Vayechi: Chapter 61

"Fret not yourself because of evil doers"

Synopsis

The child whom the rabbis encounter in the previous section opens a discussion about "Fret not yourself because of evil doers."We learn that this verse is not a prayer or a song, but rather, it was spoken by the Holy Spirit. The verse warns us not to challenge the wicked, since we do not know about the previous incarnations of our own souls, let alone anyone else's. Furthermore, this verse instructs us that we should not look on the deeds of others for fear of feeling envious. Envy of another, we're told, transgresses three negative precepts commanded by God.

Relevance

Casting a jealous eye towards our friends and foe's possessions and/or positions in life diverts our attention away from our own lot. We fail to appreciate our good fortune. Continued lack of appreciation inevitably leads to the loss of all that we should have held dear to our hearts. The mystical effect of these verses shifts our attention away from others and redirects it towards our own spiritual treasures. Additionally, passing judgment upon others causes us to neglect negative deeds and immoral traits ingrained in our own nature. A spiritual individual realizes that the trials and tribulations that challenge us are a direct result of prior incarnations and they cannot be measured against the deeds and fortunes of others, for all is relative in the overall scheme of spiritual evolution.

Children David Evil Prayer Singing

608. The child opened the discussion saying, "To David. Fret not yourself because of evil doers, nor be envious against the workers of iniquity" (Tehilim 37:1). HE ASKS, "To David" shows it is not a song, like in "A psalm of David" nor a prayer, AS IN "A PRAYER OF DAVID." HE ANSWERS, Wherever it says just "To David," it was spoken by the Holy Spirit.

608. פְּתַח הַהוּא יְנוּקָא וַאֲמַר, לְדָוִד אַל תִּתְחַר בַּמְרֵעִים אַל תְּקַנֵּא בְּעוֹשֵׂי עַוְלָה. לְדָוִד, אִי שִׁירָתָא לָא קָאֲמַר, אִי תְּפִלָּה לָא קָאֲמַר, אֶלָּא בְּכָל אֲתַר לְדָוִד סְתָם, רוּח הַקֹּדֶשׁ אֲמָרוֹ.

Evil Soul, The Tree Wicked Wickedness

609. "Fret not yourself because of evil doers." HE ASKS, What is the meaning thereof? It should have been 'Join not EVIL DOERS.' HE REPLIES, Do not challenge the wicked, for you do not know your origins, MEANING, THE INCARNATIONS OF YOUR SOUL. IT MIGHT BE that you will not prevail against him, if he is a tree which was never uprooted, A SOUL WHICH WAS NEVER INCARNATED BEFORE, WHICH IS VERY STRONG. Then you will be repulsed by him.

609. אַל תִּתְחַר בַּמְרֵעִים. מַאי אַל תִּתְחַר בַּמְרֵעִים, אַל תִּתְחַבֵּר מִבָּעֵי לֵיהּ. אֶלָּא אַל תַּעֲבֵיד תַּחֲרוּת בַּמְרֵעִים, בְּגִין דְּלָא יָדַעְתְּ יְסוֹדָא דְגַרְמָךְ, וְלָא תֵיכוּל לֵיהּ, דִּילְמָא אִיהוּ אִילָנָא דְּלָא אִתְעַקַּר לְעָלְמִין, וְתִדְחֵי קַמֵּיהּ.

Deeds Idolatry Jealousy Likenesses Precepts

610. "Nor be envious against the workers of iniquity:" Do not look at their deeds, for you might be envious of them. For whoever sees their works and is not zealous for the glory of the Holy One, blessed be He, transgresses three negative precepts, "You shall have no other Elohim beside Me, You shall not make for yourself any carved idol, or any likeness of any thing...you shall not bow down to them, nor serve them: for I Hashem your Elohim am a jealous El" (Shemot 20:5).

610. וְאַל תְּקַנֵּא בְּעוֹשֵׂי עַוְלָה, דְּלָא תַשְׁגַּח בְּעוֹבָדֵיהוֹן, וְלָא תֵיתֵי לְקַנְאָה עֲלַיְיהוּ, דְּכָל מַאן דְחָמֵי עוֹבָדֵיהוֹן, וְלָא קַנֵּי לְקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, אַעֲבַר עַל תְּלַת לָאוִין, דִּכְתִיב לֹא יִהְיֶה לְךָ אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים עַל פָּנָי. לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה לְךָ פֶסֶל וְכָל תְּמוּנָה. לֹא תִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה לָהֶם וְלֹא תָעָבְדֵם כִּי אָנֹכִי ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ אֵל קַנָּא.

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