“One who shames her neighbor publicly is akin to one who sheds the blood of another.”
— Babylonian Talmud Bab Metzia 58B
In this week’s parashah, B’haalotecha, we find the Torah’s preeminent tale of lashon harah, the evil tongue: Aaron and Miriam gossip together about their brother, Moses, and his wife, Tzipoorah, before God intervenes to punish the two siblings for the disdain they show their family. The tale underscores Judaism’s concern for preserving human dignity, one eloquently taught by our Talmudic scholars.
However, the maxim suggested by the Talmud, “One who shames her neighbor publicly is akin to one who sheds the blood of another,” places far more responsibility upon us than mere avoidance of gossip or slander, as anything that brings shame to another could fall into this category.
As such, it becomes imperative to examine our actions, both as individuals and as a collective, to ensure that they promote the dignity of others and never cause someone shame. Unfortunately, an honest assessment of the way we have collectively treated people of different gender, color, ethnicity, and nationality suggests that we have a long way to go before we can say with confidence that we have observed the dictates of our sages.
The struggles to seize dignity for all peoples, then, should attract the attention and support of Jews worldwide, as protecting human dignity represents a distinctly Jewish responsibility that we must embrace in the days and years to come.
Shabbat Shalom.
— Rabbi Josh Knobel
Wise Dads: Looking for a meaningful way to connect with your youngest while staying “Safer at Home”? Give your spouse a break and spend some quality time with your children. Join Rabbi Josh and Shifra as we get a head start for Father’s Day by baking some chocolate chunk muffins for the family. RSVP Here.