Elazar realised the mistake he made and had to go through a long struggle to attain forgiveness – this in spite of the fact that what the Rabbi meant was the man’s spiritual standing and that he was hoping to influence him to repent.

The greatness of Betzalel and Aholiav as well as Moishe Rabbeinu is seeing the specific talents of each person and putting them to good use, ultimately for the greater good.

After every item that was fashioned, the Torah states: ‘Ka-asher Tzeeva Hashem es Moishe” – as Hashem commanded Moishe. The verse is repeated 18 times in our Sidrah, teaching us that while it is true that every person possesses their own potential, the goal, however, is that we all work to fashion the world, G-d’s Mishkan; in the way that G-d commanded.

Being different does not sanction us to go contrary to Hashem’s commands and desires.