D'var Torah: "You shall surely let go of your indignation" (Shemot 23:5). Imagine you are in the mall. As you are shopping you bump into your neighbor. You can't help noticing that he is shoplifting. He knows you saw him and he gives you a little smile and says, "Hi David," as if nothing happened. You are shocked and feel upset that he stole, but there is very little you can do about it without causing a scene. How should you veiw him in the future? The Torah has remarkable advice, "Let it go!" Forget what happened and let go of your critical feelings. It is a Mitzvah to draw him close to you with love and friendship! Maybe this positive approach will have a good impact on him and he will be inspired by your compassion to correct and improve his ways.
Moral: Judgement and criticism of others is often counterproductive. The compassionate Torah has a game-changing idealogy: "Let it go," and win your friend's redemption by smiling on him with love, acceptance, and joy.
Application: Emulate HaShem's compassion and forgiveness. (1) Let go of your judgements of others. (2) Respond to unsuitable behavior with love and friendship. (3) Give people the support and confidence to grow towards goodness and personal transformation. (4) Remember the healing power of love.
(Based on the commentary of the Tomer Devorah, Chapter One)
