Easy To Preach – Parsahas Bereishis 5769
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Loading ...ויאמר קין אל הבל אחיו ויהי בהיותם בשדה ויקם קין אל־הבל אחיו ויהרגהו (ד:ח).
“Kayin spoke with his brother Hevel. And it happened when they were in the field and Kayin rose up against his brother Hevel and killed him (4:8).”
The verse never states what exactly Kayin said to Hevel? The Ibn Ezra informs us of this missing piece and grants us much insight into human nature. He says that Kayin simply said over the last message which had been stated to him from Hashem and redirected it to Hevel. In the proceeding verses, Kayin was upset that Hashem did not accept his offering and so Hashem rebuked him and said, “if you would improve your ways, then I would accept your offerings… the Evil Inclination is out to get you, but your effort can fight him off.” Kayin took these words of rebuke that Hashem had just admonished him with and instead of taking them to heart, he delivered them to Hevel! Then, at the end of the verse, he rose and murdered his brother in cold blood.
How often does one hear words of rebuke and think to himself, “if only so-and-so would be present to hear this, he really needs this rebuke.” With this, one pushes off his own acceptance and contemplation of the rebuke. It is easy to be strict on others, and lenient on oneself, but this is not the Torah way. On the contrary, R’ Yehudah said, “though I am lenient with others, I am stringent on myself (Berachos 22a)!”
Additionally, Rabbeinu Ovadia MiBartenura explains the maxim in Avos (1:15) of “Asay Toroschah Kevah- make your Torah set,” to refer to this exact lesson. See to it that your application of Torah should be consistent, in that you do not act lenient on yourself while being strict on others. Be sure that you follow the absolute and set path of truth in all circumstances.
The lesson is, as R’ Avi Shulman, a great educator in America, so eloquently cliques, “the wise man demands of himself, what the fool demands of others.”
May we all merit to use the many opportunities which Hashem presents us with to gain inspiration and to apply it to ourselves, allowing us to grow unlimitedly!
Categories: Parshas Bereishis
