E Mussar - Sabedoria para o Crescimento Pessoal: SF

segunda-feira, 13 de fevereiro de 2023

SF - Do Not Oppress a Foreigner

"Do do not hurt the feelings of a foreigner or oppress him, for you were foreigners in Egypt" (Shemos 22:20). It is as if HaShem is saying: "Don't mistreat or take advantage of helpless people like foreigners, widows, or orphans, etc., thinking that no one can save them. Remember that you were foreigners enslaved in Egypt. I saw the oppression that the Egyptians imposed on you and I punished them and rescued you from their hand. I see the tears and hear the cries of the oppressed, who have no one to save or comfort them. I save each one of them from the persecutor who is more powerful than they. In addition, since you were foreigners in Egypt, you know that every foreigner feels sad and cries with his eyes directed toward Me. I will have mercy on Him, just as I had mercy on you."

In the politics of interpersonal relationships, there is a tendency to mistreat those who are disadvantaged. HaShem warns us that the experience of our bondage in Egypt and the miraculous redemption, imbues us with the knowledge that HaShem will always defend the oppressed. Therefore, it is incumbent upon Klal Yisrael to never hurt the feelings or oppress the weak.

Envision an Egyptian taskmaster beating a helpless Jewish slave. The taskmaster is certain that the slave has no recourse to defend himself. See Moshe Rabenu observe the beating. Sense Moshe's heart fill with compassion for his brother. Moshe rescues the slave and slays the cruel Egyptian. Reflect on the verse, "Do do not hurt the feelings of a foreigner or oppress him, for you were foreigners in Egypt." Show sensitivity, respect, to all disadvantaged people, taking care to never hurt or oppress them.

(Based on the commentary of the Ramban to the Torah)