Respect All Jews

Parshat בחוקותי contains the תוכחה, or rebuke. It is a harsh warning of what will happen to the Jewish people, if they do not obey the commandments.

Among the warnings contained in this section is, ואת משפטי תגעל נפשכם, that you will come to despise my statutes. Rashi says this refers to those who spurn those who worship the Torah.

This includes making fun of or belittling Torah observant Jews. Rabbi Twerski adds that there is an aspect to this law that is often overlooked. It is obvious that it is never good to mock someone who practices Judaism.

But it is also not proper to mock those who attempt to take Judaism to a higher level. He is referring to those who are extra exact in how they follow the commandments. This includes only drinking חלב ישראל, Jewish milk, and having separate seating at family events, and going the extra distance whenever possible.

We are not talking about people who impose their stringencies on others. But we are referring to those who show extreme diligence. They must not be belittled or looked down upon.

Rabbi Twerski mentioned a case where a family tried to break up an engagement of their son, because the girl’s mother covered her hair.

We need to find a situation where we need not only to respect observant Jews, but we also need to respect the exceptionally diligent Jews.

Otherwise, we will be violating the rebuke referred to in the תוכחה.