יום ד Date: 22 Cheshvan, 5776 (11/23/16) – Bava Metzia Daf 58 ~ Eliezer Guterman

SUFFERING SICKNESS

[58b middle] Gemarah: If one is enduring afflictions or sickness, another should not say (in the manner that Iyov’s friend’s said to him) “You really deserved this, since people only get punished when they have done something wrong.”

D-E-ep Thoughts: When it comes to ourselves, we are supposed to understand ‘punishments’ as wake up calls from Hashem to fix something that we have done (or are currently doing) wrong. However, when it comes to what we witness happening to others, we must not upset them further by casting any blame. It is our duty to have compassion for others in predicaments and recognize that we have roles to fulfill in assisting them to get through their difficult times. In fact, we may only be learning about their troubles in order for us to help them and better ourselves in the process.