Comentários de Citação sobre Levítico 19:32

"the crown of Torah": About it is written (Leviticus 19:32), "and you shall respect the face of the elder (zaken)" - the one who has acquired wisdom (the first letters of these words, zeh [she]kanah chochmah, spell out zaken).

AND THOU SHALT DO THAT WHICH IS RIGHT AND GOOD IN THE SIGHT OF THE ETERNAL. In line with the plain meaning of Scripture the verse says, “Keep the commandments of G-d, His testimonies, and His statutes, and, in observing them, intend to do what is right and good in His sight only.” And [the expression in the verse before us] that it may be well with thee is a promise, stating that, when you will do that which is good in His eyes, it will be well with you, for G-d does good unto the good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.³¹¹Psalms 125:4. Our Rabbis have a beautiful Midrash on this verse. They have said:³¹²Mentioned in Rashi. See Baba Kamma 100 a. “[That which is right and good] refers to a compromise and going beyond the requirement of the letter of the law.”³¹³Literally: “within the line of justice,” or the application of the dictates of conscience beyond the strict line of the law. The intent of this is as follows: At first he [Moses] stated that you are to keep His statutes and His testimonies which He commanded you, and now he is stating that even where He has not commanded you, give thought, as well, to do what is good and right in His eyes, for He loves the good and the right. Now this is a great principle, for it is impossible to mention in the Torah all aspects of man’s conduct with his neighbors and friends, and all his various transactions, and the ordinances of all societies and countries. But since He mentioned many of them — such as, Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer;³¹⁴Leviticus 19:16. Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge;³¹⁵Ibid., Verse 18. neither shalt thou stand idly by the blood of thy neighbor;³¹⁴Leviticus 19:16. Thou shalt not curse the deaf;³¹⁶Ibid., Verse 14. Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head³¹⁷Ibid., Verse 32. and the like — he reverted to state in a general way that, in all matters, one should do what is good and right, including even compromise and, going beyond the requirements of the law.³¹³Literally: “within the line of justice,” or the application of the dictates of conscience beyond the strict line of the law. Other examples are the Rabbis’ ordinances concerning the prerogative of a neighbor,³¹⁸Baba Metzia 108 a. This is the right of pre-emption — that a neighbor has the primary right to purchase an adjoining property before, or in preference, to others. and even what they said [concerning the desirability] that one’s youthful reputation be unblemished,³¹⁹Taanith 16 b. This is given as one of the requirements of the deputy, who leads the congregation in prayer. and that one’s conversation with people be pleasant. Thus [a person must seek to refine his behavior] in every form of activity, until he is worthy of being called “good and upright.”

“You shall rise before the aged” [19:32]. When you see an old person, you should stand up, even if he is an ignoramus. When a scholar goes before you, even if he is young and not old, you should stand up and honor him.¹⁹Bahya, Leviticus, 19:32.