Be Kind To The Widow

The Torah lists three members of society that require special care and attention. They are, the convert, the orphan, and the widow.

The convert might see himself as an outsider, without family connections. He is often poor and struggling. We must never remind him that he is a convert, and we must not afflict him in any way.

There is a separate verse related to the orphan and widow. Similarly, we are commanded not to inflict them in any way. But here, this is followed by a very stern warning.

If you do afflict the orphan and the widow, your wife will be a widow, and your children will become orphans.

The Ibn Ezra even goes a step further by saying that if you see someone else afflicting the orphan and widow, and you don’t stop it, it’s as if you afflicted them yourselves.

It is interesting to note that the Halacha states that the same law applies whether the widow is wealthy or not. This shows how we must show extra compassion for any widow. Hashem tells us that when they cry out to Him, their cries are heard.

This should be taken very seriously regarding widows as the warnings are very clear. Extra compassion must be shown to them.