OHR TORAH
“Do not show favoritism in judgment... for the judgment is the Lord’s” (Devarim 1:17).
The Zohar explains: a fool is one who rebels against the king but, upon seeing the king’s smiling face, assumes all is well. An intelligent servant understands that even a merciful king, whose outward appearance is friendly, remembers indiscretions and will eventually pursue justice.
Similarly, G-d’s pleasant countenance does not mean that He abstains from pursuing justice against sinners—only that His justice is so merciful that a fool might mistake it for kindness. Indeed, when good things happen to righteous people they are ever concerned that G-d’s kindness toward them may in fact be guised retribution for their sins, a merciful sort of punishment that would compensate them in this world, that G-d may justly deduct their joy from their ultimate reward. Like the intelligent servants in the Zohar’s parable, the righteous know that G-d’s smiling face belies His justice, and that justice is always served, albeit mercifully.
In our verse, “Do not show favoritism” (לא תכירו פנים) can also mean “Do not regard a face.” The Torah is cautioning us not to—based on the king’s smiling countenance and merciful ways—draw the conclusion that He is not also an exacting judge. “Do not [mistakenly] regard His face when He is in judgment,” the verse cautions. “For judgment is the Lord’s.”
Translated by: Yechiel Krisch
Adapted from the teachings of the Mezritcher Maggid
Ohr Torah 154, 39
