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DEUTERONOMY — 32:47 empty

DEUT1710 These are things whose fruits a man eats in this world and whose principal remains for the world to come: honoring one's father and mother, lovingkindness, fostering peace between man and his neighbor, and Torah study above all. R. Manna found them alluded to in this verse: "For it is not an empty thing from you" -- this refers to Torah study; "for it is your lives" -- this refers to honoring one's father and mother; "and through this thing shall you lengthen days" -- this refers to lovingkindness; "upon the land" -- this refers to the fostering of peace between man and his neighbor (Yerushalmi Peah 1:1)

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DEUTERONOMY — 33:1 blessed

DEUT1712 We are elevated when we find merit in others. The Midrash comments on this verse: "Whoever speaks out in defense of the Jewish people is elevated. We have proof from Moshe. Moshe was not called 'the man of God' until he spoke in defense of the Jewish people." (Moshe pointed out the loyalty of the Jewish people to God--see verses three and four and Rashi.) (Psikta D'Rav Kahane). Anyone can find fault with others. True greatness is to see the good points of others.

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DEUTERONOMY — 33:1 man

DEUT1713 Although we should forgo pleasures ourselves, we should try to give others pleasure. The Midrash comments that Moshe's upper half was Godly; Moshe's lower half was human (Dvorim Rabbah 11). Rabbi Yisroel Salanter explain the Midrash in the following manner. For himself, Moshe was a spiritual being, but when it came to others, Moshe was human. The Talmud (Ksubos 17a) states that a person should mingle with others. He must understand the needs of others. But for himself, a person should have as few needs as possible. A person must have two sets of values, one for himself and one for others. As far as he is concerned, a person should shy away from honor. Nevertheless, he should bestow honor upon his fellow man. A person should forgo pleasure for himself, but he should try to give his fellow man as much pleasure as possible. A person should be humble, but he should never humble his fellow man. (Ohr Yisroel, p. 83). Rabbi Yosef Y. Hurwitz, Rosh Yeshiva of Nevardok, expressed a similar idea. Undue concern about money is a very bad characteristic. A person should go to the opposite extreme and not worry even if he suffers a financial loss. However, if you see someone's possession laying on the floor, you must go out of your way to prevent it from being damaged. You should lend others whatever you own and even allow them to use your belongings without permission. But you yourself should never use anything that belongs to someone else without explicit permission. (Madraigos Haodom, section chesbon tzedek, ch. 7)

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