SHOFTIM – TAKING CARE OF EACH OTHER · Sukkat Shalom B'nei Noach

בס”ד

Once there was a small village.

Many people lived there.
Everyone knew each other.

One day, something very sad happened.
A person was found dead outside the village.

Nobody knew who did it.

The leaders of the village were very sad.
They said:

“We did not do it.
But we want to help.”

They prayed together.
They asked for forgiveness.
And they promised to take better care of the people in their village.

But why did they have to do this?

They did not hurt the person.

Because leaders have a job.
They must take care of their people.
They must teach people what is right and what is wrong.
They must help make the community safe.

A Practical Example

Imagine a boy sees another child sitting alone.

The child looks sad.
Nobody is playing with him.

The boy could say:

“That is not my problem.”

But instead, he says:

“Come with me.
I will play with you!”

The other child smiles.

That is taking care of each other.

We can all help.

We can help someone who is sad.
We can be honest.
We can help someone who needs us.
We can do what is right, even when nobody is watching.

When we care for one another, we help make the world a better place.

The Lesson is:
We are responsible for one another.
When we take care of each other, we make the world better.

By Rabbi Moshe Bernstein and Angelique Sijbolts

Sources:

Deuteronomy 21:1–9: Babylonian Talmud, Sotah 45b–46b.
Maimonides (Rambam), Mishneh Torah, Laws of Kings and Wars, Chapter 9, Halacha 14: Likutei Sichot, Vol. 9 (Shoftim). Ramban Genesis 13.wer in the world besides the Creator. This is the path to bring about the repair of the world and the blessing of the true and final redemption.

If you want more questions for contemplation, SEE THE OTHER BLOGS FROM RABBI MOSHE BERNSTEIN