CHOCHMAS NASHIM: BINFOL OYVECHAH AL TISMACH
By: Suri Davis
On Tisha B’av, we read the book Lamentations, where Jeremiah states to our enemies, Lamentations 3:64: Requite them, G-d, according to the work of their hands.” And 4:21 “ Unto you (our enemy) will pass the wine glass of retribution, become drunk and vomit.” While it is natural for us to feel that those who have mistreated humanity and Jews should be stopped in their paths, Syrians are tortured by their own government, and Turkey is run by a dictator, neither government is a lover of Jews and Israel.
While we ask G-d to punish those who torture us, we are told by our Rabbis: “Binfol oyvechah al tismach/when your enemy falls, don’t rejoice.” This dictum is revealed in last week’s parshah and this week’s parshah.
Last week, I discussed the concept we are taught that G-d imbued in all His creations His energy, all are precious to Him. I discussed last week about Jonah and his mission to Ninveh, a city of gentiles, so he could warn them of G-d’s desire to destroy them for their sins, and how the people of Ninveh repented and were saved. G-d does not want us to rejoice at the loss of His creations for, as I mentioned, on Pesach/Passover, we recite a complete Hallel on the first two days of Passover, and a half of Hallel the remainder of the days, for G-d tells us: “My creatures are drowning in the sea, and you want to rejoice?” Even though the Egyptians tortured us for 210 years, we are not to sing praises at their downfall, but at our salvation. This is a very core lesson which G-d teaches us, that all have value, and all are imbued with G-d’s energy.
This week’s torah portion discusses G-d’s giving the Torah to Moshe on Mount Sinai. In the Torah, there are 613 commandments for Jews to perform, and the Torah is for gentiles as well, there are seven commandments for non-Jews, and they are:
What Are the Seven Noahide Laws?
The 7 Noahide Laws are rules that all of us must keep, regardless of who we are or from where we come. Without these seven things, it would be impossible for humanity to live together in harmony.
- Do not profane G‑d’s Oneness in any way.
Acknowledge that there is a single G‑dwho cares about what we are doing and desires that we take care of His world. - Do not curse your Creator.
No matter how angry you may be, do not take it out verbally against your Creator. - Do not murder.
The value of human life cannot be measured. To destroy a single human life is to destroy the entire world—because, for that person, the world has ceased to exist. It follows that by sustaining a single human life, you are sustaining an entire universe. - Do not eat a limb of a still-living animal.
Respect the life of all G‑d’s creatures. As intelligent beings, we have a duty not to cause undue pain to other creatures. - Do not steal.
Whatever benefits you receive in this world, make sure that none of them are at the unfair expense of someone else. - Harness and channel the human libido.
Incest, adultery, rape and homosexual relations are forbidden.
The family unit is the foundation of human society. Sexuality is the fountain of life and so nothing is more holy than the sexual act. So, too, when abused, nothing can be more debasing and destructive to the human being. - Establish courts of law and ensure justice in our world.
With every small act of justice, we are restoring harmony to our world, synchronizing it with a supernal order. That is why we must keep the laws established by our government for the country’s stability and harmony.
Chabad.org
As we hear about the deaths of those in Syria and Turkey, let us pray that those who remain, are healed as G-d wishes, and like Ninveh, they find it within themselves the G-dliness G-d provides to all His beings. Thanks to the Israel Defense Forces who act as a light unto the nations, running to Turkey for humanitarian efforts, may their acts be a kiddush Hashem which hastens the coming of Moshiach speedily in our days.
Good Shabbos.
-Suri