This week’s Parasha has a beautiful lesson.
The Sefer Tomar Devorah written by Rabbi Moshe Cordevero (also known as the Ramak) discusses the 13 different attributes of mercy of God and how we human beings are supposed to emulate them.
One of God’s middot is called, “Erech Apa’im.”It says that God does not hold His anger forever.
Even if a person continues to sin, Hashem does not stay angry forever. If a man does not do to Teshuva, God’s anger abates. Even if the person is still sinning, God is merciful. He doesn’t punish, and He hopes that the person will come back.
Even if a person hasn’t changed, you can’t get be angry at somebody forever.
This is how a person has to act with his friends, even in a case where he has the right to give mussar; even if it’s his children, and they are under his control.
At a certain point, you have to realize that you can’t be angry forever.
Rather, He says, turn around, and maybe you’ll get him with love. Then he quotes pasuk from this Parasha, “If you see the donkey of your enemy, and he is collapsing under his load, should you not help him? Rather, you should help him.
Someone might wonder why the Torah is talking about enemies/ hating someone, when we’ve been learning all about Ahavat Yisrael?
In actuality, this is referring to someone who has sinned. You have a right to hate him for his sin.
But still, the Torah tells us here, to Azov Ta’azov-Let go of what is in your heart.”
Rather, what you should do is help him out, because, “Maybe that approach will work.” And this is the middah that God has.
Sometimes you see a sinner, who seems to be doing great and you wonder what is going on.
The answer is that Hashem says, ”How long does it take? Maybe if I give him something, he will turn around and say, ‘God is great,’ and do Teshuva that way.”
That is this pasuk- Sometimes the way to change a person is just by loving them, and doing for them, and that will make them turn around.
Have a wonderful day and a Shabbat Shalom.