D'var Torah: There is a spiritual palace in Heaven, inhabited by countless angels. Every time a person performs an act of kindness, an angel collects the act of kindness and stores it in the palace. In the event that judgment is awakened, the angels rush before HaShem and show him the many acts of kindnesses of Klal Yisrael. One of the attributes of supernal compassion is “Hashem Delights in Kindness.” Therefore, He is so moved by the display of kindness that He annuls the judgement. For example, at the time of the Churbon (the destruction of the Temple) a great judgment was awakened against Klal Yisrael. The angels showed HaShem an image of a hand, signifying the acts of kindness of Klal Yisrael. HaShem called out to Gavriel, the angel of judgement, “They are performing acts of kindness for each other! Relax the judgement, and allow them to survive.”
Moral: HaShem sets up the world in a way that He always focuses on the positive attributes and actions of man. Through the attribute of supernal compassion, “He delights in kindness,” His mercy overcomes the judgment.
Application: Emulate HaShem by focusing on the positive traits of your fellow man. If somebody offends you or causes you grief, shift your perspective by looking at his good points. Identify ways that he has helped other people, or consider a positive attribute he has, or a good deed that he has to his credit. Let the positive perspective of “Delighting in Kindness,” move your heart to have compassion upon your fellow man and strive to see him in a positive light.
(Based on Tomer Devorah of Rav Moshe Cordovero)
