This week’s Parsha, Ki Seitzei, tells us, “If there is a quarrel between (two) men, who come to court to be judged, the innocent one will be acquitted, and the guilty one will be condemned.”
In the Torah, there is nothing extra. Here, however, there seem to be extra words. The verse starts, “If there is a quarrel,” it could have started “men, who come to court...” Isn’t it obvious that there is a dispute when two men come to court?
Then it continues, “The innocent one will be acquitted, and the guilty one will be condemned.” What other option is there? Isn’t that what a court ought to do?
This is a special case. First, the two men were quarreling, and from the fighting, a dispute arose. When they come to court, the judges recognize that this case started as a quarrel. They might be tempted to deal with the true underlying issue instead of judging the case at hand. The Torah tells the court to judge the case properly.
There is a message here for us all. Don’t think that quarreling with a friend is ok. Ultimately it will escalate, and you will end up in court. Your case will not be judged according to your feelings but by the law.
We each need to think about our relationships. Is it really worth fighting with friends and family? How many of us haven’t spoken to a friend or, even worse, a family member for a long time because of some petty matter?
Don’t let it come to that. Whether you feel innocent or guilty in the situation, it’s not worth the constant fighting, bickering, and hurting.
Sometimes we lose focus, forgetting that Hashem put us in our situation. We start to feel negative about ourselves and everyone around us. Then the quarreling begins.
Practice recognizing Hashem’s hand in all that happens. It will keep you positive.
Life is short. Be positive and easy to get along with. Be a good friend and good family. Let the petty stuff slide. Be happy, friendly and smile a lot.
You will positively change the world for the good, and you will bring out the positive in those around you.
(I would like to thank my wife, Dina, for her input in writing this article.)
