יום ד Date: 3 Tishrei, 5776 (10/5/16) – Bava Metzia Daf 9 {Eliezer Guterman}

CORNERED CHARACTERS

[9b bottom] Ulla: Pe’ah (the ‘corner’ portion of one’s crops that the Torah commands growers in Israel to leave over for the poor to harvest for themselves) may be collected by one poor man for the sake of a different poor man. This is due to the rule of, “When one can acquire for himself, he can also acquire for his fellow.”
R’ Rosner quoting Biurei Chassidus L’shas: This same idea is applied to character developments as well; Only when one is acquiring Torah for himself, working on his Middos, and constantly doing Teshuva, is he then also able to help acquire good deeds, mental health, and spiritual growth for his friends.

D-E-ep Thoughts: We always need to search inwards before we look outwards. Prior to criticizing others, we should first check to make sure we are securely grounded in that particular area (as most of the time, G-d is using that scenario to send us a special personal message). Once we have found comfort in a specific area, we will be able to help lift up others as well.