Hope you’re having a great day.

And that today’s lesson won’t apply to you personally!

.. The Talmud warns us to never enter a home unannounced.

Even our own.

And even the room of a child. Especially a teenager!

It’s not derech eretz. Not proper etiquette.

A person may be startled, caught off guard. Not ready for company.

And we need to be sensitive to that.

… What’s especially interesting is the Talmud’s source.

It goes back to the Garden of Eden. After Adam sinned.

“And G-d called to the man; And said to him…”

Jewish tradition teaches us to always look very carefully at the Torah’s wording.

Because subtleties are meant to teach us lessons about life.

G-d didn’t just start talking to Adam. He called out to him first.

Didn’t just “barge in.” He gave him a chance to prepare himself.

It’s the Torah’s way of teaching us proper etiquette. Sensitivity to other people.

… And who was G-d dealing with?

A sinner! Adam.

Adam’s sin was not just a private issue. It had cosmic implications.

It affected the whole world. Until today.

The world is not the perfect world it once was.

In fact, Adam’s sin is the reason we have to work so hard to earn a living! (3:19)

But the Torah teaches us – he’s still entitled to respect and dignity. Because he’s a human being.

… It’s something to think about. Especially on “one of those days.”

Maybe at the office. Someone is giving us a hard time.

And we’re about to lose it. And let him have it.

Right in front of everyone else!

… Sure, we should do whatever is necessary to address the problem.

But not at the expense of the other person’s dignity.

A hard day at work?

Remember Adam. “The sinner.”

It’s because of him that we’re in this office to start with.

We could have been relaxing on the recliner. Clipping coupons!

… But G-d showed him respect.