Once Meguid arrived in Berdichev (narrator), who, calling the Jews to repentance, rebuked their sins.


When he finished his speech in the synagogue, known for his love of the people of Israel, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev (1770-1810 gg.) I turned to God: "Gracious, please, do not believe that this honorable man said! Jews break the commandments of the Torah only because they were severely persecuted. They have neither the strength nor the time to devote himself to the Torah, they are living in poverty because of the anti-Semitic laws. Come Messiah, freed them from persecution, and you will see how much they love the Torah! "

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak became famous for defending the Jews, turned to God in Yiddish - Derbaremdiker! (Merciful!) According to legend, in memory of the righteous are his descendants surname Derbaremdiker today.


Even a conversation with a person which has ceased to obey the Torah, the Rebbe turned to defense. Once Rabbi Levi Yitzhak met a Jew with her head uncovered. "Yarmulke is not held because of the long hair," - he explained. But the rabbi haircut offer refused. Then the rabbi offered him money, but he again refused. Rebbe tried unsuccessfully to increase the amount. But when Rabbi Levi Yitzhak promised him a World to Come, he agreed. "Gracious, look at his people - Israel! - said the rabbi. - This Jew refused a lot of money, but agreed to a haircut just for the World to Come, which has never seen! Look how great the faith of the Jews in You! "


Perhaps someone may seem naive attitude towards people rabbi. But we should remember that in fact the Rabbi was an influential leader and a great teacher who has changed for the better people's lives. He saw the Jews as well, inspired by their words, helping to uncover the hidden good in their souls ...


When King Balak was preparing for war with the people of Israel, wanting to prevent their return to the Holy Land, he called Balaam for help. Balak saw that more powerful nations could not withstand the Jews, so he decided to fight them with their own weapons - the word. Balaam was known for his ability to curse all that he cursed, was cursed. Balak promised Balaam huge reward for his curse. However, the most crucial moment of Balaam could not curse the Jews, and instead of cursing the blessing he said: "How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!"


- Why do not you curse Israel? - Balak was angry.

- How can I curse the one who did not curse the Almighty! - Balaam answered. - Almighty "did not see sin in Jacob, sees no evil in Israel. Almighty with it (the people), and the love of the King with him "(Deuteronomy 23:21).


"God does not see when the Jews violate His commandments, because he does not treat them with the utmost rigor" - leads words of the wise Rashi (Tanchuma).


But why God does not see the sins of the Jews, because they, like everyone else, had its disadvantages? Because Allah refers to people as well as people relate to each other, according to the Talmud. If we treat each other compassionately, then the Almighty shows us mercy. If we do not notice the shortcomings of others, then God does not notice them. If we see the dignity of others, and the Almighty also sees them.


By focusing on the shortcomings of others, people unfriendly look like the evil eye, causing people harm. However, the real damage it causes itself - like a boomerang, the curse returns: for "cursing the damned." Balaam did not have independent powers, but took on the role of the prosecutor in the court of heaven, calling on the Almighty to punish people for their sins. And because he was punished: for trying to curse the people of Bilam was killed.


On the other hand, the "blessed blessing". He who finds his good eye-esteem in others, blesses them, he deserves a blessing.


Contemporaries of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak have argued that the above words of the Torah are the Rebbe Levi Yitzhak, who "did not see sin in Jacob," and credited for that Gd was always with him!

Leo kazin