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Before being annoyed with someone for what he/she had said or done, what should we consider?
The Midrash cites the words of Rabbi Yizchak: ”Moshe stated, ‘Ki karov yom eidam, for the day of the catastrophe is near,”[1] and ‘Ki karov eylecha hadavar meod, for the matter is very close to you.”[2] Bilam said, “Err’enu v’lo ata, I will see, but not now.’[3] This is compared to a king who gave a country to his son in a far-away location. The prince was taken there, accompanied by one friend and one foe of the king. Along the way, the enemy commented, ‘Your father hates you. That’s why he gave you land so far away.’ The prince was distressed when he heard that. The friend said to the prince, “We are close to reaching the land that your father has assigned for you. We’ll prepare all that would make you comfortable.’ Immediately, the prince felt relieved.”[4]
Moshe informed Bnei Yisrael about two important matters: 1) A day of catastrophe would come for the nations that persecute Israel. 2) Teshuvah, penitence. Moshe referred to both of them as karov, close, thereby indicating that redemption was near.
Bilam also referred to redemption of Israel. However, he stated that it would take place at a later time, in the future. Bilam, the enemy, presented a dismal account. It’s not going to happen now. Moshe, the beloved, said it is close by.
Moshe obviously said the truth. Bilam must have been saying the truth as well because Hashem did not allow for him to lie. How could it be, then, that they would both be referring to the same thing, yet convey them differently?
Two people can be looking at the same matter and see them differently. It can depend on character, nature and desire. Bilam, sought pain for Israel. He therefore expressed their redemption as something far away. Moshe, who sought good for Israel expressed redemption in comforting words, indicating that the realization of their hopes was near. [5]
We would have assumed that with facts in front of you, there is no room for dispute. However, perception and presentation of reality, is another matter. Our recognition that people interpret what they learn or see differently one from the other, should give us pause. We should be open to the fact that there could be a different way of looking at things, even when one person feels that what stands before him is clear, obvious, and indisputable.
A person had to make a quick stop in Boro Park, Brooklyn. The neighborhood is heavily populated with religious Jews. He tried desperately to find a parking spot, but circling the blocks did not help him. He figured that he would be in and out quickly, so he parked near a fire hydrant.
In the split second of his venture, an officer arrived and started to write a ticket. His pleading for mercy did not help. He drove away distressed.
Later on, he looked at the ticket. Something was really strange. He had parked on 14th Avenue, near 45th Street. The address that was cited on the ticket as the location of the violation was 7910 14th Avenue, indicating 79th street! It made no sense to him. He was puzzled. How could the officer have made such a mistake?
He was determined to get to the bottom of it. The place that he had parked was in front of a store where a scribe worked. There was a big sign out in front. The sign was old and the letters were in an old font. It said in Hebrew lettering, Sofer, which means scribe. Hebrew letters are written from right to left. Sofer is spelled Samech, Vuv, Fei, Reish: ר 1 0
The officer recorded what he saw. Mystery solved.
Before making determinations and claims against another, can we admit that people see things differently?
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Hershel D. Becker
[1] Hazinu 32:35
[2] Vayelech 30:14
[3] Balak 24:17
[4] Yalkut Shimoni 771
[5] Chidushei HaLeiv Ha’azinu p.211