To be saved from the plague of the first born, the Jews are commanded to place the blood of a sheep on their doorpost the night before the Exodus. Implication: if they don’t make that act of distinction, they are worthy of death like the Egyptians. Why?

This question is compounded by the issue of the first born of captives being held in Egypt at the time of the plague. Rashi explains that they, too, are killed because the captives rejoiced in the Jews’ hardship. Had they not rejoiced, they would have been saved. But why? Wouldn’t they need a positive act to save them, just as the Jews needed the heroic act of placing the blood?

The difference: whereas the captives just want to survive, the Jews desire that judgment be brought upon Egypt. Once they desire and benefit from the judgment, they themselves become scrutinized and in need of greater merit.

This applies to us. In our relationships, interactions, and partnerships, we can scrutinize and decry as “intolerable” behavior of others. At the point that our assessment moves from understanding (he’s trying/he means well/how can I help) to judgment (he’s intolerable), watch out. We invite ourselves into the same arena of harsh scrutiny that we have created.

It is truly amazing the blessings we enable when we remind ourselves that seeking others’ good leverages, magnifies, and enables my own.

Shabbat Shalom,
Henry Harris