Drash Cards for Acherei Mot/Kedoshim (5761)

by Marc Mangel

• Ch 19, v-18 are remarkable.  v 1-8 are about ritual, v 9-18 about the origins of altruistic love.

• But v 17 says that it is  a mitzvah to rebuke/admonish/reprove someone.  How does this fit into this remarkable chapter?

• Rashi says that when one rebukes/admonishes/reproves another, it should never be with embarrassment (Eruvin 16b).

• The Chazon Ish says that admonishment is limited and constrained by ‘do not hate’

• Avnei Ezel says that admonishment is effective only when it comes from a loving heart — it can never be in anger.

• R. Simcha Zissel of Kelm as a student read private letters of another person, but then waited 2 months before discussing the issues.

• R. Elazar ben Azaryah said “I wonder if there is anyone in this generation [read = any generation] who has the ability to offer rebuke”

• Various other sages add that one should ask “What are my true motives in trying to correct this person?”

• The Chofetz Chaim noted that most people suffer enough already, so we should not add guilt.

• Once R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev heard a preacher harshly rebuking someone and prayed to God: “Please remember this person is not speaking. Rather, it is his problems and suffering…”