שבת Date: 17 Tishrei, 5774 (10/11/14) – Yevamos#7 {Eliezer}

CARING PUNISHMENTS

[7a middle] Gemarah: A violation of a negative prohibition is worse than a non-fulfillment of a positive command. Rashi: Because a negative prohibition violation is punishable with lashes.
Orech Laner quoting the Smag: If one gives one of his children over through fire for idol worship he is liable to death, but if he gives all over his children there is no punishment. Death helps to atone for the first case, but giving all of one’s children is so bad that even death is not even helpful for this person. This proves that sometimes a lack of a punishment might be worse than actually receiving one.

D-E-ep Thoughts: When a child gets punished, at least the parents are caring enough to maintain a relationship in the first place. It is much worse when a parent “gives up” and no longer wants to have anything to do with the child at all. We must always be thankful for the good and the “bad” that we get from Hashem. We should always cherish each and every relationship we have (with our friends, family, and Hashem) and keep that appreciation with us always to be B’simcha (in a state of happiness).