Parshas Yisro 5786
- Torah Tavlin
- Feb 4
- 2 min read
ולא תעלה במעלת על מזבחי אשר לא תגלה ערותך עליו ... (כ-כג)
MASHAL: Once, a powerful king appointed a new prime minister to lead the government. While many accepted the appointment, one influential senior minister was deeply dissatisfied. He believed the new appointee was completely incompetent. He publicly spoke harshly against the new prime minister before large crowds of people.
Word of this public criticism quickly reached the palace. The king was furious. He immediately summoned the minister to the throne room. “How dare you speak about my prime minister in such a disgraceful manner?”
The minister, tried to justify himself. “Your Majesty,” he pleaded, “please understand. I did not speak out of malice, but out of loyalty! I hastened to criticize him because he lacks the skills to serve the King properly. I was merely pointing out his flaws to protect your administration.”
The king’s anger only intensified. “You fool!” the king thundered. “When you publicly declare the prime minister unfit for the job, you are effectively saying that I am unfit to be King! Since it was I who used my judgment to select him, by attacking my choice, you have effectively spoken against the King himself!”
NIMSHAL: Rashi explains the law that the Torah forbids taking wide strides over the Mizbeach to preserve its dignity: If senseless stones, which feel no pain, must be treated with respect simply because they serve a holy purpose, how much more so must we respect a fellow human being! Humans have feelings and possess intrinsic holiness, making them worthy of absolute honor. Every person is crafted by the “King” - created in the image of Hashem. To disrespect a person is to criticize his or her Maker.