B’nei Israel Congregation, Costa Rica
When what others think matter to us
This week we read Pekudey, the last parashah of the book of Shemot. A meticulously detailed list of the money and goods given by the people for the building of the Mishkan (the Tabernacle) appears here, as well as the manner in which they were used. We could say that Moses offers his people an accounting report of the building of the Mishkan.
So outstanding is the fact of a great leader presenting such detailed balance, that our sages deduced a halakhah (a rule) from his example: “although there is no distrust of the pious that collects tzedakah, it is better to take the initiative and offer an account of the collections and expenses” (based on Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah 257).
Before whom did Moses present his accounting? Before God? That would have been strange, since He trusted Moses completely, as it is written: “My servant Moses is not so; he is trusted in all My house” (Bemidvar 12:7). Therefore, we must understand that the accounting was presented to the people. But why? Did the people distrust their leader?
A Midrash (Yalkut Shimoni Pekudey 415) tells that a group of spiteful people started to call into question Moses’ honesty. “They looked behind Moses’ back and said – Look at his fat thighs, look at his fat legs, because he eats from Jews and drinks from Jews and all that he has is from Jews! – And their friends answered – And what did you expect? A man appointed responsible for the construction of the Mishkan, over the boundless, weightless and countless silver and gold coins, perhaps you thought he wasn’t going to become rich? – When Moses heard those words, he said: Never in the world! As soon as the Mishkan is ready, I’ll give you a rendering of expenses.- And indeed, as soon as the Mishkan was established, Moses said: Ele pekudey hamishkan, “These are the accounts of the tabernacle” (Shemot 38:21, the beginning of our parashah).
In short, the reason why Moses decided to present a balance concerning the donations and their use in the building of the Tabernacle, was the suspicion expressed by certain malicious people, who claimed Moses had used part of the money for his own benefit. Moses did not want to leave any ground for doubt, and so he prepared and presented his accounting.
Concerning this exact point, Rabbi Shlomo Aviner, on his book “Tal Hermon”, poses a fascinating question: “Since when does a personality such as Moses act from the fear of what others may think of him? Why should Moses, a righteous and humble man, the greatest leader of our people, concern himself with the gossip flowing among the people? Should a person be influenced by what people say?
Rabbi Aviner explains that, although people must always make their spiritual independence prevail so as to continue on the good path, not worrying about what others may say about them, there are some cases in which people should pay attention to the comments that surround them. When there is a suspicion regarding improper behavior on the part of a religious leader, then the leader must pay attention to those comments and clear up any doubts. Otherwise, the suspicions hovering above his head, however unfounded they may be, could cause the people surrounding him to deem the values of the Torah as something of little importance, or that Judaism allows unethical acts provided certain religious practices are fulfilled. This is what is technically known as chilul Shem Shamayim, that is, the desecration of the divine name. Even when a spiritual guide has acted correctly in God’s eyes, he must be sure that his parishioners have perceived this. Otherwise they would lose their faith in him, and possibly in the Torah and in God Himself. How disappointing it is to find out that the person, whom you considered an example of life, is no more than a corrupt and disloyal being!
The society in which we live often worships those blood and flesh heroes who follow their instincts and feelings, beyond what everyone may think about them. No one is more admired than those who break the barriers of gossip and social hypocrisy, in order to gain their purposes. Perhaps Moses’ action when presenting the accounting, wants to teach us that this modern myth must also have its limits. Those whose motif of life is “I don’t care about what people think about me” can make a big mistake, since they could be reducing the value of spreading holiness and goodwill among the common people. Supporting the highest ideals is not enough; it is also necessary that everyone understands what those ideals are and what is the best way to achieve them.
Notwithstanding what the movies say, “what people say” should matter to us some times.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Rami Pavolotzky
So outstanding is the fact of a great leader presenting such detailed balance, that our sages deduced a halakhah (a rule) from his example: “although there is no distrust of the pious that collects tzedakah, it is better to take the initiative and offer an account of the collections and expenses” (based on Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah 257).
Before whom did Moses present his accounting? Before God? That would have been strange, since He trusted Moses completely, as it is written: “My servant Moses is not so; he is trusted in all My house” (Bemidvar 12:7). Therefore, we must understand that the accounting was presented to the people. But why? Did the people distrust their leader?
A Midrash (Yalkut Shimoni Pekudey 415) tells that a group of spiteful people started to call into question Moses’ honesty. “They looked behind Moses’ back and said – Look at his fat thighs, look at his fat legs, because he eats from Jews and drinks from Jews and all that he has is from Jews! – And their friends answered – And what did you expect? A man appointed responsible for the construction of the Mishkan, over the boundless, weightless and countless silver and gold coins, perhaps you thought he wasn’t going to become rich? – When Moses heard those words, he said: Never in the world! As soon as the Mishkan is ready, I’ll give you a rendering of expenses.- And indeed, as soon as the Mishkan was established, Moses said: Ele pekudey hamishkan, “These are the accounts of the tabernacle” (Shemot 38:21, the beginning of our parashah).
In short, the reason why Moses decided to present a balance concerning the donations and their use in the building of the Tabernacle, was the suspicion expressed by certain malicious people, who claimed Moses had used part of the money for his own benefit. Moses did not want to leave any ground for doubt, and so he prepared and presented his accounting.
Concerning this exact point, Rabbi Shlomo Aviner, on his book “Tal Hermon”, poses a fascinating question: “Since when does a personality such as Moses act from the fear of what others may think of him? Why should Moses, a righteous and humble man, the greatest leader of our people, concern himself with the gossip flowing among the people? Should a person be influenced by what people say?
Rabbi Aviner explains that, although people must always make their spiritual independence prevail so as to continue on the good path, not worrying about what others may say about them, there are some cases in which people should pay attention to the comments that surround them. When there is a suspicion regarding improper behavior on the part of a religious leader, then the leader must pay attention to those comments and clear up any doubts. Otherwise, the suspicions hovering above his head, however unfounded they may be, could cause the people surrounding him to deem the values of the Torah as something of little importance, or that Judaism allows unethical acts provided certain religious practices are fulfilled. This is what is technically known as chilul Shem Shamayim, that is, the desecration of the divine name. Even when a spiritual guide has acted correctly in God’s eyes, he must be sure that his parishioners have perceived this. Otherwise they would lose their faith in him, and possibly in the Torah and in God Himself. How disappointing it is to find out that the person, whom you considered an example of life, is no more than a corrupt and disloyal being!
The society in which we live often worships those blood and flesh heroes who follow their instincts and feelings, beyond what everyone may think about them. No one is more admired than those who break the barriers of gossip and social hypocrisy, in order to gain their purposes. Perhaps Moses’ action when presenting the accounting, wants to teach us that this modern myth must also have its limits. Those whose motif of life is “I don’t care about what people think about me” can make a big mistake, since they could be reducing the value of spreading holiness and goodwill among the common people. Supporting the highest ideals is not enough; it is also necessary that everyone understands what those ideals are and what is the best way to achieve them.
Notwithstanding what the movies say, “what people say” should matter to us some times.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Rami Pavolotzky
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario