Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/254

Rh The Book of Genesis

236

some good can be found Ofttimes the basest sinner,

man who

in everyone, if only

we

look for

it.

has been the worst criminal or the

when given another chance, shows himself

hero and a benefactor.

In

as

fact,

we have

indicated,

a it

It warns us to be careful judging others, and not to be too hasty to condemn them

liappened so with Jacob himself. in

Be quick to think good of others, and slow to think evil. This is an excellent motto, which must greatly multiply human happiness and brotherly love. or think them wdiolly bad.

Hillel in

used to say, "J"<^g^ ^^ot another until thou hast stood Who can tell whether we should do better

his place".

under similar conditions? The story Rabbi Meir was surrounded by

home who greatly annoyed the good rabbi and his noble wife. One day, when particularly vexed, Beruria exclaimed, "Would to God that all sinners might perish from the earth !" But the gentle rabbi mildly rebuked her, 'Tray not to God that the of

sinners perish, for they are to

Him

will

that sin

may

be no more".

and condemn

still

is

told that the

evil

neighbors,

thy fellowmen.

But pray

perish from the earth, for then sinners

This

is

the mission of Israel, not to judge

and to teach, that sin may and all men be united in a covenant of peace, righteousness and love, to do the will of God. Esau's loving conduct towards his father reminds us strongly of Isaac's trusting love in, and obedience to his father Abraham. It reminds us also of another charming at

last

story

perish

of

the

sinners, but to labor

from the

rabbis.

earth,

In

the

city

of

Askelon,

in

ancient

young man named Dama, who dealt in precious stones. One day some of the elders came to buy a certain stone for the breastplate of the highpriest. They offered one thousand gold pieces. Dama went to the inner room, where his jewels were kept, to get the stone. But in a moment he returned and told the elders that he could not let them have it. Thev thoue:ht that thev had not offered Palestine,

lived

a \n