STAM
TORAH
PARSHAS
SHOFTIM 5777
“EMOTIONAL BRIBERY”
Melburn McBroom was a domineering boss, with a temper that intimidated
those who worked with him. It may not have been so terrible if McBroom worked
in a factory or in an office. But McBroom was an airline pilot.
One day in 1978 McBroom’s plane was approaching Portland , Oregon
As McBroom obsessed about the landing gear, the plane’s fuel gauges
steadily approached empty. But the copilots were so fearful of McBroom’s wrath
that they said nothing, even as disaster loomed. The plane eventually crashed,
killing ten people.
In his noted work, Emotional Intelligence, Daniel Goleman uses
this story to argue the importance of ‘emotional intelligence’: “Imagine the
benefits of being skilled in the basic emotional competencies – being attuned
to those feelings we deal with, being able to handle disagreements so they do
not escalate, having the ability to get into flow states while doing our work.
Leadership is not domination, but the art of persuading people to work toward a
common goal. And, in terms of managing our own career, there may be nothing
more essential than recognizing our deepest feelings about what we do – and
what changes might make us more truly satisfied with our work.”
“Judges and officers shall you appoint in
all your cities – which Hashem, your G-d gives you – for your tribes; and they shall
judge the people with righteous judgment. You shall not pervert judgment, you
shall not respect someone’s presence, and you shall not accept a bribe, for the
bribe will blind the eyes of the wise, and make just words crooked.
Righteousness, righteousness you shall pursue, so that you will possess the
Land that Hashem, your G-d, gives you.”[1]
The Chofetz Chaim notes that if someone says about another individual
that he is ‘wealthy’, we cannot be too sure that it’s true. After all, perhaps
the labeler is himself poor and his standard of wealth are a far cry from those
of society[2].
However, if Baron de Rothschild would refer to someone as wealthy we can be
confident that the individual is truly wealthy. Rothschild was well-known as
one of the wealthiest individuals in Europe ,
so he is a good barometer of wealth.
In a similar vein, if someone refers to another individual as a wise
person, we cannot be sure that he is truly an erudite individual. The labeler may
not be very intelligent himself and so his measure of wisdom may not be too
accurate. However, if Rabbi Akiva Eiger was to declare that a certain
individual was wise we could rest assured that he is truly brilliant. Rabbi
Akiva Eiger was himself a brilliant scholar of unparalleled proportions, and so
he can know the true measure of wisdom. How much more so if King Solomon, the
wisest of men, testified about another person’s wisdom!
As the adage goes, “It takes one to know one!”
If the measure of wealth and wisdom can be so defined by mortals who
possess great wealth or wisdom, how much more can be said about G-d Himself. If
the Creator of the world, who Himself grants all wealth and wisdom, were to
testify about a certain individual that He possessed superior knowledge or
wealth we would have no doubt about the veracity of those titles. Conversely, if
G-d were to declare that a wise person had forfeited his wisdom or that a
wealthy individual lost his wealth we would have no doubt that it was true.
Thus, explained the Chofetz Chaim, we must appreciate the Torah’s
declarations about the deleterious effect of bribery. The Torah declares that
bribery blinds the eyes of the wise person. This is an individual whom the
Torah itself declares to be a wise and righteous person. Yet - the Torah warns
- even such a person will be unable to objectively offer a judicial ruling if
he was offered the most minimal bribe.
The beginning of parshas Shoftim seems, prima facie, solely dedicated
to judges and officers. In truth however, it contains a poignant and vital message
for every individual. We all pass judgment myriads of times each day. We view
events and actions, and react accordingly. We must realize how much we are biased
and influenced, even unwittingly. We are prodded to act based on our desires
and penchants, and by events that transpire.
During
my high school days in Yeshiva Shaarei Torah, a rebbe would deliver a lecture
based on the parsha each Thursday night. Each Thursday evening, we students
would ask the Menahel who was speaking. Normally he would respond in kind, by
telling us the name of the rebbe. But every few weeks he would respond that ‘a close
relative of his’ would be speaking. We knew that that was his way of saying
that he was himself delivering the lecture that night.
The wise Sages declared that every individual is related to himself! In
fact, we are our own closet relative, even more than our own parents and
children. If we are naturally inclined to care about our relatives and those we
feel close to, how much more so are we blinded by ourselves.
The Washington Post used to promote its circulation with a classic
slogan: “If you don’t get it, you don’t get it!” A person who is candid with
himself must realize that in regard to his own shortcomings he can ‘never truly
get it’ That is why we need to be able to hearken to the gentle criticisms of
friends and loved ones, for they have a more objective view of our behavior and
can be the ultimate guides towards our greatest growth.[3]
Even the greatest therapist and parenting expert needs to solicit the
advice of others when it comes to his/her own children. In regard to ourselves
we must realize that we are always contending with our own biases and emotions,
and therefore need the advice and guidance of others.
The Ba’alei Mussar note that the aforementioned verses at the beginning
of parshas Shoftim are an exhortation to every person. Those words remind us
that we must enact our own personal safeguards and protections from sin.
It is hardly coincidental that parshas Shoftim is read at the beginning
of the month of Elul, when we commence our efforts towards repentance and
spiritual renewal. Before one can embark on any path he must be able to
visualize where he is headed. And that can only be feasibly accomplished if one
is willing to solicit advice and guidance from others.
“For bribery will blind the eyes of the wise”
“If you don’t get it, you don’t get it!”
Rabbi Dani Staum, LMSW
Rabbi, Kehillat New Hempstead
Rebbe/Guidance Counselor – Heichal HaTorah
Principal – Ohr Naftoli- New Windsor
[2] Years ago,
when I was in yeshiva, there was a worker who wasn’t of the brightest ilk. He
was once asked how much he thought someone’s home (a particularly expensive
home) cost. His response was, “That’s an expensive house; it’s gotta cost at
least a hundred dollars.”
[3] In fact,
that is one of the greatest gifts of a proper marriage. The Sages explain that
G-d created the institution of marriage – two people with such diverse
backgrounds and temperaments - joining together in building a family, so that
they can help build each other in a loving manner.
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