Community Magazine September 2009

18 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE The Benefit of the Doubt The Talmud (Shabbat 127b) teaches, “One who judges his fellow favorably – he is judged favorably.” The way to earn a favorable judgment, the Gemara instructs, is to render favorable judgment in our dealings with other people. As an example of giving favorable judgment, the Gemara tells of an employee who worked for three years for a wealthy landowner, and then finally asked his employer for payment. “I have no money,” the employer replied. “Then give me fruit,” begged the worker. “I have none.” “Then I’ll take some real estate.” “I don’t have any land.” The worker asked for animals and even for household items such as bedding, but each time, the landowner – suspiciously – claimed to have nothing to give him. And so, the employee returned home to his family, empty-handed, with nothing to show for his three years of devoted service. Several weeks later, the employer came to the worker with three wagons laden with food, drink, and other valuable items. He shared the goods with the employee and then gave him his long overdue salary. “Tell me,” the landowner asked, “what did you think when I told you that I had nothing to give you?” The worker explained to his employer how he had given him the benefit of the doubt. He had figured that his boss had come upon an attractive investment opportunity, and spent all his money on the investment. He also assumed that his animals and land had all been leased, and that the harvested crops were not yet suitable for consumption because the required tithes had not been separated. Dedicated in memory of Mr. Irving Semah     RABBI ELI MANSOUR pass T he future of our health, our livelihood, and our very lives is to be decided within weeks. But while there is no substitute for repentance, as we prepare for the judgment of Rosh Hashanah and begin the difficult, grueling process of honest introspection and self-improvement, is there some shortcut or “insider” technique for getting a favorable verdict? Unlike man, Gd is all-knowing, cannot be bribed or unduly influenced and administers perfect justice. Yet, aside from traditional teshuva, which is something that should occupy us throughout our lives, as we endeavor each day to be just a bit better than we were the day before, there are other powerful strategies the Sages describe, which can greatly improve our standing before the Heavenly Tribunal. During the Days of Awe, the Almighty opens our files, so-to-speak, and carefully reviews our conduct during the previous year – a frightening thought. But there is something we could do to earn Gd’s favor even before this process gets started, to put ourselves in a positive light in the eyes of the court even before the file is opened! GET A FREE FROM GD