In his commentary to Parshat Kedoshim, Rashi uses extremely harsh descriptions for a certain type of individual. He calls him an aval (villain), a sanui (hated one), a meshukats (repulsive person), a cherem (one who is banned) and a toeva (abomination). Rashi goes on to say that this type of person contaminates the Land, desecrates G-d's Name, chases away the Shechina, makes Israel fall by the sword and causes Israel to be exiled from their Land. Who is Rashi talking about?
We find the above in Rashi's commentary to Vayikra 19:35: "You shall not do wrong in justice, in measurement, in weight, or in the mesurah." Rashi explains that the verse implies that one who measures is like a judge, and that one who cheats in business is like one who perverts justice. Hence what applies to a corrupt judge applies to him also. And such a judge is an aval, a sanui, and so forth.
Perversion of justice cannot be tolerated. First of all, this obligates the official justice system. To our great shame, the Israeli justice system is biased against things too Jewish, as is testified by far too many blatant miscarriages of justice. Who can justify the closure of Arutz Sheva radio, or the closure of the internet site devoted to the teachings of Rabbi Meir Kahane? Who can explain the painful detention of Noam Federman? According to Israeli law, it is forbidden to insult a public servant, but Rashi had no problem with that. Those who are keeping Noam Federman in jail should thus reread the first paragraph and apply it to themselves.
However, in the final analysis, the responsibility for having a society in which justice rules does not lie with the government or with the justice system. It is not accidental that Rashi wrote the above in the context of deceit in business. Our Sages explain that the above verse of Torah is about very small deceits in length, weight or volume measurements. Why do such small deceits bring such awesome consequences? Because he who thinks he can steal a little is denying the existence of HaShem. He thinks that if nobody can see what he is doing, he can get away with it. He is more culpable than one who denies the existence of HaShem in words only. He is as guilty as one who explicitly perverts justice. Both are as if they worship idols, and the curses that Rashi brings are indeed the punishment associated to idol worship.
Therefore, make sure that the money you make is honestly yours. Toil in constructive work; do not try to avoid it. Do not think you can steal and remain in the Land. If you do not believe Rashi, the Torah itself continues after the above verse, in Vayikra 19:36: "You shall have correct scales, a correct ephah, and a correct hin; I am Hashem, your G-d, Who brought you forth from the land of Egypt." HaShem knew exactly who where the firstborn in Egypt. Would He not know who is cheating in business or who is trying to steal himself through life? Rather, He brought you to Israel on the explicit condition that you will not steal.
We find the above in Rashi's commentary to Vayikra 19:35: "You shall not do wrong in justice, in measurement, in weight, or in the mesurah." Rashi explains that the verse implies that one who measures is like a judge, and that one who cheats in business is like one who perverts justice. Hence what applies to a corrupt judge applies to him also. And such a judge is an aval, a sanui, and so forth.
Perversion of justice cannot be tolerated. First of all, this obligates the official justice system. To our great shame, the Israeli justice system is biased against things too Jewish, as is testified by far too many blatant miscarriages of justice. Who can justify the closure of Arutz Sheva radio, or the closure of the internet site devoted to the teachings of Rabbi Meir Kahane? Who can explain the painful detention of Noam Federman? According to Israeli law, it is forbidden to insult a public servant, but Rashi had no problem with that. Those who are keeping Noam Federman in jail should thus reread the first paragraph and apply it to themselves.
However, in the final analysis, the responsibility for having a society in which justice rules does not lie with the government or with the justice system. It is not accidental that Rashi wrote the above in the context of deceit in business. Our Sages explain that the above verse of Torah is about very small deceits in length, weight or volume measurements. Why do such small deceits bring such awesome consequences? Because he who thinks he can steal a little is denying the existence of HaShem. He thinks that if nobody can see what he is doing, he can get away with it. He is more culpable than one who denies the existence of HaShem in words only. He is as guilty as one who explicitly perverts justice. Both are as if they worship idols, and the curses that Rashi brings are indeed the punishment associated to idol worship.
Therefore, make sure that the money you make is honestly yours. Toil in constructive work; do not try to avoid it. Do not think you can steal and remain in the Land. If you do not believe Rashi, the Torah itself continues after the above verse, in Vayikra 19:36: "You shall have correct scales, a correct ephah, and a correct hin; I am Hashem, your G-d, Who brought you forth from the land of Egypt." HaShem knew exactly who where the firstborn in Egypt. Would He not know who is cheating in business or who is trying to steal himself through life? Rather, He brought you to Israel on the explicit condition that you will not steal.