The Ramak's Advice: How to Love a Wicked Person
The Ramak's Advice: How to Love a Wicked Person
The great Ramak in “Tomer Devorah” explains how each of the 10 sefirot (Divine forces in creation) teaches us which character traits and behaviors we should develop within ourselves by emulating God:
“Just as God is gracious and compassionate, so should you be gracious and compassionate.” (Sifrei, Devarim 49; Sotah 14a).
In his discussion of the sefirah of Keter (Crown)—chapter 2, the Ramak suggests training oneself to love wicked people as brothers. Even evildoers should be loved in one's heart, while thinking:
“May God grant that they repent and become righteous, and then they will be great people, beloved by the Creator.”
How, then, should we love them?
The Ramak offers two suggestions for loving a wicked Jew:
“If this contemptible poor man were wealthy, how happy I would be to spend time in his company, just as I am happy to spend time with such-and-such a wealthy person.
And if this man were dressed in fine clothes, like such-and-such a person, there would be no difference between them. If so, why should I fail to honor him?
For in the eyes of the Almighty he is more important than I am, since he is afflicted by poverty and suffering and cleansed of sin. Why, then, should I hate someone whom the Almighty loves?”
These two metaphors for wicked people require explanation. The first mashal, or metaphor, is based on the dichotomy between the rich and the poor; the second, on people who are well or poorly dressed.
What is the difference between them?
Spiritual poverty refers to a lack of higher knowledge; no one knows what it means to live in this transient world. As the Sages say, “The only truly poor person is one who lacks knowledge” (Nedarim 41a). The Ramak tells us that this knowledge is “a work in progress” and that ignorance can still be remedied.
As for the second metaphor, our spiritual clothing is Mitzvot and Maasim Tovim—our good deeds. This, too, is an external factor that can be corrected over time.
Anyone who has experienced major changes in life knows this truth: a person is far more than merely his or her present state. We all have ups and downs, and we are all constantly changing. Therefore, we must judge those around us favorably.
God purifies a person through poverty and suffering—despite all appearances, the wicked suffer constantly.
“Who is wealthy? One who is happy with his portion” (Pirkei Avot 4:1)—the wicked are in a perpetual state of spiritual poverty. But their suffering signifies a process of purification.
(based on an article by Rabbi Dovid Sears)
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Tags: "Tomer Devorah", Ramak, How to Love a Wicked Person, The Ramak's Counsel
