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Overlook the Flaw of Your Friend \ Tomer Devorah
יכבש עונותינו
“He conquers our sins” (Micha 7)
The Mitzvot that we perform are like rockets that break the bonds of gravity, ascending higher and higher until they reach the lofty spiritual heights of HaShem. In light of this, our Sages revealed, “There is no reward in this world.” Meaning, since our Mitzvot enter the spiritual realm of HaShem, how can HaShem bestow His reward to us in this material world? The worth of the entire physical world is not commensurate to the value of one Mitzvah, and the incomparable pleasure of being in His sublime Presence! Therefore, HaShem bestows our reward for the Mitzvot in the spiritual dimension of the eternal Gan Eden, the place of unbounded pleasure and delight.
We would assume that just as our Mitzvot climb up into the upper worlds, so too, our transgressions enter the domain of HaShem.
Thankfully, in HaShem’s infinite compassion, He “conquers our transgressions” so that they do not rise before Him! He “forces them down” with His great power so that we can rectify them through the process of repentance.
In light of the fact, that it is the way of our deeds to ascend to “the upper spiritual hemispheres,” HaShem’s unbounded mercy in overpowering the ascent of our transgressions is astounding!
We can apply this same mercy to our interpersonal relationships. It is “human nature” to ignore the good that our friend bestowed upon us and just remember his negative words or deeds. It is easy to forget that he performed kindness for you, by focusing on the one time he made a unfavourable comment.
We can emulate HaShem by reversing our inherent negative proclivity. “Conquer” and forget the imperfection of your friend, and focus on his good. Remember his favorable side and intensify your awareness of his goodness, until it neutralizes whatever misdeed he committed!
This is a great internal battle! Nevertheless, we are created in HaShem’s image. We have the inner strength to focus on the good of our friend and ignore and dismiss his flaw, just as HaShem “conquers our sins.”
(Based on Tomer Devorah, Chapter One, Rabbi Moshe Cordovero)
