I would like to relate two very interesting incidents related to a pasuk in this week’s parsha:
Parshas Mishpatim contains the biblical prohibition against inflicting pain on widows and orphans (Shemos 22:21). The Torah warns: “For if you cause him pain and he cries out to me, I will hear his cry. And My wrath will be kindled and I will kill you by sword and your wives will become widows and your children will become orphans.” (Shemos 22:22-23)
A person must be extremely careful when it comes to widows and orphans. The reason is that these are people who are already in pain. The Almighty, as it were, has special affinity for people in pain. He identifies with them and will take revenge – as it were – against those responsible for afflicting them with additional pain.
The father of the Netziv (Rav Naftali Tzvi Yehudah Berlin) was a great Talmid Chochom, but he was not a Rosh Yeshiva. He was a successful businessman. He once returned from an extended business trip and brought his wife a beautiful crystal vase. She was thrilled with the gift and told the maid (who happened to be a widow) to put the new vase in the breakfront with all her silver. She specifically told her: “Be very careful with it; whatever you do, do not drop it. It is very expensive. I just got it and I love it. Do not drop it!”
Of course, when one tells someone 50 times “Do not drop it”, inevitably the maid dropped the vase, and it shattered. The Netziv’s mother started yelling at her: “Look what you did. You are a schlemiel. I told you not to drop it!” The Netziv’s father told his wife, “Please do not yell at her like that. If you have a problem with what happened, take her to a ‘Din Torah.'”
The Netziv’s mother said, “You’re right.” She told the maid, “Put on your coat right now, I am taking you to a ‘Din Torah.’ I am going to bring you to a Din Torah before the Rav of the community.” So, the maid put on her coat, the Netziv’s mother put on her coat, and the Netziv’s father put on his coat.
