Thursday, April 3, 2014
Ethics of our Fathers: Chapter 3 Mishna 2: The Difference between Torah and the laws of the land
9:45 PM | 
Posted by
Rabbi Chaim Coffman |
"Rabbi Channina the deputy high priest said, 'Pray for the welfare of the government, since were it not for the fear of it men would swallow each other alive'"
What is the purpose of praying for the welfare of the government? In most countries, aren't there more and more scandals of government officials? In reality if there is peace and good will in the government, then there law and order in that country, if not their would be utter chaos.
If we did not have law and order then people would literally swallow each other alive. What happens when things spiral out of control? We have seen blackouts and natural disasters where we were left to the elements and on our own. This has the ability to bring out the best and worst of people. Some people will do whatever they can to help others while others will unfortunately take advantage of the situation.
The leads to a tremendous distinction between the laws of the land and Torah. The laws of the land are there to protect us from each other and make sure no one takes advantage of others. They also keep order, otherwise the most powerful people would be in charge running things without constraints. Laws of the Torah on the other hand, are there to transform a person and help them reach their true spiritual potential.
It is much more than just keeping the order and making sure that people act properly with regards to other's property...At the same time, this is a test for us. Do the actions of a person show that they are doing so because they fear G-d or because of the constraints of civilized society? Does a person keep the mitzvos because they believe it is true or because they are afraid if they don't they will fry in hell forever?
We grapple with difficult issues and try to make sense of them. When we see someone suffer, do they still try and wonder about G-d hashgacha pratis (Divine Providence) and how he runs the world? Are we robots just going through the motions or do we carefully analyze the things we do and try and make ourselves better people?
The purpose of this Mishna is to teach us that we live in a society with people surrounding us and we have to live our lives to the best of our ability. Even if we make mistakes we have to own up to them and continue striving to do the right thing. We have to keep the law but keep the spirit of the law as well.
We many times have to go beyond the law to uphold it holy statutes. This will help with our interaction with others and allow us to grow as individuals.
What is the purpose of praying for the welfare of the government? In most countries, aren't there more and more scandals of government officials? In reality if there is peace and good will in the government, then there law and order in that country, if not their would be utter chaos.
If we did not have law and order then people would literally swallow each other alive. What happens when things spiral out of control? We have seen blackouts and natural disasters where we were left to the elements and on our own. This has the ability to bring out the best and worst of people. Some people will do whatever they can to help others while others will unfortunately take advantage of the situation.
The leads to a tremendous distinction between the laws of the land and Torah. The laws of the land are there to protect us from each other and make sure no one takes advantage of others. They also keep order, otherwise the most powerful people would be in charge running things without constraints. Laws of the Torah on the other hand, are there to transform a person and help them reach their true spiritual potential.
It is much more than just keeping the order and making sure that people act properly with regards to other's property...At the same time, this is a test for us. Do the actions of a person show that they are doing so because they fear G-d or because of the constraints of civilized society? Does a person keep the mitzvos because they believe it is true or because they are afraid if they don't they will fry in hell forever?
We grapple with difficult issues and try to make sense of them. When we see someone suffer, do they still try and wonder about G-d hashgacha pratis (Divine Providence) and how he runs the world? Are we robots just going through the motions or do we carefully analyze the things we do and try and make ourselves better people?
The purpose of this Mishna is to teach us that we live in a society with people surrounding us and we have to live our lives to the best of our ability. Even if we make mistakes we have to own up to them and continue striving to do the right thing. We have to keep the law but keep the spirit of the law as well.
We many times have to go beyond the law to uphold it holy statutes. This will help with our interaction with others and allow us to grow as individuals.
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