Schmelke of Nicholsburg wrote that we are all part of each other. Each soul is a part of God's original soul, and even though are neighbor, friend, etc...wronged us, we should still love them because they are us. A disciple of Rabbi Schmelke asked him what should he do if he saw someone acting wicked before God? Schmelke replied that every soul is part of the original soul, and the original soul came from the essence of God. From what I gathered, it sounded as if someone blames another for being wicked, then they are blaming God as well.
I found this passage interesting and unnerving. I am intrigued by the idea that everyone is connected via through one soul. It is an interesting concept. I saw a cat run across the street earlier today, and I wondered to myself if that cat and I are one being. What I found unnerving is that I can not imagine myself being connected to murders, rapists, and terrorists. Also, I can not bring myself to forgive someone for murdering an innocent person. I have multiple opinions on this passage, and I can't seem to determine which opinion is more prominent.
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I had a hard time swallowing the concept that punishing the wicked was like punishing ourselves and God too. I do believe that our creator is a part of all of us; however, I also believe that we were given free will and born with the ability to make right and wrong decisions. So, I do not agree that by punishing the wicked, we are punishing ourselves or punishing God. I don't believe that God does not allow us or force us to do anything. I think that we choose to do everything we do. And every choice we make has a consequence. Like you, I would find it rather difficult to forgive a person for murder and I'll never consider myself on the same page as a rapist or terrorist. If you choose to murder someone or rape someone, the consequence of that choice may be that you receive the death penalty or several years in prison. It was an interesting concept, but I didn't completely follow it either.
ReplyDeleteIf a tree grows in good soil, well watered in sunlight, how can it recognize itself in another tree of the same species, stunted & bent by harsh winds and privations?
ReplyDeleteIt would need to examine and learn to recognize its own roots...