Being sensitive to others pain and crying out on their behalf. The Children of Israel increased in numbers in the land of Egypt. A new leader arose over Egypt, and he announced to his people: Come, let us deal wisely with them (the Children of Israel), lest they multiply, and when there will be a war, they will join our enemies and fight against us, and go up from our land (Exodus 1:10). The Talmud (Sotah 11a) states that Pharaoh held a council with three people before he reached his decision to persecute the Israelites: Bilaam, Job and Jethro. Bilaam, who advised Pharaoh to persecute them, was subsequently killed by the Israelites during a battle. Job, who remained silent, was punished with great suffering. Jethro, who fled, merited that his descendants were members of the Sanhedrin (highest rabbinical court of the Jewish people). At first glance it seems difficult to understand why Job was punished. Since Pharaoh was antagonistic towards the Children of Israel, even if Job would have spoken on their behalf, nothing would have been accomplished. The proof is that Jethro was rewarded for running away in protest. If Pharaoh would have listened to him, he would not have been rewarded for running away. The Brisker Rav, Rabbi Yitzchok Zev Soloveitchik, offered a classic explanation. True, Job knew that speaking out would not change Pharaohs mind, but he should have protested nonetheless, as Jethro did by fleeing. When something hurts, a person cries out. If a person remains silent, it shows that he does not feel pain. Job was taught this lesson. He would suffer, and although crying out would not help, he would realize that when one suffers, one cries out. Previously, he should have felt the suffering of others; now he would feel his own. In the future, he will be more sensitive to others pain and cry out on their behalf.
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 22:30:00 +0000
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