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CTN TORAH MINUTE


Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 15 Jul 2012 / 0 Comment



Hi,

The Torah is amazing!

Sometimes it seems “so ancient”.  So “old fashioned.

We might say, “We can pass over that one.  Those days are over!”

But if we have patience?

We’ll discover tremendous lessons.  Very relevant lessons.

… You can’t really get around it.  The Torah is thousands of years old.

It couldn’t talk about relating to other people’s palm pilots.

So it talks about relating to their donkeys!

… Here’s one more commandment from the portion called Mishpatim.  Laws.

“If you see the donkey of someone you hate lying under its load…

You must make every effort to help him unload it”.  (Exodus, 23:5)

This is one of the places where the Torah commands us to prevent the pain of animals.

It’s a religious obligation!

When did the Western world first legislate against causing pain to animals?

In the 19th Century!

The Torah was thousands of years ahead of its time!

… But in this case it’s a little more complicated.

Because who owns the donkey?

The Torah says it may belong to your enemy.

Someone you really don’t like!  Someone you have “serious issues” with.

And part of us says, “What?  Help that guy”?

Why that…”!

The Torah says no!

We have to overcome that feeling in our heart.  Swallow our pride.

And go over to help him.

… We all know people who are carrying “burdens”.

And a simple phone call may help ease their burden.

But life in the 21st Century is very hectic.  We’re very busy.

… We should remember this “ancient” law about donkeys.

And think about what the Torah would say.

Because if we have to take the time to ease the burden of an animal. 

And the burden of an enemy.

How can we not take a few minutes to help a friend?

All the best,

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